Monterey Bay
july 2020
PARENT What kind of future do you want for me?
MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
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Contents July 2020
Monterey Bay
PARENT
P.O. Box 806 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 MontereyBayParent.com 831-582-1373
black lives matter 14
Put Something on the Line. We will never achieve a more fair, just, and equitable society unless you’re willing to become a co-conspirator. by Jon Wizard
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How to Talk to Your Children about Injustice. by Susan Meister
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Why I March. Individuals and families across the Monterey Bay are standing together against racism and police brutality. One activist tells us why he marches. by Nathaniel Qushawn Sawyer
Publisher Andrea Breznay abreznay@ montereybayparent.com 831-582-1373
continuing coronavirus coverage
Sales Executive Cherilyn Miller cmiller@ montereybayparent.com 831-582-1770
summer fun
Cover Photographers Michelle Findlay Tatiana Scher Contributing Writers KIMBERLY BLAKER LISSA CARLSON Katie Raquel tricia vlasak rob weisskirch
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ALL-IN Monterey. This local organization makes it easy for families to give and to receive. by Katie Raquel
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Your Kid’s Beach Questions Answered. “Mom, why can I hear the ocean when I hold the shell to my ear?” Now, you’ll know the answers to this and other common beach and ocean questions. by Katie Raquel
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Camping 101. Camping is the perfect Coronavirus-era vacation activity. If you’re new to camping, we have the information to get you started. by Kimberly Blaker 26 Eight Ways to Make Summer Even More Fun. Games, books, and toys to make summer better than ever. by Elena Epstein 28 Say Yes to the Mess with Six Outdoor Activities. Easy fun activities you can do with the kids on a long afternoon. by Sandi Haustein
Editorial Submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials. Articles and advertisements in Monterey Bay Parent do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Monterey Bay Parent does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Monterey Bay Parent is available free of charge at over 250 distribution points throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz counties as well as digitally at www. MontereyBayParent.com. Monterey Bay Parent is ©2020 by Monterey Bay Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
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30 It’s Time To Jump In. Tips on keeping your child safe in the water. by Leigh Ann Newman
in each issue: 08 Father’s Day Local dad, Rob Weisskirch covers parenting topics from a dad’s point of view. 10 Grandma Says An experienced grandmother of two offers insight and advice.
on the cover
Shiloh Oladokun is 7 years old and attends Carmel River School. She will be moving into the 2nd grade this year. Shiloh has 6 siblings. Her parents are Olu and Lola Oladokun. Shiloh is a very cheerful, kind, and adventurous girl who cares very much for her family and close friends. Photo by Tatiana Scher 831-566-7225 • www.tscher.com
MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
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from the publisher… After the murder of George Floyd became the catalyst for mass protests spreading across the country, a lot of people began an inner dialogue that included asking some hard questions–a process that can be difficult and scary. “I’m a good person who treats others equally; I give money and time to social justice causes;” “I don’t actively judge people by their color or treat Black people differently.” “Wait, do I?” And, if I can genuinely say I don’t, is that enough? Is being not racist enough? We are way past due for these conversations and for the introspection that will make the world a more equitable place for all of our families. When we began the plans for this issue, we knew that we wanted to address the protests happening in our country as well as racism in general as thoughtfully as we could. A mutual friend put me in touch with Jon Wizard (see his article on page 14-15). Jon and I exchanged a few text messages, and I could see that he wasn’t quite feeling my request that he write an article for us. He came right out and told me why: he didn’t want to participate in what might be a one-off situation where we addressed racism in a surface way and then went right back to business as usual. I told him my intention: to commit this publication and my company to addressing racism and inequality and how that pertains to parenting on an ongoing basis. In other words, we aren’t done with this one issue. We are pledging to ask ourselves and our community how we can best address the needs of our diverse readers. It has been scary to step outside of what is comfortable (how to pick a preschool = comfortable, why I protest = not so comfortable). I know that we may lose readers or advertisers who don’t agree with us taking a stand and believe that this topic is “political.” I hope that doesn’t happen, but if it does, I’ve made peace with it. We are doing the right thing. So to that end, we reached out to the community and have some hard-hitting articles that will give you some food for thought. In addition to Jon’s article, community activist Nathanial Sawyer is sharing his thoughts in “Why I March” on pages 18-19. And, Susan Meister has some ideas on how to discuss injustice with your kids. If you’re wondering where to start with something you can do to help the community, check out Katie Raquel’s article (page 20-21) on a new organization called “ALL IN Monterey” that has sprung up to actively address the needs of community families. We haven’t forgotten summer fun, so there is plenty of that beginning on page 22. It’s been a period of introspection, that’s for sure. I hope you appreciate our efforts and that you will give us input as we continue on this journey.
Andrea Breznay/Publisher Salinas Office 400 E. Romie Lane
(831) 770-0123 Prunedale Office 8036 San Miguel Canyon Rd.
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Father’s day by Rob Weisskirch
Starting the Conversations Research has found that children can start showing racial bias as young as the age of four and that the best thing to do is to be open when discussing race. When questions arise, they should be addressed directly.
I
hate explaining to children how the world is unfair. Children, in their limited abilities for perspective-taking, believe that their experience is what everyone else experiences and so they see things as being the same for everyone. Recent events have forced me to describe how people are treated differently because of their skin color. Up to this point, my wife and I have been fortunate that our daughter has not made racial or ethnic distinctions in her interactions with others. At one point, her one distinction among her racially diverse friends was between kids with straight hair and those with curly hair (she fell into the latter until her hair grew long). However, I know that not having to address racial and ethnic differences is a privilege. We don’t have to start giving her the warnings of how to act, the cautionary tales of how to speak, and the coaching that parents of children of color have to do for their safety. At the same time, my wife and I are trying to build skills in an already outspoken kid to become an advocate for those mistreated or don’t feel they can speak up. For a six-year-old girl, this means reminding her to be an “includer” with friends and to tell an adult when she sees someone being treated poorly or unfairly. We’re also trying to stamp out any traces of becoming a “mean girl” as they pop up, helping her figure out the complexities of relationships fairly. As parents, we take her to all kinds of cultural events, cuisine, and activities--but I know this is not enough.
