Giggle Magazine-Tallahassee February/March 2015

GREATER

TALLAHASSEE'S

PREMIER

PARENTING

MAGAZINE

FEB/MAR 2015 • Volume 1 • Issue 4

Sleepover

Success!

Pro Tips from Real Grandmas pg. 16

46 Local Tallahassee

Summer Camps

us plEasy & yummy

pasta lunches pg. 24

adorable DIy Valentines pg. 20

simply sweet Easter Baskets pg. 26

www.gigglemag.com

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

PUBLISHER Nicole Irving ART DIRECTOR Allison Raber MANAGING Editor Dana Kamp GRAPHIC DESIGNER Claire Stortz Vice president of sales Shane Irving ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jessica Kerr executive assistant Sayeh Farah Contributing Writers Bobbi Bloom, Kelly Goede, Selena Garrison, Tara Griffin, Dana Kamp, Lisa Katz, Savanna Kearney, Helen Kornblum, Colleen McTiernan, Olivia Pitkethly, Ale Russian, Paggie Saintilien, Chelsea Stromfeld, April Tisher, Rebecca Vitkus Contributing Photographers Lifeprints Photography, Patricia Bishop Photography, Terri Smith Photo, Verve Studio Interns Annaleigh Bonds, Sydney Brodie, Amanda Ferguson, Cresonia Hsieh, Savanna Kearney, Colleen McTiernan, Haley Ponnock, Ale Russian, Chelsea Stromfeld, Rebecca Vitkus Mission Statement Giggle Magazine is a modern and refreshing parenting publication that brings together families and their community. We make it our mission to find the joy and humor in parenting, focus on key topics and issues that relate to today’s parents and give parents the resources to be engaged, connected and present with their children during these important years.

Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising.

Irving Publications, LLC is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in Giggle Magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by Giggle Magazine writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. Giggle Magazine will consider all never before published outside editorial submissions.

Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.

irvingpublications Mailing address

Physical address

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gigglemag.com giggle@irvingpublications.com Giggle Magazine is a registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved.

Giggle Magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2015

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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from the publisher

WHAT'S MAKING ME GIGGLE THIS MONTH! my hearts

A

warm smile, a big bear hug, a mushy kiss from your 2-yearold, the warm blanket made especially for you by your grandmother … these are all sweet signs of love. In today’s world where we are swirling around like spilled marbles on a wood floor, we must make ourselves stop to soak in each of these precious moments.

I know I am preaching to the choir. As a busy working mom of three, with countless commitments, responsibilities and a calendar packed to the max, sometimes I realize the end of the day has crept up on me. I walk into the dark house, with all my boys sleeping and say, “I missed it!” I missed those mushy kisses and hearing about their days. I know they understand, but some days my heart just breaks.

They aren’t going to be young forever or really “need” Mommy so much. I know you mommies out there hear me. Whether you’re home with your little ones or work outside of the house, the days seem to fly by and the treasured moments sometimes get lost in the shuffle.

So, as we embark on the second month of the new year, the month flooded with hearts and doilies and chocolate morsels, I hope that you and I can challenge ourselves to find the time to be still long enough to capture those sweet moments of love each and every day.

KATE SPADE PENCIL BAG FROM MY SISTER

FRESH FLOWERS IN MASON JARS

OUR NEW GIGGLE COFFEE CUP

Nicole Irving, Publisher nicole@irvingpublications.com

Age: 6

KEURIG COFFEE MAKER

Favorite food: Creamed spinach Favorite movie: "Up"

Brooks Like us on Facebook /GIGGLEMAGTALLAHASSEE

6

Favorite sport: Football Favorite book: "Magic Tree House" series Favorite treat: Skittles follow us on Twitter @GIGGLEMAGTALLY

gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

Visit us on Pinterest /GIGGLEMAGAZINE

Follow us on Instagram @GIGGLEMAGTALLY

Brooks' photo by Terri Smith Photo. Love photos by Giggle Magazine.

Cover Cutie!

meet our

Summer Camp Guide 2015!

February * March 2015 happy family • happy community

TM

P. 43

life

learn

9 lifesavers

7 Ways to Support Your Heart Health

40 Homeschool corner

10 happy family

41 family learning

The Strawberry-Fuller Family

42 in the classroom

Florida Standards Assessment 101

13 the parent life

Parenting in Public: All Eyes on You

happy community

15 just the two of us

It's a (Stay-at-Home) Date: 10 Great

Ideas for Your Next Date Night

58 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

16 grandparents

What Makes a Successful Sleepover at Grandma's House?

conception 2 college

17 Power Parent

Camping and family photos by Terri Smith Photo. Valentine photo by Giggle Magazine. Eggs © 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Faith, Friends and Family

18 giggle stamp

Going Green

20

48 expecting

Pregnancy At a, Ahem, Mature Age

forks & spoons

49 infant

23 in the fridge

Greek Out: The Benefits of Greek Yogurt

Skin-to-Skin Care and Babywearing: The Benefits Beyond Bonding

24 Lunch Box

Pasta Salad for Lunch!

50 TODDLER

25 DELISH

Green Food Fun

This New Journey

Brushing Up on Healthy Habits

53 kids

Reading Struggles: Therapy or Just More Practice?

28 get Pretty

Mascara Masters!

55 tweens

Safety in a Tween's Digital World

29 get HEALTHY

Bumps, Bites and Blisters, Oh My!

57 teens

Prom + Proposal = Promposal!

33 get MOVING

Toddler Independence: The Dos and Don'ts of

52 early years

health

43

Making Memories: Documenting Your Spring Break

12 two cents

Tips to Save Money at the Pump

10

The Benefits of Park Day

Get Them Active: Choosing the Right Activities for Your Child GREATER

happy home

TALLAHASSEE'S

PREMIER

PARENTING

36 organized chaos

FEB/MAR 2015 • Volume 1 • Issue 4

Queries from the Curious

Sleepover

Great Tips from Real Grandmas pg. 16

Vintage Teacup Crafts 39 OUr space

The Katzes' Passover Table 43

20 26 30 35

16

Success!

37 make it. fix it. clean it.

Plus:

MAGAZINE

Valentine Art From the Heart Egg-cellent Easter Baskets Understanding Your Child's Love Language Managing Your Child's Asthma

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46 Local Tallahassee

Summer Camps

s plu EASY & YUMMY

PASTA LUNCHES pg. 24

ADORABLE DIY VALENTINES pg. 20

20

SIMPLY SWEET EASTER BASKETS pg. 26

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GIGGLEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

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Photo by Terri Smith Photo gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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parent app!

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SPECIAL Giggle Reader Discount!

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What would you do if... your child said a bad word in a public place?

It really depends on the age. Neither my 5- nor 2-year-old really understands foul language. My 5-year-old has once used a bad word within correct context. I did not want to embarrass her, so I bent down to her level and asked her what she meant by using that word and if she knew that it was not appropriate. People are usually understanding about those situations with children.

–Theresa Westberry, mom of 2 When my son was about 2 he heard a bad word at a party and thought it was the best word ever. We tried to redirect with words that rhymed (to no avail), but at that age there is no intention behind the language so we just apologized to the gathered guests and tried to redirect him. Now he is 12 and if he uses inappropriate language he knows exactly what he is doing.

Since he is trying to get a rise out of us, he gets a verbal warning reminder to watch the language and then we have a discussion at home about his inappropriateness. If it is particularly offensive he does have to apologize for his words, but honestly there is no point in drawing more attention and feeding into the need for preteen/teen drama.

–Loren Smyth, mom of 2

life

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L I F E S AV E R S

Ways to Support Your Heart Health

BY DANA KAMP

Think about your heart. That amazing little organ that pumps blood throughout your body, beats faster when you run, and whose sound was the only thing that would calm your hysterical infant at 2 a.m. February is American Heart Month and we are celebrating that precious heartbeat by giving you seven Lifesavers for preserving your and your family’s heart health.

1.

Wear red on February 6th in honor of National Wear Red Day.

This simple act raises awareness of the need to be proactive in our fight against heart disease. Encourage coworkers, friends and family to join you in wearing red!

2.

Get moving!

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved

Even if it’s a short walk after dinner, do something active that gets your heart pumping. Be a good example for your child by showing him how important it is to exercise, however it fits into your family’s lifestyle. Physical activity several times each week can strengthen your heart, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help maintain a healthy body weight and become a fun, bonding experience for your family.

3.

Prepare heart-healthy meals with your family.

Let them see the ingredients that you put in the dishes, and which ones you avoid or substitute. Use lots of fruits and vegetables, beans and nuts (if there isn’t a nut allergy in the family), healthy cooking oils, herbs and spices, and lean meats. Try to use very little sugar and salt. Visit Heart.org for amazing

6.

Visit your doctor for annual checkups.

recipes (and recipe books for purchase or download) that feature foods that are good for your heart.

Be aware of your health statistics. Living what you believe to be a “healthy” lifestyle might not be enough for some people.

Talk with your doctor, and your child’s pediatrician, about cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as weight and growth changes. Outside the doctor’s office, track heart health with the Heart360 program on Heart360.org.

4.

Do not smoke and avoid areas where secondhand smoke is present.

Most of us know smoking can cause lung cancer, but smoking also increases the risk of peripheral artery disease, aortic aneurysm, coronary heart disease and stroke. Breathing smoke-filled air can be extremely harmful as well. American Heart Association explains that nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at work or home increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 – 30 percent.

5.

Reduce your stress levels.

7.

Whether you meditate, pray, practice yoga, listen to calming music or simply take a few slow breaths several times a day, find a way to relax your mind and body. This can help lower blood pressure and prevent stress-related reactions like overeating, smoking and drinking. Share your strategies with your child so he has ways to calm himself when stress or anxiety is building, as a child and an adult.

Know the warning signs.

Pain in the center of the chest is not the only sign of a heart attack. Shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach can also be forewarning of a heart attack. A stroke victim may have slurred speech, weakness or numbness in one or both arms, and one side of the face may be drooping. Some symptoms will happen suddenly while some may start slowly and progress. Call 9-1-1 if you think it is possible you or someone else is experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

Emergency medical staff can begin lifesaving treatments as soon as they arrive, and give the heart the extra care it needs to keep on beating. ✽

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life

ha p p y family

The Strawberry-Fuller Family Corey, Charisse, Jordan Strawberry (20), Jade Strawberry (19), Jewel Strawberry (14), Chase Fuller (6) and Chandler Fuller (4)

Occupation(s): Corey is a college football coach. Charisse is a stay-at-home mom.

Favorite family meal: Charisse’s famous homemade mac n cheese. I try to make it on all of the holidays.

Our family is most like: I can’t really think of a TV show similar to our family; we’re simply unique. “Three Straws make a Fuller house.”

