January 2024

VOLUME 40, #11 JANUARY 2024

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2 WNY Family January 2024

January 2024 • Volume 40 • Issue 11

OWNER/PUBLISHER Paul M. Kline ADVERTISING SALES Paul M. Kline

Where It’s At! Let’s Party!

EDITOR & CONSULTANT Michele Miller ADVERTISING DESIGN Karen Wawszczyk MAGAZINE LAYOUT/DESIGN Michelle Richter CONTRIBUTORS Barbara Blackburn • Donna Phillips Shannon Carpenter • Deborah Williams Kathy Lundquist • Mike Daugherty Meagan Ruffing

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Visit Our Web Site www.wnyfamilymagazine.com To Reach Us: Advertising Department advertising@wnyfamilymagazine.com Calendar Submissions calendar@wnyfamilymagazine.com Subscriptions subscriptions@wnyfamilymagazine.com Editorial Submissions editor@wnyfamilymagazine.com MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1573 Buffalo, NY 14225 Phone: (716) 836-3486 PRINTED BY: Commercial Printing Division The Post-Journal, Jamestown

Features:

Creating Unforgettable Memories: A Guide to Making a First Birthday Extra Special

by Rebecca Hastings 8 n May the Fourth Be with You: Host an Epic Star Wars Party

by Cherie Gough 10 n Eight Sweet Sixteen Party Themes

by Pam Molnar 12 n 10 Fantastic Birthday Party Gifts for $20 or Less

by Rebecca Hastings 18 n 6 Ways to Help Your Kids Set and Achieve Goals

by Rebecca Hastings 6n

CIRCULATION (copies printed): 20,000

25 n

IF YOU MOVE: Missed issues will not be replaced if we do not receive an address change before issue mailing date.

32 n Single Parenting It’s a New Year: How to Get Your Spark Back

by Meagan Ruffing

33 n Tweens and Teens My New Year’s Resolutions for Parenting Teens

by Cheryl Maguire

39 n The Kiddie Gourmet Christopher’s Family Restaurant

by Barbara Blackburn

20 n Pick of the Literature

by Dr. Donna Phillips

22 n

PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS: MAILED FIRST CLASS, IN AN ENVELOPE SAME DAY ISSUE IS DELIVERED FROM THE PRINTER: $28 one year, $52 two years, $75 three years.

Phone & online orders accepted with credit cards. Gift subscriptions available. Single copies & back issues by mail, $2.50.

30 n Dear Teacher

by Peggy Gisler & Marge Eberts

36 n The Kid Friendly Kitchen A Final Column: Cakes

by Kathy Lundquist

n Web Finds / What’s New In The Kid Biz

WE ARE AN AUDITED PUBLICATION © 2024 Western New York Family, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without permission is strictly prohibited. Inclusion of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement by the publisher.

Fit Family Party Profiles Choosing Childcare Wellness Choices

Regulars: 5

29 n Parent Previews

by Kirsten Hawkes

34 n Special Needs Special Education: Choosing a School for a Just Right Fit

by Julia Garstecki Derkovitz

Directories: 13 n 14 n 26 n 38 n

28 n The Daddy Track Parenting Is About Constant Reinvention

by Shannon Carpenter

Family Travel: Exploring Central Florida’s West Coast

by Deborah Williams Raising Digital Kids - Winter Wonderland: Indoor Activities to Beat the Boredom

by Mike Daugherty You’ll find FREE courtesy copies of WNY Family at all Buffalo area Wegmans and 300 locations including Public Libraries, Doctors’ Offices, Child Care Centers and many of our advertisers.

(Look for us INSIDE Wegmans on the racks where newspapers are sold, even though we are still FREE, or in some stores, on the FREE rack in the store foyer.)

Find this entire issue online at www.wnyfamilymagazine.com January 2024 WNY Family 3

An advertiser can expect a 43% higher readership from larger, full color ads.* But ALL well designed ads should follow these principles to be as effective as possible: ATTENTION Are you talking to me? Good ads should grab the attention of your target customers.

INTEREST Why are you talking to me? Effective advertising helps to generate interest in your product or service among the right people.

DESIRE Nice idea, but do I really need it? Your advertising should create a desire to learn more about the product or service you are promoting.

ACTION What will I have to do? The advertisement should also provide a call to action and tell your customers exactly how and where they can buy your promoted product or service. *Source: Cahners Research

4 WNY Family January 2024

web.finds The holidays are over and winter is definitely in full swing.

Here are a few ideas to keep the kiddos busy and put some fun in any cold, snowy winter day!

POLAR BEAR HANDPRINT CRAFT Colored card stock or construction paper, markers, glue stick, scissors, and some foam sticker snowflakes are all you need to have on hand for your kids to create this polar bear scene. A printable template is available on the site if you enter your email; or draw your own! This would be the perfect craft to make before or after a winter visit to the Buffalo Zoo to see the polar bears! Find the details at simpleeverydaymom.com/polar-bear-handprint-craft/

POPSICLE STICK PENGUIN When we spotted this adorable duo, we just couldn’t resist them! Their headgear makes them especially cute and creative. With bodies made out of popsicle sticks glued together and painted pieces of corrugated cardboard for their “flippers” and white tummies, they take on a 3-dimensional personality! You’ll find a complete tutorial at thejoysharing.com/2019/11/popsicle-stick-penguin-craft.html

TAPE-RESIST WINTER PAINTING This craft can be used with toddlers — with some prep from a parent to create the snowflakes and trees out of removable painter’s tape — or older kids who can create their own taped designs. Canvas painting boards work best (found on Amazon or at your local craft store) for easy tape removal. Blue and white washable paints were used in this example, and mixed at times to provide different shading. Little ones can paint with a brush or their hands. Let dry overnight and gently peel away the tape for your finished design. All the details can be found at mommysbundle.com/winter-kids-arttape-resist-snowflakepainting/

WINTER HATS Quick and easy, these colorful winter hats can be made by almost any age. A printable template is offered on the site, but it’s pretty easy to draw your own. Color with markers, crayons, or colored pencils, using shading to get different textures, or add a few stripes. The only limit is your child’s imagination!

Cut them out and then glue on the pom-poms with some school glue and let dry. String them to hang if you choose. A full tutorial can be found at easypeasyandfun.com/winter-hats-craft-for-kids/

What’s New...

IN THE KIDBIZ

CHILDHOOD MILESTONES Children grow up so fast, milestones seem to fly past in the blink of an eye. Although kids don’t come with an instruction manual, there are some pretty cool facts surrounding a child’s development.

• Although child development follows certain patterns, each child develops at their own pace. A child’s development may be influenced by genetics, environmental factors, nutrition, and even parenting.

• Children actually develop from the inside out, starting with large muscle groups and systems at the center of the body. Then growth and progress get started on smaller physiological systems.

• Babies are actually born a little underdeveloped when delivered.

This is because there is only so much room in a woman’s womb.

So, the first weeks of a newborn’s life, are kind of considered a “fourth trimester.”

• Language is the most difficult thing a child must learn in their early development. It is also the most common skill that children fall behind on in early development.

• Children develop their language skills in four distinct stages.

First, babies babble, then toddlers use single words, then a few words, and finally young kids are able to string along multiple words and sentences together.

• Babies who are spoken to often by their parents typically know 300 more words than their peers, by the age of 2 years old.

• A baby’s language development can be accelerated if a parent makes an effort to respond to a baby’s vocalization more than 80% of the time. Typically, parents respond to a baby 50% to 60% of the time. It may seem like a onesided conversation with a baby, but just because one party responds in ‘goos’ and ‘gaas’ doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating.

• Both babies and young kids have a hard time figuring out and separating background noises from voices speaking. So sometimes, a toddler isn’t ignoring being called, they are just dealing with the challenge of lacking response skills.

— Source: Factinate.com January 2024 WNY Family 5

Creating

Unforgettable Memories:

A Guide to Making a First Birthday Extra Special — by Rebecca Hastings

T

he first birthday is a momentous occasion, marking the end of a busy year for both you and your child. It has been filled with milestones, laughter, and joy. It is only natural to want to celebrate in a way that creates lasting memories for both the child and the entire family.

There are plenty of creative ways to make that first birthday truly special.

The celebration can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. The most important part is that it is something special for you and your little one.

It’s helpful to start with the details of planning and organizing the party.

Think about what kind of party you want to have, whom you’d like to include, and how you want to remember the day. Then you can include other special touches to make it truly memorable for years to come.

Start with a Meaningful Theme Selecting a theme that holds sentimental value or reflects the child’s budding interests adds an extra layer of significance to the celebration. Whether it’s a favorite storybook, a beloved animal, or a whimsical concept, incorporating the theme into decorations, cake design, and party favors creates a cohesive and memorable atmosphere. Some fun ideas are Sesame Street, A Very Hungry Caterpillar, or a rainbow theme that incorporates fun, bright colors.

Create the Invitations Begin the celebration by setting the tone with customized invitations.

Include adorable photos of the birthday 6 WNY Family January 2024

child, a playful theme, and all the essential details. This not only adds a personal touch but also builds anticipation among guests. You can order from an invitation company or make something at an online photo site.

Take a Walk Down Memory Lane Set up a display showcasing photographs and mementos from the first year of your child’s life. This retrospective journey allows guests to appreciate the growth and development while creating an emotional connection to the celebration. It will be incredibly meaningful for you as you put these things together and see how much your child has grown in their first year.

Use Interactive Decorations Transform the party space into something special.

You can buy party sets that include everything you need or you can create something on your own. Remember to create a visually appealing backdrop for photos to capture the special moments.

Capture Every Moment You could hire a professional photographer or assign a dedicated friend or family member to capture candid moments throughout the celebration. Having high-quality photographs ensures

that every precious moment, from the first cake smash to the heartwarming reactions, is preserved for years to come.

Make the Cake Special Choose a cake that incorporates the theme and showcases the child’s name.

You can get this at a bakery, a local grocery store, or make it yourself. The key is that it represents your little one.

Consider a “smash cake” or a large cupcake just for the birthday child, allowing them to explore and enjoy their first taste of cake.

Request Meaningful Gifts Little ones won’t remember the toys they receive for their first birthday, making it the perfect opportunity for meaningful gifts. Encourage guests to bring gifts with sentimental value.

Whether it’s a personalized blanket, a piece of jewelry, or a cherished book, these thoughtful gifts will hold a special place in the family’s heart for years.

Offer Special Party Favors Send guests home with a token of appreciation that reflects the theme and spirit of the celebration. Handcrafted favors, such as personalized cookies, custom-made trinkets, or small plants, add a thoughtful touch. Seed packets are a fun idea. Simply give guests small seed packets with a thank-you note at-

tached. It’s a symbolic gesture of growth and gratitude.

can be a wonderful bedtime story for years to come.

Have a Special Outfit (or two) for the Birthday Child

Baby’s First Artwork: Provide baby-safe, washable paints and let the birthday child create their first piece of artwork. Frame the masterpiece and display it as a meaningful decoration in the nursery.

Dress the birthday child in a special outfit that aligns with the chosen theme or simply stands out. Consider a personalized onesie, a tiny tutu, or a dressy outfit to create adorable photo opportunities throughout the day. And have a backup outfit for inevitable spills and messes that accompany little ones.

