Parent
August 2016
FREE
RHODE ISLAND
MAGAZINE
1st
Anniversary Issue Play like an Olympian Save on back-toschool clothing Fun party planner
Water Safety
Tips to protect your kids In the water, Kaleb Sherman-Chattelle, 2, of Cranston
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Rhode Island Parent Magazine  August 2016
August 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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Rhode Island Parent Magazine  August 2016
Contents August 2016 / vol. 2 / no. 1
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Departments 6 A Note from the Publisher Our first anniversary. 10 My Turn Babies and gender. 12 Get Active Play like the Olympians.
14 Ask Dr. Day Care Your questions answered.
18 Education Advice for girls from state leaders. 19 Reach Out and Read Summer book suggestions.
20 The Healthy Child Ticks and Lyme disease.
22 News Brief An app to track the school bus.
24 Calendar Things to do in August.
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Features 8 Cover Feature: Water Safety
Tips to protect your kids.
16 Back-to-school shopping
Try these resale locations to save money. PLANNING A PARTY?
Looking for ideas? See our new Entertainment & Party Needs directory on pages 21 and 23.
ON THE WEB: We are working on our website to make it a great place to get even more information about parenting and kids in Rhode Island. The magazine is available digitally online at issue.com/RIParentMag (great for reading on a tablet, phone, or computer) and you can join our Facebook and Twitter pages. Visit www.RIParentMag.com, Facebook.com/RIParentMag, and Twitter.com/@riparentmag
August 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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A Note from the Publisher
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e made it! One year of Rhode Island Parent Magazine. Just like with raising children, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. The past year has been a whirlwind of great ideas and plenty of mistakes. I jumped in with both feet to run a new business. As anyone who has done so will tell you, it’s not easy to create a viable business that lasts for the long term. According to the Small Business Administration, about 34% of businesses fail during the first two years and 50% fail during the first five years! But I know the magazine can beat the odds, because we are going to keep evolving to meet your needs. There are so many interesting topics that we will bring to you this year. Everything from kid-related technology information to resources for college, and from date-night suggestions to easy recipes you can make for your family. Many major advertisers have joined with us to bring the magazine to you for free. But there is still a ways to go to make sure Rhode Island Parent Magazine can continue for the long term. So, if you like reading the magazine, please shop with our advertisers and tell them you saw their ads. If there is one thing we need, it’s your support in this area. I am curious to know if there are people out there who would be interested in subscribing to the magazine – paying a small annual fee to have it mailed right to your house, perhaps? Let me know at publisher@riparentmag.com if you like that idea. Going forward, we want to keep you informed and bring you more in-depth stories. We love learning about the parents and kids of RI and hope you continue to enjoy this little bit of respite from all bad things going on in the world. Stay cool,
57 Rolfe Square, Box 10094 Cranston, Rhode Island 02910 (401) 337-9240 Founder and Publisher Susan Gale publisher@RIParentMag.com Art Director/Graphic Designer Rob Kenney artdirector@RIParentMag.com Copy Editor Sheila Flanagan editor@RIParentMag.com Business Manager Lisa Koulibaly sales@RIParentMag.com Advertising Sales (401) 337-9240 sales@RIParentMag.com On the cover: photo by Kimberly Dobosz of Kimberly Dobosz Photography. kimberlydoboszphotography.com Publisher photo taken by Keith Jochim. KeithJochimPhotography.com Rhode Island Parent Magazine is published monthly by Gale Force Communications. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products, or services are endorsed by the publisher. Editorial submissions welcome.
Susan Gale ©2016 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
Like us on Facebook and Twitter: Facebook.com/RIParentMag @RIParentMag
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Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
August 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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Cover Feature By Susan Gale
D
rowning doesn’t sound or look like drowning. At least it doesn’t look like what many of us picture in our heads – a person yelling and bobbing up and down in the water. Drowning is largely silent and it happens quickly. “Everyone always thinks it won’t happen to them,” said Karla Sherman of Cranston. “But drowning is silent, you can’t really see that it is happening.” Sherman knows this all too well. Two years ago, her 18-month-old son Jayce accidently got into the family’s pool and drowned. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of 4. Sherman was devastated, and though she will never get over losing her son, she decided that she will do everything possible to make sure other parents don’t face the same horror. Her son’s name means “healer” in Greek, so Sherman started the nonprofit Jayce “The Healer” Foundation. On September 4 from noon–5 p.m. at Slater Park in Pawtucket, Sherman’s foundation will hold its third annual “A Day in the Park.” (See sidebar for details.) Today, Sherman’s two-year-old twins, Kailah and Kaleb Sherman-Chattelle are in swim lessons. “Supervision is the number one way to keep children safe,” said Sherman. “You don’t want to introduce them to water until they know how to self-rescue or swim.”
