May 2011 - South Jersey MOM Magazine

May

AVOID the

ALLERGY ATTACK

2011

Living with

HIGH ENERGY children

From foods to asthma, we cover it all!

8

PARENTING SHORTCUTS

Brilliant ideas to save time, money and sanity

understanding

PERINATAL MOOD DISORDERS BEYOND POSPARTUM DEPRESSION

2 | May 2011

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Table of Contents

pg. 18 g Understandin od Perinatal Mo Disorders mom 2 mom 8 Living With High Energy Children 10 8 Parenting Shortcuts: Brilliant Ideas to Save Time, Money and Sanity

moms R women 2 14 Thank a Teacher 16 Make Your Relationship Better All Year Long

know 2 grow 20 Childhood Food Allergies 22 Does Your Child Have Seasonal Allergies or Asthma?

23 Alternative Treatments for Asthma and Everyday Childhood Problems

features 17 Mother’s Day Gift Guide 24 Summer Camp Guide

also in this issue 3 5 6 13 29 30

editor’s note nana’s 2 sense life sentences her story things 2 do resource guide

www.southjerseymom.com

Dear Readers,

letter from the editor

May 2011

Photo by Lisa Ward Photography

any of you know my story of how South Jersey MOM came to be, but some of you may not. Every May, I talk about postpartum depression in an effort to help other women who may be suffering like I did.

Motherhood, for me, wasn’t full of the happiness and joy some mothers experience.

It was tiring, stressful and filled with thoughts I was afraid to share. Kayden had colic and acid reflux and hardly slept for longer than 45 minutes at a time. I was tired, discouraged and having thoughts of harming my baby. No one knew what was wrong with me or how to help me, including myself. It took about 9 months before Kayden and I “bonded” and shared that true “happiness and joy.”

Since overcoming PPD, I’ve never been embarrassed or ashamed to share my story. I don’t care if people judge me. I know it wasn’t my fault – there was nothing I was doing wrong or should have been doing. It wasn’t caused by my inability to breastfeed. It wasn’t caused by my lack of motherly skills. It just happened. But so many other women are afraid to talk about it out of fear of being judged. Motherhood isn’t all smiles all the time. It’s hard. It’s 24/7. It can be downright ruthless. And we shouldn’t be ashamed to tell the truth.

This May, I reminisce about how hard a time I had with Kayden. And I say – I survived!

And Kayden is just fine. He’s a happy, smart lit-

M

tle boy who is turning 5 this month! I learned so much about myself and about being a mother through that painful time.

If you’re a new mom, feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s a lonely feeling, I know. I felt so alone. But it doesn’t have to be that way. And if you are a mom who was blessed with an “easy” baby (like my Camille), then be the rock for those other moms who need some extra support.

Don’t judge; just listen. And maybe drop by so they can get a nap or a break from it all.✲ Your Friend and Fellow MOM,

“ Like” South Jersey MOM magazine on Facebook and find out about local events, win prizes and connect with other moms in the area!

May 2011 | 3

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4 | May 2011

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May

MOM 2011

CEO/Publisher: Christopher Ognibene • (609) 670-1794 chris@superiorgx.com Executive Editor Adrienne Richardson • (856) 305-3490 adrienne@southjerseymom.com Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Wilson • (609) 280-1741 bill@superiorgx.com Marketing & Business Development Specialist Randi Bresalier • (856) 986-9606 randi@superiorgx.com For General Advertising Inquiries: randi@superiorgx.com (856) 986-9606 bill@superiorgx.com (609) 280-1741 chris@superiorgx.com (609) 670-1794 Production Manager Lisa Celfo lisa@southjerseymom.com Photograper Shirley Magilton info@shirleymagilton.com Contributing Writers Jeanette Giza, Thomas Haller, Kate Hogan, Fran LoBiondo, Chick Moorman, Michele Ranard and David Thompson Submit Calendar Listing: calendar@southjerseymom.com www.southjerseymom.com Created by Markations Adam Nichols • (215) 825-7499 Superior Graphics Print Management LLC publishes South Jersey MOM monthly and distributes it throughout the region.

The publication is available free of charge at select locations.

Subscriptions $29.99 per year.

TM

May Days S

ummer is almost here, no more frost… and May brings Mother’s Day... thank you Hallmark. I love Mother’s Day. Now that they are grown, my daughters remember me with well thought out gifts of relaxation, pampering and heartfelt cards filled with lovely prose. I always cry upon receipt.

Mother’s Day doesn’t really get interesting until the children understand that they are giving mommy a gift, something to make mommy feel special; kind of like a birthday, but really a thank you just for being Mommy. This starts when children are about 3 years old.

When my girls were little, Mother’s Day was guaranteed to be exciting, entertaining... but sometimes filled with uncertainty. Once they “got it” the day always started with breakfast in bed. This meal changed through the years as the girls gained culinary skills. Early on, Mother’s Day breakfast was a bowl of cereal and milk on the side for mom to pour.

Not yet skilled at the art of pouring milk, there was that danger of spillage which would delay the meal and spoil the surprise. Sound familiar?

As years go by, expect toast, juice and maybe even pancakes.

Table décor also matured from the lone wilted dandelion, ripped from the backyard, placed on the tray next to the cereal bowl to the more sophisticated bunch of tulips clipped from the neighbor’s garden and carefully arranged in a small, clear juice glass.

M AY

Main: (609) 670-1794 Fax: (856) 210-1524

www.southjerseymom.com

Handmade gifts are always the best. Crafted with love and much toil, some last a lifetime. Then there are the “living gifts” — you know, the plants and animals. I often wonder how much planning goes into children’s “giftology.” How did they come up with the idea to give me a kitten two years in a row? “I know, I’ll give Mom a kitten this year and you can give her one next year. Then we will each have a kitten.”

What a dilemma. It’s not polite to refuse or return a gift and I certainly do not want to hurt their little feelings. I cannot remember a time we did not have a cat in the house.

Then there was the exotic plant that refused to accept my care and did not make it to the next Mother’s day. What guilt I felt as I watched it wilt a little more each month. I suggested a plant... plants are supposed to last longer than cut flowers, years longer.

The bottom line is children love to please their parents. I cannot wait to hear about the gifts my daughters receive from their children each Mother’s day. I know they will have many years of laughter and joyful tears... and stories of their own to tell.

Happy Mommy’s Day!✲

—Nana

Jean

Nana Jean is a South Jersey grandmother with two daughters and six grandchildren. Enjoy her stories about her 39+ years as a mom and 20 years as a grandmother as she shares her experiences and lessons learned with lots of laughs and tears along the way.

Giveaways!

H Monster Jam 2011 Tickets H Yo Gabba Gabba DVD: Circus H iCarly DVD: Season 2, Volume 3

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the authorization of the publisher.

Superior Graphics Print Management, LLC Publisher of South Jersey MOM P.O. BOX 268 Wenonah, NJ 08090

nana’s 2 sense

South Jersey

Visit www.southjerseymom.com to enter to win these prizes

[

On the COVER Cutest Kid In Town Winner: Emily lives in West Deptford and is 3 years old. She loves to sing and dance. She also enjoys swimming and playing Candyland and being on her dad's boat. Photo by Shirley Magilton Photography.

