Giggle Magazine - Tallahassee - June/July 2017

GREATER

TALLAHASSEE'S

PREMIER

PARENTING

MAGAZINE

JUNE/JULY 2017 • Volume 3 • Issue 6

the

lifetime game

Meet Tynley Cotton and 9 other young local golfers!

that is winning the hearts of local kids 12 must-haves for every dad

move over ice creaM... these sweet treats are here to stay! diy: the patriotic pallet

cyclin g safely :

the ru le the roa s of df bicyclis or ts

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

“

EVERYONE AT TMH WAS RIGHT, MACK IS TRULY A LIGHT WITHIN OUR LIVES. — MANDI YOUNG

”

mother of Mack, 1 year old

At Tallahassee Memorial, we know that not every page of your child’s story will be perfect, but you have the power to help direct and create happy endings. With the region’s only Newborn Intensive Care Unit, an expert outpatient facility for kids and the region’s only Child Life Specialist, we support your everchanging role as a caregiver and lifesaver. You are a mom for life, let us be your hospital for life.

Read Mack’s story and others at TMH.ORG/MomForLife gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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from the publisher MEET OUR

COVER CUTIE!

summer days For the first time since my boys started school, I am actually so excited about summer.

Generally, I dread the camp planning, the scheduling craziness and the mental prep needed to deal with the words, “I’m bored.”

As a working mom who is generally running around like a chicken with her head cut off, school time lends an organized schedule with very little in the way of surprises. So, it caught me by surprise that I, too, am as giddy as a school girl that summer is here.

What am I most excited about, you may ask? The break from the routine I crave so much.

The literal “carefree days of summer.” I am looking forward to saying goodbye to the nights of pulling my hair out and yelling, “Is your homework done?” over and over again. I need a break from packing lunches and backpacks. A break from the constant worry that I didn’t remember to do something for their school day and the awful feeling that I am a total parental disaster who just can’t keep up. This momma needs a mental break.

What will I do with all this hypothetical free time? Connect with the young men I am blessed to be raising and just “be” with them. My youngest wants me to take him on a road trip to Arkansas to go gem mining. On any given day, I might have said no, but I know that if I can make it happen, it might be just what this momma needs and something that neither of us will forget. My oldest is officially a teenager, and it won’t be long before he will spend his very last summer under my roof before he is off to college. I plan on soaking in these summer days with him and his brothers while I still can.

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How old are you? 12 What is your favorite book?

The Bible

What is your favorite school subject? Math What are you most looking forward to this summer?

Playin g in golf tournaments and spendin g time with family and friends

What has been your favorite golf course to play at? PGA Golf

Club in Port St. Lucie because I love the course and I won my first regional tournament there

THANK YOU to SouthWood Golf Club for welcoming us onto the course for our feature photo shoot!

Nicole Irving, Publisher nicole@irvingpublications.com

follow us on Twitter @GIGGLEMAGTALLY

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Visit us on Pinterest /GIGGLEMAGAZINE

Follow us on Instagram @GIGGLEMAGTALLY

Photo by Ashley Daniell Photography

So, join me in doing nothing this summer but soaking up rays (while protected with sunblock, of course!) and just “being” with those little tykes we love so dearly. This summer will zoom by all too quickly, and I plan on enjoying every moment of it!

Tynley

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicole Irving CREATIVE DIRECTOR Allison Raber ASSOCIATE DEPUTY EDITOR Colleen McTiernan GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Emily Purvis, Claire Stortz Vice president of sales Shane Irving Account executives Alicia Jaurequi, Lynnsy Jones production coordinator Alison Walker marketing assistant Delia Albert executive assistant Sayeh Farah ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ashleigh Braun DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Patty Skelton Contributing Writers Nicole Irving, Selena Garrison, RaSheba Jones, Lisa Katz, Colleen McTiernan, Olivia Pitkethly, MA, LMHC, Meredith Sheldon, Danielle Spano, Taryn Tacher, April Tisher Contributing Photographers Ashley Daniell 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

gigglemagazinetallahassee.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 2017

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.

ADVERTISING

For more information on advertising with Giggle Magazine, please visit gigglemagazinetallahasse.com or call 850-254-9704.

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JUNE · JULY 2017 happy family • happy community

TM

12 20

conception 2✱ college™ 48 expecting

happy home

life 8

Fighting Fair: Turning an Argument into Productive Communication

10 6 Money Saving Apps at Your Fingertips

Boy or Girl? Predicting Your Baby's Gender with Old Wives' Tales

50 infant

Rock-A-Bye Baby: 3 Ways to Sleep Train

38 Out with the Old: What to Keep and

What to Purge When Moving 40 You're a Grand Old Flag

Your Little One

51 TODDLER

Spending the Day Away: Choosing the

12 happy family Patty Family

learn

14 POWER PARENT Matt Thompson

forks & spoons 16 Refreshing Ice Pops to Beat the Heat

52 early years

Saying Sorry: Teaching Your Children to

42 Should Your Kids Learn to Code?

43 The Leon County Humane Society:

32 Tea Tree Time!

Families Giving Back

Should Your Tween Get a Summer Job?

happy community

56 teens

57 JUNE/JULY Calendar

GREATER

fea t u res

20

FORE! Local Kids Who Have Fallen in Love with the Game of Golf The Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide

GOLFING | FATHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE | DIY ICE POPS

Photos by Ashley Daniell Photography.

Teen Driving: What to Know and How to Help

59 corkboarD

36 Saving Your Skin: Keeping Yourself

Protected During the Summer Months

20

44

Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money

55 tweens

TALLAHASSEE'S

PREMIER

PARENTING

MAGAZINE

GIGGLE MAGAZINE

34 Summer Bike Safety

Make Sincere Apologies

54 kids

18 Planning the Perfect Picnic

health

Right Child Care Facility

JUNE/JULY 2017 • Volume 3 • Issue 6

THE

lifetime game

Meet Tynley Cotton and 9 other young local golfers!

THAT IS WINNING THE HEARTS OF LOCAL KIDS

44

12 MUST-HAVES

16

MOVE OVER ICE CREAM...

THESE SWEET TREATS ARE HERE TO STAY!

40

DIY: THE PATRIOTIC PALLET

FOR EVERY DAD

CYCLIN G SAFELY

34

: THE RUL ES OF THE ROA D FOR BICYCLISTS

GIGGLEMAGAZINETALLAHASSEE.COM | JUNE/JULY 2017

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life

Fighting Fair: Turning an Argument into Productive Communication

BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

Every couple argues. Even the healthiest, happiest couple bickers from time to time. Having a disagreement can help a couple improve their communication, resolve misunderstandings and express their feelings. However, it is easy to get caught up in your emotions during an argument, and before you know it, it can escalate to a full-blown fight.

In my work as a mental health counselor, I have seen many couples who say, “We just fight all the time. We can’t seem to just have a normal conversation without it getting out of control.” Sometimes, one spouse will become submissive and give in just to avoid arguing. This isn’t healthy either because after a while, that person will develop resentment toward the other.

When couples come to me with this issue, one of the things I do is help them develop a list of “fair fighting rules.” This helps them collaborate together and find things they both agree to, thus leading them to start working with each other, instead of against each other. Here are some common examples of “fair fighting rules.”

Find the time

You are on your way to dinner at your sister’s house and your spouse realizes he forgot to pay a bill that was due today.

You accuse him of being irresponsible and he thinks you should take on more of the financial responsibility. You are both heated as you walk into your sister’s house, and everyone notices the tension.

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Obviously, this was not a prime time for you to have a discussion about finances.

So, instead of ruining your evening, agree to put things on hold until you have time to discuss it further. Schedule a time when you can both sit down and discuss the finances as a team without any interruptions.

Use proper body language

It is hard to talk to someone when their back is turned or when they are distracted with something else. Sit down on the couch or at the kitchen table and face each other. Make eye contact and nod while the other speaks, which expresses that you care about what he/she has to say. You do not have to agree, but make it clear that you are listening. If possible, reach out and touch him/her gently on the hand or shoulder to enhance the emotional intimacy and remind each other that you are on the same team.

Watch your words

No name-calling. Period. Cursing and labeling will only escalate the argument and may force the other person to shut down. Make use of “I” statements.

Instead of saying, “you need to take more financial responsibility,” change it to an “I” statement. “I would feel less stressed if we shared responsibility of the finances.”

Moving just a few words around decreases defensiveness, gives you ownership of your feelings and focuses on the problem.

Reflective listening is also an important part of communication. Basically, it is paraphrasing what your spouse has already said so he/she knows that you heard correctly. It feels silly at first and it definitely takes practice, but it is an effective tool to decrease misunderstandings.

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

HALT Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired — all of those factors combined make us more vulnerable to things like arguing, eating too much and drinking too much.

Taking a break

If you find that you are using these rules and your argument is still escalating, recognize it. “I think we’re getting too heated, and I don’t want us to start saying things we will regret later. Can we place this argument on pause until we both cool down?” Again, you are showing that you care for the other person’s feelings and your relationship. You are also recognizing your own role in the argument. There may also be times when you will have to agree to disagree. Pick your battles, but always remember that you are on the same side. ]

Abuse is NEVER OK in a relationship.

If you are in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for help.

life

6 Money Saving Apps at Your Fingertips

BY SELENA GARRISON

We use our smartphones all the time. Like it or not, from connecting to scheduling to entertaining to capturing all the important moments, they seem to be here to stay.

And since they are always at our fingertips, we might as well use them to save on everyday purchases! There are lots of free apps available for both Apple and Android to help you save (and earn) money on everything from groceries to retail purchases.

