MAY/JUNE
VOLUME 35 /// ISSUE 5
Saying goodbye After six years at the helm, our editor-in-chief is moving on.
26
Lending a helping paw Twin Cities kids are making major strides thanks to their specially trained canine companions. Photo by Tina Mortimer
ALSO INSIDE
4 FROM THE EDITOR
32 Stay-Home S U RV I VA L G UIDE
6 CHATTER
Bubble magic Bath time just got more fun, thanks to a Minnesota mom. 8 BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY
Cuarentena
Many cultures give mothers a set time to recover after a birth. 10 THE UNCENSORED TODDLER
Tried and true
Not a fan of The Giving Tree? Check out these stories instead. 12 SCHOOL DAYS
Badge of honor Turning 40 doesn’t make you old: It really just makes you wiser. 14 WORLD’S OKAYEST MOM
Empathy now
I want my kids to know: We should help others if we can find a way. 16 NANA & MAMA
A little help
We couldn’t go cold turkey on time with grandparents. 18 ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN
Cancel? No!
About our cover kid Name: Gage
Age: 10
Sibling: Ella, 10 City: Big Lake Parents: Lindsey Gasper and Jon Schreiner
Feeling weary? Try these three strategies for your family’s mental health. 22 IN THE KITCHEN
Favorite toys: Computer-coding toys and (of course) his iPad
You’ll need just a few pantry staples for this simple bread.
Favorite activities: Playing in the mud, jumping on the trampoline and learning about new things Favorite foods: Pizza, Cheetos puffs and watermelon! Photos by Tracy Walsh Photography tracywalshphoto.com
May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
20 ON BEHAVIOR
Personality: Spitfire with a strong desire to help others
Favorite book: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2
Don’t skip kids’ check-ups or shots during COVID-19.
Go bananas! 24 BOOKSHELF
Cool connections Celebrate the joys of friendship with five fun new books for kids. 34 FROM OUR READERS
Doing fine
Staying home isn’t so bad for these creative kids.
FROM THE EDITOR
This is goodbye! mnparent.com
PUBLISHER Janis Hall • jhall@mnparent.com
SALES MANAGER AND CO-PUBLISHER Terry Gahan • tgahan@mnparent.com
GENERAL MANAGER Zoe Gahan • zgahan@mnparent.com
EDITOR Sarah Jackson • editor@mnparent.com
CONTRIBUTORS Sue Abderholden, Dr. Gigi Chawla, Megan Devine, Katie Dohman, Shannon Keough, Laura Groenjes Mitchell, Tina Mortimer, Christina Ries, Mary Rose Remington, Tracy Walsh, Jen Wittes
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Valerie Moe • vmoe@mnparent.com
ART DIRECTOR Dani Cunningham
CIRCULATION Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnparent.com
ADVERTISING 612-436-4360 • sales@mnparent.com 40,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at 1,100 locations: mnparent.com/racks Go to mnparent.com/subscribe to get this magazine mailed to your home for $18 a year.
Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications. POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403. Minnesota Parent is copyright 2020 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
las, the time has come: After six years of serving as editor of Minnesota Parent, I’m heading to a new job. When I started in this role, my son was just 5 years old, halfway through his kindergarten year. Now, he’s set to enter junior high — seventh-grade! — in the fall. As he moves onto to a new school and phase in his life, I’ve decided I’m ready to do the same. Indeed, the time feels right to hand the baton to another content curator. With our locally owned and operated company at the helm — Minnesota Premier Publications — and our talented crew of journalists, you’re in excellent hands. Sarah Jackson made friends with Linus Yes, I’m thrilled, excited and a bit scared the service dog during a pre-COVID-19 for a new chapter in my career. I’m also photoshoot. Photo by Tracy Walsh heartsick about not getting to create these amazing magazines every single month with an all-star cast of contributing writers, photographers and designers, who are almost all parents themselves. Our contributors ARE Minnesota Parent. Their words and images have created a community — a cadre of in-it-now child rearers, telling it like it is and sharing news to help us all feel less alone, more confident and even supported in the universal journey of taking care of tiny (and not so tiny) humans. I can’t believe all the things we’ve covered over the years — the good, the bad, the ugly, the befuddling. Indeed, parenting is as vast as humanity. With this issue — a combined May/June issue — we’re doing our best to help you tackle parenting during the pandemic. This time is unprecedented. Unparalleled. All that. Yes. But if you really think about it, all that’s really required to get through this insanity is already in your weary, sleep-deprived parent bones. Just stick to the basics we’ve talked about over the years in this magazine: Avoid perfectionism. Pick your battles. Don’t judge — ever. Put on your own facemask first (no, really, literally and metaphorically). And take time to bask in the good — wherever you can find it — before the kids go off to college (which will be all too soon). Thank you for allowing me to set the tone for this community, online and in print, for half a decade. I will miss it — and you — ever so deeply!
Sarah Jackson, Editor
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CHATTER
An autism story for kids Sheletta Brundidge — a Cottage Grove mother of four children, including three on the autism spectrum — has been a tireless advocate for families facing special needs over the years. And now Brundidge, a Twin Cities comedian and Emmy-winning broadcaster, has written a new children’s book. Cameron Goes to School, inspired by her daughter’s autism journey, tells the story of a brave but quiet girl, whose family is worried about her starting kindergarten. Brundidge said the book came about because so few children’s books address autism from the perspective of the child. “Everything that’s written about autism is for grownups,” Brundidge said. “They tell us what to look out for, signs, treatment, therapy options. But nobody is writing to the classmates of kids with autism about how to be a friend to someone on the spectrum.” Darcy Bell-Myers of Stillwater, who is also a mother a child on the autism spectrum, illustrated the book, co-written with Lily Coyle of Beaver’s Pond Press in St. Paul. Cameron, in real life, struggled at first to make friends at school, who unknowingly thought she was mean when she hardly spoke to them. “But she wasn’t mean at all,” Brundidge said. “She had social anxiety related to her autism.” In the back of the book, teachers, parents and kids can find information about how children with autism might learn and behave differently, but also how they’re really similar to their classmates: “All people with autism have feelings. All people with autism can be friends with people who don’t have autism.” Brundidge said she hopes the book will help educate kids and empower little girls,
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
including African Americans who have an autism diagnosis. As for Cameron? Thanks to early intervention, dedicated therapists and her own determination, she’s moved on to become part of a mainstream classroom. And Brundidge couldn’t be prouder! Find the book at Kowalski’s markets, local bookstores, Amazon.com and at SHElettaMakesMeLaugh.com, where you’ll find Sheletta’s podcasts, including one called Taking Authority Over Autism. Mother of four Sheletta Brundidge of Cottage Grove has published a book about autism, inspired by her daughter Cameron.
