Parent Times - May 2024

President’s Corner

Hello NCPG Mamas!

It’s hard to believe that our last class is here and that I am wrapping up my final year on the Board. As I reflect over the last seven years, I feel an immense sense of pride for everything that this organization has accomplished. I joined NCPG in 2017 and the Board in 2019. During that time, NCPG hit its peak membership, persevered through a year of virtual classes and social engagements, moved twice, and managed to fully recover after the pandemic. Through it all, we have continued to provide education and support to countless moms across the greater Phoenix area and have remained a top contributor for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Angels Program here in Arizona. I hope each and every one of you have valued your time in NCPG this year and are as proud as I am to be a part of this incredible organization.

As I transition out of this role, I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our incoming president, Sara Ortega. Sara has spent the last year preparing to become your president by serving as our Executive Admin on the board. Prior to that, she served as a Special Events co-director. Sara brings a fresh perspective and a whole lot of enthusiasm to the Executive team, and I feel so fortunate to have her lead NCPG next year.

In closing, I would like to thank you all for another incredible year of NCPG. In particular, I would like to thank my vice president, Jenna Roehm, who has been my right hand during my two years as president. NCPG would not run without her, as well as the rest of our amazing BOD! I hope you all have a fun, safe, and adventurous summer and I can’t wait to see everyone back in the fall!

2023-2024 Board of Directors

President: Ilyssa Reading

Vice President: Jenna Roehm

Treasurer: Gita Mishkin

Exec Admin: Sara Ortega

Education: Jenny Marusiak & Meredith Marks

Childcare: Alicia Schroeder & Shannon Larson

Outreach: Rachel Hall & Whitney Emmerson

Special Events: Lauren Siddall, Ashlee Merrill & BreAnn Foster

Fundraising: Jill McMeekin, Amy Dillon & Ciara Rubalcava

Social: Tayler Low & Rylee Chalmers

Membership: Michelle VanDerWerf & Alana Hildebrand

Sponsorship: Brooke Dahn, Michele Jaycox & Paige Rafi

Communications: Amanda Shaw & Catherine Jacobson

Public Relations: Delia Prucz

Alternate Director: Shannon Kolacevski

Transitional Director: Jen Dupuy

NCPG is a non-profit, non-denominational organization providing classes to parents of infant to elementary school aged children.

www.ncpgaz.org • Follow us: @ ncpgaz

Parent Times

Sincerely,

Ilyssa Reading

Members, this monthly magazine is for your benefit, so we want to ensure our team is publishing content that is valuable, useful, informative, and fun! Please let us know if you have suggestions, comments, concerns, or any input that would help us to improve this publication. Shoot us an email at communications@ncpgaz.org . Thanks for your help!

Editors – Catherine Jacobson & Amanda Shaw

Designer – Neill Fox, foxnoggin.com , neill@foxnoggin.com

Cover: Collins Jacobson (1)

Photographer: Shannon Lee Photography, @shannonleephotoaz

A high risk pregnancy doctor helping patients advocate for their pregnancy!

Who is Dr. Lexi?

My name is Lexi Hill, and I am what is colloquially called a “high-risk pregnancy doctor”…which in professional terms is called a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist or a Perinatologist. I knew I wanted to be a doctor from an early age for two reasons. First, my mother had congenital hip dysplasia (a form of birth defect – and did you know that around 5% of pregnancies have some form of birth defect?) and I remember being with her as she was in and out of the hospital throughout my childhood. Second, I was diagnosed with a heart condition when I was a teenager that has forever impacted my life. Choosing this very subspecialized niche of medicine was due to my interest in medical complexities and a population that truly wants to be as healthy as possible. If someone had told me that this career choice would require 15 years of education AFTER high school, I may have thought twice; however, I ultimately would do it all over again to be in my current position helping individuals advocate for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

What is considered a high-risk pregnancy?

