Sonoma Family Life January 2023

La Tercera Elementary School

Featuring

Loma Vista Immersion Academy Charter School

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Miwok Valley Elementary Charter School

Featuring

Old Adobe Elementary Charter School

Featuring

Sonoma Mountain Elementary Charter School

Featuring a focus on

Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us

ow that the holidays are over, the rhythm of school life has returned. And as it does, you may find yourself thinking about whether or not your children’s learning environments are working for them. There are options, which “A Primer on Schools” (page 14) outlines. And one of them is private school. Turn to our Private School Guide (page 16) to find out pertinent information about 23 local institutions.

Speaking of options, the expansion of California’s transitional kindergarten (TK) program means free preschool is available to more kids. Turn to “New Vision for Pre-K” (page 10) to find out what the Sonoma County Office of Education’s Learners Program Specialist has to say about this big change, and about the variety of education options that are available to local preschoolers.

NBesides your kids’ education, January and the New Year may usher in thoughts of taking better care of your body. Intuitive Eating Coach, Ironman triathlete, and mom Pam Moore has some ideas to help you get started. Read her “3 Steps to Getting Fit” (page 24) to find out what tricks are up her sleeve.

If you are like most people, you probably think improved health and wellness means more early-morning trips to the gym. And while this may be true, good health is also about sleeping in. Read “Sleep Well, Stay Well” (page 20) to learn how getting enough rest can boost your immunity.

As you start 2023, we wish you positive beginnings of all kinds, whether in health, education, or any other area. Know that we’ll be here with articles to help you and your family stay balanced and empowered during all your new adventures.

Happy New Year!

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Patricia Ramos 707-205-1539 patty@family-life.us

Features Editor

Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager

Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers

Kim Blaker Shannon Carpenter Katy M. Clark Malia Jacobson Pam Moore Karen Nochimowski Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 205 1539

No-Fuss Stew

Cook a Satisfying One-Pot Meal

By Momma Chef

This recipe dates back at least 15 years, to when I was on a slow-cooker kick. I had just been gifted a cooker and found a stapled book of recipes at the bottom of the box. I saw the recipe for beef stew and thought, “Why not?” Believe me, unlike my recipes, it included more than six minutes of prep, for sure! I chopped, sliced, and diced; I seared and used multiple pans. The stew turned out great, but even in those bygone days before kids, I needed a recipe with less prep and one pan. Voila! I created a way to make delicious beef stew without all the fuss. ❖

Karen Nochimowski, the mom behind MommaChef.com , has loved cooking for as long as she can remember. All Momma Chef recipes are made with six or fewer ingredients and take fewer than six minutes of prep time. Karen’s first cookbook, Six-Minute Dinners (& More!), is filled with more than 100 simple and delicious recipes made with six or fewer ingredients, including nut-free and allergy-friendly options, to help busy families get dinner on the table with ease.

Hearty Beef and Veggie Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2½ pounds beef stew meat, cubed

• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced

• 3 medium-sized potatoes, diced

• 2 cups tomato juice

• 2 cups beef broth

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F, and set a rack in the lower-middle position.

2. In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Tips

1. Alternatively, you can make this in a slow cooker. First, sear the meat with olive oil in a pan, per the instructions above. Then add the meat, carrots, potatoes, tomato juice, and beef broth to the slow cooker.

3. Add the cubed stew meat and sear for about 3 minutes per side.

4. Remove the pot from the heat, and add the carrots, potatoes, tomato juice, and beef broth. Stir everything together and cover the pot.

5. Carefully put the pot in the oven, and cook for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender.

6. Remove from the oven, and season with salt to taste.

Serves: 6

Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the meat is very tender.

2. Carrots and potatoes are my favorite veggies to use in the stew, but you can use others, such as peas, canned tomatoes, or any of your favorites.

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Lunar New Year celebrations are an ancient tradition in China. Local kids can get a taste of what one is like at the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. The event will feature traditional Chinese dancers who will lead children in Lion and Dragon dances. There will also be instruction in calligraphy, paper cutting, and the Chinese zodiac. And the Museum of Sonoma County will host a storytelling booth, which will include a history of Santa Rosa’s Chinatown. The celebration will be held on January 28, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and is free with admission ($16 for adults and kids or free for infants 11 months and younger; discounts for EBT and Medi-Cal card holders). Find out more at cmosc.org/event/ lunar-new-year

See a Drawing Demo

Ordinary people change the world. That’s a belief and it’s also the name of a New York Times–bestselling picture book series that Christopher Eliopoulos illustrates. The artist has worked in every aspect of comic book creation and has also authored his own graphic novel. He’ll be talking about his work, and even giving a drawing demonstration, at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. The event will be held on January 28 at 10:30 a.m. and, along with museum admission that day, is free. Find out more at schulzmuseum.org/ free-day-christopher-eliopoulos

Walk Under the Stars

Parks usually close at sunset. But during the Parks After Dark series, walkers can explore them at night. At the New Moon Star Walk families can peer up at the stars while exploring Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma. Participants will play games and learn about nocturnal animals that live in the park. The event will be held on January 21, 5:30–7:30 p.m.; meet at the Chileno Valley Road Parking Lot. Admission is $10–$12 and parking is $7. Accommodations will be made for people with disabilities upon advance request. Register at tinyurl.com/ya8kdcba

Lunar New Year

Applaud Decades of Daring

What flies like a bird and bends like a pretzel? The Peking Acrobats. The troupe, which has been touring the world for decades, is bringing its leaps, twists, somersaults, and juggling, contortion, and aerial acts to the Luther Burbank Center of the Performing Arts in Santa Rosa. Live, traditional Chinese music will serve as the soundtrack for the performance, which will be held on January 30 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for children and $21 for adults, and may be purchased at lutherburbankcenter. org/event/peking-acrobats.

