FAMILY Magazine September 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 • Moms Just Know

questions parents should ask their child

Don't Speak

baby talk

How to Potty Train in 3 Days Geocaching Fun for the Family

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

Contributors President & Publisher:

Sue Heinrich Sue@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: Chad Haviland 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 P.O. Box 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 269.228.8295 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com The FAMILY Magazines July & August 2016 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!

On the Cover:

Volume 10: Number 6

FAMILY Magazine's Managing Editor, Jessica Haviland, and her husband, Chad, would like to introduce their new little bundle of joy, Benton Eugene Haviland!

Find the Hidden Acorn!

For your enjoyment and fun!

Lacie Fouts Photography

Lacie Fouts is a natural light and studio photographer specializing in making today's little moments into tomorrow's forever memories.

574-551-2222 laciefoutsphoto@yahoo.com www.laciefoutsphotography.com

TheFamilyMagazineOfMichiana

@FamilyMagazines

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 Publishing LLC, its officers, editors, staff or contributors.

TheFamilyMag THE

FamilyMagazine

FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

3

F R O M T H E P U B LI S H E R

Things We

Love Right Now! (at FAMILY)

I

t’s hard to believe it’s September already!

This summer seems to have been busier

than most for some reason. But, with Labor Day and the beginning of September, it’s the unofficial end of summer. September is a month with both pros and cons for me. On the good side, fall begins and can be so beautiful with brilliant reds and yellows of the changing leaves. School is back in session and life returns to a normal routine.

When I lived in Paris, I loved September. All the tourists were gone; the Parisians had returned. All the restaurants and local shops were open again and there was sense of new life and activity in the air along with the crispness and cooler temperatures.

Here, it’s the crispness of the new apple crop, and the completion of the summer harvest.

Sadly, it also means that summer is over and winter is coming with its snow and cold. Summer lake life comes to an end and the snowbirds begin to migrate south.

Football, a good thing, is in full bloom and it’s time to dig out the sweaters and knee socks. Spring is such a beginning but fall seems more like an end. It’s a good thing it’s so beautiful or it would be really depressing. September is the cusp, the transition month. Perhaps that’s why it has both pros and cons.

The September issue of FAMILY is full of good information. There is a fun article about

1. PTA Meetings 2. Mom’s Night Out 3. Cooler Nights 4. Last Minute Family Camping Trips 5. Fall Scented Candles 6. Clearance Sales On Summer Clothes 7. Fall Boots 8. Baby’s First Smile 9. Back-To-School Rituals 10. Bonfires 11. Book Clubs 12. Apple Picking

geocaching for the whole family. On a more serious note there is an article about

13. Date Nights

potty training and an article about what type of questions parents need to ask their

14. Shooting Stars

children. And be sure to try the zucchini-blueberry muffin recipe! I hope you like the cover photograph of our very own managing editor, Jessy Haviland, with her husband Chad and their adorable new son, Benton. Such a beautiful portrait!

I hope you enjoy September, and this new issue of FAMILY!

SEPTEMBER

Check it Out!

2016

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | September 2016

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fre

e!

Pl ta ease ke o ne!

4Keeps

By: Casey Kiel

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

FAMILY contributors

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.

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.

Reader Testimonials “Every month I look forward to reading the newest issue of FAMILY Magazine.

There is always at least one article that I can use to benefit my life.”

– Samantha S.

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 succesful local staged production, The Mamalogues. She happily lives in South Bend.

Chaunie Brusie is a Registered Nurse, author, and a mom of four who lives in SE Michigan.

She blogs at www. tinybluelines.com.

We’d LOVE to hear from you! CONTACT US AT....jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

“I love all the giveaways and contests that the FAMILY Magazine does. You always win some great prizes.”

– Ashlee C.

“I love the Centerfold Calendar in FAMILY Magazine. It is always full of fun events that my family and I can do.”

– Jaclyn B.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

5

the FAMILY magazine

Of

table

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18

contents Live Your Best 4 From The Publisher 4 Things We Love Right Now 5 4Keeps Comic 5 Contributors & Testimonials 8 The FAMILY Month Calendar 14 Centerfold Calendar

Family Book Reviews 7 Since You’ve Been Gone

By Morgan Matson Reviewed By: Lexi Swihart

7 What Happens When A Loved One Dies By

Dr. Jillian Roberts Reviewed By: Ashley Barnard

Family Recipe

9 Zucchini-Blueberry Muffins By: Katie & Theresa Slott

20 Family Craft

23 Rhinestone Monogram Pumpkins By: Jill Lebbin

Mommy and Daddy

28 Dear Mom, You Deserve To Accomplish Something By: Meagan Church

Family Fun

10 Geocaching Fun For The Whole Family By: Lara West

12 American Girl Has Arrived In Michigan

Fiction

30 The Diary Of A Modern Mom: Playground Meet Cute By: Meagan Church

By: Chaunie Brusie

Family Kids

16 How To Potty Train In 3 Days By: Meagan Church

18 Why Not To Speak Baby Talkie-Walkie By: Meagan Church

20 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Their Child By: Noelle Elliott

30

22 Talk To Your Kids About Gun Safety By: Lt. William Redman

27 Think Outside The Lunch Box By: Sarah Lyons

16

FAMILY kids book review

Since You’ve Been Gone

By Morgan Matson Reviewed By: Lexi Swihart, Edwardsburg Middle School What if one day your best friend just disappeared?

When Emily’s best friend Sloane randomly leaves town leaving nothing but a to-do list for Emily, Emily is forced to go outside her comfort zone in hope to find Sloane. On the list, Sloane leaves 13 things that Emily would normally never do. While achieving the tasks, Emily has an unexpected summer and ends up getting help from Frank Porter.

As Emily dances until dawn, goes apple picking at night and sleeps under the stars, she has an epic summer. With help from Sloane’s to-do list and her new friends she meets, Emily goes from not wanting to be seen to being the brightest thing in the room. Since You’ve Been Gone tells an amazing story about friendship and first love.

Photo courtesy: Amazon.com

FAMILY book review

What Happens When A Loved One Dies

By Dr. Jillian Roberts Reviewed By: Ashley Barnard, Youth Services Supervisor, Bittersweet Branch Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library

“Everything in nature has a life that is meaningful and important.”

