KCC_Parent Source_041119 by Shaw Media

Parent Source SERVING KANE COUNTY

FAMILY ACTIVITIES From tots to teens!

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SPRING 2019 GUIDE FOR PARENTS

SPRINGTIME FUN at Starved Rock Lodge

MY ADVISOR & PLANNER SHARES TIPS For insuring a stable future for your family

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Your summer is picking up STEAM. Ready for a busy summer? Our summer camp is packed with themed experiences, games, and inspired learning. These include: Zip Code Camp What’s happening in your neighborhood? Learn about your community.

Center Stage Camp Experience performing arts through plays, skits, and acting out stories.

Our Preschool and Pre-K camp, for 3- and 4-year-olds, offers specially designed camp themes that make for an awesome summer experience, including: Down on the Farm

Get ready for an unforgettable summer.

Discover life on the farm and learn abo about all the food we plant and gather. er.

PLUS, EVERY CAMPER RECEIVES AWESOME GEAR: Backpack | Water bottle | T-shirt

Sign up today! 3090 W. Main St. • St. Charles, IL 866.222.0269 • EverbrookAcademy.com This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Everbrook Academy, a Learning Care Group School. ©2019 Learning Care Group, Inc. FEA59

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what's

INSIDE 4

Parenting advice for strong

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Stop with the Nursery...

Newborn to 13+ Car safety tips for

relationships and a healthy house

kids of all ages

10 Get Out and #ExploreMore with Families on the Fox

12 Springtime fun at Starved Rock Lodge 14 5 things parents should know before choosing a summer camp

16 Sneaky ways to get your kids eating healthier

15 6 fun facts about bananas that will inspire you to eat more

16 Survey: Parents have misconceptions about opioids and kids pain relief

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in @sha jcornell blished o t it d ve it pu a h Sen o t ance e! for a ch Parent Sourc t x e our n

ADVERTISER INDEX

AUSTINS VIOLIN SHOP..................................................................................... 5

CHRIST COMMUNITY...................................................................................... 20 EVERBROOK ACADEMY................................................................................... 2

FLIP FAMILY HAIR CARE.................................................................................. 11 GILVYDIS VEIN CLINIC.................................................................................... 19 MILL RACE CYCLERY......................................................................................... 5 MY ADVISOR AND PLANNER........................................................................... 7

ST. CHARLES PARK DISTRICT......................................................................... 15 STARVED ROCK LODGE................................................................................. 13 THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS .......................................................................... 11 WAUBONSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.......................................................... 9

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DESIGNER Allison LaPorta alaporta@shawmedia.com PARENT SOURCE APRIL 11, 2019

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PARENTING ADVICE

FOR STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND A HEALTHY HOUSE

anaging work-life balance as a parent comes with challenges, and with busy schedules for both parents and children, disruptions at the last minute can really take a toll on a family’s everyday routine. This is especially true when a child has to take a sick day from school due to illness during cold and flu season. It’s important to know you’re not alone, and with a little focus and positive reinforcement, you can help your kids be happy and healthy. La La Anthony, producer, actress and author, understands the balancing act of parenting and being a working mother. Her busy schedule means proactively making time for her son, Kiyana, and helping him set his priorities in school, sports and life. She shares her top rules for parenting successfully to help guide other parents who are navigating the ups and downs of family life.

RULE 1: SET PRIORITIES “The most important thing to remember as a parent is that your children should always come first,” says Anthony. “My schedule is hectic, and I’m often balancing several different projects at once, but my primary job title is ‘Mom.’ It’s so important to show your children that no matter how busy you are, they are the top priority.”

You can achieve this by having family dinner or setting a certain night of the week to bond over a fun activity together. If you’re traveling for work, set up video chat sessions to connect even when you’re apart.

Kiyan and help reduce the spread of germs around the home, I make sure he washes his hands often, and we use the Lysol Healthy Habits toolkit as a resource to reinforce healthy behaviors at home and in the classroom.”

RULE 2: BUILD TRUST

Visit www.lysol.com/healthy-classroom to learn more about the One Less Sick Day initiative, an innovative cold and flu education and prevention program with the goal of helping to protect kids against germs and reducing the number of sick days this school year. Some smart tips from the toolkit include:

“All good parent-child relationships are grounded in trust, and open communication is extremely important in building trust,” says Anthony. “Make sure your child knows that they can depend on and come to you with any issues, questions or concerns, no matter how big or small.” You can help build trust by showing empathy and understanding to your child and being vocal about your own mistakes. If you messed up at work, share that experience with them and talk through how you will fix the situation. When they see you’re not perfect, they feel more comfortable coming to you in times of need.

