Miami Dade Family Life April 2020 Special Edition

APRIL 2020

COMPLIMENTARY

happyatHOME S P EC I A L E D I T I O N

Keep your family safe.

Stay home and see our doctors from your phone.

Your safety, as well as your family’s, is always our top priority. To prevent any further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the CDC recommends using telehealth as a first line of defense.

On behalf of the health of our community, Baptist Health is now offering online doctor visits for FREE. Simply download our App, Baptist Health Care On Demand, and have a virtual visit any time, day or night.

Please be safe.

FREE visit* Code CARE19 Download the App and see a doctor today

*Restrictions apply, see website for details.

contents

APRIL 2020

departments 6

EDITOR’S NOTE A Happy Return: Family editor gets back in the saddle.

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MIAMI & MORE News about the people, places and events in our community.

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FAMILY MATTERS Ready for the latest label?

Find out if you are a parenting animal or parenting machine.

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FAMILY DYNAMICS When it comes to kids, there is no equal. So how do we stop comparing them?

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HOME TECH In the ever-evolving world of apps, here’s what to watch for to keep kids safe.

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WORDS OF WISDOM As Earth Day approaches, try some easy ways to embrace less “stuff.”

ON THIS PAGE: Raina Jackson, 4, of North Lauderdale A Cover Angels winner Photographer: Beth Black

features

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4

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FAMILY FUN: HOME EDITION

FAMILY FAVORITE NOMINEES

SUMMER CAMP SHOWCASE

See the world on the web and enjoy virtual tours of the places you’re missing.

Who made the cut? Check out our readers’ top places for families in Miami-Dade County, then go online to vote for your favorites.

Looking for the perfect summer program for your kids?

Check out these options.

M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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MIAMI-DADE

Our mission is to enrich family life in Miami-Dade County by offering the highest quality publication and an unparalleled commitment to our readers and our community.

PUBLISHER Lisa Goodlin

BIRTHDAYS AT MIAMI SEAQUARIUM INVITE FLORIDA’S MARINE LIFE TO YOUR PARTY!

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Stacey Jacques EXECUTIVE EDITOR Michelle Liem MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Jhon ASSOCIATE EDITOR Shannon Pease-Severance STAFF WRITER Greg Carannante SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Suzy Miguelez • Sheila Ranson Rick Charnack CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carrie B. Weeks

Imagine this scene at your child’s birthday party. There are all the best friends.

Playful dolphins. Friendly manta rays. Cute sea turtles. Rowdy seals. This is the real party crowd, the celebrities of the sea. And you’ll only find them at Miami Seaquarium! Discover how easy and hassle free a birthday party can be.

RESERVE YOUR CHILD’S PARTY NOW.

Call 305-365-2507 today

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Toni Kirkland • Linda Seavey DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Tom Gonzales CONTACT US: 4611 S. University Drive, #224 Davie, FL 33328 Phone (954) 424-7405 info@miamidadefamilylife.com

For information on where to find Miami-Dade Family Life, or to become a distributor, call 954-424-7405 or e-mail info@miamidadefamilylife.com Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Miami-Dade Family Life is published twelve times per year by Family Life Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade Family Life is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to Miami-Dade Family Life will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is forbidden.

Copyright 2020 by Family Life Media Group.

All rights reserved.

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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EDITOR’S note

A HAPPY RETURN A year and a half ago, I decided to take a break from parenting media.

I needed to try out other career paths while I was still young, I reasoned.

After all, my kids would eventually grow up and move out, I told myself, and I needed other skills to keep me busy while I waited for the grandchildren to arrive.

The first month was fine -- even fun! -mainly because I was at home most of the time while I interviewed for the “next step in my career.” I volunteered a lot at school. I baked cookies. I thought, “This is interesting, I’m getting to be MORE of a mom now that I’m not writing about it!”

Then I started working, and while I enjoyed my new job, I quickly realized how much I missed having fun with my family.

It is a similar experience to the one I had at the end of my maternity leave for each of my children. I would go back to work after six weeks of spending every day with my newborn, and while I liked being back in the office, I missed being with my baby.

I knew it was good for me to be back at work, and I knew my baby was in good hands without me, but I missed my child immensely, even the messy and hard parts.

So getting the chance to return to parenting media with Miami-Dade Family Life magazine was a lot like being able to be home with my baby again, getting to know her and helping guide her into the future.

There will be times of hard work, and I might lose a couple nights of sleep to especially difficult deadlines. But it has been so rewarding sharing in this magazine’s successes and being able to work with and for parents like me in Miami-Dade County.

Just as I do for my son and daughter, I have hopes and dreams for this magazine and for you, our community of readers.

We have a lot of growing to do together, and I’m excited to be on this parenting journey with you.

JENNIFER JHON Managing Editor

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M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND FLORIDA RESIDENTS SAVE UP TO 50% OFF ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS Celebrate our mission to protect Florida’s native marine life by getting in the water! See them up close – dolphins, seals, penguins and more.

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SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES

RAPUNZEL Sunday, April 26 | 11:00AM Amaturo Theater

These performances are intended to create a welcoming and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as individuals with other sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities.

Presented by

Sunday, May 3 11:00AM & 2:00PM

Abdo New River Room

Sunday, July 5 | 11:00AM Saturday, July 11 | 11:00AM Amaturo Theater

Our sensory-friendly programming is made possible with support from The Batchelor Foundation, Gore Family Memorial Foundation and The Taft Foundation.

Tickets at BrowardCenter.org 954.462.0222 • Group Sales 954.660.6307 Special thanks to Theatre Development Fund’s Autism Theatre Initiative for serving as an advisor, www.tdf.org/autism.

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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familyFUN HOME EDITION

As social distancing shuts down South Florida, families are struggling to keep their kids educated and entertained while staying safe at home, and we are right there with you.

Miami-Dade Family Life is committed to this community, and we will do everything we can to inform and inspire our readers and support our fellow local businesses during this time.

We’ve developed a Facebook Group, SFLFamilyLife, to connect and strengthen parents in South Florida, and we’re sharing information on our website, www.MiamiDadeFamilyLife.com, and @MiamiDadeFamilyLife on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Please join us as we weather this crisis together.

VIRTUALLY THERE

BY SHANNON PEASE-SEVERANCE

With social distancing keeping everyone at home, South Florida’s usually busy social calendar is empty. But there’s still plenty going on in the virtual world, and these South Florida businesses are opening their doors online to keep families educated and entertained.

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE Kids can keep up with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics via the museum’s free virtual learning videos, available weekdays through the museum’s e-news emails and social media channels.

The STEM videos range from reading and hands-on activities to science and animal demonstrations. Visit www.mods.org and click “Sign up for e-News“ or follow them @MODSFTL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to join the fun.

SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM The Science Center is taking its mission virtual. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @SFScienceCenter for Facebook Live aquarium programs every Friday at 12 p.m., Live science lessons every Friday at 3 p.m., Virtual Science Shorts and DIY@Home science experiments every Thursday at 2 p.m., Future Scientist Storytime every Tuesday at 9 a.m., and weekly virtual exhibit tours. Learn more at www.sfsciencecenter.org/virtual.

STRANAHAN HOUSE The historic home in downtown Fort Lauderdale is offering free story times, virtual museum tours and history show-and-tells via Facebook Live at 11 a.m. weekdays. Visit www.facebook.com/StranahanHouse for specially-themed events each week.

TINKERGARTEN Gather your little ones for Tuesdays with Tinkergarten activities streaming live on Facebook at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. You can join remotely for a 20-minute fun-filled class designed to keep kids active and engaged. Visit www.facebook.com/Tinkergarten.

YOUNG AT ART MUSEUM The YAA at Home program helps provide art relief for all and keeps children artistically engaged with virtual tours of the museum’s interactive art galleries, downloadable art activities and creative prompts from special guest artists. The art activities are designed with common art supplies and recycled materials, and participants can win prizes. Follow @YoungAtArtMuseum on Instagram and Facebook or visit www.youngatartmuseum.org/yaaathome.php.

Get more virtual events from South Florida, and submit your own, online at https://southfloridafamilylife.com/ virtual-events-in-broward-and-miami/

HOME ALONE: Boredom Busters

BY SHANNON PEASE-SEVERANCE We know you weren’t expecting to be home with the kids for weeks on end, unable to go to the beach or the movies or anywhere else with 10 or more people.

We’re here to help you out, with three ways to bust the boredom at home.

ANXIETY RELIEF Kids can create their own oil-and-water Discovery Bottle (or Sensory Bottle) with items you have in the pantry. Perfect for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids, this project requires only an empty water bottle, vegetable or baby oil, water and some food coloring.

It’s a lesson in science, too. Learn more at https://preschoolinspirations.com/ how-to-make-a-perfect-sensory-bottle/ or watch the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7zp7KbxbKY.

FOAM PAINT FUN Kids can get creative and express their artistic abilities with this project. Add equal parts shaving cream and school glue to a plastic zip bag, drop in some food coloring, seal and get ready to squeeze and squish. Once everything in the bag is mixed, cut the tip off a corner and let the kids pipe the concoction onto a piece of cardstock. Let it harden overnight for a puff-paint masterpiece to display. Learn more at https://dabblesandbabbles.com/3-ingredient-diy-foam-paint/ or watch the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1K_Ysa_nNY. ORIGAMI From frogs and dogs to fish and tulips, origami is a fun way for the family to keep busy, with designs ranging from easy to challenging.

You can find instructions for just about any animal or object you can think of with a quick Google search. There are even easy origami bookmark corners that play double duty. Watch the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVkJPCp_1UQ. April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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#HOMESCHOOLFORNOW: Long-distance learning is here

BY JENNIFER JHON

Now that April has arrived, South Florida’s schools are back in session, virtually.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools parents had a week of practice with the online class routine before Spring Break, but the system went online March 30 in Broward County Public Schools.

Both students and parents had a lot to learn about long-distance learning.

Some schools and teachers introduced the system with scheduled meet-and-greet video chat sessions, while others posted class assignments during the break to give students an early look.

With schools back in session, both school districts have opened a number of locations for the distribution of breakfast and lunch to students. Visit news.browardschools.com and covid19.dadeschools.net for more information about meal distribution sites.

Those district websites can also help families with tutorials, resources and hotline information for the virtual journey ahead.

ONLINE LEARNING: The world at your fingertips

BY JENNIFER JHON With social distancing, playdates are out, but the fun isn’t. Imagine your way to a bigger place with your little ones with virtual tours, live craft classes, cooking activities and more.

EXPLORE SOUTH FLORIDA Visit the places you’re missing most with South Florida PBS KidVision Pre-K virtual field trips at www.youtube.com/user/WPBT2 or on Facebook @southfloridapbskids. Get a 360-degree view of the Miami Children’s Museum, Venetian Pool, Young At Art Museum, Museum of Discovery and Science, Marlins Park, Zoo Miami, Wynwood Walls and more.

SEE THE WORLD Webcams are another great way to escape your living room. See the critters of the San Diego Zoo (zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams), Monterey Bay Aquarium (www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams), Zoo Atlanta (zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/), the Houston Zoo (www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/) and the Georgia Aquarium (www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/).

GET YOUR CRAFT ON Michaels craft store has added DIY ideas and videos to its projects page at www.michaels.com and will host Facebook LIVE broadcasts @Michaels for family-fun activities at 1 p.m. EDT every Wednesday.

JOANN is getting in on the action with new craft-at-home videos posted every weekday at 10 a.m. (kids) and 7 p.m. (adults) at www.youtube.com/user/Joanndotcom or on Facebook and Instagram @joann. Free projects and a free 2-month subscription to Creativebug is offered on www.joann.com.

WORK IT OUT Movement is important for kids, especially if they’ve been stuck at home.

Guide them through some stretching and activities at Cosmic Kids Yoga (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5uIZ2KOZZeQDQo_Gsi_qbQ).

GoNoodle (https://www.gonoodle.com/) is also an excellent choice for fitness fun, and many teachers use GoNoodle in classrooms.

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M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

| miamidadefamilylife.com

Mama turtles get some precious time alone

BY JENNIFER JHON With parks and beaches closed throughout South Florida, and the humans staying at home, other species are reveling in the quiet.

Threatened and endangered sea turtles that nest on Florida beaches are enjoying several benefits from the coronavirus shutdown, said Richard WhiteCloud, the founding director and president of Sea Turtle Oversight Protection, a Broward County nonprofit dedicated to rescuing sea turtle hatchlings.

Not only is the closure reducing direct interactions between humans and turtles, it is reducing the waste and pollution that often accompanies human activity.

“Some people go to beach, have a picnic and leave their trash there. Those secondary impacts from humans just living their lives is going to diminish,“ WhiteCloud said. “The natural world is going to have a little bit of a breather.“ Sea turtle nesting season is happening now, he said, which is good timing for mama turtles.

“People will not be approaching nesting females as much to get a photo, because hopefully not as many people will be on the beach now.“

The biggest benefit for all sea life is that less trash is being left on the beach to wash into the ocean. “That was a large problem for the turtles,“ WhiteCloud said.

For Sea Turtle Oversight Protection, which works for the state monitoring these species, the biggest obstacle presented by the shutdown is making sure it stays healthy and operational.

