JULY 2017
smart parenting • healthy homes
Serving Austin’s Families Since 1992
READ LOCAL
Austin Authors for All Ages
3 Ways to Chill You’ll Want to Try
Our Chat With Tsh Oxenreider
WINNERS
PLUS: Enter our Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest! INSIDE!
CALENDAR | FAMILY FUN GUIDE | ARTICULOS EN ESPAÑOL
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Pa on sse no sal s w! e
Howdy Summer Now Open TYPHOON TEXAS IS HERE AND SUMMER WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. GET SEASON PASSES, PARK HOURS AND MORE @ TYPHOONTEXAS.COM Experience the coolest place in town. Be sure to join us for Thursday Movie Night, Friday Night Slides and Saturday Family Night with live music. Enjoy the thrilling attractions, fresh food options, and the all new play land for kids.
It’s Texas-sized fun for everyone!
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JULY 2017
smart parenting • healthy homes
READ LOCAL 10 Wayfarer’s Homecoming
12 Chill, Mama!
Austin 27 Awesome Authors
columns
calendar
en español
33 July 4th Events 34 Museum Exhibits 34 Family Events 42 Parenting Events 43 Story Times
16 Asuntos Familiares
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Family Matters
How to Talk About the Tough Stuff
18 Lifelines
Kids and Guns: What Parents Need to Know
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The Learning Curve
Grit: Is It Really a Thing?
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48 Just for Grins
6 Around Austin 46 Kidzone
Potty Training: Not an Outdoor Pursuit
tune in:
44 Piensa Positivo
Significado del Enojo en la Relación de Pareja
Play It Safe Recalls
Summer Night Bowling
FILM REVIEW by Jack Kyser This month’S review:
Spiderman: Homecoming
extras follow us:
ómo Hablar Sobre las Cosas C Difíciles
in every issue
22 Family Connections Easy, Breezy Vacations Start at the Bank
24 Readers Poll Favorites 30 Family Fun Guide 47 Focus on Doctors
Catch Austin Family live on “Good Day Austin” every Friday morning and “Despierta Austin” the first Friday morning of each month.
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New items each week. Visit our website to register.
Read online at: www.austinfamily.com/films
On the Cover Roberto and his dog, Dory, are looking forward to a fun summer.
Photo by Jordan Ashley Photography.
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® BY S H E R I DA M O C K
July 2017 Volume 25, No. 4
W
hat a delight it is to bring you a month’s worth of topics to inform your family’s summer fun! From reading and travel to relaxation and local favorites, we’ve got a cool collection for your hottest months. Let’s start with our survey of local authors penning books to read at any age. We’re so lucky to have such a rich tapestry of artisans who call Central Texas home. In particular, we hope you enjoy our Q&A with Georgetown resident Tsh Oxenreider, whose recent work, At Home in the World, chronicles her family’s nine-month trip around the globe. You’ll get a taste of far-flung destinations, even if you don’t leave your own sofa. But if you do travel, you might take Richard Singleton’s advice to heart. His column this month includes advice for locking down financial matters before you leave home. And wherever your summer takes you, it’s a safe bet that relaxation is one of your goals, so give local blogger Alison Bogle’s article a once-over. She goes beyond the typical massage to try a trio of outside-the-box techniques—acupuncture, hypnosis and floating—then gives you the firsthand scoop.
PUBLISHER Kaye K. Lowak
EDITOR Sherida Mock: editor2003@austinfamily.com
COPY EDITOR Barb Matijevich
ADVISING EDITORS Dr. Betty Kehl Richardson, Barb Matijevich
CALENDAR EDITOR Betty Kemper: calendar2003@austinfamily.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sherida Mock, Dr. Betty Richardson, Jack Kyser, Richard Singleton, Carrie Taylor, Brenda Schoolfield, Margaret Nicklas, and Alison Bogle.
TRANSLATION TEAM Maribel Ruvalcaba, Margo Vogelpohl
We’re also proud to present our annual Reader’s Poll Favorites winners. This roundup of family choices might help you select your next camp, school or extracurricular activity. And finally, our “Dog Days of Summer” photo contest provides the opportunity to share your best pet pics and win a prize, to boot! Have a great July!
GRAPHIC DESIGN Susie Forbes & Kim Crisler
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jordan Ashley Photography
ADVERTISING SALES Kaye K. Lowak: kaye2003@austinfamily.com
We are dedicated to serving the Greater Austin area by providing up-to-date information and ideas that promote smart parenting and healthy homes. We promote our clients’ businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhancing their public images.
Austin Family is published monthly by KKKemper Inc. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7559, Round Rock, Texas 78683-7559 Phone Number: 512-733-0038 On the web at: www.austinfamily.com Advertising rates are available upon request. While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. Austin Family and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors beyond the cost of the ad. Austin Family does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, products or services listed in this publication. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. No portion of Austin Family may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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Play it product recalls
safe
Government Recalls Night Lights, Spinner Toys and Ride-On Toys AM Conservation Group is recalling about 37,000 night lights because they can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The recall involves luminescent night lights Model 2017-G, a square-shaped night light with a rounded top. Affected units were distributed as free promotional products by various companies between November 2016 and March 2017. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled night lights and contact AM Conservation Group for a free replacement. Hobby Lobby is recalling about 43,400 spinner toys because the battery cover can detach and expose the small coin cell batteries, posing choking and ingestion hazards to young children. The recall involves children’s battery-powered, light-up spinner toys sold in two themes: Easter and July 4th. Affected units were sold at Hobby Lobby and Mardel stores nationwide from February 2017 to April 2017 for about $5. Consumers should immediately take the recalled spinner toys away from children and return them to the nearest Hobby Lobby or Mardel store for a refund or store credit. Dynacraft is recalling about 20,000 ride-on toys because the acceleration pedal can stick, posing fall and crash hazards. The recall involves three models of 12V battery-operated ride-on toys, including Surge 12V Camo 4X4, Surge 12V XL Quad and Tonka 12V Mighty Dump Trucks. Affected units were sold at Walmart, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Toys R Us nationwide and online at toysrus.com from June 2016 to March 2017 for between $150 and $350. Consumers should immediately take the recalled ride-on toys away from children and contact Dynacraft to receive a free replacement foot pedal with installation instructions. The US Consumer Products Safety Commission works to protect the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.
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G O TO W W W. AU ST I N FA M I LY. C O M F O R W E E K LY U P DAT E S O F A RO U N D AU ST I N N E W S
School Grants
Stepping Stone School recently opened a new location in Kyle. Photo courtesy of Stepping Stone School
New Daycare Stepping Stone School opened a new location in Kyle on June 5. The school is located at 1020 Lightfoot St. in the community of Plum Creek and features a hands-on STEAM curriculum room, three turfed playgrounds and an inground pool for swim lessons. “We look forward to a wonderful partnership with each and every family and providing the nurturance, love and support each child deserves,” says Rhonda Paver, Stepping Stone School founder and executive director. The school provides child care for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years old. Infant and toddler care, preschool, prekindergarten and after-school programs and summer camps are available. This is the second Kyle location for Stepping Stone School.
Must -Do This Month Treat your furry bestie on July 10, Teddy Bear Picnic Day. Study French history on July 14, Bastille Day. Brush up your manners. It’s National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
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Tanger Outlets San Marcos recently announced grants to three area schools through the TangerKIDS Grant program. Recipients included Bowie Elementary in San Marcos, Timberwilde Elementary in San Antonio and San Marcos Consolidated ISD. “A substantial part of our mission at Tanger Outlets is to contribute positively to the communities in which we operate,” says Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tanger Outlets. “A high quality education is instrumental to enhancing our
communities and we are proud to once again give back to these remarkable schools as part of our efforts to support students and educators across the country.” The TangerKIDS Grant program is funded through coupon book sales. For every coupon book sold, Tanger gives one dollar to the program. Grants are offered to multiple schools at each of Tanger’s 39 centers in the US. Officials at Bowie Elementary in San Marcos accept a grant from TangerKIDS. Photo courtesy of Tanger Outlets San Marcos.
Accreditation Kiddie Academy of Pflugerville recently received national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Academy also earned a 4-star certification from Texas Rising Star, a quality rating and improvement system for Texas early childhood programs. “Since opening we have aspired to achieve the highest educational standards,” says Eric Ng, owner. “Achieving NAEYC accreditation is a proud moment for us.” To earn the accreditation, the school completed an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against more than 400 related accreditation criteria and a set of 10 research-based early childhood program standards.
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(L to R) Julie Jumonville, Dede Woodman and Lisa Williamson, founders of UpSpring, received honors from The Bump. Photo courtesy of UpSpring.
Mom Achievements The Bump, a website and app that provides information for millennial parents, recently recognized a trio of Austin women. The second annual Moms: Movers + Makers Awards honors influential advocates and innovators focused on creating change and making an impact on families worldwide. The Bump list of honorees includes Dede Woodman, Julie Jumonville and Lisa Williamson. The three founded UpSpring, an Austin company that offers products such as an alcohol test kit for breastfeeding moms, postnatal belly wraps and the Walking Wings baby walker. “Dede, Julie and I are truly honored to be recognized by The Bump as 2017 Moms Movers + Makers,” says Williamson. “When we founded UpSpring, our goal was to bring innovation to moms to help make their lives easier. Starting a business and a family at the same time is not an easy task but it is so rewarding to know we are changing lives with our innovative health and wellness products.” Williamson currently serves as CEO of UpSpring.
