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AUGUST 2014

• Academic Rigor • Experiential Learning

Make it hers...

• Small Class Sizes • Service Oriented • Student Governed Honor System • Leadership Development • A Global Perspective

ADMISSION OPEN HOUSE TOURS PRE-K – 12TH GRADE 8:30 – 10:00am

October 9 & 23

8:30 – 10:00am

November 6

8:30 – 10:00am

January 15 & 22

(504) 561-1224

2343 Prytania Street

McGeheeSchool.com

Louise S. McGehee School is open to all qualified girls regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

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ART | COOKING | BALLET | BRICKS 4 KIDZ | JR. ENGINEERS | THEATER WORKSHOPS DRVERS EDUCATION | SOCK HOPS | KARATE | SWIM LESSONS & SWIM TEAM SPORTS LEAGUES: BASKETBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL, T-BALL, SOCCER | KIDS’ NIGHT OUT HOLIDAY MINI CAMPS | SCHOOLS DAYS OUT PROGRAMS | TODDLER SOCIAL CLUB | BIRTHDAY PARTIES

NEW ORLEANS JCC

your kids’ home away from home Between our nursery school, camps, and youth programming, we offer year-round fun for toddlers to teens. Many activities are open to non-members. Check out the JCC today to learn all we have to offer your family!

Jewish Community Center - Uptown 5342 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115 504.897.0143

Goldring-Woldenberg JCC - Metairie 3747 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, LA 70002 504.887.5158

www.nojcc.org

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C O N T E N TS | AU G U ST 2 0 1 4

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ROCK THE BUMP Super-chic maternity wear

SUPPLIES IN DEMAND Back-to-school gear

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LOVING LUNCH

Healthy, tasty school lunches and snacks

WHO DAT & WHO DON’T Help Who Dat and Who Don’t get ready for school.

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ACTIVITY LOG

Enrich their minds with after-school activities

BABY WEARING 101 Safe, comfortable baby carriers

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TOY STORY

Sources for sustainable, nontoxic toys

KIDS AND PETS Tips for keeping the peace in an interspecies home

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PRIME STE P

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ROCK THE

BUMP Chic maternity pieces to wear through pregnancy and beyond

BY MISSY WILKINSON

R

Tunics and leggings pair with sandals for summer and boots for winter.

PHOTO COURTESY B A B Y B U M P M AT ER N I T Y

anging from structured suits and flowing maxi dresses to designer skinny jeans and yoga wear, the newest clothing for pregnant women doesn’t fit the conventional image of maternity wear. It does, however, fit the lives of soon-to-be moms who want to celebrate their pregnancies while maintaining active lifestyles.

“We see working moms, women who are shopping for baby showers and other celebratory events, women who want sports bras and yoga pants so they can continue with their workout routine,” says Brandy Wright, store manager at Motherhood Maternity Outlet (Riverwalk Outlet Collection, 500 Port of New Orleans Place, Suite 220, 504-558-9095; www.motherhood.com). “They aren’t trying to hide [pregnancy] any more. They’re saying, ‘I have a bump, I’m going to have a baby, and I’m excited about that.’”

Women generally need to switch to maternity clothing after the first trimester. Julie Allen, owner of Baby Bump Maternity (2917 Magazine St., Suite 102, 504-3042737; www.nolababybump.com), stocks non-maternity pieces that can help women transition through the first three months and can be worn postpartum as well. “About 30 percent of our selection is non-maternity,” she says. “I bring a fake belly to market and try on every piece to make sure it will work. It depends on the fabric and how it is cut.”

At about 12 weeks, she says, women may notice their jeans don’t fit any more. That’s why it is important to stock up on a few key wardrobe items early in the pregnancy. Allen recommends leggings, which can be worn with sandals in the summer and boots in winter, a camisole for layering, and a black dress that can be dressed up or down. Both Allen and Wright recommend a good pair of maternity jeans. Baby Bump stocks designer labels J Brand, Citizen of Humanity and Paige Denim.

“We have black lacquered J Brand denim,” Allen says.

“They’re so trendy looking. I still wear mine, and I had my child two and a half years ago. I call them my Thanksgiving jeans.”

