Family & Kids Bayou Region March 17

MARCH 2017

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© Leo Bourg Photography

BAYOU REGION

ies & AcEtivit Camps D I GU

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Parties, Camps, Classes for Cheer, Tumbling & Tryouts.

Front Cover Sponsor, See Pg. 8

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Jokin’ Around Why you don’t want to fight with a snail?

It might try to slug you!

Why couldn’t the skunk go shopping?

It didn’t have a scent in its wallet!

What is smarter than a talking cat?

A spelling bee!

How can you learn more about spiders?

Check out their website!

What kind of bear stays out in the rain?

A drizzly bear!

What do you call a cow with two legs?

Lean beef!

HOO’s FUN Featuring: “Funny Animals”

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING

SEPARATION How to Pick a ANXIETY Summer Camp IN BIG KIDS The tears, tantrums, and clingy behavior of toddlers when separating from their parents is a normal part of early childhood development. It can be a distressing stage for parents, but separation anxiety usually diminishes by age 3, as toddlers mature and learn to cope with transitions. However, for some kids, it can make a reappearance in the preschool and school age years.

Big changes in surroundings such as a move, a new sibling, or new school can cause worry and bring back those tearful goodbyes. Your child’s anxiety is normal and there are some steps you can take to help make the daily transitions to school and activities less painful.

• Prepare ahead of time to leave your child in unfamiliar surroundings or with new people. Have a new babysitter come visit with your child before they watch them alone. If possible, have your child visit his new school before the first day. The same goes for new activities, such as dance class.

• Have a short, goodbye routine that includes letting your child know about how long you’ll be gone. Don’t get into a long discussion with your child and try not to give in and change your plans if at all possible. Stay calm if your child has a meltdown, and simply remind her you will be back when you promised and everything will be fine.

• Talk with your child to see if you can identify any sources of anxiety that may make separation from you more difficult. A sudden onset of separation anxiety when being dropped off at school may indicate something stressful has happened at school and disrupted her routine. Also, evaluate yourself to see if you are stressed.

Your child can pick up on your feelings and it may add to her worry.

For kids with mild separation anxiety, taking these steps should ease the worry. However, some school aged kids experience such intense separation anxiety that it keeps them from attending school, forming friendships, or even disrupts their sleep. This is referred to as separation anxiety disorder and is a condition that is not a normal part of childhood development. Many kids who experience it feel unsafe in some way. They may be worried about something happening to their parents while they are away. Others may be reacting strongly to a change in their environment, like the loss of a loved one. Talk with your child about her anxiety in an empathetic,

understanding way. Encourage her to share her feelings, to see if you can pinpoint the root cause of her intense fear of spending time away from you.

To help your child deal with separation anxiety disorder at school, enlist the help of the school counselor to formulate a plan for the school day. The plan could include accommodations like contact with home when needed or more time for drop-off in the morning. If you feel like, despite your best efforts, you are not able to help ease your child’s separation anxiety symptoms, consult her pediatrician for advice.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Tammy Usie Publisher

sDigest.com

Sales@FamilyandKid

253-212-7270 Cell

Dear Parents of Terrebonne & Lafourche Parishes, Welcome to your handy, local, parenting resource guide. I hope you will find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, along with some informative articles, fun features, handy resources and things to do.

If you like our magazine, then you’ll enjoy our website too, www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com. There you can read our digital magazine and use our ONLINE SHOPPING DIRECTORY. This virtual buying guide will provide you with a list of local, family-friendly businesses that we intend to grow into something more comprehensive in time. Plus with the ability for consumers to leave reviews on these businesses, it will help other parents make buying decisions. I invite you to go leave a few reviews to help us build this resource and share them with other parents like yourself.

AD DEADLINES

1st of the Month for the Next Month’s Issue

Tammy Usie

HOO KNOWS SPECIAL FEATURES Hoo’s crafty.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15

Hoo’s Hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 9

HOO’S Fun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2 & 8

HOO’S parenting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 3

HOO’S healthy.. . . . . . . . . page 7, 13 & 25

HOO’S tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 29

Hoo’s helpful.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 & 11

Summer Activities.. . . . . . . . . page 18-23

HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, in any way, without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC. For information on operating your own digest, contact us at 1-888-HOO-5609.

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops and restaurants. Plus grocery stores, coffee shops, and many more places of business in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

Plus read our digital edition at:

www.familyandkidsdigest.com Find us on Facebook

Family & Kids Bayou Region

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

online safety We spend time every day online browsing websites, posting updates on social networking sites, and making financial transactions. Here are some steps you can take to keep your identity and info safe against those who are looking for an opportunity to steal it.

