February 2014

February 2014

BEYOND

PINK AND BLUE Rethinking gender stereotypes Page 28

Living with The Incredible Hulk (That is, your toddler) Page 12

To play

or not to play?

Page 34

Winter fun with baby Page 10

Declan, 8 months, St. Paul

Contents

Minnesota Parent February

Features

Departments 6 editor’s note 8 Chatter 10 baby on board Ideas for winter fun with your baby.

12 toddler tiMe You can’t negotiate with the terrible twos. Some tips on what you can do.

14 ask the PediatriCian How to tell if your child is wheezing from a cold or if they might have asthma.

28

16 in the kitChen Authors Jeff Hertzberg and Zoë Francois on the virtues of baking your own bread.

beyond Pink and blue The problem with gender stereotypes

By Cali Owings

18 tweens & teens The stress of the “roadmap to success.”

20 hot stuff Moby Floating Bath Thermometer and other toddler gear.

22 grows on trees It’s time to embrace financial imperfection.

24 book shelf Books on tough topics and overcoming obstacles.

26 relationshiPs Strategies for dealing with under-communicators.

34

to Play or not to Play?

We want to engage our children, but we also want them to play on their own.

By Kelly Jo McDonnell

Out & About Page 37

4 February 2014

Camp Resources Page 48

58 real life Anne Ursu: “I didn’t want to write a direct Asperger’s story, but address it indirectly.”

on the cover Declan, son of Ann and Brian Knuttila.

Photo by Jenay Pruse of JuMP Photos JuMPPhotos.net

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February 2014 5

From the editor

Welcome to Pinkville At bedtime recently, my four-year-old son Kipton chose the book Pinkalicious: Pink or Treat. In the story, Pinkalicious, as the hero Pinkagirl, saves Halloween for all of Pinkville.

Before I started the book, I took a quick second to congratulate myself: Halloween was three months ago and this book is definitely aimed at six-year-old girls, but hey, I’m progressive. I’m supportive.

Actually, I’m just an all-around great dad.

In the middle of the book, there’s a sticker page. Which is great, because there’s still a few things in our house without stickers on them. Kip stopped the story to ask if he could add another sticker to the back of his door.

“Oh, you don’t want to waste one of your sister’s stickers.”

“But this is my book, Daddy.”

Oops. So much for progressive, supportive, and great. I had just assumed it was my daughter’s book. Of course I had — it’s a story about Pinkalicious, aka Pinkagirl, going pink-or-treating in Pinkville. Pink, as you know, is for girls.

Once I thought about it, I could even remember when he had brought the book home and I smiled and shook my head: Sure, it’s fine — but it is kind of an unusual choice.

The problem with this kind of thinking is examined by Cali Owings’ excellent piece “Boxed in” in this issue. It details the damage that can be done when we put our children in confining gender boxes.

There’s not much time left before Kip is fully immersed in a culture where kids will “gender police” one another — and he’ll learn that Pinkalicious is not acceptable for him. He will also get the message that he shouldn’t be nurturing, caring, or sensitive.

We owe it to our children to be aware of the kind of gender expectations that are created for them. And we owe it to them to counter those pressures. Because even if we know that our daughters can one day be firefighters and our sons stay-at-home dads, that’s not always the message we send.

My wife and I are fortunate to have kids close in age and of different genders. It means that our house is filled with toys, costumes and media of all types.

If my son usually sticks to trucks and my daughter to dolls, that’s just fine. But if I see Kip running with a pink cape, I’m going to get one too and we’ll try to save the day. For the good of Pinkville.

Dana Croatt, Interim Editor

6 February 2014

Vol. 29, Issue 2

Co-Publishers Janis Hall jhall@mnpubs.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnpubs.com General Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 • cdamlo@mnpubs.com Contributing Writers/Photographers Dr. Peter Dehnel Zoe Gahan Kelly Jo McDonnell Shannon Keough Kara McGuire Cali Owings Joy Riggs Sean Toren Jen Wittes Kathleen Stoehr Sarah McKenzie

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program?

The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth • Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone • Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly • Must not take antidepressants • Must have a history of depression • You will receive $100 for your time

Creative Director Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnpubs.com Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Moe Graphic Designer Amanda Wadeson Sales Administrator Kate Manson 612-436-5085 • kmanson@mnpubs.com

Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 1212 S3.indd 1

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Circulation Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnpubs.com Advertising 612-825-9205 • sales@mnpubs.com Printing Brown Printing 60,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide.

Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information.

Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications.

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Minnesota Parent is copyright 2014 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Address all material to address above.

February 2014 7

MINNESOTA PARENT LIKES

It’s that time of year, when respiratory issues are on the rise. To that end, The Salt Room has opened in Woodbury on Eagle Creek Lane with three rooms filled with pharmaceutical grade salt grains. Salt therapy is a scientifically-proven treatment for respiratory and skin conditions, including abatement of bronchial inflammation, immune system strengthening, cold and flu prevention, and better sleep.

Check out the children’s room, designed for infants up to 12 years — it’s a play room and therapy room in one.

For more information, go to saltroomwoodbury.com.

Tiny Diva Princess Party just opened a new space in Eagan at 1095 Diffley Road to host princess, diva, and fairy-themed parties as well as enchanted princess tea parties with royal etiquette lessons and more, all customizable by age group. Go to tinydivaprincessparty.com for more information or call 612-719-6077.

Dr. Robert Melillo, the creator of the Brain Balance Program for working with ADHD, autism, and other neurological disorders, will host a new television show. The Dr. Rob Show is one of the first programs to address caring for a family member with a mental or behavioral disorder. Each episode will feature scientific information about a specific disorder, the latest studies and advances in special needs research, and inspirational stories of families coping with special needs challenges. The first eight episodes will air in Philadelphia on channel WMCN, with hopes that syndication will allow additional stations to run the program.

Premiere polar explorer Ann Bancroft has joined the board of the Wildlife Science Center, a wolf conservation center located in Columbus, Minnesota.

As the leader of an American team of women across Greenland and to the South Pole, Bancroft became the first and only woman to cross the ice to both Poles. Ann is also an educator, sharing her love of nature, science, and adventure with young people. The Ann Bancroft Foundation, founded in 1991, is working to create a world where every girl has a chance to live her dream and reach her full potential.

8 February 2014

Northfield artist Shona Brooks recently contracted with MindWare, a national game and toy company for kids, for the production of two doodle-style books — essentially coloring books for big kids to add color with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. The published books are titled Fantastical Style: Animals and Fantastical Style: Flowers. The Minnesota artist has two more doodle books on the way — ocean and jungle. For more information, visit mindware.com.

MINNESOTA PARENT SAFETY CPSC Recall Summary Name of product: Manhattan Toy Quixel baby rattles Hazard: The colored arches can break, creating a small part that poses a choking hazard to small children. Consumers should immediately take these rattles away from young children and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Manhattan Group at 800-541-1345 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at manhattantoy. com and click on RECALLS at the bottom of the home page for more information.

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more info

Winter fun with baby I t’s no secret that winters in Minnesota are long and cold. If you have a new baby, dragging yourself and your tiny little bundle of joy out into the subzero tundra might seem like an insurmountable task.

Getting out of the house can be crucial during these dark months, if only to help preserve your sanity.

Plus, if you have an older child in the mix, you’ll likely hear the siren call to leave the house even louder. This month I talked to several local parents to learn about their favorite kid-friendly winter haunts.

Exercise for you (and your baby, too) If you have a baby and you’re into yoga, you are in luck. The Twin Cities has many “baby and me” yoga opportunities. Although many probably skew toward the “mom and baby” crowd, most are open to dads, grandparents, and other caregivers, too. In general, these classes are geared toward babies who are at least six weeks old, up to crawling — but check the details with individual instructors and studios.

“The classes are a great way to bond with your baby, get back into your yoga practice — or begin one — and connect with other parents in the neighborhood,” says Melissa Gutierrez Nelson, a baby and me yoga instructor at Fitness Crossroad in northeast Minneapolis. See the “more info” section for a few of the options around town.

Kid-friendly coffee shops and restaurants Sometimes in the winter you just want to meet up with a friend for some coffee or a quick meal, children in tow. However, taking a baby or small child out on the town is different from the single days, and you need to choose your destinations wisely (e.g., don’t take your colicky newborn to the tomb-quiet coffee shop that caters to glowering young freelancers and grad students).

Just about everyone I speak with brings up Sovereign Grounds coffee shop in south Minneapolis.

Parents love this place because they have an entire room set aside as a play area (which is evidently being renovated, but should be complete in early 2014).

The riverview Café is also recommended for its on-site play area. The midtown Global market has a great play area in the southwest corner of the building, tons of tasty food options, and some popular family programming (Wee Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and Family Fun Fridays with live music from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.).

Blooma: BYOB yoga (Bring Your Own Baby), tots yoga (starting at age two) and “adults only” classes, too.

Childcare available.

Locations in south Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Shakopee. blooma.com fitness Crossroad: Membershipbased fitness center in northeast Minneapolis. Baby and Me yoga free to members, $14 for guests. First class is free. Childcare available, and some fitness classes for children ages three and older. fitnesscrossroad.com Sovereign Grounds: The ultimate coffeeshop-with-playroom situation in south Minneapolis. sovereign grounds.com riverview Café: Another kid-friendly coffee shop with a play area. On the corner of east 38th St. and 42nd Ave. S in Minneapolis. theriverview.net Gandhi mahal: Delicious Indian restaurant with a children’s playroom. gandhimahal.com Good Times Park: An indoor playground in Eagan. goodtimespark.com

10 February 2014

I’d also like to put in a word for Gandhi Mahal, an Indian restaurant in south

Minneapolis with a lovely little play area.

We’ve gone there for an early and delicious dinner when the place was quiet and secured the table right next to kids’ space.

Your little one can play nearby while you snack on a samosa and have a glass of wine.

Indoor playgrounds When your baby gets mobile and needs to burn energy, winters can be agonizing when you’re stuck in your cozy little house, watching her run wildly from the kitchen to the living room, over and over.

Jenny in northeast Minneapolis takes her baby and toddler to the weekly “open gym” at her neighborhood park during the winter months. She straps the baby into a carrier, lets her son run wild, and enjoys some conversation with other neighborhood parents. There are too many options to list here, but visit your local park building or web search your nearby options.

My friend Julie swears by Good Times Park in Eagan. It’s a huge indoor playground, appropriate for the newly mobile all the way to older kids (e.g., basketball court, inflatable jumper). One-day passes are available, but if you go often enough, the monthly memberships are a pretty good deal ($15 for one child, two for $28, etc.). No charge for kids under one year or “responsible adults” (that means you). I’m definitely going to be checking this out when I’m home this winter with my new baby and my antsy toddler.

Something just for you If you have one of those easygoing, I-caneat-and-sleep-anywhere kind of newborn, I highly recommend that you take advantage of this situation and do something that appeals to you. I met another mother who took her daughter to several movies (yes, in the theater) while she was a tiny newborn (she’d nurse discreetly if the need arose).

Feel like visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for the first time since seventh grade?

Put the baby in a sling and head on in. If this works for you — do it. Believe me, there’s a limited window, so enjoy it now!

Toddler Time Jen

Wittes

Living with

THE HULK Understanding and surviving tantrums

T

oddlers are cute, cuddly, and hilarious — a barrel of fun and wonder and butterfly kisses.

They are also miniature versions of the Incredible Hulk — easily provoked and instantly transformed from a total sweetheart into some sort of supernatural being with glowing eyes, a hint of insanity, and the strength of four grizzly bears.

Upon witnessing this abrupt transformation, the parent becomes paralyzed — shocked that any creature, let alone their child, is capable of producing such a disorienting high-pitched screech. Self-preservation kicks in. Hand over the bowl of oatmeal you’re thinking of throwing at my head and I’ll get you a puppy...a pony...anything. I know the oatmeal is lumpy and sort of cold, but that’s only because you took 20 minutes to get into the high chair.

Deep inside, this poor soul — this well-meaning parent — knows that you can’t negotiate with terrorists, or the terrible twos. We have all read the research: rewarding tempestuous demands by giving in will only encourage the behavior. And also BEWARE — a parent who lets the three-year-old call the truh m] Tan-trum [tanstration on shots is in for it during m de A . un no ation; the teenage years. Not of rage or frustr of ill a sudden burst fair to the loving parent mous temper. Synony s. who only wants reprieve ar ye with: the toddler from the storm.

12 February 2014

Harmless hoops?

I’m reminded of a family I worked with after the birth of their second child. As a postpartum doula, one of my responsibilities was caring for their three-year-old so that the mom and baby could rest and recover.

One day, Big Sis wanted a juice box. The stash was located in the basement. Upon Dad’s approval, I went to fetch her drink. Just minutes before this, the girl and I were happily playing and singing songs, but when I handed her that juice box: Instant Hulk.

