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January 2025 • Volume 41 • Issue 11
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Paul M. Kline
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12 n Let’s Party Profiles
17 n Choosing Childcare
41 n Fit Family
44 n Wellness Choices
46 n Family Flavors
Cozy, Comforting Recipes to Take On the Cold
47 n The Kiddie Gourmet
Taquito Lindo by Barbara Blackburn
What’s New... IN THE KIDBIZ web.finds
Creative Cakes
This month’s issue of WNY Family contains our “Let’s Party” section focusing on great birthday party ideas. And what’s a birthday party without a cake? Sure, you could head to the local supermarket or bakery to buy one, but how about one of these fun, homemade creations that we found? They are easier to make than you may think!
Pikachu Cake
If you have a Pokemon fan in your home, this Pika chu cake is super simple! Prepare two round cakes in 9-inch cake pans, using one whole cake for the face and cutting two rabbit-ear shapes from the other. (Eating the cake scraps from this piece is an optional step.) Place the rabbit-ear pieces at the top of the round cake to form the basic shape of Pika chu. With some yellow frosting, one tube each of black and red decorating icing, and a couple dollops of white icing on the eyes, your cake will look like it was made by a pro! Visit https:// www.andnextcomesl.com/2016/09/ pikachu-cake-for-pokemon-birthday-party.html for Dyan’s recipe.
Princess Cake
Making a Princess cake for your little one may sound like a daunting task. However, Adree over at The Keele Deal has an easy cake hack that will work for any princess character that wears a dress. Bake one cake in a regular round cake pan for the base. Then, use a 1.5 qt. glass Pyrex mixing bowl to bake the other cake, which will work as the skirt of your princess’ dress! Position a doll of your child’s favorite princess in the middle of the cake, then use icing and a piping bag with a decorator tip to complete her outfit. Your child will royally love it! Head to https://thekeeledeal.com/easy-princess-birthdaycake/ for full instructions.
Rice Krispie Cake
Not a baker? Not a problem—we have you covered! Check out this beautiful Rice Krispie cake that requires no baking at all and contains just four simple ingredients—rice cereal, unsalted butter, white marshmallows, and gel food coloring. Using round cake pans, create three “cake” layers of differ ent colors with food coloring and stack. Get creative with your toppings and top with piped buttercream, marshmallow fluff, or drizzled chocolate. Maretha gives the full instructions at https://thecinnamonjar. com/rice-krispie-cake/.
PARENTS SUPPORT MINIMUM AGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
In light of the Surgeon General’s alarming warning last year about the detrimental effects of social media on children’s mental health, there has been a surge in calls from lawmakers across the U.S. to introduce more stringent regulations on children’s access to online content. The debate has sparked a national conversation about what age is appropriate for children to begin using social media and how parents should navigate this increasingly digital landscape.
Online education company Test Prep Insight (testprepinsight.com) conducted a state-by-state survey, asking 3,000 parents to weigh in on what they believe to be the minimum age for children to safely use social media.
The research revealed that, on average, parents believe children shouldn’t own social media accounts until they reach 14 years of age. In three states—Maine, North Dakota, and Utah—parents favored even stricter limits, supporting a minimum age of 16. Conversely, the most lenient views came from parents in Wyoming, where many felt that 12 was an appropriate age for children to start managing their own social media profiles.
The survey also explored parents’ opinions on holding social media companies accountable for enforcing age restrictions. A significant majority, 83%, expressed support for imposing harsher penalties on social media companies that allow underage users to access their platforms.
When asked about their primary concerns related to their children’s social media use, parents pointed to several key issues. Cyberbullying emerged as the top worry, cited by 42% of respondents, followed closely by exposure to inappropriate content, which concerned 32% of parents.
In terms of monitoring social media usage, many parents reported taking an active role. Half of the respondents stated that they have full access to their children’s accounts and regularly check their activities. Another 32% of parents said they occasionally monitor their children’s social media or discuss their usage. However, 18% of parents reported more hands-off approaches.
The survey also highlighted the importance parents place on educating children about responsible social media use, with 53% considering it extremely important for schools to take on this role.
— by Rebecca Hastings
Planning an indoor birthday party doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a bit of creativity and organization, you can throw an unforgettable celebration for your child. Here are five simple indoor birthday party ideas, complete with themes, food suggestions, activities, and supplies to make the day a hit!
• Hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, sprinkles, and whipped cream
• Cookies, donuts, or a small “pancake stack” cake to match the theme
• Orange juice
Activities:
Pillowcase Races: Use clean pillowcases for a fun twist on sack races. You can do these in a hallway, around a room, or across a large indoor space.
Storytime Circle: Let kids get comfy with lots of pillows and blankets or sleeping bags. Read a fun, interactive story. You can even let kids act it out.
1. PAJAMA PARTY PARADISE
Theme: A cozy pajama party perfect for younger kids or tweens. Pajamas aren’t just for nighttime! While you can make this a sleepover, you can host this party at any time of day.
Food Ideas:
• Mini pancakes with syrup and whipped cream
• Fruit kebabs or a DIY fruit and yogurt parfait station
DIY Pillow Decorating: Provide plain pillowcases or plain throw pillows and fabric markers for kids to decorate their own take-home pillows.
Movie corner: Set up a cozy area with bean bags and blankets to watch a short animated film or favorite cartoon.
Supplies Needed:
• Pajamas (encourage guests to come dressed in them)
• Pillows and blankets
• Fabric markers or iron-on
patches for decorating
• A movie projector or TV with streaming options
Party Favor Ideas: A kids’ book, fun socks, and their decorated pillow.
2. MINI OLYMPICS
Theme: An energetic celebration where kids become athletes for the day. Get some energy out with this fun, active party theme.
Food Ideas:
• Sandwich “medals” cut into star or circle shapes
• Popcorn in paper cones labeled “Olympic Torches”
• Fruit skewers in gold, silver, and bronze themes
• A medal-shaped birthday cake
Activities:
Obstacle Course: Create an indoor course using chairs, pillows, and tape.
Ring Toss: Use hula hoops or make your own rings out of paper plates.
Balloon Volleyball: Divide kids into teams and use a balloon as the ball, trying to keep it up in the air as long as possible.
Activities:
Canvas Painting: Give each child a small canvas and paint to create their own masterpiece. You can have a theme or let kids paint whatever they want.
Award Ceremony: Give out medals (plastic ones work great) and celebrate everyone’s participation.
Supplies Needed:
• Tape for marking lanes and start/finish lines
• Hula hoops or paper plates
• Balloons for volleyball
• Small plastic medals or printable certificates
Party Favor Ideas: Medals or certificates and small sports equipment like a bouncy ball or beach ball.
3. DIY ART PARTY
Theme: A colorful party where kids unleash their creativity. This one can get a little messy, but that’s part of the fun!
Food Ideas:
• “Paint Palette” veggie trays with colorful veggies and dips
• Cupcakes with white frosting and edible “paint” (small containers of colored frosting)
• Rainbow popcorn or a candy buffet in various colors
Activities:
Animal Hunt: Hide toy animals around the house and give kids a map to find them.
• A cake shaped like a paintbrush or decorated with colorful splashes
DIY Slime Station: Provide glue, glitter, and coloring for kids to make their own slime. Be sure to have lots of bowls and spoons for mixing. Include small, resealable containers for kids to take their slime home.
Collaborative Mural: Hang a large sheet of paper on the wall for everyone to contribute to a giant piece of artwork. You can have the birthday child pick a theme ahead of time.
Face Painting: Designate an artistic teen or adult to paint the kids’ faces.
Party Favor Ideas: Painted canvas, art supplies, slime, or a small art kit to take home.
4. INDOOR SAFARI ADVENTURE
Theme: A wild adventure where kids become explorers in a pretend jungle. This is perfect for animal lovers.
Food Ideas:
• “Animal Tracks” sandwiches shaped like paws (use cookie cutters)
• “Jungle Juice” served in fun animal-themed cups
• Pretzel “sticks” and gummy “vines” as snacks
• A safari-themed cake with edible animal toppers
• Animal crackers
Mask Making: Provide templates and craft supplies for kids to make animal masks. You can find these online or at a party supply store.
Jungle Obstacle Course: Use household items like chairs and string to create a fun course.
Parachute Play: Use a large sheet as a parachute to bounce stuffed animals around.
Supplies Needed:
• Toy animals for the scavenger hunt
• Animal mask templates and craft supplies
• String, chairs, and household items for the obstacle course
Party Favor Ideas: Safari hats or binoculars and individual packs of animal crackers.
5. SCIENCE LAB PARTY
Theme: A hands-on, educational party perfect for curious kids who like to explore and learn.
Food Ideas:
• “Lab Coats” (pita wraps or sandwich rolls)
• Fruit molecules (grapes and blueberries connected with toothpicks)
• Beaker-shaped cups with colorful punch
• A cake designed like a periodic table or science experiment
Activities:
DIY Volcano: Use baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring for a classic science experiment.
continued on page 9
— by Pam Molnar
FirstOne-derful Birthday Themes
First birthdays are milestones that you don’t want to overlook. Your little one has gone from a tiny infant to a walking and talking toddler with a budding personality. Pat yourself on the back, Mom and Dad. It’s time to celebrate! Looking for themes for your party? Try some of these.
My First Rodeo: A
fun western theme for your cowgirl or boy. Older partygoers can play Lasso the Bull with hula hoops, Pin the Tail on the Horse or Toss the Cow pie (beanbag). Younger guests might enjoy a sensory bin with dried beans and mini cowboy toys. You can have a photo booth with Wanted posters and cardboard cutouts of cowgirls/boys. BBQ, slaw, and baked beans would go nicely with this theme.
One Berry Sweet Girl:
Children are the only humans who can pull off wearing fruit on their clothes and look cute. Game ideas include berry smash with water balloons on a points
board or a scavenger hunt around the yard to find plastic fruit. Dinner ideas include blueberry goat cheese flatbread, berry, chicken and spinach salad, and a white chocolate fondue with berry dippers for dessert. Berry smoothies will be a hit for all ages.
One Beary Cute Boy: A
little boy and his teddy bear is a classic image. Games for adults might include Guess the Famous Bear (Yogi, Fozzie, Paddington, etc.). For the kids, try musical bears (passing the bear around until the music stops) or a teddy bear race holding the bear between your legs. Serve picnic style foods for a teddy bear picnic or make cute bear toast with nut butter, banana ears, blueberry eyes and nose.
First Trip Around the Sun:
This theme could be set up to include the sunshine or the night sky. If you choose the sun, serve everything yellow on charcuterie boards – honey butter and crackers, cheese, deviled eggs, yellow
cake pops, and yellow fruits. Older kids can decorate sun catchers or get prizes from a sun or spaceship piñata. Kids can play Moon Rock tag, like dodgeball but with softer objects like bean bags or balloons. Add a Photobooth with images of aliens, spaceships, planets, sunbeams, or sunglasses.
One Groovy Birthday:
A perfect theme for your little boho baby. Have everyone come dressed in groovy clothes. Fill a sensory bin with peace signs, smiley faces and daisies for the little ones. Adults and older kids can make tie-dye shirts in boho colors or paint pet rocks. Your menu could include appetizers that were popular in the groovy era — pigs in a blanket, mini quiches, Swedish meatballs, shrimp cocktail, and ambrosia salad.
Rookie of the Year:
When spring and summer roll around, baseball is a great outdoor theme. Have everyone dress up in their favorite jerseys. Invite everyone to play kickball or whiffle ball
with the older kids and adults. If it’s warm enough, get out the slip and slide for sliding practice. You can also practice throwing by knocking down cans with a ball or bean bags. Serve hot dogs and other ballpark food like popcorn, nachos, cotton candy and slices of pizza.
One Lucky Duck:
Rubber duckies are friendly for all ages. Everyone can play Duck, Duck, Goose or pull a floating rubber duck for a prize. Keep the kids busy for hours looking for mini ducks in the party space. Have relay races where the players have to walk like a duck. If you have a crafty group, Oriental Trading offers DIY rubber ducks for the guests to decorate themselves. Use a duck cookie cutter to make duck shaped cheese and mini sandwiches and cookies for dessert.
Wild One: Animals are a fun party theme because you can find them everywhere. Provide animal ears headbands, glasses, or feet for your guests to wear. Hire a face painter or an animal balloon artist to entertain your guests. Your menu could include snake roll-ups (pinwheels or sushi), lion head hummus and carrot sticks, tiger face cuties, and monkey bread for dessert.
