Newburgh REALLY! TAKE ME!
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M AY 2 0 2 0
INSIDE
n’s Y! Childre HOORA ntly ie conven Boutique wn in downto located h! Newburg
T N E R PAedition the
NB
from the
EDITOR
MAGAZINE
EDITOR Megan Purazrang newburghmagazine@gmail.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter
CONTRIBUTORS Julie Rosenbaum
It’s hard to believe that we are already nearly halfway through the year 2020 and into our May edition of Newburgh Magazine.
Wyatt Squires
In this issue we highlights parents and offer advice, activities for families and a must try smoothie recipe.
PHOTOS
Our cover story is Hooray, a children’s boutique in downtown Newburgh. Writer Wyatt Squires caught up with owner Nicole Taylor about how the store continues to serve the needs of the community. Writer Julie Rosenbaum offers suggestions for your next day trip – from area museums to neighboring cities! As always we want to hear from you! Look for our photo call outs on our social media pages as we continue to engage with the community. Have a story or feature idea you would like to share? Please do! Email us at newburghmagazine@gmail.com
Lisa Polk Photography & Design Maegan Saalwaechter AP Imagery
TO ADVERTISE Bob Rigg brigg@warricknews.com Phone: 812-641-2001
CONTACT US www.warricknews.com 131 South Second Street P.O. Box 266 Boonville, IN 47601 Phone: 812-897-2330 Email: newburghmagazine@gmail.com
ON THE COVER
Megan Purazrang Editor
Newburgh REALLY! TAKE ME!
E FREE MAGAZIN
MONTH 2020
INSIDE
’s ! Children HOORAY eniently e conv Boutiqu ntown in dow located h! Newburg
A special thanks to Madelyn, age 11, and Connor, age 6, for being our cover kids! the NT A P eRditEion
ography
Lisa Polk Phot and Design
table of
CONTENTS
May 2020
6
VITAMIN POWERHOUSE
19
MADE TO CHERISH
Add a boost of health to your day with this smoothie recipe
Use these templates to trace or cut out for your own card for Mother’s or Father’s Day
8
DAY TRIPS FOR THE FAMILY
22
CLEANING Q&A
Newburgh is surrounded by family fun within a reasonable distance
How to keep up with cleaning when there is a shortage of supplies
10
HOORAY!
26
THE BOOK CORNER
Boutique highlights kids clothing in downtown Newburgh
Choose from the top picks to read or buy for a child, mother or father
16
THE PANDEMIC PARENT
29
JULIE’S COLUMN
Trials and tribulations of being a parent during a global pandemic
A simpler time meant playtime outside May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 1
In the news... NWS CONFIRMED EF-2 TORNADO The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-2 tornado touched down in Newburgh during the storm that came through the area on March 28. The report from the National Weather Service says the tornado started at 8:18 p.m. on Saturday night on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River when it crossed the river coming back on land near downtown Newburgh hitting the area with estimated peak winds of 125 miles per hour. The report shows the tornado traveled slightly north and east crossing State Road 66 near the intersection with Sharon Road and continuing past Brumley Road between Outer Lincoln Avenue and Sharon Road before State Road 61. The report stated that five homes lost at least portions of their roof, and at least one home lost some of its second story walls while dozens of other homes received moderate to major damage. According to the report, hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted.
PHOTO BY: ALEX HARDGRAVE
NEWBURGH WINE FEST AND EVENTS RESCHEDULED Due to the recommendations on events over 50 people put out by the CDC in response to COVID-19, Grapes on the Grass Soiree and Newburgh Wine Fest have been rescheduled New dates are as follows: • Grapes on the Grass Soiree - Friday, September 11, 2020 • Newburgh Wine Fest - Saturday, September 12, 2020 If you have already purchased tickets online, you should have received an email about ticketing options if the new dates do not work for you. Ticket sales have been temporarily suspended and early bird discounted tickets will go back on sale on July 1. Advance purchase tickets will go on sale on August 1. If you have questions, please email events@historicnewburgh.org
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2 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
AFTER THE STORM COMES A RAINBOW With all the unbelievable things going in our world today it’s so easy to get lost in your own world and you forget about the the world around us. Amber Kelly (HNI Event Coordinator) had a great idea to color the town with chalk. She pulled together some of the local talent and they got to work coloring our wonderful little town. We drew on buildings, sidewalks & retaining walls. The message we are trying to send is ”spread joy.” Newburgh has faced so much recently and we want everyone to know that we will survive, we are still here and are not going to be defeated. The Merchants are painting rainbows in their windows to show they are here and they love being part of our town. We have several numbers out there if you see something great and uplifting take a picture and #it. We would love to see all social media flooded with wonderful pictures around our town. #newburghstrong, #rainbowsinwindows, #spreadjoy.
