Family Magazine December 2012

Moms Just Know • Free

Believing

Again

A New Kind of

Christmas Teaching Our Kids to Avoid the ‘Gimmes’

Christmas

Crafts for the

Kiddos All that Glitters Adding Christmas Sparkle without Going Overboard

Unwrapped!

The Gift of Family Traditions

Decemb

2012 er

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Contributors

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Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Betsy Tavernier

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IN THE NEXT ISSUE: The Fit Mama

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.

on the cover: Special thanks to Max 7 and Kate 5 from Granger! What cute Christmas models!

Photography: Classic Image Photography, Granger

Fashion Editor: Kathy Friend Kathy@MMProd.com

Medical Editor: S. Jesse Hsieh, M.D. Distribution Manager: John Ferguson Family Magazines of Michiana would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: info@Michianafamilymagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines 1233 E. University Drive Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.michianafamilymagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines December 2012 Established in 2006.

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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.

F RO M T HE P U B L I S H E R Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to You and Your Family!

I love this time of year with my family and all the hoopla that comes with Christmas and the entire holiday season.

From decorating trees, to frosting reindeer cookies and sending our letters to Santa, and... ... and oh, remembering the true reason for the season; it's tough to cut through the holiday blissful clutter to teach our little ones what it is really all about.

With every Christmas show we watch as a family and every holiday tradition we enjoy, I do try to wrap the reason for the season into what we are doing as a family. Whether it's buying a gift for someone we care about because we love them and want to make their day, or it's sending Christmas cards because we take the time to let someone know they are being thought of, or it's preparing a basket of food items because we are sharing with those that may be less fortunate ... and the list goes on.

As parents, we've got to cut through the clutter and show by example what the reason for the season is in everything that we do. My parents did this and I'm trying my darnedest to do it, too -- but boy, IT IS TOUGH! Every year, I improve with this mission and I figure by the time the hoopla settles down in the Tavernier Home, and my kids are teens, I may have instilled these very important core values that I can only pray they will then teach their kids.

Things We (at FAMILY)

Love

Right Now!

1. The Smell of Pine 2. The Polar Express Movie 3. Once Upon a Child Stores (Mishawaka & Goshen)

4. Frosted Christmas Cookies & a BIG Glass of Milk

5. Wonderful Teachers 6. Cute Socks 7. Red Lipstick

We are a work in progress, as parents, always.

8. Sequins

Enjoy this wonderful time with your family and loved ones... the key word being "time".

9. Fabulous Christmas Pics

Merry Christmas!!!

10. A Genuine Smile

11. Honesty

Betsy & Family

12. The Reason for the Season

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Holiday House Bouquet™ A charming winter fruit bouquet that’s filled with all the magic of the holiday season. Our NEW Holiday House Bouquet™ in a keepsake ceramic gingerbread house container features sweet pineapple gingerbread men dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate, and is filled with fresh strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew and grapes. Call 574-247-5757 or visit EdibleArrangements.com for more info.

Check it Out! Do

n’t forget to pick up your cop y of the NEW SASS Y Magazine!

OCTOBER

2012 § NOVEMB

ER 2012

N O7

F RO M T HE E D I TOR Happy Christmas, Family!

It’s a beautiful time of year – the snow is about to fall (it’s been threatening for awhile now!) and winter fun will begin.

I’ll fully admit, I still love throwing myself down on the ground to make snow angels, rolling down a hill after falling off a sled and sticking out my tongue to catch snowflakes.

Don’t judge – you know you want to do it, too.

This time of year warms our hearts even with the chill, though, doesn’t it? Generosity, charity, random acts of kindness, traditions and spending time with our families as often as possible. Check out Stephanie Graham’s “Unwrapped: The Gift of Family Traditions” for some tips on giving memories instead of wrapped gifts, and teach your children how to focus on others and not the ‘gimmes’ of the season by reading Kimberly Ringler’s “A New Kind of Christmas”. Spending time together is so much more important than any gift you can give. That can be our focus at Christmas, but also all year long. Kristin Baker gives some great insights from the world of improvisational theatre in “The Gift of Yes, And…”, and Andie Kingsbury gives some simple but memorable craft ideas to do with our younger kids in her article “Christmas Crafts for Kids”.

However you choose to celebrate this holiday season, be safe and be together. The magic of the season brings us close like nothing else all year long. For a warmer heart, don’t miss Christopher Garlington’s fresh, fun ‘dad’s-eye-view’ in “Believing Again” – his humorous take on his daughter’s belief in Santa will have you rolling with laughter and tears all at once.

Have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and family, and never forget the reason for the season.

Stephanie

FAMILY

Testimonials

From Some of Our Online Contest Winners: "Thank you again for the Fresh Beat Band tickets. That was such an amazing night! So much fun. The pure joy from my daughter made it even better!" ~ Jessica Ginther "Thank you so much for the Fresh Beat Band tickets! You made two little girls so happy! They were amazing seats!" ~ Kristyna Wickline

More Praise for FAMILY: "What a great publication! I had no idea this existed. So excited to dig into the new issues!" ~ Chaunie Brusie

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Register NOW for the 2013 Winter Semester

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Your child will find out how much fun learning can be when they’re enrolled in PreTEND Preschool.

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T/W/TH 3-4 age Class Information Location: O’Brien Dates: 1/8-5/8 Ages: 3-4 Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm Fee: $525.00 Payments: $100 non-refundable deposit applied towards class fee is due at registration $212.50 due by February 1, 2013 $212.50 due by March 1, 2013 *No class April 1-5th –Spring Break M/T/W/TH 4-5 age Class Information Location: O’Brien Dates: 1/7-5/9 Ages: 4-5 Time: 9:00am-12:00pm Fee: $693.00 Payments: $100 non-refundable deposit applied towards class fee is due at registration $296.50 due by February 1, 2013 $296.50 due by March 1, 2013 *No class on January 21st, February 18th & April 1-5th 6 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Addie's first Chrsitmas Tree. ~meaganchurch

Autumn in Indiana ~michellewegner

Ffllyy ~maddie_dawnn

Simple and free. ~michellewegner

Bored at Quincy's ~courtneyekema

Use Instagram, a fun photo editing and sharing app for the iPhone, to show us what you see around town and what your family and friends are up to. Your photos may make an upcoming issue! Include the hashtag #michmag in your photo captions, and follow us on Instagram too: thefamilymag.

Pruney ~meaganchurch

Busy Squirrel ~stemplin

Rainbow ~maddiewegner

This cat has no shame ~meaganchurch

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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the FAMILY magazine table

Of

contents

18

22 live your best

5 Find the Acorn Contest

family fun

22 The Gift of “Yes, And...”

10 The FAMILY Month Calendar

kids’ book reviews 12 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid

Reviewed by Zakarey

12 The Giver

Reviewed by Derrick

family fashion 14 All That Glitters

By Kathy Friend

family matters 16 Unwrapped

The Gift of Family Traditions

By Stephanie Graham

18 A New Kind of Christmas

By Kimberly Ringler

20 Believing Again

By Christopher Garlington

By Kristin Baker

special family features 28 The New Game in Town

Kohl's Fit Feastival Helping Area Kids Make Healthy Choices

By Dan Przybyla

calendar of events

30 Go to www.MichianaFamilyMagazine.com for

tons of additional family events

– updated daily!

20 stuff kids say 34 Yadda Yadda

family story time

35 Win One for the Gipper

Reviewed by Denise Stuart

family crafts

36 Christmas Crafts for Kids

By Andie Kingsbury

expecting

38 Bursting with News

Creative Ways to Announce You're Pregnant

By Meagan Church

mommy & daddy

40 I Can Do it All - Just Not at Once

Finding Balance as a Working Mother

By Amberly E. Nichols, LCSW

42 Deck the Halls

...Walls, Front Yard and the Roof

By Jane Sutter

22

newborn

44 It's Twins!

The New World of Multiple Births

By Andie Kingsbury

play dates

46 Find out where you and your kids can visit Santa Claus in Michiana!

31

LIVE your best

The FAMILY Month 1 Goodwill Donation Drive, Goshen

8

12

Nutcracker Ballet, Morris Performing Arts Center

7

Teddy Bear Concert

9

Visit Mrs. Claus

Nutcracker Ballet, Morris Performing Arts Center

2 3 4 5 6 10 11 13 14 Sa Su M Tu W Th F a Su M Tu W Th F

Favorite Christmas Movie Quotes:

Candy Cane Facts: The original sugar stick was completely white and straight.

The origin of the candy cane dates back over 350 years.

A choirmaster at a cathedral in Germany began bending the canes to represent shepherd canes.

“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!” – It’s a Wonderful Life

“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” – A Christmas Story

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” – Elf

Homemade Christmas Tree Ideas Pop popcorn, spray with gold paint and string on thread.

Using construction paper, make red and green frames to create picture ornaments.

Glue brown pipe cleaner antlers and a red puffball nose on a candy cane to make a reindeer!

10 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Printed on Recycled Content Paper

Calendar

25 Christmas

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Community Holiday Hymn Sing

New Year's Eve

Holiday Choral Celebration

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Warm Reminders Keep a thermos of hot cocoa with you when sledding – warms your belly and your hands!

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Delicious Fruit Design® with dipped apples in a snowman keepsake by Edible Arrangements This holiday fruit bouquet is overflowing with pineapple daisies, fresh strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, and grapes, and crisp Granny Smith apple wedges hand-dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate! It's all artfully arranged in a custom keepsake ceramic snowman container. Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts and centerpieces for everyday occasions and events. You can order this delicious Edible Arrangement and many others at Edible Arrangements in Heritage Square in Granger!

Call 574-247-5757 or visit EdibleArrangements.com for more info.

Keep a bag of kitty litter in the trunk of your car in case you get stuck and need traction.

Unscramble The Christmas Words: Rtewah

Mittens are better than gloves – your fingers touching generates more warmth than separation does.

