Parent Magazine St Johns - June 2022

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J O H N S

MODERN FATHERHOOD AND SUMMER PLANNING ISSUE

JUNE 2022

FUN SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND DADS CARE FOR KIDS: SUMMER BREAK

FAVORITE DADS OF SOCIAL MEDIA GIVE THE SLIDE THE SLIP: FUN WAYS TO ENGAGE KIDS’ MINDS IN THE SUMMER YOUR BEST SUMMER IS ONE WORD AWAY

This issue of

is provided courtesy of

© Baptist Health 2022

“ I can’t say enough about my doctor and the staff.”

Looking for a new doctor?

Finding the right primary care doctor can make all the difference in your overall health.

Baptist Primary Care has convenient locations throughout St. Johns County. Our highly rated physicians and staff put your health and safety first. Physician profiles and ratings are available at baptistprimarycare.net.

Contact us today!

New to the area?

Call 202-4YOU (4968) or visit baptistjax.com/request and we’ll help match you with the right doctor.

ART Contest Congratulations to our

Winner Camilla Leal

Smithsonian Water|Ways exhibit is coming July 9 - September 3 at the AACS Cultural Center and Museum

Water/Ways is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Florida Humanities. Support for the exhibition and programming was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

S T

J O H N S

JUNE 2022

CONTENT features

06 in each issue

05

ST JOHNS SCHOOL DISTRICT SUMMER PROGRAMS

06

FUN SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND DADS

10

YOUR BEST SUMMER IS ONE WORD AWAY

12

BEYOND BURNOUT & BICKERING: AVOID OVERSCHEDULING SO KIDS CAN INDIVIDUATE CARE FOR KIDS: SUMMER BREAK

03

FROM THE EDITOR

14 17

04

ST. JOHNS SUPERINTENDENT’S LETTER

18

26

BOOK NOOK

GIVE THE SLIDE THE SLIP: FUN WAYS TO ENGAGE KIDS’ MINDS IN THE SUMMER

28

HEALTH CORNER

20

GET THOSE SUMMER VOLUNTEER HOURS!

22

FAVORITE DADS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

24

IS MY CHILD READY FOR A SLEEPOVER?

For more content online, scan the QR code or visit our website at ParentMagazinesFlorida.com.

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SPONTANEOUS SUMMER FUN IN A BOX

FROM THE EDITOR

J

une is filled with so much promise. Open days, free from school, can create a feeling of joy but also can create challenges as you try to arrange childcare and activities to fill those long summer, days. No one wants their children in front of screens all summer but planning activities can be a chore.

We have some great suggestions on how to prioritize activities and ways to make even routine trips into spontaneous fun!

June 18 is Father’s Day. Today’s father looks different than the fathers of the 1970s and 80s. He is more engaged, less traditional and as likely to be a true caregiver to the children as the family breadwinner. We salute all fathers and those that fill that role and thank them for their contributions to raising the next generation.

We also want to inform you of opportunities for your high school student to get their volunteer hours in and to know what is going on in the school district this summer. Additionally, we want to remind you to get your rising kindergartener registered as soon as possible if you haven’t taken care of this important task.

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. What a great time to grow something or pick up some local goodies to enjoy with your family. It is also Great Outdoors Month so enjoy one of our beautiful hiking trails or parks. And June 12 is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day – so look for our favorite peanut butter cookie recipe on our website and whip up a bunch with your kids. Even the little ones can use a fork to push them down before you put them in the oven. You might even have some left over for June 18, National Picnic Day!

Parent Magazine is published by TouchPoint Innovative Solutions.

PUBLISHER Howard M. Holley Sr. EDITOR Dr. Barbara C. Holley MANAGING EDITOR Jeanne Coates ART DIRECTOR Leslie Proctor SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR Jeanne Coates EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Jennifer Farrow • Parent Volunteer Christina Upchurch • St. Johns School District Vikki Mioduszewski • Wolfson Children’s Hospital Danielle Taylor • St Johns School District Erin Wallner • Flagler Health+ INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? If you would like to advertise in Parent Magazine, please call 386.449.8353 or email us at jeanne@touchpointis.com IDEAS FOR ARTICLES? Send your article ideas or provide feedback to barbara@touchpointis.com

Wishing you a safe and happy summer,

DR. BARBARA C. HOLLEY EDITOR, PARENT MAGAZINES

389 Palm Coast Pkwy SW, Suite 3 Palm Coast FL 32137

CONTACT US ParentMagazinesFlorida.com @ ParentMagazinesFlorida @ ParentMagazinesFlorida

All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher.

TouchPoint Innovative Solutions assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. © 2022 TouchPoint Innovative Solutions. All rights reserved.

Information contained in these materials are neither sponsored or endorsed by the School Board of St. Johns County County, its agents or its employees.

JUNE 2022 | 3

St. Johns County School District

By Tim Forson, Superintendent of Schools

O

n behalf of the St. Johns County School District, it is an honor to serve your children and families.

I want to start by congratulating the graduating class of 2022. This past month over 3,300 seniors participated in graduation ceremonies across the district, the fruition of the hard work and meaningful education taking place in our schools.

I am especially grateful to work for a district with such devoted and talented people whose focus remains steadfastly on the success and well-being of students. As we return to a more normal setting in our schools and classrooms, I continue to be grateful for the leadership and dedication of our teachers. Teachers are champions of youth and members of a noble profession engaged in one of the most important rights of freedom that is education for all citizens. Something our teachers embrace even in the face of challenges beyond our control. We are fortunate to have a school board that makes decisions based on a philosophy of “children first.” Their leadership during challenging times has demonstrated the true character of our board, and I am honored to work with each of them.

It always seems that during difficult times, our community rises to the occasion providing much-needed donations and support to the students and families of St. Johns County. This year was no different, and I am thankful for the generosity of our community partners. We are so appreciative of our faith-based community, volunteers, business partners and local organizations for their monetary and in-kind donations.

Nutritionally balanced meals will be offered to all children regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin during summer vacation when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. All children 18 years old and younger are eligible for meals on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. To locate a summer feeding site and meal service times, please visit https://www.summerbreakspot.org/.

