Roanoke Valley Family July 2020

July 2020 • Volume 8 • Issue 11 • Free

Virtual Summer Camps learn how to enrich your family’s summer online this year.

Secrets of Self Care

7 Stress-free Scents

DON’T PUT DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD. YOURON HEALTH HOLD. See us safely.

ON See HOLD. us safely.

At today’s Carilion, you have more choices than ever before to get the care you need.

At today’s Carilion, you have more choices virtual than ever From before to getvisits the and caremail-order you need. prescriptions to online registration and At today’s Carilion, you have more choices From messaging, virtual visitsyou andcan mail-order 24/7 MyChart now get than ever before to get the care you need. prescriptions tomedical online registration and the same expert care you expect 24/7 MyChart messaging, youleaving can now get From virtual visits and mail-order from Carilion without home. prescriptions to online registration the same expert medical care you and expect And when you do visit our facilities, we 24/7 MyChart messaging, you can now get from Carilion without leaving home. are right here by your side—together with the same expert medical care you expect theAnd screening,you testing andour safety protocols do visit facilities, fromwhen Carilion without leaving home. we we’ve developed to keep you and your are right here by your side—together with And when you do visit our facilities, we care team safe. the screening, testing and safety protocols are right here by your side—together with we’ve developed to keep you and your the screening, testing and safety protocols care team safe. we’ve developed to keep you and your As always, and like never before, you care team safe.

See us safely.

can count on Carilion to see you safely.

CarilionClinic.org/safe As always, and like never before, you can count on Carilion to see you safely.

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leading off: publisher’s note It feels like 2020 has it out for us all.

Murder Hornets, Pandemics and Protests have filled our newsfeeds, headlines and lives.

As we type this - a Godzilla Sand cloud is also heading our way. I never thought I would type those words!

At this moment in time, we need to all pull together and understand that the only way to get through any of this is through unity.

We must be strong for ourselves, our country and most importantly - our kids.

We must teach love and not hate. We must show compassion and not anger. We must try to create our ideal society and not continue to live in the past.

What this year has taught me more than anything is that we have a long way to go to be that ideal society. But with some hard work, love and compassion we can get there.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

-Martin Luther King

Our family at Hollywood Studios - right before the Pandemic, February 28th.

The Eagan Family

Andrea, Josh, Anika and Evelyn

Proud Members of the Parenting Media Association since 2013! Learn more at www.parentmedia.org.

7

Co n t a ct Us: P.O. Box 4484, Roanoke, VA 24015 540-251-1660 www.roanoke.family

Publishers

Josh & Andrea Eagan josh@virginiafamily.com • Anika and Evelyn’s Parents

Creative Director

Read Our Other Publications

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Contributors Kimberly Emory • Sandi Schwartz Susan Baldani • Lesley Butterfield-Harrop Rachel Levine • Jacqueline Moon

Connect With Us

/roanokefamily

Tracy Fisher

tracy@virginiafamily.com • Charlotte and Evelyn’s Mom

Community Relations Director

We welcome reader comments, submissions, and the support of advertisers.

jeanne@virginiafamily.com • Parker and Connor’s Mom

We reserve the right to refuse or edit any materials submitted to us as we deem inappropriate for our audience. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any submission to be returned. We do not accept responsibility for unsolicited materials.

Jeanne Lawrence

Editor

Jacqueline Moon jackie@virginiafamily.com • Elijah’s Mom, and Luke and Blair’s Stepmom

Sales Assistants Ani & Evie Eagan

sales@virginiafamily.com • Bauer and Chloe’s Owners

Webmaster

John Morris • COV Designs john@covdesigns.com

Roanoke Valley Family and www.roanoke.family are published by MoFat Publishing. Roanoke Valley Family is published monthly.

The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Roanoke Valley Family, its staff, or its contributors. While multiple businesses, schools, and organizations are represented in our pages, and magazines are often distributed to students according to the policies and procedures of each school district, this is not a publication coordinated or endorsed by any public or private school district, nor is it a publication with any religious or political objectives. As a mass media outlet, it is our oath and responsibility to communicate with due diligence, through our content, the plurality of views and opinions reflected in our audience of Central and Southwest Virginia. Readers are strongly encouraged to verify information with programs and businesses directly. Parents are urged to thoroughly research any decisions involving their children. Copyright 2019 by MoFat Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. All material, including artwork, advertisements, and editorials, may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

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Submit Your Ideas Share your story ideas with us by emailing jackie@virginiafamily.com

© Copyright 2020 Mofat Publishing

Inside July Help Children Set & Keep Goals

Teach children the importance of setting and working towards their own goals Read on page 36

Meet the Cover Artist

Botetourt Teenager, Aubrey Aaron is an amazing artist - so we asked her to paint our July cover!

Read on page 20

Anxiety Don’t Stress it

Tips and coping skills to relaxtion for teens.

Read on page 16

18 Fun At Home

While we can’t gather for our annual festivals or parties in the park, you can celebrate fun holidays throughout July with our Fun at Home Calendar!

40 Rachel Reads

This month we honor legendary children’s book author, Tomie dePaola.

18 Virtual Summer Camp

Traditional camps may be cancelled, but learn about four great ways to have fun this summer at home!

28 Decoding Your Child’s Cold Learn the difference between flu,cold and coronavirus and when it’s appropriate to bring your little one to the doctor.

14 Secrets of Self-Care

Self care is more than bon bons and bubble baths, it’s about focusing on your needs and making time for yourself.

12 Natural Twist on Lemonade

We took the classic summer treat up a notch with natural flavorings

22 Kids Don’t Need Superheroes

For a child waiting for a permanment home, they don’t want superheroes; they want love, patience and acceptance. Learn about how one family changed the lives of 5 adopted children.

26 HOME HEADLINE 42 Activity Pages

Shop. Eat. Local Roanoke Valley Family Magazine to proud to partner with local businesses, restaurants and services and provide great deals to our audience!

Are you a local business owner?

Contact Josh@virigniafamily.com to find out how your business can receive a FREE AD

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in the

‘Noke Noteworthy news from around the Valley

The Roanoke County School Board adopted the following resolution at their June 11, 2020 meeting:

work together to support our shared conviction that racism must end;

Whereas, members of the Roanoke County School Board, as well as the Roanoke County Public Schools staff, are saddened and outraged by recent events that demonstrate the prejudice and injustice that persists in our country;

Whereas, we must lead. Each of us, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing an anti-racist learning environment where every child is respected and valued for who they are, regardless of their skin color. We must actively acknowledge, address and prevent racial bias that occurs as a result of division policies, practices and actions;

Whereas, racism and hate have no place in our schools or our society, and we must protect the Constitutional rights of every person who lives, works and learns in our community; Whereas, we cannot be silent. We urgently must act to stop the racial injustice that harms and anguishes black people, who are our family, friends, neighbors, students, staff members and fellow Americans; Whereas, we must listen. Those who have endured discrimination and intolerance deserve to be heard as they share the stories and truth about their experiences and feelings, and we must seek with great empathy to understand their challenges and their pain; Whereas, we must learn. It is time to engage our community in meaningful and honest conversation about racial inequality, to build alliances with those committed to justice for all, and to

Whereas, we must do better. Our school division can be and will be a sanctuary of safety in our community and a beacon of light for the world, as we build and strengthen trust with those we serve, and we model the acceptance of all people.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that we, members of the Roanoke County School Board, stand steadfast in our commitment to foster an inclusive educational environment where every student, teacher, support professional, parent and community member is treated with dignity and respect, as well as our commitment to continue fighting for racial justice and human and civil rights for all. (emphasis added by Roanoke Valley Family Magazine)

We heard it online!

Congrats to Roanoke’s MonaLissa Constant!! MonaLissa graduated Honor Grad, top of her class at MOS School, and earned a Meritorious promotion to Lance Corporal as a result! Congrats LCpl Constant!!!

– John Hall

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Family • July 2020

Day 1 of Mad Science Camp in the books! @ Parkway Kids in Roanoke – Christine Lynn Phillips

Thank you Behind the Badge of Roanoke VA for the delivery of snacks and refreshments for our dispatchers! All four platoons will enjoy your thoughtfulness!

– City of Roanoke E911 Center

Veronica Reilly once spent time in jail, and now, she’s helping women in similar situations. “I’m not proud of my past, but I’m proud of what I’ve overcome,” Reilly, shelter supervisor at the Roanoke Rescue Mission, said. Four years ago, Reilly was serving time in the Amherst County Jail.

