SAVVYkids | June 2020

JUNE 2020 · SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

3 MEN WHO MAKE FATHERHOOD LOOK HEROIC

A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER COLLEGE POST-CORONAVIRUS

DIP INTO A DIY ICE CREAM BAR

IT TAKES A VILLAGE PARENTS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Arkansas National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program NOW ENROLLING! The mission of the Arkansas National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18 year old at-risk youths in the state of Arkansas. Our goal is to produce program graduates with the values, life-skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.

MENTORING The primary goal of the mentoring component of Youth ChalleNGe is to access and match each cadet with an adult within their community. The relationship between the mentor and graduate reinforces the impact of the program. This relationship is key to meeting the ChalleNGe. Mentoring is an act of community building and contributes to the molding of the young person into a productive member of society.

ELIGIBILITY Volunteer • 16-18 at Enrollment US Citizen & Arkansas Resident • No Felony Convictions

THE PROGRAM 8 CORE COMPONENTS Leadership/Followership • Responsible Citizenship Academic Excellence • Job Skills Life Coping Skills • Health & Hygiene Service to Community • Physical Fitness

Arkansas National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program CAMP JT ROBINSON, BLDG. 16414 BOX 41 | N. LITTLE ROCK, AR 72199 800.814.8453 | ARYOUTHCHALLENGE.COM CONNECT WITH US @ARKANSASYCP ON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

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JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Pulaski County Special School District serves more 12,000 students in Pulaski County.

As we prepare Pulaski County Special School District serves more thanthan 12,000 students in Pulaski County.

As we prepare for for the the 2020-2021 school year, PCSSD encourages families to explore the opportunities available at schools for which 2020-2021 school year, PCSSD encourages families to explore the opportunities available at schools for which students zone. students areare zone.

Registration officially opened earlier returning students.

There is still to register Registration officially opened earlier thisthis yearyear for for newnew andand returning students.

There is still timetime to register if if to PCSSD or returning to the district 2020-2021 school year.

Everyone must complete youyou areare newnew to PCSSD or returning to the district for for the the 2020-2021 school year.

Everyone must complete the the registration process in order to attend a school PCSSD. registration process in order to attend a school withwith PCSSD. • • •

• January 13, 2020: Online registration opens students to PCCSD in grades K - 12.

January 13, 2020: Online registration opens for for students newnew to PCCSD in grades K - 12.

• February 3: Online registration opens returning student registration.

February 3: Online registration opens for for returning student registration.

• May 18, 2020: Equity Pupil Services begin accepting permits.

May 18, 2020: Equity andand Pupil Services will will begin accepting permits.

STUDENTS NEWNEW STUDENTS

IN-DISTRICT TRANSFER IN-DISTRICT TRANSFER

Parents of students are new to district the district register Parents of students whowho are new to the can can register

Parents would likerequest to request a transfer for their student, Parents whowho would like to a transfer for their student, fromfrom

children online in online our online registration gateway. school in district our district to another school in same our same district, theirtheir children online in our registration gateway.

The The NEWNEW one one school in our to another school in our district, STUDENT registration portal is only for students STUDENT registration portal is only for students K-12K-12 whowho havehave

complete a Permit to Transfer Application submit to the mustmust complete a Permit to Transfer Application and and submit it to itthe

attended a PCSSD school reside in PCSSD the PCSSD attendancePCSSD PCSSD Division of Equity Services, by email to yrichards@ nevernever attended a PCSSD school and and reside in the attendance Division of Equity and and PupilPupil Services, by email to yrichards@ online registration portal be found on PCSSD the PCSSD zone.zone.

The The online registration portal can can be found on the

pcssd.org.

Approval of permits are based on several criteria, pcssd.org.

Approval of permits are based on several criteria,

website at pcssd.org/register. website at pcssd.org/register.

including program capacity the reason for transfer. the transfer. including program capacity and and the reason for the You You

RETURNING STUDENTS RETURNING STUDENTS Parents of students returning to PCSSD for 2020-2021 the 2020-2021 school Parents of students returning to PCSSD for the school will use the online registration gateway.

Students yearyear will use the online registration gateway.

Students mustmust be be registered online to school the school for which address is zoned. registered online to the for which theirtheir address is zoned.

willnotified be notified by phone and/or if your permit application will be by phone and/or emailemail if your permit application is is approved 1, 2020. approved afterafter JuneJune 1, 2020.

QUESTIONS QUESTIONS •

• more For more information on registration for K-12 grades, please For information on registration for K-12 grades, please

zoned school as well to online the online You You can can find find youryour zoned school as well as aas linka link to the

Yolanda Richards the Division of Equity emailemail Yolanda Richards withwith the Division of Equity and and PupilPupil

registration portal on PCSSD the PCSSD website at pcssd.org/register. registration portal on the website at pcssd.org/register.

Services at yrichards@pcssd.org.

Services at yrichards@pcssd.org.

PRE-K STUDENTS PRE-K STUDENTS PCSSD’ s Pre-K program is a free, standards-based program PCSSD’ s Pre-K program is a free, standards-based program thatthat to build strong foundational prepare students aimsaims to build strong foundational skillsskills thatthat helphelp prepare students

•

• more For more information on registration for K, Preplease K, please For information on registration for Pre emailemail Ebony McKinzy in Pre-K the Pre-K Office at emckinzy4772@pcssd.org.

Ebony McKinzy in the Office at emckinzy4772@pcssd.org.

ABOUT PCSSD ABOUT PCSSD

for kindergarten. is open all qualifying students Pulaski County Special School District spans for kindergarten.

It is Itopen to alltoqualifying students whowho turnturn threethreePulaski County Special School District spans moremore thanthan 600 600 milesmiles or four or before August 1 of enrollment the enrollment or four on oronbefore August 1 of the year.year.

in central Arkansas requires highly skilled passionate in central Arkansas and and requires highly skilled and and passionate

Pre-K registration for 2020-2021 the 2020-2021 school opened Pre-K registration for the school yearyear opened on on

personnel to adapt educational policies personalization personnel to adapt educational policies and and personalization to 25to 25

January 13, 2020.

Parents of new Pre-K students register at anyschools. schools. school is accredited

by Arkansas the Arkansas Board January 13, 2020.

Parents of new Pre-K students can can register at any EveryEvery school is accredited by the StateState Board of of elementary school a Pre-K program.

Pre-K students will beEducation.

Education.

PCSSD served schools across Pulaski County elementary school thatthat has has a Pre-K program.

Pre-K students will be PCSSD has has served schools across Pulaski County sincesince

REGISTER REGISTER NOW NOW pcssd.org/register pcssd.org/register 501.234.2000 501.234.2000

assigned to schools based on PCSSD the PCSSD assigned to schools based on the zonezone map.map.

