January/February 2023

FUN CRUISE

Saturday, July 22nd 9am-2pm

Get ready for family fun this July! Local families will be cruising the Sioux Empire and visiting local businesses to take part in fun activities and, of course, win prizes! Fancy the Unicorn is back! She’s excited to spread her rainbow unicorn joy all through the community leading up to the Familyfest Fun Cruise! brought to you by

more info at familyfestsf.com or email: info@familyfestsf.com

Support is Key

Before I had kids, I remember how easy it was to watch parents and question their decisions or their child’s behavior. Even now, after being a parent for ten years, there are still some things that other parents experience that I cannot imagine. But I can certainly empathize with them.

As my kids have grown, I have become increasingly aware of the mental health struggles that families experience. As a business owner, I have days filled with stress and worries, especially over the past few years. As a mom, meeting my kid’s needs and ensuring they are thriving is exhausting. As a family, we’ve had to navigate behavioral issues. These situations are why this counseling and therapy issue has become so important to me.

In these pages, you’ll find stories from local families about their mental health experiences. On page 8, one mom shares that her boys have big feelings and why she’s prioritized normalizing therapy. We have a dad talking about the depression he experienced after adopting on page 24. On page 16, a mom talks about every parent’s nightmare: her child suddenly struck with a paralyzing disease.

The ’hood community is here to support you. We have resources on page 19 if you or your child need counseling and therapy support. You can find additional articles and resources at www.thehoodmagazine.com. The best thing you can do for your family is to get the help and support you need in this new year.

Wishing you health and happiness in 2023,

Steff

Steffanie Holtrop Publisher

President & Publisher

Steffanie Holtrop 605-366-1479 steff@thehoodmagazine.com

Editor Miranda Ochocki editor@thehoodmagazine.com

Art & Design Director

Ally Chase

Digital Media Director Jaclyn Small Staff Writer Kim Lee Calendar Jessie Paquette Circulation Ben Graff and Laura Kattenberg Cover Photo S. Kay Photography

Reproduction or use of the contents of this magazine is prohibited.

‘Hood Magazine is published 9 times a year by Hoodlum Productions, LLC and strives to publish only accurate information; however, Hoodlum Productions, LLC cannot be held responsible for consequences resulting from errors or omissions. All material in this magazine is the property of Hoodlum Productions, LLC and cannot be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

©2023 Hoodlum Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.

‘hood Online

In February, the American Heart Association is on a mission to teach one person in every family Hands-Only CPR®. Do you know the two steps to save the life of someone you love?

Hearty & Healthy?

This traditional chili couldn’t be any easier. Simply brown lean Ground Beef, add in pantryfriendly ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes. The result? A chili that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours. AND, this South Dakota Beef recipe is

Valentine’s Fun

Love is in the air! For all of your Valentine’s needs, don’t miss our online exclusive bonus pages starting on page 33.

CLICK HERE

baby

‘hood

Postpartum Depression

A recent study revealed that 1 in 7 women may experience postpartum depression in the first year after giving birth. Health Haven Consulting is here to discuss the symptoms and what you can do about it.

Community Sponsors. Our community experts, bringing advice and tips to our ‘hood community.

2023

The new year is here, let’s take a look at some of the exciting things we are looking forward to this year:

• Our birthday club is here! We’ve been patiently waiting for this day to come, and it is finally here! Haven’t signed up yet? No problem, it’s not too late!

• Let’s think warm thoughts, aahh summer we miss you! Luckily, our Summer Camp issue is coming out next!

• Our education issue is just around the corner, which means we are taking nominations for a new Educator of the Year. Do you know of an educator that deserves this title? Nominate them today!

• Save the date! Everyone’s favorite family event is back this year! See you on the Familyfest Fun Cruise on July 22nd.

Are you ready to buy a home this year?

Let’s do it! I say “let’s” because it takes a team. You don’t have to walk the journey of becoming a homeowner on your own. Let Dawn Van Nieuwenhuyzen – Senior Mortgage Banker – NMLS #21096 help make your new home dreams come true this year!

Meet ‘hood Cover Shot Photographer!

