Parents G W I N N E T T
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Winter 2008
Holiday Help for the First Time Host Tips to Help Parents Raise Politically Engaged Children Eliminate Holiday Stress...Use Feng Shui Rainbow Village Angels
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table of contents 8 Gwinnett School & Pregnancy: Holiday Maternity Dress 10Maternity 12Feature: Rainbow Village Angels and Tell: 2008 Holiday Gift Guide 14Show Infants & Toddlers: How to Choose 20 Educational Toys For Your Child’s Development
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5 Tips to Help Parents 22Schoolage: Raise Politically Engaged Children Teen Talk: Menstruation: Preparing Your Preteen for Her Menstrual 26 Cycle Bound: How to Prepare for 28College the College Entrance SAT & Wellness: Dr. Deborah 30Health Brown Featured 32Kids Hot Spot: Dacula Kids Village Eliminate Holiday Stree... Use Feng Shui 36Feature: & Exercise: The Secret to 38Fitness Effective Cardio Dr. Katherine Yi ~ A Standard of 40 Excellence in Personalized Dental Care
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Healthy Mom: Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle on Your Way to a 42 Healthy Body Buds: Holiday Help for the 44Taste First Time Host Money & Finance: Eleven Ways 48 to Teach Kids About Money, Especially Right Now
54Paw Prints: Holiay Puppy Proofing 56Calendar Of Events 62Local Business Directory
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Parents G W I N N E T T
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M A G A Z I N E
Editor Terrie Carter
Design & Layout belinda Shamily marcus slocumb clifton mcglown
t u b , y I tr t I can’ p. u p e e k
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[ INSIDE GWINNETT SCHOOLS ] Duluth High students Quanasia Jones and Patrick Netherclift won 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, in the State German Poetry Writing contest held at Kennesaw State University. Students across the state created original poems in German and submitted them for evaluation by professors at the university. For more information, call Dr. Marsha Hunter, media specialist, at 770-232-3336.
2nd place in Class AA, and 3rd place in Class AA for Band. In addition, the Wildcat Marching Band received superior ratings in all captions; drum major, percussion, color guard, and band at the Greater Atlanta Marching Competition. The following caption awards were awarded to the band as well: percussion: 3rd place in Class AA; color guard: 1st place in Class AA; overall Grand Champion in Class A and AA; band: 2nd place in Class AA, 2nd overall in Class A and AA. For more information, call Dr. Marsha Hunter, media specialist, at 770-232-3336.
More than half of GCPS’ schools have earned a Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Environmental Achievement Award, which recognizes schools for documenting their planning and implementation of environmental programs, practices, and education efforts in seven specific earth-friendly areas: waste reduction, education and stewardship, water conservation and watershed protection, air quality, energy conservation, beautification and green space preservation, and community outreach. A total of 56 schools were recognized for their commitment to thinking, acting, and achieving green in their learning communities during the 2007-08 school year. For more information, call Brenda McDaniel of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at 770 822-5187. The Duluth High Wildcats Marching Band earned superior ratings in the captions of drum major, percussion, and color guard as well as an overall excellent rating in the band caption at the MacEachern Marching Invitational competition. The band also earned the following honors: 1st place in Class AA for percussion; overall Grand Champion in Class A and AA; Color Guard:
Gwinnett Parents Magazine
Lawrenceville Elementary will host a Parent Fair on Nov. 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria. The school will share information and resources for community members and families. More than 20 vendors will participate. Businesses donating door prizes include the Lawrenceville Police Dept., Angel Food Ministries, the Lawrenceville Fire Dept., Fidelity Bank, Costco, Publix, Chick-Fil-A, the Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett Medical, the United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville, Personalized Keepsakes, Books-A-Million, Lawrenceville Travel and Tourism, Kumon, Bank of America, Gwinnett Helpline, Lawrenceville on the Square, the Dept. of Transportation, The Sunshine House, Gwinnett Braves, and Stars and Strikes. For more information, call 770-963-1813. Creekland Middle students will participate in a “Take a Veteran to School” event on Nov. 10, sponsored by the History Channel. Students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of WWI and WWII and what it means to be involved in a war. Students will gain a better appreciation for local veterans and for the sacrifices
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they made as the veteranl speak to classes. For more information about the program, visit www.veterans.com or call Mike Krolak, teacher, at 770338-4700. Peachtree Ridge High will host an International Night on Nov. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call Heather Toner, ESOL teacher, at 678957-3100. Maxwell High School of Technology will host an Open House for perspective students and their parents on Nov. 20 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. Teachers, coulselors, administrators, and current students will be on hand to answer questions and guide people around the campus. For more information, call Brett Pendley at 770338-4828.
Lawrenceville Elementary will host a Homework Academy for parents on Nov. 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. Staff will share ideas and strategies on helping students with organization and completion of homework. Refreshments will be served. Chopper from the Gwinnett Braves will be a guest reader at “Reading Takes You Around the World.� For more information, call Nury Crawford, Parent Center coordinator, at 770513-6879, or email nury_crawford@ gwinnett.k12.ga.us. The next regular meeting of the Gwinnett County Board of Education will be held at 7 p.m., November 13, 2008, at the Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Rd. N.W. in Suwanee.
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Gwinnett Parents Magazine
[ MATERNITY & PREGNANCY ]
Holiday Maternity Dresses: Look Sexy During Your Pregnancy! start looking before it is too late! Here are few suggestions in your quest for the perfect maternity dress for the holidays:
N
ovember is already underway and Holiday Season is fast approaching with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. For many of us who are expecting, the holidays means finding a holiday dress for a number of social occasions. In addition to family and friend get-togethers, many of us also have holiday office parties to attend which may require a more formal dress. So, whether your maternity dress needs are casual, slightly upscale or formal, now is the time to 10
Gwinnett Parents Magazine
Unless you are shopping for a full out formal affair, it is easy to find a maternity dress that is super versatile for not only Thanksgiving and Christmas parties for other outings as well. The wrap maternity dress style is the perfect bridge from a nice dinner out to holiday party. Solids are a good choice in shopping for a maternity dress you plan to wear more than once as it is not quite as memorable as a print – especially if you might run into the same people on more than one occasion. Burgundy is a popular color out this holiday season and definitely suits the occasion from Thanksgiving to Christmas to even a classic office dress or nice day-wear outfit. Wrap dresses are one of the best body styles on the market for expecting women as they are so easy to wear, flattering to many body types and adjustable to your changing shape. If patterns are more your style, look for a print that does not say “holiday” all over it but can be worn throughout the season for a variety of venues. If you have a truly dressy occasion to at
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tend then your best option is maternity formalwear. Black is always a great choice and of course slimming and sexy for all body types and skin tones. Showing a little skin up top in either the sleeveless bodice or tube dress is always flattering. If you feel more comfortable with straps you can opt for a sleeveless or strappy dress to show a little shoulder or a deep V neck variety with short sleeves to show off your enhanced cleavage! If you opt to show off a little leg, then a black cocktail maternity dress style is always a great bet for the Holidays and any formal or dressy occasion. You can still safely pull off a black heel to complete the look!
Come Visit Us This Holiday Season
Mon-Sat 10AM - 6PM after hours call for appointment
2695 Sugarloaf Parkway, Ste. 500 Lawrenceville, GA 30045
678-985-2688 www.thepurpleladybugboutique.com Free Holiday Gift Bags
Designers: Corky Coats, Biscotti,
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So whether you are looking for full out formal or versatile knee length maternity dresses for the Holidays, your best bet is to shop as early as possible. To get the most wear out of your holiday maternity dress, look for styles with enough belly room and stretch to last you a number of months and colors or prints that can also be worn for other occasions. If it’s chilly, just add a wrap and you are good to go!
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[ FEATURE ]
Rainbow Village Angels
Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence
T
he message of this holiday season is clear: We’re all in this together…and it’s time we took matters into our own hands. That’s what the staff of Rainbow Village, Inc. has been doing for 17 years, providing transitional housing for homeless families with children. Not handouts— hands that reach out, nurture, and offer a safe environment in which to learn the life skills not acquired by those in the midst of the turmoil of poverty and domestic violence that often results in homelessness. Things like money and home management, parenting, nutrition, and how to prepare for a job interview. In other words, a hand up.
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Since its inception in 1991, Rainbow Village has assisted over 200 families in getting back on track, watching as God has transformed the lives of mothers and their children, right in front of them. Executive director since 1993, The Reverend Nancy R. Yancey has quietly overseen the growth of this 501(c)(3) corporation and a continuity of unparalleled service. But she and her staff haven’t done it alone. They’ve done it with the assistance of businesses, corporations, agencies, churches, and families who have offered their hands as well. For example, Alan Wyatt, owner of Designs of the Interior in Duluth, donates a percent
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age of his sales to buyers who mention Rainbow Village at the point of purchase, and offers classes in home decoration techniques, the proceeds from which go straight to Rainbow Village. A class in holiday decorating at the store, located at 11720 Medlock Bridge Road, Suite 155, is scheduled for November 13 from 11 am to 2 pm. Rainbow Village is proud of its association with Alan and DOTI and welcomes all area merchants who wish to become retail partners. So how can you take matters into your own hands? Get your church, company or civic club involved in providing meals for the Rainbow Village families once a month on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, when classes are in session. Or grab a hammer, rake, or paintbrush. Once or twice a month on Saturdays, volunteers from all over north metro Atlanta participate with Rainbow Village resident families in “workdays,” helping to maintain the Norcross and Duluth properties where residents live during their participation in the one- to two-year program. Become one of the first 501 Rainbow Village Angels, pledging $100 or more per month as a part of your family’s 2009 charitable contributions—as thanks for your generosity, your family’s name will be enshrined on a brick in the Duluth community. Adopt a family for the holidays, provide gift cards for gasoline or other items—there are many ways you can help. But the best part is that Rainbow Village is one of the few places where your children are welcome as participants in giving—your whole family can be involved! And it’s fun to boot. During a recent event for the children at Rainbow Village, one volunteer mother was heard to say about her five-year-old son, “Carlo would move into Rainbow Village if I would let him.” www.gwinnettparents.com
To find out more about how you or your organization can help, please call 770446-3800 or visit our website at www. rainbowvillage.org. And stay tuned for more information about Rainbow Village in future issues of Gwinnett Parents—you won’t want to miss the very exciting news we have to share! Make this a true season of giving for you and yours—give your money, give your time, give a hand, sponsor a family for the holidays. You may just find that the residents of Rainbow Village aren’t the only ones whose lives are transformed. Gifts of stocks and bequests and monetary contributions of any amount are welcome. As with any 501(c)(3) corporation, donations to Rainbow Village are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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[ HOLIDAY FEATURE ]
2008 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Lovely Lisa is a fashion-simulation style
Register Online and Win Lovely Lisa for Nintendo DS along with your own Nintendo DS system before November 30, 2008.
game that helps young girls learn and understand the importance of working hard and having fun while achieving their own fashion style! Players earn Lisa-points by perfecting beauty skills and techniques; helping out around the house; and learning what it takes to become a successful working girl! Providing a well-rounded approach to beauty and fashion, Lovely Lisa rewards girls with gorgeous accessories, original clothes, fabulous hairstyles and make-up!