First Bee Day:
Bees are so cute for a first birthday party. Kids can have a nectar race by filling ice cube trays using a turkey baster or go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt looking for things that start with B. Crafty guests might like to make bee jewelry with black and yellow beads. Serve the guests chicken and waffles with honey or syrup, dips with waffle pretzels, or foods that start with the letter B like burgers, burritos or brisket.
• Decorate with Intention: Even small touches like themed tablecloths, banners, and balloons can set the mood.
• Set Time Limits: Keep the party to 2–3 hours to ensure kids stay engaged without getting overwhelmed.
• Capture Memories: Set up a photo booth or designate someone to take pictures of the fun.
No matter the weather, an indoor birthday party can be an incredible adventure! With these ideas, your child’s next celebration will be a joyful, stressfree success.
Pam Molnar is the mother of three and an avid party planner. She believes every good party has good food, entertaining games and a Pinterest-worthy theme.
Slime Lab: Teach kids to make slime using different colors and textures.
Static Electricity Fun: Show kids how to make a balloon stick to walls or move objects.
“Magic Milk” Experiment: Cover the bottom of a shallow dish with milk and add different colors of food coloring, keeping them spaced out for better effects. Then dip a toothpick into dish soap and use it to touch the surface of the milk near the food coloring. Watch as the colors explode and swirl across the dish!
Supplies Needed:
• Lab coats (or oversized white shirts)
• Goggles (plastic ones are fun and safe)
• Baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and slime ingredients
• Balloons for electricity experiments
• Plastic dishes, milk, dish soap, and toothpicks
Party Favor Ideas: Let kids decorate their lab coats to take home.
GENERAL TIPS FOR SUCCESS
• Plan Ahead: Make a checklist of all the supplies and prep the activities beforehand to avoid last-minute stress.
Rebecca Hastings is a former elementary teacher who traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children. Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.
Choosing a gift for a child can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With endless aisles of toys and gadgets, it’s easy to fall into the trap of picking something ordinary that will be forgotten by next week. But what if the gift you give could stand out—sparking joy, creativity, or even a sense of wonder?
Unique gifts are more than just presents; they’re opportunities to create lasting memories, encourage new hobbies, or nurture curiosity. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, holiday, or a “just because” surprise, these oneof-a-kind ideas will help you break free from the usual and find something truly special for the kids in your life.
GIFTS LESS THAN $20
Personalized Storybook
• Who it’s for: Young readers who love seeing themselves as the hero.
• Why it’s special: Customizable with the child’s name and likeness.
DIY Craft Kits
• Who it’s for: Creative kids who enjoy hands-on activities.
• Why it’s special: Includes materials for making jewelry, painting, or building small crafts.
Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
• Who it’s for: Space enthusiasts or kids who love bedtime magic.
• Why it’s special: Creates a starry night in their room.
— by Rebecca Hastings
Animal Finger Puppets
• Who it’s for: Toddlers or preschoolers who enjoy storytelling.
• Why it’s special: Encourages imaginative play.
Outside the Gift Box: Unique Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids
Custom Name Crayons
• Who it’s for: Young artists or preschoolers.
• Why it’s special: Crayons are shaped into the child’s name creating a unique twist on traditional art supplies.
Sticker Activity Books
• Who it’s for: Kids aged 3–8 who love interactive books.
• Why it’s special: Engages kids with puzzles, stickers, and creative tasks.
Educational Card Games
• Who it’s for: Kids who enjoy learning through play.
• Why it’s special: Teaches skills like math, spelling, or trivia.
Plant Growing Kit
• Who it’s for: Nature-loving
kids aged 5 and up.
• Why it’s special: They can grow their own flowers, herbs, or vegetables.
Puzzle Cube or Brain Teaser
• Who it’s for: Kids aged 8+ who enjoy solving challenges.
• Why it’s special: With endless options, there is a fun puzzle for every personality. They help develop problem-solving skills.
Temporary Tattoo Sets
• Who it’s for: Kids who love dressing up or experimenting with designs.
• Why it’s special: Fun and easy to apply, with lots of creative designs. Plus, they’re not a mess to clean up!
GIFTS MORE THAN $20
Interactive Globe
• Who it’s for: Curious kids interested in geography and cultures.
• Why it’s special: Combines learning with interactive fun using apps or touchpoints.
Kids’ Camera
• Who it’s for: Budding photographers aged 5+.
• Why it’s special: Allows kids to explore photography in a durable, kid-friendly way.
Subscription Box (Monthly Crafts, Science, or Reading)
• Who it’s for: For kids of all ages, there are boxes with specific interests like art, science, or books.
• Why it’s special: A gift that keeps on giving with new surprises each month.
Personalized Blanket or Pillow
• Who it’s for: Kids who love cozy items.
• Why it’s special: Features their name or favorite designs, themes, or sports teams.
STEM Building Kit
• Who it’s for: Kids aged 7–12 who enjoy creating and engineering.
• Why it’s special: Encourages problem-solving and creativity with hands-on building.
Magic Kit
• Who it’s for: Aspiring magicians aged 6+.
• Why it’s special: Comes with tricks and props to spark a love for performing.
Giant Floor Puzzle
• Who it’s for: Preschoolers or early learners.
• Why it’s special: Combines fun and education with large, engaging pieces.
Play Tent or Fort Kit
• Who it’s for: Imaginative kids who love role-playing or creating their own space.
• Why it’s special: Provides hours of pretend play and creativity.
Light-Up Drawing Board
• Who it’s for: Artists aged 5–12.
• Why it’s special: Kids have the chance to draw and erase easily with glowing effects.
Remote-Controlled Car or Drone
• Who it’s for: Kids aged 8+ who love tech and adventure.
• Why it’s special: Combines fun with basic engineering concepts.
THE KEY TO FINDING A UNIQUE GIFT
Finding the right birthday gift for a child doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By choosing something unique that aligns with their interests, age, and personality, you can give them a present they’ll cherish long after the candles are blown out. Whether it’s a creative DIY kit, an educational STEM toy, or a personalized keepsake, these ideas show that a little thought goes a long way.
Next time you’re shopping for a child’s birthday, let this list inspire you to pick something memorable. After all, the best gifts aren’t just things—they’re opportunities for fun, learning, and connection.
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JANUARY 29TH 5PM-7PM FEBRUARY 13TH 5PM-7PM
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PARTYProfiles
Aquarium of Niagara
701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls • 716-285-3575
www.aquariumofniagara.org
Ice Bumper Cars at
Invite all of your favorite aquatic animals to the party and learn why the Aquarium of Niagara is consistently voted one of the top places to host a child’s birthday party in WNY. Explore two buildings featuring more than 180 species. Enjoy VIP viewing for a sea lion presentation, exclusive access to our private event room, a dedicated birthday host, decorations, goody bags, and more! Add-on an ambassador animal encounter or an animal enrichment session to make the day even more memorable. Visit aquariumofniagara. org to book your party today.
Cornerstone CFCU Ice Arena
1 Grigg Lewis Way, Lockport • 716-438-7698
www.cornerstoneicearena.com
This will be the party that your kids will be talking about for years to come! All parties are on private ice with affordable package options. Skates are provided and our skate helpers are available to ensure fun for all! We also offer bumping fun with our bumper car parties! Call our Event Specialist Ryan for more information at 716-438-7698 ext. 512. We also offer multiple classes including learn to skate, learn to skate hockey, and more! If you already skate, come figure skate with us. Call our figure skating director Dawn at 716-438-7698 with any questions regarding lessons.
Enchanting Birthdays of WNY
716-725-3578
www.enchantingbirthdays.com
Bring your child’s dreams to life with our Princesses and Superheros. Enchanting Birthdays offers a world of wonder, excitement and enchantment that cannot be matched in the eyes of a child. Our special parties are filled with fun and excitement and create the atmosphere of a real storybook fairy tale! Imagine their delight when they open the door to find their favorite character on the doorstep asking to attend her birthday party or play date! No matter what, you can rest assured that Enchanting Birthdays will be a magnificent, memorable experience from beginning to end. Visit enchantingbirthdays.com today to begin planning your child’s enchanting experience.
PARTYProfiles
Friendship Village Play Café
5470 Camp Rd., Hamburg
207-251-6932
www.friendshipvillageplay.com
Celebrate your child’s next birthday at Friendship Village Play Café – a state-of-the-art indoor play center. Children will have a blast at this wonderland designed to inspire creativity and imagination in kids of all ages. From the newest play equipment and an indoor treehouse, we have everything to keep your little ones entertained for hours on end. Parties are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Make the party extra special by making it a private event! Visit our website for more information and for pricing.
Gymnastics Unlimited
70 Weiss Ave., Orchard Park 716-677-0338
www.gymnastics-unlimited.net
Ages 2-22 have GREAT fun at gymnastics parties!! Our staff does ALL the work!! A connected obstacle course gets them balancing, running, climbing over and under soft barrels, wedges and blocks and tunnels. Then it’s game time! Choose from parachute games, relay races, tag games…. or any combination!! After games it’s onto tumble trampoline, rope swinging, mini ninjas, foam pit, trampoline and bars!!! Kids are tired when done so be sure to bring in water bottles for them to drink while happy birthday is being sung and gifts are opened. We will also record & pack gifts and clean up! No mess for mom! Call to schedule your party today!
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
1 80 Thompson St., North Tonawanda • 716-693-1885 www.carrouselmuseum.org
Ride a carrousel at your next party! The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum provides a colorful backdrop for your event. All guests can enjoy carrousel rides on our 108 year old carrousel, and kids can ride our vintage “Kiddie Carrousel” too! Your guests have access to the entire museum and can view our exhibits throughout the complex. All parties for children include carrousel rides, one craft, and a goodie bag for each child to take home. The museum hosts birthday parties, showers, or any other celebration. Make sure your party is one of a kind and book with the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum today.
PARTYProfiles
TaekwondoBIRTHDAY PARTIES
Niagara Climbing Center
1333 Strad Ave., North Tonawanda • 716-695-1248 www.niagaraclimbingcenter.com
A climbing party at Niagara Climbing Center is an experience you’ll talk about for a long time. We’ll make sure your event is organized, controlled and (most importantly) totally ROCKS! Enjoy family-friendly fun for any age and skill level. The 2 hour Cliffhanger offers climbing and 45 minutes in our private party room for you to enjoy your pizza package. The birthday climber receives a free climbing pass. All necessary equipment and lessons are included. Our birthday party isn’t just for kids, it ROCKS for all ages.
Looking for a fun, unique birthday experience? World Class Taekwondo offers exciting martial arts themed birthday parties for kids ages 4 and up! Your child and their friends will enjoy a high energy martial arts lesson, followed by an impressive Black Belt demonstration. It’s the perfect event for kids and a hassle-free experience for parents. We handle everything, including pizza and refreshments. New Year Special: Book your party before February 28th and receive 50% off! Must mention this ad when booking.
ZPAC – Stacy Zawadzki’s Performing Arts Center
954A Union Rd. Suite 3, West Seneca Phone: 716-608-1010
www.zpac.biz
Tap into your creative side with a birthday party at Stacy Zawadzki’s Performing Arts Center. Make your child’s birthday unforgettable by exploring the arts with us on their special day. ZPAC is a unique performing arts center that specializes in every style of dancing, singing, acting, as well as in creating the arts through playwriting, choreography, and directing. ZPAC is a terrific place for your child’s next birthday party with various themes to choose from including dance parties, karaoke parties, and
parties!
Profiles
25 Amazing Birthday Party Locations
— by Katy M. Clark
Your child’s next birthday is fast approaching and you’re wondering where to hold the party. Perhaps the thought of having it at home makes you break out in a cold sweat. Maybe it is simply not an option.
As the mother of two kids, now a teen and tween, I’ve spent over a decade attending or hosting birthday parties at over two dozen spots. There truly is a place for everyone and every budget. So, check out this list of 25 amazing locations for your child’s next birthday party and get ready to celebrate!
1. Take your group to a local sporting event, such as a minor league baseball game.
2. Visit a zoo or petting zoo.
concert or a viewing of the holiday parade.
6. Go to the movies.
7. Take a walk or hike at a nature center or botanical garden, where you can learn about the outdoors and celebrate with a picnic.