“The fish in the sea, the birds in the air and the animals in the forest are all alive.” ”All life is connected and serves a special purpose. When a living thing reaches the end of its life, it dies. When living things die, we call this death.” ”What does death mean?”

“Death means that a living thing is no longer alive.”

In her book What Happens When A Loved One Dies?, Dr. Jillian Roberts creates a picture book filled with gentle, but straightforward text addressing the grim, yet necessary, topic of death. Roberts begins the story by discussing the part death plays in the natural world, a writing choice that eases the reader into the delicate subject. Written

using questions posed in a child’s voice, the book gives off a storybook quality. Composed of brightly colored narrations, the pages convey essential information without being overwhelming. Dr. Roberts reassures young listeners that it is normal to be sad and offers ways on how to cope with grief. I particularly enjoyed the suggestions of commemorating someone by planting a tree and sharing memories through drawings.

This title is part of a series called “Just Enough: Difficult Topics Made Easy.” As a child psychologist, Dr. Roberts wanted to design a series that would empower parents/caregivers and provide them with the tools to start conversations with young ones regarding difficult and challenging subjects. The author makes a point to add multicultural elements to acknowledge a wide audience. For example, she connects the concept of death and afterlife to different cultural beliefs and adds illustrations that depict a variety of ethnicities and families.

Photo courtesy: Amazon.com

The author also provides additional questions and answers at the end of her book. These questions are prepared in such a way that they could be used to reach an older audience when covering other topics related to the concept of death.

What Happens When A Loved One Dies? is a valuable addition to our library’s collection on tough topics and can be used as a vital resource. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and look forward to seeing the author tackle additional topics as she continues her series.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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9

Marshall County Blueberry Outdoor Film Series: Rudy, Festival, 7:00 P.M., Howard Park All Day, Recreation Center-South Centennial ParkBend Plymouth

7-18

5

9/11 Remembrance Day Grandparent’s Day

10

SEPTEMBER 15

Nappanee Apple Festival, 5:00 P.M., Downtown Nappanee

1st Day Of Fall

Labor Day

26

Rockin Road To Dublin, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

16

The 20th Annual Harvest Festival, 12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M., Legally Blonde Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien The Musical, Springs, MI 7:30 P.M., South 13th Annual Cockopalooza 2016, Bend Civic Theatre 11:00 A.M., Central Park-Elkhart

Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

22

27

Oktoberfest Begins In Germany

29

Inspiring Women Luncheon & Program, 11:30 A.M., Blue Chip Casino Stardust Event Center Michigan City

1 3 4 6 8 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 28 30 31

F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th Fr Sa Su

Fall Family TV Shows Fall Comfort Treats

American Housewife ABC – Tuesday at 8:30 P.M. Premiere Date: October 11th

Last Man Standing

ABC – Friday at 8:00 P.M. Premiere Date: September 23rd Cinnamon Swirled Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Spiced Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

(www.wonkywonderful.com)

(www.cookmania.xyz)

(www.bunsinmyoven.com)

DIY Giant Outdoor Jenga Game Items Needed - 3/4" plywood 18"x18"

Tools - Ryobi Orbital Sander

-

6 – 2"x4" x 8' pine boards to make 54, 10 1/2" pieces

-

Ryobi Drill Kit

-

1 – 2"x 6' pine board to make the sides for 18"x18" plywood base

-

Miter Saw or Circular Saw

-

Kreg Jig

-

Sandpaper (120 to 180 grit)

-

Tape Measure

-

Threaded Feet for base

-

15 Kreg Screws

- Pencil -

Ear Protection

Frequency

The CW – Wednesday at 9 P.M. Premiere Date: October 5th

Pitch

FOX – Thursdays at 9 P.M. Premiere Date: September 22nd

Speechless

ABC – Wednesday at 8:30 P.M. Premiere Date: September 21st

Instructions Step 1: Build the game platform by cutting the ¾ inch plywood to 18X18 using a circular saw or table saw. Make the frame out of 24 boards. Cut two boards to 15” and two boards to 18” using circular or miter saw. Then, using the Kreg Jig and Kreg Screws, attach the 2X4 cut boards to the plywood and to each other to form the base for the platform.

Screw holes and attached the threaded self-leveling feet on the platform.

Step 2: Cut 54 pieces of the 2X4 boards at 10 ½ inch each.

Step 3: Sand each piece smooth on the ends of the boards.

Step 4: Stack the Jenga pieces together and start playing!

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THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | September 2016

(For picture step-by-step, visit www.diypete.com.)

FAMILY recipe

By: Katie & Theresa Slott

Time: 50 minutes Makes: 24 muffins

ZucchiniBlueberry

Ingredients: • 3 c. all-purpose flour • 1 T. baking powder

Muffins

Steps:

• 1 t. salt • 3 eggs, room temperature

1.

Using a box grater, finely shred the zucchini. Squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible and then leave the zucchini to drain on paper towels while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

2.

Preheat the oven to 400F.

3.

Line two muffin pans with paper or silicone liners. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

• 1 c. vegetable oil • 1 T. vanilla • 2 ¼ c. sugar • 2 small or 1 large zucchini (equal to 2 c. after shredded and drained) • 1 c. fresh blueberries • sparkling sugar, optional 4.

Tips:

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar.

Scrape down the sides with a spatula.

5.

Measure the drained zucchini and stir it into the mixture. Slowly add the dry ingredients. With the spatula, fold in the blueberries last, trying not to break the berries.

6.

Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups. If desired, sprinkle the tops of the muffins with decorative sparkling sugar.

7.

Bake for five minutes at 400F, then lower the temperature to 350F and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.

8.

Let the muffins cool for 20 minutes in the pan before removing them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

You can substitute frozen blueberries, just make sure to increase your baking time by a few minutes.

2016 Notre Dame

Fall Schedule

Date

Opponent

Location

Time

Media

Sun, Sep 4

Texas

Austin, TX

6:30 p.m. CT

ABC

Sat, Sep 10

Nevada

Notre Dame, IN

3:30 p.m. ET

NBC

Sat, Sep 17

Michigan State

Notre Dame, IN

7:30 p.m. ET

NBC

Sat, Sep 24

Duke

Notre Dame, IN

3:30 p.m. ET

NBC

Sat, Oct 1

Syracuse

East Rutherford, NJ

TBA

TBA

Sat, Oct 8

North Carolina State

Raleigh, NC

TBA

TBA

Sat, Oct 15

Stanford

Notre Dame, IN

7:30 p.m.

