Gr ownUps mag az i ne
T e e ns & S e x t i ng
S URVI VI NG T H E N I C U F I NDI NGTHE S TRE NGTH
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RE TURNI NG T ONA TURE
Ho we x pl or i ng t hena t ur a l wor l dhe l ps y ourf a mi l y c onne c t
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T eens& Sext i ng Y ourt een’ st ext i nghabi t smi ghts ur pr i s ey ou
CanYouRel at e? Es t abl i s hi ngempat hybys har i ngexper i enc e
Ret ur ni ngt oNat ur e Howexpl or i ngt henat ur alwor l dhel psy our f ami l yc onnec t
Homemadef ort heHol i day s Ar us t i cDI Yadv entc al endarpr oj ec t —f r om t hehear t !
7Qual i t i esofaSuperDad Pr ac t i c alt r ai t st hatmak eadadgr eat
24Day sofJ oy Pr i nt abl egooddeedsf ory ourf ami l yt oopen ( andper f or m! )t hi shol i days eas on
Sur v i v i ngt heNI CU:Fi ndi ngt hes t r engt h Onemot hers har eswhatmadei tpos s i bl e f orherf ami l yt os ur vi v et het r i al sand t r i bul at i onsofapr emat ur ebi r t h
Par ent T eac herConf er enc eDosandDon’ t s Fourway st omak et hemos tofy ourt eac her c onf er enc e
Fi nePenmans hi p Enc our ageexc el l enc ewi t h as weetr ewar d
BabyT eet h& Bey ond Gett hel owdownon pedi at r i cdent alc ar e
ANi ghtont heT own T r eaty ourk i dst oamagi c al ev eni ngs ur pr i s e
Si mpl eT r i c ksf or Phot ogr aphi ng YourChi l d 4eas yway st ogett he bes tpi c t ur esofy our k i ds
” A”i sf orAdv i c e Onet eac hergi v espar ent s t hel owdownonbul l y i ng andpar ent t eac her c onv er s at i ons Ki t t i esandPuppi es andFi s hi es , OhMy ! Thebenefit sof c ons c i ent i ous l yaddi ngf ur r y f r i endst oy ourf ami l y
Sc r apHappy Mak ey ourmemor i es i nt of ami l yk eeps ak es AModer nFami l y Oneper s pec t i v eont he f ut ur eoff ami l ydi nner s i nat ec hnol ogi c alage
PHOT OGRAPHS: THI NKST OCK.
andmor e. . .
Gr ownUps mag az i ne
Ca r i s s aPe l l e t i e r
PUBLI SHER& EDI TORI NCHI EF SOCI ALCONTENTMANAGER
Pr e r naMa l i k
CONTRI BUTI NGEDI TOR
Cr y s t a lPl a nt e CONTRI BUTORS
Ange l aT odd Gi naSa mpa i o Ma r kL a wl e r Mi k eCr i de r T e r r e s s aCor t e z T r i c i aRomo
Comme ntona r ti c l e sonl i ne : ht t p: / / gr ownups ma g. c om
Li k eusonFa c e book :
ht t p: / / f a c e book . c om/ gr ownups ma g
Fol l ow ourTwe e ts :
ht t p: / / t wi t t e r . c om/ gr ownups ma g
Pi nusonPi nte r e s t:
ht t p: / / pi nt e r e s t . c om/ gr ownups ma g
PHOT OGRAPH: PHOT ODI SC/ THI NKST OCK.
Conne c tWi t hUs !
WhenIGr ow Up We’ v eal lhear dt hes ay i ngt hati t“ t ak esavi l l age”t o r ai s eac hi l d. Gr ownUpswasc onc ei v edasat r i but e t ot hataphor i s m—weembr ac eandc el ebr at e ev er y onewhopl ay sar ol ei nac hi l d’ sl i f e. Ourgoali st odel i v err el evant , i nf or mat i v e, and ent er t ai ni ngc ont ent , whet hery ou’ r eat eac her , gr andpar ent , ment or , s t ay at homedad, orany one whol i v esorwor k swi t hk i ds . Wewantt oi ns pi r ey ou, mak ey oul augh, mak ey out hi nk , andempowery ou wi t ht hei nf or mat i ony ouneedt ohel py ouenj oy ev er ymomentandmi l es t one. Butr ai s i ngc hi l dr eni s n’ tal way sf unandgames . Somet i mes , i tc anbe downr i ghts c ar y . Wewantt oexpl or et hec hal l engesi nr ai s i ngk i dst hat c angi v euss t r engt h. Wewantt opr ovi dey ouwi t ht het ool sy ouneedt o demy s t i f yt hos eexper i enc es —goodandbad. AtGr ownUps , wes t r i v et o f eat ur ear t i c l esandi nf or mat i ont hatwi l lhel py ouenc our agegr owt hi n bot hy ourl i f eandy ourf ami l y ’ sl i f e. I fy ous pendt i mewi t hk i ds , Gr own Upsi sf ory ou.
Ii nvi t ey out oc ommentonar t i c l esi nt hi sandev er yi s s ueofGr ownUps byc l i c k i ngt hebut t onatt heendofeac har t i c l e. I fy ouar ec onnec t edt o t hei nt er net , y ouwi l lbebr oughtt oourwebs i t eatgr ownups mag. c om t o r eadmor e, ent erc ont es t s , ors har ey ourvi ews . We’ dl ov et ohearf r om y ou! Iwi s hy ouandy our sahol i days eas onfil l edwi t hl ov e, war mt h, andl i ght , andIhopey ou’ l lj oi nusonournewj our ney .
Car i s s aPel l et i er
Edi t or i nChi ef
PHOT OGRAPH: CAMARI ECALL ARI .
Ourpr emi er ei s s uef eat ur ess t or i esaboutpar ent t eac herr el at i ons , par ent i ng, heal t h, hol i day s , andmuc hmor e. I tal s opr ovi desy ouwi t han i nvi t at i ont oc onnec twi t husandf el l owr eader si nway smos tmagaz i nes don’ t . Whenev ery ous eeabut t onoral i nk , c ont r i but ornamesi nc l uded, go aheadandt api t !
OnChr i s tma smor ni ng ,a l l ofthec hi l dr e ng e ta r r a ng e d onthes ta i r sf orpi c tur e s . Wes ta r twi ththee l de s t a tthetop,a ndg odownto thel i ttl e sa tthebottom. Ama ndaSueHowel l
Ourf a mi l yr e a l l ye nj oysg e tti ng s omehotc hoc ol a tea ndf i ndi ng tha tpe r f e c tne i g hbor hoodto l ooka tChr i s tma sl i g hts ! Wedr i v ea r ounda l lni g hti f tha t' swha ti tta k e s ,a ndwe l ov ee v e r ymi nuteofi t. Tr i c i aRomo
Ev e r yChr i s tma sEv eourbi gSi c i l i a n f a mi l yg a the r sf orawonde r f ul di nne rf ol l owe dbyc r a z ya nti c s a ndc hi l dr e nl a ug hi nga sthe ya tta c k the i rpr e s e nts .Chr i s tma sDa y… c hoc ol a tes ouf f l é ,e noug hs a i d! Di a neAc c et t a Pa wa r
I LLUSTRATI ONS: SHENENMI N/ THI NKST OCK.
Weas k e d. . . Wh a t i st h eONEh o l i d a yt r a d i t i o n y o u rf a mi l ye n j o y smo s t ?
N
Needanot herr eas ont omoni t ory ourc hi l d’ s medi ahabi t s ? Ar ec entr epor ti ndi c at est hatmor et hana quar t eroft eensaged14–19hav es entnude pi c t ur esoft hems el v esel ec t r oni c al l y , ei t her t hr ought heI nt er netorbyt extmes s age. Thes et eenswer emor et hant wi c easl i k el y t ohav es ext hant eenswhohadnots ent nudepi c t ur es .
PHOT OGRAPH: THI NKST OCK.
T eens& Theques t i onofwhi c hc omesfir s t , s ext i ngor s ex, i si r r el evant . Moni t ory ourc hi l dr en’ s ac t i vi t i es , andk eept hel i nesof c ommuni c at i onopen. Yourt ur n!Howhast ec hnol ogyhel pedor hur ty ourr el at i ons hi pwi t hc hi l dr enathome ori nt hec l as s r oom? Comment !
Fi n ePe n ma n s hi p
ANi g ht
Town Sur pr i s ey ourc hi l dr enwi t ha“ ni ghton t het own. ”
Theygot obedasus ual , onl yt ofinda gol dent i c k ethi ddeni nt hei rbeds . They ar et henwhi s k edt ot hec ar , s t i l li nt hei r paj amas , wher ehotc hoc ol at e, popc or n, andhol i daymus i cawai t . Onc et hei rt i c k eti spunc hed, t heyt r av el t hr oughoutt hec i t yl ook i ngatal lt he hol i dayl i ght s !
Appl yt hi ss ur pr i s e t oanyhol i dayor t i meofy earby c ampi ngi nt he bac ky ar d, gr abbi ng anappet i z eror des s er tatadi ner ort av er n, orgoi ng t oadr i v ei nmov i e!
PHOT OGRAPH: COMST OCKI MAGES. I LLUSTRATI ON: THI NKST OCK.
ont he
a mo d e r nf ami l y byAhme dS ha l t out
“ A”i sf orAdvi c e
Q:My5t hgr ades oni si nac l as s r oomwi t ha fir s t y eart eac her . She ’ ss c at t er edand unor gani z edanddoes n’ ts eem t ohav et he c hi l dr en’ sbes ti nt er es t si nmi nd. I ’ v et r i edt o di s c us smyc onc er nswi t hher , buts hewas r udeanddi s mi s s i v e. Sev er aloft heot her par ent sI ’ v et al k edt oar ec onc er nedt oo. Whats houl dwedo? A: Fi r s tofal l , ahuget hank y ouf ort ak i ng y ourc onc er nsdi r ec t l yt ot het eac her !Y ou hav enoi deahowmanypar ent ss k i pt hat v er yi mpor t ants t ep. I t ’ sal way sbes tt ot r yt o r emedyas i t uat i onatt hegr oundl ev el( i . e. , i nt hec l as s r oom)bef or et ak i ngi tt ot he hi gher ups . Andt houghIunder s t andwhyy ouc ons ul t ed ot herpar ent s , pl eas et r eadc ar ef ul l ywhen doi ngs o. Awel l meani ngf ac t findi ng mi s s i onc anqui c k l yes c al at ei nt oahes ai d,
s hes ai dmobofangr ypar ent s . Nobodywi nswhent hathappens .
