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ello friends! Spring is right around the corner. Really! This seems to be the longest winter ever. I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to all the fun things planned for the Mid-Valley for the springtime! I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the STEAMA (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math and Agriculture) Committe for the county fair this year. They have some great ideas for fun family related learning activities for our community. Stay tuned for all sorts of amazing info as plans progress. I also met with Salem Keizer Education Foundation to discuss the upcoming Annual Lemonade Day festivities. As a mom and an entrepreneur, I wholeheartedly support Lemonade Day! Check out the info on page 8 about how you and your kiddos can get involved this year. This issue has listings for upcoming Summer Camps. Many of the camps were still finalizing information, so I encourage you to look for more info online at www.willamettekidsandfamily.com where I will be updating the listings with links until it is complete. There are so many great camps going on in the Mid-Valley. I will be sharing it on facebook as well. Exciting! Willamette Kids and Family has grown and is now in Corvallis and Albany. Howdy neighbors! If you know of a great distribution spot for the magazine, I am all ears! Speaking of all ears- if you have ANY suggestions on upcoming features or things you would like to see or share with others, please don’t hesitate to call or email me! Stay dry out there! :)
Yvette 5
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Sometimes life gets in the way of parenting at our best. Financial stress, changes in family or home situations, political tension, and whether anyone slept well the night before can all impact us on core levels. One parenting strategy that you can maximize on regardless of where your stress level falls is to celebrate the ones you love. We even have a magic ratio of 5:1.
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Five positive interactions for every one negative; that’s the recipe for healthy and happy relationships. (By the way, behavioral directions like “put your shoes away” count for negative, even if you say it nicely.) Here are four free or next-to-nothing ways to hit that magic number and build the bond you’ve always dreamed of having with your loves:
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SALEM AREA MEAL DEALS Disclaimer: promotions subject to change. We suggest that you call ahead to inquire. APPLEBEE’S
QDOBA
Tuesday- All Day Kids eat for $1.99!
Every Day Kids eat FREE
With purchase of an adult meal. Dine in Only. Ages 12 and under. 5070 Commercial St SE (503) 364-1775 Lancaster Mall (503) 581-8040 www.applebees.com
Dine in Only, with purchase of adult meal. Ages 12 and under. 4405 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302 (971) 600-3174 www.qdoba.com
DENNY’S
Promotions were in effect as of 1-20-16. Please check ahead to ensure validity.
Tuesday & Saturday-4pm to10pm Kids Eat FREE! 1 kids meal per every adult meal purchase. Drink not included. 3680 Market St NE (503) 363-3411 3155 Ryan Dr SE (503) 585-8424 www.dennys.com
IHOP
Every Day- 4pm to 10pm Kids eat FREE!
With the purchase per each adult meal. 407 Lancaster Dr NE (503) 375-9988 www.ihop.com
ROADHOUSE GRILL Tuesday-All Day Kids eat FREE!
With Adult purchase. Drink Included, ages 10 and under. 481 Lancaster Dr NE (503) 375-0942 www.originalroadhousegrill.com
OLIVE GARDEN
Special Offers when you sign up for eClub Card Online www.olivegarden.com
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Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches kids how to start, own and operate their very own business – a lemonade stand. Lemonade Day has spread to over 57 cities in 23 states and 3 countries. A launch party is planned for Thursday, March 9 at the Salem Convention Center. The launch party is an opportunity for a handful of entrepreneurs to test market their product and branding strategy. It’s never too early to start planning and building your stand for Lemonade Day Saturday, May 20. Each child that registers receives a FREE backpack with an Entrepreneur Workbook that teaches them the valuable lessons of Lemonade Day - including how to set a goal, make a plan, work the plan and achieve their dreams. Once a youth pays their investor back, they keep all of the money they earn and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some of their profit. Anyone and everyone can be involved in Lemonade Day! Young entrepreneurs with lemonade stands need mentors, investors, business partners, great locations, and customers! Sponsors and volunteers are also needed to make Lemonade Day a success.
