ParentMap February 2024 Issue by ParentMap

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Discover Bend’s Winter Bounty There’s more than skiing to love in this outdoor paradise

37/

Neighborhood Spotlight Get to know Green Lake in the off-season

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 | PA R E N T M A P. C O M

PNW INSIDE + OUT

13 Ways to Keep Love Alive WITH KIDS 10/

FREE ParentEd Talks — Parent smarter, not harder. P. 33

DAY SCHOOL

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C ONTENTS

February 2024 In Every Issue Editor’s Picks The Current Play List

6 8 38

Local Resources Schools + Preschools Camps, Arts + Activites

14 26

PARENTMAP.COM

Parenting

Features

RAISING GREAT KIDS

A Busy Parent’s Guide to Romance 10 John Gottman, Ph.D., shares the secrets of a healthy, happy relationship

Tips to Get Tweens and Teens Talking 14 Move beyond one-word answers and connect with your kids App-solutely Positive 23 How combining art with tech is helping kids build self-esteem HIGHER EDUCATION

Savings Programs Lowering the barriers to a college education

CAMPS, ARTS + ACTIVITIES

Ease Overnight Camp Anxiety 26 5 things to pack for your kids that might just help COMMUNITY

Neighborhood Spotlight 37 Green Lake’s indoor play spots shine in the off-season

A Brief History of Family Separation 17 Policies that separate families aren’t new, but here’s what is

Family Fun OUT + ABOUT

Discover Bend’s Winter Bounty There’s more than just world-class skiing at the popular winter destination

February Play List 38 15 fantastic ways to celebrate love, dragons and more

Once at an event, a man asked me when they are going to invent a Viagra [for women]. I said, “They already have: It’s p. 10 called listening!”

Central Oregon’s recreational opportunities, jaw-dropping mountains and family-friendly vibe are the perfect excuse to plan a trip.

PA R E N T M A P / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 / 3

What’s your favorite date night spot?

DE AR R E ADER

That Time I Was Hit by a Mack Truck ... Sort Of There’s nothing quite like having a child to rock your romantic relationship. Akin to a Mack-truck hit or an iceberg in the middle of your peaceful Titanic voyage, it’s one of those life changes that — no matter how much you research, ask questions and plan — you can never truly be prepared for (no matter how many diapers you buy). I remember bringing home my first-born, now 16 years ago; how significantly my focus changed overnight. One minute I could casually prepare dinner with my husband on Friday night, or sleep in on a weekend or sit down to read a book with total focus for hours on end. The next, I couldn’t even make it through a five-minute shower. I remember wondering about how I was going to make time for my partner when I had such little time to myself. But even that was a fleeting thought because —uh oh, baby’s crying. This common conundrum, faced by many parents, is just one of the questions surrounding relationships we’re examining in our February issue. First, writer Nancy Schatz Alton sits down with John Gottman, Ph.D., of the research-based The Gottman Institute. He shares concrete, realistic ways partners can maintain and build intimacy, even during those difficult early parenting years (p. 10). We’re also sharing simple ideas parents can use to encourage connection and open communication between themselves and their tweens and teens (p. 14). As the parent of two, I’m sure we can all use a few pointers (or is it just me?). Also in this issue: One of our former staff members examines the relationship between current anti-trans bills making their way through Congress and the long history of family separation practices in the U.S. (p. 17). It’s an eye-opening perspective, especially during Black History Month. We head south to explore Bend, Oregon in the wintertime (p. 29). A popular year-round destination for families, you’ll find more than enough to keep you busy for a week once the snow falls, even if you don’t ski. Plus, our February Play List (p. 38) is chock-full of activities that celebrate love, the Lunar New Year and Black history. — Allison Sutcliffe, managing editor

FEBRUARY 2024, VOL. 21, NO. 2

PUBLISHER

Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL

Sushi Joa — local, fabulous, our go-to spot

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Hiking and playing pickleball

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WHAT W E L IKE

Editor’s Picks Watching “‘Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul.’ I watched this with my teen son. It’s a great way to talk about vaping and for them to see how kids are manipulated by marketing.” — Kari Hanson, associate editor “‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ on Disney+. We have been waiting a long time for this one. Staying truer to the original books than the previous movies (Percy actually seems like a 12-year-old!), this series is written by the book’s author, Rick Riodan, and will make a Greek mythology fan out of your kid.” — Julie Dodobara, calendar editor Eating “Cheeky & Dry, a nonalcoholic bottle shop, just opened on Phinney Ridge. Lots of great options, helpful staff and a cool, friendly environment.” — Kari Hanson, associate editor “Resonate Brewery + Pizzeria in Newport Hills is great for the whole fam. Try Trivia Nights on Tuesdays, Music Bingo on Wednesdays or grab a board game off the shelf to play anytime. And the pizza has a really good crust.” — Julie Dodobara, calendar editor Reading “I just picked up ‘Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family’ by Mark Daley. It’s an illuminating memoir that traces Daley’s unlikely journey to parenthood through the American foster care system.” — Madison Miller, trends + engagement editor

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Listening “‘Ear Hustle,’ season 2 episode 15: Thick Glass, stories of incarcerated men trying to parent and stay connected with their children while in prison.” — Kari Hanson, associate editor “I’ve been a fan of Tori Dunlap since she published her book, ‘Financial Feminist’ in 2022 and I’ve been devouring her inspirational and educational podcast of the same name ever since.” — Madison Miller, trends + engagement editor “‘Smartless’ podcast. The combo of Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett’s friendship and banter with all kinds of guests keeps me chuckling for the entire hour.” — Julie Dodobara, calendar editor

“‘You Should Be Grateful: Stories of Race, Identity and Transracial Adoption’ by Seattle’s own Angela Tucker.” — Kari Hanson, associate editor “My 5-year-old asks me to read ‘Owl and Penguin: Best Day Ever’ about 10 times a day … but I don’t mind. The playful illustrations and lessons on friendship are incredibly heartwarming.” — Allison Sutcliffe, managing editor Using “My under-the-desk treadmill. I love it for meetings, and it’s a huge hit with my son who has ADHD and is not one to ever sit still. Turns out he loves walking in place!” — Kari Hanson, associate editor “Flipslide handheld puzzle game has been an addicting, big hit with all family members. Part Simon, part Rubik’s Cube, let’s just say there is an ongoing challenge for best score.” — Julie Dodobara, calendar editor