First, secure your hardware, software, and network.

To do this, you need to install a firewall, ant-virus software, and anti-spyware software on your computer. Keep your operating system and the software on your computer updated. Allowing the updates to install will prevent malicious computer code from exploiting weaknesses in your computer’s software or operating system and stealing your information. Also, be very cautious about using public Wi-Fi networks with a mobile device or laptop. Public Wi-Fi networks are not always secure and there is a chance someone could intercept your information.

Use strong passwords for your online accounts. Never use easy-to-obtain information, like your kids’ names or birthdays for passwords.

HOO’s HELPFUL

When setting up an account on social networking sites, check your privacy settings. On some sites, the default is ‘public’. Make sure you select ‘private’, so that only your select group of friends can see your full profile and what you post. Also, keep the information on your public profile to a minimum. Identity thieves can use information like your full name, address, birthday, and hometown to open credit cards or take out loans in your name. Instruct your kids to never share this type of personal information and not to ‘friend’ anyone they don’t know in real life.

Never click on links embedded in emails from someone you don’t know. They could lead to a website that will infect your computer with code that will steal your passwords and information. Also, be vigilant for ‘phishing’ scams and delete emails asking for personal information or money. Reduce this sort of spam by using an email provider that has strong anti-spam filtering and by creating a secondary ‘junk’ email account to use for registering for websites and subscriptions.

Use caution when selecting what type of info you send via email. Email is not secure unless it is encrypted.

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SHOPPING GUIDE Food & Beverage

Activities Alstarz Cheerleading Academy...........8 Bayou Country Children’s Museum....7 Bayouland YMCA..................................... 9 Blacklist Camps...................................... 23 Bricks 4 Kidz Camps..............................19 Brushworks Art & Music Camps........19 Busy Bee Camps..................................... 22 Ctr for Pediatric Therapy Camps.......21 EGGS-travaganza................................... 24 eLearning Academy Camps............... 22 Greenwood Gator Farm & Tours...........8 Gymnastics Development Center..... 30 Houma’s Best Summer Camp............. 23 James Academy of Gymnastics........ 23 Mix It Up Camps......................................18 THEM 20 Riverview CampTELL for Girls....................

Southdown Marketplace..................... 25 Tiger-Rock.................................................21

SENT YOU!

Childcare/ education

Chick-fil-A on MLK................................ 27

healthcare Coastal Urgent Care.............................. 28 Pelican Medical Supply........................12 Thieler Orthodontics............................ 27 Total Urgent Care....................................12

Shopping/ Retail Allstate - Brian Mustin..........................12 Bayou Inflatables......................................5 Clearwater Pools & Spas.......................15 Downtown Houma.................................. 11 Felger’s Foot Wear................................. 27 Lil’ Sweet Pea’s Boutique........................2 Southland Mall....................................... 32

St. Bernadette Catholic.........................31 St. Genevieve Catholic.......................... 30 St. Joseph Catholic.................................31 Sylvan Learning........................................5 The Learning Ladder............................. 30

PARENTS’ ONLINE SHOPPING GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s HEALTHY

WHAT IS:

A genetic condition called Stargart disease is one of the most common causes of macular degeneration in children and teenagers. Macular degeneration is the progressive loss of vision. This genetic condition is not the same as the age-related macular degeneration found in adults. Instead, Stargart disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the macula, which is the central portion of the retina. The retina consists of a delicate, light sensing tissue and lines the inside wall of the eye.

The photoreceptor cells in the retina provide the visual information to the brain. Sharp, central vision for tasks like looking at a computer screen or looking at faces is provided by the macula.

central vision and visit the eye doctor. Stargart disease is easily diagnosed by the characteristic yellow flakes in and around the macula. The yellow flakes are deposits of lipofuscin.

Lipofuscin is a normal protein byproduct of cell activity but the genetic mutation that causes Stargart disease interferes with the normal production of this protein, causing it to build up in the macula. Some Stargart patients will also experience a decrease in color perception, since cells responsible for color perception are also located in the macula.

The decreased central vision due to macular degeneration is a defining symptom of Stargart disease, and it can be first noticed during childhood and adolescence. The first symptoms are often a decrease in the ability to see details and recognize shapes. Many patients find out they have Stargart disease when they notice this type of change in

There is not a cure for Stargart disease. It is a recessive genetic trait, which means it is inherited when both parents carry the gene for it. The parents who carry the gene will not have symptoms. The rate at which vision is lost varies, but a study showed that by age 50 almost all patients will have a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse.

STARGART DISEASE?