8. Have a party at the fire station. Our local fire station offers short tours for kids, lets them climb on the trucks, and passes out free firefighter hats. Be prepared that the party could be cut short in the event of an actual fire!
3. Go to a swimming pool, water park, or splash pad.
4. Try the local park where you can rent a pavilion as home base while the kids run around.
5. Think about special events in your town. Piggyback your party on an outdoor summer
9. Visit an orchard in the summer for fruit picking or pick pumpkins at a pumpkin patch in the fall.
10. Most children’s museums wel come birthday parties.
11. Craft stores, such as Joann Fabrics or Michaels, let kids pick a craft and include supplies and a guide to instruct kids in making the craft.
12. How about Build-a-Bear Workshop?
continued on page 35
Empowering Your Child to Set Meaningful New Year’s Resolutions
— by Jill Morgenstern
When my then seven-yearold was asked by her teacher to make New Year’s resolutions for herself, it was a quick project. She handed me back a paper that said “No New Year’s resolutions for Lielle!” There. Homework complete. Or so she thought. We spent the rest of the afternoon coming up with something a bit more acceptable to her teacher, and with any luck, a bit more meaningful to her. Some children are all in on New Year’s resolutions and will need very little help from an adult. But if your child would like help making resolutions, there are many ways to guide them. Sonia Jhas, who works with kids of various age levels as a mindset and wellness expert, walks us through how we can help our children set realistic and meaningful goals.
Even the youngest children can understand resolutions. This could look like you simply thinking aloud while making your resolutions, like “Last year I forgot to write thank you notes after my birthday. This year I want to make sure I write a thank you note for anything anyone has done for me that’s nice!”
Once children have reached an age where it will be meaningful, parents can help children think of mistakes they made last year. Building on those mistakes, parents can help children turn those mistakes into a positive goal for the following year.
“Even kids as young as preschool age can start grasping the basics of setting goals if you take a playful approach. For example, framing a resolution as ‘trying one new thing this year’ or ‘making a fun promise to ourselves’ helps young children start thinking about things they’d like to try without pressure,” says Jhas. “Older children are typically more equipped to understand resolutions independently. They may even take the initiative to create their own goals. The key to introducing resolutions to your child is to start small and help them learn how to set effective, clear goals.”
When making goals, children will have better luck with them if they are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). According
to Jhas, “breaking down resolutions into SMART goals gives kids structure while keeping the process fun and empowering.”
Children may want to make a small number of goals, maybe a goal for home and one for school. For example, one for home could be doing his or her chore without reminders. This is specific (only has to do with the one chore), measurable (it got done or did not), achievable (assuming your child is doing an age-appropriate chore), realistic (again assuming your child is doing an age-appropriate chore) and timely (does it have to be done daily? Weekly? Before dinner?).
Says Jhas, “Turning resolutions into habits is all about celebrating small wins consistently. For younger kids, sticker charts, colorful habit trackers, or a marble jar (where they add a marble for each step) are great tools to make progress fun and visual. Every small step toward their goal is a chance for acknowledgement, whether it’s through stickers, high-fives, or simply saying, ‘You’re doing great!’”
“Older kids might appreciate more autonomy, like using habit-tracking apps or journaling to reflect on their progress. Giving them some ownership over the tracking process reinforces self-discipline and pride in their achievements.”
Make sure that your child has ownership of the resolutions by having them pick their own instead of you picking for them. If they pick their own, they are more likely to follow through. According to Jhas, “It’s a shift from ‘I have to’ to ‘I want to,’ and that personal connection can make all the difference.”
Teacher and writer Jill Morgenstern has four children and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Reading.
Your Guide to
Choosing Childcare
A Special Section Dedicated To Helping Parents Find Quality Care To Fit Their Family’s Unique Needs
Most families use a combination of care arrangements to meet all of their needs; the best child care arrangements are those that work best for you, your child, and your family. Types of care arrangements can include:
• Parent only care
• Care by a relative
• Non-relative care by nannies, friends, or neighbors (in the child’s home or a licensed family child care home)
• Child care centers
• Specialized child care for children with special health needs
Why is it important to have high quality child care? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all of a child’s early experiences, whether at home, in child care, or in other preschool settings are educational. The indicators of high quality child care have been studied and are available in many formats. When care is consistent, emotionally supportive, and appropriate to the child’s age, development, and temperament, there is a positive effect on children and families. Depending on each child’s needs, benefits of high quality child care can include:
• Enhanced brain growth and child development
• Greater success in school (better math and language skills)
• Better cognition, social skills, interpersonal relationships, and self-regulation
• Decreased need for special education and related services later
• Lower adolescent pregnancy rates and lower juvenile crime
• Higher graduation rates
Locally, you can visit the Child Care Resource Network at wnychildren.org/ or call them at 716-877-6666 for resources. Visit www.childcareaware.org for additional information on making your childcare decision. You can download their comprehensive guide at childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Eng_121m.pdf entitled “Is This The Right Place For My Child: 38 Research-Based Indicators of Quality Child Care” which includes a checklist you can copy to take with you to each childcare facility you visit.
Navigating Changes as a Family
(Family Features)
Every family experiences changes. Some are planned, others are unexpected. Some are joyful, others are marked by pain or uncertainty.
Whether it’s divorce, the death of a loved one, welcoming a new sibling or moving to a new home, these events impact every member of the family. For young children, even small changes can feel monumental, and how adults talk with them affects how they respond and cope.
Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, shares this guidance to help families navigate change.
young children express, “I’m feeling something, but I don’t have the words for it.”
When children become clingier after a new sibling is born or struggle with meltdowns in a new classroom, they’re trying to process the changes in their lives. These behaviors signal, “I’m not sure what to do with all these feelings.”
VIEW CHANGES THROUGH CHILDREN’S EYES
WHY TRANSITIONS MATTER TO YOUNG CHILDREN
To understand why transitions affect children so deeply, it’s important to remember children see the world differently than adults. Their routines, relationships and surroundings establish a sense of security and safety. Their families and role within them form their initial identities. Any disruption, big or small, can shake their foundation. Children can handle change, but adults must help them process it.
Children are naturally perceptive. When something changes, they notice. When they lack the language or understanding to ask questions, they express their feelings through behavior. It’s how
Everyone experiences changes differently. Even within the same family, adults and children may perceive and respond to the same event in unique ways. An adult may see moving to a new home as an exciting fresh start while children may see it as leaving behind the only bedroom they’ve ever known.
Approaching changes through a child’s lens helps reframe what’s happening. Instead of minimizing feelings, adults can acknowledge the shift children are experiencing and guide them with care.
PROACTIVELY COMMUNICATE
When families face big changes, one of the most common questions is, “What do we tell the kids?” There’s often a struggle between wanting to protect children from overwhelming emotions and offering them enough information to make sense of what’s going on. Rather than avoiding the conversa-
tion, discuss what’s happening using this framework:
1. Acknowledge what’s happening. Use clear, simple language, such as: “Daddy is moving to a different house and you’ll have two homes now.”
2. Focus on the present or immediate future. Young children often don’t have a solid grasp of time. While they can understand routines and orders of events, it takes well into elementary school for them to truly conceptualize time.
3. Name the feelings. Give children words for what they might be feeling. “It’s OK to feel sad or confused right now. Sometimes changes feel hard.”
4. Provide reassurance. Let them know that even though things are changing, they’re still safe and loved.
5. Encourage questions. If you don’t have an answer, it’s OK to say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out,” or “We’re figuring this out together.”
Avoidance is a natural instinct, but silence leaves children to fill in the gaps with their imaginations, which can be scarier than reality. Moreover, when they sense something is different but no one is talking about it, children might feel alone in their confusion. By proactively communicating, you tell them, “I’m here with you.”
EMBRACE FEELINGS
Transitions can be emotional and children need space to express their feelings without judgment. When a child cries or lashes out, instead of responding with, “Don’t be sad,” validate the experience by saying, “I see you have big feelings right now. I’m here with you.” Help your child manage these feelings by encouraging active expressions, such as drawing, writing or moving to music. Transitions can be challenging, but they’re also opportunities to build resilience and deeper connections. Approaching big changes with empathy, proactive communication and an open heart helps children feel more secure and confident to move forward.
To watch a webinar featuring Loquasto sharing additional guidance and access parenting insights and resources, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
Kids Helping Kids:
Why It’s Good For Your Kids To Be A Mentor –And Where To Do It
January 17 is International Mentoring Day, a great occasion to encourage your kids to mentor other kids. Most people know that having a mentor is really helpful for the person being mentored — the mentee. But mentoring is also good for the person who’s doing the mentoring — the mentor. Research shows that kids who help other kids improve their own leadership, organizational, and time-management skills, become more self-confident and patient with others, and feel a strong sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. If being a mentor is such a great thing, where can your kids go to do it?
National Mentoring Organizations
One option is to volunteer with the local chapter of well-known national mentoring organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or the National Mentoring Partnership. These organizations have formal programs that provide extensive training to anyone who wishes to be a mentor. However, their preference is for young adults aged 18 or older to serve as mentors.
Local Schools
If your kids are younger than 18 and/or there’s no local chapter of a national mentoring organization near you, your kids can join a peer mentoring program at the local school. Most middle and high schools have mentoring programs that pair up kids from different grades (typically seniors with freshmen) during the school day or at their after-school programs. While national mentoring organizations tend to focus on developing the mentees’ general life skills, like how to focus on the positive in their lives and make productive choices, school-based programs typically focus on enhancing their academic skills, such as how to take better notes in class, how to organize their homework, and how to prepare for exams. My son’s middle school had such a peer mentoring program in its after-school program, while his high school matches up older and younger students once a week during the regular school day. If your kids are strong academically, mentoring in a school-based mentoring program may be just right for them.
Another option is to find a mentoring program at your local community center or library that offers mentoring programs aimed at helping kids learn to read, write, and do basic math. If no formal programs exist, some places allow kids to start up their own informal programs. Our local community center has had many informal programs run by groups of local high school students over the years. So if your kids aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and create a mentoring program together with one or more of their friends, this could be a great leadership experience for them.
Private Mentoring
Finally, if your kids are very mature and independent-minded, nothing should stop them from creating and offering their own private mentoring program. If you know of neighborhood kids who could benefit from having positive role-models in their lives, encourage your kids to meet up with them on a regular basis to serve as their mentors.
Mentoring isn’t only the right thing to do if you have what it takes; it can also help your kids in both the short and long term. Many middle and high schools have a community service component that requires them to volunteer for a certain amount of hours in order to graduate. Participating in an authorized mentoring program often satisfies that requirement; it does at my son’s high school. Your kids can also use any letters of recommendation that they receive about their mentoring activities as part of their college application. Virtually all colleges and universities across the country consider giving back to the community — especially helping other kids achieve their academic potential — a worthwhile goal, and service through mentoring could be an asset during the admissions process.
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
4 Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Get Everyone Ready Fast
It’s no secret that mornings can be busy! More than half of families say mornings are the most stressful part of the day. Getting ready for school and work can leave families rushing to get out the door. It’s no surprise people often run out of time for a healthy breakfast.
Registered dietitian and child nutrition expert, Chacha Miller, offers simple tips to make healthy eating a reality. Even though mornings can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to sacrifice good nutrition or great taste.
Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen
It may sound like more work, but the more involved the kids are in the kitchen, the more likely they are to eat and enjoy the food. Inviting children to help prepare and cook food, encourages them to make nutrient-dense choices. It also helps them develop a sense of autonomy as they explore how to put foods together in ways they will enjoy. Plus, it’s a great way to get picky eaters to try new or previously rejected foods.
Try Batch Prepping
Batch-prepping food doesn’t have to mean a whole day in the kitchen. You
can choose one or two things and prepare them ahead to make mornings easier. This advance planning reduces the mental load of deciding what the kids should eat in the morning when you’re in a hurry. By preparing ahead, you can have nutritious meals at the ready.
Make Things Portable
Some days feel too busy to sit and eat a meal, even if you prepared it ahead. That’s where grab-and-go options save the day. With breakfast being an important part of starting the day strong, having foods kids can eat on the way to school is helpful. By preparing foods like smoothies and cereal bars, your kids can get a nutritious breakfast even on the busiest days.
