NorthTexasChild December 2019 by DFWChild

NORTHTEXAS

THE MAGAZINE PARENTS LIVE BY IN DENTON COUNT Y

D E C E M B E R 2019

MANAGING HOLIDAY

FAMILY DRAMA

MEET THE RAMBLING REDHEAD JENNIFER TODRYK

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD

EVENTS TO LOVE THIS MONTH

ONE WILD PARTY: A JUNGLETHEMED BIRTHDAY WHERE TO BE MERRY IN FREDERICKSBURG

MOMMY BURNOUT HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOW TO FIX IT

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pages / D E C E M B E R

2019 NORTHTEXAS

DEPARTMENTS NOTED 7 Peace on Earth?

How to manage your family during the holidays without being a Grinch

REAL MOMS

11 ABOVE //Jennifer Todryk's adventures as a mother of three are documented in her popular blog, Life as a Rambling Redhead. Next up? A show for HGTV.

FEATURE

11 Mom Next Door / Jennifer Todryk

14 16

The Rambling Redhead talks going viral, homeschooling her son and filming a new show for HGTV 6 Things... / Holiday Guide Everything Christmas from our Mom Next Door Routines / Lisa de Oliveira This homeschooling Denton mom has a to-do list method she’s stuck with for years to help her get everything done

KID CULTURE 27 Celebrate Good Times How to respectfully join other cultures’ holiday traditions

30 Travel / Merry Weihnachten! 18

Burn Out

In part one of our series, we found out why so many moms are burned out. Now we talk solutions—how do we beat burnout, for good?

words Jessica Elliott

The German-inspired holiday festivities in Fredericksburg are an annual destination for many families

32 Celebrate / A Wild One

There was a no-monkey-business zone for planning a Wild One jungle party

35 Calendar / The Agenda

Our favorite family events this month

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARTER ROSE; CINDY JAMES; ©ISTOCK; ILLUSTRATION MARY DUNN

Cover Family: Camilla, 4, Flower Mound Photography: Cindy James Hair/Makeup Artists: Kay Reeder / Independent Artists Art Direction/Styling: Heather Vance Devers

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joylyn Niebes CREATIVE + CONTENT DIRECTOR Heather Vance Devers EDITORIAL Executive Editor Carrie Steingruber Managing Editor Alexis Patterson

Freelance Assistant Editor Maya Butler Calendar Editor Elizabeth Smith Digital Editor Sydney Blalock Ritchie Editorial Intern Emily Yearwood ART Contributing Editorial Designer Lesley Busby

COLUMNS

38 Confessions / Mom Truths

A forgotten Elf on the Shelf and more LOL moments for the holiday season

Graphic Designers Susan Horn, Ariana Leyva

Advertising Coordinator Alli Renner

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT LARGE Lauren Niebes

PR/MARKETING Audience Development Director Candace Emerson Promotions Coordinator Tram-Anh Le

ADVERTISING Account Executives Alison Davis, Becca Hobby, Nancy McDaniel, Diana Whitworth Nelson, Sandy Tijerina

ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Leah Wagner Accounting Jeanie Vance

NorthTexasChild is published monthly by Lauren Publications, Inc. NorthTexasChild is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only NorthTexasChild authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. Additional or back copies of NorthTexasChild are available for $2 per copy at the offices of Lauren Publications, Inc. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. NorthTexasChild is ©2019 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.

northtexaschild / december 2019

merry

members SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019, 1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5 P.M. Celebrate the holiday season with the Amon Carter Museum of American Art! Join Carter Family Members for milk and cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus, explore the collection with a wintery Art Discovery Guide, let your creativity sparkle as you create masterpieces of your own, and more! Become a Carter Family Member at cartermusem.org/membership.

december 2019 / northtexaschild

noted.

PEACE ON EARTH? keeping family conflict at bay during the holidays WORDS ASHLEY HAYS ILLUSTRATION MARY DUNN

—

HE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE PRETTY OVERWHELMING

there’s the cooking, the cleaning, the shopping, the entertaining and the wrapping, all on top of attempting to run a (somewhat) functional household. Add the tension that can come from being around certain family members, and the “most wonderful time of the year” can quickly become The Nightmare Before Christmas. “I started planning for Christmas in September,” laughs Tarrant County mom Callie Miller as her three kids squeal happily in the background. “I have four different notebooks and calendars to keep everyone on track.” While planning ahead is a good way to start, sometimes holiday family dynamics test the limits of our preparation. Here’s how to juggle a multitude of responsibilities—and personalities—without turning into a total Grinch. → northtexaschild / december 2019

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ON EARTH

tolerate, but I can’t get her to do the same.” MANAGE EXPECTATIONS Her advice to mothers is to try not to take Licensed professional counselor Brittany anything personally. Stilwell of Prism Therapy Associates in Dallas “You may want to address it, but somebelieves that a big culprit of stress is this times that only adds to the conflict instead commercialized idea of what our family is of diffusing it,” explains J. When she senses supposed to look like. a disagreement arising, she steps outside for “We have these huge ideas of what the a breather. “Try to think of something about holidays should be and how we want our the holidays that makes you happy while family to be,” she says. “But, at the end of you’re outside alone,” she suggests. “That the day, you’ve still got goofy cousin Eddie way when you come back inside, you’re betwho doesn’t understand social cues. You ter mentally equipped to handle can’t expect your family memsnide remarks or what you bers to behave any differperceive as sugar-coated ently than they normally insults.” do. It’s exhausting trying to change and COMMUNICATE control that.” It’s not a recent revelaKeeping realistic tion that good comexpectations—rather munication can help than comparing your with relational conflict. family to a Hallmark Stilwell stresses this to her movie—can help you clients, adding that avoid unnecessary poor communication emotional distress from the receiving end and conflict. Taking care of yourself mentally is linked to reduced stress and can be helpful when of your message isn’t your burden to bear. SET BOUNDARIES handling conflict with family members, J has experienced Family gatherings but it can be difficult to wind down and this with her ex-husbring a lot to the refocus on your own. There are several band, the father of her table. Our favorites (free!) apps available that are quick and firstborn. “Keeping are the love, the accessible when you need to take a few the peace with her dad laughs and the memminutes to regroup. The CALM app (calm. during the holiday ories, but sometimes com) offers segments as short as three season was somewhat long-term grudges minutes to guide you through self-meddifficult because it and differing politiitation and relaxation. STOP, BREATHE all depended on his cal views can pull & THINK (stopbreathethink.com) asks mood,” she says. To up a seat as well. keep conflict at bay, Stilwell stresses that how you’re feeling and delivers a short it’s important to meditation exercise tailored to your emo- communicating well know how to handle tions. Both apps are available for iOS and with each other was a must. “I tried to only these situations and Android and offer additional features for plan events with her when to just excuse a fee. when it was my weekyourself. end so I wouldn’t be impeding on his time, “There are different kinds of boundarand if it was just unavoidable, he knew way ies,” she says. “Some people you only need in advance,” she says. a picket fence, but others you need a prison wall.” If a subject comes up that you’re GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK uncomfortable with, let your family know Sometimes the right environment needs to that disrespecting boundaries comes with be fostered to keep the peace. consequences. “I always try to have an activity for the “Saying ‘I’m not going to have this conkids to do to keep them distracted for a versation with you, and if you continue I will while and give the parents a little bit of leave the room’ tells them that you have set a break,” Millersays. “Last year I set up a your boundary, and leaving the room is the cookie station for Christmas and let them consequence of crossing that,” Stilwell says. decorate their own.” Giving the littles “Just because you’re capable of putting up something to keep them occupied while you with something doesn’t mean that it’s healthy connect with relatives alleviates some of the to do so.” chaos that might otherwise put you on edge. A Fort Worth mom of four, who asked Stilwell says that managing family durto go by “J” for anonymity, says she’s learned ing the holidays ultimately comes down that you can set boundaries for yourself, but to respecting your limits. “I have so many you can’t expect everyone to respect them. parents come to me asking, ‘How do I do “My mother-in-law and I don’t exactly it all?’” she says. “My answer is, ‘You don’t see eye to eye,” J reveals. “I’ve put up my have to.’” own boundaries on what I will and will not

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real moms. INSTA(NT) STAR AGE 31 HAILS FROM Burleson LIVES IN Collin County SIGNIFICANT OTHER Husband

Mike, regional sales director and army veteran Kiddos Von, 6, Berkley, 4, and Vivienne, 1 RECENT ACTIVITY Interviewing the cast of Frozen II at the Los Angeles red carpet premiere and filming a pilot for HGTV set to premiere in 2020 ALMA MATER Tarleton State University for fashion merchandising DREAM JOB AS A KID “Probably an actress. I look at it now, and it’s not the same. Something in the arts was my dream.” WHERE YOU CAN FIND HER

ABOVE //

lifeasaramblingredhead.com and at Village Coffee in Allen (soon to be Armor Coffee), which she and Mike own

mom next door /

JENNIFER TODRYK

the rambling redhead INTERVIEW HEATHER VANCE DEVERS PHOTOGRAPHY CARTER ROSE

Jennifer Todryk is a connoisseur of Christmas decor—her home is decorated with multiple trees.

F YOU’VE EVER CAUGHT ONE OF JENNIFER TODRYK’S STORIES ON INSTAGRAM , under the moniker of the Rambling Redhead, you know that her quirky, honest take on raising three young kids, marriage, fashion, home decorating and even Instagram itself strikes a major chord with her many followers. Her trademark beautiful red hair is not the only thing that sets her apart from the countless other moms on Instagram. She’s gone from 50,000 followers to 424,000 followers (and counting) in less than a year, and with an HGTV show filmed and ready to premiere in 2020, it seems like this is just the beginning for Todryk. “She’s the perfect combination of Lucille Ball and Joanna Gaines in one person,” her husband Mike says. “She’s funny. She’s witty. She’s got physical comedy. She’s great with timing. She’s intuitively good at business, and like Joanna, she’s just got an impeccable eye.” → northtexaschild / december 2019

real moms / M O M

NEXT DOOR

ABOVE // TODRYK GIVES SNAPSHOTS—AND HILARIOUS COMMENTARY—OF HER DAILY LIFE WITH HER THREE KIDS AND HUSBAND.

