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Outsmart Your Toddler SMILE!
It’s Time for Holiday Portraits!
Give Thanks to the Planet This Thanksgiving
The Gift of Good Manners
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
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onthecover
mckinneykidscontents October/November 2008 issue 33 Cover Picture:
Samantha is a 1st grader at Glen Oaks Elementary and loves to play soccer. She is a member of the MISD Alpha program.
Cover photo taken by Michael Louis Photography www.michaellouisphotos.com
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Cover clothes by Born Fabulous 2821 Craig Drive #101 •McKinney, TX Cover shoot done on location at Calloways in McKinney
6
12
publisher/editor: Vanessa Ximenez publisher@northtexasmagazines.com
24
art director: Marlina Rahman marlina@northtexasmagazines.com
photographer: Michael Rivera www.michaellouisphotos.com
features 6 Girls and Boys Can Be Girls and Boys
24 Minding Their Manners
12 Outsmart Your Toddler
5 Tricks for getting yours to do what you want
18 SMILE - It’s Time for Holiday Portrait! 20 Give Thanks to the Planet
This Thanksgiving
The gift of good manners makes a difference in our children’s lives
26 Gifts Money Can’t Buy departments 10 16 29 32
medical directory kid connection awesome achiever kandid kids
McKinney Kids 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. www.northtexasmagazines.com
contributing writers: Deborah Carpenter, M.A. Lorie Fangio Jodi Helmer Heidi Smith Luedtke Belinda Mooney Amy Pawlak Michael Rivera Kristine Springate Martha Wegner
North Texas Magazines, Inc. 808 S. College St., Suite 112 McKinney, TX 75069 972.547.6261 www.northtexasmagazines.com mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
Editor’sNote Green leaves turned into burnt shades of autumn and warm, sticky nights turned into cool breezy evenings remind us that fall is here. There’s no doubt that the seasonal excitement of Halloween, Thanksgiving and festive celebrations will be centered around family, friends and food. In this issue of MKM, read about getting your kids involved in the preparation of the annual Thanksgiving dinner by creating dishes with simpler recipes and decorating with your child’s construction paper-cut outs or special “Be Thankful” placemats that can be laminated and used for years to come. Thanksgiving is the time we reflect on our typical blessings of family, friends, health, jobs, etc., but today we have one more blessing to count – Our planet! On page 20, read about giving thanks to Mother Nature by hosting a more ecofriendly celebration. Some suggestions include: decorating with natural materials, making silver polish with natural ingredients, using a nondisposable roasting pan, and encouraging your guests to carpool. While it hardly seems possible that these simple suggestions can be remotely effective, imagine if everyone participated! In addition, read about outsmarting your toddler with a little reverse psychology, getting your child to communicate without whining and giving your children gifts that money can’t buy. And finally, it’s the time of year for your holiday portraits and many of us aren’t ready to tackle the big event (especially if toddlers are involved). On page 18, we’ve offered a few simple suggestions to make the occasion a little more jolly and a little less jinxed!
Vanessa Ximenez
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
By Kristine Springate
Girls and Boys Can Be Girls and Boys I recently had to let go of the idea that my parents were outrageously sexist. This long-nurtured belief had some basis: one of my dad’s favorite jokes is that I did pretty well, “for a girl.” And he refused to teach me to change my car oil, since “girls don’t
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
do that.” He also exhibits the typically male traits of not understanding the washing machine or stove and avoiding emotional issues (If I get too confessional on the phone, he immediately says, “Oh? Here’s your mother. Bye.”) As you see, I had some fuel for my fire.
So I felt indignant and empowered when I read two articles that show how traditional gender expectations are expanding. In “Girl Power,” the writer Harbour Fraser Hodder explains that girls are doing well. One reason for their current confidence is that they have learned how and when to use both feminine and masculine skills. For example, during a soccer game, a girl can rely on her more masculine traits of competition and aggression, but as a leader, she could use her more feminine skill of networking. Successful girls adapt their behavior, just as they adapt their clothing and language, to best suit the situation. According to writers of “Fatherhood 2.0,” the old, narrow perspective on masculinity is widening too. Fathers are more involved than ever with their families, which helps everyone: moms feel less stressed, fathers feel less emotionally restricted, and children learn that both parents can work, run the house and address their emotional needs. This expanded masculinity could mean supporting the family, or staying home to raise the children.
Prepared to blast my parents for their ignorance, I began writing about how everyone in my family knew their place: males poured cement, changed tires and dug ditches. Females directed social life and anything to do with food. When trouble arose, my mom and I hugged and cried while my brothers and dad slapped each other’s shoulders. But upon further reflection, I realized that they each crossed over to the other side too. Despite general adherence to traditional roles, my parents also ventured where they were uncomfortable. My dad did child care, albeit in his own way (when my brother threw food from his high chair, my dad tied his hands behind his back!). And my mom struggled with the leaky toilet or car battery- often successfully. In fact, they perfectly exhibited an insight about gender roles I found in yet another article. In “The New and Improved Self-Esteem,” the writer explains that all people need to know themselves, and develop both their strengths and weaknesses so that they have many skills to rely on in any different situation. No trait is particularly male or female- it’s just an appropriate and useful trait for the situation- or not. So I’ll have to tip my hat to my parents yet again. And perhaps my husband should practice making ponytails, while I put the chains back on the bikes. After all, we don’t want our children to have anything to be outraged about either. Kristine Springate is an Allen resident and ESL teacher at Quad C. www.northtexasmagazines.com
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
By Belinda Mooney
Be Thankful Placemats Easy to Make Placemats to Celebrate Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a time of remembering friends, family and special times in our lives that we are thankful for. As family and friends gather to share a meal many families reflect back over the past year. Some wonderful traditions are shared at this time. Many families take the time to each share something they are thankful for before eating, others offer special prayers to the Lord for His goodness in the past and some families have special foods or activities that are shared and take place on Thanksgiving Day.
year. Get out those special pictures and mementos and turn them into something that can be enjoyed on Thanksgiving and all year round.