Lyohl Elcsaorr Direnree Hlisge (wreath, holly, carolers, reindeer, sleigh)

100% Recyclable

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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BOOK reviews

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid

By Jeff Kenny

Reviewed by Zakarey The book I read was Diary of a Wimpy Kid written by Jeff Kenny. The book was about a middle school boy who told about his life in eighth grade. He talks about his problems in school as well as some of the cool activities. Some of his problems include dealing with bullies, homework and trying to be popular.

The book also has a lot of funny jokes; most middle school students could relate to the absurdity of the jokes. A funny part was where all the school kids were afraid of the cheese that somehow was dropped on the sidewalk at school. They called it “The Cheese Touch” which lots of middle kids could relate to. Anyway, the cheese touch is one kid who touched the cheese and now, it is like tag and if he touches someone, then that person has the cheese touch. I like this book because it’s a good short book; and secondly, because it’s really funny.

There is a lot to know about to me, because I’m always doing something. The things I do every day are school, soccer, then I go home and eat. In my spare time, I am either working at home or just kicking a soccer ball around with my little brothers. My little brothers are both eleven and my half-brother is twenty-nine and married.

The Giver

By Lois Lowry

Reviewed by Derrick Living in a utopian society, Jonas has it all. No pain, crime, nothing negative. On the anticipated “Ceremony of Twelve” day, Jonas gets picked last as the Receiver of Memories. With little to no idea as to what the Receiver does, Jonas discovers the real truths that keep his perfect society so perfect.

As the new Receiver, Jonas is trained by the previous Receiver, the Giver. In the brutal and harsh training, Jonas receives memories of the past from the Giver. “Sameness” (the act that everything is the same) is contradicted by the memories received of war, hunger and discrimination. All these new and extraordinary attributes are given to Jonas, and are given to no one else in the community. All the simple matters that we know and have are bestowed upon Jonas such as color. Gradually, as the training progresses, Jonas realizes that his perfect society isn’t so perfect.

Together the Giver and Jonas conjure a plan that could both help and change the ever so unchangeable society forever.

The Giver is well-written and gives the reader a different point of view than any other book. The story is written in a way that always leaves the reader wanting more.

Derrick enjoys football and soccer along with learning math. He is 13 years old and attends Edwardsburg Middle School.

Printed on Recycled Content Paper

South Bend Clinic/ Villing & Co.

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FAMILY fashion

All That Glitters

By Kathy Friend

T

he Holiday season seems to give us moms license to don all of the shimmer and shine our bodies can withstand, many times leaving us looking a bit more like a Christmas tree rather than a sophisticated, polished woman.

The thing about glimmer and shine everywhere is that it brings a lot of attention to us – to our silhouette –and perhaps to a part of our silhouette we don’t necessarily want to focus on. That got me to thinking about some other seasonal trend ideas we could bring into the holidays. Here I have several outside-the-box ideas for you to incorporate into your holiday party wardrobe.

The big fashion trend for holiday party dressing is Color Blocking – pops of bright colors in your ensemble and/or accessories. Maybe that means a dress with a contrast sleeve or something monochromatic with a color-block shoe. If you search long and hard, I bet you could even find little something with a color-block that has some glitz and shine!

Blocking your look with a few sequins is a great idea!

Dare to be different: wear a monochromatic white. I predict that white will be the new black this

holiday season. White, off white, a nude-peach tone or even a pale pink all have the essence of ‘all-thingsnew’ and show off the sparkle in your accessories, and I know you are dying to wear your rhinestone necklace for New Year’s Eve!

Holiday parties are the time to spend a little extra time on your hair – wear it up! Create an ultra-sleek look with your hair by pulling it back in a bun and adding some bedazzlement. This is an especially sophisticated look when wearing unstructured clothing, or anything with a high neckline.

14 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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My plan for this holiday season is to wear a strong crimson lip. There is a red that is right for everyone. Choosing the right shade of red is key to getting the look right. Remember that orange-red lipsticks tend to be bolder and add more contrast against most skin tones, therefore are brighter. It’s not as much the shade of red as it is about the intensity and boldness of color against your skin.

Lace! A skirt, shoes, cuff bracelets, a top... lace details are a big trend this holiday season. Embrace this trend in small doses.

I would not suggest wearing a lace dress and pairing it with a lace cuff bracelet and lace detailed shoes. Too much of a good thing is… well, TOO MUCH!

Accessorize with gold! Some people just don’t look their best in silver, and it seems our tendency these days is to wear silver accessories. Gold is timeless, classic and has made a big comeback on the runways. Don’t be overly concerned in matching your metals; wearing gold pieces mixed in with your staple silver favorites is OK.

Kathy Friend is an Image Consultant, speaker and expert stylist. Her StyleU workshops have become a ‘must-attend’ for ladies across the country. She is a contributor to the Fox59 Morning Show out of Indianapolis and the fashion guru for Goodwill of Michiana. She is a busy Mom-on-the go trying to keep up with her daughter Anya.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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FAMILY matters

Unwrapped The Gift of Family Traditions

By Stephanie Graham

Like many families, mine had holiday meals at my grandparents’ house when I was a child. Their dining room table had all its extensions, plus a table set up next to it, connecting our family in a long row as we ate. After dinner (always, always including Grandma’s rice pudding) came the torturous wait as the adults washed every blasted dish in the house before we could begin opening presents.

When I was a pre-teen, this all changed. The preparation became too much for my grandparents, so we hosted at other family members’ houses where space limitations meant we often sat at separate tables.

We started doing white elephant gift exchange instead of buying gifts for specific people, too. I remember being sad, particularly that it wasn’t going to be at my grandparents’ house. It was one of the few times a year we saw everyone in our family sitting down at one table.

I felt a little lost.

Expecting the Expected

Some people may find these things trivial or sentimental; others think that traditions are fine, just not a big deal. But kids in particular seem to find a sense of security in them. Tony Garascia, clinical director of Samaritan Counseling Center in South Bend, says that traditions can have an affect similar to daily routines with meal times, bed times and nap times. “They do provide a certain amount of stability,” he says.

Local mom Emily Fisher agrees. “I think it’s the consistency of knowing what to expect. As a kid, I knew what to be excited for because of the last year.” Two of her three young children are just beginning to understand the importance of Christmas in the last few years. When she asked her oldest son, Liam, what his favorite part of Christmas is, he said, “It’s putting up the tree and decorating at Grandma’s house,” 16 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

which they do Thanksgiving evening after dinner. This child, whom you normally see only in a blur as he moves and plays and runs, loves stopping to unwrap each ornament, looking at them, talking about them and having his uncles or dad help him put them on the tree.

Perhaps that is a key element in why traditions are so cherished by some; it’s about the people doing them with you. Certainly, people can have wonderful traditions by themselves but, for the most part, it’s probably 90% who you’re with and 10% what you are doing. “Kids enjoy the excitement of the family pulling together and anticipating, and being together with those rituals,” Garascia says.

The Right Fit Some people even opt for doing Christmas traditions only, and not giving gifts at all. There is certainly nothing wrong with giving or receiving gifts, but an excessive focus on them can give children the wrong impression in subtle ways, both short- and long-term. “They can get on overload; after the first few gifts they can’t adequately process it,” Garascia explains. “They do run the danger of creating an expectation that holidays are only about receiving and not about giving.”

Whether or not you decide to have a toy-free Christmas, you can take steps to make it more about lasting memories than a 2.5-minute mad rush of flying wrapping paper and emptied boxes. It can be as easy as asking yourself a question. Garascia says, “Ask, ‘what do they remember most; what’s the best thing from their childhood about those times?’”

For local mom Danielle Andress, it was desserts and decorations. “My mom always made a Christmas tree shape out of cinnamon rolls and there was always a train set around the tree.”

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Also, think of some things that already happen throughout the year. Mom cooks breakfast, Dad tucks the kids in at night – whatever it may be – reverse it on Christmas. Fisher says that growing up, her dad made a huge breakfast on Christmas morning, which he didn’t do throughout the year. This made it extra special.

32 Pearls

Ask yourself and your spouse these questions as a starting point, and then if your kids are old enough, see what they can think of, too.

They might have some fantastic ideas, and their feeling of contribution can add to their excitement.

T Flexible

The Gift that (Really) Keeps on Giving

“I think we’d all be a little bit impoverished if we didn’t have traditions to look forward to,” Garascia says. It bears repeating, there is nothing wrong with giving and receiving gifts on Christmas; that in itself is a tradition, isn’t it? But think about it this way: out of all the years of your childhood, how many specific presents do you actually remember?

How long did you play with them? I bet you can remember well, though, the things you did together year after year or perhaps, like me, remember how much it stung when you weren’t able to do them anymore. This year, you can start helping your children build memories that will last longer than plastic toys and batteries.

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Capture some FUN this winter!

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Ferrettie-Baugo Creek & St. Patrick’s County Parks Weekends, 11am to 5pm

snow permitting (not recommended for ages 3 and under)

Cross-Country Ski Trails & Rental St. Patrick’s County Park Wed-Sun, 11am to 4pm snow permitting

sjcparks.org Stephanie Graham is a freelance writer and loves writing about some of the most important privileges in life - parenting and family. She and her husband have been married for 7 years and have a hilarious toddler.

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THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

17

FAMILY matters

A New Kind of Christmas

By Kimberly Ringler

“Mama, I need that!”

Ah, the sounds of the Christmas season fast approaching! Halloween wasn’t even over before the stores were sending out the big toy circular ad and had the shelves lined with all things Christmas. None of it went by my two-year-old. In the store the other day, we hadn’t even gotten past where you pick up the carts before she saw the Christmas trees, poinsettias and toy lined end caps. She very happily announced, “ Santa is Coming! I want those things, Momma!”

That sent a feeling of dread running through my body. I promised myself when I was pregnant with her that I would not let holidays lose the sentiment they were created with. When my oldest was little, I was young and no matter how much I clamored about how I was not going to get him caught up in the “gimmes” of Christmas, when the time came I was the one who was caught up in Santa and reindeer and giving him a happy childhood through piles of everything he asked for (which ended up on the floor a week after Christmas, some things not even touched). I promised myself that I would not make those mistakes with my daughter and that I would turn things around with my son this year. (And that, of course, was last year.)