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Young Writers Two 8th-grade students from Burnet Middle School in Austin ISD have been named national ambassadors for the Do the Write Thing Challenge. This year marks the first time that the two national ambassadors from the Austin-Travis County area have been from the same school. Vivian Pan (left) and R.C. Hardin (right)
Rudolph (R.C.) Hardin and pose with language arts teacher Ajani Vivian Pan were selected as Harding. Pan and Hardin were named ambassadors for the program, national ambassadors in the annual Do the Write Thing Challenge. Photo courtesy of which is an initiative of the Austin ISD. National Campaign to Stop Violence. NCSV is a nonprofit organization comprised of community, business and governmental leaders committed to reducing youth violence in communities throughout the U.S. Hardin’s and Pan’s compositions were selected from among 3,820 compositions submitted by students in the Austin, Eanes, Del Valle, Manor and Pflugerville school districts. The students will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to present their views on youth violence to national leaders. Do the Write Thing seeks to reduce youth violence by inviting students to discuss the issue in class and write about the impact of youth violence in their communities and how to reduce it. Students are also asked to make a personal commitment to doing something to reduce violence. For more information, visit dtwt.org.
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by the
numbers
73% Austin Public Health wants your family to stay healthy while swimming this summer.
Healthy Swimming
674,000,000
Americans who read at least one book in the last year
Number of books sold in 2016
Source: Publishers Weekly
Source: Pew Research Center
$20 billion
Estimated yearly cost of illiteracy to the nation’s economy Source: Literacy Project Foundation
INFANTS ∙ TODDLERS ∙ PRESCHOOL BEFORE & AF TER SCHOOL ∙ SUMMER CAMP
Do your summer fun plans include time in the water? Austin Public Health has tips to avoid recreational water illnesses (RWIs) this summer season. The germs that cause RWIs, such as cryptosporidiosis (also known as “crypto”), are spread through contaminated water from pools, water parks, hot tubs, lakes, oceans and other types of water used for recreation. You can become sick when you swallow, breathe in mist or have contact with these waters. The good news is that germs causing RWIs are killed by chlorine. But chlorine doesn’t work right away, and some organisms can live in the pool for days. Even the best maintained pools can spread illness. Pool water is shared by every swimmer, so stay healthy every time you swim and follow these do’s and don’ts: • Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick. • Don’t swallow pool water and avoid getting water in your mouth. • Do practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
Curiosity-Launching Learning Experiences Kiddie Academy® has the teachers, tools and inspiration it takes to nurture oversized confidence and big ideas. It’s all part of becoming an amazing adult, and begins with our Life Essentials® philosophy.
• Do take kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean it’s too late. • Do change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool. • Do wash kids thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Even very small amounts of fecal matter can spread germs in the water.
Kiddie Academy ® of Pflugerville 2617 Kelly Lane Pflugerville, TX 78660 512-989-7777
Kiddie Academy ® of Cedar Park 1602 Medical Parkway Cedar Park, TX 78613 512-986-7355
Kiddie Academy ® of Round Rock 5080 North AW Grimes Blvd. Round Rock, TX 78665 512-270-9988
®
kiddieacademy.com/austin
Visit cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/ to learn more.
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Wayfarer’s Homecoming Traveling Family Returns to Central Texas BY S H E R I DA M O C K
AF: What lessons did you learn on the trip? Oxenreider: It was a great reminder that kids are resilient and adaptable and flexible. They just need to be given the opportunity. Our kids are all three very different, and yet they all did so well. They taught Kyle and me lessons on being patient when the bus schedule is really unpredictable or when you’re in a tight, crowded space or it smells funny or whatever.
Tsh Oxenreider grew up in Austin and has lived in many places all over the world. Photo courtesy of Tsh Oxenreider.
At
age 15, Austin native Tsh Oxenreider caught the travel bug on a trip to Latvia with her church. That experience set the tone for an adventurous lifestyle. She met her husband Kyle while they were both working in Kosovo. She gave birth to one of her three children in Turkey, where the family was living at the time. Her most recent expedition was a nine-month, globe-trotting journey through Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe with her family. Oxenreider recently sat down with us near her home in Georgetown to talk about that trip and the resulting book, At Home in the World.
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They also open a lot of doors in other cultures, because compared to the US, so many other cultures are kid-friendly. They let kids be kids. They’re fine with kids being a little loud or unpredictable or messy. We learned a lot about us personally. You know, there are families that do this full time. They’re locationindependent. We learned that’s not for us. We realized how much we needed our own home base. Travel is great when it’s interspersed with down time and home, at least for us.
down every couple of months. We’d catch up on school and work, but also just to enjoy the place. So we’d rather do fewer countries but stay in each one longer. It was fun to see so many places, but very tiring. It’s the moving from place to place, the packing again and again and again. We were in southern France in the same guest house for a little more than a month, and that was extremely relaxing. I’m a big believer in not going to a place assuming you’re going to check off this big list. You could, but to me that’s not as much fun as just enjoying being there and getting a feel for how people live, the food, the lifestyle.
AF: Is travel like this expensive? Oxenreider: It’s cheaper to keep travelling once you’re out there.
Start traveling locally. Be a tourist in your own hometown.
AF: Any things you’d change if you could? Oxenreider: Our kids ended up loving the times when we parked for a while. We intentionally slowed
A lot of times people say, “We could never afford it.” But really, the biggest expense is the long-haul flights. Once you’re already in, let’s say Amsterdam, it’s really cheap to
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Oxenreider’s book about her family’s nine-month global trek debuted in April.
get to Paris. Part of that is why we encourage families to consider a bigger trip. We like to remind people that it wasn’t a vacation. We worked the whole time. The only things we saved up for were the things that weren’t in our budget back home: long-haul flights and visas. Everything else could translate.
commitment and when those three years were up, he shifted positions. He still did work, and he caught up when we did “low and slow” times when we kind of parked for a while.
AF: What were your kids’ favorite moments? Oxenreider: My
The author and her husband Kyle have three children, ages 12, 9½ and 6½. Photo courtesy of Tsh Oxenreider.
You know, we still needed to eat. Instead of karate lessons, we did museums. Instead of paying for auto insurance and gas, we were paying for taxis and metros.
AF: How did you manage to work remotely? Oxenreider: I’ve always been an entrepreneur and writer. I can take my work anywhere. We had moved to Oregon from Austin for Kyle’s job. He had given them a three-year
middle son will usually mention Australia. He’s a late-December birthday, and it was the summer there. That was fun for him to have a summer birthday. We went to the beach. He thought that was really cool. My daughter loved southern France. She had a lot more freedom. We lived in a village of 4,000 people, and they let kids go to the stores by themselves and walk around. She loved that part of Europe. And our youngest will tell you Italy, because of the gelato. [laughs] We ate gelato a lot. It’s what you do in Italy. Sometimes we’d eat it twice a day. I’d be curious if we take the trip again when they’re teenagers how their answers might be different for different reasons.
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AF: Any tips for families who want to try to travel? Oxenreider: Don’t just wake up one day and take a huge trip. Start traveling locally. Be a tourist in your own hometown. Go away for the weekend and see some of the great small towns in Central Texas. Go into downtown Austin and spend a day just using public transportation. See how you enjoy it. You end up learning a lot about how you function as a family when you don’t have a car. But the book is just as much about the love of home as it is the love of travel. I wrote it for armchair travelers, not for people looking for travel hacks. And that’s because I love being at home, too. Relocating back to Central Texas was a big part of that. It’s hard to beat the mountains and the trees and rivers in the Pacific Northwest. But here feels like home, and it’s because of the people. That’s a life lesson for all of us, including me. af
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Chill, Mama!
3 Unusual Ways to Unwind in Austin BY A L I S O N B O G L E
N
ot long ago I found myself in serious need of relaxation. I have three kids who are out of school for the summer, so it doesn’t take much to get to that point. My usual go-to is grabbing a moment to read alone in the bathroom—or a massage, if I’m really lucky. Happily, I faced some free time and a little extra money, so I thought I’d splurge and treat myself to a bit of peace and quiet. I love a good massage, but its effects can be short-lived. Wanting something that might last a little longer, I decided to relax outside-the-box. That right there doesn’t sound relaxing, but the results were nothing short of spectacular.
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First up: acupuncture. This method of relaxation is effective in treating anxiety, insomnia, stress and a host of other conditions. Bingo!
hypnosis, in most cases you won’t even talk during the hypnosis session—it’s more like a guided visualization exercise.
I started out my appointment with some hesitation. After all, it’s not often that one can muster excitement about getting poked with needles. Luckily, I found out that thinner needles are used for a relaxation session, and they’re not placed as deep. The needles were inserted in places that correspond with various treatment points on my body. I was then given a little bell to ring for assistance and left to rest in peace for 25 minutes. I loved every minute and drifted into a halfawake/half-asleep state of relaxation.
After chatting for a while, the hypnotist put headphones on me and reclined my seat, which turned out to be a serious vibration chair. It was distracting at first to feel the left side of my back vibrate, then my right, but I eventually became accustomed to the sensation. The alternating vibrations are said to help your brain waves modulate across your midline, deepening the experience. The hypnotist then spoke to me through the headphones, while spa-like music played in the background.
