RM Parent Magazine | January | 2024

JANUARY 2024 • RMPARENT.COM

Snow fun!

Sledding and tubing Escape to San Antonio Body boundaries for beginners

Why is my child acting out?

And what to do about it

Let’s play board games!

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contents

DEPARTMENTS 6 Perspective

2024—The it’s not about me year

8 Family

Health

Body boundaries for beginners, Holding personal space for empathy and consent

10 Family Fun

Sledding and tubing, Get out for some snow fun

12 F avorite Things

Let’s play board games, Fun games for everyone!

14 Family

Travels

Road trip: Escape to San Antonio, Head south for some history and warmer temperatures

28 C ommunity news

Parenting workshops, canine respiratory illness, COLT bus changes, and camping reservations

30 C alendar

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

36 Time

out

Make January a little more jolly

SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS 22 Greeley-Evans D6

FEATURE 18 Why is my child acting out?

Kids act out when they don’t have the skills or emotions to handle what is happening in the moment. As parents we can help them develop techniques and understanding so that they can cope with tough situations.

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Perspective

SCOTT TITTERINGTON

2024—The not about me year HERE COMES 2024! Hang on…

You know, I go to the climbing gym a few times a week where I climb with other gym-goers. It’s quite a social as well as physical environment. We chat.

We encourage each other. We push each other to climb better, sometimes. It’s funny because I don’t know most people’s political or religious or social affiliations. We share space at that time and go on our ways.

We make a genuine human connection beyond other associations that we lock ourselves into. I’m quite sure that we don’t all agree on a lot of things, but we don’t need to in order to be kind to each other. This activity that we share brings us together and that’s a good start. It could be a parents’ group or a cycling club or a school group.

I don’t think that we’re as polarized as we are told that we are. I bet we all agree on many things at the basic person-to-person level. I think the problems come up when we become so attached to our opinions that we can’t listen to others or accept that their opinions are also valid. Not that it’s bad to form opinions and have points of view, but thoughts are just thoughts, here one moment and gone the next.

Part of it all is how we react. When someone does something or says something that we don’t agree with do we jump up and down and throw our hands in the air, literally or metaphorically, or do we take a moment to listen carefully instead of planning our next comeback.

I find it interesting that our feature story talks about this in a slightly different way. Lynn Nichols writes about how to teach our kids to cope in tough situations when they are acting out. Much of what she has uncovered can apply to helping our kids to mature and also to helping us react to people who might just make us angry.

Instead of saying, “What were you thinking?” we could stay calm and ask some questions. I know that I’m guilty of simply dismissing opinions that I don’t agree with along with the ignorant person, who obviously is misinformed.

And we could take a few deep breaths, count to 10, or whatever will calm us down a little bit. As Lynn says, we can pause to think, what is the best response here.

It turns out that a lot of the modeling we can do with our kids around responding to their acting out is exactly the behavior we can adopt when having a difficult discussion with anyone.

If we can tap into an attitude of whatever we’re doing make its main goal to help others and build a bridge to them, that will ripple to unseen shores.

2024 might be a challenging year for us, but if we can remember that our relationships with others are bigger and more important than our opinions that we cling to, we might get through it OK. But that’s just my opinion, Scott

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JANUARY 2024 • Volume 27, Issue 8 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Harting susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com COVER PHOTO

istock photo

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson Katie Harris, Lynn U. Nichols Emily Zaynard

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING PO Box 740 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2024 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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Family Health EMILY ZAYNARD

Body boundaries for beginners AS WE HOVER CLOSER to Valentine’s Day, the candy hearts pop up on store shelves and our relationships take center stage as a cause for celebration. This is an ideal opportunity to connect with kids around what healthy relationships look like and to practice some of those characteristics in your family’s day-to-day life. Learning about bodily integrity, setting and communicating boundaries, and practicing them in a safe space are all actions that you can take to set your children up for relationship success.

Building healthy habits from an early age allows children to confidently practice boundaries and respect them in others, well into adulthood.

I’m the boss of my body

INSTILLING BODILY INTEGRITY means teaching kids they are the “boss” of their body and their personal space. When it comes to their body, they have the right to say “no touching” even to family members, grown-ups, friends, or peers.

Val Macri-Lind, MS, LMFT and Clinical Director of Childsafe clarifies that, “It’s important for parents to make the distinction between things like hugging and holding hands, and touching private parts. The rules are different and need to be explained to children. These are complicated concepts, which is why we have to start early in children’s development with simple lessons and building to more complex conversations as they get older."