“A friend recently sent us Wits & Wagers: Family Edition and we’re having so much fun playing it. It’s not easy to find games everyone in our family can play together (my kids are 5, 12 and 16), so there’s reason to celebrate when we do.” — Allison Sutcliffe, managing editor Going “I love being on the water, and cold weather won’t get in my way. I have started reserving free onehour rowboat rentals at the Center for Wooden Boats almost every Saturday.” — Madison Miller, trends + engagement editor “Sneaker Con is coming to Seattle for the first time on Feb 25. I know my sneakerhead son will be begging to go!” — Kari Hanson, associate editor

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Local Teen Named National YoungArts Winner Logan Yao, a 17-year-old Shorecrest High School student, recently received a YoungArts award. Yao was one of only 20 students in the U.S. to receive the 2024 YoungArts award in the musical theater category. “I applied for the YoungArts award in the fall of my junior year and was not a finalist, so I reapplied this last fall after working to strengthen my material. In this last year, the arts in our public school district were on the chopping block due to budget issues. Fortunately, our district stayed committed to the arts, and I know I would not have been able to receive this award without the skills I learned in my high school drama program,” said Yao in a statement. “To say I’m grateful for this award and the support of the arts from our district is a huge understatement.” As a YoungArts award winner, Yao joins a distinguished group of accomplished artists including Timothée Chalamet, Viola Davis and Hunter Schafer, among others. The YoungArts competition is open to artists 15-18 years old (or in grades 10–12). youngarts.org

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Washington Among Best States for Working Parents A new study conducted by SelectSoftware Reviews revealed that Washington ranked No. 5 of the best states for working parents. The rankings were based on public school rankings, the duration of available maternity leave, the current cost of living, the percentage of income needed to pay for childcare and maternity leave pay. Connecticut nabbed first place whereas New Mexico came in last. SelectSoftware Reviews

BDA Turns 50 Bellevue Downtown Association is celebrating 50 years this month and it’s inviting the community to an event recognizing the people, projects and partnerships that have helped shape the downtown community. Registration for the Feb. 8 event is open now. bellevuedowntown.com

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon Seattle’s China-International District’s annual Lunar New Year Celebration will be held on Feb. 24. Vendor booths will line up along S. King St., dance performances and music will take place throughout the main stage at Hing Hay Park and foodies will have the opportunity to explore more than 40 food walk destinations. seattlechinatownid.com

New Library Partnership Connects Long-Distance Family Members PJ Library and Kinzoo have announced a new app, Kinzoo Together, that allows long-distance family members to read stories, play games and explore activities together during video calls. Current PJ Library books on the app include “Yitzi the Trusty Tractor,” “Until the Blueberries Grow” and “My Hands Make the World.” More books will launch on the app throughout 2024. “We hear so often about how much grandparents love to read PJ Library books with their families,” said Alli Thresher, PJ Library’s Director of Digital Content in a press release. “We’re so excited this partnership makes that possible even for families who are usually a plane ride away from each other.” pjlibrary.org

Pierce County Library System Adds Digital Comics, Manga and More The Pierce County Library System recently added Comics Plus to its online resources lineup, offering thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and manga accessible by smartphone, tablet or computer. These will be available to download immediately as there is no limit to the number of titles and no holds queue. Comics Plus can be accessed through the LibraryPass app. mypcls.org

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FE ATUR E

KEEP RO M A NC E A L I VE

Simple Habits That Keep Romance Alive When You’re a Busy Parent By Nancy Schatz Alton

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John Gottman, Ph.D., shares his expert advice on better sex, stronger romance and lasting love I’ll never forget an acquaintance with older children who advised me — pregnant at the time with my first child — to take care of my marriage during the first few years of parenthood. “When our children were young, we lived on a cul-de-sac with three other families,” he told me. “Before our children turned 5, all three of those couples were getting divorced.” I smiled at him, clueless about the impact of parenthood on marriage, which, as he predicted, did become much harder after we added two daughters to our family roster. Thankfully, one of the first parenting books I ever received, “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child,” was written by John Gottman, Ph.D. Soon I learned that this professor, beyond offering advice on how to teach children to master their emotions, had revolutionized the study of marriage, too. While researching his bestseller “Bringing Baby Home,” Gottman found that twothirds of the couples interviewed said their relationship suffered after welcoming a child. “When the baby arrives, there’s a big drop in couple satisfaction and relationship happiness,” he says. “The good news is that we’ve found this drop is totally reversible.” Gottman offers practical advice in all of his

work, but he may be best known for the two-day marriage retreat offered by The Gottman Institute, which he co-founded with his wife, clinical psychologist Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D. “Eighty percent of couples who attend [the retreat] reverse that drop,” says Gottman.

Sex, romance, play, adventure and fun die with dual-career families. Life becomes the infinite to-do list. Not only does reversing this trend benefit couples, Gottman says, it’s the greatest gift parents can give their children: a loving marriage. I spoke with Gottman about how parenting has changed since he started researching marriage, couples and parent-child relationships four decades ago, along with his well-researched advice on how to make a marriage thrive. How has parenting changed since you started researching marital relationships? The two-career family is ubiquitous — it characterizes 80 percent of all families, according to the American Psychological

Association. The stresses that befall most families have increased because parents are now far less available, time-wise. A Sloan Center at UCLA study of dualcareer families shows moms and dads are in the same room during the evening only 10 percent of the time. The average amount they talk to one another is 35 minutes a week, and it’s mostly errand talk. Sex, romance, play, adventure and fun die with dual-career families. Life becomes the infinite to-do list. Let’s contrast this with what’s called the normal bar: Everywhere on the planet, couples who have a great sex life do the same set of about 13 things. American dual-career couples are not doing these things. We are really ruining our relationships by not paying attention to them. What are those 13 habits? The thing that blew my mind about this list that I put together is that it’s not rocket science. So I made it a part of my therapy and I tell people, “Hey, guess what science has found about sex and romance all over the planet?” The list comes partly from our research and partly from the book “The Normal Bar,” which looks at the largest formal study of sex and love that includes more than 70,000 people from 74 countries.