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I keep that in my mind, as far as my message I send out, the light that I shed, as far as being positive. I believe if you are you and you do you, you’ll find your people, and those are the best people to have because they’ll show up for you.

“I NEEDED TO CREATE SOMETHING, EVEN IF ONLY MY MOM AND MY DAD WERE GOING TO READ IT.”

Why do you feel like you resonate with people so much?

I’m weird. I do little skits and stuff. Most people, when they make a profile in their home decor or fashion, or whatever, you stay in your lane. That’s what you do. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and that’s why my blog was called Life as a Rambling Redhead. It’s funny—I originally wanted to do a home decorating blog. That’s what I was going to do, but I didn’t have any home decorating to talk about, so I did a post called “I, Mother of Baby Terrorists,” and that one did really good, and so I wrote a second funny one, and that one did really good. So I’m so glad I did Life as a Rambling Redhead because even though it’s obnoxiously long, and now, I’m just pretty much the Rambling Redhead on everything, it’s just all my life.

PHOTOGRSAPHY BY CARTER ROSE

Find a store near you or shop online at

Why did you start your blog? The blog started because I was just kind of in a funk. I was in a low point. I had just had Berkley, and the transition to two kids was so tough for me—way tougher than three. I had no identity. I was a workaholic and I would bring my work home, and I really found joy in presenting and making stuff, trying to hustle and be the best at whatever job title I had. [As a mom of two] I just needed something fun to do. I needed an outlet. I needed to create something, even if only my mom and my dad were going to read it. It didn’t matter. It was just spending the hours and the time using my mind for something that was fun. And then you went viral. Yeah, I had a post go viral my fifth week of blogging. I just got really lucky. I remember when I went viral—I restarted my computer because I thought there was a glitch in my AdSense counter. I was so naïve. I will say I’ve been very fortunate in how fast that I have grown on my platforms. It definitely has given me a sense that I’m supposed to be here, like God wants me to do this, and

Tell me about your upcoming HGTV Show. How did that happen?

Last spring, [in] 2018, I had a production company reach out to me on Instagram and I was really excited, but they wanted me to shoot some video for them, and basically, it was going to be me and a friend doing home decorating. But the problem was they wanted us to film us working with clients. So me and my friend were going to decorate homes. We even went out and got an estimate of someone’s house and did a whole consultation. Then I get pregnant, and I’m like, This just isn’t meant to be. I’m creating a business that I’m not even doing, technically, which didn’t seem authentic to me. I told my friend, “I’m so sorry, but I can’t do it.” One month later, I get an email from another production company. I’m like, What is happening?! So, I’m like, OK, fine. I’ll jump on a phone call, even though I knew I wasn’t going to do it. I just got pregnant. So, I talked to them and they were so easy. They were like, “No, we’ll do everything. We just need you. You like to renovate homes. We’ve seen your Instagram. We’ve seen you in your stories. We would love to make a show around you. We’ll find the homes. We find the clients. You literally show up. You’re just doing the renovation and we’re going to help you along the way.” They came out to my house and shot right after that. It was from the very beginning quick, easy, painless. I just felt like God made it too easy. He was like, “Here, dummy. I’m trying to get your attention.” It was a sign, and I did it, and it’s been great. What was the craziest part about filming the TV show? The kids. Having to worry about the kids, managing the kids. The way you film it, you have to remember, OK, this scene, we had already done this, but we hadn’t done this yet. You film out of order. That’s how they’re all filmed. In the back of my head, I’m like, I hope Mike remembered that he’s supposed to leave at this time. Is he running late? Is he talking too much? You still are a mom and you’re still worried about everybody else, even though you don’t need to be. But that doesn’t shut off because your husband’s got it. It doesn’t shut off. You’re still always concerned about everybody’s well-being, and that drives you up a wall, and I had to think many times, Shut it off. It’s going to be alright. What has been your biggest challenge as a parent or a mom? The mom guilt’s always there, but I can’t say just one thing because it just depends on what I’m doing that day. When we’re filming, it’s the guilt that I’m not there. Whenever I’m here, it’s the guilt that I’m working, not crafting. When I’m crafting, it’s the guilt that I’m crafting and not cleaning. I feel like mom guilt’s always there. It just shows its face differently. I definitely hold anxiety with that kind of stuff. What is your best advice for parenting? Have fun with it. I really do feel like happiness is a lot of choice and that you can choose to be happy. Find the joy. What was behind your decision to homeschool your son? We homeschool half time. Von’s really smart, so because of that, it just felt weird for him to go to kindergarten. He’s been reading since he was 2 1/2. He read before he could talk. I taught him to talk by taping up sight words on the wall and being like, “Which one says ‘can’?” And he’d point to “can.” I’d be like, “Say ‘can.’” He’d be like, “Ca.” I’m like, This makes absolutely no sense. I didn’t register as him being super intelligent back then. He was my first. I didn’t know. I was just in my own little bubble. He’d walk down the stairs in the morning and be like, “Mom, what’s the climate in Africa right now?” I’d be like, “What are you talking about?” He’s like, “Is it humid? Is it like 96 degrees?” I’m like, “I don’t know.” He has [school] three days a week, and then he is [homeschooled] here two days a week, and I’m able to incorporate stuff that’s on his level. He does multiplication, division since he was in kindergarten, but we’ve stopped. I’m like, “I’m not doing algebra with you. You just turned 6.” northtexaschild / december 2019

real moms / 6

THINGS …

INTERVIEW HEATHER VANCE DEVERS

HOLIDAY GUIDE jennifer todryk’s favorite things to put you in the spirit of the season

FO R S I N G I N G I N TH E S E A SO N

g “Probably National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or The Holiday. Can I have two?”

FO R CE LE B R ATI N G WITH TH E KI DS

“LAST CHRISTMAS” BY WHAM!

“COZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS” BY KATY PERRY

december 2019 / northtexaschild

“Our favorite Christmas tradition is the German pickle.”

FO R WA RM I N G U P Vanilla latte with oat milk

FOFOR R TH E R I S TM A S S PR E A D FACH MILY TIME

“I love broccoli, cheese and rice casserole. It’s a side dish that we’ve always had, and I love it.”

FO R S PR E A D I N G CH E E R

“WE ALWAYS MAKE STUFF FOR THE NEIGHBORS, AND THEN THAT JUST TURNS OUT HORRIBLY, SO THEN WE BUY COOKIES, AND THEN WE DON’T EVER HAND THEM OUT AND WE FIND THEM IN OUR PANTRY IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH. THAT’S MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION. THREE YEARS RUNNING.”

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a wednesday in the life of

LISA DE OLIVEIRA Retired nurse Lisa de Oliveira has lived in Denton for five years. She and her husband Glênisson have three kids: JJ, 21, David, 19, and Daniel, 13. Two of their sons are in college—JJ at Cornell University and David at Texas Christian University— while Daniel is an eighth grader at Olive Tree Academy, aka homeschool.

:45AM Alarm goes off. I think, Hmmm, I’ll hit snooze and go to the 8:30 Camp Gladiator class. Then I remember it’s Wednesday co-op day—it’s the 5 o’clock class or nothing, so I drag myself out of bed. 4:55AM Head out to my CG workout at Bone Daddy’s. Even brushed my teeth. 5:05AM Bummer—missed the warmup lap, but I crank out a workout with my fellow Gladiators. Drive back home glad that I worked out to start my day. 6:10AM Quick shower and get dressed for the day. Darn, no yoga pants! Not a good look for the homeschool science co-op. 6:15AM No time today to sit down with my beloved cup of tea for devotional time. Next best thing: Listen to my audio Bible as I prep a fruit breakfast for Glênisson before he heads out to work. 6:45AM Wake up Daniel and implement our divide-and-conquer plan to get out the door: He loads the car while I take care of food …

yes? Deal! I pack lunch for Daniel—peanut butter and Nutella wrap. It’s his go-to lunch, but then I realize our co-op is a peanut-free zone … snap. Plan B for lunch: Grab some cheese cubes, slices of turkey, crackers, grapes, water bottle and we’re good to go. 6:55AM Yikes, I still need to do my hair! Daniel loads the car and heats up frozen sausage, egg and cheese croissants for breakfast on the road while I run a flat iron through my hair. 7AM Drive to Arrow Academics co-op while eating a breakfast croissant. On the radio: Proverb of the Day. Apply makeup en route at each stop sign and red light. 7:35AM Arrive at co-op to 16 great kids. Teaching general science today means two labs and a short presentation on simple machines. It’s a highlight of my week to get kids to love learning, especially science. 10AM Head out to one of my favorite portable offices: Dunkin’ Donuts. Grab my latte and planner to make my “Top 6 To-Do List.” I’ve been top six-ing my to-do’s since I was a sales director with Mary Kay. I can’t move to task No. 2 until I finish task No. 1. Easier said than done, but it keeps me on task except for that occasional—squirrel! 10:45AM Receive a text from my husband: “Can you join me for UNT alumni lunch in Frisco at noon?” No brainer. I text back: “ABSOLUTELY.” 11:11AM Find a minute to send my daily text to one of my peeps: usually either my husband, one of my three sons, my BFF or another homeschool mama. Today, I send my words of encouragement (my love language) to my sister in Boston. 2PM After lunch I peek at the Top 6 list and tackle what’s next: Follow up with six Denton Benefit League membership contacts and type up a board report from a week ago. 2:40PM Need caffeine. Luckily, I’m meeting a prospective DBL member for coffee on the Denton Square. 4:05PM Pick up Daniel at Arrow. Once I see his big smile, I call for a generous hug for his slightly exhausted mama and chat with another homeschool mom who is nursing, potty training and teaching multiplication facts with her three girls. “Hang in there,” I tell her, “and don’t call for the yellow school bus yet; it does get easier.” 4:35PM Back home to put books away and grab a quick snack. It’s a quick turnaround before heading out for youth group. 4:45PM While Daniel eats his snack, I make a quick dinner since I didn’t make time to start a Crock-Pot earlier—oh well. I’m thankful that I grilled extra chicken and zucchini over the weekend. 6PM All three of us are out the door for

