Idaho Family June/July 2020

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Jun/Jul 2020

BOISE ANGELS GLOBAL ‘BEAR HUNT’ A pandemic phenomenon

READING TO KIDS It’s never too early

Helping foster kids, families

FAMILY FINANCES

Corona & your cash

Boise brothers Max, 6, and Vance, who will turn 3 in July, play in their family’s backyard

Contents

Features

Volume 8, Number 3 Publisher J.J. Plew Associate Publisher Adrianne Goff Adrianne@globalpsd.com Cover Photo Claire Sechrist Editor Gaye Bunderson editorgaye@gmail.com Sales & Marketing J.J. Plew jj@idahofamilymagazine.com 208-697-2043 Contributors Luke Erickson, Macaile Hutt, Cara Johnson-Bader, Dennis Lopez, Sandy McDaniel, Bren Slade Graphic Design Carol Smiley csmileydesign@gmail.com Distribution Shauna Howard, Doris Evans

Idaho Family Magazine, published monthly

by Gem Production Co., LLC, is committed to providing readers with informative and entertaining information to help them in maintaining healthy families and positive lifestyles. It is distributed throughout the valley as a free publication. Idaho Family Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. Idaho Family Magazine does not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. Idaho Family Magazine reserves the right to edit or reject all materials submitted.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2020 by Gem Production Co., LLC. Follow us on Facebook

June|July 2020

Boise Angels Helping foster kids, families

Camping

One man’s (short) story

4

6

8

Bad discipline techniques

Home activities DIY sensory tools

Departments Child

Shame and blame

Start kids early

Real Families

13 Wednesday’s 7

Reading tips

9 Real Money,

Corona & your cash

‘Bear hunt’ A global phenomenon

Columns

12

Meet Kaden D.

In Each Edition 3 Editor’s Intro Tweaking our normal

16

10 Family Events Calendar

Children’s Photos Wanted Idaho Family Magazine would love to put your child or children on our cover. All photos should be high quality, sharp and clear, and high resolution of around 300 ppi.

Color photos are preferred, and all photos need to be vertical not horizontal. Please identify the children in the photos, the children’s ages, and what Treasure Valley community they reside in. (If chosen for the cover, their last names will not be used without permission.) Send the photos to editorgaye@gmail.com.

2 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

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Jun/Jul 2020 Sponsor of

GLOBAL ‘BEAR HU

A pandemic

phenome

non

READIN G TO KIDS

It’s neve r too early

NT’

BOISE ANGELS Helping foste kids, fami r lies

FAMILY FINANC ES Corona & your cash

Boise brothe rs Max, 6, turn 3 in and Vance July, play in their family , who will ’s backyard

www.idahofamilymagazine.com

EDITOR’S INTRO

Lots of life tweaks nowadays…

A

s the sunshine flowed through the front room window of my humble home on the last day in March, I started to think about how it came from the same sun that filled my bedroom as a child; and the sun that brightens Idaho days is the same sun that shines in Italy or India or Australia, and always has. That large ball of warmth and illumination brightened this planet eons ago and remains unchanging in its service to humanity.

The sense of something consistent felt good that day, because so many things were changing rapidly in my little corner of space in the world, as well as globally. Life as usual was being upended.

I had decided to stop writing the Editor’s Intros for the magazine to free up space for other people’s stories and articles. But I thought I should bring one back (and maybe more) to say that as we were working on another magazine early in April, looking ahead to May and June, the only thing we knew for certain was the uncertainty of it all.

Yes, the ever-reliable sun was still coming up in the morning and summer was on its way — there was steadiness in that. But the May/June issue of the magazine features our summer camps guide. Would there even be any summer camps this year? That part was unpredictable. Then, as I worked on the family events calendar, the unpredictability nagged. Indeed there would be a May and, following that, a June. But would our governor’s stay-at-home directives be lifted by then? Would the CDC’s warnings about gathering in groups remain essential for everyone’s well-being?

I’m writing this in mid-May and, as you might have noticed, we had to skip a May/June issue. We’re back, and we’re bringing you a June/July issue instead. We are not able to include our annual summer camps guide, however, because the uncertainties — and the need to be safe — continue.

The very good news is that virtually all experts on current COVID-related topics encourage outdoor activities, so picnics and other Nature experiences are still on the table for all of us. Hooray for that!

I surmise from everything I’ve read or seen on TV that this life of unpredictability will be our reality for a while. I also acknowledge that so many everyday things will remain a defiant norm: parents will continue to read goodnight bedtime stories to their children, for instance...cuz ain’t no government order gonna stop that!

So in that spirit, we continue with Idaho Family Magazine, with stories of all things family-related. In this edition, we feature Bren Slade, a woman from Rexburg who’s chronicling online a “bear hunt” trend that is delighting children all www.idahofamilymagazine.com

over the globe; Boise Angels, a non-profit that helps foster children and foster families, and continues to do so even in these challenging times; and some words from Cara JohnsonBader on the importance of reading to your children very early on in their lives.

Our calendar is smaller for all the reasons herein discussed.

We suggest you check ahead to see if listed events are actually going to happen, or if, for a while longer, we need to be patient and wait for a return to the ‘former normal’ we all enjoyed so much. Go online at idahofamilymagazine.com for any event updates we might get. Who knows? Maybe the Snake River Stampede will be online this year.

If you’re a person of faith, as I am, this Scripture should bring comfort to you: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for though art with me. If you’re a skeptic about all things God-related, perhaps this quote from Winston Churchill will help you at this hour: If you’re going through hell, keep going.