My sincere hope is that the summer months provide you and your loved ones a respite from your daily obligations and help recharge you for the 2022-2023 school year. I encourage you to spend time with your children, whether it’s reading, vacationing, enjoying time outdoors or just being together. It’s the small things that make such an impact on our children and help strengthen a family. Nothing comes before caring and nurturing those we love most.

Best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to an outstanding new school year in the fall.

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St Johns School District Summer Programs SUMMER VPK From stjohns.k12.fl.us

During the summer five-day workweek, the office hours for all schools and district departments for public access are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. These hours support the district’s energy cost savings effort.

Three St. Johns County School District schools will host a 2022 Summer VPK Program. Sites are Durbin Creek Elementary School, Ocean Palms Elementary School and The Webster School.

The program is June 7 through July 29.

Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be no program on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. See the SJCSD SUMMER VPK PROGRAM FLYER at https://bit.ly/37HvBTY.

To participate, your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2022.

Parents should call the Early Childhood Services office to reserve their child’s spot; they must also register their child online to obtain the VPK Certificate of Eligibility.

Visit the Early Childhood Services website (floridaearlylearning.com).

The summer program is conducted in a camplike atmosphere with planned water days, arts and crafts and all-around summer fun incorporating kindergarten-readiness activities.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Donna Fenech in the Early Childhood Services Dept. at (904) 547-8959.

Don’t forget to register your child for school: stjohns.k12.fl.us/student/enrollment/ JUNE 2022 | 5

r e m Su m ies t i v i t c A

for

By Brianna Carter

W

hen summertime comes, there are endless opportunities for adventure, both near and far. June is home to Father’s Day and you may ask, what excursions would satisfy dad and children alike? Well, in Florida, there are a plethora of possibilities.

Take a short journey to indulge in a full day of fun, or stay close to fill a few hours.

Catch Dinner Fishing is a popular pastime and a way for connection between the kids and dad. Whether it’s in the salty sea air, river waters or brackish inlets, Northeast Florida is

6 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Kids and Dads

home to numerous fishing spots. Many communities even provide ponds or river piers to indulge in this event. (Though one might be skeptical of eating a fish from a man-made community pond. Gulp.)

If your community doesn’t have water access, try one of these fishing spots: St. Johns County: Nocatee Landing, Guana River Dam, Vilano Beach Pier, St. Augustine Pier.

Clay County: Doctors Lake Park, Heart Lake.

Flagler County: High Bridge Park, Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, Flagler Beach Pier.

Palm Coast: North Peninsula State Park, Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park.

Water, water everywhere. And so are activities.

Volusia County: Briggs Drive fishing dock, Lake George fishing pier, Riv-Ocean Drive fishing dock, Roberta Drive fishing dock, San Jose fishing dock.

Perhaps the preference is to be in the water to catch some fish, surf some waves or simply have a good time.

Water sports are readily available on the shores of the Sunshine State.

Deep-sea and coastal charters are an incredible way to cruise the seas. Trout, flounder and snapper are just a few species to hook on your rod. Most excursions include bait, tackle, rods, any fishing licenses and other fishing gear.

Charters First City Fishing offers boat excursions, offshore and inshore, as well as shark fishing.

Specializing in deep-sea fishing, as well as eco-tours, River City Charters has family-friendly excursions for all ages.

Florida Water Tours offers boat outings for all ages. From their dolphin tour to sunset cruises, family fun is in full effect. In Flagler County, Flagler Fishing Charters has fulland half-day rates.

Stripplin Lips Backwater Charters has boats available for offshore and inshore options in Volusia County. Just Hooked Fishing Charters hosts inshore and near-shore options for the whole family, as well as offshore trips.

St. Johns/Duval: St. Augustine Paddle Sports offers tours around the county. Their website boasts an in-depth map of fishing and boat ramp locations in St. Johns County.

Many locations along the St. Johns River are also easily accessible for Clay and Putnam County residents, while the coastal waters are a short hop from Flagler County.

In addition, St. Augustine Paddle Sports has supplies and equipment for sale--like kayaks--for your own adventures, as well as bait to tempt the fishes.

Kayaking St. Augustine offers tours and rentals. If paddle boarding is something you enjoy, find it at Latitude 29 Paddleboard, as well as kayaking.

The Salty Paddle holds stand-up yoga on paddleboards in addition to their SUP rentals and outings. Try it for the ultimate test in balance. Summer camps for kids begin in June as well.

Then, there’s surfing. At Surf Into Summer, lessons start at $65 for a private session. Group lessons are available.

JUNE 2022 | 7

Boards are provide, but you are welcome to use your own. They even offer summer camps.

Other surf schools include Thompson Surf School, $65 for a private lesson and $45 per person for groups of three.

Jacksonville Surf and Paddle offers both surf and paddleboarding options with private and public surf instruction. Surf camps are ongoing during the summer.

In addition to paddleboarding and surfing, East Coast Boarding School holds lessons, summer camps and even kiteboarding sessions upon request.

Flagler County: Tropical Kayaks has rentals and sales. If you’re interested in guided tours, check out Kayak Cafe. You’ll also find stand-up paddle and surf rentals at Citrus Surf Shop.

Volusia County: GorillaShark Boards offers kayak rentals, while Odyssey Adventure Club conducts tours on request and supplies

rentals for personal exploration. As a mobile enterprise, Odyssey Adventure Club will meet you at your preferred location and provide the equipment. Local recommended areas to paddle through include Sanchez Creek, Mosquito Lagoon, Ocklawaha, as well as local springs.

Ponce Inlet Watersports covers a variety of water activities. From dolphin boat tours and fishing charters to kayak rentals and sailing adventures, even parasailing, there is something for everybody to enjoy.

Beach Days Skip the boat and just frolic in the serene sand. Watch the sunrise or splash in the sea. Family-friendly beaches abound on the Florida shoreline, many with fishing access.

You might spot a dolphin pod along the horizon. Certain coastal destinations offer drive-on access for a fee. Consult with local county regulations for pricing and restrictions.