Be Thankful Placemats You will need:
• construction paper • crayons, colored pencils, markers • family pictures • mementos such as colorful napkins, paper crafts, scraps of cloth • clear contact paper • trim such as ribbon or rick rack • fancy scissors to trim paper or make your own fancy trim What you do: 1. Write the words “I am thankful for” on a piece of construction paper or plain white paper. Trim around it or decorate it. You
But one thing almost every family has in common is mementos
will glue this in the center of your place mat. You may glue it
(napkins, crafts the kids have made) and pictures of the past
on first and center things around it or glue it on last after you
year. Why not start a new family tradition at your house this
have placed your pictures and mementos.
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2. Decide what pictures and mementos you want to include on each placemat. Get another piece of construction paper as your background for the placemat. Lay out your items and try arranging them in different positions. Trim pictures if necessary. Leave room to write captions underneath if you would like to include them. Once you have decided on your layout glue them in place on the construction paper. 3. Add any embellishments you would like such as ribbon, tiny bows, fancy trims, sequins etc. Fill in your captions. Make your placemat exactly the way you want it to look. 4. Cut two pieces of clear contact paper equal sizes. You want the contact paper to be 1 inch wider all around than the placemat. Place the placemat on the contact paper back first. Then matching up the edges carefully, smooth the other piece over the top, smoothing out bubbles out as you go.
Now you have a beautiful and easy kid’s craft that is perfect for Thanksgiving. Make a new one each year. Make several and share with grandma or grandpa. Your placemat can be wiped off and used again and again.
Belinda Mooney is a freelance writer mainly focusing on parenting and family issues. www.northtexasmagazines.com
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
MedicalDirectory ALLERGIES Allergy, Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic
Orthodontics Packard Family Orthodontics
5100 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 108 • McKinney, TX 75070 972-562-0340 • www.pfortho.com
Sigoda Orthodontics
4521 Medical Center Drive, Suite 400 • McKinney, TX 75069 972-548-7555 • www.allergyent.com
7652 W. Eldorado Parkway • McKinney, TX 75070 972-542-2112
McKinney ENT Clinic
Smiles Hollywood Style Orthodontics
The Ear Nose & Throat Centers of Texas
Pediatrics
808 State Hwy. 121, Suite 120 • McKinney, TX 75070 214-383-5955 4510 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100 • McKinney, TX 75069 1105 N. Central Expressway, Suite 210 • Allen, TX 75013 972-984-1050 • www.enttx.com
Dentistry McKinney Dentist
1716 W. Virginia Street • McKinney, TX 75069 5601 Virginia Parkway • McKinney, TX 75070 972-54-SMILE (76453) • www.mckinneydentist.com
175 Ridge Road, Suite 500 • McKinney, TX 75070 972-529-9700 • www.smileshollywoodstyle.com
Children’s Choice Pediatrics
4510 Medical Center Drive, Suite 211 • McKinney, TX 75069 972-548-8382
McKinney Pediatrics
4510 Medical Center Drive, Suite 207 • McKinney, TX 75069 972-548-0758 • www.mckinneypediatrics.com
Paul H. Reyes, MD (New Location on Nov 1, 2008)
Just for Kids Dentistry
175 Ridge Road, Suite 200 • McKinney, TX 75070 214-592-0356 • www.stonebridgepediatrics.com
Pediatric Dentistry
1111 Raintree Circle, Suite 290 • Allen, TX 75013 214-644-0280 • www.raintreepediatrics.com
Family Practice
175 Ridge Road, Suite 200 • McKinney, TX 75070 214-544-2555 • www.stonebridgepediatrics.com
7700 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 200 • McKinney, TX 75070 972-540-5858 • www.dentaljustforkids.com 201 N. Alma Drive • Allen, TX 75013 972-727-0737
Snyder-Hopkins Family Medicine Center
4561 Medical Center Drive • McKinney, TX 75069 214-544-2624 www.rhondahopkinsmd.com • www.annsnydermd.com 170 N. Preston Road, Suite 30 • Prosper, TX 75078 972-346-2279 • www.prosperfamilymedicine.com
10 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
Raintree Pediatrics
Stonebridge Pediatrics
Texas Pediatric Pulmonary Consultants
2251 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 100 • McKinney, TX 75070 972-562-1188
TLC Pediatrics, P.A. (Moving to new suites on Nov 1, 2008) 1105 N. Central Expressway, Suite 250 • Allen, TX 75013 972-747-KIDS (5437)
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 11
Outsmart Your Toddler By Deborah Carpenter, M.A.
5 Tricks for getting yours to do what you want
The battle lines were drawn: It was me against him. And he, my 2-year-old, was a formidable opponent. I lay in wait by the stairs, a pair of size-2T sweatpants clutched to my chest. Catching Kevin and wrestling him into his clothes reminded me of the day I tried (and failed) to catch a greased piglet at a county fair. At least with Kevin I didn’t have to worry I’d end up face-down in the mud. Suddenly, my slippery little boy popped up from behind the relative safety of the sofa. Our eyes met. He squealed and bolted for the kitchen. Game on!
Somehow, my master’s degree in psychology had lulled me into
say innocently, “What? I’m putting your toys in your toy box!”
the mistaken notion that motherhood would be a piece of cake.
She’ll likely take pity on you and help you put her stuff where it
I knew the latest child-rearing theories. I’d handle behavior
really belongs.
problems with finesse.
Ha!
• Be wrong. Next time you foresee a battle getting your toddler in the stroller, try squeezing into it yourself. Chances
Never did I envision how challenging raising a stubborn and
are good she’ll announce, “That’s mine!” Finally her possessive
feisty toddler would be. Thankfully, I’ve now learned several
streak is good for something.
great toddler-taming strategies that work quite well. Sometimes, I’ve found, you need to save the “I am the parent! Do as I say!”
• Be incompetent. Put your coat on backward and place
approach and try a little creative thinking.
your shoes on your hands. Say, “I’m ready to go, are you?” She’ll
Act like an idiot
laugh, straighten you out, and get her own shoes on for once.