JulyJuly 1927.1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district assures all students achieve at their maximum district thatthat assures thatthat all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive continuous efforts potential through collaborative, supportive and and continuous efforts all stakeholders. of allofstakeholders.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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JUNE

MAKE YOUR OWN SUNCATCHER! PAGE 10

2020

5 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ADVENTURE & FUN CRAFTS & MORE!

12 MAMA SAID ...

WHAT NOW? — JEN HOLMAN

14 FAMILY & PARENTING SUPER DADS

20 EXPLORE & LEARN

COMBINATIONS ARE ENDLESS WITH A DIY ICE CREAM BAR! PAGE 22

A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER

22 GOOD EATS

DIP INTO A DIY ICE CREAM BAR

28 HEALTH & WELLNESS IT TAKES A VILLAGE

30 MEET THE PARENT CARL CARTER JR

MEET RYAN DAVIS AND HIS BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS ON PAGE 16

ON THE COVER: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MATTHEW, AJAX, MONROE AND ATTICUS STALLINGS. PHOTO BY JADE CHAUVIN PHOTOGRAPHY.

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JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

KEEP THOSE SPIRITS UP

Photo by Stacy Kinzler

(AND 6 FEET APART)

Well, here we are at month three of coronavirus pandemic lock down. Whether you are thanking your lucky stars that homeschool is finally out, or missing the structure of daily assignments, we all have to shift gears and find ways to enjoy this new, uncharted territory of Isolation Summer. Make peace with those canceled summer vacation plans (easier said than done, I know) and try to be proactive with finding social-distance-friendly activities to pass the time and keep things interesting.

News and Notes on page 8 offers a few ideas on things to do with the family outdoors, and opportunities for fun when you’re staying around the house.

With our outlets to indulge severely scaled back to basics (does anyone look forward to an afternoon cup of tea as much as I do?), surprise the kids with a DIY home dessert bar. Zara Abbasi gives an easy, delicious recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream and endless suggestions for creating unique milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches and more. Turn to page 22 to create your own Cookie Monster Milkshake (it’s blue!), homemade hot fudge sauce and more.

Father’s Day is just around the corner on June 21, and at SAVVYkids, we love to celebrate great dads! Meet three local fathers who all happened to be involved in local politics because of a drive to make a difference in their community.

Beginning on page 14, Scott Richardson, Ryan Davis and Matthew Stallings all share their fatherhood journeys, what motivates them to set a good example for their kids, and how they continue to show up for their communities.

As those of us with older kids draw nearer to college life, the presence of coronavirus may have you feeling a little uneasy about back-to-school. On page 20 we chat with leaders at University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech and Arkansas Tech about what new procedures will be implemented to keep students safe in the classroom or online this fall.

We’re all taking this summer one day at a time, so as you cruise cautiously into the season we hope you and your family stay safe and able to find that silver lining.

Amy Gordy Editor, SAVVYkids amy@arktimes.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL

PUBLISHER BROOKE WALLACE | brooke@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER ART DIRECTOR | DIGITAL MANAGER KATIE HASSELL SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR MIKE SPAIN DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENT PLANNING LUCY BAEHR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN CHILSON IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ACCOUNTING CHARLOTTE KEY CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN PRESIDENT ALAN LEVERITT

Support your favorite local restaurants and retailers.

Order online or by phone then pickup curbside.

Support your favorite local restaurants and retailers.

Order online or by phone then pickup curbside.

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JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

©2020 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 201 E. MARKHAM ST., SUITE 200 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985

FIND US ON

contributors ZARA ABBASI lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children. She is a licensed attorney, but you know her better as Little Rock’s friendly pastry chef and custom cake maker. She keeps busy with dessert orders, pop-up dinners, writing articles and doing anything food-related.

Follow her on Instagram @Zaramadeit for her newest cake creations and dinner ideas.

Expert Counseling for Children and Families is Now at Your Fingertips.

KATIE CHILDS is a wedding, lifestyle and commercial photographer based in North Little Rock. When she's not behind the camera, Katie, her husband, Jon, and their new addition, baby Jonas, can be found traveling the U.S. in a DIY camper van.

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children. The empty-nesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

JEN HOLMAN is doing her best right now, OK? She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children, striking that delicate balance between inspiration and frustration.

She’s written five novels, one of which won a Rosemary Award for excellence in young adult fiction.

Call 877-778-1197 to schedule a telemedicine appointment

ISE SOMEONE R P R U S ON THEIR BIRTHDAY!

ANGELA E. THOMAS is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine. Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

MELISSA TUCKER spends her days working in web marketing. When not at work, you'll probably find her at the gym, on the playground with her kids or checking out too many books from the library.

yardazzles Call or text today, 501-351-4142

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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LOCAL & ONLINE

HUNT FOR TREASURE

Dig for crystals at Ron Coleman Crystal Mine in Hot Springs. The public dig site is open. We recommend you bring some hand shovels, a large bucket and wear old clothes and shoes to get dirty. Keep what you find, but please stay at least 6 feet from other guests. colemanquartz.com

PICK BERRIES

Head to Wye Mountain Flowers and Berries and pick to your heart's content.

By the first week of June there should be plenty of blueberries and some blackberries ready to pick 7 a.m.-noon, MondaySaturday. It’s recommended to call for current picking availability, 501-330-1906.

COVID-19 precautions included limiting and spacing pickers for social distancing, hand washing stations and temporary suspension of the barnyard petting area, play land and “Berry-Choo-Choo.” wyemountain.net

HIKE AND SWIM

Lake Nixon summer camp is suspended for June; however, the organization is allowing families to come and explore, swim and hike the grounds for free with a reservation. facebook.com/lakenixondaycamp

READ AND LISTEN WITH CALS

CALS members can browse thousands of e-books and audiobooks with Overdrive and RBdigital. Music lovers can use Freegal to download up to five songs per week or stream unlimited music. You can also research your family tree using Ancestry Library Edition. Read magazines and newspapers from around the country and the world. cals.org

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JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

FIND FOOD

If you are experiencing food insecurity this summer, there are several organizations offering meals.

Grace Presbyterian Drive-Thru Food Pantry GROW A SUMMER HERB GARDEN

Herbs are easy and fun to grow and you can incorporate them into so many meals. Fill some planters with soil and plant basil, thyme, mint, dill or rosemary with the kids. Make your own labels and enjoy all summer long.

June 4 and June 18, 6-7 p.m.

Grace Presbyterian Church 9301 N. Rodney Parham Road

Christ Little Rock Church Food Boxes

Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or until they run out.

Christ Little Rock, at Hughes and Markham streets

No Kid Hungry Summer Meals Finder

HOME THEATER

Get your theater fix with virtual classes offered by the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. There are several courses to choose from that cater to ages kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as two all-ages dance-focused classes. Therep.org

No Kid Hungry runs a free texting service to help families find meals in their neighborhoods. Parents and caregivers can simply text the word "FOOD" to 877-877 to see all the nearby options. The service is also available in Spanish by texting the word "COMIDA" instead.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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ART SPACE

Catch the Summer Sun

Add a little fun and color to your home and garden

BY KATIE HASSELL

You’ll Need:

Translucent pony beads 7-inch round aluminum baking pan, or muffin pan Outdoor grill Drill Twine or fishing line.