Duval/St. Johns Counties: Jacksonville, Atlantic/ Neptune, Ponte Vedra, Mickler, Vilano, Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, North Beach, Crescent Beach.

Flagler County: Washington Oaks Gardens, Flagler Beach Municipal Pier, Varn Park (pet friendly), River to Sea Preserve, Jungle Hut Road Park, Mala Compra Road Beachfront Park (pet friendly), Flagler Beach, Flagler Beach South (pet friendly). More Information at Visit Flagler.

Volusia County: Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, Disappearing Island Ponce Inlet, Wilbur-by-the-Sea Beach, Mary McLeod Bethune Beach, Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Matanzas Beach, Playalinda Beach, Dunlawton Beach, Lighthouse Point Park, Sunny Sands.

Other Adventures Animal Excursions: See some crazy critters at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, or admire the stealth beasts at the Alligator Farm--which has the most species of reptiles in one place in the country. Or travel to the Everglades to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Watch the cats prowl at Catty Shack Ranch. Head west to the Orlando Aquarium for some dazzling aquatic life and make a stop at the Central Florida Zoo. Take in all the dolphin’s glory at Marineland, with their spectacular ocean views.

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Museum Days: Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral), Orlando Science Center, Museum of Arts and Sciences (Daytona) and MOSH (Museum of History and Science, Jacksonville) keep science and engagement at the forefront of their activities. Check out the African American Museum of the Arts or the Florida Agricultural Museum for insight into the history farming and crops.

For truly incredible sights and a tour through history, visit one of Florida’s 30 lighthouses.

State Parks The perfect place to pack a picnic, bring games, play sports and leisurely enjoy the day. Many parks have climbing equipment to keep kids challenged and engaged. Some even offer campsites, fishing or beach access. Here are a few by county to consider: St. Johns County: Bird Island Park, Deep Creek State Forest, Anastasia State Park, Fort Mose, Anastasia State Park, Matanzas Beach, Matanzas State Forest, Riverfront Park, Julington Creek Plantation Park, Treaty Park, Veterans Dog Park.

Clay County: Williams Park, Green Cove Springs Park, Foxmeadow Recreational Park, Moccasin Slough Park, Camp Chowenwaw, Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park, Moody Avenue, Omega Park, Riverfront Park, Williams Park.

Flagler County: River to Sea Preserve, Shell Bluff Park, Russell Landing/Haw Creek Preserve, Hidden Trails Community Center, Shell Bluff Park, Central Park, Wadsworth Park, Wickline Park, Veterans Park, Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area.

Volusia County: Lake Beresford Park, Pooser Park, Gemini Springs Park, Spring Hill Park, Beck Ranch Park, Lake Ashby Park, Riverside Park, Rocco Park.

Endless options for a summer packed with adventure await, and many come with a very approachable price tag. Whether it’s toes in the sand or an inland museum, there is no shortage of fun, sun and activities to keep the whole family entertained, all while creating memorable moments to last a lifetime.

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JUNE 2022 | 9

Your Best

S

ummer is the great playtime of the year. It’s like recess, a break from the responsibilities, except when it’s not.

I find myself holding this idea that summer should be FANTASTIC and FUN and SUN. But there’s still laundry and cooking and vacuuming. The bills keep coming and the everyday-ness of life still happens.

How can we enjoy summer for the respite that it is while still living in the real world?

I’m watching calendar days fly by, and I’m filled with equal parts excitement and dread. Our family routines will all change in just a few short weeks when spring becomes summer.

And let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this starts on June 21. No, summer starts around here the moment the kids are done with school. And it’s not even the last day of school. It’s when school responsibilities give way

10 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

to school fun days and homework dwindles as afterdinner playtime extends. We’re close around here, and I’ve found one way that helps me get through it — and enjoy it.

I was inspired a few years ago when I watched a webinar

by Lysa Terkeurst. It was around the time she launched her book The Best Yes (which I highly recommend).

Everything she said made sense and I found myself nodding along, but one thing stuck with me well beyond the webinar.

She introduced the idea of choosing a word. When faced with the season ahead, she chose one word that would become her litmus test for all other things that season. I don’t remember what her word was, but I remember that it felt easy. It wasn’t one more thing on my endless lists. No, this idea brought freedom.

I thought about it and realized that I couldn’t come up with one word, so I came up with three: family, books

Is

ne Word Away

and relaxation. These were the very things my family needed most that summer.

Every time we had an opportunity to do something, an invitation, a request, a plea, I ran my litmus test: does it support family, books and relaxing? If the answer was yes, we ran to it. If the answer was no, it permitted me to say it wasn’t right for us right now. I let go, and it felt great.

Your words will be different. My words this year will be different (although I’m thinking that family one is sticking around!) I’m still picking my words. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking: • family

• quiet

• peace

• busy

• joy

• relaxed

• fun

• home

• adventure

• water

• helpful

• outdoors

By Rebecca Hastings

These are just a few ideas! Your summer can have whatever look you want it to. Choosing a word (or a few) that are the goals you have for this season will enable you to make choices that give you the very summer you want.

Yes, there are things we still need to do. The laundry needs to get done (although maybe less if you spend long days in bathing suits). We still need to feed our people (but maybe relaxed means simple meals outside or more takeout). Work needs to happen, and the lawn still needs to be mowed. But when we make our choices through the lens we want to look through, it will be a lot more enjoyable.

We get to choose how our summer goes.

This test is not one more thing to do. It is the very thing that will free you to let go so you can create your best summer ever!

What words will you use to create your best summer ever?

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 11

Beyond Burnout & Bickering: Avoid Overscheduling So Kids Can Individuate

S

By Christina Katz

chool, sports, after-school activities, birthday parties, and social commitments—all of these things compete for your child’s energy and attention on a daily basis. And now that kids are hopping on social media at increasingly younger ages, the pressure to participate can become fierce early on. All those images of friends playing sports, hanging out at a pool party, or posing together in a gleeful gaggle may cause your child to feel like his schedule doesn’t quite measure up.

Kids discover their sense of self in the quiet moments of life when they can relax, be themselves and let their instincts lead. If they can’t find quiet, reflective moments in their overly busy lives, identifying individual desires may be delayed or denied. So be smarter than your sources, parents. Don’t let your child’s individuality get overlooked because you are keeping him steadily overbooked.