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 3
4 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 5
6 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
BLEND UP A VITAMIN POWERHOUSE ADD A BOOST OF HEALTH TO YOUR DAY It’s that time of the year. Kids are
PHOTO BY: LISA POLK PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN
home. Everyone has lessons, games and practice. When you need a quick healthy breakfast or a new creative way to get the kids to eat more fruits
Wyatt’s Smoothie Actual amounts will vary based on the size of your blender. INGREDIENTS • Two parts frozen spinach • One part frozen pineapple chunks
and veggies, smoothies are the perfect
• One part frozen mango chunks
answer. Here is a recipe for a tropical
• Two parts frozen banana chunks
fruit smoothie that brings fruits and
• One part berries (optional)
greens into the picture. Add in oats
• One part coconut milk
or other smoothie additives for even
• One teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
more in your smoothie experience. Feel free to substitute coconut milk for any other milk of your choice.
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Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-12 May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 7
DAY TRIPS
for the whole family There are several intriguing day trips for children readily available in the Tri-State, plus relatively short excursions to cities such as Louisville and St. Louis.
OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY 44 minutes Smothers Park offers a playground named one of the best in the world in 2015 by Landscape Architect’s Network. The park, established as Owensboro’s first back in 1816 (under a
WRITER: JULIE ROSENBAUM NEWBURGH
Look no further than your own town. Newburgh Elite Air Trampoline Park offers several great deals, consisting of Family Day and Toddler Time. Youngsters and adults can burn off
different name). Lazy Dayz Children’s Playground and Spray Park is completely handicap-accessible and features state of the art material. The riverfront
energy on the trampolines or ninja course. For information, call 812-490-1110.
features three signature
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA 16 minutes
every 15 minutes and a
fountains, has a show
The Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville (cMoe) features three floors of exhibits and activities providing sensory experiences and educational content focusing on literacy, science, math, visual and performing arts, culture and health. It is regarded as a place where families and caregivers with young children are encouraged to create, explore, and discover together through play. The museum hopes to spark the curious minds and imaginations of children and their families through exhibits, programs and activities.
8 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
cascading waterfall. It was part of a multi-million dollar upgrade.
GOING the DISTANCE
HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY 1 hour 26 minutes If you’re looking for just as much water fun in a smaller environment you must check out Tie Breaker Family Acquatic Center. They offer hurricane alley where kids can enjoy the thrills of flying through a twisting tube of splashing fun. Riptide Express, The Splash Zone and Ripple River cover the bases for toddlers, teens and adults. Tons of lounge
Indianapolis
chairs throughout the park, several shaded, are available, plus great snacks.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: TIE
St. Louis
BREAKER AQUATIC CENTER
Newburgh
Louisville
Evansville
Owensboro Hopkinsville
Nashville
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 1 hour 48 minutes
Mega Cavern, named Trip Advisor’s No. 1 Louisville attraction, features the world’s only fully underground Zip Lines and Adventure Tour, the world’s only fully underground aerial ropes challenge course, a 10-story underground historic tram tour, the largest indoor bike park in the world and a guided e-bike tour. It also boasts Lights Under Louisville, the world’s only fully underground holiday light show.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 2 hours 44 minutes
Indianapolis offers front row seats to the Indy 500, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Zoo. In addition to that, Cycle City offers multiple bike trails, rides and races.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 2 hours 47 minutes PHOTO BY: AP IMAGERY
St. Louis City Museum is perhaps worth an overnight trip. It is located downtown in a 100-year-old warehouse in which artists repurposes pieces of old cities to build miles of tunnels, slides, climbers, bridges and castles. Among the features are secret passages, grand galleries, playgrounds and ball pits, a circus and train, a rooftop school bus and Ferris wheel. Don’t forget to check out all the other FREE admission spots they offer throughout the city too.