“If you had told me my life would’ve taken this journey, I wouldn’t believe it,” she said.

But it’s a journey that gave her the positive mindset she has now. “Everyone falls down, but it’s when you pick yourself back up, and I may fall down again, but I’ve learned to never give up, never lose my faith in God, and just keep pushing forward,” Reilly said. The Roanoke Rescue Mission played a large role in helping Reilly get back on her feet. She was hired after finishing her sentence, and has worked her way up. “I can use what I’ve learned and where I come from to help the women here,” she said. In June, she celebrated four years of success and her fairly new title: shelter supervisor.

Article excerpt by Lindsay Cayne, WDBJ7 reporter. Reprinted with permission. See the full article at WDBJ7.com.

Parks & Rec to Participate in 2020 USDA Summer Program Roanoke Parks and Recreation will participate in the 2020 USDA Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability; there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided Monday through Friday (unless otherwise noted) at the sites and times as follows. Meals will be served in a take-it-and-go method; no meals will be consumed on site.

June 22- August 7, 12-1 PM Villages at Lincoln, 1901 Dunbar St. Indian Rock Village, 2034 Indian Village Lane Jamestown Place, 1533 Pike Lane Bluestone Park, 2617 Bluestone Ave Landsdowne Park, 2624 Salem Turnpike Hunt Manor, 802 Hunt Ave June 22-August 7, 12-12:30 PM Eureka Recreation Center, 1529 Carroll Ave June 22-Aug. 7, 12:45-1:15 PM

The Virginia Museum of Transportation reopened on Thursday, June 11.

This date has amazing significance to VMT as it is 6/11 – the number of their beloved, iconic Class J 611 locomotive. VMT has been closed to the public due to COVID-19 since March 17 and in the interim have been preparing the venue and offering dynamic virtual content under the banner of “VMT GO” with live tours of exhibits and online activities available on social media and their official website, VMT.org.

“It’s great to be back! We have missed our beloved VMT community very much and are looking forward to seeing them again.” - Don Moser, Interim Director VMT will be following Phase 2 restrictions including but not limited to a 50 person maximum capacity, encouraging social distancing, face coverings when indoors and sanitation of surfaces by staff. They have reduced admissions in lieu of certain exhibit closures due to Phase 2 restrictions. Admission will be $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for age 3-18, and under 3 are free.

Adjusted hours will be TuesdaySaturday, 10am-5pm.

Preston Park Recreation, Center, 3137 Preston Ave

“Having a baby dragged me, kicking and screaming, from the world of self-absorption.”

— Paul Reiser, comedian Please help us welcome Natasha Saunders to the Roanoke City School Board. Ms. Saunders is a Roanoke native & a proud graduate of William Fleming High School.

– Roanoke City Schools

Inspired by someone I saw yesterday I decided to change up my running schedule before heading back to work tomorrow.

I live close to the river + there’s rain in the forecast so a lot of this trash could’ve ended up in the water. Happy to help keep Roanoke clean.

– Annie Schroeder

Family • July 2020

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FUN t HOaM E

July 4

Independence Day & National Fry-An-EggOn-The-Sidewalk Day We think we should combine these two holidays and have a very patriotic breakfast during our summer heat wave! While local towns will not be holding their annual firework shows, we suggest baking soda/vinegar explosions for families with kids.

July 11

Cheer Up the Lonely Day We’ve all been a little lonely since the Covid19 precautions started. Spend the day writing a letter or email to a friend you haven’t heard from in a while.

July 13

Embrace Your Inner Geek Day Break out the comic books, gather your board games and

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Family • July 2020

dust off those D&D manualstoday is the day of the geek!

Celebrate being passionate about your interests and sharing them with others.

July 15

National Hot Dog Day Today is the day you find out who in your family can eat the most hot dogs in one sitting. Be honest, you’ve always wanted to know.

July 19

National Ice Cream Day We don’t know why most of the national holidays are food themed, but we aren’t going to complain when today is ice cream day!

July 24

Amelia Earhart Day Celebrate this aviation pioneer’s birthday with a paper plane competition! No chance you’ll be lost for decades and possibly surviving on a tropical island in the bermuda triangle with those.

July 20

Moon Day Today we honor when man first walked on the moon back in 1969! We are eagerly awaiting when astronauts will return to the moon and make more amazing discoveries!

July 26

Aunt & Uncle Day Finally a day for the best relatives- aunts and uncles!

While not everyone may have an aunt or uncle, most everyone has that adult in their life who

supports your parents, loves you unconditionally and spoils you beyond belief. Make sure to thank the adults in your life who love you!

is a time to encourage efforts towards peace, and to build bridges among different people.

It is a day of respect for others, and a day to celebrate diversity.

July 30

According to the United Nations, on this day people, groups and governments should hold events and activities to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation.

International Day of Friendship The world is filled with too much hatred, too much fighting and too much mistrust of others. The International Day of Friendship is certainly an opportunity to stop, and to reverse, these worldwide problems.

According to the United Nations, the official sponsor of this special day, the International Day of Friendship is day set aside to promote friendship among peoples, cultures and countries. Today

On an individual level, use this day to promote friendship in big and small ways. You can begin by “extending an olive branch” to a sibling or a family member, a neighbor, or an old friend who we’ve had a falling out with.

If we all try just a little the world will be a friendlier, more peaceful place.

One day or DAY ONE. You decide.

Join Today!

www.ymcavbr.org Family • July 2020

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Natural Twist on Lemonade

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Family • July 2020

Making your own naturally sweetened lemonade is easier than you’d think! All you need is a few simple ingredients (3, to be exact!) to get started. Then, the flavorings are up to you and your family’s preferences.

Fresh Lemon Juice.

I highly recommend you use fresh lemon juice over the bottled stuff for homemade lemonade. The flavor of fresh lemon juice will be much better and less bitter and sour than the bottled kind.

You need 1 cup of fresh lemon juice for this recipe, which will take somewhere between 4-8 lemons (depending on their size and juiciness). A citrus juicer can make quick work of this for you.

Water.

Pretty straightforward, but water will dilute the lemon juice and carry the other flavors in homemade lemonade.

I used 4-6 cups of water, depending on how intense I want the flavor.

Try Sparkling Water.

You can also add a little fizz to this by using carbonated water if you like.

I recommend whisking up the honey mixture, lemon juice, and any fruit or flavor add-ins you like before adding the sparkling water, so you only have to stir it minimally.

Natural Sweetener.

You want something light-tasting, whenever possible. I usually use honey because I love how it pairs with the fruit flavors, but agave also works. If possible, I recommend using a light-tasting honey (preferably raw). Raw honey tends to have the most nutrients and benefits, so if you can find it, I recommend it! If you’re going with agave, I opt for the lighter colored/flavored varieties.

Mix & Match Fruit Flavors.

You don’t have to just add one kind of fruit! Why not do peach-mango, mixed berry, strawberry-watermelon, or raspberry-peach?

Fresh Herbs.

You can get even more creative with flavors by adding a few leaves or sprigs of fresh herbs to any of the flavors listed below. My favorites are mint and basil. It won’t make your lemonade tase grassy, it’ll just brighten up and wake up the other flavors. Start small, and add more, to taste!

Get Creative With Ice Cubes!

Delicious Fruit.

For my flavored lemonades, you can use fresh or frozen fruit. I did a mix of both for mine, and they all work beautifully.

Choose 2-3 cups of your chosen fruit.

Puree it in a blender or food processor until smooth and add the puree as is to the lemonade for a “freckled” or rustic version.You can also run the puree through a fine mesh sieve for a smooth puree that adds flavor without adding texture.

To add more flavor, you can freeze slices or cubes of frozen fruit or sprigs of fresh herbs in your ice cube tray with water to add even more fun flavor while they thaw.

Recipe from onelovelylife.com

every smile

comes from a place of safety and security that only a home can bring.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life.

Donate or volunteer at habitat-roanoke.org

Ad Generously Provided by BURCHETT HOMES Family • July 2020

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The Secret of Self-Care

by Lesley Butterfield Harrop

Listen up — I have a secret of my own that I want to share with you! It is the secret of self-care, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets of all. Before you start to think that self-care is only about bubble baths and bonbons, let’s take a dive into the history of caring for oneself.

Self-care was originally rooted in medical atmospheres, where clinicians would try to help those struggling with an illness or health condition to achieve independence and selfsufficiency. Self-care got its start in the medical and psychological arena, but it didn’t stay there. As professionals and patients began seeing increased positive outcomes from self-care encouragement and goals, it soon spilled over into self-care goals for the caregivers themselves. Caregiver

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Family • July 2020

burnout is a real thing, and secondary trauma can be difficult for caregivers to deal with should they be exposed to it through their work or in their day-today interactions and responsibilities.

Since awareness increased the importance of care for caregivers within the last decade, the term ‘self-care’ has become wildly popular and used to describe many methods of caring for oneself in a holistic and intentional way. Nowadays, you can’t flip through a magazine without seeing something about self-care.

So what does self-care really mean?

Self-care is the intentional act of anything one does to take care of his or her own physical, emotional, and mental health. You may have

traveled on an airplane and heard the instructions, “Make sure to secure your own oxygen mask before helping another with theirs.” This is a great way to think of self-care. We cannot secure any else’s oxygen mask if we do not have our own secured. The phrase, “You cannot pour from an empty cup,” is also fitting when learning about why self-care is essential to optimal functioning. We cannot meet the needs of others when our own needs are not met. We struggle to give love, care, concern, empathy, and compassion to others when we are lacking those qualities for ourselves. This is why selfcare matters!

What constitutes self-care?

Self-care can really be anything from taking a five-minute break and walking

around the block, eating healthy foods for lunch, cozying up with a good book, lighting your favorite candle and listening to music, spending time with a close friend, spending time alone, making sure you get regular health checks, and even disengaging from a heated Facebook post on politics.

The point is that the possibilities are endless! Self-care can be anything that you need when you need it.

How do you know when you need selfcare?

Pros at self-care will all say that selfcare is a way of life and a manner of living. It is not something that just comes up one day and reappears a month later. It’s always a part of living with intentionality, peace, and a vibrant outlook to the future.

There are three steps to incorporating self-care into your own day-to-day routines: 1. Engage in values work. What is important to you? Do you

like to read or dance? Is there a skill you have but don’t have time to engage in that skill regularly? What do you like to do to relax? Are you an introvert who enjoys alone time or an extrovert who gains strength from being around other people? What kind of example and model of self-care do you want your kids to see in you? Identify your own values, and self-care will start to come naturally.

2. Self-care early, and self-care often. Set aside time in the morning for a short self-care routine. Start your day with an uplifting message, drink a cup of herbal tea, or just take a few minutes and quietly watch the sunrise. Self-care does not always have to take a lot of time, either! You can engage in self-care right from your cubicle and even in the office by taking time to eat

a healthy lunch instead of working through breaks. Selfcare can take place anytime, anywhere, and at any point during the day.

3. Rest, recharge, repeat! If you are new to self-care, try keeping a self-care journal so you can determine what works best for you. If taking a siesta after lunch only makes you more tired, then save that for a lazy weekend instead of a full day of responsibilities.

Learn what helps you rest and recharge, and repeat that when needed.

Overall, the magic of self-care can be life-changing! It can help anyone to better manage stress, set and maintain healthy limits, and contribute to overall physical, emotional, and mental wellness. So join in the selfcare movement today!

Think outside the book.

NORTH CROSS SCHOOL was founded on the belief that a classroom is a concept, not a room. With small groups, teachers are inspired and empowered to curate lessons, not follow them. Children pursue their best in a community that supports and respects curiosity and innovation.

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Family • July 2020

15

Anxiety

Don’t Stress It.

by Kaylee Golder

Have you ever seen your teenager stress over the smallest of things?

Maybe their worry even sends you into a panic of your own. When should you, as a parent, start to be concerned?

If you fear your teen is stressing too much, then you might want to delve a little deeper into what anxiety and stress really are.

Often, high school students have a thousand stressors. They are thrown headfirst into a brand-new school with an endless number of possibilities. It can seem quite overwhelming at times.

Freshmen often struggle with entering this new realm, and seniors struggle to say goodbye to their four-year sanctuary.

When students enter high school, some of them worry about how they are going to spend the next four years tackling the schoolwork and struggles that may arise. So what can be done to help?

Heather Garnett, one of Lord Botetourt High School’s counselors, said she’ll often talk to students about what classes they’ve completed and what they have to take in the upcoming years. “It’s just as easy as doing some

time management things and working on a plan towards something,” said Garnett, who believes that coming up with a plan can make students feel more relaxed by having an idea for their future.

But sometimes, having a plan alone can’t improve some students’ stress.

When trying to ease parents’ concerns about their child’s anxiety, Garnett said she communicates with parents and focuses on how much the anxiety is interfering with their son or daughter’s daily routine.

Furthermore, there’s a difference between diagnosed anxiety and the natural anxiety that everybody is going to experience. Ashley Hatcher, the school’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) counselor, elaborates that natural anxiety is quite common for a high school student; on the other hand, diagnosed anxiety has a “whole spectrum of diagnosed anxieties.” Specific anxieties, such as agoraphobia or arachnophobia, aren’t going to be an overbearing struggle for students on a day-to-day basis, whereas social anxiety affects a teen’s ability to communicate with peers and instructors every day.

Often, a line exists between normal, everyday stressors and anxiety that is diagnosed. When anxiety is affecting a child’s needs, part of Hatcher’s and Garnett’s role is to help the parents understand that it isn’t their child’s choice to feel this way. It’s how their brain is wired and how their neurochemicals are working with each other.

There seems to be a common census between the two counselors when it comes to common coping skills: it really just depends on the student and how well they can handle it. Hatcher also expresses that it is unhealthy to believe there is an easy fix, because what works for one person may not work for another.

In fact, Hatcher says, “Coping skills are endless and numberless, so you really do need a diverse toolbox of different ones to go to at different times.” For example, some students use journaling while others use exercise to channel their fears. Therefore, some methods that decrease one person’s stress level might ultimately increase another’s.

Parents can’t expect a one-size-fits-all solution, because every situation is different, just like every kid is unique.

According to Garnett, “Do you have somebody to talk to?” is one of the vital questions she asks. “By talking to someone,” she says, ”you’re able to lessen that stress because you’re sharing your feelings; you’re acknowledging what’s going on.”

Having a strong support system, whether it’s friends or family, lets a student have people to rely on.

Sometimes, this system can be nothing more than just lending an ear.

Where else can your student go for advice or help for their nervewracking days, and who can they talk to? Many students become involved in their community, and Garnett states that “building that network where students feel like they have support is probably one of the more important things.” There are so many quick and accessible resources, such as mobile apps, for students to go to for more support. Plus, students always have resources at school, like the counseling department, the nurse, the SAP office, and teachers who are willing to lend a helping hand.

The important thing is that your student feels as if he or she has someone to support them through these life-changing years, whether it is family, friends, or professional help. Natural anxieties are a part of a high schooler’s school year, but if the anxiety interferes with their daily life, it may be best to seek further help, whether in or out of school. Your teen might not know it now, but there are always helping hands, open minds, and listening ears for those who need it, and it can make a large impact in little ways.

Kaylee Golder is a rising senior at Lord Botetourt High School. Her passions include art, music, writing, and exploring new destinations. She has been helping others since a young age, and she encourages everyone to travel beyond expectations, never letting limits define their worth. Kaylee strives to create laughter and new opportunities as she continues through high school.

“

By talking to someone you’re able to lessen that stress because you’re sharing your feelings; you’re acknowledging what’s going on.

”

Family • July 2020

17

As summer camps across the country are cancelling the season, a new and exciting alternative is cropping up instead: virtual summer camps. These camps, which range in duration from one-day sessions to two-month virtual stays, capture much of the magic of traditional summer camps.

If you’re looking for some great activities for the kids, consider enrolling them in virtual camps this summer where they can experience all the fun from the comfort and convenience of home. And the kids

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Family • July 2020

can “attend” camp in their PJs if they want! All they need is a computer with audio and video connectivity.

In general, there are two types of virtual summer camps. Some camps replicate the traditional camp experience, with virtual cabins, cabin activities, and themed days. Other camps focus more on developing certain skills or interests. However, all of them have one thing in common: they’re either completely free or much less expensive than traditional summer camps. If you want to give your kids

the fullest possible experience, enroll them in one of each kind of camp.

Camp Supernow

www.campsupernow.com Designed for kids ages 6-11, campers can either choose to join a private cabin with their regular friends from home, or join a mixed cabin with kids from around the country. Each cabin is led by a counselor who guides all the activities which include virtual dance parties, field trips, icebreaker games, invention challenges,

Virtual Summer Camp A Great Alternative to Traditional Summer Camp

science experiments, and theater performances. Like in most traditional summer camps, each day has a specific theme such as “Design and Invention Day,” “Outer Space,” or “Pirates.”

Happy Camper Live

www.happycamperlive.com This is a camp for kids of all ages where campers can choose from hundreds of daily activities like arts and crafts, cooking, music, performing arts, and sports. The camp has a virtual campfire with a live talent show and a camp store where kids can buy

camp equipment, gear and clothing to make them feel a part of the larger camp community.

Code with Google

edu.google.com/code-with-google Here, kids learn different computer science skills, including how to build online games and how to code using various programming languages.

Maker Camp

makercamp.com

hands-on projects. They can choose to learn how to cook, do magic tricks, create robots, and develop seed balls, and many other activities.

For a comprehensive, searchable database of hundreds of virtual summer camps across the U.S., see ActivityHero at www.activityhero.com Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

Kids learn STEAM skills though fun Family • July 2020

19

Cover Artist

Aubrey Aaron

My name is Aubrey Aaron. I just turned 13-years-old, and I am born and raised in Roanoke, VA. My mom and dad moved here for two reasons: 1. They thought Roanoke would be a great place to raise a family. 2.

There was work opportunity. I love running, basketball, school, and art. I’ve been my school’s SGA Secretary and President. I also like to think I’m a pretty good class clown, always trying to be a good friend and make people smile and laugh. My mother is an orthodontist in this area. She says it is the best job in the world, because she gets to work with people, serve the community, and use her love of art and science to help others. She has encouraged me to follow in her footsteps given we are so much alike. I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. I do know, however, that I am very thankful my parents picked this area to raise me and my three siblings. My parents tell me family, friends, and balance in life are the keys to true happiness. I think living and working in Roanoke helps our family focus on what’s truly important in life!

We are sure you will be seeing much more of art from this amazingly talented teenager!

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Family • July 2020

Kids Waiting

to Be Adopted Don’t Need Superheroes

By Rebecca Hastings

The first time my parents decided to adopt was on a beach. A friend was telling them about a little boy she worked with that no one wanted.

Without missing a beat, my mom said, “We’ll take him.” And they did.

were social worker visits and court dates, waiting for parental right termination and ensuring everything was ready. It took work and time.

Sure, there were things to do — classes to take, visits, and paperwork (so much paperwork). But the first step was what mattered most. They were willing. They were willing to open their hearts wider and do more of what they do best: love.

My mom and dad are parents. That’s what they do. They parent. Instead of just the two kids they birthed, they parent seven kids.

My parents have adopted five kids over the last twelve years. And perhaps you should know, not all the adoptions have been easy. There

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Family • July 2020

Just like parenting.

The five kids they adopted all have special needs. I could give you the list of diagnoses, but it really doesn’t matter. Their needs mean more appointments, more accommodations, and more sleepless nights. But those things are no

different than if you birth a baby with special needs.

You show up. You do the work. You parent.

When people see what my parents do on a daily basis, they look at them like they’re a living museum exhibit and proclaim that they’re amazing.

In many ways, they are. However, adoption isn’t what made them amazing; good parenting and loving completely is.

They will be the first to tell you they’re not anything special, that they’re ordinary, just like you and me. They just love big. They treat

each of my brothers and sisters like me and my other brother, who were born of my mother’s womb. They are not superheroes — they’re just parents, walking through life, loving big and full on the easy days and the hard days. It sounds so simple, but we all know parenthood is anything but simple.

It’s easy to keep the idea of adoption on a pedestal, to think that it’s reserved for people with special skills. Adoption is special, but it is not unreachable. It takes real, everyday people.

In my state alone, there are 4,000 kids waiting to be adopted.

Nationally, there are over 400,000 kids in foster care, with more than 100,000 of those kids ready to be adopted. Every one of these kids needs someone who will say yes.

Approximately one in 50 kids in the United States is adopted, and six in 10 people have a personal experience with adoption in their family or social

540-966-3990 lenkortho@gmail.com www.lenkbraces.com

circle, so it’s clear that adoption isn’t just for a small group of people with a superhuman skillset.

Adoption is beautiful and hard and will require more of you than you know, but that’s parenting. We can recognize the beauty of adoption without making it seem unattainable for everyday people.

seems different and remember that adoption is simply parenting.

Kids waiting to be adopted don’t need superheroes. They need people willing to open their hearts and homes to love and parent well.

This month, may we all think about how we can directly help the children waiting for someone to say yes.

“Every one of these kids needs someone who will say yes.”

Maybe you don’t feel like adopting is part of your parenting journey. However, it is part of our world. Sometimes we don’t know how to handle things that seem different from what we know, and admiring them from afar seems easier. We can learn how to help families connected to adoption, we can take away the stigmas of adoption in the way we interact and talk about it, and we can stop distancing ourselves from what

Check us out at www.lenkbraces.com

Rebecca Hastings traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children.

Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon.

In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.

Misty D. Lenk, DSS, MS, PC 228 Commons Parkway Daleville, VA, 24083 Family • July 2020

23

Social Distancing With Kids: Staying Healthy Physically and Mentally at Home Carilion Clinic shares healthy ways to beat boredom and stress at home.

Getting out of our normal routines, seeing less of our friends, and feeling uncertain about what might happen next is hard on all of us, and can be especially hard on children and teens.

Acting as a role model for healthy coping behaviors — like staying physically active, connecting with others, and taking mental breaks when needed — will make a big difference both for your kids and for you.

Here are ten ways to support your physical and emotional health as a family.

1. Have fun with fitness challenges.

Gym equipment is by no means necessary for getting a great workout, no matter what your age. Hearken back to your high school P.E. class days and challenge your kids to classic calisthenic exercises like inchworms, or simple but effective cardio like jumping jacks.

2. Hold a family yoga class in the living room, or even on the patio as the weather warms up. Yoga is a great no-equipment workout and has been shown to help relieve both the physical and mental symptoms of stress. You’ll find countless free yoga practice videos — for all levels of athleticism, and from under ten minutes to over an hour in length — on YouTube.

3. Unleash your kids’ (or your!) inner “ninja warriors” by creating an obstacle course in your backyard out of objects you have around the house or in the garage. See who can successfully complete the course the fastest, or the most times in a set number of minutes.

4. Throw a living room dance party.

Dancing has been shown to release

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Family • July 2020

serotonin — an important brain chemical that contributes to the sense of happiness — and is a fantastic home workout. Make a playlist of moodboosting songs and show off some of your “vintage” dance moves to your kids.

5. Work on some spring landscaping as a family. Everyone will benefit from the fresh air, as well as from beautifying the surroundings you may be spending much more time in than usual. You might even plant some veggies or flowers and enjoy the results later this summer.

6. Have a family car wash. If temperatures get high enough, your kids might even want to put on their swimsuits and start a good-natured water fight.

7. Head out for a walk or a bike ride (if circumstances allow). As long as you keep your social distance from others while doing so, enjoying the great outdoors and all the scenery that our area has to offer is a great way to lift everyone’s spirits. Or grab a blanket and have a picnic in your yard!

8. Color together. Many people find coloring very relaxing because it can help promote a state of mindfulness (a focus on the present moment). If your kids have some coloring books and crayons, sit together and find your inner artists. You can also use coloring apps like Colorfy, Pigment, or Garden Coloring on a smartphone or tablet if you don’t have coloring supplies handy.

9. Start a home book club. You can read aloud with younger children, or if you have preteens or teens in the family, you can decide together on one book to read on your own and then discuss.

Local libraries offer a collection of eBooks to members, so put that library

Helping Your Child Cope With Anxiety About COVID-19 Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage on COVID-19 Have honest, age-appropriate conversations about COVID-19 with your child; let them know they can always talk to you if they have questions about it Reassure your child that you have a plan to take care of them if they get sick, and for familiar others to look after them if you get sick Remind your child that it is still flu season, and it’s now spring allergy season too — so feeling sick doesn’t necessarily mean COVID-19 Stick to routines as much as possible; schedule study times and keep to usual waking and bedtimes.

Remember, children pick up cues on how to respond to a stressful situation from adults around them — so try to be mindful of the cues you are giving now Some anxiety is normal in uncertain situations. But if your child’s anxiety interferes with daily activities or causes major changes in behavior, contact their health care provider or a mental health professional right away.

card to good use and download a few today. As always, reading can be a great escape!

10. Cook a healthy meal together.

Current times might call for more kitchen creativity in making meals out of pantry and freezer staples. Get your kids involved — they’ll love to help!

Younger children might also enjoy playing pretend as chefs in their very own restaurant. What matters most is connecting as a family over the finished meal (no phones, please), because now more than ever we could all use some connection at the family table.

This article was reviewed on March 20, 2020, by Christopher A. Pierce, M.D., Carilion Children’s Pediatric Medicine.

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in Our Health Magazine

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YOU’RE YOU’RE FAMILY FAMILY

At Mills & Shannon Dentistry, CARE At Mills & Shannon Dentistry, WEWE CARE ABOUT MORE than your smile.

ABOUT MORE than justjust your smile.

By By combining dental excellence warmth, combining dental excellence andand warmth, building a dental home you. wewe areare building a dental home forfor you.

20192019

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Dedicatedtoto Dedicated KEEPINGYOU YOUSAFE SAFE KEEPING

Michele Mills, Travis Shannon, Michele Mills, DDSDDS Travis Shannon, DDSDDS

might notice we changed a little.

While we have NextNext timetime you you visit,visit, you you might notice we changed a little.

While we have always accustomed to following strict infection control precautions, always beenbeen accustomed to following strict infection control precautions, we’ve made a few changes notice.

From our temperature we’ve made a few changes that that you you maymay notice.

From our temperature and and screening station to our improved surgical masks screening station to our newnew and and improved N95N95 surgical masks and and faceface shields medical grade air purifying filters in each treatment room, shields and and medical grade air purifying filters in each treatment room, to to fewer people in waiting the waiting room, we’ve made changes to keep fewer people in the room, we’ve made changes to keep you you and and youryour family comfortable. us today to schedule appointment. family safesafe and and comfortable.

Call Call us today to schedule youryour nextnext appointment.

® General Cosmetic Dentistry | Dental Implants | Teeth Whitening | Invisalign | Bridges | Crowns More General andand Cosmetic Dentistry | Dental Implants | Teeth Whitening | Invisalign | ®Bridges | Crowns andand More

CALL AN APPOINTMENT CALL FORFOR AN APPOINTMENT

540.989.5700 540.989.5700

3533 Keagy Road | Salem, 3533 Keagy Road | Salem, VA VA We located are located the LewisGale Hospital We are nearnear the LewisGale Hospital

www.MillsandShannon.com www.MillsandShannon.com

Home Safety Tips

Stay safe and healthy in & around your home

When it comes to home safety, there are many things to consider. You may have entirely different concerns if you’re a family with children, or one without. There are different considerations if you have an elderly person living with you, and even different considerations if you live in an older home vs. a new home. We don’t have space here to go into detail for every situation, but will certainly get you started on keeping your family and your property safe this summer.

General Safety • Consider an alarm system such as a motion-sensor video camera security system.

• Place a wooden or metal bar in the bottom track of all sliding doors and windows to prevent forced opening.

• Install motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home • Make sure pathways and sidewalks to your home have good lighting to prevent falls.

• Make your home look occupied even when away.

• Teach your children not to open the door for anyone other than family.

Exterior Safety • If your home has a pool, make sure it is fenced and locked or at least have a pool alarm. Available at most spa retailers on online.

• Check exterior area where children play for dead tree branches, holes in the ground, exposed wiring or pipe or trip hazards.

• Keep tall grass cleared to prevent unwanted pests or hazards.

• Keep pets behind a fence, or with you on a leash.

• Maintain loose siding, fascia, concrete or brick - that could fall from the home and injure someone.

Safety tips for children • If you have infants, invest a baby-proofing kit with latches for toilets and cabinets, as well as outlet safety plugs.

• Make sure your child knows their home address and telephone number and parents’ full names • Teach your children how and when to dial 911.

• Post a Child Emergency Information Sheet for any sitters (or the child if they’re old enough to read) • Remove anything that could be a choking, suffocation or strangulation hazard such as window treatment cords, ropes, etc and old bins or other storage containers that lock with no ventilation.

• Make sure any firearms are locked away.

Safety tips for elderly • Keep all pathways and stairs clear • Install handrails near toilets and in showers • Put rubber mats in the bathtub to prevent slipping.

• Prevents slips and falls by securing or removing throw rugs • Make sure there is adequate lighting • Replace appliances that have fraying or damaged electrical cords.

• Make sure there are carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near all bedrooms

A native of the area, Curtis Burchett has more than 18 years experience as full-time Realtor. He currently lives in Southwest Roanoke County with his wife and 3 children.

Decode Your Child’s Cold

By Sandra Gordon

As miserable as a cough or stuffy nose can make your child feel, it’s helpful to know that cold symptoms can often seem worse than they actually are.

“Congestion is a normal, healthy response to a virus or an irritant. It’s generally the body’s way of trapping it in the nose and throat so it doesn’t get to your lungs,” says pediatrician Michael Brady, M.D. And coughing is the body’s way of clearing and protecting airways from irritating mucus and other secretions.

Still, coughs and congestion can sometimes signal something more serious. What’s worrisome and what’s not? Here’s what you need to know to decipher your child’s cold symptoms and the best ways to handle them so everyone can breathe easier.

Cold Clues Nasal congestion is often the first sign of a cold. It’s an inflammatory response to bacteria, or most commonly, a virus. When a virus invades your child’s nose — or less often, the air passages in her chest — cells lining the nose and/ or chest area swell and produce mucus. Clogged nasal and throat passages help block the bad bug from traveling further. If the virus manages to get to the lungs, it can cause pneumonia and other nasty respiratory infections. As part of this inflammatory response, your child’s nose can also run, which helps shed the virus. Her body can also produce other chemicals in response to the virus that can make her feel lousy.

Other common cold clues include sneezing, a runny nose, and a phlegmy cough without wheezing or fast breathing, day or night, from post-nasal drip — a slow leak of mucus from the nose that irritates the back of your child’s throat. None of these symptoms require medical treatment.

When to Worry Cold-like symptoms you should be concerned about include distressed breathing (your child can’t catch his breath, even when trying to breathe through his mouth), a high fever (100.5 F or greater), loss of appetite, disrupted sleep, a lack of energy, and/or chest congestion, which is much less common though frequently mistaken for nasal congestion.

“Parents will often tell me they can hear their child’s chest rattling, but most of the time, they’re hearing noises being made in their child’s nose that get transmitted down to their child’s chest,” Dr. Brady says.

Call your doctor immediately if your child’s breathing ever seems labored, even if it’s in the middle of the night or on the weekend. You should also contact your doctor if your child’s cough or congestion interferes with his sleep, activity, or appetite, or if it’s associated with a fever. Tell your doctor what temperature-taking method you used, and be prepared to report any other symptoms your child is experiencing, such as whether he’s eating or drinking.

“Congestion is a normal, healthy response to a virus or an irritant. It’s generally the body’s way of trapping it in the nose and throat so it doesn’t get to your lungs.”

It’s a medical phenomenon known as transmitted sounds.

True chest congestion produces a unique noise that pediatricians need a stethoscope to detect, to diagnose the illness. All of these symptoms can signal pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma, the chronic condition in which the lungs get clogged with mucus, and the bronchi — major air passages — constrict, depriving your child of oxygen. Be on the lookout for it in your child if you have a medical history of asthma. It typically runs in families.

See the pediatrician if your child’s cough and stuffy nose persist for more than 10 days without improving, even if it’s not causing other symptoms.

Rarely, a cold can start off as a viral nasal infection and develop into a bacterial infection in the lungs, a.k.a. pneumonia, which does require medical attention. “There are a lot more colds than there are pneumonias,” says Dr. Brady. That’s because there are over 100 viruses that cause colds, and many of them are circulating in the environment at the same time, he says.

Family • July 2020

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[Editor’s note: COVID-19, or the coronavirus, is still a risk in the Roanoke area. The CDC notes that “people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.”]

Your little one could also have asthma, allergies, or even enlarged adenoids, which inhibit breathing.

Older kids could have sinusitis (a bacterial infection that’s often brought on by a cold) or an allergy.

It could also simply be seasonal stuffiness. “A chronically stuffy nose in the winter could just be a sign your child’s nose is sensitive to dry winter air,” says Lawrence Rosen, M.D., an integrative medicine pediatrician. When the humidity level in the air drops along with the thermometer, mucous membranes in the nose can swell.

Cold Comfort You can’t shorten the duration of a cold, but you can help your child feel better by trying these tactics: Sweeten the deal. Since a cold is viral, not bacterial, treatment won’t require antibiotics. And since the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t recommend over-the-counter cough and cold medications for infants and children under age 6 because of the

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Family • July 2020

risk of serious and potentially lifethreatening side effects, those aren’t an option either, even for older kids. It’s just as well. “They haven’t actually been shown to be effective in children,” Dr. Brady says.

drink as much otherwise, which can lead to dehydration — and that can complicate your child’s condition.

Use saline spray for older kids. It helps lubricate mucus so it’s easier to blow out.

In lieu of cough suppressant products, try honey. “In studies, it works better than dextromethorphan, a component of cough suppressants,” says pediatrician Bonnie Kvistad, M.D. Give a half a teaspoon to 2-to-5-yearolds; one teaspoon for 6-to-11-yearolds, and two teaspoons for kids age 12 and older. If you give your child honey before bed, make sure she brushes her teeth afterwards because it can cause tooth decay. Honey isn’t recommended for children under age 1 because of the risk of botulism.

Fill up on fluids. Drinking plenty of clear fluids like water can help your child stay hydrated, which helps thin mucus and clear nasal secretions. “If you’re sick, your body’s metabolism may be higher. You’ll burn more fluid, especially if you also have a fever, so you want to replace that fluid,” says Dr. Rosen. Even the steam from hot liquids like chicken soup or herbal tea for older kids can help open nasal passages. Try chamomile or homemade lemon mint tea — hot water, a few lemon slices, mint leaves, and a teaspoon or two of sugar.

Cough drops are another option for coughs and sore throat. They increase saliva production, which can soothe your child’s throat and loosen his cough. “But don’t give them to children under age six,” Dr. Kvistad says. Like any hard candies, lozenges pose a choking hazard.

Keep nasal passages as clear as possible. Using a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s bedroom will help moisten airways to reduce the coughing caused by post-nasal drip. A steamy shower can also help hydrate nasal membranes and make mucus easier to dislodge. But be sure to clean the humidifier often, and only use it only when your child is congested.

“If you run a humidifier full-time, there’s a greater chance you’ll create mold spores in the room, which your child can inhale,” says Dr. Rosen. As a result, kids can develop an allergy to mold and a chronic cough.

For babies and toddlers who can’t blow their noses yet, use nasal saline drops and a nasal aspirator to suction a runny nose, which is so important so your child can breathe through her nose when she’s nursing or having a bottle. She may not

Milk may make secretions at the back of your child’s throat thicker, which is why clear liquids are best, but if you have a baby under age 1, stick with breast milk or formula, if your baby can tolerate it. If your baby is vomiting, Dr. Rosen recommends alternating formula or breast milk with Pedialyte. But check with your doctor to be sure. Don’t give babies under 1 year old straight water, Dr. Rosen advises. Infants are susceptible to water intoxication, a potentially lethal condition that results when taking in too much water dilutes the electrolyte balance of the blood.

Try aromatherapy. Rubbing massage oil mixed with a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil on your baby or toddler’s chest is a potential congestion cure. “Breathing in the smell helps open air passages,” Dr. Rosen says. The essential oil of mint and menthol are other options, but avoid these and other stronger smellers, including the age-old Vicks VapoRub topical ointment, if your child has a history of asthma. Also, it’s not recommended for kids under age 2. “Any kind of smell can irritate the airways in children with asthma,” Dr. Rosen says.

Welcome to RichďŹ eld Living

A continuum of care in two beautiful locations For 86 years, Richfield Living has provided a continuum of services and accomodations to many at its location in Roanoke County near the City of Salem.

With a focus to encourage vibrant living and individual wellness, 2020 brings exciting new senior apartment options and convenient Town Center amenities to this location catered to those looking for an active, independent lifestyle.

In 2021, Richfield will open a Rehab Center and household-centered skilled nursing facility in Roanoke City offering private rooms, shared kitchens, and the resident’s choice of waking and meal times. Together, both campuses will provide a setting where individuals become members of a secure, supportive and active community promoting personal well-being and joy-filled living.

RichfieldLiving.com | 540.380.4500

RESCHEDULED

CHECK WEBSITE FOR NEW DATES

By Janeen Lewis

Summer is a magic time for kids, but according to the National Summer Learning Association, research shows that children experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. How do you combat brain-drain during the summer, but still give your kids the carefree break they deserve? Try some of these fun and easy ways for the whole family to combine time off with activities that give the brain a boost.

2. Summer doesn’t have to be screen-free. There are many apps that make reading, science, social studies and math fun.

Choose educational game apps that review skills your child learned during the year.

1. Attend your city’s summer reading program. Most summer reading programs have special activities and prizes for children and adults. Have a friendly family competition to see who can read the most minutes.

5. Make homemade ice cream in a bag and talk about physical properties and changes. Food.com or Allrecipes.com have recipes for this sweet homemade treat.

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Family • July 2020

3. Grow a garden together.

See who can grow the biggest watermelon.

4. Visit a Military cemetery or battlefield or go to a reenactment.

6. Go on a treasure hunt by geocaching. Using a GPS,

treasure seekers enter a specific set of coordinates and then attempt to find a hidden container at the location. Check out geocaching.com to find out more.

7. Pick a recipe and let your child apply their knowledge of measuring and fractions while you cook or bake together.

8. Check out a book on a famous artist like Vincent van Gogh. Let your child create their own rendering of one the artist’s masterpieces and then frame it.

9. Take a self-guided walking tour of your town and study the architecture. Look for geometric shapes or Greek or Roman influences.

10. Tour the historical buildings in your town.

11. Have a lemonade, Popsicle or cookie stand.

Help your child make a budget, buy supplies, and balance the accounts.

Research and choose a charity to donate the funds to.

12. Visit a museum. From art and history to science and creative play, there are a variety of interesting museums all over the country with exhibits geared toward kids.

13. Learn about other ethnicities. Attend a cultural festival, start learning a foreign language or visit an ethnic restaurant in your community.

Community High offers…

• • • • • 14. Take a creek walk together and sketch pictures of living things in a creek habitat.

19. Pick a vacation destination. Using a scale map and ruler, figure out how many miles and approximately how many hours it will take to get there.

23. Let your kids design and construct an obstacle course in the backyard. Invite the neighbors and have a parents versus kids’ race.

24. Go camping and tell stories around the campfire.

16. Play a game that hones logic skills, like Clue.

20. Send postcards to friends and family members from all the places you visit this summer, even if you just take day trips. Let your child write the message.

17. Help clean up your favorite park. Recycle as much trash as you can.

21. Draw your family tree together before a family reunion.

18. Play a trivia game with your family asking questions about the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July.

22. Talk with the oldest person in your family at the family reunion. Help your child write down some of the interesting stories.

15. Go strawberry, blueberry, or blackberry picking and make a pie together. Talk about what the Pi symbol in Math means.

• • •

Small class sizes Highly qualified faculty Individualized attention College preparatory environment Unique, student-driven liberal arts curriculum Diverse arts offerings Affordable tuition and needbased financial aid Strong, close-knit community …and much more!

Schedule a visit today!

25. Make a scrapbook of your summer together.

Let your kids write the captions.

Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist, teacher, and mom to Andrew and Gracie. She loves to keep learning alive during summer.

Community High School of Arts & Academics 302 Campbell Avenue SE Roanoke, VA 24013 info@communityhigh.net (540) 345-1688 www.communityhigh.net Family • July 2020

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Code Breakers Summer Camp Summer Camps at the Science Museum of Western Virginia combine hands-on activities, thought-provoking challenges and passionate instructors to inspire a love of STEM subjects.

Science-based Summer Camps are essential in maintaining STEM skills that are developed throughout the school term and often deplete over summer break.

