ParentingNH May 2019

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUMMER FUN • AUTISM Q+A • MOM’S NIGHT OUT: PAINT & SIPS

COMPLIMENTARY

Let’s hear it for the girls

MAY 2019

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INSIDE

MAY 2019

features 8 Let’s hear it for the girls

26 Taking on ticks

3 Granite State groups are on a mission to empower young women.

16 Summer fun for everyone Sensory-friendly days are gaining in popularity.

A summer camp/science lab partnership is researching tick-borne illnesses.

31 Expect the unexpected Tips on preparing your family for an emergency or disaster.

Autism Q+A Local moms talk about their challenges and where to seek out resources.

departments 3 From the editor’s desk 4 The short list 6 I want that 35 My turn 39 Dad on board 40 House calls 42 Out & about 44 Time out

ON THE COVER: Showing off their girl power are, back row, from left: Shayna Caldeira, 12 (also shown here); Myasiah Ortiz, 13; Aniya Murray, 9; Krisangelii Marquez, 13; Cadence Robinson, 11; front row, from left, Ivy Drake, 6, and Zariya Rodgers, 6. Photo taken April 2, 2019, at Girls Inc. in Manchester by Kendal J. Bush Photography. Check out Kendal’s work at www. kendaljbush.com.

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Barbara Gallaher, x5156 bgallaher@parentingnh.com

Where heart meets health.

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ParentingNH® is published by McLean Communications, 150 Dow St., Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorial. Statements/opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, McLean Communications, LLC.: ParentingNH disclaims all responsibility for omission and errors.

NOW WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS. Call CMC’s Access Line at 603.314.4750 to find a provider who’s right for you. CatholicMedicalCenter.org

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from the editor’s desk THESE TEENS HAVE OUR ATTENTION When you are a teen, you can still sleep in most weekends — a reward for getting up early all week and likely working after school or participating in extracurricular activities. And don’t forget the homework. But for several Granite State high school students on a recent Saturday, sleeping in wasn’t part of the plan. They were up early preparing to speak on stage, under the lights with microphone in hand, in front of a conference room full of adults, about difficult subjects. And this after a long day of talking with hundreds of their peers about substance abuse, mental health, race, bullying, sexuality, and suicide and more. Early in April, Dartmouth-Hitchcock hosted its first-ever Youth Summit, two days of exploring issues that impact youth and families. On day 1, high-schoolers from across the state participated in focus groups about issues that affect their daily lives. The information gathered the first day was summarized and presented by teen ambassadors on day 2 to an audience that included educators, parents, and medical professionals. The teens took an active part in facilitating and driving the morning’s panel discussion and adults were able to ask questions of them, as well. One of the goals a magazine editor has is to develop relevant and timely content for the magazine’s readers. So, I thought, why not go straight to the source? The summit seemed like a good opportunity to hear directly about teen’s concerns and how we as a community can help them. I walked away with a greater and broader understanding about what today’s teens are thinking about. A common thread that ran through the groups that presented is that students would like more guidance and resources so they know how to deal with issues when they arise. This is a generation that I think more than any other embraces peer leadership and seeks to connect with their peers to be a source of support and education — to be problem-solvers — whether in person or through social media.

A few other suggestions from the student presenters: • Having more school counselors would be helpful, so in turn they could be more available to students • An earlier start to health education • They believe if adults learn more about what it means to be gay or transgender there will be more understanding • More unisex bathrooms in schools • They would like their education to better reflect diverse viewpoints and different backgrounds • In light of recent school shootings and other violent acts, many said they don’t feel safe at school. They would like to learn coping skills to manage their anxiety along with having “more-realistic” safety drills. • They would also like adults to be more proactive to their problems than reactive I am just scratching the surface of this informative discussion. I was impressed by the amazing students who served as youth ambassadors. They were well-spoken, intelligent, passionate and not intimidated by their audience. They spoke honestly and compassionately. If these teens are any indication of the next generation of leaders, we will be in good hands. Kudos to Dartmouth-Hitchcock for empowering teens and giving them a voice. I will be excited to see if there are any changes in our school communities or at the legislative level that emerge from the summit. They need to know that we were listening. To learn more, go to www.dhyouthsummit. com.

contributors • MAY

MARY ELLEN HETTINGER, APR is an award-winning reporter, editor and writer, and accredited public relations professional. She won a bronze award in 2016 from the Parenting Media Association for her news feature on what to do if you think your child has a mental health issue. PAMME BOUTSELIS, is a writer, editor and higher-ed content director. She loves hearing and sharing stories and never takes the privilege of storytelling for granted. The mother of four now-grown children, she is a serial volunteer and believes if everyone contributed just a bit to their communities, what an incredible world this would be. Follow her on Twitter at pammeb or at www.pammeboutselis.com. BILL BURKE has been writing the awardwinning Dad on Board column since 2008, and is the author of the Mousejunkies book series. Bill is also the managing editor for custom publications for McLean Communications in Manchester.

MELANIE HITCHCOCK, EDITOR www.parentingnh.com

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the short list ENTER TO W I N :

Dandelion Festival and Kids Con New England

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth is celebrating all things dandelion and they want you to join in the fun and learn about this ‘misunderstood’ plant. Taste dandelion jelly, dandelion fritters and dandelion flower honey. Check out cooking, canning, and preserving demonstrations. Explore the health benefits of the dandelion and sample cordials, wine, root beer and tea. There will also be face-painting, yoga, and hands-on crafts. Go to www.parentingnh. com/remick to enter to win passes by May 12. For more event details, go to www.remickmuseum.org. If you’ve been to the PNH website lately, you may have noticed that it looks a bit different. We switched website platforms last month, but all of the same information and sections are still there, just with an upgraded look. Check it out!

ONLY ON WWW.PARENTINGNH.COM:

IT’S ALL ABOUT MOM Celebrate mom by attending one of the many special events — from fairs to tea parties — planned for Mother’s Day weekend, May 11-12. Also, many local attractions offer free admission for mom when another ticket is purchased. For a complete list of where you can go for an unforgettable outing, check out ParentingNH ’s Mother’s Day events page sponsored by Chuckster’s. And it’s not too early to look ahead and get excited to the kick off of the summer season — look for ParentingNH ’s Memorial Day parade and event listing this later this month.

for even more fun ParentingNH.com

facebook.com/ParentingNH

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twitter.com/ParentingNH

ParentingNH is a proud sponsor of Kids Con New England, the largest kids-focused comic book convention in New England. Kids can meet comic book creators, children’s book authors and artists; learn cartooning; and meet superheroes. They’ll also enjoy activities like Jedi training, pirate camp, a puppet show, creative workshops, gaming tournaments and more. Kids Con New England is May 19 at the Radisson in Nashua. Enter to win a four-pack of tickets at www.parentingnh.com/kidscon by May 12. For more information, go to www.kidsconne.com

PNH and the Fisher Cats honor New Hampshire’s Top Teachers Join ParentingNH and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Sunday, May 5, to help celebrate the accomplishments of New Hampshire’s Top Teachers for 2018: • Kathleen Pappalardo, Soule Elementary School, Salem • Matt Bryant, Windham High School • Holly Lubelczyk, James Mastricola Elementary School, Merrimack • Sri Sankar, World Academy, Nashua • Lena Madden, New Durham Elementary School Don’t miss the on-the-field recognition ceremony that will be held right before game time for these dedicated educators who are making a difference. The Fisher Cats are taking on the Hartford Yard Goats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium at 1:35 p.m. For tickets, go to www.nhfishercats.com. For more about the teachers who will be honored, check out their profiles and winning nomination essays in the December 2018 issue at www.parentingnh.com.

CASA CARES: AN EVENING OF GIVING IS MAY 3

YMCA is renovating new branch location The YMCA of Greater Nashua is transforming the former Nashua Sports Academy into its newest branch, Westwood Park. The new branch located at 90 Northwest Boulevard will feature: • Four courts for basketball, volleyball and other sports • Full-size turf field, batting cages, and a training turf area • Wellness Center with two functional training areas featuring the MX4 system, a cardio center and group exercise studio • Kids Stop • Multipurpose space for arts, enrichment, teen programs and more • Outdoor aquatics center in summer 2020 For more information, go to www.nmymca.org.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire is hosting its fourth annual CASA Cares: An Evening of Giving for New Hampshire’s Children in the Sullivan Arena at Saint Anselm College on May 3. This is CASA’s largest annual fundraising event and also serves as an opportunity to recognize the work that CASA’s more than 500 volunteer advocates provide for the children of New Hampshire who need a voice in court. CASA Cares will feature a live auction, a comedy show, a wine and spirits grab, dinner and dessert. Mossy greens and twinkly lights will transform the arena into an enchanted forest for the evening. Learn more about CASA Cares and get tickets at www. casanh.org/casacares.

