Publisher’s Note
With the end of frigid temperatures nearing and cabin fever at its extreme, your kids are probably eager to get out of the house and ready to inhale the first breath of fresh spring air. And there’s no doubt that you’re ready, too! In this issue, read about the benefits of summer day camps and the evolution they’ve taken since you were a kid. Summer camps are no longer just for the budding artist or the enthusiastic sportsman. Today, our children have an array of interests to choose from when it comes to enrolling in extra-curricular activities. Whether your pre-teen prima donna is headed for the bright lights and big city or your diligent intellectual is preparing for his impending career as the Mad Scientist, the options are endless. In addition to having choices, summer camps offer much more than just a fun-filled week. They allow children to continue socializing in a structured environment as well as build their self esteem and even learn a new skill. Needless to say, summer camps offer a plethora of benefits for both parents and children. While the coldest weather has subsided, the nastiest weather has not. And if you’re a parent with young children, inclement weather can definitely cause a stir in your household. On page 20, read about how to alleviate the anxiety your children may suffer at the first signs of bad weather. Who knows? By understanding your child’s fears and implementing a few simple strategies, you may even create a sense of enjoyment and pleasure during a typically stressful time. And finally, if you’ve exhausted your thoughts on planning the perfect party, on page 8, read about the hottest trends, themes and ideas for throwing the best bash ever! Your kids will have the coolest party and you will be deemed the coolest parent. What more could you ask for! Sincerely,
Vanessa Ximenez
Allen Family Magazine
March/April 2008
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
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Table of Contents March/April 2008 - Issue 2
Features 8 Throwing the Perfect Birthday Extravaganza! 10 Time to Stand Up and Say YIKES! When your child fears public speaking 14 Beat the Bedtime Battle 16 Summer Camps For Every Interest 18 From Blah to Brilliant!
8
Throwing the Perfect Birthday Extravaganza!
14
Beat the Bedtime Battle
Get creative with your Easter eggs this year
20 Taming the Tempest
Help your family cope during storms On the Cover: Mother and daughter, Tammy and Carly Johnson, team up to write and illustrate children’s book
Cover Photo: Wendolin Mercado Photography www.wendolin.com
Publisher/Editor: Vanessa Ximenez publisher@northtexasmagazines.com
Art Director:
Summer Camps For Every Interest
16
Marlina Rahman graphics@northtexasmagazines.com
Contributing Writers: Jacqueline Bodnar Dr. Daniel J. Chartrand Diana L.M.I Dawton Amy Egan Myrna Beth Haskell Amanda Sayle Kelly Maria Luce Lucy Parker Watkins
North Texas Magazines, Inc. 808 S. College Street, Suite 111 McKinney, TX 75069 972.547.6261 www.northtexasmagazines.com
Allen Family Magazine is a product of North Texas Magazines, Inc. Copyright 2007, exclusive of proprietary ads and artwork designs. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. Placement of advertising is not a personal endorsement by the publisher or its representatives, and no liability arising therefrom is assumed.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors By Jacqueline Bodnar
O
wning a home with a white picket fence. That’s part of the American dream that most of us have heard about since we were children. So maybe the fence you have in mind isn’t exactly a white picket one, but just the same most of us envision our home having a fence, for good reason.
Privacy
Fences serve many purposes and people get them for a variety of reasons. Determining what purpose your fence will serve will help you decide what type of fence is the right kind for you. You may even have a dual purpose for your fence, which you will need to know when making the style choice.
Boundary
Along with setting property boundaries some other common purposes for fences include having a contained safe area for pets and children. A good fence will limit the amount of contact that a child or pet comes in contact with streets, pools or from wondering away. Before deciding what type of fence would best suit your situation think about the following design issues and types of fences. www.allenfamilymagazine.com
They provide the homeowner with a lot of privacy, which can be good if you don’t have a great relationship with your neighbors. They are generally more of a solid structure so you want to make sure that they don’t detract from the look of the property.
If you are not looking to necessarily keep children or pets in your yard and are merely interested in establishing a boundary then this is the right fence for you. The most popular type of border used is a rail fence. They can add a nice design to your property and they don’t need to be very high.
Aesthetics This type of fence is used to enhance the look of your property and usually compliments your home. This is often where the
...Continued on page 21 March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
The Tangle Fairy Mom and Daughter team up to write and illustrate children’s book By Lucy Parker Watkins
P
arents seem to have a penchant for coming up with creative ideas to address their children’s problems. Whether it is
coming up with imaginative ways to help their children sit quietly during church or developing imaginative ideas that encourage them to clean their rooms, moms in particular are a resourceful breed, often out of sheer necessity. Allen resident and stay-at-home mother of three, Tammy Johnson, has turned such a creative device into something for other families to enjoy. Three years ago, her then five-year-old daughter, Carly, woke up each morning with a tangled mess of hair. Brushing out the tangled locks was usually a long and difficult process. Tammy realized she needed to come up with something to distract her daughter as they worked on her hair. The result was a sweet story about a little girl who received nightly visits from a tangle fairy and how the little girl resolved the problem. Tammy shared the tale with her daughter each morning. Over time, the story evolved to include many different reasons explaining why the fairy wreaked havoc on the little girl’s tresses. “Sometimes I told Carly the tangle fairy must have had a big party in her hair or that she was cold and wrapped her self up in it to keep warm,” Tammy says. For months, proud husband and father, Dave Johnson, overheard the stories that by then had become a morning ritual for the mother and daughter. One day, he suggested Tammy seriously consider penning the tale as a children’s book. Initially, she thought this a novel idea, but Photo by Wendolin Mercado Photography
Allen Family Magazine
March/April 2008
didn’t really pursue the task. Carly, who offered to illustrate the
“The Tangle Fairy” (Publish America, 2008) is quickly becoming
book, was most eager for her mother to put the story to paper.
