Carolina Parent Raleigh July 2019

July 2019 • Free

RECURRING PREGNANCY LOSS Advice for coping and why you should keep hoping

In the Driver’s Seat New car technology and safety features put parents in control

Glamping Take camping up a notch this summer

Maternity Trends 13 picks for pregnant mamas

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

1

Duke Women’s Health Services in Wake County

Duke Women’s Health Our experienced providers offer a broad range of women’s health and specialty services for all ages - from puberty to childbirth to menopause.

Now accepting new patients

Raleigh | Cary

Wake Forest

Holly Springs

Duke Health has multiple locations dedicated to women’s care.

Duke Women’s Health Heritage provides a full range of women’s care to the Wake Forest area.

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▪ Blue Ridge OB/GYN - 2 locations ▪ Duke Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery ▪ Duke Urogynecology ▪ Duke Perinatal

Opening Fall 2019

www.dukehealth.org | 919-887-8635

VOLUME 31, NUMBER 7

CONTENTS JULY 2019

14 FEATURES 14

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT New car technology and safety features put parents in control

20 COVERED IN LOVE A Triangle nonprofit brings comfort to families experiencing loss

18

EXPERIENCING EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS What you can do next and what you didn’t do wrong

22 THE COST OF CHILD CARE Leaders and legislators work to expand child care assistance

18

20

24

24 GLAMPING IN NORTH CAROLINA Take camping up a notch this summer

8

29

34

36

IN EVERY ISSUE 5

July Online

COLUMNS

CALENDAR

6

Editor’s Note

27 Oh, Baby!

35 Our Picks

40 Faces and Places

28 Growing Up

36 Independence Day

FYI

29 Raising Readers

8

Community

30 Understanding Kids

9

Education

31

10 Health 12

Style

Celebrations 37 Daily

Father Figuring

32 Tech Talk 33 College Transitions 34 Excursion

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

3

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

Visit us online to RSVP for one of our upcoming events or to book a tour.

Hawaiian Night Friday, July 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. guidepostmontessori.com/spruce-tree (919) 825-1771 12600 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC 27614

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Infant • Toddler • Preschool • Kindergarten Spanish Immersion programs available!

GP-CarolinaParent (19-0604).indd 1

6/5/19 10:03 AM

Bringing Home Baby is a Time of Joy and Stress.

Concerned About Postpartum Depression?

AFTER THE STORK: A Couple’s Guide to Preventing Postpartum Depression Written by

Dr. Sara Rosenquist, Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist

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Provides daily transportation for one child with one-way or roundtrip rides to and from school or a specific location

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL

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The Process

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1. Request A Quote 2. Speak With A WeeTramZ Representative 3. Schedule A Consultation 4. Schedule Transportation

(866) 933-5938 JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Dr. Sara shares meticulous research with real-life stories.

Understandable language.

MICRO RIDES

www.weetramz.com

Whether you are a Dad, Adoptive Parent, or Birth Mom, Postpartum Depression can be real.

It goes beyond hormones.

Learn to Manage your Risk Factors with AFTER THE STORK. Learn more at afterthestork.com

866-337-4911

Office Locations in Chapel Hill & Cary

Background image courtesy of Dawool/Shutterstock.com. Movie graphic courtesy of VoodooDot/Shutterstock.com. Prize graphic courtesy of Agrino/Shutterstock.com.

ONLINE

Under the Stars Stars and Stripes

Find out where to celebrate our nation’s birthday. carolinaparent.com/2019-independence-daycelebrations-and-fireworks-for-triangle-families

Summer Movies

Nighttime Fun

Check out nine fun ways to spend summer nights in the Triangle. carolinaparent.com/cp/fun-ways-tospend-summer-nights-in-the-triangle

Watch free or discounted outdoor movies under the stars. carolinaparent.com/cp/triangle-summer-moviesunder-the-stars

Outdoor Concerts

Tap your toes to tunes across the region under the night sky. carolinaparent.com/cp/triangle-offers-low-costor-free-outdoor-summer-concert-series

Connect with us online:

facebook.com/ carolinaparent

twitter.com/ carolinaparent

Prizes and Giveaways

From toys to tickets to books, we’re always giving something away! carolinaparent.com/cp/contests

pinterest.com/ carolinaparent

instagram.com/ carolinaparent

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

5

EDITOR'S NOTE

Loss and Love

I

have lived here in the Triangle since

morrismedianetwork.com

1997. I was three months pregnant when

PUBLISHER

we arrived, with an Aug. 3 due date.

Katie Reeves · katie.reeves@morris.com

Pregnancy and North Carolina summers do

Beth Shugg · bshugg@carolinaparent.com

EDITOR

not make for an enjoyable experience, but

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

throughout my pregnancy, I reminded myself

Janice Lewine · jlewine@carolinaparent.com

of how blessed I was to be carrying a healthy

Sean W. Byrne · seanwbyrne.com

ART DIRECTOR

baby to full term. My son, Ben, was born

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR

July 30, 1997. I went on to have another

whether you have a newborn or a teen driver.

healthy baby boy in January 1999 and a

Check out Kurt Dusterberg’s feature, “In the

healthy baby girl in October 2001.

Driver’s Seat,” on page 14 to learn more.

Not all mothers are fortunate enough to

Another expense many new parents must

carry one, much less three, children to full term.

cover is child care. According to our research,

I get that. I have friends who suffered multiple

paying for quality child care can cost up to

miscarriages, including one who experienced

$9,254 per year. Learn about how some

the tragedy of a stillbirth. Other Triangle moms

North Carolina organizations and legislators are

who experienced loss can relate. In her first-

making child care assistance more available for

person account, “Experiencing Early Pregnancy

families who can’t afford it on page 22 in

Loss” on page 18, Christa Hogan shares her

“The Cost of Child Care” by Elaine Zukerman.

story of early pregnancy loss and offers

This month we’re also introducing a

guidance to others who are healing from

children’s book review column: “Raising

miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.

Readers” on page 29. Discover books about

Triangle moms Lisa Kane and Bonnie Braswell

welcoming a new baby in our debut of this

also experienced the early loss of a child, but

new Carolina Parent addition. Understanding

now channel their grief into helping others. On

Kids extends that theme on page 30 by

page 20, Samantha Gratton writes about the

offering tips for helping children with the

women’s nonprofit ministry, Covered in Love,

arrival of a new sibling. Other columns cover

and their mission to make fleece tie blankets

how to initiate “tummy time” with your

for other moms who have experienced loss.

newborn (page 27), the benefits of swimming

Volunteers pray over these special blankets

lessons at any age (page 28), how to avoid

while they tie the knots as part of an effort to

“over-sharenting” (page 32), and applying for

cover the blankets’ recipients in love.

SAT or ACT accommodations (page 33).

When you welcome a new baby into the

includes a roundup of Triangle Independence

take on is the purchase of a family car. Today’s

Day celebrations and fun summer events,

new cars feature plenty of bells and whistles,

like Destination SunFest at Dorothea Dix Park.

including technological features that not only

Explore this section to discover when and where

simplify driving, but ensure your child’s safety,

your family can enjoy the lazy days of summer.

Beth Shugg, Editor

6

JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Lauren Isaacs · lisaacs@carolinaparent.com

INTERN

William Ryder · wryder@carolinaparent.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Candi Griffin • cgriffin@carolinaparent.com Sue Chen • schen@carolinaparent.com

MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS PRESIDENT

DONNA KESSLER

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING DONALD HORTON

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES KAREN FRALICK

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR CHER WHEELER

CONTACT US

carolinaparent.com Phone: 919-956-2430 · Fax: 919-956-2427 5716 Fayetteville Rd., Suite 201, Durham, NC 27713 advertising@carolinaparent.com · editorial@carolinaparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services.

Carolina Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards.

Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Our calendar section begins on page 35 and

world, one of many expenses you’ll eventually

Beth

Andy Smith · andy.smith@morris.com

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Editor’s photo of Beth Shugg and her daughter, Katie, at Dorothea Dix Park is courtesy of the Shugg family.

Cover photo courtesy of NataliaDeriabina/iStockphoto.com.

A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 Chairman William S. Morris III

President & CEO William S. Morris IV

Chapel Hill Pediatrics

&Adolescents

Welcome NEW and Established Patients • Care from birth through college

• Complimentary “meet and greet” sessions • Same-day appointments • Comprehensive sports & camp physicals Walk in Availability: Chapel Hill Office: 7:15 - 7:30 M-F; 9 am - 2 pm Sat-Sun

Durham Office: 7:15 - 7:50 am M-F

Appointment Hours Chapel Hill Office: 8 am - 7 pm M-F; 9 am - 2 pm Sat-Sun

Durham Office: 8 am - 5 pm M-F

919-942-4173

Check our website for holiday hours.

2 locations Chapel Hill: 205 Sage Road., Suite 100 Durham: 249 East NC Hwy 54, Suite 230

www.chapelhillpeds.com carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

7

FYI COMMUNITY

BY JANICE LEWINE

Photos courtesy of Mary Anne Baynes

In honor of National Barbeque Month in May, Ohio-based barbecue chain City Barbecue distributed its award-winning meats and scratch-made sides to food-insecure families in seven states, including North Carolina. On May 7, City Barbeque teammates served pulled pork, pulled chicken, macaroni and cheese, and green beans with bacon to 25 people at Families Moving Forward, a Durham shelter that offers a temporary home to homeless families with children.

“We take care of our communities year-round, and we’re always looking for

Photo courtesy of Bryan Myers

City Barbeque Serves FoodInsecure Families in Durham

opportunities to share our food with folks who might not be able to enjoy it otherwise,” says City Barbeque founder and CEO Rick Malir. “National Barbecue Month is an annual reminder to really focus on how our teams can serve and create happiness for as many folks as possible.” Learn more at citybbq.com.

Digital technology has improved the quality of life for many older Americans, but learning how to use electronic devices and software can be daunting and confusing for them. Twins and recent graduates of Friendship Christian School in Raleigh, Adam and Jacob Baynes, along with their mother, Mary Anne Baynes, recently launched My Smart Grandkids, a technology business that provides seniors and retirement communities with access to young adults known as TechMates. Skilled in computer hardware and software applications, TechMates employees teach seniors in a group or in a oneon-one setting at their location how to use a computer, set up email accounts, order items on the internet, troubleshoot computer problems and much more. My Smart Grandkids services are available in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

Learn more at mysmartgrandkids.com.

Technology Use for Seniors Over Age 65:

42% 51% 34% 73%

own a smartphone use the internet daily use social media need help using new electronic devices

SOURCE: Pew Research Center

8

JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Photos courtesy of Colin Huth/PhotoC4

Local Teens Launch Technology Business to Aid Senior Citizens

Triangle Rising Stars Announces 2019 Winners The annual Triangle Rising Stars Showcase and Awards bring area high school musical theater students together to perform and compete for educational scholarships. This year’s competition at the Durham Performing Arts Center on May 16 drew 38 high school shows and 135 students. The winners included Heritage High School’s Haven Bowers for Best Actress as Katherine Plumber in “Newsies,” and Ben Eble of Chapel Hill High School for Best Actor as Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Athens Drive High School’s “All Shook Up” received the award for Best Musical and Heritage High School’s “Newsies” won for Best Ensemble.

Triangle Rising Stars is Central and Eastern North Carolina’s qualifying event for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program, which takes place each summer in New York City. Triangle Rising Stars’ Best Actor and Best Actress recipients each received a $2,000 scholarship and were invited to

compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program, which offers an all-expense paid trip for students from across the country to train with Broadway actors, directors and producers. Their week of coaching, auditions and rehearsals will conclude with a sold-out performance on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre, where the coveted Jimmy Awards for Best Performance by an Actress and Actor will be announced.

“This was one of the best years ever for Triangle Rising Stars,” says Megan Rindoks, community engagement manager at the Durham Performing Arts Center. “It was very special to have Clay Aiken as our surprise guest host, and the group of 20 finalists were insanely talented. I can’t wait to watch Ben and Haven on the Minskoff Stage in June, and I hope everyone tunes in to watch the live stream to cheer them on!”

Learn more at dpacnc.com/community/ triangle-rising-stars.

FYI

BY KAREN SHORE

EDUCATION

WCPSS Names 2019-20 Teacher of the Year Lindsey Evans, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Apex Friendship Middle School, was named 2019-20 Teacher of the Year for Wake County Public School System on May 9. Evans began this school year at brand-new Apex Friendship Middle School after having taught social studies at Apex Middle School for nine years.

In a portfolio Evans prepared as a semifinalist for her title, she cited her school’s vision statement, “Uncovering brilliance by growing hearts and minds,” as one that embodies her own beliefs as an educator.

