Charlotte Parent Charlotte Jan 2020

January 2020 • FREE

theTHY

L HEA ILIES FAMSUE IS

PARK THE PLOW

How snowplow parenting can hinder a child’s success

Nourishing Your Tribe Local experts share healthy changes you can make at home

Navigating Technology

Everything you need to know about TikTok

charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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CONTENT ›› JANUARY 2020

14

Complementary Health Approaches for Kids Expert advice on dietary supplements and home remedies

18

Nourishing Your Tribe In a world of fast food and hectic schedules, local experts share healthy changes you can make now

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Positive Parenting Homing in on your strengths in times of stress pays off for the whole family

HUNT AND YORK PHOTOGRAPHY; MATTHEW MURPHY; COURTESY

IN EVERY ISSUE 2 5 9 10 11 12 13 32

Editor’s Letter FYI Get to Know Excursion Growing Up Thrive Families Managing Media Daddy Derek

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CALENDAR 24 25 26 28 31

Our Picks Daily Calendar On Stage Must-See Shows Top Five Exhibits for Families

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18 charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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›› EDITOR’S NOTE

What’s New at Charlotte Parent

morrismedianetwork.com

It’s a new year, and you may have

PUBLISHER

Allison Hollins

noticed there’s a new name and face on

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

this editor’s note, too.

Emma Way

Starting this year, Charlotte Parent is

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

integrated under the Charlotte magazine

Taylor Bowler

brand. As lifestyle editor, I have this

ART DIRECTOR

Melissa Stutts

platform to share the challenges, realties, and hilarities of raising kids. I’ll

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR

Andy Smith

have the talented editorial staff from Charlotte magazine behind me on this

MEDIA CONSULTANT

Kathy Thompson • kathy.thompson@morris.com

endeavor, and each month we’ll bring you expert advice, parenting news, and

MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK

stories of families in and around the Queen City.

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING

Donald Horton

As a parent of two young children myself, I’m excited to build a

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES

community where we can swap stories, share tips, and provide real

Karen Fralick

guidance for navigating this life-altering experience of raising a child.

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Cher Wheeler

We’ll feature fun things to do with kids in and around the city—and fun things to do without them, too. You’ll find guides for children at every

CONTACT US charlotteparent.com

stage, from sleep training to college admission.

214 W. Tremont Ave., Ste. 303, Charlotte, NC 28203 phone: 704-344-1980 • fax: 704-344-1983 email: info@charlotteparent.com advertising@charlotteparent.com

In this month’s Healthy Families issue, Liz Rothaus Bertrand breaks down dietary supplements and home remedies for kids (p. 14), and

Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Charlotte Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Vanessa Infanzon explores ways to nourish your family (p. 18). We also introduce a new column, “Getting the Picture,” (p. 6) by Andy Smith, director of digital content. Join him and his 5-year-old daughter, Elliot, at the Mint Museum Uptown as he gets her thoughts on the artwork, and see how the experience develops her visual literacy.

There are so many dimensions to a healthy family and so many ways to foster healthy mindsets in your children. That’s the thing about parenting: If there were one right way to raise a child, we would all be doing it. We hope this—and every—issue offers useful, judgment-free guidance that you can adapt to your family.

A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901

Happy New Year!

HAVE IDEAS TO SHARE? Email editor@charlotteparent.com.

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JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

HEATHER DINEEN

Chairman William S. Morris III

President & CEO William S. Morris IV

Every school has a story

What’s to Come in 2020 In addition to our roundup of things to do in January, we give you a look at the year ahead on our website.

Look for major concerts, festivals, and much more on our “Things to Do” page.

.../thingstodo

The Digital Issue Connect to Charlotte Parent when you’re on the go with the magazine’s tablet edition, available via magzter.com. It’s free with a quick sign-up. magzter.com.

...welcome to ours!

Accepting Applications Discover our story when you tour with us!

Click on the ADMISSIONS tab of our website to schedule your visit.

Our “Kids Eat Free” Directory “Kids Eat Free” is the most popular category on our family dining resource guide. Find out where and when the kiddos can enjoy a free meal with the purchase of an adult item—at beloved spots such as JJ’s Red Hots, Pizza Peel, and many more.

Serving 960+ Students | Grades K-12 | carmelchristian.org

…/kidseatfree

Camp Woodie is a coed summer camp for 7-16 year olds with a mission to pass on the legacy of our wildlife heritage to the next generation.

Camp Woodie Photo by Charlotte Ballet

facebook.com/ cltparent

twitter.com/ charlotteparent

pinterest.com/ charlotteparent

instagram.com/ charlotteparent

campwoodie wildlifeedcenter.org

charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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Having better health means you can live a better life. It’s what we all want for ourselves, our families and our community. At Atrium Health, that’s what drives us every day. We’re always pursuing a higher bar, a higher standard, to find better ways to care for you – so that we can all enjoy a better life.

›››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››› FYI Maple Cinnamon Acorn Squash Baby Food

Recipe Courtesy of Craig Barbour, chef and owner of Roots Catering

INGREDIENTS 1 acorn squash (organic or local) 1 tablespoon organic maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups water

Family Man of Strudel

Strudel Shop co-owners Dee Hang (left) and Kevin Kelly (right) with Kelly’s grandma, Ginger.

EMMA WAY

BY EMMA WAY

In the Strudel Shop’s kitchen, Kevin Kelly stretches a sheet of dough over a stainless steel counter and shakes it in a motion that resembles ocean waves. Soon the dough will make up the crust for an apple strudel, which he’ll sell from a sliding window on 15th Street in Optimist Park. But for now, Kevin needs a few extra hands to finish the job.

“Grab that corner,” he tells Dee Huang, co-owner of The Strudel Shop and Kevin’s childhood best friend. Dee chuckles and responds, “Yes, chef!” Kevin directs his grandmother Ginger to another corner and me to the last corner. Together we pinch and tug on the flour-covered dough and drape it over the edges of the table until it’s so thin, it looks like tablecloth.

I planned to interview Kevin and Dee about their new business for a half-hour or so on this November afternoon. But Kevin wanted his grandmother, who has always been a big supporter of his pastry career, to be there too—and she needed a ride from Kevin’s mom, which meant Kevin’s dad and stepmom had to come as well. Tack on a couple of friends, and the Strudel Shop’s tiny kitchen was at capacity. But two hours in, the room is still full of smiles.

As 86-year-old Ginger helps with the dough, she shares stories of a teenaged Kevin baking for holidays and special events—she even brought a couple of photo albums to show me. In one picture, taken in the early 2000s, Kevin and Ginger sit next to a display of Christmas cookies, one of many treats Kevin baked for a Christmas party for Ginger’s choir group. “He baked every bit of that in one day,” Ginger says, looking up at Kevin and beaming. “I want to cry thinking about it.” In another photo, Kevin studies a sheet of dough as if he’s inspecting it with a magnifying glass.

Kevin is just as serious about strudel today as a new business owner in Area 15, a small business incubator just north of uptown. The Strudel Shop opened in early November CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

INSTRUCTIONS Note: Do not preheat the oven 1. Carefully cut the squash in half (it does not matter if it is laterally or longitudinally). Scoop out the loose pulp and the seeds.

2. Combine the cinnamon and maple syrup and rub the mixture into the cavity of the squash.

3. Pour the water into at 7x11 casserole dish or roasting pan. Place the squash in the pan, cavity side down and skin side up. Place in the oven and set your oven to 350F. 4. Cook for about an hour or until you can see the skin has started separating from the squash. (You can tell this is happening by gently pushing on the outside of the squash with a wooden spoon. If the skin seems like it is hollow or pushes in easily, then they are ready).

5. Remove them from the oven and let them rest on your counter. In minutes, all of the moisture in the pan will absorb into the squash. And then about 15 minutes later it will have released again.

6. Now is the time to puree. It should be soft enough to whip with a stand mixer, or by hand with a whisk and a mixing bowl. Once it’s smooth, slowly add back some of the liquid from the pan until you have reached your desired consistency.

Note: This squash will freeze and thaw without losing much integrity. If you choose to freeze it in containers, you will notice when it thaws that the liquids and solids separate. Just give it a shake or a stir and it will be right back to normal. charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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GETTING THE PICTURE

‘Coined in the South’ An art critic and his 5–year-old daughter offer their thoughts on a Mint Museum exhibit

BY ANDY SMITH AND ELLIOT SMITH

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JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

VISUAL LITERACY ICEBREAKERS Questions to ask your kids (or yourself) on a gallery visit to get the conversation flowing: In response to an abstract painting: If this painting were making a noise, what would it sound like?

In response to a figurative sculpture: What do you think is happening around this person?

In response to any work: How does this make you feel?

“People, # 49, 50, 51,” Denise Stewart-Sanabria Crafted in charcoal and pastel pencil on plywood, Stewart-Sanabria crafts life-sized depictions of people, often sourced from gallery shows the artist herself attends.

Elliot: Oooh, Daddy. Look at this.

Dad: Oh, yeah, these are all drawings on wood.

Elliot: (Peering around the other side of the center figure) Oh, he doesn’t have a face.

Dad: So I guess we’re supposed to only see this side of him? The artist wants us learn about him from this angle?

Elliot: Yeah, only the girls have faces, but not the boy. And I think they’re lost in the snow.

Dad: Maybe, because of their clothes? Why do you think only some of their faces are shown?

Elliot: Because they’re only statues. Can you take a picture of me here?

ANDY SMITH

MY 5-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN attending art shows and exhibitions with me since infanthood. Elliot does indeed say the darndest things, but that’s not why I wanted to start a column about visual art that gives her a voice. Simply, I think her eyes are just as capable of extracting meaning from a gallery visit as a grad student specializing in Flemish Baroque painting. Her “visual literacy,” or the ability to make meaning from images, is in a particularly chaotic period of formation right now. One of the beauties of art is that it finds us wherever we are in life, and no matter our familiarity with its endless depths of history and context, the door is open. That’s why we decided to start this column: Getting the Picture.

Our first visit brings us to The Mint Museum Uptown’s “Coined in the South.” Running through February 16, this is the fourth annual show from The Young Affiliates, the museum’s social arts group comprised mostly of millennials. The juried effort is to showcase “established and emerging artists currently working in and/or from the Southeast.” Below, Elliot and I have chosen our favorite pieces from the exhibition, along with our thoughts about each one. For the purposes of clarity, I’m identifying myself as “Dad” below, and I’ve offered no context to Elliot before she offers her insights:

Family Man of Strudel “The Old Fox,” Yvette L. Cummings This stirring acrylic painting speaks to both memory and trauma survival. Cummings often toys with focus and utilizes a collage-like approach to detail to further underscore how our brains remember.

Dad: So what do you think of this one?

Elliot: I think the painter did a good job on the fox.

Dad: Is that because it’s the most detailed thing in the painting?

Elliot: Yeah.

Dad: Well, this painter is talking about memories, so she’s made some things fuzzy and other things very clear. That’s how memory seems to work, huh?

Elliot: Yeah. Will you take a picture of me in front of it?

Dad: Yeah.

“Blonde Winch,” Chloe Rager One of the more conceptual pieces in the show, this installation consists of a hook and chain tethered to a block by blonde hair, which actually belonged to the artist. The ability for the hair to withstand the tension speaks to resilience and societal constraints.

Elliot: I think it’s a trap.

Dad: Oh, because of the hook?

Elliot: Yeah, and I think that’s Rapunzel’s hair. I think Rapunzel is letting hair down with that, actually.

Dad: Wow. How does that make you feel?

Elliot: Daddy, potty. I gotta go potty.

ANDY SMITH is the digital content director of this magazine.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

and offers a base menu of four slices of strudel for $6 each: cinnamon apple (with house-made rum raisin ice cream); berry cream cheese; ham, egg, and Apple strudel cheese; and tzatziki spinach. and rum raisin ice cream.

Dee and Kevin plan to add specials to the menu soon—maybe one with Asian influence to represent Dee’sCambodian heritage.