Incorporate a Charity Element Teach the importance of giving back by incorporating a charity element into the celebration. Encourage guests to bring a small donation or organize a charitable activity during the party, fostering a sense of community and gratitude.

Create Something Special Include something your guests can do at the party to create a meaningful item to save for your child to remember the day. Some easy ideas include: Personalized Onesie Signing: Have a plain onesie and fabric markers available for guests to sign and leave messages for the birthday child.

Memory Jar: Set up a “memory jar” station where guests can write down their favorite memories or wishes for the birthday child. Collect these notes and seal them in the jar, to be opened on a future birthday.

Time Capsule: Create a time capsule by asking guests to bring small items or notes for the baby. Seal them in a container, and set a date in the future (like the child’s 18th birthday) for its opening.

Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth area with simple props and milestone cards indicating the child’s age. Guests can take pictures with the birthday baby, creating special memories and keepsakes.

Personalized Storybook: Craft a simple storybook using photos of the birthday child and family members. This

Family Handprint Canvas: Have a canvas available for family members to leave their handprints along with a short message. It’s a beautiful representation of the family’s love and growth.

Music Playlist of the Year: Create a playlist featuring songs that have been significant throughout the baby’s first year. Play it during the celebration to evoke memories and create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.

A Grand Finale Consider doing something fun as a grand finale for the festivities. One fun idea is to create a balloon avalanche by filling a net with balloons and releasing them over the birthday child during the party. It’s a simple yet delightful surprise that captures the essence of celebration.

What Matters Most Remember, the key is to keep it personal and focus on the love and joy shared with family and friends. A first birthday is a special milestone, and these simple and meaningful ideas can help create lasting memories without overwhelming the celebration.

Editor’s Note: Use as few or as many of these ideas as you like; don’t feel pressured to create an “extravaganza,” just celebrate this special day in whatever way your budget and busy life allows! You might also buy yourself a gift to celebrate one year of parenthood, especially if this is your first child. Being a newbie parent is a tough job, and you deserve a treat for getting through that first year!

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.

Christ the King School Offering PreK3 - 8th Grade Classes

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• Celebrating 90 years of Rigorous Academic Excellence

• Faith-Based Environment • Tour our campus facilities & classrooms • Meet Teachers, Parents and Students • STREAM School/STREAM Academy • Accredited by Middle States Commission • State-of-the-art Technology Lab • Offers variety of Sports/Arts Extracurriculars

• Tuition Assistance Available • All are welcome 2 Lamarck Dr. | Snyder, NY 14226 839-0473 | www.myctkschool.com

Queen of Heaven School 839 Mill Road I West Seneca 716.674.5206 I www.qofhschool.org

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January 2024 WNY Family 7

— by Cherie Gough

Host an Epic

A

fter putting off fun during the pandemic, we’re ready to make the most of every celebration. Like many, ours is a household of Star Wars lovers. Team up with budding Star Wars fans to create festive family fun for your birthday party theme.

Or use it to celebrate May 4th every year — it’s a fun, unofficial holiday that has become part of our family traditions.

Transform your home into a Star Wars galaxy with these easy tips, including crafts, lunchbox surprises, and games to transform a ho-hum day into a memorable celebration!

Jedi Attire

Form a family alliance by dressing in Star Wars gear, whether it’s pajamas, favorite T-shirts or full costumes.

Ask party guests to wear Star Wars face masks or shirts to make the day special.

Bring outer Space to Your Place

Create a party atmosphere by decorating with red and blue or black and silver. Get creative and use whatever you have on hand. Supplement with Star Wars themed napkins and plates (available at party and discount stores).

8 WNY Family January 2024

Make a playlist of iconic Star Wars music and turn it up full throttle to bring the galactic mood to life.

Place pre-built Star Wars Lego masterpieces around the house.

Anyone working online can choose a Star Wars Zoom background at https://news. disney.com/star-warsvideo-backgroundsavailable. Yes, you can join the virtual world from the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon (and others)!

Mealtime Fun

Awaken the force with Chewbaccashaped hash browns or maple bars for breakfast.

Add a smile to the party kid’s lunchbox with a Star Wars note or riddle. (You’ll find some free downloadable printables at lemonlimeadventures.com/printable-star-warslunch-notes/).

Cook some “Chewie” chicken nug-

gets and Darth “Tater” tots for a fun, easy way to feed your guests.

Check local retailers for Star Wars themed treats such as fruit snacks, crackers, popsicles, and even mac & cheese.

Kids can help make healthy lightsaber snacks: “Sithkebabs” with skewered pieces of fruit like strawberries, pineapple and mango with stormtrooper decorated marshmallows, using a food-safe pen to draw with on the marshmallow.

Or check out https://www.triedandtrueblog.com/lights a b e r- s k e w e r s - f o rmay-the-fourth/ for instructions to make realistic-looking lightsaber skewers with strawberries and green grapes.

Make gingerbread or chocolate chip “Wookie Cookies” with the kids. Recipes and styles vary. Google to find a recipe that suits you best. We liked the one found at https://www.tasteofhome.com/ recipes/wookie-cookies/.

Just for parents: End the evening with Cantina cocktails — Make them Imperial blue (using Curacao) or Rebel red (with grenadine). Cheers!

Get Crafty

Construct “lightsabers” from pool noodles and electrical tape.

Make droids from cardboard boxes.

Paint rocks to look like R2-D2, Chewbacca or a Jawa, or paint/draw your favorite Star Wars phrase or symbol. Write “May the fourth be with you” on the back and place the rocks around your backyard or front lawn for guests to find.

Make Baby Yoda crafts — Google has a great variety, from simple to complex!

Jedi Training Games

Backyard games are perfect for young Jedis, and keep festivities outdoors. Have a galactic egg race. Adapt this popular game by decorating eggs to look like stormtroopers.

ENTER TO WIN

Create a Jedi obstacle course with items you already have (cones, hula hoops, pool noodles, crawling tunnels, balls, ramps, trampoline, etc.)

Four lucky families will win a Family 4-pack of tickets (2 adults, 2 children) to the

Indoors, bounce a balloon on the pool noodle lightsabers you made. Count how many bounces before the balloon hits the floor to see who is the winner.

exhibit opening January 20th at the Buffalo Museum of Science!

indoor Fun

Play a Star Wars version of a classic board game. Have a video game battle playing LEGO Star Wars or Star Wars Battlefront.

Settle everyone down to binge watch your favorite Star Wars movies or episodes of the Mandalorian TV series.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Monday, January 29th

Preferred character art usage

YES! Enter Us In “Buffalo Museum of Science’s Curious George” Drawing!

(ONE entry per family/address. No photocopies accepted. No purchase necessary.)

NAME __________________________________________________________________ STREET ________________________________________________________________ CITY _______________________________ STATE ________ ZIP _________________

Cherie Gough is a San Diego-based writer whose work has been published in HuffPost, Eating Well, and San Diego Family Magazine. She’s been writing for parenting magazines for a decade.

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Email: __________________________________________________________________ MAIL ENTRY to: WNY Family, PO Box 1573, Buffalo, NY 14225

To enter online, visit www.wnyfamilymagazine.com January 2024 WNY Family 9

— by Pam Molnar

T

urning sixteen is a rite of passage and the first milestone toward adulthood. It is the year most teens get their driver’s license and, with it the opportunity for a little more freedom. Turning sixteen calls for a celebration that fits your teen’s style, while offering entertainment, food, and fun that the guests will never forget.

Do you remember your Sweet Sixteen party? Mine was a surprise party, thrown by my best friend, and held in my parent’s basement. It wasn’t themed — just friends, music, and food. It took place in a time before digital photos and social media, so the decorations were limited. We provided our own entertainment and themed parties were for the little kids.

In 2023, Sweet Sixteen parties need a lot more pizzazz than that. Check out some of these Sweet Sixteen Party Themes.

Boho Boho is an eclectic and artistic style with an emphasis on nature and organic elements. It is one of the big themes this year and is perfect for your free-spirited teen. Decorate the space with soft flowing cloth, bright designs of warm colors, and dried flowers.

Charcuterie served on decorative wood slices or in individual mini glass jars would be an ideal choice for food. For entertainment, consider 10 WNY Family January 2024

hiring a Henna artist or a macramé instructor. Henna artists create beautiful designs on your hands or feet with henna paste that stains the skin. Beware, the henna design will remain for 1-5 weeks.

Glamping Glamping is the personified version of a sleepover party, taking place in a glamorous setting.

You can set up your own indoor gathering space with mini tents, fluffy pillows, and soft lighting. If you would rather not host in your home, consider booking a stay at a cabin. Foil packet recipes would pair beautifully with a campfire setting as do community pots of hot soups, chilis, or seafood chowder. For entertainment, try a boujeer version of camp crafts like tie-die blankets for the partygoers to take home with them. You can also set up camping related games like scavenger hunts or play Telestrations around the campfire. (In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, “boujee” is a slang term related to indulging in the luxuries and comforts of a fancy lifestyle, according to Google!)

Luau If Hawaii is your teen’s dream destination, then a Luau might be the perfect theme for them. Invite your guests to come dressed for a tropical party.

Entertain them with a limbo contest, coconut bowling, and a lei toss. If you would like to hire some entertainment,

look for someone to teach a traditional hula dance or how to make real flower leis. For food, you can’t go wrong with a pig roast, but if hosting a smaller group, consider Hawaiian sliders made with ham and pineapples, and a colorful fruit salad.

Stranger Things If your teen is a fan of Stranger Things on Netflix, consider this as a theme for their Sweet Sixteen party.

Have all the guests come dressed in 80s clothes and accessories. Food ideas include a waffle bar (character Eleven’s

obsession) with fun toppings like chocolate chips, fruit, and whipped cream. You can also add a little protein with chicken and waffle sliders. There are dozens of 80’s game options like Name that 80’s tune, 80’s version of Family Feud or Jeopardy or a challenge like Name 11 Things (colors, car models, dog breeds, etc.).

Game Night This theme is very easy to customize because it is such a broad idea. You can host a Casino Night, Bunco, or Trivia Night from 2007. If you would like to take the party outside of the house, you could head to an Escape Room venue, outdoor laser tag, or bowling. You can hire a mobile video game bus for multiple players to play their favorite games on Wii or Xbox. Gamers of all kinds need fuel, so consider one-handed items like sliders, pigs in a blanket, mini meatballs, cheese cubes, and a fresh veggie tray.

A Night In Paris Paris gives off a glamorous chic vibe, even for people who have never been. Ask your guests to come dressed in black, white, or pink. Serve Parisian café style croissants and different cheeses with a glass of non-alcoholic bubbly. Want to try to learn a little French?

Stream a popular movie in French with English subtitles. France is well known for its artists, so hire a painting instructor and let the guests replicate a famous French painting like Water Lilies by Claude Monet.

Amazing Race If your teen is a fan of The Amazing Race, this is a fun Sweet Sixteen theme. Break the group up into teams of two. You can find printables for the game online to set up pit stops, challenges, detours, and roadblocks. Rope in some of your neighbors to host challenges so the players must travel on foot and find a specific house. You can use some of the food challenges from past seasons to feed your guests. Cheese fondue (Season 18) and sushi (Season 15) were used in previous seasons of the TV show.

