KC Parent May 2021

FREE | MAY 2021 | KCPARENT.COM

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Mother’s Day DISCIPLINE

LIKE YOU MEAN IT

We’d like to give you

ENJOY A NIGHT ON US! Plan a getaway to Springfield, Missouri, between April 1 and June 27, 2021and we’ll pick up the bill for one of your hotel nights!

Participation is simple and is designed to fill your trip with some of the best food and fun that Springfield has to offer.

How it works: Visit the local attractions and food and drink establishments participating in this program between April 1 and June 27, 2021.

Then, make a qualified purchase at THREE (3) attractions, THREE (3) food & drink establishments and spend at least TWO (2) nights in a participating hotel, and we will pay for one of your nights! *Hotel rooms must be reserved 48 hours before you plan on arriving. *Limited to the first 3,000 participants.

Explore Springfield at

SpringfieldMo.org Point your smartphone camera at this QR code to go to the registration page on our website or go to

springfieldmo.org/night-on-us

Be sure to check out the Terms and Conditions so you know exactly how to get your free night.

YOUR LOVE WILL PROTECT THESE MOMENTS.

Your donations fuel surgical advancements available at Children’s Mercy.

Like the combined kidney and liver transplant that saved Brylynn’s life, giving her and Mom more moments just like this. Learn how your LOVE WILL help more kids by giving today at childrensmercy.org/lovewill.

Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch Kearney, Missouri U-PICK STRAWBERRY PATCH, APPLE ORCHARD & PUMPKIN PATCH Over 300 acres of farm fun! Visit the biggest farm - out in the country!

--------------U-Pick Pumpkins, Apples, Strawberries

Farm Animals and Outdoor Games

Corn Maze, Carousel, Cow-Train Country Store, Mums and Decor Live Music, Pig Races Tipsy Cow Shack- Wine & Beer Fresh Honey, Farm Foods & Gift Baskets New Outdoor Attractions!

Sweets & Farm Treats: Pumpkin Donuts, Caramel Apples, Kettle Corn, Apple Cider, Fresh Fudge, Pies, & Plenty More Seasonal Favorites!

U-Pick Strawberry Patch, Apple Orchard, Mums & Flowers, and Pumpkin Patch Follow us @FunFarmPumpkinPatch

650 N Jefferson, Kearney, MO 64060 | www.funfarmpumpkinpatch.com

MAY

2021

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Craft Corner 12 Date Night 14 Media Mix GARDENING WITH KIDS, PG. 36

16 Dear Teachers 17 Word from Dad 18 5 Things 20 Ask the Experts 55 Tasty Treats

FEATURES

SPECIAL SECTIONS 30 Party Guide 42 Camp Guide 58 Calendar of Events

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Consistent Discipline

Camp Guide

New in KC

Why being consistent when disciplining kids matters.

Find tons of great summer camp options for your kids.

10 new things to enjoy in KC this summer.

Our cover features Kellan from Olathe. Photo by Melissa Rieke Photography.

MelissaRiekePhotography.com FREE | MAY 2021 | KCPARENT.COM

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Discipline Like You Mean It

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Celebrate Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day

Help Kids Face Fears

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DISCIPLINE

Benefits of Imaginary Play

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SPECIAL WAYS TO

CELEBRATE

LIKE YOU MEAN IT

I wouldn’t be here without AdventHealth’s ER.

”

— Greg

Stroke survivor

”

Surviving an emergency is no accident.

To Greg, road trips mean freedom. But after suffering a stroke at age 43, his whole life changed. He realized how every second counts, especially when it comes to an emergency. AdventHealth’s ER experts responded fast – and today, Greg is back on the road again.

When the unexpected occurs, know where to go for expert emergency care near you. Because in an emergency, there’s no time to waste… and no room for doubt.

AdventHealthKC.com/ER

EDITOR’SLETTER MAY 2021

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Debbie Clark Debbie@KCParent.com Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Digital Media Intern Anna Hiestand Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers

LOCAL CONTENT

Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Overland Park), Sandy Foster (Grain Valley), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit ), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Julie McKinley (Lee’s Summit), Emily Morrison (Independence), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | MAY 2021 | KCPARENT.COM

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

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UNFORGETTABLE ATTRACTIONS

BABY SKIN CARE 101

PREGNANCY PERKS

Y BA B & MA YE A R S T

AZINE

the ins and outs of your

hospital delivery expecting again?

SPECIAL WAYS TO

CELEBRATE

find out what items to keep and what to toss

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Happy Mother’s Day, KC mommas!

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

WEEKEND GETAWAY EXPLORING DOWNTOWN

LIKE YOU MEAN IT

LOVE IS IN THE AIR GREAT DATES

GEMS OF KANSAS CITY LANDMARKS LOCALS LOVE

.com

I

’ve always viewed my mom as a strong person. She’s dealt with a lot in her life, including the sudden loss of her mother when I was just six weeks old, a child with a chronic health condition, the sudden loss of her husband, and all the other everyday things that life throws your way. But this past year I feel like she’s really been given more than her share to deal with. She lost her son unexpectedly and, a few weeks later, received a cancer diagnosis. This month finds her thick into her chemo journey, and as anyone who’s been through chemo knows, it’s a doozy. But in the midst of it all, she’s remained the positive, strong and upbeat woman that I am proud to call Mom. She continues to amaze me with her strength, spirit and joie de vivre! Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I hope your day is full of peace and relaxation—you deserve it!

In addition to Mother’s Day, May brings the end of the school year and the start of my most favorite time of all—summer! In case it has snuck up on you and you are scrambling for what to do with the kids all season, never fear.

We’ve got you covered! Our Summer Camp Guide has so many great options for kids of all ages. In it you’ll find everything from day camps to specialty camps and more! Grab your calendar and a cup of coffee and page through the guide, starting on pg. 42, to help you get your summer planned in no time at all! And be sure to check out pg. 56 for a list of great new things coming to KC this summer. I can’t wait to visit the koalas at the zoo and see the Union Station exhibit Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

Facebook.com/KansasCityParent Pinterest.com/KCParent @KCParent

Member of:

Circulation verified by:

KC Parent is giving away

10 FAMILY 4-PACKS to Sea Life Aquarium or Legoland Discovery Center.

Details and to enter, visit KCParent.com.

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213

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KCPARENTWEBSITE

KCPARENT.COM Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FUN IDEAS: 1. Best Parks in KC 2. Memorial Day Weekend Fun 3. Celebrate Mother’s Day

4. Virtual Camp Guide 5. Coupons and Giveaways

SPOTLIGHT

6. Perfect Picnic Spots

FARMERS MARKETS Kansas City is home to more than 30 farmers markets. They range from small markets to the City Market with more than 140 local vendors. You can purchase fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, homemade soaps, baked goods and more. Check out the Farmers Market Guide at KCParent.com to find a market near you!

7. Best of May

LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE Choosing the best hospital for the arrival of your baby is an important decision. Use the KCParent.com Labor & Delivery Hospital Guide to find the perfect location for you and your child.

8. Nature Scavenger Hunt

9. Ways to Thank Teachers 10. Calendar of Events

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/KansasCityParent Repin us on Pinterest // Follow us on Twitter @KCParent // Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter at KCParent.com

kcparent.com may 2021

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CRAFTCORNER Mother’s Day is around the corner. She will love this little flower vase with pictures.

Materials needed:

M

Photo Vases other’s Day is right around the corner, and what mom doesn’t love flowers? Make her day extra special by making her a homemade vase with some of her favorite photos!

• Clean vase with smooth sides • Clear packing tape • Large bowl with warm water • Mod Podge • Old credit card or similar sized card

• Paintbrush • Scissors • Assortment of favorite photos

Step one: Take each photo and completely cover it with packing tape.

Optional Items:

I found a standard photo took me 3 pieces of tape to cover the whole photo.

Use the old credit card to smooth out tape and air bubbles as you lay the tape onto the photo. Cut away excess tape from the sides of your picture.

Repeat for as many photos as you would like.

to protect your workspace

Step two: Place photos covered in tape into warm water and allow to sit for around 5-7 minutes until the back of the photo starts to pull off. Leave the photos in longer if needed. Rub the paper off the back of the photos using your fingers. The photo image should remain on the tape.

Step three: Air dry photos face up on your workspace for around 30 minutes. Photos must be completely dry before they will attach to the vase.

Use a blow dryer on a cool, low setting if desired.

Step four: Once photos are dry, lay out your photos to make a collage of them. You can trim your photos if you would like some to be smaller.

Step five: One at a time, apply Mod Podge to the back of a photo, placing the photos onto the vase as you go. You may need to hold the photo down for a few seconds to get it to stick to the vase. Use the old credit card to smooth the photos onto the vase. Please note Mod Podge will dry clear.

Step six: Once all photos have been applied to the vase, cover the whole vase with a layer of Mod Podge. Allow the vase to dry for 24 hours and then apply another layer of Mod Podge.

Step seven: Add flowers on Mother’s Day and watch Mom’s face light up when she receives this awesome gift!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Overland Park with her husband, son and two dogs. Janelle is a former health care executive director and is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

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• Blow dryer • Towel • Newspaper or other old paper

I used to walk my dog all the time, but I

We got a new dog the dog loves me,

Get some scratching posts for your

have not in a while because we have a

but he is absolutely scared of my

kitten. Put a few in different places

new baby. My dog is starting to get

husband. What can I do to help my

around the house, specifically in places

frustrated easily and misses his walks.

dog get used to my husband?

that your kitten likes to scratch: next to

How can I train my dog to walk next to

– Juanita Johnson

the couch in your case. Make sure they

me with the baby in a stroller?

are tall enough that she can stretch up

– Amelia Garcia

My first recommendation is for your

and scratch since cats like to do a lot of

husband to hand feed your dog for the

vertical stretching when they use their

Start out by teaching your dog to walk

next 30 days. This means all meals

nails. You can put cat attractants on the

on a loose leash without the stroller.

come from his hands and his hands

scratching post to lure her to it. I also

This is important and will keep you

only, including treats. This association

recommend trimming her nails

safe so that your dog does not pull

builds trust and teaches your dog that

routinely. To deter her from scratching,

when you have the baby in a stroller.

good things come from him. Create

place sticky tape in areas she is

After the dog has learned how to walk

positive experiences for your husband

scratching. Scratching and sharpening

on a loose leash, start working on

and the dog to build trust. Have your

her nails are normal feline behavior, so

other commands such as “Wait,”

husband take the dog on long walks

we just need to make sure she has the

“Easy,” and “Leave It.” Once your dog

and do training sessions with

tools she needs to do it safely and

knows these commands reliably,

delicious treats. Please have your

nondestructively.

introduce the dog to the stroller slowly

husband avoid forcing interaction.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

and let him check it out on his own. Put

Forcing interactions like petting will

treats near the stroller on the ground to

only cause the dog to take longer to

entice him to check it out, but not in the

trust him. Take it slowly and go at the

stroller. We do not want to associate

dog’s pace to ensure a successful

food with where the baby will be. Next

relationship is being built. If it gets

step is to start loose leash walking next

worse, please seek out a professional

to the stroller without the baby. Once

dog trainer for guidance to protect

FEATURED PET Scarlett

your dog is comfortable with walking with the stroller, you can add your little

We just adopted a kitten and learned

babe and enjoy your walks.

that declawing is not humane and

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

causes many issues for cats long-term.

Our cat is doing great for the most part, but there is a part of the couch she keeps scratching. How can I get her to stop scratching the couch?

– Irene Long

Scarlett is sweet and affectionate and would like nothing more than to settle into a comfy home with a quiet family. She is a two-year-old American Bulldog mix who loves to play with other dogs at the shelter. She can be a little shy around strangers and will need people to take things slow with her, so she’s looking for a home without young kids. Scarlett has several skills under her belt and is ready to show off for her forever family.

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered here in KC Parent magazine.

Animal expert, Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA, is the Director of Animal Behavior & Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has more than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter serving approximately 4,000 animals

www.greatplainsspca.org

annually in the Johnson County community. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Lake Quivira and Johnson County Parks and Recreation and unincorporated Johnson County.

DATES WITH LETTER S

DATENIGHT

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Here are some “s”uper fun date night ideas!

SILO MODERN FARMHOUSE Silo Modern Farmhouse is located at Canyon Farms Golf Club in Lenexa and boasts amazing views of the golf course. But that’s not all they can boast about. Their menu is full of locally-sourced and fresh, made-fromscratch dishes with everything ranging from baked brie en croute and quinoa salad to a bison burger and lamb chops. It’s modern farmhouse fine dining at its best. We went for dinner recently, and everything we had was excellent. A standout choice was the spinach salad with grilled salmon. Seems like such a simple, ordinary thing, but their chipotle honey vinaigrette set it apart from all others. It was delicious! The big thing Silo Modern Farmhouse is known for—and I do mean big—is the 32-layer chocolate cake. Chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, cherry chocolate sauce and vanilla whipped cream—wow!

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS Something unique my husband and I recently did was have a science experiment date night. I hated science in school, so these were all things I’d definitely never done before. We did six different experiments, and three of them were especially fun. The first one I like to call “kaleidoscope.” You pour milk onto a plate and add food coloring.

Then, using a cotton swab dipped in dish soap, touch the milk mixture.

It results in some colorful and unusual interactions. Another one we liked was the floating dry erase stick man. Just draw a stick man—or woman— onto a glass or porcelain dish using a dry erase marker. Then, slowly add water; your stick person will float around. I have to admit—this one was awesome! The final one was homemade lava lamps. You pour one part water into a glass, followed by two parts vegetable oil and some food coloring. Then, you drop in an Alka Seltzer tablet and let the show begin!

SULLY Sully is an excellent movie about Captain Chesley Sullenberger, who became a hero after successfully landing his damaged plane on the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009. Shortly after takeoff, US Airways Flight 1549 hit a flock of geese, and Sully was forced to make some quick decisions. Starring the ever-talented Tom Hanks and directed by Clint Eastwood, the story of the “Miracle on the Hudson” is really two stories in one. It tells of the media and the public’s love of Sully for his heroic feat that saved the lives of all 155 people on board.