“Even the most defiant toddler will take pity on us if we seem like
Don’t worry: Your child won’t really think you’re a boob, says
total incompetents,” says Harvey Karp, M.D., author of the DVD
Dr. Karp. This is just a fun tactic, like playing hide-and-seek and
and book “The Happiest Toddler on the Block.” The trick is to
pretending you can’t find her.
convince your child that you should be helped, not resisted: • Be forgetful. If she’s refusing to put away her toys, pick up
Become a silver-lining expert
Want to avoid disaster? Pretend everything’s great. Your
a few and put them not in the toy box but in some other unex-
attitude, and the way you handle disappointments (big and
pected place, like the bathtub or a kitchen cabinet. When your
small), can greatly affect how your child learns to do the same.
child balks (she knows where things belong, even as young as 2),
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• Use positive language. The right words can lessen the blow of letdowns and make mundane tasks seem interesting and fun. For instance, the day 3-year-old Josh Boswell had been looking forward to going to the playground, it rained. Rather than let him sulk and stomp angrily around the house, his mom, Sue, said, “This rain is wonderful! Now we get a chance to have that indoor picnic I’ve been planning for you.” Josh was intrigued -- an indoor picnic sounded at least as much fun as going to the playground. “Turning disappointment into delight is part of the magic of being a parent,” says his mom. “The silver lining is almost always there. You just have to learn to point it out.” • Teach your child to look on the bright side himself. If things don’t go right (the cupcakes fell on the floor or his best friend isn’t at preschool that day), ask him to think up something good about the bad situation. He might say he’s looking forward to using a different icing color or that now he can draw a “get well soon” picture for his pal (you might need to coach him at first). Play this game often and your child will automatically learn to look for the silver lining.
Try reverse psychology
You say “yes,” she says “no!” You say “no,” she says “yes!” This verbal tug-of-war is frustrating, but actually it’s a healthy declaration of her growing independence. There’s even an official name for this stage. “When your child doesn’t want to wear certain clothes or taste new foods, it’s called ‘the oppositionalism of toddlerhood,’” says Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., author of “The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting.” The solution? If you want your child to do something, like put on her socks, pretend you don’t want her to do it. One strategy I used to get my daughter, Kaylin, then 2, to try new foods was to deny her first few requests for them. At dinner I’d put two foods on her plate and four foods on the grown-up plates. She’d stare longingly at our full plates and say, “Me want that!” I’d reply, “Sorry, pumpkin. These foods are for grown-ups.” She’d keep asking, and as she started to get frustrated, I’d ask, “Do you really think you’re old enough?” She’d shout, “Yes!” and scoot over, holding out her plate. She couldn’t eat her broccoli fast enough. And when I want Kevin, now 3, to get ready quickly, I pretend I’m in a big rush. “Me come, too?” he’ll ask. “No, honey, Mommy’s in a hurry today. Why don’t you stay here with Daddy instead?” My son, who always prefers an adventure to staying home, will dash off to the closet to get his shoes and jacket. When he returns, I say, “I’m not sure you can get ready in time to come with me.” That gets him to start hurriedly shoving his little arms into his jacket sleeves -- and then I say, “Wow, you really can get ready quickly!” He beams with pride and allows me to finish zipping him up in www.northtexasmagazines.com
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 13
record time. Say goodbye to the old capture-Kevinand-yank-his-clothes-on-while-pinning-him-to-thefloor maneuver. Reverse psychology works by using your toddler’s natural desire for independence (also known as defiance) to get what you both want. Just be sure to use it in a playful way -- and not so often that he gets wise to you!
Say, “Yes, but...”
Amanda Paolucci loved playing outside when she was a toddler. She’d press her nose against the screen door and plead to go out. “She’d throw a colossal fit if I refused to let her,” says her mom, Julie. But once Paolucci learned the “Yes, but...” trick, Amanda’s tantrums subsided. Instead of saying no all the time, Paolucci now says, “Yes, Amanda, you
• Put him down for a nap before he seems super tired.
may go outside, but after dinner.” Or “Yes, you may ride your big wheel, but we need to wait for the rain to stop.”
• Feed him several small meals to keep his blood sugar (and mood) level.
Toddlers are a lot more cooperative if they just know when they can do whatever it is they want. The younger your child, the
• Give him plenty of encouragement. He’ll be less inclined
less patience she’ll have to wait. So sidetrack her opposition
to flip out when something goes wrong or he doesn’t get his
by offering up another activity with your “Yes, but.” You could
way. But also think twice before you make life unnecessarily
say, “Yes, you may have a cookie, but first we’re going to make
hard on him. If you’re thinking of braving the mall with a tired
dinner together,” or “Yes, we can watch Dora, as soon as we’ve
child -- don’t. The notion “maybe I can just squeeze in one
picked up your toys.” She’ll fight a “no” -- a “yes, but” is harder
more errand” has been the downfall of many otherwise rational
to resist.
moms. Some of my finest parenting moments (and by finest I
Stay a step ahead
mean horrifying and humiliating) have had me half-dragging, half-wrestling my thrashing, wailing, screeching toddler out of
Although most toddler battles are caused by hunger, fatigue, or
Wal-Mart. After public tantrum #36, I finally caught on to the
frustration, it’s easier to recognize those things after a tantrum
idea of setting limits -- for me. I now limit toddler-accompanied
starts -- and after a few slices of apple would have saved the
outings to less than two hours.
day. So staying a step ahead of your child is not a quick solution so much as a smart way of thinking. It comes down to
Of course, if you have a toddler, you’ve already learned that life
consistent routines and reasonable expectations, so you don’t
rarely goes as planned. So, here’s one last trick to try on your-
have to be a toddler mind reader. Keeping your child on an
self: Act as if you know what to do -- and soon enough, you will!
even keel can be relatively simple: Try to make his basic needs -- food, sleep -- a priority, and not something you squeeze into a busy day.
14 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
Deborah Carpenter, M.A., professional freelance journalist, writing instructor, and author of the soon-to-be released book The Everything Parent’s Guide to Dealing with Bullies.
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 15
By Lorie Fangio
KidConnection
Thanksgiving, a Family Affair are plugged into the computer or iPod just waiting for this day to pass so they can get on to their favorite holiday, Christmas. I had a thought, why not shake things up a bit and get the children involved in the celebration by having them assist with the preparations. When children help around the house it’s amazing how much ownership and pride they take in their accomplishments. I remember when I was little, it was always my job to cut the jellied cranberry sauce into slices, it wasn’t much but I sure was proud as it was passed around the table. Engage your children in Thanksgiving preparations by assembling in the kitchen. Assess your child’s abilities and assign them a recipe to be responsible for. Choose a dish that can be made a day in advance, it’s not a good idea to have your children under foot while scurrying to put the finishing touches on the meal. Next, assemble all of the necessary ingredients and utensils and let your child proceed as independently as possible. It may not be a time saver at first but keep in mind, you are seeding your future, next year they may be able to execute their dish by themselves, won’t that be nice! If a suitable recipe doesn’t come to mind, have your youngster try my fantastic
The cooler days of fall have finally arrived. Trees are a blaze with fiery colors, the air is clean and crisp and on a clear day an amazing color of blue is painted across the sky. Homes are decorated with friendly scarecrows and vivid orange pumpkins are everywhere reminding us that Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner.
