July 2011

minimizing injury ensuring overactive athletes stay safe July 2011

drugs & teens protecting your family’s finances

editor’s note

be safe I wish I had about 200 more pages to talk about safety with you. This topic, from the deep discussion of athletic overuse injuries in Matea Wasend’s feature article, to the small stuff like the best kind of fan to buy to keep curious little fingers safe (found in our Chatter section), touches every aspect of our lives. I could put together a hundred articles, easily.

We all do dumb things that eschew safety, like the fairly recent time I decided not to limber up before a softball game, and then pulled a quad on a run to first base. I also have a faint scar on my right hand from when I was about 10 years old and thought I could stop a bike wheel from spinning just by inserting my hand between the spokes.

Some kinds of safety we learn, just from our mistakes. Other stuff — we need someone to educate us.

In this issue especially, but also in subsequent issues, I will be devoting space to safety education. From window cord strangulation, to the proper protective eyewear for particular sports, to the type of crib and crib bumper you should be buying — those are the types of things that I don’t want you, or your children, to have to learn about from making a mistake.

So this month, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on our tips on how to take action when you have a lost child; why, if you have a teenager, it’s important to be aware of the latest trends in drug use; and how the leading cause of a young athlete’s visit to the emergency room is overuse injury-related.

And as for the month of July, you had better know this already: use your sunscreen and reapply every two hours and stay hydrated. Keep your pets out of unattended cars; never leave your child alone near a body of water; and make sure that bike helmet is worn with every trip and fits snugly — both parent and child.

Be safe.

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mnparent.com

July 2011

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minnesota

parent the journal of family living Vol. 26, Issue 7

12

features 9 i’m lost preventing and handling a lost child situation

12 overactive too much, too soon is causing overuse injuries

24 real parent ann evans

parent pages 4 chatter

Co-Publishers Janis Hall 612-436-4361 jhall@mnpubs.com Terry Gahan 612-436-4360 tgahan@mnpubs.com

Editor Kathleen Stoehr kstoehr@mnpubs.com

Contributing Photographer Robb Long

Contributing Writers Keith Kepler Kara McGuire Joy Riggs Matea Wasend

Interns Alyson Cummings David Kelly Katherina Gadow Steven Guy LeAnn Crowe

Circulation

6 hot stuff travel time

8 grows on trees protecting your family’s financial future

10 teens and tweens why drugs and teens don’t mix

kid culture 18 kid books

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On the cover Getting limber prior to exercising or sports activities is a proactive and necessary means to warding off injury.

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chatter

teens & alzheimer’s challenge

fan-tastic! (and safe!)

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is issuing a challenge to teens this summer to become involved with community service projects that help those with Alzheimer’s disease. The foundation is hoping to encourage awareness and involvement, while working to bridge intergenerational divides. Teens are asked to put in at least 50 hours of community service between May 31 and August 31, and then write a reflective essay on their experience.

Teens can help out at nursing homes or other assisted living residences and regularly engage with people or families affected by Alzeihmer’s, suggesting activities like making scrapbooks, doing puzzles, or helping organize car washes, book drives, or other events to raise funds for local facilities. The winner and runner-up will receive an Apple iPad, not to mention the satisfaction of helping their communities. The deadline for the challenge is September 12, and more information can be found at afateens.org.

Conventional fans can be dangerous to curious fingers, that’s why Minnesota Parent loves the sleek and safe Dyson Air Multiplier, available in several different models, but all with bladeless design that is easy to clean and best — is safe to the touch.

The fan draws air into the base and amplifies it up to 18 times depending upon the model, with an uninterrupted flow of air. At the MNP offices where this fan was tested, we picked it up and moved it around, as it operated. It’s lightweight but balanced and very quiet. Though the price still is a bit hefty (between $300 and $450), we do feel that this is a superior fan — the best we’ve ever used. Visit dyson.com/fans for more information.

— David Kelly

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dad’s eye view of the twin cities k boohe of t th n mo

Michael Hartford has the Twin Cities all figured out and is ready to share the knowledge in his new book, Dad’s

July 2011

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— Katharina Gadow

concussion help in the palm of your hands Parents of young athletes know the fear of a concussion is very real. A new app is designed to parent

help parents and coaches recognize the chance and symptoms of a concussion almost immediately. Developed by Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., and available for iPhones, iPad, and Android devices, the “Concussion Recognition & Response” app takes parents and coaches through a series of yes or no questions about the injury and the child’s symptoms to determine if there’s a chance of concussion, helping adults make choices about what to do next.

