7 minute read
Christmas Nights of Lights Makes the Season Bright
Christmas Nights of Lights Makes the Season Bright A safe way for families to celebrate this holiday season.
Who couldn’t use a little holiday cheer right about now? Fortunately, there is a great way to feel merry while also social distancing, and you’ll find it at Coney Island Amusement Park with Christmas Nights of Lights, a drive-through holiday light event for all ages. Prepare to be dazzled as you meander through an over 2.5-mile route that’s full of colorful light displays set to holiday music, drive through a 300-foot tunnel, and marvel at a 50-foot mega tree with sparkly starbursts and a gingerbread Candyland scene that will delight everyone — all from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Whether you’re visiting Christmas Nights of Lights with your kids or making it a holiday date night, here are some pro tips to help make your experience extra merry.
Know When to Go
To avoid the crowds, plan your visit on a weekday. Mondays and Wednesdays are especially great for experiencing shorter wait times. If the weekend is more your thing, make a night of it and plan to have dinner first, and then stop by around 9 pm when the crowds will have slowed. Christmas Nights of Lights is open until 10 pm daily. It is also open rain, shine or snow, so no matter the weather, the show will go on!
Bring the Whole Fam
Christmas Nights of Lights is the perfect holiday activity for the entire family because there is no walking, and you never need to get out of your car. Plus, since you never leave the car, you’re automatically social distancing! It’s a win-win for everyone. Tickets are $7 per person, and children under 3 years of age are free.
Buy Your Tickets at the Gate
Last-minute planners, rejoice! You can only purchase tickets for Christmas Nights of Lights at the gate (major credit cards and cash accepted), so there is no need to pre-purchase tickets beforehand.
Plan for Potty Stops and Grumbly Tummies in Advance
One thing that you WILL want to plan ahead for is a restroom visit before you visit Christmas Nights of Lights. The 2.5-mile scene will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes to experience, and there are no pit stops along the way. Portable toilets are located at the entrance to the show, so visitors with young kids will want to make sure to visit those before getting in line. Be sure to also pack some hand sanitizer!
It’s also a smart idea to pack some snacks and drinks for the ride. Nothing puts a damper in the holiday spirit like a “hangry” attitude!
Turn On Your Radio, Turn Off Your Headlights
To really immerse yourself in the magic, set your radio dial to Christmas Nights of Lights’ radio station. They will let you know the station numbers at check-in. The station plays new and classic Christmas tunes, and all of the light displays are synchronized to the music.
And to preserve the magic for everyone else, turn off your headlights at check-in and keep them off throughout your visit. Trust us: You — and everyone else — will be able to see the light show much better this way!
Put Your Observational Skills to Work
Make a game of your visit and try to find the eight elves that are hiding throughout Christmas Nights of Lights. Look carefully — those elves can be sneaky!
Stay Informed
Check out the Christmas Nights of Lights Facebook page (keywords Christmas Nights of LightsCincinnati, OH) to stay up-to-date with special events that may happen throughout the season.
Christmas Nights of Lights is located at Coney Island Amusement Park from November 6-January 9, 2021, from dusk until 10 pm, with extended hours on the weekends. For more information, visit
christmasnightsof
lights.com.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTMAS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
THE ADOPTION
OPTION
WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSON
There are many ways a family can grow, and two of those ways are through adoption or foster care. With adoption, the goal is for the child to find a permanent home. With foster care, the goal is for the child to be temporarily cared for by the foster family until the child can return to their birthparents, or be adopted. The thought of bringing a child into your home, whether through adoption or foster care, can be exhilarating, and can also raise a number of questions. You may be wondering if you are ready to welcome a child into your family through adoption, or if foster care may be a better option for you.
Paul Hemminger, assistant director at Isaiah’s Place in Troy, and Sarah Feine, youth specialist and family assessor at Focus on Youth in West Chester, offer tips for families considering taking this exciting, life-changing step toward adoption.
What should parents consider when thinking about adopting?
Feine: Parents should start with motivation. What is the motivation behind wanting to adopt? If their motivation is to grow their family, then adoption might be the right choice. Parents should consider the ongoing education they will need in order to be equipped to handle trauma responses from the child’s past. Just because a child is adopted does not mean they will not undergo stress, anxiety and behavioral concerns due to separation and loss. Parents should consider talking to their support systems to ensure they can provide a “village” for the child they welcome into their home.
Hemminger: Adoption can be difficult. What happens in the womb and beyond determines a lot of the stress resiliency and attachment levels. The bio-family of the adoptee is still in the background genetically, and sometimes physically or emotionally, influencing the child. There is a homing device in most, if not all, adoptees. They might be wondering, “Why didn't you keep me?” or “Who are you?”
I would have long conversations with other parents who have adopted, and listen to podcasts about the ups and downs of adoption. This will help give you the highest probability of creating the best attachment for you and your future family member.
What are some first steps to take if you want to adopt?
Feine: Our agency is a foster care and adoption agency. We license families to foster to adopt, as well as adopt children who the county already has custody of in the community. If families are not wanting to foster, or not willing to accept siblings or older children, we would recommend they get licensed through a private adoption agency.
Hemminger: Look for an adoption agency, domestic or international, to begin the process. Through whichever entity you work with, you will decide all the characteristics of the child you are looking for. You can be very strict or very open.
How do you know if you are ready to adopt or become a foster parent?
Hemminger: No one really knows if they are ready. Ask lots of questions and begin by providing support to other foster families through Care Communities [teams of people who provide emotional, physical or financial support to a foster family]. Not everyone can foster, but everyone can do something for kids from hard places. Right now, the system is defined by “not enough.” We are here to work until there is more than enough.
Feine: If families are ready to adopt, parents will be on the same page about expectations and what’s ahead. Families will complete all training requirements, paperwork and interviews. Once a family is provided with a license, they are ready to foster or adopt.
“Every county has a number of children who need love, care and a home, whether that's temporary or permanently,” Hemminger says. “We can solve the foster care crisis if we believe it's possible, do our part and do it together. We can love those kids and guide them to healing. We need to understand the world of trauma-informed and trauma-skilled care. It's imperative we lean into that wisdom shared by some of the greatest leaders and researchers of our time. This is a movement that requires all of us. Children are deeply suffering, and in whatever way we can, we can help. Just a meal, transportation, mentoring, tutoring or a place to lay their heads — you can lean in. You and the world will be better and transformed for it.”