Groceries iBotta

iBotta pays you to shop for groceries (and other items) through a fairly simple (albeit time-consuming) system of choosing a store, tapping on an offer, answering a question/ reading some information, scanning the item’s barcode, and snapping a photo of your store receipt. Rebates generally range anywhere from $.25 to $5. You can join together in a team with friends or family to earn more and get your earnings through PayPal, Venmo or a gift card.

Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is similar to iBotta but a little less time consuming. You just have to snap a photo of your receipt and then select the e-coupons you want to use — no answering questions or scanning barcodes. Offers are updated weekly, so you can find the best deals out there!

There is some overlap with iBotta in terms of offers, so if you use both apps, you can save twice. Once your rebate earnings reach $20, you can request a check.

Publix

Publix is my go-to store for grocery shopping, and I love their mobile app. It allows you to view the weekly ad, choose your favorite location, plan your grocery list (automatically arranged by aisle!), and choose from a wide variety of digital coupons. You select which coupons you want to use and then just enter your phone number at checkout for instant savings. Used in combination with other apps like iBotta and Checkout 51, you can reduce your cost at the register AND earn money back through rebates.

Retail Cartwheel by Target

Cartwheel is Target’s savings app, and if you are a Target addict like me, it will save you lots of money. Basically, you scroll through the offers, choose the ones you want (generally saving anywhere between 5 percent and 50 percent), and scan your personal barcode at checkout.

In addition to the discount offers, there are additional coupons that offer money off or gift card rebates based on amounts you spend on certain categories of items.

For instance, last month I received a $20 gift card for spending $75 on baby formula, diapers and wipes.

Shopkick

Shopkick rewards you with “kicks” (aka reward points) for visiting participating retailers and scanning or buying specific items within the store. You can also connect your credit or debit card to your account to earn kicks when you spend money at certain stores. You can redeem kicks for retail and restaurant gift certificates.

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is a coupon app that quickly pulls up coupons/coupon codes for many major retailers that can be used in stores and online. It has a pretty easy search option and features daily “hot deals.” If you turn on location services for the app, you can get automatic notifications for nearby deals.

While these are a few of my personal favorites, there are hundreds of additional apps available to help you save money on the things you are already purchasing.

Using them in combination may take some serious planning, but they can really help you save big bucks! ]

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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life

h a p p y f a m i ly

Meet t he

Patty Family

Jimmy and Jennifer, Jacob (8), Jackson (6 ½) and Jenna Grace (2 ½) Occupations: Jimmy is a sales account manager, and Jennifer is a real estate broker.

Favorite family meal: Spaghetti with garlic toast, fruit and a kale salad.

Favorite date spot: We really like to go to different places because we love new experiences, but our tried and true restaurants are Bella Bella and Sakura.

And we love live theater. From FSU to Leon High School to Community Christian to Young Actors, there is such incredible talent in Tallahassee.

Our family is most like: “The Loud House” on Nickelodeon.

Movie in our DVD player: We really don't watch DVD movies very often. Mostly we watch Comcast On Demand or Amazon

PHOTOS BY ASHLEY DANIELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Prime, which we LOVE. But when we do watch a movie together, it's either “Frozen” or one of the “VeggieTales” movies.

Websites we love: Annvoskamp.com and Pinterest for Jennifer, Amazon and Audible for Jimmy, and Roblox.com for the boys.

The kids' favorite books: “Tickle Monster” by Josie Bissett, “In My Heart”

by Jo Witek and all of the “Pete the Cat” books are family favorites. The youngest especially loves touch and feel books, and the boys love anything to do with “Star Wars” or Minecraft. Our favorite book of all is “The Jesus Storybook Bible.”

Favorite sports/extracurriculars to do: We spend lots of time at birthday and adoption parties, extended family gatherings, and at Trousdell Gymnastics Center. We really love to go mountain

Mommy and Daddy's favorite TV shows: Who has time for TV? We rarely watch TV. However, we will sometimes unwind late at night with old reruns of “Modern Family” or Jimmy Fallon. And we watch “This is Us” On Demand so we are about five episodes behind! We love “Modern Family” because it makes us realize all families are as crazy as we are.

Jimmy Fallon just makes us laugh, and “This is Us” speaks to our lives in deeper, more thoughtful ways.

bike riding as a family.

And, as silly as it is to say (and it may not be our favorite), but it seems we spend too much time at Costco!

Favorite sports to watch: College basketball and college football.

Go Duke and FSU! Favorite family activity: Daily: We ask Alexa (Amazon Echo's voice service) to play "We Are The Dinosaurs" and march around in circles pretending to be dinosaurs and singing at the top of our lungs. Or if the boys get there first, we suffer through "I Am A Gummy Bear."

Weekly: We love to ride around town in Jimmy's 1986 CJ7 Jeep with the top down.

Quarterly: Vacations! We love to get away and just focus on us without the distraction of work or home chores.

As often as possible: Mountain bike riding. The trails in Tallahassee make us feel like we are in the mountains.

Favorite mountain bike trail: The Cadillac Mountain Bike Trail between Tom Brown Park and Lafayette Heritage Trail Park.

Pets: We don't have any pets. Jimmy said to write "Alexa" because we are always talking to her and giving her lots of attention. Even the 2-year-old asks her questions!

Favorite day trip: St. Marks to go out on our boat. There is nothing better than the salty wind blowing when we're headed out and then watching the boys' faces when they hook a fish!

Favorite family vacation destination: Theme parks. Disney World, Sea World, Wild Adventures — we love them all!

Why we love living in Tallahassee: It has a small town atmosphere with plenty of culture, and we’re close to the coast. We love everything about FSU theater and music, and all the local festivals and parades. There's a depth of character in most people living here. It seems everyone truly cares about the city and about people living here.

We're like a big family where everyone cares about each other. And the people are diverse! Certainly, we have a long way to go, but Tallahassee doesn't have the divisiveness that other cities have. And the rolling hills, trees, colorful flowers, and amazing city and state parks are more reasons to love it here.

Something that we want our children to have that we didn't: That's a hard question. We really want to give them the freedom to explore that we had as children. We loved our upbringing, so it is more about trying to give them everything we did have rather than what we didn't. But times are different and we grew up in a different era. It's hard to give them freedom and feel like we are keeping them safe at the same time. It's a balancing act we talk about a lot.

First word you think of when we say "family": "Love" or "crazy." Or maybe just "crazy love." We just want our

children to know we are a constant for them. "Constant" would be a silly word to think of, but the first concept we would think of when we say "family" would be "present" or "constant." We are here for each other no matter what.

Must-have items: iPad, smartphone, Instant Pot and Costco's chocolate covered raisins Four words that describe our family: Christian, close, compassionate and crazy.

Anything else you want us to know about your family? We have four adult children who live along the I-10 corridor.

Two live in Jacksonville, one is in Austin, Texas and one is in Los Angeles, California. We are also foster parents, although we are currently taking a break.

Fostering has changed our lives in so many ways. We have seen God's Hand at work in miraculous ways and we have been stretched emotionally in ways we did not know existed. ]

What makes my kids laugh: They are at the age where everything is funny. The boys love any kind of joke, especially knock-knock jokes. And anything silly, like Mommy's crazy dancing or funny faces, makes all three laugh. But, if you really want laughter from the boys, all you have to do is incorporate the word "butt" into any sentence. Actually, that makes Jimmy laugh, too. gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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life

p ower p a re n t

matt thompson Managing partner at For The Table Hospitality and department chair of the Strategic Communication Program at Flagler College Tallahassee

HUSBAND to Lindsey DADDY to lily (9) and JR (8) PHOTO BY ASHLEY DANIELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Between managing three different restaurants, a catering company and his responsibilities as a department chair at Flagler College Tallahassee, Matt Thompson has a lot on his plate. Although every day may look different for Thompson, one thing remains the same throughout — his family is always priority No. 1.

What does your typical workday look like?

What advice would you give other working parents?

One hundred percent different each day. Sometimes I wake up to issues and sometimes I create them throughout the day. Sometimes I am reading what our audience is discussing online and that sparks a new idea. The only true part of my day that is consistent is the morning — I start with coffee and review yesterday’s business on my laptop.

I don’t think I have ever been in the position to give someone advice, especially when it comes to family matters. What has helped me is having hard boundaries and treating my family time as I would a meeting. I wouldn’t move a meeting for our most important customer, so I treat my family the same way.

How do you balance work life and family life?

What sacrifices/compromises have you had to make?

My family has always come first. My schedule is built around family activities.

I coach little league and flag football, and I never miss a Young Actor’s Theatre performance.

In my line of work I could be at an event every night of the week, but due to my family schedule I probably miss a ton of events/networking opportunities that could help me financially.

When and how do you make time for yourself?

Finish this sentence: I hope that I have taught my children

I am not the type of person that likes to golf, hunt, fish, etc. I love working and figuring things out, and I love spending time with my family, so the things I like happen to be the things I already do. I used to be a bit of a martyr when it came to this with a “woe is me” attitude, but ultimately I realized that it is who I am and that I should just embrace it.

to care about everyone they come in contact with and to try to make their day a little better.

Who is your greatest inspiration?

My dad. He isn’t a man of many words, but through his actions he taught me to always be there for people and to follow through on your word.

Who are your biggest supporters?

My mom would probably be No. 1. I am an only child and I know my mom is very proud of me. And yes, I have certain only child tendencies. My wife, Lindsey, is also extremely proud of the life we live and tries to support me through any and all journeys. I tend to need to vent about certain things right after they happen, and I am sure that can be exhausting for her.

If you had a day all to yourself, what would you do?

I really am not sure what I would do other than go bourbon tasting. I can tell you one thing I have always wanted to do is rent an RV in the fall and hit up seven straight days of football. Start with the Tuesday night MAC game and go all the way through the Monday night football game.

It will happen someday.

