Hello / Here We Go

here we go

ABOVE // A pre-tears Alexis Patterson with her son on his first day of pre-K. P RE-K WAS THE HARDEST. My son had been to preschool the year prior, but it lasted just a few hours a couple of days a week, and I waited nearby. Pre-K was the first time my house would be quiet for a full day, five days a week. My tears flowed as readily as his did at that initial drop-off. Kindergarten was at a new school; I prepared for a tough goodbye, but he grinned sweetly as I left on the first day. First

Subscribe to Our grade started virtually, and that was hard in unexpected ways.

Email Newsletters Second grade was another new school, and while there were no dfwchild.com/newsletter tears, my heart twisted as I hoped he would quickly feel at home. Follow Us on Instagram And now we’ve reached third grade. I always miss my kiddo when he’s away, even if it’s just 7:40am to 2:55pm. But I feel much @dfwchildmag better this year. No changing schools, and he has a wonderful group of friends. I’m thankful, even if it means waking up extra Find Us on Facebook early, packing the daily lunch and leaving behind the carefree facebook.com/dfwchild stretch of summer. Email Us Let us know what’s on your mind. editorial@dfwchild.com This issue has a host of resources to help you navigate a new school year. Check out the expert advice for the best way to praise a child’s accomplishments (page 9). We have a comprehensive look at school safety measures, including actions you can take as a parent and how to talk to your kids about drills and shootings (page 28). On the learning differences front, we asked an integrative pediatrician to weigh in on alternative treatments for ADHD (page 12). There’s a lot more packed in these pages, from a chat with the mom behind ZUBI’S Latin dips (page 15) to our Mom-Approved wellness providers—therapists, counselors and others, all nominated by our readers (page 22). For parents of children with special needs, we’re covering elopement (when a child darts off from a caregiver; page 33), tips for fitness (page 36) and more. From all of us at DFWChild, have a great school year. By the way, if you don’t have that picture-perfect, day one chalk sign detailing your child’s stats and favorites, it’s OK. Snap a quick pic with your phone, send them into school and get on with your day. Mom tears optional. Sincerely,

PUBLISHER/ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Joylyn Niebes

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ EDITOR IN CHIEF Lauren Niebes

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Alexis Patterson Contributing Editor Emily McDaniel Contributing Writers Erin Hayes Burt Kelly Wooley DIGITAL Digital Manager/ Publishing Coordinator Susan Horn Web + Calendar Editor Elizabeth Smith

ART Art Director Reneé Higgins ADVERTISING Account Executives Alison Davis Nancy McDaniel Advertising Coordinator Isabel Pisani

ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Leah Wagner

HOW TO CONTACT US: Address: P.O. Box 2269 Addison, Texas 75001 Phone: 800/638-4461 or 972/447-9188 Fax: 972/447-0633 or 972/447-0425 Online: dfwchild.com DFWChild is published bimonthly by Lauren Publications, Inc. DFWChild is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. Additional or back copies are available for $2 per copy at the offices of Lauren Publications, Inc. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. DFWChild is ©2022 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.

become BFFs

sprinkler

It’s time for a better relationship with your sprinkler system. Learn how to program it so it only waters up to twice a week – even in the heat of the summer. Make sure it doesn’t run too long and send water into the street. And turn the sprinklers off if it’s going to rain. You and your sprinkler system, working together to keep the towers full.

WaterIsAwesome.com