An indoor theme park with 16 rides for children ages 1 to 10 has just opened in Longueuil.

PI-O, a 30,000-square-foot centre with underwater-themed activities and octopus mascots sounds like a good option to keep in mind for the chilly days ahead.

Along with the rides, activities at PI-O include a mini train, maze and bowling. We’re also happy to hear that PI-O’s restaurant serves no fried foods or trans fats. Here’s an intro video.

PI-O was started by Jocelyne Pinard (above right), a mother of three who also owns three daycares. When her children were young, Pinard found she had to travel to the U.S. to find indoor amusement centres that target young children. So she decided to set up her own here.

In terms of activities, PI-O looks to have a different selection than many local play centres – it goes beyond the typical climbing structure and slides. But the “amusement park” concept is definitely reflected in the admission prices! At least they’re offering “opening special” rates for now, which are a little lower than the standard prices below.

If you’ve been to PI-O, comment below and let us know what you think!

PI-O indoor amusement centre
Address: 950 Curé Poirier Blvd. E. (corner Roland-Therrien), Longueuil. View map
Schedule: Opens at 9 a.m. on weekends. See full schedule.
Cost: Adults (age 13+) $18.99, children age 2 to 13 $18.99, free for children under age two who don’t go on the rides. Family passes (2 adults, 2 children) $72.

Photos courtesy of Serge Boisseau, La Métropole.

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The funky Mile End parent-child café La Tasse Gamine has re-opened after closing in November due to a flood.

The floors are fixed and all they want for Christmas is kids to come and play!

During the holidays, La Tasse Gamine will be open Dec. 26 to 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a pyjama pancake breakfast (mmm!) and special sale on Dec. 26.

They’ll be closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1, but back on Jan. 2. Check full schedule.

La Tasse Gamine, 5658A Park Ave., 514-439-9950.

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A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about visiting Parethèses Montréal, a new parent-baby café in Griffintown, where you can drop your child off for a few hours of babysitting. Busy co-owners and moms Stéphanie Raymond-Bougie and Sandra Joseph took some time out to answer questions about how and why they started this chic pitstop for parents.

I Spy Montréal:  I love spending time with my baby, but I need to get out of the house. I would really like to get a coffee and feel like an adult again. Parenthèses-Montréal, can you help me?

Stéphanie: Definitely, while you are enjoying a nice Illy Coffee latté or a massage, an educator will take care of your little one in a nice and secured play area. You can choose to go shopping for a couple of hours, meet with a client or have the whole day  to  yourself.
Sandra: We wanted to create a place where parents will feel at home and where they can relax and have peace of mind when it comes to the care of their kids.

I Spy Montréal: When you walk into Parenthèses-Montréal, it doesn’t look like other parent-baby cafés or play centres. It looks like the living room I wish I had. The play room is in a different area, and kids are supervised by an educator – not mom or dad. Why did you decide to set it up this way?

As new parents, we are still individuals who need “adult time” in a nice setting. We wanted to re-create the same atmosphere we enjoyed before becoming parents, but with all the accommodation needed for our new status. When we go out, we do not necessarily wish to be surrounded by 10 other children running around, so we felt like a separated area was necessary.  In order for parents to feel secure to leave their child, we made sure to implement an educational program and have experienced personnel onsite.

I Spy Montréal: You’re planning to host discussions about work-life balance and installing a TV so that parents can watch sports if they want to while the kids play. Do you think that, in general, parents sacrifice too much of their “old life” when they have a baby?

We think that every parent should be able to make decisions that respect their true beliefs, without feeling pressure to act in a certain way. Whether it’s being at home or leading the corporate world, we should be respectful about everyone’s choices  – this is what Parenthèses-Montreal is all about.  No judgment, just people that care about your needs as parents. Editor’s note: For Montreal Canadiens games held in Montreal, Parenthèses will keep the childcare service open till 9:30 p.m. (cost: $45/3 hours), and will show the games in the café. Reservations must be made in advance; call the number below.