Kevin’s 7-year-old son Liam’s favorite is the berry and cream cheese strudel, which is no surprise as it’s the sweetest strudel on the menu.

I notice that no one in the packed kitchen has a German or Austrian accent, so I ask why they chose to focus on strudel.

Kevin cracks a smile, “This is redneck strudel.”

Jokes aside, Kevin and Dee say they noticed a gap in the pastry offerings in Charlotte. There’s French bakeries and Mexican ice cream parlors, but no brick-and-mortar shops to purchase strudel. “We wanted to bring something that people aren’t used to having,” Kevin says. “Americans don’t know strudel.”

Dee and Kevin chose Optimist Park to open the Strudel Shop because of their own local roots. Both grew up in Charlotte, within a few miles of the shop—Kevin in NoDa, and Dee in Belmont. They met as students at Irwin Avenue Elementary School (now Irwin Academic Center) and have remained friends since. Kevin even baked Dee’s wedding cake 15 years ago. “I know Kevin’s skill, so why wouldn’t I give this a chance?” Dee says.

Kevin has a culinary degree from Central Piedmont Community College, and worked in kitchens throughout the city including Bistro la Bon, 5Church, and the now-closed Kelly’s, which his late uncle John Kelly co-owned. He’s also an acupuncturist and owner of Rising Sun Acupuncture. Dee is a supervisor at the Charlotte-based manufacturer APLIX. The Strudel Shop is open from Thursday to Sunday, but they hope to extend their hours eventually. When asked how he balances it all—fatherhood, small business ownership (times two)—Kevin jokes, “How does Gordon Ramsey juggle 2,030 restaurants?” (The number is more like 35, but his point stands.)

The Strudel Shop also sells whole strudel logs for $30 so you can share the “magical” strudel, as Ginger calls it, with your own grandma … and mom, dad, and stepmom … and kids and friends, too.

EMMA WAY is editor-in-chief of Charlotte magazine. charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

PEOPLE show up within 24 hours on their doorstep with new jammies, books, age-appropriate toys, and a hygiene pack.

What else does Foster Village Charlotte do?

Jamie: Welcome packs are really only about 10 percent of it. The rest is connecting parents with counseling, helping children deal with trauma, helping them get specialized medical service. We have a resource center (located at 4919 Monroe Rd.) where we host our family gatherings and educational training. We house in-season welcome packs there, and we have four storage units across Charlotte that house larger items like cribs or car seats.

The Doyle family, from left to right: Rose, Sloan, Jamie, Baby Z, Ruth, and Nora.

GET TO KNOW:

Sloan Crawford and Jamie Doyle

BY TAYLOR BOWLER

Sloan Crawford and her husband Jamie Doyle entered the world of foster care after adopting their three girls: Ruth, 7, Rose, 6, and Nora, 4. Their first placement in 2016 grew their family to five girls under the age of four. Today, they’re foster parents to Baby Z, 21 months, and they provide frequent respite care to a number of children in the city’s foster system. Their experience inspired Sloan to co-found Foster Village Charlotte, a non-profit organization that provides support to other foster families in the community.

COURTESY

What drew you to the foster system?

Jamie: The decision to foster came from Sloan’s desire to serve. She said, ‘We have room in our home, room in our hearts, and I think we should do this.’

Why is there a need for a foster village in Charlotte?

Sloan: Right now, Mecklenburg County has approximately 600 kids in foster care, and about 80 licensed foster homes, so there’s a big gap. There’s a 30- to 50- percent drop-out rate (from foster parents) after the first year, and the number one reason is isolation and lack of support. So we created Foster Village Charlotte to create fellowship and support, to say, ‘We see you, and you’re not alone.’

How did you build your network?

Sloan: I got together with three other foster moms—Molly Zalewski, Becky Santoro, and Traci Prillaman. None of us knew each other three years ago—we met on Facebook as struggling foster parents, waving a white flag, trying to support ourselves. We soft-launched Foster Village Charlotte three years ago and fully incorporated in July 2018.

What’s an immediate need you see with new foster families?

Sloan: When children come into foster care, it’s usually an emergency situation and they’re removed without any planning, so they’ll have no clothes, diapers, car seats … anything. So we started a Welcome Pack program. We’ll

What is your greatest hope for each child you foster?

Sloan: The number one question we get is, ‘How can you give a child back?’ Yeah, it sucks, but the whole point is to fall in love with a child, because every child deserves to be loved and cared for. Then you maintain a healthy relationship when they go back to the bio(logical) parents—that’s the hope.

How can people get involved?

Sloan: You don’t have to be a foster parent to support and stabilize a family taking care of a child in crisis. There are lots of opportunities—Girl Scout troops bake cookies for us for our welcome packs, we have volunteer babysitters, people who donate freezer meals—there’s lots of ways to contribute. We hold events throughout the year, too. Last summer we had our oneyear birthday celebration at NoDa Brewing Company, and $1 from each draft beer sold went to our Welcome Pack program.

Visit fostervillagecharlotte.org or facebook.com/ fostervillagecharlotte for more information and ways to get involved.

TAYLOR BOWLER is lifestyle editor of this magazine. charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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EXCURSION

The picturesque Southern city is a college students’ playground.

As a weekend getaway, it never gets old Savannah is, and will always be, a magical and quirky place oozing with charm. As a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the early 2000s, I had my favorite coffee house, pizza joint, and dive bar. Now, as a parent of two young kids, my family has our favorite hotel pool, ice cream shop, and toy store. We make the four-hour drive from Charlotte to Savannah at least once a year, and the cobblestoned squares, manicured parks, and antebellum architecture always welcome us back. —Taylor Bowler

STAY

EAT Stroll through City Market, and you’ll find upscale seafood, wings, and a daiquiri dispensary, but for the best bang for your buck, head to Vinnie Van Go-Go’s. A slice of pizza is $3.50 (cash only), and hangs off the hubcap-sized plate it arrives on. Vinnie’s is always packed, but most kids don’t mind a 30-minute wait when they can watch the pizza bakers sling oversized discs of dough in the open kitchen.

Sit outside and order a pitcher of cheap beer.

When you’re done, take your adult beverage to go (because you can do that in Savannah!), or treat yourself to a praline or a scoop of ice cream at Savannah’s Candy Kitchen next door.

Then grab a spot outside and listen to live music as the sun goes down.

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“The Hostess City” has plenty of B&Bs, but if you’re traveling with kids, consider the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, , or as mine call it, “the one where you take the boat to get everywhere.” The hotel sits on the banks of the Savannah River, directly across from River Street, so you catch a complimentary 90-second ferry to get downtown. Boats depart every 30 minutes, so leave your car at the hotel and get those steps in. Then come back and relax at the outdoor pool with cabanas, hammocks, and a poolside bar and grill. Kids can run through the splash pad or stop to watch the giant container ships pass through the port.

JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

DO Savannah is synonymous with ghost tours and riverboat cruises, but if you’d rather leave your day unscheduled and skip the tourist traps, just go for a walk through the historic district’s 22 scenic squares.

Grab a picnic table at Ellis Square while the kids run through the shooting water fountains (which light up with different colors at night). Or catch a movie at the historic Lucas Theatre and go back to the golden age of cinema— but with air conditioning.

Pop into ShopSCAD, a boutique-style gallery where you can buy original artwork by SCAD students and faculty. And if you do nothing more than wander the squares and sit beneath the giant oak trees and Spanish moss, you’re still doing it right.

SAVANNAH AFTER DARK Need a night off from the kids? Of course you do.

Check out these adultsonly destinations: Rocks on the River.

Savor a plate of seafood linguini at this riverfront restaurant in the Bohemian Hotel; then take the elevator up to Rocks on the Roof. Sip on a Savannah Mule and enjoy views of the city skyline, or have a seat around the fire pit and listen to live music.

Rocks on the River at the Bohemian Hotel, 102 W. Bay St., kesslercollection. com/rocks-river-grill Lulu’s Chocolate Bar. Indulge your late night sweet tooth with a cake, tart, or fondue at this glamorous downtown spot.

Or drink your dessert with a salted caramel martini or a “Lulutini,” made with vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Lulu’s sipping chocolate.

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, 42 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., luluschocolatebar.com The Bar Bar. OK, so this one might actually be a hit with your kids, too, if it weren’t, well, a bar. Play Battleship and foosball and drink beer at this underground watering hole. Don’t forget to grab a red Solo cup at the door on your way out.

The Bar Bar, 219 W. Julian St., thebarbar.com

COURTESY

Dear Savannah

GROWING UP says clinical psychologist and mother of four, Dr. Michelle P. Maidenberg.

To effectively walk the line between snowplow parent and strong advocate, ask yourself whether the situation in question puts your child’s physical or emotional safety at risk. When the answer is yes, as with bullying, get involved. If the answer is no—for example, your child doesn’t like their assigned locker partner’s messy habits or a new teacher’s grading policies—the situation calls for parental support, rather than intervention. Help a frustrated or disappointed child determine how to navigate a situation, then step back. This serves them better than engineering a swift resolution yourself.

TEEN YEARS // 13-18

Park the Plow How snowplow parenting hinders a child’s success

BY MALIA JACOBSON

Driving your children to school whenever they miss the bus. Switching soccer teams after a disagreement with the coach. Polishing homework projects and admission essays. What do these scenarios have in common? They’re all examples of snowplow parenting, the increasingly common practice of removing obstacles from your child’s path. Per a recent New York Times poll, up to three-quarters of parents admit to snowplow behaviors.

Snowplow parents think they’re clearing the way for success, but in reality, they prevent their child from learning how to solve problems, resolve conflicts, and manage relationships.

They rob them of the resourcefulness and resilience that breeds competency.

Sound familiar? If you’ve adopted a few of these practices, you’re not alone. Here’s how to turn your snowplow around.

COURTESY

EARLY YEARS // 0-5

Small snowplows With younger children, snowplow parenting can mean steering your child away from scenarios that stir strong feelings, or going out of your way to prevent a negative experience.

When you leave work to drop off a forgotten homework assignment so your child won’t miss their deadline, you protect them from embarrassment, regret, and frustration—but this also prevents them from learning how to cope when these feelings arise.

“Research shows that children who have been overly protected from their own emotions lack a sense of agency over their own lives and are more prone to develop unfulfilling relationships in the future,” says Kamini

Wood, a certified life and resilience coach for girls, teens, and young women in Cary, North Carolina. Rather than helping your little one avoid every distressing moment, encourage an “I can handle it” mindset.

ELEMENTARY YEARS // 6-12

Skill-building Strong self-advocacy skills—that is, the ability to stand up for oneself—are important to master, especially for school-aged kids. They’ll have plenty of opportunities for practice, from playground politics to homework dramas to sports scuffles. When snowplow parents step in to smooth over these conflicts before children can resolve them independently, they prevent kids from learning to self-advocate,

Machine wars Snowplow parents often shift into high gear during the teen years because the stakes are higher, according to Maidenberg. “Our parenting is directly impacted by what’s going on in our society culturally, politically, socially, and economically,” she says. “Today’s children are facing more volatility with higher youth suicide rates, the opioid and vaping epidemic, and increasing competition to get into college.”

Well-meaning parents who want to relieve some of this pressure can easily slip into snowplow parenting.

This starts when you act as your child’s alarm clock, remind them about homework assignments and deadlines, or use your connections to help them land coveted internships or jobs. Instead, establish a regular weekly check-in with your teen to touch base on homework, test prep, and work responsibilities. Give your teen tools to stay organized, like a wall calendar, digital reminder app, or a planner. And when problems arise, employ a simple phrase to keep the snowplow at bay. Instead of, “What can I do?” ask, “How can I support you?”

