magazine
L I V E • PLAY • DO
2020-2021 Preschool Guide Postpartum Wellness During a Pandemic
JULY 2020 - DIGITAL EDITION nwkidsmagazine.com
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Editor’s Note Summer is officially here and with it comes the second online-only issue of NW Kids. We can’t wait to get back to our regular program once it’s safe to distribute again, but in the meantime you can check out all of our issues on nwkidsmagazine.com. Depending upon which county you’re in, some of your kiddos are attending their favorite summer camps - or will be soon. Some camps have moved to a virtual format for this year and a great guide to those can also be found on our website. Our July issue features a guide to a wide variety of preschools and also some great tips for bringing home a new baby during a pandemic. We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and well and we hope to see you all soon! Cheers,
Mary
Cover photography by HEIDI TIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY
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Contents JULY 2020 8 2020-2021 Preschool Guide 13 5 Ways to Thrive with a New Baby in a Pandemic
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magazine Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Instagram: @nwkidsmagazine • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies. Printed locally; Please recycle.
Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editor/Account Manager Mary Brady mary@nwkidsmagazine.com Graphic Designer Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com
Listings All Families Surrogacy...................................12 Bamboo International School.......................... 7 Beanstalk.......................................................... 2 Bennett Suzuki...............................................11 Childroots......................................................... 3 Childswork.....................................................11
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Engineering for Kids........................................ 7 FAIS................................................................20 Femelle Integrative Medicine.......................... 2 German American Society.............................12 ILA.................................................................... 7 Little Fruit Farm..............................................12
Mad Science...................................................11 MSB................................................................11 OES................................................................... 2 Play Fit Fun.....................................................19 Tri-County Farms............................................19 Xstream Learning Center...............................11
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2020-21 Preschool Guide Choosing the right preschool for your child can feel overwhelming. We have a pretty fantastic list to get you started on your search! 8 | NW Kids Magazine
S/SE Portland
NW Portland
ChildRoots
Bamboo International School
ChildRoots is an art and sciencebased daycare and preschool dedicated to providing superior childcare and education. 6 weeks to 6 years; $850-$1900/monthly. Experiential, Play-based, Reggio Emilia, Whole child 1712 E Burnside Street 503-235-1151 childroots.com
Their mission is to provide a culturally rich experience by introducing the Chinese language and traditions to the American Culture. 16 months to 6 years; Call for tuition details. Reggio Emilia 14695 NW West Union Road 503-531-4094 bamboointlschool.com
Childswork Learning Center
French American International School
CW focuses on the development of the whole child with respect and compassion. Children investigate, create and learn through play and an emergent curriculum. 2.7-6 years; $240-$990/monthly. Experiential, Play-Based, Reggio Emilia 4235 SE Salmon Street 503-234-3611 childswork.org
Portland’s longest-established immersion school and only IB school for PS-8th grade. They develop global citizens to help create a better, more peaceful world. 2.5-14 years; $15,615 (half day TPS-PK) - $22,116 (6th-8th)/annually. Language immersion, Play-based, Whole child, International Baccalaureate (IB) 8500 NW Johnson Street 503-292-7776 faispdx.org
The International School
MSB
For 30 years, they’ve provided full Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish immersion through their acclaimed inquiry-based, International Baccalaureate approach. 3-10 years; $11,870-$19,640/annually. Language immersion, International Baccalaureate 2305 S Water Avenue 503-226-2496 intlschool.org
Trackers Earth The Rovers Forest Days program takes kids out into the forest one day each week to learn real, outdoor skills, grounded in nature and community. 4-5 years; $2,045/annually. Experiential, Outdoor Learning 4617 SE Milwaukie Avenue 503-345-3312 trackerspdx.com/youth/preschool/ forest-foxes.php
Now in their 4th decade, MSB is a renowned Montessori School set on an idyllic 6-acre campus in the hills west of Portland. 3-12 years old; $9,390-$12,000/ annually. Experiential, Montessori, Playbased, Whole child 11065 NW Crystal Creek Lane 503-439-1597 msb.org
Xstream Learning Center Prepares students for success in a multiple culture world and promotes lifelong learning by providing meaningful, experiential and fun lessons and activities. 2.5-6 years; Contact for tuition details. Language immersion, Reggio Emilia 2029 NW Miller Road 503-841-3445 xstreamlc.com continued on p. 10
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SW Portland Oregon Episcopal School OES prepares students for higher education and lifelong learning by inspiring intellectual, physical, social, emotional, artistic, and spiritual growth. 4–18 years; $35,000/annually (financial aid available). Experiential, Reggio Emilia, Inquiry and projectbased learning 6300 SW Nicol Road 503-768-3115 oes.edu
Beaverton/Hillsboro Little Fruit Farm Montessori Celebrating a love for learning since 2004! Beautiful home & garden school, classical Montessori activities, AMI teachers, low ratio. 2-6 years; Contact for tuition details. Montessori 16445 SW Melinda Street, Beaverton 503-521-8603 littlefruitfarmmontessori.com
Outer Metro Area International Leadership Academy Their mission is to provide a stimulating learning environment with a technological, artistic and critical-thinking orientation for their students. 3-12 years; $9730$18,000/annually. Language immersion, Montessori, Play-based, Reggio Emilia 14788 Boones Ferry Road and 17147 Warren Court, Lake Oswego 503-662-8452 ilapdx.org
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5 Ways to Thrive with a New Baby In a Pandemic by
BRITA JOHNSON, BRIDGETOWN BABY
Photograph by SIMONE BERKAS
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It’s a crazy time to have a baby, with shorter hospital-stays, family visits cancelled, many businesses and services closed, and normal family-friendly activities on hold. The postpartum period, also known as the 4th Trimester, can feel lonely and isolating under normal circumstances; during a pandemic everything is amplified. Here are 5 tips to help you not just survive but thrive, despite social-distancing.