RULE 3: FOCUS ON HEALTHY HABITS “Always prioritize your child’s health, especially during cold and flu season!” stresses Anthony. “It’s so important to me that Kiyan stays healthy and avoids getting sick so that he can be in school, play basketball and spend time with friends. To protect

• Get your flu shot. • Help prevent the spread of germs. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. • Wash your hands with soap and warm water. • Remind children to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. • Send supplies of Box Top eligible Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray to your child’s classroom for disinfecting germ hot spots like desks, chairs, door knobs and bathrooms. • Reinforce healthy habits at home.

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Mill Race Cyclery: RULE 4: BE PRESENT “Be as present as possible, and show your children that you’re there for them,” says Anthony. “For me, that means something as simple as helping Kiyan with his homework and catching up with him after school to hear about what he learned and what’s going on in his social life.”

Your Family Bike Shop In Geneva, IL

Make time for these real connections by turning off your phone and other distracting devices so you can focus on each other and make the time to bond.

RULE 5: BOOST CONFIDENCE “Help build your child’s confidence,” Anthony says. “Every kid should have the confidence to be whoever they want to be and do what they want to do, and it starts with parents. We need to be their biggest supporters and cheerleaders so that they feel empowered to achieve their goals in all aspects of life.” Boosting confidence might mean trying new activities that are of interest to your child, even if they weren’t something you did as a kid. Watch them as they practice and play, and support them through the ups and downs of any performances, games or competitions. Being a parent today is one of the most rewarding experiences and these tips can help you be the best parent you can be.

(BPT)

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www.austinsviolinshop.com PARENT SOURCE APRIL 11, 2019

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Don’t Stop with the

eing a young, expecting parent is such an exciting time! There are so many things to prepare for and they seem to all be additional demands on top of an already busy life. Thinking back at that stage of life I laugh at the incredible focus we put on the preparation of the room our newborn would be coming home to. Partially driven by hormones, partially by the excitement of it all, that room became a bit of an obsession. As is often the case, focusing on a tangible task can be much easier than an intangible one even if the intangible is much more important. As important as the nursery is, of greater importance is getting your financial house in order as you prepare for the responsibilities of brining a new, precious life into the world. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Nursery… INSURING A STABLE FUTURE FOR YOUR FAMILY HEALTH INSURANCE: Start thinking about health insurance long before the baby arrives. Find out about copays, deductibles, and premiums before you start going to doctor’s appointments and having diagnostic tests done. You’ll also need to determine how much of the delivery costs are covered as well as the baby’s coverage after it’s born. Babies are usually covered under their mother’s insurance for a period of time following the birth, but make sure you add the baby within 30 days, or else you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period.

LIFE INSURANCE: Now that you have a child depending on you, you’ll need insurance to provide for your family if your income is lost. You should also take out a life insurance policy for your spouse even if he or she stays at home to care for the child— take into account the value of a stay-at-home parent’s services and how much it would cost to pay someone else to do it. Consult your financial advisor to help determine both the amount of insurance your family will need as well as the type you should purchase. There are pros and cons to both term and permanent insurance and for many a combination of the two is the best fit.

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DISABILITY INSURANCE: During your prime income earning years, you’re much more likely to suffer a debilitating accident or disease than you are to die. This makes disability insurance equally important to ensure your family’s financial well-being. Your employee benefits may provide some disability protection but often not at the level you would actually need necessitating supplemental coverage.

INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS If you are like I was, the realization that another life depends on you financially can be overwhelming. Your goals and investing strategy will probably need to change when you become a parent, but not necessarily in the ways you’re expecting.

BE REALISTIC: It may not be possible to continue to invest as much while budgeting for the new expenses that come with being a new parent so it is important to be realistic. Try not to focus all of your money and attention on baby spending, and don’t ignore your long-term savings goals completely. Your first priority will have to be day-to-day spending and budgeting, followed by your retirement savings. When these two goals are being met, you can add your child’s college education as a third priority.

EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS: Its tempting to put your child’s education fund first. There’s nothing wrong with putting your children first, but abandoning your investing goals in favor of a child’s education is actually not putting the child first—if you retire with nothing, your child will be left supporting aging parents, which can be much more difficult than funding a fouryear degree. That said, investing in your child’s education early in life is a good idea if you can afford it. Compound interest can be just as magical for your child’s college savings as for your retirement account. Consult your financial advisor to review options and to develop a strategy. Because the Unexpected Happens… Despite careful preparation we found ourselves scrambling when our kids were born. Due to complications neither was carried to term with Mary arriving at 4 lbs. 10 oz. and Jack at only 1 lb. 8 oz. Thankfully we were able to focus on their care without distraction as we had our financial house in order and both have grown up to be fine adults. Hoping that the ideas shared here are helpful as you travel down the exciting road of parenthood and we welcome your call if we can be of service. This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or plan provider.

FILE# 2462400.1

 Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a registered representative and investment advisory representative with M Securities. Investments in securities involve risks, including the possible loss of principal. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated. McCartney and his team can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net or 630-457-4068.

Photo by Indre Cantero

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC). My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated. File #0709-2018

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 NEWBORN TO 3 YEARS (INFANT AND REAR-FACING CAR SEAT) The youngest passengers should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height of their seat. This positioning better absorbs the force of an impact, making it a better option for small passengers whose necks and spines are still developing. In fact, car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants (under one year old) in passenger cars. Keep in mind, even if your child’s feet touch the back of the vehicle seat, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready for a forward-facing seat. Parents shouldn’t move their toddlers into a forward-facing car seat until they’ve hit the maximum height or weight limit of their current car seat.

 4-7 YEARS OLD (FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT)

NEWBORN TO 13+ CAR SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES (BPT) - For many parents, you buckle up your kids and off you go to day care, school or the park. You trust their car seat or booster seat will keep your child safe should something happen, but are you sure the seat you installed months or years ago is truly secure? “I am deeply concerned that nearly half of all car seats are not used correctly,” says Heidi King, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “You don’t have to be a parent to play a part in protecting children. I urge everyone to follow these simple tips to ensure kids stay safe in the car at every age.”

Additionally, always make sure the chest clip is secured across the chest rather than on the belly. These clips have a tendency to move down, so it’s up to caregivers to align it properly. Make it a habit to always slide the clip up to the appropriate place after buckling your child in to their seat.

 8-12 YEARS OLD (BOOSTER SEAT) After a child exceeds the age and size limits of their forward-facing seat, they can transition to a booster seat. A booster seat lifts a child up and helps their body properly align with the vehicle’s existing seat belt. Kids should stay in a booster seat until they are big enough to sit properly with the lap and shoulder belt securely buckled. That means the lap belt is snug across their upper thighs, not their stomach, and the shoulder belt is snug across their shoulder and chest, not their neck or face.

 “TWEENS” AND PRETEENS

The right car seat is the best protection in a crash.

(SEAT BELT)

Every 33 seconds, a child under 13 years old is involved in a car crash, according to NHTSA data. Even more startling: Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1-13.

Once your child is big enough to ride safely without needing a car seat or booster seat, keep in mind the back seat is still the safest place. All kids 13 and under should ride in the back, even if they try to convince you the front is the “cool” place to be.

One of the most common mistakes parents and caregivers make is moving children to the next car seat too soon. No matter their age, you need to make sure that the car seat you use is the right one for your child’s age, as well as their size (based on their weight and height).

At this age your child will likely use a forward-facing car seat with a harness. One critical step for installing this car seat correctly is making sure to secure it with its tether, not just a seat belt. The tether is an adjustable strap with a hook that can be found at the top of most forward-facing car seats. When you secure the tether to the tether anchor in your vehicle, it keeps the car seat from moving forward in a crash, helping protect your child from head and neck injuries.

For more advice and to find a car seat check location near you, visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat. Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 23-29 and Seat Check Saturday is Sept. 29.

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Say YES to YEP!

P E Y ! YOUT H ENRI CH MENT PRO GRAMS

AGES 4 –14 CAMPS RUN WEEKLY JUNE 3– AUGUST 2, 2019 ENROLL NOW IN WAUBONSEE’S SUMMER CAMPS! WE’VE MADE BIG CHANGES FOR AN IMPROVED CAMP EXPERIENCE. MORE CAMPS! Kids can ﬂy drone robots, train on a Ninja Warrior obstacle course, use a 3-D printer and more! Choose from 42 camps with more science, tech and art options than ever. Stay for the day! Early and Extended Care. Combine with Relaxation Station for a full day of fun and learning. Revised age groups. We now have camps for four age groups – ages 4-5 (preschool); ages 6-8; ages 9-11 and ages 12-14.

