Giggle Magazine- Gainesville August/September 2016

alachua

county’s

PREMIER

p a re n t i n g

M AGA Z I N E

AUG/SEPT 2016 Volume 8 • Issue 4

THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT

TWINS plu

s

Back to class!

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicole Irving ART DIRECTOR Allison Raber COPY EDITOR Colleen McTiernan GRAPHIC DESIGNERs Tanya Consaul, Claire Stortz Vice president of sales Shane Irving Web Designer Tanya Consaul ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES April Tisher, Theresa Westberry executive assistant Sayeh Farah Contributing Writers Delia Albert, Nicole Germany, Nicole Irving, Helen Kornblum, Danielle Pastula, Elizabeth Patton, Olivia Pitkethly, Taryn Tacher, April Tisher Contributing Photographers Patricia Bishop Photography, Sincerely Gone Photography

Mailing address

headquarters address

5745 SW 75th Street 101 SW 140th Terrace Unit 286 Suite C Gainesville, FL 32608 Jonesville, FL 32669 Gainesville Office: p. 352.505.5821 Tallahassee Office: p. 850.254.9704 Fax: 877.857.5140

gigglemagazine.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. Š 2016

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.

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Creating happy, healthy smiles, one child at a time.

Providing specialized dentistry for children and adolescents in a “child-friendly� environment, we focus on preventive care to help each child have a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.

Serving infants, children and teens in Gainesville and surrounding areas State-of-the-art digital technology Latex-free office Now accepting insurance from Humana, Delta Dental PPO and Solstice

Haile Plantation Village Center 5209 SW 91st Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608 and Northwest Professional Center 4910 NW 27th Court, Gainesville, FL 32608 Dr. Robert N. Mixon, D.M.D., P.A. Dr. Michael G. Gooch, D.M.D. Dr. Andrew C. Gooch, D.M.D.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016 Education Matters! We are proud to be Board Certified Pediatric Dentists.

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from the publisher

it takes two For those of you who have been loyal followers from the beginning, you may have caught on that I am obsessed with multiples. We have done features through the last eight years on multiples of all kinds, even adorable quintuplets! But, this year, in honor of Twins Days on August 5–7, we wanted to take it one step further and specifically honor this special duo, and what fun it was! From fraternal 8-month-old nuggets of love to 22-year-old identical professionals, we were welcomed into a glimpse of their world and discovered the love they all have for each other.

And, as the summer is beginning to come to a close (sniff, sniff), we are reminded of the school days that are ahead — the good, the bad and the oh-so-tired mornings with lunch boxes that still need to be filled.

But, alas, we have your up-to-date information on the county’s changes for this year along with some tips to get you through it all. Not to mention some WAY ADORABLE new school supplies that are sure to brighten up your mornings!

2011: My baby's first day of preschool! I was crying inside, while he was ecstatic.

Lilly and Lyndsey • Twelve years old • Identical twins

• Lilly loves to paint and draw and Lyndsey loves music and plays the trumpet.

Nicole Irving, Publisher nicole@irvingpublications.com

• They both adore (and love to torment) their big sister Lauren.

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follow us on Twitter @GIGGLEMAGAZINE

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Photo by Patricia Bishop Photography

• Both love cheerleading! They are on the same team for Florida Team Cheer.

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AUG · SEPT 2016 happy family • happy community

TM

80 happy home 70 Creative Crayon Cleanup!

72 Simply Soy

in We are this love with ing tt Florida cu board!

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Find Your Way to Crafting with Maps!

78 Queries for the Curious

learn 94 Do You Pay to Make the Grade?

96 When Your Child Has to Repeat a Grade

life 8

Back to Work After Baby: Mamas Share Their Must-Haves!

12 Parenting Through Divorce: Coping with

conception 2✱ college™

happy community 114 Aug/Sept Calendar

100 expecting

120 corkboard

Get Ready to Register!

Family Changes Positively

15 POWER PARENT Brent Henderson 22 happy family Wozniak Family

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The Co-Sleeping Controversy

104 TODDLER

Accentuate the Positive!

106 early years

Clever Curiosity

forks & spoons

108 kids

50 Mouthwatering Meatloaf 52 Helpful Kitchen Gadgets 54 Breakfast for Champs

110 tweens

Protect Your Children and Your Wallet:

health

Fight Back with Media Literacy

112 teens

Why Do Teens Sleep Till Noon?

62 Staying Healthy in the Classroom and at

Home

alachua

BaCK TO SCHOOl | TWInS | mean gIRlS

fe a tu res Seeing Double: All Things Twins!

Dealing with Real-Life Mean Girls Back To Class

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PREMIER

PaREntIng

MagaZInE

AUG/SEPT 2016 Volume 8 • Issue 4

THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT

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TWINS plu

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gIggle magazIne

64 Glowing Skin: Developing a Healthy Skin

Care Routine for Teens 68 Get Glossy!

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"Did You Have a Good Day?" And Other Questions Guaranteed Not To Get You A Response

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Back to class!

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Photo by Patricia Bishop Photography

Twins and back to school photo by Patricia Bishop Photography. Cutting board photo by Tanya Consaul.

18 Sage Advice from a Granny

102 infant

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life

Back to Work After Baby: Mamas Share Their Must-Haves!

By nicolE IRVING

Going back to work after having a baby can bring on waves of emotions you didn’t even know you had. But, with a little help from your friends, family and some advice from our seasoned moms, you can get a handle on being a working mother!

Amanda Carreon Owner, A Divine Closet

➜ Went back to work after 5 weeks My top must-haves: • Our nanny is someone I can't live without!

• My support system — a working mommy takes a village!!!

• I switched diaper bags to a more stylish one that looked more like a purse. This really helped because when I am “mommy” it fits my kid stuff, and when I'm “power mom” I'm looking stylish!

Cozi Family Organizer App Free, available for iPhone/iPad, Android and Windows 8.1

Marketing Specialist for Campus USA Credit Union

➜ Went back to work after 12 weeks

My top must-haves: • Breast pump, for obvious reasons.

• Baby carrier, so you can hold baby after work while you cook dinner, do laundry, etc.

• The Cozi Family Organizer app, so my husband and I can share/edit the same shopping list and keep track of doctor appointments and events.

• My Apple Watch, because I love being able to track my steps and other fitness stats.

It also helps remind me of appointments at a glance. I also love seeing a different picture of my babies every time I check the time. It helps me feel a little more connected while I'm working.

Baby Brezza Formula Pro $134.95, Walmart.com

Lansinoh® Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra $34.99, Target.com

Katie Osterhout

Jenn Petion

➜ Went back to work around 10–11 weeks

➜ Went back to work after 10 weeks with son and eight weeks with daughter

Eastern Region Director of Business Development for RR Donnelley Promotional Production Solutions

My top must-haves: • As a breastfeeding mom, going back to work meant that it was time to get serious about pumping. Getting a comfortable hands-free pumping bra was important as I'd be wearing it for a good portion of the day, and I wanted to make sure the pull of the bottles wasn't too harsh on the girls. I decided on the Simple Wishes brand and it has been fantastic.

• A reliable contact list for my child care provider was key. If I was in a meeting, on a call or away from my desk, I might not be able to grab my cell right away, and I wanted to be sure she could reach someone in an emergency.

• I had to have a ton of baby pictures to put around my office!

• I learned to step up my productivity, getting in emails late at night or before baby woke up, so I could leave at 5 p.m. on the dot and have as much evening time with my pumpkin as possible.

Director of Administration and Special Projects at FamiliesFirst Network

My top must-haves: • For those who decide not to breastfeed or who can't keep up with pumping at work, we LOVE our Baby Brezza.

We jokingly call it the Baby Keurig. It makes bottles to the exact right temperature and mixes them in seconds.

• I have a video monitor, so if my kids are at the house I can go on my smartphone and see them.

• Having photo canvasses printed of them and hung at the office also makes me feel better.

Seeing them throughout the day at that small size reminds me that I’m not missing everything just because I also love my job.

• The biggest thing for me was going back to work gradually.

Staying connected to my staff made me feel more like "me" because I knew what was going on at the office and had some input. ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

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Lindsay McKeown

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life

Parenting Through Divorce: Coping with Family Changes Positively

BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

ratified by the court, or it is court-ordered in contested situations.

“It is essentially the ‘rules’ of the parenting relationship after the marriage is dissolved,” said Alison Walker, an attorney who specializes in family law. “A timesharing plan is the actual schedule of which parent is responsible for the children and has the right to spend time with them at certain times. There is usually a ‘regular’ schedule and then there is also a ‘holiday’ schedule.”

Walker points out that every family situation is unique and highly recommends seeking competent legal representation.

Both Tagye and Lawson work with their ex-spouses to provide a fair schedule for themselves and their children. While following a parenting plan is helpful, they both stress the importance of flexibility.

When a couple chooses to divorce, there are many factors to consider: Who gets the house? How will we divide our assets? How will this change our social lives?

When you are a parent who chooses to divorce, the factors become more complicated: Will I have primary custody or joint custody? What will the schedule look like? Who gets which holidays?

And then there’s breaking the news to your child. Divorce will bring symptoms of grief such as sadness, fear and anger. After all, it is a significant loss for everyone involved.

Normalizing your emotional reaction will help your child feel free to express his own.

Coping with your grief and helping your child adjust is a balancing act. Children process grief slower than adults, so your child may ask the same questions several times or may exhibit unfamiliar behaviors several months down the road.

Tagye’s son was 5 years old when they told him about the divorce, and it took some time for him to understand.

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Keeping your explanations simple, especially with younger children, will help them cope with any changes and will benefit your relationship. Avoid blaming the other parent or giving details about the divorce.

Amy Lawson is a mom of two and considers herself and her ex-husband friends and teammates in co-parenting. She advised parents going through this experience to work together.

“Never treat your children like your pals and share details about why things didn’t work out between the two of you,” she said.

“Try very hard not to say anything remotely negative about the other parent either in front of or to the kids.”

Developing a parenting plan can assist a divorcing couple with communication, schedules, health care, child care and other mutually agreed guidelines. This plan is either agreed to by the couple and then

“Remember, the kids just want everybody to get along and to see both parents,” said Lawson. “My ex and I share a Gmail calendar where we put the kids’ activities. If there’s a special event he wants to share with the boys, and it’s technically ‘my weekend,’ we work it out rather than rigidly saying no because it’s not his time.”

“Remember, the kids just want everybody to get along and to see both parents,” said Lawson.

Tagye agreed and said that she and her exhusband have adjusted their schedule several times to figure out what works best for the whole family. She also helps her son understand the schedule by giving him a brief rundown of where he will be and when he will switch again.

“My ex and I have gotten into a good groove,” she said. “We talk about parenthood, and when our son has had some rough spots, we’ve talked about it all together. We still consider ourselves his family and plan to continue that way.” ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

“We told our son together,” said Katie Tagye, mom of one. “It was hard to talk to him about it because we were both emotional.

However, it was important to me not to hide my sadness about the divorce. I didn’t want to be inappropriate, but I also didn’t want to mask my emotions.”

“We told him we were going to live in different houses and that we wouldn’t be married anymore,” she said. “For a couple of months he would ask questions like why we didn’t live in the same house, why we weren’t married, why my last name was different, things like that. I would say that mommy and daddy both loved him but that we couldn’t be married anymore.”

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life

p o w e r pa r e n t

Brent Henderson Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Florida Husband to Valerie Lopez Henderson (wife of 16 years and pharmacist at the VA Hospital) Dad to Elijah (12) and Ethan (9)

Life for Brent Henderson is definitely busy. Between his work as a professor at UF, his participation in his church and his many other activities, keeping up with home life and work life is certainly a balancing act. Although he may sometimes have to work late into the night to get to everything he needs to, Brent always makes time to spend with his children and wife.

Although his life may be busy, it is also a rich one, full of love and service to others.

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life

p o w e r pa r e n t

Who is your greatest inspiration?

My parents. My mom is a high school teacher and my dad has worked in the car repair business most of his life. They worked hard, long days to support the family, yet always made time for us and showed us how to love others well.

What advice would you give other working parents?

When it comes to time with your kids, it’s about quality, not quantity. Be intentional about how you spend time with them and the conversations you have. Spend time alone together, one on one. Do things together and let them lead. Done with intention, a morning trip to the springs can be more meaningful than a week at Disney.

Who are your biggest supporters?

My wife, my kids, my parents and my siblings.

What does your typical workday look like?

The alarm goes off at 6 so I can get up, get the kids’ lunches ready and drop them off at school. Then I head to UF to teach my courses and meet with students and colleagues. I try to keep one day a week just for writing up my latest research, and on that day I’ll head to Pascal’s or Cymplify coffee shop to work where I won’t be interrupted.

I’m also very active in my local church (the Gainesville Vineyard), so I try to find time to meet with our pastors or work on my next sermon during the week. Typically I’m home by 5 to help my wife out with dinner and help the kids with homework or get them to piano or violin practice. Admittedly, after the kids are in bed, it’s sometimes back to work for a couple of hours! Sometimes in the evening I’ll have a board meeting for Maya Health Alliance (a Guatemalan healthcare NGO) or work to do for the Gainesville Christian Study Center. I serve on the board of directors for both organizations.

When and how do you make time for yourself?

I love an early morning walk, an hour in the hammock with a book and an occasional evening with a great beer and a good cigar.

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How do you balance work life and family life?

Probably not as well as I should! But I make sure that every day I listen to what my children have to say and that they know I love them. My wife and I go out for a meal alone together as often as we can so we can stay connected and talk about life. We also make a big deal out of the kids’ birthdays. I plan elaborate parties for them and Valerie makes amazing food.

