Spring 2013

SPRING 2013 $5.00

For the Informed Family

Pick the Right

Summer

camp

PINCHING PENNIES

Balancing Budgets

Nandi’s Working Hard to HAVE IT ALL bermudaparentmagazine.com

Better Late Than Never:

motherhood at a later age

Pregnancy

12 Better Late Than Never… More

and more women are advancing their careers first and then deciding to have children later in life. Learn more about why these women chose to wait.

14

Telling Your Boss You’re Pregnant… This seems to be easy for some,

but finding the right time can be difficult. Here are some great tips.

Birth

Features 48

The Great Escape…

Mothers can be some of the busiest people on Earth. Be sure to rejuvenate by spending some quality time pampering yourself at the spa.

50

Nandi Davis: Working Hard To Have It All… The youngest MP opens up about her life.

In Every Issue 26 Adventures of a New Dad 64 Rising Stars 68 Parent Directory 2

16

Birth Tricks: Speeding up Labor…

Learn your birthasutra to ease pain during labor and get things moving.

20

Expect the Unexpected with

Big Kids

38 How to Pick the Right Summer Camp… Key questions to ask before sending your kids off to summer camp.

40

Ginger: Sweet & Spicy

A great recipe to add bonding time with your child and share a little bit of history with them at the same time.

Tweens & Teens

43 Up, Up and Away: The Teen Years… Your teenager is not your enemy.

Find solace that they are making sense of their world while you support them.

46

Is Your Teen Work Ready?

Kristin’s birth story.

Learn how to prepare your teen for the work force.

Baby

Health & Wellness

28

A Genius in the Making… We all

want our babies to be smart! Read about the lengths this mom went to.

30

Ear Infections… Everything parents need to know about ear infections.

Little Ones

34

Early Intervention for Autism…

If you suspect that your child may be autistic, seek out the resources provided.

52

54 Pinching Pennies, Balancing Budgets… Keeping your family’s saving plan on track.

56

How to Keep Your Kids Active at Any Age… Kids often learn by example, and parents’ fitness behavior can motivate children to be active.

58

On the Cover Nandi Davis and son Shiia Photography by Sabrina Wilkinson Location at Child Development Programme’s Playground

Influential Mothers

Check out what these busy moms have to say about balancing work and family.

Dental Decay is Contagious…

It’s never too early to start caring for your child’s teeth.

Dad’s Corner

62

The Balance of Life… In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.

PHOTOS BY JESSII TERRA

Contents

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editor’s note

Finding Balance

I p. 50

t wasn’t until my first child was born, that I realized how intensely I would want to be involved in every area of my child’s life. Seeing his every first moment and doing everything for him was my goal because I wanted to be the best mom ever! To achieve my lofty aspiration, not only did I give up sleep and a social life, I gave up a big part of my identity. It was a struggle trying to balance it all as a working mom, wife and daughter. However, over the years, I have learned a few lessons and valuable advice on how to do it and still keep sane. The most important lesson? I don’t have to be a “supermom”. Tapping on my parents, in-laws or other resources for help does not make me less of a mom. Neither does an untidy house or a crumpled shirt mean that I love my children any less. When I stopped struggling for perfection, I became a better mom because I had space for the daily joys of raising my kids and enjoying ‘me time’. The days that I feel that I don’t measure up to ‘the best mom ever’ are okay now because I know that they still love me.

The theme of the spring issue is work-life balance.

On the cover, Nandi Davis MP speaks of how she balances being a single parent and the youngest elected Member of Parliament in the article Working Hard to Have it All. Read the article Influential Mothers and The Balance of Life to see they how parents can achieve harmony in their family, work and personal time. Also, read Better Late Than Never to see how more women are waiting later in life before starting their families and the pros and cons of waiting. Additionally, check out The Great Escape article if you have been struggling with making time for yourself. Making the time to pamper and rejuvenating yourself holds many benefits so you can continue to give of yourself because everyone is happy when mommy is happy!

Enjoy your children,

p. 48

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Katrina Ball Busin ess Co nsulta n t

Vic Ball Adv ertisin g S ales

Loida Ratteray, Shawnette Smith desig n & production

Picante Creative W riters & Co n tributors

Peter Backeberg, Mikaela Ian Pearman, Nevillene Wachter, Robyn Bardgett, Gwyneth Rawlins, Sara Westhead, Lt. Col. Edward Lamb, Dr. Peter Perinchief, Martha Myron, Dr. Celia MussonNzabalinda, The Family Centre, Joanne Ball-Burgess Con tributin g Photog r aphers

Sabrina Wilkinson, Sacha Blackburne, Theresa Millet, Lana Bull, Zeudi Hinds, Jessii Terra Bermuda Parent Magazine is published four times a year. Reader correspondence, photo submissions and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this magazine. Distribution of this product does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services herein.

Co n tact Us

info@bermudaparentmagazine.com Tel: 504-2937 bermudaparentmagazine.com

Publisher & Editor

Bermuda Parent Magazine wishes to say

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Thank You

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CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY!

birthday wishes!

Tai Anthony Amaral March 8

Mommy and Daddy love you very much! We are lucky that God blessed us both with such a wonderful son like you.

Marina Pimentel

Daniela Pimentel Enshe-Nico Davis March 10

Happy 9th birthday to you, Enshe-Nico!!! Next year you’ll be in double digits, dude!

Kawabunga!!! Love, mom and dad!

April 12

Hope for you the best start in life.

Happy 1st birthday!

April 20

Happy 8th birthday, big girl – we love you!

Caiden Thomas Millett May 1

We love you loads and wish you the very happiest of birthdays, Buddy!!

Lots of love, Mummy, Daddy & Milena xo Kingston Peter Cruz Lekki

Grace Amaradasa

Noah Amaradasa

Wishing you another wonderful year full of adventure. Love and Hugs, Mom

April 7

Layan Benjamin

May 3

Happy 4th birthday to the KING of the Lekki’s. Love, mommy, daddy, Destiny, Chyna, Zaria and Trinity

April 5

Happy 2nd birthday!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and your sister Zaynah!

Do you have a June, July or August baby?

Email us at: submitphotos@bermudaparentmagazine.com with a photo and details. www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

7

Bermuda Parent families

See your family here!

Show off your fabulous family!

Send in your photo and name of your family to submitphotos@ bermudaparentmagazine.com

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

9

photo by Jessii Terra

pregnancy

pregnancy

BY SARA WESTHEAD

It’s the dream perhaps of all little girls: to someday find Prince Charming, get married, have a whole bunch of babies and live happily ever after … or so the story goes. And in times past, all those events would take place in a girl’s late teens or early 20s. That story, though, seems to have been changing through the decades. Three years ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the results of a study showing that the average age of the first-time mother had increased from 21.4 years in 1970 to 25.0 years in 2006. In fact, according to the study, between those years the number of women older than 35 having their first child increased eightfold, from 1 in 100 in 1970 to 1 in 12 in 2006.

Better Late Than

Never

Why Women are Waiting Longer for Motherhood

S

o why are more and more women waiting to have children? There reasons are numerous, but one key factor is that women today are, in general, better educated than they ever have been previously, and as a result are reaching ever greater heights on the career ladder. Sometimes the wait is part of the plan, but for others, life just gets in the way.

Family practitioner Dr. Shaina Kelly Williams, now in her mid-30s, last year celebrated the birth of her first child, Cailyn, with husband, Curtis – but only after pur-

12

suing a degree in biology, followed by medical school and a three-year residency in the U.S. “As a result of my career path and the length of the educational process, it so happened that I ended up getting married and having a child later than what I would have expected when I was younger,” Williams shares. Looking back, however, she’s glad she waited. “It would have been even more of a challenge to balance having a family while pursuing my education.”

Striking a balance between work and motherhood

does prove to be challenging, though. find it challenging to balance work and “I am constantly working on balanc- family, but she is thankful for a great ing my career and family,” continues support system of her own.

Williams. “My office hours are a bit “For the first few years of the girls’ shorter than they were lives, I didn’t really have much previously, and I have cut balance between family and back on evening activicareer,” Gibson says. “Career ties. I want to make the won because of family remost of the time I have sponsibilities, and at that time with my daughter. I have Sean was very good at dropa great support system, ping off and picking up the with a hands-on husband girls from nursery every night, and grandparents who are and feeding and putting them always willing to babysit – to bed while I was at dinner or we even manage to have on business. I am lucky Dr. Shaina Kelly away date nights! My daughter’s – Sean is a very hands-on, Williams babysitter, Bethany Hill, loving father. In recent years watches her while we are at work. She is I moved to Alterra, and at that time wonderful with Cailyn, which puts my Sean and I decided to hire a nanny/ mind at ease.” housekeeper to help us When she advises young women, with our home and famWilliams recommends that they pursue ily. Being lucky enough to their education and careers while they be able to afford this help are still young – and without the addihas meant that we can tional responsibilities. balance family with career “Once you do have a family, it is and ensure that family important to put your family first, as time is quality time.” there is no greater job than raising your While she did wait children,” Williams notes. “I feel that to have her own family, there have been many blessings in my Gibson says she doesn’t Sally life, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel she should or could had the opportunity to achieve many advise a young woman either way, as personal goals prior to getting married everyone’s circumstances are different, and starting a family. Now I have a job and she feels that there are pros and that I love, a wonderful husband and a cons to both sides of the issue. She does beautiful baby girl. I really couldn’t ask offer a few words of advice, however. for more.”

“I wouldn’t want to have children For Sally Gibson, vice president of without the right partner by my side,” Alterra Bermuda Limited, motherhood she adds, “although I recognize you didn’t come until she was 40. can’t take anything for granted. As an “I didn’t plan on waiting to have older mom I know myself, my limitachildren,” says Gibson. “As my father tions and my better qualities. I think was important in my life growing up, you have more patience as you get I wanted to give my own children the older and that you don’t sweat the opportunity to know their father – I just small stuff, but you could say these are never met the right man until ‘later’ personality traits rather than things in life. At the same time I always threw that come with age. I also appreciate myself fully into my work, working long my family, as toward the end of my 30s, hours and moving up the ladder.”

I had come to think that I might not Now, at 47, Gibson and her hushave one. From a career perspective, band, Sean Field-Lament, have two I haven’t been concerned that being little girls, Hannah, 6, and Ella, 5. In a mom would have a negative impact the early years of motherhood she did on how I am viewed at work, as I have

already proven myself. With that, I have earned the ability to have a little more flexibility when it comes to work and, more importantly, the financial security we enjoy, because I was already at a certain point in my career.”

Tina Laws, managing director at consultancy firm Compliance Matters Bermuda Limited, also had a late start, being “30-something” when she and her husband, Jerome, had Jervay, 9, and Javion, 5. The wait was certainly planned, while she pursued her education and career, achieving designations in trust, compliance and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing.

Does she regret the wait?

“I do wish I had started sooner in terms of my age,” Laws admits, “but I wouldn’t change my decision if I hadn’t reached the point in my career that I wanted to reach at the time I started. In essence, if I had attained my career goals earlier, that may have impacted my start in life.”

Before running her own business, she did find Gibson it difficult to be flexible enough to attend school events and take her children to soccer practice, due to the added hours at work, but she is thankful to her husband, her family and her son’s godparents, who stepped in when she wasn’t able. That said, she has found that maturity and being more financially prepared to start a family have been blessings.

“My advice to young women waiting to start a family would be similar to the advice given to me by my general practitioner,” continues Laws, “and that is to be cognizant of your age in terms of the safety and health of the baby you plan on carrying. Waiting to have a child could mean it might take longer to become pregnant, and the risks increase with age. Continue to get your ob-gyn checks and follow a healthy diet and regular exercise program if you plan on delaying motherhood.”

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

13

pregnancy

BY SARA WESTHEAD

Telling Your Boss

You’re

Pregnant When you find out you’re carrying a child, it’s supposed to be an exciting time. But for some women, pregnancy brings on its own set of worries and woes – especially when it comes to the workplace.

Sadly, even with changes to laws and corporate policies regarding the rights of pregnant workers, sometimes bosses still take the news badly. And it is this kind of uncertainty that leaves many women apprehensive about sharing their happy announcement with employers.

G 14

PHOTO BY JESSII TERRA

enerally, it is perfectly acceptable to wait until the second trimester, even up to 20 weeks, before you tell your boss you’re expecting, though it’s often advisable to tell him or her before you start showing more than just the beginnings of that baby bump. However, there are cases in which you’ll likely need to break the news sooner.

If you have a particularly stressful or strenuous job, the sooner you tell, the better it will be for you and your unborn baby. This is especially important if your job exposes you to chemicals that can be harmful to a child in utero. And should you happen to experience early complications, such as

for some women, pregnancy brings on its own set of worries and woes – especially when it comes to the workplace. severe morning sickness, that cause you to miss more work than you normally would, in most cases employers would rather learn about the pregnancy than continually wonder what’s wrong.

Before you make the news public, though, it’s a good idea to research your company’s policies in regards to maternity leave. Make sure you know how much paid and unpaid leave you can take, and then determine what you actually plan on taking – particularly if you intend on returning to work after your bundle of joy arrives.

According to the Employment Act of 2000, a woman who has worked at a company for 12 months or more, or who will have worked for a company for 12 months by the expected delivery date, is entitled to eight weeks’ paid leave and up to four weeks’ unpaid leave. A woman who has worked less than a year is entitled to up to eight weeks’ unpaid leave.

By law, notice for intended leave must be made at least four weeks before you expect to start your leave, although it’s often wise to give more notice than that. Also, by law you are required to give your employer at least two weeks’ notice of your return to work; failure to do so allows your employer to assume that you do not plan to return.

