Sonoma Family Life March 2020

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March 2020

B-Day Bash Party ideas

Sleepaway Camps Kids grow overnight

New Baby?

How to cope Toilet Training

Tips for success

In California, all kids count.

Children should be included on your 2020 Census form—and not just children related to you, but any kids that live at your address. That means your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the children of any friends or relatives staying with you. Babies count, too! Even if they’re still in the hospital, as long as they were born on or before April 1, 2020, make sure the person completing the Census for your address includes them on the form.

For more information about the 2020 Census, visit CaliforniaCensus.org

March 2020

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

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Cooking with Kids Fries Without the Fry

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10

Bits and Pieces Anne Frank’s Stepsister to Speak Wildflowers Are Here!

Get Free Lactation Support

Features 10 Birthday Parties for Busy Parents

12 Home Away from Home

Skate, row, craft—there are so many ways for kids to play.

How sleepaway camps help kids grow.

14 Census Fast Facts How to fill out the Census form—and why the numbers matter.

16 First Pregnancy Worries?

Flip Those Flapjacks Girls: Science Needs You

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The Amazing Teen Brain Postpartum Help for New Moms & Dads

24 Calendar of Events The Number Everyone’s Talking About

34 Humor Break Shop, Scroll, Sleep

Here’s wisdom from moms who’ve been around the block a few times.

18 Sleep When the Baby Sleeps Practical tips for managing your postpartum life.

22 Potty Training Success

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A psychologist-mom offers her advice.

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March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

SUMMER CAMP AT STRIDES GET OUTSIDE, MAKE FRIENDS, EXPERIENCE HORSES WWW.SUMMERATSTRIDES.COM

A SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE THEY WILL NEVER FORGET! 5 reasons to enroll in our summer camp.

• Summer at Strides is the cure for the common summer.

• Kids learn lessons and get experience with horses.

• Your child will socialize and learn to play well with others.

• There is something magical about spending summer on a ranch with horses.

• Fresh air, exercise, and arts and crafts are the best.

SPEND YOUR SUMMER AT STRIDES!

Campers grades 5 to 12 plus Family Camp

ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU! Enjoy Hiking, Horses, Swimming, Backpacking, Crafts, Nature, Archery, Spiritual Reflection, Campfires, Challenge course and Outdoor Skills.

Programs start July! Register Now at www.RedwoodAdventure.org Providing opportunities for leadership development, spiritual and personal growth, environmental stewardship, lifelong personal connections, fun and adventure.

100 Lynch Road • Petaluma • WWW.SUMMERATSTRIDES.COM

(707) 703-9171

stridesridingacademy@gmail.com • 707-799-5054

A Mindfulness Preschool For The Whole Child A SAFE • ENGAGING • OPENMIND SET SCHOOL

www.saissprouts.com

(707) 753-4902 768 East Cotati Ave., Cotati

Now enrolling 2-5-year-olds www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

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regnancy and birth can be anxiety-provoking experiences, particularly if you’ve never been through them before. So Sharon Gowan this issue brings Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us encouragement.

“First Pregnancy Worries?” (page 16) offers words of wisdom from veteran moms, while “Sleep When the Baby Sleeps” (page 18) provides tips for managing those first weeks after your new child arrives.

For local help with the latter, check out the New Parent Gathering at the Luma Center in Petaluma (see page 9).

handy when she became a mom. Reap the rewards of her experience when you read “Potty Training Success” (page 22).

As babies grow into toddlers and preschoolers, new developmental challenges emerge. One of them is potty training. Part of child psychologist Lynn Adams’s former job was teaching kids how to use the toilet, a skill that came in

Whether or not there’s an upcoming birthday in your family, we hope you find things to celebrate. We certainly celebrate you, our readers.

No matter what the age, kids love birthday parties. But putting together an elaborate bash can be time-consuming.

Turn to “Birthday Parties for Busy Parents” (page 10) for ways to put together a memorable party, without having to do all of the work.

Grown-ups are also fans of birthdays.

Humorist Meredith Ethington even daydreams about various themes for her special day. Moms, especially, will appreciate her party fantasies, which she describes in “Shop, Scroll, Sleep” (page 34).

Registration for Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (Kinder Bridge) for 2020-21 School Year has Begun

Call 542-6272 to sign up

A limited number of interdistrict transfer requests for 2020-21 will be accepted Yulupa Primary School Preschool–Third Grade 2250 Mesquite Drive, Santa Rosa 707 542-6272

Strawberry Intermediate School Fourth–Sixth Grade 2311 Horseshoe Drive, Santa Rosa 707 526-4433

Consistently high student academic achievement at both schools

YMCA provides on-site child care

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Lynn Adams Kimberly Blaker Meredith Ethington Tanni Haas Christa Melnyk Hines Pam Moore Jessica Randhawa

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office

Your child’s joy of learning is nurtured with our: • Excellent Teachers • Reduced Class Size (K–3) • Kinder Bridge Transitional Kindergarten • Extended Day Kindergarten (8:30-1:25) • Fully Staffed Libraries and Technology Labs • Visual and Performing Arts Programs

Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Web and Social Media

Bennett Valley Union School District

California Distinguished Schools

Office Manager

P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 586-9562

• Band, Percussion and Chorus (4th–6th) • Boys’ and Girls’ Interscholastic Basketball (4th–6th) • Emphasis on Environmental Stewardship • Gifted and Talented Education (4th–6th)

Call to reserve tours: Yulupa 3/5, 4/2 Strawberry by reservation only 526-4433 Registration Packets available Jan. 7. Children must be five on or before Sept. 1, 2020 to be eligible for kindergarten.

Two-year Kinder Bridge program offered for children turning five on or after Sept. 2, 2020.

707 542-2201 • Visit us at www.bvusd.org 6 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Fries Without the Fry Seasoned Sweet Potatoes Make a Yummy Snack

Perfect Baked Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients

By Jessica Randhawa

3 medium-large sweet potatoes (approximately 2.5 pounds)

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4 tsp. cornstarch, divided

uper versatile and incredibly healthy, these delicious, easy-to-make sweet potato fries are baked, not fried. While I love to enjoy them with simple seasonings, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up and customize them using different flavors.

Favorites include Cajun or taco seasoning, cayenne or chili powder, Parmesan, and cumin or curry powder.

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, recipe creator, photographer, and writer behind the Forked Spoon (theforkedspoon.com), a blog that features family-friendly recipes for the everyday cook.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

2 tsp. salt, divided 1 tsp. onion powder, divided 1 tsp. garlic powder, divided 1 tsp. sweet paprika, divided 3 tbsp. olive oil Serves: 6 Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. (Make sure that the upper rack is at least 6 inches from the heat source.) Line 2 large-rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Using a vegetable brush, thoroughly wash and scrub your sweet potatoes in cold water. Dry completely. Cut into thin fry-shaped pieces, about 1/4” wide and 1/4” thick.

Transfer half of the fries to one baking sheet and the rest of the fries to the other baking sheet.

March 2020

3. Sprinkle the sweet potatoes with cornstarch (2 teaspoons per pan), salt (1 teaspoon per pan), onion powder, garlic powder, and sweet paprika (1/2 teaspoon each per pan). Toss to coat. Drizzle the fries with olive oil and continue to toss until all fries are evenly coated in spices and oil.

4. Arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer on your prepared baking sheets. Leave space between each fry, otherwise they will not crisp.

5. Transfer baking sheets to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip the fries using a metal spatula, rearrange back in a single layer, and return the baking sheets back to the oven, swapping their positions. Continue to bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until fries are golden, crispy, and just starting to brown around the edges.

6. Season with additional salt and lots of freshly cracked pepper, if desired.

Serve with your favorite dips and sauces.

Note: I prefer not to peel my sweet potatoes. If you prefer to peel yours, go for it!

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Bits & Pieces

Anne Frank’s Stepsister to Speak

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nne Frank did not survive Hitler’s regime, but her diary—and her stepsister—did.

Millions have read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, Frank’s account of hiding from the Nazis. And on March 19, there will be a rare opportunity to meet someone who actually knew her: Eva Schloss, a close childhood friend of Frank.

After World War II ended, Schloss’s mother married Frank’s father, posthumously making Eva the stepsister of Anne. Schloss will give an intimate portrayal of Frank and also discuss her own harrowing experience at Auschwitz. The talk will be held at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Hall in Petaluma at 7 p.m.; doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25, or $15 for students, and are available at annefrankpetaluma. com. In concert with the event, authors David Lee Miller and Steven Jay Rubin will offer a free reading of their children’s book, The Cat Who Lived with Anne Frank, on March 18 at 4 p.m. at Copperfield’s Books in Petaluma. ¶

Eva Schloss

Wildflowers Are Here!

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ith its three, delicate white petals arranged like a star, western trillium is one of Sonoma County’s harbingers of spring. The naturalist-led Wildflowers and Trillium Hike at Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen will offer a chance to see it and the other early-blooming blossoms that dot the landscape at this time of year. The easy-intermediate 3.5-mile, slow-paced hike will happen on March 7, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. The walk costs $10 and requires pre-registration at jacklondonpark.com. Parking is an extra fee; heavy rain will cancel the event. ¶

Get Free Lactation Support

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others just instinctively know how to breastfeed, right? The short answer is no. But the good news is that the Breastfeeding Café offers free professional lactation support to moms.

Find their services at the following Sonoma County sites: Mondays, 9:30–11 a.m., Bridges Prenatal Clinic, Santa Rosa; Mobile Café, Wednesdays, 10–11:30 a.m., Howarth Park, Santa Rosa (meet at the picnic tables in the upper parking lot near Lake Ralphine); Fridays, 9:30–11 a.m., the Early Learning Institute, Rohnert Park; first and third Sundays, 12:30–2 p.m., Sonoma Roots Natural Medicine (Unit B), Sonoma.

See betterbeginningsforbabies.org for more information. ¶

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Flip Those Flapjacks

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hat kid can resist a pile of pancakes? At the free Teens Cook! Savory Pancakes class at the Windsor Regional Library in Windsor, young chefs can learn how to make them. Staff from the Ceres Project, a nonprofit that utilizes teen volunteers to help prepare food for critically ill Sonoma County patients, will teach the class. The griddles will be going March 5, 3–4 p.m. Register at sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/6474845. Download the required waiver form at sonomalibrary.org/sites/ default/files/attachments/ teens-cookknife-waiver-form-forlibraries.pdf. ¶ March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Girls: Science Needs You

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nly 30 percent of researchers are women, according to the Unesco Institute for Statistics.

It’s a percentage that the Sonoma County chapter of Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics wants to increase, with workshops that encourage girls to study STEM-oriented subjects. It’s next event, which has the same name as the organization, will feature women in the sciences teaching classes on a variety of topics to students in grades 7–8. It will be held on March 28, 9 a.m.–2:15 p.m., at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park. Registration is due March 25. Sign up and find out more information at eyh-soco.org. ¶

The Amazing Teen Brain

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arents wonder why their teens sometimes take scary risks. The answer may be in their neurology. Longtime teachers Andrea Hagan and Mary Fitch want to help students and parents learn about the adolescent brain and how it affects teens’ behavior. To this end, they are presenting the Care and Feeding of the Amazing Adolescent Brain. At the class, parents and students will be separated into two groups.

Parents will learn how to support their kids’ brain development as well as how screen time, sleep deprivation, and drug use affect adolescents. Meanwhile, teens will learn the part their brain plays in how they feel and act. The one-hour class will be held at 6 p.m. at Twin Hills School in Sebastopol; March 12 will be for grades 8–12 and March 26 for grades 5–7. The class is $10 for students, free for adults. Register at braincare.tips. ¶

Postpartum Help for New Moms & Dads

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lana Sullivan knows what it is like to be in the throws of new motherhood and feel disconnected from self and community. It’s part of why she now helps parents navigate the postpartum period. On March 4, Sullivan will be facilitating a New Parent Gathering aimed at educating those in the first year of parenthood about the local resources available to them. Participants will even get to take home a nourishing tea. This free event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Luma Center in Petaluma. Find out more information at facebook.com/ resilientpostpartum. ¶

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SonomaFamilyLife 9

or apple orchard to find out what activities are offered. For a list of farms in Sonoma County, go to farmtrails.org or do a Google search for farms in Mendocino and Lake Counties.

Recreational Romp Recreation and fitness centers offer a wide variety of activities for birthdays, including gymnastics, swimming, basketball, and arts and crafts.

Birthday Parties for Busy Parents Kids Get to Play, You Get to Stay Sane

By Kimberly Blaker

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o your child’s birthday is just around the corner, and you don’t have time to plan and prepare the perfect party? Don’t despair. There are plenty of fun places to hold kids’ parties that’ll save you time in planning, preparation, and cleanup. Most importantly, your birthday child and guests will have a blast.

Skates and Blades Roller-skating rinks are again gaining popularity, and most offer a choice of inline or roller-skate rentals. Also, consider ice-skating and ice- or roller-hockey parties.

Strike It Big Bowling parties are a fun form of recreation for kids of all ages. Preschoolers can score every time with bumper bowling, while teens

10 SonomaFamilyLife

can go cosmic for glow-in-the-dark fun.

Offer small prizes for low and high scores and the most and fewest gutters.

Pizza and Play Preschool and early elementary children can play kiddie arcade-style games, win tickets for prizes, hop on coin-operated rides, and romp in soft play areas.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm Check with a nearby farm, ranch,

You Should Be Dancin’ Local dance studios may offer birthday-party packages that include professional dance instruction and food and party treats.

Music Marvel Look for a kiddie musical adventure offered by an area musician or music center, or take a teen to see a favorite musician perform.

Check with a nearby farm, ranch, or apple orchard to find out what activities are offered.

Craft Magic Young kids love to create. So schedule a craft party at a fabric shop, craft store, or scrap-recycling center where kids’ activities are offered.

Putt-Putt and More Family fun centers offer a variety of entertainment, including batting cages, miniature golf, video games, bumper boats, and go-carts.

Hands-On Science Kids of all ages will be thoroughly engrossed and entertained at hands-on science museums. The party-goers can try out gadgets, watch or participate in

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

experiments, play instruments, and much more.

Climbing Adventures Daredevils won’t want to miss one of these exciting quests. Look for a local rock-climbing gym where party guests can do rock climbing with a professional instructor.