Rub-a-dub-dub! Got a kid who hates bath time? A Minnesota mom is offering handmade
oils, scents and Epsom salts. Toys inside include squishy animals, dinos, superheroes
bubble bath bombs — with toys inside —
and even wearable items such as rings,
to entice kids or just make bath time extra
necklaces and tattoos.
special with her growing business, Two Sisters Spa. Amanda Royer, who lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and two daughters,
Bombs created just for moms don’t include prizes, but instead focus on soothing scents
You will still
GET A SH
IR
& share your T participation on social media !
for 2020, but we plan to return to an in-person event next year!
Walk. Ride. Run.
such as eucalyptus spearmint. A team of stay-at-home moms help make,
founded the company in 2013 after her
package and ship the bath bombs for Royer,
homemade bath bombs gained a following
who takes pride in her company’s “by moms,
on Etsy.
for moms” flexible work culture.
Her kid-friendly bath bombs create bubble
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Jen Wittes
BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY
A ‘cuarentena’ state of mind
s I sit down to write this month’s column, we’re at the beginning of our ever-increasing social-distancing mandates from both the state and national governments. I don’t know when we’ll be on the “the other side” of this societal halt, but — either way — it seems like the perfect time to explore the tradition of la cuarentena. In Latin, Asian, African, Middle Eastern and some European cultures, a period of confinement after giving birth isn’t considered a luxury or a sacrifice. It’s simply the norm. The Chinese postpartum quarantine is quite strict and requires one month in bed without bathing, brushing teeth, reading, using the Internet or eating fruits and vegetables. There’s also no use of air conditioners or fans and no drinking water. The new mother drinks only hot soups and liquids and eats a protein-forward diet. Some eat one chicken per day! Latin cultures insist that Mama spend
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
six weeks abstaining from sex, her only focus should be to care for herself and her baby. The extended family cooks and cleans, cares for older children and provides herbal remedies for the recovering mother. Many Native American cultures practice a 20-day confinement with naming rituals and sweat lodge visits to increase the mother’s circulation and allow for the release of toxins. A ceremonial bread is prepared by the elder women of the tribe and is revered as a rite of passage. In Indonesia, a bright light burns in the new mother’s home for about 40 days to honor new life. The midwife visits daily to massage the new mom, to give her therapeutic baths and to bind her belly to encourage uterine contraction. With many different cultural quirks and details, the sentiment is the same: Stay in, stay warm, eat well, accept help, rest, care for your family. Try as we might in the U.S. to adopt this
recovery time, we often fall short. Many maternity-leave periods fall just at, if not before, the typical 40-day cuarentena. So while the new mother should be resting and eating nutrient-rich smoothies and soups, she’s often more preoccupied with finding daycare and figuring out her breast pump. Another obstacle Americans face is distance. Gone are the days of the family duplex or in-laws living down the block. New parents often live across the country from their kin. Many modern grandparents still work 9-to-5 jobs and can’t be there to cook and clean — even if they do live in the same town. It seems like a good idea to at least keep in mind the postpartum tradition of confinement, if only in spirit. Maybe our recent times have taught us the value of rest, recovery, slowing down, savoring good food, prioritizing health. Maybe our recent times have taught us to honor all the mothers trying to accomplish the impossible while raising the next generation of humans.
Healthy development starts at home.
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Hopefully, through this, we can reclaim our collective humanity and become better at both giving — and accepting — help. In the meantime, here are a few tips for a cuarentena state of mind: • Don’t skimp on maternity leave or try to save it for later in your year. • If you can swing it, hire a postpartum doula or two. They’re pros at making la cuarentena happen! • Wear PJs. They set the tone for visitors. • Target can wait. • Remember that childbirth — while a natural event that occurs daily, 360,000 times per day, in fact — is still a big deal. Your baby is a big deal. YOU are a big deal. Do we FINALLY get it NOW, in 2020, as the universe literally tells our planet to press pause? It can all wait. Stay in. Stay warm. Love your babies. Be safe. Jen Wittes is a marketing director, writer, certified postpartum doula and mom of two who lives in St. Paul.
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9
Shannon Keough
THE UNCENSORED TODDLER
Books for toddlers s a lifelong practitioner of the book-reading arts, I’ve always been gung-ho to read to my kids. What I’m not always so excited about are the actual books on offer. With outdated gender norms, subtle (or blatant) racism, idiotic rhymes and a surplus of just plain-old bad writing, there’s definitely some problematic stuff out there in the world of children’s literature. But you’re the parent, and therefore you have the power to protect your children from the creeping rot otherwise known as The Giving Tree. (A Goodreads reviewer sums it up nicely: “Co-dependent tree needs to set some f-ing boundaries.”) Read on for a few book recommendations that (I hope) won’t make you want to gouge your eyes out.
seemingly simple children’s book, I find myself with many unanswered questions: Why does the cannon appear to be pointed at the military men who assembled it? Is the book a celebration of military pomp and circumstance, or a critique of the futility of war? Feel free to discuss these themes with your toddler: It’s never too early for literary criticism.
Amos & Boris Olivia and the Fairy Princesses
Drummer Hoff Adapted by Barbara Emberly and illustrated by Ed Emberly, this jaunty little board book follows a group of military dudes assembling a cannon. Evidently, it’s based on an old English folk rhyme called John Ball Shot Them All. I guess I can see why they adapted it to “Drummer Hoff fired it off” instead. This book is ideal for young toddlers, as it features bright, colorful illustrations, repetitive, infectious rhymes and an exciting climax. (Drummer Hoff does indeed “fire it off.”) When reading this
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
Olivia, on the other hand, is beyond all that: “I’m trying to develop a more stark, modern style,” she explains. Olivia is then shown performing a dramatic rendition of Lamentation, Martha Graham’s famous dance solo. This is a fab gift for all the modern dance aficionados in your social circle.
“Olivia was depressed.” So begins this installment in the Olivia series by Ian Falconer, featuring an illustration of Olivia the pig lying flat on her back on the floor, a stricken look on her face. In this book, Lydia is dismayed by the conformity of her peers. She comments on the auditions for her school dance recital, explaining that everyone was trying out to be the fairy princess ballerina.