In other words, just hug the family close and power on.

— Gaye Bunderson, editor

Idaho Family Magazine | JUNE/JULY 2020 3

BOISE ANGELS

Non-profit helps foster kids, families

By Gaye Bunderson

A

ngels aren’t just heavenly beings. Sometimes they’re regular folks dressed in clean jeans, wearing smiles, carrying boxes, and filled with helpful hearts.

That’s the case with the members of Boise Angels — they’re everyday people who walk alongside foster care families and children and help them navigate the waters of foster parenting and being a child in the foster care network.

Nice people, but why are they carrying boxes? Because nothing says “we care” like a special box filled with useful and fun things. Boise Angels calls them Love Boxes.

Amy Curry, director of Boise Angels, explained: “The Love Boxes are a means to build a relationship with the foster parents and the foster child. They have thoughtful gifts and resources that meet the real needs of the child and their entire family.”

Boise Angels’ information defines the Love Boxes this way: “When our families are matched with committed volunteers who show up monthly with a Love Box, parents feel more supported, and children gain a greater sense of belonging and selfconfidence.”

Now that’s a pretty important box — and it’s just one of the things the Boise Angels’ group does for foster families.

One foster mother who was helped by Boise Angels had the following story to tell: “It seemed that people were in and out every day since we

took in my three nephews through the foster care system, more so since the oldest was on hospice with muscular dystrophy.

Our caseworker was explaining Boise Angels and asked if we

would be interested. I hesitated; my husband said yes. After the caseworker left, he asked me, ‘You didn’t want to?’ I didn’t. We have four kids and had added my three nephews. I didn’t need

more people, more visits, more paperwork, more things clogging up my overflowing calendar ...I needed a break.

“My nephew Kevin had been sick and we knew he wasn’t going to

make it much longer. Our first Love Box was delivered the day we realized my nephew wouldn’t make it through the weekend.

Child Protective Services reached out to Boise Angels. Instantly the week was taken care of. Food was delivered every day. The day of Kevin’s funeral, balloons were delivered to us to release

in his honor — the Boise Angels even attended his viewing and the

funeral. Every month a box of goodies for us came, a little break, some positivity, love and light in the chaos and fresh grief.

“Amanda, the Boise Angels volunteer, and her family have been

so amazing. Inviting us to dinners, outings and even having the kids over, allowing my husband and I our first actual date alone in a couple of years.”

4 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

Curry first heard of the Angels through an acquaintance in Texas, where an Angels group was already formed. She and another young woman took the model and launched the Boise group in 2018. Now there are two caseworkers, a board of directors, and a team of volunteers.

Curry earned a master’s degree in counseling and is a registered play therapist. In her ‘day job,’ she works with children and uses play as a way to understand the children in her therapeutic care and to communicate with them.

She got interested in foster care when she and her husband, Andy, took a trip to Africa.

“We volunteered to go to Swaziland in about 2010, and we worked with AIDS kids,” Curry said. “Many people there had orphans in their homes, and that’s when we thought, ‘We can help orphans in the U.S.’” The Currys are people of faith, and Amy explained, “We prayed about whether foster care was for us. We’ve always had a heart for vulnerable children.”

They ultimately came to the conclusion they weren’t going to be foster parents. “We’re not all called to foster or adopt, but we’re all called to love.” They decided their calling was in helping foster children and their families, making the Angels program a perfect fit for them.

“Foster families feel isolated,” Curry said, explaining the families sometimes lose their social network when they take a foster child into their home.

Boise Angels steps in to give support, encouragement, and understanding. www.idahofamilymagazine.com

Also, its thoroughly vetted caseworkers and volunteers seek to establish healthy relationships with the foster kids so the children may experience the presence of stable, caring adults. “We help them feel valued, and we can help that child become a healthy, functioning part of society. Just being there for these kids is what matters most. They need consistency because sometimes they have been to more than one foster family, so consistency matters. The ‘Angel’ can follow the child, even if they are returned to their biological family. Some families say ‘no,’ but others say ‘yes.’”

Boise Angels is strategic about how it matches volunteers with families, making sure there is a connection, something in common, and good communication. For instance, the family Curry and her husband help live in their neighborhood and they occasionally run into each other at the store.

Another valuable program of Boise Angels is its Dare to Dream mentors.

Aging out of foster care can be devastating for a young person, and that’s where the mentoring program comes in. Aged-out youth are often completely on their own at age 18, with nothing in the way of a support system.

The heart of the Dare to Dream program is to walk alongside the youth as they navigate life’s challenges.

Dare to Dream volunteer mentors offer advice, encouragement, and support. They meet with an agedout youth at least every other week and help that young man or woman set goals and determine a pathway to fulfilling the dreams they have for their lives. Mentors meet practical and emotional needs, as well as provide guidance through developmental milestones.

Asked if they are a Christian group, Curry said, “Jesus Christ is our compass on which we run. He’s the reason we do what we do.” But she

stressed Boise Angels doesn’t openly brand as faith-based because they want to help everyone. All foster families are welcome. For the Currys, that’s what loving your neighbor looks like.

For more information about Boise Angels, go to boiseangels.org.

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Idaho Family Magazine | JUNE/JULY 2020 5

A YOUNG GUY’S GAME

Why I officially hate camping

By Dennis Lopez

I

hate my brother, Terry, and I’ll tell you why: we went camping.

See, I used to camp. When I was a kid, we lived in northern Idaho in the mining community of Mullan.

It was a simpler time in America when it didn’t seem too outrageous for my mom to allow me to join a group of other seventh grade boys and go camping for a week or longer. While these trips generally became something akin to a chapter out of “Lord of the Flies,” I recall they were a lot of fun.

