kin
apRil 2011
ST. JOSEPH’S FAMILY MAGAZINE
GEt cREativE
Kaleidoscope in Kansas city is a great place for Kids
caSH cRuNcH
don’t try to hide money problems from your children
HORSE SENSE
On a ranch near StewartSville, ParentS get SOme Practical helP
GO tO SlEEp
tips for getting past those sleepless nights
it’S NOt tHE caRd, it’S tHE dEbt
taKe advantage of incentives without sinKing into debt
at night?
Erin Wisdom | reporter Blocking thoughts of all things stressful or exciting. If I’m keyed up over anything, insomnia wins out.
George Stanton | artists Give me a fan. The whirling blades in concert with a droning rhythm from the motor turns my eyelids into lead. I’m out as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Sylvia Anderson | reporter For the perfect sleep, I do some yoga, take a hot shower, light a lavenderscented candle, drink some warm chamomile tea then put in ear plugs so I don’t hear my husband or my dog snore.
Todd Weddle | photo editor I usually end up sitting up watching TV or working on my laptop. After the rest of the family is in bed and the house is totally quiet, I simply just crash.
SYLVIA ANDERSON A little about me: Sylvia Anderson is Kin’s lead reporter. She and her husband have three children, one grandson and a full-figured pug named Twinkles. Although she doesn’t like sports, she has willingly watched more sports games as a parent than your average fan and is now missing being in the bleachers.
05 Soda and caffeine consumption can have serious implications for kids . 06 You can grow veggies even in a tight space. 07 Check out Kaleidoscope in Kansas City . 08 A quick casserole that will make it seem you’ve spent all day cooking. 09 The tablet market has more than a few iPad alternatives. 10 Kids need to hear money problems straight. 12 Stewartsville ranch offers parents practical help. 16 Tips to get past those sleepless nights. 18 Spring is just about here and there’s plenty to do. 20 Taking advantage of credit card incentives without sinking into debt. Caffeine Craze | By Jennifer GorDon
Make a PoTaTo Bin | By GeorGe STanTon
CreaTive freeDoM | By SHea Conner
Love Me TenDer CHiCken anD riCe | By DaWn forSeBerG
keePinG TaBS | By BLake Hannon
exPLaininG THe CaSH CrunCH | By Jennifer GorDon
Life’S LiTTLe LeSSonS froM THe Barn | By erin WiSDoM
SLeeP Like a BaBy | By Jennifer HaLL GeT ouT THere |
keeP THe CarD, CuT THe SPenDinG | By erin WiSDoM
Have a story idea or photo you’d like to see in Kin? Send it to kin@npgco.com or call (816) 271-8563.
Kin’s editor is Jess DeHaven Paul Branson is the presentation editor The photo editor is Todd Weddle
On the cOver: Evie Templeton is executive director of SpiritHorse of Broken Creek Youth Ranch.
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We asked our staff the following question: What helps you get to sleep
Contents.AprIl11
Contributors
Before children, I slept like the dead. Rain could rush through the ceiling, gunshots could be fired outside my window (both actually happened) and I would not wake up. But then I became a mom. Sleeping became a scientific pursuit. I will never forget the screams of my daughter, Michelle, as I tried to follow some child expert’s advice for getting her to sleep in her crib: Let her cry for five minutes, then come back every few minutes after that. In theory, Michelle would be reassured that I would return and drift off to sleep. In a few days, I would be able to put her to bed with no fuss. Right. After more than an hour, she was screaming bloody murder and tearing my heart apart. I couldn’t take it anymore and brought her back to our bed. We both slept the rest of that night, anyway. This was never a problem with my other two children, maybe because every child is different and sometimes you have to try different approaches. So if you’re having trouble getting your angel to sleep, be sure to check out Jenn Hall’s story. You never know what will work. Likewise, you’ll want to read “Life’s Little Lessons from the Barn,” by Erin Wisdom. It’s a unique approach for helping people be better parents through interactions with horses. Whatever works!
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The parenting plunge
Not supposed to grieve
By Betsy Lee
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A little about me: Betsy Lee is a freelance journalist. She lives in a perpetually messy house with her husband, two children and a neglected basset hound mix. You can e-mail her at contactbetsylee@gmail. com.