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Family • July 2020

Code Breakers is a brand new Summer Camp that introduces kids to the basics of coding and software in fun, interactive, and effective ways. Our curriculum breaks down complex topics using teambuilding games and project-based activities that encourage creative input and problem solving, while also limiting scene time. With age-appropriate challenges that allow for self-paced learning, logical thinking, and that use realworld examples, camp attendees will understand tricky concepts with ease!

science, and it instructs computers and machines that we use every day to perform different actions. It’s what we as humans use to create software such as websites, apps, and other technologies.

But why is coding so important?

Those that are fluent in code possess the modern world’s most in-demand skills, with programming jobs predicted to grow by over 30% in the next decade, and averaging six figure salaries. Like with any foreign language, the younger you start learning it, the more likely you are to master the skill!

Coding is the foundation of computer

By the end of the week, camp

attendees will have the skills that will put them on a path to become the next Google developers, video game designers, web developers, or entrepreneurs who build a business from the ground up. Whatever your child’s future career or current interests, understanding basic programming and coding skills will set them up for a lifetime of success by giving them an edge in virtually every modern day industry.

Join us at Code Breakers on July 13th17th from 9am-4pm at the Science Museum of Western Virginia (1 Market Square, 4th Floor, Roanoke, VA 24011) The summer camp fee is $225 for members; $250 for non-members and we limit capacity to 15 campers, ages K-5th Grade.

challenges and passionate instructors to inspire a love of STEM subjects.

Science-based Summer Camps are essential in maintaining STEM skills that are developed throughout the school term and often deplete over summer break.

For those that need a more flexible schedule, the Science Museum also offers Before- and After-Care for any campers who need to be dropped off early or picked up late.

Go to www.smwv.org to register your child for our Code Breakers Summer Camp, and to explore our other Summer Camp programs. For more information, call 540.342.5710 or email frontdesk@smwv.org.

Summer Camps at the Science Museum of Western Virginia combine handson activities, thought-provoking

Family • July 2020

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How to Help Your Child Create and Achieve Goals

By Cheryl Maguire

“I want to be on the honor roll,” said the student.

“That sounds like a great goal. Let’s talk about how to achieve it,” I said.

When I was a guidance counselor, I helped students create and achieve their goals. Setting goals is important because it will help children to be successful in school, work, or any area of their life. James Cash Penney (the

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Family • July 2020

founder of JCPenney) said, “Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk.”

Here are some tips to help your child formulate and reach their life aspirations. These examples are related to school, but your child could create goals for sports, social skills, jobs, or any other area of their life.

Motivation to Achieve Goals

Before creating goals, ask your child what their motivation or reasons are for wanting to reach those goals.

This will help them stay focused and overcome obstacles. For example, if their goal is “to be on the honor roll” and their motivation is “to help me get into a good college,” you can use this concept to remind your student why achieving these goals is important.

Using pictures or images as a sign of Example of Unrealistic Goal: I will get their motivation can help them stay a score of 100 on every test this year. focused. In this example, hanging a picture of a college campus on the wall Example of Realistic Goal: I will earn would help your child visualize it. the honor roll at the end of term one.

How to Create Goals Of course, some students might be

able to earn 100 on every test, but Edwin most students Locke researched would be setting goal-setting for themselves up over 40 years. He for failure if they found that people attempted this who form specific goal. goals had greater

achievements than In general, it’s people with noneasier to start specific goals. small and work

one’s way up to When creating larger or more goals, it’s ambitious goals. important that Also, if your child -James Cash Penney they be specific, writes down his measurable, and or her goals and realistic. Using these three criteria puts the list of goals on will increase the likelihood of success. the wall, they’ll be more apt to follow Here are some examples: through on a daily basis.

Vague vs. Measurable Goals Long-Term vs. Short-Term Goals

Example of Vague Goal: I want to get Your student’s goals can be both longgood grades. term (one year or longer) and shortExample of Measurable Goal: I will term (one day to 11 months). First, hand in my homework on time every they can define their long-term goals, day for one week. and then come up with short-term

goals as steps to help them achieve the With the first example, it will be long-term goals. By creating short-term difficult to know if your child is goals, your child will find his or her achieving his or her goals since they long-term goal more manageable. didn’t define what “good” means.

Does “good” mean receiving a C or an Here’s an example: A grade? Is the goal for all subjects or

just one? Do they want to get these Long-Term Goal: At the end of this grades for one or two terms or a final school year, I will earn the honor roll. grade?

Short-Term Goal: I will hand in In the second example, a time frame homework every day this week. of one week is defined. At the end of a week, your student will know if they Short-Term Goal: I will study and achieved their goal if they handed in review classwork for one hour every all assigned homework. day this week.

Unrealistic vs. Realistic Goals It may be overwhelming to think about

an entire school year, but if your It’s also important to aim for realistic student considers the shortest-term and achievable goals in order to avoid goal of only one hour per day, it’s more disappointment. It’s easier to begin manageable and achievable. with small goals instead of large ones.

“Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk.”

Reasons People Fall Short of Their Goals

The three main reasons I have seen for why students have difficulty in achieving their goals are:

1. The student experiences an obstacle, and instead of overcoming the obstacle, they give up.

2. Since the goal was vague, the student didn’t know when they achieved their goal.

3. The student created unrealistic or unattainable goals.

Create New Goals If Necessary

If your child doesn’t achieve his or her goals, they should first figure out the issue. Then they can create new goals or find the motivation to overcome the obstacle. Sometimes, only minor changes are necessary.

For example:

Goal: I will receive an A in term one in math class.

Short-Term Goal: I will complete homework every day.

Obstacle: My current average in math class is a B. Solution: I will discuss with the teacher ways to improve the grade, such as doing extra credit or staying after school.

When your child achieves their goals, praise them for their accomplishments and their ability to set a goal and achieve it. Creating goals is a lifelong skill that will help your child work harder and be more successful in life.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, Upworthy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Twins Magazine. You can find her on Twitter @CherylMaguire05

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Scentsational!

7 Natural Scents to Help Boost Our Mood

By Sandi Schwartz

We are all familiar with the adage “stop and smell the roses.” It helps us remember to take a moment and appreciate what we have and the beauty of simple things like a bed of flowers in our neighborhood. This saying also points to the interesting fact that fragrances naturally occurring in our environment can help us to relax and boost our mood. Indeed, our sense of smell is one tool that we can easily tap into to reduce tension and stress.

That is why there is a 72-billion-dollar perfume industry and an over onebillion-dollar aromatherapy industry.

From massage oils to incense to trendy perfumes, there are tons of delicious-smelling options to make us feel happier and calmer. We can easily purchase these fragrances to make us feel better, but it’s also fun to try to find these natural scents outside and share them with our children. Here are some of the most relaxing natural scents, according to science.

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Lavender There is no scent more relaxing than lavender. Extracted from the fresh flower of the lavender plant, the oil has been shown to have sedating effects that help our body and mind relax. Its antioxidant components can lower the level of stress hormones in our body and soothe our nerves to relieve anxiety and depression. Visit a garden with lavender or plant your own around your home. Lavender is also available in many forms that you can purchase, including aromatherapy oil, bath gels, extracts, infusions, lotions, soaps, teas, tinctures, and whole dried flowers. When your children are stressed and before they go to sleep at night, try spraying some lavender for anxiety or rubbing some lavender lotion to calm them.

Jasmine Jasmine is another floral scent that is known to lift our mood. A 2010

study found that the smell of jasmine creates a sense of alertness and reduces sad thoughts. It is used to calm nerves and as an anti-depressant because of its uplifting capabilities that produce a feeling of confidence, optimism, and revitalized energy. Grow your own jasmine plants and enjoy their fragrance or grab some jasmine aromatherapy oils.

Pine The smell of pine trees is also known to relieve stress. In one Japanese study, participants who went on a walk through a pine forest said that they felt significantly lower levels of depression and stress. If you live near a pine forest, take the kids for an enjoyable and relaxing hike as you breathe in the aroma of pine. If you do not live near pine trees, then consider planning a getaway to experience them in person. You can always enjoy some pine-scented aromatherapy oils, as well.

Freshly Cut Grass Now, this is one that all of us can easily enjoy! Did you know that the smell of freshly cut grass can make you happier? It might be because the smell of freshly-cut grass reminds us of happy, playful days running around our yard, but scent researchers also found that a chemical released by a newlymowed lawn can make people feel more joyful and relaxed. So, get your family outside and mow the lawn or walk around your neighborhood looking for some freshly cut grass to take a whiff of.