Next stop: hypnosis. I set up an appointment with Harmony Hypnosis, which treats a host of maladies, including stress and anxiety. I had no idea what to expect as I’d never been hypnotized before and had visions of clucking like a chicken. I couldn’t have been more wrong. With therapeutic
About 10 minutes later the chair was turned off, and I was counted out of my trance-like state. Only it wasn’t 10 minutes. It was 28. And I was buzzing. The tightness in my chest was gone, and that peace lasted the rest of the day. I also came home with a digital recording of the session so I can revisit that state of mind whenever I want.
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Final experience: floating. I chose to float in a saltwater pod with Liquid Float Center. The premise is that floating produces slower brain wave patterns, which are normally experienced only during deep meditation or briefly before falling asleep. Floating is used to treat stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Perfect! The only potential problem I could see is that I can’t float—never have been able to. Luckily for me, the pods contain 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts mixed into 10-inch deep water. Put me in that water, and I bob to the top like a cork! The crazy thing is that I absolutely fell asleep several times during my float. My mind felt awake and was having thoughts, but my body was so calm that it just drifted off to sleep. Apparently, it’s a zero gravity float thing. And it’s a good feeling to get that relaxed. I’m so glad I tried something other than the standard massage, although I won’t be swearing off massages completely. Nor my sneaky bathroom reads. Turns out there are many more ways to relax, and they’re definitely worth trying. af Alison Bogle is an Austin-based writer and mom of three who blogs about Type A parenting and more.
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BY B E T T Y R I C H A R D S O N
How to Talk About the Tough Stuff
I’m doing fine answering the “why” questions my kids ask about everyday stuff like eating their veggies or bedtime. But I’m stumped on tough topics like divorce and war. I usually mumble something like, “Let’s talk about it later,” but later never comes. How can I do a better job talking about these things?
A
Have you ever heard a mom or child claim they can talk with the other about anything? It’s all about creating an atmosphere in which both parties are comfortable. I’ve collected some suggestions from experts in parenting, my own ideas and those from some of the best moms I know. 1. Develop a good relationship. This doesn’t mean you can’t have house rules and consequences. It means you don’t yell and take out frustrations on your kids, but provide a home base of safety, love and guidance. 2. Give positive feedback for starting the conversation. Say something like, “That’s a very good question” or “I’m glad you feel comfortable asking me.” This sets the stage for the child saying more. 3. Be fully present for listening and responding. Give eye contact and touch if your child is comfortable with this—some kids aren’t. Remain calm to signal that talking about the subject is okay.
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4. F ollow your child’s cues. Give a short answer and listen to the response. If your child asks for more info, give it. But if she seems satisfied with your answer, stop there. Welcome the child to come back if she has more questions. 5. C onsider paraphrasing what your child says. He may want to change what he’s saying to help you better understand his question. 6. Try using a “questions journal.” Your child might prefer to ask questions in a notebook and leave them for you to answer in writing. This strategy removes some of the discomfort of talking face to face, and you can provide a thoughtful answer. 7. Address the subtext of the question. Young children often want to know they’re safe. Asking about divorce may come from fears that you’ll get divorced. Asking why people go to war may come from something she saw on TV. As grade schoolers mature, they become more concerned about fairness. Tweens’ and teens’ questions can be tougher: “When did you first have sex?” or “Did you ever do drugs?” Adolescents often question their parent’s behavior and beliefs so they can separate and develop their own
identity. In some cases, they’re looking to justify their own behavior. A teen may need to hear that you’d do things differently if you could. Let them see and hear your values on education, volunteering, being honest, showing kindness, etc. It’s surprising how important your values will become for them—if not now, then later. Not answering is a challenge. You can deflect some questions with, “I’m not so sure that you need to know that. Would my answer help you in some way?” The response can guide you in deciding whether to open up and how much info to share. You can stall while you think of your answer with, “I hear you asking (fill in the blank) and I wonder if I asked you the same question, would you answer honestly? Let’s try to be open with each other, not judgmental.” It’s not too late for those questions you haven’t answered. Look for signs your child is receptive. Being alone in the car might make your child willing to talk. Bring up the subject with something like, “The other day you asked me about (fill in the blank). Let’s talk about that now.” af Betty Richardson, PhD, RNC, LPC, LMFT, is an Austin-based psychotherapist.
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BY B E T T Y R I C H A R D S O N
P
Estoy hacienda bien respondiendo las preguntas de “por qué”, las cuales hacen mis hijos sobre cosas cotidianas como comer sus verduras o irse a la cama. Pero estoy confundido sobre temas difíciles como el divorcio y la guerra. Por lo general, murmuro algo como, “halemos de ello más tarde”, pero más tarde nunca llega. ¿Cómo puedo hace un mejor trabajo hablando de estas cosas?
R
¿Alguna vez ha oído a una madre o hijo decir que pueden hablar el uno con el otro acerca de lo que sea? Se trata de crear un ambiente en el que ambas partes se sientan cómodas. He recopilado algunas sugerencias de expertos en la crianza de los hijos, mis propias ideas y las de algunas de las mamás que conozco. 1. Desarrollar una buena relación. Esto no significa que no puede tener reglas y consecuencias en la casa. Significa que usted no grite y desquite sus frustraciones en sus hijos, sino que proporcione una base en el hogar de seguridad, amor y orientación. 2. Dar comentarios positivos para iniciar la conversación. Diga algo como: “Esa es una pregunta muy buena” o “Me alegro que vengas a mí para preguntarme”. Esto prepara el escenario para que su hijo diga más. 3. Estar completamente presente para escuchar y responder. Hacer contacto visual y tocar si su hijo está cómodo con esto, algunos niños no lo están. Mantenga la calma para indicar que está bien hablar sobre el tema. 4. Siga las señales que le de su hijo. Dar una respuesta corta y escuchar la contestación. Dele más información sólo
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Hablar Sobre las
Cómo Cosas Difíciles
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que su hijo lo pida. Pero si el parece contento con su respuesta, párele allí. Déjele saber que puede volver si tiene más preguntas. 5. Considere la posibilidad de parafrasear lo que dice su hijo. Él puede querer cambiar lo que está diciendo para ayudarle mejor a entender su pregunta. 6. Trate de usar un “diario de preguntas”. Su hijo puede preferir hacer preguntas en un cuaderno y dejarlas para que usted responda por escrito. Esta estrategia elimina poco la incomodidad de hablar cara a cara, y usted puede proporcionar una respuesta reflexiva. 7. Abordar el significado implicado en la pregunta. Los niños pequeños a menudo quieren saber que están seguros. Preguntar acerca del divorcio puede provenir del temor de que ustedes vayan a divorciarse. Preguntar por qué la gente va a la guerra puede provenir de algo que vio en la televisión. A medida que van madurando los niños de primaria, comienzan a preocuparse más por la imparcialidad. Las preguntas de los preadolescentes y los adolescentes pueden ser más difíciles: “¿Cuándo tuvo relaciones sexuales por primera vez?” o “¿Alguna vez hiciste drogas?” Los adolescentes a menudo cuestionan el comportamiento y las creencias de sus padres para que puedan separarse y desarrollar su propia identidad.
En algunos casos, están buscando justificar su propio comportamiento. Un adolescente puede necesitar oír que usted haría las cosas de manera diferente si pudiera. Deje que ellos vean y escuchen sus valores sobre educación, voluntariado, ser honesto, mostrar bondad, etc. Es sorprendente lo importante que serán sus valores para ellos, si no ahora, lo serán más tarde. El no contestar es un reto. Usted puede desviar algunas preguntas con, “No estoy tan seguro de que necesitas saber eso. ¿Te ayudaría mi respuesta de alguna manera?” La contestación puede guiarlo en la decisión si abrirse y cuánta información compartir. Puede detenerse mientras que piensa en su respuesta con, “Te escuché preguntando (llene el espacio en blanco) y me pregunto si te hago la misma pregunta, ¿contestarías honestamente? Vamos a tratar de ser abiertos el uno con el otro, sino juzgar.” No es demasiado tarde para esas preguntas que usted no ha contestado. Busque señales de que su hijo esta receptivo. Estar a solas en el automóvil podría hacer que su hijo esté dispuesto a hablar. Inicie el tema con algo como, “El otro día me preguntaste (llene el espacio en blanco). Vamos a hablar de eso ahora.” af Betty Richardson, PhD, RNC, LPC, LMFT, una psicoterapeuta establecida en Austin.
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BY B R E N DA S C H O O L F I E L D
Kids and Guns: What Parents Need to Know Over one-third of Texans own guns. Guns are a frequent topic of debate. However, everyone agrees that we want our children to avoid harm from gun-related injury. In 2015, about 4,500 children and adolescents died from guns. Check your knowledge of gun-safety so that you know what to do to protect your child.
3. True or False: Most people store their guns safely—unloaded, in a locked location, with ammunitions stored separately.
1. True or False: Children in the US are less likely to be injured by a gun than those in other countries.
False. Although about 75 percent of parents said their child wouldn’t touch a gun, a study of young boys showed that most of them handled a gun when they found it—and almost half pulled the trigger.