The app can then email the information to a physician, suggest immediate advice, and offer tips for recovery. Available now for $3.99 in iTunes and Android stores.

— David Kelly T:9.75”

Eye View: 52 Family Adventures in the Twin Cities. In Dad’s Eye View, Hartford guides readers to 52 different locations (one for each week of the year) that are both fun and educational. He, along with his wife and twin boys, explored the well known (the Minnesota Zoo, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and the Holidazzle Parade) as well as the hidden secrets (the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, the Dowling Community Garden, and the Bakken Museum) in and around the Twin Cities.

The book is divided into seasons and each locale comes with a quick overview that consists of a quick tip, the price, where to locate the restrooms, as well as a suggested question to open up a conversation between you and your family. If this isn’t enough, the book comes with a free iPhone app, which can be used to rate your adventure and much more. You can also follow Dad’s Eye View on Twitter or “Like” it on Facebook to share your opinions.

chatter

staples encourages school supply donations DoSomething.org, an organization that helps foster volunteering in young people, is teaming up with Staples and the popular TV show Pretty Little Liars for the Staples for Students School Supply Drive.

Beginning July 3 and ending September 17, teens can either drop off school supplies at a Staples store, or they can donate $1 at the store which will go toward helping the 13 million students who return to school each year without basic school supplies.

For those who wish to make a contribution, head on over to DoSomething.org where you can help your kids find fun and creative ideas on how to collect school supplies.

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July 2011

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hot stuff

travel time These useful items are small in size but pack a powerful punch in making your travel experience a happy one 1 weigh it With the 50-pound limit for airline luggage, it’s easy enough to weigh your bags at home, but how about when you are on your way back, luggage stuffed with souvenirs? This lightweight hand-held scale slips around your luggage strap. Lift, wait for the beep, and then set your bag down. balanzza.com; about $20

2 filter it WaterGeeks stainless steel filtered water bottles allow you the convenience to fill up on water anywhere and everywhere while traveling.

With individual filters in each bottle, it can clean the bad odors, tastes, and contaminants often found in drinking water. Plus, it saves could you some money; no more need to open the hotel room’s over-priced bottle of water, or pack multiple plastic bottles while sight-seeing. thewatergeeks.com; about $25

3 pack it Curling iron still hot, but it’s time to go? Not an issue with the Lug Clipper flat iron sleeve. Just slide your hot iron into the lined sleeve, cinch the cord, and you are ready to go. luglife.com; about $16

4 squeeze it These travel-sized bottles are made of squeezable silicone and are approved for airplane carry-ons, are safe for food and are BPA-free. Two clever features: a suction cup on the 2 oz size to allow for quick wall installation; and a “collar” that rotates to let you know what the tube contains, as in shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. humangear.com/gotoob; about $20 for a three-pack

5 warm it For use on the airplane, a fashionable privacy layer for nursing, or an impromptu picnic blanket, the Chilly Jilly is cozy and wrinkle resistant, and its one-size-fits-all structure makes it the perfect gift when you are unsure of clothing size. Best yet, it compresses into a small bag you can carry with ease. chillyjilly.com; starting at $35

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July 2011

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grows on trees

protecting your family’s financial future three ways to prepare by kara mcguire Talking about what happens to your family if tragedy strikes is certainly no picnic. But planning to protect your family through tough times is one of the most important ways to show your love.

Here are three must-haves for young families.

emergency savings Cash cushion. Rainy day fund. Whatever you want to call it, having money set aside is critical for your family’s financial security. If money is tight, make a goal of saving $1000, a sum that can keep you from reaching for the credit card when an unexpected bill arrives. Ideally, families will have three to six months of expenses saved.

If you have a one-income family or a job with fluctuating income, saving six months is the minimum. It’s less daunting than you think.

These are your bare bones expenses — the grocery bill sans ice cream, the utilities without cable, the mortgage, keeping the lights on.

Where to save? In an easy, but not-too-easy to access account, such as an online savings account with INGDirect.com or smartypig.com. Don’t worry about making this money grow. This is your financial safety blanket, not your stock picking fund.

life insurance Nearly 35 million U.S. households have no life insurance. Of those, 11 million have minor children, according to the insurance group LIMRA. Paying an insurance premium certainly isn’t the main priority for someone out of work or struggling with debt. But healthy young families?

They can buy a term insurance policy for less than the price of cable TV each month.

Term insurance offers protection over a set period of time, as the name suggests. Many families buy 20 or 30 year terms, or until kids are out of college. A healthy, 35-year-old dad could buy a term policy for around $150 a year. A couple hundred dollars more could buy a $1 million policy. You can research prices online at a site such as insure.com.

There is also life insurance called “whole life.”

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These policies have an investment component and allow policyholders to borrow against the cash value of the policy. But the premiums are higher. Most certified financial planners say that for average families, buying a term policy and investing the additional money you would have spent on a whole life premium makes more sense.

Many employers also offer life insurance, but it tends to be more expensive than on the open market because it’s offered to sick and healthy employees alike. The site lifehappens.org has a wealth of info on this subject. Disability can also mean a major blow for a family’s finances. See if your employer offers long-term disability insurance. If they do, buy it. Disability insurance will replace your income if you can’t work, which is more common than you’d think: The Social Security Administration says a 20-year-old worker has a three in 10 chance of becoming disabled.

You can hire a lawyer to write your will, but if your situation is fairly straightforward and you don’t have money to protect in a trust, you can also use will preparation software.

a will I admit it. Our will is out of date. And we didn’t even have one until after our second child was born. But it’s a critical piece of planning for your family’s well being, especially if you have children and need to select guardians. You can hire a lawyer to write your will, but if your situation is fairly straightforward and you don’t have money to protect in a trust, you can also use will preparation software. I used Quicken’s Willmaker, which cost around $40.

Aware that many families balk at the cost of a lawyer-created will, which can easily exceed $1000, some lawyers have gotten creative. A couple of years ago I attended a will-making party. A lawyer consulted with families over email and drafted wills in advance. Then, over wine and cheese at a host’s house, the families gathered and put the finishing touches on their wills with the lawyer. It’s a great idea, and one I’d love to see spread. In addition to your will, make sure your family knows where to find your important papers. And fill out a health care directive, which you can find at cehd.umn.edu.

Kara McGuire is the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s personal finance columnist and a St. Paul mom. mnparent.com

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health and well-being

i’m lost! preventing and handling a lost child situation by keith kepler A lost child is a scary situation.

As families plan to spend more time outdoors, on vacation, and in busy public places this summer, it is important to be prepared. A survey of parents by the Center to Prevent Lost Children showed that 90 percent of families have experienced losing a child in a public place at least once, and 20 percent said it has happened more than once. The United States Department of Justice reports that more than 300,000 children become temporarily lost for at least one hour, but the good news is that a majority of those children are quickly found and not harmed.

It is important to prevent a child from getting lost but even more important that the child knows what to do if they do get lost. Preparing yourself and a child can make this frightening

situation become a bit easier for everyone involved.

important steps Before you go anywhere, talk to your family about what to do if someone gets lost. Discuss a designated place to go if you get separated or advise children to stay right where they are when they feel they are lost. Tell your kids to find a security officer, police officer, or an employee if they are in a public place, or remind them they can ask another parent with kids for help.

Prepare your children so that they can identify themselves.

For younger children, have their identification information in their pockets. If they are old enough to speak and can relay the information, practice reciting your phone number

When your child is lost in a public place, let them know they can always dial 911.

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with them, and let them know they can always call 911.

For younger children or when clothes don’t have pockets, be creative. Make a bracelet out of numbered beads or write your phone number inside a shirt collar or on a shirt tag with a fabric marker.

Dress children in bright colored clothing so they can easily be spotted. Lemon yellow and lime green are good colors because they easily attract the eye. You might also have a piece of clothing that is only worn when the child goes out in public so you can better remember what they are wearing.

Take a photo of your child with your phone before you leave home or when you arrive at your destination. This will help police because they will be aware of exactly how the child looks that day.

Sometimes children do get lost, and it is easy for parents and guardians to forget what to do in this situation. Many public places have standard procedures of what to do when a child is missing, so make sure authorities and the venue’s management are notified. Authorities will be able to help because they are familiar with the area’s surroundings, and could have the capability to lock down buildings or issue an alert.

lost, at home Amusement parks and vacation spots are not the only places where kids can get separated from parents. If the child is lost at home, be sure to look in the most common hiding and play spots first.

Search your house first before going outside. Check closets, laundry baskets and piles of clothes, in and under beds, in large appliances, in vehicles, and other areas where the child may hide or play.

If you still can’t find your child, call 911 and let them know if you feel the child is in danger. Police would rather be aware of the situation and called back when the child is found.

Time is crucial once a child has been separated from you.

Stay calm. Screaming the child’s name won’t help you locate the child any faster if they are not close by. Plus yelling the child’s name could lure the wrong type of person to your child who may be yelling for you.

Make sure the phone number your child knows, preferably a cell phone, is on and is receiving a signal. Also, be sure to have a close family member or neighbor near your home phone so that you can stay in the area where the child was last seen.

It is important to practice your family’s strategy if a child gets lost. Children can be better prepared to know what to do in the situation, and will feel more confident that they will be reunited with their family if they understand the family’s “lost” procedures.

Keith Kepler is with AlliedBarton Security Services.

July 2011

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teens & tweens

why drugs and teens

don’t mix by joy riggs

T

he headlines in recent months have been grim: a former Minnesota Wild player ingests a lethal mixture of alcohol and oxycodone.

A 19-year-old inhales a synthetic hallucinogen at a party and dies.

Every time I read about a young Minnesotan who accidentally overdoses on drugs, my heart goes out to the parents, and I ponder the mysteries of the adolescent brain.

As a parent of three kids under age 16, I’m well aware that the teenage brain is under construction, still forming important functions like impulse control and judgment. It seems to be a cruel trick of nature that just as young people are pulling away from their parents and testing their independence, their developing brains can work against their common sense.

For some youth, this leads to experimentation with alcohol and drugs.

Depending on the drug, the dose and other chemicals involved, the consequences of even a one-time use can be devastating.

To learn more about the latest trends in teen drug use, I attended a presentation by Rick Moldenhauer, the treatment services consultant at the alcohol and drug abuse division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Moldenhauer spoke in Faribault to a group of about 200 social workers, school employees, law enforcement officials. and other professionals who work with youth. The Rice County Chemical Health Coalition and the Fountain Centers of Albert Lea, which offers substance abuse treatment programs for adults and adolescents, sponsored his talk.

In 2010, Moldenhauer said, the average age of people receiving drug treatment at facilities throughout the state was 33. However, he noted, the majority of those seeking treatment specifically for abuse of medications

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Resources Fountain Centers Adolescent treatment programs fountaincenters.org Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Student Survey health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/mss NIDA for Kids The science behind drug abuse teens.drugabuse.gov Parents. The Anti-Drug.

Tools to raise drug-free kids theantidrug.com Substance Abuse Use in Minnesota Demographic data sumn.org

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were people of high school and college age, 24 and younger.

Although over-the-counter products and prescription medicines are legal, Moldenhauer said they become dangerous when people intentionally take a higher dose in a shorter time than what’s prescribed or recommended — like two-thirds of a bottle of cough suppressant all at once, instead of two tablespoons every four hours.

“The difference between a medication and a drug is the intent of the person using it,” he said. “In the same vein, the difference between a medication and poison is how much of it you took.”

Young users also run into trouble because they are mixing and matching chemicals without understanding the effects on the body.

“If you’re taking Prozac and take a huge handful of Benadryl, that can be life threatening.”

Moldenhauer said a popular fad last summer among some high school and college-age students was drinking topical lotion intended to soothe bee stings.

“That’s generally not a smart idea,” he said. “When you take something that’s designed to go into you in a particular route, and you ingest it through another route, you’re going to have problems with it.”

Law enforcement and health officials have a difficult time keeping up with all the new drugs. As they crack down on one, people figure out a new way to get high. Some people abuse substances that are legal but are not meant for human consumption, like catnip (which gives you a buzz if you smoke it) and parent

Marriage Encounter

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He noted that alcohol is not a new drug, but it’s being packMarriage Encounter MNP 0711 H8.indd 1 6/14/11 1:19 PM aged in new ways to appeal to young people. As examples, he cited a 40-proof, “adult” chocolate milk, and a type of whipping cream sold online that contains alcohol. “[Alcohol] will forever be the No. 1 drug in Minnesota,” he said.

25 Off

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too much, too soon is causing overuse injuries

overactive r

by matea wasend

ising rates of childhood sluggishness resulting in obesity are an oft-spotlighted cause for concern these days, but doctors are reporting an alarming trend on the other side of the spectrum: growing numbers of kids who are too active. Overuse injuries, once mostly non-existent among adolescents, are fast becoming a leading cause of young athletes’ visits to doctor’s offices and emergency rooms.