Love our cover shots? Us too! But we can’t take the credit. Meet Stephany, owner of S. Kay Photography who helps us bring these issues to life.

beyond the pages

Find local directories, stories, recipes, extra articles and so much more. Find it all at www.thehoodmagazine.com.

Find upcoming events on our online calendar.

Boys and Big Feelings

Meet Andy, Alicia, Jack, and Jude. The Schumacher family lives in the Harrisburg School District and has called Sioux Falls home for over 15 years.

Jack and Jude are active boys who love to bike, create, play basketball and hockey, and seek adventure.

They also have big hearts and think about, process, and feel things deeply.

Over the past few years, the Schumachers were introduced to occupational therapy and play therapy after Jack was diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder.

Andy and Alicia are proponents of consistent therapy for everyone in their family. Emotions and

feelings show up in various ways, and learning to process those early is especially important to them.

The boys sometimes have sessions together to learn how to work through sibling conflicts and understand their similarities and differences. Alicia shares, “Our emotions are real and valid, and we believe one of the most important responsibilities as a parent is to help them learn and understand those and how to process them. Participating in therapy offers them a safe space outside of mom and dad to express themselves and a chance to share what they are feeling and experiencing.”

© Rachel Clelland Photography

“

As parents, we are responsible for maintaining and understanding our feelings, too.

Andy and Alicia learned that they have highly sensitive children and can become overstimulated by their environment or busy schedule. “We’ve needed to be thoughtful about what and how many activities we have the boys in,” says Andy. “Overextending ourselves and constantly running from here to there leads to exhaustion, big emotions. and can leave everyone feeling frayed.” One of their favorite ways to spend their time is being out in nature, whether it be hiking, bike riding, or simple walks where conversation naturally opens and offers a different environment to experience.

“As parents, we are responsible for maintaining and understanding our feelings, too,” she said. After Alicia lost her younger sister to cancer in 2009, her grief journey brought years of processing emotions during different phases of life. “Having a trained professional and someone who can sit with you to help you understand how to move through and understand what you are feeling is so impactful. The work isn’t easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an ever-changing and evolving process and is influenced by what is happening at certain times of your life.”

Alicia’s best advice for families is this: “The goal of giving valuable tools and resources to our children is to help them access and understand their emotions so they can not only be good to and care for themselves but those around them as well.” l

RESOURCES

kids love it here.

visions@sdvisions.com sdvisions.com 6201 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 274.6717

by Melissa Carrier-Damon, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Feeding Milestones for Infants and Toddlers

After your baby is born, feeding them is one of the first things you do. Sometimes it’s an easy task, and for others, it can be difficult from the very start. After you get breastfeeding and bottling figured out, the next worry is when and how to start solids.

Knowing what to expect as your child progresses with eating throughout the years can be stressful. Like many other areas of development, it’s important to know what to expect as children grow and develop. A good understanding of feeding milestones and development for infants and toddlers up to 2 years of age can help parents identify early concerns. It’s important to note that every child develops at a different pace, and below are general guidelines to keep in mind.

Birth-3 Months:

• Consuming breastmilk and/or formula from the breast or bottle.

• Latching, sucking, and swallowing should come without difficulty.

• Eating 2-3 oz a feeding, 6-8x/day and sometimes more often if breastfeeding.

4-6 months:

• Beginning to eat pureed baby food and working up to eating up to 3 times per day.

• Demonstrating increased neck and trunk control for sitting, and being fed in a supported highchair.

• Shows interest in food. You may not see this until closer to 6 months of age.

• Eating solids at this age is more for exposure to different tastes versus nutritional needs. A baby’s main form of nutrition should continue to be breastmilk/formula.

6-9 months:

• Baby should now be independently sitting and can hold their own bottle.

• Will readily accept a spoon in their mouth by opening as a spoon is approaching.

• Meltables and mashed/soft table foods are introduced (usually closer to 8-9 months), and babies can tolerate thicker pureed solids.

• They should now be able to practice drinking from an open cup and/or straw cup, but drinking may look more like sucking. Some liquid loss is still typical at this age.

9-12 months:

• Sitting without the need for external support; however, continues to benefit from sitting in a highchair or booster for eating.

• Consuming small pieces of soft-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and finger foods.

• Finger feeds themselves.

• Adequately removes food to clear a spoon.