Which TV character most resembles you? Why? I am a huge Stern listener and I have always thought I am most truly like him — honest, irreverent, loyal and compassionate. I am probably a lot more trusting than him and I’m not a germaphobe, but there are a lot of things he says that remind me of myself. ] Below: Matt, Lindsey and children JR and Lily.

What is your go-to breakfast?

I do not eat breakfast, but I do drink coffee. If I have anything, it is a banana.

What is your coffee order?

Easy. Two percent or whole milk and two Splenda. No skim milk goes into this body.

What is your must-have work tech item?

My phone, hands down. We have some pretty large social media audiences that we engage with and it takes a ton of time on my phone to do that.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Family photo courtesy of Matt Thompson.

As I get older, I think I would want Wolverine’s power so I could be able to heal quickly.

Orangetheory Fitness workouts really take a lot out of me.

What are five things you must have at work?

All of the great members of our team, my laptop and my phone are about all I need. And I guess Bluetooth as well because I do a lot of phone calls while I drive.

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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forks & spoons

Refreshing Ice Pops to Beat the Heat

BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN | PHOTO BY ALLISON RABER

Nothing beats a cold, refreshing ice pop during the dog days of summer. But storebought pops can be chockfull of sugar and chemical-based additives, depending on the brand you choose. The main ingredients in these homemade ice pops are fruits, so there is no need to worry when indulging in these sweet treatst! All you need for the following recipes is tasty ingredients, a plastic ice pop mold and some sticks.

Mango-Banana Ice Pops | Makes about eight 4-ounce pops

1 ½ cups almond milk

2 frozen bananas

1 ½ cups mango, diced

N teaspoon sugar

Blend all ingredients together until smooth and then pour the mixture into your ice pop molds. Insert your sticks into your molds and freeze until solid.

Strawberry-Lemonade Ice Pops | Makes about eight 4-ounce pops

10 ounces frozen sliced strawberries

1 N cup lemonade

Blend the strawberries and lemonade together until smooth and then pour the mixture into your ice pop molds. Insert your sticks into your molds and freeze until solid.

Mixed Berry Ice Pops | Makes about eight 4-ounce pops

Giggle Tip: 12 ounces raspberries

12 ounces blueberries

12 ounces blackberries

K teaspoon sugar

Blend the ingredients together until smooth and then strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds. Pour the mixture into your ice pop molds. Insert your sticks into your molds and freeze until solid.

Having trouble getting your frozen ice pops out?

Simply dip them in a bowl of warm water for 30 seconds to loosen them from their molds!

G MIXED BERRY

STRAWBERRY-LEMONADE

le igg

Tip:

Pour your favorite green smoothie into your mold for a bright alternative!

MANGO-BANANA

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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forks forks && spoons spoons JULY IS NATIONAL PICNIC MONTH!

Planning the Perfect Picnic

by Colleen Mctiernan | PHOTOS BY ALLISON RABER

N

othing says summer more than a gingham blanket laid out under a tree with a delicious spread upon it on a sunny day. So why not grab the kids, pack a basket and head out to your favorite park for an al fresco meal? With these quick tips, planning your next picnic should be a cinch!

Picnic Supply Checklist The first step to putting your picnic together is to gather your supplies.

FF napkins/paper towels FF disposable plates FF condiments

FF trash bags (you don't want to leave a messy picnic site!)

FF utensils

FF water

FF plastic storage bags for leftovers

FF large blanket

FF ice/ice packs

FF salt & pepper

Controlling pests

FF moist towelettes FF cooler FF bottle opener FF cups FF sunscreen FF bug spray

Nothing can ruin your picnic faster than a horde of ants invading your piledhigh plate. Be sure to cover any food that is not currently being eaten to prevent a buggy addition to your meal. You may also consider packing a distractor for the ants and other insects at the park. Try filling a saucer with sugar water and placing it a distance away from your setup. If you and your kiddos are enjoying your outdoor meal at a park that provides picnic tables, consider placing the legs of the table into bowls of water. Ants and water do not mix, so you won’t have to worry about ants crawling up the legs of your table and invading your feast.

Best foods to bring

Unless you are bringing a cooler along with you, you should avoid any mayonnaise-based foods, like potato salad. And instead of precut fruit, consider whole alternatives (such as apples, grapes and easy-to-peel mandarins), which will not spoil as easily. For dessert, opt for cookies, brownies or cake rather than pies or ice cream, which can require refrigeration.

While sandwiches may be the easiest to eat sans table, your main dish is up to you. Or, depending on how hungry your bunch is, you may opt for an array of snacks to munch on instead.

Aside from food, be sure to pack something for entertainment! Whether you pack a book, a kite, a football or all three, no picnic is complete without some post-meal fun! ] gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

19

FORE! Local Kids Who Have Fallen in Love with the Game of Golf by colleen mctiernan | photos by ASHLEY DANIELL PHOTOGRAPHY | special thank you to SOUTHWOOD GOLF CLUB

When you first think of golf, what comes to mind? Rolling hills, sand traps, clubs, visors, maybe Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods. What about kids? Do you readily imagine them out on the course? If you are not a golfer yourself, then you might not ever think of putting your child in golf. It has often been stereotyped as a game for middle aged men, but that is simply untrue. Many kids around Tallahassee have been playing the game for years, and they are quite good!

With the wealth of sports and other activities available to your child, why consider golf? For one, unlike other more popular contact sports, golf is a game of a lifetime. You can truly play the game at any age, which may be why it is stereotyped as a game for retirees. Also, as it is an individual game, it teaches selfreliance, perseverance, patience and honesty.

Golf, like so many other sports, is also great for your physical health. In fact, according to a study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, playing golf regularly can increase your life expectancy by five years.

Walking from hole to hole can burn a significant number of calories and improve your cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic health.

Getting started

If you would like to get your child interested in golf, start by simply exposing them to the course and letting them watch the game. If they seem interested, then you can take it a step further and bring clubs along. Start easy — at this point you just want to see if your child has the attention span and desire to play, said John Baker, director of the Red Hills Junior Tour. “Some parents start at the driving range where they want to go out and have little Bobby see how far he can

hit it, and that’s a mistake,” he said. “It’s better to start on the green and then work out from there.” Start with putting, and then move on to chipping before you take your little one to the driving range. The driver is the hardest club to hit, which will make it frustrating for new golfers to handle if they haven’t already practiced putting and chipping.

As far as the high starting cost associated with golf, Baker said that those costs can certainly be mitigated. You do not need to get your child the best set of clubs or a membership to the nicest club when starting out. In fact, for kids between the ages of 5 and 8, Baker recommends going to Play It Again Sports for used or cut down clubs to reduce costs. Dan’s High-Tech Golf can also cut clubs down. “If you get the kids too trapped into how much it costs, you’re missing the point,” he said. “At first it’s more of a social thing to spend time with either a parent or a grandparent or friends.”

CoMPETING

The key to becoming a competitive golfer is to start early, said Baker. If your child waits until high school to start golfing with dreams of going pro, some of the development aspects may be lost. Kids have to learn how to both win and lose, and having them compete in tournaments at an early age helps them to learn how to deal with performance anxiety.

“Our tour is a development tour where we want kids to love the game first and understand it,” said Baker. “The competition comes a little bit later.” After kids

• SouthWood Golf Club

kid-friendly golf courses

• The Golf Club at Summerbrooke • Killearn Country Club • Hilaman Golf Course

have outgrown the competition of Baker’s regional tour, he encourages them to move on to statewide and national tours to better prepare themselves for college and professional opportunities if that is what their goals are.

College and BEYOND

Colleges start looking at kids when they are 13 or 14, so the earlier your child starts, the more likely he or she is to attract the attention of recruiters.

Girls in particular have a huge opportunity to get great scholarships to play in college.

“A girl that can shoot in the mid70s to low 80s, which is really good, can almost write her own ticket for college,” said Baker.

“Colleges are craving these kids that know how to play.” John and his wife, Leslie Baker, also run Pink Links Junior Golf, a tour specifically designed for girls between the ages of 6 and 18, to help encourage them to get into the sport and take advantages of the opportunities that it can present them. “We try to give them the best chance to succeed and improve, and then they can move on when they think they’re ready,” he said.

Aside from the benefits and opportunities that golf can provide for your children, getting your little ones involved in golf can be fun for the whole family.

Golf is a game that everyone can play, and family members can even caddy for their little players, up to a certain age. So, next time that you are heading out to the green, consider taking your kids along with you!

• Country Oaks Golf Course in Thomasville, Georgia • Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville, Georgia (private)

1

2

3

on the green

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➊ Thomas Quinn plays golf every day with his friends. ➋ Tynley Cotton made first-team All-Big Bend for the 2016 season. ➌ Peyton Paske plays in tournaments every weekend. ➍ Knox Daniell's favorite part of the game is driving. ➎ Taylor Bell has been playing golf for nearly three years. ➏ Parker Bell is sponsored by both Titleist and PING. ➐ Tynley Cotton lines up her shot. ➑ Megan Schofill was named All-Big Bend Player of the year for 2016.

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Cole Lawson, 9 Cole started playing golf at the age of 7 with his brother, Thomas Quinn.

Although lugging his clubs between holes may not be his favorite part of the game, he does love going out with his cousins and brother, and he tries to make it out to the course at least once a month. He has played in three tournaments so far, with the most recent one being held in Valdosta, Georgia.

Megan

Schofill, 15

Megan was first introduced to golf through a kid’s camp she used to attend every summer.

She started to pursue the sport more seriously in sixth grade, and by seventh she had started playing for her school, Aucilla Christian Academy. Megan now plays golf every day, and her hard work has certainly paid off — she was named AllBig Bend Player of the Year for 2016.

For Megan, golf has proven to be a true stress reliever.