The kids’ favorite books: “Fancy Nancy” and “Peter the Cat.”

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

Mommy and Daddy’s favorite TV shows: “60 minutes” and “The Good Wife.”

Websites we love: Netflix.com, Wanelo.com, Pinterest.com and ESPNgo.com.

Favorite sports/extracurriculars to do: We are a family of athletes, so football, volleyball and basketball practices are a part of our daily routine. We are all very competitive, so even a game of Horse can get pretty intense.

PHOTOS BY TERRI SMITH PHOTO

Favorite date spot: The movie theater.

Corey loves going to the movies. He would go to the movies on his day off when he played in the NFL.

Movie in our DVD player right now: Having five kids in the household makes for a wide age range of interests.

At any time in the DVD player or DVR, there could be Disney shows, “Peppa Pig,” volleyball games, or “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Favorite sports to watch: Since Corey played for the Florida State football team, every game day we love to cheer them on. Go Noles! But we also love college basketball.

Favorite family activity: Besides sporting events, we love to play board games with the whole family.

Pets: Two goldfish, Turbo and Goldie.

Favorite day trip: Growing up in California I loved the beach, so our favorite day trip is to the beach on 30A. Favorite vacation: California visiting my (Charisse’s) side of the family, or The Bahamas is a family favorite as well.

Favorite picnic spot: Our backyard, cooking out with family and friends.

Waterslide included!

What makes my kids laugh: Each other! We have a very laid back family and don’t mind having a good time together.

Why we love living in Tallahassee: Our family loves Tallahassee because it’s calm, cozy, a great community, and Corey was born and raised here. We are so thankful for the friendships and relationships we have developed here in Tallahassee.

Something that we want our children to have that we didn’t have growing up: We both grew up in singleparent homes where we received a loving and strong foundation. With that being said, we would like to give our children a healthy two-parent home with the same values that were instilled in us as children.

First word you think of when we say “family”: Love.

Must-have item: Cell phone! Each one of us “needs” a cell phone. We have a large family so we all have to communicate and stay connected to each other in some way.

Three words that describe our family: Blended, Athletic, Inspiring.

Anything else you want us to know about your family?

We have truly been blessed with great kids.

We are so very proud of them.

Jordan is a freshman at Mercer University playing basketball, Jade is a sophomore at UConn playing volleyball and Jewel is a freshman at Maclay and is also playing volleyball. Chase is in kindergarten and Chandler is in pre-k 3, both at Maclay. gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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life

t w o ce n t s

Tips to Save Money at the Pump As gas prices continue to drop, motorists should take advantage of their savings at the pump and invest it back into their vehicles. By spending a little now to increase fuel efficiency, drivers can multiply fuel savings and save more money at the pump, according to the Car Care Council.

Here are a few simple steps for motorists to be car care aware to improve fuel efficiency and save money in the long run:

MOTOR OIL Improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer.

Engine performance Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.

TIRE PRESSURE Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent.

AIR FILTERS Replacing clogged air filters on older vehicles can improve fuel economy and will improve performance and acceleration on all vehicles.

GAS CAP Damaged, loose or missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize into the air.

Money-Saving Car Maintenance

BY REBECCA VITKUS

• Pay attention to your car’s individual maintenance schedule. Many jobs can be done without the assistance of a mechanic, including checking the fluids in the car. This process ensures that your car has the right amount of fluids, potentially saving thousands of dollars on unnecessary repairs. Don’t wait for the light on the dashboard to light up when you can easily give your car a quick checkup and avoid future headaches.

• With nails, rocks and other debris scattered in the road just waiting to pop a tire, it’s important to make sure your car is prepared for such a situation. Because all tires naturally lose air, check the inflation and air pressure of your tires regularly. Be sure to check for cracks, bumps or other defects visible on your tires that could cause a blowout.

• Using windshield wipers that don’t work effectively is not just annoying — it’s dangerous. Poor visibility

➜ 12

For more tips to increase savings and fuel efficiency for your vehicle, visit Carcare.org.

gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved

caused by a lack of wiper fluid can lead to an accident, so make sure you always have some handy. Avoid using water as it can freeze and cause damage to the car. Change your wiper blades at least once per year, regardless of whether you believe they’re damaged. A low-cost purchase of quality wiper blades will cost much less than the repair of an accident! ✽

life

t he p are n t life

Parenting in Public: All Eyes on You

BY KELLY GOEDE

a gentle touch on the shoulder, holding your child’s hand or a quiet whisper is more effective than a raised voice, harsh tone or physical redirection. ❉ With any tantrum or misbehavior, a little fact-finding may be all you need to get things back on track.

Another mama to two children, Stefanie Smith, reminds us, “A lot of meltdowns are related to being hungry, tired or overwhelmed, so I analyze that and see if I can meet those needs if they have them.”

If your child is still acting up after all true needs are met, “You can always apply the humorous approach and pretend they aren’t yours,” says mama to three, Shannon Sechrest.

Joking aside, sometimes you are doing everything right and your child just isn’t having it. In that case, the last resort you want to use is that big threat of leaving, and only pull it out if you are absolutely prepared to exit immediately. Nothing screams “ineffective” louder than a parent who has threatened an exit when both she and the child know full well that no one is going anywhere.

T © 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved

he public parenting arena is a daunting place to be when you have a child who will not obey. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been in church, or the mall, or fill in any other public place where civilized behavior is expected, and had one of my four children causing a scene. I was grasping at straws for how to stem the flow of bad behavior without my normal time-out corner or a room to send them to for cool down time.

I polled my personal parenting panel and found that my fellow mama friends have all been there and have several tips to sail smoothly through public parenting.

Thankfully, the solution to dealing with your child’s naughtiness when not at home is not rocket science. As with most quality parenting tactics, it just takes planning, execution and consistency. ❉ Julie Griffis and Valerie Miller, both mothers to two children, agree that you must take your child away from the crowd, get down on her level and communicate to her that the behavior is out of bounds.

Many times you will have to remove your child entirely from the environment where that problem behavior is occurring, with the hopes that the behavior will improve and she can return to whatever she had been previously disrupting. ❉ If children are old enough to comply, you can brainstorm a code word to be uttered when your child is losing it, signaling to her in a non-embarrassing way that she needs to cool it.

Mama to two Jenna Hunnicutt says, “I’m a big believer in not embarrassing my kids or making any type of scene.” Sometimes

Consistency and follow-through, however painful, are absolutely key to communicating to your child that you mean business. Remaining calm and kind during the process is also essential, even when your child has pushed you to the brink of insanity. At the end of the day, keeping your relationship with your child intact should be the underlying goal, even while you’ve spent the day knee deep in discipline. ✽

Giggle Tip! You may have to find a different tactic for each of your children. Unique personalities sometimes warrant distinctive discipline methods. gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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life

j us t t he t w o o f us

It’s a (Stayat-Home) Date: 10 Great Ideas for Your Next Date Night

BY OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

When you’re a parent, date night goes beyond choosing the right restaurant or movie. It also means you have to pick a day with no other family obligations, find a babysitter and probably spend about double the money. To make your dating life easier, we’ve compiled a list of fun things you and your loved one can do without leaving the house. So put the kids to bed and get ready for a date night in!

Sound of Music

Create playlists of your favorite songs that remind you of each other and then dance the night away. Later, you can listen to the songs and remember your fun night!

Laugh Out Loud

Break out the popcorn and movie theater candy without having to share with the kids! Watch your favorite comedy and chuckle until your sides hurt!

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved

Star Struck

Take your date to the backyard! Grill some steaks on the deck and pair with your favorite red wine. After dinner, cozy up under a blanket in front of a campfire, toast some marshmallows and gaze at the stars.

Memory Lane

Pop the cork on the type of champagne you drank at your wedding and watch your wedding video. Reminisce on the day and all

Giggle Tip! Date night doesn’t have to be a weekend night! Mix things up and choose a Tuesday evening for fun couple time. the moments that brought you two together.

Then dream about the places you’d like to visit and the memories you’d like to make as a couple in the next 10 years.

Aloha Means Love

Visit the tropical islands of Hawaii in your own home! Prepare a homemade Hawaiian pizza with pineapple and ham, sip a Mai-Tai cocktail and play a tune on the ukulele!

Leis and grass skirts optional!

Be Flexible

Download a tutorial of couples yoga and practice in the living room. Expect to make mistakes and laugh at them! Then cool off with a late night dip in the pool.

Do You Fondue?

Slice fresh veggies, breads and cheeses and prepare a fondue meal together.

Don’t forget the chocolate dipped fruit for dessert!

Sports Night

Grab some game day munchies, wear your favorite team’s colors and watch a game on

television. If your honey loves sports, he or she will love you even more for coming up with the idea! If your team isn’t playing, get moving and challenge your partner to a Wii competition or a game of hoops on the driveway. Winner gets a back rub!

Your Favorite Restaurant at Home

Order take-out from your favorite place to dine as a couple, maybe where you love to celebrate anniversaries or where you went on your first date. Light candles, play some classical music and have a quiet and romantic dinner. Slow dance in the kitchen if the mood strikes you!

Immerse Yourselves in Culture

Choose a culture and then plan your night around it, complete with dinner, movie and music.

For example, dish out your favorite pasta dish while listening to Italian opera. Then, snuggle on the couch to watch the classic “Roman Holiday.” ✽

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life

g ra n d p are n t s

What Makes a Successful Sleepover at Grandma’s House?

BY dana kamp

It's time for a getaway at Grandma's house! With these fun ideas, you'll be set to host an exciting sleepover that your grandchildren will remember for years to come. Get ready for lots of love and tons of giggles!

Be sure to start with a plan.

Be flexible and ready to modify your plan, but you need to have some options for the sleepover to be a success!

—Bonnie Goede, GG to 4

—Patsye Dulmer, Mimi to 4

2. Be sure to get them outside daily. Visit parks/ playgrounds before the visit so you know what suitable for your grandchildren. Also check out indoor activity spaces for those rainy days. Physical activity is extremely important to get in every day.

3. As tempting as it is to be the “good guy,” try to stick to their regular schedules as much as possible. Kids off schedule can be cranky and out-of-sorts, so adhere to the schedule to which they are accustomed.

4. Scout the theater listings for movies!

Read reviews, talk to other parents and grandparents. Do the same for new DVDs. 5. Ask the parents for food preferences. A sleepover is not the time to introduce Brussels sprouts.

Have snacks prepackaged for outings and general ease.

6. Even if your grandchildren are beyond naptime, plan a “quiet time” in the afternoon.

Give them down time in a room with puzzles and books, and set a timer so they know when it’s time to come to you. You may need this break more than they.

7. Childproof your home … more than usual. If Mom and Dad aren’t visiting, that’s fewer eyes on the children.

Better to spend the extra time rearranging than have something treasured broken or a child hurt by an object.