] May 2011 | 5

life sentences

Dumb Things I Have Done

I

t was a Thursday night and I found myself exhausted. I am often tired on that night, having fought my way through four mornings trying to get my kids out to school on time and making it by the skin of my teeth. By Thursday, the adrenaline is depleted.

By 9 o’clock, I tell everyone I am going upstairs to “read,” and that is true, as a goal.

Most times, the print starts swimming before my eyes as soon as I lay down, and if I close my eyes, the book drops painfully onto my nose.

So, on this Thursday, I went upstairs to get ready for bed when I noticed that one of my two hearing aids was missing. I had removed it from my ear when I got a haircut, and here’s the dumb part: I put it in my coat pocket.

Remember I said the adrenaline was spent? It came surging back. A thorough search of my coat, my sweatshirt and my car turned up empty, and by now I was sweating like a drag queen at confession. Those tiny ear buds containing sophisticated electronics do not come cheap, and now I was facing replacement costs.

My daughter was hopping to, helping me to look around the house and pray to St. Anthony and St. Jude, patrons of lost items and lost causes. I was frantic about coming up with the dough for another one, and when I said that, she got her bucket of change that she was saving for a family vacation, and gave it to me.

Having looked everywhere at home, I was going to pull a Scarlett O’Hara and go to bed, saying “tomorrow is another day” and I could keep searching in the morning. But then it hit me: tomorrow was trash day.

That is how I found myself snapping on surgical gloves, spreading a cloth out and dumping, one by one, every trash can in the house.

Because I had the sniffles that day, I thought it likely that the hearing aid went from my pocket into the trash stuck to a tissue.

I must say that fluffing out every Kleenex that had seen action that day was the least disgusting of the trash. There were chicken bones, overripe onions, refrigerator scraps of questionable origin, used Band-Aids and mushy awfulness from the vegetable crisper drawers.

At a certain point I was praying that the gizmo wasn’t in there.

By Fran LoBiondo Breathing only through my mouth and crying real tears of despair, I got to the end of the job and gave up.

I piled the sorted bags by the back door, discouraged and distraught and for some reason, perhaps a saintly head-thump, I checked my purse once more.

There, nestled with my car key in a zipped compartment, was my right-ear hearing aid.

We cheered, we laughed, we danced a prodigal prosthesis polka, and we all went to bed, feeling like we had just received an $1,800 gift from the saints.✲ Fran LoBiondo of Vineland has children in grade school, high school and college. A Purdue University graduate with a degree in Journalism, she has written about parenting, food and fun for 25 yrs.

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May 2011 | 7

mom 2 mom

o you need reminding what a high energy child looks like? I can help.

As a parent, it was a struggle to cope with our youngest son, the poster child of “high energy volcanoes.”

Intense, passionate, over-sensitive, moody and troubled by transitions, he was the toddler who required every tag cut from clothing, ran away at age three in Pull-ups and red galoshes, and once drove his grandmother to the brink of a nervous breakdown with a deafening crazed tantrum from hell in a minivan.

Even though I am a highly patient and positive parent, I found myself frustrated beyond words that my efforts did very little to change his difficult behavior.

D

Snapshot of a High Energy Child These kids tend to have: 4 Difficulty with transitions 4 Difficulty with boundaries 4 Intense emotions

Living With High Energy Children

By Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 8 | May 2011

They are sometimes called “explosive,” “difficult,” and “high maintenance.”

Psychologist Linda Budd wrote Living with the Active Alert Child: Groundbreaking Strategies for Parents and refers to this unique temperament as “the active alert child.”

Active alerts “find it difficult to let go of control, to deal with the intensity of emotions, to admit mistakes, to see a disagreement from another’s perspective and to slow down to gain another’s perspective.” They feel criticism more harshly and blow their mistakes out of proportion.

High energy kids pose a challenge to even the most patient parents. During the most turbulent years with my son, the advice I encountered more than any other was “be more patient and consistent.” (There were also plenty of unkind comments from other parents of the variety, “Wow, just wait ‘til he’s a teenager!”) However, there are additional strategies beyond simple lip service which may help you cope.

Nurturing Strategies 1. Frame the Issue as a Family Matter.

Budd’s approach to help focuses on tackling the subject from a family perspective rather than singling out the child as a “problem.” She suggests that for these children to feel more in control, they need more of the Three R’s: routine, rules and rituals. Budd points to the positive personality traits associated with active alert kids such as intensity, intelligence and activity—traits which may serve

them well in adolescence and adulthood.

2. Don’t Assume You’re a Horrible Parent or Alone. I recall nights trying to fall asleep when I felt like I was the worst parent in the world because all day long I had put out fires, scolded, given time-outs and yelled in frustration. It helps to talk to the parents of other high energy kids.

You are definitely in good company.

3. Help Your Child Develop Coping Skills. To help an active alert child cope, parents can “assist the child in developing internal coping resources so that when she makes mistakes or doesn’t know all the answers she will still feel okay about herself.” One of the ways parents can powerfully nurture such development is to teach the attitude, “Oh, well, mistakes can happen to anyone.”

4. Keep in Mind What Your Child Needs Most. Budd believes there are four elements to a child feeling parental love: Security, Protection, Importance and Respect.

5. Understand Your Own Temperament. In Raising Your Spirited Child, longtime expert Mary Sheedy Kurcinka refers to high energy kids as “spirited.” She explains that understanding how your temperament matches with your child’s is key to living more peacefully together and appreciating the positive qualities their temperament encompasses.

6. Teach Skills to Recognize Triggers.

Kurcinka says parents of spirited kids need to teach them skills to recognize their triggers. In this way, they learn to cope and communicate what they feel.

Parents can also help kids see their temperament is to be valued and that it will serve them well later. In the mean time, their intensity can be channeled into a positive outlet.

7. Read Books on the Subject. There are excellent sources which will encourage you and help you take active steps and make changes to your thinking and discipline which will ease this burden. In addition to the two mentioned, Ross W. Greene’s The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children offers an excellent collaborative problem solving approach.✲ Michele Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling. Find her blogs at cheekychicmama.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

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8

Parenting Shortcuts Brilliant ideas to save time, money and sanity

by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.

s a parent, unless you have “real housewife” Camille Grammar’s four nannies and support staff, your brain probably swims with an endless list of chores and household responsibilities this very second. It can be exhausting. How will it all get done? There is hope.

Consider these shortcuts to save your sanity.

A 1.

2.

3.

4.

Ditch Dinner-time Drama.

“Mom! You know I can’t stand homemade lasagna!” “Should we have fish tacos tonight, guys?”

It’s time to stop asking the family what they want for dinner.

At least temporarily if it’s making you crazy. Dinner-time democracy always sounds like a good idea except it can erupt into a revolution.

Keep your focus on which healthy, balanced meal you will serve and not on multiple dishes to please each family member.

If they hate the dish, you can offer cereal and yogurt as the alternative. This is not evil. This is called “mommy is lots nicer when she’s not totally insane.”

Also consider thinking in twos when you cook a meal. Roast extra chicken for the next night’s casserole. Make enough Swedish meatballs so you can toss some in with tomorrow’s spaghetti. Double the recipe. Cut manic mommy-stress in half.

Less Laundry Lovely.

Doing laundry is fulfilling! Not. Who says the kids’ clothes must be washed after one wear? Do Kevin’s jeans emit a funky smell?

