America's heritage: New tool for exploring your family's history is now available If you’re like most Americans, you like to feel connected: to the past, to a place and to others. Discovering your family history can be a rewarding way to establish those connections and help uncover who you are and where you came from.
An infant’s Social Security number is used in a credit ca rd applicat ion. A 10-yea r-old’s ident if icat ion information is used to apply for a car loan. Grandpa gets an email claiming that he won the lottery and needs to provide information to collect the winnings. Today, identity theft can occur to anyone, not just middle-aged adults.
It can start simply by identifying who is in your extended family. You may be able to find the names of your ancestors – grandmothers, uncles, cousins – going back hundreds of years. Next, you can get to know them, learn where they were born, whom they married, how they made a living, where they lived and how they died. T he abi lit y to ma ke such con nect ions is gett ing a n unprecedented boost this year with the release of the 1940 U.S. Census. Research shows that 87 percent of Americans alive today should be able to find a relative in the 1940 Census. That is almost 275 million people who have a connection to these historical records.
Savv y thieves are targeting every generation, from child to adult to senior. It’s important to stay alert so every member of your family is better protected.
Child ID theft Americans can get help digging for their roots now that the 1940 U.S. Census is available, free, online.
This is the census of The Greatest Generation. It showed 16-million American men and women safe at home on the brink of joining the deadliest war in human history. For the more than 400,000 who never returned from World War II, it’s the last census to record their names.
see the highest grade they had completed in school and the family’s yearly income in 1939. While they talk, you may get to know them better and get a better understanding of that place in time. You may even get to know a little more about yourself The census tells the story of a country grappling with the and how you fit into the larger arc of your family’s history and greatest economic hardship it had ever known, something the world’s. many find particularly relevant today, as the country starts to For example, Sharon Harris had only been looking at the 1940 emerge from its current economic troubles. Census for a brief time on Ancestry.com before she came across Because modern technology lets you access the census at home as never before, Tim Sullivan, the president and CEO of Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, says his company has made the 1940 Census free to search at www.ancestry.com/1940.
Infant to senior: How identity theft is affecting every generation
a record of her uncle. She couldn’t believe her luck: Not only had she found him quickly, but he was married to someone she didn’t recognize. This short search into the new census has already given her a clue to an aunt that Harris never knew about. Next on her list for discovery is her family’s biggest mystery: her great grandfather’s disappearance in the 1930s.
Millions of people can literally sit down with neighbors, friends or relatives who were actually there in 1940, find the census It could help you understand – and share with your family – the page with their name on it, and get them talking. You’ll find an essential human question of who you are and where you came address for their home, names of family and neighbors. You’ll from. Source: NAPSI
Think you don’t have to worry about identity theft for your kids? The fact is more than 19,000 cases of child identity theft were reported in 2011, up from about 6,000 in 2003, according to the Federal Trade Commission. How does this occur to children, who typically don’t even have a bank account? Every day many parents send their children to school and child care with personal information in their backpacks. Backpacks are typically hung out of sight for hours or information can end up in desks for days, providing ample opportunity for identity thieves. How can you tell if your child’s ID has been stolen? If your child begins to receive suspicious mail, like pre-approved credit cards and other financial offers normally sent to adults, his identity might have been compromised. Also, a child should never have a credit history until they are older and actually have financial accounts. If you suspect that identity thieves may have targeted your child, complete a secure Child Identity Theft Inquiry Form at TransUnion.com. TransUnion will investigate the existence of a potential credit file in your child’s name, and after the search is complete, respond to you at the email address you provide. If a file is located in your child’s name, additional information will be asked for in order to proceed with steps to protect your child from any impact associated with this fraudulent activity.
Identity theft
page 3 ‰
Donna’s Daycare and Preschool Center Helping Kids to Grow & Learn Email DaycareDonna2001@aol.com
2
FAMILY
977 Sabattus St., Lewiston
784-6769
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012
Identity theft from page 2
cur. The service also includes monitoring for changes in your credit, new addresses registered with the postal service, court records and non-credit loans not reported to the credit bureaus. If ID theft does happen, you won’t be alone. TransUnion will help you restore your good name and also help you cancel stolen items from your wallet and obtain new ones.
The most important thing you can do to avoid child identity theft is to be mindful of the personal information your children are carrying. Make sure their information is kept in a safe spot and not just tossed in the bottom of a school bag. Even better, seal any documents that contain your child’s personal information in an envelope addressed to the school. Also, explain to your kids that they shouldn’t share personal information with strangers in-person or online.