TRY THESE QUICK AND NUTRITIOUS RECIPES
Blueberry Blast Smoothie
Recipe makes 2.5 8oz servings
Ingredients:
1 cup Silk Unsweet Almondmilk
1/2 cup Silk Plain Soymilk
Dairy-free Yogurt Alternative
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
2 Tbsp rolled oats
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1-2 Tbsp Blue Butterfly pea powder (optional)
Garnish: Sliced kiwi and coconut flakes (optional)
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender, blend until smooth, serve, and enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Super Strawberries & Cream Cereal Bar
Recipe makes 12 bars
Ingredients:
For the bar:
3/4 cup nut butter
1/3 cup honey
3 and 1/2 cup whole grain cereal
1/2 cup shelled, unsalted sunflower seeds
1 cup freeze-dried or fresh strawberries
For the topping:
1/4 cup Silk Unsweet Vanilla
Almondmilk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup plain yogurt
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the whole grain cereal, sunflower seeds, and freeze-dried strawberries until evenly dispersed and set aside.
In a smaller bowl, mix together the nut butter and honey until well combined.
Add the nut butter and honey mixture to the larger bowl making sure that your dry mixture is coated evenly with the nut butter/honey mixture.
Press the mixture into a square baking pan until it is packed tight and set aside.
To make the topping combine yogurt and almondmilk in a small bowl. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until well combined.
Top the cereal bar with the mixture and freeze for about 1-2 hours or until the bars have fully set, slice into squares, serve, and enjoy!
Amazing Apple Overnight Oats
Recipe makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
For the oats:
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup Silk Protein Original
Almondmilk or Original Soymilk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp ground flaxseed
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp Silk Plain Soymilk
Dairy-free Yogurt Alternative
For the apples:
1/2 of a medium apple, chopped
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Apple pie spice - combine 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon, 1 and 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 3/4 tsp ground all spice and 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
Directions:
In a small bowl combine the chopped apples, lemon juice, and apple pie spice.
Pour the apple mixture into a pan and cook until soft (about 5-6 minutes) over medium-low heat then set aside.
Add the oats, Silk Protein Almondmilk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, flaxseed, cinnamon, and yogurt to an 8oz mason jar or container of your choice and mix thoroughly.
Add the apples to the mason jar with the oats and mix until everything is well combined.
Cover the mason jars with lids and refrigerate overnight (or a minimum of 4 hrs).
Remove, top with additional apples or other toppings of choice, serve, and enjoy!
In a small bowl, mix the partially thawed frozen berries with the chia seeds and mash using a fork to get your desired consistency, set aside for about 5 minutes.
While the jam is setting you can make your fruit skewer with the fresh berries to look like an arrow.
In another small bowl, combine the yogurt and the honey.
Next, in an 8oz mason jar or other container, spoon about 1/3 of the yogurt mixture into the bottom of the jar then top with a layer of berry jam, alternating until the jar is filled.
Top with any additional toppings of choice, garnish with a fruit skewer, serve immediately, and enjoy!
Daddy Daddy The Track
Hey 2025,
S– by Shannon Carpenter
o, it looks like you and all of us parents will be spending a lot of time together. As that is the case, perhaps we should set some expectations right at the beginning. I mean, COVID is what happens when we don’t properly communicate. Let’s not do that again.
For starters, let’s go over freaking eggs. Some of us parents have teenage boys who eat eggs like they are Rocky and are training for a fight. Honestly, I’m sick of hearing about protein intake to make gains. It’s exhausting, but even more so for my bank account. And did you know those teenagers can also put away a whole loaf of bread and a gallon of milk in, like, a day? Once they invite their friends over, it’s like a swarm of locusts have come through, and it’s a biblical plague. And that barren wasteland is what my grocery budget looks like.
I know it’s too much for us parents to ask for everything to be affordable again. So, can we just get eggs? Throw us a bone here, and I mean that literally. My teenage son and his friends would probably eat that, too.
Next, us parents are willing to negotiate for at least three months of no random family emergencies. No stitches, because our toddlers climbed the fridge, or the car decided that a timing
A Letter to the New Year from Concerned Parents
belt was optional all of a sudden. On behalf of parents, we are just asking for one-quarter of smooth sailing. Give us October through December, and you can go absolutely nuts in the spring. El Nino, hurricane tornados that rip through Lake Superior and cause the price of eggs to go up for some reason. But please, just give us three months of peace and quiet. Now, this brings us to the random kid sickness that comes out of nowhere. There is absolutely no reason any kid should get the flu in the middle of summer. I don’t care if they are playing in garbage bins at school or daycare. Let’s not ruin summer with strep throat or a mysterious rash. Quit trying to make this a thing.
We have also had enough of unboxing videos, please and thank you.
Now we are going to make a big ask. Parents are suffering from decision fatigue. Every day we are asked to decide the big and the small like we are some sort of guru sitting on the top of a mountain. Can I borrow the car? Where are my shoes? Can I eat dirt but not dinner? Parents are so unbelievably tired that we just can’t take it anymore. There was a study not too long ago that said parents make more decisions than there are stars in the sky. Or I just might have made that up because it’s exactly what we feel like. We have to decide what is for breakfast, lunch, and dinner EVERY SINGLE DAY. Forever.
And let’s be honest, half the decisions we are making are completely worthless. Does it matter if we go to our mother-in-law’s house? Asking for a friend. Don’t rat me out, but seriously, do I need to be there inhaling secondhand smoke and being told that I’m not as fat as I used to be? That is a decision that never needed to be made.
Finally, again, on behalf of all parents, let’s talk about the overwhelming parental anxiety. Every single year, there are a host of world issues that seem poised over our heads like the sword of Damocles. Will there ever be another draft? I have a teenage son, and this has been constantly on my mind for the last year. Oh, and then systemic problems like climate change, political unrest, and flamingos. Look, I don’t trust those birds and know that they are plotting something. Looking around like they are spotters during a bank robbery. It’s just not cool.
So yeah, can we go ahead and lessen the amount of anxiety that we all have to go through? Should you give us that one, then 2025 could be a pretty great year.
Sincerely, All Parents.
Shannon Carpenter is the father of three and has been a stay-at-home dad since 2008. He’s the author of the book “Stay-at-Home Dad: Your Essential Manual for Being an Awesome FullTime Father.” as well as the co-host of Dadhouse Pod. In addition to his writing on parenting, he is also a humor writer trained through the famous Second City. And we all know that having a sense of humor is essential to surviving parenthood!
Family Movie Options: In Theaters and Streaming Online
Helm Hammerhand, King of Rohan faces a rebellion from Wulf, anxious to avenge the death of his father and marry Helm’s daughter, Hera. Great valor and loss will result as the fate of Rohan is determined at the gates of the Hornburg. This animated film returns to the world of Middle Earth as created by J.R.R. Tolkien, but it doesn’t stand up to the brilliantly immersive Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Characters are poorly developed, some scenes are derivative, and the animation is surprisingly disappointing
It is time to celebrate the beginning of the New Year with promise and happy expectations! But, before we let go of the old year, it is time for me to share my annual list of the Books that Almost Got Away. The books selected for this year are ones that resonated with my heart and represent books that are unique in their intention, content, and presentation. Practical and applied to adventures in nature or to life in general, these books are ones that I hope resonate with you.
Letters to Kindra (Personally Published, Buffalo, 2024, $12.99) is written by local literacy specialist Rene Brock and is illustrated by her art teacher colleague Lisa Pavlak. Created from the need for a story to inspire friendship, hope, and kindness, Brock tells the imaginative story of Rosie who feels all alone and friendless. While seeking solace under her favorite tree, she notices a small caterpillar squirming along her backpack. And, so begins the story of Kindra and their friendship. During their time together, they discover much about each other and themselves. They discover the importance of kindness, the power of reading and writing, and the healing power of time and patience as they explore nature and the world around them. Through letters Kindra and Rosie write to each other, Rosie learns the importance of friendship and transformation and how letting go can create new possibilities.
The charming illustrations by Pavlak make this story come alive. This is a wonderful book to help set a loving tone for the new year!
hundreds of nature documentaries and programs. His series The Living Planet, narrated by his unique voice, helped to recruit young and old in his efforts to save the flora and fauna of our planet and protect our natural environments on land and in the sea. At the age of 98, he is still an active protector and promoter of our amazing planet. Hayley Rocco has managed to capture the remarkable life and accomplishments of Sir David Attenborough with an economy of words and with the remarkable talent of her husband/illustrator. This balance speaks to the essence and intent of Attenborough’s life’s work and the work that lays before us.
Wild Places (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 2024, $19.99), written by Hayley Rocco and illustrated by Caldecott honoree John Rocco, is the story of the remarkable naturalist David Attenborough. How did a boy from London, England become known around the world for his curiosity and dedication to nature? Born in 1926, when much of our planet was still wild, he began his journey exploring the woods and fields around his home. Perhaps coming from an academic family who encouraged his curiosities and his quest for knowledge about the world around him guided him on his path to becoming the creator of
Snoopy’s Guide to the Great Outdoors (Epic Ink, New York, 2024, $19.99), written by Kristin Mehus-Roe, is a delightful combination of Snoopy’s philosophy and tips and tricks for surviving and thriving in the great outdoors. With Charles Schulz cartoons scattered throughout its pages, this book captures the joys and challenges of camping with humor and with some very practical advice. Photos, lists, pages for journaling, reminders, and recommendations make this the perfect camping guide to becoming a Beagle Scout and you earn merit badges along the way. This book can be read cover to cover, or the reader can select sections or topics to explore. It is a perfect way to engage reluctant readers in reading that has practical suggestions and recommendations while providing some lighthearted humor along the way. Explore and earn merit badges for chapters like “An Outdoor Guide for Ten-
derpaws and Pro Scouts,” “Be a Beagle Scout—Be Prepared,” “Camping 101,” “Outdoor Essentials for Beagle Scouts,” “Safety Smarts,” “Plants and Wildlife,” “Food Fit for a Beagle Scout,” and “Camping with the Gang: Activities for Everyone.” This is a fun read whether you plan to camp or not. But I have a feeling this might just be the book to get you outdoors and exploring nature.
Perhaps the most perfect book to capture the magic and the integration of intention, word crafting, and illustration is my favorite book for 2024, I’m Still Here (Andrews McMeel Publishing, Kansas City, $19.99). It’s written by award winning author Cathryn Michon and exquisitely illustrated by the gifted artist Seth Taylor. Words fail to capture the breathtaking message of this book. This is joyful romp through the time dogs spend as they await the coming of their beloved human. For anyone who has loved and lost a dog (or a pet), this remarkable book is a celebration of that eternal love and the belief that they walk with you, they sleep with you, they dream with you, and they wait to greet you when you are ready to return to them. As Michon says, “You’ll understand that dogs have shorter lives because they’re so much better at joy, which is exhausting, but in a good way. This allows dogs to go first, so that they can guide their humans to the wonders that come when we cross over the bridge.” This is a book you must experience for its heartfelt power and elegance of image. It represents what picture books do best…connect prose, pictures, and the power of
love and life. (It just so happens that the dog featured on the cover is Tucker… the name of my forever friend and companion who I feel sitting next to me as I write.)
2025 is promising to be a most interesting year and there is no doubt that books will reflect this. Let’s keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to welcome the books that will capture the character of this moment in time, as children’s books have done throughout history. Let’s look ahead with optimism as we
reflect on what we have left behind. I look forward to sharing the best that books have to offer in the coming year.
Happy New Year!
Dr. Donna Phillips is an associate professor in the College of Education at Niagara University where her specialty is literacy and children’s literature. She lives on Grand Island, NY and is the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of one.
Money Matters: Great Books for Kids About Money
January is Financial Wellness Month, a good time for parents to consider teaching their kids about money, finance, and related concepts. Here’s a list of some of the very best and recent books for young readers, tweens, and teens. These books will not only make your kids more financially literate, they also set them up for a lifetime of sound financial decision-making.
BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (3-7)
Billy the Borrowing BlueFooted Booby, by Sheila Bair. Albert Whitman and Company, 2023.
This delightful book is written by Sheila Bair, an author who knows a thing or two about money and finance: Ms. Bair is the former Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation!