Is Nicole’s sweater bloodstained? Was Blake’s polo dragged through the muddy swamp? If not, explain they can wear clothing again (and, okay, again!) to minimize dirty laundry and water consumption. In addition to green living, this is a very Tommy Lee rockstar way to live.

Changing Table Change-Up. It can drive you crazy when your child needs a diaper change and supplies are not at hand. Instead of buying just one package of wipes or diapers at a time, buy multiples. Stock the changing table/station with diapers, cream and essentials and also have supply stashes in other places around the house. This saves you time by preventing trips running upstairs or out to the van for the diaper bag. It will also make it safer for your little one since it can be tempting when you’re missing something to step away from the table.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Stay Cool and Carpool.

Fuel is expensive, carpooling is great for the environment, and our time is valuable. So give yourself a break and become accustomed to sharing driving responsibility with other parents. The bonus is you’ll get to know your kids’ friends and teammates better and stay in the loop.

Birthday Bargain Brilliance.

While shopping, keep your eyes peeled for smart non-expensive unisex birthday gifts. Snatch up the bargains and save yourself from angst-filled last minute scenarios before the bash. You can even really show off and wrap the gifts before you even need them.

Speaking of shopping, don’t lose your mind driving from store to store seeking the best price on small ticket items. Use coupons when you can, but the cost of gas and your time may not make all that running around worth it in the end.

Fake Bake.

It’s more than okay to buy the cookies or cupcakes for the bake sale, party or fundraiser should you not have time to bake. Kids have loved Oreos for years and years for a reason, and “from scratch” has never meant “because I love you more.”

Controlled Chaos Keeper.

You know that super annoyingly organized friend of yours who reminds you of Martha? She has that genius dry-erase board near her back door with every family activity sketched out for the next three months? Just a thought…but maybe she’s on to something. Invest in something similar or a good old-school corkboard. Encourage your kids to jump on the “look we actually have a schedule” bandwagon.

Breathe in the sweet oxygen of a life that may not be free of cares but feels way less disorganized.✲

Michele Ranard loves an organized nest. She has a husband, two children, a master’s in counseling, and blogs at cheekychicmama.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Outstanding Outfit Ooh-La-Las. Is there anything quite like ultimate fighting with your child over the “perfect outfit” at the break of day? Put an end to time wasting morning meltdowns because they cannot decide what garments FEEL right for that particular day. Without guilt (we’re talking about your mental health here, Not-Mrs.-Grammar, for cryin’ out loud) use Sunday nights to pick out a week’s worth of clothes. Buy a nifty cubby organizer to hold the outfits if it reinforces the smart habit. Then actually USE the thing.

10 | May 2011

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her story

Finding

L ve in the Foster

Care System

A

By Kate Hogan

s a young girl, Renee “B” knew she wanted to adopt a child someday. Her notions of what that experience would be like were very romantic. However, after some eye-opening incidents, that fairytale-like version is gone. But what has been left in its place and how it has affected Renee’s heart and soul is so much more profound.

After marrying her husband in 1998, the “B”s looked into international adoption but upon initial research, the couple found the costs to be astronomical and prohibitive for their young marriage. So they went on to live their lives in the hopes of having a big family someday.

Over the next few years, Renee and her husband were blessed with two biological children. But those precious children were no easy feat. Not only did the couple struggle with miscarriages and complicated pregnancies, but it was discovered that their son was autistic and would face many struggles of his own. Still, the “B”s marched forward with great spirit, strong faith and a desire to help those in need. “If you want to get out of pitying yourself, serve someone else. So I decided to stop focusing on my losses,” remembers Renee.

In 2007, the “B” family revisited their dream of a large family and looked into the Foster/Adoption program in New Jersey. The “B”s went through the state’s orientation program and completed training in spring 2008. Within a few weeks, three siblings were placed with the family. Renee still had that very romantic notion — the kids would be ecstatic to come to a warm and loving home. “But the fact is that foster kids don’t like you when they first come to your home; they perceive you as the people that took them from their parents — no matter how awful their situation was,” says Renee.

The training gave the family a good starting point, but that first case was an extremely tough one; even the most seasoned foster parent would have had difficulties. Unfortunately, when these first three children came to their home, they had not bathed in weeks, had head lice and were victims of domestic violence.

www.southjerseymom.com

The "B" Family. Photo by heather designs...

Needless to say Renee’s fairy tale was shattered.

But Renee didn’t give up. Over the next year, Renee did her best to treat her foster children the same as her biological children.

Eventually the foster children were reunited with their family. Reunification is not always easy or the “right” decision, but that is left to the family court system. “I wish I could have done more, but I get by knowing I did my best to show them what a good life could be like.

Even if it was for just a few, short months,” recalls Renee.

After their first foster case, Renee almost gave up. But the “B”s kept getting phone calls to take in children and they just couldn’t say

no. Over the next three years, six more children were placed and embraced, but eventually those cases moved on. Then, three days before Christmas 2009, the “B”s got another phone call to take in another set of siblings.

Renee prepared her home and her heart as she usually did.

After a few weeks, Renee and her husband knew they wanted to make these children a permanent part of their family. When they met the children’s teenage brother, it was solidified even more.

If all goes well, by the end of 2011, the “B”s will have six children to call their own.

A dream come true!✲

May 2011 | 13

moms R women 2

M

any of you have noticed an interesting phenomenon that is current in our culture. We’re not sure who started it, where it began, or why it’s happening. But for some reason it has become open season on teachers.

Teachers are being held exclusively accountable for test scores. They are the ones who must sacrifice portions of their insurance to balance state and local budgets. They are having their bargaining rights taken away with little or no voice in the matter. Respect for teachers is at an all-time low. What is up with that?

Teachers do not deserve how they are currently being perceived and treated by many parents, legislators and media personnel.

Do you know a teacher who has made a positive difference in the life of your child? This would be a great time to string a few kind words together and thank them for their efforts. Yes, it’s time for a thank you!

Thank him for all the papers he corrected this year, taking the time to write meaningful appreciative and descriptive praise.

Thank her for spending some of her own money to buy that glue stick, ream of paper, calculator or special colored set of markers for your child’s classroom.

Thank him for investing extra time to help the child who was three years behind in reading, the one who didn’t know his multiplication tables, or the one who didn’t have the courage to risk putting her thoughts down on paper.

Thank her for collecting tickets at the basketball game, for running the concession stand at the football game and for operating a booth at the Family Fun Fair.

Thank him for attending all the PTO meetings even though most parents were too busy to attend.

Thank her for putting up with the angry parent and for remaining calm in the face of disrespect, anger and venting.

Thank him for the kind words he gave to the rookie teacher who was struggling to make it through his first year with his self-esteem intact and for being that shoulder to lean on in time of need.

Thank her for putting serious thought into preparation for parent/teacher conferences and for offering useful ideas for those parents who didn’t know what to do with their own children.

Thank him for being there at the door to greet your child as he or she entered his classroom day after day.

Thank her for the calls she made to parents to keep them informed of behavioral problems and missing assignments and to pass on positive things their children did.

Thank her for the weekends she invested in planning, designing, grading and evaluating assignments.

Thank him for purchasing professional books out of his own pocket, reading them and implementing new ideas in his classroom.

Thank her for challenging students with high teacher expectations.

Thank him for holding students accountable for the choices they made and for doing it with an open heart, even in the face of pressure to cave in so they wouldn’t have to experience the consequences.