But no matter whose idea it is to keep kids busy and social 24-7, it’s ultimately every parent’s job to make sure kids don’t fall into the over-scheduling trap. Kids need their parents to make space for them to just be so they don’t feel compelled to constantly do-do-do.

activity into the busy mix, pause and consider what’s already on the schedule for the entire family. It’s only natural to want to do it all, but saying yes to everything will only exhaust everyone and cut into valuable family time. If you can manage another addition, consider it. If you can’t, then it’s time to prioritize.

If parents don’t take an active role in supporting each child’s individuality, then their uniqueness is going to take a back seat to their busy schedule, and this can create feelings of isolation or even depression in kids and lay the groundwork for workaholism later in life.

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Prioritize the Calendar. Before you add another

Focus On Enrichment. Does the activity bring more joy and energy into your child’s life, or does it create conflicts and anxiety? Joining the competitive soccer league may sound fun, but if your child does not enjoy

the level of intensity, then maybe a local intramural league is a better fit. Don’t assume the most expensive or competitive choice is always the best fit for your child’s needs. Sometimes less really is more.

Shrug Off Kiddie Competition. Pressure to conform

is ever-present in childhood. Do the kids next door participate in more activities than your kids? So what.

Left to their own devices, kids will often compare their experiences with other kids and find theirs lacking. How many times have you heard that their friends’ parents let them do this or that? Strong, secure parents can hear this without giving in to pressure. They do? That’s nice. This is what we do, and these are the reasons why.

Find Mentors of Character. When you choose

the activity, you also choose the role model who is in charge. Make sure coaches, organizers and leaders are the types of people you want influencing your kids.

Mentors who focus on character model healthy choices and allow kids to act like kids while helping them build skills in a measured manner. If you are concerned that a coach or activity leader is over-zealous or too highpressure, trust your instincts and investigate further.

Allow For Downtime. Be sure your family has at least a day or two each week when no outside activities are on the schedule. Whether you participate in a religious Sabbath or not, everyone in the family can benefit from observing a weekly day of rest. And spending a whole day enjoying family time each week will bring your family closer and remind everyone that family comes first.

Watch for Signals of Over-doing. Is your child happily content or often tired and irritable? Do you have a mutual admiration society at home or are family members always snipping at each other? Is everyone sleeping well at night or is exhaustion the norm? Are you in charge of the schedule or do stress and pressure run the show? Remember that your family deserves to feel calm and contented. Take charge of how you spend your time and your children will soon follow suit.

Relax, Kick Back & Hang Out

Take back your family’s quality of life by trying some of these simple strategies.

• Have a family project you all work on year-round in a leisurely manner like a vegetable garden or even a puzzle.

• Go on local outings with the mission of simply hanging out together.

• Take an occasional family walk together in a go-to location when something challenging needs to be discussed and sorted out.

• Watch a family double feature with popcorn, drinks and lively discussions.

• Take the family to the library and spend an hour gathering books, magazines, music and DVDs. • Make Sunday brunch a ritual activity either at home or at an inexpensive local restaurant.

• Have a casual but consistent family meeting once a week to get a better sense of how kids are feeling about the ways they spend their time.

Encourage Personal Development. Kids need hobbies, just like adults. Private, personal activities that don’t have to be shared with others can be soothing and pleasurable and teach kids to become more selfdirected. So if your child loves to bake, knit, build models or peer at the stars, support those interests.

When you buy her special ingredients, pretty yarn, three types of glue or the slightly better telescope, you are saying, “I see you and I support the person you are becoming.” Every child needs and wants this kind of recognition and acknowledgment from parents.

Be Honest With Yourself. Do you really care more about what others think of your kids than you do about your family’s overall happiness? Do you worry you are living in such a dog-eat-dog world that your child has to be hyper-busy to compete? Are you so concerned about your child’s social standing that you put her in activities she doesn’t care about to expose her to the right kids? If any of these are true, take a step back.

When it comes to scheduling your child, let her needs lead, not yours.

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 13

Care for Kids:

By Brianna Carter

S

chool’s out for summer.

Frightening words, especially if you don’t have a plan for summer. Sure, vacations are a cornerstone, filled with excitement and adventure, but not many families can vacation all summer long. Camps can fill up in several weeks, and few encompass the entire break, leaving parents to figure out engaging and affordable options to keep their children safe. All while managing jobs and/or managing household obligations.

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What options are available for families?

Camp.

Summer camps are a great way to build and maintain social interactions while honing leadership and interpersonal skills. From sports to the arts, camps abound. However, they can be costly and difficult to find at the last minute. Peruse our Camp Issue for ideas.

Serve as a camp counselor, mentor or tutor.

Instead of partaking in camps, high schoolers can mentor during the summer. This offers opportunities to develop and strengthen skills such as problem solving, project planning, conflict resolution and instructing teams and small groups. Camps are always in need of volunteers to assist and train for future sessions.

Offering tutoring services to younger children is another way to earn money while cultivating professional experience. Managing a calendar, planning lessons and practicing supportive and succinct communication are fundamental competencies in many arenas. Setting up payment terms and balancing their time are key nuances that lay the foundation for entrepreneurship. All of these skills will continue to be honed in high school, college and beyond.

Family Nanny or Sitter.

Though the terms are interchanged, there is a difference between nannies and babysitters. A nanny is a more tenured, longer-term commitment between employer and nanny. Nannies often have advanced training and credentials. They tend to support children in a more in-depth capacity, from helping with schoolwork to preparing meals to transporting them to activities; they serve as an extension of the parents. Babysitters are used on occasion or on a more infrequent basis and may not have advanced training.

online platforms. However, these fees are one-time and cover background checks, driving records and criminal records, etc.

Organizations like College Nannies and Sitters are another option that serves the Northeast Florida area.

In addition to childcare, they also provide tutoring services.

Nanny or Sitter Share.

Similar to the aforementioned section, but shared with a group of people. This ensures social interaction with a consistent supervisor. It saves parents money in the long run while the nanny can make slightly more with a larger group of kids.