You know when you “discover” a new author/musician/Instagram influencer and you think, “Where have you been my whole life?” Such was my experience with William Steig. His illustrations are great. His writing is sophisticated and never dumbed down for the young set. He addresses a variety of adult themes that are often avoided in children’s books. Amos is an enterprising mouse who loves the ocean. He builds a boat and heads out to sea.
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“One night, in a phosphorescent sea, he marveled at the sight of some whales spouting luminous water; and later, lying on the deck of his boat gazing at the immense, starry sky, the tiny mouse Amos, a little speck of a living thing in the vast living universe, felt thoroughly akin to it all.” Then Amos accidentally rolls off his boat, confronts the very real possibility of death, is saved by Boris the whale and builds a lifelong friendship with his rescuer.
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The Shrinking of Treehorn “Something very strange was happening to Treehorn.” This odd little tale — written by Florence Parry Heide and illustrated by Edward Gorey — kicks off with young Treehorn realizing that he could no longer reach the shelf in his closet “where he hid his candy bars and bubble gum.” He continues to shrink throughout the story, to the overall disinterest of his parents, bus driver, teacher, school principal and all the other self-absorbed adults in his world. Published in 1971, one could argue that this book shows the dark side of the hands-off parenting some of us are so nostalgic for. Treehorn tells his mother about his mysterious shrinking problem. “That’s too bad, dear,” said his mother, looking into the oven. “I do hope this cake isn’t going to fall.”
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Shannon Keough lives in St. Paul with her husband and two children. Send questions or comments to skeough@mnparent.com. mnparent.com • May/June 2020
11
This is 40 T
his past January, I turned 40 years old. Once upon a time in my life, 40 sounded so old. But this transition to my fifth decade has been certainly much smoother than I would have anticipated. For you younger-than-40 readers, I want you to know that growing older doesn’t have to signal your demise! Growing older is what you make of it. For me “40” is a just a new age stamp I happen to be wearing in my life journey. I am older than I was at 15, 26 and 30. But I’m also more seasoned and experienced! Yes, I’ve sprouted a few gray hairs and I don’t have the same metabolism or elasticity I had a decade or two ago, but I’m feeling great and I’m certainly grateful for that. As you age, you also gain life experience and wisdom from all the mistakes you make along the way.
Confidence At this stage of my life, I know myself better than I did when I was younger. I can more confidently articulate what I like, what I need and who I am with less concern about what other people may think. This is something that’s become easier with each passing year. For example, I have an introverted personality. By definition, introverts tend to feel drained after experiencing stimulating environments and social experiences, but can regain their energy by spending time alone. As a more introverted kindergarten teacher and mom of four, I need to incorporate rhythms of quiet and solitude
within the hustle and bustle of my day-to-day life to recharge my batteries. This involves some compromises. I’ve learned that it’s best for me if I don’t accept every opportunity for socialization — whether that’s an after-school event / evening gathering with adults or allowing my children to invite friends over, which adds more noise and excitement when I might need downtime. (Social distancing, as you might imagine, hasn’t been as hard on me as it’s been on others.) Some people characterize actions like this as anti-social, but it’s not personal; it’s just how I tick, and what I need to do to stay balanced, productive and healthy.
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
It took me years to develop this understanding of myself and to have the confidence to start saying no. In the past few years, I’ve found ways to find this quiet recharge time by waking up early, having a peaceful cup of coffee and doing some yoga or writing. Oftentimes, I escape for an hour for a hike or run. For my 40th birthday, I actually purchased a fat-tire bike in lieu of a big party, which has been a fun new avenue of outdoor exercise/escape/recharge. My confidence and understanding of myself, who I am and what I need is reflective in my assertiveness to take time for myself in these ways.
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Enjoy
Gratitude At 40, I have a stronger appreciation for my own health, wellness and also for the presence and wellness of people I love and care for. The longer you live, the more you see. As an individual with a large extended family — and roles as an educator, friend, mom and more — suffice it to say I’ve witnessed a lot of unfortunate situations. Most recently was the devastating loss of my brother, Ben, in a tragic accident. My life may have its ups and downs. But overall these first 40 years of my life have been full of blessings. I have four healthy children and a husband who’s not only my partner, but also my best friend. Most recently, I’ve been thinking about the blessings of my mom and dad, who both turned 70 this past March and who both are sharing their presence and love with our family. I’m so grateful to have them in our lives. I also appreciate my own physical and mental health; and I’m doing what I can to nurture and take care of it with my choices and actions. So yes, in appreciation for 40, I feel grateful and blessed, gray hairs and all!
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13
Katie Dohman
WORLD’S OKAYEST MOM
Empathy is a superpower You should always help if you can find a way to help. If someone takes advantage of your goodness, that’s on them.
W
hew. Well. So here we are. Seemingly overnight, everything’s changed. Like many working families, we’re now mostly sequestered at home, fending off cabin fever, and trying to work from home — something I’ve done for a long time, but never like this — and also supporting our children’s heroic teachers by trying to corral our three-ring circuses in front of iPads and worksheets. I’m explaining why we can no longer go to the playground or hug our grandparents. (“Viiiiii-rus” or “Ger-rrrms” my children drily intone.) I’m typing in between hastily constructing peanut butter sandwiches and fielding “I’m hungry” cries every 30 minutes as though I have a pack of newborns (who can also walk and destroy the house in a nanosecond). It’s a bid for attention and love and caring while I try to also finish my work
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
assignments, cruise the news and also keep my own feelings — which are swinging wildly, too — under control, at least sometimes. (I’ve snapped. I’ve cried. Today.) The kids haven’t been in the routine that has sustained our entire family for a very long time — and now we’re starting a new normal. While I go on and on about being the new Depression Grandma (reusing tinfoil and harping about food waste), I wonder what these lessons are imprinting upon little baby brains: Will they see themselves as vectors of disease forever? Will they shun hugs one day — just out of habit? I can’t even bear to think of it. Speaking of that, as an empath myself, I’ve struggled most of my life with how negatively empathy is painted — like I am just too much of a total, pathetic wimp if I cry when I see a stray dog or when a song just hits me the right way.