“Even though sometimes it does cause me a lot of stress, I just know that I can always go out there and have fun, even if I’m not playing good,” she said.

“It’s something I really look forward to every single day.”

Parker Bell, 13 taylor Bell, 12 Parker and Taylor both started playing about three years ago when their grandfather told them to choose between golf camp and sailing camp. “My dad and us figured we’d golf more, and that’s how we got into it,” said Taylor. Now they both play golf until sunset just about every day after school with a group of about four to five friends.

The brothers have both accomplished a great deal in the three years they have been playing. Taylor has competed in his fair share of tournaments, including one in Panama City, Florida where he shot a 39 on a nine-hole course.

Parker is ranked fourth in the state and 19th in the country for his graduation year, and has also already been sponsored by both Titleist and PING. In the future, both brothers would like to go pro and make it to the PGA Tour.

Thomas Quinn, 14 After going out to play golf with his cousins, Parker and Taylor Bell, Thomas was inspired to take up the sport.

“It’s just a lot of fun out there,” he said. With only two years of playing under his belt, Thomas hasn’t won any tournaments yet, but he hopes to play for Lawton Chiles High School in 2017 and continue to improve his game.

He plays every day at Killearn Country Club with his friends.

“I would like to go as far as possible,” he said.

“I would like to go pro, but first I gotta go by taking little steps at a time — [play for] my high school team, win some tournaments, get good enough for college and go from there.”

Peyton Paske, 11 Peyton’s dad introduced him to golf when he was 10, and since then he has gone out to play golf with his dad almost every other day.

“I like playing every day because I realize that I can get to somewhere where I’ll be able to play at a higher skill level, and I think the better I am at golf, the more fun it will be to play it,” he said. “I’m just trying to get to that point where it will be very easy to play the game.”

Peyton also plays in Red Hills Junior Golf tournaments every weekend and made it to the regionals for last year’s Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.

His golf game has continued to improve with practice, and he recently made a 56-foot putt. “It was probably the best putt I ever made,” he said.

Tynley Cotton, 12 Tynley fell in love with the game of golf early in life.

At just 4 years old, her dad, Russell Cotton, took her out on the course, and she started competing at age 7. Now Tynley plays for her school, Community Christian School, and in the 2016 season she made first-team All-Big Bend, making her one of the few sixth-graders to do so.

Overall, Tynley enjoys a good challenge.

Her favorite tournament to date was a U.S. Kids Golf regional in Port St. Lucie, which she won. “There were just so many great competitors down there,” she said.

In the future, Tynley would like to compete in a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour. “I just want to take it to the next level,” she said.

Tyler Cotton, 15 Tyler got started playing golf at the age of 7 when his little sister Tynley expressed interest in the game.

He started playing in tournaments at age 11 and soon won his first in a playoff at Havana Country Club. He plays for the Maclay School golf team and hopes to continue playing into high school.

Aside from his many tournament wins, one of Tyler’s greatest golf accomplishments so far has been hitting a hole-in-one. “I was playing with Parker and Tank [Thomas Quinn],” he said. “We all went crazy.”

knox daniell, 6 After watching golf on TV with his grandparents, Knox became enthralled with the game. He started playing at just 5 years old at Southwood Country Club, where he now plays one to two times a week. In the year since he first started the sport, his mother, Ashley Daniell, has noticed how much golf has benefitted him, teaching him selfreliance and etiquette. “But most of all, he just has so much fun with it,� she said.

health

Tea Tree

Time!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask

BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN AND NICOLE IRVING

Lush Tea Tree Water Toner

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If you keep an eye on the ingredients in your skincare products, you may have seen the word “tea tree oil” pop up every now and again. Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, comes from the leaves of the tea tree, native to Australia. The chemicals in tea tree oil are credited with killing bacteria and fungus. In fact, the Aboriginals first noted the antiseptic qualities of the plant and often used it to treat cuts and burns. Now its antiseptic properties have also made it a cult-favorite for treating acne and curing dandruff!

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo $32.50, Ulta and Ulta.com

Tony Moly I’m Real Tea Tree Mask $3.75, Ulta.com

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health

Summer Bike Safety

BY RASHEBA JONES

School is out, summer is in and more bikes are out on the road. Biking is a fun summer activity to get your kids out of the house while they are on break from school, but it is important that they are aware of bike safety laws before they hit the streets.

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gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

SAFETY FIRST

It is best to start with setting ground rules for your child the moment they begin riding. For example, no playing in the road, stop for all stop signs and always wear a helmet. But making sure that your kiddos know the rules and making sure that they actually follow them is a whole different ball game. Take helmets, for example. Although most kids know that they should wear one, they are reluctant to actually put it on before heading out with friends.

The most common types of crashes and how to prevent them

Helmets

Explain to your child the importance of wearing a helmet. Beyond it being against the law to ride without a helmet if you are under the age of 16, 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths are due to head injuries, according to Active Living Resource Center. Be sure to get a properly sized helmet, and find one that matches your child’s style so that she is more willing to wear it. Once your child’s helmet is securely buckled, it is time to go over the rules of the road for bicyclists.

LEFT TURN

The cause of the second most common bike crash type is running stop signs.

When teaching your child to ride a bike, emphasize the importance of following general traffic rules. If your child ever feels overwhelmed when crossing a road with traffic, teach her that it is OK to get off her bike and use the crosswalk to walk it across to the other side of the street.

Bike Lanes + hand signals

Even though there are special bike lanes on some roads, bikes are considered motor vehicles, and bicyclists do have to follow all traffic laws. Bikers have to stop at stop signs and signal to drivers when making turns. Of course, bikes don’t have the handy blinkers and brake lights that cars do, so it is important that you teach your children the appropriate hand signals to make when turning or stopping to prevent accidents.

RIGHT TURN

Utilize hand signals so other bicyclists and motor vehicles around you know how to react. “Do not do something unexpected because it causes a chain reaction,” said Artie White, TallahasseeLeon County Planning Department Principal Planner.

Comfort Level

Your kiddo should also learn to get comfortable with riding in the bike lanes. Avoid riding down busy roads with your little ones, particularly if they are biking without adult supervision. “You shouldn’t ride on sidewalks — ride with the flow of traffic,” Barry Wilcox, TallahasseeLeon County Planning Department Division Manager, said. “Cars are not always looking for people on bikes.”

Teaching your little one the ground rules of riding a bike is important, but demonstrating this behavior while riding your bike is even more important. Remember that children will mimic what their parents do, so if you do not stop at stop signs, your child will mimic your behavior.

The most common type of bike crash among children occurs when riding out from the driveway. This can be due to distractors such as bushes or trees blocking the child’s view, so it is important to teach children to stop and look both ways twice before entering the roadway.

The third most common crash is not looking left when making a turn. Aside from signaling that she is going to make a left turn, teach your child to look back to verify that the vehicles behind her got the signal.

If your child is uncertain that the motorist received the signal, then she should walk her bike across the street.

Set boundaries and make sure your child knows them

OR

S TO P

Before your child takes off on her next bike adventure, be sure she knows how far from home she is allowed to travel without adult supervision. For instance, depending on her age and skill level, you may require that she stay in your neighborhood or avoid busy streets.

Whether to allow your child to ride at night is a decision you will have to make based on how responsible she is, her age and her riding ability. If your child does go out at night, she should wear bright clothing to be seen by other vehicles.

The law also requires that her bike be equipped lights, specifically a white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector, which must be turned on when riding between sunset and sunrise.

While bike riding is a healthy activity to keep kids occupied this summer, be sure that they are prepared with the correct equipment and knowledge to make safe decisions while on the road. ]

health

Saving Your Skin: Keeping Yourself Protected During the Summer Months

BY TARYN TACHER

Nothing beats a beach day. From the sand between your toes to the gentle breeze in your hair to the rush of salty seawater washing up onto the shore, what more could you ask for on a hot summer day? That is, until you come home with a nasty sunburn.

Forgot to reapply? Missed a spot?

Now your skin is red and splotchy and warm to the touch. And while it may fade to an enviable sun-kissed tan a few days later, the damage has been done. Overexposure to the sun can be harmful — causing sunburns, heat rashes, wrinkles and in severe cases, even cataracts and skin cancer — so be sure to protect yourself this summer and every day after that.

“Sunlight has Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and is present all year round,” D.D. Raj Bendre, medical director of TMH Physician Partners, Radiation Oncology Specialists and the chairman of the Cancer Committee at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, said.

“UV radiation can reach the surface of your skin on cloudy and hazy days, not just during bright, sunny days.”

Besides applying sunscreen, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you wear a hat with a wide brim to shield your face, ears and neck. Also, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, but be mindful that not all clothing is equally as protective.

According to Skincancer.org, the fabrics we wear are comprised of tiny fibers that are woven together. UV rays are still able to penetrate our skin through the seemingly invisible holes between fibers, so the tighter they are bound, like in denim or tweed, the more protective the clothing is. Aim to wear Lycra, nylon, rayon and polyester — they are less penetrable than cotton and linen. The less skin left exposed to the sun, the better.

Do not forget to also wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. You may even want to invest in a pair of polarized-

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lens sunglasses because they eliminate the glare of the sun bouncing off glass, water, pavement and other surfaces.

But while long sleeves, hats and sunglasses are obvious protectants against the sun, it is important not to forget about the rest of our bodies.

“The skin of the chest, back of hands, ears, lips and soles of the feet are often neglected,” said Dr. Bendre.

He recommends applying an opaque lipstick/ sports stick with an SPF of at least 15 every two hours while out in the sun. Avoid plain petroleum jelly and lip gloss — they act like baby oil and absorb the sun, leading to burns.

Beyond protectant clothing and accessories, staying in the shade during midday hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest will help keep you safe from sun damage.