Join the ‘Greatest Show & Tell (& Taste) on Earth’ Calling all makers, inventors, artists, engineers, performers, and more. There are many options for participating in the NH Maker & Food Fest at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire and downtown Dover on June 29. Apply for a table or booth to share what you’re working on or to do a talk or presentation. You might be a performer, or your company might have a cool new product to showcase. Projects can be as complex as a robot or drone, or a creative activity just for kids. Deadline to apply is June 7. Find the application at www.childrens-museum.org.

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I want that

STEM PROJECTS FOR GIRLS

Engage and experiment Yellow Scope science kits are creative and chock-full of real science. Girls can draw their observations, doodle their ideas and design their own experiments. Three science kits, including Paper Chromatography: The Art & Science of Color (shown) provide hours of critical thinking and fun. Age 8 and older. AVAILABLE AT WWW.YELLOWSCOPE.COM; KITS START AT $24.99

Build-it-yourself computer Boolean Box, a self-contained computer engineering kit for girls, includes Raspberry Pi, a keyboard, and a mouse, and is ready to use once connected to any HDMI-capable monitor. It is preloaded with Scratch, an introductory programming language. After mastering Scratch, users can graduate to coding in Python. Age 8 and older. AVAILABLE AT AMAZON OR WWW.BOOLEANGIRLTECH. COM; $149.99

Wearable tech

Get animated

Each month Creation Crate sends a Girls That Make box that includes a new wearable tech project. Each project is a step in the progressive curriculum for wearable technology. Kids will learn all about circuits, programming and electronics from the beginning. Unisex Creation Crates also available. Age 12 and older.

GoldieBlox sets feature the world’s first girl engineer character, Goldie Blox. In this storybook and construction toy set, Goldie and the gang team up to save the Bloxtown Film Festival with stop motion, animation and movie-making skills. Other sets available. Age 6 and older.

AVAILABLE AT WWW.CREATIONCRATE.COM/ORDER-GTM; SUBSCRIPTIONS AS LOW AS $29.99/ MONTH

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AVAILABLE AT AMAZON; $29.99

Building creativity Roominate is a line of wired building systems that inspire hands-on play. Using circuits and modular-building pieces, girls can build and create their own structures or vehicles. In Alice’s Mansion (shown), use motors to make a working elevator that goes up and down, garage door that opens and closes and swimming pool that rotates. Ages 8 and older. AVAILABLE AT AMAZON, $57.99

Practice time. Show time. College saving time. The first step to helping their dreams come true is to make saving part of your routine. The UNIQUE College Investing Plan account offers tax-deferred growth and no minimum to open an account.1 There’s also the Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards® Visa Signature® Card, which lets you earn unlimited 2% cash back2 on everyday purchases. Rewards are deposited directly into your 529 account to make sure your saving and spending are in perfect rhythm.

To learn more, or to open an account, visit

Fidelity.com/unique

Managed by:

or call 800.544.1914.

Please carefully consider the plan’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information on any 529 college savings plan managed by Fidelity, contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit, or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. The UNIQUE College Investing Plan is offered by the state of New Hampshire and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a New Hampshire resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary’s home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.

Zero account minimums apply to self-directed brokerage accounts only. Account minimums may apply to certain account types (e.g., managed accounts) and/or the purchase of some Fidelity mutual funds that have a minimum investment requirement. See https://www.fidelity.com/commissions and/or the fund’s prospectus for details. 2 You will earn 2 Points per dollar in eligible net purchases (net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns) that you charge. Account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. Upon approval, refer to your Program Rules for additional information. You may not redeem Reward Points, and you will immediately lose all of your Reward Points, if your Account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, due to Program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death). Reward Points will not expire as long as your Account remains open. Certain transactions are not eligible for Reward Points, including Advances (as defined in the Agreement, including wire transfers, travelers checks, money orders, foreign cash transactions, betting transactions, lottery tickets, and ATM disbursements), Annual Fee, convenience checks, balance transfers, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, overdraft advances, interest charges, fees, credit insurance charges, transactions to fund certain prepaid card products, U.S. Mint purchases, or transactions to purchase cash convertible items. The 2% cash back rewards value applies only to Points redeemed for a deposit into an eligible Fidelity account. The redemption value is different if you choose to redeem your Points for other rewards such as travel options, merchandise, gift cards, and/or statement credit. Other restrictions apply. Full details appear in the Program Rules new card customers receive with their card. Establishment or ownership of a Fidelity account or other relationship with Fidelity Investments is not required to obtain a card or to be eligible to use Points to obtain any rewards offered under the program other than Fidelity Rewards. The creditor and issuer of the Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. The Fidelity Investments and pyramid design logo is a registered service mark of FMR LLC. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917. © 2018 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 790730.4.0 1

Strong. Smart. Bold.

Girls. Three groups are on a mission to empower, inspire and help girls find their voice

At Girls at Work, girls learn how to build and use power tools, which helps them build confidence. COURTESY PHOTO

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BY PAMME BOUTSELIS

Girl Scouts offer countless opportunities for girls to learn skills while having fun. At top, a Scout paddles at Camp Farnsworth; middle, a budding archer has her eye on the target; bottom, as they have throughout its history, Girl Scouts work on badges throughout their years in Scouting. New badges are introduced as times change. COURTESY PHOTOS

n a world that often sends mixed messages to girls, it’s not surprising that self-confidence hits a serious decline once adolescence hits. And when you have youngsters already in uncertain social environments, the effect can be dramatic.

Across a broad spectrum of circumstances, a recent study by the authors of “The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self” notes a marked decrease in girls’ self-esteem from age 8 to 12 — about 30 percent. So how do we create confident girls and allow them to maintain that level of self-esteem throughout childhood, adolescence and beyond? Three organizations in New Hampshire are empowering girls and providing programming and support and belief in those they serve.

GIRL SCOUTS OF THE GREEN AND WHITE MOUNTAINS Girl Scouts certainly have name recognition in a way many organizations do not. Yet if you think this nonprofit is merely about selling cookies, think again. Sure, cookies are still a big part of the scouting. In fact, it’s the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world, according to Ginger Kozlowski, communications and public relations manager for Girls Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, and the largest financial investment in girls annually in the United States. And it brings in the money to fund Girl Scout programming, too, while teaching girls five critical life skills: setting goals, managing money, business ethics, people skills and decision-making. “We have more than 10,000 girl members and nearly 5,000 volunteers who live

the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) philosophy and who are making the world a better place,” Kozlowski said. The nonprofit’s goal is to develop girls of courage, confidence and character throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, she said, aligning with the overall Girl Scouts mission worldwide: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. To do so, the organization does its best to meet girls where they are and empower them to go on to be leaders in their communities, Carrie Loszewski, director of marketing and special programs for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, said. They want girls to believe they can make a difference in people’s lives and their own as well. While times have changed since founder Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low created the first Girl Scout troop in 1912, the mission has stayed true – to develop girls into leaders, Loszewski said. Technology has expanded on how Girl Scouts can do that, she said, and opened the doors to new initiatives for the girls to garner skills and knowledge. Even still, many of the badges that Girl Scouts can earn today had their genesis in the earliest days of Girl Scouting. Loszewski points out that the aerospace badge was created in the 1920s. Key programs span from the outdoors to STEM to financial literacy and more, and while the main concepts of Girl Scouting remain the same, www.parentingnh.com

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Scout Annika Akey holds a tobacco hornworm at a recent STEAM Expo in Peterborough. COURTESY PHOTO

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how they’re taught and how a girl can participate continues to expand. There are many ways for a girl to get involved and stay involved, even as an adult. From kindergarten through 12th grade, there are Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador-level troops, along with opportunities for girls to be individual members, in an outreach troop, in a traveling group, as a canoe paddler, in a robotics team, exploring politics as part of Girls Rock the Vote, attending day or resident camp, and more, Koslowski said. There’s even an alumni association for girls (or women) of any age to continue connecting as Girl Scouts. Koslowski said, “We are reaching out to underserved areas, and have begun 30 outreach troops serving 431 girls in K-12, at 20 schools and one Boys & Girls Club, where their costs are covered. Whether through their own cookie earnings or through grants and donations, money should not be an object for anyone who would like to join the Girl Scouts.” The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor any Girl Scout can earn, provides what Koslowski calls “a one-of-a-kind opportunity for girls to tackle issues they feel passionately about and calls for leadership at the highest level.” Those who earn this coveted designation often earn college scholarships, enter the military at a higher rank, are active in their communities and demonstrate high educational and career outcomes, she said.

