March 2023 Momaha magazine

Overcoming bedwetting

3 Set alarm for overnight voiding. Some children can stay dry by voiding in the middle of the night. You can set an alarm to wake your child at midnight, have them use the toilet, then return to bed.

4 Use a moisture alarm. These overthe-counter gadgets, also called bedwetting alarms, use a battery-operated alarm to alert your child to a bedwetting situation. This approach takes time, motivation and patience, and can take one to three months to see results. This option is low-risk and may be a better long-term solution than medications.

5 Try prescription medications. Occasionally, a child could be prescribed desmopressin as a short-term solution for bedwetting. This medication retains water in the body so the child’s bladder does not get too full overnight. There are a few possible side e ects with medication, which should be discussed with your child’s health care team. The medication is more e ective in older children, and the overall success rate is about 30%. Usually, other strategies, including time, are tried before medications.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Bedwetting can be frustrating and embarrassing for children. It can cause anxiety, especially for children planning sleepovers with friends. Children look to their parents for their response to the situation and for acceptance regardless of their struggles.

To ease the anguish of bedwetting for your child, these are things you should not do:

FNU MANJUNATHA | Mayo Clinic News Network

Parents quickly spring into action in a bedwetting situation. Changing wet sheets and comforting an upset or embarrassed child isn’t fun for anyone in the middle of the night.

Many families struggle with bedwetting. It’s a normal part of child development. It isn’t anyone’s fault, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stressful, especially for older kids. Here’s what you need to know:

Types of bedwetting

Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal incontinence or nocturnal enuresis, is the involuntary release of urine while asleep. It happens after the age at which staying dry at night is reasonably expected.

There are two types of bedwetting:

 Primary bedwetting: Usually occurring in younger children, primary bedwetting is when a child is not able to stay dry through the night. For example, your child may go all day without an accident, but still needs to wear a potty training diaper while asleep.

 Secondary bedwetting: This is a reoccurrence of bedwetting after staying dry at night for six months or longer. For example, a child that has been dry at night since age 4 but then starts wetting the bed again at age 6 is experiencing secondary bedwetting.

Bedwetting up to age 7 is common and not a concern. Most kids outgrow bedwetting on their own by the time they are 12.

Causes of bedwetting

When a child starts to experience bedwetting, especially secondary bedwetting, doctors work with parents to figure out why it is happening.

There is a strong family connection with bedwetting; about 40% to 50% of kids with bedwetting had a parent who struggled with it as a child.

Other possible causes include diabetes, urinary tract infections, vaginitis, a deep sleep, a small bladder, bladder nerve problems or chronic constipation.

TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD STAY DRY

Treatment usually isn’t necessary for primary bedwetting or children under 7 years of age. A watch-and-see approach is usually the best option, as most children outgrow bedwetting on their own. Here are five things that parents can do to help a child with secondary bedwetting, including:

1 Restrict fluids in the evening. Depending on age, children need between 4 and 8 cups of water each day to remain hydrated. Proper hydration can also reduce thirst in the evening, but make sure to restrict drinks within two hours of bedtime. Avoid high-sugar or ca einated drinks in the evenings, too.

2 Build voiding into the bedtime routine. Start the bedtime routine by having your child try to urinate, then encourage your child to go again before falling asleep.

 Reprimand or scold your child for bedwetting. Children don’t wet the bed because of laziness or spite. Yelling or expressing your disappointment does nothing to help solve children’s bedwetting and can hurt their confidence.

 Purposely embarrass your child. Discussing children’s bedwetting with peers or family can increase anxiety and embarrassment. It doesn’t motivate and can create lasting emotional scars.

 Compare your children. All children are di erent and develop at their own rates. They can’t control how quickly the nerves in their bladders mature or their bladder sizes. Don’t compare children to siblings or peers, as this will only increase stress and lower self-esteem.

 Expect instant results. Sometimes, all a child needs is time and a supportive parent. There are no quick fixes for solving bedwetting. Be patient, kind and compassionate.