The story follows Billy, a bluefooted booby (a large, tropical seabird native to the Galapagos Islands), who gets into increasingly more financial trouble for borrowing from his animal friends to satisfy his luxurious lifestyle (an umbrella to relax beneath, a fan to deal with the heat, etc.) This story teaches young kids important lessons about the dangers of accumulating unnecessary debt and the power of compound interest. The book is part of an eight-part series called “Money Tales,” all written by Ms. Blair, which shows young kids how to be financially responsible.
and Finance
How to Spend Wisely, by Kelly Lee. Econ for Kids, 2022.
Written by Kelly Lee, a former investment trader who now devotes her time to raising financial awareness among kids, How to Spend Wisely is about a young hamster named Hank who wants all kinds of things for himself and his family but doesn’t have enough money in his piggy bank to buy all those things at once. Throughout the story, Hank learns important lessons, such as how to tell the difference between needs and wants, save for what really matters, and budget and prioritize with limited money to make good financial decisions. Like Billy the Borrowing Blue-Footed Booby, this book is also part of an eight-part series, called “Little Economists,” that deals with different aspects of financial literacy for young kids.
Wimee Learns About Money, by Stephanie Kammeraad. Zonderkidz, 2024.
This book is inspired by “Wimee’s Words,” a popular PBS show for preschoolers, and is authored by one of the show’s producers and writers, Stephanie Kammeraad. The story follows a lovable robot named Wimee who has received some money from his grandmother and learns various, basic lessons from a man named Mr. Bill. These lessons include understand-
— by Tanni Haas, Ph.
ing that money comes in different forms like metal coins and paper notes, and that money can have different values. Young kids also slightly learn more advanced things like money can be earned or received as a gift, and that money can be used to buy things that one wants now or saved for later.
BOOKS FOR TWEENS (8-12)
Investing for Kids: How to Save, Invest, and Grow Money, by Dylin Redling and Allison Tom, Callisto Kids, 2020.
Written by a husband-and-wife team who retired from their corporate jobs to travel the world and teach kids and adults about sound financial decision-making, this book is specifically geared towards tweens. Featuring “Mr. Finance” and “Investing Woman,” Investing for Kids includes a lot of valuable information, such as the relationship between risks and rewards, different investment options (certificates of deposit, government bonds, individual stocks, mutual funds, and treasury bills), and the importance of diversifying one’s investment portfolio. The information is presented in a kid-friendly manner, with lots of real-world examples.
choices and track performance over time. The book is written by Justine Nelson, the creator of “Debt Free Millennials,” a well-known and popular website and YouTube channel aimed at helping people become more financially literate and responsible.
Priceless Facts about Money, by Mellody Hobson. Candlewick Press, 2024.
For tweens who’re fascinated by the very concept of money, look no further than Priceless Facts about Money – a “New York Times” bestseller. This wide-ranging book covers everything from the precursor to money (bartering), the strange and unusual things that historically have been used as currency around the world (including chocolate, which most kids can probably appreciate), to the emergence of the modern-day banking system and the meaning of the symbols on U.S. bills and why they’re so difficult to counterfeit. It’s written by Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, the first African American-owned mutual fund company in the U.S, who also happens to be married to George Lucas, the legendary Star Wars film director.
BOOKS FOR TEENS (13-18)
Investing for Teens: How to Save, Invest, and Grow Money, by Michelle Hung. Callisto Teens, 2022.
Investing for Kids Activity Book: 65 Activities about Saving, Investing, and Growing Your Money, by Justine Nelson. Callisto Kids, 2022
This companion volume to Investing for Kids features practical exercises and aims to inspire tweens to think more deeply about financial topics and ultimately become more thoughtful and savvy investors. Tweens learn how to assess their investment profile (how risk averse and/or tolerant they are), how they can create investment goals that align with their investment profile, and how to make sound investment
Like Investing for Kids, Investing for Teens is a onestop investment resource, but geared towards teens rather than tweens. It teaches kids how to set financial goals, budget money, and research different investment options. It also includes information about what teens need to do to prepare for a part-time job (like getting a work permit) and how to make sure that their job fits in with in with the rest of their busy lives and doesn’t take over. It even has a section on how to land a great summer job and save money for life after high school. The author, Michelle Hung, is the creator of “The Sassy Investor,” a popular website on investing. continued on page 45
FAMILY TRAVEL
— by Deborah Williams
The Perfect Winter Vacation: Ft. Myers & Sanibel Island
Ft. Myers and its neighboring barrier islands on Florida’s West Coast boast miles of protected waters and beaches, world class shelling, top-rated kayak trails, frolicking dolphins, slow moving manatees, exotic birds, and many parks and refuges.
Thomas Edison, America’s most famous inventor, first came to Fort Myers in 1885 looking for a place to escape the cold northern winters. At the time, Fort Myers was a very small town with a population of 349 people. His arrival heralded a new era in the region’s history as a tourist destination.
The most well-known barrier islands—Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers Beach—have always been most vulnerable to hurricanes and in September 2022, Hurricane Ian hit the islands hard with devastating damage. Many hotels, condos, restaurants, and attractions have been rebuilt or restored and the welcome mat is out for visitors.
Thankfully, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates largely escaped damage, and the lush landscape has returned in all its colorful glory. Start your visit by posing for a photo with the statue of Thomas Edison under his amazingly huge banyan tree that highlights the front of the museum and laboratory area.
tub and was two inches in diameter and four feet high when given by Harvey Firestone and planted by Edison in 1925—100 years ago.
The complex, along the Caloosahatchee River, is a National Register Historic Site and includes their homes, gardens, Edison’s laboratory, and the museum.
The museum has many exhibits on Edison’s life and his most famous project: electric light. Other exhibits revolve around the legacy of Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. Thomas Edison’s 1916 Model T is on display. It was given to him by Ford for his birthday and represents their close friendship.
Edison’s favorite invention was his phonograph that marked the first instance in history that sound could be recorded and played back. It soon became a must-have in many American homes.
Don’t miss the Manatee Park in Fort Myers if you are visiting during the manatee season. Like the snowbirds who fly to the Sunshine State every winter, manatees return each November and usually remain through March. They come from the Gulf of Mexico seeking warmer water.
The tree is the largest banyan tree in the U.S. and the second largest in the world. It was brought from India in a butter
The lineage of manatees goes back 50 million years. A
Sunset on Sanibel Island
Roseate Spoonbills
manatee has a face that only a mother could love. Early sailors must have had more than a few too many rations of rum to believe, as some did, that the manatees were mermaids.
But there is something about a manatee that makes it so endearing and so lovable. They are remarkably gentle and have no known agenda. They just swim, sleep, and eat huge quantities of aquatic plants.
There are truly gentle giants—weighing in at roughly 1,200 pounds, although some can grow as large as a ton and half. Manatees are believed to have evolved from a wading, plant-eating animal and share a common ancestor with the elephant.
The manatee’s biggest enemy is humans with motorboats. Though they are protected by federal and Florida laws, their numbers are declining and they are on the endangered list. Their reproductive rates are very low and there are currently just a couple thousand in Florida.
The park has a paddle craft launch as well as kayak rentals allowing visitors to paddle amidst these amazing creatures.
Crossing over the three-mile Sanibel Causeway is a special experience. There are splendid panoramic views of the area waterways. To the left, the Bay leads out into the Gulf of Mexico and Fort Myers Beach with its high-rise condos and hotels. Fortunately, because of strict zoning and very strong environmental advocates, there are no high rises on Sanibel or Captiva.
Sanibel is celebrating a special 50th Anniversary of a momentous island occasion—the incorporation of the City of Sanibel on November 5, 1974. The city incorporation was the result of a grassroots movement to save Sanibel from overdevelopment. The 13-month salute continues through December 2025.
Long before becoming a city, Sanibel was known around the world as the world’s best shelling spot. Shelling is so popular that the bent-at-the-waist stance one takes when bending over to retrieve a seashell has been dubbed the “Sanibel Stoop.” Island shops sell specialized shell collecting equipment as well as shells from around the world.
The first weekend in March is the 88th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival. This premiere shell show will be March 6, 7, and 8 at the Sanibel Community House. An additional larger show will take place at the same time at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers next to the Sanibel Causeway.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is a truly one-of-akind experience that celebrates the joy and wonder of the islands most valued treasure—seashells. It is the only U.S. museum devoted primarily to shells and mollusks. There are fun activities for families including touch tanks and an interactive scavenger hunt.
It is even possible for the whole family to make shell flowers and other creations Monday mornings at the Sanibel Community Center. All supplies including shells are continued on page 30
Manatees
Shell flowers
Making shell creations
provided and, most importantly, lessons are also given, as well as advice from the many experienced shell crafters who come weekly to make the artistic shell flowers. You can bring your flowers home with a modest donation to help pay for supplies.
The 6,400-acre J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge named in honor of Darling, who was an ardent conservationist and editorial cartoonist, is another must visit attraction. Be sure to stop at the Visitors Center that offers exhibits, a gift shop, and information on guided walks, lectures and other programs.
The 15-mph one-way Wildlife Drive includes hiking and bike trails, overlooks, boardwalks, canoe and kayak launch sites, and there are often refuge volunteers stationed at lookout points with telescopes focused on birds and other wildlife. Some 245 bird species live here. The drive is closed on Fridays.
My yearly visits to Sanibel always include at least one, and often more, Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises with Captiva Cruises. Captiva is connected to Sanibel by a small bridge at Blind Pass. Though they are wild dolphins, sometimes it seems as if they are trained to leap alongside the Lady Chadwick, the double decker boat that plies the waters of Pine Island Sound.
Best of all, everyone is encouraged to cheer and clap when the dolphins are spotted. They seem to love frolicking in the wake of the boat. This experience will likely be the highlight of your visit.
Another favorite cruise is the lunch cruise to Cabbage Key, a speck of land and a step back in time. Here is a Florida that has escaped the developers who have taken over much of the state. The isle is 100 acres of tropical vegetation surrounding the Cabbage Key Inn.
Over the years, it has attracted some of the rich and famous including Ernest Hemingway, Julia Roberts, Walter Cronkite, Sean Connery, and, of course, Jimmy Buffet. His “Cheeseburger in Paradise” song was said to have been inspired by his time here, although other Florida locales make similar claims.
The bar and dining area is covered in signed dollar bills. The decorating trend began in the 1940s when a fisherman pinned a dollar to the bar to ensure he would have drinking money for his next visit. Since then, most visitors sign a dollar bill and add it to the layers that cover the walls and ceilings. The $10,000 or so that flutters to the floor each year goes to charity. A signed dollar from Jimmy Buffet hangs in a frame above the bar.
Biking on Sanibel is one of the most popular activities for the entire family and even four-legged members. There are 22 miles of bike paths and it is easy to bike to the beach, to a restaurant, or to Ding Darling National Refuge where bikers can travel along the four-mile Wildlife Trail. Biking here is quite safe because the bike paths are separated from the road. Bikes of every description and for every need can be rented for the afternoon, the day, or week from Billy’s Bikes.
Travel Tip of the Month: For information on Fort Myers and area islands, go to visitfortmyers.com or call 239-3383500 or 800-237-6444. The Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce has the most up to date list of open businesses. Visit Sanibel-captiva.org or call 239-472-1080.
Captiva Cruises offers an array of cruises including the most popular daily Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises, Cayo Costa Beach & Shelling Cruises, Sunset Cruises, Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, and Boca Grande cruises. Cruises depart from McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva. Visit captivacruises.com or call 239-472-5300.
If you have an E-Z Pass transponder for the New York Thruway, bring it if you will be renting a car. It can be used for crossing the Causeway and you can avoid additional rental car toll fees.
Deborah Williams lives in Holland, NY and is a veteran travel writer whose work has appeared in national and international publications. She is the recipient of the Society of American Travel Writers’ Lowell Thomas Gold Travel Writing Award.
Cabbage
RAISING DIGITAL KIDS
— by Mike Daugherty
Snowy Day Stories: Inspiring Kids to Create with Digital Tools
When winter settles in and outdoor activities become limited, we often look for ways to keep our children engaged indoors. Digital storytelling is an excellent way for kids to explore their creativity, practice writing skills, and express themselves. Using technology, children can craft their own tales, illustrate them with vibrant visuals, and even share them with family and friends. Here are six digital tools and websites that can inspire kids to dive into the world of storytelling.
1. STORYBIRD
What It Is:
Storybird is a user-friendly platform that lets kids create illustrated stories. Kids can choose from a wide array of professional artwork to inspire and complement their writing.