GIRLS INC. Imagine having a place to go where you won’t feel alone, no matter what else is going on in your life. For about 2,000 girls in New Hampshire, that place is Girls Inc., located in Nashua and Manchester, with programs at their centers and in schools. Girls Inc. is “a safe place to talk about things,” said Cathy Duffy-Cullity, CEO of Girls Inc. of New Hampshire. A place, she said, where they learn “they are so much more than what someone may have led

them to believe.” The nonprofit not only provides that safe place but also allows girls to engage in a national curriculum, largely self-driven in the beginning by their own interests and needs, designed to allow each girl to learn vital life skills, gain confidence and set her sights on higher education. The mission is simple; to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold — strong through healthy living, smart through education and bold through independence. Duffy-Cullity, who’s been with Girls Inc. for 23 years, said the girls are able to focus on literacy efforts in economics and media, safety initiatives from the playground to dating, friendly peer interaction and practical life skills like car care in Girls under the Hood, to name just a bit of what’s available within the program. Some girls grow up in the program, such as one young girl Duffy-Cullity recalls who came into Girls Inc. from a challenging background when she was just 5. Throughout her years in the program, the girl said Girls Inc. was the one place she was able to feel like a child. In time she earned a college scholarship and is now a mom who comes back to visit with the girls in the program, who are where she once was. That this girl was able to be a child while there is important. Duffy-Cullity said Girls Inc. is “a place for girls to be themselves,” so critical at times when a child is forced to be so much more. She spoke of another girl who wanted to attend a private school in New Hampshire that her parents worked at, which had significant academic requirements for admission. At first try, the girl didn’t gain admittance but she worked one-on-one with staff from Girls Inc. for a year to improve her skills and when she tested again, she made it. Her academic success led to much more perhaps than she may have one day imagined would be possible and now serves in the Peace Corps impacting others’ lives in positive ways. From introducing girls to the concept of college to allowing them experience social-

Girls from Girls Inc., at top, hit the basketball court during the May cover shoot for ParentingNH; even young girls can take on projects at Girls at Work, bottom. TOP PHOTO BY KENDAL J. BUSH PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF GIRLS AT WORK

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izing on a college campus to understand what that experience might be like and how they can fit in, to a mentoring program, programs are designed to provide girls with pathways to realizing their goals and the ability to see themselves in roles they may not once have aspired to. The circumstances in which girls come to Girls Inc. are not always easy ones to embrace, but the girls always are. “Every time a story comes up,” Duffy-Cullity said, “this is why we do what we do, that’s why we’re here. We’re here to catch them when they fall and hug them when they succeed.” Throughout the years Duffy-Cullity has heard a familiar refrain from the girls. They say, “You’re my family. You’re my home.”

GIRLS AT WORK, INC.

Let Their Imaginations Soar This Summer! SummerQuest Day Camp offers convenient, one-week sessions that are jam-packed with fun, adventure, new friendships and unique experiences. 603.888.1982 WorldAcademyNH.com/SummerCamp 138 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062

Sun, Fun, & Savings! smart shopping + savvy selling

shop. sell. save. smart.

HUGE Kids’ Resale Event! Get MORE for your kids for LESS!

MAY 18-19 The Hampshire Dome 34 Emerson Rd., Milford

Sat 5/18 ~ 8am–3pm Sun 5/19 ~ 9am–1pm

(50% off sale!)

Save 50-90% off retail on everything you need for infants through teens! JBFSouthernNewHampshire www.SouthernNewHampshire.jbfsale.com

GET IN FREE! Coupon valid 5/18 only. Save $3 per adult, good for 4 adults.

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$5 OFF YOUR $50 PURCHASE Coupon valid 5/19 at 50% off sale. Can not be combined.

Two decades ago, Elaine Hamel was “a starving contractor” who had experienced how beneficial it was to bring a severely under-parented 9-year-old girl into her world. The act of building, of learning about power tools, translated into power for the girl, too, and Hamel decided to see what effect it could have on other girls. The result would become Girls at Work, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is to empower girls with the tools to overcome adversity and build confidence to face current and future life challenges. Here’s how it came to be. By the time the 9-year-old turned 10, she was living full-time with Hamel, who wanted to sign her up for summer camp. She quickly realized she couldn’t afford the camp cost and offered to come to camp and teach the girls to build for a week in exchange. The two set off for camp, and Hamel set up a workshop in a pavilion. She said, “The girls couldn’t get enough. They felt so powerful.” Word of this successful initiative spread from there, as camp directors met at various conferences and Hamel said, “Word got around.” In 1999, she built a barn and build sessions with girls began in earnest. In 2000, Girls at Work, Inc. was formed and to date, she’s built with close to 20,000 girls. The earliest days offered opportunities to work all over New England, and provided opportunities to figure out what works best for kids, she said. Hamel wanted to make a lasting impact and realized that afterschool programs are what she should be doing. “We got into the school district about five years ago; 12 are Title I schools,” she said. “The girls spend eight weeks with us, once a week.” The act of using a power tool, for many girls the very first time, shatters a lot of barriers, Hamel said. Critical thinking is a significant focus in the building process, too. Most of all, throughout the experience, she hopes girls learn that “finding and using their voice is the strongest tool they’ll ever use.” She mentions two girls who were recently finishing up an eight-week stint at Girls at Work, Inc. Usually, by week eight, everyone’s feeling a bit sad because their time together is coming to an end. These girls, though, hadn’t wanted to come that day, something their teacher mentioned to Hamel, who wanted to better understand why they felt that way. The question was opened up to the group, generally comprised of 10-15 girls. Most expressed sadness about it being the last session, but two girls said they were happy it was over. One noted she hadn’t liked the sessions at all, that Hamel had really pushed them on their projects. The girls acknowledged that their parents made them finish the

ACT I CAMP ACT II CAMP July 8 - July 20 SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE on Saturday, July 20

July 22 - Aug 3

Mondays - Fridays (9am - 5pm)

SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE on Saturday, Aug 3

Before & After Camp Care available!

Call for a FREE phone consult with a Certified Speech Language Pathologist Today! • Treating Children and Adults of all ages • Most insurances accepted

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For more information and registration, please visit our website or contact our Summer Theatre Camp Staff at (603) 816-2695 or education@peacockplayers.org.

Tickets - (603) 886-7000 or online

Gymnastics Camps

NEWSIES

(May 10th –19th)

Summer Camp is back at Gymnastics Village with half and full day options (9am-3pm)! Designed for boys and girls from 6 to 14, kids will participate •inNinja Camps • Junior Camps gymnastics rotations, fitness activities, Ninja Challenge obstacle courses, games, crafts, party Registration is open now! apparatus like our inflatables, zip-line and more.

(ages 4-5)

Call 603.889.8092 or visit gymnasticsvillage.com. Registration for summer camps and recreational •classes Fullbegins Day April 8:301st. –3:30 Call 603.889.8092 •or visit Halfgymnasticsvillage.com. Day 8:30 –12:30 or 12:00–3:30

The Works Summer Camp is like no other! June 24th through August 23rd. VISIT US ONLINE AT

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programming. Come in for a tour. 23 Works Way, Somersworth, NH 03878 . 603-742-2163 www.theworkshealthclub.com

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| MAY 2019 13

Visit the Possibilities

program. Hamel agreed she had pushed everyone and told them she thought what they really gained was the power to express how they felt, to decide this wasn’t for them and to feel comfortable in sharing their thoughts in front of others who felt differently. For Hamel, that was powerful in itself and she applauded their courage in speaking out. There are many ways for girls to get involved with Girls at Work, Inc., through private birthday parties designed to introduce girls to power tools and build together, on location setting up on-site workshops and through classes at their shop in Manchester. Girls at Work, Inc. continues to build on the experience it creates for the girls it serves, currently putting together a curriculum to partner with FIRST Robotics. Hamel said this will create an “excellent opportunity” for girls to continue on a path of gaining skills and confidence and feeling empowered as they move forward in their lives. Pamme Boutselis is a writer, editor and higher-ed content director. The mother of four now-grown children, she is a serial volunteer and believes if everyone contributed just a bit to their communities, what an incredible world this would be. Follow her on Twitter at pammeb or at www.pammeboutselis.com.