Senior ID theft
Adult ID theft Unfortunately, as many as 9-million Americans have their identities stolen each year, according to the FTC. Innovative Identity theft affects all generations. By knowing the different thieves can get your information in many ways – from online considerations for the various ages of your family’s members, you’ll help hacking to dumpster diving. keep everyone safe today and in the future. To avoid ID theft, always shred personal documents, only use secure sites when shopping online, and give out your driver license number and other identification only when absolutely necessary. It’s also wise to pick up your mail from your box every day and consider depositing outbound mail in a mailbox at the post office. Awareness is your best weapon against iden-
Good habits start early By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer Most babies are born without teeth, which might lead you to think you can forget about denta l ca re unt i l t he f irst tooth erupts. Many pediatric d e nt i s t s , h o w e v e r, s a y otherwise. They recommend good oral care from the start in order to prepare the baby for what is to come. Dent i st s rec om mend you clea n your baby’s g ums at least twice a day, once after t he f irst feeding a nd once after the last feeding. If time p e r m i t s , y ou m a y c l e a n your baby’s gums after each feeding. To clean your baby’s gums, just run a clean, damp washcloth along their lower and upper gums. Most babies will get their first toot h somet i me bet we en the ages of six to 12 months. M a n y p e d i a t r ic de nt i s t s recom mend you set up a denta l appoi nt ment for your child when this occurs. The dentist w ill conduct a thorough examination of your child’s mouth to make sure everything is in order.
In addition to ta k ing your baby to the dentist regularly, you should also brush their teet h a nd g u ms. For t h is task, you w i l l need a sof t infant toothbrush and ageappropriate toothpaste. You shou ld br ush you r baby ’s teeth and gums twice a day. T here a re f u r t her steps you can take to prevent the development of decay. Never let your baby fall asleep with a bot t le. W hatever l iqu id remains in the bottle might pool into their mouth and set up a breed ing g rou nd for germs and decay. Never give your baby fruit juice in a bottle. Again, this could lead to pooling, which could lead to decay. Give them fruit juice
Barclay’s
tity thieves, so subscribing to a monitoring service like TransUnion Total gives you peace of mind. The service helps you minimize your exposure to identity theft by proactively monitoring the sites where posting personal information may oc-
Seniors are frequently targeted by online phishing scams. If you’re a senior, or you are an adult child who cares for an elderly parent, it’s important to always guard personal information closely. Seniors are often targeted on the phone with offers of free samples or lottery winnings: the caller simply needs some personal information to transfer the money or send the item. Another popular scheme is someone posing as a relative who is stuck and needs money in order to get home. Every senior should be highly skeptical when asked for bank accounts or Social Security numbers on the phone or Internet. Another issue – that is an easy fix – is many seniors carry their personal information with them at all times including their Social Security card, Medicare card, check book, etc. It’s wise to only carry what is needed when leaving the house. Source: ARA Content
in a cup instead, and make sure you wean them from the bottle by the age of 14 months. Fina lly, discourage t humb sucking, especially past the age of two. It could lead to problems with alignment of the teeth. Caring for your baby’s teeth and gums early on will get them into the habit of having t heir mout h cared for and set the stage for good ora l hygiene later on. Once your child reaches the age of three, you may be able to take on more of a super v isor y role and let them brush their teeth on their own. Just make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and brush all of their teeth properly. And don’t forget about f lossing, which is essential to healthy teeth. Teach your child to floss daily.
Skindivers Paradise
Come see what families all over Central Maine experienced by learning to SCUBA Dive together. Scuba can bring a lifetime Makes a G Christm reat as Gift! of Activity and Adventure to your entire family.
CLASSES RUN YEAR ROUND Ask About Discover Scuba
Operated by
YOU’RE SICK. THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE IS CLOSED. WHAT DO YOU DO? Come See Us. WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR: Respiratory Illnesses · Skin Conditions Minor Injuries · Physicals Diagnostic Testing · Vaccinations and other conditions PLUS --- School, Sports and Camp Physicals
Convenient Service - Convenient Prices - Convenient Hours Open Evenings, Weekends, & Holidays -- Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walmart Supercenter 100 Mt. Auburn Avenue, Auburn 207-330-3900 Patients must be 18 months or older to be seen by provider.