False. Deaths from gunrelated injuries in children are 49 times higher in the US than in other highincome countries.
False. In one survey, fewer than 50 percent said they stored their guns safely. In another survey, only 6 percent said they stored their guns safely 4. True or False: If a child encounters a gun, he probably won’t touch it if parents have talked to him about gun safety.
2. True or False: The chances a child will be hurt by a gun are relatively low, compared to other types of injuries. False. The fourth leading cause of death from injury in children 5 to 14 years old is a gun. It is the second leading cause of death in children 15 to 19 years old. In the latest data, injuries from guns caused about the same number of deaths in the US as car crashes.
5. True or False: Most children don’t even know where the guns in their home are located. False. In one study, about threefourths of children who lived in homes with guns knew where the guns were located. Over one-third admitted they had handled them. 6. True or False: Children who take programs on gun safety won’t engage in risky behaviors around guns. False. Although children can talk about gun safety, several studies have shown that when encountering a gun,
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they don’t use the information they’ve learned. Children often don’t distinguish a real gun from a toy gun and so don’t handle a real gun safely. 7. T rue or False: You only need to worry about safe gun storage if there’s a young child in your home. False. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents of older children either remove guns from the home or restrict access to them. This is especially important for children who are at risk of suicide because of depression or mood disorder. Other children at risk are those who may be abusing drugs or alcohol. A child who attempts suicide with a gun is most often successful, compared to suicide attempts from other methods. Limiting access to guns can help prevent suicide.
• Watch a gun safety video with your child. Go to ProjectChildSafe.org for access to several videos designed for children of different ages. • Make an action plan for what your child should do if he finds a gun. For example, don’t touch the gun; leave the area right away; go find an adult and tell the adult about the gun.
other places your child visits. Talk to relatives and parents of your child’s friends to find out if they have guns and how they’re stored. If they keep guns unsecured and store them loaded, you may want to reevaluate your child’s access. Even if your child knows what to do around an unsecured gun, other children may not. af
Talk to Relatives and Other Parents. Even if you store guns safely at home, guns may not be stored safely at
Brenda Schoolfield is a freelance medical writer who splits her time between Austin and Seattle.
What You Can Do to Help Your Child Stay Safe Store Guns Safely. Storing guns so that children can’t get to them is critical. If you have a gun in your home, store it safely: • Unload the gun before storing. • Then put it in a locked place, such as a cabinet, safe or storage case. • Make sure children can’t figure out how to get into the locked place. For example, if you keep the key in a drawer, a child could easily get the key when you’re not watching. • Store ammunition in a different place than the gun. • Consider using a gun-locking device, such as a cable lock. This device has a cable that runs through the barrel to prevent the gun from firing accidentally. Educate Your Child. • Have a conversation with your child about gun safety. Your child may not get gun safety training anywhere else.
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BY M A R GA R E T N I C K L AS
As
a parent, you’ve probably heard a lot of terms and concepts you’re told will help you understand how to support your child’s development: qualities like resilience and stick-to-itiveness and skills associated with mindfulness, selfmanagement and executive control. There’s a lot of debate—but not a lot of clarity—on the extent to which these qualities and abilities are innate versus learned and if learned, whether and how they should be taught. The term “grit” has received lots of attention lately. Defined as “perseverance and passion for longterm goals,” the concept has been compared to conscientiousness, industriousness, self-control, pluck and fortitude. Grit is said to be a stable trait that doesn’t require immediate positive feedback.
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Grit: Is It Really a Thing? Moreover, it’s not necessarily dependent on intelligence. According to Angela Duckworth, a former teacher, researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and “mother” of the grit movement, people who have grit are not necessarily the smartest or most talented in the bunch. They succeed (when they do) because they continue to work toward and focus on their goal, not because they’re especially good at it—at least not at first. They don’t strive because they’re receiving external rewards, she contends, but simply because they love doing what they do. But whether grit is something we should be looking to our children or even ourselves to have is a much more complex question. For starters, Duckworth’s research doesn’t point as cleanly to specific conclusions as you might think, given the popularity and support of her ideas. Duckworth assessed West Point cadets trying to endure
the physical and mental strains of their “plebe” summer for grit, tying their attitudinal statements (such as “I never give up”) to whether they dropped out. But there could be other reasons for dropping out of such a physically or mentally challenging ordeal. For instance, perhaps these cadets decided the program was, after all, not for them, which could be considered a brave and adaptive decision. Beyond that, Duckworth’s methodology is criticized for choosing such rarified groups to study. You can presume that anyone who makes it into West Point (or a National Spelling Bee, another group she researched) is already fairly gritty. So what is really being measured when we compare “winners” and “losers” within these groups? Moreover, since both settings are specifically
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designed to winnow people out, it hardly seems helpful to use them as a baseline to understand grit in situations where a person’s effort is neither encouraged nor discouraged, but is led by the person’s own passion and interest. Besides, most of us have more mundane pursuits. Our kids may simply be striving to get an “A” in math, make the football team or learn to play the guitar.
that he or she wasn’t accepted into a particular program. There are other paths forward. Susan David, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School is even more blunt. In a recent post for Quartz, she writes, “We should be gritty, yes, but not stupid. The most
Gritty or not, there are practices your child can adopt that may help him or her work through challenges. Here are a few:
agile and adaptive response to an unattainable goal is goal adjustment, which entails both disengaging from the unattainable goal and then reengaging in an alternative.” af Margaret Nicklas is an Austin-based freelance journalist, writer and mom.
Start Early. Start Right.
• Set clear goals • Practice the art of “shaking off” setbacks • Seek help, when needed • Be open to new approaches
Challenger School offers uniquely fun and academic classes for preschool to eighth grade students. Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence.
Sticking with goals is important. But if your child has employed these practices and is still struggling to achieve a specific goal, it may be time to ask how worthwhile that goal remains, or whether it should be framed differently.
The results are unmatched at any price! Come see for yourself! Observe our classrooms any time— no appointment needed.
Even Duckworth acknowledges that quitting sometimes makes sense. In a column she wrote for the PBS News Hour last year, she explains that some goals are subordinate to others and that what she termed “lower-level” or lower priority goals may be okay to abandon. “If you’ve been trying and trying to accomplish a low-level goal, but despite your best efforts, you are making absolutely no headway, quit. Your energy will be better spent on a different low-level goal that accomplishes the same end,” she writes. Put another way, if your child focuses on his or her highest goal (such as becoming a topnotch musician), he or she can be less concerned that one particular concert or class didn’t go well or
An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade
Avery Ranch (512) 341-8000 15101 Avery Ranch Boulevard, Austin Pond Springs (512) 258-1299 13015 Pond Springs Road, Austin Round Rock (512) 255-8844 1521 Joyce Lane, Round Rock
I n s p i r i n g C h i l d re n t o A c h i e v e S i n c e 1 9 6 3 © 2017, Challenger Schools. Challenger School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
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5/31/2017 12:14:11 PM
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BY R I C H A R D S I N G L E TO N
Easy,
Breezy Vacations Start at the Bank
If
you’re like me, it didn’t take long for your social media timeline to start bursting at the seams with summer vacation pics. Some folks are on routine romps in the great outdoors. Others have taken on international extravaganzas, bubbling with old world charm and epic adventure. According to Nikki Graham, Bank of
America’s Austin market president, regardless of your summer plans, it’s important to have a financial strategy. Let’s start with suggestions for stateside fun in the sun. If you’re flying, Graham says save up to 40 percent by heading out on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday, instead of Friday or Sunday. And once you book that money-saving flight, continue to be fiscally wise by setting up mobile banking before you leave your local stomping grounds. Graham notes that being able to manage your account from almost anywhere is important for all of us, but especially for the frequent traveler.
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In addition, if you’re going to be away for an extended time, set up automated billing. You want to let your mind be free of worry while you’re off to your dream land. And you’ll want to make sure you notify your bank and credit card companies of your travels. This way your accounts will be free of freezes while you’re soaking up rays on the beach or breathing the fresh air of your mountain getaway. Also, Graham wisely reminds us to not forget to check the expiration dates on our cards. You don’t want to hassle with logistics while you’re supposed to be enjoying time off the grid. Many of us
You want to let your mind be free of worry while you’re off to your dream land. don’t carry cash anymore, but Graham insists that a good travel plan includes good ole green for contingencies and emergencies. We all want to get to our happy place as soon as we can, but don’t forget to prepare your home here for your trip to your home-away-from-home. Turn off lights and electronics. If you leave any lights on for safety, try to use a timer or
very high efficiency bulbs to cut down on waste and expense. Once you make it to destination ahhh, you can gain a fiscal foothold by using the 1-2 rule. Graham says this simple rule can save you money and empower your enjoyment. For every one fine dining experience, make sure that two other meals are economical. You can even save additional dollars by searching for hotels with amenities like complimentary breakfasts. Okay, now let’s go big. Graham has some even more specific suggestions for those of you who are travelling internationally. She notes that you can save about 5 percent on airfare by staying away from the more expensive Friday through Sunday flights. And as you prepare for your adventures in lands afar, be sure that you speak the international language of exchange rates. She argues that the best deals can often come by using your bank to order the currency ahead of time. Some banks let you do this through online banking as well. Interestingly, according to Graham, you may also get a better exchange rate using your credit card. Don’t assume that. Plan ahead. Your bank can help you decide what will be best for your context.