CONGRATULATIONS

GRADS!

INVITATIONS • DECORATIONS • PARTY FAVORS • BALLOONS • PIÑATAS • CAKE SUPPLIES 10 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

How To:

1. Begin by lighting the grill. We set ours on about medium heat.

2. Arrange the pony beads in a single layer on the bottom of the aluminum pans. Either arrange the beads in a design or in a freeform and abstract design.

3. Carefully place the aluminum pans on the grill and close the lid.

Leave until the beads melt, about 10 minutes depending on the temperature of the grill.

4. Remove from the grill and set aside on a flat surface. As they cool they will separate from the aluminum pans.

5. Remove from pan and drill a small hole ¼ inch from the edge of your bead design. Thread some twine through the hole. Tie the ends of the twine together with a knot.

6. Hang in a window, on a porch or in the garden and enjoy the wonderful colors.

11218 N. RODNEY PARHAM RD. / LR 501.223.4929

4822 N. HILLS BLVD. / NLR 501.978.3154

• INVITATIONS • DECORATIONS • PARTY FAVORS • BALLOONS • PIÑATAS • CAKE SUPPLIES SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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MAMA SAID ...

What Now?

BY JEN HOLMAN

E

ver since school dismissed in mid-March in a flurry of backpacks and busted spring break plans, I’ve run the gamut of emotions. Shock, fear, frustration, sorrow, anxiety, acceptance and, eventually, gratitude have all made treks across my soul. Some left deeper ruts than others. Some of those ruts I stumble over again and again. Sometimes I fall and it takes a while to hoist myself back up.

I learned a lot about myself during that first month of social distancing and uncertainty. I learned that a major way I deal with stress is by keeping busy. When my schedule screeched to a halt and the way we conduct school and sports and music lessons—the way we conduct life—changed practically overnight, I felt like everything was spinning out of control. So I controlled what I could. I organized. I tackled every junk room, every junk corner and drawer in the house, and when that was done my husband and I cleared the woods behind our house. That is not a joke. We literally spent every Saturday for six weeks armed with pruning shears and hand saws tackling the non-native, invasive nandina and privet ravaging our yard as if they were the coronavirus ravaging our lives. Oh, it felt so good.

That initial shock when we all learned school wouldn’t resume until April? Snip! No, sorry, actually the kids will not be returning to school at all this year. Whack! Better not visit grandma and grandpa for the foreseeable future. Snip! Summer camps are canceled this year. Snip! Parents, you must diligently oversee virtual school, though it technically doesn’t count. Whack! My husband and I haven’t traveled alone in years. We had planned a trip to San Francisco and Yosemite this month while all three kids were at summer camp, but with camps canceled that plan is as dead as Dracula’s dinosaur. Whack! Snip! Whack!

The truth is we’re incredibly lucky the only thing we’ve lost are plans (and our sanity from time to time). Seniors missed graduations and proms. Athletes have lost opportunities and entire careers. So many people have lost jobs. Small business owners are watching as their dreams and life’s savings disappear. It’s been a tragic few months.

So, what now? We’re not sure what school will look like in August. When will we feel comfortable at concerts or in crowds

(ABOVE) BEFORE AND (BELOW) AFTER CLEARING OUT THE BACKYARD. (RIGHT) WE ENJOYED THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR BY LETTING THE KIDS HAVE A CAMP OUT WITH THE NEIGHBORS, EACH IN THEIR OWN TENT.

12 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

again? What do we do now that June has arrived and summer is here and the way forward remains uncertain? A lot of things have changed, and as things continue to spin out of control, one thing we can do is write our own narrative. We can make the best of a bad situation.

I say we try to see from a different perspective. June has arrived!

There are two and a half months of freedom until we must think of school again! There were no last day of school parties, no pool grand openings or Memorial Day blowouts. We’ve missed so much already. Like drive-by birthday parties, we’re going to have to consciously work to celebrate the small stuff. Let’s focus on the good happening all around us as a result of our lives slowing down. We can live more in the present because there’s plenty of time. Many of us aren’t rushing in to the office right now, or off to baseball tournaments. We can choose mindfulness. We can stop and smell the roses, and find shapes in the clouds. We can appreciate a stream, a bird nest, a bug, a farmer. There is magic all around us, and we can help our children notice it. Forced mindfulness is still mindfulness, after all. I keep a gratitude journal to stay focused on the positive, and I can include my kids in the practice. I can try to keep them grounded by helping them notice the things they’ve been given, the things they’ve taken for granted all this time.

If we’re lucky, we get 18 summers with our kids. Eighteen opportunities to savor the slower pace, the sno cones, the sprinklers. I propose we curate any and every excuse to party right now. It’s June. It’s summer. Our children are well. Let’s celebrate.

STILL NEED A REASON? HERE ARE A FEW I FOUND: • National Say Something Nice Day (1st) • Leave the Office Early Day (3rd) • National Hug Your Cat Day (4th) • National Donut Day/Global Running Day (5th) • D-Day/National Bubbly Day/National Yo-yo Day (6th) • National Chocolate Ice Cream Day/National Cancer Survivor’s Day/Prince’s birthday (7th) • National Best Friends Day (8th) • National Iced Tea Day (10th) • National Jerky Day/National Peanut Butter Cookie Day (12th) • National Rosé Day (13th) • National Children’s Day/Blood Donor Day (14th) • National Smile Power Day (15th) • National Go Fishing Day/International Picnic Day (18th) • Juneteenth/National Flip-flop Day (19th) • Summer Solstice/First Day of Summer (20th) • Father’s Day (21st) • Selfie Day/World Day of Music/Smoothie Day (21st) • Let It Go Day (23rd) • International Fairy Day (24th) • Global Beatles Day/Bourdain Day (25th) • Take Your Dog to Work Day/Log Cabin Day (26th)

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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(FROM LEFT) ANNA LI, ZOE, EMME, SAMUEL SUDDUTH, SCOTT AND MARCI RICHARDSON.

FARM-FRESH FAMILY TIME

S

COTT RICHARDSON

BY AMY GORDY

and his wife, Marci, are raising chickens, sheep, bees, a dog, a cat and four wildly different kids at their family farm in Ferndale. Richardson works as a lawyer in private practice, having spent 10 years serving the Attorney General’s office. Eight of those years he spent as the lead council in the Little Rock Desegregation case—a legal battle that began during the Central High School Crisis in 1957—which he helped settle. Richardson has handled numerous appeals to the Arkansas Supreme Court, the Arkansas Court of Appeals and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition to his legal work and involvement at his place of worship, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Richardson recently finished a campaign for circuit judge.

His work schedule is full, but Richardson makes his family a priority by setting boundaries between his work life and home life.