But overuse injuries aren’t the only type that has these experts worried. All kinds of youth sports injuries are reportedly on the rise, last year sending approximately 8000 kids to the emergency room every day and accounting for somewhere around five million injuries.

In fact, youth sports injuries have gained enough recent prominence that in 2010 the National Athletic Trainer’s Association gave the U.S. a very mediocre grade on youth sport safety: C-.

“This is a neglected population in terms of focusing on health and safety during sports participation,” NATA President Marjorie J. Albohm told HealthDay News (healthday.com) in December of last year. “The numbers of young people [playing sports] far outweigh the numbers of elite or professional athletes, yet we haven’t given them the attention they deserve in terms of health and safety.”

breaks vs. concussions Few would deny that injuries are part and parcel of sports, but experts say that the current rate of parent

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injuries among youth athletes — particularly overuse injuries — is unnecessarily high.

Safe Kids USA, a nonprofit dedicated to “eliminating preventable childhood injuries,” found recently that among athletes ages five to 14, 15 percent of basketball players, 28 percent of football players, 22 percent of soccer players, 25 percent of baseball players, and 12 percent of softball players have been injured while playing their respective sports.

About half of those injuries are what orthopedic surgeon David Anderson, MD, who practices through the Minnesota Orthopedic Sports Medicine Institute, called “acute” — straightforward trauma damage like broken bones, fractures, concussions, and cuts and bruises.

The other half fit that brand of injury that was once quite uncommon among young athletes: overuse injuries. Complaints like stress fractures, cartilage injuries, and pitcher’s elbow have all become commonplace among a young demographic.

A particularly striking example of the changing nature of youth injuries is the prevalence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears, which usually requires corrective surgery and rehabilitation lasting anywhere from four to 12 months.

Dr. Mininder S. Kocher, associate director of the Division of Sports Medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston, told the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine that ACL tears were once exceedingly rare among “skeletally immature athletes.”

Now, of the 150 ACL reconstruction surgeries July 2011

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Dehydration happens very quickly and even a two percent loss of body weight can negatively affect a child’s health and performance. photo by robb long

Kocher performs each year, nearly two-thirds are on youth patients.

These injuries aren’t the only ones cropping up in young athletes. The news has been dominated in recent years by reports of rising concussion rates among athletes; a study published in the journal Pediatrics found that the rate of concussion-related hospital visits among young athletes increased steadily from 1997 to 2007 and was especially high among those involved in football, hockey, and soccer. In athletes aged 14 to 19, concussion rates increased by over 200 percent. What is especially scary about a childhood concussion is the possible long-term effect: researchers have linked repeated concussions to mental issues such as emotional problems, longterm memory loss, and progressive dementia.

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July 2011

with local high schools, says that head injuries are among the scariest that he has seen in youth sports, along with cervical and spine trauma. He recalled a cheerleader who fell on her head during a stunt at a high school football game and ended up spending multiple nights in the hospital for a concussion.

“There are always going to be injuries like broken bones — we can fix those,” Anderson says. “What we really need to try to minimize are those injuries that can cause permanent loss of function.”

a serious business Many attribute the rise in injuries among young athletes to the changing nature of the games that young athletes play. “Children are playing at higher intensities and at younger ages,” said Kocher. “They are facing the same kind of pressure to perform as professional athletes.”

Anderson says young athletes are not only playing harder, but also specializing sooner. He sees a lot of youth hockey players who play year-round, with little or no time off between seasons.

That specialization, he says, is the culprit behind many of the overuse-related injuries, like stress fractures and inflammatory knee pain.

And kids aren’t only playing harder and more often — they’re also getting bigger, thanks to improved nutrition and health care, as well as training and conditioning from younger ages.

“You [have] eight year-olds with 13-year-old bodies but the maturity still of eight year-olds,” says Dr. Lisa Bakhos, lead researcher of the concussion study published in Pediatrics Now. “When you put big kids with a lack of maturity in a game they’re going to get injured.”

minimizing injury So what is the key to minimizing injury?

According to Anderson, it involves striking a delicate balance between being fit and conditioned before jumping into a sport, and getting one thing that many young athletes don’t see enough of these days: time off. For kids who don’t want downtime, playing a different sport that works different muscles (for example, swimming in the winter; soccer in the summer) is a good alternative.

Most sports experts agree.

Brian Grasso, executive director of the International Youth Conditioning Association, told Pediatrics Now that the off-season is so important that “true athletic development and the ascension to becoming a better athlete isn’t possible without one.”