She had wanted her father to get the juice and managed to express — between howls, kicks, and fat, projectile tears — that she needed me to walk the box down the stairs so that Daddy could bring it back up.

I gave Dad a stern look. Your call, Buddy...but you know what I think. He looked at me with big, pleading eyes — I am sleep-deprived and on my last nerve. Cut me some slack.

He went downstairs and got a new juice. While I could have felt smug, certain that as a teenager this girl would end up in juvenile detention, I completely understood the decision to cave. In my time as a toddler parent, I periodically ate bananas that were not peeled “monkey style” (three — no more, no less — flaps hung around the sides at the half way point) while nervously peeling a new one for my daughter. I was jumping through a tiny, seemingly harmless hoop in an effort to avoid a tantrum.

I have also experienced those “special circumstances” including but not limited to: Christmas morning, the

TODDLER TIP

Be proactive Carry snacks. Make a bedtime for yourself. Take your own Time Out. Know your child’s limits. Be confident.

Be forgiving.

Prepare for stormy weather. Don’t take tantrums personally. Breathe.

new sibling, and the State Fair — extraordinary events ripe for a major meltdown.

How we handle these brief deviations from reality matters much less if in our normal daily routine we attempt consistency rooted in understanding. As with all things parenting, if we’re getting it right even 80 percent of the time, we’re doing a good job.

I spoke with Sarah Sundberg-Perry, an Early Childhood Specialist and Parent Educator who has worked with the Minneapolis ECFE program for 20 years.

She explains, “The toddler years are unique because all of a sudden your once compliant and very attached baby is becoming an independent person. There is a huge developmental shift, for both parent and child. This budding independence, along with limited skill to accomplish tasks is the perfect breeding ground for tantrums.”

She also advises that while you can’t completely avoid toddler meltdowns, you can limit the frequency. She says, “One of the best ways to minimize tantrums is to get used to them…ironically. The more in control you are of your own emotions during a tantrum, the sooner your toddler will learn to control theirs.” Sometimes this means nonchalantly stepping right over your writhing Hulk and continuing to cook dinner; sometimes it means offering a calm explanation and a hug.

Of course, it’s not easy to control your emotions after a long day of not just one, but five or six full-blown fits and four bananas carefully peeled “monkey style.”

There are many battles to pick and many mistakes to make. You will be too strict, you will be too soft, and you will eventually find balance. You will sometimes cave and jump through the hoops, eventually learning to assert that you’re not in the mood for a banana today, suggesting that your darling tot give the audaciously unpeeled “MOMMY style” a try.

Be patient with your little Hulk as he or she moves through this turbulent time, but above all be patient with your beautifully imperfect self.

Jen Wittes is the mother of two young children. Questions? She can be reached at editor@mnparent.com.

February 2014 13

Peter

Dehnel, MD

How can I tell if my child is wheezing from a cold or if they have asthma?

Winter months can be a tough time for infants and young children who can develop wheezing as part of an upper respiratory infection. Most of the time this wheezing, which is also known as bronchospasm, is relatively mild and self-limited. For a small percentage of infants and toddlers, wheezing will be more severe and they may need extra treatment, even to the point of being hospitalized.

Another challenge is that once these young children have had an initial episode of wheezing, they can easily have repeated episodes when they develop other colds and respiratory infections. If a child has enough repeated wheezing episodes, they will likely be given the diagnosis of asthma. Many children will grow out of this diagnosis by the time they are four or five, but some will have this condition well into the school-age years and beyond.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is probably the best-known virus that can cause wheezing in infants and young children. This virus comes around every year, generally peaking in January or February. One curious feature of this virus is that people generally do not develop long-term immunity against it, so even adults can get infected year after year. There is not a vaccine to prevent infection, so reducing your child’s exposure to other infected people is the only way to reduce their chance of getting ill.

Treatment for wheezing in young children is basically done through supportive care.

Albuterol nebulizations — a prescription medicated mist — can be very helpful for some children with repeated episodes of wheezing.

Steroids, either by mouth or inhaled through a nebulization, can also be helpful for some young children who experience repeated wheezing. Antibiotics, on the other hand, are generally not necessary.

14 February 2014

If you have further questions about wheezing in younger children, please ask your health care professional.

How can I cure diaper rash?

The good news here is that most diaper rashes are skin irritations instead of actual infections or more serious skin disorders. The best approach will depend a little on what kind of diapers you use, but a few general rules will help reduce irritation. Frequent diaper changes and keeping the diaper area dry are very helpful, especially if your child has any sort of diarrhea. Minimizing the use of pre-moistened diaper wipes, or at least rinsing them out with warm water before using them, will go a long way to reduce the

If a child has enough repeated wheezing episodes, they will likely be given the diagnosis of asthma.

irritation. Finally, if your child is on antibiotics for any reason (ear infections and so on), giving them yogurt (if appropriate) or some other probiotic will help to reduce yeast/fungal diaper rashes.

If your infant or child has a diaper rash that does not seem to respond to basic home remedies and over the counter creams, please contact your clinician. There are a few causes that are more serious and can take some fairly extensive treatment to clear. Even bad diaper conditions can be cleared up with the right combination of time, topical medications and treatment recommendations.

I am terrified of my child catching lice and there is an outbreak at her school. What should I do?

Lice continue to be a very commonly shared infestation by kids in preschool and elementary school settings. And, unfortunately, a number of misconceptions about families whose children get lice remain.

Families across the whole spectrum of a community will have children who develop lice infections, in spite of the best efforts of parents and school officials.

Preventing exposure is the best way to reduce your child’s chances of infection. Not sharing hats, caps, headgear, combs and hair brushes will go a long way to prevent these tiny “critters” from spreading. If your child is affected by a lice outbreak, he or she will likely start itching their scalp and may develop an itching-related rash along their hair line.

Inspecting the scalp closely for tiny moving lice or for pinpoint nits cemented to hair shafts near the scalp will usually confirm if they are affected by lice. There are a number of very effective over-thecounter and prescription medications to treat this problem. There are a number of other home remedies that may actually be quite effective. Washing bedding, hats and other household items that your child’s head comes in contact with is also helpful.

Finally, if you have any questions about lice, its diagnosis or treatment, please talk with your pediatric professional.

You want your children to have all the advantages, right from the start. As a leader in early brain development, Park Nicollet offers specialized screenings at all well-child visits to make sure your child is on the path to success.

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Brea

By Sarah McKenzie

Baking enthusiasts Jeff Hertzberg and Zoë Francois.

Submitted photoS

Minneapolis baking superstars Jeff Hertzberg and Zoë Francois are out with a new cookbook featuring more than 30 new recipes and a chapter devoted to gluten-free recipes.

Much like their previous bestselling books, The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, is designed to make it easy for people to make their own delicious bread in mere minutes. New recipes include gluten-free cheesy breadsticks, beer-cheese and crock-pot bread, pretzel buns and apple-stuffed French toast.

What motivated this new book?

Hertzberg: Our readers, just like always.

They reach out to us on BreadIn5.com, and they asked for more color pictures, more black and white instructional photos, and more recipes. We’re only too happy to accommodate. This was also a chance to enhance many of our tips and techniques, and to refine the way we have people adjusting salt and yeast to their taste. There are also some gluten-free recipes in a new chapter that the first edition of the book never had.

16 February 2014

aking bread Authors Jeff Hertzberg and Zoë Francois on the virtues of baking your own bread What are some of your favorite new recipes?

Hertzberg: I’m partial to the

Wurzelbrot, which is a SwissGerman-style baguette that’s very, very rustic. It’s twisted so that it looks like tree roots (wurzel). It showcases my favorite secret, which is that even when you’re making a white bread, throw a little rye in there. It retains moisture and adds flavor and moisture. And you have to try the Crock Pot Bread. Yes, it works.

And we re-worked a variation of our Light Whole Wheat recipe so you can dial up the whole grains to about 50 percent (see recipe).

What’s the secret to making a tasty, satisfying gluten-free bread?

Francois: Since neither of us are gluten intolerant we’d only choose to eat a gluten-free loaf if it’s really great. We’ve taste tested most of the packaged breads the g-f community has to choose from and we were disappointed. We knew we could offer a fantastic alternative. One of the best things about our g-f breads is that they are super easy and fast, so you can have fresh, tasty bread every day.

What’s the benefit of baking your own bread?

Francois: There is nothing more satisfying

than making homemade bread. It smells great, it tastes wonderful, it’s about 50 cents a loaf and you have total control over the ingredients you’re eating. With our method it is easy enough for kids to bake it, so you can make it a family activity.

recip

e

No-Knead Artisan Dough

3 cups plus 2 tablespoons lukewarm water, about 100ºF (25 oz./710g) 1 tablespoon granulated yeast 1 ½ tablespoons kosher or other coarse salt (can decrease to 1 tablespoon to taste) 3 ½ cups all-purpose unbleached Flour, measured by the “scoop-and-sweep” method (17 oz./490g) 3 cups whole wheat flour, measured by the “scoop-and-sweep” method (13½ oz./385g) Flour, cornmeal, or parchment paper

Prep time and yield: Each loaf will average five minutes of active preparation time because you’ll store enough dough in the refrigerator to make four loaves over the next 10 days, slightly less than one pound each, or eight pizzas or flatbreads, about half-pound each. A Scoop-and-Sweep measurement video is at http://bit.ly/ruTXhZ.

1. in a 5-quart container, mix yeast, water and salt. Add the flour, then use a spoon, stand mixer, or high-capacity food processor to mix until uniform.

2. cover (not airtight) and allow to rise at room temperature for about 2 hours.

3. The dough can be shaped and baked the day it’s mixed, or refrigerated in a lidded container (not airtight) for up to 14 days. The dough is easier to work with after 3 hours refrigeration.

4. On baking day, prepare a pizza peel with cornmeal or parchment paper.

Sprinkle the surface of the dough with flour. Cut off a 1-pound (grapefruit-size) piece of dough. Cover the remaining dough and refrigerate for baking loaves within 14 days.

5. Sprinkling with more flour to prevent sticking, shape a smooth ball with your hands by gently stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all four sides, rotating as you go. Shaping should take no more than 20 to 40 seconds.

6. place dough on prepared pizza peel and allow to rest 60 minutes. Loaf may not rise much during this time.

7. 30 minutes before baking, preheat a pizza stone near the center of the oven to 450 degrees F, with a metal broiler pan on a low rack.

8. When the dough has rested for 40 to 90 minutes, dust the top liberally with flour, then use a serrated knife to slash a half-inch-deep cross.

9. Slide the loaf off the peel and onto the baking stone. Protect oven window with a towel, pour 1 cup hot water into broiler tray, and close oven door.

10. Bake about 30 minutes, or until the crust is richly browned and firm to the touch. Allow to cool completely before eating.

February 2014 17

Teens&Tweens Joy

Riggs

more info

Decrease stress

Stressful times M y parents visited my house recently during a fairly typical weekend. The family calendar for two adults and three teens included three concerts, three play performances, two sleepovers, one concert rehearsal, one community celebration, and one cocktail party. The kids also had to squeeze in homework time before Monday, and I had a column to write.

During a lull in the activity, my dad turned to me and asked, “What’s your next column about?”

I responded, with a note of anxiety in my voice, “Stress!”

We looked at each other and laughed. Sometimes, finding humor in a situation is your best survival tool.

It’s easy to romanticize the days of my youth and imagine that life was simpler then for teens and tweens. But I do think it’s true. Although I had to juggle homework and multiple activities, our society has even higher academic expectations now for our youth. They need to take advanced classes and get top grades so they will be accepted into college. That’s the baseline. Then, from the age of three, they must have participated in a kaleidoscope of activities — sports or fine arts, or better yet, both — so they can get into the “right” college. It’s not just enough to participate, however. They need to win awards, or invent a cure for a disease, or deliver medical supplies to people in third world countries to get a scholarship, so they can afford the “right” college, which they must attend to have any chance at getting a “decent” job. Ugh. Even if you don’t believe it to be true, or you have a kid who fits a different student profile, it’s hard not to get caught up in other people’s anxiety over the imagined road map to success.

It’s no wonder that a survey conducted last fall by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Harvard University School of Public Health and National Public Radio found that 40 percent of parents with kids in grades nine to 12 reported that their children

18 February 2014

are experiencing a great deal of stress from school. Of the issues that could cause stress — bullying, safety, difficult relationships with friends or with teachers — the one with the highest response was homework.

About one-fourth of high school parents said homework caused their child a lot of stress.

Although it’s not broken down by category, students in Minnesota also report experiencing feelings of stress.