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Social media and the professional circles I am in are fraught with advice on how to talk to children about race and ethnicity. Many parents have wondered how young to talk about race. Research has found that children can start showing racial bias as young as four and that the best thing to do is to be open to discussing race. When questions arise, they should be addressed directly, noting the biases and inequities that have continued. I also think that children benefit from understanding what they can do to help a situation. If, as parents, we just say that is the way things are, then children will believe that bias, discrimination, and inequity are part of life and should be accepted. In any discussion of race, it will help kids tell them what they can do to address these situations. This action might mean going to protests, learning about diverse cultures, and practicing inclusive skills. The media coverage of George Perry Floyd has often neglected to mention that he was a father of three children--two grown children and a six-year-old child. A father was killed. As a father, he had a role in children’s lives, and now, these children are de-
prived of their father and face overwhelming attention about his tragic death. For the children, his life with them was central, and that presence may be shrouded by what happened to him. At the same time, the stepson of Officer Derek Chauvin is being affected by a father figure who participated in a highly publicized criminal matter. While grappling with the bigger implications of the tragic evidence of systemic racism, I think about the emotional tolls for all involved families. We may not know the impacts of these lost fathers. Our area has a veil of diversity, and many people may not be aware (or choose not to be aware) of the discrimination that does occur. One local father wrote about his anxiety and preparation in wearing a mask in public as a man of color. As someone who is White, I never think that anyone in public will think I am doing something wrong by wearing a mask. I never think that going out in a mask may result in me being arrested or killed. This ability to not concern myself with how others see my behavior when I am wearing a mask is a privilege point. Marc Quarles, an African American dad
in Pacific Grove, was featured in a story in 2014 on NPR for his six-word story: “With kids, I’m Dad; Alone, thug.” Quarles accurately captures how fatherhood humanizes the image of individuals as well as the everyday discriminatory experience of people of color. As fathers, it is our job now to work with others to bring these issues to public attention as well as educate our children on how to behave better and how to bring about change. The future can change the inequities of the past and present. During the protests, a multiracial friend of mine who has a son the same age as my daughter posted his picture on social media, pointing out that he too might become a victim in the future just because of the way he looked. No parent should have to think such thoughts. Together, we can make a better future. Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE is a Professor of Human Development at California State University, Monterey Bay and is a Certified Family Life Educator. He and his wife are parents to a chatty 5-year-old daughter and reside in Marina.
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celebrating grandma says
by Tricia Vlasak
Take It Outside
Summer plans may have changed but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of fun to be had . . . in the great outdoors! Welcome to July 2020! We’ve made it to a new level of Jumanji, Quarantine Edition! All joking aside, all of this does feel a bit unreal and crazy, doesn’t it? So now that it’s summer, I’ve been contemplating how summer activities with the grandkids will be different this year. I began going through pictures from last summer, realizing we would be forgoing all of the baseball games and Disneyland trips and concerts in the park. No more “movie days” with the grandkids, or shopping sprees. It made me sad until I began to figure out other ways to enjoy the summer. One of the things my family has always been big on is recreation. My grandparents made sure their kids knew how to relax and have fun, and that attitude has been passed down for five generations now. So, by the end of Winter, I was lining things up: Hawaii in April with my mom; camping with
a dear friend in May; a week in June at a casino with my sister and our best friends, drinking and overeating; my 52nd birthday in July; a huge party for my daughter’s 30th birthday in August. On top of that, in February, I bought my four-year-old granddaughter, her very first Disneyland annual pass for her birthday. We planned to go every Friday since that’s “my” day with them. When this pandemic hit, and we all knew quarantine was inevitable, I had to cancel it all. And, because of my “family legacy” of recreation above all (LOL), we’ve had to figure out ways to have fun and relax, all while staying healthy and practicing social distancing. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors. Once the “stay at home” order was eased, and outdoor activity was okayed, I embraced it. I’ve always loved going off-road in my Jeep, riding dirt bikes and quads, hiking, or sitting
in the sand at the edge of whatever body of water was close by. But I have found myself engaging in these things more often, and often dragging the grandkids along with me! My granddaughter says we are “Jeep Girls,” and she continually giggles when we take the top off the Jeep and head up some dirt road in the hills. She is my willing sidekick on whatever adventure I decide to go on. We have another advantage in that my parents retired at the Colorado River. So, we have a private home we can visit, as well as our dock on the river. We have been spending more time than usual at the river, visiting my parents and boating. Keeping in mind that anything other than staying in your home has some risk, I have some suggestions for “less risky” activities this summer: • HIKING. If you enjoy going off-
Warm sun, a cool river, grandkids, and a dog: the best summer day ever for this grandmother! 10
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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
road in your vehicle, or hiking, I recommend the “All Trails” app! It has versions for iPhone and Android, and you can choose hiking or four-wheel-drive trails. You can then pick the level of difficulty, length, and features you want, i.e., streams, views, rock climbing, etc. You can choose dog-friendly or kid-friendly trails, whether it is a “loop” or a “point-to-point” trail. The best filter, though? You can choose whether or not the trail is light, moderate, or has heavy traffic! It will show you the closest trails to your location, and you can read reviews and look at photos from other users. It’s a great tool, and I’ve used it everywhere. I have traveled to find places to go in my Jeep. • FISHING. Most rivers and lakes are open at this point. Never been fishing? It’s a great time to learn. Find a more remote area to enjoy by looking online or reading Facebook groups local to your area. It’s worth driving a little further to get away from crowds. If you’re taking the grandkids, find out what kind of fish you’re likely to catch and teach them something new. Hint: trout like salmon eggs, but lures work better with bass! •
•
CAMPING. Have you ever slept in a tent? With your grandkids? I recommend it. You will be surprised at the things they talk about while you’re lying in a sleeping bag, shining the flashlight on the ceiling of the tent, and making animal shapes with your hands. Local county parks are a great way to try tent camping for the first time. Pack an ice chest, grab a sleeping bag, and head out. A two-person tent can be had for under $50 from Walmart. Even better is finding a lightly-used one on Facebook Marketplace or Offer Up. And the new ones are much easier to set up than the tents I remember from my childhood! They are practically pop-up tents! Still cautious about going to a campground and possibly needing to share facilities with others? Have a backyard campout! Get a portable fire ring and show your grandkids the beauty of hot dogs cooked over the open flame, followed by s’ mores.
