Active Family Magazine - August 2014 by Teresa Craft

AUGUST 2014

Summer Camping Guide

9 Bay Area Destinations to Discover

Back to School: Making the Shift a Little Easier

Before the End of Summer

A Safari Adventure in the Heart of the Bay Area

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Each Primrose School is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools and The Leader in Educational Child Care are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2014 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail. License #013421388, #013421389

Volume 1 / Issue 7

[ TRAVEL ]

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

[ HEALTH ]

A Safari Adventure in the Heart of the Bay Area

Back To School Essentials

Food Allergies: What Parents Should Know

Summer Camping

[ FAMILY ]

Helping Your Kids Stay Safe in the Virtual World

9 Bay Area Destinations to Discover before the End of Summer

The Sixth Step to Balance: Staying Financially Fit

Back to School: Making the Shift a Little Easier

Ask a UCSF Benioff Oakland Children’s Hospital Oakland/Walnut Creek Expert

[ EVENTS ]

August Calendar

Growing Smart: The Benefits of Foreign Language Study

[ ENTERTAINMENT ]

What if You’ve Made Mistakes as a Parent?

Healthy Dining for Families in the Bay Area

Raising Resilience: 7 Steps to Stronger & Happier Kids

Teaching Responsibility with Chores for Children

8 4 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

DISCOVERY Inßpi®ed by St®atfo®d

[ ACTIVE FAMILY ]

There’s no more profound gift parents can give their children than the chance to discover what they are capable of — the chance to achieve all they can.

What Matters… Nurturing, Safe Environment Engaging Curriculum Music and Art for all students Enriching Social Development Spanish and Science beginning in preschool taught by specialty teachers

S S S S S

S Experienced teachers with a passion for education S Thriving school community that welcomes parent involvement

S 95% of our graduating middle school students accepted to their high school of choice in the Bay Area

Join us for a personal tour Call (408) 973-7321

www.StratfordSchools.com/The_Stratford_Difference

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Preschool State License Numbers: 073402482, 013417816, 013420588, 434404890, 434408056, 434407977, 434404336, 434406722, 434408877, 384001837, 434410807, 434410816, 073406680, 013420939.

Local Life & Style for the East Bay Area Publisher/Editor

Design/Production

Contributing Authors

Tracie Vollgraf

Teresa Craft

Marketing Manager

Ad Design/Production

Crystal Wigton

Lara Mays

Michelle Perry Higgins Dr. Meg Meeker Robin Stephens Dr. Laura Markham Maureen Healy Dr. Grace Peace Yu Dr. J. Lane Tanner

Sr. Advertising Sales Manager Maxine Fisher

Advertising Sales Manager April Gentry

Contributing Businesses

Advertising Sales Manager

Safari West Sutter Health East Bay Region Primrose School of Pleasanton USCF Benioff Oakland Children’s Hospital Oakland/Walnut Creek Milkdot P’kolino Bixbee

RoseAnn Pirylis

Fashion Editor Jeneffer Jones Punjani

Active Family is published by TAG Marketing Group Mailing Address | P.O. Box 5158, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Advertising Inquiries | 925.789.0709 Email Address | info@activekidsbayarea.com

Editor’s Note With summer quickly winding down, now is the time to take advantage of last minute family bonding opportunities. Why not plan a camping trip? Whether you are the rouging-it type, or would prefer the glamping route, our Summer Camping Guide on page 14 affords you with many options. It is every parent’s goal to create memories for their children that will last a lifetime. I was very fortunate to provide my four daughters with a unique adventure when we traveled to Safari West in Santa Rosa. An easy drive from the East Bay, you arrive at Safari West and are suddenly transported to a world reminiscent of Africa. To discover all that Safari West has to offer, check out the feature article on page 8. With school just around the corner, it’s time to start preparing! We thought we would help by including an overview of our favorite necessities on page 12. Our Back to School: Making the Shift a Little Easier article on page 18 should also help with the transition. Enjoy the last month of summer with your family and make every minute count!

Tracie Brown Vollgraf Editor info@activekidsbayarea.com

6 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ ACTIVE FAMILY ]

IT’S EASY TO FIND DOCTOR RIGHT With Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation and Palo Alto Medical Foundation, you have easy access to top-quality care for your kids right in your neighborhood. Our team of dedicated health care providers is committed to providing your kids with excellent medical services at our care centers in Albany, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Oakland, Orinda, and Richmond. It’s another way we plus you.

1 (800) 4-SUTTER thedoctorforyou.com

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 7

[ TRAVEL ]

A Safari Adventure in the Heart of the Bay Area by Tracie Brown Vollgraf While I have been very fortunate to have traveled to many different places in the world, an African Safari adventure is still found on my bucket list. I am hoping that someday I will make it across the globe, but in the meantime my family and I were lucky to find the next best thing - Safari West. Founded 20 years ago by Peter and Nancy Lang, Safari West wildlife preserve is located on 400 acres in the heart of California’s wine country. Although an unlikely place to find such an incredible oasis with over 800 exotic animals, Safari West is a definite must-see. One of very few facilities in North America which belong to the prestigious American Zoo and Aquarium Association, it is Safari West’s ongoing mission to preserve wildlife through breeding, education, research and public interaction.

To book a tour or overnight accommodations, go to www.safariwest.com

After a short hour and a half drive from the East Bay, Safari West is found nestled in the foothills of Santa Rosa. We parked the car near the front gate and were greeted by a friendly staff member who checked us in, while our “bellhop” Ryan pulled up in a 4-door jeep to shuttle us to our “hotel room”. Passing ‘Lemur Island’, my children got their first glimpse of the adventure awaiting us. As we rode, a rustic view opened up, complete with thatched-roof buildings, rolling hills, valleys and tents abound. Arriving at cabin #10, we discovered surprisingly luxurious accommodations with a deck, bathroom, king bed and double bunk bed and a full view of the hills and animals galore. Although I was a bit concerned about the roughing-it factor, rest assured, the cabins, which are imported from Africa, are all fully equipped with the cozy amenities from home; comfy bed, linens, pillows. But do note, you will not find a television or phone and cell coverage is sketchy at best. Hence the reason Safari West is an ideal location for family bonding time! Positioned a stone’s throw from the giraffes, antelope and flamingo enclosures, you suddenly realize the hustle and bustle of the city are far behind. As the girls and

8 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014 Magnolia

Liquid Bread

UpCider

[ TRAVEL ] I inspected the new digs, we noticed all sorts of sounds coming from the area below. Birds, lemurs, monkeys, the occasional screech of a owl. You close your eyes and are suddenly enveloped by animal chatter which can easily feel like you are in the center of a lush jungle. Such an unusual yet welcoming experience! After unpacking, the kids and I were very anxious to explore. Heading down the trail we bumped into ostriches, exotic birds, antelope and more giraffes. Seeing these animals up close with only a slight wooden fence between us was amazing. We strolled down to a small lake and in between the cabins sprinkled throughout. We then headed to the lower grounds of the zoo where hundreds more animals live. Although it was getting dark, we were able to spot monkeys, an incredible bird aviary housing all kinds of different feathered friends and a few very large porcupines! Although we knew there was much more to see, it was time to eat!

After the hour-long walking tour, the highly anticipated Safari Driving Tour was next. The girls were very excited to ride in the open-air jeep and had their heart set on sitting on the top deck jump seat which provides an endless view of the land. After climbing aboard, the tour guide Mark greeted us and the adventure began. Entering the first gate the girls and I came within inches of a giraffe working hard to grab an out-of-reach leaf with its tongue. Did you know that a giraffe’s tongue is approximately 18 inches long? Neither did we! Just one of the many tidbits we learned throughout the tour. Crossing the rocky terrain with dips and lunges, across rolling fields, one can most definitely mistake the scenery for the exotic land of Africa. Approach a zebra, Wildebeest, Cape buffalo or kudu and you will completely forget that you are still in California! Safari West allows you to get up close and personal with animals whose origins span the entire continent of Africa,

Dinner was served in the Café area amid long tables and chairs and a huge fire pit where delicious ribs and chicken were being roasted. The entrée was paired with veggies, mac and cheese, salad, bread and more. The kids loved the hot chocolate machine and were able to help themselves more than a few times. A substantial meal, my kids didn’t even make a dent! Perhaps they were saving room for the jumbo marshmallows prepared fireside. One of the parents had the foresight to pack graham crackers and chocolate bars and shared with the rest of the group. Make a note to do the same! Although it was early by normal standards, the kids and I headed back to our cabin to get ready for bed and hit the hay. Upon waking we headed back to the café for a complimentary continental breakfast. We then checked in for our walking tour of the lower grounds. Although it was the same space we explored the night before, we were amazed to discover how many animals we missed that actually inhabit this particular area! Our tour guide was incredibly warm and inviting and provided all kinds of interesting information about the animals we were viewing up close. She engaged with the kids, asked questions and was very passionate about her job. As a person who typically has a short attention span and is always thinking about the twenty things I need to get done, I was completely present and engrossed. We saw monkeys of all kinds, a serval, fennec foxes, ringtailed lemurs, and agreeably our favorite, the cheetahs. We then took a tour inside the bird aviary and found a plethora of bird species, some we never knew existed.

but can be found in one special place! An experience unique to any other, I know my family and I will treasure the memory of our Safari West adventure for years to come!