According to the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey, 67 percent of 12th grade girls said they had experienced stress levels that were higher than usual in the 30 days before taking the test; of that number, 19 percent said it was almost more than they could bear. The respective percentages for 12th grade boys were 51 and 11.

The levels were lower for younger students, but still significant. Twenty-eight percent of sixth-grade girls reported feeling more stress than usual, and nine percent felt it was almost more than they could take.

For sixth-grade boys, the percentages were 26 and nine.

Whether reported by youth or their parents, it’s

How can teens (and their parents) decrease their stress? Follow these tips from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: exercise and eat regularly Avoid excess caffeine; it can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation Learn relaxation exercises, like abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco Learn to break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks Take a break from stressful situations. Listen to music, talk to a friend, draw or write, or spend time with a pet Consider seeking help from a medical professional if the stress seems too unmanageable

reSourCeS American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Helping teenagers with stress tinyurl.com/kv7br5f American Psychological Association Managing stress for a healthy family tinyurl.com/7nqfbkw Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Adolescent Health tinyurl.com/d3bfq7j

clear that tweens and teens are experiencing stress, much of it academicrelated. What also seems clear is that parents and students don’t always understand each other when it comes to the causes and effects of stress.

A 2010 survey by the American Psychological Association found that nearly three-quarters of parents reported feeling stressed out by their family responsibilities, but more than two-thirds felt their stress had no effect on their children’s stress levels. However, about 85 percent of the tweens and teens said they were affected by their parents’ stress.

How can parents help?

What’s a parent to do? First, do not become anxious about all these findings. All stress isn’t bad. People often need the push of a deadline, or the possibility of a negative consequence, to accomplish their goals. But as parents, we need to recognize when we are under stress, and then we need to manage it in healthy ways. That’s the only way we can teach our kids to do the same.

Which brings me back to laughter, the underrated survival tool. If you’re having one of those impossibly busy days or weekends, when you can feel your stress level rising through the roof, do your best to make room for just one more activity: laughter. Laugh at yourself, and then with your children.

You’ll all feel better, I promise.

Joy Riggs is the mother of one tween and two teens. Questions?

Contact her at editor@mnparent.com.

Toddler gear Need help acclimating your toddler to myriad new experiences or finding something fun for them to wear? Here are a few helpers to get you going.

By Kathleen Stoehr

Warm enough

Water table

Keep an eye on the tub temperature with Moby Floating Bath Thermometer. Shaped like a whale for ultimate cuteness, the color changing LED indicates hot or “just right temperature” water. When not in use, the Moby can suction to any tiled surface for easy storage.

Tired of bathtime play that ends up with more water outside of the tub than in? Curious and very active toddlers will love playing with Tubby Table, and you will love its non-slip bathmat, perforated table top that keeps water from pooling up, and adjustable height pedestal.

skiphop.com • about $15

Chewable Juniorbeads are safe for children age three and up as a sensory tool and are a safe alternative to chewing on clothing, hair or nails. Breakaway clasp, easy to clean, waterproof, and heat resistant. One hundred percent silicone, no BPA, PVC, phthalates, cadmium, or heavy metals. chewbeads.com about $24

20 February 2014

tubbytabletoys.com • about $40

Brusha brusha Banana Brushes’ special silicone bristles create a massaging, soothing stimulation that helps budding teeth break through the tough gum tissue. And, because the products are so easy for a toddler to hold and manipulate on their own, it becomes easy for them to shift the brush to the precise spot where they are in need of a little pain relief. One hundred percent medical grade silicone; dishwasher safe. babybananabrushes.com about $8

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Lacy leggings Three great colors (pink, white, black) and comfortable as well. Won’t leave marks on your child’s legs due to binding. Plus, they’re machine washable! Sizes up to age 24 months. babybellamaya.com • about $10 each

February 2014 21

Kara

McGuire

Good enough money management

G

ood enough. It’s a concept that doesn’t get much attention in a world fixated on Pinterest-inspired perfection. But it’s become a popular parenting topic. Good enough is a sanitysaving concept for parents who fail live up to their own unrealistic expectations. It’s permission to say no when you really don’t have time to volunteer, to leave the house a mess and read to your kids, to hit the drive thru every now and then.

I’m a big fan living the good enough life, and not just as far as parenting is concerned. Good enough exercise. Good enough household management.

But my favorite place to apply the concept of good enough is to money. I’ve embraced financial imperfection — and you should, too. We’re all living it anyway.

Money stuff can be so overwhelming. That’s why denial, neglect, and magical math are common financial fallbacks.

By embracing the idea of good enough money management, you will feel more empowered to make decisions and less overwhelmed by all of the possibilities, the unknown, the events outside of your control.

Choose your own starting point from the list below.

You can do everything on this list, or just one thing.

But the first rule of good enough money management is that doing something is better than nothing.

22 February 2014

Save for retirement. Most Americans (53 percent) have yet to calculate how much money they’ll need in retirement, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute. Maybe it’s because there are so many variables to consider, or it’s too depressing. But not knowing how much to save isn’t an excuse not to save. If you have a workplace retirement plan such as a 401(k) and fail to use it, you are leaving tax savings on the table. Even worse, if your company matches a certain percentage of the money you save, and you haven’t gotten around to signing up, you’re basically telling your employer you don’t want free money, thank you very much.

It’s not all or nothing. Once you turn an eye to your finances, odds are you’ll find several areas in need of improvement. If you find yourself wrestling with how to prioritize, promise me you won’t let indecision paralyze you. If you have debt, pay it down in bite-sized bits. Generally speaking, attacking the highest interest rate first is a solid tactic. If you’re lamenting the lack of a college fund, set up a 529 college savings plan with as little as $25.

Then set recurring transfers of $20 a month, or request contributions from relatives in lieu of birthday gifts. To give your general savings a boost

I’ve embraced financial imperfection and you should, too. We’re all living it anyway.

with minimal effort, try SavedPlus, an app that transfers a percentage of your choosing each time you make a purchase.

Don’t budget. Blasphemous, right?

Well, maybe back in the days when we also religiously balanced our checkbooks. These days, setting up simple account alerts offered by most banks for low balances and the like will keep most of us in the black. If you want to take it a step further, free personal financial management tools such as mint.com offer dozens of alerts for everything from bill pay reminders to warnings that your behavior may be damaging your credit score.

Reduce spending on just one thing.

Takeout. Lattes. Pedicures. Most of us have a running list of spending areas that could use a nip and a tuck. But trying to cut back in all of those areas at once, or making vague cost cutting promises, is tougher for most people than choosing a single target and setting a reasonable goal. So if you go to a coffee shop every day, maybe you scale back to four days instead. Or you switch to a cheaper beverage.

Learn something new. Americans tend to be fairly confident about their financial know-how despite consistently failing financial literacy quizzes. If we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us could use a refresher on how banks calculate credit card interest rates, or how the bond market works. Instead of buying an 800 page financial tome you’ll never read, why not have a little taste of financial education? If you enjoy games, watch brief money lessons on saveup.com in exchange for points to enter contests. Or hit the special online courses devised by Bank of America and free online education site Khan Academy at bettermoneyhabits.com.

Kara McGuire is a personal finance writer and St. Paul mom of three. Questions?

Email editor@mnparent.com.

You can get there. We can help.

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Overcoming obstacles Overcoming fears, learning about loss, and convincing others to let you do something important are just some of the topics addressed as children tackle thoughts and feelings that can overwhelm.

By Kathleen Stoehr

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No! A sensitive story about empowering a child to overcome fears and express themselves honestly. In Don’t be Afraid, Jill learns that by saying “yes” to others when she wants to say, “no,” — she’s actually saying “no” to herself, too.

By Ilona Lammertink & Lucie Georger Clavis; $15.95 For ages 4 and up

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The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but Flora steps in and saves him.

This novel tackles issues of loss and grief with humor, as Flora discovers the possibility of hope. And new to the DiCamillo writing style is the use of comic book style graphic sequences, a true delight.

In a charming picture book, the author gives an honest, uncomplicated account of what it can be like when your parents split up. Nynke Talsma’s illustrations accompany the text well.

By Marion De Smet Clavis; $15.95 For ages 4 and up

By Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press; $17.99 For ages 8 to 12

Kevin’s Big Book of Emotions Sometimes Kevin feels angry, sad, or afraid. Sometimes he’s happy. This colorful and approachable book offers a reassuring look at the range of feelings and emotions all young children experience throughout their day.

By Liesbet Slegers • Clavis; $18.95 • For ages 3 to 5

24 February 2014

Ricky is Brave Ricky is brave, or so he thinks, when he decides he wants to sleep by himself in a tent his father has pitched in the back yard. But fear of the unknown can be a powerful force.

By Guido Van Genechten Clavis; $16.95 For ages 4 to 8

Razia’s Ray of Hope Razia dreams of getting an education, but in her small village in Afghanistan, girls have not been allowed to attend school. When a new girls’ school opens, however, Razia must convince her father and brother that her education would better herself, her family, and her community.

By Elizabeth Suneby Kids Can Press; $18.95 For ages 8 to 12

Sean

Toren

Communicating with the ‘under’ dog I

n my December column, I dove into the deep waters of how to open the door to harder conversations. In January we focused on overcommunicators. This month’s installment in our communications decathlon brings us strategies for dealing with the under-communicators — ‘underdogs’ — who, in order to communicate, may force you to either push your own issues, or conversely, pull their issues out of them.

Push me If you have an issue with your partner and you’re the better communicator in your partnership, focus on the issue and not just on your partner’s foibles. For example, if your issue is about keeping the house in order, and your partner is Public Litterer Number One — leaving laptop bags, size 13 shoes, and stand-up paddleboards where they can be tripped over — the conversation can be about what solutions can be thought up, both for changing habits and for creating storage space.

This means avoiding ‘you’ statements, such as “You keep leaving your gear in the entryway, and I just stubbed my toe on it!” and saying things like, “I know you’re in a rush when you get home from work, but it’s important for the rest of the family to get in and out of the house, too…what can we do to make this easier?”

But what if your partner brushes off your statement?

For example, if instead of moving the paddleboard and agreeing to accommodate the family, what if he or she teases you about what a neat freak you are, as a way of lightening the mood and deflecting the issue?

A similar rule applies. Instead of saying “You need to stop teasing,” a better opening move is to say, “Something’s been happening lately between us that

26 February 2014

bothers me. Whenever I state my case, it feels like you start teasing me.” This takes some of the onus off of them, while at the same time puts it out in the open between you.

Pull you On the other hand, what do you do if you think that your silent underdog has an issue and just isn’t sharing it? Let’s assume that you’re the ‘good communicator’ in the couple, and you’re already modeling good communications. You’re full of love and respect and never use hot-button ‘you’ statements? If you’re doing all that, you’ve probably also noticed that simply modeling good communications may not stick (just like modeling how to put the toilet seat down or always using good penmanship don’t necessarily lead to those habits in others).

One way to get your partner to talk is to create a space that’s so low-pressure that they can’t help but get sucked into it: bait them by asking what’s troubling them — and then get out of the way. It’s like trying to

Relation-tip

Patience Modeling good communications may not encourage your partner to do the same. Make it low pressure: ask a question, and then give your partner time to think things through and respond. If you pester for an immediate response, most likely your spouse will clam up, versus responding with a pearl.

rescue a feral cat in winter: some will simply follow their noses into the warm, sheltered entryway to find the dry food, while the really shy ones will stay out in the cold until you bust out the canned stuff. happy babies. happy moms.

This tactic demands that you let their response happen on their own time, which 1560 Selby Ave may not be convenient for you if you’re St. Paul, MN 55104 chopping stir-fry or finishing up some work www.teenybeeboutique.com at home. But commit ahead of time. Tell yourself you’ll put down your knife or close the lid on your laptop and make yourself Teeny Bee MNP 0114 12.indd 2 12/17/13 4:38 PM available for the time your kitty is ready to come in from the cold.

If that doesn’t work, there’s always the empathy route. Come on, admit it: you may have an inkling as to why Mr. or Ms. Crabby Pants has been rattling the pots in the kitchen and coming to bed late. Tell them you suspect something is bothering them, and you wonder if it’s that you’ve been working too much (or maybe even that you’ve been working too little). “I keep thinking you must feel frustrated about it. Is that what’s going on?” Even if you guessed wrong, at least they know that you’re really thinking about them — and that you can be a good listener — which is a great way to create an even larger conversational space for them to enter.

Of course, this is all fine for stand-up paddleboards and too many work hours.

But what about the really big issues? Like, if one of you wants to move back “home” to Portland, Maine or Portland, Oregon to be closer to aging parents while the other one wants to quit the corporate gig to start raising chickens, right here in river city? For problems like these, it might be best to bring in a ringer — in the form of a individual or couples therapist who can provide a safe place for working things out.