Dr. Fnu Manjunatha is a pediatrician with the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

How to help your family deal with the common childhood condition

“NEW KID”

by Jerry Craft

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds — and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

“GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE”

by Lisa Moore Ramee

Twelve-year-old Shayla is allergic to trouble. All she wants to do is to follow the rules. But in junior high, it’s like all the rules have changed. Now she’s suddenly questioning who her best

friends are and some people at school are saying she’s not Black enough. Wait, what? Shay’s sister, Hana, is involved in Black Lives Matter, but Shay doesn’t think that’s for her. After experiencing a powerful protest, though, Shay decides some rules are worth breaking. She starts wearing an armband to school in support of the Black Lives movement. Soon everyone is taking sides. And she is given an ultimatum. Shay is scared to do the wrong thing (and even more scared to do the right thing), but if she doesn’t face her fear, she’ll be forever tripping over the next hurdle. Now that’s trouble, for real.

“ESPERANZA RISING”

by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza thought she’d always live a privileged life on her family’s ranch in Mexico. She’d always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants, and Mama, Papa and Abuelita to care for her. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor

camp. Esperanza isn’t ready for the hard work, financial struggles brought on by the Great Depression, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When Mama gets sick and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances-because Mama’s life, and her own, depend on it.

“THE CROSSOVER”

by Kwame Alexander

“With a bolt of lightning on my kicks ... The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I’m delivering,” announces dreadlocked, 12-year-old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother, Jordan, are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood. He’s got mad beats, too, that tell his family’s story in verse. Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story’s heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

“FISH IN A TREE”

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her — and to everyone — than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

“SMILE”

by Raina Telgemeier

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth-grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with onagain, off-again

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MARIE KONDO SHOWS

perfect, she isn’t AND THAT’S OK

MARJIE DUCEY

World-Herald Staff Writer

Joanna Wirick couldn’t help but laugh a bit when she read the latest headlines about worldfamous organizer Marie Kondo.

Kondo, after having her third child, admitted she isn’t as tidy as she was before her family grew to five.

Kondo’s priorities have shifted, said Wirick, who has her own company, Joanna Organize.

“It was affirming for a lot of individuals and families to hear,” Wirick said. “Marie Kondo is a human being. It’s OK to have clutter. It’s part of life, and you can tidy it up when you need to.

Wirick understands some of what Kondo is going through after she and husband Andrew had their first baby, Luca, in May. She didn’t realize how much time was involved, especially when it comes to breastfeeding several times a day.

But her life hasn’t fallen into disarray. The 34-year-old former teacher said she’s lucky that she owns her own business.

“I have been blessed with a very easy kiddo and my schedule being flexible helps a ton,” she said. “If I worked a traditional 9 to 5 or

was still teaching, priorities would change and I would outsource more household responsibilities.”

Wirick said she transitioned well to having a baby because she was already organized

and had a system in place before Luca arrived. Trying to start after baby arrived most likely would have failed, she said.

There’s a difference between organizing and tidying. Organizing is something you might do once a month or a few times a year but tidying is an everyday job.

She calls that daily tidying resetting her living space. As with Kondo and most other organizers, Wirick’s No. 1 rule is to give everything a home.

“That’s something I do each night … living room, TV room and kitchen,” she said. “Just making sure the dishwasher is empty. Luca’s toys and books are back where they need to go. And blankets are folded.”

Wirick said she’s picked up a few other tips since Luca arrived.

She does smaller laundry loads every other day rather than let things pile up for one big laundry day. That way she can stay on top of it.

She’s also established a second diaper station on a bookshelf in a spare bedroom on the main floor.

“Having a portable diaper caddy is great. I’m not going to go upstairs every single time I need to change a diaper,” she said. “Be realistic about how you use your space.

Everything has to function for you as a parent.”

Wirick applauds Kondo’s new priorities. It’s not easy having multiple children of all different ages.

“I think she’s saying it’s important to be present,” Wirick said. “During this season of her life, she’s prioritizing time with her kids instead of trying to keep everything tidy and clutter-free all of the time.”

Ten tips from Joanna Organize for after bringing baby home:

ESTABLISH A FEEDING STATION

Whether you’re breast or bottle-feeding, you’ll need the same items each time your baby is ready to eat. Make sure you have items already set up, so you’re not having to run around the house looking for them with a hungry baby.

