South Jersey MOM April 2018 by South Jersey MOM

APRIL

2018

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Reasons to Enroll Your Child In

SUMMER CAMP

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Dealing with Sibling Rivalry • Giving Back to Those in Need • Rejuvenate Your Recipes

Let your kids get dirty with

SPRING GARDENING

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Source: National Research Corporation, October 2017

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Contents APRIL 2018

mom 2 mom

6 Gardening Plans for Little Hands

8 5 Cool Lessons Your Children Will Get from Seeing The Black Panther Movie

1 0 8 Ways to Reduce Sibling Rivalry

m oms R women 2 12 Volunteerism: Giving Back to those in Need

k now 2 grow 16 Head Lice 18 Introducing New

features

Baby Foods

20 The Opioid Crisis:

Summer Camp Guide

One Parent's Struggle with Addiction

t own 2 town 19 Wharton State

15 Business Spotlight: Camp Total Turf

Forest

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a lso in this issue 4 Mommy and Me 2 5 Some of My Faves 14 Buying Guide 29 Recipe Corner

Call the Publisher, Chris Ognibene 609.670.1794 www.southjerseymom.com

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mommy and me 2

South Jersey MOM April 2018

CEO/Publisher Christopher Ognibene • (609) 670-1794 chris@superiorgx.com Executive Editor Karen Ognibene • (609) 230-6280 karen@superiorgx.com Marketing & Business Development Specialist Michelle Scianni • (856) 986-9606 michelle@superiorgx.com For General Advertising Inquiries Marissa Josephick • (856) 537-7089 ocrazyjane@gmail.com Production Manager Lisa Celfo lisasjmom@gmail.com Editorial Assistant Skyler Ognibene

Crawling in the Grass: A Springtime Craft Spring is here, Earth Day is around the corner, and it’s time to celebrate the outdoors! Make this quick and easy green grass craft with a crawling creature peeking out. You’ll need the following materials: • White and green paper • Glue • Scissors • Small pom-poms in various bright colors • Small craft wiggle eyes Cut a green sheet of paper into strips about 2 inches wide. Create a wavy effect with the green strips, pushing them to make “hills” and “valleys” and gluing the strips onto a white sheet of paper at the “valleys.” Once the white paper is covered with the wavy green strips, cut off any white paper that is showing around the edges. Then glue the pom-poms and wiggle eyes onto the green strips between the “waves” to make a fuzzy worm going through the grass. Louisa Kopp is a South Jersey mom and writer. Follow her blog at www.icecreamoffpaperplates.com for party and craft ideas, recipes, and humorous parenting stories.

4 | April 2018

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Special Thanks JCPenney Portrait Studios at Deptford Contributing Writers Michael Ahearn, Matthew Brenner, Shannon Cahill, Dolores Hoffman, Louisa Kopp, Brie Latini, Jess Michaels, Kelly Moore, Cheryl Potter Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio and Barbara Wilchensky Submit Calendar Listing michelle@superiorgx.com www.southjerseymom.com

Created by Markations Adam Nichols • (215) 825-7499 Superior Graphics Print Management LLC publishes South Jersey MOM™ monthly and distributes it throughout the region. The publication is available free of charge at select locations. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the authorization of the publisher. Superior Graphics Print Management, LLC Publisher of South Jersey MOM P.O. BOX 268 • Wenonah, NJ 08090 Main: (609) 670-1794 Fax: (856) 210-1524 All materials and services provided in this magazine are for informational or educational purposes only

Enter Your Child’s Photo to Be On Our Next Cover Every issue South Jersey MOM features a local child on the cover. If you think you have the “Cutest Kid in Town”, send a 4x6 photo to South Jersey MOM. P.O. Box 268, Wenonah, NJ 08090. On back of photo write child’s name and age along with guardian contact info.

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EDITOR

Photo credit JCPenney Portrait Studios

e were working on this issue during a particularly cold stretch of February and March—if I heard snowstorm one more time I was going to permanently hibernate. Just thinking about all things spring—cleaning up the yard and starting the home and garden projects (see Gardening Plans for Little Hands page 6) and start thinking about summer camp and the open houses you can attend to learn the offerings of local camps (see “Summer Camp Guide” starting page 22). If you’re tired of egg salad by the middle of April spruce up lunchtime (we offer simple spring recipes “Rejuvenate Your Recipes” page 29). I don’t know about you,

Chaz is 5 years old and loves to play soccer, hangout with his friends, and spend time with his family. He also loves Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog and Skylanders. One day, Chaz hopes to be a race car driver.

