Afm 2018 march magazine by Austin Family Magazine

FREE

MARCH 2018

smar t parenting • healthy homes

stin’s Families Since 1992

LET’S DANCE 8 Ways to Introduce

Your Child to the Arts

AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE Tips for Attending Live Performances

TIME OUTS THAT WORK Can You Pull Them Off? Plus:

Meet SaulPaul This Austin Musician Hit It Big with a Children’s Album

INSIDE!

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE | CALENDAR | ANNUAL READERS’ POLL

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

March 2018

contents 10

Please Take Your Seat

smart parenting • healthy homes

Exploring Dance

“Rise” with SaulPaul

columns

Calendar

en español

16 / Lifelines. Is your child’s

40 / March Events. Museum

46 / Piensa Positivo. Pago

worry an anxiety disorder?

exhibits, family events, parenting events and story times

injusto

18 / The Learning Curve. March is Music in Our Schools month

In every Issue

37 / Family Matters. Time outs

5 / Play It Safe. Recalls

can be effective with the right technique

on consumer products

6 / Around Austin. News and 38 / Family Connections. How

notes

fIlm revIew By Jack Kyser

to purge your old tech

47 / KidZone. Naturally-dyed 48 / Just for Grins. Reasons

Read Asuntos Familiares online at: austinfamily.com/asuntos-familiares

Easter eggs

why parents are always late

“A Wrinkle in Time” Read online at: www.austinfamily.com/films

extras 20 / Summer Camp Guide 46 / Focus on Doctors

48 / Annual Readers’ Poll

tune in: Catch Austin Family live on “Good Day Austin” every Friday morning and “Despierta Austin” the ﬁrst Tuesday morning of each month.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Mariah, a 2018 Cover Kids Contest winner, is decked out and ready to dance courtesy of Dragonsnaps and KidOShoe. Photo by Jordan Ashley Photography.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

education … sort of saved my life,” says Daveed Diggs, of Hamilton fame. “As a kid, you don’t have a ton of spaces … where what you think is honored and what you say is revered.”

“Arts

I love the arts. I’m compelled to sing its praises because I saw ﬁrsthand what arts education did for my kids. It gave them an outlet for personal expression, insight into the human condition and a way to connect to the larger world. I was a reluctant arts mom. Not because I didn’t love music, theater or dance — treat me to a live performance any day of the week. No, I just didn’t think we could ﬁt it into our family’s heavy schedule of Girl Scouts, karate, soccer and hockey. But we made it work; dance, theater and music lessons all found their way

March 2018 Volume 25, No.12 PUBLISHER Kaye K. Lowak

edItor’s note S H E R I DA MO C K Mock is an award-winning writer and the mother of two daughters.

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

onto our calendar. And in hindsight, I can say it was absolutely worth it. We’re not all cut out to be professional artists. But the arts have a way of lifting us up and bringing us together.

Sherida Mock, Dr. Betty Richardson, Jack Kyser, Richard Singleton, Carrie Taylor, Brenda Schoolﬁeld, Margaret Nicklas, Denise Yearian and Diane Maller.

TRANSLATION Maribel Ruvalcaba

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Have a delightful spring break and a happy March!

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 2018. All rights reserved No portion of Austin Family may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Play it product recalls

sa fe

Government Recalls Mobiles, High Chairs and Rattles VTech is recalling about 37,000 travel mobiles because the clamp attaching the mobile to the crib rail can break, causing the mobile to fall, posing an injury hazard. The recall involves Lights & Lullabies travel mobiles. Model numbers are 80-503000 and 80-503050. Affected units were sold at Kmart, Walmart and online at Amazon.com and Zulily.com between February 2017 and November 2017 for about $25. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mobiles and contact VTech for a full refund or replacement. Skip Hop is recalling about 7,900 convertible high chairs because the front legs on the high chair can detach from the seat, posing fall and injury hazards. The recall involves the gray Tuo convertible high chair with beechwood legs, which can be converted into a toddler chair. Affected units were sold at Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Kohls, Dillards and other specialty chldrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Skiphop.com between December 2016 and September 2017 for about $160. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and contact Skip Hop for a free replacement. VTech is recalling about 280,000 elephant rattles because the ears on the elephant can break off, posing a choking hazard. The recall involves the VTech Shake and Sing Elephant rattle with model number 80-184800. Affected units were sold at Walmart, Kmart, Meijer, Mills Fleet Farm, Seventh Avenue and online at Amazon.com and Zulily.com between November 2015 and November 2017 for about $8. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rattles and contact VTech for a full refund or replacement. 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.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

G O TO W W W. AU ST I N FA M I LY.COM 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 WS

Must-Do This

March 4 ABC Kite Festival at Zilker Park

10-24 Rodeo Austin at the Travis County Expo Center

17 Celebrate Texas independence at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site. Photo courtesy of Washington on the Brazos State Park Association.

St. Patrick’s Day Austin at Pioneer Farms

Happy Birthday, Texas The birthplace of Texas is celebrating in style this year on March 3 and 4 at the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site. Presented by H-E-B, the Texas Independence Day Celebration is a living history event, free and open to the public. Among the many activities, visitors can enjoy two stages of live music, a Texian Village of arts and crafts, a Kids History Zone and a historical play about the signing of the Texas declaration of independence. Historical reenactors will set up a realistic 1836 Texas Army camp on the park grounds, where visitors can see how soldiers and their families lived, and witness musket and cannon ﬁrings. Admission to the grounds, on-site shuttles and parking are all free. For more information, visit wheretexasbecametexas.org.

School Choice

Students at the Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy will have districtwide transportation beginning in fall 2018. Photo courtesy of Austin ISD.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Austin ISD recently announced a plan to make school choice more of an option for middle school boys. Starting with the 2018-19 school year, Austin ISD will offer districtwide transportation to the Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy. The school serves young men in 6th through 8th grade in an all-boys environment. The school’s programming includes health science, computer science and robotics, preparing students for the Career Launch programs at LBJ and Reagan early college high schools. The early college high school programs allow students to graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. For more information, visit austinisd.org. View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Kite Weather A cherished Austin tradition returns to Zilker Park on March 4. The ABC Kite Fest lets you witness thousands of kites soaring along the city skyline while enjoying local eats and drinks, a kite showcase and contest, a children’s concert and the festival’s ﬁrst-ever fun run. “The ABC Kite Fest is one of our city’s greatest traditions and historically marks the beginning of the spring season in Austin,” says Bobby Jenkins, CEO and owner of ABC Home & Commercial Services. The event is free fun for the whole family. Highlights include the Anteater Fun Run at 9:30 a.m., the MossFest children’s concert from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Exchange Club Kite Showcase and Contest from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., plus the Kids Club all-day activity center. VIP tickets are available and provide parking and catered food options. For more information, visit abckitefestival.org.

Kick off spring with the ABC Kite Fest on March 4. Photo by Wonder Twin.

Better Writers NoRedInk, a national website that aims to build better writers, recently analyzed the writing of over three million students in grades 5 through 12. Their results ranked students by state, and Texas came in at 42nd place. North Dakota students topped the leaderboard with an error rate of 32.7 percent, while Texas students had an error rate of 41.3 percent. NoRedInk says the top three errors in usage are knowing when to use lay vs. lie, discreet vs. discrete and anyway vs. anyways. The top three errors in writing and critical thinking are eliminating wordiness, making paragraphs ﬂow and recognizing strong topic sentences. Texas students did show a strong ability for using hyphens. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

The Frank Erwin Center celebrates 40 years of live entertainment. Photo by Roy Mata.

Poster Contest The Frank Erwin Center is holding a poster design contest to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Because the celebration will culminate with a performance on June 3 by George Strait, the winning design will serve as the “STRAIT TEXAS” commemorative poster. The design will also be incorporated into STRAIT TEXAS VIP package merchandise. First, second and third place winners will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively. The ﬁrst place winner will also receive recognition on the Erwin Center’s digital platforms. The contest deadline is Friday, April 6. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 27. See full contest guidelines at uterwincenter.com.

Safe and Healthy Relationships The SAFE Alliance’s Expect Respect program, which educates youth in over 40 local schools about building healthy and safe relationships, recently launched its “Consent Isn’t Cheesy” campaign to engage young people in conversations about consent. With the campaign, Expect Respect hopes to increase awareness about the importance of respecting physical boundaries. The SAFE Alliance has also expanded its conﬁdential SAFEline services. Now in addition to talking over the phone or chatting through a web browser, anyone seeking help can text with an advocate in English or Spanish. The SAFEline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit safeaustin.org.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Runners from Gorzycki Middle School pose after ﬁnishing the race in 2016. Photo courtesy of Statesman Cap10K.

12,000

Students each year at the Butler Center for Dance and Fitness Source: Ballet Austin

95%

Go the Distance The 41st race of the Statesman Capitol 10,000 happens April 8. Presented by Baylor Scott & White Health, the race will benefit Austin Parks Foundation, with one dollar of each registrant’s fee going to develop and improve parks in and around Austin, in addition to a large donation by the Statesman. Leo Manzano will serve as race ambassador. Manzano, who grew up in Granite Shoals, Texas, was a five-time NCAA champion and nine-time AllAmerican at UT Austin. He won a silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the London Olympic Games in 2012. “What an honor to be back as the race beneficiary,” says Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation. “In 2017, we received more than $40,000 from the Cap10K. Such financial support will ensure our growing city has safe, beautiful and high-quality green spaces today and for generations to come.”

Material recycled when Austin turned Palmer Auditorium into The Long Center Source: The Long Center for the Performing Arts

1991

Year Austin declared itself the “Live Music Capital of the World” Source: City of Austin

For the ﬁrst time in race history, medals will be given to all runners who cross the Cap10K ﬁnish line. To register, visit cap10k.com.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Steps for Taking Your Child to His First Live Performance BY D E N I S E Y E A R I A N

Taking children to live theater, music and dance performances can ignite their imaginations, arouse their curiosity and spark their interest in the performing arts. Today there is an abundance of entertainment options for youngsters, from toddlers through teens. To foster your child’s love for the performing arts, follow these 10 steps:

Set the Stage There’s no set age to begin taking children to live performances. What’s important is to begin with ageappropriate programming that caters to your child’s interest and attention span, and build from there. Start with

March 2018 austinfamily.com

shows based on familiar stories or characters at local or regional children’s theaters and other family venues. High school productions are a good option too. As your child gets acclimated to attending, take in performances with more detailed plots. Also consider attending Broadway or offBroadway classics, such as Beauty and the Beast, as a special treat.

Determine Details Call the box ofﬁce and ask for details regarding the performance. Is it familyoriented? Age-appropriate? Are there frightening scenes? Is there spectacle: View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

noises can distract the artists, but clapping at the right time is always appreciated.

colorful costumes and sets, slapstick comedy and/or special effects? These will keep your child engaged, as will shows that involve audience participation.

Seek Out Special Events While you’re on the phone with the box ofﬁce, ask about special activities associated with the program that can enhance the experience. For example, some family concerts offer instrument petting zoos, where musicians offer an up-close look at instruments and demonstrate how to play them. Children may even be encouraged to test some of them out. Other venues may offer backstage passes so families can see the sets and lighting, meet the characters and learn interesting tidbits of information. Shows sometimes offer Q and A sessions after certain performances. Kids may even be able to get autographs from the cast.

Lowdown on Logistics Find out about program length and whether there is a break for intermission. Then consider if your child can stay focused that long. Also ask about the theater’s policies about bringing drinks and snacks into the auditorium and leaving during the performance. If your child has special sensory needs, seek out shows that offer sensory-friendly performances. Among other accommodations, these shows may offer pre-show booklets, alter lighting and sound during the performance, keep house lights up during the show, and give cues in advance of certain characters appearing on stage.

opt for seats near the aisle for a quick exit. Consider bringing a booster seat so your child gets a good view. Primer on Preparations If the show parallels a book or movie, read or watch it together. If there’s familiar music, let your child experience that beforehand. Explain the plot and discuss the characters. Even though the live performance will be a bit different, your child will know what to expect.

Explain Theatre Etiquette Before you go, discuss your expectations regarding your child’s behavior at the event. Tell him he will have to walk, rather than run, to and from his seat and use an indoor voice. Depending on the performance, he may need to hold questions until intermission or whisper if he has something important to say. Live performances are not television; the artists can see and hear what is happening in the audience. Loud

Select the Right Seats Choose seating that will keep your child’s attention directed on the stage. Sitting front and center or in the balcony may be best. If you think you may have to slip out during the performance, Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Day-of Details Make sure your child is well-fed and rested before leaving home. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Find your seats, then take your child to the restroom. Bring along a small bag of quiet items she can play with while you wait for the performance to begin. Consider bringing a blanket or jacket for added comfort, in case the theater feels chilly.

Share Impressions After the show, take your child out for a special treat as you share thoughts and impressions about the performance. What was his favorite part or character? Was there a character he didn’t like? Why? Did he see a transformation in any of the characters? What did he think of the sets, costumes and special effects? Can he retell the story to you? If there were songs, can he sing any for you? Does he remember the instruments or concepts taught during musical performances?

Extend the Experience At home, have your child draw a picture of her favorite scene or character. If you did not rent the parallel movie or read the book, do so now. Was the storyline presented differently in this format? If she enjoys pretend play, have her act out her favorite part.

Denise Morrison Yearian, the former editor of two parenting magazines, has three children and four grandchildren.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Dance with Me!

Playful Ways to Explore with Your Child

BY D I A N E M A L L E R

Children are born to move. The process of achieving mobility drives them at first. Movement is further used to express thoughts and feelings, especially before words become plentiful. Primed to be in motion throughout their day, toddlers and preschoolers are at a great stage for discovering dance. But despite the natural fit, creative dance has yet to find a consistent foothold in early childhood education programs. The National Dance Education Organization says, “…while our educational systems for early childhood include drawing and singing, they often neglect to include dance.” Society at large, teachers and parents are generally less familiar with dance than with other art forms. To fill the gap, why not create a dance venue in your own home? It’s the natural place to start. Whether you have a background in dance or not, guiding your young child’s motion is

March 2018 austinfamily.com

easier than you think. You don’t even have to call it “dance.” Both parent and child can learn by exploring some basic dance and movement principles. Lead by example and ﬂex your own creative muscle while moving beyond your comfort zone. Children aren’t the only ones designed to keep moving. Start with rhyming games. Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man … As you share timeless nursery rhymes, notice how each one has a rhythm, often with prescribed movements, that engage your young child’s attention and imagination. Little did you know that rhyming songs build memory capacity and help form a foundation for future literacy. Most importantly, rhyming is fun, with giggles and tickles galore. Follow the leader. Lead your child through the kitchen, around the sofa and through the hallway. Walk, tip-toe, slither and slide your way through the

house. Sing a little song or click and clack two spoons together to create sound effects you make up to go with the traveling steps. Copycat. Copy facial expressions ﬁrst and expand from there. The possibilities are endless, especially since young children learn primarily by imitation. As parents explore their own expressive capabilities, young children receive implicit permission to give full expressions of their own. Get a rhythm. Provide rhythms for your child to copy. Soon you’ll be the one trying to keep up with your child’s convoluted manifesto. Then, bring it back down to simpler, countable rhythms. Rhythm sticks are inexpensive and may be available at your local toy store. Music books can refresh and inform your own sense of rhythm. Make shapes. Move to recorded music or beat a rhythm until it’s time to “freeze” and make a shape. Notice

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

something about the shapes after the fact. Strong, soft, tall, wide, curved, sharp angles are all qualities that help deﬁne shapes. Your child may have a deﬁnite idea of “Who am I” when he stops to make a shape. Move like an animal. How does a cat move? What about a cougar? Your kids are playing like this already. Now is your chance to join in the fun.

neuroscience David A. Sousa explains, “During the brain’s early years, neural connections are being made at a rapid rate. Much of what young children do as play — singing, drawing, dancing — are natural forms of art. These activities engage all the senses and wire the brain for successful learning.” Employ dance as an active force in your home. Some of the best dances

happen in the kitchen! Music has the power to bring family members together, and dancing has a way of making all the chores that much lighter. Pass out the dish towels, put on your apron, turn up the music and give us your best moves. Diane Turner Maller holds an MS in Dance. She continues to find joy in social dancing with family and friends.

Mirror, mirror. Is your child at a developmental stage where she can follow your movement as if following a mirror image? This takes concentration. You’re creating an opportunity for your child to develop observational skills and expand peripheral vision at the same time. Tell a story. Dances can tell stories. Without words, how would you dance the tale of Little Red Riding Hood? Your child can dance while you tell or read the story. As your child grows, your dances together will evolve. Movement and dance opportunities could become part of your child’s educational experience. A search in your community will likely reveal a variety of dance disciplines and performance opportunities to choose from. Some children may actively pursue dance study as an expressive vehicle and as an art form.

Creative Dance Books: Dance, Turn, Hop, Learn! and One, Two, What Can I Do? by Connie Bergstein Dow First Steps in Teaching Creative Dance to Children by Mary Joyce Movement Stories for Young Children by Helen Landalf Dance for Young Children: Finding the Magic in Movement by Sue Stinson All children can beneﬁt from an early foundation in dance as a basis for preparing both body and mind for learning. In How the Arts Develop the Young Brain, consultant in educational Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

This Austin Musician Helps Kids to “Rise” BY S H E R I DA M O C K

SaulPaul is a musician with a message. Not only does this Austin rapper write songs with uplifting lyrics, but he spends a good part of the year visiting schools and talking to students about big subjects: what’s important in life, how to set goals and the importance of following your dreams. He knows something about goals and dreams. He has two TED talks under his belt. In 2017, he was named Austinite of the Year by Austin 40 under 40. He’s featured in the song “Mo’ Math Mo’ Money,” which encourages students to enroll in higher-level math courses. And at this writing, his song “Rise” has appeared on the Sirius XM charts for nine weeks straight. “It’s great that I’m at this place in my career where I can speak with authority,” he says. “That carries more weight, especially with young people.” SaulPaul spoke with us recently about his music and his latest album, “We Dream in 3D.”

AFM: What was your experience growing up? SaulPaul: My mom passed away when I was 3 years old, and my father was already gone, so I never met him. My grandmother raised me. She was awesome. But she was 65 years old, raising a 3-year-old. I didn’t appreciate it. She was old, I was young. She was slow, I was fast. She was soft-hearted, I was hardheaded. I grew up poor, but I just knew we weren’t wealthy. Anything I needed, I always had. I might not get everything I wanted, but anything I needed, she would make it happen. She

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

hop, great songs, great beats, great content minus all the junk. I’m big on opportunity. So, I featured Alexia Finney [in the song “Rise”] and half a dozen other young people on the album, because I’d been telling young people, “Dream in 3D. Make your dreams reality. You don’t have to wait.” And here was a chance for me to prove it.

AFM: What do kids tell you that your music means to them? SaulPaul: I perform for always looked out for other people. She would just serve people, love people, give and never judge. I never doubted that she loved me, and I didn’t doubt that I could do anything that would make her love me less. That gave me a sense of security. These things are key. That’s why I’m passionate about young people, because my grandmother provided that for me. And I realize that even if someone has a mom and a dad, or whatever their circumstance is, they may not have that.

AFM: How did you get into music? SaulPaul: My grandmother passed away when I was 17. I came to UT and I started making bad choices, because I was kind of skating by on talent. Education just came natural, but I wasn’t applying myself. I made a lot of bad choices and got sent to prison. And I had a conversation with myself. “So, self, how’s this working out? We’ve got to do something different.” Because my choices led me here. And that empowered me, when you take responsibility for your choices. You can’t change what you don’t own.

And bad choices equate to bad results. Better choices bring better results. So I got out of prison and back into UT, against all odds. And I graduated with a 4.0. I went from four felonies to a 4.0. I stumbled across my talent. I always had a guitar in the house, but I just listened to music. I consumed it. I would say, “I’m a professional listener.” Then some years ago, I started to freestyle. Something clicked, and it was like, “Oh, I think this is what I’m born to do.” I noticed whenever I would do music, there was just a certain response to it. Everybody would stop, look and listen. I already had the passion for it, then I started to realize it was actually valuable. I thought I could use this as my platform to change the world.

AFM: What was your vision for the album “We Dream in 3D?” SaulPaul: I've been a children's entertainer and youth speaker for over a decade. I've served nearly a million youth in the last 10 years but I never explicitly produced a children's album. So, I created an album that was for youth, that featured youth. I wanted kids to have an album they could call their own, an album full of great hip

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

elementary school students, middle school students and high school students. When I share my story, so many can relate to it. From having parents that are incarcerated, parents that are deceased, challenges. So many kids have cried, happy and sad tears when they get to share, to create that safe space and to normalize it. The simple answer is that kids say it means the world to them. It’s cool that it creates that space - as music should - it gives a voice to how they feel.

AFM: What do you want people to remember about you? SaulPaul: That I loved and served people. Someone was telling me what the song “Rise” means to them, that’s it’s so positive. But that’s the thing about hip-hop: if you do it right, it’s a reﬂection of the individual. There’s a lyric, “Put your hands in the sky, wave ‘em side to side, we ain’t going nowhere, we’re just waving ‘bye ‘bye to all of the haters.” That’s what it’s about: not engaging in the hate, not hating back. Just moving beyond that. I want people to know that you can rise above. Play the game different. You can still win. And you don’t have to perpetuate the same, especially if the same is something you think isn’t ideal. March 2018 austinfamily.com

LIfeLIneS B R E N DA S C H O O L F I E L D Schoolﬁeld is a freelance medical writer who splits her time between Austin and Seattle.

Is Your Child’s Worry an Anxiety Disorder?

“My

son can’t seem to stop worrying,“ an Austin mother lamented recently. “He worries about things even when there’s no reason.” Excessive worrying that lasts for at least six months can be a symptom of anxiety. Fifteen to 20 percent of children and adolescents have this common mental health condition. Many children who have anxiety also have other concerns, such as depression or attention deﬁcit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fewer than one out of three people who have anxiety disorders are getting treatment, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Many children aren’t getting the help they need because parents don’t know what to look for. Symptoms of Anxiety It’s normal to worry or be nervous about certain situations — the ﬁrst day at a new school, a math test, a piano recital or a big game. Feeling a little anxious can motivate your child to

March 2018 austinfamily.com

prepare and do her best. The problem is the degree of anxiety. If the anxiety is intense, lasts for a long time or gets in the way of normal activities, she needs help. Some symptoms of general anxiety are listed in the sidebar. Physical symptoms can occur as well. The child may complain of a headache, stomach ache or muscle aches. She may feel tired for no reason. Some children have trouble swallowing, feel out of breath or feel light-headed. Other symptoms are sweating, nausea and trembling. Types of Anxiety Anxiety disorder is an umbrella term that includes several mental health conditions, such as general anxiety disorder, panic attacks, separation anxiety and speciﬁc phobias. Others not discussed here are social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms for each disorder are different.

General Anxiety Disorder. Sometimes people who have general anxiety are described as “worry warts.” They worry excessively, often without cause. They dwell on negative thoughts. They can be very emotional, bursting into tears at the slightest provocation. Children with general anxiety can be irritable and have tantrums. Panic Attacks. These are brief episodes of terror. The child may have a pounding heart and feel dizzy or faint. Some people describe a sense of choking, being smothered or that “the world is closing in.” Some people have a panic attack only once. People who have panic attacks more often can begin to avoid certain situations. In severe cases, panic attacks restrict normal life, such as going to the store or driving a car. Separation Anxiety. This is a fear of leaving the safety of parents or home. Parents may have a hard time getting their child to go to daycare or school. The child may be “clingy” or afraid to

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Symptoms of General Anxiety A child who has anxiety may have some of these common symptoms: • Worry, worry, and more worry—they worry even if there is no reason to worry; they seem to worry all the time; they can’t control their worrying • Hard time concentrating • Can’t relax • Easily startled • Very emotional • Negative thoughts • Irritability • Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

stay in a room by herself. She may have nightmares and be afraid of the dark. Phobias. A phobia is an unreasonable fear of something. Speciﬁc phobias usually start in childhood (on average at age 7). One mother reports that her son refused to enter any outdoor bathroom because he had seen a spider once in a park bathroom. What to Do Educate yourself. The more you understand about anxiety disorders, the better prepared you will be to help

your child. See anxietybc.com for information, resources and tools you can use right away. Talk with your child. It’s important to talk about what your child is feeling and thinking. Give her your full attention. Don’t discount or ignore her symptoms. Develop a My Anxiety Plan (MAP) at anxietybc.com. Take your child to the doctor. Some symptoms of anxiety also can be symptoms of other illnesses. For example, feeling tired can be a symptom of anemia. If the cause of your child’s distress is an anxiety disorder, ask the doctor for a referral to a mental health provider who specializes in anxiety in children. Develop a treatment plan. Work with your child’s providers. If he’s having trouble at school, involve his teacher or guidance counselor. Anxiety disorders can be treated successfully with medicine and cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is “talk therapy” and has been shown to be very effective. Seek out strategies. Learn about other approved strategies for anxiety, such as meditations designed speciﬁcally for children. The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has a handout “Helping Your Child Cope with Anxiety.” It includes simple strategies for routines and social support, plus tools and a book list. Find it at tinyurl.com/y9u5tlpx.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Photo courtesy of Eanes ISD or San Marcos CISD.

the learnIng curve MARGARET NICKLAS Nicklas is an Austin-based freelance journalist, writer and mom.

March Puts the Spotlight on Music Education ustin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” From polka to punk and mariachi to metal, you’ll ﬁnd it here and in our surrounding communities. But even with all that musical talent around, many kids wouldn’t experience music education if it weren’t for schools, which teach music in a variety of forms. March is designated as “Music In Our Schools Month” by the National Association for Music Education — a great time to reﬂect on how music education can enrich the lives of students and communities.

Challenging the Brain For Robert Duke, Ph.D., who is the head of Music and Human Learning at the Butler School of Music at UT Austin, learning to make music is a profoundly rewarding human experience that challenges and engages us in a way that few other activities do. “There are really no known activities that engage

March 2018 austinfamily.com

as much of the brain as music does,” he says. Moreover, making music takes us on a path that is “wonderful and invigorating and reinforcing in all kinds of ways,” he adds, and greatly enhances our quality of life. Duke believes that public schools are an important part of making sure all children have opportunities to take such a path, since many won’t have these opportunities at home. He should know, having encountered his ﬁrst musical instrument in a second grade music classroom, where he fell in love with playing a ﬂutophone. Today, Duke is a distinguished professor, researcher and writer who has devoted his life to studying, appreciating, teaching and playing music.

Local Recognition The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) foundation recognizes school districts that offer high-quality music education

programs nationwide. In 2017, San Marcos Consolidated ISD and Eanes ISD both received these “Best Communities for Music Education” designations. I talked to representatives from each to get a ﬂavor of what makes their programs special. Christopher Hanson, a trained violinist and composer, wears several hats within the San Marcos CISD, including Orchestra Director for San Marcos High School. Hanson helped create the orchestral program while studying graduate level music theory, history and composition at Texas State University. Although the district had a high school band, a choir and other music education programs in place before the native Houstonite became involved roughly six years ago, there had been no string program (such as an orchestra) since 1957, he says. Over the past ﬁve years, Hanson and many others have worked to expand

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

the district’s music programs, bringing increased student participation and even occasional monetary rewards. Today the district offers musical theater, salsa band, mariachi, classical guitar, music theory and music appreciation classes across multiple grade levels. Hanson attributes the growth of the district’s music programs and its recent NAMM recognition to the district’s teacher talent, expanded and diversiﬁed offerings, greater connection with community partners like the City of San Marcos, and enhanced public awareness of the availability and beneﬁts of the music programs the district offers.

“It’s more about the process and the relationships that we are building, both between the students and the teachers and the community but also with the music,” says Taylor. “The kids would not continue if it were just about that trophy at the end. They put in too much work and effort for it to have just that payoff,” he adds.

Getting Involved For ideas about how to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, visit tinyurl.com/y96koe4q. And wherever your child attends school, if he or she is not already involved in musicmaking activities, March is a great time to explore possibilities. You never know where the path may lead.

“There are really no known activities that engage as much of the brain as music does.” — Robert Duke, Ph.D.

