Today's Family magazine - Summer 2015 by Today's Transitions

SUMMER 2015

CONTENTS

Directories p42

The Minecraft Addiction p16 Unlocking the Social Media Craze

Summer Camps p33 Make a craft p48

p16

ALSO...

• Handle your child’s first crush calmly p20 • 7 ways sleep-deprivation affects your child p26 • Dental questions answered p28 • The upside of hiring a tutor p30 • Protect the noggin p32 • A protein-packed popsicle p34 • Where your teen can find a job p36 • Mac-n-cheese reinvented p38

Do you have a

Defiant Darling? p 24

NASH IS OUR

BEAUTIFUL BABY

1-2-3

RUNNER UP. SEE OUR WINNER ON THE BABY SUPPLEMENT (after p24)

SMILE!

SUMMER FUN

How to take a good family photo p10

page 28 2 SUMMER 2015

Marvelous Mentor PHOTO BY MELISSA DONALD

p40

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INTRO

Volume 24 • Number 2 PUBLISHER

By Anita Oldham, Editor

STRETCH Your Imagination

Cathy S. Zion

publisher@todayspublications.com EDITOR

Anita Oldham

editor@todayspublications.com ASSISTANT EDITORS

Elaine Rooker Jack

elaine@todayspublications.com

Tiffany White

tiffany@todayspublications.com

OUR COVER PHOTO EVOLVED USING THE CREATIVE MIND OF A 7-YEAR-OLD. We usually start a photo shoot with some kind of idea or concept, but with kids, we have found that they often have better ideas than we adults do. We have a lot of great photos of Logan — we have him making funny faces to represent one of our inside articles on how to take a great family photo.

We had him jump into high energy poses to represent the excitement of School’s Out! During part of the shoot, we asked him what he wanted to do. He imagined himself tanning, driving, and, as you can see on the front cover, swimming.

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Susan Allen

susan@todayspublications.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

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kaitlyn@todayspublications.com

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As we looked over the photos after the shoot, we loved Logan’s expression and the way he held himself off the ground for his swimming photo. The only thing that held us back from choosing it was that he has on clothes instead of swimwear. We had to stop ourselves from getting confined by adult thinking. What boy of 7 would think he couldn’t jump in and swim with his clothes on or at least imagine himself doing it? So we decided to let our imaginations make the decision, and let our designers create a sunken ship scene to put behind our cover boy. Parents, follow our lead and let your imaginations meld with your kids’ imaginations this summer. You might just have more fun.

On the Cover

IZowE.cSom! R P N I W ysFamilyN Toda

Our cover guy LOGAN JAMES, 7, turned his fascination for science into a theme for his recent birthday party. An exploding volcano — built by Logan and his parents — became the highlight of the celebration. A student at Silver Creek Primary, Logan says he likes buying books and learning about arctic animals — especially penguins. “They are my favorite animal, because they can swim really fast, and it looks like they are flying under water.”

Kathy Bolger

kathyb@todayspublications.com PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donald

melissa@todayspublications.com ASSISTANT EDITOR/DESIGNER

Jessica Alyea

jessica@todayspublications.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Miranda Popp

miranda@todayspublications.com MEDIA ASSOCIATE

Alissa Hicks

OFFICE MANAGER

Jillian LeMaster

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY: Zion Publications LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone 502.327.8855 Fax 502.327.8861

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

Subscriptions are available by sending $15 to the above address for 4 quarterly issues.

Today’s Family magazine is published quarterly by Zion Publications LLC and distributed free to the people of metropolitan Louisville and Southern Indiana. Circulation 35,000. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Family magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2015 by Zion Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

PHOTOS: MELISSA DONALD

MarvelousMENTORS VOTE ON TODAYSFAMILYNOW.COM!

MAY 18 - JUNE 5. See the nominees on page 40.

BBB RATING OF

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READY?

Summer Fun

Looking to have the best, most productive, most memorable summer? You have to fit it all in the next couple of months, so our parent-writers offer some suggestions.

SUGGESTION:

Camping

efore we had children, my husband and I went on several backwoods camping trips to places such as Harrison-Crawford State Woods in Southern Indiana, Land Between the Lakes in Western Kentucky, and parts of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina. We occasionally pitched a tent at a campground stop on road-trip adventures during graduate school. When we had babies, the camping gear went into storage and the most adventurous travel sleeping arrangements involved accommodating both the packand-play and the dogs at a house. Now that the girls are in third and first grade, we think it’s time for some camping

adventures. We grew up doing family camping trips. It should be a children’s rite of passage, and it is important to unplug — if just for a bit — especially in this brave new world in which kids expect touchscreen menus on everything. But we agreed we should take it slowly. That’s why last summer we put up a tent in our yard on top of the newly built tree deck (not quite a tree house) and played in it over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Some local friends from college and graduate school days who also have young children had the same idea of baby-stepping the camping experience. Our friends Matthew and Melissa Kannady were inspired by their then-5year-old daughter Kylie, who wanted to “go camping.” The Kannadys also have a 3-year-old son, Declan, and they thought the potential for a meltdown or the fear factor might be too much for a full-fledged camping trip, so they invited us and longtime friends David and Sarah Hill and Brandon and Kylie Clayton for a family picnic and camping event in their fenced, suburban Oldham County yard. So early last fall, four couples in their late 30s along with their eight children ranging from 6 months to 8 years old had a family backyard campout. Having lots of kids there made the kids feel more comfortable, and it was definitely Continued on page 8

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SUGGESTION:

Hit the (Down)Town!

n years of late, Old Man Winter has decided when summer vacation will begin. But eventually the school gates will open, and I will be subjected to the free-spirited and bizarre rituals of my wife and three girls. When the academic year ends, they’ll unleash 175 days worth of cooped-up spirit on the fine city of Louisville. Then they’ll bring the craziness home. Since my wife is a school administrator, she often needs to blow off more steam than the girls. They start the day by heading downtown, browsing through the finest shops and perusing about without a care. Then they walk the Big Four Bridge. They love the walking bridge. The Belvedere and Waterfront hotels get a visit from this feisty group, too, for there’s nothing better than fancy elevator rides to end the school year. And the downtown trip wouldn’t be

complete without a big lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory and a visit with a horse-drawn carriage if available. Then they head home for the big event. When the Their main show is a war in the front academic year yard with the weaponry of silly string ends, they’ll and shaving cream. I gave up trying to explain to the neighbors why they’re unleash 175 out there in bathing suits chasing each days worth of other and coating themselves with cooped-up spirit colorful chemicals. I just wait till they’re on the fine city done and things dry out so I can mow of Louisville. it all over with my John Deere tractor, a tractor that now sports a psychedelic mowing deck with pink and blue strings in tow. — John G. Warren

Continued from page 6

easier on the adults who didn’t have to worry about having enough of any supply or creature/kid comfort on hand. Tissues, toilet paper, and clean potties? Wet wipes? Extra pillows? Favorite blankie? More flashlight batteries? Lip balm? Swimsuit to play in the sprinkler? Light saber? All 25 yards away. Wine bottle opener for “Mommy’s juice?” Yes, that, too. So how did the first experiment turn out?