Nowt oy ourques t i on: Fi r s t y ear t eac her sar eami xedbl es s i ng. They ’ r ef r es houtofc ol l ege, s ot hey hav eent hus i as m andawhol ehos t ofexc i t i ngl es s onst hey ’ r eeagert ot r y . Butt hey ’ r eal s ofly i ngs ol of ort he fir s tt i mewi t houtt hebui l t i ns uppor t ofas uper vi s i ngt eac her . Few t eac her sl ookbac kont hei rfir s ty ear wi t houtc r i ngi ng, s oper hapsy our c hi l d’ st eac heri ss t r uggl i ngundert he wei ghtofhernewr es pons i bi l i t i es . Thatbei ngs ai d, i ts oundsl i k ey our c onc er nswer emetwi t hi ndi f f er enc e, . I t ’ st i met ogot ot henextl ev els i nc e t het eac herobvi ous l yneedsmor es uppor ti n or dert omeett hes t udent s ’ needs . Cal land s c hedul eameet i ngwi t ht hes c hool ’ s pr i nc i palorvi c epr i nc i pal . Shar ey our c onc er ns , butdos oasobj ec t i v el yas pos s i bl e. Suppor ty ourc l ai mswi t hasmuc h evi denc easy ouc an( gr adedpaper s , not es home, et c . ) . Enc our ageot herpar ent st odo t hes ames ot hats c hoolaut hor i t i es under s t andt hei s s ueext endsbey ondj us t onepar ent . Onc et hepr i nc i palhashear df r om s ev er al par ent s , heors hewi l laddr es st hepr obl ems t hr oughmor ef r equentc l as s r oom obs er vat i ons . Mos tnewt eac her sar e as s i gnedament or , s ot hepr i nc i palwi l lwor k wi t ht hement ort opr ovi deaddi t i onal s uppor tt ohopef ul l yaddr es st hepr obl ems . I ft hec onc er nsar epar t i c ul ar l ygr i ev ous , t he t eac hermaybepl ac edonani mpr ov ement
I LLUSTRATI ON: J ANAGUOTHOVA/ THI NKST OCK.
Oure x pe r t,Cr ys ta lPl a nte , ta c k l e syourtoug hque s ti ons a boutl i f ea ndl e s s onpl a ns f r om i ns i dethec l a s s r oom.
pl an. Fai l ur et os howi mpr ov ementc oul d r es ul ti nt er mi nat i on. Remembert hough: t he t eac heri sonc ont r ac t , s ot er mi nat i oni s al way st hel as tr es or taf t eral lot her i mpr ov ementmet hodshav ef ai l ed. Meanwhi l e, s uppor ty ours on’ seduc at i onas muc hasy ouc anbyhel pi nghi ms t ay or gani z edandc ur r entonas s i gnment s . J us t bec aus et het eac heri sunor gani z eddoes n’ t meany ours onhast obe! AddYourThought s!
Q:Myc hi l dc amehomef r om t hepar k y es t er dayandt ol dmet hatanol derki dwas c al l i nghi m names . Howc anIs t opmyc hi l d f r om bei ngbul l i ed? A: Whi l ey ourc onc er ni sl egi t i mat e, l et ’ ss t ep bac kami nut eandr eal l yl ookatt he s i t uat i on. Doy our emembert heear l y1990s whenagr eatmanyc hi l dr enwer edi agnos ed wi t ht henewl ydi s c ov er edAt t ent i onDefic i t Hy per ac t i vi t yDi s or der( ADHD) ?Af t ers o manydi agnos es , peopl ebegant ol ookat whet herornotev er yc hi l ddeemedt ohav e ADHDt r ul yhadt hec ondi t i on( s omedi d; manydi dn’ t ) . Nowappl yt hatt ot hei ns t anc esofbul l y i ng wehearaboutt oday . Whi l ebul l y i ngi sav er y r ealandv er ys er i ouspr obl em, i t ’ sal s oa buz z wor dt hatget st hr ownar oundal i t t l e t oomuc h. Somec hi l dhoodbehavi or st hat adul t sar equi c kt ol abelasbul l y i ng behavi orar eac t ual l yj us tk i dsnotbei ng v er yni c et oeac hot her . Thr eec r i t er i as houl dbec ons i der edwhen det er mi ni ngwhet herornotanac t i oni s c ons i der edbul l y i ng. Ac c or di ngt o s t opbul l y i ng. gov , t hebehavi orhast obe aggr es s i v e, r epeat edorongoi ng, andt ak e advant ageofar ealorper c ei v edi mbal anc e
ofpower . I fwhaty oudes c r i bedwi t hy our c hi l di sani s ol at edi nc i dent , i ti snot bul l y i ng. I t ’ sj us tani l l behav edk i dbei ng mean. I f , ont heot herhand, t hi si snotan i s ol at edi nc i dentandt hes amec hi l dhas t r eat edy ours ont hi swaybef or e, ori fy ou f eelt hi sc hi l dhast hepot ent i alt oc ont i nue ber at i ngy ours on, t hebehavi orc anbe c l as s i fiedasbul l y i ng. Sohowc any ouhel py ourc hi l dav oi d anot hers uc henc ount er ?Mos tc hi l dhood mi s behavi or —bul l y i ngorot her wi s e—oc c ur s whent her ei sl i t t l et onoadul ts uper vi s i on. T ot hatend, ac c ompany i ngy ours ont ot he par kc anc er t ai nl yhel pi npr ev ent i ngt hi s f r om happeni ngagai n. I fy ou’ r eunabl et ogo wi t hhi m ori fy out hi nkhe’ sol denought hat y ou’ dbeanembar r as s ment , don’ tl ethi m go unl es sy ouk nowanot herpar entwi l lbe t her et ok eepaney eonhi m. Whenhedoes v ent ur eout , mak es ur ey ours onk nowst o av oi dt heol derc hi l dands eekadul thel p, s uc hasanot hermom i nt hepar kor uni f or medwor k er , i fnec es s ar y . I ft hec hi l dat t endst hes ames c hoolasy our s on, al er tt het eac hert opos s i bl epr obl ems s ot hatt hes i t uat i onc anbemoni t or ed. Keep t absony ours on’ ss oc i almedi aandt ext mes s agest omak es ur et hebehavi ori s n’ t c ar r y i ngov eri nt oot herar easofhi sl i f e. Regar dl es sofwhaty ouc hoos et odo, i ns ul at ey ours onbyl et t i nghi mk nowhei s l ov ed, val ued, andi mpor t ant . Chi l dr enwi t h hi ghs el f es t eem ar el es sl i k el yt of al lvi c t i m t obul l i es . Comment !
Wanttoas kCr ys tal ,oranyof ourexper ts ,f oradvi c e?Submi tyour di l emmavi aourAs kaQues ti onpag e oremai ladvi c e@g r ownups mag . c om.
PHOT OGRAPH: THI NKST OCK.
ki t t i es & puppi es &f i s hi es , ohmy!
Cons i dert hef ol l owi ng: •Chi l dr enwhoar er ai s edwi t hpet sdev el op s uc hi mpor t antval uesasempat hy , r es pons i bi l i t y , andc ompas s i on. •Chi l dr enwhol i v ewi t hpet sdemons t r at e hi gherl ev el sofc ooper at i onands har i ng t hant hos ewhodonot . •Pet sc anhel pc hi l dr en’ ss el f es t eem, t hank st ot hepet ’ sl oy al t yanddev ot i on. St r uggl i ngl ear ner sc anes pec i al l yr eap t hes ebenefit sbec aus eoft he nonj udgment alnat ur eofpet s .
“
Pe towne r s hi p ha spos i t i v ee f f e c t s onc hi l dr e n. Pet sc anhel pbui l df ami l ybonds , but par ent ss houl dbec aut i ouswhenc hoos i nga pet . Somec hi l dr enar eal l er gi ct oc er t ai n ani mal s( al t houghonl ymedi c alt es t sc an det er mi nei fi t ’ sat r ueal l er gy ) , ands ome pet s ’ t emper ament sar en’ ts ui t edt of ami l i es ’ needs . Thor oughr es ear c hofpot ent i alpet sc an hel pens ur et hatapetwi l lbeawel c ome addi t i ont ot hef ami l y . AddYourThought s!
PHOT OGRAPH: THI NKST OCK.
Petowner s hi phaspos i t i v eef f ec t son c hi l dr en. Ac c or di ngt oGai lF. Mel s on, PhD, f ouri n10c hi l dr enbegi nl i f ei nahous ehol d t hatal r eadyhasapet . Upt o90per c entof al lc hi l dr enl i v ewi t hapets omet i medur i ng c hi l dhood, andnumer ouss t udi eshi ghl i ght t hebenefit sofpetowner s hi ponc hi l dhood dev el opment .
Bey ondt hes oc i albenefit s , expos ur et opet s hel pss t i mul at es t r ongeri mmunes y s t emsi n c hi l dr en. Themedi c alj our nalPedi at r i c s r epor t st hatc hi l dr enwhoar eexpos edt o pet si nt hefir s ty earofl i f ehav e31per c ent f ewerr es pi r at or yi nf ec t i onsand44per c ent f ewereari nf ec t i onst hanc hi l dr enwhol i v e i napet f r eehome.
“
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umansl ov et hei rpet s . Theav er age amountt hatpetowner si nt heU. S. s pendont hei rf uz z yf r i endseac h y earhasdoubl edt o$38bi l l i onov er t hepas tt eny ear s , dwar fingt het oy i ndus t r y ’ s$23bi l l i onannualhaul . Dogs c ont i nuet ot opt hel i s tasAmer i c a’ sf av or i t e pet , f ol l owedbyc at s , fis h, andbi r ds .