I Spy Montréal: Can you outline your membership program?

We offer three membership packages, with prices varying between $50 and $100/month. They provide different discounts on most of our services.  Each of them are designed to fit the needs of parents and future parents.  Depending on the package, future parents get different discounts on the prenatal classes and parents get between 2 and 5 hours at the daycare center.

As members, parents and future parents will benefit from many services:

• Exclusive collection of hand-made truffles and macaroons, prepared on-site.
• Workshops and training sessions with specialists on maternity, perinatality and parenthood
• Monthly themed happy hours that promote discussions between parents
• Day-care centre, also called Halte (parent), that welcomes children from 0 to 5 years old
• Rental space available for family events (birthdays, baptisms, etc.)
• Massage, pedicure and manicure services at our (Parent) Spa

I Spy Montréal: You and Sandra both had your first child about 16 months ago and have launched this business in the meantime. That’s busy! What has kept you motivated along the way?

Stéphanie: Our desire to create a unique space for parents, but mostly our husbands, friends and family, who believed in our project and were always there to support and help us! Thank you guys!!!!!
Sandra: Stéphanie and I were both professionals in our own fields, and before having our children, we would keep ourselves busy doing some volunteering. Now, times have changed and we decided to work on our own project for the last two years. It was not always easy, but we would cheer each other up by saying, “If it was easy, everyone would do it!”  Also, we are surrounded by great people and this makes a big difference when you have a team you can count on.

I Spy Montréal: Can you share a favourite weekend family destination?

Stéphanie: I enjoy the Lachine Canal for a nice walk and the outdoor library in the summer.
Sandra: I love to get away and be with family. We went to Mont Tremblant for the weekend this summer; I think it is a great getaway when you have a couple of days to spare!

I Spy Montréal: Great to meet you, Stéphanie and Sandra!

Parenthèses Montreal
1384 Notre Dame St. W.
514-727-3687
info@parenthesesmontreal.com
http://www.parenthesesmontreal.com/

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One of the local breastfeeding challenge sites is Melons et Clémentines, a shop/café that specializes in breastfeeding products and services. They sell clothes, bras, and pretty much every accessory imaginable for breastfeeding moms, plus services like breastfeeding classes and a place to meet lactation consultants. In their bright, airy space on Sherbrooke St. in N.D.G., there is also a play area for babies and toddlers.

Melons et Clémentines will be hosting the breastfeeding challenge from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday morning. If you’d like to register, sign up here. Find other Montreal-area sites hosting the Global Breastfeeding Challenge.

Melons et Clémentines
Address: 5659 Sherbrooke St. W., N.D.G.
Telephone: 524-482-5248
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There’s a new parent-child café with childcare service in town! Merci to Maman 3.0 for the tip!

Parenthèses Montréal, in the heart of Griffintown, has a beautiful retro-modern café/restaurant in the front, which could be mistaken for a new hangout for urban hipsters. In fact, during my visit, there were two ladies in there sipping Illy coffees and they didn’t even have any children with them. It gets better – there’s a chocolaterie on the premises.

One of the founders, Stéphanie Raymond-Bougie, showed me around the place, which had its soft opening in September, and will have its official opening in October. Beyond the café, there’s a room for activities like prenatal classes and parent discussions, as well as a beautiful, full-of-light play room, where children will be supervised by an educator. The area is designed for up to age 5, but older ones can be accommodated.

Unlike other parent-child cafés where you watch your child in a visible play area, the idea here is that you can bring them here for some “you” time – perhaps an uninterrupted coffee date with a friend, a work-related meeting, or some time to get a haircut. Parenthèses also plans to offer services like prenatal massage and pedicures. You can either reserve a place for your child in the childcare area in advance or drop by to see if there’s space.

An interview with the owners is coming soon!

Parenthèses Montreal
1384 Notre Dame St. W.
514-727-3687
http://www.parenthesesmontreal.com/

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