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FAITH
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When Children Ask Questions
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BY ANTHONY BUI PHOTO BY FREEPIK
CHILDREN ask the most interesting questions about God. It is easy to dismiss these questions, but that isn’t beneficial for their walk with Christ. As a parent, it is your job to disciple them as they grow in their relationships with Christ. That means fostering an environment where questions are welcome so that when they are confused about something, they will not hesitate to ask. It is important to treat their questions seriously even when it initially sounds silly. It is also important to use scripture when answering these questions. For example, a common question I hear all the time from children is, “Do I have to be nice to everyone?” First, you should praise them for coming to you. Most of the time, children are asking these questions because they are genuinely seeking answers. Assure them that they aren’t alone in feeling that some people make it really hard to be nice to. It is even harder to control your emotions when we are upset with someone. As a Christian, though, it is good practice to lean on God to guide you. Ephesians 4:26 says “Be angry and do not sin.” This shows your child that it is okay to get angry. It is important to acknowledge those emotions but react in a way that honors God. John 13:34 shows us how it honors God. God gives us a command to love one another, and by doing so, we are showing everyone that we are indeed followers of him. You should ask follow up questions to make sure they understood everything
As a parent, it is your job to disciple them as they grow in their relationships with Christ.
and clarify things that they found confusing. One of the more difficult questions that I have been asked is, “Why does God let bad things happen?” If God is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-good, why does he allow so much suffering to go on in this world? This is a very tough question, and if you aren’t able to answer that question, it is okay. You don’t want to pretend to know something that you do not, so simply acknowledge that it was a great question and that you will look into it for them. I had no idea how to answer this at first. I dove into scripture and talked to my pastors to equip myself. I learned that God allows the consequences of sin. When God created the world, it was perfect. Sin only entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. We must remember that we are all sinners just like Adam and Eve, as stated in Romans 3:23. When all of these horrible things happen, it is a result of us living in a sin-filled world. If we have put our faith and trust in Christ alone, we don’t have to face the penalty of sin, but instead, we have been given the gift of salvation and eternal life in Heaven because Jesus came down, lived a sin-free life, died so our sins could be forgiven, and rose again to show victory over sin and death. It is there where there is no sickness or suffering. While on Earth though, we must endure this suffering which God uses for good in order to strengthen and mature us (James 1:2-4). Do not fear what you do not know or cannot answer. Lean into your local church and speak to people who can give you some wisdom on answering some of the wild questions that your children will ask you. ■
SENIOR SEND-OFF 2022
The end of the school year is here. Through this special section, we have come together with local schools to congratulate seniors on their job well done. We’ve also included a list of gift ideas if you’re still in search of the perfect gift for your senior.
CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL GRADUATES
Senior Gift Ideas
1. Noise-Canceling Headphones 2. Bluetooth Speaker 3. Tile Phone/Key Tracker 4. Apple Watch 5. Reusable Water Bottle 6. Mini Keurig 7. Echo Dot 8. Dorm Room Essentials (Towels, bed linens, blankets) 9. Bookshelf 10. String Lights (Great for decorating) 11. Trash Valet (Helps make trips to the dumpster safer)
Corbin Achord Caroline Adolph Robert Alamirie Emma Allerheiligen William Anderson Alyssa Arceneaux
Talmar Butler Shepard Butner Honor Camus Avery Chambers Stephanos Christofi Brenleigh Clarida Julia Clark Caleb Cockerham Julia Coffey
Christopher Dodson Mason Dolan
Robert Harrison
Melinda Jones Dara’Nysha Hartford
Ryan Kennedy Seth Dozier
Treveon Hartford
Grace Kenney Zachary Edwards
David Hayden
Gabe Lakvold Franklin Epps Aidan FaKouri Wesley Fields Sophia Fontenot Darcy Franklin, II
Gavin Hebert Alexander Henderson Philip Hines, IV Henlee Hoffer
Dawson Latona Brendan LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc Dawson Lee
Abigail McLeod Jose Pinero Mendoza Julia Miller Peyton Misher Abram Morales Joshua Murray Tara Ngo Daniel Nguyen
Colton Pike Conner Pike Juan Quesada Haley Quigley Allyson Ramsey John Raymond, Jr. Harper Ricker Emerson Ricketts
Andrew Snyder Jack Stefan Gabriel Steib Garren Stevison Kennedy Strickland Sarah Talbot Joseph Tate Bradford Taylor, II Jace Teekel
Garret Wisdom Tyler Womack
Thank you for making us Warrior Proud!
Alyssa Arceneaux Joshua Arroyo Jacob Ashford James Balart, Jr. Colin Beasley Jean-Paul Bourgeois Jeanne Bourgeois Meredith Brassard Drew Burbank
Julia Coffey Christian Corsten Taylor Cuccia Nicholas D’Gerolamo Rhett Dake Madeline de Vries Katie Delcambre Margaret Denison LeDamion Dixon
Darcy Franklin, II Holden Franklin Matthew Freeman Ross Fuselier Alexis Ghetti
Roger Holmes, III Micah Howard Lindsey Hunt Lindsey Huynh Anthony Igiede
Hailey Lester Carson Lewis Emilia Lomnicki Thomas Betancur Lopez Alexis Loya Sarah Gil
Charleston Jackson, Jr.
Andy Mai Jacob Goodridge
Olivia Jackson
Drake Mason Kailey Gremillion
Alexandra Johnson
Corinne Maynard Blaiklee Guillot
Nicholas Johnson
Trey McCann
Peter Nguyen Sandra Nguyen Blaine Nicholson Kyle Nicholson Georgia Nizzo Taylor Patin Giovani Perez Margaret Perrien
Alex Rodrigue Conner Rodrigue Joel Pena Rodriguez, Jr. Bryce Rogowski Matthew Romanach Carmen Salvaggio Olivia Shelling Kristen Slatcoff
Nicholas Thai Brantley Tircuit Caden Traylor Jake Viscardis Camryn Wax Caleb Wiese Dorian Wilkinson Ryleigh Williams
Thank you for making us Warrior Proud!
Gannon Wood Caleb Zerangue
Summer Jobs 8 EASY WAYS TEENS CAN EARN CASH
BY EMILY DREZ
SUMMERTIME is almost here, which means summertime boredom is right around the corner. It won’t be too long before your teen or tween starts complaining about having nothing to do. However, there’s a solution to speeding up those dog days of summer: get a job. If your child is old enough to work, summertime is the perfect time for them to get a job. Here’s a list of jobs your child might enjoy this summer.
DOG WALKING
If your teen loves dogs, then getting paid to take someone else’s dog for a walk could be the perfect job for them. Start by asking friends, coworkers, and family members if they need someone to walk their dog for them. Typically, dog walking jobs pay by the hour or half-hour, and you can also volunteer to dog-sit while the owner is away. Keep in mind: your teen needs to be comfortable with a few things to be a dog walker, such as handling a large or easily excitable dog, walking around a neighborhood on their own, and picking up after the dog.
TUTORING
Summertime is the perfect time for a student to practice any school subjects they may be struggling with. It’s also the perfect time to help fellow students prepare for the next school year. Whether your teen is a math whiz or a pro at writing essays, they’ll be able to find a job tutoring younger children in the subject they know best. Local libraries and coffee shops are a great place for your teen to advertise their job as a tutor. They also need to mention their preferred age range and subject in their advertisement.
BABYSITTING
School is out of session, which means many parents will want to hire
babysitters to watch their children while they are at work. If your teen is a natural with babies and young children, babysitting is an excellent (and often well-paying) option for their summer job. Ask around for anyone trustworthy who may be interested in hiring a babysitter, and make sure your teen is okay with tasks such as changing diapers, feeding the child, and cleaning up any of the child’s messes.
LANDSCAPING
Summertime calls for plenty of yard work, which makes landscaping another great summer job for your teen. From cutting the grass, to trimming the trees, and even to gardening, landscaping is a rewarding job for anyone who loves being outdoors. Find some people who need yard work done and set up a regular schedule so their yards will stay fresh all season. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water.
WORKING A SNOWBALL STAND
Snowballs are super popular during the summertime in Louisiana, so working at a snowball stand calls for a fun, fastpaced summer job that will prepare your teen for any customer-service job they may have in the future. Find out which of your local snowball stands are hiring to get started on this sweet job.
WORKING A CONCESSION STAND
Summertime sports are a popular option for children and teenagers that are looking for something to do when they are not in school. With every sports game comes a concession stand to sell food and drinks to everyone at the game. Usually a parent or staff member will work the stand, but your child may be able to work it, too. See if a nearby school or sports organization would like some help working the concession stand for its summer sports games, then have your child ask for the job.
SELLING FOOD
This is the perfect job for your child if they love to bake. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they would like to purchase something sweet from your child, or set up a stand in a safe location where your child can sell their baked goods in public. Whether it’s cookies, cake pops, or cupcakes, baked goods are sure to sell quickly anywhere you go! Car washing can double as a household chore and a fun, small business your child can set up from the comfort of their own driveway. As part of their allowance, you can let your child wash the family cars every week or so. You can also spread the word to your friends and neighbors that your child is willing to wash their cars for a certain amount of money. Either way, your child will have lots of fun playing in the soap and water while they wash cars, and it’s a great way to stay cool, too. If your child is too young for these jobs, they can always earn money by doing chores around the house or by selling some of their things. Set up a weekly allowance for them, or teach them to sort through the toys they never play with and the clothes they never wear so they can sell them in a yard sale, to local thrift stores, or to other places that purchase gently-used items. There are plenty of summer job opportunities for young teenagers that will keep them occupied all summer long. Even better, they will have a little extra money in their pockets. ■
Choosing the Right CHILD CARE
HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT FIT
BY ANTHONY BUI PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2021-22 COVER KID ADELE B.
FINDING the right preschool for your children seems simple enough. Theoretically, all you need to do is find an open spot at the one nearest to you and the job is done. In reality, it is a lot more complicated than that. You must take things such as curriculum, environment, location, and even staff into consideration.
When making this decision, it is important to do your research and find out what is best for you and your child. Preschool may not seem like that big of a deal, but it lays the foundation for the rest of your child’s academic career. It is here where they will get their first taste of what it is like to be in an academic setting.
KNOW THE TYPES OF CHILD CARE
When it comes to preschools, there isn’t one stereotypical model anymore. There is a wide range of options to choose from that suit the needs of both parent and the child. That is where your own personal research comes into play. If you are looking for a preschool where there is a lot of parent involvement, cooperative preschools are the way to go. Tuition in these preschools are often lower as a result of fundraising goals that are set for families throughout the year. Because of how much parents are encouraged to be involved, the adult-to-child ratio is higher which means that children are getting the attention that they need at this young age to grow and learn. Parents, though, are expected to invest a lot more time into their child’s schooling, so this option may not be best for those who aren’t as available. For these parents, they may want to look into child care center preschools. These preschools are able to offer parents a program that takes
care of a child’s needs throughout the whole day. This is perfect for parents who have a very busy schedule and don’t have much time to be as involved. It also allows parents who work full-time jobs to be able to work comfortably knowing that their child is safe and learning. A more unique and innovative option are Montessori preschools. These types of schools typically have programs that start at birth and go through high school. In these programs, there is an emphasis on self-directed activity where children make choices in their learning that are creative and unique. This encourages a high level of hands-on learning and collaboration. Teachers and staff at Montessori preschools are oftentimes highly trained in guiding children through this process.
TALK TO YOUR CHILD
Since most preschoolers are between the ages of three and five, choosing the right school isn’t as simple as asking them where they’d like to go. At this point in their lives, they don’t really have the level of maturity to make these decisions on their own. That means that parents must sit down and guide the conversation. Talk to them about school and what they will be expected to do there. This will help prepare them for daily life at preschool so they aren’t completely shocked by the change of environment and responsibilities.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
After you have this conversation with your child, it is now up to you to research the different preschools in the area, their curriculums, the tuition, and if it is a good fit for your child. It is also important to consider your needs as a parent and how involved you would like to be. There are countless amounts of resources at your disposal, and if you have any questions, always feel free to call the school and ask them directly.
TOUR THE CENTER
When you have ultimately narrowed down your list, take some time to visit these schools with your child. This helps you get to know the faculty and staff while getting a feel of the environment. For your child, it allows them to feel involved in the process and develop a sense of familiarity if it turns out to be the school you choose. At the end of the day, trust your gut when it comes to choosing the best fit for your future scholar. Always encourage your child to share their feelings during the process so they can do the best they can in school. ■
Child Care LISTING
BY BRPM PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2021-22 COVER KID MADELYNN H.
The search for child care starts early. With these listings, you’ll be able to find a great center that provides quality care for your little ones from birth to school age.
Name Address Director Phone Website Year Established License Type Ages Weekly Rate Program Taught Exceptional Needs Services Family Discount Mother’s Day Out Cameras
Behavioral Intervention Group 8180 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge Cassie Bradford (225) 757-8002 big-br.com
Broadmoor United Methodist Preschool 10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge Cheri Coats (225) 926-5243 bumcchildrens learningcenter.org
Country Day School 3131 Congress Boulevard, Baton Rouge Kristen Ziesing (225) 761-4800 countrydayschoolbr.com
Country Day School 3743 Silverside Drive, Baton Rouge Courtney Simpson (225) 767-5259 countrydayschoolbr.com 2007 N/A 0-7
1956 Type I 12 weeks-5 years
2014 Type II 4 months-5 years
1999 Type II 4 months-5 years
Uses Health Insurance
$196-205
$200-215
$200-215 Applied Behavior Analysis Yes No No No
Developmentally Appropriate Yes Yes Yes No
Developmentally Appropriate, Child-focused
Yes Yes No No
Name Address Director Phone Website
Country Day School 4455 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge Paige Burchfield (225) 928-4042 countrydayschoolofbr.com
Gateway Preschool and Technology Center 14354 Highway 73, Prairieville Megan Byerley (225) 313-4959 gatewaypreschool center.com
Parkview Preschool 5750 Parkview Church Road, Baton Rouge Cindy Riddle (225) 291-2500 parkviewpreschool.com
Kids Count, Inc. 525 Rapides Street, Baton Rouge Toni Turnley (225) 268-1889 kidscountinc.com
Shiloh Baptist Early Learning Acdemy 185 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive, Baton Rouge Leslie Vincent (225) 772-4534 shilohbr.com
St James Episcopal Day School, Pelican’s Nest 445 Convention Street, Baton Rouge Janine Borne (225) 344-0805 stjameseds.org
The Dunham School Early Childhood Center 11111 Roy Emerson Drive, Baton Rouge Morgan Barkas (225) 767-7097 dunhamschool.org Year Established License Type
1983 Type II Ages Weekly Rate
4 months-5 years $220-230 Program Taught
Developmentally Appropriate, Child-focused Exceptional Needs Services Family Dis count Mother’s Day Out Cameras
Yes Yes No No
2013 Type II
18 months-12 years Call for information Abeka N/A Yes No Yes
1973 Type I 6 weeks-4 years $220-260
Christian-based and Abeka No Yes No No
1986 Type II 6 weeks-4 years $195-225 Developmentally Appropriate No Yes No No
1972 Type III
6 weeksFirst Grade $140-155
Frog Street and Abeka No Yes No Yes
1948 Type I
2021 Type I
18 months-elementary $10,085/ year
2 $250-312
Playbased, Personalized Learning
Reggio Emilia-style ThemeBased Learning No No No No
No No No No
Is There a Best Bedtime?
