September 2011 - South Jersey MOM Magazine

September

2011

CRUELTYFREE KIDS: WAYS NOT TO RAISE A BULLY

build a BOND with

grandparents

STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR

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2 | September 2011

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Table of Contents

Dear Readers,

pg. 16-19 Back to School Tips eptember has finally arrived and my kids are so excited to start school.They loved shopping for school supplies and school clothes just like I did when I was a kid. I have to admit, I still love shopping for those items even as an adult. But there was one thing I didn’t enjoy shopping for…uniforms!

Kayden is going to a private Christian school and has to wear a uniform.YUCK! I am not a fan of uniforms. I don’t like the idea that every kid has to look the same. How boring! I almost didn’t send Kayden to private school… that’s how much I don’t like uniforms.

But this school isn’t super strict. There is some flexibility. While most schools require

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mom 2 mom 8 Building a Bond on Grandparent’s Day 11 Unnecessary Necessities 12 Cruetly-Free Kids: Ways Not to Raise a Bully

moms R women 2 13 Safe Driving Tips for Pregnant Women

letter from the editor

September 2011

you to wear the same color shirt, or give you only two choices, this school allows any solid-colored shirt, as long as it has a collar. Ok, maybe I can live with that.

I think about when I had to wear a uniform in the military. I didn’t have any problem wearing a uniform every day. So maybe if I look at this school uniform in the same was as a work uniform it will be easier to swallow.

What’s interesting, is that most parents I talk to love the idea of uniforms. They say there isn’t any argument over what to wear and it makes less laundry. I have to disagree with the whole laundry issue. Kayden will have to change his clothes after school, therefore doubling the amount of laundry I have to do.

Not to mention, I now have to buy him two wardrobes. A school wardrobe and afterschool wardrobe. So this whole thing is more expensive all around.

I’m doing my best not to make a big deal out of it and I definitely didn’t tell Kayden I don’t like the uniforms. I don’t want him to have an “issue” with it like I do. I’m sure I will get over it by October…hopefully.✲ Your Friend and Fellow MOM,

know 2 grow 20 Mackenzie & Yates Martial Arts Academy 21 Combating Childhood Obesity 23 Wet No More: Nine Tips for Helping Your Child Beat Bedwetting–Soon!

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

also in this issue editor’s note nana’s 2 sense life sentences business spotlight: bayada nurses just born business spotlight: quality care conference 29 things 2 do 30 resource guide 3 5 6 13 25 26

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 083622413. Please make checks payable to Superior Graphics.

If your child(ren) is/are selected, we will arrange a FREE professional photo shoot and they could be on our next cover for all your friends and family to see! Sorry, photos cannot be returned.

www.southjerseymom.com

Parent Name: ____________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City______________________ State_____ Zip__________ Phone: __________________________________________ Child’s Name & DOB: ______________________________ ________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________ September 2011 | 3

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September

MOM 2011

CEO/Publisher: Christopher Ognibene • (609) 670-1794 chris@superiorgx.com Executive Editor Adrienne Richardson • (856) 305-3490 adrienne@southjerseymom.com Marketing & Business Development Specialist Randi Bresalier • (856) 986-9606 randi@superiorgx.com For General Advertising Inquiries: randi@superiorgx.com (856) 986-9606 chris@superiorgx.com (609) 670-1794 Production Manager Lisa Celfo lisa@southjerseymom.com Photographer Christina DeColli JCP Portraits—Deptford Mall (856) 845-2891 Contributing Writers Jeanette Giza, Julie Landry Laviolette, Victoria M Lees, Fran LoBiondo, Sharon Nolfi, Mary Oves, Fiona Paterna 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.

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nana’s 2 sense

South Jersey

Well That Was Fun hat a fun filled summer I had.

The grandchildren are at such a good age. They are past the tantrum-throwing twos and even though I still don’t understand some words Camille says, I have quite memorable conversations with both Kayden and Camille.

This summer we spent lots of time in the pool.

“Nana, I can walk on water.” “No sweetie, Jesus walked on water. You are walking ‘in’ the water.” “Nope, I’m walking ‘on’ the water.”

We watched movies on rainy days. “Nana, try that button.” “Ok, just give me a minute to figure this out.” “But, Nana, you bought it.

Can’t you work it?”

We visited every zoo in the area.

“Kayden, please don’t throw stones at the ducks. Stay on this side of the rope. Don’t climb the fence.”

We picked strawberries. “Nana, I think I ate too many. I don’t want to pick any more.

That’s ok, we can take these home to mom and dad.”

We played in the park, “Don’t pick that up!” and ran in the grass and shopped.

Alas, summer is over and this year “backto-school” means both Kayden and Camille will be in class all day. It seems like yesterday we attended Kayden’s preschool graduation.

What a production; little girls in glittering gowns and boys in mini-man tuxedos. Each class sang and danced and celebrated their

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accomplishments on stage. I’m all for celebrating and giving the kids a sense of pride in their accomplishments, but I wonder if it’s too much too soon.

Not too long ago graduation had a different meaning.You graduated from grade school, high school and college. Going to the prom meant your senior prom. The only one you went to. The one you dreamed about from the time you entered high school. Most kids in high school now go to prom every year.

On a more positive note, today’s parents are much more involved in their children’s lives than my parents ever were. They understand that it’s important to recognize every accomplishment and I am truly proud of my own children for being those parents. Maybe I’m just jealous. Maybe, as I have been accused of before, I am overreacting. Just maybe, what I see as overindulgence is their idea of a celebration for a job well done and encouragement for what is yet to come. One thing I can guarantee is that I will be there, camera in hand, for every extravagant celebration of every little milestone.

Happy School Year!✲

—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 21 years as a grandmother as she shares her experiences and lessons learned with lots of laughs and tears along the way.

TM

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

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On the COVER Cutest Kid In Town Winner: Brendan, age 8, is from Deptford. He enjoys reading and his favorite subject is Math. He plays soccer and has a green belt in karate. He also studies Judo and Boxing.

He loves spending time with his family. He is also very compassionate and loves going to church.

Photo by Christina DeColli at JCP Portraits, Deptford Mall; www.jcpportraits.com.

] September 2011 | 5

life sentences

Breaking House Rules At

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ometimes a mother has to eat her words. Sit with your legs forward and eat over your plate. No eating in the basement. No drinking in the living room. No popcorn at the computer.

I live with world-class slobs and I am too tired to be on my knees blotting neon blue Gatorade out of the carpet.

The words come out of my mouth and the ears click shut.

“Get back here and wash your dishes there is no maid why are there candy wrappers behind the couch and holy probiotics, Batgirl, how old is this blackened yogurt cup and why is it in your jewelry drawer?”

I have no toddlers, but I am a big fan of cups with lids. If a capped cup takes a dive onto the furniture, it’s usually not a tragedy.

So the other day, I was racing into my car with a lidded coffee cup filled with iced cranberry juice and seltzer. I was about to enjoy a tall one when my daughter informed me that I should take her to the mall to buy her friend a birthday gift. She had reminded me several times, she said, and the party was tomorrow.

6 | September 2011

My Own Peril

I felt my stress level rise. She and I hardly ever shop peacefully. She sees something she wants, I say no, she gets an attitude and we leave the mall fuming. It’s exhausting.

So, while getting into the driver’s seat, I lost my grip on the cup and the lid popped off and cranberry juice ran into every crevice of the console tray, all over my lap, around to the back of my light blue pants and pooling into the cloth seat.Then I lost my grip on my vocabulary.

“Oh, bad word,” I shrieked, in front of my daughter. “Stinking bad word coffee cup is supposed to be spill proof. Frappin’ snappin’ piece of animal droppings!”

And I stomped back into the house. With impeccable timing, my dear husband emerged from the basement with a half-eaten bag of peanut M&Ms. So much for the “eat in the kitchen” rule.