It took me a L-O-N-G time to accept that this is just the way I am — and that I can harness it for good. Sometimes it’s hard to be an empathetic person. You get hurt. People don’t always return the consideration. But it’s really the only thing I hope my kids learn: It’s OK to feel deeply. It’s a good thing to try to understand someone else. The events that are shaping my children’s lives — not just the coronavirus, but also the current political climate — are rooted in many ways in an empathy crisis. The other night Ruby, age 7, was talking to me about … well, something. I was a little tuned out, mm-hmming along, trying to finish up an assignment as she got ready for bed. I tuned back in just in time to hear her say, “But if someone is homeless and you can help them, you should, right?” Yeah, baby. You should, is what I told her. You should always help if you can find a
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way to help. If someone takes advantage of your goodness, that’s on them. And even though empathy hurts sometimes, making the choice to harden yourself against life is a far greater hurt. Making the choice to love, to understand and to then take action is a far more courageous path. A superpower, even. Despite a big, bad world that constantly tries to convince us that the only way to make it through is to toughen up, I think the only way through is softening our hearts. Understanding. Love. Accepting that your reality may not be the reality of someone else’s life. Be good to you. Be good to others. Don’t get me wrong: Take no prisoners with BS and burn it down when necessary. But fight back from a place of radical love — with everything you have.
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Katie Dohman lives in the Twin Cities burbs with her three kids, two pets and one husband. Follow her adventures at instagram.com/dohmicile. mnparent.com • May/June 2020
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Mary Rose and Laura NANA & MAMA
Finding the silver linings MAMA As I sit down to write this column, my family is about one month into social distancing. It’s hard to believe how abruptly everything around us has changed. Even pre-pandemic, as full-time working parents of a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old, we thought we were busy, that we had very little free time in our schedules and that we were master multitaskers. Oh, if we only knew what was coming in 2020. For the past month, my wife and I have been balancing the demands of our full-time jobs (working from home) while ALSO caring for our kids, who are now home full-time. Our support network of friends, family and babysitters is unavailable as we try to do our part to flatten the curve. One of the toughest choices we’ve faced is whether to allow the kids to see their grandparents. My mom is already providing childcare for us a few times a month — and we desperately need the help as we are so tired and overwhelmed. Plus, the kids adore their grandparents and it’s one of the reasons we moved across the country this past summer — to be closer to them. On the other hand, my dad is more at risk for complications if he catches COVID-19 — and we want to minimize contact to help protect ourselves and others. No matter what, the choices we make now can have a serious impact. I’m working to follow the guidance of medical experts, checking in with myself and my family/ friends and working to find a path that keeps everyone safe and healthy. Right now, we’ve decided to continue the childcare my mom is providing with a few significant
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• We have more opportunities for the kids to be involved and learn household activities such as cooking and cleaning. • Our mornings are slower and more relaxed as we aren’t racing to get out the door at a specific time. • We’re appreciating and enjoying our outdoor spaces (front porch, backyard and walks around the neighborhood) more consistently. • We’ve found so many creative ways to leverage Zoom and FaceTime to connect with others outside our household — playdates with friends, art lessons with preschool teachers, dance lessons, family chats and virtual happy hours with friends.
adjustments to increase safety, but we’re re-evaluating that choice every week. I’ve felt so many emotions as I work to wrap my mind around what’s happening globally, locally and in my own home. Disbelief, fear and anxiety have taken more than their fair share of my mental space, but I’ve worked to balance those thoughts with finding opportunity in this time. There’s so little I have control over right now, but I can control how I show up for my kids, wife, family and friends each day. There’s a long list of opportunities I’ve found, but here are a few of my favorites: • We have time to slow down and play, talk, listen, read and eat as a family EVERY DAY. • My kids get to play with each other way more than they did before.
NANA My job coordinating volunteers at a local hospital put me in the midst of COVID-19 discussions early on, but still I was shocked at how fast things changed, and how drastically our lives were affected. Simple freedoms I took for granted such as going out to eat with friends, shopping and traveling felt too risky — and then many businesses closed. Right before Gov. Tim Walz ordered Minnesotans to stay home, my husband and I had already started working from home; he had the basement and I had the dining room. I was so grateful that everyone in the family still had their jobs. My son who lives with us was navigating his job as a yoga studio manager: Online classes, anyone? My other son in Denver had just started working at a water treatment plant (Could there be anything more essential?) And my daughter and her wife were juggling their work-from-home jobs AND
the care of two active young children, since sending the kids to daycare no longer seemed wise. Since I had already started doing daycare for them every other Wednesday, we simply continued that schedule, but the care now happens in their home. I feel so fortunate to still see the grandkids and spend a little time with my daughter and her wife. Because my husband has a compromised immune system, we decided it would be best to keep him safely stationed at our home while I serve as the go-between grandparent for now. Recognizing that even just going out is a risk, I’m taking as many precautions as I can — religious hand washing, constant cleaning and putting on a face mask in public. That’s my decision so far. COVID-19 has undoubtedly turned our world upside down, creating damage to our country’s economy, sadly causing death and health challenges to many, and even threatening the health of the professionals we count on to treat us. Who could have imagined this kind of chaos and disruption — except maybe epidemiologists? And yet, there have been silver linings. These are just some of them: • I’ve been able to work from our lovely home on a lake and watch spring unfold, including gaggles of geese nesting, male turkeys proudly strutting
Right now, we’ve decided to continue the childcare my mom is providing with a few significant adjustments to increase safety, but we’re re-evaluating that choice every week. their stuff and a pair of noisy sandhill cranes grazing at the bird feeders. • Skipping the daily grind of commuting means I’ve had an extra hour of time every day, plus I’m saving money on gas. • My husband and I started taking an hourlong walk at the end of the day in a nearby nature preserve park. Every person we see allows enough distance for us to feel safe, but greets us with a friendly hello — as if to say, We’re in this together, even though we’re separated. • When I check in with extended family and friends, the discussions are more meaningful and filled with expressions of love, care and compassion. • Time seems to have expanded and I’ve been able to read more, watch more movies and enjoy our favorite shows. • We’ve been making and enjoying a homemade dinner every night.