I like to tell people that my job is kind of like being an internal medicine doctor for pregnant patients…with one little extra patient as well, the fetus! A pregnancy can be deemed “high-risk” for many reasons. There can be issues with the pregnant individual (high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus, thyroid disorder) or the passenger, whether it be the fetus (growth restriction), the placenta (previa), or the amniotic fluid (too low or too high).

How can Dr. Lexi help?

Building the best foundation of knowledge surrounding every pregnancy, low-risk or high-risk, is my ultimate goal.Being an advocate and communicating with your OB provider is crucial. The way in which I try to do this is in an organized format I call E.D.I., which means EXPAND knowledge, DEVELOP skills, IMPACT lives!

To allow an individual the ability to do this, there are various levels to acquire an amazing base of knowledge and arm yourself with the tools for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

FREE VIDEOS

At www.youtube.com/@drlexihill you can find helpful videos answering pregnancy questions, day to day questions about travel, prenatal vitamins, and hair dye, as well as more complex topics such as Down syndrome screening, carrier screening, and gestational diabetes.

FREE PODCAST

Accessible through all platforms at www.drlexihill.com (icons on the top right), you can listen to personal pregnancy stories surrounding topics like advanced maternal age, preeclampsia, and birth trauma. Guests also include medical professionals like sonographers, Psychiatrists, and Neonatologists with an expertise in pregnancy related issues.

PREGNANCY COURSES

You can access modules with amazing detail, quizzes, links, and resources for high-risk pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypothyroidism, IVF, and advanced maternal age at www.drlexihill.com/pregnancy-modules (FREE access with coupon code PREGNANCY).

4. CONCIERGE CONSULTATION

Book your one-on-one visit with Dr. Lexi to discuss any pregnancy concerns, questions, or even a consultation prior to pregnancy if you are considering becoming pregnant or if you have worries from a prior delivery complication or birth trauma. Visit www.drlexihill.com/ pregnancy-advocacy to learn more!

60 Minutes of You Time... Priceless Family Time!

By Royal Aesthetics

Life can already be very full with the hustle of working, living an active lifestyle, volunteering, and pursuing passions. When adding kid(s) to that mix, all of the little moments spent with a partner, working out, or doing self-care routines can quickly go out the window… and for a good reason! Building a family is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and deserves every bit of energy it gets - but parents have to save some love for themselves!

Self Care is Caring for a Family

Taking time to do self-care is invaluable. Experts say that a self-care routine fills your cup which allows you to give more to others and that those good habits can pass on to kids (who we know are always watching)! Parental energy is not endless and putting off, or even completely disregarding self-care can leave energy reserves depleted.1

Start with Building, Improving, or Re-Building, a Healthy Skin Care Routine

Investing in a healthy skincare routine is easy - whether it’s simply applying an SPF moisturizer daily or building up to a celebrity routine of regular facials, customized at home skincare, quarterly wrinkle relaxer and collagen stimulating treatments that soften fine lines. A good skin care routine can/should be shared with the whole family, especially because we live in a desert! Teaching our little ones good skin care and sun protection habits is a must.

The good news - even a celebrity level daily skincare routine doesn’t need to take longer than a few minutes so long as it is consistent, and individually tailored. A professional, customized plan ensures that quality treatments replace quantity, meaning less time in front of the mirror and more with family. Add in regular, short appointments for treatments like facials, wrinkle relaxer, and collagen building products to keep skin looking youthful and the benefits will last a lifetime!

Take the Next Step and come be a Queen (or King)

Thirty minutes to an hour of time at Royal Aesthetics &

“It’s nice to look in the mirror and see a more ‘refreshed’ me.”

1 Schwartz, David. “The

“Royal always makes you feel so welcome and beautiful. I truly feel I’ve never looked better thanks to their help and services they provide.”

Injectables will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated! But what happens at Royal?

First - A Consult

A comprehensive review of your skin and establishing a simple home skincare routine.

