Today's Family Summer 2014

SUMMER 2014

43 SUPER SUMMER

IDEAS Sleep Better UL BEAUTIF Y BAINBNER W

She’s a

BEAUTY! SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY

CONTENTS SUMMER 2014 6

INTRO

BY ANITA OLDHAM

6

WHAT’S HAPPENING @ TODAYSFAMILYNOW.COM?

8

BEAUTIFUL BABY WINNER

10

12

FAMILY FUN DAY The Yard Sale, a Family Treasure Hunt

BY LORIE GANT LEITNER

12

40 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER

15

FEATURE YOUR TEACHER

BY ALISSA HICKS

16

WEAR YOUR BABY

22

HEALTHY FAMILIES

BY MEGAN M. SECKMAN

BY LORIE GANT LEITNER

24

‘RENTS RANT In-Store Dawdling

36

BY CARRIE VITTITOE

26

AGE PAGES: 26 Birth to 5

BY TAMI L. PYLES

28 6 to 11

16

BY MEGAN M. SECKMAN

30 12 and Up

BY STACIE L. MARTIN

32

QUENCH SUMMER THIRST

BY CAROL J. ALEXANDER

34

DOES SHE NEED MORE ZZZs? Simple Bedroom Fixes

BY MALIA JACOBSON

36

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN Pretzels

BY MELISSA DONALD

38

MOMMY BULLYING

BY SANDRA GORDON

40

DIRECTORIES Celebrations • Childcare • Education • Extra-curricular Activities • Retail • Wellness

BY ALISSA HICKS

52

JUST ASK JOYCE: Confident Kids • R-E-S-P-E-C-T • New Mom Woes

BY JOYCE OGLESBY

53

SUMMER CAMPS

56

D•I•Y: Make Your Own Play Dough

BY MIRANDA POPP

32

INTRO

Volume 23 • Number 3

By Anita Oldham, Editor

PUBLISHER

Cathy S. Zion

publisher@todayspublications.com EDITOR

Anita Oldham

editor@todayspublications.com ASSISTANT EDITORS

Elaine Rooker Jack

elaine@todayspublications.com

Tiffany White

tiffany@todayspublications.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Susan Allen

susan@todayspublications.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Teri Hickerson

Summer

teri@todayspublications.com

When schedules fly out the window

SUMMER IS THE BEST TIME FOR KIDS AND SOMETIMES THE BEST TIME FOR PARENTS. The lack of a regular schedule plays

havoc on us all. It is such a relief for a week or so not to have daily school schedules, but after that...

To help you get the most of your family

enjoyment, this issue and our website TodaysFamilyNow.com are packed with ideas of things to do with your family this summer.

Suzy Hillebrand

suzy@todayspublications.com

Joyce Inman

joyce@todayspublications.com

Reginal Walker-Tekulve

regina@todayspublications.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

April H. Allman

april@todayspublications.com PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donald

melissa@todayspublications.com ASSISTANT EDITOR/DESIGNER

TodaysFamilyNow.com

Jessica Alyea

jessica@todayspublications.com COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Emily Burke

Participate!

Emily Kay Studio

TODAYSFAMILYNOW.COM EDITOR

Miranda Popp

• Win one of our Sensational Summer giveaways! Great summer family fun.

miranda@todayspublications.com MEDIA ASSOCIATE

Alissa Hicks

• Nominate an Awesome Coach — any adult who is coaching, training, tutoring, or teaching your child and deserves to be recognized (see page 35).

OFFICE MANAGER

Jillian LeMaster

• Join our Parent-Writer team by emailing parentwriter@todayspublications.com and telling her why you would like to be a contributor in print or online.

Read about Sam’s Reptiles, a business that focuses on the breeding and selling of reptiles by local eighth grader Sam Fraser and how he won a business start-up competition. It’s part of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program (called YEA!) brought to Louisville by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

See why Allison Stoltz loved riding this ATV as part of her Pigeon Forge family trip.

6 SUMMER 2014

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY: Zion Publications LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone (502) 327-8855 Fax (502) 327-8861

www.todaysfamilynow.com www.facebook.com/todaysfamily

Subscriptions are available by sending $15 to the above address for 6 bi-monthly issues.

Today’s Family magazine is published bi-monthly by Zion Publications LLC and distributed free to the people of metropolitan Louisville and Southern Indiana. Circulation 25,000.

The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Family magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service.

Copyright 2014 by Zion Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

BBB RATING OF

For advertising information, call (502) 327-8855 or email advertising@todayspublications.com.

COVER PHOTO: EMILY BURKE

Emily Kay Studio (EmilyKayStudio.com)

Seventeen-month-old Shyla Naomi Hess has the eyes of an angel, and her mom says she has the demeanor to match.

Whether playing with brother Elijah, 4, and sister Sasha, 6, or entertaining herself by stacking and carrying cups or studying books, she stays cheerful. She amazes the playground crowd with her boldness as she sails down the slide head first. While winning hearts is a full-time job for Shyla, she loves attending music class and stopping by the farmer's market on the weekends with her parents Ashley and Anthony Hess.

Sponsored by:

Dr. Korie Acord

Feisty Br ynnley Wi lkins is our runner-up baby winn er. She never stops as she tries to keep up with older brothers Jordan, 11, and Brayd en, 5. She is the daughter of Jennifer and Kevin Wilkins.

Beautiful Baby Winner Shyla Naomi Hess 17 months old

The excitement builds as Dr. Korie Acord presents Shyla Hess with the winning basket, which contains a $1,000 savings bond.

Runner Up Brynnley Wilkins

13 months old

The runner up baby contest is conducted at TodaysFamilyNow.com with the top 10 babies from the initial print contest. The Runner-up baby wins a $250 savings bond and a gift basket from Derby City Pediatric Dentistry.

PHOTOS: MELISSA DONALD

8 SUMMER 2014

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The ideal yard-sale day for our family is on an obligation-free Saturday morning. With no pressure to watch the clock, we can stop at as many places as we choose. The rules of ‘yard-saling’ are simple: brush your teeth, brush your hair, dress comfortably, and keep breakfast simple.

(Mom bonus: no makeup required!)

Yard-sale prices rarely break the bank, so Jeremy and I only allocate $20-30 for our pockets. The boys are each supplied with an envelope of coins for their purchases.

Considering the most popular finds for an 8- and 3-year old are 10-cent books and Hot Wheels, a few dollars go a long way. It’s also gratifying to watch them practice counting their money or using their manners when paying the seller for an item.