“I engage in regular, routine conversations with my students about their lives and what is

important to them,” she says.

Evans is the social studies department chair for her school and serves as an eighth grade team leader, a mentor for beginning teachers, a School Improvement Plan team member, a middle school leadership team member and a WCPSS Teacher Leader Corps representative.

Teacher of the Year candidates were nominated by peers at their individual schools earlier this year. Selection committees then narrowed the field to a group of 20 semifinalists, then 10 finalists. These finalists appeared before an interview committee for the Teacher of the Year selection. Learn more at wcpss.net.

North Carolina Symphony’s ‘Friends of Note’ Luncheon Raises $93,000 for Music Education The North Carolina Symphony’s 2019 Friends of Note luncheon raised $93,000 in support of its music education program. More than 350 guests gathered April 24 at the Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh to celebrate the importance of learning through music.

North Carolina Symphony’s extensive music education program serves nearly 70,000 students of all ages across the entire state annually. In alignment with the curriculum set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the symphony provides training and resources for teachers, sends small ensembles into classrooms, and presents full-orchestra

education concerts for fourth and fifth graders. Music Discovery for preschoolers combines music with storytelling. At the middle and high school levels, students have opportunities to work directly with North Carolina Symphony artists, perform for symphony audiences, and take master classes with symphony musicians and guest artists.

The Friends of Note luncheon — together with ongoing support from individuals, foundations, corporations and the State of North Carolina — allows the North Carolina Symphony to fulfill its music education mission and work to inspire the next generation. Learn more at ncsymphony.org.

WCPSS Teacher of the Year Lindsey Evans. Photo courtesy of WCPSS

WCPSS Receives National Magnet Awards Wake County Public School System has been named best in the nation for exemplifying equity, excellence and diversity while sustaining strong and dedicated support for magnet schools. WCPSS Superintendent Cathy Moore accepted the Donna Grady-Creer Award for Magnet Sustainability at the Magnet Schools of America national conference in Baltimore in April. WCPSS was selected for its continued commitment to excellence in academics and diversity through its national award-winning magnet programs.

A record 36 WCPSS schools were named either schools of excellence or distinction by Magnet Schools of America this past January.

Wake STEM Early College High School in Raleigh was named best secondary magnet school in the nation; and Reedy Creek Magnet Middle School in Cary, which features a Center for the Digital Sciences, was honored with the New and Emerging Magnet School Award. Both schools were among the 11 WCPSS schools to be named Magnet Schools of Excellence earlier this year. Learn more at wcpss.net.

North Carolina Chamber Music Institute students perform. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Symphony carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

9

FYI

Image courtesy of Aleutie/Shutterstock.com

HEALTH

BY KATHERINE KOPP

Mothers of ‘Fussy’ Babies May be at Risk for Postpartum Depression Approximately one in 10 new mothers experiences postpartum depression. Researchers have now identified a particular group of moms providers may need to closely screen for depressive symptoms and, not surprisingly, it’s mothers of fussy babies.

In a study led by University of Michigan researchers that was reported in the journal Academic Pediatrics, mothers of highly irritable infants experienced greater depressive symptoms. The nationally representative study included data from more than 8,200 children and their parents.

Researchers found that mothers of preterm, fussy infants who were born at 24-31 weeks gestation had about twice the odds of experiencing mild depressive symptoms compared to moms of preterm infants who weren’t fussy.

Mothers of fussy babies born during 32-36 weeks gestation, a period researchers termed “moderate-late preterm” — as well as mothers of full-term infants — were about twice as likely to report moderate to severe depressive symptoms

AAP Calls for Ban on Infant Walkers The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on the manufacture and sale of infant walkers in the U.S. Here are some statistics from a 25-year study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio: • 9,000 children are injured each year by infant walkers. as moms of less irritable babies born at the same gestational age.

Researchers also found that maternal characteristics associated with prenatal stress and socioeconomic disadvantages — such as lower income, unmarried status and smoking — were associated with greater odds of both mild and moderate-severe maternal depressive symptoms.

The study is also believed to be the first to explore whether the degree of a baby’s prematurity in combination with infant fussiness may influence the severity of maternal depressive symptoms. Learn more at academicpedsjnl.net/article/S18762859(18)30541-2/fulltext.

Key Statistics on NC Infants and Toddlers Here are a few statistics on infants born in North Carolina, in comparison with those born in other areas of the U.S.

Infant Mortality

Low Birth Weight

North Carolina

7.2 per 1,000 live births

9.2%

U.S. average

5.9 per 1,000 live births

8.2%

Uninsured, low-income infants and toddlers North Carolina

4.4%

U.S. average

5.0% Percentage of infants receiving scheduled vaccinations

North Carolina

77.8%

U.S. average

70.7%

SOURCE: zerotothree.org/resources/2662-new-report-reveals-best-and-worst-states-to-be-a-baby

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JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

• 30,676 infant walker-related injuries among children younger than 15 months were treated in U.S. emergency departments during the 25-year study period.

• Most children (74.1%) were injured by falling down stairs in an infant walker and 90.6% of injuries were to the head/neck.

• Among the 4.5% of patients admitted to the hospital, 37.8% had a skull fracture.

• Overall infant walker-related and stair fall-related injuries in 1990-2003 decreased by 84.5% and 91.0%, respectively.

• The total number of injuries decreased by 22.7% during the four-year period following implementation of the federal mandatory safety standard, compared with the four-year period prior to the standard.

SOURCE: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-4332

BY THE NUMBERS:

69%

The percentage of working Americans who say new moms are more likely to be passed over for a new job than other employees.

41%

The percentage of working Americans who believe working moms are less devoted to their work.

SOURCE: brighthorizons.com/-/media/bh-new/newsroom/ media-kit/mfi_2018_report_final.ashx

Katherine Kopp is a freelance writer in Chapel Hill.

For the Smile Of a Lifetime...

JULY

Win a Collection of Books for Summer Reading July is the perfect month to kick back and read a book.

Robert T. Christensen DDS, MS

Whether reading by the pool, in a hammock or tucked

Pediatric Dentistry

John R. Christensen DDS, MS, MS Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

into a book nook, your kids will enjoy this fun collection of books (and a set of computer coding cards), valued at $152.

Enter to win by going to carolinaparent.com⁄cp⁄contests and clicking on the “Summer Books” post. Type this code in the online form you’ll be required to fill

Now Accepting New Patients!

919.489.1543 DurhamPDO.com

out: CPSummerReading2019.

We’ll announce a winner July 26, 2019. Good luck!

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carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

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FYI STYLE

BY HELEN BANZET WALLACE

Maternity Trends You’ve got this, Mama!

F

or all of you expectant moms out

unzip your favorites and cover your

there who are second-guessing

waist with an Ingrid & Isabel Bellaband

fashion during this time period,

(ingridandisabel.com/collections/bellaband).

rest assured: There is no reason to

sacrifice style right now.

I loved getting dressed while pregnant.

I was immersed in a whole new fashion

If you’re not feeling this fashion fix, go for the real deal with a pair of maternity culottes from James Jeans.

If you plan to breastfeed, think about

arena — whether accentuating an

pieces that simplify that process. An

expanding waistline or going completely

oversized scarf can play double duty for

comfortable and waistband-free. There

countless purposes. Your feet may often

are plenty of options today. Although the

feel tight and swollen, so opt for a pair of

thought of being able to wear a wardrobe

open sandals, upgrade rubber flip-flops

staple before, during and after pregnancy

for a leather pair or invest in a great pair

might seem farfetched, Natalie Martin’s

of sneakers.

line of beautiful and easy silhouettes

diaper bag with enough room to carry

one of my favorite go-to looks almost 10

all of your baby’s essentials. Look for

years after having my daughter.

one with features such as a removable adjustable straps and more. LeSportsac

preparing and shopping for a growing and

makes a diaper bag with all of these

changing body. Keep it simple with basics

options. It may also double as your new

and pump up your style with accessories

favorite tote.

Don’t like the thought of giving up your favorite jeans? You don’t have to. Simply

12

JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

C.

changing pad, optional mini pouch,

quality over quantity still hold true when

like a great hat, scarf and footwear.

B.

Of course, you’ll need a proper

bridge the gap. Her Fiore maxi dress is still

The philosophies of less is more and Photos courtesy of the respective brands

A.

Here are some maternity styles and products to consider as you plan your wardrobe during this special time.

D.

A. James Jeans Carlotta Maternity Cullotes | $185 | shopbop.com B. HATCH Boyfriend Shirt | $178 shopbop.com C. HATCH The Twill Overalls | $278 shopbop.com

E.

I.

D. HATCH The Jasmine Jumper $278 | shopbop.com E. HATCH The Linen Circle Tee | $88 shopbop.com F. Ingrid & Isabel Henly Rib Nursing Tank | $48 | shopbop.com G. Ingrid & Isabel Mia Boyfriend Shorts With Elastic Insets | $68 shopbop.com H. Ingrid & Isabel Knit Blazer $128 | shopbop.com I.

Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Sawyer Necklace | $198 | shopbop.com

F.

J.

J. Janessa Leone Olivia Bucket Hat $212 | shopbop.com

G.

K.

K. Isabel Marant Alma Scarf | $275 shopbop.com L. LeSportsac Janis Diaper Bag Tote $175 | shopbop.com M. Natalie Martin Fiore Maxi | $320 nataliemartincollection.com

Helen Banzet Wallace is a freelance writer, fashion blogger and mom.

Her work has appeared in local and regional publications.

H.

L.

M.

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

13

2020 Kia Telluride.

Photo courtesy of Kia

In the Driver’s Seat New car technology and safety features put parents in control

BY KURT DUSTERBERG

Dashboard image courtesy of Argnts/Shutterstock.com

E

very so many years, it comes time to retire your well-worn, comfortable car and find something that fits your changing needs.

If it’s your first time car shopping with young kids in mind, here’s a bit of a heads-up: It’s a whole new world out there.

You’ll still want to consider cargo space for road trips and how many kids you can fit into your vehicle for carpool, but improvements in technology and safety features are selling points for automakers across all brands and models.

“The amount of safety and technology is really overwhelming,” says Carrie Kim, managing editor of autobytel.com, an automotive media company for AutoWeb. “When you don’t shop for a car every year, a lot can change. A lot of people are buying cars and they don’t have any idea how much that car can do.”

Here is a look at some of the in-demand features that are changing the vehiclebuying landscape.

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JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

TECHNOLOGY FORWARD COLLISION WARNING/ AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING This technology provides visual and/or audible warnings intended to alert the driver and prevent a collision.

“Every car is a little bit different,” says Jenni Newman, editor of cars.com, a website that publishes objective reviews of new cars. “In some cases, it might slow your car down enough so the collision isn’t as bad as it could have been, or it could stop the car altogether. It depends on how fast you’re traveling and what the distance is between you and the stopped car.”

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO These systems are designed for simplified access to your mobile device apps, using larger touch targets on the dashboard screen.

Drivers can use the software for driving directions, music streaming, hands-free phone calls and text messages, and more.

“I do think it helps — not only by making life a little easier, but by limiting distractions while you’re driving,” Newman says.

Keep in mind, however, that more access isn’t always a good idea.

“After a while, it can be an overload,” Newman says. “You have to recognize that just because it’s hands-free doesn’t mean that it’s completely distraction-free.”

WI-FI HOT SPOTS, USB AND HDMI PORTS Auto manufacturers are responding to increased demand for connectivity for a variety of applications. Various vehicle brands and models now include ports to accommodate second- and third-row occupants.

Built-in Wi-Fi hotspots are widely available in new cars, allowing all passengers to connect. Cars with built-in Wi-Fi typically have a large antenna, which receives a strong signal for streaming video and downloading movies. This feature comes with additional data plan costs.

SAFETY REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT Rear cross traffic alert sensors offer visual, audible or touch notification if an object or vehicle out of rear-camera range enters your backing path. Advanced versions of this technology can indicate the direction of the approaching car.

2019 Chevrolet Traverse.

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM This feature allows you to receive visual and/or audible notification of vehicles approaching alongside your car. The system may provide an additional warning if you use your turn signal when there is a car in the lane next to you.

LANE KEEPING ASSIST/ LANE DEPARTURE WARNING These sensors detect when a car crosses the lane markings. If the driver does not correct his or her steering, the car gently coasts back to the center of the lane.

2020 Kia Telluride.

Photo courtesy of Kia

SAFE EXIT ASSIST Hyundai offers a technology bundle called SmartSense, which now includes sensors that help drivers avoid accidents when passengers leave the vehicle. If a vehicle is approaching, the system will warn the driver not to unlock the rear doors. This offers an added layer of protection during neighborhood or school drop-offs.