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cmars@cmf.org 14 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

MORE RESOURCES, MORE INFORMATION • Girl Scouts (national organization): www.girlscouts.org Resources for parents and girls, including advice on boosting confidence, raising girls to be leaders, and how to deal with a friend breakup.

• Girls, Inc. (national): www.girlsinc.org Visit their website for information on talking to your daughter about topics like sexual assault, STEM education and supporting girls’ rights.

• Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: www.girlscoutsgwm.org • Girls at Work: www.girlswork.org • Girls, Inc. of New Hampshire: www.girlsincnewhampshire.org

ALSO IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: • Arts in Reach: www.artsinreach.org Since 1997, Arts In Reach has provided teenage girls in the Greater Seacoast area a platform to develop creative freedom and power of voice in a positive, supportive setting. The group’s vision is to build a community in which all young women are respected, supported, and enriched throughout their teenage years.

• The Circle Program: www.circleprogram.org The Circle Program provides girls from low-income New Hampshire families with new opportunities to learn the skills, courage and confidence they need to handle the challenges in their lives. They offer year-round mentoring and residential summer camp programs.

• Girls on the Run: www.girlsontherunnh.org Girls on the Run inspires girls to recognize their inner strength. Over the course of a 10-week program, girls in third through eighth grade learn to navigate their world and establish a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Registration is closed for Spring 2019; check back next winter for information on Spring 2020.

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| MAY 2019 15

Summer fun for everyone Sensory-friendly days are gaining in popularity at NH attractions BY MARY ELLEN HETTINGER

oing to the amusement park or movies can be a lot of fun, but if you have a child on the autism spectrum, a trip out with the typical noise, sights and smells that go along with the experience can make it a not-sofun situation for you and your child.

A number of Granite State locations are setting aside special days and weekends to accommodate parents who have children who need a “sensory-friendly” environment. Story Land, New Hampshire’s iconic amusement park in Glen, has hosted Autism Awareness Weekends in the past in conjunction with Autism Speaks, according to Director of Marketing Lauren Hawkins. But last year was the first time they flipped the focus from awareness to accommodating those with sensory sensitivities: Sensory Sensitive Weekends. “We felt there was a need to do more for those on the autism spectrum. So now, as our 66th season begins, it’s our sensitivity weekend,” Hawkins said. In response to popular demand, in 2019 there will be two special weekends, June 15 and 16 and Sept. 14 and 15. The main difference from normal operations is a decrease in sound, from background music, the rides and in the path-

16 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

ways, the piano and school bell, etc., without compromising safety speeches that need to be played. “We also do quiet dining areas as best we can,” Hawkins said. There is a permanent “quiet” dining room and a calming room, with air conditioning and a few toys for those who need to regroup. For parents, days such as this enable them to relax without feeling stigmatized. “We know there is a large portion of the community that can’t necessarily get out and go to an amusement park on any given day, so we’re delighted to provide a few weekends to make Story Land more accessible and fun for them,” she added. Last year’s event was hosted in conjunction with Autism Speaks, and representatives from Crotched Mountain and AbilitiesPLUS Adaptive Sports attended to provide resources. A halfdozen dogs from Assistance Canine Training Services (ACTS), a North Conway nonprofit, were also on hand to meet guests.

Story Land in Glen is hosting two Sensory Sensitive Weekends this summer. PHOTO COURTESY OF BREATHE NH

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As part of their commitment to the community, Story Land is in the process of becoming a Certified Autism Center from IBCCES in 2019. This means that 80 percent of staff will have completed autism and sensory awareness training—how to recognize, understand, and act compassionately when assisting families--and passed an exam. Once 80 percent of the staff is certified, the park will become certified.

ALL ABOARD While you’re in the North Country, Conway Scenic Railroad offers Sensory-Friendly Fridays at 4 p.m. on the Millie train. “It’s air-conditioned, so there are no open windows,” said Manager of Marketing and Events Susan Logan. Railroad crossings on the approximately one-hour ride around Pudding Pond will be “hand-flagged,” minimizing use of the train’s horn. Each child gets a gift bag with quiet activities. Advanced reservations are required. www.parentingnh.com

| MAY 2019 17

GOING PLACES? 10 Tips for parents of children with sensory issues TO MAKE ANY EXCURSION FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY, IT HELPS TO TRAVEL AS A TEAM. HAVING TWO ADULTS MEANS YOU CAN DIVIDE AND CONQUER WHEN ONE CHILD HAS AN ISSUE.

1. Keep in mind your children’s needs and capabilities. Your fearless firstborn may have screamed with glee on a kiddie coaster at 3, but your extra-sensitive second born may not be ready until 6 — or ever. Forcing children into a situation they’re not ready for or shaming them for being frightened is a recipe for disaster. 2. Know everyone’s limitations. If heat or humidity cause you to break out in hives or triggers an asthma attack, have an escape plan: a seat in air conditioning. Early morning visits may be best. 3. If you’re at a motel or resort, take a cooling break in the pool or a nap midday. Investigate two-day or late-day passes at amusement parks so you don’t feel pressured to do everything in one day.

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4. Conversely, play to your child’s strengths. If Robbie is fascinated by beads and numbers, let him play with the giant abacus at the museum as long as he likes — and capture it in a photo. 5. Be prepared. Story Land’s website has a virtual tour so you can plan your visit carefully. 6.

If your child needs an inhaler or insulin, has allergies or gets carsick, don’t leave home without your kit, EpiPen or a change of clothes. Bring snacks in case of delays. If your son has food issues, bring something he’ll eat. We all get cranky when we’re hungry!

7. Have a strategy for meltdowns. Where’s the nearest exit if Jonathan gets overtired? Can one parent continue on with the others so they don’t miss out? Coordinate meeting places. 8.

Avoid peak, crowded times. On its website, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover suggests times that are less likely to be busy and offers early openings for kids with special needs. (Or head to the museum on the first Sunday of each month during the school year for its Exploring Our Way Autism Partnership Program.)

9. Safety first. There’s no shame in using a harness and tether if Kimberly is prone to dashing off at high speed. According to Autism Speaks, drowning is the leading cause of wandering-related deaths for children with autism.

monarchschoolne.org 18 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

10. Be flexible and keep it fun. Enjoy what you can as much as you can and don’t sweat the small stuff.

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LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES “Audience members are allowed to walk around, dance, shout or sing!” The newest Mamma Mia installment? No, that’s what Chunky’s Cinema Pub says about its monthly showings of firstrun movies for kids with sensory sensitivity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other issues. “Once a month at all locations we show first-run movies with the lights up, the sound down slightly,” said Director Mike Manetta of Chunky’s. “We want to create an environment where parents can see a movie with their child stress-free, with no concerns about distracting other audience members. If kids get up off their seats, it’s OK -- whatever it takes for them to enjoy a movie.” Chunky’s also offers closed-captioning (at limited locations) and sound-amplifying devices. Their menu includes gluten-free options. Cinemagic Director of Charitable Giving Elain Adam said their theaters have been offering special showings for a number of years, at parents’ request. Sensory-sensitive showings are offered once or twice a month in each location. “Parents appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and that they can take all of their children there,” Adam said. Do you know of other special days and weekends for kids with sensory issues or other special needs that aren’t listed here? Let us know. Email editor@parentingnh.com so we can add them to our online list. Mary Ellen Hettinger, APR is an award-winning reporter, editor and writer, and accredited public relations professional. She won a bronze award in 2016 from the Parenting Media Association for her news feature on what to do if you think your child has a mental health issue.

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Breathe easy on Asthma Awareness Days On Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, Story Land will also offer Asthma Awareness Days in conjunction with Breathe New Hampshire, a century-old nonprofit lung health organization, and the New Hampshire Asthma Collaborative. Since the Granite State has one of the highest rates of asthma in the U.S., according to Allyssa Thompson, Director of Programs for Breathe NH, “we’re excited to partner with Story Land to raise awareness and provide information and resources to help families better control asthma.”

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| MAY 2019 19

Autism We interviewed three mothers who have children with autism about the challenges they’ve faced, where to go for information and advice for other parents. • BY ROB LEVEY

Jennifer Pineo’s children share a tender moment. PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE CURRAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Editor’s Note: This article first ran in Stepping Stones: A guidebook for people with disabilities, their families and the professionals who support them, which was published in October 2018 in partnership with the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. For more information or to view the online edition of Stepping Stones, go to www.parentingnh.com/special-needs.