MALIA JACOBSON is a nationally published health journalist and author of Ready, Set, Sleep: 50 Ways to Help Your Child Sleep, So You Can Sleep Too. charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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THRIVE Create a space for a learning opportunity. If your child is in the kitchen with you while you cook, teach them the names of different foods. If you have older or more advanced children, show them how to prepare simple meals. Jacob eats popcorn every day, so I decided he should learn how to make it on his own. Although he was engaged in the learning process, it took quite a few tries before he could do it independently and successfully.

While making popcorn, we learned about numbers, timers, and the word “popcorn” on the microwave button.

Jacob also learned about being patient and what it means when I say something is scorching hot.

A Fresh Space for Your Child with Special Needs

BY BEA MOISE

For the majority of Americans, the start of a new year means setting new goals and resolutions. However, if you are a parent of a special needs child, your goals might look a bit different. Depending on where you are on your special needs journey, goal setting may not be something you consider. Children with special needs are often developmentally delayed because their parents set lower expectations based on what they think is appropriate for their child. So, what does this mean? This is an excellent time to create an environment where your child can achieve independence.

Set up their room for success. A child’s bedroom can help foster independence while increasing executive function skills like organizing, planning, and prioritizing. If your child has difficulties getting ready in the morning, it is often because they lack executive function skills. Creating a morning to-do list can help a child get dressed and prepare for the day, without much aid from the parent. But I must caution you: the implementation is a lot of work. Building a new skill may take a couple of tries before a new habit is formed. Be patient and consistent.

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JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

Design a sensory exploration space. A few years ago, I created a calm down space for my son. It was a little nook underneath the staircase filled with sensory exploration items.

The space was small, dark, and quiet, so Jacob loved it. It was a place he would go to selfsoothe, and he would go there often. Create a designated space where your child can go to regulate their emotions during a meltdown. For kids with sensory difficulties, it’s important to learn what options they have within the home when they are feeling overwhelmed.

Teach new skills and let mistakes happen. Embrace the fact that learning a new skill takes a great deal of mental and physical energy, and it’s much easier for a parent to swoop in and fix it when a child struggles. Remember the saying, “diamonds are created under pressure.” The right amount of pressure coupled with proper support can help a child with special needs feel accomplished by achieving something new. If you want to prepare your child for the future, allow them to make mistakes, correct those mistakes, and learn something new while doing it.

BEA MOISE is a board certified cognitive specialist, national speaker, and creator of A Child Like Mine, a company to educate parents of children with unique behavioral and learning needs. Reach her at bmoise@southeastpsych.com

FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA profile page. Tap the three little dots on the upper right-hand side of the screen. Select “Privacy and Safety.” Then you’ll have the option to flip a toggle switch to make the account private. You can also set up your account so that only Friends on the app may comment, perform “duets” (split-screen videos), or send DMs.

Parents Navigating Technology Everything you need to know about TikTok

BY COURTNEY LEE

If you have a child who uses a mobile device, chances are you’ve heard of the wildly popular app TikTok. As of 2019, TikTok had a whopping one billion users. TikTok is all the rage with Gen Z—but is it safe for kids? This guide breaks down everything you need to know to decide if TikTok is right for your child.

What is TikTok? TikTok lets users create 15-second videos that may include anything from dance challenges to comedy sketches. Formerly known as Musical.ly, the app was introduced in 2017 by a Chinese developer. TikTok filled the void for a short-form video app after the popular app Vine shut down.

How does TikTok work?

TikTok is a free app that you can download onto any mobile device. Once installed, it prompts you to create an account using a phone number, email address, Facebook sign-in, or Instagram sign-in. After you sign up, the app can search your phone or social media contacts to connect with people you know who are also using the app.

Similar to Instagram and Twitter, TikTok uses hashtags to help users find the type of content they want to see. For kids, common hashtags relate to trending or viral dances, songs, or memes.

Who can use TikTok? Users are supposed to be at least 13 years old to create a TikTok account; minors under 18 need parental permission. However, there is no real way to enforce this. All kids have to do is enter a fake birthdate, and they’re in.

New TikTok accounts are public by default.

Any user can see your videos, send direct messages, or see your location. The good news is there are privacy settings that allow you to limit contact to people you know.

To make an account private, go to your

How can I keep my kid safe on TikTok? Beyond the privacy features, there are other steps you can take to safeguard their child’s TikTok use. The app has a “Digital Wellbeing” feature that allows parents to create a fourdigit PIN that prevents kids from turning off privacy settings or content filters. The Digital Wellbeing feature can also regulate screen time and restrict and block objectionable content.

But remember: the restricted mode filter isn’t perfect, and shouldn’t be a substitute for realtime parental monitoring.

It’s also crucial to talk to your kids about the “fame bug.” Like other platforms, TikTok has its own group of famous users—many of which are children themselves. It’s vital to have honest conversations about internet fame, and why chasing it can be harmful. Make sure your children understand the seriousness of conducting themselves on camera in a safe, cautious way. You may think your child would never do anything inappropriate on camera, but even adults fall prey to the dopamine rush that comes from getting likes or views.

Join in on the fun!

Consider opening a joint account with your children and make videos together. But spend some time on the app first to understand the vibe. Then start recording your lip-synching and dancing.

If your older child isn’t into sharing virtual space with Mom or Dad, you can still create your own profile to follow your child’s account.

When used responsibly, TikTok fosters creativity and can be a lot of fun.

COURTNEY LEE is a Charlotte-based freelance writer and mom of one. She and her 11-year-old daughter love bookstores and BuzzFeed quizzes. charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH APPROACHES

for Kids

BY LIZ ROTHAUS BERTRAND

Everywhere we look these days, dietary supplements, home remedies, or mind and body practices claim to be the next best thing to cure ailments and improve wellness.

According to the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the number of adults and kids using at least some complementary health approach is on the rise. Between 2012 and 2017, the percentage of children practicing yoga more than doubled, and the rate of children practicing meditation increased from 0.6 percent to 5.4 percent.

From bone broths to yoga, here’s a look at a variety of complementary health approaches with expert advice on their safety and effectiveness.

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Defining Complementary Health More people are using complementary health approaches, but what are they, exactly?

“Complementary health approaches are using the body’s immune system and strengthening the body’s own resources to fight illness rather than (using) medication,” says Dr. Maria-Ana Temple of Integrative Health Carolinas. As a pediatrician trained in both conventional and functional medicine, she focuses on nutrition and lifestyle with an emphasis on prevention.

“We begin with a complementary approach from birth.”

Integrative medicine uses the best of both worlds, explains Dr. Sheila Kilbane of Infinite Health. After finishing her medical residency, she grew frustrated as she repeatedly prescribed antacids for 3-monthold babies, steroids for eczema, or saw patients with recurrent bouts of colic, sinus infections, and constipation. “I knew I was just putting a Band-Aid on this stuff and I knew that I had to look deeper,” she says.

Patients started telling her things, too— like a breast-feeding mom who noticed her child’s eczema disappeared when she cut dairy from her diet. Once she saw how certain nutritional changes reduced or eliminated many chronic childhood ailments, Kilbane turned to friends who specialized in naturopathy to learn more about natural and nutritional therapies. “(I) started to understand that there were these triggers for inflammation and the answer wasn’t always to give a steroid,” says Kilbane, who later completed a fellowship under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Weil, widely known as the “Father of Integrative Medicine.”

While our bodies need a certain amount of inflammation to heal properly, an overabundance makes us more susceptible to illness. Food, environmental allergies, environmental toxins, infectious diseases, and stress can all trigger excess inflammation. “We’re never going to eliminate all these things,” Kilbane says. But improved nutrition paired with certain complementary health approaches can help improve our overall health.

Supplements for Immune Health Good nutrition is a vital component of wellness, but experts say most Americans eat too much sugar, fast food, and highly processed food. Are dietary supplements the answer?

Widely available and purporting all sorts of health benefits, dietary supplements are not actually regulated by the FDA before going on the market. That means you’re taking the manufacturer’s word that the product is safe and effective. “Honestly, it’s like the wild, wild west out there,” Temple says. “(Supplements are) the first thing that people think of when they think of complementary medicine, and it’s really a very wrong way of thinking. You’re supposed to take supplements as you’re changing your nutrition and lifestyle.”

Ideally, all the nutrients our bodies need— like vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and prebiotics—should come from our diet, but “we as a society don’t know how to eat anymore,” Temple says. Probiotics, for example, play an important role in promoting gut health, but the supplements are expensive, and they’re naturally available in many vegetables. Temple recommends using supplements only as a temporary bridge to more permanent lifestyle changes. “You’re seeding your guts,” she says.

“You’re putting good seeds in there and then you’re feeding them good plants so you don’t need to take probiotics for your lifetime.”

Parents should be aware that supplements can interfere with other medications or have unintended side effects. Overdosing on certain vitamins and minerals can also have life-threatening consequences. Kilbane advises reading labels carefully, noting that one of the most popular multivitamin gummies on the market contains red, blue, and yellow dyes; each of these ingredients is something extra your child’s body has to process. “(U)nless you know exactly what you’re doing, I’d almost rather you’re not giving them supplements,” she says. Kilbane treats them like medication, with specific recommendations for the brand, dosage, and a staggered order in which to take them. (You can download a list of her recommendations at sheilakilbane.com/supplementguide.)

Elderberry syrup can be safely used to treat seasonal allergies, according to Temple, who

recommends buying a local brand that uses honey made from that season’s pollen. (Check out Charlotte-based Sweet Syrup at sweetssyrup.com.) Elderberry syrup has also been shown to be as effective as Tamiflu against the H1N1 influenza strain. As an antioxidant, it helps remove free radicals (the debris left by the thousands of viral particles that penetrate our cells each day), which can cause symptoms like fever, body aches, and cough. By boosting your body’s antioxidants, you’re better able to fight illness.

For children with asthma or susceptible to respiratory issues, Temple advises taking elderberry syrup throughout flu season. Everyone else should take it at the first sign of illness.

Bone Broth and Teas The vitamins and minerals that come from bone broth are great for gut health and function, says Temple, who recommends it for children as young as four months. She also notes that some medical studies show bone broth can reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms when you’re starting to get sick. “I love it when it’s made at home,” she says. “It’s the easiest thing: chicken bones, vegetables, spices in a crock pot, 24 hours. Done.”

While it’s a great adjunct for most people with healthy diets, Kilbane cautions that for certain kids, it can make histamine issues worse. If your child experiences increased bloating, belly cramping, and irritability, these may be signs that bone broth isn’t the best option at that time. Also, keep in mind that moderation is key.

Herbal teas can also be beneficial. Temple prescribes diluted versions for babies as young as 6 months. Here are some common recommendations: • Peppermint for digestive health • Ginger for digestive health and immune system • Turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory, for pain relief • Chamomile to reduce cortisol levels and helps you sleep

charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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Let’s talk

CBD

It’s all the rage, but is it safe for kids? As of December 2018, CBD (Cannabidiol), which comes from the hemp plant (not its cousin, marijuana) can be legally cultivated under federal law with certain restrictions. Laws regulating its sale and usage vary by state, however. According to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, CBD cannot legally be added to any food, and no products can claim to prevent, treat, or cure any disease.

“I do use it in my practice, but I use it judiciously and from a very trusted source,” Temple says. Just because it’s available virtually everywhere you go—from gas stations to grocery stores—doesn’t mean you should buy it there.

Temple says people who otherwise eat natural, organic foods sometimes forget that pesticides may exist in products like CBD, if they’re not careful with sourcing.

CBD is commonly used for anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia.

There is also data that says it alleviates pain and helps with opioid addiction, but to date, Temple says the only study demonstrating its effectiveness in children focused on those suffering from serious seizures.

According to Kilbane, side effects from CBD can include gastrointestinal distress, nausea, and sleepiness, but she hasn’t noted any of these in her patients who have taken CBD oil by mouth or in capsule form.

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Mindfulness and Yoga Kilbane started practicing yoga in 2000 when she was in medical school. “It changed everything,” she says, noting that her concentration improved and her physical strength increased. But yoga’s emphasis on breathing (which goes hand in hand with mindfulness) is what benefits kids who suffer from anxiety, or have trouble focusing or falling asleep.