“What happened?” he said, eyeing my besmirchment and my evident fury.

“I spilled a big cup of spritzer all over the car,” I cried.

Do you know what he said? He said: “Hmm. Can I help you take off those wet pants?”

When my husband is not able to stop a clever line from leaving his mouth, he gets this

By Fran LoBiondo look like, “Oh crap I hope she laughs or I’m in for an early winter.” I laughed. This time.

While I mopped up the car, my daughter primly quoted me: “Mom, if you’re going to be all mad and have a bad attitude, then let’s just stay home.”

Modeling the behavior I would like to see from her, I apologized for losing my temper and using profanity. And drinking sticky stuff in the car.

“It’s okay,” she said. “I just figured you were in Psycho Mom mode.”

I do hate eating humble pie.✲ 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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September 2011 | 7

mom 2 mom

By Mary Oves

Building a Bond on Grandparent’s Day

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mages of beautiful young models and actresses pervade all media.

Youth is beauty, vitality and strength.Youth gets the highest paying jobs, wears the hottest fashions, and sets the tone: be young or make way.

But in this fast paced technological culture, there is a day in September that celebrates the other end of the global sphere. It’s a day that offers wisdom, knowledge and peace. It’s a day on which many people will have at their disposal the greatest glimpse into their own lives, into their own heritage, that they could ever need. It’s risk free and costs nothing. This source of love and support? Grandparents.

Since 1978, National Grandparent’s Day is always the first Sunday after Labor Day. It was started by Marian McQuade from West Virginia to provide solace to lonely elderly in nursing homes.

According to www.grandparents-day.com, the day has a threefold purpose: to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love to their children’s children and to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.

Grandparents can provide an essential link between their grandchildren and history. Children may appreciate Pop-Pop as a world-class pancake maker, but would be amazed to know he also served as a bomber in World War II. Grandmom may not only make the best cookies in the world, but what a surprise to find out she was also a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall.

Janice Dispoto of Hammonton, mother of four, appreciates the legacies that will be handed down to her children.

“My father was the reason I am so passionate about horses. When my children were young, it was his goal to have at least one of his grandchildren interested also. Even though he no longer rode, my dad’s influence and help around the barn gave my children the confidence and knowledge they needed.”

Grandparents can strengthen what your children know to be true about themselves. A talk with a grandparent might reveal Grandpa was good at magic too, or that Grandmom collected dolls… and kindred souls are born.

8 | September 2011

“Children learn values and morals from sharing their lives with their grandparents,” Janice says. “They will also develop special appreciations for the things their grandparents were involved in. My mom beads for a hobby now that she is retired. My daughters are her favorite critics of her creations. They now have a part of her with every bracelet she gives them.”

Grandparents can provide a voice of reason. As parents, we constantly lecture our children about everything from schoolwork to saving money and it often goes in one ear and out the other. We mean well, but they look at it as nagging. Consider the same advice coming from a loving grandparent may seem sage advice.

Grandparents can provide a voice of reason for parents as well. I remember a Christmas morning when the children were young and tearing through the house in post-Christmas mania. I worked hard to make the house look perfect for the family and was upset that they were not behaving like the Norman Rockwell painting hanging on my wall.

I yelled in frustration and remember my father turning to me and saying, “Mary, it doesn’t matter. The house looks great. They’re children.

Let them have fun and if the house gets messy, so what?” It was great advice and allowed me to truly enjoy the day without worrying about hospital corners.

Grandparents also serve a critical role in the raising of children. For many, grandparents play the role as main caregivers. According to a report from Pew Social Research, based on an analysis of Census data, the number and share of children who live with their grandparents has been slowly rising over the last decade but increased sharply from 2007 to 2008.

Janice was lucky to have her parents in her children’s lives.

“Fortunately our parents have been available to babysit and therefore spend time and get to know their grandkids without us around.”

So on September 11, make a special point to talk with grandparents and visit if they live locally. For how can we truly know where we are going if we don’t know where we have been?✲

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Unnecessary Necessities

By Fiona Paterna

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ith feet planted wide on the shiny linoleum floor and checklist in hand, my eyes traveled up and across the daunting wall of pacifiers. The brands – NUKS by Gerber, The First Years, Avent, Playtex, Razbaby and Born Free. The sizes – newborn, size 1, size 2, 0-3, 0-6, 3-6 or 6-18 months. There were single, double and triple packs and they came in girl, boy and neutral colors. The materials and functions – BPA free, latex, free flow, translucent and ortho pro. Uh-oh. This wasn’t going to be as much fun as anticipated. I had waited twenty weeks for this?

Having just left the registry counter laden with a scanner gun and a long list of “essentials” we couldn’t raise our child without, we were already overwhelmed. We decided the Playtex two-pack of Latex Ortho-Pro Pacifiers, size newborn, would best appease our child and slid to the right to gaze across shelves and shelves of bottles.

Ugh. Again, I was overwhelmed at the plethora of choices offered in bottle size (3.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 ounces), bottle material and design (glass, polypropylene, plastic, drop-in, wide neck, or angled shape “to help minimize ear infections”) and features (Ventaire “clinically shown to reduce gas, colic and spit up,” Crystal Clear – a “premium shatter proof bottle,” or BPA free). The breastfeeding pumps, milk storage bags and breast pads loomed in the corner of my eye, further irritating me. I can’t even deal with that right now, I thought.

I thrusted an aggravated pointer finger at the Playtex Drop-in Multi-pack of bottles for my husband to scan and stomped over to the “bath and potty area.” Choosing wash cloths and baths had to be easier.

I was wrong.

I had skipped in to the store in high spirits, bursting with excitement to scan, scan, scan and had quickly become cranky, sarcastic, exhausted – and hungry. As we trekked from department to department, we both grew more frustrated. We could only delete the last item scanned, so if we decided we didn’t want it, we had to remember to tell the clerk at the www.southjerseymom.com

registry counter to delete it. And as parents who didn’t know the sex of their baby, we didn’t have many appealing options in a blue or pink world.

And why did we need all of this stuff?

Where would it all fit in our three bedroom rancher? Did you know there are baby spas? The Summer Infant Soothing Spa and Shower advertises, “Not only can you rinse your little one with clean, warm water with the motorized shower, but your baby can experience their very own whirlpool bath.” I don’t have a spa bathtub!

Furthermore, why does the baby “need” four hooded towels and two robes? Won’t I dry the baby’s head and dress him or her right away? I imagined a baby wrapped in a Hugh Hefner robe and decided not to scan one. And wipe warmers? If my child can’t withstand a room temperature wipe, how will he successfully meet life’s obstacles? Why does the baby need a swing, a bouncer, a jumper, a tummy mat, an Exersaucer, a walker and a Bumbo seat? I have one main place to sit – my couch – so why does the baby “need” seven?

In the bedding aisle, I contemplated the function of a sheet saver and why I “needed” two. I asked an elderly woman picking out a shower gift if she knew what it was. She replied, “No idea, hon’. We didn’t have any of this stuff when I raised my babies and they survived.” My sentiments exactly, sister. Years of suspecting I didn’t belong to this generation were confirmed. I snatched the product off a silver hook, flipped it over and read the description. Duh! It “saves” the sheet when the baby gets sick! I get it now. But I just scanned extra crib sheets and a waterproof mattress pad so….oh, whatever. Unable to speak or fight the system, I thrusted another angry pointer finger to the sheet saver and held up two fingers.

After eating a much-deserved late night meal at Pizza Hut, I assessed my registry online

from the comfort of my couch. I read each item’s product reviews – and held back tears of frustration. Many items I selected received poor reviews. I’m not one to follow the flock, but ten negative reviews in a row made me fly in line. For the next two hours, I perused the store’s website and replaced the swing, pack and play, stroller and high chair with models that received positive reviews, but – wait for the hitch – were only available online! Nobody buys shower presents online!

At thirty weeks pregnant, I have edited my registry countless times, and for what?