“I try to keep my work week to 40-50 hours. There are people [in law] who work all the time—it can be all-consuming and really scoop up your life if you let it. I try to balance it because I like my family,” Richardson said laughing. “I don’t want to miss my kids growing up.”

He’s dad to Anna Li, 16; Samuel, 16; Zoe, 8; and Emme, 5. He became a father for the first time at age 32, when he and his previous wife adopted 18-month-old Anna Li from China. The experience with international adoption was eye-opening for Richardson as a new father, and the retelling of Anna Li’s adjustment to her new family and vastly better living conditions is a story that still hangs heavy on his heart.

“We spent two weeks traveling in China to get Anna Li. We got to the orphanage, and there was a room with all the other people waiting to adopt. They called parent names and then you stepped up and got your child. And they called ours and Anna Li was just screaming,” he said.

The new family made its way back home to Arkansas and to a carefully prepared nursery set up for Anna Li. “By the time we got back, she was pretty well comfortable with us. We fed her a lot to overcome the starvation effects. She ate so fast,” he said.

Aside from some night terrors and working through severe anxiety from past food insecurity, Anna Li blended right in to her new family. “She was just great, a good kid and so smart,” Richardson said.

A year after Anna Li’s adoption Richardson and his previous wife split up and began sharing custody of their daughter. Soon after that, he met Marci, and her son, Samuel who is the same age as Anna Li, and the four became a new family when Richardson and Marci married in 2011.

“Samuel was 4 years old when I came into the picture. We’ve always gotten along. I’ve been very blessed with great kids.”

14 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

WHAT DID DAD SAY? Most admirable/influential TV dad? My kids have found Andy Griffith recently. I like his easy way and that he was always there for Opie.

Do you own a pair of New Balance shoes? No. When it’s your night to cook, what’s your signature dish? Taco salad, usually with ground turkey.

The blended Richardson family later welcomed Zoe and then Emme to complete their tribe, then found their 1,400-square-foot Hillcrest bungalow to be a little cramped.

“We had three girls in one bedroom. About three years ago we moved out to Ferndale. Marci wanted a hobby farm. She’s a real estate agent and she found a place that had everything we would like on five and a half acres. We have a half-dozen sheep we raise for meat, 10 chickens, we keep bees, there’s one cat and one dog. The kids liked the transition.

There’s lots for them to do on the farm.”

The farm is a perfect place for Richardson to unwind from work and spend the quality time with his family he was craving after putting in the long hours for his campaign.

“Last year, I ran for circuit judge and I was really gone a lot between work and campaigning. The little one, Emme, was saying, ‘When are you going to hang out with me, Daddy? Can we just stay home and play this weekend?’ I lost—it was a three-way race and I came in third—I’ve never won a popularity contest,” Richardson said with another laugh.

His campaign ended in March, and then the coronavirus shut everything down, giving him some much-needed time at home. “I was forced to go back home, and I got to spend time with the kids. I’ve had to work from home but it’s been nice to be home with them. It was like the thing I was wanting most, just to be at home.”

On the farm, the Richardsons get to watch their kids’ very different personalities flourish. “Anna Li is a hard worker. She’s always pitching in.

She will show up at our house for a weekend and start doing the dishes.

She loves to take care of the animals on the farm. I see Anna Li working and it makes me think, ‘I gotta get up and help more around the house,” Richardson said.

“Samuel is flexible and loves to laugh and have a good time. I like having a plan and thinking things through, but Samuel reminds me not to be too stuck with my plans and to have a little fun, too.”

While Richardson is preparing for the teenagers in the house to fly the coop—Anna Li has sights on college and Samuel is set on a military career—he still has plenty of time to learn from his two youngest.

“Zoe is still developing her personality, but she’s more quiet and thoughtful. She likes to have fun, but she’s the one who will sit down with me and read a book. She’s always thinking about things and making plans, and wants things in order. Emme is all personality. She’s so snuggly. I’ll be working and she’ll just come over and put her arms around me and rub her cheek on me and say, ‘I love you, Daddy.’ I’m not a touchy-feely person, I like my personal space, and Emme helps me remember to give hugs,” he said.

Have you ever saved your kid’s life? My wife one time had to pull over in the middle of Cantrell Road to dislodge a Starlight mint from our youngest's (then 4 years old) throat.

She's such a woman of action she's usually there first when things happen. The kids and I are lucky to have her.

Which rite of passage do you look forward to most, or have enjoyed the most? I don't know. Each step of watching my children grow up has been the greatest joy for me. When they learn to read, when they finish a grade level in school, learning to drive, all these things have been wonderful to witness. For my high-schoolers, I do kind of miss the school programs that would mark the end of the semesters and transitions. But, I love how they're interacting with the world in more complex ways and looking at life more deeply. It's an honor to be with them as the world opens up to them.

Best/most memorable Father’s Day gift you’ve received. Last year they got me a PK Grill. It was fun to support a local business. But mostly, my favorites are the cards or drawings they'll craft together.

Can you braid hair? With three girls, I'm no good at hair.

What was your favorite bedtime story to read to your kids? “The Man and the Vine” has always been a favorite. It's about a wine-maker and his daughter. It follows them through the process of making communion wine for the Eucharist in the Divine Liturgy. It starts with him planting the vines and walks through the process of the grapes being transformed to wine, then offering the fruit back to God in the Eucharist. His daughter is with him throughout the process.

Its story of their closeness that reaches its fulfillment in the Liturgy gives me something to aspire for with my children.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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DEDICATED DAD

BY AMY GORDY

R

YAN D. DAVIS is dedicated—to his

family, his work, his church and his community.

He seems to have a never-ending amount of hours to commit to his job as director of the nonprofit UA Little Rock-Children International; his position as an ordained elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and associate pastor at Bullock Temple C.M.E. Church; an activist for Grass Roots Arkansas; and as a board member of The Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Decarcerate Arkansas and Arkansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, to name a few. And when Davis has finished a day of work and public service, he gets to come home to his wife, Kimberly, and three energetic daughters who keep him on his toes.

Davis was 31 when he became a dad. He and Kim welcomed Delaney, 10, home just a week before their second wedding anniversary.

“Delaney has been exciting since she was born—just full of energy. She’s the one that people say is most like me. I don’t know if I should resent that, because Delaney talks a lot. It’s usually a whole stream of consciousness. Just talking about her observations or a long string of questions. Delaney is my buddy. If I’m on a long road trip, I can depend on Delaney to be up and talking and keeping me company,” Davis said.

While Delaney’s bright, inquisitive soul makes fatherhood much easier on Davis now, getting to this point took a lot of learning, self-discovery and work.

“I remember one time I was home by myself and Delaney was just sobbing in my lap, crying and crying. She was 2 months old maybe, and I thought I was going to start crying.