• I’ve started a gratitude sheet that I keep posted on the fridge. I add two or three things daily such as family, friends, good health, scented candles, fresh-brewed coffee, sunshine, music, radio announcers, FaceTime sessions; the list grows long. • Last time I was at the grocery store, I thanked the checkout person for being there. I’ve never done that before. • And then there are all the helpers coming to people’s aid. Those with sewing machines creating face masks, the restaurant owners who now make and donate meals for people in need, the University of Minnesota med students who have started providing daycare for the health-care workers … and so it goes. No one has a crystal ball that will tell us how and when this will end, who will survive and who won’t. But I’m choosing to embrace the one-day-at-a-time approach, keeping vigilant about safety and cleaning, while enjoying the many wonderful things that life still has to offer. And I’m going to keep looking for the silver linings. Mary Rose Remington, a Twin Citiesbased baby boomer, is documenting her grandparenting experiences with her daughter, Laura Groenjes Mitchell — a millennial mother of two, who lives with her wife in Minneapolis. They’ll also be sharing their generational differences in our sister publication, Minnesota Good Age. mnparent.com • May/June 2020
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Dr. Gigi Chawla
What about kids and COVID? COVID-19 is all over the news, but there’s not much being reported about kids. What happens to kids who get COVID-19 — and should I still bring my child in for regular check-ups during this time? You might not be hearing much about COVID-19 in children, but they are getting it. Any age can get COVID-19. Fewer children than adults are showing signs of infection, and it appears they experience milder symptoms than adults do. Like adults, children with underlying health conditions seem to be more susceptible to severe symptoms. Many children who are exposed are likely asymptomatic and aren’t being tested at this time. Even though symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the cold or flu, there are some key differences: Older kids who can describe symptoms may mention or experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever and dry cough. There’s usually no sneezing, which is more common with a cold or allergies. Severe body aches, which are more common with influenza, are also not commonly mentioned. Otherwise, symptoms may look more like the common cold — with only half of symptomatic kids having a fever. How to react: If you think your child has COVID-19, which may just appear to be a common cold, please keep your kids at home. Kids can spread the virus to adults just like any infectious illness.
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In most cases, the symptoms that kids have are mild and can be managed at home with plenty of rest, regular hand washing, covering coughs and separating the sick child from the rest of the family as much as possible. Kids with symptoms of COVID-19 can leave home once they meet three conditions: Seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared; their cough has improved; and three or more days have passed since their last fever, without a fever-reducing medication. If you think medical care is needed, call your primary care clinic first before going in. Your pediatrician can give you the next best steps, including if an emergency room visit is needed. It’s understandable that you’re worried about you and your children going out to places during COVID-19. Preventing COVID-19 through frequent hand-washing is critical to your child’s health and the
Even though symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the cold or flu, there are some key differences. health of those around them. It’s also equally important to make sure that the rest of your child’s health isn’t put on hold: Virtual appointments: Virtual care has seen a rapid expansion during this pandemic — and for good reason. You can video chat with your child’s doctor from the comfort of your home. The doctors can see, hear and talk with you, just like an in-person appointment. Virtual care can be an ideal type of visit for mental health and behavioral health care, especially with many kids experiencing emotional challenges during
PREGNANT?
Find out what expecting moms need to know about COVID-19 — with information from the CDC and Children’s Minnesota — at themotherbabycenter.org.
COVID-19. Many — but not all — services offered through virtual care are covered by insurers. However, you should check with your insurance provider to learn about your specific coverage. In-person care: Health care is an essential service. And in-person, wellchild check-ups are still essential for the growth and development of children. These visits are also an opportunity for you and your doctor to talk about your questions or concerns. At each visit, your doctor will monitor your child’s physical, developmental, mental and emotional health. (Some clinics might be prioritizing well-child visits for younger kids at this time.) Regular vaccinations: Staying on track with your child’s immunizations is also critically important, especially during this global event. Vaccinations throughout childhood are critical because they help provide immunity before children are exposed. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they’re safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages and intervals. Prioritizing these immunizations, which primarily occur during well-child checks, may prevent an outbreak in the future of a disease that we have a vaccine for, such as measles, whooping cough, chickenpox or other preventable diseases. Many of these vaccine-preventable illnesses — which we tend to forget about until we experience community outbreaks — can also be life-threatening or cause great harm, and would be especially difficult to manage during COVID-19.
If your child stutters: a guide for parents
Send for our 64-page book by authorities on the prevention of stuttering. Ask for Book 11 and enclose $1.00 for postage and handling.
1-800-992-9392 www.stutteringhelp.org Stuttering Foundation MNP NR4 2011 H6 filler.indd 1
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• The Fraser Hope Line can address your mental health concerns • Rapid access to the help you need • Talk directly with a mental health professional • Call today! Help is just a phone call away
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Spreading Hope to Families of Micro-Preemie Babies, One Potato at a Time.
thepotatoheadproject.org
Dr. Gigi Chawla is a board-certified pediatrician and the chief of general pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota. The Potato Head Project MNP 2017 Filler H4.indd 2
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mnparent.com • May/June 2020
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Sue Abderholden
ON BEHAVIOR
Parenting just got harder S
tudents won’t be returning to school. While many parents knew in the back of their minds that this was likely to happen, it still came as a shock or huge disappointment. Most had hoped that their children would miraculously return to school and that they could work — even if it was from home. To say that the last few weeks have been difficult for families with children is an understatement. There’s this image of detailed full schedules with experiential learning, children who are thrilled and engaged in distance learning and parents lining up additional activities through the many virtual museums and other entities to enrich their children’s lives. And everyone is smiling. The reality is that the stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 is like a cloud over everyone’s head. The schedule worked for a day or two. The boss called while you were trying to teach division. The wi-fi went out while you were trying to connect to distance learning. Your elementary-age child threw a tantrum and your teenager dissolved into tears or angry words. Or both. For some families the economic hardship makes it even more difficult. School lunches were important, but now they might be difficult to obtain. Your job may mean that you can’t be there during the day to help your middleschool child. Your family might not have a computer or tablet or the worksheets that were mailed. If your child is in special education, it may be even more difficult. If they had a paraprofessional assisting them during the day? Well, you’re on your own.
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↑ Time to Come In, Bear: A Children’s Story About Social Distancing is a touching video for kids at tinyurl.com/come-in-bear.
If you had in-home support staff, they might not be coming out due to COVID-19. There’s no way you can work during all of this. So, what’s a parent to do? First, ban perfectionism. You can’t be perfect during a pandemic (or ever). Do what you can. Take one day at a time. The more stress that comes with instituting a tight schedule, the more upset a child will be. Have a schedule, because that brings some normalcy to the situation, but also adapt to what you and your child need that day. Second, work on wellness and coping strategies. Together take deep breaths, move or dance, or use a meditation app. It does relieve stress and it will teach strategies that your child can use in the future. Third, help your younger children understand what’s going on through some good books and videos such as The Oyster and the Butterfly: The Corona Virus and Me (PDF at tinyurl.com/oysterbutterfly) or Time to Come In, Bear: A Children’s Story About Social Distancing
(video at tinyurl.com/come-in-bear). For older children, talk to them about how hard it is to not see friends, to miss some of the events that are big in their lives such as dances, sports and concerts. Listen, understand and empathize. Even as adults, we feel anxious and upset about what’s happening — and we have more tools than they do to cope. It’s not an easy time. But if we try to stay calm, take one day at a time, connect to others and love and support our children, we will get through this. Parenting was never easy, and now it’s really hard. Know that there are free classes, videos, resources and support groups through NAMI Minnesota to help. Sometimes it helps just to hear that you’re not the only one struggling. Sue Abderholden is executive director of NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness), a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families through its programs of education, support and advocacy. For more information, go to namimn.org or call 651-645-2948.
IN THE KITCHEN
Loaf of love
BY SARAH JACKSON
Now’s the time for comfort food. This banana bread relies on a few twists — oil instead of butter, whole-wheat flour (which imparts a nutty goodness) and an exact measure of banana mash, just 1 cup!
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INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup white flour 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 eggs or flax eggs 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup very ripe bananas (2 to 4 bananas, the riper the better) ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan or line it with two pieces of parchment paper. See how at tinyurl.com/loaf-lining. Whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Beat the eggs with an electric mixer in a second, larger bowl until the mixture is a pale yellow. Add the sugar and beat until well combined. Beat in the vegetable oil, vanilla extract and banana until well combined. Mix in the flour and other dry ingredients. Don’t overmix. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle the optional chocolate chips on top of the batter in the pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Start checking the bread after 45 minutes. A knife inserted into the middle should come out clean with no wet batter sticking to it. Cover with foil if the top begins to look overly brown. Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. Slice the bread while it’s still warm, if desired, and serve. Sarah Jackson is an avid procrastibaker and the editor of Minnesota Parent. mnparent.com • May/June 2020
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Christina Ries
BOOKSHELF
Unlikely companions In a time of isolation and mandatory distancing, it’s important to remember and celebrate all kinds of relationships. These stories illustrate the surprising bonds that can emerge when you bring a child-like open-mindedness to friendship!
Set at a sea-side bed-and-breakfast called the Mermaid Hotel, this whimsical book celebrates the friendship of two sassy heroines — one young, one old. Written by Sophie Dahl, granddaughter of Roald Dahl, it treats young readers with the same reverence and wit as her grandfather did. Ages 5-8 • $18.99
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Local artist Kayla Harren imagined “unexpected animal combinations” in this new board book about God’s never-ending love. The result is a world of dappled sunlight where kids encounter pals at every turn — on a sailboat, at the beach, in a hot-air balloon. (Bonus: You can sing along to this book with Ellie Holcomb on YouTube!)
This large hardcover gives off a book-report vibe, but in the most breezy, bite-sized way. Thoroughly researched and brightly illustrated, it tells the true story of 50 animals who forged surprising human bonds, defied the odds and aided in groundbreaking discoveries.
Ages 2-6 • $12.99
Ages 6 and up • $21.99
Keep your child safe.
More than 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms every year because they got into medicines while their parent or caregiver was not looking. Always put every medicine and vitamin up and away every time you use it. Also, program your poison control center’s number in your phone: 800.222.1222.
To learn more, visit UpandAway.org In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Up and Away MNP 2012 Filler H6.indd 1
Rendered in color pencil and watercolor, this is the sweet story of how a furry, unwanted creature can rearrange your home — and your heart. Ages 4-8 • $17.95
3/27/12 4:52 PM
Join our fight against child hunger!
Over 200,000 Minnesota children were living in food insecurity before the coronavirus pandemic. The need for nutritious food has since skyrocketed. You can help change the story of child hunger in our community.
www.thesheridanstory.org Sheridan Story MNP 2020 H4 filler.indd 1
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For 40 years Haven Housing has helped break the cycle of homelessness and despair for women and children. Georgie is afraid of the knight; the dragon is afraid of the knight. Together, these improbable friends conquer their fears.
You can join us in our life changing work.
Former residents of Haven Housing
Ages 3-7 • $16.99
Christina Ries is a freelance writer who lives with her husband and four young children in Inver Grove Heights.
Learn more at
www.havenhousing.org Haven Housing MNP 2020 H4 filler.indd 1
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Brea Vandergon, 13, of New Brighton, hangs out with Gregg, her 70-pound Labrador and mobility-assist dog. Brea, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, relies on the dog to help with tasks such as opening and closing doors and picking things up. Photo by Tina Mortimer
Dogs to the rescue! These specially trained animals aren’t just pets. They’re everyday heroes for Twin Cities kids with special needs. BY TINA MORTIMER
T
rying to get a 70-pound Labrador to pose for a photo is no easy task. The Labrador, Gregg, only wants to look at his companion, Brea Vandergon, not at the camera. Brea’s father, Cedar Vandergon (attempts to get the 2-year-old service dog to rest his head on his daughter’s lap. As soon as he removes the portable, speech-generating device from the front of Brea’s wheelchair, however, Gregg uses the opportunity to jump up and give Brea two big, sloppy kisses, knocking over the treat bowl attached to the wheelchair’s side in the process.
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“Classic Gregg!” Brea quips, wiping her cheek, and everyone laughs. This is classic Brea. The 13-year-old New Brighton girl has a quick smile and an even quicker wit. She uses a wheelchair because she has cerebral palsy, a disorder that severely impacts her movement and muscle tone as well as her ability to communicate. And yet she can communicate with Gregg just fine. Vandergon recalls the first time they met Gregg, early last summer. “Gregg immediately began responding to Brea’s communication device giving commands,” he says. “It was really cool to see. He was completely engaged with her — and she with him.” While Brea’s younger sisters had their hearts set on a guinea pig, Vandergon and Brea’s mom, Julie, decided a service dog would be a better fit for their family, especially with Brea desiring more independence. A few months later, they welcomed Gregg into their family. “Gregg is a very eager helper and loves to work,” Vandergon says. “He picks up things Brea drops and places them on her lap. He can open doors with a tug attached, close doors and activate handicap buttons.” Gregg even puts her clothes in the hamper, which is a big help at bedtime. “He’s really helping her be more independent,” Vandergon says.
Dogs in service These tasks are all part of a regular day’s work for Gregg, a mobility-assist dog specially trained to help kids like Brea have a better quality of life. He’s one of five types of service dogs provided by Can Do Canines — a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to making life easier for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. Started by Executive Director Al Peters in 1989, Can Do Canines, based in New
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Hope, provides assistance dogs for people with hearing issues; mobility needs; autism; seizure disorders; and diabetes. While the bulk of the organization’s clients are adults, Can Do Canines has provided 115 assistance dogs to children since 2007, at no charge to their families. The organization also covers the first two years of shots, exams and food.
Raised to serve Can Do Canines trained its first child mobility-assist dog in 2002 and became an early provider of autism-assist dogs in 2007. While the wait for a child to receive a mobility-assist canine companion like Gregg is just a few months, the wait list for an autism-assist dog can be up to three years, which is why the organization recommends families apply as soon as a child is diagnosed. “These dogs are life-changing to families,” Peters says. “They remove the tension and anxiety and just make life easier.” On any given day, 200 dogs and puppies are being raised to serve at Can Do Canines. Individual volunteers foster and train the dogs in basic commands and manners, plus crate and potty training. (Can Do Canines also works with volunteers from a local prison program.) The final stage of training, handled by Can Do Canine’s staff, involves working with the dogs in their new homes. The dogs that don’t get paired with a human become pets or go on to serve other organizations as therapy dogs, also known as emotional-support animals. Can Do Canines is recognized by Assistance Dogs International — the leading authority on assistance dogs worldwide. Its certification signifies that the facility upholds the highest standards in assistance dog acquisition, training and partnership. In Minnesota, only two organizations are ADI-certified: Can Do Canines and the Hopkins-based Helping Paws. Helping Paws, started in 1985 as a pilot project of the University of Minnesota’s
A service dog helps remove the stigma around the person it’s assisting. People are more willing to talk to you when you have a dog. — Cedar Vandergon, father to Brea, who relies on a mobility-assist dog from Can Do Canines
Center for the Study of Human-Animal Relationships and Environment, became an independent nonprofit in 1988. The Hopkins-based organization provides service dogs for two groups — children and adults with physical disabilities and veterans or first-responders with PTSD.
Calm under pressure While many dogs can function as mobilityassist dogs and learn to open and close doors, retrieve dropped objects, pull wheelchairs and more, autism-assistance dogs require a special kind of personality and temperament. “We say that autism-assist dogs need to be bomb-proof,” Peters says. “Because children with autism can be self-harming and flight risks, the dog must be extremely patient and tolerant.” Most important, Peters says, an autism-assist dog must possess the ability to remain calm under pressure and love a child no matter how the child treats it. Autism-assist dogs, like mobility-assist dogs, are trained to provide comfort, support and practical assistance with everyday activities. However, for kids like 10-year-old Gage Gasper of Big Lake and 12-year-old Olympia Quast of Lake Elmo, autism-assist dogs also serve as four-legged bodyguards, providing constant protection to the children not only from outside elements — but also from themselves. Gage and Olympia both tend to
Gage Gasper, 10, of Big Lake, snuggles with his autism-assist dog, Linus. Photo by Tracy Walsh Photography
What’s a service animal and where can I get one? Service animals: The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal as a dog (or in some cases other animals) individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. The great benefit of having a certified service dog is that by law, they must be allowed access to anywhere their human can go, such as stores, restaurants and medical facilities. Service dogs typically wear a cape or harness that lets people know they’re working and should not be disturbed. Can Do Canines’ dogs wear bright red vests; Helping Paws dogs wear blue. ESAs: In recent years, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) — raised to provide comfort and companionship to individuals with PTSD or other mental health disorders — have been gaining in popularity. While an emotional support animal may provide much-needed support, it’s not specifically trained to perform tasks to assist an individual with a disability. It’s an important distinction when it comes to the law. While service dogs as defined by the ADA can go anywhere their owner goes, an ESA cannot. Moreover, it’s illegal for a person to attempt to pass off an ESA as a certified service animal to a business owner. Who provides service dogs? Can Do Canines and Helping Paws are the only Minnesota-based, Assistance Dogs International-certified service dog organizations, but there are countless more that serve Minnesota. For a complete list of agencies, see assistancedogsinternational.org. Considering a service animal for your child? Visit disability.state.mn.us/service-animals for more information and resources.
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↑ Olympia, 12, of Lake Elmo, spends time with her autism-assist dog, a standard poodle named Mindy. Photo by Tina Mortimer
self-harm. Olympia may bang her head on the floor when she gets frustrated. Gage may scratch or pick his skin if he’s feeling overwhelmed. Before Can Do Canines, a simple trip to the grocery store would at best be nerve-wracking, and at worst, dangerous. The fluorescent lights, crowds and ding of a store might send Gage into a complete panic, for example. “Gage used to have a lot of meltdowns,” says his mom, Lindsey Gasper. “He was hurting himself and me as well. It was getting to the point where I thought he might overpower me.” Common outings that most families take for granted — trips to museums, movie theaters or sporting events — were out of the question for Gage and his family. “We’d be shopping and — right in the middle of the aisle — I’d need to hold him in a tight bear hug to stop him from screeching and scratching his face,” Gasper says. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Taking back control That was before Gage had Linus. The yellow Labrador’s uncanny ability to soothe Gage when he’s in distress means the Gasper family, who live in Big Lake, can go to a store or even a restaurant without the usual angst involved in leaving the house. When Gage does get overwhelmed, Linus nuzzles his neck or sits on top of him and gently applies pressure until Gage calms down. What Gasper refers to as Gage’s “meltdowns” used to occur multiple times a day. Now, thanks to Linus, they happen only a few times a month. “We feel a bit more in control when Linus is present, knowing we can utilize his special skills at any time needed so Gage can be as normal as any other kid,” Gasper says. Linus wears a special harness with a leash for an adult to hold, but it also includes a handle for Gage to hold. If Gage drops the handle, Linus will stop moving to alert the family. Gage can also be tethered to Linus with a belt latch and leash.
Mindy, an autism-assist standard poodle, joined the Quast family in spring 2018. Before Mindy, Olympia would bolt away from her parents in stores and rarely sleep through the night. When Olympia would get upset, calming her was always an arduous process. Olympia now sleeps through the night and calms down quickly when upset. With Mindy by her side, Olympia is also far less likely to wander off. “When we go on walks, Mindy is linked to Olympia,” Mindy’s mom, Michelle explains. “Mindy really helps in stores to keep Olympia close and slow her down when she tries to get into something or bolt away. Mindy is a constant, calming presence and has had a very positive impact on Olympia.”