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No hard feelings OFTEN, ASSERTING BOUNDARIES around their bodies can feel difficult for kids and can contradict concepts like being polite, being respectful and not “talking back.” It is important to explore those scenarios with kids. Macri-Lind points out that, “Kids can be taught to set boundaries with others in a clear, respectful manner. ‘No thanks, I don’t feel like hugging right now. Maybe later.’”

In fact, establishing boundaries around touch can lead to the development of additional social skills. Macri-Lind tells us that, “Asking permission and expecting others to also ask permission is all about consent and empathy. It’s about respecting the rights and feelings around body integrity for ourselves and others.”

Managing their own feelings when on either side of these interactions builds interpersonal skills as well.

Macri-Lind advises that “Kids can be taught not to take it personally if their friend doesn’t want a hug, even if they’re feeling hurt. This is an opportunity to reinforce the reciprocal nature of relationships.”

Practice makes power SETTING AND RECOGNIZING everyone’s right to be the boss of their body is a skill that needs practice. Empower kids to assert their bodily integrity by creating safe spaces to do so.

“Parents can role play situations with their kids, where they might have to set a limit with someone else. They can play the “what if” game to give kids practice saying the words. This is also an opportunity to prepare them to accept someone else’s boundaries and reinforce that others also have rights when it comes to their personal space,” Macri-Lind suggests.

Families can practice their skills by taking every opportunity to respect each other’s boundaries and honor the need for personal space. Macri-Lind points out that “‘No’ is often difficult to say and difficult to hear, but as a wise woman once said, ‘If no is not an option, then yes is meaningless.’”

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Family Fun

THERESA BAER

Get out for some snow fun FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNGSTERS, sledding or tubing often top the Colorado winter must-do list. Read on for information on areas to go here in NoCo for free, as well as locations that take the fun to a professional level. Regardless of where you go, stay safe to keep it enjoyable. Be prepared for cold temperatures, the sun’s reflective rays and falls or collisions with warm coats, hats and waterproof gloves, sunscreen and sunglasses, and helmets!

Free local sledding In Fort Collins, check out Aggie Greens Disk Golf Course at 2400 South Overland Trail, across from the drive-in, which accommodates multiple families and is tall enough to thrill but not worry about safety. Edora Park at 1420 East Stuart Street – or more specifically the hill on the north side of the EPIC parking lot – offers multiple families a speedy run but it’s mild enough for young sledders to walk back up. Or, you can visit Fossil Creek Park at 5821 South Lemay Avenue where you will find several hills for beginner to advanced sledders.

The most popular spot to sled in Greeley is Nottingham Field on the west side of the UNC campus. Head to 17th Avenue and Reservoir Road for sledding fun for all ages.

In Loveland, visit Kroh Park at 5200 North Garfield Avenue. Located east of the playground, this popular hill is good for all experience levels.

Another option is Mehaffey Park at 3285 West 22nd Street, which offers many rolling hills of varying grades for all experience levels to spread out.

Areas within a 1–2 hour drive If you’d like to devote a little more time to the activity and pay for professionallybuilt runs, look to Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch in Red Feather Lakes. Touted as the oldest tubing hill in Colorado, Beaver Meadows offers a lift up to 12 runs for ages 4 years and up. Some runs are gentle and some have steep and fast starts, banked curves and huge jumps! Single or double tubes are included in the activity passes that can be purchased for happy hour, two-hour, half-day or full-day sessions of snow tubing, cross-country skiing and more.

Another location to consider is Hidden Valley, located seven miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance and the Fall River entrance on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park – the one place in the park where sledding is allowed. No tows are provided, and you must provide your own plastic sled, saucer or tube – sleds with metal runners are not allowed – or you can rent one at in Estes Park at most outdoor shops. You will walk up the hill to slide down this gentle hill which is the bottom of the bunny slope of the former Hidden Valley Ski Area.

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Colorado Tubing If you’ve got more time to spare, check out these epic tubing areas across Colorado.

You’ll find a wide range of experiences from gentle slopes to steep exciting runs with banked curves and some even offer night tubing. Most locations provide tube and helmet rentals and lifts to the top of the hill. Look for height and age requirements as well as those that require reservations in advance.