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 9
PHOTO BY: LISA POLK PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN
BOUTIQUE HIGHLIGHT CHILDREN S ’ S C L O T HING IN DOWNTOW N NEWBUR GH
PHOTO BY: LISA POLK PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN
HOORAY!
A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR KIDS WITH GEAR, TRINKETS AND TOYS WRITER: WYATT SQUIRES In downtown Newburgh even the youngest residents belong thanks to dedication from Hooray! The store has been downtown for over 10 years and has continued to ser ve clothing needs for kids from Newburgh to girls size 16 and boys size 10 while offering shoes, toys and accessories as well. Owner Nicole Taylor says she previously worked part-time at the store while teaching preschool in 2018 when the previous owner said there were plans to close the store. Taylor says she was passionate about keeping the store open and bought the store in 2019. “It was kind of on a whim, but we wanted to continue to provide quality clothing in Newburgh for kiddos,” she says. Taylor says the shop is one of the only local shops that offer kids clothes that will stand the test of time through the rough and tough kids will put them
12 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
PHOTOS BY: MAEGAN SAALWAECHTER
INSIDE HOORAY! This children’s clothing boutique serves boys and girls from preemie to size 16. You’ll find shop quality footwear from Stride Rite to Livie & Luca. As well as wooden toys, imaginative games, puzzles, books, and one-of-a-kind accessories.
through. She said the quality products is a winner for parents and grandparents, but the play area in the back is what wins over kids and lets them know they belong too. “It makes them feel at home. In the play area they are more than welcome to touch anything they want,” she says. “Most come in happy and leave sad because they don’t want to leave the play area.” It’s important to have kids also included downtown, Taylor adds. She said the town is already family oriented, but the store adds more. “Parents can stop downtown and shop, get a haircut and get something to eat. This is something for the kids too,” she says. “We think that it’s very important to have something because I think kids are a neglected population when it comes to things to do or people to shop for.” Plus, Taylor says she and her husband live in Newburgh with their five children. She says being a local family makes them even more invested in the store. “This is where we’ve chosen to raise our children,” she says. “That’s part of the reason we wanted to keep the store open. We didn’t want to see something go to the wayside that we use and is important to the community.” For more information, visit the Hooray! Website www.hooraychildrensshoppe.com
14 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
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ANOTHER REASON TO STAY IN NEWBURGH WE TAKE OUR BURGERS PRETTY SERIOUSLY...
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DRAWING BY: RYLEIGH P., 8 YEARS OLD
16 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
the
PANDEMIC PARENT Working and parenting is tough, but doing that plus teaching from home is a triple duty. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day. Or is there?
WRITER: MAEGAN SAALWAECHTER A pandemic parent is like an alter ego, a super secret identity, the side of you that comes out in a time of global crisis. It’s a personality that’s difficult to tap into, but you wake one day and life as you have always known it stops. It felt like the world quit turning when the coronavirus induced its panic, drastic life changes and uncertainty. Parents globally struggle with financial burdens, grief and social distancing from their own loved ones. But we have to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Before it began my kids were signed up for baseball, soccer and music lessons. Between games and practices, work, PTO meetings, homework, recitals, plays and day to day chores I was left an Exhausto-Mom. My days as Momma Flash were over and I was forced to slow down. I was grateful to finally be able to work from home, but it was not the job I intended it being. I’m a full-time mother, teacher and designer with no shift change or someone to cover me for a break. It’s a tough life, but not impossible. However, I must be grateful for what I have now and what I may not have later and that is time. My brain breaks and lunch break and bathroom breaks are filled with screams, laughter, tears, fights, hugs and I love yous. Being both a stay at home parent and worker has its mental struggles. I turned into the parent I swore I would never be for the sake of accomplishing something. There is lots of screen-time, a few more snacks and a lot less of being an eyes on the wall type of parent. And I’m okay with that now.
Picture perfect doesn’t exist and if my kid eats his apples off the floor for the third time, while I’m not looking, he’s still going to survive. There is a little less structure, music lessons in the form of TikTok and physical activity is letting the kids run free in the yard. They come up with ways to entertain themselves asking for help with scissors, if they can go outside or for me to visit the grocery store that is now conveniently placed in the kids’ bedroom. Even small adjustments like this can teach them transferable skills such as patience, concentration, imagination and exploration. That’s when the lightbulb truly went off. My kids don’t need continuous guidance and supervision. What they need is for me to back off at a safe distance and allow them to learn and fail by themselves. Thus I introduce, the quarantine goals. Tasks that keep motivation high, their mind occupied and them out of my hair. So far, we have accomplished potty training, tying shoes and are currently learning to ride bikes without training wheels. Of course I want to be there when my oldest finally takes off down the driveway on her bike, but I remind myself that I can’t always be there for every ‘first’. Through the pandemic my children have been an inspiration. They are bummed, but they are resilient. Life isn’t solely about learning, it’s about living and I want my kids to look back at this time and remember it as a time of cooped up happiness. Maegan is a mother to three children ages 8, 5 and 3.
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 17
LEAD BY EXAMPLE Children who witness their parents putting off going to the dentist or being apprehensive about visiting the dentist may develop their own fears. Always paint the dentist in a positive light and keep appointments. FOCUS ON THE GOOD ASPECTS Talk up all the benefits of going to the dentist, such as having a squeaky clean and fresh mouth. Many hygienists will hand out small toys after a successful visit, or at the least a great new toothbrush and other fun products to try.
Make dentist trips fun START GOING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER WRITER: SUBMITTED Visits to the dentist for periodic cleanings and checkups are an important component of oral hygiene. Dentists also may be the first people to identify potential issues that can affect health elsewhere in the body. Many people are unaware that children should visit the dentist early in their lives. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist by age one or within six months of the eruption of his or her first tooth. However, many parents wait until much later — age two or three — to take kids to the dentist, offers Delta Dental Plans. Hesitance to visit the dentist may stem from personal fears or perceived reactions by children. Primary teeth may eventually fall out, but they shouldn’t be ignored. They save space for permanent teeth and serve other functions. Therefore, parents should begin to acclimate children to the dentist at a young age to make the experience fun and even enjoyable.
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GET A TOUR OF THE OFFICE Ask the staff if your child can get a special tour of the office with explanations of all the tools and equipment. Understanding what to expect the next time around in a no-pressure situation can make the process much easier for everyone involved. The dentist may be able to also give a test ride on the exam chair, moving it up and down, as well as showing off the water fountain and oral irrigator. AVOID GIVING FALSE HOPE Do not tell a child that “everything will be OK” at the dentist’s office. If a child needs treatment that may be uncomfortable, he or she may not trust you the next time a dental visit is scheduled, according to Joel H. Berg, D.D.S., M.S., Director of the Department of Dentistry at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Avoid words like “shots,” “pain,” “hurt,” or even “cavities.” Dentists, particularly pediatric dentists, may have their own vocabulary that can assuage fears and seem less alarming to kids.
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CHERISH Take the next pages and cut them out to create a special thank you to mom, dad, grandma or grandpa! Easy to do and light supplies needed.
TIME
TOOLS
30 mins.
• paper or cardstock • scissors • glue • photo (optional)
I love you to the moon and back!
You’re one in a melon
apply glue here
apply glue here apply glue here
apply glue here
apply glue here apply glue here
apply glue here
You’re one
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 19
KID CRAFTS I love you to the moon and back!
photo here
apply glue here
apply glue here
apply glue here
apply glue here
20 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
Did you have fun with these? We want to see! Tag us on Facebook or Instagram @NewburghMag
You’re one
You’re one in a melon
apply glue here
apply glue here
apply glue here
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 21
Q&A WRITER: MAEGAN SAALWAECHTER
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU USE TO CLEAN WHEN FACED WITH A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES? In light of concerns about COVID-19, various health organizations have issued specific instructions on how to maintain personal safety and cleanliness. These recommendations involve using common household products to sanitize homes, offices and public spaces. As people take such precautions, many are stocking up on extra essentials — resulting in shortages. Everything from hand sanitizers to paper towels may be hard to find on grocery store shelves, leaving some to wonder what they can do to remain safe without sanitizers? The Environmental Protection Agency states that coronaviruses are some of the easiest types of viruses to kill because they have an envelope around them that enables them to merge with other cells and infect them. If that protective coating can be disrupted, the virus can’t do its job. For those having trouble finding well-known cleaning agents, these alternatives may suffice.
HOT WATER AND SOAP The reason hand-washing is at the top of the list of sanitizing methods is because it is so effective at washing away viruses and bacteria. Friction from scrubbing with soap and water can help break the protective envelope, states the EPA. Soap and water can clean all surfaces in a home, especially when applying a little extra elbow grease. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE As people clear isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) off the shelves, do not discount hydrogen peroxide. The CDC says household hydrogen peroxide at 3 percent concentration can deactivate rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold, within six to eight minutes of contact. Coronavir us is easier to destroy than rhinovir us, so hydrogen peroxide may be effective at combatting that virus as well.
HOW SHOULD CHILDREN’S TOYS BE CLEANED? AND WHAT ARE THE BEST METHODS? The real question is how often should children’s toys and surfaces be cleaned? Drooling babies and toddlers are known to leave their mark just about anywhere they can reach and then some. You’ll want to make sure you are cleaning not only the toys, but playmats, gear, entertainment surfaces, high chairs etc. Before we jump into a timeline and methods, let’s break down the process of effective cleaning by CDC standards: CLEANING This step refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not kill germs, but by remov-
22 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
ing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. DISINFECTING Using chemicals will kill germs on the sur face or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. SANITIZING This process lowers the number of germs on a surface or object to a safe level by public health standards. This is achieved by either cleaning or disinfecting.
In lieu of shortages, white vinegar, baking soda pastes and citrus oils and juices could fill the void of chemically-based cleansers. Cleaning kids toys are important not only during a pandemic, but you should clean some toys as often as weekly to prevent your day-to-day bacteria and germs from growing. WHEN TO DISINFECT • When your baby is recovering from an illness like diarrhea or a cold • After a play date since other children may have put your baby’s toys in their mouths • If the toy hasn’t been played with in awhile (like toys in diaper bags, purses and car compartments) WHAT CAN I USE • 50/50 mixture of hot water and distilled white vinegar • Mixture of bleach and water • Clear isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) followed by a wet cloth • Dishwasher • Boiling water
CLEANING METHODS FOR TOYS AND SURFACES Every toy and surface will need to be cleaned and disinfected differently depending on the material it’s made of. • Fabric toys can be tossed in the washer (place in pillowcase or lingerie bag to protect them) followed by the dryer on high heat for 15-20 minutes (look out for toys that have squeakers or battery packs) • Small plastic toys can be submerged in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Remove and rinse. • Avoid bleach as it is corrosive to metal and damaging to plastics and rubber. (bleach solutions should be made daily) • Keep in mind rubbing alcohol requires 10-15 minutes of exposure. Over time it may harden rubber and plastic, but it leaves no residue and can be used on skin and hard surfaces. • Playmats need to be cleaned weekly with soap and hot water. Foam mats are porous trapping germs, plastic mats are relatively easy to disinfect or sanitize and cloth mats can be tossed in the washer.
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 23
ESSENTIAL I N FA N T
WRITER: CONTRIBUTED
A parent’s job begins the moment a woman learns she is pregnant. Upon receiving such news, women typically make important changes to ensure the well-being of the fetuses growing inside them. Once a child is born, the first few weeks with baby certainly can be a whirlwind. During this period, pediatricians note how important bonding with parents is for a baby’s development. Parents may be unaware that the touches, cuddles and feelings of safety and security provided by them help set a foundation for emotional well-being, which can last throughout their child’s life. According to Jeff Simpson, Ph.D., adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota and an author of a study about childhood attachment, babies who were securely attached to their mothers by 12 months old (turning to her for comfort when exploring an unfamiliar place) were more likely to come out of an argument in their early 20s still feeling connected to their partners. Simpson surmises that the ability to trust, love and resolve conflict develops in part from how people are treated as infants. The Australian parenting website Raising Children Network says repeated human contact like singing, cuddling, talking, touching, and gazing into each other’s eyes enables a newborn’s brain to release hormones that help his or her brain to grow. This, in turn, helps to develop memory, thought and language. New parents may wonder what they can do to foster strong bonds
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Great ways to bo nd with your new in fant
with their babies. The following are some strategies to build those bonds. • BREASTFEED BABY. Breastfeeding provides more than nutrition. The close contact during nursing helps the child to hear Mom’s heartbeat and gets skin-to-skin contact. • MAKE EYE CONTACT. Parents should keep eye contact with baby when engaging in feedings and other care. This helps the baby remember who their parents are and reassures them that their parents can be trusted. • READ BABY’S MESSAGES. A child who wants to engage will make little noises, such as cooing or laughing sounds. He or she also may look relaxed and interested, while some may seek out their parents. React to these messages promptly. • RESPOND TO CRIES. Parents can do their best to always respond to cries for attention as it helps the baby to feel safe. This is key during the first three months of the baby’s life. As the baby ages and has already developed a bond, parents can encourage more self-soothing.