Because the purpose of this adventure is to relax, we put little to no work into planning the day’s route. We all keep our eyes open for neon poster boards with arrows.

Sometimes we get lucky and stumble across a neighborhood sale, allowing us to walk around the block and stretch our legs.

When the kids deem a sale “boring” — meaning there are no toys available — Noah and Lucas pass the time socializing with the sellers or other visitors. My boys seem to make friends wherever we visit. On one particular Saturday at the first house, they petted the owner’s dog and shared stories about our “fur babies.” A second house came with kids to play with and lemonade to purchase. Another place brought compliments on their red hair and questions about school. Their sweet smiles and talkative nature have even allowed them to pick out treasures for free!

During my first pregnancy, I scored baby supplies including a bassinet, high chair, and activity mat from yard sales. Later I found enough gently-used outfits and shoes to dress Noah for daycare all summer. But my absolute favorite find is the outdoor lamp hanging from our shade tree. Jeremy created it from a Mason jar and lamp cord. Total cost: $3!

After hours of treasure hunting, we’re typically starving, so we end the adventure at a lunch spot. It’s our opportunity to relive the day: our favorite house, a funny story, or discussions about the people we met. We each nominate something we found as the best bargain, taking a vote for the winner. There is no prize, but the glory of being the savviest shopper is enough.

In the Leitner family, “yardsale” is a verb.

FaMiLyfunDaY YARD-SALING

CHECKLIST • BE FAIR.

It’s OK to negotiate the price, but don’t insult the seller.

• LOOK PAST THE DIRT. Soap and water can make a dirty dollar item look like a million.

• PROTECT YOUR TOES. Wearing flip flops in dewy grass makes for wet toes.

Tennis shoes keep your feet covered and comfortable all day.

• SANITIZE. Your children will probably want to play with their new Hot Wheels or read their new books in the car.

Use antibacterial wipes to wash away the germs.

10

This Way y to a Famil Treasure Hunt!

By Lorie Gant Leitner

I believe there are two types of people — those who yard-sale and those who should! Understandably, one has to sift through a bit of junk to find a treasure, but the thrill of finding a bargain is enough to keep you scoping for signs.

In my family, “yard-sale” is a verb. My parents took me to sales as a kid, and at least once a year, we hosted our own. So when I began dating my husband, Jeremy, I would periodically ask him to wake up early to yard-sale. As a person who loves a good deal, Jeremy was easily convinced.

When he found an especially wonderful bargain such as the television for a quarter, he called my dad to brag.

Now with our boys, Noah and Lucas, we have come to value yard-saling as quality family time.

Lorie Gant Leitner lives and hunts for bargains in Louisville with her husband Jeremy and their kids Noah (8) and Lucas (3).

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SUMMER Looking for some fun?

There are so many things to do around the Louisville area, that you will have to start scheduling special local fun days.

By Angela Stallings Hagan, Bob Uberti, Stacie L. Martin, Carrie Vittitoe, Susan Viers Wobbe, LaDonna Kennedy, Beth Keeney, Mary Ellen Bianco, Tami L. Pyles, Elaine Rooker Jack

Take a day trip to Holiday World. Pick blackberries at Huber's Farm. Feel bare feet on soft grass. Walk the path at Tom Sawyer Park. Join in Family Funday Sundays at Churchill Downs: Junior Jockey Club. Walk or bike along the Riverwalk at dusk. Skim along the Ohio in a speedboat on a sunny day. Shop on Bardstown Road. Eat Graeter's watermelon sorbet. Relax at Bats baseball. Cool off with 69¢ Fizz Freezes at Thornton’s. Stop by the playground at Waterfront Park. Go to Mammoth Cave and cool down. Boat up to (or just eat at) Captain's Quarters. Take a ghost tour in downtown Louisville. Get wet at Creekside Sprayground at the Parklands of Floyds Fork. Enjoy the shade of the Waterfall Trail at Blackacre Nature Preserve. Pick blueberries at Bryant’s Blueberries in New Salisbury, Ind. Hit the flat biking path at Pope Lick Park to the south of Taylorsville Road. Climb the hilly wooded trail at Pope Lick Park to the north of Taylorsville Road. Take the adults to The Thirsty Pedaler and make the rounds of local downtown pubs and bars. Feed the geese at Cave Hill Cemetery or just look at the interesting monuments. Taste the Ice Cream at Barrel Of Fun. Send the kids to Camp Hi-Ho. Sweat on purpose. Sing at the Abby on the River Beatles Festival (May 22-26). Stop at Dairy Queen with free scoop card earned through the library summer reading program.

Continued on page 14

Join the Junior Jockey Club.

Spend a day at Holiday World.

12 SUMMER 2014

Pick blueberries at Bryant’s Blueberries.

Try Graeter’s Watermelon Sorbet.

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SUMMER See a show at the Jeffersonville RiverStage.

Visit the new Kentucky Kingdom.

Walk through Cave Hill Cemetery.

Go fossil hunting at the Falls of the Ohio.

Sample food at the Greek Festival.

Continued from page 12

Have a neighborhood yard sale complete with Bloody Mary bar. Attend Jeffersonville River Stage show nights. Stargaze. Gather at concerts and plays at Iroquois Park. Chomp on pizza outside at the Garage Bar. Indulge in Sugar baby watermelons from Paul’s Fruit Market. Watch the sunset from Beckley Creek Park. Cheer at afternoon races at Churchill Downs.

Laugh at drive-in movies in Georgetown, Ind. Take a walk in the woods at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Oldham County. Sip on a Mango Smoothie at Panera Bread. Dance and eat at Louisville’s Greek Festival on the Belvedere (June 6-8). Watch for fireflies.

Study fossils at the Falls of the Ohio State Park.

Ride rides at the New Kentucky Kingdom. Walk or bike from one state to another across the new walking bridge.

Hike at Creasey Mahan Nat ure Preserve.

Cool down in Mammot h Cave.

Blackberry picking time at Huber Farm.

14 SUMMER 2014

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Feature Your Teacher

By Alissa Hicks

SPONSORED BY

Your teacher’s photograph could be here!

Dana Sanders

Janna Schaefer

Fifth Grade Teacher GREATHOUSE SHRYROCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kindergarten Teacher FLOYDS KNOBS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dana Sanders, who has been teaching for 16 years, is a fifth-grade teacher at Greathouse Shryock Elementary School in Jefferson County. Dana, whose homey classroom is themed with turtles, says her classroom is like one big family.