Thank her for confronting, in a positive way, the student who needed to get conscious about the behaviors he was choosing.

Thank him for taking the time to meet with the special education teacher, the counselor, the administrator and the parents of the student who needed a special treatment plan.

Thank her for sponsoring the foreign language, science, Bible study, debate, chess, varsity, Quill and Scroll or National Honor Society club.

Thank him for going home worrying about your child and coming up with a plan to help her.

Thank her for being willing to organize her bathroom breaks so she could be present with students for three hours without interruption.

Thank him for taking an active role in professional organizations that strive to improve education.

Thank her for speaking out against current practices and legislation that you feel are not in the best interest of your children, even in the midst of condemnation from others within the school system.

Thank him for arranging the student-to-student interaction patterns in his classroom so that students build positive relationships with one another.

Thank her for being a positive role model that all her students can look up to with pride and respect.

Thank him for being willing to eat lunch in fifteen minutes or less.

Thank her for investing the time to teach students appropriate behaviors such as getting started quickly, disagreeing politely, reporting in a positive manner and taking responsibility for their actions, in addition to teaching about her subject matter.

Thank him for confronting the bully who was teasing your child this year.

Thank her for volunteering to give up her planning time for the students who needed to debrief the disagreement they had in the hall earlier that day.

Most teachers are working hard on behalf of your children.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-6, 2011. It’s time to appreciate their efforts and say Thank You!✲

Thank him for attending professional conferences in areas where he felt a need to gain additional skills and competencies.

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of Parent Talk Essentials. They are two of the world’s foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. They publish a free Uncommon Parenting blog. To obtain more information about how they can help you or your group meet your parenting needs, visit their website today: www.uncommon-parenting.com.

14 | May 2011

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Make Your relationship Better all Year long

r

“

omance is a very small part of what makes a marriage or long-term relationship successful,” explains Dr. Howard Rankin, creator of the Science of You website (www.scienceofyou.com) and founder of the American Brain Association. “It’s getting the other 98 percent right that makes a couple last in the long haul.

“It’s fine to enlist your partner in this effort,” says Rankin. “But if he or she won’t cooperate, you try changing and see what happens. Very often you’ll find that your partner quickly and enthusiastically reciprocates, and the entire dynamics of your relationship changes.”

Ask yourself: Would I rather be right… or would I rather be happy?You’ve heard it all before: She doesn’t load the dishwasher the right way, he leaves his socks on the bedroom floor, she keeps squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle. And these little, everyday toiletseat-up-or-down issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Couples could argue literally about everything—politics, religion, what to watch on TV, how often to see the in-laws—and some do.

“No one wants to be micromanaged, especially in her own home,” Rankin explains.

“If you just want to be right and prove your

point on everything, your relationship is likely to fail. The fact is that often, there isn’t a right or a wrong way, just different ways. Assuming that yours is the right—and only way—is arrogant and disrespectful.

Master the fine art of communication. It sounds so simple:You speak, he hears. And vice versa. But it’s much harder than it sounds. In fact, Rankin says communication is at the root of the problems faced by almost every couple he’s ever seen.

“If your husband doesn’t reveal too much about himself, it may be that he is not very skilled at doing that—or it may be that every time he tries to tell you something he gets shot down,” he points out. “People simply won’t talk if they think they are going to get criticized in some way. Be respectful and listen.”

Commit, already. (And no, it has nothing to do with a wedding ring!) Commitment is the glue that keeps a relationship together, says Rankin. And guess what? Most people have no idea what the word really means. They think in terms of marriage licenses or sexual fidelity, but real commitment goes beyond these things. The truth is, you can be totally faithful to your partner but still not be committed to the relationship.

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Realize that real romance isn’t about the roses. It’s one thing to send the children off to their grandparents’ house, fly to Florida and board the cruise ship. But it’s not a romantic interlude if he then spends all his time in the casino and she becomes irremovably attached to the spa. Romance is, above all, about making your partner feel special, and you can do that only by paying him or her some attention.

Embrace the F-word: forgiveness. It is inevitable that in the course of your most intimate relationship, conflicts and major disagreements will occur. But Rankin says that one of the secrets of a successful relationship is ensuring that these muddy waters of disenchantment and anger don’t inevitably harden into bricks of resentment.

To stave off resentment, you need to accept two facts that many couples struggle with: • You cannot control another person unless they let you.

• Sometimes you have to give up, or modify, your dreams.

Unless you come to terms with these facts, you are going to have a rough time being successful in any close relationship.

“In a way, forgiveness is an act of selfishness,” Rankin reflects. “If you carry around resentment, you are the one who really suffers from the stress of the anger and frustration.

I’ve heard it said that resentment is like taking rat poison and expecting the rat to die.To continue a relationship and be happy, you have to learn to forgive and move on.”

Don’t make an “ass” out of “u” and “me.” (Don’t assume!) Do you really understand your partner? Or do you only think you do? Rankin says one of our most important life skills is the ability to monitor our own instant judgments and automatic perceptions and measure them against reality.

Resist your natural tendency to interpret your partner’s behavior. Instead, actually talk to her to find out what’s really going on. This is a crucial (and underused) relationship skill.

“Asking, instead of assuming, will result in a much more peaceful environment,” says Rankin. “And trying to find out what your partner is really thinking and feeling, and respecting it, is a true act of love.”✲ Dr. Howard J. Rankin is the creator of www.scienceofyou. com and founder and president of the American Brain Association. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and author with a strong background in health, relationships, communication, neuropsychology, and mind-body medicine.

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Mot her’ s Day Gift Guide Here are the special Editor’s picks for moms this Mother’s Day! You can’t go wrong with one of these gifts!

HABITS NECKLACE DOUBLE WALL TRAVEL MUG 1. CHARMING 4. The Delicate sterling silver charm necklaces adorned with empowering Contigo® Autoseal® Bella Double Wall Travel Mug with words and phrases by Charming Habits Jewelry. Charming Habits Jewelry were created to inspire confidence and include “enjoy the journey,” “faith,” “emerge,” “live your dreams” and “grace.” www.etsy.com/shop/CharmingHabits ?ref=pr_shop_ more, $39.50 and up.

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Understanding Perinatal MOOD DISORDERS:

Beyond Postpartum Depression any of us are familiar with postpartum depression (PPD), due in large measure to high-profile survivors — such as our state’s former First Lady Mary Jo Codey and actress Brooke Shields — who spoke out with courage and conviction about their experiences with PPD. They helped to reduce the stigma and raise awareness of the symptoms and treatment of this illness which affects approximately one in eight women. However, most people do not realize that depression can occur at any point during pregnancy, not just after the delivery of a child.

Many physical and emotional changes occur before and after giving birth. Most women experience mixed feelings, sometimes referred to as “baby blues” after delivery, which gradually diminish as they settle into the new routines of motherhood.

M

WHAT IS A PERINATAL MOOD DISORDER? Women’s health advocates want the public to become familiar with the term Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMD) because it reflects the wide range of symptoms that include more than those associated with postpartum depression.

These mood disorders can occur anytime during pregnancy and up to one year following childbirth. They include: anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Bipolar disorders and postpartum psychosis are also included in the wide range of Perinatal Mood Disorders.

Mood disorders, which range from mild to severe, cause distress and adversely affect daily functioning and personal relationships.