Removing the stigma It makes perfect sense why a child on the autism spectrum would respond to and benefit from a service dog. A dog’s intentions are always clear. It’s love, always unconditional. And dogs, unlike humans, are relatively uncomplicated creatures that have a calming effect on their people, especially when they’re raised specifically to respond to signs of anxiety or agitation, as most autismassist dogs are. Cedar Vandergon, Brea’s dad, was quick to recommend a service dog, but not for the obvious reasons. “A service dog helps remove the stigma around the person it’s assisting,” he says. “People are more willing to talk to you when you have a dog.” Gage’s family has found that to be true also. During Gage’s episodes in public before Linus, empathy was scarce. “Nobody tried to help us,” says Jon Schreiner, Gasper’s partner. “We got a lot of looks.” Now with a service dog, wearing a red vest with a Can Do Canines logo, they can not only go anywhere (in normal, non-
We say that autism-assist dogs need to be bomb-proof. Because children with autism can be self-harming and flight risks, the dog must be extremely patient and tolerant. — Al Peters, founder of Can Do Canines Capernaum Pediatric Therapy MNP 0520 12.indd 1
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COVID times) — the doctor, the dentist, museums, theaters, the Mall of America and even Minnesota Wild hockey games — but they also can feel the warmth of others. Dogs help people socialize more readily. But they also deliver the added bonus of sending a signal that the owner has an invisible special need — and might need a little extra compassion.
Worth the wait Autism-assist dogs can’t be trained overnight. Sometimes it can take a couple years. Teams may include breeder hosts, whelping homes, puppy raisers and others. Gage started as No. 206 on a waiting list with Can Do Canines. Three years later, he had worked his way up to the top. It then took a while to transition Linus from his foster home to his forever home with Gage. Though the dogs can cost as much as $25,000 in an open-market situation, Gasper says she paid only a $50 application fee, thanks to the nonprofit organization’s support. “We were locked in our house for so long,” Gasper says. “It was worth the wait.” Tina Mortimer is an essayist and a contributing writer for many local publications. She also happens to have a service dog in her family. Sage, a 3-year-old mobility- and hearing-assist dog helps her father navigate a world without sound. Follow Tina’s work at tinamortimer.contently.com.
No New rth O & ffice Ea st Ms in etr o!
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Metro Locations Locations 1010Metro Mostinsurance insurance accepted most accepted mnparent.com • May/June 2020
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Stay-Home
SURVIVAL GUIDE
So the kids are at home for the rest of the school year. Here’s how to lighten up — and do a bit of self-care — while you get used to the grind. See frolicking farm babies: Lift your spirits for real with videos of adorable baby animals set to cheerful music, courtesy of the Minnesota Zoo. Your kids will love the time-lapse videos, including a chick hatching, and animal story times, especially the hilarious goat one. See mnzoo.org/farmbabies. Work out for free: The YMCA is offering free-for-all workout videos (yes, even for non-members), including yoga, bootcamp, barre, cycling, Pilates, dance, tai chi, kickboxing, weightlifting and youth sports, plus videos made especially for kids and older adults. You’ll also find Facebook Live exercise and mediation sessions, plus Daily Dozen challenges for kids, which include 12, five-minute bursts of activity that don’t require any special skills or equipment. See ymcamn.org/y-at-home. Zoom for mental health: NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and its partners are offering a rich schedule of classes for all ages, including how to cope with resiliency during COVID-19. See namimn.org. Try diamond painting: This intricate new crafting trend involves attaching tiny, shiny, faceted beads (square or round) to sticky, paint-by-number patterns using a special wand. It requires patience and dexterity, so we recommend it for children who are at least 5 years old. Because you’ll likely spend more than a week on each project (great for adults, too), it’s perfect for the pandemic. See joann.com, michaels.com, diamondartclub.com or amazon.com.
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Listen to the Okee Dokees (above): Step 1: Immediately go buy the Okee Dokee Brothers new two-disc album, Songs for Singin’ — a hardcopy with its included songbook. Step 2: Memorize the opening track, Hope Machine. Step 3: Watch a fan video of a kid singing the song while playing a toy banjo (tinyurl.com/okee-banjo-boy) and any bitterness in your heart will melt. See okeedokee.org. Join Team Women: Whether you’re trying to stay energized about your work-from-home career or hoping to start a new adventure, this fab networking and personal development organization is going strong in the digital world. See a list of virtual and livestream events at teamwomenmn.org/events. Get to know autism: Ask your kids if they know someone with autism and/or if they know how to be a good friend to someone with autism. If they don’t have many answers, it’s time to educate them about the spectrum, which now includes
an estimated 1 in 59 children. You can find books with characters on the autism spectrum at commonsensemedia.org or find one on Page 6 of this magazine — Cameron Goes to School by a Twin Cities mother of four. Put on a science show: The STEM toy company Thames & Kosmos is delivering free, high-quality science activities, including DIY Science Shows your kids can put on at home. They’re really cool and pretty cute, too. See thamesandkosmos.com. Color a local landmark: Though our coloring contest concluded earlier this month, you can still download and color the amazingly cool page, featuring the wonderfully iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculptural fountain, at mnparent.com/coloring. Remember, parents can color it, too! When you’re done, tag us @mnparent on Instagram and we’ll share your works of art. Find more stay-at-home survival ideas at mnparent.com/stay-home.
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mnparent.com • May/June 2020
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6/22/17 Como 2:51 PM Zoo MNP 0320 1cx2.2.indd 2/18/20 1 11:15 AM
FROM OUR READERS
Boredom busters Quarantine? No problem! These kids are having a ball, keeping busy at home.
↑ Nathan, 7, and Ari, 5, of Plymouth
↑ Callie, 3, and Linnea, 5, of Anoka
↑ Felicity, 9, Julianna, 6, and Laylah, 3, of Minneapolis
↑ Fiona, 3, of Maple Grove
↑ Claire, 3, of Minneapolis
↑ Eli, 7, of Plymouth
↑ Itisha, 5, of Eden Prairie
↑ Liam, 4, and Myles, 5, of Champlin with their dog, Max
Want to see your kid on this page? Send photos with your child’s first name, age and city to editor@mnparent.com.
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May/June 2020 • mnparent.com
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