Giggle Magazine October/November 2022

esthetic

The dermatologists with Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery specialize in the treatment of a wide range of skin conditions, including skin cancer, acne, moles, rosacea, psoriasis, warts, photo damage, eczema, and more.

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTOR

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

COPY EDITOR

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nicole Irving Aníbal Rodríguez

Shane Irving Hannah Shelton

Betsy Langan, April Tisher

Jimmy Ho Photography

Julia Bauer, Caroline Chance Earls, Nicole Irving, Lindsey Johnson, Crystal Ladwig, PHD, Katie Osterhout, Cole Purvis, Ale Russian, Hannah Shelton, Tracy Wright, Alejandra Zamora

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WE

GAINESVILLE AND

At KODP your child will actually look forward to dental visits - and who can blame ’em with

on the big screen and

toy tower?!

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends age one for a child’s first dental appointment. Our goal is cavity prevention at this pivotal time and truly believe every child can be cavity free!

ROBERT MIXON &

KRISTEN

publisher's letter

Falling into a new groove

The minute I see a golden leaf float to the ground, I embody the giddiness of a 6-yearold girl during the holidays. The anticipation of what is to come makes my heart skip a beat! Cool air, scarves, bonfires, pumpkins and all the autumn things just makes me happy!

When my kids were little, our introduction of fall meant Halloween parties, crafting at school, pumpkin carving and shopping for the perfect Halloween costume. We would do the festivals, the patches, the carving, the trick-or-treating, sometimes multiple times in a week! Shane and I never wanted the kids to miss an opportunity to gorge themselves with candy apples or street fair popcorn. Not us! We were all in!

Today, our fall looks a little different. That is what happens when we let them grow up, I guess. Now, we go to Halloween parties’ without our kids. Even with a Starbucks bribe, we can’t get them to a festival, and I can’t get them to carve a pumpkin with me to save my life.

But, as the seasons change, so have the ways we have had to celebrate with the boys. We

have had to pivot (yes, I snuck that word in again) to still celebrate and make memories with them. Shane built a firepit in the backyard so the boys could have s'mores with their friends. We make plans for the homecoming dance and shop for outfits instead of Halloween costumes. I have given up torturing them, and myself, by making them attend craft fairs and pumpkin patches. I just have them help me decorate the mantle and reach the high shelves! As the mom of teens, I have become a master of pivoting to still bond with the boys. Because that is what it is all about. The memories, the opportunities to share time and laughs. As hard as it has been to say goodbye to some of the early traditions, welcoming new ones has been just as rewarding.

So, I will vicariously live through my friends with littles this Halloween season! Certainly, I will continue to dress up and pass out candy! And I will celebrate my teens this fall by snuggling up by the fire, s’mores in hands and laughter all around.

Happy Fall Ya’ll!

MEET OUR COVER MODEL!

Favorite Book: “If I Built a Car"

For Halloween I am going to be: Beetlejuice

My favorite thing to do is: Reading Books. I am a little bookworm!

Favorite Stuffed Animal: Bob, my Minion

Favorite Food: French Toast

Nicole Irving, Publisher nbirving@irvingpublications.com

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Cover photo by Jimmy Ho Photography

Brixton

Step into the future of luxurious driving when you slide into the cabin of your new BMW. We have an outstanding selection of new models, from our sleek and sporty sedans to our stylish and curvaceous SAVs. Speaking of the incredible efficiency our SAVs produce, you’ll love to command the 2023 BMW X5 that’s already turning heads. Crafted for extreme performance and undeniable comfort, you’ll gain a driving experience that’s hard to beat. There’s truly nothing to stop you from jumping into your new BMW vehicle and heading out on an adventure you won’t ever forget. When you visit the showroom of our dealership, you’ll capture the true essence of luxury driving. Browse our inventory to find the vehicle that suits your every need and desire. BMW of Gainesville awaits your arrival and is ready to help you find that true sense of adventure.

© 2022 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, BMW logo, model names, and other trademarks are

of BMW AG.

BMW

We feel honored to be part of this well-known,

orthodontic practice that has been creating beautiful smiles and serving our community for over 25 years.

Dr. Amir Akhavan

Elevating the health and beauty of your smile to the next level and unleashing the power of joy!

We understand that no two smiles are alike. Therefore, we design and plan every aspect of your treatment to meet your specific goals and needs.

Dr. Amir Akhavan has built a reputation for using state-of-the-art orthodontic techniques with a gentle touch.

We leverage state-of-the-art orthodontic technology, including clear aligners (Invisalign), InBrace Smartwire™ hidden behind the teeth, digital impressions, 3D printing, laser, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), and more to obtain your desired results in less time.

Schedule an appointment today and see how we can make Gainesville smile!

Pappas

changing

to

The same great quality orthodontic care will be provided, and we are so grateful for your continued trust in our team for our shared patients.

parents' corner

16 MOM SHARE

“Crushing” My Exclusive Pumping Journey

forks & spoons

18 IN THE KITCHEN

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich, Thanks to our “Friends"!

20 IN THE KITCHEN

Pumpkin Bread: Everyone's Fall Favorite

health

23 GET HEALTHY

Four years into the Journey of a Lifetime

26 GET HEALTHY

Protecting Your Family Against Pertussis: The "100-Day Cough"

28 GET HEALTHY

Energy Drinks: Our Youth’s Latest Health Scare

30 GET HEALTHY Open Wide! How to Get Your Child to Easily Take Medicine

32 GET PRETTY

Makeup Brushes are Spreading More than Just Color!

giggle stamp

39 11 Must-Have

for

happy home

to

OCT ● NOV 2022 features

35 It's Time to Get Spooky!

special needs

50 No Tricks, Just Treats, for Kids with Special Needs on Halloween learn

52 HOMESCHOOL CORNER Can Civics be Fun?

55 FAMILY LEARNING

The History Behind Your Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition

59 BACK TO SCHOOL Our Community Goes Back to School

66 FEATURED TEACHER Ms. Keilah Trujillo

happy community

84 CALENDAR October/November 2022

conception 2 college

70 EXPECTING

Tucked in Tight: Compression Wear in Pregnancy

72 INFANT Kick Cradle Cap to the Curb

74 TODDLER

Ditch the Diapers

76 EARLY YEARS

Childhood Moments: Becoming the Older Sibling

78 KIDS

“More, More, More!” How to Make Sure your Child isn’t Spoiled this Holiday Season

80 TWEENS

Stop the Snark: How to Deal with Sarcasm in Your Child

82 TEENS

Recognizing the Signs of Disordered Eating

Candy, costumes and the beginnings of cooler fall weather, what's not to love about Halloween? From must-watch movies to crafting your own costume, we've got the essentials for a great Halloween covered!

MUST-HAVE

FUN SPOOKY

...AND MORE!

Cover photo by Jimmy Ho Photography

Top left photo by Tiffanyleigh Photography.Top right photo by Katie Osterhout. Middle photo by Sincerely Gone Photography.

parents' corner | mom share

“Crushing” My Exclusive Pumping Journey

BY CAROLINE CHANCE EARLS

To start, I want to say that, although these photos show a fair amount of aggression toward my breast pumps, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to feed both of my kiddos for a combined 22 months. This was made possible solely through these machines, but this wasn’t the original plan.

Like most pregnant moms-to-be, my hopeful plan was for breastfeeding to go smoothly, making it a time to feed and bond with my babies. However, I ran into roadblocks early with both of my children and, despite multiple lactation consultation visits and a tongue-tie assessment and treatment, there were more tears shed by me than there was weight gained by my babies.

For me, the benefits of pumping were that I could create a schedule that wasn’t super dependent on my babies’ hunger cues. I could build up a stash that carried us through the last several months. I could see exactly how much my kiddos were eating when weight gain is important in the early days. I didn’t think there was any other way my kids would have access to my own breast milk.

So, why hit my pump with a bat and then with an axe until it was completely destroyed?* The answer: to be done with exclusive pumping forever (hopefully, our plan says our family is complete) means freedom. Freedom from the hundreds of hours attached to my pump, from hauling a special backpack with three types of pumps with me everywhere I went, from keeping tabs on every ounce pumped in case my supply dropped, from the multiple bouts of mastitis and corresponding antibiotics, from having to arrange my schedule around each and every pump session. And from the actual tears cried over spilt milk. (Note: crying is allowed over spilt milk if that milk refers to breast milk.)

We don’t think often about the labor it takes to feed children, whether feeding directly, pumping or using formula. I

pumped over 400 hours just for my last kiddo in his first year, which equates to about 10 work weeks. On top of all of his other care needs, including actually feeding him the pumped milk and keeping pump parts clean and sanitary, I was also working my full-time job. I had a healthy supply and was able to pump less often and for less time suggested. For many moms, this number is two-three times that amount. For formula-fed kiddos, it can cost an average of $1,200-$1,500 to feed the baby during the first year. Not to mention, the current reality of formula shortage and having to hunt high and low for the right kind.

To mark the end of this journey, I wanted to celebrate by saying goodbye to the pump. Special thanks to my dear friend and photographer, Tiffany, who literally pitched my pump for me while snapping shots. I did not celebrate when I finished pumping

with my first child because I'm not sure I recognized what I'd committed myself to and what I consequently achieved. I've seen other moms celebrate online with thematic breast pump cakes or breast milk jewelry. But from the reaction I received when I posted the pictures, plenty of mamas did not celebrate or feel celebrated. So, if you know a mom with littles, see and recognize the work they are putting in, as it's so often invisible (and quickly chugged)!

*For this project, I sought out a broken pump to destroy, as I am passing all of my pumps to other mamas for their journey!

For mamas looking for resources, @exclusive_pumping is my go-to for info, tips and humor!

I pumped over 400 hours just for my last kiddo in his first year, which equates to about 10 work weeks.

Photo by Tiffanyleigh Photography

Take a break from high-interest credit cards this holiday season with:

as of September 1, 2021.

Fresh Start not eligible for

Introductory APR for 15 monthly billing cycles following the issuance of the

After that,

Rate card APR will be 8.90%-14.90%, based on your creditworthiness. Promotion for new cards only, transfers and/or existing FCU cards or loans are not eligible. APR on purchases and balance transfers will be fully indexed APRs, which are currently the APRs set forth in the agreements at flcu.org/creditcard. Offer expires 12/31/2022.

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich, Thanks to our “Friends”!

BY JULIA BAUER

Eating Thanksgiving leftovers can get tiring—especially when it’s been three days and you’re still greeted by never-ending leftovers when you open your fridge. If you’re looking for a way to not only eat up but to spice up your Thanksgiving leftovers, give this sandwich a try.

This sandwich was made famous by the hit ‘90s show “Friends,” in a fifth season episode fittingly named, “The One with Ross’ Sandwich.” In the episode, Ross becomes enraged when someone at work eats his Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. However, his frustrations are further justified because this special sandwich perfectly combines all the Thanksgiving staples with a secret ingredient that ties it all together.

To make your very own ultimate Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich, start by tossing two slices of a bread of your choice into the toaster. While those are toasting, heat up your turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. You can also add sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole, although the sandwich may be too big to bite.

After heating your leftovers and toasting your bread, begin to assemble the parts of your sandwich. Spread a layer of mashed potatoes on both pieces of bread; this will act as your condiment. Then, lay some slices of turkey.

Now, it’s time for the secret ingredient! Grab a third slice of bread and coat it in gravy until it is saturated. Heat it up in the microwave for about 15 seconds. This gravy-soaked piece of bread goes in the middle of the sandwich so, with each bite, all the leftovers will be coated with gravy.

After adding the secret ingredient to the first half of the sandwich, continue putting the rest of your leftovers on top. Add some cranberry sauce, stuffing, casserole or any other leftovers your heart desires (as long as they fit).

Top with your second piece of toasted bread and enjoy!

forks and spoons | in the kitchen

Pumpkin Bread: Everyone's Fall Favorite

BY JULIA BAUER

Running out of fall-themed food to make? Pumpkin bread is the perfect sweet treat for breakfast or dessert. Give this recipe a try; this pumpkin bread is sure to satisfy your seasonal sweet tooth.

Gather Your Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need: flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil and chocolate chips.

Start Prepping

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and grab a 9-inch by 5-inch bread pan. Grease the pan with non-stick spray, butter or oil—which ever method you prefer, but don’t be shy when greasing the pan. Conclude your prep by sprinkling some flour around the pan to make the bread easier to remove after baking.

Dry Ingredients

Combine 1 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Whisk together until they are mixed.

Wet Ingredients

Combine 1 can of pumpkin puree with 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar into a bigger bowl and mix. Then, add 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. After mixing well, add two eggs, one at a time. Finally, mix in 1 cup of chocolate chips for an extra bit of sweetness.

Get Mixing

Take your dry ingredients and gradually mix them into the bowl of the wet ingredients. Continue whisking until the mixture is lumpfree. Then, pour the batter into your pan and even it out with a spatula.

It's Time to Bake!

Put the pan into the oven and bake for 40 minutes before doing the toothpick test. If you stick a toothpick into the middle of the loaf and it comes out completely dry, your bread is done! If not, keep it in for about five more minutes and do the test again.

Serve and Enjoy!

Slice up your pumpkin bread and serve with butter, honey, maple syrup or extra chocolate chips on top.

Four years into the Journey of a Lifetime

BY NICOLE IRVING

It’s been over four years since Tyler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. There isn’t a moment that our entire family is not living with the disease. Pumps, syringes, vials, beeps, alarms, meters and worry surround us daily. Add a pandemic, telehealth, supply shortage worries and Tyler turning 18 and that perfect storm is just about enough to send any Type 1 parent into a worry frenzy. But, with our amazing support team, Tyler’s ability to calmly pivot and learn more each day, living with Type 1 hasn’t broken us, it has only made us stronger as a family.

Today, researchers still don’t know what exactly causes it. While the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) lists a series of factors that are considered linked to acquiring Type 1, such as hereditary conditions, environmental factors and viral infections,

Tyler Irving was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13. Today, he is a thriving and a senior in high school.

there is still no direct cause. As a parent of a child who has Type 1 diabetes, this was the hardest pill to swallow. I wanted to see in black and white why this happened and how to prevent my other two boys from getting it.

If you find yourself in the same position, know that you didn’t do anything wrong as a parent. It is OK to cry and be mad, I was. I was broken to the core and blamed myself, but, after learning more and talking to other parents and Type 1 advocates, I realized there was nothing that I could have done to stop his pancreases from no longer producing the insulin his body needed. All I could do now was love and protect him and learn all I could. While I hope you never have to be in this position, know that you did nothing wrong and that there is a whole world of support out there for you, me included.

Photo by Tanya Consaul Photography

health | get healthy

Since Tyler’s diagnosis, he has flourished from a 13 year old middle school kiddo into an 18 year old adult graduating from high school this coming May. During that time, our parenting styles with Tyler, when it has come to his diabetes, have also morphed and changed.

Now, as an adult, Tyler is old enough to make his own medical decisions when it comes to his treatments, appointments and medicines. All of a sudden, doctors and nurses who talked to us freely, now stopped dead in their tracks in regard to sharing information with us without him having completed a proxy form. While we promptly got that taken care of, it was a wake up call that now, he has more control over his disease than ever before, and he will soon fly the nest and manage this on his own.

This is another hard pill to swallow as a mother of a child with an incurable autoimmune disease, that, in an instance without proper doses and treatments, could spiral into an unimaginable path. I have had to learn to let go at times, lean into his independence and allow him to learn how to self advocate and be in charge of his disease. Education is key, and I am so proud my son educates those around him about his disease and the proper steps they need to take if something were to happen. We have taught Tyler to not think of it as burdening his friends with this information, but, rather empowering them to keep him alive.

It’s been over four years since Tyler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. So much has changed, yet, so much has stayed the same. I still worry, but I have learned to worry a bit less and trust and empower him a bit more each day. I still ask him if he bolused for that cookie, if he has enough insulin, if he took enough pods on vacation and to reconnect me, yet again, to his sugar monitor, probably more than he wants. But, we have empowered him to be the driver on his journey with Type 1 diabetes and all that comes with it. He will hit some bumps along the way, but he also knows we are his pit crew for life.

Extreme Thirst

Dry mouth Fatigue and Weakness

Increased Appetite

Unexplained Weight Loss

Slow-Healing Cuts

If you or anyone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, please see your doctor right away! Without proper diagnosis and treatment, Type 1 diabetes can be fatal.

According to JDRF, T1D is identified in children and adults as they show signs of the following symptoms: Frequent Urination

Protecting Your Family Against Pertussis: The "100-Day Cough"

BY JULIA BAUER

From the common cold to chickenpox, children pick up all kinds of illnesses—whooping cough is one of them. This highly contagious respiratory tract infection, also known as pertussis or “the 100-day cough,” causes an intense hacking cough, according to Mayo Clinic. But where does it get its name? Physicians explain the “high-pitched intake of breath” following the cough and sounds like “whoop.”

Whooping Cough Symptoms

Mayo Clinic reports that symptoms of whooping cough take between 7-10 days to develop. Symptoms include having a cough, runny nose, fever, congestion and watery eyes.

While these symptoms resemble that of the common cold, a cold typically only lasts up to 10 days, according to Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of whooping cough begin to worsen around two weeks. The cough becomes more severe and may cause vomiting, fatigue and the “whoop” sound during inhalation, according to Mayo Clinic. Children may also experience severe symptoms, such as coughing fits causing them to turn blue from a lack of oxygen.

Despite the name of the illness, the “whoop” may not arise in everyone, especially infants. Instead, they may gag, gasp or momentarily stop breathing, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How do kids get it?

Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. Because it is highly contagious, it spreads when someone who has the infection exhales. When someone with whooping cough coughs, breathes or sneezes, the individual expels droplets of fluid containing the bacteria. According to the CDC, a person exposed to whooping cough will get sick if they are not immune.

This illness is more common now than it was 20 years ago. From 1973 to 1991, the CDC reported an all-time low for whooping cough cases in America. The estimated number of cases ranged from approximately 1,000 to 4,000. However, in 1992, numbers began to increase, with over 25,000 cases in 2005 and an alltime high of 48,277 in 2012. Although cases started decreasing after 2012, the estimated number of cases in 2019 was 18,617.

Treatments

If your child develops whooping cough symptoms, monitor the intensity of their coughing fits. If their cough causes them to “whoop,” vomit, struggle to breathe or turn blue in the face, take them to the doctor.

Because whooping cough is extremely contagious and can be fatal, consider getting your child the whooping cough shot. According to the CDC, the first dose is available to babies at 2 months old. There are six total doses, with the second dose available at 4 months, the third at 6 months, the fourth at 15 months, the fifth at 4 years and the sixth at 11 years.

Most children do not experience side effects from the vaccine. However, some may experience vomiting, fever or redness where the shot was given. In very rare cases, seizures or fevers above 105 degrees may occur.

The vaccination not only protects your child from whooping cough and its potential complications, but it can also help prevent other deadly diseases, such as diphtheria and tetanus.

Is whooping cough serious?

This illness is most dangerous for young children, according to the CDC. If your child gets infected and is less than 1 year old, they may require hospital care. Whooping cough can lead to pneumonia, which is a serious lung infection. It could potentially also cause uncontrollable shaking, brain damage and, in some cases, it may be fatal.

Anyone who plans to be around newborns or young children should be up to date on their whooping cough vaccine, according to Cleveland Clinic. This illness is contagious, even in the early stages when symptoms resemble the common cold, so it is important to protect yourself and the unsuspecting children around you.

Energy Drinks: Our Youth’s Latest Health Scare

BY COLE PURVIS

Energy drinks are everywhere. From convenience stores to pharmacies, they are ever-increasing in popularity, particularly with our children. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 50% of kids between the ages of 12 and 17 reportedly consume energy drinks. Increased consumption can be partly attributed to the industry’s adaptation of vibrant flavors and colorful packaging. This eye-catching marketing approach has captured the attention of our nation and its youth, but what does that mean for our children’s health?

What health risks do energy drinks present?

There has been an increase in deaths, hospitalizations and health problems related to energy drinks. A study from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that, from 2007 to 2011, the number of hospital visits because of energy drinks doubled. These trips to the emergency room were often associated with dehydration, heart complications, anxiety and insomnia resulting from energy drink consumption.

health | get healthy

Open Wide!

How to Get Your Child to Easily Take Medicine

BY TRACY WRIGHT

If you’ve got kids in school this fall, then your child has likely been hit by the bevy of germs living in schools and daycare centers. Fortunately, we have many medicines that can help our children heal or at least cope with these illnesses. But whether it’s a bad tasting liquid or a large capsule, getting our kids to take medicine isn’t always the easiest feat.

For children with chronic illnesses who may need frequent doses of medication, it can be a daily struggle for parents. There are several hurdles parents may confront when giving medication to their children: bad taste, swallowing pills and a general resistance to taking medicine, especially if it’s frequently. But experts agree that some variety of tactics can help with these challenges.

Everyday Health recommends some ways to tackle the mental side of medication resistance, including keeping a consistent time to dispense medication and keeping a positive attitude. Children can notice emotional cues from their parents, so if you are frustrated with the process, your child may mimic that behavior. Be sure to also try reasoning with your child and explain why it’s important for them to take the medicine.

For the physical taste of medicine, there are several things that can be done to encourage children to swallow medication by collaborating with your doctor or pharmacist, said Lindsey ChildsKean, clinical associate professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.

“First, a number of liquid medications can be flavored at the pharmacy, so ask the pharmacist about flavoring,” ChildsKean said. “If there are flavoring options and the child is old enough, you could even have them choose the flavor.”

“Next, some tablets can be crushed, or capsules opened and mixed with food, such as applesauce or ice cream,” she continued. “Be sure to check with the pharmacist or pediatrician to make sure the medication in

question can be crushed or opened first, though. You can also try using chocolate syrup, pixie stick dust, or popsicles to coat or numb the tongue before giving the medication.”

For infants and very young children, “a common approach is to use a syringe and deposit drops of the medicine between the baby’s cheek and tongue, allowing each droplet to be swallowed until the full dose gets down,” according to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

CHLA also recommends another method of dosing medicine little by little. For example, opt for 5 MLs at a time for a 20 ML dose, and break up the time with pleasurable activities like playing or coloring. You can chase each dose with a swig of water or Pedialyte.

Children can begin swallowing pills as early as 4 years old, said Kimberly Giuliano, MD, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's in Ohio. Capsules can be dipped in cold water to make them slippery, broken up into smaller pieces or put into Jell-O to make it softer.

“When learning to swallow pills, a child can use small candies, such as mini M&Ms or Tic Tacs to practice,” Childs-Kean said. “Some children swallow tablets or capsules more easily when they're given with a thicker liquid than water, think juice or milk. You want to check with the pharmacist to make sure that would be OK for the particular medication.”

When in doubt, work with your pediatrician for different methods to try so taking medicine is as “pain-free” as possible!

A number of liquid medications can be flavored at the pharmacy, so ask the pharmacist about flavoring.

!

health | get pretty

Makeup Brushes are Spreading More than Just Color!

BY NICOLE IRVING

No one would ever think of rubbing their clean face on a public, or even private, toilet seat. However, a recent study by Suhail Alam, MD, at the Aventus Clinic has found that our makeup brushes contain more bacteria than, you guessed it, a toilet seat. Please take a moment to gag, barf or scream (I did).

And, if that wasn’t worrisome enough, The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) adds that the continued use of dirty makeup brushes can cause infections such as E. coli, staph or fungal.

The Aventus Clinic notes that “with daily use, the brushes will automatically start collecting dirt, pollutants, oil and dead skin cells, which is why makeup brushes act as a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to breakouts and skin irritations.”

So, out of all the makeup brushes we use, which were deemed the dirtiest? Inquiring minds most certainly want to know! The study tested some of the most popularly used makeup brushes. According to Dr. Alam, “we swabbed the most common brushes found in a makeup bag to test for aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold. The swabs were then incubated and tested to find the number of colony-forming units per cm2, revealing the worst makeup brushes for high levels of viable bacteria and fungal cells.”

The top 5 winners for being the dirtiest are as follows:

1. Eyeshadow Brush

Blender

While clogged pores and acne can be a result of using dirty makeup brushes daily, one should also be concerned with E.coli, eye infections, a breakdown of collagen production, cellulitis of the eye, ingrown hairs and more, according to the study.

So, are we just to throw out our makeup brushes after each use? While that may be our first instinct, it isn’t a very good financially and sustainable option. And, as noted above, even after one use, our clean makeup brushes will begin to start the cycle all over again. What are we do?

First, never share your makeup brushes with anyone, even those you think are sparkly clean! The AAD also recommends

cleaning your makeup brushes every 7-10 days to minimize the

Here is their recipe for Clean Brushes!

Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm running water to remove residual makeup. Only rinse the tip, as submerging the whole brush head will eventually dissolve the glue that connects the brush head to the handle.

Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a tablespoon of either gentle or clarifying shampoo. Using plain soap and water can dry out the bristles.

Swirl each brush tip in the bowl. For a good lather, you can also massage each brush tip in the palm of your hand.

Rinse the brush tips under running water.

Continue shampooing and rinsing each brush until the water runs clear from the brush.

Squeeze out excess moisture with a clean, dry paper towel.

Lay your brushes flat to dry on a towel with the tips hanging off the edge of the counter. Do not dry your brushes upright in a container, as this will cause the water to run down the brushes, loosening the glue that connects the brush head with the handle.

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Manager

Certified

BANKS CARROLL

Planner

Advisor

Divorce Financial Analyst

Angel

Ashley

Candy, costumes and the beginnings of cooler fall weather, what's not to love about Halloween?

But, as the start of the holiday season, this spooky day and all of the fun associated with it can get overlooked. From must-watch movies to crafting your own costume, we've got the essentials for a great Halloween covered!

8 Themed Halloween Costumes

It's Time to Get

spooky

Perfect for the Whole Family!

• The Incredibles

• Winnie the Pooh and Friends

BY NICOLE IRVING

13 Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips

1) Plan your route in advance.

2) Trick or treat with a group, never allow kids to go solo.

3) Make sure phones are charged and can be easily accessed.

4) Wear comfy shoes, even if they don’t go with a costume .

5) Never indulge in candy treats while collecting. Parents, that goes for you too!

6) For little ones, attach their name and emergency contact somewhere on them in case of separation.

7) Have a designated spot along the route to meet up if they get separated from you or the group.

8) Stay on a lighted path, never take shortcuts through private yards, woody areas or off the main paths.

9) Do not encourage children to walk into someone's home, even if invited. Trick or treating should be done curbside, at the front door or on the porch. Unless that person is family or a family friend with pre-approved permission, entering any home is not safe.

10) Little ones can get scared of overwhelming frightful decor. Always approach with caution and if it is too scary, walk away with them. Forcing them to go through it may cause them to startle and run away from the safety of the group.

11) Make sure costumes fit appropriately and that they aren’t too long, too hot, too short, too itchy or too tight. Do a practice run first!

12) If you have older children who will be going with friends and without you, set a curfew and pick up spot in safe area if needed.

13) Pack a glow stick or flashlight to light the way.

• Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys

• The Flintstones

• Hot Dogs and condiments

• Star Wars

• Skeleton Family

• Farmer and the animals

Favorite Halloween Movies

• “Hocus Pocus” (1993)

• “Hocus Pocus” (2022)

• “Beetlejuice” (1988)

• “Coco” (2017)

• “Casper” (1995)

• “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966)

diy fun

Make Our No-Sew Witch Tutu (and Broomstick!)

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

TUTU

• Crochet elastic ribbon or a premade crochet headband

• Four to five spools of Black 3" Matte Tulle, 25 feet each

BROOM

• Large stick for handle; we found ours at Hobby Lobby

• Smaller sticks or twigs for brush; found at Hobby Lobby

• Faux lavender

• Twine

• Glue gun

HOW TO MAKE:

TUTU

• Cut and secure your waistband. Elastic ribbon is very stretchy, so you won't need as much as you think! Use an extra piece of tulle to secure the pieces in the back.

• Cut your strips of tulle. Each strip will need to be double the length you want for the skirt.

• Wrap your elastic around something big, such as a chair back. Starting at one end of the elastic, fold your tulle in half and pull the folded end through the first gap in the elastic. Pull the end of the tulle through itself into a lark's head knot. Repeat around the entire bottom row of the elastic. If you want the tutu to be fuller, repeat the process on the next row above.

• When the tutu is complete, place around the waist and use the extra piece of tulle to tie the back closed. You can also use a piece of ribbon.

BROOM

WREATH INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Spray paint the stick wreath completely white.

2. Arrange the decor in the way you like. We placed the majority of our decor in the bottom right.

3. Once you like the layout, hot glue everything to the wreath, including the raven. You can also use green floral wire to hold things down.

4. Finish off your spooky wreath by wrapping the orange mesh to the top and tying a large bow.

• Determine the length you'd like the broom to be; you may have to saw off a portion of the stick if you would like it shorter.

• Bunch the smaller sticks and twigs around the end of the handle. Let some of the handle go down into the smaller twigs for stability. Use twine or rubber bands to secure the sticks in place.

• Pull the lavender apart into individual stems. From the bottom, work each piece up into the brush portion of the broom.

• Wrap a large piece of twine around the top of the brush portion, and use a glue gun periodically to secure the twine. Once it is fully wrapped, glue the end of the twine down.

Top photo by Sincerely Gone Photography. Wreath photo by Jimmy Ho Photography.

11 Must-Have Pumpkin Picks for the Season

BY NICOLE IRVING

Dionis

Stacked Pumpkins Wallflowers Fragrance Plug $14.50 | Bath & Body Works

Walton Wood Farm Hello Pumpkin Hand Rescue $17.99 | waltonwoodfarm.com

$14/2 pack | sugar-plum.com

Sugar Plum Pumpkin Spice Latte White Chocolate Bar

Hempz Pumpkin Spice & Vanilla Chai Herbal Hand Wash $15 | Ulta

Tea Forte Pumpkin Spice Petite Presentation Box $28 | teaforte.com

Tree Hut Pumpkin Spice Latte Shea Sugar Scrub $10.49 | Ulta

7 Ways to Save Big on Black Friday

BY JULIA BAUER

Get ready to set your alarms to avoid missing out on Black Friday deals! Dating back to the U.S. gold market crash in 1869, this nation-wide day of discounts is the perfect opportunity for early holiday shopping.

To avoid breaking the bank on Black Friday this year, here are seven ways to save big!

1. Set a budget

And stick to it! Creating a strict budget is key to saving money on Black Friday. It can be difficult to home in on what you need when you are surrounded by countless discounted items. If you are going to more than one store on Black Friday, divide your budget accordingly.

2. Compare prices

Most major retailers, like Best Buy and Walmart, do not allow price matching on Black Friday. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t eliminate the need for it. Decide what items you are looking for and compare prices at different stores ahead of time. This will

3. Have a game plan

Take some time to create a game plan. Make a schedule detailing when you want to begin your Black Friday adventure and how long you want to stay at each store. Don’t forget to account for driving time and possible traffic when creating your plan. Creating a schedule will help you get where you need to be so you can take advantage of Black Friday discounts before supplies run out.

4. Buy what you need... Not everything you want!

Stick to a list and avoid buying items you see on the shelves simply because of slashed prices. Focus on what you need in the upcoming future, like necessities and holiday gifts for loved ones.

5. Map it out

To help avoid distractions and save money by buying only the items you need, map out what sections of the stores you need to go to. If a specific section is a weak spot for you – such as the clothing isle or garden section – find a route avoiding those areas. This will eliminate the temptation of spending more money on unnecessary items.

6. Start early

Keep an eye out for pre-Black Friday sales. Some pre-Black Friday sales begin in early November. This will help you save money because you won’t have to worry about doorbuster items running out within minutes of Black Friday commencement. Instead, you can look into buying these items beforehand.

7. Look at Cyber Monday deals

If Black Friday isn’t as successful as you hoped and you missed saving big on some items on your list, check out Cyber Monday deals. Cyber Monday offers 24 hours of online shopping deals, and the inventory of the items you’re looking for may last longer because it is not limited to a physical store.

Store Hours for Black Friday

10

10

11 p.m.

a.m. – 9 p.m.

10 p.m.

ALLIANCE CREDIT UNION

Nature’s (Scary) Pest Control

BY COLE PURVIS

October is here and Halloween is soon approaching. Along with it comes spooky tales of ghouls, ghosts, witches and spiders. Yes, those eight-legged creepy crawlies found in the corners of our rooms to sprawling webs in the outdoors. Spiders have been seemingly always associated with emotions of fear and anxiety. However, they are not leaving our lives anytime soon, so it is essential to understand the dangers they present, the good they do and how we can coexist.

The G ood They Do

Spiders, above all else, can be seen as nature’s exterminators. Their brilliantly designed webs and adept predatory skills allow them to control local populations of insects like mosquitoes, flies, fleas, cockroaches, etc. This, in turn, protects our households, lawns and crops from pests that can spread disease, destroy agriculture and prove to be an overall nuisance. In fact, spiders are so important to the balance of our ecosystem and the protection of our crops that Norman Platnick, who studies arachnids at the American Museum of Natural History, declared, “If spiders disappeared, we would face famine.”

The Not So Good

Like many other bug-like creatures, spiders are known to deliver a bite when threatened. In Alachua County, there are a variety of spiders that are known to bite people, but there are only two species with venom that is poisonous to humans: the brown recluse and the southern black widow. Fortunately, each of these arachnids are easily identifiable via unique physical characteristics. The brown recluse typically ranges from the size of a penny to a quarter and is notably distinguishable by dark markings on its back side that resemble the silhouette of a violin. The black widow spider is notorious for its shiny black exterior that encompasses a bright red hourglass shape on its underside.

Once Bitten...

The overwhelming majority of nonpoisonous spider bites incite the same symptoms as a common bug bite. According to the Mayo Clinic, the victim of a spider bite is likely to experience a red, inflamed and often itchy or painful bump on the skin, not unlike a common mosquito bite. These bites are not considered dangerous and do not require medical attention.

Photo Credit: CWP Photography, Jimmy Ho Photography, & Charles Ely

Easy and Fun Spooky Crafts for the Whole Family

BY KATIE OSTERHOUT

October Buckets

Move over, Easter Bunny. Kick off the Halloween season and surprise your little ones on October 1st (or whenever Halloween is allowed to start in your house) with a special bucket filled with books, knick-knacks, treats, maybe a decoration for their room, a costume mask or a game. These are bound to bring excitement and entertainment every year.

Ghoulish Game

Need to buy 10 minutes so you can enjoy your hot coffee? Grab a sheet of paper, draw a tic-tac-toe board and some seasonal designs. Then, offer mini erasers in place of the X’s and O’s. The best part? This works for every holiday!

Batty Craft

Turn your paper rolls into a cute little bat with some construction paper and googly eyes. Wrap the roll in your color choice of paper, attach bat wings to the backside and draw a face. Pipe cleaners twisted through holes on the bottom become feet and allow you to display your project upside down, if you choose!

happy home | crafting with katie

CRAFTING with Katie

Witches, bats and skeletons, oh my! Please don’t tell Santa, but I think Halloween is the favorite holiday around here. There are so many fun and festive crafts and activities to enjoy with your kiddos—many that can evolve into traditions.

happy home | crafting with katie

Spooky Snacks

Want to deck out your snack plates? A peeled orange (left whole) can become a pumpkin. Use a slice of green pepper or celery for the stem. A delicious monster face can be created with two apple slices, and you can use peanut butter and mini marshmallows to craft the teeth. Make eyes from sliced grapes and add a raisin on top to complete the look. For something simplistic, fantastic and plastic, place some vampire teeth in a donut with edible eyes to make your plate come to life. Bonus points if it’s a jelly donut!

Throw a Potion Party

What is this exactly? A Halloween themed sensory play session that’s bound to be a favorite. This is a spooky twist on the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment. You’ll want to create a “lab” atmosphere for your little mad scientists or witches. Setting the table is often half the fun. Let them explore what you’ve laid out. Then, mix away and brew some potions!

Start with containers—grab some mason jars, small ramekins, vases, bowls, plastic bottles, paper plates, ceramic mugs, mini buckets, wooden crates and squirt bottles filled with vinegar. To make your containers look extra spooky, add festive labels that are creepy, gross or funny! You can print labels found online, or you can make your own with black paper and white chalk. “Worms wart,” “lizard toes,” “bat wings,” “zombie brains,” “cobwebs” or any other magical concoction are all names guaranteed to make them laugh.

Grab your supplies— besides the baking soda, some ideas for “ingredients” are plastic bugs, spider rings, expired spices, dried flowers, yard clippings, breadcrumbs, beans, seeds, craft moss, potpourri, small rocks, glitter or anything else you find lying around.

In your mixing containers, add a few drops of food coloring topped with a generous scoop of baking powder. Once they add the vinegar, they will discover the colors! Keep the baking soda close by so they can scoop in more.

Read!

Don’t forget to display seasonal books!

Local libraries often have tons of great options, or invest in a few festive favorites you can look forward to reading together each year. Create a cozy little reading nook, then deck it out with decorations, like orange lights, fun hats and pillows. Draw your little ones in and make their reading experiences unique.

Grab some affordable cauldrons at the store to mix all the larger ingredients. Any type of clear container, like Tupperware or plastic cups, works just great. If you have time, set out lab coats, safety goggles and gloves. For the witches, bring out the hats and give them all a witch name for the day.

Note: This gets wonderfully messy!

We’d love to see your creations! Share your crafts with us and tag creative_household or post #creativehouseholdfl to show off your fun!

special needs | halloween

No Tricks, Just Treats, for Kids with Special Needs on Halloween

BY CRYSTAL LADWIG, PH.D.

Halloween. The word evokes images, memories, and perhaps more than a few stomach aches. Most kids in our community love Halloween. The costumes, the candy, the treats. And, yes, the tricks! While it’s fun and exciting for most kids, Halloween can be challenging for some children with special needs, like those with physical limitations, sensory difficulties, or food allergies. Yet Halloween is still a holiday that children will want to participate in, and it’s important everyone feels included in the spooky community celebrations.

Before Halloween

There’s a lot you can do to gift your child with the best Halloween ever. It begins with preparation. Let your child select their own costume. Guide them as needed to make sure their selection is one they can move freely in without triggering any sensory sensitivities your child may have. Consider the texture, temperature, obstructed vision or hearing, and other characteristics. If your child uses crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair, you may even look online with your child and find a way to creatively incorporate assistive devices into the costume. Even still, some children may not be able to wear traditional Halloween costumes. If that’s the case, consider getting a t-shirt for your child with their favorite character on it. They may also bring or wear a fun accessory!

Once your child has their Halloween costume picked out, consider practicing for the big night. Let your child wear their costume around the house. Talk about what will happen when you go trick-or-treating. You may even use a social story to help kids understand what they will see and do. Some children may find it helpful to visit costume stores to see the type of costumes others

will be wearing on Halloween. Depending on your child’s communication abilities, consider practicing saying “trick-or-treat” and “thank you.”

On Halloween

Choosing where and how your child goes trick-or-treating can help ease any anxiety or overstimulation they may experience. Take advantage of community events like Trunk-or-Treats, daytime celebrations, or indoor events.

While you’re out, try to avoid crowds, homes with excess noise or decorations, and dark areas. Instead, go out with a small group, just your family or perhaps another

friend. Allow your child to take the lead in deciding which houses they want to visit and which they may want to skip. Finally, encourage your child to take a break if they start to become overwhelmed.

How You Can Help

Whether you have a child with special needs or not, you can help make Halloween an inclusive holiday for all. To minimize any mobility barriers, sit at the end of your driveway to hand out treats. Keep the area well-lit. For added fun, offer nonedible treats like pencils, notebooks, glow sticks, or stickers, as well as candy or other yummy treats.

Can Civics Be Fun?

BY CRYSTAL LADWIG, PH.D.

As we enter a new election season (which seems to last for years these days), civics education is at the is at the forefront of our conversations.. Homeschoolers stereotypically (but truly) love to take advantage of real-world situations and turn those into learning opportunities. So, how do we do this without boring our kids to death?

Make It a Project

All kids have things they wish they could control in the family. Perhaps they want more gaming time, more allowance, or more visits to their favorite restaurant. Turn their wants into a project that even younger children can participate in. Your children become the legislature, where they pass laws for the family. They must work together to write the “law” and vote on it. Then, it’s up to the president (a parent) to sign or veto the law. After a law has been passed, pretend it has been challenged. Children may advocate for or against the law, ultimately ruled upon by the judge (another parent or person). The judge rules on the law’s constitutionality (i.e., whether it fits with family rules and values).

This project allows kids to have a voice in the family, possibly get some things they want and learn about the three branches of government.

Make it a Challenge

Don’t be afraid to talk about complex or polarizing topics as appropriate. For example, you may discuss immigration policy with your kids and debate border policies, citizenship requirements, or legal issues you see discussed in the news. Discuss the moral, ethical, and political implications of different policies.

Challenge your kids to debate topics. The catch: they must advocate for and against each position. C-SPAN’s Classroom Deliberations can help you get started.

Make it Real Civics is boring for many kids when it’s abstract. Make it real by watching the news together. When there’s an issue that your kids feel strongly about, work with them to write a letter to their legislators advocating for their position. Legislators often reply to those letters when kids handwrite them.

Learning civics in real-time through real situations helps to make it more concrete and more easily understood. In addition, as kids see the process unfolding the same way for different issues, they begin to learn how our civic process works without a long lesson.

Make it Current

During election seasons like the one we’re entering now, watch news segments, speeches, or debates (depending on the age/maturity level) or read news articles. Then, at several points throughout the election, have each family member vote for the candidate of their choice. Then, talk about why they picked that person and how their opinions change over time.

When an election occurs in your community, take your kids with you to watch you vote. Perhaps your kids can fill out their own ballots that you bring at the same time. Polling locations typically give kids “I voted” stickers to wear, too.

Follow Your Kids’ Lead

Learning opportunities abound if you keep your eyes and ears open. When your kids show an interest in a topic, slow down and follow their lead. They’ll learn much more, they’ll have fun, and you’ll have valuable time with your kids while teaching them how to be contributing citizens.

Holden, Roscow & Caedington,

Jesse Caedington is a triple Gator, with his undergraduate, J.D., and LL.M. (Master of Laws) in taxation from the University of Florida. Jesse specializes in estate and business planning, including wills, trusts, advance directives, probate, trust administration, real estate, business transactions, and taxation.

HOLDEN, ROSCOW & CAEDINGTON, PL

Jesse Caedington, Esq. LL.M. in Taxation

| family learning

The History Behind Your Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition

BY ALEJANDRA ZAMORA

Bright and early on Thanksgiving morning, you might be rising to prep pie doughs, get a head start on roasting your bird, or dicing onions and celery for stuffing ahead of your family gathering. But in New York City, long before the sun rises to peek between the skyscrapers, giant cartoon characters emerge to greet the streets, dancers and cheerleaders stretch prior to enchanting performances, Broadway casts and pop singers warm up their vocal cords, and somewhere, Santa Claus himself gets ready to make his official debut.

There’s only one time during the year where these events occur in the wee hours of the morning: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the second-oldest Turkey Day procession in the U.S., kicks off one of the country’s biggest holidays with a dose of whimsical nostalgia.

But how much do you really know about one of the most beloved parades? Let’s take a quick pop quiz to find out:

Thanksgiving Parade Quiz

1. What year was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

A. 1950 B. 1924 C. 1931 D. 1908

2. Which characters made their debuts in the first parade?

A. Scooby Doo, Mickey Mouse & Popeye

B. Superman, Batman, & Spiderman

C. Kermit the Frog, Yogi Bear & Snoopy

D. The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Little Miss Muffet & Little Red Riding Hood

3. True or false: Zoo animals originally took the place of the iconic character balloons we know and love.

A. True B. False

4. How many participants, on average, participate in the parade every year?

A. 8,000

B. 15,000 C. 1,700 D. 10,000

learn | family learning

Check your answers at the bottom of the page.* How’d you do? Regardless, keep reading to brush up on your knowledge of one of the most beloved Thanksgiving traditions of our time, courtesy of the History Channel.

What started as a 6-mile procession of floats, a couple hundred Macy’s employees and a band of zoo animals was meant to be a marketing campaign to ramp up Christmas shopping at the famous New York City department store.

Looking to replace the long-standing tradition of the “ragamuffin” pastime in which face-painted children wearing tattered clothes would go door to door asking for a Thanksgiving handout, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade positioned itself before the big football game of the afternoon and, of course, before the feast of the evening. While over 10,000 people marveled at the procession on the city streets, the celebration only earned two sentences in the following day’s New York Herald paper.

Despite its low press coverage, the large turnout and buzz around town drove Macy’s to announce its return the following year. In the next morning’s paper, Macy’s released its advertisement, stating, “We did not dare dream its success would be so great.” In subsequent parades, Macy’s adjusted its strategy to cater to some of the crowd’s wishes, including reducing the parade’s route to 2.5 miles and replacing the live zoo animals with the beloved giant balloons we know today: Felix the Cat was the parade’s first balloon, debuting in 1927. Of course, however, this balloon was modest in size compared to what we’re used to in modern parades.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that the parade debuted its truly gigantic character

balloons, with the first being a nearly 100-foot Superman at the start of the decade. Since then, iconic characters have been blown up larger and larger each year, turning every new debut into a spectacle for adults and kids alike. Aside from balloon upgrades, each subsequent parade involved more spectators, star-studded appearances, intricately designed floats and much more.

The Parade of Today

Now, the well-recognized event continues to be a cherished Thanksgiving Day tradition across the country, and it increases in production value and size with each passing year. According to People

Magazine, here’s what it took to put on last year’s 95th celebration:

* 300 pounds of glitter

* 200 pounds of confetti

* 240 gallons of paint

* 4,800 volunteers

* 50,000+ hours of labor

Each moving piece comes together to create the beloved parade that over 50 million Americans tune into each year. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade of the past and present may be starkly different, but the awe and captivation it provokes year after year has remained the same, mesmerizing adults and children alike as it continues to present the most timeless of Thanksgiving pastimes.

*Answers:1:B.1924•2:D.TheOldWomanWhoLivedinaShoe,LittleMissMuffet&LittleRedRidingHood•3:A.True•4:A.8,000

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was never expected to turn into the spectacle it is today.

HUDSON

BERKLEY,

7TH

ELIZABETH, 3RD GRADE ROBERT,

ELIANA

DAVID, VPK ABIGAIL, K-3

Photos submitted by

ABIGAIL FRESHMAN

SADIE KINDERGARTEN

LEEONDRA 10TH GRADE

SOFIA 7TH GRADE

LIYANNA, 7TH GRADE CAMIL, KINDERGARTEN

AMELIA, 2ND GRADE

NOOR, 7TH GRADE EMAAN, 6TH GRADE

KATALINA, 2ND GRADE ZECHARIAH, 12TH GRADE

RAYYAN AND SHAAN PRE-K

YALEINA, 4TH GRADE

ANQUAN

JOSIAH 11TH

RYLEIGH 6TH GRADE

JEB KINDERGARTEN

Photos submitted by local families.

PRESENTED BY

PRESENTED BY

COHEN, 5TH GRADE ROSSLYN, 9TH GRADE WREN, 3RD GRADE

KELSIE 2ND GRADE

COURTNEY 4TH GRADE

JALIYIAH 6TH GRADE

ELLA KINDERGARTEN

LANDYN KINDERGARTEN

ELEANOR TWO'S CLASS

CORA KINDERGARTEN

KALI KINDERGARTEN

VANESSA 6TH GRADE

MADDOX KINDERGARTEN

ARIANA KINDERGARTEN

MILES AND SOPHIE 5TH GRADE

VERONICA 3RD GRADE

MAKEN KINDERGARTEN

ANALIA, 1ST GRADE AVERY, PK-4

JALIYAH 5TH GRADE

SKYLAH KINDERGARTEN

Photos submitted by local families.

JOSIE 2ND GRADE

OLIVIA 1ST GRADE

KOLBY KINDERGARTEN

SOPHIA 4TH GRADE

LONDON 6TH GRADE

ISABELLA 5TH GRADE

KINLEY, 4TH GRADE CADE, KINDERGARTEN

MATEO KINDERGARTEN

MATTHEW KINDERGARTEN

NOAH VPK

Photos submitted by local families.

BY

Photos submitted by local families.

TURNER,

TEAGAN

BECKETT,

NICHOLAS,

KAILEIGH

LUCAS,

M

KINLEY KINDERGARTEN

KAIRO

SKYLAR

BARRETT, 2ND

COLIN, TODDLER

ADELYN, 1ST GRADE; CAMDEN, 6TH GRADE; TRISTAN, 9TH GRADE; REAGAN, 11TH GRADE

HUDSON, 7TH GRADE ELLA, 6TH GRADE

CHRIS 9TH GRADE

KAMRY PRESCHOOL

JAKE, 1ST GRADE COOPER, 6TH GRADE

DANIEL 2ND GRADE

ELIZABETH 3 YEAR-OLD CLASS

MARGAUX, 1ST GRADE MADELYN, 4TH GRADE

MIRABEL 10TH

HADLEY,

HAZEN,

MELODY KINDERGARTEN

REAGAN, 3RD GRADE AUSTIN, KINDERGARTEN

CLAYTON, 4TH GRADE SADIE, KINDERGARTEN ISAAC, 7TH GRADE

VICTORIA, KINDERGARTEN AXEL, K3

GRACE, 9TH GRADE MICHAEL, 5TH GRADE

Photos submitted by local families.

BY

learn | featured teacher

Ms. Keilah Trujillo

Why were you inspired to teach?

Growing up I always used to pretend I was teacher and would use my stuffed animals as my students. My mom also worked in the public school system and would often take me with her to work, especially during summer school. Working with her made me realize I wanted to teach when I became an adult.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

My favorite part of the school day is just getting to be around and interacting with my students. I love the conversations we have!