That’s what my strong-communicating partner and I had to do when we reached an impasse on one of the biggest of biggies — whether or not to have another kid.

But that’s the subject of another event in our communications decathlon.

Sean Toren loves living the full catastrophe in Minneapolis with his wife and son. He can be contacted at editor@mnparent.com with thoughts or suggestions.

February 2014 27

“

They’re so pigeonholed in Their beliefs abouT Their role and who They are...They’ll grow up and noT be able To Think ouTside These boxes.

— Deby Ziesmer

28 February 2014

boxed in Gender stereotypes and the problems they create

By Cali Owings

February 2014 29

s

amantha Hedwall’s toddler, A.J., knows what she wants.

The Mankato mom tried putting her in pink, but the two-year-old denied her.

“She did not want bows in her hair and she did not want to wear a dress,” Hedwall says.

A.J. wanted a tool set like her dad’s and only wears her “princess shirts” when she feels like it. It was frustrating then to find clothing and shop for toys that appealed to her daughter in a polarized and gendered market.

“She loves tools and Thomas the Train. I didn’t raise her to be that way,” she says, “I just accept her for exactly what she wants.”

Hedwall and other parents, educators, and advocates have grown frustrated with the gender binaries

30 February 2014

The “Girls Will Be” clothing line aims at breaking free from stereotypical girls’ clothes.

SuBmiTTed phoTo

they say limit what children — especially girls — can do and wear.

Children don’t need to be told what to like or how to act, they simply internalize the messages from toys, clothing, media, and role models around them.

In a 2006 Girls Inc. survey about gender stereotypes, 84 percent of girls said they are under a lot of pressure to dress the right way, and 57 percent said parents want girls to play with dolls, not trucks and action figures.

Nine in 10 girls surveyed said people think girls care a lot about shopping and 35 percent of them said people don’t think girls are good leaders.

“They’re so pigeonholed in their beliefs about their role and who they are,” says Deby Ziesmer, who directs early childhood programs for the YWCA of Minneapolis.

Ziesmer said she sees very young children

picking up on sexist remarks and innuendos and re-enacting them during dramatic play. Children will also often “gender police” each other when someone isn’t following perceived norms.

Ziesmer speculates those biases come from the adults in their lives. “I’m just worried about the generation living this now,” she says. “They’ll grow up and not be able to think outside these boxes.”

The ‘backward’ market Toys lay out expectations for children about the roles they’ll fill later in life, says Laura Harrison, a gender and women’s studies professor at Minnesota State University Mankato. Toys for girls still teach baking, cooking, cleaning, and nurturing even though women do not adhere to those narrow tasks.

Toys marketed toward boys emphasize active role-play and more physicality than girls’ toys, Harrison says.

Subtle and softer messages are further emblazoned on the clothing available for girls in mainstream stores where color choices and images are limited to pink, purple, puppies, and princesses.

The themes on the clothing in the girls’ department left Sharon Choksi, of Austin, Texas shopping in the boys’ section for clothes that would appeal to her three-year-old daughter.

“The messages about what girls are supposed to like are so limited,” she says.

In 2013, Choksi founded Girls Will Be — a clothing line that focuses on girls clothes in colors “beyond pink” without girly embellishments that also showcase a wide array of interests like nature, space, and sports.

“It’s okay for a girl to like robots and outer space,” she says. “The brand name is ‘Girls Will Be.’ We’re trying to send a message to girls that it’s okay to like these things as well.”

Childhood has changed since Melissa Wardy grew up in the ’80s. The Wisconsin resident says she played outside most of the time and she and younger brothers were dressed alike.

Today, she said the market is “extremely gendered” and “almost backward.” She struggled to find a onesie with an airplane on it for her infant daughter, Amelia, in honor of the groundbreaking female pilot Amelia Earhart. “Surely there’s more we can give our daughters,” Wardy says.

32 February 2014

Wardy launched Pigtail Pals and Ballcap Buddies clothing company in 2009 to fight against gender stereotypes and sexualization of young girls.

Her “Redefine Girly” T-shirts celebrate different paths for girls while poking fun at tropes from typical girls’ clothing — like an image of a girl directing on set that reads, “Act like a lady.”

“I don’t believe in ‘tomboy’ or ‘girly girls.’ Girls can be so many different ways all in one day or all at the same time,” Wardy says.

Valued for appearance When her 15-year-old daughter was approached by a modeling agency in a Target store, Susan Walker, a self-identified feminist who worked for many years with women with eating disorders, was surprised.

“For the way that I raised my daughter, it was kind of this cruel twist of fate that she would potentially work in that industry.”

Walker, now a professor of parent education at the University of Minnesota, said she didn’t raise her daughter to be as body-conscious and focused on appearance as the modeling industry is. She started a the blog Model Mom to track her experiences as her daughter started working in the Twin Cities modeling industry.

As the parent of a pretty girl, Walker says it’s important to tell girls they’re valued for many aspects of themselves besides their beauty. “I knew that society was going to tell her that all the time and she was going to be continually reinforced for her looks. I didn’t want that to be the only way she defined herself.”

Educators and caregivers in Ziesmer’s YWCA program are careful not to compliment students on how they look or on their outfits. “It sends the message that who they are is how they dress,” she says.

She also takes issue with girls’ clothing as many of the current trends: skinny jeans, short skirts, and bikini tops to name a few, make them look like miniature adults. Furthermore, the clothes are too restrictive for girls to run, jump, and play.

That’s another reason why Choksi founded Girls Will Be. She says it’s like “searching for a needle in a haystack to find a regular cut pair of pants” among the skinny jeans available now. “Already at the age of five you’re trying to fit in skinny jeans?”

She cites the Girls Inc. survey: 37 percent of girls between third and fifth grade said they’re worried about their weight. By the time girls reach high school, it’s 62 percent. “We don’t need to be starting that young.”

Boys are limited, too Parents and experts say this gendered messaging hurts boys, too.

“This isn’t just something that parents of daughters should be concerned about. It affects boys and men as well,” Harrison says. “Boys are limited if they are receiving narrow messages.”

The options available for boys — like being a pilot or a superhero — have more value in our society, Harrison believes. When girls eschew gender roles and play with trucks or don a cape, it’s considered an “upward status move.”

“When a boy is painting his nails or wearing a dress, that’s not going to be celebrated in the same way,” she says.

It’s very important to show boys that men can have nurturing, caregiving roles to prepare them for later in life.

Ziesmer said the YWCA’s male teachers help children of both genders see that. “Unless we are teaching boys to be nurturing and loving men then we’re not making any progress at all.”

Wardy, who has a five-year-old son, says kids could be missing out on meaningful relationships in their youth and grow up unable to understand and relate to those of the opposite sex, further impacting friendships and romantic relationships.

“Kids see pink and blue and that’s an awful thing,” she says. “When we raise them to think that way, they’re less likely to have cross-gender friendships.”

Pushing back Parents don’t have to start their own clothing line or toy companies to fight against the messages facing their children.

For pushing back against companies, Wardy said online petitions and campaigns on Facebook and Twitter can help parents affect change. “Companies are realizing they have to respond to consumers,” she says.

Parents should present children with a range of images — not just the conventional standard of feminine beauty that pervades magazines, television, and advertisements, Walker says.

She says to teach kids to be critical of the messages they’re receiving and “advocate that they are more than what people see.”

If parents don’t like the messages in the girls’ department or in the toy aisle, find something else.

Harrison says it’s simply a matter of actively seeking out alternatives.

Parents should create an environment where “kids are kids,” Ziesmer says, with a variety of toys and play options and support whatever the child likes.

“They should be thinking about being a kid — exploring, learning, and growing,” she says.

ResouRCes

Fighting the girl fight You don’t have to go it alone. Here are some resources for parents and advocates who are fighting the girl fight: Hash tags The team behind the 2011 documentary Miss Representation which explores sexism in advertising and pop culture launched a campaign to call out media that uses sexism to sell products with #NotBuyingIt. The Disney Store dropped a women’s “Avengers” T-shirt in the summer of 2013 that read “I Need A Hero” in response to a #NotBuyingIt campaign. You can also find sex-positive media representations with #MediaWeLike on Pinterest.

Clothing Austin-based Girls Will Be clothing is only in the T-shirt and sweatshirt market for now. But if you’re looking for clothing built for play without frilly embellishments in colors other than pink and purple, check out the company’s blog where they round up other products that are doing it right. Go to blog.girlswillbehq.com.

Reading Melissa Wardy, the founder of Pigtail Pals and Ballcap Buddies, offers parenting strategies and tips for campaigning against companies in her new book Redefining Girly: How Parents Can Fight the Stereotyping and Sexualizing of Girlhood, from Birth to Tween.

Make them mighty A Mighty Girl is an all-in-one source for toys, clothing, books, and movies for “smart, confident and courageous girls.” Founded in 2012, A Mighty Girl celebrates girl diversity by continually aggregating products with girl empowerment messages. Go to amightygirl.com.

February 2014 33

To play? or noT To play?

Parents play with their kids more these days.

So, is that good? And what happened to free play?

By Kelly Jo McDonnell

34 February 2014

T

here’s a 10 x 10 x 6 fort in my house.

The walls are made of king size sheets and captain style kitchen table chairs.

The inside boasts a lamp, a travel TV, several Harry Potter movies, and numerous toys jammed into each corner.

My son loves this fort. He would do everything in his fort if I let him, including eating all meals. Just last night, I reluctantly crawled into his sacred fort, at his invitation, to play UNO...and the thought struck me. While I remember building forts all over my

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parent’s Iowa farmhouse, I really don’t remember my mother ever actually coming “into” the fort. I remember her popping her head in, and saying how wonderful it looked. Then she would bustle back to the kitchen. I certainly know that my father didn’t even poke a head through the fort door. If he had, my siblings and I would have been confused.

What’s dad doing in here? It was a kid’s fort: parents were off limits.

February 2014 35

We kids played together. The adults were busy doing what adults do.

So as I sat hunched in the fort, getting beat at cards once again by an eight-year-old, I began thinking about it. Parents seem to play more with their kids these days than the “old days.” That’s great...right? Is there more value with kids playing with other kids and having a more self-directed state of play, rather than mainly playing with Mom and Dad? When did the change happen? Somewhere in between my childhood in the ’70s and today? And really, what’s causing it?

Everyone knows the stats and importance of kids playing. Kids and play go together like peanut butter and jelly. According to Dr. Michele Borba, in her Eleven (not so) Surprising Benefits of Play blog, letting kids engage in self-directed play has immense value for their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. She has a section called “Reality Check: could your kids be ‘play deprived’?” She even mentions some interesting factoids, including: • Since the late 1970s, there’s been a 25 percent drop in our children’s free play and a 50 percent drop in unstructured activities (that’s UNstructured activities) • Since the late 1970s kids’ time in organized, adult-supervised sports have doubled and the number of minutes devoted each week to passive leisure, not including watching television, has increased from 30 minutes to more than three hours.

Perhaps we’re putting our fingers on a few points. In the 1970s, free play was rampant. Organized activities, such as sports, didn’t really kick in until junior high or high school. There were days where I headed out the front door to play, and I wasn’t seen until the sun began to set (or until I got hungry). But times have changed, and the days of sending your kids out the door unsupervised for most of the day isn’t an accepted option. Gwen Dewar, PH.D., in her article “The pressure to play with your kids,” hits on this point.

“Was it like this when I was a kid? No it wasn’t,” she says, “Kids played, but they didn’t play with adults. They played with other kids. And — for better or worse — that’s the way it is in most cultures around the world.” She said the families living in modern Western societies such as the United States find themselves physically isolated. The old “it takes a village” adage comes to mind. In our culture, village playgroups are not an option for many. “So one reason for the pressure [to play] is that our kids lack opportunities to play with each other,” says Dewar.

And we can’t ignore the fact that parents are away from the home and working longer hours. Playing with the kids turns into their quality time together.

Some research and experts seem to dance on that fine line. Parents today shouldn’t get too consumed

36 February 2014

Kids played, but they didn’t play with adults.

They played with other kids. And — for better or worse — that’s the way it is in most cultures around the world. with spending as much time as possible playing with their kids. Of course, parents should spend time with their kids, but perhaps not be the entertainment director. We feel guilt when we’re not available to go play Jedi Knights while we’re trying to cook supper.

Sometimes we’re just not always available or can give undivided attention to our kids. Letting the kids play alone or with their siblings can encourage resourcefulness, imagination, and some independent thinking.

Now this doesn’t mean that parents should cut down on time spent with their kids. But do the things together you really enjoy. I love reading and cuddling with my son, singing songs or dancing to certain music. He knows he can come get me anytime he needs to. But I have to admit, when I hear him outside whooping happily with himself or with his friends, it makes me feel good.