f ant as t i ct i meexpl or i ng. Vi s ual i z i ngherr unni ng t hr ought hes wi r l i ngs now s qual l saswer ac edbac kt o t hec ari sasc l eari nmy mi ndt odayasi twast hen. I t c onc l udedwi t has t opat Bur gerKi ngt owar m up wi t hac upofhotc oc oaand s omef r i es( al way sagood c ombi nat i on) . T ot hi sday , i t i ss t i l loneofmyf av or i t e memor i es . J us tac oupl eofy ear sl at er , I t ookmyhi s t or i c algeol ogy c l as sf orat r i pt oas y s t em ofc av esandc av er nsc al l ed Howe’ sCav er ns , whi c hwas t o aboutat woandahal f hour i v ef r om home. My byMa r kL a wl e rdr daught erac c ompani edus . egui dedt hr oughas er i esofwi ndi ng Bei ngapal eont ol ogi s tandnat ur alhi s t or i an, Wewer pas s ages , whi c hi nc l udedaboatr i deonan It r ul yenj oyexpl or i ngt henat ur alwonder s under gr oundr i v er . Ev er y oner eal l yenj oy ed ofouri nc r edi bl eandr ar epl anet . l ear ni ngaboutk ar s tt opogr aphyandhow c av esf or m butal s oj us ts pendi ngt i me WhatIl i k eev enmor e, i nf ac t , whatIam t oget her . Theonl ydowns i dewast hatmy pas s i onat eabouti ss har i ngt hi sj oywi t h daught erf or gotherl i t t l eday pac k , i nc l udi ng ot her s —i nt r oduc i ngt hem t ot henat ur aland herc amer a, att hec av er ns . Luc k i l y , t hough, geol ogi c albeaut yt hati sal lar oundt hem. i twasr et ur nedbymai las hor tt i me Shar i ngt hes ewonder swi t hmywi f eand l at er —anot hert opmemor y ! daught erhaspr ovi dedl as t i ngmemor i es andt heoppor t uni t yt os pendqual i t yt i me t oget herawayf r om t hec haost hatc anbe AT r i pt ot heMount ai ns ourday t odayl i v es . I thasbeengr eats har i ngt hes eexper i enc es wi t hmyf ami l y , andIbel i ev et heyhav e Hi ki ngi nt heSnowandCav i ngFun c r eat edauni quebondbet weenus , butt hey ar enots har edwi t hj us tf ami l ymember s . J us tbef or et eac hi ngmyfir s tgeol ogyc l as s Oneofmypas s i onsi st heAdi r ondac k f oral oc alc ommuni t yc ol l eget wel v ey ear s Mount ai nsofNewY or kSt at e. Il ov et he ago, Idi dar ec onnai s s anc et r i pt oexpl or e ogy , t henat ur alwonder soft he t hel oc algeol ogyasIhadnev erdonebef or e geol s i x mi l l i onac r es t at epar k , andal s ot he i npr epar at i onf ort ak i ngmys t udent son c ul t ur alhi s t or y . WhatIpar t i c ul ar l yl i k et odo fiel dt r i ps . Ii nvi t edmydaught er , whowas i si nt r oduc ef ol k st ot hes emount ai nswho fiv eatt het i me, t oj oi nme. I twasJ anuar y . I t hav enev erexper i enc edt hem bef or e. wasac r i s p, s nowyk i ndofday , andwehada
Na t ur e
PHOT OGRAPH: MARKL AWLER.
Re t ur ni ng
Of t en, t heyar es t udent s , butnotal way s . For exampl e, t hi spas tMay , It ookt woy oung menwhower ef r om Bar badosonadayt r i p t oexpl or es omeoft hel owerpeak soft he mount ai ns . Theywer ei naweandl ef t want i ngmor e;i ti soneofmyf av or i t eway s t os pendaday .
DoYouHav eT oBeaSc i ent i s t ?
Las tf al l , It ookas mal lgr oupofs t udent son at r i pt ot heAdi r ondac k s . Manyhadnev er beent her ebef or e. Wec l i mbedpeak swi t h fir et ower s , hi k edar oundl ak es , andhada t er r i ficday . Theexc i t ementands ur pr i s eat t hebeaut yoft hemount ai nsandoft hei r ac c ompl i s hment sr eal l yi mpr es s eds omeof m t hem.
I nf ac t , It hi nki tc anev eni mpr ov et he exper i enc ei fy ouar enot ;t hi sway , y ouar e al ll ear ni ngt oget her . Wheny ouhav e k nowl edget hatot her sdonot , y oumayfind y our s el fl ec t ur i ngmor et hanwhaty our c ompani onsmayl i k e( y es , per s onal exper i enc eher e) .
WhatDoYouNeedBef or eYouCan Begi nExpl or i ngT oget her ? Fi r s t , y ouneedt hedes i r e—t hei nt er es tt odo i t . I t ’ sr eal l yqui t es i mpl e. Getoutt her eand expl or e. Somepl anni ngandor gani z at i on wi l lhel pi mpr ov et heexper i enc e, butdonot ov er t hi nki t . Her ear eaf ewt hi ngst ohel p pl any ourt r i p: Fi r s t , y ous houl ddec i dewhaty ouwantt odo andwhaty ouwantt oexpl or e. Ar ey ou i nt er es t edi nt hegeol ogy( r oc k s , mi ner al s , andf os s i l s ) ?Doy ouwantt omer el ys ee t hi ngsi nper s on, ordoy ouac t ual l ywantt o c ol l ec tt hem andbr i ngt hem homewi t h y ou?Y ouwi l lnotbeal l owedt oc ol l ec t s pec i mensi nal lar eas , s obes ur et oc hec k bef or ec ol l ec t i ngany . Doy ouwantt o obs er v et heflor aandf auna?Somel oc at i ons ar egr eatf ordoi ngbot h, s omef oroneort he ot her , s odoal i t t l er es ear c h. TheI nt er net , t hebl uepagesofy ourphone book , andt hes t at egeol ogydepar t mentar e gr eatpl ac esf orfindi ngi nf or mat i onons t at e, c ount y , andnat i onalpar k si ny ourar ea. Expl or i ngt henat ur alwor l ddoesnothav e t obeexpens i v e. Af ewt hi ngsy ouwi l lwant t ot ak ei nc l udeagoodpai rofbi noc ul ar s ;a
PHOT OGRAPH: MARKL AWLER.
I twasc l eart hatIhadpr ovi dedar eal l y s pec i alexper i enc e. Il ov edi t . Iwasdefini t el y i nmyhappypl ac e.
Ther eal l yc oolt hi ngi st haty oudonothav e t obeanac ademi c al l yt r ai nedgeol ogi s tora nat ur alhi s t or i ant ohav et hes eexper i enc es wi t hy ourf ami l yorwi t hot her swhohav e s i mi l ari nt er es t s .
Y ouwi l lal s owantgoodgui debook s . I r ec ommendKi dsont heT r ai l : Hi k i ngwi t h Chi l dr eni nt heAdi r ondac k sbyRi v ez z iand T r i t har t . Si mi l argui desar ear eavai l abl ef or mos ts t at es . ThePet er s onFi el dGui deSer i es i sgr eatf orj us taboutany t hi ngy ouwantt o i dent i f y( e. g. , bi r ds , mammal s , i ns ec t s , r oc k s andmi ner al s , t hes t ar s , medi c i nalpl ant s , ani malt r ac k s , amphi bi ansandr ept i l es , but t er f l i es , mus hr ooms , t r ees , s hr ubs , and f l ower s ) . Fori dent i f y i ngf os s i l s , Iwoul dal s o r ec ommendFos s i l s( Gol denFi el dGui de Ser i es )byRhodes , Shaf f er , Zi m, andPer l man.
Y oul i k el yal r eadyhav es omeoft hes et hi ngs ar oundy ourhome. I fnot , y ouc anc er t ai nl y i mpr ovi s eandus ei t emsy oual r eadyhav e andaddt oy ourexpl or erk i tasy ougo. The t hi ngsIhav el i s t edher ear ef ort hebes t exper i enc e, butbey ondt hei s s ueofs af et y ( wat er , map, fir s tai dk i t , phone) , t her es tar e notabs ol ut el yr equi r ed, s ogetoutt her eand enj oy . Y oual s oneedt ous ec ommons ens e. St ar touts l ow, andwor ky ourwayupt o mor eadv ent ur es omet r i psi ft hati sdes i r ed. Manygr eatadv ent ur esawai ty out hatar e notwi l der nes sout i ngsanddonotr equi r e muc hexper i enc et oenj oyt hem s af el y . I fy ou ar euns ur e, don’ tdoi t , orfindan exper i enc edgui det ogowi t hy ou, and al way sl ets omeonek nowwher ey ouar e goi ngandy ouri t i ner ar y . Thebot t om l i nei st haty ouneedt ogetout t her eandexpl or ewi t hy ourf ami l yorot her s whoar el i k emi nded. Y ouwi l lpr oduc e memor i esandf or m bondst hatwi l ll as ta l i f et i me—andt heymayj us tbr i ngy out o y ourhappypl ac e. Enj oy ! LeaveaComment !
PHOT OGRAPH: MARKL AWLER.
goodc amer aandaj our nalf orj ot t i ngdown t hought s , ques t i ons , andf eel i ngst haty ou mi ghtf or getwheny ougethome. As mal l di gi t alr ec or derc anal s obeus edasanaudi o j our nalf ory ou. Y ouwi l lwantaday pac kt o c ar r yy ourwat er , f ood, bi noc ul ar s , c amer a, ext r ac l ot hes , ext r abat t er i esf ory ourc amer a ( f ewt hi ngsar emor ef r us t r at i ngt han di s c ov er i ngt haty ourbat t er i esar edead whenoutexpl or i ng) , di gi t alr ec or deri fus i ng one, andbugs pr ay , dependi ngont het i me oft hey ear . Y ouwi l lneedamapoft hear ea y ouar eexpl or i ng( andt heabi l i t yt or eadi t ) , fir s tai dk i t , s uns c r een, andl i ppr ot ec t ant .
CanY ouRel at e? b yT e r r e s s aCo r t e z
Asapar ent , hav ey ouev eras k edy our s el f how“ r el at abl e”y ouar et oy ourc hi l dr en? Whenourc hi l dr enar ey ounger , t hey t hi nkwedonowr ongandar e c ompl et el yi nnoc entoft hewor l dar ound t hem. Theyl ookupt ousandf ol l owal l t hatwedo. Ast heygetol derandbec ome t eenager s , t heydev el opt hei rowni deas , t hought s , andopi ni onsal ongwi t hl i k es anddi s l i k es . Aspar ent s , wes pendal otoft i me t eac hi ngourt eensr i ghtf r om wr ong, mak i ngs ur ewet el lt hem t hi ngst hat t heys houl dands houl dnotbedoi ng bas edonourownexper i enc es . Wear e al way st al k i ngt oourt eens , buthowwel l doy our eal l yr el at et ot hem?
Rememberhavi ngt hatboyorgi r ly ou hadac r us honbutper hapst heynev er gav ey out het i meofday ?Remember y ourfir s tbr eak up?Y ouwer et ot al l y c r us hed, buty ourpar ent sonl ys ai d, “ Don’ twor r y . Y ougetov eri t . T r us tme. Mov eon. ” Di dt hei rwor dsr eal l ymak ey ouf eelany bet t er ?Idon’ tt hi nks o. Whynots har e y ourexper i enc ewi t hy ourt eenand r el at et ot hem?L ett hem t r ul y under s t andt haty ouk nowexac t l ywhat t heyar egoi ngt hr oughandt hepai nf ul f eel i ngt hatgoeswi t hi t .
PHOT OGRAPH: THI NKST OCK.
Ourt eenss t i l lneedourgui danc e, but t heyal s oneedt or el at et ousi na di f f er entway . Theyar egr owi ngupand goi ngt hr ought hi ngswemaynotev en r eal i z e.