*Expires August 31, 2014

AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 9

[ FAMILY ]

The Sixth Step to Balance: Staying Financially Fit by Michelle Perry Higgins No matter how well you prioritize, no matter how well you juggle your time, no matter how many boundaries you set or how much help you receive, I firmly believe you cannot have true balance without getting your finances in order. Of course, as a financial planner, I’m somewhat biased. But over the years I’ve seen that having a handle on your financial situation is more important for your peace of mind, your self-respect, and your balance than you might think. Many women delegate all financial matters to their husbands and have no idea how much money is coming in, going out, or even where it’s going. And many single ladies place finances on the back burner because they don’t understand what they should focus on first or who to turn to for help. Is this you? If so, please let me share a few startling statistics that might make you decide to change your evil . . . er, I mean ostrich ways. Michelle Perry Higgins is the author of the Amazon best-seller, Stocks, Bonds & Soccer Moms and The Everything Binder. As a financial planner and principal of California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, California, Ms. Higgins specializes in wealth management. Since 1996 she has built a successful practice advising executive professionals into retirement, and her passion for finance has helped hundreds of individuals better understand the process of investing and fiscal planning. Ms. Higgins was featured as a 2012 and 2013 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, Diablo Magazine, and was also ranked in the Top 50 WomenOwned RIAs in 2013, Top 25 Women RIAs in 2012 and 2014, and Top 40 Under 40 by WealthManagement. com. She has been quoted in Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money and The Los Angeles Times, is a Wall Street Journal Expert Panelist. Follow Michelle on Twitter: @RetirementMPH. Join Michelle on Facebook: facebook.com/MichellePerryHiggins. Bookmark her website: www.michelleperryhiggins.com.

• Women will control two-thirds of consumer wealth in the U.S. over the next decade. • 80 to 90 percent of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point, mainly due to divorce or outliving their men. • Fewer than two in ten women feel very prepared to make wise financial decisions. To think that soon—women will control a majority of the wealth in America and make a majority of the purchasing decisions without feeling prepared to make the right financial decisions—that is a frightening and unnecessary situation I’d dearly love to change. Here are my top three tips for bringing your finances and your engagement in your family’s finances into balance. Tip # 1: Track Your Living Expenses The first thing you need to do is gain control over what you are spending each month. For some women, being confronted with accrued numbers they’d rather not know about conjures up real anxiety: the Costco bill, the shopping sprees at the local mall, the large outflow for the kids’ sports programs. I urge you to step out of your comfort zone and put your spending patterns under the microscope. You will be giving yourself something extremely valuable: the gift of financial empowerment. Find out if your partner is currently tracking your expenditures. If he is, give him a big kiss and tell him I said thank you! Spend an afternoon reviewing the figures to understand how much it takes to manage your home. Are you surprised? Have your husband show you exactly how he tracks the figures and where he stores the passwords to all your joint accounts. Have him show you the monthly report so you can reconcile the figures and identify areas that can be reduced, if any.

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[ FAMILY ] If no one has been tracking expenditures, give the dog a chew toy, put the kids to bed, tell your hubby to go watch ESPN, and find a quiet space to focus. There are dozens of household budget expense tracking programs and even apps that give you the ability to track your purchases on a continual basis. Input your expenses daily or weekly instead of letting the data pile up for a month. Once you find your groove with this new practice, it should become as automatic as brushing your teeth. Honest! Pick a date to get started (the first of the month is recommended) and monitor every future penny moving forward. If you’re good at paying your credit cards in full each month, I recommend putting every expense you can on one card. Although using cash is a little more challenging and requires more planning, you may actually end up spending less. It’s a lot easier to throw down a credit card for those new shoes versus hardearned cash. What I don’t recommend is using some cash, some credit or debit, an occasional online check, etc. Do you see how complicated this could become when tracking your expenditures? Best to boil it down to one or two forms of payment. Once you’ve tracked at least six months of living expenses, you can begin to evaluate your spending patterns. Are there areas you can decrease your expenditures? Did you find you were spending more than you thought? For example, if you spent eight dollars on coffee and a scone four days a week, you’ve paid out approximately $128 a month for that little luxury. How far would that extra $128 go toward paying off your credit card or redirecting it to your retirement savings? Tip # 2: Build a Financial Plan The term financial plan should not only be associated with individuals approaching retirement age or with investable assets. Take the time to create a plan that lays out your goals and dreams for today and the next 30 plus years. A financial planner can help by having you complete an extensive questionnaire covering assets, liabilities, living expenses, tax returns, bank statements, investments, insurance statements, etc. It is important to disclose your desired goals during these planning sessions and anything that may affect your plan. Here are some of the many questions you will answer during your planning meetings:

• Are my living expenses reasonable? • Should I be saving more and if so, where? • How much should I have in emergency reserves? • How can I pay off my debt? • How much should I save for my child’s college education? • Am I adequately insured if I were to pass away? • Should I buy a home? • How much should I be saving monthly for retirement? • How will it be possible to maintain our current lifestyle in retirement? Once you establish a financial plan, review your progress monthly. This will help you determine if the goals you set were realistic and show you if progress is taking place. If not, you may need to alter your goals. A financial plan is not set in stone. It will change over the years. Tip #3: Live Well—Plan Well If something happened to you today, do you have your finances, estate, and personal affairs organized in one location for your heirs or beneficiaries? I’ve spent years witnessing the heart-rending chaos that ensues when someone passes without leaving their financial affairs in order, or even where anyone else can find the information. I recommend keeping all your financial and personal information in one place: immediate contacts, insurance, private security access information, income and cash equivalents, document originals, debt, retirement and investments, pet information (vet), business ownership, personal property, funeral arrangements, real estate, and estate planning documents. This will make life much simpler for your heirs and take a huge load off your mind! I created The Everything Binder for my clients to do just that. Yes, sticking your nose into your own finances is a lot of work, but who’ll do it if you won’t? Trust me, you’ll love the balanced feeling of knowing exactly how much you are spending and where you’re spending it. You’ll love knowing you are on track to meeting your goals, and that your future is being thoughtfully taken care of. Here’s to your continued financial fitness! AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 11

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

Back to School Milkdot

Stöh | Stripe Collection Introducing a new collection of vibrant stripes! In mouth-watering candy colors! Stöh is a modern yet practical solution for a lunch bag that combines clean and simple design with features perfect for stowing your favorite food, drink and utensils.

Popdots Collection Popdots Go Pouch is the perfect carryall for everyday or for travel. Plus, it’s insulated so it makes a great snack bag. With one large elastic pocket and three smaller elastic pockets, your items will be sure to stay in place and stay organized. Comes in a variety of colors.

To order, go to www.milkdot.com

P’kolino

Mess Eaters | Desk Caddy Liven Up Desks, Tables or Counters with Fun Monster Personalities. This Mess Eater storage caddy is playful and versatile. Versatile velcro dividers set 2 to 6 storage compartments so you can sort bigger or smaller items. Easy to use and eager to help with organizing all your frequently used items like; crayons, pencils, brushes, combs, hair ties, toys and more. Available in: Green, Pink and Blue.

Mess Eaters | Travel Pal Attach Me Anywhere: Backpacks, Scooters, Bikes and more! Take your little favorites with you in this playful, attachme-anywhere travel case. The P’kolino Travel Pal is just the right size for bottles, art supplies, little toys or other favorites. Versatile velcro strap arms grab onto almost anything, like strollers, bags, bikes, scooters and more. Available in: Green, Pink and Blue.

Mess Eaters | Art Case Perfect Pals for all your Art Supplies and other Little Treasures! Feed them crayons, markers, pencils and more! Durable & Easy to Clean! This versatile case is great for road trips & travel. Available in: Green, Pink and Blue.

To order, go to www.pkolino.com 12 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

Bixbee

Animal Pack “Shark” Kids Backpack Small | Blue Ferociously cute, the Shark Pack is perfect for preschool predators with a carnivorous sense of style. Complete with flippers, a fin and the sharpest of teeth, this backpack also includes plenty of pockets to hold show-and-tell treasures. It’s an adorable way to take a bite out of style! One size. “Sassy Spot Leopard” Kids Backpack | Pink & Purple Leopard Spunky style any kid will roar for! The Sassy Spots Leopard collection is the most fashionable way to take a walk on the wild side. Featuring bags that easily take you from school to lunch to a slumber party, each of these pieces is fierce! Pounce on these playful prints and you’re sure to be spotted. Each product complete with a sassy kitty charm! Comes in Medium or Large sizes. “Dino Camo” Kids Backpack | Green With the Dino Camo collection, your child’s imagination will never go extinct. Hunt for a t-rex, triceratops, or stegosaurus on these fierce backpacks, duffels and lunchboxes. With style of Jurassic proportions, he’ll be King of the Triassic period—or at least, the lunch period. Medium or Large sizes.

For more Back to School Products, go to www.Bixbee.com Get $5 OFF any Bixbee product over $19.99! Code: BixbeeActiveKids5Back Bixbee products are tested PVC free, phthalate free, lead free and BPA free.

The

secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. [ Ralph Waldo EmERson ]

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Still Enrolling All Grades! Call us today to schedule a Campus Tour! Preschool - 12th Grade | 7500 Inspiration Drive | Dublin, CA 94568 | ValleyChristianSchools.org Contact Lori Cantrell | Director of Admissions | (925) 560-6262 or lcantrell@valleychristianschools.org

AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 13

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

Summer Alameda County Redwood Regional Park 7867 Redwood Rd Oakland, CA 94618 Hours: 5:00am to 10:00pm 888.327.2757, option 3, extension 4553 www.ebparks.org/parks/redwood

Several group day and overnight camping areas are located within the park. Hiking, jogging, and horseback riding are popular on the parks nearly 40 miles of trails.

