September 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020

FOR LOCAL FAMILIES, BY LOCAL FAMILIES

CORBETT PREP: BUILDING COMMUNITY AT SCHOOL

The Makaryus family of Corbett Preparatory School of IDS in one of the school's outdoor classrooms

AT-HOME FUN

WITH GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

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FACE MASKS 101 TIPS FROM A BAYCARE DOCTOR

SO MUCH 1 MORE!

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

Open 24/7/365 with offices in Citrus Park, Trinity and Riverview!

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www.PediatricAssociates.com

TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

Helping Your Kids Stay Safe and Healthy

We’re doing the following in our clinics to help keep you safe: n Prescreening patients based on CDC guidelines n Separating patients with COVID-19 symptoms from patients without these symptoms n Minimizing and/or eliminating time spent in waiting rooms n Limiting and reorganizing the seating in waiting rooms to accommodate for social distancing

n Screening all team members and doctors daily for COVID-19-related symptoms n Cleaning lobbies/waiting rooms, exam rooms and all public spaces throughout the day with EPAapproved, medical-grade cleaning and disinfecting agents

With more than 200 pediatricians, pediatric specialists and family medicine physicians in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, care for your family is always nearby. n Now accepting new patients. n Most major insurance plans are accepted.

n Offering telehealth appointments when appropriate

20-1139770-0620

n Requiring all doctors, team members, patients and visitors to wear masks

Find a pediatrician and make an appointment online: BMGKids.org SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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CONTENTS 11/ SEPTEMBER THINGS TO DO: WHAT’S NEW TO EXPLORE IN TAMPA BAY! 14/ FIND YOUR FAIRY TALE AT THE LIBRARY: NEW TAKES ON CLASSIC LEGENDS 16/ AT-HOME PLAY IDEAS FROM THE

PLAY EXPERTS AT GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

18/ HEART GALLERY OF PINELLAS

AND PASCO COUNTIES: ONE LOCAL FAMILY’S INSPIRING ADOPTION STORY

Image courtesy Corbett Prep

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COVER STORY CORBETT PREP TAKES COMMUNITY BUILDING AT SCHOOL SERIOUSLY. SEE HOW THEY SUPPORT STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY

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20/ PANDEMIC MENTAL HEALTH: WHY IT'S CRUCIAL FOR PARENTS TO ATTEND TO THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING NOW 23/ YOUR CHILD'S EMOTIONAL WELLBEING: 5 WAYS TO ENHANCE IT THIS SCHOOL YEAR 25/ FACE MASKS 101: EXPERT TIPS ON

WHAT TO WEAR, WHEN TO WEAR IT AND WHY

33/ GET YOUR SHOT: LEARN WHY THE PANDEMIC MAKES THE FLU SHOT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

34/ MORE THAN A BUILDING: WITH find activities and camps for your kiddos

CHILDCARE, FOOD AND BLOOD DRIVES, SEE HOW YOUR YMCA HAS HELPED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CRISIS

37/ CLEFT AND CRANIAL DIAGNOSIS: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PREGNANCY AND BEYOND 39/ HEART-HEALTHY SCHOOL YEAR:

SEE HOW TO KEEP YOUR KIDS MOVING, EVEN WHILE E-LEARNING

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41/ HUNGRY TIMES: MORE RELY ON

FEEDING TAMPA BAY THAN EVER. HOW CAN YOU HELP?

COVER IMAGE Howie Mac Photo

EVERY ISSUE 4

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NOTEWORTHY SEPTEMBER

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MOMS TO KNOW

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WHAT'S TRENDING ON

TAMPABAYPARENTING.COM

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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MEET OU R COV ER FA MILY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER Laura Byrne ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anu Varma Panchal EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah Rigby CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Byrne Anu Varma Panchal Allison Brazis, MLIS Patsy Stills Tara Payor, PhD Laura Cross Maggie Rodriguez Courtney Cairns Pastor Lalita Llerena Alex Rottgers, MD Shannon Hannon Oliviero Julie Tingley ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ralf Gonzalez Craig Collins LAYOUT & DESIGN Nicole Barolo of Page Four Creative CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Howie Mac Photo Allie Photo Shannon McTighe Photography Brio Five INTERN Emily Banaitis BOOKKEEPING Employee of the Month, LLC TAMPA BAY PARENTING MAGAZINE 320 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone 813-949-4400 Fax 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com BECOME A FAN tampabayparentingmagazine @tampabayparenting @TBParenting

Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community.

Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.

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Image by Howie Mac Photo

W

e are a very close-knit family and we cherish our time together.

We are Jennifer, Faddy, Grace (6th grade) and Joy (3rd grade) Makaryus. Our last name is a tough one! We are of Egyptian ethnicity and are very active in our Coptic Orthodox church, which is basically another extension of our family. Our faith keeps us grounded through life.

As full-time working mother and father practicing dentistry in our private practice, Milestones Children and Family dentistry in Lutz, we understand the struggles of balancing work and family. We feel that Corbett Prep helps put our minds at ease knowing that our children are cherished outside of their immediate family and home.

We are so blessed to be a part of the Corbett Prep family. It has truly impacted us in so many positive ways. Corbett Prep focuses on the whole child, addressing social, emotional and educational needs of not only the student

TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

but the entire family. The teachers and staff are all stellar and genuinely care about each child, going above and beyond in taking each child to their full potential in education and social well-being.

We love that Corbett Prep is just one big family. The love and care can be felt the minute you walk into the front office and just spreads throughout the campus. The positive energy there is contagious.

As a family, we take advantage of Tampa Bay’s beautiful beaches and enjoy all the fun in the sun. We also love our bike rides together down the beautiful Suncoast bike trail!

The Makaryus family

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A wonderful collaboration of creativity by children, scientists, engineers and astronauts focusing on space-themed art and healing programs brought together through the awe

sp acefora rtfoun dati on.org

and wonder of space exploration!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS AND ADVERTISERS FOR MAKING THIS A FREE LOCAL RESOURCE.

CONTRIBUTORS

ANU VARMA PANCHAL Anu Varma Panchal has

written and edited for area publications for nearly 20 years. She’s ac­tive on her children’s PTA boards, loves theatre, concerts, the local brewery scene and travel, and spends way too much time schlepping her 12- and 15-year olds around in her minivan. She never leaves home without her library card. You can find her at youreditingsolutions.com.

JULIE TINGLEY Julie Tingley is an 8-year Tampa transplant who has found her way through numerous professional and parenting transitions by maintaining focus on her daily inspirations: Ella, 6, and Kate, 3.

With a vision of a better future for her girls, she has introduced the KNOW Book + Tribe, a women’s publication and community, to Tampa Bay.

ALEX ROTTGERS, M.D. Dr. Rottgers practices

in the pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery programs and is chief of the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a full-time assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Story idea?

TARA PAYOR, PH.D. Tara Payor, Ph.D. has a

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

Are you a local blogger or writer? If you have a content idea or a story to tell, tell us. editor@tbparenting.com

PATSY STILLS

MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ

Patsy Stills is the director

of the Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco Program.

Stills volunteers with the Harbor Exchange Club and the Guardian Ad Litem Program as a Volunteer Child Advocate. She is an avid runner and a retired mobile DJ. Patsy and Jed Stills married in 1987 and are proud parents of three grown children.

Maggie Rodriguez is a former network news anchor who now lives in South Tampa with her husband and their two children. She is best known as the host of the nationally-televised morning news program, The Early Show on CBS, as well as a substitute anchor on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

Since relocating to Tampa Bay, Rodriguez has been busy rekindling her love for writing, volunteering and enjoying weekend adventures.