Second - Treatment Plan and Options

Some of those can be:

- Monthly Facials: Can treat customized skin concerns and perform routine skin maintenance

- Wrinkle Relaxer Applications: done a few times a year to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, slowing down the effects of aging.

- Collagen Building Treatments: done a few times a year to maintain youthful, glowing skin. DID YOU KNOW? The body stops building collagen at the age of 30. The slow depletion of collagen in skin is a natural sign of aging — it’s the cause of skin becoming thinner and sagging, which leads to more wrinkle formation.

- Laser Hair Removal: Royal utilizes the latest cryo technology, making laser hair removal quick and painless. Just a few appointments means hours of your life spent shaving are now yours again!

- Hyaluronic Acid Based Fillers: Maintain and accentuate a natural, youthful appearance. Fillers are designed to help replace some of the fat loss that causes sagging and wrinkles. A good filler treatment is a way to maintain a natural, age appropriate, wrinkle free face.

And these are only a few of the many options offered at Royal. Reach out anytime to learn more: RoyalAestheticsAZ.com

“Not only did I learn more about how to better take care of my face over the long term, she was helpful in guiding me through what works and what doesn’t in the beauty field.”

2023-2024 Calendar

Class Schedule

8:45 am Nursery opens

9:00-9:40 am Refreshments served 9:45*-11:30 am Classes are held

*Teachers will start promptly at 9:45! 11:45 am Nursery closes 11:30 am-1:15 pm Newborn A

Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church 6715 N. Mockingbird Lane Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Sponsorship

If you have or know of a business who might be interested in being a sponsor or advertiser with NCPG, please email us at sponsorship@ncpgaz.org . NCPG members receive 20% off all sponsorship packages. Also, please stop by to say hi to our sponsors before class!

Public Relations

Be sure to follow @ncpgaz on Instagram and NCPG Facebook for the latest announcements and updates. These are private pages for current members only.

Board Announcements

Membership

Registration for 2024/2025 is now open: $425. At this time, spots will be given on a first come first serve basis and existing members will no longer have priority over new members.

Please reach out to membership at membership@ncpgaz.org with any questions.

Communications

A big thank you to all the amazing moms who have shared their family photos with us throughout the year! We absolutely adore featuring your adorable little ones in our magazine. As we head into summer, please remember to keep us in mind as we gather images for the upcoming year. Our next issue, launching in September, will be filled with all the exciting adventures, activities, playdates, and gatherings from our wonderful NCPG families!

Also, if you have any new arrivals joining your family in the next few of months, please don’t forget to send us their birth announcements!

We wish you all a fantastic summer and look forward to reconnecting with you in the fall! Please send birth announcements and photos to: communications@ncpgaz.org . And just a friendly reminder, please try to submit high-resolution photos (300 dpi) or the best phone resolution possible.

Three Must-Do Estate Planning Tasks Now That You’re a Parent

By Paula Hannah

Parents of young children have a lot on their plates between work, school, and activities. It’s hard to think about the future when you’re so focused on the present. However, there is something you should add to your to do list: estate planning. An estate plan is critical to ensuring that your children will always be in good hands — not just financially, but also emotionally and physically.

Young families do not need extensive assets to need an estate plan. Your estate is simply all the assets you leave behind when you die, including your bank accounts, 401(k) plan, home, and cars. An estate plan helps ensure your assets go to the right people, your debts are paid, and your family is taken care of. Without an estate plan, your estate would typically go through probate, which can be a lengthy and costly court process to settle debt and distribute assets.

Here are three must-do estate planning steps for young families:

Photo by Natalya Zaritskaya on Unsplash

1. Create a will and name a guardian for your children

For parents, the most important reason to make a will is to name a guardian for your children. You don’t want surviving family members fighting over who should do it, and you don’t want this decision left to the courts, which could result in your children living with a relative you haven’t spoken to in years, or even in foster care. By naming a guardian, you get to choose a person who shares your values and who you believe will do a good job raising your kids. This is one of the most essential things any parent should do, and do immediately.

