The Publisher
Greetings, I feel like school has just ended, but I blinked, and we are almost half way through summer! We have just over a month before heading back to school. I hope you have been enjoying the summertime. My kids have been having a great summer so far at summer camp, but the temperatures are starting to heat up!
We have fun ways to stay cool in the 12th annual Beat the Heat issue. Inside you'll find our yearly guide, tips, and events. We are working hard at staying cool over the next two to three months when temperatures can get over 90 degrees and feel like 100!! The kids and I like to hit the pool on those days but all those towels and floats can make a mess! Check out page 20 for tips from Amy Bergman of Amyzing Space on controlling the clutter and chaos!
Next month, PB Parenting will be in-person at the Stroller Daze event at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium! Save the date for this fun event Wed. August 23rd. Stop by the PB Parenting table and enter to win your own Gladly Family Anthem2 2-Seat All-Terrain Wagon. More details about the event can be found on page 24.
PB Parenting
Volume 12, Issue 7 | July 2023
PUBLISHER
Felonice Merriman
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Jennifer Preville
GRAPHIC DESIGN/PRODUCTION
Felonice Designs, LLC
Stephanie Davis
COVER & PUBLISHER PHOTO BY: Lynn of Lynn Studios
www.lynnstudios1.com
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Amy Bergman
Nemours Health
Family Features
CONTACT PB PARENTING
BY MAIL11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 10A-146
Wellington, FL 33414
To advertise: 561-223-9223
EMAIL - info@pbparenting.com
I hope you spend these last weeks of summer staying cool and having fun before the Back to School prep begins! Happy Parenting,
PB Parenting Magazine is published monthly in Palm Beach County, Florida. Copyright 2012-2023, all rights reserved by PB Parenting, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.
PB Picks
Summer Fun!
Gladly Family Anthem2 2-Seat All-Terrain Wagon Stroller with Easy Push and Pull, Removable XL Canopies, and Sturdy, Safe Folding for Storage and Transport, Great for a beach day! Don't be fooled by stylish good looks: this cruiser is also an all-terrain workhorse with rugged wheels and a sturdy frame. Our top priority? Making this the easiest wagon-style stroller to steer and maneuver - when both pushing and pulling. At 35 lbs, the Anthem Wagon Stroller is one of the lightest wagons available. Designed to be stored lying flat or standing up, you can easily take your wagon stroller wherever you go with your babies. Love going to the beach with your kids, but your current foldable wagon gets stuck in the sand? Well, we made a utility wagon for beach with big wheels. You'll love these features:
• Accepts selected car seats* (car seat adapter sold separately)
• Easy to fold; standing fold or flat for storage
• Large double canopies with breathable mesh inserts
• Sun, Wind, Rain Protection: Extra-large double canopies that zip close
• All-terrain tires and a sturdy suspension system
• One-touch, easy to use brake
• Roomy interior that comfortably holds two children up to 75 lbs. each
• Stowaway mattress included
• 3-point safety harness for each seat
• Parent cup holder and storage container with lid
• Double snack tray and child cupholders included
• Interior storage with four mesh pockets
Learn more at https://gladlyfamily.com/ products/anthem-2-seater-all-terrain-wagonstroller?variant=39601732911269
Check me out in person and enter to win your own Anthem2 at Stroller Daze on Wednesday, August 23rd at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium! Stop by the PB Parenting table!
Maternity Care Award-Winning
For life’s most important moments, you deserve a hospital network that can deliver a higher level of maternity care. Our commitment to providing you with peace of mind begins with our level II and III designated NICUs, highly skilled physicians and nurses, advanced technology, and spa-like private suites that results in comprehensive care throughout your journey from prenatal to post-delivery. Please
10 Ways To Keep Cool When It’s Hot
Wow it is hot out! It is hard to keep your cool in South Florida when temperatures reach the mid 90s for the next few months. It is important to stay cool not only for your comfort but your safety. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting (passing out)
If you think you or someone is suffering from heat exhuastion move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath and sip water. Get medical help right away if: You are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Signs of heat stroke include:
• High body temperature (103°F or higher)
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness (passing out)
If you think you or someone is having a heat stroke Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a medical emergency,move the person to a cooler place, help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath and do not give the person anything to drink.
The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.
1. Beat the sun and heat with an early morning or evening activity or workout.
2. Try to stay in the shade when outdoors during peak sunlight.
3. Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color. Also cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.
4. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors or take it on the go with you!
5. Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
6. Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
7. Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you’re ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you’ll have a supply of cold water with you.
8. Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.
9. Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
10. Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won’t have to cook next to a hot stove.
Finally, use common sense. If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too. For more information on what to do in extreme heat go to https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/ extremeheat/warning.html
Beat theHeat guide
Welcome to our 12th annual Beat the Heat Guide. This guide is an excellent resource for the summer when the temperatures outside can reach past 90 degrees and feel like 100. PB Parenting has put together some of our favorite places to visit during the summertime (and year-round). There are also some great indoor options for rainy days or the ever-present afternoon thunderstorms. This resource directory is available online all year at www.pbparenting.com.
Adrenaline Entertainment Center offers 45,000 sqft of Extreme Play. SUMMER RUSH SPECIAL! Monday through Friday 11am – 4pm you can get 3 hours + Drink + Pizza Slice for only $30 all Summer long. If you’re looking for a day of adventure and excitement, look no further than Adrenaline Entertainment Center’s indoor trampoline park in Lake Worth! Our parks are so much more than just a traditional trampoline park. Adrenaline offers highenergy fun through a wide variety of heart pounding activities like basketball, dodgeball, rock-climbing, performance trampolines, foam pits, battle beams and more! Remember to mention PB PARENT for 20% off! Check out their website for details www.jumpadrenaline. com/lake-worth.
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is the perfect destination to beat the heat! Enjoy cool science exhibits, check out the Aquarium and takein a show in the only full dome planetarium in Palm Beach County! Guests can also bring their own picnic blankets/chairs to enjoy our new outdoor amphitheater shows and mini golf on our science trail. Also be sure to check out the indoor Discovery Center with water table. Located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.coxsciencecenter.org for more information.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education and ocean conservation facility located right
on Juno Beach. The facility houses a variety of exhibits coastal creatures, and live sea turtle and hatchlings being rehabilitated at their sea turtle hospital (the only one between Orlando and the Florida Keys). Exhibits include a massive prehistoric Archelon sea turtle replica, salt water aquaria and displays of local wildlife, as well as educational displays about South Florida's marine environment. Learn more at www. marinelife.org.
Manatee Lagoon –
An FPL Eco-Discovery Center® is a FREE Palm Beach County educational attraction with a dedicated area for viewing manatees up close. The 16,000-square-foot center features engaging, hands-on exhibits for visitors to learn all about these threatened and unique creatures as well as the natural wonders of the surrounding Lake Worth Lagoon. To learn more including about their virtual summer camp go to www.visitmanateelagoon.com.
Tues - Fri: 12pm-4pm Sat: 10am-4pm Sun: 12pm-4pm
McKee Botanical Gardens Children’s Garden
The one-acre Children’s Garden features a grand discovery tree with a pirate shipwreck, a monkey bridge, a waterlily fountain and splash garden, a reading circle, fairy forest and more. The mission of the Children’s Garden at McKee is to create a fun and whimsical outdoor destination that inspires imagination and curiosity in children through interaction, education and exploration. Garden Hours: Tuesday – Saturday (10 am – 5 pm), Sunday (Noon – 5 pm). Last admission ticket sold at 4 pm. The Children’s Garden closes at 4:30 pm. Admission: $15 Adults, $13 Seniors (65+)/Youth (13-17), Children (2-12) $10. McKee members and children under 2 free. McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for
the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-794-0601 or go to www.
mckeechildrensgarden.org
PB Skate Zone - What better way to stay cool than ICE! PB Skate Zone offers family fun and offer a variety of programs including public skating sessions, skating classes and camps, hockey classes and leagues, birthday party packages, family events and more! Palm Beach
Skate Zone is South Florida's only 3 Ice Rink Facility and is conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike exit at Lake Worth Road . Our 75,000 square feet facility features: 3 Ice Skating Rinks, Cafes (Fresh Menu), Full Service Pro Shop, Party/Locker Rooms, Arcade Games, Wi-Fi and more! Check out their website for skating times
award-winning NATURE CONNECTS® made with LEGO® bricks, features 13 gravity-defying and astounding sculptures made from over 800,000 toy bricks. The sculptures explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature.
Splash into summer with Safe Swimming School's expert swim lessons. Stay cool and safe! Register now and give your child the gift of swimming skills! Safe Swimming School's experienced instructors can teach your children to swim like pros. Enroll them in our swim program and watch them thrive in the water. Located in Wellington - email info@ safeswimmingschool.com for more information.
Sandoway Discovery Center offers a glimpse into South Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments through educational exhibits and programs. Visitors of all ages can get an
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up-close view of: sharks and other fish in our coral reef pool, native and invasive reptiles and amphibians, shells in our world-class shell collection, butterfly garden and native dune, reggie the skunk and screech owl in our nocturnal room and more. Coral Reef Pool & Shark and Stingray Feedings daily! Learn a multitude of fun and interesting facts about the
Su ertime is fun-time
ocean's top predators, while watching them eat their breakfast. All ages can touch stingrays in our NEW stingray touch tank. Open Tues.-Sat. from 10 AM - 4 PM. Sundays 12 PM - 4 PM. Closed Sunday July 18, Monday and all major holidays. Save time and buy your tickets online. www. sandoway.org.
Schoolhouse
Children’s Museum
Enjoy a historical journey and live life as a pioneer. Explore the museum where learning is an adventure for children ages 1-7 (for mom and dad too!) with Story N’ More and other programs. Play and learn on two floors of interactive exhibits. Two play sessions Tuesday – Saturday (9:00am – 12:30pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm). 129
Beach.
Hurricane season is already gearing up. Here are some tips from KidsHealth® on how to help prepare your family and help your kids deal with the stress and emotions of an impending and possible storm.
Preparing Kids for Hurricanes
Let Kids Help With Pre-storm Preparations
Keeping them busy can help keep kids’ minds off of their worries. Helping prepare in ageappropriate ways also can increase a child’s sense of control over the situation.
To involve your kids
Hurricanes can be scary — for grown-ups and kids alike. Kids learn how to respond to situations based on the behaviors and attitudes of those around them.
Here are some tips to help them — and you — be ready during hurricane season.
Talk About Hurricanes
Kids might be confused about what a hurricane is, so use simple age-appropriate descriptions of what to expect if one is coming your way. For a younger child, you might say, “A hurricane is a tropical storm with very strong winds and lots of rain, lightning, and thunder.” It’s also important to tell kids that grown-ups will do their best to keep them safe.
Try to Remain Calm Yourself
Kids can easily sense the emotions of those around them. When a parent seems overly upset or worried, this can make a child’s own fears or worries worse.
Prepare a family disaster emergency kit. Kids can help collect canned goods and get flashlights ready.
Have your kids help bring outdoor items inside.
Discuss your family’s disaster plan together. Will you need to evacuate — and what would that look like? Which grown-ups will do what? This will help kids know what to expect.
During the Storm
Let kids pick a few comfort items, nonelectronic games, and toys in case of power outages.
Try to keep as normal a routine as possible. This can help children feel calm and safe.
Encourage kids to talk about their feelings or thoughts about what’s happening. Some kids might prefer not to talk right away — and that’s OK too. Spend time together and let them know that you’re there when they’re ready.
After the Storm
Pay attention to signs of stress, including nightmares, regressive behavior/acting younger than their age, and extra clinginess. These are common in children who’ve gone through a traumatic event. If you see any of these signs, talk to your doctor and know that trained counselors can help.
© 1995-2023. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
To assemble your kit store items in airtight
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (min. 3 day supply of shelf stable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight with Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers/backup battery
• Prescription medications
• Non-prescription medications such as pain
relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers and wipes
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Important family document
• Sleeping bag or blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire extinguisher and matches in a waterproof container
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
• Soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
Staying Cool (and Organized) by the Pool!
BY AMY BERGMANSummertime in South Florida means hot and muggy mornings followed by torrential rainstorms in the afternoon. Our swimming pools become our refuge from the heat, and a way to keep the kids occupied outdoors before they are trapped inside to ride out the storms. This can make keeping your patio and pool area tidy a challenge. From noodles to floaties to rafts, there’s a lot to put away—and it’s important to keep it neat and tidy so the mess doesn’t become a summer nightmare. Whether you're storing towels, swimsuits, sunblock, toys, floats, or other pool equipment, here are 3 organizing solutions that will make pool time fun and easy to keep tidy.
1. Throw toys and equipment into a weatherproof storage bin/box. They have a large capacity and make clean up quick and easy. Pro tip: if storing small items like goggles, use a separate bin with a lid or Ziploc bag inside your bin. Here’s a list of some great storage bins/boxes. (https://www. thespruce.com/storage-ideas-for-pool-floats-andtoys-5121094)
2. Corral your towels. Giving your towels (wet or dry, dirty or clean), a place to live will solve so many problems! Use a PVC towel rack to hang wet towels or a basket to store the fresh ones. No matter what, all towel storage should be under a covered area or with the promise of bringing them inside each day. Bonus: use an extra plastic laundry basket for wet
swimsuits---or even for those pool noodles!
3. Store floats out of the water on the porch/ patio, they will last longer. These can be big and cumbersome and take up a lot of room. Here are some ideas on how to do this:
• Secure them with nets. Use a cargo net and Command hooks to contain all those floats up off the floor. Here’s a large cargo net on Amazon. (https://a.co/d/8y2O51G)
• Hang them up outside. Build long hooks using PVC pipes and PVC elbows to hold more than one float. But, if you’d rather hang each one individually, use Kayak hangers. (https://a.co/d/hrPInPp ) They are wide enough to hold an inflated tube and easy to install on a fence or wall.
Tidying up after each swim session or pool party is the key to keeping things under control. Ask the kids to pitch in and help by making clean up a game. Offer them some cool rewards like popsicles or fun stickers or temporary tattoos for a job well done. By using some of these organizing tips, you will stay cool this summer your pool and patio area won’t become a hot mess!
Have an Amyzing summer, Amy
Amyzing Spaces provides professional organization for your home & office! Amy Bergman, a native Floridan, has always had a passion for organizing & simplifying things in life. She would love to help you make your space Amyzing!!! Check out her website at www. amyzingspaces.com, and you will see how she works with her clients to organize spaces in their homes & offices, creating systems that work for them so they can achieve more calm in their space and be even more productive & efficient with their time. You can also follow her on Facebook & Instagram. She posts excellent organizational tips and resources there as well. www.amyzingspaces. com/
TRAVELS
& Places to go
Record-Breaking Travel Volumes Expected July 4th Weekend
Number of Floridians traveling by car and air over the holiday projected to be highest on record
Floridians will travel in record numbers for Independence Day. AAA forecasts more than 2.8 million Floridians will take at least one trip of 50 miles or more, between Friday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 4. That’s 87,000 more holiday travelers than the previous record high, set last year.
Nationally, travel figures are also expected to set new records. An estimated 50.7 million Americans are forecast to travel for the holiday weekend. That’s nearly 2.1 million more travelers than last year’s holiday and almost 1.8 million more than the previous high, set back in 2019.
“Independence Day weekend appears to be the continuation of what has already been a very strong summer travel season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although airfares and hotel rates are more expensive than last year, Americans are still eager to travel. So, expect to see congested roads, busy hotels, and long lines at airports and attractions.”
Road Trips Remain the Preferred Mode of Transportation - Nearly 85% of all travelers will take a road trip. AAA predicts 43.2 million Americans will drive to their destinations. That’s a little over 1 million more people on the road than last year. In Florida, more than 2.4 million are forecast to take a holiday road trip. That’s 37,000 more than last year.
Gas Prices to Remain Lower than Last Year’s Holiday - While it’s still too early to know exactly what drivers will pay at the pump this Independence Day, it’s likely to be well below what drivers paid during last year’s holiday period. The Florida average was $4.54 per gallon on July 4th, 2022. So far this summer, gas prices have been somewhat erratic, but the state average has remained below $3.47 per gallon, thanks to the lower cost of oil. On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.35 per gallon. Visit gasprices.aaa.com to view daily gas price averages.
419,000 more Americans will board a flight
A record-setting 4.17 million Americans will fly to their destinations this Independence Day weekend. That surpasses the previous July 4th weekend air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, which was set in 2019. The share of air travelers in the overall holiday forecast this year is an impressive 8.2% - the highest percentage in nearly 20 years.
An estimated 219,823 Floridians are forecast to fly this year. That’s nearly 23,000 more than the previous high, which was set last year.
Other modes of transportation are also on the rise this year. AAA expects 3.36 million people will travel by bus, cruise, or train over the long weekend, an increase of 24% over last year. This national figure is not expected to surpass 2019
levels. However, the projected 140,525 Floridians is a new record in the state.
Best/Worst Times to Drive - Friday, June 30 is expected to be the busiest day on the roads during the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights. The worst travel times vary by day, but are generally in the afternoon and early evening.
Average travel times are estimated to be 30% longer than normal, particularly in major metro areas, near beaches and attractions. To avoid the heaviest congestion, INRIX recommends drivers leave in the morning or after 6 p.m.
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA. com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
EVENTS & Things to Do
Beat the Heat (or the afternoon rain!) with Weekdays only MONDAY-FRIDAY starting at 11 AM you get three hours of jump time a slice of pizza and a bottle of water all for $30.00 per jumper! Please mention Summer Rush at the front desk For more info www.jumpadrenaline.com/ lake-worth
The Art of Story at the Schoolhouse Museum and Learning Center. Weekly on Fridays from 3-3:45 PM. After reading the selection of the week, we will review the book-focusing on the illustrations-and discuss what we see as well as the art process used to create the illustrations. Children will then have the chance to create their own art in that illustrator’s style! FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION. For ages 3-7 PM. Learn more and RSVP at www.schoolhousemuseum.org.
4th of July at the Center: Celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium! Celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium! All ages can show their patriotism with 3D paper firework crafts, fire and ice science demonstrations, alligator petting, liquid nitrogen demonstrations and more! Mini golf is included with admission and guests can check out the latest summer exhibit – Science Fiction, Science Future. For more information, please visit coxsciencecenter.org/event/4th-julycelebration.
The City of Boynton Beach presents Red, White & Blue with a Waterfront View, a free, family-friendly event at Intracoastal Park (2240 N. Federal Hwy.) in celebration of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4, 6:30-9:30 pm. The event will feature live music, food trucks, entertainment, a kids' area, shuttle transportation, and one of the largest Zambelli fireworks displays in Palm Beach County, starting promptly at 9 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. For more information, visit Boynton-Beach.org/July4 or call 561-742-6034.
Schedule a Tour at Gardens School of Technology Arts. Call 561-290-7661 to schedule a tour of our campus. Gardens SOTA is a charter program for K-8. Learn more at www.mysota.net. We look forward to meeting you.
Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival Stages Free, Outdoor Shakespeare by the Sea XXXIII production of “Measure for Measure” in Carlin Park , Jupiter July 6 – 23 and The encore, production of “Measure for Measure,” presented
by The Village of Royal Palm Beach, takes place July 20 – 23 at the Commons Park Amphitheater. Visit vwww.pbshakespeare.org for more information.
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