What kids need to know about water
It’s all about breath control and body position when it comes to children being able to save themselves if they fall into water unattended, said Susan Pascale-Frechette, owner of PODS Swimming. The Jayce “The Healer” Foundation plans to give out $7,000 in scholarships for swimming lessons with PODS. Pascale-Frechette’s method of teaching swimming starts with children as young as six months. Infants and toddlers are first taught to become comfortable swimming underwater to lessen the possibility of panic in an emergency. Children then learn to swim forward, roll on their backs and float, and then roll back on their stomachs to swim forward again. “Some people think their children are swimming but they have never gone under water, never learned how to blow bubbles, how to breathe,” Pascale-Frechette said. “There is all kinds of information for new parents but no one talks about getting enrolled in swimming classes.” Pascale-Frechette is not a fan of air-filled swimming aids such as floaties or water wings because she said they put children into a vertical position and limit the child’s ability to 8
Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
in learn how to keep their feet behind them in the water. And if the child falls in water unattended, they won’t have the benefit of floaties. “Swimming is a must, a rite of passage; it’s not an option,” she said. “Learning to swim should be like going to school.” Her advice to parents: be consistent and persistent when it comes to learning swimming. Her own son cried every time he entered the water for two years. “Even though he screamed and cried, it became muscle memory and he could do it,” she said. “Today parents just want their children happy but they have to push through.” Even if they are taught swimming and water safety, young children need to be watched constantly around water, said Pascale-Frechette, noting that she saved her son twice in the water. “You always have to have a watchful eye,” she said.
Boating and water safety
Jennifer Ogren, an Environmental Police Officer with the RI Division of Environmental Management, has seen her fair share of terrible collisions and other accidents on the water. She said it happens with every type of water vehicle – from large boats to paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. She likens a life jacket to a car seatbelt or car seat for a child. “You don’t put your seatbelt on prior to an accident. People have no time when something happens.” she said, noting that all life jackets should be Coast Guard approved. “It’s just like a car seat. You wouldn’t buy just any car seat. It can be worth it to spend more to get a better fit. Life jackets need to be properly fitted. Don’t buy for them to grow into.” Part of the problem with not wearing a life jacket is called cold shock response, she said. When a person falls into cold water, the immediate shock of the cold causes an involuntary inhalation, which, if underwater, can result in drowning. “A life jacket can bring you to the surface,” she said, noting that she has met boaters whose life jackets were still wrapped in their original plastic, making them useless if an accident happens. Ogren said that people not wearing a life jacket make up 84% of boating fatalities from drowning. And nowadays there are different types of life jackets including some that lay flat on the person and inflate in the water or by pulling a handle. “I don’t want to take the fun out of it, but it is an activity that has some risks,” she said. Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine.
the Water safety tips Be vigilant: Always have an adult watching children in water at all times. Install barriers: Have a four-to-five-foot-high fence around pools. Use door alarms and self-latching and locking gates. When not in use, cover and lock spas and hot tubs. Teach swimming and lifesaving skills: Take swimming classes and learn CPR. Children should know how to swim, float, tread water, and get in and out of water safely. Avoid dangerous drains: Fix all loose, missing, or broken drain covers. Tie up long hair or use a swim cap and warn children to stay away from drains or other openings.
How to check the fit of your child’s life jacket On boats in RI, life jackets must be worn by all children 13 and under. Make sure the life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved and fits tight to the chest. Secure the crotch strap so it isn’t hanging loose to catch on something. To test the fit of your child’s life jacket: Once the jacket is on your child, stand behind them and strongly pull up on the jacket. It is fitted properly if the jacket cannot be pulled over your child’s mouth. If it is going over their mouth, it isn’t tight enough or is not the right size.
Third annual “A Day in the Park” Noon–5 p.m., September 4, 2016 Free at Slater Park, Pawtucket This free community event by the Jayce “The Healer” Foundation offers face painting, food trucks, venders, a photo booth, and fun characters such as Coastie the Tug Boat, Josh The Otter, Larry the Life Vest, and Sparky the Fire Dog. There will be water and fire safety demonstrations as well as raffles, which include a trip to Disney World (one-day park hopper passes and two $400 round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets). Five hundred door alarms and 100 life jackets will be given away. You’ll also be able to learn CPR and donate blood. Twins Kailah and Kaleb Sherman-Chattelle take their first swimming lesson.