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My mom used to call me Daddy’s little girl. This moniker was sometimes draped in affection and other times shrouded in something akin to jealousy. But it didn’t matter to me. I just hated it. As long as I can remember, I felt shame when I heard the label. None of my three siblings bore any similar description. They were anchored to both of my parents. But me? I was my father’s. So when my parents separated, I was set adrift. When my mother told me nearly three years ago, we were in a parking garage. I clasped my hand over my mouth and stood silent. I blinked. And I was 9 years old again. Here was this woman, my mother, standing in front of me, telling me that my family would never be the same. I’d never again sit around a table as my Dad made all six of us laugh. My home wasn’t really home anymore. I blinked again. And I was an adult. Compassion wove its way around my sinking stomach. And I hugged her while she cried. When we parted, I quivered with adrenalin — like that rush right before a huge storm is about to hit. It’s an excited sort of dread about the horrific possibilities. But, like most predicted apocalypses, the dramatic, skin-searing horror never came. At least not for me. My parents suffered. I helped how I could. But mostly I continued playing peek-a-boo, emptying the dishwasher and surfing the Web. At first, I actually gave myself a virtual pat on the back for how well I, and my siblings, handled it all. I squashed any pain, because it didn’t feel deserved. After all, I had my own husband, child and home, my own life. It wasn’t as if I was actually a pre-teenager, struggling with my own identity while my parents tried to find theirs. Having two bedrooms at two different houses. Watching my parents start to date. I was a grown-up. A grown-up who really wanted to invite both her Mommy and her Daddy
to her son’s first birthday party. A grown-up who sought the ironclad promise of a forever marriage, virtually guaranteed by her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. A grown-up who cried, months after the fact, about her parents’ divorce. Turns out that the grief came in layers and was hidden by the idea that adult children shouldn’t be impacted by their parents’ divorce. I grieved for my childhood. My memories were taken from me, shaken into a shambles and then returned — not broken, but forever altered. And my idea of marriage. Though I never idealized my parents’ relationship, it gave me a sense of security. I sought to replace that sense of safety by asking questions. Questions of my husband, my friends and my parents. I also grieved for my child and later, children. They’ll never visit Grandma and Grandpa Lee’s house. And my father will never know them as he would if they’d stayed together. And I worried about the future, as my parents age, perhaps alone. Who will step up and take care of them? Even noticing positives about the situation left me pangs of guilt and sadness. I know neither of my parents will ever be the same. I know that I will never be the same. The positive is this: My relationship with my mother has grown. When parents of young children split, they hide their tears and darkest thoughts. But because we can all drink a beer, my siblings and I became confidants. My mother and I sat for hours talking about money, love, affection and, of course, marriage. And I have insight that I never would’ve gained. I am more connected to her than ever before. And she hasn’t called me Daddy’s little girl. In about three years.
Caffeine craze
stay well
photos.com
A
dults aren’t the only ones with a daily caffeine habit. A recent University of Nebraska Medical Center survey of 200 children ages 5 to 12 found 75 percent had caffeine every day. On average, the 8- to 12-year-olds consumed 109 milligrams a day, about three cans worth of soda. The amount of caffeine the body can handle depends on age. Doctors recommend adults limit caffeine intake to 200 milligrams daily. For a toddler, the 30 to 40 milligrams in a typical soda is too much. In addition to possible sleep loss, which could in turn impact a child’s performance in school, caffeine comes with other health consequences. “Caffeine overall can raise blood pressure whether you’re a child or an adult,” says Dr. Cynthia Brownfield, a pediatrician with Heartland Health.
The stimulant also can increase heart rate and cause heart palpitations or arrhythmia, irritability, hyperactivity and, in extreme cases, seizures. Parents should watch out for restlessness and any unusual twitching, which could indicate a problem. Dr. Arihant Jain, a family practice physician at Hamilton Medical Clinic in Hamilton, Mo., says even limited amounts of caffeine can cause these side effects. Kids with a family history of irregular heartbeat or other types of heart disease need to be especially cautious with even moderate use. Caffeine stimulates appetite, and the extra calories — especially if coming from sugary drinks such as lattes and soda — could lead to weight gain. The study cited soda as the main source of daily caffeine, but Brownfield says many people also pick up the stimulant from so-called “athletic perfor-
mance” drinks. When used in a sports setting, drinks such as Zip Fizz, which contains caffeine and promises quick energy, could lead to dehydration. If your child does drink a daily soda, regardless of the amount of caffeine, he or she is damaging tooth enamel. Dark soda’s high concentration of phosphate also can lower bone density, which the body builds until age 30. It’s also hard on the kidneys. Instead of soda, kids and teens should have milk to make sure their bones are strong. Jain, who plans to start asking about caffeine use during children’s check-ups, says the best way to break the fizzy habit is through awareness. “You always start with the education,” Jain says. “Parents need to know about the side effects, and kids need to be aware of these side effects.”
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Soda and caffeine consumption can have serious health implications for kids
— Jennifer Gordon, Kin magazine
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How To
Make a potato bin Materials list:
Want to grow potatoes but you’re tight on space? Construct a potato bin in a 4-foot area that can yield up to 60 pounds of tubers.