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ON THE ROAD. Take a scenic drive! You can find adventure without ever having to leave the safety of your car for those who are still leery about being in public. Do an internet search for the most scenic drives in your area, and set out to explore them all! Even on the less scenic drives, beauty can be found. I have traveled all over parts of the US and Canada on my Harley without ever taking an Interstate. Two-lane roads offer some of the most unique and charming views and towns, and it is worth taking the time to travel them.
Even though the Coronavirus and social distancing have changed our plans, it doesn’t have to ruin them. There may not be any summer camps for the kids, travel ball tournaments, or block parties with the neighbors, but there is still plenty to do to make this summer the best. Enjoy and stay safe and healthy! tricia vlasAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
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In California, all kids count. Children should be included on your 2020 Census form—and not just children related to you, but any kids that live at your address. That means your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the children of any friends or relatives staying with you. Babies count, too! Even if they’re still in the hospital, as long as they were born on or before April 1, 2020, make sure the person completing the Census for your address includes them on the form.
Take the Census at my2020Census.gov
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by Jon Wizard
We will never achieve a more fair, just, and equitable society unless you’re willing to become a co-conspirator and
Put Something on the Line For Black people, the very public murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis was the most recent reminder of a long legacy of racism in the United States. But today, that word seems so inadequate, almost quaint. When people who look like us — who look like our mothers and fathers, our aunties and uncles, our neighbors and friends, and, most devastatingly, our children — are slowly suffocated to death in the gutter in broad daylight, or shot to death in their beds while they sleep, or shot to death for wearing a hoodie, or shot to death for jogging, shot in the front for jaywalking or in the back for running away, it’s more than just racism. It’s hate. It’s a deepseated, visceral hatred of our very existence and the undeniably intentional desire to erase us.
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Four hundred years ago, my ancestors were kidnapped from their homes and violently ripped from their families, stuffed into the hold of a boat, and shackled together as they were forced across the Atlantic to the Americas. For more than 150 years, they toiled away in the scorching heat and crushing humidity building this country’s wealth and might, only to be excluded from that hollow document declaring all men equal. Another 89 years would pass before the war was over, and the government said we were finally free. But freedom did not last, and just 12 short years later, elected Black legislators were dragged from statehouses, the Ku Klux Klan had risen to power, and many so-called white allies had abandoned us. The nine decades following the
Compromise of 1877, which marked the end of Reconstruction, would become known as the Jim Crow era. For the heinous and amoral crimes of looking at a white person (known as reckless eyeballing), whistling, looking for work, walking to work, walking home from work, walking on the sidewalk while white people walked there, sitting toward the front of a bus, using a water fountain, using a public restroom, using a public pool, or pretty much anything else you might think of, Black people were beaten and incarcerated to remind them of their place as somewhere between property and second-class citizens. This apartheid state was the product of the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude, “except as a punishment for crime whereof the parMONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
ty shall have been duly convicted.” Enter mass incarceration. There is a clear line between slavery and mass incarceration: both confine, punish, and exploit through deprivation of rights and privileges. For the latter, the punishment never ends, as formerly incarcerated people experience what’s known as civil death: the exclusion from being able to participate in society fully. It’s only a recent phenomenon for formerly incarcerated people to be re-enfranchised and allowed to vote, but convictions, especially for drugs, often exclude people from college financial aid, professional licensure, public housing, assistance buying food, being a chaperone at school events, coaching youth sports, and a whole host of other activities. Despite vague notions of rehabilitation and paying a debt to society, people convicted of crimes, a disproportionate amount of whom are Black, are pushed into cycles of crime and conviction because the government has made it nearly impossible to survive. For many readers, this crash course in connecting the dots of institutionalized racism will seem overwhelming. For some, unbelievable. For others, paralyzing. The Central Coast was once home to a thriving Black community, even hosting MLK as he delivered a sermon at a Seaside church, but white people in Monterey County may now feel as though this isn’t a local issue because of how few Black people remain here. As a direct result of the racial covenants that barred Black people from homeownership everywhere on the Peninsula except for Seaside and the exploitative poverty wages for many jobs in the hospitality industry, even today, our community has dwindled from more than 6,000 to less than 2,500 — just 7.3% — of the population of Seaside, and 3.5% of Monterey County. With stagnant employment opportunities, soaring home prices, and enclaves of racial exclusivity, your Black neighbors, coworkers, and friends continue to get pushed out. So, what can you do? You’ve made it this far, sprinting through the broad strokes of 400 years of slavery, subjugation, exclusion, and exploitation, learning how you personally have benefited from a country that was built by others but at their expense; learning why some school districts are so well funded while others aren’t; why Black MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
people are stopped, arrested, and convicted at higher rates than others; and why white people enjoy lighter sentences when they are convicted of crimes; why the average white family has nearly ten times as much wealth as the average Black family. You might take comfort in your heartfelt beliefs that racism is bad and that you don’t support or condone it, or you might have even taken it a step further and declared yourself an ally, giving your time, energy, and money to causes that support Black people truly becoming fully human in this country. At the risk of offending most of you, I’m here to tell you that’s not good enough. Dr. Bettina Love, a Black community leader and professor at the University of Georgia, speaks of co-conspirators: people who are willing to “put something on the line.” With a centuries-long head start in building wealth and enjoying privileges some in this country still don’t enjoy, it’s not enough to earnestly want equality or to buy books on race written by white authors. White supremacy and racism were manufactured – and sustained today – by white people, and only
white people can dismantle the system they built. Being an ally means being willing to put your body between the police and a Black person, speaking up when your coworker makes a racist comment in an all-white team meeting, or telling the principal that your child’s teacher made a racist comment about another student. We will never achieve a more fair, just, and equitable society unless you’re willing to become a co-conspirator and put something on the line. Jon Wizard lives in Seaside with his partner, two stepsons, two miniature dachshunds, and cat. After his law enforcement career abruptly ended due to an on-the-job injury, Jon ran for city council and was elected in 2018. Jon now works for Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay helping to create more affordable housing throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. Jon holds a master’s degree in humanities for which he completed a thesis about the militarization of the police in the United States and is currently working on a Master of Public Administration degree.