Kerry Taylor wears several hats as well, being the Director of Bands for Westlake High School and Fine Arts Director of Eanes ISD. In his 30th year of teaching with the district, Taylor has ushered the music programs through a lot of history. He credits the breadth of the programs offered within the district, as well as the stability and high quality of its music teachers with creating a setting in which students are motivated and excel. The district has a marching band, four concert bands, a jazz band and a chamber music program, as well as classes in guitar and AP music theory. It offers an orchestra with strings for middle and high school students and various vocal programs as well. Although Eanes ISD music students have performed well in state and regional competitions over the years, such recognition is not a primary motivation for students or teachers, Taylor says. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

YMCA of Greater Williamson County

YMCA of Austin

SPONSORED BY:

austinymca.org

ymcagwc.org

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

DAY CAMPS

SPRING BREAK CAMPS

DAY CAMPS Page 20

American Robotics

Learn to design, build and test remotecontrolled miniature robots. We use simple, motorized machines — all made from LEGO bricks — to demonstrate mechanical movements and other effects. Austin metro area 512-844-2722 www.roboticsacademy.com Ages 6 - 17 Asian American Resource Center Summer Camps

Cultural adventures await youth and teens this summer at the AARC! Join us for coding and animation, creative mindfulness, and Asian adoptee camps. Register now! 8401 Cameron Rd., Austin 512-974-1700 www.austintexas.gov/aarc Ages 5 - 16 Austin Artery, The

We balance our attention between mindfulness, technical skill and processbased art. Nurture your creative heart with us this summer! Austin South, 10801 Old San Antonio Rd. Austin Central, 4001 Speedway Austin North, 4001 Adelphi Ln. 512-968-4315 www.theaustinartery.com Ages 5 - 11

OVERNIGHT CAMPS Page 32

award-winning (you never know) short ﬁlms. 301 E. 8th St., Austin 512-478-4795 www.austinﬁlmfestival.com/yfp Ages 9 - 18 Austin Girls Choir

Austin Girls Choir camps include instruction on vocal skills, note reading, basic harmony and fun songs, with simple choreography. Austin 512-453-0884 www.girlschoir.com Ages 8 - 16 Austin Nature and Science Center

Programs for children in an environmentally education-based curriculum. From nature studying, hiking and crafts to caving and stone tool making in older classes. 2389 Stratford Dr., Austin 512-974-3880 www.austintexas.gov/ansc Ages 4 - 13 Austin Zoo

Our summer program philosophy is designed to get your child excited about nature and science, using Austin Zoo as an outdoor living classroom. 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin 512-288-1490 www.austinzoo.org Ages 5 - 13

Austin Film Festival

Badgerdog Creative Writing Camp

Rocking workshops that teach, inspire and help kids and young adults create their own fabulous, funny, thoughtprovoking, heart-breaking,

Creative writing instruction led by professional writers for all skill levels in a fun but challenging environment. All campers become published authors.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS Page 36

Several locations in Austin 512-542-0076 www.austinlibrary.org Grades 3rd - 12th Band Aid School of Music Campers learn riffs, licks and solos from the famous musicians. 2309 Thornton Rd., Austin 512-730-0592 www.bandaidschoolofmusic.com Ages 4 - 18 Camp Avalanche at Chaparral Ice Center

Our campers ﬁll their days swimming, going to the park, going on ﬁeld trips, doing arts and crafts and — of course, ice skating! 2525 W. Anderson Ln. #400, Austin 512-252-8500 x160 www.chaparralice.com Ages 5 - 14 Camp Bow Wow

We’ve got it all for your dog. Camper cams, training, one-on-one snuggles and play time available. Austin North, 512-670-2275 Austin Southwest, 512-264-9663 Georgetown/Hutto, 512-423-2196 Cedar Park, 512-670-2275 www.campbowwow.com/austin Camp de Champs at Chaparral Ice Center

Offering 11 weeks of ﬁgure and hockey skating instruction. Campers get two lessons daily, public skate time, off-ice training, arts and crafts and a Thursday recital. 255 W. Anderson Ln. #400, Austin 512-252-8500 x160

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

www.chaparralice.com Ages 5 - 14 Camp Doublecreek

Since 1971, Doublecreek is an activity-based day camp in Round Rock with free transportation from 12 locations for campers. 800 Doublecreek Dr., Round Rock 512-255-3661 www.campdoublecreek.com Ages 4 - 14 Camp Fun Brain

Camp Fun Brain is a week-long, joyful literacy experience designed to promote a life-long love of reading by connecting readers with fantastic books. South, Central, North 512-619-0935 www.campfunbrain.com Ages 5 - 10 Central Texas Writing Camp

Your camper will meet other young writers and be inspired to explore new writing styles. Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos 512-245-3680 www.tinyurl.com/y89j4bem Ages 6 - 18

Club Z

Club Z enhances social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth through a variety of planned activities, games and projects. Cedar Park, Round Rock, Austin 512-219-0700 www.zsclubhouse.com Ages 4 - 12 Coding with Kids/ Bits, Bytes & Bots

Game development from Scratch to Minecraft modding, our STEMfocused camps are a fun, creative way to develop real 21st century skills. Imagine. Code. Play! Multiple locations www.codingwithkids.com Ages 5 - 16 Country Home Learning Center

Join us for an incredible summer camp experience, featuring child approved special events, exciting weekly ďŹ eld trips and kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice special interest clubs. 6900 Escarpment Blvd., Austin 512-288-8220 13120 U.S. Hwy. 183 N., Austin 512-331-1441 www.countryhomelearningcenter.com

Ages 5 - 13

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Creative Brick Builders

Creative playtime, with lots of new and vintage LEGO parts, sets and mini ﬁgures. 12 Chisolm Tr., Round Rock 512-388-9003 www.creativebrickbuilders.com Ages 5 - 13 Dance Discovery Various themed camps include story time ballet, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics, musical theatre and drama-set design. Each camp week ends with a great show! Central Austin, 512-419-7611 Avery Ranch, 512-658-2996 www.dancediscovery.com www.averyranchdance.com Ages 3 - 14 Digital Media Academy

A STEM summer camp designed for kids and teens to get their start as designers, developers, engineers, animators, musicians and ﬁlmmakers. UT Austin, University Catholic Center 866-656-3342 www.tinyurl.com/yc5vr6u8 Ages 6 - 17

Extend-a-Care for Kids Summer Day Camp

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Weekly sessions consisting of sports, ﬁeld trips, swimming, cooking, games and puzzles, reading, arts and crafts and more. Weekly themes are based on children’s literature. Locations in AISD, DVISD and HCISD 512-472-9402 www.eackids.org Ages 3 - 12 Fantastic Magic Camp

Kids discover their unique inner magic through learning magic tricks. Campers are surrounded by people both young and old who recognize and embrace that uniqueness. Spring Break Day Camp: March 12-17 (one week) Locations throughout Austin 512-988-3045 www.magiccamp.com Ages 5 - 12 Fun2Learn Code

Half-day and full-day computer programming camps, including Minecraft Mods in Java, Scratch programming, Python, video game design, web

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

development, robotics, circuits and stop motion animation. Round Rock, Austin 512-900-8380 www.fun2learncode.com Ages 7 and up Girls Empowerment Network-campGEN

Participate in fun, interactive workshops during weeklong sessions designed to help girls feel more conﬁdent as they navigate girlhood. Girls gain new skills, friendships and a sense of self. 901 Trinity St., Austin 512-808-4044 x104 www.genaustin.org Ages 3 - 8th grade Girlstart Summer Camp

The programs achieve consistent positive outcomes by combining formal and informal educational strategies with challenging and relevant STEM curriculum. 1400 W. Anderson Ln., Austin 512-916-4775 www.girlstart.org Grades 4th - 8th Golf in Schools

Come join Golf in Schools for a fun week of learning golf.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Our highly-developed curriculum makes learning golf fun for every student! 201 Lee Barton Dr., South 1314 Exposition Blvd., West 13530 US Hwy 183, North 512-767-5566 Ages 4 - 12 Gymboree

Summer fun happens at Gymboree Play and Music in Austin. Your child will enjoy lots of creativity all summer long. Get a Summer Special when you enroll. Call for details. South, North, Cedar Park 512-444-9626, 512-451-8644, 512-259-7539 www.gymboreeclasses.com Ages 0 - 5 Heartsong

Join us spring and summer for our Music Together classes for children and their caregivers. 2700 W. Anderson Ln., Austin 512-371-9506 www.heartsongmusic.net Ages up to 9 yrs. iD Tech Camp

iD Tech is the world’s #1 summer STEM program for ages 7 to 18, held at 150 prestigious universities.

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

UT Austin, Rice, St Edward's and Trinity Universities 1-888-709-8324 www.idtech.com Ages 7 - 18

512-735-8050 www.shalomaustin.org/camps Ages toddlers - 10th grade Jump! Gymnastics

Ages 5 - 12

Voted Austin Family magazine's Most Fun Camp in 2011, 2014, 2015. Theme-based gymnastics, games, activities, arts and crafts keep kids coming back. 2911 Manchaca Rd., Austin 2117 Anderson Ln., Austin 512-593-6226 www.jump-austin.com Ages 3 - 10

Iron Horse Country Motorcycle Camp

Kiddie Academy CampVentures

Come enjoy the fun at this bike camp. Motorcycle and safety gear provided. Pool. Locations throughout Austin 512-917-5733 www.ironhorsecountry.com Ages 8 - 15

The CampVentures program and curriculum feature themed events, activities and trips. From preschool to elementary school, children enjoy playing developmentally appropriate games. Pﬂugerville, 512-989-7777 Round Rock, 512-270-9988 www.kiddieacademy.com Ages 2 - 12

Idea Lab for Kids

Discover, explore, and achieve with IDEA Lab’s uniquely constructed curriculum that hits on all ﬁelds of STEM in a project-based environment. Locations throughout Austin 512-710-9654 www.austin.idealabkids.com/camps

JCamps

We promote self-conﬁdence, individuality, creativity, strong character and connection to the community. Fun, adventure, excitement ... all on our lush 40-acre campground. 7300 Hart Ln., Austin

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

KidsActing Summer Camps

These award-winning camps feature full-scale musical or play productions. Camps for

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

ages 4 - 8 are an intro to the performing arts. 16 locations in Austin metro 512-836-5437 www.kidsactingstudio.com Ages 3 - 19 Kids with Pens Creative Writing Camp

Week-long writing camps led by published professionals. Now offering creative writing, graphic novel and screenplay camps! All campers are published in a book and a blog. 1211 Maple Ave., Austin 323-807-3672 www.kidswithpens.org Ages 8 - 14 KidSpa

Voted Austin’s Best Drop-In Center in six annual reader’s polls, Kid Spa Austin provides childcare that ﬁts your schedule! Visit www.KidSpa.com for our summer schedule! Avery Ranch and Circle C, Austin 512-828-5772 - 512-301-5772 www.kidspa.com Ages 18 mos. - 12 yrs.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Kidventure

Camp Rough Hollow, Camp Sweetwater, Camp Westlake. These are communities with summer programs rooted in adventure, learning and growth. 512-263-8992 www.kidventure.com Ages 3 - 12 Leyla y la Ballena

Spanish Immersion Children join together to bring the story “Leyla y la Ballena” to life. Every week is dedicated to a theme, taught in an enthusiastic, fun-ﬁlled environment. 8707 Mountain Crest Dr., Austin 2700 W. Anderson Ln., Austin 107 Ranch Rd. 620 S., Lakeway 512-299-5731, 512-299-5732, 512-466-2409 www.austinbilingualschool.com

Ages 2 - 11 Mad Science

Mad Science camps are ﬁlled with exciting, fun, hands-on science activities. Children become junior scientists for the week and experience a variety of science adventures. Locations in Austin metro

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

512-892-1143 www.austin.madscience.org Ages 4 - 12

512-443-8851 www.moolahu.com Ages 8 - 15

Maker Tales

My Spanish Smarts

This bilingual, literacyinspired makerspace lets kids experience hands-on exploration in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). 7938 Great Northern Blvd., Austin 512-585-5456 www.tinkerteachers.com Ages 5 - 12

Spanish lessons for teens and adults of all levels. Watch our videos to learn more about our unique materials and methods. 2900 S. Congress Ave., Austin 512-784-7344 www.myspanishsmarts.com Ages teen and adult

McKinney Roughs Nature Camp

Explore the outdoors and learn about wilderness skills and native plants and animals. Older campers enjoy swimming, a challenge course and raft trips. 1884 Hwy. 71 W., Cedar Creek 512-303-5073 www.lcra.org/naturecamp Ages 5 - 15 Moolah U

Kids learn how to make and appreciate money by starting their own businesses. Locations throughout Austin

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Newkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventure Camp

Exciting and action-packed summer with high ropes, rafting, tubing, rappelling, campouts and more. New Braunfels 830-625-9105 www.newktennis.com Ages 9 - 16 Nitro Swim

Campers receive the highest quality swim lessons, noncompetitive and competitive. Cedar Park/Round Rock and Bee Cave 512-259-7999 www.nitroswim.com Ages 6 months and up

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Orpheus Academy Summer Music Camps

Creative camps for kids offering world music, introduction to piano, violin, guitar and Broadway musicals. Voted Best Place for Music Lessons 2015, 2016. 3918-C Far West Blvd., Austin 512-333-1115 www.orpheusacademy.com Ages 4 - 16 Paramount Theatre Summer Camps

Performing arts camps with sessions throughout Austin. All campers will be featured in a ﬁnal performance on stage at the historic Paramount Theatre.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Central and South Austin, Bee Caves and Far West 512-692-0526 www.austintheatre.org/camps Grades 1st - 10th Play-well TEKnologies Camp

LEGO®-Inspired Engineering Camps. Dream It. Build It. Wreck It. Repeat. Locations in Austin metro area 512-757-4371 www.play-well.org Ages K - 8 Rio Vista Farm

and crafts, plus swimming for hotter afternoons. Friday shows for parents. 13013 Fallwell Ln., Del Valle 512-247-2302 www.riovistafarm.net Ages 7 - 16 Summer Spark

Your children come alive as they engage in weekly creative problem solving challenges. Downtown and South Austin 512-593-5393 www.summerspark.com Ages 1st - 6th Grade

Austin’s originator of English riding camps. Daily lessons taught by pro trainers, lots of horse time/care, arts

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Spicewood Country Camp

Summer at St. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018

Nine shady acres in northwest Austin with animals, music, swimming, crafts, sports and horseback riding. 6102 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin 512-346-2992 www.spicewoodcountry.com Ages 3Â˝ - 10

Half-day and full-day camps including early arrival (8 to 9 a.m.) and aftercare (4 to 5 p.m.) supervision. 1112 W. 31st St., Austin 5901 Southwest Pkwy., Austin 512-299-9800 www.sasaustin.org/summer Ages 4 - 18

Stepping Stone School

Join us for our summer break camp. Limited space available. Visit our website for full details. 17 locations in Austin metro 512-459-0258 www.steppingstoneschool.com Ages 5 - 13

Sunrise Neighborhood Youth Program

Spring Break camp will run March 12 through 16, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. $120 for the week or $30 per day. 4430 Manchaca Rd., Austin 512-444-3326 www.sunriseaustin.org Grades pre-K to middle school

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Switch Willo Stables

Texas Rowing Center

Riders learn in a relaxed, supportive environment, emphasizing safety in a treeshaded ring. Campers groom, tack and bathe a pony selected just for them. 4829 Switch Willo Rd., Austin 512-920-0554 www.switchwillo.com/camp All ages and skill levels

Texas Rowing Center offers weekly summer camps on Lady Bird Lake for elementary, middle- and high-school students. Camps include rowing, kayaking, canoeing and standup paddling. 1541 W. Cesar Chavez, Austin 512-467-7799 www.texasrowingcenter.com Grades 3rd - 12th

Synergy Dance

Dance camps include ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop. Also included are tumbling, theatre, crafts and a performance on Fridays. Dance intensives for beginner to advanced. 2314 Bee Cave Rd. #C1, Austin 512-327-4130 www.synergydancestudio.com Ages 2 and up Tex-Arts Summer Camps

Summer Camps start June 4. Offering musical production camps, weekly themed, and mini camps. 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Lakeway 512-852-9079 www.tex-arts.org Ages 2 - 18

March 2018 austinfamily.com

The Baron’s Men Summer Workshop

Students will have an opportunity to experience the world of William Shakespeare and Elizabethan stagecraft tradition that the Baron’s Men is well known for. 7400 Coldwater Canyon Dr., Austin 512-417-2795 www.thebaronsmen.org Ages 9 - 16 The Thinkery

Thinkery Camps spark curiosity and inspire creativity through hands-on, playful learning experiences. STEAM, robotics and programming summer camps are available at ﬁve locations across Austin. 1830 Simond Ave., Austin

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

512-469-6224 www.thinkeryaustin.org Ages 4 - 10 Tumble Tech

Cheerleading, gymnastics, Parkour or free running, our mission is to not only grow athletes to their greatest potential, but to value parents and acknowledge their support. 1301 Toro Grande, Cedar Park 512-717-5040 www.tumble-tech.com Ages 3 - 14 Twin Lakes YMCA Summer Camp

YMCA Twin Lakes is located minutes north of Austin. We provide an environment for campers to explore, play and make lifelong friends — all in the great outdoors. 204 E. Little Elm Trl., Cedar Park 512-250-9622 option 6 Ages 5 - 14 White Fences Equestrian Center

Camps are an excellent way to teach responsibility, make new friends and learn about teamwork, all in a safe

environment! 10908 Jones Rd., Manor 512-865-8281 www.whitefencesaustin.com Ages 6 - 17

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

YMCA of Austin Summer Day Camp

Safe and enriching summer day camps. Enjoy ﬁeld trips, swimming, games and more in a character rich environment with the YMCA of Austin. 22 locations in Travis, Hays and Bastrop counties 512-236-9622 www.austinymca.org Ages 4 - 14 YMCA of Greater Williamson County

Whether it’s through swimming, arts and crafts, ﬁeld trips or sports, or through various outdoor/indoor adventure activities, Y Summer Camp allows kids to be kids and make lasting memories. Branch and school locations across Williamson County 512-246-9622 www.ymcagwc.org Ages 3 - 14

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

OVERNIGHT CAMPS Camp Champions

We believe every child has an inner champion. 775 Camp Rd., Marble Falls 830-598-2571 www.campchampions.com Ages 5 - 17 Camp Lantern Creek for Girls A unique girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sleep-away summer camp created so girls can create art, ďŹ nd their voice, try new skills, be cheered on, get dirty, push boundaries, love nature and more. 4045 N. FM 1486, Montgomery 936-597-8225 www.camplanterncreek.com Girls ages 7 - 17 Camp Stewart for Boys Low-tech, wholesome fun and growth through 70-plus activities. Ragsdale family owned, operated. Outstanding role model counselors, worldwide enrollment, home-style cooking. North Fork Guadalupe River. 612 FM 1340, Hunt 830-238-4670 www.campstewart.com Boys ages 6 - 16