8 SUMMER 2015

Sara took baby Abby home not long after dinner. Half of us went inside the house when it started raining in the middle of the night. But the other half actually made it till 6am in the tents. The kids had a blast playing in the sprinkler and on an inflatable water slide, belly laughing all the way while trying to keep our dog out of the splash pool at the bottom of the slide. All that

play made plenty of room for postdinner s’mores, and the younger kids learned the art of marshmallow toasting to a perfect light cocoa color. And when we had packed up the tent, folding chairs, cooler, and sleeping bags, and the dog hopped into the back of the car, my kids wanted to know when they could go camping again. — Angela Stallings Hagan, Ph.D.

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Photographing Family By Carrie Vittitoe

Emily Burrice takes most of her own family photos.

“W

Photo by Emily Burrice

hy am I doing this?”

Every parent has had this thought when attempting to either take or have photographs taken of a child — or the family. There

is the frustration of wrestling a child into her pretty clothes just minutes before a professional photograph or trying to get all the grandkids to look at the camera at the same time, and worst of all, keeping Grandma from looking at the grandkids instead of the camera. But the deeper, meaningful story behind “why we’re doing this” is as varied as each person and family. I am a sucker for professional photographs. I even purchase my kids’ sometimes terrible school pictures Continued on page 12

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Vittitoe/Langford family

Photo by Devin Boughey, Flashy Photography

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2015 11

“I even purchase my kids’ terrible school pictures just to have a record of how bad the pictures actually were.” Continued from page 10

Wheat family

just to have a record of how bad the pictures actually were. I tend to be very frugal, except when it comes to professional photographs. I’ve framed the milestone photographs of all three of my kids up to age 5, and now I’m working on a collection of all of their school pictures through elementary school. Every two years, we have family photos taken. Emily Burrice has never had the traditional milestone baby pictures of her three children and has only had family pictures taken twice. She doesn’t buy their school pictures, either. Still, she has lovely photos of her children adorning the walls of her home. “I bought a fancy camera in 2013 because I wanted to take my own photos of the kids,” she says. “I use Adobe LightRoom editing software and watch YouTube videos. I’ve done some cool effects.” For Emily, taking her own photos is partly a cost issue. “It is something I can do myself and to my satisfaction for a lot less than paying a professional,” she says. It is also a scenery issue. “I love looking back and seeing the scenery within the photo, remembering what was going on when the photograph was taken.” This makes her photos meaningful not only because they are of her children but because of what her children are doing or where they are in the picture, she says. Devin Boughey of Flashy Photography loves photographing families Continued on page 14

Photo by Amy Jennings

Choose two colors and one neutral as a base.

Don’t Stress Over Style Step-by-step guide to coordinate your family’s attire for your photo session. By Keri Foy

hotographer selected. Check. Session scheduled. Check. What will everyone wear? Who knows? “When I was getting ready for our photo session, I hopped online looking for any advice on how to dress the family,” says Missy Schott, mom of three. “All I found was everybody in white or black. It just seemed boring.” If you find yourself wondering how to style a unified look, take this advice from Juli Larson at Style U, a local business that focuses on styling the budget-conscious.

12 SUMMER 2015

The Mouser family

Photo by Kara Delaine Photography

1. Choose two colors and one neutral as a base. “I’m really loving the soft, earthy colors hitting the runways for summer and fall 2015,” Julie says. “To stay on trend, your family could try mixing Lucite green with aquamarine and adding a touch of gray or toasted almond as the neutral.” 2. Mix patterns. Don’t be afraid to put your little guy in a gingham shirt and your pretty princess

in a floral pattern. Throw in a striped tie for the man of the house and a polka-dot skirt for you, and you’ve got a picture that will be visually interesting. 3. Use layering, accessories, or even shoes to incorporate colors. “For the kiddos, have fun layering with sweaters, tights or jackets,” Julie says. Game plan for your family’s outfits? Check.

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2015 13

“These photos are my way of coming to terms with what my family is now.” 3 Clear Signs to Bail on Your Photo Session

Kids can be fickle; here’s a checklist to know when to call it quits and reschedule. By Keri Foy

etting a toddler to smile when he doesn’t feel the urge is nearly impossible. Some personalities are easier to manage, while others will only giggle joyfully on their own terms. I felt intense pressure for my oldest, Olivia, to “perform” at a photo session we’d set up in Estes Park in Florida. I loved the photographer’s work, and we were there on vacation. It was the perfect, expensive set-up. My husband and I were prepared to dish out $1,000 (that’s extravagant for us) to capture our daughter’s smile and personality. We got maybe five good photos out of a two-hour session. Olivia was not in the mood, and no amount of bribery was going to change that. In my effort to foster less-stressed family photos, here’s a list of cautionary signs so you don’t wind up frowning on picture day. 1. Your child skipped her nap. If your toddler has a hiccup in her day, preemptively reschedule. “Don’t break up their routine for the sake of your session,” says Kara Jenkins of Kara Delaine Photography. A well-rested kid is more likely to give of her grins generously. 2. Tears flow in the first five minutes. Everyone has off days. If your child appears to be in a funk, the session will probably go south. “If the face turns splotchy and red and the nose is covered in snot after 10 minutes, ask for a reschedule,” Kara says. Raise the white flag now and stop wasting your family’s and the photographer’s time. 3. Any of your kids are under the weather. Unless you want a documentary of how your child looks when feverish, skip the session. It’s not worth the stress of an hour session when you’re worried if upchuck or a well-timed sneeze will be recorded for all time. Know your photographer’s rescheduling policy ahead of time. Some photographers charge a fee or are less than thrilled with a reschedule. “I allow a lot of flexibility because I know through experience and as a parent of a toddler that kids can easily turn to mush,” Kara says. But she advises not to wait until an hour into the session to ask for a reschedule. Follow your intuition and heed this list to make living-room worthy portraits.

