Families

(Black Press file photo)

Pet welfare now considered in family separations under new B.C. law

Ability and willingness to care for an animal, relationships between it and a child now relevant

 

FILE - Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Pope Francis called Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, for a universal ban on the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing the threats to global peace and human dignity. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Pope calls surrogacy ‘despicable’ commercialization of pregnancy, calls for ban

Francis delivers list of the ills afflicting humanity, violations of peace and dignity

 

Debi Gare is hoping a family heirloom that was mistakenly given away will be returned. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

‘I thought it was junk’: B.C. woman looking to retrieve family heirloom

When Vernon’s Louise “Thup” Sammartino died, her daughter gave away a special brooch

 

Longtime Florida social worker Connie Going looks at a computer screen with an image of her adopted son Davion in her adoptions office June 12, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Going said the Family-Match tool gives false hope to waiting parents by failing to deliver successful matches, and ultimately makes her job harder. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

AI tool for adoption matchmaking falls short for vulnerable US foster kids

Virginia and Georgia dropped algorithm after trial runs, noting its inability to produce adoptions

Longtime Florida social worker Connie Going looks at a computer screen with an image of her adopted son Davion in her adoptions office June 12, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Going said the Family-Match tool gives false hope to waiting parents by failing to deliver successful matches, and ultimately makes her job harder. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
“Cherished” artwork given to the Coopers by one of their daughters, who has been in foster care with them. <tcxspan tcxhref="tel:20232210" title="Call 2023-22-10 with 3CX Click to Call"> </tcxspan>(Artwork/Supplied)
“Cherished” artwork given to the Coopers by one of their daughters, who has been in foster care with them. <tcxspan tcxhref="tel:20232210" title="Call 2023-22-10 with 3CX Click to Call"> </tcxspan>(Artwork/Supplied)
Jasmine Case, star of The Fiancee at the Chemainus Theatre, and mom Andrea Morgan enjoy hanging out at Kin Beach in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Proud Ontario mom sees her daughter on stage at the Chemainus Theatre

Jasmine Case’s performance in The Fiancee makes her a local celebrity

Jasmine Case, star of The Fiancee at the Chemainus Theatre, and mom Andrea Morgan enjoy hanging out at Kin Beach in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
This cover image released by Rodale Books shows "This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained" by Cara Natterson MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. (Rodale Books via AP)

Book ‘this is so awkward’ tackles the new world of puberty and parenting

Doctor/educator duo attempt to cut through the noise surrounding kids becoming adults

This cover image released by Rodale Books shows "This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained" by Cara Natterson MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. (Rodale Books via AP)
A new StatCan report links cyberbullying to mental health issues in adolescents. THE NEWS/files

Cyberbullying hurting 1 in 4 Canadian youths: StatCan

Study says youth who have been victimized online have a greater risk of mental health issues

A new StatCan report links cyberbullying to mental health issues in adolescents. THE NEWS/files
Kye Soluk, Pippa Zahn, and Ginger Zahn play with mouldable sand during the Cridge Centre for the Family’s 150th anniversary celebrations Saturday (Sept. 16). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Cridge Centre for the Family celebrates 150 years serving Victoria

More than 1,000 staff, volunteers, and clients were invited to mark the occasion

Kye Soluk, Pippa Zahn, and Ginger Zahn play with mouldable sand during the Cridge Centre for the Family’s 150th anniversary celebrations Saturday (Sept. 16). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
CBC’s Gary the Unicorn is photographed with the “Tickle Trunk” on the red carpet for the feature documentary film “Mr: Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe” during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, September 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Mr. Dressup film opens tickle trunk for Canadian kids of all ages

‘Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe’ coming to Prime Video in October

CBC’s Gary the Unicorn is photographed with the “Tickle Trunk” on the red carpet for the feature documentary film “Mr: Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe” during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, September 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Kelowna International Airport sign. (Black Press file photo)