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Want to grow your business? Reach over 12,000 parents here!

Call 253-212-7270

Missouri FUN Page!

WORD SEARCH

Can you fin d the words from the list below?

They might horizontal, vertical or backward.

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Hawthorn St. Louis Soy Beans Ozarks Lake Wappapello Algonquian Missouri Waltz Mule

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Unscramble In one serpent and out the other! Can you make it?

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N O F R J E S E F T Y C I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ANSWER: JEFFERSON CIT Y

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Colo r the Misso uri State Flag:

QUIZ

What is Missouri’s nickname?

P The Look There State P The See This State P The Show Me State

Color key:

ANSWER: THE SHOW ME STATE

The serpent is an important magical symbol in Celtic mythology that is connected with healing powers.

Copyright © 2011-2012 2010-2011 by

by Education.com Education.com

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More worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets More worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets

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HOO’s HUNGRY GARDEN GRAZER’S

RAINBOW RICE

This beautifully colorful dish, is just as much a feast for the eyes as it is the tastebuds, and with surprisingly minimal work.

DIRECTIONS Make the rice ahead of time and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours/overnight. Dice carrots, bell pepper, onion, and mince garlic.

In a large wok or pan over med-high heat, add 1 tsp. sesame oil. When oil is hot, carefully add onion, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir it often, saute for about 5-7 minutes.

Add peas and corn. Cook for 2 minutes. Then, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Finally, add rice and 3 Tbsp. soy sauce. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 5 minutes. Top with more soy sauce if desired.

INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 cups dry brown rice • 2 medium carrots • 1 red bell pepper • 1 red onion • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas • 1 cup frozen corn • 4 garlic cloves • 1 tsp. sesame oil • 3 Tbsp soy sauce by thegardengrazer.com

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A Page In A Book

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Recommending the Best Books for Children and Teens By Gerry P. Smith

Books, Beds and Sleepyheads

Preparing children for a good night’s sleep can include a variety of routines from warm baths, dimmed lights, and soft pajamas which create soothing transitions from active play to relaxation. Best among these comforting routines is the time-honored bedtime traditions of finding just the right books to settle in with before lights out. The following titles are recommended for winding down wound up kids with simple text, softedged illustrations and sweet progressions toward sleep.

Rock-a-Bye Romp

By Linda Ashman (Nancy Paulsen / Penguin Random House)

Taking inspiration from the ‘Rock-a-bye, Baby’ lullaby, this baby’s journey toward slumber departs from the treetop and takes a round-a-bout tour before the last goodnight. Rendered with almost dreamlike detail, baby leaves the cradle in the boughs and soars through darkening skies, floats along rivers of stars, and ambles across peaceful pastures. Animals met along the way all seems to be guiding baby toward a sleepy destination. The journey ends when the child finally lands in mother’s arms, and makes the last stop of the night in baby’s own bed. With rhyming text that perfectly syncs with the original lullaby, readers may also use this gentle selection to sing the way toward slumber.

Good Night Like This

By Mary Murphy (Candlewick)

Rabbits, bears, fireflies and squirrels all snuggle in with their babes as twilight looms, calming and cuddling their little ones. Each two-page spread shows the moments just before sleep, then turns to reveal the sleeping family.

The evening hues shift from dusky orange, through violet to blue as the progression toward bedtime sees the departure of the sun and the arrival of starry skies. Children reading along will enjoy identifying the shadowy silhouettes that say “good night” while chiming in with their own “like this” refrain after each animal closes its eyes.

Sheep Go To Sleep

By Nancy Shaw (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Five sheep are back from their latest adventure and heading home to hit the sack. They’re ready for sleep in their snug beds of hay but nighttime noises are keeping them awake. Enter the loyal collie who has just the thing to soothe restless sheep. Helping with a hug for one, a drink for another, collie has something to offer each sheep as they countdown toward slumber. With simple rhyming text and soft-edged illustrations, this title is perfect for little ones who are just beginning to count sheep as they go to sleep.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Hoo’s helpful

cast iron cooking The myth that cast iron cookware is delicate and needs excessive pampering keeps many from exploring the world of cast iron cooking. In reality, cast iron cookware is very durable and versatile. Just following a few simple steps for maintaining it will keep it ready to cook up the next batch of cornbread or fried chicken. The key to cast iron cookware is the layer of seasoning that protects the bottom of the pan and keeps food from sticking to it. Even if the cookware is preseasoned when you buy it, you will still want to give it an initial seasoning.