But even with all the risk, the sun is not all bad. According to a 2016 study from

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

Do not forget to also wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UV B rays.

Georgetown University Medical center, sunlight energizes our T cells, which play a role in boosting our immune systems.

And according to Dr. Bendre, “exposure to sunlight helps the skin synthesize vitamin D,” which helps our bodies absorb calcium for stronger and healthier bones.

So, while it would be unwise to spend countless hours basking unprotected under the blazing summer sun, there is no need to avoid it altogether. A little sunshine will do you good, as long as you take the necessary measures to shield your skin. Grab your swimsuit, your sunscreen and your hat — it is time to hit the beach. ]

happy home

Out With the Old: What to Keep and What to Purge When Moving

BY NICOLE IRVING

The day has finally arrived. You and your family have busted the seams of your home and it is time to move to a bigger house. You put your house on the market, it sells, you find the perfect new home with the swimming pool and basketball court (MOM SCORE!) and just like that, you have to move.

Panic sinks in at the thought of having to move 15 years worth of life into boxes and bags. You open your first closet and weep.

Moving can be hard. But, it should be looked at as a fresh start. So, how do you begin to tackle all those things that you and your family have been hoarding and holding onto for so long? With tough love and a plan!

CLOTHES

PAPER

Unless you are still expanding your family or can use the older one’s clothes as hand-me-downs for the littler one, let go of the old baby clothes. They will only take up space in that new walk-in closet.

And if there are clothes in your closet that you have not worn in a year, get rid of them. This goes for your husband's closet, too!

This is going to be harsh, so hold on. I know, it was his first book report! But, unless that report is going to be his key to financial windfall or a full ride to Yale, I say throw it out. It has served its purpose, but now it is time to move on. There will be more book reports to read.

WHAT TO DONATE/THROW OUT Donate any clothes that still have life in them that you can no longer use, and throw away any clothes that are stained or torn. Take the same approach with shoes.

WHAT TO KEEP Ball gowns and classic tuxes. You never known when you will have to get all dolled up for a big night out.

WHAT TO THROW OUT/SHRED Old school papers, school notebooks from previous grades, science fair boards, indecipherable art projects, etc.

WHAT TO KEEP One art project from each year that you can place in a binder/scrapbook or frame, report cards/test scores/evaluations/ teacher notes/award certificates, bank account information, tax information, and other important papers you have to keep on hand.

BOOKS

WEDDING GIFTS

They may have once been bedtime story staples, but those old board books probably haven’t seen the light of day in six years. This is the perfect time to clean them out and make room for the new.

If you have not opened that hammock you got from your wedding 15 years ago, purge it. If it is broken, chipped or replaceable, purge it. If you have no use for that fondue set, purge it. See the pattern here? If you do not use it, cannot remember where it came from or hate it, purge it.

WHAT TO DONATE School libraries are always in need of good books. Contact your school or nearest preschool to see if they can be put to good use.

WHAT TO KEEP Keep your kiddo’s favorite board book, along with any collector’s editions or signed copies. If you will have the space for a home library, keep encyclopedias and reference books. Purge all paperbacks and hard covers that you might have already read and are not interested in rereading.

WHAT TO THROW OUT/DONATE Donate anything that you will never or have never used along with china that you do not like the pattern of. Throw out anything that is changing colors or has an odor from being stored too long.

WHAT TO KEEP Fine china (only if you have a use for it), jewelry that you can pass down to your children and serving pieces that can be used for parties.

GARAGE/SHED If your new house has a smaller lawn and you don’t foresee the need for the John Deere tractor you have, sell it. Organize and consolidate all tools, supplies and the like. If your new house does not have a pool, get rid of the pool supplies, even if you anticipate building a pool later. You can always get new and improved items later.

WHAT TO THROW OUT/LEAVE BEHIND Get rid of anything broken or in need of repair. If you haven’t fixed it yet, you probably never will. Leave behind paint (in good condition) that matches the house you sold for the new owners.

WHAT TO KEEP A full set of tools, lawn equipment that you can use, extension cords, hoses, nails/ screws, car maintenance equipment and tarps that are in good condition.

KITCHEN

FURNITURE

You may lose or gain kitchen counter or cabinet space. In any case, a good kitchen cleanout is the perfect way to start healthy kitchen habits.

WHAT TO GET RID OF Plastic utensils, plastic containers without lids, extra water bottles, chipped cups/plates and extra coffee cups can go to the trash.

WHAT TO KEEP A complete set of pots and pans with lids, serving platters, entertaining pieces (as long as they are going to be used), a complete set of plastic containers with lids, silverware/knives that are sharp and in good condition, and measuring spoons and cups (one set should be plenty).

If your home is smaller, you will have to come to terms with the reality that your new dwelling will NOT hold all the current furniture you have. Assess what MUST come (like your bed), and once you have a list of must-haves, start selling and donating what you can’t take.

If your new house has built-in closets, you may need to purge the dressers. If you are downsizing from two living rooms to one, a set of couches will need to go.

WHAT TO THROW OUT/DONATE Old mattresses, extra dressers and extra couches.

WHAT TO KEEP Antiques, piano and pieces you have built or are collector’s items. ]

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

39

happy home

You're a Grand Old Flag

BY ALLISON RABER | PHOTO BY SINCERELY GONE PHOTOGRAPHY

How to do it yourse lf What You'll Need

• 7 wooden pallet boards, cut to 3 feet in length

• 2 wooden pallet boards, cut to 2 feet in length

• Hammer • Nails • Painter's tape • Red, white and blue latex paint • Star-shaped sponge • Paintbrush • Safety goggles Step One: Arrange your 3-foot

pallets in a rectangular flag shape.

Lay your 2-foot boards on either end, perpendicular to the other boards.

Step Two: Using your hammer and nails, nail in the two 2-foot boards to keep your 3-foot boards together.

What better way to celebrate this Fourth of July than by getting crafty with a salute to the stars and stripes? This pallet flag is a fun way to show off your patriotic spirit, not just on Independence Day, but every day of the year!

Before starting any pallet project!

!

Make sure that the pallet wood you are using is safe to handle by checking for an IPPC code printed somewhere on the pallet. The most important thing to look for is a treatment code. A code of HT means "heat-treated" and indicates that the pallet is safe to use. A code of MB means "Methyl Bromide," which indicates that the wood has been exposed to chemicals and should not be handled (or burned!).

Step Three: Tape off a rectangular section on the upper left of the flag for the stars portion.

Starting with the second pallet board, tape off every other board. Paint the untaped boards red. Allow to dry and then remove the tape. Repeat for the white stripes and the blue rectangle.

Step Four: Once dry, carefully sponge paint stars onto the blue portion of your flag. Slow and steady is the way to go here!

Step Five: Allow to dry and then display in your home or yard for Independance Day!

Be sure to supervise children who may be helping!

Tips FOR A GR EAT FLAG! Your flag, your way. Remember, your flag can be any size or shape you want! Be creative and don't feel you have to adhere to the sizes above.

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Stars and sponges. Can't find a star-shaped sponge? A basic kitchen sponge cut into the shape of a star works great!

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

Go in the right direction. Visit www.gigglemagazinetallahassee.com for printable step-by-step directions with visuals.

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41

learn

Should Your Kids Learn to Code?

BY MEREDITH SHELDON

English, history, science and math are typical subjects your kids take in school. But now, there is a new course to add to their curriculum — computer programming.

That’s right. Starting as early as kindergarten, kids are learning to program computers. Either through apps, games or lesson plans from programming companies, coding education is growing, and it is being directed at a younger demographic.

About 35,000 elementary schools in the country are teaching kids to code through a curriculum program called Kodable, said Jon Mattingly, the company’s cofounder and CEO. These programs target elementary, middle and high school kids, but Mattingly said children as young as 18 months have enrolled in Kodable.

In order for kids to learn programing, teachers need to be familiar with the subject. That is where programs like Kodable help. The company provides a set of lesson plans for instructors to adapt in their classrooms. Teachers can relay this information using scripts, or they can decide from the material what they want to focus on, Mattingly said.

No matter how coding is taught, Mattingly said it is important for kids to start young since it prepares them to be critical thinkers.

“When you are teaching a kid in elementary school, you get a unique opportunity to help them mold their brain,” he said. “Whatever you want to prepare them for in life, the best time to get them started is in elementary school.”

Besides critical thinking, Mattingly said young coders gain skills ranging from creativity to communication and problem solving. Code programs start with simple arrows and colors where kids use coding

to guide their characters though a maze. As they advance, they eventually learn coding languages like Java Script and CSS, he said.

The most important thing, Mattingly said, is consistency. Set aside computer time in the classroom or at home at least 20 minutes a week.

“If you don't do anything with computer science for a year, you forget it,” he said.

“It is like working out or exercising, you can’t just do it all in one.”

Coding jobs are everywhere, and teaching kids these skills will help prepare them for later in life, he said.

“If we think about the world these kids are growing up in, it is so important to give them the opportunity to succeed,” he said.

“We have to do it young. If we wait, it is harder to get them to think like this.”

Although coding curriculum is aimed toward younger kids, it is never too late to learn, said Lynn Langit, director and lead courseware author of Teaching Kids Programming, a coding program that has taught about 2,000 students.

“Life-long learning is the goal,” she said. ]

Want to learn to code outside of the classroom?

Mattingly recommends a book series called “Head First,” which teaches young adults the basics of computer programming. He also said joining and creating an account on Codecademy, an online coding site, can help instruct kids and adults on coding languages.

More outside-the-classroom options include online tutorial series like Learn Python the Hard Way, or even Kodable’s online programs.

Your kiddos can also try fun apps like Tynker, Move the Turtle, Daisy the Dinosaur and Cargo-Bot. Take advantage of this summer break to get your kids started on computer programming!