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but I find keeping simple pasta dishes for after school snacks or a quick dinner are a must to keep stomachs happy. Plan a family day trip to get outside this spring, pack a lunch and the bikes and head to Wharton State Park in Burlington County (page 19). If you look closely on the cover of the magazine, the soccer ball has signatures of my son’s varsity high school soccer team. He’s graduating and you’ll be hearing about it over the next couple of months, the ball on the cover is his senior soccer ball that the team signed and gave to him at the last game in the fall. It’s hard to believe that this chapter is done, he’s played soccer year-round since he was in elementary school and he’s focusing his energy elsewhere this spring. I will certainly miss watching his passion and enthusiasm for the sport and my opportunity to yell from the sidelines. This spring enjoy your hectic sport schedule, it may not last forever.✲

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BADGER NIGHT NIGHT BALM Great for presleep massage, the scent surrounds and relaxes, helping the child to unwind naturally after a busy day of learning and growing. A formula specifically designed with children in mind, featuring Chamomile and Lavender – essential oils traditionally used to calm and relax. Great for keeping mom’s hands soft and supple too! Amazon.com; $7

GOOD EARTH OOH LA LA TEA Feeling fancy because you had time to style your hair and apply make-up? Indulge in this beautifully balanced brew of oolong tea that’s subtly sweet and aromatic with fresh and floral notes. Tea is available lose or in sachets. GoodEarth.com; $10

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mom 2 mom

Gardening Plans FOR LITTLE HANDS

By Angela De Groot

child-sized, manageable tools. Remember that smaller children have limited attention spans, so provide a helping hand when they become frustrated or bored. Little kids like to do it themselves but stay close by to supervise and prevent mishaps. Remember sunscreen, hats, and gloves. Gardening with your kids is an ideal time to talk about the birds and the bees â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mother Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden helpers. Attract wildlife to your garden with butterfly bushes, sweet alyssum, and anise hyssop. Kids can dig for worms and measure them, hunt for ladybugs, chase butterflies, and identify birds as they flit around the garden. The more time kids spend outdoors learning about the roles of insects and other creatures, the less likely they are to be afraid of buzzing bugs and creepy crawlies.

ardening is a great way to chase away the winter doldrums. Kids can dose up on fresh air while experiencing the satisfaction of seeing their plants grow. At the same time, they will learn about life cycles and the environment. Pique their interest and kindle their enthusiasm for gardening by selecting plants that appeal to their senses. Mix colorful flowers like geranium, lantana, and begonias with striking foliage like coleus, variegated ivy, and lamium. Textured plants like mint and chenille welcome grabby little hands. Resilient ground covers like creeping Jenny and moss stand up well to bare feet. Ornamental grasses whisper in the breeze producing soothing sounds. Rosemary and lavender release lovely fragrances that linger on the fingertips. Snow peas, tomatoes, and carrots are not only easy to grow, but can also foster a love of veggies when kids harvest their own pizza toppings, salad fixings, and salsa ingredients. Kids love to dig. Put them to work turning the soil and preparing holes for seedlings and 6 | April 2018

shrubs. Burying bulbs in the fall leads to exciting discoveries in the spring when daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips poke through frosty soil.

Have your kids participate every step of the way. Take them to the garden center so they can choose their own plants. Give them their own beds or container gardens. This encourages a sense of ownership, pride, and responsibility. Set them up for success with easy to grow plants, good soil, and sunlight. Supply sturdy,

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Keep gardening fun with age-appropriate garden projects. A bean tepee is an easy, fast-growing project that makes a terrific reading nook. Insert five six-foot long branches or stakes into the ground, then tie them together at the top. Mound soil around the base of the stakes. Push pole-bean seeds into each mound. As the sprouts grow, wind them up the stakes. Add whimsy and wonder to your garden with bird houses, feeders, chimes, pinwheels, and fairy houses. Grow pumpkins for Halloween. On rainy days, bring the gardening fun inside and build a scarecrow or paint birdhouses. Rake, hoe, weed, and sow together, harvesting fond family memories while enjoying the fruits of your labor. Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthy and happy living. www.southjerseymom.com

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WAKANDA FOREVER!

5 COOL LESSONS YOUR CHILDREN WILL GET FROM SEEING MARVEL’S BLACK PANTHER MOVIE BY KELLY N. MOORE, PSY.D.

have now seen Marvel Studios’ Black Panther film twice during its record-shattering opening weekend: once for a date night with my husband, and the second day with two of my sons. After talking with them and several others about what struck them about this film, here are 5 quick takeaways from this film that will get a nice family conversation going once the credits roll on Black Panther:

Diversity in the Marvel Comic Universe. This is whole article on its own. A stand-alone story of the Black Panther we come to know in the film- King T’Challa of the fictional African country, Wakanda- is one that is long overdue. It’s easy to imagine yourself in different roles when you have many images in TV, books, and film that look just like you. For many children of color, that hasn’t been the case. Black Panther’s impact is far reaching and you need look no further than social media to see the scores of kids and families that dressed up as Wakandans and the Black Panther to know that. And while I’m talking about diversity…

Strong women rule! King T’Challa is surrounded by strong women throughout the film—His stepmother Ramonda, his love interest Nakia, who is also works as a spy to save people around the world, his sister, Princess Shuri—a tech genius, and Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje- an all-women group of generals that are the fiercest warriors in Wakanda. Women stand equal with men in this movie and are often the ones saving the day in multiple scenes in this film.

signing up for archery lessons. The power of film as an influence on culture is undeniable. Princess Shuri’s innovation and cool personality are enough to make STEM seem just as fun as it is functional. Family history and legacy is powerful. The emphasis of this film on the power of ancestry and passing down the history of family is another great takeaway. In a world where everything is so focused on the here and now, it is great to find time to tell our children about their history- even when it may have some scars. Knowing where we come from helps us chart a course going forward to make the world a better place.