Everyone doesn’t buy from registries, so why did I waste endless hours scanning, deleting, adding and revising? And don’t get me wrong.

Buying from a registry isn’t easy either. I’ve been there. You can’t locate anything in the store or items are discontinued or out of your price range.

The long lists of “essentials” stores provide is a symbol of the consumerism that plagues our nation. Babies don’t “need” half those items; rather, stores convince us we need them to raise our children. As parents fill their houses (that mortgage brokers convinced them could afford) with unnecessary items, stores greedily count profits.The system creates false need. Expectant mothers and fathers need to think “do we really need this?” before blindly shooting the scanner. (And it wouldn’t hurt if everyone started thinking for themselves.)✲

September 2011 | 11

Cruelty-Free Kids:

Ways NOT to Raise a Bully o parent wants his or her child to be bullied. But what if your kid is the one pushing others around? Dr. Warren Seiler says that while parents can’t monitor their children’s behavior every second of the day, they can raise them in ways that discourage bullying. Yes, you can stop this mean kid phenomenon—and here’s how to start with your own. Read on to learn what you can start doing— right now—to help your children grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted individuals.

the bus with the appropriate amount of clothing, homework, library books and bag lunches, it can be tempting to ignore the fact that your 9-year-old shoved your 7-yearold out of his way to get to the bathroom first. However, says Seiler, giving in to your impulse to turn a blind eye just this once is a mistake.

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Parent your children; don’t just provide for them. Yes, making sure that your children are dressed, fed and otherwise provided for is a very important part of being a parent. Yet, it’s not everything. And whether consciously or unconsciously, many of us operate under the belief that giving our children the best clothing and sending them to the best schools will fundamentally influence who they grow up to be. Which isn’t necessarily true.

Model good behavior. Here’s the number one rule of good parenting: remember that your kids will do what they see you doing.

You don’t live in a vacuum and your kids are always watching you. They see how you react to situations that are negative or stressful...and you can bet that they’re filing those observations away. So before you take your children to task for rude or inconsiderate behavior, take an honest look at yourself first.

Take advantage of teachable moments. Children look to parents to help them make sense of things. The minute they begin to get exposed to the outside world (young toddlers), you must begin teaching them. You are the single biggest influencer in their lives. Your job is to put things in context so that kids understand them and can learn from them. Often, bullies act out because they haven’t been given the tools to respond to external or internal stress in any other way.

Realize that what happens in the cyberworld impacts the “real” world.

When we were growing up, we worried about having our lunch money stolen, being called names in the hallway or even receiving an infamous “swirly”—but we didn’t have to worry 12 | September 2011

about being ridiculed and slandered in a widely accessible public forum. However, our kids do. Children have the Internet and cell phones at their disposal and unfortunately many of them use these resources to perpetuate bullying.

Pay attention to their friends (and their friends’ parents). It’s a stark fact that we take on the mannerisms, characteristics and attitudes of the people with whom we spend the most time. Take a look at yourself: chances are there are phrases in your vocabulary, for example, that wouldn’t be there if not for your close friends and coworkers. Now, think about how that might apply to your children. No matter how much positive direction they might receive from you at home, your kids still spend a large amount of their time with other people—whether it’s at school, soccer practice or visiting their friends.

Be on the lookout for bully-specific behaviors. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and has webbed feet, it probably is a duck. The same goes for bullies. Although it’s not something that you as a parent will be happy to notice and acknowledge, the fact of the matter is, certain behaviors do indicate that your child might be prone to bullying others. And Seiler is adamant that it’s better to know these behaviors upfront so that you can nip them in the bud rather than living “happily” with your head buried in the sand while your child terrorizes others.

Never—ever—turn a blind eye to bullying. That’s right—never. Sure, if you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to make sure that everyone catches

Make sure kids understand that words really can hurt. By the time we reach adulthood, we all know that the “sticks and stones” children’s rhyme isn’t true at all, because words can and do hurt us.

In fact, given the choice between being punched in the stomach and having our bosses publically berate and belittle us at a company-wide meeting, most of us would probably choose the physical punishment.

However, kids—especially young ones—aren’t equipped to realize how damaging their words can be, whether they mean them to be hurtful or not.

Teach them the power of nice. Yes, it’s crucial to teach your children the importance of not teasing, not ridiculing and not spreading rumors about others. But don’t stop there.

Children should also learn that the words they neglect to say and the things they fail to do can also perpetuate bullying.

If you know bullying has occurred...

Despite your best efforts as a parent, you may find that your child has bullied another. If so, it’s your responsibility to address the situation head on. Explain to your child why her actions were wrong, and, using her own experiences, remind her of how devastating her behavior might have been to the other party.

“Despite your best efforts as a parent, it’s likely that at some point your child will act in a way that hurts or belittles another,” Seiler admits. “Even for ‘nice’ kids, that’s normal. It’s just part of being human. What’s not normal is for kids to make these behaviors a habit.✲ Warren B. Seiler Jr., M.D., author of Battling the Enemy Within, has devoted his career to understanding the concepts and developing the tools to facilitate healing in oneself and others. Learn more at www.battlingtheenemywithin.com.

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business spotlight

Care for Children with

By Lisa Weinstein SPECIAL NEEDS at Home and School

Carman Ayala, LNP, a pediatric home care nurse from Bayada Nurses, hugs her patient Jimmy Contento, 9, of Cherry Hill.

es help maintain Jimmy’s life, but they also help him live!

They have become part of our family.”

Bayada Nurses Director Rose Sample, serves as a resource for parents of children with special needs.

“Learning that your child has profound disabilities can be overwhelming,” she says. “Parents don’t want their child to have to stay in the hospital for a long time or to go into longterm care. Thanks to home care nursing, these children can live in the comfort of home, surrounded by family.”

Sample encourages parents to learn as much as possible before choosing a home care agency for their child. At Bayada, all nurses have extensive experience and specialized training in caring for children from newborn through adolescence. In addition, comprehensive background and reference checks are performed on all staff.

Bayada is state-licensed and accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program, a national leader in home care accreditation.

For Jimmy, having Bayada in his life means he gets to spend time with nurses like Ayala. “I treat him like he’s my own child,” she says. “He is such a good boy. The way he looks at me makes me melt. I have nothing but love for him!”✲ For more information on home care nursing for children with special needs, call Bayada Nurses at (856) 772-2010.

I

n the cheerful classroom of HollyDELL a private school for students with disabilities, Jimmy Contento, 9, of Cherry Hill, awaits his turn to participate in the lesson. With determination, he uses the limited movement in his left hand to operate a switch, which triggers a computer voice to alert the teacher by saying, “I would like a turn.”

“Wonderful Jimmy,” says the teacher. “Can you tell me what you wear in the summer… a coat or a bathing suit?”

Jimmy places his hand on the switch and highlights a picture of a bathing suit on the computer. Sitting beside Jimmy, Carman Ayala, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) specializing in the care of medically fragile children, beams with delight.

Born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy – Type 1, a genetic disease in which loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord affect the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement, Jimmy’s doctors did not expect him to survive beyond his second birthday. However, not only has he survived, he has thrived, thanks to his mother, Lorraine Contento’s passion and his nursing care at home and school.

According to Contento, Jimmy is unable to breathe on his own and relies on a ventilator and a tracheostomy tube, which is inserted into a surgically created hole in the trachea to establish and maintain an airway and to ensure the adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. A wheelchair aides in ambulation, as he does not have use of his arms or legs. In addition, he must be fed through a feeding tube.

Jimmy’s illness requires the skills of specially trained pediatric nurses like Ayala. “Jimmy cannot cough on his own, so I need to use a cough assist machine then suction through his tracheostomy, nose and mouth to clear the mucous from his lungs and respiratory system. He also does not have a gag reflex, so he cannot swallow, so I need to position him in a way where he will not gag on his mouth secretions,” says Ayala. “I also change his diaper and give him his medications and food through a tube.”