popular among local children. Tammy eagerly makes time to
Her persistence paid off. Over the following months, mother
visit Lovejoy schools to read the book aloud to students.
and daughter spent each Thursday morning at the kitchen table writing about the little girl and her nightly visitor. At each sitting,
“I love seeing the children’s reactions to the story. Most of all,
Tammy wrote parts of the story and handed it off to little Carly
I love how inspiring it is to them knowing that Carly did the
who created all the illustrations.
illustrations. It tells the children they can do it too.”
“Carly came up with the main character’s name, Lola. She cre-
Focused on her love of gymnastics, the now 8-year-old Carly
ated her appearance and Lola’s bedroom. All of it came straight
seems unaware and refreshingly balanced about her success as
out of Carly’s imagination. Lola doesn’t look anything like Carly.”
an illustrator. “I think it’s really neat that our book is published and I’m excited about it, but for now I’m just busy training in the
Even on days when Tammy was preoccupied with household
gym. I want to win the Olympics,” Carly explains.
chores, Carly insisted they continue their work. Tammy explains, “Carly is the reason we kept working on the book. She was ea-
This is certainly not the end of the author and illustrator’s
ger to complete the project.
careers. Nine-year-
Somehow, she knew to main-
old Brady, Tammy and
tain the consistency of her art-
Dave’s oldest child, is a
work making sure Lola looked
successful businessman
the same in each picture and
in the making who is
that the colors and style of her
eager to help his mother
bedroom furniture matched
create a series of books
her earlier drawings. Each
for young readers. “I
day, she picked out the same
want it to be the next
color crayons and reviewed
“Arthur.” I want my mom
her earlier work. She did this
to come up with lots of
all on her own without any
ideas and introduce new
prodding from me.”
characters and I would love to see them turned
After a few months, the tale
into a TV series. After
of Lola and the tangle fairy
that, I’d like my mom
was complete. Tammy took
to write big books - the
the story and illustrations to a
kind I read, like Harry
local printer to make personal
Potter,” Brady says.
copies of the book. It was at Carly’s insistence and her
Meanwhile, the young-
desire for “a real book” that Tammy decided to submit their manuscript for consideration.
est of the Johnson family, Katie, can’t wait to sit elbow-to-elbow with her mother and big sister to work on the next book. “I’m really excited about this
Dave comments, “When Tammy first told me that Publish
book, but I have ideas for the next one. I can’t wait to help with
America had contacted her I was in a whirlwind! The book is
the drawings. It’ll be fun to share it with my friends just like we
such a great story for little girls and I know that Tammy and
shared ‘The Tangle Fairy’,” Katie says.
Carly worked so hard on it, so I was very happy for them and the whole family.”
The Johnson family looks forward to sharing “The Tangle Fairy” with more children and they hope get the opportunity to meet
Dave continues, “I knew that if anyone read the story it was
more young readers at upcoming book signing. “The Tangle
going to go big and it did. Such an amazing accomplishment!
Fairy” is currently available online at BarnesandNoble.com,
I am so very proud of both of them! Their hard work and
Borders.com, Target.com and Amazon.com.
persistence has shown that if you believe in something strongly enough, you can make it happen”
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Lucy Parker Watkins is a freelance writer and editor living in McKinney.
March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
Throwing The Perfect Birthday Extravaganza! By Maria Luce
W
racking your brain trying to plan your child’s perfect birthday bash? These days, birthday parties have grown up and grown much more sophisticated. The days of simple get-togethers with cake, ice cream and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey have given way to today’s major party productions. “These days parents go all –out and put a lot into it to make their kids feel special,” says Heather Cox with Party House in Allen, “everything is a big deal – from the invitations to the cake.” You don’t want your child left out in the cold! Here’s your guide to the hottest trends, themes and ideas to planning the perfect party.
It’s All In The Theme The growing trend these days is theme parties. From the perfectly crafted invitation to the cake and decorations - topped off by matching party favors, theme parties are all the rage. “The latest and hottest trend we’ve seen in years is Webkinz.” Cox says. The interactive internet craze is now becoming a birthday party theme-favorite.
