Sonoma Family Life March 2022

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March 2022

Grow a Garden 10 benefits for kids

Ready for Preschool?

9 ways to prepare

All the Feels Mom humor Press Pause Create calm

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Virtual Camp Fair

RUNS APRIL-JULY MORE CAMPS ADDED WEEKLY!

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March 2022

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March 2022

Every Issue 6 8

12 Features 12 Dig This How gardening helps kids blossom.

14 Preschool Prep How to ease your child into school.

10

18 Too Wiggly to Read?

Help your little Energizer Bunny settle into a book.

Dear Reader Cooking with Kids Just Enough Heat

10

Bits and Pieces A Brush with Theater Run with the Irish Purim Joy Pack Like a Ranger Orchidmania

10

A Serving of Comedy

28 Calendar of Events 34 Humor Break All the Feels

20 Family Physician or Pediatrician?

How to figure out which one is best for your family.

22 Wisdom for New Parents Sound advice on meeting babies’ most important needs.

24 Press the Pause Button Simple ways to insert moments of calm into your parenting day.

26 Shamrock Central Stay-at-home St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

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March 2022

8 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Dear Reader

W

hat do parents need most?

Maybe some of the same things kids need. In “Wisdom for New Parents” (page 22), veteran Sharon Gowan mom Christina Katz Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us details the basic components of children’s emotional health, and offers ideas on how to help your new baby, and yourself, thrive.

In terms of physical well-being, choosing the best health-care provider for your family is important. “Family Physician or Pediatrician?” (page 20) aims to make it an easier decision.

Prep” (page 14) will help you ease your little ones into life at school.

Meeting a baby’s every need, choosing doctors and schools—it’s all such serious business. So give yourself a break from time to time. In “Press the Pause Button” (page 24), mindfulness teacher and therapist Eline Snel offers tips on how to slip a bit of calm into your day. Meanwhile mom-humorist Jessica Guerrieri will tickle your parenting funny bone with “All the Feels” (page 34).

And don’t forget to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Read “Shamrock Central” (page 26) for ways the whole family can have some good green fun.

Marketing/ Sales/Events 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

Happy March!

Jessica Guerrieri Tanni Haas Christina Katz Janeen Lewis Karen Nochimowski Jan Pierce Eline Snel Denise Yearian

In addition to your kids’ emotional and physical health, you’re also in charge of their education. Deciding where to send your kids to school is critical, and picking a preschool is the first step. “Preschool

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

Francesco at Bat Sunday, April 3, 2022 – 3 pm Weill Hall, Green Music Center | Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor Coach Francesco pulls his “team” together to play winning music.

Join him in a singalong of Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Tickets: $20/adult; $10/youth (12 and under)

srsymphony.org (707) 546-8742 See srsymphony.org for current COVID protocols.

Sponsored by The Alan and Susan Seidenfeld Charitable Trust, and Victor and Karen Trione Programs, date, artists, prices and COVID-19 protocols are subject to change without notice.

Tickets are subject to availability. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

6 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2022

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Cooking with Kids

Just Enough Heat Tasty Chili Kids Will Eat

By Momma Chef

W

hen my eight-year-old son—a picky eater— came home from school one day and asked me to make chili for dinner, I was ecstatic. I knew the recipe had to be kid-friendly (no green specs of anything could be visible), so that was the night my kid-approved chili was created. All my boys love this meal, and that is quite a miracle! ¶

This article originally appeared on MommaChef.com. It has been reprinted here with permission.

Karen Nochimowski, aka Momma Chef, is a mother of three active boys (ages 12, 8, and 5). On her blog, MommaChef.com, find more of her recipes, all of which require no more than six ingredients and six minutes of prep time.

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Simple and Kid-Approved Chili Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Ingredients 1 tsp. olive oil 1 pound lean ground beef 2 15 oz. cans crushed tomatoes 1 15–16 oz. can kidney beans, drained 1 packet McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning Instructions In a large pot, add oil and brown the meat over medium heat for five minutes, breaking up the meat as you stir.

Tips • When serving, add assorted toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped onions, or sour cream.

• To reduce sodium, try using McCormick Less Sodium Chili Seasoning Mix or 30% Less Sodium Mild Chili Seasoning Mix. • If you like a bit more heat, add ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper.

• If you want to make this in a crockpot, pour oil on the bottom, place the uncooked beef on the oil, and then the rest of the ingredients on top of the beef.

Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.

Pour in tomatoes, kidney beans, and chili seasoning and stir to mix.

Cover and cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serves: 6

March 2022

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SonomaFamilyLife 9

Bits & Pieces

A Brush with Theater

A

tiny turtle needs to return to the sea. But how will it get there safely?

So the story of Doodle POP begins.

Performed by the South Korean Brush Theatre troupe, the nonverbal virtual show features animation projections, live whiteboard drawings, and sound effects. Part of the Clover Sonoma Family Fun series, the 55-minute show is free and will be available for viewing on March 5 and 6. Get tickets at lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ doodle-pop. ¶

Doodle POP

Run with the Irish

F

amous for helping spread Christianity in Ireland, Saint Patrick walked a lot. Just escaping the Emerald Isle, where the Englishman was held prisoner before he became a missionary, required a 200-mile journey. So a foot race like the St. Patrick’s Day 5K seems a fitting way to celebrate the priest. The race, which will start at the Old Courthouse Plaza in downtown Santa Rosa, will be held on March 13. After the competition, there’ll be a party featuring beer, root beer, a judged costume contest, giveaways, and music.

Proceeds will benefit the Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Scholarship Fund, which provides swim lessons and summer camp experiences to kids. Registration is $55 for adults and $30 for ages 17 and younger. Sign up at fleetfeet.com/s/santarosa/ races. ¶

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March 2022

Purim Joy

P

urim is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates ancient Persia’s Jewish people escaping annihilation. Kids can take part in Purim festivities at special Mommy and Me events on March 3 and 10 at 10 a.m. Activities will include hamantaschen (a traditional pocket pastry), crafts, dress-up, sensory fun, and Jewish music and movement.

The event is free; for location, RSVP to devorah@ jewishpetaluma.com. ¶

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Pack Like a Ranger

F

or those who love to hike, learning to stay safe is a must. The Prepare Like a Ranger: Introduction to Wilderness Safety class aims to help youth do just that. A part of Sonoma County Regional Parks’ Junior Rangers program, the two-hour class will teach kids ages 7–13 how to prepare for day trips and overnight outings. Topics will include basic first aid, planning, preparation, and gear. The class will be held on March 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol.