LALITA LLERENA As senior communications director, Lalita Llerena oversees all internal and external communications for the Tampa YMCA and YMCA of the Suncoast. Before starting her public relations career, Llerena managed a 24-hour local TV news team as an executive producer. Prior to her nine years in the Tampa/St. Petersburg market, Llerena produced, reported and anchored for TV and radio outlets in Orlando and Gainesville. She lives in Riverview with her husband, Danny, their daughter, Daniella, and son, Logan.

istock.com/ nadia_bormotova

doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. She is a contributing faculty member for Walden University, where she guides doctoral students through their dissertations. She is also a language arts educator.

Reach her at tpayor@gmail.com.

ALLISON BRAZIS

Allison Brazis is an administrative librarian with the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library. She always wants to know what people are reading and loves matching the right book for the right person. She and her husband have a 4-year-old son and twin 2-year-old girls.

Her favorite part of the day is reading to them before bedtime.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

things to do

SEPTEMBER Must do's this month Photo by @julietingley

GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM UNVEILS NEW TR AVELING EXHIBIT

CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM NEW RESCUED RESIDENTS When you stop by to check out the new 1.5-million-gallon habitat at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, be sure to say hi to the rescued roughtooth dolphins Rex and Rudolph. The new viewing window of the habitat is spectacular if you haven’t been yet! seewinter.com

THE NEW ST. PETE PIER KARIMAH HENRY OF @CRAFTINGAFUNLIFE EXPLORED THE ST. PETE PIER WITH HER KIDS AND SHARES THEIR EXPERIENCE.

Castle Builders is coming to the Glazer Children's Museum on Sept.

12. Produced by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, this temporary exhibit transports children and families to a fanciful kingdom where they can explore, play and build their own toy castle brick by brick. Builders of all ages and skill levels can learn about real-world castles and their building secrets, defend the castle walls and enter a dragon's cave to share fantastical stories!

Join the club SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE HOME TEAM

The St. Pete Pier offers so much for families in the Tampa Bay area. There’s plenty of things for kids to enjoy like the splash pad, playground and Discovery Center. The splash pad has water jets that will keep the kids cool in the Florida heat. There’s also seating with umbrellas available for parents and guardians. The playground was definitely my son’s favorite.

There’s a play area for children ages 2-5 that offers crawl spaces, a spinning seat and a slide. However, he spent most of his time in the area designated for children ages 5-12. It’s equipped with larger slides and climbing structures,

The welcome kit for the kiddos includes a special Jr. Bucs membership card, lanyard, notebook, mini Jr. Bucs football and a hat. Members also receive emails on team news, Jr. Bucs activities and invitations to special events. You can sign up your Jr. Bucs fan at buccaneers.com/ fans/jr-bucs. $24.99 + shipping.

great for playing a game of hide-and-seek or pretending to be an obstacle course competitor. Last, the Discovery Center is a great place for children to learn about our local marine life. My 5-year-old enjoyed learning about the spider crab, sea stars, snails, barnacles and sea urchins.

There’s also a wave tank and interactive sandbox that was a huge hit for kids. They have hand sanitizer stations available to keep those little hands clean. All in all, my family had a wonderful exPIERience.

There’s 26 acres of space to socially distance and enjoy family time outdoors.

Don't miss it!

DINOS ALIVE! GOES EXTINCT ON SEPT. 7 SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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noteworthy

MORE GOOD THINGS

SEPTEMBER Must reads NEW BOOK ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL DURING A PANDEMIC A Unique Start From 6 Feet Apart: A Book About Returning to the Classroom During a Pandemic

by Emily Oquendo is a picture book for ages 3-12.

Unplugged Play: Toddler 155 Activities and Games for Ages 1-2 Unplugged Play: Preschool 233 Activities and Games for Ages 3-5.

Unplugged Play: Grade School 216 Activities and Games for Ages 6-10.

A Unique Start From 6 Feet Apart A Book About Returning

to the Classroom During

Written by: Emily Oquendo Illustrated by: Hina Mahmood

Tampa Bay area teacher Emily Oquendo and mom of two tells us she was inspired to pen this book by her own daughter who starts PreK this school year. The book talks about the changes a child might see in the classroom like having to wear a face mask, hand sanitizing and social distancing.

She’s also sharing free resources and activities on her website bigguavabooks.com and @bigguavabooks.

UNPLUGGED PLAY BY BOBBI CONNER Need some inspiration to keep the little ones busy at home while avoiding screen time? These books were made just for you! amazon.com and workman.com

a Pandemic

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS: FETCH! AND POUNCE! If you’ve recently added or you’re thinking about expanding your family by four furry legs, these new releases are a great way for kids to prepare themselves for the responsibility of pet ownership. amazon.com

MISTER ROGERS POETRY BOOKS "It’s You I Like" and "Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" are the latest books in the Mister Rogers Poetry Books series that bring his most iconic songs to life. The board books are a perfect gift for toddlers and expectant parents. amazon.com

LOCAL STUDEN T MAK ES UNIQUE FACE MASKS

New for baby OLLIE SWADDLES We love the Ollie swaddle because of its snug fit and super-soft, moisture wicking fabric. Now the baby brand is introducing the Dailies body suit made from the same patented fabric. Dailies come in two styles, basic and wrap. theollieworld.com

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

Mei Lin Maseman, Plant High School junior, started a business this summer with her grandmother, Marie Sundquist.

Together they design and sew reusable 3D origami cotton face masks for children and adults.

Sundquist and Maseman select fun designer cotton fabrics, and each 2-ply mask has a nose wire and a filter pocket.

The two love animals and have chosen to donate 10% of the proceeds of all of the web sales to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. To see the pair's handmade masks, visit TwystedbyDesign.com.

Maseman with her sister, Kai Lea Maseman, who helps with photography, bags the masks, cuts inserts and puts the tags on.

It's technically become a family business.

RESERVE YOUR VISIT TODAY!

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ASS P L A U AN N

ANNUAL PASS Save on Parking, Dining, Merchandise & More

BUY NOW AT BUSCHGARDENSTAMPA.COM

* EZpay available to Florida Residents only. Proof of a Florida residential address (non-PO box) is required (valid Florida driver’s license or valid Florida state-issued ID card with a Florida address). Credit card holder must be over the age of 18. Once your initial 12-month EZpay commitment is satisfied, your Pass will continue and your credit card will be charged on a monthly basis, subject to your right to cancel at any time. SEA reserves the right to change your monthly payment amount after the expiration of the initial term. Please refer to EZpay contract for full terms and conditions. Price does not include taxes or service fees and is subject to change without prior notice. Benefits and pricing vary by Pass type. Annual Pass term starts on date of purchase. Following initial term, please check our website for the current benefits and rewards. Benefits are valid only at park(s) of membership and are subject to availability, change or cancellation without prior notice. Annual Pass includes unlimited admission during the initial 12-month commitment and any renewal period. Does not include admission to select special events (including Howl-O-Scream®). Parking not included and blockout dates apply for Fun Card or Bronze Annual Pass. Free Guest Ticket: Valid for Silver, Gold, and FL Platinum Passes. Quantity based on tier of Pass. Limited per Pass Member per initial term to your choice of (one) 1 park of membership excluding Discovery Cove. Parking not included. Ticket must be used on the day printed. Discounted Guest Tickets: Valid for Silver, Gold, and FL Platinum Passes. Quantity based on tier of Pass. Savings based on full-paid adult single-day admission and valid per park(s) of membership per initial term. Ticket must be used on the day printed. Free PhotoKey Annual Digital Photo Downloads: Valid for Gold and FL Platinum Passes. Valid at SeaWorld & Aquatica Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Limit 1 Free Photo Print per Platinum Pass Member. Limit 1 per initial term. Free Animal Encounter: Valid for Gold and FL Platinum Passes. Limit 1 (one) free animal encounter per Pass Member per initial term. Includes a Dolphin Encounter at SeaWorld Orlando or a Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Based on availability. Pass Member must visit Guest Services at the park to make reservations the same day that the reward is redeemed from the self-service kiosk. Animal encounter may be booked for the same day as visit or for a later date pending availability. Online or phone reservations are not available at this time. Other restrictions apply. © 2020 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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HAPPILY EVER AFTER STARTS AT THE LIBR ARY

By Allison Brazis, MLIS Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Images courtesy Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library

“Once upon a time…”

These famous four words have introduced the fairy tale genre to generations, transporting them to faraway lands with fanciful creatures and enchantment. Though not always featuring fairies as the name suggests, fairy tales are a unique blend of literature and language. Almost every culture has their own collection of fairy tales that combine folklore, tradition and local customs. Fairy tales play an important role in child development by inspiring, entertaining and teaching.