The Original Christmas Classic ~ Celebrate the holiday season with the ultimate collection of original Christmas Classics. Share the “Holly Jolly” memories that have become an annual family tradition: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, The Little Drummer Boy, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, Cricket on the Hearth, Frosty Returns. 7 Holiday Favorites All In One Set. Retail $39.93
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Regener8’rs Spiderman Lights & Sound ~ Sound ‘n Light Regener8’rs Spiderman transforms into 8 unique trucks! Twist the centre for 8 different spidey sounds and lights. Designed with the Spiderman theme and branded with colours of the famous web-slinger himself. Retail 34.99
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The Baby Butler Hands-Free Bottle Holder is truly the only one of it’s kind. It holds a bottle to allow you a free hand while feeding your baby. It’s a burp cloth that doesn’t fall off or get tugged off your shoulder. It has a pocket to hold a pacifier, cell phone or whatever for your convenience and the reverse side is a changing pad with a pillow. MSRP $19.95 online at amazon.com. Lotus Blossom Style, super soft and yummy organic cotton for your baby’s comfort and health. No pesticides or other toxins to make this cozy onesie. 1x1 baby rib knit. 3 snap closure at bottom. *These onesies fit slightly large. 100% organic cotton, made in India, hand silkscreened with non-toxic water-based inks in Los Angeles, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low heat. Children’s Collection: $26, www.lotusblossomstyle.com
Sensitive Baby by Goldberger ~ Your baby’s very first friend. Asthma and allergy friendly! Manufactured with materials that do not contain chemicals or allergens at levels known to trigger asthma and allergy symptoms when specific care guidelines are followed throughout the use of the doll: freeze, wash, and play! Retail $12.99
Baberoo Hip Socks lets little ones take their first steps in style, coming in styles like “Cool High Tops”, “Mary Janes for Me”, “See I’m a Ballerina” and “My First Clogs”. Baberoo Hip Socks are as healthy for baby as they are stylish, made of certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Each pair of Baberoo Hip Socks has antislide soles to stabilize babies’ little feet and elastic ankle bands to keep them on. Retail for $15 per 4-pair box, they can be purchased online at baberoo. com, via phone at 415-269-4324.
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The Newport Collection from Deco Breeze. These classic fans in the Newport collection are the perfec addition for any children’s room. Available in a variety of vibrant and pastel colors to coordinate with any room’s decor. Features: Table top fan., available in 7 colors, Resin and metal construction, 20 watt motor, 3 speed fan: Low RPM 900, Medium RPM 1100, High RPM 1280, Some assembly required, One year limited manufacturer warranty. MSRP $125. Purchase at Good Things Home and Garden in Norcross and online at major retailers websites.
Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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[ HOLIDAY FEATURE ] K’NEX® fans can now build a fleet of trucks or a sprawling amusement park with the new Collect & Build product line. K’NEX offers the Road Rig Series (for ages 5+) and Amusement Park Series (for ages 7+) to satisfy the desire in kid-builders everywhere for expanded creativity and new challenges. MSRP $19.99 at major retailers.
Sesame Workshop and K’NEX Brands are introducing new Sesame Street themed building set. These pre-school friendly sets allow tots to create custom versions of their favorite sesame characters, such as Super Grover, Abby Cadabby, and Elmo! Includes fun stickers and an educational activity sheet, additional building ideas included. Handy storage canister for easy cleanup. MSRP $10.99
RIDEMAKERZ® offers kidz from 6 to 106 the opportunity to customize and “trick out” their very own RIDE. You will CHOOZE, SONICIZE, MOTORIZE, MOBILIZE, CUSTOMIZE, PERSONALIZE and CRUIZE™ one-of-a-kind RIDEZ. Between the body styles and colors, tires and wheels, lights and sounds, accessories and decals, RIDEMAKERZ estimates there are more than 649,000,000 possible combinations, not including individual decal placement. RIDEZ are priced from $12 to $29. RIDEMAKERZ.com The Sour Candy and Bubble Gum activity kits are great for learning, birthday parties and family fun! Kids ages 8+ can have as much fun chewing on their experiments as they have making it, and can create over 8 different recipes with their own unique flavors.MSRP $19.99 at major retailers. www.elmers.com
Build-A-Bear, pick from dozens of cute cuddly critters, give it a heart, dress it and name it. Then walk out, hand-in-paw, with your new furry friend. This holiday season, BuildA-Bear Workshop® is offering a selection of bears as low as $10. www.buildabear.com
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Shrek the Third Bug Collection Kit ~ Collect bugs and study nature with Shrek. The Shrek the Third Bug collection kit has all the tools you need to explore and study nature. www.sakar.com
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Glo-E Plush Baby Animals are beautiful, snuggly plush stuffed animals that put on a stunning 7-color changing light show. Adds magic and wonder to every child’s room. Comes in Teddy Bear, Monkey and Puppy varieties, among others. Automatically shut off after 15 minutes, they can be reactivated with a touch. Batteries included. Retail for $21.99,at online at Lightupbears.com
Elmo’s Christmas Countdown, “It’s a Christmas miracle” when Elmo and Abby Cadabby attempt to save everyone’s favorite holiday. The official countdown to Christmas is at stake after Oscar the Grouch throws the Christmas Counter-Downer and it’s magical counting blocks into the air and they get scattered all over Sesame Street! Abby Cadabby, Elmo and Stiller the Elf (voice of Ben Stiller) set out to find the blocks with the help of their friends and along the way learn the true meaning of a miracle as they attempt to save the day by restoring the countdown to Christmas. Retails $14.93
Ben 10: Alien Force: Season One, Vol. 1 ~ It’s been 5 years since Ben last wore the Omnitrix. But when Grandpa Max goes missing, Ben must go hero once again. Now its up to Ben, Gwen and Kevin to find new half-alien allies and stop a secret Highbreed invasion. This collection presents the first five episodes of the action-packed show. Retail $14.98
Bakugan continues the adventures of Dan and his fellow Battle Brawlers as they use strategy and skill to unleash their Bakugan power and save Vestroia and Earth from destruction. Containing four fresh battle brawling episodes from the series the DVD also comes packaged with an exclusive Bakugan ability trading card from Spin Master. Retail $14.98
Clickables™ Fairy Charms Starter Set allows you to unlock special online gifts for your Fairy with this magical jewelry box. This special set comes with the jewelry box, charm necklace with 3 Clickables charms. Touch a Clickable charm to the jewelry box and Pixie Dust will sparkle and music play as the charm unlocks clothing and accessories for your Fairy in PixieHollow.com. Collect all the charms to earn online rewards. Jewelry box includes a storage drawer where you can keep your jewelry. Retails $29.99
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Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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[ HOLIDAY FEATURE ] Melody Express™ Musical Train (Ages 3+) ~ All aboard! Unique melody-building train set invites children to play composer and conductor at the same time. Lay down the note tiles and let the electronic engine read them, creating a traveling song. No reading required just match the colors in the songbook to play 7 children’s songs and learn Melody Express the C scale. Or, improvise your own tunes! Set of 60 pieces includes tiles (low C through high C), track segments, engine, coal car and engineer figure for pretend play. Retail price: $42.95
PhoneSmart™ Teaching Telephone® ~ Ages 3-6, dial up a world of imaginative play possibilities! Great for teaching kids to call home and much more. Goes mobile with cordless handset that can be used with or without speakerphone base, allows easy programming and recording of up to 3 personalized messages, or listen to 10 pre-recorded messages from friends around town, Challenges children to remember and repeat 3-, 4or 5-digit sequences, Offers interactive lesson in 911 emergency procedures, For 1-4 players, 2 Volume levels. Retail 42.95
Pretend & Play® Checkbook with Calculator ~ It’s fun to play like you’re a grown up! Kids fill out pretend checks, make payments and calculate their balance as they learn about check writing. Calculator is solar-powered and checks are actual size for even more realistic play. Includes 25 checks, check register, pen, calculator, deposit slips and instruction card. Retail price: $14.95 Cash Bash® Electronic Money Game ~ Know your coins? Cash in and win! Dual keypads and screens let kids race to beat the clock or best each other as they add coin values and learn equivalencies. Digital-quality sound with adjustable volume offers engaging play and immediate feedback. Includes 5 different games and guide. Higher levels feature even more problemsolving challenges with limitations on number of moves and more. 1-2 players. Retail Price: $44.95 Light ‘N’ Strike Math™ Game ~ Step right up and try your hand at this unique arcade-style game! The large LCD screen displays an equation as the numbers flash and beep. Using the soft mallet or their hands, kids “strike” the correct number when lit, reinforcing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills. Choose three levels of difficulty. Retail Price: $42.95 Gifts Featured on this page can be purchased at learningresources.com
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Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Handheld Game - Do you think you’ve got the smarts to compete on the hit TV series? Prove it with this electronic touch screen game featuring 13 subjects with more than 2,500 questions. Pocket-sized and fully portable, this illuminated, easyto- read and simple-to-use touch screen includes volume control and a cool pencil stylus. Retail $19.99 at Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and Amazon.com. Also available Table top. Retail $29.99
Smithsonian Institution – Dig That Dinosaur ~ Players will learn fun facts about dinosaurs while they test their memory as they dig up dinosaur bones just like a real paleontologist. Each player picks the dinosaur that they want to find on their dig from the four dinosaur cards. All of the missing pieces cards are placed facedown on the digging grid with the grid cards placed face up on top of them. Each player takes turns using the digging tool to guess which grid card has a piece of their dinosaur underneath. Retail $15 at www.amazon.com and independent retailers.