And my homemade Halloween costumes are legendary. Ha!

What are 5 things you must have at work?

Coffee, a few quiet moments to pray through my day, my laptop, a language problem to solve and more coffee!

What sacrifices/compromises have you had to make?

My dedication to my family probably means I don’t get as much research done as I could, and my commitment to my work and other organizations probably means I don’t spend as much time with family as I could. There’s always a sacrifice for one or the other, but that’s where balance comes in.

What is your go-to breakfast?

I often intend to eat breakfast, but usually forget.

What is your coffee order?

Freshly ground black coffee pour over.

I’m a coffee snob. Ethiopian varieties are my favorite.

What is your must-have work tech item?

For fieldwork, a high quality audio recorder is a must.

Finish this sentence: I hope that I have taught my children... that living lives full of love, forgiveness, service and sacrifice is the only way to really live. Nothing else is worth much. ✽

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life

gr a n d p a r e n t s

What do you like about being a grandmother?

I love every second of being with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They are the greatest gift anyone could have.

What do you dislike about being a grandmother?

I truly cannot think of a thing I don’t like.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned?

Sometimes you have to bite your tongue when you see your child correcting your grandchild, and you think they are being too hard on them.

How do you think your grandchildren would describe you?

A pushover! Also, sweet, loving and kind.

Is there anything that surprised you about being a grandmother?

There is nothing you would not do for your children and their children. You have so much LOVE for them.

Virginia celebrating her 70th birthday with her children, five of her grandchildren and two of her great-grandchildren.

Sage Advice From a Granny

BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

Four children. Eight grandchildren. Three great-grandchildren. If there is anyone who can say a thing or two about being a grandparent, it’s Virginia Phillips. At 70 years old, she’s lived in Gainesville most of her life, graduating from P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School and currently working (yes, still!) at UF Health. I sat down with her and asked this southern lady a few questions about being a granny.

What are the differences between being a mother and being a grandmother?

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“

How has being a grandmother changed you as a person?

”

I have a lot more patience, and I take the time to be a part of their lives.

My 8-year-old granddaughter Emma (a student at Lawton Chiles Elementary) told me that grandmothers never tell their granddaughters “no.” She also told me when I am 80 and she is 18, and I need groceries, she won’t take me. She said to just give her a list because she’s not going to wait an hour for me to get what I need! I told her she’d have to check on me during the day, and she said, “That’s what a granny nanny is for!” This kid has a sense of humor!

What advice do you have for parents?

Let your parents enjoy the grandkids. So what if they let them have dessert before their dinner? It won’t hurt your child!

What advice do you have for other grandparents?

They outgrow us. Just love them and enjoy your time with them. ✽

Photo courtesy of Virginia Phillips.

When you are a mom, you sweat all the small things and wonder if you are doing the right thing. Getting the kids ready for school, making their meals, running to their practices and school plays, getting them where they need to be. Are you really listening to them, or are you too busy taking care of them? When you are a grandmother, you don’t have that responsibility. You can enjoy time with them. Watch their games and recitals and just sit and listen to them.

Sometimes you have to bite your tongue when you see your child correcting your grandchild and you think they are being too hard on them.

Tell a funny story about being a grandparent.

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life

h a p p y f a m i ly

PHOTOS BY SINCERELY GONE PHOTOGRAPHY

Meet t he

Wozniak Family

Jason, Christy, Nicholas (15), Nathan (12), Noah (7) and Champ

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Occupation(s): Jason is a managing partner/insurance consultant at Willis Towers Watson and Christy is a teaching assistant at Abiding Savior Preschool.

Favorite local restaurants: Harry's, Mi Apa, Wahoo and Copper Monkey.

Favorite local “Must go” places: "The Swamp" and Devil's Millhopper.

What are your children’s favorite meals that you cook? Spaghetti, chicken and yellow rice.

Describe your family in 3 words: Fun, loving and Gators!

Favorite family activity: Playing sports, fishing and watching Gator games!

What is your family’s favorite holiday?

Christmas, although Noah's vote was Halloween because it's two days after his birthday!

Do you have any pets? Champ, who turned 1 in May, is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He is a sweet dog and has been great for the boys!

Favorite games to play as a family: Gatoropoly and Life, as well as baseball and football games in the backyard.

What would your family's dream vacation be? Anywhere in the Caribbean.

Why do you love raising your family in Gainesville? Jason and I met our first summer of college here at UF, and we started dating a few years later. We finished our degrees and then got married in Tampa.

The boys love sports! Nathan plays tackle football for the Gainesville Gators with Pop Warner while Noah plays baseball with Gatorball.

Nicholas participates in the Special Olympics and won first place in the tennis ball throw at the North Florida Area Games this past April!

In addition to his career, Jason also coaches all the boys on their various sports teams and is a certified coach for track and field with the Special Olympics.

When we had the opportunity to move back to Gainesville in 2012, we were excited! It felt like we were coming home! It has been fun to show the boys where we met and all the fun things we did in college! Being able to be local for all the Gator games is our favorite reason. We love football season! Although we enjoy watching and supporting all Gator sports!

Since moving to Gainesville our family has become involved in the Special Olympics as well as starting the Nicholas Wozniak Foundation (Nicholaswozniakfoundation.org).

Nicholas has always loved sports, and he grew up attending all his brothers’ baseball, football and basketball games. He played Challenger baseball when he was younger, with Nathan being his buddy. The NW Foundation has given us the opportunity as a family to help other families with special needs children to enjoy and become involved in sports. ✽

When we had the opportunity to move back to Gainesville in 2012, we were excited!

It felt like we were coming home!

SEEING

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DOUBLE

BY NICOLE IRVING & OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY| PHOTOS BY PATRICIA BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHY | PHOTOGRAPHED AT COON HOLLO FARM

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As outsiders looking in, twins are intriguing and fascinating.

For parents, they are a blessing and provide a double dose of love, hugs and sleepless nights. And for each other, they are each other’s comfort zone, best friend, partner in crime and sometimes, a mirror image of themselves.

F

or mom Laurie Denny, the best parts of having identical twins are watching her twin daughters be each other’s best friend, the endless entertainment they provide and discovering how two people who can be so similar at times can also be so different. But, she also admits to breaking many of her “mommy rules” during the 10 years since identical twins Lilly and Lyndsey entered her world. “It was having twins that taught me to ‘never say never’ and to ‘do what you have to,’” said Denny. Some of her “nevers” that she admits to breaking early on were never letting her children sit in front of the television and never feeding them frozen chicken nuggets and mac & cheese from a box.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics reported that in 2014, twin births were at an all time high in the United States. CNN reported that in the same year there were 33.9 twin births for every 1,000. That is a lot of seeing double. Whether they are identical twins — twins that occur when one egg is fertilized by a single sperm, but then the zygote divides into two separate embryos — or fraternal twins (the non-identical kind), which occur when two eggs are fertilized by two different sperm — there is an undeniably special bond that happens between children who share the womb.

It’s a twin thing

Some twins create their own secret language, some can experience each other’s pain and others exhibit what parents of twins know as “twin escalation syndrome.” Elizabeth Russell, mom to 5-year-old identical twin sons Maxwell and Wyatt, thought twin escalation was made up, but now that her boys are older she said that they feed off each other and escalate fun moments into a whirlwind adventure.

A situation may start innocently enough with one blowing bubbles into a cup, but it will end with two wet, giggly twins.

As babies, Russell noted that the two would scoot across the floor to hold hands, but notes one incident in particular that was the “strangest twin moment” to date. “When the boys were 2 years old, I was standing in the kitchen and Wyatt walked in sort of half burping/half hiccupping. He looked like he was going to cry. He

said, ‘Mama, up!’ I asked him if he was OK and if he was going to throw up. He said ‘yes,’ and then on the other side of the room, Max threw up all over the floor. Wyatt never did throw up.”

Kelli Winkle, whose fraternal twin boys are 8 months old, has witnessed them try to soothe each other. “If one is really upset, the other wants to make him feel better, and often the other twin gets upset, too. They reach to hug or touch, often holding hands,” she said.

Mallory and Macey, 17-year-old identical twins, share a very close bond. When they graduate next year they plan on rooming together at the same college. But, beyond that, their mother said that the two have acted just as you would expect from identical twins since the day they were born. “They both spent four weeks in the NICU at Shands after they were born, had colic and oral aversion as infants, and had tubes placed in their ears as toddlers.

Those tiny tubes in their ears ... they each had one fall out on the same day, just opposite ears. Macey and Mallory also tell stories collectively; one starts it, and then they interject without interrupting the other until they’ve finished the story, without any thought to it. They simultaneously answer questions with the same answer. They get the same grades on tests in school, even standardized tests.”

The bond between twins is undeniably strong. Sarah Sawyer, mom to 8-year-old identical twins Phoebe and Piper shared that her girls can sense anxiety in each other and have trouble sleeping apart when separated over night. When loading her kiddos in the car (all four of them), she often finds one of the twins waiting by the door. “When I ask her why she is not getting in the car, she always responds, ‘I'm waiting for Phoebe,’” Sawyer said.

The bond between fraternal twins Sophia and Hannah is much the same. Their father said that they love each other very much and always want to know the other one’s choices and whereabouts.

lilly & lyndsey Twelve-year-old identical monoamniotic-monochorionic twins Lilly and Lyndsey Denny are both artistic, adventurous and like to keep their mom on her toes. With a constant partner in crime, this dynamic duo enjoys a special and unique bond.

Their mom’s must-have when they were babies‌ a Sam's Club membership!

max & wyatt Monochorionic-diamniotic identical 5-year old-twins Maxwell and Wyatt Russell are the best of friends, and even though they share the same interests, they are very much individuals and react very differently to things. Their mom Elizabeth said that this has been very interesting to watch!

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Robert and Linda Davidson also see the special bond between their fraternal four-year-old twins Miles and Sophie, even though their personalities are very different. “From day one, Miles and Sophie have done everything together. They sleep, eat and play together,” said Linda. Their differences are quite apparent, too.

Linda said that where Sophie is very inquisitive, impatient with figuring out new toys and asks many questions, Miles analyzes everything and is a problem solver.

Appreciate the individual

Even when twins showcase difference, it can be very easy to place twins in the same class, same sports and same outfits early on. However, recognizing and appreciating their differences can make a huge impact on how they view themselves and their twin. Celebrating each twin’s individuality and separate accomplishments can have a huge impact on their self esteem and the way they see themselves.

Having someone who is always there and whom you are constantly compared to can weigh heavily on someone who is a twin, which is something Macey and Mallory’s mother has learned is one of the more difficult parts about having twins.

Constantly comparing them inevitably causes one of the twins to feel self-conscious. Lilly and Lyndsey’s mom has experienced the same difficulties with raising twin girls. She said that one of

the hardest parts about having twins is maintaining individuality while also creating a fair and equal balance between the girls.

Growing two

But, as hard as it is raising twins, being pregnant and carrying two babies in one body can present an even bigger challenge, both mentally and physically. According to the American Pregnancy Association, nearly 60 percent of twin births are delivered preterm (less than 37 weeks gestation). Maria Jorrin is a registered nurse who worked in a neonatal intensive care unit for more than 10 years. She stated the most common reason for twins to be admitted to the NICU is prematurity, which is often accompanied by low birth weight and premature organs.

“If mothers get prenatal steroids before delivery, the babies’ lungs are in better shape, but sometimes that is not an option,” she said.

“We usually tell parents to anticipate discharge by their due date of 40 weeks, but if they do well, they could leave sooner.”

Jorrin explained that the reason for the longer stay is due to the babies’ bodies not being ready to function outside the mother’s body. “We are asking these babies to breathe and digest food, which the baby wouldn’t have to do if he or she was still in the womb.”

bryce & cole Eight-month-old fraternal twins Bryce and Cole Winkel love watching their big brother Blake play, which is a constant source of smiles and giggles.“It's so fun to watch them develop individually,” said mom Kelli.

What was Kelli’s No. 1 pregnancy craving with the twins? Lemons!

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hannah & sophia Hannah and Sophia Murphy are 4-year-old fraternal twins that look very much alike, so much so, that people often ask their mom Jessica if she is sure they aren’t identical. Of course, she can tell them apart. “My girls have a very unique bond. They are very close to each other. They are mostly inseparable!” said Jessica.

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macey & mallory Mallory and Macey Donelenko, 17-year-old identical twins, share a very special connection. They not only finish each other's sentences seamlessly, but are also both outgoing and talkative. They share the same interests in music and books and have “shared� best friends.

sienna & skylar Sienna & Skylar Snell, 3-year-old fraternal twins are very close but also very different, according to their mother Kim. “Skylar is very curious and always getting into things, while Sienna is the rule-follower and will tell me if it’s something they really shouldn’t be doing. I love how they have a built-in best friend and that they are always there for each other,” said Snell.

take two...

The Snell family welcomed not one, but two sets of fraternal twins into their family. gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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kaleb & madison Kaleb and Madison Snell, 11-yearold fraternal twins, are actually the older siblings to Sienna and Skylar, who are also fraternal twins. Today, Kaleb and Madison still have the special bond that they had when they were younger. “The bond is something I can’t explain.

As babies, they had to learn how to share very early on. They are very giving and talk things out very easily. They are so supportive of each other. They are protective of each other. They celebrate with each other. They grieve with each other. They pray together. They are inseparable,” said mom, Kim.

