GRAND, Vol V Ed I, Spring 2022

Vol. V, Ed. I
GRAND
grandmag.ca
Q&A
Dr. Allison Rees
Parent Educator,
Mother & Grandmother
How to Talk to Your
Grandkids About
World Events
10
Things
to Do
with Grandchildren
This Summer

2 GRAND grandmag.ca

Central Saanich, BC North Saanich, BC North Saanich, BC
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A legacy gift to Habitat for Humanity Victoria
can transform the lives of local families living in
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By including us in your will or estate plan, you
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visit habitatvictoria.com/donate
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phone 250-480-7688 ext 102
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 3

CREATE A LASTING LEGACY
©UNHCR/Sebastian Rich
A gift in your Will to
UNHCR means your
generosity can provide
vital services and supplies
to those who need it
urgently, wherever an
emergency strikes.
Men, women and children forced to flee their homes
have made extraordinary efforts to survive. For as long
as people are displaced, UNHCR, the UN Refugee
Agency, will continue to answer the call to support
millions of refugees, forcibly displaced communities
and stateless people—today, tomorrow and for years
to come.
Leaving a gift in your Will ensures a meaningful legacy
and hope for the world’s most vulnerable refugees.
Contact Kudzai Riva, Director of Planned Giving,
at rivak@unhcr.org or (416) 926-7974 to learn
more about the impact of leaving a gift in your Will.
unhcr.ca/gifts-in-wills
For 70 years, UNHCR has been dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of people forced to flee all over the world. With your help, we provide shelter, food,
4 water, GRAND medical care and other life-saving assistance. We help safeguard human rights by offering safety, documentation and access to education. And, we grandmag.ca
develop
solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home and improve their future.

CONTENTS
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
7 Grand: Ideas + Inspiration
Q&A: Dr. Allison Rees
On the importance of having fun with our
grandchildren, letting them know they’re
adored and loved, and the magic of seeing
our children as parents.
How to Talk to Your Grandkids
About World Events
What adults can do to help kids deal
with what they see in the media
and online.
TIM COLLINS
10 Things to Do with
Grandchildren This Summer
Seeing summer through your
grandchild’s eyes.
SUSAN GNUCCI
A Recipe to Nurture
Grandkids
Sharing the gift of wisdom and spirit.
LINDSAY COULTER
Grandparents & Good Books
Stories on how special the
grandparent-grandchild
relationship can be.
CHRISTINA VAN STARKENBURG
Leaving a Legacy
An impactful way to participate in
your grandchild’s financial upbringing.
ALYX VALDAL
How to Be an
Eco-Friendly Traveller
What it means to be a green traveller.
Easy as Pie
Teaching and learning
pastry-making skills.
EMILLIE PARRISH
Growing (B)older
Aging brings strength.
That’s the message in The End of Old
Age: Living a Longer More Purposeful
Life by geriatric psychologist Dr. Marc
Agronin.
“When we realize the truth of this
message, we can begin to end the tired
and constricted notions of ‘old’ that
we internalize throughout our lifetime
and that serve to denigrate and
limit our aging self and perpetuate an
ageist culture,” writes Agronin. “To
achieve this understanding, we must
recognize the immense potential of
our aging self, even in the face of common
and expected struggles. We must
learn how to age in a creative manner
that is both the antidote to feeling old
and the elixir of aging well.”
One of the best ways communities
can help older adults age well is to
celebrate them and harness their wisdom,
he adds.
Aging is an opportunity,
not a curse.
To help us see it that way, Agronin
suggests focusing on five main areas:
Reserve: Catalogue your wisdom
and take inventory of what you’ve
learned over your lifetime.
Resilience: Consider your purpose
in life; this is paramount in gaining a
second wind in old age.
Reinvention: Change the way you
create, treat people and explore the
world.
Legacy: Think about what you will
leave behind; this can alter how you
spend the rest of your days.
Celebration: Transitions in life often
come with a party, why not do it for
getting old?
Nobody said changing your
life is easy.
“It’s a long, gruelling process that
takes honest self-reflection and a
drive to become better.”
Here’s to growing (b)older and
better!
ON THE COVER
Arlow (1) &
Dr. Allison Rees
Photo by
Don Denton
Vol. V, Ed. I
GRAND
grandmag.ca
Q&A
Dr. Allison Rees
Parent Educator,
Mother & Grandmother
How to Talk to Your
Grandkids About
World Events
10
Things
to Do
with Grandchildren
This Summer
Jim Schneider Publisher
publisher@islandparent.ca
Sue Fast Editor
editor@islandparent.ca
Kristine Wickheim Account Manager
kristine@islandparent.ca
RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager
raeleigh@islandparent.ca
GRAND, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a digital
publication that honours and supports grandparents by providing
information on resources and businesses for families and a forum
for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not
necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be
reproduced without the permission of the publisher.
518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5
250-388-6905 grandmag.ca
A proud member of
BC
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 5