Albert Einstein once said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.

If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Though sometimes hailed as an escape from reality, fairy tales can help children make sense of the world around them. They teach critical thinking and decision-making skills. Fairy tales introduce young children to the concept that actions have consequences and often include a moral in the story, such as ‘don’t talk to strangers’ and ‘always tell the truth.’ Fairy tales teach children about story structure—that there is a beginning, middle and end to every story. This understanding helps reading comprehension.

And let’s not forget that fairy tales foster imagination and make reading fun!

While classic fairy tales remain in high demand, a new form—the fractured fairy tale—is gaining in popularity. Fractured fairy tales feature traditional fairy tale stories that have been reimagined and reshaped.

Usually these fractured fairy tales take on a more contemporary feel through setting and characters. Often, they feature a strong female protagonist rather than a damsel in distress archetype. Fractured fairy tales will also tell a story from a different character’s point of view so readers can see how the same events can be experienced and interpreted differently.

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Enjoy a new take on a classic fairy tale “SUPER RED RIDING HOOD” BY CLAUDIA DÁVILA When her mother sends her on a "mission" that takes her into the deep, dark woods, Ruby puts on her red cloak and becomes Super Red Riding Hood, a superhero who is scared of nothing- -except coming face-toface with a big, bad wolf.

“THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS” BY JON SCIESZKA The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.

“JACK AND THE BAKED BEANSTALK” BY COLIN STIMPSON After their café fails, Jack takes his mother's last few pennies and exchanges them for a can of magic baked beans that then lead Jack on a journey to a giant who is bored with counting his fortune.

“THE THREE SILLY BILLIES” BY MARGIE PALATINI Three billy goats, unable to cross a bridge because they cannot pay the toll, form a car pool with The Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack of beanstalk fame to get past the rude Troll.

“CINDER EDNA” BY ELLEN B. JACKSON Cinderella and Cinder Edna, who live with cruel stepmothers and stepsisters, have different approaches to life; and, although each ends up with the prince of her dreams, one is a great deal happier than the other.

“THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY” BY JANET SQUIRES A freshly baked gingerbread cowboy escapes from the rancher's wife's kitchen and eludes his pursuers in this western United States version of the "Gingerbread Boy."

CHECK OUT THE FULL LIST OF FRACTURED FAIRY TALES AT BIT.LY/330GKV2

ENJOY MORE FAIRY TALES AND FUN FOR CHILDREN FROM THE PUBLIC LIBR ARY AT HCPLC.ORG.

Coming September 12 Castle Builder transports children and families to a fanciful kingdom where they can explore, play, and build their own toy castle brick by brick. Builders of all ages and skill levels can learn about real-world castles and their building secrets, defend the castle walls, and enter a dragon’s cave to share fantastical stories! Visit GlazerMuseum.org/castle

Build Your

Kingdom!

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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GLAZER MUSEUM AT-HOME FUN Images courtesy Glazer Children's Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum can be a source of fun and learning for your family even while you’re at home. The museum recently launched GCM@ Home, a virtual learning platform packed with science experiments, recipes, art projects and so much more.

We asked the team at GCM to tell us their favorite at-home activities and they gave us some great ones.

Try these at home and don’t forget to share your creation by tagging the Glazer Children’s Museum on social media with #GCMatHome.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Glazer Children's Museum!

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

Cave painting with Ashley Williams, Field Trip Educator Cave paintings can be found all over the world, even in your own home— with a little imagination, of course.

Some cave paintings are over 35,000 years old, created during the Paleolithic time period when our ancestors lived in caves and first started making tools out of stone. Some of the most familiar cave paintings are found in France in the Lascaux Caves (you can help your kiddos find images of this cave online). Early artists painted different animals they may have seen and used their hands as stencils.

HERE’S HOW YOUR LITTLE ONES CAN CHANNEL THEIR INNER CAVE PAINTERS: 1.

Gather your materials: crayons, markers, colored pencils and paper.

You can even make your own paint by mixing different spices found at home with water. Use any paper you have; I used the inside of a brown paper grocery bag so that my art looks more like it was created on a cave wall.

2. Find a place to create! Your little ones can create a blanket fort cave, sit under a table, or anywhere they feel comfortable.

3. Create! Show your children how to use their hands as stencils like the early cave painters to make animals.

4. Hang up the artwork in your cave!

Baking PUPcakes with Chris Bueno, Field Trip Educator This is my absolute favorite activity. It gives you and your family a chance to have some fun in the kitchen and leaves you with a fun and tasty treat for your furry friends. These dog-friendly cupcakes, or PUPcakes, are super simple to make and they use ingredients that you may already have at home.

ALL YOU NEED IS WHOLE WHEAT OR OAT FLOUR, QUICK COOKING OATS, ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER AND WATER. Mixing together equal parts of all the ingredients is a great way to introduce the concept of chemical reactions as you turn the dry and wet ingredients into a thick, biscuit-like textured batter. Complex subjects like chemistry are easier to understand with an engaging and memorable experience to tie into the lesson! Once the batter is divided up in a muffin tin, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. While you wait, ask thought-provoking questions, such as how your kiddo thinks the thick and gooey batter can turn into a cake. The answer? An endothermic reaction! In an endothermic reaction, energy (heat) is being absorbed by the batter as it sits in the oven.

That heat helps produce bubbles in the batter which will cause it to rise and give it that light texture that we all know and love.

When the cupcakes are finished, and the science lesson handled, allow them to cool for five minutes. If you want to continue the fun, you can pivot towards making some icing for the cupcakes using a simple combination. Keep the ratio of 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt for every ¼ cup of peanut butter and mix the amount you want! Additionally, you can add various toppings; my dog loves oats and slices of banana on top.

Give it a try! Your kiddo (and pup) will thank you!

For more hands-on play at home go to GlazerMuseum.org/gcmathome

Exploring creativity with sensory shaving cream by Jenna Rinnicker, Playologist This sensory activity is simple, but it can be hours and hours and hours of fun! It’s super cool to feel the shaving cream on your hands and on the ground. It’s always good to get your hands in and get involved with a craft.

MATERIALS: Can of shaving cream, paper towels, food dye and assorted utensils. You’ll want to do this activity on a flat, clean surface like a counter top OR lay a plastic table cloth on the floor.

DIRECTIONS: Pour a generous amount of shaving cream on the area you want to create in.

Don’t forget to shake the can first. Flatten and spread the shaving cream out with your hands, then draw away with your finger or utensils!

Add food coloring to experiment with different colors. Use different household utensils to make interesting patterns in the shaving cream!

While kids draw, think about these questions: What texture does the shaving cream feel like? What can I draw in the shaving cream?

What words can I write? If you’re using food dye, what happens when you add color to the shaving cream? What happens when you mix two different colors together?

How fast can you write all the letters of the alphabet? How many words can you spell correctly in a minute? You can draw a picture and have someone try and guess what it is. The possibilities are endless!

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com istock.com/Novendi Dian Prasetya

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SPONSORED

A FOREVER HOME WITH LOVE TO SPARE

By Patsy Stills, Director Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco Program

MEGHAN AND TRAVIS TEN BRINK WITH THEIR CHILDREN: KOBE, 12, CLARY, 10, AZARIA, 9, VIOLET, 7, RIVER, 7, NAOMI, 7, JUDE, 5, EZRA, 5, WILLOW, 4, OLIVE, 3, IV Y, 2

Photo by Allie.Photo

LEARN MORE Join the Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco’s Streaming Live Event, Saturday, Nov. 14 from 6 -7 p.m. For more details check out gulfcoastjewishfamilyandcommunityservices.org/heartstrings/

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

Shannon McTighe Photography

WHY AND WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO ADOPT FOSTER CHILDREN?

HOW HAS ADOPTION CHANGED YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER?

My husband Travis and I always knew we wanted to foster. I have two sisters who were adopted.

They were 10 and 11 when they came into our lives and had been in foster care for six years.

Because of my childhood, I was very familiar with the benefits of fostering and adoption.

Adoption has definitely changed our lives. Little did we know we were missing something. I could not imagine life with 11 children; now I can’t imagine life without 11 children. We have watched them grow and change and it has opened our eyes to helping others foster and build relationships with families. We’re proud to think our children are benefiting from adoption by expanding our family. We’re hopeful they will be open to fostering and adopting when they are ready to start their own families.

We married, had babies and put off the idea of fostering until after our fourth child. It was now our time, our moment.

We started fostering with no intention of adopting. At that time, our hearts were in reunification of the child with their birth parent(s). After three foster children, our minds changed when we met siblings Jude and Naomi. We adopted them both. With 21 foster children coming through our home, we knew we accomplished our goals of fostering. Then we were introduced to Kobe, who was featured on the Heart Gallery. We felt the pull to adopt Kobe and provide him with the stability we knew we could give him. Kobe has been with us over a year now and he’s a super big brother. He’s no longer in special school programs, no longer on medications, he’s now able to be a kid again and knows he has a forever home with us!

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE LOOK TO THE HEART GALLERY FOR PRE- AND POST-ADOPTION ASSISTANCE? A few of our adoptions have not been through the Heart Gallery. The biggest advantage of adopting a child through the Heart Gallery is the organization’s ongoing support before and well after the adoption. We receive access to support groups and services that we wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Simply, families receive a level of support that you don’t get anywhere else.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT ADOPTING OLDER CHILDREN? It’s not as scary as people may think. One thing that is really great is they have an understanding that our little ones don’t.

They are able to vocalize what they think, feel and need. You can reason and be bluntly honest with them. With smaller children, you can see small leaps. With older children, you see huge leaps. You can help these kids rekindle their dreams and become their authentic selves.

Shannon McTighe Photography

IT'S NOT AS SCARY AS PEOPLE MAY THINK MEGHAN TEN BRINK

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR CREW?

We are waiting to finalize the adoption of three of our girls. The fourth sibling, a sister, just moved in with us and we plan to adopt her as well. What’s one more kid, right? She is 7 years old and now we have three 7-yearolds in our family!

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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SUPPORTING PARENTS' MENTAL HEALTH AN ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT ACTION

By Tara Payor, Ph.D.

Images courtesy Natassja Prose

I always avoid absolute statements. Never have I ever met a parent whose emotional wellbeing hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19. Since March, parents have had one or more sidekicks. After accounting for the sweet stuff (all those family game nights), acknowledging strains on parents’ mental health is essential. Stigma shouldn’t roadblock parents’ vocalizing of mental health needs.

I absolutely see a licensed mental health counselor. I believe everyone stands to benefit from my doing so—especially, my children.

PROSE & COMPANY Natassja Prose, a mom-blogger, keeps company with her two sons (Jack, 9; Max, 6) and husband. She’s in a better place than earlier in quarantine: “Spring was difficult. Seclusion was overwhelming.” With an active family, Prose felt barriers to wellbeing when face-to-face interactions were ruled out. Coming up with alternative plans, when feeling defeated, was hard. Seeing kids’ lives turned upside down and feeling helpless was heavy. “Being home more meant increased access to multiple media and that increased fear. Now, I know what to shut down. I’ve also learned when to reach out.”

She’s broached conversations about mental health needs with the boys. “I share my brain is overloaded and needs quiet. They’ve proven helpful.” Realism has helped. “They’re old enough to make good choices. We can’t live in fear, and they’re not going around licking handrails. In my mind and heart I feel that, if we get sick, we’ll be okay. For overall wellbeing, I can’t remain quarantined.” A small social circle helps manage risks.

“When the boys are happy and healthy, I thrive.” In order for the interconnected system to flourish, Prose needs alone time—rare since March. Running and bicycling have helped: “My husband also encourages solo-errand-running.” Sometimes, alone, one can better think through tough stuff and tinker with potential plans.

Worries about education, healthcare, the economy and missed celebrations persist, but so does Prose’s resilience. “We have things to look forward to. I see the light of day again.”

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

The Prose family visited Georgia’s Barnsley Resort in July. The resort offered family fun while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Images courtesy Ashley Miller

FIT MIND & BODY Ashley Miller, a girl mom (Dylan, 6; Emily, 4; Taylor, 2), wife and fitness coach, encourages seeking help from a licensed mental health counselor.

Miller’s husband is a local fisherman, so Ashely and the girls frequently find respite on the water.

“I compare this time to my experience with postpartum depression; I felt embarrassed, like I was failing,” Miller says. “Pandemic life makes many of us feel those.” Though intentional in being positive, Miller admits to sometimes feeling defeated by 9 a.m. “It’s like having the wind sucked out of my sails. I try to train, but the girls are hanging on me.”

Counseling has taught Miller to recognize her triggers and respond calmly. “If I don’t slow down, do something helpful, and take care of myself, who will pick up the pieces?” Support systems are musts, too, and Miller’s husband is instrumental in getting her brain off the hamster wheel. She’s also found solace getting to know neighbors she otherwise wouldn’t have: “Stuck at home, our kids would play outside and it’s been a silver lining.”

Mental health tips from Dr. Megan Toufexis, board-certified psychiatrist * Kids are watching parents’ response cues.

Attend to physical, mental and emotional health in accessible ways. * Remind yourself, “I’m doing the best I can in this moment.” * Isolation has created loss of connectedness, and unpredictability has resulted in anxiety. Form a support

DIG DEEPER

Follow Prose’s blog: proseandcompany. blogspot.com * MENTAL HEALTH TIP: Try gardening. Prose’s quarantine garden has proven therapeutic.

network comprised of people whose protective measures you’re comfortable with.

Nothing replaces professional help. “Finding a therapist is like dating. Parents need to consider their own needs and personalities before committing to one.” Lack of decompression time has affected Miller, but counseling has taught her to sit with and breathe through feelings.

“With the kids home so much, I step away for a few minutes if I need to.” Exercise is her stress reliever of choice. “It makes me a better person.

While I can’t always do it alone now, I find peace knowing I’m modeling that mommy works to take care of herself.” It’s not rare for Ashley’s mind to race with COVID related worries, especially as the girls start school again, but she’s making choices helpful in supporting her family’s wellbeing.

* Ask for help. * Mental health services from psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists are available via telehealth.

Work on your mental and physical fitness by moving with Miller: facebook.com/profile. php?id=643431993 * MENTAL HEALTH TIP: Ask for help before you feel like you’re drowning.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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New World-Class Program Opportunities at Award-Winning Hillsborough County Public Schools

NEW

You asked and we listened.

Two new, innovative programs launched this year. The Cambridge International School program is available at Rodgers Middle Magnet, Sumner High School, Franklin Middle Magnet and Ferrell Middle Magnet. The 3DE by Junior Achievement model is available at Chamberlain and Hillsborough High Schools.

International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are now in more places than ever before in our district at: South Tampa Academy at Monroe Middle Magnet, Greco Middle Magnet, Marshall Middle Magnet and Alonso High School.

Hillsborough County Public Schools has a place for your child no matter their interests or needs. Watch for information about the first application window for next year at bitly.com/newprograminfo

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, 3DE and IB PROGRAMS

HillsboroughSchools.org

NOTHING IS NORMAL! 5 WAYS TO ENHANCE OUR STUDENTS’ EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

By Laura Cross, Hillsborough County Schools

I

f there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that nothing is normal right now. Everything seems scattered, unorganized and a bit up-in-the air.

If this is weighing on us as parents, just imagine how unsettling it is for our little ones.

Think about it: This school year is unlike anything any of us have ever seen before.

Some of our kids are heading back to school wearing masks and staying distanced from their friends. Other students won’t even be stepping foot inside a school. They’ll be doing all their learning from the other side of a computer screen!

Crazy!

However, there is a way to breathe a little bit of normal into these crazy times.

Hillsborough County Public Schools has an experienced Student Services Team that is dedicated to the emotional and mental wellness of our students and their families.

COUNTY RESOURCES * * *

Mental Health Matters hillsboroughschools.org/doc/2435 Student Services Contacts bit.ly/2yGGLqh The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s 24/7 hotline 2-1-1 or 1-800-273-8255

THE STUDENT SERVICES TEAM HAS COME UP WITH FIVE WAYS TO ENHANCE OUR STUDENTS’ EMOTIONAL WELLNESS: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Maintain a Sleeping Schedule Going to bed at a regular time each night and making sure to get eight hours sleep each night can improve overall mood and wellbeing.

Exercise When you exercise, your body releases mood-improving chemicals. Try to look for ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.

Reflect Turn off the television, put down cell phones and take time out of each day to rest, relax and reflect. You can also reflect by journaling.

(Imagine looking back on those journals in 10 or 20 years!)

Eat Healthy Research shows that eating certain foods such as fruits, vegetables and fish can help fuel your body and mind.

REACH OUT FOR HELP Sometimes talking to a friend or family member is good enough if you’re feeling sad. However, sometimes we need the help of a professional. Hillsborough County Public Schools has many resources at our families’ disposal (see list). And, don’t forget about school counselors!

Even if you’re eLearning, they are just a click away. Contact your school to get in contact with these trained professionals.

It may also help to try and keep some back-to-school traditions and routines.

If you haven’t already, shop for school supplies. Nothing says happiness like a new glittery backpack and water bottle.

And, if you’re eLearning, make an effort to get up at the same time every day, get dressed, do your hair and then go join your online classes. That little bit of effort really goes a long way to making the abnormal feel a little more normal!

Remember, we are all in this together.

Please feel free to reach out and explore the many resources available to students and families from your school district.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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VIRTUAL AND ON-SITE LEARNING WITH PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS

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FACE MASKS 101

By Maggie Rodriguez

With students returning to campus amidst the COVID-19 crisis, a new item has been added to most school supply lists: face coverings. To help parents choose the right one for their children, we turned to BayCare Pediatric Service line medical director, Dr. Christina Canody.

WHEN SHOULD CHILDREN WEAR FACE COVERINGS? Children 2 years and over should wear face coverings when out of the home in public places, especially indoor spaces. When playing outdoors, face coverings are recommended when not able to social distance from nonhousehold members. Children under 2 years of age should not wear masks due to the risk of suffocation. If your child has a chronic medical concern or developmental delay, it is best to discuss wearing a face covering with your pediatrician.

WHAT ABOUT SPORTS? SHOULD A FACE COVERING BE WORN THEN? Face coverings can be worn for sports depending on the activity. Coaches, officials and those not participating should wear a face covering at all times.

Everyone should also wear masks before and after the activity. When not on the field, athletes should wear a face covering and social distance when possible. For vigorous or highintensity activity, a face covering is not recommended and social distancing should be a priority. Face coverings should not be worn for water sports or in activities where the face covering could get caught and cause injury or block vision such as cheer or gymnastics. For outside sports, especially in the Florida heat, the risk of heat-related illness must also be considered—face coverings could pose an increased risk.

DON'T FORGET Face coverings should be washed after each use/day. For those participating in sports, a separate face covering is recommended during the activity. Be sure to have an extra available for your child and consider a more breathable fabric to encourage wear. Kids will be more likely to use the face covering if it is comfortable.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP PARENTS SHOULD SHARE WITH THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM COVID-19?

The most important thing is to educate children about how we can each do our part to protect each other from COVID-19. Wearing a face covering is a way to show others that we care about them and want them to stay safe. Additionally, parents should remind children to wash their hands frequently, sneeze and cough into their elbow, keep their hands away from their face, and avoid sharing space and toys with others.

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING A FACE COVERING FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO WEAR TO SCHOOL? In general, any face covering is better than none at all. However, differences in the type of material and fit can affect the spread of respiratory droplets that spread the Sars-CoV-2 virus.

• A double layer cotton face mask that fits snug along the nose, cheeks of face and chin is preferred.

• A nose piece or fabric sewn to fit the nose is helpful. Be sure that it does not ride up over the eyes as this could block vision.

• Kids tend to do better with coverings that have ear or neck straps rather than ties. Adjustable straps are helpful for younger children as well.

• Teach children to avoid touching the middle of the face covering and always hold it by the earpieces, straps or outside edge to avoid contamination.

• It should not be pulled down to the neck over the chin. Always fold it inside out and place in pocket or clean plastic bag before storing in backpack or book bag.

Many masks are available online and at local retailers, some even with patterns to make your own. Make sure to wash hands before placing and removing the face covering.

Have your kids practice wearing the face covering to get used to it. This will also help you assess how it fits when you are active. Try different styles to see what works the best for your child. Allow your child to have some input on fabric, color, style and decorations to enhance their desire to keep it on when necessary.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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STRONG SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

SUPPORT STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY

By Courtney Cairns Pastor, Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, courtesy images

O

lder students play alongside younger ones on Field Day, shouting encouragement and helping their younger buddies navigate the relays, ball tosses and sack races.

Third and fourth graders watch each other’s “Shark Tank” presentations on Zoom and unmute to share their support and feedback on inventions their classmates created. “I can tell you worked really hard,” one student says. “I liked the logo you drew,” another chimes in.

Middle School students span the Tampa Bay area to volunteer at dozens of nonprofits on Community Service Day, while PreK3 students draw pictures of helping their parents and putting toys away to show how they can be of service.

First and second graders paint “kindness rocks” and hide them around campus to bring smiles to the students who find them.

Community building happens in grand gestures and everyday efforts at Corbett Prep. It involves all of the private school’s grades from prekindergarten through Middle School and remains a priority whether classes meet in person or remotely.

A strong school community generates positive relationships among students within a class and between students and teachers, reducing distractions and stress so students can learn better.

Students in schools with a clear sense of community are more academically motivated, treat others with more respect and kindness and are more likely to steer clear of problematic behaviors, according to research cited in a 2003 Education Leadership article.

Today, it’s more important than ever that schools cultivate a feeling of belonging and safety. High, persistent levels of stress can make it difficult for students to concentrate and retain information, Dr. Pamela Cantor recently wrote in the school policy journal Education Next. Positive, supportive relationships can lower stress levels and increase feelings of safety because these interactions release oxytocin in the brain.

As school resumes, parents and educators have the opportunity to work together to strengthen relationships, find comfort in beloved traditions and create new memories.

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NOW, MORE THAN EVER, BUILDING AND CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN OUR KIDS’ SCHOOLS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

COVER STORY

Relationships Corbett Prep’s social-emotional learning curriculum, the 4 Pillars of Wellbeing, has an entire unit devoted to community building with strategies for teachers and parents. At its heart is shifting your mindset from “what’s in it for me?” to “what do I have to offer?”

Practicing gratitude, forgiveness and caring as well as learning to deliver and accept compliments are all ways to start expanding your perspective.