Frisco Adventure Park, Frisco www.townoffrisco.com/things-to-do/friscoadventure-park/tubing The Coca-Cola® Tube Hill, base of Winter Park Resort www.winterparkresort.com/plan-your-trip/ tickets-and-passes/coca-cola-tubing-hill Colorado Adventure Park, Fraser (near Winter Park Ski Resort) coloradoadventurepark.com Echo Mountain, near Idaho Springs echomtn.com/tubing Keystone Ski Resort’s Mountain Top Tubing Hill, Keystone www.keystoneresort.com/explore-theresort/activities-and-events/winteractivities/adventure-point-tubing Snowmass Snow Tubing, Snowmass Village near Aspen www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/activities/ winter/tubing YMCA of The Rockies, Granby ymcarockies.org

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Favorite Things

LEA HANSON

Let’s play board games MAKING TIME TO PLAY games together supports more effective, open family communication and a greater sense of togetherness. But the benefits of gaming together don’t stop there. Playing games has also proven to help children develop academic skills such as mathematical reasoning and reading.

Board games provide a shared experience that allows family members to bond over a common interest in a fun way. This shared experience creates a sense of community and belonging as players work together as well as experience healthy competition with trusted people.

Blokus Buy from: Learning Express Toys & Gifts This game is legitimately my favorite game I’ve discovered as a parent. People of all ages – young elementary school-aged to adults – can all play with essentially competing abilities. It’s very simple to learn and teaches fun strategy and special skills in a low-stress situation. With the nostalgic vibes of the old Game Boy Tetris, any older Millennial or Generation X parent will love this game as much as their little ones do.

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Buildzi Buy from: Clothes Pony Dandelion Toys Buildzi is fun because it’s fast and easy to learn. This game is some sort of puzzle/Tetris/Jenga situation and it is fun for anyone. The game reads it’s best for 10 years and older, but I am certain younger kiddos can play it and love it, too. There are multiple ways to play, but the main – and I think the easiest – way is to flip over your Tower Card or Block Card and be the first to build your block tower. For more of a challenging tower game try using the yellow/black side of the Tower Card, these towers are a bit trickier to build and don’t have colors to help identify the blocks.

Poetry for Neanderthals Buy from: Any Target If you’re the kind of person who likes the game, Taboo, this will equal family fun for your whole crew.

Poetry for Neanderthals is a family-friendly party game where players earn points by getting their teammates to guess words and phrases. The catch is that the “Neanderthal Poets” are only allowed to use single syllable words. If they use any words with more than one syllable, the other team gets to bop them with a 2-foot inflatable club. The team with the most points wins!

Families with silly, sarcastic members – or are collectively a little crass – will have fun with this one. Warning: The answer cards are totally ridiculous, so be prepared for wacky definitions. Made by the same folks who came up with the very fun, adult game, Exploding Kittens.

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Family Travels

KATIE HARRIS

Escape to San Antonio READY TO ESCAPE THE COLD for a few days without breaking the bank?

How do average temperatures in the mid-60s, a stroll down a vibrant riverwalk, and educational and entertaining opportunities galore sound?

Imagine all this, just a day’s drive south. If we’ve sold you on this month’s road trip, pack your bags because San Antonio, TX awaits!

Day 1: Make the 15 hour drive to the heart of Texas’s second largest city, the San Antonio River Walk. Frequently ranked as one of the most beautiful sights in the country, the river walk is not only scenic, but also bustling with things to see and do. Since most of San Antonio’s tourist destinations abut the river walk, the many hotels along the stretch make great home bases for your trip.

We recommend spending day one strolling the downtown district, where world class shops and restaurants await you. Then, embark on a river cruise to experience the beauty of your surroundings up close. Cruises depart daily between 10am and 10pm and last approximately 40 minutes. Visit www. goriocruises.com to book. For detailed maps of the river walk visit www. thesanantonioriverwalk.com/.

Day 2:

The Alamo is a must-see while in San Antonio. Steeped in 300 years of American history, the religious outpost turned military fortress served five different nations and armies in its time, and was the site of the famous 1836 battle of its name. The church is free to visit, but reservations are required. Guided tours of the grounds, including the new Alamo exhibit, can also be purchased. While visiting, be sure to check out the Living History Encampment where demonstrations on several aspects of daily life in the early 19th Century, including leather working, fire starting, and musket firing, can be viewed. Visit www.thealamo.org to learn more.