But it also tells of an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) going on simultaneously that threatened to end his career and destroy his reputation. The tension ebbs and flows, and, in the end, Hanks—and his tidy moustache—delivers an enjoyable performance not to be missed.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City.

They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.

FOR GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS STARTING WITH A-R, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM!

Building Great Smiles for Life!

Four convenient locations near you!

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MEDIAMIX

We Are Water Protectors Written by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated

by Michaela Goade

“Water is the first medicine,” Nokomis (‘Grandmother’ in Ojibwe) told me. We come from water.” So begins We Are Water Protectors.

Within the Ojibwe culture, men are responsible for protecting the fire, and women are responsible for protecting the water. This story follows a Native American girl as she learns about the sacredness of water and its importance to the earth and all creatures therein.

But there are stories. Stories of a black snake that will ruin everything in its path: the water, plants, animals, everything! It must be stopped! Every living thing is interconnected. The girl must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!

The illustrations in We Are Water Protectors are as beautiful as the story is powerful. Michaela Goade is the first Native American to win the Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children.

Peace Written by Baptiste and Miranda Paul, illustrated by Esteli Meza

“Peace is old like the stars and new as a birth.

And if we embrace it peace cradles the earth.”

This beautifully illustrated concept book looks at many ways we can bring peace into our own lives and the lives of others.

Some suggestions are simple, like waving hello, pronouncing your friend’s name correctly, and sharing a smile and hug with others. Some touch on forgiveness and giving more than you take and might be more challenging for children, but they are wonderful concepts to introduce to the smallest of readers.

The lovely rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations are sure to capture the attention of children of all ages.

Husband and wife team Baptiste and Miranda Paul are award-winning authors.

Illustrator Esteli Meza was awarded the A la Orilla del Viento in 2018, Mexico’s most important award for picture books.

Animals Brag About Their Bottoms Written and illustrated by Maki Saito.

This cute book begins with a darling little bunny exclaiming, “Look at my bottom!” on the title page. The bunny goes on to say, “My bottom is such a round bottom—and so cute, don’t you think?”

The bunny’s question is answered by a hippopotamus. He makes a comparison between the two bottoms, and on it goes with various animals of all shapes and sizes commenting on the uniqueness and beauty of each of their own bottoms! This is a fun book for everyone.

Several concepts are introduced such as color and pattern, and the book provides a great lesson on body positivity. The playful illustrations were created using paper collage, stenciled paintings, and a Japanese dyeing technique known as bingata. Saito has written several books in Japanese. This is her first book in English.

Sandy Foster lives in Grain Valley and is a Bookstagrammer (@picturebookapotamus), freelance writer and mother of two.

You can find children’s book reviews and resources at HappyBeingMom.com.

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BEST BURGERS I N

K A N S A S

C I T Y

May is National Hamburger Month. Celebrate the American classic with a trip to one of our favorite diners, driveins or dives.

Smitty’s Garage Burger and Beer (EatAtTheGarage.com) The newest restaurant on our list, Smitty’s isn’t your typical burger joint. This restaurant specializes in specialty burgers—and we’re talking specialty! The Garage offers everything from bison to turkey to angus beef burgers and vegan patties. And their fries?

The house cut fries served with a variety of dipping sauces and homemade chips are favorites.

Proudly Supported By:

Town Topic, Kansas City’s original greasy spoon with three locations (TownTopic.com), has been open for more than 75 years as a local landmark. In 1937, Claude Sparks opened the original location at 24th & Broadway, where he sold hamburgers for 5 cents each. At the end of his first day, he pocketed a whopping $21.00, and now the diner is a favorite for greasy home-style breakfasts, diner-style burgers, hand-dipped malts and fresh pie.

Johnny Ray’s Drive-In (816.524.1910), since 1956, has been serving steakburgers with “all the fixin’s,” homemade malts and see-through-the-bag fries and rings at a drive-in that feels as though it is straight from the screen of a ’50s car classic.

Celebrating the vibe, they host cruise-ins every third Saturday of the month, 3:00-10:00, all summer long. Enjoy the classic cars on display … with a side of fries.

Tara’s Cafe & Malt Shop (816.331.0156) is the perfect lunch spot after a day riding the rails on the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad. The café, a neighborhood hangout and local favorite, is your classic greasy spoon, serving tenderloins, burgers, chili dogs, a variety of desserts and ice cream dishes. The chocolate Coke, as found only in the finest of diners and dives, is a must!

Christy’s Tasty Queen (913.287.2800) has been serving customers for more than 40 years. When you feast at this authentic drive-in, you eat in your car or at a picnic table.

Christy’s is best known for their amazing tenderloin, but the juicy, thick burgers are another classic that can’t be missed.

Anheuser-Busch: AB CSR

Production Job# 321256

Project Name: Trim Size:

Item Number: PCA2017016 Date/Round:

Legal Drinking Age 3.6" x 9.875"

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Creative Job# XXXXXX

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Q&A DEARTEACHERS

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

HELPING CHILDREN BECOME RESPONSIBLE

KEEPING SCHOOL SKILLS SHARP

QUESTION: My parents never reminded me to do schoolwork. I

QUESTION: How can I keep learning alive

somehow had a built-in desire to handle it myself. How can I get my children to have the same attitude? – Lacking Responsibility

for two fairly good students in the summer?

I don’t want them to lose basic skills.

– Building Skills

ANSWER: It is not just schoolwork that your children need to be responsible for as they grow up. It is a lot of other things, from making their beds and cleaning their rooms to putting dirty dishes in the sink and dishwasher. So what you have to do is teach them to be responsible people from early childhood, and it will extend over to handling their schoolwork with some special help from you.

Taking responsibility is an action that brings pride to children as they do things by themselves and not have their parents do things for them.

It starts when parents invite their children to help with indoor or outdoor chores. You begin by showing them how to handle a small task, such as matching pairs of socks, and then give them this responsibility.

One thing parents often forget to give children is the responsibility of monitoring their own work. By this, we mean looking at tests, homework and assignments and seeing what they have done right or wrong. When they have been successful, they need to think about why this happened so it can be repeated. Parents can foster this responsibility by giving their approval for a job well done.

On the other hand, when students do poorly, they need to evaluate why it happened. Did they work too fast? Did they fail to get needed help?

Finally, handling homework successfully depends a lot on having strategies to handle it effectively. This involves parental involvement in helping children learn which assignment they should handle first (easiest or most difficult) and what to do when they run into work that they can’t do. The answer is usually to study examples of similar work that they have done at school.

ANSWER: Most parents realize the secret to continued academic success for their children is to keep them reading during the summer. If you are running short of ideas, go online to ReadWriteThink.org and search for summer reading. Here you’ll find activities to help children from ages 4 to 18 explore reading and writing all summer long.

And don’t forget to bolster your children’s math skills. Most lose more ground in math than reading. Try to play games with them that require math. If your children like to use the computer, have them search online for “summer math activities.” For lots of fun with math, have them work with “Learning Activities – Math” on our Dear Teacher website.

Beyond bolstering their basic skills, remember that summer is a wonderful time to help your children expand their horizons. They also could take art or music lessons. Many would probably enjoy throwing clay on a pottery wheel and then painting the unique creation. Start researching now for what safe opportunities are available in your community.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or to the Dear Teacher website. © Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2020

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WORDFROMDAD

cherry preserves “Bill, don’t eat that. It’s for your mother.

She does a lot around here and she deserves a little something, just for herself.”

I put the jar of cherry preserves back into the refrigerator. In my late teens, I could recognize how right my stepdad was.

Mom had more than earned a little treat for herself.

When I was very young, the budget could handle an occasional luxury like cherry preserves, but each dollar had a destination. When the price of a jar could also buy two or more gallons of gas, this indulgence was frequently ignored.

The seasons turned into years and, one by one, my siblings left to start their own homes, freeing up some of the budget for my parents to pamper themselves. Dad bought a fishing boat, and the whole family went camping at the lake. Mom satisfied herself with something much more simple, and it became common to see her enjoy a cup of coffee with a slice of toast, covered with cherry preserves.

After my own marriage, I dropped by Mom’s for a solo visit every now and then, usually the evening before a holiday. We sat at the table and chatted over a cup of coffee and some toast. She always offered some of her precious cherry preserves, but I usually declined. I got more pleasure by watching her enjoy this little treat.

Some fifteen years or so after my mother’s passing, I thought I’d become accustomed to this void in my life. But, one day, I had an idea, and I bought a jar of cherry preserves on the way home from work.

Later that night when the house was quiet, I sat with a cup of coffee and a slice of toast, covered with cherry preserves.

And I remembered my mom.

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William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family. kcparent.com may 2021

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FIVETHINGS Summer Moon Coffee

Nail Polish Strips Let me say off the bat, I don’t sell Color Street nail polish strips. Now you know this is unsolicited and something I just really love right now! I got invited to an online party and decided to give them a try.

Well, I am hooked. I love a nice manicured nail, but both dip and gel manicures just wreck my nails (and I’m not good about making appointments to get them done regularly).

The Color Street strips are easy to apply, and I get a full week of nicely painted nails. I take them off after a week to give my nails a few days’ break before applying the next set. So many fun colors and designs to choose from! ColorStreet.com

My older and I went out for coffee recently and decided to venture off our beaten path and try someplace new. I’m so glad we did! Summer Moon opened recently in Overland Park, and it is well worth the time to make a visit. The company, based in Texas, recently expanded to outside the Lone Star State, and I’m glad they chose Kansas! I don’t have a clue what’s in their secret moon milk, but I do know that it’s creamy and delicious! It’s only been a week since our first visit, and we’re already planning our next!

SummerMoonCoffee.com

5

THINGS WE

LOVE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Fuzzy Slides I’d wear flip flops or sandals all year if I could. I love being able to slip on a shoe before heading out.

A few years back, my older daughter found these fuzzy slides by Qupid, and they are totes cute and totes comfortable. Perfect for when I need to run out to the store or when I’m heading to the pool! Side note: Naturally, a pedicure is needed before slide and flip flop season. Currently sporting Japanese Rose Garden. Side, side note: Who gets to name nail polish? I think that would be a fun job! Qupid.com

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Document Scanner With a child in high school and another traveling hither and yon on her gap year, I find myself almost weekly having to scan and send a document.

My scanner recently stopped working, so it was kind of getting to be a pain to scan and email or text something. Enter the “Notes” app on your iPhone. A friend shared that it has a scanner feature and it has made things so much easier!

Open notes, choose to write a new note and in the new note choose the camera icon and voila!

You’ll see an option to scan. You’re welcome!

Potted Flowers I don’t have a green thumb, and I don’t really enjoy gardening, yard work or anything along those lines. What I do like is pretty plants and flowers and having a yard that looks nice. Enter Family Tree Nursery.

For the past few years, I’ve gotten the loveliest pots filled with beautiful flowers for the front of our house at Family Tree Nursery. The arrangements are spectacular, and I receive many compliments.

And although I don’t love working in the yard, I do manage to keep them alive all season! FamilyTreeNursery.com

TURN UP THE JAMS

One of the best ways to turn off a bad day is to turn up the music. Happy music makes everyone feel better and will certainly change your mood. Challenge yourself to create a playlist designed for tough days.

Think of songs like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams—start with tunes like that and go from there. It’s hard enough having a hard day, so change your day by changing the music. Jump around a few times, and I promise you’ll feel better.

A NIGHT OUT

Better

WAYS TO FEEL

AFTER A BAD DAY

W

e all have tough days.

Bills add up, and the kids need shoes or clothes. Dinner has to be cooked. Your boss was a little harder on you today than usual. You are definitely not alone. So how do you manage your life, the responsibilities you have as a parent and not completely lose your mind after having a bad day? Take a deep breath—we have you covered. Keep reading and you’ll be fine.

EXERCISE

Exercising is great way to cope with a bad day. A half-hour at the gym not only stimulates great blood flow, but it also clears your thoughts—and it makes you even more proactive. Yoga is a great form of exercise that motivates your body while it clears your thoughts. The best part of exercise is that it comes in more than one form. If the gym is really not your thing, consider breathing exercises. So many of them relieve stress, reduce anxiety and, over all, just plain old make you feel better.

Take some time to appreciate you. We can be our own worst critics sometimes, magnifying our shortcomings and our difficult situations. Have you ever had a terrible day you just couldn’t let go of—all you could think about was everything you did wrong and how things gradually just got worse? First things first: Let it go. Second thing is to take a night off. Self-love is not selfish! We all deserve a night off, and if you have a close friend you can take out with you, you can really make it a night. You and I both know you deserve a break.

COOK WITH YOUR KIDS

Your job as a parent is never over, so why not take out the frustrations of a bad day by working in the kitchen? When I was younger, some of the best memories I made were between me, my mom and our kitchen.

We would craft full course meals and laugh when we made mistakes that no one noticed later at the dinner table. When you’re having a bad day, keep the recipes simple, fun and creative. One great idea for killing two birds with one stone is to punch the dough around for a scratch-made pizza. You get to knock around something and spend time with your kids. You also settle any questions about dinner—so maybe three birds with one stone.

Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

MEET THE

EXPERTS We have a wide range of experts on hand to answer your questions on everything from dental visits and playdates to dance lessons, lawns and so much more!

If you have a question that needs answering, get in touch.

Dr. Jeremy Fry

Rochelle Harris, PhD

FRY ORTHODONTICS

CHILDREN’S MERCY

At Fry Orthodontics, we have been providing superior service to patients of all ages for more than 40 years while helping them achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

913.469.9191, FryOrthodontics.com

Children’s Mercy is one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers. With hospitals and specialty clinics in Missouri and Kansas, we provide the highest level of care for children.

816.234.3000, ChildrensMercy.org

Rebecca Tusken, MD, FAAP

Megan Maciel

ADVENTHEALTH

KVC KANSAS

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s pediatricians and primary care providers offer compassionate, expert care for children of all ages. Find a provider at AdventHealthKC.com.

KVC Kansas provides heart-centered services to children and families through in-home family support, foster care, adoption, behavioral health care and children’s psychiatric hospitals.