Question:

Based on your experiences, what do you think are the first steps parents should take after their child is diagnosed? Pineo: I remember with both of my children having an equal sense of fear and relief. I was relieved that we had some answers and directions we could go in. I was afraid because it was a lot to take in and figure out. Families are often given an overflow of information at diagnosis and it can be hard to weed through. Figure out your system of support first. Who are the people you need around you — family, friends, and professionals — to navigate the system? Every child and family has unique needs and it is important to keep that in mind as you are working through the recommendations and information you are given. We focused on ensuring my kids were

20 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

happy and being kids, so do what is best for your family and your children. Aiken: I would encourage any parent to reach out to their pediatrician, NH Family Voices, their local area agency and the school system. These are the pillars of support for health, school, services and support. Noordergraaf: It would depend on how old the child was when they are diagnosed. In my son’s case, he was diagnosed in the late 1990s, and there was not a lot of information around at the time. I went to conferences, workshops, and purchased all sorts of books to read about autism and interventions. In addition to getting as much knowledge and information for yourself about autism as you can, if a child is diagnosed when they are under 3, the first thing I would advise would be to get involved with FamilyCentered Early Supports and Services at the Department of Health and Human Services website at www.dhhs.nh.gov. If the child was in the preschool age range or school age, I would contact my school district to let them know that I had a child with a disability and make a referral to the school district for my child. Be sure to provide copies of all the assessments and documents regarding the diagnosis, so that the needs and services could be discussed and

considered for the development of an Individual Education Plan.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a parent of a child with autism? Pineo: Figuring out the coordination of care for our family. I have two children and navigating through the system as a family can be overwhelming to get everything done and to keep your head above water. There is often a lot of trial and error in figuring out with will work best for Logan and MJ. We often have to try different interventions or activities a few times to see if they will work. It may not work the first time but it may work on the second or third try. This can be hard because you feel like you are trying to run through a brick wall. Just keep trying and eventually you will break through. Aiken: The constant struggle to get help. The school system can be tricky to navigate, the “new language” of acronyms is a confusing alphabet soup, and figuring out who does what and how to make sure they actually do it. Also for me, it was hard to determine what “normal” was. Is this a behavior because he is in the terrible two’s, or is this a manifestation of his disability? Trusting my gut became very important.

Jennifer Pineo is a parent to two children with autism, Logan, 13 and MJ, 9. She is a project coordinator at New Hampshire Family Voices, which provides free, confidential services to families and professionals caring for children with chronic conditions and/or disabilities. (www. nhfv.org)

COURTESY PHOTO

Meet the moms

Lori Noordergraaf has a 21-yearold son with autism. She is an education consultant at the New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education.

Sarah Aiken has a son with autism. She is director of policy and planning at Community Bridges. Community Bridges advances the integration, growth and interdependence of people with disabilities in their home communities. (www.communitybridgesnh.org)

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Noordergraaf: The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a parent of an autistic child is when he was younger and unable to consistently communicate with words, he would very often have a “melt-down” in a public situation. Even to this day, he sometimes struggles with finding words to communicate something — especially when he is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or under pressure to perform/speak — so he tends to talk aloud in phrases that he may repeat several times. In recent memory, our family had bought tickets to the Boston Pops Christmas concert, as music is something my son enjoys. Unfortunately, my son also enjoys singing along. Apparently, the “typical” crowd at a Boston Pops concert does not appreciate audience participation, as several folks nearby stared us down until we felt the need to request to move our seats away from the crowd. This not only ruined the evening for my son, but also has discouraged him from wanting to attend any type of theater or musical event again. Educating the public who are staring and making character judgments about you as a parent in a moment when you are trying to work with your child on providing new experiences, or work on what is happening and why it’s happening, is a next to impossible task.

saying one word. Logan has mastered the art of silent sarcasm. He has a great sense of humor that he can often get across with a giggle or look. It is fun to see the differences in both of my children. Although they both have an autism diagnosis, they are both very different children with different needs. Aiken: There is nothing in the world I would rather do than be a parent to my son. I cannot imagine him not being exactly who he is today, who he will be tomorrow. That is not to sugarcoat the trickiness of having a child with a disability, but I have seen a whole new world through his lenses and I am so grateful for it. Specific to me, I love the people that I have met through this community. Some of the women I am closest to in the world are fellow moms. I can’t imagine my life another way. Noordergraaf: As a now almost 21-year-old man, my son continues to remind me that learning doesn’t stop. He continues to learn new skills and grow. He teaches me patience and understanding as well as the importance of advocacy and explicit teaching methods. His sense of humor and ability to show empathy reminds me every day that everyone has strengths and gifts to offer. No one should be confined and defined by a label or diagnosis.

Q: In what ways has parenting your child surprised and/or rewarded you?

Q: How can a parent be a good advocate?

Pineo: How much can be communicated without

CELEBRATE 35 years with us!

Pineo: Be persistent and keep an open mind. Continue to learn and grow as a parent and person. www.parentingnh.com

| MAY 2019 21

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There are a lot of trainings and conferences that are offered for families that support families in advocating, such as the Parent Information Center Volunteer Advocate training. Attending the trainings and conferences also helps you to connect with other families, professionals and resources. Aiken: Be organized and persistent. They don’t call us ‘warrior moms’ for nothing. Learn the systems, understand the laws and rules. Advocate whenever you can. But remember that sometimes the best advocacy is teaching your child to advocate on his/her own. Noordergraaf: Become familiar with the special education laws for the state in which you live, as well as federal regulations, and use the laws and rules that are in place to support your child (see information box for resources).

Q: Do you have a support system? Where can parents seek out support for themselves and/or families?

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Pineo: I have a tribe of friends that get what it is like to parent a child with a disability. We support each other, vent, and we laugh and have fun. If you are able, find people that can support you as a friend and be there to listen. We have also been lucky enough to have great family nurse practitioners that have worked with us. They have been great at helping us address medical/behavioral issues as they arise and are great at looking at them through the lens of what will work for our family. Aiken: My best friends are fellow moms of children who have autism or another disability. I found them through being involved in issues related to autism, the system, and through trainings or workshops. I rely on them for anything and everything. Noordergraaf: I have a small support system that consists mainly of family members. At different times in my son’s education, there were teachers and special educators who were part of the support system. Now that he is older, finding a solid support system that is not family is more difficult.

Q: If you could give parents who have child with autism just one piece of advice, what would it be?

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Pineo: Keep your sense of humor. Take time for yourself — and when you do, do not feel guilty about taking that time because it will help you to stay focused. Trust your gut and intuition. Aiken: It is important to remember that your child is no different now that they have a diagnosis than they were an hour before that diagnosis. A label doesn’t define you or your child. Noordergraaf: Always have high expectations. Never give up! MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMPS DAY & OVERNIGHT OPTIONS LESSONS & RENTAL PACKAGES 603.286.7677

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Rob Levey is a longtime contributor to ParentingNH and the board president of The Chase Home for Children, which works to meet the needs of New Hampshire’s at-risk youth and their families through the residential and homebased services.

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ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES: What causes environmental allergies and what are some typical symptoms? Vogel: “If your child has environmental allergies, the body recognizes certain substances like pollen, pet dander, dust mites and/or molds as intruders instead of a harmless substance. The immune system responds by releasing histamine and other substances. When this happens, your child may have typical symptoms of stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose and/or post-nasal drip. Sometimes allergies can trigger asthma symptoms, frequent cough, irritability and fatigue.”

How can I best alleviate the symptoms?

Spring can be a rejuvenating time of year

when long-dormant buds bloom and provide tangible evidence that the season of renewal is upon us. However, it also brings with it pollen, mites and molds — which, for families who suffer from environmental allergies, can be slightly less welcome. It can be important to know whether your child has these allergies, what to do about it, and how it can affect everyday life. Parenting NH reached out to a pair of experts to discover what you need to know: how to identify allergies, how to alleviate discomfort, and what parents can expect if their child suffers from allergies or asthma-related symptoms. OUR EXPERTS: • Nicola Vogel, MD, Core Allergy & Immunology; corephysicians.org and Amitha Harish, MD, Southern NH Asthma and Allergy; snhhealth.org

How can I tell if my child has allergies or a common cold? Harish: “Both allergies and the common cold affect your respiratory system potentially causing cough, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion, but there are some key symptoms that set them apart from each other. The common cold and the flu are caused by viruses. They can result in general aches and pains, sore throat, and fever. Symptoms typically last from 3 to 14 days and usually resolve more quickly than allergies. While conjunctivitis can occur, your child should not develop itchy eyes. Allergies last for as long as you are exposed to

24 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

your trigger, which in some cases, can be several weeks. With allergies, your child’s immune system is overreacting to an external trigger. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion, but never fever or aches and pains.” Vogel: “This can be very tricky because the symptoms are very similar. If your child always has symptoms during a certain season and symptoms last longer than 7-10 days, then environmental allergies may be the culprit. Certain symptoms such as itching of the eyes and/or nose and repetitive sneezing are more likely to be from environmental allergies than from a common cold. Also consider the age of the child because environmental allergies especially for pollens and mold usually start after the age of 2. Sometimes indoor allergies such as pets and dust mites can cause symptoms before the age of 2.”