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F E AT UR E

KEEP RO M A N C E A L I VE

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Here’s the baker’s dozen habits of couples who have a great sex life: 1/ They say “I love you” every day, and mean it. 2/ They kiss one another passionately for no reason at all. 3/ They give one another surprise romantic gifts and they give compliments. 4/ They know what turns their partners on and off erotically. 5/ They are physically affectionate, even in public. 6/ They keep playing and having fun together. 7/ They cuddle. Often. 8/ They make sex a priority, not the last item on a long to-do list. 9/ They stay good friends. 10/ They can talk comfortably about their sex life. 11/ They have weekly romantic dates. 12/ They take romantic vacations. 13/ They are mindful about turning toward each other.

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Do we kiss passionately in front of the kids, even if they say “Yuck! Gross!”? Ignore the kids that say “Yuck! Gross!” They actually love it, especially little kids. It gives them a feeling of security. Kissing is so powerful that research found German men who kiss their wives goodbye live five years longer than men who don’t. Kissing is the real secret to continued romance and passion. Check out the book “The Science of Kissing.” Q: How do you co-parent with someone when you aren’t (and may never be) on the same page about parenting? There’s an easy answer to this question: This is an example of a deal-breaker conflict, which means there’s deep meaning underneath it. Every person’s position here has existential meaning. It’s not about deciding between a Honda and Toyota while car shopping. These conflicts require something else. Here I use my dreams within conflict exercise. That means parents take turns to speak and to listen. The listener asks six questions of the speaker that really get at the underlying meaning of the person’s position. For example, the conflict of money is never about how you spend it — it’s about the meaning of money to each person. The dreams within conflict dialogue

gets to the heart of the matter: How does this parenting ideal relate to each person’s history? Once you understand these underlying truths, you can have compassion for that person’s point of view.

Check in emotionally with your partner on a regular basis. Make it nonjudgmental, and you can’t give advice unless someone asks for it.

Is listening the key to a happy partnership? Yes! The idea of checking in with one another emotionally and attuning is the key to making conflict constructive. That takes more than a minute to do. Attunement means listening not to rebut, but to understand with compassion, as an ally of one’s partner. Research shows this strong connection between sensitive listening and building trust.

a lot of the principles of helping couples resolve conflict come from Anatol Rapoport’s work on resolving international political conflicts. The basic principle is to postpone making decisions until each person can state their partner’s point of view perfectly.

What’s the easiest way to become a good listener? We have a booklet called “How to Be a Great Listener.” It’s about just listening without taking responsibility. We’re there to understand, and that’s enough, because you are not leaving the person alone with their emotions. The book teaches people how to listen to different emotions; listening to anger, sadness and fear all take different skill sets. So listening leads to closeness, which leads to more sex, right? Listening is the ultimate aphrodisiac! Once at an event, a man asked me when they are going to invent a Viagra [for women]. I said, “They already have: It’s called listening!” That’s also what works for conflicts. In fact,

What three small changes can couples make in their relationship that pay off in big ways? One is to adopt the motto “Baby, when you’re hurting, the world stops and I listen.” That’s what masters of relationships do: They stop doing everything else — they are not answering emails! — and listen. Two: Do the daily stress-reducing conversation. My late colleague Neil Jacobson said that the couples that continue to improve after therapy took turns being one another’s ally against the world. It’s listening, but it’s also saying, “You’re not alone.” Each person gets 10 minutes a day. Let them talk about the nasty person in the checkout line that affected their mood. How they were then late to pick up the kids, and their bad mood meant they argued with the kids. The partner is saying, “That’s terrible! I would have been upset, too.” It’s not problem-solving; they’re just being their partner’s friend. Check in emotion-

ally with your partner on a regular basis. Make it nonjudgmental, and you can’t give advice unless someone asks for it. People also want to hear what is good about your day and what you are looking forward to tomorrow. You can do this at dinner and include the kids in the conversation. Three is to have warm, loving reunions that start with a six-second kiss. The reason for the timed kiss is that it really means you are taking a break to be with one another. It’s not a perfunctory peck on the cheek or an air hug. It’s a real reunion: You’re really home and this person is your home. It’s much more akin to how my dog greets me when I return home. I have this memory from when I was a kid: Sometimes I would bring my sister and meet my dad at the bus stop. When he got off the bus, I would see this tired man. But then he would see us and he would brighten up. It was like the sun came out! Make your reunions with each other a real big deal.

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Nancy Schatz Alton is the co-author of two holistic health care guides, “The Healthy Back Book” and “The Healthy Knees Book.” She lives in Ballard with her husband, a teen and their Havanese dog.

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Try shared journaling. After returning to full-time work, I found that connecting with my middle child was difficult because our schedules never aligned. For her 12th birthday, I gave her “Just Between Us: Mother & Daughter,” a mother-daughter journal, in an effort to stay connected, and it’s been pretty successful. Purchase a book like this or create your own journal with prompts. Take an interest in their interests. Even if it’s Minecraft or Fortnite, listening and learning about what interests your kids is important. Not only does it show you care, it gives you something to talk about. Work alongside each other. Kids tend to let their guard down when they’re working on a project. Whether it’s raking leaves, cooking dinner or changing the oil in the car, invite them to help out. The conversation flows naturally from there. Text them. Although we’re all actively working to reduce screen time in our kids’ lives, there’s something about texting your kids that works. Maybe it’s the immediacy or that messages are read as being in a more neutral tone, but texting is an effective way to deliver simple messages that often fall on deaf ears. But the most important strategy of all: Stick with it. It may take a while, but continuously showing an interest in your kid’s life lets them know you care.

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— Allison Sutcliffe

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A Short History of Forced Family Separation in the U.S. Why we have to fight back now against attacks on trans kids By Diana Cherry

Anti-LGBTQ legislation is on the rise. To date, 589 anti-transgender bills have been introduced nationwide, many of which claim to “protect” children. The most aggressive of these bills have specifically targeted families and threatened family separation. In Wyoming, SF 011 proposed felony charges against caregivers or health-care providers offering gender-affirming care. Thankfully, the bill failed. But in Florida, SB 254, which removes “at-risk” youth who are “subjected” to gender-affirming care from their home, passed. In Texas, caregivers of transgender kids can be investigated for child abuse simply for accessing gender-affirming care for their children. Similar bills have passed or are under consideration in Arkansas, Georgia and Arizona, with more being introduced every day, despite the science that these treatments are minimally invasive, safe and can even be life-saving. Attacks on trans caregivers and children are terrifying, but unfortunately, child separation in the U.S. is nothing new.

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Though public interest in family separation gained broad national attention during the Trump administration, when nearly 5,000 refugee children were forcibly separated from their caregivers at the border, the practice has a protracted history in the United States. It has long been used as a tactic to terrorize marginalized communities in the U.S.

