FAMILY Magazine April 2015 by FAMILY Magazines of Michiana

April 2015 • Moms Just Know • Free

SPECIAL SECTION:

The Witwers:

An Autistic Family

Child Care & Preschools

+ 101

College Test Prep

Gardening

With Your Kids Morning

Sickness Serving: Granger • Mishawaka • Elkhart • South Bend • Goshen • Niles Edwardsburg • Middlebury & Surrounding Communities

SAVE THE DATE

05|27|15 WEDNESDAY @ 8:30AM

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT DAY Wednesday, May 27 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN Don’t miss this event, featuring women leaders from our region who will inspire, empower and transform your Mind, Body & Spirit. Visit michianasassy.com for updates.

SPONSORED BY:

IN THE NEXT ISSUE: Girl Power & Boy Strength

If you would like your business and/or service to be included in the next issue, call The FAMILY Magazines at 574.387.5420 to reserve your space. Space is limited.

Contributors President & Publisher: Betsy Tavernier

Betsy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Managing Editor: Jessica Haviland

Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER

Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud

Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Medical Editor: S. Jesse Hsieh, M.D. Distribution Managers: Mike Trentacosti Kevin Reynolds Family Magazines of Michiana would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@Michianafamilymagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines PO BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 â&#x20AC;˘ FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com The FAMILY Magazines April 2015 Established in 2006. All rights reserved. Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication. Read The FAMILY Magazines online each month! Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way! Volume 9: Number 4

Find the Hidden Acorn! For your enjoyment and fun!

TheFamilyMagazineOfMichiana

Katie has been a South Bend resident her whole life. In business for 10 years (7 with her husband), she has dedicated her career to providing authentic portraiture to couples and families. She home schools her 7-year-old Autistic son while maintaining excellent customer service to all of her clients.

Have an Upcoming Event?

Check out www.MichianaMom.com and post your events to our online calendar for FREE!

@FamilyMagazines FamilyMagazine TheFamilyMag www.MichianaMom.com Please use the information compiled by Michiana Family Magazines for your research. Michiana Family Magazines recommends that parents and families interview each business or organization to make sure that it is safe and a good fit for your family. The information presented here and provided by Michiana Family Magazines is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, Michiana Family Magazines does not, in any way, accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information and/or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents and families to confirm any information given herein through additional research. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Michiana Family Magazines LLC, its officers, editors, staff or contributors. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Things

We Learned Making

The April Issue

Photography: Classic image photography Makeup: Camellia Maalouf, Camellia Cosmetics Granger

Things We (at FAMILY)

Love

Right Now!

1. The Resurrection 2. Coloring Easter Eggs 3. First Holy Communions

1. Choosing a babysitter or a daycare can be exhausting for any parent. Visit page 24 to learn more about the pros and cons for each!

4. Pistachio Dessert 5. Birds Chirping 6. Cropped Jeans 7. Puffy Clouds

2. Prepare your teen for their SATs and ACTs. Learn more about each test on page 32 to help benefit your child on testing day.

3. You deserve a mental cleanse! Get the details on how to get rid of the negative clutter on page 36.

8. Lavender Scents 9. Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs! 10. Pet Bunnies

4. Autism can affect the whole family. Read more how one family is thinking positive with an autistic child on page 12.

11. Spring Vacations! 12. Universal Studios/ Orlando 13. Dear Friendships/GNO 14. Losing Weight :)

5. Preschool is NOT just a glorified babysitter. Discover why it’s important to put your child in preschool on page 28. 6. Start saving now before your new bundle of joy arrives. Every penny counts and you can save a lot more with these tips on page 16.

7. New and fun events are now listed in the centerfold calendar! Join the fun in Michiana on page 20. 8. Hearing your husband say “I Love You” can mean so much more! Get a husband’s point of view on why he loves his wife on page 38.

APRIL 2015

Check it Out! Don

’t forget to pick up your copy of the NEW SASS Y Magazine!

N O34

4Keeps

By: Casey Kiel

Like '4Keeps' on Facebook or visit CaseyKiel.com

Testimonials From Our Readers “Now that it’s spring time, I visit the Michiana Mom’s website and look at their community calendar. I always find fun things to do with my kids in Michiana.” – Lydia R.

“I love the “Product Testing” articles in the FAMILY Magazine! It’s nice to know what brands are best for the price!” – Brandy M.

“The article about posting pictures of your children on social media was very powerful! It made me rethink my choices of photos to share.” – Monica G. We'd LOVE to hear from you! contact: The FAMILY Magazines

jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

the FAMILY magazine 19

19 SPECIAL SECTION: Child Care & Preschools 24 Babysitter vs. Daycare: Which One Is Right For You And Your Family? By: Whitney Fouts

28 The Benefits Of Preschool By: Jackie Folkert

Live Your Best

4 8 Things We Learned Making This Issue

4 Things We Love Right Now

30 Book Review: Project Garden By Stacy Tornio Reviewed By: Nancy Herman

30 Book Review: The Boy On The Wooden Box By Leon Leyson

5 Reader Testimonials

Reviewed By: Noah Lynch

5 4Keeps Comic

32 College Test Prep 101: ACT And SAT Tips For Parents

7 Contributors 8 The FAMILY Month Calendar

By: Alyssa Chirco

20 Centerfold Calendar

Mommy and Daddy

22 Dear Mom, Je Ne Comprends Pas

Family Craft

By: Meagan Church

7 Some “Bunny” Loves You

18 Product Review: Become A DIY Painter

By: Jill Lebbin

Movie Review

By: Lara West

9 Two Notable Family Films For Your April

36 Do You Need A Mental Cleanse? By: Noelle Elliott

By: Cole Pollyea

Family Fun

10 Planting Gardens With Your Children By: Amy Westbrook Pracht

Family Kids

12 The Witwers: An Autistic Family By: Meagan Church

38 I Love It When My Wife

38 Family Pregnancy 14 The Wonderful World Of Morning Sickness By: Lara West

16 Where To Save Before Baby Comes By: Lara West

By: Darin Shrock

FAMILY contibutors

Meagan Church is married to her high-school sweetheart and is the mother of 3 kids. She is a writer and children’s book author. She is also the brainpower of the online resource Unexpectant, exploring the realities of birth, babies and beyond.

Jackie Folkert is a mother of three and lives in South Bend. She is a freelance writer and an English teacher.

Noelle Elliott works in publicity. She is a writer and has been published on several websites and print publications. She is the owner and creator of the esteemed bowchicabowmom.com where she humorously shares the triumphs and failures of raising her four young sons. She is also the creator of the successful local staged production, The Mamalogues. She happily lives in South Bend.

Jill Lebbin is a wife, mother, craft fanatic and DIY blogger at www.EveryDayisan Occasion.com. She and her husband Marcel have been married for five years and love living in Granger with their two spunky kids, Marcel Jr. and Lilly.

FAMILY craft

By: Jill Lebbin Materials: • Cellophane Bag

• Cardstock

• Bunny Marshmallows • Ribbon

• Flat Brown Bag (Found At Craft Stores)

• Sewing Machine

• Washi Tape (Printed Tape)

• Bunny Cut-Outs

• Word Processor

Steps: 1. Put bunny marshmallows in bag and tie with ribbon. 2. Sew bunny cut-outs (you can find at craft stores) in a straight line and leave a little extra string at the end when you cut off the bunnies on your sewing machine. 3. Tape the thread to the inside of the flat brown craft bag. 4. Use your favorite Word Processor program to type the words "Some Bunny Loves You,” print and cut out or use your favorite punch. 5. Tape the message to the end of your thread and stick in bag. 6. Give to someone you love! Photo: Jill Lebbin THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

The FAMILY Month Calendar 2nd Annual Hello Spring Craft Show,

First Fridays-Under The Big Top, 5:00 P.M., Downtown South Bend

Goshen First Friday,

South Bend Selfie,

EASTER

April Fool’s Day

4 F

Sa Su

Volunteer Recognition Day

11:00 A.M., Essenhaus Heritage Hall, Middlebury (Through May 1st)

Disney’s Beauty And The Beast, 8:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend

7 8 9 12 13

15 16 17 18 19 22

Spring Home & Fashion Show,

Kindergarten Day

Junior Lego Squad, 3:30 P.M., Downtown Branch-Mishawaka Public Library

Dyngus Day

Patriot’s Day

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

Little Black Dress Fashion Show, 10:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M., The Hilton Garden Inn/ Gillespie Center, South Bend

9:00 A.M., Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds

Mommy/Daddy National & Me Classes, Siblings Day 10:00 A.M. – 10:30

5:00 P.M., Downtown Goshen

24 25 26 27 28 30 F

Dirt Pudding Recipe With the snow finally melting and the sun shining, it’s inevitable that the little ones will start playing in the dirt. Keep them entertained with the right kind of “dirt” by making this delicious dirt pudding recipe!