“Having a child with extreme special needs can be overwhelming at times,” says Contento. “I am thankful we have nurses from Bayada who enable Jimmy and our family to have as normal a life as possible.The nurswww.southjerseymom.com

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moms R women 2

Safe Driving Tips for Pregnant Women ord research shows that wearing a seatbelt is the most important thing an expectant mother can do to protect herself and her fetus. Ford is helping educate mothers-to-be to help address the 170,000 car crashes a year in the United States involving pregnant women.

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SafeTy TiPS for The MoM-To-Be:

•

•

• •

• Remove bulky clothes so the safety belt can be placed as close to the body as possible.

If you are the driver, adjust the seat so you can reach the pedals comfortably with as much distance between your belly and the steering wheel as possible.

Pull the lap belt over your thighs, buckle it in and pull tight. Make sure the lap belt does not run across the belly, but lies as flat as possible under the curve.

Position the torso belt across your chest, between the breasts and to the side of the belly; pull tight.

Never tuck the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back— this can hurt both you and the baby.

Since 2010, owner’s manuals for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury include an explanation and graphic illustration for how pregnant women should wear seat belts – the number one life-saving auto safety feature.✲

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Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment.

Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life.

With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families.

Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child.

Our staff can help answer your questions. To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at

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Park Academy And we make sure Garfield your Larc School —or visit our website at 1-800-697-8555 child is ready for it. www.privatespecialedsnj.com Copyright

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Private special education is an option for many children, and provided at no cost to families.

Finding the appropriate educational option for your child can sometimes be a complicated process. We have access to education and legal experts who can help you navigate through the process. For more information or for help in understanding your rights, call us at 1-800-697-8555. www.southjerseymom.com

September 2011 | 15

7 Steps to a Successful School Year Things You Can Do Right Now!

By Sharon Nolfi, M.A. he first weeks of school are a time of change and stress for families. Children are faced with unfamiliar work and the expectations of a new teacher. Friends may find themselves in separate classrooms as new children are introduced to the classroom mix. Some children will attend a new school entirely, often one in which they are the youngest students. Parents suffer these changes alongside their children and everyone must adjust to the routine imposed by the school’s schedule.

The keys to a successful school year are planning and organization during the early weeks. Your actions now can ease the back-to-school transition and lay the foundation for a successful academic year. Follow these steps to start the school year as smoothly as possible. The time you invest now will pay benefits all year long.

T

1.

Attend “Back-to-School Night.” If your school offers an evening for parents to visit classrooms early in the year, be sure to attend it. Usually held during the first weeks of school, these events allow parents to visit classrooms, meet teachers and learn about the educational activities planned for the year.

2.

Request a Parent-Teacher Conference. This is your chance to meet one-on-one with the teacher and learn more about her expectations for your child. Use this opportunity to share information about your child. Perhaps he pays better attention when seated in the front row or needs encouragement to speak in front of the class. The sooner the teacher knows these things, the sooner she can make necessary adjustments to help your child.

3.

Plan To Be a Partner in Education. Make sure your child and his teacher know you want to be involved in the educational process. Volunteer and/or visit at school if possible. Even

16 | September 2011

a few hours will give you new insights into your child’s experience. The best school outcomes result from partnerships between home, student and school.

4.

Establish a Routine for Homework. Establish a time and place for your child to do homework, well in advance of bedtime. Follow up if she needs reminders or assistance. Schedule homework for a time when neither of you is distracted by other things.

5.

Set Up a System to Process School Forms. Put out a box or basket into which your children can place school forms requiring your attention as soon as they arrive home. Attend to these forms promptly and return the ones that require your signature.

6.

Use a Morning Routine that Starts the Night Before.

Preparation is especially important the first few weeks of school, when getting out of the house on time is most often a challenge. Make lunches or provide lunch money before bed.

Have children put books, homework and required forms in backpacks. Set out clothes for the morning. Make sure everyone gets enough sleep and plan a simple nutritional breakfast.

7.

Be Flexible and Understanding. Accept that this is a time of adjustment and that some snags are inevitable. A sense of humor and lots of hugs will help you and your children adjust more quickly.

Your family can enjoy a smooth transition to the new school year.

Start now by following the seven steps above. You will soon be on your way to a better year for you and your children.✲

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Productive Parent-Teacher Conferences

By Sharon Nolfi, M.A. meeting between you and your child’s teacher can be a powerful tool for helping your child succeed in school. Whether scheduled by the school, requested by you or suggested by the teacher, such a meeting gives you a platform to learn about your child and to assert her needs. Follow these nine guidelines for more productive (and even enjoyable) parent-teacher conferences.

A

Have a Goal in Mind. You or the teacher may have initiated the meeting. Either way, you should consider what you hope to accomplish. Ask yourself ahead of time what a successful outcome for you would be, then plan and work toward that goal.

Come Prepared. Write down your questions ahead of time. Bring samples of your child’s work that demonstrate problem areas and/or strengths. Keep track of problem behaviors at home that may be repeating themselves in the classroom.

Listen! Then Respond. Let the teacher speak first and listen carefully. Take notes on points for which you need clarification or with which you disagree. Respond to the teacher’s concerns, then introduce topics you want to cover.

Ask For Specifics. What is the particular behavior the teacher is complaining about? At what times and how frequently is it occurring? Ask what an acceptable behavior would look like.

Request Special Services. Many services are available for children with special needs. Ask for an evaluation if you suspect your child has a learning disability.

Be Firm, but Don’t Threaten. You have a right to assert your point of view, but do so with respect and courtesy. Most teachers care about your child’s success. Politely ask to bring the principal into the discussion if you want, but do not raise your voice or threaten to have them fired.

Being nasty will only distract from your point of view and make it harder to work with the school in the long run.

Avoid Discussion of Other Children. Teachers have legal and ethical reasons why they cannot discuss other children. Information about your child should be kept confidential as well. Respect these practices for everyone’s benefit.

Be Willing to Follow-Up. Let the teacher know you are willing to help your child at home if necessary. Ask what you can do at home to supplement what is going on in the classroom, and then do it.

Ask for More Time if Needed. You are entitled to a full discussion and understanding of your child’s progress at school. If the teacher cannot continue right then, set up another appointment at a convenient time.

Welcome the chance to confer with your child’s teacher, whether your child is having problems or not. You and the teacher can help each other provide the best educational experience possible. Children learn best when home and school are in agreement on expectations and goals.✲

www.southjerseymom.com

September 2011 | 17

Creative Healthy School Lunches Kids will Actually Eat

By Julie Landry Laviolette illing your child’s lunchbox with healthy, appealing foods is one challenge parents face at the beginning of every school year. To ensure your carefully planned meals end up in your kid’s tummy and not the trash, experts say to throw in a dose of creativity.

“People eat with their eyes. Children get bored, just like adults get bored. We don’t want to eat the same things every day and neither do they,” says Donna Kinney, a registered and licensed dietician/nutritionist with Gordon Food Service, which supplies food to school cafeterias around the U.S. and Canada.

Before you make another turkey on wheat, think of the alternatives. To break out of the sandwich rut, try a wrap, says Catherine Schlienger of Whole Foods Market.

“Sometimes kids won’t like wheat bread because it’s brown, but they won’t mind it in a wrap,” she says. To up the nutrition content, aim for more nutrient-dense foods. Schlienger suggests carrot sticks or sugar snap peas instead of chips; sliced fresh fruit instead of jelly on a peanut butter sandwich; and hummus with veggies or whole wheat pita in place of macaroni and cheese.

Getting finicky kids to try new foods can be half the battle, she says. Her suggestion: have a “blind” taste test, which Whole Foods uses at kids’ events.

“We get them to try a weird looking veggie or a fruit they’ve never heard of,” Schlienger says. “Then the kids vote on their most favorite or least favorite.”