› One to two pounds of seed potatoes › Tape measure › No. 2 Pencil › 5/16 bit › Sawhorses › Screw gun with Phillips bit attachment › Circular saw › Carpenter’s square › 8 to 10 2½-inch wood screws (96 for total construction) › Two 2-inch-by-2-inch boards 8 feet long. › Six 2-inch-by-6inch boards 8 feet long. (You may opt to purchase each board as needed.) › Access to prepared soft soil or mulch › Landscape fabric (optional)
1. Measure twice — cut once Using your carpenter’s square, mark off and cut four lengths of 33 inches from the 2x2x8-foot boards crafting the posts. From the 2x6 board, mark and cut two lengths of 21 inches and two lengths of 24 inches. This will become your base. 2. Pilot holes Pre-drill two pilot holes about 5/8 inch from the ends of the 21-inch boards and two holes about 2½-inches from the ends of the 24-inch boards.
Production notes:
›
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Illustrations and story by George Stanton
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SourceS: irisheyesgardenseeds.com, tipnut.com
If you have a suggestion or idea on illustrating a how to, please contact George Stanton at george.stanton@newspressnow.com.
4. Find a sPot Clear an area free from grass and weeds to set the potato base onto. (Or place it on landscape fabric.) Make sure the bin will have access to direct sunlight. 5. slice the tubers Cut seed potatoes in sections containing at least two eyes each. Some may be large enough to make three to four seedlings.
›
3. asseMble the base Starting with the 21-inch sections, lay your 2x2 post underneath the 2x6 board squaring up the end, side and bottom. Use one 2½-inch screw to secure the post at each end of the board. (Placing one screw on each end will allow for adjustments later.) Set the sections upright and lay the 24-inch board on top, aligning the edges, and secure using one screw for each end. Repeat for the other side. Set the bin on a flat surface. Place screws in remaining pilot holes, making adjustments as you square up the posts and base.
6. sow the soil Fill and level about four inches of soft soil in the square. Place the seed potatoes about seven to nine inches apart. Spread soil over the spuds up to the edge of the base and gently water. (Note: This is the only time seed potatoes will be planted. Do not reseed for each additional section.) 7. KeeP your eyes on the sPuds Attach a new section of boards as the plants reach about eight- to 12-inches tall. Fill in more soil, being careful not to cover more than one-third from the top of the vine. Repeat the process until you reach the top of the posts.
› Do not use treated lumber as plants can leach toxins from tainted wood. Use pine, cedar or redwood. › Make sure the soil can maintain 45degree temperature or higher before planting. › Fertilize your potatoes with 10-20-20 mixture at planting and a couple of times during the season. › You can begin harvesting potatoes once the bin is complete and the plants have blossomed. Remove the bottom board and gently reach in and grab some tubers. Replace the soil and reattach the board. You can move up one level each time you need some potatoes.
Kaleidoscope in Kansas City
Creative freedom Kids can create all kinds of art at Kaleidoscope.
mission of Kaleidoscope can be summed up in two words. “Nourish creativity,” says Kaleidoscope director Regi Ehrens. It’s something Kaleidoscope’s imagination experts have been doing for more than four decades. In 1969, a Kansas City man named Don Hall took a bright idea to higher-ups at his company, Hallmark Cards, and they cooked up an imagination machine where children could develop their own bright ideas. They called it Kaleidoscope, and it toured the country for six years before finally making Kansas City’s Crown Center its permanent home in 1975. As it did in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s, the magical art studio continues to give children
Submitted photo
(and adults) a unique opportunity to express themselves in a supportive, encouraging and freedom-focused environment. “The funny thing sometimes is grown-ups will walk in the door gripping a child’s hand in a panic, like, ‘What are we supposed to do here?’” Ehrens laughs. “You can do whatever you want! You can cut things, curl things, fold things in half, color things. We encourage it all.” Because Hallmark provides the materials, Kaleidoscope has just about any craft or art material you can think of in its walls. Some of the favorite stations include a design-your-own puzzle machine, a black light room that houses glowin-the-dark melted crayons and the Glow Doodle, which Ehrens
Submitted photo
Kaleidoscope allows kids to be creative in ways they wouldn’t think about at home.
describes as a “light saber” of all different colors that draws line designs on a wall (a computer program can wipe those designs away before the next child takes a turn). Kaleidoscope also houses more conventional art materials like markers, watercolor paints, cardboard, bows, random materials called “jazzy junk” and all sorts of papers. “They can use that scrap paper as a picket fence, the teeth of an alligator or a saw,” Ehrens says. “It’s just about us giving materials to the kids and letting them create and innovate.” The greatest part is it’s all free. Weekday mornings are usually reserved for independent art sessions (like school field trips), but the public may attend family art sessions on weekday afternoons and Saturdays. These sessions generally last 40 minutes. You must get tickets to attend any family session, and they are only available the day of the visit. Kids of all ages may attend, but one adult must be present to accompany them. Ehrens says Kaleidoscope is usually busiest during the summer months and school holidays. For more information, call (816) 274-8301 or visit www. hallmarkkaleidoscope.com. — Shea Conner, Kin magazine
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The
day trip
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IngredIents
quick food
2 cups white rice, uncooked 32 ounces chicken broth or stock 15 ounces tomatoes with green chilies (do not drain) 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon oregano leaves, crushed 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 pounds chicken tenders, raw 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese Cilantro (optional)
dIrectIons
JESSICA STEWART/Kin magazine
Love Me Tender Chicken and Rice Casserole
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This easy chicken casserole is a crowd pleaser. It goes together very quickly but tastes like you have cooked all day. I like to add some sliced green olives, frozen peas and always include the cilantro. You can use a mild version of the tomatoes and green chiles and use Monterey Jack instead of Pepper Jack cheese. If you use brown rice, let it cook for about 10 minutes before adding the chicken tenders. If you have leftovers, try cutting the chicken into smaller pieces and adding some hot chicken broth for a quick and easy soup. Just let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This is one of those recipes that is a clean-out-the-refrigerator type. A tip for picky eaters who don’t like chunks of tomatoes: Purée the tomatoes and green chiles with a stick blender or food processor — there won’t be a tomato chunk left in sight.
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By Dawn ForsBerg
In a large soup pot with a lid, place rice, chicken broth, tomatoes with green chiles, cumin, oregano, celery and onions. Stir to combine. Place the chicken tenders on top of the rice mixture. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Turn down to medium-low and cover. Simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender. Turn off heat, and take off lid. Sprinkle with the cheese, and place lid back on. Let sit for five minutes. Remove lid, and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired. Serves six.
A little about me: Dawn Forsberg is the author of “Dawn’s Kitchen Cuisine” and has won numerous recipe contests in magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and Cook’s Country. Before moving to St. Joseph, she lived in San Diego, Calif., where she had her own business, “Dawned on Me,” making and selling fruit salsas, barbecue sauces, mustards, chutneys, soups, salads and pickles. She is now a stay-at-home mom to two children, two stepchildren and four grandchildren.
The tablet market has more than a few iPad alternatives
Keeping tabs
want that One of the hottest gadgets on the market right now is Apple’s iPad. It’s easy to see why, as the touch-screen tablet seems to be the wave of the future and the hippest gadget to currently possess. But as you might guess, Apple isn’t the only company bringing new and innovative tablets to the table. Here are a few other options if you’re in the market for one of your own. — Blake Hannon, kin magazine
MOTOROLA XOOM ($799) Many reports say that if any tablet has the potential to knock the iPad off its pedestal, it’s the Motorola Xoom. With its HD camera, larger screen and fully integrated Adobe Flash Player, you can understand why. But the big draw is the latest Google Android Honeycomb operating system, which is the first ever made solely for tablets.
SAMSUNG GALAXY ($400 with a two-year contract and a monthly data plan, $700 without contract) More portable than an iPad but larger than a smart phone, the Samsung Galaxy tablet boasts a smaller but clearer 7-inch screen for HD movies and games. The 1 GHz ARM Cortex processor and 512 MB of RAM give you the speed you need and the capability to run multiple apps simultaneously.
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HP SLATE 500 ($799) For on-the-go business types, the HP Slate makes working less business as usual. A USB 2.0 port and HDMI output will come in handy for business presentations, and the familiarity of Windows 7 Professional will allow users to complete plenty of documents through Microsoft Office and its on-screen keyboard.
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Kids need to hear money problems straight
Explaining the cash crunch When a parent loses a job or has to take a pay cut, finances become a topic that can’t be discussed behind closed doors. Kids will see the effects regardless of how money matters are handled at home. To clear the air, explain the basics of what happened and skip the details. “I think kids have a hard time understanding money, but they don’t have a hard time understanding choices,” says Dr. Larry Lawson, an associate professor of finance at Missouri Western State University. “What I have done with my own kids is to try to tell them there are things you need, things you want but don’t need and things you kind of want.” Once kids understand the difference, they’ll better understand how vacations and eating out for dinner have to be put on hold so the family can pay for things such as food and medications. Money talks shouldn’t be feared or avoided, especially because they’re inevitable. “I think a lot of parents are uncomfortable with that conversation, but I don’t think they should be. It’s part of life. Kids will grow up and they’ll have better times and worse times,” says Dan Danford, CEO of Family Investment Center in St. Joseph. Teens, especially if they’re driving,
Want to benefits find These and more...
might feel the money pinch more than kids, so encourage them to take charge of their friends’ weekend activities. Instead of mall or movie theater outings, suggest a pickup football game in the park or an at-home game night. “Give them positive examples, and they can positively spin it within their group (of friends),” Lawson says. Older teens also need to be aware of how the family’s finances will influence their college decisions. Parents should be honest about which tuition rates are too expensive, even if it means a potential Harvard student has to pass up the Ivy League for a more affordable choice. Danford says he knows of many parents who refuse to have the college talk with their kids. “Lots of times they do things to satisfy their own ego,” he says. “They don’t want to talk about it because they don’t want to look like something’s wrong, that they’ve failed in some way.” When budgets are tight, kids might ask why this happened or other questions parents are asking themselves. Be sure to have an explanation ready, preferably one that acknowledges money flow will improve and that the family’s situation is not unique. — Jennifer Gordon, Kin magazine
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Stewartsville ranch offers parents practical help through horses
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Project director Michelle Hinkle, left, and executive director Evie Templeton of SpiritHorse of Broken Creek Youth Ranch.
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Written by Erin Wisdom Photographed by JEssiCA sTEWArT
T
hroughout history, people have put horses to use in a variety of ways. And now, an area ranch has found yet another way in which the animals are useful: teaching parenting skills. SpiritHorse of Broken Creek Youth Ranch, located in Stewartsville, Mo., will launch a new program this month that will use equineassisted therapy to help people address any problem issues they face in parenting. Dubbed “Life’s Little Lessons from the Barn,” the program brings together a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist and — of course — horses. “It’s almost limitless, the experiential activities” made possible through this program, says Evie Templeton, the ranch’s executive director and a member of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. “Everything happens in the now.” A lot of the ranch’s programming caters to at-risk and special-needs youth (although it advertises that it gladly welcomes all “kids” ages 2 to 92), and it didn’t have anything in the works Please see Page 14
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specifically for parents until Ms. Templeton learned last spring about a parent-specific program at a therapy ranch in Florida. She notes her conviction that equine-assisted therapy can benefit not only youth but also their parents goes back even further, though — to a visit she made to a therapy ranch in Oregon in 2005, prior to beginning her own. Speaking to that ranch’s owner, “I saw through her eyes the effect (her work) had on these children’s entire families.” Conversely, she hopes the program for parents will, by extension, also help children. Offered free of charge due to the fact SpiritHorse of Broken Creek is funded by grants and donations, “Life’s Little Lessons from the Barn” begins with a meeting between Ms. Templeton, a therapist and the parent seeking help. This initial meeting enables Ms. Templeton and the therapist to create a lesson plan of sorts, which will be carried out during a subsequent one-hour session. Ms. Templeton anticipates some participants will need only a single session while others may come for a number of weeks. What a session covers is specific to the needs of the participant, but one example Ms. Templeton gives is a lesson in which the participant is given the materials necessary for saddling a horse and told to complete the job in 10 minutes, without any other instruction. The experience of confusion and frustration this might create for someone without any previous saddling experience is meant to mirror to the parent what his or her children may feel when expected to meet unrealistic expectations.
Participants of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association engage in a respect exercise with the horses.
“This could be applied to so many things in life,” Ms. Templeton adds — not only parent-child relationships but also relationships with other family members, friends or co-workers. Another lesson example Ms. Templeton gives is one on communication, in which the parent attempts to encourage the horse to walk in a circle around him or her using only body language, no physical force — the point of this being to experience the power not only in body language specifically but also in positive, encouraging communication in general. Still another lesson focuses on respecting a child’s personal space by having the parent step into a horse’s stall while the horse is in
Participants paint a horse during one of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association exercises at SpiritHorse Broken Creek Youth Ranch.
