The Vancouver Parent's Survival Guide

Ann Turner is Financial and Budget Manager at the University of British
Columbia Library.

Being a parent in Vancouver really isn’t any more difficult or
overwhelming than elsewhere in the country. In fact, Vancouver parents
have an incredible array of help available to them, generally for a
price. The problems are locating it when you need it, and evaluating it
when you find it. This guide assists with both. It covers resources in
Vancouver and in its surrounding municipalities and districts. Topics
include babysitters, nannies, and daycare; schools; fun, toys, and play
equipment; health and safety; clothes; homes and furnishings; and
financial planning for children’s needs. Single parents will also find
sources of help for their special problems. Following a general
discussion of questions to ask and what to look for in evaluating a
potential caregiver or supplier for each topic, the author lists a
selection of resources. These “are not necessarily recommendations.
The lists provide a sampling of resources that will help you choose
services to examine closely.” Listings include names, addresses,
telephone numbers, and descriptions of services. The topical index is
not comprehensive, but with the detailed table of contents users can
quickly locate the relevant chapter. Although the lists of resources are
specific to the Vancouver and lower-mainland areas, this excellent guide
would also be of use to parents elsewhere as a starting point for
seeking and evaluating comparable services in their own communities.