Diaries are penned by moms (and dads) in the North Texas area. The authors volunteer to share a day of their choosing and are not paid or endorsed by NorthTexasChild. Send your diary to editorial@dfwchild.com. All submissions are subject to editing and may be cut for space. 16

december 2019 / northtexaschild

PHOTO COURTESY OF TASHA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

real moms / R O U T I N E S

the fine

WHAT SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S READING One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (with Daniel) BEST VACATION Porto de Galinhas beach in northeast Brazil WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IN HER NETFLIX QUEUE Who knows? My boys handle the remote FAVORITE MOVIE Mary Poppins FIRST CELEBRITY CRUSH Shaun Cassidy FAVORITE DATE NIGHT SPOT EG Steak FAVORITE SCENT Styletto cologne on my husband BEST PURCHASE EVER College education WORDS SHE LIVES BY Seek first the kingdom of God. BEAUTY PRODUCT SHE CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T LIVE WITHOUT Mary Kay TimeWise Repair WHAT SHE DOES WHEN LIFE GETS STRESSFUL Get in the car, drive with windows down and sunroof open listening to praise music MOTHERHOOD IN FIVE WORDS It is not for wimps. DREAM JOB AS A KID Pediatric nurseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;then I became one! FAVORITE INDULGENCE Chocolate peanut butter fudge from Buc-eeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SELF-CARE SPOT Captiva Salon & Spa on the Denton Square SOMETHING SHE LEARNED THIS WEEK â&#x20AC;&#x153;Respect, listen, help and appreciate others.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Alan Mulally, former CEO of Ford SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REALLY GOOD AT Encouraging others SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REALLY BAD AT Throwing overly ripe food out of my refrigerator IF SHE HAD TO CHANGE CAREERS, SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D BE A Bed and breakfast owner

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON; ILLUSTRATION BY ARIANA LEYVA

Smithsonian Affiliate

commitments at church. 6:30PM Drop off Daniel to youth group. GlĂŞnisson and I meet with an engaged couple for their eighth and final premarital counseling session. 8:15PM Pick up Daniel and head back homeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but not before a quick pit stop at DQ for a peanut butter Blizzard. 8:50PM Daniel showers and gets ready for bed while GlĂŞnisson and I walk our dog and catch up on the day. 9:30PM Favorite time of day: Daniel hops into our bed, and GlĂŞnisson reads to us. Sometimes Daniel and I rub his feet to keep him awake, but tonight I fold laundry. 10:05PM Happy that Daniel still likes our nighttime routine of songs and prayers. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take it for as long as he will! 10:15PM Watch evening news while scrolling through social media and trying to get my inbox back down to zero before lights outâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I get to about 10 unread. Not bad. Still a worthy day to enter into my gratitude journal: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you, Lord, for a full day of blessings.â&#x20AC;?

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northtexaschild / december 2019

Â©ISTOCK

december 2019 / northtexaschild

PART NO. 2

BURN OUT Beating burnout takes commitment, and maybe some painful decisions. But reclaiming your sanity is worth it—for you and your kids. WORDS JESSICA ELLIOTT

AT THIS VERY MOMENT, I HAVE EXACTLY 23 PRECIOUS SPARE MINUTES—a rarity with three children under 2. But by the time I’ve determined what to do with my unexpected time (Write my overdue story? Eat something? Respond to long-unanswered texts? Research the best sippy cup? Plan a date night? Shower?), the moment has passed. And I’m still as frazzled as my postpartum hair. That’s the eternal struggle of motherhood, isn’t it? Trying to manage it all, with dwindling time. Compared to mothers of the past, we’re working more and we’re investing more into hands-on parenting. We’re expected to be unceasingly “on,” and to gracefully deal with chronic stress. So we go and go and go until we collapse into a tired heap. We covered the causes and symptoms of mommy burnout in part one of this story, published in the November issue of NorthTexasChild. (You can find it at dfwchild.com.) The main takeaway: Unrealistic expectations, whether self-imposed or societal, along with a host of other problems including lack of face-to-face connections, absence of familial support and hyper-involved parenting, are leading to mommy burnout. The syndrome is recognized by experts as a real and pervasive problem. At risk: reaching a state of utter exhaustion that can lead to emotional detachment from our children and a feeling of incompetence as a parent. The good news is that mommy burnout is preventable—and curable. The bad news? The solution requires ongoing dedication and commitment when reserves are empty, and, ironically, the one thing we all need more of: time. But your family life—and your health—may depend on it. →

northtexaschild / december 2019

GET YOURSELF BACK

WHEN MAMA AIN’T HAPPY

I’ve never been known to have an excess of patience. But at my most burned out, practically everything made me snap, whether mildly or wildly: my 22-month-old son throwing a spoonful of yogurt across the kitchen, my 3-monthold twin daughters refusing to eat on schedule, my husband simply coughing and waking the babies—really. My blood pressure was a constant roller coaster. Problems can escalate when a mom remains in a burnout state, says Denver-based author and psychologist Sheryl Ziegler. As she explains in her book Mommy Burnout, headaches can become migraines, irritability can shift to rage, verbal aggression can intensify to physical aggression, sleeplessness can transform into insomnia, worry can lead to constant anxiety, and forgetfulness can become memory impairment. These issues—and a desire to unwind and de-stress—can even lead to substance abuse, Ziegler says. Mothers who have high burnout also tend to snap more, like I did. “If you’re exhausted, haven’t eaten yet, and your kid has a tantrum, in that scenario you won’t respond the best,” says Katie Sardone, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and owner of Behavioral Health Dallas. “If you had a nice morning, got to exercise and got breakfast, it gives you a mental recharge to handle those emotions. But if your emotions aren’t restored and you can’t handle yours, how can you handle a child’s?” Focusing on yourself can help you shore up reserves of patience and control your temper. Stefanie Prentiss, a Highland Park mom and owner of luxury travel concierge Posh Voyage, regularly has to keep her emotions in check. “When I don’t give myself the oxygen mask first, I’m running on empty, and my husband gets home and I’m a witch,” she says. Ensuring your own well-being is “a gift you are giving to yourself and to everyone in your family.” Because when Mom is struggling, the entire family unit suffers. “Mommy burnout affects our entire lives, our work, our relationships, 20

december 2019 / northtexaschild

When the thought of changing just one more diaper, driving to one more soccer game or negotiating one more bedtime stall tactic is enough to melt you into a puddle of irritation, the solution is to step away and re-center.

Your Stress Style

Determining your stress style and how you should respond can also help prevent a barrage of acute or smaller stressors (such as dealing with a toddler tantrum while running late) from morphing into chronic stress. In her book Mommy Burnout, psychologist Sheryl Ziegler identifies three stress styles: fighting, fleeing and freezing: • The fighter responds with anger, irritability and agitation, and might find solace in activities that calm the nervous system—yoga, deep breathing, soothing imagery or confiding in a friend. • The moms who flees reacts to stress with isolation and depression, tuning out the environment and mentally escaping via TV or phone, or sometimes by taking a drive, Ziegler writes. A massage, walking or jogging outside, or journaling can wake the nervous system and help eliminate stress. • The mom who tends to freeze, or feel paralyzed in a crisis, could benefit from activities that engage the nervous system, such as running, dancing, swimming and mindfulness, Ziegler explains.

“A lot of women think there’s no way out,” says psychologist Paula Miltenberger, Ph.D., of Dallas-based Women’s Mental Wellness. “But sometimes they just need permission.” This can mean arranging time off work for respite and taking a long, hard look at your daily routines. “You have to think, ‘Am I set up for success in my schedule, my life, my home, my reinforcements?’” says Sardone. “Stabilize and manage issues first. Prioritize more sleep by

utilizing your husband, a mother-in-law, a night nanny—it’s really about thinking flexibly. Then you can figure out how to get more child-free time to recuperate.” When it comes to scheduling, determining your core values and prioritizing them is key, Miltenberger says. “We have to remember there’s certain things we can control and different choices we can make to alleviate stress,” she says. “If your value is family, it can’t always be about family togetherness, but if you are overscheduled and at six different sporting events on the weekend, there is a disconnect between what you value and how your life is living out.” We may be spending more time in cars and at activities but missing out on true togetherness. Quality one-on-one time beats just about any activity, says Beth Ann Contreras, a licensed therapist and counselor and the Bedford site director for Logos Counseling. “If you ask a kid what kind of ‘care’ they want, it’s playing a game together,” she says. “You need quality with the quantity.” A solution might be to go against societal norms and limit extracurricular activities to one per child. As parents, we are the ones who control our children’s schedules, enroll them in classes, drive them to sports, take them to parties—and we have the power to cut back. That means saying no to social invitations and school commitments unless they are guaranteed to bring joy to your family. In other words, Marie Kondo your schedule. We also can limit or ignore pressure to undertake sensory activities, flash cards and educational crafts. Simply going on a walk or preparing lunch together is enough—or allowing the kids to entertain themselves. And, if we need more time to ourselves in the evening, whether for a break or to rest, an early bedtime never hurt anyone. Sleep or personal time should prevail, every time. Easier said than done, right? The pressure to stay busy can create anxiety over simply being still, and paring down schedules can be stressful by comparison—are we doing as much as other parents to prepare our kids for college and for life? Are our children missing out? “You have to be willing to not chase after all of the things on social media or the things the friends in your mommy group are doing,” Sardone says. “It’s learning strategies to tune out some of that. You have to focus on your own values.” (See our social media detox tips on the next page for ways to limit unhealthy influences.) “Comparison is the killer,” Miltenberger agrees. “Nobody’s circumstance is just like ours.”

PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE

Self-care is not selfish. It is crucial to maintaining your patience, your mood, your approach to every day—it is a human need, Sardone says. She touts the benefits of behavioral activation, or regularly getting dressed and out of the house, spending time with friends and walking the dog.

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our marriage, our children,” Ziegler says. “That should give us pause.” She reveals that when a mother is burned out, her kids are more likely to experience anxiety, trouble sleeping and even physical pain such as bellyaches and headaches. Mommy burnout can also damage a child’s feeling of attachment to their mom, which affects how they relate to others now and in adulthood, explains Sardone. “It’s important to prioritize yourself so you can prioritize that relationship with your child,” she says. “Instead of cutting star-shaped sandwiches, what’s more important is to get good sleep so you can give them good attention.”