Early diagnosis is important, so women need to know the signs and symptoms of Perinatal Mood Disorders.

WHAT CAUSES PERINATAL MOOD DISORDERS? The exact causes of these disorders are unknown, but here are some factors that may contribute to their onset: • Changes in hormone levels • A difficult pregnancy/birth • Medical problems (mother or baby) • Lack of sleep • Perceived loss of freedom • Sudden changes in routines • Personal or family history of depression • Prior experience with PPD or other Perinatal Mood Disorders 18 | May 2011

• Life stressors such as illness or financial problems

H OW A RE P E RINATAL M OOD DIS ORDE RS T RE AT E D?

WHO IS AT RISK?

Perinatal Mood Disorders, even the most severe cases, are highly treatable, but as with many illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. A woman’s OB/GYN, family physician and pediatrician can all be effective starting points for assessment and referral for psychological treatment.

The first step is to visit a doctor for a complete diagnostic evaluation. A person with a Perinatal Mood Disorder can be treated through a number of methods – most commonly medication and psychotherapy. Women and their doctors need to make a treatment plan based on individual needs. There is no need for a woman to suffer alone with a Perinatal Mood Disorder during this remarkable period in her life – help is available.

Any woman who has recently had a baby, ended a pregnancy, or who has stopped breastfeeding, can be affected by PMD. The disorders usually occur within the first year after childbirth, miscarriage or stillbirth, but the signs of depression can also appear earlier – when a woman is pregnant, or even planning to be.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Symptoms – which may appear during pregnancy, or up to one year after delivery – are varied. Common symptoms are: • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much • Changes in appetite • Feeling irritable, angry or nervous • Feeling exhausted • Lack of interest in the baby • Lack of interest in friends and family • Lack of interest in sex • Feeling guilty or worthless • Feeling hopeless • Crying uncontrollably • Feelings of being a bad mother • Trouble concentrating • Hyper-vigilance (extreme concern about the baby’s care and/or health) • Thoughts of harming the baby or harming herself

WHERE TO GET HELP OR LEARN MORE Women affected by PMD are fortunate to have numerous resources available to them. In Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem Counties, they can contact the Southern NJ Perinatal Cooperative, Inc. at (856) 665-6000.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services provides a statewide PMD helpline (1-800-328-3838) 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions and provide information on available resources, as well as a comprehensive informational website at www.njspeakup.gov.✲

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know 2 grow

Childhood Food Allergies

By Norman Koven, MD

While eating lunch at preschool, the teacher noticed that 3-year-old Matt was starting to rub his mouth and cough. He soon developed hives on his face and vomited. The teacher quickly called for medical attention and treatment for Matt. The child was eventually diagnosed with a food allergy to peanuts.

T

his is a familiar scenario for many parents since food allergies have risen 18 percent among children and teens in the last decade. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about 6 percent of children in the United States under age 3, have food allergies. The overall incidence in children and teens of all ages in the United States is estimated at 4.2 percent. Peanut and tree nut allergies among children have tripled since 1997.

What exactly is a food allergy and what foods are the most common? A food allergy develops when the immune system becomes sensitized to a specific food with the production of antibodies toward the food. With subsequent intake of that food, either by eating, touching or inhaling it, the antibody can trigger a harmful reaction with the release of histamine and other chemicals causing familiar symptoms such as itching, hives, swelling, coughing, wheezing, nausea, vomiting and even fainting.

20 | May 2011

The most common foods causing allergies in children, accounting for 90 percent of reactions are milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts (such as walnuts and almonds), fish and shellfish (such as shrimp). Fortunately, most kids, about 80 percent, outgrow their food allergies, including those to milk, eggs, soy and wheat. However, only about 20 percent of children allergic to peanuts and 10 percent allergic to tree nuts outgrow these allergies.

Fish and shellfish allergies are even more rarely outgrown.

How do you know if your child has a food allergy? It’s estimated that about 10 percent of parents believe their children have a “food allergy,” but the true incidence is less than half of that, about 4 percent. Therefore, it’s important for children to be properly evaluated by an allergist to confirm or rule out a specific food allergy. A combination of selected allergy skin testing and blood testing to look for the presence of the sensitizing antibodies,

known as IgE antibodies, to foods is recommended. Strong reactions to such testing that correlate with the reaction that occurred may be sufficient to make a diagnosis. However, such testing is often inconclusive, and an oral challenge with a food is carried out in the allergist’s office. During this procedure, a child is given small, increasing amounts of the suspected food to eat and carefully observed for any symptoms or signs of a reaction.This is the most reliable method of diagnosis since it accurately determines whether a child can tolerate a specific food.

Once diagnosed, how do you treat a food allergy? There is no medication available yet to prevent or cure food allergies. Therefore, the mainstay of treatment continues to be avoidance of the food and foods containing it, and the allergist will provide thorough education and counseling to guide the family. In addition, it’s vital for the family and caregivers to have emergency medication available for prompt Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

treatment and relief should a reaction occur, including injectable Epinephrine and oral Benadryl.

Finally, the future is encouraging since promising research is now underway developing protocols for oral desensitization of allergenic foods. This will enable children to gradually build up tolerance to a food by regularly ingesting small amounts of the food over a prolonged time.

Parents can also help prevent food allergies by breastfeeding for at least four months.

This can help reduce the chance of developing cow’s milk allergy or asthma in babies with a family history of allergies. Also, avoid giving babies solid foods until 4 to 6 months of age.

In contrast, some older, popular strategies are no longer thought to be helpful, such as pregnant mothers avoiding ingestion of potentially allergenic foods and delaying past six months the introduction of eggs, peanuts and other foods.✲

When Your Kids Don’t Have Food Allergies—What Can You Do to Help?

The first thing you can do to help someone who has a food allergy is to become informed. There are many misconceptions about food allergy. Here are just a few facts to keep in mind: • There is no cure for food allergy.

• Trace amounts of a food protein can cause anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.

• Constant vigilance with the foods that will be consumed by an individual who has a food allergy is a must. Ingredient labels of every food product must be read carefully.

• Eight foods account for 90 percent of all food-allergic reactions in the U.S.. They are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts (i.e., walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.

Norman Koven, MD is a 1978 graduate of the New York University School of Medicine. He completed an Allergy and Immunology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and has been in private practice since 1983.

He is Chief of Allergy at Aria Hospital. He sees patients in the Haddonfield, Northeast Philadelphia and Richboro offices. For more information call (856) 795-5600 or visit www.aacallergy.com.

More information about each of the major allergens is available by visiting www.foodallergy.org. FAAN™ (the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network) has a variety of free materials to help others become involved, including downloadable fact sheets, presentations and age-appropriate activities.

Involve your own children in making posters with food allergy facts, or print out some of the free materials from our Be a PAL: Protect A Life From Food Allergies™ peer education program.

Another quick and easy way to do your part is to send a letter to Gov. Chris Christie requesting that he sign a proclamation declaring May 8-14 as Food Allergy Awareness Week. Access to all of these materials, including a link to request a proclamation, are available by visiting www.foodallergy.org/section/foodallergy-awareness-week11.

Is your child the CUTEST KID IN TOWN? Every month, South Jersey MOM will feature a local child on the cover!