Other hot trends include: • • • • • • • • • • •
Hannah Montana or Rock Star Glamour and Glitzy Party Pirates or Princess Parties American Idol or karaoke party High School Musical Star Wars SuperHeroes Bowling, Sports Disney’s ‘Cars’, Hot Wheels, NasCar Western, Cowboy Laser Tag
Allen Family Magazine
March/April 2008
Location, Location, Location A great alternative for parents are ‘turn-key’ locations. Many local hot-spots offer everything from set-up to clean up. Bounce houses and inflatables are a great way to let the kids have fun, provide builtin entertainment and helps kids get their energy out. Many local pizza places offer not only entertainment, but also food, servers and arcade games for the kids. Specialty party places are popping up all over Allen and surrounding towns – offering services just for kids parties – from gymnastics to swimming to painting pottery or painting little girls faces into glamour queens – you pick your child’s wish and there’s a place wanting to make that dream come true! Depending on your budget – many services come right to your home or desired location. Petting zoos, clowns, dress-up costumes, magicians, trains – almost whatever your child desires can become magical birthday reality these days. Too busy to plan it yourself? No problem – nowadays party planners aren’t just for adult shin-digs, children’s party planners take care of the whole soiree for you – you and the birthday star - just show up!
Keep It Short Just as attention spans are short – especially if children are young, keep the time short. Ninety minutes is optimal. Any longer and you end up having more time to fill, more entertainment to figure out and usually more money spent. An hour and a half is perfect for entertainment, cutting the cake and singing for the star of the show. An emerging trend – and time saver – is opting to open gifts after the party, not during. Make it a priority to have your child (or help you) write the thank you notes. www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Make It Personal “Personalizing is key to making your child feel special,” Cox advises. And it all starts with the invitation. “No longer are hand-written invitations enough, the trend is printed invitations.” Many people create it on their home computers or have party houses or print shops make them. Cakes have gone personal – complete with edible photo images of your child. Kids love seeing their faces on cakes, and your birthday boy or girl is no different. Even thank you notes are personalized with the party theme and the child’s name – making sure your child feels extraordinary!
Don’t Break The Bank A birthday party doesn’t have to mean taking out a loan. Sometimes simple ideas can mean big fun. Often times it’s the parents who get caught up in how much is spent – kids sometimes have the most fun just getting together. And depending on their age – some kids don’t care whether you throw a catered party or just have a few kids over for pizza.
So here’s some simple, inexpensive and fun ideas: A pirate theme, complete with a treasure or scavenger hunt. Offer bandanas and pirate hats. It’s easy to create a treasure map that offers clues and goodies along the way. This will keep them occupied and having fun for a very long while. It’s luau time! Go to any party store and pick up an inexpensive blow-up palm tree for taking pictures in the tropics. Complete the look with grass skirts and leis. Offer theme food: fresh fruit, tropical punch and upside-down pineapple cake. A craft party can be loads of fun. Local craft stores offer inexpensive foam door hangers or visors and foam stickers (get the ones with peel off backing). Alphabet stickers allow kids to personalize their masterpieces. Design-a-mugs are another great idea. Each child can color a picture, and then you slide their masterpiece in between the outer and inner layers of the mug. These make excellent party favors for each child to take home. Balloons, balloons, balloons! Helium balloons make a festive atmosphere and offer a lot of bang for your buck!
Celebrate! Remember the whole idea is FUN – and celebrating your child – so don’t stress yourself out in the process. Overabundance doesn’t always mean over-the-top fun. Keep in mind your child’s personality, age, and of course, budget. Give your child options – that also means limitations – and teaches responsibility while celebrating. Getting your child involved – from planning to thank you notes – not only gets them the party they want – it hides lessons while keeping them the star of the show! With these ideas, your child’s next birthday bash will be the talk of the town! Maria Luce is a reporter and freelance writer who balances work and family life while living in McKinney with her husband Mark and their three young boys, Jack, Luke, and Christian. www.allenfamilymagazine.com
March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
Time to Stand Up and Say... Yikes! When Your Child Fears Public Speaking By Myrna Beth Haskell Some kids think standing up in front of the class is a cinch. For many others, speaking in front of a room full of peers is worse than getting a tooth pulled without Novocaine. According to an article written by Dr. Louise Katz, “The most common form of Social Phobia is public speaking anxiety. In addition to the emotional aspects of public speaking anxiety, there are often physical symptoms as well. These symptoms include trembling or shaking, cold clammy hands, shaky voice, rapid heartbeat, sweating, blushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, digestive discomfort, or forgetting something you know or were about to say. In some cases, a person may experience a panic attack.” Children who experience these types of symptoms may flat out refuse to get up in front of the class. However, as a student moves on to middle school and high school, oral presentations are often required. Worse yet, a fear of public speaking can be carried into adulthood if a child doesn’t learn to face his fear early on. The good news is that public speaking is a skill that can be learned and perfected over time, and in a way that won’t conjure unnecessary stress.
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Allen Family Magazine March/April 2008
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The First Experience In their book Good Behavior, child behavior experts Stephen W. Garber, Ph.D., Marianne D. Garber, Ph.D. and Robyn Spizman write, “The fear of public speaking is one of the most common anxieties among children and adults.” Like any other fear, the longer one holds onto it, the more severe it gets. Both parents and teachers should encourage kids to get up in front of groups as early as possible. “Show and tell” or “sharing time” in preschool is usually a child’s first public speaking experience, and it needs to be a positive one. Preschool and primary teachers should make a sharing assignment fun. They should encourage audience participation to take the pressure off of the presenter. Students who are extremely fearful might be permitted to get up with a best buddy the first time around, or to present from their own desk, which is sometimes less stressful than standing up in front of the entire group.