Now we are at that time of year again, so what to do? How do I let my child have fun with Santa and his workshop without it going crazy, while being thankful theme and giving to others? I consulted my group of friends, posted a question on Facebook and headed to the all-knowing oracle of Pinterest. Through this method of “research,” I came up with a plan to redirect my children’s focus from themselves to family and giving to others.

Here are five rules I am going to follow to keep me on track.

1.

Limit screen time. The biggest culprit for my children’s declaration that they ‘need’ a toy is the commercial. Thankfully my two-year-old spends most of her tv time watching PBS, so she isn’t exposed to many commercials. During Saturday morning cartoons, she is barraged with ads for new, wonderful toys that are going to change her life. Limiting screen time to a half or so will help. Also, teach your children to ‘debunk’ the ads. Teach them to ask themselves “ What are they trying to sell me and why?”, “Is what they’re saying true?” “Do I really need this?”. Once it becomes a ritual for them, they will begin to see ads as ridiculous, and not be as tempted.

18 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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2.

Set clear limits. How many things children can put on their list, how many Holiday activities … these will help keep a clear focus on the right things. One version of a Santa letter says: “I want X, I need X, I would read X, I would wear X, and I really would love to see X under the tree” Short, but it opens up a dialogue of wants versus needs in a non-threatening way. Set limits on store visits: we’re only going to the store for groceries today, not toys.

display. Traditions can be anything from putting up the tree together every year the day after Thanksgiving, an Advent Calendar, shopping on Black Friday together, Christmas caroling with a group, making dinner for a family, or getting family pictures together. As long as you are spending time with your family and having conversations, they can learn so much about you and your past, as well as you can learn more about them.

3.

5.

Give presence. As a single mom, I end up spending very little time with my children due to working, taking care of the house, driving the oldest around to events... It’s easy to get caught up being busy, then give presents to make up for that. Make a conscious effort to give more time as opposed to more gifts. Make cookies from scratch, read Christmas books and make ornaments and gifts with them. Give each child as a main gift ‘Twelve Dates with Mom’. Once a month, spend an evening with each child individually, doing a favorite activity. This will teach them to see value in people and themselves rather than in things and toys.

4.

Shift focus to family and traditions. One friend of mine takes her children to shop for an ornament every year that they like or that describes them and, when they are adults, she will give them those ornaments for their tree. Another friend uses her great-grandmothers tableware and china for the holidays. Some traditions include wrapping up 24 Christmas books, reading one together each night. You can have hot cocoa and popcorn waiting for them in the car, and go look at Christmas lights together. My children and I always take the light viewing a step further by voting on the ones we like best, and leaving a note with chocolates in their mailbox letting them know they were our favorite and thanking them for the

Shift from getting to giving. I have seen many versions of Random Acts Of Kindness advent calendars or activities this year. Each day, you have written out a piece of paper with a random act of kindness to perform that day. Making a meal for an elderly person or running errands, leaving quarters taped to a vending machine or a parking meter, buying presents for a family in need or even just leaving a coffee or coffee gift card for a receptionist that works very hard. It changes the focus from what your child wants to “How can I help others?” Volunteer for a shelter or nursing home, pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, or send a care package to troops overseas.

I know this plan isn’t exactly foolproof, but it is a blueprint to follow, and something to look back on to remind me of what is most important to me, and to my children (whether they realize that yet or not). It keeps me motivated when I start to waiver and want to give in to the ‘gimmies’.

Kim is a certified teacher and works in a local elementary school. She is a mom of two children and loves to spend time outdoors gardening, camping and kayaking.

Southold Dance Theater

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

19

FAMILY matters

Believing Again

By Christopher Garlington

Losing belief in Santa is the last thing that happens before the magical life of a child’s imagination fades out. The realization comes sneaking up on a kid slowly. They start putting two and two together: one Christmas Eve, they creep upstairs to their parents’ room and find their dad drinking a highball, building a bicycle and whisper-yelling in what he has assured them, in the past, is French.

It’s all downhill from there. The jig is up. The beard’s been pulled.

And childhood’s innocence is officially le poof. It happened in my daughter’s seventh December.

Daughter: Santa’s fake, right?

Dad: Why do you say that?

Daughter: Elves can build a bike that works.

(Touché. I am not good with tools.)

And so I cave. I cave because she’s smart and she’s persistent. But I cave also because, until then, I believed the whole Santa myth was stupid. Why would intelligent adults fool their kids into believing in a cookie-loving rotund reverse burglar? She no longer believed in the Easter Bunny. She no longer believed in the Tooth Fairy. She no longer believed Sponge Bob lived just off the coast. I’d been waiting for her to catch on and I was relieved.

Nina Sheehan was not. Next day, I get a call from Maggie Sheehan’s mom.

My daughter had told all the kids in her class that Santa wasn’t real.

20 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Me: Well, he’s not.

Nina: You idiot. I know Santa isn’t real. But my daughter still believes and, as long as she believes in Santa, she’s still innocent and pure. As soon as she stops, it’s all bra shopping and boys and you and I become irrelevant. Fix this.

Le poop! What had I done? She was right. I had carelessly and cynically ripped the last vestiges of innocence not only from my daughter, but also from her whole class! I had to make this right. I had to make my daughter re-believe! But how?

So I’m doing laundry. I’m knee-deep in towels and underwear when a locket falls out of her shorts. She lost this locket in August (yes, I know, I’m a little behind on the laundry. . .) and has complained ever since. It’s from Disney. It has her picture in it on one side and the Little Mermaid on the other. It’s her favorite. I’m clutching this bounty in my fist when the dog walks in to pee on the sock pile. He sees me and pretends he was just there to wag his tail, sending a cloud of little white hairs across my wife’s black suit—and then it hits me. I know what I will do. I grab my scissors and reach for the dog.

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That night, as my girl is asleep, dreaming gray dreams about a world without Santa, I put my plan into action. I wrap long white hairs from the dog’s tail together in a curl with a little red string and put it in the locket. I tear a piece of parchment paper off the kitchen rack and write a note:

Preparing Students for Life!

I found your locket. Love, S. Claus (P.S., don’t tell anybody!)

Elkhart Christian Academy

I carefully lay the hair and the note in the locket, hang it on the front door knob, and go to sleep.

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In the morning, while it’s still dark and I’m having a cup of Joe, I send the girl to get the paper. She comes back into the kitchen, her mouth a little capital O, her eyes wide, the locket open like a clam, the hair in her hand with the note.

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Dad: “Whatcha got there, kid?”

Daughter: “What? Nothing!”

She whisks it away and snaps the locket closed. She’s dressed in seconds, out the door and off to school.

Christ Centered Education PreK -12

Nina calls around 4.

Nina: “How did you do it?”

Start the New Year Brighter!

Me: “Do what?”

Nina: “Make her believe Santa is real.”

Me: “Santa is real.”

Nina: “You know, I’m halfway to believing you.”

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$ Christopher Garlington is a columnist for Chicago Parent magazine, co-author of The Beat Cop’s Guide to Chicago Eats and an exhausted father. You can read more of his parenting misadventures at deathbychildren.com.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

21

FAMILY fun

The Gift of

“Yes, And…”

As we approach the Christmas season, there is one gift that every kid wants but would never think to write down on a list for Santa. A gift that can’t be bought in a store or ordered online. A gift that doesn’t involve batteries, screens or apps to download. Good news: it’s free. The gift is you… and a little philosophy borrowed from improvisational theatre referred to as “Yes, And.”

You may have heard of Tina Fey and Second City in Chicago or perhaps caught a couple of episodes of “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” or the more recent “Trust Us with Your Life.” Improvisational training isn’t only for comedic actors. It actually began with an inner city social worker/ teacher in Chicago named Viola Spolin who wanted to teach her at-risk students some social and relational skills, empower them to become more spontaneous and less self-conscious, and to build a supportive community. Aren’t these the same dreams we have for our kids at home?

In this information technology age, we often find our kids typing more than talking and making more eye contact with screens than family members. Some tips from our pals in the improv biz might be just what we need to re-engage our kids and re-discover the power of relational play in our homes. And, good news: there are games for every age and stage of parenting!

“Rule #1: Agree. The first rule of improvisation is agree. Always agree and say yes.”

~ From “Tina Fey’s Rules for Improv” When my daughter was in preschool, she went through a phase of beginning every question with “I know you’re going to say no to this Mommy, but…” It was a bit of a wake up call. As a former theatre and improv teacher who had been trained at Second City and taught 22 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

By Kristin Baker

the “Yes, And” principle in high schools for ten years, I realized I had unintentionally become the “No, but” mom I never thought I’d become.

Of course, as moms, we have to say ‘no’ to many things to keep our kids healthy and safe. However, we can also be intentional about setting aside some time in our day to give our kids some “Yes Time” that communicates love, offers our undivided attention and ignites their imaginations. At my house, one session of “Yes Time” led to a fashion show where I had to wear whatever my daughter picked out for me from ALL the closets. She also did my make-up and directed an outdoor modeling photo shoot. Was it messy? Yes. Did the neighbors look at me funny as I did my model walk down the street? Yes. Was it worth it?

Absolutely!

At this point, many of you might be thinking to yourself, “Who has the time?” More good news: many of the games can be done in the car during a long trip or even on your way to and from school. One of our family’s favorites is a game called the ABC game, where you pick a topic of conversation and each new line begins with the next letter in the alphabet. For instance, if you pick “a trip to the zoo” as your topic, the conversation might go something like this: Daughter: Son: Mom: Dad:

All these animals are so pretty, Mommy!

But the tiger is my favorite.

Can we go see the lions next?

Don’t you think we should visit the petting zoo first?

There are countless games for all ages and endless books, classes and online resources for different games to play with your kids. A great place to start would be www.improvencyclopedia.org .