Local nonprofits, WhiteCloud said, “are going to need the attention and the resources more than ever now to stay functioning.“ He urged people to reach out. “Figure out some way to connect and provide some resources, even if it’s just encouragement, a ’thank you’ on their Facebook page. It goes a long way.“ Learn how to help Sea Turtle Oversight Protection and other South Florida nonprofits at www.miamidadefamilylife.com.

WORKING IT OUT:

Balancing work and play

BY JENNIFER JHON South Florida is several weeks into social distancing, and by now, the stress of being home with the kids might be starting to show. Many parents are attempting to work from home, limiting their ability to supervise the education of their children. But the situation can be managed, said one expert mom.

Letting your kids know what is expected over the course of the day and sticking to a schedule really helps, said Belinda Ivey, a mother of two who works from home for the graphic design firm she co-owns with her husband, Karsten Ivey. She has shared her home office with her two children for six summers, since her son was 5.

In the Ivey household, the morning is for schoolwork, even during the summer. In the afternoons, her children explore other interests, such as art and other creative projects.

Ivey warned it’s important for parents to be present for their kids, even if they are working. “I have to be careful that I’m not sitting on my laptop all day and forget that my kids are here.“ She said lunch is a good time to be together, or they might take a break in the afternoon and play a board game.

With many families forced to share the same space for weeks, it isn’t bad for kids to have some time alone, Ivey said. “Boredom is a good thing. It will force them to be creative.“ Read more at www.miamidadefamilylife.com

Connecting South Florida Parents...

Now More Than Ever

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP @SFLFamilyLife to share information and strengthen our community as we face life at home together

JOIN NOW! • stay informed • share tricks and tips • support local businesses • have fun • get inspired • discover local resources

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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&more

MIAMI

A change of course NEW SCHOOL STANDARDS REPLACING COMMON CORE

P

arents across the state are understandably concerned about how the Coronavirus will continue to affect their children’s school year, but a sweeping state decision in recent months has already altered Florida’s future educational landscape.

The State Board of Education in February made good on Gov. Ron DeSantis’s vow to end Florida’s controversial, decade-long association with Common Core, unanimously adopting a new set of standards for public schools called Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking, or B.E.S.T. “I truly think this is a great next step for students, teachers and parents,” DeSantis said in a news release. “These standards create pathways for students that lead to great college and professional outcomes, and parents will now be able to reinforce what their children are [learning in] the classroom every day. Florida’s B.E.S.T. standards were made by Florida teachers for Florida students, and I know they will be a model for the rest of the nation.”

Under B.E.S.T., Florida will become the first state to require civics education in all grades, as well as short standardized tests. Also, the education department says the new standards focus more on classic literature and a back-to-basics

approach to reading so that students can read well when they leave elementary school. For example, kindergartners should be able to identify all upper- and lower-case letters.

The math standards concentrate more on foundational skills — for example, fourth-graders should know their multiplication and division facts — and add financial literacy to high-school math. Also, under B.E.S.T., the state will pay for SAT or ACT tests for every high school junior until at least 2022.

Adopted by over 40 states, Common Core spells out what students should

learn in language arts and math classes, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

State leaders hoped the standards would improve academic performance by demanding more from students.

Common Core will have a slow demise in Florida because teachers will continue using it this academic year and next.

The plan for B.E.S.T. is for a three-year rollout, introducing the new standards for language arts in the 2021-22 school year and for math the following year, each assessed by new standardized tests.

To read the B.E.S.T. standards, visit fldoe.org/standardsreview.

THE PURR-FECT DAY FOR PETS April is a month of special days, starting with April Fool’s Day and continuing on to Passover, Easter and Ramadan — not to mention Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12. For pet lovers, however, it’s the day before that holds special significance.

April 11 is National Pet Day, an unofficial holiday that encourages us to love our pets a little more — maybe take them for an extra long walk or spend a few more minutes with them. But it’s also a day to spread the love to pets who might not get that extra attention, such as those at a sick friend’s home or at a shelter.

For your own pets — whether birds, hamsters, cats or dogs — National Pet Day is an excellent time to: • Go through their toys, throw out any that are no longer safe, and maybe buy a new one or two for your “furever” family member.

• Take pictures of your pets and share them on social media at #NationalPetDay or @NationalPetDay.

• If you haven’t already, pet-proof your home by keeping cords, toxins and items such as phone chargers out of your pets’ reach.

• Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date, and schedule a vet appointment if they’re not.

• Check collars to ensure tags are secure and contact numbers are current, especially if you have moved or changed numbers.

• If you’re feeling especially celebratory, make it a purr-fect day for your pets by throwing them a Pet Day party.

You can also make the day special for other pets: • Help out ill or incapacitated pet owners you may know by buying pet food or other pet necessities for them.

• Donate money, food, toys and/or blankets to an animal welfare organization. Or better yet, volunteer at a shelter.

• Sign up for Shelter Pet PR on www.dosomething.org to act as a publicist for your local shelter to help pets find homes.

• Adopt a pet who needs a home — the best way to celebrate the occasion.

PRACTICING POSITIVE PARENTING Have you ever wished there was a school for parents on how to handle the challenges of raising children?

In Miami-Dade County, there is.

The Parent Club is a series of workshops funded by The Children’s Trust, the taxpayer-funded organization behind a variety of programs designed to help children in Miami-Dade succeed.

These free workshops, held at libraries, schools, churches, parks and community centers, are led by local parenting experts who teach parents how to raise children to be successful, healthy and happy.

The 90-minute workshops, geared for parents of children up to age 12, or parents of teens up to age 16, include free childcare for ages 3-12, a snack and a raffle drawing.

They are taught in English, Spanish and Creole at various locations, and they are designed to introduce effective parenting strategies to try at home.

The Parent Club has six workshops for parents of children up to age 12: • Positive Parenting, which introduces concepts such as ensuring a safe environment and having reasonable expectations.

• Raising Confident, Competent Children, which introduces six core competencies for children to become confident and successful at school and beyond.

• Raising Resilient Children, which teaches children to manage their feelings and become resilient in dealing with life stress.

• The Building Blocks of Child Development, which introduces five core areas for child development and when to seek additional support.

• The Building Blocks of Positive Behavior, which introduces six core building blocks of calm and effective child behavior management.

• The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting, which introduces concepts such as daily play-time with your child and letting go of little things.

Workshops for parents of teens include Raising Responsible Teenagers (reliable, assertive and respectful), Raising Competent Teenagers (with self-discipline and problem-solving) and Getting Teenagers Connected (confident, socially skilled and committed).

Parents may attend just one workshop or all in a series, in any order convenient for them. Learn more about the program and access a schedule of events throughout Miami-Dade County at www.thechildrenstrust.org/parent-club.