Sweet Potato Casserole, it’s flavored with the zest of an orange and crushed pineapple and with puffy marshmallows heaped high on top, it’s hard to beat. When children have a hand in preparing food they are far more likely to eat it, an added benefit to having your kids help prepare the feast! Get your teens involved in the table decorations by appointing them chief designer. Let them use their imagination and the bounty of the season to design a gorgeous table scape. It’s hard go wrong with lively pumpkins, gourds and leaves in brilliant orange, blazing reds and the golden colors of fall. Just piling them high in the center of the table will be a showstopper.
Isn’t Thanksgiving a great holiday? A gathering centered around food, and being grateful for the abundance in our lives,
For younger kids, start
that’s my kind of party! Celebrating Thanksgiving tends to be
early so they will have
all about the adults, I don’t know about your kids, but I can’t
plenty of time to feel
remember a time that one of mine begged me to make turkey
inspired and have them
and dressing for dinner. McKinney children are out of school for
create a special placemat
a whole week leading up to Thanksgiving Day but I don’t have a
for each of your guests.
lot of time to spend with my kids because of the intense prepa-
Collect lots of leaves in a
rations for this major meal. I am usually rushing around setting
variety of burnished col-
the table, cleaning the house and running back and forth to the
ors; place the leaves between the pages of a book to press them
grocery store for that one last ingredient. Meanwhile, the kids 16 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
flat. Meanwhile, gather a coordinating color of construction pawww.northtexasmagazines.com
per, glue and Therm o Web, iron on vinyl for laminating your project, available at full service fabric stores. Have your youngster place the flattened foliage in various patterns on the paper and glue the leaves in place. The placemats can be made reversable by decorating the other side with family photos or additional artwork. Laminating the placemats is easy, just iron the vinyl in place using a towel to protect the surface and your guests will have a lovely treasure to take home with them as a reminder of a special day spent with your family. Food is at the forefront of our minds when we think of this autumn celebration; consider shifting the focus to gratitude. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and to count the many blessings we have in our lives. What better time to share these thoughts of appreciation than around our Thanksgiving table. Using construction paper, have your children cut out colorful leaves, one for each guest. Set up a small space with the leaves, a pen and a beautiful bowl. As your guests arrive ask them to write a sentiment of gratitude on a paper leaf and place it in the bowl. Remember the little ones too; they often have the most profound statements of gratitude and moms you can do the writing. As the meal gets underway, pass the bowl and have each person read a message. Your family and guests will be filled with a sense of Thanksgiving. Lighten your load and spend some quality time together this year by getting your kids involved in the Thanksgiving preparations. Connecting in the home will foster the true meaning of this joyous celebration.
Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole • 4-6 sweet potatoes • 3 tablespoons brown sugar • 3 tablespoons butter • 1 teaspoon orange zest • 1 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 2 teaspoons vanilla • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves • 1 package large marshmallows Bake sweet potatoes in the microwave for 8-10 minutes or until tender. When potatoes have cooled, spoon the innards out of their jackets into a bowl. Add all ingredients except marshmallows and mix until creamy. Spread sweet potato mixture into a casserole dish, cover and refrigerate until needed. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake potatoes for 25-30 minutes until they are warmed through. Spread marshmallows on top of casserole and place under the broiler for about 1 minute until marshmallows are puffed and beginning to brown. Listen to Lorie on Home Hints with Lorie Fangio on 97.5 KLAK! www.northtexasmagazines.com
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 17
By Michael Rivera
SMILE – It’s Time for Your Family Holiday Portrait! 2. Make sure all children are well-rested before the session. If your child has a scheduled nap, try to book the session right after the nap. Also, if your children tend to more active after having sugar or certain foods, limit their intake on the day of the session. Restless or tired children can hinder the session and affect the outcome of the portraits. If your child has a favorite toy or stuffed animal that he finds comfort in, bring it along. Because so much planning and preparation has gone into this day, the session may take longer than expected to achieve the best results. Bring along a dry snack for your child in the event that his regular dinner schedule is disrupted. 3. If your daughter wears makeup, make sure the amount applied and the colors she chooses are appropriate for the family portrait. With the Holiday Season just around the corner, it is time to start looking for a photographer to take your family portraits. Hiring weeks in advance will not only save you money, it will save you time and peace of mind. During the holiday season, greeting cards and family portraits are the most popular types of photo shoots. With this being said, you definitely want to plan ahead to avoid the holiday rush. If you have children, a little extra planning is essential to capturing the best possible portraits. Listed below are a few factors to consider when scheduling your photo session. 1. Choose the outfits to be worn early and make sure everyone is comfortable with his attire. Otherwise the lack of confidence or discomfort may be noticeable in the picture.
4. Haircuts are usually on the list of things to do before a photo session. While good grooming is very important, have it done a few days to a week before the actual shoot to ensure a more natural look as well as to avoid being photographed with a disastrous cut. 5. Have an idea of the package you want to purchase and know your budget. Typical portrait packages can vary from several hundred dollars to several thousand so know what you can spend and avoid exceeding your budget. With just a little planning and preparation, you can make your experience more pleasant and enjoyable for creating keepsakes that will last a lifetime. Michael Rivera is the Owner of Michael Louis Photography and is now booking on location holiday portraits. To schedule an appointment, call 214-578-5622.
Holiday portraits today... create memories for tomorrow Schedule your appointment between now and December 1st, and receive 25 FREE greeting cards with the purchase of any package
Michael Louis Photography 214-578-5622 www.michaellouisphotos.com
18 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 19
By Jodi Helmer
Give Thanks to the Planet
Tips for a more sustainable Thanksgiving celebration You’ve been thinking about Thanksgiving for months, right? In the midst of shopping for ingredients, washing the fine china and decorating the table, it’s important to take a few minutes to show your gratitude to Mother Earth. Try these tips for making your Thanksgiving celebrations more eco-friendly.
