APRIL/MAY 2010
Real Solutions for Real Families
OUR KIDS Exhibiting excellence
SCHOOL NOTES Half-day vs. full-day kindergarten
THE FAMILY PET
Choosing the best pet for your household—and where to go in NWI to adopt, exercise or pamper the new family member
KID BITS Foster parents wanted
A PUBLICATION OF
NWI.COM/PARENT
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contents
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April/ mAy 2010
feature 24
ANIMAL HOUSE Kids and pets are a perfect combination—or are they? There’s a lot to consider before taking the plunge. BY MARK LOEHRKE
28
SYLVAN LEARNING Not just for remedial tutoring, Sylvan Learning centers offer programs to enrich and engage students at every level.
departments 6
KID BITS National Foster Care Month, support for grieving children, a new exhibit at the Adler Planetarium, and a local Montessori school receives recognition
8
OUR KIDS Three Northwest Indiana children follow their dreams
10
HEALTH CHECK Obsessive-compulsive disorder, and what you should know about insect bites and stings
12
SCHOOL NOTES Half- vs. full-day kindergarten, and programs to prevent plagiarism
16
TOT SPOT Mom’s first Mother’s Day, and local library programs for toddlers
20
MEAL TIME A Mother’s Day feast that the kids can prepare
22
FIT FAMILY Spring break shouldn’t be a break from fitness
23
TEEN SCENE Depression in teens must be taken seriously
30
REAL REVIEWS Products and websites to fit every family
32
FAMILY ROOM Not every household needs—or wants—a pet
6 22
in every issue 4 14
Editor’s Letter Calendar
april/may 2010
2
nwi.com/parent
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Run, romp, skip, and scamper into the ultimate indoor adventure. Move features large-scale pieces you can configure in countless ways to create a one-of-a-kind playscape that will get
(312) 527-1000 www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org
©2010 Eileen Ryan Pho
Chicago Children’s Museum Located at Navy Pier
tography
your heart—and imagination—racing!
april/may 2010
NWI PARENT ADVISORy BOARD
editor’s letter
FAIR OAKS FARMS 856 N 600 E Fair oaks, Indiana 877.536.1194 OMNI HEALTH & FITNESS CONNECTION 221 Us 41 schererville, Indiana 219.865.6969 PEOPLES BANK 9204 Columbia Ave Munster, Indiana 219.836.4400 SyLVAN LEARNING Multiple locations 1.888.EDUCATE
few
things in life are as polarizing as parenting issues: co-sleeping, breastfeeding, Publisher Bill Masterson, Jr. immunizations, home schooling, spanking . . . everyone has an opinion, and no one is afraid Associate Publisher/Editor Pat Colander to express it. We can even add to this list the matter of the family pet. There are those Director of Product Development Chris Loretto who think pet ownership’s a bad idea—and those who can’t imagine life without their Managing Editor Kathy MacNeil furry friends. Art Director Joe Durk I grew up in a militantly pet-free household, but I am now raising my own children with a Designers April Burford, Matt Huss cat and a dog, so I’m familiar with both sides of the debate. When I was young, my parents Assistant Managing Editor Julia Perla were of the opinion that animals (and the accompanying allergies, odor, mess, noise and Contributing Editors Heather Augustyn, Ashley Boyer, general chaos) didn’t belong in the house. Juli Doshan, Jane Dunne, Rob Earnshaw, Case closed. Patricia Gurnak, Rick Kaempfer, And they’ve got a point. In my home, no Mark Loehrke, Debi Pillarella, matter how fastidious we are (and let’s face Stephanie Precourt, Erika Rose, it, who has time to be fastidious?) there is a Carrie Steinweg, Sharon Biggs Waller fine layer of pet hair that blankets every exposed surface. Grass and mud are Photographer Robert Wray tracked in from the dog’s frequent Advertising Managers outdoor excursions. We light a lot of Deb Anselm, Frank Perea, scented candles. We are on constant Jeffrey Precourt alert after the cat eats (or “loads,” to hear as we prefer to call it), awaiting the We want, so ease pl SALES OFFICES u yo from ur comments telltale choking noises that warn of Crown Point - 219.662.5300 yo l emai estions an impending hairball expulsion— Munster - 219.933.3200 and sugg to us at: aimed at the carpet, of course. And Valparaiso - 219.462.5151
Tell Us Whka!t You Thin
PuBLISHED By Lee Enterprises/ The Times of Northwest Indiana/ Niche Productions Division 601 W 45th Ave., Munster, Indiana 46321
eedback@ NWIParentFes nwitim .com
we spend a small fortune on quality food, treats, vet visits, flea prevention, and kennel (a.k.a. “camp”) stays. But every time we have to turn up the TV because the contentedly sleeping cat is snoring so loudly; or when the excited dog bowls me over with unconditional love, just because I did him the honor of coming home from an errand; or when the animals worriedly stand guard over a sick child—I’m reminded why our household wouldn’t be complete without them. Sure, there’s a lot to be said for peace, quiet and a pristine house—but if we truly required those things, I guess we never would have had children. If you have decided not to be a pet owner, you’re not alone (see Rick Kaempfer’s take on staying pet-free on page 32). But if you are considering getting a pet, or are even just adding to a current menagerie, we’ve got some answers to your questions (and if you don’t have any questions, you should!) in our “Animal House” feature on page 24. Of course, make sure to check out all of our regular departments, too, and don’t forget to visit our daily updated website, nwi.com/parent, where we’re keeping you posted 24/7 on all of the news, events, resources and destinations that impact families in our area. (While you’re there, make sure you sign up for our free email newsletter, delivered to your inbox every week.) I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our NWI Parent sponsors—Fair Oaks Farms, Omni 41 Health & Fitness Connection, Peoples Bank and Sylvan Learning—who are partnering with us this year as yet another reflection of their commitment to the children of our region. In upcoming editions, look for more in-depth coverage of their valuable services (starting this issue with Sylvan Learning on page 28) and for news of the special family-friendly events that they will be hosting throughout the year. We are proud to join with them in a common goal to strengthen the families of Northwest Indiana, and hope to see you out there, too. Kathy MacNeil
Check out nwi.com/parent, where you’ll find: • • • • •
CoPyrIghT, rEPrINTs AND PErMIssIoNs: you must have permission before reproducing material from NWI Parent magazine. NWI Parent magazine is published six times each year by Lee Enterprises, The Times of Northwest Indiana, Niche Division, 601 W 45th Ave, Munster, IN 46321.
Volume 4 — Issue 2
TimeOut april/may 2010
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fresh new articles and information every day entertaining and inspirational blogs by area parents our comprehensive calendar of events local destination and resource listings the place to sign up for our weekly “New Arrivals” newsletter, packed with up-to-the-minute news and happenings
nwi.com/parent
kid bits
News and Notes from Northwest indiana
By roB EArNshAw
Demand for quality foster parents grows
SuPPORT FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN
M
ay is National Foster Care Month, a reminder that nurturing adults can make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in need. Many of those reside in Indiana, where in Lake County alone, the Indiana Department of Child Services investigates more than 3,000 cases of child abuse and neglect each year. “Children are constantly being removed from their parents because of abuse or neglect, so we’re constantly getting referrals,” says Gloria Person, foster care coordinator at Campagna Academy in Schererville. The problem, Person says, is that there are not enough foster parents. “We need to make sure we have enough foster parents to hopefully address the issue of children in foster care,” she says. Foster parents can be single, divorced, married or widowed and must be at least 21 years old. Requirements include submitting to criminal record and child abuse registry checks and 30 hours of pre-service training. Potential foster parents must take First Aid, CPR and Universal Precautions training, and also undergo a home study and safety inspection. They are also required to have a working telephone, access to transportation, and bedroom space for each foster child. Foster parents must earn adequate income to financially support their own family without reliance on the monthly foster parent stipend. Training to become a foster parent is available at the campus of Campagna Academy. “It’s so important to have a nurturing home that has a safe environment for the children to live in,” Person says. “Foster care is just a temporary placement for children who have been removed from their family due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. We want to make that experience a good and safe experience for all foster children.” Foster parent Marian May of Merrillville says, “My foster child Lanell came to my home at age 17, and changed my world and that of my other children; he’s been a wonderful addition to the household. There are lots of children that get into the system through no fault of their own, but that of their parents. Now I have another 13-year-old foster boy I’m taking care of, and I can say the entire fostering experience continues to prove very rewarding.” Her foster child Lanell notes, “I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for my second chance in life with Mom Marian. I suspect I’d be behind bars or out on the streets, running around with the wrong crowd and no prospects for a future. Today, I’m majoring in criminal justice at IUN. With just two years left, I plan to get a job in law enforcement and then give back to society by helping other kids in need.” For more information on Campagna’s foster care program, call 219.322.8614 ext 396 or visit campagnaacademy.org.
april/may 2010
Marian May with foster son, Lanell
Statistic: In 2007, 18,380 Indiana children were victims of abuse and neglect. (National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect) Some Licensed Child Placement Agencies • Campagna Academy (schererville), 219.322.8614 • Children Are the Future (gary), 219.981.0750 • Family Compass (highland), 219.838.0421 • KidsPeace (Merrillville), 219.736.1308 • Lifeway for youth (Merrillville), 219.769.0464 • Mentor (Merrillville), 219.769.8821 • National youth Advocate (griffith), 219.838.9501 • PsI (Merrillville), 219.756.8201 • The Villages (Portage), 219.762.3465 • White’s residential & Family services (Merrillville), 219.945.5700 • Willowglen (gary), 219.886.1320
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There is an abundance of support groups for adults to help them through various difficult stages in their lives. But sometimes we forget about children, especially those dealing with the loss of a loved one. hospice of the Calumet Area offers such a support group for children ages 6 to 12. “healing hearts for Kids” is a six-week program led by susan Adrians, a certified grief recovery specialist and licensed professional counselor. “This gives a child the opportunity to be with other children who’ve lost someone,” Adrians says. “sometimes the parent or guardian may not be able to comfort their child because they’re dealing with their own grief. This is the place where children can come and share whatever they need to share regarding that.” Parents are invited to observe their children in the setting, and Adrians gears each activity according to the needs of the children and their ages. “Doing this is one of my greatest joys,” Adrians says. “What I appreciate is when something is healing inside them—that they’re being healed someway by this experience.” For information on the next six-week program, contact Adrians at 708.418.8671.
TODDLER | PRESCHOOL | BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL | KINDERGARTEN | ELEMENTARY
It’s more than just preschool.
Families blast off at new Adler exhibit Traditionally, Chicago’s Adler Planetarium was geared towards adult audiences. A new exhibit set to blast off on March 26 is about to change that. Planet Explorers is a new immersive exhibition where children ages 3 to 8 can journey from earth and through space to the mysterious Planet X. “We really want to work on transforming the Adler into a spacescience exploration center and grow our audience to include families with young children,” says Karen Carney, Adler’s education director and creator of the new exhibit. “It’s really important to get children excited and enthusiastic about space-science and exploring how we solve problems.” The adventure begins on earth in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home and backyard where kids explore their own planet. “We wanted to set
up all these parallels between earth, space and other planets so they would start out with something familiar and comforting,” Carney says. “Once we establish our ideas in the home we compare it explicitly to space and other planets.” The exhibit allows children to suit up as an astronaut, role-play as members of Mission Control, climb into the cockpit of a rocket and search for clues among the rocks and caves of Planet X. The exhibit has several experiences for the entire family to share. “We want there to be things that surprise, delight and inform parents as well as the kids,” Carney says. Planet Explorers is included in the price of general admission to the Adler Planetarium. For information call 312.922.7827 or visit adlerplanetarium.org.
©2009 MIDS
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| HAMMOND, IN 46320 | 219.932.5666
Accredited by American Montessori Society Montessori Children’s Schoolhouse welcomes children of any sex, race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin.
Photography by Ann Latinovich © 2010 MIDS mcs00309
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Montessori Children’s Schoolhouse in Hammond recently was honored with proclamations from both Governor Daniel’s office and Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr.’s office. The proclamations officially recognized February 21-27, 2010, as Montessori Education Week. MCS has been educating children since 1968, and was among the first Montessori schools in the nation to be fully accredited by the American Montessori Society. MCS currently offers programs for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten, elementary, and before and after school. This coming fall, they plan to begin a middle school program. This year is the 103rd anniversary of Montessori education worldwide, an organization that follows the methods of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose philosophy promotes self-reliance, a love of learning, and respect for oneself and others.
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our kids
sue Bero, freelance journalist and mother of two adult sons, lives in schererville with her husband, Bill.
By suE BEro
Compassion and Commitment shArdAi Gossett, 17
Alec Moseley, 14
cheyenne GArpow, 14
Shardai Gossett of Gary says she always puts her studies first, a practice that is paying dividends for the Calumet High School senior, who will serve as class valedictorian when she graduates in June. “I always put my studies first, no matter what. I quit my job earlier this year just so I could focus more on what’s important—my education,’’ says Gossett, daughter of Matisha and William Gossett of Gary. She returned to work in January at Popeye’s restaurant in Griffith after being satisfied her study and work school schedules would jibe. But Gossett’s life is not just about going to school and working outside of it. Besides being chosen for the National Honor Society, she is a member of the Vibrant Orations in Constant Evolution (VOICE) poetry group that she and English teacher Charmaine Wierzbicki started last year. Gossett was recognized for that accomplishment with the school’s Principal’s Award. She also is a member of the Scribes of Undying Light (SOUL) poetry group at her church, House of Hope in Chicago, where she recently completed a 22-week theology course on Saturdays and “learned a lot about myself I didn’t know.’’ Gossett, who also is an avid runner, has a vision to help others, by first becoming a nurse. “But I’m not going to stop there; I want to be a surgeon. I want to make an impact on the lives of others. I see so many people who need assistance every day and I just want to be that person to show someone cares about them.’’
Alec Moseley is hooked on Dancing with the Stars and now is dancing up a storm, as evidenced by his being named Top Pro-Am Male Junior ballroom dance champion at the 32nd Ohio Star Ball dance competition, which is the largest in the nation. The son of Brandy Hart and Steven Moseley, both of Griffith, Moseley was introduced to the popular television show by his grandmother, Ida Grove, also of Griffith. “My grandmother wanted me to see the show. I thought it was awesome—the footwork and stuff,’’ says the Griffith Middle School eighth-grader, who went on to take lessons at Premiere Dance Studio in Schererville and won the aforementioned dance title after only two years of lessons, which he takes for two hours a day, two to four days per week. He has won numerous other competitions, with 178 first place titles and 12 second place finishes to his credit, and was recently named Top Junior in the 2010 Indiana Challenge at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville. Coming up in June is the Chicago Crystal Ball, where he previously won a first place award. Moseley, who has played soccer, basketball and golf, calls dancing his new, favorite sport. “I dance just to have fun. You don’t have to win or lose; just do your best.’’ Moseley also developed a passion for cooking and baking from watching television and even sold his wares to help pay for dance lessons. “I learned a lot from TV,’’ he says.
Cheyenne Garpow used her hobby to help benefit victims of the Haiti earthquake. The Benjamin Franklin School eighthgrader, who is the daughter of Michelle and Bill Garpow of Valparaiso, recently donated more than $100 to the cause after selling twelve pairs of “peace’’ and “flower’’ earrings she made. Those funds, along with others the school raised through a bake sale, were donated to the American Red Cross effort to help the victims. Garpow, who started in the hobby making bracelets, says her interest was piqued by a neighbor who made jewelry. “I had some handed-down, colored beads from my great-grandfather. I wanted to make bracelets and earrings for myself and my family,’’ she says. Regarding the items she sold to help the quake victims, Garpow adds, “I felt I helped somebody and I felt better about myself.’’ These days she is gearing up for a Locks of Love sale in May. “I hope to have a lot [of jewelry] done by then,’’ she says. The honor student also is a member of the Junior Honor Society, serves as a tutor and works with a program “creating a safe school to stop bullying and teasing to make everyone feel like they belong.’’ Garpow is a member of the Builders Club, a service group sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Volleyball and reading also are favorite pastimes. Garpow, who is a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, says she reads every night and “whenever I can.’’
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health check By ErikA rosE
erika Rose is a freelance journalist who primarily covers health news in Northwest Indiana. erika and her husband Kevin live in Highland with their two girls, morgan and Alexandra.
Does My Child Have
Insect BItes and stIngs NWI PAreNt talks to: Dr. sanjay Patel is an asthma and allergy specialist with Medical specialists of Indiana.
With bugs and bees just waiting to pounce with the coming of spring, Dr. Sanjay Patel addresses some common concerns about allergies to insect venom.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, one in 200 children and adolescents suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an anxiety disorder characterized by “recurrent, intense obsessions and/or compulsions that cause severe discomfort and interfere with day-to-day functioning.”
A
licia Doolin, lead psychiatric therapist in St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers’ behavioral health department, says that while the disorder is more common in adults, kids as young as 10 have been known to show early signs of OCD. Well before the disorder becomes apparent in adulthood, she says, an individual may show some anxiety tendencies in childhood. They may be worriers or desire a high level of order in their room and their lives. The thoughts, she explains, are usually based on a fear; sufferers cope with the fear by developing compulsive behaviors that relieve the anxiousness when performed. The difference between normal childhood behaviors and a clinical disorder, Doolin says, is when the behavior becomes recurrent and irrational and disrupts the child’s functioning. Children who feel safe and comfortable when going to bed with a teddy bear are very normal, for example, but perhaps not when their anxiety frequently goes through the roof without it. There are some common behaviors associated with OCD such as frequent hand washing, hoarding, keeping order, checking things over and over, and mental acts such as counting, repeating words and avoiding. “There is that connection that somehow the world is out of order and I can control it by doing these things,” Doolin says.
Doolin advises seeking out professional help whenever the child’s recurrent behaviors are interfering with his or her daily life and whenever there is any doubt that there may be a problem developing. Not only can a therapist distinguish between a clinical problem and normal childhood behaviors, but a therapist is neutral, without the emotional connection and worry, fear and panic of parents that often compound the problem. To help children through their disturbing thoughts and fears, Doolin urges parents to be observant, ask questions and keep the lines of communication open. Above all, avoid blaming the child or showing your frustration. Treatment of OCD, Doolin says, could involve antianxiety medications and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a very guided process of teaching them that they can ride out the anxiety without the behavior and then stopping the behavior that follows the thought. Whatever the case, Doolin says parents should never take these steps into their own hands. Seek out a board-certified child psychiatrist or a mental health professional with no less than a master’s degree. She says early intervention is key, as the disorder can have a profound effect on a child’s self-esteem. “You don’t want this to hurt their sense of who they are,” Doolin says.
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How do I know if my child is having an allergic reaction to an insect sting? Many people confuse a large local reaction to a bug bite or sting—such as severe redness and pain—with an allergic reaction. Typically, an allergy would be indicated by a more systemic reaction, such as severe swelling, shortness of breath or hives on areas of the body other than the site of the sting. While these reactions aren’t common, they would typically occur within one hour after the sting, and would require medical assistance. A local reaction by itself doesn’t warrant an emergency room visit. simply treat with over-the-counter pain medications and watch it closely for a secondary reaction such as a fever. Can some children be more prone to allergic reactions than others? There appears to be some genetic predisposition to insect sting allergies. Children with asthma or other allergies and those with allergic family members seem to be more prone to an allergic reaction. still, there isn’t much that can be done for prevention until a reaction is observed. My child experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past. Other than keep her indoors, what can I do to protect her against future episodes? If the child has had a previous systemic reaction to an insect sting, consider blood and skin testing to determine whether an actual allergy is present. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, carries a 97 percent protection rate against future reactions. Without such treatment, a child has a 60 percent chance of having another reaction when stung in the future.
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school notes
Carrie steinweg (carriesteinweg.com) is a freelance writer who lives in lansing with her husband Paul and five sons.
By cArriE stEiNwEg
the Kindergarten Question:
HALF-DAy Or FuLL-DAy? portunities beyond what you can do in a half day.” Since kids come to the kindergarten classroom at such varied learning levels, Schmidt suggests that fullday kindergarten helps to level the playing field. “Some kids come to us not having some experiences. It’s hard to build those experiences and cover content in that half-day frame,” she says. “Low income kids are likely not to have had those experiences and background.” The experiences she’s referring to aren’t limited to being enrolled in a preschool program where basics like numbers, letters and colors are learned, but also family field trips and life experiences, things like going to a library or a zoo. Michelle Blazer recently moved with her family to Valparaiso and her son, Liam, attends a half-day kindergarten program in the Duneland Schools. Although she could have enrolled him in full-day kindergarten for a fee, she opted for half-day. Liam had previously been enrolled in a full-day program at a private school in Illinois. “I personally think that Liam is doing better in half-day kindergarten, the main reason being that he absolutely hated the mandatory nap time,” says Blazer. “He often got in trouble because he just could not lay still. He wanted to stay up and keep learning and playing. Now that he is in half-day, I feel that he is learning more and generally enjoying the experience so much more.” Blazer says she plans to also send her daughter to a half-day program. “I think full-day is just a bit overwhelming at this age,” she says. Heather Finnegan, a former preschool teacher who is now a Lansing stay-at-home mom, says, “My opinion is that if you are home and willing to do things with your child, half-day is the way to go. For parents that work, full-day may be a more convenient option.” She plans to send her older son to a half-day program next year in Munster. Some schools have still more options, like Highland Christian School, which offers three full days, five full days or five half days.
the concept of kindergarten was brought to the U.S. from Germany in the 1830s. It was designed as a space of self-directed, unstructured play for children, absent of formal academic instruction.
K
indergarten today is seen in a much different light with benchmarks, sight words and math skills considered necessary before a child moves on to first grade. While play is still part of the day, it’s much more academically focused than its creators had intended. With more to learn, debates over the merits of half-day vs. full-day programs continue. In Northwest Indiana, some schools offer a full-day option, but enrolling your child in one can be expensive. Paula Dailey’s older son, Tyler, attended the half-day kindergarten program last year at Dyer’s Protsman Elementary School, where a full-day program costs $1,800 and the demand exceeds the available slots. “Since there are so many requests for full-day, it goes to a lottery and they literally draw the names of those students for full-day,” she says. “I opted for the half-day option because I was at home with my little guy anyway, and figured one of the kids whose parents both work could have the slot and Tyler wasn’t ready for it.” In the Valparaiso Schools, full-day kindergarten is not yet an option. “We would prefer a full-day program, but didn’t feel that we could take on another underfunded mandate,” says Superintendent Mike Benway. “We’re about the only state in the union that doesn’t have fully funded kindergarten.” Benway says the cause of the district’s decision is threefold. “One: it’s underfunded and we couldn’t assume the cost. Two: the board felt that full-day kindergarten is important and the state should support it 100 percent, and three: we objected to the fact that we would have to charge some families.” Stacey Schmidt, director of elementary education, believes a full-day experience best meets kids’ needs. “I taught full-day kindergarten in Kansas City, so I know firsthand the benefit,” she says. “It allows you to go deeper into the curriculum and provide op-
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TEChNoLogy TrACK
‘Turn It In’ program prevents student plagiarism In the old, pre-Internet days, proving a student was guilty of plagiarism could be a grueling job for teachers, involving flipping through mounds of publications. That job is easier for teachers today, as matching up phrases and paragraphs from a student’s research paper or essay is as easy as clicking a mouse. At Munster High School, English department chairperson David Russell says that a software program called “Turn It In” has been used there for at least six years to reduce plagiarism. The school pays an annual fee for the software. “We can have either teachers or students turn in a work that is submitted electronically and within about five minutes we have results,” Russell says. “Quotes or lines in that work may come back highlighted immediately.” Russell says that the program has done extensive updating to its database since it has been in use, so it’s hard for kids to slip something past the program. It has even come back with cases showing a paper that was copied as much as 80 to 90 percent from another source. “It has become increasingly more accurate as far as finding things for us,” he says. English teachers aren’t the only ones putting the program to use. Russell says teachers in the science, history and foreign language departments use it as well, and the program is also used in other area high schools, including Crown Point High School. For parents who want to check their child’s paper or students who want to be sure their work doesn’t closely resemble something that’s been published, a free download of “Viper,” an essay-scanning program, can be found at scanmyessay.com.
HOME BUYER PROGRAM Step into YOUR Dream Home. Dates & Locations:
> March 31stMunster Banking Center 9204 Columbia Avenue > July 7thGary Banking Center 1801 25th Avenue
> May 5thValparaiso Banking Center 2905 Calumet Avenue
Time for all the seminars: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
You may qualify for a lower down payment with expanded qualifying criteria. Upon loan approval, First-Time Home Buyers will receive the following benefits: > > > >
50% Off Underwriting Fees $25 Appraisal Discount Free Credit Report Down Payment Assistance Available
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For more information or to register contact us at (219) 853-7500, or on the web at www.ibankpeoples.com. Please register no later than 5 days prior to the event.
Member FDIC
calendar
By Juli DoshAN
edUCAtIoN
PerFormANCe/ArtS
SPeCIAl eveNtS
ONGOING FYSB Parent Enrichment Workshops, Tuesdays 4:30-6:30pm, Family and Youth Services Bureau, 253 W Lincolnway, Valparaiso. 219.464.9585. This group focuses on strengthening the family unit, and discusses topics such as: how to avoid power struggles, choosing effective discipline, the power of encouragement, how to instill the desire to cooperate, and more.
ONGOING The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy, University Park. 708.235.2222. centertickets.net. The Center for Performing Arts is celebrating 11 years of promoting cultural enhancement on the south side of Chicago through world-class performing arts productions and arts education. May 1: Patchwork—The Little House Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
MAR 27 Hammond’s Annual Easter Egg Hunts, 9-10am: Forsythe Park (west on 119th St); 10-11am: Columbia Park (Columbia Ave & Michigan St); 11am-noon: Edison Park (Spruce & Jackson Sts); noon-1pm: Dowling Park (174th & J.F. Mahoney Dr). 219.853.6378. Children 12 and under (age groups: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) should bring their own Easter baskets to this free event. special prizes will be awarded to the child who finds the golden egg.
ONGOING The Memorial Opera House, 104 E Indiana Ave, Valparaiso. 219.548.9137. memorialoperahouse.com. As the name suggests, this renovated, 364-seat building—with red, white and blue stained-glass windows—was built as a living memorial to the Civil War veterans of Porter County. Apr 9-11, 16-18: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
APR 10 Spring Fest, St. Thomas More School, 8435 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.9151. stm-school.com. This fundraiser for st. Thomas More school will offer activities for the entire family, including children’s games, food and raffles.
ONGOING Southlake County Mother of Multiples Club, first Tue of every month, 7pm, Wesleyan Church, 2920 W 73rd Pl, Merrillville. slcmoms.org. This club is a support group for mothers of twins and/or higher multiples living in south Lake and Porter counties, and it holds monthly meetings, Mom’s Night outs and family events. MAR 27 Kids in the Kitchen, 9am-noon, Stanley Clark School, 3123 Miami St, South Bend. 574.283.0636. jlsouthbend.org. sponsored by the Junior League of south Bend, the goal of this event is to raise awareness and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and related health issues. The event will feature 10 booths designed to increase awareness, offering demonstrations, education, games and activities. APR 11 Family Nature Crafts, 1pm, Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, 6201 Parrish Ave, Hammond. 219.844.3188. lakecountyparks.com. Families can celebrate Earth Day while learning something new about nature and making a recycled sculpture to take home at this afternoon event. registration is required three days in advance of the event, because space is limited. APR 20 American Teens in Crisis Professional Seminar, registration 7:30-8am, seminar 8am-3:30pm, Strongbow Inn, Valparaiso. sponsored by PATh (A Positive Approach to Teen health), this seminar is open to professionals, parents and students, and a variety of speakers will discuss communication strategies, high-risk behavior and the benefits of delaying sexual activity. APR 21-22 Rhythm ’n’ Hues, 9:30am and noon, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.0525. nisorchestra.org. First- and second-graders will have an opportunity to experience music and art at this collaboration between the Northwest Indiana symphony orchestra and south shore Arts. rhythm will be taught through word phrases and the opportunity to play different percussion instruments, and then children will participate in a music-related art activity. register by Mar 24. Also, Apr 30-May 1: young People’s Competition.
ONGOING The Theatre at the Center, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter.com. This theater, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, has the distinction of being the only professional equity theater in Northwest Indiana, and showcases the artistry of professional actors, musicians and designers from throughout the Midwest. Through Mar 20: The Diary of Anne Frank. APR 8-MAY 2 The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites, The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago. 866.811.4111. chicagochildrenstheatre. org. This premiere draws upon the magic of black light and fluorescent puppet creations to capture the charm of three classic Eric Carle stories. The Mermaid Theatre of Nova scotia’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and Mixed-Up Chameleon are presented by the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Field Museum, and free admission to the museum will be provided with each paid ticket to the show. APR 28-MAY 2 Sesame Street Live—Elmo’s Green Thumb, Star Plaza Theatre, I-65 & US 30, Merrillville. 219.769.6600. starplazatheatre.com. Now in its 30th season, Sesame Street Live comes to the star Plaza with its newest adventure. Children will learn timeless lessons about patience and overcoming fears as Elmo tries to figure out what to do with his sunflower, sunny, after it outgrows its flower pot. MAY 8 Smucker’s Stars on Ice, 7:30pm, Allstate Arena, 6920 N Mannheim Rd, Chicago. 800.745.3000. starsonice.com. olympic gold medal winner and Naperville native Evan Lysacek headlines this tour, which also features sasha Cohen, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit the Boys & girls Clubs of America.
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APR 17 Spring Kids Closet Sale, 8am-noon, Butterfield Family Pavilion, Evans & Calumet, Valparaiso. 219.921.0803. Tables are on sale now for this event, which is open to the public and offers over 30 tables of gently worn baby and children’s clothing, gear and toys. This popular event is a fundraiser for Mothers & More of Porter County. MAY 22-23 60th Anniversary Celebration, Jeanne’s Dance Academy, 1535 N Cline Ave, Griffith. 219.838.2813. In celebration of 60 years of teaching dance in Northwest Indiana, owner Jeanne Laich is hosting a celebration party for alumni of the academy (May 22nd) and a big show/Ball (May 23). Call for more information.
Get the word out! If your organization has a family-friendly event that takes place in late May or later, and you would like it to be considered for inclusion in NWI Parent magazine, please send a detailed description of your event—with complete contact information—to kmacneil@nwitimes.com by May 1.
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how did you spend your first Mother’s day? Share your experiences and creative ideas with us at nwiparentfeedback@ nwitimes.com.
library Programs For toddlers
TimeOut
The library is one of America’s greatest institutions, and today’s libraries offer more than books. Even though your toddler can’t read yet, he or she can benefit greatly from the library. “Children do better in school when they learn certain skills before they reach kindergarten,” says Marianne Davison, library clerk at Thomas Library in Chesterton. “The activities in our programs help kids learn those essential skills.” Programs for toddlers are offered throughout the month at Lake and Porter County libraries and weekly at Westchester Township libraries. Here are a few samples of what’s available:
Mom’s First
M ther’ ther’S Day
WestchesteR tOWNshIP Thomas, Chesterton; Hageman Library, Porter Visit website for dates, times and registration information, if applicable: http://wpl.lib.in.us
The first Mother’s Day is an important event in a new mommy’s life. “It’s a momentous occasion,” says Raymond Brickner from the Flower Cart in Chesterton. “People really want to mark the day with a very special gift. Things can be easily personalized with a photograph of the baby. We have music boxes with frames on the front of the box. We also have night lights with frames.” Photos can easily be downsized to fit inside a locket or custom imbedded into a charm for a bracelet or necklace (poshtots.com and collectionsetc.com).
Tickle Tales An hour-long lap-sit program for children aged 9 to 20 months. the first 15 to 20 minutes are spent reading shared board books, joining in finger plays and shaking instruments along with music. the remaining time is spent playing with baby toys and exploring the children’s library.
Many florists will help personalize a bouquet. Brickner says they offer several choices, such as Mommy’s Precious Jewels, which is a vase arrangement with a bracelet or necklace made of beads from the child’s birthstone (flowercartchesterton.com). Home videos have changed a lot since the ’60s, and creating a DVD from video clips of the birth and baby’s first photos can be a cherished gift. It doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Smileshow, a DVD creation service, takes you step-by-step through the process (smileshowdvd.com). “New mothers really want to spend a little bit of time away from their babies,” says Tracey Campbell of Crown Point, mother of 2-year-old son, Aiden. “An afternoon at a spa or an hour massage is a real luxury.” Gift cards are available at most local spas and salons. Families choose to start family traditions from the first Mother’s Day. Brickner suggests a handmade paper “Mother’s Day” scrapbook where mother and child can fill the pages with written and photographic memories of each Mother’s Day.
april/may 2010
Toddler Time An hour-long lap-sit program designed for toddlers who are 2 to 3 years old. the first 30 minutes are spent in story time. the rest of the time is spent learning colors, rhymes and alphabet, and playing with the library’s castle and toy train. Story Time An hour-long program for children ages 4 to 6 years old. librarians read books for 45 minutes. while parents are required to stay in the library, they can go off and check out books of their own while the program is going on. the ongoing raising readers program encourages parents to
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read 1,000 books to their children before they reach kindergarten. prizes are given for each milestone, such as a tote bag for the first 100 books. LAke cOuNtY Central, Black Oak, Gary, Cedar Lake, DyerSchererville, 41st Avenue, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station-New Chicago, Munster, St. John Visit website for dates, times and registration information, if applicable: www.lakeco.lib.in.us Mother Goose on the Loose Munster Newborns and children up to 23 months old can participate in this lap-sit program to learn rhymes, songs and other activities geared to early childhood development. 2s & 3s Dyer-Schererville this 30-minute story period includes songs and activities geared toward 2- and 3-year-olds. Terrific 2s & 3s Munster this 30 to 45-minute story time for 2- and 3-year-olds is based on a monthly theme such as “moving and grooving.” Family Fun Central the entire family can enjoy
this story hour together. Afterward, they can stay and create a craft based on the story’s theme. PORteR cOuNtY Valparaiso, Portage, Hebron, Kouts, South Haven Visit website for dates, times and registration information, if applicable: www.pcpls.lib.in.us Mother Goose Portage Library children 18 months to 2 years old can interact with other children in mother goose, a six-week program that uses crayons, touch and feel books, games, bubbles and music. Tiny Tots Valparaiso Library this seven-week program is for children 2 to 2 1/2 years old, and is a social and learning experience for the child with his or her parent. 40 minutes are spent in a short story time with finger plays and social activities. Toddler Time Valparaiso, Portage, South Haven, Hebron and Kouts this 30-minute-long, seven-week program is for children 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old. Books are read out loud and children and their parents join in finger plays, activities, songs and crafts.
Behavioral Services * Developmental Therapy * Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy * Speech and Language Therapy
PARUL G. PATHAK, MD, FAAP
TAE’NI CHANG-STROMAN, MD, FAAP
LEVIN EYE CARE CENTER , ediatric & Family Vision Care , Vision therapy for learning related vision related problem , Stroke/Brain injury , Vision rceptual testing , Testing & Treatment for crossed lazy eyes , "!& & !% % , $ Eyewear Fashion Selection , anagement of Eye Diseases , Lasik Referral
Can Your Child ss This Test?
“Reading had always been a major chore--he would do the reading required to complete his schoolwork, but he never read for pleasure. After approximately one month of treatment, he became excited about books. He actually began asking to visit the library and began going to bed with books. This has been an answer to our prayers and an end to years of frustration. – L.P.
“My daughter was not doing well in school. She rarely picked up a book to read. The school told us they wanted to test her for a Learning Disability. About halfway through vision therapy, Jessica was doing her spelling homework and she said, “I can see the words on the list!�, and she spelled all the words correctly. Now she can do her spelling homework by herself. Jessica can read faster. Her teacher said that she has noticed an improvement in her reading comprehension. – K.S.
“My 8 year old son was having difficulty with reading. He would skip lines, miss words, and his reading was slow and labored. Since he had vision therapy, he enjoys reading, is reading closer to grade level and is making great progress. – B.Y.
Even though they had passed previous vision tests, each of these children had an undiagnosed vision problem that was interfering with their ability to read and learn. The vision problem was treated at the Levin Eye Care Center and their success speaks for itself.
Does your child: Have trouble reading? Have difficulty with spelling? Work slowly? Have a short attention span when reading? Omit numbers, letter or phrases? salign digits in number columns? Have poor handwriting? Confuse left and right? Rubs his/her eyes frequently? Repeatedly confuse words with similar beginnings and endings? If you checked any of these symptoms, it is a sign that your child may have an undiagnosed vision #$" / % '% &" * &" % ' ! appointment. It could make all the difference!
As seen in these magazines: Children’s Essentials Magazine Northwest Indiana Parent Magazine
Steven A. Levin, O.D., F.C.O.V.D. Board Certified & Celebrating 37 Years Experience in Vision Therapy National Optometrist of the Year Award & National Academies of Practice
God gives each child a unique set of gifts and abilities. It’s our job to help them learn. Through Christ-centered education, we awaken each heart, embrace each child, ignite each mind, and shape each character so that each child is ready to excel in life. When you entrust your child’s education to Highland Christian School, you can count on us to provide an academically excellent education for them.
OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, April 13TH 6:00-8:00pm PRESCHOOL CLASSES OFFERED Our curriculum is carefully planned around developmentally appropriate experiences allowing students to learn through discovery. We offer morning (8:45-11:15 a.m.) and afternoon (12:30-3:00p.m.)sessions.
Daily schedule includes:
s 3MALL GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES s 3TORY -USIC CIRCLES s 3NACKS s "IBLE STORIES MEMORY VERSES s &IELD TRIPS s #HRISTIAN HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE s 3PECIAL PROGRAM DAYS
Two Day Program –Tues. & Thurs.
$105.00 per month
Child must be at least 3 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in 2 day AM or PM classes
Three Day Program –Mon., Wed., & Fri.
$135.00 per month
#HILD MUST BE AT LEAST YEARS OLD BY 3EPT TO ENROLL IN DAY !- OR 0- CLASSES To download a registration form, visit our website at www.highlandchristian.org A $40.00 non-refundable registration fee is required per child.
KINDERGARTEN )N ADDITION TO CORE AREAS OF STUDY OUR CURRICULUM INCLUDES "IBLE GENERAL music, library, and gym. Children who are entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by September 1, 2010.
Classes offered:
1/2 day mornings from 8:30-11:45a.m FULL DAYS MEETS 4UES 7ED 4HURS FULL DAYS MEETS -ON THROUGH &RI
GRADES 1- 8 Class size average 18-24 students. !DVANCED PLACEMENT -ATH 3CIENCE FOR GRADES AND Technology instruction exceeds state standards 3PANISH FOR GRADES "AND AND CHORAL PROGRAMS FOR GRADE n Interscholastic sports for grades 6-8 "USSING IS AVAILABLE "EFORE AND !FTER 3CHOOL #ARE ON SITE
APPLY NOW! To discuss how a Christ centered education would beneďŹ t your child, please contact Jodi Lineburg, Development Director/Recruiter (219) 838-0356 x165 jlineburg@highlandchristian.org
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meal time
Jane Dunne has two sons, each married with three children, and she loves to cook with her grandchildren.
While smaller kids shouldn’t fool with ovens, they can help put the Caesar salad together from one of those handy kits. Also, with a plastic serrated knife, they can cut the tomatoes, sprinkle in a little dill weed and put them into a pretty bowl. young children who know how to write can create place cards and even a menu card for Mom—and I find that even my smallest grandchild can set a pretty good table.
By JANE DuNNE
dinner for
mom
old-fashioned chicken & biscuits
(4 ServingS) Try to purchase the healthier low-sodium condensed cream soups now offered in most supermarkets. If unavailable, just make sure you don’t add additional salt. Condensed lowsodium cream of chicken and cream of celery soups are good substitutions. • If you don’t want to roast your own, a rotisserie chicken from the deli department makes short work of this recipe, and the leftover pieces make great sandwiches.
When my two sons were still in their teens, and sleeping in on the weekends took on a life of its own, we switched from Mother’s Day breakfast to dinner, which I frankly preferred. The boys had become adept enough in the kitchen by then and could manage everything without their dad’s supervision. Since I keep everything, I resurrected one of their dinner menus from more years ago than I care to count! This dinner is comforting, colorful and even easier, now that we have such brilliant things as salad kits in a bag.
1
(10-3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can condensed broccoli/cheese soup, undiluted 2/3 cup whole milk 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning 2 cups cubed cooked chicken (rotisserie recommended) 2 cups (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables Freshly ground black pepper 1 egg, well beaten 1 package refrigerated biscuits (such as Grands)
easy lemon ice box cake
(8 ServingS) You’ll note that this cake makes 8 small servings instead of 4, but it is so delicious, extra helpings may be in order. Leftover cake slices, kept in a plastic container in the refrigerator, are lovely with coffee or tea for Mom’s breakfast. (We never had any leftovers!) 4 1 1 1
fresh lemons (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (8-by-4-inch) store-bought all-butter pound cake (3/4 pound to 1 pound), chilled. Thaw if frozen. can real whipped cream Crushed lemon drops for garnish
With a rasp or coarse side of a box grater, grate enough lemon zest (just the yellow rind) from 2 of the lemons to measure 2 teaspoons. Place the zest in a small mixing bowl. Into a measuring cup, squeeze enough juice from all the lemons to make 2/3 cup. Whisk the lemon juice and the condensed milk into the lemon zest. Chill until cold, at least 30 to 40 minutes. To assemble: With a serrated knife, cut the chilled cake in half into 2 blocks and trim crust from all sides. Cut each block horizontally into 4 (l/2-inchthick) squares. Halve each of the 8 squares diagonally into 2 triangles. For each serving, layer 2 triangles with lemon filling, offsetting the corners. Top each serving with whipped cream and a light sprinkling of crushed lemon drops.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, stir condensed soups, milk and poultry seasoning until blended. Add the cubed chicken and combine. Sprinkle in the frozen vegetables and a couple of grindings of black pepper. Mix gently, but completely. Taste for seasoning. Add salt only if necessary. Turn mixture into a nonstick 2-quart shallow baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken mixture is hot and bubbling. Toward the end of this cooking period, unwrap the biscuits. Leaving oven on, carefully remove the bubbling chicken mixture and stir it gently. Top with as many biscuits as will fit in one layer. Lightly brush the biscuit tops with a little beaten egg, which makes the biscuit tops golden and glossy. Return pan to the oven and bake 15 minutes more until the biscuits are golden brown. does your family have a special Serve immediately recipe that the children can cook with a side dish of for Mom and dad? Send it to nwiparentfeedback@nwitimes.com, cherry tomatoes.
mother’s day dinner: d
✱ Caesar Sala ✱ Old-Fashioned Chicken and Biscuits ✱ Halved Cherry Tomatoes Sprinkled with Dill Weed ✱ Lemon Ice Box Cake
and share it with other readers!
april/may 2010
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TimeOut
Jeanne's DANCE ACADEMY C E L E B R AT I N G REGISTRATION
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STARTS
ANY ALUMNI, PAST TEACHERS, STUDENTS, SECRETARIES,
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fit family
Debi Pillarella is the exercise program manager for the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, National Youth spokesperson for the American Council on exercise, certified personal trainer, and, most importantly, mother of two children. You can reach her at dpillarella@comhs.org.
By DEBi pillArEllA, m.ED., c.p.t.
fitness on the go Family fitness and nutrition ideas for spring break away from home
A
lthough spring break may be your chance to unwind, relax and get away from the doldrums of winter, it doesn’t have to be spent just chilling on a beach or snoozing by the pool. Few activities de-stress your family the way exercise does, and since exercise can involve anything from exploring the sights of a new city to jumping the waves as they crash against the shore, there are many opportunities to get some exercise for you and your family. exercise at the Airport You’re anxiously awaiting the boarding call for your flight, the kids are getting restless, and you want to find a way to pass the time; what should you do? Get up and get moving! • Briskly walk through the terminal. • If there are any stairs, climb them. • some airports actually have gyms located within. Log onto airportgym.com to see if visiting the gym for a quickie family workout might be an option.
exercise on the Plane The flight is long and the kids are getting bored. They’re sick of looking out the window into nothingness. Sitting for long periods of time impedes digestion and circulation and increases fatigue, so try some of these plane-friendly movements: • If the seatbelt sign has been turned off, now’s a great time to get up and move about the cabin. Take a walk to the rest room. If it’s occupied, instead of standing still, march in place to keep that blood flowing. • yoga classes from yogi2go.com can be downloaded as an MP3 file and transferred to your iPod.
exercise at the Hotel/resort/Condo After hours of sightseeing, waiting in line at the amusement park, or eating local cuisine, you find yourself at wits’ end and can really use some workout time. Grab your spouse and kids and let the adrenaline revitalize you. • Most hotels and resort facilities offer some type of fitness center. Call ahead and make sure there are activity/fitness things for your family to enjoy. It’s a great way to bond while getting healthy. • Locate a gym near your destination. The International health, racquet and sports Club Association has a health club locator website that lists fitness centers in the city you specify. • Use the hotel/resort grounds area for family walks. If your hotel/resort is beachside, use this time to walk in the sand, build sand castles, and make sure you get in the water to jump the waves.
exercise in the Car In between rounds of the “License Plate Game” or the “Counting Cows Game,” why not squeeze in a little fitness fun? Have Mom or Dad (whoever is not driving) climb in back and join in the fun. • Mommy says (Daddy says)—A “car fitness” version of the traditional simon says game. Use seated fitness cues and have fun with this classic game. Use cues like, “Mommy says do ten arm curls,” or, “Daddy says do five tummy squeezes” (draw in belly button while tightening abdominal muscles). • Copy That—have the kids copy the movement you do (or the movement their sibling does, if you’re the only adult in the car). For example, wiggle all your fingers, shake your arms, reach up and attempt to touch the ceiling, etc.
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Plane and car trips are mostly sedentary affairs. Add a little junk food at the airport, on the plane, or every time you gas up and the seat belts are guaranteed to be tighter by the end of the trip. It doesn’t have to be this way. With a little planning, your family can snack on better foods than chocolate candies and supersized treats. The following snack ideas are designed for easy access, and most importantly, to reduce the temptation to gobble up fattening foods along the way. To keep these snacks fresher for longer periods of time, bring along a small cooler. • Cut-up fruits and veggies (put in individual snack-sized bags) • rice cakes • homemade trail mix (use your kids’ favorite cereals, nuts, dried fruits, etc.) • Miniature raisin/cranberry (or other dried fruit) packages • Individual portion-sized cereal boxes (low sugar) • string cheese • granola bars or cereal bars • Individual portion-sized box of Animal Crackers or a sandwich bag filled with Animal Crackers (low in sugar compared to other cookies) • Crackers (read labels and avoid hydrogenated oils) • Water
teen scene
Heather Augustyn is a freelance journalist and “full-time mom.” Heather and her husband Ron live in Chesterton with their two boys, sid and Frank.
By hEAthEr AugustyN
teen depression More than just the blues If it weren’t for her friends who sensed something was wrong, Kim (last name withheld) would not be alive today. leaving debate practice early to go home and down two boxes of sleeping pills was the end of a series of signs she left her family and friends in the days leading up to her desperate attempt at suicide. But her alert and sensitive friends didn’t think she was simply being dramatic when she wrote poem after poem about death and gave them all a strange goodbye as she headed home that day. Instead, Kim’s friends called her house an hour later and received nonsensical conversation that was little comfort. the next call they made was to the police, and an ambulance rescued her and saved her life.
a
ccording to the National Institute of Mental health, depression occurs earlier in life today than in the past. In fact, 50 percent of mental illnesses begin by age 14. If this depression goes untreated, it can grow into worse conditions, such as addiction and harmful behavior, and even result in suicide. Todd Willis, director of children’s services at Porter-starke services, says that depression is common among our teens because of the active lifestyles we live. “It’s one of the more common mental illnesses we run into, along with anxiety. I think it’s because our lives are a lot more stressful and kids are running themselves down physically. Because depression is a chemical issue, there is a reason for more susceptibility if the body is tired. Teens don’t eat well to begin with, so they aren’t getting the natural nutrients to ward some of this stuff off. Plus, there are more family stresses as well. The economy is affecting families
complain about body aches and pain more than an adult would. We also look for changes in two areas—diet and sleep. They either eat not enough or too much, or they can’t sleep at night or else they can’t drag themselves out of bed. Also, things they used to have interest in before, they now demonstrate a lack of motivation and enthusiasm for those things. They also may have difficulty concentrating and just can’t focus,” he says. But how is a parent to tell the difference between typical teenage bad moods and real full-fledged depression? Willis says the critical elements are intensity and longevity. “It has to do with the intensity of the bad moods. When most kids just exhibit teenage behavior, they’re not talking about suicidal thoughts. so depression is more intense, and with depressions you’re looking at one to two straight weeks of exasperation,” Willis says. If left untreated, teenage depression can lead to greater difficulties. “short-term effects can be problems with school. obviously if a kid is depressed, their
and that translates down to the kids. Kids have to do more and maintain jobs,” Willis says. so when the body is physically drained and the chemistry of the mind is affected, depression may set in. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms as parents, Willis says. “symptoms are specific for teens, because depression is different in adults. Teens may not experience as much of the sadness or a general feel of hopelessness. Instead, it could show up as anger or irritability. They isolate themselves from family and friends. Kids are all about their social networks, so you’ll see them withdrawing from their friends,” Willis says. There are also physical symptoms as well. Willis says, “They might
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grades are going to suffer. They could also perform self-injury, such as cutting. If kids who are depressed don’t get treatment, long-term effects may be that they will try to self-medicate and turn to drugs to make themselves feel better. They end up coming out of this with a substance abuse problem. They may also attempt suicide if the depression is not addressed,” he says.
W
illis advises that the first step toward getting help is to take the teen to a family doctor. “Maybe their depression is medically related. A lot of people think they need to get on medications, but some depression may just be they’re running their body down or there is a physical explanation, so they need to get checked out. If the physician thinks it’s depression, a referral to a mental specialist is an option. The teen can then work with a therapist to change thought patterns, help to stop some of those negative thinking cycles, and develop better self-esteem. Many doctors choose to go try things with the teen’s diet. Another key is the importance of exercise, and many studies have found that cardio exercise is more effective than Zoloft, so part of our treatment is to get kids active. We want a pill in our society, but sometimes just getting active will fire up your system,” he says.
A CRY FOR HELP suicide awareness and prevention according to the american academy of Child & adolescent Psychiatry, “suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-yearolds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds.” Hearing a teen talk about suicide is not a dramatic gesture. When parents, teachers or peers hear a teen talking or writing about death, getting help right away is critical. according to Willis, “It’s better to take it seriously and get them into a therapist or psychiatrist right away. For extreme cases there’s hospitalization, where they can balance out during short stays where doctors can look at their medical condition and get them balanced. kids are dying and you have to take it seriously.”
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animal BY MARk LOehRke
house
BeFore yoU BrING A Pet INto yoUr Home, mAKe SUre to do yoUr reSeArCH
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that almost 60 percent of U.S. households own a pet, meaning that one can assume that the other 40 percent— or at least the percentage of that percentage that includes kids—probably have at least confronted the possibility at one point or another. After all, most kids love animals, which means pets and childhood often go together like peanut butter and jelly—an appealing combination in theory, but occasionally a sticky, ungainly mess in practice. • Bringing a four-legged friend into the family needn’t be a disastrous sitcom episode waiting to happen, of course, but it’s not a simple consumerist decision either, like getting a new waffle iron. Having a family pet can be a rewarding, uplifting experience for kids, adults and animals alike, but there are plenty of issues to consider before taking the plunge.
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match Game one of the first things to consider and, indeed, one of the crucial steps in getting the family pet decision right, is settling on the right pet for your family. Take the classic Labrador retriever, for example, which enjoys a reputation as the ultimate family pet—insanely popular, good with kids, perfect for family photo shoots. still, a Lab’s clumsy enthusiasm can often be like having another little toddler around the house, a combination of size and energy that not every family may be ready to handle. A cat, on the extreme other hand, seems like the ultimate family pet for those who aren’t looking for much of an intrusion—selfcleaning, fairly self-sufficient. But some cats’ independence might be off-putting for families looking for a more engaged, interactive member of the family. This is why it’s important to make an up-front assessment of what your family is looking for in a pet, not to mention what you’re willing to give in return. While pets of any kind can provide their owners (particularly children) with companionship, exercise and a sense of responsibility, the degree to which any of these benefits are desired is crucial in finding the right pet. A few things to keep in mind when trying to play personto-pet matchmaker:
All Paws on Deck Pets often come into families under one of two fairly common scenarios—as a precursor to the kids (a great parental training exercise, by the way) or as an impassioned request from the kids. In the latter case—which is usually characterized by relentless begging and a fair amount of guilt-based negotiation—the ultimate success of the request is commonly tied, at least in part, to the kids agreeing to share in the responsibility of caring for the new pet. of course, kids will make all kinds of enthusiastic promises when a cat or dog is on the line, but by the time 2-year-old Fido is waiting, leash-in-mouth, for another walk in the subzero darkness of deep midwinter, the all-for-one sense of camaraderie tends to wane. so how can you help keep the kids involved and make sure that the family pet remains a family responsibility? Here are a few ideas: • Make the dog’s walk a family walk—the communal exercise will do everyone good. • Incorporate pet-related chores—such as changing the cat’s litter box or feeding the dog—into the regular rotation alongside doing dishes or cleaning up rooms. • Encourage the kids to attend the dog’s obedience classes—
they’re not just trying to teach the dogs, after all. • Even the yearly vet checkup can be a family affair, not to mention an opportunity to hold Fido up as an example to the kids of how to be brave in the face of a needle. • let the kids help teach the dog or cat a new trick to give them a feeling of accomplishment and a lasting shared experience with the animal.
HELPING HANDS: If the goal is to have the kids take an active role in caring for the family pet, school-age children will likely prove more interested—and therefore more consistent—in tending to a dog or cat, whereas younger animal lovers may prove a better fit for a tank-bound starter pet like a guinea pig or lizard. INCOMPATIBLE MOTORS: Dogs that like to go, go, go are probably not a good fit for families that aren’t terribly active; keeping an energetic animal housebound or sedentary is an invitation to bad behavior.
LEASH-FREE AnD LOVIng IT Judging by the wagging tails and exuberant gaits, it’s safe to assume that to a dog, a walk around the neighborhood is truly one of the best things in life. After all, a romp in the fenced backyard may be a good way to blow off some steam and get some fresh air, but there’s nothing like a little exploration—a chance to see new things, take in new scents, and, if it’s a really great day, maybe even see a few new friends out on walks of their own. Even so, there’s still the matter of that leash tugging at the old collar, a constant reminder that matters like where, when and how long are clearly out of the dog’s paws. So how do you do a walk one better? With a visit to one of the area’s confined leash-free parks, where dogs of all shapes and sizes can run as fast as they want, frolic with as many friends as they want, and linger for as long as they want: DOgWOOD RUn— LEMOn LAkE COUnTY PARk 6322 w 133rd Ave, crown point, 219.769.7275 lakecountyparks.com/lemonlake.html open to the public during park hours.
HOME ALONE: A
takeoff on the point above, if an activity-packed schedule for four children leaves a pup spending almost every evening and weekend on its own, don’t be surprised to come home to a few unpleasant surprises courtesy of your mopey, misbehaving mutt. Busy families that might have trouble fitting a dog’s needs into the daily itinerary may be a better fit for a cat or rodent.
WICkER MEMORIAL PARk DOg RUn 8554 indianapolis Blvd, highland, 219.838.3420 wickermemorialpark.com open to the public during park hours. CAnInE COUnTRY CLUb 3554 sturdy rd, Valparaiso 219.548.3604 cccdogpark.com private—memberships/ day passes available. april/may 2010
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gimme shelter
Stevens advises prospective pet owners to “be honest with themselves about what they want versus what they can realistically handle” when considering a shelter animal. He also adds these helpful ideas for a successful shelter experience: • Before you go, assess your family’s needs, research a few breeds you may be considering, and get your questions for the shelter staff together. “Owner education and training are just as important, if not more so, than any training the dog will need.” • Once at the shelter, take a good walkthrough to gauge your reactions to the different animals and their reactions to you— but don’t take every first impression to the bank. “Don’t necessarily think that what you see at the shelter is what you’re going to take home. Some animals just need more time to warm up.” • Be sure to spend as much time as possible—preferably over multiple visits—with any animal you’re seriously considering to get a feel for how he or she behaves under different circumstances (playing, walking, quiet time) and reacts to different family members. “Make a decision to not make a decision the first time you go.”
Who can resist the siren call of the word “PUPPIES” or “KITTENS” blaring from a billboard or pet store window? It may as well say “CHOCOLATE” or “FREE MASSAGE” in terms of its lack of subtlety, its manipulative power, and, unfortunately, its utter irresistibility. There’s just very little about the notion of baby dogs and cats that would keep one away, and once in view—all stacked atop one another in a mountain of furry goodness or frolicking madly with bouncy ears and stubby tails—the distance between observation and purchase becomes almost a formality. “Puppies are cute and fuzzy and fun, but these places set people up to make a ten- to twenty-year commitment based on one brief emotional encounter,” says Chris Stevens of the LaPorte-based rescue organization Mixed Up Mutts. In other words, reason and good judgment tend to be unintentionally abandoned in this type of environment, which is why many people don’t stop to consider how many animals are already out there, waiting to be adopted into loving families. It’s an uphill battle for area shelters like Mixed Up Mutts, who must constantly grapple with issues of funding, overcrowding and manpower in tryTo find an animal ing to provide a (hopefully) temposhelter in your area, rary home for the seemingly endless please visit aspca.org/ adoption/shelters. stream of rescued pets that come into their care. FRIED’S CAT SHELTER Adopting a pet from a shelter has 509 S Ind Hwy 212 Michigan City its limitations, of course—specific 219.874.6932 popular breeds are rarely available, friedscatshelter.org puppies or kittens may be less prevHuMANE SOCIETy alent than full-grown dogs and cats, CALuMET AREA 421 45th Ave, Munster and some of the mistreated animals 219.922.3811 may need special attention in order hscalumet.org to rebuild their feelings of trust and LAKE COuNTy safety. Still, you’d be hard-pressed ANIMAL ADOPTION & CONTROL CENTERS to find animals that are more af3011 W 93rd Ave fectionate or more grateful for a Crown Point 219.769.7016 second chance. There may be a shortage of good MIxED uP MuTTS, INC. 1866 N 100 W, LaPorte homes for all of the needy animals 219.326.8887 in the Calumet Region, but there mixedupmutts.org is certainly no shortage of caring PORTER COuNTy people like Chris Stevens who are ANIMAL SHELTER 2056 Heavilin Rd trying to bridge the gap. Even if Valparaiso you’re not in the market for a new 219.465.3550 pet, they’d probably love to hear TREASuRED FRIENDS Highland from you about a donation of time, 219.381.8562 money or pet food. treasuredfriendsrescue.net
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The Pampered Life Is it a sad commentary on the state of humanity that pet owners will spend hundreds of dollars on organic treats, finely stitched clothing, and deluxe salon services for their dogs and cats? or is it an encouraging sign that people are valuing their pets as true members of the family? let’s face it, when confronted by the prospect of a dog-friendly birthday cake or a snuggie for the cat, chances are folks will either reflexively reach for their wallets or reflexively roll their eyes—there’s not a lot of middle ground here. • But for those owners looking to give their precious pets the best of everything, the litter of boutiques in the region catering to pampered pets and their indulgent caretakers with high-end products and services seems to grow by the week: BArK & meoW 108 E lincolnway Valparaiso 219.477.3600 If the mass-produced treats at the big chain stores aren’t quite getting the job done at reward time, surely some of the fanciful, fresh-from-the-bakery items at this compact shop will do the trick. With their colorful frosting and fun designs, even owners may be tempted to take a bite—and given the people-friendly natural ingredients that go into them (like peanut butter and granola), they can.
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doGtoPIA 1830 45th street Munster 219.513.9520 dogdaycare.com there are day care centers for actual human offspring that probably don’t put as much thought and effort into the calling as this brand new franchise, with its webcam monitoring for owners and variety of themed playrooms for their pups. a day spa (“pawdicure,” anyone?) and boutique help round out the jet-set experience.
HUNGry HoUNd 8243 Wicker ave st. John 219.365.5543 hungryhound.com after a salon-worthy grooming, what dog wouldn’t want to pick out just the right designer sweater or jewel-encrusted collar to complete the haute couture look? he or she can do just that at this one-stop shop of natural products and upscale services.
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special sponsor feature Walking into the schererville sylvan Learning Center for the first time on a recent saturday morning, I expected to enter a hushed, sterile environment where children were studying furiously while strict tutors paced the floors. I was wrong. Instead, I found myself in a brightly colored waiting area with walls proclaiming “Welcome” and “Confidence” in bold graphic lettering and designs. It was the start of a new session; children were greeted cheerfully by name as they entered the equally inviting main room and were assigned a table, each usually seating up to three students and a teacher. Within minutes, the groups were down to the business of learning, using a combination of workbooks, manipulatives and personal instruction. (Notably absent were the frustrated and bored expressions that can often accompany a saturday-morning study session at home.) ¶ Amy Jorgensen, regional director of sylvan Learning in Northwest Indiana, was on hand to answer a few questions about sylvan’s mission and facilities:
We offer tutoring in reading, writing, homework help, study skills, writing for the college-bound student, and mathematics at any level. We also have an outstanding SAT and ACT preparation program and state test preparation. Reading, math and writing are definitely our core skills, but our “remedial reputation” is starting to change, and we’re seeing a big shift to students who are coming in for college prep and advanced mathematics.
What kinds of services does Sylvan offer?
We generally work with kindergarten through high school-aged children, but we will take adult students. I’ve seen the whole spectrum: really high-functioning kids who are feeling disconnected from the teachers at school and need positive emotional support; kids who have all the confidence in the world but are struggling with skills; or kids who are functioning at or above grade level, but whose parents want to get them into the ISTEP pass-plus range so they can take honors classes—really, it’s ideal for anybody who has any type of gap to fill. It’s a high-energy, positive environment, where kids walk out of here feeling good about themselves. For some, they’ve always felt good about themselves because they’re enrichment students, but they walk out feeling like they’ve really accomplished something. For the ones who have struggled, they walk out of here feeling smart.
describe the typical student that comes to Sylvan.
sylvan learning FIllING IN tHe GAPS
How does a new student get
A student comes in and takes an initial skills assessment, which gives us a baseline of where they’re currently functioning and where there are gaps in skills. Sometimes a student is having problems across the board, and we’ll do some more comprehensive testing. Then we meet with the parents and explain the results. The parents are provided a copy of the results and we formulate the goals of the program and individual instruction plan based on the needs the parents are communicating and the testing results. We also communicate with the student’s teachers at school if the parent wants that. We work as collectively as we can. Our organization is designed to be supplemental, not to supplant what they’re doing in school. We are not designed to take the place of the classroom. When a new student starts, we have a good picture of the child, and we thoughtfully place him or her with a teacher. It’s a three-to-one instruction ratio, and each student is working on his own individual skills. We try to put the same aged kids together, but nobody knows what anyone else is working on. You could have an enrichment fifth-grader working with a remedial fifth-grader on an entirely different curriculum. started?
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are we headed in the “write” direction?
Mastering mathematics
A
ccording to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 23 percent of high school seniors are considered proficient in mathematics. Sylvan Learning of Merrillville is responding to local educators’ need for additional math tools by offering School Math Prep, a free online supplemental mathematics resource for grade 7-12 teachers and students to use at school. Created by educators, School Math Prep delivers more than 2,000 instructor-led videos covering 750 lessons in Pre-algebra, Algebra I and II, Geometry, and math test preparation programs for the SAT and ACT. Each lesson includes practice problems, summary notes, a quiz, a worksheet and a deep thought question. A powerful search function enables users to search by concept, keyword and textbook, and it is easy for instructors to find lessons linked to content they’re currently teaching. According to Amy Jorgensen, regional director of Sylvan Learning in Northwest Indiana, “As an engaged community partner, our neighborhood Sylvan Learning center saw an urgent need to act, making School Math Prep available free of charge to our local middle and high schools, which are strapped for resources in today’s tough economy . . . We’re building relationships with the school community, letting the teachers know that we’re partners in this; everyone has the same goal.” Educators and schools interested in securing this free math resource should visit schoolmathprep.com. At the same time that Sylvan Learning of Merrillville is participating in this initiative to provide School Math Prep to local students and educators during the school day, Sylvan is also nationally launching a sister site, Sylvan Math Prep, for students to use at home for anytime, on-the-spot math homework help. Parents interested in a free trial of this math homework help resource are encouraged to visit sylvanmathprep.com.
In today’s industrialized, fast-paced society, handwriting experts say the immense popularity of email, instant messages and other electronic communication, particularly among children and teenagers, could erase cursive within a few decades. They fear computers are speeding the demise of this uniquely artistic and How long do students typically stay in the program? When a student personal form of expression. tests, we give parents an idea of how many sessions it will take for them A 2003 Vanderbilt University study of to catch up. We can kind of predict that, keeping in mind, however, that primary-grade teachers found that most students now spend 10 minutes or less a we’re chasing a moving target. We calculate out how long we think they’ll day practicing handwriting. Many educators need, and we update that when we meet with the parents every month. argue that handwriting plays a pivotal role They complete their block of lessons and then they’re gone, and we don’t in academic success, and should once again see them again until maybe they want SAT prep. be taught in primary school. They point to But then there are the students who stay with us “forever.” The kids research that shows that children without like it, and the parents look at it as an extracurricular activity, like Girl proficient handwriting skills create shorter Scouts or anything else they pay for. Some kids work really well with their and less coherent essays from the earliest parents, but some don’t; the level of frustration goes grades. from zero to ten very quickly, so some parents want “Illegible handwriting means to drop them off here and pick them up when their that ideas and thoughts can’t homework’s done. Sometimes, the parents of students be communicated effectively. students may not be getting with learning difficulties choose to do this in addition the credit they deserve, to the resource room and other services provided at simply because teachers Book Adventure is a school, or some, when the services at school have can’t read their worksheets, free, Sylvan-created, ended, want to continue to supplement that area for quizzes or essays,” says online interactive reading their child. motivation program. Amy Jorgensen, regional Students choose their director of sylvan Learning in Why do so many families choose tutoring own books from more Northwest Indiana. “Children than 7,000 titles, take programs these days? The bar has been raised with good penmanship are short comprehension at every level. It’s a much more competitive market able to better express their quizzes and redeem their now to get into college, or for some, to even move ideas, which is a benefit that accumulated points for on to the next grade. And for some of the more adwill help them succeed in small prizes. ¶ Book school and throughout their vanced ones, they’re competing against kids across the Adventure’s “Parents adult lives.” Place” allows parents to country, now more than ever. We’ve lost a few stuTo help students acquire monitor their children’s dents because of circumstances in the economy, but reading activity, track this critical communication for the most part, this is the last thing people will give quiz results and approve skill and obtain lifelong career up. They’ll sacrifice a lot before they’ll make decisions their prize selections. success, sylvan Learning that affect their kids’ education. The job market—and Parents can even of Northwest Indiana offers customize a prize for how hard it is to get a good-paying job, and how hard handwriting assistance their child to be offered people have to work—is a reminder to them every for grades K-5. sylvan’s as a final goal. The site day, that they want their kids to have more choices handwriting program, using also contains informative than that. Education equals choice. —Kathy MacNeil the handwriting Without Tears resources to assist curriculum, can be paired with parents in motivating almost any sylvan academic their children to become lifelong readers. program for students hoping To learn more, visit to enhance their penmanship CONTACT // To find out more about Sylvan, or to locate the Sylvan Learning bookadventure.com. center near you, please call 877.431.5826, or visit sylvanlearning.com. skills in print, cursive or both.
Is it difficult to fit into a child’s busy schedule? Depending on enrollment and the needs of the families around each center, we are always open Monday through Thursday, and Saturday. Some centers are open on Friday and Sunday, as well. Parents can schedule sessions around their children’s other extracurricular activities. They don’t have to choose between Sylvan and soccer. They really can do both.
Adventures in reading
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real reviews
stephanie Precourt lives with her husband, three boys (ages 9, 7 and 4) and 1-year-old daughter in Valparaiso. For more great product reviews, and to read about her life as a proud stay-at-home mom, check out her blog, “Close to Home,” on nwi.com/parent.
By stEphANiE prEcourt
for the extra sensory
M
any clothing styles for kids and even adults have gone tagless these days, but still, kids with sensory issues and allergies find the fabric textures to be downright unbearable. Soft Clothing recently launched a children’s clothing line made of 100 percent combed cotton and special soft sensory blends. And soft does not mean boring and expensive. The Tie Print longsleeve “dressy” tee for boys [$16] and the Soft Party Dress [$22] rival what you’ll find in most boutiques. With wide collars, flat seaming throughout, and prints made with natural vegetable dyes adding extra comfort, say goodbye to the drama of getting your kid dressed in the morning. Available in kids’ sizes 4-12. Shop online at softclothing.net.
CooL CLICKs— WEBsITEs For KIDs
rock On
Scientific research shows that there are many benefits to playing music for a baby in the womb, but the old-school method of headphones around the pregnant belly has gotten a makeover. The Lullabelly prenatal music belt (lullabelly. com) is sure to be the rockstar of the baby shower. The soft adjustable belt fits comfortably around the Mama-to-be’s waist, with a pocket for an audio plug that works with any iPod, iPhone, MP3 player, CD player or portable media player. The volume is fixed so that at its maximum volume level, the Lullabelly speaker inside the pocket generates a safe decibel level similar to the volume of a mother or father speaking or singing directly to their baby in the womb. For both Mom and baby, music can help reduce stress during pregnancy, improve a baby’s sleep habits after birth, and can encourage learning, language and memory skills for baby. The Deluxe Package [$55] includes a speaker for baby along with dual earphone adapter and deluxe earphones with volume control for Mom. Seriously, what will they think of next?!
lost a tooth? Organized parents and curious kids can keep track of every lost molar, canine and incisor with the Official Tooth Fairy Kit [$16]. The kit contains a letterpress Certificate of Record for filing with the local Tooth Fairy as well as one reusable silkscreened cloth deposit bag for their first and all subsequent transactions. The official certificate keeps record of name, age, tooth lost, method of extraction and compensation information. Extra certificates are even available for multi-kid families. The perfect gift for any young’n of toothlosing age. If only it came with an alert for the, ahem, Tooth Fairy to remember to visit the child’s pillow. Available at officeofthetoothfairy.com.
play.lego.com From preschoolers to big kids, there’s a game for Lego maniacs of every size (including Mom and Dad). Play Animal Bingo, battle in a Lego castle, and put out fires in Lego City. fashionplaytes.com Little designers can create their own fashion line online to be worn in real life! Choose a garment, size, color, then customize! Add layers, ribbons, ruffles, rhinestones, appliqués, rosettes and even create a personalized label. Garments in girls’ sizes 6-14 start at $5 on up. Create accessories, dresses, jackets and more. Save the private collection on the site or place an order. The personalized creations arrive in about 3 weeks. kidzui.com This family-safe browser allows children ages 3-11 to safely search and access a variety of kidfriendly websites like PBSKids, Discovery Channel, Disney and more, while objectionable content and communication with others is blocked. The KidZui parent account lets you share content and set limits, and a weekly email summarizes what the kids have been doing online. KidZui is a free download, but paid membership is available for extra benefits.
A Fashionable cure for teething Pain
It’s
probably hard to believe, but you can actually prevent and relieve teething pain by simply putting an amber necklace on your baby. it’s not meant to be chewed on, but worn. As it warms with the body’s natural temperature, amber releases its healing oils through the skin. the proven analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of amber soothe teething pain and reduce drooling in little ones ages 2 months to 2 years. if you’re uncomfortable about your baby wearing a necklace, try a bracelet or anklet instead. Find the naturally curing amber jewelry [$18+] at amberartisans.com and many other retailers on the web. april/may 2010
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Rick Kaempfer’s business card says author/writer/blogger, but his real job is “stay-at-home dad” for his three school-aged sons. For more adventures-in-parenting tales, check out Rick’s “Father Knows Nothing” blog at nwi.com/parent.
By rick kAEmpFEr
My wife Bridget championed the idea of getting a dog when our three boys were very young. I didn’t have a dog growing up, and didn’t have the slightest idea how to train or care for one, so I must admit, I wasn’t crazy about the idea. But after listening to her extol the virtues of pet ownership for several months, I finally agreed. “What the heck,” I said. “Let’s do it.” As soon as I agreed, however, one of the boys would do something like fall down the stairs or slam a brother into the wall or try to eat a thumbtack. “Maybe we
pet peeves The rOAd TO dOg OwNerShip iS SOmeTimeS A deAd eNd
should wait until they’re old enough to avoid accidentally crushing or poisoning the dog,” I pointed out. Bridget agreed. When we switched roles in our house a few years later (I stayed at home while Bridget went to work), we somehow switched sides in the dog debate. I really started to think we should get one. I thought it would teach the boys responsibility. Instead of agreeing with me, Bridget was suddenly reluctant. We were discussing this
at a family party, when my mother tipped it in for me. “Are you really thinking about getting a dog?” she asked. My mother has always been deathly afraid of dogs. I admitted we were. “If you do, I’ll never visit you again,” she said. We started our search the next day. It was going to have to be a hypoallergenic dog, because our oldest son Tommy is insanely allergic. A friend of ours suggested that poodles were a good choice, so we looked at every conceivable poodle combination. The boys giggled at each breed name.
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“Fellas, this is a Peekapoo. What do you think?” Tee hee. “Boys, what do you think about a Cockapoo?” Tee hee. “How about a Bichpoo?” Tee hee. (Oh, “poo,” will you never cease to amuse us?) After we put together a list of about ten or so funny sounding breed names, we started checking out the area shelter websites every week, hoping that one fitting our picky needs would become available. There was one very close call a few weeks later. A nearby shelter got a perfect dog, but while we were looking into what sort of gates and crates we needed to buy, it was adopted by another
family. When we broke the news to the boys, we noticed that they really weren’t disappointed in the slightest. It made us realize that we hadn’t considered one important factor: the boys didn’t even seem to want a dog. We were discussing this at a neighborhood party with some friends, many of whom are enthusiastic dog owners. “Just tell them it’s like having another little brother!” one woman said. “I don’t know if that’s the best way to pitch it,” I pointed out. “You have to get one!” she said. “It’s just like having another baby.” “Except this one will never grow up,” her husband added. “Imagine having an infant for fifteen years.” Bridget and I exchanged glances, and we both immediately knew this discussion was never going to come up again. Maybe we’ll get some fish.