Photo by Kimberly Dobosz, www.kimberlydoboszphotography.com August 2016 Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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My Turn By Amanda Sagarin
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Thoughts on gender rules
small pink bunny rattle is attached to my son’s car seat. He is in love with bunny. When out and about in public, many people refer to my son as a girl. I think there is a connection between bunny and him being called my daughter. Here’s why this matters to me. Recent modern society has deemed that pink belongs to girls. This was not always the case. In fact, a 1918 edition of a publication entitled "Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department” says, ‘The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” When looking at gender-color history in the United States, a 1927 Time magazine chart is often referenced. It found that, at the time, major retailers were split on their advertising of colors. Nurseries were often decorated in both pink and blue, the way gender-neutral nurseries are green and yellow today. Things shifted in the 1940s and seem to have been cemented in the 1980s. There are numerous theories explaining the shift over those four decades, but one thing is for sure – society needs to assign everything to either the male or female gender, even something as basic as colors. It is extremely important to me that I raise my son in a way where he feels encouraged and safe to express himself however he chooses – not how society chooses for him. I understand
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Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
there are costs to this, that if he loves something society has deemed is for a girl, he will be teased. When this happens, I hope to support him in having those experiences be part of the strong fabric of who he is. I hope he learns that gender is constructed at an early age. I will surely be reminding him of this often. Of all the reasons it is important for me to kick society's assigned gender roles to the curb, most of all I want my son to be emotionally intelligent. Since becoming the mom of a boy, I can't tell you how many times I have heard "boys are fun, busy, loud, dirty." Those are great things to be, but not at the cost of not being thoughtful, sweet, introspective, creative – things generally assigned to girls. It's time we stand up to the status quo. I want my son to find himself, to do things that make him happy. But that means I'll need to expose him to a wide variety of activities, people, and colors – and continuously address "that's for girls" or "that's for boys." One thing I will guide my son to be is empathic; being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes is the foundation of all healthy relationships. I am sick and tired of empathy being a trait assigned only to girls. And not just because I’m the mom of a busy boy. Amanda Sagarin, of Boston, is mother to a three-month-old son with her husband.
Have something to say? Write a “My Turn” column! Have thoughts on parenting? A funny kid story to tell? A parenting-related issue to educate others on? Write for our “My Turn” column! Keep your column to 700 words or less and send it along to editor@ RIParentMag.com for consideration.
August 2016 Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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Get Active By Shannon Cornicelli
What to do when your kids are
inspired by the Olympics
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or me, it was the 1984 Olympics and Mary Lou Retton’s amazing gymnastics performance. Her exuberance and skill convinced me that I wanted to do gymnastics too. Retton won five medals that year – the most of any athlete – and became the first American to win a gold medal in gymnastics. She scored two perfect 10s. With the Olympics on in August, your children may be inspired in the same way as I was, so here are some tips for parents getting involved in the amazing sport of gymnastics. Go to a certified gym: You’ll want to make sure any gym you go to is certified by USA Gymnastics (USAG), the national governing body for the sport. With this certification, you can be assured that your child’s coaches are properly trained and continue learning throughout their careers. This summer, USAG is holding their annual Regional Congress in Providence, where gymnastics teachers will attend lectures and do hands-on training in the newest and best coaching techniques. Ask questions: I always recommend that parents ask questions of any gym they consider taking their children to. Ask about the gym’s mission. Do they have teams and recreational classes? How do they evaluate children to make sure they are put in the right level class? Do they have enough programs to grow with your child’s needs? Your child may want to train at the highest level with college-level coaches or they might want to do it recreationally only. Or maybe they’re somewhere in the middle. Make sure they care about the student inside and out, and of course, that their classes fit your busy schedule. Mentally prepare your child: Once your child is signed up, help to mentally prepare them. Let them know that gymnastics is fun and exciting. Check the gym’s website for a photo of their coach for them to look at. Mentally prepare yourself: You may have to mentally prepare yourself as well. Unless your child is very young, you won’t be in the gym with them. If you are nervous about what they will be doing, don’t transfer that anxiety to your child. Your children are starting their own life 12
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in the gym, and as a parent, you have to honor that. Good coaches start where the child is and progressively teach new skills. They are trained in safety – you have to trust in your coaches and the fact that they have years of experience in the sport and are USAG safety certified. Don’t judge your child by other children’s progress: Every child learns at a different pace. Your coaches will know the appropriate amount to push for each child’s learning. And if your child doesn’t love it at first, keep them coming back; they will fall in love with the sport soon enough. Gymnastics isn’t only for girls: Boys and adults can get a great deal out of taking gymnastics classes. You can look for programs specifically aimed at boys such as Ninja Warriors, an obstacle course-based class. There are also classes that focus on tumbling and trampoline, which boys often like. For adults, gymnastics is a fun and effective workout. Follow your child’s lead: There are both recreational and team gymnastics programs. As your child goes through the programs, they can decide if they want to stay recreational or more competitive. The great thing about gymnastics is that it has something for everyone! Seek a loving atmosphere: Most importantly, make sure the gym provides a loving atmosphere where they care about your child’s development and teaching the many life lessons the sport has to offer. Gymnastics is all about character building and you want your gym to feel like family. Shannon Cornicelli, who previously coached gymnastics at Rhode Island College, is the owner of Dream Big Academy, which offers gymnastics classes for all ages, a certified pre-school program, birthday parties, drop-in programs, and more. Dream Big has sites in Cranston and Cumberland, and recently purchased a state-of-the-art site for their competitive team gymnasts. www.dreambiggym.com
August 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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Ask Dr. Day Care: Advice for Parents By Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, Ed.D.