Move the Turtle Programming App For iPhone and iPad $3.99, iTunes.com

learn

The Leon County Humane Society: Families Giving Back

BY APRIL TISHER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY

As parents, we are often looking for ways to be involved and give back to the community alongside our families. There is a short list of volunteer opportunities that allow adults and children to work side by side, but the Leon County Humane Society can provide a one-stop shop to do just that! Whether you are offering your time, money or items for donation, anyone at any age can show their support for local animals in need. Our local Humane Society is a nonprofit organization that has been helping animals for over 50 years.

If it is time you’ve got on your hands, the Leon County Humane Society would love to have you join their almost 600 volunteers! There are many ways your time is needed at LCHS. If you are at least 16 years of age you can volunteer in the regular volunteer program, which includes opportunities for morning and afternoon kitty care and reception positions. There are also opportunities for groups to volunteer together as well as a high need for volunteers to foster animals. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old can volunteer with a parent or chaperone as a Pawsitive Reader. “Pawsitive Readers allows young readers the ability to practice their reading skills on a nonjudgmental audience of adoptable cats while providing these homeless kitties with the socialization and love that they crave,” Lisa Glunt, the executive director for LCHS, said. “It’s a great way for moms, dads and even grandparents to volunteer with their children.”

If you are under the age of 16, LCHS has another great way for you to help as well! The Bene-Kit program allows you to create your own fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society while tracking your hours along the way. Once you are done you can turn in your donations and they will sign off on your volunteer hours! Think “in lieu of gifts” at a party or even a supplies and food drive at your church or school.

There are a few requirements for being a volunteer, including attending an orientation and making a minimum time commitment, either weekly or for a one-day project. Most importantly, volunteers should be dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals. ]

For more information about LCHS and the many ways you can support their efforts, please visit their website at Lchs.info.

Donations Welcome!

If you just don’t have the time, but would still like to help, donations (either money or items) are invaluable to the success of this no-kill facility.

As a nonprofit organization, every dollar that can be saved buying necessary supplies and equipment means more money that can be used for the animals!

Donations of items such as office supplies, paper towels, HE laundry detergent, bleach and hand sanitizer, along with the traditional dog and cat food and treats, flea and heart worm preventatives, collars, leashes and veterinarian services help in more ways than you can imagine.

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

43

The Ultimate

Father’s Day

Gift Guide

BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN AND NICOLE IRVING

Searching for the perfect gift for your husband, your dad or another father in your life? Look no further! From facial hair care to fun dinnerware, we’ve got you covered!

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau De Parfum Collector’s Edition

$95, Bloomingdales.com Give his fragrance profile an update with this striking scent, boasting notes of bergamot, cardamom and vetiver.

Zak! Star Wars Ice Cream Bowls (Set of 4)

$15.99, Zak.com These ceramic ice cream bowls are the perfect gift for a “Star Wars“ fan.

Tenzing Adventure Pack — Sandalwood

$55, Tenzingskincare.com This pack includes a preshave oil, a shave cream and a face moisturizer designed to nourish the skin.

Tile Mate & Tile Slim

$25–$30, Thetileapp.com The perfect gift for the man who constantly misplaces his keys or wallet, these Tile products allow you to ring lost items from your phone.

Titanium MultiTool Collar Stays

$34, Uncommongoods.com These light-weight collar stays can also be used as bottle openers, screw drivers and thread cutters.

Beard Pack

$40, Uncommongoods.com Help your hubby keep his facial hair in tiptop shape with this cruelty-free and vegan beard oil, mustache wax and whisker wash.

Crooked River Hunting Knife

He’s a 10 Men’s Collection

$230, Benchmade.com The hunter in your life will love this traditional, American-made hunting knife.

$17.48 per each item in collection, Itsa10haircare.com With a 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash, a Pliable Paste and a Defining Gel, this collection will fulfill his every hair need.

Excalibur 5-Tray Food Dehydrator and Jerky Machine $129.99, Macys.com and Bedbathandbeyond.com Whether he is a jerky fan or just loves dried fruits, this easy-to-use dehydrator is the perfect Father’s Day gift.

Dollar Shave Club Traveler Toiletry Bag $25, Dollarshaveclub.com Constructed from waterresistant waxed canvas, this toiletry bag has plenty of pockets to keep everything in its place.

Decléor Men Skincare Express Shave Gel, Soothing After Shave and Skin Energizer

Tube-Wringer

$24.95, Uncommongoods.com With the Tube-Wringer, he'll never throw away partially full tubes again!

$32–$52, Decleorusa.com Created with clove and eucalyptus essential oils, these shaving products are designed to revive and refresh tired skin.

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

conception2college™

 expecting Boy or Girl? Predicting Your Baby's Gender with Old Wives' Tales

 infant | 0-1 Rock-A-Bye Baby: 3 Ways to Sleep Train Your Little One

 toddler | 2-3 Spending the Day Away: Choosing the Right Child Care Facility

 early years | 4-5 Photo by Ashley Daniell Photography

Saying Sorry: Teaching Your Children to Make Sincere Apologies

 kids | 6-9 Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money

 tweens | 10-13 Should Your Tween Get a Summer Job?

 Teens | 14-18 Teen Driving: What to Know and How to Help

gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

47

c2c

expecting

1

p reg n a n c y

Boy or Girl?

How are you carrying?

A. Round and high B. Low and front

Predicting Your Baby's Gender with Old Wives’ Tales by colleen mctiernan

2

What kinds of foods are you craving?

A. Mostly sweet foods B. Mostly salty foods

Once you have determined that you are indeed pregnant (hooray!), the next question on your mind is probably whether that little bundle of joy growing inside you is a boy or a girl. And while you may have no preference between the two and are just hoping for a healthy baby, that doesn’t mean you (or family and friends) won’t anxiously await that 12-week mark to learn whether the little one growing in your belly will be a John or a Jane.

If you just can’t wait to find out, try taking our little quiz to see what some common myths have to say about your baby!

9

How are your hands feeling?

A. Very soft B. Very dry

10

How are your feet feeling?

A. They're always so warm!

B. So cold! Socks are a must.

11

3

5

7

How has your morning sickness been?

Has the father put on some sympathy weight?

How fast is your baby's heart rate?

What side do you sleep on?

A. I'm sick as a dog!

A. He certainly hasn't lost

A. 140+ beats per minute

A. On my right side

B. Under 140 beats per

B. On my left side

B. Not too bad!

weight B. No, he looks about the

minute

same 4

8

Has your face been breaking out more than usual?

Has your leg hair been growing in quickly?

A. I have so many pimples!

usual

Tie your wedding ring to a string and hang it over your belly. How is the ring swinging?

B. My legs are close to

A. In circles

B. My skin actually seems

better now that I'm pregnant

48

6

A. Not anymore than

werewolf status!

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

B. Back and forth

What does it mean?

If you chose mostly As, then congratulations! You’re having a girl! If you chose mostly Bs, then a bouncing baby boy will soon be coming your way! At least, that’s what the old wives’ tales say. Of course, nothing is 100 percent certain until that baby arrives! ]

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c2c

infant

a ge s 0 - 1

Real Advice from Real Moms sound is the e in h s u h k S ill ma you w aby’s ear your b a constant of o (think ” similar t h h . ) h s e “ nois white

“One of my mommy friends taught me the ‘eyebrow rub.’ Cradling your baby, use one hand, forefinger and pinky, to rub both eyebrows at the same time from middle to outside (sliding fingers away from each other). They close their eyes because your hand is in front of them and it’s very soothing. My son was a calm and good sleeper and I credit it all to this.”

Rock-A-Bye Baby 3 Ways to Sleep Train Your Little One

– Laurie, mom of one

“Foot rubs. To this day, all of the kids still ask me to 'rub my feet' when it’s time for bed. The tough part is figuring out who goes first. It's become something special for them and they only ask me to do it.”

– Corinne, mom of three

BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

New parents receive so much unsolicited advice regarding sleep and their newborns.

From “never wake a sleeping baby” to “wake the baby every two hours to eat” it can get pretty confusing. Add to that your exhaustion, and who has time to research the best way to get your baby to sleep? We’ve broken down the three most common methods to sleep train your baby.

The Ferber Method

Named after Dr. Richard Ferber, a pediatrician and author of “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems,” this method teaches your baby to soothe himself to sleep. Starting between the ages of 3 and 5 months, begin a loving bedtime routine, such as rocking and singing a lullaby, and then place your baby in the crib while he is still awake. If your baby cries, determine how long you will wait before you check on him. For example, allow your baby to cry for a minute or two, and then soothe him gently without picking him up. Leave the room, and do the same thing again. Over time, gradually increase your wait time before going in to soothe. This will allow your baby to adjust and eventually soothe himself to sleep.

The Five S’s

Dr. Harvey Karp author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” suggests recreating the womb experience to help your

50

baby sleep. He describes the first few months after a baby’s birth as the “fourth trimester” and says that babies need help adjusting to their new stimulating and active world. The Five S’s can help your fussy baby by turning on the calming reflex in his brain. The Five S’s to implement while your baby is still awake are swaddle, side or stomach position, shush, swing and suck. Swaddling means to wrap your baby snugly in a thin blanket. Side or stomach position is the best way to soothe your crying baby.

Once your baby is asleep, ALWAYS place him down on his back to reduce the risk of SIDS. Shush is the sound you will make in your baby’s ear (think of a constant “shhh” similar to white noise).

Swing is the movement you will use, typically a gentle jiggly walk, since this is what the baby will remember from the womb. Suck refers to the baby using a pacifier or his fingers. Karp suggests using the Five S’s in that order, then repeating if needed.