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Day 3:

Soak up the warmer weather with an adventurous day in the great outdoors on your last day down south. A trip to San Antonio Zoo (open daily, www.sazoo.org), or Six Flags Fiesta Texas (open weekends and some weekdays, www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas) is sure to have the whole family feeling those vacay vibes. Other fun, unique to the area, tourist destinations include the 750-foot observation tower, restaurant and 4D theater, Tower of the Americas (open daily, www.toweroftheamericas. com); the Japanese Tea Garden, boasting a year-round botanical garden, stone bridges, a 60-foot waterfall and Koi pond (open daily, www.saparks. org/japanese-tea-garden/); and Natural Bridge Caverns, where guests can tour Texas’s largest caverns as well as trying their hands at gem mining, a ropes course and more (open daily, www. naturalbridgecaverns.com).

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Why is my child acting out?

Solutions in the moment for unwanted behavior Lynn U Nichols

IT’S GOOD TO KNOW THAT if your child is acting out, it’s likely not a conscious decision to disobey. More likely, it’s because they don’t have the skills or emotions to handle what is happening in the moment.

“I believe that kids are basically good and are trying to do their best. If they are misbehaving, it’s because they can’t manage their emotions or can’t process what is happening around them,” says Dr. Jeremy

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Sharp, psychologist and director of the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling in Fort Collins.

As parents, we have the power to help our kids learn how to deal with tough situations. Here are some ways to build your child’s ability to cope so that eventually when they act out, they have something to fall back on for balance.

GET THE BACK STORY If your child was involved in

an incident, resist jumping in and passing judgment, like by saying, ‘What were you thinking?’ or ‘How could you do that?’ The truth is, they probably were not thinking.

They were reacting, and maybe not in a great way.

Instead, stay calm and ask questions. Start small, then widen your questions, little by little. Ask about who was there and what was happening. Then explore what happened earlier that day.

“If your child is acting out, something is wrong. Getting the back story is important to guide your reaction. It also helps you feel empathy and understand how to best intervene,” Dr. Sharp says.

Gathering information helps parents avoid jumping to conclusions or giving an unsuitable consequence.

“Kids don’t like being out of control any more than adults do. It feels bad to us and it feels bad to them,” he says.

TEMPER YOUR REACTION It’s normal to feel frustrated when your child misbehaves or acts out. As best you can, take a few deep breaths and pause before reacting. Think, ‘What’s the best response, here?’ That pause and critical thought will let you deliver a better response than simply reacting.

“If you come in hot, you will trigger the fight or flight response in your child. Either they will fight back, run away, shut down, or fawn – meaning they will agree and appease,” Dr. Sharp says.

None of these reactions allow for a healthy response that will help your child grow. By staying calm and reacting from a tranquil place, you keep the communication lines open.

Help your child identify their emotions by naming them, as in, ‘I see that you are frustrated, and I know that doesn’t feel good. Let’s talk about what’s going on.’ This gives your child a chance to calm down and get a grip on their emotions. Then, listen to what they have to say. Take it in and explore it. In this way, you are teaching your child how to handle hard emotions.

“Connecting with your child through active listening is critically important. If they feel like they’ve been heard and understood they will more likely be able to regain control,” he adds.

MODEL WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE As parents, we have more influence over our kids’ behavior than you might think. The way you react to stress or a frustrating occurrence is likely the way your child will react, too. Kids are sponges. They learn how to act by watching us. “[When dealing with a challenge,] the way you modulate your voice and hold your body, matter.

Kids are constantly watching and observing, so what you model is crucial,” Dr. Sharp says.

CONSIDER OUTSIDE REASONS FOR ACTING OUT Just like with adults, when a child is hungry, angry, lonely or tired (think HALT) it’s a set up for a less than ideal response. Consider where your child is coming from when they act out, and if it is a HALT issue, immediately respond with kindness and a solution to their HALT problem.

Beyond everyday hurdles, if your child is acting

out frequently, consider other issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or another learning or mental health condition. If you observe behaviors that stand out, like getting really wild, not paying attention in class, repeatedly losing things, or having poor time management, consider an evaluation for ADHD. WHEN A CONSEQUENCE IS NEEDED It’s important that kids have rules of conduct. You don’t need a dozen rules, just a few key ones to guide expected behavior. As a parent, think about those behaviors that are not acceptable to you. Is it swearing? Hitting? Being mean? Destroying things?

Once you identify the hard stops, set rules around them. When kids are little, the famous, ‘You hit, you sit’ is a good primer. Parents tend to create rules around safety.