In the army I “camped” a lot, and the allure of living in the dirt quickly faded. In college I backpacked throughout the Midwest and along the Appalachian Trail many times. Good equipment and a good hiking companion made the trips seem bearable. Almost.

Out of college and into my career, I began to see “roughing it” as those times when I couldn’t make reservations and had to stay in a low-budget motel room rather than a Hilton. Hard times included no room service or turn down service. And even the most primitive of motels offered a flush toilet and a shower.

My career mercifully never left me much time for camping. As a result my kids never really were into it much either. Personally,

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I think it was the bizarre father-son trip put on by our religious organization that did the trick. All went well until we were besieged by raccoons during the night because one of my boys had smuggled food into our tent and the critters wanted their cut. I think the “Night of the Trash Pandas” incident cured both of my sons from wanting to sleep in the great outdoors again.

Now in retirement, the concept of camping again was as remote as base-jumping off the Perrine Bridge — interesting to intellectually contemplate, but without the slightest hint of desire or motivation to ever do so.

So what does my brother have to do with this? A couple of summers ago, he talked me into going camping. As kids we’d camped together before, but today we are retired guys with all of the quirkiness, aches and pains and idiosyncrasies of men our age. Yet there we were on a bright June morning, standing on the shore of Anderson Ranch Reservoir looking at a mountain of gear packed into the back of my brother’s truck.

I’m pretty sure erecting the tent was the first step on the slippery slope to the permanent end of camping in my lifetime.

It came in a box the size of a refrigerator. Photos on the side of the box depicted a smiling family sitting comfortably in front of what appeared to be a canvas castle. The tent had ROOMS! I’m pretty sure the box said there was a foyer, a large living room, dining area and three bedrooms. And a rain fly, whatever that is.

What it didn’t have were discernible assembly instructions.

They were faintly printed in six languages on a crumpled tag the size of a postage stamp and sewn to the floor of the tent.

Nor did it have any logical way the all-look-alike-but-functiondifferently aluminum poles, upon which this canvas behemoth was supposed to hang, could be identified and assembled.

Naively, we took a stab at assembling this circus tent, using the picture on the box as our guide. After countless attempts, I began to hate the little family smiling at us from the box. In fact, their smiles now were sneers of contempt at our bumbling.

Somehow they had overcome the impossible and were enjoying their tent. Not us! In spite of our repeated efforts, it remained a heap of colorful canvas with odd bits of aluminum pole sticking out randomly.

After an hour of this, a guy and his 10-year-old daughter took pity on us as they were walking by. They put the big top up for us in less than 15 minutes.

By then it was time for dinner. And the camp stove would not light. And the ice had melted in our food cooler and most of our food was waterlogged. Dinner that night was smores and beer.

Breakfast the next morning was just beer. We left for home at noon. I think the tent is still there.

I really hate my brother…but not as much as I do camping.

Dennis Lopez is a Treasure Valley freelance writer. www.idahofamilymagazine.com

‘WE ARE NOT AFRAID’

The teddy bear project of COVID-19

By Photographer Bren Slade

www.idahofamilymagazine.com

It began with one photographer asking, “How will the children be represented in this crisis?” posting about it I thought, “This is getting interesting.”

Unsure of the exact origins, bear hunt posts have been shared thousands of times in many countries. Using the similar social media channels, I began a ‘worldwide gallery’ and hoped people participating would join. Soon, I had collected hundreds of images, from all across Idaho, the United States, and the world.

Bears have historically represented both hope and loss. Teddy bears are given to babies at birth, and placed on gravesites at death. They appear at school shooting sites, and thousands were donated to those involved with 9/11. So it’s fitting that teddy bears have become a worldwide representation of this pandemic we are uniting to fight.

My kids have loved being a part of it.

It’s a positive distraction for them while the rest of the situation lies outside of their control. I think it has been just as beneficial for the adults. When someone posts a bear in my group it often becomes personal: bears that comforted

them through cancer treatments, bears from loved ones, bears from those serving in the military. It’s more than just for the kids, it’s people connecting with people in a very human way. The images themselves are very symbolic of both isolation AND connection.

The best part of the project: though the project crosses cultural and language boundaries, the images themselves are universal; for the most part you can only identify the country or location from a written caption.

This is just one more reminder that we are all ONE WORLD, we are all in this together.

To view more of the photos, go to www.

TBearProject.com or to https://www. facebook.com/groups/worldwidebearhunt/.

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And photographers? Their job is to document it.

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by COVID-19.

I knew I would have to find a new project, so I started to turn my lens toward what was happening around me.

I first noticed local social media posts encouraging a “bear hunt.”

The basic idea is to place a teddy bear (or other toy) in your window with a hope that a child walking or driving by will see it. It’s based on a popular children’s book and song where kids go on a “bear hunt” and they “are not afraid.”

It was an effort to keep kids connected during this time of isolation.