2. Buy life insurance

Raising children can be very expensive. If either parent dies, life insurance ensures there are funds available for the other to continue providing for surviving children. And if both parents die, life insurance can be used to raise the children or to fund the cost of a college education. For most parents, term life insurance makes the most sense. Premiums are affordable, and the coverage will be in effect long enough for your child to grow up into adulthood and no longer be financially dependent. But if you have a child with special needs who is likely to need care even after you pass away, a whole life policy can provide permanent insurance protection that will leave your child the financial resources necessary to provide lifelong care.

3. Consider setting up a trust

If you die before your children turn 18, your kids can’t directly take control of any inheritance you leave them. This can create problems. The court will appoint someone to manage the assets you leave to your children. If you want to specify who will manage assets, how your money and property should be used for your children, and when your children should directly receive a transfer of wealth, consider creating a trust. When you create a trust, you can name a designated person to manage money on behalf of your children and provide instructions for how the trustee can use the money to help care for your kids as they grow. Trusts aren’t just for the wealthy. Anyone who wants more control over how their

assets will help their children after they’re gone should think about creating one.

Thinking about the possibility of passing away with young children is difficult. But it’s worth taking the time to talk to a lawyer about creating an estate plan. It is an essential part of protecting your family and it can save you significant money in the long run. With an estate plan in place, you will have peace of mind knowing your children will be provided for even if the worst happens to you.

Law Offices of Paula Hannah, PLC is a boutique firm based in Phoenix, Arizona. Paula was a member of NCPG for 10 years. Her two daughters attend All Saints’ Episcopal Day School.

Paula provides comprehensive estate planning services and takes pride in making the estate planning process as easy and enjoyable as possible for her clients. At the Law Offices of Paula Hannah, PLC you can enjoy the benefits of working with a licensed attorney to create an estate plan that protects your family — on your schedule, for a reasonable fixed cost, and through a process that is designed to best serve you as the parents of young children.

Contact Paula at 602.922.4010 or Paula@PaulaHannahLaw.com or visit PaulaHannahLaw.com

Member to Meet Shannon Kolacevski, Pre-K

Children: Madison (5)

Spouse: Davor Kolacevski

Hometown: Born in Phoenix but did not live here again until junior year of High School

Career: Former-Lead Researcher, East Coast Division of Boutique Executive Search Firm

Favorite activity to do with your kids: Read to her!

Favorite breakfast spot with kids: Saturday morning bagel run and family breakfast at home

Favorite meal to cook your family: Simple Baked cheesy Italian Chicken Meatballs

Favorite place to vacation with family: Colorado. We always head there in the winter for some skiing, snow shoeing, sledding and ice skating and in the summer for some hiking, water play and adventuring!

Your can’t live without travel items: The Tonie or Yoto for Maddie. She gets carsick so screen time is out of the question and these audio players have been a game changer for us.

Ways to simplify bedtime routine: We found giving Maddie a bath before dinner calms her down and gets her in pj’s. After dinner all she has to do is go potty, wash hands, brush teeth and she’s ready to read books!

Most meaningful moment as a parent: There are so many meaningful moments but the ones that pack a punch are the morning cuddles, the excitement of special moments for her, the sweet “I love you’s” and the proud moments that she succeeds at something that has been hard for her!

Best parenting advice given to you: Have a place to write down little things that touch your heart-especially during the years when they are changing so much daily. We have documented little things like when she used to call a bunny a hop hop or a sheep a baa baa to the first time she successfully dressed herself. These small memories documented really crystalize moments that might otherwise have been forgotten!

Best thing learned at NCPG so far: Each year has been so instrumental in navigating the ever changing landscape of parenting. I think the best thing learned from NCPG though is that I’m not alone and I have the resources of amazing teachers and other Moms to help me navigate through this journey!