Ideas + Inspiration
7Grand
The “1000 X 5”
Children’s Book
Recycling Project
Families at most elementary
schools in Victoria, Saanich,
and Sooke School districts and
seven independent schools
can donate gently used picture
books for babies and
preschoolers. Retired teachers
and administrators donate
time to sort, label, and gift bag
those books. The gift bags
are delivered to Strong Start
Centres and community agencies
where families can take
home three quality books for
each child. For information or
to make a charitable donation,
visit 1000x5.ca.
A Grandparent’s
Q&A
Questions for My Grandmother/Grandfather
(Insight
Editions) poses 150 engaging
questions—some silly, some
serious, all genuine—to encourage
grandkids of all ages
to approach conversations
with their grandparent in a
fresh new way. Questions are
inclusive and meant to appeal
to a wide range of grandparents
and grandkids and come
in an illustrated box set that
includes a blank notebook for
jotting down notes, memories,
and new questions to ask.
simonandschuster.ca
Learn Something
New
Learn about writing, cooking,
wellness, sports, business,
relationships and more, with
each topic taught by an expert.
Through programs like
Masterclass and Skillshare,
you can access thousands of
classes about topics ranging
from Animation to Wilderness
Survival—and everything in
between. Both platforms offer
per class options along with
unlimited access based on
membership. For more information,
visit masterclass.com
or skillshare.com.
6 GRAND grandmag.ca

ACTIVE Aging,
Not Anti-aging
Summer Farmers’
Markets
Creative
Communities
The Wellness
App
Active Aging Canada strives
With summer just around the
Every community has its
Make your own health and
to promote a society where
corner, it’s not too early to
own unique cultural footprint.
wellness plan with The Foun-
all adult and older adult Ca-
start thinking about Farm-
Art-BC Creative Communities
tain of Health’s Wellness App.
nadians are leading active
ers’ Markets. Make a day of it
present events, artists and
The Wellness App helps you
lifestyles that contribute to
with your grandkids; stock up
destinations that will help you
to set and meet small, doable
their overall well-being and
on picnic ingredients and hit
discover the best of BC’s Arts
goals in areas that can pro-
independence, a lifestyle that
the park or beach. There are
and Culture. From Alert Bay to
mote well-being and improve
embraces physical activ-
markets from one end of the
Zeballos—and many more loca-
health. Areas include: physical
ity and an active living phi-
Island to the other, featuring
tions—on Vancouver Island,
activity, social activity, brain
losophy with the end goal of
locally grown produce, hand-
and from Abbotsford to Wil-
challenge, positive thinking
healthy active aging. For re-
made products, live music
liams Lake in the Lower Main-
and mental health. The Well-
sources and active living tips,
and family-friendly activities.
land and beyond, BC’s Guide
ness App is available for free
visit activeagingcanada.ca.
For a list, visit
to Arts & Culture will keep you
and usable on any device—
bcfarmsandfood.com.
busy throughout the year. To
computer, laptop, iPhone, iPad
order a guide, visit art-bc.com.
or Android device.
fountainofhealth.ca
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 7

Profile
Q&A: Dr. Allison Rees
Dr. Allison Rees has been a fixture
on the Parent Education circuit
since the early 90s, speaking
to tens of thousands of parents and
professionals over the years at engagements
across the Island. Along with
being a trusted voice in parent education,
she is also a mother and a grandmother.
Allison has co-authored two
books, Sidestepping the Power Struggle
and The Parent Child Connection. She
has contributed to Island Parent for
close to 30 years, penning the popular
column Cut It Out. She has a commonsense,
respectful and joyful approach
to helping parents in their roles as
parents.
Q. How many children do you have?
What are their names?
My son, Jarryd, is 33, and my daughter,
Lexy, just turned 31.
Q. How many grandchildren do you
have? What are their names and
ages? Where do they live?
I have one grandchild. Arlow turns
1 on March 27th. Presently, my daughter,
husband and grand-daughter live
in Victoria.
Q. What do you love most about being
a grandparent? Least?
I love watching my daughter parent
her daughter so lovingly. I have deep
admiration in seeing Lexy’s determi-
8 GRAND grandmag.ca

nation to give Arlow a strong sense
of attachment, independence when
wanted, and in educating herself as
a parent. I am also experiencing a
special relationship with Arlow. She
knows the games we play together.
She reaches out for me when I arrive,
and I get a sense that she trusts me.
That warms my heart.
What I least enjoy are the times
when Arlow is sick or in pain with
teething. Not only do I worry about
her, but I worry about my daughter
worrying about her. I seem to recall
my mother saying something like this
to me then I would worry about my
mom worrying about me, worrying
about my daughter. Worry is my least
favourite thing!
Q. How is being a grandparent different
than being a parent?
Obvious answer. I get to sleep, eat a
meal without interruptions, read…I’m
sure you get my point. It is totally different.
Q. What was important to you as a
parent when you were raising your
own children?
Growing up myself so that I could
break ineffective family patterns and
contribute to my children’s psychological
health.
Q. What is most important to you as a
grandparent?
Being available to do anything to
help out and bring relief to their family.
I also mind my own business and
don’t give unsolicited advice. I respect
their way of doing things. They have
so much information and education at
their fingertips. I had a few books. I’m
learning a lot from my daughter.
Q. What part did your grandparents
play in your life? What did you learn
from them?
I had limited contact with my
grandparents as we immigrated from
Scotland to Victoria. My mother’s
mom was kind and loving. This was
evident in my mother’s behaviour and
continues down the line.
Q. How did/will you help your children—and
how do you help your
grandchildren—find their talents and
strengths? To explore their creativity?
By letting them take the lead and being
open to their interests. The same
way I did with my children. Putting
my ego and agenda aside!
Q. What are some of your favourite
things to do and places to go with
your grandchildren?
We are just getting out of the winter
months now so most of my time is in
their home. We just play in whatever
way we can. It changes every week.
Q. What do you wish for your grandchildren?
Health, happiness and peace.
Q. What would you like your grandchildren
to remember most about
you?
I would like them to know that I
simply adored them. That’s all.
Q. Do you have any wise words or stories
to share with other grandparents
to help them in their role raising their
grandchildren?
When my mother became a nana,
she was pure love and fun. She never
judged me, my choices or my kids.
She had a wonderful sense of humour
that would come out when one of my
kid’s did something typical of their
age. “They’re just children.” I think
she was a major contributor to their
well-being, their self-esteem and their
ability to have such great relationships
with others. Jarryd and Lexy
loved their nana, and I feel her presence
guiding me. When people say you
feel the presence of loved ones, I get it.
Mom’s attitude, her words, her way of
being have stayed with me.
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 9

GRANDparenting
How to Talk to Your Grandkids
About World Events
Tim Collins is a writer and freelance
journalist living and working in Victoria.
Let’s face it, the last couple of years
have been less than ideal.
The COVID pandemic came out
of nowhere to stun the world. Most
of us found ourselves wearing surgical
masks, obsessively washing and
disinfecting our hands, and discovering
the benefits—and drawbacks—of
Zoom meetings. Some of us, myself
included, stepped in to continue our
kid’s education when schools were
shuttered in fear of the disease.
All of us lived in the hope that our
loved ones would escape a plague that,
worldwide, was killing tens of thousands
every day.
Scary times.
All of this, of course, was happening
while our neighbours to the South
seemed to be losing their collective
minds. A never-ending flow of lies,
corruption, and hatred streamed to us
through multiple media outlets, and
we wondered if, like Covid, similar
breakdowns in social order would infect
our own backyards.
In case we didn’t have enough to
worry about, a young Swedish activist
named Greta Thunberg was simultaneously
on every platform to remind
us that climate change threatens to
destroy us all and that world governments
are failing to do what is needed
to save humanity.
And, oh yeah, Russia decided to
start a war of conquest with its neighbour,
all the while threatening to use
nuclear weapons if anyone tried to
stop them.
Like I said, less than ideal.
So, what should adults be doing to
help kids deal with what they see in
the media and online?
I recently read some advice on this
topic from an esteemed psychologist
who suggested that parents limit their
kid’s exposure to the news.
Right.
Statistics Canada reports that about
90 percent of kids in middle school
have cell phones and 50 percent of
those kids check their phones every
30 minutes or so. More than half use
their phones while watching TV.
Sooooo…short of confiscating
phones and computers and perhaps
locking the kids in a cave, the concept
of limiting exposure is just, well, cute.
The first step is to make certain that
you know what you’re talking about.
Educate yourself on what’s happening
by reading and listening to a variety
of credible sources. Avoid any media
outlets that have defended themselves
from court action by saying that no
10 GRAND grandmag.ca

easonable person would believe a
word that they say. (Yes, that really
happened. Google it.)
So, what can you do?
A good place to start is to listen
to your kids. Find out what they are
concerned about and what they know
about what’s going on in the world,
but don’t force it. Consider the age and
development of the young person in
your life and try to find out what, if
anything, is causing them stress.
And while limiting their access to
information is a fool’s errand, you
might want to open a discussion about
what they are seeing online and in the
media. Talk about how not all sources
are reliable and how you can factcheck
what you see and hear, both in
the media and from their friends.
If, like me, some of the young people
in your life are teens, the discussion
can get a wee bit more in-depth.
For example, I’ve talked to my
granddaughter about some recent
events. I asked her why she thought
that the coverage of some stories had
been overwhelming. Was it because it
was a newsworthy story or was it to
boost ratings and clicks? Did the coverage
provide new information?
That led to a discussion on the mission
of real news outlets.
Another suggestion is to talk about
what your child, or in my case, grandchild,
can do.
Any troubling event or challenge
presents opportunities.
For example, a natural disaster
might be the springboard for developing
a family plan in case of a similar
event. It’s also a chance to find out
what others are doing and what can be
done to help.
Finally, don’t be afraid to broaden
the discussion and talk about how
kindness, cooperation and courage
have helped people survive in the past.
Those same things will always be important,
no matter what comes next.
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 11