The Foy family

14 SUMMER 2015

Bronson family photo Continued from page 12

and the special moments within their lives. When it comes to photographing babies and children, Devin says, “They grow so fast and change so fast that it is important to capture those moments.” She wants to capture real moments of families interacting with each other, including their quirkiness. In my own family’s case, that quirkiness came through one year when my youngest wanted to wear his camouflage rain boots in our family photos. Although it was a bit aggravating at the time, I now look back on those photos with great fondness. His rain boots captured a sweet moment in his toddler life. Jeanette Hicks of Shelbyville can attest to how time changes the dynamics of getting professional family photographs taken. “When your children are young, you have the stress of getting out the door on time and dealing with a fussy child,” she says, “but fast forward eight years, and the children are the ones who are stressed. They say, ‘I don’t have anything to wear’ or ‘I don’t know how to do my hair.’ Plus, this just doesn’t interest them. They don’t want to acknowledge they even have a family.” Valerie Bronson’s family photo session last January was a step in her healing process following the loss of her mother, Joyce, to pancreatic cancer in 2007. Valerie lives in her childhood home and has been lovingly accused by friends of having a “mom shrine” in the house. She asked her husband, brother, father, and his girlfriend to wear black turtlenecks one day and set up her iPhone on a tripod. The photo session was a fun way to spend time together but was also much more. “These photos are my way of coming to terms with what my family is now,” Valerie says. Amber Wheat has family photographs taken by a friend every other autumn. “We have them taken because I think one day I’m going to regret not doing it,” she says. “I want a reminder of what I looked like, what my kids looked like.” The family has gone to Beckley Creek Park and Blackacre Nature Preserve, and she likes that the photos are in a natural setting. She also likes the convenience factor, as she doesn't have to stand around a studio selecting prints or wait for others to make their selections. “I get good quality pictures, and I can print them out however I want them,” she says. The reasons “why we’re doing this” are endless. This is the beauty of photography. We can tailor it to our schedules, our finances, and our emotional needs. We are able to make it whatever we need it to be for our families. Carrie Vittitoe lives in Louisville with her photogenic husband, Dean Langford, and children Norah (11), Graeme (7) and Miles (5). 4 4 4todaysfamilynow.com 4 4 4facebook.com /todaysfamily 4 4 4 @todaysfamilynow

The Allure of Social Media Craze By Sanna Rogers

hat’s big right now in social media for the 12- to 15-year-old crowd? And how do we parents help our children navigate through a tech world where we’re considered ‘digital media immigrants’ who are just learning the language?

Do You Know Where Your Child Is (Online)?

According to Pew Research, the average child begins to regularly use the Internet at 8 years old. Mary Beth Uberti, program director for Operation: Parent, says a kid’s main communication with friends SOCIAL MEDIA CRAZE, continued on page 18

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By Carrie Vittitoe

alk past nearly any group of schoolage boys, and you’ll almost certainly pick up conversations about mobs, biomes, creepers, and the Nether. They aren’t formulating a terrorist plot; rather, they are discussing a video game craze that has grown in popularity over the last few years: Minecraft. My own two sons play the game, but I really didn’t have a clue what they were talking about, so I sought out an adult Minecraft expert, Andrew Frechette, to explain it to me. Frechette, a junior kindergarten teacher at St. Francis School in Goshen, coordinates a Minecraft summer camp. According to Frechette, Minecraft is best described as a voxel-based gathering and exploring game. Players take resources such as sand, dirt, and trees and combine them to make simple tools. When the game first came out in 2009, it had no objective, but Frechette says, “As it became more popular, the developers put more objectives into it.” The core mode of the game is “creative,” where players can make anything from simple tools or buildings to complex forms and famous landmarks. The other mode is called “survival” and includes various monsters and zombies that threaten the player. Frechette says there are many benefits to the game for kids. “Playing the game increases their 3D spatial awareness. They have to plan and perceive how things will be made. It also makes kids think about the transitional quality of goods.”

Some high school teachers even use Minecraft to teach economic principles to their students. In typical video games, once all the levels are reached, the player just has to go back to the beginning and do what has already been done before. Minecraft doesn’t force players to do the same things again and again, which is one of the reasons Gabe Parrish (age 12) plays it. “I like that there are no levels, and you can do what you want on creative mode,” he says. Brady Parrish (12), Gabe’s twin brother, says, “I like how easy it can be sometimes. You can change the difficulty level as you’re playing the game.” Jackson Duff (6) is another Minecraft fan. He plays with his older brother, Jadon (9). “I’ve built roller coasters, a pool, and a hot tub with lava in it,” Jackson says. He likes creative mode but notes, “It is hard in survival because zombies come out.” Fortunately, Jadon is there to help. “I help my younger brother build houses and melt sand to make windows,” Jadon says. Parents may worry about the potentially scary elements in survival mode, but Frechette suggests that the urgency in this mode gives the players an objective to work toward. We wouldn’t find movies and novels as interesting if there weren’t problems and conflicts, and that same idea applies to Minecraft. Mary Ann Parrish, Gabe and Brady’s mom, likes that Minecraft allows her sons to be creative and is a better bang for her buck than other video games that cost more but are boring after reaching all the levels. The only flaw she sees is the design. “As an artistic MINECRAFT, continued on page 18

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TODAY’S FAMILY

SUMMER 2015 17

Do your kids ese use more of th than you do? SOCIAL MEDIA CRAZE, continued from page 16

is eventually going to be through media devices. “It’s their social connection to the world,” she says. “They’re the ‘digital media natives.’” At the top of the app list for young teens is Instagram. More than a creative photo-sharing site, it’s a communications hub where kids text ideas and follow hashtags. There is a lot of social pressure, however, for kids to get followers to ‘like’ their posts. One 14-year-old shared, on the condition that she not be named in this piece, that if one of her posts doesn’t get flooded with ‘likes’ within 10 to 15 minutes, she will delete it in embarrassment. Other popular sites are Snapchat and Twitter. Photos and videos shared on Snapchat disappear in seconds and don’t rely on ‘likes’ or followers, but they can be captured with a screenshot and shared. More questionable sites are Ask.fm, Tumblr, Vine, and Kik Messenger. These pose a higher risk that your child will see inappropriate content because all user profiles are public. Some sites have been linked to sex, porn, and drug content.