TEEN DRIVER SAFETY FEATURES Some car companies offer features designed specifically for safe teen driving. Ford MyKey technology allows parents to set specific driving mode settings for teens on most models.

“You can set a speed limit, (track) the car, keep them within a range,” Kim says. “There are speeding alerts. The car won’t start unless they have seat belts on. It’s kind of like a driving coach when you’re not there.”

Chevy’s teen driver technology allows parents to enable Teen Driver mode, which is activated when a registered key fob is used to start the vehicle. This mutes the radio until the driver and front passenger seat belts are fastened. It also enables parents to select a speed warning (between 40-75 mph) that activates a visual warning and an audible chime if

2019 Chevrolet Traverse.

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

15

the top speed is exceeded, and limits the maximum speed to 85 mph.

Chevy’s 2020 Traverse, Malibu and Colorado will also include an industry first: the Buckle to Drive feature, which is only available in Teen Driver mode and prevents a driver from shifting the vehicle out of park until his or her seat belt is buckled.

STANDARDS Many of these new technologies and safety features used to only be included in high-end brands and models, but that is changing.

“What’s exciting about this technology is it’s going to become standard in September 2022, but automakers are already starting to put it in these cars,” Newman says. “As they’re redesigning them, they want to be ready for the switch. You’re going to see this in the less expensive cars, and that makes it more accessible for a lot more drivers.”

The availability of affordable new cars with advanced safety features might cause parents to rethink their car-shopping priorities when considering what kind of vehicle to buy for a recently licensed teen.

“The 2020 Nissan Versa is coming out

New Car Recommendations for New Parents

and it has automatic emergency braking,” Newman says. “They haven’t released pricing, but the 2019 version started at $14,000.”

All of this is good news for families who need to watch their expenses. “A lot of people can’t afford a minivan, which can be upwards of $50,000,” Kim says. “It’s really nice to know these safety-feature suites are being offered on the total lineups of these car companies.”

Kurt Dusterberg covers the Carolina Hurricanes for NHL.com and is the author of “Journeymen: 24 Bittersweet Tales of Short Major League Sports Careers.”

2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

Photo courtesy of Chrysler

Cars.com: The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica seats seven or eight passengers, depending on the interior configuration. On the dual-screen Uconnect Theater, kids can play games and videos, as well as stream from their own devices to individual screens. Second-row bucket seats fold into the floor bins. It’s available in both gas and plug-in hybrid models. $26,985-$44,445.

Autobytel.com: The 2020 Kia Telluride is a midsize SUV with room for eight passengers and is more affordable than others in its class. It comes with Kia DRIVE WiSE, which offers an extensive suite of advanced safety features.

Standards include a one-touch slide-and-fold second row of seats and rear climate controls. $31,690-$41,490.

Car Seat Technology 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

Photo courtesy of Chrysler

If you’re in the market for a new car because you’re expecting a little bundle of joy, you’ll need to consider how car seats fit into the equation.

Jenni Newman, editor of cars.com and a certified car seat technician, takes 40 hours of continuing education classes each year and participates in community training events. She says the one thing most new parents don’t realize is that car seats have expiration dates. Some are 10 years, others are five.

“Think about how hot or cold your car can get through the seasons,” Newman says. “In the Carolinas, you get really hot. That car seat is also getting hot and the plastic is expanding and contracting over the years, and at some point it weakens its ability to protect your child.”

That’s why she believes parents should think twice about installing a pre-owned car seat.

“As car seat technicians, we encourage people not to accept hand-me-down car seats,” she says.

“You don’t know the history of it. It could have been in a fender bender and have a crack in it that nobody realizes is there. You don’t want to have your child riding in a compromised car seat.”

Infant car seats vary widely in price, from $80 to $500. However, all of them must meet federal safety regulations.

If you already have a car seat, Newman recommends taking it to the dealership before you buy a car to see how it fits with the seat configuration and ensure it anchors in the seat correctly.

For more information on car seat options, search “2018 Car Seat Check Honor Roll” at cars.com.

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17

Experiencing Early Pregnancy Loss What you can do next, what you didn’t do wrong and how to cope with the loss

BY CHRISTA HOGAN

I

n 2004, my husband and I decided to start a family. We worried that we wouldn’t be prepared for the challenges of parenting and how children would impact our marriage.

But we never once worried that I might miscarry.

Around eight weeks, our baby no longer had a heartbeat. While driving home from my appointment, I couldn’t stop crying. I tried to downplay my emotions. The baby was the size of a grape. I told myself that other women had experienced much greater losses. But my grief was persistent and enormous.

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In the coming days and weeks, I felt angry and alone. I wondered if I did something wrong. I wondered if I would ever have children. And I didn’t understand why my heart was taking so long to heal.

COPING Preparing for a new baby is supposed to be a happy time. No one wants to talk about miscarriage. So when a loss occurs, it can come as a shock.

Even among healthy, younger women, the risk of miscarriage is between 10% and 15%, says Dr. Kelly Acharya, M.D., assistant professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Duke Obstetrics & Gynecology in Durham. For women in their mid-40s, the risk can be as high as 50%.

Experiences like mine aren’t unusual, agrees Julia Woodward, a clinical psychologist at Duke Fertility Center

in Durham. She says every woman’s journey through pregnancy loss is unique, and it can take months — or even years — to process it.

Woodward says many of her patients, however, grieve their miscarriages in silence and secrecy.

Women often dismiss their own grief since it happened early. They may also feel responsible for the loss, even when they know better.

UNDERSTANDING LOSS Early pregnancy loss happens before 14 weeks and has several causes, Acharya says. Before five weeks, chemical pregnancies can occur. A pregnancy test shows positive, but a pregnancy never develops.

Embryonic pregnancies often come to light between six and eight weeks.

A gestational sac forms but never develops a fetus. Genetic abnormalities could cause early miscarriages as well.

The sperm and egg don’t share genetic material correctly.

The risk for miscarriage is at its highest in the first trimester, Acharya says. However, once a heartbeat is detected, the risk greatly decreases.

GETTING SUPPORT Woodward started a support group in 2017 to help women cope with the challenges of pregnancy loss.

The group meets once a month and supports women who have experienced a miscarriage in their first or second trimester.

“It’s really powerful to hear from other women who have been through what you’ve been through, and to know that you’re not alone,” she says.

Support group members develop coping tools such as self-care, emotional expression, identifying

negative thoughts and loss rituals.

Woodward also coaches women on ways to communicate their needs to family members and partners supporting them.

live births and one adoption. I’m a mom of three now. I still tear up when I think about those early losses. It was a difficult time, but it also made me who I am today.

TRYING AGAIN The good news is that even after as many as three miscarriages, a woman’s chance of giving birth within two years is still 70%. Acharya says most women can begin trying to conceive again once a miscarriage is complete and they feel ready.

Sara Rosenquist, a board-certified clinical health psychologist in Cary, counsels women in issues relating to reproductive health, including early pregnancy loss. She says subsequent pregnancies are an especially stressful time. But these situations also provide opportunities for growth.

“It’s an invitation to learn to hold our hopes and expectations lightly, and to recognize that life is fragile,” she says. “We have no guarantees, so we begin to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty.”

Rosenquist says meditative practices help women embrace the present moment. “It helps you take the attitude that ‘I will love this baby for as long as I have it, for however long that is,’” she says. “That’s a gift to yourself.

You’re not trying to control the future.

You are doing your best to love this baby now, no matter what happens.”

Healing from miscarriage and loss is a journey that, sometimes, takes longer than expected. In the end, I experienced three miscarriages, two

Christa Hogan is a local freelance writer and mom to three boys.

SUPPORTING A WOMAN AFTER MISCARRIAGE When supporting a woman through pregnancy loss, don’t try to make her feel better, says Julia Woodward, a clinical psychologist at Duke Ferticilty Center.

Well-meaning statements like, “It’s better that it happened early,” or “The next pregnancy will be healthy,” only cause more anguish.

Sara Rosenquist, a clinical health psychologist in Cary, agrees that friends often don’t know what to say. But it’s better to ask what a woman needs than to leave her grieving in isolation. “It’s okay to admit, ‘I want to be there for you, but I don’t know how to help,’” she suggests.

Women interested in joining Duke Fertility Center’s Pregnancy Loss Support Group can contact Woodward

Photo courtesy of Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock.com

For women who experience two or more miscarriages, Acharya recommends a panel of tests to rule out common causes. Uterine abnormalities such as fibroids are detectable via an ultrasound. Blood work may uncover undiagnosed diabetes or thyroid issues. Both parents can undergo chromosomal testing to rule out genetic concerns.

The panel of tests may help providers understand why miscarriages took place. Providers then take appropriate action to prevent future losses. However, there aren’t always answers when it comes to miscarriage, Acharya says.

“About 40% of the time, we can find a reason with one of these tests for multiple miscarriages,” she says. That means, however, that 60% of those women never discover a medical cause for their loss. Women often have to look for other ways to make sense of their experience.

at dukepregnancyloss@gmail.com or visit dukefertilitycenter.org/news/ pregnancy-loss-support-group. The group is open to nonpatients.

Visit drsara.com for more information on pregnancy loss and reproductive health.

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

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Covered in Love A Triangle nonprofit brings comfort to families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss

BY SAMANTHA GRATTON

W

hen suffering loss or grief, some choose to seek

THE BLANKET

meaning and bring purpose by helping others facing

Following Kane’s loss, a few women from her moms group

a similar experience. That’s exactly what Lisa Kane

gathered together to make a fleece tie blanket, praying while tying

and Bonnie Braswell did in 2012 when they started

the knots and covering her in love. Creating blankets in this way

Covered In Love.

These women were first introduced by a mutual friend in 2011

became the primary objective of Covered in Love.

Unlike the box from the hospital, this was something she liked

after experiencing their own losses. Braswell lost her son, Bo, who

seeing and using in her home. “I could have it out in my house,

was stillborn after a full-term pregnancy; and Kane lost her son,

but it wasn’t a really sad reminder,” she says. “My other two kids

Brooklyn, six months into her pregnancy. They each experienced

could receive warmth and comfort from it.”

tremendous grief and, consequently, found a shared calling to

Soon after, one of her neighbors experienced a miscarriage.

support and offer hope to other women who had also suffered

“So I made her a blanket and wrote a similar note,” she says. It

miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss.

was well-received, and Kane realized this blanket made with love

“We wanted to reach and comfort women — tangibly with

and prayer could be something other grieving mothers would

a blanket and intangibly by gathering women together once a

appreciate. Friends began to ask her if she could make a blanket

month,” says Kane, who lives in Wake Forest.

for someone they knew who had lost a baby.

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Each Covered in Love blanket comes with a pinned note

“Some months it will be 10 blankets to REX and 50 blankets

informing the recipient that the blanket has been prayed over.

shipped,” Kane says. “We can only send them out as fast as we can

The nonprofit was formed in early 2012, and by November the

make them.”

founders were asked to give a presentation at UNC REX Healthcare

The blankets, which are no-sew and easy to make, are created

as a part of its bereavement program. What was planned for a

by moms and church groups, high school students (as service

short presentation with a sample blanket turned into a discussion

projects), alumni organizations, women attending girls night

with the board of directors — and also with participants sharing

out events, birthday party attendants and even a sorority in

stories of loss — that lasted over three hours. The sample blanket

Tennessee. Covered in Love hopes to partner with more groups

was given to a mother at the hospital that very night following the

and individuals to increase the number of blankets it provides.

delivery of her stillborn baby. Almost seven years later, not a single mom has turned down a Covered in Love blanket.

Other hospitals have approached the nonprofit to request a similar program, but so far organizers haven’t had the resources to supply all of the blankets needed. Currently, Covered in Love is in

THE IMPACT

the process of expanding through fundraising, new partnerships

Many of the women who received a Covered in Love blanket have

and adding more ways to support grieving families. Learn more

visited the nonprofit’s website and attended a monthly support

about how you can get involved at coveredinloveministries.com.

group, sharing what the blanket has meant to them and how they were impacted by their loss. The organization has created and

Samantha Gratton is a Raleigh-based freelance writer. She loves

gifted thousands of blankets to recipients in almost every state

hearing and sharing life stories, traveling on a budget, rock climbing

and in five different countries. The nonprofit continues to partner

with her husband and doting on her little ones.

with UNC REX Healthcare, but blankets can also be requested online by the family experiencing loss, or even on behalf of someone else, at coveredinloveministries.com.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Covered in Love co-founders Lisa Kane (left) and Bonnie Braswell (right) are surrounded by blankets that will be sent to moms who have experienced a loss.