Regener8’rs ~ Crash em, smash em and take em out again for more crashin and shmashin! The perfect toy for boys and girls is the line of Regener8rs(tm).Quickly becoming one of the hottest and fastest-growing toys in Remote Cars are the Regener8rs(tm). They are fun and inexpensive; safe; and a need it NOW! toy for hours of fun. Retail $34.99
Friendship Bags: Now girls can show their friendship with positive style! Instead of the long gone trend of the best friend necklaces, friendship bags are taking its place! Friendship Bags by ReBelle are handbags taking fashion three dimensional. The friendship bag is two bags in one with a zipper down the middle allowing girls to share half with a special friend. Friendship bags come in bright colors and trendy designs. It’s not just about the look, but about the message and lifestyle. Retail Price: $39.99. www.friendshipbags.com
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Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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[ INFANTS & TODDLERS ]
How to Choose Educational Toys For Your Child’s Development
PhoneSmart™ Teaching Telephone by Learning Resources
Y
ou want everything that your child comes in contact with to be the best that it can be. While many people view toys as something that a child merely plays with and has no importance, others understand that play is a way that your child learns. Playtime is an opportunity for a child to learn about the world around them and to act out what they have already learned. When you see children playing house or other pretend games, you can see what they have learned from watching the interactions in their home. It is important that you take playtime seriously and let your children use their imaginations, creativity and incredibly sponge like brains in a way that works best for them. Playtime is the way that children learn and reinforce what they understand about the world. Once you understand the importance of playtime, you will begin to wonder what kind of toys to buy for your developing child. There are a few things that you should keep in mind when you are buying toys. The most important rule that 20
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you should follow is the age appropriateness rule. Even though you may believe that your child is mature beyond their years, it is vital that you choose toys that are appropriate to their age. If your child is advanced there are other ways that you can stimulate their inquisitive brain and leave the toys age appropriate. The reasons for the age restrictions on some toys are primarily safety. Even though you believe that your little ray of sunshine would never put the toy in their mouth and choke because they are just too smart for that, they will. Why take the chance? There are other hazards that could be on toys that you had not even though of until it is too late. Take the warnings and the age restrictions seriously to keep your child safe. It is possible to find toys for an advanced child that is still age appropriate. Look in the toy stores that specialize in these types of toys. Look for toys that give the child an opportunity to learn much more than just how to operate the toy. For instance, a telescope is a great toy for an inquisitive mind. They can learn all about the telescope and how it works, which is fascinating to some children. And once they understand how the telescope works, they can learn about all of the things that the telescope shows them. If you have a child with an insatiable curios
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ity, and who doesn’t, a toy like this will have to be accompanied with the appropriate materials so that they can satisfy their curiosity about the things that they see. An Internet connection should suffice. Finally, the best way to determine which toys are going to be used and learned from and which ones are going to be left in the box is to talk to your child. It might be difficult with a younger child, but pay attention to the things that they enjoy. Their unique taste and style will begin to show through in no time at all. For little girls that love to play dress up, you might have a budding fashion designer on your hands. Encourage it and give her a trunk of flamboyant clothes that you put together just for her. Costume shops and thrift stores are great for this type of toy. Use your creativity and think outside of the packaged toys that are in the stores and you will find some great toys for your child. PhoneSmart™ Teaching Telephone® ~ Dial up a world of imaginative play possibilities! Great for teaching kids to call home and much more. Allows easy programming and recording of up to three personalized messages, or listen to 10 pre-recorded messages from friends around town. Challenges children to remember and repeat three-, four- or fivedigit sequences. Offers interactive lesson in 911 emergency procedures. Retail price: $42.95.www. learningresources.com
80% of what a child learns is obtained through vision
We provide in-office, one-on-one vision therapy in the North Gwinnett area. We evaluate and work with individuals who have problems with Eye focusing, Amblyopia (Lazy eye), Eye teaming skills, Reading eye movements, Strabismus (Eye turn), Eye-hand coordination, Visual perception skills, and other Learning related vision problems that affect reading, writing, and comprehension. Common near work signs & symptoms: When reading: loses place, covers one eye, uses finger to help keep place, double vision, and headaches, tilts head, and writes up- or downhill. Join Us For Our Open House Oct. 29th From 6:30-8:00 pm Please RSVP, Call Or Email At info@visiontherapy4kids.com
Nadira S. Shadeed, OD 3331 Hamilton Mill Rd, Suite 1100 Buford, GA 30519
“Our Focus is Your Child’s Vision” www.visiontherapy4kids.com
(770) 904-0979
All For Kids Therapy, LLC is owned and operated by a licensed Occupational Therapist. Amity Stevens, M.S., OTR/L is a Handwriting Without Tears Certified Specialist and is currently forming groups and individual sessions. Currently forming: Coming in 2009: Individual and Group Sessions for Handwriting Without Tears (with a 4:1 ratio per group). Social Skills Groups for Ages 5-8 (with a 5:1 ratio per group).
Cooking Skills Groups Yoga and Pilates for Children with Special Needs
Please Contact Us or Visit Our Website For Additional Information.
www.gwinnettparents.com
3005 Reps Miller Road, Norcross 30071 (Near Historic Norcross)
(770) 639-3032 www.allforkidstherapy.com
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[ SCHOOLAGE ] tune to how their decisions and beliefs affect the people and world around them. Here are a few of her insights and suggestions:
5 Tips to Help Parents Raise Politically Engaged Children
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fter what has been a grueling election season, November 4th is finally just around the corner. The history-making election is expected to bring people to the polls in record numbers. But it’s important to remember that too many people shirk their civic responsibility when elections roll around. In fact, in 2004 only 56.7 percent of registered voters turned out. Leadership expert Jamie Woolf says there is no better time than this historic election to stress to your children the importance of being politically engaged so that you can play a part in raising a more politically engaged American electorate. “There has been a lot of hype around this year’s election, because no matter who’s elected, we will be making history,” says Woolf. “That’s why this is a great time to get your kids excited about voting and to explain to them that being politically engaged and using their vote to speak their mind is a great way to affect the world around them. Remember, your kids look to you as their leader, and what you teach them now about being politically engaged will influence how they behave as adults.” Woolf, says that adopting business leadership strategies will help you to raise more politically engaged children who are more at22
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Strategy 1: Research the competition and show why politics matters. In business, you can’t believe everything you hear. A leader may hear from someone in his department that an employee isn’t pulling his weight or that he’s causing disruptions. The best leaders never take these rumors at face value. They take the time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each of their employees and then form their own opinions about their performance levels. The same skills that you use in your job to assess an employee or coworker’s performance level can be used to assess a candidate, and they are skills that are easy for your kids to grasp. “I think the most difficult thing to convey to your children with regard to the election is that they can’t believe everything they hear on TV or everything they read online,” says Woolf. “With so many negative ads and false rumors floating around, you have to teach them to focus on the issues. Ask your kids which issues they think are the most important. Teach them how to effectively gather information about the candidates by reading newspaper articles together, watching debates as a family, talking about political issues around the dinner table, and visiting the candidates’ websites. My daughter recently told me that she tried to explain the differences between the candidates to a boy in her class who said there were none. It was a proud moment for me because I could see that our political discussions at home had paid off and that she now had an excellent grasp of how important the issues the candidates represent are to her and her classmates’ lives.” Strategy 2: Guard against “momthink.” We’ve probably all worked with a boss at one point who tried his best to stifle any dissenting arguments against the way he or the company does things. He wants to hear only from “yes men,” and as a result it is very difficult for his company or department to grow or change for the better. The best leaders encourage disagreement so that the full range of issues gets out on the table and so that solutions to
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“Politics can be tricky,” says Woolf. “You have to be careful that you aren’t forcing your political opinions on your children when you are engaging them in political conversations. Political discussion should be used to teach them how to be independent thinkers rather than simply plugging them into your ‘momthink.’ As a parent, it’s your responsibility to show your children how to respect dissenting points of view by listening, considering ideas different from their own, and deepening their understanding of their own opinions. So, if your kids decide they would also vote for your candidate of choice, ask them to assume the other point of view as a fun way to foster critical thinking and guard against ‘momthink.’” Strategy 3: Take kids to the voting booth. I have a frustrated client at an engineering and design firm who at one point believed many of his workers didn’t see how their work connected to the finished product. To remedy the problem, he decided to make a habit of getting his employees out of the office to tour the buildings they had helped to build. After his employees saw what resulted from their work, motivation and productivity in his firm soared. A great way to help your kids make the connection that we as individual citizens can have a huge impact on what happens in our country is to
Now Enrolling
problems can be approached in different ways. That said, being a good Mom-in-Chief means not programming your kids to think like you.
Life-long patterns are formed during the early years of children. Love, trust and even ambitions are learned and not learned during the early years. You need quality care and education during these impressionable stages. I will be so glad to guide your young one through these important stages of their life. Our program includes Spanish, Mini Tennis and Yoga. Hindi Tuitoring Also Available.
A.A.I.M.S. Montessori School 2678 Timberbrooke Place Duluth, Ga. 30097
In Home Montessori
(678) 417-8730 • (678) 334-1135
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take them to the voting booth. “I think you’ll find that your kids really enjoy the process because it isn’t something they can experience every day,” says Woolf. “My nine-year-old daughter loves to vote. She loves to fill in the arrows or touch the touch screens and proudly walks away with an ‘I Voted’ sticker. Visiting the polls provides you with a great opportunity to talk to your children about the privilege of voting and the important role we play in the democratic process of our country. By showing your enthusiasm about voting to your own kids, you can help reduce the apathy and cynicism about the political process so widespread among youth in the U.S. today.” Strategy 4: Teach them how to respectfully debate. Too many adults enter the business world without properly knowing how to debate their side of an issue. Too often arguments that begin in a meeting or over a conference call end only with hurt feelings or two departments or employees that are suddenly unwilling to work together. That’s why it is key that you teach your children how to remain respectful when debating an issue. It’s a skill that will benefit them as they go through school and also when they reach the business world. A great way to teach your kids how to debate respectfully is by putting the candidates themselves aside and looking only at the issues. Have one child choose one side of an issue while their sibling or friend takes the opposing side. Give them a few minutes to prepare and then let them participate in a mock debate with you as the moderator. Play the devil’s advocate to each child by bringing up aspects of their position that they may not have considered and call them out if they ever stray from the issues and attack their opponent in any way. “A friend of mine, upon hearing her kids ‘Boo’ a lawn sign with the candidate they (their parents) weren’t voting for, asked them what they didn’t like about this candidate,” says Woolf. “Their response was silence. She took the opportunity to talk with them about the importance of understanding the views of each candidate and that booing the other candidate wasn’t a sufficient or responsible 24
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response to an opposing view. She taught them a lesson that every parent should teach, that you haven’t earned the right to respectfully disagree or debate an issue until you’ve considered both sides.” Strategy 5: Talk, yes, but take action too. If you’re leading a company or department and there is a crisis brewing, do you sit in your office hoping that it will blow over? No! You get to work on developing and enacting a plan to prevent the crisis or make its impact as little as possible. In the same way, if you believe strongly in a candidate or the political process in general, it’s important that you show your children that they can do more than simply voting to get involved. “I can remember stuffing envelopes with my mom from the time I was very young,” says Woolf. “Four years ago, we had a party at our house filled with people calling registered voters, reminding them to vote. My oldest was able to make calls then and asked if we could make calls again this year. Because presidential elections happen only every four years, you can really create a lot of excitement around them that your kids will be receptive to. A great way to do that is by throwing an election night party and watching the election returns together. Doing this is a great way to not only make them politically engaged but also politically active.” Ultimately, says Woolf, this election season is a great time to teach your children how important it is for them to be politically informed as citizens, but it’s also an opportunity to do much more than that. “So many of the skills they’ll develop while learning about the candidates or debating the issues will be invaluable to them later on in life,” says Woolf. “They’ll be honing their critical thinking skills, developing an open mind and an understanding of why people approach issues differently, and they’ll learn that there are productive and effective ways to express their views without resorting to anger or violence. And, who knows...after all is said and done, you may find out you’re raising a new presidential hopeful.”
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Helping Hands pediatric tHerapy, inc We provide evaluations & therapy for children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, genetic disorders, cerebral palsy, speech delay & oral motor/feeding concerns.
In-home, daycare/preschool, or at our new Buford location • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Handwriting Without Tears Program™ • Therapeutic Listening Program™ • Using Specialized Feeding Programs • Food Chaining Program
• Providing Screening at Local Preschools • SIPT evaluations • Behavioral & social/emotional management • Future programs to include handwriting & social skills groups new Office In Buford
678.482.6100 • 470 S. Hill Street • Buford www.helpinghandspediatrictherapy.com
[ TEEN TALK ] don’t let her avoid the topic entirely. If she’s not asking questions as she approaches the preteen years, it’s up to you to start talking about menstruation.