Why Kids Love It:
The abundance of artwork sparks creativity, making it easier for kids to generate story ideas. The application also organizes artwork into themes, which is perfect for guiding young storytellers in choosing the right visuals for their narrative.
How It Works:
Kids start by selecting an image or art series that inspires them. They then write their story around the visuals, dragging and dropping artwork into their digital “book.” The final prod-
uct can be shared online or printed as a keepsake.
Ideal For:
Kids aged 7 and up who want to blend writing with art.
2. PIXTON
What It Is:
Pixton is a comic creation tool that enables kids to tell stories through comic strips or graphic novels.
Why Kids Love It:
Pixton’s drag-and-drop interface makes creating comics simple and fun. Kids can customize characters, settings, and dialogue, transforming their ideas into a dynamic visual narrative.
How It Works:
Users start by designing characters and selecting a background. They then craft dialogue and action by positioning characters in various poses and expressions. The comic can be downloaded or shared digitally.
Ideal For:
Kids who enjoy graphic novels or visual storytelling. It’s particularly appealing for visual learners and reluctant writers.
continued on page 32
RAISING DIGITAL KIDS
3. BOOK CREATOR
What It Is:
Book Creator is a digital book-making platform where kids can combine text, images, and multimedia to produce their own eBooks.
Why Kids Love It:
The app’s flexibility allows kids to integrate videos, audio recordings, and photos, making their stories interactive and unique. Younger kids can dictate their stories, while older ones can type or handwrite their narratives.
How It Works:
Kids create a new book by selecting a template or starting from scratch. They can add text boxes, images, and even record themselves narrating parts of the story. Completed books can be shared as PDFs or interactive eBooks.
Ideal For:
Aspiring authors who want to explore multimedia storytelling.
4. CANVA
What It Is:
Canva is a graphic design tool that offers templates for creating storybooks, comic strips, and presentations.
Why Kids Love It:
With its vast library of templates, fonts, and illustrations, Canva makes designing a polished storybook easy. Kids enjoy the professional look of their finished projects, and parents love how it builds design and storytelling skills.
How It Works:
Kids start by choosing a storybook or comic template. They can then customize it with their text, images, and illustrations
from Canva’s library. The completed story can be downloaded as a PDF or printed.
Ideal For:
Older kids and teens who want a sophisticated platform for their storytelling projects.
5. SCRATCH
What It Is:
Scratch is a coding platform developed by MIT that enables kids to create interactive stories, animations, and games. I’ve mentioned this site before in previous columns because I’m a huge proponent of what Scratch has to offer.
Why Kids Love It:
It combines storytelling with basic programming, offering endless possibilities to bring characters and plots to life. Kids enjoy the hands-on creativity of designing not just the story, but also how it unfolds interactively.
How It Works:
Using Scratch’s block-based coding system, kids can create scenes, program character movements, and even add sound effects or voiceovers. For example, a character might move through a series of events based on the choices the “reader” makes.
Ideal For:
Tech-savvy kids who want to add an interactive twist to their storytelling. Check out Scratch Jr. for younger kiddos.
6. TOONTASTIC 3D
What It Is:
Toontastic 3D is a storytelling app by Google that lets kids animate their own stories.
Why Kids Love It:
The app’s vibrant graphics and intuitive interface make storytelling fun and accessible. Kids can design characters, record their voiceovers, and animate scenes, turning their ideas into mini-movies.
How It Works:
Kids begin by selecting a story template (e.g., short story, classic tale, or science report). They then create characters and settings, animate scenes, and narrate their story in real-time. The final product can be exported as a video.
Ideal For:
Kids aged 6-12 who love animation and want to see their stories come to life.
WHY DIGITAL STORYTELLING MATTERS
Digital storytelling is more than just a creative outlet—it’s an educational tool. Writing stories improves literacy, hones communication skills, and fosters emotional expression. Integrating technology into storytelling can also teach children digital literacy, design principles, and even basic coding skills.
Beyond education, storytelling empowers kids to share their perspectives and ideas. Whether they’re writing about a daring superhero, crafting a whimsical fantasy, or narrating a personal experience, storytelling gives kids a voice.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
1. Encourage Creativity Over Perfection: Focus on the joy of creating, not the polish of the final product. Celebrate their effort and imagination.
2. Get Involved: Collaborate on a story together. Kids often enjoy sharing the process with a parent or sibling.
3. Set the Scene: Create a cozy environment for storytelling. A warm drink and a dedicated workspace can make the process even more enjoyable.
4. Share Their Stories: Print their books, share them digitally, or hold a family storytelling night. Giving kids an audience for their work can boost their confidence.
5. Explore Together: Use these platforms alongside your child. It’s a great way to bond and learn about their interests.
Digital storytelling is a wonderful winter activity that blends creativity, technology, and education. By providing the right tools and a little encouragement, parents can help their kids create captivating stories that they’ll be proud to share. Whether it’s a beautifully illustrated eBook, a comic strip, or an animated short film, the stories your kids create this winter will warm hearts for years to come.
Mike Daugherty is a husband, father of three young children, author, speaker, Google Innovator, and possible Starbucks addict. He is a certified educational technology leader who has served in a variety of roles through his twenty-year career in public education. Currently, Mike is the Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Technology, and Communications for the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School district in Northeast Ohio. As an IT director he has developed creative, well thought out solutions that positively impact teaching and learning. Due to circumstances beyond our control, Western New York Family Magazine will no longer be available at Wegmans stores after March 31, 2025.
Please visit the following locations for your FREEmonthlycopyofWNYFamily:
SINGLE PARENTING
— by Meagan Ruffing
It’s a New Year and a New Start
There are many exciting things to look forward to when January rolls around. It’s the beginning of a new year and the start of many new things. Sometimes, these new things can come when we don’t see them as part of our life plan. Things like a divorce where you start the new year as a single parent. Ooof. That can be hard even if it was amicable. Even when the new year comes, starting over can be a little scary. When I started 2020 as a single mom, I had no clue what resolutions I wanted to make. I just wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. Can I tell you that five years later, I am happy and healthy and so are my kids? If you find yourself in this new position of being a single parent, I would love to share some of my helpful tips with you as you begin the new year.
I was fortunate enough to have my kids the first time I rang in the New Year as a single woman, and yet, I felt so much pressure to make sure my kids had a good time because I felt so bad about them not having a traditional family anymore. Thankfully, a friend of mine invited us over to join in their festivities and even had matching monogrammed pajamas waiting for me. I felt extremely loved and cared for.
1. LET PEOPLE LOVE YOU.
You don’t have to say yes to every invite you get but be mindful of saying no too often and not allowing others to help you. Simply put, let people love you and love your kids. You will end up creating a new definition of what family looks like outside of what your tradition-
al view once was. Bonus, your kids will see you being loved on, which will make them feel safe.
2. DATE YOURSELF INSTEAD.
This is still one of my favorite things to do. Learn as much as possible about yourself in this New Year and create a bucket list of things you’ve always wanted to do. Try new things and don’t be afraid to do something you might end up hating. It’s okay to get out into the world and not enjoy everything. But you may end up discovering a plethora of new hobbies that make you thankful for the space and time to be able to date yourself instead.
3. INVEST IN YOUR KIDS.
I was so worried about my kids missing out on not having their dad and I in one home that I almost missed out on the gift of strengthening the relationship that I had built so many years to create. I stopped worrying about what I thought they weren’t getting and started to be grateful for what we had with each other; a bond that was stronger than ever.
4. REST.
There were so many nights, weeks, months, and even years that I tried to make sense of things that just didn’t make sense. There were many times when I relied on the strength of my friends and family to help me figure out the next small step. When you’re di-
vorced, that’s when the real fatigue can kick in. Your mind and body will find a new rhythm of normalcy that may start to feel safe. When you feel safe, your fight and flight responses will decrease, and you will start to feel things again. One of those things will be your body beginning to relax and craving rest. Allow yourself the space to be able to renew what’s been weary for so long. It’s a new year and a new start.
5. TAKE TIME TO GRIEVE.
Grief is fluid which means you can be angry one minute and sad the next. It means you can be in denial about what’s transpired and, by the end of the day, accept what was never supposed to happen. The clients I see in therapy often don’t realize that what they are feeling is part of the grief cycle. When I teach them the words that help them identify the parts of themselves that are coming forward to mourn the loss of something, they feel better equipped to start the process of healing.
Don’t let this New Year fly by without giving yourself the gift of these five things. 2025 will fly by and the next New Year will be here before you know it. Let the next 12 months be an exciting time for you to flourish.
Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist, mental health therapist, and single mom who tries to do her best each day. She doesn’t always get things right but continually strives to do better.
13. Visit a laser tag venue.
14. Go to the bowling alley. In our town, the bowling alley offers an affordable package that includes two games of bowling, shoe rental, pizza and a drink. Just show up with a cake or sweet treat for the end.
15. Scale the highest heights at an indoor rock climbing center.
16. Celebrate at a mini golf venue.
17. Try a martial arts studio, where kids can play games and learn age-appropriate skills.
18. Go roller skating at a roller rink.
19. Jump over to a trampoline park.
20. What about the Humane Society or a cat cafe? When my daughter turned ten, she took five friends to our local cat cafe. We paid an hourly fee to visit and play with adoptable cats, then came home to celebrate with dessert. Don’t forget to check for allergies first!
21. Have the party at a bounce house or inflatables venue.
22. Gymnastics clubs and gyms let you rent their space so kids can run, jump, and play to their heart’s content.
23. Try an ice skating party. Many ice rinks offer party rooms and packages that include skate rentals and public skating for every child. (In my experience, this party idea is suited for older kids who can already skate or have fun trying.)
24. Book a group session at a paint-n-take studio.
25. Celebrate at any indoor play place, such as those found at play cafes or fast food restaurants.
Finally, perhaps you are able to have a party at home, but are just too worried that your house isn’t big enough or exciting enough. In my experience, some of the best (and cheapest) birthday parties I ever hosted were in our home. The home parties pleased kids and parents alike!
So, consider these great options when thinking about where to hold your child’s next birthday party. Any of these 25 amazing locations are sure to please.
Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who celebrates her imperfections on her blog Experienced Bad Mom.
Thursday, April 10 June
June 10
May 9 July
TWEENS & TEENS
— by Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
Teaching Your Teen How To Drive Safely
January is Teen Driving Awareness Month, a great occasion to consider what parents can do to help their teens stay safe behind the wheel. Parents often like to supplement their teens’ official driving lessons with their own lessons, and that’s a great idea. Studies show that teens who receive additional driving instruction from their parents have fewer accidents than teens who don’t get any extra help. What can parents do to ensure that their teens get the most out of their time together in the car? Here’s what the experts say:
Let Them
Take The Lead
Once you’ve told your teens that you’re willing to give them driving lessons, back off a bit and don’t push the issue. “If your teen isn’t driving you crazy about teaching her to drive,” says Car-
leton Kendrick, a family therapist who works with teens, “she’s probably too nervous to begin the process.” Wait patiently until they’re ready for your help. As Wayne Parker, a certified life coach and author of Power Dads, puts it, “an overly anxious teen driver can be a dangerous thing.”
Talk Before You Get Into The Car
Even when your teens say they’re ready to learn how to drive, it’s likely that they’ve heard horror stories in the news or from their friends that are making them scared. Nicole Runyon, a social worker who deals with teens, suggests that parents “create a calm and peaceful space for them to talk.” Try to alleviate any fears by listening carefully and reassuring them that you’ll support and help them become competent and safe drivers.
Give Them
Advance Warning
Give them some advance warning when you’re ready for the first lesson. Talk with them about, as Mr. Parker puts it, “where you’re going and what you’re going to do.” Teens don’t like surprises, especially from their parents. Get together to plan the route and the skills you’ll be working. It’ll put you on a more equal footing.
Treat Them Like Adults
Teens like to be treated as adults. That includes when they’re learning how to drive. Ms. Kendrick says that parents should avoid talking down to their teens, making any negative comments, or treating them like little chil-
dren. She suggests that parents “praise specific progress and improvement, while offering non-judgmental, optimistic, and encouraging words.” The goal is to make your teens more aware drivers, not to make them feel shamed or judged.
Another way to guide your teens is to ask them questions instead of giving commands. Instead of saying slow down or “you’re going to get a speeding ticket,” Mr. Parker suggests asking “what’s the speed limit here?” Studies show that teens whose parents ask questions rather than make critical statements get into fewer accidents.