Road Trip
10 Things to Do with
Grandchildren This Summer
Susan Gnucci is a local author and a
proud “nonna” to two young grandsons.
She enjoys sharing her experiences as
a grandparent.
Any grandparent will tell you that
one of the greatest pleasures
of having grandchildren is seeing
the world through their eyes. We
are privileged to witness their joy of
discovery, which in turn transports
us back to our own childhoods, giving
us the opportunity to re-discover our
world through the unblemished perspective
of a child. That is why providing
experiences that stimulate and
challenge our grandchildren is so enjoyable.
And what better time of year
to do that than in the summer months
when the weather cooperates?
So here are a few of my favourite
summer activities with my grandson—some
are budget-friendly, requiring
only time and effort, while
others are more costly to be enjoyed
once per season or annually.
Sidney Spit. Sidney Island boasts a
marine park that provides wonderful
forested walking trails as well as endless
stretches of sand for beachcombing
and water play. This marine park
is accessed by booking a 20-minute
water ferry from the Sidney pier. sidneyspitferry.com
U-Pick farms. There are a number of
local farms on the Saanich Peninsula
that encourage families to pick their
own produce: Marsh Farm located on
Wallace Drive in Saanichton is one
example. Go first thing in the morning
before it gets too hot and then stop by
Dan’s Market on Oldfield Road to pick
up a bite to eat, shop for fresh local
meats, breads, and produce, and say
hello to their resident goats, chickens,
and rabbits. To find a farm in your
area, visit bcfarmfresh.com.
Coombs Old Country Market. Famous
for its goats grazing on the grassy
roof—yes, on the roof!—Coombs Market
also boasts homemade ice cream/
gelato/sorbet, a specialty, and provides
a wide variety of local and imported
food, gifts, and toys. If you haven’t
packed a lunch, you can dine at one of
a number of eateries: a bistro, cantina,
trattoria or pizzeria.
Qualicum Beach. Famous for its miles
of sandy beachfront and warm tidal
waters, this beach is located between
Parksville and Courtenay and is sure
to provide hours of entertainment for
children of all ages. A sand sculpture
contest is held annually that draws
world-class sculptors, and a newly
renovated playground is right next
door.
Scavenger Hunts. One of the simplest
free activities for children of all
ages is a scavenger hunt. The beauty
of this activity is that it can be conducted
anywhere—a forest walk, a
beach, a marina, a park etc. You can
12 GRAND grandmag.ca

put together your own list, or there
are many to be found from a quick
Google search. A treat or a prize for
completion is always a big motivator!
BC Aviation Museum. This gem of
a museum is located in Sidney and
is dedicated to the local history of
flight. The museum offers something
of interest for children of all ages. Included
in the entrance fee is access to
two hangars that house reconstructed
planes of all shapes, sizes, and eras.
Knowledgeable volunteers provide
information and share stories. Kids
can practice landing a model WWII
fighter plane on the deck of an aircraft
carrier, or sit inside a mini-helicopter,
or try their hand at a flight simulator.
Glass Beach/Sidney Pier. This small
beach—named for the thousands of
polished coloured glass chips that litter
the sand—is located between Sidney’s
wharf and its pier. Be prepared
to spend an afternoon collecting these
glass treasures, safe to handle thanks
to the wave action has polished them
smooth. The Sidney pier provides
more entertainment—be sure to put
one of the provided life jackets on
your little one. Children delight in
watching the crab traps being hauled
up and measured, with the “keepers”
deposited into large buckets of water.
Waterparks/Playgrounds. There are
a number of playgrounds with water
features in the Greater Victoria area
and the best thing about them is they
are free. One of our favourites is at
Carnarvon Rotary Water Park. A picnic
lunch will complete the day.
Morningstar Farm. This heritage
dairy farm located north of Parksville
provides self-guided tours at no cost.
Children can learn about the milking
process as well as cheese making.
Meet farm animals such as calves,
sheep and goats or purchase cheese,
meat, eggs, coffee and other local
products—including toys!—from the
farm store.
Elk/Beaver Lake. These two connected
lakes not only provide freshwater
swimming, but each has its own
playground and picnic areas. There is
also a 10km walking/biking trail that
circumnavigates both lakes providing
an excellent opportunity for some exercise
whether it be walking, jogging,
or bike riding.
Calling all nature lovers!
Join the Capital Region’s
City Nature Challenge
April 29 - May 2, 2022
How many wild plants and animals can you find in
the capital region? Join the CRD and its partners as
we compete with cities around the world to document
urban nature using the free and simple iNaturalist app.
Get outside with your family to explore the capital
region’s amazing biodiversity.
Learn more at www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity.
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 13