Dealing with the comments

Giving birth to twins and being a witness to their special bond and personalities is an amazing gift. So amazing, that many outsiders want to be part of the experience too. Many times though, their unsolicited advice and comments can come off as “rude” or “insensitive” mostly because they just don’t understand.

Elizabeth Russell said that she didn’t expect the number of people who would ask her personal questions or make comments, especially when her kids were babies. “I have had people ask to take pictures of the boys, ask me personal questions about how they were conceived and ask just generally ridiculous questions like, ‘Which one is the girl?’”

So, how did she deal with these strangers’ comments? “I try to take these comments with a grain of salt because I know twins are interesting genetically,” Russell said. “But I would love to encourage readers to think about their comments before making them. One of the most popular comments all twin moms hear is, ‘Double Trouble.’ The boys are my children, and while they can be a handful, I’d never consider them ‘trouble.’ I hate when people say this and the boys hear it, and I always try to quickly correct the word ‘trouble’ to ‘blessing.’”

Expert advice

The experience of raising twins is like no other. While magical and exciting, it can also be exhausting and not for the faint of heart. Advice from parents who have been there and done that is certainly reassuring that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Linda Davidson, mom of now 4-year-old fraternal twins, recommended that parents of twins accept all the help they can get. “Don’t feel awkward when someone offers help — they’re not offering because they feel obligated to, they’re offering because they want to. Get sleep!”

Lisa Sanchez, whose fraternal twin boys are now 5 years old, advises to parent with humor. “If there are days when you are in your pajamas all day, haven't showered or cleaned and all you literally have done is change, feed, change, feed those babies — it is OK! I promise.”

Although two babies can be overwhelming, it’s important that you give yourself a break from time to time. “You can’t do everything for both babies at the same time, and sometimes a baby will have to lie there and cry for a bit before you can get to them, because you’re doing something for the other baby,” said Russell.

Kim Snell, mom to two sets of twins said to “Keep a ‘twin diary’ once you bring them home to keep track of feedings, diaper changes, medicine administered, etc. You’ll be exhausted and may have a hard time remembering these things off of the top of your head when your pediatrician asks questions.”

One in 30 babies born in the United States is a twin. Whether fraternal, identical, boy/girl, girl/girl or boy/boy, they bring something special to a family. If you are lucky enough to have a set or two in your family, celebrate their differences, and enjoy their similarities. ✽

piper & phoebe Piper and Phoebe Sawyer, 8-year-old identical twins, are so identical, that their very own 11-year-old sister still can’t tell them apart. According to mom Sarah, “She calls them ‘This Twin’ and ‘That Twin.’” The girls even sleep in the same position at night and can sense each other’s anxieties.

joey & ray Fraternal twins 6-year-old Ray and Joey Sanchez’s mom notes that “my boys play beautifully together. When reading, watching TV, playing with toys or games, either feet are intertwined or they sit so close they are practically on each others laps.”

miles & sophie Miles and Sophie, fraternal 4-year-old twins, are always protective of each other, and according to their mom, “tend to stick together and dislike being apart. When they are apart and see each other, they get so excited to see one another again. They love hugging.�

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two of a kind

Brothers John and Michael Trimble, University of Florida graduates and businessmen who happen to be identical twin brothers, co-workers and friends, share with us insights on growing up together, valuable advice for new parents of twins and how they wouldn’t change it for the world! photos by sincerely gone photography

What advice would you give moms and dads who are raising twins today? Would you encourage them to dress them alike? Keep them in the same classroom? Enroll in the same activities?

JOHN: I would encourage them to do everything they reasonably can to encourage collaboration, not competition. No matter what you think as parents, or they think as kids, if twins are doing the same activity growing up, everyone around them is constantly going to be comparing

them and encouraging them to compete with one another. If the twins are playing the same sport or doing the same activities, it puts a lot of pressure on them to want to beat their twin, rather than support them. Some twins I’ve met haven’t had any such issues growing up, but it was too much for Michael and I while we were young. I would encourage giving twins as many possible opportunities to separate and have their own, individual activities, rather than forcing them to

be together. Let being together and doing the same things be their choice, and they’ll get along. If you force it, many will find the competitive pressure too much and fight with their twin. Hopefully they’ll each find their own activity so they can have separate lives within its scope. That way they can fully support the other in that sport/activity without the rest of society wondering why they’re worse than their twin at it.

Michael: I agree with John. Everything about raising children is unique to each child, so if they’re strong willed like John and I, then parents should enable both kids

to develop separate friends or interests and make sharing a choice, rather than trying to force sharing everything upon them. For activities, both kids should be given the chance to try out a little bit of everything to determine what they like and to see if they choose separate interests. If they choose the same activities, then it’s important to make sure they try to work together instead of becoming overly competitive with each other. As for dressing, I would let the children decide if they want to share clothes or diverge styles. Also, keeping things basic (T-shirt and jeans, etc.) makes sharing clothes much easier. Unique outfits

will stand out in memories and remind both the twins and people around them that they’re sharing clothes much more than both of them wearing simple T-shirts will.

Who is older?

J: Michael is seven minutes older.

What tips/tricks did your mom do to tell you apart? Did you have a “color”?

J: No color, she just has an amazing eye and memory for faces so she never had any difficulty ... unless she was distracted, then it was 50/50.

M: She also had some help from time to time.

John’s legs were bruised purple for the first few months after we were born, and I lost one of my front teeth as a toddler.

How are you alike? How are you different?

How do your friends or people who just met you tell you apart? Any tricks?

J: Most people don’t even think we’re identical at this point when they first meet us, in large part because Michael wears glasses a lot of the time and I don’t. Other than the glasses, Michael has a slight scar above his left eye from a basketball game that’s a pretty easy starting point. Very few people have any difficulty after seeing us side-by-side for the first time. Personality wise we’re very similar.

We have the same interests and think the same way, so while there’s no “twin telepathy,” I usually know what Michael is thinking, because it’s the same thing I’m thinking.

The biggest difference in our lives is my commitment and passion to water polo, which Michael never played.

M: The glasses are really the key now for helping people who just met us (it will get rough again if I ever get Lasik or go back to contacts). For people that have known us for a while, they typically say our faces just look different and that our voices sound different, too. However, I haven’t heard any simple summaries of our differences, just that they can tell the difference. Personality wise we’ve always been very similar. We’re both quite competitive and stubborn, which is why we fought so much growing up. We also have the same tastes to the point where we share the same Netflix profile, Spotify playlists and book collection. We really only have two big differences right now, which is John’s interest in water polo and that John is currently single and I’m not. If it wasn’t for those differences, I don’t know if we would ever end up splitting up or having different schedules.

Can you give us a glimpse inside growing up as an identical twin? What did your mom/ dad do to make each one of you feel special in your own individual way?

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J: On a daily basis they treated us like we were brothers, so they just made sure to treat us as individuals, just like they treated our older sister. A big thing that helped was that they always made sure to get two of everything and didn’t force us to share solely because we were twins. That means for birthday presents, Christmas gifts, etc. we got just as much individually as our sister did. We liked sharing things growing up, but always resented it if we were forced to solely because we’re twins. That way if we shared something it was by our choice, not forced upon us. We took great advantage of this, pooling our combined resources to buy things, or asking for gifts too big and expensive for one of us to get individually. In the business world they call that synergy.

Growing up as an identical twin felt normal, because it’s the only way I’ve ever lived.

The biggest challenge was finding a way to create separation and make people think of me as a unique person, rather than “one of the Trimble twins.” Michael and I fought several times a day, every single day, until we went to separate high schools. Because our personalities are so similar, we always wanted to do the same things and naturally had the same friends, so there was really nothing significant differentiating us. Going to separate high schools we had different classes, schedules, teachers, friends and even activities since Michael’s high school didn’t have water polo. Once we got that separation we started to get along very well, and still do today.

M: Our parents really did a good job of trying to treat us as separate individuals.

However, we never really had a compelling reason to cooperate instead of fight. I view it a little bit like the Weasley twins from “Harry Potter” who constantly create havoc for their other brothers, but rarely for their sister. If they didn’t have any other brothers to annoy, they may have ended up resorting to annoying and fighting each other, like we did. We have an older sister, but she never put up with our fighting, so we only had each other to fight. If we had other brothers, then we may have embraced being twins and united against common enemies.

You both went to the same college, got the same degree and now work for the same company. Share that experience. Was that planned or did it just happen naturally that way?

J: It happened naturally. Michael and I think alike and have very similar personalities so we wound up having the same interests in college. We get along so neither of us had the burning desire to do something different (and less interesting) solely because the other

one was doing it. It’s kind of like getting a haircut for us; we’re identical and have the same fashion style (or lack thereof) so one haircut is going to clearly be the best one for each of us. Just because Michael got his haircut like that doesn’t mean that I want to get one that looks worse, just to be different.

We didn’t plan on studying together or working together, we each just independently wanted to do the same thing. While we were each getting our MSRE at UF, Celebration Pointe sent out an email to the entire MSRE program asking for students to apply for an internship. They were planning on hiring one person. Michael and I each wanted the job so we each applied separately. By the end of Michael’s interview (I went first) they decided they wanted both of us and hired two interns. That transitioned into a full-time offer for each of us after graduating.

M: We both acted in our own self-interest and that happened to land us both in the same company. If we went to school in a bigger city, there may have been more internships available while in school (rather than just the one) and we might not have ended up at the same company. However, we work great together, so I’m grateful for how it worked out.

What was the best/hardest thing growing up as an identical twin?

J: The best part was always having someone backing me up that I knew would team up with me. It’s an immense comfort to know that there’s someone you can have absolute trust in, that will immediately be on the same page as you (twin telepathy?) and take your side in anything. In any kind of conflict (argument, debate, fight, etc.) I immediately knew I had Michael on my side with no need to convince him or bring him up to speed because he would come to the same conclusion I did. The hardest part is the consequence of the best part, which was the difficulty in finding a way to define myself as a separate individual. Once I had that separation with water polo and a different school, I appreciated the benefits even more.

It’s pretty similar to how many people wish that they had more time in the day, or another version of themselves to help them get everything done, although not quite to that extent. Anything that we both need, Michael and I will take turns doing it individually to save the other one time from having to repeat the same thing. It saves a very significant amount of time and mental effort, especially on mundane tasks like getting groceries and paying the utility bill.

M: The constant struggle to escape from what feels like the other one’s shadow was frustrating growing up. I didn’t realize

Two By Two Do twins really share everything? We asked John and Michael some of their favorites to see how their answers stacked up.

JOHN

MICHAEL

Favorite food Tacos

Cheese (preferably on a taco!)

Favorite movie "Gladiator"

"Gladiator"

Favorite color Orange and blue.

The colors of UF and Gator Water Polo, my youth team in Gainesville.

Blue? I really don’t have strong opinions on colors.

starbucks order Cold brew, just black, no cream or sugar

Cold brew, just black, no cream or sugar

favorite book “The Name of the Wind”

“The Name of the Wind”

cats or dogs?

DOGS!

DOGS!

favorite pizza topping Hawaiian

Hawaiian

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Above: Michael on the left, John on the right at their graduation from the University of Florida.

Left, from top: John was a breech baby and had purple legs from bruises until he was 4 months old; that's how their parents told them apart. 2) At 2 years old, the brothers insisted that they take a picture together at the Montessori School. John is on the left, Michael on the right. 3) Playing together in the pool while living in Tequesta, Florida. John is on the left, Michael on the right. 4) With older (by four years) sister, Walls, at

her graduation from Northwestern in 2012. John is in the middle and Michael is on the right.

until looking back later that I wasn’t in the shadow of John or vice versa, but that we were both comparing ourselves to our combined achievements. It was impossible to surmount when anything I achieved to try to escape just added to the idea of the Trimble twins. If I did well on a test and thought that might differentiate me, it simultaneously added to the idea that the Trimble twins were smart and made it harder to differentiate myself by getting good grades. It really was hard to differentiate when we had the same strengths. The best part is definitely what John described in always having backup.

It’s a bit like a married couple in that you always have at least one person on your team and you can share the burden of dayto-day activities, which gives us both a lot more free time every day after work than we otherwise might have. Plus it saves us a lot of money when we’re able to share the costs of subscriptions and only pay for one account.

J: We always refused to when we were younger, and it wasn’t very feasible once we were older. When we were younger it came down to the identity issues I’ve mentioned, and once we were old enough to warm up to the idea, we looked too different to make it practical. Going to different high schools also made it much more difficult.

M: In addition to those identity issues, we constantly confused people without trying, so to us there didn’t seem to be a lot to gain from all the effort of switching. People

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Do you foresee yourselves living in the same town forever? Has anyone wanted to venture out on his own?

J: There’s no mutual decision or need keeping us together, so it’s possible we’ll spread apart geographically in the future.

So far staying in Gainesville and going to UF was the best decision for each of us individually, which is how we’re together now. Down the road long-term though I see us staying together because ultimately we want to start our own real estate development company together. I could see us separating though at some point in the meantime because we likely won’t be founders together for many more years.

M: We could also end up splitting up for business reasons at some point, even if we were working together. Most managers constantly wish they could be in two places at once to be more hands on, but can’t delegate some of the work as they can’t guarantee that person will make the same snap decisions. We’re so similar and essentially always reach the same conclusions, so we could split up and effectively act together as one person making the final decisions while still managing to be in two places at once. So if we ever wanted to work in the field while still staying at the office, we could pull it off. ✽

Personal photos courtesy of the Trimble family.

Did you ever switch places while you were younger? Older? Share!

always ask if we would switch places for exams if one of us was better in one subject.

