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Tips
KID-TESTED SNACKS & MEALS
{ } the ultimate
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Ask the Doc about:
Backpacks
Back to School 2016
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
the
moms
Volume 7, Issue 4 ~
Back to School 2016
www.TheMomsMagazine.com www.OrlandoMomsBlog.com www.facebook.com/TheMomsMagazine www.facebook.com/OrlandoMomsBlog
EDITOR IN CHIEF kristi corley
EDITOR shirley neff
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS mindy black kristen burden kristi corley gregory gordon, m.d. jennifer hatcher
photo courtesy K. Bri Photography
My Favorite Things: Back to School Edition This past January, my team of bloggers gathered to celebrate sisterhood and to be spoiled with a few of our favorite things. The evening ended up being one of the highlights of my career. That event inspired me to search through our magazine issues from the past six years and find some of my favorite articles. So, this back-to-school issue is chock-full of my favorite articles from this extra-special time of year! Each new school year is filled with excitement – both for moms AND for kids! New challenges, new friends, new schedules and routines; this issue is full of great articles. Having two teenage daughters, The Ultimate Girl’s Back to School Guide is a personal favorite. And I obviously can’t ignore the Cell Phone Contract article. I may have bribed a certain son to participate in the photo shoot!
stephanie wentworth
PHOTOGRAPHY sara kearney photography
WEB AND DESIGN andy corley
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FLAGSHIP LOCATION – ORLANDO, FL AND LOCAL BLOG OrlandoMomsBlog.com
KEEPING YOU CURRENT!
New in this issue is a recap of the fabulous Orlando Moms Blog B2S event held at Whole Foods. It was stellar! The event was a huge success, and there are many more events on the horizon! I hope you enjoy this Favorite Things B2S issue! It’s definitely my favorites!
Kristi Corley
editor in chief kristi@TheMomsMagazine.com
4
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FOLLOW US @TheMomsMagazine and @OrlandoMomsBlog
the
moms
12
back to school 2016
Back to School! 9 – Back to School Party – Orlando
Moms Blog threw a stellar back-toschool party at Whole Foods in Altamonte Springs! Were you spotted?
12 – The Ultimate Girl’s Back to School Guide – 10 insightful tips to help your daughter thrive this school year
GIRL’S BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE! 10 tips to help her thrive!
14 – Ask the Pediatrician – Dr.
Gordon shares his advice on backpacks.
15 – Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten – Teachers share 19 tips to help your child get ready for kindergarten.
16 – A Fresh Start – Kid-approved snacks and meals
18 – Signing a Cell Phone Contract – Is
your child ready for a cell phone? A cell phone contract might be just what you need to keep them on track.
17
20 – Car Line Skincare Tips – Eight simple ways to wake up tired-looking skin
CELL PHONE CONTRACT! Tips and ideas to keep your tween or teen on track
ON THE COVER We caught Kennedy playing sweetly at our Backto-School event and HAD to capture the moment! Kennedy’s mom Stephanie is Orlando Moms Blog’s new and amazing events coordinator. She has a passion for events, so you’ll definitely want to follow along with all of the Orlando Moms Blog events!
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9
The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
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Photo courtesy Sara Kearney Photography
You've been spotted!
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Thank you so much to all of the families who attended our “Back 2 School Party” event this past month at Whole Foods of Altamonte! We hope you had a STELLAR time exploring the different activities across the front patio and within the store, sponsored by Orlando Moms Blog and some of our favorite places!
L O O 2 School CBack LUNCHES 1. Ham Pin Wheels, Blueberries, 1/2 Avocado, & Milk 2. PB & J, Banana, Carrots, & Milk 3. Turkey Sandwich, Banana Chips, Orange, & Strawberry Milk 4. Spinach Salad with Fruit, Yogurt, Trail Mix, & Chocolate Milk
! M M YU
c
5. Meat & Cheese, Peach, Yogurt, & CoconutWater
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The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
Guests enjoyed an indoor scavenger hunt, coloring in the café with Just Between Friends Orlando, and trying out some wicked-cool science experiments with Mad Science! We gave away backpacks from Driftwood Market, stuffed to the top by Esquire Title Services, Inc. and Lil’ Sidekick. Two lucky winners also went home with a Bixbee lunch box filled with cool lunch packing tools from Constructive Eating and FunBites! Another guest was chosen to receive a College Student First Aid Kit full of must-haves for any home with school-aged children, but especially PERFECT for those sending their teen off to college for the first time!
Photos courtesy Sara Kearney Photography
:: sponsored by ::
Sara Kearney Photography captured the day with a backto-school themed photo backdrop and photo props from Hullabaloo Creations, before sending them off to Little Boy Blue Bakery for a free apple cake pop! It was a wonderful, fun-filled day for moms and kids alike! The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
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The Ultimate By Mindy Black Licensed Esthetician and CEO of Feisty Girl ------>
(Originally in our Fall 2014 issue)
Girl’s {Back 2 S
{
Feisty Girl is a program that provides young girls transitioning into adulthood with lessons in skin care, makeup, and self-esteem. To learn more about Feisty Girl, visit www.thefeistygirl.com.
Think back to when you were your daughter’s age; worried about friendships that may have changed over the summer, the start of tougher courses, and the constant pressure of looking and acting a certain way. As she prepares to start the new school year, it’s important to show her guidance that will lead her into a confident start. Ease your daughter’s mind with these 10 backto-school tips.
Bewhoconfi dent. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl who knows she is and what she wants. Remember, Mom, this has a lot to do with you! Think about it ... Are your words lifting your daughter up or contributing to her insecurities? When you hear her comparing herself to others, correct her by identifying her strengths so she can start embracing and loving herself. Confidence never goes out of style, so make sure she’s wearing it at all times!
Try something new.
Encourage your daughter to join a club or sports team, even if she doesn’t think she’ll be good. Who knows? She could end up being a rock star! Plus, she’ll learn more from taking a leap.
Keep the makeup simple.
The tween and teen years are the perfect time to begin sharing makeup tips with your daughter. Of course, it’s your decision when to let her start wearing makeup. But when you do, remind her that the goal is to enhance her features, not to drown them out. Lip gloss, cream blush on the apples of her cheeks, and a stroke or two of mascara goes a long way. As long as she’s confident and isn’t hiding behind her makeup, there’s nothing wrong with a little pop of color!
Take care of your skin.
This is your chance to teach your daughter what you wish you would have known. Let’s face it. We all wish we would’ve started taking care of our skin earlier. First and foremost, encourage her to wash her face every morning and night with something other than a bar of soap. If puberty is causing unwanted pimples, invest in an acne spot treatment and encourage her not to pick, to prevent scarring.
Accept others.
Lead by example. If you’re judging others, your daughter is going to follow in your footsteps. If you find yourself being judgmental, stop yourself. This can be difficult, but it’s life changing. Instead of judging people for what they do or how they look, try to understand them. Put yourself in their shoes. Love the person for who they are, not who you want them to be. Accepting the beauty and uniqueness of others is a powerful lesson. 12
The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
2 School Guide} Make new friends.
Impressions are long lasting. Remind your daughter that while it’s great to have a few best friends, it’s important to make new friends as well. Encourage her to talk to strangers – No, not the bad kind! If she’s hosting a sleepover party, ask her to invite a new girl from her class. Even if they don’t hit it off, it will help her to develop an open, loving heart.
Experiment with style. You were her age once! Let her wear a new, trendy style even if it’s not your favorite. While back-to-school shopping, remind her that just because all of her friends are wearing a particular something, it doesn’t mean she has to. Encourage her to wear things that make her feel amazing. After all, it’s how she feels on the inside that matters most.
Kill the mean girls with kindness.
Nobody likes a mean girl, but everyone loves a nice girl! Teach your daughter to speak softly and to do something thoughtful for a mean girl, no matter how hard it may be. The mean girl will find it hard to yell and be nasty to her if she isn’t nasty back. Plus, it will prevent her from becoming a mean girl herself.
Speak up about bullying.
PHOTO © istockphoto.com/veronicagomepola
Give her the courage to stand up for herself. Sometimes confronting a bully is enough to make their behavior stop altogether. But if that doesn’t work, make sure she knows it’s OK to get an adult involved – especially if she’s being threatened or physically assaulted.
Set goals.
Every year counts. Your daughter has the choice to either sit back and let this school year pass her by or to take control. Before the year begins, encourage her to list things she wants to achieve. This can be anything from getting a new job to making the dean’s list, or maybe joining a new club. Throughout the year, keep her on track and affirm her when she’s achieved her goals.
orlandomomsblog.com The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
13
the
moms ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN
Backpacks
By Dr. Gregory Gordon Pediatric Associates of Orlando
(Originally in our Back to School 2015 issue) Back to school means backpacks. Parents often worry about the weight of their child’s backpack and potential back problems. In 1999, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more that 8,500 school aged children (5 to 18 years old) sought medical care for backpack-related injuries. That same year a survey of Orthopaedic surgeons found that 58% of them had treated a pediatric patient for back or shoulder pain caused by backpack use. Unfortunately, trusted medical groups do not currently have guidelines on children and backpacks. Neither the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Orthopaedic surgeons nor the Pediatric Society of North America have a current policy in place to help parents with these concerns. As I began to dig into the medical research surrounding backpacks, children and back problems, I began to understand why there were no clear guidelines. The research itself is unclear and rare. Much of the research focuses on the search for clear guidelines, but most of it was limited or inconclusive. What do we know?
compared to the child – most often stating that their backpack should not weigh more than 10% of the child’s weight. This means that a 100 pound child should not carry a backpack weighing more than 10 pounds. Unfortunately, some authors recommend 15%, 20% or even 25% as an upper limit. Several authors even question the safety of a 10% load. Students often carry backpacks beyond the proposed 10% rule. Several studies conclude that only 40% of students carried backpacks at or below 10% of their weight. Younger students seem to suffer with relatively heavier loads. Another study found that young students in particular exceed these weight-based guidelines. This study found that 78% of grade one, 43% grade two and 40% of grade three students carried backpacks beyond the 10% weight rule. It is interesting to note that while younger children do seem to carry relatively heavier loads, teenagers have the highest rate of back pain complaints. There must be additional risk factors other than simply the weight or relative weight of a child’s backpack.
Tips to avoid backpack problems: • Purchase a backpack with padding. • Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps and belt support. • When choosing a backpack, consider the actual weight of the backpack. • Pack the heaviest material closest to the front. • Use both shoulder straps. • Make use of lockers or classroom sets of books. • Exercise. Children (like adults) need to exercise to help avoid injuries. Experts often recommend backpacks with wheels to avoid back issues. Before purchasing one, please ask your school if they allow rolling backpacks. Many schools in our area have rules prohibiting rolling backpacks. I don’t think we will ever have clear backpack guidelines for children. We definitely need more definitive research, and research takes time. Each year an increasing number of schools are transitioning to iPads or laptops over traditional text books. As such, backpacks are getting lighter. Hopefully, that will translate into fewer children suffering from back pain.
1. Children who carried the heaviest backpacks were 50% more likely to develop back pain. 2. Teenage girls have the highest number of complaints of back and shoulder pain. 3. There is no link between scoliosis and backpacks. Several studies investigated proposed guidelines for backpacks based on the child’s weight. These recommendations are often based on the relative weight of the backpack
Dr. Gordon is the proud father of nine children. He is the Vice President of “The Gift of Swimming” (a local charity that provides swim lessons to Orlando’s needy children). In early 2010 Dr. Gordon started gregorygordonmd.com to share his pediatric and parenting experience.
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The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten by Jennifer Hatcher
(Originally in our Back to School 2012 issue)
We asked preschool and kindergarten teachers what parents can do to prepare our children for kindergarten. Here is what they told us. 1. Let your child cut with scissors. Encourage her to cut pictures from old magazines and glue them to form a collage. Give her scissors when she plays with play-dough and teach her to cut the dough into strips. 2.
Offer your child various writing utensils – colored pencils, markers, crayons, pens, highlighters – to keep writing and drawing fun and interesting.
3.
Count out loud often. Count pretzels and crackers at snack time. Count toys as you clean the playroom. Count cars on the highway.
4.
After you count, compare groups – which has more? Which has fewer?
5. Sort objects. Sort socks by color or size. Sort silverware as you unload the dishwasher. Sort toys by color as you clean up. Sort coins.
6.
Review shapes and colors as you look at books or items on the grocery store shelf. Play “I Spy” using shapes and colors as you wait for your meal at a restaurant or as you wait in the doctor’s office.
7. Play “Simon Says” with two or three-step instructions. Simon says jump up and down and clap your hands! Or Simon says stomp your feet, clap your hands and shout Hooray!
8.
Play rhyming games.
9. Practice letter sounds and begin to point out the sounds words start with. 10.
Notice letters everywhere – on signs, in books, on cereal boxes.
11. As you read, run your fingers along under the words so your child can begin to understand that words go from left to right and top to bottom. 12.
Play games with alphabet refrigerator magnets. Practice naming each letter and the sound it makes.
13.
Teach your child to recognize his name and then to write his name. Let him practice often. Teach him to use all lower case letters, except for the first letter.
14.
Give your child plenty of opportunities to interact with other children – play groups, play dates, church, preschool – so he learns to take turns, treat others nicely, listen to others and share.
15.
Teach your child how to express his feelings in words. Practice feeling words.
16.
Have your child dress him or herself. Let him zip his own jacket and fasten his own jeans.
17. Make sure your child can go to the bathroom completely independently – wiping, flushing and washing/drying hands. 18.
Practice tying shoes.
19.
Read, read, read! Every day.
One kindergarten teacher said, “We are going to be teaching colors and shapes and letters anyway, so I don’t care if you teach those things. But please teach your child to wipe his own bottom and tie his own shoes. Those are the things that interrupt instructional time.
Please, please, please teach your child to go to the bathroom on his own and to tie his own shoes.”
The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
15
A Fresh Start
BY KRISTEN BURDEN
(Originally in our Back to School 2014 issue) If you ask me, early fall is the most magical time of year. It’s a season of clean slates, freshly sharpened pencils, and new beginnings. I love witnessing the excitement and anticipation my children feel when they load their backpacks with pride, eager to return to school one grade older than they were in the spring. Their energy permeates our house, spreading an unspoken “let’s get this party started!” attitude through the entire family. It’s a fantastic thing. If there’s one area where I most need to channel that contagious enthusiasm, it’s in packing their school lunches. Can you relate? I confess to tucking those lunch boxes in the deepest corner of the pantry when school lets out each summer, relieved to have a break from the monotonous grind of assembling sandwiches and chopping fruit. It's no easy task to load healthy, balanced, appealing lunch boxes day after day – especially if you're trying to eat organic, whole foods without breaking the bank.
O O KID-TESTED O O SNACKS & MEALS Snacks
Load a bento-style box with several of the following options to keep things interesting.
• clementines and a cheese stick • pretzels with almond butter • cashews and raisins
• PB&J roll-ups (using whole wheat tortillas) • turkey (or ham) and cheese kabobs • cold pasta salad with grilled chicken • whole wheat wagon wheel pasta,
• Greek yogurt and fresh berries, topped with granola
• grapes and cheese cubes on a short bamboo skewer
• baby carrots with hummus • popcorn
• banana carrot date muffins (see recipe) • cottage cheese and fruit • dark chocolate and nuts • peanut butter protein balls (see recipe)
• cucumbers and ranch dip (try Boathouse Farms Yogurt Ranch)
• apple slices with almond butter 16
Mealtime
Portion and package snacks on Sunday afternoons to make it easy to grab and go all week long.
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with marinara sauce • hard boiled eggs • mini-pizzas (top mini pitas with sauce, cheese and pepperoni) • celery with peanut butter and raisins (ants on a log) • guacamole with blue corn chips • cubed chicken and cucumber skewers • leftovers from last night’s dinner • fruit kabobs • soup or chili in a thermos • peanut butter, turkey, or ham sammie using homemade bread (see recipe)
Homemade Bread
2 cups hot water 1/3 cup grape seed oil 1/2 cup honey 3 ½ tsp instant yeast 1 egg 5 cups organic, whole wheat flour 2 tsp salt In a stand mixer, combine water, oil & honey. Add 3 cups of flour, yeast, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Add remaining flour and knead using the mixer’s bread hook (or by hand) until smooth & elastic (about 10 minutes). Shape into two loaves, place in greased pans, and let rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
3/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter) 1/4 cup honey 1 scoop all-natural chocolate protein powder 1/2 cup raw oatmeal Combine ingredients well. Roll into 1" balls. Refrigerate (or freeze) in an air-tight container. Note: if you’re using these in lunch boxes, keep them frozen and put them in the lunchbox in the morning. They’ll be just right by lunchtime.
Banana-Carrot-Date Muffins 2 cups almond flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp sea salt 1 Tbs cinnamon 1 tsp cloves (optional) 10 dates, pitted 3 ripe bananas 3 eggs 1 tsp apple cider vinegar ¼ cup coconut oil, melted 1 ½ cups carrots, chopped Muffin paper liners
Banana-Carrot-Date Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 and line 12 muffin tins with paper liners. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Using a food process (or hand blender), combine the dates, bananas, eggs, vinegar, oil, and carrots. Puree. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Spoon mixture into paper lined muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Best when refrigerated.
The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
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(Originally in our Fall 2014 issue)
signing a By Kristi Corley
Photography by Sari Underwood Photography
Since when did it become the norm that our children need cell phones? They walk around the mall with their cell phone tucked in their back pocket, or sit around a table snapping a photo of their food, then sending it o to their friends to like and share. Handing over a mini-computer that is worth hundreds of dollars can send most parents into a mini panic attack. Will they break it? Will they make wrong choices when texting? Will they search the internet for inappropriate content? Left to their own free will, the answer to all of the above questions is YES. Yes, they will make poor choices, unless we give them boundaries. Kids, like athletes need to sign a contract!
cell phone
Contract
I understand : that having a cell phone is a privilege, and that if I fail to adhere to this contract, my cell phone privilege
may be revoked. that my cell phone may be taken away if I talk back to my parents, if I fail to do my chores, or if I fail to keep my grades up. that I am responsible to know where my phone is located at all times. if I damage my phone – whether intentionally or accidentally, or by my neglect – I am responsible to fix it.
The device : I will charge my phone every night. I will keep track of my phone charger. I will use a screen protector at all times. I will keep a protective case on my phone at all times. Texting rules : I will not send rude, mean or threatening texts to others. I will not text or place phone calls after ____ p.m. I will not delete any messages or photos without permission. Photos : I will not send embarrassing photos of my family or friends to others. In addition, I will not use my phone’s
camera to take embarrassing photos of others. I will keep my private parts private. I will not take photos of any body part that is normally covered by clothing. I will not ask for another person to take photos of their body for me to see.
Other general rules : I will share all passwords and login information with my parent(s), and will notify them of any changes. I will readily hand over my phone at any time for parent(s) to monitor my activity. I will not bring my cell phone to the family dinner table. I will ask permission before downloading apps. I will not go over my plan’s monthly limit of minutes or text messages. If this rule is broken, I agree to pay any and all additional charges and understand that I may lose cell phone privileges.
I will make sure my phone is turned off when at church, in restaurants, or at other quiet settings. I will obey all cell phone rules imposed by my school, such as turning it off during class or keeping it on vibrate while riding the school bus.
I promise I will alert my parents when I receive suspicious or alarming phone calls or text messages from people I don’t know.
Signed ______________________________ (son/daughter) Signed ______________________________ (parents) www.TheMomsMagazine.com
Car Line Skincare Tips } { By Mindy Black Licensed Esthetician and CEO of Inner Beauty Skin Care
If there’s one thing moms are short on, it’s time. For many mothers, beauty treatments, highlights and freshly painted nails unfortunately aren’t a priority in general, let alone when gearing up for back-to-school. Instead, they’ve been replaced with work, packing school lunches, family dinners, cheering at soccer games and late-night homework sessions. We know these activities are top priority and don’t leave much time for mom.
(Originally in our Back to School 2015 issue)
Moms, are you guilty of reapplying makeup in the school pick-up line to fight the look of exhaustion? Then these tips are for you! We’ve got you covered with eight simple ways to wake up tired-looking skin and to fake the awake look all school year long: Moisturize
Whether you’re dropping your kids off at school or heading to work, don’t ever leave home without moisturizer (better yet – don’t leave home without your moisturizer with SPF!). The application is like a mini massage for your face, which increases blood flow and circulation to your skin, giving you that instant fake-awake look.
Take care of your hardworking eyes It’s a fact that your eyes blink 10,000 times a day. This takes a huge toll on the tender skin surrounding your eyes, which is
20
10 times thinner than that on the rest of your face. Because this area is so thin and sensitive, eye problems are common; and often times puffy eyes can be a symptom of something more serious than just lack of sleep. Allergies, thyroid disorder, eye infections and diabetes, just to name a few, all have undereye puffiness as a common symptom. If your puffy eyes are severe and persistent, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.
Reduce morning under-eye puffiness
Swelling in the under-eye area is made worse by eating salty foods, yawning, sleeping positions, dehydration, poor circulation and lack of sleep. While eating less popcorn at night or propping your head up with pillows can help with drainage of fluid around the eyes and prevent some puffiness, sadly it’s impossible to completely avoid. To minimize the appearance of unwanted “bags,” splash your face with cold water first thing in the morning – or place a frozen spoon over each eye. The cold will constrict blood vessels, preventing the flow of fluid into
The MOMS Magazine • Back to School 2016 • www.TheMomsMagazine.com
surrounding tissues, minimizing puffiness in the process.
A good eye cream goes a long way
Invest in eye care products that contain peptides. Peptides are antioxidants that renew skin’s firming mechanisms to lift and tighten the eye area. Our client-favorite eye cream, G.M. Collin Bota Peptide Eye Contour, is a multi-peptide eye contour cream that visibly smooths with a unique 4-in-1 action: it reduces the appearance of expression lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness (hallelujah!). Whatever you choose to use for your eye cream, invest in quality – don’t skimp – and apply daily.
Hemorrhoid cream is a good substitute
Is your eye cream on back order? Don’t worry, mom! Just pick up some hemorrhoid cream – yes, we’re serious – from your neighborhood pharmacy (it’s Inner Beauty Skin Care approved). The main ingredient, phenylephrine, constricts blood vessels, shrinks under-eye tissue and lightens dark shadows.
Camouflage with color
The secret is in the shimmer! Illuminating shimmer bricks and sticks have light, reflective pigments that camouflage dark circles and bags. Go for pink and coral hues of blush, and apply high on your cheekbones. Skin gym tip: We suggest avoiding yellow tones of both makeup and clothing, because it can make you look sallow and washed out.
Mist yourself
Facial mists are a quick way to wake up your skin. They hydrate and sooth skin while reactivating your makeup. This will prevent you from reapplying makeup throughout the day, which only leads to that dull, dry look.
Stay hydrated
The best thing about this beauty tip is that it requires no time at all – just a little self-discipline; so drink up! Dehydration can drain your energy and make you look tired. Drink at least eight, 8-oz. glasses of water per day to keep your skin looking (and feeling) healthy. You are super mom, you already know this!
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complex
conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic pain and
LIFE is AMAZING. LIFE is AMAZING.
urinary incontinence. Because being yourself again is one of the reasons
To learn more, contact our women’s health navigator at (407) 720-5191 or visit FH4Women.com.