Once your leave is over, the employer is required to allow you to return to your same position, or to a comparable one with the same wages, benefits and seniority – failure to do so gives the employee the right to file a complaint with the Employment Council for breach of the Employment Act and/or unfair dismissal, even opening the possibility of sexual discrimination.

That said, the above guidelines reflect only the bare minimum required by law. Some larger companies offer more robust maternity benefits, so it’s important to inform yourself on your employer’s particular policies. You’ll also need to get a letter from your doctor, complete with an estimated

due date, before you can request your maternity leave. You might even want to consider whether to break up the unpaid leave with the paid leave, so that you don’t find yourself without a paycheck for a whole month – for example, you might ask if you could take two weeks unpaid, then your full paid leave, then the last two weeks unpaid.

When the time comes to spill your secret, be sure to speak with your boss first and in private, rather than telling all your co-workers first and having your employer hear the news accidentally through the grapevine. Be ready to address any potential questions the boss may have straightaway, but do not be apologetic – you have nothing to be sorry for.

If possible, try to coincide your timing with the completion of a project or another milestone, so your boss can see that you’ve been keeping up with your work and performing well, even during the early stages of pregnancy.

Once you’ve shared the news, you may feel like you’ve cleared a significant hurdle – but that doesn’t mean you can just sit back and relax. You’ll need to continue keeping up with your work, making arrangements to keep your tasks covered when you have prenatal appointments or when you’re feeling under the weather. In fact, you may want to come up with possible solutions, such as telecommuting, to deal with such potential issues before they arise.

Finally, once you’re on leave, maintaining regular contact with your boss is key, especially if you’ve been part of a larger project that will be continuing during your absence. Make it clear that while you are in fact on leave, you will, for example, answer emails once a day to address any questions your boss or co-workers may have. By anticipating potential problems and planning ahead, you can help make the announcement of your big news at work truly a joyous occasion, rather than a nerve-wracking source of stress. www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

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birth

BY SAM MILLER Reproduced from Mother & Baby

Photos by Kondwani Williams

Birth Speeding Tricks:

It’s long been known that staying active is helpful in labour, but there are tried-and-tested poses to remember if you want to make your baby’s delivery as easy as possible. According to research, women who use upright positions like walking, sitting, standing or kneeling while in labour may shorten their delivery time by as much as an hour.

16

“As well as having gravity on your side, staying upright and moving your hips helps ease the baby’s head toward the birth canal,” says Lynn Goodman, spokesperson for British Doulas.

Moms-to-be who get into good positions are also less likely to use pain relief, according to the same study. Just as every labour is unique, however, so too is the position you’ll favour – and you’ll need different positions for different phases of labour.

“If you regularly change to the most comfortable position, you can also feel more energized,” states a consultant obstetrician from Portland Hospital in London.

In preparation for delivery day, practice these useful positions:

up Labor The Slow Dance For the first active stage of labour. Stand facing your birth partner. Put your arms around his shoulders and neck, resting your head on his chest. Your partner should place his arms around you, clasping his hands behind your back. Now sway your hips together, just as if you were slow dancing.

How does it work?

The rhythm of the hips helps ease pain, speeds up the first stage and encourages your baby to move deeper into your pelvis. Gravity will help your baby get in the right position for birth. This position also offers intimacy with your partner and lets him support your weight.

The Crab For the transitional stage, when contractions come hard and fast but you’re not yet ready to push, this pose is also good for helping a baby into the best position. Get on your bed, or put cushions under your hands and knees for comfort, and kneel down on all fours, keeping your legs open. If you want some support, use a birthing ball or lean across a chair. Your partner can get involved by rubbing your back.

How does it work?

Being on all fours relieves pressure on your back by using gravity to pull the uterus out of your pelvis. This also helps your baby get into optimum position by taking the pressure off his head. Women have found this position eases back pain during labour. It can also slow down a labour that’s progressing too quickly.

The Slow Dance

The Crab

The Rock ’n’ Roll

The Rock ’n’ Roll For the transitional stage of labour. Sit on a birthing ball with feet a comfortable distance apart and flat on the floor. You can place your hands on your knees for support if you wish. Now rock from side to side.

Your birth partner can also massage your back and shoulders to ease pain further.

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

17

birth The Frog

How does it work?

Rocking is rhythmic and calming and helps you focus, so it can be very soothing during the transitional stage.

This stage can cause the mom-to-be to get extremely emotional, with feelings ranging from fear to anger or even a loss of self. It’s important at this stage to have someone there to help her through.

The Lap Dance For delivery. With your birth partner sitting on a chair in front of you, and with your legs open, kneel on cushions on the floor and rest your head and hands on a pillow on your partner’s lap.

How does it work?

As your body is upright, gravity will help speed up delivery, while kneeling will take any strain off your legs. Your partner can also ease back pain by massaging your back.

The Lap Dance

The Dangle For delivery. Also known as the supported squat. Your partner sits on the edge of the bed while you squat in front with your back to him. Your legs should be open wide with feet flat on the floor. He should place his arms under yours so that each time a contraction comes, he can support your body so it hangs in position until the pain fades. Then return to resting against his lap.

How does it work?

This position puts women in the pushing mode. The upright position uses gravity to help ease the baby along the birth canal and speed up delivery.

Note: Positions can vary from woman to woman and birth to birth, so be sure to talk with your childbirth educator, doula or OB about different positions and what makes you more comfortable during birth.

The Frog

The Dangle

For delivery. This position can be done sitting on the bed with your back against the bedhead, or sitting between your partner’s legs and leaning against his chest. Bring your knees up.

How does it work?

The most common delivery position seen in hospitals, this helps open up your pelvis by flexing the hips and can speed up delivery.

Lawrence A, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T, Styles C. Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003934. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003934.pub2.

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Purchasing Second-hand Children’s Products Buying second-hand children’s products is an affordable way to equip a nursery. But it can also be dangerous as some items can be out of date and no longer safe.

Some children’s products, especially cribs and bassinets have caused deaths and have been the subject of numerous recalls.

Check our website, www.ca.gov.bm before you purchase any children’s products second-hand.

Tel. 441-297-7627 • E-mail: consumers@gov.bm • Web: www.ca.gov.bm

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

19

birth

BY ROBYN BARDGETT

Expecting the

When it comes to giving birth, expectant moms can never really know what to expect – no matter what the books tell you!

f

or Kristin and Ephraim Divine, the birth of their first child three years ago came with a bit of an unexpected twist.

“I had an amazing pregnancy with my son,” says Kristin.

Although she suffered through four months of terrible morning sickness, losing almost 20 pounds in those first few months, along with some swelling and heartburn leading up to delivery, Kristin says she loved being pregnant.

“I just assumed I was young and healthy,” she adds. “I’ve never been someone to get sick or need medical attention.”

But at her 38-week appointment, things took a scary turn.

During a routine blood pressure check, Kristin’s doctor determined that she was suffering from pre-eclampsia – a condition in pregnant women characterized by abnormally high blood pressure – and Kristin was sent in for an immediate induction.

Three days after all sorts of induction and pain medication, IVs and monitoring, Kristin’s water was eventually broken, and 14 hours of labour later she gave birth to a 7-pound, 15-ounce boy.

Despite having had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck,

20

photo by Lana Bull

unexpected Aeziah E’Mari was healthy, and was discharged from the hospital two days later. But Kristin still had health issues to deal with..

“I was kept in hospital another five days after delivery,” remembers Kristin, “due to the large amount of blood loss, high blood pressure and breathing problems I was having.”

Kristin says the extra time in hospital helped her get back on track before taking on the physical job of caring for a newborn. She also credits her husband’s support with helping her focus on herself and making sure she was back to normal.

“Even though a new baby requires more time and effort on your part, they also give you a calming feeling of contentment,” she says. “It’s hard to explain, but when you become a mother you know the feeling I am talking about.

You can get so busy and wrapped up in caring for this new little one and so overwhelmed with keeping your life in order. But at any given moment, if you give yourself the space to reflect, you have more of an inner peace simply because of them. This alone helps you get through the tougher times more than you can imagine.”

The unexpected complications of her first pregnancy didn’t turn Kris-

tin off motherhood – in fact it made her love for becoming a mother even stronger.

“I remember my husband asking, ‘So, are you ready to go again?’” recalls Kristin. “Even though I knew he and the doctors and nurses in the room expected me to say otherwise, I didn’t hesitate in saying I’d definitely do it all over again in a heartbeat!”

The couple knew they would like to have more children one day, and this past September they were blessed with a girl, Aria Skye.

While Kristin always had thoughts of potential issues in the back of her mind during her second pregnancy, that didn’t stop her from the enjoyment of carrying her baby girl.

“Fortunately I didn’t have those issues the second time around, and I had the smoothest delivery and healthiest baby I could imagine,” she says. “So you never really know what to expect, if you think about it. Just don’t get caught up on the thinking aspect. Enjoy your pregnancy, focus on the exciting time ahead of you, and enjoy the peace and relaxation of pregnancy while you can – because in a few short months, life will change forever. To me, the reward outweighs the risks any day!”

Did you know breastfeeding challenges can be overcome with the right support?

We offer information, support and encouragement to women choosing to breastfeed their babies. If you are pregnant or need help with nursing, contact us.

Our services are free of charge and provided by skilled and accredited Leaders.

Attend our Monthly Series Meetings on the second Saturday of each month at 10:30am in the First Floor Conference Room at the Hospital.

For breastfeeding assistance, call 236-1120 or email islandgirl@northrock.bm. Visit us on Facebook at La Leche League of Bermuda.

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The Nanny Guide: Nanny Options Find the right type of nanny for you So you have decided that in order to retain your marriage, your sanity and that of the kids and all those around you, you need some help! Good first step. But before you start your search for a nanny, sit down and decide on your needs, as nanny prices vary considerably depending on scenario. Here’s a rundown of the common nanny options available in Bermuda, from the most to least expensive scenarios: Nanny Housekeepers — They’re the most expensive because they do it all. It’s you cloned. They handle all of

the same child care duties as would a live-in or live-out nanny (see below), but they also are willing to perform housekeeping duties during nap or quiet time, or while the children are at school. These nannies clean house, do laundry, ironing, take care of the pets, travel on demand or assume sole charge for the kids when the parents are away. Very often it is this nanny you might hear the child cry for on the first day of school! But when considering this most comprehensive form of home support, it will be important to come to a specific agreement on exactly the role you want your nanny to play in your family: you don’t want to feel as if your nanny housekeeper isn’t doing enough, usurping your role, or have her feel that she’s being taken advantage of, as the latter could affect the quality of child care. This type is generally the most expensive type of nanny (particularly if she is live out) and will cost the family anywhere from $1100 - $1500 weekly once we consider all the benefits that are to be included in the compensation package.

The qualification level of the nanny is important here as if she has any background in early education or learning support, or is a fully qualified nurse or midwife if caring for a newborn, she will be relatively more expensive.

Full-time live-out Nannies – They work full time

(five days a week, usually 45-50 hours) and their duties focus exclusively on child care (play, bath time, meals, and transportation to and from activities). They do not reside in the family’s home, and thus should be compensated appropriately if they are using their own car to help out with nanny duties (such as picking up kids from school). Generally you will find that when nannies first arrive in Bermuda, they prefer to live in but after two or so years, they prefer to enjoy all that Bermuda has to offer and prefer to do that on a live out basis enjoying a greater degree of privacy. Locally, these our easier to find as given the number of pre-school teachers out of work or on reduced hours.

Live-in Nannies – These nannies share the same respon-

sibilities as live-out nannies but reside in the family’s home.

Live-in nannies typically have a furnished room, private bath, sometimes a telephone, and access to a car. Having the nanny live with your family means your care costs are reduced, but be sure to draw specific boundaries about work and non-work

hours. The cost difference between a live in and a live out nanny is usually between $600-$700 per month considering the relatively high cost of living in Bermuda.

Part-time or Summer Nannies – They are good options

for working parents who only need coverage after school or a few days during the week, or when school is closed for the summer. Because of the less regular schedule, it may be more difficult to come by this type of nanny.

College Nannies – College Nannies can be a great resource.

These nannies are studying at college or university and often have a more flexible schedule. If you find a Nursing or an Education major, those students will have specific courses in child care and safety. More often than not, this type of nanny can also be a great tutor for your child as well. Don’t expect too much from this type of nanny. This is usually not their career choice.

Au Pairs – An au pair offers a barter-

type arrangement, where the au pair -- typically a young student from a foreign country -- provides child care and light housekeeping in exchange for room, board, and weekly pocket money. Au pairs generally stay with a host family for one year and synchronize child care with their school schedules. This is the cheapest cost option but you don’t find too many of this type of nanny in Bermuda.

There are other cost considerations to consider as well -- a cell phone allowance, transportation, annual bonus and of course, as employer, you have responsibility for re-patriation at the end of her contract. In our next column, we will fully examine the cost elements (payroll tax, social insurance, HIP, travel visas) of the nanny engagement. Not for the fainthearted!

With the shift in our economy, globetrotting executive parents, 24/7 Blackberry and work connectivity, highly mobile families, and the stress this can place on the professional family, the nanny or caregiver job category, as defined by the Department of Immigration, has grown significantly in the last 10-12 years. It used to be that personal in-home care was a luxury. Today, credentialed, reliable, trustworthy, loving and above all, personal in-home care is a requirement.

Care@Home Services provides personal in home care (nannies & housekeepers) solutions to Bermuda resident families.

Tel: 295 2273. Email: care@myhome.bm.