We were so similar in every subject that we never had to because our grades were already identical.

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They Lived to Tell the Tale...

Twin Moms Share Their Secrets By nicole irving

Yes, you saw that right! There are two babies in your growing belly, and there is no turning back!

So, after the initial shock and excitement wears off and the reality of bringing two bundles of joy home starts to sink in, you start searching the web and libraries for anything and everything you can get your hands on about having twins!

Well, search no further! Those with first-hand experience, moms with twins, share their wisdom and what they have learned during their great journey with twins! So, sit back, prop those feet up and take it all in; you got this!

Singleton: Your “single” child that came before or after a set of twins.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Process of fertilization done by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish, and then transferring the embryo to the uterus.

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): The practice of placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to increase the chances of the sperm reaching the fallopian tubes.

Mama Must-Haves • A great (double) stroller system • Newborn baby loungers • Baby swing • Ergobaby infant carriers • Rock 'n Play sleepers • Bouncy seats • ExerSaucer • Nursing pillow • Two Boppy pillows

Baby A, Baby B: The terminology/labeling used by the doctors to tell which twin is lower in the uterus. Baby A is alway the presenting baby (the one closest to the cervix) and the other one is Baby B. Perinatologist: An obstetrician who has special training in managing patients with high-risk pregnancies or complications during pregnancy.

Fraternal vs. Identical What's the real difference?

Fraternal twins are twins who developed from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm cells, while identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg that split, meaning they have the same DNA. While fraternal twins generally look as similar to each other as any other siblings, identical twins tend to look extremely similar. However, this can vary due to environmental factors.

The TwinZ Pillow is a twin mommy lifesaver! Perfect for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, tummy time and support! $99, Twinznursingpillow.com

Best advice for other twin mommies:

What has been the best thing about having twins?

“Get them on schedule right away. Feed one, feed both!”

“Having a best friend for your kid from the start. Leaving daycare and school is easier because they have each other.”

“Prepare for a NICU stay [and] tons of monitoring during your pregnancy.”

“Having a few ‘stations’ around the house of swing(s), bouncer(s), Bumbo(s), etc. helps manage two babies at once.”

“Seeing them play with and smile at each other!”

“They will have a lifetime bond.”

“Twice the snuggles, [and] twice the hugs and kisses.”

*A special thank you to the members of the Gainesville Twins Club for sharing their knowledge. The Gainesville Twins Club is a Facebook only private group for moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers of multiples in the Gainesville Area. For more information on their activities and events or if you need some support, find their private Facebook group.

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Product photo courtesy of manufacturer. Photo of brothers by Verve Studio.

Brothers Hudson and Holden are an example of fraternal twins.

Tandem Feeding: The logistics of nursing two babies at the same time. Talk to your lactation consultant for help.

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forks & spoons

Mouthwatering

Meatloaf

by NICOLE IRVING

Makes 6-8 servings.

A staple in our house, meatloaf can go a long way, especially during the school year. Served with mashed potatoes and veggies, this proteinpacked dinner tastes even better the next day as leftovers or even in a sandwich. Plan ahead by making two and freezing one for a busy night.

MEATLOAF: • 1 pound lean ground beef • 1 pound ground chuck • 6 baby carrots, shredded • 2 pieces white bread, lightly dampened • 2 eggs • 3 tablespoons ketchup • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • Onion powder, to taste • Salt and ground pepper, to taste

Heat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Use hands to fold in all the ingredients until they are all combined and the mixture is uniform throughout.

Place the mixture on a non-greased baking sheet and mold into a large loaf.

Depending on the thickness and length of your loaf, you may need to adjust your cooking time.

Place in middle of oven, and bake for 35–40 minutes.

Serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie!

Check to see if it is done by cutting into the middle of loaf. If you would like it more done, cook a bit longer.

E njoy!

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PHOTO BY NICOLE IRVING

Add ketchup to the top, as much or as little as you would like, for added flavor.

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forks & spoons

n e h c t i K s t e g d Ga

HELPFUL

u slice, to help yo re e th t u o ection. ls many too way to culinary perf our o s re a re The your me of and serve low to bring you so ate your dice, prep d n u cre hed high a ill help yo w t a th ts We searc e chen gadg favorite kit terpieces! s a m ime rt e n in d n ow

E

BY NICOL

1

IRVING

Chilly Ice Cream Scoop & Basin

This duo will keep your counters clean and your scoop ready to go for an all day ice cream party! $14.99, Zak.com

2

3

“The Happy Everything Cookbook”

Creative cooking is only a recipe away.

With bright photos and yummy dishes inside, this cookbook won’t disappoint. $34.95, Coton-colors.com

Zyliss Apple Slicer

Effortlessly core and divide apples into eight uniform slices. $7.99, Amazon.com

4

The Inspiralizer®

Cooking got you in a rut? Break out of your comfort zone and try some new and fun dishes with The Inspiralizer®. $49.95, Inspiralizedshop.com

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5

Stirrers, Spreaders & Scrubbers

Made for mixing, these spoons and stirrers will have your dishes whipped up in no time. Beechwood Spoon, $3.99; Olivewood Spoon, $9.99; StirStick, $8.99; Mushroom Brush, $3.99. Kitchen & Spice and other things nice

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meeme Measuring Spoons

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Threshold Dip Bowls

Your dips never looked so cute in these single serving ceramic bowls. $3.99 each, Target

With their square shape and bright colors, these measuring spoons make baking a breeze! $7.99, Zak.com

6

Six Cup Classic CHEMEXÂŽ

Spice up your morning coffee routine with this gorgeous pour over. With a delicious coffee and an amazing counter top presence, you can’t go wrong! $43.50, Chemexcoffeemaker.com

9

Florida Cutting Board

Right in time for football season, this Florida cutting and serving board is perfect for fall parties. $27.99, Kitchen & Spice and other things nice

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forks & spoons

Breakfast for Champs

BY TARYN TACHER

Are your little ones fussy in the morning? Do you struggle getting them to chow down on the wonderfully healthy and satisfying omelet you spent the last 10 minutes flipping to perfection? Do their eyes widen the second they catch a glimpse of frozen waffles, toaster pastries and sugary cereals featuring their favorite cartoon characters on the box?

Heart-Shaped Toast Your kids will feel the love with this morning meal. Use a cookie cutter to create heart-shaped whole grain bread before toasting it. Slather with peanut butter for a protein punch and banana slices for some potassium.

Don't let their affinity for calorie-packed, teeth-rotting breakfast items frustrate you.

There is a compromise — healthy and delicious breakfast options do exist, and it’s important to introduce them to your children. Children should eat a wellbalanced breakfast to jumpstart their day.

That means their morning meal should consist of a combination of food groups — protein, whole grains and fruits or vegetables.

Instead, when your children come running into the kitchen tomorrow morning, surprise them with a meal that will leave their tummies full, their smiles bright and their bodies happy. You may even be left with some clean plates after one of these nutritious and tasty breakfast treats.

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Your athletic children will eat this up — literally. Toast an English muffin, and pile cheesy scrambled eggs on one half for a calcium-enriched and protein-packed plate. Leave the sandwich open-faced, and use ketchup to make the other side of the English muffin resemble your child's favorite sports ball. (Note: This works especially well if your child likes baseball because the ketchup resembles the red stitching on the ball.) Don’t forget to add a side of your child’s favorite fruit, or maybe even try mixing some vegetables into the eggs.

Smiley Face Pancakes You can simply use a boxed mix, or you can get a little fancy with some homemade protein powder pancakes. Your kids won't even know these fluffy cakes are packed with essential nutrients to keep them strong and healthy. Jazz them up with a smiley face complete with blackberry eyes, a blueberry nose, raspberry smile and some strawberry slices for hair.

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved

Steer them away from the sugar overload that is all colorful, kid-enticing cereals.

Turn the corner in the supermarket before their little hands reach out from the shopping cart to snag a box of toaster pastries or breakfast bars. Stay far, far away from gooey glazed doughnuts and sugar-encrusted muffins. Say no to processed meats like bacon and sausage.

These food items, while delicious, are infested with unnecessary fats, complex carbohydrates and an overindulgent amount of sugar.

All-Star Breakfast Sandwich

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dealing with

by taryn tacher

Do you remember hiding in the bathroom stall at school when you were 13 because the popular girl in class told the boy you were crushing on about the hearts you drew all over your notebook with his name strewn across them? What about the time you came home from school in 10th grade — tears welled up in your eyes, cheeks flushed and your generic brand mascara cascading from your lashes — because high school’s queen bee embarrassed you in front of all of your friends?

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W

e have all fallen victim to mean girls when we were growing up. It was one of those rites of passage to the infamous teenaged years that we wished we could avoid — like an awkward first kiss, the dreaded but inevitable braces and acne phase and the negligible girl drama that seemed catastrophic at the time.

Big Screen Mean

It is a tale as old as time — one that has continued on a vicious, rampant cycle long before Regina George concocted a burn book full of outlandish and hurtful lies about her female classmates and declared that “on Wednesdays, we wear pink” in the 2004 aptly titled film, “Mean Girls.”

The movie portrayed the all-too-real story of the new girl at school, trying to navigate the social scene and falling victim to heightened social havoc before becoming just like one of the plastic, pretentious, self-absorbed girls who once tormented her.

“Mean Girls” is a movie we can all identify with — whether we’ve been the new kid or witnessed someone else attempt to integrate into an unfamiliar place during the emotionally challenging teenaged years.

The Ripple Effect

But it is not only teens who are subjected to the cattiness that mean girls exude. The meanness has followed a ripple effect — reaching girls as young as the first grade.

“My daughter has been left out of conversations, groups and activities,” Julie*, a Gainesville mom said. “She was once left at the lunch table to eat by herself because the group got up and walked away from her.”

“A girl my daughter had been good friends with in elementary school turned very toxic when they entered middle school,” Lori*, a Gainesville mom said. “It started with small derogatory comments about my daughter’s appearance, such as her clothes or how she chose to wear her hair, but then it became bigger — with openly belittling her choices to do well in school or to make the ‘goodygoody’ choice.”

And the meanness does not stop there.

If it does not come in the form of visible exclusion, it appears in the piercing smirks, the snarky giggles, the not-so-faintly

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It started with small derogatory comments about my daughter's appearance, such as her clothes or how she chose to wear her hair, but then it became bigger. whispered insults in the hallway and the blatant verbal attacks on a girl’s hairstyle, her T-shirt or her thick-framed glasses.

Ill-intentioned girls can make even the cutest of quirks seem like formidable misfortunes.

Where It Starts

So where does this seemingly arbitrary meanness stem from? What makes some girls believe they have the power or the right to dictate where their peers sit at lunch, what they wear to school or whom they socialize

with? Why do some girls feel superior to others — entitled to prime seating, to compliments, to a posse of so-called friends who follow them around mimicking their every head tilt and hair flip?

Jealousy must be the culprit — insecurities, too. Girls put other girls down to make themselves feel better — to justify their own flaws. Because your love handles won’t seem as overbearing if everyone is focusing on another girl’s freckled cheeks, right? And your frizzy hair won’t be made fun of if everyone

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| AUG/SEPT 2016

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is too busy thinking up penetrating jabs about another girl’s zit. But this seesaw theory is not the answer.

“In a world where we constantly compare ourselves to others, girls have it hard starting at a very young age,” Lori said.

“Girls are very impressionable and are constantly bombarded with images of how they should look, act and feel.”

It is daunting for anyone to feel constrained by so-called social norms. Add peer pressure and the desire to fit in to the equation, and you have a volatile situation that can send young girls downward spiraling into a whirlwind of skewed perceptions of self worth and what it means to be beautiful.

Talk About It

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, only 15 percent of girls who witness bullying choose to speak up. This is usually because the girls are worried that by drawing attention to the situation, the bully will turn on them.

It is important for parents to instill confidence, individuality and self-esteem

into the minds and hearts of their malleable children to ensure that they do not fall victim to mean girls — or become mean girls themselves.

In an era where social media dominates young lives, there are even more outlets for mean girls to target others. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, young girls are more likely to experience cyber bullying, with 40.6 percent of female respondents saying that they had been bullied as opposed to 28.8 percent of male respondents.

While the anonymity factor gives girls the freedom to be their truest selves, it also fosters an environment for mean girls to speak candidly from behind a computer screen. Cyber bullying has become a popular method for mean girls to unleash their cruelest thoughts and diminish the confidence of their peers. And because cyberspace can be difficult to monitor, it can be a challenge to hold mean girls accountable for failing to recognize the splendor of our dissimilarities.

“The basic ideas that we are different and valuable in our own way and that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses are

extremely important,” Lori said. “When children feel that they are valuable and have something to contribute, it helps to combat low self-esteem, and that makes it easier for them to stand up to meanness.”

And who better to insist upon their greatness than you — their parents, their most influential role models and biggest cheerleaders? Who better to point out their strongest character traits, their beauty and their natural talents than the people they trust and value more than anyone else?

The cycle of meanness can break with a little help from you. By raising girls who embrace their assets and are mindful of their shortcomings, you can infiltrate the world with tolerant young women — ones who are not afraid to stand up for themselves and what they believe in. And while they may recognize the deficiencies in others, they won’t dare use those against them.

So here’s to hoping no girl has to approach a lunch table of seemingly nice girls only to be told, “you can’t sit with us.” ✽ *Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Only 15 percent of girls who witness bullying choose to speak up.

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61

health Staying Healthy in the Classroom and at Home

BY DANIELLE PASTULA

With kids heading back to classrooms in just a few short weeks, we’re saying goodbye to summer and hello to backto-school challenges like returning to a consistent schedule and developing a homework routine.