530.538.2219 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=462

Near the City of Oroville this man-made lake was formed by the tallest earthfilled dam (770 feet above the stream bed of the Feather River) in the country. The lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sailing and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping.

Calaveras County Calaveras Big Trees State Park 1170 E Hwy 4 Arnold, CA 95223 Hours: 24 hours a day 209.795.2334 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551

Anthony Chabot Family Campground 9999 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546 Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm 888.327.2757, option 3, ext. 4502 www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony_chabot/

Overlooking Lake Chabot is Chabot Family Campground, year-round getaway only minutes from the city. The camp has 75 trailer, tent, or walk-in campsites, hot showers, Naturalist-led campfire programs, an amphitheater, and hiking/ fishing access to Lake Chabot.

The Park houses two main campgrounds with a total of 129 campsites, six picnic areas and several miles of established trails. During the Summer enjoy evening ranger talks, numerous interpretive programs, environmental educational programs, junior ranger programs, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and activities for school children.

Colusa County Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area Levee Street & 10th Street Colusa, CA 95932 Hours: Call the park 530.458.4927 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=461

Del Valle Regional Park 7000 Del Valle Rd Livermore, CA 94550 Hours: 6:00am to 8:00pm 888.327.2757, option 3, ext. 4524 www.ebparks.org/Page115.aspx

The Del Valle Family Campground has 150 sites (two accessible), 21 of them with water and sewage, and electrical hook-ups. The sites are served by centrally located toilet and shower facilities.

Butte County Lake Oroville State Recreation Area 400 Glen Dr. Oroville, CA 95966 Hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm

This area offers visitors campsites, picnic sites, and a launch ramp for small boats. Riverbank cottonwoods and willows shelter one of the finest fishing stretches in California, with king salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout and striped bass some of the catches.

Contra Costa County

than 90 species of wildflowers, including the Diablo sunflower which grows only in the foothills of Mount Diablo. Mount Diablo State Park North Gate Rd Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 925. 837.2525 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=517

Mount Diablo offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding. With this beautiful ‘ecological treasure’ of the San Francisco Bay Area, your family is sure to have wonderful time.

Del Norte County Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park Mill Creek Campground 1111 2nd St. Crescent City, CA 95531 Hours: Call the park 707.465.7335 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=414

Sleep beneath towering maples, alders, and young coast redwoods, with access to Mill Creek, miles of varied hiking trails, and seasonal ranger-led programs.

El Dorado County Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park Tahoma, CA 96142 Hours: Call the park 530.525.7982 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=510

In the summer months, there are 10 group campsites and 120 family campsites. For information on SUMMER camping reservations, call Reserve America at 1-800-444-PARK or www. reserveamerica.com. Check at entrance station or bulletin boards for current programs and meeting locations. Campfire Programs, Nature Walks, and Junior Ranger Programs are offered throughout the summer.

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve 9401 Morgan Territory Rd Antioch, CA 94509 Hours: Call the park 510.544.3060

Camp Concord 1000 Mt. Tallac Rd South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 530.541.1203

www.ebparks.org/parks/morgan

www.cityofconcord.org/recreation/camp

Sandstone hills within the park’s 4,708 acres are adorned in spring with more

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Family Camp at Camp Concord is a great opportunity for parents and kids to

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

Camping unplug and experience nature together. Truly a vacation for everyone - families can participate in their organized camp activities, or strike out on their own. With age appropriate kids hours, parents get time to relax knowing their children are experiencing new adventures under the guidance of a highly-trained counseling staff. Sly Park Recreation Area 4771 Sly Park Road Pollock Pines, CA 95720 Hours: Call the park 530.295.6824 Sly Park is a wonderful place to bring the whole family for an unforgettable camping experience. The park features 8 family campgrounds that contain a total of 191 individual sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and barbecue. Vault toilets and water faucets are nearby.

Hours: 7:00am to Sunset 415.388.2070 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471

Just north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate is Mount Tamalpais. It has redwood groves and oak woodlands with a spectacular view from the 2,571-foot peak. On a clear day, visitors can see the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco and the bay, hills and cities of the East Bay, and Mount Diablo.

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=473

Clear Lake State Park is on the shores of California’s largest freshwater lake. The area is popular for all kinds of water recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and water-skiing. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish.

Marin County Samuel P. Taylor State Park 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd Lagunitas, CA 94938 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 415.488.9897 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=469

The park offers a network of hiking trails and fire roads, making it easy to hike to the top of Mount Barnabe. Or, for a less strenuous visit, many visitors consider Azalea Picnic Area the best place in the park for a picnic or a place to relax. Steep Ravine Cabins & Campsites 801 Panoramic Highway Mill Valley, CA 94941

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468

In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. Groups can reserve the picnic areas and other camping facilities on the island by calling 1-800-444-7275.

Mariposa, Tuolumne, & Madre County Yosemite National Park Yosemite Village, CA 95389 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 209.372.0200 www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

Lake County Clear Lake State Park 5300 Soda Bay Rd Kelseyville, CA 95451 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 707.279.2267

Angel Island State Park San Francisco, CA 94920 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 415.435.5390

Lawson’s Landing 137 Marine View Dr. Dillon Beach, CA 94929 Hours: Call the park 707.878.2443

Monterey County

www.lawsonslanding.com

Lawson’s Landing is a fishing and boating resort and campground, situated at the mouth of Tomales Bay, California— known for generations of families as a place to escape the heat and to rest along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The Landing was first established in 1929, and the campground has been running— family-owned and operated— since 1957. Windsong Cottage 25 McDonald Lane Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 415.663.9695 www.windsongcottage.com

The wood burning fire place, the huge, fluffy king size bed, and of course, the hot tub set in the private yard are all wonderful reasons to visit Windsong Cottages. Yurts often have a skylight where the beams meet so in the morning, it was a gentle waking up. Perfect for a romantic get-away!

Big Sur 47000 Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm 831.667.2322 www.bigsurcamp.com/accomodations.html

Located among majestic Coastal Redwood trees along the pristine Big Sur River, Big Sur Campground and Cabins offer camping and lodging with the emphasis on Family. Enjoy tent and RV camping on the forest floor as you watch the kid’s inner tube by in the cool water. Or pamper your family in one of several styles of cabins, from rustic tent cabins to fully equipped cabins with kitchens and fireplaces. TreeBones Resort 71895 Hwy 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 Hours: Call the park 877.424.4787 www.treebonesresort.com/index.php

Treebones is a premier Glamping resort. Glamping is defined as a luxury form of

AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 15

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

Summer camping, blending natural experience of outdoor camping with more glamorous amenities. TreeBones Resort is a unique lodging and dining experience on Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breathtaking Big Sur Coast with expansive views in all directions. Limekiln State Park 63025 Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 805.434.1996 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577

The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast, the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns and has 24 campsites.

camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating. Fishing offers trout, catfish, big and small mouth bass or perch.

Sacramento County Brannan Island State Recreation Area Brannan Island State Recreation Area Rio Vista, CA Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 916.777.6671 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=487

Brannan Island State Recreation Area is a maze of waterways through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This park northeast of San Francisco Bay has countless islands and marshes with many wildlife habitats and many opportunities for recreation, including boating, windsurfing and swimming.

Santa Cruz County Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Highway Boulder Creek, CA 95006 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 800.444.7275

Napa County Bothe-Napa Valley State Park Saint Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA 94515 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 707.942.4575 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=477

Located in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley wine country, the Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, and hiking trails that go through stands of coastal redwoods as well as forests of Douglas-fir, tanoak, and madrone.

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546

This park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a variety of forested areas including redwoods, mixed evergreens, riparian, ponderosa pine, as well as rare ancient marine deposits called Santa Cruz sand hills. Castle Rock State Park 1500 Skyline Blvd Los Gatos, CA 95032 Hours: Call the park 408.867.2952 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538

Along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park embraces coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forest, most of which has been left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers. The forest here is lush and mossy, crisscrossed by 32 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails.

www.bigbasin.org

San Joaquin County

There are 146 family campsites located in four campgrounds. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring, and most have wooden storage cupboards. Piped drinking water, restrooms and showers are found in all the campgrounds. Some sites are designated for tent camping due to uneven parking spurs; many are multipurpose and have level parking areas large enough for most campers, trailers, and RVs.

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=557

Placer County

New Brighton State Beach 1500 Park Ave Capitola, CA Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 831.464.6330

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area 7755Folsomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Auburn Rd Folsom, CA 95630 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 916.988.0205

The beach features picnic areas, swimming, fishing and a nearby forest of Monterey pine and Coastal Live Oak. The camping area is on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay.

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=542

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500

Located at the base of the Sierra foothills, the lake and recreation area offers opportunities for hiking, biking, running,

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 831.335.4598

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 2591 Graham Hill Rd Scotts Valley, CA 95060

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Caswell Memorial State Park 28000 South Austin Rd Ripon, CA 95366 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 209.599.3810 The park is located along the Stanislaus River near the town of Ripon, California. Caswell is home to several endangered animal species, including the riparian brush rabbit which is not known to occur anywhere else.

San Mateo County Butano State Park Pescadero, CA 94060 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 650.879.2040 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536

The park features miles of hiking trails, 21 drive-in campsites and 18 walk-in campsites. Restrooms with running water are provided. Drinking water is available at the park in both the campground and the day use areas. Guided nature walks and weekend campfire programs are offered during the summer.