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Heart o’ the Hills

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Care-free, all-girls atmosphere, Guadalupe River, AC. Family-style dining. Worldwide enrollment, personable. More than 40 activities. Ragsdale family owned and operated. 2430 Hwy 39, Hunt 830-238-4650 www.hohcamp.com Girls ages 6 - 16 IDEAL - Texas Tech University We open the eyes of thousands of students to the endless adventures in the liberal and ﬁne arts, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Texas Tech University, Lubbock 806-742-2420 www.tinyurl.com/y7baw72z Grades K - 12th Kidventure Our camp mission is simple: provide kids with the opportunities to learn important life lessons through adventure, teamwork and just pure fun! Locations vary by camp 512-263-8992 www.kidventure.com Safari: Ages 8 - 12 in Hunt, TX Echo: Ages 13 - 16 in Rocksprings, TX Apex: Ages 17 - 18 on the Pecos River

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Marine Military Academy

Sugar & Spice Ranch Camp

Work hard, play hard. Every day, your son will participate in challenging military activities and sports that build his ﬁtness, conﬁdence and drive. 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlingen, TX 956-423-6006 www.mma-tx.org/summer-camp Boys ages 11 - 18

Bonding mothers and daughters through horses. Campers “own” horses for a week and do everything together as a team. All-inclusive week-long sessions, a great way to reconnect. Bandera, TX 830-460-8487 www.texashorsecamps.com Ages 5 and up

Sherwood Forest Faire Our summer camp brings the skills and trades of the Middle Ages back to life. All activities take place in our 23-acre medieval village. Near Austin 512-222-8570 www.sherwoodforestfaire.com Ages 7 - 15

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Texas Adventure Camp Don't think of coming to this “Outback” adventure camp unless you’re looking for an action-packed, exciting week of fun and challenges. 325 Mission Valley Rd., New Braunfels

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

830-625-9105 www.newktennis.com/outback-texasadventure-camp Ages 9 - 16

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

YMCA Twin Lakes Overnight Camp YMCA Camp Twin Lakes camp is minutes north of Austin. We provide an environment for campers to explore, play and make lifelong friends â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all in the great outdoors. 204 E. Little Elm Tr., Cedar Park 512-250-9622 option 6 www.ymcagwc.org/twinlakes Ages 6 - 16

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

2018 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS Inquiring Minds

A multi-disciplinary, innovative and dynamic program for gifted students to explore diverse subjects through an integrated, hands-on approach. Austin. 512-203-4540 www.inquiringminds-austin.org Ages 5 - 12 Joshuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stage A creative outlet for exceptional individuals. Theatre, arts, dance, digital photography and ďŹ lm making.

Austin 512-825-2744 www.joshuasstage.org/ summer-camps Ages 3 - 18 Summer Wonders ACE Academy's summer camp for gifted students. We inspire enthusiasm and motivation for learning taught by a stellar faculty in a challenging, creative environment. 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin 512-206-4070 www.summerwonders.com Ages 4 - 13

! ÂŤ: ÂŤ3 ÂŤ# F

A fun, outdoor living classroom where your child will get excited about nature & science!

â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced instructors and well-trained counselors. â&#x20AC;˘ Activities include investigating science through fun experiments and science-related arts and crafts. â&#x20AC;˘ Learning about animals and environmental science through up close encounters.

www.austinzoo.org â&#x20AC;˘ (512) 288-1490

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

famIly matters BETTY RICHARDSON Richardson, PhD, RNC, LPC, LMFT, is an Austin-based psychotherapist.

My husband and I have two sons (18 months and 4 years). They are a handful. One of my friends suggested using time outs, but I’ve heard they don’t work. Is my toddler too young for time outs, and do you think they work?

A. Some people believe time outs don’t work because the technique is used as punishment, creating shame in the child. Sometimes, the time out chair has even been called the “ugly chair.” The child interprets this to mean he is bad. And some people continue talking to the child and giving warnings during the time out. These behaviors give the child attention, which may be exactly what he is wanting when he breaks rules, throws tantrums or won’t cooperate. Time out should provide a chance alone for self-calming. Time outs can start as young as 15 months old. And while some experts say that 7 years old is the limit for time outs, some schools and parents use them through the teen years. A grade school librarian shared with me that she uses time outs on occasion. A high school teacher I know uses time outs but doesn’t call them

Time Outs Can Be Effective With the Right Technique that. She sends the teen to the hall to get a drink of water and calm down. 6. Here are some suggestions to make time outs work: 1. Set rules for behavior. If your child breaks a rule, ask her, “What is our rule about throwing toys?” Then she can connect the time out with the behavior. 2. Withdraw your attention. Don’t give warnings or interact with the child during the time out. 3. A good rule of thumb is one minute of time out for each year of the child’s age. Since all kids are different, you can adjust this up or down as needed. 4. Consider using a time out chair and a timer your child can watch. There are even chairs that have built-in timers. But these are optional. Sometimes just withdrawing your attention for a short time works well. 5. If you do use a chair, don’t name it negatively. A positive name like the “calming chair” or the “chair for thinking” is better. You can also buy decals for a time out chair. One I like says, “Time out to think about the

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

things you do, but always remember: I love you.” As soon as the child composes himself, move him on to an activity. For a child who likes to play alone, time out can seem like a reward. Be sure to put the child where she can see something she wants to be involved in. This motivates the child to calm herself and think about her behavior. Be aware of your child’s developmental abilities. For example, an 18-month-old doesn’t yet understand how to share, so he shouldn’t get a time out for not sharing. If you do use time outs, you must also use “time ins.” These are positive, loving activities you do together, like reading a story, making popcorn, taking a walk or playing games. Children begin to associate good behavior with “time in” activities.

A well-done time out can work. If you’re still having trouble, a therapist can suggest changes to the time out or offer other techniques for getting a child to comply with rules and expectations. March 2018 austinfamily.com

famIly connectIons R I C H A R D S I N G L E TO N Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the president of STARRY in Round Rock.

Spring Cleaning? Get Rid of Your Old Gadgets New gadgets. They’re shiny. They’re fun. They do old things faster. They do new things better. The age of buying a device and keeping it for much more than a year or two is fading — and fading fast. No doubt you have a phone, a computer, a TV or some other gadget that is less than a year old … likely much newer. According to the folks at DoSomething.org, we in the US dump 20 to 50 million metric tons of electronic waste (e-waste) each year. That’s staggering. Yikes! Spring is here. It might be the one time of the year when that ubiquitous junk drawer — ahem, closet — full of e-waste is ﬁnally cleaned out. What are your options? ➡ Donate to a good cause. You know the old adage: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Don’t be the person who donates junk electronics to your local charity. Do

March 2018 austinfamily.com

be a person who has the resources to make gently used electronics available to others. You might be adding a huge amount of dollars to a non-proﬁt’s bottom line, freeing thousands of dollars of funding for direct services instead of expensive electronics. ➡ Repurpose. You might not be caught dead with an iPhone, laptop or workstation from several years back, but it might be the case that the old devices still have some life left in them. Use an old phone as a music hub for an old car, a dedicated remote control for your streaming device of choice or even as a camera for your budding elementary photojournalist. The sky’s the limit. ➡ Recycle. Sure, sure. What article like this would be complete without a call to recycle? The EPA notes that less than 15 percent of all e-waste is recycled. That’s scary. And here’s why. According to US

News and World Report’s Tom Risen, America has mountains of toxic e-waste being shipped overseas and even more piling up or not being recycled appropriately. There’s hazardous waste involved. Back to DoSomething. They note that a large variety of our electronics contain hazardous waste. So, 85 percent-plus of millions of tons of e-waste is piling up year after year. That’s unacceptable for our kid’s futures. We have to take action and recycle with purpose. If you’re like me, you’ve come to feel a little guilty when you don’t have a good recycling option. And electronics are such a daunting recycling concept that we have often just pushed them farther back in the closet and tried to ignore them. We should recycle out of a purposeful good and not a debilitating guilt. There’s exciting reasons why you can feel better than ever about recycling.

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Kimberly Button with Earth911.com notes these fascinating stats: ➡ Recycling circuit boards can be more valuable than mining for ore! One ton of circuit boards is estimated to contain 40 to 800 times more gold than one metric ton of ore. There is 30 to 40 times more copper in a ton of circuit boards that can be mined from one metric ton of ore.

We have a long road ahead of us. We love to grab the shiny new thing, but we seriously have to get better at learning what to do with the old stuff. Become a super sleuth. Hop online with that new gadget of yours and join me and others in ﬁnding out what our options are. You

can’t do it all by yourself, but you can take action, and your action counts. So, with that my friends, may your spring cleaning be more inspired than ever! Watch out junk drawers everywhere…we’re coming for you!

➡ For every one million cell phones that are recycled, the EPA states that 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. For those not familiar with palladium, it is a precious metal used for making electrical contacts, surgical instruments and parts for watches. ➡ If the recycling rates for gold (15 percent), silver (15 percent) and platinum (5 percent) all increased to 100 percent, the electronics sector could realize $12 billion in financial and natural capital benefits. Button concludes with this wise advice: “Many major retailers will take e-waste for recycling, regardless of whether you purchased the product from the retailer or not. Among those stores accepting drop-offs are Staples, Verizon and Best Buy. Always call ahead of time to confirm that stores will accept e-waste and what types of products they will recycle.”