Allen isn’t alone in wearing maternity clothes postpartum.

Wright says her customers sometimes wear their maternity clothing for a year or more after giving birth. That’s the beauty of maternity clothing: It can serve a woman’s wardrobe while

Stylish maternity jeans are wardrobe staples during pregnancy and beyond.

PHOTO COURTESY BABY BUMP M AT ER N I T Y

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FALL CLASSES BEGIN AUGUST 11 NUTCRACKER AUDITIONS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 6

Open House Dates

Friday, October 17 • Friday, November 7 Friday, November 14 • Friday, January 16 All Open Houses start at 8:45 a.m.

Call 504.525.8661 or visit www.trinitynola.com for more information

Challenging the Intellect, Nourishing the Spirit, Celebrating Community 1315 Jackson Avenue • New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Trinity Episcopal School is an ISAS member. We seek to enroll qualified students without regard to gender, race, religion, creed, ethnic, or national origin.

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TOP

TRENDS TOTS FOR

Tina Borns-Sayles, senior designer for Hartstrings (Riverwalk Outlet Collection, 500 Port of New Orleans Place, Suite 260, 504-581-4993; www.hartstrings.com) gives her fall trend forecast for children’s wear.

PHOTO COURTESY HARTSTRINGS

Maxi dresses are comfortable and on trend.

PHOTO COURTESY M O T H ER H O O D M AT ER N I T Y O U T L E T

Crepe de chine tops provide a polished look.

PHOTO COURTESY M O T H ER H O O D M AT ER N I T Y O U T L E T

1 2

Knit dressing, because knits are soft and easy for children to wear. The tunic and leggings look is popular for kids.

Lightweight sweater knits with breathable pointelle or open mesh sweaters, especially worn over maxi dresses.

Pattern mixing:

chevron stripes, dresses spliced with different patterns or directions of stripes.

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her body shape is in transition. Throughout the process, a nursing bra is a crucial undergarment, because it adapts to a woman’s changing breast shapes.

“Your breasts go through multiple changes, and at the end, they can be huge,” Wright says.

“Make sure as soon as something gets uncomfortable to come in and get fitted, whether for a bra or pants.”

Baby Bump Maternity also offers maternity Spanx. “The belly [of the Spanx] is soft, but it smooths out the back, thighs and booty,” she says.

When it comes to trends, maternity fashions follow contemporary fashion designs. Virtually all the fall fashion trends show up in maternity clothes. Right now, printed shorts and kimonos are popular, Allen says. “Pregnant women like kimonos because they provide lightweight coverage for their arms,” she says. “You can belt it and throw it over a maxi dress or shorts with booties.”

Maxi dresses and skirts are another mainstream trend that’s having a moment of popularity in maternity, Wright says. For fall, she sees boyfriend jeans, lightweight sweaters and tunics.

Purples, teals and golds are popular colors for fall, says Allen, who has launched BUMPstyle Box (www.bumpstylebox.com), a maternity fashion delivery service.

“You fill out a form online and a stylist pulls four to five pieces for you and ships them to your door for free,” she says. “You try it on, and what you don’t like, you send back.” Shipping is free both ways, and customers are only charged for what they keep.

Allen’s nationwide clients include professionals who don’t have time to shop for themselves.

By obtaining a few staples, they’re able to stretch their wardrobes to fit their changing lifestyles, without sacrificing style.

“Moms want to be trendy, too,” Wright says. “Our clothes don’t look like nursing [or maternity] wear at all — they look like women’s wear.”

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3

Collegiate athletic details mixed with traditional looks.

Big graphics and updated animal prints.

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Come As You Are… Be Prepared to Grow!

7027 Milne Boulevard • New Orleans, LA 70124-2395

OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 • 3-7 PM MOUNT CARMEL ACADEMY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF ITS EDUCATIONAL POLICIES.

www.mcacubs.com GAMBIT Ad_0717_6.708x5.25.indd > > > A U G U S1T .