Mind
A Recipe to
Nourish Grandkids
“In a troubled time, the willingness to proceed like you’re needed
is a radical act.” – Stephen Jenkinson
Lindsay Coulter is a writer, educator,
facilitator, naturalist, community catalyst,
soul activist, mentor, and dedicated
mother of two. She’s the Director of
Communications, Culture and Community
at EPIC Learning Centre, a forest and
nature school in Victoria, B.C. Find her @
SaneAction on Instagram and Facebook.
If old trees become fertile ground,
then it’s grandparents who we need
to nourish future generations. How
will you offer yourself to the world?
From an open-hearted and generous
place, we need grandparents to share
their gifts, wisdom and spirit.
We are creatures of connection.
Happiness and resilience blossom
when we recognize our interconnection
through generations and with our
living world.
Try a few simple acts to live in
alignment with our innate desire to
contribute:
Forage with kids. It’s like hide and
seek with a delicious pay off! When I
was a kid, my grandparents took me
foraging for morel mushrooms. It was
a fun spring family activity of bushwhacking
and climbing over forest
debris and a peaceful way to experience
nature reciprocity. Introduce
grandchildren to your lineage of gatherers
seeking nettle, berries or other
wild edibles.
Landscape for the soul. Landscapes
are potent. It’s here we can connect
with our ancestors. Take your grandkids
to your favourite view or vista.
Maybe somewhere your parents took
you? Mary Reynolds Thompson, author
of Reclaiming the Wild Soul, says
all landscapes are not extrinsic to who
you are; they are woven into the core
of your being. Introduce children the
landscapes they belong to. Can’t think
of a landscape? Invite the child to
show you a place they hold sacred.
Take them to water. Water is an
earth element with healing qualities—
it’s pure and precious. Take a child to
play, picnic or sit near water, it sooths
the body and soul. Alan Wolfelt, author
and founder and director of the
Center for Loss and Life Transition,
says, “When we spend time near water,
we connect to its tranquility and
flow.” Vancouver Island offers many
opportunities to attune to the ocean,
it’s streams, waterfalls, ponds and
lakes. A walk in the rain counts too!
Find ritual. Invite grandkids to participate
in a ritual from your ancestors,
culture and roots. This can be an
act to reclaim and better understand
the benefits of ceremony. Without
ritual our lives can become empty and
devoid of symbolism. The magical language
of ritual helps us stay connected
to our roots, brings us into the present
moment and reminds us of our human
goodness. Many children have a
Photo: Kalene Lillico
14 GRAND grandmag.ca

longing to understand the magic and
electricity of heartfelt ritual. Can you
help?
Tell stories. Television has taken
the place of storytelling around a fire,
says Toko-pa Turner author of Belonging:
Remembering Ourselves Home.
Make time to share your stories. My
grandfather wrote his life story a few
years before he died. Each birthday, I
read an excerpt of it to my kids so they
may appreciate their lineage of fearless
ancestors.
Feed them. We’re no longer eating
together or gathering around the
anchor that was the family dining
room table. Food preparation time has
decreased for families, and snacking
time has increased! Invite grandchildren
to cook, bake or preserve the
harvest with you. Make something
from scratch. Dr. Deborah MacNamara,
an author and counsellor, urges us
to protect mealtime. Doing so helps us
realize where we belong and who we
belong too. Tip: Gift children a family
recipe in every birthday card. They
will grow to appreciate them with age.
“Sharing food is a metaphor for all
giving. When we offer someone food, we
are not just giving that person something
to eat, we are giving far more. We
give strength, beauty, clarity of mind,
and even life, because none of those
things would be possible without food.
So when we feed another, this is what
we are offering: the substance of life
itself.” – Susan Salzberg
Give a blessing. Teach a child how to
ask for support from the unseen, kind
and wise. Religions and faith name
these and any child can be invited to
explore allies, helping spirits or the
energy in the world around us. Barbara
Moore calls blessings proactive,
empowering and something you give.
For example, kids can offer a blessing
to a friend, a new home, celebration
or beloved pet. Other ways to connect
or communicate, like prayer can call
in light, love, non-human kin (for example
a tree, stone, water) and basic
goodness. Did you know praying aloud
helps regulate the vagus nerve, among
the most complex systems of nerves in
the body? And so does sitting, chanting,
humming, yawning and laughing.
Show grandkids in your life how
to sew, mend and repair items. Plant
seeds in the garden together or become
pen pals so they learn how to
write a letter or postcard. Teach kids
how to knit, crotchet and build. They
need your presence and crave meaningful
experiences together. Enjoy!
Nikan
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grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 15

Mind
Grandparents
& Good Books
Christina Van Starkenburg lives in
Victoria with her husband, children, and
cat. She is the author of One Tiny Turtle:
A Story You Can Colour and many articles.
To read more of her work and learn
about her upcoming books visit
christinavanstarkenburg.com.
Facebook: facebook.com/
christinavanstarkenburg
and Twitter: @Christina_VanS
One of my children’s favourite
things to do when their grandparents
come and visit, is to curl
up on the couch—or their beds—and
read a bedtime story. It’s something
I loved doing when I was growing up
too. Even though we read to our children
every night before bed, there’s
just something special about hearing
Nana or Papa read their favourite stories.
If you are looking for some new
stories that could become favourites,
here are a few that highlight just how
special the grandparent/grandchild
relationship can be.
The first is My Day with Gong Gong by
Sennah Yee and illustrated by Elaine
Chen (Annick Press, 2020). In this
adorable story, May spends the day
wandering through Chinatown with
her grandfather. But they have a big
problem: they don’t speak the same
language. Still, before May gives up
completely, Gong Gong has a surprise
to turn things around. For ages 3 to 7.
Just like My Day with Gong Gong, this
next story reminds readers just how
magical it can be to spend a day with
a grandparent. In Maud and Grand-
Maud by Sara O’Leary and illustrated
by Kenard Pak (Tundra, 2020), Maud
can’t wait to spend the day with the
woman she is named after. The illustrations
in this story are fantastic and
they really showcase just how sweet
and special the relationship can be.
For ages 3 to 7.
As I mentioned, I have memories of
the times I spent with my grandparents.
But, unlike Mina Javaherbin, I
haven’t written them down. However,
I am glad she did. In My Grandma and
Me by Mina Javaherbin and illustrated
by Lindsey Yankey (Candlewick Press,
2019), Mina recollects the time she
spent with her grandmother growing
up. From waking up early to pray or
eat before sunrise during Ramadan, to
building rocket ships from scrap fabric,
Mina followed her grandmother
everywhere. This story reminds us all,
how the special things, don’t have to
be extravagant. For ages 4 to 8.
This next story isn’t directly about
grandparents, but it is about those
around us that we lovingly call Gramma
or Grampa. Those wonderful souls
who just envelope everyone with their
warmth. In Wingmaker by Dave Cameron
and illustrated by David Huyck
(Kids Can Press, 2021), two ants, Leaf
and Lou, take care of Gramma Tinker
and help her with her inventions. As
the story unfolds, Gramma Tinker,
who is an eastern tent caterpillar, is
building her greatest invention yet:
the Wingmaker. For ages 4 to 8.
16 GRAND grandmag.ca