NBC

Sat, Oct 29

Miami

Notre Dame, IN

3:30 p.m.

NBC

Sat, Nov 5

Navy

Jacksonville, FL

11:30 a.m.

CBS

Sat, Nov 12

Army

San Antonio, TX

2:30 p.m.

NBC

Sat, Nov 19

Virginia Tech

Notre Dame, IN

3:30 p.m.

NBC

Sat, Nov 26

USC

Los Angeles, CA

TBA

TBA

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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FAMILY fun

By: Lara West

Geocaching

Fun

I

For The Whole Family f you’re always looking for something to do outside, but tired of the same old parks, why not try Geocaching?

Geocaching is a world-wide GPS based treasure hunt type of game that the whole family can enjoy anytime, anywhere. You can play it as often or as little as you’d like. You can even play it in the winter to beat the winter blues, (although, most caches in this area may be more difficult with snow and ice covering everything, but who doesn’t love a good challenge, am I right?).

So, now you’re wondering: “What exactly is this …geocaching…thing?”

Well, geocaching happens when someone hides a cache, or container of some kind somewhere, and then posts the coordinates for other people to load into their GPS, which they then use to go out and hunt for said container.

“This game can become very

addictive.”

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THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | September 2016

You’re going to want to create an account at www.geocaching.com, which is going to make it easy and convenient for you to find where geocaches are hidden nearby. (Choose your username wisely, it will be the one you sign on all the logs of the caches you find, and the one other geocachers will come to know you by.)

How nearby, you ask? How about at the park your children are already bored at? I bet they would be surprised to find that this game was being played right under their noses! It’s possible the mall parking lot has a couple surprises hidden there, and it’s very plausible to assume there is going to be a geocache at a nearby cemetery.

I have to give you a fair warning, though. This game can become very addictive. In fact, it has become the highlight of ‘family-time’ in my house.

So much so, that we actually base our family vacations around where the rumored best geocaches are hidden. I don’t want you to think we are

crazy, because the whole purpose for a vacation is to get-out and explore another part of the world…(even as close as spending a week geocaching in a neighboring county!) What better way to see all the best things an area has to offer than to be led to them by the people who enjoy them the most? People often hide geocaches at their favorite spots, and they will take you to the popular hot spots AND the most beautiful “secret” spots that their city has to offer. I’ve lived in the area for eight years, and I’m still discovering awesome parks, trails and monuments that I never would have found on my own. (Thanks local geocachers!)

That’s not even the best part! The coolest thing about geocaching is that it is a community of people, from all walks of life, that you’ll become friends with through this game. Thousands of people all-around the world have taken the time to hide these cleaver little treasure boxes all over the place to make this game a huge success. Some of them you might meet face-to-face via a geocaching event or running into them while searching for the same cache. Others you’ll only meet virtually through the logs, community forums or social media groups.

This game is perfect for the young and the old. Some caches can be really difficult, each cache is rated based on difficulty and terrain, so you can save time and choose the ones that best fit your family’s skill and physical fitness level.

Geocaching has a lingo all its own, and you’ll learn it with ease the more you play. The cache sizes vary from extra small Nanosized to extra-large storage tubs. The kids will love the treasure hunt, and getting to trade out “SWAG” items depending on the cache size. You can even get your own “Travel Bug” and send it out into the geocaching world with a goal or destination, and watch online as other geocachers move it along from cache to cache and log each visit.

Tell your teenagers to actually bust out those phones for once, and use them to bring the family together with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.

“People often hide geocaches at their favorite spots, and they will take you to the popular hot spots AND the most beautiful “secret” spots that their city has to offer.”

The beginners guide to speaking geocache: • BYOP – Bring Your Own Pen • FTF – First to Find • TFTC – Thanks for the Cache • DNF – Did Not Find • SL – Signed Log • TNLF – Took Nothing, Left Nothing • TB – Travel Bug • SWAG – Stuff We All Get • CITO – Cache In Trash Out • GZ – Ground Zero • Muggle – Non-Geocacher

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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FAMILY fun

American Girl

By: Chaunie Brusie

Has Arrived In Michigan

W

hat little girl doesn't love everything about the American Girl brand?

From the captivating catalogue to the intricate details that go into all of the accessories to the fascinating stories of girls chasing their dreams and leaving for adventures, there is so much to love about being an American Girl.

As a kid, I loved getting the American Girl catalogues every year and now that I am a mom to three daughters, I made sure to introduce my girls to the fun and magic of American Girl. We signed up for the free catalogue and each girl got to choose one special book to start their American Girl adventures. My oldest chose Caroline (now a retired doll) for her blonde hair and thirst for adventure, while my middle daughter leaned towards Samantha, with her brown tresses and kind spirit. Together, we dove into stories both old and new and thrilled over the books that brought the American Girl adventures alive.

I love how the American Girl dolls and stories have inspired my daughters' imaginations, which is why I was so excited to learn that for the first time, Michigan would be welcoming its very own American Girl store. Located within the Twelve Oaks Mall in Southeast Michigan, the mitten state will be hosting a temporary American Girl store until January 31st, 2017.

The Michigan American Girl store has special significance because for the first time ever, American Girl is releasing a doll that is actually from Michigan.

Melody Elison, the second African-American doll from the American Girl line, has a story set in Detroit in the 1960's. A talented singer, Melody uses her gift to bring people of all colors together. She was released on August 26th, 2016 and there are many different initiatives happening around her exciting release, including a partnership with the Detroit Public Library in Michigan that will give anyone who registers for a library card a free copy of the first official American Girl Melody book, No Ordinary Sound. Like the rest of the featured dolls in the American Girl line, Melody has a series of three books that tell her inspiring story.

Personally, I am so excited that my daughters will have a Michigan American Girl role model to look up to and it makes it extra special to know how meaningful Melody will be to an area that has struggled with so many financial and economical challenges.