The Peer Factor Speaking in front of the class during one’s adolescent years can be a daunting experience, even for those who successfully tackled a few oral report presentations in elementary school. The need to “fit in” is extremely strong at this age, and the teen crowd can be unforgiving. Any type of blunder in front of one’s peers at this age can be devastating for a teen’s confidence. This is where good preparation plays a vital role in a teen’s successful public speaking experience.
Practice Makes Perfect Preparation can make or break a speech of any kind. The more your child can practice his speech or presentation ahead of time, the better off he will be. It is a great idea to practice in front of a mirror. This way your child can see how many times he is looking down at his notes. Encourage your child to practice in front of family members at home. Make sure everyone is told to give both positive and constructive feedback. Your child should also practice what to do in case he makes a mistake. Garber, Garber and Spizman recommend that you role play solutions for gracefully continuing
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after a mistake, such as taking a deep breath and repeating the last idea, referring back to note cards, or making a joke about being afraid of public speaking.
How Parents Can Help Garber, Garber and Spizman suggest, “From an early age, give your child chances to talk in front of groups without forcing him or putting him on the spot.” Encourage your child to choose topics that really interest him when he is asked to do an oral presentation for class. Take a video of your child practicing his speech so he can see first hand the things he does well and the things he needs to work on. Teach your child how to relax. Breathing in deeply several times just before getting up to present, or visualizing doing a good job, will often help to calm nerves. Don’t focus on what can go wrong. Instead, be positive and patient, and talk about solutions to those things your child finds difficult (such as speaking clearly or slowly). To help your teen, you might sit down together to watch various newscasters or talk show hosts speak on television. Afterwards, discuss what you each thought were positive and negative aspects about their approaches. Older students can incorporate what they’ve learned into their own presentations. The good news in all of this is that it usually gets easier as one speaks more in public. Let your child know that it is a necessary and important skill and one that he will need in the future.
Tips for Nervous Nellie • • • • • •
Be prepared - practice several times at home. Practice relaxation techniques (such as slow, deep breathing) Don’t rush – find places to pause for emphasis. Find a spot or two on the wall to focus on instead of directly at an audience member if direct eye contact makes you flustered. Practice visualization techniques where you imagine yourself doing well. Practice positive self talk (i.e. No will laugh at me because my speech is good.)
Myrna Beth Haskell is a freelance writer who specializes in children’s health and development and parenting issues.
March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
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Antibiotics may not be Necessary! By Dr. Daniel J. Chartrand Harmony Family Health
T
he vast majority of ear infections are caused by viruses which are not treated with antibiotics. The few caused by bacteria can be cleared by the immune system of an otherwise healthy child. The infection will resolve in seven to ten days with or without the antibiotics in most cases. Multiple studies have shown that children improve without antibacterial therapy. Although it is common to treat ear infections with antibiotics in the United States, they are not routinely given in Europe and throughout the world. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Practice recommend a 72 hour “wait and see approach� to determine if antibiotics are needed. Allowing the body to manage the infection without antibiotics promotes a healthy immune system and at the same time avoids the side effects often associated with antibiotics, including diarrhea, yeast overgrowth, drug induced fever, drug allergy, and drug resistance. There are many simple but highly effective treatments you can use at home to help your child stay comfortable while
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Allen Family Magazine March/April 2008
her body heals the infection. One of the easiest and most helpful treatments is to heat a damp washcloth in the microwave for your child to hold against the painful ear. This warms the inflamed ear drum and eases the pain. Another helpful treatment is to put cotton balls in the ear, especially when going to sleep or going outside when it is cold or windy. Alternating Tylenol and Advil so that a dose is given every three hours provides additional pain relief. Drinking plenty of fluids and taking a vitamin C supplement may also be helpful while your child is healing. Your child should be evaluated by your family doctor. How can I distinguish between allergies and a cold virus? Allergies and cold viruses have many similar symptoms including runny nose, congestion, scratchy throat and a mild cough, but there are some clues that will help you to distinguish between the two. Itchy eyes will immediately let you know that you are having an allergic response. Allergies tend to come on quickly as the body releases histamine in response to an allergen, like pollen, dust, animal dander, or chemical irritants. Symptoms can last as long as the allergen is present, so avoidance of allergens is the best treatment. Some easy and immediate steps you can take to reduce your exposure to indoor allergens includes putting dust covers on mattresses and pillows, buying an air purifier, and limiting your exposure to chemicals like paint fumes and strong www.allenfamilymagazine.com
cleaners. Frequent vacuuming of upholstered furniture and carpeting will be helpful. For persistent severe allergies you might consider replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with hard floors. For outdoor allergens eat local honey to sensitize your body to the pollens in your area. Try drinking an organic herbal tea containing flowering plants. Overthe-counter medications like Visine-A, Benadryl, Claritin, NasalCrom, and Zantac can be helpful. A fever and body aches are associated with a virus or other infection. The symptoms usually last between five and fourteen days. Treatment is based on relieving the symptoms while the body heals itself. Your Mom was right. Drink plenty of fluids and get some rest. Consider taking a day off work to relax and let your body heal. Vitamin C and Echinacea help support the immune system. Over-the-counter medications like Afrin nasal spray, Tylenol and Advil can be helpful. Using antiviral tissues has been clinically shown to reduce the spread of viruses and can be used in homes, schools, or at work.
the nostrils followed by bulb suction. Older children might like Vick’s VapoRub on their chest and neck. A heated rice sock for the chest can be soothing for a bothersome cough. Even wearing a scarf to warm the neck may help. And getting plenty of rest and fluids really does make a difference.