The cost is $10 for Sonoma County residents and $12 for out-of-county attendees. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/2p82yt9k. ¶

Orchidmania

I

n Victorian England, the wealthy were smitten with orchids. Some even became obsessed, developing orchidelirium, a condition that drove sufferers to spend thousands of dollars on finding and cultivating the then rare and exotic flowers.

Today cloning has made orchids more accessible to everyone—and enthusiasts still abound. The curious can find out what all the floral fuss is about at the Exploring Orchids Show, which will include a wide array of vendors, hourly drawings for free orchids, a silent auction, expert orchid-care instruction, and an on-site orchid doctor. The event will be held on March 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and March 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., in the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa. Admission is $10; parking is free. ¶

Michael Kosta

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A Serving of Comedy

I

n a former life, comedian Michael Kosta was a professional tennis player. Now he entertains on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah. But he still loves sports and uses his comedic skills to make sure kids get to play them. For instance, he’ll be headlining Pasta and Punchlines, a fundraiser for the Santa Rosa Boys and Girls Club. The show, which will be held on March 12 at the club’s Santa Rosa facility, will feature a Sally Tomatoes pasta dinner at 7:30 p.m. and Kosta’s comedy at 8 p.m. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at barrelproofcomedy.com/ upcoming-shows. ¶

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farms don’t have as many respiratory allergies, asthma, or autoimmune disorders as children who were raised in urban areas. Why? Children who live on farms are exposed to more microbes and fungi in the dirt. Letting children get outside and get in the dirt may actually make them healthier than keeping them tidy, clean, and inside.

Dig This

10 Big Benefits of Gardening with Kids

By Janeen Lewis

M

ost parents want their children to get outside away from phones, TV, and video games, and gardening is a great way to achieve this goal. However, recent research shows that there are several other reasons to start a garden with kids. Here are ten of them.

1. Students who garden score higher on science tests.

Gardening is full of science. Children learn about plant classification, weather, soil, and plant pests and disease. Recent research shows that students who had gardening experiences as part of their school curriculum did better on standardized science tests than students who were not exposed to gardening in school.

2. If they grow it, they will eat it. As a teacher, I’ve taught STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and have served as a Junior Master Gardener club leader. In these roles I’ve witnessed the “if they grow it, they will eat it” phenomenon. Students love to dig up what they have grown, 12 SonomaFamilyLife

and then curiosity gets the better of them—they want to taste it.

Master Gardener Beth Tovi volunteered to mentor students in the garden for eight years at the elementary school where she served as a media specialist. She sees the nutritional and health benefits children gain from gardening.

“With the growing concerns about obesity, diabetes, and even high blood pressure in children, gardening gets them physically active and outdoors.

And children will eat anything they grow—even if it’s green.”

3. Digging in the dirt can make kids healthier. Several studies show that children who were raised on March 2022

4. Gardening strengthens emotional and interpersonal skills. Children who garden learn responsibility, patience, perseverance, and how to deal with disappointment

“[C]hildren will eat anything they grow—even if it’s green.”—Beth Tovi if the garden doesn’t grow the way they expected. How do they collaborate with other siblings, friends, or schoolmates to get the garden work done? These are character-building skills that research shows children reap in the garden.

5. Gardening connects children with nature. When children garden, they gain ownership of what they are cultivating. I have seen my own children grow “attached” to the plants in the containers on our patio garden. As children become more knowledgeable about all the living things in the garden, they are less likely to be afraid of touching the plants, getting soil on their hands, or being near bugs.

6. Gardening helps relieve stress for the whole family.

A garden can be therapeutic. Not that your fourth grader is battling www.sonomafamilylife.com

traffic, raising children, and feeling the demands of a pressure-ridden job, but even kids can feel stress, and the garden is good for eliminating it. In fact, a study in the Netherlands showed that after 30 minutes of gardening, subjects who had shown stress before they gardened had a “fully restored” positive mood. And if the adults in the family are feeling stressed, and they garden with their children, it can help the whole family feel more harmonious.

7. Gardening teaches kids to problem-solve. “When they garden, children learn problem-solving skills,” Tovi says. “They say, ‘This trellis doesn’t work very well. How can we make one that will better support this kind of plant?’”

Or they may ask, “What is eating this plant?” or “Is this tree dying?”

Once children become absorbed in solving these kinds of problems, they want to do research to find the best answers.

Gardening is full of science.

“They become sleuths, starting in the garden and heading to the computers,” Tovi says.

8. Gardening is a good workout.

Gardening is good physical labor.

Even the most seasoned gym-goer may admit to being sore the day after working in a garden. Gardening involves stretching, bending, digging,

lifting, pulling, and raking. Gross and fine motor skills are used, and even the youngest gardener with simple tasks gets physical activity.

9. Gardening helps children become environmental stewards. When children start harvesting the food and flowers, they realize a garden’s impact on them and their impact on the garden. So it is much easier to teach them to care for the environment.

10. Gardening can lead to a longer life. Studies show that adults who garden in their later years live longer. Instead of living a sedentary life, gardeners get off the couch and are active in nature. ¶ Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist and mother of two. She loves to teach gardening to children.

THROW A

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SonomaFamilyLife 13

and let them spend a few minutes swinging, going down the slide, and sifting sand in the sandbox.

3. Invite others to play. If, for some reason, your children have had little interaction with their peers, invite several children their age over to your house to play. It doesn’t have to be a daylong event; one or two hours is a sufficient amount of time for children to begin learning skills such

Preschool Prep 9 Ways to Get Kids Excited About School

By Denise Yearian

P

reschool is a wonderful time of growth in young children’s lives—a time to broaden their horizons, develop social skills, and ignite a love for learning. To help your children adjust to the new environment and ease into a routine, consider these ten tips.

1. Talk it up. Weeks before preschool begins, prepare your children by using positive and encouraging words. If you drive by the building where they will be attending school, say, “Oh, look!

There’s your new school. You are going to have so much fun there!” Tell your children that they are growing up and this means that they get to spend more time learning and playing with other children their age. If you, as a parent, have any reservations, choose your words carefully. Even from a young 14 SonomaFamilyLife

age, children can pick up on what their parents are and are not saying!