Menstruation: Preparing your preteen for her period
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alking about menstruation can be embarrassing for both you and your daughter. Here’s help approaching this ticklish topic. Most girls begin to menstruate when they’re about 12 or 13, but periods are possible a few years earlier. That’s why explaining menstruation early is so important. But menstruation is an awkward subject to talk about — especially with preteen girls, who seem to embarrass more easily than any other creatures on the planet. So what’s the best way to approach this ticklish topic? Talk early and often If your daughter asks questions about menstruation, answer them openly and honestly. Provide as many details as you think she needs at the time. It’s OK to let your daughter set the pace — but 26
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Don’t plan a single tellall discussion. Instead, talk about the various issues — from basic hygiene to fear of the unknown — in a series of short conversations. Consider it part of a continuing conversation on how the human body works. Remember, your daughter needs good information about the menstrual cycle and all the other changes that puberty brings. If her friends are her only source of information, she may hear some nonsense and take it for fact. How to start talking To introduce the subject of menstruation, you might ask your daughter what she knows about puberty. Clarify any misinformation, and ask what questions she might have. It may be helpful to time your conversations with the health lessons and sex education your daughter is receiving in school. Or you could broach the subject before a routine doctor’s appointment. You can tell your daughter that the doctor may ask her whether she’s gotten her period yet. Then ask if she has any questions or concerns about menstruation. Girls might prefer to learn about menstruation from a female family member, but sometimes that’s not possible. If you’re a single father and you’re not comfortable talking about menstruation, you might delegate these conversations to a female relative or friend. The key
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is to make sure the information is relayed somehow. Practical advice preferred The biology of menstruation is important, but most girls are more interested in practical information about periods. Your daughter may want to know when it’s going to happen, what it’s going to feel like and what she’ll need to do when the time comes.
• Will it hurt? Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as mood swings and irritability, are possible in the days before each period. Many girls have cramps, typically in the lower abdomen, when their periods begin. Cramps can be dull and achy or sharp and intense. A hot bath, heating pad or over-the-counter pain reliever may help ease any discomfort.
Everyone’s different Your daughter may wor• What is menstruary that she’s not normal tion? Menstruation if she starts having pemeans a girl’s body is My First Period Kit & DVD riods before — or after mature enough to be- www.healthychats.com — friends her age do, come pregnant. Each or if her periods aren’t month, one of the ovaries releases an egg. like those of her friends. But menstruation This is called ovulation. At the same time, varies with the individual. Some girls have hormonal changes prepare the uterus for periods that last for two days, while others pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the have periods that last more than a week. It egg isn’t fertilized, the lining of the uterus can even vary this drastically from month sheds through the vagina. This is a pe- to month in the same girl. The amount of riod. blood lost each month can vary, too, from a • When will it happen? No one can tell few tablespoons to more than a half cup. exactly when a girl will get her first period, but certain clues can act as early warning It’s also common for girls to have irregusignals. Typically, girls begin menstruating lar periods for the first year or two. Some about two years after their breasts begin to months might even go by without a period. grow. In the months before their first peri- Once your daughter’s cycle settles down, ods, many girls experience a thick, white teach her how to keep a log of her peridischarge from their vaginas. Often, a girl ods. Eventually she may be able to predict starts menstruating within a year of the age when her periods will begin. when her mother started menstruating. • What should I do? Explain how to use Tell your daughter to let you know if her sanitary pads or tampons. Many girls are periods last more than 10 days or are exmore comfortable starting with pads, but ceptionally painful, or if she’s soaking more it’s OK to use tampons right away. Remind pads or tampons than usual. She may your daughter that it may take some prac- need to see a doctor. Schedule a checktice to get used to inserting tampons. Stock up for your daughter if she hasn’t started the bathroom with various types of sanitary menstruating by age 16 or if she’s gone six products ahead of time. Encourage your months without a period. daughter to experiment until she finds the product that works best for her. Change can be scary • What if I’m at school? Encourage your The changes associated with puberty can daughter to carry a pad or tampon in her be a little scary. Reassure your daughter backpack or purse, just in case. Many that it’s normal to feel apprehensive about school bathrooms have coin-operated menstruating, but it’s nothing to be too wordispensers for these products. The school ried about — and you’re there to answer nurse also may have supplies. any questions she may have. www.gwinnettparents.com
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[ COLLEGE BOUND ]
How to Prepare for the College Entrance SAT
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any people are afraid of the dreaded SAT, the longest, most comprehensive test most high school students will ever take. If they do poorly, they fear they will never be able to go to college. Although the test scores are a very bad judge of your actual intelligence or ability to succeed in life, your SAT scores unfortunately have a disproportionate impact on your college options. The good news is that it is easy for which to prepare.
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Most colleges take your SAT scores into consideration. Many indicate that they will not accept students who score below a certain level on the test. Colleges know that it is not a measure of your I.Q. or a real measure of how likely you are to succeed; however it is a measure of the level of one’s discipline to study and, frankly, an easy screening method for applicants.
mat, the test can be very confusing and intimidating. Below is a list of steps you can take to prepare for the SAT.
It takes a lot of preparation time to review all the material that will be on the SAT and, most importantly, to familiarize yourself with the way the test is given. If you don’t understand the for-
1. Take practice SAT’s There is no better preparation than taking practice SAT’s and carefully reviewing your mistakes. You can find practice tests at book stores and online. For ev-
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ery time you take a practice test, your goal should be for your test score to improve by several points. 2. Brush up on Old Math Much of the math on the SAT is from earlier level high school material, so even if you’re good at math, you might not remember it. You need to re-read your old geometry and algebra books to do well in this section of the test. 3. Practice Your Vocabulary Most of the verbal section of the SAT is based on vocabulary. The SAT frequently presents unusual words that sound like simpler words but have different meanings. If you have a limited vocabulary, it is very hard to expand it in a matter of weeks, but it can be helpful to try. 4. Become a Writer Writing is a skill that only gets better with practice. Try writing a few SAT-style essays every day and you will soon be able to do them quickly and without being nervous. 5. Be Well Rested and Fed Make sure you get a lot of sleep the night before the test. In the morning, eat a huge breakfast of something that won’t bother your stomach. Definitely get to the test location with plenty of time to spare.
the choices as incorrect answers, your odds of guessing and getting it right are low. You are better off skipping the question altogether. Skipping a question will negatively impact your score less than getting the answer wrong. Having said that, if you have a multiple choice question and are able to narrow down the correct answer between one choice or another, that would be worth making an educated guess since then your odds are much better at getting it correct. The SAT is a long, dull test, so don’t be nervous. Also, try to take the SAT early so you have time to take it again if you are not happy with your score. Regardless how many times you take the SAT, colleges accept your highest score for their consideration of admittance to their school.
Reading to Learn, Inc. 535 Indian Trail Lilburn Road Lilburn, Georgia 30047
770-279-6987 • College Prep • Reading • Writing • Math • Science
6. Don’t Guess If you read a multiple choice question on the SAT and have no idea of the answer and are unable to eliminate any of www.gwinnettparents.com
What do you expect from a tutoring facility? • Better Grades? • Higher Testing Scores? • Greater Confidence? • Customized Tutoring? • One-on-One Sessions? • Accredited Textbooks? We welcome you to a better approach to learning reading, writing, math and science. www.readingtolearn.us
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[ HEALTH & WELLNESS ]
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or the past fourteen years, Dr. Deborah Brown has excelled as a chiropractor who specializes in treatment for the whole family including infants and newborns. Dr. Brown has just recently built a new clinic encompassing 4,000 sq. ft. With this large facility she is able to expand her practice into wellness care offering not only chiropractic services, but spinal decompression, massage therapy, and nutritional
was born in Audubon, NJ and moved to Lilburn at a young age. Dr. Brown and her wonderful husband of eighteen years are residents of Gwinnett County. Together, they have three boys, Tyler, 15; Christopher, 10; and Jake, 7. Dr. Brown built her practice on family values and her family is very much a part of her business. Dr. Brown allows her hours to be flexible so that she doesn’t miss helping with her children’s activities. Dr. Brown is very compassionate about her work, but states her family has always come first. She believes that this has allowed the balance necessary to succeed in raising her Meet The Doctor: three boys and having a Dr. Deborah Brown successful practice. Family Healthcare Clinic Dr. Brown received 2768 Five Forks Trickum Road her Bachelor of Arts DeLawrenceville, Georgia 30044 gree, with a minor in Business Marketing at GeorT. 770-978-4419 gia State University and www.drdeborahbrown.com her Doctor of Chiropractic counseling and dextoxifica- degree from Life University. tion. The new building took She is an active member of approximately three and a the Georgia Chiropractic Ashalf years to build and as with sociation, Georgia Council of constructing any commercial Chiropractic, American Chibuilding, there were many ropractic Association, World tribulations to conquer. Com- Congress of Woman Chiromissioner Mike Beaudreau practors, and the Georgia and Gwinnett county inspec- Political Action Committee for tors helped Dr. Brown un- Chiropractic. derstand the process of new The professionalconstruction, which allowed ism Dr. Brown and her team the path traveled to go much offer is a cut above the rest. smoother. They pride themselves on of Dr. Deborah Brown fering the best health care in 30
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their field. Dr. Brown’s realizes that the educated patients are those that are most loyal, so she requires that her team goes above state requirements in education, therefore fulfilling continuing education three times per year. This is how their office maintains a state of the art chiropractic and alternative health care facility. On a patient’s first visit Dr. Brown can provide them with objective evidence of their nervous system function with her Spine and Nervous System Assessment tools. They treat disc injury with their computerized non surgical spinal decompression table. This therapy is the proven a classic modality for the relief of painful pressure on muscular, skeletal, and disc structures. She also offers nutritional assessments utilizing the BioMeridian. This modality is used extensively in Europe and is now becoming a viable alternative for gaining valuable information about what blockages may be preventing patients from achieving optimal health. This non-invasive tool has been invaluable to find food, chemical, or environmental sensitivities in adults and children. Dr. Brown’s rehabilitation equipment and programs are specialized to correct structural imbalances whether it is adolescent scoliosis or spinal subluxation. She offers four highly skilled and educated massage therapists to her patients six days a week. Dr. Deborah Brown states, “At our office, my staff and I are always investing our time and energy to see we give our patients the best care available.” www.gwinnettparents.com
[ KIDS HOT SPOT ]
This Month’s Kids Hot Spot: Dacula Kids Village 1152 Auburn Road Dacula, GA 30019 32
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onvenience is key at Dacula Kids Village, the newly developed play and shopping center located at 1152 Auburn Road. Parents can drop off their kids for baseball practice or swim lessons, then dine at the restaurant, shop for sport equipments, or get a manicure while they wait - without ever leaving
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the complex. Dacula Kids Village boasts 55,000 square feet of play and retail space on 5.5 acres, built in a unique shape that features a dynamic playground in the courtyard area, with a baseball diamond in the back. The complex is anchored by Swim Atlanta and Jack City Sports Center, which offer lessons in swimming, baseball, softball, football, basketball, soccer, weight training and more. Other businesses include Monkey Joe’s, Play My Way, Wee Monsters Play Systems, Green Tea Diner, Ben and Jerry’s, Sweet Repeats, Belle Nails, World Champion Tae Kwon Do and Biggby Coffee.