—Donna Ray, Grandmommy to 6 (#7 arriving this summer)

Give them your undivided attention. Sitting and snuggling with those precious children, whether you’re watching “Barbie” or "Earth to Echo,” is the best thing you can do. Turn off your cellphone, watch what they want to watch or do what they want to do (feed the ducks or turtles, walk the dog, sit by the fire pit) and just listen to what they have to say! It’s the special, one-on-one time they crave and you 'll love. Grandchildren are the best. So enjoy the moment and make memories with them!

—Susan Barefoot, Grandma to 4

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved

Make sure to have lots of snacks and their favorite foods.

Full tummies make happy grandbabies. And plan some special activities that they only get to do at Grandma’s house.

1. Plan ahead! For crafts, pre-cut things that are too difficult for the children to do. If they have to wait while you do that, they can lose interest quickly. Also, be sure the craft is age-appropriate.

life

POW E R P A R E NT

Faith, Friends and Family

BY OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

P

astor Dean Inserra engages more than 1,500 people every week at City Church, the church he and his wife, Krissie, started seven years ago. Raised in Tallahassee, his connection to his community is undeniable, but it’s his connection to his family that makes him a power parent.

GM: How do you balance work, relationships and parenting?

DI: I believe we should be "all-in" in whatever we are doing and whomever we are with. So when I am at work, I am 100 percent there, and when I’m with my family, I try to be 100 percent with them.

Krissie and I try to make sure we have a babysitter once a week for a date night, with friends or just the two of us. While Krissie has been on maternity leave, we go to breakfast together every Friday and then usually take a walk with Sally Ashlyn in the stroller.

I have a very demanding job and want to make sure my children are never cheated. I take them to school every morning and I coach all of their sports teams. We also have "Inserra family fun night” every Friday when we get a pizza and go to a game. I also make sure I finish every phone conversation before I walk in the door. My kids need their dad, and I take that seriously.

GM: What helps you to de-stress after a hectic week?

DI: As soon as I walk in the door the boys are ready to wrestle. That allows me to immediately get in "Dad mode." It is also helpful to have friends who’ve known me since high school. I need people like that around me. I also need to pray, read and focus on things other than my appointments and to-dos.

Photo by Terri Smith Photo.

GM: Describe a typical day for the Inserra family.

DI: We are full speed. My wife has an amazing gift of hospitality, so there are people at our house several nights a week. My kids love having a full house of people, and a "village" is around our kids, which I love. It is hard for us to have a set routine because we are on the go so much, but we have a blast living life!

The kids are seeing that people matter, and that our home was not built just for us, but to share with others. ✽ gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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life

Gi g g le s t am p L U CKY CH ARMS

Spectrum Silver Necklace; $295; NinaNguyen.com.

FANCY FOOTWEAR!

G LO W G R EEN

Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque; $70; EminenStore.com.

S Q U E A K Y CL E A N

Squeaky Green Herbal Shampoo Bar; $11.95; Lush.com.

It's time for picnics, flowers and St. Patrick's Day! Our Giggle Stamp feature is inspired by the gorgeous greens of springtime and the great outdoors.

F O X Y LA D Y These long, playful socks are perfect for transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring.

BO WL ME O VER Lotus Four-Piece Serving Bowl Set in Citrus; $13.49; Zak.com.

Soxy Lady Smiling Fall Fox Knee High Socks; $10; ArtisanSocks.com.

FLO WER PO WER

Coach Poppy Citrine Blossom; $45; FragranceNet.com.

FO R TH E CLUTCH

All About the Benjamins wallet in Gatsby’s Green Pebble; $48; Thirtyonegifts.com.

B O O T C A MP

LIME T IME

Lime Refresh Tonique; $38; EminenStore.com.

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

Bring on the spring showers!

Rubber boots make it fun and easy for kids to leap through puddles like a frog.

Frog Rain Boots; $35; Kidorable.com.

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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Valentine Art from the heart! by savanna kearney | creative by giggle magazine

Although Valentine’s Day is often celebrated as a time for romance between you and your significant other, kids can take part in the fun too! Here are a few examples of fun and easy Valentine’s Day cards you can make with your little ones.

m

t

Toy Car

Buy a pack of toy boxcars from your local dollar store for this fun craft. Punch two holes in a rectangular piece of paper and tie the car on with string, twine, etc.

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

Gummy Worms

Heart-shaped candies and chocolates aren’t the only fun Valentine’s Day candy! Put a few gummy worms in a small plastic bag and staple a folded piece of paper over the opening.

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i

In ancient Rome, Emperor Claudius II believed that single men would make better warriors, so he banned all young men from marrying. The martyred St. Valentine is remembered for performing secret weddings for young couples in love.

o Tic-Tac-Toe

Put a fun twist on traditional tic-tac-toe by using Tic-Tacs to play the game! Decorate a box of pink , red or white Tic-Tacs and attach them to the handmade game card.

b

l Paper Airplane

These paper airplanes will make your heart soar with fun messages written on them.

h

Fortune Cookies

Make your own sweet fortune cookies by writing a message on a thin strip of paper, then cut pieces of felt into circles and hotglue them into the shapes of cookies with the sweet fortune inside. gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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forks & spoons

i n t he fri d g e

gle Gig Tip

!

Since Gre ek is not as sw yogurt regular yo eet as gu little ones rt, your to swirl in may like so or granola me fruit for a healthy sn tasty, ack.

Greek Out: The Benefits of Greek Yogurt

BY ALE RUSSIAN

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Let’s face it. It can be hard to encourage your children to eat healthy when you’re not even completely sold on the idea. Some healthier choices just don’t taste that great, and we know many little ones cannot be fooled when it comes to the greens! Thankfully, a tasty healthy option has surfaced: Greek yogurt.

The difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt is that Greek yogurt has gone through a straining process that removes the whey from it. Whey is the liquid that remains after milk has been curdled and strained, and removing it gives yogurt a creamier and thicker texture as well as a richer taste.

Since it typically contains 40 percent less sugar and 38 percent less sodium than regular yogurt, it is a much healthier snack.

Greek yogurt also has double the amount of protein in every bite, giving your kids the spark they need to get through the day.

There are other surprising benefits to adding Greek yogurt to your grocery list. Here are just a few: Better digestive health

One amazing quality Greek yogurt has is the probiotics it contains. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help combat the harmful bacteria that develop in your digestive tract. Eating Greek yogurt regularly increases the amount of good bacteria in your digestive tract and can help combat diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other intestinal diseases.

Lactose-intolerant friendly

Another great advantage Greek yogurt has is its lower content of lactose. The straining process removes much of the lactose that is harmful in dairy. If your child is lactose-intolerant, Greek yogurt could be the easy solution to keep dairy in his diet. Since the probiotics in the yogurt breakdown lactose sugar, it is much easier to digest and still provides the serving of dairy to keep a balanced diet.

Healthy bones

Greek yogurt contains tons of important nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and protein that keep your bones healthy and strong. Eating Greek yogurt every day will strengthen your bones in a natural way without the need to take additional supplements.

Yummy substitute

Consider using Greek yogurt as a substitute for unhealthy foods in your diet.

It is a great substitute for mayonnaise in foods such as tuna or chicken salad and deviled eggs. The consistency will stay the same and your family will love the taste! It is also a delicious substitute for recipes that call for sour cream, keeping the creamy texture in the dish but all the calories and fat away from your diet. ✽ *Always consult with your doctor regarding your personal health and diet choices.

forks & spoons

LUNCH BOX

Pasta Salad for Lunch!

BY ALE RUSSIAN

Alphabet Pasta Salad

Submitted by Sarah Hernandez Ingredients: 12 ounces alphabet-shaped pasta 8

slices thin bacon

½ cup Greek yogurt ½ cup whole milk 4

tablespoons white vinegar

½ teaspoon salt 10 ounces grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise ½ pound of cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed Ground black pepper and salt, optional

Figuring out something different to pack in your child’s lunch box can be a challenge. You want to make sure the food is nutritious and, at the same time, delicious so your child will actually eat it. Veggies are a hard sell, and eating a sandwich every day can be a bit monotonous.

Mixing up a cold pasta salad is a great alternative! It’s delicious and you can make it fun by using different types of pasta your kiddo will love. Plus, since the veggies are usually cut into small pieces, your child will be more likely to eat them. Check out these two yummy recipe options!

Store pasta salads in the fridge and separate into small servings to pack into your child’s lunch box. Include a cold pack to keep pasta cool until lunchtime!

Directions: Cook the pasta as instructed and let cool in cold water after rinsing. Cut the bacon slices into small pieces and sauté in a skillet until crisp. Mix the Greek yogurt, milk and vinegar in a bowl for the dressing. Mix the dressing with the drained pasta, bacon, tomatoes and cheddar cheese.

Taste and add in black pepper and salt as you see fit!

Whole Wheat Bowtie Pasta Salad Submitted by Maria Guitian

8 ounces cooked chicken, shredded ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese 5 ounces grape tomatoes, halved L cup Greek yogurt ranch dressing (mix dry ranch packet into Greek yogurt)

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Directions: Cook the pasta as instructed on package, drain and let cool. Place the pasta in a large bowl.

Add the chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and Greek yogurt ranch dressing and stir to combine.

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Ingredients: 8 ounces dried whole wheat bowtie pasta

forks & spoons

d elish

Green Food Fun

BY REBECCA VITKUS

Naturally Green Foods Don’t feel like you have the time to create an edible green masterpiece? Just gather some naturally green foods to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a fun and delicious way.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and we know there’s no better way to celebrate than with green food on your plate. If you want an alternative to food coloring, these simple recipes will make everyone who sees your delicious food green with envy.

GREEN MAC & CHEESE

GREEN EGGS

Just when we thought we couldn’t love macaroni and cheese any more than we already do, we discovered that we could make our tasty comfort food green!

This protein-packed breakfast is a delicious meal for kids and adults alike.

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Ingredients: 1 pound noodles, shape of your choice ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons butter 1 onion, minced 6 cups fresh spinach, packed 1 pound cheese, mixture of your choice ½ cup flour 2 cups milk Kosher salt to taste Boil the noodles according to package directions, or until they are al dente. Rinse with cold water and drain. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small pan, add the onions to cook over medium-low heat until cooked to your taste and set aside. Puree about 6 cups of spinach and half a cup of boiling water in a blender. Add the flour and melt ½ cup of butter in the same pot used to boil the pasta, stirring over low heat for one minute. Add milk and mix until smooth. Let simmer for a couple minutes until it thickens, then add cheese until melted. Add spinach puree and stir, then add pasta to the pot, tossing everything with the onions until combined.

