FT Parent Feb. 2014

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

JAN-FEB 2014

Budgeting for a New Year Making the Most of Your Family Income

health

Backpack Stats learning

A Computer for Every Kid? life

Discipline Strategies

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contents family finance

4 Budgeting for a New Year

learning

18 A Computer for Every Kid? 20 Listings

life

activities

6 Five Questions to Ask Before You Say Yes to Chess (Or Any Other Activity) 8 Listings

EDITORIAL

22 Stay Calm and Be the Parent 24 Listings

media

health

calendar

30 Tantrums & Triumphs

16 Events and Programming

ftparent.com @FTParentSC

Diplomas don’t grow on trees either With college tuition and fee hikes regularly outpacing inflation, it’s never too early to start saving for higher education costs.

Together we can explore a variety of savings vehicles, including 529 plans, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and UGMA/UTMA accounts.

Call today to find a strategy that’s right for your family.

Logan Lupia Financial Advisor 1901 Main Street, 6th Floor Columbia, SC 29201 803-251-7115 Fax: 803-929-0228 logan.lupia@wellsfargoadvisors.com Investment and Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured

u NO Bank Guarantee

u MAY Lose Value

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 1013-03015 [74025-v4] A1265

EDITOR: Dan Cook, editor@free-times.com | ext. 133 MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Haight LISTINGS EDITOR: Patrick Wall CONTRIBUTORS: Anna Gelbman Edmunds, Heather Green, Amanda Ladymon, Kara Meador, Kevin Oliver, Anne Postic, Sean Rayford, Jonathan Sharpe

PRODUCTION

25 Music and DVD Reviews 25 Book Reviews 26 App Reviews 28 Listings

12 Backpack Stats 14 Listings

Published by Resorts Media 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 765.0707 ftparent.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa Willis GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Wilbert Fields GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Ayer

ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Kerry Powers kpowers@free-times.com | ext. 128 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Hyatt Drake, Ginny Kuhn, Brian Wingard, Jerry Viles ADVERTISING ASSISTANT: Rachel Kuhnle CLASSIFIED SALES MANAGER: Cale Johnson CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Jason Stroman, Ellen Robinson

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RESORTS MEDIA Charlie Nutt, Publisher

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family finance

Budgeting for a New Year

Making the Most of Your Family Income

By Heather Green

F

eeling a holiday hangover? You are not alone — for many, the holidays mean too much food, too much fun and definitely too much money spent. December credit card bills are rolling in and your bank account might be looking a bit empty after the gluttonous holiday season. Getting back on track might be a top New Year’s resolution. Or perhaps you recently lost a job or had a major life shift and need to refocus. No matter the cause, here are a few helpful hints from local families and experts to help get back on track in 2014.

There are many reasons families may need to re-evaluate their budgets, from life changes to illness to other hardships.

We talked to three local moms, all of whom learned how to re-evaluate their monetary priorities and accommodate life’s big surprises.

Laney and her husband have two children. Their family finances took a hit when her husband unexpectedly lost his job in November 2012. (Laney did not want her last name used for this article.)

Callie Cromer’s husband Clay recently left the Coast Guard to pursue a career in

Give children an allowance and guide them through the process of saving and spending.

Christian ministries. He is currently attending graduate school. They have two children: James, 3, and Caleb, 2.

April Sampson was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and is receiving chemotherapy treatments. She and her husband have two children: Summer, 14, and Lela, 9.

Budgeting is a Learning Process Jason Langdale, a financial consultant for First Community Bank, advises families that budgeting is a learning process. No one masters it in one or two months. He suggests that families review budgets each month and revise as needed.

“No one gets the budgeting process right the first time and that expectation causes people to give up,” he says. “Begin small by tracking your monthly income and expenses and grow from there.”

Going from a two-person income to a single one can be especially difficult.

Laney knows this all too well: In November 2012, her husband unexpectedly lost his job.

“Needless to say, we were pretty scared,” she says. “His salary was our main income — providing everything from the house to health care.”

Laney and her husband knew they had to re-evaluate their finances and make a list of priorities. Despite having a full-time job, Laney had no health insurance through her employer, so health insurance became a top priority, along with food and their house.

Growing Savers Looking for some ideas to help your kids understand money? The Richland Library’s Growing Savers program teaches children about financial literacy and educates families about saving money.

Heather McCue, children’s librarian, suggests that children can learn to make choices between needs and wants. Talking to your children about those differences is a huge step.

“Research has shown that, just like reading and books, your children are looking to you when it comes to money,” McCue says. “Giving them the opportunity to practice making choices is a good first step.”

Even Lunch Money, Columbia’s own Kindie Rock band, wrote a song for the Growing Savers program. Download “Shake, Shake My Piggy Bank” from Richland Library’s site at richlandlibrary.com/saving-money.

family finance

Need some book recommendations for teaching kids about money?

Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells (ages 3-7) Benny’s Pennies by Pat Bisson (ages 3-7) The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey (ages 5+) In Business with Mallory

by Laurie B. Freidman (ages 7+) Mr Chickee’s Funny Money

by Christopher Paul Curtis (ages 8-12) — Heather Green Laney, a self-identified “non-generic eating snob,” says she had to get over the stereotypes of generic labels and foods. The days of free-range snacks were over and only essential foods were purchased. Her two children started taking their lunches to school.

“What it costs to eat two days at school can pay for almost a week and a half of sandwiches,” she says.

Another plus for Laney: “This has actually become an added bonus as we are totally able to monitor what they are eating.”

Callie Cromer’s husband’s job change was planned, so, unlike Laney, they had some time to save for their change in direction.

“We had the benefit of seeing far enough down the road to really plan well for it,” says Callie Cromer. “We chose to save like crazy for the last year-and-a-half he was in the Coast Guard ... we began learning how to live on less, so when our income decreased it wasn’t such a shock.”

Cromer’s family began prioritizing their needs as a way to estimate living expenses. They also moved into an apartment to cut housing expenses. Each month, they deposit savings into their checking account and pay their rent, groceries and insurance. When extras pop up, she and her husband communicate to make sure their finances are in check.

They’ve found that they can save money by going out less — and that this also cuts down on stress.

“Having preschoolers means going out to eat is usually a hassle, so we do most of our meals at home,” Cromer says. “It’s healthier and cheaper.”

Both Laney and Cromer agree that budgeting has resulted in healthier eating habits for their families — an additional positive outcome.

A year into the budgeting lifestyle, Cromer advises that everyone in the family understand the goals and be committed and disciplined.

Expert Langdale agrees: “Know where your money is going each month and keep a general budget, knowing what funds you may need in the future.”

Planning is important, but flexibility is also required. Langdale advises that families stay committed to the process, keep track every month and take some time to review what worked and what did not.

What Should Children Know?

Should our children know when we are facing a financial hardship? How much is too much when talking about family finances?

Langdale encourages parents to include their children in general budget discussions but cautions against involving young children in stressful money talk. He suggests starting with a piggy bank and discussing the value of money. Give children an allowance and guide them through the process of saving and spending. As children grow, have them open up a savings account at a local bank and encourage teens to take on part-time jobs.

Since Laney’s children are older, they found out from hearing others’ speak about their father’s job loss — a fact that Laney wishes she had handled better. After learning that her children knew about their hardship, Laney reassured her two children that things might change but that she and her husband would minimize those changes for their children. The kids would still have their drama and drum lessons; it was very important for Laney to make sure that her children were not giving up the hobbies that they love.

April Sampson also included her children in on family budget talks. Sampson is honest about her cancer diagnosis, and she wanted her two daughters to know that their family’s needs would change.

“I think it’s important for them to understand the financial realities of our situation and they were immediately on board,” she says.

Since her two children are older, Sampson believes that her two daughters grasp the situation.

“I think it is important that they understand that we only have a certain amount of money coming in, and we have certain bills that have to be paid and we only have so much money to spend on other things.”

She adds, “Lela even agreed to only ask Santa for two things (this year), which — for her — is a big deal.”

Cromer feels that her two sons are too young to understand the ins and outs of living on a strict budget. She adds, however, that her kids “have done well with the lifestyle change. As long as they get to play, have plenty of attention and their basic needs met, they’re living the good life.”

financial tips Jason Langdale, a financial consultant with First Community bank, offers these tips to families starting out with a budget.

• Begin budgeting for holiday expenses in January. Use Christmas Clubs or savings accounts.

• Put your budget on paper so you can see where your money is going each month.

• Find an accountability partner to help you stay on track. A spouse or friend can gently remind you of your budgeting promises and can hold you accountable.

• Successful budgeting requires consistency and accountability.

• Do not use high interest credit cards but do use points from credit cards to buy holiday gifts. Pay off credit cards each month.

• Use cash as much as possible so that you can actually “feel” what you’re spending.

• Use free software such as Mint.com to track your spending.

• Talk to your children about the importance of money. Start small with a piggybank and move up to savings accounts as they get older. Have them assist in the process by clipping coupons.