Inez Bersie-Mize, a Midwest Behavorial Health Family Therapist, has a wealth of knowledge about the subject of play. “I don’t think parents were as apt to play with kids as we do now,” says Mize. She goes on to explain that circumstances have changed a lot since we were kids. Playing dress-up or Jedi Knights with your kids happens more now than it ever has.

But one thing Mize stresses is the actual importance of the play itself.

“Play with adults is different in that, when you can get an adult to play and interact and have this very make believe world, you start to understand what’s OK and what’s not OK. You start to get social norms when adults participate. There’s some difference between child/adult play and child/child play.”

So, I’ll leave the fort in my four-season porch. I’ll vacuum it occasionally; pick up the occasional juice box or Cheez-it cracker; crawl into it from time to time with my son. And I’ll try to give him as much free time with himself or his friends for play that I can. And when I’m able, I’ll pick up a light saber and head out into the yard.

To quote Muffy Mead-Ferro, author of Confessions of a Slacker Mom: “Were our ancestors just slackers? Not at the time.

Maybe, like my parents and grandparents, I can trust myself to be a mom without a reference library to tell me how. Maybe I know how. Or by God, I’ll figure it out.”

Out About Parent PICk

Omnifest Î A popular tradition at the Science Museum, this year viewers will get a front row seat to experience larger-than-life adventures! Movies include Great White Shark, Blue Planet, Ring of Fire, and more.

When: Through the 28th Where: Science Museum of Minnesota’s Omnitheater, St. Paul Cost: $8 adults; $7 kids 4 to 12 and seniors.

Subsequent same-day films are 15% off the original price Info: smm.org/omnifest or 651-221-9444

ongoing The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more Î The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-up Chameleon by award-winning children’s book illustrator and writer, Eric Carle, will be on stage in black light with colorful puppets pulled straight from the pages of the beloved books. Follow the brave journeys of three of Eric Carle’s most treasured stories retold on stage by Nova Scotia’s Mermaid Theatre, whose unique adaptations of children’s literature have delighted millions of young people spanning four continents.

Two performances are in Spanish (20th and 21st); one sensory-friendly (8th). For preschool age and up When: Through the 23rd Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: $16; $10 lap passes for ages 3 and under Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

The Mitten

Freedom Riders

Î One of Stages Theatre Company’s proudest accomplishments was the creation of the ballet-inspired stage version of The Mitten by Jan Brett. For its 30th season, it is bringing back this audience favorite.

Î Travel back in time to meet the brave students who boarded buses to challenge segregation.

When: Through the 17th Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins Cost: $15 Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111

St. Paul Winter Carnival Î The nation’s oldest and largest winter festival. Events include parades, cultural celebrations, ice and snow sculptures and a giant snow slide.

When: Through the 2nd Where: Various areas throughout St. Paul Cost: Most events are FREE Info: winter-carnival.com or 651-223-4700

When: 7th through the 23rd Where: Youth Performance Company, Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, Minneapolis Cost: $12 adults, $10 child/seniors Info: youthperformance.org or 612-623-9080

Then now Wow Î Dedicated entirely to Minnesota history, Then Now Wow is the largest exhibit ever created by the Minnesota History Center.

Designed primarily for children, visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring Minnesota’s distinctive places from the prairies and forests to the cities, along the way they’ll meet the people who have made their homes here.

When: Ongoing Where: Minnesota History Center Cost: $6–$11; FREE ages five and under Info: mnhs.org or 651-259-3000

February 2014 37

Out About Parent PICk

The City of Lakes Loppet Î Plenty of outdoor events to watch or participate in, including the Southwest Journal’s Snow Sculpture Contest; Penn Ice-Cycle Loppet; Skijoroing; Youth Ski league SuperCarnival; Minne-Loppet; and Comcast Luminary Loppet!

When: January 31st through February 2nd, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: Uptown, Minneapolis Cost: Spectating is FREE; events are fee-based Info: loppet.org/cityoflakesloppet/ loppet-events

Preschool Playdate

Wee Wednesdays

Î Each Tuesday, the Science Museum offers preschool appropriate activities that will keep little hands busy and little minds buzzing. A Preschool Playdates ticket includes admission to the exhibit galleries, take-home science experiment, preschool perfect Science Live performances and science demonstrations, and various discounts.

Î Wee Wednesdays have plenty to see and do for toddlers and their families. Free, educational programming geared toward children five and under; also features hands-on activities and more.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Under five, FREE; $13 for adults Info: smm.org/playdates or 651-221-9444

Teeny Bee Playdate Î Hot coffee and good company for moms, and the little ones get to try out all of the toys. It’s a great opportunity to get out of the house and meet other moms and babies!

When: 10:30 a.m. to noon Where: Teeny Bee Boutique, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: teenybeeboutique.com or 612-644-2540

38 February 2014

When: Every Wednesday beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: midtownglobalmarket.org or 612-872-4041

Mommy + Me Music Î Encourage your baby’s language development with songs and activities designed to grow their sense of rhythm, music and movement. All children 3 and under and their grown-ups are welcome!

Instruments are provided.

When: 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., alternating Thursdays Where: Teeny Bee Boutique, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: teenybeeboutique.com or 612-644-2540

1 SaTurday Free First Saturday: art adventures Î Let your imagination wander as you explore the collection together. Enjoy free gallery admission and family fun for all.

Activities are designed primarily for ages 6 to 12.

When: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (family activities until 3:00) Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

Saturday Live!

On the day you Were Born Î Based on the award winning children’s book by Debra Frasier, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre combines puppetry, poetry and music that celebrate the natural miracle of the earth. The author’s radiant collage illustrations translate to a miniature stage as puppeteers open trick boxes releasing the wonders described in the book.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library,

The Postpartum Counseling Center Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

Life will never be the same…

Let’s enjoy it.

Free Family Flicks: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

They need us to!

Î Enjoy a free movie. First-come, first-served to theater capacity.

Psychotherapy • Counseling Support • Education

When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

For New & Expecting Parents • Adjusting to Parenthood / New Identities • Self-Care / Work-Life Balance • Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, OCD • Birthing Fear / Birth Trauma • Infertility / Pregnancy & Infant Loss • Couples Counseling / Parenting Issues • Medication / Holistic Therapy

World’s Toughest Rodeo Î Featuring champion cowboys from around the U.S. competing in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding or bull riding, and ladies barrel racing.

Miscarriage Support

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul Cost: $17 to $80 Info: ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

Call Today (612) 296-3800 www.postpartumcounselingcenter.com

Fur Trade Heritage Î Assume the persona of a voyageur from this historical era! Examine historical replicas of fur trade items. Make a spark from flint and steel, drill a hole with a pump drill. Try on a capote and moustache and practice your French accent! Best for ages six and up.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Feb-Mar Classes

4th Tuesday each month • How to Fight Fair!

5:30-7pm, Free • Healthy Attachment, Emotional Intelligence

Postpartum Counseling Center MNP 0214 V6_#1.indd 1 1/21/14 3:19 PM

My friend’s uncle’s second cousin’s son has autism.

My friend’s uncle’s second cousin’s son has autism.

My friend’s uncle’s second cousin’s son has autism.

My friend’s uncle’s second cousin’s son has autism.

My friend’s uncle’s second cousin’s son has autism.

Autism is getting closer to home.

Today, 1 in 110 children is diagnosed.

Early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference.

Learn the signs at autismspeaks.org © 2010 Autism Speaks Inc. “Autism Speaks” and “It’s time to listen” & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

Ad Council - Autism MNP 2011 NR3 Filler S3.indd 1

8/5/11 3:19 PM February 2014 39

Out About When: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE (donations accepted) Info: Call to reserve a spot: 651-249-2170 or email info@maplewoodnaturecenter.com

Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/n9rhd9z or 651-487-8272

8 saTurday Party heart-y

5 Wednesday My Preschooler & Me: Groundhogs Î Discover the natural world through indoor hands-on activities, stories, art, songs, games, and outdoor exploration.

For age 2 and older When: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington Cost: $5; reservations required Info: tinyurl.com/83slbvw or 763-694-7676

6 Thursday animals in Winter Î Enjoy Lil’ Explorer Thursdays in the Visitor’s Center, meet animal and plant visitors. See story time, play games, and more.

Î Fabulous science-related programming and plenty of fun for no charge every second Saturday of the month.

When: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: thebakken.org/Saturday or 612-926-3878

saturday Live!

Minnesota Zoomobile Î Zoomobile naturalists use live animals, biological artifacts, theater techniques, story telling, and audience participation to create a dynamic, personal, and fun program for all ages.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul

Free Family Flicks: star Wars: The Clone Wars Î Enjoy a free movie. First-come, first-served to theater capacity.

When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

nature Play Club Î Unplug with your family once a month.

With an attending naturalist, enjoy crafts, games, puzzles, coloring, and more.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington Cost: $5; adults are FREE; reservation preferred Info: tinyurl.com/83slbvw or 763-694-7676

Baking Memories: Tunnel of Fudge Cake Î See how history is revealed in food as Mill City Museum staff lead a demonstration in the Baking Lab. Explore the history of the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off Second-place winning recipe, The Tunnel of Fudge Cake, its connection to local company Nordic Ware, makers of the Bundt Pan,

Parent PICk

History Chef! Valentine’s Day Cookies for Kids Î In this two hour program, children ages eight to 12 will use one of Mrs. Ramsey’s favorite sugar cookie recipes to mix, bake and decorate Valentine’s Day cookies in the restored 1870s kitchen. They will measure ingredients, mix dough and roll out cookies. While the cookies bake in the wood-burning stove, the young chefs will take a tour of the house and discover how the Ramsey grandchildren celebrated Valentine’s Day. After the tour, there will be time to enjoy the freshly baked treats. Children will be able to take home cookies to share.

When: February 8 from 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul Cost: $13/$11 for MNHA members Info: tinyurl.com/lbhmb5t; reservations required at 651-296-8760

40 February 2014

and the fascination bakers today hold for replicating the recipe.

When: 2:00 p.m.

Where: Mill City Museum, Minneapolis Cost: $11 adults; $9 seniors & college students; $6 ages 6 to 17; FREE for MNHS members Info: tinyurl.com/kxnn387 or 612-341-7555

9 Sunday PJ Library Preschool Camp Fair Î Storytime Express will nurture your child’s knowledge through reading. Enjoy a featured jewish book with songs, creative movement, crafts, snacks, and more.

Children ages three to eight and their parents or grandparents welcome.

When: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Sabes JCC Barry Family Campus, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: jfcsmpls.org or 952-381-3500

11 TueSday My Preschooler & Me: Snakes & Salamanders Î Monthly nature programs for children ages 2–5 with an adult. Each month explores a different topic through handon play, art, and games, and then heads outside to see what can be discovered.

When: 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Kroening Interpretive Center/ North Mississippi Regional Park Cost: $5 per person Info: threeriversparks.org or 763-694-2015

12 WedneSday arty Pants: your Tuesday Playdate Î Features activities for adults and youngsters ages three to five. Art projects, films, gallery activities, and story time.

When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE with gallery admission;

February 2014 41

Out About Walker members and kids ages 12 and under are always free.

Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

Cost: $54 to $514 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

13 Thursday

15 saTurday

Junior Gardener

saturday Live! Brodini Comedy Magic show

Î Enjoy Lil’ Explorer Thursdays in the Visitor’s Center, meet animal and plant visitors. See story time, play games, and more.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon (members receive special 9:30 a.m. access today) Where: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/n9rhd9z or 651-487-8272

14 Friday shen yun 2014 Î A grand production featuring classical Chinese dance with over 400 sets of costumes and the only orchestra in the world with both classical Western and Chinese instruments as permanent members. Shen Yun brings to life 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through classical Chinese dance and music.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis

Teddy Bear Story Time

Î Scarves, coins, cards, balls, ropes, and ordinary items become animate objects of wonder and curiosity in Brodini’s hands, but never without some help from children and adults in the audience.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

snowshoe hike Î Learn about snowshoes, strap on a pair, and walk through a winter wonderland. Instruction and snowshoes provided. Wear sturdy winter boots and bring your own mug for hot cocoa. *Note: if snow is scarce, we will hike to search for animal tracks. Best for ages four and up.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Cost: $5 per person, prepaid by 2/13 Info: Call to reserve a spot: 651-249-2170 or email info@maplewoodnaturecenter.com

Free Family Flicks: Bedtime stories Î Enjoy a free movie. First-come, first-served to theater capacity.

When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Barn dance Î Barn dance with band and caller; all ages, no experience necessary. Snacks available for a very small fee.