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And, speaking of cards, Graham says you need to be careful of using international ATMs. Fees, fees and more fees could be more surprising than a French Riviera sunset or a New Zealand mountain range. If you do happen to need an ATM, however, you’ll need to get your PIN into shape before you leave. Graham alerts us to the need to not use zero as the first digit and to remember that some international ATMs only allow four numbers. Graham wisely reminds us that we should have a plan for excess foreign currency. One smart way to use up excess currency is to pay in cash for room balances. Or, if your international getaway has left you feeling compellingly generous, you can be the amazing friend who shares your excess cash with others traveling later in the year. And with that, we end our suggestions for fiscal responsibility. Now, let’s run towards the fun! A very special thanks to Graham and her very accommodating staff for sharing these tips with AFM this month. You can find more of their insights at bettermoneyhabits.com. af Richard Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the executive director at STARRY in Round Rock.
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CONVENIENT BRANCH LOCATIONS across Travis, Hays & Bastrop counties
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201 Readers’ Po
Winn
Education
Favorites
Charter School............................ N.Y.O.S. Charter School
Place to have Birthday Parties......Master Gohring Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Childcare ................................... Stepping Stone Schools Montessori......................................Northwest Montessori Private School.................... Hill Country Christian School Public School................................... Rutledge Elementary Special Needs School......... Williams Community School Tutoring ........................................Austin Learning Center
Bounce House .................................................... Catch Air Bowling............................................................. Main Event Drop-in Child Care....................................... KidSpa Austin Indoor Play.................................................... Mt. Playmore Kids Consignment Store...................................... Kid 2 Kid Kids Entertainer......................................... Joe McDermott Kids Store........................................................... Terra Toys Kids Photographer................Jordan-Ashley Photography Pediatric Dental.............................................. Little Smiles Pediatrican Office............................ Treehouse Pediatrics Emergency Care for Kids............. Dell Children’s Hospital Sitting Service............................. Windsor House Nannies Family Museum................. Bob Bullock History Museum Zoo....................................................................Austin Zoo
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17 oll Favorite
ners Place to Learn
Camps
Acting................................................................. kidsActing
Day Camp ..................................... Fantastic Magic Camp
Art........................................................ Austin Creative Art
Education Camp ................................... Summer Wonders
Baseball.................................................................... WAYA
Fine Arts Camp ..................................................... Tex-Arts
Basketball.............................................................i9 Sports
Overall Fun .........................................Camp Doublecreek
Cheerleading ...................................Champions Westlake
Overnight Camp...............................................Champions
Creative Writing........................ Badgerdog Writing Camp
Robotics ............................................................... Thinkery
Dance .................................................... Dance Discovery
Special Needs Camp ................................ Spark Learning
Equestrian ......................................................Switch Willo
Sports Camp................................... YMCA Sports Camps
Fitness...................................................... YMCA CHASCO
Music Camp ......... Armstrong Community Music School
Gymnastics.........................................Capital Gymnastics
Nature Camp ......................... Austin Nature and Science
Martial Arts.............Master Gohring Kung Fu and Tai Chi Math and Science.......................................... Mad Science Music (Instruments)......................... Musicians Woodshed Music (Vocal) ............................... Eastside Music School STEM..................................................................... Girlstart Swimming .........................................................Nitro Swim Volleyball..................................... Austin Junior Volleyball
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Awesome Austin Authors:
Your Family’s Local Summer Reading List
BY S H E R I DA M O C K
Austin is lucky to claim a wealth of local authors who inform, inspire, transport and transcend. So when picking your summer reads, why not peruse the pages from a local pen? Here are a few to get you started…
For Young Readers
Kat Kronenberg
Lori S. Kline
Donna Janell Bowman
Dream Big, for ages 4 to 6
Almost a Minyan, for ages 5 and up
Step Right Up, for ages 7 to 12
Ever wonder how that first caterpillar sprouted wings and took to the skies? Or how the first tadpole hopped out of the water and croaked out a song? This book takes readers back to the beginning to discover how these creatures achieved their dreams.
This multi-generational story tackles the question of how to preserve sacred traditions while navigating modern life. It’s told through the voice of a young Jewish girl and focuses on the minyan—a prayer service that requires 10 Jewish adults.
Find inspiration in this true story about William “Doc” Key and his horse, Jim. Key raised Jim from birth and taught him to answer questions and spell words. The pair found fame in the Tennesee Centennial Exposition in 1897 and later promoted animal welfare.
About the author: Kronenberg’s journey as a writer began 10 years ago at a symphony, when the idea to write a book about living our best lives “hit me over the head like a 2 x 4.” She says, “Dream Big has a lot of layers that hopefully answer some of life’s hard questions.” Kronenberg arrived in Austin as a student at UT. She and her husband have four children.
About the author: Kline has been writing since childhood. “It’s possible that there was a pencil clenched in my fist in utero,” she says. When she moved to Austin from her native Pittsburgh in 1984, the Jewish population here was much smaller, and the local congregation couldn’t count on having enough adults to assemble a minyan for prayers and readings.
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About the author: A Central Texas native, Bowman began her writing career about 15 years ago, but she credits her experience growing up on a ranch for the conditions that let her imagination flourish. “Magic happens in quiet times,” she says. “I tell kids that the secret to creativity is to turn off screens and allow their minds to play.” Bowman and her husband have two sons.
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For Tweens
Christina Soontornvat The Changelings, for ages 9 to 12 Follow along as Izzy finds adventure in her sleepy little hometown where her younger sister vanishes, lured into the woods by a mysterious song. Izzy finds she must rely on the help of a ragtag group of strangers to help her in her search. About the author: Soontornvat started writing children’s books about 10 years ago. Before that, she says she thought writing was a gift you were born with or not. Now she says she knows that writing “takes hard work, perseverance and practice.” A trip to Ireland inspired her to write The Changelings. An Austin resident for 15 years, Soontornvat and her husband have two daughters.
MORE LOCAL AUTHORS TO TRY
Bethany Hegedus Be the Change For grades 2-6
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Lindsey Lane Evidence of Things Not Seen, for ages 12 and up High school junior and particle physics fan Tommy disappears, and the story’s characters are left to figure out why. Told through the eyes of those who knew him and those looking for him, this book explores themes of connection, loneliness and faith. About the author: Lane always knew she wanted to write. “I love writing for kids because I like telling the truth about life,” she says. “Real people and real life are endlessly fascinating to me.” She began writing plays, worked as a journalist and then started writing for children. Lane arrived in Austin in 1980. “I was in love with a boy from Texas,” she says. “We ran away together.
Liz Garton Scanlon The Great Good Summer For grades 3-6
Katherine Catmull The Radiant Road, for ages 12 and up This young adult fantasy tells the story of Clare, a teen who, after years of living in America, returns to the house where she was born in Ireland. The house holds memories and mysteries—including a tree that might be a portal to another world. About the author: Catmull has been writing since 1999. For this book, inspiration came from the convergence of an interest in the environmental art of Andy Goldsworthy, her familial connections to Ireland and playing with fairy houses with her niece. Catmull visited Austin during summers beginning in the 70s and became a permanent Austin resident in 1981.
K. A. Holt Red Moon Rising For grades 4-6
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For Adults
For Teens
Rene S. Perez
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Dr. Rachel Kowert
Seeing Off the Johns, for ages 14 and up
Feral Pride, for ages 14 and up
A Parent’s Guide to Video Games
This young adult novel explores a small Texas town’s loss of two high school baseball stars and the impact it has on those left grieving. Amid the mourning, one young man attempts to woo the girl he’s admired from a distance.
This final book in the Feral series blends suspense, romance and action in a story about characters who transform into animal hybrids and lead a plot to take over the world. The story explores themes of acceptance, freedom and self-esteem.
This non-fiction tome discusses how video gaming affects kids. It offers a comprehensive guide to the science behind concerns of exposure to violence, antisocial behavior and the symptoms of ADHD. Parents will welcome the frank and thorough approach.
About the author: Perez began writing in middle school. At first, it was all on paper because his family didn’t own a computer. “When I got my first bit of scholarship money for college, the first thing I bought was a computer,” he says. A Corpus Christi native, Perez has lived in Austin since 2002. “I like the kinds of people Austin draws from Texas and all over the world,” he says.
About the author: Smith began writing in 2nd grade. She moved to Austin and began writing for children in 1995. She set the Feral series in Central Texas, with scenes on South Congress, at the Austin Zoo, in Westlake and at a fictional resort west of town. Smith likes the Austin literary community. “We are among the brightest of the story makers,” she says.
P. J. Hoover Tut: My Epic Battle to Save the World For grades 3-7
Julie Manning My Heart For adults
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About the author: Kowert has been a life-long creative writer, but published her first scientific work in 2012. She says she wrote this book to inform parents beyond the “narrow glimpse” of typical video game coverage. Born and raised in the Austin area, Kowert spent some of her college years at UT. She and her husband have a daughter and a baby on the way.
