Montreal Resources for Parents

After dealing with two kids with gastroenteritis ("stomach flu") and not able to send the baby to daycare because of it, Hubby and I didn't have much sleep, laundry was piled up, and we were still trying to work our jobs. It was too much!

So I went searching for resources. For families like us without extended family able to lend a hand, it can be rough. I went in search of emergency babysitting and in that search, I found a bunch of other resources that might help. I'm sharing what I found in case others find it useful:

La Maison Kangourou - I've mentioned them when they opened in 2011 and they're still going strong. They offer emergency respite at their three-floor home, 24/7. You can drop off a child (up to 12 years old) any time and know they will be safe. They can stay up to two weeks at a time. They also offer weekend respite for $40/child/day.

We Care Home Health Services - Provides health care in your home.

Bayshore Health Care - In-home health care available 24/7. They care for seniors, children, and do light house work (dishes, laundry, sweeping).

Information and Referral Center of Montreal - Not sure who to call or where to start? No clue what's available in the city? Call 211 and they do the searching for you. It's free!

Premiere Ressource - Do you need to vent about challenging parenting issues? Have a parenting question? Just need someone to listen? Premiere Ressource is free, anonymous, and staffed by psychologists and child specialists. You can call between 9am-9pm most days to speak to someone.

As usual, for any non-emergency health issues, you can always speak to a nurse by calling 811.

If you are in a state where you may harm yourself or your child, please call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room, police station or CLSC for immediate assistance. 

Every City Needs A Home Like This

After many years in the making, my city has finally managed to open an emergency respite center. I don't know if any others exist, but I think everyone needs to know about this!

Parents in Montreal, take down this number and save it in your cell phone: 514 524-4141

Do it now! You never know when you might need it.

The home is called La Maison Kangourou (Kangaroo House) and will take children up to age 12, anywhere from a few hours to 15 straight days, renewable.

Please parents, if you are at your wit's end and feel you may harm your child, please take them here so you can regroup. No judgement.

They offer support and services for parents so they can get back on their feet, and in the meantime, you know your child is safe. They will make sure your child continues attending school, or taking necessary medications - whatever is needed to keep them healthy and happy.

Call them, any time, day or night!

I also think this is a valuable resource for anyone who doesn't have a giant support system and can't just drop our kid off with a relative at a moment's notice (like us). If someone happened to either Hubby or me (like a health emergency or accident), this would be the perfect place to bring the Little Man until we get ourselves back on our feet.

I think about when my dad was dying and it was difficult to get someone to watch him while I was trying to organize a funeral. This resource would have been gold back then!

Please share this and let everyone know about this place. If it prevents just one child from being hurt/abused/killed, it has done its job.