“We may not always get along, but we always protect each other.” She tells her students, “We never say that we ‘can’t’ do something, we figure out how we can.”

The former social worker says she uses humor in her classroom. Dana says she likes to read books that are at her students’ level. “I try to absorb children’s literature so I can be a good advocate for what the students would like. Right now I’m in the middle of about six books.”

Janna Schaefer has been a kindergarten teacher for 32 years. “There is so much learning in kindergarten. The look on their faces when it all comes together and they just get it, is priceless.” Janna teaches at Floyd Knobs Elementary School in Floyds Knobs, Ind. She works with a team of five kindergarten teachers. “These teachers are some of the hardest-working people I know.”

Janna believes that all children are gifted. “Some just open their presents a little later. Every child has a strength — sometimes you just have to dig a little deeper to find it. All children are the light of someone’s life and all children can learn.” Janna is learning, too. “Technology has really changed. It’s wonderful!”

There are just so many rewards with teaching,” she says. “It’s a huge responsibility but a privilege as well.”

Your Teacher’s Name

How can you feature your teacher?

Nominate him or her at TodaysFamilyNow.com.

One teacher will be featured each month on TodaysFamilyNow.com and also in the magazine.

The three teachers with the most nominations will be featured!

Budding Stylist:

Amanda Rube can ur complete a five-ho ift sh n hair salo with her baby attached.

PHOTOS: MELISSA DONALD

Wear Your Baby

By Megan M. Seckman

A

manda Rube of Schaefer Studio Hair Salon in St. Matthews takes the balancing act of work and motherhood to another dimension. Armed with sharp sheers and a baby carrier, she trims, highlights, and adds layers with her baby, Rozlynn, strapped to her back.

When Amanda was ready to go back to work, her husband was working endless shifts preparing for a few restaurant openings. Out of necessity, she thought she’d give baby wearing a try. “I was nervous at first,” she says. “I watched a lot of tutorials on YouTube on how to secure Rozlynn with my Moby wrap. I would be sweating because I was so nervous she would roll off—you have to balance the baby on your back before you can wrap her up.

Some were so confusing, but I practiced and practiced until I felt confident.”

Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 16 Since that first experience, Amanda has confidently carried her baby to work on countless occasions. She says it has not only solved a child-care issue, but she’s inspired a few mothers Begin your to give it a try. “My clients treat Rozlynn like a celebrity,” she says. baby-carrying Typically, Amanda can complete a five-hour shift with her baby attached. “There is adventure at a spot in the nape of my neck where hair won’t grow because that is what she holds on Mama’s Hip to when she is attached,” she says. At the end of the day, Amanda needs a shoulder rub. ) (mamas-hip.blogspot.com And she has to pluck all the snacks out of her nursing bra that Rozlynn has hidden in and Babyology there throughout the day. But together they are making it work. They carry each other, (babyology.com). bald spots and all, through this delicate balancing act of work and home.

Megan M. Seckman lives in Louisville with her husband Billy and their kids William (9) and Nadine (6), who are both too big to carry.

What’s the best way to wear your baby?

The Wrap

The wrap, the soft-structure carrier, the ring sling, or the mai tei... which one is right for you?

With some helpful guidance from the Kentuckiana Baby Wearers Group and Shannon Stone at Mama’s Hip, here is a breakdown of the four types of baby carriers.

The Woven Wrap

The Boba Wrap

(modeled by Alyssa Schlicher with daughter Lyra)

(modeled by Alyssa Schlicher with baby Petra Lyninger)

Both types are a long piece of fabric (either stretchy or hand-woven German style) that wraps around the carrier’s body to support the child in front, rear, or side.

The benefits:

The drawbacks:

(Only the Moby wrap and soft-carriers are sold at Mama’s Hip. Other styles were purchased on-line.)

Woven Wrap — • Versatile in size of child (larger children in back feel like they are sitting in a hammock) • Can carry in variety of ways: front, back, side, or tandem (two at once)

• Woven styles are expensive • Higher learning curve in mastering the wrapping • Woven styles tend to create heat

More choices on page 20.

Boba Wrap — • Once tied, the carrier can wear all day long while taking her baby in and out • Skin-to-skin contact for infants

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What’s the best way to wear your baby? (continued)

The Soft-Structure Carrier (modeled by Emily Mullin with daughter Kylee)

Soft fabric body panel with thickly padded shoulder and waist straps secured with buckles.

The benefits:

The drawbacks:

• Safety of buckles, which Daddies seem to like. Easy to attach and use • Can be used from birth through toddlerhood (for many parents, this is the only carrier they use) • Sold locally at Mama’s Hip

• One size does not fit every caregiver, making sharing difficult between different-sized adults

The Mei Tai (modeled by Hallie Lyninger with son Jonah)

A modern take on a traditional Chinese style carrier with a body panel, shoulder straps, and waist straps that tie in the back.

The benefits:

The drawbacks:

• Breathable and cool • Larger products do not for summer secure an infant • Easy to attach and use • Ideal for sharing among caregivers (not size-specific) • Pouches on body panel are handy for diapers, snacks, or toys

The Ring Sling (modeled by Hallie Lyninger with 6-day-old daughter Petra)

Consists of a shawl with a pair of rings attached at one end that rests on the carrier’s shoulder.

20 SUMMER 2014

The benefits:

The drawbacks:

• Perfect for cradling newborns or preemies skin-to-skin • Fabric offers ample nursing privacy • Easy to use (you just slip it on, no tying involved) • Offers ventilation for summer • Relatively inexpensive

• Holds up to 35-45 pounds, but all weight is supported on one shoulder • Can only carry in the front

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HEALTHY FAMILIES

By Lorie Gant Leitner

Therapeutic Painting Artist Tracy Pennington believes in the power of art to heal people. Struggling with depression her entire life, she found herself confined to her room, overwhelmed with life’s responsibilities four years ago. A counselor suggested Tracy use art to connect with her experiences and feelings.

“I decided to make a mosaic for my kitchen,” Tracy shares. “It was a slow, quiet process. It was enjoyable, and at that point in my life I didn’t have any joy at all. I created by feeling, moving pieces here and there until it felt right. It was a life-changing experience.”

WORD EXPOSURE Research suggests exposing infants to words and conversations has a positive impact. Children introduced to a larger vocabulary experienced better performance in school, where much of a teacher’s instruction is accomplished by talking.

Inspired by the book Brave Intuitive Painting, Tracy yearns to get people in touch with their creative side. “Many people get in touch with sadness, fear, courage and hope. Some people find a quiet place to relax and be free. We all have an important story to tell.”