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

Camping Costanoa Lodge 2001 Rossi Rd at Hwy 1 Pescadero, CA 94060 Hours: 24 hours a day 650.879.1100 www.costanoa.com

Costanoa offers many different options for accommodations, from their cozy Lodge to our distinctive Tent Bungalows. Most bungalows have a queen bed and comfortably accommodate 1-2 guests. These accommodations combine the best part of camping with creature comforts you will appreciate. From hiking, kayak tours and yoga to Costanoa Kids Camp, there is much fun to be had at Costanoa. Half Moon Bay State Park 95 Kelly Ave Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 Hours: 8:00am to Sunset 650.726.8819 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531

Miles of broad, sandy beaches stretch out to welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay. This picturesque setting is ideal for sunbathing, fishing and picnicking. A campground provides accommodations for those who wish to visit longer.

Shasta County Sugarloaf Resort Cottages 19667 Lakeshore Dr. Lakehead, CA 96051 Hours: 24 hours a day 530.238.2448

features 28 miles of hiking trails, including a 2.7 mile access trail to Castle Crags Wilderness, part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Sonoma County Casini Ranch 22855 Moscow Rd Duncans Mills, CA 95430 Hours: Call the park 800.451.8400

Castle Crags State Park 20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella, CA 96017 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 530.235.2684 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454

The park offers swimming and fishing in the Sacramento River, hiking in the back country, and a view of Mount Shasta. There are 76 developed campsites and six environmental campsites. The park

There are 98 campsites with hot showers, flush toilets, and a trailer sanitation dump station. Maximum trailer length is 31â&#x20AC;&#x2122;; no hook-ups are available. Campfire and Junior Ranger programs are held in the summer months. The day use area includes a disabled accessible boardwalk out to a classic sandy beach.

Casini Ranch campground is nestled among beautiful hills resting on a gentle meander along the Russian River just minutes from the Pacific Ocean in Sonoma County, California. One mile of river runs along this 110 acre part of the ranch offering campers a memorable camping experience.

Reef Campground 19005 Coast Highway One Jenner, CA 95450 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 707.847.3286

Sugarloaf Ridge 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd Kenwood, CA 95452 Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 707.833.5712

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=449

www.sugarloafpark.org

Offers 49 developed family campsites, a group camp, picnic sites, and trails. The mountain terrain of the 4900-acre park has elevations from 600 to 2729 feet. The camp and picnic sites are set in a large valley with a meadow and stream at 1200 feet. Favorite activities include camping, resting, hiking, nature exploration and horseback riding.

Sugarloaf Cottages are the perfect location for a romantic weekend getaway, a fishing vacation or a family gathering. Located on the Sacramento arm of Shasta Lake, the resort is only 25 miles from Redding, California and is a sanctuary from the pressures of everyday life. KOA Petaluma 20 Rainsville Rd Petaluma, CA 94952 Hours: Call the park 707.763.1492 www.koa.com/campgrounds/san-francisco/

This beautiful family camping resort is rated one of the top RV campgrounds in California and the premier campground & RV Park resort in the San Francisco Bay area. With 312 spacious sites on 70 Acres, this KOA offers the best in family,

Bodega Dunes Campground 3095 Highway 1 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Hours: Call the park 707.875.3483 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451

www.casiniranch.com

www.shastacabins.com

group and big-rig RV camping in a rural atmosphere.

Enjoy diving, fishing, hiking, surfing, tide pools, picnicking, whale watching, bird watching, or just relaxing in the sun at this secluded cove just south of historic Fort Ross. Doran Regional Park 201 Doran Beach Rd Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Hours: 7:00am to Sunset 707.875.3540 www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_doran.htm

Doran Park has a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach and is a popular place for visitors to picnic, build sand castles, fly kites, surf, fish and stroll. A rock jetty at the harbor mouth provides access for fishing, crabbing and exploring sea life. Westside Regional Park 2400 Westshore Rd Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Hours: 7:00am to Sunset 707.875.3540 www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_wstsd.htm

The park is ideal for fishing, with its boat ramp and fish-cleaning station. A large vehicle and boat parking lot is located adjacent to the launch. Picnic tables and restrooms are on-site. The park is near stores and tackle shops. Marine fuel may be purchased at Spud Point Marina.

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[ FAMILY ]

Back to School:

Making the Shift a Little Easier by Dr. Meg Meeker It’s almost September and that means a visit to Staples, stocking the fridge with lunch meats, and dealing with very tired kids. Some of you have been back to school going on a few weeks now, while others begin around Labor Day. The shift into the fall season for many kids can be a tough time—even if they’re eager to get back to school. And if the transition for them is tough, that means you’ll have your hands full. Crabby, overtired kids means stressed parents. I’ve been through the shift many times as a mother, and I’ve watched it in thousands of patients over the years. Here are a few things that I have learned help make life a little easier during this time.

Dr. Meeker is a pediatrician, who has practiced pediatric and adolescent medicine for 25 years. She is the author of six books including the best-selling Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: Ten Secrets Every Father Should Know; Boys Should Be Boys; Your Kids At Risk;, The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose and Sanity; Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: The 30 Day Challenge and Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men, (Ballantine) April 2014. She is a popular speaker on pediatric health issues and child-parent relationships. Dr. Meeker is co-host and physicianin-residence of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk Radio. She is also Assistant Clinical Professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and currently teaches medical students and physicians in residency training. She is board certified with the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Meeker serves on the National Advisory Board of the Medical Institute. She has been married to her husband, Walter for 32 years. They have shared a medical practice for over 20 years. They have three grown daughters and a grown son. She lives in northern Michigan.

1. One more hour matters Studies have shown that when kids get even one more hour of sleep per night, they concentrate and perform better at school. It may not seem like much to an adult, but to a growing child, sixty extra minutes of snooze time helps make them less irritable and it makes teachers (and you) happier, too. So, move their bedtime an hour back. If this is too tough to do all at once, then start with fifteen minutes, then half an hour, and then one hour. 2. Rework bedtime Many children have difficulty falling asleep at night—especially at the beginning of a school year. They are so used to being active up until bedtime that they have a hard time winding down. If you implement good sleep hygiene, they will fall asleep much more easily. Make sure they stop watching television, playing video games, or being visually stimulated one hour before bedtime. If they want a snack, make sure it is at least half hour before bedtime and make it light—no heavy foods. They can listen to soothing music or a book on tape (one that is a bit slow moving) to help them wind down. One that is particularly good for kids is the Adventures in Odyssey Golden Audio Series. 3. Make electronics rules clear for everyone Most kids can’t adequately discipline themselves regarding electronic gadgetry use. In my experience, most kids (even teens) want help learning to “turn off” stuff but won’t say this. So, begin by making house rules that all electronics stay off from 10-7 am. Remember, many kids chat or text one another at night, and this keeps your kids up. If some can’t sleep, they will turn on the Internet to watch a show, play a game, etc. You may even need to have all electronics left in the kitchen

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[ FAMILY ] for the night. Offer to put your cell phone in the kitchen, too. You may start with every other night and move to every night to make the transition more gradual. This is extremely important for kids who have difficulty concentrating on the school work. 4. Don’t skip breakfast

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others dread it. They grieve leaving the easy, carefree schedule of summer and lose their enthusiasm for life. So, plan small outings on the weekend in order to give them

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something to look forward to. You many plan to go to a movie, go to a beach, or go on a bike ride. The important thing is to give them a slice of “summer life” back to help them ease away from it. 6. Be patient Many kids take about six weeks to get back into the rhythm of school, so be patient. Children starting kindergarten take longer, and many parents hit midOctober wondering what happened to their lovely, easygoing child. The kindergarten year is particularly tough for kids, and they need extra sleep (even an afternoon nap) in order

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[ ACTIVE FAMILY ]

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Some warning signs of reading challenges  Choppy reading; often ignores punctuation  Slow reading rate, or reading may be fast and inaccurate  Doesn’t enjoy reading for pleasure  Makes errors such as substituting, adding, changing, repeating & leaving out words  Unable to sound out unknown words  Spelling difficulties  Poor grades/and or test scores Mention Active Families and receive 10% off an initial assessment www.FoundationsTutoring.org 4713 First Street, suite 150 Pleasanton, CA 94566 925-425-0652

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[ FAMILY ]

Robin is a writer/blogger for The Growing Room Education Council. The Growing Room is a non-profit organization specializing in elementary school age enrichment programs through a unique 3-part curriculum: Growing Smart (Academics), Growing Fit (Health and Fitness) and Growing Tall (Character and Citizenship). Robin Stephens holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on early childhood/adolescent development, family systems, and socio-cultural perspectives of the family. For more information, visit thegrowingroom.org.

Growing Smart: The Benefits of Foreign Language Study by Robin Stephens The benefits of learning a foreign language are currently making headlines. In recent years, researchers have debunked prior myths regarding second language study. Cornell linguistic researchers have determined that learning a second language does not cause language confusion, language delay, or cognitive deficit. On the contrary: studies now repeatedly demonstrate that foreign language education substantially improves a student’s academic success. In addition, it increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility in the minds of students. As a parent, there is a lot to get excited about when considering the profound benefits of second language study for our children. Foreign Language Study Strengthens and Enhances Cognitive Development Children who learn a foreign language evidence cognitive advantages over their monolingual counter-parts. Second language learners consistently demonstrate greater cognitive flexibility, advanced problem solving skills, and higher order abstract thinking abilities. Early childhood cognitive developmental milestones, such as those identified by Jean Piaget, are advanced in second language learners. Piaget’s concept of “object permanence” and “accommodation”, both require advanced levels of cognitive development and problem solving skills. Bilingual children possess advanced abilities to connect meaning between languages and cognitively make “more room” in the brain for new information.