The Roaring 20s We only get to use this Prohibition theme for a few more years so why not try it for a Sweet Sixteen? Tell everyone to put on their favorite flapper dress, Panama hat, and suspenders and get ready to party like it’s 1923! Set up Black Jack tables in your Speakeasy and be sure to give everyone the secret code word to get in. Hire someone to teach your guests how to do the Charleston or the Fox Trot. Serve shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, and finger sandwiches. Don’t forget the Mocktails — it is prohibition after all!

Pam Molnar is the mother of three and an avid party planner. She believes the best parties include a theme, good food and fun games.

St. John the Baptist School, Kenmore Teaching Minds • Touching Hearts Transforming Lives Pre-K 3 to Grade 8

Primary Open House (Pre-K 3 to Grade 1)

Wednesday, January 24th 6:00-7:00 pm

Open House for Prospective Families (Pre-K 3 to Grade 8)

Sunday, February 4th 1:00-3:00 pm 1085 Englewood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14223

(716) 877-6401 www.stjohnskenmore.com

Re a d y, Set

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Boost your enrollment in 2024 through WNY Family’s

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February .......... Wednesday, Jan 10 March ............................ Friday, Feb. 9 April ......................... Friday, March 8 May .................. Wednesday, April 10 June ............................ Friday, May 10 July ......................... Monday, June 10

For more info call 836-3486 January 2024 WNY Family 11

— by Rebecca Hastings

FAntAstic BirthdAy

Party Gifts for $20 or Less

M

y daughter got off the bus and ran in the door with an envelope in her fist. Smiling ear to ear she pulled out an invitation to a birthday party.

Talking a-mile-a-minute. she tells how excited she is to go to her classmate’s birthday party, giving me all the details about the activities, where they would be going, and who else would be there. Her enthusiasm was contagious and it almost rubbed off on me — almost.

I wanted to be happy for her. I really did. Going to parties with friends is fun. It’s great that the school had a policy to include the whole class if you give out invitations in school. I knew my daughter would have a great time. But all I could think was: another birthday party?

Between school, sports, and other activities, there can be a lot of birthday invites. That is fun, but it can also add up. While we want to teach kids the joy of giving to others, it can be expensive. Here are ten fun gifts that kids will love and they won’t break the bank!

Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit – Fun and educa-

tional, this STEM kit is perfect for kids 6 and up to explore scientific concepts. Create a sunset in a test tube or an underwater volcano, this kit has 11 different experiments to discover! (Amazon, $9.99)

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty – Addictively fun, this putty is

sure to enchant kids and adults alike. Fun to play with and explore, this putty comes in a variety of colors and types like glow-in-thedark, liquid glass, and magnetic. (Amazon, $14.95; price depends on variety)

Laugh Out Loud Jokes for Kids Books – Grab a stack of these Guinness Book of World Records – Books books to give the birthday girl or boy for guaranteed laughs! Enjoyable for ages 7 and up, these jokes, tongue twisters, and knock, knocks will be a sure hit! (Amazon, $4.99)

The Original Stomp Rocket Junior Glow – This STEM-friendly toy is great for kids 3 and up. With glow-inthe-dark rockets, this kid-powered toy is endless fun for active kids! (Amazon, $15.99) 12 WNY Family January 2024

are a family favorite around here, and this one is especially great. Filled with amazing, unusual, and random facts that kids and adults love. Great to get families talking and laughing together. There is something for everyone in this mind-bending, grossout, and amazing record book!

(Amazon, $15.79)

Spot It! – This card game is

fun for everyone. Fast-paced and easy, you can play with a few people or just practice on your own. Be the

first to spot a similar picture on the top card and your own and you are that much closer to winning! With variations for animals, spotting letters, and Spanish editions, there is a Spot It for everyone! (Amazon, $12.99)

Rock Painting Kit – A

simple craft that is easily adaptable for different ages and interests, this kit is a winner! Beyond the fun of painting and decorating the rocks, there are even waterproof paints and tracking stickers so kids can spread joy throughout their community! (Amazon, $8.99)

Ultimate Crayon Kit – This crayon kit is a

dream come true for every person who loves to color. With 152 pieces, it is the ultimate rainbow, giving creatives the chance to color every shade they can think of. A fun set that will be used to create many masterpieces! (Amazon, $19.69)

Binoculars – Always a kid favorite, these will get plenty of use!

From outside exploration to inside wonders, these binoculars put science right in little hands. Easy to travel with, they provide hours of wonder and fun.

(Amazon, $14.99)

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(716) 677-0338 • 70 Weiss Avenue • West Seneca

Waboba Moon Ball – This

gravity-defying creation takes playing ball to a whole new level. Don’t be fooled by its small size. This ball can bounce sky-high with cool sounds and won’t get lost the way small bouncy balls do. Kids (and adults) won’t be able to keep their hands off this extra bouncy ball! (Amazon, $11.99)

Start the New Year Healthy with...

Open Workout • Ages 6+ Fri 7:15-9pm

Toddler Time • 5 Years & Under Wed/Thurs 12:15-1pm

Open Tumbling Class Jr. High - 22 Years Mon/Wed 8:50-9:45pm

AND gymnastics classes!!!

www.gymnastics-unlimited.net January 2024 WNY Family 13

PARTY

Profiles

Aquarium of Niagara

Designing Dish

701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls • 716-285-3575 www.aquariumofniagara.org Celebrate your child’s big day under the sea! Voted one of WNY’s best places to host a child’s birthday party, the Aquarium of Niagara offers all-inclusive packages that start at just $225. Enjoy VIP viewing for a sea lion presentation, exclusive access to our private event room and deck space, a dedicated birthday host, decorations, goody bags, and more! The birthday child and two adults celebrate for FREE. Add-on a group penguin encounter or an animal enrichment session to make the day even more memorable. Visit aquariumofniagara. org/birthdays to book your party today.

138 Grey St., East Aurora • 716-655-4456 www.designingdish.com Design your PERFECT party at Designing Dish, a Paint Your Own Pottery Studio. It is the perfect place for your child’s next birthday party or a ladies night!

Maybe a Corporate team builder, Scouting, 4-H, or a shower… just to name a few. We will customize any party from 4 to 40 to suit your needs. Just choose your date and time, join us in our bright, beautiful atmosphere and our trained staff will do the rest. From painting to glass fusing, we have the projects that will make your party the one that everyone will remember!

Clayton’s Toys

Enchanting Birthdays of WNY

5225 Main St., Williamsville • 716-633-1966 1396 Hertel Ave., Buffalo • 716-939-3000 www.claytonstoystore.com Clayton’s Toys is WNY’s one-stop toy shopping experience! An independently-owned toy store celebrating over 100 years. Stop by one of Clayton’s two locations where you’ll find toys, games, novelties, and nostalgia for children of all ages! We have a vast selection of baby items, books, dolls, stuffed animals and puppets, science kits, art supplies, crafts, puzzles, building toys, trucks, and more! The incredible staff is here to help you find that perfect birthday gift and offers complimentary gift wrapping and shipping. There is something for everyone at Clayton’s Toys, so come on in and experience it for yourself!

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.

Creating Smiles for over 100 years!

Find us on Facebook & Instagram Clayton’s Toys 1396 Hertel Avenue • Buffalo, NY

(716) 939-3000

5225 Main St. • Williamsville, NY

(716) 633-1966

www.ClaytonsToystore.com 14 WNY Family January 2024

Pottery Painting, Glass Fusing and Speciality Classes!

Your best place for Birthday parties, private parties, scouts groups, fieldtrips, baby or bridal showers and so much more.

138 Grey Street, East Aurora, NY

716-655-4456 • www.designingdish.com

Choose your favorite fairytale character to come celebrate with you!

We bring the FUN... the LAUGHTER... & the HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

May all your

dreams come true!

716-725-3578

facebook.com/enchantingbirthdays enchantingbirthdaysofwny

www.enchantingbirthdays.com | godmother@enchantingbirthdays.com

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!

January 2024 WNY Family 15

Give your child an Un lievable Birthday Party Experience!

136 Evans Street

Hamburg, NY

716-868-1525

www.tumblebeegym.com Call today to schedule your child’s special day!

$5.00 OFF

Birthday Party with mention of this ad

Friendship Village Play & Café

Where Fun and Friendship Come Together Cel eb rat e Yo ur Ne xt Bir thd ay Wit h Us !

H Indoor Treehouse H H Play in our Village Sho ps H

Party Packages start at $150 Private Parties Also Available

Also visit us at Michael Phelps Swimming in Amherst

5450 Camp Road, Hamburg, NY 14075 H 207-251-6932

www.FriendshipVillagePlay.com

Profiles Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

180 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.

Jewish Community Center

For Birthday Fun Unlimited!

OUR BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE ALL THE RAGE FOR EVERY AGE!!

Obstacle course, games, parachute, rope, tumble tramp, trampoline and foam pit play

We even help with the gifts!

70 Weiss Avenue • Orchard Park/West Seneca (Near Duff’s & Leisure Rinks)

677-0338 • www.gymnastics-unlimited.net

2640 North Forest Rd., Getzville 787 Delaware Ave., Buffalo 716-688-4033 • www.jccbuffalo.org/parties-rentals/ JCC Buffalo offers an array of reasonably priced, welcoming rental spaces ideal for parties, conferences, and much more. Whether you’re hosting a book club meeting in a single classroom or a large, multiroom event, our staff and facilities can help you host a memorable event that makes the most of your time and money. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, organizing a philanthropic event, or planning a corporate event, The J has a wide range of spaces to help you deliver an exceptional event.

Niagara Climbing Center

• Fun for all ages • No experience needed

• Friendly instructors • Controlled indoor climbing

Locally Owned & Operated Since 1998 1333 Strad Avenue • North Tonawanda

695-1248 • www.niagaraclimbingcenter.com 16 WNY Family January 2024

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.

Tumble Bee Gym

136 Evans St., Hamburg 716-868-1525 www.TumbleBeeGym.com Tumble in for an un-BEElievable Birthday Celebration at Tumble Bee Gym. Great fun for the kids and easy for mom and dad — a memorable experience for all!

Our specially trained staff will provide instruction and supervision in our facility designed especially for kids. Parties include one hour of gymnastics, fun & games and a half hour to enjoy birthday cake & open presents. We handle everything from invitations to clean up and supply all paper products, tableware, decorations, and balloons. All you supply are the energetic party guests, refreshments, and the birthday cake. Don’t forget your camera!

Profiles Urban Air Adventure Park

Walden Galleria, 1 Galleria Drive, Buffalo • 716-568-7083 www.UrbanAirBuffalo.com At Urban Air Adventure Park Buffalo, we specialize in themed indoor birthday celebrations and open play for all ages, so parents can capture their child’s most memorable moments and share the laughter and love in a unique play space. Experience our award-winning trampolines and innovative attractions that will enhance your child’s overall well-being through interactive play, all in a comfortable guarded space. Basically, the best birthday party venue around!

From easy to plan themed birthday parties to hassle-free booking and everything in between, Urban Air Buffalo is the perfect place for your next big celebration. Contact us at info@urbanairbuffalo.com.

January 2024 WNY Family 17

6 Ways to Help Your Kids Set and Achieve — by Rebecca Hastings

S

etting goals is nothing new for many grown-ups (I’m referring to your New Year’s Resolutions!) But goals are not just for the new year, and they’re not just for adults. Kids benefit from working toward something they want to achieve.

Whether it’s a cleaner room or less screen time, kids will benefit from setting age-appropriate goals.