Unfortunately, back to school also means the return of common classroom ailments.

All it takes is one sick friend or classmate, and before you know it your little one is down for the count.

In an effort to have a healthier school year and solid attendance, familiarize yourself with the common classroom ailments to keep an eye out for and learn how to prevent them.

cold

As soon as the sniffles, sore throat and stuffy head hit, you know what you’re in for. Lasting an average of two weeks, the common cold can be caused by a variety of viruses and will present with an array of symptoms, the majority of which can be self-diagnosed and treated.

You guessed it, frequent hand washing.

It’s the best way to keep the germs at bay.

For times your child isn’t near a bathroom, get her a hand sanitizer attachment for her backpack so she can keep clean on the go.

Also, not touching her hands to her face will help prevent the spread of germs.

If your child is experiencing severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or persistent coughing or sneezing, keep her at home. Once she has gotten treatment from a doctor or her symptoms have improved considerably, she can return to class.

Stomach flu

Stomach flu isn’t technically the flu. It’s a name we use to cover a variety of viruses that bring on nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and potentially a fever. With some good rest, healthy food and hydration, kids can usually kick the stomach flu anywhere from one to three days.

Classic hand washing is the best method for preventing a stomach bug, but if someone in your family has it, make sure to frequently wash and disinfect surfaces of your home to keep it from spreading.

Stay home. Not only could he spread his bug to other classmates, but also he’ll most likely be very uncomfortable at school.

Pink eye

Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye, is the most common ailment for school children of all ages. Pink eye can cause a variety of symptoms including redness of the eye or inner eyelid, increased tear production and yellow discharge that crusts over the affected eye.

In addition to frequent hand washing, tell your kids not to touch their eyes when they’re out and about and to not share eye makeup with friends.

It depends. Pink eye can be caused by bacteria, a virus or allergies. If your child’s pink eye is bacterial, she can return to school after being on antibiotic drops for 24 hours. If it’s viral pink eye, you’ll need to keep your child at home until it clears up, as there is currently no treatment.

Strep throat

stay home or send to school?

Strep throat is brought on by streptococcus bacteria and causes the throat and tonsils to become inflamed and irritated. Strep is highly contagious and can be spread through airborne droplets via coughs or sneezes and through shared food or drinks.

Frequent hand washing is critical for prevention of strep throat. Your child should also avoid sharing his food, drinks and utensils.

Keep your kiddo at home until he has been on an antibiotic for one to three days and does not have a fever.

The most common sign of head lice is your child scratching her scalp, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six weeks can pass before symptoms begin to show.

Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to head lice infestation warnings from your child’s school to nix it quick.

Since the most common cause of head lice is sharing personal items such as hats, brushes and hair ties or clips, the best method of prevention is to avoid all contact with personal items. Also, have your child keep her belongings at her desk and not in a common rack room or shared lockers.

Children can continue with school upon starting treatment, but it's a good idea to check with your school ahead of time. ✽

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In all cases of feeling icky, check your school's sickness policy and always consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

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How to prevent it

Lice

Illness

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health

Glowing Skin:

Developing a Healthy Skin Care Routine for Teens

by MIRANDA WHITMER, M.D.

The teenage years are the perfect time to encourage your child to adopt a healthy skin care routine. Good habits established early on can lead to a lifetime of glowing skin. The most important things to remember about teenage skin are to not to wait too long to start acne treatments, to visit your dermatologist to set your teenager up for success for the next school year and to help your child follow these steps to become an expert in teen skin care.

Face washing Just as we brush our teeth twice a day, we should also be washing our faces twice a day. Teach your teen to cleanse his skin with a gentle cleanser, such as EltaMD® Facial Cleanser with orange essence. Over-washing can make acne worse. Using a Clarisonic facial brush can be the perfect way to ensure that your teenager isn’t scrubbing too hard, and the ultrasonic cleansing gently removes dirt, oil and makeup from deep inside pores for the best clean ever. A visit with an aesthetician can be helpful to find quality skin care products and teach your teen how to properly cleanse his skin.

No picking Teach your teen a hands-off policy. Picking at or "popping" pimples can force infected material deeper into the skin, creating a more severe lesion that ultimately leads to scarring.

Acne Mild acne can be treated with medicated cleansers or topical medications that may include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics and vitamin A products such as tretinoin. Moderate or severe acne treatments may also include medications by mouth including antibiotics or isotretinoin. All acne products can result in over-drying of the skin, so an oil-free moisturizing lotion can help to decrease The teenage years are also the ideal time to instill sun irritation that could lead to your teen skipping her acne medications. Close safety habits to last a lifetime. Encourage your teen to follow-up with your dermatologist and an apply sunscreen every day, and choose a sunscreen aesthetician familiar with treating acne can intended to be used on acne prone skin such as be very helpful to cement those good skin EltaMD® UV Clear. care techniques in your teen. If your teen has multiple clogged pores, an aesthetician It’s never too early to teach your teenager about good can remove these lesions with extractions skin care. Get a head start on glowing skin by following or a deep cleansing procedure. ✽

Cover up!

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© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

these guidelines, and see your dermatologist for expert advice.

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health

Get Glossy!

A lady can never have too many tubes of liquid perfection in her bag! Lip gloss can add the right amount of color, sheen and sparkle for any occasion. Layer glosses for a high glamour look or keep it simple with nude and sheer shades. Whether moisturizing, plumping, longwearing or super shiny, your lip gloss collection can always use a new addition!

BY NICOLE IRVING

❶

1) L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss The perfect bold color, this high-impact matte gloss won’t dry out for all day comfort.

❷

$9.99, ULTA

2) Clinique Pop Glaze Sheer Lip Colour + Primer Get a pretty pop of bold, see-through color and a smoothing primer all in one coat!

❸

$18, Available at Sephora/Sephora.com, Clinique counters nationwide and Clinique.com

3) Flower Color Proof Long-wear Lip Creme This longwearing lip creme has intense color that wears flawlessly throughout the day. $7.98, Walmart

4) Clinique Pop Lacquer Lip Colour + Primer This bright wash of liquid, high-shine lip color provides a full-coverage coat in a single swipe for up to six hours.

❹

$18, Available at Sephora/Sephora.com, Clinique counters nationwide and Clinique.com

5) Flower HydraSilk Ultimate Lip Butter This nourishing lip pen is full of shine, intense color and hydrating moisture. $7.98, Walmart

❺ ❻

6) NYX Intense Butter Gloss Bursting with color, this gloss goes on silky smooth and keeps your lips soft, not sticky! $5.99, ULTA

❽

Giggle Tip: Toss that gloss after 18 months!

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$17, Clinique counters nationwide and Clinique.com

8) Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm A sugar-smoothing scrub on one side and a sheer, tinted moisturizing balm on the other, this duo comes in six pout-pleasing shades. $19.50, Available at Sephora/Sephora.com and Clinique.com

Photo by Tanya Consaul

❼

7) Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm This super-nourishing balm is loaded with mango and shea butters to keep lips soft and smooth with a hint of color.

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happy home

Creative Crayon Cleanup!

by NICOLE IRVING

Crayons are colorful and a perfect fit for pint-sized hands. They unleash a world of magical wonder for your tots, but let’s face it, cleaning them up after your kiddos break them into pieces, pull off all the paper or take their masterpieces to the walls can bring the monster out of any parent! Have no fear… creative crayon cleanup is here!

how to get crayon off your walls • Magic Eraser • Baking soda • Goo Gone • Windex • WD-40

ggle Tip: Gi

*Always do a small test spot before working on the whole wall.

Broken crayons?

No tears needed!

Fixing broken crayons is super easy and a great project to do with your little ones.

As the crayons break (or get snapped by tiny hands), collect them in a Ziploc bag.

After all the wrappers are off, break the crayons into tiny pieces, and have your kiddos place them in heart-shaped silicone trays (make sure the molds are oven proof!) They can get as creative as they want in terms of mixing and matching colors!

Place in 300 F preheated oven, and bake for 16 minutes.

Creative cleanup and storage • Baby wipes container • Old tissue box • Plastic mayo jars • Crayon Storage Block Set of two, $18 Etsy.com/shop/inspiredlifemoments

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Be sure to take the trays out carefully, as the crayons will be liquid.

Let them cool down on the counter for 25 minutes, and then carefully pop out your new heart-shaped crayons.

Place them in a bag, and send the crayons to school for Valentine’s Day gifts or use them for party favors. ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved. Crayons and holder photos by Giggle Magazine.

Once the bag is full, have your children sit at the table and tear off all the little paper wrappings. This is tedious, but necessary, and it will keep them busy for hours.

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giggle stamp

P.F. Candle Co. No.10: Sweet Grapefruit Soy Candle Handmade in California, this 100 percent soy wax candle will set you on the path to total relaxation. With its soft amber glass jar and sweet grapefruit scent with hints of peach, this candle is certainly refreshing.

Burns 40–50 hours. $18, Pfcandleco.com.

by nicole irving

There is nothing more calming than lighting a candle after a long day and enjoying its twinkling glow and soft fragrance filling the air.

Huge on the candle scene today, soy candles are made from natural sources and full of aromatherapy delights, making them a must-have for urban homes!

did know?

The U.S. grows the vast majority of the world's soy beans, primarily in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. (candlescience.com)

Red Velvet Cupcake SoyBlend Large Jar Candle Sweet red velvet cake never smelled so good! With 50 hours of burn time, this candle will make your house smell like the neighborhood bakery! $10, Target

Why Choose Soy? 1.

Soy candles are made from soybeans, a natural and renewable source.

$12.99, Target

2.

They burn longer and cleaner than paraffin wax candles, releasing little to no soot in the air.

3.

Soy is nontoxic, so when they are burning, they are not releasing any chemicals into the air.

Burt's Bees Soy Wax Melts With a creamy toasted almond scent and a hint of vanilla, these soy wax melts will have your room feeling cozy in no time. $4.99, Target

4.

Soy candles last longer than paraffin because they have a lower melting point.

5.

Soy candles smell stronger than other candles.

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Madison Avenue Mason Jar Soy Candle This petite 100 percent soy vanilla lavender candle will bring you back to summer breezes and cool nights with 60 hours of burn time. $12.50, Maddisonavenue.com

Š 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

SOHO Brights Hobnail Glass Candle Perfect for any room with its cobalt blue jar, this soy candle has 80 hours of burn time and a fresh zesty lemon aroma!

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happy home

Find Your Way to Crafting with Maps!

by NICOLE IRVING

Maps — you know, those things with the states, oceans and cities on it that can help us navigate to the biggest ball of twine (located in Minnesota, in case you were wondering) — have almost become extinct. With the explosion of Siri, TomTom and other navigation gadgets galore, you might find yourself with a plentiful supply of unneeded paper maps in your glove compartment. But, alas, here are some crafty ways to turn those great pieces of street into artwork.

#1 HOME SWEET HOME ART Nothing shows love to your home state more than a framed art piece in the shape of said state made out of an old map of the area.

On an 8.5 x 11 piece of heavy cardstock, print out the outline of your state; this will be your template. Cut it out, and then use it to trace out your state on the map with a pencil. Cut out your state, and then place a heart in the approximate place you currently reside or are originally from. Frame and put your new decoration on a wall near your front door.

#2 Wrap it and Stuff it!

Use old maps to wrap birthday or holiday presents. If you have a shredder at your house, carefully shred old maps, and use shredded bits as gift bag/box stuffing.

If you have had children in different states, personalize a craft or wood letter with maps from the state they were born in and hang on their respective doors.

This will bring back memories of their birth each time you walk in kiss them goodnight.

Map Tacks You will need: • Old map • Floral glass beads, clear • Mod Podge • Flat thumbtacks • Glue gun Cut the map into circles that fit the flat side of the glass bead. Mod podge it on the glass bead so the MAP side is facing the flat side, and let dry. Use the glue gun to attach the flat side of the thumbtack to the bead. Once dry, you will have uniquely decorated tacks to use in future projects! (This project works best with thinner maps.)

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© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved. Tacks photo by Giggle Magazine.

#3 Map ID

#4

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happy home ●

Slip the wrench for the garbage disposal into a snack-size baggie, with a note telling you what this wrench is for. Move the baggie into a drawer near the sink.

●

Sharpen the pencils and put them into the coffee mug that holds your kitchen pens or store them with office supplies.

● Put the restaurant menus into a magazine file, along with other fliers or loose recipes that you use often.

A s k He l en

Queries from the Curious by helen kornblum

The contents of our kitchen junk drawer are slowly creeping into another drawer, and I can’t afford the space for all the stuff that’s piling up. I don’t know what to do with the junk when I clean it out, so I end up just tossing everything back in. Any advice?

Many of these items are useful in the kitchen, but let’s apply some categorizing muscle to figure out how to store them.

●

Start with the loose coins. Those pennies, dimes and quarters need a home — a jar, a little bank, or a small decorative bowl that sits at the front of a cabinet or on an accessible shelf.

●

Where in your house do batteries want to live? If you have a lot of them, set up a clear plastic shoebox or an appropriately sized container to keep them together, perhaps on a pantry shelf.

●

Are you planning to use the photos for a project or send them to someone? If so, put the photos wherever you will start the project or process mail.

A ball of string might need to sit beside the organizer if the drawer is wide enough, or it may need to live in the pantry with another category, such as tapes (duct, masking, or painter’s). Label the contents of all the “homes” you create for your possessions.