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Even before its official founding, the United States deployed this strategy against enslaved Indigenous and African peoples for hundreds of years. During the era of slavery in the U.S., some enslaved people were sold as many as six times during their lives. Family separations were common. In fact, many Black people referred to New Year’s Day as “Heartbreak Day” because it was a popular day for trafficking enslaved people.

Between 1819 and 1969, Indigenous children were taken from their communities and forced to attend “boarding schools,” which functioned more like prisons. “Night and day, you could hear men and women screaming … ma, pa, sister or brother … taken without any warning,” Susan Hamilton, witness to a slave auction, recalled in a 1938 interview. “People was always dying from a broken heart.” Harriet Jacobs’ autobiography, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” includes similar accounts:

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“‘a mother lead seven children to the auction-block. She knew that some of them would be taken from her; but they took all.’ The slave trader who took the children wouldn’t tell her where he was taking them because it depended on where he could get the ‘highest price.’ Jacobs said she would never forget the mother crying out, ‘Gone! All gone! Why don’t God kill me?’” When slavery ended, white landowners in the U.S. devised new ways to continue to profit from free Black and Indigenous labor, including court-ordered

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apprenticeships and correctional “schools,” where Black children were regularly torn from their homes and “adopted” or rented out as forced laborers for white families and white institutions, despite protests from their families. In Maryland alone, nearly 3,000 Black children were stolen by white planters to work as “apprentices.”

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Before the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted in 1978, between 25 percent and 35 percent of Indigenous children were targeted for removal from their homes and sold or put up for adoption to white families as a part of a campaign to force their communities to assimilate. These children often suffered incredible cruelty from the white families they worked for, and many were killed and then unceremoniously discarded in unmarked or mass graves on family farms or “correctional” facilities.

History has taught us the incredible danger children face when they are removed from their homes, their culture and their loved ones.

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Between 1819 and 1969, Indigenous children were taken from their communities and forced to attend “boarding schools,” which functioned more like prisons. During that period according to a 2022 report by the U.S. Department of the Interior, there were more than 400 government-backed schools, with more than 50 associated burial sites, where Indigenous children were brutally forced to assimilate, robbed of their traditions, languages and families. Living survivors report rampant sexual and physical abuse, even murder. So far, the federal investigation has uncovered more than 500 deaths at 19 institutions. Unfortunately, it did not end there. Child separation continues in the form of forced removal and institutionalization of Black and brown children today. According to the American Bar Association (ABA), “Over 50 percent of Black children in the U.S. will experience a child welfare investigation before their eighteenth birthday (nearly double the rate of white children). Nearly 10 percent of Black children will be removed from their parents and placed into foster care (double

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the rate of white children). One in 41 Black children will have their relationship with their birth parent or parents legally terminated (more than double the rate of the general population).”

Knowing this history helps us to recognize and resist continued systemic efforts to harm marginalized communities in the name of “child protection.” “Once placed into foster care, Black children are moved more often, receive fewer appropriate services and then are four times less likely to be reunified with their families than white children. Black youth also experience worse outcomes once they leave foster care — for example, 23 percent of Black youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness, and 29 percent experience incarceration, far higher rates than or non-Black youth.” Queer children, too, are already overrepresented in the foster care system and once placed in a foster home, are more likely to suffer abuse, neglect and discrimination. Just 10 states have laws requiring foster caregivers to provide homes safe from discrimination, and few foster care training programs offer specific information on how to support LGBTQ youth. Studies consistently show that separating children from their families is incredibly harmful, even in situations when it is absolutely necessary. And children face more risk of harm from foster care than in the care of their families of origin. Though our culture consistently normalizes or rationalizes this separation, we can and must do better. History has taught us the incredible danger children face when they are removed from their homes, their culture and their loved ones. At a time when attempts are being made across this nation to limit or erase some of the more troubling aspects of our history, this is just one example of why it’s important for all of us to learn the truth. Knowing this history helps us to recognize and resist continued systemic efforts to harm marginalized communities in the name of “child protection.” We must work to dismantle systems in this country that intentionally police marginalized communities, and fight laws that target and punish marginalized children and their caregivers. Families belong together, whether Black, Indigenous, immigrant or queer, and threats to separate loving caregivers from their children aren’t just heartbreaking, they’re wrong.

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Diana Cherry is a local writer and activist. She’s written for Hello Darling, The Creative Mama, Nourishing Moms Naturally, Milkmakers and more. She currently works for The Who We Are Project. She lives in Woodinville with her partner and four kids.

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Books for Better Understanding: Black History in the U.S. “Let the Children March” by Monica Clark-Robinson, illustrated by Frank Morrison A picture book about the 1963 Children’s Crusade during the Civil Rights Movement. This book inspires kids of today to fight for justice and think about the impact they can have right where they are. (All ages) “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor Nine-year-old Cassie Logan and her family fight to keep their farm in the Jim Crow South. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” is an unflinching look at life in the Jim Crow South for those few Black families who owned land at the time, and it gives historical context to a poorly understood period in U.S. history. (Ages 7+) “Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds Written with younger kids in mind, this book provides a history of ideas about race for elementaryage readers. Parents can also find a teen-specific version titled “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” and a comprehensive version for adults titled “Stamped from the Beginning.” Choose the version that’s right for each reader in your household and be prepared to have your mind blown. (Ages 8+) “Ophie’s Ghosts” by Justina Ireland A middle-grade mystery novel focused on the life of 12-year-old Ophelia Harrelson, who is reeling in the aftermath of her father’s lynching in Georgia. The novel addresses the period in the early 1920s when lynching was rampant, and the impact this had on the fictional family. (Ages 9+)

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a press release. “This is about leveraging technology to explore and expand how art is instrumental in healing and calming.” The L.A.U.G.H. app is one of the only evidence-based apps designed to help users relax, focus, and build self-esteem through art, music and breathing by combining contour drawing activities, music and breathing exercises. Users can create digital art and then watch a replay of their creation, save and share their artwork and more. The app is free but can only be used on a tablet. Seattle-based lifelong artist Catherine Mayer has witnessed art’s transformative effects on people. She first saw it when she was painting public murals and passersby would stop to marvel and be moved, she said. “They enjoyed watching the process of art being made,” she says, adding that they would pepper her with questions and comments. And now she gets to see those effects on a

much larger scale. She came up with the idea of developing a drawing app. The L.A.U.G.H. (Let Art Unleash Great Happiness) app is now being implemented in schools and programs nationwide. Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue have started using the app. Over the past few months, more than 250 kids at the clubs have used the app to create thousands of pieces of animated artwork. “The whole point of the app was not to create another drawing app — there are plenty of those out there,” Mayer says in

Mayer says kids are able to slow down, focus and get into a “meditative-like state” while using the app. One of the best aspects of the app, Mayer says, is that anyone can use it. “Art is this international communicator. It creates connection,” she says. Learn more about the L.A.U.G.H. app at thelaugh.app.

