Building on the success of our in-house workshop series, LifeSpeak is excited to offer an exciting new workshop experience. Making it Work is a half day conference, designed to provide pregnant women, women on maternity leave and women returning to work with expert insight and information on important parenting and work-life integration issues.

LifeSpeak has developed the Making it Work event to help women navigate many of the challenges facing new and working mothers and to develop practical strategies for balancing busy careers with the demands of family. Participants will hear from renowned experts on topics ranging from nutrition and health, to relationships and childcare and have the opportunity to meet other new and working mothers in a comfortable, child friendly environment.  This unique event promises to be an informative and inspiring experience for all attendees, providing real life solutions to real life challenges facing today’s working mothers.

Benefits to Attendees:

• Learn from leading Canadian experts on a wide range of topics that are directly relevant to working mothers
• Network with other professional women
• Share tips for building a successful career and a rewarding personal life
• Develop strategies for balancing career and family responsibilities

Benefits to Employers:

• Demonstrate your commitment to family-friendly values
• Maintain connections with women on maternity leave
• Decrease post-leave attrition rates
• Support women in their efforts to meet both professional and personal goals
• Strengthen your reputation as an employer of choice for women

Order now, spaces are limited

Event Details
April 30th, 2008
12:00PM – 4:30PM
Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club
44 Price Street
Toronto, Ontario
2nd floor, Philpott Room

The Toronto Lawn and Tennis club is conveniently located one block south of the Summerhill subway station and one block east of Yonge. Underground Parking is available at the club for six dollars or across the street at the Green P parking lot. For a map and detailed directions to the club, please click here.

The Philpott room is located on the second floor and will be equipped with change tables and comfortable chairs for nursing. While participants are welcome to bring their infants, a limited number of childcare spaces will be available from 12:30 until 3:00 at the club’s daycare facility. The cost for childcare is twelve dollars per hour per child and spaces will be filled on a first come first served basis. Please indicate your preference on the attendee information sheet and return the completed form as soon as possible.

Agenda and Speakers:

The event will run from 12:00 until 4:30 p.m. Lunch will be offered from 12:00-1:00 and a light snack will be available mid afternoon.

12:30-2:00 Dr. Ariel Dalfen, Psychiatrist

In this presentation, Dr. Dalfen will share invaluable insights about the normal personal and relationship transitions that take place following the birth of a child and will address concerns about post partum depression and other postnatal mental health concerns.

Dr. Ariel Dalfen is a staff psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.  She specializes in women’s mental health.  After completing her undergraduate degree at Princeton University, Dr. Dalfen attended McMaster University medical school, and then completed her specialty training in psychiatry at the University of Toronto.  Dr. Dalfen is a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and has published in both medical journals and the popular media.  She lectures for both medical and public audiences and has been a medical contributor on various television programs. Dr. Dalfen is completing her first book about post partum depression and anxiety issues, which will be published in the near future.  Ariel is also the mother of two young children.

2:00 – 3:30 Daina Kalnins, Registered Dietician and Author

In this presentation, Daina will offer practical tips on nutrition and healthy eating to help parents give their children the best possible start in life.
 
Daina Kalnins, Registered Dietitian and Author is Acting Director of Clinical Dietetics in the division of respiratory medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children. Daina graduated with a BSc in Dietetics from McGill University and then with a MSc. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto.  She has co-authored over 10 peer reviewed publications in the area of Cystic Fibrosis and Nutrition and is the co-author of two book chapters on Nutrition in Cystic Fibrosis, including one in the American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatric Nutrition Handbook.  Daina is co-author of the very popular Better Food for Pregnancy, Better Breastfeeding, Better Baby Food, and Better Food for Kids books. She is also the mother of 2.

3:30 – 4:15 “Making it Work” Panel, moderated by Ann Douglas

During this panel session, attendees will hear from four successful working mothers who have employed innovative strategies for building and balancing a successful career with a rewarding family life. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask candid questions and engage in a meaningful dialogue with other professional women on how best to tackle many of today’s tough parenting challenges.  The discussion will be moderated by parenting expert and author Ann Douglas, who will contribute her unique brand of wit and wisdom, along with relevant and practical information and advice.

Ann Douglas is the author of 28 books, many of which focus on pregnancy and parenting. Her books include the Mother of All Pregnancy Books, The Mother of all baby Books, The Mother of all toddler books, Sleep Solutions for your baby, toddler and preschooler, Mealtime Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler and many more. A mother of four, Ann is passionate about the concerns of today’s generation of parents. Ann speaks with integrity, refusing to offer quick fixes or one size fits all solutions to complex parenting problems.

All attendees will receive valuable handout materials and resources to help them navigate their unique parenting challenges.

Ordering Tickets

LifeSpeak clients can purchase tickets for this exciting event at a cost of $325 per ticket. Organizations and individuals who are not currently LifeSpeak clients can purchase tickets for $400 per ticket. Organizations purchasing eight or more tickets, will receive a 10% discount.

To order tickets, click here. Completed order forms should be returned to LifeSpeak by email at info@lifespeak.ca or by fax at 1 866 853-3042. All orders should be received by March 15th. Spaces are limited for this event.

All attendees are encouraged to complete a Attendee Information Form which will help customize the content of the presentations and ensure that those topics of greatest interest and relevance are addressed by our experts.