School & community resources at your fingertips As the Coronavirus outbreak worsens in South Florida and more drastic social-distancing measures are enforced, the need for online educational support has grown.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools has a wealth of resources online at www.dadeschools.net, including digital textbook access and access to learning programs such as i-Ready, Edgenuity, Gizmos, Discovery Education, Math Nation and more. The district also has an Instructional Continuity Plan already in place that helps guarantee distance learning access for students when schools are closed.

At Miami-Dade Family Life, we are committed to our community and will do everything we can to inform and inspire our readers as this crisis continues to unfold. Please bookmark our webpage, www.MiamiDadeFamilyLife.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @MiamiDadeFamilyLife, where we will work to bring the world to your doorstep as we experience this unprecedented time together.

We fervently wish you and your family good health and hope, and we look forward to meeting you out in the community once the danger has passed.

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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Swing

Many public events are being affected by the Coron avirus outbreak. Please che ck for possible cancellation s before attending an y South Florida event.

into

Spring

AS SPRINGTIME ARRIVES IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, EGGSTRAORDINARY CELEBRATIONS ARE PLANNED, COMPLETE WITH EGG HUNTS, BUNNY VISITS, CRAFTS AND MORE FAMILY FUN COMPILED BY SHANNON PEASE-SEVERANCE BUNNYPALOOZA EGGSTREME EGG HUNT Saturday, April 11 Kids can find special eggs and win prizes at Jaycee Park, Phillips Park, Salvadore Park, Sunrise Harbor Park or War Memorial Youth Center at simultaneous egg hunts that begin at 10am.Youth Center includes a helicopter egg drop. 305-460-5600 www.coralgables.com/eggstreme-egg-hunt

EGGSPLORE FAIRCHILD Sunday, April 12 Bring a basket to hunt through the Palmetum for thousands of eggs filled with goodies.

Reservations are available for two hunts for kids ages 1-5 and 6-12. Included with paid admission to the Garden. Registration required.

9am-1pm, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., 305-667-1651 www.fairchildgarden.org

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Saturday, April 4 Spring into fun with an egg hunt, balloon twisting, a bounce house, music, photos with the Easter Bunny, children’s activities and more.

Ages 9 and younger. 10am-1pm, Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 St., 786-573-5502 www.cutlerbay-fl.gov

EGGSTRAVAGANZA Saturday, April 4 Hop on over to Doral Central Park for a day filled with egg hunts, carnival rides, games and other family-friendly activities. Food, refreshments, ride wristbands and photos with the Bunny will be on sale at the event. 9am, Doral Central Park, 3000 NW 87 Ave., 305-593-6611 www.cityofdoral.com

EGGSTRAVAGANZA Saturday, April 11 Bring a basket for an immense egg hunt featuring more than 50,000 eggs, a Kids Zone and live entertainment. $6/egg hunt, $12/rides, $15/all access. 10am-3pm, Milander Park, 4700 Palm Ave., www.hialeahfl.gov

EASTER BUNNY CUPCAKES Saturday, April 4 Get creative while making colorful Easter Bunny cupcakes to take home. 4-5pm, Little River Branch Library, 160 NE 79 St., 305-751-8689 www.mdpls.org

CELEBRATE EASTER Monday, April 6 Families can spend the evening listening to Easter stories and making holiday crafts together. For children ages 6-11. 6-7pm, Golden Glades Branch Library, 100 NE 166 St., Miami, 305-787-1544 www.mdpls.org

Friday-Sunday, April 10-12 Have non-stop fun on Easter weekend with egg hunts, rides, visits from the Easter Bunny, Easter parades, live entertainment, a Kids Foam Zone and more. Visit website for admission fees and packages. 11am-4pm, Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, 305-361-5705 www.miamiseaquarium.com/bunnypalooza

EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS & CELEBRATION Saturday, April 11 Spring into fun with arts and crafts, face painting, music and more during the mall’s Easter Celebration.

1-3pm, Mall of the Americas, 7795 W. Flagler St., Miami, www.malloftheamericas.com

EASTER CRAFT Saturday, April 11 Make your own colorful Easter basket wall hanger using craft sticks and other materials. 12:30-1:30pm, Lemon City Branch Library, 430 NE 61 St., 305-757-0662 www.mdpls.org

DINO EGG SAFARI Saturday-Sunday, April 11-12 Kids ages 12 and under can hop over to the zoo for egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, music and a chance to see some zoo animals receive a special holiday treat. Included with paid zoo admission.

11am-4pm, Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152 St., 305-255-5551 www.zoomiami.org

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MAY 3

Miami Family Favorite 2020 NOMINEE

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SPRING FLING Saturday-Sunday, April 11-12 Springtime fun includes egg hunts (11am-2pm), spring-inspired sensory bins, egg-shaped art and a Peter Rabbit story time. Included with paid admission of $15/Florida resident. 10am-6pm, Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Causeway, 305-373-5437 www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY AND SKY EGG DROP

S E A S O N

Saturday, April 11 Fun for the whole family featuring a sky egg drop and egg hunt, arts and crafts, music, games, prizes and giveaways. Noon-5pm, Rolling Oaks Park, 18701 NW 17 Ave., 305-622-8000 www.miamigardens-fl.gov

EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 11 Kids can have some fun scooping up eggs during this community event. Tickets available in advance at the Community Center. $2/Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens resident, $10/non-resident. Egg hunts for ages 2-5 start at 10am, and ages 6-11 at 10:30am.

10am-noon, Stafford Park, 501 East Dr., www.miamisprings-fl.gov

RAPUNZEL TICKETS at aventuracenter.org Box Office 877.311.7469 Groups 954.660.6307 @aventuracenter

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Saturday, April 11 Spring into some fun with an egg hunt for children ages 12 and under, games, music, treats and more.

Admission is $1/person. 10am, Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park, 1725 NE 135 St., 305-895-9840 www.northmiamifl.gov

BIG BUNNY INVASION Fridays-Sundays, April 3-5, 10-12 & 17-19 See breathtaking 25-foot sculptures of rabbits in this light-art exhibition. The spring celebration also includes nightly activities, vendors and more. $7. 6:30-8:30pm, Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Rd., 305-669-6990 www.pinecrestgardens.org

EASTER EGG HUNT Wednesday, April 8 There is a lot “hoppening” at this spring event that includes an egg hunt and entertainment for the whole family. 4-6pm, Marshall Williamson Park, 6125 SW 68 St., 305-668-3873 www.southmiamifl.gov

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Many public events are being affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. Please check for possible cancellations before attending any South Florida event.

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April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

17

Family FAVORITE Miami-Dade

nominees

The nominees are in! We’ve collected your favorite places throughout Miami-Dade County in categories from your favorite park and place to swim to favorite party place, family restaurant, pediatric dentist and more. Now it’s time to take your nominations to the next level! Visit www.MiamiDadeFamilyLife.com now through April 30, 2020, and vote for your family favorites! The best in Miami-Dade County will be announced in the July issue of Miami-Dade Family Life magazine.