Dr. Mark Shannan The Original Design for Health For adults July 2017
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Free Museums:
A Best-Kept Secret These little museum gems offer free admission, fun for the kids and—yes!—cool air conditioning to beat the heat. Austin History Center
801 Guadalupe St., Austin library.austintexas.gov/ahc Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. closed Monday Exhibits: Play Ball! Austin and the Great American Pastime; Finding Refuge in Austin, 1848 to 1980
Austin Nature and Science Center
2389 Stratford Dr., Austin austintexas.gov/ansc Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Exhibits: Hands-on nature exhibits
Brush Square Museums:
Susanna Dickinson, O. Henry and Austin Fire 5th St. and Neches St., Austin brushsquaremuseums.org Open Wednesday through Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday Exhibits: Period furnishings, Once A-Pun a Time, firefighting equipment and memorabilia
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Capitol Visitors Center 112 E. 11th St., Austin tspb.texas.gov Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Exhibits: Merci, Texas: A Story of Generosity and Gratitude
Discovery Hall at the Meadows Center
201 San Marcos Springs Dr., San Marcos meadowscenter.txstate.edu Open Monday through Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibits: Live animals and interactive exhibits
George Washington Carver Museum
1165 Angelina St., Austin austintexas.gov/elisabetney Open Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday Exhibits: Juneteenth, Austin African-American families, artists’ gallery, children’s exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors
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Harry Ransom Center
21st St. and Guadalupe St., Austin hrc.utexas.edu Open Monday through Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Exhibits: The Gutenberg Bible; The First Photograph; Stories to Tell
Williamson Museum
716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown williamsonmuseum.org Open Wednesday through Friday noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday Exhibits: Courthouse tours on Friday and Saturday; Uphill Both Ways: Schools of Williamson County
Sheffield Education Center
2201 Barton Springs Rd., Austin austintexas.gov/splash Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; closed Monday Exhibits: Interactive Watershed Model; Our Desired Future
Texas Military Forces Museum
2200 W. 35th St., Austin texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday Exhibits: Artillery Park and Parade Ground; Great Hall; WWII Pacific Theater; Texas Navy; 19th Century Gallery; 36th Infantry Division Gallery
and more
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Bob Bullock History Museum
Gaylord Texan Resort
Café Monet Paint Your Own Pottery and Mosaic
Jellystone Parks Camp Resort
1800 Congress Ave. www.thestoryoftexas.com 512-936-8746
4477 S. Lamar and 470 W. Guadalupe www.cafemonet.org 512-892-3200 and 512-906-2200
Grapevine, TX www.gaylordtexancon/summerfest 817-778-1000
12915 FM 306, Canyon Lake www.jellystonehillcountry.com 830-256-0088
Round Rock Express
3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock www.rrexpress.com 512-255-BALL
Schlitterbahn
New Braunfels, Galveston, Corpus Christi, South Padre Island, Kansas City www.schlitterbahn.com 830-625-2351
“Bonding Mothers & Daughters Through Horses”
Catch Air
13450 N. Hwy 183 www.catchairparty.com/location/austin/ 512-697-8800
Chaparral Ice Skating Center 2525 W. Anderson Ln. www.chaparralice.com 512-252-8500
Mt. Playmore
13609 N. IH 35 www.mtplaymore.com 512-989-8886
Playland Skate Center 8822 McCann Dr. www. Playlandskatecenter.com 512-452-1901
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Sugar & Spice Ranch Family Retreat Bandera www.texashorsecamps.com 830-460-8487
Typhoon Texas
18500 TX-130 North Service Rd, Pflugerville www. typhoontexas.com/austin 512-782-2592
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July Museum Exhibits pg 34
•
2017 calendar Compiled by BETTY KEMPER
Family Events pg 34
•
Parenting Events pg 42
•
Story Time pg 43
++ Denotes event occurs on multiple dates
Independence Day Events Tuesday, July 4 July 4th Parade
4th of July Celebration
Independence Day Celebration
8:30 a.m. Lakeway Dr., Lakeway. FREE. lakeway-tx.gov.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. San Gabriel Park, Georgetown. FREE. georgetownsertoma.org.
6 to 10 p.m. Plum Creek Golf Course, Kyle. FREE. cityofkyle.com.
4th of July Celebration
Old Time Patriotic Parade and Program
Summerfest
9:15 a.m. Main Plaza, Downtown New Braunfels. FREE. sophienburg.com.
Noon to 8 p.m. Swim Center, Lakeway. $3. lakeway-tx.gov.
6 to 10 p.m. San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. summerfestsmtx.com.
Parade
Fireworks and Symphony
Hill Country Independence Day
9:30 a.m. Dawn Dr., Lago Vista. FREE. lagovistajuly4.org.
4 to 10 p.m. Vic Mathias Shores, Austin. FREE. austintexas.gov.
4th of July Parade
4th of July Celebration
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. FREE. hillcountrygalleria.com.
10 a.m. Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5500.
4 to 10:30 p.m. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5500.
July 4th Spectacular
10 a.m. Downtown Round Rock, 221 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov.
Liberty Fest
7 to 9 p.m. Lago Vista Golf Course, Lago Vista. FREE. lagovistajuly4.org.
Fredericksburg Parade
Pfirecracker Pfestival
10 a.m. Main St., Fredericksburg. FREE. fbgtx.org or 830-997-7521.
5 to 10:30 p.m. The Pfield, Pecan St., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov.
Sertoma Parade
5 to 10 p.m. Leander City Park, Leander. FREE. leandertx.gov or 512 528 9909.
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Landa Park, New Braunfels. FREE. nbtexas.org.
Celebrate Independence Day
Fredericksburg Fireworks 9:30 p.m. Lady Bird Municipal Park, Fredericksburg. FREE. fbgtx.org or 830-997-7521.
Submit Your Event
Visit austinfamily.com and click “Submit your event.” The deadline is the 5th of the month preceding the month of the event. If your event charges more than $15, send details to kaye2003@austinfamily.com for approval.
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Museum Exhibits PURCHASED LIVES: THE AMERICAN SLAVE TRADE Through July 9. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. STORIES TO TELL: SELECTIONS FROM THE HARRY RANSOM CENTER Through July 16. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st St. hrc.utexas.edu or 512-471-8944.
PLAY BALL! AUSTIN AND THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME Through Aug. 13. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7480.
MERCI, TEXAS: A STORY OF GENEROSITY AND GRATITUDE Through Dec. 31. Texas Capitol Visitors Center, 1100 Congress Ave. tspb.state.tx.us or 512-463-4630.
DEEP IN THE VAULTS OF TEXAS Through Sept. 6. LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St. lbjlibrary.org or 512-721-0200.
PONG TO POKÉMON: THE EVOLUTION OF ELECTRONIC GAMING July 29 through March 18, 2018. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
FINDING REFUGE IN AUSTIN Through Sep. 10. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7480.
Family Events SATURDAY 1 WOODLAND FAERIE TRAIL ++ 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. zilkergarden.org or 512-477-8672.
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN/MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE Through July 23. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas. com or 512-936-8746.
ON THE AIR: 50 YEARS OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING Through Nov. 12. LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St. lbjlibrary.org or 512-721-0200.
ROUND ROCK MARKET DAYS 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Plaza, 301 W. Bagdad, Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-924-2327. MADRONE CANYON HIKE 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045.
A noteable musical selection
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2438 West Anderson Lane by 512-467-7463 kidoshoe.com
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4TH OF JULY AT THE WILLIAMSON 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Williamson Museum, 8 Chisolm Tr., Round Rock. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. FIRST SATURDAY AT THE CARVER 12 p.m. Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. FREE. austintexas.gov. GIANT CHESS ++ 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. giantchess.org. IRON GIANT FILM 1 p.m. Paramount, 713 Congress Ave., $10 adults, $6 kids. austintheatre.org or 512-472-5470 COURTHOUSE TOURS ++ 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. FREE FILM: THE BLACK CAULDRON 2 to 3:30 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
SUNDAY 2
MONDAY 3
FREE SKATE LESSONS ++ 11 to 11:45 a.m. Playland Skate Center, 8822 McCann Dr., Austin. playlandskatecenter.com or 512-452-1901.
SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE ++ 10 a.m. Cinemark, 2132 N. Mays, Round Rock. $1 per show or $5 for 10. cinemark.com.
FREE FIRST SUNDAYS Noon to 5 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. MUSEUM TOUR 1 to 4 p.m. Heritage House Museum, 901 Old Austin-Hutto Rd., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6377. GAME ON! BOARD GAMES ++ 1 to 5:30 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. BLUEGRASS JAM! 2 to 4 p.m. Leander Library, 1011 S. Bagdad, Leander. FREE. leandertx.gov or 512-259-5259. CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1.
STAR PARTY 9 to 11 p.m. Westcave Preserve, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd., Round Mountain. $5 child.
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FUN ART ++ 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. MONDAY MOVIES: STORKS 12:30 to 4 p.m. Taylor Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor. FREE. ci.taylor.tx.us or 512-352-3434. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1.
TUESDAY 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY ROUND ROCK EXPRESS VS MEMPHIS REDBIRDS ++ 7 p.m. Dell Diamond United Heritage Center, 3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock. roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1.
WEDNESDAY 5 SPROUTS ++ 10 to 11 a.m. Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. FREE with
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admission. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. MAD SCIENCE 10:30 to 11 a.m. Taylor Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor. FREE. ci.taylor.tx.us or 512-352-3434. COMMUNITY NIGHT ++ 5 to 8 p.m. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. By donation. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6218. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Round Rock Express see Tuesday 4.
THURSDAY 6 SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE ++ 10 a.m. Cinemark, 2132 N. Mays, Round Rock. $1 per show or $5 for ten. cinemark.com. SENSE-SATIONAL THURSDAYS: FAMILY STORIES 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. LIVING HISTORY DAYS 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE for those pre-registered. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
FIRST THURSDAY AUSTIN 5 to 8 p.m. Downtown Austin, Cesar Chavez and Second Sts. FREE. firstthursdayaustin.com.
THE RAGBAG SHOES ++ 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. $12. pollyannatheatre.org or 512-743-7966.
THURSDAY FAMILY NIGHT 6 to 7 p.m. Taylor Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor. FREE. ci.taylor.tx.us or 512-352-3434.
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Main and Pine Sts., Bastrop. FREE. domorebastrop.com.
SUMMER IN THE PARK: BETO Y LOS FAIRLANES 7:30 p.m. Plaza Park, 204 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com. UNPLUGGED AT THE GROVE ++ 8 p.m. Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. kgsr.com or 512-474-9991. MOVIES IN THE PARK: ALADDIN 9 p.m. Patterson Park, 4200 Brookview Rd. FREE. austinparks.org or 512-477-1566. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Round Rock Express see Tuesday 4.
FRIDAY 7 MOVIES AT THE LAKE: CAPTAIN AMERICA-CIVIL WAR After sunset. Lake Kyle Park, 700 Lehman Rd., Kyle. FREE. cityofkyle.com.
MUSIC ON THE SQUARE 6 to 8 p.m. Downtown Georgetown. FREE. visit.georgetown.org. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS VS COLORADO SPRINGS SKY SOX ++ 7 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock. roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255. THE WIZARD OF OZ ++ 8:15 p.m. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. zilker.org or 512-477-8672. STAR PARTY ++ 9 p.m. Texas Museum of Science and Technology, 1220 Toro Grande Dr., Cedar Park. FREE. txmost.org or 512-961-5333. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 5.
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SATURDAY 8 GAULT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE TOURS 9 a.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. $10. GUIDED HIKES AT BRIGHT LEAF 9 to 11 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, 2222 and Creek Mountain Rd. brightleaf.org or 512-459-7269. MARKET DAYS ON THE SQUARE 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Georgetown. FREE. thegeorgetownsquare.com.
SECOND SATURDAYS 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. FREE with registration. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512-458-8191. THE RAGBAG SHOES ++ 2 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. $12. pollyannatheatre.org or 512-743-7966. SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON FILM 2 p.m. Paramount, 713 Congress Ave., $10 adults, $6 kids. austintheatre.org or 512-472-5470
HANDS ON HISTORY 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670.
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS VS COLORADO SPRINGS SKY SOX ++ 6 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock. roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255.
POKEMON CLUB 11 a.m. Kyle Library, 550 Scott St., Kyle. FREE. cityofkyle.com.
AFA BASTILLE DAY PARTY 6:30 to 10 p.m. Triangle Commons Park, W. 46th & Triangle Ave. FREE. afaustin.org or 512-451-1704.
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Sunday 2; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; The Ragbag Shoes see Saturday 8; Round Rock Express see Saturday 8.
MONDAY 10
MOVIES IN THE PARK: SKY HIGH 6:30 p.m. Bob Bryant Park, 600 Charles Blvd., Bastrop. FREE. cityofbastrop.org. CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7.
SUNDAY 9 FAMILY DAYS Noon to 4 p.m. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. FREE. umlaufsculpture.org. CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Concerts in the Park see Sunday 2; Free Skate Lessons see Sunday 2; Game On! Board Games see
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MONDAY MOVIES: TROLLS (RATED PG) 2:30 p.m. Taylor Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor. FREE. ci.taylor.tx.us or 512-352-3434. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Summer Movie Clubhouse see Monday 3; Fun Art see Monday 3; The Ragbag Shoes see Friday 7.
WEDNESDAY 12 CHILDREN’S DAY ART PARK ++ 9:15 to 11 a.m. Symphony Square, 1101 Red River St. 50 cents per child. austinsymphony.org TOO MANY STORIES ++ 10:30 a.m. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $6. scottishritetheater.org or 512-472-5436.
TUESDAY 11 MAKE IT TUESDAYS: WHAT’S THE SCOOP? 10 a.m. to noon. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. RHYTHM ON STAGE 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. thelongcenter.org. MOVIES IN YOUR PARK: STORKS Sunset. Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1.
BLUES ON THE GREEN 6 p.m. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. kgsr.com or 512-832-4000. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 5; Community Night see Wednesday 5.
THURSDAY 13 SENSE-SATIONAL THURSDAYS: WHAT’S THAT SMELL? 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
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SIP, SHOP AND STROLL 5 to 8 p.m. Downtown Elgin. FREE. elgintx.com or 512-229-3213. A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE 7:30 p.m. TexARTS, 2300 Lohman Spur, Lakeway, starting $40 tex-arts.org. SUMMER IN THE PARK: WALT WILKINS AND THE MYSTIQUEROS 7:30 p.m. Plaza Park, 204 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com. MOVIES IN THE PARK: THE MIGHTY DUCKS 9 p.m. Dick Nichols District Park, 8011 Beckett Rd. FREE. bit.ly/2kTTmh6. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 6; Summer Movie Clubhouse see Thursday 6; The Ragbag Shoes see Friday 7; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7.
FRIDAY 14 BASTILLE DAY MUSIC IN THE PARK ++ 7:30 p.m. Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Rd., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6101. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Sprouts see
Wednesday 5; Music on the Square see Friday 7; Star Party see Friday 7; The Ragbag Shoes see Friday 7; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
SATURDAY 15
roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Fun Art see Monday 3; Summer Movie Clubhouse see Monday 3.
CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; The Ragbag Shoes see Saturday 8; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
TUESDAY 18
SUNDAY 16
MOVIES IN YOUR PARK: WALL-E Sunset. Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Round Rock Express see Monday 17.
WIZARD OF OZ FILM 1 p.m. Paramount, 713 Congress Ave., $10 adults, $6 kids. austintheatre.org or 512-472-5470 CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Concerts in the Park see Sunday 2; Free Skate Lessons see Sunday 2; Game On! Board Games see Sunday 2; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
MONDAY 17 ROUND ROCK EXPRESS VS NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS ++ 7 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock.
Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
MAKE IT TUESDAYS: ON THE MAP 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
WEDNESDAY 19 SOUND & CINEMA: GALAXY QUEST 6 to 10 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. thelongcenter.org. CONCERTS IN THE PARK: KAYLEE RUTLAND 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sculpture Garden, 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov.
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CONTINUING: Community Night see Wednesday 5; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 5; Children’s Day Art Park see Wednesday 12; Too Many Stories see Wednesday 12; Round Rock Express see Monday 17.
CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Summer Movie Clubhouse see Thursday 6; Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 6; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; Round Rock Express see Monday 17; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
THURSDAY 20
FRIDAY 21
SENSE-SATIONAL THURSDAYS: MUSEUM TAKEOVER 10 a.m. to noon. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
FAMILY MOVIE: THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016) 1:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov.
THIRD THURSDAYS AT THE BLANTON 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Blanton Museum, 200 E. MLK Blvd. FREE. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-5482.
PETER PAN 7 p.m. Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. $7. austintx.gov or 512-974-4926. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 5; Music on the Square see Friday 7; Star Party see Friday 7; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 6 to 8 p.m. Elgin Library, 404 N. Main St., Elgin. FREE. elgintx.com or 512-281-5678. SUMMER IN THE PARK: TERRI HENDRIX BAND 7:30 p.m. Plaza Park, 204 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com.
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SATURDAY 22 PETER PAN 1 p.m. Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. $7. austintx.gov or 512-974-4926. FREE FILM: MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO 2 to 3:30 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
SUNDAY 23
CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Free Skate Lessons see Sunday 2; Game On! Board Games see Sunday 2; Concerts in the Park see Sunday 2; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
MONDAY 24
CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Summer Movie Clubhouse see Monday 3; Fun Art see Monday 3.
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TUESDAY 25
THURSDAY 27
FRIDAY 28
MAKE IT TUESDAYS: MAKEY MAKEY 10 a.m. to noon. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
SENSE-SATIONAL THURSDAYS: STORYTIME 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.
13: THE MUSICAL 7 p.m. Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. $7. austintx.gov or 512-974-4926. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 5; Music on the Square see Friday 7; Star Party see Friday 7; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; Music in the Park see Friday 14; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
TRAILER FOOD TUESDAYS 5 to 9 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. trailerfoodtuesdays.com. MOVIES IN YOUR PARK: FINDING DORY Sunset. Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1.
CULTURE NIGHTS 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AGE Cafeteria, 3710 Cedar St. FREE. austinpowwow.net.
SATURDAY 29 WHAT’S A SOLAR ECLIPSE? 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov.
WEDNESDAY 26 SOUND & CINEMA: SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD 6 to 10 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. thelongcenter.org. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Community Night see Wednesday 5; Sprouts see Wednesday 5; Children’s Day Art Park see Wednesday 12; Too Many Stories see Wednesday 12.
SUMMER IN THE PARK: TEJAS BROTHERS 7:30 p.m. Plaza Park, 204 N. CM Allen Pkwy., San Marcos. FREE. toursanmarcos.com. CONTINUING: Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Summer Movie Clubhouse see Thursday 6; Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 6; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
BABE FILM 1 p.m. Paramount, 713 Congress Ave., $10 adults, $6 kids. austintheatre.org or 512-472-5470 13: THE MUSICAL 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. $7. austintx.gov or 512-974-4926.
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ROUND ROCK EXPRESS VS EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS ++ 7 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock. roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255. CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
SUNDAY 30 ROUND ROCK EXPRESS VS EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS 6 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock. roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255. CONTAINER GARDENING SUCCESS 10 a.m. to noon. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. Free with admission. zilkergarden.org or 512-477-8672. CONTINUING: Courthouse Tours see Saturday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Saturday 1; Concerts in the Park see Sunday 2; Free Skate Lessons see Sunday 2; Game On! Board Games see Sunday 2; The Wizard of Oz see Friday 7; A Closer Walk see Thursday 13.
MONDAY 31
CONTINUING: Summer Movie Clubhouse see Monday 3; Round Rock Express see Saturday 29.
Parenting Events
La Leche League of Central Texas hosts nine regular meetings in addition to play dates and gatherings in Austin, Round Rock, Killeen/Temple, Bryan-College Station and Waco. All breastfeeding mothers, babies and mothers-to-be are welcome to attend. Texaslll.org.
Any Baby Can offers free parenting classes in English and Spanish on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Postpartum support group meets on Thursdays. 6207 Sheridan Ave. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743.
YMCA offers a free Childhood Obesity Intervention Program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month. Various locations. austinymca.org or 512-236-9622.
Bridges to Growth offers early childhood parenting classes throughout the month. 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008.
SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT GROUP 2 to 4 p.m. Elgin Library, 404 N. Main St., Elgin. FREE. elgintx.com or 737-247-8142.
The City of Austin offers free car seat checks and Safe Baby Academy classes throughout the year at a variety of locations in the Central Texas area. Appointments and reservations are required. For dates and locations, email emspubed@austintexas.gov or call 512-972-SAFE (7233).
FRIDAY 14
MONDAY 24 BIG MEGA WORKOUT 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. thelongcenter.org.
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Story Times Austin area libraries offer story times for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and families with children of all ages. In addition, there are story times in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, American Sign Language and other languages. Contact your local library for more information about times and appropriate ages. AUSTIN LIBRARY Branches throughout Austin library.austintexas.gov 512-974-7400
Support your child’s development with
CEDAR PARK LIBRARY 550 Discovery Blvd. cedarparktx.us | 512-401-5600
Signup to attend a free demo class
GEORGETOWN LIBRARY 402 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org | 512-930-3551
Mention this ad at the demo and receive a free music CD.
KYLE LIBRARY 550 Scott St. cityofkyle.com | 512-268-7411 LAKE TRAVIS LIBRARY 1938 Lohman’s Crossing laketravislibrary.org | 512-263-2885
Music and movement classes for children from birth through grade two and the adults who love them.
Mixed-age (birth–5) Babies (8 months & younger) Rhythm Kids (4–9 yrs.) Generations (offered at assisted living facilities)
2700 WEST ANDERSON LN., STE. 320, AUSTIN, TX 78757 CELEBRATING 12 YEARS IN AUSTIN
sign up today
512-371-9506 // HeartsongMusic.net
LAURA’S LIBRARY 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com | 512-381-1400 LEANDER LIBRARY 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leandertx.gov/library | 512-259-5259 PFLUGERVILLE LIBRARY 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.com | 512-990-6275 ROUND ROCK LIBRARY 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov | 512-218-7001 SAN MARCOS LIBRARY 625 E. Hopkins St. ci.san-marcos.tx.us | 512-393-8200 TAYLOR LIBRARY 801 Vance St. ci.taylor.tx.us | 512-352-3434 WELLS BRANCH LIBRARY 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org | 512-989-3188 WESTBANK LIBRARY 1309 Westbank Dr. westbanklibrary.com | 512-327-3045
View the Austin-Area Story Time Calendar at austinfamily.com! Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
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Beat the heat Come create at Cafe Monet!
PIENSA POSITIVO by Leslie Montoya, life coach and host of Despierta Austin
ART STUDIOS
triangle studio - 4700 W Guadalupe - 512.906.2200 westgate studio - 4477 S Lamar Blvd - 512.892.3200
www.cafemonet.org
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Significado del Enojo en la Relación de Pareja En mi experiencia, me he dado cuenta que en las relaciones en donde más se le dificulta al ser humano manejar sus emociones es precisamente en la relación de pareja. Y el enojo, aunque pudiera parecer una emoción negativa, simplemente es una manera de expresar que la persona está dolida. Cuando entendí esta parte, se me hizo mucho más fácil entender a mi esposo y por consiguiente, entender a otras parejas con problemas. Detrás de este comportamiento intenso y salvaje se cubre el dolor de la persona que ama pero que fue herida sentimentalmente. La próxima vez que tu pareja se enoje contigo pregúntate, “¿cómo fue que lo herí?” ¡Piensa Positivo!
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PIENSA POSITIVO by Leslie Montoya, life coach and host of Despierta Austin
The Meaning of Anger in a Relationship In my experience, I’ve realized that it’s more difficult for a human being to manage his or her emotions in a couple’s relationship. And anger, even though it may seem like a negative emotion, is simply a way of expressing that a person is hurt. When I understood this, it became much easier for me to understand my husband and therefore to understand other couples with problems. Behind this intense and wild behavior masks the pain of the person you love but who was hurt emotionally. The next time your partner gets mad at you, ask yourself, “How did I hurt him or her?” Think Positive!
Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
July 2017
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Z
KID ONE Summer
Night Bowling
Summer is finally here and we’re ready to celebrate! Although we’re looking forward days full of fun in the sun, a few night-time activities are sure to keep your kiddos engaged in the cooler evening temperatures. Round ‘em up for a game of glow-in-the-dark bowling and enjoy a few frames when the sun goes down. What You Need • 6 tall, empty bottles (SmartWater bottles work well) • 8 or more glow sticks • Hamster ball (optional) or regular ball, softball sized
What You Do 1. Fill the bottles with water. These will be your bowling pins. 2. Place one or two activated glow sticks in each bottle and put the lids back on. 3. If using a hamster ball for the bowling ball, fill the ball with a few glow sticks and secure the lid closed with tape. If using a regular ball, skip this step. 4. Time to play! Original activity and images courtesy of GrowingAJeweledRose.com. The YMCA of Austin is a dynamic association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. To learn more about the Y, visit austinymca.org.
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Dr. Kimberly Albert, ADC Steiner Ranch
Dr. Kimberly Albert received her medical degree from University of California in San Francisco and completed her pediatric residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is board certified in pediatrics. Dr. Albert joined ADC in 1998 and has been recognized as by Best Doctors, Inc since 2005. See ad on page 48 Dr. Rachel Montgomery, Lonestar Pediatric Dental Dr. Montgomery graduated from Baylor University in Waco, and followed up by attending the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. Her residency was completed at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, with a specialty in pediatrics. Rachel can most likely be found spending time with her husband Marty and their precious boys. See ad on page 19 Dr. Marty Montgomery, Lonestar Pediatric Dental Dr. Marty Montgomery comes from a family where all the children were drawn to dental careers early in life. A graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Marty attended Tufts Dental School in Boston. He completed his residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, specializing in pediatrics. See ad on page 19 Dr. Theresa Willis, ADC Steiner Ranch Dr. Willis is a graduate of the University of Texas, received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed her residency at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Willis’ professional interests include developmental pediatrics, fitness and healthy weight in children and teens. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. See ad on page 48 Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
July 2017
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BY CA R R I E TAY LO R
Potty Training: Not an Outdoor Pursuit
Even though I read several books (“read” may be aggressive—I at least skimmed the inside cover of each) as well as dozens of blog posts on potty training, nothing could have prepared me for the real thing. There were several times I felt like calling it quits and selling my child to the zoo. Like when he looked me in the eye and peed all over his indoor trampoline. Or when he dumped the contents of his training toilet into the baby’s bathtub. Or when he dropped a big ole’ deuce in the backyard. Yes. That
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happened. And it may or may not have cost me a friendship. My friend and I were enjoying our lunch when my spidey-mom senses began to tingle. It was quiet—too quiet. I scanned the backyard, and the toddler was nowhere to be found. It had now been more than five hours since he had used the restroom (or “eliminated” in crunchy mom speak). I opened the door and power walked to the corner of the backyard I couldn’t see from the kitchen door, and there he was—bare cheeks and all—standing with a cheesy grin plastered on his face.
“What are you doing?” I asked. “I pooped!” He proudly declared, loud enough for the neighbors and my childless soon-to-be former friend to hear. Then he marched over to a fresh pile of poo and pointed. It was then that I knew my friend would never look at me and my parenting abilities the same way again. As I brought the toddler inside after rinsing him off with the water hose, I could see something in her eye—either fear or horror, probably both. But it’s okay, because when she has kids and they poop in the backyard, she will have a friend (and drinking buddy) in me. af Carrie Taylor is a freelance writer and mother of two.
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