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“We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder “Play touches and stimulates vitality, awakening the whole person – mind, body, intelligence and creativity.” ~Viola Spolin According to a recent article in Parent News, the use of these games regularly as a family has benefits for both kids and parents.

“Learning improv helps to ‘re-train’ the brain to actively listen, communicate verbally and non-verbally, be open to ideas, respond quickly in the moment, use imagination, collaborate, effectively use emotions, be more engaging, be flexible to change and be more hyperaware of what’s going on around us,” says Gina Trimarco, founder and president of Carolina Improv Company.

Improv games are often used in business settings as well, training adults to throw off inhibitions, work together as a team in a state of play, re-ignite their imaginations and basically become kids again – something that happens naturally at Christmas time.

But what if this gift of child-like wonder and play could last all year? Playing creative thinking and interactive games with your kids is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

You’ll laugh together, make memories, all while offering both yourself and your kids some fun ways to keep your minds active, your problem-solving skills sharp and your relationships strong. What if getting down on our kids’ level is actually a step up? Go ahead, get a little silly in the spirit of Christmas. Say “Yes, And”. See how your kids light up like a Christmas tree. These lights can stay up all year round.

Kristen Baker was a High School Theatre director for ten years, studied improv at Second City in Chicago and leads a local improv group that raises money for local charities called "Funny4Fundraising".

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

23

Kohl’s Fit Feastival is a one-of-a-kind outreach program available for your next event!

Memorial Health Systems & Affiliates

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 • Church events • Other special events To get more information about how to schedule Kohl’s Fit Feastival for your next event, call 574-647-KIDS or visit www.healthworkskids.org.

A partnership of Memorial HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum and Kohl’s Department Stores.

HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum offers a variety of fun activities at our downtown South Bend location!

We’ve got cool birthday party programs, exciting summer camps and special programming throughout the year. And of course, we have our one-of-a-kind exhibit space!

For more information, please call 574-647-KIDS or visit www.healthworkskids.org.

24 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Hey Kids!

NAME: _________________________________________ AGE: ______ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _________ Color this page and win! The coloring contest winners will DAY TIME PHONE: __________________________________________ receive a Family Magazine Surprise Pack, valued at $30! One PARENT’S NAME: ___________________________________________ winner will be selected from each of the three following age categories: 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12 years of age.

E-MAIL: ____________________________________________________

For your chance to WIN, color your best picture and mail entries to: Family Magazines of Michiana • 1233 E. University Drive Granger • IN 46530. Coloring contest is open to children 12 years and under, and entries must be mailed by January 3rd, 2013. Winners will be notified via phone or email service by Family Magazines by January 11th, 2013, and their artwork will be featured in an upcoming issue along with their first name and age. For additional coloring contest entries, this coloring page may be photocopied and printed off.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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

Wagon Wheel Theatre Have Fun! Angels Baby Birth Child Christmas Cookies Dad 26 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

27

FAMILY features

• Health

Conk the Junk Food: Too much junk is a bad thing and this game proves it. Kids get get a chance to knock down three kinds of junk food – a cupcake, a cookie and a can of soda.

The New Game in Town

Kohl's Fit Feastival Helping Area Kids Make Healthy Choices

By Dan Przybyla

Life is filled every day with choices. For kids, it's vitally important they form a strong foundation for healthy living by making the right choices. Unfortunately, an epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States signals that many kids, for a variety of reasons, have taken a path fraught with bad choices: consuming far too much junk food and too few fruits and vegetables and getting inadequate amounts of exercise. As a result, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past thirty years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the percentage of children aged 6–11 years who were obese increased from seven percent in 1980 to nearly twenty percent in 2008, leading to the possibility of obese adults and health-related problems later in life like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

A Dynamic Solution

Schools have been doing what they can to combat this alarming phenomenon, but they can only do so much. Thanks to the generosity of Kohl's Cares and the ingenuity of HealthWorks! Kids' Museum, these two entities came together in an exciting and meaningful way to inspire children to lead healthy lives. Kohl’s Fit Feastival is a one-of-akind health education program designed to teach kids of all ages about nutrition, fitness and making good choices. It provides an interactive forum that engages kids in an entertaining and meaningful way to inspire healthy behaviors. Through a fun-filled and educational school assembly provided by the HealthWorks! staff, followed by the opportunity to participate in several healthy ‘carnival style’ games, kids have a blast while learning everything from the importance of staying hydrated to eating fruits and vegetables. Administrators, teachers and school nurses are thrilled with the upbeat, highly entertaining and engaging atmosphere surrounding Kohl's Fit Feastival. In just three years, the outreach program has educated 28 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

thousands of kids throughout the region as well as parts of central and southern Indiana.

Strong Ties

This isn't the first time Kohl's Cares and Memorial Children’s Hospital have partnered. Since 2006, Kohl's Cares has contributed more than $600,000 to support Memorial Children’s Hospital with children’s health education initiatives at HealthWorks! Kohl's Cares generosity expands well beyond north central Indiana, too. Kohl's Cares has raised Cow-cium Contest: Calcium is king and milk is full of it. Kids have a blast as they try to milk a cow.

more than $208 million to support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide.

The Inside Scoo p:

In 2009, Kohl's Cares and HealthWorks! teamed up again for its biggest collaboration to date.

Capitalizing on the HealthWorks! practice of sharing healthy messages through interactive games and activities led by highly energetic individuals, Kohl's Fit Feastival features a multipiece exhibit that engages kids physically and mentally, along with an all-important interactive health education component. This remarkably engaging atmosphere makes learning fun and infectious.

Kohl's Fit Feastival is available for the following: -Schools -Family reunions -Parties -Corporate outings -Church events -Fairs and festivals By the numbers: -Kohl's Fit Feastival started in 2010 -More than 40,000 kid s have been educated -More than 100 Kohl ’s Fit Feastival even ts have been held

“Our goal is that every child will take away at least one thing they absolutely need to tell their family about when they are around the dinner table or in the car together,” says HealthWorks!

Manager Jacqueline Simmons. “This unforgettable experience includes lessons about the importance of adopting healthy habits that we hope become a part of their daily lives.”

Vegenator: Probably the most popular game, kids stand inside a plastic bubble and try to grab as many plastic vegetables as possible.

To learn more about how to bring Kohl's Fit Feastival to your school or next event, visit healthworkskids.org or call 574-647-KIDS. Daniel Przybyla is a Marketing Specialist at Beacon Health System, parent organization of Memorial Hospital of South Bend and Elkhart General Hospital.

South

Bend

Downtown for the Holidays!

Tree & Wreath Sale College Football Hall of Fame Gridiron

Fri., Dec. 7 • 5 - 9 pm Sat., Dec. 8 • 12 – 6 pm Sun., Dec. 9 • 12 – 4 pm Choose from a wide variety of fresh trees and wreaths.

All proceeds benefit Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. While supplies last. Cash only.

Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s Arrival*

DTSB, Inc. Fri., Dec. 2 • 5:30 - 6:30 pm Begins at Jon Hunt Plaza,

ends at College Football Hall of Fame Gridiron with Fireworks

Santa House* & Workshop!

College Football Hall of Fame campus

Holiday Wine Walk Wed., Dec. 12 • 5 - 9 pm $40 per person

Enjoy three wine tastings paired with complimentary appetizers at participating restaurants

amily Fun! F e e r *F

Bring your camera for free photos with Santa! Visit his workshop for free cookie decorating, activities and Gingerbread Village.

The Roz Puppets

Magic Toy Box* Fri., Dec. 21 • 7 pm Inside the College Football Hall of Fame Press Box

Ice Skating Howard Park Ice Rink Dec. 1 - 24 Weather permitting

South Bend Medical Foundation

Visit website for exact dates and times

Dec. 7 - 24 Visit website for exact dates and times

For More inFo on these events and many more: DowntownForTheHolidays.com or call 574.282.1110.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

29

December 2012 December Everyday

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library All Branches Accepting donations for the Center for the Homeless through the “Sole Food” Project.

Collecting new hats, gloves, scarves, socks and slippers. Patrons are encouraged to knit or crochet winter gear items, but new store-bought items are also accepted. Donation boxes will be located at the Downtown, Bittersweet and Harris branches. For more information, contact call 574.259.0392.

December Weekends

Calendar of Events

Goodwill Donation Drive

Masonic Lodge, South Fifth Street, Goshen During this winter season, remember those in need. You can help our community by bringing your gently used clothing and household items to the Masonic Lodge at 301 South 5th Street in Goshen .This donation drive is sponsored by Dark Phoenix Publishing and the Goshen Masonic Lodge. Goodwill also accepts computers – working or not – to be sold in their stores or responsibly recycled. 10 AM to 3 PM. For more information, call 574.472.7300.

Christopher's Christmas

Mishawaka Res, Mishawaka The Annual Christmas Tree Sale at The Res begins Thanksgiving weekend and continues through December. Choose from soft needle White Pines, or short needle Scotch Pines, freshly cut from Eby Pines. $20 donation per tree. 9 AM to 3 PM. Free. For more information, call 574.259.1850.

O'Laughlin Auditorium, St. Mary’s Christopher’s Christmas is the story of the joyful feeling of Christmas. The action follows a young mouse named Christopher and how he rekindles a feeling for Christmas in the cynical heart of his great uncle mouse. Colorful sets and costumes, lively dancing and music all combine to make this a holiday favorite enjoyed for thirty years. 2 PM. For more information, call 574.284.4626.

December 1 – December 15

December 1, 8, 15

South Bend Civic Theatre, Warner Studio Theatre, South Bend “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” written by Laurie Brooks draws from the stories read by millions worldwide and made famous on television as “Little House on the Prairie.” The play finds the Ingalls family forced to relocate after a harsh winter to work at a hotel in Iowa. Laura is forced to make a decision that could mean relief for her loved ones but separate her from her beloved family. Sara Bartlett directs this show for the whole family. 7 PM or 2 PM depending on performance date. $10 (or 4 for $32). For more information or for tickets, call 574.234.1112 or visit their website at www.sbct.org.