Easter Events Happening Around Michiana April 4th:

}Linton’s Easter Egg-straordinaire 8:00 A.M., Linton’s Enchanted Gardens }Newton Park’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt 9:00 A.M., Newton Park, Lakeville, IN }Community Easter Eggstravaganza 9:00 A.M. Trinity Evangelical Free Church, South Bend }Great Golden Egg Hunt 10:00 A.M., All St. Joseph County Parks }Easter Bunny & Bunny Hop Photos 11:00 A.M., Concord Mall, Elkhart }Easter Egg Hunt 11:00 A.M. St. Anthony de Padua Church and School, South Bend }Ligonier Easter Egg Hunt 11:00 A.M. Kenney Park

April 5th:

Ingredients: - 2 Packages Instant French Vanilla Pudding Mix (3.5 Ounce) - 3 Cups Milk - 1 Cup Powdered Sugar - 1 Package Softened Cream Cheese (8 Ounce) - ¼ Cup Softened Butter - 1 Container Frozen Whipped Topping (12 Ounce & Thawed) - 1 Package Chocolate Cream-Filled Sandwich Cookies, Crushed Directions: 1. Mix French vanilla pudding mix with milk until softly set. Cream powdered sugar, cream cheese and butter in a separate bowl until it is smooth and creamy. Stir the cream cheese mixture with the pudding until combined. Gently fold frozen whipped topping into the mixture. 2. Put half of the cookie crumbs on the bottom of a 9X12-inch dish. Spread the pudding layer over the top and sprinkle the rest of the cookie crumbs on top. Chill for at least 30 minutes. (For some added fun, separate the pudding mix into individual cups for sharing!)

Congratulations to Premier Arts for winning several awards at the annual Indiana Community Theatre Festival for their abbreviated version of their original production: Harriet The Musical. Premier was awarded with:

}Amish Ares Easter Dinner and Egg Hunt 10:30 A.M. Amish Acres Historical Farmstead & Heritage Resort, Nappanee, IN

• Outstanding Ensemble

(For additional Easter Egg Hunts and activities, contact your city hall or local church!)

• Outstanding Achievement in Set Design

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

• The Jack Peek Memorial Award For Best Backstage Set Up

• Outstanding Achievement in Acting for Ernestine Bean as Harriet’s Mother • Best Supporting Actress for Ashley Frost Nugent as Hannah Overton

The Indiana Community Theatre Festival is a part of the America Association of Community Theatre’s programing.

FAMILY movie review

Two Notable Family Films For Your April By: Cole Pollyea Photo Courtesy: Youtube.com

wo films that I just recently saw with my family were notable enough to make the cut for this month’s article; the reason is that they were both well-executed. They were both movies that gracefully swung over the bar set by their unassuming audience’s expectations. The titles are Guardians of the Galaxy and The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, the former from 2014 and the latter from the current year. To begin, I thought both of these films were going to be too goofy to enjoy, based on the trailers. From the appearance of a walking (and talking) tree named “Groot” in “Guardians” to the new method of animation employed in the new “Spongebob” flick, it’s safe to say that these factors turn some of its audience away—myself included. What’s fortunate, however, is the fact that both film’s bravado style of filmmaking save them from becoming lame motion pictures and transform them into rather exciting exercises. The new “Sponge” is a great installment into the long-running television franchise. It’s funny, quick-witted, interesting, and moves along nicely. You get the notion from this film that it isn’t one that should be scrutinized in great detail, but rather appreciated for its off-the-wall plot developments and quirky characters. Am I a huge fan of this film for such merits as its writing? No, but it was sure fun to watch! And with the family, it’s a real blast. “Guardians” features a breath-taking soundtrack and an even more glorious application of special effects. In two hours, you get to know and love the main characters for who they are, and with all the havoc they are forced to trudge through in their efforts to save the universe, you are forced to love them and want them to succeed in their fantastical endeavors.

Made possible by

The key to these two films is this: don’t think too hard. These aren’t bank-breaking decisions at five dollars a rental; rather, they are crafty films that appeal to a vast difference in age and qualify as an exemplary family movie going experience. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FAMILY fun

Planting

Gardens

here is an old adage about gardening. It says when planting a garden, more than a seed is often planted. That saying rings true when introducing a young child to the joys of gardening. Now is the perfect time to do just that. With the final remnants of winter melting away and signs of spring showing their colors, it is the perfect time to not only plan that garden but it is also the perfect time to introduce children of all ages to the joys of gardening. Many experts believe that by showing a child how to plan and tend to a garden, parents are also giving them important life skills such as responsibility, teamwork and problem solving. 10

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

With Your Children By: Amy Westbrook Pracht

Here are a few tips on how to get children started with gardens of their own: â&#x20AC;˘ Give a child their own personal garden space or build them their own garden box with plenty of room to maneuver around in order to water and weed by themselves. Sean O'Conner, retail sales manager at Ginger Valley in Granger, recommends a fun product called EZ Gro Gardens which are premade raised beds. The garden boxes come in a variety of different sizes and all that is needed is the planting materials. "It is an easy way to try gardening," said O'Conner, as these kits eliminate the need to actually build raised garden beds. He also said that these kits are great for families who live in apartments or donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a large backyard space to plant a garden. â&#x20AC;˘ Give children their own tools. Give them tools (trowels, shovels, gloves, rakes and watering cans) that fit them properly and allow them to have fun. "We offer a line of kids gardening tools called Pine Bush Junior that include trowels, buckets and shovels," said O'Conner. "Having their own tools gets kids excited and they feel included (in the project)."

• Allow children to select their own seeds and what they would like to grow. When a child is familiar with a plant or vegetable, they are more likely to stay interested in it. With younger children, consider sturdier, but familiar flowers such as sunflowers or marigolds. Vegetables such as peas, cucumbers and tomatoes are great choices.

“When a child grows a vegetable garden, they are more likely

• When planting a flower garden, keep it simple but interesting. Plant a varying degree of sizes and sensory plants. According to the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, great sensory plants include fuzzy flowers like dusty millers, prickly flowers like squash vines, rubbery flowers like begonias and smooth flowers like peppers are all great choices.

to eat different types

• Visit the garden each day to discover new growth or solve plant problems that might occur, like caterpillars eating leaves or unwanted critters who have visited the garden throughout the night. Talk to children about what is happening and find ways together to eliminate these problems.

might not try.”

of foods that they otherwise

• Take advantage of the many learning opportunities provided by gardening and become a teacher. Try experimenting with different ways to plant seeds. Bury a few too deep and see what happens compared to the ones that are planted according to the instructions. • When a child grows a vegetable garden, they are more likely to eat different types of foods that they otherwise might not try. Specialty gardens are a fun way to encourage that type of eating. Some fun specialty garden ideas include salsa gardens with cilantro, tomatoes, onion and peppers or pizza gardens with peppers, tomatoes, onion and garlic. Another fun idea includes a pizza-shaped garden outlined with stones to resemble a crust. Divide the pizza into individual planting sections that look like pizza slices. • Encourage children to share their bounty with a neighbor or friend. Children are never too young to learn the art of sharing and gardening is a wonderful way to share that generosity. • If planting a garden isn't possible, another fun way to get children interested in gardening without planting is by creating fairy gardens in existing gardens. Fairy gardens are a wonderful way to encourage creativity and children can also witness the growth and beauty of surrounding plants. Tim Flickinger, manager at Backyards in Mishawaka, sees children, parents and grandparents come into his store interested in the miniature pieces. Not only does Backyards carry the fairy scenes, they also carry dinosaurs, beach scenes, woodland scenes and many other types of fun, miniature scenes. • Check out your neighborhood greenhouses for fun gardening programs. Ginger Valley offers a twice-a-month Kids Club for ages 5-12. Starting in April, they will begin plant-based projects where kids will learn more about gardening. Backyards also offers fairy garden classes.

Most importantly, listen to your child's ideas and let them take the lead on what they would like to incorporate into their own garden. Don't leave young children unattended in the garden and teach them to never eat anything in the garden without permission. "It is really important to introduce your kids to gardening," said O'Conner. "Kids are the future and we need to pass along that garden knowledge."