Parent Resources Do you have a child from age birth to 4?

•

Play-based screenings for 24 – 30 month old children Parent and Children’s Book Library Toy Library

Are you a Home Child Care Provider and would like resources to help you to care for young children?

ALSO AVAILABLE:

Call the Child Development Programme 295-0746 ext. 2221

PArEntIng wOrkShOPS:

• • • • • •

Parent Infant Group Premature Infant Programme 1,2,3,4 Parents!

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Child Care Provider Workshops tOPICS AVAILABLE: • • • • •

Motor Development Developmentally Appropriate Programming Bonding: Early Steps to Attachment Behaviour Management Language Learning

Plus more...

Participation in services is voluntary and resources are free to the public!

photo by Sacha Blackburne

baby

• • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • •

baby

BY PETER BACKEBERG

ADVENTURES OF A NEW DAD

Ready to Go

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a

t our final birthing class, a refresher session, three of the women announced that they were 2 cm dilated and 50-90 percent effaced (for the uninitiated, read that to mean they are progressing smoothly toward readiness).

All the other soon-to-be moms went a sort of silent pale. No one said it, but they may as well have all blurted out: “Why are they dilated and effaced, and I am not?” I think the implication for most of the other mothers was that labour would be easier and shorter for these women because they’d already effaced, dropped, dilated, turned, had a child or whatever. In an expectant mother’s mind, that can quickly turn into: “and mine is now going to be much harder.”

Funny thing is, I don’t actually think these women were trying to boast (that’s something we men would do) – I’m quite sure they were simply hoping to hear the teacher tell them how well they were doing … and that it was going to be easier for them. At the end of the day we’re all just big kids looking for reassurance, especially when confronted with the unknown.

The teacher, to her credit, quickly stepped in and eased the tension by saying that what was happening to these three women was “different than normal” (I like that term and have used it often since). In other words the women who weren’t dilated and effaced were perfectly normal, so they could relax. She was also quick to remind the ripe trio that while they may have been ahead of the game, they still had to prepare for ‘normal’ – because if they got their expectations up, two hours could feel like 20.

Sure enough, after the class my wife and another mother confirmed my suspicions about what had gone unsaid in the classroom: “How do they know? What does it mean? Should I be like that? Am I behind schedule?” These women have enough worries without conjuring up the notion that someone else is going to have an easier time with birth.

In fact, the other mother summed it up perfectly in the same conversation. Her doctor, while checking her blood pressure, asked if she was under any unusual stress. Her response: “Well, I’m going to be a parent in two weeks. Oh, and before that I have to somehow squeeze a bowling ball out of my body.” So yes, feeling a little stressed.

photo by JESSII TERRA

Birthing classes were undoubtedly useful – packed with information to calm the nerves and a subtle reinforcement that childbirth is actually going to happen. It must be daunting, particularly for first-time moms, knowing that one way or the other that baby is coming out, and it is not going to be, well, easy.

baby

A

e

BY JOANNE BALL-BURGESS

Genius in the Making

My husband thought I was crazy. I just wanted a genius baby.

photo by JESSII TERRA

very parent wants to know that their child will succeed in life. Perhaps all of us secretly believe that our children are geniuses. Once a child is born we go to great measures finding the right school, instilling refined manners and showering them with oodles of

love so that they feel special and accepted. Every now and then we pull out our mental parenting checklist and think, “Good school? Check. Manners? Uhh … needs improvement (burp!). Oodles of love? Check.”

Some of us, however, can’t wait to ensure that our kids will be successful or smart once they’re born. So we send them messages in utero saying, “Look kid, most of your family isn’t that clever. You’re our only hope

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“I wondered if Einstein’s mother ever did this type of research.”

Hip Hop and Homework If you’re looking for a way to engage your child with spelling homework or arithmetic, use rap music to keep them engaged in learning. Download several instrumental hip hop beats and help your child master their homework while bopping to the beat of the music. The rhythm, kinesthetic movement and repetition of words assist with memory function. Overall, studying will be fun and could become a way for you and your child to spend meaningful time together. Create dances that go along with the homework and see what happens. So start dancing while learning!

Relaxing Moments Help your child unwind from a busy day by turning on one of your favorite relaxing classical music numbers.

Turn the volume down low enough to be soothing for the child. Studies show that listening to classical music aids cognitive development in children.

for the mess we’ve made around here, so hopefully you’ll figure out the solution to world peace.”

So while writing my thesis at the computer, I would prop up the speakers against my tummy and pop in my favorite Bach CD. My husband would come home from work and find me in my usual position, sitting at the computer, ketchup-stained shirt lifted with the speaker resting in my lap at high volume, aimed toward my protruding belly.

Half-eaten snacks and pomegranate juice surrounding the scene like musical instruments in a symphony orchestra. Thunderous vibrations reverberating through my womb. A genius was in the making.

Sheepishly I would look up while wiping pomegranate juice from my lips and say, “Honey, this will make our child smart!”

Hubby’s reaction was always the same: a raised eyebrow that said, “if you say so,” while shaking his head and walking into the other room to resume other activities deemed less insane. What would he know, anyway? I was the one growing a person inside of me.

Like most new mothers, I didn’t know much about raising a kid when I gave birth at age 24. But I was determined about one thing: that my child would be smart – maybe even a mastermind who would one day win a Nobel Peace Prize. My pregnancy happened right smack in the middle of the new wave of parents who weren’t satisfied with having ordinary babies who dribbled and pooped all day. This new wave of children had to be able to speak several languages fluently before they were 3 (even though their parents were monolingual), play an instrument before they were 5 and know how to calculate the area of a triangle before they were 7. Surely my child would not be left behind in this intelligence factory. As a new college graduate I pored over books and journals that claimed to provide strategies for “Making Your Child Bright” or “Increasing Your Baby’s IQ.” I wondered if Einstein’s mother ever did this type of research.

While reading these articles, my mind would drift into lavender daydreams of my child accepting a Nobel Prize for some medical discovery I couldn’t imagine properly because I was monolingual

and hadn’t learned to figure the area of a triangle until I was 11. He would dedicate his medical discoveries to his dear mother.

“Mom, thanks for the organic baby food and the gluten-free bread products you fed to me. Because of all those things, I was able to reach my full potential. Did I mention that I came up with my discovery while listening to Mozart?” A mascarastained tear drops from my eye as I pat it with my handkerchief. I have succeeded as a mother. Checklist complete.

One of the most repeated suggestions I found for improving a child’s intelligence before birth was to play classical music for the unborn baby. Researchers tell us that the auditory development of the fetus becomes functional at 25 weeks gestation (Browne and Graven, 2008). So why not give them a little music to listen to while getting ready for their big day? I recalled my father’s voice in the background: “Don’t ever let your children listen to that rap music, or they’ll grow up acting crazy. That’s why I never allowed that noise nonsense in my house, and look how you turned out.”

I wasn’t quite sure about my father’s advice, but perhaps there was something to be said for the type of music a child listened to in utero. So I decided that if it was going to make my child smart, then I would listen to classical music all the time.

Seven years later, my son is quite the normal child. He is a happy kid who loves to ride his bike and is really good at football. I’m not sure if he knows the formula for the area of a triangle or not, but he knows a few words in Hebrew and is catching on to Kiswahili really quickly. The other day he told his brother, “Hari, that’s a leading question.” He has also figured out a strategy (which I don’t understand) to be able to recite his nine times tables up through 200, if you have time to listen.

He is a bit young to win a Nobel, but I’ve discovered that much simpler things cause an eye-shadow-stained tear to fall from my eye, like seeing my children perform in a school play or hearing the words, “Mommy, I love you. You’re the best.” I’m not sure if it was all that classical music that provided the hint of genius we see from time to time or not, but perhaps you can guess what his favorite music is? Rap. www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

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baby

BY DR. PETER PERINCHIEF

Ear Infections‌ What parents need to know As a great source of anxiety and frustration among many parents, ear infections are the most common reason children are brought to see a physician and also the most common reason antibiotics are prescribed. In the U.S., the medical cost associated with ear infections is estimated to be a whopping $7-8 billion per year.

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early 100 percent of children will have at least one ear infection episode by age 2, with the peak period of incidence occurring during the first 12 months. After 24 months of age, the 30

frequency of ear infections begins to decline, possibly due to changes in the anatomy of the middle ear, the maturing of the immune system and the cumulative effect of pneumococcal vaccinations.

•••• • • • Nearly 100% of children will have at least one episode by age • •••••• 2 and the peak incidence is during the first 12 months. • • • • • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • Language Delay Concerns •••• • • • •••• • • • Diagnosis and •••• Treatment Options • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • •••• Risk Factors • • • •••• • • • •••• • • • The anatomical issue behind so many ear infections in infants and toddlers lies in the physical limitations of the drainage system of the middle ear. In very young children, the Eustachian tubes – passages that connect the middle ear cavities with the back of the throat – are short, relatively flat and subject to frequent collapse (lacking enough cartilage to remain open). With growth and maturation, the tubes develop more cartilage and gradually elongate, creating more robust passageways with steeper inclines. This improved anatomy allows bacteria to drain out of the tubes much more easily, lessening the frequency of ear infections or eliminating them altogether.

However, the bacteria that slosh in and out of the tubes do tend to settle down as a biofilm on the middle ear mucosal lining, which in turn can cause a low-grade inflammatory response that persists as long as the biofilm survives – and biofilm can persist for months or even years. As a result, the earlier a child has an attack, the more likely others will follow, with a greater risk of persistence of fluid in the middle ear cavity.

This middle ear fluid, known as effusion, can lead to reduced hearing right at a crucial time in the child’s acquisition of language skills, so drainage tubes are commonly placed in the eardrum to facilitate fluid drainage.

The relationship between middle ear fluid and language delay was studied in the U.S. in the late 1990s in children from infancy to about 7 years of age. One group of children with effusion was treated with drainage tubes and antibiotics as needed, while the control group was treated with antibiotics only (no drainage tubes). When the children started first grade, those in the control group did have a slight delay in development of language skills; however, by second grade, no discernible difference existed between the two groups. The study raises the question of which children should have surgical intervention for recurring ear infections and whether the insertion of drainage tubes make all that much difference in the long run, from a developmental perspective. From a quality-of-life perspective, on the other hand, there is little debate that the tubes provide significant benefit.

A number of factors can predispose a child to middle ear infections:

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Gender: Boys experience ear infections more than girls.

• Exposure to tobacco smoke can predispose a child to ear infections, and in any case you should never smoke around children under any circumstances.

• Exposure to other children (part of what’s known as ‘nursery school syndrome’) increases the likelihood of ear infections.

• Environmental/seasonal factors: Ear infections are more common during winter months.

• A lack of pneumococcal 13 vaccine may allow more ear infections to develop.

• Infants who are bottle fed in a recumbent position are more susceptible to ear infections (never put the baby down with a bottle – this can also lead to rotting teeth).

• Some evidence (although slight) indicates that pacifier use also contributes to ear infections.

However, a balance has to be struck against pacifiers’ reduction of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and it is also better for a child to suck on a pacifier than a thumb.

• Craniofacial problems (e.g., cleft palate) are also a risk factor.

Breastfeeding is actually protective against ear infections, and it turns out that factors in the breast milk – rather the actual mechanics of breastfeeding – appear to be the contributing variable.

By the time parents recognize something is wrong, the signs and symptoms of an ear infection are usually well established, including fussiness, crying, disturbed sleep, tugging or pulling on an earlobe, fever (particularly in infants and young children), fluid drainage from the ear canal (suggesting a perforated eardrum), clumsiness or balance problems (irrelevant in a pre-perambulatory patient), and reduced hearing.

Diagnosis is made by direct visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum, but definitive diagnosis and treatment at the time of exam are not always a certainty. For instance, an acute ear infection is defined by the presence of a high fever and a bulging eardrum that is inflamed and has fluid behind it. And while the clinical requirements are clearly defined to make this kind of diagnosis, studies have shown that specialist physicians agree only 64 percent of the time on what they observe, demonstrating that clinical medicine is, unfortu-

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

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baby nately, not an exact science.

In addition to an often challenging diagnosis, determination of appropriate treatment for an infection is complicated by the fact that a significant number of acute ear infections are caused by viruses, which will not respond to antibiotics. In older age groups, up to 90 percent of ear infections may actually be viral, so the use of antibiotics in such cases has the chance of being inappro-

priate 90 percent of the time.

In general, however, a child’s age, along with the presence of fever and/ or pain, often dictates the type of treatment prescribed, including whether to prescribe antibiotics. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children younger than 6 months with ear infections not be treated, while children older than 6 months be treated based on the severity of the

Dr. Ayesha Peets Talbot, MD DABIM FAAP

Consultant Physician, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Board Certified in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Fellow of American Society of Bariatric Physicians

Associates in Integrated Health (AIIH)

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attack. Ear infections accompanied by moderate to severe pain and a fever greater than 39 C are considered ‘severe,’ whereas infections accompanied by mild pain and a fever less than 39 C are classified as ‘mild.’ Mild attacks are given an observation period of 48-72 hours, during which time the parents should remain in contact with their physician’s office – this approach enables virally induced attacks to resolve spontaneously without the inappropriate and unnecessary use of antibiotics.

With all these considerations in mind, the best advice for parents who may suspect that their child is suffering from an ear infection is to visit the pediatrician as soon as possible. Taking the child’s symptoms and age into consideration, your child’s physician will be able to provide the best assessment of the situation and determine an appropriate course of treatment to help your little one get back to feeling like him- or herself as quickly as possible.

photo by Sacha Blackburne

little ones

pregnancy little ones

BY NEVILLENE BALL-WACHTER, M.ED.