I didn’t know what to do. I thought, ‘You are freshly changed and rocked and cradled and swaddled,’ and I didn’t know what to do. She was a fun baby, though, and funny. She would walk into stores and start hugging people. Anybody with gray hair she would call ‘Grandma’ and ‘Grandpa.’”

Davis describes his middle daughter, Sarah, 8, as “quiet-ish” and a sweetheart. “Sarah is simultaneously really adventurous and dangerous. I walk into a room and she’s standing on a stepladder trying to jump over the coffee table onto the couch.”

And rivaling Delaney for the biggest personality in the house is youngest sister, Ella, 5.

16 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

(FAR LEFT, FROM LEFT) SARAH, KIM, DELANEY, RYAN AND ELLA DAVIS.

WHAT DID DAD SAY? Most admirable/influential TV dad? I fully understand why folks will cringe but Dr. Cliff Huxtable still looms large as TV fathers go. Despite who Bill Cosby IS, Cliff Huxtable modeled a good kind of warmth with his kids.

Do you own a pair of New Balance shoes? No New Balance, but I do have a pair of Clarks that look rather New Balance-ish.

When it’s your night to cook, what’s your signature dish? I cook fairly often and the girls are not very picky. They like when I make chickpea curry and rice.

Have you ever saved your kid’s life? Not sure if this is exactly lifesaving, but I've learned the trick to dislodging objects from a kid's nostril. You hold the clear nostril down and blow really hard into their mouth and allow a snotty bead to bean you upside the head.

Can you braid hair? I can braid. I cannot cornrow, but I can braid.

What was your favorite bedtime story to read to your kids?

SO MANY! And they each love different books, but they all love “Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.”

“Ella is the wild card. The other two often complain about Ella. She likes to wrestle and wait until someone has built a tower and knock it down. She likes to mock people if they are talking. One of her favorite sayings if one of the girls says, ‘I’m telling’ it to respond with ‘I don’t care, perfect pair.’ What does that even mean? I don’t get it,” he said laughing.

While the sisters may be very different, Davis and his wife value and foster closeness between the siblings. All three girls share a room, to encourage connection. And when possible, Davis brings the family along for community events he works. His fulltime job as director at Children International, a program that connects with partners in the Little Rock School District to offer health education empowerment and college and career preparation programs, helps 2,100 students in Central Arkansas, which means many events are hosted in the evenings or Saturdays.

“I try as often as possible to bring the girls along if there’s a Saturday event.

I also ran for State House of Representatives, between November and March this year, so between work, campaigning, church, neighborhood associations meetings, canvasing, meetings after canvasing, there was something happening every night. It’s like I went from those several months of constantly being gone to literally two weeks of the campaign ending and the pandemic starting. I can appreciate now, under the circumstances, it did require me to slow down and draw near. Especially Sarah, she’s so sweet and sensitive, and was so sad when I would leave,” Davis said.

Now, he’s soaking in all the family time he can post-campaign. With three “daddy’s girls” in the house, Davis is working from home while working to mold these three very different young ladies into compassionate people. “I want them to be compassionate towards other people in general. I want them to begin the habit of thinking critically of themselves and their relation to the rest of the world—to see themselves as part of a larger world. It’s not profound, and I’m sure every parent wants this for their children … just to be good people and not to ever feel like they have to be anything other than themselves.”

As Davis prepares to enter the next phase of fatherhood and his oldest approaches middle school, already dubbing herself a “pre-teen” and lobbying for her own bedroom, he’s anticipating big changes in his role. “I really have enjoyed fatherhood from day one. I get it, there are all these solemn responsibilities and there’s a lot yet to come. I have heard that the teenage years are particularly something,” he said with a laugh. “I feel like I have a good template and had good parents and good grandparents. Folks who though very imperfect, laid some good groundwork for me to follow.”

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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ESSENTIAL WORKER, FATHER AND ADVOCATE

M

BY AMY GORDY

ATTHEW STALLINGS plays many essential roles to

his family and community: husband, father, firefighter, union member, volunteer, advocate, baseball coach and candidate. His passion for helping his community and desire to be a change-maker called him to run for Arkansas State House of Representatives in North Little Rock’s District 38, where he lives with his wife, Maygie, and three kids Ajax, 15; Monroe, 9; and Atticus, 6.

Becoming a father set Stallings on his journey to become a firefighter, advocate and community helper. In this capacity, he strives every day to set an example for his children, to plant seeds of empathy and compassion within them, and to do his best to encourage them to help when there’s a need.

“I was 21 when Ajax was born, 20 when I found out I was going to be a dad. I was playing baseball at [the University of] Arkansas and my path changed a little bit. Being a firefighter was what I always wanted to do if I didn’t play baseball. I’m getting to live out my dream, and when I eventually graduated from rookie school my oldest son got to see me get pinned. I’m still doing everything I always wanted to do, which includes being a dad,” Stallings said.

Stallings swapped out his baseball uniform to join the workforce and support his family, got married and had to grow up fast. He and Ajax’s mom have since split, but continue to co-parent and share time with their son. Stallings completed his firefighter training in 2009, married Maygie shortly after and welcomed daughter Monroe the following year, followed by son Atticus three years later.

“Round two and three were easy. I was a little bit older and had a lot more stability. I had joined the fire service and remarried, so I was in a much better place in my life. [Having a kid] was something I had done before, but Maygie was a first-time mom. She was amazing. I think she was born to mother children. If this is a story about parenting, then she’s the star and I’m a supporting cast member,” Stallings said.

With the stability of Stallings’ job as a firefighter also comes a commitment to a very demanding work schedule. He serves a 24-hour shift every third day—that’s around 60 hours per week.

“I’ll work every third day for the rest of my career. You know you’re going to miss things—you’ll have to work birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving. You’re gone for 24 hours at a time, so those 48 hours you get at home mean everything. Even with the side stuff I do—advocacy for firefighters, the campaign—I make a point to take my kids’ schedules, plug those in, and those are the things that are not negotiable. I coach Atticus’ T-ball team and nothing conflicts with that.”

Time together when dad is home is top priority at the Stallings house. The family sits down to eat

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WHAT DID DAD SAY? Most admirable/influential TV dad?

Hank Hill and Andy Griffith. Both are very old-fashioned and principled, but I do differ with Hank Hill on his “taste the meat, not the heat” preference for cooking with propane. I use charcoal or wood.

together each night. While Stallings works in the yard, the younger kids busy themselves nearby with digging and investigating critters. The family loves canvasing neighborhoods together, knocking on doors and talking about the issues and the changes they hope their dad can effect. The kids helped Stallings stock the neighborhood food pantry he built for people to take what they need during the pandemic. They rode along with him to round up tents for the homeless to be able to social distance properly.

“Compassion and empathy are the two most important qualities we want our kids to have,” Stallings said. “They have this abstract idea on what’s going on with the health crisis side of things. Maygie was temporarily laid off, but I’m an essential worker so we’ve still had income. I want them to understand the impact it could have in other houses. While making the pantry, we talked about who might need it and why. Trying to put the economic crisis in terms they understand. Monroe gets it. It’s a little more difficult idea for Atticus to grasp.”