• Start with a clean pan. If the pan is an heirloom piece that is Each time you use the cookware after the initial seasoning, you rusty or dirty, you will need to clean it first with some gentle build upon the layer of seasoning in your pan and it will become increasingly non-stick. After each use, hand wash the cookware soap and fine steel wool. using hot water and a sponge. A paste of kosher salt and water can • Apply a thin layer of melted shortening or canola oil to the be used to remove stuck on food. Dry the cookware immediately by pan, inside and out. Put some aluminum foil on the bottom placing it on a burner over low heat. After it is dry, rub a thin layer of rack of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. canola oil or shortening on it and heat it for 5 or 10 minutes more to give it a quick re-season.

• Place the cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven and bake it for at least one hour. Allow the cookware to cool Never put your cast iron cookware in the dishwasher and don’t let it in the oven. soak. Never use steel wool to clean your cookware as it will remove the seasoning. Store the cookware in a dry place.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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PROTECT YOUR WORLD 5328 Highway 311 Houma

985-447-8150 535 Canal Blvd.

Thibodaux

Insurance and discounts subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co.. Life insurance offered through Allstate Life Ins. Co. & Allstate Assurance Co. Northbrook, IL; Lincoln Benefit Life Co., Lincoln, NE; and American Heritage Life Insurance Co., Jacksonville, FL. Securities offered by Personal Financial Representatives through Allstate Financial Services, LLC (LSA Securities in LA and PA). Registered Broker-Dealer. Member FINRA, SIPC. Main Office: 2920 South 84th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506. (877) 525-5727. Š 2017 Allstate Insurance Co.

HOO’S PLUGGED IN WWW.familyandkidsdigest.COM

Nose running?

Walk-ins welcome.

Open Nights and Weekends

Cut Off (in front of Walmart) 314 Hwy 3162 | (985) 632-1820 M-F 8am-8pm | S-Su 8am-5pm Trusted. Proven. Convenient.

MyTotalUrgentCare.com

204693

Brian Mustin 985-873-1411

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The

HOO’s HEALTHY

tips to make grandparents’ homes safer Grandparents and grandkids are two-way blessings. Grandchildren benefit from having an extra pair of eyes to watch over them and love them. And watching them grow and develop and yes- spoiling them may extend grandparents’ lives.

Whether grandparents are your choice for day care, or if it’s just a family visit, if you’ve been thinking about how to talk with yours or your spouse’s parents about making their home kid-proof – here’s some excellent tips from “Grandparent Central,” AARP:

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Kids

Doctor

Sue Hubbard, MD kidsdr.com

6 Walkers and wheelchairs. These items may look like toys to a young child. Make sure they are either out of sight or lock the wheels to prevent rolling.

7 Keep guns under lock and key. One of the most important tips! Always keep it unloaded in a locked cabinet, with the ammunition stored separately.

8 Be present when your grandchild is with your

pet. According to the CDC, more than 77,000 children under age 10 are treated each year in emergency rooms for dog bites.

1 Keep all meds out of reach. About 38% of 9 child-poisoning cases involve grandparents’ medications, so clear meds from countertops, tables and drawers. Put a lock on the medicine cabinet. Make sure your purse is not in reach of your grandchild.

2 Get rid of crib-clutter. Not long ago, cribs

were filled with such things as stuffed toys, little pillows, bumper pads and blankets. Nowadays, more people are aware that these items are a suffocation hazard and are best left out of the crib.

3 Baby should sleep on back and not face down or on their side in the crib. It reduces the risk of SIDS. 4 Lock up detergent pods. These colorful packets

of liquid laundry or dishwasher soap look like candy. They can pose “a serious poisoning risk to young children,” says a study in the Journal of Pediatrics.

5 Make furniture safe. Flat-screen TVs and shelves are prone to tipping if little ones try to pull themselves up. Attach anti-tip brackets or straps to safely secure these items. And don’t forget outlet covers, drawer locks, stairway gates, and edge and corner guards for furniture.

Guard pools and drains. Always keep your cell phone with you when your grandchild is in the pool in case you need to call 911. If you’ve got a pool or hot tub, prevent access with a childproof gate. You may not be aware of the danger of drains: Suction forces can be powerful enough to trap small children underwater.

10 Watch all water. Since toddlers’ heads are heavy in proportion to their bodies, they can easily be pulled down. That’s why even an inch of standing water is dangerous. Put a childproof lock on the toilet and drain bathwater immediately.

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Stove safety. When kids are around, use back burners and always keep handles of pans turned in.

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Beware of choking hazards. Five of the most overlooked choking hazards for young children are mini-batteries, jewelry, refrigerator magnets, pen caps and loose change, which are five items you may not typically think about.