Dr. Day Care answers your questions about children from infancy to school age.
Q
Dear Dr. Day Care, I love to garden and have had a garden since I was a young adult. What do you think is a good age to teach my grandchildren about gardening? – Pepe has a green thumb
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Dear Pepe, You can begin teaching your grandchildren about gardening when they are as young as toddlers. Most young children love exploring in the dirt and you can turn gardening together into a great learning opportunity. By doing a little bit of prep work, you can make this learning experience good for everyone – and garden with minimal stress. Have everyone wear “gardening clothes” that can get dirty, have adequate water available for clean up when you’re finished, and make sure that everyone is protected from the sun. There are so many things you can teach a child while enjoying gardening together! Start a garden with the children. Allow them to hold a seed and feel the texture of the soil. Most children are fascinated by the concepts of dirt, sand, soil, and water and are intrigued to have the opportunity to observe the transformation of solids to liquids and how these materials are used to create living plants. Start by digging a small hole and allowing your grandchildren to place the seed in the hole you dug together. Toddlers usually love to play with water, so allow your grandchildren to use the hose and water the garden any time they visit your home. Watering the garden is a great task to keep your grandchildren involved in the process of watching plants grow. For a fun gardening trip together, take your grandchildren to visit a local farm where you can pick ears of corn together. Teach them how to correctly pick an ear of corn from the stalk. After picking the corn, cook it by allowing your grandchildren to choose the cooking process (microwave, boil, or grill) and eat the corn together. While you are doing this,
discuss the taste, color, type of vegetable, and planting/growing process. By doing this together, it adds to the enjoyment of children wanting to stay involved in gardening as a hobby. Sharing your passion for gardening is a great opportunity for children to learn a love of nature. When I see young adults who were in my day care when they were children, they often discuss the fun gardening projects that we did together. Most say that they still love to garden today! “Dr. Day Care” is Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, Ed.D., CEO/ President of Dr. Day Care and Kids Klub, which has locations in Cumberland, Foster, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield, West Warwick, and the newest location in South County. She is also a children’s book author: Edgar Graduates. www.drdaycare.com
Send questions to editor@RIParentMag.com or ask them on facebook.com/RIParentMag 14
Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
August 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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Feature Story By Stephanie Bernaba
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It’s time to buy those
l o o h c s o t back clothes!
et's face it: back-to-school shopping is a daunting task. Is it summer or is it fall? Are we buying cardigans or shorts? And what size are those kids wearing right now, anyway? Have you ever walked out of a store having spent far more than you were hoping? Well, I have a solution (to the price issue at least!): resale. If you haven't yet ventured into the wonderful world of resale, you're in for a treat! From baby gear to dresses and shoes to books and toys, there are so many gently-used to totally unused items for your family to enjoy – and for a fraction of full price. If you're a parent of a newborn, you can find clothing and gear including swaddles, bathtubs, cradles, bouncers, and feeding items such as bottle warmers and breast pumps. If your kids are headed off to school and fall sports, you will find a wide selection of clothing, shoes, and gently-used sports gear. Here’s a list of local stores that will not only help your kids look great, but help keep those back-to-school expenses at a minimum. Capitalize on the fact that kids grow out of clothing so quickly by checking out these resale opportunities. You'll be so glad you did!