The secret is setting them up for success. Here are 6 ways to help your kids set and achieve goals:

Talk About These Details Right Away Set a start date and an end date. Kids often need quick wins, so shorter time frames are great. Have young kids go for a few days and build up to a week. Older kids and tweens can go longer stretches, but usually no more than a month. Offering quick wins gives them confidence and momentum to stick with it.

Another important detail is how your child will keep track of their progress. You can try an app or the classic sticker chart. Even a simple star on the family calendar works.

Decide What to Do As parents, we can think of a few things our kids could work on! But what will improve their daily life and offer 18 WNY Family January 2024

them a chance for success?

If they’re working on being more active, don’t start with walking a mile a day. Start with something fun like taking the dog for a family walk after school.

Walking the dog twice a week becomes four times a week.

If a clean room is the goal, try making the bed daily. Once they have succeeded in that area, they can build on it.

Making the bed grows to putting dirty clothes in the hamper, too.

Allow each goal to grow over time.

What You Focus on Matters A negative approach won’t get you far. It’s true for us and our kids. While we may want them to stop eating junk food or to spend less time on screens, focusing on the positive yields better results.

Instead of eating less junk food, try eating an extra veggie each day. Cutting down on screen time becomes playing a new card game.

Finding something good to do is more enticing than stopping something else.

The Secret to Success We all want our kids to be successful, not just for the sake of goals but for

our sanity. I want my kids to get off their screens, clean their rooms, and clean the house top to bottom for me (too much?). While we may not get the whole house cleaned for us, we can help them find success with the one thing that always helps: do it together.

Kids have a hard time saying no when mom or dad sits down to play cards with them or challenges them to race to the mailbox. Even a contest to make your bed the fastest motivates kids to do the work.

Interaction is a surefire way to help kids make progress on their goals.

How to Handle Setbacks None of us want to believe there will be setbacks in goal setting. The whole point is moving forward. But perfection isn’t realistic. There will be days when things don’t go perfectly. The key is how you handle it.

• • •

Three ways to handle a setback: One missed opportunity isn’t a failure. Give grace and keep going.

Losing steam feels frustrating.

Look back at the progress they made.

Things sometimes go haywire.

Give a fresh start with a shorter time frame.

No matter which method you use, your kids will learn that goals are not a pass/fail system. It’s all about progress.

The Key to Rewards If the satisfaction of a clean room was enough of a motivator, I wouldn’t have three books, a random recipe cut out from a magazine, and a screwdriver on my nightstand. We need a reward to motivate us to keep going to the finish line. Kids need that, too.

Before kids even start working on a new goal, decide how they will celebrate at the end of the time frame.

“While we may not get the whole house cleaned for us, we can help them find success with the one thing that always helps: Do it together.”

Will it be going out for ice cream or watching a favorite movie? Maybe a campout in the living room or a trip to the bookstore? What about an extra story at bedtime?

Whatever reward you give, make sure it doesn’t undo the hard work your child has done. The reward should be clear at the beginning and it should be finite. Having ice cream every night now that your child is eating more veggies doesn’t support the goal. The reward is a singular experience to celebrate the progress they made.

To make your child’s goal-setting successful, consider how your child will track their progress and work toward an appropriate reward that is motivating and works for you. For most kids, the reward needs to be right away to associate it with their hard work.

After a week of making their bed, day 7 gets the extra story.

When they have walked the dog twice a week for a month, a walk to the ice cream shop is on day 30.

Define rewards, track progress, and give the reward to give kids success in setting their own goals now and in the future.

January 2024 WNY Family 19

PICK OF THE LITERATURE — by Dr. Donna Phillips

H

ere we go again!! It is time to start a New Year! This year let’s start it with Kindness, Understanding, Courage, Compassion, and Patience in mind. Right now, this message is sorely needed for all of us, our family, our friends, those we work with, and all we meet.

Perhaps a dose of forgiveness is the place to start. According to Paul Boose, “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” How do we enlarge our future? By having the courage to forgive with kindness, understanding, compassion, and being patient, we give ourselves grace and perhaps even the opportunity to inspire others. We can also live it with our children and with books that can help us explore, learn, and live these attributes. In this way we may be able to find Peace in the coming year.

This lovely book about compassion for others and for self, The Seasons Within Me (Rise/Penguin Workshop, New York, 2023, $18.99), written and illustrated by Bianca Pozzi explores the power of friendship. A little girl starts the day feeling sad and lonely. Is she the only one who feels like it is gray and raining outside and inside of her?

The day is sunny, and everyone seems fine. She feels like she is in a different world. It seems to last all day. Then, on the way home from school in the rain, she hears a faint groan and comes upon a stray puppy all by itself. It seems to be raining for him, too. As she picks him up and begins to care for him the rain turns to drizzle, as she takes him home.

20 WNY Family January 2024

As she cares for him, the drizzle turns to a “soft autumn wind.” Over time, the more they spend time together the fewer gray days she has and the “autumn winds” turn into “the sun that warmed our souls.” When they were apart, she felt the cold of winter, but they were soon together, the sun shined and “everything bloomed again,” including their friendship.

This book with simple text and illustrations is a wonderful way to help children (and ourselves) understand and explore our “gray days,” feelings of sadness, and aloneness, and the healing benefits of caring for others with compassion and kindness.

Sometimes imaginary friends can help us get through tough times. As Brave as a Lion (Candlewick Press, Somerville, 2023, $18.99), written and illustrated by Erika Meza shows how helpful this can be. When this little girl is with her (imaginary) Lion, she can do anything. He gives her confidence to roar and explore. But sometimes her Lion needs her to help him be brave. This story shows how even imaginary friends can help us and how we can help them. This is a vibrantly illustrated book that explores how a special friendship, kindness, courage, and

compassion for another can help others as well as ourselves, and how imagination and a little challenge can bring out the Lion in all of us.

The Magical Yet (Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2020, $18.99), written by Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez, is the perfect book to inspire all of us to be courageous, compassionate, kind, understanding, and patient.

This is especially true for our own development and to learn how to forgive ourselves for shortcomings. This is a positive and imaginative story of the “Magical Yet” that is always within you. No matter how old we are, it is always there to help us to understand that sometimes we need to allow time to be “ready.” This rhyming story takes us on a joyous journey of growth and discovery and reassures us all that, “…you’ll never outgrow — you’ll never forget — you can always believe in the magical Yet.” Sometimes it just takes a bit of patience, courage, self-kindness, and determination to make it to the top.

We learn this in Oh, Panda (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2023, $18.99), written and gently illustrated by Cindy Derby.

While out adventuring, Panda encounters a beautiful butterfly. Eventually the butterfly flies off, leaving Panda to wonder where it was going. As it disappears above the top of the mountain, Panda decides to try to follow it. After many creative attempts to climb the icecovered mountain, step by step, Panda

finally succeeds… and the view is spectacular. This almost wordless picture book leaves room for discussion as Panda struggles and then finally reaches his goal.

Though simple, it has much to offer in terms of encouragement, patience, and hope.

All of these books are perfect for the times and the start of a new year, and there are many more in your public library, bookstore, or online. Hopefully, one person at a time, we can live in the coming year with all of the attributes which help us heal, and come together for the sake of humanity and the planet.

Try to be mindful to start every day with Forgiveness and practice Kindness, Understanding, Courage, Compassion, and Patience. Hopefully, a year from now our world will be in a better place for you and your loved ones.

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.

January 2024 WNY Family 21

Expl ring Central Fl rida’s West C ast FAMILY TRAVEL — by Deborah Williams

F

lorida’s St. Petersburg and Clearwater region welcomes visitors with some of the country’s most glorious beaches.

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were one large island known as Hog Island. The hurricane split the island in half.

Other special attractions include a seaside community that could be a Greek Mediterranean village; dazzling sunsets along the Gulf Coast; a SpanishAmerican War era fort; Scottish Highland games; up-close encounters with movie star dolphins; and spring training camp for the Toronto Blue Jays.

In the late 1930s, a businessman named Clinton Washburn purchased the island. While lunching with a friend who was the Life Magazine editor, he said the island would make a wonderful site for a honeymoon. The editor ran the story and Honeymoon Island was born. Fifty honeymoon cottages were constructed and on May 8, 1940, the

Area beaches at Caladesi Island State Park, Fort De Soto Park, Honeymoon Island, and Clearwater Beach are consistently rated among the top beaches in the nation by noted coastal geologist Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as “Dr. Beach.”

The reason is simple — sand.

“The area is blessed with some of the finest, whitest sand there is,” Leatherman said. “And it comes from the Gulf of Mexico, so you have an endless supply.”

There are more than 20 barrier islands, also known as keys, that buffers the peninsula from the Gulf of Mexico.

The gentle slope and calm surf make area beaches perfect for family water activities.

Prior to the Hurricane of 1921, 22 WNY Family January 2024

Honeymoon Island wide section for dogs. There are 2.5 miles of trails through one of the few remaining South Florida virgin slash pine stands. Gopher tortoises and armadillos can often be spotted along the Osprey Trail.

Among the many park amenities are free beach wheelchairs, a playground, the Rotary Centennial Nature Center, elevated boardwalks to the beach, a food concession stand, kayak rentals and a wide array of bike rentals including kids’ bikes, tandem bikes, surreys, and cruiser bikes.

Getting to Caladesi Island at the northern end of the island chain is an adventure. Ferries depart regularly from Honeymoon Island State Park. When the ferry lands, follow the 1.5-mile nature trail instead of going straight to the beach. Caladesi is an important stopover for migratory birds in the spring and fall. There’s five miles of beach and there’s Dunedin Highland Games & Festival, plenty of room to have some Courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater beach all to yourself. first honeymooners arrived. In all, 164 couples took part in Washburn’s grand idea. But it did not last long as the war intervened.

Today Honeymoon Island State Park is rated the #1 Florida state park with four miles of beach including a

Honeymoon Beach and Caladesi are in Dunedin, also the spring training home for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Two Scotsmen named the settlement after the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh. In honor of these Scottish origins the town annually celebrates the heritage and culture of Scotland with the

the resident nurse shark. There are also sea turtles, otters, pelicans, sharks, and stingrays.

There are also several boat tours.

We boarded the Sea Life Safari Tour from the aquarium dock for a cruise around the local estuary. We watched data collection in action as staff did a net pull to see what creatures were living in the grass beds. We even stopped at a shell island for seashell collecting and wading in the bay.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Dunedin Highland Games & Festival, which will be held on April 6th in 2024.

The event includes music, dancing, athletics, food, drink. The flags are flying, and everyone is a Celt for the weekend.

There are special activities for children including sack races, games, arts and crafts, face painting, and balloon artist creations.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium celebrated a half century of dedication to marine life in 2022. This is an aquarium unlike any other. It is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured marine animals, public education, conservation, and research.

The aquarium is well known as a dolphin rescue and rehabilitation facility.

The most famous is surely Winter, who was rescued in December 2005 off the Florida coast. She became the star of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2.

Both movies were filmed on location at the aquarium. The baby dolphin had been caught in a crab trap rope and lost her tail. She learned to swim again with a prosthetic tail. Winter thrived and went on to inspire millions around the world.

Her story and the movies enabled the aquarium to create an $80 million expansion for caring for more dolphins.

They also greatly increased the number of visitors and Winter was credited with having a $2 billion impact on the county’s tourist economy.