2. Stop by to visit. Several weeks before school begins, take your children to the facility so that they can familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Go as many times as your children need to feel comfortable.

If you know which classroom they will be in, stop by for a visit. If possible, let them meet the teacher and play with some of the toys in the room. Before leaving, take them to the playground March 2022

One of the best ways to prepare your children for preschool is to read juvenile materials about first-day jitters. as toy sharing and peer politeness.

Schedule this time when the children are the most likely to be well-rested— early morning or after naptime. Plan a few activities, but allow plenty of time for free play.

4. Introduce school materials.

Long before formal education begins, your children should become familiar with books, puzzles, games, crayons, scissors, glue, and clay. To ease into a structured environment, set aside time each day for you and your children to work on puzzles together; play games; color; cut and glue various items; and mold things out of clay. Start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend doing it. While you are participating in an activity together, tell your children that this is just one of many fun things that they will be doing in preschool.

Be alert for signs that they are getting bored with a given activity, and stop before they get too restless. www.sonomafamilylife.com

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SonomaFamilyLife 15

5. Read all about it. One of the best ways to prepare your children for preschool is to read juvenile materials about first-day jitters. Library shelves and bookstores are stacked high with stories of children and animals that were afraid to go to school. Through books like these, your children will learn that they aren’t the only ones with worries and apprehensions about attending school. Most important, they will be able to see anxious characters make new friends and have lots of fun despite their fears.

6. Establish a routine. If your children don’t already have a daily routine, create one for them. While it need not be as rigid as a day of preschool, structured playtime in the morning, storytime after lunch, and outdoor play at the same time every

day will help your children establish a routine. Consistency is key.

7. Go shopping. Nothing builds excitement more quickly than taking your children out to buy a new lunchbox, backpack, school clothes, or other needed school items. Make a day of it by first stopping by the school, shopping a little, and then enjoying a fun lunch together.

8. Take a dry run. The day before school begins, get your children up and out the door at the time that they will need to be ready for school. If they are attending a morning program, take them for a fun breakfast after they have made the dry run. If they are attending an afternoon program, stop by for a special ice cream cone to celebrate their upcoming day.

9. Watch and wait (if necessary). On the first day, if your children eagerly welcome their new environment, give each of them a hug, and tell them you will be back in a little while. If, however, they seem uncertain, tell them you will stay but only for a few minutes. During this time, introduce them to other children, show them some of the toys and pictures around the room, and help them get settled. When the time limit is up, give each of them a hug, reassure them of your love, and leave quickly.

Although there may be tears, your children will more than likely stop crying and start enjoying themselves soon after you leave. ¶ Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

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SonomaFamilyLife 17

ready for a cuddle. Some parents find that reading during bath time works well.

Too Wiggly to Help Energetic Kids Read? Learn to Love Words S

By Jan Pierce

itting still and listening to a story is a developmental skill that can be nurtured over time. Sometimes young children are just too full of energy to sit and pay attention to a book. They’re like a basket full of puppies needing to wiggle, run, and play. How will you ever instill a love of reading into your energetic toddlers or preschoolers?

Never fear; here are ten strategies.

Play first. Be sure your children get adequate active playtime before sitting down to read. Children will be much more likely to manage a quiet reading time if they’ve “worked out their wiggles” in vigorous play.

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Younger children need shorter reading times.

Wait until it’s time to snooze.

Read at naptime or bedtime, when your kids are already sleepy and March 2022

Get their hands involved.

Many parents find that allowing their kids to draw, do a lacing card, build with Legos, or hold something in their hands, such as a stress ball or thinking putty, helps with body management. This is especially true for children who are kinesthetic learners—they need to touch, feel, and keep their hands busy.

Read at naptime or bedtime, when your kids are already sleepy.

Read short stuff. Younger children need shorter reading times.

So select small pieces to read— several short poems or nursery rhymes, or a book with few words.

Make it interactive. Talk about the book’s pictures and ask for responses: “What sound does that dog make?” or “What color is the truck?” Merely interacting with the pages of a book builds reading-readiness skills. Or select books that give kids the opportunity to open pockets, zip up zippers, and touch and feel textures.

Write and read about family members. Make reading time personal with stories about your daily life, such as the antics of your pets and the fun things your family

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RELENTLESSLY PURSUING EXCELLENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS

is doing. These homegrown stories will become your kids’ favorites.

Follow their interests. Children love to read about their favorite movie characters, their favorite sports, their favorite anything. Find titles at your local library and then move to new books as your children’s interests grow and change.

Let them choose. Choice is a big factor in creating the motivation to read. When you allow your children to pick a book, you encourage them to buy in and increase the quality of the reading experience.

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707-542-2201 • LEARN MORE AT WWW.BVUSD.ORG Talk about the book’s pictures and ask for responses.

Listen to a book on the road.

Try using audio books when driving in the car. Children are a “captive audience” when they’re in their car seats; and listening to audiobooks not only helps to pass the time, but it also increases listening reading skills.

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Snacks and games help, too. A craft, snack, or game that is related to the reading topic may help keep the time enjoyable.

sebastopolschools.org (707) 829-4570

Above all, be sure reading is a positive experience. Short and sweet reading times—that’s the solution to the wiggles. ¶ Jan Pierce, MEd, is a retired teacher and author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read. Find her at janpierce.net.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

CASTLE Preschool & Child Care Park Side School (K–4) Brook Haven School (5–8) March 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 19

retake that exam or participate in the Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment every ten years to stay certified.

So, how do you choose? Choose a pediatrician if:

Family Physician or Pediatrician?

Who Should Be Your Kids’ Doc?

By Tanni Haas

A

n important decision that all parents face is choosing between a family doctor and a pediatrician. How do you decide which type of physician is right for you, since both are qualified to take care of your kids? Let’s look at each in turn.

Pediatricians are primary care physicians who specialize in kids’ physical and mental health. They spend four years in medical school and complete an additional three years of pediatric residency to become pediatricians. A boardcertified pediatrician is someone who’s passed the exam of the American Board of Pediatrics. They have to retake that exam every five years to remain certified.

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Family doctors are also primary care physicians but, unlike pediatricians, they do their medical residency in multiple areas, including general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and also pediatrics. This training qualifies them to treat patients of all ages. They become certified by passing the exam of the American Board of Family Medicine and must March 2022

You’re looking for specialized care for your kids. Pediatricians are trained to diagnose and treat all kinds of childhood illnesses. For these reasons, pediatricians can take care of your kids all the way from infancy to their teens.