Find out more at: that-art-place.com

CUT OUT THE BABY TALK?

Managing a Picky Eater Many parents worry about whether their picky eater is getting enough nutrients.

Use these tips from Kindercare to take the stress out of meal time.

• Model healthful eating behaviors • Repeat exposure to foods • Pair familiar foods with less-liked foods • Turn off the TV and engage in conversation • Maintain structured meal and snack times • Use creativity with menus • Invite your child to prepare meals 1 cup of chopped broccoli = 1 orange in amounts of Vitamin C.

Source: psychologytoday. com/blog/ulteriormotives/201312/ infants-need-hearadults-talk?tr= HomeEssentials

KYK9 ‘Nose’ How to Find Them KYK9 teams use scent-specific training dogs to follow the scent of an individual. The Scent For Safety program encourages people to keep a scent kit for every member of the family. The forensic kit can be stored for up to one year and allows KYK9 to immediately search for a missing person with an uncontaminated scent. KYK9 Founder Jennifer Jordan Hall says, “Every individual has a scent, and it can be found on items such as hair, chewed bubblegum, or a handprint. My team can locate the missing person in a crowded park or track a car they’ve ridden in.”

Smell tests are using peanut butter to identify patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Results showed those in an early stage of the disease had a noticeable decline in smell sensitivity in their left nostril.

Source: kyk9.org

22 SUMMER 2014

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2014 23

‘rents rant

“LOST CHIL AISLE FIVE D FOUND IN .

TO THE SE PLEASE COME CURITY OF FICE TO CLAIM HIM.”

What the Experts Say Charles Pemberton Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Dimensions Family Therapy

Charles Pemberton, a father of two sons, says he understands how tremendously busy we are, but parents have to plan ahead. “What we’re trying to teach children is how to transition,” he says.

In-Store Dawdling (and Other Aggravating and/or Anxiety-Causing Behaviors)

By Carrie Vittitoe

Shopping with my three kids is annoying since my oldest zips ahead while my youngest putters six aisles behind me and my middle child.

As aggravating as dawdling is, though, it is nothing like the panic that sets in when a parent cannot locate a child. The longest three minutes of my life were in 2011 when I couldn’t find then-3-year-old Graeme at the World of Disney Store in Orlando.

Bobbie Shunnarah worries about kids who, like mine, seem unable or unwilling to stay in step with their parents. She says, “It’s a scary day and age, and there are so many predators out there that it seems parents would be more cautious.”

Suzette Decker, a mom who runs the biannual KidStuff Consignment Sale, is sensitive to the fear of not being able to locate one’s child. When her son was 4, she couldn’t find him after taking a family walk at the beach. “I went from taking a leisurely stroll to panic,” she says. To find her son, she even borrowed a child-size bike from a beach-goer and pedaled up and Parents, down the sand until she located him. Now, as a business owner, hold your she makes sure to have someone stationed to look out for lost ground!

Don’t give in children to ease both her mind and that of her clients. to tantrums.

No one ever said parenting is easy, and parenting while shopping or running errands is a special kind of challenge.

But sometimes there is a payoff. Heather Frazer experienced it when her son Andy was 5 and refused to leave Target. Rather than be hit by her flailing child or walk away from him, Frazer stood back and endured the embarrassment of her son’s fit. She says, “There was a little old lady that came up to me and said, ‘Mom, hold your ground,’ and then gave me a hug.”

So what can parents do to manage their children in public and minimize these annoying and possibly anxiety-causing experiences?

Carrie Vittitoe lives and occasionally loses her children, Norah (10), Graeme (6), and Miles (4) in Louisville.

24 SUMMER 2014

In modern-day parenting, Pemberton says the biggest problem is helicopter parents.

Pemberton notes that some parents are even “cockpit parents” who never back away enough for their children to learn consequences when the stakes aren’t that high, such as in a local Target where a family shops often. He says, “The risk stakes get higher and higher the older our children get, and parents need to model a balancing of risk versus safety for their children.”

Pemberton doesn’t recommend parents engage in a verbal power struggle with their children. A kid may be perfectly willing to listen to a parent’s diatribe because it ultimately means spending more time in the toy department as the discussion continues.

Alex Payne Operations Major

Jeffersontown Police Department

Alex Payne has five children, so he knows the difficulty of trying to handle adult responsibilities with children in tow.

However, as a police officer who sees the worst that humans can do, he knows no parent would want to sacrifice the safety of a child just to get some errands accomplished.

He urges parents to pre-plan for errands from the time children are young. “Parents should plan a two-minute jaunt to the grocery store with a child at a time when they’re not stressing to help the child learn how to stick close to the parent. If the child does well, the parent can reward the child in some way,” he says.

Payne says parents can gradually extend the time they are at the store with the child so that as the child develops, he or she learns the process and expectations for running errands. “They learn to stick with Mom and Dad and this becomes ingrained; it becomes a habit,” he says.

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2014 25

AGE Page

Birth to 5

Talk NOT Tech

By Tami L. Pyles

Floatie 4-1-1 Swimming and summer go hand in hand. Keep your little one safe by following these tips about personal flotation devices (PFDs) provided by Beth Kempf, aquatics director at the Oldham County Family YMCA. • PFDs are always a good idea in open water settings, on boats, when supervision may not be 100 percent of the time, or if the child is not a proficient swimmer.

• PFDs that will float a child face-up or in a vertical position are the best choices.

• Select a PFD that allows for easy arm movement and is appropriate for your child’s weight.

If selecting a vest, opt for one that has a clip between the legs to keep it from rising up while swimming.

• PFDs can be purchased locally at stores such as Target and Walmart or online.

33

Number of spraygrounds and spraypads in Louisville to enjoy this summer

$1 NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY: JUNE 6

Visit.louisvilleky.gov/ metroparks/ recreation/ summerpools.htm for splash locations.

BIG SCREE N LITTL , BUCKSE !

Movie Fun

Beat the heat and take in $1 movies this summer at Cinemark Tinseltown USA (4400 Towne Center Drive). Kid-friendly flicks are offered each week in June, July, and August. Visit cinemark.com/home.aspx for the schedule for Louisville.

Apps abound for teaching children letters, phonics, and language skills, but there is no technology that can replace real interaction with your child. Local speech-language pathologist Brittany Nagle says, “Get out of the Cloud and communicate!”

Reading together, imaginative play, and basic games such as Go Fish and Memory build strong speech and language skills. Nagle recommends committing at least 30 minutes of “play time” daily. Her advice: “Get on the floor and play like your child’s speech and language skills depend on it!”