Make silver polish with natural ingredients:
Decorate with natural materials: You can make
Invest in a roasting pan: Disposable roasting pans
Thanksgiving decorations with items found in nature: a decora-
Conventional silver polish contains harsh chemicals like ammonia. There are natural alternatives to get your best silver to sparkle for Thanksgiving dinner. To clean a few small pieces of silver, use a dab of white toothpaste. Squeeze a drop of toothpaste on your finger and rub it onto the silver for instant polish. If you have a lot of silver to polish, boil a few strips of aluminum foil and two tablespoons of baking soda in a pan. Add your silverware and let it sit for a few minutes to remove the tarnish instantly.
are inexpensive and readily available on grocery store shelves,
tive bowl filled with gourds makes a stunning centerpiece and
especially at this time of year. If everyone in the U.S. used a
sprinkling colorful cranberries around the base of soy pillar
disposable roasting pan to cook their Thanksgiving turkey, there
candles will help set the mood during dinner. Natural materi-
would be 46 million tinfoil pans heading to the landfill every
als are a much more eco-friendly option than mass produced
year. Instead, buy a heavy-duty roasting pan that you can use
holiday decorations which often travel thousands of miles before
every Thanksgiving (or any time you feel like cooking a turkey).
reaching store shelves. Once the holidays are over, most natural
Consider it an investment in the environment.
decorations can be added to the compost pile. 20 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
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Buy a salad spinner: Stop drying your lettuce on piles of
Let your Thanksgiving leftovers cool: Putting
way to remove all of the moisture from your salad greens. After
leftover turkey will decrease the efficiency of your refrigera-
you’ve removed the lettuce from the salad spinner, pour the left-
tor. The steam will raise the temperature in the refrigerator,
over water on your favorite houseplants.
causing it to work harder to stay cool. Enjoy an extra slice of
paper towels! A salad spinner is an inexpensive and waste-free
Stock up on fresh veggies for dinner: It takes 3
BILLION kWh of energy per year to produce canned vegetables – enough energy to run 8,571,428 refrigerators for an entire year! Instead of frozen or canned vegetables, choose fresh potatoes and yams for Thanksgiving dinner.
Make a few vegetarian dishes for dinner: Along
containers filled with piping hot mashed potatoes, gravy and
pumpkin pie and wait until your leftovers cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
Learn to make turkey stock: Don’t let your
Thanksgiving turkey go to waste. Use the remains to make stock for turkey soup. Simply boil the turkey carcass in a pot of water with carrots, onions, celery and salt until the stock turns golden brown. Add pieces of leftover turkey and serve
with a traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey and ham, prepare
piping hot. It’s one of the most delicious ways to reduce,
vegetarian dishes like green bean casserole, candied sweet po-
reuse and recycle.
tatoes, creamed carrots and mushroom gravy. Eating vegetarian dishes will help reduce your carbon footprint and prevent air and water pollution. Feeling adventurous? Consider cooking a tofurkey instead of a traditional bird.
Ask guests to bring reusable to-go containers to Thanksgiving dinner: You’ll probably have lots of leftover turkey and mashed potatoes. Every year, Americans use enough
plastic wrap to cover all of Texas. Instead of sending your guests home with leftovers piled on paper plates and covered in plastic wrap, ask them to bring their own to-go containers.
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Encourage guests to carpool: It might take a little more planning to get aunt Edna, cousin Fred and great-
grandma Ruth to arrive at Thanksgiving dinner in a single car but the effort is worth it. Consider this: If 20 people in every state cut out a 10-mile car trip once a week, it would prevent more than 64,000 pounds of pollutants from being released into the air. Jodi Helmer is the author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference (Alpha, 2008). Go to www.green-year.com to learn more about going green.
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 21
By Deborah Carpenter, M.A.
Why Kids Whine
3 ways to help your child learn a better way to ask for what she wants
Teach her to be aware of her tone. When she whines, tell her once that the problem isn’t what she’s saying but how she’s saying it. (Don’t mimic your child -- if she hears you whining, she’ll think it’s acceptable for her to do it, too.) Stop responding to it. Make it clear that if she whines for someWhy kids whine: It’s a highly effective (and, yes, highly
thing, you’ll automatically say no. Or pretend you can’t hear
annoying) way to get your attention.
her if she does it.
The silver lining: Your toddler isn’t purposely trying to irritate
Stand firm.
you. Whining begins around age 2, when kids can talk a little
Even if you do this, your child will still whine. It’ll take a Her-
but are still used to crying to get what they want, says Carolyn
culean effort to ignore it, but give in a few times and she’ll see
Crowder, Ph.D., coauthor of Whining: 3 Steps to Stopping It
that whining works. (Toddlers learn from your actions much
Before the Tears and Tantrums Start. To help your child learn a
more than your words.) When your child alters her tone and
better way to ask for what she wants:
speaks normally, give her your full attention.
Better Than Bribery
I
t’s all too tempting to offer a bribe
Think ahead. You know your child: Does
to get your child to cut out the bad
she get really cranky when you have more
behavior. After all, it usually works.
than two errands? Do doctor’s offices
The problem, of course, is that kids are quick learners. They’ll figure out that the
induce meltdowns? Plan accordingly. Try not to offer a reward for every
way to get a treat is by misbehaving, says
little thing done right. You don’t want
Sal Severe, Ph.D., author of How to Behave
to hear, “What will you give me?” Save
So Your Preschooler Will, Too! Instead:
goodies for tough situations.
Recast the bribe as a reward for good
Remember that big prizes aren’t really
as I say, we’ll stop by the playground on
is the best kind of reward, and when your
the way home.” It’s important to suggest
child starts to associate behaving with your
a reward before the bad behavior starts.
undivided attention, she’ll see how great it
Otherwise, you’re in bribe territory.
feels to be good.
behavior. “If you stay by my side and do
22 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
what most kids want. Fun time with you
5 Ways to Halt the Homework Battle At the end of the day, the last thing you want to do is fight with your child over math problems, book reports and science projects. Rather than nag, prod and argue, try these simple strategies instead. Schedule It Kids are natural procrastinators (“I’ll do it later”). And champion negotiators (“Let me watch one more TV show first”). But putting off homework only prolongs the agony—yours as well as your child’s. “Set a homework time and stick to it,” says Trevor Romain, author of How to Do Homework Without Throwing Up. And if your little Pinocchio repeatedly claims he has no homework, a call to the teacher is a wise idea. Even first-graders are expected to complete homework assignments nowadays. Erase It If attempting to squeeze homework into a long list of after-school activities gives you a migraine, it’s time to cut back (on the activities, not the homework). To decide which to drop, list them all and, with your child, rate each on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being “would die without” and 1 being “could live without”). You may be pleasantly surprised at how often you agree.