SOCIAL SAFETY Internet access is no longer limited to desktop or laptop computers. World Advertising Research Center, using data from mobile trade body GSMA, says almost three-quarters of internet users, or roughly 3.7 billion people, will access the internet exclusively via smartphones by 2025. Young people are one of the largest demographics utilizing smartphones today. A Common Sense Media sur vey says just over half of children in the United States now own a smartphone by the age of 11. In addition, 84 percent of teenagers have their
WRITER: CONTRIBUTED
PARENTS CAN EXERCISE CAUTION WITH YOUTH-BASED SOCIAL APPS
own phones. Most youth grew up with the internet, and they have embraced a variety of apps, particularly social media apps, that connect them to the world. Social media certainly can be an asset, but it has inherent risks, such as making kids easy targets for identity theft or sexual predators. Other apps expose users to explicit, unfiltered content. Parents must educate themselves about the popular apps their tweens and teens may be using and weigh their pros and cons. Here’s a list of apps every parent should know in 2020.
TIKTOK This app (formerly Musical.ly) is designed for creating and sharing short videos, notably music videos. Users are urged to express their creativity, and special effects can be added. While minimum age for use is 13, there is no real way to validate users’ ages so anyone can download the app. Parents say the videos are plagued by inappropriate language and content, including pornographic material. Also, some have warned that when sexual predators are identified, the app is slow to flag and remove these users. KIK This is a cross-platform messaging app that enables users to chat anonymously without the need for phone service. Users also can share most digital media and video chat with one another. Forbes reports that Kik has had issues with child exploitation and sexual harassment. TELLONYM The web resource FamilyEducation says this messenger app allows kids to ask and answer questions anonymously, purporting to be the “most honest place on the internet.” Cyber bullying and violent threats are common, according to watchdog groups. MEETME This social app advertises its ability to have users meet new people through messages, video calls and live streams. With no option to set privacy limitations, users can freely view other profiles within the vicinity. Also, reaching out to others and viewing profiles generates in-app reward incentives. BIGO LIVE Common Sense Media says this app is like YouTube and Twitch in that Bigo Live lets users stream live video of themselves that others can see and comment on in real time. People also can send and receive “beans,” which are virtual gifts that cost real money. The warning is that Bigo has a lot of mature content and predatory commentary. YOLO Yolo is an easy add-on for Snapchat, which also is a popular app among children. Yolo lets users ask anonymous questions and receive feedback. The anonymity of commentary can be a recipe for bullying, trolling and hurt feelings.
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 25
Book Corner the
Celebrating moms and dads everywhere, we’ve gathered nostalgic, best-selling and fan favorite books on the market.
26 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE May 2020
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch A young woman holds her newborn son and looks at him lovingly and sings “I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” This story of the neverending love of a parent has touched the hearts of millions.
Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, she always brings warm hugs, sweet treats...and her purse. You never know what she'll have in there--fancy jewelry, tokens from around the world, or something special just for her granddaughter. It might look like a normal bag from the outside, but Mimi and her granddaughter know that it's pure magic!
How To Raise a Mom by Jean Reagan Celebrate the bond between moms and children in this humorous New York Times bestseller that invites the kids to do the hard work of raising their mom…if just for a day! Two siblings suggest the best ways to raise a happy, healthy mom— from waking her up in the morning to arranging play dates, to making sure she gets enough exercise, some quiet time, and plenty of veggies!
If My Love Were a Fire Truck by Luke Reynolds This picture book compares a father’s love and his son with all the things the little boy loves. Perfect for sweet dreams, this bedtime read will leave your child dreaming of fire trucks, rocket ships and animals.