KIDS 10 MCA CUE

2 0 14

7/31/14 1:16 PM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

TOOLS

Supplies that will get an A+ from students

B Y K A N DAC E P O W E R G R AV E S

Help your student organize schoolwork and more with the colorful table by Ikea that has multiple drawers that double as storage, $90.98 through Blue Bag (1409 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 888-622-8202; www.lovebluebag.com).

A retro “Decomposition Book” with surfboards and waves on it adds style to note-taking, $9.50 from Scriptura (Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-219-1113; 5423 Magazine St., 504-897-1555; www.scriptura.com).

Students can stow their stuff in style with a turquoise and brown backpack from Topo Designs, $139, exclusive to Massey’s Professional Outfitters (509 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-648-0292; 816 N. Highway 190, Covington, 985-809-7544; 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-8851144; www.masseysoutfitters.com).

Retro metal lunch boxes sporting bold prints and classic characters including Hello Kitty, $18 at Funrock’n (1125 Decatur St., 504-524-1122; 3109 Magazine St., 504-895-4102; www.facebook. com/FunRockn).

This stylish dry-erase board has magnets on the back for hanging in a locker (it also comes with adhesive tabs), $12.50.

There also are coordinated sticky notes, $11 for a variety pack of 450; and magnetic bookmarks, $4.50 for a set of four at Gentry (6047 Magazine St., 504-899-4223).

Keep their feet dry all year long with personalized rain boots in a variety of colors, $75 (includes monogramming) at Miss Smarty Pants (5523 Magazine St., 504-891-6141; www.facebook.com/MissSmartyPantsNOLA).

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Backpacks are an important part of a child’s school attire. This Chooze backpack allows kids to change the design and color by simply turning around the straps.

One side is pink and blue; the other orange and teal, $40, from Haase’s (8119 Oak St., 504-866-9944; www.haases.com).

URSULINE

ACADEMY

Toddler 2 – 12th Grade

Made from recycled materials, this zippered bag is the right size for pencils, cosmetics or whatever else a schoolkid needs, $6 at Plum (5430 Magazine St., 504-897-3388; www.plumneworleans.com).

Voted Favorite Private Secondary/High School and Favorite Private Elementary School in New Orleans Magazine’s 2014 “Tops of the Town”

ursulineneworleans.org | 504.866.5292 All qualified students admitted regardless of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin.

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Attach The Magical Book Reader from Sparkup to your child’s favorite illustrated book and record yourself reading it page by page (the device tracks each page with a built-in camera). When your child attaches the device to the book, he or she can read along with your voice. It can store up to 50 books, $69.99 at Magic Box Toys (5508 Magazine St., 504-899-0117; www.magicboxneworleans.com).

Loving

LUNCH

Tips and advice for making healthy school lunches and snacks your kids will eat.

S T O R Y B Y F A M I LY F E AT U R E S , W I T H A D D I T I O N A L R E P O R T I N G B Y K A N D A C E P O W E R G R AV E S

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s you’re gearing up for a new school year, it’s a perfect time to stock the pantry with healthy lunch options and after-school snacks and to reinvent the traditional brown bag lunch so it’s more nutritious (and fun). Some local grocery stores have tools to help.

Robert Fresh Market (135 Robert E. Lee Blvd., 504-282-3428; 5016 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 504-885-7005; 8115 S. Claiborne Ave., 504-488-0536; www.robertfreshmarket.com) provides the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System, which evaluates the nutritional values of different items on a scale of one to 100 (with 100 being the most nutritious) and diplays the score on shelf price tags, making it easy to compare options.

Having an easy nutrition reference can simplify assembling lunches that are better for kids.

“I always recommend small steps to parents,” says Marisa Paolillo, a nutritionist at NuVal. “A good place to start is swapping the same types of food.

For instance, NuVal scores for yogurt can range from seven to 100, depending on sugar content and other factors. It’s easy to swap a low-scoring product for a higher-scoring one, and kids probably won’t notice the difference.”

Paolillo also suggests talking with your kids about the selections you make at the grocery store. Engaging them in the process teaches them to make better food choices when they’re away from home.

The company’s website, www.nuval.com, provides ideas for swapping items, recipes and more.