Photo courtesy of Covered in Love

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21

The Cost of Child Care

BY ELAINE ZUKERMAN

T

alk to any new parent about child care and you’re sure to

under the age of 6 are on the waitlist for child care assistance

get a heated response. The cost of and access to quality

through North Carolina’s Child Care Subsidy program, according

child care, as well as its impact on parents’ jobs, can all

to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human

add up to serious stress. Parents play the lead role in

Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education.

their child’s healthy development, but many rely on child care

Of these children on the waitlist, more than half are infants and

from their baby’s earliest days to make ends meet.

toddlers. According to ZERO TO THREE State Baby Facts for

According to research from national nonprofit ReadyNation, infant care in a North Carolina child care

outside the home, so quality child care becomes a necessity for

center costs an average of $9,254 per year or $771 per month.

those who can’t afford it.

(ReadyNation is a division of the Council for a Strong America, Photos courtesy of Hyejin Kang/Shutterstock.com

North Carolina, 62% of North Carolina mothers of infants work

The Child Care Subsidy program helps parents pay for child

which is a national, bipartisan nonprofit that unites five

care expenses so they can work or attend school while also

organizations of law enforcement leaders, retired admirals and

providing high-quality early education for their children during

generals, business executives, pastors, and prominent coaches

a critical time in their development. According to the North

and athletes.)

Carolina Early Education Coalition, researchers agree that access

For many low-income families, this is an impossible amount

to early learning better prepares children for success in school, as

to pay. The average cost of infant and toddler care represents

well as helps them become more likely to read on grade level by

61% of a North Carolina minimum wage worker’s annual income,

third grade and have the foundation they need to be productive

according to ReadyNation. Statewide, more than 20,000 children

members of the state’s future workforce.

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JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

According to ReadyNation, 86% of primary caregivers of infants and toddlers have said problems with child care hurt their efforts or time commitment at work. When parents don’t have the child care they need, there is a risk of decreased work productivity, which can result in costs to parents, their employers and, ultimately, taxpayers. The lack of reliable child care for working parents of young children up to age 3 could amount to $1.7 billion in annual costs for North Carolina, according to ReadyNation.

“Without a larger investment to help working families access child care, more children in our state will miss out on vital early learning experiences and more families will be forced to choose between quality care for their babies and their own economic security,” says Michele Rivest, policy director of the North Carolina Early Education Coalition.

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North Carolina’s legislative leaders have made progress over the past few years in increasing the supply and quality of care for infants and toddlers through Smart Start (an organization that helps establish a comprehensive and accountable system of care and education for North Carolina children), as well as providing higher reimbursement rates and scholarship programs for teachers.

North Carolina Early Education Coalition and its Think Babies NC initiative are also working with legislators to expand the availability of child care assistance for working families so they can access care for their young children, and so the

Martha Ann Keels, DDS PhD Dylan S. Hamilton, DMD MS Erica A. Brecher, DMD MS

parents of those children can continue to work. Learn more at ncearlyeducationcoalition.org/think-babies.html.

Elaine Zukerman is the Infant/Toddler Education and Advocacy Coordinator at the NC Early Education Coalition. She and her husband live in Durham and are expecting their first child in July.

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23

Glamping

in North Carolina

Take camping up a notch this summer

BY SARA KENDALL

Skipping a resort for an adventure in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to do without all the comforts of home. Just go ‘glamping.’

G

lamorous camping, or glamping, blends camping with modern amenities to create what some might consider a more enjoyable and comfortable vacation in nature.

According to Kampground of America’s 2019 North American Camping Report, more than 7.2 million U.S. households started camping over the past five years, bringing the total number of camping households in the U.S. to a high of more than 78.8 million. A vacation in nature, however, is a lot easier when you have a bathroom, kitchen and comfy beds.

CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS Tent camping requires a lot of planning, packing, setting up and taking down — not to mention sleeping on the ground.

Glamping blends a touch of comfort with the relaxation of being in the great

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outdoors — without as much setup. Types of glamping accommodations include geodomes, glamping tents, treehouses, travel trailers and yurts (a circular tent with a framework). Modeled after Mongolian nomads’ traditional yurts,

today’s yurts are elevated and feature modern amenities.

“We think of it as easy camping,” says Tim Murphy, owner of Emberglow Outdoor Resort, a 72-acre year-round glamping retreat in Mill Spring, North Carolina, that is on track to open in September. “Accommodations are comfortable for sleeping, but are designed to get people outside.”

Inspired by Johann David Wyss’ “Swiss Famiy Robinson” story, Emberglow Outdoor Resort’s big treehouse sleeps 8-10 and features a living room, lookouts and a cargo net on the backside. For smaller groups, vintage trailers, geodomes, yurts and tent camping options are available.

Each of Emberglow Outdoor Resort’s accommodations have running water, air conditioning, a microwave, a coffee maker, a small refrigerator and an outdoor grill.

All rentals, except for tree lofts, include private bathrooms, and Murphy says there is a family bathhouse big enough for the whole tribe to get cleaned up in, without having to worry about boys being in the girls’ room, and vice versa. Learn more at emberglowoutdoorresort.com.

Wildwater Falling Waters Nantahala, located next to the Nantahala Gorge in Bryson City, is a 22-acre resort consisting of two ponds, a waterfall and eight yurts — each with a queen-size bed and futon that sleeps two to four people. French doors, three large windows and a wooden deck make it feel like a home. Each yurt was built with a weatherproof canvas and includes a space heater and ceiling fan (since there is no air conditioning). All yurt guests share lockable bathrooms.

What isn’t provided? TV and Wi-Fi. This limits distractions and provides more opportunities for guests to enjoy nature.

Learn more at fallingwatersresort.com.

Asheville Glamping, located 10 miles outside of downtown Asheville near the French Broad River, rents yurts, vintage trailers, geodomes and treehouses for $125$350 per night that stay booked a year in advance. The site’s 1,300-square-foot Dome

3 sleeps eight and includes a loft bed with a fun slide for guests to access the lower level. Each dome includes electricity, air conditioning and a fire pit. Some come with Wi-Fi. Dome guests can also stargaze while inside. Learn more at glampinginnc.com.

On the site of a former Girl Scout camp, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Golden Valley resort in Bostic, North Carolina, offers two glamping options: luxury tents and treetop cabins. Just steps away from a scenic lake, glamping tents sleep five and include air conditioning, heating, a microwave, a mini refrigerator and a coffee pot. Perched up in the trees, treetop cabins sleep four and feature air conditioning, heating, TV and an outdoor kitchenette with a lake or mountain view. Both lodging choices include access to a nearby private, detached, full bathroom with linens provided. Learn more at campgoldenvalley.com.

Guests shouldn’t expect a five-star resort, however. Joanna Cahill, who coowns Asheville Glamping with her fiancé Patrick Lovell, says glamping is an outdoor experience, and folks who aren’t interested in spending time outdoors aren’t going to have as good of a time. The company’s FAQs, which is required reading for all guests, state: “Though our spaces are clean, we guarantee that you are going to see bugs at some point during your stay.”

“We have learned to make sure to give people extremely accurate expectations,” Cahill says. “We like to have folks arrive with lower expectations, and exceed them.”

SET REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS “Glamping is great for folks of all ages,” says Trey Barnett of Falling Waters Resort, adding that it’s “more about a desire for something more adventurous than staying in a hotel. Glamping is a great intro to camping for families.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Modern yurts are elevated and feature modern amenities. Asheville Glamping’s Dome 3 includes a fun slide so loft guests can access the lower level.

Photos courtesy of Asheville Glamping

GET PACKING “Families need to prepare much like they would for a camping trip,” Barnett says. “Pack clothes with the mindset of being outside.”

BELOW: Asheville Glamping’s Silver Bettie vintage trailer offers heating and air conditioning, a kitchen, two double beds and a hot tub just outside. Photo courtesy of Asheville Glamping

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

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When it comes to food, Barnett recommends preparing as much beforehand as possible. Bring the necessary tools for grilling, and keep plenty of snacks and drinks on hand. “Campfire dinners (hamburger and veggies wrapped in foil) are popular, or plan to grill meats and veggies,” he says. “Some families even choose to bring a camping cook-set to make cooking easier.”

At Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Golden Valley resort, glamping tents and cabins are equipped with charcoal grills, but there is also food on-site at Creekside Cafe, Snack Shack and The Lodge to give family cooks a break. At the Camp Store, guests can stock up on groceries, ice, wood, propane, beer and wine.

GO ON AN ADVENTURE Glamping resorts offer access to outdoor activities — from zip lining to water sliding. Some may be included in the price, or offered at a discounted rate to resort guests. Wildwater Falling Waters Nantahala is owned by Wildwater, considered the oldest outfitter in the Southeast. Just a few hundred feet away from the resort, families can participate in rafting, zip lining (including a Kidzip Canopy Tour) and Nantahala Jeep Tours on the resort’s property.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City is about 11 miles away from Wildwater Falling Waters Nantahala. Board a one-way train ride into the Nantahala Gorge, then hop on a Jeep for a scenic backroads tour. After that, take the train back to Bryson City and enjoy a boxed lunch during the return trip.

Emberglow Outdoor Resort gives kids autonomy to roam and explore, says Murphy, who is a father of three under age 5, with a baby on the way. The resort’s pool features a sitting shelf, and the playground includes an “unscripted” play area that allows children to use natural materials — and their imaginations — to build forts and other creations.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Golden Valley resort includes pools, water-slides and splashgrounds. The Ranger Smith Pool

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JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

features a swim-up pool bar, basketball courts, horseshoes, mini golf, a playground and volleyball courts. Hit the lake in a canoe, kayak, paddleboat or stand up paddleboard. There’s even an outdoor laser tag course.

“Families can expect a welcoming environment filled with fun activities, tons of brand-new amenities, great food and the opportunity to reconnect with nature while making long-lasting memories,” says Nicole Powell, reservations manager at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort.

Plan a glamping escape to North Carolina’s wilderness and discover how glamorous getting back to nature can be.

Sara Kendall is a Charlotte-based freelance writer who loves to explore new places with her family.

ABOVE: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Golden Valley’s treetop cabins sleep four and feature an outdoor kitchenette, TV, heating and air conditioning, and lake or mountain view.

Photos courtesy of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Golden Valley

OH, BABY!

How to Start Tummy Time With Your Newborn

BY REBECCA QUINONES AND RACHEL GANDY

WHY IS TUMMY TIME IMPORTANT? Tummy time refers to any time your baby spends belly down and free to move. In this position, your baby has the opportunity to strengthen her muscles on the back side of her body, including her neck, back and hip muscles. Having strong back and hip muscles is important for helping babies learn to sit and move as they grow and develop. In addition to developing muscle strength, tummy time can help decrease the risk of your baby’s head from becoming flattened from too much pressure.

Tummy time is often one of the very first experiences babies have when they are placed tummy down on their mother’s chest immediately following delivery. Newborn babies love to snuggle, chest-to-chest, with

their parents. After being tucked up tightly in utero, this close contact is comforting in a world where they now have to work against gravity and deal with the uncontrolled movement of their arms, which can startle them. There are added benefits of having your baby spend skin-to-skin tummy time on you, including improved breastfeeding and bonding. Plus, what could provide more motivation for your baby to pick up his head while lying on his tummy than the reward of seeing your face?

KEEPING BABY AWAKE FOR TUMMY TIME It’s hard to make tummy time happen during your baby’s first month, since he may fall asleep on you or on the floor.

Be sure to supervise your baby if he falls asleep during tummy time to make sure he keeps his face clear and is able to breathe easily. If you become drowsy while holding your baby chest-to-chest, put him down on his back in a safe place to sleep, such as a playpen, crib or bassinet.

Remember, tummy time during the first few months can be accomplished during brief periods throughout the day, since your newborn may not want to spend 10 — or even five minutes — on her tummy during one session. By incorporating 30 or 60 seconds of tummy time throughout your baby’s day, you can help her become

used to this position and develop a foundation to enjoy as she gets older.

WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH TUMMY TIME Other ways to accomplish tummy time are to hold and carry your baby tummy-down over your shoulder or across your arms in front of your body. You can also burp your baby in a tummy-down position over your shoulder or across your lap — the pressure on her tummy will help release those burps. Hold your baby tummydown across your lap while eating, or while sitting and chatting with visitors.

Remember, the tummy-down position with full contact on your chest and tummy can be very comforting for your baby. Use this position to help soothe and comfort her. Try patting or rubbing her bottom while she is tummy-down on you or on the floor. Gently rock or bounce your legs when she is tummy-down across your lap.