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FAMILY kids

The Witwers:

An Autistic Family By: Meagan Church

hen Lindsay Witwer was pregnant with her second child, she sensed that something was different compared to her first pregnancy. “Even when he was in the womb, something wasn’t right. He wasn’t as responsive as Emma.” The differences continued once Calvin was born. Lindsay and her husband Nick told that for the first year, Calvin was highly sensitive. He would cry for six hours straight and not sleep. He would bang his head, obsess over holding specific objects for extended periods of time, and then his speech regressed. The Witwers consulted with their doctor. They saw First Steps and various therapists, but the early diagnosis did not seem to match what they experienced at home. “Therapists weren’t seeing what we were and thought we were crazy,” Lindsay said. “I called it mom gut. I just knew something was wrong.” Lindsay’s mom gut kept leading her to dig deeper, research more and seek more professional opinions. “Family kept asking why we needed a diagnosis. We wanted to know what he was going through and how to help him. We wanted to know what was available.” Then the diagnosis she had assumed finally came: autism. After years of searching, they had an answer, along with a host of mixed feelings. “I felt a sense of relief when we got the diagnosis; we finally knew what we were dealing with.” But, as Lindsay continued, the news was “a relief and horrifying at the same time.” Since the diagnosis, the Witwers have worked with therapists, and while Calvin has made improvements, it is a slow learning process for everyone involved. “One of the biggest things that parents think is that they are going to work with my kid and he will magically come out and speak or make eye contact, but it’s more about education for parents,” Lindsay said. “Therapists are talking to me more about what I need to do.” 12

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Photography: Katie Whitcomb Photographers

“They find joy in moments that would otherwise slip by other parents.”

Over the years, the Witwers have tried a variety of therapies and techniques, never knowing what will work. They have tried diet changes, essential oils, weighted vests and blankets, pressure shirts, magnesium supplements, squeezing and rubbing, and more. “The bad thing is that even if something works, it only works for two or three weeks,” Nick said. “Anything we do or try to teach him—in the way we discipline or encourage—it will last for a couple of weeks and it changes.” “It takes over our family. It’s not like Cal’s autistic. It’s that we are an autistic family.” Lindsay continued, “I advocate for my son, but I try to make the message that it really sucks as a parent. People don’t talk about that. It’s always about the child, but this affects our whole family.” Being the big sister, Emma’s life has been affected by autism. “Emma has to endure so much more than a regular sibling with getting hit and picked on,” Lindsay said. She sacrifices many of her wants and desires, but through it all, she continues to love her brother. “She is mothering. I’ve seen that emerge in her personality. She is driven crazy by him, but will step in in an instant.” But the sibling relationship isn’t the only relationship that has been affected. “Our biggest challenge has been on our marriage,” Lindsay said. The Witwers have been married for almost 12 years, but the last few have been the most challenging. “The number one thing we fight about is Cal.” Calvin’s developmental therapist warned the couple early on that this would be the hardest thing their marriage would endure. “She told us that we have to be in this for the long haul.”

The therapist also spoke very frankly to the couple about what being an autistic family is like. According to Lindsay, she said, “This is going to suck. That’s one of the biggest things that has been nice is support from someone who gets it. I was in tears and she said you have to grieve for your child. You won’t have the normal experiences. You have to let that go. You are on an emotional roller coaster on a daily basis.” The Witwers have not had a normal experience, but because of that, they find joy in moments that would otherwise slip by other parents. “We see positives in the little things that happen that are nothing to a normal parent, of how happy they make us, like a random kiss or showing compassion,” Lindsay said. Nick added that he finds joy in, “The moments you know he actually gets it.” The Witwers began experiencing more of those “getting it” moments when Calvin started medication. “I told people, the first four years of his life, I felt like we had a roommate. He was there, but we knew nothing about him. When we started him on medicine, he suddenly said he liked the color blue and he didn’t like cheese,” Lindsay said, recalling just how excited they were to actually get to know their son. “When he finally opens up, that’s the most rewarding.” The last few years have been full of ups and downs, trials and errors, frustrations and headaches. But the Witwer family is in it for the long haul, advocating for their son, being honest about living as an autistic family and finding immense joy in the little things, like the color blue. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FAMILY pregnancy By: Lara West

Natural Remedies to Help Settle Your Queasy Stomach

Congratulations! Your most amazing, yet challenging, dreams have come true. You’re having a baby (or maybe another)! The excitement is still reaching its peak when it’s suddenly stalled by a dreaded bout of a very disorienting condition known as morning sickness (or for some of us, all day sickness). It is not entirely possible to end all measures of morning sickness-and this is actually a good thing. Morning sickness is more than an unpleasant side effect of pregnancy, as it is suspected to be the sign of a healthy growing baby. Like many faucets of life, the cure for morning sickness varies from woman to woman. What works for one may not work for another and what works for a hundred may not work for a thousand others. Because morning sickness can cause a great disruption to daily life, most of us turn to the remedies suggested that will help us ease (or better yet end) the queasiness so we can properly function throughout the day. 14

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

If you’re trying to lessen the nauseous feeling, here are few simple suggestions:  Eat anything and stay hydrated. Pregnant or not, not eating will make you queasy. You are eating for two, but it’s not necessary to consume double helpings of everything. This is especially true when many of your favorite foods now send you into a gagging fit. Keep a journal of the foods that trigger a repulsed reaction and avoid them, but eat several small meals a day of what you can keep down (even if it is a greasy fast food burger). Stay hydrated with plenty of water. Try flavored water or fruit-infused water if plain water is unenticing.

 Ginger. Ginger root has been believed to relieve nausea for many years. Ginger snap cookies have long been a staple in the cupboards of pregnant women. If you prefer a liquid intake, a little fresh ground ginger in a cup of hot tea or a glass of ginger ale is a nice alternative.

 Breakfast in Bed. Eating a few crackers right when you wake up can help ease the early morning nausea and get you the time you need to get ready for your day. Keeping a stash in your purse can be helpful during the day to combat the sickness if it’s not possible to keep other snacks near you.

 Scents. The feeling of nausea is triggered by certain smells at any time throughout the day. Even if you learn which smells make you feel sick, it might be impossible to avoid them (such as perfumes on others). Keeping a few lemon slices or a sprig of rosemary in a baggie to smell when the nausea needs to be washed away can be helpful. (A bottle of lemon extract might be nice.)

 Peppermint. Real peppermint is useful for nixing an upset stomach anytime, so it only seems appropriate that it can help during pregnancy. Suck on a mint or add a few drops of peppermint oil to your water.

 Toothpaste and Mouthwash. Even a basic task, such as brushing your teeth, can cause a nasty battle with morning sickness to occur. However, dental hygiene can’t be ignored. If your toothpaste is making you lean over the toilet instead of the sink try switching to a toddler toothpaste, and slip a mini-bottle of mouthwash in your bag to help eliminate any aftertastes of lingering foods that make you feel sick.

 Sour candy. When a wave of nausea begins, popping in a hard sour candy can bring some relief. Sucking on a sweet tart or lemon drops can be tasty treat to help the nauseous feeling dispel.  Seabands. This wristband is designed to use acupressure to fight off nausea. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at most drugstores.

 Rest.

Getting plenty of rest is essential to warding off sickness. Go to bed as early as allowable (and get up slowly). Take a nap during the day if needed, but if you don’t have the means to do so, find a quiet spot and allow yourself to “zone out,” breathe, and regroup for a few minutes.

 Exercise.

Hitting the gym and pumping iron may not be the exercise you need, but you should be getting up and moving about no matter how bad you feel. Rest is essential, but so is movement. Take a short walk; try some pregnancy yoga, or any exercise that is not more strenuous than what your body is already accustomed to. There are hundreds of things you can try to keep morning sickness from keeping you down and out. The first trimesters is generally the most common for morning sickness to occur, but because everybody and every pregnancy is different some women may have to deal with it longer than others, (and some not at all). It can be hard to smile when you feel ill, but just remember that this feeling is a sign of the wonderful baby growing inside you. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FAMILY pregnancy

Where To Save

Before

Baby Comes By: Lara West

How did I go from over the moon excited to overwhelmed and worried? All I did was start to prepare for the arrival of our little bundle of joy. As a first time mother, I had no clue what we needed, what we didn’t or how much it was going to cost us. I feared imminent failure, and I found myself torn over what we really needed to do and buy. (Seriously, does the nursery have to have a matching theme? Will she need the swing that vibrates, plays music and swings side-to-side and back-and-forth?) With the help of friends, family, and hundreds of blogging mothers, I was able to tread the waters of preparing for our first baby and climb ashore the sandy beach of motherhood without breaking bank. (Ok, ok, it wasn’t a beach…but it was a partially clean house.) I found there was no correct or incorrect pattern to follow, so this is by no means a rule of law. I’m simply sharing a few tips that I found useful or discovered on my own journey, and as you grow into the role of mother you’ll learn what your little one likes and dislikes. (Remember, babies have a personality all their own and we don’t instantly know what is going to comfort them.) The most fearful thing for me was finances. I am a large part frugal and a very tiny bit splurger. Spending $2000 on cribs, swings, bouncers, diapers, toys, clothes, burb cloths, decorations and all the other things a baby just might need was not a viable option. If it is safe, clean, and fully functional, it can be bought second hand, (yes, even cloth diapers!) My husband and I weren’t worried about having the latest-and-greatest (though there is nothing wrong with that,) but we wanted to be sure we had every gizmo and gadget we might need from birth to 18 months. After many restless night researching everything we needed to buy, we decided that we didn’t need everything. We bought the basics, a crib, a car seat, a universal stroller, a swing, a bouncer and a floor gym. As she grew and became more active we purchased a jumper-roo when the time was right. 16