Soon I noticed similar social media posts covering eastern Idaho, then other areas around the United States. When I saw my friend from New Zealand

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Idaho Family Magazine | JUNE/JULY 2020 7

TAKE A POSITIVE ROUTE

Stop the shame and blame game

By Sandy McDaniel

A

mother called me recently, very As to the original issue about the boy’s distraught that her family was request to use the basketball, there may be a in turmoil over an event that hidden agenda between the two children; happened the previous night. Her his sister may have had a reason to decide daughter, age 12, had just received a new he couldn’t use it. Or perhaps she just basketball for her birthday. Her younger thought, “You can use my new basketball brother asked to use it at a game that night another time.” during half-time. Her answer was affirmative, The mother told me it wasn’t kind (my as long as she got to bounce the ball on the motto is to always be kind) to refuse to let him court first. Half-time came and the boy went try the new basketball. Again, we don’t have to where the team put individual basketballs. a clue as to what trouble might exist between His sister’s was not there. He fussed and the two siblings. The mother could’ve taken fumed, but his sister was in a huddle with the daughter aside, asking the reason for her Sandy McDaniel her team. Naturally, he took his problem to denying use of the basketball (if that was the his mother, who got so angry that she left the gym. At case) instead of shaming her into sharing; or she could have the moment she called me, she was home, waiting for her talked about a compromise. daughter to return.

Everything on TV, videos, and movies is about fighting to Me: Did you ever ask her if she hid it? get one’s way. Communication is dying, if not dead. Then a Mother: Who else would have done it? frustrated parent adds shame to the game and the anger goes Me: Doesn’t matter. Every person deserves the respect of underground to fester and become a volcano. You may not being asked. The other thing you did was to model getting agree with me about my choice of handling this situation, super angry over a supposition and storming out of the but what I am inviting you to do is to exchange shame, gym. That behavior may show up in your children as you blame, and anger as a way of disciplining or trying to control modeled it. your children and opting for something more positive.

Mother: How do I talk to my daughter?

The lesson at hand is like an architect’s lesson to create Me: It is easy here to confuse the lesson. Since the truth is a structure that is sound and filled with life-enhancing unlikely to be known, the lesson is about choice. Say to the qualities. You want your child to be a reliable, respectful, daughter, “We don’t know if you hid the basketball or not. responsible, resilient, loving human being. My book, “Leave The problem is that if you did do it, YOU get to live with Your Baggage at the Door” (Amazon), can help you with your shame and guilt. You did not make a loving choice. If your “buttons,” and the intent of this column is to guide your you lied about it, you are teaching yourself to lie rather than thinking in a way that will mold successful human beings. telling the truth. Lies have a way of catching up to you.

There are no re-runs in this parenting game.

So, this whole drama is just a lesson for me to let you learn For more than 55 years, Sandy McDaniel has been an international speaker your lessons and for you to make choices that bring you a and recognized authority on families and children. Author of five books, better life.” columnist, founder of parentingsos.com, she is a resident of Meridian and Mother: My husband is going to scream and yell at me for loves spending time with her three Idaho grandchicks. Semi-retired, she speaks not punishing her. to schools, churches, and MOPS groups and provides parent coaching sessions Me: For a supposition? First of all, tell him you will listen to in person and on the phone. She is available for parenting talks/trainings in the Treasure Valley and may be reached at sandy@parentingsos.com. him when he stops yelling. The problem isn’t that he yells, Also, go to YouTube: Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel to see videos it is that you allow him to yell. “Never try to teach a pig to on specific parenting issues. sing; it’s a waste of time and it annoys the pig.” I am not suggesting your husband is a pig — it is an old saying. The point is, that would not be the time to educate or inform him.

Talk when he is calm. Secondly, if you choose to, tell him this problem is between your daughter and you and he doesn’t need to involve himself in it.

8 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

www.idahofamilymagazine.com

REAL MONEY, REAL FAMILIES

Don’t Corona my Cash!

By Luke Erickson

S

upon which they will build their own financial foundation in the future. It’s a teachable moment, where communication can go a long way, not only in getting through current events, but in helping the kids build a strong financial foundation. It’s especially important to teach them not to panic, to handle tough times with dignity and grace. And then, when they’re asleep, that’s when you binge on bon bons and weep for the woes of the world while watching Nicholas Sparks movies on Netflix.

With an entire summer break already under Luke Erickson our belts, and at least another one yet to go, and many working from home, families have had a lot more Absolutely do not cash out your time together. There are challenges with such close and 401(k) right now! constant proximity, but also opportunities to simplify and get Maybe I should have started with something a little back to basics. Figure out where all the pennies have been more subtle. A somewhat lesser known component of the going. Cut out the unnecessary fat in our budgets. Remind government stimulus bill (CARES act) is that you can, for the yourself and your family that attachment to unnecessary time being, cash out your 401(k) before age 59½ without the Contnued on Page 13 standard 10% penalty. If you’re thinking about pursuing this option, here is my subtle opinion on the matter: This is just a terrible, terrible idea. DON’T DO IT! Bless the government and their good intentions, but unless you are literally on the operation table and the doc says, “The only way you’ll live is if you cash out your 401(k) right Call the now,” then perhaps consider it….but ask some pointed questions first. Otherwise leave it alone. Simply put, you’re not just cashing out the current value of your investments, the value of which has already been significantly depressed in the last few months, but much more importantly, you are • FULL YEAR OF SERVICE FOR giving up all of the future earnings those investments would AS LOW AS $19/MONTH likely produce. In the case of someone about 40 years old, • FREE INSPECTIONS this could amount to a loss of 3 to 4 times the present value • GUARANTEED RESULTS— of your investments. In this example, this means a $10k if your bugs return, so do we — for free! cash out would really cost you around $40k of your future • Idaho owned and operated retirement value of the investment. If there is another way, that is the way to go.

• Licensed through the Idaho Department of Agriculture Reduced income o, you knew this had to be an article about COVID-19, right? I mean, has there been any other kind of article since March? Let’s say that hypothetically I managed to go an entire article without mentioning Corona…you’d be like, “Uhh, dude, do you live in a cave or something? And if so… uh, do you have any toilet paper there, cuz there sure ain’t enough out here!” So yeah, corona and your cash…

AND your kids. As if dealing with any one of those things alone weren’t enough. Here are a few meandering thoughts to help your cash avoid coronization:

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CALENDAR Editor’s note: The calendar was completed in mid-May in order to send the magazine to the printer and have it returned by early June.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, you are encouraged to call ahead and verify these events are still planned.

Also, check our website at idahofamilymagazine.com for updates.

Sparklight Movie Night

Join Meridian Parks and Recreation for Sparklight Movie Night on Fridays through August 21 at Settlers Park in Meridian. The family-friendly movies begin at dusk, and there are bounce houses, give-aways, and treats on many of the nights. Go to meridiancityspecialevents.org.

Silver Screen on the Green

Nampa Parks & Recreation will offer free family movies at Optimist Park throughout the summer.

Grab a blanket, lawn chair, family and friends and head to the park from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday nights. For more information and a list of movies, go to nampaparksandrecration.org or call (208) 468-5858.

Free Fishing Day

All anglers, old or young, residents and nonresidents, are invited to fish Idaho’s waters without a license on Free Fishing Day June 13. Idaho Fish and Game sets up several free events at local fishing waters to help first-timers discover the fun of fishing. All other fishing rules and regulations including creel limits, opening dates and tackle restrictions remain in effect.

Go to idfg.idaho.gov.

Pink and Blue 5K Fun Run (and Walk!)

The 4th Annual Pink and Blue 5K Fun Run (and Walk!) is a community event celebrating and commemorating the lives of precious babies lost in pregnancy and early infant loss. It’s scheduled

to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Lakeview Park in Nampa. Hosted by David’s Hope Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ministry, all proceeds go to serving families that have lost babies. Cost to participate is $25; children are welcome. There will be prizes for race winners, drawings for all registered participants, prizes for the best pink and blue costumes, and a special guest appearance by Humphrey the Hawk.

Go to davidshopeministry.org.

JULY Arts and Crafts Fair

World Village Festival

Eagle Fun Days

The World Village Festival is a 3-day event full of international and traditional art, music, and storytelling that will take place at the following times and dates: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 26; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 27; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28.

The free event will be held at Cecil D. Andrus Park (formerly Capitol Park) at 601 W. Jefferson St. in Boise. The multicultural event draws individuals of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds, coming together to learn about the diverse communities of Idaho. Go to worldvillagefestival.com.

Lavendar Festival

The Lavender Merchant Lavender Festival is set for June 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 2871 Stroebel Rd. in Kuna. There will be lavendar and other products for sale, lavender-flavored and other food and drink, and u-pick bouquets. Go to thelavendermerchant.net.

This free, open-to-the-public event begins at noon Saturday, July 4, and at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5, at historic Roseberry, Idaho, 13131 Farm to Market Rd. near Donnelly. There will be many displays of arts and crafts, as well as a variety of food and drink.

Go to historicroseberry.com.

The 2020 Eagle Fun Days will feature a Family Fun Night, Eagle Fun Run, Cornhole Tournament, Classic Car Show, Wet n’ Wild Parade, fireworks, and more July 10-11 in downtown Eagle.

Go to cityofeagle.org.

Twilight Criterium

This fast-paced cycling race in the heart of downtown Boise will mark its 34th year on July 11 and, once again, will hold a kids’ cycling event along with the adult competition. For more information, go to https://downtownboise.org/events/twilightcriterium.

Idaho Baby & Tot Expo

The 7th Annual Baby & Tot Expo is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Galaxy Event Center in Meridian. Go to www.IdahoBaby.com; phone (208) 376-0464; or email info@iblevents.com.

Friends of Meridian Library District Book Sale This annual book sale is set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, in the lobby of the Cherry Lane branch of the Meridian Library District, 1326 W. Cherry Ln.

Snake River Stampede

The 105th annual event includes community-wide festivities and a top 10 professional rodeo that is action-packed every night from July 14 through July 18 at Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.

Go to snakeriverstampede.com.

8th Annual Kids Triathlon n in actio

!

at the Nampa Rec Center

Before School, After School & Full Day! Swimming • Rock Climbing • Court Games Crafts • Snacks and More!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 208-468-5858 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT NAMPARECCENTER.ORG 10 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

Kids ages 6-13 are invited to participate in the Nampa Rec Department’s Kids Triathlon throughout the day on Saturday, July 18, at Lions Park in Nampa. Categories include swimming, biking and running. Cost is $20.

Go to nampaparksandrecreation.org.

Foster Care Informational Meetings

Foster Care Informational Meetings, sponsored

by Fostering Idaho through the EWU-Family Resource and Training Center, are a great way to learn about the fostering process. Meetings

www.idahofamilymagazine.com

of Events

Beginning June, 2020 Please send family-related calendar items to editorgaye@gmail.com

are set to be held on Zoom on the following days and times: 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 13; 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14; 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 6; and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 12. Preregistration is required through a Zoom link. To access the link and receive a meeting code, visit the events calendar at https://familyrtc.org/ fosteringidaho/events. If you have questions, contact Monique Layton, recruitment coordinator, at (208) 249-0180 or mlayton4@ewu.edu.

Experience Idaho Expo

Canyon County Fair

The event features live music, kids’ carnival, parade, fun run, family movie night, car show, petting zoo, and pony rides August 7-8 at Bernie Fisher Park and throughout downtown Kuna.

Go to kunachamber.com.

Carnival rides, food, and musical entertainment highlight this annual event; there will be stage acts of all kinds and a Latino festival. The fair is set for July 23-26 at the fairgrounds in Caldwell.

Go to canyoncountyfair.org.

Idaho Family Pet Expo

Families and their well-behaved felines, canines, reptiles, or flying friends are invited to the 15th Annual Idaho Family Pet Expo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Expo Idaho. Cost is $5 for individuals, $2 per child, or $20 for a family pass.

Go to www.IdahoPetExpo.com; phone (208) 376-0464; or email info@iblevents.com.

Family Summer Palooza

A Family Summer Palooza is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 25, at Expo Idaho and will feature a full day of entertainment and interactive fun zones for all ages. Go to www.FamilySummerPalooza. com; phone (208) 376-0464; or email info@iblevents.com.

The 14th Annual Experience Idaho Expo is set for Saturday, July 25, at Expo Idaho. Go to www.

ExperienceIdahoExpo.com; phone (208) 376-0464; or email info@iblevents.com.

EARLY AUGUST Kuna Days

OUTSIDE THE LINES

July 27-31, 2020 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Ages: 6 -10 | $175 | $205 non-members

Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival

Marking its 52nd year, the annual exhibit of handmade works by artists from throughout the country also includes live music, food vendors and a children’s activity area August 7-9 at Atkinson Park in Ketchum. Go to sunvalleycenter.org.

Nampa Festival of the Arts

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER CAMPS

Line! Shape! Color! Texture! Form! Space! Campers will explore elements of art and use them to inspire their own artworks.

ELEMENTS OF NATURE

August 3-7, 2020 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Ages: 7-12 | $200 | $230 non-members Learn about wildlife and create with natural materials. Campers will create art inspired by animals, habitats, and environments. http://www.boiseartmuseum.org/classes-workshops/

DISCOVER BAM’S ONLINE ART EXPERIENCES Hear from the artists, create hands-on art projects, and learn about exhibitions at BAM through a variety of educational resources.

Thirty-fourth annual celebration of the creative spirit of a diverse community, the event features more than 190 artisan booths; it also includes live entertainment, concessions, free activities for kids, and specialty wines and beers. The entire program takes place in Nampa’s Lakeview Park August 8-9.

Go to nampaparks.org.

http://www.boiseartmuseum.org

Where Do You Want to Go?

208-297-3237

dreamstravelconsulting.com denise@dreamstravelconsulting.com • Boise, Idaho

www.idahofamilymagazine.com

Idaho Family Magazine | JUNE/JULY 2020 11

READING TIPS

Start early to teach kids literacy skills

By Cara Johnson-Bader

R

esearch tells us it is never too early to start reading to children. From the day they are born, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers develop language skills and pre-literacy skills every day that help them become readers. Children need between 10,000-12,000 words in their vocabulary to be ready for kindergarten, and reading is one of the best ways to develop these important skills.

But as a busy parent how do you find time to read? At New Horizon Academy, we know how important reading is and have almost 50 years of supporting our youngest learners develop reading skills. We have a few ideas for parents, too.

Here are a few easy to implement hints and tips to encourage reading and help children reach this important vocabulary goal.

Reading Tips for Busy Families

1. Schedule daily reading time.

Just as you schedule other family activities, like dinner, gymnastics, bath night, etc., schedule reading time as part of your daily routine.

12 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

2. Carry books with you wherever you go.

Create an on-the-go book bag. Fill it with books and writing materials, then take it with you whenever you leave home. This gives your child fun activities to entertain and occupy him while traveling, while waiting for food at the restaurant, and going to the doctor’s office or other appointments. The opportunities are endless.

3. Read environmental print.

Environmental print is the print of everyday life. It’s the print that appears in signs, labels, and logos. Street signs, cereal boxes, labels on a granola bar, and the A in Albertsons. For many emergent readers, environmental print helps bridge the connection between letters and first efforts to read. Point out the printed words in your home and other places you take your child, such as the grocery store. Get creative and go on an adventure walk. Try to read the signs you see or identify letters of the alphabet as you walk together.

4. Listen to audio books or podcasts in the car.

Turn off the radio and listen to an audio book or podcast.

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CASH Contnued from Page 9

Cara Johnson-Bader’s son, Ben, reads in his classroom at New Horizon Academy. (Courtesy photo) Your local library has great audio books for children and there are tons of wonderful podcasts for children. Here are a few of my family’s favorite podcasts: • Sesame Street – It features your favorite characters and offers fun stories, songs, alphabet activities, and more.

• Brains On! – A fun podcast co-hosted by children about scientific concepts.

• Wow in the World – A podcast from NPR about why and how things work.

5. Be a reading role model.

This sends a message that reading is important.

It is an exciting and critical time of learning. By implementing these simple tips into your daily routine, you are helping your child become a reader. For more ideas to help your child develop the necessary skills to become a reader, visit https://newhorizonacademy.net/.

Cara Johnson-Bader is the vice president of marketing and parent experiences at New Horizon Academy and serves on the board of Doing Good Together. She is the wife of Craig and the mother of two incredible and full-of-energy boys — Ben and Will. When not attending her sons’ snowboarding, skiing, and baseball sporting events, she can be found playing board games and reading with her boys. Learn more about New Horizon Academy at newhorizonacademy.net.

www.idahofamilymagazine.com

expenses usually doesn’t result in much increased happiness anyway.

Make it a fun activity to find ways to reduce expenses. Instead of eating out, teach the kids how to cook.

Instead of going to the movies or the other expensive kid activities you used to do, get outdoors and do things for free, like flying a kite or riding bikes. With the cheap gas, go for long car rides into the surrounding hills and hike or explore.