685 Washington St, Auburn
207-784-7300
www.skindiversparadise.com
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012
Convenient Care In Your Neighborhood
Each medical clinic located in a Walmart store is owned and operated by an independent company that is unaffiliated with Walmart. Walmart does not employ any health care professionals or exercise any control over the provision of health care services at the clinics. The “Spark” design (
), Walmart and Save Money, Live Better, are marks and /or registered marks of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
FAMILY
3
Guide for parents: Important tips for selecting a daycare for your child By Donna Rousseau Feature Writer
Submitted photos
recycling bin, there is a practical life lesson for just about anything.
Submitted photos
At the Pine Tree Children’s House in South Paris, above and top right, the program is based on the discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori and is designed around children’s spontaneous urge to learn. “ We a r e l o c a t e d i n a n e l d e r l y community and we are fortunate to be in their home. Therefore, we do practice good manners, handshaking, saying hello or acknowledging people, acceptance of others – basic common cour tesy. This is a socia l ly based program; if parents are looking for lots of worksheets, this is not the program.”
“We use the Early Childhood Learning Guidelines to formally obser ve our children two times a year but, a child’s authentic learning can be seen through natural play,” explained Robitaille. “ We ack now le dge t he i nc re a s e d expectations for children to k now all their letters, read, and write. The emphasis, however, must be on striking a good balance of all areas of learning, both academic and social.”
FAMILY
While some children are joiners and have jam-packed schedules to prove it, others are loners and choose to do little in the way of extracurricular activities. If your child is among them but has a few close friends and otherwise appears to be doing well, you may want to leave them be. They will join in when it feels right to them.
In the craft corner at Clover Pre-School are Madeline (pre-schooler) and Corrine (Clover resident) above, and Kathleen (Clover resident) and Calvin (pre-schooler) below.
Robitaille’s program utilizes themebased activities – one week may have an apple theme, another week, pumpkins – a nd t hat t heme is incor porated into t he lea rning t hrough outside exploration, stor y time, music and art, as well as the more “academic” activities of learning letters, numbers, and practicing writing. She and her staff focus on keeping the learning fun and meeting the children where they are developmentally in skills.
4
opposed to. What does your child enjoy doing? Do they like to run? Perhaps they should try out for track. Do they like to paint and draw? Perhaps they would enjoy being a member of the art club. Do they like to sing and dance? Perhaps they should try out for a play or join the drama club.
Schools offer all sorts of extracurricular activities, and if none of them appeal to your child, perhaps you could They’re not interested in taking part in anything, not change directions and look at activities offered in your team sports, not school clubs, not even the school band. community. Ask friends and family for recommendaYour spouse is not pleased with their decision and tions. Contact the park district office for an activity guide. thinks they could use a big push. You’re not sure. You Check with churches, libraries, hospitals and zoos for didn’t participate in much at school as a child, so why volunteer programs. You never know what organizations should you expect your third grader to be any different? might offer activities and volunteer opportunities.
Most of today’s daycare programs feature a pre-school component in addition to the hands-on care and nurturing of little ones. In an increasingly competitive, technologically sav v y world, directors and teachers of these programs feel the heavy responsibility of readying children for their educational journeys and yet, they are mindful of the importance of fostering a joy in learning.
Clover Pre-School Director Kim St. Pierre concurs with that philosophy and is very clear with the parents of children entering her program on what they can expect for a pre-school experience. Located within Clover Health Care on Minot Avenue in Auburn, her program features daily interaction between children and the elderly.
By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer Your third grader often comes home with stories of groups engaging in such and such activity at school. You see this as a good opportunity to ask them if they would like to get involved in something, but they always say no.
Daycare for children isn’t just daycare anymore.
Angela Robitaille, owner and director of Ca rol A nn’s Dayca re Center in Lew iston, has been caring for and teaching young children since 2005. She taught k inderga rten for t hree years and eventually took the reins of the program from her mother-inlaw three-and-a-ha lf years ago. In her professional experience, social learning – sharing, using words and not physicality to communicate needs, having the ability to sit and listen to a story – are all key to success in later learning environments.
Extracurricular activities: Give a little nudge
St. Pierre, who has a close working relationship with Fairview School’s public pre-k and kindergarten teachers, agrees with Robitaille on what skills will support a child’s success in school. “The teachers have told me,” noted St. Pierre, “that they can teach a child anything so long as that child can ask for help and use their words to resolve conflict and make their needs known. These are the skills that a person needs to get along in the world and if a child can do these things, they can succeed in school.”