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

The Goodwill and consignment shops are great places to get baby clothes, but if someone is offering to throw you a baby shower –accept it! Baby clothes are too darn cute for anyone to pass up when shopping for a gift, so you may not need to buy too many. You’ll also get neat items from a baby shower that other parents found helpful, and you didn’t know existed. Sometimes, you’ll be thankful you have them when you’re frantically scouring the internet for answers as to why your baby won’t stop crying like that at two in the morning. (“Try gripe water,” what’s…oh, someone gave me a bottle of that, score!) There might even be a group of family members or coworkers that go in a get you a crib or car seat/stroller set. Be mindful of how much space you have when you’re picking out baby items. Buying baby equipment is fun and addicting, but the truth is that you’re little one is not going to need everything, even though we all want to give them exactly that. For example, I have a friend who never bought a baby swing, because her apartment was so small, and her little guy was perfectly content with the bouncer.

Below are a few of the items you might enjoy having around and how they can be beneficial: Car Seat/Stroller: I think these are most popular in the matching travel sets. It’s convenient to take the car seat out of the base and pop it right into the stroller, and be on your way. It’s recommended to always buy a new and safe car seat, but strollers are perfectly fine second hand.

Crib: Unless you are instituting a philosophy, such as Montessori where you use a floor bed, you’re going to want a crib. They range in price from $80 – upwards of $800. A simple and safe crib is all you really need. This means you should read reviews and check recalls for items durability and safety. The price you pay after that is dependent on your income and what you’re comfortable spending. Swing: These are very helpful if motion is soothing to your baby and you want to give yourself a few minutes of regroup/clean the house time. Most babies do find comfort in them, and when used appropriately they can benefit both parents and babies. I wouldn’t suggest using it as a full-time sleep aide, as that might cause complications down the road, but to achieve the occasional nap, or using the soothing motion so baby can laugh and watch you wash the dishes is a worthy benefit.

Bouncer: Equipped with a small vibrating panel, a bouncer is small and easy to move around the house. They are relatively inexpensive ($13-25), and I personally loved having one because we had a small bathroom and this was perfect for setting her up on the floor so I could take a nice long shower. They are also the perfect for entertaining your infant while you sit on the floor to chat with them and fold laundry. I know it’s hard, buy try to squelch that feeling that you have to have everything for your new baby. Just buy the essentials and one or two items to help make life easier with your new family member. There is nothing wrong with waiting to see what your baby likes and dislikes before spending a lot of hard-earned money on something that doesn’t get used. Trying to be overly prepared is frustrating and exhausting, but thankfully, I can look back on that time of worry, and laugh about all those tears of frustration because everything worked out fine, and it will for you too.

More than just a great show!

410 S Main Street Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 293-4469

www.premierarts.org AWARD-WINNING RESIDENT THEATRE COMPANY OF THE LERNER THEATRE

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

By: Lara West

Product Review

Become a DIY Painter

Are you a recreational DIY painter? I am! And I recently decided it was time for me to leave the neutral, yet comforting colors of the previous owner behind. It’s been awhile since I’ve painted, but even I know you need proper tools for a successful living room makeover. I purchased painter’s tape, brushes and roller covers to see if there is room to save money.

Painter’s Tape: For this comparison, I purchased

a less-expensive tape and an expensive tape from the local paint store. I used them not only to separate my trim and wall color, but also to create stripes on the bottom half of the chair-rail. The more expensive tape was noticeably “stickier,” as it took more pull to remove it from the roll before application. Both tapes allowed for some margin of error when setting the edges and seemed to adhere respectively when pulled up and repositioned. I allowed the paint to dry for two days before removing the tape and scrutinizing the results. The more expensive tape pulled up easily from the wall, and it did not leave a residue. The less expensive tape also came off the wall, and while it didn’t leave a sticky residue there were small lengths of tape that stuck under the paint, and required the use of a razor blade for total removal. From a normal distance in the room, the two tapes performed equally well- both with clean, crisp and defined lines. Under closer inspection, the cheaper tape did bleed slightly, which may explain why some areas of the tape stuck during removal.

Recommendations: To the visitor’s eye, your walls will look great no matter which tape you use. The tipping point is the extra work you could have if the least expensive brand requires you to crawl around the floor to remove any pieces that didn’t want to let go. In this case, I made the painting process extra exhausting by creating a striped pattern, so I’m sticking with the more expensive brand to finish the job and save my back and time.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Paint Brushes:

This test was a little harder to complete, mainly because there are so many different types, sizes and shapes of brushes to fit various needs. For this test I purchased a more expensive (primarily) nylon brush and an inexpensive (mostly) polyester brush. The first minute of painting was about the same for the two brushes, but once the paint got “soaked” into the bristles the more expensive brush was applying the paint both thicker and smoother. The inexpensive brush left thin fibers on the wall every so often. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to be annoying, and caused me to get out a pair of tweezers to remove some of them from the paint.

Recommendations: If you’re not into finger-paints then I would stir up the extra money for the nylon brushes. Not only did it apply the paint more thickly, but it had a smoother finish with far less streaks. These brushes also cleaned easier, and by the end of the job I was comfortable putting them in the paint box and saving them to use on the next project whereas, the less expensive brushes I tossed in the trash can, because they made me dread the next painting task.

Roller Covers: After a mini-

lesson with the paint technician at the store, it was clear that there is an opportunity to save some serious cash when it comes to a roller cover, but is it worth it? This is not a decision of saving a few dollars; it was a difference of almost $20. (Thankfully, my neighbor’s son is a painter and he was kind enough to lend me the expensive cover for this test.) I was instructed that it doesn’t matter the price you pay, because all covers need to be prepped before their first use to reduce/eliminate “shedding.” All three covers took a few rolls to really absorb the paint and apply it as desired on the wall. The cheapest roller became overly soaked pretty quickly, and dripped paint everywhere. (Cheers to drop cloths!) Even with the prepping of the cover, there were still fibers left on the wall, and I was once again tweezing things off the wall. The mid-grade roller worked well, and left some fibers on the wall at first, but not nearly as much as the cheapest cover. It seemed to hold the paint well, as it dripped less than the cheapest one. The coverage on the wall was good and easy to spread. The most expensive cover held the paint well with few drippings. It also applied a nice thick coat of paint that required less work for full coverage.

Recommendations: The covers can be used multiple times when prepped and cared for properly. The most expensive cover was by far the most impressive, but if you’re not anticipating doing a lot of large projects you can buy the midrange roller cover and be just as satisfied with your results. I would stay away from the cheapest cover, even for one room, as it created more work and more of a mess.

Kohl’s Fit Feastival is a one-of-a-kind outreach program available for your next event! Kids learn about fitness and nutrition as they play exciting games, like Conk the Junk Food and Protein Fish Fling. And best of all, we’ll bring the fun to you for the following events: • School functions • Company outings • Fairs and festivals

574.647.KIDS KohlsFitFeastival.com

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

EASTER

10:30 A.M., Amish Acres Historical Farmstead & Heritage

Amish Acres Easter Dinner & Egg Hunt,

Monday

Tuesday

Day

Dyngus

1:00 P.M., Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart

Let’s Get Growing,

Harris Branch-Mishawaka Public Library

Sharpie Pen-Tie-Dye Program, 2:00 P.M.,

Century Center, South Bend

The International Cat Show, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.,

~ Hal Borland

“April is a promise that May is bound to keep.”

Sunday

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

1:00 P.M., Harris BranchMishawaka Public Library

Will You WiiU?,

Wednesday

Thursday

5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., Snite Museum of Art

Spring Break Family Night @ The Snite,

7:00 P.M., Harris BranchMishawaka Public Library

Easy Contra & English Country Dance Demonstration,

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Century Center, South Bend

The International Cat Show,

2015

Community Easter Eggstravaganza, 5:00 P.M., Downtown South Bend

Siblings Day

National

5:00 P.M., Downtown Goshen

Goshen First Friday,

Linton’s Easter Egg-straordinaire, First Fridays-Under The Big Top,

Paws To Read, 11:00 A.M., Elkhart Public Library

10:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M., Hannah & Friends, South Bend

Mommy/Daddy & Me Classes,

9:00 A.M., Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds

2nd Annual Hello Spring Craft Show,

St. Anthony de Padua Church and School

Easter Bunny & Bunny Hop Photos, 11:00 A.M., Concord Mall Easter Egg Hunt, 11:00 A.M.,

9:00 A.M., Trinity Evangelical Free Church, South Bend

8:00 A.M, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens

Saturday

Friday

April

Scan this QR Code to get connected to our online calendar at MichianaMom.com!