Early Intervention:

Mounting Hope for Children with Autism

Not unlike its neighboring countries, Bermuda faces a growing number of children diagnosed with some form of autism — a relatively common spectrum of neurobiological disorders characterized by impairments in social interactions and verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and/or repetitive behaviors that hinder a child’s capability to form social relationships and communicate with others.

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ncreasingly, recent research indicates that the earlier a child diagnosed with autism receives early intervention, the better the child’s chances are for improvement in social and communication abilities. In fact, an early intervention therapy specifically designed to improve cognitive and linguistic skills among autistic children as young as 12 months has been found effec-

10 EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF AUTISM 1 Rarely smiles when approached by caregivers 2 Rarely imitates expressions 3 Delayed or infrequent babbling 4 Does not respond to his or her name 5 Does not gesture to communicate 6 Demonstrates poor eye contact 7 Seeks attention infrequently 8 Exhibits unusual body movements 9 Does not reach up when parents try to pick him or her up 10 Experiences delays in motor development

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tive in improving social skills and decreasing symptoms associated with the disorder. The study found that the therapy, known as the Early Start Denver Model, not only boosted the cognition, language and social skills among very young children with autism, but the researchers say it’s the first study to show that the intervention also “normalized” brain activity in subjects.

The study’s findings on improved behavioral outcomes and the ability to normalize brain activity associated with social activities signify that there is tremendous potential for the brains of children with autism to develop and grow more normally. According to Dr. Sally Rogers – an autism researcher at the University of California, Davis – infant brains are quite “malleable” and have an incredible potential to learn new behaviors that can reduce the symptoms of autism.

The Denver model is based on the rigorously tested ABA therapy but is delivered differently, by encouraging the very young child to combine subskills to approximate how they are usually practiced in everyday life. In essence, the model helps children learn new skills by building on their interests. For example, if a child loves blocks, the therapist uses blocks to teach fine motor skills, colors, how to ask for things and how to maintain eye contact. Although such therapy often looks more like play than education, this approach helps build language, cognitive, motor and daily living skills. Therapists also train parents to use these strategies with their children.

Bermuda has developed a strong foundation of support for children with autism, through the Bermuda Autism Support & Education (BASE), Tomorrow’s Voices and services offered through the Ministry of Education. Unfortunately, resources are few for treatment of young children (12-18 months) in Bermuda, with

most programs focusing on children 4 years and older.

Another concern is that children in Bermuda suspected of having autism tend to be diagnosed later in life – many parents have their concerns confirmed following a visit to the government’s Child Development Centre after the child’s second birthday. Diagnosis is typically confirmed by an overseas pediatrician, and treatment recommendations are sent back with the parents to implement in Bermuda.

For all parents with autistic children, the road ahead may be bumpy – but also rewarding. Such parents quickly learn that their child is indeed exceptional, with unique talents to go along with the challenges the disorder brings.

But improvements can be erratic, and there may be times when progress stalls or even takes an unexpected turn.

When such course changes occur, parents should remind themselves that these are speed bumps – not roadblocks – and to take the challenges one at a time. For children showing signs of autism, it is important to start interventions as early as possible, involving the child’s pediatrician and taking advantage of the variety of services available locally and overseas.

H Nevillene Ball-Wachter, M.Ed., is a special education specialist currently teaching in one of the Ministry of Education’s first autism classrooms at West Pembroke Primary. A devoted mother of four, she has also earned numerous certifications in teaching children with special needs, and also leads camps for children with special needs at Wind Reach. wachternevi@gmail.com www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

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Working together to develop the whole child.

Mount Saint Agnes Academy offers a safe and caring environment where students are nurtured at every level. Our smaller class sizes encourage interactive learning with teachers focusing on individual learning needs and promoting critical thinking and problem solving. The Mount Saint Agnes Academy Through Faith and Learning

combination of MSA’s world class curriculum, daily infusion of Catholic values and the expertise of our dedicated Faculty and Staff ensures that your child receives the most complete education available in Bermuda.

We invite parents or guardians who are interested in enrolling their child in MSA, to submit applications for the 2013/14 School Year. Potential students will be academically screened and interviewed by the Principal, together with his or her parent(s) or guardian(s). Application forms can be obtained from the MSA website at www.msa.bm or contact the School Office.

19 Dundonald Street West Hamilton HM 09, Bermuda Telephone: 441-292-4134 Email: msaoffice@msa.bm

www.msa.bm

Become SCARS Certified!

Training offered monthly for organizations, parents and the general public Do the right thing, Break the silence! www.scarsbermuda.com training@scars.bm

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photo by Sacha Blackburne

big kids

pregnancy big kids

BY NEVILLENE WACHTER photoS provided by BUEI

How to Pick the Right

Summer Camp

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n Bermuda, camps aren’t so much a rite of passage as they are an absolute necessity. With weeklong breaks in fall, winter and spring and two months of summer vacation, parents have to become well versed in selecting the right camp for their children.

The good news is that there are a lot of camps to choose from, many offering themes to attract the interests of parents and campers alike. Dolphin Quest camp, princess camp, swimming camp, IT camp, etiquette camp and various camps offered by the Department of Youth Sport & Recreation are just the tip of the iceberg! Before long, your camp list may be as long as your arm, and you may be wondering what you should be looking for to make this decision easier. Whether you’re thinking about sending your child to the little day camp down the street or one that offers a little more adventure, here are our Top 10 Camp-Picking Tips:

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Family decision - First of all, include your child in the decision. Picking a camp and sending your child there for a couple weeks or a month without involving them in the decision is the best way to send them to the ‘worst camp in Bermuda’ – or, at least, that’s what they’ll tell you! Encourage their input and engage them in comparing camps that most interest them.

Check the camp philosophy - Camps can be designed to be all fun, very academic, for learning a new sport or to de-emphasize competition. Ask camp directors if they have a mission statement and then look at their brochure to see how that mission is woven into the overall camp philosophy.

Understand the theme/programme - What sort of experience are you looking for? There are high-adventure camps, traditional camps with a range of activities, swimming camps, football camps, computer camps, robotics camps and horse

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6 5 4

camps – and the list goes on. If you are considering sending your child to a camp for multiple weeks, it would be wise to ask the camp director whether the program has any variation from week to week.

Cost - Many wonderful camps pay their staff well, use the best program materials, have a great camper-to-staff ratio and constantly work on improving their program from year to year. Those camps will also, by necessity, charge a higher rate than camps that pay low salaries and have aging program equipment. Some low-cost camps may still be great camps if they are supported by a governmental or charity organization that supplements camper fees, or because of the nature of their program offerings. Some camps offer discounts for financially strapped families. Also, be sure to ask about any extra charges you may incur, as some camps charge extra for excursions (e.g., BAMZ, BUEI) while others include them as part of tuition. Transportation to and from these extra activities is also a common charge you may want to factor in.

Location - How close to home is the camp? When you are on your way to work, think about the location of the camp and any traffic (and even roadwork) you may have to encounter.

Size - It’s good to know how many total campers can be expected, as this has a direct effect on your child’s experience – much the same way you would think about class size in school.

Staff - The composition of the staff is, for most parents, the most important consideration in choosing a great camp. How long has the camp

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director been at the helm and what are their priorities when selecting staff. Do they conduct background checks? Are staff CPR/First Aide trained? What is the staff-to-camper ratio? What is the age and experience of the staff? There is no “right” answer to many of these questions, but the answers you receive might spark a deeper conversation about a camp’s staffing philosophy, and the overall safety and level of supervision of your child.

What’s the plan? - While it is unlikely that a camper will have an injury or become sick during camp, make sure that you understand the camp’s communication plan for notifying parents in case of emergencies. Well-run camps will ask for the parents’ mobile phone numbers and work numbers, as well as an emergency contact.

References - Will the camp give you references?

Most camps are happy to provide a list of families that have agreed to be references. Once you have narrowed the choices down, call a few families and ask them why they chose the camp and what they feel the camp’s top attributes are.

Visit the camp - There is no better way to find out about a camp than by going in and observing the camp in action. Talk with the camp staff as you walk around. Meet the director, and ask them questions in person. If it’s not possible to make a site visit, a phone call to the camp director may be the only practical way to get all your questions answered. Talk about your child specifically, and be sure to bring up any special requirements the camp staff may need in order to provide a positive experience. www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

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Ginger: Sweet &Spicy F

rom sweet, scrumptious slices of sticky ginger cake to crisp, crunchy ginger snaps to zesty, ice-cold ginger ale, ginger – with its sweet, peppery taste – is an amazingly versatile spice. Apart from its use in many well-known foods, ginger is also a main ingredient in medicinal remedies for stomach aches, rheumatism, nausea and even flatulence.

So what exactly is this enticing spice? Originally cultivated in the lush, humid tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia, the ginger plant is thin, with clusters of small pink and white fragrant flowers, and can grow 3-4 feet tall. Ginger spice is cultivated from the underground rhizome (also sometimes called the stem or root) of the plant, which has a pale khaki color. Depending on the variety of plant, the thick inside flesh can be yellow, white or reddish.

The ginger plant takes five months to develop for harvesting, and the longer the root stays in the ground, the spicier it becomes. If harvested early, the root’s mild flavor is used in ginger syrup, candied ginger, baked goods and drinks.

Harvested later, spicier ginger is used more for cooking and medicines.

As a food and medicinal ingredient, ginger has been in use for approximately 5,000 years. The ancient Chinese and Indians considered ginger to be a tonic for medical ailments, and the spice was exported from Asia and India to ancient Rome but eventually fell out of popular favor. When Arabian traders took control of the spice trade, ginger became a treasured and costly commodity, spreading from Africa and Zanzibar to other countries. In the 13th century, Venetian merchant traveler Marco Polo brought ginger back from a trip to the Far East, and history credits him with restoring the spice’s popularity in Europe.

Prized for its sweet, spicy character and warming medicinal benefits, ginger

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By Alicia Resnik

was a favorite among Western Europeans during the Middle Ages for use in flavoring buttermilk and as a table condiment. Ginger came at a high price, however – in fact, in the 14th century, a pound of ginger was equivalent to the price of a sheep.

Although expensive, ginger was popular. King Henry VIII of England was a noteworthy ginger devotee, believing that the spice helped fight off the dreaded black plague. And in fact his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, is credited with the first creation of gingerbread men. Historians claim she often had ginger cookies made in the images of her favorite courtiers and gave them out as gifts.

As Europeans traveled, so did ginger – to Africa, the Caribbean, the West Indies and South America. And by the 1800s, English taverns were serving ground ginger to their patrons to sprinkle on their ale – creating ginger ale and ginger beer. Farmers in Sussex, England, also had an interesting use for ginger; putting the spice on the rumps of their horses to “motivate” them to move.

Today ginger is cultivated in hot, humid regions like Southeast Asia, India, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Brazil, Jamaica, Sierra Leone and parts of Australia. The spice continues to be used worldwide in cakes, cookies, breads, muffins, scones, candy, drinks, and fruit dishes, also livening up Asian cuisine, Indian curries and Chinese stir-fry recipes. Ginger can be bought ground, minced, chopped, diced and sliced and can be eaten raw along with sushi or steeped with honey for a delicious “cold-curing” tea.

Here’s a tasty way for you to try baking with ginger at home. This recipe will make approximately 5 dozen ginger cookies.

You will need: 4½ cups of flour 2 teaspoons of baking soda ¼ teaspoon of salt 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of Jamaican allspice 1 cup of shortening (at room temperature) ½ cup of butter or margarine (at room temperature) 4 generous teaspoons of minced ginger (find minced ginger in jars in the produce section of your grocery store, or substitute powdered ginger) 2 cups of granulated sugar 2 eggs (at room temperature) ½ cup of molasses ¾ cup of coarse sugar, like Demerara sugar, or another type of raw cane sugar. Set this aside in a bowl for rolling the dough in before baking.

1. With the help of an adult, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with foil or parchment paper and set them aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat the shortening and butter (or margarine) together, on low speed, for 30 seconds. Add ginger and 2 cups of granulated sugar and beat until combined. Add eggs and the molasses and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture.

4. Using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, shape the cookie dough into one-inch balls. Roll balls in the Demerara sugar. Place on the cookie sheets, about an inch apart.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes, or until the cookies are brown with crackled tops. Cool on the cookie sheet for about 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

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Explorers’ Summer Camp 2013 August 5th- 30th

Our all inclusive summer camp will be held during the month of August on our 4 acre facility which includes a fully accessible playground, petting zoo, stables, nature reserve and an air conditioned activity centre.

The Explorers’ Summer Camp will be divided into two age groups, 5-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds, and will have no more than 25 campers per group.

Our integrated camp is for campers of all abilities, whether they are children with or without special needs.

Campers will have the opportunity to explore aspects of Bermuda’s environment and history through fun hands-on educational and recreational activities. Some of those activities include adaptive sports, arts and crafts, music enrichment, water days, outings and petting zoo visits.

For more information please contact Erica Fulton by calling 238 2469 or emailing: efulton@windreach.bm Information is also available on our website www.windreachbermuda.bm

BY THE FAMILY CENTRE

tweens & teens

Up, Up and Away: A miraculous, often tumultuous transformation takes place in the few short years between childhood and adulthood. And while it is inevitable that children grow up, become independent and learn to define themselves on their own terms, the journey can be hard on parents and children alike. The teenage years are a journey into the unknown, as the young person unpacks his or her unique bundle of gifts and interests, experiments with relationship attachments outside the family, forms strong opinions, and begins to require more privacy and autonomy.