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[ FAMILY ] Early language study results in greater figural creativity and increased divergent thinking. Foreign Language Study Enhances a Student’s Sense of Achievement Second language study can help alter the trajectory for students of average intelligence. In short, it can narrow the achievement gap. All students, even those with learning disabilities or those unaccustomed to achievement in a traditional class setting, have the ability to learn a foreign language – and excel. Foreign language study can actually improve reading scores of children of average or below average intelligence. The benefits are enormous in terms of self-esteem and satisfaction at school. Foreign Language Study Improves Academic Progress in Other Subjects Numerous studies have determined that time spent learning a foreign language strongly reinforces all core academic areas of study: English language literacy, social studies, and math. Armstrong and Rogers in their book, Basic Skills Revisited: The Effects of Foreign Language Instruction on Reading, Math and Language Arts state that second language learners consistently out perform monolingual control groups in core subject areas on standardized tests, often significantly. In fact, one study found that students scored notably higher in language arts and math after only one semester of foreign language study. Several studies indicate that bilingual students outscore monolingual students on verbal and nonverbal intelligence tests. Learning a second language enhances knowledge of English structure and vocabulary. These students possess a greater grasp of their own language including a larger and richer vocabulary. Bilingualism also aids in the development of verbal and spatial abilities. Foreign Language Students Outscore Monolingual Students in Math It may come as a surprise to learn that foreign language students consistently outscore their counterparts in math sections of standardized tests. Again, this is evidence that foreign language study is an exercise in cognitive problem solving, rather than a linguistic activity. The complex problem solving skills developed through foreign language studies are directly transferable to the area of mathematics. Even when foreign language study pulls students away from additional mathematical instruction during the day, the foreign language students still out-perform monolingual students on standardized

mathematic tests. Foreign Language Students Score Higher on Standardized Tests – College Bound The College Board released results from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) that stated 4-year foreign language students outscore other students on the verbal and math portions of the SAT by 100 or more points. Studies following foreign language students also found them to be happier in their college studies, more likely to achieve better grades, and less likely to drop out. Foreign Language Study Promotes Cultural Competence Foreign language study is one of the most effective means of helping children achieve intercultural competence. In this era of multiethnic and multicultural societies, early foreign language study serves to build a child’s cultural competency in a way that no other discipline can. Children gain valuable insight when they experience exposure to cultures they perceive different from their own. Piaget posited that at age ten, children are in the process of moving from “egocentricity to reciprocity”: it is a critical time in the development of attitudes towards groups perceived as “other”. Learning a language helps a child connect with another culture while they are still open-minded. They have not yet begun to restrict their view of others. Foreign Language Competence – A Necessity in the 21st Century There is no question that competency in a foreign language enhances career opportunities. As we move towards a global economy the ability to communicate and relate with other cultures will not only help our economic competitiveness abroad, but will open the door to a variety of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. The need for fluent bilingual speakers is on the rise. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office those who have the ability to speak both English and Arabic or Chinese are in demand. In addition, the benefits of foreign language study last throughout one’s lifetime. Recent research indicates that knowing two languages may help stave off age-related mental decline. When researchers compared monolingual to bilingual adults in terms of cognitive function, bilingualism seemed to offer a protective benefit. AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 23

[ EVENTS ]

August Alameda County August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 Downtown Fremont Street Eats Capitol Ave b/w State & Liberty St. 4:30pm – 9:00pm www.fremont.gov

August 2 – 3 Taste of Downtown Downtown Livermore 12:00pm – 5:00pm www.cityoflivermore.net Family Camp Out Anthony Chabot Regional Park www.danville.ca.gov

August 2 – 3 & 9 – 10 Family Sundown Safari Oakland Zoo 5:00pm – 10:00am www.oaklandzoo.org

August 3 Friends of the Livermore Library Pacific Ave & South Livermore Ave 12:00pm – 4:00pm www.cityoflivermore.net

August 4 & 11 Pajama-Time Family Story time Civic Center Library Livermore 7:00pm – 7:30pm www.cityoflivermore.net

August 5

August 6 Magical Biblio-Spectacular with Magician Brian Scott Civic Center Library Livermore 10:30am www.cityoflivermore.net

August 7 First Thursday Dublin Farmers’ Market Emerald Glen Park 4:00pm – 8:00pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us Summer Concert Series Central Park Fremont 6:00pm – 9:00pm www.fremont.gov

August 8 Children’s Craft Time Rincon Branch Library Livermore 11:30am – 1:30pm www.cityoflivermore.net

August 9 Gardening Workshop Dublin Library 2:00pm – 3:30pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us

August 10 Shamrock’n Sunday’s Featuring: Take 2 Emerald Glen Park 4:30pm – 7:00pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us

Stop the Violence Block Party – National Night Out McGee Ave b/w Stuart & Oregon St. Berkeley 3:00pm – 7:00pm www.ci.berkeley.ca.us

August 12

Children’s Craft Time Springtown Branch Library Livermore 12:30pm – 4:30pm www.cityoflivermore.net

August 13

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Science Day Springtown Branch Library Livermore 1:00pm – 3:00pm www.cityoflivermore.net Teen Art Programs: Henna Tattoos Dublin Library 1:00pm – 2:30pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us

Wildlife Associates: It’s a Wild World! Civic Center Library Livermore 10:30am www.cityoflivermore.net

August 14 Dublin Cooks Night Dublin Farmers’ Market Emerald Glen Park 4:00pm – 8:00pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us Summer Concert Series Central Park Fremont 6:00pm – 9:00pm www.fremont.gov Children’s Craft Time Civic Center Library Livermore 10:30am – 2:00pm www.cityoflivermore.net

August 17 Folk Singer Carl Tilchen Civic Center Story time Room Livermore 2:00pm www.cityoflivermore.net

August 21 Third Thursday Piedmont Ave Stroll Oakland 6:00pm – 9:00pm www.piedmontavestroll.org

August 22 Picnic Flix: Frozen Emerald Glen Park 8:30pm – 11:00pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us

August 23 Teddy Bear Tea Oakland Zoo 9:30am www.oaklandzoo.org

[ EVENTS ]

August August 30 Zoovie Night ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Oakland Zoo 6:30pm – 9:30pm www.oaklandzoo.org

Contra Costa County August 1 & 22 Moonlight Movies Danville Town Green 6:30pm – 9:30pm www.danville.ca.gov

August 3, 17 & 31 Sunset by the Lake Summer Concert Series 100 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill 6:00pm – 8:00pm www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us

August 5 & 12 Summer Concert in the Park Orinda Community Center Park 6:30pm – 8:30pm www.cityoforinda.org August 5 – 7 Wet ‘N Wild Mini Camp Lindsay Wildlife Museum Walnut Creek www.wildlife-museum.org

August 7 Discovery Thursdays – Friends Lindsay Wildlife Museum 10:00am – 11:30pm Ages 4 – 5 www.wildlife-museum.org

August 8 Preschool Performance Series Timothy James Village Theatre 10:00am – 11:00am www.danville.ca.gov Orinda Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Orinda Library Auditorium 3:00pm www.cityoforinda.org

Movies Under the Stars The Sandlot Heather Farm Park, Ballfield #2 8:30pm – 10:00pm www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us

Family Camp Out Mt. Diablo State Park 12:00pm – 12:00pm www.danville.ca.gov

August 9

Hop, Slither & Slide Mini Camp Lindsay Wildlife Museum 12:45pm – 3:45pm www.wildlife-museum.org

Home Composting for Busy People Lafayette Community Garden 3:30pm – 5:00pm www.ci.lafayette.ca.us

August 9 – 10

August 19 – 21

August 21

58th Annual Japanese American Festival Japanese Cultural Center Concord www.concordfirst.org

Discovery Thursdays – Slitherers Lindsay Wildlife Museum 10:00am – 11:30pm Ages 4 – 5 www.wildlife-museum.org

August 9 & 23

August 23

Music in the Park Danville Town Green 6:00pm – 8:00pm www.danville.ca.gov

Saturday Keeper Workshop – Raptors Lindsay Wildlife Museum www.wildlife-museum.org

August 12 – 14

Hop on Over to the Lafayette Library 1:00pm – 2:00pm www.lafayettelib.org

Animals Habitats Mini Camp Lindsay Wildlife Museum www.wildlife-museum.org

August 12 Curiosity Corner: “Tales of Tails” Lafayette Library and Learning Center 6:30pm – 8:00pm www.lafayettelib.org

August 14 Discovery Thursdays – Hoppers Lindsay Wildlife Museum 10:00am – 11:30pm Ages 4 – 5 www.wildlife-museum.org Hot Summer Nights Car Show Downtown Danville 4:00pm – 9:00pm www.danville.ca.gov

August 16 – 17 Pollinators Take Center Stage Lindsay Wildlife Museum Walnut Creek www.wildlife-museum.org

15th Annual CA Symphony Pops in the Plaza Concert Todos Santos Plaza Concord 6:30pm – 8:00pm www.concordfirst.org

August 30 NorCal Kids Triathlon Miramonte High School Orinda 9:00am www.orindafoundation.org

Healthy Walnut Creek Festival & Skateboard Competition Heather Farm Park 9:00am – 12:00pm www.walnut-creek.org

August 25 Mini Monday – Crazy About Reptiles Lindsay Wildlife Museum 10:00am – 12:00pm Ages 2 – 5+Adult www.wildlife-museum.org

August 28 Discovery Thursdays – Flyers Lindsay Wildlife Museum 10:00am – 11:30pm Ages 4 – 5 www.wildlife-museum.org

Email info@activefamilymag.com to subscribe to our weekly email blast for more events!

AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 25

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What If You’ve Made Mistakes As a Parent? by Dr. Laura Markham “Dr Laura....I only found Aha! Parenting a month ago. Already things have improved so much with my kids and I no longer act like a crazy person when I get frustrated with them. But I keep wondering if I have messed my children up forever...” Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University and has worked as a parenting coach with countless parents across the English-speaking world, both in person and via phone. You can find Dr. Laura online at AhaParenting.com, the website of Aha! Moments for parents of kids from birth through the teen years, where she offers a free daily inspiration email to parents.

“Understanding alone cannot prevent disrupted connections from occurring. Some will inevitably happen. The challenge we all share is to embrace our humanity with humor and patience so that we can in turn relate to our children with openness and kindness. To continually chastise ourselves for our “errors” with our children keeps us involved in our own emotional issues and out of relationship with our children..” — Daniel J. Siegel Have you made mistakes as a parent? Join the club. The bad news is that you’re human, like all parents. So we all fall short. The good news is, your child does not need perfect parents. In fact, if your child sees you as perfect, he’ll feel worse about himself, since he knows he’s not. What your child needs from you is a model of how to be a gracious human. That means admitting when you’ve been wrong. Being willing to grow. Giving yourself support to do better. Working hard to regulate your own emotions instead of acting like a crazy person, no matter what your child does. Not so easy, right? That’s why loving your child unconditionally starts with loving yourself unconditionally. I’m not excusing parents harming their children. I’m pointing out that you can’t simultaneously feel bad about what you’ve done, and feel good enough to do better. (Just like your child.) We all make mistakes. But if you use your past mistakes to guide you toward a better way in the future, that’s called a learning experience, not a mistake. Really. We’re all doing the best we can with whatever we know at the time. Luckily, children are resilient. Your child may need to do some crying about

26 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ FAMILY ] those times when she felt so alone in the face of your anger. But whatever is happening in your relationship with your child, whatever mistakes you’ve made, however ugly your child is acting, however ugly you’ve acted—it is never too late. You can always transform your relationship with your child into a happier, closer, connection. Here’s how. 1. Lighten Up. Most of our upsets with our kids stem from our own fear. (What if he NEVER learns? What if she gets in big trouble and ruins her life? What if I’ve damaged him forever?) But fear never helps us make good decisions. You can always choose a new course now and start moving in a better direction. And the truth is, most issues with kids are developmental, meaning that as the brain matures, the child matures. So lighten up, give yourself some compassion, and trust that your child will be ok. Just say to yourself, “He’s getting better parenting than I did, and I came out ok.” 2. Make self-regulation your highest priority. If you can stay centered and pay attention, you can respond with love and creativity to whatever’s going on with your child. It’s inevitable that sometimes you’ll find yourself off-track. Take a deep breath, apologize, suggest a “Do Over” and try again. 3. Apologize and repair. Use the inevitable little rifts of life as opportunities to get closer. To do that, you have to be willing to summon up your humility and humor. It wouldn’t be good for your child to have perfect parents, because then she’d never see you role-modeling selfforgiveness and repair. 4. Focus on connecting with your child, which means start where he is. If he’s in a place that hurts, he’ll be acting ugly. Summon up your patience and your courage and go in there after him. Let him express how upset he is about what’s happened in the past, and love him through it. This is how he heals from what’s happened in the past. It isn’t easy—for either of you—but it won’t go on forever. Don’t take it personally. Don’t try to teach him any lessons until he feels better. Don’t get lost in the dark in there with him. You’re the one who’s supposed to have the candle, remember? Bring your child back into connection with you, and he’ll be a whole different kid. 5. Enjoy your child. Often we’re so busy managing our children that we forget what kids really need. Children need us to enjoy them. That’s how they learn they’re of value! That’s also how they learn what joy is, what makes life

worth living. So resist the lure of your screens to sit on the couch whenever possible, and focus on the invisible tasks of parenting. That’s what heals your relationship with your child. Empathizing…Giggling together…Healing hurt feelings… Tummy time with the baby…Floor time with the toddler… Bedtime snuggles with the elementary schooler...Couch time with the tween…Walks with the teen...Family game night…Helping children think about the world and explore their emerging passions…Supporting kids to solve their own problems... Pillow fights...Star-gazing... Listening…Lighting candles…Connecting. So show up, and lighten up. Let the past go. Connect and Accept Now. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to fix your child or the situation. All you have to do is stay present and try to choose love instead of fear. Your child doesn’t even need the red cup, or whatever she’s crying for. She needs your loving acceptance of her, complete with all her tangled up feelings. Her disappointment, rage, and grief? They’re all ok, part of a rich emotional life, and they will all pass without you doing a thing. Just love her--and yourself--through it. Unconditionally.

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centurylandscape55@hotmail.com AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 27

[ FAMILY ]

Raising Resilience: 7 Steps to Stronger & Happier Kids by Maureen Healy We all want children to be happy and grow into productive, fulfilled adults, and according to parenting expert Maureen Healy, the secret to that success is in providing a foundation of inner confidence. Healy, a popular columnist for Psychology Today and the PBS Series, This Emotional Life, literally traveled the world in search of the best practices in raising inwardly strong children, and the connection between inner confidence and lasting happiness. Her new book, Growing Happy Kids, draws on her Buddhist training, her background in child psychology, and the latest scientific research. Her book is packed with guidance and ideas to help parents achieve success raising kids who are strong and confident. Here she offers seven specific action plans parents can take to create inner confidence and cultivate a deeper sense of emotional strength that lays the foundation for children’s happiest lives.

Maureen Dawn Healy is an award-winning author, popular speaker, and professional working globally with parents and their children. She was a regular guest on Hank Azaria’s “The Fatherhood Project” this year and Yahoo Shine’s “Away We Grow” online. Her books, Growing Happy Kids, and The Energetic Keys to Indigo Kids are available wherever books are sold. Learn more: www.growinghappykids.com

1. Build Confidence Daily (even for 5 minutes!): It is the everyday things we do with our children that help them feel stronger, and happier no matter what. So you may say affirmations together on the way to school (they are captive here!) or read a bedtime story every night that teaches about your child’s power within — the point is that small things done over and over again really build your child’s sense of strength. 2. Get Them Moving: Children need to move their bodies and get their energy released in a healthy way. Because physical activity, eating right, and a good night’s rest are the biological basis of your child’s emerging sense of selfconfidence. Also, be sure they do something they love from making a garden to becoming a soccer star. (Let them pick it!) 3. Sign Them Up for 1 Weekly Confidence Building Activity: Your child’s weekly confidence building activity may be a sport like soccer or something else like singing lessons. Most importantly, they need to see themselves succeed (really important) and also have a regular way to see themselves master a task thus building outer then inner confidence. 4. See Success Together (visualize, affirm, meditate, pray, and sing): Oprah always says that if you can believe it, you can achieve it. So help your child believe more fully in him or herself. Perhaps it is doing affirmations together like “I am awesome” and “I love me” or doing a guided meditation, singing a song that sparks them up or drawing a vision board. Let your creativity loose so you both become more self-assured. Have fun with this!!! 5. Get Inspired: Do something inspiring together whether it is going to see magnificent waterfalls, flying a new kite on the beach or learning hula-hooping. By doing something that lights your child up, they learn how to build a new skill

28 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ FAMILY ] and you’ll see their confidence soar. 6. Create an Uplifting Space: Decorate your child’s space so they see happy photos of themselves, their awards displayed, goals (or vision board) hung up and they have their favorite things all around them. By making the space feel good to your child they’ll realize this world is supporting them, their dreams can come true and everyone wants to see them succeed. (Feng Shui can help too!) 7. Play More: Happier children know the importance of play whether they are outdoors helping their parents’ garden or playing tag with their peers! So the more you help your child build skills, see their power within and play in their daily lives the happier they’ll be.

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Nothing is more beautiful than your child’s smile!

Welcome to Danville Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics! ! Our office is committed to providing excellent preventative care for children in a warm, positive, and compassionate environment. We specialize in comprehensive dental care for children of all ages with an emphasis on prevention and health. As your child grows, we are able to provide comprehensive orthodontic care for children and teens. This is to help create and maintain a healthy smile into adulthood. We will do so by providing excellent treatment at the right time for the right reason with integrity, honesty and a caring heart.

Your child’s smile is our top priority. We are committed to making it the happiest, healthiest and straightest smile possible. After all, nothing is more beautiful than your child's smile! 4145 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Ste. 203, Danville

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AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 29

[ ENTER TAINMENT ]

Tender Greens

Tender Greens lives by the ‘Farm to Fork’ DNA. Tender Greens is slow food done fast. They serve fresh, healthy, chef-inspired, farmer’s market sensible dishes at an affordable price in a relaxed environment. By working with small local farmers, ranchers, artisans, boutique wineries, breweries and coffee roasters, they are able to provide the best quality ingredients and products. Their Executive Chef Sean Canavan got his start at the Michelin Starred Bamberger Reiter Restaurant in his home country of Germany before coming to Tender Greens.