Whole Foods Market (300 N. Broad St., 504-4343365; 3420 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504888-8225; 5600 Magazine St., 504-899-9119; www. wholefoodsmarket.com) also has a stockpile of tips, recipes and nutrition information on its website, including a healthy eating guide that explains the nutritional value of foods, information about organic and hormone-free foods, tips for eating healthy on a budget, nutrition needs of kids and teens and recipes for a variety of occasions.

“Taste does not have to be sacrificed when preparing a healthy meal for kids,” says Whole Foods spokeswoman Kristina Bradford. “At each Whole Foods Market Louisiana store, we have a healthy eating educator who can show parents kid-friendly recipes, provide tours and one-on-one consultations, and share ways to tweak recipes and make them healthier and still tasty.”

The company’s Whole Kids Foundation (www. wholekidsfoundation.org) was formed to raise

money to provide salad bars in Louisiana schools.

So far it has funded 114 salad bars across the state, and provided 17 grants to develop school gardens.

Whole Kids also has online games and information about healthy eating and more.

When it comes to snacks, Whole Foods advises keeping them quick and easy, stocking your pantry and fridge with foods kids can grab and eat without help, such as: Finger foods like grapes, strawberries, cherries, raspberries and cherry tomatoes Easy-to-handle fruits like apples, pears, plums and bananas Baby carrots, pre-cut bell peppers and radishes, bite-sized chunks of squash and celery, with optional dips or spreads String cheese, cheese cubes or presliced cheese Low-fat yogurt Hard-boiled eggs Nuts and seeds, dried fruit and trail mix Cereal and granola Popcorn

Soy or rice crisps High-fiber whole wheat crackers Applesauce Fruit strips After-school snacks need to be satisfying and fun, but not full of sugar, salt and unneeded fat.

Instead of grabbing a bag of cookies or chips from a vending machine, have a healthy alternative available that’s delicious and satisfying.

“Better food options keep energy levels high in-between meals,” says Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton Products, a bakery products company. “By planning ahead with healthy snacks or mini meals, you can have great choices available, even with a chaotic schedule.”

She suggests sneaking vegetables into baked recipes. Many vegetables have a natural sweetness, she says, and your family won’t taste the difference. Try sweet potato cupcakes, carrot and zucchini cookies or squash and banana mini muffins (see recipe on p. 14).

Kids like to get creative, Wilton says, and can make their own snacks by using cookie cutters on 2014. AUGUST <<<

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low-fat cheese slices and whole grain bread or tortillas. They can make funny faces on a sandwich using natural peanut butter, raisins and fruit, like sliced bananas, apples or pears. It’s OK to play with your food, as long as you eat it.

For more tips on lunches and a nutrition chart from Whole Foods Market, visit www.bestofneworleans.com.

SQUASH & BANANA MINI MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup quick oats (uncooked) 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 -1/4 cups thawed frozen pureed winter squash 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 3/4 cup mashed banana (about two medium bananas) 1 egg 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare mini muffin pan with vegetable pan spray. In large bowl, stir together flour, oats, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. In medium bowl, whisk together squash, sugar, banana, egg and oil. Make a well in center of flour mixture; whisk in squash mixture until just combined. Stir in cranberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

Makes four dozen

CREAMY FRUIT DIP INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup light cream cheese

Place blueberries, cream cheese and apricot preserves in a food processor or blender and whirl until smooth. Serve as a dip with sliced fruit or use as a dessert sauce spooned over cut-up fruit.

1 tablespoon apricot preserves

Yields 2 cups

2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen and thawed)

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WhoDat ILLUSTR ATIONS BY LYN VICKNA IR

WhoDon’t

WhoDon’t threw away his list of back-to-school supplies. Help him find what he’ll need for school.

FINISH

[WORDS RUN UP, DOWN, BACKWARDS, FORWARD AND DIAGONALLY]

START

WhoDat is starting at a new school. He needs your help to find his way.