Stephanie Bernaba, of Richmond, is a freelance writer and blogger specializing in parenting, modern life, and entertainment. She blogs at SheKnows.com, Redbook Magazine, and BlogHer. www.stephaniebernaba.com 16
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Savers North Kingstown, Warwick, Attleboro, East Providence, Fall River www.savers.com I give high praises to Savers, not only for its amazing selection of children’s items, but also for its household goods, linens, craft supplies, toys and games. (I know we're not talking toys today, but if you're looking for Barbie, Disney figures, Monster High, or Lalaloopsy items, check out Savers first!) Savers' clothing and shoes range from baby to adult sizes. Check out never-played games, Hallmark items, and housewares of varying persuasions (martini glasses, anyone?) while you cruise the aisles for back-to-school gear. Savers also carries a great selection of handbags, hats, scarves, jewelry, sunglasses, and backpacks to get that teen looking stylish for her first day. The store has a loyalty card and punch cards that help you earn a percentage off a future purchases. Discounts happen every day, depending on the items' colored tags, making already low prices even lower. Bring your kids and check it out!
Practically Perfect Consignments 271 Post Road, Westerly (401) 332-9077 www.practicallyperfectconsignments.com Practically Perfect carries clothing from newborn to tween sizes, dance, gymnastics, and sports gear, as well as maternity, nursing, and bridal items. Practically Perfect also offers new and gently-used toys and games, car seats, and kids' bikes. Stop in and check out their clearance table, from which you can get some great buys!
The Rhode Island Kids' Consignment Sale Wide World of Indoor Sports South 1610 Davisville Road, North Kingstown (401) 250-5439 www.rikidsconsignment.com I literally have no words for the sheer volume of "stuff" available at the Kids' Consignment Sale, which is held in both the fall and spring. Staffed by local volunteers, the Kids' Consignments Sale is a do-not-miss event. Whether you're looking for toys, games, or clothing, there is absolutely no way you can leave empty-handed. Boasting a huge selection of clothing, sports gear, and swimwear, the Kids' Consignment Sale is guaranteed to get your kids back to school in great style and within your budget. Look for top-tier brands like Nautica, Polo, Sperry Top Sider, and Calvin Klein, as well as a large collection of girls' boutique-brand dresses. And if you're looking for shoes, more are available than fit on the racks. This fall the sale runs September 29–October 2. Check out the Kids' Consignment Sale website and Facebook pages for information.
Once Upon a Child 1245 Bald Hill Road, Warwick (401) 828-1392 www.onceuponachild.com Once Upon a Child is overwhelmingly wonderful. Offering a huge selection of gently-used and brand-new kids gear, moms and dads can easily feel they've won the shopping lottery. Arranged by gender, style, size, and color, creating new outfits is a snap! Need shoes? Check out their shoe bins, also arranged by gender, size, and style. They’ve got toys and books. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook pages for special sales like additional discounts on holiday clothing, or buy two, get three free books! I love Once Upon a Child, and I know you will, too!
Re-Run Resale, LLC 36 Charles Street, Wakefield (401) 789-1985 www.rerunresale.com From household items and furniture to Wellies and wetsuits for the kids, Re-Run Resale carries all things child and family. Check out Re-Run for toys and gifts, kids' purses, hats, and sunglasses, and perhaps even the present for that looming baby shower.
August 2016 Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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Education By Susan Gale
Women state leaders to local girls:
“Don’t be afraid to try.”
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“Summer Roundtable” with 15 local teens at the State House brought forward some sage advice for girls in the Ocean State. The roundtable was part of the Governor for a Day program, which chooses a girl each year to follow the governor for a day, based on an essay contest. The 13- and 14-year-old girls participating had submitted essays and the roundtable included many of the Governor’s female cabinet members. The six women who were in the room collectively oversee $3 billion for the state. “Don’t be afraid to try; you’re not always going to win, but don’t be afraid to fail,” Governor Gina Raimondo told the group. ““When I said I was going to run for governor, most people thought I couldn’t win. The state has never had a woman governor. The odds were against me. But I thought it was time for a change, time for a woman and mother in the State House.”
Parents are important motivators
Many of the women credited their parents with helping them to become who they are today. Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott’s mother was told she wasn’t “smart enough” and was barred from schools because she is black. When Alexander-Scott’s father died when she was 11, her mother went on to prove everyone wrong, becoming a successful nurse for 40 years. “It served as great motivation for me,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be a doctor.” Health and Human Services Secretary Elizabeth Roberts said her mother did not go to college but made sure that all her daughters knew they were going to college.
Always consider new possibilities
Jamia McDonald, Chief Strategy Officer of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, is tasked with overseeing the department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). She said that her father’s community work got her interested in helping others. She told the girls that she started a pretend law firm in fifth grade and hadn’t imagined the job she is doing now. 18
Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
“Don’t be blind to things that present themselves. Look at every possibility and if it is interesting, follow it,” McDonald said. Raimondo said that she is sometimes stopped by Rhode Islanders in the supermarket and told about problems that kids have. She said she always takes the person’s name so she can follow up. When it comes to DCYF, she said they are working to make sure children have a voice. “One kid at a time, we’re going to make it right,” Raimondo said.