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Finally, as much as we may want
to avoid it, we all know that there
will come a time when we need to
say goodbye. It’s not always easy to
find the words to say. But this next
book might help. In Bon Voyage Mister
Rodriguez Christiane Duchesne and
Francois Thisdale (Pajama Press, 2019)
work together to write and illustrate a
magical story about how the children
of one community said goodbye to a
very special man. For ages 4 to 8.
Even if you don’t take any of these
suggestions to heart—though they
are fantastic stories—I hope you all
find fun and enjoyable ways to spend
time with your grandchildren, be it
through reading, tinkering or letting
them use your scrap cut offs to build a
rocket ship.
flexibility
for
different
learning
styles
optional
hands-on
learning
activities
support
from a
certified
teacher
gentle and
constructive
feedback
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 17

Money &
Finances
Leaving a Legacy
Grandchildren are the apple of
your eye, and, just like children,
they can be easy to spend money
on! For some grandparents, spoiling
one’s grandchildren is natural, especially
if you are in a better financial
position than when you were when
raising your children.
Besides ice cream treats and the
occasional gift, an impactful way to
participate in your grandchild’s financial
upbringing is to consider leaving
a legacy. There are a number of ways
you can accomplish this:
1. Contribute to an RESP for education
savings
A Registered Education Savings
Plan is one of the most common savings
vehicles for Canadians saving
for a child’s future. Deposits of up to
$2,500 per year will generate a 20%
match from the Government ($500/yr
Canada Education Savings Grant) and
up to $50,000 total can be put into an
RESP for a beneficiary. Anyone can
open an RESP and grants accumulate
based on contributions, so coordinate
with the parents, if there is another
RESP in place as the grant will be allocated
to the first $2,500 (if more is
being contributed, across all RESPs for
the same beneficiary). You can also
give money to the parents to contribute
to an RESP. If a beneficiary doesn’t
go to school, all money contributed
goes back to the subscriber (the owner
of the RESP), grants go back to the
Government, and interest earned is
taxed (if the beneficiary does go to
school, the interest earnings are taxed
in their hands when the money is
withdrawn).
2. Match TFSA contributions for
adult grandchildren
Since 2009, any Canadian resident
over the age of 18 earns TFSA contribution
room each tax year. This year’s
contribution maximum is $6,000. To
encourage savings, you could match
your grandchild’s contributions. If
they have a bi-weekly paycheque, $115
per pay from them and a match from
you will be close to the maximum for
the year. This is a much more manageable
amount than a young adult trying
to plan a strategy for saving $500/
month.
3. Pay them to work
If you want to help children or teens
save money for things they want,
let them earn it. Anything can be a
job. Grandfather Joe Gilgunn’s three
grandchildren are designing bookmarks
for him, at a dollar a piece.
“I used to give my daughters’ friends
quarters for being polite and they jokingly
still expect it when I run into
them now—30 years later,” he says.
“Earning small amounts of money to
save and spend is one way I’ve seen
children learn money management.”
For bigger savings goals—with
teenagers, for example—you could
assign bigger jobs or even challenges
(“pay” them for volunteer hours at
your Rotary or Lawn Bowling Club, for
example).
4. Consider critical illness and
permanent life insurance
Both permanent Critical Illness
Insurance and Life Insurance can be
valuable assets for grandchildren to
have, well into the future. There are
20-year fully paid options for both
these products as well as options for
getting cash back or borrowing funds
from the policy and plans start at $30-
$50/month. Speak with a licensed
insurance advisor about what this
could look like. Grandpa Joe is happy
he did; “Paying for a Critical Illness
policy for my grandchild is one way to
provide some protection for them and
especially their parents, if something
were to happen, even after I’m gone.
My children [the parents] would have
to dig into their savings to pay their
children’s medical expenses and any
other associated costs. This policy on
children is actually protecting the parents
or grandparents from costly and
unexpected medical bills.”
5. Gift cash; get legal advice if
leaving other assets
In Canada, there is no gift tax, so
you can freely give small amounts of
cash to grandchildren—both minors
and adults. However, assets such as
stocks, houses (principal residence),
other investments or appreciating
assets could have tax consequences
such as attribution rules. Be sure to
consult with a lawyer if planning to
give or leave gifts of this nature, especially
to minors. If wanting to gift
large amounts of cash, such as for a
downpayment on a condo, there may
18 GRAND grandmag.ca