Parental Guidance Required

Laurie Schmidt is a mother of five, including twin 13-year-old girls. Her daughters got smart phones in seventh grade and are now on Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. Schmidt has a secret password for iTunes so her girls must ask when they want to purchase a new app. “They’re annoyed by it, of course,” she admits, “but it allows me to know exactly what they’re putting on their phones.” Parental controls are an easy option, yet only about half of parents have installed them on their children’s media devices,

according to Pew Research. Turning a blind eye is unacceptable, says Uberti, a mother of two. Privacy profiles for many sites can be managed under the Help or Parent Guide sections with a little searching. “The biggest mistake we parents make is not understanding a social media site and how it’s used,” Uberti says. “There’s always the assumption as parents that our kids know better or should know better.” From the moment children first log on to the internet, parents need to talk to them about potential dangers. “And it’s not a one-time discussion,” Uberti adds. Deana Burns, guidance counselor at Oldham County Middle School, adds that girls at this age are more apt to be on these sites than boys. “Girls tend to get others involved in their disputes and drag it out for longer periods of time,” she says. It’s hard for parents to fathom their children making a bad choice online, she continues. But it can happen. Still, we don’t have to be helicopter parents. Kids need a level of privacy to mature. Family media contracts are great tools to create trust between parents and children. Commonsensemedia.org offers samples for all ages. Limits set by parents may include no phones during meals or in bedrooms at night, no private information given out, and no disrespectful texts or photos. Parents may agree to discuss their concerns with kids before saying “no.” Schmidt’s daughters signed contracts when they got their phones. One major requirement was access to their passwords. “[The contract] says if I pick up your phone and use the password you gave me and the password doesn’t work,

I can take your phone for X number of days,” Schmidt says. She’s been able to relax these rules a little more as her children have proven to be responsible with their phones. “They’ve handled it in a way that I’m comfortable with.” Some parents choose to keep their preteens offline altogether. LaDonna Kennedy has one son, Ian, 11, who doesn’t have a smart phone, tablet, or any social media accounts. “For my husband and me, Ian is not mature enough yet to handle social media,” Kennedy says. After a sleepover at a friend’s house, however, Ian told his mom he was now on YouTube. “We struggle with him going to friends’ homes and being exposed to things that we don’t allow,” Kennedy says. She admits Internet abstinence won’t work forever — “I know my days are numbered,” she says — but she’ll be prepared. The “friends with access” issue is growing as media users get younger and parents are discussing concerns with each other. Both Schmidt and Kennedy have restricted Internet use by friends in their homes with success. Last winter, Kennedy temporarily confiscated the tech devices of three friends staying the night. “They actually spoke to each other!” she says. “One mother even sent me a note saying that her son really appreciated it. The boys played real pool, not just a pool video game.” No matter what your social media game plan is today, one thing is certain: technology will change tomorrow. So be prepared. Sanna Rogers lives in LaGrange with her husband Jay and their sons Max (17), Grady (14), and Hayden (10).

MINECRAFT, continued from page 16

person, the pixel graphics bother me,” she says. “It’s like we’ve slipped 20 years backward in terms of graphics.” Another potential benefit of the game’s creativity is allowing players to work together. Jonah Segree (14) and his friends utilize the group chat feature on the Xbox to build together in Minecraft. “All of our characters meet in the same area at the same time and build challenges for ourselves,” he says. One of their coolest challenges was creating an entire world out of glass. Playing with friends in person is one of the ways Melanie Sherrard (10) enjoys the game, especially during sleepovers. “I was confused at first, but I got the hang of it,” says Melanie, who would

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like to be an architect when she grows up. “I asked my friends questions, and I got four books for Christmas.” One of her favorite builds was a three-floor house with a working elevator. Michelle Sherrard, Melanie’s mom, encourages her daughter in Minecraft. “Games like that introduce math and science concepts to girls and help them develop skills,” she says. Only time will tell whether Minecraft becomes a game for the ages or quietly loses popularity, but for the moment, it is the game that is challenging young boys and girls to think outside the pixelated box. Carrie Vittitoe lives with a bunch of gamers in Louisville: her husband, Dean Langford, and her children, Norah (11), Graeme (7) and Miles (5).

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Keep your cool, Mom and Dad. By Sandra Gordon

“O

h, how cute.” That’s what crossed my mind when a boy from summer camp asked my oldest daughter, who was in the 4th grade at the time, to go to the movies. (She said “No!” then ran from the phone.) But as I witnessed, a first crush — whether it’s initiated by your child or she’s on the receiving end of the romantic attention — is definitely anything but adorable from her perspective. “Crushes are serious,” says Julia Simens, a family therapist from Lake Tahoe Incline Village, Nevada, now living in Thailand. Like me, Simens knows from experience. When her son, Grant, was 11, he wrote a children’s book, Spirit of Saint Valentine: An Expat’s Tale of Love, available on Amazon, which is about love in an international elementary school. “I hadn’t given crushes much thought until Grant opened my eyes to how important they are from a kid’s point Continued on page 22

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TODAY’S FAMILY

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Continued from page 20

of view,” Simens says. The fact is that Cupid’s arrow can aim low, striking kids as early as 7 or 8. And though it’s easy to trivialize this experience, a child’s emotions are just as real as the fervor we might experience when we’re infatuated. “Kids can fall in love by all developmental measures as soon as you can begin to measure their feelings,” says Carleton Kendrick, EdM, a Bostonbased family therapist and author of Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We’re Going to Grandma’s. “There’s no such thing as puppy love.” Crushes are a healthy part of life. Besides being good practice for the future, they can teach kids a lot about relationships and themselves. On the other hand, they can also be a source of pain and difficult for your child to handle, especially into the pre-teen and teen years. “When the hormones kick in, kids have more of a physical response to a crush and that can be confusing because they’ve already got so much going on emotionally: from trying to figure out their identity to how to fit in socially, academically, and within the family,” says Stephanie Haen, a licensed clinical social worker at Family Centers in Greenwich, Connecticut. Keep in mind that when it comes to crushes, your child can be crushed by your reaction to it. “It’s never instructive or healthy to belittle or shame your child about it,” Kendrick says.

hough you may not always need to get involved, there are things you can do — and things you shouldn’t — to help your child deal with love’s first blush. After counseling hundreds of parents on this issue, our experts weigh in on the dos and don’ts of managing this tender milestone.

Do!

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• Have talks, not “the talk.” Help your elementary-age child prepare to deal with a crush, which is a distant cousin to dating, by having an age-appropriate, ongoing dialogue about being respectful of her own body and herself. Then, as your child ages into the pre-teen and teen years, keep talking. These days, pre-teens and teens can put pressure on each other to add sexual exploration to the equation under the misguided notion that if they don’t have sex with their crush, it’s not really love. “This is a big change from what it used to be like with kids 10 or 15 years ago,” says Kendrick. So be aware of what’s going on, and acknowledge it with your child. “You could say, ‘You might feel pressured, but you don’t have to do anything. You need to trust your feelings of being uncomfortable. And even if you’re a little bit curious, that doesn’t mean you have to say yes,’” he says. To bring up tough subjects like these and get your child talking, a good way to start, is “Gee, I’ve read that”… then fill in the blank with what you want to address. Keeping the discussion going — despite all the eye rolling — lets your child know that you know what she might be going through and builds trust so she is more likely to come to you for advice if she needs to. • Let your child learn from the experience. If your child has a crush and it’s unrequited, don’t trivialize it by saying things like, “Oh, you’ll get over it,” or “Well, that was just puppy love.” Instead, console him and let him be upset and grieve the loss. But also stress that rejection is a normal part of life, that that’s what teen dating is all about — that you don’t always find the right person and it’s not always reciprocated, Haen says.