Dream of big changes
Mackenzie Grant of Pawtucket asked, “If you could do one thing to help people, with no money limitations, what would you do?” Raimondo said she would offer everyone free posthigh school education, whether it was four years, two years, or an apprenticeship. “Just some job skill past high school that I could provide for free.” When the Governor asked MacKenzie what she would do, the teen referenced people standing at stop lights asking for donations. “I would make sure everyone has enough food, everyone has a home,” she answered.
Change the voices in your head
Raimondo told the girls to move ahead even when they are afraid. “When you hear that [negative talk], listen to the governor’s voice in your head,” she said. “Decide that you have what it takes and never lose that confidence.” She pointed out that statistics show women are just as likely to win political office as men. “But we only have five female governors,” she said. “The difference is women don’t run.” The girls need to become leaders, the governor added. “Girls and women are half the world’s population, half the talent, half the brains. They can’t afford not to be leaders. Problems will never get solved if girls and women are not involved. You’ve got to put the best players on the field. You deserve a chance to be whatever you want to be.” Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine.
August 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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The Healthy Child By Rebecca Reece, M.D.
Protecting your children from Lyme disease
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f you have children, you should be checking them for ticks any time you engage in outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, or camping. Tick season continues through early fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Rhode Island has had the fourth highest incidence of Lyme disease in recent years. Lyme is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States.
Prevention is key
In addition to checking children and yourself after outdoor activity, you should also check pets, which can bring in ticks that can subsequently infect your family. In order to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, the tick must remain attached to the skin for at least 36 hours to infect the person. Other prevention methods include wearing long pants, socks, and/or long sleeves when outdoors in high grass or wooded areas. Wearing light colored clothing will help in being able to see if a tick attaches. You can also use repellant with DEET (10-30%) on exposed skin to prevent tick bites. The higher the concentration of DEET, the longer the duration of effectiveness; but more than 30% is not recommend for use on skin. Permethrin is a spray that will kill ticks and other insects on contact, but it should not be used on skin. Instead, permethrin can be sprayed on clothing and shoes, or it comes in a detergent product that can be used through multiple washings.
How to spot early symptoms
Lyme can be a tricky disease, especially when it comes to identifying it in your children. It is reported that 60-80% of those infected with Lyme will develop a bull’s-eye rash. It is usually a single lesion that enlarges in size over days, but can be multiple lesions in some people and does not always have a target appearance. Other indications can vary from flu-like symptoms to more targeted signs such as arthritis, heart block, meningitis, and Bell’s palsy. Flu-like symptoms include fatigue, muscle and joint aches, headache, malaise, and fever – all of which can make it hard to distinguish between viral illness, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illness. These symptoms can occur days 20
Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
to weeks after the tick bite, and in some people symptoms do not develop until months later. If you spot a bull’s-eye rash, see your pediatrician immediately. Since most people do not notice or recall the tick bite, you should see your physician if you develop any of the symptoms and believe you may have had tick exposure or if you removed a tick that was engorged. Depending on your exposure risk, the time of year, and your symptoms, your doctor will decide to treat you for Lyme disease or do additional testing. With a bull’s-eye rash, blood testing is not needed for confirming diagnosis, but for nonspecific symptoms, testing can be helpful in diagnosis.
Treating Lyme
Treatment of Lyme disease involves antibiotics (doxycycline, amoxicillin, and IV ceftriaxone for specific manifestations), as well as symptomatic therapy with anti-inflammatories. The length of therapy is dependent on the degree of infection. For localized disease with only skin involvement, treatment is 14–21 days. For more disseminated early disease symptoms including Bell’s palsy, meningitis, carditis, and arthritis, treatment is 14-28 days. In these instances, involvement with an infectious disease specialist is recommended to determine the need for IV versus oral therapy and to determine length of therapy. In Lyme arthritis, sometimes a second 28-day course of antibiotics is needed. In all other presentations, one course of antibiotic therapy is successful in eradicating the infection. However, symptoms can persist beyond the treatment course in some individuals. Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome occurs in about 10% of patients with symptoms continuing beyond six months from treatment, including fatigue, joint pain, headaches, and others. Treatment for these persistent symptoms is anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, sleep hygiene, and other methods. Dr. Rebecca Reece works for University Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit primary care, specialty outpatient, and sub-specialty medical group practice with more than 200 physicians and multiple locations. She serves as the lead physician for the Lifespan Center of Excellence for Tick-borne Diseases at Newport Hospital.