Whenwebec omepar ent s , wes omet i mes gets owr appedupi nt eac hi ngourk i dst hat wef or getwewer eoneonc ek i ds our s el v es —t hos et hi ngst hats eem s omi nor t ousnowasadul t swer ehugeast eenager s andhadagr eati mpac tonus . Hav eagood l aughwi t hy ourt eenwheny ous har ey our exper i enc e. L ett hem k nowy ouhav ebeen t her eandgett hem t oopenupbyas k i ng s uc hques t i onsas“ Whathappened? ”Andbe s ur et ot el lt hem whathappenedt oy ou.
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Wehav eal lhad t oughmoment s get t i ngt hr ough mi ddl es c hooland hi ghs c hool —f r i ends whos uddenl ywon’ ts peak t ous , t hatt eac herwhos eems i mpos s i bl et opl eas eorget al ongwi t handy ouar e c er t ai nt heyhat eonl y y ou. Y ouhav et hatc l as s y ouhav et ot ak ebut c an’ tunder s t andi tf ort he l i f eofy ounomat t erhow manyt i mesi t ’ sexpl ai nedt o y ou. Ther e’ st hatt r y outt hat s c ar esy out odeat h, andwhat aboutget t i ngy ourdr i v er ’ sl i c ens e?
wor dsbutal s obyhowwehandl edt hi ngs t hathur tus . Y ouwi l lbes ur pr i s edatt he r el at i ons hi py ourt eenr eal l ywant swi t hy ou. Theydon’ tj us twantt obes t ubbor nandnot hav ey oui nt hei rl i f e. Qui t et heoppos i t ei s t r ue. Theyj us tneedy ourhel pi nfindi nga wayt or el at es ot hatt heyf eelf r eet ot al k . Ourt eensar egoi ngt omak emi s t ak es , do t hi ngs , and, y es , y ouwi l ls ayt oy our s el f , “ I k newi t . Iwi s ht heywoul dhav ej us tl i s t ened t ome. ”Keept hatt houghtt oy our s el f , t hough, bec aus ey ou s houl dr emembert hat y oual s omadey our f ai rs har eof mi s t ak es . I t ’ sal lpar t ofl ear ni ngandgr owi ng. We s t i l lmak emi s t ak esasadul t s andhav et ofindourway . We s t i l lneedpeopl ewe c anr el at et o.
The yne e dt ok now wea r et he r ef ort he m a ndt ha twedo unde r s t a nd— notj us tbyourwor ds buta l s obyhowwe Iamnotcondoningbad behavi ori nanyway . I ha ndl e dt hi ngs amsimplysayingthatyou needt ogetdownt o t ha thur tus . yourteens’leveland
Thes emoment sdon’ thav et obes os t r es s f ul f orourt eenager s . Dot heyneedt of eelas t hought her ei snopos s i bl ewaywec oul d ev erunder s t andt hem?Abs ol ut el ynot . Theyneedt ok nowwear et her ef ort hem andt hatwedounder s t and—notj us tbyour
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Wec ant ak et hes emoment st onotonl y t eac hourt eensbutal s or el at et ot hem and findapl ac et obeapar entandbui l dand nur t ur eaf r i ends hi pandbondt hatc anbe c ar r i edf or war dwi t ht hei rownt eensone day .
r ememberwhatt hi ngs y ouwer egoi ngt hr oughatt hei rageand s har ey ourexper i enc eswi t ht hem. Gety our t eent ol aughwi t hy ouatt heexper i enc e i ns t eadoff eel i ngasi fi ti st heendoft he wor l d. Sur e, t heyar es t i l lgoi ngt ohur tand s t i l lhav et ogett hr oughi ti nt hei rownway , butk nowi ngy ourpar ent shav ebeent her e c aneas et hehur t , s t r es s , andanxi et yand gi v et hem c our ageandc onfidenc et omov e f or war d. Ourc hi l dr endon’ ts t ayc hi l dr enf orl ong, s o nur t ur et hatr el at i ons hi pev er yday . Whatdoyousay?
Don' tmi s sGr ownUpsMagaz i nec ont r i but orCr y s t alPl ant e' s debutnov el" Outt heOt herSi de"avai l abl eoni T unes !
Li f el ongbes tf r i endsBr i anandChr i s t i nahav ec hos endi f f er ent pat hsaf t erhi ghs c hoolgr aduat i on. I st hei rf r i ends hi ps t r ongenough t owi t hs t andt hedi s t anc et hatnows epar at est hem? Per f ec tf ory oungadul tr eader s , " Outt heOt herSi de "i sav ai l abl eoni T unes .
Par ent T eac her Conf er enc e DOs& DON’ Ts
byMi k eCr i de r
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sas c hooladmi ni s t r at or , I ’ v es eenandbeen i nv ol v edwi t hal otof di f f er entpar ent t eac her c onf er enc es . T eac her sar e enc our agedt oc ont ac t par ent sf orbot hpos i t i v eand negat i v er eas ons , and s omet i mesi t ’ snec es s ar yt o hav eaf ac et of ac e c onv er s at i on.
as k edt hef at herwhohi s c hi l d’ st eac her swer e, andhe t ol dhi m hehadnoi dea. The pr i nc i pal , af t ert el l i ngt he f at herhewoul dmeetwi t h hi ms hor t l y , c amebac ki nt o t heof fic eands ai d, “ That ’ st he m”Hewasr fir s tpr obl em. i ght : i f y oudon’ tk nowwhoy our c hi l d’ st eac her sar e, i tal r eady s howst haty ouar en’ t moni t or i ngwhoy ourc hi l d pendst hei rdaywi t h. I tc anbedi f fic ul tf orpar ent s s t ounder s t andt hepr oper pr oc edur esandpr ot oc ol sf or DON’ T:Dr opi nunexpec t ed. par ent t eac herc onf er enc es , T eac her sar epr of es s i onal s , ev eni fweappr ec i at e j us tl i k edoc t or s , l awy er s , and ev er y t hi ngt hatourt eac her s bus i nes sexec ut i v es . do. For t unat el y , Ihav ef our Unf or t unat el y , t heyar enot of t engi v ent hes ame t i pst hatwi l lhel py ou pr i vi l egesorc our t es i es( nev er navi gat ey ourc hi l d’ s par ent t eac herc onf er enc e mi ndmoney ) . I fat eac herhas andgi v ey ouapos i t i v e anoppor t uni t yt opr epar ef or exper i enc e. t hemeet i ngonhi sorher owns c hedul e, i twi l lmak e t heac t ualc onf er enc ego DO:Knowwhoy ourc hi l d’ s muc hmor es moot hl y . t eac her sar e.WhenI Unexpec t edvi s i t smi ght i nt er vi ewedf ormyfir s t t eac hi ngpos i t i on, Iwas meanawk war di nt er r upt i ons get t i ngr eadyt omeetwi t h whenc hi l dr enar ei nc l as s , or t hepr i nc i paloft hes c hool . An di s r upt i ngat eac herdur i nga angr yf at herc amei nt ot he l unc hbr eak . And, i nt hi sday i ti suns af et oappear of fic eanddemandedt o andage, any wher ei nas c hoolbui l di ng k nowwhyhi sc hi l d i fy ouhav enotf ol l owed wasf ai l i ngev er y s ubj ec t . The pr ot oc olandc hec k edi nat pr i nc i palc al ml y t heof fic e.
DO:Enc our agey ourc hi l dt o t ak eowner s hi p. Not hi ngi s mor edet r i ment alt oa c onf er enc et hanf ort he par entt obl as tt het eac her wi t houtdi s c us s i nghi sorher c hi l d’ sr es pons i bi l i t i es . Il ook atl ear ni ngasat r i angl e: i t c annotbec ompl et ewi t hout al lt hr ee—t het eac her , t he par ent ( s ) , andt hec hi l d—s i des doi ngt hei rpar t . Thehabi t s t hatc hi l dr enes t abl i s hi n s c hoolwi l lf ol l owt hem i nt o c ol l egeandbey ond. DON’ T:Foc uss ol el yont he gr ade. St r ai ghtA’ ss eem i deal , butt hel et t ergr ademaynot r eflec twhet herornoty our c hi l di sget t i ngev er y t hi ngout ofs c hoolt hatheors hec an. I st her es omet hi ngmor et hey c anbeac c ompl i s hi ng?I ti s pos s i bl et hatas t udentwho exper i enc esac ademi cs uc c es s ear l yi ns c hoolwi l l “ c oas t ”as t heyappr oac hi nt er medi at e gr ades , andt hi sc anc r eat ea l ac k l us t ers etofs t udyhabi t s . Addi t i onal l y , i fy ourc hi l di s s t r uggl i nggr adewi s ei na c l as s , y ouneedt oeval uat e whet herornott hey ’ r es t i l l l ear ni ngt hemat er i al . J us t bec aus eas t udenthasal ow gr adei nac l as sdoes n’ tmean
DO:Hol dt het eac her ac c ount abl ef orgr adi ng pr oc edur es .I fas t udentear ns ac er t ai ngr ade, t het eac her s houl dbeabl et oexpl ai nwhy t hes t udentr ec ei v edwhat t heydi d. Mak es ur et oas k aboutt hegr adi ngr ubr i cf or t hec l as ss ot hatt het eac her c anexpl ai nt hebr eak downi n per c ent agesofgr ades . A s t udentmayhav e15per f ec t gr ades , buti ft heyar eal l homewor k , t hatwi l lonl yt ak e t hes t udents of arunt i lt hey r eac hqui z z esandt es t s . Mos t c l as s esnowar enotbas edon t ot alpoi nt s , butper c ent ages .
pl ac et obr i ngupwhaty our c hi l d’ sf r i endss ayaboutt he t eac herorwhatot herpar ent s t hi nkThi sc onv er s at i oni s abouty ou, y ourc hi l d, andhow t heyar edoi ngi nc l as s . The t opi cneedst os t ayont hat . I fat eac herv eer sof fc our s e ands t ar t st ot al kabout anot hers t udent , pol i t el y r emi ndt hem t haty ouar e
DON’ T:Compl ai nt oan admi ni s t r at orunt i ly out al kt o t het eac her . I fy ouc al lan admi ni s t r at oraboutani s s ue i nc l as s , oneoft hefir s t ques t i onst oc omeupwi l lbe, “ Hav ey ous pok enwi t ht he t eac her ? ”Unt i lt hi shappens , i nt er es t edi nhowy ourc hi l di s not hi ngofmer i twi l lar i s e ng. f r om t hec onv er s at i on. Mak e doi s ur et oc ommuni c at ewi t ht he t eac herfir s t , par t i c ul ar l ywi t h DON’ T:Shar et oomuc h r egar dt ogr adi ngandbe per s onali nf or mat i oni nt he pr es entdur i ngac onf er enc e. c onv er s at i on. Bec aus eoft he ur eoft eac hi ng, t eac her s Somet i mes , par t i c ul ar l yi ft hey nat epr i vyt omor ei nf or mat i on ar el es sexper i enc ed, t heyj us t ar aboutac hi l dt hanmos t . l i k et of eelast hought hey hav es uppor t . Howev er , t hi ss houl dnotbea i c ens et os har eev er y DO:Keept hemeet i ngabout l i v et hi ngy ouhav et o y ourc hi l d. Apar ent t eac her negat s ayabouty ourc hi l d’ sot her c onf er enc ei snotagood
par ent , y ourdi v or c e, f ami l y i s s ues , gos s i p, orot her nonr el evanti nf or mat i on. Keept hei nf or mat i ony ou s har ec ent er edony ourc hi l d. I ft hei nf or mat i ony ouar e s har i ngi sper t i nentmedi c al , ac ademi c , ors oc i al i nf or mat i on, t hent het eac her maybeabl et ous et hat i nf or mat i ont ohel py ourc hi l d bemor es uc c es s f uli nc l as s .