Whether you’re employing a nanny personally or engaging in a shared situation, there are certain dynamics that need to be addressed prior to committing.

Communication. Clear and concise group communication is a must for a share to be successful.

Everyone must be specific about vacation days, changes in schedule, availability for the summer and if fewer children means less money for the care provider.

Payment. Agencies often handle the payment. If you

Family nannies can be a fantastic support but often come with a hefty price tag.

Care.com estimates rates can range from $13.25 to $19.50 or more, depending on where you live and the demand. Locally, the St. Augustine location of Twinkle Toes shares services begin at $19.50 per hour for one child and adds a dollar per hour for each additional child. Registration and joining fees are common for

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 15

are contracting with an independent caregiver, be sure to provide a W-2 or 1099 and discuss tax deductions.

Consult a tax professional for advice on this.

A clear breakdown of payment when and how much per child must be laid out with the childcare provider.

Plan. Also of importance, a contingency plan if the sitter is sick or has an emergency, time off or vacation time should be agreed upon before the caregiver starts.

Values and expectations. Lay the groundwork and responsibilities out ahead of time. From routines to activities, make sure the caregiver has an explicit itinerary of daily life and what is required to meet those needs. If your child has particular interests, try to hire a sitter that shares their affinity--it helps foster connection and respect from caregiver to child.

Use your tribe (Co-op Model).

It takes a village, right? Team up with your people, those who know and cherish your kid(s) already. These have become more popular overtime and are often referred to as a Co-op.

Topics to discuss prior to committing: • Create a consistent schedule of who has what days/times.

• Plan excursions and activities based on the age group.

• Agree on what’s acceptable to spend and create accounts or a money pot prior to any outings for the spend.

• Expenses to consider: Snacks and beverages, art and craft supplies, gas, admission and entry fees, books and materials (pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, etc).

• Back-up plan in case of an emergency or illness.

Rotating childcare responsibilities allows parents who work full time in or out of the home to prioritize the workday more effectively and collaborate with employers for workplace flexibility. Coming together as a collective ensures the children have playmates, but no parent is out extra money for supervision.

16 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Work Sponsored Childcare.

Inquire with employers, business owners or corporate entities to see if there are summer childcare programs available. Many corporations sponsor onsite child watches and may have summer openings.

Get a job.

It’s never too soon to learn about money management and fiscal responsibility. Teens 14 and older can acquire a work permit for a summer job. Working up to 40 each week can lay the foundation for teamwork, customer service, responsible scheduling and time management.

When the bell sounds for classes to begin, students can stay employed, legally eligible to work up to 15 hours each week. Full guidelines can be found at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

When it’s summer, the livin’ can be easy for kids and parents alike. Approachable and flexible options are available to meet the unique needs of your family.

Spontaneous Summer Fun in a Box

By Brei Larmoyeux

S

ometimes the greatest adventures are not planned. When driving around, returning from errands, you may come upon a space that is begging to be explored. You may wander into an errand where, if you had just a few comforts, you could stay and have a wonderful time. Be prepared this summer by keeping the following items available in a car:

1.

Soccer or playground ball. Any field or park can be the perfect place for a pickup game of soccer or kickball.

2.

A frisbee. Again, more things to do in that field or park, and great to burn off excess energy.

3.

Sunscreen. Avoid the burn and keep your skin healthy and comfortable.

4.

Bug repellent. No one wants to be attacked by bugs while you are enjoying the great outdoors!

5.

Hats for the whole crew. We keep a baseball cap for everyone in the family in the trunk. They keep the sun out of your eyes, can wrangle hair out of your eyes and protect your head from the sun.

6.

Sneakers and socks. If you stumble on a great hiking area, you will be ready. You will also be ready for that pickup game of soccer or kickball.

7.

Flip-flops. Beach anyone? The hot sand is so much more comfortable with flip-flops to help you get

the water without tears.

8.

Swimsuit. Springs and the ocean, a public pool.

You never know when the urge to get wet might hit you.

9.

Towels. You may need these if you are going to the beach or on a picnic or if you find a big tree that is perfect for a shady nap.

10. Beach or camp chairs. One of my favorite things to have in the car when we find a great place to play or read outside.

11.

Beach bag. Because we all know that our little people need us to carry all of the things!

12. Sunglasses. Protect those eyes.

13. Snacks. Hangry is a real emotion.

14. Juice boxes or pouches. They don’t need

refrigeration when unopened, and after the play and snacks, your crew will be thirsty.

15. A blanket. Again, for a picnic or a nap or just to make a home base where everyone can gather after they finish playing.

16. More toys. A Velcro paddle catch ball set or a football can add even more fun.

17. A sense of adventure!

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 17

18 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Give the Slide the

Slip:

Fun Ways to Engage Kids’ Minds in the Summer

D

o your kids seem a little less ready for school after each summer break? If the answer is yes, don’t worry. They’re far from alone. It’s a common experience known as the “summer learning slide.”

Research shows that kids typically lose the equivalent of a month’s worth of learning over the summer break - and it gets worse the older they get!

So, what can parents do to give the slide the slip? Here are seven fun activities that have worked for our teenage son, and I bet they’ll help your kids, too.

Read a Fiction and a Non-Fiction Book Every Other Week Since our son learned to read, we’ve had him read one fiction and one non-fiction book every other week to keep his reading and comprehension skills at grade level. It’s summer, after all, so instead of assigning him books like he’s used to from school, we let him choose what to read.

Keep a Vacation Journal We take at least one big family vacation trip every summer, and since our son was very young, we’ve had him keep a daily journal where he writes about what we did that day. It’s been a great way to keep his writing skills up-to-date and document his childhood.

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

Watch Feature and Documentary Movies Aside from playing a board game or two, we also watch movies in the evening. With all the streaming services available, it’s not that hard to find a documentary or feature film that also happens to be educational. Movies are some of the most fun ways to learn about other time periods, cultures and current events.

Download Educational Apps Although we try to make our son’s summer activities as social as possible, we also indulge his interest in anything technological, like letting him download all the educational apps he wants. He really likes quiz apps, which like the board game Trivial Pursuit, are great for developing kids’ general knowledge.