• Teach your child how to deal with unwanted romantic attention. If another child has a crush on your child and it’s not mutual, encourage your child to politely nip it in the bud. Role play at home and have him practice an “I’m not interested” script, such as “Thanks for all the notes, but I really wish you wouldn’t give them to me anymore because they’re upsetting me.” If that doesn’t work, call the other child’s parents. (If you’ve got a child in middle school or beyond, talk to your child first before making that phone call.) Unwanted attention feels like pressure for children of all ages. Kids on the receiving end of crushes can suffer from psychosomatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches and not want to go to school. “It’s the same kind of thing I’ve witnessed with kids who’ve been bullied,” Kendrick says. • Monitor the situation. Kids, especially tweens and teens, in reciprocal crushes can take things to the extreme by, for example, texting until all hours or spending lots of their free time with each other because they’re mimicking what they’ve observed in their older siblings or the adults around them. So be sure to set boundaries, such as curfews and limits on computer and phone time, to help your child balance his responsibilities with his social life. If you get the sense, though, that your child must have contact with his crush to get through the day, or that he’s no longer spending time with his friends or concentrating on his school work because he’s so focused on his crush, or that his behavior could change into stalking, he may need professional help to sort out why the crush has become obsessive. “It could be a sign of something else that’s going on in his life,” says Haen. “Kids might cling to a crush if things are rocky at home between their parents, they’re struggling in school for the first time, or something’s going on in their social circle.”

Do Not!

• Out your child’s crush. “One of the most dangerous things I see parents do is comment on their child’s crush in front of the child to other adults or — horrors — to their child’s friends,” says Simens. Such insensitivity leads to embarrassment and undermines the confidence your child has in you. • Micromanage your child’s love life. If you know your pre-teen or teen has a crush, don’t fan the flames by suggesting, for example, that she tell that person how much she likes him. “Imposing your more adult-oriented behavior onto the situation can lead your child to go further with a crush than she was wishing or contemplating,” says Kendrick. If you’ve got a child in elementary school, however, it may be appropriate to suggest a play date, if your son or daughter would like that. But it’s not healthy for kids in elementary school to “date.” That sort of exclusivity with another person limits your child socially. “Kids need many options to make connections with people beyond the boy or girl they have a crush on,” says Kendrick. • Say yes to sleepovers. “Today’s parents struggle with setting limits in general,” says Haen. So if your child asks, say no, but in a respectful way. Crush sleepovers in elementary school and beyond aren’t age appropriate.

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Just Ask Joyce By Joyce Oglesby

Teen Privacy

Defiant Darling

“All you hear about when talking about toddlers is the ‘Terrible Twos.’ I believe the challenging ages are 3 and 4. How can a mother keep her sanity?! My sweet, loving toddler is now a defiant, doing-what-he-wants child. How do I break him of this without feeling like I am disciplining him 24/7?”

“How much privacy do you think a teenager should have? I know it is important for them to have their privacy, but only to a certain extent. Where is the line? So many teens are going down a bad and dangerous path, and I want to be able to prevent that with my kids.”

Joyce: There are places for privacy — bathrooms and closets. Yes, your teen is going to expect privacy and deserves a degree thereof. Each household is different. Therefore, every parent will know the parameters that need to be set for each child. I was a snooping parent. (But don’t tell my kids!) I wanted to know what my kids were up to that they weren’t telling me. Some things I caught; some I missed. But I was a watchful, vigilant parent. We had great relationships with our children, but kids will be kids. They are busy testing boundaries, exploring their identities, and striving to be popular and cool. Sadly, even the best of kids sometimes find it difficult to say no to peer pressure. Did I ever feel guilty about my snooping? After hearing disturbing stories in my career as a court reporter of parents who slept on the watch, not so much. I had one stab at protecting my kids from the world’s harm, and I seized every opportunity. Many parents part ways with me on this parenting style. But with the troubles surrounding today’s technology and our kids, I believe it’s even more critical that we make them accountable for what they text, watch, listen to, and read. Checking phones, computers, iPods, and other devices is a must. I would encourage every parent to have a healthy conversation as to the ground rules for devices. If your kids are not hiding anything, they won’t feel you’re intruding when you grab their phone to check their texts. If they object, take note.

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“It’s not a race... to grow up.” Am I Winning?

“How, as a new mother, can I stay away from competitive mothering? It seems like everything is a competition these days with parenting, and you can feel pressure from others for not doing things a certain way.”

Joyce: Pressure from parents can make a child’s life pretty miserable, as well as their own. Setting expectations is nothing to scoff at, but a parent needs to keep in mind the negative impact premature competition could have on a child. Constantly pushing an agenda on a child to achieve and perform, to develop at an accelerated rate, or to excel in arenas they haven’t yet grown into or aren’t naturally gifted in can adversely affect the child. This kind of competition in parenting can manifest itself into issues such as nightmares, acting out, choosing underachieving friends, and even bullying later on. Balance in a child’s life will make a more pleasurable home life for everyone. Don’t be intimidated into keeping up with other moms’ schedules or plans for their children. It’s not a race to have our kids grow up. There are enough demands in parenting without putting more pressure on this important role.

Joyce: Been there, done that. I reared two: one strong-willed child who challenged me, one who did not. Why the difference? Individuality. You can’t afford to allow the strong-willed child to strong-arm you, the parent. There is, however, a balance to strike without breaking the leadership qualities hidden beneath that strong-willed disposition. It could well demand around-the-clock discipline in some manner or another. I would be careful to be creative in your style, however. Time-out will lose its effectiveness if this is all you do. Some examples of tried-and-true methods are: taking away a treat, a stern look, a different tone of voice, speaking a child’s full name to get his attention, and sitting the child in a corner facing the wall instead of time-out on the stairs. Coming from an abusive home life, I would caution you to be careful in any hand-to-hand/hand-to-fanny discipline, but be mindful of the wisdom in Proverbs. This season in your child’s life could do one of two things: pass quickly or carry on into rebellious pre-teen/teen years. My best advice is to rein it in, and sooner rather than later.

need family advice? Change your life … NOW! Write Joyce Oglesby, Family-Life Fix-It Pro, at justaskjoyce@gmail.com. I’m here to help! Check out my books and other resources at JustAskJoyce.com. Listen to my live talk show Monday through Friday on WFIA 94.7fm/900am at 3pm.

