Gambit Kids

AUGUST 2012

READY, SET, GO! Where to have fun

EARTH PARENTS

YUMMY

FOR THE TUMMY

Raising baby naturally

Natural baby foods

A SIDE OF TOTS

Kid-friendly restaurants

FUN, FUN, FUN Puzzles, cartoons and more

NANNY, NANNY,

WHO? WHO? CHILDCARE MADE EASY

50 BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS

A Special Day Deserves A Special Party!

Till 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays!

BOATING ON BIG LAKE OPEN THURS-SUN 10am TO 5pm SUMMER HOURS FOR CAROUSEL GARDENS (THROUGH AUGUST 19)

Your childÕs BIG day will be packed with fun when you host a birthday party aboard the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler or at Jean Lafitte National Park!

A one-of-a-kind experience for your one-of-a-kind kid.

Call us today to help you plan your most unique party ever!

THURSDAY – 10am-6pm FRIDAY – 10am-10pm SATURDAY – 11am-10pm SUNDAY – 11am-6pm SHARE YOUR MEMORIES ON

FOR DETAILS CALL 483-9402

2 | Gambit’s kids issue

Party packages available! Call 504.529.4567 BigEasy.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

George Cottage Where every child can flourish.

TO YOUR L ITTLE ONE!

10 DAY ADVANCE NOTICE

CUSTOMIZED CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY CAKES From cartoon characters to sports themes, we’ll create a delicious, unique cake as the centerpiece of the party.

CHOOSE FROM:

Wedding, Chocolate, Butter Vanilla, Red Velvet & Carrot

YOUR NEIGHBOR HOOD MAR K ET

• 2 and 3 year old activity-oriented early childhood learning program • Religion, Spanish, Science and Performing Arts Resources • QRS 4-star rating • Hot lunches, 2 playgrounds and the 18 acre St. Martin’s campus to explore and enjoy • A Purposeful Educational Experience Upcoming George Cottage Open Houses: • October 10, 2012 at 9 a.m.

• October 27, 2012 at 10 a.m.

• November 27, 2012 - 9 a.m.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour, call (504) 736-9917

GARDEN DISTRICT

3233 MAGAZINE STREET

504.262.6019 4 Other Locations in Metro New Orleans

www.breauxmart.com

and

225 Green Acres Road Metairie, LA 70003-2484 (504) 733-0353 www.stmsaints.com

St. Martin’s Episcopal School, a coed, early childhood through grade 12 independent school, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, national or ethnic origin.

Gambit’s kids issue | 3

AR FRENCH M

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AR ST FAMILY FRIENDLY

HE FRENCH QUARTE

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SIX BLOCKS OF SHOPPING & DINING, FREE ENTERTAINMENT PARKS & SCENIC WALKWAYS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. · stroller-friendly, bike-friendly, dog-friendly · easy, accessible parking · farmers & flea market are a great place to explore, shop & eat · toy shops, & bookstores

SAVE THE DATE

· open-air dining · monthly concerts w/ johnette downing @ the jazz park · special events year-round for families

OCT. 20TH & 21ST

EST FESTIVAL OUR ANNUAL HALLOWEEN & HARV

follow us french market new orleans frenchmktnola

WWW. F R EN C H MA R K E T.O R G 4 | Gambit’s kids issue

CONTENTS AUGUST 2012 50 BirThday ParTy idEaS

9

ClaSSy SChEdulE Where to go and what to do around New Orleans hOmEgrOwN harvEST Children’s gardening programs

16

KidS’ FuN PagES Puzzles, games and more whOdaT aNd whOdON’T A cartoon by Lyn Brantley

20

iT’S ONly NaTural Resources for Earth parents NOThiNg addEd Tips for making natural baby food

23

NaNNy wOrld Megan Braden-Perry interviews Kristen St. Onge of Natural Nannies NOLA Our hOmETOwN Why we raise our kids here

26

hOuSE SPECialS Local restaurants cater to pint-sized diners with fine food and toys Car TriP Tips for making hurricane evacuation anxiety-free

Gambit’s kids issue | 5

This is what 100 looks like.

adMiSSion oPen houSeS & tourS Pre-K – 4 tourS

8:30-10:00am

Oct. 11 & 25, Nov. 8 Jan. 10 & 17

GradeS 5 – 12 oPen houSeS

4:00-6:00pm

Oct. 11, Jan. 17

Please call (504) 561-1224 with any questions.

2343 Prytania Street

McGeheeSchool.com

Louise S. McGehee School is open to all qualified girls regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

6 |EFC795_Gambit Gambit’s kids issue Kids Issue AD.indd

1

7/25/12 1:34 PM

50 Party Ideas

BIRTHDAY

Make a music video at Nola Rockstar Pony rides for tots or horseback riding for older kids

Plan a fun-filled celebration your child will remember for years to come.

Bowling party (bumper bowling for young ones) Remote-control car racing party

Fondue party

Party aboard the Creole Queen paddlewheeler

Outdoor movie night Rent the carousel at City Park or Lafreniere Park

Water party with an inflatable water slide

Charmed Etiquette princess or pirate party at New Orleans City Park’s Storyland/ Carousel Gardens

CHILDREN OF ALL AGES — AND THEIR PARENTS — CAN ENJOY TUBING ON THE TCHEFUNCTE RIVER.

Swamp tour party

Petting zoo party Streetcar party Build-a-Bear party Laser tag party

Scavenger hunt around your home or through the French Quarter

Rock-climbing wall

“Get bugged” party at the Audubon Insectarium

Roller skating party

Movie sleepover at the LA/SPCA

Splash party (Audubon Zoo, Lafreniere Park or East Jefferson Wellness Center)

Magic party (magician) BooKoo Bounce party DJ dance party Ceramics-painting party

Party at the Monkey Room New Orleans Foam Parties

TEENS GET A KICK OUT OF RIDING GO-CARTS AT NOLA MOTORSPORTS PARK IN AVONDALE.

Set up a small carnival with games and prizes

Gymnastics or cheerleading party Make-your-own-sundae party

Paintball party

Go-cart party at NOLA Motorsports Park

Playmaker Indoor Sports party Fishing party

PHOTO BY JONATHAN BACHMAN

Sleepover/camp-out in a cabin at a park

Tea party at the Windsor Court Hotel or Ritz-Carlton Pool party Canoe/kayaking party Crawfish boil/volleyball party Tubing on the Tchefuncte River Birthday Olympics with video or Wii sports

Carnival party at Mardi Gras World Sno-ball party

Movie theater party Puppet show party

Old-fashioned garden party with croquet, darts, horseshoes

Fifi Mahony’s wigs, makeup and photo party

Karaoke party

Zombie apocalypse party

Tie-dye party

Gambit’s kids issue | 7

imagine... discover... create...

1538 Philip Street 504-523-9911 www.littlegate.com

Innovative Music Instruction For All Ages PRIVATE LESSONS PIANO • VOICE • GUITAR • VIOLIN

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC CLASSES

STRING OPEN HOUSE Saturday, August 18th 4pm – 6pm

Music Together (8 months – 3 years)

GROUP MUSIC CLASSES (ages 4-8) Based on Yamaha Music Education System

Call NOW for FREE 30 minute Preview Classes Saturday, Aug 18th 10am & 2pm Thursday, Aug 23rd 4:30pm & 5:30pm Saturday, Aug 25th 10am & 2pm

ing Accept ons rati Regist !

Now

Fall Session Starts

Sept. 4th

“Authorized Yamaha Music School”

1828 Veterans Blvd., Metairie (one block west of Bonnabel)

504.831.3008 • www.LafarguePianos.com 8 | Gambit’s kids issue

Keep ‘em

Happy

t

here are so many sights to see and places to visit in New Orleans that there’s never a reason to get bored or run out of things to do. deciding what is appropriate for children and what might interest them is another matter. Below are suggestions for activities that will entertain children and parents alike.