Where to Start? You don’t need to be perfect to be anti-racist. Anti-racism is about confronting racism wherever you find it, even when that’s within yourself. Start by reading the following books: How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kend The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein The Color of Money by Mehrsa Baradaran The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander City of Inmates by Kelly Lytle Hernández Then, Google “Bettina Love co-conspirator” and watch the video.
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How to Talk to your Children about Injustice By Susan Meister
There is a song from the famous 1958 musical, “South Pacific,” that says a lot about the world we find ourselves in at this very moment. Here is the first verse: “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear You’ve got to be taught from year to year…. You’ve got to be taught to be afraid Of people whose eyes are oddly made And people whose skin is a diff’rent shade You’ve got to be carefully taught.” Most of you reading this would never even suggest to your children that they should dislike or be afraid of anyone who does not look like them. Most of us would deny that we have any prejudices at all, and thus would surely never pass them on to our children. However, valid studies show that we all have what is called implicit biases. Implicit biases are prejudices that unconsciously affect our decisions, even if they do not align with our de-
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clared beliefs. Everyone has such biases, whether they involve characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, or appearance. They are molded over the course of a lifetime beginning at a very early age. How early? The song continues: “You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late Before you are six or seven or eight…” And this is what is startling. Young children, beginning as early as six months, favor people who look like their caregivers. They register differences in color, gender, and even age. As they grow, they refine their perceptions through the books they are read, the television characters they see, the movies they watch. Through a combination of what they hear and see at home and what they observe around them, they develop their own preferences for the people who surround them. Clearly, if a white child rarely plays with a black child, or goes to a school that is predominantly white, or reads comics in which the heroes
are mostly white and the bad people are black, their view of the world order will be very different from children who have been brought up with multicultural exposure. Even with such exposure, there are many counter influences that surround us, such as those television shows and movies already mentioned, the books they read, and even the way certain news is covered. The environment is rarely devoid of racial or gender bias; it is our response to it when we see it that counts. That response is evident even to the youngest child. Certainly the books that are read to young children, even the toys they play with, can be highly influential, and for a long time, there were few that addressed inclusivity. This, fortunately, is changing. Major toy manufacturers are offering black dolls instead of the procession of white, blonde, Barbie types and there is evidence that this change affects children’s response to racial differences in a positive way. The highly influential animation industry is also altering many of the characMONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
ter types that forge children’s percepness but empathy, and empathy is a tions of race and gender. Still, it is in roadmap to inclusivity. the home that the greatest impact on Anti-racism is not about living those perceptions is made. without prejudice: implicit bias is inesAt what age should a discussion capable. The true anti-racist is a perof racial prejudice be addressed dison who commits to fighting racism rectly? There is evidence that children even when it is noted to be within. We as young as 9 are acuteare not automatons but huly aware of racial attitudes. man beings with conflictOne of the They are by that time introing emotions, not all of which recommendations we are proud. The manner in duced to the internet, and by Dr. Nzinga may even be seeing social which we process and act on Harrison, a media. One of the recomthese emotions will influence specialist in mendations by Dr.Nzinga how equitable the world is. children and race, This is not a time to allow obHarrison, a specialist in chilserious dren and race, serious disvious incidents of injustice to discussions cussions prompted by pargo unremarked. prompted by ents are appropriate for As parents, we can start parents are elementary school chilearly in our children’s lives to appropriate for dren. They could begin with help them realize that they elementary school have an impact on how carsomething like, “Let’s talk children. about people who are difing, compassionate, and fair ferent from us.” Inevitably the world they inhabit will the topic of how kids who be if they act with honor and look different are often treated differcourage towards those who are vicently will come up. In this context, it’s tims of discrimination in any form. If an advantage to relate it to someone we achieve this, we will have achieved your child may know. “For example, something that lasts a lifetime, somelet’s talk about your friend Kai. How thing that will perhaps prevent specwould you feel if you saw him treated tres of the tragedy that surround us unfairly just because he is black?” Or, now. Change is past time. If we start “have you ever seen a friend of yours with educating our children that to be treated badly because of the color of inclusive is to be just, to empathize his skin?” That provides an opportuniwith those who are treated unfairly ty for your child to provide his or her just because they are different from us, own examples. Then, “How would you is to be human in the best sense. If we feel if this was a member of your famachieve this over the course of generaily?” Chances are, your child has been tions, we will truly change the world. exposed to some form of prejudice -- perhaps it’s a disabled child in the class, or one from an immigrant famiSusan Meister is a journalist, ly who is dressed differently or speaks columnist, and community activist with an accent. Your child undoubtedliving in Pebble Beach. Susan’s writing ly will have opinions, and this is your was recognized with the 2020 Bronze opportunity to affirm them. Such an Award for service writing from the approach encourages not only openParenting Media Association.
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Reading List “While there are a number of great books about racism, I would like to point out that it’s also important to read books with diverse characters. Families should acknowledge and celebrate racial diversity and look for books that were written and illustrated by people of color. Diversebooks. org is a nonprofit and their media page has great recommendations on how you can support the cause: https://diversebooks.org/media-kit/ – Kim Smith Monterey Public Library Smith’s recommendations: Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, Ann Hazzard Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
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WHY I MARCH by Nathaniel Qushawn Sawyer
A 21st-century worldwide pandemic isn’t enough to stop systemic racism from rearing its ugly head through our authority figures. While some seem surprised, African Americans around the country are not. It’s 2020, and in the midst of COVID-19, instead of figuring out how we will rebuild our economy after an extended nationwide quarantine, we find ourselves using our newfound free time to fight systemic racism. If there is anything I wish white people understood about our movement, it is that we are not blaming them for systemic racism. Systemic racism was created long before our current generation, but that doesn’t mean we shoulder no responsibility for reforming our governing bodies to correct the wrongs of the past. Law enforcement has historically never had a good relationship with
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people of color. During slavery, law enforcement helped hunt down runaway slaves. When the Ku Klux Klan was created, many law enforcement officers helped community members form the group. The bold racism of the past has transformed to accommodate changing times and now most often operates in subtle and deniable ways. The system that was once used to hunt us down now harasses and provokes us, looking for any reason to imprison us, and even requiring no justifiable reason to execute us. African Americans have never been safe in a world where this system is used against them. THIS IS WHY I MARCH. In understanding systematic racism in the U.S., one of the most important factors to consider is education. Black families in the U.S. are supposed
Nathaniel Qushawn Sawyer is an International Policy and Development master’s degree candidate who will graduate in May 2021. He is the vice president of the Democratic Club of The Monterey Peninsula. Sawyer is a former corrections officer and direct care specialist and is YWCA of Monterey County’s Human Trafficking Coordinator specializing in babor trafficking.