To find out more information or to register for Lemonade Day, please visit: www.salemkeizer.lemonadeday.org or our Facebook page: Lemonade Day Salem/Keizer. Thank you to our partners, Corban University Bookbyte East Salem Rotary Keizertimes Statesman Journal Salem Convention Center Willamette Kids & Family Magazine
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Lemonade Day, a program of Prepared4Life (501c3, non-profit), is a fun, experiential program that teaches kids how to start, own and operate their very own business: a lemonade stand. By running their stand, they learn the business and life skills needed to set a goal, make a plan and work the plan to achieve their dreams. Lemonade Day’s program builds self-reliance and financial literacy, and introduces important business and entrepreneurial skills. Since 2007 over 1 million youth have participated in Lemonade Day in over 50 cities across the United States, Canada, and South Africa. Lemonade Day allows youth to experience a new level of confidence and see new possibilities for their future – as the leaders, volunteers, and forward-thinking citizens of tomorrow. For more information, visit www.lemonadeday.org.
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Oregon Summer Star
Kroc Day Camps
Coyle Outside
Mt Hood Summer Ski Camp
LYONS- June 25-June 30 Ages: 8-16 A camp for youth of military families. All children and grandchildren of military families are encouraged to attend. A full week of overnight camp for$150. www.OregonSummerStar.info
SALEM- June 19 - Aug 25 Ages: 4-13 Choose a different themed camp each week varying from Kroc Chef, Hip-Hop, Messy Art, Survivor, Cupcake Wars and so many more! 503-798-4791 www.salem. kroccenter.org/day-camp.html
SALEM- July 5-7 & Aug 7-11Ages: 8-12 Fishing Camp at Cascades Gateway Park. Survival Camp at Minto Brown. Register at www.coyleoutside.com
May 28 - August 26 Ages: 9 & up On snow training for skiing, ski racing, snowboarding, freeskiing and moguls up on Palmer Glacier www.mthood.com
Ashbrook Adventures Camp
Gilbert House Summer Camps
CORVALLIS- Ages 3-10 Come to Ashbrook Adventures Camp for 8 weeks this summer! Each week will have a fun theme. We are child care division certified. www.ashbrookschool.org
SALEM- July 10-Aug 21 Ages: 3-12 Take Flight, Make it Move, Amazing Bodies, Farm to Table, Toys! Toys! Toys, Structures & Shelters, Sun & Space camps www.acgilbert.org/summer-camps/
YMCA Camp Silvercreek
Evergreen Museum Camps
SILVER FALLS- June 25-Aug 22 8 overnight camper sessions and 3 family camps starting. An overnight camp that provides fun activities and wonderful opportunities to learn, grow and thrive! www.theyonline.org/ymca-campsilver-creek
MCMINNVILLE- June 28 - Aug 4 Beginner and Advanced Rocket, Beginner and Advanced Remote Control Camp, Drone Camp, Jr Astronauts Fun Friday www.evergreenmuseum.org
Corvallis Environmental Center
CORVALLIS-June 19- Aug 27 Ages: 5-14 Wildlife Scientists, Invertebrate LIfe Cyclers, “Geode”caching Rollers, Wild Wing Bikers, River Rafters, Pond Detectives, Animal Artists, Birding and Building, Primitive Predator, Adventure Camp and more! www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
RiverCity Rock Star Camp
SALEM- June 26 - 30 Ages: 6-17 Rock music camp for all skill levels. Learn songs, make band merchandise and music videos, and record music www.rcrockstaracademy.com/summercamp/
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OSU KidSpirit Summer Day Camp
Edible Corvallis Initiative Camps
CORVALLIS- June 25-Aug 22 Ages: 6-14 Garden Food Adventures, Camp Pizza Pie, Buzz about Bees, Farm to Fork Middle School Camp located at Starker Arts Garden for Education ( SAGE) corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
CORVALLIS- KidSpirit invites you to Summer Day Camp 2017. Monday – Friday, grades K-12, with activities that include sports, art, science, and cooking! Call 541737-5437 kidspirit.oregonstate.edu
WiseMind Kids Yoga Summer Day Camp
OSU KidSpirit Gymnastics
CORVALLIS- KidSpirit’s non-competitive gymnastics program serves boys and girls with classes ranging from parent/child to levels 1-4. Check us out at kidspirit. oregonstate.edu or call 541-737-5437
SILVERTON- June 19-23 Ages: 8-13 Daily activities include themed, fun-filled yoga adventures, nature walks, art, and related workshops from area locals. www.facebook.com/wisemindservices or email wiseminded@yahoo.com
OSU Young Actors Series at KidSpirit
Camp Easterseals
CORVALLIS- This dramatic series uses performance art as a means to tackle elements such as confidence building and standing up to fears! Call 5411-737-5437 or visit kidspirit.oregonstate.edu to learn
MEDFORD- July 9-16 ages: 7-25 Camp Easterseals provides a fully inclusive camp for children and adults with disabilities. Space is limited, and registration is on a first come, first served basis. www.easterseals.com
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OSU KidSpirit Cooking Program
CORVALLIS- KidSpirit and the Moore Family Center offer comprehensive cooking courses to help kids learn about healthy eating and cooking techniques. Call 541-737-5437 or visit kidspirit. oregonstate.edu to learn more.