Rebecca Quinones and Rachel Gandy are founders of Babies On The MOVE, a Cary-based organization committed to helping children excel in motor development with in-home pediatric physical therapy and community-based infant movement classes for all abilities.

Learn more about their services at babiesonthemoverdu.com.

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

27

Image courtesy of Irina Qiwi/Shutterstock.com

A

s new parents, we have hundreds of questions about how to care for our baby: What can we do to foster his or her development, and how we can give him or her the best start for a strong future? With sleep deprivation and information overload, some activities feel simply impossible, especially if your baby doesn’t seem to like them. Tummy time is one of the activities you may hear about during a doctor’s visit, but may not understand why it’s so important — or how to implement it into your already busy day.

GROWING UP

Swim School Basics The lifetime benefits of swimming lessons

BY MALIA JACOBSON

EARLY YEARS Pool Rules Although a small study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in March 2009 found that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning in children ages 1-4, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that preschool-age children should never be considered water safe. Before age 4, children don’t have the motor skills they need to swim independently, and they still require constant adult supervision in and around the water, even if they have some swimming ability.

Swimming lessons, however, still benefit young kids. A study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that in addition to building physical

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JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

skills, swimming lessons give kids a boost in cognitive and social development.

At this age, swimming lessons should focus on building basic skills, such as getting in and out of the water safely and comfortably going underwater.

The McCuistons say parents can help by emphasizing water safety rules and explaining that those rules are there for a reason, especially when it comes to rules for the pool. Walk, don’t run; make sure an adult is watching; and no horseplay. The McCuistons encourage families to review the rules together as a family before they swim to help everyone enjoy the water.

ELEMENTARY YEARS Just Keep Swimming By grade school, kids may have the strength, stamina and control they need to master more complex swimming skills, from freestyle breathing to flip turns. With regular swimming lessons and practice, a school-age child likely feels more confident in and around the water, and may have passed a swimming test or two. At this point, families may be tempted to quit lessons and devote time and energy to other pursuits — after all, the kids already know how to swim, right? Not so fast.

There’s good reason to continue with lessons and practice into the tween and teen years, says Matti Svoboda, owner of Blue Dolphins Aquatics in Chapel Hill.

“Every spring when parents come for refresher lessons, they’re surprised at how much their child has forgotten since last summer,” she says. “Just like any other physical activity, kids should keep

swimming multiple times throughout the year, whether it be in lessons or free swim, so they don’t lose the muscle memory, endurance and stamina they’ve gained.”

TEEN YEARS Life Guard Summertime pools and beaches brim with opportunities for teens to socialize, exercise and relax, but the risk for drowning doesn’t evaporate once kids outgrow the baby pool. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1-19, with teenage boys and toddlers most at risk. To protect kids from drowning, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children learn to swim, including teenagers. If your child learned to swim years ago, periodic refresher lessons can help build and maintain swimming ability.

Prioritize water safety by talking to teens about drowning risks, including the risks of drinking and swimming.

Make sure teens understand the risks of unsafe jumping and diving, which can cause severe head injuries and paralysis.

Teach teens to dive safely. Never dive headfirst into an unknown body of water or anywhere diving isn’t allowed. Insist on life vests when teens use watercraft and paddleboards. Finally, when it comes to pool safety, trust, but verify. Ask about adult supervision before your teen attends a pool party, and confirm that parents are present during any swimming activity.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health journalist and mom.

Image courtesy of What’s My Name/Shutterstock.com

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rom soccer to gymnastics or track, there are plenty of sports that help kids build skills and burn off energy. One, however, offers kids a unique opportunity for lifelong fitness. Unlike many childhood pastimes, swimming lessons build skills that can translate into a lifetime of safe, effective exercise long after the cleats, ballet slippers and track shoes have been put away.

Regular swimming builds core strength, breathing control and stamina that can enhance performance in other sports, say Jenny and Chris McCuiston, parents and founders of Goldfish Swim School, a nationwide provider of swimming lessons for children with locations in Cary, Raleigh and Charlotte. Here’s how to help kids make a splash safely, whether they’re in the tot pool or deep end.

RAISING READERS

Books for Welcoming a New Baby

BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME

W

hether you’re a first-time parent bringing home a newborn or introducing a new sibling into an already bustling family, consider incorporating some of these children’s books into your summer reading lists.

In “Monkey Not Ready for the Baby” (Alfred A. Knopf, 32 pages, $16.99), author Marc Brown, best known for his “Arthur” books and the “Arthur” TV show, tells the story of Monkey, who is upset about a new baby disrupting his close family of four.

Despite the extensive measures his older brother and parents take to convince Monkey that being a big brother is exciting and rewarding, he is still reluctant to view the change as positive. In the end, we see Monkey cradling his new baby sister and offering his sippy cup to her to show her that love is what all family members — and especially babies — need. This story was written for ages 3-7.

In “Raisin, the Littlest Cow” (Balzer & Bray, 22 pages, $17.99), author Miriam Busch and award-winning illustrator Larry Day tell the story of Raisin, a cow who “has a lot of favorite things, but change is NOT one of them.” Needless to say, Raisin’s world turns upside down when her mom has a new baby and she is no longer the youngest cow constantly doted upon. Suddenly, Raisin finds herself growing to love and appreciate her new brother when, in the midst of a rainstorm, she realizes her brother’s eyes are her favorite color and she learns how to make him giggle. This story was written for ages 4-8.

Book covers courtesy of their respective publishers

In “Splat and the New Baby” (HarperCollins, 40 pages, $17.99), New York Times bestselling author Rob Scotton writes about how utterly excited Splat the Cat is when he finds out he’s going to be a big brother. At first, we see Splat fixing up the nursery and making to-do lists to get ready, but when Splat’s mom brings home a baby crocodile, whom they name Urgle, Splat isn’t sure he’ll be up to the task. This book teaches kids valuable lessons about how to adapt to unexpected circumstances as Splat’s mom explains that Urgle is visiting while his parents are on vacation, and that they must make the little crocodile feel comfortable in their home. Splat learns how to become a great big brother and, in the end, gets a rewarding surprise. This story was written for ages 4-8.

For parents who choose to adopt, Silvia Lopez’s “Just Right Family: An Adoption Story” (Albert Whitman & Company, 32 pages, $16.99), approaches what can be a complex subject from a young child’s perspective. The author, a retired librarian who was born in Cuba and moved to Miami when she was 10, writes about 6-year-old Meili, who was adopted from China. Meili’s parents tell her they are adopting again — this time a baby from Haiti named Sophie. Meili is upset, feeling her family is perfect the way it is. One night, Meili puts her new sister to bed and tells her the story about how she came from a place called Haiti, and that their parents flew over the ocean to get her. This story, which teaches acceptance, responsibility, the importance of interracial family bonding and the idea that change can be scary, but good, was written for ages 3-5.

Elizabeth Lincicome is a mother, communications expert and freelance writer based in Raleigh.

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UNDERSTANDING KIDS

Helping Children Prepare for the Arrival of a New Sibling

BY LUCY DANIELS CENTER STAFF

ANSWERING UNSPOKEN QUESTIONS WITH ONGOING DISCUSSIONS One way to address potential unspoken questions is to keep them open and on the table, making yourself available to listen to whatever topics or feelings — positive or negative — your child shares with you. It’s easy to assume that children who aren’t bringing things up don’t have any worries, but the situation is often quite the contrary.

Children think about much more than they talk about.

A simple way to begin this type of discussion with a child is to convey your understanding that there may be uncomfortable feelings about the changes. You could say: “I know it will probably take some time to get used to having a new baby in our family.

It’s OK to feel worried about these changes, but we will help and everything will be fine. I’m here to listen or talk, if you like.”

Children are more likely to share their worries with parents if they feel Mom or Dad can listen in an open and nonjudgmental way. It’s important not to push these conversations. Let your child know you’re available and he or she will come to you when the time feels right.

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BLENDED FAMILIES While the aforementioned guidance holds true for blended families as well, there are additional factors to consider when helping young children in blended families prepare for the arrival of a new baby.

Most children in blended families, with help and support from both sets of parents, are able to comfortably spread their time between two homes. Still, for many children, there remains a sense of missing out when they spend time away from one home.

Changes that occur in the home during their absence can remind them that life goes on, whether they are there or not. This is an important consideration when helping children in blended families adjust to the addition of a new baby.

CHANGE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH Every family is unique. Young children define family by what they know and feel in their own families, so whether yours consists of two parents and children, or stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren or any other variation, make time to talk with your child(ren) about what makes your growing family special. Strong families talk and support each other through challenging times.

The addition of a new baby or sibling can provide wonderful opportunities to teach your children valuable lessons, as well as reassure them that the important things will stay the same, despite changes and additions to your family.

The Lucy Daniels Center is a nonprofit agency in Cary that promotes the emotional health and well-being of children and families. Visit lucydanielscenter.org to learn more.

Image courtesy of ann131313/Shutterstock.com

C

hildren, regardless of their age, will likely have many questions about the arrival of a newborn sibling. Some of these questions will be easy for parents to answer: “Why does the new baby sleep so much?” Other questions may remain unspoken: “Will I still get to do all the things I love to do?” or “Why did they want a baby when they already have me?”

This month, we focus on how to think about those unspoken questions children may have as their family grows. Ongoing discussions and heart-to-heart talks can help soften the experience for a child, helping him to feel more comfortable and understood.

FATHER FIGURING

the

Can’t Stop

Ma d n e s s

BY BRUCE HAM

Image courtesy of shockfactor.de/Shutterstock.com

D

o all parents overreact? Or is it just me? I’ve tried to stop, but I can’t!

I think it starts the day they are born. Maybe it’s innate, this desire to protect this thing you’ve created.

My first remembrance of my parental overexuberance was when my second daughter, Lucy, was about 2 months old. Her older sister, Bailey, was 3.

As we were learning to maneuver this new man-to-man defense, I picked up our baby when I got home from work one day and cradled her on my shoulder. I immediately noticed a stench. I called for my wife.

“Lucy smells horrible. It’s coming from her ear.”

Lisa sniffed. “That’s bad! I wonder if she has an infection.”

We gave her a bath, which seemed to help the smell, but when we woke her for an 11 p.m. feeding, it had returned.

We were convinced this was serious, perhaps some sort of brain-eating bacteria or an ear fungus. Our minds were filled with worst-case scenarios.

The next day we bathed her again and took her to the doctor’s office. Our regular pediatrician didn’t have an opening so we saw the new guy. He looked to be about 22.

He held our infant and took a deep sniff, “I don’t smell anything.” He looked in her ears, “I don’t see anything.”

I pressed him. He smelled again. He looked again. Nothing.

“Maybe her sister put something in her ear. Like a pea. Maybe it has disintegrated.”

“Or maybe you are a moron,” I thought. We didn’t even like peas!

We came back home and interrogated Bailey. “Did you put something in your sister’s ear?”

“Yes!” our 3-year-old giggled.

“What did you put in there?”

“I didn’t put anything in her ear.”

She was not a reliable witness.

We put our clearly sick child to bed for her nap. I will admit, she didn’t smell as bad as she had the night before, and she seemed as happy as a lark. But when she woke, the odor was back.

One critically important note: Lucy was an incessant slobberer.

If we removed her bib for any length of time, her onesie would soak with spit.

As I rocked our “sick” yet amazingly content baby, a light went off in my head. I got into her crib and began to explore like a bloodhound. Aha! Although Lucy’s sheets had been washed, her mattress pad had not been. And the drool had left a horrible odor. Her little ear would lay flat on the bed and the smell would permeate it.

Our child was healed! We could rest. The hysteria would cease … for the moment.

It returned when Bailey was bullied — I use that term loosely — in preschool. And again when a tooth had to be extracted. And again when the girls weren’t invited to a classmate’s birthday party, got their license, went on their first date … you get the picture. I’ve tried to stop the madness. I can’t. I guess I just love them way too much.

Bruce Ham, who lives in Raleigh, started writing after losing his wife and raising his three daughters on his own. He has written a book, “Laughter, Tears and Braids,” about their journey, and writes a blog about his family’s experiences at therealfullhouse.wordpress.com.

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TECH TALK

Guilty of ‘Over-Sharenting’?

Why less is more when posting about kids on social media

A

s parents, we enjoy sharing our children’s adorable moments on social media. We might add a caption that gives context — and maybe a fitting emoji or two. As the comments roll in, we feel good about sharing moments, big and small, with family and friends.

This has become known as “sharenting,” and most parents do it.

But let’s face it, some of us also over-sharent. Though our children may not use social media for years, they have probably been on social media since birth. Think about it — our followers may have seen our baby’s first bath, read about our toddler’s epic tantrum in Target, and even glimpsed a video of them sleeping with this well-meaning and loving caption: “Someone couldn’t stay awake to finish her ice cream!”