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Midway neighborhood at the Hamline Church, United Methodist, at 1514 Englewood Drive (alley entrance), St. Paul Cost: $5; $15 family Info: hamlinechurch.org or 651-771-8421

42 February 2014

Shen Yun 2014  See description, Friday the 14th When: 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

16 SUNDAY

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre

Free 3rd Sundays at the Minnesota Children’s Museum

Offering performances, residencies and touring shows.

612.721.2535 · hobt.org

ATTENTION WOMEN 21-33:

 Visitors can roam the museum free of Mississippi Market MNP 0214 12.indd charge every third Sunday of each month.

When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum Cost: FREE Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

Free Family Fun Day: Critters Close Up

1

1/17/14 10:11 In the AM Heart of the Beast MNP 2011 12 filler.indd 1

8/5/11 2:30 PM

Would You Consider Being an Egg Donor?

The Center for Reproductive Medicine is seeking women between 21 and 33 years of age to donate eggs for couples who cannot otherwise achieve pregnancy.

You will be compensated for your time and dedication.

 Hands on activities.

When: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/83slbvw or 763-694-7676

Shen Yun 2014  See description, Friday the 14th When: 2:00 p.m.

W

NEonline easy cation li app

2828 Chicago Ave #400, Minneapolis

ALL ETHNICITIES NEEDED Accredited by: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies, American College of OB/GYNs and American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

For more information: 612-863-5390 or fill out an application online www.ivfminnesota.com Center for Reproductive Medicine MNP 0114 H4.indd 2

12/12/13 12:16 PM

18 TUESDAY Teddy Bear Story Time  Young visitors are invited to bring their teddy bears to the Hill House in celebration of Presidents’ Day and the beloved toy named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. An interactive tour of the house will be combined with favorite teddy bear stories. The one-hour tour is designed for pre-school through first grade children accompanied by an adult.

When: 10:30 a.m.

Where: James J. Hill House, St. Paul Cost: $6/$2 discount for MNHA members Info: tinyurl.com/ljdn48s or 651-297-2555 (reservations recommended)

DISCOUNT WHEN YOU PURCHASE 10 OR MORE TICKETS! FREE PARKING

WWW.BURNSVILLEPAC.COM

February 2014 43

Out About Tech Fest

Como Zoo MNP 0213 V6.indd 1

1/11/13 3:30 PM

20 Thursday Fantastic Frogs

2 Couples Communication Parenting Workshops: Saturday, Feb 8th & Mar 1st

Î Enjoy Lil’ Explorer Thursdays in the Visitor’s Center, meet animal and plant visitors. See story time, play games, and more.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/n9rhd9z or 651-487-8272

Learn How to Fight Fair!

Saturday, Mar 15th

Healthy Attachment, Emotional Intelligence INFO:

(612) 296-3800

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

The Postpartum Counseling Center www.postpartumcounselingcenter.com

22 saTurday saturday Live! duniya drum and dance Î Duniya Drum & Dance performs traditional rhythms and dances from Guinea West Africa lead by Master

44 February 2014 Postpartum Counseling Center MNP 0214 V6_#2.indd 1 1/21/14 3:33 PM

Drummer Fode Bangoura. Explosive drumming and high energy dance that will be fun for the whole family.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

Free Family Flicks: honey, I shrunk the Kids Î Enjoy a free movie. First-come, first-served to theater capacity.

When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

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Tech Fest  Enjoy all of the regular hands-on exhibits plus dozens of amazing hands-on engineering and technology demonstrations from our science and technology partners.

Tech Fest is perfect for families with children ages 4 to 13. It’s the celebration of National Engineers Week.

When: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: The Works Museum, Bloomington Cost: $8 per person with a discount for members Info: theworks.org or 952-888-4262

Animal Tracks  Make nature discoveries together and meet new friends! This class is offered at the Maplewood Nature Center in collaboration with Early Childhood Family Education. Parents stay with their

Speak face to face

interac

tive bo oths!

with dozens of camp instructors

For more information: www.mnparent.com/camp-fair or 612-825-9205

esy s court project ures t r a d t in ven ak one of ARTrageous Ad of

Door Prizes • GooDie BaGs • free aDmission free ParkinG • free entertainment SponSored By:

Camp Fair 2014 MNP 0214 2-3page.indd 1

1/23/14 2:42 PM February 2014 45

Out About child(ren) during the entire class. For ages birth to five years, before kindergarten.

When: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $5 per child Info: Call to reserve a spot: 651-748-7280 or register online at isd622.org/ecfe

23 SUNDAY

27 THURSDAY Teddy Bear Picnic  Enjoy Lil’ Explorer Thursdays in the Visitor’s Center, meet animal and plant visitors. See story time, play games, and more.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/n9rhd9z or 651-487-8272

Bill Nye  Bill Nye the Science Guy is at it again.

Join Bill and the Physics Force for an afternoon full of mind-blowing science demonstrations.

When: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Mall of America rotunda, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: mallofamerica.com/events/ view/676

26 WEDNESDAY TPT MNP 0214 V6.indd 1

Arty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate

1/16/14 10:03 AM

Complete Cremation Services

 In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, a beautiful young mermaid longs to leave her ocean home and live in the world above. Beautiful sets, dazzling costumes, and an award-winning musical score will delight young and old. A Midwest premiere!

When: 28th through August 30 Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Cost: $47 to $82 Info: 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com

When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE with gallery admission; Walker members and kids ages 12 and under are always free.

Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

Minneapolis Chapel

My Preschooler & Me: Puppet Escapades/ Bird Beaks

Edina Chapel 7110 France Avenue South Edina, MN 55435 (952) 924-4100

 Arrival activities; then enjoy the show as the animal puppets perform. Afterward, venture out on your own for a hike!

The Cremation Society™ of Minnesota “We are Minnesota’s Cremation Specialist” Serving the entire state of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Owned and Operated by the Waterston Family.

www.cremationsocietyofmn.com 46 February 2014 Cremation Society MNP 1113 NR2-Urn V6.indd 1

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

 Features activities for adults and youngsters ages three to five. Art projects, films, gallery activities, and story time.

Professional • Dignified • Economical

4343 Nicollet Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55409 (612) 825-2435

28 FRIDAY

10/17/13 10:40 AM

When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington Cost: $5; reservations required Info: tinyurl.com/83slbvw or 763-694-7676

Bill Nye

Camp ResouRCe Guide academic Bell Museum Science Discovery Day Camps Unearth unforgettable camp experiences at the Bell Museum. Weeklong Science Discovery camps include outdoor adventure, space exploration, lab activities, real scientific specimens, University research…and lots of fun! June 9–August 29, grades K-6. New this year: half-day preschool camps!

Minneapolis 612-624-9050 bellmuseum.org

Camp Invention Led by local educators, the weeklong Camp Invention experience immerses elementary children in hands-on activities that reinvent summer fun. Children spend their time building original prototypes, creating a personalized motor-powered vehicle, and taking apart electronics to construct a pinball machine.

40+ locations in Minnesota, including: Apple Valley, Bloomington, Chaska, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Farmington, Fridley, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Mendota Heights, Minnetonka, New Brighton, Robbinsdale, Shoreview, St. Paul, Stillwater, Wayzata, White Bear Lake, & more!

800-968-4332 campinvention.org

Gifted & Talented Summer Institute, The (GTI) Find your challenge south of the river. A partnership of south metro school districts, managed by ISD 191 Community Education.

GTI provides gifted and talented youth in grades K-12 opportunities for challenge and exploration. Classes run late June through July. Half- and full-day, weeklong course options in a variety of core disciplines.

Eagle Ridge Jr. High 13955 Glendale Rd Savage 952-707-4150 giftedtalented.org

ICC Summer Engineering Camp Explore the world of engineering through hands-on project work, industry tours, and team design challenges; live and work at Wenger Engineering Center, Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids, MN. Sr. High (Science): grades 11-12, June 16-20; Sr. High (Design): grades 10-12, July 6-12;

Jr. High: grades 7-9, July 16-19.

Itasca Community College Grand Rapids 218-322-2370 engineering.itascacc.edu

iD Tech Camps held at Macalester Weeklong, day, and overnight summer programs for ages 7-17. Students develop iPhone and Android apps, program in C++ and Java, design video games, produce films, build robots, create websites, and more. Small classes (8:1 ratios, guaranteed) led by tech-savvy staff. Also two-week, precollege Academies for ages 13-18.

Macalester, Stanford, Yale, & over 80 top universities nationwide 888-709-TECH (8324) idtech.com

Junior Achievement Summer Camp Campers will learn how to run a successful business through a variety of fun, interactive activities. Held at JA’s unique kid-sized city, this camp is the ultimate real-world simulation. The June session focuses on STEM careers; the July session will appeal to the budding entrepreneur.

Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest 1800 White Bear Ave N Maplewood 651-255-0037 jaum.org

Science & Engineering Camps Works Museum, The Camps for girls and boys in grades K-7 who love to explore, design, and build!

Kids learn how things work through fun, hands-on science and engineering projects. Discover messy chemistry, Lego Robotics, electricity, architecture, and more! Camps run June–August 2014.

9740 Grand Ave S Bloomington 952-888-4262 theworks.org

Summer@MPA Learn, Connect, Grow, Experience, and Explore with Summer@MPA! Engaging summer classes in Academics, Athletics, and the Arts for ages 4–18. Also featuring Middle School Adventure Weeks and Panther Camp—full daycare in a camp setting. Learn more online!

Mounds Park Academy 2051 Larpenteur Ave E, Maplewood 651-777-2555 moundsparkacademy.org/summer@MPA

adveRtiseR listinGs

arts Adventures in Cardboard Summer Arts & Creative Play, Outdoors Summer outdoor mythic play in rich parks and forests near the Twin Cities! Weeklong, full-day programs. Construct a giant castle, get lost in colossal mazes, build suits of armor, create your own teams, tactics and strategies in outdoor live-action games of arms and armor! Swimming and canoeing in cool lakes round out the day’s events.

For more info or online registration visit: julianmcfaul.com Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie Saint Catherine University, St. Paul 612-532-6764 julianmcfaul.com

Art Academy, The City Pages Winner: Best of the Twin Cities! Year-round traditional drawing and painting classes and camps for students ages 5-18. Exceptional student/teacher ratio. Homeschool Program. A Renaissance Program for adults also offered. See samples of student artwork; visit our website. Call for a brochure.

651 Snelling Ave S St. Paul 651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

Loft’s Young Writers’ Program, The The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program offers more than 100 classes this summer that foster creativity, enrich talents, and create friendships. Classes run all summer for ages 6-17 at all skill levels.

Open Book 1011 Washington Ave S Minneapolis 612-215-2575 loft.org

Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) Join us at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design for a series of innovative, handson, and engaging visual art and design camps and classes for kids and teens ages 5-18! Weeklong and multi-week options.

Scholarships available.

2501 Stevens Ave Minneapolis 612-874-3765 mcad.edu/youth

February 2014 47

Camp ResouRCe Guide dance/music/ performance Center for Irish Music, The All ages and abilities will explore and grow musically within the context of the Irish tradition. CIM offers creative and active introductory and intermediate camps on whistle, song, fiddle, harp, and drumming as well as mythology, travel-themed, and performance camps.

836 Prior Ave N St. Paul 651-815-0083 centerforirishmusic.org

Circus Juventas Travel the globe without ever leaving our Big Top! Our full-day, weeklong camps explore a vast array of circus arts from Morocco to Mongolia, China to Russia.

Reserve your spot now to be a part of one of the most talked-about and unique summer camps in the Twin Cities.

1270 Montreal Ave St. Paul 651-699-8229 circusjuventas.org

Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts Become a triple threat at Lundstrum Center’s musical theatre camps! All camp intensives taught by Broadway veterans and include level appropriate training in dance, voice, and drama, which students apply to full musical productions. June 9-20: Camp 1, ages 4-12; June 23-August 3: Camp 2, ages 13+.

1617 N 2nd St Minneapolis 612-521-2600 lundstrumcenter.org

Sing Minnesota August 11-15, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sing Minnesota is a weeklong day camp for girls and boys, ages 8-12 sponsored by the Minnesota Boychoir. While focusing on choral singing, campers also participate in other creative arts – drama and movement, visual arts, and outdoor fun and games! $325, scholarships available.

Concordia University Buetow Music Center 300 Hamline Ave N St. Paul 651-292-3219 boychoir.org

48 February 2014 Lundstrum Center MNP 0214 V3.indd 1

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StageCoach Theatre Arts StageCoach Summer Camps give equal emphasis to the three main Performing Arts elements of dance, acting, and singing. Age appropriate camps for ages 6-16 provide real musical theatre experiences for your child, culminating in a fully staged musical.