“It’s teaching them how to activate their parasympathetic nervous system,” Kilbane says. This reduces heart rate and improves digestion, which often leads to relaxation. The parasympathetic nervous system acts in opposition to the stress hormones our bodies produce, as the (“fight or flight”) nervous system responds to physical, mental, and environmental triggers. “The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to catch a cold and flu,” Temple adds, “(Yoga) tells the body: ‘Simmer down, Sister.’”

Chiropractic and Massage According to Amanda Lutzow, D.C., a pediatric and prenatal chiropractic expert, chiropractic treatment should be a foundational part of healthcare.

“I believe everybody should be under chiropractic care whether or not they have aches and pains… we really want to be proactive,” says Lutzow, who works alongside her husband at their family-run practice, Limitless Chiropractic in Ballantyne.

Chiropractic removes nerve pressure and allows the brain-body connection to be restored, enabling improved function of the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system. While she would never claim to treat a specific disease or condition, Lutzow says chiropractic can help reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with colic, digestive issues, migraines, ear infections, asthma, or

JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

allergies. It can even benefit kids with ADHD or on the autism spectrum. “Don’t wait until a symptom pops up,” she says, “... give them a fighting chance to grow up and be the healthiest version of themselves.”

Both Kilbane and Temple have seen chiropractic treatment help their patients, but say it’s important to go to a trusted provider who has pediatric training. As for massage, the benefits are also manifold. Lutzow says it complements chiropractic, helping patients hold their adjustments much longer and providing continued relief. Kilbane recommends it for parents and children to bond, even through a simple back rub before bedtime has the same effect. Like yoga, massage helps activate the parasympathetic system.

But not every kid is comfortable with touch in this way. The key is knowing your child and what works for him or her.

The Bottom Line With so many options, maintaining good health may seem like an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t need to be that way, says Temple, who offers this advice: Eat vegetables from the garden, go outside, get plenty of sleep, and hang around friends who are not toxic.

“It actually is so simple but we have made it so complicated,” she says.

LIZ ROTHAUS BERTRAND is an award-winning writer who lives in Charlotte with her husband and two boys, ages 7 and 10. She grew up eating steaming bowls of her mom’s chicken soup, a.k.a., “The Jewish Penicillin.” Find out more at lizbertrand.com.

CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

VISIT www.charlotteprep.org 704-366-5994 charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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Nicole Magryta serves wild caught salmon.

Nourishing Your Tribe In a world of fast food and hectic schedules, local experts share healthy changes you can make this year

BY VANESSA INFANZON

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Navigate today’s food culture Creating a healthy food culture for your tribe means making changes that fit your lifestyle and serve your family’s needs, says Nicole Magryta in her book, Nourish Your Tribe: Empowering Parents to Grow Strong, Smart, Successful Kids.

Magryta works as an integrative clinical nutritionist, educator, and certified holistic health coach in the Charlotte area, and co-runs a pediatric metabolic clinic at Salisbury Pediatric Associates.

She also writes about what foods are best for children and why, and how to make the necessary changes in what she calls today’s “toxic food environment.”

Eating processed foods and sugar-filled drinks and treats are the norm today, and filling our bodies with these foods has instant consequences. According to Magryta, kids won’t stay full, and their blood sugar could spike, changing

HUNT AND YORK PHOTOGRAPHY

When your child complains of hunger or you need a quick dinner as you’re rushing between meetings and afterschool pickup, it’s tempting to find the nearest fast food drive-thru. But food is so much more than a means to stop a grumbling tummy. It feeds our brains; fuels our bodies; and affects sleep, mood, and focus. How do we provide our kids with what they truly need when time is limited? Local experts weigh in on what parents need to know about nutrition and offer easy ways to make changes, no matter the age of your children.

brain stability and mood, sometimes within an hour after eating. “I think a lot of parents often think in terms of calories, instead of thinking in terms of nutrients,” she says of parents who pack school lunches. “How do we support their day? We want them to sit focused without brain fog.” Magryta suggests these practical tips for healthy eating at home: • Plan for breakfasts with fruit and vegetable smoothies or homemade casseroles.

• Pack lunches with a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, and add fruit, vegetables with hummus, or guacamole and chips.

• Do a pantry and fridge makeover: Get rid of processed foods like frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets, and remove chocolate milk, sodas, fruit juices, and vegetable oils.

• Stock the kitchen with nuts, canned fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

• Fill the fridge with drinks and snacks the kids can grab quickly, like unsweet tea, kombucha, turkey, pickles, olives, and cheese.

NICOLE MAGRYTA

Entice even the pickiest of eaters Picky eaters may need an introduction to the same food multiple times, says Tracy Owens, president and owner of Triangle Nutrition Therapy Inc. in Raleigh. She’s a board-certified sports dietitian and clinical dietitian, who specializes in health issues like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

She’s also the sports dietician at UNC Greensboro.

According to Owens, kids need to see a food 10 times before they’re comfortable tasting it. “If you put something new on the table, and they don’t want to eat it,” she says, “I wouldn’t get discouraged and never serve it again.

Just keep doing it.” Let your child choose one food they’d like to try from the produce section of the grocery store. Learn how to make the food together, or consider planting a garden.

Owens advises leaving emotion out of the food experience; instead, be matter-of-fact about it. Be aware of how you use food as a reward or treat, and don’t issue ultimatums or become the food police. Serve favorite foods with new or different ones, and learn to cook foods in an appetizing and appealing way. (Hint: It’s OK to add melted butter over broccoli or a dipping sauce for carrots.) “So much of this is about keeping food pleasant,” Owens explains. “We want it to be fun. We want it to be positive.”

Have an open a dialogue about how certain foods affect the body. Magryta used these words with her own picky eater: “I love you too much to feed you foods that harm you. I love you so much, and it’s my job to feed you foods that fuel you to allow you to be the best version of yourself.”

Boost the immune system Even with regular handwashing, germs still find their way into our homes, wreaking havoc during the winter months. Owens suggests eating these whole foods to get more immune boosting vitamins: • Vitamin A: carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, and broccoli • Vitamin C: oranges, grapefruit, bell peppers, papaya, and kiwi • Vitamin E: almonds, sunflower seeds, nut butter, and almond butter • Zinc: beans, pumpkin seeds, shellfish, and red meats She also suggests increasing fluids, especially water, broths, and soups.

“Ease up on sodas and other sugary beverages, pastries, cookies, etc.,” she adds. “Studies have shown that a few grams of sugar can destroy your

SPAGHETTI SQUASH HASH BROWNS • 1 spaghetti squash • 2 teaspoons ghee • 1-2 eggs, pasture-raised • 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt • 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper • 3-4 tablespoons arrowroot starch • 1-2 tablespoons ghee

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375° F, convection preferred.

2. Slice spaghetti squash in half and scoop out seeds to discard. Rub 2 teaspoons of ghee on flesh of each half. Place cut side down on a rimmed sheet pan. Roast for 45 minutes, or until flesh is tender. Let cool.

3. Scoop out flesh of spaghetti squash with fork and place in medium-sized bowl. With a clean kitchen towel, wrap squash in towel and squeeze out as much water as possible. Discard water and place spaghetti squash back in bowl.

4. Stir in egg, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, pepper, and starch until combined.

5. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

6. Place 4 to 5 small patties on skillet and pan-fry 4 to 5 minutes on each side. They should be rather thin in order to crisp up. Patties are ready to flip when they are golden brown on each side.

7. Serve by themselves, with eggs, with a dollop of cottage cheese, or with grass-fed butter. Serves 4 to 6. *Add more texture and color with scallions, fresh herbs and garlic, or minced onion.

More recipes like this in Nicole Magryta’s book, Nourish Your Tribe: Empowering Parents to Grow Strong, Smart, Successful Kids.

charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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LEFT TO RIGHT:

Chris, Thomas (16), Nicole, and Bella (14) Magryta sit down for a family dinner.

Nicole Magryta suggests these five strategies to improve children’s brain function, focus, and mood.

1. Remove refined sugar. It suppresses the immune system and messes with healthy blood sugar levels.

2. Add outdoor time to your routine. Time in the sun increases vitamin D, which supports the brain and immune system.

3. Support dopamine levels by eating watermelon, egg whites, and avocados. This neurotransmitter helps with focus and motivation.

4. Serve good fats like those in walnuts and flax seed for focus and motivation.

5. Increase magnesium in your family’s diet for a calming effect. Try pumpkin seeds, beans, chocolate, almonds, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, hazelnuts, sesame bars, figs, spinach, bananas, and avocados.

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white blood cells’ ability to resist infections for several hours.” Cook with garlic, onions, and anti-viral herbs such as astragalus, echinacea, green tea extract, elderberry, Andrographis, goldenseal, monolaurin, immune-enhancing mushrooms, and Beta 1-3 Glucan. “My favorite is elderberry extracts or syrups which have been clinically proven to help get over colds and flu,” she says.

The right amount of quality sleep plays a role in your family’s wellness, too. In her book, Magryta discusses how poor sleep and health conditions are connected. She suggests leaving electronics outside the room and setting a bedtime routine for the family. Refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for the recommended number of hours of sleep for your children.

understanding of which bacteria have what functions is currently evolving; however, we know conclusively that the more diverse your intestinal bacteria are in species variation, the less disease the host human will have,” Magryta says.

When processed foods and refined sugars make up most of a person’s diet, the chances for inflammation and diseases like leaky gut increase. It can cause eczema, headaches, and migraines, skin issues, thyroid problems, and joint pain. “The bacteria that reside in our colons are directly impacting every single aspect of our health,” Magryta explains.

“They’re involved, not just with the absorption and digestion of minerals, they affect our brain health, our bone health. They’re greatly involved in modulating our immune system.”

Understand the importance of gut bacteria Gut health impacts the physical and mental well-being of the whole body. The key to good gut health is feeding the microbiome— microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses—that live in your intestines, a.k.a. the “good bacteria.” Fiber-rich foods like legumes, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and grains provide what the good bacteria need to thrive. “The

VANESSA INFANZON is a Charlotte-based freelance writer and mom to three picky eaters. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram: @morethanVMI.

JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

HUNT AND YORK PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTHY KIDS, HAPPY FAMILY

MAKE THE MOST OF PLAYTIME LAUNCH RIGHT IN WITH . . .

a SUPER SPACECRAFT!

GATHER THESE MATERIALS:

Pencil

2 toilet paper tubes

Paper towel tube

2. Draw a rounded 1. Lay a toilet

paper tube on top of a piece of cardboard.

Trace it.

nose to the traced shape. Then draw two rounded triangles for wings.

Small piece of cardboard

Markers or paint

Scissors

(with an adultˇs help)

Paper

Glue

5. Glue your cut tube on top of

3. Cut out the shape.

the cardboard in the shape of a spacecraft, and let it dry.

4. Trace the bottom of a

6. Color or paint your spacecraft. You

toilet paper tube on top of another. Then cut out the round shape.

can also decorate it with stickers. Place a small toy inside and go for a ride. Tell a story about where you’re going!

TinkerActive Workbooks cover essential skills using curriculum-based exercises and interactive tinkering, making, and engineering activities using common household materials!

The Active Way to learn through play

Odd Dot

An imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

AVAILABLE WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD

The first year of life is critical for development of motor, early language, cognitive and social/emotional skills. In Child’Space, you’ll learn to create a positive environment for your baby using speech, facial expression, early brain mapping, intentional touch, supportive movement, interactive play and song. Assisting your baby in meeting the next developmental milestone at his or her own tempo promotes the curiosity that leads in a positive direction for physical growth and lifetime learning. You’ll develop a way of interacting with your infant that not only supports physical development but also creates a building block of attachment and bonding.

Parents and caregivers are the first teachers a child will encounter, and Child’Space guides you in the language of early development, ensuring that you have the skills to guide your baby in the best possible way to provide a strong foundation for lifetime development.