If your child has a cold, a humidifier in her bedroom will help loosen the congestion. To help your baby with congestion you might also consider using saline drops in
Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system and in many cases is effective in alleviating allergy and cold symptoms.
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March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
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Beat the Bedtime Battle Most parents, at some point in their parenting career, have issues with bedtime, whether it be toddlers joining the parents’ bed during the night or older children not staying in bed once tucked in. Luckily, there are some techniques that are helpful in handling these bedtime blues.
2
By Amy Egan
If the child continues to come out of the room once the door is closed the parent needs to calmly walk the child back to bed. This may happen many times the first few evenings, but with persistence on the part of the parents, the issue will likely be resolved in a few nights. One important note here: when walking the child back to their room, it is crucial that no
Solving Toddler Bedtime Problems
emotion is displayed by the parent. Any drama, whether anger
Once a child is moved from the crib to a ‘big’ bed, the freedom
or affection, undermine the effectiveness of the technique.
of being able to enter and exit on their own often creates a
To give you an idea of how this should look, picture yourself
new temptation to get out of bed because they can! The
walking your toddler back to bed in silence with no eye
following tips can greatly assist parents in getting their little
contact. The child may be screaming, but the parent remains
ones to stay put once the goodnight kiss has been planted.
silent while giving little to no eye contact. Mom or Dad may
1
have to walk Junior back to bed 100 times the first night. But
Give the child a choice whether the door is kept open or
if no emotion is displayed, there is no payoff for the little one.
closed. Most children will choose open. If the child gets up
On night number two Mom or Dad will likely have to walk Ju-
and comes out of the room, Mom or Dad walk the child back
nior back 50 times and on night number three, 25 times. This
to bed saying, “Uh oh, looks like it is too tempting to have the
technique, which extinguishes the negative behavior, is very
door open. You have now chosen closed.”
effective when done correctly.
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Allen Family Magazine March/April 2008
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3
And for those little ones that join Mom and Dad during the night, the technique is done exactly the same. Parents may want to choose a weekend for beginning the plan and be mentally prepared that they will lose a few hours of sleep the first couple of nights. But if Mom and Dad are serious about eliminating the behavior, the temporary sleep loss will be well worth it!
Bedroom Time for Bigger Kids Older, school aged children can be given more freedom. Consider having a ‘bedroom time’ at your house, rather than bedtime. Parents choose a new, earlier time to start getting kids ready for bed. Once bath, stories and tooth brushing are complete, parents say goodnight to the child. The child is welcome to stay awake as long as they remain in their room and do not bother Mom and Dad. Any quiet play is allowed as long as it is not electronic in nature. Giving children this freedom may start out with them staying up too late the first few nights. But as time goes on and they realize what it feels like to be tired the next morning and during the day, they tend to self regulate. There are several benefits of using this technique. One is that it eliminates the power struggles at bedtime. Another is that children feel a sense of empowerment and once they start self regulating their sleep time, they get a big confidence boost. One of the greatest benefits of using this plan is that it often fosters a love of books. The options for quiet time are not too many. Having plenty of books in the room tends to result in them falling asleep with a pile of books around them. (Hitting the public library regularly so the books continue to be novel helps as well.) Once children become accustomed to bedroom time, they look forward to their wind down at the end of each day.
Family Nights Something else that is usually helpful is to choose one night a week to be ‘Family Night”. Everyone sleeps in Mom and Dad’s room in sleeping bags or pallets. The parents and kids decide which night would work best and that becomes ‘Family Night’. This often eliminates kids coming into the parents’ room during the night on the other evenings. It also can become a cherished family tradition. Amy Egan is the mother of two children, aged 8 and 13 and a parenting expert living and working in Allen.
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
15
summer camps for every interest By Jacqueline Bodnar
Gone are the days of summer day camps being just for the arts and craft lover. Today there are day camps available for every interest. While your sports enthusiast can learn kayaking or rock climbing, your budding writer can learn how to become a news reporter. When considering enrolling your child into a summer day camp it’s important to know why summer day camps are so important and what’s available.
Skill Building “They’ll build social skills by making new friends and meeting new people and learn about their community through tours and guest speakers,” explains Brad Stewart, Marketing and Communications Director of the YMCA. “They’ll play games and sports that will teach them to cooperate, play fair, build character and have fun.”
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Allen Family Magazine March/April 2008
Whether seeking a safe place for your children to go during school break or looking to encourage exploration, your child will learn skills that will last a lifetime. Camps are a great way to build confidence and foster a sense of self.