My breastfeeding items include: a swaddle blanket, a burp cloth, my phone (to time feedings/know when to switch breasts), and the diaper changing station needed to be close by.

SET UP MULTIPLE DIAPER CHANGING AREAS

You most likely have a changing area in the nursery, but you’re rarely going to be in there.

JOANNA WIRICK

Joanna Wirick, owner of Joanna Organize, with her son, Luca.

ADOBE STOCK

Make sure you have a changing area in the room you’re going to be hanging out in the most, especially those first few weeks. Each changing area is set up with a basket of diapers, wipes and cream. We also keep the nail file, snot sucker, and thermometer nearby.

DESIGNATE A HOME FOR THE CAR SEAT AND STROLLER

Keep your stroller close to the car/garage or entrance to your home — you want to reduce the distance between the stroller and the destination. You especially don’t want to lug it up and down stairs. Our two strollers are in the mudroom near the garage where our cars are parked, and our car seat stays upstairs, so we can easily buckle him in then we carry him down to the car.

DESIGNATE A HOME FOR THE DIAPER BAG

The arrival of your little one completely changes your normal routines. Getting out the door looks different, and you want to eliminate as many decisions as possible, especially in the beginning. Set yourself up for success by putting the diaper bag back in the same spot each time. Ours is on a hook in a hall closet near the stairs to the basement garage. We can easily grab it on our way out and can immediately put it away when we get home.

STOCK THE DIAPER BAG WITH ESSENTIALS

Help your future self out by keeping your diaper bag stocked with the essentials: diapers, wipes, cream, pacifier, change of clothes, burp cloth, etc. You don’t want to be packing this each time you go to leave because you’re bound to forget something.

DO SMALLER, MORE FREQUENT LOADS OF LAUNDRY

My recommendation is to stay on top of laundry by doing smaller, more frequent loads (about one per day). It’s a manageable task and keeps the overwhelm at bay.

ORGANIZE CLOTHING BY VISUAL SIZE (ONCE YOUR BABY ARRIVES)

Clothing sizes vary drastically depending on the brand. Once your newborn is here, find the items that fit and organize them in a top-drawer regardless of what the sizing tag says.

FIND A HOME FOR BACK STOCK

You’ll need a designated spot for extra wipes, diapers, formula, etc. Try to keep your back stock as close to the stocked area

Bookshelf

From Page 5

braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

“HARBOR ME”

by Jacqueline Woodson

It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat — by themselves, with no adults to listen in. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for “A Room to Talk”), they discover it’s safe to talk about what’s bothering them — everything from Esteban’s father’s deportation and Haley’s father’s incarceration to Amari’s fears of racial profiling and Ashton’s adjustment to his changing family fortunes. When the six are together, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.

“LOOK BOTH WAYS”

by Jason Reynolds

Wirick said she transitioned well to having a baby because she was already organized and had a system in place before Luca arrived.

as possible. For example, our extra wipes and diapers are in Luca’s closet. I unpack everything from its original packaging, so it’s easy to see how much we have left.

KEEP A NOTE OF FEEDINGS, SLEEP TIMES, AND WET/POOPY DIAPERS

For nearly every newborn appointment you have, you’re going to be asked about your child’s feeding schedule and bowel movements. Keep track of these the first few weeks in a shared note with your partner. Not only does this give you data, it allows you to answer your pediatrician’s questions confidently. I also found this to be helpful because my sense of time was way off those

first couple of weeks. This allowed me to make sure he was eating regularly, and I timed my feedings, so I knew when to switch breasts.

GET THANK YOU NOTES DONE ASAP

Try to knock out a thank you note or two a day until you’re done. This is a chore you can easily do while your babe is sleeping and should only take a handful of minutes. This isn’t something you want hanging over you weeks after the arrival of your little bundle.

marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy — Talking about boogers. Stealing pocket change. Skateboarding. Wiping out. Braving up. Executing complicated handshakes. Planning an escape. Making jokes. Lotioning up. Finding comfort. But mostly, too busy walking home. The author conjures 10 tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.