Does your child suffer from

If you think you have the cutest kid in town, send a 4x6 photo and a $15 entry fee (per household) to P.O. Box 2413, Vineland, NJ 08362-2413. Please make checks payable to Superior Graphics.

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Norman Koven, MD Pediatric Allergist Frederick Cogen, MD Family Allergist Min Ku, MD Family Allergist

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856.651.9700 May 2011 | 21

Does Your Child Have Seasonal Allergies or Asthma?

ANSWERS TO THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS PARENTS ASK llergists are trained to look for certain symptoms that are not obvious to parents or even to pediatricians or general practitioners.

Paul Ehrlich, M.D., Larry Chiaramonte, M.D. are the authors of Asthma, Allergies, Children: A Parent’s Guide. Here are their answers to the most common situations and questions they hear from parents asking about the problems that plague their children:

A

If your child rubs the tip of his or her nose with her index Q: finger and then with the palm of the hand upward towards her forehead, it means: A. She is coming down with a cold.

B. She has disobeyed mommy and put beans in her nose.

C. She is performing what allergists call an “allergic salute.”

This is a classic “allergic salute.” It is a specific behavior that all trained allergists recognize, but that might look like nothing out of the ordinary to a parent or pediatrician.

If your 5-year-old has no history of respiratory problems Q: but starts scratching his or her nose persistently in the evening before bed, it means: A. The child is thinking deeply.

B. He or she is working up to picking it after he goes to bed when no one is watching.

C. The child should be tested for sensitivity to milk, cats, dust mites, molds, trees, ragweed and grass.

While your child is undoubtedly a deep thinker, these symptoms are typical of any number of common sensitivities and your child should be tested.

Your 2-month-old, starts getting red, rosy cheeks and the Q: skin starts to itch at the height of ragweed season in September. Your child is probably: A. Allergic to pollen.

B. Allergic to house dust mites.

C. Reacting to changes in the weather.

Allergic to house dust mites. How can we be so sure? Because your child is encountering ragweed pollen for the first time at the age of 2 months, and thus has not been sensitized to it. The current problems are due to the household dust that he or she has been breathing for the past two months, unless there’s a dog or cat in the house, in which case it might be the pet.

Your 3-year-old starts getting congested at the end of ragQ: weed season in the fall. She is probably: A. Allergic to pollen.

B. Allergic to house dust mites.

C. Reacting to changes in the weather.

She is allergic to pollen. Your 3-year old is now experiencing her second ragweed season. She was exposed last year, developed antibodies, and is now allergic.

Your child has “hay fever” in the spring when there is no Q: hay but not in the fall when there is. Why is that?

Hay fever is a term that describes symptoms, not specific causes, and so is misunderstood. There is a well-defined seasonal pollen cycle. In the Northern U.S., tree pollen appears early in the spring, before the leaves unfold. Grass pollen appears later in the spring and early summer. Finally, there is a late summer peak of weeds and ragweed.

Hay fever is named for the period when grasses mature and are mown for hay, although the pollens may have nothing to do with agriculture. sneeze a lot at night. What can a parent do Q: Children about it?

Keep your house as free as possible from any dust. This is the single most important step in treatment of asthma and allergies. Remove any furry or feathered animals from the bedroom, permanently. Discard any feather (or down) pillows or quilts. Use hypoallergenic (polyester) pillows and washable blankets. Forced-air ventilation is very bad for asthmatics. Buy filter material and install in the bedroom air vents.

Wash or change filters monthly. Do not use humidifiers of any kind.

Increased humidity increases the growth of dust mites and molds. The most effective way to keep your air passages comfortable during the night is to keep the bedroom very cool (55˚F–60˚F).

Use plastic covers that completely encase any pillows, the mattress, and box spring even if the mattress and pillows are new. Remove rugs and carpets except for washable throw rugs. If it is impossible to remove carpeting, vigorous vacuuming must be performed daily. Vacuum cleaners blow a lot of fine dust out the back. Purchase special allergenproof vacuum cleaner bags. HEPA air purifiers are very useful for pet dander, mold spores, or cigarette smoke, or if you have forced-air ventilation. Avoid ion air purifiers Clean regularly.

The bottom line? The most important thing that parents can do is to see an allergy specialist. Get a referral or get an appointment, do whatever it takes. Seeing a specialist is to best way to make sure your child gets the best and most effective treatment.✲

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ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS An Interview with Dr. Bryan Levey hen allergy season hits, Dr. Bryan Levey knows there are children who struggle needlessly with their asthma.

He knows the key to controlling a child’s asthma comes not just from the medicines they are prescribed; it’s from a careful approach that reduces exposure to environmental or household asthmatic “triggers.”

Levey’s innovative pediatric practice in Marlton focuses on “finding and fixing the cause of children’s health issues, not reactively treating the symptoms,” he says. His integrative approach mixes conventional medicine with homeopathy and natural remedies to provide treatment plans in the best interests of his patients’ health and well-being.

Each individual child has certain triggers that cause an asthmatic reaction or attack, says Levey, and sometimes they can be highly avoidable. “By controlling the triggers in your child’s life, you may not only see improvement in your child’s asthma, but in other aspects of his or her health as well.”

Triggers are external substances that cause the body’s immune system to react in a negative way. For children with asthma, they may include: m Outdoor environmental allergens such as grass, tree and weed pollen. m Indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold and pets. m Cigarette or cigar smoke, including third hand smoke parents may have on their clothes or hair. m Scented items such as perfumes, spray or plug-in air fresheners, candles, laundry detergents and soaps. m Foods, including artificially colored food, and foods with preservatives like BHA and BHT. m Household cleaners and pesticides. m Respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu.

To determine how to identify triggers for your children’s asthma, keep a journal of asthma symptoms and see a physician who will work with parents to recommend a treatment plan that reduces exposure to a range of triggers.

“Complementary treatment frequently involves easy prevention steps and natural remedies that remove toxins and exposure to toxins in our lives and helps the body to heal,” explains Levey, who was Associate Director of

W

www.southjerseymom.com

for Asthma and Everyday Childhood Problems Inpatient Pediatrics at Virtua West Jersey Hospital from 1997 to 2006.

Levey takes an individual approach to the health of each in the 18th century. Philadelphia’s Hahnemann child because “conventional medicine is a ‘oneUniversity Hospital, founded in 1885, was size-fits-all’ approach that is more reactive than named after Dr. Hahnemann. preventative. Integrative Medicine stresses a “The class was a huge eye opener for me, balance between conventional and complebecause I knew not everyone fits the traditionmentary treatment that can lessen the need al treatment mode, and there is a long history for traditional medicine. Antibiotics and vacin other cultures of using natural remedies to cines are certainly vital to the health of our prevent and cure our medical problems.”✲ children and should be used appropriately, but Levey was awarded his MD in 1994 from University of a proactive approach can help limit the effects Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. His Internship and Residency was completof ailments like asthma on a child’s life.” ed in Pediatrics at Cooper Hospital University Medical Thirty percent of all people use alternaCenter. Levey spent 1997 to 2006 as Associate Director of tive medicines on their own, but less than 1 Inpatient Pediatrics, at Virtua West Jersey Hospital. In percent of doctors recommend homeopathic 2010, Levey opened his own private practice offering pediremedies says Levey. For example: “When we atric integrative medicine which is the first of its kind in take our children to the doctor with a cold, South Jersey. For more information, call (609) 662- KIDS we’re told most of the time there is no treat(5437) or visit www.KidsWellPeds.com. ment for the common cold, which is untrue.