REGISTER NOW — CAMPS FILL UP QUICKLY! Visit waubonsee.edu/camps or call (630) 466-2360 Sugar Grove Campus | Route 47 at Waubonsee Dr., Sugar Grove Huntoon Stables | 507 Oak Street, North Aurora Waubonsee does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities.

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Get Out and #ExploreMore

Photo Courtesy of St. Charles Park District

with Families on the Fox

With Chrissy Somers, www.FamiliesOnTheFox.com

Staying in the house all day is not an option for me or my kids because our sanity depends on fresh air and peer interactions. Like many of you, leaving the house with children in tow is as easy as… who am I kidding?! It’s a dang challenge and we all know it! By the time I conquer my one year-old’s foot to victoriously put on her sock, yell at my six year old to stop changing outfits, and help my four

year-old get her shirt off of her legs because she thought it would be a cute skirt, I have typically lost my patience and will need a good ten minutes to regain my composure (we call this a ‘Mommy Time Out’). I don’t want to spend any precious time researching what we should do when we actually do venture out… with or without my sanity. ENTER… FamiliesOnTheFox.com. Everything you are about to read below can be found on our website! Take some time to explore the site and plan some new adventures in your own backyard!

Chrissy Somers is the owner of Families on the Fox, a website that serves as a free resource to the Tri-City community. A daily events calendar, indoor fun resource guide, seasonal events, pre-planned date nights, adult fun outings, and more can be found when you visit www.FamiliesOnTheFox.com Photo by Katie Kaltz Photography

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THINGS TO DO WITH THE FAMILY

THINGS TO DO WITH OTHER ADULTS

MUSEUMS + NATURE CENTERS

DATE IDEAS

• RED OAK NATURE CENTER in Batavia is FREE to the public. With trails along the Fox River, Red Oak is even home to one of the ONLY caves in the Chicagoland area! • HICKORY KNOLLS DISCOVERY CENTER in St. Charles has a beautiful indoor facility that allows you to observe various animals and critters, but the best part is when you step outside to their 130-acre preserve! All of this is FREE! • PECK FARM PARK in Geneva is another FREEBIE that allows children to get connected to the great outdoors. Hawks Hollow Nature Playground allows children to touch, climb, and explore through play. There is even a converted silo that you can climb to get a stunning view of the tri-city area! A Butterfly House ($2 per person or $5 for the whole family) is on the premises as well!

INDOOR FUN • FUNWAY ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER in Batavia offers bowling, bumper cars, mini golf, laser tag, go karts, an arcade and SO MUCH MORE! You’d easily be able to spend HOURS here! • OPEN GYMS IN BATAVIA, Geneva, and St. Charles are occurring regularly throughout the week! Visit our DAILY EVENTS page for the details! • FUN REPUBLIC in St. Charles targets younger children from 6 months early elementary-ages. Dress up, water play, inflatables, and an indoor playground make up this awesome facility!

CHAMBER AND CITY EVENTS • SUMMER CONCERT SERIES throughout the summer gives you a reason to load up the family and unwind after a long day of work with some live music on a warm summer night! Visit our SUMMER FUN page for details! St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia all offer concerts throughout the summer, usually on different days! • SUMMER FESTIVALS occur throughout the summer months! Swedish Days, Geneva Fine Arts Fair, Festival of the Vine, St. Charles Fine Arts Fair, and Windmill City Fest, just to name a few!

FamiliesOnTheFox.com/adult-fun

• 52 EASY DATES lists out easy date ideas to tackle in the Tri-Cities when time or money is limited • DRINK + APPS CRAWL is my FAVORITE date night to do when it’s just me and the hubby or a group of friends! I created several stops for you to make whether you choose to go to Batavia, Geneva, or St. Charles!

LADIES NIGHTS IN & LADIES NIGHTS OUT • SCENTCERELY YOURS offers private parties where you can create a custom-scented pour-yourown candle AND you can drink! BYOB, create, and have so many good laughs with your girls! • SIX + CYPRESS allows you and a group of 15 friends to have a private after-hours shopping party! Full, uninterrupted, private access to this store is a dream come true!

Come make books with us!