A large variety of our electronics contain hazardous waste

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

March

2018 calendar

C O M P I L E D BY B E T T Y K E M P E R

Museum Exhibits Page 40

Museum Exhibits

Pong to Pokémon Through Mar. 18. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Beyond Bollywood Through Apr. 8. Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd. austintexas.gov or 512-974-1700. Vaudeville! Through Jul. 15. Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st St. hrc.utexas.edu or 512-471-8944. Celebrating Texas Food Through Sep. 30. Capitol Visitors Center, 112 E. 11th St. tspb.state.tx.us or 512-305-8400. Mystic Raven by David Deming Ongoing. Pease Park at Shoal Creek Greenbelt. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512-453-5312. Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty Ongoing. Pease Park at Custer’s Meadow. peasepark.org or 512-777-1632. Forever Bicycles by Ai Weiwei Ongoing. Waller Creek Delta. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512-453-5312.

Family Events

Thursday 1

Purim Living History Days 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with pre-registration. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Art Smart Native American Celebration 10:15 a.m. Pleasant Hill Branch Library, 211 E. William Cannon Dr. FREE. austintexas.gov or 512-974-3940. Starry Nights at GirlStart 5:30 to 7 p.m. Girlstart, 1400 W. Anderson Ln. FREE. girlstart.org or 512-916-4775.

Friday 2

Purim Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast 6 to 9 a.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. tinyurl.com/y9k92tqo. Homeschool Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. $5. pioneerfarms.org or 512-837-1215. Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 3:30 p.m. St. John Branch Library, 7500 Blessing Ave. FREE. library.austintexas.gov.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

•

Family Events Page 40

•

Parenting Events Page 44

Movie Trivia Night 7 to 9 p.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-7005.

Saturday 3

Texas Independence Day Parade 7:30 to 11 a.m. Texas Capitol Bldg., 1100 Congress Ave. FREE. American Ninja Warrior Kids ++ 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. MYLO Obstacle Fitness, 7301 Burleson Rd. $5 spectator. mylofitness.com or 12-386-7405. Madrone Canyon Hike 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Laura's Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Explore UT Day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. UT Austin Campus. FREE. exploreut.utexas.edu or 512-471-7753. Second Saturdays are For Families 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. FREE. contemporaryaustin.org or 512-458-8191. Austin Giant Chess ++ 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. giantchess.org. Saturday Family Movie: Captain Underpants (PG) 1 p.m. St. John Branch Library, 7500 Blessing Ave. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7570. Seuss on the Loose 2 to 4 p.m. Bee Cave Public Library, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave. FREE. beecavetexas.gov or 512-767-6620. Holi 2018 2 to 8 p.m. Radha Madhav Dham Temple, 400 Barsana Road. FREE. radhamadhavdham.org/events. Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 3 p.m. Austin Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Hockey for Free Day 3 p.m. Chaparral Ice Center, 2525 W. Anderson Ln., FREE. tryhockeyforfree.com.

Sunday 4

ABC Kite Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. abckitefestival.org.

MossFest 2018 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. mosspierattfoundation.org. Free First Sunday: Texas Heroes 12 to 5 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Sunday Funday: Simple Fabric Dyeing 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. FREE. nchmuseum.org or 512-478-2335. Game Overtures: Free Symphony Concert ++ 3 to 4 p.m. Anderson High School Theater, 8403 Mesa Dr. FREE. tinyurl.com/ybtheer7. Kite Festival 3:30 to 6 p.m. Shenandoah Baptist Church, 3003 Blue Ridge Dr., Cedar Park. FREE. shenandoahbaptist.360unite.com. CONTINUING: American Ninja Warrior Kids see Saturday 3.

Tuesday 6

Home School Tweens: 8 to 12 ++ 2 to 3 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Tabletop Tuesday ++ 5 p.m. Austin Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Adulting 101: Check Out a Tech Career 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-7001.

Wednesday 7

Community Night ++ 4 to 7 p.m. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. By donation. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6218. Austin Barn Dancers ++ 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Hancock Rec Center, 811 E. 4th St. FREE. austinbarndancers.org or 512-453-4225.

Thursday 8

Little Texans: Texas Sounds 10 to 11 a.m., Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave., Free with admission.thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Science Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746.

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. View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Movies in the Park 7 p.m. Ramsey Park, 4301 Rosedale. FREE. austinparks.org. Harvey ++ 8 p.m. Sam Bass Theatre, 600 N. Lee St., Round Rock. From $15. sambasstheatre.org or 512-763-7228.

Friday 9

Llano Earth Fest ++ 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Grenwelge Park, 199 E. Haynie St., Llano. $10 adults for weekend, kids FREE. llanoearthartfest.org. Spring Stampede ++ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. $6 child. Family Movie Matinee: Wonder (PG) 3:30 p.m. Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina St. FREE. austintexas.gov or 512-974-1010. Trust Me, Love ++ 6 p.m. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $8 and $12. scottishritetheater.org or 512-472-5436. CONTINUING: Harvey see Thursday 8.

Saturday 10

Gault Site Tour 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 3439 FM 2843, Florence, TX. $10. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. Kid's 1K Fun Run 9:30 a.m. Rodeo Austin, 9100 Decker Lake Rd. FREE. rodeoaustin.com. Hands on History 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave, Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670.

Corn Dog Day 12 to 3 p.m. Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos. FREE. co.hays.tx.us. Nugget & Fang 12 p.m. One World Theatre, 7701 Bee Caves Rd. $9 to $12. oneworldtheatre.org or 512-32WORLD. Guns of 1863 1 p.m. Texas Military Forces Museum, 2200 W. 35th St. FREE. texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org or 512-782-5659. Family Movie Matinee: Despicable Me 3 (PG) 2 p.m. University Hills Branch Library, 4721 Loyola Ln. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. CONTINUING: American Ninja Warrior Kids see Saturday 3; Austin Giant Chess see Saturday 3; Harvey see Thursday 8; Llano Earth Fest see Friday 9; Spring Stampede see Friday 9; Trust Me, Love see Friday 9.

Sunday 11

Daylight Savings Begins Family Day at Umlauf 12 p.m. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. FREE. umlaufsculpture.org or 512-445-5582. Trust Me, Love 2 p.m. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $8 and $12. scottishritetheater.org. CONTINUING: American Ninja Warrior Kids see Saturday 3; Llano Earth Fest see Friday 9; Spring Stampede see Friday 9; Guns of 1863 see Saturday 10.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Monday 12

LEGO Fun Day 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-7001. Spring Break at the Bullock 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Spring Break Skate ++ 12 to 9 p.m. Playland Skate Center, 8822 McCann Dr. $8. playlandskatecenter.com or 512-452-1901. LEGO Fun Day 1 to 3 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-7001. Spring Family Craft Night 6 to 7 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov. CONTINUING: Llano Earth Fest see Friday 9.

Tuesday 13

Family Movie: Coco (PG) 2:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-3275. LEGO Fun Day 2:30 to 4 p.m. Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov. Family Movie: Jumanji (PG-13) 4 p.m. Cepeda Branch Library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7372.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

CONTINUING: Home School Tweens see Tuesday 6; Spring Break at the Bullock see Monday 12; Spring Break Skate see Monday 12; Tabletop Tuesday see Tuesday 6.

Wednesday 14

Pet Pfest 2 to 4 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov. Family Movie: Coco (PG) 2:30 p.m. Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov. CONTINUING: Community Night see Wednesday 7; Spring Break at the Bullock see Monday 12; Spring Break Skate see Monday 12.

Thursday 15

Family Night - Robots 4 p.m. Cepeda Branch Library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7372. CONTINUING: Harvey see Thursday 8; Spring Break at the Bullock see Monday 12; Spring Break Skate see Monday 12.

Friday 16

Friday Family Movie Matinee: Sing (PG) 3:30 p.m. Old Quarry Branch Library, 7051 Village Center Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8860. Inside Gospel LIVE SXSW 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St. FREE. InsideGospelLIVE.com or 469-665-9077. CONTINUING: Harvey see Thursday 8; Spring Break at the Bullock see Monday 12; Spring Break Skate see Monday 12.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Saturday 17

St. Patrick’s Day Devine Lake Family Day 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Devine Lake Park, 1807 Waterfall Ave., Leander. FREE. leandertx.gov. St. Patrick's Day Festival 1 to 8 p.m. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. $4 child. CONTINUING: American Ninja Warrior Kids see Saturday 3; Austin Giant Chess see Saturday 3; Harvey see Thursday 8; Inside Gospel LIVE SXSW see Friday 16.

Sunday 18

CONTINUING: American Ninja Warrior Kids see Saturday 3.

Tuesday 20

Spring Equinox Rodeo Austin $2 Tuesday 10 a.m., 9100 Decker Lake Rd. $2 fairground admission. rodeoaustin.com. Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 4:30 p.m. Little Walnut Creek Branch, 853 W. Rundberg Ln. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Home School Tweens see Tuesday 6; Tabletop Tuesday see Tuesday 6.

Wednesday 21

CONTINUING: Austin Barn Dancers see Wednesday 7; Community Night see Wednesday 7.

Thursday 22

Hurry Up and Wait ++ 9:30 a.m. The Long Center AT&T Room, 701 W. Riverside Dr. $6.75. pollytheatre.org.

Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 10:15 a.m. Cepeda Branch Library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Harvey see Thursday 8

Friday 23

Teen Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Dottie Jordan Rec Center,2803 Loyola Ln. FREE. austintexas.gov or 512-978-2380. CONTINUING: Harvey see Thursday 8; Hurry Up and Wait see Thursday 22.

Saturday 24

Mighty Texas Dog Walk 8 a.m. Austin American Statesman Parking Lot, 305 S. Congress Ave. $5 to $10. servicedogs.org. Easter Eggstravaganza 9 a.m. San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown. FREE. visit.georgetown.org. Special Needs Egg Hunt 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Clay Madsen Rec Center, 1600 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov. Round Rock Express Fan Fest 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. rrexpress.com or 512-244-BALL. Girls in STEM Conference 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Travis High School, 1211 E Oltorf St. $35. girlstart.org. Easter Egg Drop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gregg-Clarke Park, 1100 W. Center St., Kyle. FREE. eikonchurch.com. Spring Pfling 12 to 3 p.m. Pflugerville Rec Center, 400 Immanuel Rd., Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov.