Of course, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit Michigan's very own American Girl store, so we visited during its grand opening weekend on August 6th, where lines trailed through all the way through the mall. The store features all of the line's familiar dolls, along with a section on customizable dolls available to order. There are plenty of stations for the kids to play, from an Itty Bitty Baby section complete with a stroller and highchair that my two-year-old absolutely adored, to an impressive and detailed camping display that even has a fold-out bed and get this—flippable pancakes for your doll's breakfast. The store also has launched a new line of toys called Wellie Wishes, a whimsical line that encourages lots of imagination and play in nature.

But, probably one of my favorite features of the American Girl store is the awareness that the brand is bringing to special needs that real-life American girls can have. Their line is highlighting different abilities and special needs such as their diabetes kit, complete with a blood sugar monitor, glucose pen and insulin pump. My kids were so excited to see all the supplies "just like Papa has!" because my father has Type 1 diabetes. Relating those health needs to their life of play makes a difference for children, who can learn early on that every person is different.

The Michigan location also hosts a full Doll Salon, where girls can bring their dolls for a little pampering session, get their ears pierced or just request their favorite hair style. And, after her primping is finished, your little one can take her doll out for a meal at the mall – The Cheesecake Factory is conveniently located nearby, featuring lots of goodies and coffee for mom too. (You're going to need it!)

The American Girl store is located on the Upper Level of Nordstrom. Parking is available in the Nordstorm parking lot and you can enter the mall directly from Nordstrom. Once in the mall, you take the escalator or evaluator up to the second level of the mall, where all the magic of American Girl is waiting.

Twelve Oaks Mall is located at 27500 Novi Rd, Novi, MI 48377. The American Girl store is open during normal mall hours, Monday through Saturday from 10 A.M to 9 P.M and on Sunday from 11 A.M to 6 P.M. You can learn more at americangirl.com.

Photos courtesy of American Girl/Chaunie Brusie

Combining academics with dance, music & art for a lifetime love of learning

Call -TODAY! 247-1590 Douglas Rd & Osceola 247-1590 All ages, styles & levels of dance and music

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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4

Central Park-Mishawaka

Mishawaka Heritage Festival, 4:00 P.M.,

Crumstown Conservation Club-North Liberty

36th Annual MDA Ride For Kids, All Day,

All Day, Centennial ParkPlymouth

Marshall County Blueberry Festival,

Happy Labor Day

5

6 8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish AcresNappanee

Fiddler On The Roof,

7 Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

- Albert Camus

8

Running With Spoons, 6:00 P.M.,

Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

(1st Woman Telephone Operator)

Emma M. Nutt Day

Elcona Country Club-Bristol

1

First Fridays,

Howard Park Recreation Center-South Bend

Outdoor Film Series: Rudy, 7:00 P.M.,

Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts CenterSouth Bend

South Bend

Learn 2 Skate W/Irish Figure Skating Club, 5:30 P.M., Ice Box-

9

Crumstown Conservation Club-North Liberty

36th Annual MDA Ride For Kids, All Day,

All Day, Centennial ParkPlymouth

Marshall County Blueberry Festival,

5:00 P.M., Downtown Goshen & South Bend

2

Music Under The Marquee,

4:00 P.M., South Bend Brew WerksSouth Bend

13th Annual Cockopalooza 2016, 11:00 A.M., Central Park-Elkhart

Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs, MI

The 20th Annual Harvest Festival, 12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.,

Conservation Club-North Liberty

36th Annual MDA Ride For Kids, All Day, Crumstown

10:00 A.M., Hesston Steam Museum-La Porte

Centennial Park-Plymouth

Marshall County Blueberry Festival, All Day, Hesston 60th Annual Labor Day Steam & Power Show,

10

3

september

2016

Get connected to our online calendar at MichianaMom.com to see additional events and submit events of your own!

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

Downtown Nappanee

3rd Annual ND-LEEF Science Sunday, 1:00 P.M.,

2

7:00 P.M., The LernerElkhart

Richard Marx,

Rum Village Nature CenterSouth Bend

The Long Way ‘Round, 2:00 P.M.,

Nature Center-South Bend

Autumn Scavenger Hunt, 2:00 P.M., Rum Village

Beutter Park-Mishawaka

JDRF One Walk, Noon,

St. Patrick’s County ParkSouth Bend

25

Wife Appreciation Day

Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

Wicked, 6:30 P.M.,

Nappanee Apple Festival, 10:00 A.M.,

18

9/11 Remembrance Day

Grandparent’s Day

11

– L.M. Montgomery

“I’m So Glad I Live In A World Where There Are Octobers.”

3

Performing Arts CenterSouth Bend

6:00 P.M., Lakeland Medical Center-St. Joseph, MI

2016 Breast Feeding Class,

5:30 P.M., Elkhart Environmental Center

Meditation Yoga,

Rockin Road To Dublin, 7:30 P.M., Morris

26

19

12

4 National Frappe Day

Oktoberfest Begins In Germany

27

The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Nappanee

30th Anniversary Of Plain & Fancy, 8:00 P.M.,

20

Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts CenterSouth Bend

The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Nappanee

30th Anniversary Of Plain & Fancy, 8:00 P.M.,

St. Patrick’s County ParkSouth Bend

A Place To Be Somebody, 6:30 P.M.,

13 30th Anniversary Of Plain & Fancy,

8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish AcresNappanee

Fiddler On The Roof,

The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres-Nappanee

30th Anniversary Of Plain & Fancy, 2:00 P.M.,

5

Morris Performing Arts CenterSouth Bend

Love Jones, The Musical, 8:00 P.M.,

1:00 P.M., Bendix Woods County Park-South Bend

Evening Hayrides For Private Parties,

28

8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish AcresNappanee

Fiddler On The Roof,

1:30 P.M., Studebaker National Museum-South Bend

Public Program: “The Grand Makes Of Indiana’ Classic Era,”