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Embrace the ancient tradition of “Lying-In”
You and your family are stuck at home. Indefinitely. That may feel limiting, but you can also look at it as an enforced opportunity to take part in the beloved practice of “lying-in.” Viewed as a critical time for the family unit to rest and bond, the lying-in period supports physical recovery, regulation of temperature and breathing for baby, and connection for parents. Several books and podcasts (see Resources) provide valuable guidance in celebrating this time-honored tradition, and may help you see this unexpected slow time at home as a gift in our otherwise busy, distractible world. Photo courtesy of Vivante Midwifery
“ The early weeks were unquestionably the most isolated I have ever felt. At the same time, I have had so much more time to recover physically from pregnancy and birth, as well as bond with this beautiful new life. I have not needed to be anywhere other than at home, tending to my babies. I’ve had the ability to be fully present with my child who came into a world that is radically shifting. I hope that this precious time together builds a solid foundation for us to navigate whatever the future holds.” - Jessica Blaschke gave birth to her fifth child in April, 2020 14 | NW Kids Magazine
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Find Your Trusted People
Of course, “lying in” traditionally includes plenty of hands-on support - this can be hard to come by when your loved ones are also socially-distancing. In this case, seek out a postpartum specialist you trust, such as a Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Consultant, Infant Sleep Consultant and/or other qualified professionals (see Resources for suggestions). In-home care is still available from many providers who have modified their practice to provide extra reduction of COVID risk. Feel free to ask lots of questions about their safety protocols to make sure you find someone you trust. Here are some suggested questions you might ask when considering a provider to work with in-person: • How many families are you working with? • How are you preventing illness in your own household? • What steps are you taking to keep clients safe?
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Zoom, the New Coffee House
The pandemic has at least offered one silver-lining to postpartum families - we now know we don’t necessarily need to leave the house to find connection and support! Many new-parent support groups have transitioned to virtual platforms, making it easy to access communities of other new parents on just about any day of the week. Bonus: you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas to attend! Of course it’s also easy to become Zoom-weary. Who wants to look at themselves all day? When that happens, consider a good old- fashioned phone call with a dear friend or family member. Connecting across the distance will likely bring comfort and perspective to both of you.
Photo courtesy of Bridgetown Baby
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Rethink Support Systems
Even during a pandemic, postpartum families need help. With very real restrictions on friends and family dropping in, it’s time to re-think how loved ones can lighten your load. • Meal trains: Friends and family can still deliver nourishing meals to your doorstep! Out of town friends and family can order food delivery through a local meal delivery service (See Resources), or support your favorite local restaurants by purchasing gift certificates you can use to order just what you’re craving. • Virtual story-time: If you have older children, let your friends and family entertain them on Zoom, FaceTime or Google Hangouts with stories or shared activities. This is a gift for everyone involved and a great thing partners can be in charge of scheduling. • Laundry fairy: Ask a friend who has been careful about social-distancing to help with your laundry. Nothing like setting out a bag of dirty laundry and finding a neat stack of folded clothes the next morning!