PHOT OGRAPH: CREAT ASI MAGES/ THI NKST OCK.
t heyar en’ tl ear ni ngany t hi ng; t heymayj us tbes t r uggl i ng wi t hapar t i c ul art y peof as s i gnmenti nt hec l as s .
T eac her sunder s t andt haty ou ar el ook i ngoutf ory ourc hi l d. Theywanty out obec onfident i nt hei rc l as s r oom exper t i s e andi nt hei rabi l i t yt o enc our agel ear ni ngand gr owt h. Byus i ngt hes edos anddon’ t s , Ihopey ouc an pos i t i v el ys hapey ournext par ent t eac herc onf er enc e andgi v ey ourc hi l dr ent he bes toppor t uni t yf ors uc c es s . Comment !
Sur v i v i ngFt h e N I C U i n d i n gt h eS t r e n g t h byAnge l aT odd
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“ Shal lwepul lt hepl ug? ”t heyas k ed. Wel l , no. Ofc our s enot !Thr ee mont hsl at erhewasmov edt oat r ans i t i onalhos pi t al , andt hr ee week saf t ert hathec amehome, ar oundhi sduedat e. He’ st en, happy , andheal t hynow. Al t houghweof t enhearbeaut i f uls t or i esl i k et hi s , i t ’ sc r uc i alt hatwe unpac kt hedet ai l ss ot hatwec andemy s t i f yt hepr oc es sf orot her s ast heymak es i mi l arl i f eanddeat hdec i s i ons . Happyandheal t hy mi ghtmeant hatac hi l dl i v eswi t h( andt hepar ent sac c ept )s ens or y pr oc es s i ngdi s or der , mi l dt omoder at ec er ebr alpal s y , i mpai r ed ey es i ght , oras t hma—al lpot ent i alout c omesduet opr emat ur ebi r t h. TheNeonat alI nt ens i v eCar eUni t( NI CU)gi v esy out hes t r engt h f ort hatac c ept anc e. Butfir s t , i tt ak es . I tt ak esal ly ou’ v egot .
PHOT OGRAPH: THI NKST OCK.
urs onwasc omi ng, andt heyc oul dn’ ts t ophi m. I thadonl y been24week s . I nt hedar k eneddel i v er yr oom, s omeoneas k ed, “ Shoul dwet r yt os av ehi m? ”Wel l , y es !It houghtdes per at el y . T en day sl at er , t hr eedoc t or sc l os edt hedoorbehi ndust oexpl ai nbr ai n bl eeds , s eps i s , meni ngi t i s , andpr obabi l i t i es . I twas n’ tgood.
Hopef ul l y , y ou’ l lnev ers eeaNI CU. Buti fy ou do, t her ear emanyr es our c est hatc an pr ovi dey ouwi t hi ns t i t ut i onal , per s onal , and c ommuni t ys uppor t .
I ns t i t ut i onalSuppor t Thehos pi t als oc i alwor k erwi l lhel pgety ou or gani z ey ourc hi l d’ sheal t hi ns ur anc eand medi c alas s i s t anc e( MA) . Chi l dr enbel owa c er t ai nbi r t hwei ghtaut omat i c al l yqual i f y f orMA;onc et heyc at c hupi ndev el opment , t heynol ongerqual i f y . MAwi l lpaymedi c al , dent al , andopht hal mol ogybi l l s . T ak ei t !I n t heU. S. , y ours oc i alwor k ers houl dal s o poi nty out oWomen, I nf ant s , andChi l dr en ( WI C) , anut r i t i onals uppor tpr ogr am i nt r oduc edi nt he1970sf orat r i s kk i ds . Thes et wopr ogr amsmadei tpos s i bl ef or onepar entt os t ayhomef ort woy ear s , as medi c al l yr ec ommended, whi l eourc hi l d out gr ewhi smedi c alf r agi l i t y . Par t i c i pat i oni n t hes epr ogr amsal s ohel psk eepac c ur at e s oc i als t at i s t i c saboutpr emat ur i t yand c ommuni t ys uppor t , whi c hi mpac t smedi c al pr i or i t i esandf undi ngi ni t i at i v es .
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Y e s , goa he a da nddoone mor ebr a i ns c a ni fy oumus t , butwedonotwa ntt ot a l ka bouti t ;
i twi l lnotc ha ngehow wepa r e ntt hi sba by .
Ours oc i alwor k eral s ol i s t enedandhel ped uswei ghouropt i onswhent hedoc t or s pr es ent eduswi t hc hoi c es , hel peduswi t h ourear l yi nt er v ent i onenr ol l ment , ar r anged at ouroft het r ans i t i onalhos pi t al , s ati n whenIf el tobl i gat edt omak eas t af f c ompl ai nt , andputmei nt ouc hwi t hac el l i s t s t udy i ngt heef f ec t sofl i v emus i ci nt he NI CU.
Nur s esar et hepeopl ewhos i twi t hy ouaf t er y ourbadandy ourgoodnews . Thei rwor ki s phy s i c al l yandemot i onal l ygr uel i ng, and t heyar ey ourbaby ’ spr i mar yc ar egi v er si n y ourpl ac e. Pampert hem, as kt hem ques t i ons , andr es pec tt hem. Webr ought t hem c ook i es , f r ui tbas k et s , anddonut s( our di abet i cnur s egotaheal t hyal t er nat i v e) . Wel ear nedt opar enti nt heNI CU, wher e was hi ngourhandswaswat c hedandt i med, andnut r i t i onali nt ak eandout putwer eout ofourhands . Thebabi esgetl i t t l epos i t i v e t ouc h—dai l ybl ooddr awsandweek l yey e exams( wher et heey ebal li smov ed manual l ybyt hedoc t or )ar ej us tt he begi nni ng. Al t houghwehadt os c hedul eour t i mear oundt henur s es ’ s c hedul es , wef el t s t r ongl yaboutpr ovi di ngpos i t i v et ouc hwi t h r egul ar i t y . I twasf r us t r at i ngnott odoi ton myowns c hedul e, butdoc t or ’ sr ounds , babi ess i c k ert hanmi ne, oranur s eouts i c k c oul dadds t r ai nswedi dn’ ts ee. It hank m ett nur s eswhenIme hem any wher e. Is eeac l eardi vi s i onbet weennur s es , who ar ei nt het r enc heswi t ht hef ami l i es , and doc t or s , whohandouthear t br eak i ng di agnos esandmak ec l eart hewor s t c as e s c enar i os . Thedoc t or smademeangr y ;t hey hadt o. Thei rpes s i mi s mi sl egal l ys c r i pt ed: t heyhav et ot el ly ouev er ywor s tpos s i bi l i t y . St i l l , t heyhadt hepowert omov et he i nc ubat ort oaqui et ers pot , ens ur ewedi dn’ t gett henur s et hatwedi dn’ tc l i c kwi t h, l i s t en t omys t af fc ompl ai nt , andbyt heend, al l owedust owei ghi nonpr oc es s esand t r eat ment s . I nat eac hi nghos pi t al , t her ei sa l otoft ur nov er , andIf el tIhadt ogett o k now( andmak emy s el fk nownt o)new doc t or sev er yf ewday s . But , asal l i es , i nt he end, t heyr es pec t edourfinalNI CUdec i s i on t o, “ Y es , goaheadanddoonemor ebr ai n s c ani fy oumus t , butwedonotwantt ot al k abouti t ;i twi l lnotc hangehowwepar ent t hi sbaby . ”
Weal s ohadt hes uppor tofNI CUf ami l i es whower ef ur t heral ongi nt hei rs t ay . They of f er edushope, andt hei rs t r engt hwas al way si ns pi r at i onal . Al way s . Mak i ngf r i ends wi t hamom l i vi ngatt hehos pi t alwhi l eher f ami l ywashour sawaymademydai l yvi s i t s al i t t l emor enor mal —Ihadagi r l f r i endwho k newj us twhatIwasgoi ngt hr ough. Luc k i l y , s heal s ohadawi c k eds ens eofhumor . We’ v e beenf r i endsf orov eradec adeands t i l lget t oget herwi t hk i dsandhus bandsatl eas t onc eay ear . T al kt oy ourpeer s .