“With my own kids, I say, ‘You can be mad but you can’t be mean.’ They can yell if they are angry, but they can’t attack or throw objects. Anything unsafe is unacceptable,” Dr. Sharp says.

Try to match the consequence to the incident.

For example, if they use a toy as a weapon, they lose the toy for a while. If they hurt a friend, maybe the play date ends early or they spend time separated. Remember, if your child is really upset in the moment, wait to give a consequence. Rather, get them to a safe space, like their room, and acknowledge their feelings and state the rule. For example, you could say, ‘I understand you are upset but you can’t hurt your brother.’ Once you have listened to them and they have calmed down, you can deliver a consequence. Make sure it isn’t tied to a desire to hurt or punish, but rather to help them grow and improve.

If your child has hurt someone, you can help explore how their actions or words affected that person in a non-shaming way to help build empathy.

Ask how they think the other person felt, and if they have no answer, that’s okay. Later, when you ask again, they might have processed it better and be able to respond.

Remember, all kids have their moments of acting out and all parents feel frustrated sometimes. It doesn’t mean that they are a bad kid or you are a bad parent.

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SCAN HERE KindConnect has been bringing kindness to Larimer County children since 2019 and we are happy to share that our KindConnect Program has recently expanded to benefit children in need in Weld County! All donations received through KindConnect are used within the county they were donated in.

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School District News: Greeley-Evans D6

Northridge graduate completes Vestas apprenticeship

A typical day for Avery Sleeman during her senior year at Northridge High School was to attend school in the morning, go home and do her homework, and then take a nap for an hour before heading off to Vestas Blades in Windsor, where she worked from 6pm to 2 or 3am. Then a few hours of sleep, and she was back at school again.

“I am really impressed with Avery’s perseverance,” says Jason Balke, manufacturing supervisor at Vestas Blades, a wind

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turbine manufacturing facility. “That is a pretty challenging thing to ask of anyone.”

Avery Sleeman, who graduated from Northridge High School in May 2023, is the second District 6 student to complete the Vestas apprenticeship program since its inception in 2018.

The program requires 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and completing 144 hours of related coursework, which Avery did through concurrent enrollment at Aims

Community College.

A lunch was held in Avery’s honor December 4 with her employers, as well as District 6 and Northridge personnel who worked with her. She was presented with her official apprenticeship certificate from the State of Colorado Apprenticeship Agency.

Avery says it was her choice to push herself to work full time while attending school. “I just needed to do that for myself to have some knowledge about how the real world works,” she

says. The best part of her job at Vestas is learning about the life of a wind blade from start to finish.

“My favorite part was getting to know every process,” Avery says. “Every process is so different, from the beginning of building the blade to the end.”

Avery plans to continue working at Vestas while she pursues a degree in Early Childhood Education, first at Aims Community College and then transitioning to the University of Northern Colorado.

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School District News: Poudre

Plan your path to graduation with new high school guide

Make your future your focus with Poudre School District’s High School Planning Guide. From health science to welding, fashion design to natural resource management, computer science to agriculture, there is a program for every student in PSD. The High School Planning Guide leads students and their families through the programs and courses in PSD schools, including many that offer cost-free college credit and real-world experience.

PSD is Northern Colorado’s premier school system for career and college readiness. In the 2022-23 school year: 1,106 PSD students earned credit for a work-

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based learning experience, 628 CTE (Career and Technical Education) certifications were earned

by PSD students, 2,175 PSD students took at least one AP course, 3,332 PSD students took college classes, and Students who took four or more courses in one of the PSD pathways had a 98-percent graduation rate.

Head to the PSD website to download your guide available in English, Spanish or Arabic. https:// www.psdschools.org/ academics/high-schoolplanning-guide REGISTER FOR KINDERGARTEN IN PSD Do you have a child ready to join kindergarten next year? With so many

options, it can be hard to decide where to enroll your child in kindergarten. No matter which one of our 33 elementary schools you choose, we are confident

you can find the perfect fit in Poudre School District.

We are proud to offer excellent neighborhood schools as well as schools with specialized programs such as Core Knowledge, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), International Baccalaureate, bilingual immersion, online learning, expeditionary learning, Leader in Me, and more. Our schools support high-quality academics as well as social-emotional learning.

You can see the results not only in our test performance but in the character, kindness and leadership skills our students demonstrate.