Art/ History / Music The Arsenal, Louisiana State Museum 600 St. Peter St., (504) 5686968; www.crt.state.la.us/museum The historic building houses exhibits of military objects. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays. Admission is $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free for children 12 and younger.

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World 1380 Port of New Orleans Place, (504) 361-7821; www.mardigrasworld.com All ages On a tour of the legendary floatmaking business, see Mardi Gras floats up close and learn about the artistry and technology involved in staging a Carnival parade. The guided tour includes the screening of an exclusive Mardi Gras video and a refreshment break with king cake. The facility also includes a restaurant with a view of the Mississippi River. Open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. (Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mardi Gras). Admission $19.95 adults, $15.95 seniors, $12.95 children 2-12 years old, children 2 and younger are free.

A directory of places to go and activities to keep your child busy throughout the year.

B y K A n d A c e P o w e r G r Av e s

The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum 701 Chartres St., (504) 5686968; www.crt.state.la.us/museum/properties/cabildo.aspx All ages Built in the late 1700s for the municipal government, this National Historic Landmark was the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer in 1803 — the table used for the occasion is on display — and the Louisiana Supreme Court issued the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson decision while housed there.

The Marquis de Lafayette lived at the Cabildo when he visited the city in 1825, and the building at one time served as a prison.

It now houses a comprehensive exhibit about Louisiana’s early history. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays. Admission is $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free for children 12 and younger.

French QuarTour Kids (504) 975-5355; www.frenchquartourkids.com Ages 6-15 The company provides hourlong walking tours in the French

ZACHARy QuIRk GETS A SuRPRISE FROM SLIM THE GIRAFFE AT THE GLOBAL WILdLIFE CENTER IN FOLSOM. PHOTO By CHRISTINA COOPER

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Gambit’s kids issue | 9

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Quarter designed for kids . The Port, the Pirates & All the Rest! retraces Louisiana’s history and the role its location and geography played. Historian Jill Dresser leads the Creole Kids Tour exploring 1830s New Orleans, including how children lived, what people wore, etiquette of the time and more.

The tour includes a visit to the courtyard of the Hermann-Grima House. Admission to the adjoining museum is available at a discount. Tours are offered Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Admission is $12 per person (cash only), free for children 5 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult (one per four kids).

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve Laura C. Hudson Visitor Center 419 Decatur St., (504) 589-3882; www.nps.gov All ages The visitor center in the French Quarter houses exhibits and murals illustrating the importance waterways such as the Mississippi River have played in the formation of Louisiana and its culture. Other exhibits and interactive displays focus on flora and fauna in the area, food, culture and festivals.

Ranger-led walking tours of the French Quarter start at 9:30 a.m. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Christmas and Mardi Gras). Free admission.

National World War II Museum 945 Magazine St., (504) 528-1944; www.nationalww2museum.org All ages The internationally renowned museum has everything children love: tanks, planes, guns, love stories, movies, fashions, videotaped stories, the Stage Door Canteen’s song and dance venue, dining options and more. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission $21 adults; $18 seniors; $12 children 5-12 years old, students, active military with ID; free children 5 and younger, military personnel in uniform and WWII veterans.

New Orleans Museum of Art City Park, 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, (504) 658-4100; www.noma.org All ages In addition to permanent and changing exhibitions of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, Faberge eggs and more, the museum hosts programs for children and families including the monthly Story Quest at NOMA, in which professional authors, actors and artists read stories cued to a theme, followed by family activities. Where Y’Art (5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays) features a variety of performances, art activities and more. The programs are free with regular museum admission. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday. Admission $10 adults; $8 seniors, active military personnel, university students with ID; $6 children 7-17 years old; free for children 6 and younger. Admission is free for everyone on Wednesdays.

10 | Gambit’s kids issue

Old U.S. Mint 400 Esplanade Ave., (504) 568-6993; www.crt.state.la.us/museum All ages This building began producing coins in 1838 and continued (with some lapses) until 1909. It now houses the Louisiana State Museums New Orleans Jazz Club Collections, the Louisiana Historical Center and a performing arts center. Check the website for events such as music and yoga classes. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays. Admission is $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free for children 12 and younger.

The Presbytere, Louisiana State Museum Jackson Square, 751 Chartres St., (504) 568-6968; www.crt.state.la.us/museum/ properties/presbytere All ages Mardi Gras is always exciting for children, and the permanent exhibit Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana provides eye candy and fun, tracing New Orleans’ parades and Carnival balls from their begin-

nings to today. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays. Admission is $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free for children 12 and younger. Admission includes other exhibits in the museum.

Preservation Hall 726 St. Peter St., (504) 522-2841; www.preservationhall.com All ages Policies barring drinking and smoking make this legendary traditional jazz club kidfriendly and gives youngsters a rare glimpse of jazz being performed where it began: in the music halls and parlors of the French Quarter. Open 8 p.m. daily (shows start at 8:15 p.m.). Admission $15.

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden 1 Colin Diboll Circle, City Park; www.noma.org/sgarden All ages Stroll through a five-acre garden with walking paths, pedestrian bridges and reflecting pools. Help your child find the 60 sculptures

KAYAKING IS A FUN FAMILY EvENT, WHETHER YOU LAUNCH YOUR bOAT ON bAYOU ST. JOHN, THE TCHEFUNCTE RIvER OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.

by European, American, Israeli and Japanese artists that are on display throughout the garden. A free audio tour is available. Open 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Friday. Free admission.

Amusements/ Rides/ GAmes Carousel Gardens Amusement Park City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 483-9383 All ages Home to one of only 100 wooden carousels remaining in the U.S., the amusement park is open seasonally and a variety of rides, including a 40-foot slide, a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, Tilt-A-Whirl, a miniature train and kiddie

children 2-12, children under 2 are free.

The Entergy IMAX Theater adjacent to the aquarium has a five-and-a-half-story-high screen and shows films about nature and other topics. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with films starting every hour. Admission $10.50 adults, $9.50 seniors and high school and university students with an ID, $7.50 children 2-12 years old, children under 2 are free.

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium U.S. Custom House, 423 Canal St., (504) 581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org All ages The intriguing world of butterflies and insects is explored through bigger than life displays and interactive exhibits. There’s also a restaurant featuring taste treats made with bugs and an enclosed walk-through butterfly garden. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission $16 adults, $13 seniors and high school and college students with ID, $11 children ages 2-12, children under 2 are free

Bookoo Bounce

THE CITY’S STREETCAR LINES PROVIDE YOUNGSTERS A FUN RIDE WHILE ALSO GIVING THEM A GREAT VIEW OF NEW ORLEANS’ FAMOUS LIVE OAK TREES AND HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE.

Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call for admission information.

PHOTO BY MIST Y EXNICIOS

Pony Tales

rides. Minimum height requirement for rides is 3 feet. Admission $3, free for children under 3 feet; ride tickets are $3 each or $20 per person for unlimited rides. Check website for open dates and times.

NOLA Motorsports 11075 Nicolle Blvd., Avondale, (504) 3024875; www.nolamotor.com Minors must be accompanied by an adult This new complex for riding go-carts, motorcycles and race cars has miles of tracks in a variety of configurations, a 7-acre paddock, state-of-the-art safety features, dining facilities and soon will offer villas for rent.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through

HORSEBACK RIDING

156 Bertucci Lane, St. Rose, (504) 4690148; www.ponytalesbirthdays.com Ages 5-12 The stable offers lessons and equestrian camps during the summer and holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mardi Gras and Easter. Lessons include learning all about horses, how to care for them and how to ride them using English and Western riding disciplines. Private and group lessons are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, by appointment only.

Equest Farms 1001 Filmore Ave., (504) 483-9398; www.equestfarm.com Ages 4 and older The equestrian center at City Park offers riding lessons, camps and field trips and hosts birthday parties. Show riders train

at Equest, which also boards privately owned horses. Group rides are available by appointment. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Contact the stables for prices.

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS /ATTRACTIONS Audubon Aquarium of the Americas/ Entergy IMAX Theater 1 Canal St., (504) 581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org All ages This state-of-the-art indoor aquarium includes a stunning walk-through arch aquarium and houses about 600 species of sea creatures, including sharks, penguins, alligators, frogs and lots of fish, and a special parakeet exhibit. There also is a petting tank, demonstrations, and play spaces.

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $21 adults, $17 seniors and high school and college students with a valid ID, $14

5604 Blessey St, Harahan, (504) 8356424; www.bookoobounce.com Ages 2 to 11 years old This 8,300-square-foot indoor playground filled with Inflatable equipment, obstacle courses, bouncing rooms, slides and more provides lots of options for children ages 2 to 11. The facility will be closed on Mondays after Labor Day (Sept. 3), and often is booked for parties and special events on weekends (call for availability), but walk-in play generally is available 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. There’s a concession area and high-definition TVs broadcasting sports events for adults accompanying children.

Admission is $8 for 90 minutes.

Louisiana Children’s Museum 420Julia St., (504) 523-1357; www.lcm.org All ages This fun-filled educational facility features interactive exhibits that turn learning into playtime. Some attractions include a bubble station, miniature grocery store, transportation display, an exhibit about the body, a new literacy project and more. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday (the museum closes on Monday during the fall). Admission $8 per person, children under 1 year are free.

The Monkey Room Indoor Playground 1501 Religious St., Suite C, (504) 3012695; www.monkeyroom.net Toddlers to pre-teens Kids can play full-out on a tube slide, punching bags, three-lane speed slide, ball room, crawl-through bridge, climbing structures, foam rollers and more. There’s also a toddlers-only play area and a snack bar. Children must wear socks to enter the playground. The Monkey Room is closed PAGE 12

Gambit’s kids issue | 11

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Tuesdays, but other days it’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless there’s a special event (check the calendar on the website). Admission is $9, $7 for the toddlers area only; adults are free.

Playmakers Indoor Sports 800 Windward Drive, Covington, (985) 898-2809; 6124 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan, (504) 305-6078; www.playmakersindoor.com All ages The indoor turf facility organizes leagues in soccer, lacrosse, flag football and more, as well as developmental sports programs for kids as young as 18 months.

Call for a schedule. Annual membership is $25 family, $20 adults, $15 youth.

RC Racing Station 1401 Fulton St., Kenner, (504) 858-3577; www.rcracingstation.com The indoor racetrack for remote-control cars has pit space and a hobby shop on location. Call for hours and admission.

OutdOOr Parks & activities Audubon Zoo 6500 Magazine St., (800) 774-7394; www.auduboninstitute.org All ages Children can see (and sometimes touch) animals indigenous to Louisiana as well as exotic animals from all over the world.

The zoo has a miniature railroad that runs through the zoo, a splash park (admission is extra), innovative natural habitats for the animals, special education programs, play stops, the Monkey Hill play area, a dinosaur exhibit and more. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Admission $16 adults, $13 seniors and high school and college students with an ID, $11 children 2-12 years old, children under 2 are free.

Bayou Kayaks (504) 814-0551; www.bayoukayaks.com Ages depends on skills This kayak rental company launches on Bayou St. John near the corner of Moss Street and Florida Avenue. Rentals are available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Monday, with sessions starting at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Rentals are $20 for a single-rider kayak, and $40 for a tandem kayak.

Botanical Gardens City Park, 1 Palm Terrace, (504) 4839386; www.neworleanscitypark.com All ages Walking paths take visitors through lush gardens of flowers, trees, indigenous plants and other foliage designed around fountains statues and benches. There’s a goldfish pond, a conservatory with a “Living Fossil” section, a simulated rainforest

12 | Gambit’s kids issue

and other educational features. Watch for special children’s programming. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $5 adults and children 13 and older, $2 children 5 to 12 years old, children under 5 are free.

or www.lafrenierepark.org All ages There are 24 holes on the disc golf course on the north and east sides of the park. The course is open to the public, and admission is free. Park gates are open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cool Zoo

Global Wildlife Center

Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., (800) 774-7394; www.auduboninstitute.org Toddler to pre-teen Open through Labor Day, the splash park offers waterspouts, an alligator water slide, a spider monkey soaker and more in three splash zones and an area just for toddlers and younger children. Admission $7, $5 for Audubon Institute members.

Splash park tickets are not included in regular zoo admission.

26389 Hwy 40, Folsom, (985) 7963585; www.globalwildlife.com All ages The more than 4,000 exotic, threatened and endangered animals from around the globe who are housed on the wildlife preserve are allowed to roam freely in the natural environment. The preserve is open daily. Call for tour schedules. Admission is $17 adults, $15 seniors 62 and older, $11 children 2 to 11 years old, children younger than 2 are free. Private tours are $35 per person.

Disc Golf at City Park City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 4824888; www.neworleanscitypark.com All ages The 18-hole disc golf course opened in 2010 and is open to the public. Tee times aren’t normally required (unless there’s a tournament). Free admission. Open daily.

Disc Golf at Lafreniere Park Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 895-7512 or (504) 456-1851; www.jeffparish.net

Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours 6601 Leo Kerner Lafitte Pkwy., Marrero, (504) 689-4186; www.jeanlafitteswamptour.com All ages Tour a swamp in a Cajun-style flat boat or on an air boat and see the Spanish moss and other flora natural to south Louisiana swamps as well as wildlife including alligators, snakes, egrets, deer, mink, nutria and more. Tours are scheduled

KIDS CAn Be ROugH AnD ReADy WITHOuT geTTIng HuRT AT BOOKOO BOunCe, An InDOOR PLAygROunD OF InFLATABLe BOunCIng equIPMenT.

from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. daily. Admission $25 adults, $12 children 3-12 years old.

Airboat rentals are $54-$70.

Kayak-Iti-Yat (985) 778-5034 or (512) 964-9499; www.kayakitiyat.com Age depends on skills The company offers kayaking tours along Bayou St. John to Lake Pontchartrain and guides point out the sights, wildlife, fauna and history of the area. They provide the kayak, safety jacket and wet bag. The four-hour Paddle Pontchartrain tour is $60 per person, and the two-hour Lazy Twilight Tour is $40 per person.

Lagoon, Lafreniere Park Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 838-4389; www.jeffparish.-net or www. lafrenierepark.org All ages The 20-acre lagoon stretches through various areas of the park, and has turtles and several species of fish as well as ducks and geese. Free admission.

Park gates are open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Storyland City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 483-9383; www.neworleanscitypark.com Toddler to pre-teen Children will see their favorite fairy tales represented in brightly colored sculptures designed for whimsical play, climbing and exploring. There are more than 26 storybook exhibits including Captain Hook’s pirate ship from Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Jack and Jill, Little Miss Muffet, Cinderella and more. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission $3 per person, children under 3 feet tall are free.

Zephyrs Baseball 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, (504) 7345155; www.zephyrsbaseball.com All ages This family-friendly baseball club’s facility includes a swimming pool for fans to stay cool during hot games, lots of dining choices and a host of special activities for children at halftime, fireworks displays and more. Check website for scheduled dates.

Admissions starts at $6.

Special programS/ claSSeS Charmed Etiquette THERE ARE LOTS OF wATER SPOuTS, SPuRTS, SLIDES AnD MORE AT THE COOL ZOO SPLASH PARk AT AuDuBOn ZOO.

Longue Vue House and Gardens 7 Bamboo Road, (504) 488-5488; www.longuevue.com All ages Children can roam through the 8 acres of gardens designed by renowned 20thcentury landscape architects. The Classical Revival-style mansion, which is open for tours, illustrates life as it was long ago.

Longue Vue’s Lucy C. Roussel Discovery Garden provides children with a place to dig and learn about gardening and nature.

Check the website for special programming. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission starts at $7 adults, $4 children 3 and older, children 2 and younger are free

Marsh Island Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie; www.jeffparish.net or www.lafrenierepark.org All ages All of Lafreniere Park is a dedicated bird sanctuary, but Marsh Island also is bountiful in Louisiana’s indigenous vegetation and animal life. It’s a favorite spot for feeding the

swans, ducks and geese that live there. An elevated walkway leads to a gazebo. Free admission.

eat with a backdrop of a lovely man-made waterfall. There are picnic tables, and shelters can be reserved.

The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen

Spray Park

Riverwalk Marketplace, 1 Poydras St., (504) 529-4567; www.creolequeen.com All ages An authentic paddlewheeler, the Creole Queen offers the nostalgia of times past and the comforts of the modern world, featuring a climate-controlled interior with plush decor and outer decks clad with wrought-iron trims. There’s a dance floor, music, private rooms, dining options and more. Tours include the Chalmette Battlefield cruise from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and a three-hour dinner jazz cruise from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (check for cruise dates).

Chalmette Battlefield cruise tickets $25 adults, $13 children 6-12 years old, children 5 and younger are free. Jazz cruise tickets start at $40 adults, $20 children 6 to 12 years old, $10 children 3-5 years (with dinner), and children 3 and younger are free.

Picnic Island & Waterfall Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 838-4389; www.jeffparish.-net or www.lafrenierepark.org All ages Take a lunch or snack to Picnic Island and

Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 838-4389; www.jeffparish.-net or www.lafrenierepark.org Ages 10 and younger Opened July 13, the new Spray Park adjacent to the carousel features in-ground and above-ground water spray attractions and three water cannons in about 4,000 square feet of space. The water park is open noon to 7 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 per person (exact cash only) for 45 minutes, with sessions starting on the hour. There is a 75-person capacity.

Steamboat Natchez 1 Toulouse St., (504) 586-8777; www.steamboatnatchez.com All ages A classic Mississippi River steamboat, the Natchez offers daytime jazz tours, leaving from the French Quarter daily for a twohour cruise around the port. Most cruises include a calliope concert or jazz music, and Creole lunch fare is available. Boarding is 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets $25 adults, $12.25 children 6 to 12 years old, children five and younger free.

6257 Gen. Diaz St., 482-1561; www.charmednola.com Age groups range from 3-18 years old Emily Post Institute etiquette classes and seminars are available for age groups 3-6, 7-11, 12-15 and 16-18. The classes use fun techniques to teach boys and girls manners and instill confidence and leadership and social skills. Charmed also plans workshops for groups, holds birthday parties and has free “read-alouds.”

City Park Movement & Art 4300 Dumaine St., 390-7482 (movement), 333-3449 (art); www.cityparkmovementandart.com Movement classes include ballet, yoga, acrobatics, creative movement, jazz, tap and more. Children also can take art classes, have art parties, attend kids’ night at the studio or have a birthday party there.

Gymboree Play & Music 1876 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 773-3992; www.gymboreeclasses.com Ages birth to 5 years Classes are offered in music, play, art, sports, school skills and more. Curricula are created by national experts to help children hone cognitive, physical and social skills as they play. Call for schedules and prices.

Gambit’s kids issue | 13

We’re excited to be part of Louisiana’s growing entertainment industry!

As the third largest film industry in the country, we’re now “The Hollywood South”!

JRP is the premiere academy for acting, singing, dancing, and modeling, we know what it takes to succeed!

We discovered and developed the talent of young actress, Madison Wolfe of Metairie, LA. • Role of Will Ferrell’s daughter in The Campaign (IN THEATERS AUG.10)

• Role of Dodie in On the Road with Amy Adams and Kristen Stewart (IN THEATERS, OCT. 2012).

Call us TODAY to schedule your personal interview: 504-299-0090 STAY CONNECTED:

www.jrpneworleans.com • www.facebook.com/jrpneworleansfan • Twitter: @JRPNOLA

swap for kids consignment boutique for fine children’s apparel. including: Orient Expressed, Burberry, Oilily, True Religion, Feltman Bros and Olive Juice. Always a sale.

Every day. accessories • ages 0-12

Sidewalk Sale Friday and Saturday, August 3-4 All Sidewalk Items $3 • $6 • $9

children’s consignment

visit us to shop or consign 7722 maple street

504.218.5996 •

swapforkids.com

14 | Gambit’s kids issue

Tap Ballet Pointe Lyrical Jazz Zumba Pre-School Adult Jazz & Tap Floor Gymnastics Youth Adult Performing Company Mom & Tot Hip Hop

Saturday

Register For Fall Classes

August 4, 11, 18 & 25 10am - 3pm August 8, 15 & 22 Wednesdays 5pm - 7pm Dance Company Auditions August 6 & 7

Artistic Director Debby Dillehay is Dance Master Certified

3745 Florida Ave. • Kenner, LA • (504)468-3368 www.debbydillehaydance.com

Growing

in NOLA

Plant the seeds of science and math, cultivate healthy choices and financial awareness and watch self-sufficiency and a fresh work ethic bloom through gardening projects in the city.

By Megan Braden-Perry

City Park’s Growing Gardeners 1 Palm Drive, (504) 483 - 9470; w w w.garden. neworleanscitypark.com Kids ages 6 through 9 can sign up for multidisciplinary activities scheduled on Saturdays at New Orleans City Park’s botanical gardens. Classes are bimonthly and cost $15 each, $72 for six.

Grow Dat Youth Farm 1 Palm Drive, (504) 377-8395; www. growdatyouthfarm.org Students from New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, Warren Easton High School, De La Salle High School, The NET Charter High School and Joseph S. Clark High School learn agricultural skills at this farm in City Park. They also earn wages selling their food at local farmers markets. Students also donate produce to food pantries.

Hollygrove Market and Farm 8301 Olive St., (504) 483-7037; www. hollygrovemarket.com Teachers can schedule field trips to the garden and farm at Hollygrove for students in kindergarten through third grade so the children can see horticulture in action.

Longue Vue House and Garden’s Kinder Garden 7 Bamboo Road, (504) 488-5488; www.longuevue.com Children from 18 months to 3 years old can explore the discovery garden, which boasts a turtle habitat, wormdigging station, compost unit, raking area, toys, potted plants and several wagons. Admission is $12, $10 for members; admits one child and an accompanying adult.

Our Kids Village 4235 Tulane Ave., (504) 206-9290; www.ourkidsvillage.com Kids learn and execute various steps of gardening at the first local community garden, which is focused toward children in preschool through fifth grade.

A buDDiNg gArDENEr LEArNS AbOuT PiNT-SizED fArM EquiPMENT AT Our KiDS ViLLAgE.

KEViNNESHA burTON WOrKS iN THE frEDEriCK DOugLASS gArDEN. WHAT’S grOWN THErE WiLL bE SOLD AT THE SANKOfA fArMErS MArKET

Our School at Blair Grocery 1740 Benton St., (718) 415-0890; www.ourschoolatblairgrocery.org Elementary- and middle schoolaged students in the 9th Ward learn farming basics after school.

During the day, high school- and college-aged individuals who have been in trouble with the law participate in activities that teach them new skills, and they’re offered housing to help prevent a return to crime. foods farmed at blair grocery are sold to local restaurants, groceries and farmers markets.

Sankofa Community Development Corporation 3819 St. Claude Ave., (504) 8729214; www.sankofanola.org High school students participating in the HEAL (Health, Education, Agriculture and Leadership) Project sell food they’ve grown in the frederick Douglass garden. They also host cooking demonstrations on Saturdays at the Sankofa kids’ booth.

Gambit’s kids issue | 15

16 | Gambit’s kids issue

Gambit’s kids issue | 17

WhoDat LY N BR AN TL EY ILL US TR AT IO NS BY

and

WhoDon’t

Who has the best manners?

WhoDat… WhoDon’t throws beads back at the floats, hitting riders and other paradegoers. is polite and respectful of others.

WhoDat saves his beads at Mardi Gras and donates them to ARC.

WhoDon’t cuts in line, shouts his order and throws his cup on the ground when he’s finished.

WhoDon’t… is rude and thinks only of himself.

WhoDat politely waits his turn and puts his sno-ball cup and spoon in the trash when he’s finished.

18 | Gambit’s kids issue

For more information or to schedule a private tour, please call 269-1213

www.ashrosary.org Sacred Heart is a Catholic, college preparatory, ISAS school for girls. It admits qualified students regardless of race, color, religious preference, national or ethnic origin.

IT’S A LL IN YOUR D NA LOCAL & NATIVE T-SHIRTS | KIDS · ONESIES · MOMS · DADS

POP CITY & FUNROCK’N NEW ORLEANS INSPIRED DESIGNS SINCE 2001 UPTOWN 3109 Magazine St. · 895-4102 FRENCH QUARTER 1125 Decatur St. · 524-1122 | 940 Decatur St. · 528-8559

Gambit’s kids issue | 19

It’s only

Natural W

hether you want to dive into natural parenting with a medication-free delivery plan or you prefer to dip your toes in the water with organic clothes and nontoxic toys, there are many ways to parent naturally in New Orleans. Here are some resources to help you in your endeavor: Better Bottoms Diaper Delivery 1500 Edwards Ave., Suite F, Harahan, (504) 731-7500; www.betterbottomsbaby.com Busy parents can sign up for weekly pickup of soiled cloth diapers and delivery of clean ones.

A resource guide to natural parenting, from preconception to preschool

COMPILED BY MEGAN BRADEN-PERRY

Le Leche League of New Orleans Courtney Landry, lllofneworleans@gmail.com Reactivated in July, Le Leche League of New Orleans meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Zuka Baby.

Idea Factory

Mothers’ Milk Bank of Mississippi

838 Chartres St., (504) 524-5195; www. ideafactoryneworleans.com All wooden toys sold at this French Quarter institution have a natural, nontoxic finish.

(601) 898-7979; www.msmilkbank.org Mothers who are currently lactating are urged to donate surplus milk to help save sick and premature infants.

Kid to Kid

Na’Zyia Doula Collective

3501 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 4555865; www.kidtokid.com School uniforms, maternity clothes, dance costumes, toys and books are available to buy or sell at this kids’ resale giant.

1904 Bartholomew St., (504) 947-4790; www.nazyiadoulas.com Birth plan assistance, pain management and lactation consultations are among services the labor support group offers.

La Leche League of Jefferson

NOLA Bliss Born

(504) 952-3951; www.llljefferson.com The Jefferson Parish chapter of breastfeeding support group La Leche League International holds monthly meetings to counsel moms through breastfeeding to weaning.

(504) 302-0131; www.nolablissborn.com Clinical hypnotherapist and birth hypnosis educator Mariah Sinclair teaches a five-week course of birth hypnosis classes to women in their third trimester of pregnancy.

NOLA Maternal Instincts Massage Therapy 908 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 914-8878; www.nolamaternalinstincts.com Fertility massage, prenatal massage and postpartum pampering are offered.

Swap for Kids 7722 Maple St., (504) 218-5996; www.swapforkids.com Hand-selected kids’ consignment clothing, strollers, diaper bags and other accessories from brands including Bugaboo, Baby Bjorn and Lilly Pulitzer are found at this kid sister to Swap.

Zuka Baby 2122 Magazine St., (504) 596-6540; www.zukababy.com This Green Light District store holds parenting classes in addition to specializing in cloth diapers, babywearing, breastfeeding, natural toys and organic layette.

Baby

Bites

A guide to preparing the right foods for babies and toddlers

BY MEGAN BRADEN-PERRY

M

ost parents want to feed their children the most nutritious foods possible, avoiding additives such as preservatives, thickeners, flavorings and colorings that can trigger allergies and other adverse reactions. The best way to control what your baby eats is to make his or her food yourself. It also introduces the baby to the foods commonly served at home, which helps establish eating as a family activity and may make the child more comfortable trying new foods later in life.

Newborn-4 months Infants this age should only consume breastmilk, formula or water. Breast milk provides the nutrients a baby needs at all stages of infancy, beginning with colostrum (produced by a mother’s mammary glands for three to five days after she gives birth), which contains infection-fighting antibodies and helps the baby rid its system of bilirubin and other wastes.

Around 4 to 6 months, watch for signs your baby is ready for solid food: holds head steadily, sits up without support and shows an interest in what other people are eating.

4-6 months Nola Nesting (504) 655-1819; www.nolanesting.com Placenta services, belly casting and registry concierge services are offered in addition to traditional doula amenities such as birth tub rental, birth plan guidance and pain management.

20 | Gambit’s kids issue

When the baby is ready, offer solid food after breastfeeding or formulafeeding sessions. A common first food is iron-enriched rice or oat cereal (holding off on wheat and barley, which contain gluten, a common allergen) blended with formula or breast milk. Avoid feeding cereal from a bottle. It can cause choking,

WATCH OUT THAT YOUR BABY DOESN’T CHOKE ON FINGERFOODS SUCH AS POPCORN .

BREASTFEEDING IS THE EASIEST WAY FOR BABIES TO RECEIVE THE NUTRITION THEY NEED.

leads to overfeeding and doesn’t help the baby learn the mechanics of eating solid food.

You also can mix breast milk or formula with pureed fruits and vegetables, including avocados, apples, bananas, pears, squash and sweet potatoes. Offer the baby a tablespoon of solid food two to three times a day in the beginning.

cheese, cream cheese, hard cheeses, mushrooms and onions also can be introduced. Since you likely are aware of your baby’s allergies by this time, you can introduce new foods as often as you want. Babies generally don’t have molars until they’re 12 to 18 months old, so prepare foods that can be easily eaten using just the gums. Now is also the time to introduce spices commonly used at home — with the exception of salt and sugar.

6-8 months Now is the time to introduce pureed or mashed fruits and vegetables without mixing them with formula or breast milk.

To help monitor potential allergic reactions, each new food should be introduced individually, without straying from the newest food for roughly four days after introduction. Signs of a possible food allergy usually occur within 2 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion and include hives, facial swelling and/or redness, itchiness on or near the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, runny/stuffy nose, sneezing and shortness of breath.

In addition to fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, peaches, prunes and snap beans, you can begin adding chicken, tofu, turkey and plain whole milk yogurt to your baby’s diet.

Babies this age can drink fruit juice, but give them only 100 percent fruit juice that hasn’t been sweetened. Let the baby drink juice only from a sippy cup, not a bottle, to prevent tooth decay. Limit the baby’s intake of juice to less than 4 ounces a day.

Parents should still aim to offer the baby 1 tablespoon of solid food two to three times daily.

8-10 months Allow babies to decide how much they need to eat by offering finger foods three to four times daily. Ageappropriate finger foods include dry cereal, teething biscuits, chopped hard-boiled eggs, small chunks of soft fruits, tofu cubes coated in cereal “dust,” and pea-sized pieces of cooked meat or fish. Beans, pasta, cottage

10-12 months Foods that commonly irritate younger babies — including acidic citrus, which can cause diaper rash, and highly acidic tomatoes, which can upset tummies — may be safely incorporated into the diet of children this age. At 12 months, you can add milk, honey and soft cheese to baby’s fare. It is not recommended for younger babies because honey can cause botulism and soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk can cause listeriosis.

Equipment The right tools can make preparing baby food easier. To get started, you’ll need a vegetable steamer, food processor and immersion blender.

You also can choose gadgets designed especially for making baby food, such as the Baby Bullet Food System, $59.99 at Babies R Us (6851 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, THE BPA-FREE 504-885-8242; www.

BEABA BABYCOOK babiesrus.com) or the FUNCTIONS AS A Babycook, $119.95 at Zuka STEAMER, BLENDER, Baby (2122 Magazine St., WARMER AND 504-596-6540; www.

DEFROSTER. IT COMES zukababy.com).

WITH A COOKBOOK.

1-2 years Toddlers likely are on the same feeding schedule as adults, eating three to four times a day, plus snacks. Many are weaned from the breast or bottle. Eliminating choking hazards is a high priority for this age. Potential choking hazards include slippery foods like hard candy, hot dogs and cherry tomatoes; sticky foods such as nut butters and white bread; and crumbly foods like popcorn, muffins and granola, which often “go down the wrong pipe.”

To reduce the risk of choking, cut slippery solid foods into small pieces, don’t serve sticky foods alone (make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of peanut butter by itself) and serve a beverage alongside crumbly foods.

Gambit’s kids issue | 21

General and and Specialty Specialty General Dentistry for for Kids Kids Dentistry Billy Hall, DDS and Associates Se Habla Espanol

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22 | Gambit’s kids issue

@nolababyfest

www.NewOrleansBabyFest.com

nolababyfest@gmail.com • (504) 298-8234

NANNY World F

ormer Hollywood nanny Kristen St. Onge isn’t just a mommy blogger: She’s the founder of Natural Nannies NOLA, a website that pairs parents with nannies and babysitters, represents nannies and babysitters, and posts mom-friendly articles. St. Onge discusses her motivation for founding Natural Nannies NOLA, the myths associated with hiring a nanny and the appropriate steps to take should something happen to a child while under the care of a babysitter.

Gambit: What made you want to start natural nannies nOla? S.O.: I wanted a way to connect with the parents of New Orleans without our interactions being framed by business. I want to help parents be informed of their choices in this area – and not just about child care, but about prenatal topics, childbirth, things to do, etc. As a nanny agency, we get a lot of clients who are just coming into town and need information on everything to do with family life here. I try to help out as much as I can.

there are many misconceptions about nannies (they are only for rich people, they raise the kids completely, etc.). What is the truth?

S.O.: The truth about nannies is that there is such a wide range of options. We definitely have nannies who are suited for working with families on a highly professional basis, with tons of education and amazing track records with the families they’ve worked for in the past.

If I were a rich mom, I would hire one of these nannies myself. However, we also have nannies who are willing to work for an average rate of pay. My vision for this company has really been centered around making nannies available to the average families in the area and giving parents more options.

There is an option called a nanny share, which involves two or three families hiring a nanny together and splitting the cost. The end result is highly personalized child care provided by a highly qualified professional, in the same price range as daycare tuition.

About nannies raising kids, well, that’s entirely up to the parent. My background as a nanny and placement counselor began in Los Angeles, where many parents are choosing to wait until later in life to start their families and find the shift in focus from career to parenting

a former child care provider lends advice and references to parents seeking child care.

By Megan Braden-Perry

to be overwhelming, so they choose to hire a nanny for help and for information.

It’s not uncommon in Hollywood to have the nanny provide advice and direction for a family who asks for it — kind of like the Supernanny on TV. However, in New Orleans, I’m finding that we’re generally a very opinionated population, especially about our kids.

One of the key factors to being a good nanny inside of a home setting is knowing how to follow directions, to learn the family’s style and to respect their wishes.

All of our nannies are aware of this, to the extent that most will bring up the point in their agency interview even before we do.

So, in general, I would say it’s a myth that a nanny raises the children — especially when you consider that daycares have set routines and aren’t able to work with individual family preferences, but nannies definitely have that capacity. Nannies should be an extension of the mother and father and their preferences.

What do you remember most about the people who cared for you as a girl?

S.O.: I actually spent a lot of time with family members as opposed to babysitters. Many people in the area still have the wonderful option of falling back on family members for child care, and so they know they have someone they can trust. Unfortunately, more and more people do not have that option, so that’s another reason it’s so important to educate people about how they can find a trustworthy and capable caregiver for their children.

What should parents look for in a nanny or babysitter?

S.O.: Parents should consider quite a few things when they’re choosing a nanny: education, experience, reliability, child care philosophies, communication skills and enthusiasm being some of the most important. We take care of screening for appropriate education, experience and professionalism, but a family looking on

their own should verify work references and ask about coursework. As far as the rest goes, I always say to trust your intuition. Our hormones, while they can be pesky to some significant others, really connect us to our children and protecting them. If there is an alarm going off in your head, but you’re not sure why, it’s best to keep looking. A nanny becomes part of the home, if not part of the family. It’s very important that everyone is comfortable with her or him.

What are red flags that parents might see when looking for a nanny or babysitter?

S.O.: The initial interview can tell you many things. Is she on time? Dressed appropriately? Does she relate to your children well? Does she seem to understand you and make her own points to you relatively easily? Do you get a good feeling about her? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” those are red flags. When calling references, if anyone sounds reluctant or less than enthusiastic about giving a reference, that’s a red flag. If she doesn’t have at least three child-care references, that’s a red flag. There are additional things that a more experienced agency can pick up on, such as subtle indications of a child care philosophy that might not mesh with that of the family she’s interviewing with, or a way of communicating that seems fine in the beginning but could prove to be an obstacle during conflicts, which arise in even the healthiest of parent-nanny relationships.

How would a person go about being listed on your site?

S.O.: We actually don’t list anyone.

We’re an agency, so we’re different from your Sittercity.com or Care.com sites.

Our nannies are recruited, thoroughly screened, agree to a background check and certification updates, and have to demonstrate a stellar personality for us to represent them. If someone is interested in being represented by us, they could

Kristen st. Onge Of natural nannies nOla

check out our website and pay specific attention to the Our Nannies and Jobs tabs.

We’re currently accepting applications for positions starting in the fall. if my child wants to be a babysitter, what should i do to help her or him get started?

S.O.: That’s really not my area of expertise.

We only represent nannies who have at least a two-year degree in a field related to child care, plus a minimum of three years of fulltime experience with children or a four-year degree in a related field plus a minimum of a year of full-time experience.

If someone meets the minimum requirements but has never been a nanny before, I would suggest working with an agency, because an agency will negotiate a fair rate, employment terms and any benefits that can be negotiated. Our agency also likes to keep tabs on nannies and families and try to help them work through any issues they may encounter. An agency also provides a nanny with necessary certifications such as CPR and First Aid. Additionally, an agency should never charge a fee to represent a nanny. If they do, it might be a scam. if your child gets hurt as a result of abuse or neglect or something of that nature while under the care of a babysitter, what steps should a parent take?

OS: Definitely report it. Call the police or any emergency personnel necessary, file a report, press charges — pursue it. I’ve never had any experience like that with any nanny I’ve represented, but an agency would obviously work with the parents and the authorities to remove the caregiver from the situation and make sure that the person didn’t get another chance to do the same thing to another family. We all want safety for our kids.

Gambit’s kids issue | 23

24 | Gambit’s kids issue

The

Parent Trap W

hat’s dis, Mommy?” My 4-year-old hands me a mud-crusted plastic pearl.

“It’s an old Mardi Gras bead,” I

The challenges and rewards of raising children in New Orleans

tell her.

“From me, or from Daddy?” she asks.

Her father grew up in the same house where we live, and she knows she can find “treasures” from Daddy’s childhood in the garden,

By ANdreA like marbles, bottle caps or the bones of a dozdeweNTer en long-deceased pets. Beads are the most common find, and the garden soil is packed with the colorful baubles. Don’t even get me started on what’s underneath the house.

To say this is important to me as a parent sounds weak. Yet it’s actually hundreds of little moments like this scene that are why we’re raising our kids here. In a nation like America, where transience is the norm and abandoning your parents to follow ambition is common, people in Louisiana are different. Most of us never want to leave. We stay close to our families and friends forever, and if we do travel nationally we find ourselves looking for the expat community as if we’re foreigners.

When I decided to come back to New Orleans after a year away (the post-Katrina year), I got wrapped up in the renaissance like everyone else. Fueled by the rush of the city’s near-death experience, I thought we could fix everything. But the reality started to creep in around the time I got pregnant. The mommy chemicals rapidly had my brain’s ticker flashing: unsafe living conditions.

Before the kids were born, the only things that scared me about New Orleans were getting robbed at gunpoint and insurance bills. But after the kids arrived it was anxiety-attack-of-the-week time.

Parenthood in general spikes your awareness, of course, but now I was worrying about getting carjacked with an infant and a toddler in the backseat strapped in like astronauts — for their safety. Or getting a gun waved in my face while walking with a stroller in broad daylight (I stopped concealed carrying because rummaging for a gun in the bottom of a diaper bag during a holdup is embarrassing).

Then there’s the annual hurricane preparation panic where my husband and I debate whether we’ll pack and evacuate or stay and pray. Apocalyptic urban scenarios don’t really scare parents as much as the prospect of being stuck in a car with sleep-deprived, starving, soiled and screaming preschoolers for 31 hours.

And those are just the life or death situations. It took education to make me wonder if we’d made a mistake and should leave town. Being quite middle class, we can neither part with the extreme expense of private schools here, nor live with the thought of turning our children’s futures over to the abysmal Orleans Parish public schools. This leaves us with charter schools. And waiting lists.

And experimental classes. And second-guessing. My children currently are in a brand-new French immersion charter school. It’s better than I’d hoped, but it also has growing pains — something I wouldn’t need to deal with even one parish away.

Then I think about when they’re older and start walking these streets independently. Will I have prepared them enough for this unique urban wild?

There’s also the “little” things, like the busy street on which we live, where one clumsy toddler move will have them splattered on the grill of a city bus. Or the lead in the playgrounds and school buildings. Or my favorite, “Why does the water smell funny?” Yes, we drink the tap water. We’re all in.

I’m not apologizing for my suburban upbringing and its subsequent anxieties. My husband may have grown up in the city and knows how to be vigilant while looking nonchalant, but I didn’t learn those skills. I grew up in a swampy subdivision in St. Bernard Parish where you were more likely to die from a snake bite, boating accident or oil refinery explosion than an armed robbery. So yes,

sometimes I do ponder selling out. Like other concerned parents, I could rent my house and move to the suburbs or another state where all this drama doesn’t occur. We could go someplace where things aren’t so inefficient and expensive, where there won’t be education experiments conducted on my kids, or where corrupt police officers and politicians are the exception, not the rule.

No place is perfect, but there are places that are far closer than New Orleans. So why do parents in New Orleans stay put?

Because there are no beads in other gardens.

Because misaligned wooden screen doors in other places don’t make the same slap-shut noise. Because my “mom-n-’em” aren’t “downa road” just anywhere. Because I have more than 200 years of family buried six feet over in this city, and I still bring flowers and let my kids play “house” in the tombs. Because we sit down to a meal with others for hours. Because no houses on my street look the same. Because I can grab French bread in the grocery and still get excited when it’s warm. Because … I believe.

When I see a fleur-de-lis, I feel joie de vivre. And this is what I hope my children will learn. Like Henry David Thoreau said, I want them to live deliberately. I don’t want them to come to death’s door and discover they never really lived. We all have priorities, and for those of us who choose to stay in New Orleans to raise our children, what is good here outweighs what we fear.

To some they’re muddy beads, but to us they’re pearls.

Andrea Dewenter is a freelance writer and blogger, who previously worked in public relations and broadcast news. She lives in Uptown New Orleans with her husband and two preschoolers. You can follow her at www.pistolette.net and on Twitter: @Pistolette.

She is conducting a survey on her blog asking parents about their concerns surrounding child-rearing in the city and why they have chosen New Orleans as home. Dewenter will present her findings at the Rising Tide conference Sept. 22 at Xavier University.

Gambit’s kids issue | 25

Food for the

Brood

Training wheels for children, life rings for parents, local kids’ menus keep things simple and affordable.

By I a n Mcn u lT y

EvEN AdvENTUROUS cHIldREN lIKE mENUS TAIlOREd TO THEIR yOUTHFUl TASTES.

26 | Gambit’s kids issue

A

lissa and Jim Bartkus, parents who live Uptown, have little trouble getting their children to try new foods. In fact, the Bartkus kids — ages 9, 7 and 4 — are game for just about any type of meal their parents show them, from Korean barbecue to New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp. But dining at restaurants with such adventurous young gourmands has its price, literally.

“Imagine you’re eating tapas and you have this bottomless pit of an appetite and someone else is paying.

It gets expensive,” says Jim, who teaches economics at Xavier University. “We’re psyched that they’ll try different things, but sometimes it’s a relief when a place has a kids’ menu and I can get them interested in it.”

Ah, the kids’ menu: straightforward, streamlined and usually priced well below the regular menu. It’s a tool that functions both as training wheels for young customers and a life ring for parents who want to enjoy a meal out with their children, with limited tableside drama.

There are many options out there, from the old reliable neighborhood joint to some surprisingly highbrow restaurants that have carved out space in their operations for the next generation of diners.

For instance, the Pelican Club (312 Exchange Place, 523-1504; www.pelicanclub.com) has a children’s menu, though this French Quarter fine-dining spot sets the bar way above chicken fingers. Among the options, the kids’ menu lists a paneed Gulf fish with jumbo lump crabmeat and jalapeno Hollandaise, and a petite filet mignon with marchand de vin sauce, complete with truffled mashed potatoes and (evidently without irony) baby vegetables. At $14, these children’s dishes cost about half as much as the restaurant’s regular entrees.

A kids’ menu has been a fixture at Dick & Jenny’s (4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 894-9880; www.dickandjennys. com) from the start. The Uptown restaurant’s original owners (and namesakes) Richard and Jennifer Benz wanted to encourage family dining, current co-owner

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Will Peters says, and over the years the restaurant’s regulars have come to rely on it. So while the kitchen plates up escargot and seared tuna for diners using the regular menu, kids can get shrimp with goat cheese grits or red beans and sausage over popcorn rice for $6 and $5 a plate, respectively.

The setting and concept of other eateries makes a kids’ menu practically a requirement. That’s the case at American Sector (945 Magazine St., 5281940; www.american-sector.com), a John Besh restaurant afiliated with the National World War II Museum. But this place still puts a creative spin on things.

Here, the $7 kids’ meal has a choice of entrees plus fries, a soft drink, a cookie and a other goodies, all served in a vintage-style lunch box the child can take home for $5 more.

When local restaurateur Ralph Brennan started planning his upscale neighborhood spot Cafe B (2700 Metairie Roaf, Metairie, 934-4700; www. cafeb.com) in Old Metairie last year, his managers quickly realized a children’s menu had to be part of the program.

“We have about 13 schools and churches in the area [that] we consider our neighborhood,” says Chris Montero, executive chef at Cafe B. The kids’ options, which ring in between $5 and $8 apiece, have become an important part of some mealtimes, especially early dinner and Sunday brunch.

“What we do is take some of our signature dishes and revise them a bit for kids,” Montero says. “We’re known for our macaroni and cheese, so that’s on there, and we emphasize the cheddar more and add fresh fruit on the side.”

Bourbon Street may not naturally spring to mind as a place to take kids, but Cafe B’s older sister restaurant Red Fish Grill (115 Bourbon St., 598-1200; www.redfishgrill.com) has long been a reliable spot for feeding kids in the Quarter. After all, the wildly colorful dining room can resemble the sound stage of a Nickelodeon production, and the $9 kids’ menu options range from seafood pasta to grilled cheese, with a drink and ice cream included.

High Hat Cafe (4500 Freret St., 754-1336; www.highhatcafe.com) cultivates an easy-going, old-time vibe with its tile floors, picture windows and mix of New Orleans and Deep South specialties. A children’s menu fits right in, with $7 options such as catfish fingers, fried shrimp and grilled ham and cheese. page 28

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Similarly, Mondo (900 Harrison Ave., 224-2633; www.mondoneworleans. com), the Lakeview restaurant from chef Susan Spicer, was conceived as a neighborhood eatery, so there’s a kids’ menu here that includes pasta plates, mini meatloaf and chicken quesadillas, all served with a green vegetable, for $8 to $12.

Meanwhile, the Ruby Slipper Cafe (139 S. Cortez St., 309-5531; 200 Magazine St., 525-9355; www.therubyslippercafe.net) scales down some of its breakfast and lunch standards for kid-sized options, like a two-egg omelet or a quarter-pound burger, cooked well-done to avoid any complaints over supposed “bloodiness.” The big burgers at New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. (Locations citywide, www.nohsc.com) also are resized for kids, and the menu presented to young diners is on paper placemats printed with games like tic-tac-toe and come with a pack of crayons to color all over it.

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Keeping children occupied as well as fed during a restaurant meal is another advantage of some kids’ menus, and Ninja (8433 Oak St., 8661119; www.ninjasushineworleans.com) provides a gallery of examples. The stairway leading to the upstairs dining room of this Japanese restaurant is lined with doodle-covered placemats provided to children along with a menu of options, all under $9, like chicken teriyaki and shrimp and sweet potato tempura. These arrive as multifaceted meals with miso soup, rice, shrimp chips, edamame and even a toy to keep young ones occupied while the adults graze through more sushi.

Not only do the kids’ menus make dinner management easier, they also send a certain signal of welcome to customers who have children in tow.

“When you’re going out with the kids, you always wonder, ‘OK, will the restaurant be good with this or will we get the evil eye?’” says Matt Murphy, chef/owner of the Irish House (1432 St. Charles Ave., 595-6755; www. theirishhouseneworleans.com), a family-friendly pub and restaurant.

Murphy and his wife Alicia might be especially sensitive to the needs of young families, since they’re the parents of 4-year-old quadruplets and a 2-year-old toddler.

“We wanted this place to feel like a traditional Irish pub,” Murphy says. “Back home ... the kids are there, the parents are having a pint, everyone’s together.”

His kitchen serves a lightly Celtic-themed kids’ menu, with “toasties” (Irish-style cheese sandwiches) and eggs with potatoes, priced at $6 a plate. If the inclusion of a kids’ menu sends a welcome signal to parents, keeping an overflowing toy box in the corner of the dining room turns that signal into an open invitation.

“We bring the toys in from home and when you have five kids there’s always toys,” Murphy says. “Sometimes kids at the restaurant walk out with them, which is fine because whenever we start to run low, it’s like, ‘Oh good, we get to clear things out at home again.’”

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Weatherwise

Expert advice for coping with hurricane evacuation

By CarriE Marks

‘ Reassure them that you have a plan and that you are in control of the situation. It’s OK to share that you have fears and anxieties too, so they feel that they’re not alone.’

— Kay Wilkins, CEO, Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the Red Cross 30 | Gambit’s kids issue

CHILDREn WAnT TO KnOW THEIR PETS WILL BE SAFE.

I

t’s been almost seven years since Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures devastated the city. Today, puddles standing in low places are more likely to provide fun for kids in rain boots than any real danger. As memories of 2005 fade, it’s easy for families to let the summer months lapse without re-examining their disaster plans.

“For better or for worse, there is a lack of institutional memory for hurricanes,” says Dr. Douglas Walker, clinical director of Mercy Family Center, a behavioral health clinic in Algiers. “With the specter of the ‘Big One’ rapidly fading, many young children have never experienced the disruption [caused by an] evacuation. That unpreparedness, coupled with a child’s youth and impressionability, can make for potentially long-lasting psychological trauma if he or she is not adequately prepared.”

There are ways parents can mitigate their children’s disaster and evacuation experiences, minimize or prevent damage and even transform the situation into a positive learning experience.

Parents can initiate many of these measures well before a serious threat arises.

Many families already have mapped out a disaster plan, says Kay Wilkins, CEO of the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the Red Cross. She recommends parents sit down with their children and explain what causes a hurricane, what damage may result, what the family will do to stay safe, and where they’ll go if they need to evacuate.

“Reassure them that you have a plan and that you are in control of the situation,” Wilkins says. “It’s OK to share that you have fears and anxieties too, so they feel that they’re not alone.”

Walker suggests giving young children a few small but key preparation tasks. “Involve them in something like taking down or securing outdoor furniture,” he says. These responsibilities will help them feel prepared and show they are an important part of the family’s defense plan. Preemptive acts performed as a family, such as taping windows, making a list of emergency contacts or packing family photo albums, also afford children an opportunity to voice concerns or ask questions. “Pay attention to anything specific you think might be bothering them and be sure to address it calmly and honestly,” Walker says.

In addition to the family disaster kit, have your child prepare a backpack or tote bag with a few things they want to have with them if there is an extended evacuation. The Red Cross spearheads a campaign in which volunteers and local schoolchildren silkscreen pillowcases with a list of things they might need. It serves as a written reminder, when things get hectic, of what you might need while away from home. Books, magazines, games, playing cards, stuffed animals, movies and photographs of friends and family are welcome distractions during a long car trip and are comforting reminders of home. Walker recommends parents stow an extra stash of toys and games out of sight to dole out over a longer period; small surprises and something different to do helps stave off boredom.

One of children’s biggest concerns is the fate of their pets. Talk honestly with kids about what preparations have been made for pets

bOOKs, sTuFFEd AnIMALs And TOys ARE GOOd dIVERsIOns duRInG A LOnG CAR TRIP.

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— microchipping in case they get lost, taking them with you, boarding them in a safe place, having them stay with a family member or friend — and let the children help prepare.

“Have them take a photograph of the pet with the family, write down contact information on an index card, and tape those things to the back of the kennel,” she says.

Children will feel less anxious knowing they will reconnect with their pet.

At all times during a disaster situation, it’s important to limit how much media disaster coverage young people see. Many kids, especially 3- to 10-year-olds, may be unable to correctly process the barrage of images, video clips and conflicting information inherent in news reports of an unfolding disaster in which there is significant property damage and loss of life.

“A 5- or 6-year-old is going to look at a picture on TV of a hurricane hitting, and he’s going to think it’s happening right then — again — in real time,” Wilkins says. “It can be terrifying for them.” Turn off the TV, she suggests, and make sure children don’t overhear snippets of adult conversations they might misinterpret.

Teenagers, however, may find some access to media a helpful coping mechanism.

“With teens, it’s all about staying in contact with their friends,” Walker says. Facebook and Twitter can give them the lowdown on their friends’ evacuation plans and how they’re dealing with the situation, lending solidarity to the experience. Project Fleurde-Lis, a Mercy Family Center program of mental health care and support for children post-Katrina, has an active Twitter account; linking teenagers with social media support systems like these can help them feel connected, informed and in control.

While evacuated, watch for signs of deeper disturbance in kids. “If a child gets very anxious when a parent leaves the room or [the child] becomes unnaturally afraid of the weather, he or she might be particularly upset,” Wilkins says. Regression in very

‘When we come back, this house may be underwater, but that’s OK. It’s just a house.’

— Dr. Douglas Walker, clinical director, Mercy Family Center young children — bedwetting or not talking, for example — may signal the need for medical help. “In pre-adolescents, irritability and whining is an indicator,” Walker says.

“Teenagers may complain of physical aches and pains.”

Wilkins and other Red Cross shelter workers bring in mental health professionals to help manage such issues among evacuees. On an uglier note, Walker warns parents that children who are in frantic, stressful or disorganized situations in unfamiliar surroundings are especially vulnerable to predators. “As parents, we know our children best,” he says. “We have to be vigilant and use our brains, not always our emotions.”

Above all, make your children feel secure in their future. Emphasize the importance of the nonmaterial elements of your family dynamic and remind them that your group can weather the storm, say Wilkins and Walker, who both are parents.

“I remember shortly before evacuating [for Hurricane Gustav], sitting with my sons and looking at our house,” Walker says. “I told them, ‘When we come back, this house may be underwater, but that’s OK. It’s just a house.’”

He admits it was a “scary conversation,” but one he — and his sons —needed to have, in case the hurricane became a disaster. There’s security in having a parent say that no matter what happens, the family will be OK. Gambit’s kids issue | 31

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