K K O O B E T O N Z

F H X Y H O C P E J

I H D D D R I E M D

S Y E V A Q O N A K

B R B Y Q T I C D E

I I O S B Q W I R U

R N N S D R E L W L

S E Q D S L C K T G

P W N R E I U D P P

F R U L E R C R O B

• BINDER

• PENCIL

• GLUE

• RULER

• CRAYONS

K F Q H Z U X S N O

• PENS

• NOTEBOOK • SCISSORS 2014. AUGUST <<<

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Birthdays are a Blast at the

imagine... discover... create...

Choose between THREE Birthday Packages!

Learn more at www.lcm.org.

For birthday reservations call 504-266-2418 or email birthdays@lcm.org.

1538 Philip Street Louisiana Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum 420 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 523-1357 | www.lcm.org

(504) 523-9911 LittleGate.com Little Gate is open to all qualified girls and boys regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

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ACTIVE

From dance workshops to language classes, here are after-school activities to challenge children’s bodies and minds.

LEARNING

BY JEANIE RIESS

B

etween math class and spelling tests, it can be hard for kids to find creative outlets during the school day. An hour in an art room or drama class is hardly enough to satisfy young minds, but luckily New Orleans offers plenty of after-school activities for burgeoning actors, dancers and artists.

The New Orleans Museum of Art (1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, 504-658-4100; www.noma.org) offers artists ages 5 to 10 the chance to explore the museum and meet different artists along the way through its weekend Studio KIDS! classes. Students use the museum’s diverse collection of artwork to inspire their own two- and three-dimensional creations. Classes are held on Saturdays from Aug. 23 to Sept. 20, and students can register for as many as they want. Classes are $30 each ($25 for museum members).

StoryQuest at the New Orleans Museum of Art is a tour of the museum with the help of local artists, actors and writers. Students ages 2 to 8 can explore the museum and the world of children’s books Saturdays throughout the fall, with the last one Sept. 20.

Each Saturday has a different theme, so check the website for more information. The class is included in the cost of museum admission.

Dancing Grounds (3705 St. Claude Ave., 504-5355791; www.dancinggrounds.org) offers a variety of youth workshops in hip-hop, creative movement and other forms of dance. The community dance studio also partners with a handful of charter and public schools to offer after-school youth programs to young dancers. Contact the studio for more information.

In its after-school and weekend classes, Crescent City Lights Youth Theater (305 Baronne St., 504598-3800; www.crescentcitylights.org) uses exercises and games to teach first- through sixth-graders the basics of theater and performance. The classes, which last about a month, conclude with an open class for friends and family. The theater invites young people to audition for shows throughout the year.

Kindermusik at the Thibodeaux School of Music (2436 Valence St., 504-717-1076; www. thibodeauxschoolofmusic.com) introduces children up to 7 years old to music and movement. Kids and babies play, sing and dance in activities designed to develop cognitive, emotional, social, physical and musical skills. The Uptown school also offers private lessons in piano, voice, violin, cello, bass and a dozen other instruments.

New Orleans Dance Academy, Inc. (5956 Mag-

azine St., 504-899-3780; www.neworleansdancelessons.com) has classes and workshops for kids as young as 3 years old. The academy offers a variety of dance styles, including ballet, flamenco, jazz, tap and hip-hop. Tiny Steps, a class for children 18 months to 4 years old, offers parents and caretakers the opportunity to dance alongside their little ones. The academy hosts performances throughout the year.

The Alliance Francaise of New Orleans (1519 Jackson Ave., 504-568-0770; www.af-neworleans.org), the French cultural center and language school, holds a cine club for junior movie-watchers once a month.

Throughout the year, the Alliance hosts Frenchthemed social mixers for kids and young adults and cooking classes that celebrate French cuisine.

At New Orleans Museum of Art’s weekend classes, kids create their own art after viewing the museum’s collection.

Private French lessons for kids and groups of kids also can be arranged.

Throughout the year, the New Orleans Public Library (citywide, 504-596-2570; www.neworleanspubliclibrary.org) offers creative activities for young kids and teenagers, from jewelry-making at its Central City branch to silk-screening T-shirts at the Norman Mayer Library. The public library’s events are great for drop-ins and don’t require reservations.

Events take place almost every day of the week and a full calendar is available online.