Vogel: “Avoid triggers as much as possible. For outdoor pollens, keeping windows closed and using air conditioners, especially in bedrooms, is helpful to prevent pollen from coming inside. Taking a bath or shower before bedtime helps to remove pollen. For pets, avoid being around pets that trigger symptoms as much as possible. If your child is living with a pet that triggers allergy symptoms, keep the pet out of her/his bedroom permanently. For dust mite allergy, zippered protective covers for pillows and mattress can help decrease exposure to dust mites. “There are lots of over-the-counter medications that can help the symptoms of environmental allergies including oral antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and antihistamine eye drops. Sometimes a combination of these medications rather than just one is needed to best help with symptoms. If your child always has symptoms during a certain season, starting these medications before and continuing them through the allergy season can be very helpful. This may prevent or lessen symptoms overall by preventing or decreasing the histamine release. “If symptoms are difficult to manage with avoidance and over-the-counter medications, allergy immunotherapy (shots) are an option. A newer option that was recently approved in the U.S. is sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Instead of shots, these are tablets are taken under the tongue every day, sometimes before and during an allergy season, and sometimes year round. Currently, they are only available for a few allergens including grass, ragweed and dust mites.”

A closer look at respiratory health What are the risks associated with leaving possible allergies untreated? Vogel: “Environmental allergies are also a significant trigger for many patients with asthma. Treating allergies can help minimize asthma symptoms. Since one of the major symptoms of environmental allergies can be nasal congestion and inflammation, untreated nasal congestion can potentially block sinus drainage and may encourage sinus infections to develop. “Fatigue can often be associated with environmental allergies, from the symptoms or from disrupted sleep. Environmental allergies have been associated with cognitive issues in children and adolescents such as attention deficit and poorer concentration. Symptoms can interfere with sports performance too. For adults, environmental allergies have been associated with anxiety, depression, and decreased work productivity.” Harish: “While allergy symptoms can be a nuisance, there can be serious consequences of leaving them untreated, including the development or worsening of asthma, sinus infections, and fatigue or decreased school performance due to bothersome symptoms. As a mother of young chil-

dren, I feel it is important to know what your child’s triggers are in order to jointly develop the best and most appropriate treatment plan.”

Vogel: “Milder symptoms one season often progress to more intense symptoms the next few seasons. Symptoms are most likely to develop from early school age through early adult years. Most adults who had symptoms in childhood will continue to have symptoms but often the symptoms are not as severe.”

Once the airways become sensitive, they remain more susceptible for life. There are many children, however, who outgrow the need for medication with time.” Vogel: “Yes! Many infants that have asthma symptoms only with upper respiratory illnesses/ colds will eventually outgrow the symptoms. Some studies suggest that up to 75% of school-aged children will outgrow asthma by adulthood. However, if there is any history of environmental allergies, eczema or food allergy, and/or a family history of asthma, the chance of outgrowing asthma is less likely.”

Can kids outgrow asthma?

Can asthmatic kids still participate in team sports?

Harish: “In young children, it can be hard to distinguish whether symptoms of cough, wheezing or shortness of breath are caused by asthma or something else, especially if they are too young to have a breathing test. Many asthma-like conditions such as bronchitis and bronchiolitis improve as children get older. There are many children that don’t outgrow asthma, and symptoms can improve or worsen depending on several factors.

Harish: “With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, your child should be able to participate in team sports without any problems. Being active, working out, and playing sports can be beneficial in kids with asthma by maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening breathing muscles. I always like to encourage asthmatic children and their parents that there are many elite athletes in the world who are not held back by their asthma.”

How can environmental allergies change as my child gets older?

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| MAY 2019 25

Taking on ticks

any people move to New Hampshire so they can engage in a plethora of recreational activities available year-round in the state.

The rugged wilderness of our peaks, the beauty of our lakes and the multiplicity of opportunities our state affords for all types of recreation are undeniable attractions that make New Hampshire a popular destination for tourists, too. As we enjoy the state parks and the more than 800,000 acres that are part of the White Mountain National Forest — for rock-climbing, hiking, fishing, camping, boating and more — not enough people stop to consider the potential danger and risk for contracting infectious disease.

26 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

COLLABORATION Two nonprofit organizations have partnered with the goal of educating people to ensure that they are safe and healthy in the great outdoors. And New Hampshire campers are going to be pitching in this summer to help achieve that goal. BeBop Labs and the New Hampshire Camp Directors’ Association are working together to solve the state’s tick-borne disease problem, including Lyme disease and a variety of other bacterial and viral tick-borne diseases. Recent evidence about climate change points to an increase in the number of ticks in the state. When she moved to New Hampshire, Dr. Kaitlyn Morse founded BeBop Labs in Ashland with the goal of “empowering community to take charge of health and collective discovery.” Her previous work as an infectious disease scientist, both at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School’s Infec-

Granite State summer camps and Ashland’s BeBop Labs are working together to fight tick-borne disease BY KATHLEEN M. KEARNS, SPECIAL TO PARENTINGNH

REPORTED CASES OF LYME DISEASE IN NH YEAR

REPORTED CASES

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

1,689 1,380 1,371 (EST.) 1,480 (EST.) 1,746

Note: The number of cases in 2015-16 estimated based on number of reports and historical data. Information courtesy NH Division of Public Health Services.

WINTER TICK

DOG TICK

(Dermacentor albipictus), also known as the Moose tick, does not carry Lyme disease.

(Dermacentor variabilis) does not carry Lyme disease.

tious Disease Division, led her to realize that she wanted to discover and explore ways to make science collaborative. Morse said, “It is a scientific revolution. We are changing how we do and think about science,” with the purpose of promoting opportunities for people to take charge of their own health and wellness. Morse wants to define the risks we take when outdoors — whether in our backyard or on the wilderness trails that cross the state. She and BeBop Labs are starting to do this by tracking tick-borne diseases, but also plan to track other disease vectors including water, soil and air. Around the time she launched her work at BeBop Labs, Morse connected with members of the NHCDA, a nonprofit that provides advocacy, leadership, education, development, fellowship and best practice support to more than 90 member camps and camp professionals, and over 150,000 campers, families and staff in the state. Starting with an expansive tick project, BeBop Labs is planning to research, gather and disseminate various scientific data to the public that directly influences our health and environment, while offering the public access to a collaborative science laboratory.

BLACK LEGGED TICK The deer tick (lxodes scapularis), also called the black legged tick, is known to carry Lyme disease in NH. Source: www.bebop-labs.com

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Beware of ticks whenever and wherever you are hiking.

YMCA of Greater Nashua

PHOTO COURTESY OF NHCDA

Summer Camp

Registration

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Register Your Kids for Summer Camp Today. The YMCA of Greater Nashua offers both day and overnight camp options at our various summer camp locations. www.nmymca.org JUNIOR SCIENTISTS Dr. Morse has enlisted camps throughout the state to help with her research, starting with those in central New Hampshire, asking campers to help her identify at-risk locations by assisting with data collection. It’s exciting for campers that Morse has invited them to participate in scientific research and discovery that may someday help alleviate the problem of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. As an integral part of the partnership, participating campers will help Morse passively collect ticks under trained adult supervision, assisting Morse with her research throughout the year, especially during the summer months. Each tick will be bagged and identified with the date it was collected, the coordinates where it was located (identified by street or GIS mapping), the activity during which it was found (hiking, jogging, etc.), whether it was discovered on a human or pet, and whether the tick was biting or crawling. If the tick was biting a person, a camper will provide the age of the person and the location they were bitten. Meanwhile, Morse plans to offer workshops to interested camps for students to learn more about scientific data collection. Campers will learn how to track data, identify different species of ticks (moose, dog or deer ticks), create and read data graphs, and understand more about the scientific discovery process. Morse hopes that through these collaborative efforts, our youth will be encouraged and trained to be the next scientific experts that will inform healthcare practitioners of the current dangers of tickborne diseases, while helping to solve the problem through collective scientific discovery. Together, BeBop Labs and NH Camps plan to ‘change the way we do science.’ By working together, the two organizations hope to ed-

28 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

N E W HAM P

I LY

IRE

PA R

Bringing You Nearer to Nature

FAV O

2018

TICK CHECK These are common places ticks will likely be on your body. Feel for little bumps and look for small dark spots that may look like freckles.