Visit Arts, History and Natural Science Museums Museum visits are another great way to keep your kids up-to-date with the arts, history and natural science. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a big or a small city.

Even the smallest town often has a museum nearby.

Going to the local town museum and learning about your own history can be surprisingly fun.

Email Family and Friends To strengthen our son’s writing skills, we also have him email family and friends, especially those people we don’t get to see that much during the year. Teenagers prefer texting, but we insist that he emails them because texts are usually full of broken sentences, odd grammar and spelling mistakes.

Play Math-Based Board Games In the evening, whether we’re on a family vacation trip or at home, we play math games like Monopoly or spelling games like Scrabble. The key is to focus on the fun part the competition - rather than the learning. If you do that, the learning will happen automatically.

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 19

Get those

Summer

Volunteer Hours!

By Jeanne Coates

h Aim to complete 25 hours of community service

h Community service projects should benefit the entire

h Service hours for Bright Futures will count starting

h Verify that the organization you are planning to

each year of high school to have the 100 hours needed for the Bright Futures Academic Scholarship. Students can begin accruing Bright Futures Community Service hours the summer before 9th grade begins.

the summer before enrolling in high school. Any hours completed before that time will not count towards the Bright Futures Scholarship.

h Community service hours are not a requirement to

graduate high school but can be helpful to students in discovering careers of interest, demonstrating leadership skills for resumes and scholarships and, most importantly, giving back to their community.

h Review the St. Johns County School District

Community Service Guidelines prior to volunteering.

These guidelines apply to community service hours reported on student transcripts used to verify Bright Futures eligibility.

20 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

community. This means that community service for events such as dances, carnivals, festivals, summer programs, etc., must be open to everyone, including those outside of a neighborhood or organization, and not require payment to participate in the event.

volunteer for is a non-profit organization by checking SunBiz. *Note: An organization being non-profit does not automatically guarantee service hours will be granted. Service completed for a non-profit organization must be done under the supervision of a staff member of the non-profit who is not related to the student and at a service location outside of the student’s home. For example, fostering animals, hosting a foreign exchange student or turning in supplies, canned goods, etc., to claim hours are not eligible activities.

h Turn in your hours per the guidelines listed above as soon as you complete the hours rather than saving them all until the end of high school to submit.

Local Community Service Opportunities: h Meals on Wheels: mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ americaletsdolunch?sign-up=1

h American Red Cross: redcrossyouth.org/ scholarships/be-a-volunteer/

h United Way: unitedway.org/get-involved/volunteer# h Epic-Cure: epic-cure.org/ways-to-help

h Hugs Across the County: Opportunities include

sorting clothes donations, food, and more. Email info@stjohnshugs.org or call 904-580-4847 with questions.

*If volunteering at a St. Johns County School, students must sign in and sign out of KeepNTrack in the school’s front office to have community service hours verified by the district.

Virtual Service Hours Opportunities Please submit hours for completing pre-approved virtual community service projects from the list below to your high school as you would for a face-to-face service activity. Procedures for submitting hours can be found on your school’s School Counseling website. Face-to-face activities are still acceptable to submit hours for, and information on those can be found in the Local Service Opportunities list below or any activity pre-approved by your school.

PROJECT NAME

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

ATTAINABLE HOURS

Brooks Rehabilitation Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Complete a variety of activities virtually to gain volunteer hours including: calling residents in Brooks Rehabilitation, creating an educational video, recording yourself singing, dancing, etc., creating a card, being a virtual exercise companion or leading a weekly book club over Zoom.

Varies. *Must apply to program (See school district website for how to apply) and be accepted before completing service activities.

Peer Disability Inclusion Training

Smithsonian Transcription Center

Learn how wonderful it is to include and advocate for a friend with a disability and earn service hours. The Peer Disability Inclusion training program consists of online training, spending time with an individual with a disability (this can also be done virtually) and advocating for them. By completing the six steps of the peer disability inclusion training program, you can earn six service hours.

Additional hours can be earned for more time spent including and advocating for an individual with a disability. The website for the program is: www.peerdisabilityinclusion.com.

6 hours

Sign up for a personal account with the Transcription Center. An account allows you to transcribe historical documents, review other volunteers’ transcriptions and keep track of your progress.

Unlimited-Submit your work log from the “My Work” section of the website, and total and list the hours per date for your school on a separate document.

PROJECT CONTACT Brooks Rehabilitation Volunteer Services VolunteerServices@ BrooksRehab.org 904-345-7661

Please contact peerinclusion@ gmail.com with any questions and when you have finished the training so that you can get your hours.

A representative of the Florida Inclusion Network will sign off on your service hours form.

See instructions on the school district website. stjohns.k12.fl.us/ guidance/ community-service/

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 21

Favorite Dads

Bat Dad This dad runs a commentary on his family’s everyday life dressed as “Batman.”

BatDad’s real name is Blake Wilson. He initially posted his video in vines and gained millions of fans. But after the vines shut down, he created his YouTube channel named ‘BatDad and Family’ in September 2013. His YouTube channel has 709k subscribers to date.

How to see him?

Twitter - twitter.com/realbatdad Instagram - instagram.com/batdadblake/ Opensea NFTs - opensea.io/collection/batdad Facebook - facebook.com/BatDadOfficial

Holderness Family The Holderness Family are American internet personalities best known for their Facebook and YouTube channels, which have over five million combined subscribers and over one billion total views.

They create family-centered parodies, skit and vlogs set to music and really hit the pulse of the American family. They are a family of four based in Raleigh, North Carolina, consisting of husband and wife Penn and Kim Holderness, their daughter, Lola, and son, Penn Charles.

How to see them?

YouTube - youtube.com/c/theholdernessfamily 22 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Dads with Attitude: This dad does lots of comparisons between a few years ago and now, makes fun of moms and more. He is saving the world one dad joke at a time.

How to see him?

Instagram -instagram.com/ dadswithattitude/ Facebook - facebook.com/DadsWithAttitude

Dude Dad: On the channel, he combines his storytelling skills with his parental experiences.