When Elysa Ellisb brought home her son, the Addison mom started penciling in stroller walks around her neighborhood. To eliminate excuses, she kept her jogging stroller “packed with backup diapers and teethers, so we could leave in five minutes.” The short walks were “good for both of us,” she says. Short breaks are always good for burnout prevention, but longer time away can be more restorative. The overwritten-about “momcation” isn’t always the answer for burnout, but it can help. Prentiss, the travel concierge owner, knows her telltale sign of entering the red zone is minimal patience. (My own red flags are a perennially raised voice, entering a dazed state when it’s playtime and simply feeling too tired to do anything.) When Prentiss starts snapping, she takes a solo vacation—in fact, she recently trekked to the Arctic alone while six months pregnant. “I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I was there in the middle of nowhere looking at polar bears,” she says. Time alone “starts to give you separation, and you start to look at different things the right way.” Kelly Krug, a physician assistant at Olympus Family Medicine in Frisco, splits her weekdays between working and staying at home, and like most moms, regularly struggles with maintaining balance. “I know I’m reaching burnout when I lose my patience over stupid stuff, or when I’m dreading going to work, or when I’m not enjoying things I should be enjoying,” she says. That’s when she makes time for herself to read, take a bath or try a new recipe. “What got me mostly out of mommy burnout was re-recognizing I’m not just a mom, a physician assistant, a wife,” she says. “I lost 'Kelly' somewhere along the way. It’s about identifying what you need, identifying what looks best for you, and then finding small ways to fit that in—even if it’s 10 minutes of decompression on the way home by rolling down the windows and playing music.” Once you carve out space to re-center, commit to a genuine reprieve. “Focus on your genuine emotional well-being and not just distracting your mind,” Sardone says. “It’s a lifestyle of taking care of yourself. It’s a mental shift.” Essential to this mental shift: a goal to stop multitasking.“We are constantly running to-do lists in our minds,” writes Ziegler. “We are perpetually distracted by technology. We multitask without even realizing it. We research the best highchair or bicycle until well after midnight when we should be getting much-needed rest.” In other words, we should forgo those extensive efforts to find the cutest matching holiday pajamas or the best intelligence-building children’s toys. We go on “best quests” looking for the perfect everything, from schools to swim lessons, and then are unsatisfied because we know there is always a better option, Ziegler explains. When blocking time to make decisions, prioritize what is necessary and monotask. Ziegler suggests limiting your choices by choosing from

among just two or three options and “shifting your mindset from ‘the best’ to what works for your family.”

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS

One of the best things you can do with a spare 23 minutes? Call a friend. “If there is one takeaway from the book, it would be to spend time with other people,” Ziegler says. “That’s what the research is clear on. Our loneliness is driving an incredible level of stress in women, and in that sense, men too. Connect, connect, connect.” Contreras couldn’t agree more. She believes modern-day mothers are far more isolated than moms of the past, especially those who aren’t plugged in to mommy-and-me groups and classes. So lunch dates, early morning coffee chats or even a quick voice text can keep you sane. Ellis got to know a neighbor with a child close to the same age as her own son. The moms became good friends during regular walks. “Having a face-to-face chat with a person in the same life stage helped with burnout,” she reveals. Now, she regularly calls upon a moms group she met through church. “It was interesting meeting strangers whose babies were born within months of each other—and we can talk about everything,” she says. My own common solution for connection: the Marco Polo app. In-person connection may be ideal according to the experts, but I also have to be realistic. Even if I can’t make time to meet a friend, sending a personal message (and seeing a friend as unkempt as myself) is enough for a mental boost and adult connection.

DROP THE MOM GUILT

Commiserating with friends can also help us manage our own expectations. “We are setting ourselves up for this goal that we should be able to do it all, and the word ‘should’ is not healthy,” Krug says. To find better balance, moms have to rise to the challenge of surrendering control and delegating tasks to partners, other family members or friends. At my deepest postpartum low, my husband took time off of work to help me catch up on housework and get out of the house. We divide and conquer nighttime duties—or he handles wake-ups—to ensure I’m rested and have more patience for balancing working from home with toddler tantrums. The key is to be willing to allow someone else to step in, whether or not their process mirrors yours. Not everything will be done as we expect— but that’s the tradeoff. “If we’re going to be in the workforce, we’re definitely going to have to have lower standards for how the towels are folded,” Contreras says. And, Krug adds, we need to give ourselves grace. “It’s a daily practice of self-compassion,” she explains. “Say, ‘It’s OK that I’m not going to get all of this done’ instead of saying, ‘I can’t believe I didn’t get this done.’” It’s all about perspective. “We have to accept

Social Media Detox Minimize the risks of social-media-driven depression and anxiety with a few proactive measures:

• Set “on” hours. Wait to scroll Instagram until your morning routine is complete, and set a curfew at night. It can be as simple as not scrolling 15 minutes before bedtime. • Earmark vacation days. Set your phone aside for a full day or—gasp!—a weekend. That means leaving it at home while you’re out and about. • Be cognizant of whom you choose to follow. Does the unbounded traveler gallivanting across remote beaches get you down? Does the mom with her children in perfectly coordinated, stain-free clothes always doing something creative make you feel like a hermit? Ditch them. You’ll feel better for it. • Don’t put weight on your followers, numbers, likes, etc. You know your self-worth and value are not determined by someone else’s click. • Set your phone aside when spending time with loved ones. The most important goal is to connect—therefore, give your full attention.

the reality that everyone has limits,” Sardone says. “Focus on what you are proud of in your parenting instead of focusing on all the things you can’t do.” Miltenberger tells women frequently that they should only ask of themselves what their resources allow, and turns to the phrase “good enough mother,” coined by British pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott in 1953. Through observation and research, Winnicott found that children whose parents “failed” them in different ways actually benefited developmentally from the failures. “You don’t have to do everything to be a good mom,” Miltenberger reiterates. “Really, you just have to be a good enough mom.”

NORTHTEXAS

THE MAGAZINE PARENTS LIVE BY IN DENTON COUNT Y

OO N C TVO EB MEBRE R 2019 201 9

EVENTS TO LOVE THIS MONTH

IS BLUE LIGHT REALLY HARMFUL?

MEET MOTHER BEVERAGE’S ALLISON ELLSWORTH

HOW BURNOUT AFFECTS YOUR CHILD

MOMMY BURNOUT IT’S REAL. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.

northtexaschild / december 2019

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DENTISTS WORDS DFWCHILD EDITORS

ILLUSTRATIONS ARIANA LEYVA

BRACE YOURSELF: We brushed up our knowledge of teeth and how to take care of them with these facts and tips from experts on children’s oral health.

RAISINS

ORANGES

HOW MUCH TOOTHPASTE TO USE:

AGES 0–3:

CARROTS

MILK

FISH

2–3 MINS. CHILDREN SHOULD BEGIN FLOSSING AS SOON AS THEY HAVE

AGE 3+: TOOTH ENAMEL IS THE HARDEST SUBSTANCE

WATER

KIDS SHOULD BRUSH THEIR TEETH TWICE A DAY FOR

SIZE OF A RICE GRAIN

SIZE OF A PEA

CRANBERRIES

IN DALLAS: • • • •

Silver: 1 surface: $68 2 surfaces: $77 3 surfaces: $91 4 or more: $97

Composite Resin: • 1 surface: $83–$84 • 2 surfaces: $116–$132 • 3 or more: $142–$195

TWO TEETH THAT TOUCH

AMERICANS BUY MORE THAN

14 GALLONS OF TOOTHPASTE EVERY YEAR

IN FORT WORTH: KIDS ARE USUALLY ABLE TO FLOSS ON THEIR OWN BY AGE 6 OR 7

WHEN TO SCHEDULE A BABY’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT:

AFTER THEIR FIRST TOOTH APPEARS BUT NO LATER IN THE HUMAN BODY 22

AVERAGE PRICE OF BABY TOOTH FILLINGS:

december 2019 / northtexaschild

THAN THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY

• • • •

Silver: 1 surface: $63 2 surfaces: $72 3 surfaces: $85 4 or more: $90

Composite Resin: • 1 surface: $77–$78 • 2 surfaces: $108–$123 • 3 or more: $132–$182

SOURCES: BABY TOOTH CENTER; BRACES INFO; SCIENCE FOCUS; AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION; GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

BEST FOODS A CHILD CAN EAT FOR GOOD ORAL HYGIENE:

mom approved

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

inding the right person to take care of that toothy grin you love can be a hefty undertaking. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is (thankfully) home to many top-notch dentists and orthodontists who look after tiny teeth. So how do you begin the search? The staff at DFWChild has made it easier for you by compiling our annual list of pediatric dentists, orthodontists and other oral health care professionals. We asked our experts—local parents—to reach out to us and share their excellent experiences.

WHAT IS A MOM APPROVED DENTIST?

A Mom Approved Dentist is a dentist, orthodontist or oral surgeon who has earned the trust, admiration and respect of parents. Local parents reached out to our magazine, recommended these providers and told us why. Whether it’s for their kid-friendly office or professional acumen, these providers have impressed moms and dads like you who love their kids and care about their oral health. All of these providers were in good standing with the Texas Board of Dental Examiners at press time. WHAT MAKES MOM APPROVED DENTISTS DIFFERENT?

Each year various publications come out with lists ranking area health care professionals. Often these providers are chosen not by patients but by other providers. We think Mom Approved Dentists are special because they’ve been nominated by the consumers: local moms and dads. These providers didn’t make it on our list by purchasing space in the magazine, and their inclusion doesn’t imply an endorsement by DFWChild. This is truly a parent-to-parent referral list. It has been a labor of love for us.

IS THE LIST EXHAUSTIVE?

The list is by no means exhaustive—there are likely many outstanding professionals who aren’t on the list because our readers didn’t pass on a recommendation. If you have a local dentist, orthodontist or oral surgeon you love, tell us. HOW DO I RECOMMEND A PROVIDER?

DFWChild holds four surveys a year for readers to nominate their favorite health care providers. Visit our website at dfwchild.com/ doctors to complete the current Mom Approved Doctors survey. We ask that you leave comments telling us why you love this particular provider. Is it his childfriendly demeanor? Her listening and communication skills? Other parents want to know why you think this professional is special. Comments we publish will be edited for grammar and clarity. WHERE CAN I VIEW COMMENTS ABOUT THESE MOM APPROVED DENTISTS?

The full list of Mom Approved Dentists with comments from the parents who recommended them can be viewed online at dfwchild. com/doctors.

FAMILY DENTISTRY DENTON Tran, Susan DDS Denton Smiles Dentistry See ad on page 23.

Rozas, Melissa DDS Melissa Rozas, DDS See ad on page 24. DENTON Rodriguez, Francisco DDS Pediatric Dentistry of Denton FLOWER MOUND Duffy, Debra DDS Debra Duffy, DDS, PA See ad on page 24.

Vo, Glenn DDS Denton Smiles Dentistry FLOWER MOUND Cleveland, Kellie DDS Lantana Family Dentistry Thomas, Ryan DDS Highland Village Family Dentistry

IRVING Kuba, Reena DDS Children’s Dental Centre of Irving See ad on page 25.

HIGHLAND VILLAGE Mason, Shane DDS Village Parkway Dental

Memon, Rawaha DDS Pacific Hearts Dentistry See ad on page 25.

IRVING Henegar, Arthur W. DDS, MS, PA Henegar Dental

ORTHODONTICS COPPELL Bailey, Luke DDS, MSD Bailey Orthodontics

Roy, Jeff DDS 21st Century Dental & Sleep Center

Henao, Anabella DDS Bliss Orthodontics

LEWISVILLE Chang, Lin DDS 101 Dental & Orthodontics

FLOWER MOUND Habern, Michael DDS Habern Orthodontics See ad on page 25.

Wakefield, Brian DDS Wakefield Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Check out our Mom Approved directory at dfwchild.com/ doctors. Each health care professional is nominated by local moms, just like you.

COPPELL Nahatis, Loria DDS Melissa Rozas, DDS See ad on page 24.

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Susan Tran, DDS Family Dentistry

4x Mom Approved Dr. Susan Tran received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She then earned her DDS degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. She and her husband, Dr. Glenn Vo, opened their private practice, Denton Smiles Dentistry, in 2009. Together they have been providing families in Denton and surrounding communities with quality dental care along with positive dental experiences. They have an 9-year-old daughter Kylie, and a 6-year-old son, Jackson. Denton Smiles Dentistry 721 I-35E South, Ste. 206, Denton, TX 76205 940-380-1188 • dentonsmilesdentistry.com

northtexaschild / december 2019

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Debra Duffy, DDS Pediatric Dentistry 7x Mom Approved Dr. Debra Duffy loves helping kids love dentistry. She was the first pediatric dentist in Flower Mound, starting her practice in 1994. Dr. Duffy grew up in Colleyville, attended SMU, and then received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from UTHSC in San Antonio. Her passion for treating children continued as she completed her 2-year residency at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati Ohio. Dr. Duffy is also a diplomat in the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Duffy and her team encourage parents to establish their children’s dental home by age 1. This will ensure the proper education to the parents is established, and the children of the community will feel safe and at ease as they grow in their dental needs. Providing the latest discoveries in dental technology and products, Dr. Duffy and her team strive to give each child a fun and safe dental experience, helping to achieve her goal in helping kids love dentistry.

Debra C. Duffy, DDS, PA 2701 Old Settlers Rd. Flower Mound, TX 75022 972-724-1617 debraduffydds.com

Melissa Rozas, DDS & Loria Nahatis, DDS Pediatric Dentistry 7x Mom Approved

Melissa Rozas, DDS

Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teens, PA

Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teens, P.A.

632 E. Sandy Lake Rd. Coppell, TX, 75019 972-393-9779 • info@rozasdds.com rozasdds.com

december 2019 / northtexaschild

Dr. Melissa Rozas and Dr. Loria Nahatis, moms themselves, know the importance of making a child feel comfortable and safe in the dental office. They are passionate about creating a positive dental experience that is also fun and educational for the entire family. “Good communication, trust, and common goals towards a healthy and happy smile is our mission,” says Dr. Rozas. Both Dr. Rozas and Dr. Nahatis love seeing patients as infants or by age 1 year. “Seeing the babies early in life, allow us the ability to help the parents establish proper oral hygiene techniques and assess the child’s risk for cavities. We are also able to evaluate potential problems such as tongue and lip-tie, mouth breathing, and their effects or oral development,” says Dr. Nahatis. They are passionate about working with special needs children and their families to customize an oral health plan that suites their dental needs. Dr. Rozas and Dr. Nahatis are both board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and are active members in American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, The Greater Dallas Pediatric Dental Society and the Academy Laser Study Club. Dr. Rozas is past president of the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is currently serving as co-chairman of the Greater Pediatric Dental Society

mom approved

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Rawaha Memon, DDS, MSD Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Memon is a board certified Pediatric Dental Specialist. His hard work in earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree shines through in his professionalism and extensive knowledge. He went on to earn a specialty certificate in Advanced Pediatric Dentistry and a Masters of Dental Science degree because of his love for children, and his unique ability to connect with them through jokes, games, and TV shows. Dr. Memon has also published research in the Journal of Molecular Autism and the Journal of Stem Cell Research. Pacific Hearts Dentistry means practicing dentistry from the heart—with care, compassion, and good intentions. At Pacific Hearts Dentistry, parents are always allowed to stay with their children during exams and treatment. Dr. Memon ensures that children are happy and comfortable, and that parents are involved in their child’s dental care. Pacific Hearts Dentistry

1932 N. Story Rd., Irving, TX 75061 972-957-3577 info@PacificHeartsDentistry.com PacificHeartsDentistry.com

Reena Kuba, DDS, MS Pediatric Dentistry 5x Mom Approved A proud Dallas native, Dr. Reena Kuba received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Texas at Dallas. She then earned her DDS degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. While at Baylor, she completed her certification in pediatric dentistry in addition to a Master of Science in oral biology. Dr. Kuba is a certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry. In addition to her passion for preventive dental care, Dr. Kuba and her team specialize in laser dentistry, infant tongue and lip tie release, serving the pediatric special needs population, and creating a positive dental experience for all her patients. Children’s Dental Centre of Irving 8870 N. MacArthur Blvd., Ste. A-101 Irving, TX 75063 214-484-3199 • irvingchildrensdental.com

Michael Habern, DDS Orthodontics

4x Mom Approved Experience matters, and Habern Orthodontics has passed a milestone as of June 2019 having created over 14,000 lasting smiles! Dr. Habern has offices in Flower Mound and Sanger and is proud to serve them and the North Texas area. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Habern is delivered in a fun, relaxed environment with a unique open-door policy where patients and their families are considered friends and are encouraged to interact with our highly qualified staff. If you are looking for an awesome smile, Dr. Habern is an orthodontist with the experience you can trust! Habern Orthodontics Flower Mound • 972-539-8295 Sanger • 940-458-0636 habernorthodontics.com

When your child is sick or hurt, little else matters. Check out our Mom Approved directory at dfwchild.com/doctors to find dentists and health care professionals to fit your family’s needs. Each Mom Approved professional is nominated by local moms, just like you.

northtexaschild / december 2019

kid culture.

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CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES introducing your kids to other holiday traditions WORDS MAYA BUTLER

HILE SANTA CLAUS’ IMPENDING ARRIVAL might be high on kids’ minds this time of year, the season might look a bit different depending on your faith or heritage—even if you celebrate Christmas. “No two celebrations are alike,” says Minister Christian Watkins, of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, who also celebrate Kwanzaa. “While we live in a global society, it’s important to understand that other folks celebrate differently, but it’s not any better or worse.” So how can you and your children celebrate diverse cultural holidays respectfully? We talked to local experts about how you can pay tribute to other traditions while honoring your own. → northtexaschild / december 2019

kid culture / C E L E B R A T E FOOD FOR THE SOUL

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GIVE ME A CHANCE. VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME.

Volunteer at BecomeACASA.org

Every year on Dec. 13, Scandinavians celebrate the Christian holiday St. Lucia’s Day. Traditionally, one girl is chosen to represent St. Lucia in a procession and wears a white robe and a wreath with candles on top. As with many cultural traditions, food has a prominent place in the celebration—saffron buns and other sweets are St. Lucia’s Day favorites. Food is a way into any kid’s heart, and can be a way for your child to actively participate in another cultural celebration. “Exposing children to food is a window in which you know you can enter into somebody else’s culture,” says Almas Muscatwalla, a founding member of Faith Forward Dallas, a group that unites people of different faiths. Muscatwalla, a Plano native, recommends trying out a new recipe from a cookbook and having your kids participate in the cooking process to introduce them to the meals of other cultural celebrations. Whether it’s cooking, dining with friends or visiting a restaurant that cooks food specific to a certain culture, it’s good to prepare your kids’ taste buds in advance. For Mansfield mom Erica Bekerman and her four kids, this time of year means honoring their Jewish faith through Hanukkah (or Chanukah), but they’re no strangers to celebrating other cultural holidays like Christmas with family friends. “I might say, ‘OK, we’re gonna go somewhere and try some food. We probably have never tried any flavors like this before, so it might taste different than anything you’re used to,’” shares Bekerman, who volunteers at Beth-El Congregation in Fort Worth, a reform synagogue. “‘You don’t have to eat it all if you don’t like it, but let’s try it.’”

december 2019 / northtexaschild

When it comes to wanting your kids to celebrate holidays that aren’t connected to your own culture or religion, Watkins recommends using your best judgment in order to avoid cultural appropriation. He says that playing games of other cultural celebrations is fine, as long as kids understand the context. In honor of the African-American holiday Kwanzaa—a time when celebrants pay tribute to their African roots—kids can play mancala. For Hanukkah, kids play dreidel, a game that features a spinning top with four sides, each with a letter significant to the religion. To ensure you’re celebrating respectfully, Watkins suggests seeking guidance from a member of the community whose traditions you’re participating in. “Ask questions and bring gifts to them in order to participate in the holiday that they hold sacred,” he says. Muscatwalla recommends that kids who don’t celebrate Christmas craft homemade birthday cards for Jesus as a way to relate. “Children at this time—for them, one of the most important things that they like to celebrate in their life is birthdays,” the Ismaili Muslim says. She adds that birthday cards can also be made for the current Imam, whose birthday Ismaili Muslims celebrate on Dec. 13. Watkins agrees that homemade gifts are preferable. “Give something that was handmade or that came from the heart,” he says.