“A good balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat makes them more attentive,” Kinney says. “Their mental capacity is going to be more acute and they’re going to have a more sustainable attention span because they have more energy.”

What are kids most lacking? Calcium, Kinney says. “Parents should increase dairy products and make sure their kids are getting adequate exercise,” she says. “Typically kids don’t meet the standards.”

When packing lunches, parents should not only be mindful of what goes in it, but how it’s packed.

“In hot climates, even transporting food home from the grocery can put it in the danger zone,” Kinney says, if it’s not kept at a safe temperature.

Use ice packs and insulated bags to keep cold lunches at proper temperatures. Freeze water bottles or juice pouches to help keep other items chilled.

Enlist children in the choosing and preparation of foods to get them excited about eating a variety of foods.

“Get kids in the kitchen with mom making the foods or packing

F

18 | September 2011

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QUICK AND QUIRKY LUNCHES • Inside-out Sandwich – Spread mustard on a slice of deli turkey. Wrap it around a sesame breadstick.

• Kabobs – Skewer cheese chunks and grapes on a pretzel stick.

• Cut-outs – Make a sandwich with whole grain bread. Use a large cookie cutter or a large cup to cut out fun shapes.

• Dip – Use crunchy vegetables like baby carrots or celery sticks to dip into hummus or low-fat ranch dressing.

• Fruit Dip – Dip chunks of apples or melon in yogurt.

• Ants on a Log – Spread peanut butter in a celery stick. Top with raisins.

— American Dietetic Association

HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS • Use wraps, mini pita pockets, deli rounds or smart bagels for sandwiches.

• Pack cold salads instead of sandwiches like antipasto pasta salad, mixed greens salad with fruit and cheese, egg salad in a cup with crackers or pita pockets on the side, marinated tomato wedges with mini mozzarella balls or tuna salad in tomato.

• Try a banana dog: peanut butter and banana on a hot dog bun.

• Make kabobs out of ham and cheese or chicken and pineapple.

• Pack yogurt cups with fruit and a side cup of granola, trail mix or dry cereal for fiber-enriched toppings.

• Include small containers of almonds, walnuts or nut and fruit mix.

• Offer veggie chips, bagel rounds or baked tortilla chips.

• Send 100% juice, milk, yogurt drinks or water.

— Donna Kinney

up lunch with dad,” Schlienger says. “If they’re involved in making it, they will be proud and want to try it.”

Mom Tami Pahl says including kids Jacob, 10, and Alana, 7, in the decision-making process helps keep complaints and waste down.

“Alana loves to eat and cook, so I’m encouraging her to cook more at home with us,” Pahl says.

If the family makes a fruit salad, Alana will wash the produce, then both kids will take stems off cherries and use butter knives to slice bananas and strawberries.

Pahl says she likes to send lunches to school because she can offer her kids a variety of healthy foods.

When Pahl’s husband, Howard Agress, packs school lunches, he includes items such as fruit salad, baby carrots, grape tomatoes and all-natural yogurt. This year, the family plans to add more hot meals.

Pahl says she can pack an insulated Thermos food container with homemade meatballs and spaghetti, chicken soup or black beans and rice.

“Get inspired through the school year by reading cookbooks or looking up recipes on the Internet,” Pahl says. “You have to keep it fresh.”

Kinney says starting healthy eating patterns now can be a valuable lifelong lesson.

“It promotes optimal health, growth and intellectual development now. Down the road, it can help prevent chronic problems such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.”✲ www.southjerseymom.com

September 2011 | 19

know 2 grow

MACKENZIE & YATES MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Has Both PHYSICAL and MENTAL Benefits

By David Thompson

ackenzie & Yates Martial Arts Academy (MYMA) has been voted a Best in South Jersey in the Courier-Post Readers Poll for the last 10 years for one very good reason. It’s the best.

The 3,000 square foot academy in Atco has been serving South Jersey families for 16 years, tailoring its martial arts and physical fitness training to people of all ages and abilities.

With adult martial arts, fitness kickboxing and a kid’s martial arts program, MYMA has programs that fit everyone’s needs.

“Whether your goal is to learn self defense, lose weight, get relief from stress or help your children develop self-confidence, we pride ourselves in offering a safe fitness environment that helps people set and achieve their goals,” says owner Scott Yates.

Open six days a week (Monday-Saturday), MYMA sets its class schedules to coincide with the schedules of working families in the area, so mom can bring her child for martial arts while she takes a fitness kickboxing class.

“We create a fun and challenging atmosphere that promotes social interaction among like-minded people,” says Yates. “We find that once people start with us, they often bring in friends and family. They may take kickboxing together or start their children in martial arts while they get a great workout. And quite a few people who start in kickboxing also move into martial arts training because they want to learn more about safety and self-defense.”

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The benefits – both physical and mental – that participants enjoy from the three programs are numerous.

ADULT KICKBOXING & MARTIAL ARTS About 75 percent of the people in kickboxing are women, according to Yates, ranging from 22 to 45 years old. Typically, he says, they are bored with the gym and want something more challenging, whether they are seeking to get fit and toned, lose weight or just experience a new workout regimen.

The 55-minute kickboxing classes are designed for anyone’s pace and fitness level and are focused on “calorie busting,” Yates says. “We target a calorie burn between 750900 calories per session. The class size is typically between 10 to 20 people, but are structured in a way that the instructor can provide personalized training throughout to help each person maximize their workout.”

If the calorie burn is the first benefit, fitness kickboxing also increases flexibility, relieves stress, teaches self-defense and creates social interaction as each person gets to partner with others during the workout.

An alternative to kickboxing (or another step-up for many people) is adult Martial Arts, which teaches the ancient Korean practice called Hapkido. While self-defense and protection is one major benefit (it’s been recommended by local police), so are fitness and stress release. But the basic principle is to help people become more peaceful and balanced in their lives. And who couldn’t benefit from that?

KID’S MARTIAL ARTS “Above all, our martial arts program teaches children an ‘I Can’ attitude,” Yates says.

“Certainly martial arts training builds stronger bodies, help develops motor skills and teaches self-defense. But there’s more than that at our academy – we teach life skills, courtesy, goalsetting and perseverance as part of the curriculum.”

Classes are structured in 30- and 60minute sessions and all new students take a specialized beginner class with a professional instructor.

Yates has found that students enrolled in martial arts generally do better in school – they learn goal-setting and how to focus, they develop self-confidence and have increased self-esteem. “Come see why parents and school administrators alike recommend our Academy,” he says.

Kids who advance in martial arts training may be invited into the Leadership Program, an honor that is earned. Students in the program accept responsibility to become leaders in their schools, homes and communities. The leadership students receive fitness and health education as well as learn specific self-management and leadership life skills in categories including confidence, strategy, trust and vision.

Fitness, self-defense, confidence, stress relief and leadership… those are just a few of the many benefits gained from taking classes at Mackenzie & Yates Martial Arts Academy.

For a detailed class schedule visit www.Atco MartialArts.com or for more information call (856) 719-1411.✲

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COMBATING

CHILDHOOD OBESITY A

By Victoria M. Lees

ccording to data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, “an estimated 16.9 percent of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years (or 12.5 million) are obese.” The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees, stating that there are emotional and social health problems as well as the physical problems associated with childhood obesity.

Because of the prevalence of childhood obesity and the problems associated with it, the American Academy of Pediatrics has developed a program called “5, 2, 1, almost none” according to Dr. Christopher Amato, who has a private practice in Gibbsboro and is Medical Director for Pediatric Weight Management at Virtua Health Systems.

The program is simple to remember, Amato says. Five servings or more of fruits and vegetables—fresh are best, steamed are fine. A total limit of two hours a day whether it’s video games, computer or television. Strive for at least one hour a day of physical activity. “The object is to increase your heart rate. Three days a week, 20 minutes per day is a good start,” Amato says. The “almost none” part of the equation refers to soda, sports drinks and fruit juices. Try not to drink extra calories.