JOANNA WIRICK

Can you catch a leprechaun?

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Sta Writer

If you are feeling lucky this St. Patrick’s Day, you could try your hand as catching a leprechaun.

This can be a tricky task as leprechauns can be very sneaky. But by employing both imagination and science, kids can build a trap and wait with anticipation.

That’s right, there’s science involved.

Kindergartners at St. Pius X/St. Leo School have been building them for nearly a decade. Teacher Kelli Swift said that in March, science lessons involve learning about simple machines such a levers, pulleys,

wedges, inclined planes, wheels and axels and screws. The students then get to put their knowledge of those simple machines to the test to build a leprechaun trap.

Good options for supplies include: Dixie cups, pipe cleaners, paper towel tubes, string, tissue paper, all sizes of boxes, netting, wooden spools, rubber bands, paper clips, craft sticks and construction paper.

“You can build a lot of things out of pipe cleaners. They are so versatile. They can become ladders or screws,” said Swift. “Netting is also good. You can trap leprechauns under nets.”

Decoration is important, too. Keep

Using the science of simple machines you just might get lucky

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLDHERALD

DIY leprechaun trap with gold coins, rainbow and green ladder. ADOBE STOCK

Leprechaun traps are a great way for kids to learn about and use simple machines.

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in mind, leprechauns love gold, shamrocks, anything green, rainbows and all things shiny and sparkly. In addition to construction paper, crayons and markers, consider glitter, foil and stickers — such as rainbows and clovers.

With a number of books on the subject — a few include “The Night Before St. Patrick’s

Day,” “How to Catch a Leprechaun,” “How to Trap a Leprechaun” and “Three Ways to Trap a Leprechaun” — there is plenty of literary inspiration for kids.

Once your trap is built, don’t forget to bait it.

“You can use Lucky Charms cereal or gold coins,” Swift said.

402-932-2030

A leprechaun trap made by a St. Pius X/St. Leo kindergartner.

ABOVE + BEYOND

W ith keen eye for design, Strunk goes for real

estate clients

BY MIKE WATKINS

SPECIAL FOR STRUNK REAL ESTATE

Erin Strunk doesn’t take her clients’ trust lightly

For the Omaha licensed real estate agent and interior designer, it’s a badge of honor she has ear ned through decades of experience curating and creating the perfect home for each client.

“Our homes are so very personal, and each should be an extension of who we are, and what brings us comfort and peace after a long day,” Strunk says. “When working with a seller, it takes a certain level of trust. It’s a partnership,” Strunk says. “There is an art to it.”

Interior designers can go one step further and realize the potential in a property before it goes to market, she says.

Strunk’s first step is to build trust with clients by listening and getting to know them on a deeper level. “This is what positions me to assist when helping make their dreams come true.”

Strunk has been working in both the design and real estate industries for 19 years. A family trip to Spain during the summer of 2003 inspired her to pursue interior design.

“I remember being in awe,” she says. “Beauty was everywhere the architecture, the gardens, the food, art. I developed an instant appreciation for those who committed their time and life to creating beauty.”

That same year, Strunk changed her path and major to interior design.

She convinced the late Ralph Marasco, a well-respected real estate agent in Omaha, to give her

a job. He hired her as his assistant, and it was this first and pivotal experience that gave her a glimpse into the life of a real estate agent.

“One of my responsibilities was to call on agents who had shown Ralph’s listings to gather feedback,” she says. “It was through this daily practice I quickly lear ned that design and real estate are fluid, and in order to enhance the value of a property, it needs to show well.”

Strunk invested in a diverse selection of high-quality fur niture, artwork and accessories to stage client’s homes, as needed, for the greatest retur n.

“While pursuing my education from Harrington College of Interior Design in Chicago, I took an opportunity as an assistant to a Realtor who specialized in higherend condo sales in the downtown area,” Strunk says. “It was during

that time I lear ned about the needs and demands of a more sophisticated clientele.”

In 2008, Strunk retur ned to Omaha to be closer to family and resumed working with Marasco. She also started her own part-time design company, which led her into the world of new construction.