You’re not a helpless victim in the face of junk drawer syndrome. Once you decide what and where you want to keep the various items carelessly tossed into the drawer, you’re in control of the space. Get your family on board with the guidelines for your newly created variety store. ✽

Buy a shallow kitchen drawer organizer to hold the items that you want to keep in the kitchen.

Try this one from Better Homes and Gardens! Bamboo Expandable Cutlery Tray, $9.92, Walmart.com

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

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© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Everyone has a disorganized kitchen drawer, but you may be going for a record by having two! Let me guess as to the flotsam and jetsam floating around in there: batteries, rubber bands, string, twist ties, photos, menus from local call-in restaurants, 89 cents in change, an empty DVD case, matches, old screws, three plastic forks, the wrench that came with the garbage disposal, two unmarked keys, push pins, extra key rings, a roll of tape, pencils that need to be sharpened and some wrapped straws.

It helps to stop using the word “junk.”

You can toss the trash, such as the dead batteries, and set aside things that you don’t need but might be useful to someone else, such as those extra key rings. Think of the rest as inventory for your personal variety store. Now you can focus on the best storage for them.

Now it’s tool time. Buy a kitchen drawer organizer that has two shallow levels to hold the items that you want to keep in the kitchen. Their indented spaces will hold the matches, rubber bands, pushpins and whatever other categories fit the spaces.

Style.

ORGANIZE WITH

YOUR HOME. YOUR STYLE. YOUR CUSTOM CLOSET! (352) 318-0818 AMANDA@ADIVINECLOSET.COM ADIVINECLOSET.COM Amanda Carreon, Owner of A Divine Closet

VISIT ME ON HOUZZ.COM

VISIT ME ON FACEBOOK

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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It ' s Time For

Back

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to

Class!

It’s that time again!

The 2016-2017 school year is upon us, and what’s not to love? Back to a routine, back to friends and back to all the fun! To share in the excitement, our back-toschool section is filled with new and bright products, information about what’s new this year and a special feature on some amazing people. Happy schooling!

PHOTOS BY PATRICIA BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHY gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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GOTTA HAVE IT

They'll be begging to go back to school once they get their hands on these fun and stylish back to school must-haves!

2

1

3 5

4

6 7

8

9

 Dabbawalla Monster Geek Lunch Bag, $30, Dabbawallabags.com.  Guitar Case Lunch Box, $21.99, Foodiggityshop.com.  Ghost Pop Pencil Pouch, $35.95, Mochithings.com.  Beatrix JuJu the Ladybug Water Bottle, $22.50, Beatrixny.com.  MinneBites Bling Shark Pencil Case, $44, Etsy.com/ shop/minnebites.  Dabbawalla Space Rocket Backpack, $42, Dabbawallabags.com.  Geometric Three-Ring Binder, $5.99, Target.  French Bull Kids Backpack, $19.99, Target.  Dabbawalla Strawberry Lunch Bag, $30, Dabbawallabags.com

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ECOlunchboxÂŽ Three-In-One $26, Ecolunchboxes.com

lunchbox Yummy

fillers!

PB & Apple Rollups - Spread a tortilla with peanut butter and top with apple slices. Roll up for a delicious wrap!

Homemade Trail Mix - Toss dried fruit, nuts, Cheerios, pretzels and butterscotch chips in a container and mix well. Put in plastic baggies for individual portions.

Pizza Quesadillas - Spread pizza sauce on a tortilla and top with cheese and pepperoni. Top with a second tortilla and warm in a nonstick skillet.

Lots of compartments for your favorite midday munchies!

the

c hscra t write otes t o of f n k iddos! your

20 Scratch-off Lunchbox Notes with Mini Drawstring Bag $15, Etsy.com/shop/InklingsPaperie

From sandwiches to snacks and boxes to bottles, make taking their lunch to school cooler than ever this year!

Zak! Star Wars and Captain America Water Bottles $9.99 each, Zak.com

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

bunch Photos by Tanya Consaul

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Breakfast for Lunch - Fresh fruit, silver dollar pancakes and a hardboiled egg make a tasty alternative to sandwiches!

lunch

Snacks & Packs

Booginheads Pack’Ems $6.39 (set of two), Walmart

Lunchbox Fondue - Cut lunchmeat, cheese and veggies into cubes and pack with ranch for dipping. Try it with cake and strawberry puree for dessert!

Yubo Shark Lunch Box $29.95, Getyubo.com

Spritz Gift Tags $5.99, Target

Excellence in Pediatric Eye Care • Full range of eye care services for infants, children and adolescents • Strabismus (crossing or drifting of the eyes) • Sports related eye injuries • Amblyopia or lazy eye • Blocked tear ducts • Ocular allergies • Evaluations of premature babies • Tracking and ocular motility issues • General eye care for kids and adult strabismus

Dr. Nausheen Khuddus, M.D.

Board Certified Fellowship Trained Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Tammy Toskes

Certified Orthoptist

(352) 372-9414 ext. 257

4340 Newberry Road, Suite 301, Gainesville, FL 32607 gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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New Patented Lenses for

G PROBLEMS READING E B E ChromaGen is a new life changing lens technology which is patented, cleared by the FDA, and is now available in the United States for patients suffering from words that move up and down or side to side or blurry most common with Dyslexia.

Call for additional information

The Optical Shop • 352.331.1933 Bill Hogan L.D.O. // ChromaGen Screener 6830 NW 11 Place • Gainesville, FL

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You have undoubtedly seen them. You may remember them helping you cross the road as an eager child heading off to your first day of grade school, or maybe your own children have come to rely on them.

They have distinct uniforms and they have the ability to stop cars in their tracks.

No, I am not referring to the latest super hero on the big screen, but our very important crossing guards.

As we prepare to send our children back to school, our crossing guards are also getting ready and preparing to keep our children safe while coming and going from school. You may not pay a lot of attention to them or realize just how integral they are to your child’s day, but believe me, you would notice if they were not there!

SCHOOL ZONE

ahead!

BY APRIL TISHER | PHOTOS BY GIGGLE MAGAZINE

››

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››

As a parent of students at Talbot, I can attest to their importance to things running smoothly. In 2010, it was announced that crossing guards were no longer allowed to direct traffic, something both Ms. Hicks and Ms. McMillan are trained to do. Within the first few days of school, thousands of complaints were made by parents and drivers all over the city about the traffic congestion, and the policy was reverted back to normal.

T

he City of Gainesville’s Human Resources department describes a school crossing guard as someone who “is friendly and reliable that must help children safely cross roadways by using or creating safe gaps in the flow of vehicular traffic.”

This is not as easy as it sounds given the amount of traffic that passes through the multiple school zones in Gainesville. Crossing guards must work in the hottest of hot and the coldest of cold weather, and there are approximately 33 crossing guards serving the Gainesville and Alachua County areas. I have seen them standing in the pouring rain and even the one time we had snow flurries. They have to be on duty every day school is in session (including summer school) during the times the school zone lights are flashing. Those times vary depending on what time school begins and ends. During certain times of the year, students start arriving at school before the sun is up.

“We’ve got it down to a science” the sisters said. No, they don’t count the number of cars they let in or out at a time. Mostly they watch the traffic backing up in either direction so they can keep the through traffic moving and keep the drop off/pick up circle flowing. They use hand signals to synchronize their posts and switch halfway through the shift because the work is tiring.

“This is not a job for sissies,” Ms. Hicks joked. When asked what she likes least about the job Ms. McMillan replied “cellphones!”

Drivers just aren’t paying attention when they have their heads bent down looking at their screen. The lag in their reaction to the line moving has implications on those behind them. Their scariest moment came one day when, just as the guard was about to give a little boy the OK to cross the road out of his neighborhood, a car ignored the stop signal and came flying through the school zone at over 60 mph. Ms. Hicks said she was just so thankful that she hadn’t given the signal for him to cross yet. Both sisters said that most

"I've been very impressed by the dedication they've shown toward what appears to be an easy job, but can actually be very challenging when you're dealing with lots of children and vehicles in high traffic areas."

-Lt. Michael Schibuola Some crossing guards are practically famous in Gainesville. There are the ones who wave and dance and there are dynamic duos, such as Betty Hicks and Linda McMillan. As I sat with them at a local coffee shop, several people approached us and asked if they were “the” crossing guards.

They all had only wonderful things to say and even thanked them for their dedication and hard work. Ms. Hicks, who is 82 years old, and her younger sister Ms. McMillan, 72, have been the crossing guards at Talbot Elementary School for the past eight years. Ms. Hicks credits her sister with getting her involved after she saw an ad online and applied, begging her sister to join her. They started because they both wanted to get out and be a part of the community and not sit at home. What keeps them coming back is “meeting people and the precious children.”

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drivers and pedestrians are friendly and follow their directions, but that they do occasionally experience people who don’t want to follow their commands and get angry with them for stopping traffic. They say it’s a small price to pay to ensure their children make it to and from school safely each day.

As your summer winds down and school picks back up, take note of the crossing guards outside of the schools. Give them a smile and a friendly wave. Slow down in school zones, and if you want to show your gratitude for their hard work, the first Friday in February is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. If you are interested in becoming a guard, check the City of Gainesville’s Police Department’s online job postings. ✽

OBEY THE CROSSING GUARD

IT'S THE LAW! Gainesville City School Crossing Guards are actually a part of the Gainesville Police Department. They have been through extensive background checks, as well as specialized guard and traffic directing training. They wear official uniforms and badges given by the city and yes, you do have to obey their commands.

Failure to stop for a crossing guard is a misdemeanor. They also take down the license tags of those speeding through the school zones and call them in for the police department to handle.

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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Updates for Alachua County

Ba

by DELIA ALBERT

ck

School o t

2

6 1 0

As a parent, your mind naturally begins to reel at the thought of a new school year approaching.

Shopping for back-to-school necessities, facilitating carpooling and organizing weekly schedules are just a few of the items on the annual checklist.

In addition to preparing your children for the first day, it is crucial to understand the landscape of your current school district. If your kids attend a school within Alachua County, there are a few updates for the 2016–2017 school year!

›› Dress Code Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent

Alachua County residents took note when Owen Roberts, the county’s former superintendent, resigned in June 2016 after his effectiveness and academic integrity came into question. This vacancy caused concern for parents and community members about who would fill the position moving forward.

According to Jackie Johnson, the director of communications and community initiatives at Alachua County Public Schools, Karen Clarke served as acting superintendent until Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Former Deputy Superintendent Sandy Hollinger was approved by the school board to replace Clarke as interim superintendent on that day.

Johnson said Hollinger has served as a teacher and principal on the elementary and high school level. Hollinger has also served as interim in the past and has held the positions of assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent in Alachua County.

“She has many years of experience locally with our schools and our district,” said Johnson. “She is a great choice to guide us during this time.”

Johnson said parents should feel at ease with Hollinger as interim superintendent.

The current plan is to start looking for a permanent solution towards the end of the calendar year, said Johnson. However, it is a fairly lengthy process and ultimately a decision left up to the school board.

Johnson said members of the community are encouraged to be a part of the process and will have the opportunity to meet the top candidates. More information will become available to Alachua County residents at a later time.

flu shot information

Since 2009, the department of health has consecutively provided flu vaccinations to all children in Alachua County public and private schools. Myers said the only way to get vaccinated this year will be the traditional flu shot.

Parents should expect to receive more information about the flu shot during the second week of school, said Myers. *If you live in a county that offers flu vaccines, please see an advisory statement released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Understanding the rules and exceptions to the dress code is the best way to make sure your child can enjoy all school activities and events. The general rules of the dress code apply to all students while attending school, as well as students attending school-related activities after a school day.

›› General requirements • • • •

Clothing should be the appropriate size for students.

The waistband of a garment should be worn at the waist and not below.

Shirts and tops must cover the midriff, back and sides at all times.

Shorts and bottoms should be worn no shorter than mid-thigh.

EXCEPTIONS • Students can wear special clothing if it’s for a school-sponsored activity deemed appropriate by the principal.

• Students can wear a uniform for the career academy, if enrolled in the program.

• Elementary students (only) must wear closed-toed and closed-heel shoes.

• Outer garments may be worn when necessary due to the weather, but must be the appropriate size.

• The dress code policy may be waived for reasons such as religion or medical necessity.

PROHIBITED ITEMS • Clothing that is not properly fastened • Clothing, hairstyles, piercings and accessories that are dangerous and/or disruptive to students • Indecent or vulgar clothing • Form fitting clothing that is not covered by outerwear • Unlined sheer or lace • Visible undergarments and sleepwear • Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, weapons, tobacco, gangs or lewd sexual behavior • Clothing that discriminates against a group or individual on the basis of age, color, race, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, religion or gender • Hats, bandanas, sweatbands and other headgear inside the school building, except when approved by the principal • Combs, curlers, hair picks or sunglasses inside the building For more information about the current dress code, visit the Alachua County Public Schools website (Edline.net/pages/ACPS).

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

According to Paul Myers, the administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, school-located influenza vaccination will occur this year. FluMist will not be available anywhere in the United States, however, so the department will provide traditional flu shots.

Dress code rules and regulations can often be a nuisance when taking your kids shopping for the new school year. Although the primary intention of the Alachua County dress code is to promote a positive learning environment, these requirements can seem tricky.

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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37 TIPS TO HELP YOU GET READY

for School

123

by nicole irving

1.

Inventory school supplies before shopping.

2.

Set up babysitters and nannies as soon as possible.

3.

Print out copies of your children’s school calendar, and leave one at home on the fridge, one at work on your desk and one in their rooms.

4 5.