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Madison Miller is ParentMap’s trends and engagement editor.

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Higher Education Lowering the Barriers to a College Education By Gemma Alexander

There are some real barriers to attending college, and some families are starting to wonder if it’s truly worth the effort. Certainly, life is not one-size-fits-all, and a degree is not a prerequisite for a good life. But higher education bestows some very clear advantages, and everyone who wants an education should be able to pursue it. Fortunately, there are many tools to help lower the barriers to a college education. Return on investment College costs keep rising, and many college graduates start out with an average of $30,000 in student debt. So it’s no surprise that enrollment in four-year universities has been dropping since 2010. That decline became dramatic during the pandemic, with university enrollments dropping 10% between 2019 and 2022, plus community and technical college (CTC) enrollment down 25%, according to the Washington Public Enrollment Trends report. However, postsecondary education is not a lost cause. The average return on investment for a four-year degree is an extra $822,000 in lifetime income. Studies show that any amount of postsecondary education — such as an AA degree or certification — can lead to improved physical and financial health outcomes. “Generally, people who complete college or career training live longer, make more money, are more likely to stay employed, and can change careers more easily,” says Rodger O’Connor, Associate Director for Marketing and Communications at Washington College Savings Plans (WA529). While costs may be going up, there are many ways to bring that cost down — through savings, financial aid and other programs. If you know where to look,

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there are a lot of resources that can make college more accessible for your student. College savings programs Washington state’s 529 plans can make your college savings efforts a lot more efficient. There are two main options: Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) and DreamAhead. Operating much like a Roth IRA (where after-tax dollars are invested), DreamAhead offers parents a variety of mutual fund options. Parents can manage their own investments while earning the tax advantages of a 529 plan. GET is a prepaid tuition program that allows parents to purchase tuition units at a fixed price. The value of those units is guaranteed to keep pace with the cost of in-state resident tuition and state-mandated fees at Washington’s highest-priced, public four-year university. Both plans feature tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified education expenses. Besides public universities in Washington, both GET units and DreamAhead investments can be used for private and out-of-state universities, trade and technical schools, apprenticeship programs, and educational expenses such as books or room and board. If a student doesn’t use their money, it can later be rolled over to a Roth IRA account for that student or transferred to someone else. Financial aid application assistance Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is the first and most critical step to getting most educational grants and loans. Some people may need to use the Washington state version of the form, the WASFA, due to immigration status or other issues with federal aid eligibility. Financial aid is not just for four-year

universities and there is a lot more financial aid available than most people realize. However, the financial aid application process can be complicated. That’s a real problem because studies have shown that access to financial aid makes a difference in students’ abilities to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary education. O’Connor recommends starting with the Washington Student Achievement Council’s “Apply For Financial Aid” webpage. You’ll find links to the FAFSA and WASFA forms and resources to help you apply,” says O’Connor. One of those resources is OtterBot, a 24/7 free texting service to support students, parents and guardians through the application process. Washington College Grant Colleges use the FAFSA to determine students’ eligibility for federal financial aid. But the FAFSA or WASFA can also help students unlock pots of funding that don’t come from the federal government or their selected school. A relatively new resource is the Washington College Grant (WA Grant), established in 2020. WA Grant gives eligible students money for many types of education, including certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships and college. “WA Grant is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country, and it is guaranteed to eligible people,” says O’Connor. In 2024-25, WA Grant could cover the equivalent of full public college tuition for a family of four earning less than $78,500, while those with incomes up to $120,500 can receive smaller grants. Guaranteed admissions The Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP) is a partnership between some public school districts and many public universities in Washington state.

Any high school student from a partner school district who has at least a 3.0 GPA and completes the College Academic Distribution Requirements is guaranteed admission at most in-state public universities in Washington. Eligible students still need to apply for admission but don’t have to worry about being rejected. GEAR UP When families don’t have the generational experience of higher education, figuring out how to prepare for, choose and apply to college can be confusing and intimidating. Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal program to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Students at participating public high schools have access to extended-day programs for tutoring, mentoring and advising. They also gain opportunities to visit postsecondary campuses to learn about admissions, academic programs, and financial aid options, plus, attend student workshops and participate in summer campus experiences. Seattle and Renton Promise Public high school students in Seattle and Renton are eligible for free tuition at select schools through each city’s Promise program. Regardless of a family’s financial need, Seattle Promise provides free tuition at North Seattle College, Seattle Central College or South Seattle College for up to two years, 90 credits or a student’s first degree, whichever comes first. Families demonstrating financial need can receive additional benefits such as transportation funding. Graduates of Hazen, Lindbergh, Renton or Talley High School who enroll at Renton Technical College are eligible for Renton Promise, which assists with tuition and fees once other forms of aid are applied. Students who do not qualify for financial aid may still be eligible for a grant through the program.

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Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander writes about parenting, the arts, and the environment. Find links to more of her writing at gemmadeealexander.com.

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5 Things to Pack to Ease Overnight Camp Anxiety For many kids, sleepaway camp is an exciting time, a time to spread their wings, try new things and find out who they are. For others, that excitement can come with more than a little anxiety, especially if this is the first time they’ll be away from home for an extended period of time. For kids who aren’t quite sure about this new adventure, pack a little bit of home in their bag to support them from afar. 1/ Letters from home. Depending on the length of your child’s stay at camp (and how organized you are in the weeks leading up to camp), letters you send to your camper may not reach them in time. Instead, pack letters in their overnight bag, one for each day they’re there. 2/ Pre-addressed, stamped envelopes and stationery. Make it as easy as possible for your child to keep in touch while they’re away. Even if the letters don’t arrive before they return, writing the notes will help your child feel connected to home. 3/ Pictures of friends and family. Sure, you have to print them out, but giving your kid the ability to hang pictures of friends and family over their bunk will help them sleep well at night. 4/ Disposable cameras. Many camps don’t allow kids to pack cell phones. (Can you blame them?) For the smartphone generation, this poses a problem: how to capture those special camp memories without their phone’s camera. Disposable cameras are the perfect solution. Tuck a few into your kid’s camp bag, so they can focus on enjoying and documenting their camp adventures, and later, share them with you. 5/ Travel games. Making connections with other campers is part of settling in. Pack travel-size games (even a deck of cards will do) so your kid can invite others to play. It’s a great way to get to know your bunkmates.