There are natural herbs and supplements today that treat a cold, and we’re starting to see these available overthe-counter in drug stores.”

Levey attributes his treatment philosophy to a mix of academic and personal experience. “I garden and love to grow things and increasingly wanted to learn Bringing together the best of how to use the herbs and medicines that conventional medicine and are natural to our world,” he rememalternative therapies bers.

He then found a class on Homeo(609) 662-KIDS (5437) pathy offered at Jefferson University in www.KidsWellPeds.com Philadelphia, taught by physicians like him. Homeopathy is a system of medicine 475 Old Marlton Pike that was developed

by German physician Marlton, NJ 08053 Samuel Hahnemann

South Jersey’s first pediatric integrative

medicine practice

May 2011 | 23

Summer Camp Guide

Little Lamb Preschool Summer Day Camp

THE GYMNASTICS AND CHEERLEADING ACADEMY

• Age group 2 yrs. old – to entering 1st grade • Hands on activities incorporated through weekly themes • Two large fenced play areas • Air conditioned facility • Highly qualified & experienced caregivers • Flexible scheduling: 3 or 5 days available

Nature • Music • Crafts • Water Play • Ice Cream Truck Skits • Snacks Provided • Special Visitor and Events

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Call for a tour today (856) 692-5390 Serving the Community for Over 26 Years!

1005 E. Wheat Road • Vineland, NJ 08360 24 | May 2011

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Philly’s, South Jersey’s and the Shore’s #1 Choice for Summer Camp

Saturday, May 21

• swim lessons • horseback riding • ceramics • archery • sports • rope courses Transportation, • nature • extended care Lunch & Snack • tennis • gymnastics provided • crafts • teen program with travel (peanut aware) • dance • half or full day, 3 & 4 year olds • drama • a/c buildings For registration rates and fees go to our website • golf • a/c vehicles • woodshop • free camp shirt

FULL DAY CAMPS Mon–Fri + 9:00am–3:30pm Boys/Girls + 7–13 years old LITTLE SIXERS DAY CAMPS Mon–Fri + 9:00am–11:45am Boys/Girls + 5–7 years old OVERNIGHT CAMPS One and two week sessions available Boys/Girls + 9–17 years old + Meet Sixers Players, Coaches & other NBA Stars! + Learn the drills the pros use

FULL DAY CAMPS Mon–Fri + 9:00am–3:30pm Boys/Girls + 7–13 years old MINI DAY CAMPS Mon–Fri + 9:00am–11:45am Boys/Girls + 5–7 years old OVERNIGHT CAMPS Ages 9–17 years old + Meet the Sixers Dancers! + Let the Divas of Dance teach you the latest moves.

Call today 856-262-3900

www.southjerseymom.com

May 2011 | 25

Join the BEST Soccer Academy in the USA • Small but prestigious soccer school Carli Lloyd, USA Womens National Team

• Recognized internationally • True producer of elite soccer players • Accepting minimal amount of students to ensure all programs are effective • Programs improve all students, leading to peak performance on their teams!

USA Womens Heather Mitts, National Team

Medford, NJ

609.254.0335 www.universalsocceracademy.com info@universalsocceracademy.com

Hockey Camp Learn to Skate and Figure Skating Camp Fit & Fun Camp

THE BEST DAY CAMP VALUE IN SOUTH JERSEY!

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Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

!

All Kids First SUMMER CAMP Gets All E's for EXCELLENT! An Exciting and Enriching program full of Enjoyable Exploration..

!

Open House Date: Sunday, May 15 1:00pm-3:30pm

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NOW Enrolling: Ages 8 wks - 5 yrs

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Extended Hours – No Extra Charge

www.greattimesdaycamp.com

1385 Magnolia Road Vineland, NJ 856.405.0711 www.allkidsfirstnj.com

Our program is Energizing and Encouraging!

Children Engage in various activites.

Different theme each week.

An Enthusiastic Environment at All Kids First!

BGCCC SUMMER

CAMP SUMMER2011

www.southjerseymom.com

Monday, June 27th – Friday, August 19th Days Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm Early drop-off at 8am and late pick up until 6pm. Available for an additional charge.

NEW this year – Specialty Sports Camp Monday, August 22 – Friday, September 2 Open to all children 6-12 years old Counselor in Training program for 13-14 year olds Visit www.begreatcamden.org for more info

fantastic summertime fun Sports Camp Features – Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Basketball, Swimming and much more…For all levels of athletic ability.

856.966.9700 X235 & ask for Tyra Walls www.begreatcamden.org Licensed by State of New Jersey

May 2011 | 27

LIBERTY LAKE SUMMER DAY CAMP Liberty Lake is the place to be for ages 4-15; transportation available in Camden & Burlington Counties.

CAMPERS create their own schedules, guaranteeing the BEST SUMMER! Tours available daily. Conveniently located just off Rte 295 (exit 52A). www.libertylakedaycamp.com, (609) 499-7820.

ENCHANTED DREAMS Haddonfield Voted Best Children's Party in South Jersey. Summer Princess Camp! A different Princess attends each magical week! Choose your favorite.

Dress-up, crafts, music, dance, tea parties. Making memories to last happily ever after!

Ages 3 & up. www. enchanteddreams.biz, (856) 429-9909 YMCA CAMPS OF MEDFORD The YMCA camps of Medford provide children with quality programs in a safe, supportive environment. Co-ed day and single gender overnight camps promote lifelong friendships, positive self-esteem, healthy development, strong character values and encourage individuality and independence. (609) 678-1500, www.ycamp.org.

PLAY LIKE THE PROS!

28 | May 2011

www.southjerseymom.com

Explore E xplore the the W onders of of tthe he Wonders World World ere kids kids have have Whhere

summer su mmer ffun un aass tthey hey dig deep, deep, dive dive in, in, blaze blaze dig

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FFor or A Summer Summer Program Program Close Too H Home Visit Close T ome V isit MalvernSchool.com MalvernSchool.com

Check out our indoor and outdoor summer baseball camp info at www.wedropbombs.com

15 Fostertown Road Medford, NJ

e-newsletter at

C’mon, C ’mon, Let’s Let’s G Go... o...

• Professional Baseball Instruction • Hitting • Fielding • Strength & Conditioning • Throwing • Base-Running • Softball

609.408.8828

Sign up for our monthly

Summer Fun Begins Here...

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®

Follow F ollow Us Us On On Facebook Facebook Fa

Private P rivate Early Early Childhood Childhood E Education ducation For For 6 Weeks Weeks To To 8 Y Years ears Locations L ocations In In P PA A & N NJ J Call Call 1-877-MALVERN 1- 87 7- MA LV E R N for for NAEYC N A E YC a accredited ccre dite d schools schools Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

For a complete list of events, log onto www.southjerseymom.com

To submit your event, send an email to calendar@southjerseymom.com.

Entries are due six weeks prior to the event and are filled on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited.

ATLANTIC COUNTY The Circus is Coming!

May 11 at 5 and 7:30 p.m.