“EXPOSING CHILDREN TO FOOD IS A WINDOW IN WHICH YOU KNOW YOU CAN ENTER INTO SOMEBODY ELSE’S CULTURE.”

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Reading books from the library can be a great resource for kids to learn about cultural holidays, but Watkins says you can take it a step further. “Go to the community and see the Afro-centric bookstore and support them as well because most of them are, quite honestly, struggling because of lack of exposure,” he reveals.

FOUNDATION OF FAITH

Muscatwalla, whose family celebrates American holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, notes the similarities in the way various cultures celebrate their holidays through food, music, games and gift giving. “It’s interesting how similar you can be once you start kind of celebrating each other’s faith and culture,” she says. “You find more commonality than differences.” Still, if you’re worried about confusing your kids about your beliefs, explain the distinction between other cultural holidays and your own, advises Bekerman. “We can celebrate with them, we can learn about everything that they [do]—that

doesn’t mean that’s your faith and what you believe, but you can still enjoy the holiday and celebrate with them,” she says. Muscatwalla adds that celebrating the music, food and other traditions of your own cultural holidays can serve as reminders of your heritage, even as you learn about global traditions. “There’s no one formula for that,” she shares. “It needs to be part and parcel of your daily conversations and your daily interactions in which you keep that [holiday] alive.”

COME TOGETHER You can find our favorite tree lightings and other holiday celebrations on page 35, but here are a few more cultural traditions to check out: Bring your sweet tooth to celebrate the Swedish tradition of St. Lucia at the St. Lucia Celebration and Yule Bazaar. The bazaar opens at 10am with Swedish crafts and baked goods like saffron buns and cinnamon rolls. After a candlelit procession with Swedish choir music and soloists, the bazaar reopens for more shopping and sweets. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church; Free 9200 Inwood Road, Dallas; 214/691-4721 dallas.swea.org

AL!* E M S ’ D I K FREE er, discount or h any other off rée. Not valid wit ation only. at Grapevine loc se of an adult ent id cha val pur er Off the b. ith *W lect Clu discount. ing Landry’s Se pon to receive cou t sen pre st promotion includ per table. Mu strictions apply. Limit one coupon cash value. Re or gratuity, no 58 Not valid on tax Code: 534-228-8

GRAPEVINE MILLS 972.539.5001 rainforestcafe.com

Celebrate Kwanzaa at The Dock Bookshop with candle lighting, refreshments, storytime, arts and crafts, films and more. The free event happens Dec. 26–31 from 2–4pm and 6–8pm, except Saturday, Dec. 28. On that day, the Community Kwanzaa Celebration from 1–8pm will include a showing of the film The Black Candle plus guest speakers, live performances, book signings and more. 6637 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth; 817/457-5700 thedockbookshop.com The whole crew can join in the fun at Dallas’ free KwanzaaFest with family-friendly activities, including inflatables and crafts at ParrishLand/KidFest. The two-day event, which hosts 50,000 people every year, starts Dec. 14 at Fair Park; email kwanzaafest@sbcglobal.net for more info. 3609 Grand Ave., Dallas johnwileyprice.com/kwanzaafest

W I N T E R 2 01 9

MOM NEXT DOOR

WHITNEY KIELWASSER FIVE THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER

FIND THE RIGHT SITTER PUBLISHED BY

IMAGES COURTESY OF SWEA DALLAS; KWANZAAFEST DALLAS

DFW

NEW LAWS

CHANGES TO MEDICAID, SPECIAL ED + MORE

On Dec. 22, come out to Simpson Plaza outside Frisco City Hall for a giant menorah lighting, bounce house, crafts and a live Jewish folk band at the sixth annual Community Chanukah Celebration, hosted by Chabad of Frisco. Email rabbi@chabadfrisco.org. 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco; 214/460-7773 chabadfrisco.org

The magazine for families living and thriving with learning differences and special needs

Watch the lighting of a 9-foot-tall Lego menorah (yes, a Lego menorah!) at the fifth annual Chanukah at Southlake Town Square. Then stay for hot latkes and doughnuts, music and kids activities. The free event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 5pm. 1349 Main St., Southlake facebook.com/chabadofsouthlake

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kid culture / T R A V E L

celebrating the holidays in Fredericksburg WORDS ELIZABETH QUINN

he smell of evergreen is in the air; tinsel is hung with care; and German Weihnachten (aka Christmas) cuisine is here, along with other fare. The Texas German Christmas destination, Fredericksburg, brings the best of cultures together for the season, and the town takes it quite seriously. Park Cities mom Lasca Weiss grew up in Fredericksburg and goes back with her family (husband and two daughters) multiple times a year—includ-

ing Christmas. We got the inside scoop on where to go and what to eat during your visit.

FOR MUNCHING

Weiss explains that Fredericksburg has sprouted in the past 20 years with more restaurants, shops and wineries, so she enjoys trying new areas and acting like a tourist. Begin your German experience at ALTDORF BIERGARTEN, which closed for a rebuild but is now open. “The food is still German influenced, and they have a biergarten with live music, which is really fun and relaxing,” Weiss says. There are countless German eatery options, but in addition to Altdorf, Weiss recommends THE AUSLANDER and FRIEDHELM’S BAVARIAN INN. “[They] are older Fredericksburg staples to get German food and atmosphere,” she says. And if you find yourself with a sweet tooth after indulging in pretzels and beer, head to CLEAR RIVER because, as Weiss puts it enthusiastically, it is the place for ice cream.

FOR SIGHTSEEING

If this is your first time in Fredericksburg, you should know there is more than just the

december 2019 / northtexaschild

1 3

Christmas atmosphere to experience. A short half-hour drive away in Johnson City is the SCIENCE MILL, a science museum filled with hands-on STEAM activities. There are over 50 exhibits, including the Cell Phone Disco, Biolab with microscopes, Incredible Ball Machine and Fossil Dig. While in Johnson City, be sure to check out the LYNDON B.

JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK that includes two distinct vis-

itor centers separated by 14 miles. Between the visitor centers is a selfguided driving tour that includes the boyhood home of LBJ, the LBJ ranch and Johnson’s burial site. One more Fredericksburg-area recommendation: Since it is Texas and sometimes winter doesn’t actually mean winter, Weiss suggests climbing ENCHANTED ROCK. “It is a moderately challenging walk up, but once you are on the top of the rock, you can see for miles and miles, and the view is gorgeous,” she says.

FOR CELEBRATING

And the reason for the season, right? The Christmas festivities in Fredericksburg center in the MARKTPLATZ, strung with lights and a hand-carved, 26-foot-tall wooden Christmas pyramid that rotates. There is also music throughout the area and plenty of photo opportunities in the square, Weiss notes. Oh, and make sure you have socks because there’s a temporary ice skating rink. “The

1 / Bask in the twinkle lights in the Marktplatz, the hub of Christmas celebrations in Fredericksburg. 2 / Visit LBJ National Park to roam around our 36th President’s boyhood home and see his resting place. 3 / Get your STEAM on at the Science Mill. 4 / Grab some schnitzel at The Auslander, which specializes in Bavarian dishes.

kids love it when we visit, and they get into the Christmas spirit with all the decor,” Weiss says. As much as we want to list everything Fredericksburg offers during the holiday, there simply isn’t enough room, so we recommend going to visitfredericksburgtx.com to find their 2019 holiday guide, complete with all the events and information you’ll need to make a memorable Christmas. ALTDORF BIERGARTEN

altdorfs.com

THE AUSLANDER

theauslanderfredericksburg.com FRIEDHELM’S BAVARIAN INN

Search on Facebook CLEAR RIVER

icecreamandfun.com SCIENCE MILL

sciencemill.org

LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

nps.gov/lyjo

ENCHANTED ROCK

tpwd.texas.gov

MARKTPLATZ

fbgtx.org

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCIENCE MILL; THE AUSLANDER; NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; TRISH RAWLS

MERRY WEIHNACHTEN!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday

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GIFT GUIDE

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2 Preseason Pass

Playing Santa isn’t easy, but with a little help from our holiday gift guide you can check off your gift list for children, teachers, neighbors or anyone nice. Let the shopping begin and snatch up these holiday gifts.

Water Works Park, $200 for four passes Give the gift of fun in the sun at Water Works Park! Buy a Friends and Family Season Pass Package for $200. Expires Jan. 31. dentonwaterworks.com

3 Vetro Help Create Ornament Events

Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Fine Art Gallery Create your own glass ornaments in our studio on select dates through December 28. $30 Traditional Ornament events and $50 Extreme Ornament events. vetroartglass.com

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1 2

RoughRiders Holiday Beach Bundle includes: 10 flex vouchers, team store gift card, 2 beach towels, cooler, and donation to Toys for Tots on your behalf. ridersbaseball.com

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with Driver & Accessories little orange fish, $69 Deliver fun this holiday season by gifting Bruder’s interactive and built-to-scale UPS truck! It includes a driver, forklift, packages, and shipping pallets! 4+ years.

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3 5 northtexaschild / december 2019

kid culture /

CELEBRATE

how to throw a jungle-themed party WORDS ELIZABETH QUINN

5 1 / A tiger-striped cake with a swinging monkey and other desserts made for one sweet party. 2 / A balloon artist-slash-magician got laughs from littles and parents. 3 / Kids got into jungle spirit with face painting. 4 / Vesta Lot and son Bryce couldn’t help but grin during their festivities. 5 / Iced cookies made the theme especially delicious. 32

december 2019 / northtexaschild

OUR CHILD’S FIRST birthday is always a big deal (at least for you, if not for them). So when Vesta Lot’s son Bryce turned 1 in October, she went all out. The mom worked with party stylist Laticha Lovato of Unforgettably Sweet Celebrations to plan a “Wild One” jungle-themed bash—outdoors. “Well, October can be very tricky with the weather, so I was getting nervous because it had been cold the whole week, and I kept on praying,” Lot says. “The weather ended up being beautiful.” Guests were greeted with a book to sign and a canvas with a picture of a lion sans mane, which kiddos could stamp with their fingerprints to create the mane. There was also a board that listed some fun facts about Bryce. The kids got their faces painted and hopped inside the bouncy castle to start the party with high energy. Other attractions included a cotton candy machine, popcorn machines and a balloon artist—Landon Stark, who kept everyone entertained with another performance. “The highlight was [Stark’s] comedy and magician show,” Lot says. “He was a hit with all the

kids and adults, and he had us all laughing.” After chowing down on hearty fare from Hard Eight BBQ, partygoers were treated to a two-layer vanilla and marble cake. The bottom layer was decked in tiger stripes, while a monkey swung from a vine on the top layer. There were other sweet options as well: chocolate mousse shooters, red velvet cake pops, cookies and cream cupcakes (topped with animal faces), brownies, lemon bars—excuse me, lemur lemon bars—iced sugar cookies and brigadeiros. As the party neared its end, littles grabbed binoculars and clipboards to go on a scavenger hunt. Take-home favors included Play-Doh, zebra-print sunglasses and a jungle animal coloring book with crayons. “[My] favorite part of the day was seeing my vision for his birthday come to fruition,” Lot says. “It was just all in the details, toy jungle animals on the tables, toy snakes incorporated on the dessert table decor, and [I] loved how we incorporated stuffed animals in the decor sitting in crates like the real deal.”