He posts sketches, pranks, vlogs, music parodies and more on a regular basis.

How to find him?

YouTube - youtube.com/ channel/UCnQjDnWKwV81mXEiuiA9Vqg Facebook - facebook.com/DudeDadVlog Instagram - instagram.com/dudedad/?hl=en

Frank Mele: Joe Mele has been capturing his dad, Frank, on video and capturing his fun personality!

How to find him?

TikTok - tiktok.com/@ mmmjoemele Instagram - instagram.com/ mmmjoemele/?hl=en

of Social Media By the Parent Magazines Florida Editorial Committee

Brandon Rainwater:

Brandon Floyd:

Brandon Rainwater is often sharing some hilariously relatable dad musings. His kids keep him on his toes, but he’s able to laugh through it.

Brandon Floyd had the internet doubled over in laughter with his hilarious impersonations of his teen son. These days, he’s aiming his jokes at all of his kids, and they’re flawless.

How to see him?

TikTok - tiktok.com/@ brandon_rainwater Facebook - facebook.com/brandonshakerainwater Instagram - instagram.com/brandon_rainwater_/?hl=en YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UC9bMZxaGz4zq7LxezsyuB

Frankie Mannella: Frankie Mannella, “Dadosaur” is sharing his view on life in these short skits.

Find him here: TikTok - tiktok.com/@ frankiemannella?lang=en Twitter - twitter.com/ frankiemannella?lang=en Instagram - instagram.com/frankiemannella/?hl=enInstagram

How to see him: TikTok - tiktok.com/@brandonfloyd7220/

Austin Geter: His unconventional methods of explaining life with his daughter are both funny and heartwarming.

How to find him?

TikTok - tiktok.com/@ austingeter?

Instagram - instagram.com/ austingeter/?hl=en Facebook - facebook.com/AustinMilesGeter

Marcus A. Stricklin: Marcus Stricklin makes TikTokers laugh with his hilarious tales from life with five kids.

How to see him?

Instagram - instagram. com/p/Cc1MHP8lSCL/ Twitter - twitter.com/ marcusthetoken J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 23

Is My Child Ready for a Sleepover?

By Jeanne Coates

L

etting your child go on their first sleepover is a very big step for parents. It requires trust of both your child and the household where they will be. What should you consider before that first invitation comes in?

Is your child ready?

1. Has your child already stayed overnight somewhere without you (perhaps with other family members) without getting scared or crying?

2. Does your child know a potential sleepover friend well, and do they get along on playdates?

3. Can your child get themselves ready for bed—brushing teeth, putting on pajamas—without adult help?

4. Can your child generally get through the night without nightmares or crying?

5. Can your child be away from you for several hours at a time without getting anxious?

6. Does your child do well when socializing with other kids’ families or eating their food?

7. Can your child ask other adults, besides you, for help?

8. Is your child excited by the prospect of a sleepover?

Ways to help your child get ready: 1. Offer to host. Let your child have the first sleepover on their turf, or do a trial run where they eat dinner at a friends house and do common sleepover activities, but go home before bed dressed in pajamas. It is best to start out one-on-one instead of with a crowd.

2. Ask questions of the other parents and share with your child

24 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

a. What is planned? b. Where will they be sleeping? c. Who will be in the home? d. Are there pets in the home? e. What food will be served?

3. Talk about what to expect. a. Talk about inappropriate touching b. Teach them to say “no” if something doesn’t feel right. c. Talk about weapon safety – do not touch a weapon and if someone else in the house brings one out, leave immediately. d. Teach them to not take any medications that they aren’t familiar with and not to drink alcohol if it is offered or introduced.

4. Help everyone get along. Talk to your child about compromise. If you are hosting, go out of your way to avoid conflict between the children, and try to make the other child comfortable.

Are you ready?

Your child may be ready, but are you?

Many parents struggle with the question of whether they’re uneasy about their child’s safety, or they’re unable to face this next stage in their child’s life.

A parent’s top concern should be the safety and wellbeing of their child. If this means a no-sleepover rule, so be it. If this means strict rules around sleepovers, go for it. But if you’re considering allowing your child to go to one for the first time, try the following: 1. Get personal with the friend’s parents. If you haven’t already, create a clear channel of communication with the parents. Even better, spend some time with them. Knowing their routines and values will give you an idea of what to expect. Find out if there are guns in the house, and if so, are they locked in a safe.

2. Know who’s in the household. Perhaps the child’s parents are trustworthy, but who else will be around your child? A full house may be a fun house, but older siblings or out-of-town guests may not align with what you’re familiar or comfortable with.

Check the sex offender registry. Know if there

is a sex offender in the home or in one of the neighboring houses.

3. Be clear on sleeping arrangements. Knowing how the night will unfold, and end, is important. Ask what dinner will be, what the activities will be, and make sure he or she is sleeping somewhere safe.

4. Keep communicating. Stay in contact with the parents. Make sure they know you’re interested and available. You want to know they are making your child a priority and that they won’t force your child to stay in fear of disturbing you.

5. Don’t be afraid to say no. Trust your gut. If you feel uneasy about any sleepover situation, always feel empowered to keep your kids at home. Some parents may pressure others to appease the wants of their own children. But only you know what’s best for your child. And that’s OK. 6. Give your child a cell phone for the night. If your child can easily contact you, it may ease both of your minds. Make sure your child knows how to use it.

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 25

Welcome to the

Book Nook!

Brought to you by Bookelicious.com

L

oving families can be defined any number of ways. Individual families may include a variety of people providing for the range of children’s needs outside of the traditional definitions of the nuclear family where a father and mother are the primary caregivers. But this month we are looking at fathers specifically and the special roles they may play in the lives of their children; some in conventional ways, and others who improvise under less conventional circumstances. We invite you to explore these titles and more at Bookelicious.

Daddy Speaks Love

My Daddy Can Fly!

A moving tribute to the joy and grounding that fathers bring to their children’s lives. On that very first day, bundled in blankets, you cried to be heard. “Shh, baby bird, I’ve got you,” are Daddy’s first words.

