Be a Buddy, Not a Bully - Pink Shirt Day 2014

As you must know by now, bullying has become a national epidemic that affects thousands of children worldwide. We have seen it in schools forever and with the advances in technology, and social media, today, bullying has reached a dangerous new level.

Tomorrow, Wednesday February 26th is Pink Shirt Day! A day where kids and parents alike are encouraged to wear pink to help raise awareness for anti-bullying. The day was created in 2007 by David Shepherd and Travis Price, two high school students in Nova Scotia who bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a ninth grade student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school.

This year, our favourite toy store, Toys R Us Canada, is proudly taking a stand against bullying and supporting Pink Shirt Day in all of their stores across Canada with their “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” Pink Shirt Day campaign.

Last week we shared with you via social media, a Family Play Day event Toys R Us held last Saturday with games, crafts and activities, where they gave away 100 free pink t-shirts in each store for kids to wear on Pink Shirt Day. If you had the chance to make it, you and your kids are already prepared! If not, that’s ok too! Just take a look in your closet, because any pink shirt will do! And if you don't have anything already, here are a few last minute options for the whole family..

Clockwise from left:
1. Eversoft cardigan, Gap, $21.99, 2. Toddler Boy Gingham Shirt & Necktie Set, Old Navy, $22.94,      
3. Men's Cotton European Fit Shirt, Le Chateau, $79.95, 4. Top with Smock Collar, Zara, $49.90,
5. Official Pink Shirt Day T-Shirt, PinkShirtDay.ca, $9.80, 6. Girls Anti-Bullying Graphic Tee, Children's Place, $5

As parents of young children it is important to us to spread awareness around this epidemic, because anyone can easily become a target of bullying. Did you know that 85% of bullying takes place in front of others but when somebody stands up to bullying, while it’s taking place, it’s likely to stop within 10 seconds of intervention? It is our job as parents to teach our kids, not only to not be the bully, but to be brave enough to stand up for each other against bullying and do the right thing, just like the boys in Nova Scotia did for their fellow student.

Join us and Toys R Us Canada tomorrow and make a REAL fashion statement! Wear pink, have your kids wear pink, tell your co-workers to wear pink and help spread awareness and take a stand to support anti-bullying!

We want to see you show your support! Share your Pink Shirt Day pictures with us on Instagram using the following hashtags: 

#Pinkshirtday #BeABuddyNotABully #MTLFashionMoms

#FriendsFight

ALDO has been a committed force against the fight against AIDS since 1985. They have taken the fight to heart and raised awareness and funds for this cause, even when it was taboo. Almost 30 years later and they are as dedicated as ever and starting tomorrow, February 1st, you can do your part and purchase an ALDO FIGHTS AIDS friendship bracelet for $5, available both in stores and online.

The #FriendsFight campaign hopes to spread the message of friendship and activism by joining in the fight against AIDS together. They have partnered with Waris Ahluwalia to create these very stylish friendship bracelets and they are available in four different colors.100% of the proceeds benefiting the charity organization, Partnersin Health, so pick one up in every color and join the fight!

Supporting the cause! #friendsfight

World Oceans Day 2011

Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day, a sister day to Earth day and a wonderful day to teach our kids about these beautiful bodies of water, and how important they are to our environment.

The concept of World Oceans Day was proposed on June 8th 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and it had been unofficially celebrated every year since then as World Ocean Day. It was officially recognized by the United Nations as June 8th each year, beginning in 2009.

World Ocean Day is an opportunity every year to honor the world's Oceans, as well as marine life itself. It is also a time to appreciate the intrinsic value of our oceans, and to imagine what sort of world, future generations would live in, if we failed to secure the health of the World's Oceans in ours. That is why it is so important to celebrate this day with our kids and create awareness on the subject, so that our oceans can be properly maintained for children and grandchildren, because after all, we can’t live without water!

The World Oceans Day 2011 theme is ‘Youth: the Next Wave for Change’, and as parents, it is our obligation to educate our children in order for them to have the knowledge and power to create this next wave of change for the world.

Looking for a great way to celebrate World Oceans Day with your kids? Check out the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s website here for a great list of fun and educational events in Montreal and around Canada.

So remember, keep our oceans clean, and don’t trash where you splash!