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Prioritize your Mental Health
Even in non-pandemic times, many postpartum parents feel anxious or depressed. According to Postpartum Support International (PSI), 1 in 7 moms and 1 in 10 dads suffer from postpartum depression. When you layer on the additional isolation, economic unknowns and health concerns of a pandemic, these numbers are bound to rise. Which is why it is especially important that parents reach out to find support - whether from a loved one, a trusted counselor, or a free, peer-to-peer group like Baby Blues Connection. Mental health and well-being is just as important, if not more so, than the physical needs of a postpartum family. None of us planned to be parenting through a pandemic, and it can be daunting to consider the prospect. The good news is that with some grace, creativity and a good resource list (see below), the ‘pandemic postpartum experience’ can still be supported, sweet and successful. Brita Johnson is a Certified Postpartum Doula with Bridgetown Baby. She lives and parents in SE Portland. During the pandemic, Brita has learned (more than she wanted to know) about homeschooling her two kids, cooked lots of new recipes, and maybe even discovered a few new favorite cocktails. Bridgetown Baby is Portland’s premier postpartum doula group, providing comprehensive postpartum and feeding support to help families grow with strength & confidence. During the pandemic, Bridgetown Baby is doing everything possible to minimize risk to families and doulas. All doulas work exclusively with one family at a time with breaks in between families. To learn more go to: bridgetownbaby.com 16 | NW Kids Magazine
RESOURCES Virtual Support Groups Support for the whole family Bridgetown Baby offers a free, weekly virtual support group: bridgetownbaby.com/nurturingcircle-for-growing-families La Leche League USA offers virtual meetings in response to Covid-19. Join parents locally and around the country. facebook.com/pg/ LaLecheLeagueUSA/events/
Classes Bringing Home BĂŠbĂŠ: Newborn Care 101 - Learn from an experienced postpartum doula how to care for your new baby including diapering, swaddling, soothing, infant bathing, babywearing, and much more. birthfirstdoulas.com/blog/events/ newborn-care-101-the-first-monthjune17/ Newborn Feeding Basics - An experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) covers the basics to get you and your baby off to a great start. birthfirstdoulas.com/blog/events/ newborn-feeding-basics-june18/
Postpartum Nutrition/ Meal Delivery Alavita Perinatal Nutrition Associates - comprehensive, online nutrition program for the perinatal period, based in science and written by health professionals in it with you. alavitanutrition.com Full Belly Fare - Handcrafted Dinners Delivered. fullbellyfare.com
Seed to Health - Provides inhome cooking service and virtual support via recipe collections/ meal plans/consultations all at seedtohealth.com
Lactation/ Infant Feeding Support Bridgetown Baby offers skilled lactation & feeding support for all families as well as a free feeding support warmline: feeding@bridgetownbaby.com for all of your infant feeding questions. bridgetownbaby.com Kindred Mother Care provides integrative lactation care and believes it is critical to have lactation support during this pandemic both virtually and inperson as breastmilk is fierce enough to fight a pandemic. kindredmothercare.com Luna Lactation & Wellness provides safe, personalized infant feeding care when you need it. Providing inperson care and secure telehealth. lunalactation.com Natural Latch - Lactation consultants Meg Stalnaker, Sejal Fichadia, and Rosemary Ragusa offer personalized, virtual and athome lactation care. naturallatch.com Opus Lactation focuses on inclusive and body positive care for families searching for help in feeding their babies. Offering limited, in-home visits that start with an initial virtual visit. opuslactation.com
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RESOURCES (CONTINUED) Doula Support Birth First Doulas offers virtual and inperson birth doula support. birthfirstdoulas.com Bridgetown Baby offers comprehensive postpartum doula care and feeding support, both in-home and virtually. bridgetownbaby.com Sacred Roots Doula offers culturally specific doula care for Black and Multi-Ethnic families, both in-person and virtually. “The families in our communities need continuous support especially in COVID-19 as we already are suffering health disparities across the board.� -Linda Bryant-Daaka, Doula Manager
Mental Health Baby Blues Connection offers virtual support groups for moms and dads. babybluesconnection.org Sankofa Center for Healing- ZaDora Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Sankofa Center for Healing, LLC. She is a therapist, speaker and advocate for children and families. sankofacenterforhealing.com
Postpartum Support International offers virtual support groups. postpartum.net/get-help/psi-onlinesupport-meetings/ Multnomah County Mental Health Call Center in Portland: (503) 988-4888 Clark County Crisis Line In Vancouver: (360) 696-9560 National Suicide Prevention Hotline Toll-Free: 1-800-273-8255
Body Work Portland Pediatric Acupuncture offers virtual and in-person care for adults and kiddos. acuforkids.com Alice Palmeri, LMT offers pediatric and postpartum virtual consultations and will offer in-person treatments in SE and NW Portland locations when massage therapists are phased back in. alicepalmeri.com
Other Services Adjoyn offers virtual car seat checks and babywearing classes for parents and perinatal professionals. adjoyn.com
The Mother Birth offers traumainformed psychotherapy support for women and their families, focusing on the postpartum period and transition to motherhood. themotherbirth.com
Full Circle Sleep helps families find better rhythms around resting, beyond traditional sleep training methods (i.e. Cry-It-Out). fullcirclesleep.com
Donnella Wood is a counselor and somatic therapist whose experience includes helping mothers heal from trauma, navigate the complexities of the parenting journey, and develop the capacity needed to feel more ease and connected to themselves. donnellawood.com
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
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Print Resources Build Your Nest Workbook: a self-paced workbook to help you create a detailed outline of how you will get the rest, support, and care you need when your baby comes. buildyournestworkbook.com/
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