We are all in this together! Wakanda’s big secret was that it was the bedrock for the most advanced technological innovations and it was all being kept a big secret! Their fear of being taken advantage of or being pillaged of their natural resource of Vibranium, blocked them from sharing it to help people around the world. It took the film’s villain, Eric Killmonger, to help King T’Challa realize that. The takeaway here is that when you have resources that can help others, don’t close yourself off out of fear. When people come together and share the richness of their cultures, we can all learn and grow together.

Go see Black Panther…and then go see it again!

Focus on STEM. Princess Shuri may inspire girls to see how STEM can be cool and fun. Wakanda’s prized resource- a precious metal called Vibranium is used by Princess Shuri to make everything from gadgets, military devices, and healing agents. A few studies have shown that releases of films such as Disney-Pixar’s “Brave,” and The Hunger Games resulted in significant increases in girls’

8 | April 2018

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8 Ways to Reduce Sibling Rivalry

8 Ways to Reduce Sibling Rivalry Question: What’s more intense than a tennis match between Serena and Venus Williams? Answer: Two siblings, at home, fighting over a toy or attention or a pencil, a funny face or a French fry. Sibling conflict: That’s the real racket. In any household with more than one child, there’s the possibility of battles with the back and forth of Wimbledon. Sibling rivalry is common, but there are steps you can take to alleviate the tension. Parents can minimize how much children battle it out. The reality is that the home has to be a safe place for your kids, and parents have to do everything possible to ensure the rivalry doesn’t become damaging to the psyche or create a more chaotic environment. Many parents dismiss sibling rivalry as common and unavoidable. The truth is that if another child treated one of your children the way they treat each other, there’s a chance you’d march in to school and demand an end to the bullying. It doesn’t matter who is putting your child down. If it’s a sibling, it has to be addressed in a safe way. Siblings can’t always get along, but they can get along better if you take these 8 healthy steps.

10 | April 2018

By Matthew Brenner 1

Make sure each child gets individual attention from each parent. This means scheduling private parent-child time for each child and parent.

Offer rewards for projects that children complete together. They both have to accomplish something to get a reward. If only one child does the task, neither one gets the reward. This ensures they take equal responsibility for certain chores. It has the added benefit of avoiding resentment because one does more tasks or all the work.

2 Consider ways in which your treatment of your spouse is being mirrored by your children. Often times, snarky comments, rude remarks and yelling are often a reflection of how mom and dad treat each other. Fixing your own behavior will help.

6 Set expectations for their relationship: They will not always agree, but they always have to love and respect each other.

Zero tolerance for bullying. There are times when sibling disputes cross the line into bullying. This is a particular heinous type of bullying because it’s so close to home and it’s a relationship that endures for years, not just a grade.

Put children on the same team. Name the team. And remind them as often as necessary about the fundamentals of teamwork.

Give children a meaningful role in adding to their sibling’s life: picking out presents, applying a Band-aid, writing the younger one’s name or reading to the younger one. Remember that tasks should also be done by the younger child so there is not a subservient relationship but rather a cooperative one.

Know the difference between an argument and rivalry. An argument is a disagreement. Rivalry is a dispute in which one is intentionally trying to one-up the other. An argument is part of a healthy relationship. Competition is also healthy. However, rivalry has the potential to devolve into unhealthy territory because of the insistence on being better than someone. Healthy competition is wanting to do your best against others.

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moms R women 2

VOLUNTEERISM: GIVING BACK TO THOSE IN NEED

By Cheryl Lynne Potter

“Volunteering is, for most, a way to give back and help others”

t’s not about the money or trying find your next job opportunity, for most people, volunteering is all about helping people in need or giving back to your community. Most people volunteer because it makes them feel good. According to a study in Social Science and Medicine, the more people volunteer, the happier they become, compared to those who never volunteer. For individuals who volunteer on a monthly basis, researchers discovered, that the odds of them being very happy rose to 7 percent. For those individuals who volunteer every 2 to 4 weeks, the odds of them being very happy is 12% and for weekly volunteers, their happiness rate is a whopping 16 percent. For many people, volunteerism is important for a variety of reasons. One of the most important reasons is the fact that “we are a society that depends on one another,” so says Michele Epifani, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of South Jersey. “Government agencies can not possibly cover all of the needs of our communities. Nonprofits exist to fulfill these needs and nonprofits utilize volunteers,” said Epifani. “Volunteering is, for most, a way to give back and help others.” South Jersey mom, Michele English, knows this scenario all too well. English volunteers at her church, her children’s school and even with her local Girl Scouts Troop. “Volunteering and being a mom is very important to me,” said English. “I feel that being involved gives me more knowledge on what is going on whether it’s in the community, school, or with my children’s friends.” Throughout South Jersey, there are many places that are in need of volunteers. Food banks, animal shelters and even your youngster’s school PTA or home and school association may be in need of help. The Volunteer Center of South Jersey is a good resource in finding the best placement for someone who is interested in volunteering. Currently, the 12 | April 2018

organization has over 2,700 individuals registered in their free online database, who are looking for opportunities to serve a nonprofit organization. “Most nonprofits work on limited funding and while they know how to deliver programs that are needed by the communities they serve, they do not always have the resources they need to get the work done,” said Epifani. Volunteers, she said, allow organizations an opportunity to showcase what they can do for a community, while they “give back through their time and talents.” Even helping out with the smallest of tasks can make a huge difference in the life of another person or to a community in need. Volunteering is a great way for adults and children to develop new skills, make new friends and learn more about their local community. “Volunteering takes time,” said English. “I completely understand our time is precious to us, but what you get out of volunteering is not measured in time. It is so valuable, whether it is what you get out of it or the things you do for our children.”