Kids' Writing Camps Over the summer, RoL offers Elementary School and Middle School Writing Camps where we'll play with structure, plot, character, genre, and theme. Every kid already has incredible style, we'll just nurture it. For more info: rolnfp.org The Republic of Letters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corp. located on the river in Geneva at 1 West State Street, Suite 103. 630-360-1902.

• AT HOME PARTIES are also an option! Between in-home wine tastings, jewelry parties, clothing parties, paint and sip parties, and so many other options, there is no reason to question what to do on a Ladies Night!

Flip

FamiliesOnTheFox.com/family-fun

HAPPY HOURS + SPECIALS • HAPPY HOUR is a page that has ALL KINDS of drink and food specials during Happy Hours in the Tri-Cities, but also other food and drink specials that last all day long! Check it out!

WANT MORE INFORMATION? You can find ALL OF THIS AND MORE at FamiliesOnTheFox.com! Bookmark the page and visit every day to plan your daily adventures! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@FamiliesOnTheFox) to get the latest information about happenings each day! Do you want to make getting out and #ExploringMore even easier? Sign up for our emails! Just head to the website and scroll all the way to the bottom to SUBSCRIBE so that you getweekly updates on everything happening for the following week.

Family Hair Care A Courteous Comfortable Salon Where Everyone is Welcome

We’re locally owned & operated with fair service pricing and quality experienced stylists here to serve your every hair care need.

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Hours: Tues. - Fri. : 9am-8pm Sat. : 9am-5pm • Sun. : 10am-4pm PARENT SOURCE APRIL 11, 2019

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e m i t g Sprin FUN AT

e g d o L k c Starved Ro PHOTOS AND STORY SUBMITTED BY Kathy Casstevens/Starved Rock Lodge

A fun-filled spring vacation sounds like a good idea but sometimes the expense, airport hassles and exhausting challenge of a theme park can be overwhelming. There’s a different option worth considering that’s less than a couple of hours from home but you’ll feel like you’re worlds away once you arrive. That destination is Starved Rock State Park and Lodge located near Utica, IL. Comfortable rooms, a restaurant, bar, café and gift shop are all under one roof. A variety of affordable overnight packages are outlined on the Lodge’s website. Mid-week getaways are the best value. Parking and WiFi are free along with the serenity of reconnecting with nature. Guests also enjoy an indoor pool, a shallow-depth toddler pool, a hot tub and two saunas. All of this is just minutes away from more than 13 miles of hiking trails which lead to amazing, seasonal waterfalls. A hike along the trails on the west side take you to Aurora, Kickapoo, Sac and scenic St. Louis Canyon. It takes about an hour to walk from the Lodge to the top of Starved Rock then in and out of French Canyon and back to the Lodge. This quintessential hike will give your children a memory of this National Historic Landmark that lasts a lifetime. Further east, you can explore Ottawa, Kaskaskia and Illinois Canyons along with Council Overhang. You’ll be amazed by the many wonderful photos you can take along the way. Just for kids on spring break, the Lodge has a treasure chest where each youngster can pick one special gift upon check in. Children’s Activity Boxes are available at the front desk upon request at no charge. They’re filled with about an hour’s worth of fun things to do. There’s also a free scavenger hunt that is a family-friendly activity to find points of interest on the property. A children’s menu is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Main Dining Room. Board games and DVD’s can be checked out from the front desk at no charge. Trolley Tours are offered on the weekends. Make your reservations today at www.starvedrocklodge.com or call 815-667-4211.

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WANT TO

HAVE A

FUN

Spring Break?

BOOK A SPRING BREAK GETAWAY TO

STARVED ROCK LODGE

AND STAY IN THE ONLY HOTEL IN STARVED ROCK STATE PARK. • Comfort food (Fried Chicken) • Lodge Rooms & Family Cabins • Reconnect with nature (Stellar Selﬁes)! • Have fun with family & friends • Avoid airport hassles • Swim, relax, get a massage • Enjoy free parking & WiFi • Eat, drink, hike and have fun • Ride on a Starved Rock Trolley • Affordable Overnight Packages

Just for kids!