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Don’t Just Do It When you see mistakes in your child’s homework, provide coaching and guidance, but don’t simply give the answers. Instead of “I fixed three run-on sentences for you,” say, “I see three run-on sentences; can you find them?” Teachers can tell when you’ve helped do the work or, worse, done it yourself. It also makes it impossible for the teacher to get a realistic picture of your child’s skills and how well he understands the material. Break It “When homework is broken up into manageable chunks, it’s easier for kids to deal with,” says Romain. So build in breaks to walk the dog, eat dinner or watch a TV show. Get Help with It While social phone calls should be discouraged during homework time, a quick call to a classmate to discuss an assignment can be useful — especially when you’re too confused by the new math to explain it. But if your child seems to need excessive help, talk with his teacher about getting extra help or outside tutoring.
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 23
By Martha Wegner
Minding Their Manners Why the gift of good manners makes a difference in our children’s lives When I was a child, manners, particularly table manners, were at the forefront of all family discussion. My mother would scold, “Someday you will be eating dinner with your new husband’s parents, and what will they think?
table make for an appetizing and pleasant experience for everyone.
I’m not having anyone imagine that I raised my children with-
Manners: a parent’s guide to raising respectful, kind, considerate
out decent table manners. Now, sit up, put your napkin in your
children,” (HarperCollins, 2002) they write, “Etiquette has been
lap, and chew with your mouth closed.” My sisters and I giggled
described as society’s glue - the element that enables individuals to
silently at the thought of someday sitting with refined adults
live and work together harmoniously.” Furthermore, “Good manners
holding golden forks midair as they watched us gobble down the
will play a considerable role in the happiness and contentment of
mashed potatoes, our mouths stuffed full and the front of our
your child and the many people he encounters.”
And I find myself using the same speech (the one about the future in-laws) with my own children. But what about the other rules of civility? The ‘please’, the ‘thank you’, the introductions, the thank you note? Are those still important? To this question, authors Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning would give a resounding ‘yes’. In their book, “Emily Post’s The Gift of Good
shirts sprinkled with gravy. Alex J. Packer author of “How Rude!: the teenagers’ guide to good Now that I am an adult, I often notice how some people eat: chewing with their mouths open, elbows and arms spread out on the table, and picking up food with their hands ... I am downright grateful that my Mom was such a stickler. Good manners at the
24 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
manners, proper behavior, and not grossing people out,” (Free Spirit Publishing, 1997) agrees. He asserts that good manners: a. put people at ease. b. impress people.
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c. encourage respect from others. d. build self-esteem.
e. are attractive. A well-mannered person is more likely to have
the friends and relationships he/she wants.
f. allow people to live and work together without unnecessary friction. g. are rare. “Young people who have them sparkle like diamonds and
immediately get elevated status in the eyes of adults.”
h. make a person feel good. “You can hold your head high, knowing
that you’re doing your part to stop humanity’s slide into the
cesspool of incivility.”
i. make others feel good. “You can help to create a world in which
people treat one another with care, respect, and compassion.”
Spend a day with a kid who has drops his jacket on the floor, rummages through your refrigerator without asking permission, and neglects to thank you for taking him on that very expensive trip to the amusement park, and then spend another day with a child who says please and thank you, asks permission to play with a toy, and clears the dishes after he is done eating, and you know that what these authors are saying is true. Good manners make for a good person, one we all want to be around, and isn’t that something we want for our own children? So, how do our children learn good manners? According to Post and Senning, “The principles of etiquette and mannerly behavior are passed on from one generation to the next ... As a parent or primary caregiver, it is your responsibility to make the manners connection - letting your child know by your teaching and example that good manners are part of a good life.” It’s important to teach AND model good manners for our children. Concerned about what to teach? Pamela Espeland and Elizabeth Verdick, authors of “Dude, That’s Rude!: (get some manners),” (Free Spirit Publishing, 2007), tell us to start at home. They list 10 tips for better family manners including “knock first” and “watch what you say”. Then it’s time to move on to teaching our kids the manners for dealing with the rest of the world. If, like my husband, you missed the lesson on whether the knife blade should point toward or away from the plate when setting a table (it’s toward the plate, by the way), or some other essential piece of etiquette, don’t worry. There are plenty of etiquette books which are actually fun and easy to read, including the ones quoted here. Say Post and Senning, “When etiquette is taught in conjunction with all other aspects of a child’s intellectual, moral, and ethical development, the child learns that manners are the sincere, considerate, and sensible expressions of important values in everyday life... There is no time like the present to begin.” Through our own polite words and actions we are giving our children the lasting gift of good manners. Just remember, our kids are watching, so make sure to say “please” and “thank you” along the way. And don’t forget to put your napkin in your lap. Martha Wegner is a freelance writer whose work can be found at www.marthawegner.com. www.northtexasmagazines.com
mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 25
Gifts Money Can’t Buy By Heidi Smith Luedtke
While gas and food prices soar and the family budget shrinks, it’s easy to feel pressured by your kids’ latest material wants. If you’re frustrated because your child’s wishes cost more than you can afford and you’re tempted to spend money you don’t have, give yourself a time out.
Then, listen deeply. Make eye contact with your child. Take it all in without interrupting. Ask follow up questions and share your ideas, too. Kids love to feel important and respected in conversation.
Friendship.
Kids want friends and have a deep need for acceptance. Help your child make new friends or strengthen existing friendships. Welcome your child’s friends into your home by hosting informal play dates or sleepovers. Kids build relationships by sharing experiences, so include kids’ friends in fun family activities, like baking cook-
“Our kids do want more than material things,” says Betsy Taylor,
ies, playing games, or staging a talent show. There’s no need to
Founder and President of the Center for a New American Dream
entertain your kids and their friends every minute, they’ll treasure
in her book What Kids Really Want That Money Can’t Buy. Taylor
time to themselves and appreciate your respect for their privacy.
encourages parents to focus on meeting kids’ deeper wants and needs, instead of getting caught up in the “more is more” consumer culture. Give your kids these gifts money can’t buy – they’ll grow with your kids for a lifetime.