21

Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

5:00 P.M., Downtown Elkhart

ArtWalk Wednesday,

2:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Nappanee

14

6

Morris Inn-University Of Notre Dame

Tea Time For The Arts 2016, 3:00 P.M.,

Blue Chip Casino Stardust Event Center Michigan City

Inspiring Women Luncheon & Program, 11:30 A.M.,

29

1st Day Of Fall

22

Performing Arts CenterSouth Bend

Wicked, 7:30 P.M., Morris

2:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish AcresNappanee

Downtown Nappanee

Nappanee Apple Festival, 5:00 P.M.,

Fiddler On The Roof,

15

4th Annual Fall Festival, 4:30 P.M.,

7 5:00 P.M., Downtown South Bend & Goshen

First Fridays,

7:00 P.M., Battell Community Center-Mishawaka

We Heart Paws Event,

7:00 P.M., Niles Scream Park

Niles Scream Park,

Bendix Woods County ParkVan Paris ShelterNew Carlisle

Make Your Own Scarecrow, 6:00 P.M.,

30

8:00 P.M., Niles Scream Park

Niles Scream Park,

Downtown St. Joseph, MI

23

8:00 P.M., Niles Scream Park

Niles Scream Park,

South Bend Civic Theatre

Downtown Nappanee

Nappanee Apple Festival, 11:00 A.M.,

Legally Blonde The Musical, 7:30 P.M.,

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8

11:00 A.M., Bendix Woods County Park

Bicentennial Birthday Bash,

9:00 A.M., Resurrection Lutheran Academy-South Bend

Holiday Shopping Bazaar,

Irish Green-Notre Dame

Family Festival, 10:00 A.M.,

Four Winds Field-South

SBCSC Community Fun Fair And Truck Pull 2016, 8:00 A.M.,

OCT 1

Niles Scream Park

Niles Scream Park, 8:00 P.M.,

4th Annual Fall Festival,

4:30 P.M., Downtown St. Joseph, MI

St. Patrick’s County Park-South Bend

Canoe And Campfire, 5:30 P.M.,

Linton’s Fall Classic Car Cruise In, 11:00 A.M.,

Nappanee Apple Festival,

10:00 A.M., Downtown Nappanee

Linton’s Enchanted Gardens-Elkhart

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17

FAMILY kids

How to Potty Train in

3 Days T

By: Meagan Church

wo of the most dreaded words in parenting have to be “potty training.” But not for Joanna Azar who has developed a three-day method.

Joanna’s often-requested approach has worked for all four of her kids and her sister’s three girls, as well. All of the kids successfully trained at or even before the age of two.

The ideal age for this approach seems to be right at age two or even just before. Joanna says the key to success is to devote at least two to three solid days of focusing on nothing but potty training. That means no trips out of the house, nor visitors or other distractions. After two hardcore days, life can resume as normal, but without the diapers.

It can be exhausting and frustrating at times, but the payoff (and the diaper savings) is worth the effort!

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Items needed: • Underwear • A potty seat that fits on the toilet.

• Some form of bribery to use as rewards, such as a small candy/treat, marshmallows or stickers. Choose something small, but enticing.

Day 1 In the morning when your toddler first wakes up, let him pick out underwear to wear. Then tell him that he is going to be a big boy and go on the potty all day. Be sure to show excitement and enthusiasm. Encourage him to help him know that he can do it. Take him to the bathroom and show him the treat he will get when he goes potty: one treat for pee and two for poop. Then go about your day as normal, but have him sit on the potty every 15 minutes. Offer lots of water and juice, so he has to go more often. Give him a treat and celebrate each time he successfully goes.

“Be sure to show excitement and enthusiasm.”

Joanna does not use training pants during the day. “Our number one reason for not using training pants is because the child needs to feel how uncomfortable accidents are. We told him it was okay and that next time he should tell us and we can go on the potty,” she said. “Naps and night time we still diapered or used training pants, as this is not considered part of the potty training yet, and it could discourage them and mess up their sleep time.”

Day 2 Do the same as the first day, but don’t sit him on the potty as often. Ask him if he needs to go at various intervals. Reward and celebrate with each success.

Day 3 Continue to ask if he needs to go, but only make him go every hour to hour-and-a-half if he hasn’t gone on his own.

Sometimes kids will have troubles transitioning from pooping in a diaper to using the toilet instead. Joanna experienced this with her oldest son. “He still hadn’t pooped on the potty by day three, so we brought in reinforcements of a Matchbox car if he pooped on the potty, as we heard a lot of kids are scared to poop on the potty. Amazingly enough, he went poop three times on day three with him telling us he had to go each time. Amazing what motivation the car was!”

Day 4+ Remind and ask him throughout the day if he needs to go potty. Continue to give verbal praise to reinforce his accomplishment. As for other treats, Joanna said, “We give rewards during those first three days. If they ask after that, we might give them one, but they quickly forget and stop asking.”

You can switch to underwear at naps and nighttime when he wakes up dry for a week straight. Nighttime can often take longer, but it will come with time.

There you have it; the potty training in three days method. It sounds simple enough, but just remember that during those first two days especially, you will be totally potty focused. It can be exhausting and frustrating at times, but the payoff (and the diaper savings) is worth the effort!

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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FAMILY kids By: Meagan Church

Why

Not To Speak Baby Talkie-Walkie

I

t was a typical night at gymnastics and as much as I wanted to ignore it, like fingernails on a chalkboard or a broom sweeping across carpeting, the sound would not go away. It was unrelenting. It was a mother speaking with her child in baby talk. I realize the mother was attempting to speak with her preschooler in a sweet manner, but what she was doing was rambling in high-pitched

gibberish and made up words. She was saying something about putting on a “coaty-woaty” to “go bye-bye car.”

The next week a similar situation took place and that got me to wondering: is baby talk just a pet peeve of my writer’s mind? Or is it more advantageous for parents to use correct grammar with children, even at a young age? To figure this out, I turned to Kris Arizmendi, coordinator for the Talk With Your Baby program in South Bend. Kris works to help parents engage their babies and encourage brain development through communication.

“Research has shown that children from talkative families have heard 30 million more words by age three than children from less talkative families,” Kris said. “The more words these children heard, the better they did on tests of cognitive development and the better they did on reading readiness tests in the third grade. No fancy flashcards or expensive DVD sets are necessary. Talking, reading and interacting with your child right from the start and at every chance you get is the best thing you can do for her in this critical developmental stage.”

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To get a good start during this critical developmental stage, Kris suggests parents follow these steps: Use real words.

“We suggest that you use real words and correct grammar when speaking to your children. Baby talk, as opposed to clear, English words, is not as easy for babies to understand. If you find yourself using baby talk occasionally, that’s okay. For your child to develop a good base for literacy, however, it is important for you to speak to her in correct language when you’re labeling objects, people and other things in her life.”