Pet Dad by Elanna Allen Plum wants the perfect pet; Plum’s dad does not. So Plum decides to turn her father into a pet! She soon realizes that a pet parent is extremely difficult. This hilarious book takes you through Plum’s journey of realizing that kids have the perfect parent to make up for a perfect pet.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry Speaking of fathers rising to the challenge of parenting, Hair Love is a love letter to any dad who’s ever looked at his daughter’s unruly hair. It’s up to Zuri’s daddy to tame her hair for a special occasion. There’s a lot to learn, but there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his little girl.
May 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 27
How to foster a love of music in children WRITER: CONTRIBUTED Music enriches people’s lives in myriad ways. Age is of no consideration when it comes to benefitting from and appreciating music, but it seems that young people in particular have a lot to gain from music education. According to the New England Board of Higher Education, various studies have found that consistent music education can improve vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. In addition, the National Association for Music Education says that research has found a significant relationship between arts participation at school and academic success. Parents who want their children to reap the benefits of being involved with music can try the following strategies aimed at fostering a love of music in young people. TURN THE TELEVISION OFF AND TURN MUSIC ON Exposing youngsters to music is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get them to embrace it. For example, in lieu of turning on the television while preparing meals, parents can play music instead. Let youngsters pick their own songs or mix it up by including some of mom and dad’s favorites as well. Such exposure can be incredibly valuable for youngsters. In fact, a 2016 study from researchers at the University of Southern California found that musical experiences in childhood accelerate brain development. Music is especially effective at helping children in language acquisition and reading. REPLAY KIDS’ FAVORITE SONGS Another way to build kids’ enthusiasm for music is to replay some of their favorite songs. While mom and dad may cringe at the prospect of hearing “Baby Shark” several times in a row, they should take note of how enthusiastic their kids become when hearing a favorite song. And that enthusiasm can benefit their language skills as they listen closely to the lyrics in an effort to memorize the words. Youngsters may not be so
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receptive if they don’t like what they’re hearing. DANCE TO MUSIC Kids are bundles of energy, and dancing is a fun way for them to expend some of that energy. Dancing also provides a great reason to play music. Physical activity set to music can help kids burn off some extra energy as they develop their brains, making dance sessions a win-win for both parents and children. EMBRACE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE LIVE MUSIC Kids are often captivated by seeing musicians perform in person. When possible, take youngsters to concerts, local music festivals and/or restaurants that showcase local musicians. Such excursions may prompt youngsters to want to learn how to play, which can provide a host of additional benefits, even for especially young children. In fact, a 1996 study published in Nature found that first grade students who took part in music classes during art study programs experienced marked improvement in reading and math proficiency.
A simpler time meant
PLAYTIME OUTSIDE WRITER: JULIE ROSENBAUM When I was a child, my mom used to take me for long walks. Other people I know speak fondly of going to a playground and their mom pushing them on the swings. Even as older kids, we made snowmen with our families. In the 1960s when we were finished with homework, we would go outside and play street hockey, basketball or ride our bikes. We were not sitting on a couch all day playing video games. They did not have computers where they could look up anything with nobody knowing. I heard a woman complaining that her 8-year-old found porn on his phone. What was an 8-year-old doing with his own phone? I agree that computers and cellphones are necessary in our lives. However, parenting is even more important. There are people who talk through a special watch and can even track the location of everybody they know. Somebody told me they looked up what people had financially and even found somebody in my family. What were her kids doing while she was “playing”? I think back about what parents did in the 1960s and 1970s - they put kids first. I am not saying that is not the
case in many families now or that all families were perfect in earlier times. What I am saying is that too many young people are being raised by cellphone apps. I see young people hanging out and their parents don’t know where they are. Latch-key kids at 14 or 15 need more care than a toddler. A toddler is left with a caregiver. An older child is on his or her own and that is when experimenting and temptation is blatant. When a baby is born, in this day and age, one parent staying home is not a reality for many. However, somebody should be home to send students off to school. One parent should try to be there when they get home. There are wonderful opportunities for parents and kids in today’s world. It is not that the days when kids played ball by the house and were using their own imaginations. It is that that social media is taking so much of parental and family time. As I write this we are in a state of emergency and people are staying home and out of offices and just maybe the idea of family and games and good old fun at home will make a comeback.
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