Listening.
Family Connections.
Kids need to feel a part of an extended family network. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings are important figures in kids’ lives. Help your kids connect with far away family members through phone calls or email. Allow kids to make cards or gifts
Kids have a lot to share with the world, but our busy work-
for special relatives. Encourage grandparents, aunts and uncles to
school routines make meaningful conversations difficult. Talk
spend time with your kids (and without you). Kids’ confidence and
with your kids about their lives (school, friends, interests,
self-esteem grow in proportion to the number of caring adults in
dreams). Invite kids to share their ideas by asking good ques-
their lives. Arrange activities to share with cousins and siblings.
tions. “What do you think we should do about…?” or “If you
Family members are friends, too.
could change one thing…?” are helpful conversation starters. 26 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 27
to sort used toys or clothing and donate them to charity. Collect canned goods in your neighborhood and deliver them to a food bank. Rake leaves or mow lawns for elderly neighbors and give the proceeds to a local environmental conservancy. Keep track of kids’ contributions so they see the big impact they have on others’ lives.
Love and affection.
More than anything else, kids want to feel loved. They thrive on parents’ undivided attention. Hugs and kisses, tickles and tousles, and pats on the back are especially valued. Don’t wait for a special occasion to show your child how much she’s loved and how proud you are. Slip a special note in your child’s lunchbox or backpack. Ask for one of his very special hugs when you are feeling down. Small and big kids alike want to see and feel love in tangible ways.
Kid Time.
As you take time to meet kids’ psychological needs, you’ll build stronger, more resilient family relationships. But kids’ material
Kids want free time not cluttered by school, homework, have-
wants won’t disappear over night – especially if TV commercials
to-do activities and programs. Help your kids unwind, learn
and favorite web pages keep kids focused on the latest fun
and grow by protecting precious kid time. If their schedules
gadgets and gizmos.
are crowded by extracurricular activities, consider cutting back. Review the amount of homework expected of your child, and be his advocate if necessary. Too much work makes kids tired, cranky and unmotivated. Give kids ample time to play or putter without specific tasks to accomplish.
Nature.
Kids love the natural world and connect deeply with fields, forests, and animals. As we spend more and more time indoors at school, daycare, and home, kids lose touch with the special magic of the earth. Help your kids reconnect through outdoor play. Visit wild places close to home – lakes and streams, parks and meadows. Build snow forts or collect pine cones together. Watch squirrels scamper. The gift of nature isn’t fancy or expensive, but your children will treasure it just the same.
Spirituality.
Like adults, kids want inner peace. They long to understand why things happen and to feel a sense of purpose. Whether or not you belong to a formal religious community, you’ve likely
“In the end, we need to help our kids regularly consider if they
sought calm and connection somehow, sometime. Respect kids’
really want or need any given item – and why,” Taylor concludes.
inner lives and help them think through moral issues. Show
“Perhaps the most fundamental question to instill in your kids is
gratitude when kids do good things and encourage them to
this one: How much is enough?” Be a good role model – don’t
thank others. Create traditions and hold special celebrations to
buy what you don’t need. Slow down and rediscover life’s simple
help kids internalize spiritual values. Ritual keeps kids centered.
pleasures with your kids. After all, in the ways that matter, you’re
Opportunities to Change the World.
already wealthy beyond measure.
Kids dream of a world where people get along in harmony, everyone has enough to eat, and each unique individual is valued. Help your kids practice service and compassion. Work together
28 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
Heidi Smith Luedtke is a psychologist and freelance writer. You’ll find her parenting and leadership blog at www.leadingmama.com.
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MKM Awesome Achiever
Dr. Tammy Gough, D.D.S, M.S. & Dr. Jessie Hunter, D.D.S. proudly support Samantha Paxson As a First Grader at Glen Oaks Elementary School, MKM cover girl Samantha, is a member of the ALPHA (gifted and talented) program. The program is designed to identify gifted students and nurture their special abilities and needs, thereby assisting them in translating their gifts of potential into productive performances and products that are commensurate with their abilities. High school graduates in this program will exceed the MISD graduate profile with products and performances of professional quality. The goals of the ALPHA (gifted and talented) program are to provide opportunities for developing: - Critical and creative thinking and problem solving strategies - Strong self-concepts
Our Mission is to provide a dental experience that makes kids say, “I can’t wait to come back.”
- Intellectual and creative abilities - Self-directed and life-long learning skills Samantha is a first generation Chinese American, whose favorite subjects include reading, writing and computer lab. She enjoys playing soccer, hanging out with friends, singing and reading for fun. Samantha is a member of the Indian Princess program (www.tatankanation.org) which she participates with her father, Damon. Her Indian name is “Breaking Banks”, her favorite time is spent camping and enjoying smores by the camp fire. She loves to travel, and had the privilege of visiting her grandparents in Shanghai, China where she learned about her culture, family history and met distant relatives. Some of her other favorite destinations include New York City and Cancun, Mexico, or anywhere there is great food. She and her brother, Justin, enjoy playing with their three cats (Miley, B.W and Mandy). Her favorite foods are “Chicken Noodle soup”, Sushi and fresh fruits. Samantha would like to be a Teacher, or a Dentist when she grows up.
Tammy L. Gough, D.D.S., M.S. Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry
Jessie Hunter, D.D.S. Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry
972.727.0737 201 N. Alma Drive Allen, TX 75013
(Behind Bluckbuster Video)
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 29
Day Camp for Children with Special Needs Expands to After-School Club in McKinney ISD
A
new after-school club for children with special needs
Arc for the 2008-09 school year and offer “Adventure Club for
opened in McKinney this fall in two locations as
Kids,” ages 5-12; and “Adventure Club for Teens,” ages 13-21.
a cooperative venture between McKinney ISD and
Adventure Club extends the programmatic success The Arc has
The Arc of Dallas, a nonprofit United Way agency.
enjoyed with Adventure Camp and runs parallel to the district operated “Club 360” after-school program for regular students.