Sadly, the spirited dolphin died at age 16 in November 2021 from an intestinal problem. Her cremated remains were returned to the sea in a moving ceremony. However, guests can virtually swim with Winter and experience her personality as if she were still alive through 360-degree videos and many 2-D images of the remarkable mammal.

On another day, as we were strolling along the waterfront, the Greek flag was fluttering in the breeze. The sky was a brilliant blue and the sun was high in the sky. The tour boat had just docked, and passengers were disembarking with tales of dolphin sightings. Greek music could be heard from the restaurants across the street. The aroma of Greek baked delicacies wafted through air. But no one had asked for our passports.

We could have been in Rhodes or Crete, but we were in Tarpon Springs, home to the country’s highest concentration of Greek Americans. January 6, the Epiphany Celebration, is considered the largest such celebration in the Western Hemisphere. A highlight includes teens and young men diving into the waters for the prize: a cross.

This city on the Gulf of Mexico just north of Tampa is home to the World-Famous Sponge Docks which are still part of an active working waterfront. Tarpon Springs has long been known as “The Sponge Capital of the World.”

The city got its start when sponge beds were discovered off the coast in the early 1900s. In 1905, Greek sponge divers were brought to the area. Greeks and the Tarpon Springs sponge industry built Tarpon Springs.

Currently there are five resident dolphins, all rescued. Meet Hope, one of the stars of the movie Dolphin Tale 2.

There are hands-on (extra fee) Animal Care Experiences, including up close encounters with a bottlenose dolphin, touching a dolphin, feeding a stingray, and a chance to meet and feed Thelma,

By the 1930s, 200 sponge boats were working the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Nicholas Boat Line was established in 1924 by Captain Michael J. Billiris.

It continues to be operated by the same family and is considered the state’s second oldest attraction. The boat tour continued on page 24 January 2024 WNY Family 23

FAMILY TRAVEL continued...

Fort De Soto Park

Glazer Family Playground along the Anclote River includes a talk on the history of sponge diving. Then a diver, who dons century old diving equipment right in front of passengers, demonstrates actual sponge diving by going over the side of the boat and coming up with a sponge, which gets passed around when he returns onboard.

Tarpon Springs also has beaches, boat rentals, a nature park, fishing pier and a splash park. Stop at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Animal Sanctuary where visitors can interact with wildlife and hold, pet, and feed sharks, gators, tarpons, rays, and turtles.

St. Petersburg’s newest downtown attraction is the award winning $92 million St. Pete Pier. Since 1889 the city has had a pier. In its earliest days, there were several of them jutting out into Tampa Bay. Today’s pier opened in July 2020 after more than a decade of waiting, continuing a 131-year-old city tradition. It is part of an expansive 26-acre district with a host of family amenities with grand views of Tampa Bay and the city’s skyline.

The pelican has long been a signature emblem of St. Petersburg and in 2020 the city made it official by naming the brown pelican the city’s official bird.

To honor the pelican there is a ten-foothigh bright red sculpture of a pelican at the entry of The Pier.

24 WNY Family January 2024

The pier has it all from dramatic public art, splash pad, fishing deck, family park and picnic area, concerts, a variety of dining options, and a marketplace with many local handcrafted creations. There is a beach where beach volleyball and other activities abound.

There are even free giant suntan lotion dispensers. Kayakers and paddleboarders can easily launch from the beach.

Beyond offering many fun opportunities, there are educational options.

The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center has interactive exhibits, video presentations, a touch tank, and docent led tours.

The nautical-themed Glazer Family Playground offers slides, swings, climbing structures, kiddie obstacle courses, and activity nodes.

One of the highlights of the pier is a dramatic artwork by Janet Echelman called Bending Arc. The aerial sculpture is composed of 1,662,528 knots and 180 miles of twine. It spans 424 feet and measures 72 feet at its tallest point. The monumental sculpture billows above the Pier District allowing the wind to create a constantly changing shape. The color and shadows are always changing as well.

Fort De Soto Park, southwest of St. Petersburg, is an expansive county park with something for everyone. It includes 1,136 acres, seven miles of beaches, two fishing piers, and picnic

and camping areas directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The area has rental facilities for canoes, kayaks, and bicycles.

The park also features a historic fort built during the Spanish-American War. It was finished after the war ended and never fired a hostile shot. Fans of the hit television series “Prison Break” might recognize the park, as it acted as a stand-in for the country of Panama for several episodes. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

A paved trail runs the length of the park, which makes it the best place to ride a bike or inline skate on the coast.

With a seemingly limitless number of grills, picnic tables, and shelters, Fort De Soto is the place for family picnics.

It is the place for the entire family including four legged members with an expansive dog beach and nearby fenced dog park complete with shade, water, and doggy showers to rinse off the salt and sand.

Travel Tip of the Month: For information on the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area go to visitstpeteclearwater.com or call 727-464-7200.

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.

RAISING DIGITAL KIDS — by Mike Daugherty

Winter Wonderland: Indoor Activities to Beat the Boredom

T

he holidays are over, and the thrill of new toys and activities has worn off. The cold, snowy days of January can quickly lead to the dreaded “I’m bored!” blues. Boredom is a common problem during the winter months, when outdoor activities are limited and kids are stuck indoors. It’s easy to give in to the temptation to toss them a tablet and let them watch videos for a while, but there are better ways to keep them entertained and engaged. Check out these websites for a variety of engaging activities that can help to alleviate boredom and foster creativity and imagination.

The most challenging part is choosing what to draw from the thousands of options available. You can find the channel by searching for Art For Kids Hub on YouTube.

Google’s Birthday Surprise Spinner

Midjourney is an AI-powered text-to-image generator that allows users to create art from text descriptions. Users can type in any prompt, and Midjourney will generate an image that matches the description. For example, if you type in “a cat sitting on a cloud,” Midjourney will generate an image of a cat sitting on a cloud.

Google Doodles are interactive illustrations that appear on the Google homepage to commemorate significant events, historical figures, or holidays. These playful designs often incorporate engaging activities, puzzles, or games related to the chosen theme. Google has created a digital spinner wheel that randomly selects one of these entertaining Doodles.

If you’re seeking some indoor entertainment on a chilly day, simply search for “google birthday surprise spinner” and spin the wheel.

Kids and adults can easily waste hours online playing a version of Pac-man, a DJ simulator, or an animated game of cricket.

Art Hub for Kids Art Hub for Kids is a family-friendly YouTube channel that teaches children how to draw in a fun way. Each video includes the leading artist, Rob, and one of his four children drawing alongside him.

He’ll draw a line or shape on-screen, and then his co-artist will draw the same thing. The camera shows both drawings side by side so the viewers can see exactly what to do. Kids can pause the video while drawing or rewatch a section if they don’t understand the instructions.

Rob does a phenomenal job of emphasizing that every artist is different. It is perfectly okay if your drawing at home doesn’t look exactly like his. The artwork is colored and shaded when it is complete. The result is almost always something your child will be proud of.

If you’re not a fan of YouTube, check out ArtForKidsHub. tv. It is a paid site ($5.99 a month) run by the same family that allows you to access all the Art For Kids Hub videos in a friendly, ad-free environment.

Midjourney

Midjourney is still under development, but it is already capable of creating high-quality images. Users can also control the style of the image, such as whether it should be realistic, cartoonish, or abstract. Midjourney is a great tool for artists of all levels of experience, as it can be used to create both simple and complex images. It is also a great way to explore your creativity and come up with new ideas.

Children and young adults would enjoy using Midjourney because it’s a great way to explore their creativity, learn about different art styles, practice their drawing skills, and have fun.

Midjourney is a fun and easy-to-use tool that kids of all ages can enjoy.

Quick , Draw!

Quick, Draw! is a fun and educational game that uses machine learning to guess what you’re drawing. Players are given a list of objects and have 20 seconds to sketch one of them.

The game then uses artificial intelligence to try to identify the object.

Quick, Draw! is a great way for kids to learn about different objects, improve their drawing skills, and have fun at the same time.

With over 50 million drawings in its dataset, Quick, Draw! has been used by researchers to study how people draw. The game is also a great way to spark creativity and imagination. continued on page 31 January 2024 WNY Family 25

Your Guide to

Choosing Childcare A Special Section Dedicated To Helping Parents Find Quality Care To Fit Their Family’s Unique Needs

Did you know…

29% of our 55,000 readers will be looking for Childcare Services in the next 12 months?

Showcase your center & increase enrollment with our CHOOSING CHILDCARE section!

Source: Circulation Verification Council Audit, June 2023

26 WNY Family January 2024

Indicators of High-Quality Child Care

W

hen searching for child care, the Child Care Resource Network of Western New York offers parents the following key indicators to look for when choosing child care: HEALTH AND SAFETY • Is the program licensed by New York State?

• Does the program comply with the appropriate child care provider-to-child ratios?

• Do caregivers and children wash hands before and after meals, diapering, toileting, or contact with bodily fluid?

• Are providers in the program certified and trained to give your child medications?

• Is the environment free from hazards by using outlet covers, wires out of reach, and cleaning fluids and medicines locked away?

• Are toys, diaper changing areas, and other commonly used materials washed frequently?

CARE ROUTINES • Are the same providers in the room each day so children can develop relationships and feel secure?

• Do providers respect and accommodate individual sleeping and eating patterns?

• Do providers encourage children to be independent during meals, toileting, and dressing?

PROFESSIONALISM • Are providers trained in Infant and Child CPR and First Aid? • Do providers stay up-to-date with their training and education? How much experience do they have?

• How long have the providers been with the child care program? Does the program have a high turnover rate?

• Do providers seem knowledgeable about the specific needs of children, planning age-appropriate activities based on observations?

WORKING WITH FAMILIES • Do providers encourage families to visit whenever possible?

• Do caregivers support and accommodate mothers who want to breastfeed throughout the day?

• Do providers and families communicate on a daily basis by talking about or writing down information at drop off/pick up time?

• Are providers respectful of each family’s language, belief, culture, and parenting beliefs?

• Are providers always available and willing to answer questions?

INTERACTIONS • Do providers encourage families to visit whenever possible?

• Do caregivers support and accommodate mothers who want to breastfeed throughout the day?

• Do providers and families communicate on a daily basis by talking about or writing down information at drop off/pick up time?

• Are providers respectful of each family’s language, belief, culture, and parenting beliefs?

• Are providers always available and willing to answer questions?

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS • Do providers have space for children to play on the floor?

• Do providers have opportunities for children to climb, run, jump, and dance?

• Do providers have a variety of materials for infants and toddlers to touch, look at, listen to, smell, and taste?

• Do providers read and sing with children?

• Do caregivers encourage children to choose who and what they want to play with?

• Are there opportunities for play time outside?

Download their complete 15-page guide at https://wnychildren.org/parent-resources-0

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January 2024 WNY Family 27

told your teacher that you would never need this stuff? Now you need to use this stuff. The area of a triangle, the circumference of a circle, and the square root of your patience. You look back on your life. You’ve been a handyman, networked with five-year-olds, and a field medic. Add a mathematician to the list.

The

y d d Da Track

– by Shannon Carpenter

Parenting Is About Constant Reinvention

I

t all begins when you feel fairly confident in yourself as an adult. You know how to make a bowl of cereal, so you’ll never go hungry. You realize that you must wash your clothes, or they will be dirty. You can almost walk and chew gum at the same time. At the start, right before you have kids, you at least know a little bit about who you are.

Then bam, you have a kid and change your first diaper. It doesn’t go well.

Stuff gets on stuff. Stains that you’ve never imagined would be on your clothes start to appear.

Congratulations, you have reinvented yourself as a parent.

And you learn. You get the hang of it. You make sure that you always have a wet wipe nearby. Eventually, you become adept at small construction. You can put together cribs, baby dressers, and toys late at night at Christmas. You are now a handyman. Life is good. You are comfortable with snot, another new skill. Then things change. You have to reinvent yourself again.

Now you have become an expert at every single children’s song. The wheels on the bus go round and round as the itsy-bitsy spider goes up to Jack and Jill. As your child becomes a toddler, you become an expert at each and every kid show out there. You have very strong opinions about puppets. It takes some time, but eventually, you like the

28 WNY Family January 2024

new you. You do not like yellow puppets. They scare you.

Welcome to Kindergarten, and now you have to be something else. You’re a bit miffed because you feel like you just got the hang of the toddler thing.

Now your child has changed. They want you to volunteer, and make small talk with five-year-olds who can work your phone like they work for the NSA. You have to be good at meeting other parents and talking about the weather.

Yes, you are un-ironically talking about the weather.

You’re not sure you like this new you, but hey, it could be worse. At least you don’t have to deal with snot now.

Except, eventually your child gets involved in sports like soccer or competitive piano.

You had no idea piano could be so harsh, but man, it can be. So, you get your doctorate in small injuries. You become a field medic. You always carry around two brands of band-aids so your kid will get to pick the one they like best. You wrap owies. You set sprained ankles.

You’ve got this.

During middle school, you become a mathematician. You have no idea how it got so complicated from when you were in school. You remember when you

When your kid gets to high school, you are surprised at how good a professional counselor you are. You thought it would be much harder. At the first breakup, you realize that you jinxed yourself.

It is hard. Emotions confuse you. Wow, has it always been so hard to control anger? And on top of that, you become a student driver instructor, confidant, and college advisor.

Then your child turns 18. The magic age of adulthood. Your kiddo gets accepted to college, a trade school, or some other part of life. You become a life coach and then a mover. You conjure up your best Dear Abby and become an advice giver. As you pack the last boxes, and they ask what you are going to do with their old room, you become an oracle. You warn them to watch out for the ides of March.

That’s okay though, because as a parent you are an expert at being whoever you need to be.

Reinvention is now as natural as breathing.

And even though they are leaving, you’re not done yet. There are a lot more roles for you to play in the future!

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 Wonka

Theaters

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG

B

C+

A-

A-

C+

Determined to share his chocolates with the townspeople, Willy Wonka inadvertently falls afoul of an evil chocolate cabal – and finds himself forced to work in Mrs. Scrubbit’s laundry. Luckily, Wonka has plenty of imagination and with the loyal help of his new friends, he keeps reaching for his dream. Overly full of musical numbers and too reliant on magic, this film still entertains, thanks to its brightly colored visuals and resolute good cheer. Photo ©Warner Bros

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG

A-

B

A

A

A

Ginger, Rocky and the rest of the flock are now living happily on an island, safe from Mrs. Tweedy’s plan to turn them into pies. When their daughter, Molly, finds herself on a perilous adventure, the chickens will have to risk their necks to save her. This sequel isn’t as brilliant as the first film, but it still delivers dry British wit, wacky characters, and zany antics. Best of all, the movie contains minimal negative content and delivers solid messages about family, bravery, and teamwork. Photo ©Netflix

Godzilla Minus One

Theaters

Rating PG-13

Overall B+

Violence C

Sex A

Profanity A

Alcohol/Drugs B

Trying to rebuild their lives and cities after the war, the people of Japan are terrified to learn that a mysterious, radioactive creature is moving through the ocean, destroying ships and heading for Tokyo. This Japanese production brilliantly uses the franchise’s original inspiration to give the story a sense of place and urgent emotion. Teen and adult fans of monster movies will have a blast with this absorbing, well-told tale. The brutal monster might not have a heart, but the film certainly does. Photo ©Toho Company

The Boy and the Heron

Theaters

Rating PG-13

Overall A-

Violence C

Sex A

Profanity A

Alcohol/Drugs B

Grieving the loss of his mother, Mahito meets a strange grey heron. The heron tells Mahito that his mother is alive, hiding in a mysterious tower on the edge of the property. When Mahito sets foot in the tower, he discovers that things are not as they seem. This film offers gorgeous animation and meticulous detail but it is too scary and complex for kids. The PG-13 rating should be taken seriously.

Photo ©GKIDS Films

Wish

Theaters

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG

B-

B

A

A

A

King Magnifico guards his subjects’ wishes, with the promise that he will grant some in the future. But when 17-year-old Asha sees the tower room filled with forgotten, unfulfilled wishes, she sets out, with the help of a twinkling star, to free the wishes and return them to their owners. Thanks to its bland soundtrack, dim color palette, and slow-moving start, Wish lacks sparkle. The messages of selflessness, courage, integrity, and self-respect are fine but this isn’t a great film; merely a watchable one. Photo ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Detailed reviews available at www.parentpreviews.com January 2024 WNY Family 29

DEAR TEACHER – by Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts

Helping all parents make their children’s educational experience as successful as possible

What You Need to Know about Your Children’s Report Cards

P

arents: The school year is about to be half over, and you will soon be receiving your children’s report cards. If they are in high school or even middle school, it might be their first report card of the year. Younger students in elementary school will typically have received a report card after nine weeks of instruction and may have been given a progress report in the middle of a grading period.

A Look at Today’s Report Cards Paper report cards are rapidly disappearing except in elementary school.

Parents are now getting electronic ones emailed to them or have to access them online. Back when you were in school, report cards usually just had grades from A to F, absence, tardiness, and behavior information. Plus, they may also have had brief comments from the teacher.

mastery of a specific goal such as “addition of 2-digit numbers.” The grading scale indicates the mastery of that goal using numbers to indicate the achievement level: 4 = advanced understanding, 3 = meeting the required goal independently, 2 = partial mastery, and 1 = little or no mastery.

It needs to be pointed out that effort and behavior are not factored into these grades as they may be in an A-F grading system.

A few schools have dispensed with grades entirely. Some show parents a portfolio of their children’s work instead. Others provide teachers’ thoughtful written evaluations of how students are progressing.

Fortunately, many schools have made it easy for parents to understand their grading systems. All parents have to do is go online to the school’s website for a very detailed explanation of the meaning of specific grades.

Today, no matter what level your children are at, there are a variety of ways information about how they are doing academically is presented. Many schools still use numerical and letter grades; however, there is a newly popular kid on the block — standards-based grading.

Do You Really Need Report Cards to Know How Your Children are Doing in School?

In this type of grading, a subject is broken down into smaller learning goals which students should master by the end of a course. Each grade tells the level of

Report card grades should not be a great surprise. Your young children usually bring home schoolwork every day.

And the typical family ritual is to look

30 WNY Family January 2024

it over with them. If their papers are not drowning in red ink, you have a pretty good idea that they are handling the academic side of school well. Of course, you can also see if there are problems that need to be addressed with their teachers right away.

Since teachers have largely abandoned grade books for storing grades online, more and more schools are letting parents go online and see right away exactly what their children’s grades are at any moment in time. Some schools only let students have this access to their current grades. Parents can request that their children let them see their grades and have meaningful discussions about them.

Are Teacher Comments on Report Cards Helpful?

The comments teachers make on report cards can be really helpful. You need to realize, however, that writing comments on report cards is very time consuming for teachers. It is especially difficult for special subject teachers (art, music, physical education) who may teach a great number of students.

With the dawn of today’s online world, increasingly parents are receiving robo comments about how their children are doing instead of personalized messages.

While this may be understandable, it is not always very helpful when parents want to know more about how their children are doing in school. If your children’s report card has a lot of check marks indicating possible problems, ask their teachers for an email, phone call, or conference to discuss how they are doing.

A Report Card on Your Children’s Schools The No Child Left Behind act is no more. The new Federal law for K-12 general education is called the “Every

Student Succeeds Act.” One of the provisions of this act is that every state and school district is required to publish report cards telling how the State, district and schools are doing with regard to student achievement and success.

Even though your children may be doing well according to their report cards, it can be a real eye opener to find out how well their school’s test results compare with the district average and the statewide average.

This includes how much is spent per student for every school, results of annual statewide tests in reading/language arts, math, and science, state results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading and math assessments in grades four and eight, as well as assessments of how different subgroups of students are doing. The neat thing is that you can easily access this information on your school district’s website or request a printed copy of this information.

These report cards also include information on suspensions, expulsions, school-related arrests, referrals to law enforcement, chronic absenteeism, and incidents of violence (including bullying and harassment) — all information that will help you understand a school’s environment and culture.

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.

DIGITAL KIDS continued...

Kids can use Quick, Draw! to draw their favorite characters, objects, and scenes. The game is also a great way to practice drawing different shapes and lines.

With its simple and intuitive design, Quick, Draw! is easy for kids of all ages to use. Whether kids are looking to improve their drawing skills, learn about different objects, or just have some fun, Quick, Draw! is a great game for them.

Chrome Music Lab Google’s Chrome Music Lab is a delightful online resource that sparks creativity and musicality in children. This engaging platform allows kids to compose their own melodies and songs by simply clicking on a grid to add notes. The higher the note placed on the grid, the higher the corresponding sound.

Along the bottom, a variety of sound options await exploration, ranging from the grand piano to strings and woodwinds. The tempo can also be adjusted, enabling the creation of upbeat, bouncy tunes or slower, dramatic symphonies. Additionally, children can record their own lyrics using the built-in microphone on their tablet or by connecting an external microphone to their computer.

While this free activity won’t magically transform your child into the next Beethoven, it serves as an excellent way to engage their minds and foster a love for music on a chilly winter afternoon. To access this musical playground, simply search for “Chrome Music Lab” in your favorite search engine and explore the Chrome experiments section of Google’s website.

BedtimeStory.ai BedtimeStory.ai is an AI-powered storytelling platform that allows parents to create personalized bedtime stories for their children. Parents can simply enter their child’s name, select a genre, and choose from a variety of prompts to get started. BedtimeStory.ai will then use its AI algorithms to generate a unique story that is tailored to the child’s interests.

There are many reasons that make BedtimeStory.ai a winner for parents. First, the stories are personalized, which makes them more engaging for children. Kids love to see their own names and experiences reflected in the stories that they read.

Second, the stories are interactive, which allows kids to participate in the storytelling process. Kids can make choices about the plot of the story, and they can even add their own ideas.

Third, the stories are educational, which helps kids to learn new things. The stories can be based on real-world events, or they can explore fictional worlds that teach kids about important concepts. BedtimeStory.ai is a great way to make bedtime more fun and engaging for kids. It is also a great way to help kids develop their reading skills, their imagination, and their creativity.

Technology should never be a substitute for quality family time and meaningful interactions. However, it can be a valuable tool in fostering your child’s love for reading, art, music, and other enriching activities. Numerous online resources offer engaging and educational experiences that can spark creativity and imagination.

While technology should not be the sole solution to boredom, it can serve as a springboard for shared learning and creative exploration. Embrace the opportunities it presents to connect with your children, fostering a love of learning and self-expression that extends beyond the digital realm.