Career Exploration “Our engineering camps focus on hands on experience to let children grades four through high school learn what engineers do and what the career path is to becoming an engineer,” says Ellen Jacobson, Program Director for a K-12 Outreach Program. Kids that have an interest in engineering can attend a week long full day camp that gives them hands on experience at working on projects like constructing and testing cars, conducting experiments and exploring earthquakes. Most communities offer some
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form of career exploration classes for young enthusiasts. Contact your local colleges and school system to see what’s available in your area.
New Experiences While traditional day camps are still plentiful, there are some adventures your child can take that are a little more off the beaten path. One example of such an experience is the horse camp that’s offered at Northstar Stables. Teresa Kauffman, owner of the stables, explains that this day camp is one where kids will gain an understanding of horse behavior, learn how to ride on mountain terrain and explore and learn about nature along their journey. There are also day camps available for kids of all ages and interests including sports, arts and field trips.
Fun Times Make sure to get your child in on the decision of what type of camp they will attend. That way they will discover new areas that interest them as well as engaging in some they are familiar with. Regardless of what your child participates in this summer think of it as an adventure where they will gain skills that will last long after summer has faded. “Treat camp as a chance to explore new ideas, new opportunities and find new challenges or interests,” Jacobson says, “it should be fun, but also something that expands their views of what tomorrow can bring.”
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Concerned about Safety? Before enrolling your child in a day camp put your mind to rest by making sure you inquire about their safety procedures. Don’t be afraid to ask the facility about the qualifications the staff members must have and what safety procedures they follow. Many programs require staff to agree to fingerprinting and running a nation wide background check. They should also have a qualified and experienced person dedicated to conducting reference checks of potential employees.
March/April 2008
Allen Family Magazine
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From Blah to Brilliant! Get Creative with Your Easter Eggs This Year By Diana L.M.I. Dawson The average Easter egg is either plainly colored or – for folks who are looking for something a bit dressier - with seasonal decorations adhered to the colored shell. Every now and then, someone will have a different tradition when it comes to decorating these delicious springtime treats. Let’s have a look at some of the unique decorating ideas that other folks employ when it comes time to get ready for Peter Rabbit.
After hard boiling the eggs, prepare the dye – using an egg
adhesive tape handy. Before dipping an egg, tear off strips of
coloring kit. Before dipping the eggs, add one tablespoon of
tape and apply them in an equally spaced horizontal pattern on
vegetable oil to the color in each cup and be sure to have plenty
the surface of the egg. Place in the dye and wait for one to two
of paper towels nearby. Place an egg in the color of choice and
minutes, until the egg exhibits the desired shade, and remove.
allow sitting until the dye sets (usually a minute or two, depend-
Dry with a paper towel and remove the tape strips. Using the
ing upon how dark you want the egg to be). When finished,
same egg, apply fresh tape in an evenly spaced vertical pattern
remove the egg from the cup and dry thoroughly with a paper
and place in a different color of dye. After the one or two min-
towel. You’ll notice that the surface will not be evenly coated.
ute interval that’s needed for the dye to set, remove the egg,
Parts of the egg will reflect the dye, and others will still appear
dry with a paper tower and remove the tape. You’ll now have a
to be white. This is normal, so don’t panic. Next, place the same
uniquely colored Easter egg in a beautiful plaid design.
egg in a different color of dye and wait for a minute or two. After removing, dry thoroughly with a paper towel. You should
For those who are put off by the mess of dye cups and dripping
now see that the other dye has colored the areas that were still
eggs, you might like to try decorating with tissue paper! After
white, producing a marbling effect. Since oil has been added
the eggs have been boiled, cut small pieces of colored tissue
to each cup, the areas of the egg that were touched by the oil
paper – squares or circles work best, but you can use any shape.
won’t accept the dye. This is the reason that the egg needs to
Be sure that the tissue is very brightly colored, or the result may
be thoroughly dried before being placed in the second cup – so
be too light to do the decoration justice. One by one, dip each
that no residual oil will affect the further coloring of the egg.
shape into a small cup of water and wrap around the egg. When
The result is a gorgeous display of multi-colored eggs that are
the shell has been completed covered, allow the paper to dry for
really quite unique in appearance.
several minutes, and then remove from the egg. The result will be a beautifully decorated egg in a variety of colors.
Did you know that you can make plaid Easter eggs? All you need to do is hard boil the eggs, prepare the dye cups as
If tie-dye is more your style, that can also be done – but the dye
instructed on the back of the egg coloring kit and have some
colors have to be very strong (dark in appearance, even if it’s
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Allen Family Magazine March/April 2008
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yellow or orange). Prepare hard boiled eggs and the dye cups.
to the colored glitter that you’re using. Allow to dry – this may
Wrap a damp clean cloth around the egg – make sure it’s not
take a good amount of time – and you’ll have beautiful glittery
too wet, or the result won’t be as attractive – and use a small
Easter eggs!
soaked paintbrush or a dropper to make dots of different colors all over the cloth. When this has been done, twist the cloth
Any of these methods will produce breathtaking eggs that can
around the egg so that the colors become mixed and swirled.
be used as a table centerpiece, included in an Easter basket or
Remove the cloth and allow the egg to dry.
simply given as a gift to someone on that special day.