What does a daddy do? From day one, this daddy speaks love to his little one. And along with that love, his words and actions speak many other things, too: like truth, joy, comfort and pride. Like many dads, he answers a million questions and tries to make sure that days are full of fun adventures, giggles and hugs. Dads are good at scaring away imaginary monsters and honest about how to confront the real ones too. They set an example for the future, speaking out for equality and justice while sharing lessons from the past. But most of all, daddies encourage their young ones to fight for a better world, with the comfort of knowing their dads are right beside them.

For young dance lovers, a picture book about a young boy whose father has the unique position as a ballet dancer. Written by American Ballet Theatre soloist Thomas Forster. Ben and his friends are playing in their favorite part of the classroom-- the dress-up corner! They are talking about what they want to be when they grow up. Rachel wants to be a Taekwondo master, Dixie wants to be a doctor like her auntie, and John wants to be a teacher just like their teacher, Mr. Underwood. But when Ben says he wants to fly just like his daddy, his friends are sure his daddy must be a pilot. Ben tells his friends that they aren’t even close, but he offers a few more clues. His daddy is strong, gentle, fierce and fast. His friends have lots of guesses, but no one lands on the right one until Ben gives them the biggest clue of all. Written by a dad who is also a professional ballet dancer, this story will appeal to all ballet dancing children and their loved ones.

by Leah Henderson (Author) E B Lewis (Illustrator) Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

26 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

by Cozbi A. Cabrera (Author and Illustrator)

by Thomas Forster (Author) Jami Gigot (Illustrator) Reading Level: K − 1st Grade Series: American Ballet Theatre

Brick by Brick

by Heidi Woodward Sheffield (Author) Heidi Woodward Sheffield (Illustrator) Reading Level: K − 1st Grade Papi is a bricklayer, and he works hard every day to help build the city, brick by brick. His son, Luis, works hard too--in school, book by book. Papi climbs scaffolds, makes mortar, and shovels sand. Luis climbs on the playground and molds clay into tiny bricks to make buildings, just like Papi. Together, they dream big about their future as they work to make those dreams come true. And then one Saturday, Papi surprises Luis with something special he’s built for their family, brick by brick.

The Night Before Father’s Day

by Natasha Wing (Author) Amy Wummer (Illustrator) Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade Series: Night Before It’s Father’s Day! Celebrate dads everywhere with bike rides, car washes and more in this installment of Natasha Wing’s bestselling series. It’s the night before Father’s Day, and Mom and the kids have a plan to surprise Dad with a special gift. When Dad goes for a bike ride, everyone gets to work. Dad wakes up the next day to find his garage newly organized and his car sparkly clean.

So, of course, he celebrates by taking everyone for a spin!

Jabari Jumps

by Gaia Cornwall (Author) Gaia Cornwall (Illustrator) Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back.

He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board.

Dad Bakes

by Katie Yamasaki (Author) Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade Katie Yamasaki’s newest picture book is an intimate and tender story of the love between a father and a daughter.

Dad wakes early every morning before the sun, heading off to work at the bakery. He kneads, rolls and bakes, and as the sun rises and the world starts its day, Dad heads home to his young daughter. Together they play, read, garden, and--most importantly--they bake.

The Crossover

by Kwame Alexander (Author) Dawud Anyabwile (Illustrator) Reading Level: 4th – 5th Grade Series: Crossover The Crossover is now a graphic novel! “With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . . The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. ‘Cuz tonight I’m delivering,” raps twelve-year-old Josh Bell. Thanks to their dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood--he’s got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it’s all on the line. See the Bell family in a whole new light through Dawud Anyabwile’s dynamic illustrations as the brothers’ winning season unfolds, and the world as they know it begins to change.

Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year

by Nina Hamza(Author) Reading Level: 4th – 5th Grade Ahmed Aziz is having an epic year-epically bad.After his dad gets sick, the family moves from Hawaii to Minnesota for his dad’s treatment.

Even though his dad grew up there, Ahmed can’t imagine a worse place to live. He’s one of the only brown kids in his school. And as a proud slacker, Ahmed doesn’t want to deal with expectations from his new teachers.

Ahmed surprises himself by actually reading the assigned books for his English class: Holes, Bridge to Terabithia and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Shockingly, he doesn’t hate them. Ahmed also starts learning about his uncle, who died before Ahmed was born. Getting bits and pieces of his family’s history might be the one upside of the move, as his dad’s health hangs in the balance and the school bully refuses to leave him alone. Will Ahmed ever warm to Minnesota?

J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 27

Men, Lower Your Health Handicap

By Steven Miles, MD

E

very golfer wants to improve their handicap and play better on the course. Often that means hitting the driving range, working on your short game or upgrading your equipment, but keeping your own health in check is vital on and off the course. Knowing what screening you need and why it’s important will keep your health handicap at even par.

Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm (AAA) – Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have ever smoked should have an ultrasound screening for the presence of AAA. A smoking history greatly increases the risk of an undetected aneurysm that could rupture and often leads to death.

Prostate Cancer – Prostate cancer accounts for 25% of all male cancers. Most cases of prostate cancer occur in men older than 50 and two out of three cases are in men over 65. The American Cancer Society recommends that men begin prostate cancer screening at age 50 with an annual digital rectal exam of the prostate and possible PSA blood test. Men at high risk, such as African-American men or those with a close blood relative who had prostate cancer before age 65, should begin screening at age 45.

Colorectal Cancer - Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Early detection can drastically reduce the likelihood you will die from the disease. At age 50, men and women at average risk of developing colorectal cancer should talk to their doctor about scheduling a

28 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

CT colonography every five years with a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Diabetes - Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. If detected early enough, you can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Men and women should be screened for type 2 diabetes if their blood pressure is over 135/80 mm Hg. High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and other problems. There are no symptoms of high blood pressure, so the only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked at least once every two years.

High Cholesterol - High cholesterol causes most of the same problems as high blood pressure. Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. If you have a history of heart disease or diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol, you may need to get it checked more often.

Lung Cancer - Lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. Adults from 55 to 80 who have smoked a pack a day for 30 years or more and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years have yearly low dose scans.

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