We parents can rest assured that our bosses, neighbors and in-laws won’t be able to search Google and find pictures of us in our birthday suit or asleep with our face in a bowl of ice cream. But, as digital natives, our kids won’t have the same luxury. At some point, they will mature, become more self-aware and begin to use more technology.

That’s when they’ll want to have a say in their online footprint.

Sharenting happens on a spectrum, from sharing nothing about your child to using social media as a virtual baby book, chronicling daily moments for all the world (or at least your followers) to see.

So how can you avoid over-sharing? Obviously, you can’t ask your baby’s permission, so when it comes to infants, ask yourself these questions before posting: • Why do I want to share this post?

• Will it be something my child will want me to keep on my profile when she is 13?

• Are my privacy settings updated so strangers cannot easily view the post?

• Is this in my child’s best interest, or is it really more about me?

For school-age kids and older, ask for their permission — not only for using the picture you want to post, but for the caption you’d like to add as well. One 11-year-old girl I spoke to says she doesn’t usually mind the photo as much as her mom’s “Cutie!” commentary.

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Even if young children don’t grasp the concept of social media, you can ask them, “Is it ok for me to share this picture of you with our friends and family?”

Most of all, huddling with your kids from an early age about what to post and why you want to post it will give them a head start on using social media positively and wisely. Here are three standards to discuss: 1. Why you want to share that photo: Explain what it is about a particular photograph of your child that makes you want to share it on social media.

2. Why you should protect your privacy like you’re famous: This is something we coach students nationwide on, and it applies to parents as well. Make sure your photos show only what you don’t mind the world knowing about. Be aware of what’s visible in the background, including your address, your kids’ school and your license plate.

3. Which privacy settings are possible: Talk about who will see the post. For example, Facebook’s Audience Selector tool lets you limit who can see what, post by post. (It’s located on the bottom right of the status update box.)

Another good option is to create a secret Facebook group for extended family, where you can safely share everyday pictures of the kids with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — without broadcasting to the rest of your feed.

Regular huddling will help you and your child(ren) navigate social media positively. Ask for their permission before sharing their photos with the world, involve them in the posting process, watch the likes/comments together and talk it all through. You’ll be equipping them with a lifetime skill.

Laura Tierney, a digital native who got her first phone at age 13, is founder and president of The Social Institute, which offers students positive ways to handle one of the biggest drivers of their social development: social media. She also recently became a mom. Learn more at thesocialinstitute.com.

Image courtesy of Yatate/Shutterstock.com

BY LAURA TIERNEY

COLLEGE TRANSITIONS

How to Apply for ACT and SAT Accommodations

BY DAVE BERGMAN, ED.D.

E

very year, more than 160,000 high school students apply to receive accommodations on the SAT. More than 85% of those requests are granted, according to a May 17, 2019, post on Education Week (edweek.org). Even with the high odds of approval, navigating the application process can still be intimidating.

Whether you’re seeking extended time for a student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or a learning disability, or a version of the test with enlarged text for a student who has a visual impairment, there are time-sensitive steps and specific documentation that will be required. We’ll break down everything you need to know, starting with the procedures for procuring SAT accommodations.

Image courtesy of Zimmytws/Shutterstock.com

HOW TO GET APPROVED FOR SAT ACCOMMODATIONS Typically, a student’s guidance counselor will submit an online request to the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities. Documentation in the form of a re-evaluation and individualized education program or 504 Plan should lead to “automatic approval,” a policy the company adopted in 2017 that automatically grants accommodations that are already part of a student’s school-based educational plan. However, the level of documentation required by the College Board varies by disability category. For example, an ADHD diagnosis must be made by a medical or psychological professional, and the report should be no more than five years old. If the basis for seeking accommodations is a psychiatric condition, a current psychiatric update no more than one year old is required.

HOW TO GET APPROVED FOR ACT ACCOMMODATIONS Like the College Board, the ACT recently revamped its application procedure to simplify the process and ensure that more students receive the accommodations their school teams have already put in place. As such, they will want to see the accommodation pages from the student’s most recent IEP or 504 Plan service agreement.

Submissions are made through the Accommodations on College Board Exams section of the College Board’s website. As with the SAT, required documentation on the ACT differs depending on a student’s disability category. Students with learning disabilities will

need to submit cognitive testing results while those who have a visual impairment would need to submit documentation from an ophthalmologist or other medical professional.

EXTENDED TIME ALLOWANCES FOR THE SAT The typical amount of allotted time for the SAT is three hours of actual testing time without the essay, and three hours and 50 minutes with the essay. Here’s how extended time options work: • 50% additional time for the SAT equates to four hours and 30 minutes without the essay, and five hours and 45 minutes with the essay.

• 100% additional time equates to six hours without the essay, and seven hours and 40 minutes with the essay.

• 150% additional time, which is only granted in rare cases, equates to seven hours and 30 minutes without the essay, and nine hours and 35 minutes with the essay.

EXTENDED TIME ALLOWANCES FOR THE ACT All exam-takers granted this accommodation will be provided 50% extended time for each section of the ACT. This total amount of exam time for those with the 50% extension is five hours without the essay and six hours with the essay. Without extended time, the test takes two hours and 55 minutes without the essay, and three hours and 35 minutes with the essay.

If your child has a disability that genuinely impacts her ability to excel on standardized tests, you shouldn’t think twice about applying for accommodations. Colleges will never know whether it took your student six hours or three hours to complete the exam — they will only see the score, and a higher score will only help your teen when she applies to the school of her dreams.

Dave Bergman, Ed.D., is a co-founder of College Transitions, a team of college planning experts committed to guiding families through the college admissions process. He is also co-author of “The Enlightened College Applicant: A New Approach to the Search and Admissions Process.” Learn more at collegetransitions.com.

carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

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EXCURSION

Hilton Head Island

Low country, low-key fun

BY MICHELE HUGGINS

H

ilton Head Island in South Carolina’s low country is located about five hours from the Triangle. Resorts are plentiful on the island, as are house and condo rentals tucked under oaks dripping with Spanish moss.

The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island — part of the Shipyard Plantation — was ideal for my family of four. This five-story resort’s oceanfront location made it easy for us to dash from our well-appointed room to the beach, and then back for a quick dip in the zero-entry pool. On cooler days, guests can relax in the hot tub located by a second, smaller pool.

The Sonesta Resort’s lush layout made it easy to take early morning walks to the beach with my 3-year-old. We could see yoga classes taking place that were hosted by the resort at no cost to guests. Bicycle rentals kept my 9-year-old son happy. Hilton Head boasts wide, flat beaches for bicycle riding and more than 60 miles of paved trails.

Children ages 3-5 can participate in half-day programs, while kids who fall into the 6-12 age group can enjoy full- or half-day activities as part of the supervised Just Us Kids club. (Be sure to book 24 hours or more in advance.)

Mom and Dad can check out the Arum Spa while the kids play.

Services include signature massages, facials, body treatments and nail services. My 50-minute spa session was topped off with a foot soak and glass of champagne.

Sweet Cane Bar and Grille’s poolside food and beverage service allows everyone in the family to stay in their swimsuits for lunch without having to dry off and get dressed, and the 5-7 p.m. happy hour is a nice way to wind down before dinner.

If, after a long day of play, your family doesn’t want to leave the hotel for dinner, the resort offers two restaurants — Heyward’s Restaurant and Seacrest Terrace and Patio. Be sure to check out the kids menu at Seacrest Terrace and Patio, which serves kidfriendly meals at a reduced price. Heyward’s Restaurant also offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, including made-to-order omelets and waffles.

During summer, the resort offers a seafood buffet on Friday nights from 5:30 to 9 p.m. If you schedule early adventures, stop

by Bayley’s Bar and Terrace adjacent to the lobby for a quick cup of coffee and chocolate croissant, yogurt or cereal.

ISLAND ADVENTURES Explore Harbour Town in Sea Pines Plantation for an entry fee of $8 per car (cash only), which gets you access to the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Lawton Stables. Climb 100 steps to the top of the red-and-white-striped lighthouse to take in the view across the surrounding coastal plains and marshlands. Kids will enjoy the nature-inspired Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground, which

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features a huge treehouse surrounding a live oak and plenty of play areas. Parasailing and banana boat rides in Calibogue Sound can be booked via H2O Sports.

Lawton Stables is a great stop for animal lovers. Spend $1 on a cup of feed and enjoy a self-guided stroll through the small animal farm that houses cows, miniature donkeys, pot-bellied pigs, alpacas, goats and chickens. Make a reservation for a hand-led pony ride (suitable for ages 7 and younger) or a guided, one-hour, Western-style horseback trail ride (suitable for ages 8 and older) at lawtonstables.com.

Explore Coligny Plaza’s array of retail boutiques, beach stores and eateries. Grab a quick lunch at Stu’s Surfside Subs & Suds and be sure to check out the pirate playground. Stop by Coligny Beach Park, located at the end of Pope Avenue off Coligny Circle, to cool off in the splash pad there.

Learn more about all that Hilton Head Island has to offer your family at hiltonheadisland.org.

Michele Huggins, editor of Charlotte Parent magazine, savors a good day at the beach with her boys.

ABOVE and MIDDLE: The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island offers an oceanfront location and family-friendly amenities. Photos courtesy of Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island BOTTOM: HIlton Head Island offers a relaxing pace and leisure activities for families.

Photo courtesy of Michele Huggins

CALENDAR

BY JANICE LEWINE

JULY 2019

OUR PICKS One Giant Leap Festival | July 20 On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who had guided their spacecraft more than 238,000 miles from Earth, became the first humans to land on the moon’s surface.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of this momentous occasion in our nation’s history, the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh will host the One Giant Leap Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Travel to outer space in a virtual reality lab, take part in bungee jumping to experience the thrill of zero gravity, and enjoy hands-on crafts, demonstrations and activities. View the lobby exhibit, “One Giant Leap: North Photo courtesy of Beth Shugg

Carolina and the Space Race,” that explores North Carolina’s role in the moon landing. Admission is FREE. The North Carolina Museum of History is located at 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. ncmuseumofhistory.org/one-giant-leap-festival.

Festival image courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of History Photo of moon courtesy of Procy/Shutterstock.com

Destination SunFest | July 13 Soak in the sun and celebrate Raleigh’s glorious sunflower field at Dorothea Dix Park during Destination SunFest, 2-9 p.m. Hop on a history hayride tour, play a round of mini golf, and take a spin on the Ferris wheel and carousel. Enjoy live and roving entertaintment. Shop local vendors and sample freshly made cuisine from a variety of food trucks.

Face painting, inflatables, balloon twisting and kids crafts round out the fun. Pets, alcohol, smoking and drones are not permitted. Dorothea Dix Park is located at 101 Blair Dr., Raleigh. See the website for information about where to park.

Festival admission is FREE, but registration is encouraged at dixpark.org/event/destination-sunfest.

“Annie” | July 23-28 Leapin’ lizards! America’s favorite orphan returns to Raleigh for eight performances of “Annie” at Memorial Auditorium. See the spunky redhead embark on a courageous journey to find her parents, outwit the villainous Miss Hannigan, befriend President Roosevelt and find a loving new father in billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

Purchase tickets, $25-$89 per person, at ticketmaster. com. nctheatre.com/shows/annie.

PICTURED: English Bernhardt starred as Annie in North Carolina Theatre’s 2010 production of “Annie.” Photo courtesy of Mitch Danforth Photography carolinaparent.com | JULY 2019

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CALENDAR JULY 2019

BY JANICE LEWINE

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Cary Independence Eve Celebration July 3 – Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary.

7:30 p.m. FREE. The Cary Town Band performs patriotic music. A preshow begins at 6:30 p.m. with Applause! Cary Youth Theatre. townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/events/ holiday-events/independence-day-events.

Garner Independence Day Celebration July 3 – Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Rd., Garner. 5 p.m. FREE. Celebrate the nation’s independence with inflatables, games and food.

The North Carolina Symphony performs at 8:30 p.m. prior to a spectacular fireworks show. garnernc. gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-culturalresources/events/independence-day.

at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of N. Main Street and Juniper Avenue in downtown Wake Forest and proceeds to Holding Park for games and art activities. wakeforestnc.gov/citizen-engagement/communitycalendar/independence-day-celebration.

Apex Olde Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration July 4 – Downtown Apex. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FREE. The town’s annual Independence Day event features carnival games, a climbing wall, inflatables, street performers, a flag raising and more. Kids 12 and younger can take part in Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels at noon. Cool down with the Apex Fire Department’s Splash Down after the parade. Bicycle helmets are required for the parade. apexnc.org/532/ olde-fashioned-fourth-of-july.