to raise their families as if they are receiving the same job opportunities, education, and connections as their white counterparts, when this is frequently untrue. There is a considerable discrepancy in knowledge distribution between African American and white children. Children who are black and brown are more likely to be placed in special education programs, given psychotropic medication and diagnoses such as ADHD, and sent to detention or suspended. Black and brown children are more likely to be given low grades, not because of their lack of understanding, but because of the lack of resources such as good teachers and supplies. Additionally, the history of minority peoples is frequently taught incompletely so that children of all races receive lessons that do not reveal the true suffering of minority populations. This is especially detrimental since education is key to ending systemic racism. African Americans are numb to social media shootings and the sharing of racism. We have been living in a system of racism our entire lives. We’ve had to fight, and giants in the African American community have died to help us gain basic human rights: to be counted as a whole person, to go to school, and to vote. African American history, slavery, and civil rights are portrayed as if it’s a Disney movie. The blood, torture, and unjust rule of law policies that hindered African Americans and their descendants are often downplayed or missing from historical accounts. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
All children should know their African American, Hispanic, and Native American brothers and sisters. This history should be taught by the minorities who come from the ethnic group so that these histories can be honored and understood. THIS IS WHY I MARCH. Though African Americans represent only 12 percent of the U.S., we feel compelled to validate the skills, talents, and love we have contributed for generations through great sacrifice as we built this country and our home: the United States of America. I should not be the first in my African American family to graduate high school and attend college, but I am. As the son of a single mother raised in the south, my future was supposed to be written in poverty. But by the grace of God, I was able to move up, build up, crawling and struggling to the point where I am at now—a former Peace Corps Volunteer, activist, and one year from graduating with my master’s degree. My path to achieve these successes is rare, but this should not be so. I should not be the exception, but the expectation. I want to see black and brown people able to live comfortably and build wealth, the same as any other person. African Americans want equity plus tax, which offers a clearer path towards rebuilding Black Wall Street. THIS IS WHY I MARCH. As an African American who has a criminal justice degree and experience working as a correction officer, I know that law enforcement is trained to kill and fight rather than think critically about the best way to handle situations. African Americans fear calling the police because officers often react in fear based on prejudice and lack of education. Some grab their guns in our
presence when having a conversation; others take it even further. I want law enforcement officers, who are paid $85,000 to $100,000 a year in California, to have at least a criminal justice degree with classes in intercultural studies and psychology. With this, they will have a better understanding of different cultures and how to de-escalate situations. We need community leaders in law enforcement agencies so that officers are led in a way that understands the unique needs of their communities. George Floyd was murdered by an officer who kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes. Our outdated system has allowed officers and their accomplices to believe they have the authority to kill a man with little repercussion. Honestly, I am tired. I am tired of marching. My feet ache, my voice hurts, and my body is weary. But if black and brown people do not march, we will continue to die. The school to prison pipeline will be our children’s future. SO, I MUST MARCH ON. We march because it is up to us. People give a lot of credit to Martin Luther King Jr., but the reality is that it was the actions taken by thousands to stand up against injustice, no matter the cost, that resulted in change. Today, like back then, there are young leaders who are rising. They are taking the mantle that King and many others left for them. And I am infinitely hopeful because our generation has something King’s generation never had: the help and support of brothers and sisters from all races and walks of life who are recognizing their role in the fight against systemic racism. I march so that the period of COVID-19 will be known as the time the criminal justice system was forced to reform.
“I am infinitely hopeful because our generation has something King’s generation never had: the help and support of brothers and sisters from all races and walks of life who are recognizing their role in the fight against systemic racism.” MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
WHY WE MARCH
“My family felt it was important to take a public stand against racism and police brutality. All lives can’t matter until black live matter. Peace and love.” – January Brown
“I chose to march with my daughter because as a a parent and a local teacher it is my job to teach kids that we stand up for injustice, even if we aren’t the ones directly impacted. When we see human rights being taken away we stand up and take action.” – Crystal Martin
“My son Angelo set up a popsicle stand for his #blackownedbusiness at a recent protest and handed out 350 complimentary popsicles to the protesters. – Cesi Aguilar
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ALL-IN Monterey
Making It Easy for Families to Give and Receive It’s Friday morning, and our family wakes up a little earlier than usual to set up our sandwich station: four loaves of bread, Costco-sized jars of peanut butter and jelly, gloves, masks, knives, baggies. After two months of weekly donations, we’ve got it down. And as much as I love it when my kids pause their play to join me at the sammy assembly line, what matters more is that they understand why we’re doing this. I tell my seven-year-old daughter and four-year-old sons about the people in our community who struggle to put food on the table and get needed supplies for their families. And I tell them about the group of friends who saw this need and decided to do something about it. It’s hard to believe that ALL-IN Monterey is only three months old. Founded and operated entirely by volunteers as a response to the Covid-19 crisis, ALL-IN has grown with dizzying speed, serving over 16 organizations and thousands of individuals weekly. The pandemic may have propelled its founders into action, but it’s hard to imagine a time when their work won’t be valued by our community. At the
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group’s core is a straightforward goal: make it easier for people to get what they need, and make it easier for people to give what they can. Donations are coordinated through the ALL-IN Monterey’s Facebook group (look it up and join us!), where team leads share a “wish list” of needed items every week. Group members review the list, leave a comment if they have something to donate, and team leads follow up to arrange a porch pick-up. Donations can also be dropped off at Marina’s English Ales Brewery or at ALL-IN’s new headquarters at Seaside High School, which is also home to the new ALL-IN Giving Boutique. The boutique is stuffed to the gills with gift-worthy items that are
— just like donated food — provided free of charge to guests. Visits are by appointment only to ensure social distancing, and for their guests’ privacy. Making these connections happen takes a highly coordinated effort by the group’s dedicated leads: Yesenia Salvatierra-Velarde, Tanya Kosta, Lori Arthurs-Miller, Deanna Healy, Carmen Ferguson, Chris Haubert and Jessica Faddis. Communication within the
MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
group is clear and professional. But what really sets ALL-IN apart to me is its non-judgmental approach to giving. Members are regularly reminded that no need is too small, and that no one should ever be ashamed to ask for help. Everything is given freely and without expectation, and without members needing to “prove” their need. There’s a spirit of trust and positivity that has given our family something that we desperately need right now: a sense of connection and community. Once our 40 sandwiches are neatly packed into bags, we write a thank you note for Amy and her kids — the volunteers tasked with picking up from our home and delivering to Dorothy’s Place in Spreckels. That evening, Amy shares a video from their route. My daughter sees Amy’s smiling kids triumphantly lugging our grocery bags down to their car. We scroll through photos of families all over the peninsula spending their Thursday nights or Friday mornings just like we did. And my daughter’s eyes bulge when she sees the massive boxes of donated food being loaded into trucks for delivery. “Look at how much there is,” she says. “Look at how many people wanted to share.” My daughter knows how lucky we are to have enough to share, and she knows that if there ever comes a day when our family needs help, Amy and the rest of our friends at ALL-IN are just a Facebook message away. Katie Raquel is the founder of Katie’s Coldpress, a Realtor with Over the Moon Realty and the author of SQUEEZED: The Raw Truth About Work-Life Balance. She lives with her family in Monterey County.