Practice parentese, not baby talk.

“Baby talk is not nearly as beneficial as parentese, although the two are often confused.

Baby talk is the use of made up sounds or words (‘goo goo ga ga’) in place of real words or phrases. Parentese, on the other hand, is the use of a high-pitched voice coupled with elongated syllables when speaking. It has been shown to be instrumental in helping babies learn the basic phonics of language.”

“Repetition and different methods of talking, such as reading and singing.”

Do more than just talk.

“We suggest repetition and different methods of talking, such as reading and singing.

We also advocate that one’s tone and message should always match, so that children are able to distinguish between different emotional states, such as happiness or frustration. Humans are constantly learning and communicating, even if that communication may not be verbal. Although it may not seem like your baby is understanding your words, she is still listening and communicating in her own way.”

Create a language-rich environment.

“In our Talk With Your Baby curriculum, we talk with our parents about what a language-rich environment looks like. We see it as a place where parents make sure to point out words around children, such as in home libraries, looking at signs on the road, listening to music and encouraging reading every day.”

I know that the woman at gymnastics was trying her best to engage her preschooler, but the next time you’re tempted to ask your child to put on his “coaty-woaty,” remember that you are helping him form and develop his language. For your child to learn proper communication, it’s important to model what you are teaching him. Okie wokie dokie?

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FAMILY kids

Questions

Every Parent Should Ask Their Child By: Noelle Elliott It's amazing how quickly summer goes by and a new school year begins shortly after it ends. For our family, the race begins in September and we don't slow down until June. We are all running at a fast pace and barely have time to think.

My oldest son just became a teenager and the conversations that used to flow easily, seem to require more effort. I was unsatisfied with the distance between us and decided to take him out for lunch.

I wanted to ask him questions about his day, his school year and get solid answers. Not the typical, "fine" he gives me when I ask how his day was. I figured if I didn't ask the questions, he certainly wasn't going to offer up the information.

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Before our lunch date, I wrote a few questions. I literally wrote them out on a piece of paper because I was planning on keeping my phone in my purse and asking my son to keep his at home or in his pocket.

I didn't want to sound like I was interrogating him, but I felt that these questions were long over due.

What was the high point and low point of your day?

This question is deeper than just asking how your child's day was.

It makes them think about what they experienced during the day.

Highlighting something they are proud of. The low point can open the door to discussing something that they may feel overwhelmed with or something they can improve upon the next day.

Do you feel safe?

I made the false assumption that my son always felt this way. He lives a pretty sheltered life. He goes to the same school where his father is a teacher; he knows everyone in our neighborhood. But, I just wanted to ask. After a few minutes, he told me that someone he rides home with from lacrosse made him nervous with her driving. I would have had no idea that this particular person has a tendency to speed had I not asked. I assured him that he didn't need to ride with her anymore. I hope it also made him realize that he can come to me whenever he feels this way in the future.

Are you happy?

I have suffered from mental illness in the past and I wish someone would have asked me this question when I was younger. Of course, people have ups and downs, but if he or she feels sad for no reason, it may be a sign that they are depressed. For an adolescent, it can be really hard to articulate exactly what that feels like. If anything, it can open up a conversation that could help save a life in the future.

What do you love most?

The answer to this question surprised me. I thought that at the top of his list would be the things he does most, like play games on his phone. But, he said he loves time with his friends. He also loves the time when our family is all together. With this knowledge, I know that his friends and family are important to him and will think about this next time he asks to have friends over.

All of these questions open a dialogue that otherwise could have remained closed. It can also be adjusted for the age of the child.

Although I am with my children every day, I realize that I don't spend enough time listening to what they have to say. As an adult, and their mother it is my job to take care of them.

Not just physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. All it takes is a little time and the right kind of questions.

“All of these questions open a dialogue that otherwise could have remained closed.�

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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FAMILY kids

Talking To Your Children About

Gun Safety By: Lt. William Redman, St. Joseph County Police Department

E

very year, thousands of people are injured and killed by guns. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2013, 1670 children (age 0-18 years) died as a direct result of a gunshot, and an additional 9,700 children were injured.

The fact is, guns are in more than one third of all U.S. households. Guns pose a real danger to children. Even though you may choose not to own a gun, a home your child visits may have one. This is why it's vital that children are aware of the dangers presented by firearms, and are spoken to about gun safety.

If you own a gun, please consider the following: •

Lock the gun and keep it out of the reach of children. Hiding the gun isn't enough.

•

Lock the ammunition and store it separately from the gun.

•

Store the keys for the gun safe or gun lock separately from household keys. Keep the keys out of reach of children.

•

When handling or cleaning a gun, use caution and never leave the gun unattended.

Lastly, whether you own a gun or not, spend time discussing the real dangers guns pose with your children. Discuss the difference between a toy gun and a real gun. Again, even though you may not have a toy gun in your home, your child's friends may have them.

As a police officer, I taught my four daughters (at a very young age) about the dangers of guns. I've also taught thousands of local children about the dangers. To help guide my teaching, I utilized the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program (NRA). The program's message to children is if you see a gun, at that time, was to "Stop. Don't Touch. Leave the Area and Tell an Adult."

not only made me smile, but also allowed me to realize how important it is to have that discussion with our children about gun safety.

I asked my adult daughters this morning via a group text message what they should do if they see a gun and I immediately received a return text of "Stop. Don't Touch. Leave the area and tell an adult." This

More information may be found at the following: eddieeagle.nra.org, projectchildsafe.org

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This message has changed over the years but the message is clear; Stop! Don't Touch. Run Away. Tell a Grown-up.

FAMILY craft

Photos: Jill Lebbin

By: Jill Lebbin

Monogram Pumpkins O

ne year at the end of the fall season, my husband and I were cleaning up our fall decorations and disposing of our pumpkins. My husband picked up one of the pumpkins and all the guts fell through the bottom. There were ooey gooey pumpkin guts EVERYWHERE! He declared from then on we wouldn’t get our pumpkins too early. I agreed but absolutely LOVE decorating for fall early in the season. Then I came across these fabulous DIY pumpkins from the craft store that you can keep out all fall and don’t have to worry about their guts falling out!

Last year I tried to get these white pumpkins but they were sold out, so I made sure to go early and get them. While I was at the craft store they had these rhinestone adhesive letters and BOOM next thing you know these monogram pumpkins were born!

Materials: • Craft Pumpkin- From Any Craft Store • Rhinestone Letters

Step: Just peel off the rhinestone sticker and place on any pumpkin and enjoy!

Safely Relax In Style The first year of your child’s life can be overwhelming for new moms!

And, one of the top concerns that we have is our baby’s safety while sleeping whether that is in a bassinet, crib or even co-sleeping.

DockATot is here to help ease those concerns and help you and your baby get some shut eye!

DockATot™ baby lounger provides a safe, snug spot for your baby to relax, play, tummy time and sleep with its unique shape and design. The DockATot provides: • Womb Like Feel For Your Child

• Helps Strengthen Baby’s Neck Muscles When Used For Tummy Time

• Portability • Reduces Risk Of Flat Head Syndrome • 100% Breathable

• Perfect For Transitioning From Co-Sleeping To Crib

DockATot comes in two sizes. The Deluxe (0-9 months) and The Grand (9-36 months).

AND the FAMILY Magazine is giving away a Deluxe DockATot to ONE lucky winner!

Contest Begins: September 12th at Noon Contest Ends & Winner Announced: September 14th at Noon Visit www.michianamom.com and click on the “Contests & Giveaways” tab.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for contest updates!

Celebrity Testimonials “There are a lot of tips that I strongly recommend for cosleeping safely if you are going to try it. I also recently discovered DockATot. I have been loving it…Amazing for sleeping in different beds, traveling, etc.” - Kourtney Kardashian “These are awesome loungers for my little ones! They love them and that makes me so happy.” - Jennifer Love Hewitt “Thank you DockATot for keeping our baby cozy and safe.

Seriously the BEST number one must have! I've been telling all my friends. We are loving the new sleeping routine thanks to DockATot.” -Kimberly Caldwell

Learn more about DockATot at www.dockatot.com or visit their Facebook (facebook.com/dockatot), Twitter (twitter.com/docatot), Pinterest (pinterest.com/dockatot) and Instagram (Instagram.com/dockatot) page.

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it page and Color this he tured in t can be fea ue r 2016 iss Novembe !

Magazine of FAMILY

NAME: _________________________________________ AGE: ______ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _________ DAY TIME PHONE: __________________________________________ PARENT’S NAME: ___________________________________________ E-MAIL: ____________________________________________________

Color this page and win! The coloring contest winners will be featured in our November 2016 issue of FAMILY Magazine!

One winner will be selected from each of the three following age categories: 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12 years of age.

For your chance to WIN, color your best picture and mail entries to: MICHIANA FAMILY PUBLISHING • P.O. Box 577 • Granger, IN 46530 • (269) 228-8295. Coloring contest is open to children 12 years and under, and entries must be mailed by September 30, 2016. Winners will be featured in the November 2016 issue of FAMILY Magazine.

Winners' artwork will be featured along with their first name and age. For additional coloring contest entries, this coloring page may be photocopied and printed off.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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C D S N J V S C P B F P N E A Q C B E C Q W I S H T S U S U C E O G P J M E E J P E T Q I I O F V W T A V X D S E S S H U N R W S W E A T S H I R T S T M A N C E E M R E D I C R Q F U N C S Q Y S B E N I P O Y Y T M L U D H S Z E L V F H R S U A Y I U T X K X R H U W R N A A S H W J A S Q N G V A G V I G Q R X F W W W C F E B L T Z R P S J D P E C C O V O O Z C O F B E D U S Z S U L E A V E S O O F R P F E B Y T B Z G C K O O O U I Z J L N Z Z N Z F T T T C O L F T P P V H W J Q V B S T G J R X K E P E N H P A A A A D R T Y Y O H A E C Q K L T S E V R A H T W J V B G L L Z P C P T C O N E S Y D R E V H X O T M R N P K Z T O Q A O M

Find the words below in the word search puzzle.

Words can be forwards, backwards, diagonal, vertical or horizontal.

ACORN APPLES AUTUMN BOOTS CHESTNUTS CIDER 26

THE

CONES COOL CORN CRISP FIRES

FAMILY MAGAZINE | September 2016

FOOTBALL GOURD HARVEST HAYRIDE LEAVES

NUTS PINE SEPTEMBER SQUASH SWEATSHIRTS

FAMILY kids

Homemade lunchables Cheese, meat and crackers.

Wrap it up Fill a tortilla with meat, cheese, and veggies, add your favorite dressing.

Leftovers Send last night’s dinner, chicken and pizza make a great lunch.

Think Outside the

Send pasta or lettuce salads.

Lunch Box By: Sarah Lyons

Fill a Thermos with soup or pasta.

Some kids are more likely to eat their lunch if they are given a variety of foods rather than the same old thing every day.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking outside the lunch box!

Breakfast for lunch.

Different sandwich Put meat and cheese on a sub sandwich instead of bread or send something unusual like peanut butter and banana (use sunbutter for a nut-free option).

Kabobs Fill skewers with grapes, tomatoes, cheese cubes or meat.

Quesadillas They taste great cold too.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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FAMILY mommy & daddy

“The thing is that if you want to accomplish something, start with one thing.”

All Mom's Can Use A Bit Of Encouragement!

You Deserve to Accomplish

Something By: Meagan Church

Dear Mom, Summer is over. Please excuse me for a moment while I mourn that fact.

Gone are the lazy morning starts and the days that unfold without agenda or focus. But I suppose the good thing about summer ending is that it also means an ending to lazy morning starts and days that unfold without agenda or focus. (Nice one, Irony.)

I love summer. I love summer for so many reasons: the heat, the sun, the kids being home, the opportunity to let them be free of schedules for a few months. Yet, by the end of this summer, I was itching for a change. By mid-August, I was craving something and it wasn’t more afternoons spent poolside. It was a sense of accomplishment.

I’ll be honest that this summer wasn’t exactly my most accomplished summer. While I maintained work and spent time with the kids, many things got put on the back burner, awaiting the arrival of school and schedule. At least I tried to wait, but as the summer lingered on, I couldn’t take it anymore and I did something about the gnawing feeling, that itch that had been forming inside me. I took action and finally accomplished something.