Jackie Chanudet, MA, MPH, is Director at Garden AHEC and believes childhood obesity is a family problem. The S.T.E.P.S. Program for Kids is a family focused program of South Jersey Health Care and Garden AHEC offered in Vineland and Bridgeton. A $20 deposit holds the family’s place in this program and if the family completes all ten weeks, they get the $20 back. “We meet one evening per week and offer speakers on such topics as eating behavior, physical fitness and meal planning. Each week is a different topic,” Chanudet says.

To be in this program, a child must have a medical referral from a doctor or the school nurse. The child needs to be at least 85 percent over BMI [Body Mass Index] in age, height and weight. “The program is for 8 to 12 year olds in the high risk category and their families. Visit www.sjhsteps.com for more information.

“Parents need to learn how to buy and cook healthier and how to make exercise and physical activities a part of the family lifestyle,” Chanudet says. Stock your kitchen and refrigerator with healthy snacks and foods. Keep your home supplied with fresh fruits and vegetables, Amato reminds parents. “Children can fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables without gaining extra calories,” he says.

Debbie Zimmerman, a Certified Health Coach and Co-Founder of 100 Women Project [www.100womenproject.com] agrees. “Encourage children to adopt healthy eating habits by incorporating them into your family lifestyle.” Zimmerman suggests growing a garden or picking fresh produce at a local farm.You should avoid high fat snacks, processed sugar laden cereals, pre-packaged lunch products and convenient fast food chains. “They are nutritional disasters,” Zimmerman says. Foods “should be as close to the source as possible.”

If the high calorie, high fat foods and snacks are not in the house but healthier foods are, children will turn to less fattening foods because of convenience. Depending upon age, allow children to help plan the shopping list and shop with you. Help children become savvy shoppers by showing them what to look for on nutrition labels; zero or low percent-

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Here’s a fun recipe offered by Zimmerman that can be made as a family and has no fat, no cholesterol and no added sugar: FROZEN BANANA “ICE CREAM” Ingredients: 2 large, slightly over ripe bananas ½ tsp vanilla extract Directions: Peel bananas and freeze for at least 24 hours. When ready to make “ice cream” take them out of freezer and cut into chunks.

Put into food processor, add vanilla and puree until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides when needed.

ages in saturated and trans fats. Check cholesterol levels and sodium counts and of course sugar content.

Limit meal and snack portions. Amato recommends parents make portion sizes age appropriate. “Divide the plate into four pieces, one starch, one meat and the other two fruit and vegetables.”

Cut down on drinking your calories. Amato, Chanudet and Zimmerman all agree. Drink water with meals and snacks. Zimmerman says that sometimes children think they are hungry but are only thirsty.

Offer them a glass of water before offering them a snack and save calories. Steer clear of soft drinks—including powdered mixes. Read the labels. If the first two ingredients are sugar and fructose, pass it by and reach for the 100 percent fruit juices or milk. Try 2 percent milk. The percentage is the milk fat content. Whole milk is 4 percent milk fat. Two percent milk is recommended for healthy young children to drink daily.

Of course do not add chocolate to the milk or you won’t reap the benefits of a lower calorie drink.

Make exercise a family event. Choose an activity together or let everyone have a turn to choose something. Start with easy and fun activities, like bike riding or walking to the school playground to swing on the swings. Chanudet suggests a half hour walk after dinner for the whole family—including the family pet.

Limit television and computer time. Think about the “5, 2, 1 Program.” Sedentary activities should be complemented with activity in young children. Schedule a time for television, say right before bedtime and don’t permit channel surfing. Schedule television according to shows of interest. Computer and video game use should be timed as well.

Persistence is the key. Remind your family that life is full of habits and choices. Make them good ones. As Chanudet says, the S.T.E.P.S. to help combat childhood obesity are “success through exercise, physical fitness and smart choices.”✲

September 2011 | 21

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Wet No More..

Eight Tips for Helping Your Child Beat Bedwetting – Soon!

Establish a bedtime routine. Some children are more likely to experience a pattern of dryness when they have a regular nightly routine. To the extent that it’s possible, try to start working toward dryness at a time when no disruptive events such as holidays, vacations, moves, the birth of a sibling, etc. are on the horizon.

Refrain from punishment. It’s crucial to realize that kids do not wet their beds voluntarily. Bedwetting can be caused by a multitude of factors, including genetics, small functional bladder capacity, food sensitivities, high nighttime urine production and even constipation—but a wet spot in the morning is not a result of your child being too “lazy” to get out of bed. For this reason, punishing a child for bedwetting is ineffective and potentially harmful.

Invest in an alarm…a bedwetting alarm, that is! Unlike conventional alarm clocks, bedwetting alarms do not ring at a pre-set time. A moisture sensor triggers the alarm, which wakes you and your child. At this point, you can make sure your child gets up and goes to the bathroom. And after a few weeks of associating the alarm with the need to urinate, your child’s brain will begin to understand the feeling of a full bladder and she will wake up on her own.

Record your child’s progress. During your efforts to achieve nighttime dryness, track your child’s progress from the time you start to use a bedwetting alarm. As accurately as you can, record the frequency of his bedwetting episodes, the size of the wet spot, the time the alarm sounds and the number of dry nights in a row he achieves. Also, keep a log of what he eats and drinks, how tired he is and if he’s sick—these things can help you identify possible bedwetting triggers.

Create a reward system. A little incentive never hurt anyone and when it comes to bedwetting, having a reward system in place can keep your child motivated and help her to persevere when she becomes discouraged. Set up a system that acknowledges both cooperation with your evening and nighttime routine (something your child can control) and dry nights (something she can’t).

I

f your child stays dry during the day but wets at night, the situation is likely to be confusing and frustrating for everyone involved. You are wondering if you are doing something wrong, your child is embarrassed and you are all missing the sleep you would like to be getting instead of cleaning up middle-of-the-night messes.

According to Renee Mercer, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and the author of Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness: A Practical Guide for Parents of Children with Bedwetting, you may be able to do more about nighttime wetting than you think.

According to a 2007 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6.6 percent of children age 4 to 10 are diagnosed with ADHD. Compare that to 13 percent of 6-year-olds who wet the bed, which decreases to 8 percent of 8-year-olds and 5 percent of 10-yearolds.

Read on to learn about some of the best bedwetting solutions that Mercer has developed over the years:

Stay the course! Your child will probably experience some victories as well as some setbacks on the journey to dry nights. Remember each child progresses at his or her own rate and that most continue to wet nightly and have little, if any, independent response to the alarm the first few weeks. Do not be discouraged—eventually, you will see a decrease in the frequency of wetting episodes.✲ Renee Mercer is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in the treatment of children with enuresis, or bedwetting. After years of frustration trying to find suitable products for children with bedwetting, Renee co-founded the Bedwetting Store, (www.bedwettingstore.com) a comprehensive online and catalog source for bedwetting alarms, waterproof bedding and pads, products for daytime wetting and information to assist children in achieving dryness.

Make your job easier now. As you ease into the steps that will help your child stop bedwetting, do what you can to make nights, mornings and cleanups as easy as possible on yourself and on your child. If you are not already doing so, decrease your workload by using disposable pants, waterproof pads, vinyl mattress covers, etc.

Get the whole family on board. This is not just your child’s challenge to overcome—he will need your continued help, support and encouragement. Keep in mind that you will be waking up during the night as your child learns to establish a nighttime routine, as well as helping him get used to any alarms he might use and monitoring his food and liquid intake before bed.