South Bend Museum of Art, Century Center Explore your passion for fashion in this class as you create one-of-a-kind fabric gifts for your loved ones! Transform boring white fabric into designer cloth through the art of shibori and silk painting. Scarves, bracelets and more await you!

11 AM to 12:30 PM. Member: $52/Nonmember $65. For more information, call 574.235.9102 or visit their website at southbendart.org.

Christmas Tree Sale / Craft Show

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas

December 1

Acting Ensemble Story Time Stage Reading

Studio 217, South Bend To celebrate the Holiday Season, The Acting Ensemble presents a Story Time Stage Reading of “The Great Adventure of Mrs. Santa Claus” by Sarah Addington. Santa has broken his leg, and it is up to Mrs. Claus to save the day. Produced as part the Acting Ensemble’s “Imagination Series: Bringing Stories to Life for Ages Pre-School to 2nd Grade.” All ages welcome. 11 AM to 11:45 AM. Free. For more information, call 574.807.0108 or visit their website at www.actingensemble.com.

Winter in the Woods Bazaar

Woodlawn Nature Center, Elkhart Find unique holiday gifts and decorations. Santa will be here to greet kids of all ages and photo opportunities (bring your own camera). Make and take holiday crafts for kids and adults (1 PM to 3 PM). 9 AM to 3 PM. Free. For more information, call 574.215.6482 or visit their website at woodlawnnaturecenter.com.

30 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Fun with Fabric- Holiday Style! (Ages 8–11)

December 1, 8, 15

Start Drawing Holiday Style! (Ages 9-12)

South Bend Museum of Art, Century Center Whether a beginner or an avid artist, this class is for you. Students receive individual attention and learn basic skills and methods to improve techniques. Explore shape, line, proportion, gesture and perspective through fun exercises.

Color will be explored! Holiday themes welcomed!

11 AM to 12:30 PM. Member: $52/Nonmember $65. For more information, call 574.235.9102 or visit their website at southbendart.org.

December 2

Christmas at the Oliver Mansion: A Holiday Treasure Hunt

Center for History, South Bend, IN As you tour the Oliver Mansion, actors dressed in period costume portray the Oliver family as they greet you with clues for a treasure hunt of holiday decorations. Over ten Christmas trees can be found on all three floors, and the fireplace mantels are beautifully decorated. 12 PM. $10/ adults; $8/seniors; $6/youth 6-17; $5/members.

Tickets are limited. Reservations are strongly recommended. For tickets or more information, call 574.235.9664.

*Please be sure to call ahead to confirm times and information.

December 3

Little Noggins: Building the Foundation for Life Skills

Memorial Brainworks, South Bend How the brain will handle stress, learning, collaboration, and future experiences in school, work and life overall are dependent on how moment to moment encounters build the brains foundation. Learn what you can do with your 0-3 year old to nurture key elements that support optimized potential and resilience. 2 PM to 3 PM. $25. For more information, visit their website at www.memorialbrainworks.com.

December 6 Season of Light

PHM Digital Video Theater/Planetarium The show traces the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs and how they involve lighting up the winter season – from the burning Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the Menorah and luminarias.

In addition, we will be detectives trying to solve the mystery of the Star Over Bethlehem. 6:30 PM. For more information, call 574.258.9569.

December 7

Theatre IV presents "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Century Center Bendix Theatre, South Bend Inspired by the timeless poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and by the real life of its author, Clement Moore, this hilarious musical introduces Santa in a particularly beneficent light. This classic from Theatre IV has been charming audiences nationwide for many years. (K - 5) 9:30 AM. $8 - $12. For more information, call 800.275.5005.

Teddy Bear Concert

IUSB Campus Auditorium, South Bend This annual musical extravaganza will again feature choir, orchestra, band and dance all in the name of charity. Bring a Teddy Bear in exchange for your concert ticket. Teddy Bears will be donated to the Center for the Homeless.

This performance in sponsored by Build-ABear Workshop, Inc. 7:30 PM. For tickets or information, call 574.520.4203.

December 8

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Peace Lutheran Church, Granger Kids ages 3-10 will have a great time as we sing Christmas carols, hear the story of Jesus' birth, make a special craft and even find time to enjoy lunch! Pre-registration required. 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Register by calling 574.272.5682.

Saturday Morning Stories

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library, Downtown Children aged 2-7 will share stories, songs, and finger plays. Saturday Morning Stories is a nonregistered program that provides a sampling of

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the materials used in our Preschool and Toddler programs. Adult caregivers are expected to attend with their children. 10:30 AM. Free. For more information, stop by the Children’s Services desk or call 574.259.5277, EXT 242.

Breakfast With Santa

Fiddler’s Hearth, South Bend A plated breakfast will be served, then visit with Santa and enjoy face painting, balloon art and Irish Christmas traditions. Remember to bring your camera to get a photo of your child with Santa. Pre-registration required at O'Brien Recreation Center, 321 E Walter St. until full.

Register online at www.sbpark.org. Credit card payments accepted by phone at 574.299.4765. 8 AM. $7. For more information, call 574.232.2853.

It's A Wonderful Life Holiday Festival

A Rosie Place, South Bend Holiday Festival at A Rosie Place for all Special Needs Children (aged 15 and under) and their Families. Join us for Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Hot Cocoa & Cookies, North Pole Workshop and Face Painting! 10 AM to 3 PM. Free. For more information, call 574.235.8899 or visit their website at www.arosieplace.org.

Family Movie

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library, Downtown You’re invited to watch a movie about everyone’s favorite character, Arthur. An unlikely hero, Arthur embarks on an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns.

Free tickets are required for this PG-rated movie, and can be picked up in Children’s Services at the Downtown Mishawaka Library beginning Saturday, December 1. 2:30 PM. Free. For more information stop by the Children’s Services desk or call 574.259.5277, EXT 242.

December 8, 9 Nutcracker Ballet

Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend This timeless holiday classic returns to thrill and enchant audiences of all ages. Delightful sets and costuming will enhance your travels with Clara as you watch her Nutcracker come to life, see her Christmas tree grow and travel with her to faraway places. The magical production is sure to awaken the child in you as you join Clara in her Christmas journey. Southold's Nutcracker is the largest and the only full, unabridged Nutcracker production in the Michiana area. Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music ever penned, with the stunning range of emotions and power. So warm up to the holidays with an evening of one of the most charming performances choreographed to one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed. 2 PM or 7 PM depending on performance date. $8 $50. For more information, call 574.233.9841 or visit their website at www.southolddance.org.

December 9

Christmas Concert and Benefit

The Morris Estate, Niles MI Enjoy harmonious music and holiday festivities in the charming Chapel at The Morris Estate while

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supporting programs for local children. Sleigh rides by Dream Coach Carriages. Proceeds from tickets will be donated to Five Pines Ministries in Berrien Center, Michigan. Concert ticket: $30 donation. Sleigh ride: $10 donation (or $40 for a private ride for four!) Coffee, hot chocolate, local food tastings, carolers at 3:30 PM. Concert 5 PM including piano, strings and vocal music. For more information, call 269.684.4443.

Cookie Walk & Craft Show

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, South Bend Beaded Badges Holder, Books, Homemade Candy, Ceramics, Christmas Trees, Diaper Cake, Fleece Blankets, Fired Glass Art, Holiday Wreaths, Baked Goods, Piggie Raffle and more! 9 AM to 2 PM.

Christmas Past and Christmas Present

Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God In Christ, South Bend Fun filled performance for the whole family. A musical and dramatic celebration of Christmases past to present. 7:30 PM. For more information, call 574.232.4252.

December 10

Little Noggins: Creativity and Imagination

Memorial Brainworks, South Bend One of our greatest geniuses, Einstein, said that imagination is more important than knowledge.

How do we encourage creativity and use of the imagination? A young child's mind is instinctively creative, but sometime during the early elementary years a shift occurs and the mind begins to focus more on rules and practicality.

Learn how to nurture an early, strong foundation for a creative brain to emerge. 6 PM to 7 PM. $25.

Adults. For more information, visit their website at www.memorialbrainworks.com.

Storytime Sampler

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library, Bittersweet Branch Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays for all ages. Adult caregivers are expected to attend and remain with their children. 10:30 AM to 11 AM. Free. No registration required. For more information, contact the Children’s Services desk of the Bittersweet Branch Library or call 574.259.0392, EXT 224.

December 11

Holiday Walk-in Crafts

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library, Harris Branch Be creative this holiday season! Children of all ages are invited to participate in holiday craft day. There will be a variety of projects available.

Participants are welcome to complete one or all of them. 3 PM to 5 PM. Free. No registration required. For more information, contact Children’s Services or call 574.271.3179.

December 12 Laser Holidays

PHM Digital Video Theater / Planetarium This is a professional laser light show, which contains twelve holiday songs accompanying full-color laser animations. The planetarium will be decked out as a winter wonderland.

Holiday Laser fills up fast, be sure to call for seating information. 6:30 PM. For more information, call 574.258.9569

Visit from Mrs. Claus

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library, Downtown Have you ever met Santa’s wife, Mrs. Claus?

Now’s your chance! All ages are welcome to stop by the downtown Mishawaka to share stories, songs, activities and a special treat with Mrs. Claus. 10 AM. Free. Registration is required and is going on now. For more information, stop by the Children’s Services desk or call 574.259.5277, EXT 242.

December 13

Miracle on 34th Street

Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee Adapted from the beloved classic Holiday film.

Filled with traditional Christmas Carols, it is the story of Kris Kringle, and old man residing in a retirement home, who gets a job working as Macy's Department Store Santa. One hitch: Kris believes he is the real Santa Claus, and unleashes waves of good will with Macy's customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. 2 PM. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 574.773.4188.