Fun fore everyon

• Activity Boxes: (Free fun for ages 5-9) • Scavenger Hunt for Parents & Kids • Treasure Chest: (kids pick their favorite toy at check-in) • Free board games & DVD rental • Indoor Pool & shallow-depth toddler pool

POOL PARTY PACKAGE: $160 (price may vary)

Includes overnight stay, plus $10 voucher for pool toys and $40 meal voucher (restrictions apply)

Book online at: StarvedRockLodge.com 90 minutes SW of Chicago 2688 East 873rd Road, Oglesby, IL 61348

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hould s s t n e r a p s g in th oosing h c e r o f e b w o n k p a summer cam

Looking for a cure for the winter blues? Start making plans for the summer. Having something fun to look forward to - such as days off and family trips - can make those dreary days more bearable. One thing you’ll want to add to your summer planning list is finding a great summer camp or two for your kids. Even before leaves start appearing on the trees, many organizations begin announcing dates and enrollment for summer camp sessions. Get a jump start on the process with this guide to choosing an enriching summer activity, where your child will also have a blast.  FIRST, KNOW THE BEST PLACES TO LOOK: You may not be aware of the number of great summer day camps taking place around your community. Start with college campuses, parks and recreation departments, local school districts and churches. Be sure to tune in to nonprofits, like performing arts centers, museums and your local animal shelter or zoo. Finally, ask the other adults in your child’s life for the inside scoop. The art teacher, soccer coach

and scout leader may be in the know about the best camps in town.  LOOK FOR THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: When you think about it, “camp” is an odd word choice. But look at what sleep-away camp means to kids, and it makes sense. Yes, it’s fun to sleep in a cabin and spend all day sailing, swimming and climbing. What’s key is that these kids are immersed in a new reality that’s different from the usual home and school routines. So when a local organization bills an activity a “camp,” they promise an experience that lets your kid jump in and become a part of something. When choosing the right camp, look for that quality. Is there a clear theme or topic? Will kids be active and involved? Or is the “camp” just made up of a series of talks led by adults?  MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS ON BOARD: Consider your child’s interests and how camp can make them stronger. Your play-acting child with a flair for drama will probably thrive and bloom at theater camp. However, if camp is a strategy to help them improve at something they struggle with, make sure the program is designed for these kids, or you’re setting them up for a session of misery. After all, you wouldn’t send your sports-loathing child to, say, a high-intensity wrestling camp, to make them more athletic.  DON’T FORGET THE FUN FACTOR: What makes camp truly memorable is having fun, so make sure the camp you’re looking at takes fun seriously.

For example, Blake Furlow, CEO of Bricks 4 Kidz, says kids keep coming back to their camps partly because these sessions bring building with LEGO Bricks to the next level of fun and exciting. But watching their enjoyment unfold during the camp is also massively rewarding. “Seeing the kids light up, get excited and make new connections during a Bricks 4 Kidz class is a heart-warming experience,” Furlow says.  CONSIDER LONGEVITY: When looking at various programs, a good question to ask is how long the camp has been around. New summer camp themes and programs can sound exciting and fresh, but it takes a few rounds to work out the kinks with any new organization. Choosing well-established programs with experienced leaders is one way to ensure that your child will get that worthwhile and fun experience with a new activity. If you’re looking for a camp experience from a trusted provider that fosters learning in STEM subjects, look for a Bricks 4 Kidz franchise in your community. Bricks 4 Kidz is celebrating its 10th anniversary of providing fun and enrichment for kids in schools and communities across the United States and beyond! At these camps, kids get to use LEGO Bricks along with specialized LEGO Technic pieces like gears, axles and electric motors to build unique and exciting models to help kids explore engineering and architecture - while having a blast doing it. To discover camps taking place in your area, visit Bricks4Kidz.com. (BPT)

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TRY THIS FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPE:

Sneaky ways

to get your kids eating healthier (BPT) - Every parent knows it can be a challenge to get kids to eat healthy foods. Serving piles of vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins might be our goal, but it might not guarantee that children will actually eat them. Registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner offers tips for upping the nutrients in family meals without your kids suspecting a thing. Pack the meatloaf with vegetables. If meatloaf is a family favorite, you’re in luck. It’s easy to add finely grated vegetables like carrots into your meatloaf mix without anyone being the wiser. Carrots are loaded with nutrients such as fiber, potassium and beta-carotene. Or try adding minced celery, green peppers or spinach to meatloaf (or meatballs!) for a nutrition boost. You can also combine cooked lentils with your ground beef for a leaner meatloaf without sacrificing flavor. Italian favorites with added veggies. When cooking Italian dishes like lasagna, adding chopped broccoli or spinach to one of your layers is an easy way to increase its nutritional value. Boost nutrition of jarred pasta sauce for any Italian dish by pureeing in your favorite cooked veggies like broccoli, carrots, squash or peppers without anyone

Baked Chicken Nuggets Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings | Recipe by: TermiNatetor Family Kitchen

Ingredients 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (roughly 1 pound total), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tablespoon garlic powder

noticing. This powered-up sauce is great for making homemade superfood pizza, too.

1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko works too!)*

Salt and pepper

Asian stir fry at home. Instead of relying on Asian takeout meals, make stir fry at home. It’s quick and easy, and you can buy pre-cut chicken or beef to speed up your prep time. Get fresh or frozen veggies like sugar snap peas, grated carrots, broccoli florets and peppers and stir fry with soy sauce and a bit of ginger and garlic powder. It’s a highveggie, craveable meal loaded with vitamins and fiber. Serve with brown rice instead of white for even more nutrition.

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup all-purpose flour*

Use the best ingredients. Choosing your ingredients with care makes a huge difference in nutritional value. Blatner says that using Eggland’s Best eggs makes any recipe more nutritious, as they contain more than double the vitamin B12 when compared with ordinary eggs. “Vitamin B12 transforms food to energy that kids need to play and grow,” says Blatner. They also contain more vitamin D, which helps a child’s body absorb calcium, a mineral that bones need to stay strong and grow properly, according to the National Institutes of Health. Compared to ordinary eggs, they have 25 percent less saturated fat, plus contain more than double the omega-3s and 10 times more vitamin E.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and seasonings.

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 3 Eggland’s Best eggs (large) Cooking spray

Preparation Preheat oven to 450 F.

In two separate bowls, add the flour in one and whisk the eggs in the other. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and lightly coat rack with cooking spray. In batches, coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off excess, then in the egg wash, then in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on rack. Bake until chicken is fully cooked, about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. *Dawn’s Healthy Swap: Use whole grain instead of regular bread crumbs and all-purpose flour!

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fun facts

about bananas that will inspire you to eat more

(BPT) - Bananas are a tasty snack that many people eat regularly without much thought, but there’s more to the iconic yellow fruit than just its convenience and color. Bananas are a superfood loaded with nutrients and have been enjoyed worldwide for hundreds of years. In fact, there are many reasons to consider eating more bananas.  VERSATILITY: Bananas are one of the most versatile foods available. They come in their own container and you can eat them right out of the peel. You can slice up fresh bananas to enhance favorite snack foods, like cereal, yogurt or smoothies. They are a natural alternative to sugar to sweeten desserts and can be used in a variety of recipes, including savory ones. They are even tasty dried and eaten as banana chips.  NUTRIENT POWERHOUSE: Bananas are not only a powerhouse for potassium with nearly 10 percent of the recommended daily value, but also boast many other nutritional benefits. Just one banana has 35 percent of the daily recommended B-6, which helps with cell growth. In addition, you’ll be giving your body important vitamins and minerals like magnesium, manganese, vitamin C and copper. Bananas are also a good source of antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.  DON’T BELIEVE THE SUGAR RUMORS: Bananas are actually a wonderful source of natural sugars (the good kind) and carbohydrates, which help provide sustained energy. It’s a common misconception that bananas aren’t as healthy due to the higher sugar content, however, the natural sugars in bananas come with fiber, which slows digestion and gives the body time to use it as fuel instead of storing it as fat.  LOW-FAT, LOW-CAL: Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, making them ideal for nutritious eating as well as a good option if you’re on many specialty diets. Plus, they’re just 100 calories per banana, providing you all-natural, long-lasting energy. Whether it’s a snack or addition to a recipe, you can feel good about eating bananas.  DIGESTIVE HEALTH: Bananas are often one of baby’s first foods. They are also one of the first things we eat when we are sick. Why? Because they are soft to chew and easy to digest. In fact, bananas can support digestive health thanks to their pectin level that acts as a fiber. If you prefer your bananas a bit on the unripe side, you’re also in luck because unripe bananas contain higher levels of resistant starches, which are a soluble fiber.  BANANA BREAD: One of the most popular ways to bake with bananas is banana bread. What many people might not know is the history of the moist, sweet loaf featuring the classic yellow fruit. Banana bread is the creation of thrifty housewives during the Great Depression who had to stretch their family’s food supplies, including utilizing overly-ripe bananas.