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 Director of Technology 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.

January 2024 WNY Family 31

be. Write down the who, what, when, where, and why. Your goal should be measurable.

If working and getting healthy is something you want to do, commit to going to the gym a certain number of days each week and at set times.

It’s a New Year:

How to Get Your Spark Back SINGLE PARENTING — by Meagan Ruffing

I

used to be full of life and ready for anything. I was a stay-athome mom who absolutely loved being home with my three kids and looked forward to decorating for every holiday. I would frequent craft fairs, picking out the perfect home décor and get excited when my kids would beg me to put up one more ornament on the tree or hide one more egg for Easter.

I looked forward to my husband coming home from work and enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the life we built. Life was good and I had a lot of spark back then.

kind of stayed in my heart with nowhere to go.

I realized four hard years had passed when I told my sister I just didn’t have the same “spark” in me anymore, and she said, “Actually, I think you do.”

Since she said those words to me, I made a promise to myself and to my kids that I would figure out how to get the version of me that they had known their whole lives and the one that I’d worked so hard to get.

Purchase a brand-new journal and write down all your thoughts and feelings.

Over the years since my divorce, I realized that my spark has slowly faded and never fully come back. Hopes and dreams that never got to be lived just 32 WNY Family January 2024

Here’s how you can get your spark back in 2024:

Set

some goals using the S.M.A.R.T. goals technique. Be specific with what you want your goal to

Your goals should be achievable, which means they should be something realistic to you. If you’re not a marathon runner but tell yourself you’re going to run a marathon in a month, you may not be setting a realistic goal. Instead, choose something that is obtainable and makes sense.

Your goal should be relevant. What is something in your life that you want to do right now? Does it make sense for the season of life you’re in?

Lastly, make sure your goal is timebased. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it.

Purchase

a brand-new journal and write down all your thoughts and feelings. If journaling isn’t your thing, still buy one and do “brain dumps” where you scribble down whatever thoughts come up. It can be words or drawings. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you.

If you love to journal, consider adding some magazine cut-outs to add dimension to your writing. Pick a few hours at night or over the weekend where you can sit and cut out different quotes and pictures that resonate with you. Glue them onto the pages of your journal and take inventory of how you feel.

Arrange

a time to pamper yourself with a spa day. I go to Pilates once a week, do yoga a few times a month, and schedule a massage once a month. I try to schedule these weeks in advance so I have something to look forward to. continued on page 37

My TWEENS & TEENS — by Cheryl Maguire

I

’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions, but I thought I would embrace change this year. As I reflect back on last year my first thought is, “I survived being a mom to twin teens!” Their fourteenth birthday is in February so this time of year also marks my accomplishment, and yes, I view that as an accomplishment.

If I’m honest with myself, I can also admit there is definitely room for some improvement. Since I know that I can only control my behavior, I plan to focus on what I can do differently as a parent.

So, here’s my list in no particular order (even though I numbered it — I just like numbered lists).

1) I will encourage my twin teens to be more independent.

During their morning routine, I will remain silent without saying, “Hurry up or you will miss the bus!” I will also give them a list of things they are responsible for such as putting away their laundry, cleaning the dishes, and packing their lunches.

2) I will allow them to fail.

This is a tough one for me since I often feel this may somehow be a reflection on me being a bad parent. I also struggle with being a perfectionist. But

s‘

Resolutions for Parenting Teens I realize sometimes “failing” is the only way you learn and grow as a person.

So. when they ask me to bring to school their forgotten homework or other items, my answer will be a hard “no.”

3) I will continue to attempt to communicate with them.

Last year whenever I tried to ask my teens questions, I heard a lot of one word generic responses. When I asked, “How was school today?” often their response was a one word “good” without any other details. After hearing “good” or “nothing” a hundred times, I was tempted to give up trying. But I have been told, by more than one person, that I’m tenacious, so I tried other methods.

I found by asking unusual questions, or instead of asking questions I offered information about myself, that sometimes I was able to engage in what some may consider a conversation. So, I’m going to keep trying because when it works, it’s worth the effort.

4) I’m going to nag less and observe more.

I never enjoy nagging, and it rarely yields the results I want. After reading articles and interviewing experts, I learned that making observational comments or questions is much more effective. My favorite one which sometimes

elicits a chuckle is, “Are you working hard or hardly working?”

5) I’m going to let them know when they are doing a good job.

It’s easy to notice all the things a teen is doing wrong, such as leaving their towel on the floor, staying up too late at night, or eating junk food. It’s harder to point out what they are doing right, such as how they did their homework, helped their sibling, or cleaned their room. I plan to notice at least once a day what they are doing right and let them know how proud I am of them. Because they are doing a lot of things right and I really am proud of them.

One of the reasons I don’t like New Year’s Resolutions is because often by March people are back to their old ways; their New Year’s Resolutions quickly forgotten. That is why I’m writing it down, so I can reflect on this list and remind myself these goals will help us have a better relationship and, hopefully, help my teens grow up to be successful adults. And I think that is worth trying something new to achieve it.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications.

January 2024 WNY Family 33

of the student with disabilities. This also includes adapted instruction and/or content, as well as altering the methodology of how the instruction is provided, if needed.

Special Education:

Choosing a School for a Just Right Fit — by Julia Garstecki Derkovitz When my son was diagnosed with multiple special needs, I had an advantage because I was a special education teacher. I was armed with a master’s degree in special education and reading instruction, and had seven years of teaching students with a variety of disabilities. Even so, I still found the process of his education overwhelming.

P

arenting a child with special needs requires persistence, patience, and lots of time.

After the diagnosis, it’s imperative the caregiver educate themselves to understand how the diagnosis will impact the child’s physical, mental, and emotional growth. Understanding these factors is critical for one of the most significant decisions you will make for your child: Their education.

34 WNY Family January 2024

For many families, selecting a school is straight forward. You send your child to the school assigned to your address. All public schools legally provide education for all students because of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. NYSED.gov defines special education in part as education designed for individual or group instruction, which may include special programs or transportation that meets the specific needs

Special education services also include the use of a consultant teacher (one who has been trained in special education) or resource room (where a special education teacher provides targeted instruction to individual students), placement in an integrated co-teaching class in which one teacher and one special education teacher share the class and teach together, or placing the student in a smaller class that better meets their needs. Different schools will have a variety of these options.

Each option has their own benefits.

In my son’s case, he started at a public school. We utilized the resources his small school district offered, and worked hard to educate, learn from, and support his teachers in his education. For the most part, this collaboration worked well, though eventually we moved him to a private school.

Both public and private schools have pros and cons. Our decision was based on the answers to these questions:

•

What options did each school have, and how well trained was the faculty?

•

How were all students taught the value of each student?

•

What did he need academically and socially? Which was more important?

•

What were his goals for after high school? What were our hopes for him?

The answers to these questions evolved over time, and each year we reviewed the pros and cons to reassess the best placement for him.

The philosophy of special education is to place students in the Least Restric-

tive Environment (LRE). This means placing a special education student in an environment in which they are with their grade-level peers as much as possible. Some special education students may spend a majority of the school day with classmates, and only leave for short amounts of time for various therapies or additional academic support in an alternate location. Some districts pay to have students educated in a setting that works better for the child which is not in the same building as the district school.

Between these options are several others. Class sizes can include fifteen students, one teacher, and one aide (known as a 15:1:1) in which students learn the same content as their grade level peers, but benefit from a smaller class size or a teacher with more experience teaching students with specific disabilities. Some schools offer classes with only eight students, one teacher, and one aide, and other special education classrooms may have even less. Many schools utilize consultant teachers who sit in pre-determined classes to help special education students take notes, stay focused, and/or even help the teacher modify content to better meet the needs of the student.

School specializes in teaching students with dyslexia, ADHD, and/or executive functioning challenges. Schools like the Gow School offers small class size and specially trained instructors that can target specific needs of its students.

The Summit Academy provides instruction for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental disabilities. They also have Summit Academy Enhanced for students who have “severe challenging behavior.”

Here, experienced teams of instructors, psychologists, and health experts work together with families to create a safe learning environment for students.

Erie 1 BOCES Special Education serves students in kindergarten through the age of 21. Programs are determined by student need and are affiliated with most school districts. It is a great resource for alternate instruction and a variety of special education needs.

Each story is different. Our son started in a public school. Due to cir-

cumstances, we moved a few times throughout his K-12 experience. It was very important for me that Andrew earn a high school diploma.

There are more options for education throughout Western New York.

When our son entered high school, we selected West Seneca Christian School, a small school that held him to high standards, and had the ability to guide him towards achieving these expectations.

Students and teachers were positive influences and provided him opportunities for social and emotional growth. It was the perfect fit for him, and though it was challenging he ultimately received a diploma. Currently, we are exploring opportunities for higher education, though I have no doubt he is prepared, and capable, due to the decisions we made throughout his K-12 experience.

Julia Garstecki Derkovitz is currently an instructor at Bryant & Stratton college. Her expertise is teaching students with learning challenges.

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE AUTISM?

Clearly, special education has a variety of options, and schools truly have a great flexibility in how they can individualize education to meet the specific needs of each student.

As our son grew older, his needs changed. We began to visit other schools to determine what his best options would be. We took school tours and met with the teachers that would be working with our son. In some districts, I was invited to sit in on a class to observe and even speak with some students about their experiences. Other districts denied my request to do that. One of the pivotal concerns I had was the requirements of the Regents exams and my son’s ability to earn a high school diploma. This, coupled with other considerations, resulted in our decision for our child to attend a private high school.

Some students are better served in private or specialized schools. The Gow

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We are WNY’s largest provider of evidence-based programs and services for autism.

Our programs use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology – identified by hundreds of scientific studies as the most effective method to teach individuals with autism.

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Call 716-629-3400 | Visit TheSummitCenter.org January 2024 WNY Family 35

T

A Final Column

he inspiration for this column for over 20 years has been my son. Since 2002, we’ve been spreading the word to help others like my little boy, children with food allergies. This January, he’s turning 30 years old, and we have no idea where all that time went. While savoring as many moments as we can, time really does “slip through our fingers like sand...”

Much has changed in the years since my son was diagnosed with food allergies. More people are aware how serious food allergies are with the rise in those diagnosed with food allergies and food intolerances. There are many more product offerings and safe foods to choose from, readily available in most supermarkets. Schools and camps have allergy plans in place, and many restaurants offer special menu items with transparent ingredient lists and vigilant safety policies.

On the other hand, little has changed. There is still no cure for food allergies. There are many studies being done, and there has been increased funding for research, but there is still a long way to go.

Families and educators are working tirelessly to spread awareness and safety measures, while food allergy prevalence continues to surge. We ask that all be aware that for some people, children and adults alike, food allergies can be deadly serious.

While not all food allergies are severe, some are. And even if you were not born with a food allergy, they can develop at any age. I have lost count of how many people tell me “I ate (fill in the food) my whole life with no issue, then suddenly one day I had a horrible reaction...” So be aware of the symptoms of 36 WNY Family January 2024

an allergic reaction and how to treat it.

(See foodallergy.org) Before hosting for any gathering, ask your guests if they have any food allergies. If they offer to bring their own foods to be on the safe side, as some may, that’s fine too. It’s the gathering that counts, being with friends and family, not the food.