Six Ways to Go
ALL-IN Right Now
“Operation Sandwich” has been paused for the time being, but there are plenty of other ways to get your family involved. Join the Facebook group and check out their latest wish list. If you have — or can secure — something that’s needed, shoot the leads a message. Volunteer to help pick up and deliver donations.
Drop off “gift-worthy” used items at the ALL-IN Giving Boutique at Seaside High School.
Donate toiletries to ALL-IN’s care package project, which aims to distribute bags of supplies to 1,000 community members.
Donate cash, which will be used entirely for purchasing food and other supplies that will be given freely to people who need it.
If you need something, message the leads and they will find a way to help you.
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Your Kid’s Beach Questions Answered Summer
FUN
Who wants to go to the beach? This question is almost always answered with “ME!” in our family. During the summer we pack up our beach buggy (a large cart which holds just about everything) and spend the day with our toes in the sand or surf. My curious children combined with multiple hours by the ocean has led to many inquiries about their surroundings. Often I have no idea what the answer is and I end up saying, “I don’t know.” My daughter actually said to me once, “Do you know anything about the beach and ocean?” I created this list of questions and answers, so unlike me, you will know the correct response. Besides helping you appear smart to your children, you can also use this list to create a trivia game. 22
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Why does it sound like the ocean when you hold a shell up to your ear? It is actually the sound of your own ear fluid being echoed back to you. How are seashells made? One common type of seashell is the one found on clams. To create the shell the clam takes in salt and chemicals from the ocean water. The clam uses these materials to produce calcium carbonate which is secreted on the outside of their bodies and hardens to create a shell.
What is the most common color of sea glass? The most common colors of sea glass are white, green and brown. What is the rarest color of sea glass? The rarest colors of sea glass are red, orange, and yellow. Are there different types of seagulls? What most people refer to as a seagull is actually called a Herring Gull. The Herring Gull can differ in size and col-
How is sea glass made? Sea glass is the result of people discarding glass into the ocean. It can take decades before the glass becomes smooth. This process is a result of the glass being tossed around by the ocean waves and being dragged against the sand. Is sea glass worth money? Similar to gems, it depends on factors such as color and shape. One piece of sea glass has sold for over $1,000. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
or depending on the age. Adults are mostly white with a gray back. Baby Herring Gulls are brown. These types of birds are scavengers and are usually found near food. There is also another type of bird called the Great Blackbacked Gull which is found along the coasts and looks similar to the Herring Gull. This bird is the largest gull in the world. There are two dozen different species of gulls living in North America. How can the seagull drink seawater? The seagull has special glands in their eyes which allow them to excrete the salt. Do seagulls have nests and lay eggs? Yes, seagulls lay eggs and have nests. Seagulls often place the nest near a rock, log or bush to protect it from predators and strong wind. Is a starfish a fish? It is actually called a sea star and is not a starfish. Sea stars do not have fins or gills which are found on fish. This type of creature is an Echinodermata which is in the same category as a sand dollar, sea urchin, and sea cucumbers. A fun fact about sea stars is it can regenerate an arm.
Why do the tides change? Tides change is caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon as well as the Earth rotation. How do people know the times of low and high tides? Creating a tide chart with times of high and low tide is not an exact science. Factors such as ocean current, winds, and the contour of the ocean bottom can all influence what time high/low tide will occur. The official source in the United States for predicting tides is the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (COOPS). There are 140 tide stations that measure tide levels, wind speed and direction, water current speed and directions, air and water temperatures, and barometric pressure. These measurements collected together create the tidal chart times. What causes ocean waves? Waves are the result of winds moving over the ocean surface. The friction between the air and the water transfers the energy between air and water. The transfer of energy is what creates the wave.
How is sand on the beach created? Sand is created mostly of quartz rocks. The rocks were broken down by wind and rain and then transported to the beach by the water. What causes an ocean sandbar? An ocean sandbar is created by waves pulling the sand further into the ocean. When there is a storm or large waves a sandbar can form farther from the shoreline. If there are many large waves or storms, a barrier island can form. How to encourage your future Marine biologist: If your children are interested in marine biology and ecology, you can go to your local library and borrow books on the topic. For example, there are books about conducting science experiments or identifying different types of ocean organisms. Our favorite books are related to beachcombing. Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. You can find her at Twitter @ CherylMaguire05
PEBBLE BEACH GRADES 9–12 DAY & B OA R D I N G
A SELECTIVE SCHOOL FOR COLLEGE-BOUND B O A R D I N G A N D D AY S T U D E N T S
CARMEL G R A D E S P R E -K – 8
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Camping 101
With Covid-19 creating havoc in the vacation planning for many families, parents are looking for safe, fun ways to get away. Camping offers an alternative that is just that! It’s the ultimate in outdoor family fun and is loaded with benefits for parents and kids alike. It provides adventure and unlimited opportunities to experience the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way for kids to learn about nature, from plants and animals to the weather and skies. Not to mention, it’s an affordable way for families to vacation. If your family hasn’t taken the camping plunge yet, here are the basics to get you started on your journey.