Per s onalSuppor t L ear nt ous ey ourper s onalr es our c es . Y ou needt oc al i br at ey ourener gyt ol as tt he mont hsi tmayt ak ef ory ouri nf antt o r ec ov er . Mak es ur ey ougeti nt ouc hwi t h y ourempl oy er ’ shumanr es our c es r epr es ent at i v e. Wheni twast i met ol eav et heNI CU, t he maj oruni v er s i t ywher eIwasempl oy edt ol d met hatmat er ni t yl eav ei ss uppos edt obe t ak ent or ec ov ery ourbody , andt hatwai t i ng t hr eemont hst oas kf ormymat er ni t yl eav e di s qual i fiedmef r om t ak i ngany . Ihada gr eats uper vi s orwhowor k edwi t hme, but mak es ur ey oueduc at ey our s el fabouty our wor k pl ac e’ smat er ni t y l eav epol i c i es . Y ou’ l lal s owantt ot ak ef r i endst oNI CU. I i ni t i al l ywant edt ok eepev er y t hi ngc l amped downandunderc ont r ol , butaf ewf ol k s madet hei rwaypas tmyf earandt he hos pi t alhandwas hi ngs t at i on. Wewer ef ar f r om ourf ami l i esandent wi nedwi t hmos t l y c hi l dl es sac ademi c s , andt hef ewf r i ends whoas k edt oc omet ot heNI CUs t r uc kmeas oddatt het i me. Now, t heys t andoutast he br av es tands t r onges toft hel ot . Havi ng t hem vi s i thel pedmak et heexper i enc el es s i s ol at i ng. Mymom ands t epmom c ameand c ook edandc l eanedandhel dt hebaby , and myaunt i ec ameandhi r edac l eani ngt eam
t ogot hr oughr i ghtbef or eours onc ame homef r om NI CU. I twasgl or i ous . I nt hats amev ei n, t ak ey ourf r i endsupon t hei rof f er s . Whens omeones ay s , “ I ft her e’ s any t hi ngIc ando, l etmek now, ”hav eal i s t r eady . Cr az y ?No!Theywi l lbegr at ef ulf or t hedi r ec t i on. Her e’ sal i s tt ogety ous t ar t ed: •hos tas l eepov erf ory ourot herc hi l d •mowt hel awn •dr opof fmi l k , br ead, andeggsathome •wat ert hepl ant s •c ar ef orpet s •at t endameet i ngi ny ourpl ac eandt ak e not es •bak ec ook i esf ort henur s es •t ak ey ourc ari nf ori t soi lc hange Hi sdadandIwentl i k ec l oc k wor kt ot he NI CU: hewenti nt hemor ni ng, andIwentat ni ght . Wewer el uc k ybec aus ewewer ei nt he s amec i t y ;i fy oul i v er emot el y , as kaf r i end t o: •dr i v ey ou •findoutaboutt heRonal dMc Donal d hous eorot herl oc alhous i ng( Mar c hof Di mesmayal s obear es our c ef or hous i ng) •mak edi nnerf ory ou •gohol dt hebaby( c ont ac tt heNI CUt o gett hem per mi s s i ont ogeti n) •s c hedul eas peak er phonec al lt ok eep y ouc ompanyony ourl at eni ghtr i des home
Communi t ySuppor t Wheni twast i met ol eav et hehos pi t al , Idi d notwantt o!Iwast er r i fiedofourheal t hc ar e t eam f adi ngi nt ot hi nai r , l eavi ngmeal one wi t hmyc hi l d. I ’ dl ear nedt her hy t hmsoft he i ns t i t ut i onandmadef r i endswi t ht henur s es andot herf ami l i es . I twass c ar yt ol etgo. But y ouwi l lhav eanet wor koff ol l owupf ol k s whoc ont i nuet oc oac hy ourf ami l yal ong.
Wec amehomewi t hoxy gent ank s , hear t moni t or s , andapul s eoxi met er , s owehada vi s i t i ngnur s e. St i l l , Ic al l edourpedi at r i c i an’ s of fic edai l y , s i xday saweek , f ort woweek s . Wewer eal s oqui c k l ybr oughti nt ot hef ol d oft heear l yi nt er v ent i ont eam, as pec i al f or c eofopt i mi s t st hati nc l udedaphy s i c al t her api s t , anoc c upat i onalt her api s t , a s peec hpat hol ogi s t , andadev el opment al s pec i al i s twhoc amet oourhomeona week l ybas i s . Wer et ur nedt ot hehos pi t al dev el opment als pec i al i s tev er yt hr ee mont hst oc hec konpr ogr es s . I tc anbean emot i onal l ygr uel i ngpr oc es s , andi t ’ s i mpor t antt ohav ey ourt eam ac c ompany y ou. Y oual s owantt opi c ky ourpedi at r i c i anear l y . It houghtIwasr eal l yont opoft hi ngswhen I “ i nt er vi ewed”apopul arpedi at r i cpr ac t i c e
t obegi nc ompar i s ons hoppi ng. Idi dn’ thav e t i mef oranyot heri nt er vi ews !Butt hat pr ac t i c edi dr oundsi nt heNI CU, whi c h t ur nedoutt obei mpor t antt omys on’ s t r eat ment . Thedoc t ors awt her es ul t soft hatfinalbr ai n s c an, under s t oodt hes er i ous nes sof r et i nopat hywhenwedi dn’ t , al er t edust o t hemi l dnes sofhi sas t hma, andc ont i nuest o c oac hmeonl et t i ngt hek i dj us tbeak i d. Thi sdoc t orc ont i nuest ohav eas t r ong per s onali nv es t menti nourc ar e. Wear egr at ef ult oourvi l l age. Bec aus eof t hes uppor twer ec ei v ed, ours oni sk i ndand c ur i ous . He’ l lbeheadedt omi ddl es c hool , andhe’ ss t i l luns t oppabl e. AddaComment !
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r es ul ti ngoodpar ent i ng. demons t r at epos i t i v ec onfli c t Fat her sdon’ tneedt oexhi bi t r es ol ut i ont hr ough al ls ev ent r ai t st obeef f ec t i v e, c ompr omi s eandf or gi v enes s buti ti sac as eof“ mor ei s al s ohav eas t r ongi mpac ton bet t er . ”Whi l es omeoft hem c hi l dr en. ar ec hal l engi ngt oper f or mi n c as esofs epar at i on, al lof f er benefit st oc hi l dr en.
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Chi l dr enequat et i mewi t h os t er i ngapos i t i v e l ov e. Af at herwhos pends I nf ac t , r es ear c hi ndi c at est hat F r el at i ons hi pwi t ht he ti mewi t hhi sc hi l dr eni s af at her ’ spr es enc eand c hi l dr en’ smot her . demonstrati ngi nt er es tand i nv ol v ementi nac hi l d’ sl i f e hus i as mi nt hec hi l d’ sl i f e. c ont r i but et ohi ghergr ades , Fat her ss ett het onef ort he ent bet t ers el f es t eem, l owerdr ug c hi l dr en’ si nt er ac t i onwi t h andal c oholus e, andhi gher t hei rmot her . Di s pl ay i ngac t s s oc i alandac ademi cs uc c es s . ofr es pec t , c ons i der at i on, and Nur t ur i ngc hi l dr en. af f ec t i on( whenappr opr i at e) hel psc hi l dr enl ear nby Ther ear es ev endi mens i ons Af at her ’ ss t y l eofnur t ur i ngi s exampl e. Fat her swho ofef f ec t i v ef at her i ngt hat di f f er entt hanamot her ’ s
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PHOT OGRAPH: J UPI TERI MAGES/ THI NKST OCK.
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s t y l e. Regar dl es s , f at her s s houl dber es pons i v et ot hei r c hi l dr en’ sneedsandac t ac c or di ngl y .
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Ser v i ngasagui de t ot hewor l d.
Thewor l dc anbeas c ar y pl ac et oac hi l d. Af at herwho hel psac hi l dnavi gat et he wor l dpr oper l ywi t has etof c or ebel i ef sandl i f e exper i enc eshel pspr epar et he c hi l df oradul t hood.
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Us i ngappr opr i at e di s c i pl i ne.
Thebas i soft hewor d “ di s c i pl i ne”i s“ t ot eac hwi t h l ov e. ”Fat her swhomai nt ai n s el f c ont r olaswel lasc ont r ol
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ofemot i onsandhandsar e mor eef f ec t i v eatdi s c i pl i ne t hant hos ewhodonot . Ser v i ngasapos i t i v e Thegoalofdi s c i pl i nei st o r ol emodel . t eac ht hec hi l d, nott opuni s h Af at her ’ sac t i onsandbel i ef s orhumi l i at e. Goodf at her s s t r ongl yi nfluenc ehi s k nowt hi sandac tac c or di ngl y . c hi l dr en. Theamountof i nfluenc ei sdi r ec t l yr el at edt o t heamountoft i meaf at her s pendswi t hhi sc hi l dr en. Pr ot ec t i ngand Fat her ss houl dexhi bi t pr ov i di ng. behavi or st heywantt hei r Moder nf or msofpr ot ec t i on c hi l dr ent oi mi t at e. c ani nc l udec hi l dpr oofinga home, moni t or i ngonl i ne Par ent hoodi snoteas y , and medi a, ork nowi ngt hei r s omet i mesl es st hani deal c hi l dr en’ sf r i ends . c i r c ums t anc esi nt er f er ewi t h ev ent hebes ti nt ent i ons . Res ear c hs howst hat di s advant agedenvi r onment s Rec ogni z i ngt heuni quer ol e s uf f erwhenf ewf at her sar e f at her spl ayi nac hi l d’ sl i f e avai l abl et os uper vi s e c anhel pr ef oc ust hos egood c hi l dr en, whi c hi nc l udest hei r i nt ent i onsf ort hec hi l d’ ss ak e. ownc hi l dr enaswel las YourThought s? nei ghbor hoodc hi l dr en.
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H o l i d a y s byGi naSa mpa i o
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v er yy earaboutt hi st i met hepar ent i ng magaz i nesIl ookats t ar thavi ngar t i c l eson c ut edoi t y our s el fAdv entc al endar s . Theyal l s eem t of ol l owt hes amebas i cs t eps : 1. Col l ec t24s mal lenv el opes , mat c hboxes , or empt yt oi l etpapert ubes . 2. Spendt i meandmoneyont r ans f or mi ngt hos e i t emsi nt os omet hi ngv er yc ut e. 3. Fi l leac hs potupwi t has mal lc andyort oy . 4. L ety ourc hi l ddes t r oyi twhi l ec ount i ngdown t heday sunt i lChr i s t mas .
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Anot herr eas ont het r eatperdayi deamak esmec r i ngei sbec aus e t hey oungerk i dswoul dnotbehappywai t i ngf ort hei rday . Theol der k i dswoul dbefine, butf ort hel i t t l ek i dsi twoul dbeonedayofj oy f ol l owedbyf ourday sofnuc l earmel t downs . SoIus ual l yj us tenj oyt hepi c t ur esofot herpeopl e’ sAdv entc al endar s andt hent ur nt hepage. Thent hi sy earIhadani dea—whati ft hec ount downdi dn’ ti nc l ude c andyort oy s ?Whati ft hec ount downwass omet hi ngc ompl et el y di f f er ent ?Whati fwec oul danxi ous l yawai tt hear r i valofChr i s t mas whi l eal s os omehowc ount er ac t i ngt hegr eedi nes sandc ons umer i s m
PHOT OGRAPH: GI NASAMP AI O.
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The nt hi s y e a rIha d a ni de a — wha ti ft he c ount down
If al li nl ov ewi t ht hepi c t ur es . I ’ m downwi t h c ol l ec t i ngj unkt or eus eass omet hi ngus ef ul . ButIgett os t ep3andI gr oan, andI ’ l lt el ly ouwhy : Ihav efiv ek i ds . St ar t i ngar ound Hal l oween, myhous ebegi nst obec omeov er r unwi t hc andyandl i t t l e t oy s( Pl as t i cs pi derr i ngs !Pumpk i npenc i l s !T ur k eyer as er s !Ti ny pl as t i cdr ei del s !Mi ni at ur ec andyc anes ! )Thel as tt hi ngIwantt odo i st obr i ngMOREoft hi sk i ndofj unki nt omyhous eonpur pos e.