Registration Now Open!

Birth Announcements

Help us welcome these new additions to our NCPG family!

Brooks Rocky Yuan

January 4, 2024

5 lbs, 10 oz

Parents: Meg and Justin Yuan

Sibling: Mikaela “MJ” (3)

Georgie Drew Foster

February 8, 2024

7 lbs, 3 oz • 20.5 inches

Parents: BreAnn and Andrew Foster

Siblings: Ellie (3.5) and August (2)

Anthony Time Refner

February, 14, 2024

7lbs, 9oz • 20 inches

Parents: Sarah and Matt Refner

Sibling: Gemma (3)

Austyn Amato

January 9, 2024

6 lbs, 13 oz • 20.5 inches

Parents: Ashley and Regan Amato

Sibling: Reagan Amato (6)

Bridget Blaine Thompson

February 10, 2024

7 lbs, 3 oz

Parents: Lindsey and Terry Thompson

Siblings: Brooklyn (3.5), Ellie (2)

Weslyn Leigh Garland

March 10, 2024

7lbs, 1 oz • 20.5 inches

Parents: Lindsay and Ben Garland

Sibling: Beckett (2)

Times

Thanks to everyone who helped support Team Taylor Fun Run 5K

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Ages 18 monthsPre-Kindergarten

Proprietary curriculum blending both Montessori and Reggio Emilia attributes

Small Class Sizes

State of the Art Classrooms

Half Day Classes

TEACHER’S CORNER

Lisa Ameis, Pre-K/JK

How do you recommend handling separation anxiety in toddlers?

Anticipate separation difficulties and be prepared for transitions that cause anxiety such as babysitters or starting preschool. When leaving your child, give a hug and a kiss and assure your child you will be back soon. Toddler teachers I have worked with use the phrase ‘Quick good-byes make for dry eyes’. Consider leaving your child for short blocks of time at first, then gradually increase.

What advice do you have to working parents who are juggling a family and career?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Try to stay as organized as possible. Say yes to less! Try to carve out time for yourself, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day. As a family, try to create special and meaningful activities once or twice a month. Let go of the ‘mom guilt’.

Michelle Cox, Elementary

What form of discipline do you recommend and why?

As a parent, I’ve tried just about everything. For years, I thought there was only one right way to raise my kids. It caused me heartache and grief because I would never be good enough at any of it. We have a lot of choices and a lot of leeway as parents. Practicing mutual respect and kindness in discipline will not lead you astray.

How can parents best support children in reaching developmental milestones?

As kids get older, it’s often difficult for parents to transition with the kiddos’ adapting needs. The need for independence and separation can easily feel like dismissal or rejection, but IT IS NOT. Celebrate and encourage milestones! We are their best cheerleaders. Remind kids frequently that each person develops in their own way and at their own pace. This life is not a race. If something is off or not quite right, don’t be afraid to ask for support and advocate for your child.

Helpful Tips:

Jemeille Ackourey, Kindergarten

What advice do you have for managing your child’s emotions?

I think that the best advice that I can offer is to shift this paradigm. I don’t want to manage anyone’s emotions other than my own. If I am able to manage my own emotions, then I am in a better position to help those around me calm their central nervous system, control their behaviors and in turn, manage their emotions.

• Always acknowledge and validate the child’s emotions.

• “I see that you are very angry. I would be angry if someone broke my toy.”

• Give them a chance to talk but only when they are ready. Listen without interrupting. “Do you want to talk about it?”

• If something needs adjustment it will be their behavior and not their feelings. “You have a right to your feelings, but you cannot hit people when you are angry.” Then explore an appropriate replacement behavior.

• Teach your child calming skills.

• Proper use of time out (safe space)

• Breath work (regulating central nervous system)

• Healthy distraction (breaks the connection between the stressor and the child)

• Talking it out with the family pet or stuffed animal (being heard without interruption).