Want to check out even more things to do in Michiana?

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

Spring Art Classes,

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

8:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend

Disney’s Beauty And The Beast,

11:00 A.M., Essenhaus Heritage Hall, Middlebury

Spring Home & Fashion Show,

29 11:00 A.M., Essenhaus Heritage Hall, Middlebury

Spring Home & Fashion Show,

Downtown Goshen First Friday, 5:00 P.M.

Downtown South Bend

First Fridays-Vintage Downtown, 5:00 P.M.,

10:00 A.M., Essenhaus Heritage Hall, Middlebury

Spring Home & Fashion Show,

MAY 1

6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M., DoubleTree By Hilton South Bend

13th Annual Culinary Arts Dinner Auction,

5:00 P.M., Reith Interpretive Center, Millrace Park, Goshen

Maple City Fest In Celebration Of Arbor Day,

10:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M., The Hilton Garden Inn/Gillespie Center, South Bend

Little Black Dress Fashion Show,

9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

Spring Art Classes,

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Century Center, South Bend

The International Cat Show,

8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center

Jay Leno,

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

And So Much More!

You get... Sneak Peaks of Each New Issue • Digital & Eco-Friendly Copies Giveaways/Contests • Community Events • Online Exclusive Articles

Scan the QR Code and sign up to be a part of our email family!

Be The First To Know!

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

Spring Art Classes,

9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Century Center, South Bend

The International Cat Show,

National Jelly Bean Day

Girl Scout Leader Day

Earth Day Drop-In Activities, 3:30 P.M. –

5:00 P.M., Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Century Center, South Bend

The International Cat Show,

Kindergarten Day Spring Art Classes,

9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

Spring Art Classes,

South Bend Selfie, 12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

8:00 A.M., Brandywine Senior High School, Niles, MI

Colors for Kids 5K,

3:30 P.M., Downtown Branch-Mishawaka Public Library

Junior Lego Squad,

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Century Center, South Bend

The International Cat Show,

Volunteer Recognition Day

5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M., Elkhart Environmental Center

Meditation Yoga,

9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

Spring Art Classes,

7:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M., Indiana University South Bend

Walk MS: Michiana 2015,

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., Elkhart Environmental Center

Arbor Day,

10:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M., Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart

Intro to Ikebana,

Hannah & Friends, South Bend

9:00 A.M., Bremen High School

Bremen Kiwanis Mom2Mom Sale,

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., South Bend Museum of Art

South Bend Selfie,

Mommy/Daddy & Me Classes, 10:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.,

FAMILY mommy & daddy

Dear Mom, Je Ne Comprends Pas

By: Meagan Church

Dear Mom, My eight-year-old has begun speaking a foreign language. It started simply and innocently enough, but now it has become all encompassing. The books he reads, the games he plays, the conversations he has with friends and family are filled with this language that my husband and I struggle to understand, and, to be completely honest, we struggle to want to understand. This language is full of names, places and other terms that we don’t know, and as much as he has talked to us about it in recent months, we have failed to learn, engage and embrace this language of Pokémon. I shouldn’t be surprised that this craze has overtaken his imagination. We’ve gone through various characters throughout the years— Thomas the Train, Star Wars, Lego—and this is the latest obsession. But the difference in this one isn’t so much the characters or the odd language, but the fact it has made me realize what a bad listener I have become. During the years of Thomas, I knew all the engines’ names and most of their numbers. I knew their colors and personalities. I could recite picture books by heart and build a track layout in minutes. I walked the journey of Thomas along with my son. But now he starts talking Pokémon and my mind goes elsewhere. I think of the deadline I’m working on or the dinner that needs to be prepared. I know I should engage. I know that I should learn who Pikachu evolves into, and what the difference between a fire type and a water type is. I know that I should learn how to play the trading card game with him. I know that I should engage this interest of his, as I did with Thomas the Train, as I’ve done with My Little Ponies and Care Bears and horses, and the other interests that our kids have had over the years. But when he starts with the language of the evolving and the trainers and the Pokéballs, my eyes glaze over and I find myself hoping that this phase will pass quickly.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Then the sunrise happened. It was a typical enough morning before school. He had hurried to eat his breakfast, make his lunch and do all his morning chores, so that he could have a few minutes to read some Pokémon adventures before heading off to school. As he packed his bag and headed out the door, he mumbled findings and revelations of these pocket monsters. I kissed him on the forehead and shooed him out the door, thankful for the poké-noise to have quieted. Then I noticed a few pale pink clouds dotting the softening blue skies. I paused for a moment, but then busied myself with making my breakfast. In the midst of mixing my oatmeal, I looked back to those clouds and realized that if the clouds to the south were pink, then the ones to the east must be even more so. I walked to the window and turned my view eastward. There, behind the still-bare trees were vibrant pinks, oranges and yellows lighting up the morning sky. I grabbed the camera and snapped a picture before turning my attention back to my oatmeal. Moments later, the colors dispersed as the sun continued its rise from the horizon. It took only minutes for those colors to fade away. At some point Pokémon will also fade, just like Thomas, only to be replaced by something else. At some point, the conversations he will want to have will be about something bigger, not a toy or a fad, but about a girl or a college major or a religious debate. Just as the sky turned from vibrant to ordinary in the matter of moments, Pikachu and all those other foreign words will soon fade away, only to be replaced by something new, perhaps even something more complicated, more foreign to my busy ear, and if I want him to trust that I will listen then, I need to start listening now.

“If I want him to trust that I will listen then, I need to start listening now.”

“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” ~ Malcolm Forbes

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Special Section

Which one is right for you and your family? By: Whitney Fouts

ith the way the economy is today, being a stay-at-home parent is

becoming obsolete. Raising a family on one income is increasingly more difficult as the years pass. As a result, we are faced with the tough decision of choosing whether to send our children to a daycare or hire a babysitter. Deciding which one best fits your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and choosing someone you feel good about and trust with your children can be a very hard task.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Below are a few pros and cons of both a babysitter and daycare that will hopefully help you feel more comfortable in making the right decision for you and your family:

Babysitter (PROS)

1. Lets assume a babysitter is watching your children from their home residence, as this is the case in most situations. Being as the location is their home, they are not paying for an extra mortgage, rent or another set of utilities. Meaning the overall cost for you would be lower than a daycare center that has to pay for those added expenses.

2. Typically a babysitter watches only your children. Or, they are

Babysitter (CONS)

Social interaction is important to a lot of parents. Learning to share, converse and play with other children is something we parents hope our own children learn well. However, that may not be present if choosing a babysitter, as they may be the only children there.

2. Due to the location not being a business but rather a personal residence, it is not required by law to keep up with safety and health regulations. However, we trust they do so regardless.

an addition to a very small group of others allowing for the best possible care and attention they can receive.

3. Educational material and activities are not guaranteed with

honored and carried out, as your children are the sole focus. Definitely a huge benefit for keeping the consistency of your house rules as your children transition between home and the babysitter.

4. It is fairly easy for a babysitter to decide they no longer want

comfortable as they are still in a home setting and atmosphere. Returning to the same babysitter over time will help the relationship between yourself, your children, and their sitter grow to a point it feels like you’re leaving them with family.

5. If an accident involving your children were to take place at the

3. It is more likely your specific schedule and routine will be

4. Being at a babysitter’s home will help your children feel more 5. Transportation is a huge benefit of babysitters. Let’s say for

instance, your child is in preschool and the hours he attends are during the day: A babysitter will be able to fulfill that duty. That is, if you feel comfortable with them doing so.

a babysitter and can easily be replaced by television, video games, social media and other electronics. to continue offering childcare and sometimes quit without notice; leaving you with the difficult task of trying to find someone else and hoping your children adjust positively. babysitter’s, their homeowner’s insurance may not be sufficient. After speaking to Mr. John Aldridge of Erie Insurance he stated, “If the babysitter is being paid for their services, they would need to have an endorsement on their home policy. Most insurance companies limit how many kids you are allowed to watch. If that number were to exceed the limit they may need to take out a commercial policy.”

Kids like

Growing Kids Summer Camp because every day is packed with fun! Parents like it because it’s such a great value.