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state. Combine that with Central Oregon’s recreational opportunities, jaw-dropping mountains, great restaurants and a family-friendly vibe, and you have the perfect excuse to plan a trip.

staying cozy and warm in your sled while the pups happily do the work. If snowshoeing is more your speed, U.S. Forest Service naturalists offer free 90-minute interpretive tours from mid-December to late March, and they even provide the snowshoes. (Ages 8 and older; no infants in packs or dogs permitted.) Hoodoo Ski Area, about an hour’s drive northwest of Bend, is a smaller, more economical ski area featuring the Autobahn tubing park as well as Alpine (downhill) and Nordic (cross-country) skiing, and snowboarding.

Try a new winter sport at Mt. Bachelor or nearby Hoodoo. Mt. Bachelor Mountain Resort was recently ranked one of the best ski resorts in North America, but if skiing or snowboarding are not for you, there are other winter activities to try here. For an unusual family experience, take a wild ride with an Oregon Trail of Dreams sled dog team along snowy trails,

Experience the Northwest’s biggest winter festival in the Old Mill District. If you’re heading to Bend over Presidents’ Day weekend (Feb. 16–18, 2024), be sure to check out the Northwest’s biggest winter festival, a celebration of the season’s magic at WinterFest. The enchanting event features loads of fun for the whole family, including live music, art, food, shopping and

There’s more than just world-class skiing at this adventure paradise Story and photos by Camille Gullickson It was the world-class downhill skiing that first drew my family to explore beautiful Bend in Central Oregon decades ago. But in the years since, we’ve discovered there’s much more than skiing to enjoy in this year-round recreational paradise. Of course, Seattle families have their share of gorgeous alpine experiences closer to home, but many families choose Bend because they prefer its high-desert climate. Compared to its often socked-in neighbors to the north, Bend gets less than 12 inches of precipitation per year and has the highest number of sunny days in the

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Take a peaceful stroll at iconic Smith Rock State Park. Smith Rock State Park — with its towering spires, deep river canyons and golden red rock — is one of the most popular of Oregon’s Seven Wonders to visit. We’ve been going for years. I prefer to hike there in the off-season, when it is less crowded and the temperatures are cooler. The vast 650-acre park has many trails to choose from, but families especially enjoy the flat, protected 2.5-mile River Trail. Keep a lookout for wildlife, such as river otters, mule deer, waterfowl and raptors, along the way. The Oregon State Parks Pass or a $5 day-use parking permit is required, and leashed dogs are welcome. Saddle up for the horseback adventure of a lifetime at Brasada Ranch. If you think that horseback rides are for summer only, think again. At Brasada Ranch you can take part in the special Brasada Ranch seasonal Winter Trails and Treats ride through February. The three-hour experience is available at the ranch from Friday through Sunday, noon–3 p.m., for groups of up to six riders, ages 10 and older. It includes riding to a scenic vantage point at Spirit Rock, followed by hot cocoa and s’mores seared over an open fire. Guided trail rides for riders of all abilities (ages 8 and older) are offered year-round, and younger cow folk (ages 5 and older) can take a pony ride around the pen or simply meet the gentle steeds. Advanced reservations are required for all rides. Hike or snowshoe to a magical frozen waterfall. Beautiful Tumalo Falls, just a short drive from down-

town Bend, is one of the tallest and most spectacular waterfalls in Oregon, and it’s open year-round. In the winter, the ungroomed road to the trailhead may be closed, but with your snowshoes or Nordic (cross-country) skis, you can make the short, 2.5-mile trek down the road to see the falls. More ambitious adventurers can keep going up to Tumalo Falls via Tumalo Creek Trail for miles. A Northwest Forest Pass or a $5-day use fee is required, and dogs are welcome on many of the trails (and can be off-leash in certain areas). Soothe your sore muscles and let the kids blow off steam at indoor water parks. After all your outdoor activities, a swim or a soak might feel nice, and there are several good public options to choose from. In Bend, Juniper Swim and Fitness Center is a popular spot for budget-conscious families. Here, locals and out-of-towners alike can

access the Olympic-size pool, a regular pool with rope swing, an indoor coed hot tub and more for a modest price. For a more relaxing vibe, check out the soaking pool at McMenamins Old St. Francis School in downtown Bend. One of the features of a unique historic building, the pool has an open ceiling and distinct mosaics that make it a stand-out option. Well worth the drive is the Madras Aquatic Center, about an hour’s drive north of Bend. The center offers beautiful views of the Cascades to the west, a 100-foot slide, a leisure pool and lazy river, and a regular pool with a rope swing. Families have their fair share of swim options in the area. Glide along glistening ice at an area skating rink. Seventh Mountain Resort features Central Oregon’s oldest outdoor rink, and it’s popular with locals and visitors alike because of

Empowering our communities

its festively lit outdoor setting in the trees. At The Pavilion in Bend, Central Oregon’s only NHL-size ice rink, you can also enjoy open skating, ice hockey, curling and roller skating (from spring through early fall). The Village at Sunriver’s rink, which is covered during the winter months, is another great option. And for those on a tighter budget, try the portable outdoor skating rink in downtown Redmond. Admission is only $6 per person, including rentals, and free skate times are offered if you bring your skates. If the weather outside becomes too frightful, check out indoor activities for everyone. When the winter weather heads south in Bend, there are a few indoor activities you can try, including those at Mountain Air Trampoline Park. Mountain Air is open seven days a week, with all-ages fun, such as “Toddler Time” for kids younger than 5, and an interactive trampoline-game platform

LEARNING SET IN MOTION

A great school for great kids (who just need a little more).

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Multi-age cohorts group students based on their strengths and challenges School life emphasizes social emotional learning Education is individualized and play is purposeful Kineo kids may be gifted and/or need additional academic support Kids make friends, have fun, and prepare for bright futures NOW Ready to see how Kineo sets learning in motion? ENROLLING Schedule your visit! Contact us at info@kineoschool.org 7525 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA

FOR FALL 2024!