for metaphorical learning in this setting.” She adds that as participants learn about themselves and others through these experiences with the horses, they’re able to process through them with the therapist — discussing feelings, behaviors and patterns, identifying the unhealthy ones and making a point to replace them with healthy parental approaches. Anyone interested in participating in “Life’s Little Lessons from the Barn” can call (816) 667-9017 or e-mail brokencreekyouthranch@gmail.com to request an application. Sessions will be available by appointment on Mondays through Fridays until mid-October. Application packets are available
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it and experiencing the difference in the horse’s reaction when the entry is made domineeringly versus respectfully. “How they enter will affect how the horse reacts, and it’s the same way with kids,” Ms. Templeton notes. As for why horses are so appropriate to use in teaching these life lessons, Michelle Hinkle, the ranch’s project director, notes that like humans, horses are social animals with a family structure within the herd. “They have a defined role in the herd, and they, too, have distinct personalities, attitudes and moods,” she says. “Because they are very sensitive to non-verbal communication, they make a great partner
for the ranch’s other programs, too, which are offered free of charge and target individuals with conditions such as cancer, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors, head injuries, stroke injuries and blindness, as well as those with behavioral disorders, abusive backgrounds and family/relationship issues. Sessions run in six-week increments, one hour per week. They encourage therapeutic interaction with horses through activities such as leading and grooming and also seek to meet specific development needs through experiential learning focused on speech, sensory skills, balance, behavior or cognitive processing. But what is perhaps one of the most important parts of the lessons comes just from being around the horses, some of whom have backgrounds of abuse or neglect. One horse, named Thunder, is missing an eye, which makes kids who also are different in some way that much more able to identify with him, Ms. Templeton says. However, the ranch’s focus isn’t so much on disabilities as on the abilities and attributes of each individual, Ms. Hinkle notes. And despite the differences between their youth and new parenting programs, the women point out that the ultimate aim of both is the same. “Our hope is that we’ll whittle away at the number of at-risk children out there,” Ms. Templeton says, adding that she sees the parenting program as one any parent could benefit from. “Kids don’t come with instruction manuals, and none of us are perfect as parents. We all have room to grow.” 15
Get past those sleepless nights
Sleep like a baby
Every parent of young children understands sleepless nights. It all starts from the very beginning, says Dr. Cynthia Brownfield, a pediatrician with Heartland Health. Bottle-fed babies should start their all-night sleep patterns at about two months, and breast-fed babies should begin at around four months. “Starting (sleep patterns) right off the bat is critically important,” she says. “And kids after four months don’t need an overnight nutrition.” While the task at hand can be tricky and tedious, it’s vital to everyone’s health and sanity. “I gained weight, I fought with my husband and I know I got more colds than usually because of my lack of sleep,” says Julie Kempt. The St. Joseph mom says that after the birth of her third child, she suffered more than with either of her other children. “For some reason, this one just didn’t want to sleep,” she says. The frustration seeped into every other realm of the Kempts’ lives. She admits she and her husband were testy and impatient. Brownfield says it’s time to intervene at six months. “Kids do wake up through the night during their sleep cycle,” she says. “But that’s what you want to break. It usually takes three nights.” As a mother of three, Brownfield has experienced the difficult routine of sleep and children. “It always pulls at the heartstrings,” she says. “But I very much believe that kids have to develop a good sleep cycle. I believe in sticking to your guns.” Both Brownfield and the Kempts say structure is best. Developing a bedtime routine can ease the discomfort. Bath time, reading a book, a small snack, brushing teeth and hair and a quick lullaby are all positive parts of a routine families can adopt. Both families feel that televisions and cell phones can be an added distraction and recommend shutting the TV off two hours before bedtime. “I try not to appear heartless, but I firmly believe in it,” Brownfield says about being tough with bedtimes. “I’ve done it.” — Jennifer Hall, Kin magazine
Todd Weddle Kin magazine
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kids stuff 03I15
Things to do with young people
“Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” A lively musical version of the beloved folktale. Baby Bear and Goldilocks bring peace to their feuding families through music and dance. Runs through April 15 at Union Station’s Theater for Young America in Kansas City. (816) 460-2083, www. unionstation.org.
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Tricky Tuesday Movie. Come watch “101 Dalmatians” and enjoy delicious snacks. 3:30 to 5 p.m., Washington Park Library, St. Joseph. Free. 232-2052.
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Last Saturday Craft. Be prepared to get your hands dirty while making seed bombs and learning about “Guerilla Gardening.” 2 p.m., Remington Nature Center, St. Joseph. 271-5499, www. stjoenaturecenter.info.
www.stjoenaturecenter.info.
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“‘Little Red Riding Hood’ puppet show.” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Puppetry Arts Institute, Independence, Mo. $5 per person includes admission and finger puppet. (816) 833-9777, www.hazelle. org.
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Practical Joke Workshop for Teens. Need we say more? 6:30 to 8 p.m., East Hills Library, St. Joseph. Signup required. Ages 12 to 17. 236-2136.
04I02
Reading PUPS. Domesti-PUPS and the St. Joseph Public Library team to offer children a way to improve their reading skills and build confidence in a unique and fun environment: by reading out loud to friendly dogs. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. East Hills Library, St. Joseph. 2362136.
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04I04
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Family movie night. “Nanny McPhee Returns” (rated G). 6:30 to 8:45 p.m., East Hills Library, St. Joseph. 236-2136.