Put Yourself In Their Shoes
Studies also show that many parents focus their instruction more on skills that they had difficulty mastering when they themselves learned how to drive than on the skills that best prevent teen accidents. Instead of spending much of your time teaching your teens how to parallel park (a maneuver that can make many parents break into a sweat), focus
on skills like how to safely merge on and off highways, which is in fact a major source of teen accidents.
Stay Calm
It can be stressful teaching your teens how to drive, but don’t show it. Ms. Kendrick encourages parents to hand over the reins to someone else if they can’t keep their “anxiety in check and it’s turning the teaching experience into a tension-filled meltdown zone.”
Try to stay calm, even if your teens are creating the tension in the car. “Just roll with it,” says Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa, a
professor of public health and expert on vehicle injury prevention. Studies show that when the atmosphere is tense, parents offer less constructive feedback and even less feedback that’s focused on safety.
Be A Good Role Model
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. AND
All kids, including teens, learn more from what they watch their parents do than from anything parents tell them. Be a good role model and drive safely when you’re in the driver’s seat and your teens are the passengers. Jen Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Report’s Auto Test Center, puts it well: “The example you set for them behind the wheel may be the most important in terms of actually keeping them safe, more so than any other safety message you’ve given them in their entire life.”
PDEAR TEACHER
– by Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts
Helping all parents make their children’s educational experience as successful as possible
UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT APPROACH TO MATHEMATICS
arents: Yikes, did you have problems during the Pandemic helping your children with their math? Are you still baffled when it comes to giving them a hand with math homework? If so, you are definitely not alone. This is because the way of doing math, even simple arithmetic problems, that is now being taught in schools is definitely not the way you learned math.
If you were in school in the 80s and 90s, there was a strong focus on memorizing math facts and formulas to solve problems. It is quite likely that you really didn’t understand what you were doing even if you got the right answer. For example, you could solve a multiplication problem because you had memorized the multiplication tables. And you could solve a geometry problem because you had learned the square of the hypotenuse was equal to the sum of the squares of the two sides of a triangle.
This new math curriculum appeared in 2010 as part of the Common Core Standards and was adopted by most states making the study of math close to the same for each grade level. The idea behind it was to give students a better idea of mathematical concepts. It was to give them the problem-solving skills necessary to handle college math and workforce required math. And it focused on mastering fewer topics each year.
An important aim was to raise the math scores of American students which compare very unfavorably with those of students in other countries. Unfortunately, the Common Core curriculum hasn’t been successful in this goal. In 2023, our
students ranked 26th in math in comparison with 81 international school systems. This is just a bit better than our 29th ranking in 2018.
A LOOK AT SOLVING MATH PROBLEMS USING COMMON CORE MATH
As you know, solving math problems now looks quite different. Many are solved by drawing them out or using manipulatives. This helps students see the how and why of math solutions. Then there are the new ways of handling such basic operations as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
For example, you probably handled double-digit addition by writing one number on top of the other and using the basic math facts you had memorized to solve the problem. With new math, you might approach adding 23 + 35 in this way:
• You split the number using place value and writing out the 10’s place 20 + 30 = 50.
• Next, you add the one’s place value by writing 3 + 5 = 8.
• Then the two answers are added together 50 + 8 = 58.
Not only has the problem been solved, an understanding of place value has developed.
Subtraction problems are often solved by testing what number needs to be added to the smaller number to get the larger number. And for multiplication problem solutions, rows and columns are used to give students a picture of the problem. 4 x 5 can be shown as four rows of 5 objects.
Now while helping your child with basic arithmetic problems like this, you can show him or her how you get the answer in the way you were taught; however, this will likely confuse the child even though you have the right answer when the child goes back to school to the new math. So, what is the answer if your child needs some help from you with math. Simply, go online and you will find loads of videos explaining how different mathematical operations are done using the new math. You will see online that many parents are frustrated trying to understand the new math.
If you want to prepare your young children for this new math or help children in the early grades get a better understanding of it, visit our Dear Teacher website where we have two books full of games and explanations.
We do have to tell you that not all teachers or math experts are sold on the new math. In the early grades, many problems are word problems, and children do not always have the reading skills to understand them. Many mathematicians also think children need to develop computational skills before they can understand math concepts. There is also the problem that not all teachers have received sufficient training in how to teach Common Core math.
As of April 2020, 45 states had adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for mathematics, but 24 of those states had revised, repealed, or edited parts of the standards. Arizona, Oklahoma, Indiana, and South Carolina have completely withdrawn from the standards. Other states, like Missouri, have replaced the standards with ones that better suit their students’ needs.
Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher. com and visit the dearteacher.com website to learn more about helping their children succeed in school.
— by Pam Moore
EVERY SUCCESSFUL FITNESS JOURNEY STARTS WITH THESE 3 STEPS
If you’re like most people, January finds you energized and ready to do anything necessary to start a new fitness routine in the new year. And if you’re like most people, by February, your motivation vanishes along with the cookies you swore you wouldn’t eat. Studies show only four percent of people who join a gym in January step foot in that gym in February.
If you are one of the many who wanted this year to be different, there’s no way around it. You’re going to have to work for it. But there are three things you can do before you even lace up your sneakers to lay a foundation for success.
1. FIND YOUR WHY
You’d be surprised how easy it is to figure out how you’re going to commit to your fitness journey when you know why you embarked on the mission in the first place. Ask yourself why you want to get in shape. Then ask again. And again… Maybe even once again. You’ll know when you’re done. Once you get over the awkwardness of having a conversation with yourself, you might be surprised how powerful your “why” is. The conversation might go something like this:
Why do you want to get fit?
Because I want my jeans to fit better.
Why do you want your jeans to fit better?
So I can feel good about myself.
Why do you want to feel good about yourself?
Because I want to be confident.
Why do you want to be confident?
I want to be a role model for my daughters.
OR MAYBE IT WILL GO SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
Why do you want to get fit?
Because my doctor said I’m pre-diabetic and I want to live a long, healthy life
Why do you want to live a long, healthy life?
Because I want to see my kids grow up.
Why do you want to see your kids grow up?
Because I love them and I want to share in their joys, sorrows, and adventures.
Or maybe it will sound more like this:
Why do you want to be fit?
Because I want to try my first triathlon.
Why do you want to do a triathlon?
To see if I have the strength and endurance to do it.
EVERY SUCCESSFUL FITNESS JOURNEY
STARTS
WITH THESE 3 STEPS continued...
Why do you want to see if you have the strength and endurance to do it?
Because if I can finish a triathlon, I can do anything I set my mind to.
It may not be easy to keep peeling back the layers on your “why.” But the cliché is true— nothing worthwhile is easy. Once you’re crystal clear about the source of your desire, it becomes a million times easier to say no to the snooze button or girls night, and say yes to your workout—and yourself— instead.
2. HAVE A MEASURABLE GOAL
Fitness goals must be objective and measurable. In other words, you should be able to attach numbers and dates to them.
If you have a weight loss goal, make sure it includes a number of pounds and a date. “Lose weight” becomes a long-term goal of “Lose twenty pounds by December 31st.” Once you have a long-term goal, add a few short-term goals to keep you motivated and to provide benchmarks of your progress.
Short-term goals might be:
• Lose two pounds by February first.
• Lose ten pounds by June first.
Say your goal is to complete an event, such as your first triathlon. “I will finish a triathlon” is a measurable, objective goal, for sure. But making it as specific as possible optimizes your chance for success. Choose a specific race, put it in on your calendar, and “finish a triathlon” becomes a long-term goal of “complete the local sprint triathlon, which requires a 300-yard pool swim, a 10-mile bike ride, and a 5k run, on August 14th.”
I love fitness. As an Ironman triathlete, an avid runner, a running coach, a spin instructor and an all-around fitness geek, it’s fair to say I am obsessed with fitness. But I can’t support a goal of simply “getting fit.” The same goes for “getting in shape” or “toning up.”
Short-term goals might be:
• Swim 50 yards without stopping by February first.
• Bike eight miles and run one mile immediately after without stopping by June first.
Thinking of your fitness goal in measurable terms lets you
determine where you need to be each month, each week, and each day to achieve it.
3. SCHEDULE YOUR WORKOUTS
“A failure to plan is a plan to fail.” Benjamin Franklin knew this was true way before we dreamed of holding tiny computers with calendars, alarm clocks, and timers in the palms of our hands. As all successful people know, what gets on the calendar gets accomplished.
Treat your workout time as you would any other appointment. Create an event on your Outlook or Google calendar, pencil it into your planner, or create an alert on your phone 20 minutes in advance. Do whatever works for you to carve out the time.
If you’re having trouble keeping your workout appointments, try a different approach. In her book, Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives, author and happiness expert Gretchen Rubin classifies most people as what she calls “obligers.” Obligers find it much easier to follow through on a commitment to a friend, than to themselves. While most of us would easily hit snooze and skip the 7am spin class, we’d never stand up the friend we promised to meet at the gym. There’s no shame relying on external accountability to help establish a new habit. You could start by:
• Finding a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to work out with.
• Attending classes at a group fitness studio with a strict cancellation policy. It’s hard to skip a workout you’ve already paid for
• Joining a group fitness studio, running club, cycling club, masters swim team or hiking group for the community aspect. You won’t want to deal with the FOMO when you skip a workout.
• Becoming a member of an online accountability group. Or, gather your like-minded friends and create one yourself.
• Hiring a personal trainer.
Before you give up on fitness—or better yet, before you buy that fancy workout tracker and the pricey yoga pants—ask yourself the hard questions. Being honest with yourself about your fitness goals will pay dividends over the long haul as far as keeping you on your fitness path. Because once you know your Why, your What, and your When, the question of How becomes a whole lot easier to answer.
This article was originally published on NuGlow Pam Moore is an award-winning freelance writer, intuitive eating coach, and host of the Real Fit podcast. Get her free guide to improving your body image at pam-moore.com
Like other children in the neighborhood, Alan, a 9-year-old youngster, enjoys playing in the snow and sledding down small slopes near his home. When winter arrives, outdoor activities are a favorite of all children in Western New York. A lake near his home held a special attraction for all the children. This was not a problem for other parents of kids in the neighborhood, but for Alan’s mom and dad, they worry. That’s because the family has to use extra precautions to keep their child safe. Alan has been diagnosed with autism.
Carol, a 10-year-old child with special needs, begged to take the family dog, Pepper, for an afternoon walk. Typical of January weather in Western New York, the day was cold and windy. Snow had begun to fall. Near their street, a small lake was covered in a thin sheet of ice which was a favorite place for geese to hover. As Carol and Pepper walked near the edge of the lake, Pepper saw the geese. In an instant, he bounded over the thin ice covering the lake. Wanting to rescue her puppy. Carol ran after him. Weighing about 12 lbs., Pepper had no trouble running on the ice. Carol weighed much more. Carol never thought of ‘what if’ the ice is too thin to support me? Unfortunately, when Pepper came home alone, her parents soon realized their worst fears.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of
conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.
Th ri Advocate
Specia l N eeds Insp ire
P otential Growth Abilit y Strategies Empower Protecting Children With Special Needs in Winter
According to a recent research study, children with ASD are at a substantially increased risk of mortality from unintentional drowning. Families with ASD children should give close supervision near water. Drowning is the No.1 cause of death for autistic kids of all ages due to a behavior known as “elopement,” according to the National Library of Medicine. Elopement is the tendency to wander off, according to the National Library of Medicine. The reason for the elopement is because of an attraction to the way light shines off the water.
Children with autism are often fascinated by water. They feel drawn to the sensory movement the water makes and feels on their skin. In warmer months
of the year, or in an indoor heated pool, swimming and other in-water activities can serve as both exercise and a sensory play activity. They also enjoy the water play with non-autistic children. Sensory play activities can help autistic people who may have trouble processing signals from their senses.
In addition to a nearby body of water, winter weather creates other problems for children with special needs. They do not understand ‘cause and effect.’ Such as ‘if I do this—this will happen.’ They often make immature choices which result in accidents or even a tragic outcome. Children may not understand the danger of frostbite and wearing protective shoes and clothing to play in the snow that is common to Western New York. Parents must give extra supervision to these children during winter. Especially, being watchful so they don’t wander into unsupervised areas.
If you have neighbors who live nearby, ask them to be aware of children playing in snow and ice. Ask them to be on the look-out for your child with special needs.