913.499.8100, Kansas.kvc.org

ASK THE EXPERTS...If you have a question, send it our way and we’ll ask one of our experts to answer.

Email editor@kcparent.com and put “Ask the Experts” in the subject line.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any medical questions or concerns.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Q

Q

What are some good questions to ask when choosing an orthodontist?

My kids fight all the time!

How can I help them to get along?

What percentage of your patients have braces twice? This number should be very low, 5-10 percent.

If that number is higher, there is a chance that there is excessive treatment being offered. At Fry Orthodontics, only 5 percent of patients need braces twice.

If the orthodontics is completed prior to the payment plan being completely paid, will the braces be removed or kept on? At Fry Orthodontics, when the treatment is completed, the braces will be removed regardless of the balance on the payment plan. The payment plan can continue to be paid after the braces are off.

Sibling squabbles are normal and teach conflict resolution and forgiveness. But if your kids are fighting too much, here are some tips to help. Over several days, record when they get along, when they fight and what everyone is doing at those times. Provide frequent and specific praise when they play well together. Briefly remove access to objects they fight over (toys, tablets). With physical fighting, separate them immediately and put both in time-out; if there’s crying comfort briefly, saying, “Sorry, you are not getting along.” Wait before asking if they can resolve their arguments; if either says no, separate them briefly. Don’t ask who started it; both are culpable.

Dr. Jeremy Fry

Rochelle Harris, Child Psychologist

Fry Orthodontics

Children’s Mercy

Q

Q

Our nighttime routine takes forever! How can I get my kids to stay in bed at bedtime?

What supports are available to foster families?

In general, children thrive on routine, and bedtime is no exception. Taking the same steps in the same order at the same time every night can help provide structure and set expectations. Often, toddlers will challenge bedtime, and routine becomes pivotal, as does flexibility. Talk about what happens next, set a timer for the next step, let your child make some choices (which books, in what order, brush teeth or read first, sing or read, etc.). Follow through on the plan calmly, gently redirect your child back to bed if he gets out, and praise him the following morning for staying in his own bed all night.

KVC is committed to every foster parent’s success and provides personalized support to your family.

We encourage our foster parents to develop a support system around them and work with extended family, faith communities, employers, and friends to develop a network of care around the family, as any parent would. KVC provides ongoing training opportunities to address specific behavioral needs, working with birth families and navigating the child welfare system.

Additionally, we offer access to a clothing closet, school supplies, holiday gifts and ongoing supports.

Rebecca Tusken

Megan Maciel

Johnson County Pediatrics AdventHealth

Director of Recruitment and Communication KVC Kansas

kcparent.com may 2021

21

favorite places to

play

It’s time to enjoy playtime with the kids! These are some of our favorite places to play locally:

in kansas city

• F lip for fun at Urban Air–more than a trampoline park.

Experience virtual reality games, sail over the park on the Sky Rider and enjoy rock wall climbing.

• Science City at Union Station overflows with indoor and

outdoor fun. The Let’s Play exhibit is specially designed for the youngest children to play and develop gross-motor skills.

Creative Corner blends art and science in an imaginative way.

And the outdoor play space is a favorite for KC kids.

• Legoland Discovery Center offers a fun, highly interactive and

educational 2- to 3-hour indoor experience. With play areas, rides, a 4D cinema and more, this is an exciting, hands-on outing kids love.

• Legends Outlets recently debuted the Lawn, a greenspace Legoland Discovery Center

centerpiece of the shopping center that offers live concerts, yoga classes and events throughout the year. In between events, it’s a great place to hang out and enjoy the outdoors with friends.

• KidScape at the Johnson County Museum is a whimsical, handson, child-sized city. Children time travel to different periods and communities from the region’s past. They enjoy pretend play as they work on the farm, perform at the theater or the puppet show, teach in the school, deliver the mail, care for patients at the hospital and fry up some burgers at the diner.

• Explore Sea Life Aquarium where you get up close and face-toScience City at Union Station

face with amazing underwater creatures such as sharks, octopus, a green sea turtle named Gertrude, stingrays, sea stars, seahorses, jellyfish and thousands of colorful fish!

• Paint your own pottery at Ceramic Cafe. Clay building, ceramic painting and glass fusing are all offered at Ceramic Cafe.

• The Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a wonderful way to experience history firsthand. On the first Saturday of the month (June-September), they host free family fun days as reenactors bring the 19th-century village to life.

• Visit Louisburg and tour Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary, which

cares for real big cats. On Saturday evenings, attend one of the big cat feeders and keeper chats to learn more about the facility.

• Carousels were once made in Kansas, and now you can visit Shoal Creek Living History Museum

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the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. Learn about C.W. Parker, the founder of a carousel factory in Leavenworth, and ride an authentic 1913 carousel.

The starting point for a healthy smile.

We specialize in giving kids the care and special consideration they need for successful dental care.

Locations:

OVERLAND PARK 913-553-2492

LEGENDS 913-948-8688

LEAWOOD 913-491-5044

NEW

StartingPointDental.com Owner John P. Roth DDS and family Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry Specialist in Orthodontics

kcparent.com may 2021

23

Magical Modeling RAISE A SELFLESS KID

W

hen you turn on the TV news or pull up the latest news on your phone, it’s likely a negative report or story of others’ hardships. Maybe a family lost everything in a tornado, or someone fell victim to a crime. Our basic human instinct tells us to empathize and stress for a moment about those who are having a rough time.

Kids are born with the ability to empathize to an extent, but selflessness and caring for others is a learned, modeled behavior. The best and most important thing parents can do to raise selfless kids is to give them opportunities to help others. Expose them to activities that promote selflessness.

For us adults, putting others before ourselves can sometimes be a hard thing, so teaching our kids may be hard, too. Yet teaching children that the world does not just revolve around them is an important lesson. Here are a few ways to encourage selflessness in your kiddos.

Read about it Don’t be afraid to check out a few books on the subject, like How to Raise Selfless Kids in a Self-Centered World, Raising Uncommon Kids or Here Come the Helpers.

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Be kind to strangers

Model selflessness

Even if you’re just out at the grocery store with your kids, let them see you treat strangers with love and respect. Let someone in front of you in the checkout line. Tell people “excuse me” when you walk past them. Your kids will pick up on these subtle gestures.

If you’ve got a full cart of groceries but see an elderly couple standing behind you in the checkout line, let them ahead of you.

Tell your kids later that even though it’s hard to wait our turn sometimes, patience is a virtue, and it makes others happy if we can put them first once in a while.

Find volunteer opportunities You don’t necessarily have to take your kids to an open-door food kitchen but try to find little ways to help out in your community. Take them with you to drop off a bag of gently used items at a second-hand store. Pick up pieces of trash at the park (with gloves, of course, and making sure you safely wash and sanitize hands afterwards).

Adopt a puppy at the animal shelter together (if a new pet happens to be on your radar).

Do chores together Have your kids help you load the dishwasher a few times a week. Vacuum the living room floor together. Ask your son or daughter to walk with you to grab the mail. Let kids know their assistance to you is a big help and that you appreciate it. This might motivate them to take initiative later in helping if they know it makes you happy.

They’ll want to help others, too.

Help them care for others Teach big brother that little sister is so happy when he invites her to play race cars or dinosaurs with him. Even if he wants to play alone sometimes, she likes to feel included, and including her means he cares for her.

Recognize their selfless acts Most importantly, if you see your children exhibiting a positive, helpful behavior you’ve modeled, let them know.

Tell them you’re so proud and thank them for taking out the trash or helping a sibling with homework or feeding the dog.

Acknowledge that you see their actions and appreciate them.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, 5-year old son and dog.

If you want to delve even deeper into this topic with your kids, Scholastic offers a great list of children’s books about helping and empathy. Here are just a few to add to your list.

• Clark the Shark Dares to Share • Llama Llama Time to Share • Bear Feels Sick • Be Fair and Share!

• One Love • Little Blue Truck • How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?

• The Berenstain Bears: Kindness Counts • What Does It Mean to Be Kind?

• The Story of Ferdinand • Do Unto Otters • Clifford’s Good Deeds • The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade • How Full Is Your Bucket?

• Last Stop on Market Street • Kindness and Generosity: It Starts

Want More in Life?

Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children 4,000 Kansas City area children are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The need for new foster and adoptive parents is greater than ever.

Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may qualify.

We provide free training, 24/7 support, and monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs.

with Me!

• A Chair for My Mother • The Three Questions

Contact us to learn more. (888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org kcparent.com may 2021

25

DISCIPLINE L I K E

H

ow many times have you counted to three when your child misbehaves? And then counted to four. And five. And okay, once 10 gets here, things are going to get ugly.

We’ve all done it.

Giving out consequences is tough. After all, we love our children with all our hearts and souls. We want them to have fun and magical moments during their formative years. But the truth is, kids need us parents to mean what we say and say what we mean. In the moment, giving in and letting bad behavior slide seems harmless.

Unfortunately, every time that slide is allowed, it leaves the door open for bad habits and even worse future behavior.

Doling out consistent discipline should be like brushing your teeth: a habit. You wouldn’t let three days pass without cleaning those pearly whites, would you? (If you would, we have other issues to address.) Don’t let your discipline slide, either. Here’s how to keep things consistent.

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Y O U

M E A N

I T

EYE CONTACT

DON’T ASK

When you are informing your children of the consequences they’re cruising toward, get on their level. Kneel down and insist they listen with their whole body.

Look in their eyes and have them look in yours. You want there to be absolutely no confusion about what is expected of them.

“If you continue this, I’ll take away your toy, okay?” Whoa. Why would you ask your children whether it’s okay to give them a consequence for their behavior? Just by asking, you’ve literally told them that they have a say in their consequence. No, my friend, you’re the adult; no questions asked.

BE PREPARED

NO NEGOTIATIONS

Don’t wait for the heat of the moment to threaten a consequence. You’ll end up saying something arbitrary like, “If you keep that up … uh … you’re not going to like what happens!” All your child will hear is a challenge. What will happen?

Will Mom really do something terrible? If nothing else, your child could see this as encouragement to test how awful things can get.

Keep the consequences clear. “If you throw your food, you will have your favorite lovey taken away for the rest of the day.” That’s it.

Now for the next step. It gets harder.

This is not a trial. Your child cannot plead insanity for a lesser sentence. Obviously, you and your partner should ensure consequences match the behavior. But once those consequences are established, they are in stone.

Batting pretty eyelashes shouldn’t lessen the consequence. Stand firm and follow through.

CONCISE AND QUICK No dissertations needed. If you’ve done your work on the front end, they won’t be necessary anyway. Pick a time when you and your partner can sit down with your child and talk through consequences for repeated bad behavior before it happens.

Hitting anyone = This consequence Getting out of bed after being tucked in = This consequence Telling Mom or Dad “no” = This consequence If your child can read, writing out the consequences will eliminate the “but I didn’t know this was going to happen!” response.

BE PREPARED TO LEAVE Have you ever noticed your children really test the boundaries when you’re out doing something extra special? That’s because they’re hedging their bets that you’ll be too weak to leave. This can be a real gut check for a parent, but it’s a biggie. If you don’t think you’ll have the will power to follow up on the “we will leave this movie” threat, don’t even go to begin with. I’ll never forget the time I walked my child right out of an amusement park 10 minutes after we arrived. There was kicking, screaming and maybe even Exorcist-level head spinning.

Ultimately, my husband and I stood strong and refused to give in to our son’s atrocious behavior. The good news is he still remembers it to this day and acts accordingly.

MORE QUICK TIPS FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH

REWARD GOOD BEHAVIOR

Do not yell – If your child is far away, walk over to speak to him and remind him of what is coming if he continues his behavior.

Stay calm – Keep your voice slow, even and steady. If you feel your emotions boiling over, take a step away until you can regain control.

Yes, this article has mostly focused on the bad behavior, so let’s give a proper shout-out to the good. When your children learn from their consequences, turn on a 1,000-watt smile and call out precisely what they did right. “I’m so proud you asked to be excused from the table and waited for us to say yes! You are so awesome for doing what you know is right!” In the end, your kids want to please you, so let them know when they do.

Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and son.

Once isn’t enough – Following through isn’t a once every week effort. The good news is the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results.

Give respect – Resist the urge to baby talk or voice. Speak to your child, even a toddler, like a grown up. Show her you will treat her with respect, and she will do the same back.

Try, try, try – Starting a new discipline regime will have growing pains. Your child might think it’s a passing phase at first and push boundaries even farther. Stay the course and you’ll come out the other side.

Give yourself a break – Did I mention parenting is hard? Well, it is. Don’t forget to reward yourself when you get it right.

ENROLLING FOR FALL AGES 3-5

Schedule a Tour Today Northland Christian Preschool – Half Day & Full Day

816-436-3864 kingofkingselc.org

Located at 96th Street & Maple Woods Pkwy kcparent.com may 2021

27

special ways to celebrate

Mom’s Day W

ith Mother’s Day just around the corner, do you know how you’ll celebrate your mom this year? With mask orders and social distancing still in effect, there’s a lot we still shouldn’t do quite yet; however, there are also a lot of fun ideas we can do! Here are just a few fun ideas to consider when planning what to do for Mom this year.

• Make a card. Forgo the store-bought cards this year and, instead, get creative

and gift her a sweet, homemade card she will treasure for years to come. Moms love receiving notes and drawings from their kids, no matter what age! Another great idea is to write all of the reasons you love her on Post-It notes and hang them throughout the house or on her door!

• Send a fun video. Record yourself reading a favorite poem or short story about

your mom, or sing one of her favorite songs. You might also consider reciting all of the wonderful qualities you love most about her.

• Try a virtual cooking class. Does your mom love to cook or bake? Set her up on Zoom and let her teach you how to make one of her family secrets. What better way than to learn from the master herself!

• Start a family book club. Invite Mom, Grandma, siblings, friends and anyone

else who may enjoy reading some great literature and discussing it with one another. Set up a day each week to meet virtually and talk about what you read.

• Take an online class together. You can find classes for pretty much anything

nowadays, from painting to crocheting to yoga and meditation. Find an interest you and your mom share then treat her to a class on the subject.