Celebrate this sweet day by visiting one of Louisville’s local treasures: Nord’s Bakery, Heitzman Bakery, and Plehn’s.

BOOK NOOK 26 SUMMER 2014

Summer Reading Programs Jump into books this summer. Find inspiration and reading-related fun through library summer reading programs. Programs in Louisville, Oldham County, and Southern Indiana kick off May 31.

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2014 27

AGE Page

6 to 11

By Megan M. Seckman

Natural Allergy Remedies Watery eyes and runny nose ruining your summer experience? Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances.

Try this or other natural allergy remedies from your local health foods provider.

As always, Did You Know?

Nasal allergies are consult your estimated to affect physician first. as many as • Phleum .

40 percent of U.S Pratense — en. ldr chi This tablet made from pollen extracts dissolves under the tongue for watery, irritated eyes, or symptoms of hay fever. Studies have shown it allows people to reduce their allergy medication dosage.

Explore Nature Bernheim Arboretum (20 miles south of Louisville off I-65). Open year-round and free each weekday.

Trails, an eco-conscious vision and education center, an I-spy scavenger hunt trail, several ponds, wildlife, an imaginative kids’ play area, a suspension bridge, and several programs for children year-round.

The Parklands of Floyd’s Fork (located in southeast Louisville off Shelbyville Road). Offers community gardens, beautiful paved (and several shaded) trails for hiking or biking, several fishing or wading ponds, play structures and spray fountains, as well as educational programs and camps for kids.

Space Odyssey The University of Louisville’s Rauch Planetarium offers shows open to the public throughout the summer.

Explore black holes and the solar system in a cool, dark void on a stifling summer day.

Source: louisville.edu/ planetarium

Ignite their Imaginations Here are a few free art events around town to inspire your budding artists.

• Shakespeare in the Park will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream (June 11-22) in Central Park. A perfect mystical introduction to Shakespeare for your Bards. Prepare by reading the No Fear Shakespeare version (with modern translations on one side of the page), pack a picnic and some bug spray, and revel!

• 21c Museum Hotel is always free and open to the public.

The ever-unexpected collection of modern art — whether film, sculpture, giant red plastic penguins, or a colossal gold David — is sure to pique the curiosity of children young and old.

• Indulge in some sultry summer music Sunday nights through September at the annual Cherokee Triangle Summer Concert Series. Or try rocking on a larger scale on the

Waterfront’s Harbor Lawn during WFPK’s free Waterfront Wednesday series the last Wednesday of the month throughout the summer.

Batter Up! Summer means the beautiful Slugger Field and Cracker Jacks! For $20, your child can join the Louisville Bats Kids Club. Exclusive home run benefits include: • Free admission to every Sunday home game (kids can run the bases after each Sunday game) • Free Bats chest protector backpack • Free jersey • Free voucher for carousel ride or speed pitch

Parents can sign up their baseball enthusiasts at the box office window or by phone at 502.614.4531.

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SUMMER 2014 29

AGE Page

12 and up

Summer Jobs

By Stacie L. Martin

• Weed flowerbeds or cut grass • Assist an elderly person with housework, grocery shopping, errands, or yardwork • Offer assistance to a farm or community member with a large amount of property • Organize a babysitting night for a group of adult friends (the adults can go out together) • Take out and bring back trash cans and recycling bins for neighbors • Pool cleaning • Dog walking, dog clean-up, pet-sitting • Tutor a younger child

Teens can share their writing flair Budding authors can share their work and read other teens’ creative pieces at the following .coms: FictionPress, Wattpad, FanFiction, Figment, Mibba, Booksie, Youngwriterssociety, and Elfwood.

(Always check any sites your teen frequents for content you may find unacceptable.)

Should Your Teen Be In One of These?

• Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program An auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force for ages 12-19. Instills leadership, discipline, and community service through aerospace education, physical training, leadership, and moral and ethical values.

Money Management How do you help your teen develop good money management?

Pay her for odd jobs around the house beginning around age 12. As she gets older, increase her responsibilities until she can obtain her first job. At 16 or 17, assist her in opening a checking account and becoming responsible for the things she wants: phone, gas, spending money, etc.

Source: anchor-instructionalfinance.com

Dangers of Energy Drinks Studies published in 2013 concluded that energy drinks can cause an immediate rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, obesity, and other medical problems in teens. And energy drinks mixed with alcohol can cause severe harm. Dr. Amy Byerly at Norton Medical Associates – Dixie says,

“Most teens with these symptoms don’t even realize that it may be due to the energy drinks, and their parents may be unaware of how many energy drinks their children are drinking.”

• LMPD Explorer Program Provides teens ages 14-19 with handson and classroom training in law enforcement. Explorers are allowed to ride along with police officers on patrol once they purchase a uniform and attend a minimum number of meetings/activities.

• Fire and Emergency Services Career Exploring Program Exposes teens ages 14-21 to the fire and emergency services field through education, firefighter training, and ride-alongs.

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Upcoming

Concerts Arctic Monkeys & White Denim June 14 at Iroquois Amphitheater

One Republic & The Script August 5 at Riverbend

Katy Perry & Kacey Musgraves August 16 at KFC Yum Center

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Why Play?

P

You’ll Be Glad You Did

laying is a critical component to every child’s day; it is fun and enjoyable and can elevate the spirit, no matter the age. As early as infancy, children start to communicate their needs and desires through play. This communication, while ever changing, continues throughout adulthood.

Play expands self-expression, self-knowledge and selfunderstanding. Play allows individuals to understand their place in the world and connects people in a positive way.

Play is a universal language that communicates happiness and joy.

Parents are an integral part of play development. The benefits of playing with your child are not only that you get to spend time with them, but they learn from YOU during these interactions. In particular, those who have difficulties with speech, language and/or behaviors can work on these areas while playing. Increasing vocabulary, expanding imaginative play and promoting positive social behaviors can all be targeted skills while playing.

Be present during play activities.

Resolve to put down your smart phone or resist the urge to respond to work emails for a few moments.

Enjoy the moment of simply “being” with your child.

Ultimately, playing with your children teaches them to become responsible for behaviors, develop creative solutions to problems and gives them opportunities to experience and express a variety of emotions.

Playing also benefits the parent by allowing you to pause from normal activity to enjoy your child, smile and laugh with them and watch as they learn, develop and grow.