Weemonster Play Systems Green Tea Restaurant
There is something to do for every age group – and parents don’t have to drive to multiple locations for their children’s activities. The indoor and outdoor play areas are fun destinations for the kids, and the lesson centers and stores save parents valuable time. The family friendly center is the second project of its kind. The idea was conceived by Neil Freeman, president of Watkins Retail Group, who developed the first complex in Alpharetta. So far, the idea has been a success as evidenced by the ever-crowded parking lot, soaring retail sales, and additional shops planned for the future.
Monkey Joes Indoor Inflatables
Play My Way Indoor Play Center
S & S Team Sports
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[ KIDS HOT SPOT CONT’D ]
Weemonster Play Systems offers local parents & grandparents with an easy, affordable way to purchase a quality custom residential or commercial playsystem in which you can decide which additions and accessories works best for your family as opposed to a one size fits all system. Our play systems are custom manufactured out of Yellawood MCQ pressure treated pine (the only environmentally preferable wood. We also use heavy duty bolts and screws/ Never nails or staples. We offer 90 days same as cash. Delivery and installation included in prices. Come visit our indoor showroom located inside Dacula Kids Village Monday-Saturday during 11am-6pm. For more information visit us online at www. weemonsters.net or call 770-995-5439(KIDZ). *Mention “Gwinnett Parents Magazine and receive $100 off any purchase over $1399.
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Play My Way offers learning programs that consists of a progression of developmental age appropriate play, music and arts classes for children and their parents. Designed with child development experts in mind each of our seven (7) levels focus on and support the specific developmental milestones your child is working on at his/her age from sensory explorations for young babies to cause and effect, two-way communication, “motor planning”, imaginary play, to early listening and language skills. Each program level incorporates fundamental engaging activities that help to build your child’s cognitive, social and physical skills. Our other programs include: Family Music, Family Play My Way, Arts & Music. Our Drop Off Program is offered on Tues & Thurs ($7-$15/hr), for parents who would like to go run errands. We also have open gym $7/hr. For more information call 770-995-PLAY(7529) or visit us online at www.playmywayinc.com. Jack City Sports, is a sports training facility that caters to adults and children-individuals and teams -- who wish to improve their health through physical fitness and/ or hone their abilities in specific sports such as baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, weight training and more. Kids seasonal camps and travel teams also are offered. Jack City Sports 10,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor facility features state-of-the-art training equipment such as: Outdoor lighted 200-ft baseball field, 2 indoor pitching mounds, 6 indoor batting cages, video monitoring evaluation, state-of-the-art, pro spot weight training equipment, full-court H.S. regulation basketball court, indoor flag football field/drill equipment and more. For more information call 770-513-4121 or visit us online at www.jackcitysportscenter.com.
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[ DACULA KIDS VILLAGE - 1152 Auburn Rd. Dacula, GA 30019 ] More than just a children’s party center, Monkey Joe’s is an inflatables-filled indoor play and party center that provides families with engaging activity and entertainment - all day, every day (no special occasion necessary – walkin any time!). With more than 12,000 square feet of space where kids can ‘go bananas,’ Monkey Joe’s Dacula is all about kids having fun, jumping, sliding and playing in the best indoor playground you have ever seen. Monkey Joe’s caters to children ages 2-12 with an array of giant, air-filled play structures, jumps, slides, obstacle courses, and developmental games; a separate toddler area provides age-appropriate play for children who might not be so steady on their feet. Monkey Joe’s also features multiple private party rooms and party themes, with on-site party planning and concession items, including pizza, snacks, beverages and gifts. For more information call 770-682-KIDS (5437) or visit us online at www.monkeyjoesdacula.com. Green Tea is not your regular asian restaurant; we serve our customers with affordable and authentic asian cuisine without compromising quality nor taste. Our menus offer an excellent selection of traditional and contemporary recipes from appetizers, maincourses, vegetables and soups from China, Thailand and Japan. Each recipe includes the best and freshest ingredients with south-east asian herbs and spices to give you that vibrant, colorful, and distinctive Asian taste. All the dishes are brought alive by sought after Chef Lewis Tsou. At Green Tea we are committed to serving quality food and making your every visit enjoyable. So treat yourself to the best Asia has to offer and enjoy the relaxed ambience and great hospitality while visiting Dacula Kids Village. For more information call 770-277-7099 or visit us online at www.greentea-atl.com.
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S & S Team Sports is a respected dealer of sporting goods in and around Gwinnett. Started in 1999, our company was founded with the desire to provide a personal, customized experience for you. We are excited to be able to meet your sports equipment and supply needs. Our fully equipped retail sporting goods store includes: team uniforms, equipment, trophies, screen printing, embroidery, local school spirit wear, letter jackets and corporate apparel. We also carry a wide variety of brands including: Under Armour, Mizuno, Wilson, Rawlings, Easton, Louisville Slugger and more. S & S Team Sport has a great crew! We love our employees, and that love and spirit shows in our customer service. You will experience it whenever you come by the store. For more information call 770-682-0532 or visit us online at www.ssteamsports.net.
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[ FEATURE ]
Eliminate Holiday Stress … Use Feng Shui
you a r e busy doing things that are necessary for you to have a happy, successful holiday season.
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re you already beginning to panic with the holidays looming in the near distance? Do you get stressed by just thinking about all the holiday shopping, entertaining, crowds and expenses? If you use Feng Shui as your guide, you can actually proceed peacefully through the holiday season. The holiday season does not need to be hectic, harried nor harassing. Ideally you should be able to enjoy the hustle and bustle while being in complete control of yourself and your surroundings. If just the thought of the holiday season leaves you annoyed, aggravated and anxious, Feng Shui just might be your answer.
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7 Steps to Help You Reduce Holiday Stress
STEP 2. Make lists today or this weekend to get you on track and keep you there. Create a gift list and carry it with you at all times so you can refer to it at a moment’s notice and purchase items as you see them. This saves you time and money because you will be less likely to do impulse shopping, which is time consuming and expensive. As you check off each purchase, your stress level will turn into a smile. Make a food list and buy those extra things that are not perishable over the next several weeks. Place perishables on a “buy when needed” list that includes the date the item is needed.
STEP 1. Stop procrastinating, worrying and fretting: begin now! In the world of Feng Shui, this would fall into the category of uncluttering your world. Now is the time to organize your thinking, develop your plans and get the process rolling. Temporarily put aside things that can wait until after the holidays so they don’t silently nag you for attention, while
STEP 3. Unclutter your home now so there is ample room for holiday flowers, garland and decorations. Get rid of all of the stacks of stuff you’ve accumulated over the last 12 months – don’t just move it but actually look at it and either file it, store it or get rid of it. If you haven’t used it in 12 months do you really need to keep it? The more clutter
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free your home is the more enjoyable and calm your holidays will be. STEP 4. Determine today, right now, what the single most important thing is you want to do or person you want to see during the holidays that will make your holidays perfect. Put this one thing at the very top of your to-do list, and then do it first. Everything else should take second place. If you do just that one thing and accomplish few others, you will feel your holiday season was a complete success and filled with joy. STEP 5. Fill your kitchen with aromas and scents that fondly remind you of Christmas’s past, such as home-baked goods and mulled cider or wine. They will provide you a sense of love and security through your past memories of family and friends gathered together. It doesn’t matter whether you are a gourmet chef or never set foot in the kitchen. What matters are the feelings evoked by the fragrances. Use scented candles if necessary to create the feelings of abundance and cheer. Burn those candles daily, in a safe container, so you can connect memories past with those yet to come. STEP 6. Play the music of the season and begin today if you like. The holiday season is filled with some of the most joyous, uplifting and encouraging music ever composed – yet it is relegated to a short few 30 days in our calendar year. Play it while making your lists, while uncluttering your home, wrapping gifts, calling friends, entertaining and preparing those special foods. Allow those wonderful sounds to permeate your heart and soul. Stress is nowhere to be found when the heart is joyful. STEP 7. Do something kind for yourself. So often you think of everyone else during this season but forget to www.gwinnettparents.com
take care of yourself. You need to be nurtured and receive love right along with all of those other special people in your life. Buy yourself a gift, spend one day at a day spa, sit down and watch a favorite holiday movie, read old time holiday classic stories to the children, take a long hot shower. Do something that will bring you joy, while the hectic holiday season races by. Reflect on the goodness of your life, meditate and be grateful for all things present and past. Look to the future and dare to dream. Stress abounds during such a busy time of the year. Everyone is in a hurry and tends to have a short fuse, including family members, friends and your boss, so stress levels go up and up. Eliminate stress for good this year and make your holiday season hassle-free by uncluttering both your surroundings and thinking. Then create lists so you can be organized, efficient and utilize your time and money effectively. Following these few steps will make your holidays less stressful and much more joyful.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pat Heydlauff, president of Energy Design, uses Feng Shui design principles to eliminate chaos and stress at home and within oneself. More than a Feng Shui expert, Pat is a consultant and speaker who helps remove clutter and negativity while encouraging personal growth, improved relationships and prosperity. Her forthcoming book, “Feng Shui: So Easy a Child Can Do It,” shows how small changes can lead to a big improvement in one’s personal and professional success. For information on her consulting, speaking and artwork, visit: www.Energy-by-Design.com or call: 561-799-3443. Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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[ FITNESS & EXERCISE ]
The Secret To Effective Cardio Psssst.... Lean in. I want to tell you a secret about doing cardio. It’s the secret to doing it efficiently and effectively. It’s the way to make sure all your time sweating and grunting... trying to burn fat... pays off. Ready for the key: Get Moving! The most effective form of cardio is one that allows you to move your body the most. The more you move your body, the more calories you burn. Of course, intensity levels also play a factor. That’s why jogging is more effective at burning calories than walking. Running is more intense, so it’s more effective. Want to know one of the most effective and intense methods of cardio?
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Go to the deep end of a swimming pool, jump in, and tread water as though your life depends on staying afloat (well, I guess, actually it does). I don’t mean just leisurely trying to stay above water. I mean flapping your arms, kicking your legs, and slashing around as though it’s “sink or swim” time. It’s effective at burning calories because you’re moving your entire body at a very intense pace. Try it. And if you can run, don’t walk. Other effective forms of cardio include jogging, the Stairmaster, the Elliptical. Whatever. It’s not so much what you do, it’s how you do it. Just choose something that allows you
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to maintain a higher intensity level. It boils down to whatever machine you feel you can work the hardest on because cardio is all about intensity. Greater intensity over a shorter time period (15-20 minutes) will have a bigger impact on the fat burning process and less of any negative effects on muscle building. Sometimes the best way to choose your cardio is to try a couple different machines. After you compare a few different ones, you’ll figure out which ones work the best. Which ones you feel that will allow you to work the hardest on.
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Please, don’t make the mistake I see several people in the gym make. They grab the daily paper and sit on a bike, lightly pedaling as though breaking a sweat will be the death of them. Please. You get back what you put in. If one of your goals is to lose your love handles and get rid of some of that stubborn fat, start picking up the pace of cardio. Again, the more you move your entire body (at an intense pace) the more calories you burn and the more effective your cardio is. Move, move more of yourself, and move often and soon you’ll begin reaping the rewards.