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My Kid’s Health “Today’s children are notoriously sleep-deprived.” — Stephen Grant, MD

Surprising Ways Overtiredness Hurts Children By Malia Jacobson First, the bad news: Your seemingly healthy child may be harboring a serious health problem. Left unchecked, this highly common condition can contribute to weight gain and hinder school success. When your child is irritable, inattentive, or sullen, this often-overlooked ailment may be to blame. The condition is chronic overtiredness, and doctors say it’s rampant among kids. “Today’s children are notoriously sleep-deprived,” says Dr. Stephen Grant, sleep specialist with Iowa Sleep Centers.

But there’s good news: Overtiredness is as preventable as it is pervasive. The more you know about overtiredness and how it affects children, the better you’ll be able to spot it and stop this health saboteur in its tracks. Surprise 1: Tricky Tots Don’t assume that you know when your child is overtired. Kids who need sleep often appear anything Continued on page 28 P RO M OT I O N

The Challenge of Fighting Cavities By Mary Ellen Bianco

We talked to Dr. Jenna Schulten of Dupont Pediatric Dentistry about common pediatric dentistry concerns.

Q: My child has lots of small cavities in his baby teeth, but he is brushing every night. A: Parents don’t realize that cavities are caused by multiple factors. Diet is 50 percent of it. Sticky foods that sit on our teeth contribute to breakdown. Another factor is medication, which can cause xerostomia, known as dry mouth. Antihistamines are frequently used in this area. At night, if we’re congested, we breathe through our mouths. Maintaining the Ph. level is important. And even if we’ve brushed well, we don’t get rid of all of the bacteria. Everyone has different grooves in their teeth. If there is tight contact between the teeth, food sticks more easily. But a cavity or two is not the end of the world. Some things are out of our control. Q: Can you diagnose or see early signs of disease by looking at my kid’s gums? A: We examine the oral cavity as well as the 26 SUMMER 2015

teeth. For example, a manifestation of leukemia can be bleeding and hyperplastic gingiva (swollen and bleeding gums). Hand, foot and mouth disease usually begins in the mouth. Children present differently with cold sores, which can be seasonal. In addition to the mouth, we check the head and neck. A change in skin or eye color can be a sign of liver disease. Missing or extra teeth could indicate a family trait. An abnormal amount of missing teeth would be a genetic disorder. We would recommend consulting with a pediatrician for genetic testing.

Q: Should my child use whitening toothpaste? A: We don’t recommend it on baby teeth. They are smaller and whiter than adult teeth. It can damage the pulp. We caution parents that a child should wait until all of the teeth erupt. Teenage girls ask about whitening toothpaste most often. They’re advised to take it slow since it can cause sensitivity.

Dr. Jenna Schulten earned her D.M.D. from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and is a big Cardinals fan. She holds a certificate in pediatric dentistry from the University of Kentucky and is also certified in required life support courses. Dr. Jenna and her husband John have two children, Jack (3) and Olivia (2).

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My Kid’s Health 7 Surprising Ways Overtiredness Hurts Children Continued from page 26

Surprise 4: ADHD Imposter Overtiredness can masquerade in a host of ADHD-like symptoms and even lead to what researchers call “faux ADHD,” or misdiagnosed ADHD. According to a recent study, faux ADHD is characterized by behavior problems, violence, and learning difficulties, and it is linked to poor bedtime habits and too little sleep.

but sleepy. Detecting overtiredness can be tricky, says Dr. Maida Chen, associate director of the Pediatric Sleep Center at Seattle Children's Hospital: “Parents should remember that overtiredness can look like hyperactivity.“ That means your child’s late-night burst of energy is actually a sign of sleepiness, despite appearances to the contrary. Surprise 2: Weighty Matters Chronic overtiredness can pack on the pounds and make it difficult for children to maintain a healthy weight. Research from Warwick Medical School shows that sleep deprivation increases the risk of obesity two-fold in children and adults. According to the journal SLEEP, reduced REM sleep is associated with excess body weight in both kids and teens.

Surprise 3: Diabetes Danger Kids who don’t sleep enough have an increased risk of diabetes. Multiple studies link insufficient sleep to increased diabetes risk, and new research published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that just one night of sleep deprivation can bring on insulin resistance, a factor in type 2 diabetes.

Surprise 5: Emotional Exhaustion New research links overtiredness brought on by missed naps with mood disorders in toddlers. According to a new study, toddlers who miss naps have trouble expressing emotions, which has a lasting effect on their developing brains.

Surprise 6: Night Frights Helping your child get adequate sleep can help protect her against things that go bump in the night. Kids who are overtired are more prone to nightmares. Surprise 7: Early Birds If your little rooster is waking up at 5 am, overtiredness could be to blame. Overtiredness is a common reason for waking up too early in the morning. When overtired children reach the naturally occurring phase of lighter sleep in the predawn hours (from around 4am to 6am), many wake up and stay awake instead of rolling over and falling back to sleep. The best prevention for overtiredness is also the best cure: an age-appropriate bedtime and a solid bedtime routine.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published sleep journalist and mom. She blogs about sleep and parenting at thewellrestedfamily.com.

P RO M OT I O N

Does Your Child Need Orthodontics? By Mary Ellen Bianco

A discussion with Dr. Carl Gioia from Braces, Braces, Braces reveals more information about orthodontics.

Q: At what age should my child see an orthodontist? A: The American Orthodontic Association recommends children get an orthodontic consultation beginning at age 7. At Braces, Braces, Braces, we say, “8 is great!” and recommend consultations begin then. Q: Does sucking a thumb or pacifier mean braces later? A: Teeth and jaw bones naturally develop and move based on forces applied to them throughout childhood. The pressure of thumb sucking can cause teeth and jaw bones to shift in a detrimental direction if it continues beyond the age of 5. If the jaw bones warp too much, not even braces alone can fix it. Braces are not a certainty, but they’re a definite possibility. Q: It is hard for a kid to keep teeth clean with braces — is there anything new to help? A: Most kids do not brush the recommended two minutes twice a day. With braces, it is more important than ever to brush all sides of the brackets, teeth, and 28 SUMMER 2015

the gum line. It is also important to floss every day. Without a proper oral hygiene routine, cavities and gum disease can get worse with braces on. We give our patients some helpful tools to make these activities easier. We partner with the Crest Oral B program, which offers incentives to patients as they track their progress. Manual or electric toothbrushes are a personal choice. I use an electric one, and it does wonders.