Therapist Sherri Stover, L.C.S.W., provides play therapy, individual and family therapy, social skills groups, and parenting support groups at Square One Specialists in Child & Adolescent Development.

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Quench Summer N Thirst

By Carol J. Alexander

NATURALLY

othing beats the summer heat like a glass of something cold on ice. But typical iced-tea contains caffeine, Kool-Aid has artificial coloring and other chemicals, and lemonade powders are no better. Sodas are loaded with caffeine, high fructose corn syrup, and phosphoric acid.

What’s a mother to do when the kids want something cold to drink? Serve a natural alternative, of course. Try the following recipes for drinks or freeze in molds for an alternative frozen treat.

Flavored Water Our bodies need half our weight in ounces of water each day. (That’s 50 ounces, or about a quart and a half, for a 100-pound child.) In the summer heat, that requirement increases. Sometimes, getting kids to drink that much water is a challenge. To encourage your kids to drink more water, flavor it with fruit or mint.

Slice a lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit and put it in your pitcher. Cover with cold water and let sit for an hour for the flavors to infuse. For a change, add berries, chunks of pineapple, or grapes. Serve over ice.

To make mint water, crush about a half-cup of fresh mint leaves and add to your pitcher.

The mint makes the water taste colder and helps to quench a thirst better.

Photo: Melissa Donald

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Hibiscus flowers make a nicely flavored drink.

Kool-Aid Alternative

Pour the boiling water over the herbs and let steep 15-20 minutes before straining into a pitcher. Add a couple cups of ice and fill the rest of the way with water.

Stir and enjoy.

This drink is sugar-free, dye-free, and has a lot of extra health benefits because it's high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids. The hibiscus flowers give it an alluring red color that is natural and a tart taste that really quenches your thirst. The stevia acts as a sweetener, and the peppermint gives it that refreshing coolness you want on a hot summer day.

It sounds simple enough; add lemon juice and sugar to water and you have lemonade, right? But getting the proportions right is the trick to have the best thirst-quenching lemonade that’s not too tart, not too sweet.

Photo: Melissa Donald

To make half a gallon, you will need: 2 cups of boiling water 2 T. of hibiscus flowers 1 to 1 ½ tsp. of stevia leaves 1 tsp. of peppermint leaves

Old-fashioned Lemonade

To make a gallon of lemonade: • Mix 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of hot water.

• Stir until the sugar dissolves.

• Add 2 cups of lemon juice, preferably from freshly squeezed lemons. (We also added blueberries.)

• Add a couple cups of ice cubes and enough water to make a gallon.

Instead of artificial colors and anti-caking agents, this lemonade will give your kids the natural vitamin C and bioflavonoids found in lemons.

It will also quench their thirst.

Aguas Frescas Spanish for fresh waters, this drink is typically made by blending fruit, water, and sugar. To make aguas frescas your kids will beg for all summer long, fill your blender with cubed and seeded watermelon and add just enough water to allow you to pulse/ blend it to a liquid state. You are not making a smoothie, so blend it until all pulp is gone. Add sugar, lemon, and/or mint to taste.

The high content of lycopene in watermelons gives it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

For maximum health benefits, eat your watermelons at their peak of ripeness.

On the Shelves Some ready-made alternatives are Rooibee Roo Tea’s new teas for kids with flavors orange, cherry, and mango. For a fizzy drink to replace soda pop in your house, try kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that not only quenches the thirst, but adds natural probiotics to your gut.

Don’t let your kids spend their summer sucking down harmful beverages just for the sake of a cold drink. Try a few of these ideas and you won’t only save a few pennies, you will encourage them to make healthier choices for the rest of their lives.

Author of the newly released Homestead Cooking with Carol: Bountiful Make-ahead Meals, Carol J. Alexander serves these cold drinks all summer to her boys in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

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SUMMER 2014 33

Does she need

more ZZZ’s?

Simple Bedroom Fixes for Better Sleep

By Malia Jacobson

K

ids with sleep troubles aren’t alone — 70 percent of children under 10 experience a sleep problem several nights a week, according to a University of Houston study. If your family is stuck in the bleary haze of sleep deprivation, your child’s bedroom could be the source of the problem.

These simple bedroom fixes could put your child’s sleep troubles to rest: BEDROOM BLUNDER: Too Much Light The soft light streaming through your child’s bedroom window can seriously impact sleep quality.

Why It’s Critical: Light exposure is one of the strongest regulators of the biological clock, says Patrick Wolcott, M.D., medical director of the Sleep Center of Southern California.

Nighttime light—even the glow from your child’s monitor or alarm clock—suppresses melatonin and disrupts circadian rhythms. Children are particularly sensitive to extra light exposure, so nighttime light is especially disruptive to their sleep patterns, notes Wolcott.

Quick Fixes: Make the house as dark as possible in the hours before bed by drawing curtains and limiting television and video games.

Tiny beams of light can impact sleep, so black

34 SUMMER 2014

out the bedroom by installing light-blocking shades, shutting off electronics, and turning bright alarm clocks toward the wall.

All lights aren’t created equal. Blue lights (like those on many modern gadgets) are especially harmful. “Something about the blue light spectrum affects sleep-wake patterns more than regular white light,” says psychologist Shelby Harris, Psy.D., director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Montefiore Medical Center.

BEDROOM BLUNDER: Too Warm When people put up with a too-warm bedroom, sleep suffers. If summer sunlight is turning your child’s bedroom into a sauna, chilling out can improve his ability to fall asleep quickly at bedtime and sleep through the night.

Why It’s Critical: Bedroom temperature is about more than comfort; it’s an important physiological cue, says Harris. First, a drop in body temperature triggers sleep. Then the body naturally cools over the course of the night, reaching its lowest core temperature two hours before waking. Sleeping in a space that’s too warm is linked to nightmares, night waking, even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

“Between 60 to 68 degrees is ideal,” says Martin Cohn, M.D., medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center of Southwest Florida.

Quick Fixes: If air conditioning is an option, use it to cool the bedroom before turning in.

Otherwise, open windows and use fans to help move warm air out of the bedroom. Blackout shades are also helpful, because a room that stays darker will also stay cooler.

BEDROOM BLUNDER: Too Stimulating Modern kids’ bedrooms are often home to heaps of electronics, stacks of homework, jumbles of toys, and piles of books. It all adds up to a space that sends your child’s brain into overdrive, instead of into restful sleep.

Why It’s Critical: Kids’ bodies crave sleep routine and repetition, says Wolcott. So watching television, playing video games, and surfing the Internet before bed, program the brain to wake up when it should be settling down.