Ingredients: 6 eggs 1 tablespoon whole milk 2 tablespoons onion, chopped 1 cup fresh kale, washed Salt and pepper to taste Butter (enough for frying) Combine eggs, milk, onion, kale and spices in a blender until the greens are pureed. Heat butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Once melted, pour egg mixture into pan, letting it sit for a couple minutes to warm. Stir and scramble as much as you desire, cooking until the eggs are done. Channel your inner Dr. Seuss and add a side of ham to create a festive dish of green eggs and ham!

Pesto: This sauce made of basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese and olive oil is perfect to toss with your favorite pasta or spread over some cheesy pizza.

Guacamole: Enjoy all the guac that you can handle in honor of St. Patty. It’s best when made with fresh avocados, so pick up fresh guacamole at the market or make some with your family!

Cucumber Sandwiches: For a lunchtime sandwich fit for a royal tea party, place sliced cucumbers and cream cheese between two slices of your favorite bread. It’s crisp, refreshing and best of all, easy to make!

Green Fruit Salad: Provide your family with a variety of green fruits to eat for a celebratory snack. Kiwi, green grapes, honeydew melon, green apples and pears are just a few options to pile onto your fruity plate.

Mint and Pistachio: For dessert, consider green sweets that you can buy or prepare in advance.

Mint chocolate chip cookies and ice cream are all great options.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try some pistachio pudding or cake, too!

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Egg-cellent Easter Baskets Think beyond the traditional chocolate bunnies and plastic grass, and personalize a collection of Easter treats specifically for your child. These special baskets are the perfect holiday keepsake to treasure even when the candy is gone.

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IDEAS FOR

Try these cute and inexpensive basket ideas!

Girls

• Stationery • Change Purse • Lipgloss • Necklace • Bath Soap • Flower Seeds • Markers • Small Doll • Makeup • Book • Sidewalk Chalk • Hair Accessories • Nail Polish • iTunes Card

IDEAS FOR

Baby • Stuffed Animal • Book • Pacifiers • Bath Toys • Bibs • Swimsuit • Rattle • Lullaby CD • Swaddle Blankets • Socks • Brush • Sunglasses • Teething Rings • Baby Food • Foam Letters

IDEAS FOR

Boys

• Book • Silly Putty • Army Men • Dinosaurs • Rubik's Cube • Superheroes • Small Game • Ear Buds • Cars • Flashlight • LEGO toys • Yoyo • Sports Ball • Movies

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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health

g e t p re t t y

Mascara Masters!

BY DANA KAMP & CHELSEA STROMFELD

It's amazing what a little mascara can do to wake up those I-haven't-slept-through-thenight-since-2008 mommy eyes. Whether you want your lashes to have volume, length, more strength or more definition, there is a mascara wand to give you exactly the look you crave. We've chosen a few of our favorites to dress up your pretty eyes!

▲ FLOWER Outstretched Lengthening Mascara This false plush-lash effect mascara sculpts and intensely defines lashes to make eyes appear bigger and wider. Paraben-free, talc-free, phthalate-free, GMO-free and sulfate-free. Available in Deepest Black, Black and Black Cherry. $7.98, Walmart and Walmart.com/flower.

▲ Colorescience Mascara Formulated with advanced pentapeptide blend, this mascara provides volume and length and conditions lashes for dramatic, long-lasting finish. Humidity, water and smudge-resistant. $19.50, Colorscience.com.

▲ Clinique Lash Building Primer Lash-conditioning undercoat and unique polymer combination boosts benefits of Clinique mascaras and holds mascara to lashes for a longer, fuller look. Moisturizing formula conditions and mends dry lashes. Ophthalmologist tested. $15, Clinique and Sephora.

▲ Calvin Klein One Color Signature Mascara Precision curved brush and patented lycra technology amplifies, shapes and lifts every lash. Allows for definition or volume with just a turn of the unique twist brush applicator cap. Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested, safe for contact lens wearers. $18, Ulta.com.

u L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Miss Manga Black Angel Mascara Contains the darkest neo black pigments from the entire Miss Manga mascara collection to give an intense and as-dark-as-you-dare look. Lashes experience up to 15x the volume with the 360° Flexor brush. $7, Mass food and drug retailers nationwide.

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Flower mascara photos courtesy of Alison Brod PR. Other photos by Giggle Magazine.

FLOWER Intensif-Eye Volumizing Mascara ▼ Featuring a new 3-way brush that provides upper, lower and corner lash coverage. Clump and flake-free, paraben-free, talc-free, phthalate-free, GMO-free and sulfate-free. Available in Deepest Black, Black and Black Cherry. $7.98, Walmart and Walmart.com/flower.

health

g e t healt hy

Bumps, Bites and Blisters, Oh My!

No, you cannot get warts from touching frogs!

BY APRIL TISHER

Parents love the baby soft, smooth skin our little ones sport, and often envy it. So when it is less than perfect, we panic. How do we identify what is a serious skin issue, and when should we call the doctor or just let it ride?

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Dermatitis

Dermatologist Dr. Erica Canova says one of the most common skin problems she sees with children is atopic dermatitis.

Also known as eczema, it is usually a chronic problem characterized by scaly, itchy rashes. Your child’s doctor may do an allergy test to see if that is what is causing the rashes. Like contact dermatitis, which is caused by the skin coming in contact with something that sets off the reaction, it is not contagious.

Contact dermatitis is triggered by things such as a nickel allergy, harsh detergents, soap or bubble baths. Nickel is often found in the buttons or snaps of pants, the backs of watches or in earrings. In cases of dermatitis, Dr. Canova recommends if the “rash” is mild and lasts less than two weeks it is best to let it be. Watch it, keep the area clean and moisturized, and use 1 percent Hydrocortisone cream, available over the counter, to keep itching at bay.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Another skin issue common to little ones is molluscum contagiosum. This is a viral infection of the skin that showcases

itself as small, round painless bumps that usually have a small indentation on the top. In children, they are often seen on the face, neck or armpits. This is more common than you think and can be spread with direct contact. If your child has this infection it is best to not allow them to bathe with or share washcloths or towels with siblings. They are fine to attend school or swim in oceans and pools though. These little bumps can last a long time, sometimes 1-2 years, and are easily spread to other parts of the body by scratching. The best treatment is to leave them alone, if you can. Home remedies or OTC treatments generally do not work and may even aggravate the condition. If the molluscum is spreading or getting worse after several months, see your dermatologist. There are in-office treatments they can try in order to speed up the body’s healing process.

Warts

Kids also get regular warts. Most often they are seen on the hands, feet or face.

They are usually dome-shaped with hardened skin. Certain viruses cause warts to form. (No, you cannot get them from touching frogs!) Dr. Canova

recommends you have these looked at by a dermatologist if they hurt or don’t go away on their own.

Common Skin Issues

There are a host of other common issues that can cause blisters or sores; think chicken pox, poison ivy, bug bites or hand, foot and mouth disease. Your child is likely to come across at least one of these during his childhood. Dr. Canova cautions that with any skin condition, if there is a fever accompanying it, a rapid progression or worsening of symptoms, or if any of the mucus membranes are affected, you should contact your physician to have it checked out. ✽

✽

Mom Tip: Paint clear fingernail polish on the back of buttons or snaps or on the back of watches to provide a barrier between them and your child’s skin if a nickel allergy seems to be the problem.

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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Š 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

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Understanding

Your Child's Love Language

BY OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

Two years ago I attended a therapy workshop about helping parents communicate with their children by identifying their love languages. I had heard about Gary Chapman’s book, “The Five Love Languages,” and often used it in my practice when working with couples, but the thought of using the concept with children was new to me. The more I learned, the more it fascinated me, and the more it made sense.

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I

n his book, “The Five Love Languages of Children,” Chapman writes that each child (and person, for that matter) has a method for expressing and receiving love. The languages are physical affection, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service. He suggests that by learning our love languages, we can communicate more effectively with one another.

Here’s an example: A child has an important exam next week. She studies hard every night and aces the exam. She comes home, excited to share the news with her mother, who is busy folding laundry. Her mother looks at the test, smiles and says, “Great job, Honey!” While this mother’s reaction appears appropriate, the child walks away feeling less than satisfied. Why? Because this child’s love language is physical touch. She would have much rather received a hug or a high-five rather than words of affirmation, which may very well be her mother’s love language. So, while the two appear to have healthy communication, there is something missing.

Chapman also writes about a child’s “emotional tank,” which needs to be filled with unconditional love to fuel him as he faces the challenges life offers. A child will draw strength from this tank and reach his full potential. A child will also respond easier to discipline when his emotional tank is full.

I tried a little experiment with my 5-year-old when he was going through one of his “I don’t want to!” phases. Though Chapman explains it may be difficult to identify the love language of a very young child, I took a chance and identified his as quality time. A few times that week, I made sure my son had my undivided attention and my husband took him out for some quality daddy-son time too. What a difference it made in his behavior! By filling his emotional tank with his love language, he was happier, more affectionate and more willing to follow directions.

Although you may have already identified your child’s primary love language, it’s important to utilize all the languages, because they are all healthy ways to express emotion. What better way to teach a child how to unconditionally love someone than with a little variety!

Physical Touch

Saying “I love you” and “I’m proud of you” are great ways to communicate love to your child.

But, don’t limit yourself to verbal affirmation; leave a Post-it note with a smiley face or send a text with some encouraging words to your child. Also mention specific moments where you were impressed by your child’s behavior, such as, “I saw the way you looked out for your sister today at the park. I love seeing how much you care about her.”

Quality Time

With busy schedules, this can be a difficult language for your family to accomplish, but it’s not impossible. Include your child in daily chores, such as grocery shopping and laundry, and make eye contact and smile while doing so. When you take your child to the park, resist checking your email on your phone and play with him by pushing him on the swings or playing hide-and-seek.

Gifts

We just emerged from the holiday season, so you probably think your child has had her fill of gifts! But gifts can go beyond the pretty bows and latest gadget. You can write a story about your child, make her favorite meal or plant a tree together in the backyard.

Acts of Service

As parents, we do a lot for our children without even realizing we are providing acts of service.

These can provide the love and stability your child needs from you. Whether you are helping him with homework, ironing his favorite item of clothing or volunteering with him to help the less fortunate, you are filling his emotional tank full of love for himself and for others. ✽

Discover your child's love language at 5lovelanguages.com!

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© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

When you think of expressing love through physical touch, you automatically think of hugs and kisses.

Snuggling on the couch or stroking your child’s hair is another way to express love through touch. When your children approach their tweens, this can get a little tricky, as they become more independent and less affectionate. Other ways to fill their emotional tanks with physical touch can be to play games that require touch or give them a gift that is touchoriented such as a soft pillow, blanket or clothing.