December 14 – December 16 A Lerner Christmas by Premier Arts

Lerner Theatre, Elkhart Experience the Christmas season with all the charm and enthusiasm of days gone by! Take a break from the hectic pace of the season. Come, relax with us and recharge those Christmas season batteries! Ticket prices between $12 and $18. 7:30 PM or 3 PM depending on date.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.premierarts.org.

December 15

Lee Greenwood Tennessee Christmas

Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI Have yourself a merry little Christmas with singer/songwriter Lee Greenwood. He will deliver a selection of seasonal songs such as “White Christmas,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Joy to the World.” This Grammy®-award winning artist has been honored as Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. He won CMA Song of the Year for ‘I.O.U.,” and his song “God Bless the USA” has been voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America. Tickets range from $38 to $48. 8 PM. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 269.927.1221.

Acting Ensemble Story Time Stage Reading To celebrate the Holiday Season, The Acting Ensemble presents a Story Time Stage Reading of “Peter Rabbit’s Christmas” by Duff Graham.

Another delightful tale of Peter Rabbit, this time THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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involving an adventure with Santa Claus. Produced as part the Acting Ensemble’s “Imagination Series: Bringing Stories to Life for Ages PreSchool to 2nd Grade." 11 AM to 11:30 AM. Free.

For more information, call 574.807.0108 or visit their website at www.actingensemble.com.

December 16

THANK YOU to our monthly distribution partners

La Fiesta de la Posada

Grace United Methodist Church, South Bend The story of Mary's search for a place for the birth of the Christ child, told through vocalist and music. La Fiesta de la Posada (The Festival of the Inn) is a joyous choral extravaganza. 9 AM. Free.

For more information, call 574.288.4789.

Community Holiday Hymn Sing

Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Catholic Church, Lakeville Come and join the parishioners of Sacred Heart and St. Jude as we celebrate the season in song.

If you like to sing, come on out! The choir and also some soloists will present several pieces on their own. However, the purpose of this is to bring people in the community together to share in the joy of the season. 1 PM to 2 PM. For more information, call 574.291.2826.

December 18

Afterschool Winter Fun

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library, Downtown Branch The official start of winter is just around the corner, so it’s time to celebrate! Children in grades 3-6 are invited to join us at the downtown Mishawaka Library. 3:45 PM. Free. Registration is required and is going on now. For more information, stop by the Children’s Services desk or call 574.259.5277, EXT 242.

December 22

Elkhart County Symphony Choral Celebration

Holiday

Lerner Theatre, Elkhart "Strike the harp and join the chorus." The Goshen Community Chorale, under the direction of Lee Dengler, joins the ECSO with guest conductor Bruce Uchimura for a celebration of Yuletide.

A selection of choral and instrumental works including loved choral works by John Rutter, and "Joy to the World," "Angel Carol," and "Star Carol," will bring a glow to the holiday season. 8 PM. For more information, call 574.293.4469.

December 23 Christmas Belles

Twin City Players Playhouse, St. Joseph, MI It's Christmas-time in the small town of Fayro, Texas and the Futrelle Sisters are not exactly in a festive mood. As they try desperately to keep the Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos, the feuding sisters find a way to pull it together to present a show the citizens of Fayro will never forget. 4 PM.

32 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

32 Pearls Dentistry Allied Pediatrics Babies R Us Chic-fil-a Classic Image Photography Clay Preschool & Church Debbie Werbrouck School of Dance & Music Early Childhood Development Center at Notre Dame Elkhart General Hospital Eye Site Optical Family Sports Time Pub Fiddlers Hearth FitStop Granger Community Church Granger Family Medicine Growing Kids Learning Center Gymnastics Michiana ICE Athletics Kumon Learning Center Lakeland Healthcare Menno Travel Midwest Orthotics Mutual Bank Notre Dame Federal Credit Union Once Upon a Child Soccer Zone South Bend Clinic South Bend Medical Foundation South Bend Orthopedics Stacks Pancake House St. Thomas the Apostle School Strikes & Spares South Bend Chocolate Traditions Photography Trinity Lutheran School Urban Swirl YMCA of Elkhart If you would like to receive The FAMILY Magazine at your familyfocused business or organization each month, please email your request to: info@michianafamilymagazine.com.­

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Cutest

Kid

Photo2013 Contest

Get your camera batteries charged and start your holiday photo taking of your kids.

100% Recyclable

The FAMILY Magazine wants your submissions of your kids from this Holiday Season for the January 2013 Cutest Kid Photo Contest.

Be on the lookout on our website www.MichianaFamilyMagazine.com and our Facebook page the beginning of January to submit your photos.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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family stuff kids say

a d d Ya adda Y

We asked our Facebook readers, “What are some funny things your kids have said?� Here are some of their answers:

Have you'd a Yadda Yad like to d share?a Send i t michia stephan to: ie@ na family

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zine.c

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"Mom, were you alive when the world was black and white?" "...The world was never in black and white."

"Yes it was, I saw pictures." --Shelley At age four, my daughter asked me where she came from. After I bumbled through a very simple explanation of how babies show up, without revealing too much, she said, "Oh. I thought you got me at Kmart." -- A.J. While sitting at a restaurant out to eat with my mom and little sister (9), I was telling them that I was getting ready to go to a concert the next night. My sister piped up, "What concert?" and I answered, "U2". Excitedly, she asked, "ME TOO!?" --Stephanie

34 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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family story time Win One For The Gipper: America’s Football Hero

By Kathy-Jo Wargin; Illustrated by Bruce Langton.

Reviewed by: Denise Stuart, Children’s Services Assistant Harris Branch of the Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library I highly recommend this biographical picture book about Notre Dame’s famous football hero George Gipp for sports fans of all ages. The reader is taken on the historical journey of this multi-talented, athletic young man from Michigan during the early 1900s. Although he originally attended the University of Notre Dame on a baseball scholarship, Gipp caught the eye of the legendary football coach Knute Rockne. Rockne convinced him to give football a try. The rest is history.

The book details how Gipp’s talent on the football field quickly transformed him into a superior player. With speed and a wide range of abilities, he broke records and became a fan favorite. His future looked very bright and promising. However, on a windy, cold game day, which had been designated to honor his outstanding accomplishments, Gipp was not feeling well. During the game the crowd loudly chanted his name. Not wanting to disappoint his fans, he finally joined his team on the field late in the game. He made two spectacular plays which led the team to victory. Two days later he was hospitalized, weak and very sick. During one of Rockne’s many visits to see his ailing player, Gipp motioned his coach close to his bedside and whispered something into

Rockne’s ear. Sadly, the next day Gipp died of tonsillitis and pneumonia. Eight years later, Rockne used Gipp’s final request to inspire his discouraged Notre Dame team as they struggled against their opponent. Rockne’s half time pep talk included Gipp’s last wish for the team to “…win just one for the Gipper.” With new energy, Notre Dame’s team fought back from its losing position to win the game.

Kathy-Jo Wargin warmly relates this true story of a young, seemingly invincible athlete whose life was prematurely ended by a twist of unfortunate fate before the availability of lifesaving antibiotics. Local artist Bruce Langton realistically captures a wide range of human emotions and life situations in his fine illustrations for this book.

Readers unfamiliar with the story behind the famous phrase “Win one for the Gipper” will gain not only an understanding of this wellknown expression, but also an appreciation for the dedication and determination of the two men involved in the history surrounding it.

This picture book is recommended for children aged 6+.

The eye SiTe 5 3 2 3 N M a i N S t M i S h awa k a , i N 4 6 5 4 5 ( t ) 5 74 -2 7 3 -2 7 2 7

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family crafts

Christmas Crafts

for Kids

By Andie Kingsbury

T

he holiday season is upon us, and gift-giving is just around the corner!

Satisfy the creative spark within your preschoolers and provide personal gifts they can give their closest friends and relatives.

These crafts are sturdy and can be placed on display year after year. The following budgetfriendly craft projects provide simple fun whether you make a single item for your own home or multiples of each craft to give away.

Handprint Snowmen

I absolutely love the way these handprint snowmen ornaments can be repeated every winter to show how much your child has grown since the previous year. They are simple, “messy” fun that everyone will have a blast making. Because they are snowman-themed, the extended family can proudly display this craft all winter long, if they’d like.

will get burned if there are embers in your fireplace? Help them make Santa his own magical house key by decorating an old skeleton key.

Materials: An old skeleton key, school glue, glitter, clear nail polish, 8 inches of your favorite holiday ribbon.

Midwest orthotics

Materials: Sponge brush, white acrylic craft paint, fine point permanent pens (black & orange), round ornaments, google eyes, felt carrot nose, mini buttons, egg carton for drying, a length of your favorite ribbon.

Procedure: Paint your child’s hand with the acrylic craft paint. Place the ornament in your child’s hand and have him/her grasp it baseballstyle then release. Set the ornaments upside down (paint side up) in an egg carton to dry. Once the paint is dry, finish the fingerprint “snowmen” by drawing the features on with a sharpie, or for a more detailed ornament, embellish by gluing on google eyes, a felt hat, the nose and miniature buttons. Thread a length of ¼-inch ribbon through the ornament loop and tie in a bow to hang from a tree.

Santa’s Magical House Key

Are your kids beginning to ask questions about how Santa will bring presents if you don’t have a chimney? Are they worried that Santa 36 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Procedure: Help your child coat the key with glue. Guide him/her in sprinkling a liberal layer of glitter to cover the exposed glue. Allow the glue to dry completely. Coat the glittered key with a 1-2 coats of clear fingernail polish to completely seal in the glitter. Allow to dry completely between coats of polish. String your length of ribbon through the key and tie it in a bow. Allow your children to hang the key on the outer door knob when they set out Santa’s milk and cookies before crawling into bed on Christmas Eve.

Nativity in a Nutshell

Many homes would feel incomplete without a tribute to the “reason for the season.” What could be more adorable than a mini-manger?

You can turn the holiday focus from the commercial to the traditional by retelling The Christmas Story while creating this upcycled craft.