BY SARAH BATROUS
As parents, it’s easy to shun enforcing bedtimes for our children, especially when we’re exhausted after the events of the day. However, there are benefits to having your child in bed at a set time each night for both them and for you.
ROUTINES ARE THE BACKBONES OF BEDTIMES
To find the best bedtime for your child, they need to establish good sleep habits which starts with a bedtime routine that meets their needs.
The amount of sleep your child needs depends on their age and if they take naps. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine provided recommendations for times to sleep for children: -Children 1-2 years of age should sleep 11-14 hours (including naps) -Children 3-5 years of age should sleep 10-13 hours (including naps) -Children 6-12 years of age should sleep 9-12 hours -Teenagers 13-18 years of age should sleep 8-10 hours
When it comes to constructing an actual routine, Aimee Ferrell, MD, a general pediatrician at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Pediatrics at O’Donovan offers some helpful hints for bedtime:
1. A good bedtime routine involves a set of activities over the course of an hour which help the child get quiet and wind down. It also signals the body that it’s bedtime. Good bedtime routines often include a bath, reduced noise, lower lights, and no screen time. Reading a book, hugs, a drink of water, and then lights out are good ways to end.
2. Daily exercise will help to ensure that the child will be sleepy at bedtime. However, vigorous exercise or playing right before bed can be too stimulating. 3. Avoid caffeinated beverages and heavy meals in the evening. 4. Stick close to the schedule and routines even on weekends and vacation. 5. The most important thing about a bedtime routine is to stay with it. Children thrive on consistency.
EARLIER BEDTIMES VS LATE BEDTIMES
If your child needs to be ready at a certain time to walk, bike, or catch the bus to school, then an earlier bedtime might be best. Be sure that your child has enough time to do the basics of their routine, including brushing their teeth, washing their face, and anything else needing to be done prior to bedtime. The benefits of going to sleep early don’t end with eliminating tardiness.
Michelle Lanier, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and the owner of Sweet Sleeping Baby, a sleep consultation service, explains the benefits of an early bedtime: “An earlier bedtime will ensure an adequate amount of sleep at the time when their body is ready. Restorative sleep can improve learning, memory, behavior, and attention span. A regular consistent bedtime routine occurring earlier in the evening will help with falling asleep and staying asleep.”
If your child doesn’t need to be up
early for school or daycare, a late bedtime should be fine if they’re getting enough sleep. For older children, going to bed too late can affect their health, behavior, success in school, and their relationships with you and their peers.
“When children do not get enough sleep, their health suffers. A lack of sleep in young children often results in irritability and trouble with emotions. Poor sleep has been linked to over-eating and reduced ability to fight infections. School age children may have difficulty with attention, behavior problems, trouble learning, and increased injuries,” warns Dr. Ferrell.
USING WHAT WE KNOW
With summer coming up, now is the best time to start bedtime training. The worst thing you can do is give up on bedtimes while the children are out of school. While they might groan and complain, doing this now instead of the week before school will keep them on track for success.
If you’re really struggling to get them to bed, talk to your pediatrician about what could be the cause or confide in a pediatric sleep specialist like Michelle. In the meantime, over-the-counter medications and sleep aids can help your child adjust their internal clock and set the pace for a healthy bedtime.
“Melatonin and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) have some potential benefits when used sparingly. They are relatively safe, but if used too often, may interrupt the child’s natural sleep cycle and end up being counterproductive. There are no prescription medications which are approved for or routinely recommended as sleeping pills for children,” advises Dr. Ferrell.
At the end of the day, there isn’t a set “best bedtime” supported by science or medical professionals. Determining what lights out looks like for your child is dependent on your child’s needs and the length of their morning routine. As long as your family is getting the restful sleep they need and succeeding daily, you’re doing just fine. ■