• Have a picnic. Going outside is always refreshing, especially in the midst of a

pandemic. Pack up some of your mom’s favorite goodies and take her to a park, lake or even your own backyard. If getting together still isn’t plausible, drop off some yummy picnic food on her doorstep and meet virtually to enjoy the picnic together.

• Set up a virtual brunch or tea party. Surprise your mom by contacting a few of her friends or distant family members and setting up a virtual get-together she will never forget. Gift her an invitation to the virtual party and watch her smile light up the room!

• Watch a movie together. Whether it’s an old favorite or a newer flick

you’ve both been wanting to see, arrange a time to meet through video chat or speaker phone and enjoy the movie (and chit chat) together.

You might even consider sending her or dropping off on her porch a mug, some fun snacks and a pair of cozy socks for your movie night.

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• Take Mom strawberry picking. Kansas City offers

several great locations for strawberry picking, including Fun Farm in Kearny. For more locations, visit KCParent.com. Don’t forget your camera.

This is a perfect opportunity to take some fun family photos.

• Go on a virtual garden tour. Is your mom an

avid gardener? If so, invite her to join you on a virtual tour of some of the world’s most stunning gardens. Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny and the Keukenhof in Amsterdam (50,000 tulips) are just a couple that you may want to visit together virtually.

• Go online antiquing together. You never know

where you’ll find that one-of-a-kind vintage find!

Because traditional antiquing may not be an option, send Mom a gift card to a vintage emporium like Ruby Lane, Artfire, Bonanza, Antiques and Tchotchkes or Etsy—to name just a few. Then just hop on the phone to browse the sites together.

• Treat Mom to a manicure and/or pedicure. If

you’d rather not visit the spas at this time, give your mom a mani/pedi in the comfort of her (or your) own home. You might include some extra little gifts such as bubble bath, at-home massage tools and some sweet-smelling lotions. Make her feel like a million bucks!

• Set up a tailgate picnic. If Mom is itching to get

out of the house, set up a tailgate somewhere scenic or special, bring some of her favorites to munch on and enjoy some fresh air together.

• Write her a letter. When was the last time you

wrote a letter to your mom? It’s probably been a while, so dig out some nice stationary and a favorite pen and handwrite a letter to her. Let her know you love her and add in some fun memories you have from the past that are guaranteed to make her smile.

The letter doesn’t have to be long, and you can even include a fun photo of the two of you together.

Gather as many family members as you can for this game of trivia.

Ahead of time, create a set of questions about all of the moms in the family. (What’s her favorite dessert? Where was she born? How many siblings did she have?) Then, set up a virtual call (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) with all of the family members.

If you prefer doing this more intimately, have everyone safely gather in the living room to play.

Whatever you choose to do for Mother’s Day this year, let this list spark some inspiration for showing the special women in your life some extra love.

Gina Klein is a mom and author who resides in Kansas City with her husband, two daughters and a houseful of wonderful pets.

Quick Quiz: What year did Mother’s Day become an official holiday?

• 1908 • 1910 • 1914 • 1920

Who created the modern Mother’s Day holiday?

• Louisa May Alcott • Anna Jarvis • Florence Nightingale • L.M. Montgomery (Answer: Anna Jarvis)

the night before and hang a beautiful wreath on her door. It can be one you find at your local gardening store or one you make by hand. Decorating her front porch with an array of beautiful flowers in whimsical pots and garden décor is another fun idea to brighten her day!

• Play Mother’s Day trivia.

(Answer: 1914)

• Decorate her front door. Sneak over to her house

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29

PARTYGUIDE (Family Features)

1

Set a theme. Building your

celebration around a theme that reflects your child brings an added touch of fun and excitement. Popular options include a favorite color, sport, activity or character. While the Internet offers a mind-boggling array of ideas for crafting the perfect theme, there also are a variety of party-ready options for busy moms with limited time.

5 simple tips FOR BIRTHDAY BASH SUCCESS

3

Amp up the activity. Create opportunities for all the little partygoers to participate in the festivities with interactive games that

If your party menu calls for more than cake and ice cream, you can take advantage of another avenue to carry through your theme.

A little creativity, some clever monikers and a few basic modifications can quickly transform everyday snacks into festive fun. For example, a dinosaur party might feature Brontosaurus Burgers and T-Rex Trail Mix.

5

2

Decorate the guests. There’s no reason to stop with streamers and balloons. Integrate your guests into the decor with fun activities that bring your theme to life. Face paint, washable tattoos or stamps let little guests take an active role in the party and express a little creativity of their own.

4

Add some fancy to the food.

tie back to the theme of the party.

Old-school favorites like pin-the-tail on the donkey can be updated to reflect today’s popular characters; makeyour-own slime or clay is the perfect project for a group of mad scientists; or a treasure hunt can be adapted to nearly any theme.

Have an Unforgettable Party!

Movies2U is KC’s premier provider & facilitator of outdoor and indoor cinema events

Offer a fond farewell. No birthday party is complete without treats to send partygoers home happy. However, goodie bags need not be costly or elaborate. An inexpensive item such as bubbles or sidewalk chalk tied in theme-colored ribbon is a fun choice for many ages. When it comes to candy, favorite Hershey’s products – from Kit Kat Miniatures to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures to iconic Kisses chocolates – are now available in birthday-themed designs for a sweet ending to any celebration.

P rincess at my Party

Have your favorite princess at your party!

Parties Include: Story Games Facepaint Music Prizes & More

Parties starting at

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Rachel Johnson

rachel@princessatmyparty.com

816.830.4841

www.princessatmyparty.com

Where fun

TAKES FLIGHT! With attractions that cater to any level of adventurer, there’s something fun for everyone.

Both locations now open

UrbanAirLenexa.com

8554 Maurer Road • Lenexa, KS 66219 • (913) 359-5800

UrbanAirOverlandPark.com

14401 Metcalf Ave • Overland Park, KS 66223 • (913) 298-0626

CELEBRATE YOUR EVENT!

Four THRILLING themes to choose from, with four NEW themes on the way in 2021.

New Party Room! Bring in pizza, cake, or other food to enjoy after your game.

For more information see our website: TickTockEscapeRooms.com Tick Tock Escape Rooms · 6398 College Blvd. · Overland Park, KS 66211 · (913) 396-9144 kcparent.com may 2021

31

Unhelpful THINGS PARENTS SAY

ST I CKS A N D STO N E S M AY B R E AK MY B O N E S, B UT WO R D S W I L L N EV E R H U R T M E.

W

e all know the adage isn’t true—and if anyone’s words hold power in the heart of a child, it’s the words that come directly from Mom and Dad. Parents influence both the conscience and the ego of their children, so it’s especially important that both criticism and encouragement come in ways that are life-building and true. Here are some alternatives to some common yet unhelpful things parents say.

YOU’RE JUST FINE. Perhaps you heard this as a child. Many a well-meaning parent has said it with the intention of calming a child down. But telling a child to calm down or stop crying doesn’t teach a child how to do either.

Instead, it denies that a problem exists, further exacerbating the issue. Kids need parents to help them learn to manage their emotions, not avoid them completely. What may seem trite to you could be a huge deal for your child. Instead of shutting down a

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conversation, empathize with your child’s feelings first and then seek to help your youngster discover ways to find resolution.

That way, your child will feel safe coming to you with future disappointments and heartbreaks.

WHY CAN’T YOU BE MORE LIKE YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER? Sibling rivalry comes part and parcel with family dynamics. Adding comparison or favoritism to the mix only intensifies the situation. When a child hears your standard for excellence is someone else, his selfesteem is easily shaken. Sadly, comparisons don’t do much to change behavior, either— and if it does, it will be for the wrong reasons, like trying to please people or get your approval. Kids need to be intrinsically motivated to do what’s right for right motives, not to avoid the disappointment of an upset parent. Instead of pitting big brother and little sister against one another, seek to acknowledge your children’s individual strengths and weaknesses as ways

that make them distinctly unique. Be sure to champion good effort when you see kids trying to do their best—whatever that may be.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Because perfection isn’t attainable, it shouldn’t be the goal. Excellence shows itself not just in grades or final scores but also in metrics that cannot be as easily quantified, like effort, grit (bouncing back through failure or adversity) and positivity.

Encourage your children’s efforts and applaud the work and good character they show when striving for their goals, not just the outcome itself. Kids who know they are loved and accepted regardless of an outcome are less likely to struggle with performance anxiety and more eager to try new or difficult things.

STOP BEING SO SHY. Our culture glorifies outgoing personalities, but there are beauties to every personality type. Resist telling your child he

needs to stop being shy, as though it were a bad thing to be fixed or an excuse for a poor behavior. Instead, offer some roleplaying scenarios so your child develops the skills to engage in conversation more comfortably next time he is out and about with you. With your child alongside you, seek to model healthy ways to make and maintain conversation with friends, family and neighbors, so he can learn firsthand. And help him be the best version of himself, not someone he’s not. Most importantly? Don’t force your child to speak if he isn’t comfortable. Provide tools, offer opportunities to practice and extend plenty of patience.

GIVE THEM A HUG. A lot of things are outside children’s control. Bedtime. What’s for dinner. When they need to be at school. But one thing that can empower a child is knowing they have autonomy over their body. Let your children know that absolutely no one has any right to hug, hold or touch them without their consent. Many parents think

they are teaching their child affection when insisting that they hug or kiss a family member or a friend. But requiring kids to conform to someone else’s wishes at the expense of their own personal boundaries can translate into future problems with boundary setting that could ultimately have dangerous consequences. Children often need an advocate with this, as many older family members and friends may push or pry, insisting it’s not a big deal. Stand your ground and teach your child to do the same.

I TOLD YOU SO. No adult responds well to hearing this, so why do we think it will have a different effect on our kids? Oftentimes parents think quipping this will establish the credibility of their wisdom, but telling your kids, “I told you so,” on a regular basis only undermines a child’s ability to make good decisions and comes off as insensitive in the midst of frustration. Hold your tongue and allow your children to learn from their mistakes. Experience, after all, is often the best teacher.

WHAT’S TAKING YOU SO LONG? We all have those mornings. The ones where a shoe goes missing, breakfast gets burned and everyone has to go to the bathroom when it’s already past time to get out the door. In the stress of the moment, yelling at your kids to simply hurry up comes easily. But if everyone knows how imperative it is to get to the car, telling them to move faster is often more hurtful than helpful. Work together as a team, make a game out of getting to the car quickly and avoid blaming the weakest link in Operation Get to School on Time.

Do set timers, give yourself more time than you need and allow margin for all the accidents and mishaps that inevitably could come your way.

Lauren Greenlee is a boy mom who is guilty of stating the obvious and a slew of other unhelpful things on occasion to her own motley crew. She aims to end every night reminding her kids how loved they truly are.

She writes from her Olathe home.

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FACING

FEARS

I

t’s late at night, long past bedtime, when you hear little feet heading down the hallway (again), followed by a small voice that says, “I can’t go back to sleep—I’m afraid of the dark!” Children can be afraid of many different things—some are real things like darkness or heights, and some are imaginary things like monsters and goblins. None of these fears is uncommon to experience during childhood, and at some point, most parents will need to help their children learn to manage their fears.

Fears may arise because of obvious situations in your child’s life, or they may seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Even the fears that might not have an easy explanation are worth helping your child overcome, because often these fears may have surfaced courtesy of other things that are going on in their lives. Unexplained fears may be the way your child is communicating with you. Remember, not all communication happens with words.

Whether your child fears being alone, hearing loud noises, going to the doctor or something else, there are ways to help. Coping with fears can be difficult. If you and your children can work together to find ways to move past the fear—prior to their exhibiting a fight or flight response or extreme feelings— that’s great. If not, help them to calm down first then move toward a solution together.

Below, you’ll find some ways to help open up a conversation with anxious or scared kids.

These conversations can facilitate mindset changes and growth that can eventually help them to overcome their fears.

Take the fears seriously. Even if your child is fearful of something that seems silly to you, keep in mind it’s not silly to him! Saying “that’s not something to worry about” or “you have nothing to be scared of ” won’t help the situation. In fact, it might cause your child to think you don’t believe what he says—and make him less likely to come to you with his fears in the future.

Reframe the fear. Kids have a more limited understanding of the world than adults, and they may have a hard time grasping that some of their fears are irrational. If your young child is scared of the vacuum, help her think of it in another

Fears may arise because of obvious situations in your child’s life, or they may seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere. way. Instead of “I’m afraid of a vacuum!” have her express what about the vacuum scares her. If the fear of the vacuum becomes “I don’t like the loud noise” or “I’m worried my toys will get sucked into it forever,” that’s the first step to reframing her thought process. After this step, it’s easier to break down her specific fears into smaller pieces and give more information about each one until she feels safe.

Address unspoken fears. Fears might show up as unexpected behavior. A child may not be able to articulate that he is feeling scared, because he might not even realize it himself! To open the conversation, talk about the things you’ve noticed that seem to make your kids anxious. A child who refuses to join her friends at a pool party may really be afraid of drowning. You could say to her, “I’ve noticed lately that you’re hesitant to be in the water. Can we talk about that?” Once children can identify the fear feeling for themselves, it will be easier to make a plan and move past it.

Research the fears. Is your child scared of thunder? Do some research with him about weather and storms, so he has a better understanding of where the scary sound comes from. If she’s afraid of the dark, look up how light is produced.

Gathering information can help kids see the bigger picture of what’s going on and naturally lessens the fear that they feel.

Take small steps to reach big goals. To a child, any fear can feel the size of a mountain. Rather than asking kids to climb the whole mountain and get past the fear at once, take time to involve them in a discussion and make a plan for small steps that will lead toward the ultimate goal of beating the fear. Your children can help set the pace for how soon they will try each next step toward their goal. Make sure not to shame them or make them feel bad if they need to work on a step longer than

anticipated! Helping them feel safe as they work toward their goals will enable them to keep moving forward. Remember also to reward your children as they overcome each small step. Research their love languages and come up with rewards that will be the most encouraging to them!

Let your children be their own heroes. Don’t rescue your kids from their fears. Instead, empower them to make choices to be brave and overcome the fears themselves!