She began aiding home buyers in their selections throughout their build, but where she stood out was her ability to be a liaison between the contractor and the client. Strunk offered clear communication and helped ease uncertainty by working hand-in-hand with both parties.

In 2010, she acquired her real estate license and shortly

thereafter gave birth to her daughter, Reese. By 2016, she joined Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate and began working fulltime in the industry

Strunk knows her eye for detail and ability to “tur n up the design factor” for her clients makes her skillset even more advantageous to them.

“What sets Erin apart from other Realtors is her incredible design talent, impeccable taste and desire to get to know her clients,” says Casey Hoag.

Hoag recently purchased a home for a reduced price with help from Strunk, who negotiated on his behalf.

“Erin was not only able to assist

us with seeing a vision for the potential of the house but also educated us on its realistic value.”

For the new homeowner, Strunk also coordinated with painters, electricians and flooring contractors post-closing to make sure the home was in pristine condition for when the family moved in.

“We are an extremely busy family, so having Erin there to map out the improvements within our budget, coordinate reliable contractors and handle all aspects of the interior design was invaluable.”

By getting to know her clients’ needs and wants, Strunk is better suited to find a property that meets their priorities but then create a home that reflects their personalities.

“The way we live in our homes is not the way we want to sell it,” she says. “I talk through the value of preparing and dressing my client’s homes to show its maximum possible value. It takes more time and is more work, but it pays off in the end.”

ERIN STRUNK

Erin Strunk says her eye for detail and ability to “turn up the design factor” for her clients is beneficial. An example of her home staging in before (left) and after (above) photos.

BASKETBALL OREOS ARE A SLAM DUNK FOR MARCH MADNESS

KILEY CRUSE | World-Herald Sta Writer

March Madness is in the air. Next Sunday, 68 teams will be selected to participate in the Big Dance.

If you are looking for a fun (and yummy) treat to eat while you watch your bracket bust, give these basketball Oreos a try.

They can be made two ways: with or without a lollipop stick. Either way, don’t pass them up.

BASKETBALL OREOS

• Mega Stuf Oreos

• Orange candy melts

• Dark chocolate candy melts

• Coconut oil

• Lollipop sticks or 2-inch round silicone mold

1. To make lollipops, add 1 bag of orange candy melts and 1 tablespoon coconut oil to a tall and skinny microwave-safe container. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until candy coating is melted.

2. Coat the top ¾ inch of a lollipop stick with candy melt. Push the end into the middle of the Oreo lling (Mega Stuf Oreos work best. Regular Oreos don’t have enough lling to allow the stick to t between the hard outer cookies). Repeat with all lollipop sticks. Freeze until coating is hard.

3. Remove from freezer. Dip Oreo into the candy melt. Gently shake off excess candy coating. Lay on a parchment-lined baking sheet to harden.

4. To make using a silicone mold, melt candy melts with coconut oil as in Step 1. Put a spoonful of melted candy coating into the mold. Tap mold on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Put an Oreo in the middle of the mold. Spoon just enough candy coating to cover the Oreo. Put mold in refrigerator to harden. Once solid, remove from mold and decorate.

6. To decorate the circles, add a ½ cup dark chocolate candy melts into a sandwich-sized zip-top bag. Microwave for 30 seconds. Knead melts. If not fully melted, microwave for an additional 15 seconds.

7. Cut a very tiny hole in one corner of the bag. Squeeze out a vertical line down the middle of the cookie. Add two slightly curved lines on either side of the middle line. Then add a horizontal line across the cookie.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

Candy coated Oreo cookies are quickly transformed into basketballs for March Madness. For a better cookie to candy coating ratio, consider using Mega Stuf Oreos.

THE FAMILY THAT RUNS TOGETHER, has fun together

How to train for a marathon with your kids

RACHEL GEORGE

Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

Whether a fundraiser, fun run or team-building event, 5Ks offer people a chance to set a goal and work toward it.

A 5K is 3.1 miles, which can be intimidating for new runners.

“Running 3 miles right away is almost impossible,” said Laura Lillie of the High Voltage Youth Running Club, a free service offered to families in southwest Iowa. When you involve children, it can make things tougher, though maybe more rewarding.