Start setting routine 4. bedtimes two weeks prior to school starting.

Go through your kiddos’ closets and clean out what doesn’t fit.

6. Make sure that all medical forms, shots and appointments are completed.

7.

Research and create a menu of easy lunches.

8. Schedule haircuts.

9.

Find out dates for open houses so both parents can attend.

10. Stock up on lots of coffee for mom and dad.

11. If going to a new school, test-drive the route before the first day.

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12 12.

Together with your kids, set up their homework stations.

19. Work on a carpool schedule.

20. Complete afterschool program/ activity paperwork.

13. Place alarm clocks in each room, with new batteries and alarm times set.

21. Going to a new school? Take a tour to see the classroom, library, lunch room, etc.

14. Label all backpacks, lunchboxes and water bottles.

22. Make sure all summer homework is done a week before school starts.

15. Make sure to complete all medication paperwork and get prescriptions for the school nurse.

23. Talk to your children about bullying.

Make sure they know how to recognize it and that they know to talk to a teacher right away if they feel they, or someone they know, is being bullied.

16. Make sure your kiddos know who is allowed to pick them up and what their after school schedule is.

17. If your children have their own cellphones, make sure to go over your rules, the school's rules and add all emergency contact numbers.

18

If your child rides a bike to and from school, make sure her helmet fits and that she knows the route, rules and safety precautions.

Also be sure to use appropriate bike lights!

Try these Shining Buddy USB rechargeable front or back LED lights. $14.99 each, Shiningbuddy. myshopify.com

18.

24

Establish TV and 24. electronic guidelines for the school year before school starts.

This way there are no surprises.

25. If your child is a new driver and will be driving himself to school, make sure he knows the school’s rules, gets a parking pass and knows where to park.

26. Take your little ones to their new bus stop and teach them bus stop etiquette — no rock throwing, leaving the bus stop or running in the street.

ABC

27. Get your children in the habit of eating breakfast before leaving the house, so when school time comes, they are ready to fill their bellies.

28. Begin a habit of laying out clothes for the next day to be prepared.

37

Remember, these years will go by quick ... enjoy them! âœ˝

29. Create a dedicated space on the counter for all school paperwork.

30 30.

if your child will be spending time home alone after school, go over rules, how the alarm system works and your expectations.

31. Plan some fun outings before school starts to connect with your kids.

32. Prepare dinner menus.

33. Update digital calendars.

34. Get your children’s eyes checked.

35. Set your expectations of each kiddo before school starts. Remember, they are each individuals.

36

Set your clocks forward 15 minutes to buy you some time in the a.m.! gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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learn This activity will create a bond between them, give the older children a sense of responsibility and motivate the younger ones to work harder to impress them.

For older children, limiting screen time is a good motivational tool. If your child is failing a certain subject, let her know she won’t have access to her iPad until her grades improve. Same goes for socializing with friends or anything else that might be taking away from your child’s study time.

A+

Do You Pay to Make the Grade?

BY OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

The start of a new school year brings hope that this year will be just as good, or even better, than the last. Getting your children back into the routine can be a task in and of itself. You want to motivate them to study for tests and complete homework assignments. For some kids, the feeling of accomplishment is rewarding enough.

Others need an extra incentive, something they can actually hold in their hands.

Most parents see school as their child’s job, and if parents are paid for doing their jobs, why shouldn’t their children get paid as well? According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 48 percent of parents financially reward their children for good grades. The average price for an A is $16.60.

Amy McCready, parenting educator and founder of PositiveParentingSolutions.com, wrote that paying for grades fosters a sense of entitlement. “If the reward is money for good grades,” she wrote, “it sends the message that the reason to work hard in school is to enrich your wallet rather than your mind. It robs them of the ability to cultivate a love of learning and a sense of responsibility for their own education.”

One way to cultivate learning is to have older siblings teach younger siblings.

Younger children are required to read every night as part of their homework. Have big brother or sister sit with the little ones and help them pronounce unfamiliar words.

If you decide to go the monetary route, websites such as Feedthepig.org and 360financialliteracy.org can help your older children (and you!) develop a savings plan and learn how to be financially savvy.

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10 Alternative Rewards 1.

A trip to the zoo, beach or favorite attraction

2.

Kayaking or floating down a lazy river

3.

Making their favorite meal or dessert

4.

Purchasing a new book, toy or board game

5.

New item of clothing

6.

Dyeing a piece of their hair in their favorite color

7.

Tickets to a sporting event or production

8.

No chores for a week!

9.

Treating child and best friend to a movie

10.

Sleep over with a friend

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Harvard economics professor Roland Fryer studied nearly 40,000 students in lower income schools throughout the United States to determine the efficacy of financial rewards. He paid ninth grade students in Chicago $50 for every A they received on their report card, but the results were minimal. By the end of the year, the average GPA had risen from 1.9 to 2.0, and test scores for state reading and math did not change at all. Unfortunately,

though the kids had a reward to strive for, they didn’t have the strategies to succeed.

Remember to tailor the motivation differently to each child. While working toward free time with friends will work for one child, choosing a favorite dinner may work for another. Also consider each child’s individual capabilities. If your child is completing his homework every night, studying hard for every test and still earning a C as a final grade, that may be the very best he can do. Recognize his strong efforts, not just the outcome. ✽

learn

When Your Child Has to Repeat a Grade

BY ELIZABETH PATTON

When our children go to school, there are many hopes that we have for them; hopes that they find and keep good friends, hopes that they are placed with teachers that understand them and hopes that they like school and want to go back. As they grow older we understand that we aren’t the only ones that have these hopes.

Our children have just as many hopes and concerns about their school experience.

Support your child during this time with love, understanding and compassion.

When it is recommended that your child repeat a grade, some of those hopes seem to be dashed and fear can creep in.

Does that mean she will have to make new friends? How will this affect her self-esteem? Did the teacher just not understand her learning style? Are there other problems that I’ve been missing?

The older your child, the more questions you might have. It is always very important to consider the social-emotional impact that retention will have on a child.

Typically, the older the child, the greater the potential impact is. It is important to remember that every child and every situation is unique, but the following steps might help alleviate some of those fears.

First, communication with teachers

Second, helping your child understand

the decision is an integral part of a successful plan. Picking the best person to speak with him about the decision is the first step. Maybe this person is a parent, an older sibling, a teacher, a counselor, etc. Do

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not underestimate or forget about this step.

It can lay the groundwork for the entire next year. Choosing the right timing to inform your child of the decision is important.

Giving him the summer to get comfortable with the plan can be helpful. Framing the plan in a positive light and making sure your child knows that his family and school team is working together can help make him feel more secure.

Lastly, understand that there will be obstacles and plan for them as best as you can. Your child will be in classes with new peers and there will be questions by some. Help her prepare for those situations by practicing responses. Remember that school is not her entire identity and help

her establish who she is outside of school with extracurricular activities and friends from other areas. ✽

››

Retention should never be the first solution to an academic challenge. As parents we want our children to be successful the first time around. However, sometimes our plans don’t work out the way we think they should. We are their first teachers. In times of challenge we have opportunities to role model effective problem solving and teamwork. Isn’t that some of the best education?

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

and administrators must be timely and thorough. It is helpful to take notes and do research on your own to understand the many different factors involved in the decision. There should be ample work products, assessment data and anecdotal classroom notes to review. If you need help with understanding the information, ask a family member or friend that you think can help to join in on the conversation.

Our children have just as many hopes and concerns about their school experience."

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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conception2college™  expecting

Get Ready to Register!

 infant | 0-1

The Co-Sleeping Controversy

 toddler | 2-3 Accentuate the Positive!

 early years | 4-5 Clever Curiosity

 kids | 6-9

"Did You Have a Good Day?" And Other Questions Guaranteed Not To Get You A Response

 tweens | 10-13

Protect Your Children and Your Wallet: Fight Back with Media Literacy

 Teens | 14-18

Photo by Patricia Bishop Photography.

Why Do Teens Sleep Till Noon?

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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expecting

pregnancy

Get Ready to Register!

BY Nicole Germany

in Breast pumps

Bringing a new bundle of joy into the world can be a bit overwhelming, especially when faced with the daunting task of accomplishing everything in the 40 weeks leading up to delivery. From putting together the nursery to making sure there’s enough diapers to last a lifetime, things can get hectic really quick. However, little things like registries and understanding that every baby’s needs are different can make you feel a bit more at ease.

Creating your registry takes time and effort, and having items picked out by your 20th week will give friends and family a perfect window of opportunity to pick out just the right items before your due date. Plenty of your favorite stores offer the ability to easily create registries, including Babies R Us, Target, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, Pottery Barn Kids and Wal-Mart.

So, what should you add to your registry?

If you are first-time parents, you will be starting from scratch. Stay away from clothes, as you will get plenty of those.

Add things like highchairs, bouncers, sheets, burp cloths, tubs, towels, etc.

It is no fun working alone, so bring in the grandparents, aunts, friends and other mommies for their advice on what to add to your registry. Remember to have fun with it and ask them what their must-have items were. Keep in mind your space, your nursery décor and what you may be able to borrow. Babies grow out of things very quickly, so keep that in mind as well.

“It’s much cheaper than the name brands, and the diapers are more absorbent. The

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Megan Martin hadn't heard of Remedy Phytoplex Z-Guard, but after she saw the NICU using it, it became a lifesaver for treating diaper rash. Other items like the Chicco Lullaby Baby Playard and OXO Tot Bottle Brush made it onto the mother of two’s registry.

“A new find for me that has become a goto baby shower gift is the Love to Dream sleep swaddle,” Martin said. The swaddle comes in sizes up to 36 months and allows you to swaddle with arms up so your baby can self-soothe and establish an easy and peaceful sleep routine.

Essential mama must-haves

* LOTS of Diapers * Pacifiers * Breast Pump & Extra Supplies * Bottles * Crib * Baby Carrier * Strollers * Diaper Bag Visit * Bedding us online a t * Burp Cloths Gigglemag azine * Highchair for a printa .com ble baby regis * Booster Seat try checklist! * Bouncer * Baby Bathtub * Noise Machine * Pack and Play * Boppy Pillow * Swaddling Blankets * Car Seat * Baby Food Maker * Bottle Brushes * Teethers

The Affordable Care Act (2010) requires most health insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump as part of women's preventative health services. These rules apply to Health Insurance Marketplace plans and all other private health insurance plans, except for grandfathered plans. So, how do you get a breast pump?

• Contact your health insurance’s member services department regarding what’s covered.

• Talk to your pediatrician about the best options for you and your baby.

• Choose a breast pump and try to order it as soon as possible.

did know?

In a baby’s first year, new parents will have brought home an average of 2,788 diapers for a total cost of $557.60.

According to The U.S. Department of Agriculture, a middle-income family with a child born in 2013 can expect to spend about $245,340 ($304,480 adjusted for projected inflation*) on food, housing, child care, education and other childrearing expenses up to age 18.

The average newborn spends at least 16 hours a day sleeping.

A baby should be burped after about 2.3 ounces while bottle-feeding.

Three months is the age at which most babies begin getting two-thirds of their sleep during the night. ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Mom to mom Mother of three, Jenn Petion said that it’s important to include the essentials, but also have fun when creating your registry. Petion said that one of her bestkept secrets is Target's up & up™ generic diapers and formula.

formula has the same nutritional content as the name brand, but is less expensive than the name brand even if you catch it on sale and have a manufacturer coupon,” Petion said.

All About Women OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Take Care of You. 352.331.3332 AllAboutWomenMD.com

Helping You Live a Healthy Lifestyle. gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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infant

ages 0-1

The Co-Sleeping Controversy: Keeping Baby Safe While Building the Bond

BY OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

Watching your newborn drift into a peaceful sleep is one of the most gratifying moments in a new parent’s life. Not only does your baby look absolutely angelic when she sleeps, but it also means you and your partner can get some shut-eye, too!

Doing this? The AAP strongly advises against bed-sharing.

Unfortunately, some babies immediately recognize when they are no longer in mommy’s comfy cuddle and wake up as soon as you place them in their cribs. The temptation of bringing your baby to your own bed is ever present, but four letters flash in your mind — SIDS. You hear the warnings of nurses, doctors and experienced parents. But you just want sleep!

Before you close your eyes, be aware that co-sleeping and bed-sharing are two different activities. Bed-sharing is bringing your baby to your own bed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advises against bed-sharing. However, cosleeping is when your baby is sleeping close enough that you can hear, see, touch or smell each other. You can place your baby in his own crib, bassinet or co-sleeper (baby beds that attach to your mattress) placed next to your bed.

Though some cases of SIDS have been reclassified as suffocation, parents can continue to safeguard their children by avoiding use of alcohol and cigarettes.

Since children often fall asleep in a parent’s arms, they can inhale the cigarette smell from the parent’s clothing. Additionally, if a parent is intoxicated, it increases the risk of the parent falling asleep, unaware of the position the baby is in.

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Bringing your child’s crib into your bedroom will provide security to both parents and baby. When you are close enough to touch your baby’s hand in the middle of the night, you both will experience an even closer bond.

“Skin to skin contact has been shown to increase secure attachment and regulate a baby's heartbeat,” said Fernandez. “A well-rested mom is able to more promptly respond to her baby’s needs, which can serve as peace of mind to mom and promote feelings of love, security and safety in baby.” ✽

Sleep Safe • AAP recommends babies sleep on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet.

• Parents should never use pillows, toys or blankets.

• Soft bedding can end up over their faces and block their breathing.

• Sleep positioners are also risky and should be avoided.