For folks who are artistically gifted, you might choose to handdecorate each egg with glitter, sequins, ribbon, beads, decorative cloth or any other arts and crafts materials that you may have stored around the house. After the eggs have been hard boiled and dried, dab bits of rubber cement on the shell of the egg in areas where you wish to apply the various decorative materials. Use your imagination to create a fancy “outfit” or some other type of innovative design. The rubber cement won’t penetrate the shell to contaminate the egg, and can be peeled off rather easily if you make a mistake. By combining a tablespoon of glue and the same amount of water in a disposable cup, you can use a paintbrush to coat the shells of hard boiled eggs and then sprinkle them with glitter. This will work on both dyed eggs and plain white ones. For a bit more shine, you might also add just a bit of silver or gold glitter
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March/April 2008
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Taming the Tempest How to Help Your Family Cope During Storms By Lucy Parker Watkins
ach spring brings with it flowers, butterflies, flash flood warnings and Texas-size thunderstorms. While many people sit in awe of the power of these climatic events, there are others who quietly cower in fear and worry about what could go wrong. There are ways to help quell concerns while nurturing a love of Texas storms that will bring a sense of calm enjoyment to an otherwise frightening situation.
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The following suggestions should be combined with a healthy sense of the level of perceived and real danger. Parents should always pay attention to the reality of the situation and assess family members’ levels of anxiety. If the degree of fear affects functioning, professional intervention is in order.
Be Prepared… Storms are a Certainty One of the best strategies for dealing with storms is to learn more about them. Finding reliable and educated sources on the subject which provide useful information for protection is by far one of the best tools any family can have. Knowledge is power.
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Allen Family Magazine March/April 2008
There are a number of items that are useful in a storm which cost very little to purchase, but can provide a sense of security while also serving as tools for games when needed. A short list of important items to have handy during intense storms includes batteries, flashlights, cell phones, and battery-powered radios to serve as a link to emergency information.
Remain Alert. Don’t Panic Pay attention to the news and information in your area. Keep track of the weather in a safe manner. Pay attention to what the experts say. Remember there is a difference between a weather “warning” and a weather “watch.” If there is a tornado warning means be ready to take shelter. Panic counters reason by allowing one to imagine the worst case scenario rather than using it to help plan effective safety measures. When an adult remains calm during a frightening storm, it provides a sense of security to the child. If you know the difference between a tornado warning and a tornado watch, it will help you too.
Reasonable Explanations Rather than pointing out the dangers during a storm, try teaching children about these issues on clear days. During a storm, if a child wants to take a bath or play outside parents can offer alternative suggestions, redirecting the child without causing alarm. Children don’t always understand why the light and sounds of storms can be so bold. It helps to clearly explain lightning and thunder to children so they can reason for themselves. Make sure to put it in terms which suit their developmental and cognitive stages. That is, it’s not necessary to explain the nature of electrical charges in the atmosphere. A parent can explain to a child the clouds are letting out energy/electricity just like they are letting out the moisture and this causes noise.
Activities It is possible to have fun during storms. Families can utilize creative, simple activities to pass the time during storms.
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Games Some favorite activities include shadow games powered by flashlights, whether the group is guessing what shapes little hands are trying to form in the shadow or tracing someone’s profile on a large piece of paper taped to a wall. Card games by lantern light are also fun. Have a mock campout. Get the entire family into one room, cover the floor in pillows and blankets and act like you’re all in one tent at a campsite high in the mountains. Have fun with it and see what you can create as a family. Storytelling is an activity that can cheer up just about anybody. Tell your children stories about when you were young. Share stories of storms gone by when you didn’t know as much as you know now. Keep the stories light-hearted to ease the tension.
What do the sounds of the storm remind you of? Is God bowling? Is He burping? Does the rainfall sound like applause? Encourage your children to be playful. It’s a great distraction.
Education Parents can also help their children learn to read the storm. Have the children count the seconds between lightening and thunder. Show them how to read the storm by the distance it travels over an hour. Blackouts can also provide children a lesson in challenges early pioneers faced or even how indigenous peoples live in the modern day without electricity.
Listen It is important to allow a child talk about fears. Listen without criticism. Active listening helps a child feel heard. By dismissing their fears, adults minimize issues the child sees as quite significant.
Let the child lead the conversation and suggestions. Then, work on implementing those mutually agreed upon ideas. It is okay to let the child know you don’t like the noise either and show them how you cope. It normalizes their feelings while showing them work can be done to make the situation more tolerable.
Comfort Physical closeness is a boost to any child’s sense of security. Cuddling while reading a book, playing a game or telling funny childhood stories make even the loudest of storms seem brief. A wealth of weather-related information is available in libraries, on TV and on the Internet. When researching, make sure to seek out specialists. While word of mouth and personal experiences in storms may provide additional tips and suggestions, the real scoop is available from those in the know.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors ...Continue from page 5 white picket fence comes to play. Not only does it make the property look nicer but it can also add value to your home. Other types of fences include a backdrop fence that is used to display landscaping, security fences and visual screens that are used to hide an unpleasant view. Fencing material is another choice you will need to make. Popular types of materials to choose from include decorative wire fencing, chain-link, ornamental, vinyl and wood materials.