A family doctor knows the medical history of each individual family member.

You want a physician with expertise in child development. If you have concerns that your kids may have certain developmental delays, a pediatrician would be a good choice.

You want a physician who’s good at relating to kids. Pediatricians are experienced at interacting with young people. They can identify symptoms kids have a hard time expressing, and they know how to speak with kids at their level.

You like a kid-friendly office environment. Pediatricians often have warm and cozy offices that are furnished with kid-size furniture, books, and toys. If your kids are apprehensive around strangers and need a lot of comfort to relax, choose a pediatrician.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Pediatricians are great, and so are family doctors. Choose a family doctor if: You like your physician to know your entire family’s medical history. A family doctor knows the medical history of each individual family member and has all the relevant medical records.

This is especially useful when certain hereditary conditions or illnesses run in your family.

READY, SET, GO! Register now for spring activities, including our popular day camps over spring break!

Plus, join the St. Patrick's Day 5K on March 13!

SantaRosaRec.com | 707-543-3737

Pediatricians are experienced at interacting with young people.

You like your physician to be well-rounded. A family doctor is exposed to all kinds of ailments during their years of practice. So, if you like your physician to be able to diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses, a family doctor is well-suited for this role.

You like to have one place to go when someone in your family gets sick.

Should two or more of your family members get sick, say with the flu, it’s convenient to have a single place to go together instead of having to drive around town to several medical offices.

You’d like your kids to continue seeing the same physician when they grow up.

Unlike a pediatrician who typically stops seeing patients when they turn 18–21, a family doctor will continue to see your kids when they become adults, assuring a continuity of care. ¶

Summer is a time for kids to explore and expand the limits of their imagination. At Y CAMP, every day is a new adventure! SIGN UP TODAY and discover adventure, fun and new friends!

Find Your Y at: Sonoma County Family YMCA 1111 College Ave. SR · 707-545-9622 · scfymca.org

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 21

future ability to experience pleasure and intimacy, and create healthy relationships, hinges on getting their emotional needs met in infancy and beyond.

Wisdom for New Parents Six Things Every Baby Needs To Thrive

By Christina Katz

F

rom the moment your babies are conceived, you are bombarded with messages about buying their wholeness.

But children need your presence more than they need your presents. And babies are not the only ones with needs. Every person on the planet, including you, longs for the following six experiences. By identifying the desires you have in common with your baby, you can become a more mindful parent.

1. Solid Sense of Security Every baby needs to feel wanted. They need to feel that their primary caregivers are taking care of their every need.

become a perfect parent; your goal is to have enough support to feel secure, so you can pass on the quality of rootedness to your child.

You need to make sure you feel grounded, too. The key is to know how to manage tension. Use stress-reduction tools such as taking a walk, meditating, or taking deep breaths. Remember, your goal is not to

2. Natural Flow of Emotions Every baby expresses a range of feelings. If only positive feelings are allowable and negative feelings are discouraged, babies lose their natural emotional equilibrium. Children’s

22 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2022

No one is asking you to be emotionally perfect. But try to process your emotions so you feel available for your babies’ needs. Find someone to talk to about your feelings. Or express yourself through journaling, doodling, painting, or another artistic practice.

3. Feelings of Worthiness Every baby needs to feel valued.

According to therapist Tamara Hill, children develop their identity based on feeling valued, loved, heard, and

Why not let your child’s imaginative play lead you to places you might not otherwise go? respected. So go ahead and cheer for your children’s latest, age-appropriate accomplishments. You are not spoiling your babies; you are motivating them to tackle the next challenge.

Of course, parents need encouragement as well. Make an agreement with your partner to encourage each other. Try laughing about how exhausted, overwhelmed, and under-assisted you feel, instead of taking it out on each other. Watching funny sitcoms can be comforting, especially when they reflect where you are in your parenting adventure.

Keeping a sense of humor can help you feel worthy of support during challenging times.

4. Giving & Receiving Love To love and be loved makes us human. www.sonomafamilylife.com

So don’t ever worry about spoiling an infant because, according to medical professionals, it’s not possible. Infants are not sophisticated enough to purposely manipulate adults. They only express themselves to get their needs met.

If you and your partner love the baby but struggle to love each other, get help from a professional or join a support group.

5. Self-Expression Babies make noise. Before you know it, they chant ma-ma-ma, da-da-da, and imitate the sounds that go with specific objects. If you don’t teach your children the basic building blocks of communication, and repeat words back over and

over, they won’t learn as well or as quickly. Get a head start by communicating with your babies as early as when they are in the womb.

Try laughing about how exhausted, overwhelmed, and under-assisted you feel.

A 2013 study at the University of Washington showed that babies begin absorbing language as early as 10 weeks before birth.

Baby talk can get tiring, though, so connect frequently with adults.

Consider joining mom-baby playgroups, exercise groups, or an online parenting discussion group.

6. Access to Intuition & Imagination Studies suggest that imagination kicks in around 18 months. As developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik points out in her TED Talk “What Do Babies Think?,” parents think more like caterpillars and babies more like butterflies. This is because babies are much more willing to experiment and mentally explore whereas adults think more habitually. Why not let your child’s imaginative play lead you to places you might not otherwise go? As your children grow, they will invite you into worlds where you can remember the power your own imagination once held. ¶ Find Christina Katz at christinakatz.com.

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SonomaFamilyLife 23

we don’t always react appropriately.

Instead of listening to our bodies, we seek help outside of ourselves. We get a massage or physiotherapy for our tight shoulders. We take pills for pain or lethargy. We have thoughts like, “I don’t have time to sit down, because my dear son will wake up the moment I do.”

Sometimes we don’t trust what we’re feeling: “Me, tired? No, everything’s fine!” We just keep going. We are brave. And...we’re in a rush. Rushing

Press the Pause Button W

Mindfulness for Parents

By Eline Snel

e are all in urgent need of a Pause button. We, too, would love to lie down on the couch with a blanket from time to time while the kids play by themselves. We just want to rest peacefully without doing anything, without our minds being filled with parenting strategies or guilt! Let’s put some earplugs in our ears instead of always trying to be attentive to everything.