FAMILY FUN FAVORITE BEACH

BunnyPalooza at Miami Seaquarium

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand

Fun & Fit as a Family

Snorkeling tour at John Pennekamp State Park

Jazz at MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art

Crandon Park Beach Haulover Park Beach Miami Beach South Beach

Zoo Miami

Miami-Dade Youth Fair

FAVORITE SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM

NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Sunny Isles Beach

FAVORITE PLACE TO SWIM & SPLASH

Redland Blues & Barbecue Festival

Bucky Dent Water Park

World Oceans Day at Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

Flamingo Park Aquatic Center

Zoo Boo at Zoo Miami

Grapeland Water Park

Zoo Lights Miami

McDonald Water Park

FAVORITE SOUTH FLORIDA ATTRACTION

Miami Shores Aquatic Center

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Miami Book Fair

Bass Museum History Miami Miami Children’s Museum Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami Perez Art Museum Miami Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Tidal Cove Waterpark at Turnberry Resort

Candytopia at Aventura Mall

FAVORITE PARK OR PLAYGROUND

Coral Castle

A.D. Barnes Park

Venetian Pool

Deering Estate

Crandon Park

FAVORITE FAMILY EVENT

Everglades National Park

Fisher Park

Annual Tree Lighting at Shops at Merrick Park

Jungle Island

Muss Park

Miami Seaquarium

Oleta River State Park

Scott Rakow Youth Center

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NOMINEES

Sabrina’s ADA Accessible Playground at Allison Park, Miami Beach Tamiami Park Tropical Park

FAVORITE LOCAL ADVENTURE Duck Tours South Beach El Loro Pirate Ship

ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

IPIC Theaters

FAVORITE INDOOR PLAYGROUND FOR LITTLE ONES

Kubo Play

Chuck E. Cheese IGi Playground Miami Planet Kids Indoor Playground and Café POD 22

Jumpin’ Jamboree Little Divas Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center Miami Children’s Museum Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Homestead Miami Speedway

FAVORITE INDOOR DESTINATION FOR OLDER KIDS

Knaus Berry Farm berry picking

Bubble Strike Miami

Topgolf

Shark Valley Tram Tours and Bicycle Tours

Dezerland Park FunDimension

FAVORITE ARTS PROGRAM (Dance, Theatre, Art or Music)

SuperFlight at Jungle Island

Kings Dining & Entertainment

Encore Academy of the Arts

Zoological Wildlife Foundation Miami

Ninja Lounge @ Dezerland Park

Hip Hop Kidz

FAVORITE SOUTH FLORIDA RESORT OR HOTEL FOR FAMILIES

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

MAD Performing Arts

The Biltmore Hotel

Sky Zone

Fountainbleau Hilton

FAVORITE PARTY PLACE

MOCA miniMakers

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort

Chuck E. Cheese

The Art Shack Miami

Shelbourne South Beach

Funtasmic

FlowRider at Tidal Cove Waterpark

Scott Rakow Youth Center

Silly Monkeys Playhouse

Mady’s Dance Factory Miami Children’s Museum Miami Fine Arts Academy

continued on next page

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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NOMINEES FAVORITE FITNESS FUN

Moshi Moshi

FAVORITE BREAKFAST PLACE

Dave & Mary Alper JCC

Rice Mediterranean Kitchen

11th Street Diner

Focused Movement Academy

Shake Shack

Denny’s

IK School of Gymnastics

FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE

First Watch

Andiamo! Pizza

Graziano’s

Mama Jennie’s

Greenstreet Cafe

Master’s Pizza

Jimmy’s Diner

Kids Fitness Palace Miami Beach JCC My Gym The Health Joint

MOD Pizza

Latin Cafe 2000

FAVORITE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Pizza Rustica

Outrageous Bagel Company

Sir Pizza

Code Ninjas

Roasters ‘N Toasters

Spris Pizza

Miami Gymnastics & Dance Academy

Taste Bakery Cafe

The Big Cheese

The Egg Spot

Sunny Athletics Gymnastics

FAVORITE BURGER JOINT

Teen Art Force at Museum of Contemporary Art

BurgerFi

The Gymnastics Academy

Elevation Burger

YMCA

Five Guys

FAVORITE ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT/TUTORING PROGRAM

Fuddruckers Pincho Factory Shake Shack

FAVORITE FARMERS’ MARKET Coconut Grove Organic Market Legion Park Farmers Market Lincoln Road Farmers’ Market Pinecrest Farmers’ Market Southwest Community Farmers Market in Tropical Park

Huntington Learning Center

Shula Burger

International College Counselors

Yardbird Southern Table and Bar

Kumon

FAVORITE HEALTHY FOOD SPOT (Vegetarian/Vegan/ Gluten-Free)

FAVORITE PEDIATRICIAN

Diced

Pediatric Associates

Earth Miami Green Gables Café

FAVORITE HOSPITAL FOR PEDIATRICS

HOLI Vegan Kitchen & Bar

Baptist Children’s Hospital

Love Life Cafe Rice Mediterranean Kitchen

Holtz Children’s Hospital @ Jackson Memorial

Simple Healthy Food

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

FAVORITE RESTAURANT WHERE KIDS EAT FREE (or almost free)

FAVORITE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM

Mathnasium Sylvan Learning Center

FAVORITE CAMP PROGRAM Art Thyme Bricks 4 Kids Miami Beach JCC Miami Seaquarium Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science Teen Art Force at Museum of Contemporary Art Wild About Sports Academy

HEALTH & FITNESS Dr. Sandy Lieberman, Beachside Pediatrics

Holtz Children’s Hospital

FAVORITE INFANT/TODDLER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Bru’s Room

Baby Stars

Chevys Fresh Mex

Gymboree

Denny’s

FAVORITE URGENT CARE CENTER

Miami Beach JCC

Duffy’s Sports Grill

MD Now

Miami Children’s Museum Music in Motion

IKEA

Nicklaus Children’s Urgent Care Center

The Original Pancake House

UHealth Jackson Urgent Care

Silly Monkeys Playhouse

Texas de Brazil

Urgent Care | Baptist Health

FAVORITE PLACE FOR FROZEN TREATS

FAVORITE PEDIATRIC DENTIST/ORTHODONTIST

Azucar Ice Cream Company

Sunday Stories at Museum of Contemporary Art

EATS & TREATS

Carolina Ale House

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

FAVORITE RESTAURANT

Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream

American Pediatric Dental Group Kendall

Biscayne Bay Brewing Company

Cream

Dr. Michael Brody, DDS

David’s Cuban Cafe

Mr. Kream Wynwood

Little Stars Dentistry of Miami Shores

Glass & Vine

Shake Shack

Main Street Children’s Dentistry

Green Street Café

Sugar Factory

Miami Orthodontist Group

Havana Harry’s

Swensen’s Grill & Ice Cream Parlor

Pediatric Dental Associates

Il Gabbiano

The Frieze Ice Cream Factory

Pinecrest Orthodontics

Kabobji

Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

King’s Dining & Entertainment

Whip ‘n Dip

South Miami Pediatric Dental Associates

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FAVORITE FACILITY OR PROVIDER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe

Broward Broward Family Family Favorite Favorite

Our Grounds Parent to Parent of Miami The Children’s Trust The WOW Center Miami

2020 2020 NOMINEE NOMINEE

FAVORITE PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL NEEDS AMC Sensory Friendly Films Carrie Brazer Center for Autism Sensory Friendly Shows at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

IN M K S | E N T E R TA FO O D & D R IN

SE E IN E N T | SI G H T

G

R I A N E P O AN E R U T N E V D A

FAVORITE MATERNITY HOSPITAL Baptist Hospital | Baptist Health

1935 A LS | SI N C E E XOT IC A N IM | S IE T R PA GROUP

Jackson Memorial Hospital Kendall Regional Medical Center Mount Sinai Medical Center South Miami Hospital | Baptist Health

PLACES TO SHOP FAVORITE STORE FOR KIDS’ STUFF A to Z Toys C’est Chou by Sienna I Know Science Toy Store & Sci-Lab Ideal Baby and Kids Kiddin’ Around Consignment Boutique Learning Express Toys Luna Baby Nini & Loli

FAVORITE MALL OR SHOPPING CENTER Aventura Mall CityPlace Doral Dadeland Mall Mall of the Americas The Falls The Shops at Merrick Park The Shops at Sunset Place

FAVORITE KIDS’ ACTIVITY AT A SHOPPING DESTINATION Candytopia at Aventura Mall Cool de Sac at Dolphin Mall Just 4 Fun at The Shops at Sunset Place Slide Tower at Aventura Mall

FAVORITE STORE FOR KIDS’ DECOR Ideal Baby and Kids Pili Carrera Pottery Barn Kids

$

RIVERBOATS

5 OFF ADULTS, 3 OFF CHILDREN (3-12) WITH ONLINE BOOKING CODE: BFL $

VALID THRU 12/20/2020. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.

JungleQueen.com | (954) 462-5596 | Fort Lauderdale family life.-map guide.indd 1

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I 3/13/20 LY L I F E2:25 PM 21

FAMILY matters

Parenting’s latest lingo ARE YOU A HELICOPTER OR A JELLYFISH?

BY CHERYL MAGUIRE

W

hen I was growing up, parents were referred to as, well, parents. But nowadays, it is hard to keep up with the trendy terms to describe people who raise children.

First there were helicopter parents, then lawnmower parents, and now we have snowplow parents.

I wonder what the next machine metaphor will be. Since land and air vehicles have been covered, maybe submarine? Turns out there is one of those already.

Besides machines, there are animal and invertebrate types of parents.

Do animals also gather around and

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coin terms for their parents? Would they say, “You are really acting like a human parent right now”?

Maybe that could be the basis of the next Disney Pixar movie. Until then, here is a cheat sheet of the latest lingo.

THE ANIMAL/INVERTEBRATE PARENTS Jellyfish Parent. A jellyfish parent is permissive and doesn’t create many rules or expectations. They often give in to avoid confrontation and lack a backbone, just like a jellyfish.

How do you know you are acting like one? Your kid has been whining all day to eat their Halloween candy. Even though you know they can’t handle

| miamidadefamilylife.com

eating sugar, you hand over the bag and let them have at it. When they are running around the house, unable to go to sleep, you realize that saying “no” would have been easier than dealing with your current Tasmanian Devil.

Tiger Parent. Tiger parents are strict and demanding. They prioritize academic and extracurricular success.

How do you know you are acting like one? Your favorite show is Dance Moms, and you think the media has unjustly demonized the moms who are only trying to help their kids be on Broadway.

Elephant Parent. Elephant parents are the opposite of tiger parents (although

I would have picked a koala bear or something cute and cuddly as the opposite).

They focus on nurturing and encouraging instead of tough love and being demanding.

These parents are protective of their young and intervene at the first sign of danger.

Sometimes these types of parents can be jellyfish-like in that they are permissive and lack boundaries. (Again not seeing the similarity to an actual elephant — maybe I should help coin these terms.)

How do you know you are acting like one? Not only did you have a video cam on your baby’s bassinet, but you also situated the monitor directly next to your bed. At the first hint of a whimper, you sprang out of bed and placed your baby next to you, where you wanted the baby to be all along.

than mowing. But they are similar in the sense that they remove any obstacles in their child’s way. The snowplow parent does not want their child to have to deal with problems, so the parent intervenes and fixes them.

I guess the people who reside in the cold weather wanted their own term since it is pretty much the same as the lawnmower parent — just, you know, more powerful.

How do you know you are acting like one? You deliver your child’s forgotten jacket, mittens and hat to the school so that they can go outside for recess even though you are fully aware that they wore shorts and short sleeves to school. And you know they didn’t forget, but rather chose not to bring any of those items because they have

no intention of wearing them.

THE MACHINE PARENTS Helicopter Parent. A helicopter parent Bulldozer Parent. See definition for is one who hovers over their Snowplow. This one is child’s every move and helps for the warmer-climate when needed. They tend to parents who were worry a lot about their child. not happy with the You hover next to your How do you know you are lawnmower metaphor child as they eat a acting like one? You hover and wanted a more hotdog that has been cut next to your child as they robust descriptor. into so many pieces that eat a hotdog that has been They also never shoveled it resembles grains cut into so many pieces that 15 feet of cold, wet snow of sand on a beach it resembles grains of sand in freezing temperatures, instead of food. on a beach instead of food. and therefore they You then count the bites don’t comprehend how they consume to make sure powerful and savior-like they are receiving the proper a snowplow is when it nutrition. If they haven’t clears the road. reached 15 bites, you tell them they How do you know you are acting like need to eat one more bite before they one? Before your kid goes to the beach, leave the table. not only do you pack sunscreen, towels, Lawnmower Parent: Lawnmower 10 water bottles and 100 snacks, you also parents are more aggressive than the apply the sunscreen to your teenager, helicopter parent. Like a lawnmower that cuts grass or anything in its path, the lawnmower parent mows away obstacles so their child doesn’t have to experience them.

How do you know you are acting like one? When your kid calls, texts or sends a smoke signal to you that they forgot their lunch, you rush it over to the school faster than a FedEx delivery truck. Ditto for homework, sports equipment and a water bottle. The thought of your child lacking in hydration for five minutes sends you into a tailspin.