As for preventing muscle injuries like strains or tears, mnparent.com

parent

there’s nothing quite like a good warm-up, which raises body and muscle temperatures, preparing the body’s systems for more strenuous exercise.

Warm-ups often involve a combination of jogging and stretching.

Many coaches have switched to “dynamic warm up” routines, which use continuous active motion like lunging and skipping to increase body temperature, excite the heart rate, and elongate muscles — exactly the preparation the body needs to play without getting hurt.

There are many other small ways that parents and athletes can minimize risk of injury.

Things as simple as nutrition can play an important and often forgotten role in athletes’ performance; young athletes require good sources of energy and fiber, a variety of vitamins, as well as healthy doses of calcium and protein to aid bone and muscle development.

Sports trainer Rachel Harris, who often coordinates with the National Center for Sports Safety (NCSS), says hydration is a similarly crucial factor in preventing athlete injury or illness. “Dehydration happens really fast,” Harris says. “Just losing two percent of a kid’s body weight can negatively affect their performance, and they can easily lose that just by running outside.”

dealing with injuries Being conscientious about preventing injuries can’t always stop them from occurring. Accidents happen, especially in sports. When they do, Anderson says, the most important thing is to take “the safe approach”: have injuries evaluated.

Many kids want to play parent

mnparent.com

through the pain — and many coaches and parents encourage such “toughness,” Anderson says. But that can often turn what started out as a minor injury into a problem that can sideline an athlete for a long time.

“Kids try to make up for lost time after an injury and then they push themselves too hard,” Michael Prybicien, president of the Athletic Trainers Society of New Jersey, told a New Jersey news site. “They need to learn to listen to their bodies and not play through the pain.”

Playing through injuries like concussions is especially dangerous, because sustaining a second blow to the head can dramatically worsen symptoms and lengthen recovery time.

Anderson acknowledges that taking time off for an injury can be very challenging for devoted young athletes. He knows, because he’s been there; when he was 16 he tore up his knee, which put him out of football and ski racing for good. He says the experience helped point him toward a career in sports medicine. “[An injury] is a big event in a young athlete’s life,” Anderson says. “They come to realize they’re not invincible.

They have to commit to a rehabilitation program that takes a lot of time and patience. We see a lot of kids mature through that process.”

Beth Kates, another athletic trainer with the NCSS, says emotional effects are an important part of any injury. “We tend to look at the mental side of an injury too,” Kates says. “An injury is more than just a broken leg. Many injured athletes are worried about coming back to their sport, and we help them address that.”

addressing the problem at every level The responsibility for preventing injuries in youth sports belongs to everyone involved — not only to athletes, but also parents and coaches, medical professionals, and club administrators.

It’s up to young athletes to heed the signals that their bodies give them, and play the game in a safe and sportsmanlike way.

But it’s up to the adults involved to teach them to do so, to schedule time off, and to emphasize fun over competition to keep kids loving what they do. The National Alliance for Sports reports that 70 percent of kids quit league sports by the age of 13, which points many kids toward the opposite end of the problem spectrum: inactivity.

The resources to help parents and coaches prevent injuries are growing. Groups like Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention, the National Alliance for Youth Sports and the NCSS are working to protect young athletes by providing education programs and online videos. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Neurology have issued new guidelines for dealing with sports concussions.

“There is not one parent that would drop their child off at a local community pool if there were not a certified lifeguard on duty,” says NCSS founder Lawrence J. Lemak, M.D. on the organization’s website. “That same standard of care should be available for every sports facility in this country. If we can prevent just one fatality or injury, it will be worth the effort.”

Treating basic injuries For most minor sports injuries, like muscle contusions (bruises) and minor muscle strains, use the RICE formula: Rest: stop exercising Ice: apply on and off for 20 minutes at a time Compression: lightly wrap the injury in a soft bandage Elevation: raise the injury to a level above the heart

Diagnosing a concussion According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs of a concussion can be subtle and might not be immediately apparent.

They may include: confusion, amnesia, headache, dizziness, ear-ringing, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, fatigue Hours or days later: Memory or concentration problems, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbances, irritability or depression The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you call your child’s doctor for advice if your child receives anything more than a light bump on the head.

July 2011

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★

★

★ ★

★

BIG TIME RUSH 7:30 p.m. • Saturday, Aug. 27 • $35 Tickets on sale now!

