Melanie Cote, Author at Urban Mommies

Browsing Articles Written by

Melanie Cote

Melanie from mommydo.com writes about parenting, food, neat stuff and the unexpected beauty in life, all while juggling work, family life and spreading awareness and raising funds for Williams Syndrome.

My Son is Obsessed with a Video Game. So I am Too.

GEAR, tech By Melanie Cote October 4, 2019 1 Comment

People talk about how kids obsessed with a video game are robbed of their childhoods. There are countless articles out there about how terrible technology is for children. This isn’t one of them. We’re a tech forward family. My husband and I both have jobs that rely on technology in some way and I’ve always been a gadget geek.

My son learned about Yo-Kai Watch last year. Grade 1 was rough for him. He felt isolated in school, made few friends and was picked on. He really connected to the story of the Yo-Kai and their friend Nate and we got the game for his Nintendo 3DS.

Parenting a special needs baby is difficult for outsiders to understand. Yes it's stressful, but there's 5 things you should know about it too.

5 Things to Know About Parenting A Special Needs Baby

baby, FAM By Melanie Cote August 6, 2019 Tags: parenting a special needs baby, special needs, williams syndrome No Comments

Parenting is a tough job. It can be thankless, isolating, and there’s no overtime pay despite it being a 24/7 role. Parenting a special needs baby is that, times about 100. From the outside looking in, I’m certain that parents who see us at parks and activities are thinking “what a shame.” I get it. I really do. I would have thought the same 4 years ago. But now, after parenting my little chicken who happens to have a rare syndrome for 3+ years, I don’t. Not anymore.

This IVF Story Might Have Never Happened

baby, baby, FAM, nourish, pregnancy, self By Melanie Cote June 27, 2019 17 Comments

So you’re thinking about starting a family. And you’re trying to start a family. And trying. And trying. And you’re at the point where, if one more person tells you to “relax” so “it will just happen”, you might lose your S@#* completely.

You’re thinking about seeing a doctor, or you’ve seen one, or three. The idea of IVF has come up. Or maybe it’s come up for your sister, or your best friend. You have questions, but you have no one to ask. You’re scared it won’t work, you can’t afford it, that it’s going ‘too far’. You hate needles. You’ve begun to wonder if there’s a deeper, cosmic reason you can’t have a baby. There are countless reasons why it’s impossible to even try. And then you suddenly start to feel like you’re just done with it all.

maternal care healthy baby held by its parents

Maternal Care For Healthy Babies Around The World

charity By Melanie Cote December 23, 2017 No Comments

A few months ago, I met a midwife named Jennica from BC. She was training doctors and midwives in a rural health centre, so they could improve outcomes for moms and babies through quality maternal care.

Boobies After Babies – Change is Good

style By Melanie Cote June 30, 2017 No Comments

Sometimes I think about the girls, you know, before the babies arrived. All high and perky and stuff. But then I think about myself before the babies, and I can’t really relate to “life before babies” me anymore. Then I take a deep breath and accept that boobies after babies… they’re not so bad.

Despite the change in address (they’ve def moved a few blocks south) they’re still in a respectable neighbourhood. And really, considering what they went through, or what we went through together… I can’t really complain.

3 Gifts Ideas that will make your kid smarter than you

GEAR, toys By Melanie Cote December 14, 2016 No Comments

Looking for gifts to make your kid smarter?

When I was 7 I’m pretty sure I was playing dolls and dress up and games of pretend Star Wars. I’m not sure how many times I whined “I don’t want to be Leia again. Girls can be Luke too.”

These days, toys can do WAY more than they could in my day. And, with a seven year old who is primed and ready for learning new skills through play, I was beyond thrilled to take a closer look at 3 STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) toys that will absolutely make your kid smarter than you…or a least mine smarter than me. I also enlisted my husband, who has a PhD in Astrophysics to help me get the down low on these three not-your-typical-toy gift ideas.

Pokémon Sun and Moon: Tips to Catch ’em all

GEAR, tech, toys By Melanie Cote December 9, 2016 No Comments

Recently I attended the Pokémon Sun and Moon launch event here in Toronto. This year is the 20^th anniversary of Pokémon. Did that make you feel old? Thankfully I had my next generation Pokémon fan with me to talk me through the games.

In case you’ve been living under a rock this year, Pokémon saw a huge resurgence with the wildly popular PokémonGo. While that game has pulled in the masses, the true fans have been wait for the launch of Pokémon Sun and Moon games for the Nintendo 3DS.

Sugar-Free Advent Calendars

FAM, kids By Melanie Cote November 22, 2016 No Comments

It’s that time of year.

We’re all counting down the days until the holidays begin. I’ve always been a big fan of Advent calendars. I remember going to sleep at a little girl willing my eyes shut, despite the utter excitement of knowing I’d get to open a new door in the morning and Christmas, glorious Christmas, would be one day closer.

On Force Friday, this is the droid you’re looking for

GEAR, tech, toys By Melanie Cote September 14, 2016 No Comments

Raise your hand if you’re a Star Wars fan, married to a Star Wars fan or raising a Star Wars fan. If your hand is up, you probably know that Force Friday is the day when all the new Star Wars toys, gadgets, and gizmos are released for the holiday season.

Last year, Sphero took the world by storm with their BB-8 droid. This little robot toy rolled it’s way into the hearts of kids, leading tech writers and regular old Star Wars-loving moms like me. This year, it’s even better. I had the chance to attend a special sneak peek of Sphero’s lineup for Force Friday and it does not disappoint.

Looking for good sleep, Mama? Here’s where it is.

health, LIVE, nourish, rest, self By Melanie Cote July 27, 2016 1 Comment

You know that warm, tingly feeling you get when you’re sitting on the couch watching tv in super soft flannel pjs and you’re just starting to get tired? When you yawn and stretch before padding upstairs in fluffy slippers and you slide into bed and slip immediately into a deep sleep? Well, it’s usually not me feeling those feels. It’s usually someone I’m watching on tv as my sleep deprived brain whispers, “that person is about to have the best sleep of their life.”

But things have changed.