Snowplow Parent. The snowplow parent is more aggressive than a lawnmower parent since plowing requires more force

who is fully capable of depressing the button on the sunscreen spray bottle.

SO WHICH ONE ARE YOU? I’ll admit, I’ve probably exhibited symptoms of all these types of parents over the years. When you have three kids, you are going to resort to whatever works in the moment. So instead of referring to parents as machines or animals, maybe we can just call them what they are: superheroes.

Cheryl Maguire holds a master of counseling psychology degree and honorary status as a Tiger Elephant Snowplow Whiz.

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April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

23

FAMILY dynamics

Don’t dare to compare HOW TO HONOR CHILDREN’S INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

BY SARAH LYONS

A

s a mother of six children, I have found myself comparing one child to another many times.

I know their physical, emotional and intellectual development will progress at a rate unique to each child, and each will have their own strengths and weaknesses.

But it is hard not to think “Your sister never did this” in the middle of a tantrum over a seemingly trivial problem.

Parents often battle the urge to compare one child to another. It is a natural reaction, considering we use comparisons to make decisions involving nearly every other aspect of our lives.

When dealing with two or more children, we must do the exact opposite of this natural tendency.

“This was hard for me when my son was younger. He had several developmental

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delays, and I would struggle with comparing him to where his sister was at that age,” said Ashley Clark, a mother of two. “I knew it wasn’t healthy for any of us, and I had to let it go.”

Comparing siblings can have negative effects because it can create jealousy, sibling rivalry, feelings of self-doubt and negative effects on the parent-child relationship. We know each child is different, with their own gifts, struggles and personality, which affect how they grow, learn and develop. So how do we learn to appreciate these differences rather than compare them?

Identify their strengths. When the urge to compare your children arises, identify the strengths of each child. One may have an excellent sense of coordination and excel in physical development and, later, in

| miamidadefamilylife.com

sports. Another child may have no interest in sports but have a knack for listening to others and perceiving how they are feeling.

Compassion and caretaking may come naturally to a child with these strengths.

“It helps to see how their differences help all of us as a whole,” said Elizabeth DeArmond, a mother of four. “We balance each other out.”

While taking notes on strengths, acknowledge areas where each child may struggle, and allow more patience and instruction in this area without putting the child down.

We all have different strengths and struggles, and we need to learn to embrace them. As your child grows, keep your expectations in line with their abilities and interests.

Focus on the child’s efforts. Instead of

comparing one child’s struggles to another child’s successes, try to focus on each child’s efforts and improvements.

“I have to remind myself that the kids are all different and continue to train them accordingly,” said Kelly Lawton, a mother of five. “Eventually they will mature at their own pace and will ultimately grow into productive, independent adults.”

Things come easily to some, while others put in hard work to gain the same result.

Instead of noting the ease with which one child can accomplish tasks, take note and celebrate the child who is putting in the most effort, and congratulate them on any improvements made.

“Once I embraced their differences, I could appreciate where they are as little people,” Clark said.

Celebrate individual milestones. As parents, we desire to be “fair” to all of our children. I noticed as my children grew, I became so focused on being fair that I was missing the celebration of the individual milestones that were important and meaningful to each child.

Being fair is a great goal, but part of that is appreciating each child’s differences rather than comparing them as a group.

When you notice your child has a new accomplishment, share it with the entire family at dinner. It lets them know you pay attention to their individual success.

No one wants to hear “Why can’t you be more like your sister?” Comparisons feel like judgment. While it goes against our natural instinct, we must learn to see the individuality in our children.

“My twin girls are emotionally different, which has led me to parent each one differently. The sensitive one needs gentle corrections, while the other responds better to timeouts and words of affirmation,” said Jennifer Klindworth. “When we have the chance, we separate them and go on outings for one-on-one time. It is amazing how different they are when they are not competing for attention.”

Loving and appreciating your children for their differences doesn’t mean you love one more than other. It means you have learned to love each of them for their unique qualities.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to six children, which gives her ample opportunity to celebrate their individuality.

How to Celebrate Differences in Your Children • Treat them as individuals • Seek out what makes them unique • Recognize their strengths and struggles • Choose activities they love • Foster separate friendships • Listen to what they say • Give them choices • Spend one-on-one time with each child

April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

25

HOME tech

Socially responsible IN AN APP-HAPPY WORLD, HERE’S HOW TO KEEP KIDS SAFE

BY CHRISTINE ELGERSMA

F

or some parents, trying to stay on top of their kids’ social media usage is like playing technology whack-a-mole: By the time you’ve got your Snapchat ready to deliver, your kids have moved on to Instagram or TikTok. In the ever-evolving world of apps, it’s often a dizzying challenge for parents to keep up. Kids’ natural ability to gravitate fluidly to the next cool thing can reinforce parental worries that their kids might be vulnerable to social media pitfalls.

For parents trying to stay a step ahead, here’s a guide to some of the most common social media red flags, the apps they’re found in and how to deal with them.

Most kids use apps safely, so a red flag doesn’t necessarily mean they should avoid a particular app. Also, problematic features can usually be disabled.

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Remember, the best approach is talking to your children about using social media safely, responsibly and respectfully.

ADS AND IN-APP PURCHASES. Examples: Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat.

Many free apps make their money by providing purchase opportunities.

Some track what you buy and show you targeted ads, and some even offer targeted chats with businesses, which means your kid could be invited into a chat with someone trying to sell a product.

What to do: Set limits with your kids about in-app purchases and check out the types of ads. Then alert your kids to the different kinds of digital marketing and discuss how they should respond if someone tries to sell them something online.

AGE-INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT. Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat. Sure,

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messages from your kids’ friends can be more explicit than you’d like — sexting is a prime offender — but perhaps a bigger concern is an app that features user-generated content inappropriate for your kid’s age.

What to do: Ask your kids whom they follow and ask to see what’s being posted. Use the app yourself and get a sense of what comes up in an average feed. Then try searching to see how easy it is to find troubling content.

Check the app’s terms of use to see what is allowed and whether users can flag violators.

ANONYMITY. Yolo, Whisper, Lipsi.

Hiding behind their anonymity, people on certain sites can feel they are untouchable and end up hurting other users. Also, though kids may feel safe enough to share sensitive or painful

things, they may be attacked for it and not receive the support they need.

What to do: Make sure your teens understand the risks and know how to block and report other users. Also, if they need to talk about a problem they’re uncomfortable sharing with you, provide opportunities for them to share with other trusted people.

CYBERBULLYING. Instagram, Snapchat, Roblox, Twitter. This remains a major concern that can happen on any social-media app. If it allows anonymous posting and is used in schools, it’s a safe bet it will be abused.

What to do: Try to get a sense of any trouble by asking around and paying attention to what parents, teachers and other kids are saying. Make sure your kids understand how to report and block

Embarrassing or mean moments are easily captured and shared later.

