Chicago Parent July/August 2022 by Chicago Parent

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GUN VIOLENCE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN

IN THE UNITED STATES

How we got here and what needs to change

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Departments

Real Life: Lucy Knisley

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This acclaimed graphic novelist and Evanston mom opens up about motherhood. Plus she has a great new middle grade book out now.

Top treats in our Sweets Showdown Instagram fans’ choice, out-the-door breakfasts for busy school mornings and reasons why moms need to make time for both their needs and wants.

Back to School

15 VOICE

Traditions worth starting, plus tips to help you stay sane in the new school year.

One Chicago area mom has discovered her funny bone and what she’s doing with it.

16 WHY

Innocents Lost

Uvalde is still unimaginable. Gun violence in our schools keeps claiming the lives of innocent children. How we got here and what we can do.

Why do kids eat strange things?

31 THINGS TO DO

Fill your calendar with fun.

38 MY MANTRA

Find out what one local mom has on repeat to keep her parenting sanity.

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That surprising stat: It comes from analysis of data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May. The data shows more than five deaths per 100,000 kids ages 1-19 were due to guns in 2020, the most recent year available.

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Handpicked Bits of fun, inspiration and cool finds for you

Bring on the Sun

Get your flower fill by visiting some pretty amazing flower fields worth the drive at ChicagoParent.com/LatestIssue.

t’s possible to give our kids a sunflower of a summer — just like the iconic flower, cheerful and optimistic days of turning our faces to the sky mixed with lots and lots of happy smiles. Luckily, summer fun is back in full force. Those long road trips you originally envisioned might be just a little bit shorter due to the pain in your wallet at the gas pump, but don’t fret. There’s plenty to do right here at home. A lot of that fun is even free or at least low cost (and can squeeze in a little learning without compromising all those smiles.) We’re partial to our libraries, which offer great summer programs and spaces for all ages. Plus, librarians are eager to help families find books and materials perfect for deep dives into any summer interest. They can even help you find tips for growing those happy sunflowers (one of the fastest growing flowers, by the way) and experiments to do with them for some STEM time. Then by the end of August, hit the local sunflower mazes to snap those last summer pics before school starts.

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Find family-friendly camping sites in Chicagoland at

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Nature’s Calling Summer is a great time to connect your family with nature

BY NATALIE DAL PRA

n the mood to get away from it all? Camping can be a fun way to spend your kids’ summer break, but if you’re not exactly the outdoorsy type, the very idea of going off the grid for the weekend is a bit intimidating. A word of advice: Any number of issues can arise when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings with children. Don’t expect camping with kids to go perfectly, but embrace the time you’re spending together. After all, these are summer memories that will last a lifetime.

NATALIE DAL PRA is a mom and a frequent contributor.

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R O U G HI NG I T Try a practice run before the real thing. The idea of pitching a tent in the wilderness is exciting and fun, but might be daunting, too. Before hitting the road, have a campout in your backyard so the kids can adjust to the idea of sleeping outside. Choose the right camping spot for your family. There are plenty of beautiful state parks and camping spots within a short driving distance. Have a family meeting and figure out how you want to spend your trip before picking a destination. Interested in fishing and kayaking? Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Spring Grove might be a good pick. If hiking and taking Instagram-worthy family photos are on the agenda, the gorgeous scenery of Indiana State Dunes isn’t a far drive. Illinois Beach in Zion offers fun perks like a swimming pool, scuba diving and geocaching. And of course, finding a site that has the basics like electricity hookups and showers is important, too. Be prepared. Bring enough sunscreen, bug spray and extra layers so that you’re not finding yourself frantically Googling the closest Walgreens in the middle of the night (spoiler alert: it probably won’t be nearby). Keep a first aid kit in the car, pack more water than necessary and don’t forget the entertainment. Stay safe by keeping lanterns, flashlights and extra batteries at the ready.

G LAMPING IT While camping and roughing it is the ultimate low-cost vacation, if you’re wary of sleeping in a tent with toddlers (or your back won’t love you the next day), renting an RV is a surprisingly affordable alternative. On a site like RVshare.com, travelers can select an RV or travel trailer for as low as $100 a day. Another perk? Having a bathroom, kitchen and air conditioning at your disposal while on the road. If you’d prefer to stay in one area, Airbnb has a glamping section on their website. Find affordable and exciting stays at yurts, dome houses and campers. Bonus: Many of the glamping sites allow pets and feature cool extras, like hot tubs, for less than the cost of a hotel.

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HANDPICKED

Find more over-the-top and delicious desserts the whole family will love at ChicagoParent.com/LatestIssue.

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Sweet Showdown

Bubble Waffle at Eiffel Waffle Bubble waffles aren’t a new concept but at Eiffel Waffle, they dazzle up the treat with their own creations. Each bubble waffle specialty comes with ice cream and fun toppings like Oreos or Fruity Pebbles. You can even build your own bubble waffle! While the bubble waffles are what draws all the attention, Eiffel Waffle also has fantastic ice cream. Other great items on the menu are Waffle Towers, Eiffel Minis and milkshakes.

Our readers voted for their favorite overthe-top desserts in Chicagoland

BY KATINA BENIARIS

Locations in Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and Lincoln Park in Chicago; @eiffel.waffle

e all have a sweet tooth and we know some kids won’t say no to dessert. Why not make their day by giving them the ultimate sweet treat experience? On Instagram, we asked our followers to vote for their favorite one-of-akind desserts in Chicagoland. Here are three tasty spots the kids will love.

Animal Gelato Cones at Eli’s Ark Eli’s Ark has made gelato adorable with its animal-themed scoops. When you visit the shop in Wicker Park, you can choose your animal with options including bear, koala, piggy and even a unicorn. Can’t decide on one animal? Choose the “piggybacking” option where they can scoop up to four different animal styles. You’ll have to follow them on Instagram because they usually release special style scoops around the holidays — their Halloween critters are my favorite! 1843 W. North Ave., Chicago;

KATINA BENIARIS is Chicago Parent’s audience development manager who can’t wait to check out all these dessert spots this summer. @katinabeniaris

10 JULY/AUGUST 2022

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@elisarkchicago

Churro Milkshake at Xurro When you’re craving a churro, you can easily find a Xurro near you with six locations in the city. Good luck choosing one item off the menu with options such as churro ice cream sundaes, churro s’mores and churro ice cream sandwiches. The perfect summer treat has to be the Churro Milkshake! It usually features seasonal shakes with crazy toppings all year round. I suggest visiting the Navy Pier location to enjoy the Churro Milkshake topped with a churro, a mini churro pop and even a s’mores treat. Yum! Various locations in Chicago;

@churrofactory_xurro

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Stress-Free Morning Yums

CHERYL LEAHY is a savvy millennial mom of two who knows how to show her kids a good time. She is host of the North Shorefocused show "Cheryl On The Shore" launching Aug. 1 and founder of On The Shore Productions. alldressedupwithnothingtodrink.com @cjalldressedup

STORY AND PHOTO BY CHERYL LEAHY

oon to be gone are the lazy summer mornings, only to be replaced by frantic fumbles for water bottles, iPad chargers and lunch bags. Here are four stress-free breakfast ideas to get your crew up, at ‘em and out the door in no time.

Sous Vide Egg Bites My children and I discovered Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites one morning when we were on a staycation. The barista misheard a soft-spoken request for an Egg Sandwich as one for Egg Bites and delivered the delectable (but pricey!) bits of deliciousness in a brown paper bag. My daughter side eyed the bites, then took a tentative nibble. BLISS! You can make a super-duper dupe at home for a lot less by using an Instant Pot or oven and silicone molds. The secret to their fluffiness is creating a water bath — this steams them instead of just dry cooking. After they cool, freeze for an easy gourmet morning meal that heats up in a snap.

Always-Ripe Avocado Toast I am an avocado FAN, but I feel like in order to pinpoint the exact minute when avocados are ripe, I have to cancel all plans and hover over them like a helicopter parent. When I discovered pre-scooped avocado that is perfectly ripe and packaged, I had to wipe away tears of joy. The Wholly Guacamole brand came out with Simply Avocado dips and spreads a few years ago, and I love how the ingredient list is just avocado. And Alessi makes an “Avocado Toast Seasoning” so how much more simple could this get? You can also use guacamole. Add sliced hard-boiled eggs, radish, bacon, a poached egg or whatever else your kids might like.

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Overnight Oats: Dessert Series

Breakfast Trail Mix

Oats are the perfect base to transform into a dessert, a breakfast bar, even milk (homemade oat milk is incredible). Overnight oats are a no-cook method of making oatmeal — you simply soak raw old-fashioned oats in a liquid (milk or substitute) overnight. No magic. What is magical, though, is the limitless possibilities that are available for your overnight oat recipes. Grab a basic recipe, like the popular one on wholefully. com, and experiment with different mix-ins. For Carrot Cake, add cinnamon, cream cheese, grated carrots and raisins. For Strawberry Cheesecake, add strawberries, cream cheese and lemon. For Banana Bread, add mashed ripe bananas, cinnamon, maple syrup and chopped walnuts.

Trail mix gets a bad rap because of the addition of candy-coated chocolates. Eliminate those and it is usually a perfectly portable, protein-packed snack. Making a mix for breakfast is a wonderful way to hand your kid something as they head out the door and bask in the knowledge that it is fueling them for the day. Combine cereal such as rice squares, nuts/seeds and chopped dried fruit. Then mix with egg whites, cinnamon sugar, ground flax seeds and salt and bake in a 250-degree oven for 75 minutes, or until golden and dry to the touch, stirring every 30 minutes. After cooled, it can be portioned into sealed reusable bags and left by the back door for a grab-and-go protein-packed meal.

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Needs and Wants How busy moms really can — and should — make time for them

BY TARA MOLER

o you feel like you are on a nonstop merry-go-round of motherhood? Where your days pass in a haze of doing until you fall into bed exhausted, mentally and physically. Where you would love to have some time for yourself, but there already isn’t enough time to simply do the laundry. Instead of wishing for more time, commit to taking more control over it. Certainly you can’t control all 24 hours, but realize you have more control than you may think. When you choose to use your time for the things that are truly important to you in your season of life right now, that’s when you start to feel good. Create a little breathing room and start being intentional with your time with these five tips:

Get clear on what IS truly important in this season of your life.

Consider what things will create domino impacts. For example, if getting your health in order is going to have positive impacts on your energy and ability to be there for your family, that’s probably pretty important. If building a supportive and fun family unit or keeping the connection with your partner will create your happiness, that’s important. If getting that promotion (or not) is important, get clear on that. Understanding this for yourself will help you to make those hard tradeoff decisions a little easier.

14 JULY/AUGUST 2022

Say no…tactfully.

If it’s important to you that you leave work at a certain time in order to have time with your family, decline that meeting someone puts on your calendar past your working hours. “Sorry, I’m not available at this time, but I am the following day at 3 p.m.” If going to a social or family event is going to shift your family’s relaxing weekend into hyperdrive, decline by saying, “Thanks for thinking of us, but unfortunately we won’t be able to make it.” You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Don’t think of it as making excuses, you are simply making a choice about how you are spending your time.

Delegate and ask for help.

You don’t get 97% of what you don’t ask for. Ask your partner to do the grocery shopping, laundry or take the kids to soccer practice. Ask your motherin-law if she’d be willing to come over once a month so you can have a little time for yourself. Ask your supervisor

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to help you decide which one of your projects or tasks are more important because you can’t get both done by the deadline. It’s not asking too much and you are not failing because you are asking for help. You are simply asking for what you want and need.

Do B- work.

What?! Yes, many times your B- work is A-OK. The extra hour you spend choosing to perfect that presentation, just remember it’s not being spent on something else. And those storebought brownies are just fine for the family gathering instead of a homebaked pie.

Let it go.

That mess in the kids room, the annual picture book you never seem to get done (year after year)..., just let it go. Maybe this isn’t the time that it’s important to have an immaculate house. Let go of the task and the guilt of not doing it. You are choosing to use your time on more important things.

TARA MOLER is a certified life coach who helps moms maintain their family at the heart of their lives while also thriving at work by creating a balanced schedule and routines that give them time and energy for the things that matter most. MotherhoodBalanced.com @motherhood_balanced_ w.tara

VOICE

Mama Finds Her Funny Bone How a mom of two tuned into her needs and is now laughing throughout Chicagoland

BY ORLY K.G.

don’t know if it’s the start of a midlife crisis or the fact that within a couple years I’ll be an empty nester — but I am now a comedienne. Like, a write-jokes-and-perform-said-jokes-onstage-in-front-of-people comedienne. If someone predicted that after the pandemic, I’d be spending one to three nights a week at open mics, producing paid comedy gigs or trying out material in front of a new set of comedy friends, I would have told them that they were crazy, but nicely. You’re so crazy — and we should totally hang out! But here I am. A 40-something wife and mother of two kids discussing funny aspects of marriage, parenting and my aging boobs. On a stage. And I frigging love it. Like, I love this new hobby/randomness/creative endeavor that is stand-up comedy. Stand-up comedy is fulfilling something in me that I didn’t even know I was missing. For years, I’ve seen myself as a totally fulfilled wife/ mom/career woman. Or, so I thought. For me, looking back at myself as a young mom, the first few years were spent in a fog — random sleep, new baby food and nap routines, and endless questioning if I did something wrong or right. I was in such a fog that I seriously considered eating cold mac and cheese — from a dried out stove pot — a proper meal. It’s OK, I’m sitting down. I have a paper towel square as a napkin. It’s just like Alinea, right?! Those first few years of parenting I orbited my children’s needs, not mine. Then when the kids went to elementary school full-time, it ‘felt’ easier. But, in reality, it was just a different kind of fog. There were still after-school and weekend activities, homework and projects … and the kids still needed me to DO things for them. Again, orbiting my children’s needs, not mine. When my kids became teenagers, the needing-mom part stopped practically overnight. These newly independent beings developed a social circle that they controlled — Mom, if you call

But here I am. A

40-something wife and mother of two

kids discussing funny aspects of marriage,

parenting and my aging boobs.

it a playdate again I’m canceling you. They relished the fact that they could feed themselves and cook (so much better than me). They took more responsibility for their schoolwork, their attire and their own needs. They went from saying “Mom, how did scientists make an atom bomb?” to “Mom, you don’t know anything.” WHAT? You used to think I was atom-bomb-making smart!? What happened? No one told me that mommying would take a drastic turn one day and you would be left saying ‘OK… I do something for myself now? How do I do that? Is that even allowed?’ So, here I was. It’s August 2021. I’m out with adult friends, our kids out with their non-adult ones, and I came across a flyer for a stand-up comedy class at the Chicago Lincoln Lodge. I thought, sure, I’ll spend four-weeks honing jokes, perform them and be done with it. But instead, I found a brand-new outlet to express myself in a way that really made me happy. ME. HAPPY. Not my kids. Or my clients. Or my husband. ME. I feel so naughty! I spoke words and people listened (teenagers, BTW, don’t really listen, so I get very very excited when I’m listened to). My husband thinks this comedy endeavor is great and my kids think I’m a little nuts. But I do think each appreciates that I can be me without always having to be ‘mom.’ Navigating the comedy world is an adventure in itself, and I’m grateful that I’ve found a group of seriously hilarious Chicago comedy moms. Together, these mommas and I are touring the city and suburbs — offering our Bad Momz of Comedy group for all-female community events and all-mom PTA nights. And, as they say in the comedy biz, we’re killing it! My kids may be leaving the home nest soon, but comedy is here to stay.

ORLY K.G. is a Chicago-dwelling mom, wife and founder of Bad Momz of Comedy. To book an all-female or all-mom comedy night for your all-women’s or PTA group, email her at orlykgcomedy@gmail.com.

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WHY

Why Do Kids Eat Strange Things? BY LORI ORLINSKY

“Boogers are salty, just like snack foods. It’s no wonder kids think they are delicious.”

t doesn’t matter how many times we tell our kids to take something out of their mouth, they like to eat things that make us cringe! Boogers, nails, pen caps, even scabs. You name it, and they’ve probably tried it (and even liked it). While this type of behavior may worry some parents, experts say not to fret — there are several reasons that kids eat what adults might consider to be strange things.

PART OF OUR NATURE Arthur Lavin, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, says that from the moment babies are born, they are born with a need to want to use their mouth. “While babies vary in their intensity of that drive, they all experience pleasure through things that are placed in the mouth,” says Lavin. He says you can see these urges at play right after birth and in the first months of infancy when our babies get so very happy when they have a nipple or pacifier in their mouth. This drive to experience great pleasure from sucking changes at 4 months of age when the chewing instinct kicks in. The passion to chew continues throughout life, which is

why we see kids eating funny things. “Kids learn from an early age to experience pleasure through the mouth,” says Lavin. “The mouth plays a role in how we express our emotions and thinking throughout life.”

SELF-SOOTHING AND SELFGROOMING BEHAVIORS

Many times, when things feel stressful, kids engage in self-soothing behavior — a repetitive behavior that meets their emotional needs. This includes everything from hair twirling and scab picking to knuckle cracking and putting things in their mouth. These behaviors are often not an indicator of a serious problem, but a child’s odd way of calming themselves. Jerry Bubrick, senior psychologist at the Child Mind Institute Anxiety Disorder Center, says that when kids self-soothe, their behavior can both feel good and cause a slight sensation of pleasure. “Whether it is the feeling of a booger being pulled out of a nose or a piece of hair being pulled out, kids will experience an endorphin rush,” he says. “This helps kids release tension and it acts as a calming influence.” Bubrick notes that some of this behavior starts from a desire to main-

tain body appearance by eliminating imperfections. An example of this is found in kids who bite their nails. “Kids may bite their nails to feel like they are grooming themselves — by helping to make their nails more symmetrical,” he says. “Out of habit, they might chew on the nails, or even swallow them to prevent others from discovering the behavior.”

WHEN TO SEEK HELP

While most of this behavior is nothing to worry about, occasionally these habits can be a sign of something bigger. Parents should seek help if their kids repeatedly ingest hair or nails, as it can cause illness and a GI disruption. Additionally, parents should look out for signs of pica, an eating disorder in which a person eats things not usually considered food. Kids with pica go beyond putting things in their mouth because they are curious. Instead, they eat things like clay, rocks, chalk, coins

– Jerry Bubrick, senior psychologist at the Child Mind Institute Anxiety Disorder Center

and paint chips that can lead to health problems. Parents who notice any of these signs should start with a visit to their child’s pediatrician. “As with anything, a positive, inquisitive approach will get parents much further than a negative, corrective position. Be open minded about what’s going on with your child and always follow your gut — even if it means visiting a doctor,” Bubrick says.

T E L L M E W H Y. . .

Got a kid riddle you need help sorting out? Send your Why question to editor@chicagoparent.com or just hover your phone’s camera here, no app required.

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REAL LIFE: LUCY KNISLEY

The Graphic Life

BY TAMARA L. O'SHAUGHNESSY | PHOTO BY THOMAS KUBIK

rom an early age, pregnancy fascinated Lucy Knisley. Not just the end result, but the process and the metamorphosis of a woman’s body, her family and her life. And while she ended up a cartoonist instead of a midwife, the desire to write about reproductive health never waned. So when the celebrated graphic novelist’s autobiographical stories became stories of love, marriage and the process of pregnancy, she thought she knew the story line well. Until it didn’t go according to everything she’d been taught. “What happened to me is what happens to a lot of other people who undergo this transformation, the road was not as smooth as I had anticipated and my education fell short in conveying the actual path and the winding nature of that path to becoming a parent,” she says. Blindsided by difficulties getting pregnant and miscarriage, Knisley says she felt so unprepared, isolated and blamed herself and her body. “It really rocked the foundation of my trust in my body and my understanding of the process.” That lack of confidence lingered when severe morning sickness and preeclampsia symptoms were dismissed by her doctor as her being hysterical. She ended up with an

emergency C-section, lost half of the blood in her body and had a seizure on the table that left her in a coma. Knisley says as she began to write about her near-death experience, other moms reached out with their own harrowing stories. Her trip into the science and medicine of maternal health also was eye opening as an advocate for reproductive health, she says. “This is a very scary time for those of us who know the harrowing and dangerous qualities of becoming a parent and the dangers not taught in school.” Her book, Kid Gloves, shares her story and, she hopes, dispels the myths of reproductive health to educate others. While she writes about the joys and pitfalls of having a baby and now raising a nearly 6-year-boy along with a pandemic cat with her partner John, sharing on Instagram with her nearly 200,000 followers, Knisley is discovering that writing about parenthood can sometimes be difficult.

The biggest lesson she’s taken from it so far: The constant learning. “Everything is transitory with parenting. That was something that really rocked me early on. I think a lot of parents struggle with it.” She’s also moving away from autobiographical graphic novels to middle grade fiction about growing up. Her brand new book, second in a series of three, Apple Crush, came during the family’s escape to her mom’s farm in upstate New York during the pandemic. People who love Knisley still might recognize characteristics in Jen — a nerdy cat-loving artist who likes to read and has difficulty with math processing — as she adjusts to life with stepsisters on a farm and a new school. She says she hopes readers of the series can take away the idea of finding the good in any change beyond their control. As far as being a mom, Knisley simply loves it. “We have this great kid. He is very happy, he is incredibly hilarious."

FAST TA L K YOU HAVE A SECRET STASH OF WHAT: Dark chocolate. “They know, they just know not to mess with it.” YOUR MOM SUPERPOWER: “I can find anything in the house. If anybody loses anything, which happens all the time, I have to spring to action and find it.” ONE THING THAT SURPRISES PEOPLE ABOUT YOU: “I was expelled from high school.” (Unjustly accused by another student of smoking pot at a party.) She says people think she’s a goody-two-shoes suburban mom. MOST HATED HOUSEHOLD CHORE: Doing the dishes. WHAT DRIVES YOU AS A MOM: She says it’s hard to deny her son anything. “I’m this very indulgent mom who really wants to bring a lot of joy and pleasure to my son and it’s part of what drives me as an artist, too. I want to make things that people respond to with joy and pleasure.”

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Back to Back School Traditions worth starting (and tips to help you stay sane!)

e’ve all heard some version of it before, either from a well-meaning grandparent or a TikTok influencer: “You only have 18 summers with your kids!”

Talk about pressure: that not-so-gentle reminder of our limited time with our children makes for the impossible parental task of channeling wide-eyed appreciation for every moment of every day of every summer for nearly two decades. So, remember that when we tell you this: you also only have so many first days of school with your kids! OK, OK, unnecessary pressure, we get it, but there’s good news here: Unlike with endless summers, making the most of the first day of school is relatively easy. The commitment is low stakes. We’re only talking, like, 14 total days — just two weeks — of your life, tops. And of those days, they’re only with you for a blip before they’re off settling into their new classrooms. What’s more: finding a memorable way to celebrate your child is much easier when you make a tradition — something you can easily replicate year after year — out of it. So, now that we’ve convinced you that you can, in fact, appreciate these moments without all that parental pressure, here are 11 simple traditions (but not, like, all 11, just pick one or two favorites!) worth starting.

●

BY KATE SCHWEITZER

STAGE a PHOTO SHOOT. One of the most popular — and most efficient — ways to mark the passage of time is to stage a mini first day of school photo shoot. The key, however, is that they hold a letter-board-esque sign that, at the very least, states their incoming grade. Etsy offers even more customizable options that allow you to list the name of your child’s teacher, what they plan to be when they grow up and their favorite book. The resulting pics are sure to get all the likes on Instagram. Commit to getting that end of the year snap, too.

DECORATE their DOOR. Tacking up a handful of balloons and streamers on the outside of their bedroom door is a simple, celebratory surprise that is sure to help your child start the day off right.

CHALK the WALK. If the forecast calls for clear skies, consider sneaking away the night before the first day and writing messages in chalk on your driveway, on the sidewalk path to the bus stop — or even all the way to their school if you can manage it. Then, as they make their way, they’ll be met with encouraging words, like “Star student approaching!” or “You’ve got this!” Bonus: any other kids passing by will likely get an instant pickme-up on their first day, too.

>>>

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Back to School School Back

WHIP UP AN

LOAD UP THEIR

extra-special

BREAKFAST. They’ll be back on their cereal rotation soon enough, so for one day, treat your early riser to fresh buttermilk pancakes and eggs however they like ‘em! Or, if mornings are always too frenetic for anything more than a granola bar on the way out the door, why not stage breakfast for dinner their first day back?

GIVE THEM

the third-degree.

Grab your phone, hit record and interview your kid on the year ahead. What are they most looking forward to? What are they nervous about? What do they think they’ll learn?

WATCH THEM grow.

self-portrait.

Especially fun for crafty kids, provide your child with a mirror and art supplies and task them with drawing or painting a self-portrait at the start of the school year, and then — if you can remember! — have them do it again the last week of school. You’ll be able to see how their skills evolve, and by the time they’re seniors in high school, you’ll have enough masterpieces to put together into a book for them to keep.

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A basic PB&J and apple slices can wait a day. For their first school year lunch, pack them something extra-special, whether it’s a sandwich cut up into kooky shapes (cue the bento box!) or a sweet treat from their favorite bakery. Even sweeter: include a simple “I love you note” or even a slip of paper with a funny joke to help ease any of those initial midday nerves.

Buy an oversized T-shirt that has “Class of 2032” or whatever year it is they’ll graduate high school. Take a photo of your child growing into the shirt, starting from their first day of preschool on up. Some shirts even have spaced-out sections on the back for you to place a handprint at the start of each grade level, too. Not only is it a great photo opp, but it’s a tangible memento they can hold onto.

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lunchbox.

Celebrate

“SCHOOL YEAR’S EVE.”

It’s New Year’s Eve, but with school the next day! Break out the party hats and host a family dance party as you count down the final moments of summer.

Pondering a move to a private or charter school? Check out the new issue of Big Book of Schools at ChicagoParent.com/BBS

ALWAYS MAKE ROOM FOR

ice cream.

As important as it is to welcome the coming school year, it’s also cathartic to say goodbye to the end of summer. There’s perhaps no better way to get one last taste of summer than with a post-first-day family ice cream excursion.

How to (Finally!) Feel Ready for Back-to-School Season

he back-to-school season can be riddled with anxious energy. It can be both exciting and overwhelming for the entire family. So, how can parents stave off the stress that this hectic time brings to their lives? Read on for parent-tested techniques to remain relatively sane this school year.

1. ORDER SCHOOL SUPPLIES ONLINE.

Sure, there’s something nostalgic about taking your kiddos to Target and letting them help pick out the wide-ruled notebooks and glue sticks on their classroom school supply list, but let’s be honest: it’s painfully inefficient. The aisle is always overcrowded with shoppers, the good stuff is picked over and you never manage to get everything you need in one haul.

2. RESIST MAKING TOO MANY PLANS THE WEEK BEFORE THE FIRST DAY.

A lot of parents try to squeeze in as much summer that they didn’t get to in that last week before the new academic year begins — many even strategically plan a vacation to fill that gap between the end of camp and the start of school. However, for many families, going too hard that last week can cause a severe energy shortage right when they have to reacquaint themselves with eight-hour days in the classroom.

3. KEEP A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CALENDAR.

STEAL AWAY FOR A

parents’ day out.

OK, OK, so just as it’s important to start traditions with the whole family, once those kids are out the door, why not have one last adults-only celebration, just you — or you and your partner? Grab a childless brunch and toast to a job well done!

You might have a Google calendar all synced up with your partner, but for families — and for those with elementary-school-aged kids in particular — it’s a good idea to have a large weekly whiteboard calendar in an easy-to-spot, highly trafficked place in the house (think: on the fridge or by the front door). That way, you can see what’s happening with everyone, including after-school events, childcare schedules and oft-forgotten school spirit days, at a glance.

4. REINTRODUCE ROUTINES SOONER THAN YOU THINK.

If you tend to relax your family’s structure when school’s out, acknowledge that you can’t go from summer to school with the flip of a night light switch. Consider easing back into earlier bedtimes and setting wake-up alarms in the weeks preceding the first day. Find other ways to ready yourself: start having your kids pick out their clothes the night before and set your own reminders to prep lunches early so you aren’t rushed.

5. ALWAYS LEAVE SEVEN MINUTES EARLY.

It’s inevitable that if you plan to be out the door at 6:45 a.m., you are still looking for someone’s shoe until at least 6:54 a.m. Decide what is the very last minute you can leave without being late, and make it your goal to leave, say, seven minutes before that. Why the odd number? Knowing you have to be in the car at 7:43 a.m. is more specific than a general time on the hour or half-hour, so you’re more likely to stick to it.