E N T E R TA I N M E N T & PA R T Y N E E D S
August July 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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News Brief By Susan Gale
School bus app available for five RI school districts
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or a few Rhode Island communities, knowing when the school bus is coming has gotten easier. Public school districts in East Providence, Barrington, Foster, Chariho, and South Kingston have all joined a mobile app called SafeStop, which connects parents and school officials with the vehicles transporting their students. “It’s a real-time bus locator,” said Patrick Gallagher, Director of Sales for SafeStop. “It predicts arrival times and refreshes every 30 seconds. It provides proactive information for parents so they don’t have to call into the transportation office or call the school.” SafeStop offers a real-time map that displays the location of the child’s bus along with alerts and a messaging center. It is currently in 13 U.S. states, about 300 schools, and costs between $1.99–$3.99 per month for 10 months each year. Some school districts pick up the costs for parents.
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Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
SafeStop works with schools to create private school codes and student identification numbers to ensure that only parents and legal guardians of students can register for the service. Gallagher said the app can also provide a way for schools to let parents know about changes such as delays, closings, or early dismissals. And school districts receive data from the app that help them improve and optimize their transportation system. “We’re aiming to get rid of sitting out in the snow wondering, ‘Did the bus come yet?’” he said. Visit www.SafeStopApp.com to learn more about the SafeStop app. Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine.
E N T E R TA I N M E N T & PA R T Y N E E D S
Do you work with children? Put your ad here. (401) 337-9240 or sales@RIParentMag.com August July 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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August 2016 Our calendar is as up-to-date as possible at press time. Be sure to check information with event sponsors for updates/ changes. To submit calendar items for September and beyond, please email them to editor@RIParentMag.com.
Special events
August 2, 9, 16: Tuesday Kid
Performances at Slater Park. A variety of free performances will be presented in Slater Park for children and families. The stage is located between the park office and the Daggett House directly across from the tennis courts. The nearby carousel will be open before, during, and after the performances. 6–8 pm. Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. Free.
August 4: Creature Lab. Kids
create imaginative mixed-up creatures by analyzing and mingling animal anatomy to result in new mythical beings. 1–3 pm. Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org
Free sky gazing for kids! Kids ages 5 and up can meet astronomers from Brown University Science Outreach and experiment with solar telescopes, see models of asteroids, and create their own constellations. 5:30–7 pm. August 5. Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South Street, Providence. Free. www.childrenmuseum.org
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August 23: Play in the Park: Powerful Percussion. Play drums big and small, and experiment with making shakers. Test your ears and guess what’s inside Miss Katie’s Rainbow Egg Shakers. Take your shaker home and see if anyone can guess what’s inside. 3–6 pm. Burnside Park, 2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence. Free. Mondays/Saturdays: Kids’ Story
Time. Storytellers. Mondays, 10:30– 11 am. Saturdays, 11 am–noon. For children six months to six years old. Occasionally cancelled, call 401-3319097 to check. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Free.
Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
Summer Reading Program with Mad Science Mad Science of Southern MA & RI will provide exciting hands-on/ minds-on science "edutainment" to spark the imagination and curiosity of young minds. Join a scientific journey with activities and exciting demonstrations to explore the science of sport. Learn the physiology of a human’s response to exercise and explore how inertia and gravity interplay with sports. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 6:30–7:30 pm. August 3. Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence. Free.
Fridays August 5, 12, and 19: Blithewold’s
Family Fun Fridays. Bring a picnic and a blanket, and dance and sing along with the kids to a variety of educational and interactive musical performances. After the performance, there is a natureinspired craft activity, face painting, and more. 11 am–1pm. Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. $14/adult; $5/age 6-17; $28/family.
August 12: The Manton Avenue
Project. See hilarious one-act plays created by kids from The Manton Avenue Project. 6–7 pm. Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South Street, Providence. Free. www.mantonavenueproject.org
Every Friday: Bring Your Own Improv. Family–friendly comedy show. 7–8:30 pm. Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Road. $8/adults; $4/children under 12 and seniors. www.bringyourownimprov.com Every Friday: Frosty Drew
Observatory & Sky Theater. Public stargazing. 6:30–11:30 pm. 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. $1/person suggested donation. www.frostydrew.org
Weekends
August 7/Sunday
August 6/Saturday
Miantonomi Memorial Tower Climb. Climb the tower to see the highest point in Newport. View the city and Newport Harbor. Explore the park’s hiking trails, and enjoy one of the best spots for birding in Newport. Not a tour, so arrive any time. 11 am–2 pm. Miantonomi Park, Hillside Avenue, Newport. Free. www.rilandtrusts.org
Wake up the Barnyard at Coggeshall Farm. Help feed the chickens, let out the sheep, and get the cows ready for the day. 9–10 am. Every Saturday. Coggeshall Farm Museum, 1 Colt Drive, Bristol. $5–7/tickets. Worm World. Kids investigate worms, observe how they wiggle, and get their hands dirty digging through a wormy habitat. 11 am–2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www. childrenmuseum.org Build-It Table. Different recycled materials to build with—design a cardboard race car, create a water bottle castle, or construct a bubble wrap jet pack. No registration needed. 10 am–noon. Every Saturday. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Free/members and children under 3; $6/non-member adults; $4/non-member children 4–12. Family Performance Series. Different performances each week such as magic, puppet shows, music, theater, storytelling, improv, and more. 11 am–noon. Theatre 82, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Pay what you can. www.artists-exchange.org Waterfire. A multisensory art installation featuring a series of bonfires that seem to float along the rivers of Providence. 7:30 pm. Waterplace Park, Providence. Free.