Stallings and Maygie are raising three very different kids, who get along very well. So well, Atticus asked to drag his mattress into Monroe’s room and bunk with her during the pandemic. “It was Monroe’s idea, too. They like to do everything together,” he said. And the two younger kids both look up to their big brother. “Ajax is just a good big brother and he's willing to do whatever to keep the younger two entertained and happy. Whether that’s a Nerf battle or jumping on the trampoline, he's up for it.”

Stallings fondly describes his oldest son as a typical teenager—a little stubborn and very strong willed. He also helped coach Ajax’s baseball teams and the two enjoy kayaking and fishing together. “He's my oldest, so he is the one that made me a dad. I feel I have been called to do many things, but being a dad is the thing I'm most proud of and it started with him.

“Monroe is wise beyond her years. I feel like some day she’s going to walk into the room and say, ‘Dad, I’ve taught you everything I need to,’ and go back to her home planet. It’s all her mom. I’m nature and Maygie is nurture. And Monroe gets every bit of that from her mom. I can’t even tell you the last time I got onto her for anything. They are all good kids. Atticus is basically me.

Sometimes I want to call my mom and apologize. I don’t know how we haven’t been to the emergency room yet. He jumps off things, flies full speed down the driveway on his scooter. He’s a daredevil.”

Stallings doesn’t take for granted time with his family, and enjoys watching each of his kids’ personalities develop and flourish. “I think, like anyone else, we want to have well-adjusted kids, productive members of society. I want them to be something that makes them happy. Monroe wants to be a vet—she would be amazing at that. Ajax wants to be a baker. OK, go be the best baker you can be. Any of them can be anything as long as they’re happy.”

(ABOVE, FROM LEFT) AJAX, ATTICUS, MAYGIE, MONROE AND MATTHEW STALLINGS. PHOTO BY JADE CHAUVIN PHOTOGRAPHY.

Do you own a pair of New Balance shoes? No, I wear Adidas, but I see where y’all are going with this and I do have a pair of dedicated mowing shoes.

When it’s your night to cook, what’s your signature dish? Every night is my night, except when I’m at the station. My most requested meal is chicken tenders—tofu tenders for Monroe, the animal lover—with rolls and mashed potatoes and gravy.

What Dad joke do you tell that gets ’em every time?

I don’t have “Dad” jokes. I only have awesome jokes and they slay every time. But what gets them the most is my ability to come up with funny jingles and songs on the spot.

Which rite of passage do you look forward to most, or have enjoyed the most? Listen, I’m not ready for any of these. Ajax is about to start driving and he pretty much looks like a grown man. Every time Monroe hears Sturgill Simpson’s cover of “The Promise,” she says, “We’re gonna dance to this at my wedding” and I’m not crying, you’re crying. Atticus just had his first day of school this past year and it’s my last “first day” because all my kids are in school now, and now I’ve got no one to hang out with during the day. So no, I’m not ready for any of those.

Can you braid hair? Of course.

Not well, but I can do it. Cannot, for the life of me, tie a ponytail though.

What was your favorite bedtime story to read to your kids? Probably “Little Blue Truck” because I can do all the animal noises. But bedtime, for me, is typically a time to start roughhousing, get them running around the place like crazy people, and then send them to bed.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

19

EXPLORE & LEARN

A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER Local colleges and universities gear up for unique fall term

BY DWAIN HEBDA

I

t’s often said college is an exciting new chapter in the lives of students, but 2020 is shaping up to be a unique experience for everyone involved. As in other aspects of life, coronavirus is forcing Arkansas’s colleges and universities to take dramatic steps to keep this fall’s students, faculty and staff safe on campus.

Dr. Margaret Ellibee, chancellor of University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, said that despite the challenges and extra preparation the school has gone through to get ready to open on schedule, she’s excited to welcome students back for face-to-face classes this fall.

“We can’t wait to have our new students join us on campus and our returning students come to campus,” she said. “We’re going to have a healthy and safe environment for them. In doing that, we’re going to social distance and follow any other guidelines that the state is asking us to follow and we’re going to reestablish this campus and the learning that takes place here in a very positive way.”

Like all educational institutions, UA-PTC's spring 2020 term was cut short due to the pandemic, with most classes completed online. Ellibee said that experience has helped the school beef up its technology going forward for online and hybrid classes.

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“Campuses are slated to open on schedule for live classes.

Upon reporting, students will see a number of new protocols, many of which are currently being formulated or refined."

“Having the ability to do the Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings for campus faculty and staff has been tremendous. We’re able to have more engagement because everybody can dial in,” she said.

“When our faculty do the same for their students in their online classes, the students love it. It complements that online piece and enhances the engagement of our students with their faculty members.”

Ellibee said many of the school’s specific safety protocols will come into sharper focus as the term approaches, in accordance with evolving health guidance and best practices from other schools.

“We’re looking at it as, if that’s a practice that’s going to keep our students safe and they want something like that, then by gosh, we’re going to do that,” she said. “If the state says when we start back in August all students have to wear a mask, then we’ll purchase masks for each student. We have already purchased 600 masks for our faculty and staff. We’ll decide probably by July 1 on purchasing the rest for our fall students.”

Sam Strasner, director of university relations with Arkansas Tech University, said the school’s Russellville and Ozark campuses are slated to open on schedule for live classes. Upon reporting, students will see a number of new protocols, many of which are currently being formulated or refined.

“One of the things we’ve got to be able to determine between now and the start of the fall semester is how many times per day do we want to use a certain classroom,” he said. “In this environment, classrooms are going to have to be sanitized and disinfected before another group of people can come in. So, we’re looking at a variety of solutions on how that can be executed. For instance, are there classrooms that only need to be used once per day to ensure that they can be fully sanitized and cleaned.

“Another option under consideration is possibly providing the appropriate sanitizing materials and resources at each student workstation within a classroom such that when they get done utilizing that station, they can clean it themselves. That way, it’s safe for the next individual who will sit in that space. That will be very much borrowing a page from fitness centers where once you get done using a piece of equipment you wipe it down yourself for the next person. Possibilities like that are being discussed.”

Strasner said these and other new protocols are being fashioned with the goal of providing a robust educational experience without

putting students at undue risk.

“Arkansas Tech University wants to and hopes to provide its students with the college experience that they expect during fall 2020 and beyond,” he said. “The balance point of that is making sure we’re doing it in a way that not only keeps them safe, but also fulfills specific responsibilities of the university to act appropriately and protect everyone that we come into contact with.”

Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor of student affairs at UA Little Rock, said plans are to open the campus on time.

“For the fall, UA Little Rock is excited to welcome students back to campus,” he said. “This includes campus housing, campus dining and the student experience center. The health and safety of students, employees and visitors remain the institution's top priorities.”