PART Y ANIM AL S BRIGADEIROS Brigadeiro Boutique Dallas @brigadeiroboutiquedallas (on Facebook)

CUSTOM FAVOR BOX Four Fourteen Event Design @fourfourteeneventdesign (on Instagram)

CAKE, CAKE POPS & CUPCAKES Sweets by Selina Bakery sweetsbyselina.com

EVENT STYLING Unforgettably Sweet Celebrations unforgettablysweet.com

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, BROWNIES & LEMON BARS Uncle Willie’s Pies unclewilliespies.com

FAVOR TAGS Cute Party Dash etsy.com/shop/cutepartydash

COOKIES Creaciones Pazita

PHOTOGRAPHY Chasidy Nicole Photography chasidynicolephotographydallas.com

PHOTOS COURTESY CHASIDY NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

A WILD ONE

HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN DIRECTORY //

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday

Family Fun DIRECTORY

Here’s a list of family-friendly events and activities to get you in the holiday spirit; find more to explore at dfwchild.com/events. DESCRIPTION

Actors Conservatory Theatre getintotheact.org 972/436-8228

Frozen Jr., based on the 2018 Broadway musical, brings the princesses Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life. A story of true love and acceptance, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between the sisters. See ad on page 15.

Adventure Kids Playcare adventurekidsplaycare.com 972/899-9332

Spend the holidays with Adventure Kids! We offer flexible options for every parent's need! Drop in holiday camps, exciting theme nights, daily activities and so much more! See ad on page 9.

City of Highland Village highlandvillage.org/925/parks-recreation 972/317-7430

Celebrate the holiday season, visit with Santa and his reindeer, and plunge down the giant snow hill at Christmas at the Ranch! Join us Dec. 14 at Doubletree Ranch Park from 10am–2pm. See ad on page 17.

Denton Parks and Rec dentonparks.com 940/349-7275

Between Santa's Snapshots and Holiday Camps, Denton Parks has something for kids of all ages this holiday season! Camps are for days out of school and include fun field trips. See ad on pages 2–3.

Gift Of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway giftoflightstexas.com 800/788-9627

Enjoy the magic of the holidays at Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights. Over 1 mile of gigantic light displays. Drive through the raceway, get a picture with Santa, ride the Santa Tram, ice skate, with refreshments in Santa's Village! See ad on page 15.

Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas 817/410-3185

Celebrate the magic of Christmas in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas! With 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days, enjoy millions of lights, enormous decorations, classic Christmas movies and more. It's more merry in Grapevine! See ad on page 10.

Greater Denton Arts Council dentonarts.com/family 940/382-2787

Free! Every third Saturday morning of the month Greater Donuts, Arts, & Crafts. Activities for the whole family from 10am–noon. Free donuts, make-and-take crafts, scavenger hunt and more. Something different each month.

Irving Arts Center irvingartscenter.com 972/252-7558

Free fun at IAC! Our "A Holiday of Masterpieces" Open House, Dec. 6 at 5:30pm includes train-rides, art activities and performances in the theaters. "Santa Saturdays"on Dec. 7, 14, 21 from 2–4pm. See ad on page 17.

KidZania kidzaniausa.com 469/731-3900

KidZania is a real-life city built to inspire, educate and empower kids. With more than 100 activities, kids explore their way through the city and become different professions like fire-fighter, pilot, doctor, actor, among others. See ad on page 4.

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area llela.org 972/219-3550

#GetOutdoors this holiday season and enjoy all of the great activities we have planned including Christmas at the Cabin, Año Nuevo, our annual Kid's Christmas Bird Count, and more! See our event calendar at llela.org! See ad on page 13.

Santa Adventure Land santaadventureland.com 405/684-3791

Children build toys with elves, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, see live reindeer, play in Snow, write Santa a letter, attend Elf University, watch Christmas movies, dance in Elf Disco, jump in the snow globe. See ad on page 9.

The Shops at Highland Village theshopsathighlandvillage.com 972/317-7500

Enjoy holiday celebrations at The Shops that include everything from carriage rides, Victorian carolers, costumed characters, a 60 foot high Christmas tree light show, and more. Visit our website for a full list of events. See ad on page 6.

northtexaschild / december 2019

BEST EVER 2020

T R AV E L

ST EM

the agenda HILD.COM

R DAILY E

VISIT

WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

21 F A M I L Y - F R I E N D L Y E V E N T S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S I N

DECEMBER across America. Take a closer look to see recognizable locations in Dallas, plus some visitors from outer space. Tickets are $7 adults; $4 children ages 2–12; free for children under 2. Handpainted railcars also available for purchase; may be kept after the exhibit. All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas; 214/631-7354 thetrainsatnorthpark.com

PANTHER ISLAND ICE

THROUGH DEC. 31 // HALFWAY THROUGH PRAIRIE LIGHTS, GET OUT OF YOUR CAR TO WALK THROUGH A TUNNEL OF LIGHTS AND MEET SANTA.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE; DALLAS ARBORETUM; THE TOWN OF LITTLE ELM

CINDERELLA & THE CRYSTAL SLIPPER

RU N WAY TH E ATRE Through December 15 You’ll laugh in unison with your kids at the Ugly Sisters, jeer at the evil stepmother and cheer on Cinderella and Prince Charming when they realize their true love in this classic fairy tale reimagined as a British-style panto. The show is G-rated and written with plenty of fast wordplay and modern references to elicit all the giggles. $22 adults; $12 children 12 and younger. 215 N. Dooley St., Grapevine; 817/488-4842 runwaytheatre.com

JACK FROST

C AS A M AÑANA Through December 23 Santa Claus narrates this children’s holiday show about a young Jack Frost who’s loving life and busy making ice sculptures with his misfit friends—until his evil uncle banishes him from the Frozen Kingdom. Watch as Jack and his friends try to save the world

from a new ice age. Tickets from $19. 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth; 817/332-2272 casamanana.org

HOLIDAY AT THE ARBORETUM

DALL AS AR B OR ETUM Through December 31 The dozen glass gazebos, each featuring a different line from “The 12 Days of Christmas,” return to the arboretum for daytime viewing and, on select nights, nighttime viewing with all the lights and sparkle of the holiday season. Look online for a full list of holiday exhibits, activities and special festival pricing from $5. Separate tickets required for nighttime viewing. 8525 Garland Road, Dallas; 214/515-6615 dallasarboretum.org

PRAIRIE LIGHTS

LYNN CRE E K PA RK Through December 31 On the prowl for Christmas lights? Step up your game at this drive-thru holiday light park with 2 miles of all-new displays. Step out of your car to explore the Holiday Village where you’ll find a walk-through forest, carnival rides (free with admission), an indoor holiday performance and photos with Santa (through Dec. 23). $45 per car. 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie; 972/237-4569 prairielights.org

C OYOT E DRIVE - IN Through January 20 Winter comes early to Fort Worth by way of this frozen outdoor ice skating rink, open daily, including holidays. $13 admission includes skate rental and concession stand access. Free for spectators outside the rink. Come on Tuesday for half-price admission, and stay for a double feature at the drivein, open daily at 5:30pm. Admission is $8; $4 kids 5–11. 223 NE Fourth St., Fort Worth; 682/704-7711 pantherislandice.com

CHRISTMAS AT THE BEACH

L A KE FRONT AT LIT T LE E LM December 1–31 Plan to spend your winter staycation on Little Elm’s sandy beach to visit Santa Land, open all month and featuring a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, music and decorated elf houses. Two weekends of extra fun holiday entertainment begin Dec. 7 with a light-up parade, tree lighting and fireworks. See live reindeer on Dec. 8, and enjoy train rides and s’mores on the beach Dec. 14–15. Entrance into Santa Land is free. Commemorative photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for purchase, or snap pics on your own camera for free. 701 W. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm; 972/731-3296 lakefrontlittleelm.com

FROZEN JR.