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Arrive Curious. Leave Inspired.

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OUT + A B OUT

continued from page 31

for tweens and teens. Visit Pickleball Zone Bend (PZB) to play indoor pickleball. Free Spirit Bend offers yoga, fitness and ninja warrior classes; plus, there is open play at its indoor play space. Sun Mountain Fun Center features bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, a virtual reality attraction and more. And Vector Volcano is a blast from the past with the best classic video arcade and pinball games from the 1980s and 1990s.

If you go … Getting there: Bend is about a six-hour drive south of Seattle, and it is also accessible by bus, train and air. Portland makes a great culinary stop to break up the long drive.

Explore school experiences focused on global health, gender equality, sanitation, design thinking & more!

Across from Seattle Center Wednesday – Saturday 10 am to 5 pm Public tours at 2 pm

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EDUCATORS: Now booking in-person and virtual school tours!

Where to eat: Family-friendly dining in Bend can be more limited in the winter, but locals in the know recommend Jackson’s Corner (local, sustainable); Active Culture Cafe (near Drake Park; good vegan/vegetarian options and a “kids corner”); Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House (good kids menu); Cafe Yumm! (crowd-pleasing Yumm! Bowls); and Laughing Planet Cafe (kid favorites, healthier fare and loaner dinosaurs). For a sweet treat, check out The Sparrow Bakery (baked goods, house-made hot chocolate and more). Where to stay: A few recommended lodgings for families to try include Eagle Crest Resort, WorldMark Bend – Seventh Mountain Resort, Sunriver Resort and Brasada Ranch. Local equipment rentals: Powder House (Nordic and Alpine skis, snowboards, snowshoes); Skjersaa’s ski shop (Nordic and Alpine skis, snowboards, snowshoes); Pine Mountain Sports (Nordic skis and snowshoes; Northwest Forest Passes are available for purchase here); and Sunnyside Sports (Nordic skis).

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Camille Gullickson was born in Seattle, raised on Whidbey Island and has lived in Oregon since 2007. After many years working in the nonprofit sector, she is currently focused on freelance writing and contracted projects while exploring the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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Upcoming ParentEd Talks Powered by ParentMap with host Laura Kastner, Ph. D. ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner, Ph.D., as the host of its 2023–2024 ParentEd Talks series. Kastner is the author of a number of parenting books, including the acclaimed “Getting to Calm” series, and a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington. FEBRUARY 2024 Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids | Feb. 6, 2024 Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Skoog, Ed.S., will share her conscious discipline playbook in this talk that compassionately translates research, child development expertise and Positive Discipline principles into everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and calm.

MARCH 2024 Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting in the Digital Age | March 5, 2024 From toddlers exploring their immediate environment to twentysomethings charting their place in society, children’s “screen time” and digital social relationships have become an inescapable aspect of growing up. Professor and author Katie Davis, Ph.D., draws on her expertise in developmental science and design research to clarify what parents need to understand about technology’s role at each stage of their child’s development.

Parenting SOS: Expert Answers to Your Burning Questions | March 27, 2024 Our kids are constantly changing. Advice for parents is too. So, we’re phoning friends and calling in an expert. Join us for an intimate hour of conversation with local treasure and internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, researcher and veteran parent Dr. Laura Kastner. We’ve selected a diverse group of parents to ask some of our most burning questions. Then, we’ll open the floor to you.

APRIL 2024 Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024 Nate and Kaley Klemp, two of the most respected voices in the field of modern relationships, will impart key insights of their 80/80 marriage model, which is based on the concept of “radical generosity.” Learn game-changing strategies for redesigning the structure of your partnership based on practices and principles that will result in shared success and lasting satisfaction.

MAY 2024 What’s Love Got to Do With It? The Power of Nurturing Yourself First | May 1, 2024 To best nurture others, we must expand our capacity to nurture ourselves. In this can’t-miss talk, veteran mindful self-compassion facilitator Yaffa Maritz, LMHC, will teach caregivers how to cultivate a habit of restorative selfcompassion, equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-awareness, self-reflection, selfcare and emotional resilience.

JUNE 2024 Calm and Connected: Coaching Coping Skills in Your Children | June 5, 2024 Mental health counselor and author Janine Halloran, LMHC, will draw on her decades of experience working with children and families to impart practical and effective strategies to help kids and teens develop the coping, self-regulation and social skills they need to manage stress, reduce anxiety and manage other common mental health challenges.

Missed an event? Watch past ParentEd Talks at parentmap.com/live-archive!

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FAM I LY F UN

C OMMUNI T Y

Neighborhood Spotlight Green Lake By Madison Miller

THE VIBE The eclectic and comfortable neighborhood of Green Lake is just a few minutes north of downtown Seattle. Home to approximately 10,000 residents, this small north-central Seattle neighborhood is named after its centerpiece, Green Lake. Geologists believe the Vashon glacier formed Green Lake around 50,000 years ago. Fun fact: Dredgings of Green Lake have brought up volcanic ash from an eruption of Glacier Peak that occurred about 6,700 years ago. PLAY ON The 2.8-mile-long path around the lake provides an idyllic spot for runners, walkers and parents pushing strollers, and thanks to our mild climate, it’s a year-round destination. At Green Lake Park, many use the athletic fields or visit the park for boating, picnics, swimming and playground fun during the summer months. During the cooler months, families can take refuge from the rain inside the Green Lake Community Center to play at the recently reopened Toddler Room. Families can once again drop in for free playtime (after registering for a Quick Card) during open hours. Plus, the Pool Playland time at Evans Pool is another draw for those looking to do

something different on a dreary winter day. Nearby Cowen Park offers a quieter playground option for families. A great indoor option is the Seattle Public Theater. This month, catch a showing of “Once More, Just for You.” Consider planning a date night to see this production. For those willing to brave the cold and rain to see animals, stop by Woodland Park Zoo, where visitors can easily spend an entire day wandering the 92-acre property in search of lions, tigers and bears. The bears are a particular favorite among kids, who often have the chance to marvel at the bears from the other side of the glass as the animals take a dip in a shallow pool. The zoo is divided into bioclimatic zones that feature more than 800 animals from more than 250 different species. Visitors looking for native Northwest animals will find them along “The Living Northwest Trail” exhibit. EATS + TREATS We’ve never known a kid to say no to a cold treat even in the dead of winter. That’s why we always recommend stop-

Photo courtesy of zoo.org

ping by Seattle Pops for delicious frozen pops. Good news: Seattle Pops is expanding to offer catering services. We all rejoiced when Beth’s Cafe reopened last year. While the cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, you’ll have to look elsewhere for a tasty casual dinner after a long day playing around Green Lake. That’s why Rain City Burgers is a great dinnertime spot. We recommend the Sonics Burger Photo courtesy of with a raspberry seattlepops.com milkshake. If everyone is tuckered out from the day’s activity, swing by Frelard Tamales and pick up some uncooked tamales to heat up at home. Please note: Construction of a larger, dine-in Frelard Tamales restaurant is underway in Fremont; the Green Lake location will close once the new restaurant opens.