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Home on the Ranch Roundup 12 to 4 p.m. Santa Rita Ranch, 175 Elizabeth Park Blvd., Liberty Hill. FREE. santaritaranchaustin.com or 512-253-7310. Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 2 p.m. Old Quarry Branch Library, 7051 Village Center Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Eggstravaganza 2 p.m. Lakeway City Park, 502 Hurst Creek Rd., Lakeway. FREE. lakeway-tx.gov. Saturday Night Concert Series ++ 7 to 9 p.m. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. FREE. hillcountrygalleria.com. CONTINUING: Austin Giant Chess see Saturday 3; Harvey see Thursday 8; Hurry Up and Wait see Thursday 22.

Sunday 25

Palm Sunday Spring Egg-Stravaganza 1 to 3 p.m. Benbrook Ranch Park, 1100 Halsey Dr., Leander. FREE. leandertx.gov. Easter Bunny Bonanza at Terra Toys 1 to 4 p.m. Terra Toys, 2438 W. Anderson Ln. FREE. terratoys.com or 512-445-4498. Spring Egg-Stravaganza 2 to 4 p.m. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5508.

Tuesday 27

Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 11 a.m. Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Home School Tweens see Tuesday 6; Tabletop Tuesday see Tuesday 6.

Wednesday 28

Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 10:30 a.m. Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library, 3101 Oak Springs Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Community Night see Wednesday 7.

Thursday 29

Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories 3:30 p.m. Pleasant Hill Branch Library, 211 E. William Cannon Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt and Movie in the Park 6 to 11 p.m. Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov. CONTINUING: Hurry Up and Wait see Thursday 22

Friday 30

Passover Good Friday Easter Weekend Skate Noon to 11 p.m. Playland Skate Center, 8822 McCann Dr. $8. playlandskatecenter.com or 512-452-1901. Easter Egg Dye-o-Rama 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. FREE. nchmuseum.org. Concert in the Park 7 to 9:30 p.m. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. tinyurl.com/ycn2vjze or 512-401-5500. CONTINUING: Hurry Up and Wait see Thursday 22.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Saturday 31

Community Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St. FREE. tinyurl.com/yakaavkz. Easter Children's Celebration 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Ln. FREE. bethanyaustin.com. Community Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thomas Memorial Park, 411 Madison St., Elgin. FREE. elgintx.com. Easter Eggstravaganza 10 a.m. Riverbend Church, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. FREE. riverbend.com. Buda Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Buda Sportsplex, 310 Buda Sportplex Dr. FREE. ci.buda.tx.us or 512-295-7170. First Annual Tipping T Egg Event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tipping T, 13127 Fitzhugh Rd, FREE. tinyurl.com/yd4oldtf. Egg-cellent Adventures 12 to 2 p.m. Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. $20. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. Donk Contest and Car Show 1 p.m. The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terr. FREE. donkcontest.com. Youth Job and Volunteer Fair 2 to 3:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-3275. CONTINUING: Austin Giant Chess see Saturday 3; Hurry Up and Wait see Thursday 22; Saturday Night Concert Series see Saturday 24; Easter Weekend Skate see Friday 30.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Parenting Events Any Baby Can offers free parenting classes in English and Spanish. Postpartum support group meets on Thursdays. 6207 Sheridan Ave. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743. Bridges to Growth offers early childhood parenting classes throughout the month. 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. 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).

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. YMCA offers a free Childhood Obesity Intervention Program at various locations throughout the month. austinymca.org or 512-236-9622.

Tuesday 6

PTO Spring Parent Group Expo 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., $5. palmereventscenter.com.

Wednesday 7

Challenger School Open House 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Challenger Schools in Avery Ranch, Pond Springs and Round Rock. challengerschool.org.

Saturday 17

Breastfeeding Support Group 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Baylor Scott & White Pediatric Clinic, 425 University Blvd, Round Rock. FREE. tinyurl.com/yc2dg3z7 or 512-509-6455.

Wednesday 21

Welcome Wednesday 8:30 to 10 a.m. Hill Country Christian School, 12124 RR 620 N. FREE with registration. HillCountryChristianSchool.org or 512-331-7036.

Thursday 22

Open Campus Day 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Regents School of Austin, 3230 Travis Country Cir. FREE with registration. regents-austin.com or 512-899-8095.

We’re looking for amazing stories, written and illustrated by kids in Kindergarten to fifth grade! We’ll publish all stories on our website, every kid will get a certificate, and some will get prizes. Get more info at klrukids.org Entry deadline is March 31st

March 2018 austinfamily.com

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

focus on

DOCTORS

PIENSA POSITIVO

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 39 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 39 Dr. Betty Richardson Dr. Richardson earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing, and a PhD in psych/mental health nursing. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional counselor. She has over 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, children and adole-scents. See ad on page 47 Dr. Paul Vigo Dr. Vigo trained at Washington University Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic. He has a special interest in allergies, food allergies, asthma and allergic skin conditions. Dr. Vigo serves as president of the Austin Allergy Society and sits on the board of the Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society. He is ﬂuent in English and Spanish. See ad on page 44

March 2018 austinfamily.com

by Leslie Montoya, life coach and host of Despierta Austin

Pago Injusto

De acuerdo al buró de estadísticas laborales, en promedio, una mujer gana 83 centavos por cada dólar que gana un hombre. Razón por la que desafortunadamente, muchas mujeres sienten no tener un pago justo por sus labores. Me he podido dar cuenta, que dos de las razones por aceptar un pago injusto es 1) Por la falta de claridad de cuánto valor genera su trabajo a la empresa y 2) La falta de conocimiento en comunicar su inconformidad a sus supervisores. En conclusión, tomate el tiempo para analizar cuánto valor tu trabajo le da a tu empleador y segundo atrévete a pedir el sueldo que consideras merecer. El valor para decirlo saldra auténticamente cuando genuinamente reconozcas que tu trabajo cubre las necesidades de tu empleador. ¡Atrevete! ¡Piensa Positivo!

Unfair Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average women earn 83 cents for every dollar a man earns. No wonder many women feel underpaid. I’ve noticed that people accept what they consider an unfair salary for two main reasons. First is not understanding how much their work contributes to their employer. Second, which I consider most relevant, is the lack of confidence to communicate this inequality to their bosses. So, take the time to find out the value your work gives your employer and dare to talk to your boss. Once you recognize how your work fulfills your employer’s needs, your confidence will grow and help you have an authentic and genuine conversation. Think Positive!

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.

KID NaturallyDyed Easter Eggs Looking for an alternative to traditional Easter egg dye kits? Here are some tips for beautiful, naturally dyed eggs. Warning: This activity requires adult supervision! What You Need • up to 12 eggs (uncooked) • 1 quart of water • 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar • items for dyeing*: 2 to 3 Tbls. turmeric for yellow; 2 containers of fresh blueberries for blue; 1 bunch of sliced beets for pink; skins of 6 red or yellow onions for rust; petals from 6 marigolds for olive green • Optional: crayons or rubber bands for creating designs * Instead of these items, you can use Eco-Eggs, a natural egg coloring kit made from organic vegetable and plant extracts. What You Do 1. Place dye ingredients in a pan with 1 quart water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar. (The vinegar helps break down the shells of the eggs, making them easier to peel.) 2. If you want to add designs on the eggs using crayons or rubber bands, do that now. 3. Add the eggs to the water and make sure they are submerged. 4. Boil for 15 minutes, then transfer the eggs to a bowl ﬁlled with ice water. 5. Let the eggs chill for at least 20 minutes, then remove them from the water and refrigerate. Contributed by Raquel Dadomo of Wheatsville Co-op. Wheatsville Co-op is a natural foods cooperative grocery store, serving Austin since 1976.

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

March 2018 austinfamily.com

Why Parents Are Always Late Just for grIns C A R R I E TAY L O R Carrie Taylor is a freelance writer, editor and mother of two boys.

Before becoming a parent, I was one of those people who arrived just on time for events and appointments. If I was ﬁve minutes early, there were celebrations to be had. Now that I am a parent of two…if I am ﬁve minutes early, it’s because I forgot one of the 2. kids at home and the other isn’t wearing underwear. The reality is, it’s just tough getting out of the house with little people who become emotionally distressed at the smallest disturbance and who move at the speed of a tired mom’s end-of-day hot shower. Here are the top reasons why I’ve been late this past week, and will continue to be late for another 17 or so years of my life: 1.

March 2018 austinfamily.com

The toddler doesn’t like the shoes that were chosen for him, and he insists on wearing a pair

that ties. Whoever invented toddler shoes that tie is a hateful, hateful person. Oh, and the pair that ties is also a year old and requires extra thin socks to actually fit. Then the hunt for the extra-thin socks ensues, but it has to be the blue pair of extra-thin socks and not the white pair. The baby poops. Were babies hardwired with a sense of when adults are urgently trying to get somewhere, and it triggers a massive bowel movement? Either that or they have impeccable timing. It never fails - I’ll be walking out the door, scoop up baby, and then the smell hits me. Boom - five minutes later than we already were. Eating breakfast becomes a battle. Please, heavenly baby Lord Jesus, please make my child eat faster than a bite every five minutes. Even days when we start the morning off on time can be ruined by a 30-minute breakfast.

View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

Visit our advertisers.