♥ Sweet Shops ♥ Lose the love handles ♥ Be my valentine
CHORES & ALLOWANCE The great debate
At home & around town
FREE
RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES
Southwest Washington
Month of Love
FEATuRES FoR THE
Family
February 2012
BULLYING BEHAVIOR Prevention and recognition
Readers of the
Month! Brenda Gonzales Gomez Fords Prairie
Cassandra Sanchez Fords Prairie
Sebastian Zuniga Jefferson Lincoln
Nayeli Gonselez edison
Olivia Braun St. Joseph
Kristena Puris Jefferson Lincoln
Tatyana McQueen R.E. Bennett
Kyndra Weatherly Jefferson Lincoln
Tristen DeSpain R.E. Bennett
Isabella Williams edison
Bryce Kuykendall St. Joseph
Luca Angove Centralia Christian
Parker Johnson Centralia Christian
Lincoln Smith R.E. Bennett
Maggie Eiland Fords Prairie
A’marie Anderson edison
Kyla McCallum St. Joseph
Now with two locations to serve you!
2100 N. National Avenue Chehalis 505 S. Tower Avenue Centralia www.yardbirdsmall.com www.yardbirdsmall.com Open 6 AM - 10 PM Open 5 AM - 12 PM 360-748-1936 360-736-9328
Contents
♥ p. 11
♥ p. 23
♥ Sweet Shops ♥ Lose the love handles ♥ Be my valentine
p. 14
The great debate
RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES
At home & around town
BULLYING BEHAVIOR
SWW Family Staff Creative Director, Editor: Chantel Wilson cwilson@swwfamily.com Editorial Assistant: Amanda Curry
♥
FREE
♥ ♥ p. 20
CHORES & ALLOWANCE
p. 19
February 2012
Southwest Washington
Month of Love
FEATuRES FoR THE
Family
Pg. 3 .............................Family Favorites Pg. 4 ............................................ Events Pg. 5 ................................ Did You Know Pg. 6 ............................. Teacher Feature Pg. 7 ................................. Fun Calendar Pg. 8 .......................................... Bullying Pg. 11 ................................Sweet Shops Pg. 12 ........................................ Election Pg. 14 ..................... Rainy Day Activities Pg. 19 ......................... Family Valentines Pg. 20 .....................Chores & Allowance Pg. 23 ............................... Love Handles Pg. 24 ......................................Birthdays Pg. 26 ...................Reading Suggestions Pg. 28 ................................ Love & Logic Pg. 29 ................................... Scrapbook
Prevention and recognition
♥ p. 8
One the cover: Tinsley, 1year, Tanner & Taylor, 2 1/2 years. Proud parents are Roger and Fallon Tobin of Chehalis. Photo by Alison Clinton, owner of Horizon Photo & Design. Please see ad on opposing page.
Graphic Designers: Kelli Erb, Lead Graphic Designer Devon Bergeron Cindy Gundo Advertising Sales: Brian Watson, Sales Manager Chrystal Zelazny Shelleen Lundeen Southwest Washington Family is a publication of Lafromboise Communications Inc. Southwest Washington Family, 321 N. Pearl Street, Centralia, WA 98531. (360) 736-8213
Family Favorites Online
Vote NOW thru Feb. 29th!
Preschool Fiddlesticks Co-op Preschool Pre-school Playtime, Chehalis Centralia Christian School
Campground Rainbow Falls State Park Paradise Resort, Salkum Mayfield Lake Park
OBGYN Dr. Mvundura, Providence Centralia Women’s Center Dr. Nishiyama, Providence Centralia Women’s Center Dr. Richards, South Sound Women’s Center
Trail Seminary Hill Nature Trail Rails to Trails, Willapa Hills McLane Creek Nature Trail
Pediatrician Dr. Dalan, NW Pediatric Center Dr. McCarthy, Chehalis Children’s Clinic Dr. Barer, ABC Pediatrics Teacher Mrs. Hanshaw, St. Joseph Catholic School Miss Bower, Napavine Elementary Mrs. Bundy, One Little Tree Preschool Librarian Sara, Linda & Denise, Centralia Timberland Library Mrs. Schwarz, Fords Prairie Elementary Mrs. DeHaven, Jefferson Lincoln Elementary Tutor Mr. Harjo, The Freeman Center Mr. Freeman, The Freeman Center School Spirit Centralia Tigers Napavine Tigers Rochester Warriors Extra Curricular Activity Air Hockey, Quesadilla Factory Bowling, Centralia Bowl Soccer, Centralia Youth Soccer Playground Duty Cindy & Shannon, Olympic Elementary Mrs. Hazelrigg, Edison Elementary Mrs. Scherer, Fords Prairie Music Instructor Madame Sandra Zegzula, private studio Mrs. Minor, Jefferson Lincoln Mrs. Akin, Rochester Primary School Principal Mr. Simpson, Cascade Elementary Dr. Udd, St. Joseph, Catholic School Mrs. Vekich, Washington Elementary
Parade Lighted Tractor Parade, Centralia Chehalis Santa Parade Winlock Egg Days Dentist Office Small to Tall, Lacey (Psaltis, Rowley, Ruter) Chehalis Professional Building (Henricksen, Walker, Wogman) Goldsby Family Dentristy, Chehalis Party Spot Penny Playground Thorbeckes Pool Chuck E. Cheese Park Schaefer Park, Centralia Alexander Park, Chehalis Stan Hedwall, Chehalis
Sunday School Bethel Church Westminster Presbyterian Church Destiny Christian Center Rainy Day Activity Animal watching, Pioneer West Painting, Seven Ceramics Skating, Rollerdrome Photographer Katia Hudson Mandi McDougall Alison Clinton Family Activity Adventure walks/trails Library story time Local parades Ice Cream Dairy Queen Dairy Dan Cold Stone Creamery Trick-or-Treating Location Edison District Bengal Court Downtown Centralia Train Watching Location Napavine Pedestrian Bridge Centralia Train Depot Stan Hedwall
Fishing Hole/Lake Borst Park, Centralia Offut Lake, Tenino Riffe Lake, Mossyrock
Camp Bethel Vacation Bible Evergreen Playhouse
Toy Store Toys ‘R Us Wind Up Here, Olympia Hubbub, Centralia
Clothing Store The Children’s Place Outlet Gymboree Outlet Baby Bargain, Centralia
Entertainment Olympic Club Movies, Centralia Charlie Safari, Lacey Hands on Children’s Museum
Restroom Stop Starbucks Les Schwab Centralia Safeway
Playground Penny Playground, Chehalis Jefferson Lincoln Elementary, Centralia Borst Park Kid Meal Subway Rib Eye Ramblin’ Jacks McDonald’s Hair Salon Bullfrogs and Butterflies, Centralia Jack & Jill, Olympia Simple Simon, Chehalis
Cool Off Location Chehalis Spray Park Tenino Quarry Ike Kinswa State Park Restaurant Papa Pete’s Country Cousin Plaza Jalisco Cocoa Santa Lucia Starbucks Bill & Bea’s
SWWF
www.swwfamily.com February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 3
February Events February 4th Arts Jamboree 10 a.m., Centralia Middle School
Grades 1st-3rd, 10 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Grades 4th - 7th, 1:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., check in time is 15 minutes before. $10 includes 3 art sessions, a treat and a surprise. Dress appropriately to have fun and possibly get messy. Choose from martial arts, time for mime, origami, felt making, dance and rhythm, cartooning, waterfowl painting, knotting, tie-dyeing, edible art, thing-a-ma-jigs, paper construction or clay mask making! Register by mail to: Centralia Parks & Recreation, P.O. Box 609, Centralia, WA 98531, in person at Centralia City Hall, 118 W. Maple St. or online at www.cityofcentralia.com. For more information please call 360-330-7688. February 11th Valentine Family Story Time 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., Centralia Timberland Library
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with stories about love, rhymes, songs and a craft. Refreshments will be provided. For more information please visit www.trl.org. 8th Annual Film Festival 7 p.m., Morgan Arts Centre, Toledo
This is a showcase for small independent filmmakers and features firsttimers showing their work along side seasoned veterans of the craft. All films receive written comments from the viewing audiences and the best films are awarded a “PIFFY”. Friday Night, February 17, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday Afternoon, February 18, at 1 p.m. Saturday evening the PIFFY Awards are given starting at 7 p.m. ADMISSION: $2 for Adults; $1 for kids, students & seniors . For more information please call 360864-4278 or visit our website at www.morganartscentre.com. February 18th Free Dance Performance 7 p.m., Evergreen Playhouse
Centralia Ballet Academy will be holding a free, mid-year recital at the Evergreen Playhouse. There will be performances by the musical theater class, which will be doing a piece from The Sound of Music, the ballet classes will be doing a classical piece, and the boys’ ballet class will perform an original story ballet. Since this is a free event, and space is limited, we recommend calling ahead to reserve a space at 360-6239010. February 25th Paper Airplane Flight School & Contest 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Olympic Flight Museum/Airport, Tumwater
Afternoon of discovery, hands-on paper airplane folding, and friendly competition while under the watchful eye of real flying vintage aircraft! Enter your creations and compete for awesome prizes! 1-2 p.m., construction and build time and flight test. 2 p.m., snack and tour. 2:30 p.m., distance and spot landing contests. Participants, $7 each, Spectator/ General Admission, $5. Entry fee includes professional instruction, construction materials & snack . For more information please call 360705-3925 or visit www.olympicflightmuseum.com February 27th Health & Fitness Fair 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chehalis Thorbeckes
This is a free community event! Informative educational and fun for the whole family. Visit booths from featured Thorbeckes member benefit 4 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
partners. For more information please call 360-748-3744. ONGOING EVENTS
Thursday Playtime 1:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m., 420 Centralia College Blvd.