Summer Camp at Growing Kids provides older preschoolers and school aged children with a full-day program of activities all summer long. It’s fun and affordable with all-inclusive weekly rates! We fill the summer with fun and educational activites including two to three field trips a week. The kids pick strawberries, go bowling, enjoy roller-skating, even take swimming lessons! And your child will enjoy a nutritious breakfast and lunch as well as snack each day.

Space is limited, so call TODAY! Many locations throughout Northern Indiana. For more information about the center of your choice visit our website, GrowingKids.com or call 574-220-6400.

www.GrowingKids.com

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Special Section

Daycare (PROS) 1.

When enrolling your children into a daycare, they will learn important socialization skills early on as they are spending their day with a fairly large group of other children. Learning manners, how to share and socialize are great skills to have for later years.

2. Daycares are more structured around education

and more of a school setting. Exposure to this environment will only benefit your children, as it will prepare them for actual school.

3. Most of the time a daycare center will provide

meals, drinks and snacks. This could in turn eliminate time in the morning for preparing lunches and snacks. Also, it would help you cut the added cost for lunch foods.

4. All daycare centers are required by law to have

an insurance policy to cover any accidents that may occur: Making you feel a bit more comfortable about leaving your child.

5. Although there are many children present on a

daily basis at a daycare center, there would be more than one caregiver in charge. You would be able to rest easy knowing there was an appropriate child to caregiver ratio.

A quality early childhood education is key to your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to find with Great Start to Quality, providing information you can trust to find quality child care and preschools in your community. Just log in and begin your search.

www.GreatStartToQuality.org The free, 24/7, one-stop resource that helps you get the best for your child and the most for your money.

START HERE

for Quality Early Childhood Education. Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Start here for Quality Early Childhood Education

Daycare (CONS) 1.

Even though our children would be learning important social skills, we would be unaware of exactly what they would be exposed to on a daily basis. Not all behavior is good behavior and bad manners are sure to be present.

2. With a daycare center housing a

group of children, the one-on-one attention for your children would not always be available every day. This could cause negative effects on your children when they return home.

3. In a daycare center with a large

ST. THOMAS A DISTINCTLY CATHOLIC EDUCATION

headcount, our children are exposed to more germs than usual. Those germs can be spread and even brought home, especially in peek seasons.

OUR MISSION

4. Due to the daycare center being in a

To provide children

separate location instead of someone’s home, the cost may be rather expensive. Your cost would include paying for some utilities, the rent or mortgage, caregiver’s salaries, meals, snacks, etc.

with the opportunity

one individual caring for your children and most of the time these caregivers are complete strangers. You and your children would not personally know each individual caring for them.

co-curricular programs

to develop their Godgiven talents through academic excellence and

5. Daycare centers have more than

as well as to empower them to develop zeal for their faith with a commitment to prayer and service. • Named a 4-Star School for 2013

As you can see, both babysitters and daycares are great options to fulfill your childcare needs. In order to decide which is best for you and your family, consider the drawbacks and do some research. No matter what, any questions you have are important; so don’t be afraid to get as much information as you can when speaking with either a daycare or babysitter.

• State of the art iPad and Smartboard Technology • School Choice Indiana Option • Outstanding Academics

• Safe Environment • Before and After School Care • Christian Family Atmosphere • 21st Century Learning Facility • Recently Renovated and Expanded

We received an “A” on the state accountability report card!

For a tour call (574) 264-4855

www.stselkhart.com THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Special Section

The Benefits of Preschool By: Jackie Folkert The first day of kindergarten is a rite of passage, but the first day of preschool? Some parents believe that it’s optional, not a required first step toward academic success. Indiana Governor Mike Pence, however, in 2014 pushed through a $10 million preschool pilot program. Is preschool really just glorified daycare? It wasn’t until I joined a cooperative preschool that I fully understood the impact of early education on my children. The first time I volunteered in my daughter’s class I marveled at the way the teacher trained all 15 three-year-olds to walk in an orderly line to the gym. The kids picked up after themselves and washed their hands without help. The teacher also put them under her spell a during circle time packed with lessons on literacy and social skills. I thought that Elmo only had that magical ability to charm little kids. Apparently, so do preschool teachers. “There are methods behind our madness,” said kindergarten teacher and former preschool teacher Mandy Gibbons of Covenant Christian School in Mishawaka. She has been teaching for 18 years. She explained that there are academic and social purposes behind each item on the school day schedule. Her teacher philosophy is rooted in the idea of playbased learning, which is child centered. Students’ interests influence the learning environment, objectives and strategies. The children make choices that help direct their learning. Mary Beth Limbert-Dominello, a preschool teacher of 27 years, agrees that play-based learning teaches children to think more broadly. She is a preschool teacher at Covenant Christian School. Not only does play-based learning nurture creativity and problem solving skills, but it also meets Indiana state academic standards. When the kids play with sensory tubs, for example, they meet the science standard that requires students raise questions about the natural world.

Gibbons said that the recent trend in education pushing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) means that students will need to think outside the box more than ever before. She explained that play-based learning pushes young children to ask questions and explore. The children learn how to ask good questions and strategize to find an answer. Limbert-Dominello said that she asks her students, “Why do you think that happened?” She does not jump to answer questions for her students. Gibbons said children grow socially as they interact with their peers in significant situations. She acknowledged that parents raise their children differently, so the children must immediately learn how to get along. Teachers provide students with the words to engage is problem solving conversations. “They absorb everything like a sponge,” Gibbons said. “And listening to a teacher as opposed to a parent is much different.” If parents preferred to teach their preschoolers from home, Gibbons recommended they provide a variety of activities, such as learning how to wait in line, take turns, or use the public bathroom by themselves. Skipping preschool, however, can make starting kindergarten much more difficult. “It’s always a struggle when the child hasn’t had preschool,” said Gibbons. Typically, the kindergarteners that opted out of preschool play independently,

are reluctant to participate, and feel intimidated or anxious. They don’t know the classroom norms, while the rest of the class applies them. Kindergarten teachers get them on track, but it may take a few weeks or a few months. Kindergarteners bring along a wide range of skills and abilities, ones that parents take for granted. Not every kindergartener, for example, practices eye contact with adults, Limbert-Dominello said. Some know their numbers and letters and others don’t. Absence of simple fine motor skills such as holding a pencil properly can hold a student back. Another bonus to preschool is that teachers can pick up on the red flags that indicate a possible disability or delay said LimbertDominello. The child greatly benefits from addressing the problem early. A problem with fine motor skills, for example, can affect early literacy, said Gibbons.

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

Enrollment Open to the Public Children ages 3-5, offering preschool and child care schedules

Early Childhood Development Center at Saint Mary’s College

Nothing can replace the social interaction that comes within a classroom environment. Amy Nuner of South Bend sends two of her children to Covenant Christian School’s Spanish immersion preschool. “I felt at the age of 3 [my son] was ready for more than the library and little play dates we would do. He was and is a very outgoing child,” she said. “He did very well so it was a no brainer for me to send [my daughter] when she was old enough.” She said that they have made good friends and talk about them outside of school. While Sesame Street works wonder for our littlest students, eventually children step into a learning environment. With support, any child can succeed.

Early Childhood Development Center NAEYC Accredited – Promoting Excellence in Early Childhood Education

14_OpenEnrollFamMagAd4.8125x4.8125.indd 1

For information please call:

574-284-4693

or online at: www.nd.edu/~ecdcnd THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015 29 1/22/14

2:59 PM

Special Section

Project Garden:

A Month-By-Month Guide to Planting, Growing, and Enjoying All Your Backyard Has to Offer By Stacy Tornio Reviewed By: Nancy Herman, Children’s Service Library Assistant, Harris Library Do you enjoy gardening? How about gardening year round with your children? Stacy Tornio’s book, Project Garden: A Month-By-Month Guide to Planting, Growing, and Enjoying All Your Backyard Has to Offer, has developed a successful way of bringing the whole family together to enjoy gardening. Tornio, mom and master gardener, has organized gardening with children in a simple and fun way with the easy to follow designs, tips and recipes for any time of the year. The book includes more than 175 activities for the whole family to enjoy.

list of plants that have Photo: Amazon.co m heart shaped leaves for the month of February. Many ideas are given on how to recycle everyday items to use in the garden. Recycled items are also used as art to beautify and decorate your garden. Simple recipes using the vegetables and herbs from your own garden are included in each chapter that are very kid friendly. Whether you are making a recipe that is new or old, eating something delicious that the family grew together is priceless.