These tips are obviously good for every family household but may be particularly helpful when someone is not used to having children at their house for extended periods of time.

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Dining Deals

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

wednesday

Cajun Critters. 1029 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma. Kids eat free from kids’ menu. Balloon art and face painting.

Big Mike’s BBQ. 3034 Barrow St, Houma. From 4pm to close. Kids’ meals $.99.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 602 N Canal Blvd, Thibodaux.

Kids10 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Face painting.

Buffalo Wild Wings. 1783 MLK, Houma. Up to two kid’s meals for $1.99, per adult meal, all day.

IHOP. 1719 MLK Blvd, Houma. 4-9pm. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

La Casa Del Sol. 141 Westover Rd. Thib. 5-8pm. Kids’ meals $2.99 for12 and under. Face painting.

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd, Thib.

Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Tuesday Applebee’s.1039 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma. Kids eat free from kids’ menu from 3-9pm (1 kid per adult).

Chick-fil-A. 1741 MLK Blvd, Houma. Free 4 count kid’s meal with any meal purchase from 5-8pm. First Tuesday of each month is Kid’s Craft Night.

Golden Corral.1724 MLK Blvd, Houma. Free balloon art and face painting.

La Casa Del Sol. 4647 Louisiana 1, Raceland and 169 Monarch Dr, Houma. 5-8pm. Kids’ meals $2.99 for12 and under.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 4560 Louisiana 1, Raceland.

6-8pm. Free balloon art and face painting.

thursday Dynasty Buffet. 6425 West Park Ave, Houma. Kids 3-6 eat free. Free balloon art and face painting.

sunday Crabby Crab. 5726 LA 1, Lockport. Free ice cream for kids, balloon art & facepainting from 6-8pm Ground Pati. 101 Bayou Gardens, Houma. Up to 2 kids eat free per adult, required drinks not included.

Dine in only.

Hooters. 1619 MLK, Houma. Free kid’s meal with each paid adult, all day. Drinks not included.

everyday Foundry on The Bayou. 15 West 1st St, Thib.

From10:30am-2pm, free ice cream & face painting.

Pepper’s Pizzeria. 600 W 3rd St, Thib. Kids 12 and under get $1.99 pizza and free ice cream.

Dave’s Cajun Kitchen. 6240 West Main, Houma. Kids under 11 get $.99 dinner meal with drink purchase.

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd, Thib.

Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Specials are subject to change without notice. Please verify them directly before dining. “Family & Kids” and the restaurants listed accept no liability, so please call them first to verify. If you know of a kid’s special not listed here, contact Sales@FamilyAndKidsDigest.com.

Sicily’s Buffet. 1539 MLK Blvd, Houma. Up to 2 free kids’ buffets for kids 12 and under with paid adult.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

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HOO’s CRAFTY PAPER BAG

ARTIST PORTFOLIO

How cute is this upcycle?! With just a few minutes and a few craft supplies, you can give your budding artists a way to not only display their art, but travel with it!

DIRECTIONS Cut down the sides of your paper bag and cut off the bottom. You will now have two separate paper bag sheets (with handles) Fold the inside paper you are using in half and lay it down on one side of the paper bag. Trim around the paper leaving a bit of a margin. Trim the other paper bag sheet. Now tape the two sides together.

Punch a small hole at the top and bottom of your paper bag. Punch the hole close to the fold, but not on the fold.

Open up the bag and lay the folded paper inside, marking where the holes are on the white paper. Now punch holes in the white paper right on the fold.

Insert the brass fasteners from the outside and secure them inside. Voila!

SUPPLIES grocery paper bag with handles 12x18 paper colorful tape hole punch fasteners glitter, paint, etc.

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MARCH E Legend: TM - Terrebonne Main Library TD - Thibodaux Branch

27-3 Mardi Gras Camp at Bay- 6-10 New student registration 18 LEGO Club. TM. 11am and ouland YMCA. 7am-6pm. Ages 4-12. 985-873-9622.

period for St. Joseph Catholic School. 985-446-1346

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6-10 New student registration

Open Gym. Alstarz Cheer.

6-9pm. $10. 13347 W Main St, Larose. 985-693-7109.

period for St. Genevieve Catholic School. 985-447-9291.

1 Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm. Open 7 play to build, trade and battle.

Craft night at Chick-fil-A on MLK, Houma. 5-8pm.

Brushworks Mardi Gras Camps. 9am-noon or 12:303:30pm. 985-868-0580.

1-2

10 Saturday Morning Cartoons.

1-3

ie King Center. 7pm. Tickets through Ticketmaster.com.

Mardi Gras Cooking Camp at Mix it Up. 9am-1pm. Ages 5-12.