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Second Saturday Story Time. Stories, games and crafts will center on life during the Civil War era. 2 p.m., Remington Nature Center, St. Joseph. 271-5499,
04I11
Mario Kart Wii Tournament. Teens ages 12 to 17 can show off their Mario Kart skills. 6:30 to 8 p.m., East Hills Library, St. Joseph. Sign-up required. 236-2136. St. Joseph Children’s Fair. Children through age 6 (but all kids are welcome) will enjoy booths, crafts, activities and more. Session 1 is from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Session 2 is 12:30 to 3 p.m.; and Session 3 is 5 to 7:30 p.m. Free. St. Joseph Civic Arena (free parking available in the garage east of the arena).
04I12
Tricky Tuesday Easter & Spring Crafts. Kids can make crafts to take home. Snack provided. Free. 3:30 to 5 p.m., Washington Park Library, St. Joseph. 232-2052.
04I19
Tricky Tuesday Movie. “Shrek Forever After” (rated PG). Snack provided. Free. 3:30 to 5 p.m., Washington Park Library, St. Joseph. 2322052.
04I21
All Day Skate. B&J Skate Center, St. Joseph. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 21, 22 and 25. $7. 364-1314, www.skatebj.com.
04I26
“The Little Engine That Could.” A musical adaptation of the classic tale. Performances run through May 14 on the H&R Block City Stage at Union Station in Kansas City. (816) 460-2083, www. unionstation.org.
04I30
Last Saturday Craft. Stories, games and crafts will center on life during the Civil War era. 2 p.m., Remington Nature Center, St. Joseph. 271-5499, www. stjoenaturecenter.info.
bidoux Resident Theatre. $9 to $16. Performances at 7:30 p.m. April 14, 15 and 16 and 2 p.m. April 17. Missouri Theater, St. Joseph. 232-1778, www. rrtstjoe.org.
good stuff 03I15
Get a ‘sitter and try out these activities
Movie Night. “The Last Picture Show” (1971, rated R). Admission and popcorn are free. 6:30 to 9 p.m., East Hills Library, St. Joseph. 236-2107.
04I21 04
Third Thursday Wine Tasting. Presented by Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits. Learn about and sample a variety of wines. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., AlbrechtKemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph. $10 per person. 232-9750.
03I17
“Mystery Dinner Theatre: Green with Irish.” Presented by Robidoux Resident Theatre. $25. 8 p.m., Robidoux Landing Playhouse, St. Joseph. 232-1778, www. rrtstjoe.org.
03I18
“Yesterday & Today.” An interactive Beatles experience presented by Robidoux Resident Theatre. $10 to $30. 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater, St. Joseph. 232-1778, www.rrtstjoe.org.
03I18
Friday Wine Tastings. Sample a variety of wines. 5 to 8 p.m., Smooth Endings Fine Wines, Spirits & Cigars, St. Joseph. $5. Tastings are held every Friday. 749WINE.
03I18
Englewood Art Walk. Seven galleries in the Englewood Station Shopping District in Independence, Mo., open their doors to art lovers. Enjoy demonstrations, live music, refreshments and more. Free, 5 to 9 p.m. Event will take place at the same time April 15. (816) 252-3372.
03I22
Movie Night. “Blazing Saddles” (1974, rated R). Admission and popcorn are free. 6:30 to 9 p.m., East Hills Library, St. Joseph. 236-2107.
03I26
“A Musical Matter of Life & Death.” Presented by the Saint Joseph Symphony. $13 to $43. 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater, St. Joseph. 232-7701, www.saintjosephsymphony.org.
03I26
“Pinkalicious.” Presented by Robidoux Resident Theatre. $10. Show times run Saturdays and Sundays from March 26 through April 10.
04I30
“Ode to Joy: An All Beethoven Con Concert.” Presented by the Saint Joseph Symphony. $13 to $43. 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Joseph. 232-7701, www. saintjosephysymphony.org.
Robidoux Landing Playhouse, St. Joseph. 232-1778, www.rrtstjoe.org.
03I29
Movie Night. “Immortal Beloved” (1995, rated R). Admission and popcorn are free. 6:30 to 9 p.m., East Hills Library, St. Joseph. 236-2107.
03I31
“Menopause the Musical.” Presented by Robidoux Resident Theatre. $8 to $47. 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater, St. Joseph. 232-1778, www.rrtstjoe.org.
04I09
Mad Hatter Tea Party. Join the Albrecht-Kemper Museum in St. Joseph for a tea party, complete with drinks, snacks, hat-making and the Mad Hatter himself. Call 233-7003 for reservations.