The Little Gym
Corvallis- Ages 3-12 Camps at The Little Gym come in all shapes and sizes. Super Quest camps and Grade School Skill thrill camps give your adventurer something unique. www.thelittlegym.com/corvallisor
Create A Memory Summer Art Camp
SALEM- Ages 5 & Up Includes materials, Creative based art education, friends, healthy snacks and most importantly a whole lot of fun. 503-375-3664 www.createamemory.org
Salem Music Discovery Camp
SALEM- June 12-Aug 7 Ages: 3 to Adult Various camps for the preschool, elementary, teens and parents. Snacks, crafts, keyboarding and songs, reading and writing music, rhythm instriments and more. salemmusicdiscoverycenter.com
Merry Heart Children’s Camp
PORTLAND- Aug 20-Aug 24 Ages: 9 -14 A safe, nurturing and fun outdoors experience for children and teens with heart conditions. www.merryheartchildrenscamp.org
Boys & Girls Club Summer Programs
SALEM-June 19- Aug 25 Ages: Grades 2-12 Youth will enjoy weekly themes with specialized programs designed to challenge and excite them. Two options: afternoon drop in hours or full-day summer camp. For youth entering grades 2 -12. Visit us online for hours and locations: http://bgc-salem.org
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Midway Farms Day Camp
ALBANY- June 22-July 21 Ages: 5-12 Through hands on experiences,kids learn about care and feeding of farm animals. Collect eggs, feed farm animals, record in journals, work sheets and best of all taste wonderful home grown and homemade foods. www.midwayfarmsoregon.com
Eagle Fern Camp
ESTACADA- July 3-Aug 14 Grades 1 and up. From Day Camps to Adventure Camps, this faith based camp offers horse camp, whitewater rafting, ziplines, giant swing, chapel times, boys and girls camps and more. www.eagleferncamp.com
PLEASE NOTE Many Camps were still in the process of finalizing their dates and events at the time of printing. www.willamettekidsandfamily.com will have updated listings with links in Mid-March, so keep checking in!
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March 11
March 25
Saturday, 4pm- 10pm Video and Picture awards, Cat Acrobat show, Adult & kid Costume contest, Kids Cat Condo, DJ, Vendors, Giveaways! Tickets online. Located at Oregon State Fairgrounds www.oregoncatvideofestival.com
Saturday, 11:30am - 3 pm 5 Early Games Pay: $99 + Prizes for Kids or Coupons for Adults. $2 Kid Packs Pay: $99 + Prizes (3-on) Buy 3 Get 1 Free applies to Kid Packs Only. Children 5 or older and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 1266 Lancaster Dr SE, Salem 97317 www.bgbingo.org
Salem- Oregon Cat Video Festival-
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Salem- Cherry Blossom Day
March 25
Free and open to the public! Kite Flying Demonstrations, Make-yourown kite kits,Taiko Drumming, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Bonsai Display, Ikebana Demo, Gyotaku, Koto Music, Cherry Blossom Theatre Festival, Kimono Fashion Show. Located on Capital Grounds Find more info on our website. www.willamettekidsandfamily.com
Monmouth- Learn to Fish!