Rosemary Now we turn to some foods and spices that provide natural scents to calm our mood. Rosemary is associated with positive emotions like happiness and can reduce cortisol levels. So, make sure to stock up your spice rack with some rosemary and let your children enjoy its relaxing smell when they are feeling restless.

Citrus The smell of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit help to calm us down when we feel angry or anxious and give us a boost of energy. Your options for smelling more citrus fruits during your day are endless.

Go to a supermarket and let your kids pick up lemons and other citrus to touch and smell them.

Buy organic citrus fruits to enjoy eating at home. Also, squeeze their juice into fresh water to enjoy with your meals.

Instead of using traditional chemicals to clean your home, use lemon to keep everything sparkly while also getting the extra benefit of a soothing scent throughout your home.

Vanilla Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla?

Well, when it comes to natural scents, vanilla has been proven to lift our spirits. A study published in 2004 found that smelling a vanilla bean elevated participants’ feelings of joy and relaxation. Other studies

have shown that smelling vanilla can stabilize our heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, we can easily find this pleasurable scent in the grocery store aisle. You can let your children enjoy the relaxing smell of vanilla by cooking with organic vanilla extract, wearing vanilla perfume, or even buying some whole vanilla beans.

Bonus Natural Scents One of the key reasons that smells reduce stress and make us feel happier is that they trigger a pleasant memory in our lives. Each of us has a unique set of experiences that include scents that may make us feel better. Some people love the smell of the beach because it reminds them of relaxing vacations.

Other people love the aroma of pumpkin pie because they recall enjoyable times during Halloween or Thanksgiving. Have fun experimenting with your kids to discover which scents make them the happiest and calmest.

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Rachel’s Reads: A Tribute to Tomie dePaola

by Rachel Levine

On March 30, 2020, Tomie dePaola passed away. During a 40-year career, Tomie wrote and illustrated over 260 children’s books. His books included elegant retellings of legends, magical new folktales born from his imagination, ancient spiritual tales, engaging nonfiction, and intimate autobiographical stories. The breadth of his work is impressive, and the emotional impact of his work is unquantifiable. Tomie’s death has left me and his other readers gutted because, through his books, we have come to know him personally.

Tomie’s heart shines through his stories. In them, readers find kindness, humor, a love of all that is beautiful, and a little bit of mischievousness. In his autobiographical stories, we got to know his Nana Upstairs, his Nana Downstairs, and his beloved grandpa whom he called Tom. We shared his joy of music and dancing and attended his first dance recital. We waited with Tomie to meet his new baby sister Maureen when she came home from the hospital with a red bow in her hair. It has been a privilege to get to know Tomie dePaola through his work, and a wonderful way to celebrate his life is to read his stories.

He spent his life making the world more beautiful, and I trust he’ll make your family’s life a little more beautiful, too. Here are just a few of my favorites!

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Family • July 2020

Strega

Nona

Strega Nona, the magical wise woman of Calabria, Italy, is an icon of childhood.

Come and enjoy Strega Nona’s sweet, magical adventures with her clumsy assistant Big Anthony, who is always making mistakes and getting into mischief. Strega Nona takes care of the medical needs of the people in Calabria (in addition to making a few love potions), but one day she has to leave Big Anthony in charge. How much trouble do you think Big Anthony can get into in one afternoon? After enjoying this wonderful tale, make sure to check out Strega Nona’s five sequels!

Now One Foot, Now the Other Bobby and his grandpa Bob are best friends.

Bobby loves it when Bob tells him stories, and his favorite is when Bob recounts how he taught Bobby to walk, saying, “Now one foot, now the other.” One day, Bob has a stroke and loses the ability to communicate. Bobby is scared. He doesn’t understand why his grandpa can’t talk to him. After some time, Bobby starts to try to engage his grandfather. With first one step,

and then another, Bob and Bobby find a way forward together. Now One Foot, Now the Other helps families talk about the illness of loved ones and honors the deep bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

This beautiful book should not be missed.

Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs In Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs, Tomie dePaola once again tackles a painful topic with beauty and love. Based on the true story of Tomie’s relationship with his grandma and great-grandma, we see the sweet, loving relationship Tomie had with both his grandmas, how he experienced their loss, and then continued to remember them. It is a profound story of love and grief that both parents and children who have lost a loved one will relate to and treasure.

26 Fairmount Avenue 26 Fairmount Avenue is the true story of Tomie dePaola’s adventures when he was four and five years old. And what an exciting time that was! In 1938, his family lived through a hurricane, saw Disney’s

Snow White in the movie theater, built a house at 26 Fairmount Avenue, and Tomie began kindergarten. Tomie perfectly captures the ups and downs of being a kid with humor and sensitivity, while introducing the reader to life in the 1930s.

This is my favorite first chapter book of all time, and seeing as it won the Newberry Honor Award, I must not be alone! If your family loves it too, you can go on to read the rest of the eight-book series!

Oliver Button is a Sissy Oliver Button is a Sissy is an inspiring story about being true to yourself, even when facing bullying. Written in 1979, it is based on Tomie dePaola’s own experiences of being mistreated by his peers for being a “sissy.” Oliver Button doesn’t fit boy stereotypes. He would rather dance than play baseball, draw than play football, and play dress-up than basketball. Other boys in his school turn on Oliver because of his love of the arts. Oliver joins a dance studio despite the mean words, and there he finds pure joy. This powerful book can help open up discussions with your family on gender stereotyping, bullying, and keeping your light shining bright in the face of adversity.

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GIVE YOUR KIDS’ HOME MOVIE NIGHT THE THEATRE EXPERIENCE WITH SOME GRANDIN POPCORN We are now selling popcorn, soda, and candy to go every Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE GRANDIN THEATRE!

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Family • July 2020

Kids Square camps promise to offer a Summer of FUN! In addition to themed activities each week, participants will enjoy water fun two days out of each week, outside on our rooftop (weather permitting).

ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE PER CAMP

PRICE: $135/MEMBERS | $160/GUESTS RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! 50% DOWN PAYMENT (NONREFUNDABLE) & REMAINING BALANCE DUE TWO WEEKS BEFORE CAMP.

The Best of the Best Camp May 26 - May 29

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VIRTUAL SUMMER

CAMPS 2020

JUNE 15TH - JULY 17TH Digital Camp Offerings OFFERINGS: PRE K - ADULT Virtual Camps in Acting, Voice, Dance, and Music Theatre

JOIN US DIGITALLY

THIS SUMMER: millmountain.org/class

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Family • July 2020

Light It Up! a Science Experiment What are we looking at:

How to make it work:

Here’s a little known fact: The human body, at any given moment, produces energy equivalent to a 100 watt light bulb. In that sense, we’re always wasting our energy—energy that can be used to, well, power a light bulb.

Hold one of the wires and walk around a darkened room while dragging your feet on the carpet. This will build up a static charge which will be discharged through the light bulb. You really have to work at this part! If you can’t generate enough static to get a small shock when you touch something metal, the bulb won’t work. If you are having trouble generating a charge on your body, try rubbing a balloon on your hair or sweater, or wait for a less humid day.

What you will need: A small LED wire bulb--available at the Science Museum of Western Virginia’s gift store and online, and the energy to create static electricity!

What’s happening?

Your static electricity has a huge amount of free electrons that are desperately seeking partners of the opposite charge. The charge on your body can be in excess of 10,00 volts, but since the amperage (defined as the power of electricity to do work)

REAL. LOCAL.

SAVINGS.

is so small, all you feel is a tiny shock when you ground yourself against a metal object. If you don’t get a shock (or if you do, it will be a small one) if you hold the bulb in your hand, it is because the bulb is dissipating the static electricity by turning it into visible light and heat.

540-985-6550 Michael Craft 4750 Valley View Blvd geico.com/roanoke

Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076 © 2019 GEICO Family • July 2020

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A lot of learning happens in the first five years.

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Fortunately, you’ve got partners who can help! Smart2Start is your one stop guide for finding — and affording — early care and educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. Bright By Text is a free service that provides tips, activities and community resources to help you give your child a healthy, happy start.

To learn more, visit: smart2start.org Text UWROANOKE to 274448 Standard message and data rates apply. Text STOP to 274448 to stop.

Text HELP to 274448 for help.

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