Edina & Minnetonka: 952-300-5893 St. Paul: 651-775-2849 stagecoachschools.com

SteppingStone Theatre School for Young Actors This spring and summer youth ages 2-17 will spark their creativity at SteppingStone Theatre. Young actors tap into their potential in unique ways—building confidence and acting skills while having tons of fun! Scholarships/membership pricing available.

55 Victoria St N St. Paul 651-225-9265 steppingstonetheatre.org

Theatre Arts Training (TAT) Children’s Theatre Company TAT is a comprehensive program that offers a nurturing environment in which each individual child will find his or her unique voice while having fun and exploring the creative process within a community of their peers. (Ages 4-18).

MIA 2400 Third Ave S Minneapolis 612-874-0400 childrenstheatre.org/education/ classes-and-camps

Triple Threat Training Ordway’s Professional Musical Theater Intensive This two-week intensive in musical theater connects young people with experienced instructors to hone their vocal, acting, and dance technique, as well as enhance their audition skills! Audition required for admission.

Auditions February-March, 2014. July 14-18 & July 21-25, 2014 - $750 Tuition for two-week session (scholarships available) for ages 13-18.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: 345 Washington St St. Paul ordway.org/education/triplethreat

advertiser listings

day Animal Humane Society’s Unleashed Camp An animal-themed summer day camp at Animal Humane Society for students entering grades 3-10. Camp includes animal-related educational activities, animal interactions, special guests, field trips, and more. Registration begins February 10, 2014.

Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul, & Woodbury 763-489-2220 animalhumanesociety.org/camps

Archaeology for Kids One-Day Camp Get ready for an archeological dig at Historic Fort Snelling. Campers, ages 1014, will spend the day with archeologists and historians who will help them learn how to do archeological work including research, digging and sifting at a recreated dig site, and working with scientific equipment in a lab.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Arts on the River Day Camp Campers, ages 9-11, play music, create stories, build books, and bake bread all while exploring how the riverfront district was built, rebuilt and is now a rich cultural area. Children experience four top arts centers: Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and MacPhail Center for Music.

Mill City Museum 704 S Second St Minneapolis 612-341-7555 mnhs.org/summercamps

Davy Crockett Summer Camp Campers will learn the skills Davy Crockett and others like him used on the frontier including tracking animals, using flint and steel, and 1800s soldiering. Campers, ages 9-12, will also learn about American Indian history and much more.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Finishing School for Young Ladies

Think your child can’t draw like this? Think again.

In this one-of-a kind day camp, young ladies will dress up in Victorian outfits and learn about Victorian fashion, etiquette, dancing, and poise. Open to girls 9-12. Session I: June 16-18, Session II: July 14-16. $220/$200 for MNHS members.

Alexander Ramsey House 265 S Exchange St St. Paul 651-296-8760 mnhs.org/summercamps

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer & Dakotah Life Pioneer Days: School, Work, & Play Children travel back in time to experience 1800s life at school, work, and play in this three-day pioneer camp. TuesdaysThursdays in July; 9 a.m.–1 p.m. $99. Just one of our four great camps – fun for kids ages 3-10; family-friendly pricing.

2097 W Larpenteur Ave Falcon Heights 651-646-8629 rchs.com

Jacob Smith, Age 7

Call or go online for

Summer Camp information

651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

History Detective Camp Become a super-sleuth and use clues to solve a mystery at the Ramsey House. Kids will explore the Ramsey House, artifacts Art Academy MNP 0214 V6.indd inside the home, letters, journals, and recipes. Campers, ages 11-13, will comb through the evidence to reveal the mystery.

A new mystery will be presented each day.

Alexander Ramsey House 265 S Exchange St St. Paul 651-296-8760 mnhs.org/summercamps

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1/22/14 3:38 PM

Huck Finn Summer Camp Campers, ages 9-12, will explore the book “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and its themes of adventure and childhood fun through hands-on activities in the unique setting of Historic Fort Snelling. Activities include fishing, hiking, cooking outdoors, canoeing, and more.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

February 2014 49

birthday parties • Weekend & evening classes spring break & summer camps

Classes offered: • Minecraft • Robotics • Engineering

• Game Design • Programming • Digital Film

Teaching children for over 20 years throughout MN New Center in roseville!

COMPUTEREXPLORERSMN.COM • 651-730-9910

Computer Explorers MNP 0114 12.indd 1

CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE Little House in the Big Fort Summer Camp

Horseback Riding

Experience the life described in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books.

Campers, ages 7-11, will sing the songs, play the games, and make the food and crafts that Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier in the 19th century.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Golden Ridge Stables

12/16/13 2:30 PM

Playworks Summer Camp 2014 Discover Minnesota! June 9–August 29.

Open to kids entering grades 1–6. Children explore their world through field trips to zoos, museums, beaches, parks, and more. Plus, arts & crafts, science, playtime with friends. Enroll by March 31st and $65 registration fee is waived. FT or PT. Daily.

Meals Included.

2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake 952-496-6811 playworksfun.com

Soldier One-Day Camp “New recruits” will learn about the lives of soldiers during the 1820s at Fort Snelling.

Campers will learn to march and drill, watch musket and cannon firings, and more. For ages 8-12. June 7, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Textiles & T-Shirts: Fashion Design with a Historic Accent

Tech Camps held at Macalester, Stanford, and 80+ Universities Ages 7-18

iDTech.com

1-888-709-TECH (8324) 50 February 2014

Campers, ages 12-16, use 21st century technology to create their own designs inspired by historic textiles. Campers look at historic textiles, talk to design pros, then create an original, wearable T-shirt incorporating historic inspiration and your textile ideas. Funding by Best Buy Children’s Foundation.

Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd W St. Paul 651-259-3015 mnhs.org/summercamps

Want to Hug A Horse? Our amazing summer day camps include a daily riding lesson and “hands on” horsey fun. Year round quality lessons for youth and ladies on well-mannered school horses.

Conveniently located via Cedar Avenue or I-35 South; just 15 minutes south of MOA. Visit our website for details!

8315 W 190th St W Lakeville 952-469-4640 goldenridgestables.com

Lost Creek Ranch Lost Creek Ranch Camp Confidence is the best overnight camp for horse crazy kids!

Campers get their “own” horse. Ride a minimum of four hours every day! Individual attention. Make new friends and begin a lifelong passion for horses. Less than one hour from the Twin Cities.

N6842 570th St Beldenville, WI 54003 715-273-6070 lostcreekranch.info

Sunnyside Stables Horsemanship Summer Camp Sunnyside’s camp is a place to discover horses and new friends. Each day includes riding—rain or shine, as we have an indoor and outdoor arena as well as scenic trails. You will discover the basics of grooming, saddling, body language, posture, contact, and balance to develop independent riding skills.

15400 Emery Ave E Rosemount 651-226-2027 sunnysidestables.org

Woodloch Stable Horseback riding weeklong day camps, group and private lessons for 8 year-olds and up. Two-day pony camps and private lessons for 4-8 year-olds. Individualized attention and structured lessons in Western and English riding. We have a professional, patient, and caring staff, as well as safe horses in a clean, modern facility. We are dedicated to giving your child a safe and enjoyable riding experience at an affordable price. Family owned!

5676 170th St Hugo 651-429-1303 woodlochstable.com

Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties Public Trail Riding by Appointment

ADVERTISER LISTINGS

Horsemanship Summer Camp 651-226-2027

Other

Not just on for the ride — learn all the basics about horses. (Ages 6-13)

Minnesota Children’s Museum At Minnesota Children’s Museum, hands-on play builds lifelong learning. Each of our seven galleries is uniquely designed with a child’s busy brain in mind. Every visit is packed with experiences guaranteed to nurture problem solving, fuel fun, and cater to the curious at heart.

10 W Seventh St Downtown St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

weeks available:

June 9, 16, 23 • July 7, 14, 21, 28 • Aug 4, 11, 25 M-F 10am – 3pm sunnyside stables, inc.

Rosemount, Minnesota • sunnysidestables.org Sunnyside Stables MNP 0214 H6.indd 1

1/8/14 11:51 AM

Totino-Grace Summer Camps This summer, Totino-Grace can help your child explore new activities, expand current interests, discover talents, and develop emerging skills. Totino-Grace offers a variety of fine art and athletic summer camp experiences for students in elementary, middle, and high school. Hockey and Swim camps will be held off-site, please see website for details.

1350 Gardena Ave NE Fridley 763-571-9116 totinograce.org/summercamps

Venture Photography At Venture we capture your precious moments in time and beautifully present them in our stunning hand-crafted product.

Our innovative photography, exceptional quality, and first class customer service continues to redefine family photography, creating lasting memories for generations to come.

6551 York Ave Edina 952-345-3392 venturephotography.com/minneapolis

Overnight

LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse these programs. Creative Learning Corporation common shares are listed on OTCBB under the ticker symbol CLCN. © 2013 Bricks 4 Kidz

Bricks 4 Kidz MNP 0114 H6.indd 1

12/17/13 10:28 AM

Camp Agawak for Girls Camp Agawak for Girls, est. 1921, is much more than a traditional camp. It’s an oasis for growth, friendship, and self-discovery.

Quality instruction in over 40 activities.

Schedules tailored to camper interests.

Excitement, adventure, friendships, and fun awaits each camper.

7851 Agawak Rd Minocqua, WI 54548 715-356-5383 agawak.com

MN Landmarks MNP 0812 H6.indd 2

7/13/122014 3:18 PM February 51

R E M M U S R E V O C S I D SUMMER RALLY DAYS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – SUNDAY, MARCH 2

GET SPECIAL DEALS

SAVE $50 on registration

at ymcadiscoversummer.org

SUMMER POWER

Need more information? Attend the

Grades K-5

Saturday, March 1 • 9 a.m. – Noon

now through March 2

Summer Power is your answer to quality care and exciting adventures. We offer flexible 3-, 4-, and 5-day options. Kids enjoy their day in small age appropriate groups and participate in activities such as rafts, group games, sports and weekly field trips.

YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS FAIR

SAVE $15 per session February 28 – March 2

SUMMER SPORTS Grades 1-6 Youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills, practice and play new sports.

Y Summer Sports is a safe, fun, non-competitive sports program designed to build teamwork, leadership skills and self-esteem.

SAVE $50 on registration now through March 2

SUMMER UPROAR Grades 6-8

Register Online

ymcadiscoversummer.org Membership not required.

Financial assistance available.

Summer Preschool SP Kindergarten Summer Power Summer Sports Summer Uproar 13-SP03_MP

Specialty Programs

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Uproar provides an exciting combination of spirited adventure and growth. Participants get their first taste of leadership as they help to plan their summer activities.

Participate in weekly field trips.

YMCA CAMPS YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS CAMP ST. CROIX

Ages 7-16. Located on Lake Wapogasset near Amery, WI. Icaghowan offers traditional camp and a variety of unique specialty camps focused on activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, river canoeing, fishing, technical tree climbing and skateboard camp.

Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

CAMP IHDUHAPI Ages 7-16. Located on Lake Independence just 22 miles west of Minneapolis, MN, Ihduhapi offers youth a traditional experience or sailing and horseback riding specialty camps. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions. Leadership development programs for grades 8-11.

CAMP WARREN Ages 7-16. Camp Warren, located in the north woods on Half Moon Lake near Eveleth, MN, offers girls-only sessions the first part of the summer and boys-only sessions later in the summer. Camp Warren has a strong tradition of progressive activities including sailing, archery, tennis, photography and horseback riding.

YMCA FAMILY CAMP CAMP DU NORD All Ages. Located on the edge of the BWCA on Burntside Lake, Camp du Nord offers a totally unique week-long camping experience for families. Cozy woodland cabins with kitchens range from rustic to upscale. Tent camping sites, full/partial food service also available. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, nature and arts programs are offered as family activities and for children’s age groups. Relax at days end with an authentic Finnish sauna.

TWIN CITIES DAY CAMPS Christmas Tree DayCroix @ Camp St. Croix Guy Robinson

SAVE $30

per session February 28 – March 2

YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES CAMP MENOGYN Ages 12-18. Camp Menogyn is located on the Gunflint Trail 30 miles north of Grand Marais, MN. There are no roads leading to Menogyn, so all campers cross West Bearskin Lake by boat to arrive at this beautiful, intimate wilderness setting. Our focus is on the small group, compassionate guided wilderness canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips that are safe, fun and enriching.

CAMP WIDJIWAGAN Ages 12-18. Located on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN, Widji offers high-quality canoe and backpacking adventures in the BWCA and throughout North America. Widji wilderness trips are focused on respect and values that build skills for life, and a relationship with the environment that is unparalleled.

YMCA Day Camp SAVE $15

per session February 28 – March 2

DAY CAMPS Camp Christmas Tree 6365 Game Farm Rd., Minnetrista, MN 55364, 952-544-7708.