For more ticket info., call (651) 288-4427.

Visit www.mnstatefair.org for information on all Grandstand and Free Stage shows.

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Nightly Fireworks Spectacular sponsored by

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★

★

★

★

Family Fair Stage Schedule

★

Aug. 25 & 26

Aug. 27 & 28

The Spoon Man 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.

Koo Koo Kanga Roo 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.

★

Sean Emery Aug. 25 – Sept. 5: 12:30 & 5 p.m.

Aug. 29 & 30

Aug. 31 & Sept. 1

Greg Frisbee 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.

Kidsdance 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.

Monster Shop Bump’n with the BC Characters

Sept. 2 & 3

Sept. 4 & 5

Kenny Ahern 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.

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Aug. 25 – Sept. 3: 1:30, 4 & 6 p.m.

Sept. 4 & 5: 1:30, 4, 5:30 & 7 p.m.

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Monday, Sept. 5 Kids (5-12): Just $7!

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MSF County Fair Talent Contest Aug. 25 – Sept. 3: 7 p.m.

★ More info online: ★ w w.m s a e a r o g w

n t t f i. r

July 2011

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kid culture

books

books featuring easy to master crafts and skills by alyson cummings

Puppet Play

by Diana Schoenbrun, Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC, $14.99

The puppets in this book range from Betty the Elephant to Captain Hothead the Pirate and everything in between. Puppets are ranked from one to three on level of difficulty to make, though children can make many of them with adult supervision.

Sewing is involved in making many of the puppets and basic stitching patterns are included at the beginning of the book.

10-Minute Puppets

My Favorite Recipes

by Noel MacNeal Workman Publishing Company, Inc., $10.95

by Annabel Karmel Dorling Kindersley Limited, $14.99

Kids get to play chef with these fun and easy recipes. Every meal of the day is included, and kids can serve up Sticky Chicken Drumsticks, Corn Quesadillas, and Easy Berry Ice Cream. Many recipes are made with kid-approved ingredients but are still loaded with enough fruits and vegetables to keep parents happy. Since many recipes involve using the oven or stove, supervision is recommended.

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July 2011

My First Craft Book

by Emma Hardy CICO Books, ages 8–12, $16.95

This colorful book shows kids how to make accessories they can wear and use, like hair barrettes and holiday lanterns.

Each project is laid out in stepby-step instructions. Many of the crafts involve sewing or scissors, so adult supervision is needed for younger children.

Kids can play make-believe with the fairy wings and knight’s swords, and many of the crafts use recycled materials.

This puppet book specializes in the simple puppets kids can make using nothing but their hands and a few washable markers. Many of the puppets in the book can be made using the included cutout figures.

Puppets that involve sewing have easy-to-follow patterns in the back of the book. The book also includes a short guide on campfire-favorite hand shadows.

Music for Kids and Teens: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

by Hugo Pinksterboer The Tipbook Company, $11.95

This book differs from the other Tipbooks because it isn’t for the performer, but for the parents. This guide tells parents the best practice habits to instill in children and good ways to pick the proper instructor. There are tips for borrowing, renting, or leasing an instrument and how to perk up a child nervous about an upcoming performance. mnparent.com

parent

calendar

events

july top events

minneapolis aquatennial In its 72nd year, this official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis promises the best of what the city, and summer, has to offer. Events include a block party, a beach bash complete with sandcastle competition and milk carton boat races, a torchlight parade, and a spectacular fireworks display. The celebration brings out more than 400,000 people annually to enjoy the music, food, and unique water-based events.

When: July 15 to 23 Where: Downtown Minneapolis Tickets: FREE, but registration fees apply for certain events Info: aquatennial.com or call 612-376-7669

riverwalk market fair Local artists and farmers transform downtown Northfield each weekend for the Riverwalk Market Fair, showcasing “the art of a summer Saturday.” In July, the fair features musical performances at Bridge Square all month long. The fair combines a farmer’s market with local art sales, cooking demonstrations, book signings, and more.

When: Saturdays through September, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Downtown Northfield Tickets: FREE Info: riverwalkmarketfair.org or call 507-786-9700

grimm — happily ever after!

Minnesota’s own Circus Juventas, North America’s largest youth circus school, begins an all-new production this summer. The new show combines elements from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, including Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, and more into a spectacular event showcasing some of the school’s best students.

Acrobatics, slapstick clowns, and the flying trapeze are all present in this 17th annual summer circus event.