Q: Invisalign seems like a good alternative to traditional braces, but it hasn’t taken off for kids. Why? A: Invisalign is a great option depending on the type of treatment needed. There are some things, like jaw movement, that are more predictable with traditional braces. One reason Invisalign has not taken off with teenagers is that the system is based on wearing them 22 hours a day. Some adolescent patients are very responsible, but if a child loses, breaks, or doesn’t wear her trays, it extends the length of treatment because replacement trays must be made back in Invisalign’s lab. We have quite a few adult patients who have had a relapse from early orthodontic care. Invisalign works well for them since the teeth don’t have a large distance to travel.

Dr. Gioia (pronounced Joy-uh) grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he played football for the Fighting Irish. Dr. Gioia went on to complete his dental training and orthodontics specialty training from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. He plays in a kickball league with his wife Diane. Their son Collin is too little for sports now, but makes a great mascot and is sure to be a superstar like his Dad one day.

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Summer Book Club Jan Gray holds a book clubstyle reading camp where students read their required summer reading together. “We do some activities that aid in the comprehension of the story and build vocabulary skills,” she says. Gray had 12 sixth graders in her camp last year and believes her program to be beneficial because many students and parents find the summer requirement stressful.

My Son and his Tutor

TOP 5 REASONS to hire a tutor this summer Source: Resource teacher Benita Sinnott

Increases your child’s self esteem.

This Summer

Don’t Put the Books Away

I hired Donna Kenney to tutor my son in math. He was accelerated in math, and I wanted to build his confidence and make sure he was not stressed. Donna has built an incredible relationship with Gibb, and he loves her like a grandmother. I never expected my son to form such a strong bond with her. He tells her things about school that he would never tell me. She has been a huge blessing in our life, and I have heard this from multiple families she works with. Gibb has peace of mind knowing she will be at our house every week, and he looks forward to her coming.

By S tacy Westray Tackett

Decreases procrastination. Procrastination leads to failure, and failure increases frustration for the child.

re you wondering if you should sign your child up for tutoring this summer? I believe every child needs time off in the summer, but I also know the importance of summer programs that hone children’s skills and give them practice. Even the brightest kids can supplement their education over the summer.

Q: Should I consider tutoring for my child?

Helps parents learn.

A: If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions, tutoring would probably be useful to your child.

Tutoring can help parents learn how to redirect or support their child’s efforts.

• Is she struggling on a consistent basis? • Is his learning process stalled or declining? • Is her self-esteem being impacted by her struggle?

Instills trust.

• Does he "act out" or disengage from the class, teacher, or friends?

A child often responds favorably to a tutor he trusts.

• Does she have a learning disability, and if so, does she need extra support? • Is he in the bottom 25 percent of any subject? • Are her grades slipping?

Makes learning easier for the child.

• Is he confused, not understanding what is being taught, or afraid to ask questions?

Tutoring builds a foundation that makes learning easier Skills build on past skills.

• Is she seeking enrichment, refresher tools, or tips on how to tackle a subject?

30 SUMMER 2015

Q: Tutoring would probably be a good idea. But we have vacation plans, and I need a break as much as my child does. Is it worth it? A: Tutor Jerri Ubben says that if tutoring incorporates a sense of accomplishment, then both parents and students should look forward to tutoring sessions. Tutors need to be sensitive to families and their schedules, she says, but if a tutor teaches the child — and the parent — how to learn and work through learning challenges, then that tutor provides value that video games cannot. “Then parents feel like they have gained value for the investment,” Ubben says. Some parents call Ubben two or three weeks before school starts, hoping for miracles. She likes to start tutoring sessions soon after school lets out for the summer. “I incorporate some easy, ‘low-hanging’ goals so that the child always moves forward,” Ubben says. “She has a sense of being in control of her learning and feels good about herself.”

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TODAY’S FAMILY

AGE Page

Birth to 5

By Tami L. Pyles

Fire-Free SPARKLERS

Skip the fire hazard this Fourth and make festive sparklers out of red, white, and blue or tinsel pipe cleaners. A safe and fun alternative for little ones to show their patriotic pride. Source: http://www.popsugar.com/moms/photo-gallery/23745792/image/23745809/Pipe-Cleaner-Sparklers http://justtherightbox.com/2014/07/01/fourth-of-july-pipe-cleaner-sparklers/

BOOK NOOK

Noggin Necessity OK, parents, we need to set a good example! According to the Safe Kids Coalition, a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury from a bicycle crash. Follow this advice from John Luker, paramedic with Oldham County EMS/Baptist Health La Grange, to establish safe habits and correct use of bike helmets. • If your child is riding on a wheeled toy outside, he should wear a helmet. • Parents need to set a good example by wearing helmets too. • When buying a helmet, consult a local bike shop for guidance and look for indication that the helmet meets US CPSC safety standards for bike helmets. • Ensure proper fit. Your child’s forehead should be completely covered, and the helmet should fit tightly around her head. Check out resources, including a fit test, from the Safe Kids Coalition.

Duncan the Story Dragon by Amanda Driscoll Local author Amanda Driscoll wants to share her love of reading with young readers and is doing just that with her first book, Duncan the Story Dragon. The book tells the tale of Duncan, the fire-breathing dragon who gets so excited when he reads that he breathes fire and burns his books before he ever finishes the story. Will he ever reach the magical words “The End”? Young readers can find out on June 9 when the book is released. Duncan the Story Dragon will be available in local bookstores and online.

Get in on all the fun with Duncan at the book’s launch party!

You can meet the author, hear her read the story, and participate in LOCAL AUTHOR a fun craft.

AMANDA DRISCOLL

WHEN: June 13 at 4pm WHERE: Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Ave.

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OUCH-FREE REMOVAL Summer can mean skinned knees and elbows. When it comes time to remove a bandage, use this ouch-free technique: Soak a cotton ball with baby oil or olive oil and rub on the bandage until it peels back easily.

DID YOU KNOW?

International

ay PicisnJuicne D 18. ad Pack a picnic and he to one of Louisville’s great parks to celebrate.

Kid-Friendly Road Trip Summer is the perfect time for a road trip. Kids of all ages will enjoy the short trip to Lexington to check out the Explorium, Lexington’s children’s museum. The museum offers engaging hands-on exhibits and an open art room where kids as young as 1 can engage all their senses and learn, learn, learn. Admission is $8/person (ages 1 and older). Source: explorium.com 4 4 4todaysfamilynow.com 4 4 4facebook.com /todaysfamily 4 4 4 @todaysfamilynow

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AGE Page

6 to 11

By Megan M. Seckman

Flying through town

HELP THE BUTTERFLI

ES!

CHECK OUT http://www2.ca.uky.e du/ entomology/ TO CREATE YOUR OW N NATIVE BUTTERFLY GARDEN.

Monarch butterflies pass through Louisville each year on their journey from Canada to Mexico, but low populations have caused the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect them under the Endangered Species Act. Help the cause by creating a native butterfly garden. What a great science/ environmental summer project for your backyard.