Beach Party Give your teen some fun in the sun with a beach bash. Choose a park and make a reservation for a covered picnic area. (For park locations, see

Row, Row, Row Your Boat For teens, an afternoon canoe excursion on the Russian River or the Eel River is the ultimate in outdoor fun. Contact canoe rental facilities for details. Bring along soda and a picnic lunch, and make sure the food stays in the chaperone’s canoe, where it’ll be safe from tips. Don’t forget balloons for water balloon fights during rest stops.

Z Is for Zoo Zoos are an excellent place to celebrate birthdays. Many offer party packages that include meals, cake, invitations, live animal presentations, and more. ¶ Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting issues.

When planning your child’s party, keep in mind that what’s important is not how perfectly the party goes but that your birthday child and guests have fun. To ensure success, follow these tips:

 Seattle (SEA)  Portland (PDX)  Los Angeles (LAX)  Orange County (SNA)  San Diego (SAN)  Phoenix (PHX)  Dallas (DFW)  San Francisco (SFO)  Denver (DEN)  Minneapolis (MSP)  Las Vegas (LAS)

• Keep the guest list manageable to avoid chaos, confusion, and conflict. The number of guests should correspond with the child’s age.

• Request an RSVP with a specific deadline, so there is time to invite others should the guest list fall short. Be sure to include your phone number and email address.

www.flySTS.com

• Offer your child choices for the party, ask for input, and allow him or her to assist in planning.

We Grow them★

• Send out written invitations.

Verbal invitations are easily forgotten and make the invitee feel that he or she was an afterthought. Also, it can leave parents of the invited child wondering whether or not the birthday child’s parents approved of the invitation.

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parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov, mendocinocounty.org, and lakecountyca.gov.) Look for a spot with horseshoes and plenty of sand, and don’t forget the beach balls, pizza, and cooler of soda.

Tips for a Successful Bash

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Schedule a craft party at a fabric shop, craft store, or scrap-recycling center.

Fly local & enjoy nonstop flights!

REDWOOD STRONG! Classes for all ages Parties Camps Infant Classes

• Specify all details on the invitation, including a start and end time, address and directions, phone number, and what guests need to bring.

• Play it safe and set a rain date for outdoor parties.

• Keep the length of the party within reason. Unless it’s a sleepover or special event, limit parties to one hour for preschoolers, and two to three hours for older children.

★reg

since 1979

Redwood Empire Gymnastics

www.regymnastics.com 707.763.5010

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March 2020

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teachers who tell kids what to do, camp counselors act much more like older brothers and sisters who’re on a joint adventure with the kids. I’ll never forget the first time my spouse and I picked up our son from sleepaway camp. Independent, mature, and with a confident, knowing demeanor, he acted like a completely different person than the one we’d left behind only a few short weeks earlier.

Home Away from Home

By Tanni Haas

5 Reasons to Send Your Kids to Sleepaway Camp

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Organization Sleepaway teaches kids how to become better organized. From the moment they wake up in the morning to the moment they go to sleep at night, they have to make many choices that require them to learn how to organize themselves and their time.

Camp counselors show kids how to treat others with compassion, care, and respect.

here are so many great reasons why you should consider sending your kids to sleepaway camp this summer, and it’s not only because they’ll have a whole lot of fun. Based on my experiences as the parent of a camp-loving teenager, as well as my conversations with other parents, I’ve learned that sleepaway camp can be character-building. Here are five different ways that your kids will develop and mature.

For example, in the morning they’re supposed to wake up, get dressed, brush their teeth, make their beds, and walk with all the other kids they’re bunking with to the dining hall. But unlike in school, where teachers tell kids exactly what to do and when to do it, camp counselors expect kids to figure things out for themselves—and that includes not forgetting to put dirty clothes in the hamper on laundry day.

Independence For most kids, sleepaway camp is the first time they get to experience real independence.

They’re away from their parents and other adult family members for an extended period of time, and they’ve

Comradery Kids also learn some very valuable lessons about comradery.

Camps often let parents request that their kids bunk with friends from home. Yet, kids will also bunk with many other campers, often from different states and countries. This

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got to quickly learn how to take care of themselves, from getting ready in the morning to choosing their daily activities. Of course, there are counselors who’re responsible for the overall welfare of the kids, but unlike

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

teaches them how to get along with and enjoy the company of kids with very different backgrounds than their own. Most camps are aware of this and organize activities aimed at creating a strong sense of comradery

For most kids, sleepaway camp is the first time they get to experience real independence. and community, including evening campfires, sing-a-longs, and the ever-popular Camp Olympics.

Compassion Not every kid easily adjusts to being away from her or his parents for a long period of time, and not every kid easily makes new

friends. If there’s one area where camp counselors do actively step in to help kids adapt, it’s when someone is homesick or just not happy. Camp counselors show kids how to treat others with compassion, care, and respect. Many camps also have a buddy system where kids are teamed up to support each other and do fun things together.

Conflict-Resolution Sometimes, despite camp counselors’ best efforts, conflicts do occur over who bunks together, who sits next to whom at meal times, and who plays with whom. After all, at camp kids often live with unfamiliar roommates in cramped quarters. But that’s not such a bad thing: One of the most important skills kids learn

at sleepaway camp is how to solve interpersonal conflicts on their own.

Camp counselors certainly step in to solve serious conflicts. But they’ll

One of the most important skills kids learn at sleepaway camp is how to solve interpersonal conflicts on their own. typically let the kids solve the small ones by themselves. And learning how to solve conflict is a great skill kids will bring home with them and use long after camp is over. ¶ Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a college communications professor.

SAY SAYHELLO HELLOTO TO SUMMER SUMMER ADVENTURES ADVENTURES

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AT ATYYCAMP, CAMP,YOUR YOURCHILD CHILDWILL WILLMAKE MAKEMEMORIES MEMORIES THAT THATLAST LASTAALIFETIIME! LIFETIIME! SIGN-UP SIGN-UPFOR FORCAMP CAMPSTARTING STARTINGMARCH MARCH2ND 2ND Adventure AdventureCamp Camp· Sports · SportsCamp Camp· STEM · STEMCamp Camp· · Kids KidsClub Club· Explorers · ExplorersCamp Camp· Kinder · KinderCamp Camp

Summer Day Camps

SONOMA SONOMACOUNTY COUNTYFAMILY FAMILYYMCA YMCA 707-544-1829 707-544-1829 www.scfymca.org www.scfymca.org

Sonoma Sonoma County County Family Family YMCA YMCA 1111 1111 College College Ave. Ave. Santa Santa Rosa, Rosa, CACA 95404 95404 • 707-545-9622 • 707-545-9622 • F•707-544-7805 F 707-544-7805 TheThe Y isYaisnon-profit Community Organization.

Financial Assistance is available. a non-profit Community Organization.

Financial Assistance is available.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Weekly Session 8am-5pm June through Mid August • Horseback Riding • Swimming • Archery • Counselor-In-Training • Farm Animals • Camp Cooking and more!

Shuttles from Santa Rosa, Petaluma & Rohnert Park Camps Held at Sky Tree Ranch in Santa Rosa

March 2020

www.mcdonaldranch.org • 707 583-6711

SonomaFamilyLife 13

that the law requires that the US Census Bureau must keep private all collected data; landlords and other government agencies are not allowed to see it. Any Census employee who breaks this law faces serious penalties: a fine of up to $250,000, five years in prison, or both.

