r/torontomoms

Hello! My son is 3, born in August 2023. My husband is Canadian (I’m American), and we are planning to move to Toronto next year to be closer to his family.

I’d really like for my son to enter JK when he is 5, or be able to enter at 4 and repeat. He was born 3 months premature, and while he doesn’t have a learning disability (that we can tell so far), he is showing signs in preschool that he will benefit from an extra year of development. He also receives PT services from the state, as well as private OT and speech.

How hard is it to make this happen in a public school (non Catholic)? Anything I need to do to make it more likely? In some states in the US, this would be supported and no problem. But in others, like NY where we live now, it’s impossible and you have to go to a private school to delay start. It would be a bummer if we have to go private in Toronto, as avoiding that in NYC is one pro of moving. Just trying to understand the lay of the land in case it changes our thoughts on when to move (summer 2027 vs 2028) and where we look to move within Toronto. Thank you!!

Hello all! We’re visiting Toronto - GTA (Mississauga, Meadowvale) for a week shortly. While my husband is working during the day, I’d love to explore Toronto with my one year old toddler. While at home, he’s typically at daycare, I’m looking for things to do and safe places to explore that will keep him curious, engaged and active. Looking for your kind recommendations and suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I'm a 27 wk 1st time expectant mature mom who has just newly moved to Toronto. My hubby is doing a medical physics residency and I am trying to find time for him and I to take prenatal classes. Now, I'm a practical nurse and I'm not sure if I'm just not a curious person by nature or just don't know what I don't know. I feel like I have a grasp on what's going to happen at birth (we're getting an elective C-section) so I'm not sure if prenatal classes are going to be all that necessary as I won't be going through the birthing process the same.

Of course, who knows what can happen!

I have a birth plan that if I go into early labor, I am willing to try for a natural birth, but this is my 1st pregnancy so, I do feel like the likelihood is for it to go longer than for me to have premature labor. Anyway, Ontario system is a bit different from SK and I'm seeing so many online prenatal classes with different topics and part of me assumed they'd be in class but I don't know if that's possible with my husband's busy schedule. So I guess my question is, is it necessary to do prenatal classes - for those who had elective C-section? Did you find in class better than online?

I have seen private sessions rather than through the health authority, would you recommend that route over the ones offered through hospitals/health authority?

It's my first time pregnancy, low risk. Because I heard that finding the right care provider can be intense, I have applied to a few options and we got lucky with finding a midwifery care 20 mins from home.

However, a few months ago my family doctor had placed a referral to an Obgyn at Sunnybrook, which is 5 min away and they just recently reached out for an appointment.

I want a hospital birth with epidural and after learning about midwives more, I loved the personalized consultation, the idea of postnatal care, but am not sure if it's the right thing for me, because I have a great fear of pain and birth complications.

Am I allowed to have a first consultation with the Obgyn and get to know them to be sure of my choice?

PS: I don't plan on holding someone else's opportunity and plan to decide this quickly - luckily the consultation would be very soon, but I don't know if I should do it. I am not familiar with the system , everything in motherhood is new and overwhelming to me and I feel anxious about making the right choice.

Has anyone claimed any postpartum/baby items on their HSA and had it approved?

I know pumps and pump parts are usually on the yes list.