• Visualization techniques (“In your mind’s eye [imagination] give the feeling a color and watch it fade”).

• Give your child a safe and quiet place to self-regulate. Appear calm. If you are elevated and intense you are adding fuel to the dysregulated. Use time out for the adult and child like it is used in sports. It is an opportunity to get centered.

• Model, model, model

What can parents do to promote independence?

We all want children to learn skills and feel the pride and self-respect of being capable and competent. How do we achieve this:

• Identify what is age appropriate and within their capacity to learn

• Embrace imperfection. Do not do or redo what they are capable of doing on their own.

• Do not use another child as the golden standard

• Give the child plenty of time to work on whatever they are attempting to learn to do on their own

• Praise effort, perseverance, curiosity

• Get out of their way!

Craft: Summer Bucket List

Hey there, super moms! Are you ready to dive into summer with your little ones and make some memories together? Here is a cute “Bucket List” to help you create an unforgettable summer. There are ideas and activities for all ages. Some that may need a little help from mom and dad, and others that are great for little ones to tackle independently. No matter how old your kiddos are, there’s something for everyone!

As you and your kiddos tackle each item on the list, mark it off with a highlighter or a check mark. When you’ve completed them all, well, then it’s time to celebrate with a trip to the ice cream store for a well-deserved cone – because every summer adventure deserves a sweet ending!

Grab your sunscreen, pack a picnic, and get ready for a summer filled with laughter, adventure, and endless fun!

Recipe: Summer Watermelon Salad

By: The Crowded Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups watermelon; cubed into 1” pieces

• 1.5 cups strawberries; sliced into rounds

• 1.5 cups raspberries

• 1.5 cups cherries, pitted, and halved

• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1.5 tsp lime zest

• 2 tbsp agave or honey

• 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped finely

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make the dressing: whisk together 2 tablespoon agave, 2 tablespoon lime juice, 1.5 teaspoon lime zest and 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped mint.

2. Prep 4 cups of watermelon and 1.5 cups each of cherries, raspberries, and strawberries and place in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over top and lightly toss.

TIPS:

• Watermelons can be hit or miss, so be sure to pick a good one

• Your watermelon should feel heavy for it’s size (this means it’s super juicy).

• It should have a nice yellow (almost the color of a slightly ripe banana) splotch on it from where it was resting on the ground.

• Try knocking on it - it should provide a nice “bounce” and have a hollow sound.

• It shouldn’t be shiny

• Not a fan of mint? This watermelon fruit salad is also fantastic with fresh basil!

• Fresh lime and mint go a long way in taking this watermelon fruit salad to the next level. They really enhance the flavor of fresh watermelon and berries, making this the most flavorful fruit salad you’ll make all summer!

• If you have a cherry pitter, use it! It will make prep much easier. If you don’t have a cherry pitter, you can use a chopstick to easily remove the pits. Remove the stem and hold the cherry firmly in your hand. Stick the chopstick through the middle of the cherry and the pit will pop out of the bottom.

• We like making this salad in a big serving bowl or platter, and then serving it family style at the center of the table.

• We recommend eating this watermelon fruit salad immediately after you make it. As this salad sits in the fridge, the fruits continue to release moisture, making the salad soggy and watery. It still tastes good, but the textures are best when served fresh.

• To add a note of saltiness, feel free to add crumbled feta cheese (vegan or regular) to this salad.

NCPG COLORING CONTEST

Introducing NCPG’s coloring pages on the following pages.

Check out each issue for some fun. We would love to feature your “artists” in the upcoming Parent Times !

COLOR THEM NOW!

Snap a pic of your cutie’s masterpiece and email it to communications@ncpgaz.org by August 15th! (Yep, we’re giving you all summer to create a masterpiece!)

P lease include your name and your child’s name and age in the email to see if they will be featured in the next issue.

Here are some past winners!

Having

SPRING FEST 2024