Then what? Then it’s time to start the listening test. Not to test your sense of hearing but to listen to what your body is saying—those signals from your tired shoulders, tender neck, and brain jumbled full of things that would be perfect to do at some point. But you don’t need to do anything right now.

Most of the time, we live too much in our heads and not enough in our bodies, even though our bodies can 24 SonomaFamilyLife

You’re not endangering world peace by stopping for a minute. to get rid of difficult emotions, we eat chocolate, go on Facebook and Instagram, and scroll through other people’s posts that say “Look how happy I am.” Whether it’s sleeping pills, wine, making ourselves seem excessively happy, or retreating to our phones, none of it really helps.

Mindfulness teaches you to stop for a moment and start to get in touch with your body instead of neglecting it. It will teach you to get back in touch with this part of yourself that is with you wherever you go.

tell us a lot. If you really listen to your body, you will notice the signals it’s giving you. Like a fine-tuned instrument, your body reacts to a whole series of emotions, such as anxiety, joy, tension, and exhaustion.

Calm Down As my son Oliver races on his balance bike across the living room, knocking over a chair and bumping into everything in his path, I often catch myself shouting, “Calm down!”

These signals are not there for nothing.

They’re speaking to you about how you’re living right now. They make you feel your limits, along with your need for space and a moment of rest. But

Saying this phrase helps. Not always for him—but it works for me! This little phrase helps me understand how much I first need to press my Pause button before I can teach my children

March 2022

www.sonomafamilylife.com

how to stop whatever they’re in the middle of doing. I say it to myself more and more, warmly, like an invitation, a mantra.

“Calm down. Sit down for a moment, get a cup of tea, and relax your shoulders. You’re not endangering world peace by stopping for a minute.”

It’s not always pleasant to be in touch with our bodies. It can even be a source of tension. But it’s always a good thing. And it’s always beneficial to regularly check whether everything’s feeling okay and working properly. When you know this, you can take account of yourself, ask

Obviously, this isn’t possible when the children or the furniture are in danger, but there are many other moments when it is.

We live too much in our heads and not enough in our bodies.

As soon as I begin regularly getting in touch with my body, I learn to recognize its gentle signals. I learn to feel it instead of neglecting it or getting worried about it. I calm down more often: when I wake up, when I’m waiting in line at the grocery store...or when I’m falling asleep.

yourself what you need in order to remain in good health and stay as relaxed as possible, so that the little warning lights don’t come back on.

Sports and yoga are good ways to, through a certain amount of effort, help you to relax and stay flexible

and in shape. Mindfulness exercises make it possible to release physical tension and restore the lost connection with your body. All you need to do is close your eyes and open yourself up to the signals coming from your body. Visit those places where you can feel emotions or tension: in your chest, around your heart, or in your stomach. Collect information without immediately trying to change it or hope for something. Just calm down... and things will get better. ¶ Excerpted from The Little Frog Awakes: Mindfulness Exercises for Toddlers (and Their Parents) by Eline Snel, translated by Christiana Hills, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Shambhala Publications, 2022).

Eline Snel is a therapist and runs the International Academy of Mindful Teaching in the Netherlands. Find her at elinesnel.com.

ER T IS AY! G RE TOD

JULY

4 SESS IONS

SUMMER GARDEN CAMP SC H O O L G A R D EN S . O R G www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 25

faces with shamrocks. Wear green beads and emerald costume jewelry from the dollar store.

Create clever crafts. Younger children can easily make shamrock hats and headbands, as well as rainbow-colored jewelry made with pipe cleaners and cereal or beads.

View traditional Irish art, music, and storytelling at stpatricksfestival.ie.

Shamrock 8 St. Patrick’s Day Central Activities for Kids I

By Janeen Lewis

f your favorite St. Patrick’s Day parades or celebrations are downsized this year or you are staying in, have a blast at home!

Here are some ways to make St. Paddy’s Day a hit with your family.

Share the significance. People across the globe celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, on March 17, the date of St. Patrick’s death. It is believed that St. Patrick was born in the late 4th century in Britain. When he was 16, Irish raiders captured him and took him to Ireland as a slave. Six years later he escaped, and reunited with his family in Britain. When he became a cleric, St. Patrick returned to Ireland. He is credited with successfully spreading Christianity in Ireland, where he started monasteries, churches, and schools.

26 SonomaFamilyLife

Mosaic shamrocks or tissue-paper shamrock sun-catchers are great craft projects.

Go green. St. Patrick’s Day revelers usually participate in the “wearing of the green,” dressing in shirts, dresses, and plaid kilts in shades of green.

Families don’t have to limit green to clothing. For fun, dye all liquids green—think milk and the toilet bowl water. Make your kids lime Kool-Aid or gelatin. Use face paint to decorate March 2022

Mosaic shamrocks or tissue-paper shamrock sun-catchers are great craft projects for older kids. Follow a “How to Draw” tutorial on YouTube and learn to sketch a rainbow shamrock, leprechaun, or Celtic cross. Paint Mason jars green and decorate them using an Irish theme. Light them up by putting battery-operated fairy lights or tea lights in the jars. Make a clover crown with tissue paper or felt shamrocks.

Compose lucky limericks.

A limerick is a funny, five-line, one-stanza poem. English poet Edward Lear made this nonsense form of poetry popular in the mid-1800s, but limericks were probably named for the city and county of Limerick in Ireland. Let your kids try writing limericks. Visit poetry4kids.com (tinyurl.com/2p8tzpzr) to learn more about this poetry form. The website includes a free printable worksheet with limerick rules, and lines for kids to write their own limericks.

Find the pot of gold. Plan a scavenger hunt with clues written on construction paper shamrocks. If someone in the family is talented at www.sonomafamilylife.com

writing limericks, let them make up the clues. Scatter the clues around the house on a trail that leads to a black pot filled with gold candy coins. Split the candy among all the kids in the family so everyone gets a share of the loot.

Visit virtually. Even if you can’t go to a St. Patrick’s Day parade or celebration, there are still ways to remotely soak up Irish music, dance, and culture. Families can virtually visit Dublin, Ireland, through St. Patrick’s Festival TV, a channel that shares Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival. (Also see the YouTube channel “St. Patrick’s Festival.”) Visit stpatricksfestival.ie to view traditional Irish art, music, and storytelling. Or visit IB4UD

at irelandbeforeyoudie.com and view “10 Virtual Tours of Ireland’s Most Famous Landmarks.” See 360-degree views of cliffs, castles, St.