You’ll be there to help them along the way, of course, but ultimately, they need to be able to move past the fear on their own. Believe in them and tell them you believe they can do it!

If you have a positive mindset about it, they’re more likely to be positive, as well.

Don’t be afraid to get help. If your child suffers from fears that interfere with daily life or experiences intense or very persistent worries, keep in mind that you can seek additional help. If something is inhibiting kids’ ability to do the things they love, it may be time to set up a consultation with a professional counselor or therapist who can give you and your youngsters tools to work toward a solution. It’s always a good idea to seek help if your child is exhibiting disruptive behavior, withdrawing from activities (or friends and family) or having panic attacks.

The ideas here can help your children reach a place where they are able to separate their anxieties from what they know to be true. Everyone experiences fears from time to time, but kids may not have realized that yet. So don’t avoid their fears. Rather, acknowledge them and teach your child how fears can be managed. Together, you’ll be well on your way to a less worried life.

Julie McKinley is a single homeschooling mom, freelance writer and theater teacher.

She lives with her two cats and two kids in Lee’s Summit. kcparent.com may 2021

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Family bonding time

benefits of

gardening with kids

Gardening is a great way to get kids involved in a project the whole family can do together. Planting flowers and vegetables gives everyone a chance to set aside electronics, enjoy the fresh air and work together on a family project. You’ll have a chance to see your kids explore new sensations as they dig in the dirt, plant seeds and water their vegetation.

“I started when my daughter was very little. It took some time, but we now have it down,” says Michelle Lyons, mom of three. “It is actually quite bonding for us. At this point, we both know our parts and we just put on our gloves and go.” The best family bonding usually happens when everyone is working on a shared goal.

Education Gardening is a great way to teach your kids about nature, science and math. They will learn how plants grow, how to identify plants by name, how to measure spacing for planting and how to protect your garden. You can take the lessons one step farther and check out books from the library about gardening, watch an educational video or visit a community garden to learn more about plants and flowers. Some families also find that starting a compost bin helps their kids learn about the environment and how our waste affects it. The compost gives your garden a natural boost, as well as reducing waste.

t

Life lessons

he warmer months have arrived, and if your family is anything like mine, you are ready to spend as much time outside as possible soaking up the sun and enjoying nature. Sunshine itself is sure to lighten the mood, and

using the outdoor opportunity to plant flowers and vegetables can be rewarding for your entire family—and a great learning experience for your kids. Here are some long-term benefits of gardening for you and your entire family.

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In the process of starting and caring for your garden, your children will have the opportunity to learn the value of hard work, the importance of patience while waiting for their seeds to grow and the responsibility of caring for the garden each day. They’ll also be rewarded with the fruits—or vegetables—of their labor. “We took our daughter to the nursery and let her pick out a flowering plant that she could grow in a pot,” says Amy Cameron, Olathe mom of three. “She was responsible for taking care of it and even named it!” The best life lessons often happen when you don’t know you are learning them.

Healthy eating habits The best reason to plant and take care of a garden is the reward of tasting your crop. Kids who would normally turn up their noses at tomatoes, bell peppers or cucumbers are much more likely to give them a try if they have planted, cared for and watched the food grow themselves.

Cultivating a love of eating healthy fruits and vegetables at a young age is a great way to encourage lifelong healthy eating habits.

No one will tell you that planting and caring for a garden is easy, but most will say it is well worth the effort when you are able to harvest your own fresh produce or flowers to enjoy. “My best advice is to take it slow,” says Jessica Schaben. “It’s so easy to overdo it and become overwhelmed. As soon as it becomes more work than fun, it’s easy to give up. Once you have established a few vegetables, add one or two more. A plentiful garden takes patience and time, but it’s worth the wait.”

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and stayat-home mom living in Olathe with her husband and their six children.

Tips to Get Your Garden Growing

• Start small and be realistic. You

can’t expect to plant a garden and leave it.

You will need to water, weed and prune your plants. All of this takes time. Find a good balance that matches your lifestyle.

• Find a sunny spot. Vegetables need full sun to grow. Plan your garden in an area that gets a good amount of sunshine.

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37

BROKEN BONES 101

B

roken bones are scary—for kids and their parents. But broken bones, or fractures, are surprisingly common in young children. According to NationwideChildrens.org, as many as 50 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls experience broken bones. A bone breaks when more force is put on the bone than it can handle. There are many different types of fractures, but these are some of the more typical ones you might see in children:

• Open fracture: The break pokes through the skin.

• Closed fracture: The break does not come through the skin.

• Non-displaced: The bone breaks, but the parts are still aligned.

• Displaced: The bone breaks, but the parts are not aligned.

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• Growth plate fracture: A break

happens in the part of the bone responsible for new growth.

While there are many different types of fractures, there are also many different bones in a child’s body that have the potential to be broken, as well as a variety of ways to do so. Dr. Michelle DePhillips, a pediatric emergency doctor at Children’s Mercy, says, “Fractures we commonly encounter in the emergency department are forearm and elbow fractures. These can be caused by falling onto an outstretched arm or falling directly onto the arm such as falling off a bike, monkey bars or bed, or tripping and falling while running. We also frequently see lower leg fractures from falls or trampoline injuries.”

Knowing whether or not your child has broken a bone is not always easy. The site

might be red or swollen and tender to the touch, or your child may favor or refrain from using that part of his body. “It was the hardest decision whether or not to take our 4-year-old for x-rays for fear the experience would cause more distress than needed.

However, when she asked for help eating fruit snacks, I knew we needed to go!” says Jillian, Overland Park mom of three.

Children’s bones are continuously growing, so they heal more quickly and can repair over time if they heal crooked.

Oftentimes, fractures in children can be managed with a cast instead of surgery. While the process can be challenging for children, Jana, an Olathe mom of three, says, “CMH talked him through each step so there were no surprises. They also provide great online videos for casting that we watched, which helped to prepare us before going in.”

Adjusting to life with a broken bone, and potentially a cast, can be challenging. “While the nurse fully prepared and educated us on caring for our daughter and easing her through the pain, I was not prepared for the lack of sleep, discomfort and frustrations there would be with a soft cast. Getting her hard cast really helped. Once she accepted it, she felt more confident and found a new way to function. We also opted for the cast that could get wet, which was a nice feature so we didn’t have to wrap it to take a bath,” says Jillian. If you are not given an option for a cast that can get wet, Kathleen, an Overland Park mom of three, shares this tip: “Wrap the cast in Press’n Seal and push down into the cast. Then put the broken limb in a trash bag to protect it from water.”

Having a child with a broken bone can be scary, inconvenient and difficult to manage, but the good news is children’s little bones heal much faster than an adult’s bones.

Jillian says, “I think the biggest advice I can give is following your gut. You know your child better than anyone, so do what gives you comfort. Be prepared to be persistent and advocate for your child!”

Julie Collett lives in Overland Park with her four children and is hoping she doesn’t jinx herself when she says no one has ever had a broken bone!

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

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39

the benefits of

w

imaginary play

hen you think of imaginative play what comes to mind? Fun? Costumes? A creative way to while away the hours? Oftentimes, adults downplay the importance of imaginative play, thinking it’s something to do if there’s enough time after “real” learning takes place. But pretend play is both educational and a critical aspect of a healthy childhood that should be valued for what it truly is: children’s way of making sense of the world around them. Boys and girls alike are able to tackle life’s problems head on through imaginative scenarios, whether it be playing out how to handle a stressful situation, practicing various social roles or learning how to self-regulate.

Perhaps equally surprising, imaginative play continues far longer than most parents think, with some research indicating it may continue until age 11. In our technology-saturated society, it’s pivotal then that parents diligently protect and preserve the time and space needed for children to play accordingly.

Creativity

Language Skills

Creativity begets creativity, and the more a child plays make believe, the easier it is to come up with fantastic and wonderful things to do! Fostering creativity means not only can children be whatever they want to be. It also means that plain and everyday objects can transform into a myriad of props. A bedsheet is no longer simply a piece of bedding; it instantly becomes a sail on a pirate’s ship, a picnic blanket on a grassy knoll or a kite on a blustery day!

Whether your child has the gift of gab or not, imaginative play both facilitates and necessitates verbal communication. Giving instructions, taking an order or vividly describing the magical characters and landscapes of an imaginary world requires fleshing out the experience. You may find that your child’s inner thespian comes out when he is the star of his own show. But even if character voices aren’t his thing, imaginative play still will fine-tune his communication skills.

Social, Emotional & Problem-Solving Skills Playing with a parent, sibling or friend provides a child instant give and take. Asking questions like, “Where are we going next?” or “What do you want to order at the restaurant?” helps children sequence orders of events and gives them choices, while offering a safe place to devise how to handle any number of scenarios, be it going to the doctor’s office, grocery store or zoo. When more than one person is involved, it also requires compromise, taking turns and creative problem-solving.

After all, not everyone can be king of the castle!

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Physical Development An active imagination builds an active body, whether through climbing into a blanket fort, whipping up a batch of invisible hot tea or simply buttoning a much-beloved costume. Baking up a batch of pretend cookies bolsters fine motor skills, and rolling down a hill (you know, to escape the dreaded giant!) gives much needed sensory input.

Positive Behavior

Keep It Simple

“Oh, no! The baby is crying! Whatever should we do?” you ask your preschooler as you hand her one of her favorite baby dolls.

In that time, your daughter will have any number of options running through her head. She could change its diaper. Feed it. Burp it.

Or maybe Baby just needs to be cuddled? Pretend play teaches a child not just how to navigate new experiences, but it can also train a child to care for others or show compassion. Likewise, pretend play is an excellent teaching tool for character training. Playing house, for instance, allows a child to have a role reversal—being the parent instead of the child. Little tots can even instruct their “child” accordingly, be it a stuffed animal, baby doll or reluctant littler sibling.

Creative play can be costly, but it also doesn’t have to cost a thing! Empty oatmeal containers, cereal boxes and paper bags are perfect products for an at-home grocery store, while old saucepans, wooden spoons and bowls make for an instant mini-kitchen for your budding chef. Old and outdated gadgets like landline or cell phones, radios, CD players or desktop computers are just the thing for a budding techie who wants to learn how things work by tearing them apart. Simple home and garden tools like gloves, a bucket and a paintbrush are just the accessories your budding gardener or carpenter need. And never underestimate the power of a big cardboard box! Appliance and furniture boxes make excellent forts, playhouses, caves and restaurants, among other things.

Ways to Nurture Imaginary Play

Explore the World Around You

Have a Designated Station Creativity can strike anywhere—on a car ride, in an airport or at the park. But it still helps to have a designated spot within your home for all the gear that helps make-believe come to life.

A full playroom is wonderful but not necessary. An ottomon, a few storage cubes or a closet suffice nicely. Separate items by categories, such as cooking, costumes or music, so that it’s easy to grab a theme when the time comes.

Check out a nature center, visit a local park or explore a nearby botanical garden. By exposing your child to the world around her, you’re opening doors to new worlds and endless possibilities of imaginative play. And don’t limit imaginative play to home use!

Next time you take a nature walk, scour the ground for creepy crawlies and pretend to be one! Or become a modern-day Dr. Doolittle and act as though you can hold a conversation with the animals you see at the zoo.

Lauren Greenlee is a boy mom of three (soon to be four) children hailing from Olathe.

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Special Advertising Section

Kansas City Young Audiences Sing, Dance, Act, Make, and Play!

Kansas City Young Audiences offers children performing and visual arts classes, camps, and private instruction at their creative space on Main Street. Summer Camps begin in June. Scholarships are available.

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KC Parent’s

Camp Guide

Church of the Resurrection Get ready for The Great Adventure July 18-23 with Vacation Bible Camp at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Pre-schoolers– 5th graders will have a fun week filled with Bible stories, games, music, crafts and service. VBC is at each of Resurrection’s five locations in the greater Kansas City area, as well as an online virtual experience. Parents are always welcome to join the fun as volunteers! Registration opens in April 4 at cor.org/VBC2021. See display ad on pg. 46.

The Culture House Spend your summer at The Culture House! Shows/workshops include dance, theatre, music and art taught by professionally trained adults.

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Make your summer a little wilder with Summer Break Camp. Camp runs June 7 through August 19. Explore life in the dark, investigate animal habitats, or discover where fact meets fiction with animal myths and mystical creatures.

A typical week includes exclusive zoo tours, science experiments, games, and crafts. Full day camps are available for ages 5-12, MondayThursday, 8:30am-3:30pm COST: $225.

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Camp includes 9 different sports, daily swimming, field trips, STEAM activities, cooking, improv, and yoga.

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KC Watersports Camps are held Monday - Friday from 9:00-3:00. Our passion is teaching people how to enjoy watersports at Continued on page 50

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CAMPGUIDE Place an emphasis on exercise.

With the variety of activities offered at camps, it’s hard for campers to stay still.

Many camps are specifically focused on sports, while other camps offer a wide range of fun games and activities. Whatever the camp, a common theme is an ability to keep your child moving.

Teach an appreciation for the great outdoors.

It’s safe to say most kids have had too much screen time during the pandemic.

Camps are a wonderful opportunity to put the screens down, get outdoors and enjoy nature.

Provide support for kids with chronic health issues.

Many children face serious health issues, and they benefit from time with other children who have the same condition.

There are summer camps to help support kids with all kinds of conditions, and those who attend will benefit from the support and health education.

Gain a sense of independence with responsibility.

keeping ACTIVE and HEALTHY all summer long nine ways camps boost an overall sense of well-being

K

ids can develop many less-than-healthy habits during the summer. From eating too much junk food to playing too many video games and not getting enough exercise, there are many ways things slide when school and normal activities are not in session.

Summer camps are about to begin, and they provide a great opportunity to teach kids healthy habits and provide physical, social, emotional and even spiritual benefits that can last a lifetime.

Here are nine ways summer camp can boost your child’s sense of health and well-being:

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Summer camp is often the first experience kids have with being separated from their parents for an extended time.

Brooke Hodnefield, an Olathe mom, says her boys have developed independence through their time at Youthfront Camp.