Words of Affirmation

health

g e t m o vi n g

Get Them Active: Choosing the Right Activities for Your Child

by SELENA GARRISON

it may be better to do different sports seasonally. Not only will this provide your child lots of opportunities to try out different activities, it also allows your child’s body time to recuperate and reduces the likelihood of overuse injuries. You also do not want your child to get burnt out on one activity and quit the activity completely. Watch for signs of enthusiasm! If your child loves what he is doing, it will show. Try not to allow your own past activities or preconceived ideas affect the options you give your child. If the goal is to help your child find something he really loves doing, letting him try several different activities will be very helpful.

Provide Time to Heal

My husband and I both grew up actively involved in sports. For him it was football, golf and track. For me it was dancing, cheerleading and swimming. In thinking about what activities to get our son involved in, we want to make sure to choose the right ones for him. There are so many options, but the most important thing is to get him involved in something active and something that he sees as enjoyable!

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Know Your Child’s Personality

If your child does not like the activity, he is not going to do it. And if you force him to do it, neither of you is going to enjoy it. Dragging your child to a Saturday

morning soccer game that he does not want to play in will make for misery all around. Choose something that your child will thoroughly enjoy. Think about whether your child is better suited for team activities or individual activities.

Does he thrive on competition or prefer to perfect his skills? Would he prefer an indoor or outdoor activity? How much time does he (or YOU!) have to dedicate to practices and games? All of these things will come in to play when deciding what activities will be a good fit.

Provide Multiple Opportunities

Sometimes we have the tendency to have our child focus on only one sport, but

Sports injuries are common, even with proper safety equipment. If your child is injured, be sure to allow his body time to heal completely before playing again.

Repetitive injuries can cause life-long problems, so be smart about the healing process.

Get Active WIT H Your Child

You might also consider finding a few activities you can do together! Whether it is formal training (martial arts lessons, tennis lessons, etc.) or informal playtime (playing catch at the park, backyard flag football, basketball in the driveway, etc.), seeing you be active will encourage him to be active as well. In addition, this will give you the opportunity to bond with your child in a way that is healthy and fun for both of you! ✽

Look into the different activities in your area and the many benefits for their participants.

Nikolai Korepanov, former University of Illinois at Chicago gymnast and coach at Gym Force Gymnastics says, “Physical activity is beneficial for children from their infant years into adolescence and young adulthood. Gymnastics, in particular, not only helps develop physical strength, coordination, agility and flexibility, but it also provides an environment where children can develop and grow socially, gain self confidence, learn to deal with and overcome failures, and learn how to follow instructions, take turns and share with their peers. Gymnastics creates a firm foundation that leads to athletic, academic and life success in the future.”

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Š 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

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Managing Your Child's Asthma

BY DENISE MARR, RN, CPN

Does your child wheeze, wake at night with trouble breathing, get frequent respiratory infections or find it hard to breathe after exercise?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the lungs. It causes wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. The coughing occurs at night and early morning. Asthma affects people of all ages, but most often starts in childhood. In the United States, more than 25 million people are known to have asthma. About seven million of these are children. Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism and the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 18. The annual healthcare cost of asthma in the United States is approximately $20.7 billion dollars.

During an asthma attack, a person is exposed to a trigger or irritant and breathing becomes difficult. The trigger irritates the airway causing it to become more swollen (inflammation), produce

more mucus and tighten the muscles around the airways (constriction). This can occur suddenly or take a few days before symptoms emerge.

Asthma attacks are preventable by avoiding triggers and taking daily controller medications. Some examples of triggers are: seasonal pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroach/ rat droppings, mold, specific food or food additives, weather changes, upper respiratory infections, cold air, strong emotions, smoke and exercise. Asthma is different for each person. Some triggers listed above may not affect your child; other triggers may not be on the list. It’s important to tell your doctor what makes your child’s asthma worse.

Asthma is a chronic disease that has no cure. The goal of asthma treatment is to control the disease. There are two main categories of medications used for asthmatics: controller and rescue/reliever medications. Controller medications work over a long period of time, by decreasing inflammation inside the airways. These need to be taken daily, even when symptoms are not present. Rescue/reliever medications work by relaxing the muscles around the airways. These medications are quick acting during an attack but do not reduce or prevent swelling from developing in the lungs.

At The Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center, an Asthma Education and Discharge Program was created and resources are provided to each patient admitted for asthma. During the patient’s stay, the Children’s Center staff discusses signs and symptoms of asthma, develops a personalized action plan for home use, reviews medications (specifically the difference between rescue and controller medications), ensures the proper use of equipment (spacer, nebulizer or peak flow) and most importantly, coordinates a follow-up appointment with the child’s primary care physician. The goal is to properly equip families with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for their child with asthma at home.

Some examples of triggers are: seasonal pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroach/ rat droppings, mold, specific food or food additives, weather changes, upper respiratory infections, cold air, strong emotions, smoke and exercise.

While there is no cure for asthma, there are steps you and your child can take to better manage the day-to-day aspects of asthma. It is important to visit your child’s doctor and discuss your asthma action plan in detail to ensure you are comfortable with your understanding of what is involved in your child’s care. ✽ Always consult your medical team if you have any concerns.

Denise Marr is the Asthma Team Leader at Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center.

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happy home

ORGANIZED CHAOS boxes corral and disguise desk supplies.

Put up decorative shelving for photos and memorabilia. Colorful posters add charm as well as inspiration. These changes should get you all worked up!

len... e H r a e D

Q, My laundry room is overflowing with dirty clothes hampers, stacks of clothes needing stain removal, mending or dry cleaning, and a pile of single socks with no mates.

Where do I start?

A. Overflowing hampers are easier to deal with than an overflowing washing machine, so take heart — and take a field trip. Once you fall behind with the laundry, a blitz is the most effective way to catch up. Pile all the dirty laundry, detergent and a book into the car. Get rolls of quarters at the bank and drive to the laundromat. If you can, indulge in drop-off service.

Use the web to find stain removal information. What doesn’t come clean in the wash will need to be disposed of or the remaining stains cleverly concealed. Think appliques here, especially for children’s clothing.

Queries from the Curious BY helen kornblum

Q. How can I organize my home office so that it is functional yet remains a pretty space?

Explore ideas in magazines and on the web for making your space more appealing.

Whether you’re repainting or redecorating, choose a color palette. Consider a new area rug to bring color and texture to the space.

If the space is too dark, add a mirror and new lighting. Invest in a comfortable task chair. If you are short on storage space but long on square footage, add built-ins or freestanding furniture to serve your needs.

Put shelves in a clothes closet to store necessary, but not necessarily attractive, supplies or archival files. Colorful photo

Where do socks go in the dryer? Dig out any singletons lurking in dresser drawers.

Take all the orphans to your dining table or large counter. Look for matches in this colorful family reunion. (5- to 9-year-olds would love to help with this game!) Pair up the matches, reserve the white terry socks for messy housecleaning jobs and toss the rest, unless you know someone about to start a sock puppet project. Now buy zippered lingerie bags, label and give one or more to each family member as their separate sock hamper. You will soon have the missing sock problem all zipped up.✽

 Helen Kornblum is a life coach and organizer. Find her at CoachandOrganizer.com. Her specialty is coaching teens and young adults who have ADHD or ADD.

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© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

A. Form follows function, so make sure your home office has the necessary tools to support productivity. Look for items that you tend to borrow from another room or a family member and buy your own. Assess your work style — do you pile or file? Do you need more filing space, a bookcase or an extra table? How comfortable are you with clutter? Does

household stuff usurp space needed for your work? Recycle outdated and unused electronics, along with cables you can no longer identify. Would a bulletin board help you keep an eye on deadline-based material? Deal with these hard questions and the pretty part becomes easier.

If you are handy enough to do the mending, schedule a time in your planner to do it. If the repairs are beyond your skill, outsource the job. Consider if the item is worth the cost of repair. Use the same guideline for the dry cleaning. Put it in a special tote, put the tote in your car and add this task to your next errand outing.

happy home

M A K E I T. F I X I T. C L E A N I T.

1

Vintage Teacup Crafts

2

BY dana kamp and claire stortz PHOTO BY PATRICIA BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHY

Reuse and repurpose with beautiful vintage teacups.

Whether passed down from a favorite aunt or picked up at a local garage sale, these precious pieces can have numerous uses in your home.

3

1. Elegant Candle Holder Place a sweet-scented candle in a teacup for a unique hostess gift, or to add a feminine touch to your home decor.

2. Charming Jewelry Organizer Glue the teacup to a saucer and use the multi-level piece for earrings, bracelets, charms and rings. A sweet addition to your vanity!

3. Pretty Planter Start an herb garden or grow your own succulents to bring a bit of green inside this spring. gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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happy home

O U R S PA C E

Wine is an integral part of the Passover Seder dinner. Wine is considered special and, during this dinner, is used to celebrate when the Jews were freed from slavery.

Matzah is also on the table. It is unleavened bread similar to a large, flat cracker. Matzah symbolizes the “bread of poverty,” which the Jewish people ate as slaves.

T he Katzes'

Passover Table Giggle Magazine writer Lisa Katz invited us into her home to share how she observes Passover with her family. With beautiful decor and delicious food, this Passover is sure to provide lasting family memories.

Planning on celebrating Passover in your home? The holiday begins on Friday night, April 3, and continues until sundown on Saturday, April 11.

The word “haggadah” means “the telling” in Hebrew.

This book contains the instructions for the Seder and the Passover story.

Seder plate: The word “Seder” means “order” in Hebrew. We use the Seder plate to guide us through the steps or “order” of a Passover dinner.

There are six traditional items on the Seder plate. Each represents a different part of the Passover story.

There is a lamb shank bone, a roasted egg, bitter herbs (typically grated horseradish), charoset (a mixture of apples, nuts and cinnamon), parsley, and a bitter vegetable (typically celery, scallion or lettuce).

Photos by Lifeprints Photography gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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The Benefits of Park Day

BY TARA GRIFFIN

Fresh air, great conversation, guaranteed friends (both new and old) ... Homeschool Park Day is a staple in our own community, and parents across the country are saying the same. My search for “Homeschool Park Days” rendered over a million hits. On Meetup.com, 600 homeschool groups in cities from Tallahassee to Seattle to Hong Kong are getting together for park days. I know why. Park Day is awesome for the whole family!

Homeschool Park Days are simply planned times for homeschoolers and their families to get together at a local park for some recreational time and casual conversation.

While my kids see their friends all week long on field trips, at sports practices and games, playdates, choir, lunches out and impromptu sleepovers, our Friday Park Day is still their best bet for an all-inclusive, fun, supportive, informational, social and educational experience. And I look forward to attending it as much as they do.

Here's what local Park Day attendees have to say: "It is a chance to hang out, play sports, meet new people and socialize."

- Spencer, age 15

“Park Day is unique in that it brings together homeschoolers of all ages.