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discover Engineer? Inventor? Architect?

UPCOMING SESSIONS Sept. 16 – Oct.16 and Oct. 21 – Nov. 20 Tu./Th. 1:00-2:30 pm

Help your daughter discover her “inner scientist” at Tinkergate. Girls will don their lab coats and goggles to deconstruct, build and invent in our brand new Tinker lab. These afternoon enrichment classes are a part of Little Gate’s Reggio Emilia approach and Tinkergate is offered to local girls ages 3, 4 & 5. Apply online at: admissions.littlegate.com/tinkergate

FREE Introductory Session on Thursday, September 4 from 12:30-2:30 pm.

Registration required by email: camilleg@mcgeheeschool.com (504) 523-9911

1538 Philip Street

LittleGate.com

Little Gate is open to all qualified girls and boys regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

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Babywearing An introduction to ways of carrying an infant

BY MEGA N BR ADEN-PERRY

F

or centuries, parents have carried babies on their bodies using fabric slings in the front or papoose boards or other carriers on the back.

Several medical journals, including Pediatrics and the International Journal of Childbirth Education, have reported that babies who are thusly “worn” are less fussy. Babywearing also makes it easier for moms to get out of the house more often and stay active, which can lessen the so-called “baby blues,” according to the International Journal of Childbirth Education.

“The main benefit of babywearing is that parents can have their hands free,” ZukaBaby founder Erin Reho Pelias says.

Pelias and ZukaBaby employee Jen Fultz explain to new parents how to pick the perfect baby carrier, which accessories you need and the principles of safe babywearing.

First, choose the right type of carrier.

Baby carriers can be structured (Baby Bjorn, Beco, Mei Tai), unstructured (Boba, Moby, Happy) or somewhere in between (Baby K’Tan, ZoloWear, Sakura Bloom).

Parents should try out different carriers to see which style they prefer, since no one design is superior to another.

“Some people like the woven wraps without the structure because you can do more things with it and have more freedom, and they’re not sized, so several people can wear it,” Fultz says.

“Some carriers will put the weight on your upper back, which is more comfortable for Dad,” Pelias says. “Women prefer weight carried down on their hips.”

Second, pick accessories. Most carriers’ instructions recommend waiting until the baby is 15 pounds and can control his or her head movements before using a carrier. Therefore, inserts to stablilize an infant’s head are an ideal accessory for parents wanting to wear their newborns. Hoods, suck pads for teething babies, storage pouches and winter carrier covers are also available.

Finally, learn how to wear the baby safely. Baby boutiques are great places to learn hands-on.

“The top tip is to make sure [the baby is] visible and kissable,” Fultz says. “If you can see him and kiss him, he’s probably safe and happy.”

After a rash of infant suffocation deaths connected with sling carriers in 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urged parents to make sure babies

101

in slings don’t have their faces obstructed by fabric or by the adult’s body or that they are not curled in a chinto-chest position. Parents with babies younger than four months with breathing problems, including temporary ones, or those born with a low weight should be extra careful when using slings. The International Journal of Childbirth Education cautions against riding bikes or other vehicles and cooking or eating hot items while wearing a baby. The magazine also urges parents to practice wearing baby carriers before using them regularly; check for wear around the seams, straps, buckles or rings; and face the baby outward while wearing the carrier, except when breast-feeding.

Many fathers like a more structured carrier that puts the weight on a man’s upper back, whereas women often like unstructured carriers like this wrap version by Boba.

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TOYSTORY

Parents are choosing organic toys with eco-friendly origins. | B Y N I A P O R T E R

W

Twist and Turntables by Little Pnuts are all-wood shapes that screw into each other.

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hether it’s a plastic train set or a plush stuffed animal, toys often end up in babies’ mouths. As the demand for organic products increases, parents are on the hunt for nontoxic toys made with sustainable materials.

“Younger children often play with toys by putting them in their mouths,” says Melissa Beese, founder of Little Pnuts (504-267-0873; www.littlepnuts.com), a subscription toy delivery service specializing in organic and sustainable toys. “It’s another way of learning. But a lot of the toys parents are giving their children are made with toxic materials like lead and formaldehyde, and they don’t even know it.”

After the birth of her son Tristan, Beese made knowing the composition of toys a priority. Born four months premature, Tristan experienced developmental problems.

Beese wanted fun, challenging toys that would help Tristan overcome those problems by developing his motor skills and concentration. She also wanted them to be made of natural materials, not plastic.

“It became really difficult for me to find toys for him in the American market,” Beese says. “I’d walk into toy stores and there would be one battery-operated toy after another. Luckily, both my mother and husband are from Germany, so when we would visit, I’d always end up bringing a second suitcase to fill with the eco-friendly, wooden toys we’d find there.”

These beautiful, handmade toys, intended to help children develop and learn through play, led Beese to start Little Pnuts, the quarterly delivery program that sends developmentally appropriate, eco-friendly toys to children up to 6 years old.

“We send out the toys in accordance with the child’s birthday, so when their deliveries arrive on their doorsteps, they are specifically curated to help [the child] reach their [developmental] milestones,” Beese says.

Erin Pelias’ natural parenting boutique, ZukaBaby (2122 Magazine St., 504-596-6540; www.zukababy.com), also offers eco-friendly toys. ZukaBaby’s toys are mostly wooden and made with water-soluble or water-based paints and dyes. Pelias encourages parents to be aware of the materials used in making the toys they’re buying.

“While we may not have control over our exposure to the environmental toxins we experience daily, we do have control over whether our children are exposed to toxins in the toys and clothes we buy for them,” Pelias says.

Although organic toys aren’t usually the most inexpensive on the market, Pelias says they promote both sustainability (thanks to their heirloom quality) and socially responsible manufacturing.

“A lot of the companies we try to support uphold the same environmental and social beliefs we do,” Pelias says. “Their employees are being paid better wages and are working in better conditions. Those things do affect the price of the end product, but it’s also about building a community where we want that quality of life, not just for ourselves, but for everyone.”

Pelias and Beese have noticed New Orleans’ shift to the green side.

“The past five years I’ve lived here, I’ve been impressed by how quickly [parents] have gotten into the thought process of wanting to be more eco-friendly,” Beese says.

Little Pnut’s subscription base continues to grow as the green movements of the East and West Coasts spread.

“When you look at our demographics, you’ll see that we’re not just reaching New York and Los Angeles,” Beese says. “We’re also reaching places like Alabama, Texas and Pennsylvania, which is a great sign.”

Made from wooden blocks, the Puzzle Car by Little Pnuts can be assembled and disassembled.

COLONIAL

BOWLING CENTER

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PUPPY LOVE How to ensure happy, harmonious relationships between kids and pets.

BY DELLA HASSELLE

Teach children how to interact with pets and always supervise their play.

F

or parents expecting a baby, one of the most anticipated moments is bringing home their new bundle of joy from the hospital. For new parents with pets, however, the thought can be terrifying.

“That’s probably a very angst-inducing time for parents with pets,” says KC Theisen, director of pet care issues for The Humane Society of the United States. “They want the baby to be safe and the pet to be happy.”

Introducing pets to children, or vice-versa, isn’t just a concern for new moms and dads, though.

Parents with older children, who may want to adopt a furry friend, pose the same question: how does one create a household where pets and kids coexist peacefully?

Fortunately, there are resources to help parents with these dilemmas. Theisen encourages families to prepare as far ahead of time as possible.

“Most important is setting ground rules well in advance,” Theisen says. For parents with dogs, cats and other pets, that means training the animal months before the mother’s due date.

The first step, according to Theisen, is to introduce the family to the fresh bouquet of smells that will enter the house along with the new baby. She suggests bringing home the crib linens, baby wipes, baby powder and infant shampoos early on, so the pet isn’t inundated with the infant’s scent and those accompanying smells all at once. Training will be easier when changes happen gradually and the animals are less stressed, she says.

“Pets live in a world predominately focused on smell,” Theisen says. “It helps to get them used to the fact that this whole universe of smells is going to be part of their lives.”

Second, when it is time to start training, the method should be positive — and that means lots of treats, toys and affection, Theisen says.