“The freedom is one thing they love— just getting to explore,” Hodnefield says.

“There is safety and parameters and rules, but there is freedom to try new activities and push themselves to do activities they wouldn’t have done otherwise.”

Jen Shubin, an Olathe mom whose kids also have attended Youthfront Camp, says her kids instantly feel a bit older and more capable after camp.

Meet new people.

The pandemic came with serious restrictions on the ability of children to meet new people, develop their social skills and become more outgoing, but summer camps can help change that.

“The ability to safely leave the home and interact with kids their own age in a way that’s safe and effective will benefit children,” says Steve Scraggs, senior vice president of youth development with YMCA of Greater Kansas City.

Shubin was also a cabin leader with Youthfront and says she has seen shy kids open up throughout the week of camp and leave with more confidence and the phone number of someone they didn’t know previously.

Participate in disguised learning.

Learning regression often takes place over the summer, but camps can help prevent that.

Scraggs says most of the YMCA summer programs incorporate science, technology, engineering and math learning in fun ways the kids hardly even notice.

Summer programs with science experiments, a reading focus or another emphasized academic skill are great ways to boost learning over the summer.

Explore life in the dark, investigate animal habitats, or discover where fact meets fiction with animal myths and mystical creatures. A typical week includes exclusive zoo tours, science experiments, games, and crafts.

Teach kindness.

Emphasize spiritual development.

Camps also teach positive values and how to appreciate others.

“It’s equipped (my kids) to have more thoughtful conversations with the people they encounter with kindness and grace,” Hodnefield says.

The variety of kids that attend YMCA camps helps broaden campers’ perspectives, according to Scraggs, and know there is life beyond their own household and school.

Many summer camps have a spiritual element that helps kids develop their faith.

In fact, many attendees of camps cite their experience as critical in their life-long spiritual formation.

Hodnefield says she loves that Youthfront Camp helps teach kids that faith is not boring and is not just something they find on Sunday at church but rather is something they can actively live out every day.

Equip kids with a new skill.

Whether it’s doing the zip line at a traditional camp or learning to garden in a themed day camp, the possibilities for the types of skills kids can learn through camp are almost endless.

Talk with your children about things they might be interested in learning then find a camp that focuses on that skill.

As sweet summertime beckons, don’t let it become simply a season when good habits fall by the wayside. Instead, use summer camps to help instill important healthy practices into your child’s life.

Allison Gibeson is a Lee’s Summit writer and mom whose son loves attending soccer camp every summer.

Camp runs June 7 through August 19 Full day camps are available for ages 5-12 Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-3:30pm COST: $225 10% discount for FOTZ members.

www.KansasCityZoo.org/programs/day-camps kcparent.com may 2021

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CAMPGUIDE

H H

Sweet Dreams

AT OVERNIGHT CAMP

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e all remember that first time we were dropped off at summer camp. I recall going with a couple of my girlfriends and traipsing down the dirt path to our cabin and choosing our bunks together. Making new friends is great when you’re all in it together.

One biggie that helps your child feel love from home is to get the address of the camp and mail a postcard or care package ahead of time so your camper will get mail early in the week. Also, be sure to provide enough cookies, granola bars or juice boxes for everybody in the cabin so your child can share. Another idea is to hide a special comfort item from home, perhaps a stuffed animal, blanket or hat, so your child will find it when he unpacks his bag.

Most camps provide a list of recommended items, so take time to read over it with your child. It’s okay to begin packing in advance so you can find all the items and eliminate last-minute searches for sunglasses and bandanas. Don’t pack what you know won’t be used, such as a washcloth if your child never uses a washcloth

JULY 18–23 • VIRTUAL + IN PERSON OPTIONS • COR.ORG/VBC2021

Get creative at the Nerman Museum!

Classes (ages 5-14) combine engaging, interactive tours with unique studio projects.

Supporting families throughout the Kansas City area with five physical locations and virtual programs Leawood | Olathe | Downtown | Blue Springs | Overland Park

COR.ORG

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kcparent.com may 2021

Weekdays, June 8-July 30 10 a.m.–noon or 2–4 p.m.

Preregistration is required.

913-469-2323 • nermanmuseum.org

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College

to wash his face, or anything else out of the ordinary routine. And don’t buy all new clothing for camp! At camp, children shouldn’t have to worry about getting dirty, so pack the old sneakers, flip-flops, t-shirts and shorts. Of course, purchasing a few new things for them to wear while there builds anticipation. Plenty of socks and underwear are a must—include a baggie for kids to stash stinky items. Some shirts and shorts can be worn more than one day. Also, toss in a jacket, just in case.

Invest in a label maker. Many brands are available; seek out labels that will stay in place on everything.

Also, make sure your kids can handle carrying their bags themselves, which helps with independence.

Check the swimsuit requirement for girls. Some camps only allow one-piece suits for girls. And for boys, make sure their swim trunks fit properly.

We parents want our kiddos to be happy, but be careful about what you commit to. Don’t promise your child she will be bunking with her best friend or cousin if the camp doesn’t honor these requests. Also, resist the urge to make the vow to come rescue a child who wants

Summertime at KC YA !!

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Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

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Summer camps for boys ages 8-18.

Located in mid-Missouri.

Leadership and Confidence Camps! Plus academic, jazz (co-ed), and sports camps.

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to come home. That kind of promise makes camp tough on everyone—camper, counselor and parents.

Another good idea is to practice independence skills with your children before camp. For instance, if your child needs practice combing her long hair or handling basic cleanup chores, give her the time to learn. A little toothbrush holder and small tube of toothpaste will seem like a treat, and a small deodorant or new hair ties will add to the desire to clean up.

And do go to the camp preview day if there is one.

That way, you can answer questions your child may have and you’ll get to see where the kids will be sleeping and eating and hanging out.

Remember, you know your children better than anyone. Take your cues from them, and this will be a camp experience you all talk about for years!

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816.531.4022 • KCYA.org

Looking for SPRING BREAK CAMPS? 3 weeks to choose from: March 15-19, March 29-April 2, April 5-9

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M I S S O U R I M I L I TA RY A C A D E M Y

Hang with us this summer! missourimilitaryacademy.org/summer

kcparent.com may 2021

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CAMPGUIDE

five reasons your child needs camp

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here’s no doubt that summer camp is fun. Kids get to sing silly songs, play funny games, swim in lakes and tell spooky stories around a campfire. This is the image of camp that has been captured and memorialized in films, books and television programs for the past 50 years. But there’s much more to camp than just a good time. In addition to the fun, parents should be aware of these five reasons their child needs camp.

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Camp forever changes your child … for the better – American

Camp Association® (ACA) research has confirmed that camps build skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults. Campers said that camp helped them make new friends (96%), get to know kids who are different from them (93%), feel good about themselves (92%), and try things they were afraid to do at first (74%).

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Camp teaches your child to “move it, move it” – Camp

provides children the opportunity to try new things and participate in human powered activities. An estimated 22 million of the world’s children under the age of 5 are already considered obese. According to research conducted by ACA, 63 percent of children who learn new activities at camp tend to continue engaging in these activities after they return home.

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Camp keeps all that hard work from going to waste – Camps

understand the critical role they play in helping young people learn and grow. Many offer programs that help reduce summer learning loss, bolster academic enrichment and socialization, provide opportunities for leadership development, and ensure that campers achieve their full potential.

4

Camp allows kids to take a deep breath and feel the nature –

Camp is a great way for your child to unplug from electronics and plug into the world around them. According to a study by two Cornell University environmental psychologists, being close to nature can help boost a child’s attention span.

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Camp is fun – It’s true; kids do

sing silly songs and play funny games at camp. Children are allowed to play in a safe and nurturing environment and are allowed to just be kids. Play is a powerful form of learning that contributes mightily to the child’s healthy physical, emotional, social and intellectual development..

Reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association; © 2009 American Camping Association, Inc.

SUMMER AT asses Academic Cl

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$99Fee

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PEMBROKE s Athletic Camp

Camper Receives: • Soccer Ball • Camp T-Shirt

Victory Soccer Camp focuses on fundamentals, skills, and the understanding of the game. We have created a fun and exciting environment for children to learn. We encourage every child to live a life of good character qualities through our daily Bible Halftime. Goran was born in Croatia, Europe. He played 19 years in Europe, US, and in 18 different countries. He played locally for KC Sporting (Wizards) and the KC Comets.

Camp Director GORAN HUNJAK 19 years Pro and US National Team

June 14th - 18th (8am - 11am) Lenexa, KS June 28th - July 2nd (8am -11am) Blue Springs, MO

July 12th - July 16th (8am - 11am) Overland Park, KS

Register online:

For more information: 913-284-7601 kcparent.com may 2021

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Ages 5-12

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Summer at Pembroke Hill Enrollment opens April 19, 2021 Open to all students ages 2 - 18 www.pembrokehill.org

TAEKWONDO LESSONS FOR AGES 4 YEARS AND UP!

TRAIN$ ALL SUMMER FOR 189

summer training: june 11august 14

INCLUDES: » Official Tiger-Rock Training Jersey » Free Martial Arts Rank Belt

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OVERLAND PARK

8645 W 135th St. Overland Park, KS 66223 (913) 851-5050

Visit our website at KCTigerRock.com!

June 7 – August 13, 2021

Join us for summer camp at one of our five KC Parks & Recreation community centers.

7:30 a.m. Ͳ 5:30 p.m. • Monday Ͳ Friday • Ages 6 Ͳ 13 Day Camp: $80/week Hillcrest • Kansas City North • Southeast Tony Aguirre • Westport Roanoke

KCPARKS.ORG

20% discount if paid in full by May 1. Financial assistance available.

kcparent.com may 2021

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CAMPGUIDE every level. Whether you’re new to the sport and have never ridden any kind of board before to the advanced rider wanting to learn a new flip or twist our camp will fit every level of rider. Included with camp is instruction from our top-level coaches, gear, and a light lunch. Kids bring a positive attitude, swim wear, sunscreen and a towel. See display ad on pg. 51.

KCWaterSports.com

Missouri Military Academy Summer Camps Build confidence, learn to lead, and have fun! For boys, choose Confidence or Leadership Camp for experiences such as paint ball, rappelling and obstacle courses to build teamwork and leadership skills. Summer Academy focuses on

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academic support, plus fun, outdoor activities. Check out our All Sports Camp and Summer Jazz Academy (co-ed). See display ad on pg. 47.

MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org/summer

Nerman Museum Early Explorations classes (ages 5-7) and Contemporary Creations classes (ages 8-11) are interactive art learning experiences. Students learn directly from JCCC’s diverse permanent collection and temporary exhibitions in the Nerman Museum. After exploring selected works of art, students create original works of art in the studio classroom. Classes are offered Tues.-Fri., June 8-July 30, with individual sessions from 10:00-noon or 2:00-4:00. Register at www.nermanmuseum.org or call 913.469.2323. See display ad on pg. 46.

Oakhill Day School Ready for a fully charged summer?

Oakhill Fully Charged is designed to feel like a vacation every day. Our flexible weekly themed day camps for campers age two years old - Middle School are high energy combining play and creativity! Embark on a journey of what summer should be through field trips, camp-wide water balloon fights, trips to the pool, and more from our fantastic crew of Fully Charged counselors! Enroll online: www.oakhilldayschool.org/summer.

See display ad on pg. 51.

Summer at Pembroke Hill Extra! Extra! Read all about what an exciting summer you are going to have attending camps at Pembroke Hill. Our comprehensive summer camp provides

a variety of academic, athletic and enriching classes while focusing on what summer is really about... having fun! Open to all students ages 2 through 18. Registration begins on April 19, 2021. Classes have limited enrollment so you are encouraged to enroll early and ONLINE at www.pembrokehill.org. See display ad on pg. 48.

you can spend your summer training at our studio. Fee includes summer training uniform and unlimited martial arts lessons. Hurry! You must register for this offer by June 1. Classes fill up every summer, so register today!

913.829.8818 (Olathe) or 913.851.5050 (Overland Park). See display ad on pg. 49. KCTigerRock.com

Victory Soccer Camp Tiger Rock Martial Arts Train all summer at Tiger Rock’s Martial Arts Summer Camp. For only $189,

Victory Soccer Camp provides quality soccer instruction in a fun and exciting environment. Children learn

82,000

104,000

unique visitors monthly to KCParent.com

readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

to combine excellence in sports with a focus on the fundamentals of the game, skills and understanding of the game. Our curriculum is designed for every player to be challenged according to their age level. Our camp is for students with all levels of athletic ability. Every camper is encouraged to live with good character qualities through our daily Bible Half-time. See display ad on pg. 48. VictoryInSoccer.org

DID YOU KNOW? KCParent.com has a NEW Geo-based, searchable Camp Guide with maps, descriptions, photos and videos.

With these stats, it’s easy to see how KC Parent has camps covered!

kcparent.com may 2021

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Do I STAY or do I GO now?

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fter maternity leave is up, the decision to stay home or return to work can be a difficult one to make. Hopefully, you’ve discussed your thoughts throughout the pregnancy or even before, but when the maternity leave ends, are you prepared to make the decision? There are stereotypes and opinions supporting and dismissing either choice. How do you decide and justify your choice? Here are a few things to consider.

to school. I’m not exactly sure why because this wasn’t exactly modeled for me. Both of my grandmas were working mothers, and my own mom worked outside the home until my younger brother was born and she decided to run an in-home daycare. But having my mom home (but still working—can you imagine taking on more kids while adjusting to life with your own second baby?) was such a comforting part of my childhood, and that’s what I wanted for my future family.

PAST AND FUTURE

CHILDCARE COST AND AVAILABILITY

Many decisions in our lives are affected by how we were raised, what was modeled to us and what we would like to mimic or shy away from in our own futures. If you were raised by a stay-at-home parent, perhaps you loved having your mom greet you when you got home from school to hear all about your day or maybe you felt stifled and wondered what she did all day. If you were raised by parents who both worked outside the home, maybe you wished you could see them more often or maybe you were proud of their work.