Chiquita Banana Nut Bread Ingredients:

4 ripe Chiquita bananas 3 eggs 1 cup almond flour/spelt flour 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup 1/4 cup pecans 1/4 cup walnuts 2 tablespoons baking powder 2 tablespoons ginger powder 1 teaspoon vanilla powder 2 tablespoons cinnamon 1 can coconut milk (13.5 fl. oz.) 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon vanilla powder

Directions: Purée 3 bananas with a hand mixer. Scoop the bananas into a big bowl. Chop nuts coarsely. Now add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour batter into greased pan. Cut the fourth banana lengthwise in half and place the slices on top of the batter. Bake loaf for about 45 minutes in oven. The night before, put the coconut milk in the fridge (to separate fluid from cream). Scoop only the top layer of cream from the can into a big bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla and mix it until you get a smooth mixture. Serve with the loaf.

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Parents have misconceptions about opioids and kids pain relief (BPT) - News of opioid abuse, overdoses and reports that 90 percent of addictions start in the teen years could make any parent worry. Yet parents remain conflicted about opioids: While more than half express concern their child may be at risk for opioid addiction, nearly two-thirds believe opioids are more effective at managing their child’s pain after surgery or a broken bone than non-prescription medication or other alternatives. That’s according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

Beyond medications, non-drug therapies can help with ongoing pain, including nerve blocks, physical therapy, biofeedback, meditation, virtual reality, massage and acupuncture.

“The survey results shed light on the country’s conflicted relationship with and understanding of opioids,” said ASA President Linda J. Mason, M.D., FASA. “Opioids may not always be the best option. It really depends on the type of surgery and how long they are required. It is important for parents to know that there are many alternatives available that are as - or more - safe and effective for pain management.”

 PARENTS ARE UNAWARE THAT SAFE STORAGE AND PROPER DISPOSAL ARE KEY

A physician anesthesiologist can create an individualized plan to best address patients’ pain based on the condition or type of surgery and decrease the risk of opioid misuse and addiction. Read on for four insights from the survey regarding opioids and pain management.

• 60 percent of those whose children took opioids said they needed fewer than were prescribed and had leftover medication. But only 39 percent of all parents disposed or would dispose of leftover opioids as recommended, including taking them to a local pharmacy or health clinic, flushing them down the toilet or mixing them with dirt, kitty litter or coffee grounds before throwing them away.

 PARENTS AREN’T ASKING ABOUT EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES. While opioids can help with pain management for a few days after surgery or injury, effective alternatives do not have the side effects and risks of opioids. But the survey results suggest parents often don’t ask about alternatives, or aren’t aware of the options. • 59 percent said they would talk to their physician about pain management options, but only 37 percent of those whose children were prescribed opioids did.

• 88 percent recognized non-opioid, over-thecounter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and aspirin, are used to effectively help treat pain. However, few were aware the same applies to other non-opioid options, including steroids (23 percent), antidepressants (9 percent) and anti-seizure medications (7 percent).

More than half of people who misuse prescribed opioids get them from a friend or relative. Safe storage and proper disposal of the drugs are important to help curb the epidemic. • Only 50 percent said they stored or would store opioids in a safe and secure place.

• 61 percent correctly identified the ideal method of disposing leftover opioids, which involves taking them to a collection center at a local police station or drug disposal program at a pharmacy or clinic.

 PARENTS UNDERSTAND IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION When a child is prescribed opioids, parents need to have an open and honest discussion about the potential side effects and risks - not only with

the child taking the medication, but other family members as well. • 74 percent said they have talked to their child about the dangers of abusing prescription and over-the-counter medications and 20 percent said they intend to have the conversation. • 91 percent said they are confident their children know that prescribed and over-the-counter medications can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs.

 PARENTS RECOGNIZE NALOXONE SAVES LIVES Naloxone (Narcan) is a lifesaving medication administered via nasal spray or injection that rapidly reverses the effects of an overdose. It’s important to know about naloxone because anyone who uses opioids may be at risk for an overdose. • 71 percent agreed that having naloxone on hand is the same as having other life-saving medication available for people who suffer from conditions such as allergies, asthma or diabetes. • 80 percent said they would be more comfortable having it at home if their child or another family member was taking opioids. • 92 percent thought all first responders should carry it. The 17-question Engine Caravan Omnibus Survey was conducted online Nov. 25 to Dec. 2, 2018, among 1,007 parents of children ages 13-24, onethird of whom had been prescribed opioids. Visit ASA’s website at asahq.org for information about all aspects of pain management and to access an opioid overdose resuscitation card that provides guidance on symptoms of an overdose and how to help.

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