• Able to transfer food (lateralization) when placed on center of the tongue to the side.

12-18 months:

• Eating coarsely chopped table foods.

• Begin to self-feed using utensils.

• Holds and drinks from a cup.

• Uses tongue to move food from side to side in the mouth.

18-24+ months:

• Consuming most table foods- including meats and raw vegetables.

• Fed sitting unsupported.

• Self-feeding using utensils by 24 months.

• May refuse to eat certain foods and become more selective. It’s important to continue to offer a variety of foods.

What to Watch For

Possible Signs of Feeding Issues:

• Difficulty latching to breast/bottle

• Unusually short or long feedings

• Frequent spitting up and/or vomiting after feeding

• Stiff body or arching of back during a feeding

• Constipation

• Difficulty with transitioning to eating solids

• Difficulty keeping food or liquid in mouth

• Difficulty chewing

• Gagging, coughing, and/or choking while eating and/or drinking

• Refusing to eat certain textures or food groups

If you have any concerns about your child’s feeding and swallowing skills, it’s important to seek medical advice from your healthcare provider as early as possible. There are specialists who can help children with feeding issues, including lactation consultants, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists who have specialized training in feeding and swallowing. LifeScape also offers a free feeding/ swallowing screening that can be completed over the phone at 605-444-9778. Find

a free, evidence-based tool to help parents identify feeding disorders early at http://questionnaire. feedingmatters.org/ questionnaire

5 Mental Health Questions

with a School Counselor

What does mental health encompass?

Mental health is more than just when we are struggling. You can draw a similarity between mental health and physical health. Just as you watch what you eat, your movement, and the environment for your physical body, it’s the same for mental health—learning how to care for ourselves to keep our minds healthy.

Depression and anxiety are the most common things when we talk about mental health struggles, but there could be more to it once you start digging deeper. Things like trauma or life situations could be the root cause.

Q+A with Patti Lake-Torbert, Senior Coordinator of Student Support Services at the Sioux Falls School District

What are you seeing from kids in school right now? What might be the cause?

Since COVID, things have changed a bit. In younger children, they used to be quiet when they struggled, but now we see more acting out, anger, frustration, and anxiety. Middle and high school teens are dealing with depression and anxiety. Because these conversations around mental health are happening, our students are opening up more about their struggles.

School offers structure, which is a benefit for many children. When COVID came, that structure went away. With parents and guardians working from home and becoming overloaded themselves, kids went more into gaming, social media, and screen time. These are all things we now know that can negatively impact mental health.

How can parents help their children?

Start the conversation now and make them a part of your daily discussions when your child isn’t struggling. We know kids listen and watch their parents, so we must ensure we model healthy behaviors. Share a situation you’ve experienced, how it made you feel, and how you handled it. Then ask what they might do and feel.

If your child needs assistance, contact the school counselor in their building and share your concerns. Do not be afraid to ask questions, like how are things in school for my child or what mental health supports are available. While the counselors do not do therapy, they provide support (academic, career, and social) and can direct parents to agencies if they want further assistance.

If your child starts to see a therapist, it is crucial to connect and process their session with them, which will help the parent/ guardian see what the child needs.

What resources are out there for families?

• Helpline Center

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

• Family Forum: www.sf.k12.sd.us/ page/counseling-services

Any final words of wisdom to share?

Talk with them in a preventative way and share what you’ve gone through in life. Spend time with your kids in any type of activity away from screen time and social media. And let them know that you are there for them no matter what happens. l

Empowering You on Your

Financial Journey

www.voyagefcu.org

Insured by NCUA

Whole-Person Mental Health

Everyone deserves to find happiness and equilibrium in life, and if you’re struggling with that, Silver Lining Integrative Psychiatry can help.

Silver Lining Integrative Psychiatry took its first patient in April 2021, and although the business is a relatively new endeavor for its two principal mental health professionals, providing quality care certainly is not. Thyra Crissey and Veronica Sherwood are both board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) with decades of experience working in the mental health field. Crissey is also a veteran of the South Dakota Air National Guard and has worked with fellow veterans.

The two women share a philosophy when it comes to patient care, prompting them to partner up and branch out to open their own practice, and enabling them to exercise what they are passionate about— patient-centered care.