Census Fast Facts

The Big Count Is On

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very 10 years the Census collects data on the US population. It is actually the only official population count that the federal government conducts. Why is this data collected?

• First, the population count determines how much money local communities get for programs that support families. This includes money for schools, childcare, medical care, food assistance, housing, and public transportation.

The population count determines how much money local communities get for programs that support families.

• The Census also plays a big part in how well local communities are represented by elected officials in California and Washington, DC. Of all US states, California had the highest undercount of children five and younger on the 2010 Census.

An undercount in 2020 could cost

California up to $115 billion per year across federal programs.

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Given that federal funds and political representation are both dependent on the data, the federal government emphasizes that those filling out the form should count everyone living at their address. It’s worth noting here

The Census plays a big part in how well local communities are represented by elected officials in California and Washington, DC. So, here’s what to consider to make sure everyone at an address is counted: • Count all children, including babies born on or before April 1, 2020. If they are living at the address on April 1, 2020, count all nieces, nephews, grandchildren, foster children, and people who are not relatives, such as friends and their children.

• Count people even if they are not US citizens. A person’s immigration status doesn’t matter on the Census, and the Census won’t ask if people are US citizens.

• Count all people living at the address, even if they are not on the lease or rental agreement.

To respond to the Census, parents and caregivers can go online or communicate by phone in English, Spanish, or 11 other languages.

Census forms can even be filled out on smartphones. For those who don’t speak English, video and printed guides are available in 59 different languages at 2020census. gov. For more information, go to californiacensus.org. ¶

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Santa Rosa Symphony’s

EXCEL for Youth

AT SONOMA ACADEMY!

SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY JULY 13–31 For beginning & experienced students Full-day (9am-3pm) & Half-day (9am-11:45 am) Extend the day to 5 pm with Sonoma Academy Activities Camp.

Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Guitar and more!

a unique SUMMER enrichment program for kids 9-14 June 8 - July 17, 2020 | 50+ classes Hogwarts | Pre-Med | Summer Clay | Fashion Design Lego Robotics | Podcasting | Escape Room What’s Cooking? | Marine Biology | Circuit Studio

For Details Go To: sonoma.edu/exed/excel FREE SUMMER PREVIEW SATURDAY, APRIL 18 • 10 am - 12:30 pm • SSU

(707) 546-7097 x225 www.srsymphony.org

YMCA Jones Gulch Camp, La Honda CA. URJ Camp Newman is a Reform Jewish overnight camp that helps create a more whole, just, and compassionate world through living Jewish values.

www.campnewman.org www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 15

In hindsight, I wish I could have saved the energy I spent trying to have a perfect pregnancy that first time for other things—like taking my two children, now three- and five-years-old, to the supermarket.

It turns out that I’m not the only one who, if given a chance, would do things differently the first time around.

A number of women gave me their best tips for making the first pregnancy feel like the second.

First Pregnancy Advice from Worries? Veteran Moms

By Pam Moore

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he night before I found out I was pregnant with my first child, my biggest concern was finding an amazing restaurant where my husband and I could go to celebrate our anniversary. We found the perfect place, where I enjoyed way too much wine. At least it was organic. (I think.)

The next day, I peed on that fateful stick.

At the airport, instead of paging through Real Simple, I scrolled BabyCenter and nearly spit out the sushi I’d been devouring. I shuddered to think what other pregnancy laws I’d unknowingly violated over the past 24 hours.

I also needed to know: Which fruit did my baby most resemble, five weeks, two days, and 17 hours into my pregnancy?

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Two years later, while my toddler sat on the bathroom floor with a board book, an expired pregnancy test I found at the back of the linen closet revealed a faint plus sign. I waited until my daughter was asleep that night to hit the supermarket for a fresh test. I couldn’t muster the strength to take her to the store for one lousy item. That night, I fell into a dreamless sleep. Between pregnancy and toddler-wrangling, I didn’t care if I was carrying a peanut, a kumquat, or a glazed donut.

Chill Out Like many, Elizabeth Waterstraat grew more laid back with each pregnancy. She summarizes her three pregnancies in simple terms. “First: No coffee, no wine.

“Both kids are totally healthy and each pregnancy was completely different.”

—Morgan McGarvey

Second: Some coffee, no wine. Third: Daily coffee, some wine.” Allison Schwartz also steadily increased her coffee consumption with each of her pregnancies, noting, “By pregnancy number four [cutting out coffee] was not an option.”

Joy Jackson, a mom of three, says if she could go back in time 12 years to when she was pregnant with her first, she’d put down her copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

“Experience teaches us we don’t have as much control as we’d like to believe,” says Waterstraat. “[Babies] will come out the way they want to come out. Not much you do will influence that. So relax, let go of ‘plans,’ and enjoy the journey.”

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Enjoy It Caitlin Hardy fully enjoyed her second pregnancy, focusing on the experiences she’d have less, if any, time for once her newborn arrived. “I went out to dinner more, hung out with girlfriends more, did prenatal yoga every Sunday, ran around at the bike park with my toddler, nabbed every date I could go on with my husband.”

For Morgan McGarvey, a mom of a toddler and a newborn, enjoying her second pregnancy meant doing less, not more. “I gave myself many passes.” With her first pregnancy, she strictly avoided the prescribed dietary no-no’s, went to “every possible class,” and had her nursery decorated well before her due date.

With her second, she skipped the classes, enjoyed some Brie cheese,

and held off on buying anything for the nursery until after her baby arrived. “Both kids are totally healthy and each pregnancy was completely different,” she says.

running, Kurian says she was glad she only made that mistake once.

“I was miserable during my first pregnancy. The second and third were so much better!”

Everything in Moderation Many women regret taking the idea

Any mom will tell you, you can’t recreate the novelty (or the neurosis) of your first pregnancy…and that’s okay. Liz Willey, whose sons are 1 and 4, says she felt guilty about paying so much more attention to her first pregnancy versus the second. “But in the end,” she says, “I shouldn’t have worried. They are both nutty, happy boys!” ¶

“By pregnancy number four [cutting out coffee] was not an option.”

— Allison Schwartz

of eating for two and getting plenty of rest a little too seriously. Laura Kurian, a mom of three, wishes she’d forced herself to exercise more during her first pregnancy.

A dedicated athlete who enjoys

This article was originally published on Parent Co. To get Pam Moore’s free guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome, visit pam-moore.com.

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SonomaFamilyLife 17

you should be consuming each day according to your weight and activity level, including breastfeeding.

Sleep when the baby sleeps.

“Those first days home from the hospital, rest, rest, rest, and spend as much time skin-to-skin with your baby as you can,” says Teresa Marshall, a birth and postpartum doula. “This will truly make for a smoother transition for baby from womb to room and for mama, as well.”

Sleep When the Baby Sleeps 7 Secrets to Postpartum Recovery

By Christa Melnyk Hines

T

hroughout your pregnancy, you eat the right foods, drink plenty of fluids, rest and try to keep stress to a minimum.

You might think that you can relax your self-care regimen once your baby arrives, but caring for yourself should remain a top priority to ensure the health of both of you and your child.

Drink plenty of water. “The key to optimal recovery after delivery is fluid hydration with water,” says Gina Petelin, MD. “This is important for replenishing your body after significant fluid losses.”

Nourish yourself. Before the baby arrives, assemble healthy meals and stash them in your freezer. In the midst of caring for a newborn, you’ll be less likely to eat poorly when

18 SonomaFamilyLife

you can quickly pop a nutritious, ready-made meal into the oven or crockpot.

Also, stock up on protein-packed snacks to keep your energy up, especially if you plan to breastfeed.

Choose simple, healthy snacks, such as cheese sticks, almonds, rotisserie chicken, yogurt, and energy bars.

Consult with your physician to determine how many extra calories

Tricia Walania, a postpartum emotional support program coordinator, says that rest is one

The sooner you seek support, the faster you can start feeling like yourself again. of the best ways you can care for yourself. “Being rested helps you cope more effectively with both physical and emotional changes,” she says.

Unable to catnap? Relax with your eyes closed.

Integrate gentle exercise. Many moms are surprised that they still look pregnant after delivery. Don’t panic; that’s normal, Petelin says. Although the uterus decreases in size right away, you will still appear to be about five months pregnant when leaving the hospital. By following a healthy diet and exercising according to your doctor’s instructions, you’ll get back to your pre-pregnancy body.

Many moms enjoy group exercise activities, such as “mommy and me” yoga and Fit4Mom, which offer companionship with other moms.

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Walking is also beneficial. A stroll around the block on a sunny day is not only good exercise, but also does wonders for your emotional well-being and gives you a boost of vitamin D. Take extra care if you’ve had a cesarean; gradually increase your activity level only according to your doctor’s instructions. Current recommendations include no driving the first two to three weeks postpartum and, for the first six weeks, no lifting anything that weighs more than 15 pounds.

Expect hormonal changes.

Many new moms feel overwhelmed, tired, anxious, tearful, or mildly

Often friends and family members are eager to assist. depressed. “Exhaustion, hormonal changes, and isolation after the birth of a baby may lead to what is referred to as ‘baby blues,’” Walania says. “To some degree this happens to everyone. It’s natural and not permanent.” Anxiety and depression can also be linked to thyroid issues, and low levels of iron and vitamin D. Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Sometimes hormonal shifts can lead to postpartum depression, a serious mood disorder that can manifest as suicidal thoughts. See postpartumdepression.org for more information. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.

Tap your village. “I would recommend reaching out. Don’t be www.sonomafamilylife.com

afraid to ask for help or just a visit,” Marshall says.

Often friends and family members are eager to assist by holding the baby or watching siblings so you have a chance to nap, shower, or run an errand.

“You have to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your baby,” Walania says.

While social media can help you feel connected to the outside world, nothing can quite replace

Rest is one of the best ways you can care for yourself. a deeply satisfying conversation with a friend or a warm hug. Get together for coffee, lunch, or a walk.

If your network feels inadequate, join a mothers’ group or look for parent-child gatherings in your neighborhood through Meetup.com.

The sooner you seek support, the faster you can start feeling like yourself again.

Nurture your spirit. You may be a mom now, but you aren’t only a mom. Take time to do the things that have always brought you personal fulfillment and joy, whether that’s crafting, relaxing in a warm bath, browsing at a boutique, or lunching with a friend. When you are happier and healthier, your baby will be, too. ¶ Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published writer. She and her husband are the parents of two boys.

March 2020

HEY MOM GIVE US A SHOUT! We want to know what you think.

• What did you like?

• What didn’t you like?

• What subjects would you like us to cover?

• Got any local story ideas? e-mail melissa@family-life.us

SonomaFamilyLife 19

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powerful, and not just because they say it on YouTube.

2. Learning is about successive approximations.

The hardest part of potty training my own kids was letting them make mistakes. A skinned knee is one thing but poop on the rug is quite another.

Potty Training Success 7 Tips from a Psychologist Mom

By Lynn Adams

A

fter 10 years raising my children, I’m returning to work in the same spot I started: the bathroom. In my first job, any potty-related referrals trickled down to the lowest psychologist on the totem pole: me. Later, I got into the complexities of diagnosis, consultation, and intervention. Then I had my own son and daughter, and there ended my ability to keep a straight face when using the words “parent” and “expert” in the same sentence.

Potty training shouldn’t be shunted to the office newbie. It’s an important chance for a parent to take on a teaching role. And your child’s responses might teach you something in return.

1. It’s your child’s accomplishment, not yours.

Not all children are eager to please 22 SonomaFamilyLife

at all times. Potty training can be the first time you have to support self-motivation over parent-pleasing or compliance. You’ll need to do this over and over when your child learns skills you expect him or her to carry out of the home, such as manners or tidiness.

Kids love to hear, “I’m so proud of you.” But “You got this” is even more

How do kids learn how full a bladder can get before it bursts?

Accidents.

This year, my daughter learned to play volleyball. She spent the whole season getting her serve closer and closer to the net. Psychologists call these “successive approximations.” At the last game, the crowd went wild when she finally made it over. Parents feel the same way when a child becomes independent with the potty. But first, they have some approximations to clean up. They’re part of the process.

3. The journey is more important than the destination.

Like everything else these days, potty training is a metaphorical journey.

Your child will learn from mistakes, yes, but also from your responses to those mistakes. Do you stay calm, take a step back, and problem solve as a team? “Oops! What just happened? I turned on the tub, and you peed on the floor. Hearing water makes you have to pee!” You’ll do this again later, with household chores: “Oops! Your jersey is under your bed! Maybe that’s why it didn’t make it into the washing machine!” If you focus too much on the destination, it’s all: “Why can’t you ever put your laundry where it goes?” and “Stop peeing on the floor!”

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

4. Learners need to test the limits. How do kids learn how full a bladder can get before it bursts?

Accidents. I’m flashing back to a tall geyser in the checkout line at the supermarket. But you know what?

They were lovely about it. Remember that everyone you’ll see pushing a grocery cart has been potty trained.

5. Skills can be broken into sub-skills. Potty training draws on multiple developmental skills your child is in the process of acquiring, each child at her or his own pace and in her or his own way. As your child’s learning, look beyond complex skills to simpler building blocks. Certain sub-skills will stand out as strengths or weaknesses for your child:

diapers limited his school options. I knew I’d need several weeks with no travel or other major disruptions. So he started potty training with his motor skills still inadequate, and with absolutely no interest in big boy underwear. And he still succeeded. I had to think creatively when teaching other skills—like using a house key—as his motor skills continued to develop slowly.

7. Toddlers seek conflict.

Parents don’t have to deliver it.

Personality is the X-factor in toileting readiness. If your child likes to be in control, to surprise you, and to do things “her way,” toilet training will become an intense social interaction rather than a developmental

• sensory: to recognize the need to go • attention: to drop one activity for another • social: to motivate her or him to avoid accidents • language: if she or he needs direction to the potty • gross motor: to get from the playroom to the bathroom • fine motor: to pull down pants • motor coordination: to control the stream • persistence: to follow through from peeing to wiping to getting dressed • anxiety management: to cope with variations in bathrooms • planning ahead: to stay dry on the road 6. Readiness is important but not always essential. I really tried to wait for my son to be ready.

But as he approached age three, www.sonomafamilylife.com

Your child will learn from mistakes, yes, but also from your responses to those mistakes. milestone. Focus on your child’s accomplishments not your reactions: “I bet those dry pants feel great!” The same will work later with math homework: “Wow. How good does it feel to get all those math problems done before dinner?” It’s not a chance for your child to test your patience but rather to exercise her or his skills—as independently as possible.

There are many “right” ways to potty train. No matter how exciting the process turns out to be, your child will learn how the two of you are going to work together in the years ahead. ¶ Find more of Lynn Adams’s work at lynnadamsphd.com.

March 2020

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SonomaFamilyLife 23

March

Calendar of Events

The Number Everyone’s Talking About

T

he mathematical constant π (pi) has been a celebrity for millennia— in 250 BC the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes developed a logarithm for calculating it. Today, it’s still a big deal; it even has its own special day, when mathematicians around the globe celebrate it. Pi Day is always held on March 14, in honor of the first three figures in the number (3.14). On that day, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., the Central Santa Rosa Library in Santa Rosa will be holding free pi-oriented children’s activities. For more information, go to sonomacounty.libcal.com/event/6299677. ¶

Wednesday 4 Resilient: A Supported Postpartum.

For families with babies in the first year of life, expectant parents & caregivers. Pre-registration required.

6:30–8 p.m. The Luma Center.

616 Petaluma Blvd. N., St. A & B, Petaluma. thelumacenter.com.

Thursday 5 Just Between Friends Kids’ & Maternity Consignment Sales Event. The largest of its kind in

Northern CA. $2–$4. Mar. 5 & 6: 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Mar. 7: 9 a.m.– 3 p.m.

Mar. 8 (1/2 price day): 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Sonoma County Fair & Event Center.

1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbay.jbfsale.com.

FREE Teens Cook! Savory Pancakes.

Ceres Community Project teaches teens how to make pancakes. 3–4 p.m.

Registration & signed waiver form are required. Pick up a waiver at the library information desk or download form: sonomalibrary.org/sites/default/ files/attachments/Teens-CookKnifewaiver-form-for-libraries.pdf. Windsor Regional Library. 9291 Old Redwood

Hwy. #100, Windsor. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

Friday 6 Save Our Planet! Alien-themed

musical. For ages 4 & up. Runs 45 minutes. Performed by A Theater for Children students. $5. Mar. 6: 7 p.m. Mar. 7: 1 & 3:30 p.m. Mar. 8: 3 p.m. Steele Lane Community Center. 415 Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. atheaterforchildren.com.

FREE Parents Play Group. Meet other parents in a safe, print-rich environment where kids ages 0–5 have

$100 Off with New Member Enrollment

140 STONY POINT RD, SUITE B 707.523.1144 www.IgniteMartialArts.org

24 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

access to books & toys. Fridays. 11 a.m.–noon. Petaluma Regional Library.

100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma.

Other libraries will host this event.

See sonomacounty.libcal.com for branches/times.

Saturday 7 Comic Artist Workshop for Cadettes. Girl Scout Cadettes

develop stories & characters & create a four-panel comic strip. Workshop participants receive Comic Artist Badge. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. For fees & reservations, call 544-5472. schulzmuseum.org.

25 Years of Mutts. Patrick McDonnell, cartoonist, talks about his comic strip MUTTS. Tickets: $5–$12. This does not include museum

admission. 1 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Lord of the Flies. Play based on the

1954 book by Nobel Prize–winner William Golding. $10–$20. Tickets still available for Mar. 13 & 14: 7:30 p.m.

Cinnabar Theater. 3333 Petaluma Blvd.

N., Petaluma. cinnabartheater.com.

Dirty Cello. Blues & bluegrass band. $15–$25. In honor of International Women’s Day, this concert benefits Sonoma County’s Living Room, a center serving homeless & at-risk women & their children. 7 p.m.

Hopmonk Tavern. 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. bit.ly/2mwbtqe.

FREE Family Bicycling Workshops.

Children & parents must participate in the clinic together & bring helmets/

bikes. Hosted by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Sebastopol Independent Charter School. 1111 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. bikesonoma.org/ family-bike-workshops.

Wildflowers & Trillium Hike. An easy-intermediate, 3.5-mile slow-paced hike. Heavy rain cancels. $10. Parking: additional $10. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Jack London State Park. 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. Purchase tickets online: jacklondonpark.com.

Sunday 8 FREE Spreckels Performing Arts Center 30th Birthday Party.

Concert-style songs from past seasons & previews of upcoming plays. 7 p.m.

Spreckels Performing Arts Center.

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March 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 25

5409 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. ci.rohnert-park.ca.us.

Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert. In collaboration

with Maria Carrillo High School. $10–$20. 3 p.m. Green Music Center.

Weill Hall. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. srsymphony.org.

Cinderella. Clover Sonoma Family

Fun Series. $12–$17. Lap passes for ages 2 & younger (only available on show day): $5. 3 p.m. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org.

Monday 9 8th Annual Honky Tonk Night. Music

by Train Wreck Junction. $20–$35. $10–$20 without dinner. Ages 5 & younger: free. Proceeds benefit Girls

on the Run Sonoma County. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Lagunitas Brewing Company.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma.

Tickets: raceplanner.com/info/events.

FREE SAT/ACT Student & Parent Seminar. Featuring SAT/ACT tutor

David Benjamin Gruenbaum. Seminar for students: 6–7 p.m. Meeting for parents: 7–8 p.m. Fundemonium. 579 Rohnert Park Expy., Rohnert Park. fundemoniumtoys.com.

FREE Breastfeeding Café. Free

breastfeeding support, tea & cookies.

Mondays. 9:30–11 a.m. Bridges Prenatal Clinic. 750 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. Wednesdays: 10–11:30 a.m.

Mobile Café at Howarth Park (meet at the picnic tables in the upper parking lot near Lake Ralphine). Fridays: 9:30–11 a.m. Early Learning Institute.

311 Professional Dr., Rohnert Park. betterbeginningsforbabies.org.

Tuesday 10

FREE Homework Help. For grades

K–12. Help with all subjects on a drop-in basis. Mondays. 3:30–5:30 p.m. Sebastopol Regional Library.

7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol.

Other libraries will host this event.

See sonomacounty.libcal.com for branches/times.

FREE Preschool Bilingual Storytime with Marlene/Hora de cuentos bilingües para preescolares con Marlene. Stories,

songs, movement & fun for preschoolers. Escuche y aprenda con cuentos, canciones, movimientos y diversión mientras nutre en su niños

Classroom Safari

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An Educational Adventure

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Meet all of our animal ambassadors Schools • Parties • Events 707-529-9489 • www.classroomsafari.com bonnie.classroomsafari@gmail.com

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

el amor por los libros. Mar. 10 & 24: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Roseland Community Library. 779 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

12 & younger: $15–$20. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Lagunitas Brewing Sanctuary.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. buttonlaunchfundraiser2020.bpt.me.

Purim in the Big Apple. Sights,

of Irish comedic talent (accents included). $15–$20. 8–10 p.m. Sally Tomatoes. 1100 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park. sallytomatoes.com.

sounds, tastes & vibe of New York City. Street entertainment, authentic Lower East Side Deli, Manhattan Bridge Graffiti Wall, Statue of Liberty Masquerade, Ellis Island dance floor & much more. Dress in costume for prizes. $8–$18. Family: $45–$60.

5–6:30 p.m. Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma. 205 Keller St. #101, Petaluma. jewishpetaluma.com.

Butter & Egg Days Button Launch Fundraiser. Food by 3 Hermanos Mexican Grill & live music by Randy & the Special Agents. $20–$25. Ages

The Real Irish Comedy Fest. Blend

Thursday 12 Care & Feeding of the Amazing Adolescent Brain. Students: $10.

Parents: free. Students are in one room, adults in another. Pre-registration required. 6–7 p.m. Mar. 12: grades 8–12. Mar. 26: grades 5–7. Twin Hills Middle School. 1685 Watertrough Rd., Sebastopol. braincare.tips.

Wednesday 11

Friday 13

8th Annual Sonoma Invitational

North Bay Sinfonietta. Suggested

Wind Band & Orchestra Festival.

donation: $10. 7:30 p.m. Church of the Incarnation. 550 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. classicalsonoma.org.

More than 2,500 students from 45 high school ensembles perform over 3 days. Event: free. Parking: $5 per day. Mar. 11, 12 & 13. 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sonoma State University. Weill & Schroeder Halls. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. music.sonoma.edu/ sonomainvitational.

Shabbat By the Bay. Presented by

URJ Camp Newman. Tour of camp, Shabbat services, dinner, singing & dancing. Mar. 13 & 27. 5–9 p.m.

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March 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 27

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

YMCA Jones Gulch Camp, La Honda. campnewman.org.

Courtyard. 20 E. Spain St., Sonoma. sonomaparks.org.

Wyndham Visalia. 9000 W. Airport Dr., Windsor. sivisalia.org.

Saturday 14

Western Roundup. Featuring music

by Lon Hannah & San Joaquin Junction. Western dress is optional.

Benefits Soroptimist International of Visalia. $35. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.

Family Fun Bike Ride. Instruction on how to properly fit helmets & on trail-sharing etiquette & safety gear.

Ages 7 & older. Bring bike, helmet, water, lunch & small backpack.

Event: free. Parking: $7. Noon–2 p.m. Spring Lake Regional Park.

393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. parks. sonomacounty.ca.gov.

FREE Campfire Program. Hear a

short talk, sing campfire songs & roast a marshmallow. All ages. Steady rain cancels. 6–7 p.m. Sonoma State Historic Park. Sonoma Barracks

Cinderella

by the Panto Company

Sunday, March 8 at 3:00pm

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

by The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences On Tour

Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30pm

Hair & Skin Care for the Entire Family!

Champagne Hair Lounge

7981 Old Redwood Hwy. • Cotati

Thank you for choosing local first!

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Cut & Color $75 Special for 1st time clients.

Call for an appointment 707 665-5826 7 days a week

Space Pirates! Apprentice Company Musical Performance. An upbeat, 1-hour musical featuring 6th Street Playhouse drama students ages 8–15. Adults: $20. Kids: $15.

March 14 & 15: 6:30 p.m. 6th Street Playhouse. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa.

6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Beginners Birding Walk. Explore the Laguna de Santa Rosa trail.

Observe a variety of birds, including raptors, egrets, herons, woodpeckers, sparrows & other songbirds. $35.

Pre-registration required. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead (parking lot). 6303 Hwy. 12 (not the Occidental Rd. side), Santa Rosa. lagunafoundation.org.

ArtJam: Colin Foulke, Handpan.

Free with admission ($12; babies younger than 12 months, free). 1–3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org. handpanfan.com.

FREE Celebrate Pi Day. Info about the numerical constant π (pi).

Children’s activities. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

FREE Paracord Bracelets for Soldiers. Grades

7–12. Bracelets to be given to Project Gratitude

28 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

& sent to US troops. 2–3:30 p.m.

Cloverdale Regional Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

FREE Arbor Day Tree Planting Party. Plant trees & eat Luther

Burbank’s birthday cake. 9 a.m.–noon.

Finley Community Park. 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. Rincon Valley Community Park. 5108 Badger Rd., Santa Rosa. srcity.org.

Sunday 15

Wednesday 18

Thursday 19

Walk Through the Grades.

Clean & Sober Rock Steady

Experience a day in the life of Summerfield, Sonoma County’s oldest independent school. Visit classrooms, stroll the campus, see the working biodynamic farm & have a snack during a Q&A period.

9–11 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. RSVP: 575-7194. summerfieldwaldorf.org.

Fest. Featuring MC Yogi, Kevin

Griffin & Laughing Buddha. All ages. $15–$20. 7–11 p.m. Phoenix Theatre. 201 Washington St., Petaluma. rocksteadyfest.org.

An Historic Evening with Anne Frank’s Stepsister, Eva Schloss.

Enter the world of Anne Frank as told by her stepsister & childhood friend. $15–$25. Preferred seating: $50.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K. Annual

Spring activities are here!

themed run/walk race open to all ages & abilities. Post-race celebration features a costume contest, music & entertainment. Registration: $45 (adult) & $25 (youth). Race starts: 11 a.m. Old Courthouse Square. Santa Rosa. srcity.org/2175/st-patricks-day-5k.

Choose from hundreds of ac�vi�es for the whole family, registra�on now open!

Register at SantaRosaRec.com 707-543-3737

Junior Ranger: First Aid Outdoors.

Plus, join the St. Patrick’s Day 5K presented by Fleet Feet to benefit Rec & Parks Scholarship Fund.

Visit SRCity.org/SPDRun.

For ages 7–13. Kids learn basic first aid & safety tips. Event: $5. Parking: $7. 10 a.m.–noon. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. 13839 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. Register: tinyurl. com/tsvs5f6. 433-1625.

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VIP: $100. 7 p.m. Petaluma Veterans Memorial Hall. 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma. annefrankpetaluma.com.

Friday 20 Peppa Pig Live! Life-size puppets & costume characters. $39 & $59. 6:30 p.m. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org.

Saturday 21 FREE Sonoma Nature Hike.

Slow-paced, just over 1-mile with minor elevation. Led by Ranger Dave.

Sturdy shoes recommended. All ages.

Steady rain cancels. No reservations needed. 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Sonoma State Historic Park. Meet at Vallejo Home parking lot at the end of 3rd St. W., Sonoma. sonomaparks.org.

Robert Ferguson Observatory Telescope Viewings. Solar Viewing:

11 a.m., free. Star Party: 8 p.m., $3.

Ages 17 & younger: free. Parking: $10. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org.

Vernal Equinox Night Hike. A

twilight walk to celebrate the first day of spring. Event: free. Parking: $7.

6:30–8:30 p.m. Crane Creek Regional Park. 5000 Pressley Rd., Rohnert Park.

Registration required: tinyurl.com/ wxg7ht9.

Science Spark: The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County.

Volunteer raptor handlers will bring 2 non-releasable birds of prey for an age-appropriate presentation. Free with admission ($12; babies under 12 months, free). 2–3 p.m. Children’s

Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

Polenta Feed & Auctions. Fundraiser for Montgomery High School. $30.

5–9 p.m. Becker Center. St. Eugene’s Cathedral. 2323 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. eventbrite.com.

Monday 23 Pints for Paws. Featuring music from Nicole Sutton & Mark McGee of LuvPlanet. Dinner & prizes.

Vegan/gluten-free meals available. $30–$35. Proceeds benefit Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Lagunitas Brewing Company.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. scwildliferescue.org.

Saturday 28 Stand Up for Youth Comedy Night.

$25–$30. Sponsored by Sonoma County Family YMCA. Proceeds benefit local youth. Comedy content most appropriate for ages 18 & older.

7–9 p.m. (Cocktails & snacks: 6 p.m.)

Odd Fellows Hall. 545 Pacific Ave., Santa Rosa. scfymca.org.

Expanding Your Horizons. Hands-on workshops to encourage girls in grades 7–8 to pursue careers in STEM fields. Registration required by March 25. 9 a.m.–2:15 p.m. Sonoma State University. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 800-9819. eyh-soco.org.

Sonoma County Orchid Show &

Moms and Money

M

anaging money can be challenging. Add kids to the mix, and the stress doubles. The free Moms and Money class aims to help women in particular figure out their financial picture. Topics will include strategies for saving, budgeting, and paying off debt; the basics of investing; and how to teach kids about money. The class will be held on March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Fireside Lounge at Bacchus, 1 Doubletree Drive, in Rohnert Park. Call 217-9994 for more information. ¶

30 SonomaFamilyLife

Sale. $10. Ages 12 & younger: free.

Mar. 28: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mar. 29: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Parking: free. Santa Rosa Veterans Hall. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. sonomaorchids.com.

34th Annual Sharing on the Green: Moulin Rouge. Cocktails, live &

silent auctions, dinner & dancing. $80.

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Benefits the Education Foundation of Cotati & Rohnert Park. 5–11 p.m.

Doubletree Hotel Grand Ballroom.

1 Doubletree Dr., Rohnert Park. educationfoundationofcrp.org.

California Artisan Cheese Festival.

Chef demos & pairings, educational sessions, authors, cheese makers & more. $25–$150. Mar. 28: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Cheese, Bites & Booze: 6–9 p.m.)

Mar. 29: 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Bubbles & Brunch: 9:30–11 a.m.) Tickets & full schedule: artisancheesefestival.com.

Night at the Museum Fundraiser.

Actors (playing historical figures), history hunt, vintage selfie booth & wine & beer. $60–$70. 7–11 p.m. Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. 20 4th St., Petaluma. petalumamuseum.com.

FREE Sonoma County Bunfest.

Speakers, adoptable bunnies & fresh hay, toys & treats for sale. Free parking. 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Rohnert Park Community Center.

5401 Synder Ln., Rohnert Park. sonomacountybunfest.com.

Sunday 29 FREE Hands-On Passover: A Kid-Friendly Adventure into the Passover Story. Family-friendly

program to learn & celebrate the story of Passover thru hands-on experiences.

Costumes, songs, play-acting & food samples. Designed for ages 3–7. Child must be accompanied by an adult (no more than 2 adults). Registration required. 3 sessions. 1–3:30 p.m.

Charles M. Schulz Museum.

2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Bug Fighters

How to Protect Your Family from Coronavirus and Flu

T

he coronavirus (COVID-19) has a lot of people on edge. Make sure everyone in the family is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) simple but powerful steps to keep it, and all, nasty bugs at bay.

Soap and Water Are Your Friends 1. Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds—especially if hands are visibly dirty. This is especially important to do after using the bathroom; before taking in food; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. No soap and water around? Reach for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, just make sure it contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Send your kids to school with a bottle and tell them to use it, and to wash their hands whenever they have the chance.

2. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Stay away from sick people.

4. Use a cleaning spray or wipe to disinfect surfaces that are often touched, such as phones, doorknobs, tables, counters, etc.

5. If you or the kids are sick, stay home.

6. Use a tissue to cover a cough or sneeze, and then make sure to immediately throw it in the trash. Don’t let your kids leave snotty tissues around the house, where the little bundles can spread germs.

Are Facemasks Necessary?

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t think so—unless you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC urges anyone who does develop these symptoms and who has recently traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan, or South Korea or has been in contact with someone with COVID-19 to immediately seek medical attention.

For more information, see the CDC’s website: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/index.html.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 31

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Humor Break together and laugh until you cry. No one makes the birthday girl get off the couch to do something like pour someone a glass of milk when that someone is fully capable of completing the task. And no one shames anyone else for, for instance, not watching their kids twirl around in skirts. Party favors include a free Instagram filter that magically makes you look not tired.

Shop, Scroll, What Mom Wants Sleep for Her Birthday

By Meredith Ethington

M

y birthday is coming up, so I’ve been daydreaming about my fantasy moms-party. Here are some of my ideal themes:

Napping Party We moms lie on our napping pads, put on noise-cancelling headphones, and pull down the blackout shades. Then we sleep for however freaking long we want. Party favors include eye masks and soft blankets.

Target Party For a day, we are all Joanna Gaines picking out a new throw pillow or lampshade for our mom-caves.

Starbucks or Diet Cokes in our hands, we stroll kid-free aisles and buy cactus-shaped earring holders without having to listen to temper tantrums in the distance. Party favors include loot 34 SonomaFamilyLife

from the “grab as many items as you can from the $1 aisle” contest.

No-Responsibility Party This party has a few rules. No one can ask a mom for anything, especially while she is eating, peeing, or sleeping.

Phrases like “to-do list” and “did you pick up cat food at the store?” are banned, and no one can speak their children’s names. Rather for the entire day everyone pretends to be single women with absolutely zero responsibilities. Party favors include one-way tickets to a deserted island, where no one asks for snacks and everyone gets to eat their food while it’s still warm.

Mindless Social Media Scrolling/Meme-Sharing Party Simply watch stupid online videos

Slumber Party Bring your favorite chick-flick and adult beverage. No bras are allowed, and no one cares if your sweats have a hole in the crotch. Pass out, makeup still on, in your own separate beds at 10 p.m. without anyone rubbing your arm for a little action at midnight. In the morning, awaken when your body feels ready instead of when a toddler and his siblings have decided to play “the ground is lava” game right outside your bedroom door.

For any of these parties, no one can require you to clean your house or judge you when the half-eaten hot dog is inevitably discovered behind the couch. And, of course, no fantasy birthday party would be complete without a never-ending supply of cake that doesn’t make you fat—and an absence of little hands grabbing pieces of it right out of your hands.

Meredith Ethington is a writer and a mom to three who tries to help her kids understand sarcasm—and her need for personal space. Meredith’s debut parenting book, Mom Life: Perfection Pending, is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at Absolute Love Publishing. Meredith writes for many of her favorite parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Babble, Momtastic, and on her own blog (perfectionpending.net). Follow her on Facebook @PerfectionPending and at instagram. com/perfectpending.

March 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 25

2020 12-4PM

• A Showcase of Santa Rosa’s Performing Arts Scene • Unique Arts and Crafts • Fresh Local Food and Drink • Eco-Friendly Activities for All • A Zero Waste Event • Free Valet Bicycle Parking Provided by SCBC

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1451 Southwest Blvd 707-795-4433

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919 Lakeville St 707-769-8989

Healdsburg 1051 Vine St 707-433-2911

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6580 Hembree Ln #258 707-836-1700

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4501 Montgomery Dr. 707-890-5033

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3125 Cleveland Ave 707-595-6505

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