In the past, I’ve heard so many sad stories of children, my own included, who were not invited because of their food allergies. It is my hope that education has helped get people past their fears, and we prioritize keeping each other safe and welcome.

Since our son is a January baby, it seems fitting that this, my final column, features birthday cake, with recipes we’ve used for decades. These simple one-bowl recipes will have you and your children celebrating with ease. They are allergen reduced, vegan, and gluten free.

Add your own personal touch by varying the liquids, additives, using sprinkles, or experimenting with different frosting flavors.

We wish you all good health, happiness, joy and blessings as you make memories — and kid- friendly foods — with the beautiful children in your life!

Easy Cake Free of: DAIRY, EGGS, SOY, PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, FISH, SHELLFISH, WHEAT*, GLUTEN*, VEGAN Yield: 9 servings, 18 cupcakes Prep Time: 5 minutes CookTime: 25-35 minutes for cake, 15 for cupcakes This cake is so easy to make, even a preschooler can help. It is an adaptation of the popular “wacky cake” recipe. Since it is egg free, you can lick the bowl!

CHOCOLATE: 1 1/2 cups flour (*for wheat/gluten free, use BETTE HAGMAN’S GLUTENFREE FLOUR MIX recipe at end of this column) 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (or carob powder) 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or frozen juice concentrate) 1 teaspoon vinegar (or orange or lemon juice) 5 tablespoons oil 1 cup cold water Preheat oven to 350º. Lightly grease an 8”x 8” pan, or line cupcake tins.

Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Add liquid ingredients and stir. Pour into 8”x 8” pan, or cupcake tins. Bake at 350º for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve as is or frost with favorite icing or dust with powdered sugar. For cupcakes, bake 1215 minutes.

VANILLA (OR LEMON) CAKE: Omit cocoa powder. Increase vanilla by 1 teaspoon, or use lemon extract. Prepare as directed above.

Applesauce Spice Cake Free of: DAIRY, EGGS, SOY, PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, FISH, SHELLFISH, WHEAT*, GLUTEN*, VEGAN Yield: 9 servings, 18 cupcakes PrepTime: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25-35 minutes for cake, 15

for cupcakes

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Can be served plain as a snack/breakfast cake or frosted. If avoiding apples is an issue, use another unsweetened, pureed fruit in place of the applesauce.

4 tablespoons water

1 1/3 cups flour (*for wheat/gluten free, use BETTE HAGMAN’S GLUTENFREE FLOUR MIX recipe at end of this column) 1/3 cup sugar (or brown sugar, or honey) 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsweetened applesauce (if using sweetened applesauce, decrease sugar to 1/4 cup)

Beat margarine until fluffy. Beat in cocoa powder, salt and vanilla. Gradually add in confectioners’ sugar, alternating with water, until desired thickness is achieved. If a thinner frosting is desired, increase water. If a thicker one is desired, decrease water.

Vanilla: Omit cocoa powder.

Orange: Reduce margarine to 2 tablespoons. Omit cocoa powder, replace vanilla with orange extract. Substitute orange juice for the water.

Lemon: Omit cocoa powder and vanilla.

Substitute lemon juice for the water, or use lemon extract in place of the vanilla.

1/2 cup raisins, optional (or other chopped fruit)

Maple: Reduce margarine to 1 tablespoon. Omit cocoa. Reduce vanilla to 1/2 teaspoon. Omit water; instead, add maple syrup one tablespoon at a time until it is the desired spreading consistency.

Preheat oven to 350º. Grease an 8”x 8” pan or line cupcake tins.

Bette Hagman’s

1/4 cup oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coat raisins with 1 tablespoon flour (keeps them from sticking together and settling to bottom.) In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except the raisins, just until moist. Stir in raisins, pour batter into pan. Bake at 350º for 25-35 minutes (12-15 minutes for cupcakes) or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely and frost if desired. Or sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on the top before baking for a streusel-like topping.

Cake Frosting

Free of: DAIRY, EGGS, SOY, PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, FISH, SHELLFISH, WHEAT, GLUTEN, VEGAN Yield: enough to frost one layer cake, a 9”x 13” cake, or 18 cupcakes Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: none Chocolate Frosting: 1/4 cup dairy/soy free margarine, softened 1/3 cup cocoa powder, or carob powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla

Gluten-free Flour Mix

2 parts white rice flour 2/3 part potato starch flour 1/3 part tapioca starch Mix together quantity needed or make extra and store so you always have some on hand for cooking/baking.

If you have any questions about our column, e-mail Kathy at allergy@ roadrunner.com. For further information about food allergies, contact FARE www.foodallergy.org, or call 1-800-9294040.

Kathy Lundquist is a Western New York parent whose son, now an adult, was born with severe food allergies.

Over the last two decades, she has worked tirelessly, in a variety of capacities, to increase community awareness about food allergies. We thank her for her valuable contribution to WNY Family over the years; she generously donated all the freelance fees for her columns to FARE.

SINGLE PARENTING continued...

When the day (s) comes, I feel so valued and worthy of being happy that it helps give me an extra pep in my step.

Not to mention, I feel very relaxed and taken care of when I am intentional about scheduling body work.

Reach

out to friends and family to help stay in community with others. Being in the presence of those who love you and care deeply about you is a great reminder of what makes you special. I know that whenever I plan a girls’ weekend, I have the best time reconnecting, and I feel full of life when it’s time to head home. There’s something about being with friends that is good for the soul.

Keep checking things off your

bucket list. Bucket lists are a necessary growth tool for staying accountable to your hopes and dreams. If you don’t have one or haven’t updated yours in a long time, take some time after reading this article to get back on track with your future planning.

My bucket list is continually changing because I’m consistently knocking things off while adding new things that I want to try. My most recent addition has been to learn how to crochet. I taught myself how to cross-stitch and thought it’d be fun to try something new.

It’s never too late to get your spark back… you just have to be open to doing some work on your end to open yourself up to new opportunities. You’ll never regret making personal growth a priority so make this New Year your time to shine.

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist and mental health therapist living in northwest Arkansas. She’s currently working on her PhD degree which came from her bucket list.

January 2024 WNY Family 37

Effects of Noise Exposure Accumulate Over A Lifetime

s s e n l l e W Choices

The parent’s universal cry in response to loud music — “Turn that thing down!”— is well-founded, as evidence shows that children and teens risk hearing loss by cranking up their personal listening devices. What families may not realize is that children are exposed to potentially harmful noise from infancy and that the effects are cumulative over a lifetime.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discusses the common sources and effects of noise, from infant sleep machines to fireworks, in “Preventing Excessive Noise Exposure in Infants, Children, and Adolescents,” published in the November 2023 issue of Pediatrics.

Excessive noise exposure is a serious public health hazard that goes largely unrecognized.

Children have smaller ear canals than adults, which intensifies higher frequency sounds. And the concern is not only with volume, but how long and how often children are exposed to noise. Common everyday noises, like road traffic or a television playing in the background, can also disrupt sleep, learning, and quality of life. It’s very important to prevent harmful noise exposures starting early in a child’s life.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises caregivers to avoid bringing young children to excessively noisy venues, such as concerts, sporting events, or fireworks displays. If they do attend these types of events, children should be sure to use protective earmuffs, including on young infants.

Children and teens’ use of personal listening devices is one of the most prevalent forms of noise exposure, research shows.

Excessive or prolonged exposure to high volumes can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, or hyperacusis, a condition in which every day sounds may seem unbearably loud and painful.

Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear and is usually irreversible. Listening to loud music, whether by personal listening devices or at a concert, can cause sensorineural hearing loss, even in children and teens. It’s also likely to contribute to hearing loss in adulthood — and poor hearing is a serious health problem for many adults.

The AAP recommends that parents and caregivers consider that if an environment sounds too loud for an adult, it probably is too loud for a child. “Too loud” can mean having to raise your voice to speak with someone just an arm’s length away.

Health & Wellness

is of utmost importance to today’s families.

Promote your services to over 53,000 WNY families in our

ness WellChoices section.

Appearing monthly in print and online!

To Advertise In This Section, Call 716-836-3486 38 WNY Family January 2024

THE KIDDIE GOURMET

G

— by Barbara Blackburn

reek restaurants in Western New York consistently serve breakfast and have standby items, namely gyros, tzatziki sauce, baklava, and rice pudding.

You can always get a good breakfast at a Greek restaurant and Christopher’s follows suit. There is a printed kids’ menu, high chairs, and supplies to entertain the kids.

Christopher’s Family Restaurant

820 Maple Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-636-1056

~ SPOONS ~

vorful dish has always been George’s favorite, even back in Greece. Dad’s tea was actually brewed in the pot and started in the kitchen. My fresh coffee was brewed on the spot.

Celebrate these

F U N D A YS during the month of

FOOD 4/5

I noted some other items that appealed to us. I’ll mention that there is a difference, SERVICE 5/5 especially in prices, between the online and the recent restaurant version. For a big FAMILY eater, how about the Hearty It was a cold, snowy day FRIENDLY 4.5/5 Breakfast ($12.59). That inwhen we dined at Christocludes 3 eggs, 2 pancakes, pher’s, but the old-fashioned home fries, toast, and hospitality of George jelly. The Vegetarian and Mary warmed us.

Omelette is composed The restaurant is named of broccoli, mushrooms, after their son Christomatoes, onions, green peppers, and a topher, who died of childhood cancer. choice of cheese. The Clam Strips, deep Although the restaurant is only open unfried to a golden brown, are served as a til three in the afternoon, you can have seafood dinner. Side Orders offer an albreakfast, lunch, or dinner anytime. ternative to the paired offerings. CanaThe Just For Kids part of the menu dian Bacon ($5.69) appeared as a spelists the following items: One egg, one cial the day of our visit. Along with the pancake, or one French toast, with sauGreek dinners, served as we said anysage, ham, or bacon ($5.99). One Egg time, there are the Featured American and Toast, with sausage, ham or bacon items, such as the Pork Chops and Fried ($5.99). Hot Dog, with fries ($3.99).

Chicken. (Check the new prices.)

Chicken Fingers, with fries ($5.39).

I didn’t see my two favorites — Hamburger, with fries ($5.99) or CheeseSpanakopita and Moussaka — on the burger ($6.29). Grilled Cheese with fries menu, but there are enough other selec($5.99). To show the difference between tions to compensate. Christopher’s to us prices of a grilled cheese, the adult seput more meaning into the word famlection, with potato chips is $7.29. ily, as in family restaurant, catering to From the breakfast section I chose American and Greek taste buds. a Western Sandwich ($7.99), featuring an egg scrambled with pepper, onion, and ham, accompanied by some home Barbara Blackburn has been hapfries; it was quite tasty. I finished with pily writing The Kiddie Gourmet column the made fresh every day Rice Pudding for over 35 years. She has two adult ($4.99), also very tasty, with cinnamon. children and four grandchildren and is a home instructor and community educaDad’s Specialty Lunch choice was tion cooking instructor for Williamsville an open Gyro ($12.09). On the plate was Central Schools. She is the 2023 recipilightly seasoned ground beef and lamb, ent of Buffalo State Alumni Association served with a Greek Salad, dressed with Senior Service Award. tzatziki sauce and pita bread. This fla-

January 3rd

Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

January 14th Dress Your Pet Up Day

January 17th Kid Inventor Day

January 21st Hugging Day

January 24th Peanut Butter Day

January 2024 WNY Family 39

40 WNY Family January 2024