925.937.5100 1352 Locust St. | Walnut Creek www.tendergreens.com

Vitality Bowls

Vitality Bowls ® is a Superfood Cafe revolutionizing Açaí Bowls ®. An Açaí Bowl ® is a nutritional powerhouse they make featuring the Amazon’s rare Açaí (ah-sigh-ee) Berry. The Açaí Berry, which is the staple in all their bowls, is a small purple berry that grows on a palm tree in the Brazilian Amazon. It is famous for having the richest antioxidant content of any naturally occurring fruits. Vitality Bowls specialize in making quality, great tasting and affordable Açaí Bowls ®, invigorating smoothies and delicious Panini’s. Vitality Bowls ® are enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, snack, or dessert. It is the undisputed choice for a complete, delicious, and nutritious meal!

[ ENTER TAINMENT ]

Gotta Eatta Pita

Gotta Eatta Pita is the place to get the freshest pita sandwiches and Mediterranean plates. All of their salads are homemade, the pitas are baked fresh daily and they use hormone and antibiotic free chicken. Their style is similar to Chipotle, in that you can choose between a square bowl or warm pits and then select your stuffing’s. Yaniv Benaroya, a graduate of Las Lomas High School bought a pita bakery right after graduating to perfect the recipe. Aspiring to do more than baking delicious Pita Bread, Yaniv went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to learn about the restaurant business. Then… Gotta Eatta Pita was born.

925.230.0990 110 Hartz Ave | Danville 925.526.4826 35 Crescent Dr. | Pleasant Hill www.gottaeattapita.com

Sweet Tomatoes

More Healthy Options Mixed Grain 1546 Bonanza St. Walnut Creek 925.938.5959 www.mixedgrain.com

Citra Grill 1550 Olympic Blvd Walnut Creek 925.932.4872 www.citragrill.com

Lettuce Restaurant & Catering 1632 Locust St. Walnut Creek 925.933.5600 www.lettucerestaurant.com

Slow G’s Eatery 440 Diablo Rd Danville 925.831.1268 www.slowgeatery.com

Do you want to know how fresh the produce at Sweet Tomatoes is? Let’s just say within 24 hours of being in the ground, it’s on a refrigerated truck on its way to the various Sweet Tomatoes locations. Their food is made from scratch every day, their salad bar buffet features over 50 fresh ingredients, including specialty tossed and prepared salads. In addition to salads, they also serve hot pastas, handcrafted soups, scratch-made muffins, and Focaccia breads in their hot buffet. Create. Indulge. Enjoy.

925.676.8493 40 Crescent Dr. | Pleasant Hill 925.463.9285 4501 Hopyard Rd | Pleasanton 510.494.0300 39370 Paseo Padre Pkwy | Fremont www.souplantation.com

Ofelia’s Kitchen 850 Hillcrest Ave Livermore 925.449.5162 www.ofeliaskitchen.com

Fresh Millions Restaurant 6599 Dublin Blvd. Ste. F Dublin 925.875.1400 2550 San Ramon Valley Blvd San Ramon 925.838.3200 www.freshmillions.com

Muscle Maker Grill 164 Sunset Dr. San Ramon 925.277.1264 www.musclemakergrill.com

AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 31

[ ACTIVE FAMILY ]

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Before & After School Classes Daily Membership or Pay Per Use Night & Evening Enrichment Classes Tutoring Parties & Events, and much more! Questions? Call 925.820.5808

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[ HEALTH ]

Grace Peace Yu, M.D., is a board-certified allergist and immunologist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dublin and Fremont Centers.

Food Allergies: What Parents Should Know by Dr. Grace Peace Yu With studies and the media reporting increases in kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; food allergies, should parents be worried? Palo Alto Medical Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allergist and immunologist Grace Peace Yu, M.D., answers some of the questions she hears most frequently from parents. Can food allergies be cured? No, at least not yet. A study last year in The New England Journal of Medicine found that patients allergic to egg could be desensitized to this food by giving small doses daily and gradually increasing the dose over time. This indicates that there may be a way to desensitize children who have food allergies. This is breakthrough work for people living with food allergies. Unfortunately the results of this study are not ready for general public use, and doctors do not recommend that people try to recreate the results at home. Are food allergies genetic? There is certainly a genetic component to food allergies. In identical twins, if one is allergic to peanut, the other twin has a 67 percent chance of also being allergic. In siblings, if one sibling is allergic to peanut, the other sibling has a seven percent risk of also being peanut allergic.

34 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ HEALTH ] Will my child outgrow her food allergy?

That depends upon the food and each individual child. It’s more likely that a child will outgrow an egg, milk, soy or wheat allergy. If your child has a peanut, tree nut, fish or shellfish allergy, he or she is less likely to outgrow these. Should I hold off introducing certain foods to my children to avoid common allergies?

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[ SEASONAL FUN ]

9 BAY AREA DESTINATIONS

to Discover Before the End of Summer

1. Spend the night with wild animals! Well…as close as you can get in the Bay Area at least! The San Francisco Zoo is hosting their ‘Wild Summer Overnight’ August 9 – 10, spots fill up fast so RSVP right away. Visit: www.sfzoo.org or call 415.753.7080 for more information The Oakland Zoo’s Family Sundown Safari Outdoor Overnight Program is available August 2 & 9th, to register visit www.oaklandzoo.org or call 510.719.7324. If you missed one of these special zoo events, no need to worry! Safari West in Santa Rosa offers Glamping in their Luxury Tents most of the year. To book your Safari West Adventure, call 800.616.2695 or visit www.safariwest.com.

2. Take an Embarcadero Trolley Tour and visit the Exploratorium on August 24 1:00pm – 5:00pm! Join the Market Street Railway and the Exploratorium for a special discounted streetcar charter and entry to the Exploratorium. This first-of-its-kind collaboration between their institutions includes a guided trolley tour along the waterfront and a visit to the Exploratorium. You’ll ride PCC 1050 (built in 1948) with vintage-clad host Paul Lucas, a Market Street Railway historian and streetcar expert who will talk about the science and history of streetcars and have artifacts for examination. Seating is extremely limited so reserve your tickets today! Visit www.exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4444. 36 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ SEASONAL FUN ]

3. Take a short drive over the bridge to Fairfield, California and explore beans of happiness at the Jelly Belly Factory. Step into their factory and smell the aroma of chocolate, peach, cinnamon, pineapple, or various other flavors being cooked up that day. During the 40-minute walking tour, Jelly Belly tour guides will show you a real working factory where they cook up over 150 different sweet treats. Learn the secrets to how they create the legendary Jelly Belly jelly bean and discover why it takes more than a week to make a single bean. The Jelly Belly Factory is open daily from 9:00am – 4:00pm, for more information visit www.jellybelly.com or call 800.522.3267.

5. Take a Behind the Scenes Tour at Aquarium of the Bay. Stroll the catwalk above their 700,000 gallon exhibit tunnels and take in the breathtaking eight-foot sharks an arm’s length away. You will have the opportunity to visit the “jellies nursery” and view animals not currently on exhibit. Learn more about the Aquarium’s shark research, and how they are working to protect endangered and special species. There is a limit of 10 people per tour but multiple tours are available. For more information or reservations, call 415.623.5333 or visit their website www. aquariumofthebay.org.

4. Attend a Family Date Night at the Bay Area Discovery Museum! Four Friday’s in August you can bring your family to enjoy live entertainment, special outdoor activities, extended hours and more! Their themed nights for the month include: August 1 - Mariachi Juvenil Los Cachorros; August 8 - Blues Whale; August 15 - Enzo; August 22 – End of Summer Bash & Drum Circle with Rhythm Child. All activities and performances are included with all-day Museum admission, the Family Date Night activities run from 5:00pm – 7:30pm. To purchase tickets online, visit www.baykidsmuseum.org.

6. Take a ‘Flashlight’ or ‘History Mystery After-Hours’ Tour of the USS Hornet! Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the USS Hornet including spaces that have not yet been opened to the public or that have limited access during their Flashlight Tour. The Flashlight Tour is a three-hour guided tour begins at 8:30am and costs $35 per person ($30 for members). Reservations are required, the next Flashlight Tour is scheduled for August 16th Tour. Call 510. 521.8448 x 224 to make your reservation. For more information visit www.uss-hornet.org. The History Mystery ‘After-Hours’ Tour offers a unique chance to tour the USS Hornet after hours and learn the history of this incredible ship while she is illuminated in the red lights used for “night ops.” You will go deep into the Hornet where you will also hear the stories behind her legendary haunts. Will you be alone in the dark? Book now for the August 15th Tour and find out! Reservations are required; call 510.521.8448 x 224 to book now. For more information visit www.uss-hornet.org. AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 37

[ FAMILY ] [ SEASONAL FUN ]

7. Watch Killer Whales, Humpbacks, Blue Whales & Dolphins in Monterey. Monterey Bay Whale Watch offers year-round whale watching trips to observe the spectacular diversity and abundance of whales and dolphins inhabiting the Bay. Monterey is the best place in the nation to view a variety of marine mammals and seabirds. The Monterey Submarine Canyon approaches close to the shore, allowing deep water species of whales, dolphins, and seabirds to occur near the coast. Shallow water species, such as the gray whale, are found very close to shore in the narrow shelf region. To make reservations call 831.375.4658 or visit www.montereybaywhalewatch.com.

8. Visit a Mystery House like no other. The Winchester Mystery House ™ is an extravagant maze of Victorian craftsmanship – marvelous, baffling, and eerily eccentric, to say the least. Tour guides warn people not to stray from the group or they could be lost for hours! To purchase tickets visit www.winchestermysteryhouse.com or call 408.247.2101.