Mixitupcooks.com

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Harlem Globetrotters. Houma Civic Center. 7pm. Tickets through Ticketmaster.com.

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Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm.

Open play to build, trade and battle.

10am. TD. “Winnie the Pooh.”

11 AMSOIL Arenacross at Smooth11 “Cooking Under The Sea” at

Mix It Up Houma with special guest Ariel. 10am-noon. Mixitupcooks.com

18-19

Bayou Home Show & Cannata’s Festival of Food. Houma Civic Center. 10am-5pm. $6.

Free for kids under 12.

18 Winter Jam at Smoothie King

Center. Christian Music Fest. 6pm. $10 at the door.

18 Women Empowering Women.

1-3pm. TD. Featuring female businesswomen and artists.

19 Irish Italian Parade. 12:30pm.

Starts at Cannata’s Westside Houma.

19 Create! with Plastic Canvas. All ages craft. 3pm. TM.

11 Alstarz Cheer Tryout Workshop. 22 MagnaTiles Activity. 11am. $25. 13347 W Main St, Larose.

985-693-7109.

4 Alstarz Cheer Tryout Workshop. 11 Fiddle Stitches Club. TM. 11am.

$25. 13347 W Main St, Larose.

985-693-7109.

3pm. All ages.

TD. STEM activity for young kids.

24 Open Gym. Alstarz Cheer.

6-9pm. $10. 13347 W Main St, Larose. 985-693-7109.

4 Community garage sale at Bay-

4th grade and up. Join this group of crocheters, knitters and fiber artists. All skill levels. Some supplies provided.

24 Downtown Thibodaux Arts

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24 Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm.

4 St. Patrick’s Day Frame Kids

Escape the Library. TM. 4th grade and up. Solve clues before time runs out. RSVP 876-5861.

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25 Super Cooper 5K. 8am. Pi-

5 Noise Makers: Movement and

Craftganza. TM. 4pm. 4th grade and up. “Paper ballerina mobiles.” RSVP 985-876-5861.

15-17

25 Free Bully Prevention Semi-

ouland YMCA. 7am-noon. 985873-9622 to reserve a booth.

Craft. 10:30am. TD. RSVP 4474119.

Music. TM. 3pm. Build reading skills through movement.

6 New student registration begins at St. Bernadette Catholic School. 985-872-3854.

6 Preschool Kindle Fire Activities.

11am. TD. Kids 4-6.

Terrebonne Parish Pre-K School Registration. 8:30am2:30pm. Visit tpsdla.schoolloop. com/ecp1 for more info.

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New Orleans Wild Wheels Car Show at Superdome. www.mbsuperdome.com

Walk. 5-9pm.

Open play to build, trade and battle.

nocchio’s Pizza Playhouse. www. cooperlifefund.org. nar. Blacklist Jiu Jitsu. 1pm. Ages 7 & up. 985-303-0170.

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Movie Madness, “Trolls.”

1pm. TD.

EVENTS

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Library BCCM - Bayou Country Children’s Museum

25 MoboRobo Robotics Lab for

Storytime with craft. TD. 10:30am.

All ages welcome.

Dancercize. 4pm. All Ages. TM (on 3/10 and 17).

26 Virtual Reality Goggle Dem-

Baby OHM/ Prenatal Yoga. Anela’s. 4pm. 7720 Main St, Houma. anelaslounge.com.

SATURDAY

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THURSDAY

PreK-3rd graders. TM. 4pm. RSVP 876-5861.

os. 4pm. TM.

Family Movie Matinee: Kubo and the Two Strings. TM. 3pm.

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Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm.

Open play to build, trade and battle.

WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAY

Creative Toddler Time. TM. 10am and 6pm for 19mon-3yrs.

TUESDAY

Storytime. TM. 10am for newborns-18mon, and 6pm for 4-8 year olds and their families.

Family storytime. TM. 6pm. 4-8yr olds & families.

Tales for Tots. BCCM. 10:30pm.

Ages 2-5. bccm.info Bingo. TD. 10am. All ages. Prizes awarded.

Board Game night. TD. 5pm. All ages. Prizes awarded. Snacks provided.

WEDNESDAY

Storytime for PreK-3rd grade. TM. 10am.

Pre-K storytime. TM. 10am for 3-5 year olds.

Interactive Storytime for infants and toddlers. TD. 10:30am.

Toddler Storytime. TM. 2pm. 19 mon-3 years.

Free kids’ yoga. Anela’s. 6:30pm.

7720 Main St, Houma. anelaslounge.com Prenatal yoga. Anela’s. 6pm. anelaslounge.com.

Computer instruction classes.

2pm. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

English as a second language.

TM. 6:30pm.

Crafternoons for PreK-6th. 4pm.

TM. Craft varies. RSVP 876-5861.

FRIDAY

Wiggle, Move & Giggle. BCCM. 1:30pm. bccm.info Open Gym. JAG. 7-9pm. $7-$10 for non members. Adult required for ages 5 and under. 308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985-851-3001.

Open Gym. LA Sports Gym. 6:309pm. $10. Toddler Time 10amnoon. $7. Kids 4 and under. 544 S Hollywood Rd, Houma. 985-5809746.

Exercise class. 11am. TD. Style varies.

STEMulating Saturday. Sylvan Learning. 12-1pm. Classes in robotics, coding and engineering.

985-223-3798.

Storytime. 3pm. TM (only 2nd Saturday of month).

Downtown Houma Market. Courthouse Square. 8am-noon. Local produce and artisans.

Lafourche Central Market. Farmers, fishermen, artisans and activities. 8a-noon.

Thibodaux Main Street Market.

8am-12:30pm next to Jean Lafitte Park. Buy fresh, buy local.

Kids’ Club. Michael’s, Houma.

10am-12pm. $2. Adult required.

985-872-3132.

Build and Grow Clinic. Lowe’s, Houma. 10am. Free. RSVP lowes. com/buildandgrow.

985-2237575.

Kids’ Workshop. Home Depot, Houma. 9am-12pm. Ages 5-12. Adult required. Free. RSVP homedepot.com/workshops/ kids-workshops. 985-223-1485.

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

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Choices for & Your Family SUMMER Wise CAMPS &YouACTIVITIES GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

r e m m u S l a Speci ps for Cam Kids!

Special Camps include handwriting, feeding, social play skills and others. Individual physical, occupational and speech therapy also available. All private insurance accepted for therapy.

985-449-0944 • 270 Hwy 3185, Thibodaux, & 220 Civic Center Blvd, Houma

therapyforpeds.com

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Choices for & Your Family SUMMER Wise CAMPS &YouACTIVITIES GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST Visit our website to enter:

w w w. F a m i l y A n d K i d s D i g e s t . c o m

Elliott, 4 months Galliano

Emery, 14 months Thibodaux

Jayden, 4 years Houma

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s HEALTHY

BREAST MILK BANK

As a result, it is no surprise that many new mothers who have difficulty producing enough breast milk or cannot breastfeed for medical reasons have started purchasing donated breast milk from online breast milk exchanges.

Informal online exchanges buy breast milk from moms with an excess supply and sell it to moms in need of breast milk for their infants. Online milk exchanges are not regulated by Medical studies have proven that the FDA, so It is “buyer beware.”

This does present serious risks, human breast milk has many since certain viruses, such as nutritional benefits for newborns hepatitis and HIV, and medications and, in addition, helps support the can be passed to infants through immune system of new babies so breast milk. In addition, there is they can better fight off disease. a risk that the breast milk could be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Healthcare experts warn against purchasing milk from the casual, online milk exchanges.

Instead, they recommend that a new mom who is having trouble breastfeeding consult a lactation specialist before trying to obtain donated breast milk. If the lactation issues cannot be resolved or a new mom cannot breastfeed for medical reasons, her doctor can write a prescription for donated breast milk from a nonprofit donor milk bank affiliated with the Human Milk Banking Associated of North America (HMBANA).

A HMBANA affiliated milk bank is regulated by the FDA and must meet strict standards. Donors are screened to ensure they are not infected with harmful diseases and eat a healthy diet.

Once donated milk arrives at the milk bank, it is pasteurized, tested for bacteria, and then frozen until it is needed. The donated milk is expensive, around $3 an ounce, but the cost may be covered by some insurance plans.

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TOYS MEANT FOR

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

ROYALTY! Perhaps it’s the fairy tales of youth that launch our interest in castles. These elaborate structures are the seat of power in countless imagined kingdoms. So it’s a natural outcome that many kids find playing with castle toys part of their ultimate childhood fantasies. Whether they are enacting their own epic intrigues or playing out a version of scenarios from their favorite tales, castle toys are prime real estate of every kid’s pretend-play landscape!

Knights Castle Tent

(Discovery Kids)

For turnkey castle play, the Discovery Kids Knights Castle Tent is a quick and easy way to create an instant fortress for kids to rule.