Make your kids lime Kool-Aid or gelatin.

Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and emerald gardens and forests.

Check out lit-up landmarks.

Since 2010, landmarks around the world light up on March 17 for the Global Greening initiative. Famous monuments and buildings that have lit up include Sydney’s Opera House in Australia, the Las Vegas “Welcome” sign, the Great Wall of China, the Empire State Building in New York

City, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, and hundreds more.

Cook up some Irish eats.

St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without trying traditional Irish cuisine.

Allrecipes.com has several Irish recipes. Whip up some corned beef and cabbage, bake a shepherd’s pie, try your hand at soda bread, or slow cook Irish stew made with lamb chops or beef. If you can’t make a feast, why not delight the family with a dessert like white-iced shamrock cookies?

Or go decadent with Dublin Drop Cake, Irish tea cake, or Irish cream ice cream. Parents can top it all off with some Irish coffee. ¶ Janeen Lewis is mom to Andrew and Gracie, a teacher, and a nationally published writer.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH VACCINES Clinics hosted in partnership between County of Sonoma, Sonoma County Office of Education, and local school districts

Learn more at scoe.org/vaccines www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2022

Parents, guardians, and youth interested to learn more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to visit our website

COVID-19 vaccine clinics are currently available at school sites around Sonoma County for students ages 5+ and their families SonomaFamilyLife 27

March Tuesday 1 FREE Virtual Pride Group for Teens.

Kids ages 13–18 discuss books & other media that showcase queer voices & experiences. Sponsored by the Sonoma County Library. Tuesdays.

5–6 p.m. Register for Zoom link. tinyurl.com/2vrtfc7n.

Thursday 3 FREE Just Between Friends Kids’ & Maternity Consignment Sales Event.

The largest of its kind in Northern CA. Free except for early bird & pre-sale passes, which are $8–$25. Mar. 3: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mar. 4: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Mar. 5: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mar. 6: 9 a.m.–2

Calendar of Events

p.m. (1/2 price day). Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbay.jbfsale.com.

FREE Mommy & Me with a Jewish Twist: Purim Edition. Join other

moms, caregivers & tots. Purim crafts, dress-up center, Jewish music & more. Mar. 3 & 10. 10 a.m. RSVP for location: devorah@ jewishpetaluma.com.

Hair. The American tribal-love rock musical provides an affectionate look at the flower children of the ’60s. $22–$38. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required. Mar. 3 & 4: 7:30 p.m. Mar. 5: 2 & 7:30 p.m. Mar. 6: 2 p.m. 6th Street Playhouse. 52

W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. Tickets: 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Friday 4 FREE Young Astronomers/Striking Sparks. Virtual meeting for kids

in grades 4–9 who are interested in all things space & want to meet like-minded friends. First Friday of each month. 7–8 p.m. RSVP for Zoom link: ncummings@rfo.org.

FREE Family Storytime at Giorgi Park. Dress warm & meet on the

grass. Bring chairs & blankets. No need to register in advance. 11 a.m.– noon. Giorgi Park. 540 University Ave., Healdsburg. tinyurl.com/4sjb7s95.

March 4-6 & 11-13 Steele Lane Community Center

Bring the kids to join in the fun at our production of Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz by Steve and Kathy Hotchner. Perfect for kids ages 4-9! Audience members are required to wear masks.

RECREATION & PARKS

www.atheaterforchildren.com • 707-483-5800 28 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2022

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz. A

Theater for Children production.

Show lasts 45 minutes. Masks required. $7. Mar. 4 & 11: 7 p.m.

Mar. 5 & 12: 1 & 3:30 p.m. Mar. 6 & 13: 3 p.m. Steele Lane Community Center. 415 Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. atheaterforchildren.com.

Monday 7 Mud Lab. Create mud sculptures & “cook” with mud. Smocks provided.

Free with museum admission ($11–$14; babies 0–11 mos., free). Mondays. 2–3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

Saturday 5

Tuesday 8 FREE BiblioBus. Sonoma County Library’s new mobile library features a small collection of English & Spanish books for all ages, free Wi-Fi & more.

3–4:15 p.m. Miwok Valley Food Pantry. 1010 St. Francis Dr., Petaluma.

Schedule of other BiblioBus venues: sonomalibrary.org/bibliobus.

St. Elizabeth’s Annual Crab Feed.

Enjoy dinner under the early night stars. Adults: $65. Ages 11 & younger: free. 4–7 p.m. St. Hulbert’s Hall. 16290 5th St., Guerneville. Tickets: tinyurl. com/2p8rcwbr.

FREE Doodle POP. Performance

by Brush Theatre from South Korea.

Playful nonverbal show features live musicians & sound effects, interactive animation projections & live whiteboard drawings. Part of the Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series. Mar. 5 & 6. Free tickets: lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ doodle-pop.

Youth Orchestra Concert. Santa

Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra performs Memorable Melodies. $5–$15. 4 p.m. Required: Masks & proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 48 hours prior to concert. Green Music Center. Weill Hall. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets: tinyurl. com/2p8bch64.

Sunday 6 Chuck E Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays. On the first

Sunday of the month facility opens 2 hours early just for children with autism & other special needs.

Reduced noise & lighting. Food & games offered. 9–11 a.m. Chucky Cheese. 601 Rohnert Park Expwy., Rohnert Park. chuckecheese.com/ sensory-sensitive-sundays. www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Featuring a focus on Arts and Music

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March 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 29

Wednesday 9 FREE Tween Writing Club: What Happens? In monthly virtual

meetings, children’s author Natasha Yim will help young writers, ages 9–12, develop their own stories. 4–5 p.m. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl. com/2s39u6wv.

Thursday 10 FREE Ribbon Cutting at the Living Room Life Center. New center will

required. 7:30 p.m. Raven Performing Arts Theater. 115 N. St., Healdsburg.

Tickets: tinyurl.com/28bmszrk.

Saturday 12 FREE Family Bike Workshop. Learn tips, tricks & tools for bicycling safely. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Sebastopol Independent Charter School. 1111 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/56aczabd.

FREE Arbor Day Tree Planting Party. Plant trees & eat cake. 9

provide day services for women & children experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. 3–5 p.m. Living Room Life Center. 1335 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2r3xjukb.

a.m.– noon. Rincon Valley Community Park. 5108 Badger Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/3cb5err3.