Submitted photo
The children at Carol Ann’s Daycare went on a field trip to Wallingford’s Orchards in Auburn. Back at the daycare, the children prepared the apples for pies. Shown here are assistant teacher Katie Beal and Kya Robitaille peeling. In the background are Darien Appleton and Kiera Bean watching.
Unlike Robitaille’s program that can accommodate infants, toddlers, and pre-school aged children, St. Pierre’s prog ra m is gea red for ages t h ree
through five. A typical day includes story, snack, and rest time, outdoor play, and visits to different neighbors within Clover. Neighborhood visits might involve movement and music, creating a work of art or sharing a special snack time with residents. In South Paris, the Pine Tree Children’s House offers another choice of preschool experience. Its program is based on the discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori and is designed around children’s spontaneous urge to learn. Directress Brendalee Collins ran her own daycare program for years before she decided to take a break and work for someone else. That’s when she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy. Her classroom features neutral colors, natural elements of wood, water, and greenery and its design is specific to child-centered learning. The room is spacious with several small stations that can accommodate two children at a time; some areas including one dedicated to art activities allow for as many as four children at one time.
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012
Primar y colors are absent and the lea r n i ng mater ia l s av a i lable a re nature-based: wood, stone, meta l, water, plants, and natural fibers. Areas are dedicated to specific activ ities including practical life skills, math, language, cultural, science, geography, art, music, and sensorial. Children are allowed to explore any area of interest, using t he materia ls prov ided, and teachers obser ve and prov ide oneon-one lessons. Without the use of worksheets, the children learn letters and numbers in a variet y of ways: sound, feel, sight. “We observe the children and provide one on one lessons; we encourage the exploration of all the areas, especially if a child tends to gravitate toward the same activities,” said Collins. “Many of the activities are self-correcting, meaning at its completion, a child will know if he or she has succeeded and if not, will be able to figure out what went wrong and correct it.” In Montessori, through setting a table, using real glassware, loading batteries in a flashlight so it works, or using the
All three pre-school directors give a nod to structure with circle time to talk about the calendar, weather, and seasons. All believe children learn best through play and exploration of their world. Some offer room to transition through the ages and into a pre-school environment while others provide an all-day, age-specific, preschool experience.
With so many choices for the daycare/pre-school experience, how does a parent choose the “right” setting? Here are some tips straight from the professionals: •L ook for a setting that feels good when you enter. If it doesn’t feel inviting when you walk in, walk out. • L ook for cleanliness. •A re t here accred itat ions a nd philosophies? W hat are they and how do they inf luence your child’s experience? •O bserve the staff’s professionalism in appearance, manner, and interaction with you and your child. •T ake note of artwork, pictures, and decor – is this a place designed for children and learning? As a parent, if you don’t “feel it.” it’s probably not for your child.
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012
Once your child has found a few items of interest, take the time to check them out together. Arrange to observe the class in action or meet with someone about the volunteer program.
Ask questions and learn as much as you can about the opportunities. The more your child knows, the more If your child is not really a loner but simply lonely and you comfortable they will feel and the more apt they will be think they might benefit from participating in an extra- to join in. curricular activity, you might want to give them a nudge. Discuss with them the activities offered at their school Should your child find something to participate in, be supportive. Make sure they have a way to and from the and encourage them to get involved in one of them. activity and all of the supplies needed to participate. Don’t push. Chi ldren shou ld never be forced or pressured to participate in an activ it y. Their de- Go to any events associated with the activity. With your fenses will come up and they will not enjoy them- support, your child will participate, and hopefully, selves. They might even lash out and cause trouble. they will enjoy themselves. They may even have so much fun that they sign up for the activity again or The best way to get a child involved is to find an extra- pursue a new activity altogether. curricular activity they like, or at the very least, are not
An early milestone: Potty training One of the first major milestones a child hits is potty children. Parents can make potty training a fun part of training. As this can be a frustrating process at times, every evening with these three steps: here are some tips that may help make the process Consistency is key in teaching toddlers new behaviors. smooth, and perhaps even fun. “Fostering a nightly potty training routine helps todRemember every child is unique. It’s important to dlers learn consistency as their bodies grow to stay dry remember that no two kids train alike. Some children at night,” said Dr. Heather Wittenberg, expert in child might be completely potty trained by age 2 while development. Lack of consistency can confuse chilothers might still be learning this new skill at age 4. dren and may cause potty training stumbling blocks. Some might master going to the bathroom during the day, but still have trouble at night. Children learn A nighttime routine isn’t just about brushing teeth at their own pace so it’s important to remain positive and going to the bathroom. It also can include fun and patient throughout the ups and downs of the potty and motivating rituals such as performing the new Bedtime Light Show w it h Pull-Ups Night*Time training adventure. disposable training pants with new glow-in-the-dark Be a supportive coach. When your child starts showing designs. Simply charge the training pant by holding signs he or she is ready to be potty trained (staying dry it under a bright light source for 30 to 60 seconds, help for two hours or more, understanding the feeling of a your child put them on and darken the room by turning full bladder, distaste for soiled diapers) remember the off the light and shutting out additional light to help basics. Focus on the positive and stay upbeat. Your ensure the proper glow. child looks up to you and loves praise so get excited at Once your child is in bed, it’s time to tuck him in with a successes and don’t get upset when accidents happen. hug or kiss goodnight. Take a minute to talk about the Create a nighttime routine. While it’s true that potty day, emphasize the good efforts made toward potty training is a 24/7 activity, nighttime has some unique training and encourage them to continue these habits. challenges parents should consider. Because your This reassurance will set the tone for success on your child will be sleeping for a long period of time, it’s not potty training journey. Source: ARAContent uncommon for accidents to occur in bed, even for older
FAMILY
5
Brandi Chastain's 5 healthy habits for busy families For ma ny fa mi lies, school means routines and maintaining busy schedules that keep the entire family on the go – especially those families who are juggling school as well as extracurricular activities and sports. That’s why it’s particularly important to take the right steps, beginning with a few healthy habits that will carry them through not only the school year, but for a lifetime. It’s easy to get started. For children to adopt healthy routines, many experts agree that the whole family needs to be involved. Brandi Chastain, Oly mpic and world soccer champion, mom and mentor said, “To keep my family on
track, I like to incorporate a few to practice and back, it can be simple rules for healthy living tough to get them to eat that into our busy lives.” perfect meal. Add Libby’s Single Fruit Cups, which contain Hydrate to perform great. one complete serving of fruit, K id s shou ld d r i n k w ater to your children’s bags for an before, du r i ng a nd a f ter easy and nutritious snack. e x e r c i s e. W h i le e x e r c i s e generates heat and increases Sleep is important. Children the body’s core temperature, should receive an average of water works to bring body eight to nine hours of sleep temper at u re back to t he each night. Without enough normal 98.6 Farenheit. Let s l e e p c h i l d r e n w i l l n o t your child pick out a colorful perform to their full potential water bottle to make drinking during school, pract ice or water fun. games. Help your children s t ic k t o a r e g u l a r s le e p Always make time for healthy schedule by making bedtime meals. The USDA says that half fun – read them a story or sing our plates should be filled with a song while they fall asleep. colorful fruits and veggies, but when your children are con- Turn exercise into a family afstantly running from school fair. When exercising is a solo act, it can sometimes feel like a chore. Bring the whole family onboard and make exercising fun, family time. Join your kids in a game of soccer, Double Dutch or kickball.
Just Imagine...
When you set a good example, your kids are more likely to follow. Become a role model by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. It’s easier when you make a team effort. Lead by example. Although it’s tice, make an effort to eat well, easy weeknight recipes, visit easy to stop at the drive-thru exercise, and live a healthy www.getbacktothetable.com. on the way home from prac- lifestyle. To learn more about Source: NewsUSA healthy eating habits, and for
Lever’s Daycare Center "The BEST Care Daycare"
50 Mollison Way • Lewiston • Phone: 207-783-1552 leverdaycare@aol.com
...No more yard work
•
Services available include: ◊ Transportation ◊ Meal Plans ◊ Housekeeping ◊ Medication Administration
◊ Activities ◊ Laundry ◊ Personal Care ◊ Month to Month Rent
24 Hour Nursing Services For More Information Call 207-786-7149
MONTELLO
HEIGHTS
Retirement Community www.montelloheights.org • 550 College Street, Lewiston
6
FAMILY
Providing Care for Children 6 weeks - 12 years Transportation to Most Lewiston/Auburn Schools Experienced & Educated Staff Members of Quality for ME All Meals Provided Age Appropriate Curriculum Open Mon.-Fri. 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
CALL TODAY FOR A TOUR!
OPEN HOUSE October 8th - 21st
EVERY BODY WELCOME WEEK FREE 2TRIAL MEMBERSHIP
(Individual or Family)
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Next to County Building, Auburn www.alymca.org 795 4095 Like us on Facebook
Tips for parents: Discussing underage drinking There’s welcome news for parents who have yet to have a discussion with their son or daughter about underage drinking. There’s a free program that’s designed to help parents begin the conversation and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their kids.
was conducted by Impulse Research for Anheuser-Busch.
First launched more than 20 years ago, Family Talk was revamped in 2011 and now focuses on parenting stages – teacher, facilitator, and coach – that help parents use and adapt their influence to help prevent According to a recent study, underage drinking as their 67 percent of pa rents feel children grow and mature. that they have inf luence on their teens’ decisions about The program was recent ly u n d e r a g e d r i n k i n g a n d renovated and expanded with they think their teens listen help from certif ied parent to what t hey have to say. coach, MJ Corcoran, to be a Additionally, the parenting comprehensive resource for poll revea led t hat pa rents parents of kids of all ages. w ho’ve a l ready t a l ked to The program guide, which can their teens about underage be downloaded for free from drinking this back-to-school season believe they’re getting through to their kids, with 88 percent saying their teens were receptive. The sur vey
Underage page 7 ‰
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012
Underage
What to do when your teen starts dating
from page 6
By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer
the program’s Facebook page, offers parents a number of tips for having more meaningful c onver s at ion s w it h t hei r ch i ld ren about d r i n k i ng , including: • A sk ing open-ended quest ions, such as “If t here’s drinking at the party, what will you do?” or “What do you think about kids who drink?” • L i sten i ng w it h a n open mind. In other words, stay focused on what your child is saying right then, not on what he or she has said in the past, or what parents think their child should be saying.
When discussing drinking, parents should ask open-ended questions, such as “If there’s drinking at the party, what will you do?”
“O u r Fa m i l y Ta l k A b out Drinking program is designed to help parents begin the conversation and maintain an ongoing dialogue, whether their • S et t i ng consistent, clea r child is in elementary, middle boundaries. or high school, or even headed
to college,” said Kathy Casso, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. To lea rn more, v isit w w w. facebook.com/ABFamilyTalk. Source: NAPSI
When you were a teen, the guys did the asking. Today, that’s no longer the case. Girls are just as likely to do the asking, sometimes as early as age 12 or 13. Generally, at this age, dating occurs in a group setting, that is, a group of friends pair up and get together for a night at the movies or the bowling alley. This kind of setting alleviates the pressure of being one-on-one with someone and gives teens an opportunity to get to know each other. Unfortunately, it also sets the stage for peer pressure. Teens in a group setting are more likely to succumb to
peer pressure and do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. Talking to your teen before they go out about the social pressures they might face will help ensure they ma ke t he r ig ht decision should the situation arise. Whether your teen chooses to go out as part of a group or a pair, you need to set some ground rules regarding where and when the date can take place. Public places are ideal, and depending upon the activ it y planned, you may want to insist on adult super v ision. A couple of teens going to the movie theater might not pose as much risk as them going to a concert. In that case, you might
Monday-Friday 8-5; Saturday 8-4 or by Appointments
744-9053
877-778-2880
?
290 Park St., So. Paris, ME www.kbsmodelcenter.com
Building Systems
* Land Available * Residential * Commercial * Multi-Family from KBS
Don Tikander
Middle Man
Steve Merrill
True Factory Direct Home Center
• Imagine Real Estate Inc. is on the premises for your Real Estate listings • We Set & Finish Our Homes • Home-town Faces for Home-town Service • Immediate Response • Top Quality Sales & Service • Total Packages from the ground up • Build a Standard Home and delivered in 4 weeks • Factory Tours Available
Factory Tours Available
$79,000 • We want you as a customer! • We want to build your home or camp!