Join us for a free introduction Thursday, February 6th from 7 – 8:00 pm with Principal Trainer Barbara Leverone, MA, GCFP Schedule your Complimentary Family session Saturday, February 8th between 9:00-3:30. Interested in working with families and their infants? The Professional Training Program begins June 6, 2020.

Visit ChildSpaceCharlotte.com ChildSpace by Chava Shelhav, Ph.D.is available on Amazon

charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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Positive

Parenting

Homing in on your strengths in times of stress pays off for the whole family

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JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

BY MICHELE HUGGINS

Should your child play a team sport? Is it time to budget for private music lessons? Does your teen need to see a counselor for their anxiety? Parenting comes with a slew of questions and no set answers, because every child is different. We worry about doing all the right things, but the constant thinking, researching, and wondering can wear any parent down.

According to psychologist Michele Mannering of Charlotte, the answers may be as simple as looking inward at our own strengths and talents, and observing the strengths of our children. This mindset is called positive psychology, and she shares how to turn positive psychology into positive parenting.

Charlotte Parent: Let’s start with the basics. What is positive psychology?

Michele Mannering: Dr. Martin Seligman launched the positive psychology movement 20 years ago. The tenets of positive psychology were not simply looking at a glass as half full or learning to make lemonade when life gives you lemons. Research had long put forth ideas suggesting that people had to fix something that was wrong, and that if nothing was “wrong” then there was nothing to do. The goal of positive psychology is to tap into the innate strengths that reside inside every individual. It is not trying to create something new, but instead releasing the potential that is already there. The goal is to expand what is right and enhance well-being. There is no status quo in positive psychology. The goal is to flourish.

CP: So how does positive psychology fit into parenting?

MM: Researchers have identified 24 character strengths that are innate in all children, including creativity, kindness, leadership, sense of humor, perseverance, and open-mindedness. Teaching children that they possess these characteristics helps them to become more self-aware and boosts self-confidence. It is a parent’s job to figure out what their child’s most frequently used strengths are, and then help arrange aspects of life accordingly. Recognizing these strengths can help parents decide what type of activities their child may enjoy, what type of educational setting is a good fit, and also what kind of social pursuits are best.

CP: Why is this approach beneficial to kids and parents?

MM: By recognizing a child’s strengths and building on them, changes happen. Life satisfaction is improved, which leads to gains in all aspects of life, including social skills, academic performance and emotional health.

Strength-based parenting can help kids better cope with conflict, reduce stress and increase productivity. There is an increase in children’s resilience and reduction of negative emotions. Parents also benefit from this approach. Benefits include increased life satisfaction for parents and an increase in parental confidence. Parents can implement the principles of positive psychology into their own lives. It is a shift for the entire family, with contentment and satisfaction boosted for all.

CP: Where does a parent begin?

MM: Parents need to stop and take a deep breath. Life is busy, and most of the time parents are racing through each day juggling what feels like a million balls in the air at once. Stopping to think about the different strengths, and what each individual child is like, is the first step in making a shift. Is your child a leader? Does he or she have a good sense of humor? Is he or she brave?

Curious? Kind? Once you determine your child’s strengths, the next step is to foster and build up those attributes.

This can be tricky for parents because the strengths of their child may not match up with what the parent has envisioned. Not every child wants to play soccer or go to dance class. If your child is curious, think about activities centered on science and discovery. If your child is kind, think about volunteer activities that involve kindness, such as visiting a nursing home or working at an animal shelter. Like anything else, parents are human and life happens.

Thinking about parenting through the lens of positive psychology is not black and white. It’s a mindset shift rather than a protocol to follow. Making the shift can help all members of the family to boost individual happiness as well as familial happiness.

MICHELE HUGGINS is the former editor of Charlotte Parent magazine.

PUTTING THE POSITIVE IN PLACE Adapted from Tufts University’s “Happiness Interventions,” Michele Mannering suggests these activities to boost your child’s well-being.

Be kind: Work with your child to do something kind each day. Keep track of each act of kindness, focusing on which ones felt the best to do and ways to generalize this into an everyday practice.

Be thankful. In some ways we have been conditioned to think about what is missing: the work that is not done, the newest gadget that we don’t have, the vacation we couldn’t go on. Help your child shift this to a grateful mindset. Each day, help your child identify one or two things that your child is thankful to have in their life and write it down.

Be a pencil pusher. Things go wrong every day.

Kids may fail a test, not make the sports team or not get invited to a party. There is a tendency to dwell on what went wrong and forget what went right. Help your child to identify a few things each day that are positives and write them on a post-it note. Stick the notes on your child’s wall or closet door so they can have a reminder of all the positive things that have happened.

Be mindful. Most days feel like a sprint from the moment we wake up. It can be hard for everyone to slow down, but it can be extremely beneficial to do so. Parents and children can work together to slow down for a few moments each day and focus on what they are doing. Enjoy what is going on in the moment.

Be able to really know others. Children encounter lots of people during the day—peers at school, teammates at sports, kids at youth group.

It is impossible to have an individual relationship with each person he or she encounters. Help facilitate activities so children can spend individualized time with an old friend or a new friend to build stronger relationships. charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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OUR PICKS ››

JANUARY J A N U A R Y 2020 2020

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Snowfest (JAN. 18). Richard Barry Memorial Park, 13707 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville. 4-7pm.

Free. Bring your sled or tube for an afternoon of winter fun on artificial snow. Ages 1-5 can participate in a treasure hunt. Hot chocolate, donuts, and s’mores vendors will be on site, as well as the Roaming Fork food truck. huntersville. org/2497/SnowFest.

Charlotte Checkers vs.

Toronto (JAN. 19). BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 1pm. $18.50+. Bring the kids to the ice for Family Day. Families save 40 percent when they purchase at least four tickets online. Fans can bring a new or gently used coat for a free ticket to a future Checkers game, and teachers can take advantage of Teacher Appreciation deals. gocheckers.com.

See speedsters, ATVs, and trucks at the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series.

Find out the new truth behind the old story of The Three Little Pigs.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (JAN. 4-18). Wells Fargo Playhouse, 300 E. 7th St. Recommended for ages 4 and older. $20+. 704-973-2828. Follow the Big Bad Wolf as he stands trial. He has his own version of the story, and the audience becomes the jury to help decide his fate. See website for showtimes. Enjoy a sensoryfriendly performance on Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. ctcharlotte.org.

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series (JAN. 10-11). Spectrum Center, 333 East Trade St. $20+. Come for the high-flying action and four-wheel excitement, and stay for six different racing, freestyle, and skill competitions with Monster Jam Speedsters, ATVs, and trucks. monsterjam.com.

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CALENDAR 1 WEDNESDAY NEW YEAR’S DAY Hair of the Dog Hike. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont.

11am-1pm. $8-$15, children younger than 2 free, includes garden admission. Kick off the New Year with a guided garden hike.

Bloody Marys and mimosas are available for purchase. dsbg.org.

Holiday on Ice. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $12-$16.

Uptown Charlotte’s outdoor ice rink returns to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. holidaysatthehall.com.

Rural HIll’s First Footin’. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. 10am-1pm.

Free with the donation of a canned vegetable.

Take a 1- to 2-mile hike with stops to learn about the history of Rural Hill. Finish at the Rural Retreat cabin for a lunch of stone soup. ruralhill.net.

Winter Wonderland Skating Rink.

Symphony Park at Southpark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. $12-$17. Skate on the 5,000 square-foot ice rink. winterwonderlandsouthpark.com.

2 THURSDAY The Art of the Snowflake. Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. Ages 5-11.

1-2pm. Free. Learn about unique crystals and the man who photographed them, Snowflake Bentley. cmlibrary.org.

Board Game Night at Barnes & Noble: Arboretum. Barnes & Noble: Arboretum, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road. 6pm. Free.

Bring some friends and come play board games! barnesandnoble.com.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Presents: Carolinas Aviation Museum. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. Free. See demonstrations, experiments, flying drones, and scale models.

Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Ray’s Fun Day Camp. Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St. Ages 6-10. 9am-5pm. $25.

This daily camp is filled with games, activities and swimming. parkandrec.com.

Stories in 2 Languages: English and French. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Ages 5 and younger.

9:15-9:45am. Free. Engage your child with stories, songs, and activities in English and French. cmlibrary.org.

Story Explorers: American Girl. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews.

Ages 5-11. 11am-noon. Free. Drop in with your doll, and explore the characters from American Girl, Wellie Wisher, and Bitty Baby books. cmlibrary.org.

3 FRIDAY On Stage: Open Mic Night. See page 26 Crews Family Fun Night. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. 6-9pm.

Free. Come for a fun-filled lineup of activities and entertainment. Light refreshments are provided. matthewsfun.com.

Family Movie at Rock Hill Library. Main Library Rock Hill, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill.

2-3:30pm. Free. Bring a blanket for a free family movie rated G or PG. yclibrary.org.

Friday Night Lights: Super Volcanoes.

Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 7pm. $5, children ages 3 and younger free. Enjoy a special evening presentation about volcanoes in the James H. Lynn Planetarium and Science Theater. schielemuseum.org.

MyGym Lake Norman Puppet Show.

Barnes and Noble: Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 10:30am. Free.

The local puppeteer troupe from MyGym Lake Norman leads a puppet show with songs and book readings. barnesandnoble.com.

Out of School Days: Play the Day Away.

Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Road. Ages 5-12. 9am-5:30pm. $25. Play games, create art, and explore the playground.

Bring a bagged lunch. parkandrec.com.

Super Volcanoes Planetarium Show.

The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. Planetarium tickets are $5, children 3 and younger free. Explore rare and devastating volcanic eruptions, and discover the impact of gigantic volcanic episodes around the solar system. See website for show schedule. schielemuseum.org.

4 SATURDAY On Stage: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. See page 26.

African Drum Circle presented by Drums 4 Life. Sugar Creek Library, 4045 N. Tryon St., Suite A. 11am-1pm. Free. Learn about African drumming. Youth session is 11am-noon; session for all ages is noon-1pm. artsandscience.org/programs.

Animal Meet N’ Greet. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 2-2:30pm.

Free. Get up close to critters in this wild encounter. parkandrec.com.

Dungeons and Dragons Club. Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill.

Ages 14-18. 3-5pm. Free. Play as a character.

The club meets the first Saturday of each month. Register online. yclibrary.org.

Financial Literacy: Money Magnets. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. Ages 5-11. 2:30-4pm. Free. See former child entrepreneur Alexandra Arrington lead this club for kid business owners in training. cmlibrary.org.

It’s Not Just Selfies…It’s Photography and More. Arbor Glen Outreach Facility, 1520 Clanton Road. 11am-1pm. Free.

980-314-1110. Learn photography and videography using point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, plus effective social media interaction as a photographer or journalist.

Call 980-314-1110 to register. artsandscience. org/programs.

SAT Practice Exam with the Princeton Review. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road.

Teen. 9:30am-1:30pm. Free. Kick off your SAT prep with a free practice SAT exam. princetonreview.com/product/ offerings/447256.

Teen Photography Program. Arbor Glen Outreach Center, 1520 Clanton Road. Ages 12-16. 11am-1pm. Free. Cultural Blocks provides this photography, videography, and journalism program for teens. Register for Jan. 4 or Jan. 18 session. parkandrec.com.

5 SUNDAY On Stage: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. See page 26.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us Day. Locations vary. Free. Present your Bank of America, Merrill Lynch or U.S. Trust credit or debit card, and a photo ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts and Culture, Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown. bankofamerica.com.

Guided House Tour. Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St. 3-4pm. $8-$10, ages 5 and younger free. Take a guided house tour with trained docent. historicrosedale.org.

Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. Cheese, 7701 PinevilleMatthews Road. 9-11am. Free admission. The restaurant opens early to families of children with special needs. Expect smaller crowds, reduced lighting and noise, food and games, and specially-trained staff. chuckecheese.com.