Saturday 8am-3pm Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife presents basic techniques to catch trout in Oregon lakes, rivers, and streams. How to read the regulations, what equipment you need, how to tie the basic knots, basic tackle options. Free fishing rod and some basic tackle to take home with you. Lunch will be provided. EE Wilson Wildlife Area, 29555 Camp Adair Rd, Monmouth, OR Cost: Adult $52.00; Youth $22.00 Registration Required; For Questions call Jason Bader 503-947-6025
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Rickreall- Family Day- Polk County Museum
Saturday 1:30- 4:30. demonstrations of blacksmithing, flintknapping, spinning and weaving. Civil War Enactors, Scavenger hunts, balloon animals, and more. Fresh butter with biscuits and jam and apple cider will be served free www.polkcountyhistoricalsociety.org
March 27
Salem- Children’s Etiquette Tea
March 24
Monday 11am-1 pm. Kids enjoy a children’s tea menu with lessons accompanying each course and ending with a tour of the Victorian home. Scheduled during Spring Break, this is a fun way to explore Victorian days with vintage tea cups, silverware and a regal setting. Deepwood Museum 1116 Mission St SE in Salem. www.deepwoodmuseum.org
Woodburn- Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
March 24–April 30, Jump Tents, Bungee Jumper, Pony Rides, Rock Wall, & Zip Line, Archery Tag, Wooden Shoe Making and more. See website for dates and to purchase tickets. Woodburn, OR www.woodenshoe.com
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Salem- Kid’s Day B & G Bingo
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April 1
April 22
Salem- Young Artists’ Showcase
Silverton- Oregon Garden Earth Day Celebration
March 11 - April 22. The Young Artists’ Showcase has grown into a highly anticipated event for K-12 students, teachers, and parents in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. The Showcase exhibits the artwork of hundreds of students. Bush Barn Art Center 600 Mission St. SE Salem, OR 97301 503-581-2228 www.SalemArt.org
Saturday 10 am- 4pm 18th annual Earth Day, presented by Marion County. Entertainment Food, Exhibitors, and more! Admission is free to the Garden on April 22, 2017. We encourage you to make a $5 donation to enjoy this day of free education and entertainment. Visit our website for updated info. www.oregongarden.org
April 2
Portland- $2 Day at OMSI
April 23
April 5
Enjoy our spring tea with a delectable catered luncheon at this signature event. Visit with the ever-popular bunny, listen to storytelling, keepsake photo and ride on the Carousel! Two tea times available: 11am & 1:30 pm $20/person. By reservation only. For reservations please call Salem’s Riverfront Carousel- 503-540-0374. 101 Front St NE, Salem, Oregon 97301 www.salemcarousel.org
Salem- Spring Tea Party with Peter Rabbit
Explore the museum and all permanent exhibits for just $2 per person on the first Sunday of every month! Submarine Tours, Theater and Planetarium shows are also reduced to $5 per person, or less with applicable discounts. OMSI parking is $5, with discounted parking passes available for members. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland www.omsi.edu
Salem- Wednesday Film Series: Wizard of OZ
April 29
Salem- Read to a Pet
Wednesday7:00pm to 9:00pm Dorothy Gale is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land of Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest with her new friends to see the Wizard who can help her return home in Kansas and help her friends as well. General admission, all seats $6. Doors open at 6:15 pm. Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. SE Salem, OR 97301 503-375-3574 www.elsinoretheatre.com
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Children’s Room This program offers children a relaxing, non-threatening way to improve their reading skills. Visiting dogs and cats trained and certified as therapy animals by Paws for Love are mellow and friendly. This is a drop-in program, and sign-ups are not necessary. www.cityofsalem.net/Departments/ Library
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by Adrienne Mee MSN FNP-C
Why is lead dangerous? Lead is taken into the body through ingestion or inhalation of lead particles, and once in the body it accumulates over time and is stored in the bones and teeth. Excessive levels of lead can have profound consequences in developing children, and lead poisoning remains a public health concern despite strides to reduce lead containing products over the last few decades.