• Monitors and movement sensors can be helpful to ease a parent’s worries.

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. It advises parents to place infants on their backs in their own cribs to sleep during their first year, especially their first six months. Since the resurgence of the “Back to Sleep” campaign in 1994, which urged parents to have their children sleep on their backs, the annual rate of SIDS has dropped by 50 percent.

Vanessa Bolanos Fernandez is a clinical social worker and board certified behavior analyst. Her son had reflux symptoms that disrupted his (and her) sleep. Since they began co-sleeping, she said that his symptoms have decreased, with minimal sleep interruptions.

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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toddler

ages 2-3

Accentuate the Positive!

You did it all by yourself!

You can do anything you put your mind to.

BY OLIVIA K. PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

Reinforcing good behavior is a great way to build a child’s self esteem. By recognizing a child’s good deed or efforts, it demonstrates your praise and approval, shows that you are paying attention and gives your child an example of acceptable behavior.

“Children often seek attention with their behaviors and can be encouraged to make good choices when praise is given,” said Allison McAlhany, ARNP of Healthy Steps Pediatrics. “A back scratch or a wink and a smile can serve this purpose just as well as words.”

Here are some other examples of positive praise for your children:

I love being your mommy!

I like how you picked out your own clothes.

I like how you are willing to try new things.

Thank you for your honesty.

I like how you never give up.

You are very important to me.

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Good work!

Practice makes progress.

You’re a great listener.

Keep up the good work.

You are very creative!

It’s OK to feel that way.

You take good care of your things.

You are my favorite person in the whole world.

“You don’t have to be perfect.

I love you just the way you are."

I like spending time with you.

I like how you are so affectionate with your brother.

You are such a blessing.

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

I respect you.

I trust you.

I love you.

You are so special.

That was a brave thing to do.

I love your hugs.

You did great on the field today!

I like watching you play.

gigglemagazine.com | AUG/SEPT 2016

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early years

ages 4 - 5

Clever Curiosity

BY NICOLE IRVING

Children naturally become very curious at the age of 4, asking questions over and over a thousand times a day, driving most parents batty! Although it may get tiresome, this behavior is healthy and exactly what they are supposed to be doing at this age.

By using books and nature to quench her curiosity, dealing with your 4-year-old’s questions becomes a little more fun!

Critter keeper

Have a little one curious about animals? Try getting a simple betta fish. Have him help feed it and change its water.

Gardening

How does your garden grow?

Have your kiddo pick out her very own packet of flower seeds and a small pot. Help her plant and water it. She will be amazed when her plant starts to sprout!

Play catch

Books

Florida is abundant with little lizards — or mini dinosaurs to the imaginative mind. Help him catch a lizard (safely) and place it in a safe plastic container with some leaves. Have him study it, name it and release it back into the wild. Then do it again!

Bird watching

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Curiosity Can Create a Bond Never discourage your little ones from asking questions. Even at this young age, they trust in you, so if they feel that you listen to them, they will be more apt to confide in you later.

Always tell the truth on an age-appropriate level. Children remember everything and will most likely repeat your answer to someone. Make sure it is the right answer.

Help them seek the answers by showing them how to use the library, teaching safe internet practices and modeling how to ask adults (with supervision), like a librarian, for help. This will help them learn to seek answers on their own. ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Our backyards are full of wonderful, colorful birds. For a small investment, get a bird feeder, and take time during the morning (breakfast time) and night (dinner time) to sit outside with her and watch all the birds come to eat. Talk about the different varieties and colors, and have her give them special names. For a variety of birds, try getting different types of food.

The “Curious George” series is great for questioning minds.

This little monkey sure does get into trouble with his curiosity, but he always learns a great lesson in the end!

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kids

ages 6-9

"How Was School Today?" And Other

Questions Guaranteed Not To Get You A Response

BY APRIL TISHER

The first thing we want to know when we see our children after a day of school and work is how their day was.

From my 5- and 9-year-olds I get every detail of what happened at recess — from who got in trouble during the day (not them, of course) to what they ate for snack. From my new middle schooler though, all I get is “fine” or “boring.”

We know it is important to stay involved with what is going on with our children.

Once they become school aged we are no longer in control of their friends and schedules. Some children are always big talkers, while others need some encouragement. It’s up to us to stay informed about their daily lives so we can be connected and spot issues before they grow out of hand. It’s not always easy though. We get so busy running around trying to keep up with our own agenda as well as our family’s that sometimes we don’t take the time to really find out how everyone’s days were.

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1 Start with an open-ended question as opposed to a “yes” or “no” one. If you ask,

“Did you have a good day?” You might only get “yes,” and then the conversation is over.

2

Keep your questions positive in nature.

3

Don’t use emotional terms like happy, sad, good or bad.

4

Use what you already know: “I know you had PE today. What did you play?”

5

Pay attention, put your phone down, turn down the music and listen.

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Don’t get angry or respond sarcastically if they don’t offer much to begin with.

Remember they are their own person, and they need to process things in their own time.

Caren Rowe, mom of four and preschool teacher, reveals that her family goes around the table sharing their favorite moments of the day. She feels this works for her high schoolers especially because the last thing they want when they get home is to be bombarded by questions. With the number of kids in her family it can turn into a competition about time and sharing since they all have something to say. By giving everyone their turn, it shows respect when they have to listen to their siblings as well.

What really matters is that you are involved. Know who their friends are, what project they are working on in class and even “who likes who.” Keeping the dialogue between you and your child easy and simple while they are young will increase the likelihood that they will continue to talk to you as they grow older and their issues become much bigger. ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

I am somewhat impatient, so I want to talk to my kids about what happened during their day as soon as I see them, which seems to work. Sometimes I get an abbreviated version though, and more details emerge during dinner or even at bedtime, when my non-talker seems to open up the most. Melissa Reccoppa, mom to four, agreed. She said as soon as her youngest gets home from swim practice she asks him how it went. He’s so used to it that if she doesn’t ask right away he jokingly asks himself and carries on a one-sided conversation about his day.

The key is to always listen, even when it seems your child isn’t divulging anything of importance. To children, everything is really important. You might get them to open up more over a mundane task such as loading the dishwasher or folding laundry. When it seems less formal they may be willing to share more. Keeping it casual and listening in a nonjudgmental way will usually give the best results.

Unless they ask for your advice or opinion, as hard as it is, try to just listen as long as they are talking.

Here are some other ways to score more details without seeming like you are interrogating them:

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ages 1 0 - 1 3

Protect Your Children and Your Wallet: Fight Back with Media Literacy

BY DELIA ALBERT

and movies are a few ways adolescents are made vulnerable to advertisements.

The popularity of digital TV, along with interactive technology such as surveys being used during the streaming of a program, has made it easier for advertisers to blur the lines of ads and entertainment directed at children.

Advertisers are targeting children from every angle, so what can parents do about it?

Most adults are aware of how often they’re subjected to advertisements throughout their day. While scrolling through mobile devices, watching TV or reading the newspaper, it’s very clear — ads are simply everywhere.

The abundance of advertisements have prompted inventions such as pop-up blockers and DVR devices to skip commercials. But perhaps more serious precautions are needed, specifically, those that protect the little ones in the household.

Companies are now seeking more interesting ways to target children at younger ages. Today kids are constantly bombarded with advertisements that are sometimes disguised in the form of textbooks or food. In some cases, ads are directed at children as young as 2 years old. Depending on the types of ads they are exposed to, children may experience

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Whether they are exposed to violent video games (often advertised in publications with large youth readerships) or tobacco advertisements (a bigger risk factor to adolescents than having a family member smoke), young children are at risk.

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average young person views over 3,000 ads across media platforms in one day! Additionally, teenagers and children younger than 12 years old influence their parents’ spending by about $200 billion a year. While the issue is certainly not with all ads, ads that promote unhealthy foods/habits or copious spending can be detrimental to your child.

Product placements, celebrity endorsements, and linking toys and other products to popular TV shows

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends media literacy or teaching children about the effects of advertising.

According to the Academy, education about the media can successfully reduce the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol and food advertising. Parents can teach their children to view advertisements carefully to understand the advertisers’ true intentions in those cases.

There are plenty of online resources such as Media Smarts or Long Live Kids that provide lessons and videos to teach children about media literacy. Working with schools to suggest media literacy lessons in the classroom is another action parents can take.

Additionally, setting up parental controls on TVs, computers, mobile phones and other smart devices can protect children.

Kids can intentionally and unintentionally venture to websites with mature content, putting them at risk for advertising unintended for them. ✽

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Most adults are aware that advertisements can sometimes be deceptive; children however, are susceptible and mentally defenseless against them. Studies have shown that children younger than 8 years old aren’t aware of the intentions behind ads and often accept them at face value.

adverse effects such as depression, eating disorders and materialism.

Although the Federal Trade Commission decided years ago that it was unfair to advertise to children younger than 6, protective legislation has proven to be impractical. Parents should instead take an educational approach to protecting their children against commercialism.

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ages 1 4 - 1 8

Why Do Teens Sleep Till Noon?

BY TARYN TACHER

Your daughter used to scurry to your bedroom door at a ripe 6 a.m. and peer inside at your sound asleep self. Without hesitation, her mouse-like tendencies would turn feline and she'd pounce — jolting you awake in hopes that you'd play with her. Your son used to greet the sunrise with the boisterous vroom-vroom sounds he personified his toy cars with and the cantankerous chaos of a tumbling tower of blocks that would jostle you from your sweet slumber before your REM cycle could come to an appropriate stopping place.

Now, the kids have transformed into the typical sleep-until-noon teenagers, whose slumber is not the least bit disrupted by the ping of the toaster that just finished preparing your breakfast or the news anchor voices exuding from the living room TV, broadcasting the morning's latest updates. The roles have reversed.

Your once up-before-the-sun children are now nowhere to be seen before midday — and you are now the one tugging on their shirt sleeves to wake them up for school days or weekend plans.

You may chalk it up to laziness because your teen stays up late watching unrealistic reality TV shows while simultaneously unleashing a phalange attack on the touchscreen of his or her cellphone — taking intermittent breaks to snap selfies, check Instagram and post a four-second story on Snapchat. But, the truth is that biology is to blame for your teen’s newfound wake-sleep schedule.

Additionally, our bodies have their own internal clocks that operate on a 24-hour cycle known as our circadian rhythm.

The circadian rhythm is physical, mental and behavioral, and it determines when

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Ideally, teenagers should be sleeping for nine hours each night, but because of schoolwork, part-time jobs, heightened social lives, extracurricular activities and distractions from new-aged technology, few teens actually meet their daily sleep needs. Sleep deprivation is a legitimate concern if it persists for an extended

So, next time you notice your teen still catching some Z’s in the early afternoon, remember to let them sleep in. Growing up is the culprit here! ✽

Our bodies secrete a hormone called melatonin, which regulates our wake-sleep cycle.

For children, melatonin secretions happen in the early evening, but as they mature into teenagers they release melatonin later and later.

© 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Our bodies secrete a hormone called melatonin, which regulates our wakesleep cycle. For children, melatonin secretions happen in the early evening, but as they mature into teenagers they release melatonin later and later. Because they start going to sleep at a later time, they sleep in to compensate for those missed early evening hours of shuteye.

we feel awake and when we feel sleepy.

Environmental and biological changes can alter the time frames in our circadian rhythm, and that is why teenagers go to bed late and sleep in later. During our teenaged years, we experience puberty; our bodies begin to develop and transition from girl to woman, from boy to man.

period of time. Lack of sleep can lead to decreased concentration, mood swings and more.

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happy community August 5–7 National Twin Days Twinsdays.org August 5–7 2016 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday During this sales tax holiday period, Florida law directs that no sales tax or local option tax (also known as discretionary sales surtax) will be collected on purchases of clothing, footwear, certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item and certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item.

Visit Gigglemagazine.com for a link to the list!

August 5–7 Back to School Pop-Up Sale Consign-A-Rama Consign-a-rama.com August 5–21 Rio 2016 Olympics

August 6 Kanapaha Gardens Kids Day 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Kanapaha Botanical Gardens August 7 Summer Reader Palooza 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Alachua County Library, Headquarters Branch Aclib.us August 10 First day of school for: Queen of Peace St. Francis, freshman and new students St. Patrick Interparish School August 11 Museum Nights: Hack the Harn 6 – 9 p.m.

Harn Museum of Art Harn.ufl.edu August 11 First day of school for: St. Francis, all grades August 15 First day of school for: Alachua County Public Schools Brentwood School Healthy Learning Academy Millhopper Montessori August 17 First day of school for: Oak Hall School

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August 30 Fifth Annual Wing Bowl, benefitting the Child Advocacy Center Splitz Bowling Alley 6:30 – 8:30 pm Gainesvillewingbowl.org September 3 UF vs UMass Minutemen 7:30 p.m.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium September 3 Little Jill & Co. Grand Opening Noon – 7 p.m.

140 SW 128th ST Suite E Newberry, FL 32669 Tioga Town Center September 5 Labor Day Schools Closed September 10 UF vs Kentucky 3:30 p.m.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium September 11 National Grandparents Day September 24 Fun 4 Gator Kids Touch a Truck Event 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Northeast Complex located at Waldo Road and 8th Avenue Gatortouchatruck.com

©. All 2016 iStockphoto © 2016 iStockphoto LP rights reserved. LP. All rights reserved.

August 6 O2B Kids Back to School Bash 9:30 a.m.

O2B Kids Supercenter Locations Free O2bkids.com

A u g u s t/ S e p t e m b e r c a l e n d a r

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