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Dr. Katherine Yi A standard of excellence in personalized dental care By: Thais Cuffy
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s Doctor of General Dentistry and the owner of Complete Smile Dental Clinic, Dr. Katherine Yi is passionate about her work. She specializes in gentle family dentistry in a caring environment, and her mission is to help families brighten their smiles. Originally from South Korea, Dr. Yi attended college in Tennessee, earning bachelor degrees in biology and bio-chemistry in 1998, and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2002. Upon completion of her education, Dr. Yi moved to Alpharetta, Georgia, eventually settling in Gwinnett County in 2003. She purchased a home in Suwanee, which also proved to be the ideal location to open her own practice, Complete Smile Dental Clinic, in 2008. She chose Gwinnett for her business because of the growth and opportunity she witnessed in the area. Practicing dentistry has become a lifestyle for this reading and arts and crafts enthusiast. Dr. Yi enjoys building long-term relationships with her patients and working closely with families. Working with others is part of her nature; she admits that if she were not a practicing dentist she would probably teach dental school. Her goal is to make her patients feel comfortable in a friendly, inviting, familyoriented environment. The devotion to her patients is evident in her passion when she speaks about her career. “I would not change anything [about my profession]. I love what I am doing‌it is rewarding,â€? Dr. Yi explains. Her greatest accomplishment www.gwinnettparents.com
to date has been opening her own dental practice. Dr. Yi stays current with the trends of her profession, and has noticed a dramatic increase in cosmetic dental procedures in the last five years. People are more conscious of their images, she says, including their smiles. Dr. Yi does her best to accommodate everyone who comes into her practice. Her love of people and dentistry are evident as her patient base grows. Complete Smile Dental Clinic is located at 302 Satellite Blvd. NW in Suwanee, Georgia 30024. Dr. Yi is available weekends and evenings for urgent or extended hours care. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and Academy of General Dentistry. For more information call 678-541-6020.
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[ HEALTHY MOM ]
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle on Your Way to a Healthy Body can imagine. You cannot just be healthy for quite some time. It should be a whole lifetime. To reach your goal, you have to establish first a healthy lifestyle.
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ear 2008 is passing by so fast, that it’s nearly the end of the year. And in the coming months, you will be creating again your list of New Year’s resolution. For the incoming year, what will be on top of your list? For most people, they may have a hard time listing down all the things they need to accomplish for next year, but sticking to it is even harder, especially on health issues.
Resolution 2: Stick to It
Resolution 1: Promote a Healthy Lifestyle Always remember that a healthy body can only be achieved by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is not done overnight. It takes a lot longer than you 42
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• Eat three full and balanced meals a day. Remember the go, grow, and glow foods every time you prepare your meals. • Have more than five different fruits a day. Fruits are good sources of antioxidants. • Develop a regular bowel movement. This is your body’s one way of cleansing. • Exercise daily. You have to sweat out to renew skin cells. • Drink lots of water and fruit juices daily. This promotes good digestion. • Quit smoking. It will make you look younger. • Drink alcoholic drinks in moderation. It’s always the doctor’s advice, and you also see them even in commercials. • Get enough hours of sleep. Take enough rest.
Sticking to resolution 1 is even harder and it takes a lot of courage to do so. However, keep in mind that you are doing it for your own good, and not for the sake of others. Think of the benefits you are assured to get once
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you stick to it.
stress. It may weaken your desire to continue with your quest to a healthy body. When you are stressed, you tend to retroact. Your system may go back initially go back to old practices. Take things lightly and do not overwork yourself. If it helps, take a vacation and give yourself a good break to rejuvenate your mind and body.
• You will look younger. • Your hair becomes shinier. • You will have good eyesight. • Your skin will be younger looking. • Your body stays fit and sexy. • You will have longer life. Keep Your Eye on the Goal No matter how difficult it may be, always focus your eye on the goal. Once an idea is conceived in the mind, it will narrow down to your actions and feelings. Always stick in your memory that you need to maintain your healthy lifestyle, and there’s no point in turning back once you have already started it. When you put it into mind, you will feel good about everything that you do. By and by, your system will learn to love it. Hence, it strengthens your desire to go on through the whole process. Sooner, you will have gained more benefits. You feel good about yourself. Hence, you are able to boost your confidence. You will be satisfied with the results, and there’s a fulfillment of all your efforts. Other Helpful Tips While you are in the momentum, avoid
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[ TASTE BUDS ]
S
laving away for weeks prepping for your first holiday meal? As the lucky ones learn sooner rather than later, it’s not working harder — it’s working smarter that gets the job done right. Why shouldn’t that apply to the upcoming holiday season?
Hosting your first holiday feast can be intimidating. All the pressure of seamlessly executing a complex meal in a timely manner can make even the most experienced cook wish someone else would take over. No worries! Armed with delicious, dependable recipes, time-saving tips and wonderful wines for your guests, pulling it off seamlessly isn’t as intricate as you might think. Who knows — even seasoned cooks might pick up a few pointers.
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Keep the menu simple. Don’t feel abashed about buying store-bought items to supplement the meal, as long as they are quality items. Source a good local bakery for crusty rolls for the main course and a fresh apple pie or creamy cheesecake for dessert. You may spend a bit more, but you’ll save your sanity and, if you find good sources, the store-bought items can be as good as homemade. Eventually, as you build your skills, you’ll be able to branch out to making more dishes from scratch. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Have your guests bring some dishes and ask family members to lend a helping hand before the meal. It’s important to create a feeling of involvement for everyone, especially children. While you might not want them near the hot stove, they can certainly be part of the festivities by drawing holiday pictures to put on the refrigerator, setting and decorating the table, or even making seasonal decorations. This homemade touch will charm your guests — and save you time! Simplify your wine selection. Some wines need to be aged for so long you won’t be taking a sip until 2018. When it comes to optimal food pairing, oenophiles favor the wines from the Rioja region in Spain for their unbeatable, consistent quality; in fact, they have long agreed that Rioja wines are literally made for food. Thanks to the Tempranillo grape, a smooth and delectable Spanish classic, Riojas equally pair well with each course of your holiday feast. Remember, Rioja wine is already aged in the bottle, so it is conveniently ready to serve on the day of purchase. “As someone who often helps people choose wines, it’s especially important to select holiday wines that will suit a variety of tastes,” notes wine expert, journalist and Rioja spokesperson Adrian Murcia. “Rioja offers really attractive fruit aromas and flavors to those who might dig the big wines of California or Australia, but also possesses a beautiful touch of Old World elegance and soft-spoken seductiveness — qualities that are absolutely essential to any food-loving wine.” For more wine and food ideas, visit vibrantrioja.com. www.gwinnettparents.com
Affordable Rioja wines are widely available in the U.S. in the Spain section of your wine store, including: • Bodegas Beronia Crianza 2005 ($10) • Bodegas Faustino VII 2004 ($13) • Bodegas Breton Crianza 2004 ($15) • Bodegas Montecillo Gran Reserva 2001 ($25) • Bodegas LAN Viña Lanciano Reserva 2001 ($30) • Bodegas Barón de Ley Finca Monastario 2003 ($45)
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Cajun Deep Fried Turkey Makes: 12 to 15 servings Wine suggestion: Pair with a Rioja red 1 (15-pound) turkey Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Garlic salt Cajun seasoning 4 to 5 gallons peanut or vegetable oil Deep-fry thermometer 26 to 40 quart large pot High-pressure, outdoor propane cooker Thaw turkey completely. Clean out cavity, rinse and pat dry. Season turkey with dry ingredients to taste. (For more flavor, season the night before you cook.)
potential fire hazard. Heat oil in pot (allow enough room in pot for turkey to be placed, as too much oil will cause overflow), bringing oil to at least 375째F. Immerse turkey in oil. Maintaining at least 325째F throughout the cooking process, cook turkey until golden brown, about 4 minutes per pound. Corn Bake Makes: 6 to 8 servings 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn 1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix 1 cup sour cream 1 large egg 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted Preheat oven to 350째F. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Pour into greased 9 inches by 13 inches casse-
Place cooker outside in an open space, away from the house. Never use a turkey fryer indoors, in a garage or under a covered patio due to
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role dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm. Curry Pumpkin Soup Makes: 6 servings 2 medium pumpkins (3 to 4 pounds) 1 large pumpkin (for use as soup tureen) 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup water 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons curry powder 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ginger cup heavy cream Toasted pumpkin seeds, optional Crème fraiche or sour cream, optional
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut two medium pumpkins in half. Reserve large pumpkin for use as soup tureen. Scoop out seeds and place skin-side down on baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until soft. Scoop out pumpkin flesh into food processor and puree until smooth. Pour pureed pumpkin into saucepan and add chicken broth, water, maple syrup and spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. While the soup is cooking, cut the top off the large pumpkin to create the serving bowl. The hole should be wide enough to fit a ladle. Hollow out seeds, checking for holes and lining with plastic, if necessary. Remove soup from heat and stir in heavy cream. Pour soup into large pumpkin and serve garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds and crème fraiche.
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[ MONEY & FINANCE ] mies®, 5th Edition. “And if they don’t know that times are a little bit tough and Mom & Dad are having to watch their spending, it’s time to tell them. Sheltering kids from financial realities does them no favors.” Indeed, the opposite is true, says Tyson. A good grasp of personal finance is one of the most valuable life skills a person can have. And while previous generations may have been raised with the constant admonishment that “money doesn’t grow on trees!,” too many of today’s parents neglect that lesson. It’s time to change that—and the economic crisis we’re in now provides a great incentive for doing so. “In many ways, a long-term financial slowdown can be a blessing in disguise,” admits Tyson. “It leads families to make a budget and stick to it. It forces them to be conscious about how they handle money. That’s good for kids. It shows them how the world is supposed to work.”
Eleven Ways to Teach Kids About Money, Especially Right Now!
Tyson offers the following helpful hints:
F
inancially speaking, it’s a tough time to be a parent. With economic turmoil reaching the boiling point and many companies freezing any extra spending, American families are more strapped than ever. So if you’re feeling guilty because you can’t buy your child that video game system he desperately wants for Christmas, or you’re asking him to choose between playing recreation basketball or taking karate lessons this winter, Eric Tyson has one word for you. Don’t. In fact, he says, now is the perfect time to teach your kids some valuable financial lessons. “Kids are surprisingly aware of what’s going on in the world,” says Tyson, author of Personal Finance For Dum48
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Tell them the truth. Kids are perceptive. If you’ve been acting anxious and on edge lately, they’ve noticed. Rather than let them wonder why Mom & Dad are working so much lately or constantly talking about money, explain (on their level) what’s going on in the family’s financial world. “Obviously, you don’t have to get into the details of your stock portfolio,” says Tyson. “But you can explain that what’s going on in the economy means some changes will have to be made at home. For instance, they may have to understand that the holidays will be leaner this year, or that the annual ski trip may not happen. Helping them understand what it all means will lessen the anxiety they feel as a result of seeing their parents worrying over money.” Explain to them how much things cost.