Or, just get outside on a nice day and talk to your neighbors. But don’t forget that awkward stutter step as you approach them to clearly signal that you have no intention of getting closer than 6 feet.

Self-care

Whether your struggles involve a job loss or simply an overindulgence in Disney+ because there’s nothing else to do, one of the priorities that all parents should be making right now is time for a little self-care. This means different things for everyone.

For me it means getting regular exercise and time away from the family in the morning, so that when I am with them, my mind and body have had a break of sorts, and it is ready (or as ready as it can be) for a day of fighting, screaming over homeschool assignments, and just plain bored kids. This will help avoid stress and impulsive online shopping.

Reading

Though I’m certainly not an unbiased opinion on the matter, I believe that one of the most effective educations you can get is a financial education. It’s something that, no matter who you are, can benefit you in significant ways. Think about it this way: How much time and money does a typical adult spend on education and training to pursue a career and earn a living? Earning money is one side of the equation.

But how many of us have balanced the other side or the money equation with a solid education on managing Contnued on Page 15

WEDNESDAY’S CHILD

Kaden, 12, a master at yo-yo tricks

The following information is provided

by Wednesday’s Child, an organization that helps Idaho foster children find permanent homes.

Meet 12-year-old Kaden D., a sweet jokester who one day hopes to become a marine biologist, a mechanic or an architect. Kaden is amazing at building things. He loves to build with wood, Legos or anything else he can find that gives him a creative outlet. He tells us that he once built a trident himself out of metal.

Kaden dreams of having a dad who will teach him to ride a motorcycle and help him build a giant tree fort.

Kaden’s other passions include playing chess and other board games, swimming, fishing, camping and playing basketball or football.

He’s a diehard Golden State Warriors fan and also has top level skills when it comes to doing tricks with a yo-yo. This funny, kind young man loves all animals, particularly dogs and sharks.

He works hard in school and lists science, math and English among his favorite subjects.

A family that could be a strong educational advocate for Kaden would be a great fit.

This deserving boy is hoping to find a family consisting of both a mom and a dad who are easygoing, patient and fun, and he would really love to be an only child if possible. Caregivers who are familiar with TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) parenting would be an excellent match for him.

Kaden looks forward to traveling and celebrating holidays with his Forever Family.

He has hopes that he will be with his new family by his next birthday and that they can all celebrate with his favorite food — a giant red velvet cake. Kaden is waiting for just the right family to choose him and longs for permanency and a sense of belonging. If you are looking for laughter, adventure and a lifetime of love, Kaden may be the missing piece to your family’s puzzle. We can’t wait to hear from you to see if your family is the one meant for Kaden. Contact us at www. idahowednesdayschild.org.

For more information on the Idaho Wednesday’s Child Program, visit www.idahowednesdayschild.org, or contact Recruitment Coordinator Shawn White at swhite52@ewu.edu or cell 208-488-8989 if you have specific questions.

Idaho Family Magazine | JUNE/JULY 2020 13

HOME ACTIVITIES

Creating sensory tools can be simple

By Macaile Hutt

I

n our day and age, we are surrounded by so much information at any given moment that it can be overwhelming.

Parents are told to do this but not that, always do one thing but never another, and mom and dad shaming is a real thing that has inundated social media. I am not a parent myself, but as a pediatric occupational therapist, I feel the shame and guilt that comes from wanting to do things “right” on a daily basis.

Once you add the word “therapeutic” or “educational” to something, the product or Macaile Hutt service always doubles or triples in cost. This can be overwhelming to families doing their best to satisfy the basic needs of their children and only further perpetuates that shame and guilt.

In this article I want to share some activities and tools I’ve learned over the years that can be completed with even the most basic household items and objects. All we have to do is put our creative goggles on, and the whole world becomes a therapeutic “clinic.”

GROSS MOTOR: We will start with the big body exercises, or “heavy work,” as we like to call it in the clinic. Heavy work involves large muscle groups and joints and promotes a calm body, a focused state, and is great to sandwich around fine motor or tabletop focus tasks for wiggly bodies experiencing a hard time sitting still. There are tons of ways to incorporate gross motor activity without having to purchase new equipment. They include: • Crash corners: Crash corners consist of a safe space to allow our bodies to literally “bounce off the walls.”

These can be created with pillows, old mattresses that are no longer being used, bean bags, or pieces of foam / Styrofoam from packaging. This also creates a designated safe space for wiggly bodies in order to compartmentalize that behavior in one area, so we can redirect our kiddos to that space when they need to get some wiggles out.

• Obstacle courses: Obstacle courses can be created with all household items. When we put our creative goggles on, we will see couch cushions as hurdles to jump over, paper plates as “ice skates” to coast along the floor, yarn as a laser maze, painter’s tape as a way to create easily removed hop scotch squares (or other jumping activities), and two different floors coming together (carpet and linoleum, for example) as a place to hop side-to-side to complete ‘ski jumps’ with visual feedback. Creating an obstacle course from household items allows the whole family to get creative in setting up a course and completing it together.

14 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

• Using our bodies: My last suggestion for adding safe gross motor activities into the day is to get creative with how we transition from place-to-place. When it’s safe, allow your kids to run. Running gives great feedback to our joints and muscles and burns pent-up energy.

When running isn’t a safe option, try bunny hopping, wheelbarrow walking, skipping, crab walking, bear walking, or army crawling.

These gross motor movements give our bodies feedback about where our bodies are at in space and allow us to get wiggles out in between our daily tasks.

FINE MOTOR: Getting creative with fine motor tasks is fun, and most households are full of ideas and activities that help strengthen the tiny muscles in our hands and arms. Examples include: • Broken crayons: Broken crayons facilitate a more efficient grasp, as they aren’t long enough for us to hold them in a fisted grasp and we have to use our fingers. Using broken crayons and small pencils are great for small hands and for building the tiny muscles that we need for grasping and gripping efficiently.

• Everyday items: If we put on our creative goggles, we will see tons of options for fine motor dexterity and precision tasks all around us. Saving old milk jugs, cans, jars, and containers as well as using age-appropriate small “manipulatives” such as beans, buttons, beads, and dry pasta can make for really fun fine motor tasks.

I love to use a Pringles container by slicing a small slit in the lid and then pressing popsicle sticks through the slit. This works for bilateral skills, grasping, visual motor skills, and dexterity. When the lid is removed, the container can hold the popsicle sticks and it keeps everything together really nicely. You can also cut a slit in a tennis ball and glue eyes on it to create a face, then squeeze the ball to open the mouth and “feed” it tiny erasers, beans, or any other small items. I also really like to create sorting tasks with different colored items to address color identification, matching, and visual motor skills.

SENSORY: Sensory play is really important to help develop a child’s tactile system as well as help to avoid tactile defensiveness, which is when a child avoids certain feelings or textures on his or her skin. This can be addressed by playing in everyday items such as shaving cream, hair gel, pudding, whipped cream, or slime.

This can also be an oral motor experience if a child is given an edible item and a safe place to explore this in a tactile way (with their hands) as well as orally (with their mouths). This www.idahofamilymagazine.com

can help picky eaters learn that food can be enjoyable by taking the pressure off of them having to eat the food and allowing them to play in it first and foremost. I love artist’s smocks for this type of play, because the smock can be removed and thrown in the sink and makes cleanup really easy. This can become a total body experience by placing the textured item in a bathtub or on linoleum or hardwood and then wiping it up once the child is done, or simply turning the bathtub on and cleaning the bath and the child after messy play is complete.

If the child is really defensive at first (pulls away, cries, gags, or refuses to engage), a “barrier” can be used to touch the item. This could be gloves, a straw, a popsicle stick, or a motivating toy such as a car, Barbie, or dinosaur.

This takes the pressure off the child and allows him/her to first explore the tactile medium with something other than his/her body before exploring it with the skin.

This information can seem overwhelming at first, but once you have the hang of putting your creative glasses on, almost all everyday tasks become a therapeutic experience.

Get your kiddo in the kitchen to help with meal prep or cleanup, have your child help with organization by sorting same colored or sized items, and encourage frequent body breaks where your child can help create obstacle courses or fun ways to transition from task-to-task or place-to-place in new ways.

Good luck and happy creating!

Macaile Hutt is an occupational therapist in Boise, as well as a writer and contributor for The Sensory Project. Her therapy style takes a holistic and child-directed approach, with the goal of children succeeding across multiple environments. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from A.T. Still University and has received continuing education in Handwriting Without Tears, pediatric kinesiotaping, Interactive Metronome, and Beckman Oral Motor. She is co-owner of the company Human Code, a candle and retail company with a larger purpose of promoting kindness and generosity. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, backpacking, and traveling.

CASH Contnued from Page 13

and spending money wisely? The great thing is that there are literally a bajillion books written about personal finances. Yes, many are dry and uninspiring, but there are a good handful out there that are entertaining and just may change your life.

Audiobooks are great while driving on all the cheap gas, or while moving around outside and getting exercise and fresh air.

Don’t Corona my Cash webinars

Another great use of your time during the various stages of quarantining is watching our University of Idaho-produced webinars on dealing with your finances during the pandemic.

Check out the recordings, which include classes taught by yours truly, at www.uidaho.edu/extension-finance.

Complaining

There are some real challenges to navigating a pandemic and an economic fallout. Your health and your wallet are both being threatened at the same time. Now in places like Chicago, what with all their muggings and murders, this might be commonplace, but here in Idaho it’s taking some getting used to. The truth is that there’s every reason in the world to complain and worry right now. Rumor has it that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while in jail, was inspired by the verse, “Who of you, by being anxious, can add one minute to your life?”

(Matthew 6:27). Though I’m no poster child for following this advice, it makes a lot of sense that we avoid spending our precious minutes imagining the worst, and instead embrace the good around us even if we have to do it by embracing the messiness of life. Now, a tissue if you please, I’ve made myself well up with tears….wait, what? No tissues OR toilet paper?!

Tarrrnation! (My last complaint, I swear.)

Luke Erickson, Ph.D., AFC®, is an associate professor of personal finance for the University of Idaho. He lives and works in the Treasure Valley. Luke and his wife Rachel have been married for 15 years and live in Meridian, Idaho with their four energetic children. Got questions about kids and money? Email them to erickson@uidaho.edu; he’ll answer them in future articles.

Primary Care 30 Minute Appointments Caring, Family Environment Our wonderful providers see moms, dads, and of course we love the kiddo’s! Call today to establish.

Cherese Tarter, DNP

Wellness visits, chronic conditions, sick or hurting?

CALL US!

Tarter Family Medicine 1560 N. Crestmont Dr. Suite A Meridian, ID 83642 www.idahofamilymagazine.com

Anne Koster, DNP

208-650-4888 We accept most non-medicare, commercial insurances.

Idaho Family Magazine | JUNE/JULY 2020 15

Forever homes.

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WE BELIEVE home really is sweet.

16 JUNE/JULY 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine

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