e a request from a mortgage lender
for proof that this is a gift and not an
amount being loaned for repayment.
6. Name (adult) grandchildren as
beneficiaries in your life insurance
policy
You can name minors as beneficiaries
but will also need to name a
trustee who will then be in control
and in charge of the funds until the
child is the age of majority (19 in BC).
As above, speak with an Estate lawyer
about structuring your will when
planning.
Helping your grandchildren with
these long-term strategies is also a
way for them to remember you—
when they are going to school, saving
money monthly, or using money
that you helped them save. Keep your
grandchildren learning and earning
and give them a foundation for their
future that will last longer than that
toy they are desperate for.
supports quality programming
for families with children facing
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facing disabilities within your community.
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with a disability? You can make a difference by
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leaving facing a gift disabilities through within your your will or community. any other gift
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https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/
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Alyx Valdal is a licensed life and health
insurance advisor and broker. Besides
insurance and financial advising, she is
passionate about financial literacy for the
next generation and teaches kids money
classes online.
https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 19

Road Trip
How to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveller
If you’re reading this, there’s a big
chance you’re an avid or occasional
traveller. Perhaps you’re even looking
forward to the next time you have
a few days or weeks to yourself so you
can take that long-awaited vacation!
But have you ever wondered how
your trips impact the environment?
Are you an eco-friendly traveller? If
so, read on to find out what it means to
be a green traveller, alongside things
you should never forget if you want to
be a friend of the environment.
What is eco-friendly travel?
Also known as green travel or sustainable
tourism, eco-friendly travel
has become an overly important and
trendy topic over the years. It simply
refers to travelling in a manner that
causes the least harm to the environment.
This includes everything from
where you go, what you pack, how
you get to your destination and basically
how to treat your surroundings.
The simple decisions you make—like
throwing away trash during your errands—also
count.
With this being said, below is a list
of things people tend to forget when
trying to travel sustainably.
1. Packing (light) the right
essentials
It is not uncommon to overpack for
a trip or forget items that you will end
up really needing. Especially overpacking,
this occurs to so many travellers,
often ruining the whole essence
of travelling green. Remember, each
luggage brought into a flight adds to
the overall weight of your plane.
If the plane gets too heavy, it will
have to burn more fuel to stay on
course and get to the destination,
meaning a higher carbon footprint
from CO 2 emissions. This is all the
more reason to pack light, making
sure only essential items go into your
bag.
At the very least, this means packing
clothing items that you’ll actually
use, enough footwear and some
toiletries, alongside quality personal
care items like beauty and skincare
products.
2. Reusable bags
When travelling, the need to go
shopping comes occasionally. Perhaps
you rented an Airbnb and needed to
restock your groceries, or you needed
to bring some souvenirs back home
after your trip. In these and other situations,
reusable bags come in handy
since you won’t have to use plastic
bags or purchase a carry bag every
time you have to go shopping.
Moreover, the bag can easily be
slipped into your luggage or even a
purse without bumping up the weight.
20 GRAND grandmag.ca

It is funny how people keep on forgetting
this eco-friendly utility.
3. Disposing of waste
responsibly
Green travel requires a lot of cautiousness
when it comes to disposing
of waste. Nothing harms the environment
more than dumping waste irresponsibly,
especially in water bodies,
more so if it’s plastic. It ends up clogging
wastewater systems, plus it could
end up in the sea, eventually harming
aquatic life.
As a responsible traveller, it is best
to reduce your usage of plastic as
much as you can, always making sure
to dispose of all your waste responsibly.
4. Reducing carbon footprint
The distance between your tour
destination and your home is another
crucial consideration if you want to
make your trip eco-friendly. Huge
distances often mean a higher carbon
footprint, whether you’re travelling by
air, road or sea.
Nonetheless, public transportation
systems like trains, buses and bicycles
are considered more sustainable because
they help reduce the amount of
CO 2 released to the atmosphere per
trip. Also, don’t forget to choose a sustainable
destination every time you
travel, making sure to use responsible
tour guides who have the best interests
of the environment at heart.
Nothing is more fulfilling than
knowing you’ve helped sustain the
environment by the little choices you
make every day. Fortunately, this is
something you can experience by ensuring
sustainable travel every time
you take a trip.
Proud to be
supporting
parents and
families on
Vancouver
Island!
MLA Murray Rankin
Oak Bay – Gordon Head
Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca 250-472-8528
GET CLOSER
the-raptors.com
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 21

Cooking with
Grandkids
Easy as Pie
One of the first cooking skills that I ever learned was how to make pastry and
bake apple pie. My parents are both great cooks, but desserts and pastries
aren’t really their cup of tea. So it was one of my neighbours who taught
me how to make a pie when I was eight years old.
She invited me over one Saturday afternoon and asked me to bring my apron.
We went through the whole process, making the pastry from scratch, then using
it to bake apple pies. The afternoon even included a neighbourhood hike
while we waited for the dough to chill. And at the end of the day, I was incredibly
proud to bring home a freshly baked pie.
Emillie Parrish loves having adventures
with her two busy children. You
can find more of her recipes in her
recently released cookbook Fermenting
Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com
A few months later, my older brother enlisted my help in making a lemon meringue
pie for my parents wedding anniversary. I made the crust, he made the
filling and the feeling of our shared success was palpable.
Now it is my son who routinely asks if he can bake a pie. And we all love freshly
baked homemade apply pie
Here are a few reasons to consider sharing some pastry-making skills:
• Rubbing butter or shortening into flour is really fun. Even little kids can enjoy
getting their fingers into the dough.
• Since pies are not usually time-sensitive, they are perfect for older kids to
make on their own. As long as they have an afternoon with nothing else to do,
they can bake a pie!
• Pies are really forgiving. While there’s a few fussy techniques, ultimately,
simply mixing up all the right ingredients will result in a delicious treat! An
award-winning pie crust is not required.
Here is a simplified apple pie recipe. Perfect for teaching pastry-making skills
to all the grandchildren in your life.
22 GRAND grandmag.ca

Fool-Proof Pie Crust
There are so many different versions of pie crust. Some add vinegar or lard. Personally,
I like an all-butter pie crust. The flavour is amazing and it’s easier to only measure one
type of fat.
2 1 ⁄2 cups of all-purpose flour or pastry flour
2 tsp white sugar (optional, only include it if you’re making a sweet pie)
1⁄2 tsp salt
1 cup of salted butter
1⁄2 cup of water
More flour, as required for rolling out the dough
Mix the flour with the sugar (if using) and salt in a large bowl.
Chop the butter into small cubes. Add the butter to the flour and toss to coat each
of the cubes.
If you have a pastry knife, feel free to use that to work the butter into the flour. I
recommend using your fingers. It’s a lot more fun. Especially if there are kids involved!
Just rub the butter into the flour, breaking up all the large chunks. The goal is to have
the butter fully mixed into the flour. It should resemble a coarse meal.
Sprinkle on 1 ⁄4 cup of cold water. Stir it into the dough. Add the remaining water 1
tablespoon at a time. The goals is to bring the flour into a smooth dough that is not
overly wet. Don’t add all the water unless the dough feels very dry and crumbly.
After adding the water bring the dough into a smooth ball. I find this is easiest done
by hand. Again, you don’t want to actually knead the dough, just pat it into a ball-like
shape.
Divide the dough into 2 balls. Place each ball in a plastic bag and stash them in the
fridge. Let them chill for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days before baking a pie.
Betty’s Apple Pie
Pie filling is often pre-cooked. This is because raw apples reduce in size as they cook,
resulting in a collapsed top crust. However, there’s no way my 13-year-old is patient
enough to pre-cook pie filling. So this recipe allows the apples to softens slightly without
any additional cooking. The result isn’t a perfectly stuffed pie crust, but I’m pretty
sure no one will notice!
2 1 ⁄2 lbs of apples (about 5) 1 tsp cinnamon
1 ⁄2 cup of brown sugar 1 ⁄8 tsp salt
3 Tbsp of all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 tsp white sugar
Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
Peel, core and thinly slice the apples. Mix them with the brown sugar, flour, lemon
juice, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
Leave the apples to soften for 15 minutes while you prepare the pie crust.
Roll out one ball of dough on a lightly floured surface. Line a 9-inch pie plate with
the dough.
Then roll out the top crust.
Stir the filling and pour it into the bottom crust. Level the filling with a spoon or
spatula. Cut the butter into small pieces and dot the top of the apples with the butter.
Cover with the top crust and crimp the edges of the pie to seal in the filling. My kids
like to make a woven lattice-style crust. If you’re using a solid crust, use a sharp knife
to slice the centre of the top crust two or three times to create a vent.
Sprinkle the top crust with the white sugar.
Bake for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350˚F and bake for another 30–45
minutes. The pie is done with the apples are soft and bubbly. You can test softness by
poking a sharp knife through the top vent.
Healthy Families, Happy Families
Child, Youth
& Family
Public Health
South Island Health Units
Esquimalt 250-519-5311
Gulf Islands 250-539-3099
(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)
Peninsula 250-544-2400
Saanich 250-519-5100
Saltspring Island 250-538-4880
Sooke 250-519-3487
Victoria 250-388-2200
West Shore 250-519-3490
Central Island Health Units
Duncan 250-709-3050
Ladysmith 250-755-3342
Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878
Nanaimo 250-755-3342
Nanaimo 250-739-5845
Princess Royal
Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242
Port Alberni 250-731-1315
Tofino 250-725-4020
North Island Health Units
Campbell River 250-850-2110
Courtenay 250-331-8520
Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289
‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522
Port Hardy 250-902-6071
islandhealth.ca/our-locations/
health-unit-locations
Changes with BC Medical Services Plan
premiums mean that families eligible for partial
payment of some medical services and access
to some income-based programs now must
apply for Supplementary Benefits through the
Government of BC. Applications can be done
online and take approximately 15 minutes.
Families who previously qualified for MSP
Premium Assistance should not need to re-apply
if taxes are completed yearly. It is advised to
confirm coverage before proceeding with
treatment to avoid paying out of pocket.
For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/
content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/
bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-bymsp/supplementary-benefits
grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I 23