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Madison Miller is ParentMap’s trends and engagement editor. PA R E N T M A P / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 / 3 7

FAM I LY F UN

PL AY L I ST

February Learn, Love and Celebrate All Month Long! Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar.

By Julie Dodobara

With the novelty of winter having worn off, we’re looking forward to brighter days ahead and the myriad family activities that February brings. Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day and Black History Month all are celebrated this month, and imaginative films, music and theater performances are happening, as are freshair nature explorations. Let’s make the most of the shortest month of the year and get out there!

� Behold the sight of mighty bald eagles as they feed on salmon. Plus, catch a wagon ride (Saturday), watch chainsaw-carving artists in action and more at the ArlingtonStillaguamish Eagle Festival. Friday–Saturday, Feb. 2–3. Free. � Crafty kids of all ages will love creating an adorable Valentine’s Day card or gift for that special someone at workshops hosted at King and Pierce county libraries. Dates through Feb. 14. Check local library listings for specific locations, dates and times. Free. � Introduce your youngsters to the sights and sounds of the orchestra during interactive

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concert experiences when they can learn about instruments and meet the musicians who play them. Symphony Tacoma kicks off its Mini Maestros series with the family of string instruments on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children, $13 for adults. Or, explore wind instruments with Seattle Symphony at one of its sessions, Friday–Saturday, Feb. 2–3; times vary depending on day. Admission is $12.

� February offers a special enticement to make the jaunt to Eatonville’s phenomenal Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. During Kids ’n’ Critters weekends, as many as two kids ages

12 and younger enter the park for free with each paid adult admission. Applicable dates are Feb. 2–4, 9–11, 16–19 and 23–25. Adult admission is $25. Bonus: Enjoy love-ly activities during Wild Valentine’s weekend, Feb. 10–11.

Photo courtesy of nwtrek.org

Highlighted Events for February

Feb. 2–10

Feb. 6 | Tuesday

Feb. 24 | Saturday

2024 Children’s Film Festival Seattle

ParentMap Live: Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids

Lunar New Year celebrations

Northwest Film Forum and online

� Dive into a different cinematic universe featuring imaginative, thought-provoking, full-length films and shorts from around the globe. This year’s Children’s Film Festival Seattle offers in-person movie screenings at Northwest Film Forum in addition to streaming from home. Festival runs Feb. 2–10. Various showtimes. Special events TBA. Ticket prices $5–$25.

ParentEd Talks event online

featuring parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Skoog, Ed.S., as she shares her conscious discipline playbook for everyday parenting solutions that make for happier, healthier kids. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1–2 p.m. Free; preregister.

� The hunt is on in Bellevue’s

Lewis Creek Park. Sharpen your nature detective skills by searching for tracks, poop and other signs of winter wildlife activity alongside a knowledgeable ranger. Feb. 4, 17 or 24. Free; preregister. Ages 5–10 with families.

� Gather your family at the beach after the sun sets to explore a familiar Pacific Northwest landscape in a whole new light. Discover what secrets low tide has to reveal at night with the help of a Seattle Aquarium beach naturalist. Bring your flashlight or headlamp and step lightly at this free drop-in program at Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint in West Seattle, Friday, Feb. 9, 8–10 p.m. � Frolic in a winter wonderland before spring is upon us! Snag your spot on a guided snowshoe trek for families along various mountain trails. Nearby locations include Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Rainier and others. Walks typically take place on weekends in February, and some require preregistration. Be sure to check on availability before heading out. $36–$60. � Looking for greater joy,

connection and calm within your family? Tune in for this month’s ParentEd Talks event,

� Snag your spots in a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. You can stick your fingers (gently) in the touch tanks and watch the fish eat their lunch. Don’t delay, as spots fill quickly. Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. � February is Black History Month, the perfect time to take the family to enjoy an allages show about a young artist

discovering her voice. On her artistic journey, she is visited by three prominent ancestors from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. “Where Blooming Flowers Meet the Sky” will be performed at Mount Tahoma High School, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. Preregister for your free tickets.

� Cheer on Jack as he faces his fears and embarks on a sky-high adventure in StoryBook Theater’s modern musical take on the classic tale “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Running time is 55 minutes, StoryBook shows are designed for kids ages 3–10. Choose from performances in Kirkland (Feb. 10, 11 and 17) or Renton (Feb. 24 and March 9). Multiple showtimes. Tickets $15.

� Treat your art-loving family to an immersive experience of impressionism’s most famous painter at “Imagine Monet,” opening Feb. 14 with a special Valentine’s Day event. More than 200 of Monet’s well-known masterpieces, including “Impression: Sunrise” and the “Water Lilies” series, are featured in

Hing Hay Park (Seattle), Tacoma Dome, Spartan Recreation Center (Shoreline)

360-degree projections in this state-of-the-art digital exhibition at Tacoma Armory. Prebook your timed-entry tickets. Admission $34–$39 for adults, $19 for students, free for kids ages 4 and younger.

� School’s out for Presidents Day. What are the kids to do? Keep your little guppies active and happy at Tacoma’s indoor pools during free recreational swim sessions. Dive into Northpoint, Eastside or People’s Pool Monday–Tuesday, Feb. 19–20 for a splashing good time. Times vary by location. � Celebrate the Year of the Dragon all month long at community Lunar New Year fests. On Saturday, Feb. 24, gather at Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s

Chinatown–International District (11 a.m.–4 p.m.), the Tacoma Dome (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) or Shoreline’s Spartan Recreation Center (noon –3:30 p.m.) for thrilling lion dances, cultural activities and more. Free.

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Julie Dodobara is ParentMap’s calendar editor.

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JEWISH YOUTH ADVENTURE the

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