Materials: Walnut shell halves (hollowed), fabric/felt scraps, small wooden beads or pom-poms, felt tip pen, 4-inch strip of ribbon, hot glue gun or tacky glue.

Procedure: Ask your child to draw a face on the wooden bead using the felt tip pen. Help them roll a small scrap of light fabric or felt into a small cylinder shape to resemble the body of the baby wrapped in swaddling cloth.

Glue the bead head to the cloth body. Glue the baby you have just created into the hollowed walnut shell manger. Affix the ribbon at each end of your walnut manger to hang from your Christmas tree.

Include your children in handcrafting something simple this season. The memories created will long outlive any messes they make, their grandparents will proudly show off the one-of-a-kind creations to their friends and your little ones will be so proud of what they were able to accomplish.

Underwritten by

Premiere Arts Gaska Tape Inc.

www.premierarts.org

Dec. 14 and 15, 2012 7:30 pm Sun. Dec. 16 – 3 pm Call for tickets today!

574-293-4469

A Holiday Musical Revue

$18 Adults $15 Seniors and Students $12 Children 12 and under

All performances at The Lerner Theatre, downtown Elkhart

Andie Kingsbury, author of the blog “Ours+His+Mine=Nine!”, is the mother/stepmother of seven boys and two girls, so she knows how to stretch a budget! She and her husband live in Elkhart.

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Granite counters throughout, hardwood and tiled floors, new everything!

New Stainless Appliances included. Call Josh Hendricks for a list of improvements Broker owned $234,500.

Josh Hendricks Creekstone Investments, Inc. 60590 CR 1 Elkhart IN 46517

574-202-2000 │ josh@creekstoneinvestments.com THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

37

family expecting

Bursting

with

News

gonna

be a

Creative Ways to Announce You’re Pregnant.

BIG

By Meagan Church

Brother!

You’ve taken the test. You have the positive results and exciting news to share. But how do you do it? Text everyone? Well, that’s a possibility, but not all that personal or fun.

Shout it from the rooftop? Realistically, not many people would be around to hear it.

Skywriting? Perhaps that’s a tad too much.

Somewhere between texting and skywriting is the perfect way to share the exciting, life-changing news with all of your friends and family. With a bit of thought and a splash of creativity, the moment you make the announcement can be fun and memorable, so consider the following possibilities:

Park it.

Connie Fowler was on the receiving end of the baby news when her son took her on what she thought was a typical trip to the grocery store. “We pulled into the ‘Expecting Mothers Only’ parking space at Martin's. I said, ‘You can't park here.’ I then waited for him to move the car. When he refused, I figured it out, but it took me a while. Duh!”

Picture it.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but the one Jami Kamp snapped of her husband Jeff was worth three specific ones: we are pregnant. “With our first, we took a picture of Jeff with the positive pregnancy test and put it in a card. His mom thought it was a thermometer at first. Boy, was it fun to watch her figure it out.”

Another take on the picture idea is to line up the family members side-byside and focus the picture just on the feet. Make sure the feet are in order of biggest to smallest. At the end of the line, place a pair of baby shoes.

Along the same lines, take a family portrait. Write a caption or add text to the photo that says, “family of ” and put the number of family 38 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

I'm

members there will be once the baby is born. See how long it takes for people to realize the amount of people in the picture does not add up to the amount it says.

Gift it.

When Joanna Azar became pregnant with her first, the timing was quite seasonal. She took advantage of the timing and wrapped up the big news. “For our first, we announced it at Christmas by giving each person in our family a gift with a bib that said, ‘I heart Grandma,’ or the like, and included a picture of the ultrasound in each package.”

Allison Grenert’s announcement fell at an ideal time to share the news at a family birthday celebration. “We had our first prenatal appointment on my dad's birthday, so I bought a ‘Happy Birthday, Grandpa’ card and signed it from baby Grenert. He quickly read the card and it didn't register. He handed it to my mom who read it and said, ‘Jim, did you even read the card?’ Needless to say they were very happy.”

Wear it.

Just as much creativity can go into announcing the second (and beyond) as did the first, especially when there are siblings-to-be who can play an active role. Kristina Horner enlisted her son to announce to her family that she was pregnant with her second child. “When I found out I was pregnant with Annika, I went to Meijer and bought a white shirt for Grant. With a black sharpie, I wrote on the front ‘I AM...’

My husband was at his parents’ house. I put Grant in the shirt and drove to their house. Right away Evan and his mom read the front of Printed on Recycled Content Paper

the shirt. They turned him around to see ‘going to be a BIG BROTHER!’ There were lots of hugs and tears.”

Amy Covington saw a similar announcement. The parents-to-be posted a picture on Facebook of their toddler wearing a shirt that said, “Only child expiring 2013.”

Don’t just leave the shirts to the kids though. Get the dad-to-be in on the action with a “Daddy in training” or “The All-Amazing Baby Maker” shirt. The mom-to-be could sport a shirt that says, “I have a secret…”, “Bun in the oven,” “This is the last one (I’m serious this time)” or “Finally” with an arrow pointing towards her stomach.

Draw it.

Carla Leininger sought the help of one of her daughters by asking her to draw a picture of their family. She labeled each family member (Mom, Dad, etc.), but then drew an extra person. “When Dad finally looked all the way to the end of the people line, there was a baby drawn. It was cute because Dad was the only one in our family who didn't know.”

Whatever way you choose to make the announcement, have some fun with it. Who doesn’t love a good surprise? Especially when a cute little baby is result?

Meagan Church is a writer and mother of three kids. Her current projects include DefiningMotherhood, and Unexpectant where she explores the realities of modern motherhood for her book project.

Ice Carving at Heritage Square!

Heritage Square Ice Carving Festival Heritage

Square

Saturday, January 26th, 2013 Free-style Carving: 10am-12noon Ice Competition: 1pm-4pm For details visit shopheritagesquare.com or find Heritage Square on Facebook.

Corner of SR 23 & Main/Gumwood Road • Mishawaka, Indiana • www.ShopHeritageSquare.com

Heritage Square is presented by:

Heritage Square Guest Services Office, 7321 Heritage Square Drive, Suite 150.

For more information, call 574.855.3774.

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FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

39

family mommy & daddy

I Can Do

it All – Just Not At Once Finding Balance as a Working Mother

By Amberly E. Nichols, LCSW

As a woman who works outside the home as a Clinical Social Worker, my inner monologue tape changes depending upon where I am. Sometimes, it sounds a little something like this: “Oh, crud… did I remember to sign that seven-year-old’s treatment plan? I’m pretty sure I have four or five overdue forms that I have to get done. Did I turn in my time sheet? Did I miss supervision? Did I lock the office door before I left?”

Alternately, it sounds like this: “Oh NO… I forgot Ethan’s lunch AGAIN! Was today the day Milo was supposed to bring show and tell? I think I remember putting the daycare check on the director’s desk. Right? I’m pretty sure I remember that.”

Here’s the frustrating thing about those lovely inner monologues: they never happen at a helpful time or place. Inevitably, I’m in my office across town when the Home/Family tape starts playing and I’m back at the house trying to do laundry when the Work tape starts in.

Unfortunately, I’m not the only professional woman dealing with this crazy-making and guilt-inducing conundrum. Darlene Batts, Vice President of a multi-million dollar energy transportation company states, “I constantly feel like I’m letting someone down. If I’m home nurturing a sick child then I’m not fulfilling my responsibilities as a professional in the work place. If I am bringing work home and disengaging with my kids in order to meet work goals, then I am failing as a mom.” Her answer to finding balance is to draw a clear line between work and home. “Fully engage in each during the given time you are there,” she advises.

Of course, this is much easier said than done, especially for younger professional women in the work force. Misty Kruse, who works as both a Clinical Social Worker and Program Supervisor, is the youngest supervisor in her office with the youngest child. “Everyone else is either childless or has much older teens. Every time I want to or need to take time off for something for my child, it’s an internal struggle: is this the time my supervisor is going to say ‘no’? To say that I’m taking off too much time?”

This struggle is especially poignant in light of the fragility of the economy.

With the specter of layoffs lingering around every corner, no one wants to be seen as the person who can’t be relied upon. Despite this concern, Kruse says that she has learned to cope by reminding herself that she has a right to prioritize her daughter and by being an active participant in her child’s schooling. Like Batts, she states, “When I’m at work, I give 100% to work and when I’m home I give 100% to home.”

40 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

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For some women, however, bringing work home seems to make the work/home balance a little easier to attain. Like Kruse and Batts, Erica Cargile, full time Benefits Representative for a large manufacturing facility, feels the pressure of having to be all things to all people. “I’m a professional and I’m a mother, but I can’t be both at the same time. I simply don’t have enough arms, legs, shoulders or Kleenex in my purse.” In order to create balance, Cargile does phone consultations and responds to emails at night after her son has gone to bed. This helps her to connect with employees even when she’s not physically in the plant. Similarly, Joanna Bartlett, Communications Manager for three hospital foundations, finds that her employers are understanding of those days when she has to stay home to care for her children as long as she remains available to them throughout the day. “I check my emails all day long on my phone, from the time I wake up in the morning, to stay in the loop and to minimize surprises,” she says.

Whether bringing work home or leaving it at the office, the real challenge seems to be letting go of those tapes that we play in our heads telling us that we need to be more/ better/faster for those around us. Setting a mental and emotional boundary between work and home is a relevant tool no matter what stance you take on creating balance.

It’s not only good for your own state of mind to let go of work while getting silly with your children, but it also results in them getting a more engaged, empathetic and emotionally present parent. Letting go of home expectations while doing work leads to increased productivity and satisfaction with your product.

Pulse FM

Remind yourself of these truths the next time your mind starts to play the wrong tape.

Letting go of the guilt and embracing where you are – wherever you are – is a great start to establishing a more balanced you.

Amberly E. Nichols, a Michiana native, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the proud mother of two boys. She and her husband, Mike, live in Granger.