Dinosaurs COURTESY IMAGE

alive!

July through September

www.nhnature.org | 603-968-7194 | Route 113, Holderness, NH

ucate people of their tick-borne disease risk while taking steps to prevent those diseases, and in the long-term, solve a public health concern that sometimes discourages families from enjoying the natural surroundings that initially brought them to recreational activities in the White Mountains. To learn more about the tick project and find out how to assist Dr. Morse at BeBop Labs in her efforts, go to www.beboplabs.org. For more information about NHCDDA, go to www.nhcamps.org. Kathleen M. Kearns is executive director of the Circle Program, a nonprofit organization that offers residential summer camp and year-round mentoring programs to underprivileged New Hampshire girls.

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Expect the

unexpected How to prepare your family for an emergency or disaster BY MARY ELLEN HETTINGER

ew Hampshire isn’t known for earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides or tornados. But we do have winter storms and hurricanes, and with them the potential for lengthy power outages, floods, and fires. You may even live near an industrial plant that could have an emergency. There are different levels of emergency. Hurricanes and winter storms are forecasted, which gives you time to prepare. But there is minimal to zero warning when it comes to tornados, flash floods or gas explosions — such as those that rocked blocks of homes in Massachusetts and displaced homeowners for long periods of time last fall and winter. Emergencies are unexpected with the potential for tragedy. The key to surviving is having a plan that involves the whole family that you can revisit and tweak as necessary.

WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? “Any emergency where you need to leave quickly, such as escaping during a fire, is scary,” Wendy Lapham, chief communications officer for the American Red Cross New Hampshire and Vermont Region, said. But children who participate in American Red Cross emergency preparedness classes such as the Pillowcase Project or Prepare with Pedro can feel empowered, according to Lapham. The Red Cross brings the message of fire safety home too, through the Home Fire Campaign, which helps families design escape plans. “This is a great activity parents and children do together. This program, sponsored by all American Red Cross chapters, installs free smoke alarms in homes. We make an appointment to install them and help the family create an escape plan. “Kids really like it,” Lapham said. “It gives them a sense of security, knowing if something happens, they’re prepared — a vital part of our mission.”

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In New Hampshire and Vermont, the Red Cross helps a family displaced by disaster (usually a home fire) every 17 hours. Last year, 1,480 people in this region received disaster assistance.

Prepare with Pedro is for children in kindergarten through second grade, and is about fire safety and prevention and other natural hazards; the Pillowcase Project, inspired by university students who carried their belongings in pillowcases while evacuating for Hurricane Katrina, is geared toward third- through fifth-graders. Abby Kelly is the School Safety Initiative Coordinator for the regional Red Cross. She implements preparedness programs throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, but is based in Nashua, which is where she goes into the elementary schools. In other areas, trained volunteers may lead the programs. The American Red Cross New Hampshire and Vermont Region has 1,100 trained and dedicated volunteers across both states who respond to crises and empower and train others.

“The Pillowcase Project covers fire prevention, but also local hazards such as winter storms,” Kelly said. “We also teach kids how to be prepared by keeping our bodies calm in an emergency, through a breathing exercise. “We do a breathing exercise because when our brains are calm, they work better. Kids seem to have a positive reaction” to it, Kelly said. They’re surprised they feel calmer, and it’s pretty amazing how easily it works, she added. Pillowcases feature items to include and students decorate the outside as part of the hour-long curriculum. Each child gets a booklet. Kelly has had parents tell her, “My child reminded me we should use a flashlight instead of a candle during a power outage.”

The Pillowcase Project covers fire prevention, but also local hazards such as winter storms. COURTESY PHOTO

For more information The Red Cross also offers classes for young people in babysitting, lifeguarding, and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). For classes, or to schedule an in-home fire safety plan or for information on hosting a program at schools, call the Concord office: 225-6697.

32 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

Have a plan and a ‘go bag’ There are numerous websites with specifics about what to pack and have available in case of an emergency. A few sites are below. Survival kits and “go” or “bug out” bags can include everything from a tent and water purification tables to food and water. Musts are matches in a waterproof container and a battery-operated radio with extra batteries. Walmart sells a backpack for one that includes food, water and other essentials for a few days for about $60. Whether you buy one or assemble your own, every family has individual needs. If someone has a chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes, or a life-threatening allergy, have an extra inhaler, insulin, or EpiPen available. But these may have limited shelf life or need refrigeration. Your plan needs to account for your special circumstances.

“That’s great that children can feel empowered to effect change in their own house, to make sure everybody is safe. These free programs are a great addition to Red Cross community-based programs,” she added. We all hope to get through life without a major disaster. The Boy and Girl Scout motto, “Be prepared” is a reminder that anything can happen. Staying calm and knowing what to do goes a long way toward a successful outcome. Mary Ellen Hettinger, APR is an award-winning reporter, editor and writer, and accredited public relations professional. She won a bronze award in 2017 from the Parenting Media Association for her news feature on perfluorochemicals in NH’s water supply.

A worst-case scenario might be a widespread disaster with children at school, and parents at work a distance away. If you can’t contact them and vice-versa, who else can be called? Is there a central message board? Where will you meet up?

This sample “go bag” from the Red Cross is meant to keep you safe and comfortable during an emergency. IMAGE COURTESY OF WWW. FEMA.GOV/PHOTO LIBRARY

If you’re displaced for a length of time without important records, what will you do? Today’s cloud-based applications and thumb drives can be lifesavers, if they are secure. The old standby, a safe deposit box, is still relevant for original documents and emergency cash if more than one person can access it. You’ll also need what the Department of Homeland Security calls a “financial first aid kit” that includes account numbers.

ALSO KEEP IN MIND Parents with older children away at school need to have a broader contingency plan that includes what to do without cell service. If phones are lost or destroyed, batteries dead or towers down, how will you access contacts and vital information? Many shelters won’t accept pets (who should be microchipped in case you get separated). Horses and farm animals pose a greater planning challenge. In any situation, it’s helpful to know first aid and CPR, and to have a first-aid kit available — even at the soccer game and in the car. • Emergency Plan for Parents: www.fema.gov • Department of Homeland Security: Ready.gov • American Red Cross disaster plan: www.redcross.org

Prepare with Pedro is for children in kindergarten through second grade. IMAGE COURTESY OF WWW.

• National Weather Service: www.weather.gov

FEMA.GOV/MEDIA-LIBRARY-DATAS

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| MAY 2019 33

at Maple Lane in Livermore, Maine 2 hours north of Portsmouth

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34 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

My Turn is an occasional feature in ParentingNH. If you are a reader interested in sharing your parenting journey, please email editor@parentingnh. com. The views of those expressed by the writers of My Turn do not necessarily reflect the views of ParentingNH.

The teeter-totter of parenting Managing the ups and downs and striking a balance is easier said than done BY SARAH HETU-RADNY

he other day my family of four had been in the car for a couple of hours when the three-year-old started screaming. I’m talking about an earsplitting shriek that made my teeth itch and almost caused my husband to drive into another car.

We tried ignoring it, talking in whispers to her, asking her what she wanted, and offering hugs. Nothing worked. After almost an hour of nearly non-stop hysteria, even though we had no time to spare having already used up the emergency bathroom

break, we pulled over at a department store. Daddy checked her diaper as I took our seven-year-old to potty. As I came out of the bathroom, I could hear that she was still screaming. I squatted down in the middle of the store’s entrance and put my arms around her and

held her close. Finally, she stopped, holding my head and smushing her cheek against my cheek and trying to catch her breath. Here’s the thing: I have no idea how to parent. I have instincts, and sometimes they’re wrong. I have instincts, and sometimes they’re right, but there’s not enough time to implement them. Does that make me a bad mother? I knew in the back of my mind that her screams meant she wanted Mommy to engulf her. But I didn’t want to be late for an appointment that was both far away and traffic-dependent. Where does the happy balance lie? Am I helping my kids grow into healthy adults or am I damaging them? One psychologist claimed

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| MAY 2019 35

CONTINUED

Essay author Sarah Hetu-Radny, with her two children and husband on a family outing. COURTESY PHOTO

that parents only need to be 80 percent good enough. That means that 80 percent of the time, mom (or dad) is doing what her kid needs, and the other 20 percent of the time, she’s ‘wrong.’ The problem is, how do I know what is right and what is wrong for my kids in every situation? Add to that my level of stress, if I’m hungry, if I’m tired, and a number of other factors and I’ve got the perfect equation for disaster. Honestly, I wonder if I am a good parent 20 percent of the time. And what about me? I know, isn’t that selfish? When I’m not working, sleeping, or doing chores, I have many diverse hobbies. Most days I would much rather spend two hours writing or painting rather than putting together a Legos fort or styling My Little Ponies’ hair. I have heard that it’s good for children to see their parents exercising and doing other things for themselves. But what’s the formula for the right combination of parenting and pursing your own interests? My seven-year-old has been known to say, “Mommy, you care more about your art and your books than you do about me!” So how do I fill my kids’ “love cups?” Here’s my guide to keeping the love cups from being empty and balancing life in general: 1. Keep my husband happy so that he can watch the kids and give me time. (I’m still working on that one; we are both very complex individuals — but isn’t everyone?) 2. If either kid creeps into my bed when I’m sleeping, I don’t shoo them out — well, most of the time. I leave the door open to cuddling at all hours of the night, and sometimes day, too. 3. When I’m cooking, I try to involve them. My threeyear-old mixes a mean batch of pancakes. 4. When my introverted seven-year-old actually does talk about his day, I try to drop everything and have a conversation with him. 5. I try to give each kid a kiss or head-pat whenever I walk by them. (Note: The seven-year-old is getting sick of this.) 6. If I’m writing and the three-year-old demands to sit on my lap, I’ll usually let her.

36 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

We plan family night for every Sunday, taking turns who selects the activity. (The seven-yearold is really into this.) 8. When they’re sick, I try to baby and pamper them. 9. I take karate lessons with my seven-year-old. 10. If either of them wants to start a project or activity, especially one that I have at least a little interest in — coloring, writing, reading, watching movies, chasing, wrestling, baking cookies, going to the beach, etc. — I try to plan it into the day or week. 11. I read parenting publications. 12. This may be controversial but I schedule in as much writing and art time for me as the week may allow. I don’t have the recipe for successful parenting. I do what I can do. But I hope that they’ll cherish the moments when we were at the top of the teeter-totter together. Sarah Hetu-Radny lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two children. She is an optometrist and works with about 25 nursing homes. Her dream is to write and publish children’s books. For more of her writing, go to www.sarah heturadny.com.

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All in a day’s

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ParentingNH, New Hampshire’s only statewide magazine for parents of children and teens, was recognized in 11 categories at the Parenting Media Association’s 2019 Editorial and Design Awards. The magazine won a silver award for overall General Excellence. Also, gold awards for Best Redesigned Publication, Best Website, Humor Column and Publisher’s Editor’s Note; silver awards for Overall Writing, Non-Traditional Story Form Feature, Special Series, Ancillary Publication General Excellence and Ancillary Publication Overall Design for its Family Summer Fun Guide, and a bronze award for Profile Story. Thanks to our readers and advertising partners, ParentingNH looks forward to providing accurate information on important issues to Granite State families.

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| MAY 2019 37

38 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

dad on board JUST LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE LACKING A BIG PILE OF CASH, MY DAUGHTER WILL GET INTO SCHOOL ON HER OWN MERITS BY BILL BURKE Apparently, you can get your kid into a good college by paying an obscene amount of money. I thought that’s how college generally worked, but after reading about how a handful of celebrities got their offspring into top-notch schools by dumping even more cash on the pile, I thought I’d reassess our plans to see if we had any creative options as we help plan our daughter’s future. Turns out, that’s not going to happen. It’s impossible for a few reasons — not the least of which is that my pile of cash wouldn’t really catch the attention of any shady characters who could actually help, because it seems to lack the defining properties of being a pile of cash. It’s devoid of any pile-ness whatsoever. According to reports, the college admissions scheme also involved manipulating photos to create false athletic achievements. I suppose I could submit a Photoshopped image that would illustrate her completely-made-up rowing abilities, but if you asked her anything about crew, she’d probably just assume you were referring to the 80s hair metal band her dad used to listen to. With sports not really in the mix, she’ll have to hope there’s a school out there looking for some low end in its orchestra or jazz ensemble. You’re much more likely to see her on bass than on base. It’s also unlikely because the people I know in higher education aren’t the types who are going to allow themselves to get caught up in such tomfoolery. I have to believe that the people who were involved in this were wearing their idiot pants when they agreed to help others circumvent the process. This next part is directed straight at my soon-to-be high school senior, so if you’re not her, you can skip to the next paragraph: Hi, kid. I can’t bribe anyone to let you into an Ivy League school, but I believe in you. You’re smart, creative, funny, and any school would be better for having you there. Also, we aren’t rich celebrities and you never really seemed all that interested in rowing. I think we’re clear on those points, so please take the dog out. Welcome back to the column (everyone who is not my daughter). I guess my non-celebrity, non-influencer, pretty normal — but also extraordinary — child will likely find her way through college (and life) without taking any shortcuts. Any college-earmarked treasure I could’ve been doing the backstroke in, Uncle Scrooge-style, probably helped pay for the new Star Wars land at Walt Disney World. Maybe she’ll study finance in college and learn how to pile up cash better than her dad did. In the meantime, we’re going to have to rely on her hard work, good grades, volunteerism, extracurricular activities and passion for her chosen path to catch the eye of a particularly lucky admissions department somewhere. Bill Burke is a writer who lives in a not-mansion in southern New Hampshire with his wife and daughter. He is also managing editor of custom publications for McLean Communications.

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house calls SUMMER CAMP FOR ALL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS THRIVE AT CAMP WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORTS BY ERIK M. SHESSLER, MD

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Summer camps provide wonderful opportunities for fun and enrichment. All children have the potential to benefit emotionally and physically from being outdoors, playing and socializing. These experiences help them develop the skills needed to become well-balanced children and later on, adults. Children with complex care needs, such as diabetes, heart conditions and neurological issues, also benefit from camp because it gives them a chance to connect with others who share similar experiences. There are many opportunities around the state for children with special health care needs — sometimes with supports within a traditional camp or at a camp designed for particular health issues. Diabetes camps, for example, offer education about coping strategies and community building. Having a special health care need can feel isolating, so building connections with similar children can be rewarding. Pediatric cardiologist David Crowley, MD, one of my Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester colleagues, volunteers at Camp Meridian, a camp for kids with congenital heart disease. While many children talk about feeling lonely, “when they arrive at camp, they find not just one someone, but many someones who have traveled a similar path,” said Dr. Crowley. “They say things like, ‘Wow, I had no idea there were so many other heart kids!’” Tom Johnson, MD, another pediatric cardiologist at D-H Manchester, recently wrote to me: “After watching their children go through heart surgery, many parents are left feeling that their kids are more vulnerable than their peers. They tend to shelter their children, which can lead to a false sense of vulnerability, low expectations and sometimes anxiety for the affected child. Summer camps that are designed to accommodate kids with special health care needs allow these children to broaden their physical and social experience in a safe and age-appropriate way. Almost always, the children are delighted to have more autonomy and independence, and parents are often amazed at what a happy and sometimes transformative experience it can be for their kids.” Regardless of the camp you choose, it’s important to find out if a particular camp can handle your child’s needs. Speak with the camp director and have a health summary from your child’s primary care providers or specialists about your child’s needs and their concerns. With the correct preparation, summer camps foster a sense of independence, allow children to be social and engage in physical fitness. Children discover activities they didn’t know they could do — like swimming or rock climbing. There’s nothing better than a child who says, “Hey, if I can do it at camp, I can do it at home.” It’s all about broadening their horizons and learning what they are capable of. For more information on summer camps, go to ParentingNH’s summer camp guide online: www.parentingnh.com/summer-camps. Erik M. Shessler, MD, is the Chair of General Pediatrics and Associate Medical Director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester and Chair of CHaD Primary Care Pediatrics Committee. SPONSORED BY

40 www.parentingnh.com | MAY 2019

Get ready for

summer

fun

Pick up your copy of ParentingNHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Family Summer Fun Guide 2019 in June.

FROM FROM Find it at hundreds of locations in NH, as well as Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and several Welcome Centers across the state.