T HE ACTOR S C ONSERVATORY T HE AT RE December 6–15 If your child’s Frozen obsession has been renewed with the long-awaited sequel

THE TRAINS AT NORTHPARK

NORT HPA RK CE NT E R Through January 5 Make a coast-to-coast journey via this miniature train exhibit of 1,600 feet of track and scenes from landmarks

DEC. 1–31 // NO NEED TO VISIT THE NORTH POLE TO FIND REINDEER—JUST GO TO LITTLE ELM’S CHRISTMAS AT THE BEACH.

northtexaschild / december 2019

CALENDAR Saturday between Dec. 7 and 21. You’ll see them through a large glass window, and Santa will give you a sign whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year. Discounted admission available online from $17.99 for adults and $14.99 for children ages 3–12; free for age 2 and under. Combo tickets available for Legoland Discovery Center and Peppa Pig World of Play. 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine; 469/444-3050 visitsealife.com/grapevine

DEC. 7 // CHEER ON SANTA’S ARRIVAL AT LEWISVILLE’S OLD TOWN HOLIDAY STROLL AND CHRISTMAS PARADE.

now out in theaters, feed their appetite for Anna and Elsa with this too: a live children’s production of the 2018 Broadway musical featuring all the songs from the original movie and more. $14 adults; $9 children 9 and younger; free for lap children 2 and younger. 359 Lake Park Road, Suite 118, Lewisville; 972/436-8228 getintotheact.org

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

IRV ING ART S C E N T E R December 6 Hop on the Polar Express trackless train for rides around the Arts Center’s sculpture garden and head back inside to the warmth for holiday cookies, selfies with Santa and a craft station for your littles to create their own Christmas cards. Don’t miss the new ARTrageous live painting performance set to rock music. Free tickets available at the event. FREE 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving; 972/252-2787 irvingartscenter.com

DENTON HOLIDAY LIGHTING FESTIVAL

D OW N TOW N DE N TON December 6 Lil’ D throws a big Christmas party around the Courthouseon-the-Square Friday night. See it all aglow at the 31st annual festival with dance and music performances, Santa greetings and horse-drawn carriage rides. Be sure to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to First Baptist Denton’s Elves Shelves drive and stop by merchants around the square for free tastings of warm wassail. FREE 110 W. Hickory St., Denton; 940/382-7895 dentonholidaylighting.com 36

OLD TOWN HOLIDAY STROLL & CHRISTMAS PARADE

WAYNE FERGU SON PL AZ A December 7 All-day activities at Lewisville’s Christmas carnival begin with Pancakes with Santa ($5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and younger). Check out the entries in the Ultimate Gingerbread House Contest, paint ornaments and more leading up to the parade at 3pm and the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30pm. A screening of The Grinch follows. FREE 150 W. Church St., Lewisville; 972/219-3401 cityoflewisville.com

HOLIDAY EXPRESS

PAT TER SON-APPLETON ART S CENTER December 7 Let your littles live out their Polar Express dreams at this two-part event benefiting Denton County Friends of the Family. First, check in at the Downtown Denton Transit Center (604 E. Hickory St.) for a short ride on the DCTA light rail featuring food and multicultural activities. Then head next door to the Arts Center for kids crafts, brunch and photos with Santa. $35. 400 E. Hickory St., Denton; 940/387-5131 dcfof.org

SCUBA DIVING SANTA

SEA LIFE GR APEV INE AQUAR IUM December 7–21 Little-known fact: Santa not only hops continents and slides down chimneys but also scuba dives with sharks. See it for yourself when a red-suited diver and his elf take the plunge inside Sea Life’s 160,000-gallon ocean tank. Scheduled dives occur at 11:30am each Tuesday and

december 2019 / northtexaschild

CHARLIE BROWN IS COMING TO TOWN

See characters you know and love from Peanuts enshrined in a colorful, hand-carved ice exhibit and in a one-day-only live show with Snoopy and friends.

LITTLE WOMEN

DA LL AS CHILDRE N’ S T HE AT E R December 7–22 An all-teen cast presents a musical about sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they face adventure, hope and heartbreak during the Civil War. Tickets are $16; the show is recommended for age 9 and older. For your younger kids, check out the lighthearted production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show running through Dec. 29. Tickets from $17. 5938 Skillman St., Dallas; 214/740-0051 dct.org

TEXAS BALLET THEATER’S THE NUTCRACKER

WINSPE A R OPE R A HOUSE Through December 8 BASS PE RFORMA NCE HA LL December 13–29 Clara and her Nutcracker Prince return to the stage for this classical, full-length ballet set to the music of Tchaikovsky. Before settling into your seats for the 2pm Saturday performances, enjoy the Kingdom of Sweets party in the lobby with crafts, a storytime, a photo with a ballerina and a chance to try on costumes. Free with regular tickets, starting from $25. 2403 Flora St., Dallas; 877/828-9200 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth; 877/828-9200 texasballettheater.org

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

F LOWE R MOUND C OMMUNIT Y ACT IVIT Y CE NT E R December 14 On this Saturday morning, Santa’s trading his milk and cookies for pancakes. Join him for breakfast, followed by crafts and a chance to read your wish list to Santa. Tickets from $5. Come back later that day for gingerbread house decorating. A pre-built house and candies are provided. From $29 per gingerbread house. Registration required

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE

T HE PAVILION AT TOYOTA MUSIC FACTORY December 11 Uncover the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of inclusion with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang when this classic television short comes to life. After the final bow, the show transitions into a Christmas carol sing-along. Runs a total of 90 minutes including an intermission. Tickets from $29.95. VIP includes a meet and greet with the characters. 300 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving; 800/653-8000 acharliebrownchristmaslive.com

ICE! FEATURING A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

G AYLORD T E X A N Through January 5 Bundle up to experience this real-life winter wonderland kept at a frigid 9 degrees. You’ll zip down two-story ice slides and stroll through an exhibit of colorful ice sculptures, hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice and modeled after scenes from the Charlie Brown holiday film. Fun at the Gaylord’s Lone Star Christmas includes ice skating, 12 lanes of snow tubing, Santa’s Snow Throw and Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends. Prices vary by activity. ICE! tickets are $23.99 for adults and $14.99 for children. 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine; 817/778-1000 christmasatgaylordtexan.com

for both programs. 1200 Gerault Road, Flower Mound; 972/874-7275 flower-mound.com/ specialevents

CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH

D OUBLET RE E R A NCH PA RK December 14 Let the kids loose for playtime on a large snow hill, go ice skating at a temporary rink and experience more outdoor fun at Highland Village’s second annual Christmas festival. Santa and his reindeer will be on-site. Be sure to stop by Santa’s workshop for crafting. FREE 310 Highland Village Road, Highland Village; 972/317-7430 highlandvillage.org

RUDOLPH THE REDNOSED REINDEER

WINSPE A R OPE R A HOUSE December 15 All the characters from the 1964 stop-motion TV special appear in life size and on stage

for this musical production. Pause the rest of your holiday to-do’s to see the 12-foot-tall Abominable Snow Monster and Rudolph himself during two performances. Tickets from $25. 2403 Flora St., Dallas; 214/880-0202 attpac.org

AÑO NUEVO

LEWISVILLE L A KE E NVIRONME NTA L LE A RNING AREA December 28 Gather ’round the campfire at LLELA and sip warm ponche while sharing your wishes and resolutions for 2020. Registration is required for this kid-friendly event focusing on Mexican New Year’s traditions such as eating grapes, sharing lentils and carrying your suitcases (for a hike along the Cottonwood trail). $5 per person. 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville; 972/219-3550 llela.org

F O R M O R E F A M I LY- F R I E N D LY F U N T H I S M O N T H , C H E C K O U R O N L I N E C A L E N D A R A T DFWCHILD.COM/CALENDAR. A N D W H I L E Y O U ’ R E T H E R E , S I G N U P F O R O U R W E E K LY E - N E W S L E T T E R : THE WEEKEND GUIDE.

kid culture /

STEM GUIDE //

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

STEM G U I D E

Parents know careers in science are growing at a rapid rate. From critical thinking games and hands-on labs to robotics and coding—you are anxious to give your budding inventor, entrepreneur or scientist an integrated education. Explore these STEM programs to help prepare your child for a future in technology.

Lewisville ISD: Home to 3 STEM Academies and Counting Public education continues to evolve, changing quickly to keep up with today’s generation and the exposure to new and exciting possibilities. STEM education has always been around, but it’s been a recent buzzword parents are seeing more frequently. In Lewisville ISD, it’s an opportunity for students to truly grasp problem-solving, collaboration, creative-thinking and resiliency.

1565 W. Main St., Lewisville, TX 75067 469-713-5200 bestschoolsintexas.com

STEM Center of Excellence Blooms with Exploration, Outdoor Family Fun Spring is a great time to enjoy STEM experiences and outdoor activities uniquely designed for girls and families. We offer “School’s Out, STEM’s On” during spring break; “Family ‘Pi’-thon”, “Sunday Funday” and “Taste of STEM” outdoor events from March to May. Girls can also learn about biomedical engineering through hands-on programs. Membership in Girl Scouts is $25/year. Program rates vary. 6010 Whispering Cedar Drive Dallas, TX 75236 469-998-5484 • stemcenter.gsnetx.org

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northtexaschild / december 2019

confessions

MOM TRUTHS ILLUSTRATION MARY DUNN

COMPILED BY LISA SALINAS

I GAVE MY 5-YEAR-OLD A CATALOG AND ASKED HER TO CIRCLE THINGS SHE WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS. A FEW DAYS LATER, WE PASS A TOY AISLE AND SHE SAYS, ‘I’M GETTING THIS AND THAT…’ I SAY, ‘SWEETIE, YOU DO KNOW THAT SANTA IS NOT BRINGING YOU ALL OF THOSE THINGS.’ SHE SAYS, ‘YES, HE IS. I CIRCLED IT IN THAT BOOK.’”

WHEN were traveling to see Grandma, and YOU FORGET theWe driver asked my daughter where she TO MOVE came from. She replied, ‘Jesus.’” THE ELF ON “Every year my 8-year-old son THE SHELF “My son asked where wants to change so many things we could buy a baby. AND YOUR in his letter to Santa before I explained that sending it. I tell him that Santa DAUGHTER can tell if you erase stuff from mommies have them the list and will not give gifts to THINKS IT’S in their tummies. He kids who get greedy. My sistersaid I need to eat a HER FAULT in-law took him to a holiday celebration, and when a helper lot of candy to grow THAT IT’S tried to have him write a letter a big belly because Santa, he replied, ‘Oh, no ‘STUFFED,’ tothank he really wants a you! If I make another baby brother this letter, Santa is not gonna bring AND STARTS Christmas.” CONFESS- me anything.’” ING TO ALL My sisters and I forgot to buy champagne for the New Year’s THE NAUGHTY midnight toasting. We decided to run to the liquor store and told my 7-year-old daughter she could not come with us. She THINGS SHE’S Got a funny parenting moment looked grossed out when we mentioned where we were going and you’d like to share? We’d love to BEEN UP TO!” said, ‘Who are y’all going to lick at the lick-her store?’” hear from you. Send it to —AMETRIA, HEARTLAND

—MARÍA, ALLEN

—GABRIELA, DALLAS

—KAVITA, FLOWER MOUND

december 2019 / northtexaschild

editorial@dfwchild.com.

—STEPHANIE, PLANO

—LAKIN, FORNEY

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