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

Pick Up Put Down Technique

Nurse, teacher and mom Tracy Hogg, also known as “The Baby Whisperer,” popularized the Pick Up Put Down (PUPD) technique. PUPD is recommended for babies between 4 and 8 months of age.

Start with a soothing, relaxing bedtime routine, such as a warm bath, snuggly pajamas and a lullaby. Once your baby is drowsy, place her in her crib. If she doesn’t immediately cry, leave the room. Stop, wait and listen. If your baby cries (more than a little fussing), go into her room, pick her up and soothe her until she stops.

Then put her back down in her crib. Hogg warns that it is time consuming for parents and may not work with some babies who could find the process over-stimulating.

What works for you?

The most important part of sleep training is finding what works for you and your family. Author and pediatrician William Sears tells parents to ask themselves these questions, whether related to sleep training, food choices or any other baby issues: Does this advice sound sensible?

Does it fit your baby’s temperament?

Listen to your intuition (and your baby) to find the right fit. ]

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a ge s 2 - 3

toddler

Spending the Day Away: Choosing the Right Child Care Facility

BY APRIL TISHER

No matter what ages your children are, making the decision about who will care for them when you are away from them is a big one. Whether you are leaving your infant in a full-time day care center while you return to work or are putting your little one in preschool two days a week, finding the right child care facility that not only you, but also your child feels comfortable with is a process. The right choice for your best friend’s child might not be as perfect for you. There are many options to consider before thinking about a specific place — in-home or at a center, faith based or not, full time or part time, etc. Once you have determined what will best suit your needs, it is time to do your research and take tours of the facilities. Here are some things to consider in finding the right child care program for your family.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has standard guidelines that child care facilities must follow in the state of Florida. They recommend that you first find out if the center is licensed by the state. There are many safety guidelines that a facility must follow on a continuous basis to receive and maintain licensure. Questions about curriculum, communication procedures between the school and home, and the snacks/meals that are served are examples of things you should ask when researching child care.

Visit Myfloridafamilies.com for a printable checklist and other parental resources.

Jan Banks, who has 17 years of experience in child care, recommends taking a tour, and not necessarily a scheduled one. She said just by walking in the door you should be able to get a good feel of the atmosphere. The relationship between staff members should seem happy and engaging. Are the adults and children smiling? This may seem overly simple, but if everyone likes to be there, it tells you a lot as a first impression.

“Relationships are what it is really all about,” said Banks. She feels that taking the time to invest in families from the first time they walk in the door makes a lasting impression. Another thing Banks feels is important is the physical environment.

Is the facility clean and safe? Does the playground and classroom equipment seem age appropriate and in good condition? Is there restricted or regulated entry access to the children and what are the safety procedures? What does the daily schedule look like for your child’s age group? Not only are teacher directed activities and curriculum important, but so are independent activities, such as centers, stations, art and music. Be sure to ask about school-wide special events, clubs and after-school activities. Are there extra costs associated with these things?

In the end, the place you choose needs to feel right, both to you and your child.

Having a working relationship with those caring for your child is paramount to success. ]

Choosing a Faith-Based Program If you are choosing a faith-based center, be sure that you understand the beliefs your child will be taught, especially if it is different from those beliefs you practice at home.

Teacher-Children Ratios for Center-Based Child Care* Four infants (less than 1 year old).................................................................................................................................

Six 1-year olds................................................................................................................................................................

11 2-year olds..................................................................................................................................................................

15 3-year olds.................................................................................................................................................................

20 4-year olds................................................................................................................................................................

25 5-year olds and older..............................................................................................................................................

One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver

*Not in-home | Source: Department of Children and Families gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

51

c2c

early years

ag e s 4 - 5

Saying Sorry: Teaching Your Children to Make Sincere Apologies

BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC

Admitting when you are wrong and asking for forgiveness is difficult for some adults. Imagine being a kid and trying to understand these concepts. Young children act and react impulsively, sometimes leading them to insult or hit someone else, and often they don’t even realize that they did anything wrong.

Kristina Chance, licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist, works primarily with children in her private practice. She explained that children from ages 5 to 9 are still very “black and white” in their thinking simply because their brains are still in the early stages of development. She advised parents to let their children know, even if they do not think they did anything wrong, that they still hurt someone or something.

“Because of that hurt, there is something to ‘repair,’ whether it be a relationship, feelings or situation, and apologies help repair or make amends for the action,” said Chance. She added that the more practice children have apologizing, the more natural it becomes.

Even with practice, there will still be those times when the apologies do not seem sincere. Your child may yell or flippantly say “sorry” because he knows it is what you expect. Use this time as an opportunity to add a little more creativity to the apology.

Tiffany Scott, mother of three, said that her children will sometimes apologize without prompting as well.

“The 2-year-old will hurt her sister by accident and immediately hug and say ‘I sowwy’ before I say anything,” she said.

Helping your child develop qualities such as consideration, authenticity and empathy takes time.

The best way to teach your children how to be kindhearted people is to model the behavior.

“Parents need to be aware how they are being empathetic with their children and others around their children,” said Chance. “Also, children need help connecting the dots. They are present-minded beings so we typically need to help them see how past events affected current or future events.”

For example, if your child yells at a classmate on the playground, help him be aware of how his actions have affected others. Did the other child cry? Did your child get in trouble? Did other kids refuse to play with him? Use these teachable moments to help him look outside of himself. And don’t forget to use your empathy skills toward him. Remember, you are his most important teacher! ]

“Some parents use scripts to help teach children to make a sincere apology and help them connect it to their behavior,” said Chance. “Others require apology notes or letters so there is a little more action required by the child. This is helpful because it is more than a ‘quick sorry’ to get out of trouble.”

Marcia Ise has two children, ages 4 and 6.

When they hurt one another, she has her children hug and recite, “God gave you to me to love and protect.” Sometimes they do this without her even prompting.

52

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

READ ALL ABOUT IT! Chance recommends using books to foster children’s awareness of others in relation to self.

“Stand In My Shoes” by Bob Sornson helps show empathy to children and the internal reward that comes from being aware of others.

“Have You Filled a Bucket Today?”

by Carol McCloud illustrates how we impact others’ selfesteem and mood along with our own.

c2c a ge s 6 - 9

Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money

BY SELENA GARRISON

everyday life. For example, when you are grocery shopping, you can teach about budgeting (we have $100 to spend on groceries today) and deciding between wants and needs (we have $7 left and can buy either a gallon of ice cream or a loaf of bread and peanut butter to make sandwiches for the week). When you are paying bills, you can talk to them about how much the cable bill costs and how many hours had to be worked to pay it off. When shopping for school clothes, you can have them choose between one name brand outfit and three generic brand outfits. These are all age-appropriate lessons that teach your kids how to begin making financial decisions in the real world.

By the time children are in elementary school, they are beginning to understand that money is limited. Help your children to understand how jobs and money work together to meet your family’s needs like in the examples above. At this age, children may want to hoard their own money, but they definitely won’t mind spending yours!

This is a good time to start teaching them about wise spending and saving.

Yesterday, I was in the bank drive-thru depositing some checks when my almost6-year-old piped up from the back seat, “Momma, why do you have to put your papers in that tube thing?” I explained that the “papers” were actually money that Mommy and Daddy got from working. We had to put them in the bank so that when we went to the grocery store later, I would be able to use my debit card to pay for our food and paper towels. “Oh, right,” he said.

“We have to have money in the bank to use that card thingy.” Then he promptly returned to talking about things little boys talk about, and I reflected on the fact that he is always watching what I am doing and there are so many opportunities to teach him along the way.

If you are interested in getting your child some outside resources to learn more about money, check out some of these great titles.

“The Everything Kids’ Money Book”

by Brette McWhorter Sember “How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000”

by James McKenna, Jeannine Glista and Matt Fontaine “Growing Money: A Complete Investing Guide for Kids” by Gail Karlitz and Debbie Honig “Financial Peace Junior”

by Dave Ramsey You might consider reading them to learn a thing or two yourself!

A simple way to start this conversation is by getting a divided “piggy bank” with sections for saving, spending and donating. Each time they earn or are gifted money, help them decide how they want to divide it up. Then open a savings account for them at a local bank or credit union and teach them how to deposit their savings.

This will give them a great head start on responsible saving and banking habits. ]

Children learn about money management from their parents. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a financial guru to help your kids make good financial decisions. You just have to teach them a little bit at a time and get some help along the way.

These sorts of lessons can be woven into

53

kids

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

What about allowance?

Children need to learn that basic chores are just a responsibility of being a member of the family and not something they get paid to do.

Instead of linking allowance to chores, give a basic allowance based on the child’s spending responsibilities. (This is money that you would normally spend on them anyway — lunch money, entertainment money, clothing money, etc.) If your child would like to supplement their regular allowance, allow them to do extra chores to save money for more costly goals (special trips, expensive shoes, a new video game, etc.). This not only teaches children that chores are just a fact of life, but it also allows them to learn to budget their money. gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

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c2c

tweens

ag e s 1 0 - 1 3 you may not even have to coax him to seek out work — your tween may think of the idea all on his own.

April Tisher is the mother of a 13-year-old industrious tween. Her son, Andrew, dog sits for their neighbors and helps takes care of his grandmother’s yard by mowing the grass.

“He wanted extra money,” Tisher said of her son. “I think he [enjoys working], especially the dog sitting. He’s a dog lover. Lately, he’s spent the money on birthday and Valentine’s Day presents for his girlfriend.”

And while Andrew may have spent some of his hard-earned money, he is still learning the value of a dollar.

Bake sales are a fun way of earning extra money!

“It’s easy [for kids] to spend their parents’ money — the value seems insignificant,” said Tisher. “But when he must earn it, he is more careful of how he spends or saves it.”

Should Your Tween Get a Summer Job?

BY TARYN TACHER

Summer is finally here, and that means pool days, camp, trips to the beach, play dates and lots of free time for your tween. While school may be out — and your tween certainly deserves a break from homework and studying — there is no reason he cannot still be productive. It is never too early to instill a strong work ethic in your children, so why not encourage them to get a summer job? Vegging out is much needed from time to time, of course, but with more than two months off from school, there is plenty of time for your tween to earn some money and learn a little responsibility, too. Summer is the perfect time to transform your tween into a budding businessperson.

A lot can be learned from simple summer jobs — like time management, responsibility and the importance of saving and spending money wisely. So, motivate your tween to find a summer job to keep him busy and to balance out the countless hours he will be spending soaking up the sun. ]

Summer Jobs for Your Tween to Consider • Dog walking • Dog sitting • Babysitting • Housesitting

54

Just keep in mind that per the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, child labor laws in the state of Florida prevent the employment of anyone under the age of 14. So, while your tween cannot apply to work at the local ice cream shop or any of the stores in the mall, he can still snag a summer job by helping a neighbor, by working at a family-owned business or by getting creative.

interested in doing. If he loves animals, dog walking or dog sitting may be the perfect way for your tween to earn some cash. If he has experience caring for younger siblings, babysitting for neighbors may be his calling.

Is your tween artistic and entrepreneurial? It is never too early for him to open an online shop on a site like Etsy, where he can sell homemade jewelry, artwork and more.

• Lawn mowing

Sit down with your tween to discuss his interests, his strengths and what he might be

If your tween has a talent or interest, or if he is trying to save up to buy something special,

• Lemonade stand/bake sale

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

• Gardening/yard work • Selling handmade items through an Etsy shop • Tutoring • Washing cars • Household chores

Helping 2nd through 8th graders overcome tomorrow’s struggles today by developing the following: • Time Management • Improved Test Scores • Reading Comprehension • Organizational Strategies • Proper Study Habits • Listening Skills • Note Taking • Research Strategies • Reduction of Test Anxiety • Concentration & Attention Skills

Our mission is to engage students where they are today, inspire them to be better than yesterday, and prepare them to be their best for tomorrow.

CONTACT US TODAY! LANCE@ENGAGEDACADEMICS.ORG | 850.688.5299 | ENGAGEDACADEMICS.ORG gigglemagAZINETALLAHASSEE.com | june/july 2017

55

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teens

ag e s 1 4 - 1 8

Teen Driving: What To Know and How to Help

BY LISA KATZ

For teen drivers (and their parents!), it can be overwhelming to get behind the wheel for the first time. It can also be extremely risky. The best thing for a new driver is to feel comfortable, knowledgeable and prepared, and it is your role as the parent to get your teen ready, whether you teach her yourself or enroll her in a class.

In order to feel comfortable driving, your teen will need experience. Florida law states that a new driver must have a minimum of 50 hours of practice driving, of which 10 hours must be at night, before she can even apply for a license. The more often you allow your new driver to practice, the more comfortable she will feel about driving.

DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CONSIDER

There are a few important rules of proper behavior to consider in aiding safety, especially for a new teen driver. Steve Milo, a driving instructor at North Central Florida Safety Council, recommended that parents communicate these with their teens before handing over those car keys.

56

1. Limit the number of passengers in the car. Too many (even one extra person) can be very distracting.

2. Limit driving at nighttime to when both the parent and the teen feel more comfortable.

3. Limit driving on the highways as well. Consider starting in an empty parking lot and slowly move up to highways.

4. Be smart about the weather.

Florida rains can be crazy. If you cannot see well, safely pull over to the side of road.

5. Take note of the car’s dashboard.

If you see any unusual things lit up or blinking, safely pull over and call a parent, a car dealership or someplace you can take the car for maintenance.

It goes without saying that parents should stress the importance of never texting while driving. Cellphone use should be limited to when the car is in park.

Leon County Teen Driver Challenge Leoncountyso.com This is a free program for teen drivers that reside in Leon County and have their learner’s permit. It consists of two hours of classroom instruction as well as an additional six hours of hands-on experience. Staff members of the Leon County Sheriff’s office conduct this defensive driving training day.

American Safety Institute of Tallahassee Drivingschooltallahassee.com These “Behind the Wheel” lessons are designed by DMV state-approved certified professional instructors. With only one student in the car and one instructor, it offers an excellent opportunity for driver education and training. The instructor’s car also has a dual-controlled brake for safety. There are several types of packages to choose from.

Leon County Public School Driver Education Leonschools.net This semester-long course is offered through your teen’s public high school.

Instructors are certified through the Department of Education. At the end of this course, the driver will have received “on-the-road” experience, driving range practice, classroom instruction as well as a half a credit toward graduation requirements. ]

gigglemagazinetallahassee.com | june/july 2017

!

Statistics to be aware of Below are the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2016 statistics involving teen drivers: The sum of crashes involving a teen driver = 45,279 LEON COUNTY HAD 1,011 The sum of all injuries in teen crashes = 34,094 LEON COUNTY HAD 678 The sum of all fatalities in teen crashes = 262 LEON COUNTY HAD 3

j u n e / j u ly c a le n d a r

happy community June 10 The Ride for Hope Family Festival Activities and Health Fair 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

North Florida Fairgrounds Therideforhope.com

hello r e m m su

June 10 Free Second Saturday Family Programs 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Museum of Florida History Museumoffloridahistory.com

June 14 Flag Day June 14–17 Alice in Wonderland: The Musical Monticello Opera House Monticellooperahouse.org

june June 1 Food Truck Thursdays at Lake Ella 6–9 p.m.

Lake Ella Facebook.com/ FoodTruckThursdayTallahassee (Event repeats every Thursday)

June 2 First Friday Outdoor Concert Featuring the Vintage Vixens 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Downtown Thomasville at the corner of Remington Avenue and Broad Street Thomasvillega.com

June 3 Tallahassee Downtown Market 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

117 E. Park Avenue Downtownmarket.com (Event repeats every Saturday)

June 16–17 Watermelon Festival 2017

June 3 Free “Sky Guy” Planetarium Show

Friday: 2–9 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Downtown Monticello Monticellojeffersonfl.com

10 a.m.

Challenger Learning Center Challengertlh.com

June 17 Kids’ Free Day at Challenger Learning Center

June 3 Night Prowl

Challenger Learning Center Challengertlh.com

7–8:30 p.m.

Tallahassee Museum Tallahasseemuseum.org

June 4 Tally’s Beach Cleanup 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

St. George Island Facebook.com

June 9–10 Alice in Wonderland Presented by Ballet Arts Conservatory of Tallahassee Lincoln High School Auditorium Tallahasseearts.org

June 17 10th Annual Celebration Car Show 5 p.m.

Celebration Baptist Church Icelebration.org

June 17 Night Prowl

7–8:30 p.m.

Tallahassee Museum Tallahasseemuseum.org

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June 17 Sundown Summer Concert Series: Humming House w/ Two Foot Level 7–10 p.m.

Cascades Park Tallahasseedowntown.com

June 18 Father’s Day June 18 Father’s Day Site Tour and Barbecue Dinner 5 p.m.

Mission San Luis Missionsanluis.org

June 21 First Day of Summer June 23 – July 2 Footloose – A Young Actors Theatre Production Young Actors Theatre Mainstage Youngactorstheatre.com

June 24 26th Annual Tallahassee Model Railroad Show & Sale 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

North Florida Fairgrounds Tallahasseearts.org

july July 1 Free “Sky Guy” Planetarium Show

10 a.m.

Challenger Learning Center Challengertlh.com

July 4 Independence Day July 4 Celebrate America 5–10 p.m.

Tom Brown Park Talgov.com

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July 4 July 4th Fireworks and Festivities

July 15 Night Prowl

July 7 First Friday Outdoor Concert Featuring the Grains of Sand Band

July 15 Sundown Summer Concert Series: Col. Bruce Hampton and The Madrid Express w/ The Midtowners

6:30 p.m.

Downtown Thomasville on West Jackson Street Thomasvillega.com

7:30–9:30 p.m.

Downtown Thomasville Amphitheater Thomasvillega.com

July 8 Free Second Saturday Family Programs 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Museum of Florida History Museumoffloridahistory.com

7–8:30 p.m.

Tallahassee Museum Tallahasseemuseum.org

7–10 p.m.

Cascades Park Tallahasseedowntown.com

june

July 8 Swamp Stomp Music Festival 4–9 p.m.

Tallahassee Museum Tallahasseemuseum.org

July 8 Night Prowl

7–8:30 p.m.

Tallahassee Museum Tallahasseemuseum.org

July 14 Ernie Sims Youth Football and Cheer Camp 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Tom Brown Park Bighitsflorida.com

July 14 Big HITS Foundation Flag Football Game 6–8 p.m.

Bighitsflorida.com

July 15 Kids’ Free Day at Challenger Learning Center Challenger Learning Center Challengertlh.com

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happy community Behind the Scenes!

Flag Day is June 14!

DID KNOW?

President Wo od established th row Wilson e to commemo holiday in 1916 rate the adop tio of the official flag of the Un n it States. On Ju ne 14, 1777, ed it was decided th would have 1 at the U.S. flag 3 red and wh ite stripes, and st ar each state on s to represent a field of blu e.

We fell in love with the trees at the Patty family photo shoot!

Dad! Don't forget to call Sunday, June 18 is

Father's Day!

Š 2016 iStockphoto LP. All rights reserved.

Thank youlftoClub!

SouthWood Go

Giggle Magazine is celebrating Leon County’s teachers!

Visit Giggle

magazinetallahassee.com to submit your favorite ed ucator for a chance to be featured in one of our upcoming issues.

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