6 MONDAY Get Fit. Naomi Drenan Recreation Center, 750 Beal St. Ages 13-17. 4-5pm. Free. Increase your strength, endurance, and agility. parkandrec.com.

King of the Court. Naomi Drenan Recreation Center, 750 Beal St. Ages 13-18. Noon3pm. Free. Play basketball in a structured environment. parkandrec.com.

Read and Play at Jumpin Jax. Jumpin Jax of Lancaster, 2650 Charlotte Hwy., Lancaster. 10:30am. Free story time. Regular admission is applied for children who want to stay to play following the event. jumpinjaxoflancastersc.com.

Toddler Jump at DefyGravity. DefyGravity Trampoline Park, 8116 University City Blvd.

Ages 6 and younger. 9-10am. $11 for one hour. Come for a special jump session every weekday morning. With each child age 6 and younger, an adult may jump for free, not including DefyGravity socks for $3. defygravity.us/charlotte.

7 TUESDAY On Stage: Come from Away. See page 26 Balloon Bonanza. Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill. Ages 11-17. 5-6:30pm. Free. Take a deep breath and prepare for air defying challenges.

Register online. yclibrary.org.

Dakota and Friends. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 3-11.

11am-1pm. Free. Meet Dakota, pet a baby T-Rex, and take a ride! cmlibrary.org.

Preschool Storytime: Just for Me. North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville. Ages 3-5. 11-11:45am.

Free. Hear stories and sing songs without a parent or caregiver present to foster independence and growth. cmlibrary.org West African Dance Classes by Charlotte Ballet. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School Recreation Site, 500 Bilmark Ave. 1:15pm. Free. Workshop is open to all ages.

No previous dance experience is required. artsandscience.org/programs.

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CALENDAR

See Cirque du Soleil’s touring circus in “Ovo.”

ON STAGE Open Mic Night (Jan. 3). McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square , 345 N. College St. 7:30-9:30pm. Free. 704-372-1000.

Instrumentalists, singers, dancers, storytellers, poets, jugglers, and magicians of all ages are all welcome.

Audience seating is on a first-come-firstserved basis. blumenthalarts.org.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Jan. 4-18). Wells Fargo Playhouse, 300 E. 7th St. Recommended for ages 4 and older. $20+. 704-973-2828. Follow the Big Bad Wolf as he stands trial. He has his own version of the story, and the audience becomes the jury to help decide his fate. See website for showtimes. Enjoy a sensory-friendly performance on Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. ctcharlotte.org.

Come From Away (Jan. 7-12). Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. $25+. 704-3721000. Watch the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. See website for showtimes. blumenthalarts.org.

Ovo from Cirque du Soleil (Jan. 8-12). Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 East Independence Blvd. $44+. 704-335-3100.

Explore a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight, and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

See website for performance schedule. cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

Beethoven’s Emperor (Jan. 10-12).

Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. TBA. 704-972-2000. See this piano concerto and crowning achievement among Beethoven’s compositions.

Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. charlottesymphony.org.

New Year Adventures of Masha and the Bear (Jan. 11). McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. Ages 3 and older. 10:30am-1pm. $15-$25.

Masha and her best friend Mishka the Bear stop in Charlotte for a traditional Russian-speaking New Year’s matinee, “Utrennik.” utrennik.ceproject.org.

The Jazz Room at the Stage Door Theater (Jan. 17-18). Stage Door

Theater, 155 N. College St. $16. The Los Angeles-based saxophonist, Phillip Whack re-imagines music from John Coltrane’s timeless Impulse Recordings. See website for showtimes. blumenthalarts.org.

La Bohème (Jan. 18-23). The Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. $56-$194.

Observe this sympathetic, sentimental portrait of youthful optimism, even in the face of true tragedy. See website for showtimes. operacarolina.org.

Southern Sound Series (Jan. 18). The McCelvey Center, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 7:30pm. $20-$50. Listen to Chatham County Line perform Southern sounds.

Vittles and Fiddles, a pre-show affair, begins two hours prior to the concert and offers beer, food, and wine for purchase on the McCelvey Lawn. chmuseums.org/ southernsoundseries.

My Fair Lady (Jan. 21-26). Ovens Auditorium, 2900 E. Independence Blvd.

TBA. Revisit the beloved story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into

his idea of a “proper lady.” See website for showtimes. boplex.com.

Totally 80’s (Jan. 24-25). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $28+. 704972-2000. The greatest hits from the raddest decade will be performed live. charlottesymphony.org.

Mike Massé in Concert (Jan. 25). Stage Door Theater, 155 N. College St. 7:30pm. $30-$35. See Masse perform the best classic rock songs of all time acoustically. blumenthalarts.org.

The New Colossus (Jan. 28-Feb. 2).

Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $20+.

704-372-1000. Twelve actors from all over the world tell their ancestors’ stories, all woven into a single narrative about escaping an oppressive homeland to pass through Ellis Island. See website for showtimes. blumenthalarts.org.

Akeelah and the Bee (Jan. 31-Feb. 16). McColl Family Theatre, 300 E. 7th St. Recommended for ages 8 and older. $19+. 704-973-2828. Life for 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson isn’t easy, but will she

SEE MORE PERFORMANCES ONLINE AT CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/CALENDAR

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CALENDAR 8 WEDNESDAY

overcome her own self-doubt and the pressures of her personal life to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee? See website for showtimes. Enjoy a sensory-friendly performance on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. ctcharlotte.org.

Copland Appalachian Spring (Jan 31-Feb. 1). Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $27+. 704972-2000. A portrait of America is captured in this program that features Barber’s iconic “Adagio for Strings” and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.” charlottesymphony.org Mamma Mia! (Jan. 31-Feb. 9).

Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell Street E., Matthews. Ages 10 and older. $19-$22. Hear your favorite ABBA songs in this show that follows a young woman about to be married. When she discovers that any one of three men could be her father, she invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother. See website for showtimes. matthewsplayhouse.com.

On Stage: Come from Away, Ovo from Cirque du Soleil. See page 26 Chess Masters. Naomi Drenan Recreation Center, 750 Beal St. Ages 6-14. 6-7pm. Free.

Learn basic chess strategy. parkandrec.com.

Community Service Project for Teens.

Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Teen. 5:30-6:30pm. Free. Earn community service hours while sorting socks for the needy. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Early Release Days. Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Road. Ages 5-12.

12:30-5:30pm. $15. Enjoy games, sports, arts, and crafts, and adventures to the playground and gym! parkandrec.com.

Fire n’ Cocoa. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. 6-7:30pm. Free.

Practice fire safety and fire building techniques while enjoying hot cocoa. parkandrec.com.

Homeschool Rally. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 10-18.

11am-12:30pm. Free. Come for changing topics every month. Registration is required. imaginon.org.

Homeschool Rally Junior Edition.

ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11. 11am-1pm. Free.

Topics for the 2019-2020 school year change every month. Registration is required. imaginon.org.

Levine Center for the Arts Stroller Tours.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art , 420 S. Tryon St. 10:30-11:30am. Free. Come for this series of docent-led museum tours that rotate among all three Levine Center for the Arts institutions. Registration is required.

Single-strollers only. mintmuseum.org.

9 THURSDAY On Stage: Come from Away, Ovo from Cirque du Soleil. See page 26 Beauty of Science. Grier Heights Community Center, 3100 Leroy St. School Age. 11am. Free. Mix, measure, and produce an all-natural beauty product from African American culture. charlottecultureguide.com.

Cheer: Stomp and Shake. Arbor Glen Outreach Center, 1520 Clanton Road. Ages 8-9. 6:15-7:15pm. Free. Learn cheers, chants, and stunts with a cheer coach. parkandrec.com.

Manga Mania! Teen Anime Club.

Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road.

Ages 10-18. 6-7:30pm. Free. Discuss anime, manga, and the Japanese culture. Snacks provided. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Pokemon in the Library. Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill.

Ages 6-8. 3:30-4:30pm. Free. Come for Pokemon crafts, games, and snacks. Register online. yclibrary.org.

Stories in 2 Languages: English and Japanese. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 10:3011am. Free. Engage in stories, songs, and activities in English and Japanese. cmlibrary.org.

10 FRIDAY On Stage: Beethoven’s Emperor, Come from Away, Ovo from Cirque du Soleil, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. See page 26 Family Friday Hikes. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 7 and older. 1:30-3pm. Free. Meet at the Nature Center for this 1.5 hour hike around the preserve. Registration is required. parkandrec.com.

Messy by Nature. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-10. 1:302:30pm. $4. Create nature-inspired crafts. parkandrec.com.

Ray’s Family Game Night. Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St. 6-8am. $5. Play board games, sports, and dance as a family. parkandrec.com.

Kids Night Out. Romp n’ Roll NW Charlotte, 3611 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, 207. Ages 2.5-5. 6-9pm. $25. Drop kids off to run, play, and dance. Pizza dinner included. rompnroll. com/northwest-charlotte.

11 SATURDAY On Stage: Beethoven’s Emperor, Come from Away, New Year Adventures of Masha and the Bear, Ovo from Cirque du Soleil, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. See page 26 2nd Saturday at NASCAR Hall of Fame: New Year, New Glory Road. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $18-$25, included with admission. Test your NASCAR knowledge by participating in games, and explore new cars on display at the Hall’s Glory Road. nascarhall.com.

ACT Practice Exam with the Princeton Review. North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville. Ages 12-18. 9am-1:30pm. Free. Kick off your ACT prep with a free practice exam. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

African Drum Circle presented by Drums 4 Life. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. 11am-1pm. Free. Learn about African drumming, and get experience with instruments. Youth session begins at 11am; session for all ages begins at noon. artsandscience.org.

It’s Not Just Selfies…It’s Photography and More. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. 11am-1pm. Free.

980-314-1110. Learn photography and videography using point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras. Learn effective social media interaction as a photographer/ journalist. Call 980-314-1110 to register. artsandscience.org/programs.

Pajama-Rama on The Plaza. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. 7-7:30pm. Free. Enjoy stories, songs and movement activities in your pajamas! cmlibrary.org.

The Whole Enchilada. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. 8:30am. $40-$60. The mountain bike race covers every mile of every trail. usnwc.org/play.

12 SUNDAY On Stage: Beethoven’s Emperor, Come from Away, Ovo from Cirque du Soleil, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. See page 26 Ice Skating. USNWC, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. Skate on an ice trail or free skate on a 17,000 square foot rink. usnwc.org/activity/ ice-skating.

Queens Landing Sightseeing Cruise.

Queens Landing, 1459 River Hwy., Mooresville. 1:15-3pm. $8-$20, children younger than 2 free. Tour of Lake Norman aboard the Catawba Queen!

Order picnic lunches for an additional cost. queenslanding.com.

Sensory Friendly Sunday at SeaLife Aquarium. SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord. 9-11am. Free. Families with children on the autism spectrum or children with sensory processing disorders may come

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CALENDAR

Disney’s latest Broadway smash hits the stage with Frozen.

MUST-SEE SHOWS COMING TO CHARLOTTE THIS YEAR

Dinosaur World Live (Feb. 12). Grab your compass, and explore uncharted territories in a prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Knight Theater, 430 South Tryon St. Ages 3 and older. 7pm. $25+. blumenthalarts.org.

Pinocchio (Feb. 21-March 1). When carpenter and toy-maker Geppetto makes a puppet named Pinocchio, he is astonished when his puppet becomes a real boy. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2 p.m. Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell Street E., Matthews. Ages 5 and older. $12-$14. matthewsplayhouse.com.

Dancing with the Stars: Live! (Feb. 29). The all-new production continues its legacy of wowing audiences with live dance routines from the hit ABC show.

BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

8pm. $59+. boplex.com.

Marc Broussard (March 7). While these songs are geared toward a younger ear, Broussard’s soulful sound, expressive vocals, and sweeping orchestration appeals to all ages.

McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 8pm. $25. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy-Tailored Classic (March 13-22). See the tale of Princess Aurora, the Lilac Fairy, and the royal court set to Tchaikovsky’s quintessential score. See website for showtimes. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $25-$96. charlotteballet.org.

Sesame Street Live: Make Your Magic (March 14-15). Join your favorite furry monsters on this magical adventure when “Sesame Street Live!

Make Your Magic” comes to your neighborhood. Shows at 10:30am and 2:30pm. BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $25+. boplex.com.

National Geographic Live: Into the Arctic Kingdom (March 24).

Photographer Florian Schulz discovered a vibrant ecosystem with polar bears,

musk ox, and thousands of caribou during his 34 months in the high arctic.

McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 6:30pm. $20+. 704-3721000. blumenthalarts.org.

MasterChef Junior Live! (March 28). Catch head-to-head cooking demonstrations that are fun for all ages. BoPlex, 2700 East Independence Blvd. 7pm. $55+, plus $8 for parking. boplex.com.

Dragons Love Tacos (April 3-May 3). The number one New York Times bestselling phenomenon comes to life at the taco party of all taco parties.

See website for show times. Enjoy a sensory-friendly performance on April 26 at 4pm. McColl Family Theatre, 300 E. 7th St. Recommended for ages 4 and older. $12+. 704-973-2828. ctcharlotte.org.

Babe the Sheep-Pig (April 4-5).

A piglet destined for butchering arrives at the farmyard, gets adopted by an old sheep dog, and discovers a special secret to success. Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. Matthews

Community Center, 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews. $9-$10. 704-846-8343. matthewsplayhouse.com.

Blue Man Group (April 24-26). The global smash returns to Charlotte to bring the music, the laughs, and the party. See website for performance schedule. BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. TBA. boplex.com.

Anastasia (April 28-May 3). Get transported from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of 1920s Paris, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. See website for showtimes.

BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

TBA. boplex.com.

The Spongebob Musical (June 16-21). Broadway’s best creative minds reimagine the beloved Nickelodeon series with humor and heart. SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face catastrophe until an unexpected hero takes center stage.

Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-3721000. blumenthalarts.org.

SEE MORE PERFORMANCES ONLINE AT CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/CALENDAR

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MATTHEW MURPHY

Shen Yun (Feb. 6-9). Travel to the magical world of ancient China and experience the culture through classical Chinese dance. Thurs.-Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 2pm and 7:30pm; Sun. 2pm. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. $80-$150. 888974-3698. shenyunperformingarts.org.

CALENDAR

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 26).

See the classic movie on the big screen set to live music.

Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 7:30pm. TBA. 704-972-2000. charlottesymphony.org.

Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour (July 28-Aug. 2). This production pays tribute to the 1971 Billboard Album of the Year with a modern, theatrical show. Audio Description and ASL provided for the Aug. 2 show at 1:30pm.

See website for additional showtimes. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. TBA. ustour. jesuschristsuperstar.com.

Disney’s Frozen (Oct. 7-18).

Hear the songs you know and love from the film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers. Enjoy special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances. Audio Description and ASL provided for the 1pm show on Oct. 11.

See website for additional showtimes. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. TBA. 704-3721000. blumenthalarts.org.

Wicked (Dec. 9-Jan 10, 2021). See what happened in the Land of Oz long before Dorothy arrives. There will be no performances on Dec. 14, Dec. 25, Jan. 1 and Jan. 4.

See website for showtimes.

BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. TBA. boplex.com.

for two hours before the public for a sensoryfriendly underwater journey. Register online prior to the event. visitsealife.com/charlotte-concord.

13 MONDAY Nature Detectives: Simply Snowflakes. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 4-6. 1:30-3pm. $6. Uncover the mysteries of nature through stories, crafts, and activities. parkandrec.com.

Now Showing: “Aladdin.” Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. 4:30-6:45pm. Free. Register online to come watch “Aladdin,” rated PG. cmlibrary.org.

Young Explorers: Simply Snowflakes. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 2-3. 10:15-11am. $4. Discover nature with your little one through stories and activities. parkandrec.com.

14 TUESDAY ABC’s for Fit Kids. Southview Recreation Center, 1720 Vilma St. Ages 5-8. 4-5pm. Free. Work on agility, balance, coordination and strength training drills. parkandrec.com.

Beginner Buddies Preschool Program.

Rescue Ranch, 1424 Turnersburg Hwy., Statesville. Ages 1-5. 10-11am. $7 per child, first adult free, $10 per additional adult. Come for a story, craft, exploration stations, and time with two animal ambassadors. rescueranch.com.

Creating with Books: Mermaids. University City Regional Library, 301 East W.T. Harris Blvd.

Ages 3-5. 11:15am-12:15pm. Free. Listen to stories and stay for hands-on activities. cmlibrary.org.

Family Storytime: Pajama Storytime.

Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 6:15-7pm. Free. Register online. Light refreshments provided. cmlibrary.org.

Resources to Help Pay for College. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd.

Ages 12-18. 6-7pm. Free. Learn about FAFSA find resources to help pay for college. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Victory Bounce Sessions at BounceU Charlotte. BounceU of Charlotte, 10624 Metromont Pkwy., Ste. 300. Ages 2 and older.

2-4pm. Free. Sessions for kids with special needs occur every second Tuesday of the month. Free admission, including siblings. bounceu.com.

15 WEDNESDAY Learn, Connect, Play. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. Ages 10-18. 4-6pm. Free. Play Magic: The Gathering to encourage cooperation, problem solving. and critical thinking. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Live at the Mint: Charlotte Ballet Performance. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. 6:30-9pm. Free. See special performances by the Charlotte Ballet at 6:30 and 7:30pm. mintmuseum.org.

McDowell Prairie Wagon Ride. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 5 and older. 6-7:30pm. $5. Learn about our native nocturnal wildlife via wagon ride. parkandrec.com.

Rookie Science Jr: Moon. Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. Ages 4-6. 4-5pm.

Free. Discover the world of science through books, activities, and experiments. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Stories in 2 Languages: English and French.

Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Ages 5 and younger. 6:30-7pm.

Free. Engage your child with stories, songs, and activities in English and French. cmlibrary.org.

16 THURSDAY Homeschool Day at Carolina Raptor Center.

Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville. 5 and older. 10am-5pm. $8-$12, additional $2 off for teachers and students. Enjoy presentations, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and a walk along the Raptor Trail. See website for schedule. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

My First Book Club. Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Grades 1-2. 4:305:30pm. Free. Discuss Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter. New members welcome. cmlibrary.org.

Rookie Science. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. Ages 5-11.

5-5:30pm. Free. Discover a world of science through books, educational activities and experiments. cmlibrary.org.

Teen Geek Club Explores: Netflix Original “Raising Dion.” West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. Ages 10-18. 5-6:15pm. Free.

Discuss the film, “Raising Dion.” Register online. cmlibrary.org.

17 FRIDAY On Stage: The Jazz Room at the Stage Door Theater. See page 26

Family Swim. Goldfish Swim School, 13403 S. Ridge Drive. Noon-1:30pm. $5 per swimmer, max $15 per family. Teach or play with your child in the heated pool. goldfishswimschool.com.

Preschool Explorer Series: Snow Much Fun. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 3-5. $4. Little ones and adults discover nature with a story and discovery stations. Register for the 10am or 11am session. parkandrec.com.

Stories and Stretches at Jumpin Jax. Jumpin Jax of Lancaster, 2650 Charlotte Hwy., Lancaster.

11:30am. Free story time. Learn movement and yoga through stories. Regular admission for children who want to stay to play following the event. jumpinjaxoflancastersc.com.

W8less LKN Flips-n-Giggles. W8Less LKN, 10442-A Bailey Road, Cornelius. Ages 5 and younger. 10am-1pm. $10 per hour. Young children can jump with other little ones. Parents and caregivers jump free! W8less socks required. w8lesslkn.com.

18 SATURDAY On Stage: The Jazz Room at the Stage Door Theater, La Bohème, Southern Sound Series, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. See page 26 African Drum Circle. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 11am. Free.

Learn about the rewards of African drumming.

Youth session is 11am-noon; session for all ages is noon-1pm. artsandscience.org/programs.

Girls in STEM at Discovery Place Science.

Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St. Ages 7-14. $18, includes museum admission. Register to participate in workshops with changing STEM topics. Ages 7-9, 10-11am; Ages 9-11, 11:30am-1pm; Ages 11-14, 1:30-3pm. science. discoveryplace.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” Celebration. Barr Street Auditorium, 612 E. Meeting St., Lancaster. 3pm. Free. See the parade at 3pm and ceremony at 4pm honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lancastercitysc.com.

Stone Theaters: Sensory Friendly Screenings. Stone Theaters, RedStone 14 Cinemas, 9650 Red Stone Drive, (Sun Valley 14 in Indian Trail, RedStone 14 in Indian Land), Indian Land. 10am. $5. Sensory Friendly Screenings are designed for a sensitive audience in a safe and accepting environment. stonetheatres.com/ sensoryfriendlymoviescreenings.

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CALENDAR Owl Prowl Family Hike. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. Ages 6 and older.

7-8:30pm. Free. Explore McDowell Nature Preserve after dark! parkandrec.com.

19 SUNDAY On Stage: La Bohème. See page 26 Family Swim. Goldfish Swim School, 13403 S. Ridge Drive. 4-5pm. $5 per swimmer, max $15 per family. Swim with your child in the heated pool. goldfishswimschool.com.

Girls in STEM at Discovery Place Science.

Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St. Ages 7-11. 2:30-4:30pm. $18, includes museum admission. Register to participate in workshops with changing STEM topics. Ages 7-9, 1-2pm; Ages 9-11, 2:30-4::30pm. science. discoveryplace.org.

MLK (Sun)Day of Service: Clean-Up at Iswa Nature Preserve. Iswa Nature Preserve, 9909 Wilkinson Blvd. Ages 12 and older. Noon-3pm. Free. Help clean the Iswa Nature Preserve near Lake Wylie. parkandrec.com.

Stories in the Woods. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9090 Craver Road. 12:30-1:30pm.

Free. Come on the third Sunday of the month for picture books and literacy activities. gardens.uncc.edu.

20 MONDAY Bach2Rock Musical Storytime. Barnes & Noble: Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 11am. Free. Come for a musically-inspired story time. barnesandnoble.com.

Doll Hair Salon Spectacular. American Girl Southpark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. Ages 8 and older. 3-4pm. $25. Style your doll’s tresses, and stay for the refreshments. americangirl.com/ retail/charlotte.php.

Out of School Days: Play the Day Away.

Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Road. Ages 5-12. 9am-5:30pm. $25. Play games, create art, and explore the playground.

Bring a bagged lunch. parkandrec.com.

Preschool Playtime. Carolina Stars, 1080 Maxwell Mill Road, Fort Mill. Walking to adult.

10:30am-noon. $5, cash only. Play in the open gym. All students younger than 3 must have an adult present at all times. Some Mondays are closed due to holidays, call to verify playtime. carolinastarsgym.com.

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21 TUESDAY On Stage: My Fair Lady. See page 26 ASC Culture Blocks: Clayworks for Teens.

Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Teen. 2:30-3:30pm. Free.

Teens are invited to this hands-on clay workshop. cmlibrary.org.

Family Fire Building. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 7 and older. 2-3:30pm. Free. Learn fire-starting techniques. Make a tasty treat! Register online. parkandrec.com.

Latin Dance Classes by Charlotte Ballet.

Belle Johnston Community Center, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. 6pm. Free. Explore Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue in a fun and energetic dance environment. The class is open to all ages and no previous dance experience is required. artsandscience.org/programs.

Pizza and Pages: Preteen Book Club.

Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Preteen. 4-5pm. Free. Discuss an assigned book. New members welcome.

Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Story Time and More. Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave. Recommended 10 and under.