For a particularly rambunctious dog or cat, for example, parents can start by training the animal to spend time quietly next to its owner. “Quiet time” can be done on the floor near the couch, on the bed, or in a lap. By rewarding calm behavior with favorite playthings or food, pets will associate training with affection instead of punishment, she adds.

“You can teach them this is not a bad change in their lives, and that it’s very exciting,” Theisen says.

“They will not feel ousted from your affection if you do it right. They will just understand that affection comes with them sitting on the floor.”

Kelly Cottrell, supervisor of behavior and training at the Louisiana SPCA, agrees parents should leave plenty of time for fine-tuning when training the family pet.

“When somebody is being proactive and saying, ‘I have a baby coming, what do I do?,’ that makes me really happy,” Cottrell says.

The case is especially true for dogs, she adds — so much so that parents may want to “trick” the dogs into thinking these new routines have nothing to do with the baby’s arrival.

“You don’t want the dog to associate the baby with all these changes in his life,” Cottrell says. “Dogs are really great discriminators. They can tell nuanced changes easily. If the only common thing with all changes is the baby, he may not have the best opinion of the baby.”

Since safety comes first, the first things to focus on are basic commands and training, such as leave it, sit, stay and down, Cottrell says. If dogs are allowed on the furniture, owners should start encouraging them to “ask” before climbing on, so they don’t throw themselves excitedly on the sofa while someone is holding an infant there.

And, of course, Cottrell warns to train dogs not to jump up to greet owners or guests when they come in the house, lest they accidentally knock over someone carrying precious cargo. According to Cottrell, that means redirecting the pet to do something safe and productive, such as holding a sit-stay as a form of saying hello.

“I always try to encourage my clients that have pets with any behavior problem: think what you want the dog to do instead and train that,” Cottrell says. “‘Don’t jump’ doesn’t mean anything to a dog because he doesn’t know what to do instead.”

Safety is also central in teaching kids to deal with adopted pets. Chances are, children will be overly excited by the new family addition, so kids should receive lessons about how to play with pets well ahead of the moment their new friend walks in the door.

Most experts recommend children attend any family-friendly pet training classes the parents partic-

ipate in for extra opportunities to learn about animal behavior.

Positive behavior can be reinforced at home as well, according to Cottrell.

This is especially true of families with dogs, since excited shouting, fast running or rough wrestling could elicit an unwanted reaction from a puppy or older dog who is just reacting to a stimulus.

“As far as preparing kids for dogs, I think the most important thing is to teach kids how to respect animals and interact appropriately,” Cottrell says. “And teach them not to expect so much of the dog and [don’t] expect it to be just incredibly tolerant.”

Theisen suggests kids with dogs learn to play fetch rather than tug-of-war, and that kids with cats play with toys that have lures on the end of a long pole, rather than more hands-on games.

Casey Galloway, a trainer in Gretna who conducts in-home training in the New Orleans area through her business Casey the Dog Trainer, recommends that kids learn how to be mindful of dogs’ behavior when the animals are in potentially vulnerable situations.

“Don’t ever approach a pet while they’re eating, sleeping or chewing a bone,” Galloway says. “Kids and dogs are really foreign to each other, and dogs might not understand what’s going on. It can cause food aggression.”

Instead, she recommends structured and scheduled playtime and age-appropriate tasks for kids to complete, so that trust is built in for both parties and all interaction is gentle.

For kids wanting to adopt dogs, the animal’s age should be considered, Cottrell adds. While it might be tempting to get a puppy, she recommends families adopt dogs three years and older, which have already settled into their temperaments.

Families should consider which breeds are best for them and their lifestyle. A guardian breed such as a Rottweiler or Doberman might not be the best choice for families who often entertain or have friends visit.

Regardless of the breed, and no matter how trained the dogs are or how well-behaved the kids, Cottrell says all play between children and animals — especially dogs — should be supervised by an adult.

“Dogs have personalities and are sentient beings,” she says. “Dogs communicate in a nuanced way.

Kids don’t have the experience to read that as well as we do.”

2014. AUGUST <<<

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