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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ART DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF PR & MARKETING
DESIGNER
EDITOR
Nicole Irving
Alison Walker
Leslie Vega
Allen Haynes
Leslie Vega
Dana Kamp
Tania Cowling, Wendy Eckhardt, Tara Griffin, Allen Haynes, Dana Kamp, Helen Kornblum, Meghan McLendon, Kelsey McNiel, Danielle Michels, Brooke Newell, Michael Powell, Lindsay Taulbee, Alison Walker
Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography, Patricia Bishop Photography, Verve Studio, Ava Photo & Video, Linda Bainter
Danielle Michels
Darlene Edwards, Rob Lentz
Mission Statement
Giggle Magazine is a modern and refreshing magazine for the families and communities of Alachua County, Florida. With our sole purpose of keeping families and communities connected, Giggle Magazine will keep readers intrigued, informed and inspired, with up to date information and heartwarming stories.
Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Irving Publications, LLC is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in Giggle Magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by Giggle Magazine writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. Giggle Magazine will consider all never before published outside editorial submissions. Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/ or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.
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excited about this issue. I just LOVE fall, and that seems to be everyone here at Giggle Magazine’s feelings! Pumpkin spice lattes are abundant, apple cinnamon candles are burning and our fall decorations are beating down the closet door! Fall, to me, just screams APPLES! So, I could not be more in love with our “A is for Apple” feature. From Johnny Appleseed to our favorite apple recipes, we have it all. Please make sure to try my very own apple cinnamon waffle recipe! A Giggle Magazine favorite.
At the house, my boys are going through each catalog that comes in the mail for the “perfect” Halloween costume. Secret Service agent, Mario, Lightening McQueen… so many to choose from. If you are looking for just the right coordinating costumes, take a cue from our familythemed attire. Some members of our Giggle Magazine family have shared their past costumes. Too much fun! Hmmm…what should we dress up as on Halloween?
I adore everyone in our Giggle Magazine family, and I am especially proud of our wonderful journalism intern, Danielle. She has shared her very personal story of second chances and the importance of self breast exams in honor of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month. I hope her story inspires all of you, as mothers, wives, sisters and grandmothers… and even husbands, to advocate the importance of self exams. It can save a life. Thank you, Danielle, for sharing your story. You are an inspiration.
This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. My boys (little rascals that they are), my family, my friends and my always inspiring and hard-working Giggle Magazine family. Without them, I would be lost. I am also so very thankful to this amazing community and our clients who have embraced us. Thank you so much for an amazing year!
From our family to yours…
Happy Fall!
Giggle Magazine and Sweat Life Fitness have partnered again to bring you the third Big Weight Loss Challenge.
If you are a mom with children ages 0-18 who would like to lose weight through a fun, challenging, informational and lifechanging experience, this is for you!
Apply now at gigglemag.com.
Deadline is October 12th!
meet our
• Favorite book: ANY Fancy Nancy books.
• Favorite move: "Tangled."
• Favorite ice cream: Moose Tracks.
• Age: 5 and a half...because counting the half means you're almost even bigger!
• Favorite apple, or way to eat apples: Granny Smith, sliced and with Mommy's special fluffy cream cheese dip.
follow Giggle Magazine!
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BY DANIELLE MICHELS. Photos by Patricia Bishop Photography
The fall is full of many fun things to do! It doesn’t take much to find a family-friendly festival or activity during the months of October and November. Here are a few of our favorites that are sure to keep the family in the fall mood!
Gainesville’s weather will soon turn cool and crisp. You will smell cinnamon when entering your local grocery stores, leaves will begin to fall, and we will all have the itch to decorate our homes. With the show “Craft Wars” quickly becoming a hit on TLC, pinterest.com becoming the new DIY guide, and your Giggle family sharing their ideas, your house will be ready for fall in no time at all.
Kayla Kitts, from HGTV, feels that fall is the time for warm, rich and cozy colors. She loves “hues of chocolate brown and golden yellow to burnt orange and lipstick red.”
If you are in the mood for repainting a room, these colors are a great way to change the décor. You can really be creative with this color palette, so let your imagination run wild. Look for vintage frames at garage sales and paint them to match the season. You can also easily recover pillows you already have with fall-themed fabric from a local store.
Have fun with your family and visit a local pumpkin farm. Bring home as many as you would like because what you can do with them is endless. Attaching ribbons, spray painting, stacking in your fireplace, displaying on your mantle, and painting your last name or monogram are just a few ideas. One of my favorite things to do is use pushpins to create a design and paint the tips black, then attach a ribbon on the stem.
With all of these ideas and pinterest.com at your fingertips, your house will be warm and welcoming in no time at all. After decorating, sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of warm apple cider and fall treats that you made with your children. Creating fall snacks and desserts is another fun and easy way to make it feel more like fall inside, even when the heat of summer lingers outside.
Use vases that you have at the house and fill them with fall candy. Placing candy corn around an orange candle in a mason jar makes for a beautiful centerpiece. Mason jars are popular now and can be used for so many different things, so get creative. Again, use a pumpkin as a vase for fall flowers and you have a unique centerpiece that will grab everyone’s attention.
I love the idea of having three vases in the center of the table, the two on the outside filled with cinnamon sticks and the one in the middle holding a candle and surrounded by apples. Fruit is always a fun, inexpensive way to add a pop of color to your table. To personalize the vases simply tie a fall-colored ribbon around the vase. You can change the ribbon for the next season.
The entryway to your home is the first thing guests see when entering your house. Take time to make this space one that guests will talk about weeks after leaving. Pumpkins are readily available and can be used for easy crafts. A unique way to make a flower pot is to carve out the inside of the pumpkin and place a mum inside. Making wreaths is a hot trend and doesn’t take much time at all. Head to the local craft store to purchase a fall wreath and attach a wooden initial with a ribbon in the middle. The wreath is simple, yet so cute and personal.
Apple Picking Season
Health Benefits of Apples
Toddler Taste Buds
Apples of Every Kind
Where They All Come From
Who Is Johnny Appleseed?
Fun Apple Facts
It’s hard to imagine autumn without apples. Between the pies, candles and ciders, apples seemingly take over all our senses in the fall.
But there’s a lot more to this fruit than meets the eye, so here is a brief history and some fun facts for all things apples.
Apples are in season from August to December with October being their peak picking time.
Now Florida is not exactly known for having flourishing apple orchards, but Georgia is. With a short day's drive you can find yourself in Ellijay, Ga., which is the southeastern epicenter of apples.
The city is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range and is home to no fewer than nine orchards that allow you to pick the fruit off the tree yourself.
If you're lucky enough to make it to Ellijay during its annual Apple Festival, which takes place October 14 -15 and October 20 - 21, you will be in for a four-day event featuring arts and crafts, quilts, music and food all centered around the apple.
You can find more information about the Ellijay Apple Festival at ellijaygeorgia.com/ AppleFestival.
Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. Antioxidants help reduce the damage to cells that can trigger some diseases. Apples on average have only about 95 calories in them, and a recent study at Florida State University reports that regular apple consumption can help people lose weight, lower their cholesterol and help reduce risk of heart disease.
Apple juice is a favorite for babies and toddlers, but International Board lactation consultant that assists moms on topics ranging from breastfeeding to sleeping, you should never put a baby to bed with apple juice. Putting a baby to bed with bottles of apple juice can damage the enamel of her teeth, leading to tooth
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that he should not have juice at all since it offers no nutritional
An apple a day will keep the doctor away... and there are so many different varieties to keep your taste buds from getting bored! From the ever popular Red Delicious to the Pink Lady...there is an apple for everyone!
According to the United States Apple Association, there are almost 100 varieties of apples grown in the United States, but only one of those varieties is actually native to America. That variety is the Sour Crab apple.
The rest came when European settlers, mostly English, arrived on our shores with all of their favorite fruits, nuts and customs. The Native Americans appropriated what they liked from all the
Johnny Appleseed is not just an American folk tale. He was a real person, but his name was not Johnny Appleseed. His real name was John Chapman, and he was an apple tree nurseryman and traveling preacher from Pennsylvania. His folklore is rooted from his days of traveling in what was the Ohio Valley. He spent several years of his life planting and caring for thousands of apple trees in what is now Ohio and Indiana.
During these travels, he taught farmers how to plant and care for their own apple trees while also giving Bible lessons. He became well known for his knowledge of apples and his courage.
• The old saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” comes from the old English adage, “To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread.”
• The Sour Crab apple is the only apple native to North America.
• Two pounds of apples make one 9-inch pie.
• About 100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States.
• Apples are grown in all 50 states. Topproducing states include Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California and Virginia.
• Apples are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.
• Apples are a member of the rose family.
no cooking required!
Ingredients
½ Granny Smith apple (peeled and thinly diced)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
½ teaspoon of sugar
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Pecans
Maple syrup
Instant pancake mix
Eggs
Milk
Non-stick spray
Directions
Apple mixture: Mix the diced apples with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg. Set aside. Preheat waffle iron.
Waffles:
Follow directions on pancake mix for waffle mixture. Add vanilla extract. Stir. Add half of the apple mixture to the waffle mix. The other half of apple mixture can be used as garnish. Stir gently. Once waffle maker is heated, spray with non-stick spray. Add waffle mixture to maker and cook according to waffle maker directions. Serve with pecans, cinnamon butter, extra apple mixture and syrup.
TIP: Use as much apple mixture or cinnamon as you would like! You can never add too much or too little.
Ingredients
3 Granny Smith apples (peeled and sliced)
1 teaspoon flour
GIGGLE EXCLUSIVE
Directions
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
2 fresh lemon wedges
Mix flour, sugar and cinnamon in bowl. Add sliced apples and lemon juice from wedges. Adjust to taste. Enjoy.
Ingredients
One bag of caramel squares
6 Granny Smith apples (washed and dried)
Wood dowels or Popsicle sticks
3 tablespoons milk
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of vanilla extract
Non-stick spray
Directions
Unwrap all of the caramel squares and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of milk and a dash of cinnamon and vanilla. Microwave caramel
and milk until melted, stirring halfway. (Heating time will depend on microwave, start at a minute and keep adding 30 seconds until melted.) Stir until all the caramel is melted. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Place dowel or Popsicle stick in center core of apple. Dip each apple into the caramel, making sure to cover the entire apple with a good layer of caramel. Spin gently over bowl to remove any extra caramel. Place apples on cookie sheet to dry. Repeat. Store caramel apples uncovered in refrigerator.
GIGGLE EXCLUSIVE
Ingredients
1 stick of unsalted sweet cream butter
½ teaspoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Place butter in microwave safe bowl. Soften, not melt, butter in microwave. Add cinnamon and sugar. Adjust amounts according to your taste. Stir together. Pour in a small, pretty serving bowl. Place in fridge to cool and set before topping waffles.
GIGGLE EXCLUSIVE
Ingredients
½ gallon apple cider
1 orange
Whole cloves (to taste)
Powdered cinnamon (to taste)
Powdered nutmeg (to taste)
Cinnamon sticks
Directions
Pour apple cider in crock pot.
Start warming at low.
warming cider bonus!
Adds a invitingyummy, aroma to your home!
Insert whole cloves into orange slice. (It is easier to pierce the orange with the cloves in a row, and then slice the orange after.) Add as many slices as you would like to crock pot.
Add 2 cinnamon sticks, powdered cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.
Turn crock pot to high.
Allow cider to mull for 20 minutes.
Serve with a cinnamon stick.
Photos by Verve Studio
"...about one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point in her life, according to the National Cancer Institute."
During a routine check-up in the summer of 2011, Danielle Michels’ doctor was performing a breast exam when she felt something that didn’t seem right. "Initially your first thought goes to breast cancer, because that’s what you always hear about," says Michels, then 20.
Her doctor sent her the following week for a mammogram and ultrasound, and what they discovered was a small lump, about 2-3 centimeters around. Doctors said they didn’t know for sure what it was, and told her they could either operate or wait and monitor her for any changes. "Of course, that was one of the other things that ran through my mind. I was like, I’m only 20. How serious could this really be?" she remembers.
Michels said the idea of surgery scared her, but her mother, a nurse, encouraged her not to wait. "My mom pretty much said…you have to get this done." Doctors performed a lumpectomy, and determined what they had found was not malignant, though if left untreated another six to eight months, it could have become cancerous.
Now a University of Florida senior and Giggle Magazine intern, Michels says she didn’t tell many friends about her surgery at the time. "Now, I’m more vocal about it. I tell people, I had to have this surgery done. That’s why your doctors tell you to do a self breast exam."
Cancer in someone Michels’ age is rare, says Dr. Karen Daily, D.O., a medical oncologist who also started the High Risk Clinic at the UF&Shands Breast Center. Still, about one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast
cancer at some point in her life, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Breast exams and mammograms are still the best tools for early detection, Daily says. Mothers can teach their daughters to perform self exams, which will help them become more familiar with what’s normal for their bodies. In addition, it models healthy behaviors and takes some of the awkwardness out of it, Daily says, demonstrating to daughters that "this is a normal thing that we do, much like exercising or brushing your teeth. "I don’t think it’s ever too young to start," she says.
Mammograms are another means of detection, though they’re not infallible, Daily cautions. Especially in younger women, whose breast tissue is denser, mammograms can miss cancers. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force made headlines when it changed its guidelines to recommend mammograms for normal risk women starting at age 50 instead of 40. Daily says other organizations, after reviewing the same data used by the USPSTF, have not changed their guidelines.
She says the take-away is each woman is different, and she should speak with her doctor to determine what is best for her. "Cancer screening should be tailored to the individual patients,” she says.
As a patient services coordinator for the American Cancer Society, Suzanne Greer helps coordinate free programs for cancer patients and their families. She says
awareness campaigns have had a positive impact on early detection, giving women more options. Twenty years ago, women were often diagnosed at a later stage and mastectomy was the only option. "That was it. That was the only thing that could be done," she says.
One ACS service brings trained volunteers into communities to teach the uninsured and underinsured about proactive breast awareness. The program echoes what Greer says her own mother taught her early on: "You’re your own health advocate."
Michels says that while breast cancer awareness campaigns are still important, her message to her friends is to make sure they take care of themselves first. "That’s why I tell my friends, do your self breast exams. Because I don’t care if you go buy a pink pair of scissors, do what you need to do to make sure that you’re okay."
The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk is (October 13) at 9 a.m. Registration is open through the day of the walk. Visit putonyourpinkbra.com/gainesville for more information.
WCA Waste Corporation offers pink trash bins within Gainesville city limits for a $50 donation, which can be renewed annually. Proceeds benefit the “Roll Breast Cancer to the Curb” team for Making Strides.
The UF&Shands Pink Pumpkin Fest is (October 13) at the Cancer Genetics Research Complex on Archer Road and Gale Lemerand Drive. This is a family-friendly event that includes a Pedal-Off bicycle tour fundraiser and a pink pumpkin painting party. Visit UFandShands. org/PinkPumpkinFest for more information and to register for the bicycle fundraiser.
• Self exams: Self exams are best done mid-cycle, two weeks after the first day of your menstrual cycle, when breasts are least tender. Menopausal women should pick a day of the month that’s easy to remember. Examine yourself visually and feel for any changes. (See http://www.healthywomen.org/content/publication/ breast-self-exam-shower-card for detailed instructions.) If you feel or see something abnormal, contact your doctor.
• Mammograms: Talk with your doctor to determine when to begin mammograms. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 for women in good health.
• Family history: It’s important to be aware of your
• Be Bright Pink, an organization for high risk young women, offers monthly “Underwire Alerts” text message reminders: Text PINK to 59227 or visit brightpink.org/programs to sign up.
• The Keep A Breast Foundation has a free iPhone and iPad app that teaches how to perform self exams and sets automatic monthly reminders.
• The nonprofit Healthy Women has a printable shower card with self exam instructions: healthywomen.org/content/publication/breast-selfexam-shower-card.
• Remind someone you love with a “Mammograms Save Lives” e-card from the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/cancer/breast.
• For women using oral contraception, Daily suggests using their pill packet as a reminder. Midcycle, or about two weeks after the first day of your menstrual cycle, is the best time for a self exam.
family medical history and communicate that to your children. At the same time, Daily says the importance of inherited risk is often overstated. In reality, breast cancer can occur in anyone, even someone with no known history.
• Reduce your risk: One thing women can do to reduce their risk is to exercise and maintain a healthy weight. "I think people are kind of tired of hearing about it, but it’s the truth," Daily says. Other ways to decrease risk include breastfeeding, limiting alcohol, and discontinuing hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms.
• Further testing: About 5-10 percent of breast cancers are linked to harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. You may want to consider testing if: you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent; you’ve had more than one first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer; any males in your family have been diagnosed; you’ve had two or more relatives diagnosed with breast cancer, at least one of which was before age 50; or, you have a family history of ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor for more information if you feel you may be at a higher risk.
Karen Daily, D.O., is an assistant professor at the UF College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology. Daily is a clinically-based investigator and educator with a focus on breast cancer. She is board certified in internal medicine and board eligible in medical oncology and hematology. She is a member of the UF&Shands Breast Center multidisciplinary team, and is the director of the center’s High Risk Clinic.
Seeing the need, two business competitors did something you generally don’t see. They teamed up.
Carol Doak, owner of Mini Maid, and Erica Castano, owner of A Personal Elf, teamed up to offer free house cleaning services to cancer patients through a foundation called Cleaning for a Reason. Castano started the program locally in 2008, and Doak joined her a year later.
For every year since, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and throughout the year, the two companies offer free house cleaning services to cancer patients through the Cleaning for a Reason Foundation.
Cleaning for a Reason is the only national foundation of its kind, offering a personal helping hand for women who are undergoing treatment.
Through Cleaning for a Reason, patients are matched with a local maid service. Locally, that could be either Mini Maid or A Personal Elf. Once the client’s application is received, companies match them with employees and provide them with house cleaning services that are personalized to fulfill their needs. Each company is required to provide four free house cleanings through the foundation. But both Mini Maid and A Personal Elf clean for their clients throughout their treatments on a case-by-case basis, essentially until the client is in remission.
The service is not just for the clients, though, Castano says, and Doak agrees.
“Mini Maid doesn’t have products available to give to help people, but this is a real niche that we can fill,” says Doak, who said her employees take pride in knowing they are helping to make someone’s life easier during such a difficult time.
“Even though my employees may not always have a lot to give financially, this gives them an opportunity to give and to see how great it is to be a giver,” she said.
Doak, who has owned Mini Maid for 19 years, said working with Cleaning for a Reason was a great fit for her company philanthropically because her mother is a breast cancer survivor. Castano’s family has also been affected by the disease.
Cleaning services are given to clients free of charge, but employees are still paid for their work.
Castano, who founded A Personal Elf in 2007, said that often, her employees have offered to do the work completely for free because they’re proud to work for a company that chooses to help people in this way. But Castano says she has not accepted that offer.
Both companies donate financially to Cleaning for a Reason in addition to providing the cleaning services.
Castano and Doak are both committed to raising exposure and money for this worthy cause. They will be involved in the LinkedIn Women of Gainesville Girl’s Night Out on Nov. 1. All proceeds from the event will benefit Shands Cancer Research. Doak and Castano will be tabling for Cleaning for a Reason at the event.
To learn more, or to donate to Cleaning for a Reason, go online to cleaningforareason.org.
“Cancer has touched everyone in some way or another,” she said.Photo by Lifeprints Photography Erica Castano, owner of A Personal Elf, and Carol Doak, owner of Mini Maid
Make dressing up for Halloween this year a family affair! There are many fun, easy and creative ways to dress up according to a theme. Here are a few of our favorite ideas to inspire you!
• Superheros • The Flintstones
• Grease • Toy Story
• Wizard of Oz
• Doctors and nurses
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
MONSTERS, GOBLINS AND MUMMIES ARE PROBABLY NOT THE ONLY THINGS THAT SCARE YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN. CHILDREN OF ALL AGES HAVE FEARS AND PARENTS OFTEN WORRY ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THEM. PARENTS ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN FEARS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. BUT, HOW DOES ONE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FEAR AND A PHOBIA?
BY BROOKE NEWELLAccording to The Child Anxiety Network, it is natural for children to experience fear and certain fears arise at specific times in their development. Some fears may develop from a traumatic experience (like a dog attack), but some fears may not have a distinct event associated with the onset.
“Children's fears are often associated with avoidance, discomfort, and physical complaints, such as rapid heart beat, stomach distress, sweaty palms or trembling,” according to The Child Anxiety Network website. Further, “researchers have found certain fears arise at specific ages in all children, and these fears tend to disappear naturally with time, as the child grows older.”
Phobias exist when a child’s fears persist beyond the age when they are appropriate, and begin to interfere with daily functioning. If you suspect your child might be experiencing a phobia, parents should consult their pediatrician and may be referred for treatment by a psychologist.
Mary K. Wimsett, mother of three, deals with her children’s fears whether the fear is rational or not. She feels that to the specific child, the fear is very real and scary. If it is an irrational fear, it is usually dissipated by talking about the irrationality of the fear and demonstrating to the child how the fear is not real. The fears of her children vary greatly depending on their age. Her 4-year-old daughter is frightened of the typical scary
things to a child (monsters, bad guys in Disney movies, etc.), and her older children tend to have fears that are more concrete or realistic, such as a fear of bugs/ spiders, roller coasters, being alone, etc. Mary K. and her husband, Gary, deal with all of these fears by talking with their children and trying to help them problem solve.
Here are a few common fears from The Child Anxiety Network that are found to be VERY COMMON for children at specific ages:
• INFANTS/TODDLERS (ages 0-2 years): loud noises, strangers, separation from parents and large objects.
• PRESCHOOLERS (ages 3-6 years): imaginary figures (e.g., ghosts, monsters, supernatural beings), the dark, noises, sleeping alone, thunder, and floods.
•SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS (ages 7-16 years): more realistic fears, for example - physical injury, health, school performance, death, thunderstorms, earthquakes, and floods.
We asked local parents what their biggest fears were since becoming parents:
[I fear] that I'll make a bad decision with him that I will later know better and regret in hindsight. Whether it is choosing to give vaccines, who he spends time with, etc. There is nothing that I can do about it but do the best I can.
-Rebecca Cain, mother of one
I would say that my biggest fear would be something happening to my children that I can’t control or protect them from.
-Brittany Webb, mother of two
did you know?...
One superstition says that if you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.
(funfactz.com)
My biggest fear as a parent has always been the fear of doing nothing. I think maybe I should have done more flash cards so they were more prepared or maybe I should have signed them up for golf because they would have loved golf. The time flies so fast and my fear of missing an opportunity is a valid concern. I never want to handicap my children because I wasn't prepared to mother them the way they deserved to be mothered. My children, ages 3 and 4, don't seem to be afraid of anything. They just leap in to every new experience like it’s an exciting adventure. I wish I could capture just a tiny ounce of their free spirits.
-Amanda
Prokopi, mother of two
Turkeys made out of Reese’s Cups and Oreos, candy corn-shaped cookies, and cupcakes that look like scarecrows are all foods that might show up at your child’s fall party at school. But what child doesn’t love chocolate, cupcakes and candy? Children cannot enter a grocery store or pharmacy without seeing candy right away, especially around any holiday season, and most children immediately beg their parents for even a small piece. However, the added sugar in these products can affect your child’s mood and behavior. As a parent you will want to make sure to lower your child’s sugar intake so he or she can focus better at school during these months when they are surrounded by excessive amounts of sugar.
How do you curb your child’s sugar addiction? Check out this advice from Nicole Marchand, a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in food science and human nutrition. Nicole later obtained a master’s degree from the University of North Florida in science. She specializes in pediatrics, weight loss, diabetes management, hypertension and sports nutrition. Currently, Nicole works as a pediatric dietitian at Healthy Steps Pediatrics and a wellness dietitian at Lifestyle Wellness.
Q: What is a sugar crash?
A: Parents might have noticed that after their child eats a sweet he will often feel sluggish, tired or even cranky. Your child will often ask for more sweets. This is due to the body’s reaction to the “sugar high.” The “sugar high” refers to the increase in blood sugar, and the body responding by releasing insulin. Sometimes the body will release too much insulin which causes the “crash” or “low” (sluggish, tired feeling).
Q: In your opinion, how can parents help reduce their child’s sugar intake during Halloween and Thanksgiving?
A: There are many ways to limit sugar intake during these crazy times. First, limit the amount of candy your child keeps after going trick-or-treating. Let your child pick out some of her favorite pieces and give the rest away. This will also teach your child the value of sharing. During Thanksgiving, make sure there are lower sugar/ healthier desserts available. Do your best to give away, or not bring home, the leftover desserts after Thanksgiving dinner. You can also make healthy alternative side dishes that taste just as good.
Q: After the holidays, what is the easiest way for parents to reduce sugar intake?
A: A simple way to reduce sugar intake is to encourage your child to drink water instead of juice and soda. Here’s a startling fact—there are almost 10 teaspoons of sugar in a standard soda can. Cutting back the amount of soda and sugar-sweetened beverages will drastically reduce the amount of sugar your child is consuming. If your
Ninety percent of parents admit to sneaking goodies from their kids' Halloween trick-or-treat bags. Their favorite treats to sneak are snacksize chocolate bars (70 percent), candy-coated chocolate pieces (40 percent), caramels (37 percent) and gum (26 percent). (candyusa.com)
child is reluctant to drink water at first, dilute the juice slowly with water. I would recommend purchasing a 100 percent juice product if you are going to give this type of beverage to your child.
Q: What are festive healthy breakfast options for children?
A: First of all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You want to start your child’s day with the most nutritious meal possible. For example, a Pop-Tart contains empty calories and doesn’t provide your child will the vitamins and minerals he needs to sustain energy in order to focus at school. By providing eggs, fruit and whole grain toast you can be sure that your child is ready to take on the day! Parents can cut the toast in the shapes of pumpkins or candy corn. It is also fun and easy to involve your children in making breakfast so the child knows what he is eating. Food coloring is an easy way to make eggs more exciting for children too!
A: There are many alternative options to pass out on the biggest candy night of the year. Some examples would be Pirate’s Booty (popcorn), fruit leather, dried fruit (banana chips), trail mix packets, or granola bars to name a few. Get creative and make your house the most popular stop!
Below, you will find an easy plan to help limit your children’s sugar intake in the upcoming months, as well as the rest of their lives. With these five easy steps, your children will live healthier, happier lives.
1. Start the day off right. Provide your child with a nutritious breakfast including protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy and fruit.
2. Reduce the amount of sugarsweetened beverages your child consumes. Encourage your child to drink water.
3. Be a good example. Your child looks up to you, and wants to do what you are doing. By limiting sodas and sweets you will be setting a great example. As an added bonus, you will be living a healthier lifestyle as well.
4. Do the closet clean-out. Your child will eat what is available in the house. If you only have quality foods in your house, then you can be sure that you are giving your child the most nutritious foods possible.
5. Provide quality snacks. Think ahead and prepare snacks ahead of time.
Examples of healthy snacks include:
• Greek yogurt with granola,
• trail mix,
• turkey roll-ups with reduced fat cheese, and
• hummus with veggies.
Sept. 29, 2012 - Jan. 2, 2013
Take a light-hearted look at Charles Schulz’s exploration of the natural world through Peanuts comic strips, videos, objects and interactive stations, including specimens from the Florida Museum collections. Topics include the universe, “web of nature,” trees, birds, the elements, gardening and Charlie Brown’s EPA escapade. Peanuts…Naturally was organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, Calif. Admission is $4 adults ($3.50 for Fla. residents, seniors and students); $3 ages 3-17.
© 2012 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
BY DANA KAMP
Every November we are reminded that we should be grateful for all that we have and show our thanks to those who play a part in our happiness. As we sit around the table on Thanksgiving, many of us share the tradition of writing down or saying aloud what we are thankful for that year. This is a wonderful way to help your children learn to stop and actually think about the blessings in their lives. Imagine if this was more than a once-a-year occurrence. Try a few of these tips throughout the year to broaden your little ones’ ideas of what others appreciate and what they should really be thankful to have.
Take a Thanksgiving meal to another family. Start out on the right foot by sharing your day with someone less fortunate. Your family could take a turkey dinner to a family in your neighborhood, a friend who needs a little help or someone who is alone on the holiday. You may also invite them to join your family for this special meal.
Send a care package or thankyou card to a soldier. Explain that these unselfish soldiers don’t even know your family, yet take great risks and time away from their own families to ensure we are safe. The least we can do is let them know we are grateful for their service.
Read books together that involve characters being thankful for what they have.
“Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,” by William Steig and “Those Shoes,” by Maribeth Boelts are two great books for
teaching gratitude in an entertaining way. Both will easily lead into conversations about appreciating what you already have instead of greedily wanting more.
Take unwanted clothing and housewares to Goodwill. But don’t just drop them off. Let your child help you unload the car and discuss what happens to the items you are giving away and how you are helping someone who otherwise could not have these things.
appreciative if they don’t know there are families with no running water or dinner to eat, much less a bubble bath or chicken nuggets.
Involve your family in charity events. Explain why you are raising money for premature babies or cancer research or whichever charity you support, and have your family join you in the effort. They will learn so much about the organization and how thankful they should be they are alive and healthy.
Sign your family up to sponsor a child. Whether through your church, school or organizations like United Way, there are plenty of local children in need of help. They might need clothing, school supplies, food or money for medical assistance. Some of the things your children might take for granted could change the life of the child you sponsor.
Watch documentaries or view photos of those living in impoverished conditions. Many children have no idea what goes on beyond their own little world. They can’t be
Visit with someone who has overcome adversity. Nothing teaches perspective and gratitude like hearing someone else’s story of his or her struggles, survival and positive outlook. It might give your nonchalant teenager a quick dose of reality and a peek at how things could be.
Let your child see you and help you thank teachers, coaches, friends, babysitters, etc. Those people who have brought happiness into your life should know it! Lead by example and verbally thank those you appreciate while your children are within ear-shot. If you write a thank-you note, have your child add a drawing or a few sentences. Make it a common occurrence for them to see you showing others you are grateful for what they do.
Create a gratitude journal with your family. Write in it on a daily or weekly basis, whatever works best. Keep each entry short and sweet so it doesn’t become a burden. This will help your family realize all the little things that make their lives so full.
of the delicious Thanksgiving meal is enjoyed, your family and friends will love reading their one-of-a-kind place setting
All you need to do is provide your guests a list of everyone's names (don't forget about the children) and ask them to send you one reason they are thankful for each person. You can compile all of the comments and print them out underneath each person's name. It will bring a smile to each face and will be a great starter to reflect on the purpose behind the holiday feast you are about to enjoy together!
Place a brown strip of paper (wide enough to fit around a child's head) at each child's place setting. Give each child several colorful construction paper "feathers." Ask each child to write one positive word about, or reason she is thankful for, each of the people at her table on individual feathers. When they have made a feather for each of their tablemates, they can use a gluestick to decorate their own headbands with the feathers that were made for them.
let me know if there's still a longer story that goes with this. If there isn't...we can take this full page route with it :)
When completed, each child will have a Thanksgiving Native American headress to wear that shows why others are thankful for him.
BY DANA KAMP
If you’ve never experienced Black Friday shopping, or have done it and were overwhelmed by the craziness, we are here to help! This annual retail event is meant to help you kick off your holiday shopping with amazing deals, but it has become such a spectacle to some that it can scare shoppers away. If you want to do things right, use our guidelines for a fun, memorable and productive Black Friday.
SCOUR SALE FLYERS AHEAD OF TIME. Compare prices of your most-wanted items and read all the fine print. Also, check and recheck the hours of the special deals. Some begin at midnight, while others won’t be marked at the extraordinary price until 6 a.m.
TAKE THE SALE FLYERS WITH YOU. Many stores offer to beat their competitors’ prices, but may require proof of the other stores’ pricing.
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES AND DRESS IN LAYERS. The weather will change as the night/day progresses and you never know where the stores will set their thermostat.
BRING: snacks, bottled water, your cell phone and charger, and a big SUV or van for toting everything home.
GET A GIFT RECEIPT. If you are buying holiday gifts, the recipient will need a gift receipt to return or exchange, especially if it will be more than 30 days before they receive their presents.
It takes an average of five trips to the mall to complete all holiday shopping.
(facts.randomhistory.com)
HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE! Prepare for long lines and pushy moms who are determined to get that last Collectible Barbie. Just smile and be thankful your daughter asked for a One Direction CD.
Plan out where you want to go and what time they open! If there is something specific, say at Target, then stand in that crazy long line, but if not, go around other places first, then go back later. It won’t be as crowded and they usually restock or will have it on Saturday. And have fun! Take in all the crazies! Go with some girlfriends and have a blast!
–Kim Moscatello• Leave the kids at home, plan, don't stress if you can't find something, go with friends and multi-task. I go with my friend, Stacey, and we have girls similar in age so she grabs things for mine and I grab things for hers. Most importantly, don't just buy because of the hype...my mom and I went to the Bass Pro Shop and just because spotlights were $4.99, we bought 10. Everyone got spotlights that year!
–Ashley Kent•Look for coupons online ahead of time for specific stores. Also, eat before you go but bring a drink—you can't waste precious shopping time standing in line buying one. And still apply the same rules to your buying habits that you always do--ugly is still ugly even if it's on sale. And go in the morning sometime. Most of the awesome deals end by noon.
–Kelly GoedeShow Me A Story Spark a child’s imagination, creativity and love of reading with art. By Emily
K. Neuburger workman.com
Great for all ages and perfect for hours of family fun! educationoutdoors.net
Mod
The sweet personalized hooded towel is ideal for bath or pool time! BabyBeHip.com
Adorable wood fruits, veggies and bread set are perfect for that little chef in the family. Wonderful learning tool! melissaanddoug.com
Play time has never been more fun with this BBQ grill. The Little Shop, Tioga Town Center
Encourage imaginary play, with the Hape Market Checkout stand. Comes with market stall, cash register filled with money, a bar code scanner, card reader and scale.
The Little Shop, Tioga Town Center
With its bright colors, music and soft exterior, this little turtle is a must-have for little ones! shop.tomy.com
This desktop Zen Garden is the perfect office accessory for the worker bees in your life. Help them find their inner peace and stillness. uncommongoods.com
The most perfect gift for any hostess in your life. Comes in an amazing array of beautiful colors, produces a sweet "gurgling" sound as you pour your beverages and brightens any table!
gurglepot.com
Perfect for the “young at heart” this solid pewter paperweight comes with a set of inspirational cards with fun and lighthearted thoughts!
uncommongoods.com
Cooking will never be the same! These great new cooking tools are the perfect addition to any chef’s kitchen. zak.com
For sharing a year of love and wonderful dreams for your baby. workman.com
Treat someone special to the most luxurious home spa treatment ever. Comes in a variety of colors! Gainesville Dermatology and Associates. (352) 333-3223
A "MUST" for every cook in the family. These four silicon color coded cutting boards are each marked for your specific cutting needs to prevent cross contamination. Kitchen & Spice and Other Things Nice, Millhopper Square
Potato masher and scrubber set
Squish Garlic & Ginger tool Swisk Roux Wisk
Swisk Balloon Wisk
Professional organizer Helen Kornblum helps us find easy ways to keep our busy family lives organized.
With open layouts, visitors often tumble from the entry right into the kitchen. Use a laundry basket to corral the flip flops and sneakers floating near the door so no one trips.
Before you prepare food, empty the dishwasher and load the dirty dishes from the sink. If the counters are piled with papers, stash all the debris in your home office or desk. Now wash down the newly revealed countertops and spot clean the appliances. Get food smudges off the refrigerator doors, too. Take the trash out and reline the pail.
The bathroom(s) need some fast fixes because you cannot close these doors and pretend the rooms are off limits. Grab the disinfecting wipes. A little bleach in the bowl, a quick brushing, a few swipes on the toilet seat and you can rest easy. Use wipes on the counter, capturing sticky toothpaste or cosmetic residues. Fresh hand towels are a nice touch, but a stack of pretty paper towels will work, too. If you have an electric broom, use it to quickly get up the hair from the floor. A moist paper towel will do as well. The final touch is to empty the waste basket.
Do you cringe at the thought of company coming, even though you invited them for (fill in the blank) _______? No matter the occasion (football game, mix and mingle, birthday celebration) you worry about scattered toys, furniture covered in pet hair, a sticky kitchen, and you wonder how to pull off a little gracious hospitality.
When you have children of a certain age, everyone expects some excitement and disarray. Children are unpredictable; let’s focus on disarray.
Eventually the crowd will end up in the family room. If there’s a coverlet on the couch, shake it outside and spread it back into place. If you see large patches of Fido’s hair around, use a moist microfiber cloth or wrap some masking tape around your fingers to pull the hair from fabrics or the carpet. Neaten up the books, toss the newspapers, and put the toys where they belong. If the TV is dusty or the remote is sticky, take action. Use only a dry cloth on the screen, unless you have a wipe designed for electronics. A quick dusting of the coffee table and end tables should finish the job.
Delegate some of these power plays and you will be ready to enjoy your guests. Please remember that your friends are coming for the joy of your family’s company. Fun, good conversation, and a welcoming heart trump all other considerations.
quick tips to get ready fast!
set the stage for your special little candidate!
Secure a large cardboard box with packing tape. Cut a diagonal line across the cardboard box using a box cutter to create a slant.
Glue a foam core board over the slanted lines. Paint the box. Use a hot glue gun to attach festive ribbon to the side of the foam core. Embellish the box as desired.
Microphone
Cut scrapbooking paper to the height of a cardboard tube (toilet paper or paper towel roll). Cover the tube with the paper. Roll aluminum foil into a ball about the size of a fist. Use glue to attach the ball to the tube.
Secure edges of a shoebox with tape. Wrap the box like a present using giftwrapping paper. Cut a small rectangular hole on the top of the box using a box cutter. Wrap ribbons and scrapbooking paper around the box and allow the kids to decorate it as they wish. Lay a piece of duct tape over the opening. Using a box cutter, cut an "X" on the duct tape over the hole. Push the tape in through the opening of the box to secure it.
Materials:
1 Large box - big enough for kids to fit inside. You can get one at most stores that sell appliances.
Crepe paper
Glue
Packing tape
Gift-wrapping paper
Ribbon
Box cutter
Marker
Star-shaped stickers
Paint
Foam paintbrushes
2 glitter foam sheets
How to make it:
1. Secure the box with packing tape.
2. Cut off one whole end of the box. That will be the bottom of the booth.
3. Using a marker, draw an outline for the door. Cut it out using your box cutter.
4. Paint the edge of the entryway with your foam paintbrush.
5. Cover the rest of the box with gift-wrapping paper.
6. Use the stickers, ribbon, and crepe paper streamers to embellish your voting booth.
7. To spell the word VOTE along the top, outline each letter and cut out of foam glitter sheets.
Print out printable campaign signs and buttons found at gigglemag.com on cardstock paper. Personalize with name, photo and decorations. Attach signs to paint stirring stick or 12” dowels with tape or glue. Cut out buttons and use tape or safety pins to attach to clothing if you do not have access to a button maker.
Every four years, candidates head out on the campaign trail in the hopes of being elected president of the United States. There will be “headline news, campaign promises, handshakes, photos, speeches and polls”—all signs that point to the White House and another presidential election year. This is a perfect time to educate your future voter about America’s election process. Teach your child the very basics of this election, starting with what an election is. An election is an event when people make a choice between two or more people or things. In a political election, people vote, or make their choice known, for a person to hold a position in government. There are elections for state governors, senators and representatives, city leaders and issues involving your community. The year 2012 is special because we are voting for a new president of the United States.
Voting is a way people in a group make a decision. Have you and your child ever voted on what type of ice cream to have for dessert? Or maybe your child and his friends voted whether to play jump rope or kickball at recess. Use this time to think the American way by making political banners, buttons, and holding a mock election at home. Make this coming November 6 a special Tuesday in your home—VOTE and make a difference!
Show your patriotic spirit on Election Day by dressing Baby in the patriotic colors of red, white and blue. As you stroll to your precinct, wouldn’t it be nice to have the stroller decked out with streamers of red, white and blue and maybe an American flag attached?
Toddlers may enjoy making this star-spangled windsock to adorn the house. Take a strip of poster board and invite your child to place adhesive patriotic stickers randomly across the
the box. Another fun way to vote is the “yes or no” link column. Write “yes” and “no” on index cards. Tape these to the wall. Give your child and members of the family strips of paper. Explain that one link represents one vote. Gather the group and present the voting question. Let your child and family link their “vote” under the YES or NO sign. No matter how you vote (ballot box or link) the votes must be counted and the decision announced.
page. Use the words, “tap, tap, tap” as your little one places the stickers. When finished, form the paper into a cylinder and staple or glue it closed. Attach red and white crepe paper streamers to the bottom end (use a stapler or glue). Punch two holes at the top and thread a length of string or yarn as a hanger. Place this windsock where the wind will catch it, either on a porch or tree branch. Praise your child for making something special to help celebrate this Election Day.
Have you and your child ever had a hard time agreeing on a decision? Maybe you were deciding what to watch on TV or where to eat. How did you finally make the decision? Voting is a fair way to make decisions. Voting usually involves a slip of paper that is put into a ballot box (major elections use machines in the precinct, but we must keep things simple for young children).
To make a ballot box, recycle a shoebox and decorate it with stars, stripes, elephants and donkeys (you might need to explain the animals and how they represent the two political parties). Cut a slit in the box lid and your ballot box is ready. Fill out your slip of paper and insert it into
Involve your child to create a "wish tree" where the members of your household can make wishes for our country, to clarify what changes they can make (maybe keeping the environment cleaner and litter-free, a neighborhood watch for less crime, peaceful days at school with more learning and less behavioral problems, etc.). A famous quote by Anne Frank states, “How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start slowly changing the world. How lovely that everyone great and small can make a contribution." Have your child find a bare tree or large branch and place it in a pot filled with pebbles. Let her decorate this"election wish tree" as she desires. Cut out large stars from construction paper. Instruct your child and family members to write their wishes on the papers. Punch a hole and tie each star on the tree with a loop of yarn.
Discuss these questions together: “How can our wishes for our country come true?”
“Is there anything a young person can do to help these wishes come true?”
“Can you think of a political person who can help these wishes come true?”
“Can you think of anyone who had a wish or a dream for our country and then helped make it come true? Tell us about it.”
Tania
1SECURAFONE—Know your teen’s whereabouts at all times with this GPS tracking application. Parents can receive alerts (by text message and phone call) when specific events or conditions are occurring, such as speeding and entry into or exit out of virtual boundaries that you have set.
2TOTAL BABY—This is the app every new mother should have by her side. It is a diary, timer and alarm all in one. Keep track of feedings, pumpings, diaper changes, naps, doctor visits, vaccines and milestones in an easy-to-use format. A must-have for the sleep-deprived, busy mommy!
3SCHOLASTIC PARENT & CHILD PLUS
This free app features content such as educational strategies, health news, kid-friendly crafts and activities, product recommendations and child development and behavior. A simple, non-overwhelming layout is welcoming and user-friendly.
4CHORE BANK—Create a virtual bank account for your children, set up a chore list and assign a monetary value to each chore with this app. When a chore is completed, the proper account is updated and you and your children have a great visual reference of their daily spending and earnings.
5CAMERABAG—Enhance those photos of your beautiful family with this incredible filter app. Completely change the mood and style of a photo by choosing one of the stunning “cameras,” such as “Cinema,” which adds dramatic, moody coloring, or “1974,” which gives the photo a faded retro tint.
BY DANA KAMP
Whilesome may complain that technology is taking over our lives, you have to admit that it’s making our lives easier and more manageable in many ways. Having a smartphone or tablet with you at all times is becoming the norm, and for parents that means quicker access to helpful information when you need it. These apps are designed with you in mind, to assist you in being a more informed, organized and happier parent. So grab your iPhone, download one (or several) of these apps and feel the weight being lifted off your shoulders!
6iHOMEOPATHY—Use this quick reference tool for treating childhood ailments, common illnesses and booboos. Created by a doctor, this app gives you mobile access to health information and treatment plans for the on-the-go family.
7FOOD ADDITIVES 2—This app is an excellent assistant in the grocery store when you are trying to purchase foods without specific additives. Shopping for family members with allergies, asthma, digestive upsets, Celiac disease, or those on vegetarian, vegan or religious-based diets, is easier with this guide in your pocket.
8A FAMILY MATTERS—Communicate more effectively with your children using this fun app. Perfect for waiting rooms, plane rides or the dinner table, these questions and conversation starters get the whole family engaged in thoughtprovoking discussions or entertaining activities.
9WHITE NOISE LITE—Falling asleep, and staying asleep, isn’t just a problem for babies. This app lets you choose a calming background sound and set the timer so the volume fades as you slumber. Create a timed playlist of your favorite soothing sounds and enjoy longer, deeper sleep for you or your little one.
10GROCERY iQ—Make grocery shopping simple and fast with this remarkable app. Build your list by pointing your camera at the barcode or using the search feature. Items are automatically organized by aisle and frequently purchased items are saved in a favorites list. Now you can get what you need and get back to your family!
Cesar and Sarah were high school friends who fell in love in college. With Cesar being very artistic and abstract and Sarah very organized and concrete, no one expected these two to end up together. In the summer of 2005 they were married and started their life together. Now seven years later they live downtown with their two children. Cesar is busy running his ethicallymade apparel shop and playing shows with his band and Sarah is working on her master’s degree in nursing and working as a nurse at Shands.
• Favorite meal: Cesar’s homemade honey mustard chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli.
• Favorite date: Ending the night with a drink at Alcove or The Bull.
• Movie in our DVD player right now: We’re hooked on the “Avatar” (“The Last Airbender”) cartoon series. And “Yo Gabba Gabba.”
• The kids’ favorite books: “The Hungry Caterpillar.” The artwork is fantastic. The kids have heard it so many times they can now “read” it to each other.
• Mommy and Daddy’s favorite TV shows: “Dexter,” “Breaking Bad,” and “Lie to Me.”
• Websites we love: jjjjound.com, Grooveshark.com, new-astrology.com, and starfall.com.
• Favorite sports to play: Even with the kids being so young, Felix likes boxing and Emilie likes dancing.
• Favorite sports to watch: Catching a roller derby with the Gainesville Roller Rebels.
• Pets: Kodak, our black lab mix, Prince Zuko, our beta fish who lives in a gin bottle, and Cesar has a scorpion named Herman.
• Favorite vacation: New York City.
• What makes our kids laugh: Randomness! Often the same things that make us laugh.
• Why we love living in Gainesville: Gainesville is like a clean slate - you can do what you want with it. There are so many great people with such an entrepreneurial spirit. Because real estate is affordable, we bought our first home, a restored 1920s house downtown, and we love that we can walk or ride bikes to all our favorite places. Sarah also did her undergraduate work in nursing at Santa Fe College, and Cesar started a business that recently relocated to a bigger location on Union Street. The local community is amazing too – Cesar plays with his band, Daggerz, and does art shows, and Sarah has an amazing set of friends who want to be good parents, have fun, and are not lame. Gainesville has so much to offer families. Gainesville is what you make of it.
A hush comes over the crowd, the curtains open, and Dr. Seuss' magical world comes alive. Children of all ages, dressed in a colorful palette of costumes, sing and dance their way through the wonderful production of "Seussical Jr." put on by Gainesville’s very own Musical Me Theater. The crowd is filled with families and friends as they watch their favorite story books come to life. Clapping and laughter fill the air as a wonderful night is had by all!
Musical Me Theater, which is directed by Ashley McPherson, is centered on fostering children to become wonderful artists, thinkers and leaders through musical theater.
After opening its doors in 2010, Musical Me Theater has had the pleasure of seeing over 200 children, of all ages, walk across the stage in numerous performances, such as "Aladdin Jr." and "Annie Jr."
What better way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of Broadway Theater. Whether they are interested in performing or just watching the magic happen on stage, Musical Me Theater is a treat for all children!
• Favorite day trip: St. Augustine for the beach and quaint shops and restaurants. Our favorites are Casa Maya and The Hippo Popsicle Shop.
• Favorite picnic spot: We don’t do too many ‘picnics’ but often can be found at a coffee shop playing board games with the kids. Volta, Maude’s or the Harn’s downstairs cafe are all great local spots.
• Must-have item: XBOX 360. Cesar and Felix play video games with the Kinect, Emilie dances with Sarah to the ‘ballet’ last fm channel, and we stream our favorite shows.
• Favorite family activity: Cooking and eating together.
• Three words that describe our family: Original primal house.
• Describe your parenting philosophy: Our goal as parents is to prepare our children to become independent successfully. Not success measured in money but in things like friendships, integrity and happiness. We are always asking our kids, “What is the wise choice?” If we can teach them now to make wise choices about how they treat other people, how they spend their time and money, and who they want to be like, we hope they will be able to make those same choices as adults.
• With so many responsibilities, how do you and Sarah make time for each other? Yes, it’s busy juggling running a business, playing in a band, working at the hospital, staying on top of assignments for grad school and raising kids. However, if our marriage sucks…we can’t enjoy every other area of our lives to their fullest. We have a weekly schedule sync meeting to get on the same page and a date night every Thursday. Because we have made our marriage a priority, we continue to learn how to be better spouses to each other and are therefore more in love now than we were seven years ago.
"Gainesville is like a clean slate: you can do what you want with it. There are so many great people with such an entrepreneurial spirit."
Dominique Cudjo has always been ready to work hard for what she wants. Even from a young age, her teachers have recognized in her a drive to succeed. “She’s always been a go-getter. She’s never let anything stop her,” her mother says.
Five days a week, Cudjo wakes before sunrise and prepares for the hour-long bus ride from Gainesville to Newberry High School, where she is a senior in the criminal justice magnet program. She is one of 14 children, and her mother has suffered health issues, so finances are understandably tight. But thanks to a program called Take Stock in Children, her efforts will be rewarded with a scholarship to continue her studies.
The statewide initiative, started in 1995, offers scholarships to students who pledge to uphold certain academic and behavioral guidelines. “It is basically a way to break the cycle of poverty through providing higher education to students,” says program director Rachel Stimler of The Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that works with the Alachua County School District to benefit students, and which administers the program locally.
To be eligible, a student must qualify for free or reduced lunch and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Once accepted into the program, which typically begins in seventh grade, he must maintain his GPA, stay drug and crime free, and meet with an assigned mentor approximately once a week.
In return, students who meet these expectations and graduate are guaranteed a college scholarship. “We want this program to be added motivation,” Stimler says. “I want the kid to think, ‘Man, I have something waiting for me after high school. I have a future. I don’t want to ruin this.’”
Scholarships are provided through the Florida Prepaid Scholarship program. For each $4,000 the foundation raises, the state matches another $4,000, allowing for a two-year scholarship to an in-state college.
Many students accepted into the program are like Cudjo, already doing well in school but facing difficult circumstances. “I work even harder,” Cudjo says, “so that when other kids come along, they can see that if I can do this, they can do it too.”
Though Cudjo has always excelled academically, she says there were a few times in middle school when
Continued on page 69
“I work even harder,” Cudjo says, “so that when other kids come along, they can see that if I can do this, they can do it too.”
Continued from page 67
she felt bullied. Knowing she could lose the scholarship kept her from retaliating with violence. “I decided, well, if I fight these kids then I’m going to lose my scholarship. So that was always in the back of my mind,” she says.
Another key aspect of the program is the mentoring relationship. Mentors and students are paired carefully, says student advocate Margaret Harris, with many factors taken into consideration. Since joining the foundation last October, she has sought to expand the mentor base to represent a wider variety of backgrounds, careers, and life experiences, as well as increasing minority mentorship.
Harris is the type of person who carries mentor applications around in her car, always ready to find a new recruit. “One of my goals since I’ve been here is to not make it the best-kept secret in Alachua County…because everybody needs to have the opportunity to go to college, if they want to go,” she says.
Cudjo’s mentor, Gail David, says the mentor relationship is about listening and building a rapport, and offering encouragement rather than lecturing. David, who is also a guidance counselor at Newberry High School and the school’s Take Stock coordinator, is Cudjo’s third mentor, having been paired with her at the end of Cudjo’s freshman year. She says she has enjoyed watching Cudjo grow into a more confident person. “You really do get as much, if not more, than the kids do out of the experience. It’s really rewarding.”
The Education Foundation will be hosting “A Night in the Big Apple” fundraising event on October 7 at the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall, featuring hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a silent auction and student performances. For more information about the event, or about donating toward student scholarships or volunteering opportunities, contact The Education Foundation at (352) 955-7703.
An APA survey found that added holiday stress, on top of already high stress levels associated with work and the economy, are due to feelings related to lack of time (up to 69 percent), lack of money (up to 69 percent), and pressure to give or get gifts (up to 51 percent). (elevivblog.com)
MY SON, TANNER, IS ASKED SO MANY QUESTIONS FROM INTERESTED ADULTS AND OTHER KIDS AND GETTING PRETTY GOOD AT HIS RESPONSES, SO I DECIDED TO INTERVIEW HIM THIS MONTH TO GIVE YOU A KID’S PERSPECTIVE ON HOMESCHOOLING.
Favorite Subjects: history, music, library and science.
Least Favorite Subjects: Actually, math and spelling, I think they're kind of boring.
Best Skill: Definitely reading. I read about four or five chapter books every night.
Favorite Books: Well, I have a hundred or a thousand favorites. I love all my books. I can't decide. But right now, I'm reading "The Mysterious Benedict Society" and I like it a lot.
Favorite Movie: "A Dolphin Tale." It's the one my sister and I can agree on.
Favorite Non-School Activity: Playing Legos.
Favorite Field Trip Spots: All the museums! I like bringing a sketchbook to The Harn, a notebook to the Florida Museum of Natural History, and just playing at the Creative Discovery Center in Chattanooga, and the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, oh, and the MOSI in Tampa!
Place you most want to go on a field trip: Rome and Greece.
You've been to traditional school and homeschool. How is homeschool different than traditional school? One thing is that you can skip up a grade in some subjects while being in your own grade in other subjects. Also, you're used to the school on the first day. And you can listen to Mozart while you're working.
Do you feel like you're missing anything by being homeschooled? When people remind me, I kind of miss being with my old friends all day, but mostly homeschooling is so fun that I forget. And I see them after school and on their days off.
Anything you don't miss from traditional school? I didn't drink enough water. I'm much more hydrated now. School was definitely too easy. And most kids are nice, but I hate rude kids. At the summer camp I went to over the summer,kids were doing the same thing,being rude to the teachers, and I was like 'Oh no. Not again.'”
Do you feel like traditional school children are missing anything? Maybe. I don't know. I do think they miss, like, having so much fun. In homeschool, there are not so many other kids or things around to take up time, so you get to learn more and play more. Like that Home Depot commercial. You know, Buy More, Save More. It's like that.
How do you make friends? Sometimes at the playground or the pool, but I see my regular friends at sports and activities and parties and barbeques. Some of them I've known since preschool. Plus I play with my sister and my cousins a lot.
Where is your favorite spot to do schoolwork?
Hmmm, depends on what I'm doing. For instance, I like to do workbooks at the table, but I like to do reading and journal writing in my room. I take my breaks outside, usually. I love to spend a long time reading at the library. I like to do work in my dad's office. And my sister and I like to do spelling or math in the car. Homeschool is fun because you can do it anywhere.
Is your mom a good teacher? Actually, yes. I love her. She's awesome. Even today, we're doing a hard thing, fun thing schedule. And I picked being interviewed as a fun thing.
Anything else you want to add? Um, no. Not really.
Ok, thanks. Now, get back to work.
Tara Griffin is a graphic designer, freelance writer, and mother of two. She can be reached through her blog at www.vintagewinnie.com.
FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BEGIN HOMESCHOOLING IN ALACHUA COUNTY, VISIT: www.sbac.edu/~research/HomeSchool.html
It’shard to know for certain if your caregiver is doing a good job. There are times when people go to extremes to see if their babysitter is taking care of their children the way they wish she was. People buy
bee cause we all need a little help from our friends!
Keep your eye on your child’s behavior. If your child seems anxious or afraid of the nanny when they are together, it’s time to investigate. Being shy and sad when Mommy and Daddy first introduce the child to a new nanny is very common, but continued fear of the nanny is a red flag.
Keep open communication with your nanny. Ask about the daily goings-on at home and find out what your child and the nanny did together. If your nanny isn’t sharing, that is a red flag!
You want to make sure your child is safe while you are away. If your child has several accidents, that is a red flag!
nanny cams and act as if they are a private investigator, just to find out if their nanny is a good choice for their child. One of the easiest forms of the nanny investigation is to count on your friends to watch out for your children and tell you if they saw something wrong. So, the question is:
WOULD YOU RAT OUT SOMEONE ELSE’S NANNY IF YOU SAW THEM DOING SOMETHING THAT JUST DIDN’T SEEM RIGHT TO YOU?
“Yes, and I hope someone else would do the same if it were my nanny.” – Mindi S.
“Yes. I believe the care of your children should be your top priority as a parent. When you trust someone else with your children, that should be their top priority too. I also think you get what you pay for in a sitter/nanny and should pay them well.” – Caroline H
"I definitely would "report," as I wouldn't call it ratting! You want your kids to have a good role model, AND you want them to be trustworthy. Wouldn't you want the same for your friends and neighbors?" – Babita H.
“Absolutely! Children are the first priority. I would rather be overly cautious and wrong, than ignore something that ends up being harmful. I would want someone to do the same for me!” – Jessica M.
“Absolutely, considering a personal friend’s nanny was caught shoplifting with my friend’s 3-year-old daughter in the stroller. The nanny was handcuffed and taken to jail while my friend’s daughter was traumatized with the experience!!” – Jennifer D.
Make sure your nanny follows directions and has your child follow the home rules. If your nanny is not willing to follow your directions, that is a red flag!
You want to make sure your child is being attended to properly. If your child is consistently hungry, tired and not clean, that is a red flag!
Go with your gut! If you feel something is wrong, don’t question yourself. Do some investigating and make certain your child is being left in caring and capable hands.
“Nannies for Modern Moms: The Essential Guide for Hiring the Right Nanny for Your Child and You”
By Alyce Desrosiers | An essential guide that provides parents with the information they need to choose a perfect nanny for their child. A step-by-step guide addresses parents' emotions as well as provides worksheets to help parents personalize their search.
“The Nanny Book: The Smart Parent’s Guide to Hiring, Firing, and Every Sticky Situation in Between” By Susan Carlton and Coco Myers | This book provides advice and solutions for parents when dealing with the problems that could arise when you have a nanny.
“How to Hire a Nanny, 2E: Your Complete Guide to Firing, Hiring and Retaining a Nanny and Other Household Help”
By Guy Maddalone | Written by GTM Household Employment Experts owner Guy Maddalone, this bookoffers the advice he has given to his clients for over 25 years. You will find information on hiring, managing and retaining nannies as well as interview questions and updated employment laws.
Withthe fall season in full swing, now is the perfect time to have an orthodontic consultation. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), a child should receive their first check-up with an orthodontist by the age of 7, with most treatments starting between the ages of 9 and 13.
With this in mind, Tioga Dental Associates has taken another step to ensure your family has the most amazing dental experience available by adding an orthodontist, Richard E. Donatelli, DMD, MS, to its already stellar staff of oral health professionals.
Dr. Donatelli is an accomplished leader in the field of orthodontics. He received an orthodontic achievement award as well as his Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) from the University of Florida, where he currently teaches orthodontics on a weekly basis to orthodontic and pedodontic residents as well as dental students as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthodontics.
He is also the team orthodontist on the renowned Craniofacial Anomaly Team at the University of Florida. The team is an interdisciplinary group of health professionals that has been recognized world wide for providing integrated healthcare to patients with cleft palate and other craniofacial conditions.
Having such an accomplished orthodontist like Dr. Donatelli on staff at Tioga Dental Associates means no more referrals
for orthodontic treatment! Your child will be able to receive their comprehensive orthodontic health solutions from one of the best in the field in the same family friendly environment they have come to love at Tioga Dental Associates.
Having Dr. Donatelli, who is continually aware of the latest advances in orthodontic research, practices and technology, right down the hall from your child’s regularly visited and highly trained dental professionals provides a smooth and comfortable transition into the world of braces and orthodontic health for your child. This comfortability can make the world of difference in providing the perfect dental experience, something that is important to Dr. Donatelli, as he is able to make children feel at ease by relating to them during their appointments.
“Most kids have an idea about what an orthodontist is, but I’m able to relate to them and make them feel more comfortable by talking about their favorite cartoon shows and video games during their visit,” he said. “I also show and explain the instruments before using them.”
Dr. Donatelli says it’s important for children who are nervous about seeing an orthodontist to know that braces don’t hurt, and in the end they are going to be happy with the results.
Dr. Donatelli is committed to providing superior orthodontic care to all of his patients. This is evident as he is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the Florida Association of Orthodontists, the Angle Society of Orthodontists, the American
Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the American Association of Dental Research, and the American Dental Education Association. He is Board Eligible with the American Board of Orthodontics and certified in Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.
To schedule your consultation and examination with Dr. Donatelli at Tioga Dental Associates call 352-333-1946.
Walking along the dirt trail, Spanish moss draped from the trees overhead and the sounds of city traffic almost non-existent, you would never know this was, at one time, a main road leading in and out of Gainesville. But as you pass the fields and see the buildings up ahead, where the post office and general store used to be, you can imagine how things might once have been.
Location:
18730 W. Newberry Road
Newberry, Florida 32669
(352) 472-1142
• The park is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.
• The farmstead is closed after 4 p.m. daily.
• Admission is $5 per vehicle, up to eight occupants.
Dudley Farm State Historic Park, located off Newberry Road just west of Gainesville, is a working farm comprised of 18 restored buildings and more than 300 acres. The property was donated to the state of Florida in 1983 by Myrtle Dudley, and stands today as a representation of Florida farming life from the 1850s through the mid-1940s.
As she leads one of the farm’s monthly tours, park services specialist Sandra Cashes encourages a hands-on approach. Dressed in period clothing herself, she lets everyone peer to the bottom of the 56-foot hand-dug well, pet Fred the mule, water the vegetable garden using a hollowed gourd, and grind corn to feed the chickens. “You guys can play, too,” she calls out to the parents who watch as their children happily struggle with the unwieldy corn grinder.
Another park program, Dudley Kids, resumes in October after a summer hiatus. Once a month, volunteers arrange activities for children, such as writing with quill pens or working with wool.
And in a juxtaposition of high-tech and history, a cell phone tour allows visitors to see the farm at their own pace and listen to narrations at various stopping points. Of course, as Cashes points out, you can skip the tours for a more relaxed day as well. “It’s a beautiful place to come back and have a picnic,” she says.
After seeing the farm, visitors can stop back by the commissary, where old-fashioned handicrafts and games are for sale. On Saturdays, volunteers gather on the porch to sing and play music.
It’s clear the volunteers enjoy sharing this place and their knowledge with younger generations. Volunteer Norm Tankersley of Alachua tells of the time a little boy approached him in the commissary, wanting to know if peanuts grew on trees. Tankersley directed the boy to follow the path to the farm and tell the volunteer there he wanted to see a peanut growing.
Not long after, the boy was back. “He came flying over, just as serious as he could be. ‘Mister,’ he said, ‘I saw a peanut growing, and they grow in the ground!’ He was so proud of himself,” he says. “The kids have a lot of questions about a lot of things. They’re curious. They want to learn.” His wife Pat, another volunteer, agrees. “When you live in the city, you’re not exposed to anything like this,” she says, adding, “I’m just glad I live now.”
It’s a thought echoed by Samuel Rivera, 9, of High Springs. After a trip to the farm with his family, he sums up life at the turn of the last century in two words: “Seriously hard.” Still, Samuel enjoyed the visit. His favorite part? “The turkey, when it gobbled at me.”
Dudley Farm Historic Park Tour: December - May, second Saturday of the month, at 11 a.m.
Dudley Kids: Second Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Stargazing Event with the Alachua Astronomy Club: October 20, 2012, at 7 p.m.
• Annual Cane Grinding Event: December 1, 2012, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is $8 per vehicle. Watch as volunteers grind sugar cane and boil cane syrup. Event will feature demonstrators such as soap makers, blacksmiths, and rope makers, children’s activities and vendors.
BY DANA KAMP
Some women schedule the epidural the moment they see the positive pregnancy test. They don't want to experience the pain their mothers still talk about. You know what? That's okay! The mommy-to-be is the one who should make the decisions for her delivery day. But for those who want to know their options, besides epidural, no-epidural, and C-section, these birthing methods might give you a better view of what your labor and delivery could entail, if you so choose.
You are probably familiar with the term. Many of us associate natural childbirth with the controlled breathing techniques of Lamaze. But it’s not just breathing. Lamaze also includes their Healthy Birth Practices. They include:
• Letting labor begin on its own,
• Walking and changing positions as needed throughout labor,
• Having continuous support by bringing a loved one, friend or doula with you,
• Avoiding interventions that are not medically indicated,
• Following your body’s urges to push in whatever upright position you want (not just lying on your back), and
• Keeping mother and baby together after the birth.
This method encourages women to use their natural abilities to manage the pain of childbirth and helps them feel supported the entire time. It also promotes the bonding of mother and baby after delivery by encouraging skinto-skin contact and keeping your baby with you.
For more information about Lamaze, check out lamaze.org.
This method is not what you might assume. The mommy-to-be is not in a trance or under someone else’s control. Instead, hypnobirthing uses relaxation techniques, visualization and positive guiding to teach her how to relax her body and control her breathing. She is fully aware of what is going on but does not have the fear of the pain that is occurring. A birthing partner can assist with the relaxation or the mother can use the techniques she has learned to take herself to the point of total mind and body relaxation.
The websites Givingbirthnaturally. com and pregnancy.about.com both have wonderful information on hypnobirthing.
Used more often in birth centers or home births than in hospitals, acupuncture is one way women alleviate labor pain without the use of medicine. This practice uses thin needles to stimulate certain acupuncture points in the skin. Some mommies-to-be use acupuncture throughout pregnancy to alleviate issues like morning sickness, back pain, sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome. Many women can ease anxiety and shorten the length of the active phase of labor with the help of an acupuncturist.
Read more about acupuncture during labor at families.com.
A husband or coach is essential in this natural birthing option. Women using the Bradley Method are taught that birth is a natural process and through education, good nutrition, complete preparation and loving support they can give birth naturally. The course is typically 12 weeks long and teaches the mother how to trust her body throughout labor and delivery. It also teaches the coach how to fully support and encourage his partner in all stages of labor.
Go to bradleybirth.com to learn more about the Bradley Method.
Did you happen to see the “Keeping up with the Kardashians” episode with the water birth? Khloe and Kourtney were given the opportunity to observe a water birth and were both taken aback by the rawness of the event. I’m not sure what they expected, but I was surprised they didn’t understand that as a woman moves through the stages of labor she may moan or scream, she may move into different positions, and it may take several hours for her to fully progress. With a water birth, the laboring mommy uses the warm water of the bath to help her relax and hopefully find some relief for lower back pain and pelvic pressure. She may wear a shirt, bra, bathing suit top, or nothing if that’s what she chooses. Sometimes the husband or partner is in the water as well for additional support.
pregnancyrx.com offers a great list of water birth pros and cons to help you better understand this option.
It’sthe weekend, the in-laws are in town and your 3-year-old is reciting that adorable song she learned at school. But what was once a cute mispronunciation of the “d” sound now has you concerned – and you may have good reason. The prevalence of speech sound disorders in young children is between 8 and 9 percent, according to The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. By the first grade, nearly 5 percent of children have recognizable speech disorders.
Sara S. Plager, M.Ed., division chief and clinical senior lecturer of speech language pathology in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida, always recommends seeking out expert advice, including from preschool teachers, if parents have any concerns regarding their child’s development.
“If there are any questions, flags or concerns, check it out. I’m a parent, so I believe in parental gut feeling,” said Plager, who’s been in the field for 30 years after following a high school hunch. “To me, I would rather see the child and help allay the fears of the parents than them create more problems in the child’s speech development.”
But before visiting your pediatrician, it’s vital to know about the typical route of speech development in toddlers. By 18 months of age most children can say eight to 10 words, and by age 2 are putting words together in crude sentences, says the NIDCD. Between the ages of 3 and 5 a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules of language. A good measurement of speech and language development is how well your child can follow directions and get his thoughts across, says Plager.
“Understand that each child develops at his or her own speed, and sometimes a child develops her motor skills before her speech or vice versa,” Plager says. “Pay attention to her speech production, known as intelligibility. Listen to other children on the playground and compare (your child’s) production with other children the same age.”
Speech disorders common in toddlers can include phonological process disorders, such as final consonant deletion (leaving out the last sound of a word), and
dysfluency, also known as stuttering. There is also a period of “normal” dysfluency where the child may repeat entire words; if this phase lasts longer than six months, however, a professional should be consulted.
“A lot of people say, ‘Oh, he’s thinking faster than his mouth will move,’ and actually, that tends to be true,” Plager said. Also, she says that the type of stuttering is also something to take into consideration. Whole word stuttering is more normal. Partial word repetition would raise more red flags.
The NIDCD reports that stuttering is most common with children between the ages of 2 and 6 who are developing language. By adulthood, however, most have outgrown the speech delay; less than 1 percent of adults stutter. If it’s not stuttering but a simple lack of speech that’s got you up at night, there are simple ways to encourage your toddler’s development.
“Talk, talk and talk some more! That’s really the best thing caregivers and parents can do,” Plager says. “Slow down and shorten their speaking slightly, repeat what the child says and bombard him with new phrases or words.”
The most important part of taking the next step in your child’s speech development is to listen “because I think they tell us more than we realize, whether it’s verbal, non-verbal or facial expressions,” says Plager. “They’re not just little adults.” If you think your child may need to see a speech pathologist, visit the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association’s website at www.asha.org for more information. And most importantly, Plager suggests parents pick a pediatric speech pathologist who has experience with children.
BY KELSEY MCNIEL
a habit so hard to kick one-third of grade-schoolers do it each day, half of adolescents are pulled into the temptation and one-third of college students find it irresistible. Though nail biting may be the most common nervous habit, experts say it’s not something that should make parents concerned.
Most nail biting is the result of boredom or anxiety. If your child chews away while in front of the TV or just before her first swim lesson, don’t fret. As the statistics indicate, it’s an annoying tick that will decrease and likely desist as kids grow. In dangerous circumstances, such as biting that leads to red and bleeding skin, or in conjunction with other behaviors like picking at his skin or pulling her eyelashes out, nail biting can be the indication of more severe anxiety and should be addressed with a professional counselor.
If you’re desperate for your toddler to kick the nail-hungry habit, the experts have a few words of wisdom. First, identify what the source of the biting may be. Toddlers are going to have difficulty expressing that they feel anxious about a certain relationship or situation, but as the parent, you can observe when the biting seems to be more prevalent. It’s also important to identify if someone in the child’s close family unit bites his or her nails; studies suggest there may be a genetic or hereditary component to the habit.
If it is in fact anxiety and not boredom leading your child to nibble his nails, sit him down and assure him that it’s a common habit that he can stop himself from doing. Talk about the behavior and the worries causing it in a non-judgmental, curious manner. Experts say the most important thing to realize about helping your child kick a habit is that he must want to quit, too. The more nagging and punishment associated with the nail biting, the less likely he is to leave the biting behind (he might just become smarter about hiding it from Mom and Dad).
Another important step is to involve the child in deciding on a plan to break the habit. For toddlers, ask about a reward they might like to have for going one day and then one week without biting. While the bitter tasting polish is not
recommended, one suggestion that may help is to paint her nails once a week. Wanting to keep her nails pretty might help motivate her to stop chewing.
Offering a substitute activity that equally engages his fingers, like a ball or blocks, when you witness the biting will distract the tot, too. Finger puppets are especially helpful, as they keep the nails covered while the child plays. An addition to his finger puppet collection, easily homemade from felt and googly eyes, could be the first bite-free week reward.
Additionally, cut your toddler’s nails short to curtail the temptation, and encourage her to constantly wash her hands to prevent finger germs. And never forget the constant praise necessary to change a behavior; it may seem simple, but it will remind the toddler that his or her effort is being noticed.
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Children start learning about coins as early as kindergarten and have a greater concept of money by the second grade. Parents may choose not to give an allowance, start giving an allowance at a young age, or wait until their child is in the tween years.
Many families stick to giving an allowance for chores. However, some families choose to reward their child for learning gains, such as time spent reading. Families often feel that certain chores (like keeping their room in order) are a part of being in the family, and if they want to give an allowance a creative way would be to earn money while learning.
It is never too early to teach children the basics about money, such as what money is used for and how to save money. Take the time to sit down as a family in the upcoming week and discuss these important topics with your tween.
Here are some unique ways that a few Gainesville parents are teaching their children about earning an allowance and being smart about how they spend it!
Chrissie Pappas, mother of three, follows many suggestions from Dave Ramsey. Her family has a "commission sheet" which lists their jobs. Next to each job it shows how much they will earn for doing that job, usually ranging from $.25-$.50 for each job, each day. The big jobs they do everyday are keeping their bedrooms clean, their beds made, the dishes cleared, etc. Then they earn a little more for jobs that don't have to be done every day- emptying the dishwasher, taking the garbage out to the curb, etc. If they do the chore, they get paid and if they don't do it, they don't get paid. At the end of the week, they add up what they have earned and Pappas pays them. They then have three labeled envelopes: "Spend 60%," "Save 30%," and "Tithe 10%." They divide their money so they see where it is going. She then takes them to the bank to deposit their money into their savings accounts.
Christi Adams utilizes the website myjobchart.com and her 6-year-old daughter loves it. Christi set up chores on the website and her daughter must complete them daily. Each chore is worth a certain amount of points, which is equal to one cent for each point. These points are arranged into three groups: Spend, Save and Give. Save and Give use real money, but Spend can be used with real money or rewards like computer time, time with Mom or Dad, reading a special book together, getting an ice cream, or whatever you choose. It also gives the child some control over things. Amber Robinson, mother of three, also uses myjobchart.com. She says it excites her preschool-age child, while also is a great visual tool for her 13-year-old son, who is disabled. The website allows him to track his chores on his own and gives him ownership of his responsibilities.
Another Gainesville mom, June Sontag, utilizes the website goalforit.com. June’s daughters earn allowance for “extras” that they want to participate in. For example, currently her daughters are using their allowance to pay for ballet lessons. June feels her girls are experiencing a reward for hard work, but also seeing how quickly their hard-earned money gets used up. She loves to see their faces when they receive their pay... and when they have to use it! Two very different expressions! While on vacation this summer, June and her husband heard comments from their daughters such as "That's not worth the extra money, let’s wait," and "Do we have enough money in our budget to get ice cream?" It sounds like their children are definitely learning the importance of working for their allowance and saving a portion of it.
Wellsince we’ve all heard of, or are familiar with, sites such as Match.com, eharmony. com, ChristianMingle.com & SingleParentMeet.com, many tend to believe that the “perfect match” is just one lucky mouseclick away. I lean more toward the belief that there are several very good-to-nearly perfect matches out there for every college bound student willing to put in the time and effort searching.
Selecting a college to attend, for four years, is easier to comprehend than to deal with the thought of this selection process in the way some leading education consultants and financial planners would have you to view it – which is as a long-term marriage. They say finding the right college isn’t simply about the next four years, but the next 40 years of your life - just like marriage. The importance of finding the right match in both cases is intimately important and has a significant part to play if the results are to be successful. In both cases, it must be done carefully and wisely, while weighing multiple factors of compatibility and interests. Finally, with both, everyone’s fairytale plan is exactly the same…TO ONLY HAVE TO DO IT ONCE!
With our TOP 10 LIST (David Letterman style), you won’t need Cupid to intervene in finding your (nearly) perfect college match.
10. INTANGIBLES – Intangibles are perks or benefits of attending a particular school, such as the availability
of institutional scholarships, on-campus housing, undergraduate research, a jobs placement center, etc.
9. PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE & URBAN VS. RURAL – These factors define funding streams, endowments, commitment to school mission, founding principles, all the way to location, corporate or agricultural study emphasis, exposure to natural resources and Green initiatives.
8. SCHOOL DNA – What characteristics are at the core of a school? For example: Schools with a strong political landscape like Georgetown; a long-standing activist campus like Berkeley; a major importance on sports like Ohio State and Alabama; strong Greek systems like UF and Ole Miss; leadership schools like Stanford and Duke, to “alleged” party schools like University of South Carolina and Arizona State.
7. SCHOOL TYPE – Take time to think about what is important to you - religious vs. traditional, co-ed vs. same gender, majority/diverse vs. HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), etc.
These school types directly relate to your comfort level or willingness to experience something different.
6. SMALL COLLEGE VS. MAJOR UNIVERSITY – There are infinite pros and cons to each. To name a few examples, small schools can offer more nurturing environments, smaller class sizes, less stringent rules with a more personal case-by-case touch. Major universities usually have state, private and corporate funding support and can offer larger more specialized research opportunities, cuttingedge processes and professors, etc.
5. IN-STATE VS. OUT-OF-STATE – Location and distance from home can be a deal-breaker to some. Several out-ofstate schools are closer than some in-state schools, and the cost comparison sometimes is closer than you think. Cost to attend and available financial aid weighs heavily for some, though sports programs and team allegiances, alumni legacy, etc., is more important to others.
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4. CAMPUS CULTURE & OVERALL SAFETY – There is a big difference between a school being called a “party school” and one being identified as having a serious drug or alcohol (abusing) culture. These schools are not hard to find or identify, but parents should be informed.
3. SCHOOL REPUTATION OR TRADITION – Very often I refer to this when calculating the “value of your degree.” No, not the dollar amount it cost to earn your degree, but how loudly your degree speaks for you before you enter a room for an interview, meeting, or as a speaker. The louder it speaks, the more value and benefit you stand to receive from it.
2. ADMISSIBILITY – This is a very important measurement based on your academic credentials as a student applicant. You or a consultant must put in time researching the averageto-upper admissibility levels for grade point averages, SAT/ ACT test scores, academic units, accelerated coursework, etc. Realistically ask yourself, do my academic credentials meet or exceed the levels of last year’s admitted class?
1. MAJOR OR PROGRAM OF STUDY - Although reports consistently state that upwards of 70 percent of all freshmen change their majors at least once, selecting a school that doesn’t offer your major clearly appears to be a recipe for disaster. For those who feel strongly about a major or program of study, it is suggested that you match it first with a school. Reasoning includes the old adage that people perform better doing things they’re interested in or things they like. If you do something you like for a career, it’s not considered a job!
Mike Powell owns Mike Powell & Associates; a company made up of professionals dedicated to assisting college bound students and their parents in selecting a college that best fits their academic needs.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
APPLE JACK MONTH
October 1 – October 31
UF Blue Trees Exhibit
“Blue Trees," is an artistic exhibit by Konstantin Dimopoulos that will feature natural trees painted with a blue colorant all around the UF campus.
October 5 – November 4
Newberry Cornfield Maze
Open Friday – Sunday (various times) newberrycornfieldmaze.com
October 5 and 19
United Downtown unitedwayncfl.org
October 6
Morningside Nature Center
Nature Plant Sale
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. natureoperations.org
October 10
Unity Day - Rally Against Bullying
4 p.m.
March starts at corner of NW 13th St. and University Ave. (352) 234-6595
October 13
5th Annual Fitness Extravaganza
10 a.m.– 2 p.m. Kinetix Physical Therapy 352-505-6665
October 13
O2BKids Spooktacular
6 – 10 p.m. o2bkids.com
October 13
Screaming for Safety 4 – 7 p.m.
Kiwanis Safety City
October 13 – 14
Butterflyfest at Florida Museum of Natural History
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest
October 13 – 14
Downtown Festival and Art Show
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. gvlculturalaffairs.org
October 14
Titletown Hoedown
October 19
Haile Oktoberfest
5 – 11 p.m.
October 19 – 27
Alachua County Fair Alachua County Fairgrounds
October 20 – 21
Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival
October 21
Sun Country Sunny’s Howlapalooza
3 – 6 p.m. suncountrysports.com/halloween
October 27
Lubee Bat Festival
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. batconservancy.org
October 27
McIntosh 1890’s Festival
1 – 5 p.m.
October 31
Happy Halloween
October 31
Boo at the Zoo
3 – 7:30 p.m. sfcollege.edu/zoo
October 31
Trick or Treat on Main Street in Alachua
7 – 9 p.m.
CHILD SAFETY PROTECTION MONTH
NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH
November 8
4th Annual Gainesville Gone Austin
6 – 10 p.m. Hitchcock Farms gainesvillegoneaustin.org
November 9
UF Homecoming Parade Noon gatorgrowl.com
November 11
Alachua Harvest Festival
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
November 12
Veteran’s Day Observed
November 22
Happy Thanksgiving
November 23
Opening Night of “A White Christmas”
Gainesville Community Playhouse
November 23
Opening Night of “A Tuna Christmas”
The Hippodrome
November 24
Opening Night of “A Christmas Carol”
The Hippodrome
November 30
A Starry Night at Florida
Museum of Natural History
6 – 10 p.m. flmnh.ufl.edu
OVER 1,000 LISTINGS FOR KIDS’ ACTIVITIES AROUND ALACHUA COUNTY
Don’t miss this screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical in glorious, full-screen technicolor, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along. Then, of course, there is the famous fancy-dress competition in which everyone who has come in costume is invited onto the stage to show off their fantastic tailoring skills. Get those vocal chords warmed up, cut up those chintz curtains and hurry down for the perfect night out.