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Some parents are surprised to find out that their kids don’t have a very good grasp on what things cost. A great hands-on way to open their eyes is to take them on a “money tour” around the house. For example, kids might not understand that hot water costs more than cold water, or that bumping up the heat results in higher power bills. This exercise will teach them how they can conserve and thus help the family save money. You can also pile up all of the bills for the month and have them look at the amount on each one. Show them what the family’s cost of living is and again reiterate the areas where they can play a part in reducing the costs. Realize that kids learn what they live. It may sound like common sense, but you—Mom & Dad—are your kids’ most influential teachers. When you ring up a barge-load of credit card debt, take out exorbitant mortgages or car loans, and fail to save anything, that’s what your kids come to see as normal. If you are modeling unhealthy financial habits, you can’t realistically expect your kids to “do as I say, not as I do.” “We’re seeing now what irresponsible spending does to the economy as a whole,” says Tyson. “The results for you as a family will be just as significant. Adults who are extravagant with money and fail to save for the future can expect to raise children who are accomplished spenders and poor savers. Be honest with yourself about the powerful money messages you’re sending your kids. If your financial habits are poor, overhaul them now. You owe it to your kids.” Deprogram them. Kids are constantly bombarded with information about what things cost, whether it’s the fancy sports car they like or the wardrobe of their favorite athlete or actor, not to mention the 40,000 commercials that the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates the average American www.gwinnettparents.com
child sees each year. What they aren’t bombarded with is knowledge on how to manage money effectively. And while schools are increasingly incorporating money issues into the existing curriculum, the broader concepts of personal financial management still aren’t taught. Frightening though it may be, some schools rely on free “educational” materials from the likes of VISA and MasterCard! “These credit card titans provide materials that implicitly and explicitly support carrying consumer debt as a sound way to finance significant purchases and living expenses,” says Tyson. “In fact, VISA and MasterCard school-supplied resources endorse spending upward of 15 to 20 percent of one’s monthly take-home income to pay credit card and other consumer debts! Explain to your kids that such spending puts a lot of money directly into the credit card companies’ pockets, so of course they’re going to offer that advice...but that smart people don’t listen to it.” An allowance is a great teaching tool. You don’t have to break child labor laws to find great ways to help your kids earn their allowance rather than just have it handed over to them. A well-implemented allowance program can mimic many money matters that adults face every day throughout their lives. From recognizing the need to earn the green stuff to learning how to responsibly and intelligently spend, save, and invest their allowance, children can gain a solid financial footing from a young age. “A great time to start is when your kids reach the five-to-seven age range,” says Tyson. “Start them on some household chores, and explain to them that they will be paid for their work. Of course, the size of the allowance should depend, in part, on what sorts of expenditures and savings you expect your child to engage in and, perhaps, the amount of ‘work’ you Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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expect your child to perform around the house. I recommend paying $0.50 to $1.00 per year of age. So, for example, a six-year-old child would earn between $3 and $6 per week.” Start them saving and investing early. It’s never too early to start saving, and the sooner you can instill the importance of saving money into your kids the better. After they start earning an allowance, have your kids save a significant portion (up to half) of their allowance money toward longer-term goals, such as college (just be careful about putting money in children’s names as doing so can harm college financial aid awards). Tyson recommends that children reserve about one-third of their weekly take for savings. As they accumulate more significant savings over time, you can introduce the concept of investing. “Rather than trekking down to the boring old local bank and putting the money into a sleepy, low-interest bank account, I prefer having kids invest in mutual funds,” says Tyson. “Another option is for kids to buy individual stocks. Kids can learn more about how the financial markets work and understand stocks better by sometimes picking individual stocks rather than using funds. Just be careful to keep transaction fees to a minimum and teach your kids how to evaluate a stock and its valuation and not simply buy companies that they’ve heard of or that make products they like. The money they are able to save and invest will be a huge help to them later on in life.” Reduce their exposure to ads. The primary path to reduced exposure to ads is to cut down on TV time. When kids are in front of the tube, have them watch prerecorded material. You can direct the television viewing of younger children, in particular, toward videos and DVDs. And for older kids, if you use digital video recorders (DVRs), such as TIVO, you can easily zap ads. 50
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But when an ad does sneak under the radar and set the kids to begging, address it. Explain to your kids that there’s never a good time for frivolous impulse spending—but it’s especially harmful when money is tight. “Invest the necessary time to teach and explain to your kids that the point of advertising is to motivate consumers to buy the product by making it sound more wonderful or necessary than it really is,” says Tyson. “Also explain that advertising is costly and that the most heavily promoted and popular products include the cost of all that advertising, so they’re paying for it when they buy those items.” Find entertaining ways to teach good money habits. You’ll probably face an uphill battle when teaching kids about personal finance. That’s why it’s so important to find entertaining ways to instill good financial habits in them. For younger kids Tyson recommends ageappropriate books like The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies. For late-elementary-school-aged kids, Quest for the Pillars of Wealth by J.J. Pritchard is a chapter book that teaches the major personal finance concepts through an engaging adventure story. You could also get them a subscription to Zillions, a kids’ magazine from the publishers of Consumer Reports, which covers money and buying topics. “Another great opportunity to teach your kids about personal finance and get to spend quality time with them in the process is through board games,” suggests Tyson. “Monopoly and Life are two games that are very effective at getting your kids to think about the best way to manage money and plan whether they should spend or save.” Teach them how to shop wisely. Family shopping trips, whether for groceries or something else, are likely to be your kids’ first encounter with spending. They’ll see you make decisions based on what the family needs, may
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be see the occasional coupon used, and will observe how you pay. These trips are a great time to teach them lessons about money and the value of product research and comparison shopping. “Take them to the mall and ask them to pick out three pairs of shoes that they really like without looking at the prices,” suggests Tyson. “Chances are they’ll come back with at least one expensive pair and at least one affordable pair. This is a great way to show them that to really like something it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Demonstrate how to identify overpriced and shoddy merchandise. Finally, show them how to voice a complaint when returning defective products and go to bat for better treatment in service environments, two additional tasks that are part of being a savvy consumer.”
Introduce the right and wrong ways to use credit and debit cards. Those plastic cards in your wallet offer a convenient way to conduct purchases in stores, by phone, and over the Internet. Unfortunately, credit cards offer temptation for overspending and carrying debt from month to month. Teach your kids the difference between a credit and debit card, explaining that debit cards are connected to your checking account and thus prevent you from overspending as you can on a credit card. “Explain to them that credit cards should be used sparingly and then practice what you preach,” says Tyson. “Wean yourself off of using your credit card, and tell your kids why you’ve decided to do so.” Encourage older kids to get a job. An allowance doesn’t have to be the only
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way for your kids to earn money. Your child’s initial exposure to the work-forpay world can start with something as simple as a lemonade stand. Depending on age, he or she might do yard work for neighbors or offer babysitting services. And the fact that we’re in a recession makes it all the more appropriate for older kids to “help out” by getting a part-time job—especially to fund unnecessary purchases like DVDs or cool clothing.
so by all means be involved in ensuring that your child has a safe work environment.”
“I had an extensive newspaper route for a number of years, and I cut lawns and did other yard work during high school and college summers,” says Tyson. “By holding down such jobs, kids can learn about working, earning, saving, and investing money. It also provides welcome relief for parents to not continually be the source of spending money. Working outside the home does raise some safety issues,
“Often, the pricey toys we buy for ourselves and our kids and the lavish vacations we take are simply distractions from the people we love,” he says. “They send the message that it’s necessary to spend a lot of money in order to have a good time. It’s not, of course. The best things in life—friends, family, quiet evenings at home just being together—really are free. Sometimes it’s good to be reminded of that.”
Besides the learning opportunities it presents, there’s another positive to the current financial crisis, says Tyson. It forces families to be more thoughtful about how they spend their time—and this often leads to the stunning realization that money really doesn’t buy happiness.
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1455 Pleasant Hill Road, Ste. 601 • Lawrenceville • (770) 476-4263 www.kidstaynplay.com www.gwinnettparents.com
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[ PAW PRINTS ]
“A
hh… the Christmas tree… a giant stick! And it even has balls hanging on it! It’s the dog toy of my dreams!” This is likely how your puppy or young dog views this cen-
Holiday Puppy Proofing tral holiday decoration that graces your home. However, aside from the obvious fact that you don’t want your dog to knock over the tree, chew it or destroy the ornaments, there is also the issue of it being dangerous for dogs to ingest things such as metal ornament hooks. They could also get hurt with pieces of broken glass, or electrocuted from chewing the wires from the lights. So what’s a pet owner to do? You certainly wouldn’t want to consider not having a tree at all, and you’re likely not going to want to “gate off” the room to prevent the dog from getting in there. Following are some tips to protect your tree, your home and your pet: ~Attach the tree to the ceiling using clear fishing line. This way, you don’t have to worry about it being knocked over. ~Use plastic ties instead of wire ones to attach ornaments. Place breakable glass or special ornaments toward the top. ~Put a plastic “playpen” around the tree and decorate it by draping with festive fabric. This is a bendable gate that can be configured around the tree. It will protect your tree as well as the gifts under 54
Gwinnett Parents Magazine
it and if you decorate it, it won’t look so bad. And of course, you’ll be working with your puppy this holiday season so next year it won’t be an issue at all. ~Train your dog! This is the most important thing you can do. Put on your dog’s leash and practice obedience commands near the tree. Allow him to get close enough to sniff it, but if he tries to chew it or jump on it, correct “no” and place into a “down/stay.” Follow with praise. ~Supervise or confine your dog. If you are not home, your dog should be kept somewhere safe, such as a wire dog crate. Chances are, if your dog is still in the stages of wanting to chew the tree, he probably should be crated anyway so he doesn’t chew other things. When you are home, supervise your dog so that if he attempts to play with the tree, you’ll be there to teach him not to. ~Most Christmas plants are poisonous to dogs (and also cats, babies, etc.). Keep poinsettia, Christmas cactus and mistletoe far from dog’s reach. ~Food dangers: Chocolate is also poisonous to dogs. Keep candy bowls out of his reach and also be aware if placing cakes and other foods on low tables. Bones, such as those found in chicken and pork can splinter and cause an intestinal problem for your pet. ~Place candles carefully… out of the way of inquiring noses or wagging tails. ~Don’t let your dog “overdo it.” One special treat on Christmas is enough. Don’t go overboard and let your dog chew a whole package of rawhides or eat a big pile of treats just because it’s a holiday. The last thing you need on Christmas is a dog who has diarrhea or is throwing up. “People food” can also upset a dog’s stomach. By being proactive and taking steps ahead of time to prevent problems, you can enjoy your home, your decorations and your puppy this holiday season with much less worry!