One skill all children need to know is how to swim, or at least float on their back. Children with special needs should be taught this skill at an early age, if possible. Ask a local club about a swim instructor especially trained to work with children with special needs.
HELPING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS STAY WARM IN WINTER
When the temperatures drop and snow and ice are on the ground, adults want to stay indoors by a cozy fireplace. But children want to play outside in the snow and cold. Children with special needs are no different. And children who have autism need extra supervision for outdoor play before they develop hypothermia—the condition of having an abnormally low body temperature. Keep your child safe and protected by using these cold weather safety tips:
• Dress youngsters in layers. As their body temperature warms up, they can remove clothes one layer at a time to remain comfortable.
• When playing outside in cold winter weather, insist that children wear hats or a hooded jacket. Most body heat is lost through the head.
• Remove shoes, socks, and boots as soon as they become wet. Provide waterproof boots for children.
• Discourage snowball fights. Snowballs are blamed for too many injuries, especially to the face and eyes.
• Teach children to sit up or kneel on a sled rather than lying on it. Reclining on a sled and going downhill head-first increases the risk of head, spine, and abdominal injuries.
• Apply sunscreen even on cold days. Sunburn can still happen even on cold days, especially when reflected off the snow.
• Call children inside frequently to change to dry shoes. Provide healthy snacks and warm drinks.
Carolyn Tomlin lives in Jackson, TN and has a
January 3rd
January 14th
WHAT IS A BIRTH DEFECT?
A birth defect is a problem with how a baby’s body parts form or how they work. The baby is born with the problem, but it might not be recognized until later. Sometimes the problem is inherited (passed down in families). Often the cause is not known.
January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month WellnessChoices
Some birth defects (also called congenital disorders or congenital anomalies) are mild and don’t need any treatment. Others can be serious and require lifelong treatment.
WHAT TYPES OF BIRTH DEFECTS ARE THERE?
There are many types of birth defects such as:
• heart problems such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great arteries, and tetralogy of Fallot
• spina bifida
• orofacial cleft
• clubfoot
• Down syndrome
• hemophilia
• congenital dislocated hip
• Tay-Sachs disease
• phenylketonuria (PKU), which affects the way the body processes protein
• fetal alcohol syndrome
HOW ARE BIRTH DEFECTS DIAGNOSED?
Birth defects usually are found through genetic testing done on small samples of blood or saliva (spit). Tests can be done before a baby is born, right after the birth (such as newborn screening), or later.
During pregnancy, genetic testing can also be done on amniotic fluid (through amniocentesis) or the placenta (through chorionic villus sampling). Genetic testing can also be done as a part of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The embryo can be tested before it is put into the uterus.
Prenatal Testing
Prenatal tests are done before the baby is born. During routine prenatal care, blood tests and ultrasounds are done to see if a baby could have a birth defect. If the results are concerning, parents may decide to have more testing.
Newborn Screening
Newborn screening tests on babies look for some kinds of health problems. These conditions are treatable, so it’s important to find them right away. With the parents’ permission, the baby is tested for PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease, and about 30 other conditions.
Other Testing
Sometimes a birth defect isn’t diagnosed during pregnancy or with newborn screening. If a genetic illness runs in the family or if a baby has symptoms of a genetic illness, parents may decide to get more testing. A genetic counselor can help parents decide what tests would be helpful.
WHY DO BIRTH DEFECTS HAPPEN?
The cause of most of these health problems isn’t known. Some are inherited while others are not. Other causes include:
• a change in the baby’s genes, such as a mutation or extra chromosomes
• some types of medicines taken during pregnancy
• smoking, alcohol, or drug use during pregnancy
• infections during pregnancy (for example, toxoplasmosis or chickenpox)
• chemical exposure during pregnancy (for example, to lead or mercury)
WHAT CAN HELP PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS?
Parents can take steps before and during a pregnancy to help lower the risk of birth defects in newborns, such as:
• taking folic acid supplements
• making sure they don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• getting all recommended immunizations
• only taking medicines that are absolutely needed and that the health care provider says are OK
• avoiding alcohol and drugs
• not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?
If your child is born with a birth defect:
Acknowledge your emotions. You might feel shock, denial, grief, and even anger. Accept those feelings, and talk about them with your spouse/partner and other family members. You also might consider talking to a social worker, counselor, or psychologist.
Celebrate your child. Let yourself enjoy your baby the same way any new parent would — by cuddling and playing, watching for developmental milestones (even if they’re different from those in other children), and sharing your joy with family members and friends. Some parents wonder if they should send birth announcements. This is a personal decision — the fact that your baby has a health problem doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be excited about the new addition to your family.
Learn all you can and get support. Understanding your child’s condition can help you get them the best care possible. Go to your child’s doctors and care team with any questions. Talking with someone who’s been through the same thing also can help. Consider joining a support group — look online or ask your health care provider or a social worker about local groups. You also can find more information and support online at:
• March of Dimes (www.marchofdimes.org)
• The CDC (www.cdc.gov)
Information provided by Nemours Children’s Health through its award-winning Nemours KidsHealth website. For more on this topic, visit KidsHealth.org. Reprinted following Guidelines.
MONEY MATTERS : GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT MONEY AND FINANCE
Money Skills for Teens: Everything a Teenager Should Know About Personal Finance, by Ferne Bowe. Bemberton Publishing, 2023.
While Investing for Teens is about helping teens prepare for a financially secure future, Money Skills for Teens teaches teens how to take care of their personal finances right now. The book includes important, practical information like how to open your first bank account, read your monthly bank statement, avoid financial frauds and scams, and build credit and maintain a good credit score. The book is written by Ferne Bowe, marketing professional, mom of two teens, and author of several books on life skills for teens and young adults.
The Teen Entrepreneur Playbook: Unlock the Secrets of Small Business Success for Young Adults, Melissa Gallant. Etheria Publishing, 2024.
For many teens, their big dream isn’t to find a job or to invest money in any pre-existing businesses, but to start their own business. If that describes your teen, get them a copy of The Teen Entrepreneur Playbook This comprehensive guide includes all the information a budding business owner could possibly want—from how to develop a business plan, conducting market research, and creating a budget and funding the business, to common challenges and mistakes, and the importance of mentors and networking. It even has a chapter about lessons learned by other, successful teen entrepreneurs. The book is written by Melissa Gallant, a successful entrepreneur in her own right who started her first business while still a teen.
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
Cozy, Comforting Recipes to Take On the Cold
If blustery conditions are giving you the blues, come inside from the cold for a winter warmup in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cold-weather favorites that are baked, roasted or slow cooked are usually equal parts easy, delicious and filling, making them perfect solutions for chilly, snowy days.
Add a bit of comfort to your weeknight menu with this Loaded Chicken Bake that’s ready in about half an hour. A short list of ingredients and allowing your oven to do most of the work for you mean it’s ideal for saving time (and money at the grocery store) while still satisfying winter appetites.
Serving as the hearty base is READ German Potato Salad, made with thinly sliced potatoes and bacon in a traditional sweet-piquant dressing. While it’s delicious when served chilled, heated or at room temperature on its own, it can also be the star of the show in family meals.
For another true cent saver, try Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets. This savory side dish highlights the flavors of the season in a recipe that’s as easy to assemble as it is to enjoy with loved ones.
Picked and packed at peak ripeness, antioxidant-rich Aunt Nellie’s beets are pickled with a delicate balance of sweetness and vinegar for a homemade flavor that’s perfect in this roasted side that can accompany winter meals of all sorts. Versatile jarred whole pickled beets are always in season, meaning you can enjoy them chilled, warmed or worked into recipes.
Find more favorite wintertime recipes by visiting READSalads.com and AuntNellies.com.
Loaded Chicken Bake
Recipe courtesy of Hungry In LA Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
2 cans (15 ounces each) READ German Potato Salad
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cups crumbled, cooked bacon
French fried onions (optional), plus additional for serving (optional), divided
Preheat oven to 375º F.
Lightly coat 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread German potato salad evenly in dish. Top evenly with chicken. In small bowl, stir heavy cream, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken.
Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and onions, if desired.
Bake 15 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with additional onions, if desired.
Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Whole Pickled Beets
2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 pound) peeled and cubed (1/2-3/4inch cubes)
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 red onion, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
2 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus additional for garnish
Preheat oven to 400º F. Drain beets. Discard liquid or save for another use. In large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and onion until coated.
Place silicone mat on baking sheet or line with aluminum foil.
Pour contents of bowl onto baking sheet in single layer. Remove rosemary from stems; sprinkle over vegetables. Bake 30 minutes until potatoes are almost tender.
Add beets to baking sheet. Return to oven 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and beginning to brown. Garnish with additional rosemary, if desired.
THE KIDDIE GOUR ME T
Although the restaurant specializes in tacos, with a somewhat limited menu, quite a few unique choices make Taquito Lindo very flavorful and fun. The Kids’ Menu offers three versions of quesadillas for $5 and $8. I ordered the Cheese quesadilla with a side of rice, to partner with my Manjares (hors d’oeuvres) for the main course. Simple and tasty! The other choices are Chicken quesadilla and a side of rice or Carne asada quesadilla and a side of rice. Toppings are extra. There is seating for kids and coloring book entertainment.
— by Barbara Blackburn
Taquito Lindo
5481 Sheridan Drive Williamsville, NY 14221
716-276-8064
taquitolindousa.com
While waiting for our food in this cheerily decorated restaurant, we read about its history: they say it’s one of love since its first location opened in 2021. We would agree that this family-owned taco shop combines the traditional vibrant colors, flavors, and recipes from different regions in Mexico with a modern ambiance.
As I previously said, I ordered a manjare: Avocado Fries, served with chipotle mayo ($12.00). Of course, I shared them with Dad, and we both agreed they were excellent. This side of the menu called Todo Lo Demas, or Everything Else, offers items I have not seen in the standard Mexican restaurant. I want to try the Fried Artichoke Bites, served with a honey chipotle dip ($10). Also on this part of the menu is Paleta de arrachera: Flank steak stuffed with provolone, sun dried tomatoes and spinach, served with a serrano chimichurri salsa ($15.00). What made the avocado fries so good was the perfectly fried batter covering the fresh avocado chunks.
Dad ordered the special 3 Tacos for $15.00, which he praised. Since it was Friday, he was able to choose the available Fish Tacos, beer battered tilapia with pico de gallo and mustard, plus an avocado cream sauce. Choice number two was the Cilantro-Lime—marinated chicken with pico de gallo and
avocado, plus salsa. I was happy to find enough cilantro. Pork Belly was choice number three. This pork wore a maple chipotle glaze and was served with chipotle coleslaw and pickled onion. Let us say that these meaty tacos were muy bueno (very good). Since I lean a little to the vegetarian side, I might have chosen the Veggies choice: Fried artichoke served with red onions and cilantro, topped with a mild avocado salsa.
Not a taco lover? You won’t be disappointed; choose an adult Quesadilla ($16), Burrito ($17), or a Rice Bowl ($17.00). The famous taco entree, named Birria, served only on Wednesday, tastily combines braised chuck roast and short rib cooked in a chili tomato stew. The eight taco choices are presented well, I would assume from what I saw being enjoyed at other tables. If you want a side of beans or a side of rice, it’s $3.00.
There are three desserts on the menu: Churros ($5.00), Churros with ice cream ($6.00), or Fried Cheesecake Changa ($8.00). When we were there, the kitchen did a masterful job of deep frying, without overcooking or undercooking.
We discovered Taquito Lindo while shopping at Williamsville Place, and we also discovered with the limited menu that sometimes less is more. Quality reigns here. We would be remiss to not mention the special drinks, particularly those with a South of the border inspiration, Buen provecho—Enjoy your food!
Barb has been happily doing the Kiddie Gourmet for over 35 years. She has two aging children and four grandchildren, all living in Florida. She is a home instructor and community education cooking instructor for Williamsville Central Schools. She is the 2023 recipient of the Buffalo State Alumni Association Senior Service Award.
Whether at home or in the car on a road trip, Would You Rather? questions can strike up some fun conversations .
Would you rather be a doctor for people or a veterinarian?
Would you rather live somewhere that was hot all the time or cold all the time?
Would you rather do the cooking or the cleaning?
Would you rather be very smart or very athletic?
*Source – familyeducation.com Here are some QUESTIONS you can ask your child!