In some cases this newfound independence can be a welcome change, while at other times family members may feel abandoned. It’s all part of nature’s dance, as long as we stay attached and committed to these baby birds while they prepare to take flight on their own.

TheTeen Years

a

s children enter the middle school years, their eyes are opened to the complexities of life – they truly start to comprehend the differences between fantasy and reality, and that can present quite a shock for them. If they have had a fortunate childhood, they may have felt safe and secure up to that point in their lives. But even if life has not been so easy, they begin to understand – as young adults themselves – that grown-ups are only human and that life is unpredictable by design. Most adults go to great lengths to create predictability and order, while teens naturally look for ways to challenge that order, having begun to see that there is more to life than the routines family life has offered

Photo by Sabrina Wilkinson

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

43

tweens pregnancy & teens them thus far. They want to taste more freedom and excitement, while at the same time continuing to feel anchored by the safety and protection of home.

It can be a very confusing time, but as a coping skill, maturing kids tend to project a somewhat false sense of confidence while they feel their way through the process. This is good practice for coping with life’s many changes, but

44

teens can become reckless unless they are grounded by kindness and consistent limits.

The classic recipe for parenting teens is a combination of love and limits. Limits are best served preventively, with an eye toward helping kids make smart decisions in new circumstances.

Teens can behave like shoppers who want to try everything but not necessar-

ily make a purchase. And while parents can be tempted to oversupervise and continuously place limits on each of their child’s choices and options, too much monitoring, critiquing and limitation can prevent the teen from achieving the goal of learning how to “shop” independently and with discernment for friends and activities. Limits can be set preventively by coming to an agreement with teens on where they are free to go independently, whom they may or may not go with, when they need to be home, and what activities take priority. They will likely demand independence and resent limits, but they likely also will appreciate knowing where the boundaries are because they have a natural desire to succeed. Part of loving your teen is showing them trust, respect and appreciation for working well within the limits set. If they are doing their homework, staying safe, and coming and going in the manner agreed upon, then they need and deserve praise and appreciation for having done so.

Community plays a critical role at this stage in a young adult’s life. Parents are part of the whirlwind teens are pulled into by their natural development, and it can be very challenging to be objective and calm when your baby is transforming before your eyes. Parents feel safer letting adolescents spend more time away from home when they live in a community with shared values and clear social norms. Of course, the explorer probably will suffer a few bumps and bruises along the way, but they will likely be fine. Modern communities are more complex – drugs, violence, and diverse beliefs about sex and social roles often cause parents to resist the free rein of their young ones more than in decades past. And while it’s logical to encourage safety by setting limits regarding whom teens have permission to interact with, they will often instinctively seek out people who offer new ideas and attitudes. Steering them toward healthy environments and positive peer groups may provide them with enough choice without overcontrolling their need to seek their own direction.

Parenting is often spoken of as if it were a one-way task in which the parents are simply serving their child’s develop-

mental needs – but as most parents understand, the experience of parenting is far more mutual and complex. The journey begins during pregnancy, birth and infancy, when the baby’s home and food are derived from mommy.

The deepest attachment that life has to offer occurs in that early stage. Fathers can also join in and attach through lots of holding, talking, gentleness and changing of diapers. This kind of bonding forms the basis for a child’s sense of security and love, which can last a lifetime. When adolescence comes around and your child begins to carve out their own identity, it can feel like they are rejecting that sense of love and attachment – into which parents have poured countless amounts of energy.

Parents can’t help but worry and be resentful and angry at the unseen force that is coming between them and their child. Worse yet, the unseen force is actually within their child, so a feud can often ensue, with parent and child arguing over every trivial issue. It isn’t easy by any means, but parents can find peace in the knowledge that this is a temporary stage with great rewards on the other side – if they can get through it with some grace.

Children need and want their parents’ love and approval more than they can show, but they must break away in order to practice being a capable adult.

Even though we know that our little ones will eventually grow up and leave the nest, it can still somehow be a shock when they begin

to separate themselves from the family and declare their independence. The children of each generation surprise their parents with their methods of self-expression and their shifting values.

In fact, each unique young person may be as surprised as his or her parents by the quirks and qualities that make up that uniqueness. Many parental expectations become obsolete as teenagers roller-coaster their way through these changes. Keeping cool during this challenging phase can be difficult, but parents must make the effort – because the example we set during their comingof-age years will guide them for the rest of their lives.

Though it may not seem to be the case during the ups and downs of adolescence, the teenage years are a relatively short chapter of life and a period of intensive learning and growth. It’s OK for parents to miss the cuddly, compliant days of their child’s younger

years, but as role models, parents must remember that their children are not the “enemy.” They need to know that our love is permanent and that our expectations for them are high, because our belief in them is unshakable. Teens look for evidence of parent trust and confidence. They also want a concrete understanding of the rules and of the relationship between responsibilities and privileges. They are looking for limits, and they are hungry for praise and recognition when they adhere to those limits and make the effort to meet expectations.

The teenage years are a time of gradual letting go, but we never need to let go of love, attachment and respect.

No matter how bumpy the journey, remember that the innocent baby and the possibilities of the gifted adult are percolating inside of every teenager, who is just trying to make sense of it all – and will do so with our support.

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45

tweens pregnancy & teens

BY KATHY PAYNTER

WorkReady:

Preparing TEEN

YOUR FOR THE

WORKPLACE For some time, the Bermuda Employers’

Council (BEC) has been concerned that the island’s young people have been entering the workforce lacking some of the basic skills necessary for the transition into the world of work.

46

W

photo by InHarmony Portraits

hile the government is implementing many initiatives to deal with the growing workforce and the development thereof, and while some individual employers have developed their own programs as well, the BEC believes that collectively the employer community can do more to help. To respond to this ever-growing need, the BEC has developed the WorkReady program over the course of the past five years to proactively help Bermuda’s young adults improve their employability, rather than simply harp on their lack of skills. As the program has grown in scope, WorkReady has been offered to increasing numbers of recipients, including students of Cedarbridge Academy, The Berkeley Institute and the Adult Education School.

WorkReady content focuses on developing skills that, while not taught in school, are important in the workplace, including such topics as résumé writing, interviewing skills, filling out job applications, proper business dress, interpersonal actions and reactions, personal behavior, business writing, email etiquette and customer service skills.

And to go along with WorkReady’s many areas of focus, a considerable amount of course materials, along with the program handbook Charting Your Future, have been created to assist students.

The development and delivery of WorkReady has been exciting for the BEC. The reception of the program by students, parents and staff has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic, and it has become

evident that the WorkReady fills a need that is readily recognized by students and schools alike. As with any pilot program, we will be continuing to improve the content and increase its relevance for future recipients, but we are building upon a solid foundation.

As part of the WorkReady program, the BEC has invited participants to attend the organization’s annual general meetings, during which students are charged with introducing themselves to sponsors, industry partners and others in the field of their career choice, while conducting themselves in a businessappropriate manner. During the keynote address at one of the annual meetings, we held a panel discussion with business leaders and industry partners and encouraged students to participate in the question-and-answer portion of the event. Not surprisingly, the students in attendance excelled at asking relevant questions, impressing those present both with the quality of their queries and the professional nature of their presentation.

As well, in July 2011, in an effort to allow more of our young people to acquire the skills needed to enter the workplace, we held a monthlong WorkReady Summer Camp Program, which delivered the WorkReady content to participants in a jam-packed, funfilled month.

While to adults it may be selfevident that young people need to be well prepared for the workforce following their secondary school education, students often require time to fully understand and internalize the concept.

As WorkReady participants have learned, employers have expectations, and a living has to be earned — it is hard work that sustains our everyday lives, pays the bills, buys the cars, and stimulates and maintains Bermuda’s economic wellbeing. This idea is the cornerstone of the program’s efforts. We are committed to continuing to help better prepare our young people get a jump-start on their journey into the world of work, so that they may realize their full potential.

Developing and delivering a program such as WorkReady comes, understandably, at a significant cost. But the

underwriting of that cost has been made easier by the clear recognition that such a program is beneficial to both students and potential employers, and the BEC is grateful for title sponsor HSBC, as well as supporting sponsors ABIC, Appleby, Argus, BCM Mc Alpine, Bermuda Air Conditioning, BELCO, Butterfield Bank and Market Place.

Students, the employer commu-

nity and Bermuda as a whole will reap the benefits of the WorkReady program in the many years to come. We at the BEC, supported by our sponsors, are committed to developing and growing our involvement with young people for the betterment of Bermuda.

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Your Future Starts Here

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www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

47

Great escape The

By Mikaela Ian Pearman

M

others are probably the busiest people on Earth. From waking up in the morning, getting their kids ready for school, making breakfasts and lunches, going to work, coming home, making dinner and repeating the whole thing over and over, day after day, it seems moms never truly have a break. But from time to time, we desperately need one.

48

Spa Treatments Offer Big Benefits for Moms and Moms-to-Be Photo by Zeudi Hinds

With all the stress of our daily lives and routines, scheduling some ‘me’ time is vital. Whether it’s spent going out for a run, walking the dog, reading a book or some other enjoyable activity, personal time is a necessary part of keeping moms happy and healthy.

One great way to de-stress completely is to visit the spa.

And I know what you are going to say: You don’t have time for the spa, or it’s too expensive right now.

But that hour in a therapy room can make a world of difference and drastically change your mood.

So why the spa? The benefits outweigh whatever negatives you might be able to come up with – including the cost.

Thankfully, Bermuda has a seemingly limitless number of spas for you to choose from. Some are more basic, offering only massages and facials, while others offer a complete range of services, complete with views of South Shore.

Dorothy Wysocka of La Serena at The Reefs knows all too well why it’s important for mothers to let their stress out at the spa.

“It offers a break from job, family, friends and hectic life,” she explains. “Its very purpose is to slow down and destress.”

And Wysocka says the benefits of a spa visit go far more than skin-deep.

“When we take care of ourselves, we have that feeling of doing good to our body,” she continues. “It’s like food for our soul; it is soothing. Going to a spa is a way of getting taken care of that is psychologically and culturally acceptable. We can carry that feeling of being cared for with us for a period of time, and very often that can help us cope better with stress.”

Apart from simply relieving stress, though, spas can help busy moms look and feel younger, too.

“Women want to look youthful and feel confident,” Wysocka adds. “So spas have beauty and skin care brands as part of their repertoire, offering personalized facial therapy massages and regular skin care sessions. Most spas today even have on-call experts who can give nutritional advice that matches up with one’s lifestyle.”

Moms-to-be can also get pampered at The Reefs. And Wysocka says pregnancy massage benefits both mother and baby.

“Pregnancy is a beautiful, natural condition,” she explains. “Our bodies evolve during nine life-changing months that are full of excitement and planning, but with the positive changes often come challenges. These can include mood swings, nausea, back pain, heartburn, swollen ankles, breast pain, etc.

Pregnant women no longer have to suffer without relief. Prenatal massage – a gentle, noninvasive approach to massage – can ease the discomfort, help prepare you for the labor, give you the emotional support of a caring practitioner and also

bring back a sense of body-mind integration, all of which will result in deep relaxation and acceptance of your evolving physical form.”

Wysocka says the techniques involved in prenatal massage vary, but they all have the same purpose.

“Prenatal massage is intended to relax muscles, improve lymphatic flow and blood circulation, and improve the future mother’s comfort by applying mild pressure and avoiding sensitive pressure points,” she says. “Trained prenatal or pregnancy massage therapists should be aware of pressure points on ankles and wrists and cautious in applying techniques to the lower back area as well.”

Opened late last year, Tai Home Spa also features a variety of treatments for busy mothers and pregnant women, including massages, reflexology, facials, manicures, pedicures and body treatments. For the mother-to-be, the spa offers special maternity massages.

“Our spa therapists are specially trained in prenatal massage,” says Tai Home Spa owner Juan Smith. “They may also provide special pillows designed to position expectant mothers comfortably, or simply allow the guest to remain on her left side for the duration of the massage. Massage is not performed in the first trimester at all, so consultation with a therapist is a must prior to any treatments during pregnancy. Treatment for mothers-to-be is very beneficial, since prenatal massages relieve unpleasant symptoms like swelling, bloating, aches, pains and – of course – stress. Expectant mothers definitely need pampering to get away from stress.”

Smith also recommends more traditional spa treatments for pregnant women.

“Manicures, pedicures and deepcleansing facials create a very relaxing, memorable experience for any motherto-be,” he adds. “For moms, the spa can be a world apart from the real world, with its noise, hassles and endless to-do lists.

Walking into a spa, shedding your clothes and cares, breathing in some exotic fragrances, and having nothing on your to-do list but relax and be pampered can be a great way to spend a few hours outside the home.”

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At Happy Moments we provide our students a curriculum which encourages academic excellence through creative learning as well as offering: Computer, Spanish language and Music programs.

We are currently enrolling children ages 2-3 for Spring, Summer and Fall terms 2013 at an affordable monthly tuition fee.

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www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

49

Nandi Davis:

By Mikaela Ian Pearman

lected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Constituency Two, St George’s West, in December 2012 at age 25, Nandi Davis is the youngest MP ever to take office. A political newcomer who successfully unseated former United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan from his seat, Davis won by just four votes over the Progressive Labour Party’s Renee Ming.

But aside from managing the responsibilities of her new political post, Davis, who is engaged to fiance Brendon Outerbridge, is also a mother to 2-year-old son Shiia.