When: July 28 to August 14 Where: Circus Juventas Big Top, 1270 Montreal Ave., St. Paul Tickets: Tickets start at $16.50 for adults, $13.50 for children 10 and under Info: circusjuventas.org or call 651-699-8229 parent

July 2011

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The School of Rock, which gives kids first hand experience with rock music lessons and performances, is teaming up with Ronald McDonald House Charities for a summer long tour with a stop in Minneapolis this July. The tour features the school’s all-star students, and all proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities, hoping to encourage the idea of kids helping kids.

When: July 27 Where: Varsity Theater, 1308 SE 4th Street, Minneapolis 4:15 PM Tickets: $20 Info: schoolofrock.com or varsitytheater.org

penguins of the african coast Black-footed penguins will be coming to the Minnesota Zoo for the first time this July, giving guests a chance to see the birds in a spectacular replica of South Africa’s Boulder Beach. Visitors can see the penguins both above and below water, and the exhibit will feature microphones so that guests can hear the loud cries of the birds.

When: Opening July 9 Where: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley Tickets: Zoo admission $18, discount and member rates available Info: mnzoo.org/heartofthezoo/hotz_penguin.html or call 952-431-9500

king tut lecture series

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“rock the house” tour

The Science Museum of Minnesota continues its series on the famous Egyptian Pharaoh with experts from the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Pennsylvania sharing their knowledge and insight on the legend and influence of the “golden” king. Presentations are expected last about 90 minutes and include a question and answer section. The Museum’s ongoing exhibition on King Tut, featuring over 100 authentic artifacts from the pharaoh’s tomb, continues throughout the month as well.

When: July 7, 7 p.m., and July 21, 7 p.m.

Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Tickets: $16, $12 for Science Museum Members Info: smm.org/tut or call 651-221-9444

July 2011

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real parents Ann Evans has two one-year-old babies in her life: her son, Jax, and butters&beans, which sells organic, chemical free clothing and baby supplies. Ann’s older son, Logan, 12, has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Along with husband Chad, Ann is adjusting to life with two new babies and the quirks and joys Logan shares every day.

photo by callie v. photography

Ann Evans with husband, Chad, and sons, Logan and Jax

Why is organic clothing and bedding better for babies?

The biggest reason it’s better to go organic is that it’s chemical free.

There are up to 8000 chemicals in one t-shirt. All of the chemicals get absorbed in children’s bodies, and a lot of these chemicals are carcinogens. Babies have such sensitive skin to begin with, and these chemicals can be really irritating or harmful. A lot of moms are starting to choose organic clothing if kids have allergies or other skin issues. My youngest has eczema and I wanted something cute for him but there wasn’t a lot of variety. I started butters&beans in July 2010 and the website launched in October. So far things are going really well!

How was raising Logan different from raising other children?

It’s a job that doesn’t end. The best example is that if I ask him to do something, he might leave the room to do it, but then forgets to do it.

I’ll ask him to go brush his teeth, and he might go to the bathroom and make some silly faces in the mirror but then he’ll just go straight to his room without brushing. Kids with Asperger’s also tend to not have a filter when they talk. They don’t have the impulse control other kids do.

He doesn’t know how to have a two-way conversation; they have a few core interests, so asking other kids about their interests or participating in other kids’ activities is hard for him.

I cried at first when we found out. No one wants to hear there’s something wrong with their child, especially something they can’t fix. Once they started explaining everything that went along with Asperger’s, I knew we could move forward. We understand how he thinks and can relate to him differently. He’s extremely smart and has an I.Q. of 130, but he wouldn’t shower, brush his teeth or eat meals if we didn’t remind him. I used to push academics when he was younger, but teaching him basic care is so much more important. In school he knows how to regulate himself; he knows when he needs a break from his classroom. It’s great that he can tell when he’s starting to get overwhelmed.

How does he interact with Jax? Change is difficult for kids with Asperger’s, and Logan had the two of us to himself for so long. We were worried for a while, but Jax laughs with Logan like nothing else. Logan is overprotective of him. He plays with Jax’s toys with him; they wrestle and chase each other around the house.

It was really unexpected, but great!

want to be featured in real parent?

We’re looking for real parents — parents who aren’t famous but perhaps should be, people from whom we could all learn a little something. Maybe they’ve faced a challenge or come up with a unique solution or are living their lives in a particularly inspiring way. If that’s you or someone you know, send an email to kstoehr@mnpubs.com.

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Co

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