The program is a response to the challenge working parents face when they have a child with an intellectual disability such
Adventure Club is staffed by experienced special-care profes-
as Down syndrome, autism or mental retardation. Although the
sionals from The Arc who will align a student’s after-school
public school system provides an individualized education plan
activities with the IEP developed by his or her teachers as well as
(IEP) during the school day, choices for summer time and after
the wishes of the parent. McKinney ISD will provide transporta-
school care can be scarce. Most camps and daycare programs
tion to the two club locations: Slaughter Elementary School for
cannot handle children with special needs.
kids; and Dr. Jack Cockrill Middle School for teens.
For the past eight years, The Arc of Dallas has offered its sum-
Parents can register their child to become a club member by
mer “Adventure Camp” in Dallas, more recently expanding it
calling The Arc of Dallas at 214.634.9810 or visiting its website
to locations in Collin and Rockwall counties. The McKinney
for an application at www.arcdallas.org. Club tuition begins at
ISD stood up and took notice and decided to partner with The
$20 per day.
Advertise your business here and reach your target market McKinney Kids Magazine
972-547-6261
30 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 31
KandidKids
Being so handsome is so much hard work.
Hey. Can you give us a ride in this? Anyone need a massage?
Hurry before the waves get me!
A hockey player with all his teeth!
They call me slick. May I have your attention, please?
32 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
Boo! Now leave me alone!
Email candid shots to publisher@northtexasmagazines.com
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mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008 33
By Amy Pawlak
The Golden Rule
Stonebridge UMC Opens Doors to Gustav and Ike Evacuees; Thanks to Church Family Members and Community for Their Support
T
he Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” is talked about frequently in sermons by pastors John Mollet and Terri Swan at Stonebridge United Methodist Church in McKinney. Recently, church members experienced the opportunity to live out The Golden Rule not once, but twice, as they welcomed hurricanes Gustav and Ike evacuees into Red Cross shelters held in their new, 22-thousand square foot Robertson Activity Center.
With help from the Red Cross, Salvation Army and City and County services, the church welcomed just over 200 evacuees from both hurricanes. According to Carrie Kitzmiller, church member and shelter volunteer, the two shelters differed dramatically. During Gustav, shelter guests had emotional bonds with their family, their pets, and others in the shelter. During Ike, many shelter guests either lived on the streets or in homeless shelters.
“We have always wanted to provide this type of ministry here at Stonebridge UMC,” senior pastor John Mollet said. “Shelter facilities played a huge role in the design process of the Robertson Activity Center, from shower facilities to kitchen space. There are not too many greater feelings I can think of than offering a home away from home to God’s people in their greatest times of need. I think our entire church family witnessed this powerful message of Christ’s love.”
“From a broad perspective and regardless of the differences between the two groups, I think we were able to connect with our guests and others on a genuine and personal level,” Kitzmiller said. “We wanted to give them a sense of comfort, to be a safe harbor to rest, regain their strength, and be refreshed enough to face the challenges that were ahead for them.”
Even preschoolers enrolled in the church’s Sunshine Kids Preschool got an extra lesson on the Golden Rule with the shelter for Ike evacuees. School had not begun yet during the Gustav shelter. “Our Chapel lesson for the week was The Golden Rule,” preschool director Amy Stewardson said. “It was exciting to tell the children how Stonebridge UMC was putting this scripture into action by helping the people who had been affected by Hurricane Ike.”
34 mckinneykidsmagazine October/November 2008
Red Cross rules and regulations only allow Red Cross trained volunteers to work inside a Red Cross shelter. When hurricane Gustav hit, only seven church family members had completed the required training to assist inside a Red Cross disaster shelter. The day after the shelter reopened for Hurricane Ike, 32 Stonebridge UMC church family members underwent the required training and then helped to staff the shelter for the remainder of the week. “As the saying goes, ‘Life is what happens while you’re making plans’,” Marilyn Mattei, church member and shelter volunteer, said. “Our plans for hosting a disaster shelter had just begun to take shape when Gustav hit on Labor Day. We were asked www.northtexasmagazines.com
to open, ready or not. Before we could even catch our breath, here came Ike. This learn-as you-go experience has taught us many hings, and if we are called on to shelter again, we hope to be equipped to staff our shelter with an all Stonebridge UMC Red Cross trained staff.” “The need is so large for workers inside the shelter because there is just so much to do and so many needs to care for,” Kitzmiller said. “Volunteers of all kinds are needed including liaisons with other service organizations, medical professionals to evaluate shelter guests, physical therapists to help elderly or disabled guests continue their treatments, volunteers to help coordinate children’s activities, sewers, and tons more from many different areas. A big need is for volunteers to just sit and listen to the guests. They all have stories to be told and really benefit from talking with others.” Many volunteers were needed outside the shelter as well. The church distributed a daily email update and donations list of needed items and services. Such items included over-the-counter medications, medical equipment/supplies, batteries, pillows, blankets, laundry, clothing, extension cords, games and activities for children, and much more. Church members and other community members that received the list provided an overwhelming response by meeting almost every need of shelter guests. Along with the many donations from Stonebridge UMC church family members, the shelter also received luggage from Grace Avenue United Methodist Church in Frisco and cell phones from McKinney Fellowship Bible, Cornerstone Church, and San Gabriel ‘s Catholic Church. Almost $4000 in gift cards was also donated to shelter guests. After caring for the evacuees and really getting to know them, Kitzmiller says it is hard to let them go.
Need to be more visible?
“You know, for me, it becomes almost like fostering a child and the child having to go back to the parents. It’s like, gosh, where are they going to go? You grieve a little for them.” “I think those who were involved in the sheltering experience will agree that it was one of the hardest things they have ever done, but also one of the most worthwhile. We truly had the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ,” Mattei added.
About Stonebridge United Methodist Church
Stonebridge United Methodist Church is located at 1800 S. Stonebridge Drive , McKinney, Texas 75070. Each week over 1,600 worshipers celebrate God’s love, grow in God’s word, serve God’s people and expand God’s kingdom. For more information on the church, ministries and upcoming events, visit www.mysumc.org or call 972-529-5601. Amy Pawlak Coordinator of Communications, Stonebridge United Methodist Church Freelance Writer, Communications Professional www.northtexasmagazines.com
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