The Real Irish Comedy Fest.

for ages 6–12. $10–$12/session. Two sessions: 11 a.m.–noon & 1–2 p.m.

Spring Lake Regional Park. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/4fd253jd.

Showcases a blend of Irish comedic talent, accents included. $25–$40.

Mask, ID & proof of vaccination

Science Saturdays. Science activities

Sunday 13 St. Patrick’s Day 5K. Annual themed run/walk open to all ages & abilities.

Post-race celebration features a costume contest, music & giveaways. $30–$55. Noon. 69 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa. Registration: tinyurl.com/5cbtasjn.

Stepping Through Time: An Irish Dance Spectacular. Members

of Keenan Irish Dance School & Brosnan School of Irish Dance perform. $10–$20. 3:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Building. 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma. tinyurl.com/ yc2uzy95.

FREE Family Fun Hikes. All ages & abilities welcome. Parking is $7 or free with a Regional Parks membership.

Registration not required. 1–3 p.m. Chileno Valley Trailhead. 411

LOVE TO DANCE?

WE LOVE TO DANCE AND YOU CAN TOO! The Keenan School works to bring the fun and joy of traditional Irish dance to all! From the age of 3 to the teen years, dancers of all levels of interest and experience have a place here.

PLEASE CALL FOR COMPLIMENTARY CLASS Corner of Hwy. 12 & Mission Blvd.

56 Mission Circle Ste. B • Santa Rosa (707) 791-8511 HaircutsAreFun.com/MissionPlaza-CA

30 SonomaFamilyLife

326 Petaluma Blvd. North • 542-1367 Keenan5678@att.net www.keenanirishdanceschool.com

March 2022

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Chileno Valley Rd., Petaluma. parks. sonomacounty.ca.gov/Play/Calendar.

Thursday 17 Purim on the High Seas. Kosher seafood, live entertainment, crafts, hamantashen. Come dressed as a pirate or any costume to win a prize. $8–$12. 5–7 p.m. Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma. 205 Keller St. #101, Petaluma. Tickets: tinyurl. com/2p8us8zv.

Saturday 19 FREE Expanding Your Horizons.

Virtual workshops to encourage girls in grades 7–8 to pursue careers in STEM fields. Mar. 19 & 26. April 2 & 9. Registration: eyh-soco.org.

707-800-9819.

FREE Lawn Games in the Park.

Gowan’s Cider Orchard St. Patrick’s Saturday. Sit in green

Bilingual event will feature corn hole, hula-hoop, bubbles & other traditional lawn games. Parking is $7 or free with a Regional Parks membership. Registration not required. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Andy’s Unity Park. 3399 Moorland Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/5n6hyvcx.

orchards & enjoy cider paired with corned beef sausage. One-Eyed Riley will perform modern Celtic, Irish classics & a bit of Grateful Dead. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Gowan’s Cider Orchard.

6600 Hwy. 128, Philo. Reservations recommended: gowansheirloomcider. com/book-online.

Snoopy Stretch & Sip. Join yoga

instructor Elizabeth Smith for playful yoga & gentle stretching, preceded by a walking meditation thru the outdoor Snoopy Labyrinth. Then enjoy a glass of local Pinot Noir. Yoga & meditation for ages 16 & up. Must be at least 21 & present a valid photo ID for wine. $25.

Museum members get 20% off. 3–4:30 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl.com/2b8m63w2.

Saturday 26 FREE Cotati Parks & Recreation Community Yard Sale. Donations

will be accepted on Mar. 24, 3–7 p.m. & Mar. 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Sale: Mar. 26, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Cotati Room. 216 E. School St. (behind City Hall), Cotati. cotati.recdesk.com.

FREE Family Storytime in the Children’s Garden. For ages 3 mos.–5

yrs. 10:15–10:45 a.m. Petaluma Library.

March & April 2022

Science Technology Engineering Math

“Motivating Young Women in Science and Mathematics”

Virtual Events

March 19 & 26 and April 2 & 9 10 am - 11 am

• 4 hands-on Saturday workshops led

by STEM women for 7th and 8th grade girls. Others are welcome.

• Kits will be available for pick up • Registration opens mid February & closes March 16 or when full.

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41

39

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For more information and to register:

eyh-soco.org

or leave a message: 707-800-9819

www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 31

100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma.

Registration required: tinyurl.com/ mv5cra7v.

FREE Laguna de Santa Rosa Bilingual Family Nature Walk. 10:30

a.m.–1:30 p.m. Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. 6303 Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa.

Walkers can register in advance or just show up. tinyurl.com/2p9av37n.

Egg-Cellent Adventure Easter Hunt.

Win prizes, including gift baskets from downtown businesses. Downtown 4th St., Santa Rosa. Stay tune for more details: downtownsantarosa.org/events.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Robert Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org.

Sunday 27 A Hermit Thrush at Eve. Young

10 a.m.–noon. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Rebounderz Sensory Friendly Mondays. Last Monday of the month.

People’s Chamber Orchestra performs 4 centuries of music by women composers. $5–$15. Masks & proof of vaccination or negative test required. 3 p.m. Phoenix Theater. 201 Washington St., Petaluma. tickets.srsymphony.org.

Exclusively for families of children with special needs. All access with no flashing lights, no whistles & quieter music. $20 per child (chaperone or parent is included). 3–8 p.m.

Rebounderz. 555 Rohnert Park Expwy., Rohnert Park. tinyurl.com/fd2yxppe.

Monday 28

Thursday 31

Star Party. Presentations on

Museum Mondays for Little Ones: Spring Has Sprung. Crafts for

astronomical topics. The observatory’s 3 main telescopes will be open for viewing. $5–$10. Ages 11 & younger: free. Parking: $10. 8–11 p.m. ID & proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test 48 hrs. prior required.

ages 1–5. A different theme every last Monday of the month, March– September. Before 11 a.m.: $7 per child & free for up to 2 adults per child.

After 11 a.m.: regular admission applies ($5–$12 or free for ages 3 & younger).

Live Online: Peanuts in Animation Today. Meet, watch & talk to the

creative team behind the upcoming Peanuts original animated special on Apple TV+. Presented by the Charles M. Schulz Museum. $15. Museum members 20% off. 5–6 p.m. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/5fcfm3b4.

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The Art of Academic Excellence Twin Hills Middle School 6-8 Give your child the BEST start to life there is!