Keeping Legal Regardless of the type of fence you feel is right for your property and purpose you should start out by checking local ordinances. Many cities and individual communities have codes and regulations that specify what type of fencing is allowed. Some will have planning requirements www.allenfamilymagazine.com
that you need to follow before putting up the fence. Zoning regulations for fencing vary and it’s important that you make sure you stay within the guidelines. If you don’t follow these procedures you may end up getting cited and possibly having to remove the fence.
Who does the work? If you have the time and tools available you could most likely do the job yourself, as many fences are designed so that they are easy for the homeowner to install. Many people hire a contractor to do the work. If you go that route make sure you hire one that is licensed, ask for references and make sure that they are insured and bonded. Also consider the warranties being offered. Before contacting a professional have a good idea of what type of fence you are wanting and what purpose it will serve. March/April 2008
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S
o, you’re not the next Van Gogh, and the thought of letting your child loose in the house with more than those magic disappearing markers sends chills up your spine. Maybe you tried a painting project once, only to turn your back for really just a second and the kitchen was a new shade of Jackson Pollock? You’re not alone. Many parents have a burgeoning artist on their hands, or at least one that doesn’t settle for a coloring book; and the concept is more intimidating than filing taxes. Well, maybe not, but 40 to 50 minutes of art at school simply does not quench that creative thirst. Since more parents studied business in college, teaching art is usually foreign territory. So, how do you foster your child’s artistic interest while saving your sanity and your carpet? How can you teach your child anything about art with your own limited knowledge? What are the benefits to all of this, anyway?
Benefits Great refrigerator art is not the only thing gained by creating art at home. Very young children develop fine motor skills and make cognitive connections through the arts. Cutting paper with safety scissors, learning shapes and colors and learning how they go together to form a picture are very important tools in a child’s development. Elementary-age children continue to grow cognitively through art projects, especially when it comes to creative thinking and problem-solving skills. They also learn to express their emotions when they don’t know how to express them with words.
Materials and Home Security
Teaching Art at Home By Amanda Sayle Kelly
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Keep it cheap, keep it covered and keep it washable. This is a great mantra to remember. It is very important to let children explore their interest with supplies that are most similar to what professional artists use. However, it is also very important to protect their homework space. Most children settle for crayons and markers for only so long. Paint and clay typically run neck-in-neck for favorite art media. Keeping these two on hand is a great way to start. Until your little artist understands how the supplies work, washable is the way to go. You can find washable paints and markers in most department store craft areas and chain art supply stores. They aren’t as nice as the non-washable products, but it gives you some advantage in the learning curve. Your child can use washable craft paints on a canvas or heavy manila paper. Give them very small amounts of paint www.allenfamilymagazine.com
at a time on a paper plate. For very young children, give them one color at a time and keep those bottles out of reach! Also, use a shallow tub like an old butter tub to rinse the brush. Protect both the work space and the artist. Layers of newspaper or inexpensive plastic drop cloths cut to fit work great to cover the work space and the surrounding floor. Make sure to use an apron, dad’s old button up shirt or old clothes that can get messy. For your little sculptor, be sure to keep clay projects away from carpeted areas. Sculpey Clay is a favorite clay medium for kids. It’s fun and colorful; plus, it can be baked in your oven to make their creations permanent. Children have to work small because of the baking process, but this can be an extra fun challenge. How small can you sculpt and still make it look like the subject? Need an extra set of furniture for the doll house? Did the dog eat some of the toy soldiers? You can sculpt them yourselves! For tiny hands, Crayola’s Model Magic is a great way to get started in the clay medium. It is much softer than other modeling clays and dries within an hour. It’s like playing with marshmallows without the stickiness! (Elementary-age children love it, too!) Next, add variety. As they grow, don’t let your children stagnate with just one technique or media. Encourage them to experiment. There are enough “in between” media they can use to comfortably broaden their horizons. Watercolor pencils work like a pencil first, but turn into a painting like magic with water and a brush. Just make sure to paint one color at a time, or that beautiful drawing will turn into a not-so-beautiful smudge. Oil pastels are another fun way to experiment. They act like oil paints packed tightly into a crayon. Using a slick surface like card stock allows you to smudge your drawing for a painterly effect.
Additional Information Don’t forget to take advantage of your local resources. Libraries and book stores carry children’s art books. Many of these tell the story of the artists in a fun, imaginative ways. Museums are a wonderful way to learn together about artists and their backgrounds while viewing original works of art. They often have education rooms designed for children and families, and education sections on their websites. Finally, talk to your child’s school art teacher to see what extra guidance he or she can give you. Hopefully this has armed you with some tools that will make that next home art adventure a little less intimidating. Creating art at home with your child can be an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience. It can also be a very important part of your child’s development. Whatever you do, have fun with it and display your child’s art proudly! Amanda Sayle Kelly, former studio coordinator for Art Institute of McKinney, is a painter and printmaker who is completing her Masters in Art Education. www.allenfamilymagazine.com
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