Volunteer Center of South Jersey 856.415.9084 • SJVolunteers.org Fifth Annual Family Day of Service is an event held May 18 thru May 20, where adults, children and even students serve alongside one another as they give back to their local community and participate in meaningful volunteer projects. For more information, call the Volunteer Center of South Jersey at 856-415-9084 or you can email them for more information at info@familydayofservice.org.

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buying guide

LITTLE TWINKLE LEARNS HER PURPOSE BY LISA ANN PANZINO DINUNZIO (A) A heart-warming story about an inquisitive little star who questions why she comes out and shines every night. What is her purpose? Mother star gladly answers her question, and tells her about creation, her creator and so much more! Visit the Author’s Facebook Fan Page for further details and updates at www.facebook.com/authorLisaAnn. BarnesandNoble.com; $7 KULLERBÜ SPIRAL TRACK SET (B) An expandable play world for children ages two and older. It’s not a train, but it has interchangeable tracks and accessories for endless creativity. Ingeniously designed to work with balls and/or cars, the system grows along with your child and offers endless hours of family entertainment. HabaUSA.com; $60 LAURA ASHLEY ROSE PRINT DIAPER BAG (C) A beautiful rose print design makes up this 4-piece set. The large front flap pocket allows for easy access to your keys, cell phone or other necessities while the smaller top zip pocket is great for smaller items. The Bag comes with a cushioned changing pad and a wet pack. An adjustable shoulder strap for every lifestyle. A must have for the mom on-the-go! ToysRUs.com; $70

BUDDYPHONES PLAY HEADPHONES (D) Safe for your little one with four distinct safe listening modes for different listening needs to minimize the risk of noise-induced hearing loss: Toddler Mode reduces the max volume to 75db, Kids Mode at 85db max is great for normal listening, Travel Mode maxes at 94db for airplane and car travel and StudyMode Capped at 94dB. Keep your kids safe and sound! BuddyPhones.com; $50 SPLISH SPLASH CATAPULT (E) HABA’s Splish Splash Catapult is a ton of fun! The rabbits have a splish splash water fight with their catapult. Who has the skill to aim well and hit the rabbits with the water balloons? Every hit counts. Particularly skilled catapult masters can collect extra points. Includes cool wooden catapult! A lively water balloon flicking game for 2-5 players, ages 5-99. HabaUSA.com; $8 PAINT BY STICKER KIDS: BEAUTIFUL BUGS (F) A diverse selection of itsy bitsy critters including colorful butterflies, a glowing firefly, marching ants and more! The perforated pages make it easy for each picture to be torn out and proudly displayed on the refrigerators and office desks of proud parents everywhere! Target.com; $8

OUT OF PRINT CLOTHING KIDS’ BOOK COVER TEES (G) T-shirts inspired by popular children’s books: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Where the Wild Things Are, Good Night Moon and many more classic titles. Tees are cotton/poly blend that are distressed and printed area is soft and comfortable. For each item purchased, Out of Print donates one book to Books of Africa. OutofPrintClothing.com; $20 KIDZBOP 90’S POP (H) Another great music selection from KidzBop. This features fun throwback to the ‘90s that you can share with the young ones! Amazon.com; $10 PLAY FOAM COMBO PACK (I) Preschoolers can express their creativity and no mess for mom to clean up afterward. Simply squish the Playfoam, shape it however you like, squash it back down, and start all over again. It never dries out so the creativity never ends. Nontoxic molding dough is recommended for children ages 3 and up. Walmart.com; $7

E A

G I F H

14 | April 2018

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amp Total Turf, Gloucester County’s premier summer camp, is celebrating our 6th successful camping year and is excited to invite you to our new 52,000 square foot sports court addition. Virtua/Total Turf is Southern New Jersey’s first 130,000 square foot indoor/outdoor sports complex along with our 45,000 square foot turf field. This facility along with its talented staff will offer your child plenty of camp activities this summer. With our new climate-controlled sports court facility, our restaurant with our awesome summer camp menu, event rooms and outdoor turf, we have plenty to offer your children this summer. Camp Total Turf offers up to 11 weeks of summer camp for all campers. We have a variety of options to fit your family’s needs including 3, 4 and 5-day full weeks of camp as well as half day with morning and www.southjerseymom.com