The chapters are divided by the months of the year. Each chapter (month) has garden layouts, plant descriptions, crafts to enjoy with the children and recipes. Some chapters have you preparing for the months ahead and may not allow you to see results right away. It helps to guide you on what to plant and when. Each chapter is labeled with difficulty levels and has a list of materials needed for the project. It also features interesting and fun tips such as a

This gardening book is full of colorful pictures and illustrations with easy to follow designs to create a family garden for all ages year round. I would definitely recommend Project Garden: A Month-ByMonth Guide to Planting, Growing, and Enjoying All Your Backyard Has to Offer for every family that wants to spend creative time together. It is available for checkout at the Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library.

FAMILY student book review

The Boy on the Wooden Box By Leon Leyson Reviewed By: Noah Lynch, 8th Grade Student at Edwardsburg Middle School

The Boy on the Wooden Box is an autobiography of Leon Leyson’s life as a Jew during World War II. Leon Leyson grew up in a Jewish family living in Poland. When Leon was only 10, when his family’s home as invaded by the Nazis and forced them to move to the Krakow ghetto. The story tells “How the Impossible became Possible” on Schindler’s list. Leon’s father, Moshe, worked for Oskar Schindler at a glass factory in Krakow and Schindler gained interest in Moshe. This interest could become lifesaving in the fight against the Nazis and their reign of terror over the Jewish Population. When Leon was 13, his father convinced Schindler to let Leon and other family members to take refuge at the Emalia Factory. Leon got his nickname because of the fact that he was so small that he had

to stand on a wooden box to operate the machine he was stationed at. He would eventually become number 289 on Schindler’s list. Five Photo: Amazon.co m of the seven family members made it onto Schindler’s list. Schindler’s list had a total of 1,200 names of Jews on it. The 1,200 Jews on the list were “needed to assemble small parts of German Artillery.” At least that was what Schindler told Adolf Hitler. The story goes on to tell of the struggles that Leon and his family faced living in Poland during World War ll. I would recommend the book to any 10-14 year old interested in learning about the Holocaust and what Jews had face due to the evil Adolf Hitler.

EDITOR PICKS

Academically Focused Childcare • 6 Weeks - 12 Years Only • Before & After School Programs • Transportation to and from select schools • Summer Camp Programs & Field Trips Monday - Friday 6 am - 7 pm.

once a child... BE SELECTIVE

3 Convenient locations: Granger 574-277-5501 South Bend 574-232-5566 Osceola 574-674-6500

Enroll now for ULTIMA TE SUMMER FUN!

www.StarzAcademy.com

What To Expect At Preschool By: Heidi Murkoff

Where

Learning Begins

NOW ENROLLING for Fall 2015

My Preschool St Pauls.org

St. Paul’s United Methodist Preschool 405 W. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart In 46514 574-293-0482

Our teachers care about your child Academically – Socially – Spiritually

I Love To Go To Daycare By: Shelley Admont

• State-rated 4-star school and “A” grade for academic excellence • Smaller classes and individual attention • Faith-based values integrated into every subject

Visit us today! 574-255-5972

www.covenantchristian.us We also offer Spanish Immersion PreK through 4th Grade

Immersion Open House April 16th, 6:30 pm -7:30 pm

Preschool Scholar By: Joan Hoffman

Equipping children to transform the world.

Images Courtesy: Amazon.com THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

Special Section

College Test Prep 101: ACT and SAT Tips for Parents

By: Alyssa Chirco

Guiding your high school student through college entrance exams can be intimidating, especially for parents navigating the process for the first time. But, there’s no reason to worry. While you may not be able to teach trigonometry or syntax, you can still provide the support and guidance all high school students need as they move forward towards the next chapter of their lives.

The following tips will help you along the way: Know the Basics

The two most widely used college entrance exams are the ACT and the SAT. Both are designed to assess a student’s academic readiness for college level coursework. To help your high school student perform to the best of his or her ability on one or both of these tests, it is important for parents to know a bit about both, as well as how they fit into the overall process of college admissions. Key details to be aware of include: • Some colleges require scores from one test specifically, while others allow students to take and submit scores from either. Once you know where your child plans to apply, it will be easier to determine which test he or she should take. • College admissions advisors recommend that students begin taking the SAT or ACT as early as possible during their junior year of high school. • Students can take both the ACT and the SAT multiple times. Encourage your child to view a disappointing score as an opportunity to do better next time.

Seek Expert Advice

There is a wealth of information about college entrance exams – and how to best prepare for them – available to both students and parents. In fact, an entire test prep industry revolves around helping high school students raise their scores on the ACT and the SAT. Ellie Grossman Cohen, who has already been through college entrance exams with one child and is now going through the process again with her second, strongly suggests that parents 32

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

hire a tutor. “Of course every student is different and results vary,” she admits. “But if the student focuses and studies and learns the necessary test-taking strategies, it should pay off.” Grossman Cohen knows firsthand that when a student works with a qualified tutor, test scores can often go up by a couple of points. And she reminds parents concerned about cost that working with a tutor can raise not only a student’s test scores, but also his or her scholarship potential. “It’s all worth it if it means more scholarship money,” she advises.

Focus on Your Family

While many students benefit from tutoring, it isn’t the right fit for every family. Ultimately, how you help your child prepare for ACT or SAT will depend on several factors, including your family’s budget and how much preparation your child needs to achieve his or her desired outcome. A strong student who is highly selfmotivated, for example, might prefer working through a study guide or workbook on her own. Companies like Kaplan Test Prep and The Princeton Review offer small group classroom courses for the more traditional learner. And if you simply cannot afford to spend extra money, free sample questions and practice tests for both the ACT and SAT are available online. Every student is unique, so what matters most is tailoring a plan that best meets your child’s individual needs and goals. If you start to feel confused and overwhelmed by the many options before you, the high school guidance counselor is an excellent resource for discussing what is right for your family.

Show Your Support

Even if you are unable to help with the academic aspect of college entrance exams, your support is still crucial to your child’s success on testing day. Make sure that he or she gets plenty of rest the night before, and insist on a healthy, protein-packed breakfast. Also review test-taking basics, like the importance of being prepared with several sharpened #2 pencils and reading all directions thoroughly before answering any questions. “I knew he would do well,” says Barbara Gremaud of her son, now a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis. “But he needed time management help. I drove him to the library a couple of times to study so he was not at home, distracted,” she continues. Remind students of the importance of good study habits in the days and weeks leading up to the test too.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

High school students, especially those with learning disabilities or test-taking anxiety, need to recognize that ACT and SAT scores represent only one portion of the college admissions process. And since most children – yes, even teens – take their cues from their parents, one of the best things we can do for them is to model a calm, positive attitude about the entire process. Remind your son or daughter that, while it is important to perform to the best of his or her ability, it is even more important to see college entrance exams for what they truly are: a stepping stone designed to help students find their way as they embark on the exciting next chapter of their lives.

The Stanley Clark School Merit Scholarships The Stanley Clark School is pleased to announce the Clark Scholar Merit Scholarship Program available to newly enrolled students beginning this fall. Merit scholarships will be awarded to qualiÞed applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic promise and outstanding character.

Visit

WWW.STANLEYCLARK.ORG/APPLY

to begin the admissions process.

For questions about admissions or the Clark Scholar program, please contact Bethany Burgun, Director of Enrollment Management, at bburgun@stanleyclark.org or (574) 291-4200.

ACT vs. SAT:

3466 Douglas Rd.

Call TODAY to assure your place

At a Glance

The ACT:

• Is a curriculum-based test, designed to measure what students have learned in school. • Is comprised of four sections of multiplechoice questions. • Covers four subject areas (English, Mathematics, Reading and Science). • Lasts a little more than four hours. • Does not penalize for incorrect answers. • Includes an optional Writing Test.

The SAT:

• Is more of an aptitude test, with an emphasis on reasoning and vocabulary.

574-247-1590

Trinity Lutheran School

W O N

RO N E

5-2016 1 0 2 R G FO LLIN Preschool/PreK Program

Full & Half Day Classes Age 3 (preschool) & 4 (PreK) by Sept. 1st Small Class sizes Hands on curriculum Before and after school care available We also offer K-8th grade. NLSA/NCA Accredited – Trinity Lutheran School Corner of Cleveland and Ash • 30888 County Road 6 • Elkhart, IN 46514 Phone 574.674.8800 • www.pk8.TrinityL.org

The FAMILY Magazine Presents…

• Is comprised of three sections (Math, Critical Reading and Writing). • Includes multiple choice questions, grid-in math questions and an essay. • Lasts for three hours and 45 minutes. • Penalizes students for incorrect answers. • Features several optional Subject Tests, which allow students to display advanced knowledge.