Using an integrated model of developmentally, delayed and typically developing children learning together, this natural classroom offer parents, caregivers and their children an opportunity to actively participate in large and small motor activities, music, language and social activities. Designed to help parents and caregivers understand and encourage their children’s individual developmental age and stage, families explore physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development and learn about positive parenting, guidance techniques and self-esteem awareness for birth through 36 months. For more information call Rayna Austin 748-4359 or intot@reliableenterprises.org. Lewis County Moms’ Group
Come join this welcoming, local group of moms and their kids! The group is run by local moms for local moms’ and our members meet together for play dates, crafts, outings, mom’s nights and so much more. For more information please visitmeetup.com/Lewis-County-Moms. Centralia Mothers of Pre-schoolers (MOPS)
Whether you are a new mom or a mom of a school-age child, you are invited to a place designed especially for you! Here you’ll experience authentic community, mothering support, personal growth and spiritual hope, all to help you be the best mom possible. Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Thursdays (September-May) at the Centralia Nazarene Church, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Childcare available, and your first meeting is free! For more information go to www.centraliachurch.org. Chehalis Mothers of Pre-schoolers (MOPS)
We meet at Bethel Church (132 Kirkland Rd) on the first and third Tuesdays during the school year from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. If you are pregnant or have a child under 6, you are welcome to join us! For more info contact Raven Riedesel @ riedesal_@netzero.net. Mommy and Me Playtime 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 179 Dieckman Road, Adna
Slides, books, arts and crafts, dramatic play, music and more. Please join us for free indoor playtime open to all children ages 3 and under at the In-Tot Developmental Center on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. For more information please call 360-748-4359.
February 12th - Wine Tasting Fundraiser 4 - 6 p.m., Mackinaw's, downtown Chehalis The Adaline Coffman Guild is hosting a FUNdraiser raising monies for uncompensated care funds to help Lewis County children at Seattle Children's Hospital. This event will offer light appetizers as well as several wines to taste with information shared about each libation. Enjoy a great Valentine's weekend date where you can show your love by helping out others. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $25 per person. Please contact Lynne at 360-219-6651 for details.
The most common bird on the planet is the chicken.
About 10,000 bird species are found across the globe.
There are over 40 million pet birds living in the U.S.
Falcons can swoop at over 200 miles per hour.
A bird’s heart beats 400 times per minute while resting and up to 1000 beats per minute while flying.
DID YOU KNOW
Hummingbirds eat about every ten minutes, slurping down twice their body weight in nectar every day and are the only animals able to fly backwards.
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In 1681, the last dodo bird died.
The egg of the hummingbird is the world’s smallest bird’s egg which is 1/2 inch long. The egg of the ostrich, the world’s largest, measures 6-8 inches long.
Bluebirds cannot see the color blue.
Penguins, ostriches, and dodo birds are all birds that do not fly.
An ostrich egg needs to be boiled for 2 hours to become a hard-boiled egg. SWWF February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 5
Teacher Feature
Megan Dougherty, Fords Prairie Elementary Special Education Teacher, Grade Levels K-3
I love being a special education teacher! Many times I get to work with the same students for three or four years, so I get to be part of incredible growth and progress that many teachers don’t get to see in a typical one-year classroom. I also get to work with an amazing team of specialists who are equally invested in these kiddos who steal our hearts with their unique challenges and their eagerness to learn something new. My job is truly a blessing.
She helps us be prepared for our work. She is very kind and patient. She likes us. ~Nominator, Paris C. Te ac h e r Fe Send in nominations for your favorite teacher or coach. ily a
One of my most treasured memories is of a trip to the zoo with the third grade. We talked about safety, we planned our route, we set aside time for the playground, and we packed things to keep us busy on the bus, but when the day finally arrived, the thing the kids were most excited about was a sack lunch!
Name of parent & phone #: ______________________________________________________________
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SW W
Name of child nominating: ______________________________________________________________
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Name of teacher & nominated/school or coach/team & sport: _____________________________
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Mail to 321 N. Pearl, Centralia, WA 98531 or email to cwilson@swwfamily.com. If you email us and we don’t reply we haven’t received your message. Please give us a call at 807-8213.
Email: _________________________________________________________________________________
If you have a picture of your teacher/coach, please send it in too! We may contact you to learn more.
& N IE Sp o n s
or
Please include a few sentences on why you think your teacher/coach should be featured.
SWWF
Town Center Dental
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Rainier Park Dental 101 5th Street West Rainier, OR 97048 503-556-3744 • New Patients Welcome • Emergencies Seen The Same Day • Open Monday-Saturday • New Patients Welcome
www.1877drteeth.com 6 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police formed on this day in 1920. Make a pennant for the team you’ll be cheering for in the Super Bowl today.
Write a secret code message to a friend. A =1, B = 2, C = 3 and so on, until Z = 26.
Stand close to a Celebrate the friend and toss achievements of African Americans them a football. For by naming three of each catch, both of your African you take one step American heroes. backwards. How
Write a compliment on a heart shaped piece of paper for each member of your family. Give it to them at dinner.
Spread peanut butter inside a pinecone then roll it in a plate of birdseed. Hang it outside in a tree and watch the birds eat their treat.
You discover that a new pair of shoes make you run faster than anyone on Earth. Write a story about what happens.
Look at the 5-day forecast in your newspaper or online. Plan what you’ll wear the next five days.
Roll yourself up into a tight ball and then slowly open up and stretch yourself out to be as tall as you can be.
Write about a time you felt very nervous. Describe what made you so nervous and how you got through it.
Do something nice Draw a colorful Who is your Have you eaten at picture of your for your pet today. favorite president? favorite mythological least five servings of Groom them, Find out about fruits and vegetables Put on some music clean out a cage, past presidents at creature. Be creative! today? That’s what and play a favorite take them for a whitehouse.gov kids need! board or card game walk, clean their with the whole bowls, change family this evening. their bedding.
Go for a family hike today. Are there any signs of spring yet?
With some friends, hike around a local park today. Try walking at a brisk pace for at least 30 minutes or more.
Today is National Carrot Day. Write a short story about a rabbit searching for the world’s largest carrot.
Get your teeth extra clean today—floss, brush, use some mouthwash.
far apart will you go?
Think of a different compliment you could give to each member of your class. Make a list.
Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow this morning? Will we have an early spring? Find out at www.groundhog.org
You’ve found a wallet filled with money. What would you do with it and why?
Go to bed a little Have a quadrennial earlier tonight and celebration today for all those get a good night’s Leapers born rest. See if you during a Leap feel more alive Year. tomorrow morning.
Today is Rosa Parks’ birthday. Ask your teacher to discuss her legacy in class this week.
Make a bike maze. Draw a twisty trail using sidewalk chalk. Have friends try navigating a bike through it.
Tonight, watch a movie about animals, such as The Black Stallion, The Incredible Journey or My Dog Skip.
Curl up with a good book today and see how far you can get into a story.
SWWF
No matter what your stage in life or your ability level, we have the best bath system for you!
Complete Bath Systems • Retro fit shower and bath systems • Safe bathing units for people of all abilities • Air & water jets available on many models • The look and feel of real tile without the maintenance
Come in and see our walk-in tub at Halls Mobility Center
887 NW State Ave. Chehalis
360-388-3229 • www.countrysideconstructionllc.com February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 7
by Becky Cox of Olympia n 2001 the American Medical Association recognized bullying as a public health concern. It is linked to mental health problems, school failure, substance abuse and future criminal behavior. Bullying occurs when one person uses power over another in an effort to intimidate or control his victim. Some examples of bullying behaviors are: namecalling, teasing, spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships, hitting, punching, shoving, and using digital technologies to harm others (the Internet, mobile phones, etc.) . Bullying is not always obvious and can be quite discreet and unnoticeable to spectators. Bullying manifests in three main forms: verbally, physically or emotionally. It can take place between siblings, school peers, coworkers and marital couples. For the purpose of this article I will focus on peer relationships.
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Who do Bullies target? 42 percent of people say they have been bullied. This is a serious issue that should not be left solely to the school systems and it’s administrators to address. In looking at the psychological profile of a bully we see the following common characteristics or behaviors: • Bullies have often been bullied themselves • Bullying gives a sense of power • They may have strong leadership qualities • inflated ego • impulsive • Lack of empathy for others • Strong desire to have power over another 8 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
Preventing Bullying Although bullying is a widely discussed topic with many programs designed for school systems to implement prevention, their effectiveness is questionable. These programs are only partially effective because they treat the symptoms of bullying but not the problem. A closer look at the bullying individual may reveal her lacking in important, positive character qualities. A more proactive approach might be to train children to have patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness and self-control from an earlier age. One example of how to do this would be to pick a character trait each month to practice as a family. Have a family meeting and let your children pick which character trait they would like to focus on for that month allowing them to take ownership in the learning process. Then post throughout your house sayings or definitions about your chosen trait. For example, if patience is the focus you could print out something about patience for each individual in the house (parents should be involved in this also) and post on his/ her door. Then incorporate that character trait throughout everything you do for that month. Talk with your children about how easy or hard it is to have patience, examples they may have seen throughout their day, (individuals
being patient or not, etc.). Age appropriate challenges may also be used to test children’s patience. When they pass or succeed, they are rewarded. This ultimately brings responsibility for bullying back to character training in the home. Another crucial part of reducing bullying behavior is to parent children from a loving place without anger. This isn’t always easy as children can be quite frustrating at times, but it is quite important that we as parents do not discipline out of anger. When we do correct, train or teach it should be done with a calm, controlled voice. This will also help to create a peaceful and respectful home which is a central element in anti-bullying. The value is not that you are a perfect parent but that if and when you do “blow it” you go to your child and resolve it. This process of resolving your shortcomings as a parent is great role-modeling for your child on conflict resolution. There is so much power in going to your child and asking for forgiveness and communicating your desire for mutual respect. It is the hope that these interactions will make your child feel valued and have a sense of self-empowerment so that they do not have a need to have power over others. Recognizing when your child is being a bully It is also important that we as parents watch for warning signs that our child is bullying. Oftentimes these behaviors show up first at home towards siblings or parents. Warning signs can include: • Gets into physical or verbal fights with others • Gets sent to the principal’s office or detention a lot • Has extra money or new belongings that cannot be explained • Will not accept responsibility for their actions • Has friends who bully others • Needs to win or be best at everything - www.stopbullying.gov If you recognize that your child is exhibiting these signs or symptoms it might be helpful to consult with a counselor on how to resolve these behaviors and to help your child understand why they have a need to bully. I will also recommend several useful resources at the end of this article.
• Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick • Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams • Hurts themselves • Loses interest in visiting or talking with friends • Is afraid of going to school or other activities with peers • Loses interest in school work or begins to do poorly in school • Appears sad, moody, angry, anxious or depressed when they come home • Talks about suicide • Avoids certain places • Acts differently than usual
If there is fear that your child is being bullied it is important to talk openly with your child and create a safe place for them to be honest about their thoughts and feelings. Your child may be fearful that you are going to become involved and therefore the bullying would get worse because they are “tattling” or just being a “wimp”. Talk with your child and let them know that they have control in what they disclose and that they have a partner with them to stop the bullying, discuss that you want to help them become empowered in the process of stopping the bully. Let them know that they are being quite strong by opening up about what is happening to them. It is crucial that you help them to find their voice, to be open and honest and that they will be heard first and foremost before any action is taken. After they
"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.
Recognizing when your child is being bullied As parents it is also important that we recognize when our children are being bullied and advocate for them. Some of the signs and symptoms that your child is being bullied are as follows: • Comes home with damaged or missing clothing or other belongings • Has unexplained injuries
February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 9
have disclosed the details of what is occurring, you can then give them the options for action against the bully depending upon the severity of the problem. • One option may be to help your child become assertive. Role play interactions where your child finds his/her voice in saying, “Stop. This is not ok. You are not going to bully me anymore. Stop.” to a point where they are firm and assertive in their voice saying, “STOP! THIS IS NOT OK. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BULLY ME ANYMORE. STOP!”. The hope is that your child will become strong and confident in standing up for themselves, therefore, empowered. • A second option may be to go with your child to the administrators at their school or location of where the bullying is occurring and speak with the person in charge. A staff person may be assigned to your child to watch after them or stay close by them throughout the day to intervene if they observe bullying. Bullies are less likely to act out if a staff person or adult is present. This “shadowing” can be done without anyone noticing therefore not drawing attention to the victim. If the bullying should persist or worsen then it is definitely time to get the authorities involved. When you go to advocate for your child it is important that it is not done in an accusatory way, but rather in a respectful teamwork approach.
In conclusion, I believe a more preventative approach like character training in the home would lower the incidence of bullying. Although it is beneficial for school systems and administrators to implement anti-bullying programs, there would be more success if families were involved. If we as parents embrace the influence we have on our children and provide character training in the home there would be a drastic decrease in bullying. Furthermore, having a home with mutual peace and respect creates a child with positive character qualities making them less likely to bully. If you are afraid that your child is a bully or is being bullied I highly recommend you consult with a professional counselor to help navigate the best path for healing. SWWF
Becky is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a private practice in Olympia specializing in Women’s Issues, Teenage Girls and Marriage Counseling. She is also certified in a specialized technique for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Becky has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Saint Martin’s University, and is passionate about providing hope, healing and restoration to individuals that she counsels so that they may joyfully embrace their life to the fullest. She has been married to a wonderful husband, Travis, for over a decade. They have two boys, Wyatt, age 9, and Garett, age 6, born on the same day three years apart.
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info@woodlandestatesonline.com 10 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
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Sweet Shops Visit these
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Whether you are looking for a sweet pick-me-up or need a treat for a special occasion, don't miss these local sugar-filled stops. The best part ... cupcakes, candy confections, sundaes and more can all be guilt-free indulgences since you are shopping local!
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1. Aunt Kate’s Chocolates 296 Sussex Ave. W., Tenino 360-264-2884
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2. Santa Lucia Cafe 202 S. Tower, Centralia 360-807-9600
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3. Tegarden’s Chocolates, Pastries & More 404 N. Tower Ave., Centralia 360-807-4611
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4. Baskin Robbins 1622 S. Gold St., Centralia 360-736-0310
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5. Market St. Bakery & Cafe 492 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis 360-748-0875 6. Connors Candy Cottage 9929 Highway 12 SW, Rochester 360-273-7884 7. Taste of Eden Cafe 438 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis 360-996-4371
8. Katie’s Candies 26 SE Spring St., Chehalis 360-748-8967 9. Shop’n Kart Bakery 2100 N. National Ave., Chehalis 505 S. Tower Ave., Centralia 360-748-1936 / 360-736-9328
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 - 7 404 North Tower Ave., Centralia
360-704-9972
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10. Sweet Inspirations 514 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis 360-748-7102 11. Holley’s Place 119 S. Tower Ave., Centralia 360-269-8251
SWWF
Custom Wedding Birthday & Special Occasion Cakes 492 N. Market Blvd. Chehalis • 748-0875 February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 11
ebruary is the month Americans celebrate President’s Day. It’s also a time when the primary election season heats up as candidates try to become the next president of the United States. This year, Democrats will work to see Barack Obama reelected for a second term as president. Meanwhile, Republican voters will cast their vote for the person they think can defeat President Obama in the fall and win back the White House for their party. Several states held election primaries in January, and over the coming weeks and
months, many more states will as well. The U.S. Constitution calls for the citizens to elect a president every four years. The election takes place in November. Usually, more than one person in a political party decides to run for president. Then the parties hold primary elections to help decide which person, or candidate, will represent the party in the November election. Some states hold caucuses to select candidates.
Donkeys and elephants have long been the symbols of the two biggest political parties in the United States, thanks to a cartoonist named Thomas
Nast. In the 1870s, Nast drew a donkey to represent one party and an elephant to represent the other in cartoons for Harper’s Weekly magazine.
Kids Can Take Action! Try This: Look through The Chronicle or chronline.com and find the names of people running for public office. On a piece of paper, write down each name and the office that person is running for. Can you discover which political party each candidate represents?
Look through The Chronicle or chronline.com for an article about a problem you think needs to be solved. Write a letter to the candidates asking them how they plan to address the problem. Tell them your ideas for a solution.
SWWF
4+2+4+3+6=
4+6+6+3+4=
12 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
7+2+3+6+5=
5+5+5+5+4=
Details at
swwfamily.com
& maternity clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, baby equipment, books, games, bedding, room decor,
outdoor toys, and much more! Consignors earn up to 70%! Consign and volunteer to shop the pre-sale on Friday, March 23, 2012.
March 24th - 25th, 2012
items that your children no longer need, register to be a consignor. Sell items without yard sale hassles! BUY & SELL children’s
SWW Kidsignment is a consignment event held twice each year. If you have gently used children’s
February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 13
Rainy Day Activities If these wet winter months have you singing the “rain, rain go away” blues, try a few of these activities and local adventures. They may leave you humming a different tune.
ARts AnD CRAfts At Home: Give the kids a room in the house, white paper and crayons, markers or paint. Leave them some tape and the challenge to transform the space into their own art gallery within 30-60 minutes. Step back and see what happens! Scotch tape seems to be the magical substances to the under 7 set and will keep them busy hanging works of art for the duration of a winter storm. Take a tour of their art museum and learn about their masterpieces. If your family is especially tactile, try whipping up a batch of play dough with this recipe or checking into a few of these local the below experts for artistic instruction. Play Dough At Home: 3 cups flour 1.5 cups salt 6 tsp. cream of tartar 3 tbsp. oil 3 cups water Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball of dough forms, pulling away from the sides. Knead dough until the texture matches Play-doh, 1-2 minutes. Place finished product in a Zip Lock bag or airtight container. ARts AnD CRAfts LoCAtions:
Central Glass Works 109 W Main St., Centralia 360-623-1099 centralglassworks.net Open Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Call ahead and find out when you can watch glass be created and molded into works of art, free. Sign up for a slumping class where children young and old can create a glass tile mosaic, $20. Seven Ceramics 156 NW Prindle St., Chehalis 360-996-4172 Open Thursday-Monday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. After hours for events available upon request. Paint your own pottery. Many styles to choose from including money banks and picture frames. Allow one week for pottery to be fired before picking up finished pieces. Walk-ins welcome. Prices starting at $5. Fletcher Gober Studio 1946 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis 360-748-3165 fletchergober.com Open to meet the needs of individual families. Hours are flexible. Call to schedule. Create multigenerational impressions of 14 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
hands or a place setting of cups and plates family members make themselves. Very family oriented with great exposure to art methods for art minded children. Pricing is very individualized, call for specifics. Book ‘n’ Brush 518 N Market Blvd., Chehalis 360-748-6221 Booknbrush.com Open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Offers instruction in oil painting, sumi painting, calligraphy, drawing pastel, creative writing, and watercolor. Pricing starting at $15 per person, per class. The Scrappy Stamper 1724 Gold Street, Centralia 360-623-1075 scrappy-stamper.com Open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Scrapbooking and stamping products and classes. Classes offered for ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. If a group of 6 or more of younger children is interested, a class can be accommodated. Card classes starting at $18. Sugar and Spice 680 Airport Way, Morton 360-496-6629 sugarnspicegirl.wordpress.com Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Instruction and goods for quilts, scrapbooking, knitting, sewing, etc. Groups of at least six young learners can be accommodated upon request. Morgan Arts Centre 190 Plomondon Road, Toledo 360-864-4278 morganartcentre.com Art related classes in theatre, design, sewing, sculpture, art appreciation and music. After school art classes are offered Tuesday afternoons thoughout the school year for children ages 6-16. Pricing starts at $15 per child, per class. Fee includes materials and snack. Tammy’s Ceramic Shop 16742 Sheldon Lane, Rochester 360-359-6587 tammysceramicshop.com Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Please call ahead to ensure Tammy is in as she often visits schools. Paint your own pottery. Children can make their own handprints in clay or paint animal figurines or boxes. Allow one week for pieces to be picked up. No sitting fee. Prices starting at $2.
Paint!
GAme PLAy At Home: You don’t have to own an expensive gaming system to keep the little ones entertained on a rainy day. Traditional card and board games are wonderful opportunities to play and interact as a family. Games like Monopoly, Memory, Skippo, and Old Maid also provide parents with an opportunity to teach and model sportsmanship and honesty in immediate, laid back, and natural ways. GAme PLAy LoCAtions:
Thorbeckes Laser Tag 2020 Borst Ave., Centralia 360-736-1683 thorbeckes.com Open Fridays 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturdays 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. Play a round of Laser Tag starting at $25. Blitz Hobbies 620 S Tower Ave., Centralia 360-464-2352 blitzhobbies.com Open Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. - Midnight The hobby shop offers free gaming days for all ages. Mondays: Dungeons and Dragons for ages 10 and up. 12 p.m. - 3 p.m., and 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sundays bring your own board game 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Quesadilla Factory/Game Linx 1744 S. Gold St., Centralia 360-623-1073 dillatime.com Open Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 11a.m. - 10p.m. Food, vintage arcade games, x-boxes, air hockey, pool table and ping pong are available. Prices start at 50 cents for arcade games. Morton Victory Lanes 834 Westlake Ave., Morton 360-496-6797 mortonvictorylanes.com Call ahead for current hours. Bowling leagues, open bowl and miniature golf. Party space available. Centralia Lanes 827 N Tower Ave., Centralia 360-736-3815 Open Tuesday-Sunday starting at 5:00 p.m. Family friendly bowling. Fairlanes Bowl 1501 S Gold St., Centralia 360-736-4100 bowler1@fairwaylanes.net Open Bowl Saturday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Call ahead for Monday - Friday times, often booked for leagues.
Offers bowling and food for family fun. Offers junior bowling leagues, must register ahead. Rock-n-Bowl Friday and Saturdays at 10 p.m., call for reservations. Prices starting at $2.75 per game, $2.00 for shoe rental. Great Wolf Lodge 20500 Old Highway 99, SW, Grand Mound 360-273-7718 greatwolf.com Arcade opens at 8:30 a.m. Daily free activities include story time, wolf walk, and the great clock tower show. Additionally, open to the public are the arcade, starting at 25 cents, as well as MagiQuest and CompassQuest, $30. Charlie’s Safari 5400 Martin Way E. Suite J, Lacey 360-292-1600 charliessafari.com Open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 9 p.m. Call ahead before holidays to find out changes to regular hours. Indoor family fun center with a tag arena, arcade, indoor play structure, inflatables and food. Prices start at $5.95 per child. Chuck E. Cheese 625 Black Lake Blvd.101, Olympia 360-943-7695 chuckecheese.com Open Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Great for parties or an afternoon of entertainment. Arcade games, simulator rides and a separate play area for big and little guests. Prices start at 25 cents for one token/arcade game. Shankz Black Light Miniature Golf 1520 SW Cooper Point Rd. #250, Olympia 360-943-1715 shankzglowgolf.com Open Tuesday - Thursday, 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday - 3:00 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. -1 0:00 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Play a round of miniature golf in 3-D! Admission starts at $7.50, with kids 4 and under free. Arcade games are also available.
Have a favorite rainy day activity you don’t see here? Please let us know! cwilson@swwfamily.com
February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 15
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Movies & TheaTre aT hoMe: Limiting screen time for restless kids on days when the rain beats down relentlessly is a challenge; but, limiting the time to special occasions makes them just that – special. Take the kids to the library to choose a movie and grab a documentary while you are there. Keep a couple movies from the thrift/second hand store in reserve. If a pizza is in the budget, pick one up and fill the rest of the day with puzzles, books, card games, and a craft. Spread out a blanket, pop some popcorn, bake your pizza, and conclude the night with a pizza picnic while you watch a film together. If you are feeling stir crazy, there are a lot of local options for the full theatrical experience. Movies and TheaTres LocaTions:
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McMenamin’s Olympic Club and Theater 112 N. Tower Ave., Centralia 360-736-5164. mcmenamins.com Movie showings change weekly Cost- $3.00 per person, children under 3 years free. Enjoy a meal from the Oly Club’s menu and lounge on a couch while taking in a show. Coming Attractions Theatres, (Midway Cinema) 181 NE Hampe Way, Chehalis 360-740-9600 http://www.catheatres.com Visit website for show times This theatre offers free refill on a large popcorn, birthday packages, and theatre rental. Admission prices start at $7.00. Evergreen Playhouse 226 West Center Street, Centralia 360-736-8628 www.evergreenplayhouse.org Theatrical entertainment for all ages. Visit website for current show times. Roxy Theater 233 W Main St, Morton 360-496-0541 mortonroxy.org Movie showings Friday - Monday, 7:00 p.m. This theatre is run by volunteers who are dedicated to bringing arts to the community. They offer movies, plays, concerts and a year round children’s theater. Movies
cost $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. Olympia Family Theater Performances downtown Olympia or at South Puget Sound Community College 360-570-1638 olyft.org Call or visit website for current shows and times.
MuseuMs aT hoMe: Discuss the role of museum curators with your children and have them go on a treasure hunt around the house to create their own exhibits. Provide notecards or scraps of paper for children to post by displays they set up in the living room. Invite a friend or grandparent over for the opening. If your youngster hasn’t had much exposure to museums and exhibits, travel to far away cultures using museum websites for virtual tours, or investigate cultures in our own community. Lewis County is rich with charming historical societies and museums. MuseuM LocaTions:
Lewis County Historical Museum 599 NW Front Way, Chehalis 360-748-0831 lewiscountymuseum.org Open winter hours until May: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m -5:00 p.m. Great local history exhibits and resources housed in Chehalis’ charming Train Depot. Children under 3 are free. Children 4-16, $2, adults are $4.00. Veterans Memorial Museum 100 SW Veterans Way, Chehalis 360-740-8875 www.veteransmuseum.org Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The main gallery has 85 display cases and hundreds of displays honoring veterans. The museum also has a military history reference library and gift shop. Admission to the main gallery is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per student or child under 18 years of age. Vintage Motorcycle Museum 545 N Market Blvd Ste 101, Chehalis(Access through Upstairs Hotel Washington) 360-748-3472 antiquemotorcycles.net Open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Admission is $5.00.
White Pass Country Museum 12990 US Highway 12, Packwood 360-494-4422 Whitepasscountrymuseum.org Open Saturday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., and by appointment. (Call 360-4944031, 360-494-4007, or 360-4944353.) This museum is run by volunteers. Browse through the display room and school room and logging displays. You will leave with a better understanding of the roles of the forest service and local logging. Great for field trips as well as family groups. $2 for adults and $1 for children. Olympic Flight Museum 7637 Old Hwy 99, Olympia 360-705-3925 olympicflightmuseum.com Current hours are Wednesday Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday by appointment. Visitors are encouraged to call in advance to confirm the museum is open to the public. Explore a local take on the history of flight. Adults $7.00, Children 7-12 $5.00, Children 6 & Under FREE. State Capitol Museum 211 SW 21st Ave, Olympia 360-753-2580 wshs.org Open Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Special appointments can be made by calling Susan Rohrer at 360-7532580. Two floors of exhibits and resources featuring Washington State history. Families (2 adults and up to 4 children), $5.00. Children under 5, free. Hands On Children’s Museum 106 11th Ave SW, Olympia 360-956-0818 www.hocm.org Open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m. Hands on fun for children! Loads of exhibits, classes and learning opportunities. Admission starting at $5.95.
Get creative!
Music & MoveMenT aT hoMe: Kids love a challenge. If you have older children, challenge them to make their own “movement machine” using things around the house. Homemade skateboard, maybe? Jump rope? Pump up the music and work out using your homemade equipment! For youngsters, put on some classical music and challenge your children to create a musical using homemade instruments and dance steps that tell their favorite nursery rhyme or story. Music and MoveMenT LocaTions:
Rollerdrome 216 W Maple St., Centralia 360-736-7376 centraliarollerdrome.com Open Friday and Saturday evenings, 7p.m.-10p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, 1p.m.-5p.m. Thursday, 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. Open skate times, lessons, arcade games, bounce and obstacle course, snack bar. Available for parties and events. Additional open hours during Chehalis and Centralia school district breaks. Prices starting at $4.50. Southwest Washington Dance Center 455 N Market Blvd, Chehalis 360-748-4789 www.swwdance.org Many scheduling options. Offers instruction in creative dance, ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, rhythmic gymnastics, and hip hop. Lessons start at $33.00 per month. Allen Creek Dance Studio 1153 Rush Rd., Chehalis 360-219-7855 Many scheduling and class options. Call for details. Nancy teaches dance in a fun and flexible way in order to give young dancers, ages 3-18, a positive experience with performance as well as how the art of dance merges the expression of movement with health and fitness. Classes start at $35 per month. Flying Tiger Dance Studio & The Aerie Ballroom 219 S Tower Ave, Centralia 360-807-1212 www.theaerieballroom.com Host to ballroom dancing and ballet instruction as well as various martial arts classes. Call or visit website
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for hours and fees. Choose from various dance genres: swing, waltz, rumba, fox trot, cha cha, tango, and salsa. Great exercise and great fun! $35/month for singles or $55/month for couples. Centralia Ballet Academy 221 S Tower Ave, Centralia 360-623-9010 centraliaballet.com Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Classes and new opportunities for male and female dancers. Instruction begins with 2 and 3-year-olds in a “Moving Together” class and continues to teach the skills and professionalism of dance and music performance to teens and adults. If you have a group, a program can be developed especially for you! A free Saturday class for boys is offered. Tuition for other classes start at $25.00. Pacific Gymnastics 91 SW Chehalis Ave. 360-748-3744 thorbeckes.com/gymnastics Open Monday -Thursday, 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Local gymnastics offered to students starting at age 2. Gymnastics taught at both recreational and competitive levels with a cheer program available. Class fees start at $22 for Thorbeckes members, $48 for nonmembers.
Mokey Skinner Yoga 2715 N Pearl St. (Oakview Grange), Centralia 360-241-4855 www.coffeecreekcommunitygardens.com littlelionsyoga@gmail.com Traditional asana yoga postures and breathing techniques are taught to children, through 9 years of age, using engaging animal sounds, rhymes, and songs. Thorbeckes Climbing Wall 91 SW Chehalis Ave., Chehalis 360-748-3744 thorbeckes.com 30 foot climbing wall in an indoor setting. Open orientations (required before one is allowed to climb) Monday, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., preregister before 5 p.m. Class has no charge for members and is $15 for nonmembers. Free climbing night Thursdays starting at 4:30 p.m. for youth. Matrix 434 NW Prindle St., Chehalis 360-740-0492 matrixcoffeehouse.com Open Wednesday - Friday, 11 a.m. -3 p.m. and again at 5 p.m.-until conclusion of event. Saturday, 12 p.m. - conclusion of late night event. Thursday open mics, Wednesday games and a song circle the first Friday of each month supplements the featured talent of this local establishment. There is a suggested donation of $2 per person for regular events.
Lewis County Music Teacher’s Association 360-736-2180 http://www.localaccess.com/lcmta/ Professional local music teachers offer instruction in piano, organ, and violin. Contact Barbara Colt for instructors and rates. Yenney Music Company 113 S Tower Ave., Centralia 360-807-8940 yenneymusic.com Open Monday - Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Lessons offered for instruments ranging from ukele to harp. Tuition starts at $80/month for a 1/2 hour private lesson taught weekly. Hands On Guitars 434 NW Prindle St., Chehalis 360-740-9158 matrixcoffeehouse.com Open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Used and custom built instruments are sold and repairs are made in this little shop. Contact Eric Miller to discuss workshop possibilities.
SWWF
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Valentines Family
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February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 19
C
hores for children
& Allowing allowance
by Misty Henning of Centralia One of the biggest surprises for me as a parent is how difficult it is not to spoil my children. When my boys want something, I want to give it to them. If something needs done it’s often easier to do it myself. And if it was truly in their best interest, (and would not inevitably create little monsters), I believe I would spoil them rotten and thoroughly enjoy it. For many of us the struggle as parents is not that we don’t give our kids enough but that we want to give our children their every desire and make life’s challenges somehow easier for them. The balance between rewarding and spoiling is a hard one to achieve and over-indulging the objects of your affection is easy to do. Just this Christmas after opening a pile of presents that would have overwhelmed my 4-year-old just a year ago, then moving on to Nana and Papa’s for a second round, we returned home. Tristin was staring at the Christmas tree and looked up asking candidly “aren’t there any more presents?” In my mind, each of those gifts (and there were many) was worked for, toiled over, and carefully chosen by someone. But how do you get that message through to a 4-year-old, when his experience if you want something ask nicely. If you still don’t get it ask a grandparent, and if all else fails there’s always your birthday and Christmas. This all brought me to the dilemma of how and when to introduce allowance and chores. What I’ve come to discover is an ongoing debate among parents regarding whether or not the two should be contingent upon one another. Both contribute to teaching valuable life skills but the motive for giving and doing is up for debate. Integrating housework into every-day life from the beginning can make for a smooth transition when kids are ready to take on chores of their own. Pre-schoolers are often eager to help and participate in “big kid” jobs. Even one and two-year-olds can be introduced to the idea of doing chores by helping mommy and daddy with theirs. I use the term “helping” loosely because productivity-wise it’s not the most efficient approach, but it does keep your little helper happy and busy while you do your work. One of Tristin’s favorite things to do together, from the time he was first walking, is vacuuming. Whenever it’s time to vacuum he races to get his play vacuum and we do the entire house side by side. He may not be actually vacuuming, and it is often more of an obstacle than an assist, but we’re building the skill while he has fun. My 10-month-old, Ryder, loves playing in the socks while I fold laundry, we graciously call it “sorting,” and Tristin used
20 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
to help me dust following behind me with a damp washcloth when he was just beginning to stand. Little ones can help pick up toys as soon as they know how to take them out and often enjoy putting toys into bins or boxes especially when followed by clapping and praise from mom and dad.
Chores
With this foundation, it is easy to move into assigning children jobs of their own when they are ready and you will likely be surprised at how eager they are to prove their
Pre-schoolers are often eager to help and participate in “big kid” jobs. competency. Sarah Althauser teaches kindergarten and third-grade reading at Fords Prairie Elementary and assigns responsibilities to kids in both of her classrooms. “Just like all of us, kids have a huge longing to feel accepted and a part of a group,” says Althauser. “I find that giving students tasks or jobs makes them feel like they are an important member in the classroom. They actually love having jobs!” When Tristin was three we started teaching him different tasks he could do on his own like making his bed properly (within reason for a pre-schooler), putting clothes in the laundry basket and feeding the dog. After turning 4 we decided to give him his own responsibilities, starting small with age-appropriate jobs. Tristin does well remembering a few instructions at a time and he now knows he has 3 jobs every day: feed the dog, make his bed, and clear his plate after every meal. While most of these
tasks are prompted by us at this time, eventually we’ll move to a chart system leaving it up to him to accomplish and mark off each chore. Responsibility charts are another recommendation of Mrs. Althauser’s for home use. “The job chart serves as a great visual for young students and communicates clearly what task the child is supposed to do. Instead of the parent having to tell their child what to do the job chart states it simply.” Prereaders can use picture cues to remember their jobs and as the child gets older written chore charts are still helpful for parent and child. While clapping and praise works wonders on kids my sons’ ages the same tactics don’t necessarily impress a 12-year-old. By this time they’ve caught on to your so-called “games,” of laundry basket-ball and vacuum racing and can’t be tricked into “let’s see how fast you can ___________.”. Keeping older
kids motivated when their interests are elsewhere is far more challenging. For this reason many families turn to giving and withholding allowance based on productivity. For some kids this kind of reward system can be very effective. However, others, perhaps even in the same family, are less enticed by financial consequences. The general consensus among child behavioral experts seem to be that tying allowance to productivity can send the wrong message to kids while also being ineffective for those who value their time more than money and see the cost as a way out of responsibility. As far as experts go, no one’s a better expert on your child than you and we all have to make our own call as to what will work best for their personality and our family. For me, Tristin, has already begun chores, but has yet to start receiving a regular allowance, something I’ve been contemplating introducing. At the moment, however, he does his chores happily and seems proud of his contribution. So while considering a payment plan for his work I hesitate to take away his pure-hearted motives replacing them with a monetary incentive. Unfortunately, then I’m still left with the quandary of how exactly to relay the age old message “money doesn’t grow on trees,” to a 4-year-old entering the “gimme” stage.
Allowance
Janet Bodnar is the senior editor of Kiplinger’s personal Finance Magazine and author of Dollars & Sense for Kids. Her columns on Kiplinger.com frequently focus on allowance and she advises in her article Tie Allowances to Chores, “If you're wavering between the two camps, I recommend not tying the basic allowance to chores…I think chores are a family responsibility. And chore-based systems can raise unanticipated problems if your kids aren't motivated by money or you lose track of the work they've done.” As a kind of compromise Bodnar suggests offering kids the opportunity to earn additional pay bay doing extra jobs around the house with pay and expectations pre-specified by you. With this tactic my boys will learn the value of working hard to earn something he wants, but will know that they are expected to chip in on household duties simply because they are contributing members of the family. The use of allowance is a valuable teaching opportunity for parents helping teach children money management early on. “An allowance isn't a handout…,” says Bodnar. “It should be tied to financial chores. So, depending on their age, kids should be responsible for paying for their own collectibles, entertainment, mall excursions with friends or for text messages on the family cell-phone bill.” The general rule of thumb for age-appropriate pay is $1 a week for each year of your child’s age, but parents and kids should ultimately work together to tailor the amount to fit the needs of the child and the means of the family. Once the rate is set and expectations for earning are defined February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 21
you can establish the system for managing the money; what portion you would like them to save or donate and what they can spend as they choose. Even money banks have adapted, offering several brands that provide compartments for saving, spending, sharing, and investing. (Check out these banks on Amazon: Moonjar, Mudpuppy, My Giving Bank, and Money Savvy Pig)
Keeping kids interested in work before play
“The idea is that you help kids feel good about helping,” says Mrs. Althauser. “I don’t have to do any reward system for kids to help out in the classroom. They are actually begging me to help.” While positive reinforcement may evolve from overexuberant clapping to more subtle acknowledgements, praise for a job well-done is always appropriate and can even bolster the tough facade of a teenage boy. Being encouraging may also mean letting go of the way you would do it and appreciating your child’s efforts. A 3-year-old may not present a perfectly made bed, but redoing their hard work can discourage their efforts. “Kids also like to have some control over their environment,” says Althauser, suggesting that the younger children are given some independence by being allowed to choose which chores they complete first on the list and when they do them. For older children, involve them in the selection process allowing kids to pick from a list of options you’ve compiled or opt to switch it up every so often. After weeks of the same task it is not unreasonable that they find themselves bored. Allowing them the opportunity to choose a different chore, or propose one on their own, can produce much better results. Not only will they be more interested in jobs closer to their own interests but they are contributing to the household in input and effort. If everyone in the house is simultaneously busy with their
own chores, kids will have a harder time complaining about their own. I have found that one of the best motivators for my competitive little boy is to race him at his chores. We race making our beds, or picking up our rooms. It spurs on someone prone to dawdling and frees me up (by one kid anyway) to get my own work done. While it may not always be logistically possible as kids get older, occasional family work days can be a chance to spend time together, work as a team, and remind kids that they are not slave labor (as they may be inclined to think) but simply sharing a small part of the load. I can’t imagine any household where kids don’t occasionally procrastinate or plainly refuse to do the chores assigned them. I suppose it’s to be expected, but as I reflect on my own resistance as a child I can find some comfort knowing that my boys too will be in my shoes one day and understand why I was “so mean.” In the end the most important decision in creating chores and allowance customs for your kids is not so much why or how you use these tools, but that you use them and are consistent in your expectations. Instilling your children with the appreciation for hard work and money management skills may not be as fun as spoiling them rotten but from what I hear, that’s what grandchildren are for. SWWF
Misty graduated from Adna High School and
Eastern Washington University with degrees in Journalism and Communications. She
enjoys combining her passion for writing with her love for her family.
Blitz Hobbies Something for every hobby Enthusiast! 620 South Tower Ave. • 360-464-2352 www.blitzhobbies.com
22 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
The
You Don’t Love
Love Handles
PART 1: DIET
1. Plan your menu. Even plan the snacks you will consume during the day think celery and peanut butter instead of cookies and chips. When we don’t plan we make decisions based on what we “feel like” or crave. Usually those choices leave us with bloated stomachs and a mouth full of regrets. Planning makes it possible to live our busy lives and make healthy choices. 2. Get creative. Everyone gets tired of the same old salad. There are thousands of tasty healthy recipes out there to try. Don’t limit yourself to what you’ve always cooked.
by Bryan Erickson of Chehalis Want the “love handles” or “Muffin Top” to disappear? Forget the trends and go back to the basics – diet and exercise. Sorry, there is no magical pill or movement that will make a certain area trimmer. Just as the food you eat nourishes your whole body, the exercise you do effects your whole body. Spot burning fat is a common misconception. Just because you do one hour of ab work a day does not mean you are going to get a flat stomach, it just means you will have a strong stomach. The truth is that we will lose fat in the reverse order that we gained it. For example, when you start to put on excess weight, you may notice it in your hips first, then your waist, then in your arms. When your body begins to shed that excess fat, it starts with your arms, then your waist, and finally your hips. Let’s go over a practical guideline to improving your diet and movement habits that will eventually help get rid of that “muffin top”. Let’s start with your diet. In order to lose fat you need to burn more calories in the day than you consume. Eating fruits and veggies (fresh and raw are best), lean meats, and whole grains (try to find the kinds with the least number of ingredients) is the best way to begin to lose unhealthy fat and keep it off. At first, changing your diet will seem overwhelming, but here are a few tips to make the transition easier.
3. Become a savvy grocery shopper. Get into the habit of reading the labels before purchasing an item. Sugar and other weightloss killers are hidden in the most unlikely places. The fewer ingredients on a label the better. The closer the food is to it’s original state, the better it will be for you and your hips. 4. Learn to love breakfast. A good breakfast helps give you energy for the day. If you don’t have energy, you often won’t make good decisions. Eating a quality breakfast (sorry cereal, pancakes and pop tarts don’t qualify) helps to jump start your metabolism. You want a faster metabolism in order to burn more fat. Try eating a couple of eggs with a piece of fruit, whole wheat toast with peanut butter, an omelet with lots of chopped veggies, or a fresh fruit smoothie with a handful of nuts. Having a nutrient dense diet is very important. Forgoing food is not a healthy option. 5. Satisfy your sweet tooth. Try eating just five chocolate chips slowly eating each piece. Or have a teaspoon of honey it’s so sweet you won’t want any other treats for a while. Another idea is to split a dessert with someone instead of eating all of it yourself when you choose to splurge. 6. Drink more water! Water helps flush the system and also conveniently fills you up so you’re not as hungry. Add a little lemon for taste and an alkaline effect. If you’re a pop drinker, try replacing it with sparkling water with a little lemon or lime juice.
Overall, a healthy diet has more advantages than just a trimmer you. It increases your energy and resistance to illnesses, and brings more clarity of mind, among other things. The transition maybe difficult at first, but eventually it will become second-nature. Again, planning and sticking to the plan (with grace for the mistakes) will help you reach your goal. SWWF Please look for Part II of this series in the March edition where the focus will be exercise. Bryan Erickson, BS, CSCS, CPT, ADAPT L3, husband of Brooke (who so graciously helped him with this article) and father of a growing family. He manages the Thorbeckes Sports Training Center in Chehalis which employs a cutting edge training philosophy that is know as ADAPT. Check that out at www.adapttraining. com Call 360.440.2124 e-mail stc@thorbeckes.com February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 23
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February
s y a d h t r i B Jacob M. turns 5 on Feb. 7th!
Jeanee M. turns 7 on Feb. 26th!
Keplin T. turns 5 on Feb. 27th!
Carson J. turns 2 on Feb. 25th!
Kaitlynn M. turns 9 on Feb. 12th!
Berkeley V. turns 4 on Feb. 5th!
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Belated Eden K. turned 11 on Jan. 26th!
Belated Erin J. turned 8 on Jan. 28th!
Alyana M. turned 6 on Jan. 20th!
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*Is your birthday featured this month? Show us your photo at Blitz Hobbies in Centralia and pick up your gift. Choose from one of our many Snap Tite models, (approximate value of $15). See ad on page 22. Happy Birthday!
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Cheleena S. turns 11 on Feb. 14th!
Sylvia P. turns 7 on Feb. 1st!
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Kyla F. turns 10 on Feb. 23rd!
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Please have March birthday pictures to us no later than Feb. 14th. Photos can be sent via email to cwilson@swwfamily.com, or if you wish to send photos address mail to 321 N. Pearl, Centralia, WA 98531, they can be returned if sent with a SASE. If you email us and we don’t reply we haven’t received your message. Please give us a call at 807-8213.
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February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 25
Books Bring Family Together by Sara Wall of Lacey We’re now well into the winter season. Love it or hate it, the snow is falling, the days are shorter, and playing outside means bundling up. I love the closeness I feel with my family in winter. When we’re not outside, we love to drink hot cocoa, watch a movie and most of all, snuggle up with a good book. Timberland Regional Library has lots of books for you to enjoy with your family. This selection showcases family relationships—some sweet, some grumpy, but all honest assessments of family life. Enjoy! MaMa, Why? by Karma Wilson Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011 Best for preschool through 1st grade If you deal with children on even a semi-regular basis, I’m sure you’ve heard the question “why?” about a million times. Children are curious by nature and many have also learned the art of drawing out a conversation or extending bedtime by asking “why?”. This sweet story by the popular author of Bear Snores On features a patient mama polar bear and her inquisitive cub. Mama explains the movement of the moon to Polar Cub in terms he can understand. Polar Cub eagerly asks “Mama, why?” after each of Mama’s pauses in the story. She continues, trying to make him sleepy, until he finally changes his question at the end. The nighttime scenes in this beautifully illustrated book kept me eagerly turning pages. The shooting stars and aurora borealis are especially well done. A great bedtime choice sure to get lots of snuggles from the youngsters in your life. Mad at MoMMy by Komako Sakai Arthur A. Levine Books, 2010 Best for preschool through 1st grade If your children’s lives are always sweetness and sunshine, please pass on this book. But if you have kids with the normal ups and downs in
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26 • February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family
their moods, this book is great for dealing with some of the less pleasant emotions they experience. The cute bunny on the cover is just plain mad at mommy for most of this book. Mommy does some terrible things. She sleeps in, watches her favorite shows, gets behind on laundry, picks Bunny up late, and worst of all—she refuses to marry Bunny! Bunny has just plain had it. He can take no more, and decides to run away. The ending shows that while real families have disagreements, making up is always sweet. The illustrations complement the text, showing the truth behind all of Bunny’s allegations—sometimes it is Bunny’s fault, sometimes Mommy’s. Read this book to a child who’s been having “one of those days” and see if your bunny doesn’t smile by the end of it. FaMily PacK by Sandra Markle Charlesbridge, 2011 Best for preschool through 2nd grade This book, a realistic look at the life of a lone wolf, appeals to kids’ curiosity about animals. Three wolves are trapped and transported to Yellowstone National Park. The older female and a male wolf stay together, but the young female wolf featured in this story sets out on her own. The beginning of the book seems stark and lonely, but the lone wolf’s exploration is exciting. Time passes and the reader sees the wolf grow up. She eventually pairs up with a male, has pups and is no longer alone. Family Pack shows that while not all families have happy beginnings, it is possible to have happy and healthy lives.
p u pe n
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Cinnamon BaBy by nicola Winstanley Kids Can Press, 2011 Best for preschool through 2nd grade Adults and children alike will love this story of a young family. Miriam and Sebastian experience love, marriage, and the baby in the baby carriage. Miriam works in a bakery and her favorite thing to make is cinnamon bread. The smell fills her with happiness and is what originally drew Sebastian to her. When their baby is born, however, their once serene and peaceful life is dramatically changed. At their wits’ end, Miriam and Sebastian try every possible remedy to soothe their very fussy infant, but nothing works. Nothing, of course, but the familiar scent of Miriam’s cinnamon bread. Are you expecting a baby or dealing with a newborn? Read this story about unpredictable babies, and while you’re at it, make some delicious baked goods with your family this winter season.
You’ll find these titles – and many more – at your local Timberland library. Need more suggestions? Simply check with your friendly library staff or go online to www.trl. org. There you’ll find booklists on many topics. Click on “kids” on the top bar then on “Books to Read”. The “All TRL Booklists for Kids” link offers dozens of lists for your perusal. And don’t forget, books aren’t the only thing you’ll find at the library: DVDs, magazines, books on CD and eBooks, music CDs and downloads, are available for you and your children. Be sure to ask about story times and special programs, too. See you at the library! SWWF
Sara Wall is a youth services associate at the Centralia Timberland Library. She has two children and a baby on the way. She enjoys planning mini-vacations with her family. While she enjoys camping, a quaint town with a warm hotel and yummy restaurants is her favorite type of getaway.
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February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 27
Kids are often best prepared for the real world when we allow them to do as much thinking as possible. It's good practice for the real world and it keeps the monkey off of our backs most of the time. Here's the problem. Do you know kids who like to keep adults doing all of the thinking? Do you know kids who are good at tricking us into doing so? How do we avoid falling into this trap? One strategy involves using plenty of questions! The more questions we ask, the better thinkers our kids will become. People who understand Love and Logic also understand that the human brain seeks closure. When we use plenty of questions, children's brains are so busy searching for closure that they have less energy left over for power-struggles. The more questions we ask, the fewer power-struggles we will have. Kids grow the healthiest and strongest brains when they're fortunate to spend time around adults who say things like: • "I don't know. What do you think?" • "Are you sure that's the best idea?" • "How do you think that's going to work out for you?" • "Would you like to hear what some other kids have tried?" • "Do you think that's going to work out well or ________?" • "What do you think you are going to do?" • "Which one of these is the best solution to your problem?" • "Do you have enough money to pay for any possible damage?" • "Is that a wise decision?" ~ By Dr. Charles Fay, The Love & Logic Institute
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Photos can be sent via email to cwilson@swwfamily.com, or if you wish to send photos by mail to 321 N. Pearl, Centralia, WA 98531, they can be returned if sent with a SASE. If you email us and we don’t reply we haven’t received your message. Please give us a call at 807-8213.
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February 2012 • Southwest Washington Family • 29