afternoon times available. We also offer a full lunch menu, for an additional cost, that will be provided by our own 614 Grille, including ChickFil-A Thursdays. For those parents on the run that require additional time to accommodate your busy schedules, we offer early drop off and late picks up. Our standard hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Our campers age group is 6 years old to 14 years old and at Camp Total Turf, we offer a Camper to Counselor ration of 10 to 1. Our programs and associated activities are geared toward always moving and having fun including sports such as tennis baseball, softball, wiffleball, soccer, kickball, flag football, soccer golf, yard games and much more. With our new facility, we also multi-sport use such as 5 basketball courts, 7 volleyball courts, 3 tennis courts, 5 full futsal courts and much more hard-court activities. We also offer our campers unique sports like broomball, dodgeball, badminton handball and pickleball. Our campers also experience challenging activities during team building events and ice breaker activities. These activities allow each camper to meet new camper and form life long friendships. Our theme week activities offer capture the flag, Minute to Win it, K9 demonstrations, local fire company presentation and our always awesome feature, Summer Camp Olympics. The campers also have time to relax and enjoy indoor activities such as movie days, board games and crafts for all. Join us this summer and find out what everyone in Gloucester County camp circuits already knows…CAMP TOTAL TURF is awesome!

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know 2 grow

Head Lice BY DOLORES HOFFMAN

“The biggest misconception is that head lice infestation is a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment. This is far from true”

e all hear the stories about head lice. The nightmares on ridding them from your child’s head. Just the sound of head lice sends chills up your spine. There’s no need to panic. Getting rid of these little buggers is tricky but there are effective ways to not only rid them from your life but keep them far away. Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. They most often affect children and are transferred from hair to hair contact. The biggest misconception is that head lice infestation is a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment. This is far from true. In fact, for head lice, the cleaner the better. Since they feed directly on the scalp, dirt and dandruff get in the way. Another myth is that household pets, such as dogs and cats, can spread head lice. SYMPTOMS Common signs and symptoms can include: • A tickling feeling of something moving on your head, hair, or body • Itching on the scalp, neck and ears. • Sores that develop from scratching itches • Irritability • Difficulty sleeping • Red bumps on your head, neck, shoulders, or pubic area

16 | April 2018

• The appearance of lice eggs, or small white objects in your hair The lice eggs are called “nits”. They stick to the hair shafts and are difficult to brush away. That is why special combs are used when removing lice from hair. Oftentimes, nits can be confused with dandruff or residue from hair products. TRANSMISSION Most often transmission of head lice from one person to another is by direct contact. Lucky for us, head lice crawl, but they cannot jump or fly. Therefore, transmission is most often within a family or among children who have close contact at school or play. COMMON WAYS LICE CAN BE TRANSMITTED: • Hats and scarves • Brushes and combs • Hair accessories • Headphones • Pillows • Upholstery • Towels Schools are particularly vulnerable because transfer can also occur among items of clothing stored together. Hats and scarves stored in the same locker or a cubby could be a great place for lice to spread.

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HOW DO YOU CHECK FOR HEAD LICE? • Regular checks for head lice are a good idea. This prevents themf rom multiplying in the hair follicles. • Seat your child in a brightly lit room. • Part the hair. • Look for crawling lice and for nits on your child’s scalp a section at a time • Nits will look like small white or yellowbrown specks and be firmly attached to the hair near the scalp. The easiest place to find them is at the hairline at the back of the neck or behind the ear. TREATMENT The most effective way to treat head lice is with head lice medicine. This medicine is available over the counter at any drugstore. After each treatment, using the comb-out method every 2 to 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks will remove the nits and eggs. Follow the directions on the package exactly as written. Never use products such as mayonnaise, petroleum jelly or olive oil to remove lice. Lice affects the rich and poor, the clean and the not-so-clean. Remember it is not a reflection on you and although head lice may be a nuisance, they don’t cause serious illness or carry any diseases so relax, take a deep breath and don’t worry, this too shall pass. www.southjerseymom.com

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INTRODUCING NEW BABY FOODS 18 | April 2018

“When starting to offer new foods, you still want the texture to be close to a liquid consistency since that is all he knows”

tarting a baby on new foods can seem scary. If you ask other parents for advice you could get ten different answers on what to give and when to start. Every baby is different, which means introducing new foods to them will also differ. To make things a little clearer, I will give some general guidelines for you to follow. For the first few months your little bundle of joy has been relying on a liquid as their source of food. Since he can’t talk, it is up to you to know when the time is right for the next stage. As a general guideline, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ nutrition section for pediatricians recommends starting solids at four to six months old. Since there is not an exact age to start here are some signs to look for. Make sure your baby can sit up while being supported. Also, that he can hold his head up on his own. This is important to help prevent choking. You may notice that your baby is starting to show interest in your food. He may start reaching for your plate at mealtime and opening his mouth when the food is brought near him. This is a good sign that your baby is ready and willing to try something new. When starting to offer new foods, you still want the texture to be close to a liquid consistency since that is all he knows. You can add baby cereal to the breastmilk or formula to get him used to eating off a spoon. As babies become more comfortable with this, you will notice they will be able to move the food to the back of their mouth and swallow it instead of pushing it out with their tongues. Next, you are ready to introduce your baby to pureed fruits and vegetables. Offer one new food at a time, three days apart. This is to be able to keep an eye out for an allergic reaction. If your baby has a slight reaction the first time they try something, it does not mean they will always react to it.