It's really special for my younger kids to have a 13-year-old play 'pirates' with them or when the teens engage the littles with a game of 'Duck Duck Goose.’ The younger kids get to see their peers are truly all ages, and the older kids get the opportunity to mentor and lead. Best of all, it's great to see all the kids having fun in a supportive, kind environment.”

- Kate, mom of 2

gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

“I've enjoyed watching my teenage son mature through Park Day. He's learned leadership from the older kids, and he has a chance to put it into action by playing with the younger ones. For my son, it's all about having fun and being active. Park Day is what first spurred his interest in physical activity and working out. It's something he looks forward to every week.”

- Audrey, mom of 1 “I like the good playground, and hanging out with my friends and playing soccer with no referees.”

- Torie, age 7

To find a Homeschool Park Day near you, try an Internet search to hook up with a local group (visit Homeschool Tallahassee on Homeschooltallahassee. blogspot.com), or find me at Vintagewinnie.com and I'll help you start one.

Happy Parking!

➜ Tara Griffin is a homeschool mother of two and the creative force behind Vintagewinnie.com.

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"Park Day is a haven for homeschoolers. It's where we gather to share conversation, food, ideas and fun. Oh, and the kids get to run around and play."

- Megan, mom of 2

- Tara

Photo provided by Tara Griffin.

“We often stay for the whole afternoon.

The kids don't bring their phones or gaming devices, and they never want to leave. The moms talk, the kids play.

The younger kids are on the playground.

The older kids walk around, play guitar or huddle up chatting somewhere.

Then all of a sudden they get together and organize a game of kickball or something. I'm so thankful for our group; for the kids and for me.”

- Catherine, mom of 3

“I like meeting new families and homeschool veterans and everyone in between. There are families where one child is being homeschooled while another is going to public school and even families stopping through on their roadschooling adventures. The variety of conversations keeps it interesting.

We stay all day when the weather's nice.” - Jamie, mom of 3

learn

family lear n i n g

Making Memories: Documenting Your Spring Break

BY REBECCA VITKUS

Wouldn’t you like your children to be able to remember this special spring break years from now? Take the time to document your precious family memories by creating a priceless memento filled with personal accounts, photographs and keepsakes.

Kid Photography

At the beginning of the vacation, give each child a disposable or digital camera. (Make sure it’s shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof — accident-proof!) If you use a disposable camera, remind your kiddos to choose their photographic moments carefully, as these cameras have a photo limit. When the pictures are developed, you will be amazed as you get to witness what the world looks like from the eyes of your child. Give the developed pictures to your children to create scrapbooks of their own, complete with colorful stickers, silly sketches and beautiful memories.

Drawing

Even the smallest vacationers can be creative and get in on the artistic action! Direct your children to draw a scene that describes their favorite memory from each day, whether that includes building a sandcastle along the sea, meeting Mickey for the first time or just baking cookies in the kitchen with Mommy. After the break is over, display the artwork in a folder or notebook as a vacation keepsake. These small art projects will be fun for the kids to revisit when they are older. The more abstract, the better — just don’t forget to take notes on what the pictures are intended to be!

Photo Journaling

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Use a website like Shutterfly or Snapfish to bring all of your pictures together without the mess of glitter and glue. Teach your children computer skills as they sit alongside you, choosing the perfect background and thinking of creative titles and captions for each page. The product is relatively inexpensive, and your copy of your treasured times together is the perfect centerpiece for the living room table.

Filmmaking

For older kids, making a video documentary of your week of excitement is a great spring break project. Whether you have professional equipment or just a smartphone or two, have the kids record fun memories throughout the week. Include quick interviews with each family member to scatter throughout the video. “What was your favorite part of vacation? Which moment made you laugh the hardest?” Work together to edit the project into a short highlight reel, and pick a fun song for your vacation documentary. It’s the perfect way to share your memories with your Facebook friends! ✽

Scrapbooking: Old-fashioned scrapbooking seems to be a lost art, but it may be time to find it again. Collect tokens from each of the places you visit — a to-go menu from a quaint diner, a theme park map or a few small seashells. Then print your favorite pictures from your spring break adventures rather than just uploading them to the computer. Bring the kids to a craft store to choose decorative paper, stickers and books to hold your treasured memories. It will be a several-day project, but the memories held in your photographs and the memories your family makes while designing the scrapbook are worth the effort.

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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i n t he classr o o m

who require them. Also, the question types will vary from the typical multiple-choice to include short responses, multiple correct answers and graphs. Most important for parents to know is that, unlike during the FCAT where all students would be taking the same test on the same day, with the Florida Standards Assessments, testing days will vary by grade and school, Gregory said. Parents with children in different grades or at different schools should be sure to communicate with those schools to make sure they know exactly when their children will be testing.

“The best thing parents can do for their children is have a positive attitude about the test,” said Gregory.

Florida Standards Assessment 101

With positive parent support, students will feel less stressed about the assessment and be able to get the good night’s rest they need before the test, as well as approach the assessment with confidence that they will be successful. ✽

BY COLLEEN Mctiernan

There’s been a lot of talk about the new Florida Standards testing, but how much do you really know about the tests that your children will be taking this year? The change from the FCAT to Florida Standards has brought along with it a great deal of confusion and concern among parents, but once you get to the core of it, the new standards really aren’t that scary.

The Florida Standards Assessment, the test that will be administered this spring across the state to all public school students, from kindergarteners to high school seniors, is derived from Common Core, but does have slight modifications specific to Florida, said Gillian Gregory, the Leon County Schools Director of Testing, Research and Evaluation.

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Over the past few years, Leon County Schools has been working to ensure that its’ educators are prepared to teach the new standards in class and administer the assessments. Gregory said that, for the past two summers, teachers have been training to understand the standards and learn how best to teach the new curricula. Leon County has also been using textbooks that align with the new standards to make sure their students are receiving all the tools they need to succeed in class and do well on the tests.

There are a few important changes to the assessments that it is crucial for parents and students alike to know before testing time. First, the Florida Standards Assessments will have computer-based tests for grades 5-11, with some paperbased accommodations for those students

Grade Level Testing Requirements: Grades 3-11 will take English Language Arts, plus Writing in grades 4-11.

Grades 3-8 will take Mathematics.

EOC (End of Course) exams are required for: • Algebra 1 • Geometry • Algebra 2 For more information or to look at sample test questions, visit FSAssessments.org or visit Fldoe.org for more information about state requirements.

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

After Common Core was first implemented, parents and teachers alike expressed concern about the math and English standards. To address this, the Florida Department of Education reviewed the standards and held public hearings across the state, including one in Tallahassee, so that parents and teachers could provide feedback on the system.

The result of these hearings was the development of the Florida Standards, which allowed the Florida Department of Education to include additional standards that they determined were important for student education, including calculus and cursive writing standards, Gregory said.

Summer camp registration will be here before you know it, and we want to make sure you're as prepared as possible.

Here's your guide to all of the summer camp fun Tallahassee has to offer.

G UI DE Ta

ll

ah

ass

p Di ee Su mmer Cam

t rec

or

Photo by Terri Smith Photo

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Academics App Design Camp

Maclaycamps.com

Chess Camp

Activelearningcamps.com

Maclaycamps.com

Egyptian Dig

Maclaycamps.com

Maclaycamps.com

Maclay Little Scholars Summer Skills Camp

Photo by Verve Studio

Driver's Education

Maclay Kindergarten Camp

Maclaycamps.com

Maclay Pre-K Camp

Maclaycamps.com Gamebuilder Video Game Creations Camp Magnetic Levitation Maclaycamps.com for Future Transportation Harry Potter: Maclaycamps.com Travel on Our Magical Science Mission San Tour Luis Day Camp Maclaycamps.com

School & Religious Faith Lutheran Church Faithlutherantallahassee.com

Holy Comforter Episcopal School Holy-comforter.org

Maclay School Camps Maclaycamps.com

Missionsanluis.org

Introduction to Social Media Maclaycamps.com

Maclay Academic Camps Maclaycamps.com

Mod Design Camp

Maclaycamps.com

Prospectors Mystery Rock Workshop Maclaycamps.com

Dance & Gymnastics Gymforce Gymnastics Gymforce.net

IG Gymnastics Iggymnastics.com

Maclay Cheerleading Camp

Maclaycamps.com 44

gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

Mason's School of Music, Dance and Arts After School

Tallahasseemusicand dance.com

Maclay Dance Camp Maclaycamps.com

Tallahassee Ballet Tallahasseeballet.org

Sports Mike Martin Baseball School

Collegebaseballcamps. com/Seminoles

Maclay Athletic Camps Maclaycamps.com

Next Level Summer Baseball Camp Nextlevelbb.com

The Arts Seminole Girls Basketball Camp Seminolehoops. com

Seminole Golf Camp

Seminolegolfcamps. com

Warner Soccer Camp Warnersoccer.com

Physical Education Camp Maclaycamps.com

Firefly Pottery Ni'Cole's Studio Performing Arts Fireflypotterystudio. Center com

nicolesperformingarts. com

FSU Music Camps Music.fsu.edu

Make It and Take It Home

Maclaycamps.com

Imagine & Mason's School Create Summer of Music, Dance Art Camp and Arts After Gadsdenarts.com School Tallahasseemusicand Lemoyne dance.com Summer Art Camp Young Actors Lemoyne.org

Equestrian

Theatre Summer Stage Youngactorstheatre. com

Black's Horses & Ponies Blacksponies.com

Butterfly Lane Equestrian Stables Horse Camp Butterflylanelaz.com

Happy Trails Ranch Happytrailsranch.com

Summer Fun Cookies and Tea for Me! Summer Camp Cookiesandteaforme.com

FSU Flying High Circus Camp Circus.fsu.edu

Medical Florida Diabetes Camp

Maclay Summer Day Camp Maclaycamps.com

Floridadiabetescamp.org

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

conception2college™  expecting Pregnancy at a, Ahem, Mature Age

 infant | 0-1 Skin-to-Skin Care and Babywearing: Benefits of Bonding

 toddler | 2-3 Toddler Independence: The Dos and Don'ts of This New Journey

 early years | 4-5 Brushing Up on Healthy Habits

 kids | 6-7 Reading Struggles: Therapy or Just More Practice?

 tweens | 8-12 Safety in a Tween's Digital World

 teens | 13-18

Photo by Terri Smith Photo

Prom + Proposal = Promposal!

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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expecting

p re g n a n cy

Pregnancy at a, Ahem,

Mature Age… by dana kamp

My medical chart had three initials on it that I didn’t remember seeing on my charts from my previous pregnancies.

A.M.A. I couldn’t figure out what that stood for…until the nurse offered me a few extra tests because of my “advanced maternal age.” Ahhh… there it was. I was 35 years old and therefore in the category of Advanced Maternal Age. If you fall into this subheading as well, your medical professional may offer you optional tests such as an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling to determine the risk of Down Syndrome in your growing fetus, as the A.M.A. label means you are at a higher risk of having a child with Down Syndrome. These tests do slightly increase the risk of miscarriage, so discussing the pros and cons with your doctor is important.