Carrboro July 4 Celebration July 4 – Town Hall Commons, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Enjoy musical performances, entertainers and carnival games.

The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at the Weaver Street Market lawn, followed by a kids’ parade to Town Hall at 10:50 a.m. carrborojuly4th.com.

Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration July 3 – South Park, 900 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina.

6 p.m. FREE. Enjoy food vendors, live music, kids activities and a fireworks display. Gates open at 6 p.m. fuquay-varina.org/840/independence-day-celebration.

Cary Independence Day Olde Time Celebration July 4 – Bond Park Boathouse, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE. Cary’s annual celebration features a parent-child fishing tournament from 8-10 a.m., a parade in the park at 10:30 a.m., and family contests at the boathouse at 11 a.m. townofcary. org/recreation-enjoyment/events/holiday-events/ independence-day-events.

Chapel Hill’s Fourth of July Celebration July 4 – Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill.

7-10:30 p.m. FREE. $5 donation per family appreciated. Enjoy old-fashioned fun, live music and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. chapelhilljuly4fireworks.com.

Clayton Fourth of July Celebration July 4 – Municipal Park, 325 McCullers Dr., Clayton.

4-10 p.m. FREE. Contests, live music, inflatables, rides and fireworks highlight this celebration of America’s birth. Some activities charge a fee. townofclaytonnc. org/parks-and-recreation/july-4th.aspx.

Durham Independence Day Celebration July 4 – Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St., Durham. 6-9:30 p.m. FREE. Take the family for a

baseball game and fireworks. The baseball park opens to the general public at the end of the seventh inning for a grand post-game fireworks show. Purchase tickets online for the baseball game. The rain date is July 6. dprplaymore.org/312/independenceday-celebration.

Joel Lane Museum House Historic Independence Day Open House July 4 – Joel Lane Museum House, 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Take part in hands-on activities such as writing with a quill pen or making rag dolls at this annual open house that also features costumed docents and re-enactors who demonstrate various aspects of colonial life. Enjoy games and free lemonade. joellane.org.

July Fourth Celebration at Booth Amphitheatre July 4 – Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary. 3-10 p.m. FREE. Cary celebrates Independence Day in grand style with patriotic performances and family-friendly activities, including a gem mine, carousel, Ferris wheel, ice cream-eating contest and more. The Cary Town Band performs on the main stage at 5:45 p.m.,

Morrisville July 3 Fireworks July 3 – Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Pkwy., Morrisville. 6 p.m. FREE. Enjoy live music, kids activities and a grand fireworks display at 9 p.m. townofmorrisville.org/government/ departments-services/parks-recreation-culturalresources/special-events/july-3rd-fireworks.

Wake Forest Independence Day Celebration July 3 – Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Rd., Wake Forest. 5:30 p.m. FREE. Wake Forest celebrates the nation’s birthday for two days, July 3-4. Festivities on July 3 include live music from Sleeping Booty at 6:15 p.m., food trucks and a fireworks display at Heritage High School. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

On July 4, kids can march in a parade that begins

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The Joel Lane Museum House Historic Independence Day Open House takes place July 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Joel Lane Museum House

Smithfield Fourth of July Celebration June 30 – Third Street, downtown Smithfield.

6:30-9 p.m. FREE. Smithfield hosts an Independence Day Celebration featuring crafts, face painting, relay races, sidewalk chalk activities and more. A grand fireworks display caps off the evening at 9 p.m. johnstoncountync.org/event/smithfields-4th-of-julycelebration/96.

CALENDAR JULY 2019 followed by the North Carolina Symphony at 7:30 p.m. A grand fireworks display caps off the event at 9:15 p.m. townofcary.org/recreationenjoyment/events/holiday-events/independenceday-events.

Knightdale’s July Fourth Celebration July 4 – Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. 1st Ave., Knightdale. 5-9:30 p.m. FREE. Knightdale celebrates our nation’s independence with kids activities, food vendors and live music. A fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m. knightdalenc.gov/departments/parks-recreationand-cultural-programs/festivals-and-events/ july-4th-celebration.

Raleigh Fireworks Celebration July 4 – PNC Arena area, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh. 9:30 p.m. FREE. Raleigh lights up the night sky with dazzling fireworks in the PNC Arena area. Parking lot gates open at 6 p.m. visitraleigh.com.

Raleigh State Capitol July Fourth Celebration July 4 – Raleigh State Capitol, 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Sign your name with a quill pen and dress up like a Revolutionary-era citizen. Enjoy musical performances, carriage rides, hands-on children’s activities and birthday cake while supplies last during this family event. nchistoricsites.org/capitol.

Rolesville July Fourth Celebration July 4 – Rolesville Ballfields, 121 Redford Place Dr., Rolesville. 4:30-10 p.m. FREE. Celebrate Independence Day with a parade at 4:30 p.m., which leads directly into the Rolesville Ballfields where families can enjoy food vendors, face painting, live music and more. A grand fireworks display at dusk caps off the event. rolesvillenc.gov/ parks-recreation/special-events/4th-july.

Selma All-American Festival July 4 – Uptown Selma. 6-10 p.m. FREE. Take the family for free watermelon slices, children’s activities, Tommy the Train rides and a DJ. Fireworks cap off the event at 9:15 p.m. selma-nc.com/all-american-festival.

Tweetsie Railroad’s Fireworks Extravaganza July 4 – Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln., Blowing Rock. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $50/adult, $32 ages 3-12. Free for ages 2 and younger. Spend the day at Tweetsie Railroad in the North Carolina mountains and enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. after the park closes. tweetsie.com.

July 5 at Sugg Farm July 5 – Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, 2401 Grigsby Ave., Holly Springs. 5-9:30 p.m. FREE. Join the fun after Independence Day with face painting, food vendors, inflatables, rides and family activities. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. hollyspringsnc.us/358/july-5th.

DAILY 1 MONDAY Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St., Wake Forest.

10:45-11:45 a.m. FREE. Kids ages 18 months-5 years with special needs enjoy educational and therapeutic toys with a caregiver. wakeforestnc.org.

2 TUESDAY Nature Fun-Days: Bird Buddies. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 2-4 p.m. $9/resident, $12/nonresident. Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8.

Register online. Choose course #124964. classweb.townofcary.org.

Professor Whizzpop’s Blast Off to Books.

Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. 4-5 p.m.

FREE. Ages 4 and older with a caregiver discover a cosmic supernova of reading, magic and audience participation. orangecountylibrary.org.

Storytime at Locopops Dessert Cafe.

2618 Hillsborough St., Durham. All ages.

10:30-11 a.m. FREE. Enjoy storytime with Amy Godfrey. facebook.com/ events/641397559618958/?event_time_ id=641397712952276.

Wetland Art and Nature. Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. $25. Ages 9-15 use natural materials and found objects from the wetland to produce artwork and make crafts. Choose course #236852. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

3 WEDNESDAY Crabtree Casters. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 6:308 p.m. FREE. Join park staff for an informal fishing experience Take your own pole or borrow one through the tackle loaner program. Bait and basic instruction provided. All participants 16 years and older must have a valid North Carolina fishing license to participate. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Storytime for Tots: Milkweeds and Monarchs. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 1-2 p.m.

FREE. Ages 2-6 create butterflies and look for other insects and small animals that use the milkweed plant. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Storytime on the Roof. North Regional Library, 221 Milton Rd., Durham. 10:3011:15 a.m. FREE. Enjoy storytime on the roof of the library. Take a blanket or pillow. All ages. Register online. events. durhamcountylibrary.org/event/1810153.

4 THURSDAY Happy Independence Day! Check out our Independence Day Celebrations round up on pages 36-37.

Free Fishing Day. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville.

8:30-12:30 p.m. FREE. Enjoy catchand-release fishing. Park staff will be available to teach participants the basics of casting and what types of fish are in the lake. Equipment and bait provided.

Ages 5 and older. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

5 FRIDAY Nature Fun-Days: Bee-utiful Pollinators.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.noon. $9/resident, $12/nonresident.

Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8. Register online. Choose course #124966. classweb.townofcary.org.

Nature Fun-Days: Terrific Turtles.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.noon. $9/resident, $12/nonresident.

Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8. Register

online. Choose course #124965. classweb.townofcary.org.

Nature Play Day. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 11 a.m.3 p.m. FREE. All ages with adult dig for gemstones, make a fort out of natural materials, fly a kite and more. Materials provided. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

6 SATURDAY Birding With Vernon. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville.

All ages. 8:30-10 a.m. FREE. Join bird enthusiast Vernon for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Meet at the Waterwise Garden. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Junior Naturalist: Night Animals.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 8-9 p.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident.

Participants develop their naturalist skills and understanding of local nature.

Ages 5-8 with parent. Register online.

Choose course #124936. classweb. townofcary.org.

SuperFun Saturday. Halle Cultural Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. FREE. Ages 4-12 enjoy arts and crafts. thehalle.org.

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CALENDAR JULY 2019 7 SUNDAY

11 THURSDAY

Babies On The MOVE: Master Movers – 7 Months-New Walkers. Open Arts, 1222 Copeland Oaks Dr., Morrisville.

11-11:45 a.m. $24. Take part in a class that teaches individualized ways to foster motor development for a child. Learn about carry positions, best positions for your baby, how to help your child learn to crawl, walk and more. Register online. babiesonthemoverdu.com.

Babies On The MOVE: Mini Movers – 0-6 Months. Open Arts, 1222 Copeland Oaks Dr., Morrisville. 10-10:45 a.m. $24.

Learn individualized ways to foster motor development for a baby from birth to 6 months. Learn about tummy time alternatives; best positions for your baby; and how to help your child learn to sit, roll and more. Physical therapist-led group. Register online. babiesonthemoverdu.com.

Bird Bonanza. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 10:30noon. $5/child. Kids ages 6-8 learn about the birds that live at the preserve. Register online with course code #238081. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Spaced Out! Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough.

4-5 p.m. FREE. Explore the solar system through observations and hands-on astronomy activities. Grades 3-5. orangecountylibrary.org.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St., Wake Forest. 11 a.m.-noon. FREE. Kids ages 18 months5 years with special needs enjoy educational and therapeutic toys with caregiver. wakeforestnc.org.

Tots on Trails: Lizards. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10-11 a.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident. Ages 1-5 and caregiver delight in the discoveries of nature.

Register online. Choose course #124953. classweb.townofcary.org.

8 MONDAY Parent/Child Clay Workshop. Durham Arts Council Clay Studio, Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd., Durham. 10-11:30 a.m. $15/child. Parent and child create their own clay masterpiece. Register online. durhamarts.org.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. See July 1.

9 TUESDAY All Ages Open Bounce. BounceU Apex, 3419 Apex Peakway, Apex. Noon-2 p.m., 2-4 p.m. $8/child. Enjoy games, music and giant inflatables. Take socks. Register online. bounceu.com/apex.

10 WEDNESDAY Crabtree Casters. See July 3.

Lil Cooks in the Kitchen: “Secret Pizza Party.” Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 4-5:30 p.m. $23/resident, $30/ nonresident. Read the story by Adam Rubin and make personalized pizzas.

Register online. Choose course #124735. classweb.townofcary.org.

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12 FRIDAY Family Movie Night: “The Wizard of Oz.” Clayton Town Square, 110 W. Main St., Clayton. 6-10 p.m. FREE. Clayton Downtown Development Association and Carolina Youth Theatre celebrate the 80th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.” Take a blanket, food and drinks. Refreshments, food trucks and other vendors will be available before and during the movie.

Arrive early to get a sneak peek of Carolina Youth Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” which will be performed at The Clayton Center on July 26-27 and Aug. 1-3. townofclaytonnc.org/ downtown-clayton/movie-night.aspx.

Family Trivia Night. Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Ages 8 and older with a caregiver test their knowledge of pop culture, books, music and more. Pizza and drinks provided.

Register by calling 919-245-2532. orangecountylibrary.org.

JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Pint-Size Picassos: Backyard Buddies. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 9:30-11:30 a.m. $18/resident, $24/nonresident. Ages 3-5 use a variety of materials to create masterpieces. Register online. Choose course #124424. classweb.townofcary.org.

Sunset Canoe Trip. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville.

7:30-9:30 p.m. FREE. Join staff for a sunset paddle to look for herons, beaver, turtles and more. Ages 8 and older with adult. Each registration is for one canoe; all participants must be listed. Each canoe is limited to two or three occupants. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

13 SATURDAY Destination SunFest. The Big Field at Dorothea Dix Park, 101 Blair Dr., Raleigh.

2-9 p.m. FREE. Celebrate the park’s iconic sunflower field with food trucks, live entertainment, kids activities and evening fireworks. Register online. dixpark.org/event/destination-sunfest.