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American epidemic. In just the past school year alone, 37 innocents lost their lives in 51 shootings at school. That number is closing in on 200 lives lost since Columbine. Outside of conflict zones, no other country has as many guns or as many mass shootings. So, then by that measure, are we living in a

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CHICAGOPARENT.COM

taken accidents as the leading cause of death for kids ages 1-19 is too shocking to believe. But that's what the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and analyzed by the New England Journal of Medicine shows, confirmed by leading independent researchers. The debate against gun reform often hinges on

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This is one of IS just a few enact an all-out ban on firearms. The majority of points in the gun debate that has a fair gunIS reform proponents and GH IS ENOUGH ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ISeveryday ENOUGH ISAmericans ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ISamount of bipartisan support, with many Republican want is not a government-forced roundup of all GH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS lawmakers on board. However, gun rights activists the country’s estimated 390 million guns (yes, GH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS say these laws violate the Fifth and Fourteenth the U.S. is believed to now have more guns than people), but tighter laws around access. In the wake of shootings, lawmakers opposed to talking about gun reform propose unworkable ideas that skirt around the issue of the guns themselves, such as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and others offering up the idea of a one-door policy,

Amendments which read that no person shall be deprived of “life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” As of this writing, red flag laws are already in place in 19 states — including New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois and California — and Washington, D.C.

INNOCENTS LOST THEIR LIVES IN 51 SHOOTINGS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS IN THE 2021/22 SCHOOL YEAR: NEVAEH BRAVO, 10 JACKLYN CAZARES, 9 MAKENNA LEE ELROD, 10 JOSE FLORES, 10 ELLIE GARCIA, 9 IRMA GARCIA, 48 UZIYAH GARCIA, 8 AMERIE JO GARZA, 10 XAVIER LOPEZ, 10 JAYCE LUEVANOS, 10 TESS MATA, 10 MIRANDA MATHIS, 11 EVA MIRELES, 44 ALITHIA RAMIREZ, 10 ANNABELL RODRIGUEZ, 10 MAITE RODRIGUEZ, 10 ALEXANDRIA “LEXI” RUBIO, 10 LAYLA SALAZAR, 10 JAILAH NICOLE SILGUERO, 10 ELIAHANA CRUZ TORRES, 10 ROJELIO TORRES, 10 MADISYN BALDWIN, 17 TATE MYRE, 16 HANA ST. JULIANA, 14 JUSTIN SHILLING, 17 JAMARI JACKSON, 12 SHAWN DWIGHT TOLBERT, 16 JOSE LOPEZ-PERE, 15 JAHMARI RICE, 15 MARQUIS CAMPBELL, 15 ALEXANDER ALVARARO, 12 BENNIE HARGROVE, 13 JUSTIN PANKEY, 21 XAVIER CLIFTON, 18 DAYLON BURNETT, 15 WILLIAM MILLER JR., 15 JUSTIN DUNHAM, 17 CHICAGOPARENT.COM

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THE FIGHT

t’s hard not to feel helpless when it comes to what to do about mass shootings and gun violence, but it’s past time that parents make their voices heard. Consider donating to or getting involved in these organizations.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence takes a three-pronged approach to combating gun violence: changing laws, changing the gun industry and changing culture. bradyunited.org

Everytown for Gun Safety is the largest gun violence prevention organization in America and employs an evidence-based, neighborhood-by-neighborhood model. It classifies Illinois – where 1,505 people on average die by guns each year – as having some of the strongest gun laws in the country, including background checks on all gun sales, an Extreme Risk law, and laws keeping guns away from domestic abusers. Guns are the leading cause of death for kids and teens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. everytown.org

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots effort to stem gun violence. It has a chapter in every state. To learn more, in Chicagoland, the Chicago Northwest Side group meets July 9, a South Suburbs group meets July 27 and the Humboldt Park/Logan Square group meets July 28. momsdemandaction.org

Giffords is led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords with a mission to shift culture, mobilize voters and challenge injustice. giffords.org

Sandy Hook Promise is run by several of the family members of the students killed in Newtown, Connecticut, and their goal is to teach young people to spot the signs and prevent gun violence. sandyhookpromise.org

Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions uses rigorous research methods to develop equitable programs and policies that thwart gun violence. jhu.edu

Violence Policy Center uses research, investigation, analysis and advocacy to fight against gun violence in America. vpc.org

March For Our Lives is a youth-led organization that amplifies survivors’ voices and mobilizes communities with a commitment to a future free from gun violence. marchforourlives.com

Alliance for Gun Responsibility engages experts, civic leaders and citizens for evidence-based solutions and to promote a culture of gun ownership that balances rights and responsibilities. gunresponsibility.org

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BACKGROUND CHECKS

Many consider background checks to be the first line of defense to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands. Federal law requires that a background check be done on any individual attempting to buy a firearm from a licensed gun dealer to check for criminal history, mental health records, drug abuse and instances of domestic violence. But, because of underreporting by states, violations are often missed. Besides that, gun safety activists point to the gun show and private seller loopholes. Currently, in a number of states, if you buy a gun from a private seller or an unlicensed dealer (say, at a gun show), they aren’t required to perform a background check. Cut to the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (HR 8). This bill establishes federal background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties and unlicensed dealers. If made law, it would require that a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. HR 8 passed in the House in March 2021 but remains stalled in the Senate, and legal experts aren’t hopeful that it’ll pass. Background checks would not work in cases like the November high school shooting in Oxford, Mich., since the gun, a 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 pistol, was purchased just four days before the shooting by the teen’s dad as a gift.

SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS

The shooter at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, carried with him two semiautomatic rifles that he’d legally purchased the day after his 18th birthday — just days before the massacre. In 2017, the Las Vegas shooter used semiautomatic rifles legally modified to shoot like

automatic weapons, while the Sandy Hook Elementary shooter used an AR-15 and two semiautomatic pistols: the list goes on. Advocates for stricter gun laws, propose raising the federal age requirement to purchase long guns like semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21. Currently, under the Gun Control Act, shotguns and rifles may be sold to individuals 18 years old and older, though several states have raised the age requirement. The Protecting Our Children Act (HR 7910), if passed, would set the nationwide age requirement for semiautomatic weapons to 21. In a further step, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2021 (HR 1808) would do just what the name suggests: prohibit the import, sell, manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. It’s worth noting that assault weapons were banned in 1994 but that measure was allowed to lapse in 2004.

THE CULTURE

Guns are Americana. Few other places in the world have as rich a gun culture. According to research by the Small Arms Survey — a Swiss-based leading research project — in 2018, there were an estimated 390 million guns in the United States (that’s more than 120 guns per 100 people). According to a Pew Research Center survey done in June 2021, four in 10 U.S. adults say they live in a household with a gun, with 30% saying they personally own one. The majority of Americans support “common sense” gun legislation. Still, attitudes around gun laws and the issue of gun safety tend to differ based on a few factors including gender, race, location and political party. The Pew Report also found:

PERSONALLY OWN A GUN:

44% 39%

SAY GUN LAWS SHOULD BE STRICTER (AS OF APRIL 2021)

20%

of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents

22%

of men

of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents

20% of Republicans and Republicanleaning independents

of women

81% of Democrats and Democraticleaning independents

41%

of adults living in rural areas

29%

of adults living in the suburbs

20%

of adults living in cities

SEE GUN VIOLENCE AS A VERY BIG OR MAJOR PROBLEM:

82% of Black adults

58%

of Hispanic adults

39% of white adults

18%

of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents

73%

of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents

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GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SPENT A RECORD HIGH 15.8 MILLION ON LOBBYING IN 2021, TOPPING THE PREVIOUS 2013 RECORD SET WHEN SPENDING MORE THAN DOUBLED FOLLOWING THE SANDY HOOK MASSACRE. $16M $15M $14M $13M $12M $11M $10M $9M $8M $7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M

2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 •

$1M

GUN CONTROL

GUN RIGHTS

Source: OpenSecrets analysis of lobbying disclosures through March 31, 2022.

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THE NRA When discussing why it’s often so difficult to make changes around gun policy, reform advocates point to politicians that are beholden to the gun lobby — the biggest of these is the National Rifle Association, which boasts between 3 and 5 million members. Founded in 1871, the NRA categorizes itself as a civil rights organization committed to protecting citizens’ Second Amendment rights. The NRA argues that the key to a safer country is more guns, and in 1975 it formed its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action, to fight against gun reform. Some argue that the NRA is working on behalf of gun manufacturers and dealers to ensure that gun sales remain plentiful and profitable. According to the BBC, in 2020, the NRA spent $250 million — more than all of America’s gun reform groups combined. And (officially) they spend $3 million a year to influence gun policy, though it’s probably more by way of PACs and independent contributions. In 2019, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence compiled a list of the 50 senators who’ve taken the most money from the NRA, and it includes 19 current or recent senators who’ve taken at least $1 million over their careers. Topping the list is Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) with more than $13 million in donations. Also included is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) with more than $1.2 million in campaign contributions, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) with more than $3.3 million taken.

GOING FORWARD As families mourn the loss of those killed at school and the injured recover from their physical wounds,

Parents are understandably experiencing hopelessness and anger after every shooting at one of the nation's schools. They ask: Is any child truly safe today? Beyond living scared and feeling stymied by the seemingly unstoppable influence of the NRA on gun safety policy, parents across the country are demanding action. Many are banding together to call on the state lawmakers and Congress to finally do something beyond the rhetoric. Find our ongoing coverage of gun violence and parent resources at ChicagoParent.com /LatestIssue.

our nation also mourns the loss of children's innocence, with hundreds of thousands directly impacted by gun violence in their schools since Columbine in 1999. This generation of school children will never know school without active shooter drills or the fear that their school could be next. As a group, parents can be a mighty force in calling for change from lawmakers who were debating a gun reform proposal at presstime. The time for everyone to add their voices is now before school reopens and any more innocents are lost.

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Things To Do FREE July 9-10 Chicago

Joffrey Ballet’s Rita Finds Home

July 10, Aug. 28 Chicago

Family Storybook Yoga

July 12-14 Cicero The World’s Biggest Bounce House Photo courtesy of The Big Bounce America

Interact through moving, breathing and connecting while listening to a story. Recommended for ages 2-8. 9-10 a.m. $10-$15. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. naturemuseum.org.

See Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion as they go down the yellow brick road through the wonderful Land of Oz. 10:30-11:30 a.m. $9.50/general admission. Jedlicka Performing Arts Center. epd.org.

Fossil Collection Trip

FREE July 17 Glen Ellyn

Family Series: “Ralph’s World”

July 22-24 Rolling Meadows

FREE July 23 Lockport

Travel with other fossil and rock hunters to a restricted Belvidere quarry to find marine fossils. Ages 8 and up. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $45, $40/ members. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art. lizzadromuseum.org.

Experience the musical creation of indie rocker and children’s book author Ralph Covert. 2-5 p.m. The Lakeside Pavilion at the McAninch Arts Center. atthemac.org

The World’s Biggest Bounce House

Get your bounce on at this bounce house area towering 32 feet from the ground and up. Expect towers, basketball hoops, a giant slide, oversized couches and chairs and even a giant rabbit to climb inside. 1-7:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday and 3-6 p.m. Sunday. $19-$39. Busse Forest Park. thebigbounceamerica.com.

Comicopolis 2022

See more than 50 artists, writers and specialty vendors with one-of-a-kind items. Plus, a cosplay costume contest, photo booth, scavenger hunt, zombies and food trucks. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. White Oak Library District–Lockport Branch. comicopolis.org.

FREE July 24 Glen Ellyn

Family Series: Family Fiesta

July 31 Tinley Park

Kidz Bop World Tour 2022

The Wizard of Oz

July 16 Oak Brook

Kidz Bop World Tour 2022

Please check events before heading out. Plus, easily find even more fun for your family at ChicagoParent.com /Calendar.

Enjoy a family-friendly performance of “Rita Finds Home” at Polk Bros Park Lake Stage. It’s a collaborative project with the Miami City Ballet. 4-6 p.m. Navy Pier. navypier.org.

Enjoy a family music event that features performances by Mariachi Monumental de Mexico and Aurora’s Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl. 2 p.m. The Lakeside Pavilion at the McAninch Arts Center. atthemac.org.

Rock out to live performances of today’s best hits by kids. 4 p.m. $29.50+. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. kidzbop.com/tour.

Aug.5-7 Rosemont

Anime Magic!

FREE Aug.7 Libertyville

DOGwood Day

Aug.28 Tinley Park

Dive into anime and Japanese culture. Celebrity guests, cosplay, cosplay contests, themed photo studios, vendors and more planned. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $40/one-day Friday ticket, $45/ one-day Saturday ticket, $35/one-day Sunday ticket, $50/weekend pass, $150/VIP pass. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. animemagic.org.

Enjoy one day of puppy love at this annual event for you and your doggie at Lambs Farm. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lambs Farm. lambsfarm.org.

Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert Tour Enjoy the film as it comes to life in a one-of-a-kind concert event. It will feature the film and a band celebrating all the record-breaking hit songs from the soundtrack. 7:30 p.m. $47+. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. tinleyparkamphitheater.com.

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JULY/AUGUST 2022

THINGS TO DO | Party!

Tons of annual festivals are returning after a COVID-19 hiatus. Find more great fests for families and share your faves at ChicagoParent.com /LatestIssue.

Best of the Fests BY KARI ZAFFARANO

lather on some sunscreen, pack up the whole family and get ready to party at one of these family-friendly festivals that make Chicago and its suburbs the place to be for summer. You’re sure to have a blast!

In the Suburbs In the City FREE Taste of Chicago July 8-10 • Chicago This mini-version of Taste showcases 30-40 eateries and food trucks each day and three mainstage evening concerts. Fees for food. Grant Park. chicago.gov. Square Roots Festival July 8-10 • Chicago Wiggle with Wiggleworms in the kids zone, plus music on four stages, family fun, restaurants and a craft beer showcase. 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. $5 kids/suggested donation, $20 family/ suggested donation. Lincoln Avenue in Logan Square neighborhood. squareroots.org. FREE Fresh Fest July 14-15 • Chicago Watch Chicago’s up-and-coming stars, from musicians, dancers and spoken word artists, on the Wave Wall performance platform. Noon-7 p.m. Navy Pier. navypier.org. Roscoe Village Burger Fest July 15-17 • Chicago At this patty party, try, then vote for, Chicago’s Best Burger. Enjoy music and a kids’ zone. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $10/ suggested donation. 2000 W. Belmont Ave. chicagoevents.com.

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Chicago Ducky Derby Photo courtesy of Special Olympics LLC FREE Chinatown Summer Fair July 30-31 • Chicago Enjoy a lion dance procession, Asian performances, Kung Fu demonstrations, children’s area, a breakdancing competition and a dumpling eating contest. Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Chinatown. chicagoevents.com. FREE Chicago Ducky Derby Aug. 4 • Chicago Cheer on more than 50,000 yellow rubber ducks to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $5 to adopt a duck. The Wrigley Building. chicagoduckrace.com. Chicago Hot Dog Fest Aug. 5-7 • Chicago This fun Chicago History Museum fest is long on dogs (no ketchup) and full of activities for kids, plus live music. $5/suggested donation, $20/family suggested donation; fees for food. Stockton and LaSalle Drive. chicagohistory.com/chicagohotdogfest. FREE Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic Aug. 15 • Chicago Experience the largest African-Amercan parade in the U.S., featuring floats,

CHICAGOPARENT.COM

bands, drill teams, dance teams and celebrities, to kick off the new school year and celebrate history on the South Side, then enjoy the picnic at the end. Check website closer to date for details. budbillikenparade.org. Ribfest Chicago Aug. 19-21 • Chicago Enjoy ribs and listen to bands while the kids hang out at the Kids Square featuring entertainment, inflatables and games. Plus, celebrity-judged “Best Ribs” award and amateur and professional rib-eating competitions. 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $10/person suggested donation or $20/family suggested donation. Northcenter. ribfest-chicago.com. Taste of Greektown Aug. 26-28 • Chicago Treat yourself to all things Greek with food, Greek bands, artisans and games for both kids and families. 4-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $7/suggested donation. Halsted Street. chicagoevents.com.

Lemont Food Truck Festival July 2 • Lemont Enjoy some of the region’s best food trucks, music, a beer garden and local business vendors. Plus, all the fun that The Forge offers like climbing adventure, archery, laser tag and axe throwing. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $5-$15, free/ kids 10 and under with a paying adult. The Forge Adventure Park & Ziplines. eventbrite.com. FREE Art at the Glen July 30-31 • Glenview See the art of more than 140 juried artists from across the country. Artists will give demonstrations and have oneon-one conversations about their artistic processes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Glen Town Center. amdurproductions.com. Festa Italiana Aug. 5-7 • Naperville Manga on Italian food (or try the meatball-eating contest), plus music, shopping, kids activities and rides. 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. $5-$25. Naperville Settlement. starevents.com. FREE Park Palooza Aug. 20 • Elmhurst Bring your lawn chairs or pack a blanket and enjoy a lazy end-of-summer Saturday with live music, family games, a beer garden and more. 5-9 p.m. Berens Park. epd.org.

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THINGS TO DO | Watch This, Do That

WATCH THIS

How to Bring the Lessons From the Newest Disney Movie to Life BY KATINA BENIARIS

eilin Lee is your typical early 2000s 13-year-old — dorky, confident and obsessed with the boy band 4*Town. While she has the best friends crew, she’s determined to make her mom proud by striving to be a perfect and obedient daughter. The young teen’s life changes when one night her emotions get the best of her. A family curse ignites to turn Mei into a giant red panda when she’s filled with emotions. The only way to tame her panda is by being calm. That, as many parents of tweens and teens can relate, turns out to be quite difficult. Teenagers go through a range of emotions, especially when puberty begins. While the movie isn’t without some controversy over the topics, we love how it dives into those growing pains. But there are also plenty of lessons that kids of all ages can understand.

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DO THAT

What To Discuss With Kids You can feel strong emotions. Managing your emotions can sometimes be hard for kids to understand. Have them understand that they sometimes might feel excitement, anger or anxiety. There is nothing wrong with having big feelings and they can always take a deep breath to help. Support your friends. Priya, Abby and Miriam are Mei’s best friends. Even when they find out her red panda secret, they are immediately supportive. These friends are a great example to show kids you should be there for your friends no matter what and be their support system especially when they need you most. Don’t please others. Mei strives to be perfect to get her mother’s approval. While kids sometimes feel pressured to seek approval from others, it shouldn’t change who they are. Remind kids they should always be themselves and don’t feel like they have to be different for parents, friends or anyone else. It’s OK to talk about puberty. Turning Red serves as a great metaphor for tweens and teens going through puberty. While we know the subject can be a difficult for parents to discuss with kids, this movie could be a great starting point to talk with your kids about puberty.

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Movie-Inspired Activities Try mood journaling. It’s hard for us to keep track of our emotions. Older kids would appreciate a mood journal and little ones might enjoy a feelings chart. Happierhuman.com offers a roundup of a few to try. Play freeze dance. Millennial parents will especially love to play the ’00s-inspired playlists available on Spotify influenced by the main friend crew — Meilin, Priya, Miriam and Abby. Learn about red pandas. For kids obsessed with red pandas, learn more about the lesser panda with the National Geographic Readers book all about red pandas or visit the zoo to see one in real life. Meditate. Practicing mindfulness is a great way for kids to help calm their emotions. YouTube is filled with ideas, including a breathing exercise by New Horizon – Meditation & Sleep Stories. Make congee. Many Chinese families might immediately recognize Mei’s mom, Ming, serving the breakfast rice porridge with an adorable smiley face. You can recreate the Chinese comfort food at home with this Pixar recipe on its YouTube page, youtu.be/Hg4QX90m_gQ.

THINGS TO DO | Make a Splash

Lazy Summer Fun These aquatic centers near Chicago promise a fun summer day for the entire family CYPRESS GROVE FAMILY AQUATIC PARK

Photo courtesy of Mystic Waters

8301 S. Janes Ave., Woodridge With eight acres of water attractions, Cypress Grove was designed with active families in mind. The youngest swimmers can enter a zero-depth pool or splash around in a state-of-the-art sprayground with geysers, water tables, a tot flume slide and an oversized dumping bucket. For the older set, there’s eight water slides and a 600-foot lazy river. $17.50; kids under 1 are free.

MYSTIC WATERS

f you’ve become a regular at the park district pool, it’s time to shake things up and make the trek to the ’burbs for awesome aquatic centers for the whole family. From climbing walls and plunge slides to zero depth pools, here are some of our favorite aquatic centers.

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BAREFOOT BAY

1461 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein A great alternative to the larger, overcrowded waterparks, Barefoot Bay has four bodies of water that feature a 740-foot lazy river, a zerodepth pool, tube slides, body flumes, a diving well, a fenced tot swim area and an AquaClimb water wall. $15/adults, $15/children, kids ages 2 and younger are free.

CENTENNIAL PARK AQUATIC CENTER

15600 West Ave., Orland Park This 360,000-square-foot water park is a child’s paradise. The kids will have a blast riding five slides and floating through a lazy river around bends and under waterfalls. Enjoy fun out of the water with sand volleyball courts just outside of the pools. $23-$25.

2025 Miner St., Des Plaines A child’s paradise, it has water attractions for all ages. The youngest swimmers will enjoy a large, zero-depth pool and splash pad, while thrill seekers can zoom down two 37-foot water slides. It also features a 550-foot lazy river perfect for the whole family. $16.50/adults, $14.50/children, free for kids ages 2 and under.

PARK FOREST AQUA CENTER

30 N. Orchard, Park Forest Find three pools — a shallow pool for kids, an adults-only pool (parents rejoice) and an activity pool featuring a 160-foot water slide, two drop slides and a 15-foot-high aquatic climbing wall. $12.

PELICAN HARBOR

200 Lindsey Lane, Bolingbrook Experience the thrill of four different water speed slides; relax in the Lazy River or challenge yourself in the diving well with a 1-meter diving board. Featuring a zero-depth pool and interactive sprayground that’s perfect for younger children, Pelican Harbor caters to kids (and adults) of all ages. $16.

SEA LION AQUATIC PARK

1825 Short St., Lisle With so many water attractions, it’s easy to spend the whole day. The award-winning water park has a large open swim area, two 50-foot body flume slides, two drop slides, a sprayground and more. The vortex pool creates water resistance that’s ideal for water aerobics. $13.

WHEELING PARK DISTRICT FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER

333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling Plunge down slides at this outdoor water park with a zero-depth entry main pool. Younger kids love the water playground, splash pool, toddler slide and sand play area. Daredevils will enjoy the Paradise Falls area with two huge drop slides you have to see to believe. $13/adults, free for kids ages 2 and under.

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JULY/AUGUST 2022

THINGS TO DO | Get Out Of Town

Cool Adventures, Hot Summer BY CORTNEY FRIES

Find more great places to visit before school starts at ChicagoParent.com /LatestIssue.

he radiant months of summer seem to whip by so fast. Here are some memorable excursions to fit in before the kids head back to school.

CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF KINGS ISLAND

Five decades of family fun culminate in the golden anniversary of Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. With the introduction of Orion, Kings Island’s longest, tallest and fastest steel coaster in 2020, there are now 15 rollercoasters to happy-scream on. The Beast, the world’s longest wooden coaster, just became even longer. Off-season work extended it by a few feet and steepened the first drop. Kings Island also features Planet Snoopy, an award-winning kids’ area, and Soak City, a 33-acre water park. Summer evenings are capped off with a fireworks finale of 200 synchronized drones, fire bursts and laser projections.

Knott’s Berry Farm

VEG OUT IN ROCKFORD

Water slide enthusiasts will definitely want to try the innovative slide, Medusa’s Slidewheel, a huge waterslide that spins like a Ferris Wheel, found at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort. Up to four people can splash in a raft for 96 seconds, experiencing G-force and airtime, as they glide around a spinning series of tubes. Mt. Olympus also expanded its indoor water park. The outdoor wave pool is one of the world’s largest with nine-foot waves every 90 seconds.

Rockford lives up to its nickname City of Gardens. Anderson Japanese Gardens offer a tranquil, 12-acre landscape with flowers and waterfalls dotted with stone pathways. The Japanese Summer Festival at the end of July showcases unique performances and cultural demonstrations. Visit Rock Cut State Park for more than 3,000 acres of space for picnicking, hiking and camping. Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens on the Rock River features a beautiful 10-mile recreation path decorated with sculptures and parks. When you’re ready to nosh, you’ll find plenty of vegan options, including Pig Minds Brewing Company, America’s first vegan brewery. The Spicy Peanut Tofu Zoodle Bowl is delicious, while its 10-beer flight is a generous tasting. Prairie Street Brewing Company has a fantastic patio along Rock River, plus kids can’t get enough of their arcade games. Grab brunch at The Norwegian. Families eat up breakfast treats like the Swedish Cinnamon Knot. Looking for a place to stay? Embassy Suites By Hilton Rockford Riverfront is a hip, modern hotel with bright, downtown views, an indoor pool and hot tub.

ROLL AROUND MADISON, WISCONSIN

SURF THE WAVES ON A CALIFORNIA VACAY

SWISH AROUND AMERICA’S FIRST ROTATING WATER SLIDE IN WISCONSIN DELLS, WISCONSIN

Want to tackle a wet, wacky, wild sport that’s sure to have you rolling with laughter? Try your best to balance on a spinning, floating log in Lake Wingra with Madison Log Rolling. Kids and adults will get a kick out of this lumberjack sport. Drop-in classes are available 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. While in Madison, stay at the hip Hotel Indigo, an old paint factory now splashed with colorful murals. Tweens and foodies will eat up at a Bike n’ Bites food tour with Madison Eats, tasting seven food and drink samples while pedaling around town on a guided e-bike tour. Start at Garver Feed Mill for samples of Ian’s Pizza (known for mac n’ cheese pizza) or KOSA Spa’s vegan Indian food. Also at Garver, check out Roll Play, an Asian street food board game café. Sip bubble tea while playing more than 150 board games. Rent kayaks at nearby Olbrich Park.

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If a California beach vacation is calling you, Huntington Beach, aka Surf City USA, is the place to hang 10 this summer. Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, with its chill vibe and water slides, provides the family-friendly accommodations that will wow your crew. From there, take a short drive to Buena Park for Knott’s Berry Farm, California’s original theme park. Rides range from insane coasters to sweet kiddie rides featuring Snoopy. Our family’s favorites are Jaguar!, a glide above a Mayan-themed temple, and the Pony Express, a unique ride that jets to a quick start on “horseback.” Stay at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel so you can have a pool break in the middle of the day, then return for more rides. In neighboring Santa Ana, little ones love Santa Ana Zoo for its monkeys, train ride and carousel.

Find more great things to do in Tinley Park at ChicagoParent.com/ LatestIssue.

THINGS TO DO | Go On An Adventure

Tinley Park Get to know this fun south suburb

STORY AND PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE PYRZYNSKI

o matter what type of adventure you’re looking for, Tinley Park has it down to a “T.” The community known as a historic key junction point for train and road travel celebrates 130 years this year. I’ve explored every nook and cranny of the community for my blog, Tinley Park Mom, and always marvel at the treasures I find. So here are a few activities kids will enjoy, eats families will appreciate and places that bring the fun.

GETTING THERE: With access to four major highways, it’s about a 35-minute drive from downtown Chicago and also offers two major train stops. Tinley Park Public Library

E AT

FRANKIE’S RISTORANTE 9501 W. 171st St., Tinley Park This is easily one of the top restaurants for every occasion. What I think charms people and makes Frankie’s so popular is how its team make this upscale traditional Italian restaurant family-friendly. Grab a seat in the pergola to eat alfresco; you’ll thank me for that sunset view when the light kisses the trees of the Orland Grasslands Forest Preserve.

SHOP

GRECO NUT & CANDY OUTLET 7950 167th St., Tinley Park Inside is very much a blast from the past, but you’ll find a whole host of candy types you’ve never heard of, and every classic and current treat you can’t forget. Parents will like that the large variety of candies and paraphernalia sold for 10 to 25 cents each. Watch its Facebook page for specials.

P L AY

TINLEY PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY 7851 Timber Drive, Tinley Park Check out its impressive boardwalk that takes you through wetland and prairie land. Inside, the entire second floor is for kids. Reserve a spot for an Outdoor Storytime or Steam Ahead science-based activity. TINLEY PARK ROLLER RINK 17658 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park This spot is a tradition for generations of families — very Litwak’s Arcade from the Pixar movie Wreck-It Ralph.

Greco Nut & Candy Outlet

EXPLORE

FOREST VIEW FARMS 16717 S. Lockwood Ave., Tinley Park A horse and petting farm that’s fairly priced and the staff is so patient with little ones. Be sure to bring cash. You’ll meet pigs, sheep, llamas, goats and a mini horse ($5 per person, animal feed extra). Pony rides start at $10. Frankie’s Ristorante CHICAGOPARENT.COM

JULY/AUGUST 2022

MY MANTRA | How I Make It Through The Day

SCHREECE N. JONES is a Chicago mom of five, ranging in age from 9 to 24, and a grandmother of one. She has more than 17 years of teaching experience and loves to write. She published her first book of poetry, Life and Love; in My Own Words, in 2011.

ART BY LAINEY YEHL

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1 Year

(6 issues)

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