• Find a free financial planner in your community. Seek help and guidance from reputable sources.

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6

activities

Five Questions to Ask Before You Say Yes to Chess (Or Any Other Activity)

By Anne Postic

S

occer, ballet, flute, tennis, archery, pottery, choir, drama, fencing, swimming … the options are endless.

Somewhere in the big book of parenting that none of us ever actually read, there’s a section that says your kid must be an achiever. Academics aren’t enough. They need team sports for socialization, dance for balance, drawing workshops for art appreciation, and cooking class, so they can feed themselves one day. They’ll need to list extracurricular achievements on college applications. Don’t you want your kid to go to college? What’s wrong with you?

And don’t forget: Extracurriculars are fun! Every kid begs to take karate, or cello, or some activity you never dreamed they’d enjoy.

How do you decide when to say yes, when to say no and when to say, “You have to?”

Ask these five questions:

Will it fit your schedule?

If you can’t get your daughter to Tai chi, it doesn’t do her any good. Find activities that are close to home, your job or your child’s school to make it easier. Consider your family’s personality. Will it work better for you to schedule as many activities as possible on the same days, so you can enjoy blocks of time together, or do you prefer to spread them out, so you can have family dinner every night?

Pro Tip: Don’t pick swimming unless you bounce out of bed easily, really early and with an aggressive grin on your face.

Is it about him or me?

Do you want your son to play tennis because you picture yourself with the amazing strength of Venus Williams or is he dying to pick up a racket and feel the joy of a solid forehand, at any level? Make sure your kid is interested, because he won’t participate if he isn’t. Most kids are tired after school.

If the feeling isn’t there, all the practice in the world won’t make your child an Olympic fencer.

Tips to Keep It Together 1. Make a family calendar everyone can access, online or on the fridge, to avoid conflicts.

2. Talk to your spouse, even if you are separated, even if you hate each other, before scheduling something new.

Pro Tip: Unless you are the rare exception, your kid isn’t going pro, so let go of your dream. Sign up for your own tennis lessons if it’s that important to you.

3. Send a scheduling email each week. My husband and I work, and our schedules change daily. It helps to decide who’s driving who, when and where, and put it in writing.

Is it one of those things they just need to do?

4. When there is a conflict, notify coaches and teachers as soon as possible.

I don’t care how much they hate it; piano lessons are good for them. Some kids will love it and become concert pianists, but there’s nothing wrong with making a kid to take a year or two of music lessons for his own good.

5. Carpool whenever possible to give yourself a break.

Pro Tip No. 1: Forcing a kid to take a private lesson is a lot easier, with less potential for humiliation, than forcing something public like baton twirling, no matter how good it is for hand-eye coordination.

Pro Tip No. 2: You really can’t make a teenager do anything.

Can you afford it?

Kids’ activities come with a cost. There are fees for participation up front, but don’t forget about equipment, potential travel (here’s looking at you, club soccer) and extra training. Some hobbies, like horseback riding, can get really expensive at higher levels. Can you afford a horse?

Pro Tip: In most places, dance lessons are free for boys. Yes, free. Had I known this, my older sons would be wearing tap shoes today instead of cleats.

Can you commit to the level of participation required?

Until your child can drive herself and stay home alone overnight (i.e., when she is 32), this is about you. Before you agree to let him try out for Pippin, check the schedule.

If you’ll be out of town the week before the show, it can’t be done. Kids need to honor team commitments, and you have to help.

Pro Tip: Individual lessons are easier to schedule than group or team activities. A solo accordion lesson can be rescheduled with a little notice. A soccer tournament cannot.

Now you’re well on your way to knowing when to say when. You’re teaching your kids a valuable lesson about finding balance.

Can’t handle calligraphy class until next semester? The world will keep on turning.

Families are invited to Feel the Love (of ART) at Family Fun Day: Sweet on CMA! Saturday, February 8 • Noon - 3:00 p.m. • Columbia Museum of Art • Free!

Get creative at art stations throughout the museum and make a valentine for that someone special or the whole class. Take a “Love-Struck” tour, participate in the “Birds of a Feather” gallery hunt and smile for the camera in the “Be Mine” selfie booth. The Riverbanks Zoo will be here too with a Valentine-themed animal bio facts table. Don’t forget to purchase some sweet treats or hot cocoa and rock out with the band Lunch Money at 1:00 p.m. PLUS, get a first look at the new Interactive Education Gallery, featuring exciting hands-on activities with work from the CMA Collection. Sponsored by Junior League of Columbia.

Join me, Gladys the Grasshopper, for family fun all year round!

Passport to Art features a new hands-on art project and a family tour of the galleries (at 1:00 p.m.) each month. This FREE drop-in program is on the second Sunday of the month from Noon until 3:00 p.m. Sponsored by During Gladys’ Gang, kids (ages 2-5) and their caregivers explore art through the introduction of elementary art terms. This FREE program on the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. includes story time and a creative studio activity.

1515 Main Street in downtown Columbia, SC 803.799.2810 • columbiamuseum.org

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The Colonial Life Arena brings Disney productions year-round. Pictured: Pirate & Princess Adventure.

activities

W

ith the myriad options for children’s programming on television these days, it’s tempting to plop your kid down in front of the flat-screen to keep him or her occupied. But kids like to be active, and we know you dig that whole quality-time shebang. So we have put together a select list of places where you and junior can play … and play together.

All4Fun Party Rental

games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment for all ages.

all4funbouncehouses.com Rents bounce houses and slides.

City of Columbia Parks & Recreation

Art Smart Academy 732o Broad River Rd., 667-9912 artsmartacademy.com Walk-in pottery and painting, birthday parties and more.

Bouncerific 921 Longtown Rd., 865-7939 bouncerific.com No, Bouncerific isn’t a place to send your kid to learn to be a doorman; it’s an indoor party and play center for kids and families. Inflatable bouncers, slides, dress-up, games, more.

Capital Karate capitalkaratesc.com Develops character, discipline and focus as well as physical conditioning and skills.

Carolina CrossFit 1804 Blanding St., carolinacrossfit.com Offers kids’ Crossfit classes.

Chuck E. Cheese’s 1775 Burning Tree Dr., 772-0435 chuckecheese.com The motto of the nationwide family entertainment center chain: Where a kid can be a kid. Often home to birthdays, play groups and school fundraising events, Chuck E. Cheese’s features

columbiasc.net/parksandrec Family-friendly Columbia boasts 52 public parks where your wee ones can run and jump and skip and play, plus a host of community gardens, three swimming pools, one splash pad water park, and a public skate park. The city also offers a host of youth sports and outdoor environmental programs.

Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St. coloniallifearena.com When Disney princesses and the Sesame Street gang come to Columbia, this is where they play.

Columbia Arts Academy 787-0931, columbiaartsacademy.com The largest music school in the state of South Carolina, the Columbia Arts Academy boasts a large and qualified staff to train your kids in electric and acoustic guitar, voice, piano, bass, drums and year-round rock band classes.

Columbia Blowfish 254-3474, blowfishbaseball.com Take ‘em out to the ballgame: During the summer months, Capital City Stadium hosts the Columbia Blowfish, which play in the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate wood-bat summer league. And, yes: They sell peanuts and Crackerjack.

Columbia Children’s Theatre

Congaree National Park

3400 Forest Dr, 691-4548 columbiachildrenstheatre.com Professional theater company for young audiences and families.

776-4396, nps.gov/cong This 22,000-acre park boasts the largest old-growth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins, 20 miles southeast of Columbia.

Columbia Marionette Theatre 401 Laurel St., 252-7366 cmtpuppet.org Founded in 1988 by famed puppeteer Allie Scollon and her son John, the Columbia Marionette Theatre has established itself as a premiere children’s theater in South Carolina. Its mission is to entertain and educate children and adults through the long-standing tradition and artistry of puppetry.

Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main St., 799-2810 columbiamuseum.org Offers plenty of fun programming for kids, from its Passport to Art semimonthly open studio program to its weekly Wee Wednesday art exploration sessions to its summer camps and school programs.

Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 301 Gervais St., 737-8095 www.crr.sc.gov For more than a century, the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum’s has collected and preserved the military history of this state.

Cottle Strawberry Farm 2533 Trotter Rd., 695-1714 cottlestrawberryfarm.com This 30-plus-year-old strawberry farm tucked in southeast Columbia is open to the public every spring — usually from April through May, and sometimes into June. Mmm … freshly picked strawberries.

CrossFit Vista 1125 Lady St., 600-5134 warriorfitnesssc.com CrossFit Kids is a strength and conditioning program used by many athletic teams, martial arts schools and P.E. programs. A great way to address childhood inactivity and obesity. Also has a location in Blythewood.

Dreher Island State Recreation Park 3677 State Park Rd., 364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray. Especially popular for

Experience a winter wonderland of cool family fun!

November 23 through February 23

211 Gervais St. | Columbia, SC | www.edventure.org Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm

Do you know an area high school student who needs

Online learning + Face to Face Instruction ?

Fontaine Business Center 200 Arbor Lake Dr. Suite 301 Columbia, SC 29223 Columbia-­area high school students who need more one-­on-­one help can attend the Learning Center for instruction in Math and English Language Arts;; tutoring in other subjects, including career counseling, life skills and money management. Students attend school Monday-­Friday, four hours a day;; with a choice of a morning or afternoon schedule.

Tuition Free!

ENROLL NOW!

195 CALL OR VISIT 877-­265-­3

m sc.provostacademy.co

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activities fishing and boating, Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.

Drew Park Splash Pad 2101 Walker Solomon Way drewwellnesscenter.com Sure, there’s a playground, a jogging track and a gazebo, but you’re coming here to get wet in the gigantic spray pad and lighted fountain. (Many of the city’s public parks offer smaller spray pools, too.)

EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 779-3100 edventure.org The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

Frankie’s Fun Park 140 Parkridge Dr., 781-2342 frankiesfunpark.com This Harbison-area entertainment center packs three go-kart tracks, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and a super-tall drop zone that says “In your face, gravity!” into 14 acres filled with fun for all ages. What, do you hate fun or something?

Flying High Academy flyinghighacademysc.com Dance, tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading programs.

Harbison State Forest 896-8890 state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road. But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission icrc.net The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission offers kids sports, programs and activities at Crooked Creek Park, Saluda Shoals Park and Seven Oaks Park.

Laugh N Leap 647-960, laughnleap.com Need to buy or rent an inflatable bounce house, water slide, dunk tank or obstacle course? Laugh N Leap has you covered.

Lexington County Recreation Commission lcrac.com Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Lexington County.

Lexington County Soccer Club lexingtoncountysoccerclub.org Live in Lexington Country? Think your kid’s the next Ronaldo? Sign him or her up with this club team, which offers

playing options from recreational to elite traveling squads.

Lexington School of Music 711 E. Main St., 929-7867 lexingtonschoolofmusic.com Offers flexible schedules for lessons on guitar, voice, bass, piano and more.

Little Gym 2005 N. Beltline Blvd., 738-1115 thelittlegym.com The Little Gym is an experiential learning and physical development center offering children’s physical activities centered on movement, music and learning.

Little Loggerheads Swim School littleloggerheads.net Offers morning, afternoon and evening swim lessons for children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.

The Mad Platter 3101 Millwood Ave., 771-8080 mymadplatter.com Art, studies have shown, makes kids smarter. So take your tykes here, a paint-your-own pottery studio, where they can throw clay, paint plates and explore their creative sides.

Mad Science midlands.madscience.org Offers a wide variety of fun science programs at birthday parties, summer camps, pre-schools and more.

Monkey Joe’s 171 Newland Rd., 788-1102 monkeyjoes.com/columbia For kids, Monkey Joe’s offers a place to monkey around, with wall-to-wall inflatable slides, jumps, climbing walls and obstacle courses. And for parents, there’s comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, concessions and sports on large, flatscreen TVs.

My Gym 110 Forum Dr., 788-1230, my-gym.com A non-competitive gymnastics and play center keeping children healthy by making fitness fun.

Owens Field Skate Park Jim Hamilton Blvd.

The 14,500-square-foot custom concrete park, when it opened in 2010, replaced a small skate park many local skaters considered bogus. Ramps, bowls, rails, more.

Palmetto Children’s Music palmettochildrensmusic.com Offers Music Together classes — Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for infants through five-year-olds and the grownups who love them.

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activities Palmetto Falls Waterpark

Sesquicentennial State Park

3381 Marion Ave., 751-3475 fortjacksonmwr.com/waterpark/ Tucked just inside of Fort Jackson’s Gate 2 entrance, Palmetto Falls Water Park offers a 10,000-square foot family pool, two water slides, a 600-square foot splashdown pool, a 2,500-square foot kiddie pool, a lazy river stretching 800 feet, and a snack bar. Open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays during the summer.

9564 Two Notch Rd., 788-2706, www.southcarolinaparks.com This 1,419-acre park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail.

The Patch

301 Gervais St., 898-4921 scmuseum.org.

The South Carolina State Museum, named one of the top three museums in the Southeast by readers of Southern Living, offers a wide variety of kids programming, such as camp-ins, birthday parties, summer camps and living history re-enactments.

3807 Augusta Hwy., 359-3276 This Gilbert strawberry patch is open for picking during strawberry season, typically April through May.

Patchwork Playhouse 1508 Columbia College Dr., 333-0372 patchworkplayers-sc.com A long-running children’s theater featuring child-sized puppets and actors.

Plex Indoor Sports plexindoorsports.com There are two locations of this local indoor sports complex franchise: The Sandhills location, by the Village at Sandhill, offers indoor soccer, basketball courts and a skate park; the Irmo location, off the Peak exit on I-26, features a ice rink, an indoor soccer field and an remotecontrolled car track. Both locations offer summer camps, birthday party packages, after-school programs and youth sports.

Richland County Recreation Commission

South Carolina State Museum

Talbot Swim School 792-7298, talbotswimschool.com.

Before you can run, you gotta walk, right? Well, before you go to the pool, you gotta learn to swim, and Talbot Swim School offers private lessons year-round. .

Topspin Racquet and Swim Club

topspinsc.com Clay tennis courts in Lexington offering family clinics.

Trenholm Little League eteamz.com/trenholmbaseball Fun, intensive baseball league. Parents can choose clinics only or clinics and team play. Fall and spring seasons.

richlandcountyrecreation.com Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Richland County.

Trustus Theatre

Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens

Offers customized acting classes with individualized instruction.

500 Wildlife Parkway 779-8717, riverbanks.org It’s a natural fact that kids love animals.

And Riverbanks Zoo — one of the nation’s finest, according to TripAdvisor — offers plenty of ‘em, from elephants to gorillas to ibexes to an aquarium and reptile complex stocked with fish, frogs, lizards are more. Riverbanks also offers myriad educational programs, day camps, overnight adventures and other fun kids’ events.

Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Rd., 731-5208 icrc.net Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more.

Good trout fishing, too, if your wee ones are into that.

Samurai Karate Studio samuraikaratestudio.net Offers classes for children and adults, as well as conducting stranger-danger and anti-bully workshops.

Summer Programs 2014 SUMMER AT HAMMOND Hammond offers a broad array of summer programs designed for every age and interest. Whether you’re seeking a full-day camp, or looking for supplemental academics programs, an athletic workshop, or want to try your hand at an arts class, we’ve got it covered!

Our programs are available to students ages four years-old through adult. Whether you’re a Hammond student, or interested in spending some time with us this summer, we invite you to apply.

JUNE -AUGUST 2014

520 Lady St., 254-9732 trustus.org

U.S. National Whitewater Center 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte, N.C., 704-391-3900, usnwc.org OK, so the U.S. National Whitewater Center isn’t in Columbia; it’s a little more than an hour north in Charlotte. But it’s worth the trip up I-77: An official Olympic Training Site for whitewater slalom racing, the nonprofit U.S. National Whitewater Center is a huge outdoor adventure and environmental education center dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles and developing environmental stewardship. Offers whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, zip lines and more.

YMCA columbiaymca.org The YMCA in downtown Columbia was one of the first 50 Ys in the United States. It now has five branches — including locations in Northeast Columbia, Lexington, Irmo and Orangeburg — with which to provide childcare, camps and after-school programs.

For more information on our Summer Programs, visit our website at hammondschool.org, or contact Kevin White Director of Summer Programs at 803•695•8624.

HAMMOND SCHOOL

854 Galway Lane Columbia, South Carolina 29209

health

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Backpack Stats

By Kevin Oliver

D

igital initiatives are lightening the backpacks of students in some school districts, but in others the heavy burden remains. If your kids are still lugging around massive backpacks, you know the problems they pose. In Lexington One, the trend is toward less use of books and more integration of online resources in conjunction with iPads, with the net effect that upper-grade students need only an iPad and a notebook or two in their bags. In some other districts, however, many kids are still struggling under backpacks. Following are some tips for parents whose children have yet to ditch those heavy loads.

Backpack weight by grade Backpacks get heavier as kids advance in grade and their homework increases.

A Consumer Reports survey in New York City in 2009 found:

GRADE WEIGHT

2-4 5.0 lbs 6 18.4 lbs

— Consumer Reports video of the weigh in: goo.gl/RzU3GG

Cutting the weight • Remove a textbook or two and have the child carry them, this will balance the weight in front of them and behind them • Talk to your child’s teachers about which books need to come home when, and which ones can stay at school.

• If they must have numerous textbooks for homework every day, look into getting an extra set to keep at home.

• Review school policies about stopping at lockers or in classrooms to avoid your children having to carry all of their books all day.

Train to carry your pack Health Children.org – a website created by the American Society of Pediatrics — recommends that children do back strengthening exercises — like abdominal crunches, planks and quadrupeds — to be better able to support their daily burden. Learn how to do them properly here: goo.gl/C2IXPt

Choosing the right backpack • Wide, padded shoulder straps • Two shoulder straps • Padded back • Waist strap • Lightweight backpack • Rolling backpack (not allowed in some local school districts)

As a general rule, children should carry no more than 15 to 20 percent of their body weight in a backpack.

Make sure the straps are snug so that it’s closer to the back and not pulling downward on the child, and put heavier items at the bottom and in the middle to even out the load.

— American Society of Pediatrics (goo.gl/xmt8z8)

health

A tale of two backpacks My own daughters are a perfect example of the backpack safety issue and especially the difference in the elementary and upper grade level loads as they are in Lexington One. My youngest, Anna, is in 5th grade, while Emily is a 7th grader with an iPad. On a recent afternoon I emptied their respective bags and here’s what I found: Anna’s backpack

Emily’s bag

(a mid-size zippered traditional backpack with big straps and a couple of zippered sections)

(a thin, lightweight mesh bag with shoelace-sized strings for straps)

• 1 math textbook • 2 library books • 1 folder with various take-home papers and artwork • 1 school agenda/spiral notebook/ calendar • 1 composition notebook • 1 plastic pencil/crayon box, full of crayons • 1 zippered bag, full of pencils • 1 insulated lunch bag with freezer block, various containers of food Total weight: 10 lbs.

• 1 iPad • 1 notebook • 2 pencils and a pen Total weight: 3 lbs.

Anna’s is well within the recommended 15-20 percent of her weight recommendation, but the difference in contents between hers and Emily’s is striking. Emily has several of her textbooks on the iPad, and does a good bit of e-book reading from our local library. A lighter load is a clear benefit to moving from textbooks to tablets.

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What do you know about your kids’ backpack?

A Texas study involving 745 students found 96 percent of parents had never checked their child’s backpack weight and 34 percent had never checked the contents of their child’s backpack.

More Resources • Cool infographic on backpack attacks: edudemic.com/ heavy-backpacks/ • Texas study on parental awareness: goo.gl/rnGk0j • Backpack safety written for kids: goo.gl/Uk2qLY

health

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F

or check-ups, vaccines, boosters and general wellness, you need a trusted family practitioner or pediatrician in your life. And there’s a lot more to staying healthy than just having a regular doctor. Here are some resources to get you started.

Advanced Dentistry Columbia

Carolina Teen Health

Chrysostom Family Dentistry

1701 St. Julian Place, 254-6763 advanceddentistrycolumbia.com Super-friendly, family owned practice led

by Dr. Nicholas Gee.

carolinateenhealth.org Questions about sex and STDs answered in a teen-oriented format.

3308 Platt Springs Rd., 350-9124 drdeno.com

Ballentine Pediatrics 11134 Broad River Rd., 732-0920 ballentinepediatrics.com Christian-oriented practice.

Ballentine Family Dentistry

Child Care Services scchildcare.org An arm of the Department of Social Services, this childcare.sc.gov is an online hub with information on everything from child-care center licensing to Head Start programs. Also see related site scchildcare.org.

3533 Dreher Shoals Rd., 732-3001

Camden Family Care 1017 Fair St.,424-1260 camdenfamilycare.com

Children’s Dental Group of South Carolina

7701 Trenholm Rd., 736-6000 carolinachildrensdentistry.com Serving children from toddlers to age 18.

7210 K Broad River Rd., Irmo, 781-5141 childrensdentalgroupsc@gmail.com Children’s Dental Group of South Carolina is the fastest growing children’s dental office in Columbia, offering oral conscious sedation for a more pleasant dental experience. We gladly accept insurance and Medicaid for ages 1-21.

Carolina Pediatrics

Chapin Family Practice

Carolina Children’s Dentistry

Downtown: 2113 Adams Grove Rd., 256-0531 Irmo: 7033 St. Andrews Rd., 376-2838 carolinapediatrics.co

1612 Chapin Rd., 345-3414 chapinfamilypractice.com

Children’s Choice Pediatrics 6108 Garners Ferry Rd., 647-1265 childrenschoicepeds.com

City of Columbia Community Gardens columbiasc.net/communitygardens Five-by-12-foot publicly owned plots available for lease to residents and organizations. Cost is $20 per year.

Columbia’s Cooking! cpcp.sph.sc.edu/cooking, 576-5636 Healthy cooking classes for kids 9 and older and adults.

Colonial Family Practice 3930 Devine St., 256-1511 colonialfamilypractice.com Part of a Sumter-based practice group.

Creative Cooking creativecookingsc.com Classes and camps for children ages 3 to 12.

Eat Smart Move More South Carolina eatsmartmovemoresc.org Offers events, live training and web training to assist local organizers in creating, managing and maintaining obesity prevention programs.

Ellis, Green & Jenkins Pediatric Dentistry 8905 Two Notch Rd., 788-9353 wecaredentalsc.com

Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina Downtown: 1910 Gregg St., 931-0100 Hardscrabble: 300 Rice Meadow Way, 227-7777 Irmo: 7611 St. Andrews Rd., 724-1100 Lexington: 3630 Sunset Blvd., 239-1600 Northeast: 1721 Horseshoe Dr., 788-7884 Southeast: 813 Leesburg Rd., 783-4433 fmcofsc.com Private family practice group.

Five Points Pediatric & Walk-in Care 1228 Harden St., 748-7002, ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.

health Girls on the Run gotrcolumbia.org Inspires pre-teen girls to be joyful, healthy and confident through a fun curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Hutchinson Family Dentistry 209 W. Main St., 359-0566 hutchinsonfamilydentistry.com

Kids First Dental 2700 Broad River Rd., 772-4949 kidsfirstdentalsc.com

The Kids Group 206 Medical Cir., 796-9200 thekidsgroup.com

Kool Smiles 5422 Forest Dr., 753-8064 mykoolsmiles.com

Lake Murray Pediatric Dentistry 740 Old Lexington Hwy., 345-2483 lakemurraypediatricdentistry.com

Lakeside Pediatrics 811 W. Main St., Suite 205 (Lexington) lakesidepediatric.com Led by Dr. Douglas Luberoff; part of the Lexington Medical Center network.

Lexington Family Practice lexmednetwork.org The Lexington Family Practice network is an umbrella group of the Lexington Medical Center.

Lexington Medical Center lexmed.com A frequent winner of Best Hospital in Free Times’ Best of Columbia poll.

Dr. Samuel J. Marsh Pediatric Dentistry 2302 Bush River Rd., 798-8675 wemakekidssmile.com

Medcare Urgent Care Center 110 Medical Cir., 509-7316 medcareurgentcare.com

Midlands Orthopedics 1910 Blanding St., 256-4107 midlandsortho.com

Moore Orthopaedic Clinic Columbia: 14 Medical Park, 227-8000 Columbia: 114 Gateway Corp., 227-8000 Lexington: 104 Saluda Pointe Dr., 227-8000 moorecenter.net

Northeast Children’s Dentistry 147 Summit Cir., 865-1421 northeastchildrensdentistry.com

Palmetto Health palmettohealth.org A frequent contender for Best Hospital in Free Times’ Best of Columbia poll.

Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital

South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

7 Richland Medical Park Dr. ch.palmettohealth.org A state-of-the-art children’s hospital with comfortable family-centered spaces, age-appropriate play areas and therapeutic diversions to help reduce stress and encourage healing.

teenpregnancysc.org Provides information and resources for teens, parents, educators and community organizations.

Palmetto Health Family Medicine Practices Harbison: 190 Parkridge Dr., 407-3857 Irmo: 190 Parkridge Dr., 749-0693 Lakeview: 1316 N. Lake Dr., 358-1191 Northeast: 115 Blarney Dr., 736-6262 South Hampton: 5900 Garners Ferry Rd., 695-5450 Twelve Mile Creek: 4711 Sunset Blvd., 356-3609 University: 4311 Hardscrabble Rd., 419-6334 palmettohealth.org Family practice wing of Palmetto Health.

Palmetto Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic Downtown: 140 Park Central, 779-4001 Harbison: 16 Woodcross Dr., 732-0140 Lexington: 1970 Augusta Hwy., 358-2370 Northeast: 74 Polo Rd., 788-4886 Rice Creek: 300 Rice Meadow Way, 788-6360 palmettopediatric.com Affiliated with Richland, Baptist, Palmetto Richland Children’s and Lexington Hospitals.

Palmetto Smiles 139 Whiteford Way, 951-9100, palmetto-smiles.com

Pediatric After Hours Care 114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 865-4900 Open 6-10 p.m., Mon-Fri; 2-8 p.m., Sat-Sun.

Providence Hospitals Downtown: 2435 Forest Dr. Northeast: 120 Gateway Corporate Blvd. providencehospitals.com Another of Columbia’s top-flight hospital systems.

Providence Northeast Family 114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 788-6508 providence-nefc.com

Rice Creek Family Dentistry 101 Rice Bent Way, 788-2676 ricecreekdmd.com

Safe Kids Midlands 7 Richland Medical Park Dr., Suite 7186 safekidsmidlands.org Dedicated to decreasing the number of injuries to children. Offers information on safe car-seat practices, product recalls, safety with household products and more.

Smile Columbia 690A Columbiana Dr., 781-9090 smilecolumbia.com

South Carolina Dental Center 2020 Laurel St., 254-4543 southcarolinadentalcenter.com

South Lake Family Dental 1223 S. Lake Dr., 520-5580 southlakedmd.com

Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center 4605 Monticello Rd., 252-7001 ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.

Teen Talk palmettohealth.org/teentalk, 296-2273 Offers numerous resources for teens, including Teen Talk newsletter, peer-topeer discussions and an ask-an-expert program.

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USC Family Medicine Center 3209 Colonial Blvd., 434-6113 familymedicine.med.sc.edu

Offers complete care for children and adults with a focus on prevention.

USC Sports Medicine Center Two Medical Park, Suite 104, 434-6812 uscsportsmedicine.com Open to athletes at all levels — recreational to high school, college and professional.

Vista Smiles 515 Richland St., 779-9666 vistasmilesofcolumbia.com Offers full range of family dental services with advancing technology in a welcoming environment.

Wellspring Family Medicine 114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 865-9655 wellspringfmed.com

Wild Smiles 203 N. Lake Dr., 356-1606, wildsmiles.net

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Calendar

T

his is by no means a comprehensive list — institutions like the Columbia Museum of Art, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, Richland Library and the city and county parks departments offer myriad events for kids on a daily basis. Check the Events section at free-times.com/events and select the Children & Teens category for weekly listings or visit the websites of institutions offering children’s programs.

ONGOING EdVenture Family Night EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.com Second Tuesdays. $1 museum admission between 5 and 8 p.m.

Family Storytime Richland Library richlandlibrary.com Held on various days at all branches of the Richland Library. Call your local branch for meeting times.

Little Red Riding Hood Columbia Marionette Theater cmtpuppet.org Runs through March 22. With a variety of puppetry techniques and plenty of humor, Little Red Riding Hood is an irreverent take on the classic fairy tale.

Parents’ Survival Night The Little Gym thelitthegym.com/columbiasc Fridays. Parents call it a break from the kids. Kids call it a break from their parents. That sounds like a win-win situation.

Passport to Art Columbia Museum of Art Dates vary. Free monthly open-studio program for families with activities corresponding with one of the museum’s exhibitions.

Shake, Rattle and Read!

EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Wednesdays and Saturdays. Half an hour of storytelling, public poetry, music.

Snowville EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Through Feb. 23. Strap on some ice skates and pack your mittens for a frosty, fun-filled trip to Snowville. Crawl through an ice tunnel, climb a snowcapped mountain, sled down a snowy hill, or visit the Penguin Observation Station.

Tiny Taste Buds EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Once a month; dates vary. Kids learn

about nutrition and practice making and eating healthy snacks in this cooking lab.

Tiny Tots University: Mini Musicians EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Through Feb. 22. Children will enjoy music and movement while singing songs and playing games and instruments that reinforce and encourage creative development.

Tiny Tots University: Zumbatomic EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Through Feb. 22 High-energy dance class designed to increase focus and coordination skills while boosting kids’ metabolism and self-confidence.

Toddler Take Over EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org First Monday of every month. Kids ages 1 to 5 play freely throughout the museum with kids of their own size.

Toddler Tales Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org Every Thursday. Stories, songs and an adventure at the zoo.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY 1st Oratorical Contest W.J. Keenan High School richlandcountydeltas.org Feb. 22. An opportunity for middle school students to express themselves through public speaking.

Disney Junior Live on Tour: Pirate & Princess Adventure Colonial Life Arena coloniallifearena.com Feb. 19. Mickey and Minnie go on an adventure of swashbuckling and promenades as kiddy worlds clash.

DREAM BIG Youth Conference: Male Edition Greenview Park columbiasc.net Feb. 8. Aimed at equipping young men in middle and high school with the tools they need to succeed — in school and in life.

Homeschool Friday: Shaping Richland and Lexington Counties Lexington County Museum historiccolumbia.org Feb. 7. Learn how the midlands developed through a joint program between Historic Columbia Foundation and the Lexington County Museum

royalty. Guests also will have the opportunity to tour Tutankhamun: Return of the King.

Puss in Boots Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com Feb. 7-16. The classic tale retold in the Old South.

Sweet on CMA Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org Feb. 8. Get creative at art stations throughout the museum and make a valentine for that someone special.

Teddy Bear Clinic EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Feb. 22. Learn how to stay healthy by checking your teddy bear’s pulse, listening to its heartbeat, checking its vision, and more.

MARCH The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com March 28-April 6. A musical comedy based on the award-winning book of mixed-up fairy tales.

Gladys’ Gang: Animal Forms!

Gladys’ Gang: Picture Me — Silly!

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org Feb. 5. Journey through the galleries learning about form as you look for different animal sculptures. Then make an animal portrait.

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org Mar. 5. Monthly program includes story time and a creative studio activity related to the theme.

Family on Safari Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org Feb. 15. Participants will enjoy dinner at the zoo followed by an exciting program featuring animal encounters, behindthe-scenes tours, crafts and more.

Nefertiti’s Golden Spa South Carolina State Museum scmuseum.org Feb. 15. Enjoy a mother-daughter day getting pampered like ancient Egyptian

Passport to Art: Krazy Kimonos Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org Mar. 9. Get inspired by the exhibition Japan and the Jazz Age, then create a kimono of your own.

Oliver Twist Town Theatre towntheatre.com Mar. 29, 30. Youth musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale of struggling orphans.

Discovery Day: Leaping Lemurs Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org Jan. 28. Learning adventure designed to teach your youngster new concept.

Plus lemurs!

Gustafer Yellowgold Richland Library, Main Branch richlandlibrary.com Jan. 26. Multimedia kids-rock concert.

Groovy Gustafer Yellowgold is a small, yellow, cone-headed fellow, who sings about coming to Earth from the Sun.

Sandhills Nature Discovery Walk Carolina Childrens Garden carolinachildrensgarden.org Jan. 25. Join retired biology teacher, naturalist, and park volunteer John Galbary for an hour-long stroll along trails, old roads and waterfront.

Riverbanks Zoo offers children’s programs throughout the year.

Photo by Jenn McCollum

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Kids’ Tickets $5!

Ages 2-12. Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability.

FEB. 7 & 8 Colonial Life Arena Fri. 7:30 PM, Sat. 2:00 & 7:30 PM

265906

Buy Tickets: LMCtix.com 855-4-LMC-TIX • Lexington Medical Center Box Office at Colonial Life Arena

#MonsterJam

© 2013 Feld Motor Sports, Inc. Competitors shown are subject to change.

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learning

Students set up their iPads during Pleasant Hill Middle’s 1:1 roll-out at the beginning of the school year.

Courtesy photo

A Computer for Every Kid? Checking In on Midlands’ One-to-One School Computing Programs

More Engaged Students

By Kara Meador

L

ike toy soldiers, they line up by the hundreds shoulder to shoulder. Instead of standing at attention, these students sit legs outstretched, backs pressed rigidly against the wall, Chromebooks on their laps. Westwood High School students joined millions from across the globe in December to participate in “Hour of Code” week.

“Every student was really engaged and learning actual coding,” says Donna Teuber, technology integration coordinator at Richland District Two. The students are not deciphering intercepted emails for the NSA; coding means writing computer programs. Teuber points to this exercise as one way her district’s 1:1 (pronounced one-to-one) program is inspiring students to be active participants in learning.

a year and a half nearly 21,000 students in grades 3 through 12 were given Chromebooks or iPads.

“It’s not about the device, it’s having the tools and resources to move students forward,” Teuber says.

The 1:1 initiative means that every student is issued a digital device with appropriate software and that the school offers Internet access. It means middle school students in Blythewood can talk with students their age in a classroom in India.

Eighth graders in Lexington can create iBooks and students in downtown Columbia can design graphic art.

Richland Two completed its 1:1 rollout in August. Teuber says that in a little over

In Lexington One, an English teacher was taken aback when a student asked to rewrite a paper. Exemplary work, the student’s paper had been posted on a secure Lexington High School blog. When the teacher asked the student why she wanted to redo her paper, the student said that after reviewing her article online she noticed a few mistakes; she also wanted to rewrite the ending.

Patrick Hanks, director of instructional technology for the Lexington One district, asked the teacher how many times one of her students had ever asked to rewrite a paper they’ve already turned in during her tenure. The teacher replied, “Never.”

“A student’s work is no longer confined to the eyes of the student and the teacher who is grading it,” Hanks says. Work is now placed on school blogs, shared in folders — and, if OK’d by parents — placed on the school’s YouTube channel.

“The students care that their work will be viewed by grandparents and friends and that makes them more engaged,” Hanks says.

learning

Cost and Sustainability Concerns Lexington One started implementing its 1:1 initiative during the 2010-2011 school year. Currently 19,000 middle and high school students in the district have been given iPads.

Lexington One Chief Information officer Jeff Salters admits introducing anything new on the scale of 1:1 doesn’t happen without headaches. Salters says one of the biggest roadblocks his district encountered was having enough bandwidth and the infrastructure needed to accommodate so many devices. The district is not alone.

There are concerns over how to pay for 1:1 and discussion on whether it’s sustainable.

The program is expensive. A state Education Oversight Committee that makes educational spending recommendations to the S.C. General Assembly is asking legislators for $30 million dollars per year for at least the next few years to help improve wireless Internet access in schools statewide. That’s about $20 million dollars more than lawmakers currently spend on Internet needs, according to a recent report.

Ida Thompson, director of instructional technology services with Richland One, says paying for the devices and the infrastructure is an issue.

While District One does not have a designated 1:1 initiative, district officials say all of its students have access to devices even if they are not assigned one. Thompson says in District One it’s up to the schools to decide which devices and software to buy and schools pay for the tablets out of their budgets.

An educational technology consultant from Lexington, Wendy Gallagher, helps guide educators on how to implement 1:1 effectively. On her blog (gen-iexplorer. blogspot.com), she posts some headlines taking note of various technology efforts throughout the state.

“It’s about preparing our future leaders for a career path that we have not even imagined,” Gallagher says.

Gallagher uses a surfing analogy to describe why South Carolina should embrace the technological revolution. “We can choose to ignore it and be swept away or embrace this concept to be a part of the innovative ride.”

On her blog, Gallagher encourages students, parents and teachers to “Catch the wave!”

It’s a crest District Two’s Teuber is ready to ride. “There’s no going back to paper and pencil. Everything is digital and online now.”

A

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study reviewed by the

U.S. Department of Education points to small but statistically significant benefits

to computer-aided

instruction. One study sampled 1,600 students in 15 high schools and two middle school in large urban school districts. At the end of the school year, students in classrooms using a computer-based curriculum scored slightly higher on their pre-algebra and

algebra skills than students in traditional math classrooms.

Educators and parents looking for research on what works in the classroom can view federally reviewed studies in the What Works Clearinghouse at ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC.

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learning

S

ometimes your kids hit it off with their teachers; sometimes they don’t. Every child learns differently and has different interests, whether those are music and art or math, science, architecture or astronomy. And then there are special situations — struggling learners or exemplary learners — where some additional help might be needed outside the classroom. Here are some resources to get you started.

Aim High Education

Challenger Learning Center

4561 Hardscrabble Rd., 788-6894 aimhigheducationsc.com

2600A Barhamville Rd. 929-3951, thechallengercenter.net

Customized after-school education programs and tutoring.

The Challenger Learning Center of Richland County School District One is an aeronautics- and space-themed learning program designed to provide interactive learning experiences, integrating science, technology, engineering and math curricula with 21st century life skills.

The Afterschool Zone theafterschoozoneacademy.com

Offers afterschool pickup from Lexington/Richland 5 and Richland 1 schools.

Students engage in physical and educational activities.

Aspire Early Learning Academy 1103 B Ave. (West Columbia), 834-4976 aspireearlylearningacademy.com

Pre-K program using the Creative Curriculum, a nationally approved curriculum based on the ideas of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Discovery Program of South Carolina 8807 Two Notch Rd., 419-0126 discoveryprogramsc.org

Noted as a program of excellence with the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD), the Discovery Program helps those struggling to learn — whether via learning disabilities or other learning disorders — to become independent students.

Be Great Academy

Glenforest School

500 Gracern Road, 231-3100 portal.begreatacademy.com

glenforest.org

Bright Start

Works with K-12 students who have not thrived in traditional learning environments, including students with dyslexia, attention-deficit disorder or other developmental challenges.

720 Gracern Rd., 929-1112 brightstartsc.com

Hammond Plus Programs

After-school program operated by Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands.

Provides quality comprehensive services to all individuals with special needs and developmental delays.

854 Galway Lane, 695-8624 hammondschool.org

In addition to being a top college-prep

school, Hammond offers a wide array of after-school classes for children and adults.

Head Start 1400 St. Andrews Rd., 898-2550

A comprehensive school readiness program serving kids 0-5 that has a strong focus on ensuring that they start school ready to learn.

Lango South Carolina facebook.com/langokidssc

At Lango, your child will learn another language, make developmental strides, explore other cultures. At various Midlands locations.

The Language Buzz 1921 Henderson St., 252-7002 thelanguagebuzz.com

My Amigos myamigosbec.org

Language immersion programs for ages 30 months to 5th grade.

Pearson Professional Centers 107 Westpark Blvd., 798-3001

Offers GMAT testing.

Provost Academy South Carolina 400 Arbor Lake Dr., 735-9110 sc.provostacademy

A tuition-free, online-only public high school. Live online classrooms give students the ability to includes the ability to participate in discussions and ask questions.

REACH reachgroup.org

A unique foreign language learning center that promotes the early command of languages through language immersion, contextualized learning, and the learning and acceptance of different cultures.

A support group for Columbia-area home schoolers; provides information and activities, offers information about academic résumés and transcripts.

Mathnasium

2008 Marion St., 256-7237 rcfirststeps.org

mathnasium.com

Offers math help for students from grades 2 through 12.

Richland County First Steps Works with kids, parents, schools and childcare providers to promote health, literacy and school readiness in young children.

Give advice. Get advice.

FT Parent presents “Parent Picks.”

It’s your guide to what parents have to say about their favorite places to go and things to do when it comes to kid-friendly restaurants, whole-family activities, programs for kids, pediatricians, dentists and much more.

We’re inviting readers like you to tell us about your favorites, and later this year we’ll share the results of what we hear.

Everyone who participates in this quick and easy survey will be eligible in a drawing for a $100 gift card.

So go to ftparent.com today and give us a piece of your mind.

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Parents

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life

Stay Calm and Be the Parent Tips and Strategies for More Effective Discipline

By Allison Caldwell

W

hen it comes to discipline, there are as many methods and opinions as there are parents and children. From the terrible twos to the troubling teens, every parent struggles with setting limits and enforcing age-appropriate consequences when those limits are tested or broken. The lack of consequences is at the heart of the recent “affluenza” case in Texas and raises questions and concerns for all parents.

But if your desire to set limits leads you to constantly threaten, cajole or plead for desired behaviors, there might be a better way.

“Starting with limits and consequences is starting at the wrong end of things,” says Dr. Cheri Shapiro, research associate professor and associate director of the Institute for Families in Society at USC (ifs.sc.edu).

“Start with what they do right. As adults we enjoy working with those we respect, who also respect us in return. It’s no different at home. Create an atmosphere of warmth with encouragement and descriptive praise.”

Positive Parenting Shapiro has spent the better part of her career researching and putting evidencebased techniques into practice through Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program. It’s a series of interventions based on five principles of positive parenting: • A safe and engaging environment • A positive learning environment • Assertive discipline • Realistic expectations • Parental self-care.

“It’s a skill to learn how to play by yourself while mommy is busy,” Shapiro says.

“People assume that kids should do certain things, but children don’t learn those skills unless they’re taught. Instead of limits, I like to set clear expectations. When problem

Discipline 101: Quick Tips for Parents Be realistic in your expectations and set clear, age-appropriate boundaries. Being aware of a child’s physical, social and emotional development can help parents. The best resource for child development is a child’s pediatrician. The American Academy of Pediatrics also has excellent web resources at healthychildren.org.

Be consistent. Children do best when they know what is expected of them.

Do what you say you are going to do and hold your ground. Hold fast to the repercussions you have established. Give consequences that you are willing and able to enforce.

Allow natural consequences to occur. If a child is not in danger, let them cope with appropriate consequences.

Be honest and open. If your child is in trouble, don’t gloss over the reality of the situation. Help them take personal responsibility. Continue to show your love in difficult situations to maintain their sense of security.

Label the behavior, not the child. Focus on the child’s actions rather than labeling the child’s character.

— Source: Birley Wright, prevention specialist at Children’s Trust of South Carolina (scchildren.org).

life behaviors continue, attaching brief consequences that truly fit the crime can be very powerful. Naturally occurring consequences provide another chance for children to behave positively when they encounter the same situation.”

Here’s one strategy to try at home.

“Make clear, calm requests,” Shapiro says. “When you ask a child to do something, get close. Get their attention. Simply state what you want them to do and wait for them to respond. When they respond positively, acknowledge it right away with a specific ‘thank you.’ When they don’t, repeat the request, calmly and clearly. If they refuse a second time, that’s when the consequence comes in. The whole idea is to get down on their level — literally. It changes the whole interaction. Parents tell me it’s such a relief to learn that they don’t have to shout to get their way.”

Expect the Unexpected Stacey Watts, a parenting coach in West Columbia, says it’s important for parents to be focused and consistent.