Your partner may have different experiences and expectations, so now you get to determine your joint family values and how you see your future together. This is a decision with many variables. Personally, I was always excited to become a mom, and I just assumed I would be a stay-at-home mom until my hypothetical children went

One crucial factor in your decision will simply be the cost of childcare. Depending on your jobs, your salary may not cover—or barely be enough to afford—childcare.

If it’s a job you love, it still may be worth it, but if it’s a job you don’t, maybe this is an opportunity to be your own childcare while you figure out something else. Lori Tate, mother of three, says, “For us, daycare for two kids was just as much as I was bringing home. I loved my job, so that was okay, but I felt like I was constantly doing both my job and parenting poorly and constantly running on empty. Staying home was an option, so we went that route.” RaeLynn Kelso, mother of three, says, “I worked two to three days a week for a couple of years because I wanted to see my kids’ ‘firsts.’ When I had my third baby, I stayed home full time because I could not find a babysitter.

My town is seriously lacking babysitters.”

kcparent.com may 2021

BENEFITS On top of the cost of childcare, benefits like health insurance factor in as well. Laura Loeffert, mother of three, says, “I had to go back to teaching when my first was 5 months old. I accepted it because I had to work for insurance. After insurance and childcare, I made next to nothing. Then there was the feeling of not being a good mom, wife, teacher, coworker—all of it. In April of that year, my husband switched jobs, and I was able to become a SAHM that May. I do not regret a second of it. I think because going back was so incredibly hard it made it easier to know I was making the right decision for me and my family.”

CAREERS Many people have had their sights set on amazing careers on top of raising a family, so staying at home is never really a consideration. If you have worked your tail off to get where you are, have ambitions on getting even further ahead in your field, or have studied far too long to not become what you set out to be, then welcoming a baby into your family isn’t going to stop you from returning to the workforce. There are plenty of wonderful daycares, babysitters and nannies that would love to help you care for your children. Jenny Berry, mother of three, says, “I decided to go back to work part time, because I truly love

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my job and worked really hard at it. And it was important for me to have some part of myself still, something that drove me. Now, as my kids are getting older, it is important for me to show them balance, work ethic, determination and how to chase your dreams. And even though I struggle with guilt, I know that working outside the home makes me a better mom.” Berry’s last statement is all that matters in the end, isn’t it?

IDENTITY AND SELF-WORTH A big factor in motherhood is your sense of identity.

The stereotypes for both SAHMs and working moms are unhelpful but can linger in the back of our minds regardless of how strongly we feel about either decision we make. Are we missing out on raising our children if we return to work? Are we wasting our education and careers if we stay at home? I think we need to decide what makes us feel most like ourselves and who we want to be. In the end, we want to be the best version of ourselves to offer to our children and families. If we love working, we should love that we love working. If we would love the chance to stay home and be with our children 24/7, then we should enjoy doing so if we are able to.

Personally, identity and self-worth have always been the hardest aspects in my experience as a SAHM for

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the past decade. I loathed being asked “What do you do?” at my husband’s office parties or just in general.

I didn’t feel like I was doing enough. That may just be my personality because I like to accomplish things, but it is hard to consider I might have just wasted these last few years by being home and having a stark break in my resume. It was also challenging to not have any recognition for what I was contributing to our family.

No one is home cheering me on for disciplining my children well, feeding them healthy lunches or taking time to play with my children. There are no raises or advancements because you’re doing a good job, and sometimes the mundaneness can seem daunting. Often, I’d recount my accomplishments for the day because there was no one acknowledging the hard work of raising these tiny humans. But this is why I believe strongly in hobbies, support groups and side hustles for SAHMs so that you have interests to discuss besides your beloved cherubs.

Running and exercise, writing, reading, photography, home projects and my dogs all help me feel like more than “just a mom.”

Amy Ferrera, mother of four, has had a similar experience: “Now having four kids, I stay home because it’s what I know as my normal, financially works better for us (the human services field I would work in wouldn’t cover our childcare costs), and before COVID, my husband’s travel schedule was all over the place and his schedule didn’t allow for flexibility— making it easier for me to stay home while he worked. I won’t lie—I always have a back-of-the-mind thought of ‘is this all I’m supposed to do? Did I go to college for nothing? Will my kids think I did anything?’ Sometimes I feel unaccomplished, jealous of my husband’s work recognition, or I find myself wanting a little slice of doing something for me outside of being a mom. But at the end of the day, for my family, I know being a stay-at-home mom has been a blessing for us even on the thankless days, and I wouldn’t change it if I could go back.”

Volunteering is another great way to feel fulfilled during your time as a SAHM. Volunteers are needed in many places and are invaluable for many organizations.

Even small things like helping in your school-aged children’s classrooms is a great way to feel and be useful, as well as find community with the staff at the school.

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WORK/LIFE BALANCE

on mommy field trips and watch them experience things for the first times. It seems like you can’t have your cake and eat it too, doesn’t it?

But I do think we often end up where we are supposed to be, and we are all teaching our children what it means to be a woman and to have choices. It also takes a lot of teamwork and coordination to make a family work well too. While I was home, my husband was able to further his education and move on to greater opportunities in his career because I was in charge of our home and children.

He has maybe taken one day off of work because I was too sick to care for the kids, but he’s never had to take a day off because one of the kids was sick. I have always been there.

He also doesn’t have to worry about housework or meals after work because that lands on me, and then we have more family time during nights and weekends.

My husband and I got married when I was 21 years old and had our first baby when I was 24. We were babies ourselves, but I’m pretty certain we were up front on how we wanted to raise our future babies. I think because we had grown up together, started our lives together early on and had already been living off one income (saving mine for a house down payment), the decision was easier for me to stay home with our first baby. Then we moved out of state, and my husband traveled often, so it made me feel better knowing I was the stability of home and family for our kids while he was away. I was also able to care for them without having to juggle daycare, work and inevitable sick days on my own. I know we have been so fortunate to experience this lifestyle, and not everyone has this opportunity. But I also know people spend money on different things that matter to them. I also know that the baby stage is not everyone’s favorite part of parenthood as it was for me. If babies, toddlers and preschoolers aren’t your jam, being with them constantly may not be the best fit for you. There are daycares and teachers that actually do love being with children those ages!

“As I’ve met many moms throughout the last nine years of being a mom, I’ve realized that no single situation is the same. I’ve looked up to and admired so many perspectives of motherhood through the lenses of working moms, stayat-home moms and work-from-home moms. Not one job is harder— being a mom is hard, period,” states Ferrera.

In the end, think of what will work best for your family, know that things can change and, as with all things in parenthood, trust your gut and enjoy!

We all know there are two sides to each coin and that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Many days I longed for office friendships, work lunches, grabbing a coffee and drinking it while hot, getting dressed up and accomplishing things, and maybe even traveling for work.

But then there were days I was thankful to be able to get a run in with my kids during beautiful weather, take them

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 10, Mason, 9, and Slade, 6, and has happily been a SAHM since bringing her first baby home. She is currently having a slight identity crisis now that a job she has loved has just ended, even though she doesn’t necessarily want to give it up.

kcparent.com may 2021

TASTYTREATS

C elebrate

All-Star Moms with a Simple, Delicious Meal

(Family Features) From doing big things like juggling a career and family priorities to little things like writing lunchtime love notes, moms lift up their families and the people they love in so many ways every day. In today’s world, where multitasking has taken on a whole new meaning, it’s clear moms deserve to be celebrated.

One of the easiest ways to do something special for the all-star mom in your life is to make her a homemade meal and enjoy some quality time together around the dinner table. For those in need of inspiration, consider a delicious option like this Tuscan Chicken Pierogy Skillet.

The key ingredient: Mrs. T’s Pierogies, which are pasta pockets stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors. Visit MrsTsPierogies.com to find more recipe inspiration to celebrate Mom.

Tuscan Chicken Pierogy Skillet PREP TIME: 10 minutes TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes SERVINGS: 4 INGREDIENTS: 1 box Mrs. T’s Pierogies 4 Cheese Medley 3 T. olive oil, divided 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness Kosher salt, to taste Ground black pepper, to taste 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 bag (5 ounces) fresh baby spinach 2 c. diced tomatoes 1 t. dried Italian seasoning 1/4 c. chicken broth 1/2 c. heavy cream 3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional, for garnish 1 T. cold water 1/2 T. cornstarch Fresh basil, for garnish Crushed red pepper flakes, for garnish

DIRECTIONS: Boil pierogies according to package directions.

Drain then toss pierogies with 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep from sticking.

In 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste and cook 8-10 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to plate, cover and allow to rest 5-8 minutes. Slice thin.

While chicken rests, lower heat to medium-low and add remaining oil to same skillet. Add garlic, spinach and tomatoes; sauté 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant. Season with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream and 3/4 cup Parmesan. In small bowl, whisk cold water and cornstarch then stir into pan. Simmer 4-5 minutes until thickened and creamy.

Return chicken and pierogies to skillet and toss to combine. If desired, top with additional seasonings to taste. Garnish with fresh basil, Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.

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things we’re looking forward to this summer in kc

he school year is drawing to a close, the days are warmer and the sun is shining brighter … it’s time for summer fun! We’re looking forward to enjoying new and old favorites this summer in Kansas City.

The Kansas City Zoo recently welcomed koalas Chuckels and Thackory to the zoo. It’s the first time in five years the zoo has had koalas on exhibit. The beloved marsupials from Australia are a big hit with visitors of all ages and will be staying through November. While you’re at the zoo, be sure to feed camels, visit Nuniq and Berlin, the resident polar bears, explore the Penguin Plaza, and enjoy the Elephant Expedition. KansasCityZoo.org

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Celebrate baseball with the Kansas City Monarchs (the new name for the KC T-Bones, part of the American Association of Baseball), a brand that hasn’t had a home field since 1965. The team is rebranding in a partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and celebrating part of Kansas City’s rich baseball history. The Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in Negro Leagues history and a founding member of the league in 1920. The Monarchs won 10 league pennants and the inaugural Negro League World Series Championship in 1924. When the team was disbanded in 1965, it had produced more major league players than any other Negro Leagues franchise. On Opening Day of 2021, the Monarchs will take the field for the first time in pinstripes at the Field of Legends. MonarchsBaseball.com

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Kansas City’s own Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun will open again for summer memories this season. The season begins for Worlds of Fun on May 22, and Oceans of Fun opens May 29. This summer, the record-breaking Riptide Raceway debuts at Oceans of Fun. Thrill seekers race down the five-story-high four side-by-side tunnels atop a soft foam mat. Racing to be the first to reach the finish line, riders in each lane will zoom more than 486 feet down a winding hillside, around a tight 360-degree loop and through a rapid final descent before splashdown. WorldsOfFun.com

Union Station is bringing the world class exhibit Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. to Kansas City. Featuring more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs, the exhibition allows visitors to experience artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, including hundreds of personal items—such as suitcases, eyeglasses and shoes—that belonged to survivors and victims of Auschwitz. UnionStation.org

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We love spending summer at the lake, and Lake Olathe is one of our favorite local lakes with a beautiful swim beach and inflatable Aqua Park.

For landlocked Midwesterners, it’s great to have a place where you can build sandcastles, swim with the family and jump into the water from a giant floating playground. Lake Olathe Park visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats at the marina. The upper lawn at the lake is surrounded by landscaping and a small stream with a water feature flowing into a waterfall before ending in a pond. A creek leading from the pond wraps around the kid-friendly spray ground before flowing into the lake. Olatheks.org

Mid-Continent Public Libraries just keep getting better! Branches across the metro have been treated to a major makeover, and new locations (Lee’s Summit!) are opening too. The changes mean newly reimagined spaces that create a place for community. With open spaces, comfortable seating, ideal lighting and fantastic programming, the libraries have been reborn as a center of the community. Check out a new location (or two or three) this year. And be sure to sign up for the Summer Learning Program where children earn prizes for reading and participating in summer learning activities. MyMCPL.org

Summer means beautiful weather and a chance to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple picnic at the park, a relaxing stroll, time to sit and read or a full day exploring acres of botanical paradise, our gardens offer something for everyone. The Overland Park Arboretum (OPKansas.org) is a 300-acre garden, home to a Monet garden, a whimsical train garden, beautiful trails, prairie and ponds to explore.

Kauffman Memorial Garden (Facebook.com/ KauffmanMemorialGarden) is a small, free botanical garden near the Country Club Plaza and NelsonAtkins Museum of Art, where something new is in bloom all year long. With fountains, scenic places to sit and read and paths to stroll, this is an urban oasis.

Antioch Park (JCPRD.com) is home to a rose garden, a beautiful scenic pond with stepping-stones, paved trails and an imaginative Wild West-inspired play space. Lastly, Powell Gardens (PowellGardens.org) is a great day trip adventure. The 970-acre botanical gardens are home to the Heartland Harvest Garden, the nation’s largest edible landscape, and the Island Garden and Waterfall Garden.

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The Johnson County Museum is showcasing the exhibit Paul McCobb: America’s Designer May 22, 2021-January 2022. Paul McCobb designed Mid-Century Modern furniture and furnishings for post-war America that sold in department stores across the nation. With objects pulled from a local collection, this groundbreaking exhibit explores the most famous American designer you didn’t know you knew. Free with museum admission.

JCPRD.com/330/Museum

The Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch, in Kearney, is a favorite destination for strawberry picking in the spring. Check out the Strawberry Festival select weekends in May. This locally owned family business is a delightful agritourism site for all ages.

FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com

Within the walls of the National World War I Museum and Memorial lies one of the best historic sites in the Midwest. Realizing that World War I is a complex era of history for anyone to grasp, especially the youngest visitors, the museum provides a free family gallery guide booklet for children. Hands-on exhibits engage throughout explore World War I-era Kansas City and learn more about the period. TheWorldWar.org

Kristina Light loves boating with her family every summer. She writes about summer fun in Kansas City all season long on KCParent.com. kcparent.com may 2021

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may

FOR EVEN

MORE EVENTS, HEAD TO THE ONLINE CALENDAR AT KCPARENT.COM.

CALENDAR

Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch

No part of this calendar may be reproduced in print or web format.

Please call to verify event details.