Visit the PSD website to register today. https://www. psdschools.org/kinder

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School District News: Thompson

Jessica May – FACS teacher at Turner Middle School

Long before she was named the 2024 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Jessica May was giving homework assignments as a child to her dolls and stuffed animals.

“I always loved school and always wanted to hang out with my teachers,” Jessica says now. “There was never any doubt this is what I was supposed to be, because I loved it.”

Jessica, who has taught for over 20 years (with a break in the middle to care for her four sons when they were young), is now a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Turner Middle School in Berthoud.

She was recently

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recognized by the Colorado Department of Education as the 2024 Teacher of the Year, an honor she hopes will allow her to advocate for students and staff in ways she hasn’t been able to before.

“I’m super excited that I finally feel like I have a platform,” she said. “I really want to make my year count and make more improvements for what teachers need.”

Jessica was a Loveland High School graduate. She has taught at multiple TSD middle schools, including Bill Reed, Conrad Ball, and Turner, and taught many subjects, including social studies, language arts and math.

Most recently, she took over as the FACS teacher at Turner Middle School, teaching everything from how to do laundry to how to budget to how to clean using natural cleaning agents.

When it comes to teaching, the common thread for Jessica has been prioritizing the things students want—and need— to learn. Students walking into Jessica’s classroom at Turner are greeted by a large, colorful mural that boldly proclaims: Welcome to the Real World.

“No matter what subject you give me, I’m going to bring the real world to the kids, and we’re going to learn it,” she says. “I’ve

always done that. What would I want to learn when I was their age? Everything I do is to focus on how I can help them become their best selves.”

Jessica’s students can count on her consistent support and encouragement. She teaches her students about self-care, giving them a few tech-free “self-care days” each semester to just play games, color in coloring books, and relax.

“Whatever they need, I am here to serve,” she says. “It is my calling. Without them, I wouldn’t be a teacher. I’d just be a creepy old lady with her stuffed animals and dolls.”

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Community News

THERESA BAER

Parenting workshops, canine illness, bus changes, and camping reservations

PARENTING WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS Parents with children ages 11–18 can look to The Center for Family Outreach for clear information, practical strategies and guidance to help navigate the teen years and empower strong, trusting relationships. A Parenting Styles Workshop takes place on Tuesdays, January 9–30 from 5:30-6:30pm, where participants will explore various parenting styles and learn how to: coparent in blended/divorced families; be calm, clear and consistent; practice intentional listening/ communication; create family agreements; and manage privileges and consequences. Starting Tuesday evenings, February

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13 through March 5, parents can participate in Reducing Stress in the Teen Years.

A free parent Cyber Safety education event will also take place February 6 at Preston Middle School in Fort Collins at 5:30pm where Fort Collins Police Services/SRO Officer Meg Savage will present insights about social media safety for all ages. Registration is required. Learn more and register at www.tcffo.org/ parent-support.

UNKNOWN RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AFFECTING DOGS According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), veterinarians are reporting an increase in the number of canine respiratory disease cases in Colorado with symptoms

including coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy. According to the CDA website, cases “can last weeks to months with minimal response to treatment. In some cases, the dogs have progressed to contracting pneumonia and require hospitalization.

In rare cases, the canine patients progress quickly from pneumonia to death.”

Help protect your furry family members by ensuring their vaccinations are up-to-date on; reducing exposure to other dogs outside the home such as at dog parks, boarding, and grooming; and consulting your veterinarian quickly if your dog becomes ill. Learn more and view updates as they become available at ag.colorado.gov/caninerespiratory-disease.

LOVELAND’S COLT ADDS ROUTE AND TRANSIT STATION Come January 4, Loveland residents will experience a new City of Loveland Transit (COLT) bus route plus a new city transit station.

The new Route 7, made possible by a grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation, will serve Loveland’s eastern side, making 22 stops at locations such as The Ranch Events Complex, the new Amazon fulfillment center, and the Veterans Administration

clinic among many others.

There will be a connection on Colorado Highway 392 to the Poudre Express for commuters to Fort Collins or Greeley, and a stop at the Centerra Loveland Mobility Hub along I-25, for those headed south. Riders will also see the opening of Phase 1 of the new Loveland Transit Center on 37th Street with a park-nride facility with 88 parking spaces and a large island and sidewalk and landscape improvements. To see all 2024 routes and learn more about the Transit Center, visit www.lovgov.org/services/ public-works/bus-service.

BOOK SUMMER CAMPING RESERVATIONS NOW The early bird gets the worm…or rather, the camping spot. Larimer County allows campers to book campsites up to 180 days, or 6 months, before your arrival date, so plan ahead and make your reservations online for dates into June 2024. You can also purchase daily entrance permits for vehicles, RVs, boats and more while reserving campsites. If you already have a reservation and want to modify it by adding a daily permit, you can do so with no additional fee. Learn more and reserve your spots at www. larimercamping.com.

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Community Calendar

THERESA BAER

January events FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 CSU Day at CSU Spur: Little Shop of Physics Bringing hands-on science to the public! National Western Complex, Denver. https://csuspur.org/ event/2nd-saturday-atspur-3/2024-01-13

ENTERTAINMENT

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS The 1879 Avery House Tours Docents will guide you through the historic home and tell the story of the Avery family. Not ADA accessible. https://poudrelandmarks.org/ avery-house-tours THROUGH JANUARY 28 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Reimagining of Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers, and the coat of many colors. Candlelight Dinner Theatre, Johnstown. coloradocandlelight.com THROUGH JANUARY 20 Fire and Light Exhibit: Winter Solstice Traditions Explore unique festivals and

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rituals with common themes of fire and light. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, FC. www.globalvillagemuseum.org FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS JANUARY 5 THROUGH 27 Eagle Watch Bald eagles from the north make Fort Collins their winter home. They spend nights in communal roosts in cottonwood trees near the reservoir. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, FC. www.fcgov.com/events THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 Nepal and Himalayan Adventures Hear of Nepal history, culture, and people and various expeditions. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, FC. www.globalvillagemuseum.org JANUARY 12 THROUGH 14 Big Thunder Draft Horse Show The Ranch Events Complex, LV.. www.treventscomplex. com/events

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 A Dance Place Presents The Wizard of Oz Ballet Teachers and students of A Dance Place present their annual ballet. Monfort Concert Hall, GR. www.ucstars.showare.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 Huipiles of Guatemala: Heritage and Tradition Explore the symbolism in traditional blouses providinginsight into the lives of indigenous Maya. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, FC. www.globalvillagemuseum.org SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 Peter and the Wolf Mind-bending adventure of illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy. Timberline Church, FC. www.lctix.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24 Momix: Alice Presented by Fort Collins Symphony. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, FC. www.lctix.com

JANUARY 25 THROUGH 28 Cirque du Soleil - Corteo Blue Arena, LV. www. treventscomplex.com/events FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 SNAP Mixing sleight of hand, Chaplin-esque vaudevillian comedy and ingenious visual effects. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, FC. www.lctix.com SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 Animaniacs in Concert Randy Rogel and Rob Paulsen share world-famous songs from beloved cartoons backed by original animation.

Rialto Theater Center, LV. www.rialtotheatercenter.org/ rialto-presents

JANUARY 18 THROUGH 20 High Country Dance: Winter Showcase Rialto Theater Center, LV. www.rialtotheatercenter.org/ rialto-presents

ACTIVE-ITIES

MOST SATURDAYS Kids Nite Out Loveland & Windsor Safe, active fun. Chilson Recreation Center, LV or Windsor Community Rec Center, WS. www.kidsniteout.org FRIDAY, JANUARY 5 Family Art Challenge: Library Billboard Families work together to create a piece of art for library display.

Clearview Library, WS. www.clearview.libnet.info/ event/9339093 MONDAY, JAUARY 15 Annual MLK March Keynote and march celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. FC. www. fcgov.com/specialevents/ calendar SATURDAY, JAUARY 20 Polar Bear Run & Plunge 5k run/walk, icy reservoir plunge or both for all ages.

Horsetooth Reservoir, FC. www.frontrangefreeze.com/ polarbear

Additional programming available through your local recreation departments: ESTES PARK: https://evrpd.colorado.gov/recreation FORT COLLINS: www.fcgov.com/recreation GREELEY: https://greeleyrec.com LOVELAND:

www.LovGov.org/ActivityGuide WINDSOR:

www.recreationliveshere.com/160/Activity-Guide

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Traditional Chinese Medicine

for Postpartum Depression (PPD)

By Dr. Monique Larson, DAOM

Having a baby is an exciting time for a new mother that brings with it many changes. When a woman goes through the birthing process, there are many different physical, emotional, and lifestyle shifts that occur. Some women may experience the “baby blues” two to three days after childbirth.