Durham Craft Market. 501 Foster St., Durham. 8 a.m.-noon. FREE. Shop for local handmade arts and crafts from local vendors. facebook.com/ events/419207838902244.

Eco-Explorers: Creek Life. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 2-4 p.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident. Children make treasured memories while increasing their knowledge of plants and animals.

Ages 7-10. Register online. Choose course #124930. classweb.townofcary.org.

From Words to Wonder: Firefly Flurries.

Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary.

10:30 a.m.-noon. $14/resident, $18/ nonresident. Ages 3-5 create a simple art

project based on a story. Register online. Choose course #124428. classweb.townofcary.org.

History Hike: Early America on the Eno. West Point on the Eno, 5101 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham. 10 a.m.-noon. FREE. Ages 10 and older take a 4-mile hike along the Eno River to learn about the people who once lived there. facebook.com/ events/2313177965622452.

Monet’s Water Lilies. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 1-4 p.m. $28/resident, $36/nonresident. Ages 8-12 paint a pond with water lilies in the style of Monet.

Register online. Choose course #124755. classweb.townofcary.org.

Nature at Night. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 8-10 p.m., FREE. Learn more about the park’s nocturnal animals and test your night vision. Take a flashlight. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Tots on Trails: Lizards. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10-11 a.m. $8/resident, $10/ nonresident. Ages 1-5 and caregiver delight in the discoveries of nature.

Register online. Choose course #124954. classweb.townofcary.org.

14 SUNDAY Cary’s Downtown Chowdown. Downtown Park, 319 S. Academy St., Cary. All ages.

12:30-5 p.m. FREE. Enjoy food trucks and live music in Downtown Park. townofcary.org.

15 MONDAY Rags to Riches “Universal Stories.” Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. 2:15 p.m. FREE.

CALENDAR POLICY The Carolina Parent calendar lists local and regional activities for children and families. Visit carolinaparent.com/calendar to submit an event for consideration by the 6th of the month for the next month’s issue. Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. This calendar may include some events not intended for young children. Find more events at carolinaparent.com/calendar.

CALENDAR JULY 2019 Ages 4 and older with caregiver enjoy an interactive collection of folklore from different cultures that demonstrate the similarities of world stories. orangecountylibrary.org.

Regional Foods of the U.S.: Comfort Foods of the South. Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 9 a.m.-noon. $44/resident, $57/ nonresident. Ages 11-17 make Southern-inspired comfort foods.

Register online. Choose course #124743. classweb.townofcary.org.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. See July 1.

16 TUESDAY All Ages Open Bounce. See July 9.

17 WEDNESDAY Crabtree Casters. See July 3.

Meet Terrific Turtles. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh.

10:30 a.m.-noon. $5/child. Ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult meet a real turtle and hike to see others. Play turtle games and take home a rock “turtle” in a terrarium. Register online. Choose course #237975. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Specialized Recreation: Straps and Blocks.

Bond Park Community Center, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 6:30-7:30 p.m. $9/resident, $11/nonresident. Ages 11 and older with special needs enjoy yoga and breathing exercises. Register online. Choose course #125023. classweb.townofcary.org.

18 THURSDAY Specialized Recreation: Archery for All. Bond Park Community Center, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 6-7:30 p.m. $15/resident, $20/nonresident. Ages 11 and older with special needs learn the basics of archery.

Register online. Choose course #124599. classweb.townofcary.org.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. See July 11.

Water Critters. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh.

10:30 a.m-noon. $5/child. Kids ages 6-8 discover the creatures that live in

the pond and streams at the preserve.

Register online. Course code #238082. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Wildflower Watering Club. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 11 a.m.-noon.

FREE. Parent and child ages 2-5 water plants in the native wildflower gardens.

Register online. Choose course #124907. classweb.townofcary.org.

19 FRIDAY ARTS Wake Forest Presents “Neck of the Woods.” Renaissance Centre for the Arts, 405 Brooks St., Wake Forest. 7 p.m. $5/person. Local artists perform for all ages. wakeforestnc.org.

Durham Craft Market. See July 13.

Eco-Express: Wild Wetlands. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 1-3 p.m. $9/resident, $12/nonresident. Take the fast track to nature in this hands-on study of ecology.

Ages 8-12. Register online. Choose course #124971. classweb.townofcary.org.

Family Dance. Halle Cultural Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. All ages learn different dance styles, including squares, circles, Appalachian and more as local musicians perform oldtime string music. thehalle.org.

Specialized Recreation: Summer Tributary Nature Stroll. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $2/resident, $3/nonresident. Ages 11 and older with special needs stroll through the woods.

Register online. Choose course #124384. classweb.townofcary.org.

20 SATURDAY Connect + Create: Funny Face Planters.

Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. $15/nonmember, $10/member. Design a funny face planter with paint, hand cut stickers and googley eyes. Finish your creation by planting a mini succulent. Materials provided. artspacenc.org.

FABRICakes. Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 1-3 p.m. $35/resident, $45/nonresident. Create

your own apron and bake your own individual cake. Register online. Choose course #124900. classweb.townofcary.org.

Meet Terrific Turtles. See July 17. Choose code #237976. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Pork, Pickles and Peanuts. Duke Homestead, 2828 Duke Homestead Rd., Durham. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE. North Carolina’s food history and heritage take center stage with barbecue and pie competitions, live music, arts and crafts vendors, kids games, living history re-enactors, cooking demos and guided tours of the homestead. dukehomestead.org/special-events.php.

SuperFun Saturday. See July 6.

21 SUNDAY Family Pop-Up Art: Firefly Magic.

Bond Park Community Center, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 4-5 p.m. $10/resident, $13/nonresident. Ages 2-6 with caregiver make a firefly craft.

Register online. Choose course #125006. classweb.townofcary.org.

Pop-Up Art: Fireflies at Night. Bond Park Community Center, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 1-3:30 p.m. $23/resident, $30/ nonresident. Create firefly-inspired art.

Register online. Choose course #125012. classweb.townofcary.org.

22 MONDAY “Froggy Does a Puppet Show.” Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. 4-5 p.m. Puppet Show Inc. presents a puppet show for ages 4 and older with a caregiver. orangecountylibrary.org.

Fun in the Kitchen: Summer Desserts.

Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 5-7 p.m. $35/ resident, $46/nonresident. Ages 11-17 learn how to make desserts perfect for summer. Register online. Choose course #124728. classweb.townofcary.org.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. See July 1.

23 TUESDAY Preschool Swamp Romp: Water. Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-noon. $2/child. Ages 2-6

with caregiver learn about wetlands and the streams that flow through the park.

Register online. Choose course #236839. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

24 WEDNESDAY Flying Dragons. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 1030 a.m.noon. $5/child. Ages 3-5 with adult hear a story, meet baby dragonflies and take a walk to watch them fly over the pasture and pond. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get muddy. Register online. Choose course code #237977. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

25 THURSDAY Exciting Writing. Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Ln, Hillsborough.

6:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Join award-winning children’s book author John Claude Bemis as he shares fun activities for how to come up with exciting characters, settings and plots. Take a notebook and paper. Grades 3 and higher. Register by calling 919-245-2532. orangecountylibrary.org.

Galaxycon. Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh. 1 p.m.-1 a.m. $20 and up. Meet celebrity and creative guests from comics, movies, TV, science fiction, fantasy, anime, video games and other genres. Enjoy costume contests, photo opportunities, video game tournaments and more. Purchase tickets online. raleighsupercon.com.

Playtime in the Park. Downtown Park, 319 S. Academy St., Cary. 10 a.m.-noon. FREE. Enjoy giant board games, bubbles and special art activities. Ping pong, bocce ball and chess will also be available. townofcary. org/recreation-enjoyment/events/specialevents/playtime-in-the-park.

Specialized Recreation: Club Connect.

Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., Wake Forest. 5:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Ages 15 and older with special needs socialize with peers, play games and plan activities based on input from the group.

Participants must be able to perform selfcare routines independently and can bring a buddy if necessary. wakeforestnc.gov.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. See July 11.

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CALENDAR JULY 2019 Tree Cookies. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $5/child. Ages 6-8 discover the wonders of trees at the preserve. Register online. Choose course #238084 reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Wee Wetland Walkers. Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh. 11 a.m.noon. FREE. Join others for an easy-paced hike around the greenway accompanied by a naturalist. Register online. Choose course #236847. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

26 FRIDAY Carolina Youth Theatre Presents “The Wizard of Oz.” The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., Clayton. 7-9:30 p.m. $8-$15.

See talented young performers present the classic tale of Dorothy and her magical journey to the Land of Oz with her friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion. Purchase tickets online. carolinayouththeatre.com.

Final Friday Event. Edison Johnson Community Center, 500 W. Murray Ave., Durham. 6-9 p.m. FREE. Relax in the courtyard with live music and food. dprplaymore.org.

Galaxycon. Raleigh Convention Center. See July 25. 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

Latin Dance Jam. Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro. 7-9 p.m. $3/person. Learn popular Latin dances with Norbeto Herrera. All ages and levels welcome. carrbororec.org.

Nature Fun-Days: Frogs and Pollywogs.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.noon. $9/resident, $12/nonresident. Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8. Register online. Choose course #124967. classweb.townofcary.org.

WakeMed Movies by Moonlight: “Incredibles 2.” Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary. 8:30 p.m. $5 adults, free for ages 12 and younger.

See a movie under the stars. Gates open at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets online. boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/ events/wakemed-movies-by-moonlight.

27 SATURDAY Calligraphy. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 1-3:30 pm. $23/resident, $30/nonresident. Ages 11-15 use markers to learn the basic stroke sequences that comprise modern calligraphic lettering. Register online.

Choose course #124716. classweb. townofcary.org.

Carolina Youth Theatre Presents “The Wizard of Oz.” See July 26. 2-4:30 p.m.

Durham Craft Market. See July 13.

Family Fun Series. Golden Belt Campus, 800 Taylor St., Durham. 10 a.m.-noon.

FREE. Enjoy family-friendly activities in downtown Durham. goldenbeltarts.com.

Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park: “Mulan.” E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd., Wake Forest. 8:30 p.m. FREE. Enjoy a movie under the stars and play games at 7:15 p.m. before the movie begins. wakeforestnc.gov.

Family Programs: Summer Nature Stroll.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10- 11:30 a.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident.

Look for reptiles, birds and bugs on a morning stroll. All ages with adult.

Register online. Choose course #124939. classweb.townofcary.org.

Galaxycon. See July 25. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.

Moth Magic. North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd,, Chapel Hill.

8:30-10:30 p.m. $9/child member, $10/child nonmember. Learn how to attract moths and their caterpillars in your backyard, hear about some of their fascinating adaptations, and get tips on how to identify some of our common species. ncbg.unc.edu.

Star Light, Star Bright. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 9 a.m.-noon. $28/ resident, $36/nonresident. Celebrate the night sky by creating a painting inspired

by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Ages 8-11.

Register online. Choose course #124468. classweb.townofcary.org.

Summer Learning Finale. Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane,

Hillsborough. 1-2 p.m. FREE. Celebrate learning and enjoy raffle prizes at 1:15 p.m. All raffle tickets must be submitted on or before July 26 to be eligible for prizes. orangecountylibrary.org.

28 SUNDAY Galaxycon. See July 25. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

29 MONDAY Specialized Recreation: Making a Vegetarian Meal. Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 3:45-5:15 p.m. $19/resident, $24/nonresident. Ages 11 and older with special needs make seasonal veggies.

Register online. Choose course #124746. classweb.townofcary.org.

Specialized Recreation: Preschool Sensory Gym. See July 1.

30 TUESDAY All Ages Open Bounce. See July 9.

31 WEDNESDAY Homeschool/Track-Out Program: Dragons and Damsels. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville.

9-11 a.m. FREE. Learn about dragonflies and damsels. Ages 6-12. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

FACES & PLACES Emmanuel (8) enjoys a visit to Dorothea Dix Park’s sunflower field in Raleigh.

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Nolis

Submit high-resolution photos of your kids having fun in the Triangle and beyond at carolinaparent.com/facesandplaces.

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JULY 2019 | carolinaparent.com

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates has been trusted to provide specialized care in the CHAPEL HILL, DURHAM, AND SANFORD communities.

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With three childbirth locations in Wake County, WakeMed Women’s offers a seamless continuum of maternity, neonatal and high-risk specialty care.

For obstetricians who practice and deliver at WakeMed Women’s, visit wakemed.org/pregnancy.

wakemed.org/pregnancy A Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care A Cigna Center of Excellence for Deliveries