“The most common mistakes parents make is trying everything either out of frustration, lack of know-how or exhaustion,” says Watts, who holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of South Carolina and founded a company

called Happily Parenting in 2012. “This is a problem because of the lack of consistency,” she says. “We live in such an age of instant gratification that parents feel if their means of discipline doesn’t yield a turn-around right away, then they must try something new. Parents need to stick it out. They should establish themselves as the leaders in the home, be calm, consistent and communicate expectations.”

When your strong-willed child starts pushing your buttons, calmly assume your leadership role and clearly communicate your expectations.

“Children need parents who are on the same page,” she says. “They need to know that yes means yes and no means no, no matter which parent they go to.”

Parents should understand that it’s not unusual for children to act out and disobey them.

“It’s free will, and we all have it,” Watts says. “Anticipate it, expect it, and prepare for it, and your parenting will be a much more natural and enjoyable experience.”

In other words, expecting it makes you that much better prepared to deal with it.

“Parents who aren’t thrown by the things their children do can handle even the most outrageous situations,” Watts says.

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“When your strong-willed child starts pushing your buttons, calmly assume your leadership role and clearly communicate your expectations.”

— Stacey Watts, Happily Parenting

24

life

Family Service Center of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 733-5450 fsconline.wordpress.com A multi-service non-profit agency offering adoption services, consumer credit counseling, child dental clinics, an eye care clinic and more.

Lake Murray Counseling Center 7511 St. Andrews Rd., 781-1003 lakemurraycounseling.com Offering counseling for children’s and adolescent issues.

Leadership Institute at Columbia College columbiacollegesc.edu/leadership_inst/ Girls Empowered and LEAD residential programs.

Lexington-Richland Anti-Drug Abuse Council Lexington County: 1068 S. Lake Dr., 726-9400 Richland County: 2711 Colonial Dr., 726-9300 lradac.org Alcohol and drug abuse authority offering a wide array of prevention, intervention and treatment programs, including child and adolescent programs.

Mental Health America of South Carolina 1823 Gadsden St., 779-5363 mha-sc.org

NAMI Mid Carolina

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ife is full of tough questions. Is your 4-year-old ready for a sleepover? Should your 12-year-old be on Snapchat? How do you talk to your 16-year-old about sexting? Teach your children well, or so the song says — and here’s how you can help them learn how to live.

ASY Counseling Services

Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands

Christian Counseling Center

1825 St. Julian Pl., 254-1210 asycounseling.com Providing quality mental health services to children and families in the Columbia area.

bgcmidland.org Formed in 1959, operates 31 clubs, eight summer camps and a teen center serving youth and families from Fairfield, Lexington and Richland Counties.

1500 Lady St., 779-1995 christiancounseling.ws Offers counseling on a variety of topics; also offers spiritual and religious counseling. Offered by First Presbyterian Church.

Behavior Consulting Services

Children’s Chance

Columbia Counseling Center

3227 Sunset Blvd. behaviorconsultingservices.com Serves children with a variety of special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, behavioral difficulties and academic difficulties.

609 Sims Ave., 254-5996 childrenschance.org Children’s Chance’s mission is to improve the quality of life of children and families who are dealing with the trauma of pediatric cancer.

900 St. Andrews Rd., 731-4708 columbiacounseling.accountsupport.com A Christian perspective on counseling.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia

Children’s Trust of SC

bbbs.org Oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Serves children ages 6 through 18.

1634 Main St., 733-5430, scchildren.org Aims to promote healthy, nurturing relationships between children and adults — because strengthening families is the best way to prevent abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries.

Crossroads Counseling Center 130 Whiteford Way, 808-1800 solutionsforlife.org Counseling for adults, adolescents, children and marriages.

Family Connection of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 252-0914 familyconnectionsc.org Statewide organization of parents helping parents of children with disabilities, developmental delays, and chronic illnesses.

1823 Gadsden St., 20-2916 namimidcarolina.org Local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Palmetto Counseling Associates 1911 Gadsden St., 254-9767 palmettocounseling.com

SC Childcare scchildcare.org, childcare.sc.gov Clearinghouse of information on childcare licensing and childhood development programs.

South Carolina Youth Advocate Program 140 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 350, 779-5500 scyap.com Nonprofit child-placing agency offering training, support and compensation to qualified families who provide a home to a foster child.

Three Rivers Behavioral Health West Columbia: 200 Ermine Rd., 791-9918 West Columbia: 2900 Sunset Blvd., 796-9911 threeriversbehavioral.org Provides comprehensive residential treatment for children and adolescents providing treatment for psychiatric and chemical dependency related illnesses.

University of South Carolina Speech and Hearing Research Center 1601 St. Julian Pl., 77-2614, sph.sc.edu/shc/ Provides a variety of evaluation and treatment programs for individuals of all ages.

media

25

Music & DVD Reviews

abuse and more, with the later college episodes even tackling sex, alcoholism and marriage.

This isn’t for young kids, with the exception of the first few seasons, but the overall series is a much better alternative to the sassy attitudedriven fare that passes for live action children’s programming these days.

By Kevin Oliver

Books Songs from a Journey with a Parrot

Ballads for the Age of Science

Magdeleine Lerasle, artist; Paul Mindy, arranger; Aurélia Fronty, illustrator

Hy Zaret and Lou Singer

The Secret Mountain This beautiful project is both a book and an audio disc, using traditional music of Brazil and Portugal to create a wonderfully artistic piece of entertainment for children that transcends language and culture.

From Rio to Porto, Lisbon to Bahia, the journeys here are actual as well as figurative, with the musical accompaniment coming from Brazilian and Portuguese lullabies and nursery rhymes.

The book illustrates each song with richly rendered yet simple settings, providing the song titles in Portuguese and then a brief English translation of the main lyric so little ears can follow along while still being able to understand what’s going on in the song.

The last section of the book provides an “About the Songs” section for more reading, and full Portuguese and English lyrics side by side along with notes on each song.

There are counting songs and story songs, and some are just as ribald or gruesome as anything from the Brothers Grimm or Mother Goose. In “Carolina’s Eyes” they sing, “Carolina’s eyes are green, like limes / Carolina’s eyes are black, like coal / Carolina’s eyes, I hold them in my hand.”

In “The Doves of Catarina,” a girl begs her mother not to hit her for breaking a jug.

It’s the most soothing of subject matter at times, but the lilting acoustic tones of the music make up for that with gentle sounds and intricate arrangements of sambas, fandago, bossa nova, and more performed on indigenous instruments by a group of musicians obviously familiar with the material.

Argosy Music Corporation If you were of a certain age in 1961, you might remember the albums in this box set from their original release at the time, as six different topical collections of educational songs. Composers Hy Zaret and Lou Singer wrote 72 songs for children to learn about nature, science, and other stuff in what we now refer to as STEM (science, tech, engineering and mathematics) in schools.

Folk singer Tom Glazer and a female duet partner, Dottie Evans, recorded the first albums, and the duo Marais and Miranda recorded the two Nature albums, while pop singer Dorothy Collins took on the Experiments set with songs such as “Do I Have a Shadow?”

Millennials who are raising their kids on They Might Be Giants might recognize a couple of the songs, as the band has covered “Why Does the Sun Shine?” in what, after listening to the original, appears to be a fairly faithful rendition. A copy of the songbook for all six albums can be downloaded online (argosymusiccorp.com) so you and your little scientist can sing along.

Boy Meets World: The Complete Collection Lions Gate First airing on television in the early 1990s, Boy Meets World followed a group of friends growing up, first as elementary schoolers and later as tweens, but as the show progressed over its 10-year run, the characters were allowed to age with the audience. Like a better-produced batch of after-school specials, Boy Meets World took on on the basics like honesty, friendship and loyalty, but it wasn’t afraid to focus on more controversial topics such as cults, God,

Copycat Bear!

Ellie Sandall Tiger Tales, 32 pages, $14.99 Ages: 6 and under

Blue and Mango are best friends and do everything together. There’s only one problem — Blue is a big bear and Mango is a small bird. Blue wants to do everything Mango does, including flying, singing and nesting in a tree. Fed up with his copycat friend, Mango flies away to be alone but soon realizes that he misses his friend Blue.

A fun read-aloud to young children, Copycat Bear! teaches little ones all about true friendship and the differences in all of us.

— Heather Green, Richland Library Wheatley

1001 Fun Ways to Play Susan Elisabeth Davis and Nancy Wilson Hall Weldon Owen, 240 pages, $16.95 Ages: Parents of children up to 6 years old

This engaging book from Gymboree Play & Music is packed with ideas for fun and easy ways to build school readiness skills through play. Sections are organized by

26 media age, and an index allows parents to look up activities by materials needed. Each activity addresses developmental milestones, starting from birth. Playful suggestions range from “Wow with Shadows” for newborns to “Design a Family Crest” for kindergarteners.

1001 Fun Ways to Play is highly recommended for new and seasoned parents alike. — Georgia Coleman, Richland Library

This Is the Rope Jacqueline Woodson and James Ransome (illustrator) Nancy Paulsen Books, 32 pages, $16.99 Ages: 7 to 12

This story follows a South Carolina family as they migrate north to New York City.

The connecting thread is the rope. In the hands of a young girl in the South, it is a jump rope. The rope transforms through the generations — securing luggage, drying laundry or holding the banner for a family reunion. Until, in the hands of a granddaughter, it becomes a jump rope once more.

Jacqueline Woodson and James Ransome create a celebration of the hopes of a family and its history. I recommend this book to any family that has taken a chance to live their dreams. Like the rope, I imagine it will be passed from family member to family member and cherished. — Heather McCue, Richland Library

Divergent Veronica Roth Katherine Tegen Books, 487 pages, Hardcover $17.99 / Paperback $9.99 Ages: 13 and up

Beatrice Prior has lived her entire life under the rules and social customs of her born faction, the Abnegation (the selfless). But now that she’s about to turn 16, she’s forced

to decide whether she will stay with Abnegation or join one of the other four factions, effectively turning her back on her parents and the only life she’s known. Just as Beatrice begins to believe that she’s made the right choice, she discovers a dangerous secret that could compromise her safety and forever change the way she looks at the faction system. Fans of dystopian teen fiction will love Divergent. As the first book in a trilogy, Divergent is an exciting, fast-paced story that will reel you in during the first chapter and keep you spellbound until the last page. — Christina Fuller Gregory, Richland Library

Apps for Kids Sago Mini Forest Flyer

Lexington Baptist Church lexingtonbaptist.org 308 E. Main St., Lexington, 359-4146 Large church in family-friendly Lexington with excellent, active children’s and student ministries. Four worship services in both contemporary and traditional styles.

I Can Animate Kudlian Software, $2.99

Sago Sago, Free

Ages: 13-18

Ages: 2-6

Grab a few dry erase markers, a dry erase board, and start creating! I Can Animate is a fantastic app that gives teens the power to make their own stop-motion animation. The easy-touse interface allows teens to snap pictures during each stage of the drawing process and turn those images into original animations. An integrated instant-playback feature enables the creator to upload and share their work via email or social media.

I Can Animate is a fantastic app for teens who love drawing, film editing or content creation.

— Christina FullerGregory, Richland Library

In this playful and charming app, children help Robin fly through the forest, breakdance, eat cupcakes and make new friends. Play is open-ended with no way to go wrong, making it perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. The forest changes (with free updates) to match the season. Forest Flyer is sure to be a hit with young children, but sensitive parents who may be put off by a silly scene featuring a tiny bit of Robin poo might want to steer clear.

— Georgia Coleman, Richland Library

27 Did you know 95% of car seats are not installed or used safely?

Buckle Buddies provides education and community outreach on Child Passenger Safety. Learn how you can: • Get your car seat checked by a nationally certified technician • Attend a general education class on child passenger safety • Access new and safe car seats at a discounted price Visit www.bucklebuddiessc.org to view our calendar of events and learn more about our programs!

bucklebuddiessc.org

bucklebuddiessc@gmail.com

803.434.2955

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media

Papa Jazz Record Shoppe 2014 Greene St., 256-0095 Has your kid been humming Led Zeppelin lately? It might be time to introduce him or her to the wonders of used vinyl.

Rainy Day Pal Books 711 E. Main St., 951-2780 Located on the bottom floor of Lexington’s historic Old Mill, Rainy Day Pal Used Books is known for its wide selection, and it specializes in children’s books.

Richland Library Main Branch: 1431 Assembly St., 799-9084 Ballentine: 1321 Dutch Fork Rd., 781-5026 Blythewood: 218 McNulty Rd., 691-9806.

Cooper: 5317 N. Trenholm Rd., 787-3462 Eastover: 608 Main St., 353-8584 North Main: 5306 N. Main St., 754-7734 Northeast: 7490 Parklane Rd., 736-6575 Sandhills: 1 Summit Pkwy., 699-9230 Southeast: 7421 Garners Ferry Rd., 776-0855 St. Andrews: 2916 Broad River Rd., 772-6675 Wheatley: 931 Woodrow St., 799-5873 myrcpl.com.

Like the library system across the river, the 11-branch Richland County Public Library system stocks tons of books for kids, but will also help your child understand them, too. Offers classes, book clubs, homework help, kids’ events and much more. Also check out its Teen Center.

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our kids are surrounded by media — everything from Snapchat, video games and the Internet to traditional media such as books, magazines, comics and movies. It’s your job to help them navigate this ever-shifting landscape, taking the best of what’s out there and avoiding excesses. Visit medialit.org for helpful media literacy resources.

Rolling Video Games rollingvideogamescolumbia.com Rolling Video Games delivers what it promises: a mobile video game theater stocked with the latest titles available for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, whatever.

Barnes & Noble

Ed’s Editions

Lexington County Library

Silver City Comics

Forest Acres: 3400 Forest Dr., 787-5600 barnesandnoble.com

406 Meeting St., 791-8002 edseditions.com

538 Knox Abbott Dr., 791-4021

The mega-chain bookstore stocks tons of reading material for kids, sure, but it also hosts kid-friendly events — storytimes, games, etc. — too.

This family-owned bookstore carries a wide variety of used books and is a nigh-yearly winner in the Free Times Best of Columbia awards.

The Book Dispensary

Gamestop

710 Gracern Rd.,798-4739 mybookdispensary.com

gamestop.com

Main Branch: 5440 Augusta Rd., 785-2600 Batesburg-Leesville: 203 Armory St., 532-9223 Cayce-West Columbia: 1500 Augusta Rd., 794-6791 Chapin: 129 NW Columbia Ave., 345-5479 Gaston: 214 S. Main St., 791-3208 Gilbert-Summit: 405 Broad St., 785-5387 Irmo: 6251 St. Andrews Rd., 798-7880 Pelion: 206 Pine St., 785-3272 Swansea: 199 N. Lawrence Ave., 785-3519 South Congaree: 200 Sunset Dr., 785-3050 lex.lib.sc.us

The best books, often, are ones that have been treasured and cared for, and Columbia’s oldest specializes in preloved books.

Books-A-Million Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr., 782-4475 Harbison: 275 Harbison Blvd., 749-9378 Northeast: 164 Forum Dr., 788-4349 booksamillion.com The mega-chain bookstore stocks tons of reading material for kids, sure, but it also hosts kid-friendly events and a teen book club.

When coupled with strong parental and teacher involvement, educational video games can actually improve literacy skills, while other games can improve hand-eye coordination, memory formation and strategic planning. So if junior is doing well in school, it might not hurt to let him have Minecraft.

Heroes and Dragons 510 Bush River Rd., 731-4376 Like video games, comic books, too, provide benefits, stimulating the imagination and creativity. So don’t toss your kids’ Avengers comics.

Books are invaluable to a child’s development. The 10-branch Lexington County Library system stocks tons of books for kids, but will also help your child understand them, too. Offers classes, book clubs, homework help, kids’ events and much more.

Manifest 1563 Broad River Rd., 798-2606 From music and games to T-shirts of rock, pop and hip-hop artists, Manifest is always looking out for the latest youth trends.

Remember what we said about Heroes and Dragons? Ditto for Silver City.

South Carolina State Library 1430 Senate St., statelibrary.sc.gov The South Carolina State Library is home to the South Carolina Center for the Book, which co-sponsor adult and adolescent literary events, such as the South Carolina Book Festival, the State Library Read-In, Letters About Literature, and many workshops.

Thomas Lee Hall Library 4679 Lee Rd., 751-5589 fortjacksonmwr.com/library Military kids don’t have to go off-post to find a great library.

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tantrums & triumphs There’s nothing like being woken up in the middle of the night by a little person yelling, “There’s pee all over me!” One day I’ll get a full seven hours of sleep a night, right?

Yeah, now that you’re a teenager, I know you’re embarrassed to be seen walking with your parents in the mall.

Well, we’re not all that happy about having to drive you there either.

This is a rant to Richland County School District One: What’s up with all these half days and closed days? Are you aware that most parents have jobs?

My child for three weeks straight: I can’t wait to be out of school. My child on the second day of Christmas break: This break is ruined.

I’m bored.

The good news: My teenage daughter is smarter than I am. The bad news: My teenage daughter is aware that she’s smarter than I am.

Kudos to my son for enlisting the help of the neighbor kids to clean his entire room when I held his Xbox controller for ransom. True leadership.

Why do it yourself when you can get others to do it for you?

Send your tantrum or triumph to tantrums@free-times.com.

Hey, remember all those birthday presents we gave you over the years?

How about remembering to send us a birthday card one of these years.

My husband bought my 3-year-old the explicit/parental advisory version of a CD. I figure she can’t understand it at all, right?

Much like when our parents bought us Madonna & Prince.

We’re parents of the year!

Elf on the Shelf: Thanks for highlighting what a gullible child I’ve raised for the past 7 years.