10am-noon. $10 per family. Enjoy stories and crafts in the SEED Wildlife Garden, then explore or picnic in the SEED Wildlife and Children’s Gardens. Register online.winghavengardens. org.

Super Play Time. Superior Play Systems, 11415 Granite St., Suite C. 10am-6pm. $6. Drop in for safe play on the indoor equipment. superiorplay.com/play-time.

Toddler Tuesday at Sea Life CharlotteConcord Aquarium. Sea Life CharlotteConcord Aquarium, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord. $15 for adult. Get one free child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket on Tuesdays. Each additional child ages 3-12 will cost $5. visitsealife.com.

22 WEDNESDAY On Stage: My Fair Lady. See page 26 Half-Price Arcade Games at Bowlero.

Bowlero, 210 E. Trade St. 11am-11:45pm.

Price per game varies. Play arcade games for half the price on Wednesdays. bowlero.com/ location/bowlero-charlotte/specials.

Preschool Playdate. BounceU Charlotte, 10624 Metromont Pkwy. Ages 5 and younger.

10am-noon. $8. Preschoolers can bounce with their parents in a safe, climate-controlled facility. bounceu.com.

JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

Toddler Storytime at Barnes & Noble: Morrison Place. Barnes & Noble: Morrison Place, 4020 Sharon Road. 11am.

Free. Join story time with other families. barnesandnoble.com.

23 THURSDAY On Stage: La Bohème, My Fair Lady. See page 26 New Moon Hike. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 7 and older. 6:308pm. Free. Take a hike in the preserve with guides and experience the preserve using only your night vision. Registration is required. parkandrec.com.

Open Track Night. Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. 6-8pm. Free. Walk or run in a safe place with family and friends. visitlakenorman.org.

Vulture Playground Fun. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville.

11-11:30am. $8-$12, children 3 and younger free, included with admission to Raptor Trail. Watch a King Vulture play on a playground in the Vulture Culture exhibit. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

Yoga Storytime. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 10:30-11am.

Free. Enjoy stories coupled with fun and easy yoga moves. cmlibrary.org.

24 FRIDAY On Stage: Innovative Works, My Fair Lady, Totally 80’s. See page 26 ACT Practice Exam with the Princeton Review. Main Library Rock Hill, 310 N. Tryon St. Teen. 9:30am-1:30pm. Free.

Kick off your ACT prep with a free practice exam. princetonreview.com/product/ offerings/447270.

Camp: Italian Classics. Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios Rea Farms, 9826 Sandy Rock Pl., Suite E. Ages 5-8. 8:30am-4pm. $84.

Make marinara sauce, pasta, garlic knots, and dessert. flourpowerstudios.com.

Charlotte Checkers vs. Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton. BoPlex, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 7pm. $18.50+. The first 1,500 fans get a free Checkers beanie. gocheckers.com.

Messy by Nature. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1:30-2:30pm. $4.

Create nature-inspired crafts. parkandrec.com.

Out of School Days: Play the Day Away.

Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Road. Ages 5-12. 9am-5:30pm. $25. Play

games and sports, create art, and explore the playground. Bring a bagged lunch. parkandrec.com.

Ray’s Fun Day Camp. Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St. Ages 6-10. 9am-5pm. $25.

Come for games, activities, and swimming. parkandrec.com.

25 SATURDAY On Stage: Innovative Works, Mike Massé in Concert, My Fair Lady, Totally 80’s.

See page 26 African Drum Circle presented by Drums 4 Life. Albemarle Road Recreation Center, 5027 Idlewild Road N. Noon-1pm. Free. Learn about African drumming and get handson experience with African instruments. artsandscience.org.

Carolina PAWS Adoption Event. PetSmart of Blakeney, 9911 Rea Road. 11am-2pm.

Free. Meet adoptable animals every Saturday. facebook.com/cpaws1/.

Toddler Time at Sky Zone. Sky Zone, 10200 Centrum Pkwy., Pineville, and 7325 Smith Corners Blvd., Charlotte. Ages 5 and younger.

9-10am. $8. Little ones bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from bigger kids. Jumpers need Sky Socks, which are available for purchase, and a signed waiver. skyzone.com. ¡Vamos a Leer! Bilingual Story Time.

Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. 11am-12:30pm. Free. Come for bilingual story time, and music-inspired arts and crafts. RSVP by calling 704-416-4400. charlottecultureguide.com.

26 SUNDAY On Stage: My Fair Lady. See page 26 Keeper Talk. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 2-2:30pm. $8-$12, children 3 and younger free, included with admission to Raptor Trail. Raptor keepers show you their favorite bird species. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

Magnificent Mammals. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-12. 2-3pm. $4. Discover what makes mammals unique through stories and crafts. parkandrec.com.

Vulture Venture. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 12:301pm. $8-$12, children 3 and younger free, included with admission to Raptor Trail.

Engage in an activity of the trainer’s choice. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

CALENDAR 27 MONDAY Cultural Exploration: Homeschool Monday. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Ages 5-11. 1-1:45pm. Free. Celebrate a different country each month. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Jazz Dance Classes by Charlotte Ballet. Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Road. 7pm. Free.

704-414-2774. Participants of all ages learn proper Jazz dance technique. No previous dance experience required. artsandscience.org/programs.

Story Explorers: Homeschool Edition.

Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road.

Ages 5-11. 1:30-2:30pm. Free. Explore books and stories through interactive activities. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Young Explorers: Groundhog Adventures. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 2-3. 10:15-11am. $4. Discover nature through stories and activities. parkandrec.com.

28 TUESDAY On Stage: National Geographic Live: Ocean Soul, The New Colossus.

See page 26 Preteen Scene: Creative Journaling.

Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 8-12. 5:30-6:30pm.

Free. Learn about writing and expression by journaling. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Toddler Tuesdays at Barnes & Noble: Arboretum. Barnes & Noble: Arboretum, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road. 9:30am. Free. Weekly story time includes classic tales and new favorites. barnesandnoble.com.

Yoga Storytime. Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 6-6:30pm.

Free. Enjoy stories coupled with fun and easy yoga poses. cmlibrary.org.

29 WEDNESDAY On Stage: The New Colossus. See page 26 CALENDAR POLICY

Fire n’ Cocoa. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. 6-7:30pm. Free.

Practice fire safety and fire building techniques while enjoying hot cocoa. parkandrec.com.

Homeschool Day at Jumpin Jax. Jumpin Jax of Lancaster, 2650 Charlotte Hwy., Lancaster. 10:30am-2pm. $8.

Homeschool students receive discounted admission. jumpinjaxoflancastersc.com.

Preschool Story Time. Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill. Ages 3-5. 4:30-4:45pm. Free.

Enjoy story time with your preschooler. yclibrary.org.

30 THURSDAY On Stage: Innovative Works, The New Colossus. See page 26 Cupcake Delirium at Ballantyne Corporate Park. The Brixham Tent in Ballantyne Corp. Park, 11605 N. Community House Road. 11am-2pm.

Catch the Cupcake Delirium food truck in the Ballantyne Corporate Park. goballantyne.com.

Learn, Connect, Play: Video Gaming.

University City Regional Library, 301 East W.T. Harris Blvd. Teen. 3:30-5pm. Free.

Play Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. cmlibrary.org.

31 FRIDAY On Stage: Akeelah and the Bee, Copland Appalachian Spring, Innovative Works, Mama Mia!, The New Colossus, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. See page 26 Family Friday Hikes. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 7 and older. 1:30-3pm. Free. Meet at the Nature Center for this 1.5 hour hike around the preserve. Registration is required. parkandrec.com.

Kids’ Kindness Meditation. Lake Wylie Public Library, 185 Blucher Cir., Lake Wylie. Ages 6-11. 3:30-4pm. Free. Learn to practice kindness and relax. Register online. yclibrary.org.

Immersed In Light: Studio Drift at the Mint Museum Uptown.

TOP FIVE EXHIBITS FOR FAMILIES Maurice Sendak: The Memorial Exhibition (through Jan. 25). Gaston County Public Library, 1555 East Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. Recommended for ages 5 and older.

Free. See 50 original works by Maurice Sendak, author of “Where the Wild Things Are.” Call library for hours and closures, especially on holidays. gastonlibrary.org.

Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies (Jan. 12-31). Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. $6-$7, children 3 and younger free, included with admission.

Take a rare look at the life of dinosaurs, and explore their eggs, nests, and young in this interactive exhibit. schielemuseum.org.

RCR 50: Only in America Exhibit (through Feb. 8). NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 East Martin Luther King Blvd. $12-$25, children 2 and younger free, included with admission. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Richard Childress Racing and see artifacts, racecars, images, and audio/video displays. nascarhall.com.

Immersed In Light: Studio Drift at the Mint (Through April 26). Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. $6-$15, children 4 and younger free, included with admission. Studio Drift, founded by Dutch artists Ralph Nauta and Lonneke Gordijn, features sculptures that explore the relationship between humanity, nature, and technology. mintmuseum.org.

Creepy Nature (Through May 31). Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. $6-$7, includes museum admission. 704-866-6908. See vampires, zombies, mummies, and alien invaders, and learn the truth behind these mythologies through undersea perils, mysterious jungles, forbidding swamps, and an abandoned mine. schielemuseum.org.

The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and low-cost local and regional events for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, go to charlotteparent.com/calendar, then click on Submit an Event. Submission deadline for print is the 1st of the month prior to the next month’s publication. Time, dates and details of events are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

charlotteparent.com | JANUARY 2020

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DADDY DEREK

Time Enough at Last

BY DEREK JAMES

My boys are fascinated by time. Chase, my 8-year-old, is especially enamored with calendars and dates. He can tell you everyone’s birthday, he remembers when various things happened, and he loves to count down to special days and events. As we begin 2020, I’ve realized that time moves quickly. It’s also dawned on me where my boys’ interest in time comes from; namely, dear old Dad. I enjoy flipping the calendar to a new month. I also enjoy crossing days off the calendar as they go by. I don’t have anything in particular that I’m counting down to, really. I’m not sure why I enjoy these things.

Am I, perhaps, too focused on what’s next rather than enjoying what’s now? Is it time (no pun intended) for me to just settle in more and enjoy the ride?

A prime example of needing to let go comes on New Year’s Eve. I always worried about what would happen the next day if our kids stayed up past midnight. In 2018, we went to a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party at the home of good friends, and our boys stayed up to welcome 2019. They were tired the next day, but there were no disasters. Everything was fine.

That’s when I realized I might be holding on just a little too tight. In 2020, I need to be more flexible with time and not be so strict—during the holidays, or even during the summer when the kids are out of school.

I know this.

When my boys were little, everything in our household was about sticking to a schedule. Eating, playing, sleeping. Today, our schedules revolve around school, sports, church, and birthday parties. We still aim to get the kids in bed at the same time

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JANUARY 2020 | charlotteparent.com

every night, but I still worry when those schedules get thrown off. In 2020, I’m going to work to worry less about time.

Like so many parents, I overschedule myself. As parents, we need to understand that downtime isn’t wasted time, even though the lack of activity can make it feel that way. We live in such a go-go-go society, it’s easy to forget how important doing nothing can be for our overall health—and sanity. I commit to doing things back-to-back-to-back, even though it often leads to my greatest moments of stress. While a more laid-back schedule isn’t always possible, it’s okay to say no to something. I’m saying that because it’s true, not because I’m trying to convince myself—or you. In 2020, I’m resolving to

stop squeezing too much into my days, and reduce my number of commitments.

There, I said it. It’s in print. Now I have to, right?

This year, I encourage you to join me in slowing down. By showing our kids an appreciation for time and modeling a commitment to time well spent, we can help enjoy the days on the calendar rather than mindlessly mark their passing.

What are you going to do to better use time this year and simplify?

DEREK JAMES is a host of WCCB News Rising and dad to Tyler, 11, and Chase, 8.

“Art has helped to boost my self-confidence because I feel like art is just a special thing that I can create on my own, and I know no one else can do what I do with my art.” – Annie, Arts+ visual art student

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