04I14
“The Sound of Music.” Presented by Ro-
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Keep the card, cut the spending
|APRIL2011.kin
Tips for taking advantage of credit card incentives without sinking into debt
20
With all the debt people are prone to accumulate on them, it’s no wonder credit cards are sometimes depicted as evil enablers. But plenty of them do have their pluses, such as allowing you to earn money back on your purchases or perks such as airline miles. The question, then, becomes how to take advantage of these upsides without falling into debt. “That’s a very fine line,” says Tammy Scott of Primerica Financial Services in St. Joseph, adding that she doesn’t encourage her clients to
use credit cards for their perks simply because most of the people she meets with pay more in interest than those perks are worth. “You have to have a solid plan in place to make sure you pay the card off each month.” In its guide to responsible credit card management, Suite 101 offers similar advice:
— as soon as you swipe your card in the checkout line. The only way to avoid paying interest is to limit your purchases to what you’re able to pay off within a month. • If you do put a larger purchase on a card than you’ll be able to pay off within a month, make a point not to spend any more on that card before you have your existing debt paid down. • Having a general budget can help curb credit card spending, and so can resisting the urge to hold multiple credit cards and to accept credit-limit increases.
• Remember that any credit card spending • Finally, be selective about the cards you is a loan. As obvious as this may seem, it’s helpful to keep at the forefront of your do carry. Shop around to find the lowest mind the fact that you’re borrowing money interest rates and the best incentives. — Erin Wisdom, Kin magazine — usually at a significant interest rate
Been there, done that
Toss the list in the bucket
By steve Booher
| APRIL2011.kin
A little about me: As a parent and stepparent, Steve Booher has tried to keep his sense of humor while helping to raise five kids. He doesn’t claim to be the best parent out there, but he says he’s not the worst, either.
22
Over the years, I’ve thought about compiling a bucket list. You know, that list of things you want to do, places you want to see and adventures you want to go on before you die. It’s pretty morbid when you think about it. My attempts have failed miserably. Somehow I just can’t get in tune with writing a book, climbing the Matterhorn or jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Most of the people I love know that I love them. There’s probably people that I need to make peace with, but I’m not the forgiving type. Thus every bucket list I attempt ends with epic failure. You’ll understand after you read these examples. No. 3: Find one of those young guys who wears his pants so low that huge portions of his underwear are visible. If the subject declines to pull his pants up at least to his waist, perform a fashion adjustment with the inventive use of duct tape and a staple gun. No. 16: Chase down the car that drives down my street at 2 in the morning with the stereo blaring and the bass cannon booming loudly enough that it literally shakes the windows in my house. Follow the driver home, unpack a tuba and perform classic polka music underneath every window in his house. No. 37: Be prepared the next time a young woman cuts me off because she’s too busy talking on her cell phone. Flag her down, carefully approach the driver’s side of her vehicle, ask for the keys in the ignition and her driver’s license. Tell her you’re confiscating these items on behalf of drivers everywhere. No. 53: The next time somebody knocks at my door and wants to convince me that their version of Christianity is the best and most pure one, I will invite them in and listen to their message. In return, I will demand that they listen to me recite every line from the movie Caddyshack — even the racy ones that might make them feel uncomfortable. “Mrs. Crane ... you wore green so you could hide.” Also they must be prepared to debate the premise that Bill Murray’s Carl
Spackler is the most conflicted fictional character since Stanley Kowalski in “A Street Car Named Desire.” No. 62: Listen to some ingrate criticize Todd Haley or Bill Self, then follow him around and make fun of him every time he screws up an order while working the drive-thru. No. 74: Throw a Snickers and a $100 bill on the counter the next time a convenience store clerk ignores me or rolls her eyes when I greet her. Say, “Keep the change and get yourself a new tattoo, honey.” Then snatch the hundred back and add, “Just kidding!” No. 81: Save up a week’s worth of garbage. The next time someone throws a bunch of empty beer cans on my lawn, track him down and return the favor in the back seat (and front seat, I have enough trash) of his car. No. 92: Use a sledgehammer to demolish a car when the driver leaves it parked by the only working gas pump at a convenience store and decides to go in and buy about a month’s worth of groceries. It’ll be my first offense and I know good lawyers, so chances are I won’t be going to jail. No. 99: Take cell phone pictures of pajama-wearing parents who tote their screaming kids to Walmart at midnight and post the photos to a Web site ... wait, somebody’s already done this one: www. peopleofwalmart.com. See? None of the items on my list are noble or high-minded. There’s nothing in there about forgiveness or squaring old accounts. I doubt that I’ll ever come up with a decent bucket list, so I’m going to quit trying. I sure would like to do No. 53, though.
Welcomes
Chery Wormington, FNP
Family Medicine Associates 2303 Village Dr. • St. Joseph, MO 816-232-6818 Mon. - Thurs. 8 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. We’re In Your Neighborhood
Now Accepting New Patients www.nwhealth-services.org
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance and offer a discount program for those who qualify.