What are symptoms of lead poisoning? Lead is distributed to the brain, kidneys, and liver, and it affects nearly every body system causing potential irreversible damage. Symptoms of lead exposure and lead poisoning can be very vague and may include irritably, tiredness, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, constipation, weight loss or loss of appetite, and developmental delays. At high levels, lead may also cause seizures, coma, or even death.
Who is at risk? While all people who are exposed to lead are at risk of lead poisoning, children under the age of 6 are at increased risk. Children of this age group not only have a tendency to put potentially contaminated objects and their hands in their mouth, but their bodies also absorb approximately 4-5 times the lead absorbed by an adult from any given lead source. Other risk factors for lead poisoning include the following: • Children who live in, or spend time in, a home built before 1978 and especially before 1950 • Children who live in any home built before 1978 which is undergoing home renovations or who are around any adult that has a job or hobby where lead exposure risk may be high • Children who have family members or friends with diagnosed lead poisoning • Children who have been to or were adopted from a foreign country • Children who are in contact with imported goods including jewelry, candy, cosmetics, and certain folk remedies
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Is there a screening test for lead exposure? Lead testing is done through a blood level lead test. A small amount of blood is taken from your child’s vein and will tell how many, if any, micrograms of lead are present. Current recommendations for children with most commercial insurance plans are to have lead level testing performed at age 12 months if risk factors for lead exposure are present. For children insured through Oregon Health Plan (Oregon Medicaid), lead level testing is required at age 12 months and again at age 24 months, or at least once between the ages of 24-72 months if no previous testing has been done. If your child’s lead testing reveals an abnormally high level, your healthcare provider will initiate treatment and ways to avoid further exposure will be discussed.
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What can I do to prevent lead exposure? Recognizing and removing sources of lead is a key factor in preventing lead poisoning. Find out when your house was built and regularly check for peeling paint if you live in an older home. Keep surfaces clean and dust-free, and wash your child’s hands, stuffed animals, toys, bottles, and pacifiers often. When your child plays outside, encourage them to avoid playing in soil with bare feet and have them remove their dirty shoes upon entering the house. If your home has older metal pipes or fixtures, the use of cold water for cooking, drinking, and mixing formula is preferable to warm or hot water as higher temperatures can cause lead to leech from these metal pipes. Dietary intake can also help combat lead exposure, and foods that are high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C have been shown to help reduce the amount of lead a child’s body absorbs. Laws and regulations are in place in the state of Oregon to help protect children from lead poisoning, however regular risk assessment and screening is still required. If you would like more information on lead exposure, lead poisoning, or lead screening recommendations, please contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider. Additional resources on lead exposure and lead hazards are available through the Oregon Health Authority website (http://www.healthoregon.org/lead) or by calling the Oregon LEADLINE at 1-800-368-5060. Adrienne Mee, MSN FNP-C, recently relocated to the Willamette Valley and is a mother to two young daughters. She is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner with Armstrong Wellness Family Practice in Salem. With a strong clinical background in pediatric nursing, Adrienne has a passion for children’s health and enjoys working with children and families to achieve optimal health and wellness. To reach her, please contact Armstrong Wellness at 503-581-1198
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SPOTLIGHT ON SALEM
JULIA RICE ATTORNEY AT LAW
What sort of training do you have?
As responsible parents, protecting our
families is our top priority. However, planning for the unexpected can feel disconcerting and overwhelming. It can be hard to trust someone with such sensitive information, so finding someone you respect and trust makes all the difference in the world. Spotlight on Salem introduces you to Julia Rice- a local attorney dedicated to helping local families achieve peace of mind.
I have a B.A. in Psychology; an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy; a J.D.; and an LL.M. in Tax. My degrees have provided specialized training to assist my clients. Oftentimes, clients do not immediately talk about familial issues. My training helps make clients feel comfortable and allows them to discuss family dynamics. This information allows proper planning without missing vital pieces of the puzzle. My law degree provides me with the ability to think critically and understand what provisions need to go into my clients’ plan. I provide the type of critical thinking and individualized strategies that you cannot find through a discount online service such as Legal Zoom. Those services give customers cookie cutter plans that don’t take into account the clients’ individual circumstances. In fact, those plans often create more problems while giving customers a false sense of security. My tax specialization gives me the ability to identify potential tax issues for clients so that they can plan to minimize their potential income and estate tax liability.
Julia, can you tell us a little about yourself? I was born in New York, and I have lived in eight states. I fell in love with Oregon when I moved here for law school thirteen years ago. I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I am happily married with two amazing daughters.
As an estate planning attorney, how do you help your clients?
I help my clients achieve peace of mind by creating and implementing a personalized estate plan. I discuss the benefits of trusts versus wills as it applies to their situation. I also spend a significant amount of time helping them understand how assets pass at death and the potential income and estate tax consequences that their spouse, estate and beneficiaries may face. Another important aspect of designing an estate plan is ensuring clients have the right “helpers” in place to implement their wishes.
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Do you work in a big firm? Are you really expensive?
Although I previously worked in bigger firms, I have owned my own business for
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the past seven years. Being my own boss allows me to keep my overhead low, which translates to lower fees for my clients. I also pride myself on giving clients personalized attention.
SERVICES • Wills
Should people only come to you if they are really wealthy?
• Trusts
No! Many people often have the misperception that estate planning is only important if they have a lot of money. However, estate planning is important, regardless of your stage of life. I enjoy helping younger families plan. Most parents want to choose who will look after their minor children should something happen to them, but they lose that ability if they do not set up a plan ahead of time. I love providing my clients with peace of mind in planning for the unexpected.
• Power of Attorney • Advance Directive • Disposition of Remains • Document Review • Trust Administration • Probate
If you are in need of estate planning services, contact Julia today. 503-949-6703
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POSITIVELY speaking
E S I W T N
PARE
by Jenifer Trivelli
Help your tweens & teens see the bright side
The eye-rolling. Side comments uttered
Many of today’s youth identify screen time as where they experience stillness, and as their go-to emotion-management strategy. When any person uses a screen as a distraction from a big feeling, they check out of this reality and miss the valuable lessons big feelings have to teach us about ourselves and our needs. Our brains are cut off from the information our bodies are trying to give us (Hungry? Sad? Need connection? Need play time?) and we get more anxious, depressed, and sick as time goes on. Teens may not see the direct correlation, yet with 90% of diseases being caused or complicated by stress (cited from the Congressional Prevention Coalition), those of us with fully-formed Wise Minds can see what’s coming. Introducing your teen to yoga, mindfulness, or other body-based activities helps counteract effects of stress to help them have a more positive outlook. Try this idea when you are solo with your teen. Only speak about what you’re noticing with your senses at that exact moment. Comment on what you see, but expand further to include your other senses. Resist the urge to engage with a train of thought about something in the past or future. Feel the ground beneath your feet, hear the birds chirping or the sound of the wind in the trees, notice the color of the sky and the temperature on your skin. This exercise soothes us, guiding us
under the breath. The bitter retorts. The angry blow-ups. The all-consuming meltdowns. Is it too much to ask to just get along? Some days, accompanying your teen on the journey of adolescence feels like a battle, leaving you feeling angry, resentful, or defeated. Home can feel tense and stressful, instead of a place of peace and welcoming. It can be difficult to know how to shift patterns of negativity and verbal combat, when it feels like no one is on your side. Negativity can be due to stress and overwhelm. Over-scheduled, under-nourished, and constantly pressured to achieve more, today’s adolescents have high expectation in an already challenging time. Enduring changing hormones and a complete restructuring of the brain in preparation for adulthood, adolescents are pressured by well-meaning teachers, parents, peers, and themselves to do more and be more. They’re asked to respond quickly in class, respond to a text message, or wash the dishes right now. Adolescents need guidance to structure their time. Part of the brain that helps us make good decisions and think through things before acting, the prefrontal cortex, is developing through the midtwenties. As parents, we can use our Wise Minds to guide our teens about prioritizing commitments. We can assist them in developing a plan that allows for creative pursuits and chill time.
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to balance out a stressful environment. Mindful exercises like this take time to develop, so don’t give up if it doesn’t come naturally right away. The brain’s default is to go negative. Experts in the field of brain science believe we have a negativity bias; that our brains evolved over time to avoid harm and therefore “wired” us to actively look for potential threats. Brains don’t distinguish between real or perceived threats, nor between threats that are physical (life-threatening), mental/emotional (someone hurting our feelings), or social (being embarrassed in front of peers). “Your brain has a hair-trigger readiness to go negative to help you survive.” - Rick Hanson, Hardwiring Happiness Understanding your teen’s brain can help distinguish between negativity as a personality trait and negativity as a survival mechanism. It can also help us guide this deeply ingrained pattern to a pattern which is more life-giving and happy. Imagine your teen’s brain with brain cells lit up together to create thick pathways that become automatic over time. Bring to mind a situation your teen has felt negatively about in the past. Now imagine stimulating a different brain cell, an optimism brain cell, again and again, until eventually, the old connection withers and the new connection becomes the default. That’s it! Simple, yet often not easy. Re-wiring a new brain pathway requires commitment over time. But it can and does happen. How? Reacting to negativity with negativity breeds negativity. You can’t un-train a connection simply by resisting and reacting to it. Pointing it in the direction you’d like it to go is much more effective. Let’s use this example: You do the typical “How was school today?”, and today you actually get a response and it’s “BORING!”. Instead of arguing (a form of resisting), telling your teen they’re always so negative, or trying to get them to look on the bright side (also resisting), join them.
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Validate their experience. “You were really bored at school today.” Continue to reflect what they’re saying. Don’t offer advice unless they ask. Being heard and validated is one of the quickest ways to guide an adolescent to relax. In this way, you shift their brain pathway without saying a word about it. Your reaction to your teen’s negativity is a guide in itself. Parenting is like a gigantic mirror for self-awareness. You can learn a lot about how to guide your teen to optimism by learning about your own relationship to negativity. Observe yourself, without judgement. Often, the traits and qualities in others that bother us the most are actually things we could work on, ourselves. For example, an inner awareness you may come to is realizing that you, in fact, complain a lot too. You might complain about work, your mother, the postman, or the color of your kitchen cabinets. These complaints can feel justified, so we don’t think of it in the same way we think of our children’s complaining. When we focus on negative aspects of things we can’t or won’t change, we make our own joy the victim. One powerful way we can impact our teen’s viewpoint on the world is by developing a healthy relationship to negativity ourselves, and model it out loud. We can strive to use language which empowers us instead of victimizing us. This is, by no means, an exhaustive list of ideas. Knowing when to seek help from a third party can make all the difference. This time in your child’s life will never be again - don’t hesitate to do what you can right now to set them (and your relationship) up for long-term happiness. Jenifer Trivelli, M.S. is a social-emotional educator, Certified Youth YogaCalm Instructor, and therapeutic children’s book author. Her latest book, Jamie’s Gift: A Young Teen’s Guide to Fear, Anxiety, and Other Life Challenges (Like Being Irritated By Other People), was co-authored with local teen Brinsley Hammond-Brouwer. Connect with Jenifer at facebook.com/ wisemindservices and on Twitter/Instagram @wisemind_ed.
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This month, as with every month, more
at neighborhood food pantries and provide a three-to-five day supply of nutritious food. Meal sites are places where people come together on a regular basis and share a meal. This may include low-income day care centers, foster homes, homeless shelters, or community meal sites that are open to everyone.
than 40,000 people–including 14,000 children–access emergency food through the Marion-Polk Food Share partner network. This food may be a hot meal served at a shelter, a free community meal served at a church, or as an emergency food box from a food pantry. This nutritious food will stave off hunger for an individual or family when they need it most. Our mission at Marion-Polk Food Share is to lead the fight to end hunger in Marion and Polk Counties … because no one should be hungry. In 1986, Marion-Polk Food Share was formed as an independent nonprofit to help lead the fight to end hunger in Marion and Polk counties. Today, the Food Share collects and distributes food to a network of more than 100 partneragencies. Support from the community makes it possible for the Food Share to distribute food to meal sites, food pantries, foster homes, low-income day care centers, shelters, and senior housing sites across the Mid-Valley. The Food Share also supports programs that address the root causes of hunger.
Meals on Wheels: The Food Share delivers affordable meals to seniors and disabled adults in Salem and Keizer. Meals are created by our very own team of chefs, and are reviewed by a registered dietician to ensure that our meals are in line with the American Diabetic & Heart Association’s moderate guidelines. Community Gardens: Community gardens allow everyone to grow nutritious food for themselves, and the whole community. Marion-Polk Food Share supports a network of more than 60 gardens in Marion and Polk counties, including gardens with plots that are available for rent.
Our programs include:
Youth Farm: The Youth Farm is a 6-acre community farm and collaborative educational site. In partnership with
Emergency Food: The Food Share provides emergency food through food boxes and congregate meal sites. Food boxes are distributed
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ENDING HUNGER CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY OF MARION & POLK COUNTIES. YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN THREE WAYS: GIVE FUNDS. By partnering with thousands of fellow supporters, you can end hunger in our community. 92% of all donations go to food and programs that help people struggling with hunger. You can make a one-time donation, sign up to become a Monthly Sustainer to fight hunger yearround or organize a fundraiser at your school, church, workplace or community organization.
Marion-Polk Food Share, OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, and Chemeketa Community College, the Youth Farm gives a crew of teens the opportunity to gain work experience and leadership skills while managing a small farm business. Education and Training: Marion-Polk Food Share addresses the root causes of hunger by teaching skills for self-sufficiency and resiliency through educational and vocational training programs.
GIVE FOOD. You can donate food that will be directly distributed to families in need. There are many ways to help feed hungry families. You can contribute healthy non-perishable food, donate extra produce from your garden or organize a canned food drive with your neighbors.
Community Food Projects: The Food Share works with communities to identify long-term, community-based solutions to food insecurity and connect with local farmers and food processors in order to maintain a thriving community food system.
GIVE TIME. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Food Share. People like you are needed every day to sort food in the warehouse, assist with office and clerical projects, work at a community garden, organize an event or deliver meals to homebound seniors. Marion-Polk Food Share is a member of the Oregon Food Bank Network.
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Contact Marion-Polk Food Share today at 503-581-3855 or www.MarionPolkFoodShare.org to learn how to make a difference ending hunger in our community.
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Me: ” Yes maam. Pants are mandatory.” J:(son age 14) “I’m not sure it’s worth putting pants on, Mom. Maybe we could just hang out here. “ His youthful face looks ever so hopeful. Me: “Nope. Let’s get a move on!”
So, as a single mom and two teenagers, we really, REALLY love our down-time. Almost every weekend goes like this: Me: “Hey guys- let’s go do something.” A: (daughter age 13) “Do we have to put on real pants?”
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We want to share our brave and positive ventures with you in a review-type feature to help you decide if it’s worth putting on your own pants. :) No need to thank us- That’s just the kind of friends we are. So this feature we are going to cover Bubble Tea. “A” is turning into quite the tea aficionado, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked if we could find a place to try Boba Tea. I pictured some Taiwanese restaurant with dim lights, and a way-too-cool-for-me atmosphere where everyone drank tea and talked about Indie music. As a non-tea drinker, I was already feeling out of my element. Still, I do my best to encourage my kids to expand their horizons so we Googled it. Mina’s Cafe on South Commercial showed up in our search and we put on some pants. Boba Tea is a fancy way of saying Bubble Tea whose name alone should appeal to just about anyone. However- it’s more like a milkshake than tea. J had Green Apple and A had coconut. I’m watching my sugar, so I opted to just taste theirs. It was all I could do to keep stealing it for myself. YUM! This cold, frothy drink is made with iced tea, sweetened milk or other flavorings, and usually with sweet black balls or “pearls” made from tapioca. J and I were a little weirded out by the Tapioca balls at the bottom, because they’re large and chewy- but A slurped hers down and helped J finish his as well. Yummy, bubbly deliciousness aside- the customer service was spectacular, with a friendly, knowledgeable waitress and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich that J ordered are both reasons we will return to Mina’s. We aren’t paid for this endorsement. We just like to pass along good put-onsome-pants-worthy-deals when we find one. We rate this bubbly experience: 3 out of 3 pants.
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Please say “I saw it inWillamette Kids and Family.”
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Please say “I saw it inWillamette Kids and Family.”
Find us on facebook! /willamettekidsandfamily
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