Yes, I actually forced myself out of bed well before the kids woke up. You see, the Olympics had held me captive each night, not allowing me to go to bed before midnight, which meant I struggled to pull myself out of bed in the morning without first hitting the snooze button a dozen or so times.

But on this day, I got up and I got to work. I finished a work project that I had been putting off, and it felt great. With that accomplishment under my belt, I didn’t just sit back and celebrate; I decided to do more. I laced up my running shoes and hit the pavement. It had been weeks since my last run, so my pace was slow and my breathing labored, but I did it. Then, I came 28

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | September 2016

home and I adulted. Yes, I tackled that ever-growing stack of paperwork on my desk. I paid bills, finished preschool admissions paperwork and updated the family calendar.

Sure, some of those tasks were done out of necessity, but a greater part of it was done because of a sense of accomplishment. Succeeding at one thing had a snowball effect, causing me to accomplish more and more things. At the end of the night as I watched athletes win medals and set personal best times, I felt that I could better understand their victories.

Why? Because I had my own set of victories that day. I had fought off the snooze button that morning. I had triumphantly pulled myself out of bed.

Then I had put one foot in front of the other and I did all the things…or at least a few that I had procrastinated for long enough.

In the midst of motherhood, it can be so easy to go through a day and feel like you’ve done nothing, or at least nothing other than change diapers, divert arguments, soothe cries or taxi the kids from one activity to the next. It can be so easy to get lost in the mundane of the day and reach the end of it feeling like you have contributed nothing of importance. Now, of course all of those things listed above are important, but sometimes we need to feel that we’ve done more.

The thing is that if you want to accomplish something, start with one thing. That one little sense of success gives you the energy and focus to move on to the next thing. And, sometimes we deserve to give ourselves a boost of self-esteem that comes thanks to an accomplishment and a feeling of success.

So what is it that you need to accomplish today? Maybe you, like me, need to get out of bed before hitting the snooze button for the tenth time. Or maybe today you just need to get dressed (yes, leggings and an oversized t-shirt count). Maybe today is the day you organize that closet, send out your resume, call that old friend to see what she’s been up to. We’re not talking about achieving world peace here, ladies. Start small and let one success snowball into another, so at the end of the day you can kick back and say, “Today I accomplished something. And I deserved it.”

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2016

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FAMILY fiction

The Diary of a

Modern Mom: Playground Meet Cute Dear Jo, Today you cried in public. Worse than that, you cried on the shoulder of a stranger.

You shouldn’t have been at the park. You had plans, but they all went out the window when Emerson threw up all over the living room floor moments before your parents were leaving to take him on his sleepover Saturday night. Needless to say, the sleepover was canceled, as was any hope that you would be sleeping that night. If you weren’t caring for a sick Emerson, you were breastfeeding Lyla or bleaching the house.

So, instead of sleepovers, meals at your parents and hanging out with Iris, you have been quarantined within your home. Your hands are bleeding from washing them so often. You made Emerson cry because you snapped at him for trying to touch his sister. Let’s forget (and hope that Emerson’s three-year-old mind doesn’t retain for long) your reaction when he attempted to kiss her…

“Emerson threw up all over the living room floor.”

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By: Meagan Church

This is not what you had signed up for. Even before Paul proposed, you had a deal with him. You told him that you did not handle vomit well (just typing the word is difficult enough). You made it clear that if you should have kids in the future, and if they should get sick at some point, it would be your husband’s responsibility to clean and care for the child, while you donned a HAZMAT suit and disinfected. Failure to do otherwise would be a deal breaker with any guy. This was your own prenuptial agreement.

And, yet, here you are faced with a stomach bug with no partner in crime. And it’s not one of those 24-hour deals either. Emerson decided to go big. Why not stretch it out over 72 hours?

Today you’d had enough. Well, enough was the moment your parents walked out the door without Emerson and you were left holding the bucket. But today you needed out of the house.

Everyone did. You needed some fresh air.

You didn’t think about how you would have to constantly remind Emerson to take it easy and not overdo it at the playground. It was good that he wanted to run and play, but you didn’t want his exuberance to bring on another episode. As you reminded him to slow it down and take it easy, you sat on the bench and breastfed Lyla. It was when you burped her that it became too much. With the burp rag in place, you put her on your shoulder and began to pat her back, as usual. She soon produced a few good burps and with the final one came more than you’d expected. She has always spit up, but this time there seemed to be more. Or was it just your imagination? Your heart skipped a beat. You turned her around and looked at her.

She smiled and cooed. She seemed fine. Was she fine? Or was she going to throw up again? Or was it just spit up and not really throw up?

And then she hugged you. You thought you had stopped crying, but it started all over again, but this time onto her shoulder.

That’s when you lost it. She giggled and you began to cry. The hot tears streamed down your cheeks without your control. Your exhausted body released them without your consent. And that’s when you saw her.

“I’m Emily,” she said.

She moved into the neighborhood last fall. You meant to say hi. You meant to bake something for her as a welcome-to-the-neighborhood treat, but you never quite got around to it.

“Oh, I’ve cried over much

“I’m so sorry,” you whispered.

less. Don’t be

“Don’t be. Oh, I’ve cried over much less. Don’t be embarrassed,” she said as she handed you a handkerchief (not a tissue). “You know, I can’t stand stomach bugs either. In fact, I can’t even say the word…well, you know what word… the ‘v’ word. Before we got married, I made my husband swear he’d take care of the kids when they were sick.”

embarrassed.”

“Seriously? I did the same thing with my husband.”

You both laughed.

“I’m Jo.” You talked, the kids played and then you walked home together, regretting not having taken her a baked good when you first thought of it and vowing to make up for that once the virus had fully vacated the house.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“My,” hiccup “husband,” hiccup “is,” hiccup “out-of-town.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

You went on to hiccup through Emerson’s virus and the scare with Lyla. You tried to laugh at your overreaction.

“I get it,” she said. “Trust me. I get it.”

The Diary of a Modern Mom is a serial fiction story written by Meagan Church. Check back each month for the next installment of one mom’s attempt to chronicle what she has been told are the days she shouldn’t forget…spit-up, tantrums, milestones and all.

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