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012
want to escort your teen and their date to the concert, sitting several rows away from them. As for time, you probably want to insist on a time f ra me for t he date when places are busier, say the early evening rather than the late night. Go ahead and set a curfew to ensure your teen is home at a reasonable time. You might also want to learn a little something about your teen’s date, especially if you do not know them. Find out who their date is and where the two of them met. Be wary of any meetings that took place online. In fact, you might want to monitor your teen’s online activity to ensure they are not accidentally putting themselves in danger. Arrange to actually meet your teen’s date, whether at the front door or inside the house. Although first impressions can be deceiving, actually seeing the person your teen is going out with may make you relax a little. Communication is important when teens are dating. Keep the channels open and be willing to discuss whatever may come up, even if it’s a subject you’re not comfortable with. Make sure your teen knows where you stand on important issues like drugs and alcohol and that they can call on you, day or night, in the event they get into a situation they shouldn’t. Finally, be flexible. Yes, you shou ld set good g rou nd rules, but you should also be willing to change them as the need arises. What works for your teen as a 13-year-old may not work for them later. You may have to be a little more lenient as they mature and extend their curfew with each passing year. The key to maintaining a good relationship with your teen when they are dating is communication. Talk with your teen often and work with them to establish ground rules that suit them and you.
FAMILY
7
Juggling college, career, and family
L ea r n i ng t hat one is to become a grandparent is an important life moment and selecting your grandparent name can be fun.
Balancing work and family is a familiar challenge for many parents, but when you add college classes to the mix it can become a real juggling act.
Traditional grandmother names:
According to the Institute for Women’s Polic y Resea rch, parents of dependent children comprise nea rly a qua rter (3.9 million) of America’s 17 million college students and half of those (1.9 million) are single parents. For many college-bound parents, career success depends on advancing their education and refreshing their job skills.
Online learning can help busy parents balance their classwork with job
“Today’s careers are longer responsibilities and family time. and more complex than in the past,” said Dr. Tracey WilenDau gent i, v ic e pre sident campus classes are designed educationa l plan; explore a nd ma nag ing director of for working adults. tuition-assistance programs Apol lo Resea rch Inst itute. that your company may offer. “Cont i nu i ng educat ion is • L ook for programs that use critical to staying employable innovative technologies. By • E x p l o r e r e s o u r c e s t h a t over a career that may last 50 building technology skills, your college may provide, to 60 years and require 10 or you will increase your value such as work-life ba lance more job changes.” to an employer. con su lt a nt s to help you locate child care and manage But don’t rush back to college • D on’t u nderest i mate t he your time. i f you don’t have a clea r time you’ll need to complete purpose or plan for managing a s s i g n me nt s out s ide of Learn more at http://w w w. your time. Apollo Research c l a s s . A s k f a c u l t y a n d apolloresearchinstitute.org. I n s t it ut e s u r v e y e d mor e fellow students about time Source: NAPSI t ha n 4,400 adu lt st udents requirements. and found that 56 percent experience anxiety over not • E ngage you r ch i ld ren i n your lea rning process by spending enough time with taking them to the library friends and loved ones. or setting up shared space Here are some tips to help collegeto do homework together. going parents stay the course: Dia log ue w it h you r k ids about what you are learning • Seek a program with flexible and the role education plays class scheduling. Evening in your lives. cla sses, on l i ne lea r n i ng or hybr id prog ra ms t hat • Ta l k w it h you r employer combi ne on l i ne a nd onabout you r goa ls a nd
8
Selecting your grandparent name
Big Mom Gram Gramma Grammy Grams Grandma Grandmama Grandmom Grandmother Grannie Ma or Maw Mamo MawMaw Mema Memaw Memere Mom-Mom Nana Nanny
Traditional grandfather names: Grandfather Grandpa Grampa Grandpappy Gramps Granddad Granddaddy Grandpop PawPaw Big Paw Peepaw Pepere Papadaddy Pop Poppa
Pops Pop-Pop Poppy Big Daddy Boom-pa Bompa Bumpy Boppa Modern grandfather names: Chief Captain G G-Daddy G-Pa Duke Buddy So urce: Grandparents.about. com/.
Modern grandmother names: BeBe Bella GiGi G-Ma G-Mom Honey Lovey MayMay Mia
15 Strawberry Avenue Lewiston, Maine 04240 207-777-7740 www.ahch.org
For Your Personal Insurance Needs!
For 47 years, our family has been taking care of your family!
Patrons Oxford Insurance Company Auburn, Maine, www.patrons.com
Home Care • Hospice Care • Hospice House • Suppportive Care
FAMILY
Mim Mimi Nina
As we move into the future, we believe our mission, values, policies and practices demonstrate that we will continue to provide the highest quality of care to you and your family for years to come.
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012