Idec i dedIneededt omak eone, s oI s ear c hedonl i nef orac al endarpr oj ec tt hat appeal edt ome. Ther ewer es omanyc ut e i deasoutt her e—paperc oneswr appedi n f anc ypaperands t r ungf r om r i bbon!Fabr i c bi r dswi t hbeaded, t wi s t edwi r ehanger s ! Fabr i cpoc k et s !Thent hr oughaGoogl e i mages ear c hIf oundanAdv entc al endar t hatwasmadeupof24br ownpapers t ar s ofvar y i ngs i z esandvar i et i ess t r ungf r om anev er gr eenbr anc ht hatwashungont he wal l . I tl ook edl i k ei twoul dbeal otofwor k f orme, andt hei ns t r uc t i onswer ei na l anguageIc oul dn’ tunder s t and. Iwas hook ed. Whatwasi tt hatappeal edt omeaboutt hi s one?Fi r s tofal l , ev ers i nc eIwasak i d, Ihav e beenf as c i nat edwi t ht hei deat hatone
c oul ds ewpaper , s oapr oj ec tt hati nv ol v ed s ewi ngpaperi mmedi at el yc aughtmyey e. I al s ol ov et henat ur all ookofi t . Il ov eus i ng s omet hi ngf r om ourbi gy ar dout s i deand t henr ec y c l i ngs omebr ownpaperbagsf r om i ns i de. Il ov edt hatt hes t ar sar eal ldi f f er ent andi mper f ec t . Ic ans ewbutnotnec es s ar i l yas t r ai ghtl i ne. Ihav eamot t o—“ s l i ght l yef f edupi st he c har m ofhomemade, ”s oanypr oj ec tt hathas whatIc al lt he“ wonk yaes t het i c ”i sal lr i ght wi t hme. Idec i dedt ogof ori t . Myfir s ts t epwast oc omeupwi t hal i s tof 24gooddeeds . Is t ar t edal i s tonmyl apt op andaddedt oi tunt i lIhadenought oat l eas tgets t ar t ed, figur i ngI ’ dt hi nkoft her es t al ongt heway . ThenIi r oneds omebr own paperbags( s ewi ngANDi r oni ngpaper ? Fant as t i c ! )Ic utoutabout30s quar esand pi l edt hem upnextt omys ewi ngmac hi ne. I f el tr eadyt os t ar t !
Ic utoutmyfir s t s t ar , andIc hec k ed myl i s t . Thefir s t gooddeedwas “ c al lanel der l y r el at i v e. ” Ic uts omes mal l s t r i psofpaper f r om avi nt age MoneyRec ei pt padIhav ehadf or y ear sandhav e f oundnoot her us ef ory et .
PHOT OGRAPH: GI NASAMP AI O.
t hatal way ss eemst or unr ampanti n Dec ember ?Whati fi twasanAdv ent c al endarofgooddeeds ?
Is ewedt het wo s i dest oget her mos toft heway andt henf ol ded upt hes t r i pof paperands t uc k i ti ns i de. Ial s oc uts ome whi t et wi neand pl ac edi tatt he t opoft hes t ar( f or ahanger )bef or e s ewi ngi ts hut .
PHOT OGRAPHS: GI NASAMP AI O.
Ir eal i z edIdi dn’ t hav eanynumber s t amps , butIdi d hav es omec ut e l et t ers t amps , s oI wr ot e“ one”oni t . Thi swasgoi ngt o bes oeas y .
Ir eal i z edr i ghtawayt hatIneededt obe c ar ef ulwi t hwhi c hday sIputwhi c hj obson. Forexampl e, c al l i nganel der l yr el at i v e woul dbegr eatt odoonaweek endbut
may benots oeas yt odoonabus ys c hool ni ght . Sobef or eIwentanyf ur t her , Iwr ot e t heday soft heweekonmyl i s tal ongwi t h t henumber s . Thi sal s omademer eal i z e
t hati t ’ dbehar dt odoany t hi ngont he Fr i dayni ghtwe’ dbehavi ngourannual hol i daypar t y , s oIdec i dedt omak et hatday ’ s deed“ hel ps etupf ort hepar t y ”whi c ht hey woul dhav ehadt odoany way . Thatone’ sa bi tofac heatf orme, buti thel pedmemak e i tt o24.
Is houl dhav efigur edt hatwhenIbegan pat t i ngmy s el font hebac kf ort hes ebr i l l i ant r eal i z at i onsIwoul dmes sups omet hi ng el s e, andIdi d. Ihader as edt hefir s tf our t hi ngsof fmyel ec t r oni cl i s tbef or er eal i z i ng t hatIwant edt ok eept r ac koft hem al li n c as eIwant edt ous et hem agai nnexty ear .
Di dIl i s t ent omyownadvi c e? No!Bec aus eaf t erwr i t i ngt hos ewor ds , I agai npat t edmy s el font hebac kandagai n i mmedi at el yr eal i z edIhadapr obl em. T wi c e. Fi r s t , Inot i c edIwasr eal l yget t i ngt hehang ofus i ngt het i nys t ampsIhav e, andt henI s t ampedal et t erups i dedown. ThenasIadmi r edt hes t i t c hIhads wi t c hed mys ewi ngmac hi net oIr anoutoft hr eadon mybobbi n. Ir et hr eadi t , whi c hnat ur al l y us edupt her es toft het hr eadonmys pool , s ot henIhadt ofindanot heronei nmy s t as ht hatwoul dfitonmymac hi ne. Abs ol ut el ynomor ebac kpat t i ng.
Mommywor k i nghar datt r y i ngt ofini s han i nt r i gui ngpr oj ec tr eal l ypi quest hey ounges t k i ds ’ i nt er es t s . Myfiv ey ear ol ddec i deshe want st opus ht hepedalf ort hes ewi ng mac hi ne. Hi sf ooti satt her eady , andIt el l hi mt owai tf ormet oputt het hr eadbac ki n t heneedl e. AsIam t hr eadi ngi t , Speedyput s t hepedalt ot hemet al . Andi spr ompt l y k i c k edoutoft hef ami l yr oom. Nextupi st het hr eey ear ol d. Shec l ear l y does n’ ts har emyvi s i onoft hes eashangi ng or nament als t ar sandi ns i s t st heyar e nec k l ac es . Shewon’ tl eav emeal oneunt i lI mak eheronet owear . Af t ert r y i ngt ot el lher “ no”and“ wai tfiv emi nut es , ”Ibuc k l eand
PHOT OGRAPH: GI NASAMP AI O.
Ther ewer eonl y f ours t ar sdone, but , ofc our s e, I c oul dn’ t r ememberwhatI wr ot ei nt hem, s o Ihadt os l i tt he bac k sopenand t hent apet hem s hutagai n. No mor ebac k pat t i ngunt i lt he j obwasdone!
Att hi spoi nt , t he k i dsr eal i z edt hat I ’ m wor k i ngon s omet hi ng i nt er es t i ng. May be i t ’ sal lt hepaper s t ar sIhav el ai d outont hec ouc h ( t ok eepaney eon t hes i z eoft he t wi nehanger s ) . “ Whati st hat ?I t does n’ tl ookl i k ea c al endar . Of what ? ?Good deeds !Cool ! !That meansSant awi l l br i ngusMORE PRESENTS! ”
Thel as ts t epwasfindi nganev er gr een br anc hands t r i ngi ngi tuponmymant l e. Onc ei twass ec ur e, Il ai doutt hes t ar son t hefloori nnumer i c alor der . Ipl ac edt wel v e i nt hemi ddl et ogi v emy s el far ef er enc e poi nt . Mos toft hes t ar swer eat t ac hedby s endi ngt hes t art hr ought hel oopoft he hangerandt henpul l i ngt i ght , buts ome wer eabl et ohangonl i t t l ebr anc hes . Andt henIs t oodupandf el li nl ov e. Thi s ! Thi sl ov el y , r us t i c , c har mi ng, wonk y , nat ur al Adv entCal endarmadewi t handdes i gned f ors pr eadi ngl ov ewast hec ount downt o Chr i s t masIhadbeenwi s hi ngf or . Ands oonI wi l lal l owmyc hi l dr ent odes t r oyi t . Di scussThi s!
PHOT OGRAPHS: GI NASAMP AI O.
mak eherone. Shes k i psawayhappi l y , andI findi tont hefloorexac t l yonemi nut el at er . Appar ent l y , t hough, t hatwasenought oget hert ol eav emeal ones oIc oul dfini s h s ewi ng.
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etaheads t ar tony ourowngooddeedsc al endarwi t ht hes epr i nt abl es !
Pr i ntandhangt hes e24gooddeedsc el ebr at i ngy ourpr ovi der s , y our c ommuni t y , y ourec os y s t em, andy ourhome. T opr i nt , t ak eas c r eens hotofeac hoft hef ol l owi ngpages orc l i c kbel owt odownl oadt hePDFatgr ownups mag. c om! Downl oad!
I LLUSTRATI ONS: SHENENMI N/ THI NKST OCK.
byAng e l aTo dd
Se ndt hes e ni o r s a tt henur s i ng ho mea t ha nk y o uc a r d f o rho s t i ngy o u.
Fi ndho me l e s s St o pi na tt he k i d s i n y o u r a r e a b i g b o xpe t Fe e dt heb i r ds t h r o u g h y o u r s t o r e sa ndpl a y a ndl e a v ey a r n l o c a ls he l t e ro r wi t ht hek i t t i e s s c r a pso uts o d o me s t i c v i o l e n c e ho s t e df r o mt he t ha tt he yc a n c e n t e r . B r i n g a l o c a la ni ma l b ui l dwa r m ne s t s . g i f to fb o o k so r s he l t e r . c l o t hi ng .
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Fi ndas e ni o r c e nt e ro rnur s i ng ho met ov i s i t . Br i ngho t Ar r a ng et ob r i ng c ho c o l a t et oy o ur o l dma g a z i ne s , s c ho o l ’ sc r o s s i ng s i ngaChr i s t ma s g ua r ds . c a r o l ,s e r v ea ho l i da yme a l ,o r pl a yb i ng o .
Wr i t eal o v i ng l e t t e rt oy o ur g r a ndpa r e nt s .
Re a dt o Wr i t ea s o me o ne :a Pi c kupl i t t e r . t ha nk y o uno t e y o ung e rs i b l i ng ,a Ne a ry o urho me , t os o me o ne s i c kf r i e nd,o rg o ne a ry o urs c ho o l , i mpo r t a nt —NOT b a c kt ot he o rne a rt he b e c a us et he yg a v e s e ni o rc e nt e ro r s e ni o rc e nt e r . y o uag i f t . nur s i ngho me .
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Ca l ly o url o c a l c hi l dr e n’ sho s pi t a l Spr e a dt hewo r d a nds e ei ft he y a b o utho me l e s s wo ul dl i k e c hi l dr e n—i na ha ndme do wn ne ws l e t t e r ,o n puz z l e s( wi t ha l l Fa c e b o o k ,o rpl a n t hepi e c e s ! ) ,o r ag r o upa c t i v i t y g ot ot hedo l l a r wi t hy o urf r i e nds . s t o r ea nd pur c ha s eaf e w.