“It’s a great feeling to be the youngest MP ever elected under a party politics system,” says Davis. “It just shows that you can do almost anything if you work hard enough for it. Juggling motherhood, career and my MP responsibilities so far has been a challenge at times, but I have a great support system at home. I have been blessed with a great family who has had my back throughout it all. I always find time to have storytime and family time with my son and fiance.”

Davis speaks particularly highly of the support she receives from her fiance.

“I think it’s very important to have my fiance at home, because someone is still giving my love – the love and attention he needs at his age. Some days I come home so worn out, so I’m thankful for my fiance, who cooks dinner and is able to put my son to bed when I can’t.”

“One of the biggest challenges,” adds Davis, “are the late nights in meetings, being away from Shiia from long 50

Working Hard to Have It All

periods of the day and missing dinnertime.”

So how does she separate her three very different roles?

“I have a calendar where I schedule all my meetings and appointments,” notes Davis. “Once my calendar is filled for the week, I work out my family time around that.

I try to allocate my weekends to my family for sure. Church on Sundays is our special time together.”

Davis’ typical week is anything but typical.

“My calendar normally consists of my 9-to-5 job at the fund administration companies and two or three half-hour meetPHOTO BY Sabrina Wilkinson ings, three times a ward to most in her political career, Davis week,” she explains. “Normally I have reflects: “I am looking forward working meetings in the evening twice a week, with my constituents as best I can. I am and then weekends are free. I use my looking forward to fulfilling promises Sunday mornings while my family is and being just plain honest with them if I still asleep, or my lunch breaks, to am unable, for some reason, to meet any read and answer emails. I am a very request. It will also be exciting to experiorganized person naturally, so I am ence sitting in the House of Assembly for lucky to be able to separate my life the first time.” successfully.”

For other young mothers who may Despite her very full schedule, howhave a desire to get into politics, Davis ever, Davis tries hard to make the most has some words of advice based on her of her free time. own experiences.

“We love family activities on the “I would definitely encourage anyweekend,” she continues, “like going one to be involved in politics if they have to the aquarium, bowling, mini-golf, an interest in it,” offers Davis. “I would taking Shiia to the playground, or just tell them not to worry about the time popping popcorn and staying at home spent, as things tend to work out along and watching movies on a rainy day.”

When asked what she is looking for- the way. It is a great feeling in the end.”

Influential Mothers

Celebrating and Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day from Bermuda Parent Magazine

Name: Shelley Meszoly Place of Work: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts,

Bermuda

Occupation: Regional Director of Sales &

Marketing

Child: Mathew, age 13

Name: Kirsten Faria Place of Work: Allied World Assurance Co. Lt. Occupation: Senior Vice President Child: Jonah, age 8 What does work-life balance mean to you, and what are some practical ways in which you balance family, work and personal time?

Achieving balance in my life doesn’t mean that I have to divide every day equally between work, family and personal time. Some days are completely dedicated to family, others to work. Rather than drive myself crazy trying to balance out each day, I look to the long term. I recognise there will be weeks (months!) that work takes precedence, and conversely there will be weeks when family is my priority. I work every day on being present in the moment and giving 100 percent of my attention in that moment. The keys for me: open and regular communication with my employer, knowing myself well enough to know when I need a break and taking that break – whether from work or from my son.

What do you enjoy most about being a mother?

The way my son awakens my inner child! I see the sheer delight on his face – on Christmas morning, when he makes someone else laugh or when he is on the football field – and I remember those types of moments in my childhood. I think about the freedom of innocence and the unadulterated joy that we lose when we get older. I want to preserve and protect the wonder and magic he finds in discovering his way through life.

52

What does work-life balance mean to you, and what are some practical ways in which you balance family, work and personal time?

Work-life balance for me means quality of time, not quantity of time, spent with my family. That is a mindset that has worked for me for years. Due to my work schedule, I must travel part of the time. I do my best to ensure that I am home for the important moments. I keep in touch each morning and each evening while away, and then when I am home, I ensure that our time together is meaningful. I get up early in the morning to do whatever work needs to be done so that most evenings are open.

My personal time is spent with a visit to the spa or reading a good book, and while I don’t get a lot of time for that, it is worth every minute! When too much is going on and things feel “out of control,” I am fortunate to have an amazing husband who puts it all back into perspective.

What do you enjoy most about being a mother?

Watching my child grow up and see what a great person he is becoming. He is a kind, caring kid with a great sense of humour. It is extremely rewarding to know that you have a big role in making that happen.

Name: Mrs. Carlita O’Brien Place of Work: Government of Bermuda – Department of Human Resources Child: Masen, 19, and Micah, 13

Name: Patrina “Power Girl” O’Connor-Paynter Place of Work: Big Brothers Big Sisters Occupation: Fund Development/Marketing Communications Director Other jobs: Power 95 Radio Personality/TV host/

Event MC

Child: Jaquari, age 12 What does work-life balance mean to you, and what are some practical ways in which you balance family, work and personal time?

Work-life balance is something I am still learning. I am a very outgoing person who likes to be active in the community (and a workaholic) – but how can you be active in the community while you aren’t “there” for your family? My husband is the first to let me know when I am doing too much. Now I try to keep things to a bare minimum. One positive thing is that the majority of the work I do is family oriented, so my son will normally tag along. My hubby and I make sure we are at all of his football games or anything he is involved in. We love doing things together as a family. We have also made it a priority to schedule “date” nights, which is VERY important. I have now learned how to say “NO” – I can’t host every event and do everything for everyone. At first I used to feel guilty, but now I don’t! My main focus is my family and being there for them. Remember: The job will still go on without you … your family can’t live without you. As far as personal time goes, this is an area in which I have to do better – I am terrible with taking ME time! In my personal time I like to read, write or play games on my iPad. I think a trip to the spa is long overdue … what do you think?

What does work-life balance mean to you, and what are some practical ways in which you balance family, work and personal time?

To me, work-life balance means the ability to dedicate quality time to all the responsibilities I have at home, work and church. I have been married to the best husband in the world, Dennis O’Brien, for 18 years.

We have been blessed with two beautiful sons.

Balancing my time is still a work in progress. With God’s daily guidance, these are some ways I endeavor to balance my time: Continuing to date my husband – being intentional about having time just for my husband and me. This includes a pact that every year we take vacation the week of our anniversary. During this week we spend quality time together and reflect on our relationship.

Spending time with my family – eating breakfast together, lunch on Sabbaths, going out to dinner once a month and annual family vacations.

Feeling comfortable saying “no” if current responsibilities at church and work cannot be delegated, to prevent me from becoming overwhelmed.

What do you enjoy most about being a mother?

What I enjoy most about being a mother is the blessing to see them grow and develop into young men, and to be a positive influence so they can become successful and productive citizens.

What do you enjoy most about being a mother?

I enjoy every part of being a mother!! My son means everything to me. When I see my son displaying core values and concern for other people, it makes me very proud. I love our talks and knowing that he is comfortable confiding in me. He has changed me and helped me to be a better and less selfish person. I love watching him grow and accomplish his goals. We have so much fun together doing wacky things. Although he looks a lot like his daddy, most of his personality comes from me (so I think). www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

53

pregnancy Health & Wellness

BY MARTHA MYRON

Pinching Pennies, Balancing Budgets

How to Keep Your Family Savings Plan on Track

a

s parents and grandparents, we know unequivocally that children

are voracious consumers of products and services. In fact, even with the best of financial planning, our children’s needs and wants can be absolute budget busters when unanticipated expenses, such as the following, arise: Inadvertent expenses. This category of unforeseen expenses comes in many shapes and forms. For example, while seeing children grow physically and intellectually is a delight for parents, how many of us have experienced chagrin when that adorable dress no longer fits after having been worn just three times. Or when our child, who used to resist eating anything but miniscule amounts of hot dogs, cottage cheese, peanut butter and pizza, experiences a dramatic escalation in growth – fueled by the wholesale consumption of large quantities of anything food-like in order to fill his required 5,000 calories a day. Or when we get the phone call informing us that our child has a broken arm (or leg, wrist, etc.) due to an especially exhilarating sports program play.

Inevitably, when life happens to a child, parents pay the price – in emotional stress, lost wages and increased household costs.

Excellence expenses. We are prodigiously proud of our talented and gifted children, and we want them to have the absolute best exposure in every field of endeavor. Excellence is prized – unfortunately, it also often comes at a price.

54

Peer-pressure expenses. Coping with peer pressure is a challenge for any individual, regardless of age – but particularly for children, whose experiences are often intense, emotional and long-lived. Many parents can still recall their feelings from similar childhood situations, so sometimes the first inclination is to want to protect children from tough realities, even if the eventual decision ends up straining the family budget.

For example, most parents probably know the frustration of rejecting a child’s plea to purchase the latest expensive (and often unnecessary) electronic device, only to learn that “all the kids” are getting the gadget.

This rejection is often immediately followed by pangs of parental guilt, which sometimes causes parents to give in and make the purchase anyway, however impractical it may be.

And sometimes we parents attempt, with the best of intentions, to buck the peer-pressure trends. Perhaps when a child’s classmate’s birthday comes around, instead of buying the latest mass-produced piece of plastic, we may endeavour to work together with our children and make the present from scratch. Sadly, this kind of sincere effort may ultimately backfire and

result in our child’s embarrassment when the classmate dismisses the gift as lame (and cheap).

So it’s not always easy to be fussbudgets, and our spending on our children isn’t always necessarily the result of poor decisions. I prefer to think of such expenditures as the result of, say, flexible situational outcomes. And indeed, there are other times when both parents, exhausted after a full day’s career production, simply choose to spend a little extra because it’s just plain easier.

Steps to Help You Stick to Your Spending Plan So with all of life’s unforeseen expenses, what can we do to stick to a budget and save for a rainy day? In short, there is no perfect solution. The positive outcome is that we always get to try again. But keeping consistent and reinforcing the goals ultimately will produce tangible results.

Following are some thoughts and ideas on budgeting I’ve received from various clients and friends over the past 25 years: •

•

Make your budget and savings goals real. Discuss the amount, talk frequently about how the whole family is going to contribute to saving this amount, and come to a consensus on what the end goal should be. Communication encourages motivated involvement.

Set a realistic amount to save. Putting aside $25 a

week adds up to $1,200 a year. Think constructively to keep to your budget on track. For instance, if you need $400 per week for groceries, ask for input from all family members on items to leave off the list, freeing up the $25 in savings.

•

•

•

Have a budget-boosting cook-a-thon night. Every family member can take a turn choosing a recipe to make from scratch – homemade pizza is an ideal choice for cost-saving family cooking fun, and you can use the time together to figure out the math savings over store-bought pizza. The difference in cost, of course, goes into the family savings goal.

Don’t spend your savings – a good reason to start

small!

•

Be strong in your caring and resolve. Your children

may think you’re a “mean” mom or dad, but learning to save consistently is a valuable lesson.

By sharing this wisdom with them, you will have their respect long after they move on into their own lives.

H Martha Harris Myron is an international cross-border tax and financial planning specialist and a weekly financial columnist for The Royal Gazette, Hamilton, Bermuda. She and her husband have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Pre-K to Grade 12 Time Management

Reading Study Skills

Writing Homework

Math Grammar

Some kids really do love school School doesn’t always have to be a struggle. In fact, some kids love it—and not just because of friends or good grades.

They love it because they’re willing to try, and because they feel confident in their ability to learn. All kids can love school. It just takes Oxford Learning to show them how.

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Get buy-in from your children. Kids need to under-

stand the budget incentive and the successful goal outcome. Creating a success-level chart, with each family member taking turns to record the weekly increase, will keep everyone focused.

•

Have a reward endpoint. Clearly identify what the family as a group is saving for (a new computer? a family trip?). If you can, pay your children for household chores, insisting that a small amount of those wages go toward their contribution to the family budget goals.

•

Use mini-rewards for the children. It’s often hard for kids to visualize a goal one year out. Give them shorter, more manageable goals on which to focus.

Call today, or visit oxfordlearning.com Bermuda 441.296.6060 66 King Street Hamilton, Bermuda, HM12 bermuda@oxfordlearning.com

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

55

pregnancy Health & Wellness

BY Gwyneth Rawlins, Customer Relations Specialist, The Argus Group

How to Keep Your Kids at Any Age

Active

Creating a routine and leading by example are two of the cornerstones of good parenting, and they are particularly good approaches when it comes to raising active, happy children. Regular exercise benefits your child in many areas, including building strong muscles and bones, controlling weight, lowering the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, getting better sleep and developing higher self-esteem, to name just a few.

I

f you walk past a playground on any given day and watch children as they run around, play on swings and climb on jungle gyms, you will see that they have a strong built-in desire to be active and will test their body’s limitations from a very early age. As children become older and more serious at school, however, often the joy of energetic play will fade – after all, there’s homework to be done, and it’s ‘cooler’ to stand around chatting with friends at lunchtime.

That’s why it’s important to harness and nurture that innate enthusiasm for physical movement as our children develop, and find age-appropriate ways to build exercise into their daily lives.

The types of activities that interest and inspire your children will change over time. Preschoolers need to develop their fundamental motor skills, so riding a tricycle or a bike with training wheels, playing catch and running obstacle courses are activities well suited to this age group. Once kids hit school age, they can attempt more complex, organized team sports with simple rules, such as baseball and basketball, where greater attention span and coordination are required. It is during this stage of development that children’s personalities truly emerge and differences in ability between children become apparent.

One of the best ways to ensure long-term success in keeping schoolchildren off the couch is to boost their self-motivation by identifying and

56

encouraging their particular skills and interests. Removing the association between sports and frustration – and keeping the focus on fun – is vital.

If children become disheartened by failure in one sport, encourage them to learn other games or skills. They may not be the fastest runners, but they might enjoy the creativity of dance or another type of activity like swimming, sailing or watersports. By doing something they enjoy and improving their abilities, they will begin to develop a feeling of accomplishment, and it will become much easier to keep them interested and committed.

Once you find activities that work for your children, make them a part of their routine by enrolling them in classes or buying something that will help get them excited about advancing their talents – a pair of sneakers or dance shoes, or a hockey stick or football, for instance. You could also check out the Government of Bermuda’s Community Education and Development program, which offers a broad range of cost-effective youth classes. Visit: www. communityed.gov.bm for information about current offerings.

Teenagers will have more demands on their time, so scheduling physical activity for them is important. Their competitive edge is likely to be in full force at this age, as exams become a regular part of school life, so these years are a good time to get them interested in leagues and tournaments.

By nature some children have a

‘casual athlete’ persona; not concerned about being the star player, these kids may become demotivated by intense competition. Similarly, some children have a ‘non-athlete’ type of personality that makes getting and keeping them interested a real challenge. Some children will want to pursue excellence in a sport, while others may be able to maintain their happiness and fitness as casual participants. A born athlete, for instance, will want to be on the basketball team, while the casual athlete may just enjoy shooting hoops on the driveway. The non-athlete is likely to need a parent’s positive attitude and encouragement to get and stay physically active, even if they’re not a top performer. By be aware of these different temperaments and learning how best to encourage each one, you’ll be better able to help your children find the right activities for them and ultimately get enough exercise.

And keep in mind that it’s possible to get your children moving at little to no expense – at any age. Start by making the most of living in beautiful Bermuda, utilizing our beautiful national parks and beaches for outdoor family activities. For example, you might organize a game of volleyball, cricket or beach tennis. By demonstrating ways of keeping fit at no cost, you remove the financial barrier to living well.

Getting exercise as a family shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions, either. Young children are continued on page 65

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57

pregnancy Health & Wellness

BY CELIA MUSSON-NZABALINDA, DDS

Dental Decay is

Contagious!

A mother brings her new baby home and, filled with love for her bundle of joy, she plans to do the very best for her child.

Her natural inclination is to keep this child happy, comfortable and healthy. The daily routine of feeding, cleaning and interacting binds child and parents together, and the child’s development and happiness reflect all the loving attention he or she has received. The child’s rapid rate of growth requires frequent feeding, and the parents quickly fall into a

W

hen the child’s teeth eventually start to come in, however, parents will need to take some steps to protect those teeth from decay — even at a very young age. As new foods are added to the baby’s diet, the oral environment changes, and levels of bacteria in the child’s mouth increase.

In addition, bacteria are transferred from the parent or caregiver’s mouth to the child’s mouth during the course of normal everyday activities, and many parents are totally unaware that their own oral health is critical to their baby’s oral health. Regardless of the source, however, oral bacteria quickly develops into a plaque biofilm and, if not removed daily, can cause decay.

How does this kind of decay actually occur? The oral environment normally has an alkaline pH (i.e., the opposite of acidic). During feedings, bacteria living in the mouth use the natural or refined sugars in our diet as their source of nutrition, in turn excreting waste that is acidic and causing the mouth to become more acidic after meals. This brief acid attack then begins to dis58

comfortable rhythm with their baby.

solve the thin layer of enamel on the teeth – the enamel that is so essential to a tooth’s overall well-being. Eventually, the mouth should return to an alkaline pH, and the enamel should be restored.

However, if the individual feeds again within a short time period, the mouth never gets the chance to return to the normal alkaline pH. Snacking and sipping on beverages throughout the day, for example, cause oral acidity to increase, and eventually the daily acid baths can damage the enamel beyond repair. Once the enamel has been penetrated – even to a small extent – the decay can reach the softer dentin beneath the surface, spreading out and forming a large cavity.

To make matters worse for very young children, the enamel of baby teeth is just half as thick as the enamel on permanent teeth, so decay can penetrate baby teeth more quickly.

Ultimately, this type of decay can cause loss of primary teeth or require large restorations in order to preserve them – a procedure that may necessitate treatment under general anesthetic.

Also, molars may require stainless steel

crowns, since large white fillings are more likely to fail in the baby teeth.

So how can parents prevent this condition, known as early childhood caries (ECC)?

Exclusive breastfeeding Breast milk contains all the nutrition needed for young babies, and it is recommended that mothers breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. No other food or beverages are necessary during this time. Most physicians recommend the introduction of other foods at about six months, with continued breastfeeding up to one year.

Breast milk by itself is not likely to cause decay. However, once other foods have been introduced, breastfeeding during the nighttime (when the baby is likely to fall asleep with milk still in his or her mouth) may result in decay. As a result, international dental authorities advise that babies who feed on both breastmilk and food should not have more than seven feedings per day and that, once food is introduced, nighttime breastfeeding should be discontinued.

Be sure to brush your child’s teeth daily, after breakfast and Oral Health Care before bed, to remove sure to brush your child’s teeth the plaque biofilm. Be daily, after breakfast and before bed, Limit the Bottle and Sippy Cup Many children sip from a bottle or sippy cup during the day. While the total amount of beverage they consume may be relatively small, the number of sugar exposures from repeated sipping can be high, causing the acidification process described above to be repeated over and over. A bottle or sippy cup of water (with nothing else added) is the only desirable beverage for frequent exposure. Additionally, children should not be put to bed with a bottle of juice or milk, because they likely will not swallow all of the beverage, causing the teeth to be exposed to acid all night long. Juice, incidentally, is not recommended in the diet until a child can use a regular cup without assistance.

to remove the plaque biofilm. His or her first dental visit should be within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by one year old, whichever comes first.

Decay is Contagious Taking care of your own oral health will also help protect your child. Reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth reduces your chances of transmitting harmful bacteria to your baby, and this in turn improves your child’s chances for a decay-free mouth. Limit your own snacks and beverage exposures to maintain a healthy alkaline oral environment. Also, drink plenty of water and limit all kinds of carbonated beverages, as even diet sodas are acidic and present a danger to oral health. www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

59

Summer has arrived and many of you will be enjoying your National Parks over the upcoming holidays. We want to emphasize that swimming at the beach can be extremely fun however beach patrons must be prepared and sensible whenever in or near the ocean.

Who is at risk for drowning? Everyone.

However, children have the highest risk for drowning worldwide. Risks include inadequate supervision, inability to swim, and unrealistic expectations of children by guardians regarding water safety.

Be safe and make good judgments about your beach activities this summer.

REMEMBER - Slip on a shirt. When out in the sun, wear protective clothing of tightly woven fabrics that you can’t see through when held up to the light.

Slap on a hat. Have fun choosing one and make sure it protects your face and back of your neck. Bucket shaped hats are great for kids. Slop on sunscreen. SPF30 or higher, apply everyday 30 minutes to one hour before you go out. Dry and re-apply every 2 hours if possible, especially after swimming and exercising. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL BE SAFE THIS SUMMER

The Water Safety Code Spot the danger

2013 CUP MATCH CAMPING

• Are Lifeguards on duty at your beach?

• Know the general beach conditions: are there high surf conditions, is it shallow enough to stand, is it deep enough to jump, are there rip currents or any other currents, what is the tide like, is it busy?

• Are there any dangerous marine animals present such as Portuguese Man-of-War? • Are there any boating (including personal watercraft) activities near your swimming area?

• Even if you are only near the water, take extra care.

The Cup Match Holiday is a very busy time for camping and picnicking at the Government parks and beaches. Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works in conjunction with the Department of Parks, have established a few guidelines for those who wish to camp outside the 3 designated campgrounds - Ferry Point, Chaplin Bay and Higgs & Horseshoe Islands.

Take Safety Advice • Choose swimming areas where there is Lifeguard coverage.

• Know the weather forecast before leaving home.

• Make note of any warning signs or safety flags at beaches.

Don’t Go It Alone • Never swim alone.

• Children must always have direct and close adult supervision while in or near the water at all times.

Learn How to Help • Do you know what to do in an emergency?

• Shout for help and alert a Lifeguard.

• Telephone emergency services (911) if there are no Lifeguards present.

• Do not enter the water to rescue someone unless trained to do so.

• Take in a water safety workshop and get certified in CPR & First Aid to be part of the solution for a safe summer at the beach.

Designated Swimming Only These areas are marked by large orange buoys and NO marine traffic including personal watercraft is allowed in these areas at anytime. These areas include Clearwater and Turtle Beach, Coopers Island Nature Reserve, Shelly Bay, Admiralty House Park/Clarence Cove.

The major reforestation and environmental project at Coney Island is still ongoing. Therefore the park is CLOSED to camping. It will be restricted to picnicking only.

There will be NO CAMPING at Blue Hole Park / Nature Reserve or Coopers Island Nature Reserve at the old NASA site. There is also NO CAMPING on the DUNE immediately behind Jobsons’ Cove in South Shore Park. This dune area has rare sensitive plants that need to be protected. There is a sign erected advising park users of this policy.

No tents or ropes to mark spots are permitted to be erected on Monday 29th July 2013. Tents and ropes found erected at the parks and beaches on this date will be taken down by the Department of Parks.

Campers may erect tents and tarps on Tuesday 30th July 2013 to secure their preferred spot. However, no one will be permitted to camp on this date. Please do not erect tents in front of the park and beach access gates.

Camping will be permitted from

Wednesday 31st July until Sunday 4th August 2013.

Park gates will be opened during the day on 31st July 2013 to allow campers and picnickers the opportunity to set up. Park Rangers will be on duty until 10 p.m. Wednesday 31st July 2013 and will begin locking the gates at 9:30 p.m.

For the safety of park users, ALL vehicles must be removed from the parks and placed in the designated parking lots.

Park Rangers will also be on duty both days of Cup Match, Thursday 1st August and Friday 2nd August 2013, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the weekend Saturday 3rd August and Sunday 5th August 2013, from 9:30 am to 6 pm to assist park users.

Lifeguards will be on duty at Clearwater Beach, Turtle Beach, John Smith’s Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Long Bay at Coopers Island Nature Reserve from 10 am to 6 pm. throughout the holiday period.

The following beaches have safe swimming zones designated by buoys where boats and personal watercrafts are not permitted to enter; Clarence Cove at Admiralty House Park, Shelley Bay, Clearwater Beach, Turtle Bay, and Long Bay at Coopers Island. Operators of vessels are asked to adhere to these safety zones.

The Department of Parks maintenance crews will also be working from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm. both days of the Cup Match Holiday, as well as the weekend, to collect trash, rake beaches and clean toilets.

Access gates must be kept clear at ALL times.

We ask the owners / drivers of vehicles to please use common sense and DO NOT PARK in front of the access gates. They must be kept clear so that Department of Parks maintenance vehicles and Emergency vehicles, including Police, Fire, and Ambulance can gain access at ALL times.

Offending vehicles will be ticketed, clamped and towed at the owners’ expense in order to clear the blocked gates.

In addition there are private residences at John Smiths Bay Park and the access road must be kept clear for tenants.

ALL CAMPING EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PARKS AND BEACHES BY MONDAY 5th AUGUST 2013. ALL EQUIPMENT LEFT AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE CONSIDERED ABANDONED AND WILL BE DISPOSED OF BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. The cooperation of the general public during the busy 2013 Cup Match Holiday would be greatly appreciated by the staff of the Department of Parks. In addition, please be considerate and respectful of your neighbours, including those who stay adjacent to the parks and beaches. Music must be played at reasonable levels that will not disturb other park and beach users or residents.

For further information please contact the Department of Parks, Park Ranger Office at 236-5902 or 239-2355.

The Minister and the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Public Works, and the Director and Staff, of the Department of Parks, wish the general public a safe and enjoyable 2013 Cup Match Holiday.

Dogs on Public Beaches and in Parks The Department of Parks is reminding dog owners, handlers, and the general public that the 1988 Bermuda National Park Regulations and Policies under the jurisdiction of the 1986 Bermuda National Parks Act have changed, regarding dogs in parks and on the public beaches.

The Regulations and Policies are as follows: • As of the 1st April 2013, dogs are NOT PERMITTED to be on any of the public beaches until the 31st October 2013.

• D ogs can be walked either on the trails, in Parks or on the dunes, in South Shore Park at any time.

• The dogs must be on a leash at ALL times.

• A s a reminder dogs are NOT PERMITTED in the Main Show Ring in Botanical Gardens. Signs are erected informing the public of the closure.

• M embers of the general public are reminded that Botanical Gardens is closed to the public at sundown each day.

• For health and safety reasons dogs are NOT ALLOWED on the playgrounds at Clearwater Beach, Mullet Bay Park, Shelly Bay Park, Parsons Road, Admiralty House Park, Warwick Long Bay and Death Valley.

• D ogs are also NOT PERMITTED in the new Coopers Island Nature Reserve where the NASA Tracking Station was located.

The cooperation of dog owners and handlers in abiding by the Regulations and Policies is greatly appreciated. 1988 Bermuda National Park Regulations.

If further information is required please contact the Department of Parks at 236-5902.

Horses in Parks and on Public Beaches The Department of Parks is informing stables, horse owners, handlers, and the general public that the 1988 Bermuda National Park Regulations under the jurisdiction of the 1986 Bermuda National Parks Act will change regarding horses on the public beaches.