The Vidbel Family Circus is coming to Newfield! Deep in the unconscious of every man and woman is a clown or daring performer. So come on out, relive your dreams and help support the Newfield Public Library. Tickets available at Newfield Library. $9 in advance, $12 at gate & children 2 and under FREE. (856) 697-0415

in Bishop’s Gate Corporate Center, 3000 Leadenhall Rd, Mt Laurel (right across from the Boarders and LA Fitness Shopping Center on Rt 38). The registration tent, resource fair and children’s activities begin at 8 am and the optional 3 mile walk begins at 10 am. Sign up for the walk online at www.walknowforautismspeaks.or g/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=4 47363. Contact the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of Autism Speaks at (856) 858-5400 for more info.

CAMDEN COUNTY

BURLINGTON COUNTY Be Your Best at Any Age May 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Local psychologist, Vicki Handfield, Psy.D of Get Healthy, Get Happy, and area dermatologist Karen Harkaway, MD, are jointly presenting a FREE seminar for women at 8001 Rte 130 South, Delran. The doctors and participating staff members, ages 22-75, will demonstrate what they have done and what other women can do to look and feel their best.

Topics include issues of motivation, self-esteem, exercise and weight loss, wardrobe, Botox, filler, intense pulsed light (IPL), and laser procedures. Includes raffle for free services from both doctors. For more info or to RSVP, call (856) 461-1400.

Children’s Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Gently used children’s clothing, toys, accessories, baby gear and more for sale! Lenape High School, 235 Hartford Road, Medford. For more info email lenapebabysale@gmail.com Walk Now for Autism Speaks May 21 The 10th Annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks will be held www.southjerseymom.com

Natural Family Planning Course May 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Fertility awareness with Natural Family recognizes a woman’s fertility signs that can be used to plan or postpone pregnancy effectively and with no unhealthy side effects. It’s also a “green” way of planning your family. St. Andrew the Apostle Center, 27 Kresson-Gibbsboro Rd, Gibbsboro. Register online by 5/1 at www.ccli.org (Click “Register for Class”). For more info (856) 7531906 or sj.nfp@comcast.net. The course fee of $135 plus shipping includes all materials.

Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet May 8 Buffet features a pancake bar plus pastries and muffins, stuffed french toast, Connie’s brunch, bagels, salmon and cream cheeses, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, brie and apple croissant melt, fields of green salad, fresh fruit salad, and more.

Children’s buffet: french toast sticks, chicken fingers, french fries, little toaster grilled cheeses, applesauce and more. Plus a delicious chocolate dessert buffet.

Adults, $19.95; Children, $8.95.

Three seatings – 9:00am, 11:45am and 2:30pm. Reservations required. The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ. www.thepopshopusa.com, (856) 869-0111

Swan Lake May 13-15 South Jersey Ballet Theatre will present “Swan Lake” at the Voorhees School Theatre on Holly Oak Dr in Voorhees. For ticket info and show times, call (856) 309-8282. Ticket $15, adults; $12 for seniors 62 and older; $10 children 12 and under.

CAPE MAY COUNTY Spring Block Party May 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Over 350 crafters, food vendors, music and more from 5th to 14th Street on Asbury Ave in Ocean City. For more info call (609) 3992629.

Crafts & Antique Fair May 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Crafts & Antiques at Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette St, Cape May. Visit capemaymac.org for more info.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY KidsFest 2011 May 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring the kids to Cohanzick Zoo for free exhibits and activities.

Free admission and free parking.

45 Mayor Aitken Dr, Bridgeton.

(856) 453-1658, www.cityofbridgeton.com/zoo.html.

Founder’s Day May 14 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Featuring over 40 historical exhibits with costumed re-enactors of Vineland and Civil War history. History is taught through exhibit, drama, art and old-fashioned family fun! Elwyn Grounds, Landis Ave just east of Main Rd, Vineland. (856) 205-9334.

Wings & Wheels Air Show May 28 & 29 Featuring the Blue Angels!

Thundering jets, military air power, historic warbirds, exciting aerobatics and much more!

Adults $10; Children 12 and under $5; children 3 and under are free. Parking $5. Millville Airport, Leddon St, Millville.

Purchase tickets online or at the gate. (856) 327-2347, www.millvilleairshow.com

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

things 2 do

May Calendar

Lunch Munch May 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Broad Street in downtown Woodbury will come alive when Main Street Woodbury hosts the 15th Annual Lunch Munch Street Fair. Live music, local bands and choirs, food, artists, vendors, flowers crafts, balloons, sidewalk sales by local merchants and more! Bring the kids! (856) 845-8655or www.mainstreetwoodbury.org.

Garden Expo and Plant Sale May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County Master Gardeners hosting this event at the Offices of Government Services, 1200 N. Delsea Dr, Clayton. Attend indoor workshops and demos on Proper Planting Techniques, Composting, Vegetable Gardening Basics & more! Free soil pH testing available. Children’s activities too.

Variety of plants available for sale. Attending is free, but pre-registering required. For full schedule call (856) 307-6450 x 1 or visit http://gloucester.njaes. rutgers.edu.

SALEM COUNTY Cowtown Rodeo Season Opener May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Bull Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Girls Barrel Racing. $15 adults; $10 children (12 and under); Under 2 are Free. www.cowtownrodeo.com or (856) 769-3200.

May 2011 | 29

resource guide

FOR THE HOME Custom Murals, Faux and Decorative Wall Finishes Hand-painted scenes, accents for kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rooms, baby nurseries and fine decorative and textural finishes for your home. Fabulous finishes that fit your style & budget. Free estimates. Lori Gallo, Paint Impressions (609) 254-9695 or loridesign@comcast.net. Fully insured; Licensed #13VH06058300.

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GIFT IDEAS

GREAT PERSONALIZED GIFTS FOR ALL AGES At JUST FOR LITTLE PEOPLE (and others, too!) we specialize in new baby gifts both hand-painted or embroidered. Beautifully wrapped and available for pick-up at our new Gibbsboro location, or we can ship it for you. Call (856) 627-8901 or check out www.justforlittlepeople.com.

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PARTIES ARTY PARTIES Abrakadoodle CUSTOMIZED Arty Parties are perfect for BIRTHDAYS, SPRING CELEBRATIONS, SCHOOL or SCOUT EVENTS! All artwork FRAMEDâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the best PARTY GIFT ever! Hosted at your location; we provide ARTFULLY FUN teacher, materials & frames. Visit www.abrakadoodle.com/nj01 or call (856) 914-0521.

BOWLING BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT MEDFORD LANES Children age 4 to 12 love Bumper Bowling! Bumper rails keep the ball heading to the pins. We have light balls, custom mini ramps and you can bring your favorite food. (609) 654-4021 or visit www.Medfordlanesnj.com for more info.

BONBONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PARTIES & EVENTS Visit BonBonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parties & Events at Facebook, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;likeâ&#x20AC;? us. On the first of each month there will be a drawing to win one free hour of party entertainment. For more information visit www.bonbonsparties.com or call (856) 701-8734.

THE CLAY STATION Paint your own pottery and mosaics is a great place for kids, families and adults to relax & have fun together. We offer the easiest birthday parties, summer camps, ladies nights, field trips, and walk-ins always welcome. www.theclaystationnj.com.

PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

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Transform Your Home or Office into a Clutter-Free Environment Are you constantly losing things?

Does it take you forever to find them (if you do)?

Now is the perfect time to create order in your life and find a place for everything!

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Call Barbara Berman TODAY!

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May 2011 | 31