Here are some tips on how to train for a 5K with your family:

Start slow

“We have a lot of people who will show up with little kids,” said Mick Freeman with the Bluffs Track Club. Freeman was the cross country coach at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs for many years. “They will run with them at their own pace.

“Don’t overdo it. Start out on a short distance and see how they can handle it.” Freeman recommends making the first goal a half-mile or 1 mile, and to build from there.

“It’s better to start slow and work your way up and build slow to avoid getting hurt or burnt out,” Lillie said. “There are tons of online ‘Couch to 5K’ programs and most will work. The most important part is to come up with a plan to just keep running.

“It’s tough, because kids might say their legs hurt. Don’t ignore injuries, but know that running doesn’t always feel good. It’s somewhat individualized, how you kind of know your kid.”

Celebrate little wins

“Maybe one day you run one lap around

the track and in three days, you’re going to do two laps; celebrate when you reach little milestones,” Lillie said.

“A 5K is a far distance so I think it’s important to do that.

“When you have a bad day, you can go back and say ‘Hey, remember last week when we ran three laps without

stopping?’ (Your kids) can kind of go back and remember that.”

Do it together

A friend or an accountability partner makes parent-child running time even better, Lillie said.

“Kids like that and have more fun if you

JOE SHEARER , COUNCIL BLUFFS DAILY NONPAREIL John Urzendowski, center, reprises his role as the lead-off leprechaun as runners of all ages take off during the start of the Shamrock Shuffle 5K fun run and walk on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

LEFT: Dermot Ferry of Council Bluffs hugs his daughters, Ada and Isla, before the start of the Bluffs Track Club run at Lake Manawa in 2021.

COURTESY SUE WHEELER

have another mom or dad and their son or daughter,” she said.

Make it fun

When walking/running with his daughters, Marc Bierbaum said they have built up very slowly, whether walking, running or biking. They also started using time for fun, realizing it helped with motivation.

“Most kids like competition,” said Bierbaum, the cross country and track and field coach at Iowa Western Community College. “They really get into it. Keep it lively, change goals, write things down and create excitement.”

Pick the right 5K

“There’s a lot of really cool, fun things out there, but there are also some hard courses out there,” Bierbaum said. “Pick the right one and involve some friends.”

Tying in a trip could also build excitement for the event, he said. Red Oak, Iowa, hosts a 5K during its Junction Days celebration, for example.

“You don’t have to do local, you could go somewhere that has some sort of attraction,” he said.

Let them get tired

“Kids are inherently good runners,” Lillie said. “They like to run and they have more

energy than us. Let them run, but when they’re getting tired, kind of let that happen.”

Know when to keep going.

“Once they get to a certain level and you know they’re able to make the distance, it’s important to have the kids keep running, even if it’s the slowest jog ever,” Lillie said. “If you can, keep running through a little bit of pain.”

Naturally, Lillie said there is a balance to it, as you don’t want to encourage injuries or foster

a dislike of running. It’s important to kind of gauge where the child is at in their training, she said.

Don’t push it

Freeman cautions parents to be careful in their approach.

“You don’t want to discourage them from trying it again when they grow up. As long as you’re running along with them, that would be a

great incentive,” he said.

Some days might be more productive than others and that’s normal.

“I think sometimes parents and kids get too much into having to train for it,” Bierbaum said. “It’s 3 miles … run, walk and go have some fun. Maybe, after that, it drives up interesting in running.”

Improve, don’t compare

“It’s important not to compare yourself to others, but to push yourself to be the best you can be,” Lillie said. “Tons of self-esteem comes with that if you can find that kind of balance. There’s nothing better to build self-esteem and confidence than to run a mile, or a 5K.”

Not only is training a fun bonding experience between parents and their children, it’s an opportunity to teach important life lessons.

“You can’t just run 3 miles without teaching yourself that you have to practice every day,” Lillie said. “It teaches discipline.”

There’s also a lot of camaraderie, whether between families or others.

Lillie said that her children are all faster than her now, but when they would run together, so much conversation happened.

“It’s hard work,” she said. “Learning to overcome some short term pain to reach a goal is a huge advantage. Exercise is a benefit in and of itself.”