A Better Popsicle For 53 calories, cool down with these protein-and nutrient-packed sweet treats. Pick local berries for the total summer experience.

Berry Pops 16 oz. Greek yogurt

Go Chasing Waterfalls

Pick your own fruit for your popsicles. IN KENTUCKY: pickyourown.org/KY.htm IN SOUTHERN INDIANA: pickyourown.org/INsouth.htm

INDIANA

KENTUCKY On the Kentucky side, visit Cumberland Falls in Corbin, Kentucky (a three-hour drive from downtown Louisville). Also known as Little Niagara, the falls pour 3,600 cubic feet of water per second and boast the elusive moonbow, a lunar rainbow that can be seen on a clear, full-moon night in the mist from the waterfall. Featuring cabin rentals, a lodge, campgrounds, a nearby pool, a tennis court, and activities, the Cumberland Falls Resort is a great weekend getaway. Source: parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/cumberland-falls/default.aspx parks.ky.gov

Clifty Falls State Park is located near Madison, Indiana (a one-hour drive from downtown Louisville), and features year-round hiking and roaring waterfalls. Hike along the creek bed peppered with fossils of ancient corals, squids, and brachiopods. Make it an overnighter by camping at the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campground, which is equipped with updated showers and a public pool. Source: in.gov/dnr/parklake/2985.htm

3 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 oz. raspberries and/or blueberries Add half the yogurt, honey, and vanilla mixture to ice pop molds. Push whole berries to the bottom and freeze for 15 minutes. Blend remaining berries and yogurt, add mixture to molds, and freeze until hardened. Source: fit-fun-delish.com

Summer Renaissance Immerse your jesters and jousters in Renaissance history beyond the awesome Frazier Museum at the 10th Annual Highland Renaissance Festival. Weekends only May 30-July 5. Reserve tickets: kyrenfaire.com/ event/706901-2015-highland-renaissance-eminence/

Save your money and explore what the Louisville area has to offer during an epic stay-cation.

louisvilleky.gov/government/parks

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AGE Page

12 and up

By Stacie Martin-McCutcheon

Working Teens A teen’s first job can give her a huge boost of independence and confidence. Kentucky law regulates the amount of hours and types of jobs a young person can work. Teens under the age of 14 may not be employed except for working as a caddy at a golf course. Youth ages 14 and 15 may be employed, but hours are limited during the school year. Teens ages 16 and 17 may work six hours a day on a school day and eight hours a day on a non-school day, up to 30 hours total in a school week.

Kentuckiana also has a great online resource for teens looking for work at kentuckianaworks.com.

Louisville Astronomy Club Summer Night Watches Warm summer nights are perfect for stargazing. Did you know that the Louisville Astronomical Society hosts Star Parties in E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park once a month? Star Parties are free and open to the public. Each night includes a program on what stargazers will see in the sky that evening. Check out louisville-astro.org for a schedule and other events around the community hosted by the Louisville Astronomical Society.

Signs of Summer:

FISH, FAMILY, AND FUN

Baseball & Fireworks

Nothing says summer like baseball, hot dogs, and fireworks. Join Buddy Bat for exciting nights of America’s favorite pastime and fireworks: May 8, May 22, June 5, June 12, July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14, August 28 and September 4.

YOUR KIDS CAN JOIN THIS!

The Louisville Bats Kids Club is the official kids club for Louisville Bats fans ages 12 and younger. Each child member will receive: • Admission to every Sunday home game • Todd Frazier replica Bats jersey • Bats logo cap • Voucher for carousel ride or speed pitch • Kids Club membership card Registration is $20 per child. KIDS EAT FREE ON SUNDAYS! All kids with a game ticket can eat for free during the game. Free meal includes hot dog, small soda, and junior nachos.

For many families, summer marks the beginning of Louisville’s Archdiocese summer picnics. These social events usually find large groups of tweens and teens hanging out, riding rides, and eating plenty of festival food! For a complete list, visit archlou.org/parishes/ picnics-festivals. In the meantime, here are a few community favorites to add to your calendar: June 4-6: St. Athanasius June 12-13: Our Lady of Lourdes June 18-20: St. Paul July 17-18: St. Agnes August 7-8: St. Gabriel

Set aside a few hours to give back to the community with your kids. 36 SUMMER 2015

JUNE

NATIONAL PU BLI SERVICE DAY C

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MAC HACK #1

Avocado mash-up

Avocados are a great starter food for babies. The creamy texture easily blends in with the mac-ncheese. You may find yourself sneaking a bite or two. ¼ Avocado • 1 tsp. olive oil • dash of salt Using a fork, mash up the avocado. Once mashed, add in the olive oil and salt. Combine with mac-ncheese. This filling hack is full of good fat.

Healthy Hacks for Much-Loved

Mac-n-Cheese

MAC HACK #2

Bonafide broccolicious

Anti-cancer properties make broccoli a superfood for babies. Add a little butter and some salt and watch your kid gobble up this hack. Head of broccoli, steamed or microwaved (Boiling it reduces the nutritional benefits.) Pat of butter • Sprinkle of salt After the broccoli is cooked, mix in butter and salt. Cut the broccoli into very small pieces and mix in a tablespoon or two to the mac and cheese. Start with a small amount and introduce more if your baby seems to enjoy the new texture.

By Keri Foy • PHOTOS BY MELISSA DONALD

round 9 months old, most babies can start eating table food. While macaroni and cheese is usually met with delight, it really lacks anything nutritious. “My kids love mac-n-cheese,” says Steph Jamison, mom of four. “If I can easily add something to make it more nutritious, then I’d do it. Who doesn’t want to eat healthier?” Brittani Dick, local food blogger for Broccoli Babbles, gives four tips to up the ante when it comes to packing a nutritional punch while satisfying your baby’s affinity for cheesy noodles (and your penchant for a quick, go-to meal). Simply prepare the mac-n-cheese according to the box’s directions — Brittani recommends Annie’s brand — and add in the following to boost your babe’s iron, good fat, or vitamin C.

MAC HACK #3

Carrots a-callin’

Boost your tot’s immunity with a few carrots mixed in your mac. Carrots are also a good source of vitamins A and B6. ½ carrot, steamed until very soft Slice the carrot lengthwise then horizontally to get very small cubes. Top the mac with the carrots.

MAC HACK #4

Protein and peas

Making tacos or spaghetti for dinner? Reserve a little of the browned hamburger meat to add in the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle in some peas to make it more colorful. 1-2 Tbsp. browned hamburger meat • 1-2 Tbsp. well-cooked peas (make sure they’re very soft) Toss the two ingredients in a small bowl of macaroni and cheese for added protein and vitamin C.

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