Worm World. See August 6.
August 13/Saturday Step Back in Time at Borders Farm. Tour the historic Charles and Margery Borders Farm property, which includes two barns, a 19th century farmhouse, several ponds and pastures, old stone walls, livestock, and substantial wooded areas. See a display of historic agricultural tools and implements and try drinking switchel (also known as “Haymaker’s Punch”) – an energizing tonic that colonial farmers drank to quench their thirst out in the hot, sunbaked fields. Ages 5 and up unless in a carrier. Tick spray recommended. 9 am–1 pm. Borders Farm, 31 North Road, Foster. Free. www.rilandtrusts.org Wake up the Barnyard at Coggeshall Farm. See August 6. Family Performance Series. See August 6.
August 14/Sunday Miantonomi Memorial Tower Climb. See August 7. (continued on next page)
August 2016 Rhode Island Parent Magazine
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August 2016 August 20/Saturday
Shape Play. It's all about shapes and geometry. Toss, sort, stack, and match an array of shapes to create designs and patterns and explore symmetry. 10 am–3 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Manton Avenue Project Summer Performance. See plays written by William D'abate Elementary's third and fourth grade classes. 6 pm. Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main Street, Providence. Free. www.mantonavenueproject.org Waterfire. A multisensory art installation featuring a series of bonfires that seem to float along the rivers of Providence. 7:30 pm. Waterplace Park, Providence. Free. Wake up the Barnyard at Coggeshall Farm. See August 6. Family Performance Series. See August 6.
August 21/Sunday Miantonomi Memorial Tower Climb. See August 7. Shape Play. See August 20.
August 27/Saturday Craft Bash. Different crafts each month. 11 am–2 pm. Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Free. www.artists-exchange.org
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It’s a Draw! Drawing and doodling activities. Investigate a variety of materials and drawing tools, examine and draw interesting objects, create a doodle with a partner, and add to a large collaborative mural. 10 am– 3 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Eco-Stories and Art. An Audubon naturalist will read a nature story and then help kids create a unique craft. Program will be moved indoors in case of bad weather. Bring a blanket and a snack. No registration needed. 11 am– noon. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. $6/adults; $4/children 4–12; free/children under 4. Plus $3 materials fee. www.asri.org A Very Potter Musical. Sprocket Theatre presents a hilarious and magical musical starring your favorite Hogwarts wizards and witches. 2 pm. $3/tickets at the door. Theatre 82 & Café, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Wake up the Barnyard at Coggeshall Farm. See August 6. Family Performance Series. See August 6.
August 28/Sunday Miantonomi Memorial Tower Climb. See August 7. It’s a Draw! See August 27.
Rhode Island Parent Magazine August 2016
An easy way to help children in foster care Children in foster care often move several times and some only have a trash bag for their things. You can make that transition better!
1st Annual Duffle Bag Bash Noon–5 pm Sunday, August 14, 2016
Matunuck Communty Center, 619 Matunuck Beach Road, Matunuck Includes lunch buffet, raw bar, hamburger station, DJ, wine and beer, kids activities Admission: For each adult: one brand new rolling duffle bag or suitcase and/ or $25 Visa, Target, or Kohls gift certificate. For each child: one brand new backpack. Register online at: www.DuffleBagBash.eventbrite.com If unable to attend, drop off your donation at: Mews Tavern, 456 Main St., Wakefield, or Adoption RI, 2 Bradford St., Providence. Sponsors: Adoption RI; the Office of the Child Advocate; Lise M Iwon; Adair Catering; Matunuck Oyster Bar; New England Grassfed; DJ Chris Medeiros; and Mews Tavern.
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Rhode Island Parent Magazine  August 2016