Couple disheartened after helping newcomers to Okanagan

‘We’ve had an unfortunate experience’

Kelowna International Airport sign. (Black Press file photo)
Dr. Keith Yeates, a neuropsychologist at the University of Calgary, poses in this undated handout photo. Yeates has a study published in the online medical journal Pediatrics that says kids who suffer concussions don’t suffer a drop in IQ. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - University of Calgary, Riley Brandt

Canadian study says concussions don’t affect kids’ intelligence

University of Calgary-led research finds there doesn’t appear to be an alteration in a kid’s IQ

Dr. Keith Yeates, a neuropsychologist at the University of Calgary, poses in this undated handout photo. Yeates has a study published in the online medical journal Pediatrics that says kids who suffer concussions don’t suffer a drop in IQ. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - University of Calgary, Riley Brandt
File - A teenager holds her phone as she sits for a portrait near her home in Illinois, on Friday, March 24, 2023. The U.S. Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people — and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." (AP Photo Erin Hooley, File)

Car seats and baby formula are regulated. Is social media next?

The U.S. surgeon general is warning there is not enough evidence to…

File - A teenager holds her phone as she sits for a portrait near her home in Illinois, on Friday, March 24, 2023. The U.S. Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people — and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." (AP Photo Erin Hooley, File)
FILE - The toes of a baby are seen DHR Health, July 29, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Dutton and Wrenlee are on the rise but they’re no match for champs Liam and Olivia as the top baby names in the U.S. last year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Liam and Olivia continue to reign atop the list of baby names in the U.S.

Dynamic duo tops the charts of social security registrations for the fourth straight year

FILE - The toes of a baby are seen DHR Health, July 29, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Dutton and Wrenlee are on the rise but they’re no match for champs Liam and Olivia as the top baby names in the U.S. last year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Wildsight’s GET WILD! summer camp in Golden encourages children aged 6 to 10 to connect with the outdoors. Photo from Wildsight Golden.

Summer on a shoestring budget: Tips for surviving summer break as camp costs rise

Analysts offer some suggestions as parent try to match their kids up with summer activities

Wildsight’s GET WILD! summer camp in Golden encourages children aged 6 to 10 to connect with the outdoors. Photo from Wildsight Golden.
The B.C. Supreme Court is shown in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The B.C. Court of Appeals has struck down a section of the province’s child protection legislation that allowed social workers to access a parent’s medical records without their consent, a search warrant or a court order. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Appeal Court sides with mom in case involving access to parental medical records

Court strikes down legislation as potentially giving access to ‘intensely private information’

The B.C. Supreme Court is shown in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The B.C. Court of Appeals has struck down a section of the province’s child protection legislation that allowed social workers to access a parent’s medical records without their consent, a search warrant or a court order. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Shortages of many popular brands of baby formula are seen on a pharmacy shelf, Monday, May 16, 2022 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Shortages of many popular brands of baby formula are seen on a pharmacy shelf, Monday, May 16, 2022 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Pixabay photo

Canada first to develop medical standards to keep kids from suffering pain in silence

New standards lay out 34 criteria to stay on top of pain management for young patients

Pixabay photo
A child plays the video game “Fortnite” in Chicago, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018. A Vancouver parent has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against the makers of Fortnite, saying the popular video game is designed to be “as addictive as possible” for children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Martha Irvine
A child plays the video game “Fortnite” in Chicago, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018. A Vancouver parent has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against the makers of Fortnite, saying the popular video game is designed to be “as addictive as possible” for children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Martha Irvine
The provincial government is touting various programs designed to fight inflation kicking in April 1. Inflation for various products including groceries remains but is dropping. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. families to see last topped up benefit payment before permanent increase in July

New B.C. Affordability Credit worth $500 million kicks in April 1 among other programs

The provincial government is touting various programs designed to fight inflation kicking in April 1. Inflation for various products including groceries remains but is dropping. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck