Weld County Parents March 2017

MARCH 2017

FIT KIDS

CrossFit Gets Kids Off The Couch, Builds Confidence

2017 SUMMER CAMPS TEENAGE JOBS Can Have Impact on Happiness

PARENTS, SAVE UP:

Raising a Child is More Than $233K

PARENTS EDUCATOR:

Teaching Children Manners Does Not ‘Demean’ March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 1

Operating Hours: Varies from 5:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Open year round including snow days and days out of school!

Child Care Assistance and United Way Assistance Accepted

Center Locations:

40 Years of Excellence

ABC West: 5000 W. 11th Street, Greeley, CO (970) 352-2222 Ext. 1 Serving children ages 1-6, including transportation to kindergarten.

ABC Central: 1511 12th Avenue, Greeley, CO (970) 352-2222 Ext. 2 Serving children ages 1-12, including transportation to kindergarten.

Our professionally trained staff is dedicated to providing the most comfortable and happy environment for your children. An environment that not only stimulates educational growth, but most importantly, provides love and care. We want your child’s day with us to be filled with fun, love, growth, and safety, and your day to be filled with peace of mind.

Program Quality Rating

4

Before and After School-Age Centers: Enroll now for Summer Camp!

(970) 352-2222 Ext. 3

On-site at 9 locations, transportation to/from 18 schools across Greeley/Evans, Windsor/Severance, and Johnstown/Milliken.

2 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

We want to extend your child’s daily education experience in an enriched environment which promotes child choice. Activities include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), Lego Robotics, fun and educational field trips, specialty/sport camps, swimming, Vacation Bible School, and the summer reading program.

F E AT U R E S

Summer Camps

pg. 6

Want to send the kid to camp this summer? There’s a lot to choose from.

Kids Crossfit

pg. 18

CrossFit gets the kids off the couch, builds confidence.

• Teenage Jobs Can Have an Impact on Happiness pg. 4

• Upcoming Events Calendar pg. 12

• Save Up: Cost of Raising a Child is More than $233K pg. 21

• 2017 Kids Summer Camp Listings pg. 9

• Vaccination Debate Parents grapple with questions about vaccinating their children pg. 15

• Parents Educator: Teaching Children Manners Does Not ‘Demean’ pg. 22

PUBLISHER Bryce Jacobson

CREATIVE SERVICES SUPERVISOR Amy Mayer

EDITOR Randy Bangert

LEAD DESIGNER Joshua Aho

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bruce Dennis

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Theresa Myers Linda Kane Allison D. Bluemel Anne Cumming Rice John Rosemond

CREATIVE MANAGER Kyle Knoop BUSINESS MANAGER Doug Binder MANAGING EDITOR Sharon Dunn

SALES MANAGER Stephanie Mighell

WELD COUNTY PARENTS MAGAZINE 501 8th Ave. P.O. Box 1690 Greeley, CO 80632 For all editorial, advertising, subscription and circulation inquiries, call (970) 352-0211.

Send editorial-related comments and story ideas to: rbangert@greeleytribune.com For advertising inquiries, contact: bdennis@greeleytribune.com March 2017, Volume 1, Issue 1.

Published by: Greeley Publishing Co., publisher of The Greeley Tribune, Windsor Now, the Fence Post, Tri-State Livestock News, Prime, Premier, Explore Weld County, and Energy Pipeline March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 3

Teenage Jobs Can have impact on happiness

BY THERESA MYERS FOR WELD COUNTY PARENTS

M

y older daughter just got a new job. I am really happy for her. She had worked for several years in a pretty mundane job. Although her employer was good to her, and regularly recognized her good work with raises, it was a job, not a career.

4 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

In this new position, she is doing something she really loves: working with dogs. She is employed at a dog boarding and training facility that also has a doggie daycare program. She is learning more about the animals and about a business that she is interested in. While this might still be a “job,” it could certainly lead to a career.

And the best part is she is happy. She is energized by doing something she likes and learning new things.

I meet parents everyday who have high expectations and aspirations for their children. They want their children to go to good colleges and have respected, high-paying jobs. They might be driven themselves and want their children to be driven, as well.

I have high expectations and aspirations

for my children, as well. But they are really centered on finding something they love, that they do well and that can be a true career. I want them to be able to support themselves and their families, if they ever have families. I don’t want them to struggle for money. But more important, I want them to like their job.

I have been lucky in my career. I started in a profession — journalism — I loved and was passionate about. I moved into a profession — public school communications — I love and am very passionate about.

Not every person is so lucky.

I have friends and relatives who simply work for a paycheck, and let’s face it, that is miserable. Sometimes it is necessary, and sometimes it is a means to a better end, but it is miserable.

My younger daughter has had one traditional job working at a restaurant. She did OK, but she didn’t like it for many, mostly legitimate reasons. She quit after about nine months, with my blessing. Now,

I think it is very important for teenagers to have practical work experience. Whether it is a career or just a job, young people have to be employed and learn good work skills, such as customer service, time management,

I meet parents everyday who have high expectations and aspirations for their children. They want their children to go to good colleges and have respected, high-paying jobs. even though I have put her on a pretty tight budget, she doesn’t want to work until she finds something that is less stressful and more meaningful to her and her interests.

And I support her with that, as long as she is able to live within her means.

responsibility, money management and what it means to have a good work ethic.

Those are essential skills for life. Sometimes, it is just as important for young people to have a job they hate and still survive through for a while. It builds resiliency and

You’ve got more to worry about than taxes.

gives them an idea of what they truly don’t want to do for the rest of their lives. That has value, too.

I have been working since I was 13 years old. Most jobs I liked, even loved. Some jobs I have not enjoyed. What I have always enjoyed is learning new things and having money to support myself.

I honestly don’t care what my daughters choose to do for a living, as long as it is legal and ethical. I don’t care if they make a lot of money or have important titles. I do care that they are happy and find a job that is fulfilling and meaningful to them. Life is just too short to have a job you hate. It is much better to have a career, even several over your lifespan. As my older daughter is finding out, it can make your quality of life much, much better.

— Theresa Myers is the director of communications for Greeley-Evans School District 6 and lives in Greeley with her husband and two teenage daughters. She can be reached at myersfreelance@msn.com.

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March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 5

Summer Camps Want to send the kid to camp this summer? There’s a lot to choose from.

BY LINDA KANE FOR WELD COUNTY PARENTS 6 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

Cub Scouts watch the soda geiser from a safe, and less sticky, distance during a demonstration at the Cub Scout Day Camp in recent years in Centennial Park in Greeley.

Photos by Joshua Polson/jpolson@greeleytribune.com.

A

h, summer camp. A time for kids to get away from their parents or maybe a time for parents to get away from their kids.

It can also be a time for kids to learn and grow as individuals, and Weld County has plenty of camp opportunities to offer this summer to fit any budget. The key is where to find them.

First, figure out what kind of camp you want your child to attend that fits within your budget. We started at the Greeley Recreation Center and spoke to Mary Russell who does marketing for the recreation division.

“We like to offer a variety of different things for kids to try during the summer when they’re off of school,” she said.

“Whether to keep the mind learning and/ or the body active. We know a lot of parents work through the summer so we like to offer some alternatives to kids.”

One of the most cost effective camps we found occurs at the Rodarte Community Center. That camp runs for 10 weeks and is just $25 per child. The hours are 1-5 p.m., but full daycare is available beginning at 8 a.m. if needed. The daycare, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. costs $20 per week.

Most of these camps fill quickly, Russell said. You can register online at mygreeleyrec.com or visit the Rodarte Center or Greeley Rec Center to register.

The Rodarte camps offer several field trips – some that are outside Greeley. Dates haven’t been set in stone, but typically run Monday through Friday from about May 30 through Aug. 4.

The Greeley Recreation Center is planning to host a youth fitness camp in June, Russell said, and the Greeley Ice Haus usually has a skating and hockey program in June. To find out more, call the Rec Center at (970) 350-9400 or go to greeleygov.com If you’re interested in a single-day camp, the Weld County Extension office will host Camp Cloverbud through the 4-H program, though you don’t have to be a member of 4-H to participate. That will be from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 3, at Island Grove Regional Park, in Greeley. The age range is typically for younger kids, however, ages 5-7, and you can call (970) 400-2079 to find out details. Cost is free for 4-H members and $15 for non-members.

Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts are two organizations that offer a wide variety of

summer camp programs. You don’t have to be a scout to participate in most cases and the camps host a range of times, dates and activities.

Loryn Bustos, 10, and a fourth-grader at Frontier Academy Charter School, attended her first Girl Scout camp last summer at Sky High Ranch northwest of Colorado Springs. She spent two nights in a cabin with other scouts from her troop and some of their moms. During the weekend camp, they participated in a host of activities celebrating the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

“It was fun learning to do a bunch of stuff like sew and doing a bunch of different kinds of games,” Loryn said. “It was really fun and it was a good experience for me.”

And she said she wasn’t nervous about staying overnight away from home.

“I’ve had sleepovers before,” she said. “I knew that was going to happen so I wasn’t afraid of it and I had all my friends there.

It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but it was really fun.”

She said younger girls might try a day camp before venturing into overnights, but there were young girls in her troop at camp last year and they all did great.

Loryn is working with her troop to sell Girl Scout cookies to help fund a camp for this summer, though a particular camp hasn’t been selected yet.

Maggie Harding, also known as “Skittles” by campers, is a leadership director at Sky High Ranch. She got her start in summer camps with Girl Scouts as a kid.

“For me, it was confidence and independence that camp taught me in addition to all the camp skills you learn,” Harding said. “Girl Scouts focuses on leadership. We believe that we are different from other camps because it’s girl-led, it’s girl-planned and we really focus on the leadership aspect of it.”

Campers have so many camps and activities to choose from. There’s canoeing and archery, hiking and zip-lining, horseback riding camps and oopy goopy science camps.

“Canoeing is my thing,” Harding said.

“I grew up canoeing.” This summer she’s participating in a five-day off-site canoe trip with older scouts.

Another unique quality of Girl Scout camp is – it’s just for girls.

“It’s a chance for girls to be girls. You don’t have to worry about boys,” Harding said. In her experience, the coolest camp counselors aren’t necessarily the most popular in school or those with the coolest clothes.

“Scouts taught me a lot about not being judgmental and being inclusive,” she said.

Nothing prepares you for “random real

Janessa Visconti, 14, counts out the timing as she practices with the Windsor Color guard during the Windsor High School marching band’s summer camp last summer.

March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 7

world situations” like Girl Scout camp, Harding said. “You learn about being resourceful about finding resources and you learn to deal with things that come up. A really big thing I learned from camp was confidence and life skills.”

Christina Furister, of Greeley, sent her 8-year-old daughter to a Girl Scout camp for the first time last summer. At first, the mother of two thought it might offer a little break from her oldest child.

“I thought I would enjoy the break but in reality, I missed her like crazy,” Furister said.

“You learn about being resourceful about finding resources and you learn to deal with things that come up. A really big thing I learned from camp was confidence and life skills.”

— Maggie Harding

Natalie helped choose the four-day camp she attended at Tomahawk Ranch near Bailey.

“I was so nervous sending her to camp away from us,” Furister said. “But, my husband wasn’t nervous at all. He said she would do great!”

And she did.

“It was an excellent first experience,” Furister said.

Writing Natalie letters and giving them to the camp counselors to dole out to Natalie each day of camp was a neat way for the Furisters to stay connected.

“They gave her one letter a day. She said she was very excited to get them. She wrote us postcards and sent us pictures,” Furister said.

“She is ecstatic to go back this year.”

Prices vary for these types of camp. They range from free day camps to $600 or more for week-long camps that include overnights.

Registration began in January, but you can also register online at girlscoutsofcolorado.org. They also offer family camps and troop camp adventures throughout the state.

Aims Community College is another resource for those looking to keep their kids active this summer. The 39th annual College for Kids will be June 5-8 at the Greeley campus. Its goal is to introduce students in 3rd to 7th grades to the college campus and possible career paths.

“We are thrilled to offer College for Kids at our Greeley campus again and also be able to offer it to the community at the same low cost of $75 for the week,” said Shayna Howell, director of Adult Education and ESL at Aims. “We are looking forward to encouraging learning while having fun at College for Kids 2017.”

Registration opens in April. A camp at the Loveland campus will be offered June 12-15. Visit www.aims.edu/student/cfk to register.

UNC is another great resource for summer camps. It offers camps that specialize in academics, music and sports. Again, you’ll want to

Cal Sidwell, 9, throws the football to his teammate in a scrimage at Platte Valley High School in Kersey. Cal is one of 87 kids who attended the three day camp in recent years.

check out the schedule to find a camp that fits your goals and budget.

There’s something for students of all ages, first grade through high school.

Log onto http://www.unco.edu/cebs/sep/ to find out more about UNC’s summer camps.

8 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

2017 Kids Summer Camps AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Greeley campus offers summer educational fun for students entering grades 3-8 through its College for Kids program. Students are able to learn about educational programs at Aims in a fun, cool way. Details for College for Kids 2017 is coming soon.

Dates: June 5-8 • Ages: Grades 3-8 • Cost: $75 Shayna Howell at (970) 339-6390; shayna.howell@aims.edu. www.aims.edu/student/cfk FLOURISH MUSIC CAMPS (970) 573-5856; info@flourishmusicacademy.com; www.flourishmusicacademy.com Flourish Summer Camp Our flagship summer camp! Increase your musicianship with fun games and activities! Explore improvisation, collaborative playing and more! Plus, experience the wide world of music in person by a visit from a famous composer in history.

Dates: 9 a.m.-noon, July 18-20 • Deadline: June 20 Ages: 9-14, 1 year experience required.

Location: First United Methodist Church, Greeley.

Cost: $95 ($85 if registered by May 15)

Piano Bootcamp Get a headstart on piano lessons with this fun group introduction to the piano for students who have never taken piano or are in their first year. Participate in games that introduce basics of posture, technique, tone, note-reading and more! Geared towards beginners age 8-12.

Dates: 10:30 a.m. to noon, June 5-9 • Deadline: May 15 Ages: 8-12 (beginners) Location: 1640 25th Ave Unit A , Greeley Cost: $95 ($85 if registered by April 15) Flourish in the Mountains!

Our exciting new residential camp in the mountains for high school students! Enjoy intermediate and advanced level workshops while also getting to enjoy recreation in the mountains. Limit 10 students.

We will also be looking for parent chaperones.

Dates: June 12-16 • Deadline: April 15 • Ages: 14-18 Location: Fraser, CO Cost: $295 ($275 if registered by March 15) Piano Bootcamp 2 Get a headstart on piano lessons with this fun group introduction to the piano for students who have never taken piano or are in their first year. Participate in games that introduce basics of posture, technique, March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 9

tone, note-reading and more!

Dates: 10:30 a.m. to noon, Aug. 7-11 • Deadline: July 17 Ages: 5-9 (beginners) Location: 1640 25th Ave Unit A , Greeley.

Cost: $95 ($85 if registered by June 15)

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. costs $20 per week.

Dates: Typically May 30 - Aug. 4. • Cost: $25 per week per child.

Rodarte Center, 920 A St., (970) 350-9430 Greeley or Greeley Rec Center, 651 10th Ave, Greeley, (970) 350-9400. mygreeleyrec.com

POUDRE LEARNING CENTER Summer camps for middle school girls and boys.

Call (970) 352-1267 or go to www.poudrelearning center.com, 8313 West F. St., Greeley.

El Espejo. El Espejo means “the mirror” in Spanish. El Espejo is a summer science research program for girls where you will “see” yourself as a scientist. During the program, you will experience what it is like to be a scientist through different activities.

Dates: 8 a.m., - 4 p.m., June 26-30 • Ages: 6th-8th grade Cost: $150 (Scholarships available).

WELD COUNTY EXTENSION Camp Cloverbud through the 4-H program, though you don’t have to be a member of 4-H to participate.

Dates: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 3 • Ages: 5-7 Cost: Free for 4-H members and $15 for nonmembers.

(970) 400-2079.

Boys of the Moonshell adventure camp. Why have a boys adventure camp? To enrich activities and concepts, local teachers have been hand-picked to make science activities fun, engaging and a lasting memory.

Dates: 8 a.m., - 4 p.m., July 10-14 • Ages: 6th-8th grade Cost: $150 (Scholarships available).

RODARTE COMMUNITY CENTER That camp runs for 10 weeks. The hours are 1-5 p.m., but full daycare is available beginning at 8 a.m. if needed. The daycare, from

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WINDSONG STABLES AND FARM Windsong Stables and Farm in Fort Lupton offers weeklong equestrian and sustainable farming summer camps.

Dates: Starting in late May throughout the summer Registration Deadline: April 30 • Ages: 5-12 Cost: $325-$350 per week; discounts offered for siblings and multiple weeks. http://www.windsongbarn.com/registration UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Frontiers of Science Six week residential immersion program for high school juniors and seniors who have a strong interest in STEM subjects.

Dates: June 18 – July 29 Deadline: March 13 (Priority) and April 10(Extended) Ages: 10th – 11th grade Cost: $1,000/scholarship or $3,500/no scholarship (additional fees for academic credit) Lori Ball at (970) 351-2976 or Lori.Ball@unco.edu http://www.mast.unco.edu/programs/fsi Summer Enrichment Program – Young Child Summer program for high-ability learners, serves children ages 4 and 5 and those entering grades 1st-4th who show unusual talents and abilities. The program was initiated in 1980 for high-potential, highability students and continues to be a successful program each year.

Dates: July 10-21 • Deadline: June 15 • Ages: 4-9 years old Cost: $300 Carmen Holloway at (970)351-2683 or sep@unco.edu www.unco.edu/sep Summer Enrichment Program This residential program offers high-interest, hands-on, brainson courses developed by specialists in gifted education and/or specialized content areas.

Dates: July 9-22 • Deadline: June 6 • Ages: 5th – 10th grade Cost: $1,775 Carmen Holloway at (970) 351-2683 or sep@unco.edu www.unco.edu/sep Leadership Enrichment Program This residential program accepts 24 high school students who are entering their junior or senior year in high school. The focus is on understanding one’s personal, unique gifts and talents, learning

about leadership styles and developing traits and characteristics of leadership.

Dates: July 9-22 • Deadline: March 3 • Ages: 11th – 12th grade Cost: $1,775 Carmen Holloway at (970) 351-2683 or sep@unco.edu www.unco.edu/sep

5 Day Intensive Camp For experienced wrestlers looking to gain valuable skills and techniques through intense training sessions.

Dates: June 26-30 • Ages: 10-18 Location: Bank of Colorado Arena Cost: $450 Residential / $365 Commuter

MUSIC Drum Major & Leadership Camp / Marching Percussion Camp This camp teaches conducting and leadership skills to high school students in the drum major track. The marching percussion track teaches beginning to advances level drumline skills on snare, tenor, and bass drums.

Dates: June 9-11 • Deadline: June 1 • Ages: 13-19 Location: UNC Frasier Hall • Cost: $350 Residential / $245 Commuter Jennifer Grice at (859) 351-2987 or commandthefield@gmail.com www.commandthefield.com

5 Day Technique Camp For individuals looking to gain techniques and strategies that win at all levels of wrestling.

Dates: July 10-14 • Ages: 8-18 Location: Campus Recreation Center Cost: $425 Residential / $340 Commuter

JAZZ CAMP Designed to be intensive, challenging, and inspiring, the UNC Jazz Camp will be led by UNC faculty and special guests, Don Aliquo and Paul McKee. Be a part of student big bands, combos, vocal jazz ensembles, jazz master classes, jazz theory and listening classes, student jam sessions, nightly faculty group concerts, and a special performance by the Colorado Jazz Orchestra. Previous band or choir experience required. Early registrations encouraged.

Dates: July 9-14 Deadline: Students accepted on a space-available basis after June 15 Ages: Middle school - College • Location: UNC Frasier Hall Cost: $665 Residential / $385 Commuter Amy Murphy at (970)351-2394 or amy.murphy@unco.edu arts.unco.edu/jazzcamp SPORTS UNC Bear PAW Camp A fun week of physical activities, skill development, and active games appropriate for elementary school children. Expert instruction led by master’s level students in physical education.

Dates: 1:30-4:30 p.m., July 17-21 • Ages: 5-11 Costs: $100 per child. Discounts available for siblings and children of UNC faculty/staff. Scholarships available, please apply online.

Peter Stoepker at 970-351-1202 or peter.stoepker@unco.edu bit.ly/BearPAW WRESTLING Troy Nickerson at (970) 351-2090 or Troy.Nickerson@unco.edu www.northerncoloradowrestlingcamps.com 5 Day Team Camp For experienced wrestlers looking to gain valuable skills and techniques through intense training sessions.

Dates: June 26-30 • Ages: 12-18 Location: Bank of Colorado Arena Cost: $325 Residential / $250 Commuter

FOOTBALL Jeremy Hayden at (970) 351-1875 or Jeremy.Hayden@unco.edu http://camps.jumpforward.com/EarnestCollinsJrFootballCamps Big Man & 7 on 7 Shootout Fundamental skills for offensive/defensive linemen (Big Man) & Passing tournament (7 on 7) Dates: June 24 • Deadline: June 21 • Ages: 9th-12th grade Location: Butler-Hancock Fields Cost: $300 per team (includes up to 15 players) One Day Individual and Youth Camp Fundamental skills camp for all positions.

Dates: June 9 (Youth) & June 14 (Individual) Deadline: June 5 Ages: 1st-8th grade (Youth) & 9th-12th grade (Individual) Location: Butler-Hancock Fields Cost: $30 Team Camps (6-8 Man & 11 Man Varsity) Dates: June 7-9 (6-8 Man) & June 12-14 (11 Man Varsity) Deadline: June 1 • Ages: 9th-12th grade Location: Butler-Hancock Fields Cost: $200 Residential / $150 Commuter BASKETBALL – MEN’S Jeff Linder’s Individual Skills Camp Campers will receive instruction and skill development on all facets of the game of basketball including ball handling, passing, shooting, moving without the ball and defense. Campers will also participate in a variety of games and competitions. The cost of the camp includes a camp T-shirt and an official camp basketball.

Dates: June 12-14 (Session 1) and June 19-21 (Session 2) Deadline: June 1 (Or while spots last) • Ages: 8-16 Location: Bank of Colorado Arena Cost: $150 per Individual Camp Vincent McGhee-Asst. Coach Vincent.mcghee@unco.edu Call the UNC Men’s Basketball Office at (970) 351-2983

March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 11

2017 EVENTS Spring into a new

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March • THE TRIBUNE HOME & GARDEN SHOW, March 3-5, 12 noon-7 p.m., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Event Center & Exhibitional Hall at Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley. www.greeleytribune.com/homeandgarden • SHOW US YOUR MOVES, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., March 4, Greeley Family Funplex, 1501 65th Ave., Greeley. Free. Details: (970) 810-3000.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., March 4, Lincoln Park Library, 1012 11th St., Greeley.

Call: (970) 506-8471.

• SENSORY STORY TIME, for children with special needs, 10:30-11:30 a.m., March 4, Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., Greeley.

Baby Animal Days April 20-30 10am-3pm

11, Lincoln Park Library. Call: (970) 506-8471.

• CAN-CAN ROBOTICS, 2-3 p.m., March 11, Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., Greeley.

Registration required. Grades 5-8 only. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., March 13, Fort Lupton Public and School Library.

Ages 2 and up. Call (303) 857-7180.

• ROBOTICS: PUSH-BUTTON PROGRAMMABLE ROBOT, 4-5 p.m., March 15, Kersey Library, 413 1st St., Kersey. Grades 2-5; class is limited to the first 15 people. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., March 18, Lincoln Park Library. Puppet Playhouse. Call: (970) 506-8471.

• MINI WIND TURBINES, 2-3:30 p.m., March 18, Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., Evans. Ages 4-8. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• WII U TOURNAMENT, 2-4 p.m., March 20, Lincoln Park Library. Teens only. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., March 20, Fort Lupton Public and School Library.

Ages 2 and up. Call (303) 857-7180.

Tribune file photos used in calendar section.

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Call Audrey at (970) 506-8534 or email adrake@ highplains.us.

• SEUSS CELEBRATION, 1:30-3 p.m., March 4, Farr Regional Library. Family move matinee: The Cat in the Hat. • MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., March 6, Fort Lupton Public and School Library, 425 S Denver Ave., Fort Lupton. Ages 2 and up.

Call (303) 857-7180.

• TEEN JOB FAIR, 5-7:30 p.m., March 8, Island Grove Regional Park Events Center, 501 N. 14th Ave., Greeley. Call (970) 350-9771.

• SEUSS CELEBRATION, 5:30-7 p.m., March 10, Farr Regional Library. Family move matinee: The Lorax.

• MAKE IT MARCH: LOOM WEAVING, 6-8 p.m., March 10, Farr Regional Library. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., March

*Restrictions may apply PARENTS March 2017 12 WELD COUNTY

• SPRING BREAK AT CENTENNIAL PARK, 1-3 p.m., March 20, Centennial Park Library.

Movie Monday Cartoon classics (for children) .

• SPRING BREAK AT CENTENNIAL PARK, 1-3 p.m., March 21, Centennial Park Library.

Tuesday Crafternoon: Tie-it-Up with string crafts (children); 3D Printing (Grades 6-12).

• SPRING BREAK AT CENTENNIAL PARK, 1-3 p.m., March 22, Centennial Park Library.

Board games — get your game on. (Children).

S CALENDAR • SPRING BREAK AT CENTENNIAL PARK, 1-3 p.m., March 23, Centennial Park Library.

Thursday: Build-a-thon (Children). Screenprinting, (Grades 6-12).

• WII U TOURNAMENT, 2-4 p.m., March 23, Riverside Library. Grades K-5. Call: (888) 8617323.

• SPRING BREAK AT CENTENNIAL PARK, 1-3 p.m., March 24, Centennial Park Library.

Scavenger hunt. Grades K-5.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., March 24, Fort Lupton Public and School Library.

Ages 2 and up. Call (303) 857-7180.

• F.I.S.H. (FAMILIES INVESTIGATING SCIENCE AT HOME), 9 a.m. - noon, March 25, Poudre Learning Center, 8313 West F St., Greeley.

Cost: $1 per child. Call (970) 352-1267.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., March 25, Lincoln Park Library. Open Mic. Share a favorite book, poem, song, dance or story with us.

Call: (970) 506-8471.

• UNC FAMILY STORY TIME, 3-4 p.m., March 26, Centennial Park Library. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., March 27, Fort Lupton Public and School Library.

Ages 2 and up. Call (303) 857-7180.

• PAJAMA NIGHT, 6-6:45 p.m., March 29, Eaton Library, 132 Maple Ave., Eaton. Children.

• RIPPIN’ ROCKETS, 4-5 p.m., March 29, Kersey Library. Build your own drinking straw and balloon rocket! Grades 2-5; class is limited to first 15 people. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• PROM FASHION SHOW, 4-9 p.m., March 31, 4-H Building, Island Grove Regional Events Center.

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• SENSORY STORY TIME, for children with special needs, 10:30-11:30 a.m., April 1, Farr Regional Library. Registration is required and limited to 12 families. Call Audrey at (970) 5068567 or email adrake@highplains.us.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., April 1, Lincoln Park Library. Library theater. Call: (970) 506-8471.

• UNC FAMILY STORY TIME, 3-4 p.m., April 2, Centennial Park Library. Dr. Seuss. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• WHAT EVERY DOG NEEDS TO KNOW, 2-3:30 p.m., April 2, Farr Regional Library. Please do NOT bring your pet to this event. (Families) Call: (888) 861-7323.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., April 3, Fort Lupton Public and School Library.

Ages 2 and up. Call (303) 857-7180.

• PAJAMA NIGHT, 6-6:45 p.m., April 5, Eaton Library. Children.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., April 8, Lincoln Park Library. Fun literacy activities for the whole family. Call: (970) 506-8471.

• NORTHERN COLORADO CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., April 8, Island Grove Regional Park Events Center. One-day event for parents, caregivers and their children to engage in a variety of hands-on experiences that are both educational and fun. The festival offers many forms of quality play experience for children ages

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EVENTS CALENDAR • 2-Day SHOOTING AND BALL HANDLING CAMP, with Brice Searles, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., April 8-9. Greeley Recreation Center, 651 10th Ave., Greeley. Each session is limited to 60 players. Price: $195.

Go to www.breakthroughbasketball.com/camps.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., April 10, Fort Lupton Public and School Library. Ages 2 and up. This is an interactive time

that includes, stories, rhymes, music, movement and a craft. It is fun for both the child and the caregiver. Call (303) 857-7180.

• PAJAMA NIGHT, 6-6:45 p.m., April 12, Eaton Library. Children.

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., April 15, Lincoln Park Library. Puppet Playhouse. Supplies provided. Call: (970) 506-8471.

• MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, 10-10:30 a.m., April 17, Fort Lupton Public and School Library. Ages 2 and up. Call (303) 857-7180.

• PAJAMA NIGHT, 6-6:45 p.m., April 19, Eaton Library. Children.

• BABY ANIMAL DAYS, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., April 20-30, Centennial Village Museum, 1475 A St, Greeley. Admission is $3/person ages

3 and above. The event takes place in the western portion of Centennial Village and kids can visit with our calf, baby pigs, lambs, chicks, ducks, goats and rabbits.

14 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

• FAMILY FUN SATURDAYS, 2-4 p.m., April 22, Lincoln Park Library. Open Mic. Share a favorite book, poem, song, dance or story with us. Call: (970) 506-8471.

• LITTLE DANCE PARTY, 10:30-11:30 a.m., April 22, Riverside Library. Ages 3-6; limited to the first 25 people. Call: (888) 8617323.

• UNC FAMILY STORY TIME, 3-4 p.m., April 23, Centennial Park Library. Favorite books. Call: (888) 861-7323.

• CHILDREN’S WATER FESTIVAL, 8:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., April 26, Island Grove Regional Park Events Center. “Water is Life.” A free event where Colorado Water professionals provide presentations and activities about water, conservation, health and aquatic life. For fourth-graders in Weld, Morgan and Adams counties.

• F.I.S.H. (FAMILIES INVESTIGATING SCIENCE AT HOME), 9 a.m. - noon, April 29, Poudre Learning Center. Cost: $1 per child. Topics vary Including fly fishing, nature photography, amphibians and the environment, science fair projects for the whole family, backyard naturalist, Mother daughter science, and family camping. Details: (970) 352-1267.

• CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., April 29, Roosevelt High School, 616 N. 2nd St., Johnstown. Free. A fun event for families to receive information about health, safety, early childhood development/ education, other community resources. Details: (970) 5876147 • THE TRIBUNE CRAFT & GIFT SHOW, April 29-30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 12 noon-6 p.m., Greeley Mall. www.greeleytribune.com/craft

Vaccination Debate Parents grapple with questions about vaccinating their children

BY ALLISON D. BLUEMEL FOR WELD COUNTY PARENTS

W

hen Heather Jordan was pregnant with her oldest son David, now 11 years old, she came across the Andrew Wakefield’s 1998 study that spurred concern over the side effects of vaccinations on children.

The study, which has been discredited by the medical community since its publication, asserted there was a link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Following her son’s birth, Jordan, a LaSalle resident, she refrained from vaccinating her son until he was 2 years old,

when she was swayed by advice and medical evidence of the safety of the vaccines.

“I think that we need to trust our medical community for what they went to school for,” she said. “It’s what they do.”

However, the vaccination debate concerning the link between autism and March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 15

vaccines remains sensitive for Jordan.

Her son, 6-year-old Tyler, was born with autism, and her daughter, Delilah, 3, has a congenital heart defect resulting in a weakened immune system.

Both Tyler and Delilah were vaccinated in compliance with CDC recommendations, she said.

Jordan said she could tell something was different with Tyler as soon as he was born, but it took years for a formal diagnosis to come into play.

“I never had any doubt in my mind that I didn’t do something to cause this,” she said. “He was just different.”

When she met with pediatricians, Jordan said they reassured her that her son’s autism was not caused by any one specific factor and were relieved that she would continue to choose to vaccinate.

“I was already duped by the Wakefield study,” she said.

“I vaccinate the kids, and I don’t believe any of the information (from that study).”

Not only does Jordan believe in the benefits and protection that vaccinating affords her sons, but the practice actively ensures that her daughter does not contract a potentially fatal disease when exposed to recently vaccinated or non-vaccinated people.

“She gets vaccinated on time, and she gets any non-required vaccines,” Jordan said. “I have to be very careful, especially around flu season and other children. People carry a lot of germs and certain things that may not affect healthy people can affect her.”

No matter how diligently she follows the vaccination schedule and monitors her daughter’s environment, she can only control so much and she heavily relies on herd immunity.

“Anybody who is not vaccinating their kids are taking advantage of the herd immunity,” said Dr. Robert Pederson, pediatrician with UCHealth Pediatrics in Greeley. “It has to be roughly 90 percent or greater to get her immunity where you’re not going to risk being exposed.”

Herd immunity refers to the percentage of a population that must be vaccinated to protect the entirety of the population from a disease.

“So many parents are lucky to not know that feeling that something is wrong with your child and you can do nothing,” Jordan said. “You’re relying on everyone else to do something.”

VACCINE DEBATE IN THE MEDICAL, SCHOOL COMMUNITY While debate over the effectiveness and safety of vaccinating children remains a discussion in Colorado, which ranks with the lowest rate of MMR-vaccinated kindergarteners in the country, medical and school officials encourage parents to vaccinate when possible.

The Centers for Disease Control reported a MMR two-dose rate of 87.1 percent in Colorado for 2015-16, compared to the national median of 94.6 percent.

While some parents choose not to vaccinate their children because of medical reasons, many take the route of a personal exemption, which allows them to refrain from vaccination for personal reasons.

The debate surrounding the safety of vaccines originated with the Wakefield study, but recent measles outbreaks have reawakened discussion, Pederson said.

16 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

“The Internet gives parents the ability to find anything they want,” he said.

Though the Internet makes information readily available to parents, Pederson said that sometimes they do not look as critically as they should at the validity of a source.

Incomplete research done online is partially responsible for the concerns of parents who question if an infant’s or child’s immune system can handle vaccines, he said.

“There are parents who still don’t believe that there’s no correlation between autism and the vaccine,” he said. “Now there’s also people that are delaying the vaccination because they think the immune system isn’t up to handling it.”

However, the CDC recommends vaccinating infants at birth with the Hepatitis B vaccine and continuing a second dose at 6 months.

“There are certain illnesses that we just aren’t as worried about when they’re older,” Pederson said. “When you delay the vaccine you’re missing that time to protect kids from those illnesses.”

“There are parents who still don’t believe that there’s no correlation between autism and the vaccine. Now there’s also people that are delaying the vaccination because they think the immune system isn’t up to handling it.”

— Dr. Robert Pederson, Pediatrician Concern stems from a misunderstanding of the role of livevaccines and their side effects, he said.

“The vaccinations work by tricking the body into thinking you’ve been exposed to an illness,” Pederson said. “People think we’re injecting the virus and that it can shed and cause illness.”

However, while the live-viruses are used in the MRR and Chikenpox vaccines, the virus has been altered so that, in most cases, it cannot cause illness.

Pederson noted that recently vaccinated children and adults only post a threat to the immune systems of those already immunecompromised, such as Jordan’s daughter.

When parents visit the pediatrician, Pederson said the goal is to get them as much information on vaccinating and the importance of it as possible.

“Hopefully parents are realizing that these illnesses aren’t

VACCINATION RATES AMONG KINDERGARTENERS VACCINE Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (DTaP) Chickenpox (Varicella) (2 dose)

COLORADO 87.1% 86.6% 85.7%

NATIONAL 94.6% 94.2% 94.3%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children 5 years of age for 2015-16 school year

totally eradicated and they’re still a threat and really the vaccination are the best of preventing those things,” he said.

Due to the long-term success of vaccines, he said, many American families have been able to go most their lives without seeing the consequences of a low vaccination rate.

“Vaccinations have really helped this country a lot and terribly deadly diseases are prevented,” said Dr. Olukemi Akinrinola, a pediatrician with North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.

Akinrinola, who did part of her medical education in Nigeria, said it’s apparent how much vaccinations have helped American families when compared to countries that do not have similar access to vaccines.

“It’s important that we don’t go back to

the Dark Ages; the threat of these diseases is real,” she said.

However, since a measles outbreak in 2105 in California, she said she has seen an uptick in parents who are willing to vaccinate their children or who would like more medical information on the topic.

“It’s becoming more apparent to parents that the consequences can be real,” Akinrinola said.

School districts in Weld County, including the Greeley-Evans School District 6, have done their part to educate parents by providing informational materials on the importance and CDC recommended time table of vaccines, District 6 Spokeswoman Theresa Myers said.

“If it is because of a lack of resources,

then we make sure they are referred to agencies that can help them,” she said.

“We continue with these contacts until the immunizations are complete, or in the rare case that the parents opt their children out of immunizations.”

For Eaton mother-of-two Kira Nicole, the pamphlet passed out at her daughter’s school detailing vaccination rates spurred her to learn more about the issue and ultimately decide to vaccinate.

“When we see disease rates climbing and vaccination rates falling, it’s pretty scary,” she said. “I think we’re going in the wrong direction.”

March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 17

John Mahaffey, 8, dodges Steve Monroe, 10, during a game after their work out at CrossFit Helix, 2970 W 29th St., in Greeley.. Photos by Joshua Polson/jpolson@greeleytribune.com.

Kids CrossFit

CrossFit Gets the Kids off the Couch, Builds Confidence

BY ANNE CUMMING RICE FOR WELD COUNTY PARENTS

C

limbing rope, crab-walking, crossing monkey bars, jumping rope, doing sit-ups and pull-ups.

At times it looks like what you’d do on a playground or in a gym class at school. But it’s CrossFit Kids, a program at CrossFit gyms across the country

18 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

that helps kids experience the fun of fitness. More and more CrossFit gyms are incorporating CrossFit Kids programs into what they offer, including a couple of facilities in Weld County.

It’s different from CrossFit for adults, a high-intensity training program that combines elements of weight lifting,

gymnastics, circuit training and aerobic conditioning.

“The general principle for kids is that the high intensity piece is taken out,” said Jamie Dennis, who owns CrossFit Helix in Greeley along with her husband Chris.

“The emphasis is on fun and helping them develop a lifelong love of fitness.”

Founded in 1995 by former gymnast Greg Glassman, CrossFit properly, not on the intensity of them, said Lauren Longanecker, a has grown from one gym in California to a worldwide network of coach who teaches kids classes at CrossFit Evolve in Fort Collins. more than 11,000 “boxes,” which is CrossFit speak for gym. Adult Kids also lift very little to no weight at all in the classes.

CrossFit is done in small It can also complement the classes, usually no more than many sports programs kids do 10-15 people, all progressing such as soccer, gymnastics and through the same workout at baseball as well as prepare them their own pace. Workouts vary for athletics down the road. day-to-day, keeping things “We want to support the fresh and interesting. The specialists but also reward camaraderie creates a healthy the generalists,” said Dennis, sense of competition but also whose gym offers kids classes, provides encouragement. including one for preschoolers.

CrossFit trainers have “So whenever kids are ready to to obtain an additional start competitive sports, they certification to teach CrossFit already have confidence in Kids. The program is similar to their ability to do some of these adult classes in that movements things.” are functional – things kids CrossFit Endure in Windsor A sign outlines the kid’s workout for the day at CrossFit Helix. would do every day like offers a kids’ program during running, jumping, pushing, pulling and lifting. Kids’ workouts are the summer and a teen class throughout the year. The teen class also done in community with others just like the CrossFit for adults. turned into a program for girls that is as much about building The 30-45 minute classes appeal to both the athlete and nonconfidence and self-image as it is about fitness. athlete for kids ages 5-11. Classes usually include short segments of “It started as an off-season training program for athletes,” said climbing, squatting, jumping, push-ups and other exercises, followed Jenn Barnett, co-owner of CrossFit Endure. “But it’s turned into by a fun group game at the end. The focus is on doing the exercises powerful experience for these girls to gain much more confidence in

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CROSSFIT KIDS IN WELD COUNTY

Braylen Garcia, 10, raises his arms during a workout recently at CrossFit Helix, 2970 W 29th St., in Greeley.

CROSSFIT HELIX 2970 W. 29th St., Unit 16 • Greeley Helix Pre-K (age 3+): 9 a.m.

Thursdays Helix Kids (age 6-11): 4:45-5:30 p.m.

Mondays & Wednesdays To register: www.crossfithelix.com or call (970) 396-7994.

themselves.”

The kids’ program at CrossFit Evolve in Fort Collins includes nutrition education, and the one at Barnett’s facility incorporates an integrity and character piece.

Most of the kids who attend CrossFit Kids classes have parents who are involved in CrossFit already, so the concept of the program is familiar to them.

“They see their parents doing CrossFit, and they want to do it, 20 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

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too,” Longanecker said. “They feel cool doing the same kinds of things their parents are doing. It becomes a family activity everyone can enjoy.”

Even for kids whose parents don’t do CrossFit, the program is beneficial because it gets and keeps them moving.

“More than anything kids get an energy release,” Barnett said.

“They are turning off their electronics and entering this physical world and learning what it feels like to move and have fun.”

Save Up: Cost of raising a child is more than $233K

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS FOR WELD COUNTY PARENTS

W

ASHINGTON — Expecting a baby?

Congratulations! Better put plenty of money in your savings account.

The Department of Agriculture says the estimated cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 is $233,610, or as much as almost $14,000 annually. That’s the average for a middle-income couple with two children. It’s a bit more expensive in urban parts of the country, and less so in rural areas.

The estimate released Monday is based on 2015 numbers, so a baby born this year is likely to cost even more. It’s a 3 percent increase from the prior year, a hike higher than inflation.

Since 1960, USDA has compiled the annual report to inform — and probably terrify — budget-preparing parents. State governments and courts also use the information to write child support and foster care guidelines. The main costs include housing, food, transportation, health care, education, clothing and other miscellaneous expenses.

Things to know about how much it costs to raise a child: HOUSING IS EXPENSIVE Up to a third of the total cost is housing, accounting for 26 to 33 percent of the total expense of raising a child. USDA comes up with those numbers by calculating the average cost of an additional bedroom — an approach the department says is probably conservative, because it doesn’t account for those families who pay more to live in communities that have better schools

or other amenities for children.

URBAN VS. RURAL DIFFERENCES The cost of raising a child varies in different regions of the country. Overall, middle-income, marriedcouple families in the urban Northeast spent the most ($253,770), followed by those in the urban West ($235,140) and urban South ($221,730). Those in the urban Midwest spent less ($217,020), along with those in rural areas ($193,020).

USDA estimates the annual housing cost per child in urban areas is $3,900, while it’s $2,400 in rural areas.

There were also differences depending on income. Lower-income families are expected to spend around $174,690 per child from birth through 17; higher-income families will spend a whopping $372,210.

The average middle-income family earns between $59,200 and $107,400 before taxes.

CHILD CARE COSTS HAVE RISEN After housing, child care, education and food are the highest costs for families. For a middle-income couple with two children, food costs make up about 18 percent of the cost of raising a child. Child care and education costs make up 16 percent.

Education costs have sharply risen since 1960, when USDA estimated that those expenses were around 2 percent of child-rearing expenses. The report says this growth is likely due to the increased number of women in the workforce, prompting the need for more child care.

The numbers don’t even include

the annual cost of college, which the government estimates is $45,370 for a private college and $20,090 for a public college.

OLDER KIDS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE New parents may flinch at the costs of diapers and baby gear, but it’s going to get worse. While a child costs around $12,680 when he or she is between 0 and 2, a teenager between 15 and 17 costs around $13,900 annually.

USDA says food, transportation, clothing and health care expenses all grow as a child ages. Transportation costs are highest for the oldest children, perhaps because they start driving, and child care and education costs are highest for six and under.

MORE KIDS, LOWER COSTS There is some good news for big families.

Families with three or more children spend an average of 24 percent less per child.

USDA says that’s because children often share bedrooms in bigger families, clothing and toys are handed down and food can be purchased in larger and more economical packages. Also, private schools and child care providers may offer sibling discounts.

In contrast, one-child households spend an average of 27 percent more on the single child.

March 2017 WELD COUNTY PARENTS 21

Parent Educator: Teaching children manners does not ‘demean’

BY JOHN ROSEMOND ASSOCIATED PRESS

“P

eople almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.”

So said 17th-century French mathematician and philosopher Blaise

22 WELD COUNTY PARENTS March 2017

Pascal. He meant that people are more likely to form opinions based on emotions than evidence.

I thought of Pascal’s insight as I read several excerpts from “ParentSpeak: What’s Wrong with How We Talk to Our Children -- and What to Say Instead” (Workman,

2017) by California parent educator Jennifer Lehr.

The gist of “ParentSpeak” is that seemingly innocuous things parents often say to children -- “Say thank you,” for example -- are actually psychologically harmful. Other apparently toxic comments

include “Say you’re sorry,” “Give Grandma a kiss” and “Be careful!”

Lehr asserts that comments and instructions of this sort “are all about control.” Rather than taking time to understand children’s feelings, thoughts and motivations, parents focus on obedience.

What’s to understand?

Children do not know what is best for them. Their feelings and thoughts, often a muddle, require as much direction as their behavior. They need adults who will take charge when taking charge is called for.

Lehr relates an incident when she instructed her 4-year-old daughter to thank a friend for having her over for a play date.

Although she did eventually mumble thanks, the daughter looked “kowtowed.” Lehr is convinced she caused her daughter to feel “demeaned and resentful” and to conclude that how Lehr looks to others is “more important than her (the daughter’s) dignity.”

How does Lehr know this? She doesn’t, of course. Pascal would say that Lehr’s psychoanalysis of her daughter’s response to “say thank you” is based not on evidence but rather nothing more than Lehr’s own emotional state. Furthermore, it’s the sort of thing that often reflects a lack of emotional boundary between parent and child, also known as codependency.

My mother — definitely not the codependent type — gave me similar instructions when I was a child. I don’t recall feeling demeaned or resenting her for lowering my sense of personal dignity.

The simple fact is that when it comes to proper manners, children require tutoring until the manners become habit.

Proper manners demonstrate respect for others. Therefore, instructing a child in proper manners is good and more-accurately called direction, not control.

Besides, there’s nothing wrong with obedience to legitimate authority, no matter one’s age.

Research finds what commonsense confirms: obedient children are happy children; disobedient children are not. In other words, obedience is of great benefit to a child. The inescapable, albeit shocking (to some), conclusion: Children should do what their parents tell them to do, including saying thank you and giving Grandma a kiss before she goes home.

On her website, Lehr identifies as one of her influences the “democratic decision-making principals (sic)” of psychologist Thomas Gordon, author of “Parent Effectiveness Training,” published in 1971. Yep, the professional community has been recommending this sort of hogwash for more than forty-five years, during which time child mental health has gone down the tubes.

The more parents have focused on their children’s feelings, the more difficulty children have had keeping their feelings under control.

— Family psychologist John Rosemond’s website is johnrosemond. com. This story was originally published in Pueblo Chieftain.

Children need to practice big body movements before they can master the fine motor skills needed for writing. Hang upside down on monkey bars, push and pull wagons, practice yoga and play catch!

Clearview Library District offers a range of playful story times and lively children’s programming. Visit

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