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September 2011 | 23

24 | September 2011

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PISCHKE POCKETS Pischke Pockets is a fun and fast, simple DIY needlepoint project that creates a fashionable and very useful tote bag. Includes bag, canvas, threads and instructions. $215, www.pischkepockets.com

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CROCS This fall, Crocs, Inc. is introducing several new, more fashion-forward styles for the entire family that are perfect for colder weather. Featuring the legendary comfort Crocs is known for combined with stylish details and cozy materials designed to keep feet warm when the weather turns chilly. $39.99 and up, www.crocs.com

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THYMES MANDARIN CORIANDER HAND LOTION With a crisp, clean essence, this light, non-greasy lotion envelops you in fresh, inviting fragrance. Smoothes out rough spots with the soothing relief of aloe and lemon balm extract, coupled with the moisturizing power of shea butter. $14, www.thymes.com

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COMPANY KIDS BACKPACKS Company Kids’ fun backpacks feature colorful designs and plenty of room to help children carry all of their essential stuff and their adorable, durable lunch bags create another reason to look forward to lunch time. Backpacks $39 and up; Lunch bags $13 and up, www.companykids.com

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WIKKI STIX The first-ever line of colorful, moldable sticks can be used to create anything a child can dream up. Made in the USA, the unique food grade, non-toxic wax and acrylic yarn stick to each other and to just about any surface, but they come off as easily. No lead, latex, peanut or nut oils. Ideal for toddlers, pre-schoolers, middle school kids and children with special needs. $3 and up, www.wikkistix.com BACKYARD BUTTERFLY HABITAT This lightweight habitat collapses for easy carrying in the field then expands a full 16” to create an instant aviary for live butterflies. A light-weight, spring frame supports a fine, breathable mesh to create the perfect environment for delicate

flying creatures. Ages 5+. $14.99, available at Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and Target.

just born

Looking for the latest gadgets, toys, books or family related products? Look no further! Each month, we highlight the latest and greatest just for you. Take a look at these “just born” products and add them to your list of must haves!

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HELLY HANSEN Since 1877, Helly Hansen has provided world-class clothing for skiers and adventurers. The apparel is both waterproof and breathable, yet lightweight and fast-drying. Anyone who participates in high-activity outdoor sports can expect their clothing to work with them, not against them. They have everything from t-shirts to jackets and gloves to boots in great fashionable designs. Prices vary, www.hellyhansen.com

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SOFT CLOTHING Soft Clothing‘s Fall/Winter 2011 Collection features exaggerated flannel and houndstooth, double breasted outerwear, straight-leg cropped jeans, nautical blazers with piping, Peter Pan collared dresses and photo realist printed tees. Soft Clothing is tagless, flat seamed, soft brushed and made of 100% organic cotton.

Prices vary, www.softclothing.net

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OFFICE DEPOT SUPPLIES Find the school supplies you need to go back to school. Whether your supply list is for elementary school, middle school or high school, find the products you need!

Prices vary, available at Office Depot.

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PERSONALIZATION MALL PRODUCTS Add an extra personal touch to your child’s belongings. Put their name on backpacks, pencil sets and lunch boxes and keep others from mistakenly taking them.

Prices vary, www.PersonalizationMall.com

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LITTLE DITTYS Little Dittys makes “Distinctive Duds for Divas and Dudes.” Two local South Jersey moms make all of the handmade dresses, sweatshirts, tanks, onesies, burp cloths and more! All of their designs can be custom ordered in any size and color.

Prices vary, www.littledittys.com or Mixellaneous in Marlton.

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www.southjerseymom.com

September 2011 | 25

business spotlight

Quality Care ConferenCe focuses on Building relationships for our Children

By Juliet Jones & Peggi Trusty, Child Care Resource & Referral Administrators, Quality Care Resource & Referral Services, Inc.

Q

uality Care is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Child Development Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Building Relationships for Our Children.” Workshops will focus on building strong relationships with parents, children and the community.

“This year we have decided to offer enrichment activities for parents as well as providers,” says Kelli Costa, Coordinator of the Quality Care Child Development Conference. “This is the true expression of our theme, because it’s only possible to build relationships for our children when parents are involved in the process.”

The Child Development Conference will have workshops, activities and resources for child care providers, parents and their children. The conference takes place on October 10, 2011 in the Luciano Center at Cumberland County College in Vineland.

The provider track of the conference is designed for child care professionals, administrators and directors. Linda Kilby and Judith Khanuja will present “Children’s Bread Bake.” This interactive workshop teaches professionals how to help children make a healthy, delicious multigrain loaf of bread. Denise Boyer will present workshops on “Inclusion and Building Relationships for the Better.” Classes geared toward maintaining your business include Peggi Trusty on “Marketing Strategies” and Peter Bacote on “Business Planning.”

The parent and child activities promise to be both enlightening and fun-filled. Parents can enjoy one or both of our parent classes titled, “Want to Stay Sane?” and “Me Time” taught by Jean Kuhl. While parents enjoy their informative workshops, the children can enjoy separate child-friendly activities. These activities are free.

“The children’s activities serve as child care for attending parents,” says Costa. “We don’t want anything to keep our parents from being part of this event.” There are only 60 slots available for children. These activities are not designated for providers, but are specifically set aside for children of attending parents. Parent and child programs run from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

“Quality Care is positioned to assist during the most monumental and foundational time of an individual’s life: childhood,” says Susan James, CEO/President of Quality Care. “Our conference will maximize the potential of every attending provider and also make parenting a more successful and less overwhelming endeavor.”

Providers will also receive CDA credits for attending the event. “A quality CDA education is also listed among Quality Care’s endeavors to

26 | September 2011

make child care in Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties the best education New Jersey has to offer for child care providers,” says James. “The Quality Care Child Development Institute also continues to offer CDA credit for providers interested in increasing their CDA hours after the conference.”

Check-in for providers begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by a continental breakfast. Keynote speaker Dan Hodgins is an internationally renowned presenter and author of many articles on child development. Quality Care will also serve a hot lunch buffet for the providers. Vendors will be present to purchase items from or obtain resources. Registration is due by September 2, 2011.

“Quality Care is excited about this year’s event,” says Costa, “We are looking to double the attendance of last year’s conference and are offering more classes to benefit the endeavors off those we serve.”✲ For more information on the conference, contact Quality Care Resource & Referral Services, Inc. at (856) 462-6800 or visit www.qcrrinc.org.

Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

SAVE THE DATE

QUALITY CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL SERVICES, INC. Cape May • Cumberland • Gloucester • Salem

2011 Child Development Conference

October 10th

“Building Relationships for Our Children” FEATURING: • Dan Hodgins, Keynote • Continental Breakfast & Lunch Buffet • Market Vendors • Jazz on the Veranda PARENTS WITH CHILDREN (1-4pm) • Parenting Workshops Offered • Child Care Available for Attending Parents

WORKSHOPS: • Child Development Skills • Facing the Bully • Better Business Tips • Positive Discipline • Marketing Strategies • CDA Classes • Etc.

Call 856.462.6800 or visit us on our website at www.qcrrinc.org for more information.

what’s around the corner for your family.

One thing is certain about the future: you want your family to be as healthy as possible.

So do we—and that’s why we’re here to help.

With Family Health Centers conveniently located throughout Gloucester County, top-rated healthcare is closer than you might think. Each Center has highly skilled professionals, offering a comprehensive range of care from pediatrics to geriatrics to outpatient laboratory services.

Call 856.384.8884 to find a Center close to you and to schedule an appointment. Or visit www.umhospital.org for more info. www.southjerseymom.com

Underwood FAMILY HEALTH A service of Underwood-Memorial Hospital

September 2011 | 27

NewBehavioralNetwork Ne w Beh havioral Network Does Do es your your scho school ol distric districtt need highly skilled paraprofessionals actt as a 1:1 or sk illed par aprofesssionals to to ac o a shadow selectt students? shadow to to selec students?