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“My daughter has grown so much in her confidence and willingness to step forward and help. For someone who is only 4 years old she has more courage and confidence than some adults.” —Justin Overshiner, Rosie age 4, Santa Rosa Your child will develop supreme confidence, incredible self-control, laser sharp focus, exceptional fitness, rock solid self-respect, improved grades, and relief from pandemic stress.

Call Now (707) 575-1681

or visit our website AskAboutKarate.com Shotokan Karate Leadership School® At the corner of Marlow and Piner Roads

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A safe, small country school with high academic and elective standards. Teachers focus on character development and lifelong learning habits.

We offer a challenging high school prep environment.

Electives: Culinary arts • Dance • Spanish • Music • Art • Photoshop • Video editing • Technology MATHEMATICS ENGLISH • SCIENCE CREATIVE ARTS ATHLETICS • HISTORY

Are you ready for a challenge?

707.823.7446 www.twinhillsusd.org

March 2022

700 Watertrough Rd. Sebastopol, CA, 707.823.6278 twinhillsusd.org

Charter Middle 6-8

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Dr. Charlene R. Chan

Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Children • Teens • Adults 707.823.1200 www.chanorthodontics.com

8465 Old Redwood Hwy. Windsor (707) 228-2819 • www.studiow.dance

Mar 16 - Apr 23 Grades k-3, 4-7, 8-12 "It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself."

–Eleanor Roosevelt

CTTB SUMMER CAMP 2022 June 6 - 17, 2022 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

ACT • SING • DANCE dvgs@drba.org (Girls) 707-468-3896 dvbs@drba.org (Boys) 707-468-1138

www.YoungActors.Studio Luther Burbank CenteR for the Arts www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2022

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Humor Break fun of,” she wrote. I can’t wait to get that first Christmas card featuring all of them in matching flannel PJs.

All the Feels How Did Motherhood Turn Me into a Sap?

By Jessica Guerrieri

T

here was a time, in my pre-child existence, when I’d roll my eyes with the best of them. Photos of chunky babies inside watering cans would tug at my smile muscles but leave my heartstrings firmly intact. I was confident that motherhood would not make me into a blubbering sap or someone who could be anything other than horrified at the sight of graphic birthing videos.

But then came children—and the feels. Somehow my kids magically provoke the entire spectrum of human emotions in me on a daily basis. In general, I am softer and more fragile because they are in the world. If, scrolling the Internet, I see an image of tiny footsteps in the sand, I’ll search Etsy for a

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Nope, I can’t roll my eyes anymore.

Motherhood sap follows me everywhere. On Saturday, I completed my fifth half marathon.

One of the pacers in front of me shouted words of encouragement to runners that looked like they were currently regretting all of their life choices. Just as one man shook his head in surrender, the pacer and a small group of cheering racers linked arms with him so that he would keep moving forward. It was a glimpse of goodness that left my insides gooey and propelled me towards the finish line. Afterwards, I asked a mom-friend who had completed the race if she, too, had gotten choked up during the run.

“Of course!” she said. “On mile 12, where I had trained with my son in the stroller, I heard his little voice telling me I could do it and that empowered me to get to the end.”

Nope, I can’t roll my eyes anymore.

throw pillow emblazoned with that same image—plus a quote about the fleeting nature of childhood embroidered underneath it. I’ll also likely ugly-cry even before I click “add to cart.”

Recently, a friend, the last holdout of my childless buddies, had a baby. In college, we bonded over our shared hatred of kissy pictures and dads wearing their children as accessories.

When I asked her what she thought of motherhood so far, she texted me a picture of her husband rocking a Baby Bjorn, underneath it, a line of happy-crying emojis. “It’s all those sappy, clichéd things we used to make March 2022

Sure, it’s been an adjustment. For instance, strangers in the street look at me funny when I tell them things like, “It’s nothing. I’m just remembering the grandpa who rode a tandem bike with his grandson to school drop-off this morning.” But I like this vulnerable side of me. It’s so much more liberating to crawl out from behind the tissue box and unapologetically own these emotions. I’m not sure who coined the term “all the feels,” but my money is on a mother. ¶ Jessica Guerrieri is a mom and a freelance writer/blogger. Find her at witandspitup.com and on Instagram @witandspitup.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest

The Mother of All Crab Feeds

T

here are a lot of crab feeds this time of year, but the Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest is the largest. An annual event for more than 30 years, the festival this year will feature a crab dinner; more than 30 wineries, breweries, and food purveyors; more than 300 silent and live auction items; and live music by Court ‘n’ Disaster. Chow down on March 19 at the Sonoma County Event Center at the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. The silent aunction starts at 4 p.m. and dinner and live auction at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150 and may be purchased at sonomafb. org/crab-feed. Proceeds will benefit Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s educational activities, including scholarships, as well as Ag Days for nearly 4,000 elementary school children, teachers, and parents. ¶

Have More Fun & Create Great Memories Get weekly FREE e-mail updates for the best LOCAL family fun calendar

visit

www.Sonoma Family Life.com A Hike for All Bodies

N

ot everyone explores the natural world in the same way.

The differently abled may have their own means of travel.

Whatever their ways of getting around, nature-lovers of all stripes are invited to enjoy wildflowers, views, and oak forests at the Disability Awareness Month Hike. Slated for March 13, 10 a.m.–noon, the hike will be along a 2.2-mile paved path at Sonoma Valley Regional Park in Sonoma Valley. For more information, go to tinyurl.com/jr8379s8. ¶

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March 2022

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WAUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Relentlessly Pursuing Success for All

Now Enrolling for 2022-23 Corona Creek & Meadow School Transitional Kindergarten–6th Grade

Computer, Art & Music Teachers, Band, Librarians, Classroom Aides, STEAM Emphasis & Small Class Sizes

SPOTS ARE GOING QUICKLY REGISTER HERE!

COME FOR A TOUR

Call (707) 765-3331 to make a reservation

1851 Hartman Lane, Petaluma

www.waughsd.org

ArtandSoulSchool.com • 707 575-6858 Safeway Shopping Center in Windsor

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Now Accepting Applications

• Paid job training.

• Part-time.

• Health benefits.

• CalPERS retirement.

• Winter & Spring Breaks off.

• Summers optional.

• Paid sick leave, holidays, & vacations.

START YOUR NEW CAREER!

CALL NOW 707-206-9988 367 West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa • www.schoolbusing.org 36 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2022

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