It’s not too late! Visit MichianaMom.com

to find summer fun for your kids today! THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

High Quality Child Care, Preschool, and Summer Camp

• • • • • • • • • • •

Loving Care Clean, Safe Environment Homelike Setting Homemade Baby Food 6 Babies with 2 Teachers Breastfeeding Friendly Diapers Provided Individualized Care Daily Text Updates Open Door Policy Weekly Tuition $100-$252

1243 Helmen Drive, South Bend (574) 217-7544 www.DiscoveriesChildCare.com Ages: Birth – 2 ½ years old

1332 Browne Lane, South Bend (574) 204-2653

www.ImaginationsPreschool.webs.com

Ages: 2 ½ - 5 years old

• • • • • • • • •

Clean, Safe Environment Consistent Teachers Healthy Food Kindergarten Prep Hands on Learning Highly Educated Teachers Daily Communication Open Door Policy Weekly Tuition $75-$240

Summer day camp features 3-5 ﬁeld trips per week!

1700 Mishawaka Ave (574) 251-0265 www.IUChildDevCenter.com Ages: 1 – 10 years old • Year Round Toddler Child Care • Year Round Preschool Program • School Age Summer Day Camp

• • • • • • • • • •

Clean, Safe Environment Homelike Environment Healthy, Homemade Food 12 Children to 2 Teachers Kindergarten Prep Hands on Learning Highly Educated Teachers Daily Communication Open Door Policy Weekly Tuition $50-$200

BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Help Support St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County By

Voting For Your

Check out this great opportunity for Birthday Fun...

It’s Party Time at

This year, St. Vincent de Paul is hosting their annual Vinnie’s Runway show at their Legacy Dinner to highlight their charity! 13 amazing individuals/groups will be showing their support by walking down the runway to help raise money for St. Vincent de Paul!

Up to $15 OFF on your next birthday party!! *$15 off a 20 kid party package

*$10 off a 15 kid party package

AND…Our very own president and publisher, Betsy Tavernier, will be rocking the runway as a Vinnie herself!

*$5 off a 10 kid party package

EACH $30 DONATION

Call us for more details 574-243-2695

that you make will provide clothing or furniture for a family of three.

Bring in this coupon to Strikes & Spares to receive your discount

Vote for Betsy and support a great cause! Cast your vote by scanning the QR Code!

image PhotograPhy

PhotograPhy: ClassiC Camellia CosmetiCs granger ouf, makeuP: Camellia maal

www.classy.org/fundraise?fcid=418095

Vinnie’s Runway - 2015 Legacy Dinner April 29th, 2015 at 5:30 P.M.

Gillespie Center-Hilton Garden Inn 53995 Indiana 933 • South Bend, IN 46637

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FAMILY mommy & daddy

Do you need a Mental Cleanse? How to clean out the negative clutter in your mind. By: Noelle Elliott

This winter took a toll on me. I’m not a meteorologist, but if I were to guess, we may have had a record number of “blah” days. After several months of this, I found myself feeling depressed and uninspired. Just like spring clearing your home, sometimes you need to give yourself a mental cleanse. I’m not talking about a juice cleanse, but it is similar in some ways. With a juice cleanse, you consume healthy organic juices to clear out the toxins your body has accumulated from a poor diet. A mental cleanse has the same affect except it is cleaning out your thoughts of negativity and replacing them with healthier positive thoughts. Both can have a tremendous impact on your health, both mental and physical.

How can you tell if you need a mental cleanse? For me, it is a sense of feeling overwhelmed even when I didn’t have much to be overwhelmed with. I found myself feeling envious or jealous often. In short, I felt like I was in a bad mood that lasted for weeks. That is when I know I need to do something to cleanse my mind of the negativity that has consumed it. The following is a list of things that can help if you feel like you are in need of a little positive enlightenment:

Write out the negative. As a writer, this may seem like an obvious choice for me but it can help anyone. Make a list of all of the negative thoughts you are having. Nobody is going to see this list but you, so be honest. The act of writing has a therapeutic quality because you are symbolically taking the burden off of you. When you are finished with the list burn it, tear it up, or crumple it into a ball and recycle it. If those negative thoughts resurface, think back to when you destroyed the paper. You not only got rid of the paper but all the negativity that was written on it.

Write in the positive. This can be surprisingly hard to get started but once you have a few things written down it gets easier. I write things that I am grateful for. It can be as simple as a hot cup of coffee. One positive thought can trump a negative one. Keep the list on a bulletin board, or in your wallet and add to it when you see something that makes you happy. Look at it every day. After a while, you will start looking for things that make you feel grateful and instinctually look for the good in situations rather than the bad.

K-12

Math Help

Math Enrichment

Test Prep

Homework Help

Get ready. Get set. Get ahead. Now enrolling for fall.

Protect your space. I read a story about a mother whose child had been severely injured in an accident and was on life support. Before any one entered the hospital room, she met them at the door and instructed them to enter the room with a positive attitude. Meaning, leave the sadness at the door. Her daughter was paralyzed, but has since thrived, not letting her disability hold her back. She credits her mom for not letting her feel sorry for herself and to make the best of the situation even when it felt hopeless. Surround yourself with people like her mother. Friends who make you feel better when you leave them rather than worse. More importantly, be that friend to someone who needs it.

A mental cleanse can leave you feeling refreshed and eager to conquer the next day. If anything, it is a reminder to look for the good in your surrounding and within yourself.

888-850-MATH Mathnasium.com/Granger Heritage Square

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE.

Make a difference. Impact your community.

Learn more and apply at

www.adecinc.com

ADEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Part time/full time with benefits. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

FAMILY mommy & daddy

I Love It

When My Wifeâ&#x20AC;Ś By: Darin Shrock

No,

this isn't an article about sex. But, it is about something almost as important. Almost. I like to think I look on the bright side of things--the silver linings. So I've decided to put together a list of things my wife does that I, as a father, appreciate.

When She Stays Positive

It's tempting to focus on what's going wrong, what the kids are doing wrong or how the day has been tough. The kids got up earlier than usual and are tired, cranky and whiny. We ran out of fabric softener mid-laundry and, even worse, we ran out of coffee.

Not only does this make me a better husband, it makes me a better father.â&#x20AC;? 38

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

All of these would be legitimately frustrating and I'm not saying she shouldn't tell me about these things. However, it's amazing the difference it makes when it's not the only focus of our conversation for the day. Negativity is contagious and reverberates through the house when it gets started. I come home ready to keep the kids in line and become negative myself. Which then causes the kids to be negative with each other and the tension in the house is high and the fun is low.

On the other hand, when she's positive it has the same affect but in a positive way. When She Greets Me As Her Husband, Not A Father

When I come home from work, the last thing I want to do is be the "disciplinarian dad.â&#x20AC;? Before I'm a father, I need to be a husband, and it's much easier to be a husband when she greets me as my wife. When the first thing I hear from her is something other than, "you need to talk to Ben about ___________ (insert bad behavior here)." Not only does this make me a better husband, it makes me a better father. When I have time to greet my children positively, it helps me approach those problems and "dad duties" with more patience.

When She's Patient

There's a lot of ways she needs to be patient, the most obvious being with the kids, which I do appreciate. But, this is about letting me unwind from the day before tackling a list of things I need to do. This is similar to the previous point, but includes all things husband. I've missed my family, and the first thing I want to do is relax with them and see how they're doing.

When She Teaches Our Kids

I love teaching and story-telling, but kids don't know anything. Really, they come with very few programed skills and it's exhausting to teach them so many things. When she shares the load (like teaching it's not appropriate to tell someone their breath stinks) it's encouraging and motivating to help with the knowledge dump into our kids.

When She Lets Me Go

Everyone needs time away from the kids and the entire family, moms included. It's exhausting to let me have time away from the family. So, when she gladly lets me go, I can actually enjoy the time away because I don't feel (as) guilty.

When She Supports Me In Front Of The Kids

She may not know it, but I've heard her speak highly of me to the kids. As the final disciplinarian, I'm not always the popular guy in the house. So when she highlights positive things I do that they don't notice (like replacing a light bulb, sweeping the van, hanging pictures, etc.) it teaches them to appreciate others and to appreciate their other half. Obviously, my wife does a million other things that I appreciate. But, these often go unnoticed and are especially valuable to me because they also motivate me to be a better husband and father.

Tom Coomes Chief Meteorologist

Colleen Bormann Anchor

Brian Dorman Anchor

Weeknights 5-6:30pm and 11pm Weeknights 10pm on CW25 THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2015

NP er, MSN, F Sherri Biev n er se Practitio r u N y il m a F in Street diatrics Ma e P p u o r G l dica Beacon Me

“Health allows you r u o y e v i l o t best life.”

“You are the expert in your life.” Karey Jo Hogue, CNM Nurse Midwife Beacon Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecolog y Elkhart

Basman Salous, M.D. Family Medicine & Urgent Care Beacon Medical Group Main Street

BeaconMedicalGroup.org

“We are here to guide you.”