St a r tac o mpo s t pi l ei nt hey a r d o ri nab i gpl a s t i c c o nt a i ne r .
Se ndaf r ui t b a s k e tt oy o ur pe di a t r i c i a n,y o ur t e a c he r ’ sl o ung e , o raf a mi l ywi t h ane wb a b y .
Doc ho r e sf o r s o me o nee l s e ’ s f a mi l ywi t ho ut b e i nga s k e da nd wi t ho ut e x pe c t i ng a ny t hi ngi n r e t ur n.
Ta k ec a r eo fa s i c ks i b l i ngo r k eb r e a k f a s ti n pa r e nto rc a l la Ma b e d f o r mo m. s i c kg r a ndpa r e nt o rr e l a t i v e .
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Mo wo rs ho v e l f o rs o me o ne i ny o ur ne i g hb o r ho o d—a f a mi l ywi t h ane wb a b y , as i ng l epa r e nt , o ra ne l de r .
De c i det o c o mpr o mi s et o he l pt heda yg o s mo o t he r .
Ado pta na ni ma l o rv o l unt e e rt o t r a i nas he l t e r a ni ma lane w t r i c k .
Li f tt het o i l e t s e a t !
Fo r g i v ey o ur s e l f f o ras o c i a l b l unde ro ra n a c c i de nt .
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Pi c kupame s s Ra k ey o ur e v e nt ho ug hy o u ne i g hb o r ’ sl e a v e s . di dn’ tma k ei t .
BABY H EET T D N O Y E B & Mywi f emak ess ur et os c hedul eev er y wel lc hec kbuti ns i s t st her ei sno r eas ont ot ak ec hi l dr ent ot hedent i s tunt i l t heygetper manentt eet h, i fatal l . She c ont endst hats i nc ebabyt eet har el os ts o s oon, c avi t i esbar el yhav eac hanc et of or m, andt her ei snoneedt obr us horflos sand av oi ds ugar ybev er ages . I st hi st r ue?
A:
Ont hec ont r ar y , dent i s t sar e i r r epl ac eabl ewheni tc omest o dent alheal t h. Y es , weal lk nowaboutt he i mpor t anc eofbr us hi ngandflos s i ng, but dent i s t sdos omuc hmor et hant hat ! Dent i s t sar et r ai nedt o: •hel py ouc ar ef ory ourt eet handgums •exami net hemus c l esoft hehead, nec k , andj awandmoni t ort het ongueand s al i var ygl ands
•s c r eenf orandr ec ogni z ec anc er st hat af f ec tt hemout h •exami neanddi agnos et hener v ous s y s t em oft heheadandnec kar ea
Muc hmor ei si nv ol v edt hanj us tt heus ual br us hi ngandflos s i ngl ec t ur e! Dent a lHea l t hAf f ec t sOt herPa r t soft heBody I nf ec t i onsoft hemout hort eet hc anl eadt o as t r es s edi mmunes y s t em. I ns omec as es , t hes ei nf ec t i onshav ebeenk nownt os pr ead, af f ec t i ngot herar easoft hebody , i nc l udi ng t hebr ai n. Defini t i v el i nk shav ebeenf oundbet ween or alheal t hands uc hc hr oni cc ondi t i onsas di abet esandhear tdi s eas e. Dent alvi s i t sar epar t i c ul ar l yi mpor t antf or pr egnantwomenandc hi l dr en. St at i s t i c s
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Q:
s howt hatwomenwi t hper i odont aldi s eas e gi v ebi r t ht obabi eswi t hl owerbi r t h wei ght s . Car i ngf orYourChi l d’ sT eet h Babi esar es us c ept i bl et ot oot hdec ay bec aus eofpr ol ongedexpos ur et ol i qui ds . Dent alheal t hi ss oi mpor t antt hatexper t s r ec ommendt hatt hefir s tdent alvi s i tt ak e pl ac enol at ert hanababy ’ sfir s tbi r t hday . I nf ac t , c avi t i eshav ebeeni dent i fiedast he mos tpr eval entc hr oni cdi s eas eofc hi l dhood. Asc hi l dr enage, t eet hbec omeas our c eof s el f es t eem. Doal ly ouc anf ory ourc hi l dby es t abl i s hi nggooddent alheal t hhabi t s ear l y ! Joi nt heConvo!
Sowhats houl dpar ent sdo? •Fi r s t , r eal i z et hathomec ar ei sj us tas i mpor t antasr egul ardent alvi s i t s . •Begi ndent alc ar easear l yaspos s i bl e, us i ngawas hc l ot ht oc l eanbabi es ’ t eet h. •Mak et hatfir s tdent alappoi nt ment bef or eageone. •Fol l owy ourdent i s t ’ sadvi c ef or t oot hpas t es , fluor i des uppl ement s , br us hi ng, andflos s i ng. •Feedi ngy ourc hi l df oodss uc hasmi l k , c hees e, andv eget abl eswi l lhel p s t r engt hent eet h. •Li mi t i ngs ugar yf oodswi l lhel pr educ e t hei nc i denc eofc avi t i es .
T eac herConf i dent i al T el l YourT al e Wewa n t y o ut os h a r ey o u rs t o r i e swi t ht h ewo r l d , b ei t f u n n y , s a d , i n s p i r a t i o n a l , o rt h o u g h t p r o v o k i n g ;wewa n t t oh e a ri t a l l !
www. T eac her Conf i dent i al . net
Shootal lt het i me
Di s t r ac tt hem
Candi ds hot sof t enc apt ur ei magesi naway t hatnos t ageds hotev erc oul d. Oneoft he bes tpi c t ur esIhav eofmyy ounges ts oni sof hi m as l eepi nhi sc ars eatonHal l oween, t r i c k or t r eatbagc l ut c hedi nhi ss l eepi ng hand. Shootpi c t ur esof t enandi nev er y day s i t uat i onsandmar v elathowhumdr um exper i enc esc anbes opr of ound.
Puppet s , bubbl es , f unnyhat s , peek aboo, a s i l l yf ac e, aj ok e. . . what ev eri tt ak est omak e y ourc hi l ds mi l enat ur al l ywhi l el ook i ngat t hec amer a. Ordon’ tl ety ourc hi l dr enk now t hey ’ r ebei ngphot ogr aphedf oranev en bet t er , c andi df eel .
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Shoot i ngdi r ec t l yabov ey ours ubj ec t —any s ubj ec t —won’ tr es ul ti naflat t er i ngpi c t ur e. Phot ogr apher ss ugges tget t i ngdownt ot he ey el ev eloft hec hi l d. Y oumayhav et ok neel , y oumayhav et ol i edown, y oumayhav et o c l i mbt hatt r ee, butagr eatpi c t ur ewi l lbe y ourr ewar d.
Peopl edonotl i k ehavi ngabl i ndi ngflas h r epeat edl yfir i ngatt hem. Nat ur all i ght i ng c anhel pel i mi nat eunnat ur als hadowsor c ol or i ngi nt hepi c t ur e. Whens hoot i ng out s i de, beawar eoft hepos i t i onoft hes un. Y oudon’ twantt obl i ndy ourl i t t l edar l i ng, buty oual s odon’ twantt hes undi r ec t l y mc behi ndhi m, as t i ngs hadowsac r os shi sf ac e.
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f orphot ogr a phi ngy ourc hi l d
scr aphappy anderi nt oanyc r af t ss t or e andy ou’ l ls eeahugear r ayof s c r apbook i ngmat er i al s —f anc ypaper , s pec i al i z ed pensandgl ues , f unk ys c i s s or s , ands t i c k er s , s omanys t i c k er s . Whati sal lt he f us sabout ?
Andt hent her ei st hes oc i als i deof s c r apbook i ng. Ent i r ec l ubshav ebeenbui l t ar oundt hehobby , wi t hmember smeet i ng mont hl yt os har emat er i al sandc onv er s at i on whi l ewor k i ngont hei rs c r apbook s .
Peopl ehav ebeens c r apbook i ngs i nc et he 1400swhenc ommonpl ac ebook s , whi c h i nc l udedr ec i pes , poems , l et t er s , quot at i ons , andmor e, bec amepopul ari nEngl and. By t he1500s , f r i ends hi pbook sbec ames t y l i s h, whi c har eak i nt omoder ndayaut ogr aph book s . Asphot ogr aphybec amewi des pr ead i nt he1800s , s c r apbook sgr ewt oi nc l ude phot osofl ov edones . Themoder ns c r apbook i ngt r end, embel l i s hedpaperandal l , begani near l y 1980andhasgr ownt ot heepi cpr opor t i ons wek nownow. I nf ac t , t heent i r e s c r apbook i ngi ndus t r ydoubl edi ns i z e bet ween2001and2004andc ont i nuest o gr owast hehobbyexpands . Whydopeopl es c r apbookwhenphot o al bumsar es omuc heas i erandt ak el es s t i me?Manypeopl epoi ntt opr es er vat i onof t hepi c t ur esast hemai nr eas ont o s c r apbook . Wi t hac i df r eepaper sandgl ues , s c r apbook i ngi ss eenasawayt opr es er v e memor i esandmement osast r eas ur ed ar t i f ac t sf ort hei rf r i endsandf ami l y . Ot her spoi ntt ot hej our nal i ngas pec tof s c r apbook i ng. Whi l epi c t ur esi nanal bum ar eni c e, s c r apbook ss t r i v et ot el lt hes t or y as s oc i at edwi t ht hec apt ur edi mage.
Y ou& MeSc r apbookl ay outbyT r i c i aRomo. Vi s i therc r af t i ng, s c r apbook i ng, andc ar d mak i ngs i t e—MadeWi t hL ov e
Somet i mes , s c r apbook shel pf ul fil lan emot i onalneed, s uc hasc r eat i nga s c r apbookf oradec eas edl ov edoneort o c ommemor at eapai nf ulev ent . Andwhi l e s c r apper sar eov er whel mi ngl ywomen, s ome menal s oenj oys c r apbook i ng. I nt er es t edi ns c r apbook i ng?Res our c es abound. Chec ky ourl oc all i br ar yf orbook s andmagaz i nesdev ot edt ot hehobby , orvi s i t y ourl oc alc r af ts t or et oas kaboutc l as s es . Comment !
us y “ P a r e nt sa r eo e ns ob wi t ht hephy s i c a l r e a r i ngof c hi l dr e nt ha tt he ymi s st he
g l or yofpa r e nt hood, j us ta st heg r a nde ur oft het r e e s i sl os twhe n
r a k i ng l e a v e s . ”
Ma r c e l e neCox