What’s the best way to camp? Your family can choose from a variety of camping options. If you love the experience of roughin’ it, pitch a tent, and haul the bare necessities. Tents come in many sizes and styles, some with dividers for separate sleeping quarters. When purchasing a tent, remember capacity doesn’t include luggage space. If you plan to keep belongings in your tent, opt for a larger size. Most importantly, don’t forget padding or a blow-up mattress to insulate against the cold, hard ground. If you like the idea of roughing it, yet want some of the comforts of home, a pop-up camper is the best of both worlds. The canvas sides and pullout sections of pop-ups are surrounded by screens and give the feel-
ing of sleeping in the fresh outdoors. Pop-ups come in several sizes and often include an icebox or mini-refrigerator, heater, air conditioning, portable toilet, shower, kitchen sink, stove, cabinets and storage space, dining table, and other necessities. Some families prefer going in style. Travel trailers and motor homes offer a luxurious nighttime retreat after a day of outdoor fun. The ease in loading and unloading these shelters is excellent for moving from campsite to campsite, making cross-country camping less work. Motor homes and travel trailers often have a full-size kitchen, living room complete with sofa and chairs, and separate bedrooms for comfort and privacy. Experienced campers with older kids might try a hike-in shelter for a real wilderness experience. Check with state and national parks for shelters that are sometimes set up along extended trails. After a day of hiking, roll out your sleeping bags under one of these small shelters for a dry night’s sleep under the stars. Camping costs The cost of travel can make family vacations a rare treat. But the affordability of camping may allow for frequent getaways. Overnight fees range from a free night’s stay at some state park rustic sites (no showers, toilets, electricity, or water) to $50 or more per night at many of the KOA and Jellystone Camp Park-Resorts. These top of the line
Summer
FUN
campgrounds are loaded with amenities from built-in swimming pools to live entertainment. State park campgrounds are often the best deal for families interested in experiencing all that nature has to offer. Fees for overnight accommodations in state parks typically range from $15 to $40. Many state parks have modern facilities, including flush toilets, showers, grassy or gravel sites, playgrounds, park stores for firewood and ice, and more. Furthermore, state parks frequently offer extensive wooded hiking or biking trails, natural wonders, historical sites, and more that isn’t found at private camp resorts. Camping also helps keep other vacation expenses to a minimum. Many families prefer cooking over the campfire to eating out. Additionally, most outdoor camping activities are free or available for minimal cost. Fun camping activities Whatever your family’s interests, there is plenty to see and do. Trails offer ample activities such as collecting rocks, leaves, or insects, scouting for wildlife, learning about plants and trees and practicing survival skills. You can also go on hiking excursions, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams offer fishing, swimming, row boating or canoeing, sunbathing, and more. Wildlife viewing is often a highlight. Look for animals early in the morning or at dusk on dirt roads and
by Kimberly Blaker
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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
trails, in open fields surrounded by woods, and near water. Be patient, walk slowly and quietly, and don’t forget binoculars. Other activities include nature programs, nature centers, and historical sites, flying kites, rollerblading or bicycling on paved trails, and more. When you’re ready to relax, light a campfire, and enjoy reading or storytelling, play cards or board games, watch the sunset, stargaze, and roast marshmallows. Easy camp foods There are many ways to cook. Buy a gas or liquid fuel camping stove. If electricity is available, a crockpot or electric griddle works well. You can also carry a charcoal or small gas grill or cook over an open fire. Keep meals simple to minimize packing, preparation, and clean up. Easy choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, steak, sandwiches, eggs, bacon, sausage, crockpot meals, sweet corn, baked potatoes, canned foods such as baked beans, tuna, chicken, spaghetti, ravioli, and soup, fresh fruit, vegetables and dip, bagels, English muffins, cereal, fruit juice, and hot cocoa. On the other hand, if you enjoy cooking and tasty meals are one of the highlights for your family, then make the most of mealtime. With all the options for cooking, you can easily enjoy a gourmet feast.
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find their way into nearly anything. Raccoons are known to lift lids right off coolers to snatch hot dogs and other treats. A cooler that latches is usually a safe bet. Any food that isn’t tightly contained should be stored in your vehicle. Poor weather can strike at any time, and insect infestations can also make for a miserable experience. Make additional shelter such as a screen tent or tarps and rope part of your camping gear. Arrive at your camp destination ahead of the crowd. Every campsite is unique, and early arrival can assure a site that satisfies your needs. When selecting a site, look for proximity to restrooms, the playground, electricity, and water. If you have young kids, make sure the site isn’t close to a river or lake. The amount of shade you’ll want may depend on the weather forecast. To avoid mud in the event of rain, choose a grassy or rock site. Also, stay away from a site that backs up to outhouses, which can smell in the heat and wind.
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Know what animals are found in the area and teach your kids animal safety. Wild animals usually want to avoid humans as much as we want to avoid them. Still, they can pose risks. In the West, mountain lions have been known to snag children and even small women. In bear country, those accustomed to people sometimes get too close and result in injury. Even small animals that feel threatened may attack.
Whether you choose tent, camper, or RV, your family is, hopefully, going to love spending time outdoors after all of this time sheltering in place. Check MontereyBayParent.com for more detailed information on local campgrounds and destinations.