“We truly care for our patients, and we can make a significant difference by listening, rather than taking a textbook approach,” explained Sherwood. “We have been able to dramatically change people’s lives for the better.”

Another advantage of Silver Lining Integrative Psychiatry is that they can see new patients quickly, usually within two weeks, and accept

Silver Lining Integrative Psychiatry diagnoses and manages medication for many common mental health issues including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, ADHD, child/adolescent behavioral issues, PTSD, OCD and bipolar. Their services are primarily held via telehealth, which allows them to reach a broad geographical area in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. They also have physical offices in Sioux Falls and Yankton if in-person appointments are required.

“We get to know our patients and give them coping mechanisms for what they’re going through,” Crissey said. “I love being able to see the enjoyment and excitement from patients and family members on the difference we can make in being able to provide mental health care

Visit www.SilverLiningIntegrativePsychiatry.com for more information or to request an appointment.

by Tristin Plienis

Finding in Your New Reality

JoyThe warm May day started like any other, with our one-year-old son Brooks and his sisters heading off to daycare as my husband and I went to work. In less than 24 hours, we were in the emergency room, and Brooks was paralyzed from the breast bone down.

At the end of those two days, our world changed when he was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord that interrupts the messages the spinal cord nerves send throughout the body.

Being thrown into a medical emergency you didn’t see coming can be very isolating and terrifying. Nobody is there to pick you up in that hospital room, especially during the COVID restrictions. And when you get the bad news, you must find a way to keep breathing. At first, you’re just trying to survive. Months later, you start to process it, which brings another layer of heaviness. It’s similar to grief. Somedays, it feels like we have come so far and are in a great place. And other days, it’s a crashing wave pulling me under emotionally.

When a medical event happens, its effects ripple into the relationships with your spouse, kids, family, friends, and community. Learning that my husband, Derrick, and I processed this situation differently and finding ways to support each other was challenging. The mom guilt I experience while away from Aubrey and Willow during Brooks’ care is tough, but I try to give them equal attention and ensure they always know how much I love them. We were blessed to have great support from so many in those early months, in helping care for the girls, funds to support our hospital bills, and meat to fill our freezer. But it is often hard for others to fully understand his rare diagnosis and progress. Tough conversations become normal. While the therapy he has received is helping tremendously, he still has a long way to go. He can stand now but not walk, which has been hard for people to comprehend.

It can be challenging to be a parent, especially to three young kids. The fact that one of those children may require a different level of care means that I must make my physical and mental health a priority. I have learned how important it is to speak with compassion and seek understanding as I connect with other families.

There will be some hard days, moments you want to give up, and times you feel like you just can’t handle.

In these moments, I found short mantras to repeat to myself:

• One hour at a time.

• Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

• Be still and know.

• You can do this.

• Just keep breathing.

Although simple, I repeated it until I believed it. Going through a traumatic experience is isolating, and sometimes you must pick yourself up and be your own hero. It is crucial to find people you can talk to openly and

The fact that one of those children may require a means that I must make my physical and mental

Counseling & Therapy

RESOURCES

When the new year rolls around, we set goals to seek out a better life. Sometimes that includes getting help from professionals. Our community has numerous counseling and therapy resources that are available to jumpstart your mental health goals.

Sprout Play Therapy and Counseling Services

www.sproutplaytherapyand counseling.com

Sprout provides mental health counseling, with an emphasis in play therapy, to children ages 3-12. We also work with parents and caregivers to encourage optimal outcomes outside of the therapy space.

Clear Minded Counseling www.clearmindedcounseling.com

We are a privately owned and operated therapy office with 4 clinicians, 3 of which are PCIT International Certified Therapists. We specialize in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for children ages 2 to 7 with behavioral issues, but also offer traditional one on one therapy. We accept several insurances.

Sioux Falls Psychological Services

www.offermehope.com www.offeringkidshope.com

No matter where life brings you, Sioux Falls Psychological Services meets you where you are and offers hope. Our team of mental health professionals is committed to meeting your emotional and relational needs. We provide therapy and assessment services for children, adolescents, and the people who care for them.