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

I’m really not sure. I’m not big into superheroes but definitely someone who was fighting for animal conservation.

What is your favorite book?

I have two–Island of the Blue Dolphins and The Great Gatsby.

If you could give parents 3 pieces of advice to help their kids over the summer keep up with their learning, what would it be?

1) Read with your children EVERY day!

WHERE DO YOU TEACH?

I teach at Williams Elementary.

WHAT GRADE/AGE DO YOU TEACH?

3rd grade

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A TEACHER?

This is my 11th year teaching!

WHAT SUBJECT DO YOU TEACH?

I teach reading, math, science and social studies.

Do you have a favorite assignment/ project that you typically assign your students?

One of my favorite activities to show my students is a game called “Oh Deer!”.

It’s a very fun game that teaches about how populations of animals can change based on changes in the environment as well as predators. With this game I can incorporate math (graphing data), science and reading.

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I love reading, cuddling with my cat Sammy and lately I’ve been playing a lot of Splatoon 3.

Share a funny teaching moment/day.

Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond for his students? An administrator who is truly devoted to making her school a better place? Giggle Magazine wants to know!

Visit gigglemagazine.com to submit your favorite educator for a chance for him or her to be featured in one of our upcoming issues.

There was this one time, about 2 years ago now, that this huge cockroach started crawling through our classroom. I was teaching 2nd grade at the time. Well, one of my boys was extremely afraid of roaches (who wouldn’t be?) and when he saw it he screamed and immediately flew on top of the desk next to his. I looked over to see him and the girl who’s desk he was on, huddled together on top of the desk as the cockroach scuttled across the floor. It was so funny that the class continued joking about it for the rest of the year.

2) As long as your child is doing his or her best, be proud. The more confidence they have, the better their academic performance will be.

3) When things get stressful, take a breath and relax. Find something that makes you happy.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

I will probably be Queen Cleopatra!

Photos by Keilah Trujillo

EXPECTING

INFANT

TODDLER

EARLY YEARS |

KIDS |

TWEENS | 10-13

TEENS | 14-18

Photo by Jimmy Ho Photography

Tucked in Tight: Compression Wear in Pregnancy

BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS, MCHES, CF-L1

There are many physical changes that happen during pregnancy. Despite the obvious ones, there are others that you may not yet know about. Being prepared can help you know what to expect and what to do to ease the aches and pains.

A 2016 study revealed that one of the physiological changes associated with pregnancy is a 50% increase in blood volume as well as hypercoagulation of blood, meaning it clots more easily in preparation for delivery. Nemours KidsHealth also indicates that the extra fluid in the body as well as the increased pressure from the growing uterus can cause swelling in the feet and ankles Another common pregnancy symptom is round ligament pain, as the body produces hormones that cause ligaments to become loose and stretchy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

These changes sound fun, don’t they? No need to worry—there are some remedies that can help alleviate the discomfort!

Pregnancy Belts

Round ligament pain, a growing uterus and being on your feet can make back and belly pain a real nuisance. A compression

pregnancy belt can help alleviate some of the pressure on the pelvis by supporting the extra weight of your belly.

Round ligament pain is most common with a shift in position, so pregnancy belts can be especially useful for mamas-to-be who are on the go! The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also reports that wearing this type of support during provider-approved exercise, particularly in the third trimester, can help with back pain and discomfort.

Choose a belt with a soft material that won’t irritate the skin, particularly if you are sweating. You can also wear it over a light layer of clothing, such as a camisole. The belt should provide support but not be too tight. Use it during periods of greater activity or when you might be standing for a longer period. Allow for breaks in use when you are sitting, resting or doing minimal activity.

Compression Stockings

A common complaint among pregnant women is the light swelling and discomfort in the feet and ankles. While minimal swelling is considered normal, contact your provider if swelling is severe, only occurs on one side or is accompanied by other symptoms.

For routine pregnancy swelling, compression stockings or socks may help, particularly if used from the start of the day before fluid has the chance to accumulate. Compression socks can help reduce swelling, minimize varicose veins (another common pregnancy side effect), improve circulation and relieve aches and pains.

Compression socks are particularly helpful during travel to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or developing blood clots in the leg. If you’ll be sitting for long an extended period in a car or plane, compression socks can help minimize the risk.

Over-the-counter compression socks can be found in sporting goods stores or online. They come in a variety of compression levels. The sock should be snug and supportive but should not be cutting off circulation or cause numbness or tingling in the extremities. There are also prescription socks available, ask your provider for details.

Compression socks may be worn throughout most of the day, but they are not usually necessary overnight as the feet are elevated. The swelling may continue up to six weeks postpartum, so wearing the socks after delivery may be comforting.

! Giggle Tip:

Before purchasing any compression wear, talk to your provider about your concerns to rule out anything more serious. Compression wear is not recommended for everyone, so seek permission from your provider first, especially if you have underlying conditions such as diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.

Kick Cradle Cap to the Curb

BY HANNAH SHELTON

Before your child’s grand debut into the world, you had—quite literally—no idea what they looked like. And yet, they arrived adorable. Plain and simple, just as they were. Whether your baby was then born with luscious locks or a beautifully bare head, you were quick to deem them perfect, every bit of them.

With small hair follicles setting the stage around the 30th week of pregnancy, hormones and other key-players come together to turn your baby’s halo into a future hairdo. Not long after birth, your newborn’s hair enters a new growth cycle, which often results in a natural period of hair fallout, according to Healthline.

Somehow, through a pile of diapers and fog of sleeplessness, you might notice your child’s hair growing again. A cute curl here, a hint of fuzz there, perhaps a scab over yonder.

Wait—a what? Yes, a scab! If that’s the case, breathe and fear not. If you notice yellow and flaky patches dotting your kid’s head, your little one might have cradle cap.

Cradle cap, as defined by the National Library of Medicine, is “a very common, mostly self-limiting, chronic non-inflammatory scaling skin condition that presents between the third week and first couple months of life.”

The condition peaks at about three months of life, according to Mayo Clinic, and here are some symptoms to watch for:

• Patchy or thick crusts on the scalp

• Oily or dry skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales

• Skin flakes

• Possibly mild redness

Cradle cap is typically the result of hyperactive oil production in the skin glands upon your baby’s brow. Scientists also speculate, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic, that “the changing hormone levels in the mother’s body during pregnancy may cause a baby’s sebaceous glands to overproduce,” thus causing cradle cap. Although harmless, it’s important to know the facts and resources at your disposable so you can best care for your tot.

The most important thing to remember about cradle cap? It’s not dangerous. It’s not contagious. It’s not itchy, and it’s likely to resolve itself in a matter of months. If you, or your newborn, seek to address it sooner, here are some trusted tips to treat cradle cap, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association:

• Apply a gentle oil to help loosen the scales before bath time

• Wash your baby’s hair more often to help soften the scale and reduce symptoms

• Opt for fragrance-free baby shampoo

• Gently massage away the scales while washing your baby’s head

• Carefully comb through your baby’s hair with a brush to remove scales in their hair

With these pointers, your baby’s cradle cap can be gently yet effectively managed. Before you, and especially your kin, know it, their head will be back to its prime smoothness in no time. Just be sure to never pick it!

If the condition doesn’t disappear by the time your child reaches the 12-month milestone, connect with your pediatrician to explore possible dermatology treatments. Then, feel free to go back to admiring how cute your kid is.

Ditch the Diapers

BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS, MCHES, CF-L1

Make sure they’re ready

While parents may be ready, not all toddlers are on the same schedule. According to Mayo Clinic, when children are ready, they will begin to show interest in going to the bathroom, have a dry diaper for two hours or more, seek privacy when filling their diaper or talk about potty activities. Parents also want to ensure their child can pull their pants up and down independently, verbally communicate their need to go and follow simple instructions.

Strategies for success

Children will vary in how they respond to potty training. What works with one child may not work with another. Don’t be discouraged—your child will not be in diapers forever!

Whether your child is at daycare or spends their days at home, we found strategies that caretakers use to encourage children to take the leap that you can reinforce at home.

Sticker charts or incentives

Once you’re ready to begin training, frequently offer the opportunity to go potty. Each time they sit on the toilet (regardless of the result), place a sticker on a visible chart so they can see their progress. The reward could also be a small treat or even just verbal affirmation. Getting them accustomed to the idea of sitting on the potty is the first hurdle, but encouraging your child with incentives can help.

Modeling behavior

Daycares sometimes utilize positive peer pressure to prompt solo potty time. If your child has older siblings, or you’re comfortable letting them tag along with you, explain to them what’s happening. You can also start with bits and pieces of the potty process, such as pulling their own pants up and down, tearing off toilet paper and flushing.

Pick out those special undies

Allow your child to participate in the process by picking out their favorite underwear and using it as an incentive. As you get further down the potty-training path, resist the urge to go back to pull-up training pants, as they wick away liquid, not letting the child know they are wet. If you’ll be on a long car ride or without access to a bathroom, allow them to wear their underwear but put a pull-up on the outside of it to avoid messes in the car. This way, your child will know they’re wet but there’s still a protective barrier.

Go naked!

Consider blocking out a few days to stay home and let your child run around naked, pumping them full of fluids so they urinate frequently. Taking them to the potty every 30-45 minutes will give them plenty of opportunities to go!

Regardless of what strategies you employ, the biggest thing to remember is to have patience. Resist the urge to show frustration when your child does not go. Accidents are a normal part of the learning process. Stay consistent in offering the bathroom and eventually it will click!

Diapers are a hassle on the journey to achieving the big kid underwear milestone—what is the best way to get your child there?

early years

Childhood Moments: Becoming the Older Sibling

BY ALE RUSSIAN

The life-changing event of bringing your new baby home is equal parts terrifying and exciting. You don’t really know when you’ll be sleeping, eating or showering next, and you’re overwhelmed with love for the new little person in your life.

As consuming as it all is, the process can be more difficult if the baby will be joining a sibling waiting at home. Being the older child in this situation might seem like it has no perks. Your firstborn now has to get used to not being the center of your world. Keep this in mind when planning how to transition your growing family, giving them plenty of love and attention along the way.

Get them used to the idea

The hardest part of the transition will be your older child realizing the baby is here to stay. Start this process by getting them used to the idea during the pregnancy. Show them your growing belly and let them feel the little kicks from their new sibling. If adopting, involve them in any (age-appropriate) pregnancy updates you receive from the birth mother. Make fun “Big Sister” and “Little Brother” T-shirts to celebrate the upcoming new roles. Try giving her a doll a few months before the birth and have them take care of it as they would their new baby brother or sister. It will give her an idea of what it will be like when the new baby actually arrives.

Plan ahead for changes

The permanent change in routine is typically what affects older siblings the most when the new baby comes home. To avoid

further problems, start implementing some changes as soon as possible. If they are going to have to move rooms for the nursery’s new space, transition them a few months ahead. This will avoid their discomfort when the baby comes home. Make this an exciting event for them. Let them choose a new bedding set or wall paint color. Or if they'll be using a new car seat so the baby can use theirs, bring them along when you make the purchase and install the new seat.

Include her in the baby routine

With the new baby requiring a ton of attention, your older one may start to feel like they're being replaced or no longer important in the household. Combat this by including them in the daily baby routine. Although they can’t change diapers yet, your older one can help by bringing a new diaper to you or handing you the baby’s clothes. Tell them it's their very special job and that they are the best one for it!

Important to remember: Bringing your new bundle home doesn’t make your other child any older! Although it may feel like they are ready for a lot more responsibilities, partly due to the doubling up of yours, take into account what is developmentally appropriate for their age and avoid further distress.

Books to Help with the New Life Change:

“What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home” by Heidi Murkoff

“There’s a House Inside my Mummy” by Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban

“Ever So Ever So” by Kes Gray

"I'm a Big Brother" or "I'm a Big Sister" by Joanna Cole

THE CADE MUSEUM

Spark wonder in your children at the Cade with Little Sparks! Little Sparks (ages 0-5) supports healthy brain development by engaging your little ones’ senses with music, dancing, crafting, story time, and more.

“My little one never wants to leave— good thing it’s fun for me too!”

—Sam, Cade Museum Member

Thursdays & Saturdays at 10:15am Cade Members get FREE admission!

South Main Street

FL 32601

“More, More, More!”

How to Make Sure your Child isn’t Spoiled this Holiday Season

BY TRACY WRIGHT

When we think about the holiday season with our children, our thoughts often turn to warm memories of visits to Santa, cookie baking, decorating and a spirit of cheer. Unfortunately, many people also describe this seemingly magical time as one of greed and materialism, and our children are not immune. As soon as the ads show up on TV and toy catalogs come in the mail, we usually grow accustomed to hearing the phrase, “I want that!”

It’s difficult not to get wrapped up in the holiday spirit and buy everything your child desires. But this can have adverse effects on the lessons we want to impart to our children about gratitude and the spirit of the holidays. It can also cause a long-term sense of entitlement, not to mention they become more likely to equate gifts with happiness and love.

According to Psychologies UK, parents can purchase excessive gifts for their children in an effort to resolve their own feelings.

“Buying gifts is often a way of assuaging our own guilt at being absent, either because we’re involved in our careers or too wrapped up in everyday problems. This pattern of behavior is a mistake.”

We also don’t want our children to focus on the material value of gifts and compare this to their peers. Instead, help them understand the true value of giving to others.

“A child can end up believing that a constant stream of presents is the most reliable way of showing love or feeling valued. If this happens, they will lose the ability to draw a distinction between affection, money and gifts,” according to Isabelle Taubes in Psychologies Magazine. “By focusing on the material value of an object that they’re given, a child may struggle to understand the symbolic value of a gift and the importance of the act of giving.”

Here's how not to spoil your kids this holiday season, according to experts:

EXPRESS GRATITUDE when you can around your children and make sure they understand the concept, said family coach Andrew Blackwood. Look for fun and helpful ways to donate or support, like fostering an animal or participating in a toy drive. Many families ask their children to find old toys they can donate before they receive new gifts for the holidays.

SET A BUDGET for each child and stick to it. Remember, excessive gift giving can not only harm your child’s psyche and development, but it can also hurt your wallet. Be mindful of overspending during the holidays so you can afford fun family experiences later in the year. That goes for grandparents and extended family, too. They are often eager to buy gifts for your kids, so instead, have an open discussion with your family members about quantity and kinds of gifts you would like them to consider buying for your children.

CONSIDER INVESTING IN EXPERIENCES instead of material gifts. Children will also enjoy a trip to an exciting place, like the zoo, museum or another city away from home. While these experiences still cost money, the memories created between your children and family will most likely last longer than a toy.

HAVE YOUR CHILD WRITE A LETTER OR CREATE A WISH LIST where they describe not only what they may want but why they want it as well. Be open with your children so they know they won’t get everything on their list. After all, this is one of life’s lessons.

VALUE FAMILY TRADITIONS OVER GIFTS during the holiday season. Remember, your child will cherish the meaningful traditions you create as a family over every gift they may have received any given year. “Activities such as wrapping gifts, preparing meals, singing holiday music, and watching family films will also bring everyone together to make wonderful, happy Christmas memories,” according to NetDoctor.

Stop the Snark: How to Deal with Sarcasm in Your Child

BY TRACY WRIGHT

“Oh wow…I can’t WAIT to hang out with my brother all day.” Parents of tweens and teens…did you spot that? Yup that’s a clear case of sarcasm! Couple that with a classic eye roll, and you’ve just been snarked!

As annoying as this behavior may be coming from your once sweet angel, experts point out that sarcasm can note a sign of intelligence.

According to psycholinguist Penny Pexman at the University of Calgary, sarcasm requires teens to use more brainpower to fully understand the meaning of a statement. While this may evade a younger child, the tween’s/teen’s more sophisticated and developed brain can actually grasp sarcasm.

Teens tend to primarily use sarcasm as humor and to gain attention from their peers, but it also may be a way to express themselves “because they are unwilling or unable to directly communicate their feelings,” said Dayton’s Children’s Hospital. While sarcasm is more apparent to a more mature brain, it doesn’t mean that teens are fully emotionally ready to state their thoughts appropriately.

“…Children and teens do a lot of things because they don’t know how to express emotions appropriately. To make matters worse, they learn a lot from watching other kids and people around them who don’t know how to express themselves appropriately either,” said James Lehman, MSW, social worker and founder of Empowering Parents.

Still, while sarcasm is often used as an emotional shield or a way to make friends laugh, it can often come across as offensive, obnoxious or hurtful to friends, family, teachers and other authorities. “The fact that a behavior is common doesn’t make it acceptable. It’s a mistake to view sarcasm as inevitable with our kids. You can try to temper sarcasm in your child by following some guidelines,” says Dayton’s Children’s Hospital.

GUIDELINES FOR TEMPERING SARCASM IN CHILDREN

Know what is unacceptable and what you can mildly ignore. Teens respond to parents’ interventions just as you’d expect—they will do it more. You know some snark is likely, but warn your children that you won’t accept disrespectful or hurtful behavior, Lehman said.

Practice what you preach. Make it known that sarcastic comments that lead to hurt and disrespect will not be tolerated in your household. This means you as parents too! You have to role model good behavior if you want your child to take these rules seriously.

Take the opportunity to have open discussions about respectful behavior in your family. Your child is old enough to be able to talk about complexities of language and expression. Dayton Children’s Hospital recommends suggesting alternatives rather than just enforcing punishment, which can often be ineffective. “Here’s the best way to teach kids these [important communications] skills— ask lots of open-ended questions to provoke discussion. Don’t let this degenerate into an interrogation of your child. You’ll need to be willing to share your thoughts as well.”

Be aware of what they watch and listen to. Behavior can be modeled from adults and peers, but children are also influenced by what they see and hear on TV, movies and social media. Make sure you know what your child is viewing and keep lines of communication open about what is purely entertainment and what is acceptable in real life. For example, a quip from a sassy child to their parent on a Disney show may be funny as you watch but disrespectful in real life. Make sure your child knows the difference.

Finally, do not take this behavior personally. They love and respect their parents, but they are finding a way to manage their own behavior and circumstances. “After a day filled with grown-up rules and expectations at school, expressing [their] opinion harshly helps [them] feel as if she has some control over [their] life,” Parents Magazine said.

Recognizing the Signs of Disordered Eating

BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS, MCHES, CF-L1

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), approximately 9% of the U.S. population (roughly 28.8 million Americans) will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are the second deadliest mental health condition (after opioid overdose) and result in an average of 10,200 deaths per year—that’s one every 52 minutes.

Children and teens are not immune to disordered eating, with 81% of 10-year-old children feeling afraid of gaining weight and 35-57% of adolescent girls engage in crash dieting, fasting, self-induced vomiting, diet pills or laxatives. What are the warning signs, and how can you help your child if you suspect they may have disordered eating?

What is disordered eating?

Disordered eating is having a distorted perception in one’s relationship with food. According to the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Service (EDCAS), those with disordered eating often display similar behaviors and thought patterns of those with an eating disorder, just to a lesser degree or frequency. For that reason, identifying and treating disordered eating is critical to helping people heal and not evolve to have a worsened conditions.

There are several eating disorders categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-V): anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). While the conditions are different, most people with eating disorders have a list of “good” and “bad” foods and a distorted perception of body image.

What are the warning signs?

Local dietitian Karin Kratina, PhD, RDN, LDN, SEP, who specializes in disordered eating, says “the first warning sign is almost always dieting or eating ‘healthy’ to lose weight. In my 40 years of specializing in treating those with disordered eating and eating disorders, every single client, without fail, started out by trying to change their food to alter their weight.”

Not everyone who tries to manage their weight develops an eating disorder, but recent research confirms dieting is the most important predictor of developing an eating disorder. This research showed that adolescents ages 14-15 who severely restricted their energy intake were 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder, and those who dieted at a moderate level were five times more likely than non-dieting peers to develop a disorder.

“If a girl or boy goes beyond an initial ‘flirtation,’ a few days and then they move on with altering their food I would be concerned. Eating disorders usually start with teenagers, and even children as young as 5, wanting to eat ‘healthy’ and eliminate ‘bad’ foods,” Kratina said. “This can slip into skipping meals and restricting foods, then to sneaking food, binging and weight gain. Exercising

to manage weight, which can perpetuate the cycle, is a potentially problematic behavior as well.”

Despite how our culture promotes dieting for weight loss, dieting can actually lead to increased weight.

According to Kratina, “there is typically an initial loss of weight, but within a couple of years, sometimes within months, that weight is regained, plus some. Research ominously reports that teenagers in the US who diet in ninth grade, around 15 years of age, are three times more likely than non-dieters to be overweight by 12th grade.”

So, not only is dieting a red flag for future disordered eating, but it is not an effective tool for long-term weight management. Kratina also shared that children who begin to focus on nutrition is a warning sign for her.

“I even fret when I hear a teen focused on nutrition,” she said. “They should be going to school and having fun, not worried about calories and carbs.”

Kratina also warned that weight fluctuations, in general, can be problematic.

“Unfortunately, kids are often praised for weight loss, making them feel the need to further manipulate the food in an effort to keep it off,” she said. “I often get calls from parents who describe how great their child did losing weight, and now they are a good size, but they also now have eating problems.”

Kratina explains parents will see mostly likely see emotional and behavioral symptoms, such as comparing their bodies to others, skipping meals, not wanting to eat with others, checking in the mirror for flaws in appearance, withdrawal from friends or family, heading to the bathroom after eating, maintaining a rigid eating or exercise pattern, and monitoring how food is cooked before they see physical symptoms. These included frequently feeling cold, cuts or scars on the back of the hand as result of inducing vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, menstrual irregularities, dizziness or fatigue.

“By the time the physical symptoms show up, the eating disorder is usually well under way,” she said. “In fact, I tell parents that their child will likely have normal blood work in the initial stages of the eating disorder, that it becomes abnormal only when the eating disorder has become severe.”

What can I do to promote healthy eating patterns?

Kratina believes that kids should not be taught specifics about nutrition.

“Concepts like vitamins and protein are way too abstract for kids,” she said. “Instead, parents should model balanced eating, and encourage children to connect to the sensory aspects of eating, helping them connect to their bodies rather than an intellectualized approach to food.”

Kratina also finds the best way for parents to encourage a wellrounded appetite is “for a parent to eat a wide variety of foods in front of them, with enjoyment, ease and comfort. They don’t have to talk about it or make it ‘a thing.’ Just enjoy their lives and their food.”

What do I do if I think my child has a problem? Talk to your child about your concerns, but do not hesitate to seek treatment. Nemours Kids Health states that the earlier a problem is identified, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Disordered eating often leads to more severe forms of eating disorders. Contact your pediatrician for advice or seek help from a dietitian and mental health counselor. There are a variety of practitioners trained to help and the sooner the problem is identified, the better the outcome.

Children & Young Adults Eating Disorder Statistics

Source: https://anad.org/eating-disorders-statistics/

!

42% girls in the first-third grade want to be thinner.

81% of children who are 10 feel afraid of being “fat.”

46% of children ages 9-11 are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets.

35-57% of adolescent girls engage in crash dieting, fasting, self-induced vomiting, diet pills or laxatives.

In a college campus survey, 91% of the women admitted to controlling their weight through dieting.

community

oct | nov

Recurring Events

Free Fridays Concert Series

7-10 p.m.

Bo Diddley Plaza

This event repeats every Friday until October 21.

Stay and Play

9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Fridays

3:15 - 5:15 p.m., Saturdays

Sun Country Sports Center suncountrysports.com

Stay and Play is a safe and fun environment for children 5 and under and their parents. Kids will enjoy open play and obstacle courses. This preschool gym offers equipment especially designed for your little ones.

This event repeats weekly.

Chalk the Walk

10 - 11 a.m. | Depot Park

Chalk the Walk is for children ages 2-5 and their parents. Enjoy the outdoors while your child expresses themselves through sidewalk chalk art.

This event repeats the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Haile Farmers Market (Free)

8:30 a.m. - Noon | 5213 SW 91st Terrace hailefarmersmarket.com

Head out to Haile to enjoy fresh, local produce, meats, honey and more!

This event repeats every Saturday.

Splash Jam

11:30 a.m. - Noon | Sun Country Sports Center suncountrysports.com/splashjam/

Enjoy some extra time in the pool to improve your swimming skills! Available for children ages 3 and up (West location only).

This event repeats every Saturday.

Ninja Jam

12:15 - 1:10 p.m. | Sun Country Sports Center suncountrysports.com/ninjajam/ Learn the ways of the Ninja. Available for children ages 3 and up (West location only). This event repeats every Saturday.

Pumpkin Patch at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church

10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday - Friday

8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool

This event ends October 31.

Cade Museum

STEAM Activities

Cade Museum | cademuseum.org

• Jr. Inventor Night

5 - 7 p.m., Tuesdays

• Little Sparks and Story Time (ages 0-5)

10:15 a.m., Thursdays and Saturdays

Visit gigglemagazine.com to browse our online calendar and find your next family adventure!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

Oktoberfest

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool Join Abiding Savior Lutheran Church to kick off the month of October with food, music and fun!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

11th Annual Movie on the Lawn

6:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Campus USA Credit Union, Empower Park Come out and bring the whole family for Encanto!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

21st Annual Guest Chef Gainesville

5:30 - 9 p.m. | Oak Lane Weddings and Events guestchefgainesville.com

Watch as over 30 home chefs make their favorite dishes to benefit Peaceful Paths, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

Gator Gallop

11 a.m. | Plaza of The Americas

gatorgrowl.org/gallop

Gator Gallop welcomes Gator fans of all ages and athletic abilities to walk, skip, jog or roll to experience one of UF's favorite traditions.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

UF Homecoming Parade

Noon - 2 p.m. | 13th Street and Museum Road gatorgrowl.org/parade

Watch the annual parade and celebrate school spirit as UF takes on LSU for Homecoming.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

UF vs. Missouri Homecoming Football Game

Noon | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

community | calendar

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10

Columbus Day

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

Paint & Graze with Corks & Colors Studio

5:30 - 8 p.m. | Langan Acres eventbrite.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

UF vs. LSU Football Game

TBA Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

Story Time at Depot Park

10:30 - 11 a.m.

Depot Park

Join some of the Alachua Library staff outside at

WOLVES GOLF CLASSIC

2022

OCTOBER 22, 2022

4-person shotgun start in a scramble format with one team per golfer which includes greens fees, cart, range balls, on-course refreshments, player gift bag, prizes and raffle. the QR code or at www.sfcawolves.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Annual Wolves Golf Classic

Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m.

Mark Bostick Golf Course

Come out and support Saint Francis Catholic Academy and participate in their annual golf tournament! sfcawolves.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Gainesville Walk to End Alzheimer’s

9 a.m. | Trinity United Methodist Church act.alz.org/gainesville

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is committed to raising funds and awareness for a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. The walk is approximately 2 miles.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 -

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

The Hope Weekend

tylershope.org/the-hope-weekend.html

Tyler’s Hope Foundation was established to advance research for a cure, discover effective treatments and to promote awareness and education of DYT1 Dystonia.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

32nd Annual Howl-A-Palooza

3 - 6 p.m.

Sun Country Sports – West suncountrysports.com/howlapalooza

Join us for a scary good time as the Sunny Cares Foundation, Inc. presents the 32nd Annual Sunny’s Howl-APalooza! This Halloween carnival attracts over a thousand people each year and includes carnival games, bounce houses, rock climbing, kidfriendly haunted houses, train rides, face painting, obstacle courses, ninja fun and more. Goody bags and prizes will be given to all children. Proceeds of the 2022 Sunny’s Howl-A-Palooza will benefit the Stop Children’s Cancer Foundation and The UF Cancer Research Center, in memory of Linda Bennett.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

GCM Food Festival

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Celebration Pointe allevents.in/gainesville/food-truck-festivals Fall is here, and it’s time to get outdoors and get your food on! Savor food from 30+ great restaurants, listen to live music and have fun while playing a game of cornhole.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Rosé Gala

7:00 - 10:30 p.m. | 1908 Grand acsflnr.ejoinme.org/rosegala

Join us at the American Cancer Society

Rosé Gala for a one-of-a-kind evening, featuring great food, dancing, a spectacular auction and much more. With your support, the American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Tom Walker Half Marathon and 5K

8 a.m. | Gainesville Hawthorne State Trail runsignup.com

The iconic and always popular Tom Walker Half Marathon and 5K will return to its usual location on the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

Gainesville Gone New Orleans

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Valley View at Santa Fe River Ranch

Join the 14th annual signature fundraiser benefiting the Child Advocacy Center at this exciting event. Help break the cycle of child abuse by participating in this fundraising opportunity with a New Orleans flair!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31

Halloween

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Woofstock

1 - 5 p.m. | Santa Fe River Ranch humanesocietyncfl.org

Join the fundraiser for the Humane Society of North Central Florida at the 7th annual Woofstock! This event has raised over $250,000 to end needless euthanasia of healthy and treatable pets across North Central Florida.

FRANCIS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Krawl’n for the Fallen

The FIRM, Stark | eventbrite.com

The 8th Annual Krawl’n for the Fallen is an off-road event to remember, honor and respect those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Main Street Lights: Community Christmas Tree Lighting

6 p.m. | City Hall | newberrychristmas.com

Experience the joy of the holidays with this very berry Christmas event. There will be holiday music performed by Newberry school choirs, a special message from the mayor and the traditional countdown to light the town!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Light Up Ocala

4 - 9 p.m. | Downtown Ocala | ocalafl.org

This year marks the 38th anniversary of this holiday merry-making event! There will be over 100 vendors, live entertainment, an interactive kids zone and the Junior Sunshine holiday parade, with a special appearance by Santa all leading up to the main event: lighting up downtown Ocala!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

The Cupcake Race: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon

TBA | Hawthorne Trail | runsignup.com

Enjoy a run through the beautiful Hawthorne Trail. After the race, cool off with some refreshments and gourmet cupcakes. This event is for all ages, so bring your kids!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Thanksgiving

Looking for even more local fun?

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WOLVES GOLF CLASSIC

MARK BOSTICK GOLF COURSE AT UF