TThe he par paraprofessionals aproffessionals w we e pr provide ovide go thr through ough the ffollowing ollo ll wiing i tr training: aining: i i tA Applied pp plied B Behavior ehavior Analysis Analysis overview overvie ew tR Reinforcement ein nfforcement SStrategiestrategies- ho how w tto o use them appr opriately so they ar re appropriately are most mos st eff effective ffec ective t t Prompting Prompting strategiesstrategies- how how to to deploy dep ploy them m and when tto o fade them aaway way t Da Data t C ta Collection ollection t Ho How w tto oR Respond espond tto o Challeng Challenging ing Behavior B eh havior tC Crisis rissis Prevention Prevention IInterventionntervention- A Allll staff ff ar e certified certified in de -escalation are de-escalation ttechniques ech hniques O Our ur staff help each child rreach each their full pot potential ential while e assisting the tteacher eacher in deplo deploying d ying the best classr classroom oom managemen managementt systems systems available. available.

(856) 8 874-1616 www.newbehavioralnetwork.com w ww.newbeha avioralnetwork.com 28 | September 2011

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 Bubba Gump Co. Shrimp Fest September 3 from 12 to 8 p.m.

Embrace your inner Forrest Gump and indulge in an entire Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. inspired menu, specialty drinks, live entertainment, retail tents and fun games on The Deck at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. Free admission. 1-800-777-8477 or www.goldennugget.com/atlantic city.

First Love Christian Music Festival Sept 10 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Christian music festival featuring chart topping contemporary-rock artists on the grounds of Buena Vista Camping Resort in Buena. (856) 4570969 or www.firstlovefest.com.

BURLINGTON COUNTY Knee-Highs – Spiders and their Webs September 8 How do those 8-legged critters spin the webs they weave? $7/child.

Advanced registration required.

For ages 3-5. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. (856) 983-3329 or www.cedarrun.org.

Lumberton Paddle Sept 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dip your paddle in the lovely waters of the Rancocas Creek and follow this historic waterway through Lumberton. Bring your own canoe or rent one to enjoy the last weekend of summer. Firehouse tours, food featuring a barbeque, pony rides,

www.southjerseymom.com

vendors and music provided by the Sloppy and the Joes and by Hidden River Construction. $10/craft. www.lumbertonpaddle.com.

dren (3-11). Camden Children’s Garden, 3 Riverside Dr., Camden.

(856) 365-8733 or www.camdenchildrensgarden.org.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

Dinosaurium Grand Opening Sept 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Featuring a three-story Climbasaurus, Dino Dig, Roaring Room and more! The 2,000 sq ft exhibit is dedicated to dinosaur exploration and discovery. Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill. (856) 4241233 or www.discoverymuseum.com

Fun-Day at Playland’s Castaway Cove September 10 Ride all the rides unlimited from 1-5 p.m. Benefits Humane Society of Ocean City. 10th & Boardwalk.

(609) 399-2018 or www.hsocnj.org.

Grand Art Camp Sept 2-3 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Hands-on art program for kids age 4-12. Paint, sculpt or build a unique work of art. The camp’s staff are certified instructors and represent some of the region’s leading artsists and artisans. Each night features a different artistic theme. Dinner and art supplies included in class fee. $38/child, per evening. Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat evenings. Grand Hotel, 1045 Beach Ave, Cape May. (609) 884-5611.

CAMDEN COUNTY Silver Diner’s Labor Day Car Show September 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Silver Diner & South Jersey Pontiac Club “Unofficial End of the Summer” Labor Day Car Show. Free to public. Silver Diner, Cherry Hill.

(856) 904-4843.

Grandparent’s Day at Camden Children’s Garden Sept 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grandparents ride free! $5 for chil-

CUMBERLAND COUNTY AMA Pro Superbike Championship September 2-4 Continuing the Labor Day weekend tradition at NJMP, the AMA Pro Superbike Championship returns for even more excitement in 2011. This fan favorite is the most popular event on the NJMP spectator calendar for motorcycle race fans, as well as many other motorsports and racing enthusiast. www.njmp.com.

Antiques, Arts & Music Festival Sep 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Festival features the wares of local antiques dealers, fine artists from Millville’s Arts District, artisans & craftspeople as well as free performances by great local musicians.

Food ranging from pizza to a fullcourse continental-style gourmet meals available. High Street in Millville. (856) 825-4516 or www. millvillemerchants.com.

things 2 do

September Calendar

GLOUCESTER COUNTY Over the River and Through the Woods September 9 – October 2 Showtimes: Friday & Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2pm. Added show: Sunday 9/25 at 7 pm. Tickets: $25 each. Broadway Theatre of Pitman.

(856) 384-8381 or www.thebroadway theatre.org.

Family Movie Night September 9 from 8 to 10 p.m.

Gather your family and friends, bring blankets and chairs to catch a free movie “Toy Story 3” and popcorn at Red Bank Battlefield, 100 Hessian Ave, National Park. Show will begin at dusk (8-8:30), raindate Saturday, September 10. (856) 589-0047.

SALEM COUNTY Septemberfest September 10 Parade, arts and crafts, food, entertainment and fireworks. Pennsville. www.visitsalemcountynj.com.

40th Annual Bluegrass Festival Sept 2-4 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

One of the best bluegrass festivals anywhere, featuring the biggest names in Bluegrass Music. Open for campers starting Wednesday, August 31 at 8 am. Tickets range from $20-75.

Salem County Fairgrounds, 725 Rt 40, Pilesgrove. www.delawarevalleybluegrass.org.

September 2011 | 29

resource guide

CLASSES COMPUTER CLASSES FOR CHILDREN BY GIGATYKES! We creatively combine fun learning adventures with technology concepts to teach children to use computers as a tool. Children operate their own individual laptop running proprietary software that scaffolds to each child’s ability. (856) 546-0939 or gigatykes@yahoo.com

CARA ASHLEY SCHOOL OF DANCE IN HAMMONTON Celebrating 9 years of quality dance education! Ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, pre-school combo & acro for ages 3 and up and adult classes. Birthday parties available. Register now! Call (609) 567-6566 or email caraashleydance@yahoo.com

EVENTS FULL MOON CLIMB Absecon Lighthouse: Full Moon Climb, Monday, September 12th. $10 pp, includes snacks & beer/wine. Makes a great, inexpensive date night out! Last climb is at 8pm. Doors open at 6pm. Open Thursdays- Mondays, 11am to 4pm. FREE parking, museum, exhibits. (609) 449-1360.

THE BABY LOVES MUSIC FAMILY FUN FEST Baby Loves Disco announces a festival experience for the whole family! Discover music, art, food and tons of surprises along the way. 2 sessions: 11a-1:30p & 3-5:30p. $20 each or $70 for a family 4-pack. Portion of sales benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia; Sunday, Sept. 18.

BEST DRESSED FOR LESS Best Dressed for Less is SJ’s LARGEST & TOP RATED seasonal kid’s consignment event. Anyone can CONSIGN…Everyone will SAVE! Fall dates: September 23rd-25th in Burlington Township. Learn more at www.bestdressedsale.com

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PARTIES CELEBRATE CREATIVELY! Abrakadoodle’s CUSTOMIZED CELEBRATIONS are perfect for BIRTHDAYS, PLAY DATES and SCOUTING events. Every child takes home a FRAMED masterpiece! Hosted at your location we provide an ARTFULLY FUN teacher, materials & frames. Visit www.abrakadoodle.com/nj01 or call (856) 914-0521 BONBON’S PARTIES IS OFFERING $10 OFF TO SJ MOM READERS! Face Painting * Balloon Art * Glitter Tattoos. For Older Children: Balloon University or Face Painting College. Characters * Super Heroes * Princesses. For availability call (856) 701-8734 or visit www.bonbonsparties.com

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designed specifically for your child u Quicker results with parent involvement u I make learning fun so kids love to come Call me for an appointment

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856.429.1505 30 | September 2011

We are successful women helping other women succeed.

For more info call Adrienne Richardson at 856.305.3490 Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

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September 2011 | 31