Quick Fixes: Make your child’s bedroom a haven for sleep by banning laptops, video games, and television. If reading in bed is a cherished habit, set a time limit on bedtime reading and provide light reading materials — flipping through a magazine is less stimulating than an intense chapter book, and less likely to keep your child’s brain buzzing all night.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published sleep expert and health journalist. Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2014 35

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

Fun Tip:

Let the kid s express th eir creativity when making th eir pretzel sh apes.

The dough is soft, pliable, and non-sticky, which makes it easy to work with. Cooper Duncan and Blair Popp have fun making creative pretzel shapes. Before baking, they brush them with an egg wash and topped with coarse salt.

Perfect Pretzels

Ingredients

A Fun, Fast, Easy Recipe Kids Can Sink Their Hands Into

1 Tbsp active dry yeast

Photos and Recipe by Melissa Donald

1 Tbsp honey

active time 30 MINUTES total time 40 MINUTES makes 12

Preheat oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit.

1. In a medium size bowl, place ½ cup of the warm water.

Sprinkle the yeast and granulated sugar on top of the water and let proof for 5 minutes. This mixture should have a strong yeast smell and should be foamy after 5 minutes.

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2. Stir the honey and salt into the yeast mixture until the honey has dissolved.

Add the flour and stir until completely incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a board or counter and knead for 5 minutes.

3. Divide the dough into two or four sections and divide among those participating in the pretzel-making process.

½ cup warm water

4. Place the pretzel shapes onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush the egg over each pretzel and top with the coarse salt or optional seeds.

5. Place on an upper middle rack of the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

1 tsp granulated sugar 1 tsp salt 11/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 egg, beaten About 1 to 2 Tbsp of course salt Topping options: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and cinnamon sugar

6. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.

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Stop the

MOMMY BULLYING

By Sandra Gordon

Breastfeeding or using formula. Working versus staying at home. The best bedtime for toddlers. Whether to let babies cry it out. Or co-sleep. To give time-outs or not.

Spanking — yes or no? Let’s face it — raising kids involves making countless decisions that can shape you as a parent.

Your internal GPS — intuition — can guide you, of course. So can insight from friends, your spouse, your extended family, and fellow moms and dads online. But with so much advice swirling around, parenting can sometimes feel like a Disco ball. Are you doing the right thing? It depends on whom you ask. And thanks to the anonymity of the Internet, there are plenty of harsh critics lurking out there, waiting to let you know whether you’re on track—or not. Oh, the scrutiny!

“Surveys show that 95 percent of moms feel judged by just about everything these days, from working or not working and their choice of infant feeding, to their discipline approaches and the sleep methods they use with their kids,” says Michelle Borba, Ed.D., a parenting expert and author of 22 books, including The Big Book of Parenting Solutions.

Unsolicited feedback or even just dirty looks from other moms in the grocery store can make parenting even more stressful. Borba even goes so far as to call it a form of bullying, which can undermine your parenting

3838SUMMER 2014

assurance and feed into the problem. “When you have less confidence in yourself, you’re more likely to be judgmental of other moms,” Borba says.

You might even change your parenting style. According to Borba, one out of three moms makes a different parenting choice because she feels criticized by another mom. A better idea?

Remember that there’s no cookie cutter approach to parenting. What works for one child won’t necessarily work for another, even within the same family.

To boost your confidence and empower yourself as a parent while you’re figuring out how to tailor your approach, stand up for yourself. Here’s how to handle criticism from know-it-all friends, relatives, coworkers, and cyber parents.

Practice assertiveness.

When somebody criticizes you (as in, “I can’t believe you’re still breastfeeding,”)

OH, THE SCRUTINY !

1 out of 3 moms makes a different parenting choice because she feels criticized by another mom.

stay cool and calm. “Bullies love responses,” Borba says. Resist the urge to insult them with a cutting comeback.

Instead, take a deep breath and respond with a simple line, such as “I hear you,” or “Thank you. I know what works best for my child,” in a firm, strong voice. “Practice your response ahead of time so you can deliver it in the heat of the moment,” Borba says. Use firm body language too.

“Look at the color of the talker’s eyes.”

These assertiveness techniques can also come in handy on the playground, so teach them to your kids too.

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–ADVERTISEMENT–

Seek support.

As a mom, you need layers of support, including an inner circle of other moms who make you feel valued. “Find truly supportive friends—moms you can confide in who you know won’t take what you tell them any further,” says Sue Hubbard, M.D., a Dallas pediatrician and host of the The Kid’s Doctor. It may take some play date experimenting to find your inner circle. The pay-off? “Moms who receive support are confident, happier, and more fulfilled,” Dr. Hubbard says. Your inner circle can change over time as you and your kids change. But there’s no better relationship than with other trusted moms in the trenches.

That said, the mommysphere on the Internet shouldn’t be your inner circle.

Not all discussions need to involve everyone. “There are many decisions you can make on your own or with that inner group of friends,” Dr. Hubbard says.

was on an airplane. A woman with a preschool-age boy sat in the row behind her. “The child, who was sitting above the wing, kept telling his mom he couldn’t see.

When the mom said, ‘Will you just shut up! Everyone is looking at you,’ I started to judge her,” Smith says. “Then I said to myself, ‘Wait a minute. You have no idea what her day has been like. You don’t know if her child has pushed every single button. You’ve told your children to shut up before.’” Instead of turning around and saying something not so nice, Smith stayed facing forward, which seemed to be the most helpful thing to do at the moment since the mom was concerned about attracting attention. Dr. Hubbard agrees with Smith’s “stop and think” approach.

When you feel the urge to judge others, “Ask yourself, ‘I wonder what happened in that mom’s life to make her feel or act that way?’” Dr. Hubbard says. If you decide to

“Surveys show that 95 percent of moms feel judged by just about everything these days, from working or not working and their choice of infant feeding to their discipline approaches and the sleep methods they use with their kids.”

If you decide to share something online, however, whether it be a tweet, text, Facebook post, or blog post, use the front door rule: “If you don’t want to put it on the front door for your own mother to see, don’t push send,” Dr. Hubbard says.

Trust your “momtuition.”

Sometimes, you just know you’re right about a parenting decision, such as deciding not to send your child to summer camp.

In those stances, go with it. “Don’t secondguess yourself or go online to get others’ opinions,” Dr. Hubbard says. Similarly, if you have a tough parenting decision to make, such as whether to put your child on ADHD medication, get an expert’s advice.

Don’t bully.