Try it again a week or so later. However, if your child has a mild to severe reaction, stop the foods immediately and take note so that you do not give it again until you have let your pediatrician know. Offer a wide variety of tastes along with new textures. Start with bright colors, switching back and forth between the fruits and veggies. Once you see that your baby likes multiple different foods and shows no signs of an allergy, you can introduce them to the mixed combo. If your baby seems picky and not interested in the choices offered to him, be patient. It can take up to ten tries with a new food before he decides he wants to eat it. The key here is to read your babies signs and cues. Talk to your pediatrician and remember that you know your baby better than anyone.

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By Barbara Wilchensky

town 2 town

Wharton State Forest, Burlington County

harton State Forest, with over 110,000 acres is the largest tract of land within the New Jersey Park System. Comprised of pine and oak forest, as well as white cedar and maple swamps, it stretches across three countries: Atlantic, Camden and Burlington County. Mazes of rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes for canoeing, kayaking, or swimming, as well as many trails of varying lengths for hiking, biking and horseback riding wind their way through the park. Along the way, you are sure to see a plethora of wildlife, including turkeys, river otters, foxes, and deer. The avid birdwatcher can perch themselves anywhere along the trails to spot red-tail hawks, ospreys, hummingbirds, and purple martins to name a few. April is said to be the perfect time to watch the bluebirds. Found within the Burlington County borders of Wharton State Forest are two favorite locations that make for great family outings. Batsto Village, a landmark on the New Jersey Historical Registry and located in Washington Township, is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Built in the mid-1700â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it once served as a hub for the iron and glass industries. The history of the village unfolds as you take a step back in time and explore the 18 different locations throughout the Village. Blacksmith demonstrations are available throughout the day and are sure to impress the kids. A self-guided tour is possible with the use of your smartphone by scanning the QR codes at each location and watching the pre-recorded message. This fantastic option was funded by the Batsto Citizen Committee and designed as an Eagle Scout project. Guided tours of the mansion are also available and be sure to stop by the Annie M. Carter Nature Interpretive Center where the ecosystem of the Pinelands is explained. The second location, Atsion Lake, is located in Shamong Township. History does not escape this side of the forest either, as it too is home to a mansion built in 1826 as also, part of the iron industry. The Atsion Recreation Area features a beach and swimming area with amenities such picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and showers. Two nature trails (wheelchair and stroller accessible) and a playground are sure to please the little ones. There is a small entrance fee for the use of the recreation area, and the website warns to arrive early on summer days. Time spent in Wharton State Forest will reveal not only the beauty of nature but also a rich history. There is so much to do throughout the park that you could easily turn your day into an extended camping stay with your tent/trailer or by renting one of the many cabins. Adventure awaits within Wharton State Forest, go find it! Barbara is a lifelong resident of South Jersey, an educator and a mother of three. Together her family enjoys outdoor activities and a they have a goal to travel to every state in the U.S.! Follow their adventures on Barbaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog at wilfamtravels.wordpress.com.

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The Opioid Crisis Understood:

By Michael Ahearn

One Parent’s Struggle with Addiction

t’s all over the news. The government has declared war on it. Millions of people across the country are suffering from it. And it only seems to get worse. There is an opioid epidemic raging in America, and no one is exempt. Not even parents. I talked with one such parent, a South Jersey father, who, in the name of anonymity, I will refer to as Bill. He’s in recovery now, but Bill has had a long history with pills like Percocet and OxyContin. Back in 1999, he struggled with both alcohol and opioid addiction before checking into rehab. After that, Bill was in recovery for fourteen years before relapsing in 2013; this time, however, Bill was a father of four. Addiction is often destructive, but in Bill’s case, it was catastrophic. In his own words, “I really did lose my mind.” By early 2014, Bill was spending “thousands of dollars a week” on pills. Close to losing his wife, Bill’s chaotic binge finally ended when he checked himself into a hospital, and on February 3rd 2014, he was admitted to an in-patient rehab center. He spent thirty-days there before being released into a ninety-day out-patient program, during which, he started working the 12 Step program. To this day, Bill still follows the program religiously. Rehab was only the first step, however. 20 | April 2018

After his thirty days away, Bill had to find a way to reconcile with his family. During his relapse, he had almost lost his wife, and he had put his kids in jeopardy, even though they didn’t know it. While using pills, Bill says, “I would drive with them in the car, under the influence, so even though they didn’t know, I did put them in danger.” Coming out of rehab, Bill asked for forgiveness, from both his wife and his kids. It did not come easily. It took almost a year before he earned his wife’s trust again. It took the whole family going to addiction counseling, so everyone could understand Bill’s illness. His relationships weren’t salvaged in a day, but it did eventually happen. As of today, he lives happily with his family once more, back on path of recovery. Talking with Bill, one can tell he feels no pride in his relapse, but it seems like he doesn’t feel shame about being an addict, which is exactly what the experts suggest. As Kendria McWilliams, the CEO of Maryville Addiction Treatment Centers, puts it, “addiction is a disease. It is the same as any other chronic illness.” No one feels shame about a heart condition, so, logically, one shouldn’t feel shame about being an addict, but shame still happens. It prevents people from getting help. It keeps them silent. Even though it didn’t seem like it during the interview, Bill

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understands that impulse; early on, he did feel shame, but that changed during rehab. “By the end of my thirty days, I didn’t care who knew. I just knew that I wanted to help.” To this day, Bill has lived by that urge to help. He is open about his addiction with the people around him, and he isn’t silent when he can help. He spends time talking to his kids’ friends and even other adults about addiction. He doesn’t try to scare them, however. Instead, Bill takes a measured approach. He talks about the pros and cons. He talks about the benefits of sobriety. He talks about spending thousands of dollars a week. And he talks about how much he could have paid if he let shame keep him quiet.

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summer camp guide

s g n i h T 8 p o T s e k a M t a h t

here is no doubt that camp is recreational, but there is so much more to camp than just having fun outside. Camp is a unique environment built specifically for children that allows for the development of life skills, some of which are hard to gain in any other environment. Check out just a few of the things that makes summer camp so awesome.

1 2 3

Gain life skills need to be a successful adult - According to research done by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning, the skills needed to be successful in the 21st century include communication, creativity, leadership, responsibility, and collaboration—all skills incorporated into many summer camp programs. At camp, children develop these skills needed to become secure, contributing and successful adults. Children gain independence –From getting on the day camp bus by themselves to choosing his or her own elective activity, camp provides many opportunities for children to gain independence. With each step towards independence, children gain confidence in knowing they can make their own decisions. Take a break from technology - According to a Kaiser Foundation study, children between the ages of eight and 18 spend an average of 7+ houses a day engaged in digital media. The majority of summer camps don’t allow for personal electronics including smart phones, which makes camp one of the only technology free environments. Campers communicate face to face instead of through texts, allowing for real conversation and for strong friendships to form. Children also enjoy the outdoors instead of staring at a screen all day. Make new friends – American Camp Association research shows that 96% of campers said they made new friends at camp. The camp environment makes it easy for children to make new friends and form strong friendships. Children participate in activities together, eat together, share in camp traditions and at overnight camp, live together.

So Awesome! By Jess Michaels

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Children try new activities – Children have the opportunity to participate in many new activities at camp including different sports, boating and outdoor adventure. Trying new things allows children to discover their interests and try things in a safe environment. Research by the American Camp Association has shown that 63% of children who tried new activities at camp continue to participate in some of those activities after they go home. Build resilience ¬When a camper goes to camp and feels homesick those first few days but then has the best time days later or a child is scared to do the zipline and then faces her fear and accomplishes it, he or she is building resilience. Resiliency is an important skill to acquire and helps children get through the many ups and downs that are inevitable in life. Children build confidence – Each day, children try new things at camp and when they succeed, they feel good about themselves. Whether it’s the first time a child puts her head under water or gets to the top of the climbing wall, there are numerous opportunities each day for a child to feel good about themselves. Become part of a community – Children become part of a caring and supportive community at camp. Year after year, campers share in the traditions of the camp and become part of a summer camp family.

Looking for a camp for your child? Parents can contact Renee Flax at the American Camp Association, NY and NJ for free, one-on-one advice in finding the right camp for their child—renee@acanynj.org/212.391.5208. 22 | April 2018

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24 | April 2018

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Open House Sunday, April 15 11am -2pm

New Camp Families: Save $250 per camper

JCC Camps at Medford 400 Tuckerton Rd • Medford, NJ www.southjerseymom.com

BE COOL Welcoming all faiths and cultures ages 3-14.

Schedule your personal tour today!

jcccampsatmedford.org • (856) 751-1666

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STEM BASED

SUMMER CAMPS For Girls & Boys!

Join us for one or more weeks

Camp runs weekly starting in June For more information call 856.424.2777 or email contact@njres.org

June 25 - August 23

• After School Programs • Home School Programs • Cherry Hill Robotics Club • Robotics Competition

Ages 3-15 Science • Robotics Technology • Coding Design • Sports Arts • and MORE!

Young Engineers 6-8 years old

Flexible scheduling – Full Day and Half Day options Certified teachers leading classes

Visit our 48-acre campus and learn more about our Summer Programs during Summer Welcome Visit Day on April 14!

Summer.mfrienDS.org

26 | April 2018

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LEGO Robotics 9-12 years old

VEX Robotics 12 years and up

Build a Drone 10-16 years old

3D Design 10-14 years old

ROBOTECH Educational Services Inc. 2050 Fairfax Avenue, Suite A • Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

856.424.2777 • www.njres.org

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Campers ages 2-5 become their own self-assured superheroes • • • • • • •

STEAM Projects Cooking & Sports Jewish Values & Traditions Nature & Music Swim Lessons Air Conditioned Facility Nut Aware & Allergy Friendly Lunch and Snacks Weekly Super Themes

•

2018

Open House Sunday, April 15 10am-1pm

New Camp Families: Save $100 per camper Welcoming families of all faiths and cultures.

katzjcc.org/ecccamps • (856) 424-4444 x1242 1301 Springdale Rd • Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

GARDEN STATE COUNCIL PRESENTS Cub Scout Day Camp!

Learn new skills! Make new friends! Enjoy BB shooting, archery, swimming, boating, crafts, sports and much more. We have 5 camp locations to choose from - covering Burlington, Camden, Salem and Cape May Counties. Camping opportunities are offered June 25-29, July 913, July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-Aug 3, Aug 6-10

Visit CAMPINVENTION.ORG by MAY 4 to secure your spot and

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Multiple locations throughout Southern New Jersey! In Partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

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Build leadership experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Conductive Play-Doh, program animated movies, microscopy, STEM guest speakers, earn science prizes and much, much more!

Offered July 9-13, 2018

See website for details!

All of our camps are nationally accredited and your child’s safety is our highest priority.

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JCC CAMPS AT MEDFORD The fun lasts all summer, but the memories last a lifetime at the JCC Camps at Medford, an award-winning and ACA accredited summer day camp. With 75 years of experience, we really know camp and provide children ages 3-14 with the ultimate summer experience! Each camp day is woven with traditions, values and spirit, and campers become more self-confident, self-reliant and self-sufficient while building lifelong friendships. Watch our camp video and learn more at jcccampsatmedford.org.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAMPS AT THE KATZ JCC Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC, an award-winning summer day camp, is the place for little campers ages 2-5 to have big fun! Children learn new skills, develop socially create friendships all while having a blast. Learn more at katzjcc.org/ecccamps; (856) 424-4444 x1242.

LIBERTY LAKE SUMMER DAY CAMP Liberty Lake is a transformative summer experience for ages 4-15. A full service camp, with bus transportation available in Camden & Burlington Counties. Hot lunches & snacks all included. With a philosophy based on teaching children character and life skills, campers create their own schedules guaranteeing the BEST SUMMER EVER! Tours available daily, Conveniently located just off Rte. 295 (exit 52A) (856) 437-5340; www.libertylakedaycamp.com.

Kids Summer Workshops and CAMPS! Choose between three different week-long camps as well as day camps! Great for all ages, including pre-school! 602 Haddon Avenue â&#x20AC;˘ LumberYard Condos Collingswood, NJ 08108

856-833-1330 â&#x20AC;˘ www.paintatallfiredup.com 28 | April 2018

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By Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio

recipe recipe corner corner

Rejuvenate Your Recipes

Spring is such a rejuvenating and refreshing time of year. Trees budding, flowers blooming, birds singing -- yes, it’s the perfect time to make simple, light, healthy recipes MULTIGRAIN SPAGHETTI WITH SPINACH PESTO • 1 package multigrain spaghetti • 4 cups fresh baby spinach • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbs. pine nuts • Sea salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste Cook spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Meanwhile, in a food processor, puree 2 -1/2 cups of the spinach with the Parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, sea salt, and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the spaghetti with the spinach pesto, the remaining spinach and the reserved cooking water. Serve.

ASPARAGUS SALAD • 30 stalks asparagus, washed, ends trimmed and discarded • 2 lemons, juiced • 2 tbs. apple cider vinegar (optional) • 2-3 tbs. extra virgin olive oil • Sea salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste Steam asparagus just until fork tender, then drain and dry the stalks before placing them into the refrigerator to completely chill. In a small bowl mix together the lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, set aside. Once asparagus is chilled, place them onto a serving dish and drizzle with the dressing. Serve.

LEMONY ORZO & SPINACH • 1 (16 oz.) box orzo pasta • 1 cup fresh baby spinach • 2-3 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil • 1-2 tbs. butter • 1/2 tsp. lemon zest • 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice • Sea salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste Cook pasta according to directions on package, drain, and return pasta to pot with heat off. Add spinach, olive oil, butter, lemon zest and lemon juice. Gently toss ingredients together, add salt and pepper to taste, toss once more. Serve. As always, Bon Appetit!

Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio is the author of “Seasoned With Love, Treasured Recipes” & “Lisa Ann’s Seasoned With Love II”, and the children’s book, “Snicker Learns An Important Lesson.” Visit her blog http://lisaanndinunzio.blogspot.com/ or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001935347501

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Your child’s potential is in there. There’s no greater feeling than the pride that comes with witnessing your child accomplish new skills – that’s why we’re always celebrating at Goldfish. Achievements big and small, milestones, fun. Setting goals, attaining goals, celebrating those goals.

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MAGAZINE

Invites You to Our Health and Fitness Expo

Saturday, June 2, 2018 10am-3pm • Cherry Hill Mall • Vendors • Face Painting & Balloon Artists • Palm Reading • Blood Pressure Screenings

• Chance to Win Prizes • Free Samples • Demonstrations–Zumba,

Dance, Martial Arts, Yoga & More

Now Seeking Vendors... Call 609-670-1794 For more information visit www.southjerseymom.com

MAGAZINE

Thank You to Our Sponsors 30 | April 2018

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It’s easy to tell when our students feel a sense of accomplishment!

Private Special Education … Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within. Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment. Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

an Option You Should Know About! With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families. Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions. To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org

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