www.gwinnettparents.com
Puppies Galore, Inc. 2695 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 100 • Lawrenceville
(678) 226-4849 www. puppiesgaloreonline.com
We Feature High Quality Designer and Pedigree Puppies
- Many Breeds Are Available -
We also offer supplies such as: Canine Fashions • Holistic Foods • Medicated and Spa Inspired Shampoos • Leashes / Collars / Harnesses Toys & Treats Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10AM - 8PM • Sunday Noon - 6PM
[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ]
Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Nov. 22 - Dec. 30
NOVEMBER 1-2:Cotton States Cat Club 70th Annual Cat Show Times:Sat. 9am/Sun. 10am.www.cottonstatescatclub.org.Location: Gwinnett Center.770813-7500 1:Holiday Bazzar/Duluth’s Biggest Garage Sale Times:8-5pm.www. duluthga.net.Location: Bunten Road Park.770814-6981 Admission:Free 1:Skylar’s Run Times:8am.Location: Town Center Park (Suwanee) 678-234-4195.Admission:Free 2:Cheersport- Atlanta Grand Championship Times:9am.www. cheersport.net/competitions/CompIndex.asp.Location:Arena at Gwinnett Center 1-888-READY-OK 4-5:Creekland Middle School Eagle Ensemble presents “SeussicalThe
56
Musical” Times:Tues. 7pm/Wed. 10:30am and 7pm.www. gwinnettcenter.com. Location:Performing Arts Center at Gwinnett Center 770-338-4715.Admission:$5-$10
3915.Admission:Free
6-9:8th Annual Pow Wow & Indian Festival Times:Thurs-Fri 9am2pm/Sat 10am-9pm/ Sun 10am-5pm.www. stonemountainpark.com. Location:Stone Mountain Park.770-498-5690. Admission:$8 Vehicle entry/$9 per person
8:Sims Lake Park Grand Opening Times:2pm.www. suwanee.com.770-9458996 Admission:Free
8:Christmas in Braselton www.bba-ga.org.Location:Downtown Braselton 706-654-3915.Admission:Free 8:Model Railroad Days www.srmduluth.org. Location:Southeastern Railway Museum (Duluth).(770) 476-2013 8:Movies Under The Stars Times:Dusk.www. braselton.net.Location: Braselton Park.706-654-
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8-9:Peak Auction Times:Auction begins at 9am.peakauction. com/2008/AtlantaFall/Atlanta.htm.Location:Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 816) 474-1982
8:The Magic Toyshop presented by Southern Ballet Theatre Times:2:30pm & 7:30pm www.gwinnettcenter.com Location:Gwinnett Center (Performing Arts Center) 770-963-2685.Admission:$10-12 9:Vetaerans Day Celebration Times:3-5pm.www. cityoflilburn.com. Location:Lilburn City Park.770-921-2210. Admission:Free 13:So You Think You Can Dance? Live Tour
www.gwinnettparents.com
Times:7:30pm.www.ticketmaster.com.Location: Arena at Gwinnett Center 404-249-6400.Admission:$37.50-$54.50 14-16:Fall Edition Georgia Home & Lifestyle Expo Times:Fri Noon-6pm, Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am5pm.www.georgiahomeexpo.com.Location:North Atlanta Trade Center 770-279-9899.Admission: Adults 16 & Over$6, Kids 9-15$2, Kids 8 & underFree 14-16:Home for the Holidays Show Times:Friday 12PM/Sat. & Sun. 10am.www.booksandshows.com/holidayshowmain.htm.Location: Gwinnett Center.678-4555192.Admission:Adults $7, Seniors/Students $6, Kids under 12 Free
404-787-9889
Bouncing Dragon, LLC Atlanta Moonwalk & Party Rentals
Call us at:
678-313-7667 Birthdays, Reunions, Community Fairs, Grand Openings, School Festivals, Company Picnics, and much more!!!
Rentals Available • Moonwalks •Combos w/Slides •Slides •Consessions •Tables & Folding Chairs
15:North Atlanta Fine Wine Festival Times:1-5:30pm www.northatlantatradecenter.com.Location: North Atlanta Trade Center.770-279-9899Admission:$45
www.bouncingdragon.com www.gwinnettparents.com
Gwinnett Parents Magazine
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[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ] 16:The Wiggles Live in Concert Times:1:30pm and 5:00pm.www.gwinnettcenter.com.Location:Arena at Gwinnett Center.404-249-6400. Admission:$18-$38 20:Holiday Auction Extravaganza Times:10am-4pm.www. gwinnetttech.com. Location:Gwinnett Tech (Building 100, Room 401).770962-7580 21:Elf Work Shop Times:6:308:30pm. www.gwinnettparks. com.Location:Dacula Park.770822-5414. Admission:$7 per person 22-23:Great Train Expo www.greattrainexpo.com Location:North Atlanta Trade Center.630-6084988.Admission:Adults and children over the age of 12 are $7.00. Children under the age of 12 are FREE! 22-30:Magical Nights of Lights Times:Nightly 5pm-10pm www.lakelanierislands. com.Location:Lake Lanier Islands.1-800840-LAKE Admission:See website 58
for pricing 27:21st Annual Lighting of the Tree Times:5pm-8:30pm. www.gwinnettparks. com.Location:Gwinnett Historic Courthouse.770822-8840 Admission:Free
Snellville City Hall.770985-3535.Admission: Free 3:Suwanee Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting Times:6-8pm.www.suwaneejubilee.com.770438-8080.Admission: Free
29:Merchants Holiday Open House in Historic
4-18:Holiday Party Dance Workshop Times:6:458:15pm. Playhouse Disney Live! www.gwinDec. 14 nettparks. com. Location: Bogan Park Aquatic Center (Buford).770641-2060. Admission:$48
Downtown Norcross. www.norcrossga.net. Location:Downtown Norcross.770-448-2122 ext. 191.Admission:Free 29:Sounding Off the Christmas Season Times:6pm.www.cityofauburn-ga.org.Location: Downtown Auburn/City Hall.770-963-4002 ext. 223.Admission:Free
5:Christmas Tree Lighting and Arrival of Santa Times:7 PM.www. norcrossga.net.Location: Thrasher Park- Historic Downtown Norcross 770-448-2122 ext. 191 Admission:Free
DECEMBER
5-7:Lilburn Festival of Christmas Times:Varies.www. lilburnparade.org. Location:Lilburn City Park.770-736-8715. Admission:Free
1:27th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Times:7pm.www. snellville.org.Location:
5:Winter Wonderland Times:6:30pm.www. gwinnettparks.com.Location:Georgia Pierce Park
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Community Center.770831-4173.Admission:$5
Become oneofof Become one thethe 501
501 Rainbow Rainbow VillageVillage Angels.
6:2008 Holiday Celebration Times:5pm-8pm.www. cityofsugarhill.com.Location:Sugar Hill Community Center and Town Green 770-831-7413.Admission: Free
Become one Angels. Pledge $100ofor the more501 Rainbow Village Angels. Pledge $100 per month startingor today.
more per month Pledge $100 or more starting today.today. per month starting
6:2008 Lilburn Christmas To break the cycles of homelessness, poverty To break the cycles of homelessness, Parade & domestic violence, poverty & domestic violence Times:10am.www. we have to take matters into we have to take matters into cityoflilburn.com.Location: our own hands. break the cycles of homelessness, poverty our own hands DowntownTo Lilburn.770& domestic 736-8715.Admission:Free Rainbow violence, Village, Inc., 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Norcross, GA 30071
Rainbow Village
ANGEL
Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty, and Domestic Violence
Rainbow Village Rainbow Village, Inc. 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Norcross, Georgia 30071 770-446-3800
ANGEL www.rainbowvillage.org
770-446-3800 † www.rainbowvillage.org we have to take matters into
Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty, and Domestic Violence
6:A Civil War Christmas our own Rainbow Village, Inc. 400 Holcomb Rd., hands. Norcross, GA 30071 Times:10am.www.gwinnettparks.com.Location: 770-446-3800 t www.rainbowvillage.org Rainbow Village, Inc., 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Norcross, GA 30071 McDaniel Farm Park.770770-446-3800 † www.rainbowvillage.org 814-4920.Admission:$5 6-21:Christmas on the Historic Square Times:4:30-8pm.www. visitlawrenceville.com Location:Downtown Lawrenceville.678-226-6222 Admission:Free 6:Fifth Annual Norcross Tour of Homes Times:Daylight tours.10am-5pm, Candlelight tours 6-9pm.www. norcrosstourofhomes.com Location:Historic Downtown Norcross.Admission:$17 each, after 11/25 $20 each 6-7:Holiday Festival Times:Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 12-5pm.www.duluthga.net.Location:Downtown Duluth.770-476-3434. Admission:Free
Rainbow Village, Inc. 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Norcross, Georgia 30071 770-446-3800
www.rainbowvillage.org
Come Jump With Us!
Indoor Inflatable Party & Jump Center
678-714-2HOP
4667 Thompson Mill Rd. • Buford www.junglejumpadventures.com
Themed Rooms • Relaxing Café • Small, Medium & Large Parties • Walk-Ins Welcome Birthday Parties, Team Functions, Scout Groups, Home Schoolers, Daycare, Church Groups, Field Trips & More Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10am-5pm • Sun:11am-5pm Closed - Monday
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Gwinnett Parents Magazine
59
[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ] 6:Old Town Holiday Festival and Caboose Lighting Times:5pm-7pm.www. suwanee.com.Location: Historic Old Town (Suwanee).770-945-8996 Admission:Free 6:Perfect Present Party Times:10am-12pm www.gwinnettparks.com Location:Bogan Park Aquatic Center.770-6412060.Admission:$5 12:Father/Daughter Winter Wonderland Dance Times:6-9pm.www.gwinnettparks.com.Location: Rhodes Jordan Park Community Center.770822-5414.Admission:$10
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12:Rock Around the Tree Times:6:30pm-9:30pm www.duluthga.net Location:Bunten Road Park.770.476.3434 Admission:Free 12:Senior Christmas Anniversary Tea Times:2pm.www.gwinnettparks.com.Location: George Pierce Park Community Center.770831-4173.Admission: Free 13:”Candy Cane Magic Show” by Bosco the Magician Times:10am & 11am www.auroratheatre.com Location:Aurora Theatre (downtown Lawrenceville).678-226-6222.
Gwinnett Parents Magazine
Admission:$7 13:Celebration of Light Times:5 PM to 6 PM Location:Norcross Cemetary.770-448-2122 ext. 191.Admission:Free 13-14:Christmas in the Park Times:6-9pm.www. suwanee.com.Location: Town Center Park (Suwanee).770-945-1524. Admission:Free 13:Dancing With the Sugar Plum Fairy Times:2pm-3:30pm & 4pm-5:30pm.www.gwinnettparks.com Location:Bogan Park Aquatic Center (Buford) 770-641-2060.Admis-
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sion:$12 13:Family Day at Hudgens Arts Center Times:10am-3pm. www.artsgwinnett.org. Location:Hudgens Art Center (at Gwinnett Center).770-623-6002. Admission:$5 13:Shop ‘Til You Drop Times:10-2pm www.gwinnettparks.com Location:Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center.770-4172200.Admission:$12 14:Playhouse Disney Live! Times: 12PM & 3PM. www.ticketmasters. com.Phillips Arena.404-
249-6400.Admission $55/$40/$25/$15 19-30:Stone Mountain Christmas Times:Park Hours www.stonemountainpark.com.Location:Stone Mountain Park.770-4985690.Admission:$20 Adults, $17 Children, $8 vehicle entry 20:”Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Picadilly Puppets Times:10am & 11am. www.auroratheatre. com.Location:Aurora Theatre.678-226-6222. Admission:$7 22:UGA Women’s Basketball Game
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Times:7:30pm.www. gwinnettcenter.com.Location:Arena at Gwinnett Center.404-249-6400. Admission:$8 31:Lawrenceville Rings Times:pm-Midnight www.visitlawrenceville. com.Location:Downtown Lawrenceville.678-2262639.Admission:Free 31:Medieval Times New Year’s Eve Extravaganza www.medievaltimes.com Location:Medieval Times at Discover Mills Mall 1-888-WE-JOUST Admission:$47.95 Adults, $35.95 Children
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GwinnettParents.com Online Bookmarks
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