Crafted with durable nylon, this play tent features a roof and floor that make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor play. Colorful graphics and classic castle design elements (crenelations, arched windows, peaked roof) reinforce the royal vibe. The stretch-corded tent poles also make for easy assembly and fast breakdown. When the castle is uninhabited, the whole edifice collapses to a flat, compact and handily portable package for the royals on the go!

Imaginext Lions Den Castle

(Fisher-Price)

With the noble lion as its sigil and defender, this castle play set is ready to host big adventure. Designed for small hands and big imaginations, the Lions Den comes with fierce elements that will spark scenarios that change and evolve with each play session. Movable elements allow kids to craft defensive actions or plan their own attacks on the fortifications – the adventures are theirs to design and implement. Including a ranging lion and three characters with various armor and weapons, this set can also be expanded with additional figures to grow new tales from within the Imaginext Lions Den Castle.

My Soft World Castle Block

(Edushape)

Little hands have the tools they need to build their very own small kingdom with the My Soft World Castle Block Set. Featuring lightweight blocks and figures crafted with soft, yet durable foam, these pieces are the building blocks for a tiny realm that’s sized just right for the preschool-aged crowd. No sharp edges or hard knocks come with this soft play set. With wonderfully colorful graphics that add royal flair to the turrets and towers, and a fantastic cast of characters that are ready to move in, this soft building set offers all the pretend-play elements for a child’s first castle adventures.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Braces for Children, Teenagers, and Adults 2016 READERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNER

Nicole Thieler, DDS, MSD 206 Mystic Boulevard Houma, LA 70360

Call for a complimentary consultation!

(985) 876-4484 www.thielerorthodontics.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Hoo’s Tips PREVENTING TEEN ALCOHOL ABUSE Teen alcohol use can have deadly and devastating consequences. The brain is undergoing final steps of development during these years, and alcohol abuse can impair this development. It also impairs motor skills and judgment which can have devastating effects. Take steps in the tween-age years, to prevent teen alcohol use.

BUILD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD Building a strong, supportive relationship with your child will help him feel good about himself. He will know you care about him and accept him. Spend time with your child and keep an open line of communication with him.

Forming a strong bond with your child makes it less likely he will give into peer pressure, and more likely he will have open and honest conversations with you about what is going on in his life.

START EARLY AND SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS It may be hard to imagine a 9 year old trying alcohol, but if you keep quiet about alcohol use until the early teen years, your tween may assume your silence means that it is acceptable to drink. In addition, even though teens are notorious for being rebellious, studies show that teens want to feel like they have the approval of their parents. Share your values with your child and inform him of how you expect him to conduct himself. Let him know that no matter how much peer pressure he experiences, it is never acceptable to drink alcohol or use drugs.

Keep in mind that you are a role model for your tween. Your own behavior should reflect the values you are trying to teach him. Drink responsibly, if you do drink, and never drink and drive.

KNOW YOUR TWEEN’S FRIENDS AND HELP HIM MAKE THE RIGHT ONES Encourage your tween to spend time with kids whose parents have expectations and values that are similar to yours. Your tween is less likely to give in to peer pressure and try alcohol in an effort to ‘fit in’ if he feels accepted by a group of close friends who share his values. Get to know your tween’s friends and the parents of his friends.

When your tween spends time away from you, know where he is going and who he will be with.

TEACH YOUR TWEEN HOW TO STAY SAFE Without going into extremely long lectures, explain the dangers of alcohol use . Center your conversation on your love and concern for your tween and your desire to keep him safe. First of all, you need to teach your tween to just say ‘No’. Discuss different scenarios that could involve him being pressed to use alcohol, giving him plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Saying ‘no’ includes asking questions when offered a drink at a party, like’ what is in it’ or ‘where did you get it’. Also, let your tween know that if he is at a party and someone has alcohol, he should ‘just say no’ by leaving right away. Form an agreement with your tween that will allow him to call you when he is in an uncomfortable situation, and you will pick him up, no questions asked. Make sure he knows to never accept a ride from someone who has been drinking.

There is no need to try to fit all the information and teaching about underage alcohol use into one session. Instead, try to look for opportunities in everyday conversation to discuss it.

PARENT RESOURCES: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/makediff.htm

MADD http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION DIRECTORY

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com EDUCATION DIRECTORY

Excellence

• Committed to Academic Rigor & Technology Integration • State of the Art Library, Computer Lab & Promethean Classrooms • Full-Day Pre-K for Four-Year-Olds • Variety of Clubs, Activities & Sports Teams • Attention to Special Academic Needs

501 Cardinal Dr, Thibodaux

•

985-446-1346

stjosephcesthibodaux.org No discrimination is made on the basis of race, sex, religion, national, or ethnic origin and is open to students who share our values and traditions.

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