Stronghold Counseling Services www.strongholdcounseling.com

We are here to help you address the struggles you are facing and will handle your concerns with the highest level of care, compassion, and confidentiality. We minister to families, couples, and individuals. If you or someone you love would like to talk with someone who can help, contact us.

Volunteers of America,Trauma-Focused Treatment www.voa-dakotas.org

Trauma-Focused Treatment is a service designed for children and adolescents ages 4-17 and their families who have been impacted by traumatic events, with a focus on those who have experienced multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and/or COVID-related trauma. Treatment can be delivered at our location or via telehealth.

LifeScape www.lifescapesd.org

Licensed clinical psychologists provide outpatient therapy for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Specialties include psychological evaluations, ParentChild Interaction Therapy, autism, ADHD, depression & mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, grief, and feeding challenges. LifeScape also offers occupational and physical therapies, speech-language pathology, behavioral therapy (ABA), and a variety of specialty clinics.

Silver Lining Integrative Psychiatry www.silverliningintegrative psychiatry.com

We use education, therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication management to help people find equilibrium in their life. We treat each patient holistically and work on integrating mental health into your plan of care. Services are provided via telehealth and in-person appointments in Sioux Falls and Yankton SD.

Avera Behavioral Health

www.Avera.org/BehavioralHealth

We offer a safe environment and professional expertise to help patients experience personal victories. We provide care for a variety of behavioral concerns, including: Addiction, Anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar disorder, Dementia, Depression, Interpersonal problems, Oppositional defiant disorder, Personality disorders, Psychosis, Schizophrenia.

Yellow Brick Road Counseling and Therapy

holly-merrick-liston.clientsecure.me Life Can Be Better! Yellow Brick Road Counseling and Therapy offers tools to help manage mental health. We also specialize in addressing trauma in safe and positive ways.

COUNSELING, ADDICTION & PREVENTION SERVICES

Guiding children and their families who have been impacted by traumatic events, with trauma-focused treatment.

When it comes to suicide prevention, asking directly in a caring way can help provide hope, change the course of a life and prevent indescribable pain. So speak up if you see the signs that someone might attempt suicide. 988 to speak with a mental health professional available 24/7

SIGNS OF POTENTIAL SUICIDE

• Expressions of hopelessness or feeling trapped

• Talks about feeling empty or having no reason to live

• Increase in drug and alcohol use

• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy More signs of potential suicide can be found at Avera.org/AskTheQuestion.

by Avera

Mental Health Helps Parents and Students

Avera Behavioral Health experts and leaders from Sioux Falls School District are partnering for a monthly Family Forum Series to help parents and students navigate these issues. Sessions run through the school year and will include an expert from Avera.

“We wanted to make helpful, meaningful tools easily accessible for parents who are faced with a lot of tough issues,” said Thomas Otten, Assistant Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health Services.

Topics focus on issues parents want to know more about, said Patti Lake-Torbert, Senior Coordinator for Student Support/Indian Education Services of the Sioux Falls School District.

Schedule of Topics Sessions take place from 6-7 p.m. but can rewatched at any time. Upcoming topics include:

• Jan. 17: Eating Disorders – Unhealthy Habits or Depression in My Child

• Feb. 21: Vaping and Children’s Health

• March 21: Grief and Loss

• April 18: Helping Your Child Resolve Conflicts

• May 16: Community Resources Available

During Summer

Get

more resources about suicide prevention at Avera.org/

Kids face a lot of mental health challenges that don’t have easy answers.

Past forums topics available to watch include digital health, managing anxiety, suicide and gaming addiction.

Sessions Help Overcome Stigma or Fears

When a student is confronting depression, anxiety or other behavioral health issues, they likely don’t have the words to explain what they experience. “We can help teach parents how younger kids might ‘show’ they’re having trouble with a mental health condition,” Lake-Torbert said. “We also can help teach kids about how to face stress, deal with setbacks and avoid comparisons with others.”

When kids know they have caring adults to turn to, they can thrive, no matter what sort of obstacles might appear.

AskTheQuestion

It’s Ok to Say You’re Not Ok

“Hi, my name is Thadeus Giedd, and for the last 2-3 months, I have struggled with bouts of depression. I’m doing ok, but I am not doing great at the same time.”

Those were the first words of a post I wrote a year ago on my Facebook page. It was a public statement I felt necessary to make, but I hated sharing the inner workings of myself at the same time. After sharing, though, the comments were flooded with understanding. And I used my public acknowledgment to friends, family, and colleagues, as well as my own will, to make changes and take those micro steps to be better.

Backing up slightly, in mid-2021, my wife Chelsea and I were placed our baby by way of adoption. After infertility struggles and

having a first adoption fall through, we suddenly received a notification that a birth mother had selected us as parents. The year was full of rollercoaster emotions, and there was an absolute honeymoon phase of becoming first-time parents the way we did. But about nine months in on the journey of parenthood, new realities also came.

Many people talk about the amount of happiness that occurs with a child coming into their lives, and they are exactly right. Adopting our son has brought the most joy I’ve ever experienced. But for me,

My life completely changed this year, and I’m juggling those ongoing changes.

I also feel expunged of some happiness. There are two sides to a coin with becoming a parent, and I don’t feel we talk about it enough. For as long as I can remember, I lived a life of activeness and independent freedom. And that just isn’t the case anymore. I made new priorities for my son, and a lot of the “free time” things I used to be a part of are now sacrificed. My life completely changed this year, and I’m juggling those ongoing changes.

It isn’t an embarrassment to be in a lull. While it feels awful, what’s worse is sitting in it longer than it needs to be.

I’m very optimistic. This is all a part of necessary navigation on the blue planet, right?

I share this because after 5,000 responses of “Good” when asked “How are you?” during the day, it feels authentic to say, “Not great”

anti-depressant medications, but I know those are helpful for a large portion of people. My depression bouts are unique to me but sharing them with those around me when the time comes does offer some boost where boosts are so needed. It isn’t an embarrassment to be in a lull. While it feels awful, what’s worse is sitting in it longer than it needs to be. I hope others can find their ‘boosts’ and not feel hesitant about their own sharing. l

by Elly Keller, MA, LPC-MH, NCC

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Finding Success Through

Parenting is hard, and if you are like any of the parents who have sat in my office, there are days you want to give up. Meltdowns, tantrums, whining, and defiance are exhausting to deal with and often leave parents at their wit’s end, even becoming the type of parent they never wanted to be.

If you are in these shoes, know that you are not alone, you are not failing as a parent, and we are here to help you navigate these difficult times.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a therapeutic intervention specifically developed for children ages 2 to 7 with behavioral issues. I have seen this intervention change the lives of many families, with parents saying:

• They enjoy being around their child again.

• The house is much calmer.

• They are no longer afraid to take their child in public.

• They now know how to manage behaviors when they do occur.

PCIT can be done in the office or over telemedicine (Zoom), with studies showing they are equally effective. The approach uses in-the-moment coaching of skills to help you manage your child’s behaviors along with repairing your strained

parent through an earpiece while the parent and child are playing. PCIT typically takes 16-20 weeks with a one-hour session weekly.

If you dread picking your child up from daycare, get anxious when you get a phone call for fear it may be the school calling about behaviors again, or just want more tools to help raise your child, please reach out to us. l

From the experts at Sanford fit

BIG THE CHALLENGE OF FEELINGS

BIG feelings can be challenging for kids, and their caregivers! Often when kiddos are struggling, we just want to fix it, and make the stressful experience go away. Although our intentions are good, this isn’t ideal.

Helping kids understand and cope with big feelings can be tricky but it’s also a crucial part of parenting. Children who can understand and manage their emotions are more likely to express how they’re feeling in a safe way, become resilient, and better able to handle life’s ups and downs. So where to start? Next time your child appears overwhelmed, try this!

1. Label the Emotion: “Are you feeling ____ ?”

2. Validate and Support: “It’s ok to feel that way, I’m here for you.”

3. Offer a Coping Strategy: “Can I help you shrink this big feeling?” “Would you like to____ or ____ ?”

• Start by giving your child two options to choose from to avoid overwhelming them with choices

- Take some deep breaths together

- Color a picture - Talk more about how you’re feeling - Listen to music

- Look at pictures of a happy memory Kids are allowed to have bad days, just like you. No one is bad because they had a bad day, we are all learning. Hang in there, you’re doing great!

Scan here for simple coping strategies you can try with your kiddo today!

My Favorites

Memories & The Future

My favorite memory last year was

Something I am excited for in the new year is

Something new I want to learn in the new year is

Tear out this page and fill in the blanks, or go to digital issue online to download a PDF by clicking on the button here >>>

Ask the

Expert

Do you have a question for a Sioux Empire expert? ‘hood will be inviting area experts to weigh in and answer various questions from our readers.

NMLS #21096

Shedding pounds may be top of your New Year’s resolutions, but what about

A few things we can review:

– Many speak about student loans in a negative way. However, student loans can actually be a positive thing as long as payments are

– Being added as an authorized user to a credit card with outstanding balance/ payment history can be a

You may have equity in your home. You can use this equity to your benefit.

Let’s create a plan to get your credit in shape for 2023.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to credit approval.

It’s so fun! All January, there’s buzz around which burgers you’ve got to try.

31 restaurants have created brand new burgers to compete for the title of best burger in downtown.

The winner is the highest-rated burger at the end of the month, and you’re the judge! Rate each one on the DTSF Digital Passport.

Burgers range from amazing classic prep to wild stacks of toppings. Whether you like a little spice, salty-sweet, or fresh crunch, there’s a burger for you! Find the list of restaurants and burger descriptions at DTSF.com

my students, parents, coworkers, and the community members. It is always such a great gift to hear all the nice and supportive things from people about what is happening within my classroom.

The gift items from ‘hood and Sanford fit are used in the classroom to enhance my student’s learning.

I appreciate all the nominators for taking the time to recognize what all teachers do within their classroom. Receiving and hearing support is always a great gift for any educator.

3905 W. 49th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57106 dawn.com 605-271-9754

315 N Phillips Ave. Sioux Falls, SD, 57104 www.dtsf.com • 605-338-4009

Submit your nominations for 2023 Educator of the Year! www.thehoodmagazine.com

Dawn Van Nieuwenhuyzen Senior Mortgage Banker NMLS #21096

More FocusedFamilyFun

with Third Sioux Falls Location

With its focus on enabling memorable family experiences, SafeSplash Swim School is quickly gaining steam in Sioux Falls and is nearly ready to open its third location.

Since 2019, SafeSplash Swim School has been the area’s best place for year-round, safe, fun and effective swim lessons, and the school will open its newest location on the city’s east side at Dawley Farms in February 2023. The first SafeSplash location in Sioux Falls was opened in January 2019 at 85th Street and Minnesota, and a year later, a location within GreatLIFE Woodlake Athletic Club opened.

Dan and Christa Sobocinski are the proprietors of the Sioux Falls-based SafeSplash business, offering swim lessons for all ages, from six months through adults.

The 90 degree pool, small class sizes (never more than a 4:1 student to teacher ratio), flexible family scheduling and proprietary SafeSplash curriculum, which all instructors are certified in, sets them apart from other entities that offer lessons. “We work hard to tightly match students with instructors who align with their personalities, we stay in close contact with parents providing face to face instructor access, and offer real-time transparency for their child’s progression of skills via the SafeSplash App. Our approach places a priority on getting the kids past their fears, making it fun, and quickly getting them engaged in real learning,” Dan explained.

SafeSplash offers ultimate flexibility in the days, times, and types of lessons, as well as with scheduling makeup lessons. Everything is built around the conveniences a family requires.

“What we do is teach Swimming Lessons. However, it’s staying hyper focused on the ‘why we do it’ that makes a real difference,” said Dan. “We keep that ‘why’ in mind throughout everything we do: who we hire, how we train, expectations set for staff, and the parental experience we seek to provide. When children become confident swimmers, the potential for the family experience goes to a whole other level.” l

Learn more about their locations and lessons at www.safesplash.com/locations/sioux-falls-east-sd

Fun Things To Do

You could list your events for on thehoodmagazine.com

?Here is how to create an event:

1. Create an account.

2. Post your event details.

3. Add a logo or photo.

Things to know about our calendar:

• You can create reoccurring events.

• You can share straight to social media.

• We share our calendar with our email list.

• We do weekly social media callouts linking to our calendar.

to do as a family?

Check out thehoodmagazine.com or scan our QR code and click on the Things to Do tab! You can save our events right to your calendar, so you don’t forget the details! With the click of a button, you can share any event with friends or family and finalize all your plans too!

Looking for something to do for particular age? No worries! Our calendar does that too!

but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do! Sports fans? Go cheer on the Stampede hockey team or watch the Sioux Falls Skyforce dominate the court! Music fans? From musicals to concerts; there is something for everyone. Want something for the whole family? Then don’t forget to grab your tickets to the Toughest Monster Truck Tour coming this January.

Find all these events and so many more on the ‘hood online calendar.

HEARTSHAPED COOKIE CUTTER add to cart!

The heart-shaped cookie cutter…if you don’t have this staple in your kitchen, head to a nearby box store or pop over to Amazon and make the purchase! If possible, try and find some in different sizes! Why? Because this silly little tool is good for so much more than cookies. Here are some things to try this Valentine’s Day that your children will love:

Click “Add to Calendar” to save and sync an event to YOUR personal calendar!

Heart shaped sandwiches for lunch

Heart shaped treats like brownies or homemade granola bars

Heart shaped cheeseburger sliders

Heart shaped mini homemade pizza

Heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches

Or for a non-edible option, trace heart shapes onto paper and create homemade Valentine cards or coloring pages!

Gluten Free

Celebrating Valentine’sDay

With Kids

They say Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, but most parents would probably disagree. What once was a special day with flowers, chocolate, and dinner out is generally replaced by diaper changes, feedings, and bedtime routines as we navigate parenthood life.

But does it have to be? Absolutely not! Here are some ways to bring the spark back on Valentine’s Day right from your very own home!

1. Make it a family affair and involve them in the festivities. It could be a chance to start a new tradition. While it may not exactly scream “romance,” it can still be a lot of fun. Make a special meal and dress up! Have the kids help with decorations by cutting out paper hearts and lining the table with battery-operated lights or candles. Just because the day doesn’t look exactly like it did before you had children doesn’t mean the day has to be a bust!

2. Send the kids away…to another room. Set up a special movie night in the living room for the kids and have a fun dinner they can enjoy during the movie. You can even set up blankets or forts! For one night, break the “no food in the living room” rule for the kids. Why go through the work to make it a special night for the kids? Because while they are occupied (even if just for 20 minutes), it gives Mom and Dad time to have their own little date night. Make a special parents-only meal, use the good dishes, and pour a special drink. It’s a win-win for the whole family!

Valen-Slime

Valen-Slime is the perfect (sugar free) Day treat! Use your go-to slime recipe or use our favorite 3-ingredient simple recipe. Consider making an extra batch for friends, use a small disposable condiment container and don’t forget our free gift tag printable!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of Elmer’s School Glue

1 tsp of baking soda

2 tsp of contact solution

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix glue and baking soda together. Add in food coloring and/or glitter if you would like! Add in contact solution and mix well. Once slime begins to form, use hands to knead. Mix in additional contact solution if slime seems sticky. Continue to knead until it no longer sticks to your hands.

Would you be my Valen-Slime?

Want a unique Valentine to hand out this year? Download this cute tag at www.thehoodmagazine.com

Date Night

IN

INGREDIENTS

• 1 beef T-Bone or Porterhouse Steak, cut 1 inch thick

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

• 2-1/4 teaspoons steak seasoning blend

• 8 ounces button mushrooms, cut into quarters

• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

COOKING

1. Melt 1 teaspoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat; stir in bread crumbs and cheese. Cook and stir 3 to 6 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove from pan. Set aside.

2. Press 2 teaspoons of steak seasoning evenly onto beef steak. Place steak on a rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Broil 15 to 20 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once.

3. Remove bone from steak; carve crosswise into slices. Serve with mushrooms. Sprinkle crumb mixture over mushrooms and steak.

Winter Boredom Busters

It’s that time of year! The cold and snow may leave us spending a little more time inside, but we have just the thing to help pass the time! Looking to keep the kids entertained on your next snow day? Click here to view our winter boredom buster list.

Special offers and discounts will be sent to your email two months prior to your child’s birthday to help plan their celebration. On the date of their birthday, coupons and/or offers from our partners will be emailed to you, redeemable for the specified time on each offer. Scan the QR code to join.