Camping tips Camping is often a learn-as-you-go experience. But the following can alleviate hassles and keep your family safe. • Protect your food from animals and animals from your food by blocking access. Animals can
MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
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8
Finds To Make Summer Even More Fun
ARËNA Setting up is as easy as digging a hole in the sand. Simply add water by using the foldable bucker and you can relax at the beach while your baby plays safely right next to you. $29.99, 3 months+, bbluvgroup.com
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Crazy Bunch O Balloons Get ready to toss! Fill and tie 100 balloons in 60 seconds. Comes with a spark of multi-colored balloons. $6.99, ages 3+, bunchoballoons.com By Elena Epstein Director of the National Parenting Product Awards
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Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson comes the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness and sunshine. $16.99, ages 7-10
“World’s Second-Best Dad” Award-winning children’s book author and internationally renowned storyteller, Antonio Sacre brings his new album, “World’s Second-Best Dad,” to life in front of a live audience with family-friendly tales including anecdotes from Antonio’s childhood, as well as his experiences as a bilingual father of two. $9.99
Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru Boogie Dancing Bob Make ‘em laugh with this hilariously animated plush. Bob starts his dance by moving his arms up and down to the music. As the rhythm picks up, Bob lets it take control of him and this 11” Minion dancing machine starts laying down some epic moves. $29.99, ages 3+, JustPlayProducts.com
Kokowanda Bay Ruth and Emilia are back launching their second album release, chock full of catchy, award-winning tunes about recycling, reducing and reusing. Sing and dance along as the duo learns how to heal the world by working together. $12
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Monterey Bay Parent Magazine July 2020
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Say “Yes” to the Mess” with Six Outdoor Activities Being the mother of four kids, I am well-acquainted with mess. That’s not to say I like it. Often I say “no” when my children want to do something out-of-the-box messy, but often I feel guilty because I know how much fun it would be. Moms like me avoid shaving cream fights or stomping through mud puddles because, let’s face it, kids are messy enough without giving Mom something else to clean up. Karie Fager, a mother of four, believes that giving kids messy experiences every now and then makes it easier for the times when you say, “Not today.” Allowing kids to experiment with the gooey and the sticky gives them opportunities to explore different textures, create fun memories, and experience the thrill of doing something that’s typically off-limits. To help your kids create some messy memories, consider one of these outdoor activities that only require hosing off and changing clothes when it’s time to clean up.
1.
Water Play. Getting wet is one of the easiest ways for kids (and moms) to ease their way into messy play. Fill a bucket with water, give your child some paint brushes, and let him “paint” the driveway, house, and deck. Or turn on a sprinkler and lay out a Slip n’ Slide for hours of water fun.
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2.
Mentos Experiment. You might have seen the choreographed Mentos and Diet Coke YouTube video, but your kids will get a kick out of creating their own Mentos geyser. Open a 2-liter of Diet Coke, drop in three or four mint-flavored Mentos candies, and jump back as the soda spews up like fireworks.
3.
Outdoor Painting. For her son’s fourth birthday party, Wendy Kimmey created a giant painting experience for the young guests by setting up a large canvas on top of a plastic painter’s drop cloth. The kids dipped textured balls into paint and then rolled or threw the balls on the canvas to make a one-of-a-kind painting. To give your kids their own chance to paint in the great outdoors, pick up some washable, nontoxic tempura paint, hang up a dollar store shower curtain or a huge canvas, and let them unleash their inner Monet.
4.
Jello Balloons. Take your typical water balloon fight to a whole new level by filling the balloons with Jello. Follow the directions for making gelatin on the box but before chilling, use a funnel or a turkey baster to pour (or squirt) the Jello mixture into the balloons. Place them carefully in a fridge to set, then surpise your kids with a sticky, colorful fight that no one will be expecting.
Summer
FUN
5.
Whipped Cream Pies. Help your kids draw a large body on a piece of cardboard and cut out a hole for the face. Next, make a batch of whipped cream and spread it into pie pans. Give your children turns putting their heads through the cardboard hole while the others take turns smushing the whipped cream “pies” in their faces. Don’t be surprised if your kids abandon the cardboard body and start “pie-ing” each other right and left.
6.
“Snowball” Fight. Winter isn’t the only time of year to enjoy snowy fun. On a cookie sheet or in a large bowl, mix together two boxes of cornstarch and one can of shaving cream. Help your children carefully mold the soft, fluffy mixture into an arsenal of “snowballs” and watch their faces light up when you yell, “Ready, aim, fire!” By keeping the mess outside, these six activities will give your kids the freedom to have fun while keeping the clean-up to a minimum for Mom. In twenty years, when my kids are grown, I hope they won’t remember the times I didn’t let them make a mess. Instead, I hope they say to each other, “Remember that time Mom pelted us with Jello balloons?” Sandi Haustein is a mom to three boys and a girl who are helping her broaden her messy limits. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
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montereybayparent.com
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BY LEIGH ANN NEWMAN
It’s Time to Jump In!
In California, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related deaths among children under the age of five. In addition, each year, near-drowning incidents result in life-long disabilities. For many children who live on the Monterey Bay, beach time doesn’t usually include swim time and pool time may be limited. As a result, parents may not spend enough time thinking through water safety and teaching their children those rules. Whether your family’s water time will be at a pool or by the beach this summer, take some time to consider the following suggestions:
1.
Always have adult supervision. And I don’t mean sitting by the pool with a book or your phone (although you should keep your phone handy in case of an emergency). Drownings are silent. You won’t hear a scream or a splash. A child can lose consciousness after being submerged for two minutes. After 4-6 minutes, permanent brain damage can occur. While having a lifeguard and other swimmers and parents present may make you feel safer, the reality is that lifeguards can be distracted, and other parents are watching their children, not yours.
2.
Swimming lessons. Children can learn to float as young as six months old, and kids at any age need to know how to keep themselves safe in the water. There are a variety of programs and instructors out there. Ask your pediatrician and friends for recommendations. Call a variety of instructors and swim schools so that you know what is available.
3.
Physical barriers. A must for any pool is a fence at least four feet high, with a self-latching and self-locking gate. Pool fences save lives. Period. But they are not fool-proof. Even self-latching gates don’t always close completely. Older siblings and even adults can forget to latch the pool fence, so check the fence and the gate regularly. Be particularly cautious when visiting friends or relatives with a pool.
4.
Hire a lifeguard for parties. An inexpensive way to keep everyone safe and lessen your own stress. Or designate an adult (who can swim) as the pool watcher. Switch every 30 minutes.
5. 6.
Learn CPR and first aid. Be prepared in case of an accident.
Summer
FUN
Tips on keeping your child safe around the water 30
montereybayparent.com
Throw out the water wings. Water wings are toys – dangerous toys. If you are using a flotation device, make sure it is U.S. Coast Guard approved. However, never depend on flotation devices to take the place of adult supervision. Young children can, and do, take off life jackets.
7.
Talk to your kids. Start early. Go over the safety rules every time your kids are in or near the water. Your words will sink in and can prevent accidents.
8.
Know where you’re swimming. There are beaches in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties that are plain dangerous for wading and swimming. If the signs tell you to stay out of the water, abide by the rules and keep your children a safe distance away from the shoreline. Better yet, stick to beaches that are safer and have lifeguards.
MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • july 2020