Traditional day camp is located on 45 acres at Dutch Lake near Mound, MN. YMCA Camp St. Croix – DayCroix 532 County Rd. F, Hudson, WI, 612-465-0560.

Traditional day camp is located on 400 acre site overlooking St. Croix River.

Camp Guy Robinson 3100 217th Ave NW, Oak Grove, MN, 763-785-7882. Traditional day camp is located at Lake George Regional Park.

YMCA DAY CAMP AGES 4 - 14 YMCA Day Camp provides a week full of exciting camp activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, camp crafts, cookouts, swimming and more! Day camps facilitate a great introduction to camping in a safe environment. Kids are home each night. Bus transportation is available at most locations.

YMCA DAY CAMPS: SPECIALTY CAMPS Develop a greater passion for the things you love, or try out something new at one of our YMCA specialty camps! Campers spend approximately 2 hours each day in their specialized activity. The remainder of the day is spent enjoying traditional camp activities. ges 4-5 )

CAMP ICAGHOWAN

YMCA Overnight Camp

We eBa ckp ack ers (a

Ages 7-17. Located on Lake St. Croix, two miles south of Hudson, WI. Campers participate in a wide variety of traditional camp activities or select a specialty camp such as horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing and canoeing. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

Camp Heritage 7732 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN; Traditional day camp held across from Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.

YMCA Day Camp Ihduhapi 3425 Ihduhapi Rd., Loretto, MN 55357, 763-479-1146. Located on Lake Independence. Day Camp Ihduhapi offers the beautiful, north woods feel of camp.

Camp Kici Yapi 13220 Pike Lake Trail NE, Prior Lake, MN 55372, 952-835-2567. Traditional day camp is located on 80 acre site in Prior Lake.

Camp Kumalya 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN, 651-731-9507. Traditional day camp held at Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo.

Camp Manitou 9910 Briarwood Ave NE, Monticello, MN 55362, 763-535-4800.

Traditional day camp is located on 1200 acre site on Lake Bertram and Long Lake in Monticello, MN. Camp Spring Lake 13690 Pine Bend Trail Rosemount, MN 55068, 651-456-9622.

Traditional day camp held at Dakota County Spring Lake Park Reserve in Rosemount.

Camp Streefland 11490 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044, 952-898-9622. Traditional day camp is located on Lake Kingsley in Lakeville.

Heritage Ihduhapi Kici Yapi Kumalya Manitou Spring Lake Streefland

For more information:

612-230-9622

ymcadiscoversummer.org Membership not required.

Financial assistance available.

Summer Engineering Camps

advertiser listings

Explore engineering applications & careers • Engage in hands-on team projects & experiments • Build professional & problem solving skills • Enjoy recreational & traditional camp activities

Camp Birchwood

(Itasca Community College – Grand Rapids, MN)

Session 1 Senior High Engineering Science Camp June 16-20 (entering grades 11-12, fall 2014)

Session 2 Senior High Engineering Design Camp July 6-12 (entering grades 10-12, fall 2014)

Session 3 Junior High Engineering Camp July 16-19 (entering grades 7-9, fall 2014)

Call Kim Damiani at 218-322-2370

kimberly.damiani@itascacc.edu http://engineering.itascacc.edu

1851 East Hwy. 169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Itasca Community College MNP 0214 12.indd 1

At Camp Birchwood the experience is about lifelong skills, friendships, and memories that develop at camp. We provide campers with opportunities for making their own choices, encourage them to challenge themselves and to discover who they are through a long list of available activities.

Northern Minnesota 800-451-5270 218-388-4402 Girls Camp: campbirchwood.com Boys Camp: birchwoodforboys.com

1/13/14 10:11 AM

Camp Olson YMCA Since 1954 Camp Olson has been providing unforgettable and life changing experiences for youth and young leaders through quality camping programs. Traditional summer camp available as well as specialty programs in sailing, horseback riding, nature study, and leadership development.

4160 Little Boy Rd NE Longville 218-363-2207 campolson.org

Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Summer Camps All girls, including non-Girl Scouts. Four locations with varied scenery and outdoor opportunities. Traditional and horse camps, wilderness experiences, swimming, boating, biking, archery, arts and crafts, robotics, and more. Day and residential sessions. Financial assistance available.

Camp Elk River, Elk River Camp Lakamaga, Forest Lake Camp Northwoods, Mason, WI Camp Singing Hills, Waterville 800-845-0787 girlscoutsrv.org/camp

specialty Bricks 4 Kidz High-energy, fast paced LEGO® themed camps where kids will discover, explore, invent, and create. In these unique half-day camps, 5-13 year-olds will build incredible motorized creations, play games, and have lots of fun using LEGO® bricks.

West Metro: 612-758-0245 Locations at bricks4kidz.com/ tcwestmetro Southeast Metro: 651-206-2701 Locations at bricks4kidz.com/semetro

54 February 2014

Camp ResouRCe Guide Computer Explorers Technology Summer Camps Nationally recognized technology camps for ages 3–14. Where learning is fun, innovative, challenging, and hands-on.

With over 300 camps in Minnesota, we offer exciting classes in Robotics, Video Game Design, Movie Production, Animation, Solar, Aerospace, Rollercoaster Engineering, and more!

Throughout Minnesota 651-730-9910 computerexplorersmn.com

iD Tech Academies Gain a competitive edge and learn how programming, app development, game design, filmmaking, or photography can become a college degree and even a rewarding career. Two-week, pre-college, intensive summer programs for ages 1318: iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design & Development Academy, and iD Film Academy.

Stanford, Lake Forest, Princeton, & more 888-709-TECH (8324) idtech.com

True Friends’ Camp Courage & Camp Friendship True Friends is the new parent company

of Camp Courage and Camp Friendship.

Offering residential and day camp sessions at five MN locations. Specializing in programs for people with developmental, physical, or learning disabilities. Needbased scholarships are available.

Camp Friendship: 10509 108th St NW, Annandale Camp Courage: 8046 83rd St NW, Maple Lake Camp Eden Wood: 6350 Indian Chief Rd, Eden Prairie Camp Courage North: 37569 Courage N Dr, Lake George Camp New Hope: 53035 Lake Ave, McGregor 800-450-8376 truefriends.org

sports and Fitness Little Gym of Edina, The Anytime Summertime Camp For kids ages 3-12. The most flexible camp in town lets you pick one day or as many as you want! Each week has a fun new theme with games, art, physical activity, and a whole lot of fun.

8223 Hwy 7, St. Louis Park 952-924-0083 thelittlegym.com/edinamn

childcare/education 55-56 • Miscellaneous 56 party pages 57 • recreation 57 • retail 57

Revolutionary Sports Provides weekly instructional classes and camps that combine learning sports and child development for a positive, sports experience. Over 15 sports offered. Classes start at age 2. Camps start at age 4 and offered during spring break, no-school days, weekends, evenings, and summer. Half-day, full-day, early drop-off, late pick-up.

Metrowide Locations 612-234-7782 revolutionarysports.org

Richfield Gymnastics Club Summer Day Camps Richfield Gymnastics Club offers summer day camps Monday through Thursday mornings, throughout August. Fun, fitnessbuilding, themed activities, and gymnastics instruction. Camps are open to girls and boys, ages 5+ of all ability levels. Packages start at $70 per week.

Richfield High School Gymnasium Entrance 7001 Harriet Ave S Richfield 612-798-6386 richfieldgymnasticsclub.org

• new & expecting MoMs 57

Free Class!

Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Offering classes for Infants through Preschool Free Mom & Ba by Classes

Join us for a free class at any of our studio locations

Childcare Providers: we can come to you!

Plymouth/Minnetonka Maplewood Rochester

www.growingwithmusic.com ~ info@growingwithmusic.com

Call 952-935-5588 and schedule a tour! www.misamigosimmersion.com

Locations in Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Paul, and St. Paul Park 1/22/14 2:58 PM February 2014 55

MNP 0214 Classifieds.indd 1 Growing With Music MNP 0114 3cx2.2.indd 1

12/13/13 10:08 Mis Amigos AM MNP 0114 2cx2.2.indd 1

12/18/13 10:54 AM

Maple Tree Cottage South Mpls. Preschool Program • Waldorf-Inspired Program • Trained, Licensed Teacher • Mornings with Lunch Option • Organic Whole Foods Snacks www.mtcottage.com

Learning Center & Day Care

Rainbow Montessori

(612)724.8957

6 Weeks — School Age

952-888-8052 rainbowmontessoriinc.com

Creative Kids Academy

Maple Tree Cottage MNP 0613 1cx1.indd 4/29/13 Rainbow 8:31 1 AM Montessori MNP 1113 2cx1.indd 1

16 months – Pre-K7:46 AM 10/21/13

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Anoka * Centerville * Lexington * Maple Grove * Minnetonka Mounds View * Orono (Old Hill School) – 952-473-1225

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763-550-0219 nanniesheartland.com

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Young Adult Our greatest love & our greatest challenge!!!

We are Therapists resolving family stress in a very modern way.

Referrals, resources, relief.... help with defiance, depression, drug dependency, eating disorders & everything in-between.

Playing Singing Ear Training Composing Ages 3-Adult CYMS Edina: Edina Community Center 5701 Normandale Rd

See our directory at mnparent.com

CYMS Roseville: Hamline Center 2819 Hamline Ave N

It will get better & we can help.

FREE phone consult Immediate Gratification ASAP 612-964-9607 balfourtherapy.com

CHILDREN’S YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL Celebrating Over 40 Musical Years in Minnesota!

Click on “Resources”

www.cyms.ws • 612-339-2255

MNP Education Section Minneapolis MNP 2011 8/8/11 1cx2.2 12:08 Children's filler.indd PM The Yamaha 1 Sculpture MNP 0114 2cx2.2.indd 1 “Downtown Gardens,

is our backdrop...

presents 12/11/13 Balfour 4:32 PM Therapy MNP NR1 2cx3.4.indd 1

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2 014 Child Garden has been a leader in the all-day, all-year Montessori Environment for over 50 years

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1/23/14 10:32 AM

More than 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms every year because they got into medicines while their parent or caregiver was not looking.

Keep your child safe.

Always put every medicine and vitamin up and away every time you use it. Also, program your poison control center’s number in your phone: 800.222.1222.

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mnparent.com

1/15/14 4:52 PM 1/23/142014 10:21 AM February 57

Real Life are supposed to be like. So you have so much more room to play around.

“Kids are demanding readers — they want your characters and they want your stories, your very best ones.”

real mom

Anne Ursu Celebrated author Anne Ursu’s newest work, The Real Boy, has been accepted with open arms by middle grade and adult readers alike. Ursu, living with her son Dash, spoke to us about her inspiration, process, and the exciting opportunities that fantasy writing affords her.

— Zoe Gahan

Q&a

Did you read much as a child?

All the time. We’d go to Walker Library [in Minneapolis] most weeks, and I’d take out a huge stack of books. My mom says I’d disappear into my room with them on Friday night and come out on Monday morning with them all read. I think reading was my favorite activity.

Are there particular challenges in writing children’s books?

There’s an idea that writing for kids is somehow easy, but it’s not. Kids are demanding readers — they want your characters and they want your stories, your very best ones.

There’s no time to indulge yourself, to make wrong turns, to wander through pastures made of your own words. These stories need to have really solid cores. The benefit is that kids are really open-minded readers; they don’t have preconceived notions of what stories

58 February 2014

What’s the most rewarding part of your day?

My little boy and I sit on my bed every night and read books together. It is my favorite thing ever.

You’ve spoken about your family’s experience with Asperger’s, and its reflection in The Real Boy’s main character Oscar. Have you learned anything unexpected as you explored it in your work?

My son has Asperger’s and I wanted to write a book that explored what it might feel like to have your brain work that way. I didn’t want to write a direct Asperger’s story, but address it indirectly. And I wanted Dash to have a book where a boy like him got to be a hero. To get into the head of the character, I’d have to try to figure out the why behind so many things — why wouldn’t he like to look people in the eye? I found a study that said it stimulated the fight-or-flight reflex; the brain responds as if it is confronted by a predator. But writing requires becoming your protagonist in a way, and that’s always a profound experience, this one was no exception.

What do you hope readers gain from your stories, or fantasy novels in general?

I love fantasy because it functions as a great narrative metaphor. It allows you to write about really big ideas, and to put characters in situations where they have to deal with epic questions like the worth of a human life and personal responsibility and the nature of good. As adults, we can dismiss fantasy and children’s books in general, but fantasy gives kids a ton of credit for being able to think metaphorically and engage with these big ideas. And the fabulous thing about a child reader is if they don’t understand something in a book they’ll read it again. Fantasy often takes kids and puts them in impossible situations and then turns them into heroes, and what more could you want for a child reader?

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