Tips for traveling among the wonders of Canada

September 30, 2019/in Product Review /by ValleyFamilyFun

Tips for traveling among the wonders of Canada

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with information provided to give you tips on how to travel among the wonders of Canada. Posts like this help to support the Valley Family Fun network.

Canada joins the long list of most delightful places to explore on earth. There are plenty of activities to do in Canada. If you want to have the Canadian experience, you must be ready to go through the right legal channels. The electronic travel authorization is the first step for taking your trip.

What do you need to be eligible for an eTA?

You must meet specific requirements. One of the requirements is a valid passport which must be active at least the six months you are in the country. Secondly, have a credit or debit card that you will pay for the eTA with when you apply. Lastly, a working email address where you will receive the eTA. For more details check how to apply for the Canadian eTA.

The online application process is simple and straightforward. Notably, the form contains personal questions and details about your legal documents. Fill everything in with caution to avoid any issues. Answer all the health questions stated to prevent any problems. If you are a dual citizenship holder, you ought to match the right information with the passport you use to obtain the document. Wrong documentation can create issues at the airport.

You will have an easy time while applying for an eTA as it only takes 20 minutes to process. You can stay for up to six months in Canada with an eTA. Other travels to Canada need a different Visa which has a separate application process.

Now that you know how to apply for the Canadian eTA, here are a few things you should know about the country.

Distance

Canada is a big country. There are very long distances between places which can be misleading for many people. Make proper arrangements for transport from one point to the next. Also, make sure that you have enough time to cover the distances. If you are in for a short trip, narrow down to a single area. That way, you can pick an area that has a wide range of activities you would like to experience. Other than that, you can barely cover every region in the country on a single visit no matter how long you stay.

Weather will strike

Canada can be cold. With that in mind, pack up all your warm clothes as you will need them. Even in warmer days, sometimes you will experience a storm and even some weather dips at night. Instead of freezing out there, concentrate on warm layers of clothes to keep you safe from the weather.

If you scheduled a visit during winter, be equally ready to experience the coldest weather you ever had. The prairies go as low as -20 to -30 which can be unbearable sometimes. Pack warm jackets, mittens and a hat. Do not forget a scarf to protect your face from the cold.

Have your eTA Visa with you

You should have the eTA visa ready with you when boarding a flight to Canada. All Visa countries must have a valid Visa before gaining entry to Canada. Americans get an exemption from this law. You can apply for an eTA, which is a travel authorization document before your flight. Take note the passport that you used to get this eTA as any other will not be applicable while boarding a flight. The eTA costs $7, which is merely a small fee.

Accommodation

Ever heard of couch surfing? Couch Surfing is an arrangement between the traveler and hosts who in this case, are Canadian to host you while on tour. They will treat you as their guest or as they friend and give you a place to stay while you trip in their area.

You may get a free guide to places to tour in the area. Also, note that your host will make your meals and teach you the local culture in their area. That adds fun to the whole journey. This will save you large amounts of paying for accommodation which may eat up all your travel money before you can enjoy the trip.

Tim Hortons

Travel can be hard when you have no idea what local food looks or tastes like. Luckily for you, Tim Hortons is readily available. The restaurant chain serves coffee, donuts, and sandwiches. The combo is prevalent in most countries, so you have the assurance that there is somewhere out there where you can have a great quick snack. The chain got its name from a Hockey player.

Travel Insurance

The great outdoors out there is engaging and will have you in action with no time. Unfortunately, you may end up hurting yourself. While in Canada, traveling can be expensive in case of an injury. Without insurance, the damages may be costly to treat. Your travel insurance will however step in to cover you when you need it most. Get protection and check whether they cover against all the activities you are planning to undertake in Canada.

Outdoor activities

Canada has plenty of activities in the outdoors. You can enjoy so many activities like skiing, water rafting, and hiking. You can explore the vast pristine areas that are unexplored and enjoy the trip. The vast wilderness that has minimal human activities has a lot to offer. Hike in the mountains, enjoy canoeing in the Ontario lakes and tramp across the glaciers in the Rockies. You will not regret the experience whatsoever. Ditch the serene life in Vancouver and discover wild Canada. Explore something new and raw. You may never want to go back if you love nature and exploration.

Lastly, note that the outdoors may be enticing. Get a clear guide from locals on how to avoid bear trails, frostbite, and any other accidents. Some sports will be fun if you bring along a friend.

Canada is the ultimate place to travel to when you need a break from a tough city life. With the guide above, you will have a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Enjoy your vacation.

5 Difficulties You’ll Face When You are Learning English

September 27, 2019/in Product Review /by ValleyFamilyFun

5 Difficulties You’ll Face When You are Learning
English

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with supplied material to let you know about difficulties you’ll face when learning English. Posts like this help to support the Valley Family Fun network.

Learning a new language does not have to be a chore. Although it has its fair share of difficulties, there are ways to circumvent them. Everyone has different learning styles and face different difficulties when learning English. Finding the right way to study could be the key to mastering a new language.

1. The Limited Environment to Practice

Practice makes perfect – we are sure this is a phrase you have heard of before. It holds more truth when it’s about language difficulty for English speakers.

Do you find it overwhelming and intimidating to speak to native speakers? You are not alone as it is especially challenging if you are not yet familiar with colloquial phrases. A good way to start is to create a positive learning environment for you.

Learning English online or learning with an English tutor can help many ESL learners overcome the difficulties of learning English. It produces a safer and more private environment to allow students to step out of their comfort zones.

For immigrants who are searching for English lessons in Canada , online learning is a great way to engage and interact with friendly and helpful teachers.

Learning in a private classroom with a teacher who gives you their full attention will aid in the learning process. It also gives you the confidence to participate in discussion exercises without feeling discouraged.

2. The Grammar Difficulty for ESL Learners

The fundamental basis of a language, the grammar, can be tough to grasp. Some of the issues people commonly face are:

Tenses – in some languages, tenses don’t exist.
Words that have multiple meanings, such as the word “class”.
Pronunciation
Subject verb agreement

The list goes on.

Language difficulties in other areas such as reading and learning idioms are also difficult for first-time learners.

To overcome this issue, reading and listening play vital roles in improvement. According to a professor from the University of Iowa, the learning environment is the most important factor for students wishing to absorb new information.

Much like the point made above, creating the right environment and immersing oneself in books and even TV shows strictly in English can create the conditions one needs for mastering English.

3. Students Often Defer to Their Native Language

As many ESL and ELL teachers have contested, students in a classroom environment end up spending the majority of class time speaking in their native tongue. This will in no way help with the challenges of learning English.

While we understand that it can be hard not to fall back on something that rolls right off your tongue, you should refrain from doing so. This is also why an online learning environment is optimal for these students.

An online environment creates a safe space where the teacher can focus attention on each individual’s needs in classes of smaller numbers. This ensures students will retain more information and learn more in class.

4. Students Depend on Their Teachers Instead of Trying

Another difficulty English learners face is the lack of effort at times. Without proper practice there won’t be any improvement.

As the percentage of English language learners continue to increase, more and more students face these challenges. Instead of looking to your teacher for answers, try to string sentences together – even if your answer is less than perfect.

An integral part of overcoming difficulties in learning English is to take bold steps. Be daring and try as it’s always better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.

5. Difficulties Retaining New Knowledge Learned in Class

This is where practice comes into play. It’s tough enough for students to remember tenses, parts of speech and phonics, but what about vocabulary?

Students have a tough time recalling vocabulary they have learned and often revert back to the simplest terms. For example, instead of using the word “ecstatic”, they may choose to use “happy”.

This is a direct result of a lack of practice. Learning a language and overcoming the difficulties in language learning is not like riding a bicycle.

You will lose all the knowledge you acquire without sufficient practice. As a teacher, I always urge my students to utilize the new vocabulary words as often as possible in subsequent classes and in real life situations whenever possible.

The more you make use of a language, the deeper it will be embedded into your mind. Practice makes perfect and reading books and listening to native speakers on TV has helped with a lot of students.

Conclusion

Everyone approaches a language in different ways, and what works for one person may not work for you. The above mentioned points are ones that most students encounter. If you can relate to some of these issues, you can better prepare yourself in the classroom. Each of the challenges is presented with a solution.

We hope that you can identify your weaknesses and find a way to overcome the difficulties of learning English.

Tips for Effective Co-Parenting

September 23, 2019/in Family Life /by ValleyFamilyFun

Tips for Effective Co-Parenting

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with content provided to give you the best tips on effective co-parenting. Posts like this not only provide you with great information, but also help to support the Valley Family Fun website.

When you and your spouse decide to end your marriage, this does not mean that you stop being parents to your kids. Some couples still believe in the roles they have to play in the lives of their children despite the situation they are currently in. Co-parenting or joint parenting is the experience of bringing up children as single parents. To achieve a successful parenting job, it should go both ways — both partners must contribute. Otherwise, the children will suffer developmental and emotional problems later on in life.

How can you effectively achieve co-parenting with an ex? Here are some tips:

Tips for Effective Co-Parenting

Understand and Practice Empathy

Working together with an ex is never easy. Sometimes, past anger and hurt can come in the way. However, practicing empathy will help you navigate this situation more effectively. If your child misses your ex-spouse, allow them to say so. Let them voice their feelings.

Be Flexible

A child will feel more secure with stability and consistency, but you must also show flexibility, especially with schedules. When you and your ex argue about little things like visitation schedules, kids are the ones who suffer the most. Many of the family lawyers in Surrey advise sticking to a schedule for visitation, but it doesn’t hurt to become flexible. Who knows, you might need the same favour in the future.

Be Open About The Kids

If you encounter problems with your kids, voice it to your partner. Some issues arise in the teenage years — the time when they may feel alienated from you. Discuss with your partner and arrive at a mutual decision on how you would discipline your child. Should you spy on your kid’s mobile phone? Should you limit their out-of-school activities? Co-parenting means arriving at a mutual decision for the sake of your kids.

Never Put Your Kids in the Middle

If you are still bitter about the divorce or still hold resentment towards your ex, learn how to set those feelings aside. Never include your kids in your battles. Do not use your kids as a messenger. Talk to your ex-spouse directly if you must. You and your former partner must deal with your issues as adults. The same goes for badmouthing your ex. Never speak ill about your ex in front of your kids. Remember that your kids still have to maintain their relationship with their other parent. If you need to let out your frustrations, talk to a close family member or a therapist. Never talk to your kids about your issues with your ex.

Practice Consistency

Studies show that joint parenting custody has direct effects on how children grow up. By practicing consistency, you show your kids that you value them highly. Consistency will also make sure that the kids will not have to bounce on and off from different parenting styles. You and your partner can agree on what values you must instill on your kids. One parent may teach about saving up for their future, and the other may teach about the importance of sportsmanship.

The key to effective parenting is always to put the kids first. They should always be at the receiving end of positivity. While the divorce or separation is hard for you and your partner, it is a lot harder for the kids. They would often think about things like: do they have to side with one parent over the other? Never put them in that situation.

If co-parenting is hard for you, start slowly. Before you know it, you will be effectively co-parenting with your partner.

Playground Family Fun: Falmouth Mini Park

September 20, 2019/in Playgrounds /by ValleyFamilyFun

Playground Family Fun: Falmouth Mini Park

There are so many great places to play in the Annapolis Valley! So, we intend to make our way across and let you know about the various playgrounds, telling you the best features and other important information about each one of them! Today, we are featuring Falmouth’s Mini Park!

If this playground had been closer and had been built when my children were smaller, the Falmouth Mini Park would have been one of our go-to playgrounds!

Here’s what the West Hants website says:

Take a break from your errands and relax in the Falmouth Mini Park,
located in Falmouth. Shade trees and a cool breeze off the lake provide a pleasant place to sit and relax while children play on the playground equipment. The 2.4 km trail around the lake is a joint project of the Town and Municipality, and one of the most popular walking trails in the area.

The equipment

This colourful playground has a fun fish feature right in the middle, with lots of things to climb up and down that even my teenager enjoyed playing on!

There are swivel chairs, stand-along climbing frames and a set of swings.

Babies and Toddlers

This playground is perfect for toddlers (and older kids, too!). There is plenty for them to play and climb on!

There is one baby swing.

Shade, Benches and Tables

There are lots of benches and picnic tables surrounding the playground area. Many of the tables have a gorgeous view over the lake. Many are in the shade.

Amenities

There are no amenities on site, however, you are right next to the Irving, so you can go to the washroom and buy drinks there!

Great Added Features

Also on site is a boat launch area, and there is a 2.4km trail that loops around the lake, going through the park. This is all fully accessible.

Location

The Falmouth Mini Park is located right next to the Irving gas station on Route 1 in Falmouth.

Analysis

This playground is definitely worth going to check out, and make sure you take your bike, stroller or feet and check out the trail!

Two Crows Sorrow: A behind the scenes look at Laura Churchill Duke’s novel

September 17, 2019/in Books /by ValleyFamilyFun

Two Crows Sorrow: A behind the scenes look at Laura Churchill Duke’s novel

I’m having a book published! Two Crows Sorrow by Laura Churchill Duke will officially be on the shelves this October 2019!

The fact that I was writing this book has been a secret close to my heart for the past five years. Writing this novel became a passion of mine, and I was never sure if it was going to go anywhere. Because my life is so much on social media and on this blog, I wanted to have a piece of me that was just for me! For these reasons, I haven’t spoken about the book… until now!

Two Crows Sorrow will be published this October 2019!

What is Two Crows Sorrow about?

Two Crows Sorrow is about the life of Theresa McAuley Robinson, a woman who lived on Nova Scotia’s North Mountain at the turn of the century. This is the true story of Theresa’s love and devotion to her children and her farmland, which ultimately led to her demise. In May 1904, Theresa was found murdered and her farm burnt to the ground. Her second husband William Robinson was accused of the murder. Two Crows Sorrow follows Theresa’s life to her death, then William’s court trial to its dramatic conclusion.

How did I find the story of Theresa McAuley Robinson?

Several years ago I wrote the scripts for the Kentville Ghost Walks, part of Valley Ghost Walks. I came across this murder story, and the more I researched it, the more I got pulled in and needed to learn more!

Two Crows Sorrow: A behind the scenes look at Laura Churchill Duke's novel

Candy O’Brien plays Theresa in Valley Ghost Walks: Photo Credit Heather Rushton

Eventually, I took the leap and decided to write the story of Theresa Balsor McAuley Robinson in a creative non-fiction format. This means that everything that happens in the book is true. I have used my imagination to fill in some of the gaps, flush out some of the characters, and to set the scene.

I have spent hours in the archives looking at old newspapers, microfiche, trial transcripts and personal letters.

I pieced all of this information together into the manuscript that is being published!

The Process

After completing the manuscript, I submitted it to Nova Writes, a competition for unpublished manuscripts, where I was runner up in the creative non-fiction category!

See announcement here.

After letting the manuscript sit for awhile, because let’s face it, life gets busy, I dusted it off and started work on editing it once again!

I have so many friends and family members who offered to read it for me, to help fine tune it before publication.

I could not believe when people offered to read it. Who wants to read that many pages of a Word Document? I was truly blessed with such a great support team!

Publication

I am so excited to be working with Moose House Publications based out of Annapolis Royal.

They took great faith in me and my story and have been such a support along the way! It has been a joy to work with them! Please check out the other books in their catalogue!

Writing a Living History

The story of Theresa McAuley Robinson is true. Everything in the book actually happened. The truth is often more outrageous than fiction!

Many descendants of these family members are still alive, so it is not my intention to cause offence. I have imagined several of the character’s personalities and used creative license to make the story read as a novel.

Heaps of Support

To get to this point of becoming published, I’ve had so much support that it has really been overwhelming.

As a strong, independent woman, I don’t often ask for help, like getting it, or am offered it, so when the support for my book has come pouring in, I am completely overwhelmed!

I am blessed with so many friends and family members who have helped me by encouraging me, asking how it was going, reading drafts, hiking to the site, designing covers, websites and trailers… you are all too numerous to name but have a mention in my THANKS page in the book!