As a mom yourself, it’s impossible not to question other moms’ parenting tactics. Still, resist the urge to inflict your opinion. Instead, stop, think, and consider the potential big picture. Recently, for example, Danielle Smith, founder of Extraordinarymommy.com,

intervene, share your ideas in a positive manner, such as “Would you like to switch seats so your son can see out the window?”

Consider criticism just information.

Likewise, if you feel judged, consider the judger’s perspective. U.S. Olympic gold medalist Keri Walsh Jennings was walking through the infant formula section at Target recently with her third child, 1-month-old daughter Scout, when she got the stink eye from another mom. “I took a deep breath and said to myself, ‘She has no idea I’m a low-producing woman; that my kids starve when I only feed them breast milk because my milk is too low in fat.’ So I gave the lady a smile and grabbed two boxes for formula,” Walsh Jennings says.

“Knowing why I’m doing what I’m doing empowers me.” Walsh Jennings also thinks critics serve a purpose. “They make you think, ‘You’re right. I could adjust this,’ or ‘You know what? I’m kicking butt and I’m not changing a thing.”

FAMILY FINDS

the best products and services for you and yours

Jane Owens Family Therapy, LLC Life is all about growing and moving forward — hard to do if you feel stuck.

What is holding you back?

I can help you find out and transition through your challenges to have the life you want.

Located in Crescent Hill janeowensfamilytherapy.com 502.436.9504 Accepting new clients for individual, family and couples counseling.

Little Treasures Kid’s Sale Looking for a smarter way to shop for your kids?

Look no further than Little Treasures Kid’s Sale, the area’s leading seasonal consignment event held every March and August.

We promise brand names and BIG savings on anything and everything for baby, big kid, teen and maternity.

Get in on the fun:

littletsale.com

Sandra Gordon’s most recent book is Save a Bundle: 50+ Ways to Save Big on Baby Gear.

TODAY’SFAMILY FAMILY TODAY’S

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Just Ask Joyce

By Joyce Oglesby

Confident Kids

Q:

“My 3-year-old has a delayed case of the Terrible 2’s, but only in public. I find myself embarrassed when he acts out in a store. He will sometimes throw himself on the floor and kick and scream.

People look at me as though it’s my issue, not his. I am not one of those parents who allows the child to run the household, but I can’t seem to get control of this actingout-in-public behavior. How can I turn this around?”

Joyce: I wouldn’t worry about the glaring parents who think you have three heads. We’ve all been there and done that, especially those of us with multiple children because each is different. I have found (and internationally renowned psychologist Dr. Kevin Leman agrees with me) that ignoring the behavior rather than struggling to deal with it is the best cure for your child’s ailment.

The next time Little Johnny throws a public tantrum and throws himself on the floor, simply step over him and begin to walk away as if you don’t know him. Of course, don’t actually let him out of your sight.

Stepping over him as if he might belong to the parents of an “alien” rather than you will likely get his attention. Don’t draw attention to the fit; otherwise, you feed the frenzy.

When the two of you get home and he wants a treat, he doesn’t get one. Then you can explain that his behavior in the store was unacceptable and the next time you go out in public, if he conducts himself respectfully, he may get a cookie then.

It’s simple: Respect = Respect.

When he respects your authority, you respect his requests.

“Don’t be threatened by your mother-in-law’s presence. Invite it — on your own terms.”

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Q:

“My 14-year-old daughter is having problems with confidence.

As parents, we do everything we can to encourage her. We have her involved in many activities and praise her frequently, but her confidence is simply not there.

Academically, she’s on target.

She loves learning. But how can we ensure she develops the selfesteem she needs to be socially

Q:

“My mother-in-law is beginning to make my life miserable. I’m a new mom, and I can’t seem to do anything right in her eyes. She always has a better way to do things, and my baby seems to respond. It’s breaking my heart. How do I stop resenting and not snap? I don’t want to cause a family squabble, but it really is becoming a nuisance.”

successful?”

Joyce: Consider something more important than confidence your daughter needs in order to become successful in life: competence. Our culture has shifted the emphasis on our children from equipping them with aptitude to focusing on a selfcentered attitude. Parents tend to concentrate more on a child’s selfesteem, but competence is the winning ticket that develops confidence.

I would suggest you target what your child excels in academically, what interests her on a skill level, and what direction she might want to focus on as a career. Developing an area of expertise for your child will prepare her for a fruitful and efficient career. Her competency will exude confidence, which will transcend to every aspect of her life — personal, home, and future career.

need family advice?

52 SUMMER 2014

New Mom Woes

Joyce: Become a student. Don’t be threatened by her presence. Invite it — on your terms. If she is “taking over,” you and your husband should set some tender boundaries regarding visiting times. If she’s a drop-in-at-will mom, you might need to be more assertive.

Appreciate her best intentions. She’s an old hand at child-rearing. But, learn to silently “reject” her help. Rest assured, there will come a time when her services will be desired.

In the meantime, take delight in the fact that no one will take your place in your child’s eyes. The sound of your voice, your touch, and your unconditional love were set in place in the womb. However, a child needs a grandmother’s attention as well. When the entire family unit is concerned for the child’s best interest, it creates a loving environment. Draw your boundaries, but do so with a loving stick.

Write Joyce Oglesby, Family-Life Fitness Pro, at joyce@JustAskJoyce.com. Check out her books and other resources today at JustAskJoyce.com. Listen to The Just Ask Joyce Show M-F at 10am on WNDA 1570/WLRS 1600 AM, or stream it on TuneIn.

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Click on this page to access the Today’s Family Summer Camp Directory.

TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2014 53

d•i•y

1 Whisk flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a pan. Add vegetable oil and water and stir together with a large spoon.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until dough is pulling away from the pan and can form a ball when pinched. This will take about 7 minutes.

2 Allow dough to cool before handling. Scoop it onto a flat surface and knead until smooth.

It’s easy to make your own play dough, and your kids will enjoy helping with the process.

Play Dough

Ingredients

By Miranda Popp Photos Jason Popp

It’s both fun and exciting to use everyday items from your pantry to create something you can play with. Making your own play dough is fun, easy, and everyone can help.

The kids will love measuring the ingredients, adding the color, and squishing it into shape.

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• 2 cups flour • ½ cup salt • 3 tsp. cream of tartar • 1 ½ T. vegetable oil • 2 cups water • Liquid food coloring

3 Divide the dough as you wish and add food coloring.

4 Knead dough on a cookie sheet or color-safe surface until color is evenly distributed throughout. Store in an airtight container.

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