Make an MLK Poster

“P

ower at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.” Martin Luther King Jr. wrote those words in 1967, when he isolated himself in a rented house in Jamaica and wrote his final book, Where Do We Go From Here (Beacon Press, 2010). The book lays out his hope for better jobs, wages, and housing in America, and, above all, the eradication of global suffering. Sonoma County Library will honor King’s vision at the MLK Poster Making Workshop for Kids at which children will use the famous quote to create posters for a countywide contest. The workshop will be held on January 4, 2–3 p.m., at the Cloverdale Regional Library in Cloverdale; on January 8, 1–2 p.m., at the Central Santa Rosa Library in Santa Rosa; and virtually. Submissions must be brought to a Sonoma County Library branch by January 10. Register for the Cloverdale workshop at tinyurl.com/yrswf4am and for the Santa Rosa workshop at tinyurl.com/v6kd83t3.

Go to a Multimedia

Music Show

Classical, jazz, world, rock, experimental— Bang-on-the-Can All Stars plays them all. For its Can Dance show, the group, which the San Francisco Chronicle heralds as “the country’s most important vehicle for contemporary music,” asked choreographers to create dances for their latest music commissions. These dances were filmed, and the footage will be screened while the musicians play on January 29 at 7 p.m. at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park. Tickets for this multimedia show are $25–$75 and may be purchased at gmc.sonoma.edu/ bangonacanall-stars.

Peking Acrobats

New Vision for Pre-K

SCOE Weighs In on Public TK

This interview is part two of a two-part series about California’s recent expansion of transitional kindergarten in public schools.

Family Life: You are a Young Learners Program Specialist for the Sonoma County Office of Education. Can you tell me about what that job entails?

Brulene Zanutto: As California is moving to a P3 [preschool to third grade] educational model, part of my role has been supporting the districts as they enroll younger students and make sure that what they are offering is high quality, and also to support collaborations between the school districts and the community early-learning and care options. I also provide professional learning opportunities for all educators across

that whole universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) spectrum.

FL: Do you feel like public transitional kindergarten (TK) is going to be of ultimate benefit for Sonoma County?

BZ: The vision of UPK is that every four-year-old in California has the opportunity to engage in high-quality early-learning and care. The biggest thing to remember is that families have a choice. They don’t have to go to TK. I do believe that having four-year-olds in some sort of early-learning and care option is a positive thing, but it’s not up to anybody except the family to determine which setting that care is in.

FL: And what choices are available for families?

BZ: We like to think of it like this: Imagine I have a four-year-old and an ice cream cone. I get to decide what scoop or scoops of ice cream that I would like. One scoop of ice cream is the state-funded preschools, which are called California State Preschool Programs (CSPP) and for which I have to qualify. I could also choose the scoop of ice cream that is Head Start, which is federally funded pre-school. Again, there are income qualifications, school qualifications, job employment, and those kinds of things. I can also choose a private preschool or a

neighborhood family childcare center, or I could send my child to Grandma— another scoop of ice cream. Another scoop of ice cream is transitional kindergarten, which lives within school districts and is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. All of those are viable options; however, the only that has no qualifications or cost is transitional kindergarten. The ultimate goal is that families get to choose the best program for them. Unfortunately, finances do come into play for families.

FL: Families don’t have to write a check or jump through any bureaucratic hoops to participate in public TK, and that could compel them to choose it over the other options.

The ultimate goal is that families get to choose the best program for them.

Brulene Zanutto

California State Preschool Program (CSPP)

Early Learning and Care

Head Start

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Definition Age Requirements Teacher Qualifications

Includes part-and full-day services for income-eligible families Provides a curriculum that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children served

2 years, 9 months to 5-year-old children

Director: 24 ECE Units + 16 GE Units + 3 Adult Supervision Units, and BA Degree

Master Teacher: Teacher + 6 ECE Units in Specialization + 2 Adult Supervision Units

Teacher: 24 ECE Units + 16 GE Units Associate Teacher: 12 ECE Units

Student-Teacher Ratios

1 adult to 8 children

Teacher qualifications may vary by program Please consult with the specific program to learn more Varies by program

A federal program for income-eligible families that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age 5 by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development

First year of a two-year kindergarten experience that is developmentally informed, based on the California Preschool Learning Foundations, and uses a modified kindergarten curriculum.

Expanded Transitional Kindergarten (ETK)

Local school districts can choose to enroll 4-year-olds in TK whose fifth birthdays occur after the eligibility date, generally referred to as “Expanded TK ”

3 to 5-year-old children

Director: 24 ECE Units + 16 GE Units + 3 Adult Supervision Units, and BA Degree

Associate Teacher: 12 ECE Units Site Assistant: 6 ECE Units

Credentialed teachers are required to complete 24 early childhood education units or obtain a Child Development Permit by Aug 1, 2023

1 adult to 10 children

2022-23: 1 adult to 12 children 2023-24: 1 adult to 10 children*

School districts can only offer ETK to 4-yearolds whose 5th birthday occurs within the school year and not after June 30

Credentialed teachers are required to complete 24 early childhood education units or obtain a Child Development Permit by Aug 1, 2023

2022-23: 1 adult to 12 children 2023-24: 1 adult to 10 children

BZ: Yes.

FL: Do you think schools are ready for this? It seems like, with this free option, there would be an onslaught of students. Are there growing pains?

BZ: One of the misconceptions people have is that public TK is just starting now. It actually started in 2015. [The window for enrollment keeps expanding every year.] Last year, kiddoes who were turning five between September 2 and December 2 could go to TK. Next year, it will be between September 2 and April 2. By the year 2026, any four-year-old will be able to go to TK.

FL: So it’s not like public TK was recently thrust upon the school districts; there has been preparation.

BZ: Yes, there has been preparation. However, this is a big increase. And there is a national and state teacher shortage already. So there are growing pains, as you said, as we expand to this larger program.

kids earlier than the TK birthday enrollment windows. This is very much a district-to-district decision. If you have a four-year-old and wonder if a school will accept him or her, the best thing to do is to pop into the school and talk to the front office staff. A lot of people don’t know that schools begin enrolling for both TK and kindergarten as early as January or February. For some districts, it’s more like March.

FL: What else would you like readers to know about the program?

BZ: I would like them to know that there is ETK, which stands for early transitional kindergarten. This means districts have the choice to enroll

As parents are thinking about the other options we discussed—those ice cream scoops—now is the time to do some visiting. Go visit a private preschool; go visit a home family center; go to a CSPP or a Head Start and find out if you qualify. Know all your options so you can make the best decision for your family. ❖

I do believe that having four-year-olds in some sort of early-learning and care option is a positive thing.

consistently perform well, state regulations don’t bind these schools as much as traditional schools. Charter schools often have smaller class sizes and different methods of teaching. They are particularly suited to gifted students, or those with various learning styles or attention difficulties.

Cons: If a charter school is not performing well, it may have to shut down; so there can be more pressure on students to achieve.

A Primer on Schools

7 Types of Education for Your Child

By Kim Blaker

One of the most significant decisions parents make for their kids is where to send them to school. The following schools have various benefits and drawbacks.

Public School These schools are funded by the government at local, state, and national levels and are held to specified standards.

Pros: Because public schools are tied to the government, there are standards to which they must adhere. Teachers must be certified and use an approved curriculum. Public schools typically offer the broadest range of extracurricular activities.

Cons: The government funding and, therefore, the quality of public schools can vary significantly from one community to the next. If your

neighborhood’s public school has a low rating, it isn’t always easy, or possible, to transfer to another. Some public schools are overcrowded and have small budgets.

Charter School Usually founded around a specific mission or charter, charter schools are a form of public school and are free to attend. They often have limited space; in order to attend, prospective students may have to apply or enter a lottery.

Pros: Charter schools are often a good alternative for students struggling in a traditional school. As long as students

Magnet School Magnet schools are a type of public school that has a specific focus, such as the arts, music, science, or technology. Unlike a charter school, they do still have to adhere to the same government regulations as traditional public schools.

Pros: If a magnet school focuses on your child’s particular interest, it can help your child develop skills related to that interest. These schools get additional program funding and generally have smaller class sizes.

Cons: Admission to magnet schools is limited and, therefore, competitive. Some schools use a lottery, others use an application and even tests or exams to determine who qualifies.

Special Education School

There are schools available for students with hearing or vision impairments, autism, and specific intellectual or learning disabilities.

Pros: Curriculum and instruction are adapted to best meet the needs of the students; teachers are specially trained.

Parents often get more input on their child’s education.

Students can relate to each other, which builds community.

Cons: Students only interact with others who have similar disabilities.

Private School Usually tuition-based, private schools do not have to adhere to the same regulations as public schools. Often private schools have a specific focus or educational philosophy, such as Montessori or Waldorf.

Pros: Parents often get more input on their child’s education. Families can find a school that is aligned with their wants or beliefs. Also, class sizes are usually smaller.

Cons: Private schools are often expensive. They also do not have the same level of oversight as public schools. So it is up to parents to make sure the school is providing

their child with an appropriate education.

Religious School Religious schools are a type of private school that is associated with a particular faith or organization. A parochial school is a type of religious school that is connected directly to a local church.

Pros: At a religious school, your family’s faith can be part of your child’s education. These schools usually have strong community and smaller class sizes.

Cons: Tuition can be high. Religious schools are also not held to government standards. Many omit certain teachings in science and history that don’t fit their beliefs. So it is vital to make sure that your child is receiving a full education.

Virtual Schools Both public and private virtual schools offer a variety of educational opportunities, including full-time study or supplemental classes. Classes and schoolwork can be done anywhere there’s Internet access.

Pros: Learning in virtual schools is more individualized, so students have more flexibility and can learn at their own pace. Virtual schools can also provide more educational opportunities or access to specialized classes.

Cons: Virtual schools require a lot of self-discipline. They do not have the same in-person social opportunities for community or friendships, which can cause students to feel isolated. ❖

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer who also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books: sagerarebooks.com

Sleep Well, Stay Well

Support Immune Health with Better Sleep

By Malia Jacobson

When it comes to staying healthy, all the hand sanitizer in the world won’t make up for lost hours of sleep. Getting enough sleep supports a healthy immune system, while sleep deprivation handicaps your immune response, leaving you, or your night-owl children, more susceptible to viral illness.

During sleep, the body releases infection-fighting proteins called cytokines. During periods of sleep deprivation, infection-fighting cells are reduced. Chronic sleep loss can even make vaccines less effective, according to research. Here’s how to build a better bedtime and a stronger immune system, starting tonight.

Do the math. A healthy sleep routine starts with bedtime. According to sleep expert Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, late bedtimes cause many childhood sleep problems

because overtiredness makes it harder for children to get to sleep and stay asleep. But figuring out when to put your child to bed isn’t easy.

To find your child’s bedtime, first determine how many hours of sleep they need in a 24-hour period. This will help you determine how many hours they can comfortably stay awake per day. For example, a one-year-old who needs 14 hours of sleep can stay awake for 10 hours per day. If he gets up at 6 a.m. and naps for 3 hours each day, he needs

a standing 7 p.m. date with his bed. A teen who can stay awake for 16 hours and has to get up at 6 a.m. needs to fall asleep around 10 p.m.

Nix nightlights. You may love the way your child’s smile lights up a room, but when it comes to sleep, the best light is no light at all. Nighttime light disrupts melatonin production; even a small nightlight or the light from electronics or a baby monitor can be enough to prevent deep, restful sleep. Dim the house lights after dinner and install effective blackout blinds to get the bedroom truly dark.

Embrace boring. Sleep doctors agree that an effective bedtime routine is one that’s absolutely set in stone: the same things, in the same order, every night. “Our bodies love routine, and this is especially so with children and bedtime,” says Teitelbaum. Performing the same events in the same sequence before bed cues a child’s subconscious for sleep.

Shut down media mayhem. Bright lights, fast-paced activity, and over-stimulating content are bedtime don’ts. So television, which pours out light and stimulation just as kids should be winding down for sleep, has no place in a bedtime routine. Numerous studies have linked television-watching with poor sleep in children, yet it remains a common evening activity in millions of households with young kids. Shut off screens an hour before bedtime and

Late bedtimes cause many childhood sleep problems.

use the time before bed for reading and other quiet activities instead.

Serve sleepy-time snacks. The best bedtime snacks contain sleep-inducing tryptophan along with complex carbohydrates to help tryptophan cast its sleepy spell. Nut butter on whole-grain toast, cheese on whole-grain crackers, and cereal with milk or soy milk are great, healthy options. Be sure to serve the snack an hour before bedtime—sleeping on a full stomach can contribute to poor sleep and nightmares.

Start sunny side up. For a better bedtime, start your child’s day off the bright way. Strong morning light helps set your child’s internal clock so they’ll fall asleep more easily come nightfall.

Open their curtains to let the light shine in and serve breakfast in a sunny spot. A morning walk offers beneficial light exposure to help regulate your child’s circadian rhythm.

Nighttime light disrupts melatonin production.

Avoid nap traps. Naps can help keep babies and toddlers from becoming overtired, and new research from Emory University shows that they help babies learn and retain new information. Tired teens and older children can benefit from short, 20-minute power naps. But napping all day is guaranteed to make your child nocturnal. To promote healthy

naps while preserving nighttime sleep, babies and preschoolers should end afternoon naps four hours before bedtime. Older children who no longer take afternoon naps should limit catnaps to the morning hours.

Get moving. A body in motion is one that’s primed for sleep, because exercise helps children fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Aim for at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous activity. Babies need lots of time on their tummies and backs to roll, wiggle, and work their muscles, while toddlers and older children can run, jump, climb, and stretch their way to sounder sleep. ❖

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published sleep and health journalist and hosts the Sleep Well Stay Well podcast.

Tutoring

Do you have a child in grades K-5 who needs some help catching up?

I am a retired teacher and tutor who can provide one-on-one support. Sometimes it's distraction, shyness or anxiety that create barriers to school success. We can work on that as well as any subject matter.

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Teens Wear Me Out

Chasing After Kids Doesn’t End in Toddlerhood

By Katy M. Clark

How I recall those sleepless nights when my kids were newborns. Those nights morphed into long days carrying chunky toddlers, then chasing precocious preschoolers. Yup, parenting little ones wore me out.

Things settled down a bit when my kids entered elementary school. Still, they kept me moving with endless birthday parties and after-school activities.

So it was with great anticipation that I envisioned a rest as they reached their teen years. They were more independent and less helpless after all. Welp, I was wrong! There are countless ways that nurturing

my teens into adults is physically and mentally exhausting. Here are just a few.

Have Teens, Will Schlep I take way more than 10,000 steps a day mothering teens. Just a trip to the store pushing a cart loaded with groceries that my teenage son will consume in a matter of days piles up on the pedometer. Then there’s lugging snacks, water, chairs,

blankets, and even costumes to their events, on the court and stage. Pacing the sidelines, jumping up and down when something good happens, or standing and clapping during an ovation surely burns as many calories as cheering. It wears out not only my voice, but also my heart, which bursts with pride over whatever amazing thing my teens just did.

Can Someone Carry This?

They say your home should be your sanctuary, but as the mother of teens, sometimes it feels more like an exercise class. I’ll stand and bend dozens of times in as many minutes picking up the cups, plates, and silverware left on their desks or bedroom floors, or scooping up that wad of clothes that hasn’t moved from the corner of their room in a week.

I might leave the new pack of toilet paper or other item on the landing hoping against hope that my teens will take it up the stairs, only to find myself carrying it. Then I’ll put the mountains of groceries away as I ready myself to prepare meals and wipe down the kitchen, day in and day out. Sure, I appreciate the times my teens pitch in, but mostly I’m the captain of this ship we call home, hustling to keep my kids fed, clothed, and alive. Phew!

You Want to Drive?! I practically live in my car. There

I lie awake in bed listening for them to pull into the driveway.

are long drives to tournaments, concerts, or to or from college as well as early morning rides to workouts and late nights sitting in a dark car waiting for events to finish.

And let’s talk about how exhausting it can be teaching them how to drive. My hand hurts from clutching the passenger door, and my right foot and calf are tired from pushing the non-existent brake pedal. Then there is the worrying. Will they be safe? What about the drivers around them? How about when they ride with their friends? I have a permanent crease wedged on my forehead as the parent of teens. Forget sleep, too, as I lie awake in bed listening for them to pull into the driveway.

Excuse Me While My Mind

Combusts Raising teens is mentally exhausting for sure. There are so many concerns: Do they have friends? Like their classes? Why aren’t they talking more?

begging than when they were little. Sometimes I feel like I’m a lawyer arguing for the defense!

Then there are emails from their schools to digest, not to mention apps for their activities and portals for their healthcare.

As if that weren’t enough, there are the many requests—for the trendiest shoes or phones or whatever—to deal with. My teens are smarter, savvier, and more persistent at

It’s Worth It Of course, while parenting teens wears me the heck out, it produces a good kind of tired, too. I might not have the energy to leave the house, but I feel content knowing I’ve loved and cared for my teens. And I might not want to get up off the couch at the end of the day, but I still buzz with happiness when my kids are under my roof, at college, or in the real world. Yup, parenting teens wears me out but loving them makes it all worth it. ❖

Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who embraces her imperfections on her blog Experienced Bad Mom

I’m the captain of this ship we call home.

3 Steps to Getting Fit

By Pam Moore

Lay the Foundation for Success

If you’re like most people, January finds you ready to start a new fitness routine. And if you’re like most people, by February, your motivation vanishes along with the cookies you swore you wouldn’t eat. Studies show only four percent of people who join a gym in January step foot in that gym in February. If you are one of the many who wanted this year to be different, here are three things you can do to lay a foundation for success.

1. Find your Why. You’d be surprised how easy it is to commit to your fitness journey when you know why you embarked on the mission in the first place. Ask yourself why you want to get in shape. Then ask again. And again. You’ll know when you’re done. Once you get over the awkwardness of having a conversation with yourself, you might be surprised how powerful your Why is. The conversation might go something like this:

Why do you want to get fit?

Because I want my jeans to fit better. Why do you want your jeans to fit better?

So I can feel good about myself. Why do you want to feel good about yourself?

Because I want to be confident. Why do you want to be confident?

I want to be a role model for my daughters.

It may not be easy to keep peeling back the layers on your Why. But the cliché is true—nothing worthwhile is easy. Once you’re crystal clear about the source of your desire, it becomes a million times easier to say no to the snooze button or girls’ night, and say yes to your workout—and yourself—instead.

2. Have a measurable goal. I love fitness. As an Ironman triathlete, an avid runner, a running coach, and a spin instructor, it’s fair to say I am obsessed with fitness. But I can’t support a goal of simply “getting fit.” The same goes for “getting in shape” or “toning up.”

Fitness goals must be objective and measurable. In other words, you should be able to attach numbers and dates to them.

If you have a weight loss goal, make sure it includes a number of pounds and a date. “Lose weight” becomes a long-term goal of “Lose 20 pounds by April 1.” Once you have a long-term goal, add a few short-term goals to keep you motivated and to provide benchmarks of your progress.

Short-term goals might be:

• Lose two pounds by January 10.

• Lose ten pounds by June first.

3. Schedule your workouts. “A failure to plan is a plan to fail.”

Benjamin Franklin knew this was true way before we dreamed of holding tiny computers with calendars, alarm

Treat your workout time as you would any other appointment.

clocks, and timers in the palms of our hands. As all successful people know, what gets on the calendar gets accomplished. Treat your workout time as you would any other appointment. Create an event on your Outlook or Google calendar, pencil it into your planner, or create an alert on your phone 20 minutes in advance. Do whatever works for you to carve out the time.

If you’re having trouble keeping your workout appointments, try a different approach. In her book Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives (Crown, 2015), author and happiness expert Gretchen Rubin classifies most people as what she calls “obligers.” Obligers find it much easier to follow through on a commitment

they’ve made to a friend than one they’ve made to themselves. While most of us would easily hit snooze and skip the 7 a.m. spin class, we’d never stand up the friend we promised to meet at the gym.

policy. It’s hard to skip a workout you’ve already paid for.

• Joining an exercise group or fitness studio.

• Becoming a member of an online accountability group.

There’s no shame in relying on external accountability to help establish a new habit. You could start by:

• Finding a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to work out with.

• Attending classes at a group fitness studio with a strict cancellation

• Hiring a personal trainer. Before you give up on fitness—or better yet, before you buy that fancy workout tracker and the pricey yoga pants—ask yourself the hard questions. Being honest with yourself about your fitness goals will keep you on your fitness path over the long haul. Because once you know your Why, your What, and your When, the question of How becomes a whole lot easier to answer. ❖

Find Pam Moore at pam-moore.com .

Calendar of Events

Frogs and Toads Are Friends

A

rnold Lobel began drawing when he was a child and never stopped, turning his passion into a career as a children’s book illustrator and author. Some of the most famous of his books comprise the Frog and Toad series, which begot a jazzy children’s musical: A Year With Frog and Toad. The show explores the meaning of friendship as it follows the characters through different seasons. They bake cookies, plant a garden, rake leaves, and celebrate Christmas. Sixth Street Playhouse will take the musical to its stage January 7–22, offering morning and afternoon performances on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $15–$25, or free for children younger than two, and may be purchased at tinyurl.com/mdaxu3mr.

Sunday 1

First Day Hike. Admission: $10. Parking fee: $10. 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Jack London State Park. 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. Tickets: tinyurl. com/2am7v88h

FREE First Day Walk. Admission: free. Parking: $9–$10. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Hikes every hour. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (meet at Visitors Center). 17000 Armstrong Woods, Guerneville. tinyurl.com/yk4xfhpy.

Tuesday 3

Early Release Enrichment at Veronda-Falletti Ranch. For

elementary school-aged children who have half days on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Provides farm, nature & art-based experiences. $10/day & up. Tuesdays & Wednesdays. 12:30–4:30 p.m. Veronda-Falletti Ranch. 175 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. Registration required: tinyurl.com/mr2he42j.

Art Sundays at Emmanuel Farm. Curated family-friendly crafts & activities. $15–$20. Sundays. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Emmanuel Farmstead. 1406 Barlow Ln., Sebastopol. tinyurl. com/3jrtd7vj.

FREE Bilingual Family Storytime/ Hora de cuentos bilingües para

familias. Ages 0–5. Stories in Spanish & English. Edades 0–5 años. Historias en español e inglés Martes. Tuesdays. 10:30–11 a.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. Other libraries will host this event. See events.sonomalibrary.org for branches/ times.

Wednesday 4

FREE Martin Luther King (MLK) Poster Making Workshop for Kids. Children in grades K–6 will use an MLK quote to create posters for a countywide contest. Submissions must be brought to a Sonoma County Library branch by Jan. 10. Jan. 4: 2–3 p.m., Cloverdale Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. Jan. 8: 1–2 p.m., Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E. St., Santa Rosa. Cloverdale workshop: tinyurl.com/yrswf4am. Santa Rosa workshop: tinyurl.com/ v6kd83t3.

Thursday 5

FREE Teen Thursday Crafternoons. Grades 7–12. Supplies & instruction provided to make woven crafts such as

A Year With Frog and Toad

friendship bracelets. Participants may also bring their own crafts to work on. Thursdays. 4–5 p.m. Petaluma Regional Library. 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. events.sonomalibrary.org.

Friday 6

Daddy Long Legs. A heartwarming Cinderella story based on the novel. Tickets: $25–$45. Fridays & Saturdays: 7:30 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. Runs thru Jan. 22. Cinnabar Theater. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. Purchase tickets: cinnabartheater.org.

FREE Young Astronomers/ Striking Sparks. Robert Ferguson Observatory hosts a virtual meeting for kids in grades 4–9 who are interested in all things space. 7–8 p.m. Email ncummings@rfo.org for Zoom link. rfo.org

Sensory Swim at the YMCA. For kids with sensory, motor, or other developmental needs. Membership not required. $10 for a family swim pass (2 adults & any minors in the same household). Fridays: 2:20–4 p.m. Sundays: 9–10:30 a.m. YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. scfymca.org

FREE Soul Care Reset for Moms Raising Kids with Mental Health Challenges. At this Zoom workshop, Kris Rice will share how she managed to meet her own needs even while raising a child with emotional issues. Jan. 6 & 15: 11 a.m.–noon. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/2p99adk3. To learn more about the facilitator, go to krisricecollective.com.

Saturday 7

S.T.E.A.M. Room. Toys & materials available for kids to explore science, technology, engineering, art & math. Saturdays & Sundays. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Photo by Susan and Neil Silverman Photography

(except Jan. 14). Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/274neacv.

Crab Feed. Benefits Penngrove Fire Dept. $65. Cocktails (no-host bar): 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 7 p.m. Penngrove Community Clubhouse. 385 Woodward Ave., Penngrove. Tickets: tinyurl.com/39hrex8e.

FREE Family Is a Rainbow. Ages 3–8. For queer families & allies focused on celebrating the importance of family, diversity & community. Parents, caregivers & guardians welcome. 11 a.m.–noon. Guerneville Library. 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. tinyurl.com/2mmse3jd.

FREE Intro to American Sign Language for Kids. Instruction on basic grammar, vocabulary, numbers & colors & how to finger spell ones name. For kids in grades 3–8. Family members welcome. 11 a.m.–noon. Sebastopol Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/53z898br.

A Year With Frog & Toad. Musical based on the children’s stories. $15–$25. Kids younger than 2: free. Jan. 7–22. Saturdays & Sundays. Morning & afternoon performances. 6th Street Playhouse. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Monday 9

FREE Girl Scout Virtual Open House. Learn about Girl Scout programs & how troops work. 7–8 p.m. Link for webinar will be emailed following registration: tinyurl.com/ zc3jz27h

Tuesday 10

FREE Sensory Friendly Afternoon. Exclusive to families of children

ages 0–12 who have special needs. Hands-on exhibits; art studio. Safe, accessible environment. 1–5 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. Pre-registration required: tinyurl. com/2s44bmpu.

Wednesday 11

FREE Shadow & Walk-Through the High School Tour. Prospective students come shadow while parents tour the school. 8–9:30 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/555vyjsh.

After-School Arts & Wellness. For grades 1–5. Month-long exploration of zero-waste cooking & recycled art-making. Jan. 11, 18 & 25. 3:30–5:30 p.m. Sliding scale for 1 month of classes/6 classes within 3 sessions: $50–$150. Sonoma Community Center. 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. tinyurl.com/4n24fw5v

Saturday 14

FREE Laguna Stewards at Meadowlark Field. Family event. Tools & training provided. Heavy rain cancels. 9 a.m.–noon. Meadowlark Field. 6303 Hwy. 12, Sebastopol. Register: tinyurl.com/sh99uzuh.

Sewing Creations. Geared for ages 4 & older. Sewing machines, embellishments & materials provided. Specialist will be on hand to support families. Free with museum admission ($16; infants 11 months & younger, free). 1–3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/yc565k6b.

Second Saturday Cartoonist. Meet, watch & talk to Maria Scrivan, whose comics include the Nat Enough series

& the daily comic strip Half Full. Cost included with museum admission ($5–$12; ages 3 & younger, free). 1 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org/maria-scrivan

Wolf House Winter Nature Walk. 10 a.m.–noon. Event: $10. Parking: $10. Jack London State Historic Park. 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. tinyurl.com/yvuz8dae.

Bring Your Own Telescope Class. Guided instruction on how telescopes work & what to consider when purchasing or upgrading. Bringing a telescope not required, but those who do should email sd@rfo.org with info about the type of scope being brought. Hosted by Robert Ferguson Observatory. $65–$80. Cost includes parking & all members of family. 5–8 p.m. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Robert Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. Tickets: tinyurl.com/57bkb3sx.

Science Saturdays: Lava Lamps. Make a colorful, bubbling lava lamp with everyday household materials. Investigate liquid density & chemical bonds in this science experiment. Kids-only, interactive science hour. For ages 6–12. $10–$12. Parking: $7. Two sessions: 11 a.m.–noon & 1–2 p.m. Environmental Discovery Center. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: secure.sonomacountyparks.org/ registration

Junior Rangers: Friendly Fire Walk. Explore the land & gain a better understanding of fire through the eyes of forest ecology. For ages 7–13. $10–$12. Parking: $7. 10–11:30 a.m. Mark West Creek Regional Park & Preserve. 3000 Porter Creek Rd. (west

of Safari West), Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/7fupvxtv

FREE Lion Dancing. Performed by the Sonoma Vietnamese Association. In Vietnam, lion dancing combines martial arts with folk dancing in order to mimic the animal’s movements. All ages welcome. 2–2:30 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. Other libraries will host this performance. View events. sonomalibrary.org for branches/ times.

FREE Dragon Dance & Cultural Performances. Featuring the teens & adults of the Redwood Empire Chinese Association. 2–3 p.m. Sebastopol Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/mr23p7xe

Sunday 15

Beethoven Lives Upstairs. A young boy comes to understand the genius of Beethoven, the beauty of his music & the torment of his deafness. The Santa Rosa Symphony plays selections of the master’s music. For all ages. $10–$20. 3 p.m. Arrive 1 hour early & visit Instrument Petting Zoo. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3xbxjj5c.

FREE Virtual MLK Celebration Event & Award Ceremony. Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a just nation. For all ages. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Find Zoom info: tinyurl.com/mr4but4w.

Monday 16

FREE Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Help clean up parks. Tools, gloves, materials & lunch provided. 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Andy’s Unity Park. 3399 Moorland Ave., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/3kmum8db

Tuesday 17

The R-Word Movie. An intimate, humanizing & deeply respectful look into the long-reaching history of derogatory language used to describe people with intellectual & developmental disabilities. Followed by a virtual Q&A with filmmaker Amanda Lukoff. 6–7:30 p.m. Sonoma Mountain Elementary Charter School. 1900 Rainier Cir., Petaluma. commongroundsociety.org

Wednesday 18

FREE Walk Through the Grades Tour. Take peek into Waldorf classrooms. Check out campus & working biodynamic farm. Adults only. 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl. com/2r77a3ba

Infant CPR & Safety Class for Parents. $80. 6–8:30 p.m. 5350 Commerce Blvd., Suite B, Rohnert Park. Register: tinyurl.com/m7xdbjn8

Thursday 19

Cesar Died Today. Original play by brothers John & Gabriel Fraire. Story revolves around a Mexican-American family hiding secrets from each other. $10–$25. (Thursday Preview: Pay what you can.) Jan. 19–21. Thursday–Saturday: 7:30 p.m. Sunday: 2 p.m. Raven Performing Arts Theater. 115 North St., Healdsburg. tinyurl. com/5n8pc58d.

Friday 20

FREE Stewardship Day at Fitch Mountain. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Meet at Villa Chanticleer Dog Park Parking Lot (west side of Fitch). 908 Chanticleer Way, Healdsburg. Register: tinyurl. com/295uys39

Saturday 21

Rancho Cotate Athletic Boosters Crab & Pasta Fundraiser. $75. 5–9 p.m. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4sb2wm9x

All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp Feed. $40. Hosted by Knights of Columbus. 5–8 p.m. St. Peter’s Church. 491 S. Franklin St., Cloverdale. tinyurl. com/3c6d95sp.

DAV 2nd Annual Crab Feed. All-you-can-eat crab. Wine/beer, auctions & special guest speakers. Ages 6–17: $20–$50. Adults: $80. Benefits Chapter 48 Disabled Veterans. 5–9:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Bldg. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl.com/34d7k9pb

PRDC Annual Crab Feed. $70–$77. Dine in or pick up. 5:30 p.m. Petaluma Riding & Driving Club. 1820 Skillman Ln., Petaluma. Tickets: petalumaridingclub.com.

Ursuline Alumnae Crab Feed. $75. To-go orders: 3:30–4:30 p.m. Dine-in: 5:30 p.m. Cardinal Newman High School Gymnasium. 4300 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa. Tickets: ursulinealumnaesr.org.

FREE Girl Scout Space Science Explorer Event. Explore & observe the sky while learning about Girl Scouts. 1:30–3:30 p.m. Girl Scout Activity Room. 4825 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa. Reservations: tinyurl.com/bdehxy4s.

FREE ComMom Meetup. For moms of disabled or special needs children. Coffee & light snacks. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Early Learning Institute. 311 Professional Center Dr., Ste. 100, Rohnert Park. Register: tinyurl.com/ yn5zu7nx

Sunday 22

Lunar New Year Celebration. Lion Dance: 4 p.m. Inside dining: 4-8 p.m. Prizes, including free food, for dine-in customers only. Pho Sonoma. 140 Second St., Ste. 120, Petaluma. tinyurl. com/3ukh8774.

FREE Santa Rosa Mothers’ Club (SRMC) Preschool Fair. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Sports Basement. 1970 Santa

Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl. com/2s4bkcf6

Monday 23

Santa Rosa Symphony RACH & the Hollywood Sound. Santa Rosa Symphony performs Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. $32–$105. Ages 7–17 may receive one complimentary ticket with every paid adult. (Request kids’ tickets thru Patron Services: 707-546-8742.) Jan. 21–23. Jan. 21: 2 p.m. (Discovery Open Rehearsal) & 7 p.m. Jan. 22: 3 p.m. Jan. 23: 7:30 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets: srsymphony.org/EventDetail/235

Tuesday 24

FREE Kindergarten Sneak Peek Tour. Students will join the current Kinder class while parents tour the campus. Q&A to follow. Space limited. 8–10 a.m. The Presentation School. 20872 Broadway, Sonoma. RSVP: tinyurl.com/bdevn4bt

Friday 27

Petaluma Woman’s Club AllYou-Can-Eat Crab Feed. Take out or dine in. Live auction. Take-out for two: $120, 3–5:30 p.m. Indoor dining: $75, 6:30 p.m. Petaluma Women’s Club. 518 B St., Petaluma. Tickets: tinyurl. com/3huuryk3

Saturday 28

Lunar New Year Celebration. Children participate in Lion & Dragon Dances. Calligraphy, Chinese Zodiac, Chinese drummers & more. Free with admission: adults & kids, $16 (income-based discounts available); infants 11 months & younger, free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Lion & Dragon Dances: 11a.m. & 1 p.m.

Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/event/lunar-new-year.

FREE Free Day & Guest Cartoonist. Free admission. Talk & drawing demo with Christopher Eliopoulos, illustrator of Ordinary People Change the World bestselling picture book series. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Meet & greet cartoonist: 10:30 a.m.) Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2p8tvntm

Art & Adventure Brownie Sleepover. Brownies spend night & complete all five steps of the Letterboxer badge. Pizza dinner & continental breakfast included. One adult chaperone required for every six Brownies. $40. Jan. 28: 5:30 p.m. thru Jan. 29: 9 a.m. Charles M. Schulz

Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/ym8k35nu

Annual Crab Feed. Hosted by Montgomery Education Foundation. No-host bar. $60. 5:30–9 p.m. Saint Eugene Cathedral. 2323 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl.com/ k6f96zwh

River Creator Faire. Family maker-style event with hands-on activities in the arts & sciences. $7–$25. Noon–4 p.m. River Montessori Charter School. 3880 Cypress Dr., Petaluma. Tickets: tinyurl. com/2p95tzfd.

FREE LumaCon. Comic convention for youth. Meet well-known artists, illustrators & writers of comic books & graphic novels. Cosplay & LARPing. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Petaluma

Community Center. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. lumacon.net

Sunday 29

Bang on a Can All-Stars: Can Dance. Multi-media event of live music & films of choreographed dances. $25–$75. 7 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets: tinyurl.com/thzt6v4c.

Monday 30

Peking Acrobats. Featuring Shanghai Circus. $16–$21. Lap passes ($5) for ages 2 & younger available day of the show, in-person at ticket office. 6:30 p.m. Arrive 1 hour early for art projects. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl.com/prhfefnc

Care of the Exhausted Parent

How to Feed and Love the Overly Fatigued

By Shannon Carpenter

Whether in the office full time, at-home full time, or somewhere in the anxiety-inducing middle, caring for your Exhausted Parent (subspecies: Exhaustedus Parentis) is a big responsibility for any toddler. Like any pet, they require plenty of dedication, extra helpings of love, and the occasional glass of wine.

Habitat The Exhausted Parent requires a personal-space enclosure, at least ten by ten, which can be invaded constantly. This space should also have plenty of room for a couch with ripped cushions, a carpet with mystery stains, and thick dust (because who has time to clean anymore?). Feel free to further decorate the habitat with half-eaten sticky candy that is glued onto various surfaces.

Socialization The big, wide world can be quite scary for the Exhausted Parent. If they’ve spent too much time on social media, they may be timid and refuse to set foot outside the house. Although it’s natural for many Exhausted Parents to be introverted by nature, total seclusion is not recommended. Set up regular playdates for your Exhausted Parent so that they may learn how to talk to other Exhausted Parents about diaper rash.

Should you notice that your Exhausted Parent is becoming aggressive with others, give a quick pull on their leash and redirect their energy to a positive interaction, such as watching The Great British Baking Show

Feeding

A varied diet is one of the biggest challenges in properly taking care of an Exhausted Parent. Healthy options such as greens, proteins, and nachos should be part of their regular diet. The occasional beverage that has some sort of umbrella attached may also be included.

Health Tips From time to time, your clumsy Exhausted will have nasty little bumps into inflation that will cause their bank account to bleed. Don’t worry, this happens to all Exhausted Parents, especially when they see their energy and grocery bills.

Environmental Enrichment

The Exhausted Parent has a very full and busy life; therefore, it is imperative that their owners give special attention to mental health. A sensory deprivation tank will give them a chance to forget about their bills for a day. If such a tank is too pricey at the moment because college costs keep rising, you may also fill the bathtub with warm water and provide them with cheesecake.

To treat, wrap them in a warm weighted blanket and give them plenty of hugs. Occasionally kiss their bumps and bruises and let them know that everything will get easier. Should they require more care, take them to a beach and administer Pina Coladas as needed. ❖

Shannon Carpenter is a professional humorist, co-host of The Dadhouse Pod, and the author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad Manual (Penguin, 2021). He has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, and in the Washington Post and US News and World Report. As the father of three, you can often find him staring into the abyss as he tries to figure out how he’s going to pay for his kids’ college.

Go See a Romantic Musical

Jerusha Abbott is going to college, thanks to a mysterious benefactor to whom she must write monthly about her experiences. Such is the beginning of Daddy Long Legs, a romantic musical that stars real-life spouses Brittany Law Hasbany and Zachary Hasbany. See the show, which multiple Tony-award-winning director John Caird co-wrote, January 6–22 at Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25–$45 and may be purchased at cinnabartheater.org. For the January 14 performance, the theater will provide free childcare for ages 6 and older at its studio space in the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets. Theater games will be played and a kid-friendly movie will be shown. Sign up for childcare at tinyurl.com/y82zz886.

of the proceeds help save the lives of people needing organ transplants on MatchingDonors.com a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Get an Emotional Reset

Raising kids is tough, but raising a child with mental health issues is even tougher. As a mother, it can be hard to feel like there is any time or energy to take care of ones own needs. Kris Rice has been there. At her free Zoom workshop, Soul Care Reset for Moms Raising Kids with Mental Health Challenges, she will share how she managed to meet her own needs even while raising a child with emotional issues. The one-hour event will be held on January 6 and 15 at 11 a.m., with additional dates through the winter and spring. Get tickets via Eventbrite at tinyurl. com/2p99adk3. To learn more about the facilitator, go to krisricecollective.com

Daddy Long Legs

Kris Rice