This does not mean you will have a complicated pregnancy simply because you have 35+ candles on your birthday cake. It just puts the doctors and midwives on notice to watch for issues and recommend testing, extra ultrasounds or lifestyle changes if they feel something may need extra attention.

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"I had my babies at 29, 31 and 36. I've learned something new about myself each time. Pregnancy is definitely harder on your body the older you get.

But my heart and mind were much better prepared with my last pregnancy. I am more patient, more appreciative and more in awe and in love with my children at this age and this time around."

CHRISTY NASH "At the age of 41 I am SO tired compared to when I had my first at age 24, but would not change it for the world! I have learned what is important rather than what is not. And I hold on to EVERY moment because I know it does not last forever!"

HOPE VEGTER

I had children at 30, 32, 34 and 36 and we are probably not done. I am glad I had children later. Not only were my 20s filled with travel, education and fun experiences I can talk to my children about, but I am also in a better place emotionally, financially and personally to really have fun with the kids and make wise choices for them, and truly appreciate them fully in a way I would not have been able to do had I had them younger. I feel like I had the opportunity to explore myself for 30 years and really decide what I wanted in life...and even though personal growth never ceases, I feel my self-interest is less now and I am more focused on exploring who I am as a mother; I’m in a different rite of passage due to waiting to have children.

gigglemag.com | February/march 2015

Lisa Losinski

"I loved having a baby at my age (36) because I find that I have much more patience and feel much wiser at this age versus when I had my first at age 24!"

CARI HUNTER

"I am 36 and my first child is due Feb. 1. I think I am more grateful for him than I would have been at a younger age because I didn't think I would have a baby. I also believe I'm more prepared and more stable at this age."

CRYSTAL ISSAC

"I will say that with age I have definitely gained an ability to relax on the little things. The first child was very well monitored, documented, watched and worried about, while the fourth could be juggling knives as I answer this, for all I know.

Not sure if it's an age thing or a fourth child thing though."

Tara Cecchini

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

The magical age of 35 also brings an increased chance of carrying fraternal twins (which can be a positive or negative point, depending on your personal view and your health), developing gestational diabetes and/or pregnancy-induced hypertension, and going into premature labor.

When asking moms about their experiences with having a baby after age 35, there were more positive answers than negative. Pregnancy and parenthood are difficult to navigate at any age, but most agreed that being older gives you a bit more mental stability to tackle the issues.

Above all, it seems each mommy just wants to relish having a little one and not worry so much about those initials on her chart. ✽

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infant

a g es 0 - 1

Skin-to-Skin Care and Babywearing: Benefits Beyond Bonding

by SELENA GARRISON

There is nothing quite like cuddling up with a brand new baby. Gazing at her tiny features, listening to her quiet breathing and feeling the warmth of her soft skin is just magical. This kind of contact is great for Mom and Dad, and even better for the baby.

[ Wearing your baby promotes her physical development by keeping

Skin-to-Skin Care

[ Babies worn in slings tend to cry less. Extensive crying can be

Skin-to-skin care (also known as kangaroo care) is important for babies right after birth, in those first few days and even once they are home.

Snuggling against Mommy’s skin right after birth has been shown to have many positive effects on both the mom and baby.

baby in tune with your breathing rhythm, heartbeat and movements.

This helps to develop your baby’s own physical responses. exhausting for both parents and the baby, and excessive crying can even cause damage to baby’s brain by continually flooding it with stress hormones.

[ Babywearing can be a bonding tool for the mom, dad,

[ Physiological benefits include stabilizing respiration and

grandparents and other caregivers.

oxygenation, increasing glucose levels, warming the infant, reducing stress hormones, regulating blood pressure and decreasing crying.

[ Babywearing is convenient! Your hands and arms are free, you

[ Maternal attachment is promoted through increasing hormones (such as Oxytocin), which are known to influence intimacy.

[ Protection is provided from the negative effects of maternal-infant separation.

[ Optimal brain development is supported. [ Initiation of the first breastfeeding is promoted, resulting in

do not have to worry about navigating with a stroller and baby is comfortable!

Tiffany Swaynos, mother of one, shared that babywearing made the first year with her son so much easier.

“He needs to be rocked to sleep,” Swaynos said, “so carriers have saved both my and my husband’s arms on multiple occasions!”

She also said that their son will sleep anywhere in the carrier they wear; from football games to Universal Studios.

increased occurrence.

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Charyl Hermann, mother of four, found out at the birth of her youngest daughter that baby Joy had Down syndrome.

“It doesn’t hurt to have both hands available when shopping or doing chores, either!”

Though she was in shock and quite frightened of the unknown elements of Joy’s situation, she explained, “I knew I needed to provide skin-to-skin contact with her so that I could intentionally bond with her. Her temperature also tended to run on the low side, so this helped to regulate her body temperature. It was a benefit to us in many ways.”

For more detailed information about skin-to-skin care and babywearing, check out these sites:

babywearing

• Myclevelandclinic.org/childrens-hospital/ health-info/ages-stages/baby/hic-Kangaroo-Care

Close contact with Mom (and Dad!) continues to be important as baby grows, but carrying your sweet bundle around all of the time can be exhausting and nearly impossible. Babywearing, which is using a sling or other style of carrier to wear your baby on your chest or back, is a great way to keep baby close and still keep up with everything that needs to be done. There are actually many benefits to babywearing!

• Marchofdimes.org • Babywearinginternational.org • Americanpregnancy.org gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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toddler

a g es 2 - 3

Toddler Independence: The Dos and Don’ts of This New Journey by ale russian

DO encourage her to help put on her own.

An important step in establishing independence is learning how to dress herself.

“Pants and underpants are easier to put on than shirts,” Strode says. “Letting them pull them up gives them a little freedom in their daily schedules.”

Using the zipper on her jacket is another easy task she can start mastering. Pulling on slip-on shoes or sandals, choosing a hat or accessory for her outfit, and finding two matching socks to wear are all responsibilities a toddler is capable of having.

DON’T expect her to master the potty immediately.

At this age, toddlers aren’t developmentally ready to be fully potty trained. However, they should be getting accustomed to the idea of using the potty and how it works. Your toddler should be able to get up on the potty and back down on her own, or know where her own small portable potty is for when she is ready to go. At this age, she may still need encouragement, support and assistance with pottying.

DO give her as many chances to make decisions on her own as is appropriate.

The balance between not wanting your child to grow up and being ready for her to gain independence is always tricky. Letting go and allowing your toddler to start doing things by herself is tough on the heart. But this is the perfect age to start teaching independence.

Although it won’t apply in every situation, letting your child get to the right decision on her own is important. It may take a little while to decide something, such as the right kind of clothing to wear on a cold day or which puzzle piece should fit next, but letting her get to the decision with as little input as possible is essential in learning independent thought. When you do help, make sure you use positive words and subtly point her in the right direction.

“Since they can’t make big decisions like when to leave the house, let them make smaller decisions, like picking the shoes they want to wear,” says Brandi Strode, a preschool teacher at Kid Works Preschool.

Simple decisions or tasks can still seem too difficult to a little one. If she isn’t able to do something she is desperately trying to do, make sure to praise her efforts.

Giving a child several opportunities to make decisions, however small or simple, and carry out those decisions builds confidence when it comes to other independent activities. Your toddler is much more likely to cooperate with your requests when she feels she has some say in what is going on around her.

You may not know which everyday tasks your toddler can start doing on her own, and which still need to be left for a grown-up to do. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

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“Even if she doesn’t succeed, make sure to tell her she did a good job and you’re proud of how hard she tried,” Strode says.

Praising the efforts to become more independent will encourage her to continue the behavior. Independence is all about the confidence she has in herself, and nothing is more helpful in building that than positive encouragement.

DO allow her to share her new skills with others.

The next time your toddler has a friend over, let her show her friend how she feeds the cat, uses a new toy or how she puts her plate in the sink when she is finished eating. Using her skills with peers builds confidence and helps her gain profiency in these new-to-her skills. ✽

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

"Toddlers are not ready to have full independence in all everyday decisions, but they can start by choosing between two shirts or two pants. Learning how to do this and self-help, putting their clothes on and taking them off, gives them the skills to prepare them for the next step — potty training," shares Kristin Birdsey, co-owner of Education Station and Preschool.

DON’T let her get discouraged.

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early years

a g es 4 - 5

Brushing Up on Healthy Habits

by SAVANNA KEARNEY

Although February may be a month devoted to heart-shaped candies and boxes of chocolates, it’s important for another reason: It is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Sponsored by the American Dental Association, this month is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of children’s oral health.

The First Dentist Appointment

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should attend their first dental appointment when their first tooth comes in. After your child’s first checkup, regular visits to the dentist are recommended every six months. Routine appointments are important in preventing cavities and tooth decay, which affect more than a quarter of U.S. kids aged 2-5.

Tooth decay can be more detrimental for children than adults, since the enamel on children’s teeth is half as thin as adult enamel.

A child’s first visit with a dentist can be a scary experience, but parents can do a great deal to comfort their little one. You should start by directly explaining to your child what he can expect during the visit, but avoid unnecessary words such as “needle” or “drill”

Fun Tips for a Beautiful Smile

• Many kids don’t like the strong, minty taste of toothpaste; try a fruit- or bubblegum-flavored paste instead.

• Buy products associated with your child’s favorite cartoon character to encourage healthy habits with a familiar, friendly tone.

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Home Teeth Care

Remember to maintain healthy habits at home, too. Since your little one cannot brush his teeth as effectively as you can, the AAPD recommends that parents assist in their child’s teethbrushing habits from ages 3-6. This is also the time when you should increase the amount of toothpaste used to about the size of a pea. Before that, doctors advise using a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste as soon as baby teeth start to break through.

Flossing is another important habit to start with your child. Daily flossing should become a part of your child’s routine as soon as his teeth begin to fit closely together; this usually happens between the ages of 2 and 6. It’s OK if your little one can’t floss without help from you; children can usually do this independently by the time they turn 10.

Teeth Protection

If you’re wondering when to start thinking about sealants for children’s teeth, consult your pediatric dentist. Some doctors recommend putting sealants on baby teeth, especially if the teeth have grooves that could hold cavities. However, most kids should get sealants as soon as their permanent molars come in, which usually happens between the ages of 5 and 7. After that, your child’s sealants should be checked regularly to ensure they haven’t been chipped or worn away. ✽

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

• To ensure that your child brushes for a full two minutes, have him use a toothbrush that plays music until it’s time to rinse or set a timer that will ring when brushing time is up.

that could incite fear. Although it’s okay to stay with your child during his first few visits, you want to make sure he is comfortable with the staff that will be taking care of his. Finally, reward your child for good behavior during the visit by doing something extra special when it is over.