Joshua

The power of STORIES

Descriptive words such as “ ery” or “dainty,” for example, might not be used in daily conversation, but might be used in a fairytale story. The context around them helps kids apply a de nition and unintentionally build their vocabulary. The creative spirit surrounding the activity of storytelling encourages young people to think of more imaginative ways of describing the world.

IMPROVE PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Studies show reading and presenting stories can improve problem solving skills. In many cases, the characters try various methods to achieve their goal and, as a result, may provide a step-by-step example of how to solve an issue. Kids might also think of their own solutions to dilemmas presented and directly exercise problem solving in attempting to understand or anticipate the story. When young people see protagonists working diligently to solve a problem, they learn persistence. These positive role models encourage them to keep trying, to allow for mistakes, and to eventually achieve their goal.

ENHANCE CREATIVITY

INSPIRE, EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN

the silliest of tales can inspire, educate and entertain, all at the same time.

exceedingly well.

Stories help children build valuable skills in lasting, enriching, and impactful ways. All it takes is a little imagination, a book, and a bit of storytelling magic. The Rose’s upcoming production of “The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales” is a perfect example of how a fun, entertaining — and very silly story — encourages creative thinking while emphasizing important life skills. From working with people who are different from you, to accepting yourself just as you are, and empathizing with others, even the silliest of stories have the power to teach.

Storybooks that take readers on a journey to fantastic lands and that are lled with vibrant illustrations are beloved staples of childhood. Most children have a favorite story they read again and again, and, as adults, look back on these tales fondly.

At The Rose, we know that stories that capture the imagination are more than just a fun diversion. When a child enjoys a favorite story, they enhance their learning, improve their comprehension, build vocabulary and improve their problem-solving skills while letting their creativity soar.

As The Rose prepares its upcoming show, “The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” it is noteworthy to consider how even

Here are just a few ways children can bene t from hearing stories:

ENHANCE LEARNING & COMPREHENSION

Teachers often use storytelling in their lessons for a reason: it works. Lessons taught through stories tend to be better understood and remembered. This can apply to moral messages or educational information.

Studies have found even scienti c information can be taught through this method. In one example, after reading a story about bacteria cells, researchers asked young children to explain the process. They found almost all of the children showed improvements in comprehension of the material and most of them understood the overall concept

The artist-educators at The Rose know all too well the power of teaching through storytelling. Everyday, our teaching artists are sent out into schools throughout the Omaha community to enhance curriculum through storytelling and theater arts. Whether it is bringing a history lesson to life by acting out key moments or seeing math come to life through The Rose’s original play, “Silver Cash: Money Detective,” these opportunities help students learn important subjects in an unforgettable way.

BUILD VOCABULARY

Children pick up words they hear very quickly. Most of the time, this is limited by the conversations around them. Stories can introduce new phrases and words that otherwise might not be learned until much later.

Stories like “The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales” also enhance creativity by making connections between stories in fun and unusual ways. More creative people are able to see connections between seemingly unrelated things, and stories are a great way to exercise this skill.

In “The Stinky Cheese Man,” for example, families can talk about the fairy tales the story is spoo ng, the way the different storylines intertwine, and how the characters from different tales interact with each other. Take it a step further and make up your own silly stories using some of the favorite plotlines from the books or movies your family enjoys.

So, the next time your family sits down to read a good story together, remember that some of the best lessons you can share with your child begin with the words, “Once upon a time …”

RACHEL RADLOFF

The Rose Theater

THE ROSE THEATER

Jay Hayden and Carina DuMarce in “Gira es Can’t Dance” at The Rose.

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2023 Upcoming Rose Shows

Stinky Cheese Man Stink & T he

Think you know all about fairy tales? Stink again. What do you get when you take fairy tale classics and turn them on their heads? How about the Ugly Duckling growing up to be

Ugly Duck, Cinderella snubbing Rumpelstiltskin or The Princess kissing a frog only to end up with a mouthful of slime. Based on the award-winning book, don’t miss this hilarious parody sure to crack up kids and parents alike.

(And watch out for the falling cow patties as you enter the theater!)