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family mommy & daddy

Deck the Halls …Walls, Front Yard and the Roof

By Jane Suter

W

e all have that neighbor. The one who bedazzles their home, inside and out, with so many holiday adornments that Santa himself would blush. You know the house -- the one down the street that glows with electric yuletide ecstasy, banishing the darkness for two entire city blocks. Sure, some do it tastefully.

Others miss the mark. Thankfully my neighbors have great taste. They also have the stamina of flying reindeer.

42 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

Each year, exactly one day after Thanksgiving, my neighbor methodically switches out her humongous glowing pumpkin, life-sized mechanical ghost, scarecrow, hay bales, RIP gravestones, 4-foot mummy and assorted flying witches for Christmas grandeur. It begins around 7 AM. Her husband happily strings lights, places stars and runs miles of electrical cables. I periodically glance out my window, monitoring their progress, silently wishing they would stop by my house and do their magic here.

By nightfall, their McMansion is supersized with holiday cheer, complete with piped in music that fills the brisk evening with carols.

Its tasteful whimsy not only puts my home to candy cane shame, it also causes my children to question my Christmas spirit: “Why don’t WE have a giant inflatable snow globe in our front yard? Where is OUR twostory snowman?” they ask. I really don’t blame them. I like that fancy stuff too, but my attempts at holiday decorating always end up looking awful. Like last year…

I bought two dozen huge plastic ornaments to decorate the tree in our front yard. In my head, it was going to be magnificent.

In reality, it looked ridiculous. I didn’t have a ladder tall enough to place the balls any higher than the bottom row of branches. I also didn’t buy enough ornaments. My tree was pathetic. It looked like a coniferous hula-dancer.

After that debacle, I decided to put the tree up inside our house. After lugging its many pieces upstairs, along with two giant bins of ordinary-sized ornaments, I tackled the fake plastic Fir. It was deceptively heavy. Its giant iron rods with lights woven around each bough (and missing assembly instructions) left me frankincensed. I actually got it up a few times, only to watch it collapse and spring apart. On my final try and with my last ounce of strength, I placed the “topper” and heaved it upward. * CRASH* There I was, trapped beneath the tannenbaum. If it hadn’t been for my boys rolling the dusty monster off me, I would still be there today. Aaaah the holidays…

In a last ditch effort to decorate my home, I

hung a wreath on my front door. My husband was none too thrilled with my decision to superglue the hook onto our portico but, hey – it held. In fact, it’s been there ever since; a permanent reminder of my only decorating success.

As I gazed at the facade of our woefully under-adorned house, a song filled my heart. (No, wait a minute, that’s the piped in music from the majestic, glowing, McMansion.) No matter, a song filled my heart and I resolved to try to do something – anything – to make our home appear festive. I raced to the store and bought an inflatable embellishment. This year is going to be different! So what if our electric bill doubles? It will be worth it. I will finally be that neighbor and my boys will be thrilled! Merry Christmas!

Jane Suter is an award-winning writer and mom of two very energetic boys, one in kindergarten and the other in second grade. Born in Chicago, she is proud of her Midwestern roots.

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Early Childhood Developemnt

OPEN HOUSE 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR

at the Early Childhood Development Center at Saint Mary’s College Come see our program and meet our early childhood teachers ECDC-SMC Open House dates: Sunday, 1/20/13 . . . . 1:30 - 3:00 Sunday, 2/17/13 . . . . 1:30 - 3:00 For information please call:

574-284-4693 or online at: www.nd.edu/~ecdcnd

Early Childhood Development Center, Inc. at Saint Mary’s College

NAEYC Accredited – Promoting Excellence in Early Childhood Education

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

43

family newborn

It’s Twins!

The New World of Multiple Births

The world of multiples is different from a single birth from almost the very beginning. Even as each mother experiences pregnancy differently from another, every pregnancy takes on its own personality.

When Mom knows she is expecting twins (or more) even her pregnancy is handled differently.

Moms who know they’re carrying multiples should expect more frequent trips to their obstetrician to have their babies’ health monitored alongside their own. Parents may feel overwhelmed as they learn of all the different syndromes they are automatically being screened and monitored for, but nothing compares to the wonders of seeing your babies’ development on a screen. Frequent ultrasounds allow a window to the womb that many never experience, albeit sometimes by choice. 3-D and 4-D technology now allow the opportunity to get a sneak peek at your twins’ angelic faces, sometimes revealing Grandpa’s nose or Auntie’s ears (but only if the babies play nice, presenting themselves for the camera).

A few of the more frequent complaints heard from other mothers of multiples are more difficulty with morning sickness, earlier and more persistent heartburn and, in the later months, hip or back pain. Morning sickness is often viewed as being more severe due to the increased levels of hormones raging through your bloodstream, but some mothers are fortunate enough to escape the nausea and vomiting. Heartburn may be a bigger nuisance than morning sickness, beginning earlier and hitting harder than with a singleton because of the increased pressure from the uterus below at an earlier time, as well as those same funloving chemical and hormonal changes coursing through your veins.

The increased hip and back pain are caused by the extra weight two babies bring, as well as those pesky hormonal changes. Many twin 44 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

By Andie Kingsbury

moms recommend investing in a comfortable recliner chair to make it through the final weeks or months of heartburn and hip pain.

When you discover you are pregnant with twins, two of the most common expectations are premature births and Cesarean section delivery. It is true that, as a mother of multiples, you’ll need to have more flexible plans and expectations for your pregnancy and delivery, but the diagnosis of twins doesn’t always have to wreak havoc on your hopes of a serene, natural birth. If you have always dreamed of a home birth, but now require the technology of a the high tech hospital, work closely with your OB to come up with a birth plan that weaves a safe delivery together with peaceful, lower-tech birthing options. If your twins are known to be fraternal, prepare yourself mentally for the possibility that your babies will stick around longer on the inside than you think. If you know you are carrying identical twins, prepare yourself for the potential of an earlier delivery than you hope, just in case you find you are confronted with the reality of complications like twin-to-twin transfusion (a disease of the placenta, the odds of which are 1 in 1,000 for identical twin births).

On the lighter side, maternity clothes are so much cuter than they were years ago. It can be exciting to fill your closet with adorable outfits that show off your baby bump. While you’re scouring the maternity sales, look for the largest tent you can find, that you are certain you would never be able to fill, and then try to find it in one size larger. If you are able to carry your multiples beyond months seven and eight, you will find yourself to be reasonably certain that you will no longer be able to find clothes that can cover your ever-expanding middle. You may even find yourself desperately Googling “how to wrap a toga,”

sincerely believing that you are going to have to choose which of your king-sized bed sheets look the most like a real dress.

The attention that follows your everexpanding middle as complete strangers comment as to how “you must be due any day” (but you’re only in your fifth month) is something you just need to make a game of now. Count how many belly comments come at awkward moments. Maybe even make it your goal to top the count of the day before.

Twin pregnancy can be an extrovert’s dream and an unprepared introvert’s curse. Use this time as preparation as you hone your conversational skills to touch the lives of those around you.

Multiples bring joy and happiness to others. If you find yourself to be blessed with twins (or more) expect anything, prepare for everything and enjoy every moment; they are all pages in your history and stories for your future.

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THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

45

family playdates

P lay Dates

VISIT WITH SANTA OR MRS. CLAUS! December 1: Woodlawn Nature Center, Elkhart, 9 AM to 3 PM (Bring your own camera!)

December 8: Breakfast at Fiddler’s Hearth, South Bend 8 AM (Pre-register online at www.sbpark.org) December 8: A Rosie Place, South Bend, 10 AM

to 3 PM

December 12:

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library Downtown, 10 AM (Mrs. Claus only)

Everyday:

University Park Mall, Mishawaka.

Sundays noon to 6PM; any other day 11 AM to 8 PM.

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46 THE FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

www.novabella.com

Thank You!

to a few of our Advertising Magazine Partners who support FAMILY and our Magazine every single month!

These annual advertising partners make it possible to produce this magazine and offer it for free to Michiana Families. Please support these local partners in Michiana!

Elkhart General Hospital South Bend Clinic Midwest Orthotics Notre Dame Federal Credit Union MutualBank Once Upon a Child

Advertiser Index:

Menno Travel

32 Pearls Family Dentistry

17

Pulse FM/WHME

41

32 Pearls Family Dentistry

Classic Image Photography

23

South Bend Clinic

13

Creekstone Properties

37

South Bend Parks Preschool

DTSB, Inc.

29

Southold Dance Theater

19

Early Childhood Development Center,Inc.

43

St. Joseph County Parks

17

Goodwill Industries

Edible Arrangements

45

Edible Arrangements

Elkhart Christian Academy

21

Transitions Dental Company c/o Univ. Meadows

21

Heritage Square Mall

Elkhart General

Back Cover

Momadvice.com

Eye Site Optical

35

Lakeland HealthCare

Gymnastics Michiana

27

Heritage Square Mall

39

Lakeland HealthCare

2

Classic Image Photography Eye Site Optical PulseFM/WHME TV Elkhart Christian Academy

Mathnasium Novabella Inc. Premier Arts

Legacy Heating and Air

27

Early Childhood Development Center at

Memorial Health Systems & Affiliates

24

Notre Dame

Momadvice.com 37

South Bend Medical Foundation

Notre Dame Federal Credit Union

Gymnastics Michiana

& Many, Many More that we will highlight in future issues! We appreciate you all very much!

6

3

Novabella Inc.

47

Once Upon a Child

27

Premier Arts

37

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2012

47

The little things are important to us.

When it comes to your newborn’s health and safety, the little things are probably pretty important to you, too. Which is why we offer a Level 2-B Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, along with certified neonatologists and experienced neonatal nurse practitioners right here in our Special Beginnings Maternity Center. This way, you can be sure that should a situation arise, we’ve got the right people in place, ready to help. Because when it comes to watching over your little one, no amount of caring is too big, or too small.

To schedule a personalized tour of the Special Beginnings Maternity Center, call 574-523-3444.

600 East Boulevard • Elkhart, IN 46514