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kids

a g es 6 - 7

Reading Struggles: Therapy or Just More Practice?

BY ALE RUSSIAN

There are several activities parents can do with their child if they feel the child is falling behind but it isn’t a greater problem. Schiavoni suggests the following to get your child in tune to reading and to develop phonological awareness:

Phonological awareness is the key phrase to consider when determining whether your child has a reading disability or not.

Lisa Schiavoni, a school psychologist and owner of Milestones in the Making, says, “Before learning to read, children have to understand sounds and that words are made of sounds.”

➜ Reading

The most important thing a parent can do to ensure their child’s reading success is to read to him as much as possible. This gets the child started on making the connection between words, letters and sounds.

Phonological awareness is being able to place letters with the sounds they make, a necessary part of reading.

© 2014 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

This is where a disability can be discovered. If your child has trouble remembering the letters of the alphabet, but seems to be able to pick up what sounds they make pretty easily, they probably just need a little more help from you, a tutor or a teacher. However, if you see your child is delayed in speaking and they are not able to truly grasp the concept of what sounds specific symbols make, there may be a greater problem.

➜ Rhyming

Reading books that are heavy in rhyming (like Dr. Seuss books) develops phonological awareness when reading. Children can begin making the connection between a symbol and the sound it makes and how it relates to other symbols and sounds.

➜ Car games

Word games that are easily played in the car to playfully (and educationally) pass the time can really help combat reading disabilities. Rhyming games that emphasize the beginning and ending of sounds teach the child the properties of recognizing full words. Taking a sentence or a word your child says often and separating the words by clapping out the syllables helps him start blending sounds into actual words.

“If by age 6 kids are not picking up the sounds of the alphabet and by 7 are not at grade level reading, there might be a disability such as dyslexia or ADHD,” Schiavoni says.

The best thing to do in this case is to go to your child’s pediatrician. They can evaluate the problem and, if necessary, put you in contact with a speech language pathologist who can further determine your child’s need.

A possible cause of this might be that “kids are not being read, sung or spoken to enough,” Schiavoni explains. Although this won’t necessarily lead to a reading disorder or disability, it may cause a delay in the development of phonological awareness.

➜ Singing

Just like rhyming and reading, singing goes a long way in helping children blend the sounds into words. Singing along or playing songs that emphasize letters and the sounds they make can help the child catalog them into long-term memory. ✽

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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tweens

a g es 8 - 1 2

Safety in a Tween’s Digital World

by KELLY GOEDE

Back when I was a tween, I was basically a social ninja. I could play a video game (all right, Atari), eat a meal and have a crush on a boy, and no one was the wiser, unless I chose to somehow broadcast the highlights of those activities to my friends at school or on a phone call to Grandma. The Internet had not been invented yet and my camera used film.

Fast forward one generation, and now my children have ridden the technological wave, washing over me in the process and leaving me on the shore wondering what just happened. The speed of a tween’s interactions is now almost instantaneous. As a parent to a tween who has computer access (and one day cell phone access), I simply cannot wait for something horrific to happen to my child online before I educate myself on what is appropriate and safe for her to use.

Safekids.com offers some of the most important tips for tweens to stay cyber-safe. A few suggestions are not giving out personal information without parents’ permission, telling parents right away if something makes them uncomfortable and talking to parents about posting pictures. The site offers several additional tips that would be helpful for parents and tweens to review together, preferably before online activity begins, and in ensuing discussions as the child grows older and more tech savvy.

As much as we feel we can trust our children, without the proper safeguards installed on all devices, tweens may find inappropriate material when searching for something benign. Many parental control apps exist to assist parents in making sure adult content stays away from your tween’s screen. A pinch of proactivity will prevent a pound of guilt and regret if your child virtually winds up somewhere inappropriate, so do your homework to investigate and install parental controls. And then exercise your own parental control and get involved in what your child is doing online.

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According to Deputy PJ Mauldin, a School Resource Officer in the Florida school system, “If you’re going to allow your kids to do something online you need to be involved as well. Parents let kids play video games but may not realize that child predators use online gaming to contact children. One in four children who use online gaming will be contacted at some point by some type of predator or someone with criminal intent.”

As parents, we cannot afford to be cyber-ostriches, sticking our heads in the sand and hoping for the best. ✽

Giggle Tip!

Give your tween an email address on Kidsemail.org.

Parents can monitor emails and set blocks, safety rules and time restrictions, while still allowing your child to have his own personal email address.

Mom-to-Mom Tips to Keep Your Tween Safe Online ❉ Visit Techrepublic.com for reliable parental control apps to install on your devices. ❉ The minimum age for Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram is 13 years old. Stick to it. And once your child is on those sites, “friend” him. ❉ For tween-friendly sites, visit your child’s school’s homepage. Most offer links to school-approved sites.

❉ Visit Todaysparent.com for a list of 30 fun and safe kids’ websites. ❉ Set limits for time spent doing anything electronic (amount of time and time of day). ❉ Keep the computer in a high traffic room so you can easily keep tabs on what your child is up to while online. gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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Prom + Proposal = Promposal!

by BOBBI BLOOM

A “promposal” is a new term you will be hearing more as your children make their way through the teen years. It is the way someone asks another person to go to the prom. It’s no longer a simple question and answer. In fact, it has become something that takes a great deal of planning to coordinate and pull off.

This trend is gaining popularity across the country, in public schools and private academies, in big cities and small towns.

While some promposals can be simple and sweet, others can be completely over-thetop. In fact, many often look similar to actual wedding proposals. Depending on the personality of the person being asked, the asker can plan the perfect promposal to suit the potential date.

Simply Sweet Promposal Ideas: 1. Hold up a huge bouquet of balloons and have a sign that reads, “Will you fly up to prom with me?”

2. Give a box of chocolate-covered strawberries with writing on the box that says, “I would be BERRY happy if you went to prom with me!”

3. Write a poem on the outside of a

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large cup of pink-colored shaved ice. “Cotton candy is pink and snow is white. Will you be my date on prom night?”

4. Use fridge magnets to spell out

“Will you go to prom with me?” on her locker, car door or mailbox.

5. Decorate a locker (either the inside

or the outside) with streamers, photos, balloons, etc., and include a handwritten card asking the person to prom.

Extravagant Promposal Ideas: 1. Create a scavenger hunt that leads your potential date from place to place with rose petals. At the end of it, post a sign with “Please go to prom with me!” written on it.

2. Coordinate a flash mob and have one of the people hand a note to the person you are asking during the performance.

3. Buy a pretty piece of jewelry.

On the inside of the box write, “Prom?”

4. At nighttime, have the question,

“Will you light up my night and go to prom?” written in chalk on a dark driveway or sidewalk.

Surround the words with candles.

5. Rent a plane with a banner flying from it, asking the person to be your prom date.

My teenage daughter was “promposed to” this year. A boy asked her to meet him near an outdoor water fountain. When she approached, he was holding a bag of water with a fish swimming in it. In the other hand he held a large poster with the words “Of all the fish in the sea, will you go to prom with me?” written on it.

It was perfectly sweet and she agreed to go with him.

While most promposals do not require a lot of money, other more grandiose ones are quite pricey. There is definitely a range of creativity within this new phenomenon.

Most like to think this all stems from the desire to be romantic. However, some feel it is just a ploy for social media and peer attention.

While it does seem like a great deal of work, as well as an abundant amount of pressure, this new rage does not seem to be disappearing anytime soon. Before they even get to the stress and excitement of going to the prom, now the promposal must first be checked off the list. ✽ gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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happy community

cale n d ar o f eve n t s

February & March

FEBRUARY 1

Super Bowl Sunday!

FEBRUARY 2

FEBRUARY 21

MARCH 12

Treehouseflorida.org

Holy Comforter Episcopal School Holy-comforter.org

Fast Cars & Mason Jars

Groundhog Day!

FEBRUARY 21

FEBRUARY 4

9 a.m.

A Woman’s Place Tmh.org/calendar

March for Babies Citywide Community Kickoff 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Challenger Learning Center Marchofdimes.org

Mommy & Me Class

Big Brother Big Sister Class

MARCH 15

FEBRUARY 21

3 p.m.

Longmire Recital Hall at FSU College of Music

Babysitter Training

Tallahassee Bach Parley – Kids Go for B’roque Concert

MARCH 16 - 20

FEBRUARY 4 - 7

10:30 a.m.

A Woman’s Place Tmh.org/calendar

2910 Kerry Forest, Suite D-1 Tallysmockaholics.com

FEBRUARY 21

MARCH 17

Tally Smockaholics

FEBRUARY 5

14th Annual Cattle Barons’ Ball

Mommy & Me Class

Holy Comforter Episcopal School Holy-comforter.org

5 – 10 p.m.

Shiloh Farm Cattlebaronsballtallahassee.org

FEBRUARY 6 - 7

MARCH 7

3rd Annual Tally Shorts Film Festival 2015 TBA Challenger Learning Center’s Digital Dome Tallyshorts.com FEBRUARY 7

Hopping 4 A Cure FSU

1 – 4 p.m.

Encore on W. Tennessee Street Hopping4ACureFSU@gmail.com FEBRUARY 8

Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon 7:30 a.m.

FSU Track Tallahasseemarathon.com

FEBRUARY 14

Curtains for a Cause 6 p.m.

University Center Club Curtainsforacause.com FEBRUARY 16

Presidents Day!

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Northwood Centre Elcbigbend.org MARCH 7 - 8

Battle of Natural Bridge Reenactment, 150th Anniversary

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park Floridastateparks.org/naturalbridge MARCH 8

Jewish Food Festival

10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Temple Israel Tallahasseejewishfoodfestival.com March 8

March for Babies Family Teams Kickoff 1 – 3 p.m.

Growing Room #3 Marchofdimes.org MARCH 11

Breakfast in the Park 6:30 a.m.

Bloxham Park 850.224.5012

Leon County Public Schools

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! MARCH 20

First Day of Spring MARCH 22

Tallahassee Bach Parley Winter Concert 3 p.m.

St. John’s Episcopal Church Theatretallahassee.org MARCH 27

Music Festival on Kleman Plaza

6 – 10:30 p.m.

100 South Duval Street 850.224.5012 MARCH 28

47th Annual Springtime Tallahassee Festival TBA 209 E. Park Avenue Springtimetallahassee.com MARCH 28

Little Scientists

Holy Comforter Episcopal School Holy-comforter.org MARCH 29

Springtime Tallahassee Grand Parade 10:30 a.m.

Monroe Street Springtimetallahassee.com

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Happy Valentine’s Day! FEBRUARY 14

ELC Summer Splash

Spring Break

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happy community

gigglemag.com | february/march 2015

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