9. Tour San Francisco like never before, try a Segway or Go Car Tour! Whether you’re an adventurous single looking for an unusual way to experience San Francisco or a parent with children over 12 years old (16 for bike tours) trying to keep the family entertained, you’ll love the unforgettable experience of riding a Segway or Electric Bike throughout San Francisco. To book your Segway tour visit www.electrictourcompany.com or call 415.474.3130. GoCar is the first-ever GPS-guided Storytelling car ®. It’s the most exhilarating, entertaining and enlightening way to tour San Francisco. Whether you want to drive the scenic 49 mile drive, spin by the Golden Gate Bridge, cruise down the most crooked street in the world or see the houses of the rich and famous, the GoCar can take you there. With over 200 points of interest you can you make the tour as long or short as you want. Best of all, the adventure happens at your pace. You can stop for photos, take detours, grab a coffee or break for lunch. (You’ll actually be able to park!) Or you can blaze your own trail and explore the city streets, neighborhoods and parks on your own. To purchase tickets, visit www.gocartours.com or call 800.914.6227. 38 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ ACTIVE FAMILY ]

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[ FAMILY ]

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Kids LoveShelby Us, J. Smith, DDS,Us MS, PC Parents Trust Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

Kids Love Us, Parents Trust Us Over the past 20 years, Dr. Shelby has developed the reputation for being one of the most successful dentists in treating fearful and special needs children. Her gentle and low-key approach has helped thousands of kids have a great experience. Working with their parents, Dr. Shelby and her staff have been successful treating many children who otherwise might have been sedated. In addition, Dr. Shelby has a degree in Orthodontics so as her patients grow, the transition into braces is more comfortable. Seeing the smiles on the faces of her patients as they grow from tiny tots to confident teens is one of the great joys of her life.

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2213 Buchanan Road, Suite 112 Antioch, California 94509 www.DrShelby.com AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 41

[ HEALTH ]

For more parenting articles, go to Sutter Health East Bay Region blog: www.yourhealthplus.suttereastbay. org/category/news-for-parents

Helping Your Kids Stay Safe in the Virtual World by Sutter Health East Bay Region “OMG! U c Emily? She’s a G4N GF!” Translated in parent-speak this means, “Oh my God! You see Emily? She’s a good for nothing girlfriend.” Remember the days when playground bullies only stole milk money? Today, cyberbullies reach way beyond the playground, through cyberspace and deep within personal lives to humiliate their victims in front of an audience of hundreds, thousands or more, instantaneously. “Cyberbullying is the most common online risk for teens,” says Derek Johnson, D.O.,Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation family medicine specialist. “Unlike faceto-face confrontations, cyberbullying is often anonymous, can travel further and faster, ‘goes viral’ through endless replication, and can leave an essentially permanent digital footprint.” Cyber what? Cyberbullying takes place on electronic technology, such as cell phones,

42 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ HEALTH ] computers and tablets as well as communication tools, including social media sites, text messages, chat rooms and websites. Examples include:

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• Breaking into someone else’s online account and sending damaging messages • Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person • Sending mean messages or threats to a person’s email account or cell phone • Spreading rumors online or through texts • Posting hurtful or threatening messages on social networking sites or web pages • Circulating sexually suggestive pictures, videos or messages about a person Online safety tips Talk with your child about cyberbullying. “Keep communication open. If your teen trusts you, he or she will let you help them navigate through this very challenging time,” advises Dr. Johnson, “Be sure your children know the risks of using social media and posting personal information online. Whatever they send or post electronically lives virtually forever, and future college recruiters or employers may be able to access damaging information posted during teen years.” Supervise their use of the internet. Get to know what websites your kids are accessing— many sites have a minimum age for signing up. Come up with a ‘family online-use plan’ and have regular family meetings with your kids to discuss online topics, privacy settings as well as what’s appropriate to post and text.

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to come up with an action plan to stop the bullying. Your school may also offer counseling services to support your child through this difficult process. If your child feels physically threatened, be sure to alert the police. “In addition to expulsion from school,” says Dr. Ashraf, “there are possible legal and criminal penalties for cyberbullying. Some bullies have been charged with

“Set time limits on devices where kids can communicate by text or phone,” adds Dr. Johnson. “Teens feel incredible amounts of stress if they do not respond to a text quickly. They fear their friends will no longer like them if they do not respond.” Know what to do if your child is bullied. “Take it seriously. The long-term physical and emotional consequences of cyberbullying are devastating,” cautions Irmeen Ashraf, M.D., a Sutter Delta Medical Center pediatrician. “File an online complaint with the website to have an offensive post, comment or photo removed.”

felony aggravated stalking, libel and child pornography, for the electronic distribution of a nude photo of a minor.” Partner with your pediatrician Sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, isolation are all signs that something is wrong. Your pediatrician can help you rule out other diseases, and can give you resources for handling bullying, if that’s what’s causing your child’s symptoms. “While there are risks, social media also offers many benefits for tweens and teens, including e-learning and

If the bullying happened on school grounds, set up a meeting with the teacher and/or school administrators

job skills,” reminds Dr. Johnson. “Help your kids stay safe in the real and virtual worlds.” AUGUST 2014 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 43

[ FAMILY ]

Teaching Responsibility with Chores for Children by Primrose School of Pleasanton As parents, it is always exciting when children become old enough to pitch in and help out around the house. Chores are also a great way to teach children responsibility, which is an important lesson and valuable life skill. At home, children are always watching the actions of others—particularly their parents. By setting examples early on, you can help establish a foundation for responsible behavior for the rest of their lives. “When children develop an understanding of ‘responsibility’ as a character trait that friends and family value, it can make a positive difference in their lives,” said Dr. Gloria Julius, vice president of education for Primrose Schools. “They take ownership, develop a strong work-ethic and enjoy a sense of gratification that comes from living up to one’s own expectations. We want children to learn that they positively impact the world around them with their responsible acts. Even young children can learn to become active participants at home.” Teaching responsibility through household chores is the perfect start to empowering young children to become responsible people. Dr. Julius offers five tips to get parents started:

To learn more about Primrose School of Pleasanton, visit www.PrimrosePleasanton.com, or call 925-600-7746

Involve the family. Approach chores as a family team, and you may be pleased to find that your little ones want to get involved! Include your child in conversations about setting goals, teamwork, and what it means to be a part of a family – even little ones enjoy having a say. Focus on interests. If your child shows interest in the kitchen, enlist his help with making dinner or setting the table. Start with basic, simple tasks, like folding the napkins in half or adding ingredients to a big bowl of salad. By incorporating their interests, you can make helping fun. Talk it through. Take baby steps when first introducing chores to younger children. Start by teaching a specific task in steps. Be careful not to overwhelm young children with too much information. Choose age-appropriate tasks. Take your child’s age into consideration when enlisting help with household chores. It is not only important to recognize which chores are realistic in regards to their abilities, it is also important not to ask your child to take on too much which can lead to frustration. Avoid redoing the task. Accept that the child has done it, so he develops a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Offer specific feedback and appreciation. Acknowledging a job well done will give your little one the needed encouragement and a sense of satisfaction. By recognizing the contribution to the family, you are teaching your child the value of hard work and responsibility. In the end, he or she will feel helpful and important.

44 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

[ ACTIVE FAMILY ]

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[ HEALTH ]

Ask a UCSF Benioff Oakland Children’s Hospital Oakland/Walnut Creek Expert: by Dr. J. Lane Tanner Q: When a child has trouble sitting still, paying attention or regulating his or her body at school, how does a parent know if this is age-appropriate behavior or a sign of a developmental problem? A: A common example of this is a preschooler who is having terrible tantrums and behavior that quite disruptive at school or at home. But upon evaluation, we come to find at the root of the problem is a speech and language delay. This might be a child who’s really not able to get his wants and needs across and so the behavior may be rooted in frustration. There are certainly children that we see where the match between the child’s temperament and the preschool, is not ideal. For example, a child might be quite active or intense, or social and gregarious, and really wants to mix it up with other kids. That child can be doing very poorly in one preschool and then change preschools and the child is fine. Parents always do their best to feel this out beforehand, but a pediatrician can also help with this determination. Q: Who should parents consult? A: When there is a question about a child’s behavior, parents are pretty attuned to their kids and I take their questions and concerns seriously. The person who is best able to help them with their next step is the child’s pediatrician. They should Dr. J. Lane Tanner; Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, and Associate Director, Division of Mental Health and Child Development, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland

have consultation with their primary pediatrician who should be trained to detect and screen for developmental differences and delays, or significant behavioral or psychological problems. Q: If there is some type of problem or disability that needs to be addressed, who are some of the doctors that might be able to help after first consulting with a pediatrician? A: Who is best for a referral is an important question. Depending on the issues of concern, a developmental or behavioral pediatrician might be the next person to consult. A psychologist may be appropriate, if the concern is around learning disabilities - especially if what’s really needed is careful testing of a child’s strengths and weaknesses with respect to learning. Or speech and language pathologist, if there is a straightforward problem with speech. A child psychiatrist might be consulted if the concerns are mainly around mental health or behavior. Q: What if parents are concerned about more than one issue? A: Clarifying what is going on is the first step since there might be overlapping areas of concern. How much is a behavioral problem really rooted in some kind of a developmental disability, like a learning disability or an attention problem? After consulting with a pediatrician, an evaluation with a pediatric specialist is the next step, rather than jumping into therapy.

46 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | AUGUST 2014

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