The Regulations are as follows: • As of the 1st May 2013 until the 31st October 2013 horses are NOT PERMITTED to be on any beach in South Shore Park ( inclusive of the following beaches; Horseshoe Bay, Peel Bay, Butt’s Beach, Wafer Rocks Beach, Chaplin Bay, Stonehole Bay, Jobson’s Cove and Warwick Long Bay) Johns Smith’s Bay, Elbow Beach and Shelly Bay. • F rom the 1st May 2013 until the 31st October 2013, owners and handlers of horses may take or ride the horses on all other public beaches with the following restrictions; owners and handlers can ONLY take or ride the horses below the high water mark between the hours or 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

• Horses can be on the trails and dunes in South Shore Park at any time.

The cooperation of stable owners, as well as horse owners and handlers, in abiding by the 1988 Regulations, is greatly appreciated.

1988 Bermuda National Park Regulations

www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

61

Dad’s Corner

BY LT. COL. EDWARD LAMB

The Balance of

Life

“The Gift of Balance in Your Life – May you find the balance of life, time for work but also time for play. Too much of one thing ends up creating stress that no one needs in their life.” – Catherine Pulsifer “Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man’s being.”

– Orison Swett Marden Just about everyone knows that we are made up of mind, body and soul.

When these three segments of our lives are all in balance and harmony, we can enjoy peace and happiness.

And to achieve this balance, we must consciously practice devoting the time and energy to the maintenance and development of each component. In contrast, when any one of the three is out of sync with the others, helter-skelter often reigns, and stress, anxiety, ill health and frustration can all result.

So, as busy fathers, we owe it to our children to keep our lives in equilibrium, so that they can see us leading a stable, productive and rewarding life. If we adults get out of control 62

or out of balance, just imagine what can happen to the children watching our every move. Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life – jobs, deadlines, bills, drama – that we neglect one aspect of the three inextricably linked components. Peace, love and harmony should reign supreme in our lives, but we have to daily strive for this.

For example, when we neglect our bodies by not getting enough exercise or sleep, or consuming unhealthy foods, we make ourselves vulnerable to fatigue and illness, and definitely to stress. We have to keep our bodies strong so that we can enjoy all that life has to offer in the physical realm. We simply HAVE to make time to exercise, watch what we eat and drink, and even get a massage every now and then to keep our bodies in top condition.

We also need to keep our minds strong and at peace. We can do this by reading material that is inspirational, motivational and enlightening – this “sharpens the saw” and helps to filter

out negative thoughts, doubts, fears and other energy-draining garbage. Word games, puzzles and quizzes also help to keep our minds sharp and focused, away from the many worries that can adversely affect our thinking and debilitate us physically.

The third component, the soul, needs constant tending to as well. We should make it a practice to feed and develop our soul with peaceful influences that strengthen our spirits, nourish our character, elevate our consciousness and sustain our core being. I find it nourishing to take – no, MAKE – time to appreciate God’s creation around us – sunrises and sunsets, the beautiful majesty of the ocean, birds caressing the air as they glide through the wind, and other awe-inspiring and relaxing facets of nature. Other ways to soothe and develop the soul include doing something purposeful in life, such as a hobby, or giving of oneself in service to others.

If at some point we recognize that one of the three components is out of whack, we should work to sort out the

photo by JESSII TERRA

And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count.

It is the life in your years. – Abraham Lincoln

problem quickly. Been working crazy hours on the job for a while? Take some time off and rest. Been spending hours watching too much television and frying your brains on the computer? Take your children for a walk along the railway trails and refresh your mind, body and soul with them. Been playing too much golf lately? Try cutting back and spending more time with your family.

Keeping life in balance is vital for us

to enjoy all it has to offer, a significant part of which is the raising of our children – to be good parents, we need to stay healthy in every aspect of our lives. Daily tending to the gardens of our mind, body and soul will reap a rich harvest. And most of all, we’ll be able to really enjoy our children, who are depending on us to keep our lives in check.

Peace, love and harmony.

L L A C L E D O M

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63

rising stars

j

By Mikaela Ian Pearman

Jahroy Richards

ahroy Richards began developing his many talents as an artist at a very young age. Now 16, Jahroy started playing the drums when he was just 7 and since has grown into an all-around musician, also rapping, singing and songwriting. He discovered his love for drawing at an early age as well and continues to work in the visual arts.

“Last year was a year of new experiences for me as an artist,” says Jahroy, who is currently signed under PlayList Management. “In February I auditioned for DAP2012, the Developing Artist Program run by PlayList. They take kids to Atlanta, Georgia, for about a week to experience the music industry.

I was selected to participate with five other kids in July. While we were there, we learned a lot from various artists and gained valuable experience in the music industry. We were able to live the life of an artist for a week.”

In addition to meeting various artists during the Atlanta trip, Jahroy says one of the most valuable aspects of the program was working with the other participants to create their own music.

“One of the main objectives of the Developing Artist Program,” explains Jahroy, “is to provide for a diverse group of kids who have different musical talents and abilities to work together as a group, writing and recording music.

After the trip we performed at Flanagan’s in August to show off our talents and perform the song we wrote and produced while in Atlanta. Our song is called ‘Misfits,’ and it’s about people who feel out of place and like they don’t belong – but are OK with being misfits.”

Jahroy spoke to us about how he got into feeling the love for music and art.

“Half the time I didn’t even know what I was drawing – I just let my imagination soar. My singing isn’t anything

64

special, but I can do a little something. I used to be in the church choir when I was younger.”

He also talked about how he got into rapping at age 11.

“When I was in middle school, I went to Chewstick with the ‘BrotherHood of Bermuda,’ and they had set up a little workshop for us. At one point they said, ‘pass around the mic and spit something.’ So everyone was just there looking at the mic like a foreign object they didn’t know what to do with. Finally someone decided to give it a try – it changed the mood and gave the group a little energy. When the mic got passed to me, for about the first five seconds I didn’t know what to do at all, and then I just started spitting and let it rip. Thinking back, I don’t remember what I said at all, but all I know is that I was actually starting to enjoy getting into the flow. Afterwards everyone was kind of shocked, and I was just as shocked as them.”

So what about Jahroy’s goals and ambitions?

“Right now my short-term goal is to work on and release a mix tape by summer 2013,” he explains. “My main life goal, I would have to say, would be to put Bermuda on the map, help open the way for other young Bermudians to make it out of Bermuda and go worldwide – maybe even to be in a movie one day. The bottom line is that I want to have a successful career and live a good and positive life that is pleasing to God. I try to put him first. I’m not always

successful at that, but I am still a work in progress.”

For young people who want to achieve their goals, Jahroy offers some advice.

“Master your craft and just do what you love – don’t let anyone get you sidetracked from your ultimate goal. Spend as much time perfecting and honing your craft. Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you, because it may not come around again. I’ve recently learned that if I’m not willing to seriously sacrifice and invest in myself for what I want, I can’t expect anybody else to continue to invest their time, money and effort, either.”

He also has some advice for parents.

“Just support kids in whatever they want to do. Push them and let them prove to you that they really want it.”

And why does Jahroy think he’s a rising star?

“I feel I have the passion, inspiration and diversity to make a mark and show people that you can do what you love and become successful. I like painting a picture with the words I say, because my words can paint a different picture for each person.”

H You can find Jahroy’s music on YouTube by searching JaRockFlowTv.

Continued on from page 56 particularly impressionable, and seeing you living an active, healthy life will set the norm for their own lifestyle for decades to come. By building exercise into your everyday routine and establishing a healthy, lasting lifestyle pattern, you will be doing yourself – and your children – a lifelong favor.

H Gwyneth Rawlins is a customer relations specialist at The Argus Group and has been with the company since 2000. Having worked in the insurance industry for more than 19 years, both locally and abroad, she is knowledgeable in medical and financial underwriting and has a wealth of experience in customer service and staff training. www.argus.bm

The Onionpatch Academy Ages 3 months – 5 years • Open 7:30AM – 6PM Tel. 441.29-ONION (296-6466) • Fax. 441.236.5912 www.opacademy.bm • info@opacademy.bm

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kids

Got a great picture of your child? Send it and it may appear in our next issue.

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Send it in by email to submitphotos@bermudaparentmagazine.com

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS More parents are having the courage to raise their hands and ask for our help, yet Family Centre won’t have the capacity to meet these needs without you. We need you to step up and help out by volunteering at our fundraising activities and events so we can ensure we’re able to keep providing these much needed services.

Bermudian families need your help.

Please register to become a volunteer today.

To volunTeer, Call 232–1116 or visiT www.tfc.Bm FC03-0979_PARENT_MAG_FIN.indd 1

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www.bermudaparentmagazine.com

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Parent Directory Education

Adventureland Nursery & Preschool 45 Middle Rd. Warwick WK 05 Tel: 238-8032 or 238-0208 Email: ros.nursery@ibl.bm Enroll Now! Exciting center-based, fully equipped facility. Quality, caring teachers with CPR and first aid. Spacious classes and playground. Creative thematic curriculum, computers, “kinder-musik” music program, optional dance and Spanish, field trips, summer swimming program.

18 months – 5 years.

7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Bermuda School of Music 23 Berkeley Rd. Pembroke HM 11 Tel: 296-5100 Email: musicschool@northrock.bm Web: www.musicschool.bm

The Bermuda School of Music, a registered Bermuda charity #483, has been providing music education to the Island since 1978. It is our aim to provide community music programs for students of all ages. The school’s faculty offer instruction in piano, voice, organ, guitar, percussion, woodwind and all stringed instruments.

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) 40 Crow Lane, East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19 Tel: 292-7219 Email: info@buei.org

Web: www. buei.org

Happy Moments Nursery & Preschool 69 North Shore Rd. Hamilton Parish Tel: 737-8385 Email: happymoments123@yahoo.com Happy Faces, Happy Learning, Happy Future… Where your child’s day begins with God’s blessings! Bermuda’s premier early childhood educational center, ‘Where quality education remains affordable.’ Academics places an emphasis on language, computer and music program(s). Ages 2–4.

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To be listed in our directory in the magazine and on our website, contact us at bermudaparentmagazine@gmail.com

Enrichment/Sports

Bermuda School of Russian Ballet P.O. Box HM 661, Hamilton HM CX Tel: 293-4147 / 295-8621 or Studio 292-2192 Email: info@balletbermuda.bm Web: www.balletbermuda.bm

DanceSations Tel: 335-3271 Email: missholly@dancesations.bm Web: www.dancesations.bm

DanceSations is a program with structure incorporating many different aspects of a dance program while keeping it fun and entertaining. Students learn self-discipline, concentration, self-confidence, the value of teamwork and an appreciation of the arts. We are just as excited as the children to host a program that allows them to creatively explore the fine arts.

Camps

Visit www.bermudaparentmagazine.com for more info.

Healthcare

Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre 46 Point Finger Rd. Paget DV 04 Tel: 236-1001 Web: www.chc.bm

A specialist approach to patient care.

Call us today.

Just for Moms

Baby Boot Camp Tel: 441-537-5370 E-mail: elinor@babybootcamp.com FB: www.facebook.com/

babybootcampbermuda

Web: www.balancedfitness.bm

Baby Boot Camp Bermuda is a 60minute fitness class for mom and baby.

Baby Boot Camp caters to all fitness levels: pregnant moms, new moms recovering from pregnancy and conditioned moms with stroller-aged children. Cardio drills and strength training exercises increase overall fitness and give a total body workout!

La Leche League of Bermuda Tel: 236-1120 Email: islandgirl@northrock.bm La Leche League of Bermuda is a registered charity that provides motherto-mother support and encouragement for breastfeeding, as well as the latest, evidence-based medical information.

Our work is provided without charge by skilled, accredited leaders. We offer monthly support group meetings, an email and telephone hotline, and an extensive lending library.

Care@Home Services Tel: 295-2273 Email: care@myhome.bm

Web: www.care-at-home.info

Care@Home Services provides personal in-home care solutions (nannies and housekeepers) to Bermuda resident families. Trusted. Experienced. Caring.

Party Planning

Sugar Rush Cakes Tel: 337-6171 Email: sugarrushbda@yahoo.com Web: sugarrushbermuda.com

Retail

Bermuda Linens & Gifts 16 Water Street, St. Georges Tel: 296-0189

Web: www.bermudalinens.com

At Bermuda Linens & Gifts, there are big ideas for little ones … and big values for you, the customer. With attention to detail and design flair, you will find trendy baby gifts, baby accessories and so much more!

Add great packaging and free gift wrapping for a one-stop shopping experience.

Norwex Enviro Products Tel: 296-6833 or 336-6833 Email: mrc@logic.bm Norwex Microfiber Cloths … there’s no other cloth like it! Norwex has developed a unique technology that combines an antibacterial silver-based agent with our microfiber. The antibacterial agent is actually embedded inside the tiny microfiber. It destroys the bacteria that it picks up in its fibers.

If you would like to support a young person in achieving and sustaining their goals, can commit to supporting a young person as they develop a future beyond their present expectations and are open to empower yourself to produce a new set of behaviors, actions and results in your life, then MIRRORS is looking for you.

ARE YOU A COMMITTED PARTNER? • Are you willing to work with young people?

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Are you willing to empower our youth to increase positive attitudes?

• Are you willing to build relationships with our young people?

• Are you willing to make a stand in our community?

“Having a committed partner helped me to see things from a different perspective. Being able to do so enabled me to think first before reacting negatively to different situations.”

– Michéla Outerbridge, 2010 participant

BECOME A MIRRORS VOLUNTEER TODAY! Contact Vernelda Perinchief-Tatem, Volunteer Enrollment Manager at 294-9295 or email tomirrors@gov.bm for more information on becoming a volunteer.

Mirrors Programme of Bermuda Global House 1st Floor 43 Church Street Hamilton HM 12 Transforming our community, one person at a time