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listen

enjoy

play

visit

celebrate

Select Sundays enjoy the Outdoor Concert Series at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner and enjoy a variety of live music.

Lenexa.com

Take the family to Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch for Strawberry Festival on select weekends in May. Enjoy u-pick strawberries along with lots of activities.

FunFarmPumpkin Patch.com

May 22 is Opening Day at Worlds of Fun. Enjoy hundreds of acres of thrills, giggles and fun for families and friends.

Oceans of Fun opens May 29.

WorldsOfFun.com

On Tuesdays and Fridays, Spring into Shawnee Town.

Shop for supplies in town, visit the baby chicks, have a picnic in the town square and much more!

ShawneeTown.org

May 30 head to the National WWI Museum and Memorial for Hot Air Balloon Glow.

Enjoy picnicking, live music and local food trucks. Balloon glow starts at 8:30.

TheWorldWar.org

We encourage readers to call ahead or verify online before heading out to events.

Most events require advance reservations.

1 Saturday Farmers Market 7:00, Downtown Overland Park. Vendors offer customers a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, local foods and unique specialty items. OPKansas.org Children’s Day 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Kids will love exploring activities from the mid-19th century. Watch as skilled artisans demonstrate shearing. MakeYourDayHere.com Annual Resource Family Conference Virtual.

A training opportunity for Resource Families (including relatives and foster families) to learn a range of new topics. Pre-reg at Kansas.kvc.org.

Family Frolic: WILDly Cute 11:00, Powell Gardens. Baby goats and other animals will be on site. Family-friendly activities include digging, crafting, searching and more!

PowellGardens.org Composting Workshop 11:00, KC Farm School.

Bring the whole family to learn how to make a composter that uses less water. Pre-reg at KCFarmschool.org.

Petting Zoo 11:00, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. It’s a petting zoo! Event also includes games, prizes, music and a visit from KC Wolf. IndianHeightsUMC.org

Spring Plant Sale Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. Sale features native plants, butterfly plants, pollinator plants, hanging baskets and more. ArtsAndRec-OP.org

Urban Bucket Brigade Workshop 2:00, KC Young Audiences. Jaisson Taylor brings this interactive and fun drumming workshop from the streets to your students. Pre-reg at KCYA.org.

Enchanted Fairy Tale Forest 10:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Celebrate as we discover the hidden world of the wee folk and friends, real and make believe. Pre-reg at 913.826.2800.

Parkville Cruise Night 4:00, Farmers Market Lot (Parkville). Hang out with friends, listen to music and come see all the cars while also exploring downtown Parkville. ParkvilleMo.org

2 Sunday KC Northern Railroad Train Rides 10:00 Frank Vaydik Park. Fun for the entire family! Ride a park train from the ’50s and ’60s. Fare is 75 cents per ride. KCNRR.com/schedule Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org Stormwater Sunday 2:00, StoneLion Puppet Theatre. Enjoy a free live performance, socially distanced games, art making and fun in our outdoor garden. Pre-reg at 816.221.5351.

3 Monday Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com Koala Bears 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Meet koalas Chuckels and Thackory! These two cuddly marsupials are visiting the zoo through November! KansasCityZoo.org

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4 Tuesday Drive-Thru History Tuesdays 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Drive into Missouri Town to explore the village and visit with our living history interpreters. MakeYourDayHere.com Mr Stinky Feet’s Rock & Roll Galaxy 10:00, MCPL. Blast off with on an extraterrestrial musical adventure through the Milky Way. Facebook.com/mcpl360 Spring into Shawnee Town 10:00, Shawnee Town. Shop for supplies in town, visit the baby chicks, have a picnic in the town square and much more! ShawneeTown.org Opening Day 10:00, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Visit animals and birds, learn about flowers and vegetables, take a stroll through Main Street and more! OPKansas.org

5 Wednesday Strawberry Season Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch. Watch our Facebook page for the start of u-pick strawberries at the farm!

FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com

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Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park).

A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy a story from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House. You’ll also get to make a craft. Pre-reg at 913.715.2570.

Cinco de Mayo MATS 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Field trip on the historic grounds with activities that align with Nearpod lessons (available on Mahaffie.org).

Mahaffie.org

6 Thursday Step Right Up 9:30, Science City. Come one, come all! Experience thrilling heights at nine new exhibits recently opened at Science City!

ScienceCity.com Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $10!

CeramicCafeKC.com

Bridging the Gender Divide 10:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Exhibit explores how toys once marketed to boys have evolved over time to encourage all children.

816.235.8000

7 Friday Roaring Through the ’20s 10:00, Kearney Historic Museum. Enjoy a variety of displays depicting daily life in the 1920s in Kearney and the surrounding area. 816.903.1856 Visit Legoland 11:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego.

Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

First Fridays 7:00, Crossroads Art District. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues located in the Crossroads Art District showcase art. KCCrossroads.org Restorative Yoga for Mothers 6:00, Lenexa Rec Center. The Lenexa Rec Center is honoring all mothers with a free community yoga class and a special gift. Space limited. Lenexa.com

8 Saturday Farmers Market 8:00, Lenexa Civic Campus.

Support local farmers and purchase your produce, meat, flowers and artisan-made goods. Lenexa.com Spring Planting Day 9:00, Fort Osage. Learn what soldiers, civilians and Native Americans planted in their gardens. Bring gardening tools and help plant. MakeYourDayHere.com Kids Club 10:00, Colonial Gardens. Kids enjoy fun activities while you shop at Colonial Gardens or enjoy a coffee at the Bean Counter.

Pre-reg at ColonialGardensKC.com.

Sum of Our Favorite Numbers 10:00, Virtual.

Leslie and Jay Cady use juggling, humor and a wacky fairy tale to share many reasons why they like numbers. KCYA.org

9 Sunday

Mother’s Day Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

10 Monday Burger Month thru May 31, Smitty’s Garage.

Celebrate National Burger Month at Smitty’s Garage, your one-stop shop for tasty burgers and fries. EatAtTheGarage.com Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Bring the kids to see the Doodle Reef, the touch pool, Stingray Bay and more! Purchase tickets online at VisitSeaLife.com.

11 Tuesday

Miami County Spring Farm Tour 10:00, various locations. A free, self-guided tour. Visit as many stops as you like while traveling in your own vehicle. MiamiCountyKS.org

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Grab n’ Go Afternoon Tea 11:00, AtkinsJohnson Farm. Register for your own individual afternoon tea kit to take home and enjoy. Call 816.423.4200 to register.

Drive-Thru History Tuesdays 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Drive into Missouri Town to explore the village and visit with our living history interpreters. MakeYourDayHere.com

Discover Nature: Naturalist Hour 2:00, Burr Oak Woods. Go on an adventure with a naturalist to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov/events.

12 Wednesday Early Explorers 9:30, Science City. Bring the younger set to visit the new Early Explorations areas designed for babies and toddlers. Pre-reg at ScienceCity.com.

Spring Planting MATS 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Field trip on the historic grounds with activities that align with Nearpod lessons (available on Mahaffie.org).

Mahaffie.org Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. For ages 2-6. Join a park naturalist for animal stories and surprises geared for preschool-age children. Pre-reg at 913.826.2800.

13 Thursday Book Detective: Zar and the Broken Spaceship 10:00, MCPL. Join Dinosaur O’Dell as he introduces us to Zar, an alien who has lost his way. Facebook.com/mcpl360

NEW SUMMER PROGRAMS!

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Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $10!

CeramicCafeKC.com In the Garden 6:00, Colonial Gardens. Enjoy live music at Colonial Gardens! Pre-purchase a table online before the event. Food and drink options available. ColonialGardensKC.com

14 Friday Spring into Shawnee Town 10:00, Shawnee Town. Shop for supplies in town, visit the baby chicks, have a picnic in the town square and much more! ShawneeTown.org Scavenger Hunt 10:00, Kemper Museum. Get clues for a self-guided scavenger hunt and then take home an art activity kit inspired by the theme of the hunt. Tickets at KemperArt.org.

Kids Night Out 6:00, Shawnee Civic Centre.

Kids enjoy a night out with dinner, games, crafts, free play and a movie to end the night.

Pre-reg at 913.631.5200.

Moms Night Out 7:00, Westside Family Church. Laugh, have fun and build new and deeper friendships. All moms welcome.

WestsideFamily.church

15 Saturday Merriam Farmers Market 7:00, Merriam Farmers Market. Shop for fresh goods and support local in the downtown Merriam historic district. Merriam.org Lost Trail Days 9:00, Louisburg Cider Mill.

Activities include viewing of an actual soda production run, nine-flavor flight of Lost Trail Soda and more. Pre-reg at 913.837.5202.

Year of the American Soldier 9:00, Fort Osage. See how the uniforms, accoutrements and weapons of the US soldier have evolved.

MakeYourDayHere.com Strawberry Festival Today & tomorrow, Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch. Celebrate strawberry season at our u-pick farm! Lots of family fun and activities! FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com

16 Sunday Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

In The Garden This Season at Colonial - Live Music - Yoga - Art - Theatre

27610 E Wyatt Rd. Blue Springs, MO 816.229.1277 colonialgardenskc.com

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American Girl Doll Club 1:00, St Joseph Museum. Explore each doll’s historical time period through a variety of activities. The featured doll is Kaya. Pre-reg at 816.232.8471.

Outdoor Concert Series 5:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner and enjoy a variety of live music in an outdoor setting. Lenexa.com

17 Monday Discovery Kits 9:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Visit the arboretum and pick up a monthly kit for your family to enjoy and be creative with. Available at ticket kiosk.

ArtsAndRec-OP.org/arboretum Visit Legoland 9:30, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego. Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

18 Tuesday Tots on Tuesday 10:30, streaming. Sing songs, read books, explore art and make your own creation with a Kemper Museum educator.

Pre-reg at KemperArt.org.

Discover Nature: Naturalist Hour 2:00, Burr Oak Woods. Go on an adventure with a naturalist to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov/events.

Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $10!

CeramicCafeKC.com

19 Wednesday

Bridging the Gender Divide 10:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Exhibit explores how toys once marketed to boys have evolved over time to encourage all children. 816.235.8000

Farmers Market 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Purchase a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, handmade crafts and more.

DowntownLS.org Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park).

A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Spring MATS 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Field trip on the historic grounds with activities that align with Nearpod lessons (available on Mahaffie.org). Mahaffie.org

20 Thursday Step Right Up 9:30, Science City. Come one, come all! Experience thrilling heights at nine new exhibits recently opened at Science City!

ScienceCity.com

Moonlight Market 4:00, Shawnee City Hall.

Grab goods from the farmers market, check out local restaurants, breweries and shops and enjoy live music! CityOfShawnee.org

21 Friday Roaring Through the ’20s 10:00, Kearney Historic Museum. Enjoy a variety of displays depicting daily life in the 1920s in Kearney and the surrounding area. 816.903.1856 Preschool Open House 11:00, Ability KC (Children’s Center Campus). Take a tour of classrooms, therapeutic spaces, playground and sensory garden. Pre-reg at AbilityKC.org.

Movie in the Park 9:00, Cornerstone Park (Gardner). Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head out to see The Croods, A New Age. GardnerKansas.gov

THURSDAY TODDLER TIME

22 Saturday Strawberry Festival Today & tomorrow, Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch. Celebrate strawberry season at our u-pick farm! Lots of family fun and activities! FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com Opening Day 11:00, Worlds of Fun. Worlds of Fun opens for the season! Enjoy hundreds of acres of thrills, giggles and fun for families and friends. WorldsOfFun.com Train Ride 2:00, Belton, Grandview and KC Railroad. Take a 40-minute trip along the tracks of the Frisco Railroad and enjoy a fun afternoon! Pre-purchase tickets at KCRRM.org.

23 Sunday KC Northern Railroad Train Rides 10:00 Frank Vaydik Park. Fun for the entire family! Ride a park train from the 50’s and 60’s. Fare is .75 cents per ride. KCNRR.com/schedule Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

PRESENTS

NOW OPEN! LIMITED Group Size Morning and Afternoon Sessions Enhanced Cleaning

ON THURSDAYS FROM 10-2, TODDLERS (5 AND UNDER) GET TO PAINT ONE OF OUR SELECTED ITEMS FOR

JUST $10

Museum

8788 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, KS jocoahc.com

For more info & to book your session: JCPRD.com/Museum kcparent.com may 2021

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24 Monday

27 Thursday

29 Saturday

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com

Discovery Kits 9:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Visit the arboretum and pick up a monthly kit for your family to enjoy and be creative with. Available at ticket kiosk.

ArtsAndRec-OP.org/arboretum

Nature Story Time 11:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Join for music, movement and adventures outdoors hosted by Stepping Stones KC. Pre-reg at 913.685.3604.

Koala Bears 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Meet koalas Chuckels and Thackory! These two cuddly marsupials are visiting the zoo through November! KansasCityZoo.org

25 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Drive-Thru History Tuesdays 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Drive into Missouri Town to explore the village and visit with our living history interpreters. MakeYourDayHere.com

26 Wednesday Early Explorers 9:30, Science City. Bring the younger set to visit the new Early Explorations areas designed for babies and toddlers. Pre-reg at ScienceCity.com.

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Visit Legoland 9:30, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego.

Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

28 Friday Spring into Shawnee Town 10:00, Shawnee Town. Shop for supplies in town, visit the baby chicks, have a picnic in the town square and much more! ShawneeTown.org Memorial Day Thru May 31, National WWI Museum and Memorial. Special events throughout the weekend. Free admission for veterans and active duty; half price for public.

TheWorldWar.org Visit Legoland 11:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego.

Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

Opening Day Noon, Oceans of Fun. Enjoy the all-new Riptide Raceway, the world’s longest mat racing waterslide, along with other favorites. WorldsOfFun.com

30 Sunday Hot Air Balloon Glow 6:00, National WWI Museum and Memorial. Enjoy picnicking, live music and local food trucks on 47 acres. Catch the hot air balloon glow at 8:30. TheWorldWar.org

31 Monday Memorial Day Koala Bears 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Meet koalas Chuckels and Thackory! These two cuddly marsupials are visiting the zoo through November! KansasCityZoo.org

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