What to do: Try to find out why your kids want to share videos of themselves and discuss what’s appropriate.

Direct your teen’s creativity toward constructive uses, like using editing programs to create shorts or creating an interest-based channel.

SECRET CHAT ROOMS. Discord, IMVU. Whether invitation-only or drop-in, chat rooms are risky because they are open to no-holds-barred conversations. Some private chats are intended for sexual content; others are forums for hate speech.

Even if kids create private groups to avoid the problems associated with public groups, chat rooms still make it more difficult for parents to know what their kids are doing online.

other users, and refer to school policy on cyberbullying.

LOCATION TRACKING AND SHARING. Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram. Wherever you go, your social media apps may know about it. When you allow location identification — even if your profile only indicates a city or neighborhood — you’re often tracked within a city block, and your posts can include your location.

What to do: Turn off location settings on the phone AND in the app. Then check to see whether previous posts include location information and delete it.

PUBLIC DEFAULT SETTINGS. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter. Profiles are public by default on some apps, meaning a kid’s name, picture and posts are available to everyone.

What to do: As soon as you download the app, go into the settings to check the

What to do: It’s OK if kids create or use a private chat room with friends to safeguard against strangers, but you should have them tell you before they join so you can check it out. In general, kids should be cautioned about joining chat rooms and to be on the alert for predatory behavior.

“TEMPORARY” PICTURES AND VIDEOS. Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Confide. Pictures and texts of a compromising nature get kids in hot water because nothing shared between devices is truly private or temporary.

What to do: Let your kids know that nothing they send will disappear, and that it’s easy for others to share what they’ve sent. Explain to your kids how “disappearing” pictures got others into trouble — and that there’s no reason it couldn’t happen to them.

defaults. If a kid is using the same program on a browser, check there, too.

RANDOM OR LIVE VIDEO CHAT. HOLLA, Monkey, ChatLive. Any app that invites kids to “meet new friends” is in some way enabling chats with strangers, and it usually has lots of sexual content and adults trying to hook up.

What to do: It might be best for your teens to meet new friends via an app based on a particular interest, with text-based group forums so they can find their people.

REAL-TIME VIDEO STREAMING. YouNow, Instagram, Twitch. Live streaming makes it very easy for kids to share personal information they didn’t mean to without knowing exactly who’s watching.

TOXIC CULTURE. 4Chan, 8Chan, Discord, Twitch. Some sites and apps attract trolls and other confrontational-types who get in your face to express extreme views.

Some kids are drawn into this provocative communication, even though it can quickly escalate into bullying, sexism and hate speech.

What to do: Toxic culture can really mess with kids’ self-esteem. Seek to understand why your kids want to use certain platforms, and assure that they know how to deflect negativity and then report it.

This story was reprinted from Common Sense Media, where Christine Elgersma serves as Senior Editor of Parent Education.

Beth Black Photography (954) 806-5041 BethBlackPhotography@gmail.com BethBlackPhotography.com April 2020 | M I A M I - D A D E F A M I LY L I F E

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SUMMER CAMP SHOWCASE

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WORDS of wisdom

Keep it simple EASY WAYS TO EMBRACE LESS STUFF

BY KATHRYN STREETER

A

s an urban mama, I raised my kids by necessity in small places. One of the greatest unintended side effects, I discovered, is that less space served as an automatic check on rash purchases. More profoundly, it forced me to get creative.

There are many good reasons to live a simple, uncluttered life, but getting kids to agree to less “stuff” can be challenging.

How can you foster discipline and good habits in kids so they will cooperate with the effort to cut back?

Having a plan can help you and your kids adopt a happier-with-less mindset.

Our giving game, aka how to encourage recycling. Each month, I combed through the house, garbage bag in tow, sorting out what we didn’t need anymore to take to our local thrift store. Goal: Sell the recycling concept by passing our unused stuff to others. “It’s no longer useful to us, but I guarantee, it will be for someone else,” I said.

Today’s kids are socially conscious creatures, after all.

Something leaves when something new enters the house.

When a new article of clothing appeared, another piece of clothing had to leave. I allowed drawers and closet space to determine how much was enough. When toys bulged and didn’t fit, my thought wasn’t to shuffle things down to the basement or to the attic. We had neither. Truth is, it’s liberating to adopt the habit of cycling things out when new things come in. Pass along this happy vibe to your kids through your tone and word choice to encourage kids’ cheerful cooperation.

Talk openly with your kids in new, honest ways about possessions. In teaching our kids good stewardship and enjoyment of what they do possess, we should engage them in thoughtful conversation about taking care of what we own.

That once-loved watch buried in a drawer? Get the battery changed or part with it. What we care about, we’ll use and maintain in mint condition, like my sneaker-head teen son does today with his prize collection, which is neatly displayed on his closet shelf.

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Be sure to walk the talk. Taking steps to repair, donate or sell things around the house that aren’t being used will model good stewardship to our kids.

Identify areas of excess. Keeping track of possessions is tough. Have you ever thought, “I know I have C batteries around here somewhere,” but since you can’t track them down, you have to go out and buy them — again? The same goes for our kids. I’m not the only one who has been cornered by a distraught child missing a part of their school uniform or earbuds. At the end of the day, when things get lost in our homes, it’s easy to blame it on haphazard organization.

But it could be a picture of excess, plain and simple.

Cutting back will help us enjoy the stuff we really need and truly love. Best of all, less distracting clutter in our homes opens up more mental space, enabling us to better enjoy those busy little people in our midst, who are worth far more than all the stuff in the world.

Kathryn Streeter is a freelance writer whose stories have appeared in numerous publications. She is looking forward to a good spring cleaning now that the season has arrived.

Reaching new heights in pediatric care for 70 years

March 20, 2020 Our 70th birthday

July 9, 2019 Opening of the Fetal Care Center, a 10-bed, high-risk infant special delivery unit.

October 25, 2016 The Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion opens.

March 20, 2015

For 70 years the highest-quality,

Miami Children’s Hospital is renamed Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

world-class pediatric care has been right here in your own backyard. Nicklaus Children’s has been committed to providing

2010 Miami Children’s forges a relationship with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.

children and their families the most innovative treatments by the most experienced team in the region. This is the foundation on

1998 Dan Marino Outpatient Center opens.

which we built and continue to build our reputation as a leader in pediatric care. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. For health. For life.

1986 A new 213,000-square-foot hospital is dedicated.

1983 Variety Children’s Hospital is renamed Miami Children’s Hospital.

1965 The hospital opens its first intensive care unit.

1958 The hospital becomes a teaching hospital to prepare doctors in the field of pediatrics.

March 20, 1950

3100 SW 62 Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 305-666-6511

nicklauschildrens.org

Variety Children’s Hospital opens to the public.