Symptoms vary from crying unexpectedly, mood swings, feelings of anxiety or depression, and difficulty sleeping, to name a few.

These symptoms can subside, but for some women they are more severe and longer lasting, a condition known as Postpartum Depression (PPD). It is important to understand that PPD is not a fault or a mental weakness, but a common complication of giving birth that can be treated.

In Chinese medicine, the birthing process is an active time known as a “yang state” where the body is warm, the energy is full, and body fluids are at a high level.

After the birthing process, the body becomes more “yin” in nature; the body’s temperature decreases and there is a loss of blood and fluids, causing the vital substances and energy to become deficient. The more deficient a woman feels, the harder it is to feel stable as a new mother. An acupuncturist can help by identifying the specific organ imbalance and applying an individualized treatment plan, using modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary recommendations. With these tools, we can nourish the body and bring it back into balance.

Symptoms of PPD include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, weight issues, lack of concentration, hopelessness, insomnia, mood disorders, irritability, fatigue, menstruation disorders, thyroid disorders, digestive issue, physical pain, hemorrhoids, restlessness, or unwanted thoughts. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer a natural and effective approach to healing.

Having support during this pivotal time is invaluable as it supports a woman with her new foundation for both her and her family. Please feel free to contact the Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic for any Postpartum Depression and Postpartum support at www.tcmclinic.org

Dr. Monique Larson, DAOM Orthopedic type pain, auto immune digestive issues, stress, sleep issues, joint pain, depression, anxiety, and more. Now accepting new patients!

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Time out

KATIE HARRIS

Make January a little more jolly After a month of holiday festivities and excitement, the start of the new year can feel a little bleak.

Family togetherness is replaced with the chaotic transition back to school and work, shopping for gifts becomes hunting down tax documents, children who worked all last month to make the nice list turn into wild banshees, and that white Christmas you wished for has morphed into a big, fat clump of gray ice.

No, the odds are not in January’s favor. Over the past couple years, as I rode the struggle bus through winter’s seemingly neverending first month, I began to think survival strategies.

Through trial and error, a few long conversations with like-minded friends, and finally, an acceptance that seasonal depression is both real, and incredibly under diagnosed, I came up with a short list of beat-the-winterblues activities. If, like me, you hold your breath all winter until the dog days of summer return, I hope these strategies help you beat the winter blues, too.

Get away to somewhere warm: This is no longer, “A winter vacation would be nice but can we afford it after the holidays?” situation.

It’s become a deal breaker in my life. Every year between mid-January and midFebruary (a.k.a. the dark depths of winter) I pile the kids in the car and get out of

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dodge. It doesn’t need to be anywhere fancy or far away, just somewhere warmer than here with a few activities to mix things up a bit. (Check out our Road Trip story this month for a three day San Antonio itinerary!)

Make better resolutions: It’s time to stop making those same vague resolutions that you know you won’t keep, and that inevitably lead to frustration each year. This month, instead of vowing to “be a better person”, put your money where your mouth is and sign up to volunteer at the local animal shelter once a week. Rather than saying you’re going to “lose weight”, join a local snowshoeing group. And instead of promising to “be present”, sign up for an art

class with your spouse and leave your phones at home.

Forcing yourself to stay busy will help the oh-so-slow winter days pass by in a jiff.

Purge, purge, purge: Anyone else get that sick feeling in their stomach as they shove the old toys in closets, corners and cubbies to make room for the new holiday loot? Set aside a full day to declutter. You’ll find that once you get started the process is actually quite addicting, and even the smallest kiddos will be begging to join in as you set aside outgrown items to donate to families in need.

Once you’ve purged, have a reorganizing party! Simply moving a cast aside toy from one room to another can inspire kids to rediscover its potential, and a living area

face lift might just lift your spirits, too.

Get outdoors and get moving: As an aforementioned “summer girl”, you can probably guess how I feel about 13 degrees plus windchill. For years I made every effort to hibernate during the year’s coldest months, until one day, while watching my kids tumbling around in the snow, I decided I’d be happier if I sucked it up and joined them. I bought THE WARMEST ski gear I could find and plodded out into the cold. Sure enough, winter wasn’t quite so bad when I wasn’t freezing. Now I make a point of getting outside every single day, even if it’s just for a 15 minute walk with the dogs. It works wonders on the winter blues.

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