Corbett Prep also encourages students to develop relationships outside of their grade level, which contributes to a feeling of community. Older students mentor younger ones as classroom volunteers, reading buddies or helpers during all-school events. The older students learn about leadership and how to show compassion and understanding, while younger children gain a sense of belonging.

Routines and traditions Knowing what to expect helps students feel secure and confident in the classroom. Reliable morning routines and special birthday or “student of the week” celebrations remind students that they are part of something bigger than themselves. At the beginning of the school year, Corbett Prep students and teachers establish ground rules for how students should treat each other and handle conflicts, giving students ownership in how their community functions.

Traditions also help establish a school’s identity and act as important milestones for students. Corbett Prep teachers worked hard to preserve anticipated traditions during the spring with modifications for remote learning. Thespians came together online for the school’s first Zoom play. Student athletes leaned out car windows to accept certificates from coaches during a drive-through awards night. From home, fifth graders built and attempted to float in cardboard boats, a twist on the cardboard boat races that usually held at the YMCA pool. The seventh-grade egg drop, normally at Raymond James Stadium, still challenged students to invent protective containers for an egg but asked students to email video of at-home drops.

Involvement Parent volunteers can actively support their school community in many ways – assisting with special projects, supporting school communications or planning larger school events. This involvement helps form community ties and relationships with other families, faculty and staff. When parents give of their time, they also model for their kids how one person can truly make a difference and help them understand the power of a sense of purpose.

Contributing to a spirit of goodwill by volunteering at all-school family events has long been the foundation for a vibrant school community.

From the fall festival to the pancake breakfast, and from the fun run to Grandparents’ Day, Corbett Prep parents are integral in planning and staffing memorable traditions. Parents showed support for Corbett Prep and the Tampa Bay community during quarantine as well, waving signs thanking teachers during drive-by events and organizing an effort to assemble and donate 2,020 meals to the needy in honor of the Class of 2020.

Now, more than ever, building and celebrating community in our kids’ schools should be a priority. When students, parents and educators are firmly committed to coming together as one community, schools can ensure they continue to provide a positive, safe and supportive environment in which all students can thrive.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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Introducing Bayshore Christian Homeschool + Plus A one-day-a-week program with a certified teacher to assist parents of homeschool students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

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Build your child’s brain on the go!

Look around you — there’s so much to talk about!

When you’re on the go, talk to your child about what they see, hear or even smell!

Make the most of your time together by using the 3Ts! Tune In: Be in the moment Talk More: Use a wide variety of words.

Take Turns: Engage your child in conversation.

Small moments can have a big impact.

Research shows the children do better in school when their parents talk and interact with them from birth. Build your child’s brain anytime, anywhere: learn how at the3Ts.org or las3Cs.org!

“Any Time is 3Ts Time” is made possible by funding through the PNC Foundation.

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is a proud partner in the “Anytime is 3Ts Time” campaign. Our mission is to ensure children have futures full of possibility.

To learn more about us, visit our website at www.elchc.org.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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When COVID-19 and the Flu Collide J

ust like clockwork, flu season is expected to arrive right on time, but the medical community is gearing up to get ahead of this year’s flu viruses by offering the flu vaccine now. While we are taking extra precautions like wearing face coverings, social distancing and frequently washing our hands, there are still so many unknowns about COVID-19, which is why doctors are encouraging people to get the flu vaccine once it’s available. We turned to Dr. Christina Canody, BayCare Pediatric Service Line Medical Director to learn more about the importance of immunization.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES TO GET THE FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR? This year, the administration of the flu vaccine has two really important implications. The first one is that it's always important to get the flu vaccine because we still have deaths each year attributed to influenza. Despite having a vaccine and treatments, including both preventative and treatment for the illness, we had almost 200 children die in the country from influenza and 25,000 adults. So, it's something that's real and something we are presented with every year.

The second reason is because with the pandemic [and] COVID-19 infections, at this point in time, we don't have a lot of information of how the viruses will behave if you were infected with them at the same time. It is not unusual to see patients with two strains of influenza or influenza and strep infections at the same time, so if somebody were really truly to come down with COVID and influenza at the same time, we're worried that could be a much more critically ill patient and could have more severe effects.

BACK TO SCHOOL RESOURCE HUB istock.com/Elena Sharipova

BayCareBackToSchool.org The page is stocked full of expert interviews, podcasts, animated videos for kids of all ages and more.

WHEN SHOULD WE MAKE THE APPOINTMENT TO GET THE FLU VACCINE? In Florida, traditionally our season normally starts later in October and then goes all the way through spring break. This year it was sort of pre-empted by COVID; because everybody was home from school and stopped all of their spring break trips, we had a massive decline in influenza infections. This year, we really don't know. We're hopeful that [with] everybody wearing masks, social distancing, and following all of the protective procedures we've tried to re-enforce and educate people about, that we will see lower rates of influenza.

If you've never received the flu vaccine before and you're 8 years old or younger, you actually need to get two doses. So, having those two doses at least a month apart will take a little bit of time. We recommend getting your vaccine as soon as you can get it this fall.

SINCE THERE ARE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN FLU AND COVID SYMPTOMS, WILL CHILDREN BE SCREENED FOR BOTH? With kids going back to school and increasing social interaction, it will be a part of our screening from here on out.

With the younger kids, they will actually get screened for influenza, RSV and COVID infections. For the older kids, it’s influenza as well as COVID, and there’s also a lot of overlap between COVID infection and strep.

SHOULD PARENTS BE CONCERNED ABOUT BRINGING THEIR CHILD TO A DOCTOR’S OFFICE? Medical offices are safe. We've put in place a lot of precautions. We're taking everybody's safety and health with the utmost importance and [as] the top priority, so it's important you maintain your ongoing preventative care.

Kids should get their checkups every year. We pick up a lot of problems that way and if we're not seeing them, then it's really difficult to manage those issues and much more difficult to treat.

The second thing is to make sure your immunizations are up to date. At one point, a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reported approximately 50% of children may be behind on vaccinations due to the pandemic.

Third thing: If you get sick, it's important to be evaluated because there are other illnesses and right now, we're still seeing more strep infections than COVID infections in kids, and something like strep needs to be treated with an antibiotic or you run the risk of heart problems.

DO YOU THINK WE’LL SEE LESS FLU INFECTIONS BECAUSE OF EXTRA PRECAUTIONS FOR COVID? I think good hand hygiene, wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing and being socially responsible—understanding that you do this for those around you, not just yourself—is really important. Kids respond well to that and they are also really resilient.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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SPONSORED

THE YMCA REMAINS HERE FOR YOU

By Lalita Llerena Images courtesy YMCA

T

he YMCA has always been more than a building. The Y is about people— people from all backgrounds and walks of life who come together to improve their lives, nurture their families and strengthen their community. For more than a century, the Y and the Tampa Bay community have made it through many challenging times together. Historically, the Y has played important roles in helping our community endure during times of uncertainty and societal strain. The current COVID-19 pandemic is another challenge that none of us will soon forget.

In these difficult times, the YMCAs of Tampa Bay have pivoted in response to community needs, finding ways to use their resources to offer solutions to social voids and help our neighbors. During the initial months of this pandemic, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg provided emergency relief care for 1,534 children of medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers, so that they can continue their focus on public health.

In partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay and other community organizations, Ys across Tampa Bay served more than 70,000 meals to families in need. The YMCAs also hosted blood collection drives in partnership with OneBlood and LifeSouth, positively impacting 2,088 lives.

As the Y continues to serve the community through outreach services, members are welcome back in YMCA facilities to exercise while kids safely enjoy youth sports clinics, swim lessons and child watch areas. The YMCA remains committed to keeping everyone who enters their doors safe. Following guidance from the CDC and government officials, the Y requires face coverings, made appropriate social distancing accommodations and regularly disinfects and cleans to create a safer environment.

As you get back to focusing on your health and your community, the Y is here for you. The World Health Organization says at a time like this, it’s very important for people of all ages and abilities to be as active as possible. According to the CDC, regular exercise helps boost our immune system by reducing stress and contributing to a more restful sleep. Exercise also encourages us to eat more nutrient-dense foods that help us perform better during our workouts and aid in reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. Exercise has also been proven to ease anxiety and depression. All of these elements can help prevent serious or deadly complications from viruses such as COVID-19.

With all that said, the Y understands and supports those who aren’t ready to return yet. Until you’re comfortable returning, the Y will continue to offer free virtual YMCA fitness classes, youth and family activities and at-home resources for you and your family.

Depending on your location, check out tampaymca.org or ymcasuncoast.org to see how you can join a cause that benefits yourself as well as your community.

Join by Sept. 30, and there is no join fee! The Y remains here for you and the Tampa Bay community as we stay healthy together.

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

GET STARTED

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Check In for a Checkup Prioritize Your Primary Care

There’s never been a more important time to take care of your whole health. Our primary care physicians are ready to care for you today. To keep you safe, we’re offering in-person and virtual appointments, along with: • Contactless registration • Virtual waiting rooms • Online bill pay • Same-day appointments and extended hours availability

Don’t postpone the care you need.

Schedule your check-up today at AHMGTampaBay.com.

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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Make his eyes Ready to LEARN, Ready to PLAY, Ready to SUCCEED! 1 in 4 School Aged children

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TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

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CLEFT AND CRANIOFACIAL DIAGNOSIS WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PREGNANCY TO BIRTH AND BEYOND

By Alex Rottgers, M.D., Photo courtesy Melissa Smith

Pregnancy and the anticipation of bringing a new life into the world can be stressful in and of itself, but add in an unexpected diagnosis of a cleft or craniofacial birth defect at a sonogram appointment, and the journey can become overwhelming. Alex Rottgers, M.D., medical director of pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, helps explain these conditions to parents.

TWO OF THE MOST COMMON CRANIOFACIAL (HEAD AND FACE) CONDITIONS WE DIAGNOSE AND TREAT TOGETHER ARE:

Cleft lip and palate: when a baby’s lip and mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. This affects baby’s eating, speaking, oral health and hearing.

Craniosynostosis: a condition where the bones of the skull fuse and result in an abnormal head shape. This could potentially increase pressure on the developing brain, and therefore is important to address.

Rottgers and his team also treat hemifacial macrosomia, other causes of facial asymmetry, nose and ear malformations, deformational plagiocephaly and vascular anomalies, including infantile hemangiomas and birthmarks. They also perform corrective jaw surgery.

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS EXPECT AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS?

Learning of a prenatal diagnosis can be upsetting for many parents. That’s why pediatric plastic surgeons at Johns Hopkins All Children’s are available for prenatal counseling. It’s important families understand that it is unlikely they did anything to cause the diagnosis, and that these conditions are treatable. Our team works together with the family to develop an individual treatment plan for that child to correct their facial difference and help them emotionally along the way. For some babies, that means their first operation will be within the first six months of life, followed by additional surgeries as they grow, along with follow-up appointments along the way.

HOW ARE THESE CONDITIONS TREATED?

Johns Hopkins All Children’s plastic surgeons use the principles of plastic surgery to plan operations with the same thoughtfulness and care as if it were for their child. Surgeons are exploring new techniques to improve safety and outcomes and often use new technologies such as 3D photography, 3D printing and surgical simulation to practice the surgery before the actual day. The surgeons work as part of a team with orthodontists, speech therapists, neurosurgeons and other medical providers to ensure every aspect of a child’s health related to their condition is treated. Living with a facial difference can cause additional stresses such as bullying and poor self-esteem, so the team at Johns Hopkins also includes psychologists who play an integral role helping families.

HOW DO WE CHOOSE THE RIGHT SURGEON?

Take your time researching pediatric cleft and craniofacial programs. Ask how many surgeries they have performed and what the outcomes are like and explore what services they offer to make sure your child's care will be a “one-stop shop” with a range of experts collaborating. You want to find a surgeon who is supported by a great team, who performs these operations regularly and who has broad experience and training. The best teams measure their results so they can improve and lead the field. Find a team willing to walk you through the treatment process step-by-step, answer questions and address your concerns along the way.

LEARN MORE

VISIT HOPKINSALLCHILDRENS.ORG/CRANIOFACIAL SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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COULD IT BE HUNTER SYNDROME? A rare combination of common childhood complaints could indicate Hunter syndrome (MPS II ), a progressive, genetic disease.1,2,3

¿PODRÍA SER EL SÍNDROME DE HUNTER? Una rara combinación de quejas comunes de la infancia podría indicar el síndrome de Hunter (MPS II ), una enfermedad genética, progresiva.1,2,3

Talk to your doctor, or learn more at:

Hable con su médico, o conozca más en:

hunterpatients.com

hunterpatients.com/es Recurrent Ear Infections2

Infecciones recurrentes en los oídos2

Abdominal Hernia2

Hernia abdominal2

Enlarged Tonsils/ Adenoids2

Amígdalas/ adenoides agrandadas2

Joint Stiffness2

Rigidez en las articulaciones2

1. Burton K et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2012; 171 (1 ): 631-639 2. Wraith JE et al. Genet Med 2008; 10 (7 ): 508-516 3. Keilmann A et al. J Inherit Metab Dis 2012; 35 (2 ): 343-353 Copyright ©2019 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Lexington, MA 02421. All rights reserved. 1-800-828-2088. TAKEDA and the TAKEDA logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. S45710 04/19

Aiden, age 5

QUIT YOUR WAY Quitting tobacco isn’t easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

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GET MOVING 9 WAYS TO ENCOUR AGE HEART-PUMPING EXERCISE FOR KIDS

By Anu Varma Panchal

School has started in some shape for all of us now, and families are navigating uncertain waters together. Whether we send our children to school with masks or we supervise them at home in front of their computers, our kids’ safety is paramount to all of us. Michelle Sterling, St. Joseph’s Children’s Wellness and Safety Specialist, shares ways to keep our children’s health and wellbeing at the forefront during the months ahead.

“Get the wiggles out,” Sterling advises. Especially if you’re e-learning or homeschooling, make sure your kids are taking

Stretch every day or take your little ones through some yoga poses. This will also help with back and posture issues.

Lead your kids through a modified session of Tabata training.

Named for the Japanese researcher who invented the exercise method, Tabata calls for 20 seconds of intensely doing an exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, for a total of four minutes. Try doing this with your littles with jumping jacks or burpees.

Take your students outside for a nature scavenger hunt in between computer times. Make them lists of things to observe—during quarantine, many neighborhoods set up stuffed animals in windows for little ones to spot. This being Florida, chances are that September will still feel like the height of summer. REMEMBER that children’s bodies heat up faster than adults’ do, so make sure your little ones wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion to look out for include headaches, nausea, raised body temperature, dizziness or fainting.

Create a backyard fitness course or Ninja challenge by using hula hoops, jump ropes or other simple pieces of equipment you have around the house.

brain breaks—preferably heart-pumping ones that get the blood flowing. Without scheduled recess or changing classrooms, opportunities to move are minimized and we have to create them for our children. If you have a reluctant youngster on your hands, let them choose. By giving them ownership and allowing them to pick the activity, whether it be a walk, a swim or a game of hopscotch, they will be more enthusiastic about participating.

Encourage budding photographers by asking them to document walks through their or your phone cameras. It gives them a reason to get out and will give you some sweet glimpses of the world through their eyes. While walking, remind children to stop at signals and look left-right-left before crossing.

Go for a bike ride. Encourage your children to go online with you to search out new local trails and then head out. Even a simple ride around the block during a short break can make a big difference. Always make your child wear a helmet.

BE EXTRA SAFE HERE’S HOW TO MAKE SURE THEY FIT PROPERLY: •There should be a space of about two finger widths across the forehead • Straps should form a V over the ears • The strap should be snug under the chin but not so tight the child cannot talk • When the child shakes their head from side to side, the helmet should fit tightly

Hit the pool! Whether you have a backyard pool or your community pool is open again, let your kiddoes work off an hour of math or science by frolicking in the water. This is also a great time to sign up for swimming lessons if your child hasn’t learned how to swim already.

Competitive families can set up a family fit challenge.

Assign “fitness points” to be earned through the week by doing various activities and give the winner a prize at the end of the week.

Grab a pack of Uno cards.

Assign an activity to each color. When it’s time for a break from the computer, have your child draw a card and do the number of that activity corresponding to the card. For example, a green “4” might call for four jumping jacks, and a red “8” for eight toe-touches.

BE EXTRA SAFE WHILE AT THE POOL, REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING TIPS! • Never swim alone; always have a buddy • Assign a designated water watcher, an adult whose only job is to keep an eye on the kids in the pool, with no distractions like cell phones or conversation • Don’t rely on water wings or floaties; they are not a substitute for knowing how to swim • Install pool fences and safety alarms SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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CARING FOR ALL IN TAMPA BAY Q& A with Shannon Hannon Oliviero, Executive Affairs Officer for Feeding Tampa Bay

THE PANDEMIC HAS NO DOUBT ALTERED ALL OF OUR LIVES. HOW HAS IT IMPACTED FEEDING TAMPA BAY AND THOSE YOU SERVE? At Feeding Tampa Bay, we saw 650,000 in our care before the pandemic began. Currently we have 1.7 million who depend on us throughout the 10 counties that we serve. Because no one should go hungry.

HOW HAVE YOU ALL MADE THE PANDEMIC PIVOT SO MANY BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES MAKING? Our preferred distribution model is choice or a "shopping experience," giving the opportunity to choose the foods that best fit our guest families just like you and I do when we choose groceries. Of course, due to safety concerns, we've had to adjust to a drive-thru experience where volunteers place an assortment of shelf stable, fresh produce, protein and dairy items in the trunk of each guest's car, per adult.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GREATEST NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW? We are providing 2 million meals weekly, double the amount we were serving pre-pandemic, and see that number remaining consistent.

Many are families visiting one of our drive-thru pantries for Kelley Sims, Chief Development the first time, never imagining Officer with the Malasky family themselves experiencing food insecurity. For those who can, we could use donations. At Feeding Tampa Bay, we can maximize every dollar to best serve our struggling neighbors. feedingtampabay.org/donate/

HOW CAN LOCAL FAMILIES HELP? CAN KIDS AND ADULTS STILL VOLUNTEER TO SORT FOOD? Volunteers are needed at our warehouse, in addition to out in the community at our many pantries throughout our 10-county region.

Families are welcome to join our Emergency Volunteer Response Team at feedingtampabay. org/volunteer/ THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING. WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE NEED BEING LIKE THIS YEAR? We are prepared to serve much like we are currently with our programs and nearly 500 distribution partners. As long as our neighbors struggle with food insecurity, Feeding Tampa Bay will continue to lean in and make certain healthy food is available for our neighbors in need.

KNOW SOMEONE IN NEED? VISIT FEEDINGTAMPABAY.ORG/FINDFOOD/

LEARN MORE

Contact us at 813-254-1190 and visit feedingtampabay.org @FeedingTampaBay on social media Listen to our podcast: Stick a Fork in It! on all platforms

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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MOMS TO K NOW

By Julie Tingley, KNOW Tampa and KNOW St. Pete/Clearwater Image by Brio Five

S

eptember 2020. As things began to change in March, I didn’t expect that we would still be here six months later. Let’s do this: Let’s see a show of hands from all of those parents who have had a blissfully stress-free year.

And what about those moms who have it all together?

Here's how we are all the same despite the social distance between us. And this is the thing about parenting: No, you don’t have control over many things happening around you and your family, but in motherhood, you have to exist as if you are in control.

When I met Sandy Sembler, I knew her energy was magnetic and her story of survival was something to be revered, but when I began working with her this past spring, I did not know how much I would learn about myself—as a person, a mother and a wife. If you have ever suppressed raw emotion in an effort to protect yourself or your children, if you have ever felt like you were drowning under everyone else’s agendas, or if you just know you could be playing bigger, shining brighter and be more aligned with your femininity, then you must KNOW this featured mother from St. Pete.

Sandy Sembler INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIP COACH Another failed relationship and an intense 3-hour intervention led Sandy Sembler to discover why she was repeatedly attracting the same emotionally unavailable men.

She was living an extraordinary, prosperous life, yet she was unfulfilled, lonely and dissatisfied.

Toxic childhood patterns led her to approach life with a ‘take no prisoners’ mindset providing great financial and philanthropic success, and preventing a deep, authentic connection with the closest people in her life.

By shifting to a new paradigm in her coaching practice, she became a powerful guiding force for women desiring to be feminine, open hearted and vulnerable. She sought teachers globally and strengthened her intuition through the empowering healing practice of embodiment. This inner soul work allowed her to heal and she recently manifested her warrior-king husband.

E ab ou t LE AR N M OR ok s at th e KN OW bo .co m be tri w th ek no

Sembler’s deepest desire is for each client to intentionally claim their authentic purpose and abundance of self-worth, trust more fully, release baggage from the past, minimize frustrations between men and women and create the quality relationships so deeply desired.

Here are four concepts you can implement with your family: Use Triple-A (Awareness, Acknowledgement, and Acceptance) to step fully into the underlying feelings. Accept “what is” before you take action.

Use the mind/body connection to reset your nervous system via focused breathing.

Practice gratitude and self-care (with a generous amount of skipping) to shift your focus and deepen your ability to share joy with your family.

Create transition rituals to quickly shift back into your core energy and be more present and available to your family and partner.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SEMBLER'S PROCESS ON TAMPABAYPARENTING.COM TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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AUTISM: Breakthrough to Hope

COPING WITH CRISIS The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life as we know it, especially for individuals with autism and/or an intellectual or developmental disability. As communities shelter in place, there have been drastic disruptions to daily routines and the structure required to thrive. School and clinic closures have interrupted access to services and much-needed therapies, social distancing has decreased support networks and access to reliable childcare and many face significant and debilitating bouts of social isolation. For those with sensory challenges, new norms, like the wearing of face coverings, may pose distress or difficulty. How can families stay safe while also supporting loved ones with unique challenges? We’ll explore all these issues with a panel of experts and caregivers and offer strategies to help families advocate for awareness, build effective action plans to cope both now and in the event of future disruptions and help to find solutions for urgent needs.

Monday, September 28 at 9 p.m. on WEDU For more information and resources related to autism, visit:

wedu.org/autism An original production by:

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Special thanks to an anonymous donor TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

Proudly sponsored in part by:

and friend of WEDU PBS and the Bernard F. and Mary Ann Powell Foundation

SEPTEMBER 2020 TampaBayParenting.com

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THINGS TO DO

LE T ' S G E T SOCIAL Follow along with us for inside looks of fun things to do with kids in Tampa Bay, behind-the-scene peeks and more.

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what's trending EXPLORE OUR ANNUAL EDUCATION GUIDE It's online now and we will be sharing more school features coming next month in the October issue

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OUTDOOR FUN IN TAMPA BAY 8 ways to play with ideas from the Outdoorsy Diva

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FALL FAMILY FUN Social distancing-friendly pumpkin patches, corn mazes and spooky events

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O F T H IS F IN D A LL ON OUR E R O AND M IT WEBS E

TampaBayDateNightGuide.com 100 TAMPA BAY DATE IDEAS

A GOURMET DATE AT HOME Photo by Cheese Please

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Photo by Tampa Riverwalk

YOUR GUIDE TO ST. PETE DATE NIGHTS

Photo by Stephanie Patterson

TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2020

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