Decker said university officials are working hard to examine new guidelines for all aspects of student life. He said one area that’s receiving particular attention is managing campus residential accommodations.

“At UA Little Rock, there are several housing options, including dorms and apartment-style living options,” he said. “Living on campus helps students create lasting friendships and a sense of community. Some of the many other reasons to live on campus include saving money, as utilities are included, and saving time by eliminating the need to commute.

“UA Little Rock has some students who continue to live in campus housing and these students are housed one to a room. The university is developing an assignment plan with different residence options for [incoming] students.”

UA Little Rock will offer live, online and hybrid classes this fall, as well as a slate of campus activities, Decker said. In addition to new protocols for such activities, contingency plans are also being developed in the event of further emergencies related to the pandemic.

“UA Little Rock faculty and staff have worked diligently to pivot during this unprecedented time to continue to offer courses and student experiences in virtual settings,” he said. “UA Little Rock continues to offer students the ability to participate in campus organizations and Greek life, which will be offered in virtual platforms throughout the summer. We plan to resume in-person student experiences beginning in the fall … while continuing to prioritize the health and safety of the campus community.”

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

21

GOOD EATS

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Dip Into a DIY Ice Cream Bar Celebrate the end of school (or any occasion you care to!) with an over-the-top indulgent homemade ice cream bar!

BY ZARA ABBASI PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CHILDS

I

don’t know about you, but I’m about ready to have a huge party with all of my favorite people and truly celebrate getting back to normal soon. I’m not sure exactly how soon that will be, though, and that makes me anxious. I want to cook out, have streamers in the air, balloons and a bunch of food we can indulge in together. I want to safely give hugs again, be in the company of people I love and talk into the night. I want to go back to the movies and get that huge tub of movie theater popcorn with extra butter and watch the newest blockbuster.

There are so many things that we just can’t do safely yet and that can create a mental slump for many people.

So, how about having a celebration for no reason at all? To be honest, that is one of my hallmarks. Ever since I was little, I wanted to celebrate so much more than we were allowed.

I wanted to decorate the table for a weeknight dinner. I made birthday cakes just because; and I remember wrapping up some dollar store trinkets for my family, just so they could have something to open for a surprise. As I got older, that feeling of wanting the everydays to be special never left me. And I’m afraid to say, I’ve passed it on to my kids. Trust me, they’re not sad about it one bit.

With that spirit, I think it would be such an uplifting idea to have an all-out indulgent party.

Decorate like you would for a birthday, make your favorite food and desserts and just not care about what’s keeping us away from each other right now. We have been in lockdown for over two months and just typing that out seems surreal, so I think we should celebrate anything good we have experienced thus far. Whether it’s our health, our family, having jobs, or another victory of any size, let’s celebrate that.

I wanted to celebrate my kids because they have been true champs during this lockdown.

They don’t give me any trouble with anything and have made the last two months close to blissful. They are kind-hearted and considerate and I want to acknowledge their hearts and tell them “thank you” for taking this all in stride. I thought a fun way to do that would be with an indulgent milkshake and dessert bar. You can do this homemade and get the kids involved, or you can help by supporting local restaurants and ordering items from them. I’ll match up restaurants to some dessert suggestions with the recipes.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

23

HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

A milkshake and dessert bar will need the essentials. And the biggest essential here is the ice cream. This is such a versatile recipe because it becomes the base for so many other ones. If you learn just this one recipe, you’ll have the working knowledge for so many other flavor combinations.

1¾ cups heavy whipping cream 1¼ cups whole milk ¾ cup sugar Pinch of kosher salt 1-2 tablespoons quality vanilla extract 1. Simmer all ingredients together until sugar dissolves and allow to cool.

2. Once cooled, pour mixture into your ice cream maker (I use Cuisinart, and you can find them easily in stores or online) and churn. Transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight container and place in freezer until ready to enjoy. * If you do not want to make this from scratch, consider supporting Loblolly and pick up a few pints of ice cream or sorbet!

24 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

FLAVOR IDEAS:

Once you decide to have a milkshake and dessert party, you’ll need to think up some clever flavor combinations. Here are a few to get you started.

• Cookies and Cream: Vanilla or chocolate ice cream, Oreos and hot fudge.

• Strawberry Dream: Strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

• Banana Cream Pie: Vanilla ice cream, fresh bananas, crushed Nilla wafers and whipped cream.

• Tiramisu: Vanilla ice cream, instant coffee, cut up pieces of frozen tiramisu *Support Milanos in west Little Rock by purchasing their tiramisu. It is truly amazing!

• Cookie Monster: Vanilla ice cream, blue food coloring, hot fudge, mini chocolate chip cookies.

• Funky Monkey: Chocolate ice cream, fresh bananas, hot fudge and sprinkles.

• The Elvis: Vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, bananas and hot fudge.

• Cherry Cheesecake: Vanilla ice cream, frozen cherries, cinnamon, frozen cheesecake chunks. *Please support The Pantry by purchasing their famous bruleed cheesecake.

• Orange Creamsicle: Vanilla ice cream and orange Jell-O mix.

• Key Lime Pie: Lime sherbet, vanilla ice cream, crushed up cinnamon teddy grahams and whipped cream.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE 1 14-ounce can of condensed milk 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1. Add condensed milk and chocolate chips to a small saucepan and heat slowly until all incorporated. Be sure to stir constantly.

2. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Store in airtight container.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

25

ICE CREAM SANDWICH COOKIES

Since we already have the ice cream, there’s no harm in doubling down on the desserts by making our own over-the-top ice cream sandwiches! Here’s a basic recipe.

10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon instant coffee 2 eggs ¾ cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 6 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cocoa powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ cup mini chocolate chips 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Combine the 10 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 30 seconds, then stir. Heat for another 15 seconds and stir and then let sit for a few minutes until melted and stir again to incorporate. Stir in the coffee and allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.

3. In another bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla on high speed for 2-3 minutes.

4. Slowly add in the chocolate mixture and beat together.

5. Sift together the dry ingredients and mix into the wet batter slowly until incorporated.

Stir in the mini chocolate chips and chill dough for 30-45 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and scoop out uniform sized balls of dough and place on parchment paper.

7. Bake for 12-14 minutes depending on size of the cookies. Allow to cool and then remove on to a wire rack.

8. To make cookie sandwiches, just find two like-sized cookies, add a scoop of your favorite flavor of ice cream, and any toppings like hot fudge, and sandwich together. Roll in sprinkles for a little extra décor. * If you do not want to make these from scratch, then consider supporting Mugs by purchasing their brownies and slicing those in half in lieu of these cookies.

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TIPS:

For creating a milkshake and ice cream sandwich station, here are a few tips to make it more streamlined.

1. Make your ice cream flavors ahead of time and then freeze individual scoops on a parchment lined baking sheet. This makes it easier to grab flavors and quickly blend together.

2. Use cupcake liners to separate different types of toppings such as sprinkles, chocolate chips and nuts.

3. Jell-O and Kool-Aid make great flavor additions to milkshakes and ice cream bases.

Use sparingly, one tablespoon at a time, because they can overpower the flavor and too much can change the consistency.

4. Use food colors to brighten up the flavors and add a little bit of whimsy.

5. Go all out and decorate your milkshake glasses! Have fun!

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

27

HEALTH & WELLNESS

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

It’s not unusual for grandparents or other family members to raise kids when a parent has a substance use disorder—and family involvement is key to that loved one’s recovery

BY MELISSA TUCKER

S

ubstance use disorders impact not only families and relatives, but also neighbors, co-workers and the larger community.

The children of parents struggling with substance abuse “are at increased risk for a variety of problems, such as abuse and neglect, which can negatively impact their physical and emotional well-being,” according to the National Institutes of Health. “In addition, parental substance abuse has been linked to ongoing behavioral problems, such as adolescent drug use. Thus, it is important to find ways to mitigate the negative impact that parental substance abuse has on the developmental outcomes of the children affected by this issue.”

In Arkansas, the number of people receiving treatment for illicit drugs was higher than the national average between 2005 and 2013, according to the Behavioral Health Barometer.

And though some measures have improved, the 2017 Arkansas Epidemiological State Profile of Substance Use showed “over the last several years, the number of treatment admissions indicating alcohol as the primary drug for

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“Once the decision to seek treatment is made, it’s crucial that family members are supportive. " treatment has decreased while the number for methamphetamine has increased.”

When a substance use disorder is occuring, whether it be opioids, alcohol or other illicit substances, realizing the need for treatment is the first step for all people involved, said Brooks Higginbotham, LCSW, substance use disorders therapist at The BridgeWay. Some warning signs that a family member may need help include “drinking more and over more extended periods, an inability to stop on their own, unsuccessful attempts to cut back, cravings for substances, as well as mood swings, isolation, irritability and physical withdrawal,” he said, adding, “the warning signs are different for each person.”

Once the decision to seek treatment is made, it’s crucial that family members are supportive.

In fact, the most successful treatments involve the whole family.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “Treating the individual without family involvement may limit the effectiveness of treatment for two main reasons: It ignores the devastating impact of substance use disorders on the family system leaving family members untreated, and it does not recognize the family as a potential system of support for change.”

In some cases, involving the family means grandparents or other relatives may need to step in and take over caregiving duties when a parent struggles with substance abuse. Though not all are related to substance use disorders, in Arkansas, 11 percent of children 18 and under live in households where the grandparents or other relatives are the homeowners and likely caregivers, according to grandfamilies.org. Grandparents or other surrogate caregivers can visit benefits.gov to see which programs they may be eligible for to provide support to children.

To make a decision on how to handle treatment of parents with

substance abuse issues, therapists consider all resources available to the patient.

“For example, is the other family member capable of caring for the child or children? If not, what other familial resources are available?

The therapist must consider the safety of the entire family when recommending treatment,” Higginbotham said.

That may mean finding a therapist or entering a substance treatment facility where they will make an assessment of the parent and their condition.

“Depending upon the outcome of that assessment, the parent may be referred to the appropriate level of care. There are several options, including outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, acute hospitalization, or residential care,” he said.

Should a parent need treatment for an extended period away from their home, the transition for children and temporary caregivers might be difficult.

“One tactic to ensure success is telling the children that mommy or daddy is sick and they need help to get better,” he said.

“Although disrupting the family routine isn’t always ideal, it may be unavoidable given the level of treatment the parent enters.”

Depending on the severity of the substance use disorder and the type of treatment, the time invested can range from individual counseling to a six-month-long treatment.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Higginbotham said patients can “receive intensive outpatient treatment and partial hospitalization through telehealth using Zoom,” he said. “With this new feature, patients may take part in therapy from home.”

Anyone seeking information for substance use disorder treatment can call the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration national hotline at 1-800-662-HELP for free and confidential referrals or guidance.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2020

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CARL CARTER JR. is a father of three (Luke, Chloe and Collin).

He, his wife, Kim, and their kids live in Sherwood. A proud, long-term employee of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, he also founded the Beverly Carter Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving lone worker safety.

He has a Master and Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and an Executive Masters in Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service.

What is your hobby/sport/activity? After a childhood of failed sports attempts, I found distance running in my adulthood. I’ve run almost 40 full marathons and about as many half-marathons. Running gives me a great sense of pride and helps combat another favorite hobby: eating all the delicious things.

In my spare time I also run a nonprofit, Beverly Carter Foundation. Founded in 2017 in response to my mother’s kidnapping and murder, it’s some of the most fulfilling work I’ve done in my life. Truthfully, though, navigating fatherhood, grief and a very full schedule isn’t easy. Sadly, my sweet kids will forever wear the label of our family’s tragedy.

What are some good co-parenting tips you’ve learned along the way?

We’re a blended family (I was married and had two children in my early 20s), so raising our three kids has been a balance of give-and-take. My kids are blessed to have two of the best mamas out there. My number one rule is that “we love our mama—we respect her, we listen to her, and we are so grateful for her.” My kids know that I’ll never contradict or disparage their mama and it’s made us a stronger family unit. Also, I learned early on with disagreements how much more effective it is to just pick up the phone rather than start the battle of the texts.

How has your family kept things together during coronavirus pandemic? We don’t watch much television, so we’ve immersed ourselves in painting the interior of our house and decluttering. It’s been a good distraction from the stress of lost income and uncertainty over the future.

When restrictions are lifted and it’s safe, where is the first place you are going?

At the risk of sounding like I just won the Super Bowl, “I’m going to Disney World!” We were very much looking forward to visiting our pal Mickey Mouse in May, so we’re rescheduling our trip when it’s safe.

What do you find to be the most challenging part about working from home during social distancing? Two things: homeschooling and noise control. I’ve never doubted that teachers should make more money, but I could literally scream it from the rooftops now. I’m working from home almost exclusively and my role requires no less than five conference calls (or the dreaded video-conferencing) per day. There is nothing quite like being on an important business meeting and your son proclaiming his need to go to the bathroom.

What aspects of yourself do you see in your kids, good or bad?

I’ve always had a knack for all things artistic and it makes me proud to see it in my kids. One of my favorite things to do is sit at our dining table and draw or paint with my kids. They each have a very unique, yet incredible, drawing style. It fills my heart with pride.

Similarly, we’re a costume-loving family and have made many fun memories in our various costume events (even if it’s just at home for fun). Earlier this year, my wife was out of the country for a couple of weeks. The kids and I had many hilarious, costumed adventures, including recreating scenes from the musical “Annie.”

What is your ideal way to celebrate Father’s Day? An ideal Father’s Day for me is simply a day in the presence of my kids.

Added bonuses include a big breakfast and an all-day MarioKart tournament where I absolutely destroy my competition (my kids).

30 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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32 JUNE 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM