Mendo Lake Family Life March 2020

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March 2020

B-Day Bash Party ideas

Sleepaway Camps Kids grow overnight

New Baby?

How to cope Toilet Training

Tips for success

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March 2020

Every Issue

12 Features 10 A Garden of Children Local program prepares kids for kindergarten.

12 Birthday Parties for Busy Parents Skate, row, craft—there are so many ways for kids to play.

6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Gone Fishin’ Taste the Heat D&D: Not Just for Geeks Pigging Out Crab for Cobb Homeschoolers Get Creative A Whale of a Good Time

22 Calendar of Events St. Paddy Day Fun

30 Humor Break Shop, Scroll, Sleep

14 Home Away from Home How sleepaway camps help kids grow.

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16 First Pregnancy Worries?

Here’s wisdom from moms who’ve been around the block a few times.

18 Sleep When the Baby Sleeps Practical tips for managing your postpartum life.

20 Potty Training Success A psychologist-mom offers her advice.

4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

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March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Dear Reader

P

regnancy and birth can be anxiety-provoking experiences, particularly if you’ve never been through them before. So Sharon Gowan this issue brings Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us encouragement.

“First Pregnancy Worries?” (page 16) offers words of wisdom from veteran moms, while “Sleep When the Baby Sleeps” (page 18) provides tips for managing those first weeks after your new child arrives.

As babies grow into toddlers and preschoolers, new developmental challenges emerge. One of them is potty training. Part of child psychologist Lynn Adams’s former job was teaching kids how to use the toilet, a skill that came in handy when she became a mom. Reap the rewards of her experience when you read “Potty Training Success” (page 20).

No matter what the age, kids love birthday parties. But putting together an elaborate bash can be time-consuming.

Turn to “Birthday Parties for Busy Parents” (page 12) for ways to put together a memorable party, without having to do all of the work.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Grown-ups are also fans of birthdays.

Humorist Meredith Ethington even daydreams about various themes for her special day. Moms, especially, will appreciate her party fantasies, which she describes in “Shop, Scroll, Sleep” (page 30).

Whether or not there’s an upcoming birthday in your family, we hope you find things to celebrate. We certainly celebrate you, our readers.

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Web and Social Media Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us

Poor attendance, misbehavior and course failure in 6th grade can be used to identify 60% of kids who won’t be able to graduate from high school.

Missing just 2-3 days of school a month (excused or not) is not good.

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL. 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Contributing Writers Lynn Adams Kimberly Blaker Meredith Ethington Tanni Haas Christa Melnyk Hines Pam Moore Jessica Randhawa

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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Bits & Pieces

Gone Fishin’

W

hen the average person looks at bass, he or she probably sees dinner. When the Clear Lake Bass Tournament anglers ponder them, they may very well see dollar signs—lots of them. The annual competition comes with a hefty first prize; last year’s was $5,000, with more than a total of $26,000 in prizes given away. This year’s contest will be held March 21 and 22 at Konocti Vista Casino and Resort in Lakeport. To enter, download the application at tinyurl.com/s3gc34c and make sure to submit it by March 20. For more information, call the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 263-5092. ¶

Taste the Heat

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hile some taste buds run for cover at the mere mention of “pepper,” others exist for spicy food. And for them there is the Chili Cook-Off. At this annual event, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Willits and the Willits Senior Center, chefs from around Mendocino County will cook up serious heat. The event will be held on March 13, 5:30–7 p.m., at the Senior Center in Willits. Taster tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids. Besides chili, root beer sodas, corn bread, brownies, and other goodies will be served.

Call 459-6826 for more information. ¶

D&D: Not Just for Geeks

D

ungeons and Dragons is not just for nerds anymore. According to the Guardian, shows such as Stranger Things, the Big Bang Theory, and Game of Thrones have made the fantasy game more popular than ever, with its sales skyrocketing over the past five years. Locally, players set up their worlds of knights and magicians at Game Hub in Lower Lake, where D&D is played every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and pizza is available for a buck a slice. Find more information at facebook.com/ events/538252973701286. ¶

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Pigging Out

G

uess what won the Audience Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF)?

No, it was not a film about mountain climbers, the rainforest, or whales­—but about pigs. Yes, you read that right. The 50-minute documentary Amazing Pigs takes a playful, curious approach to these animals, which, the trailer asserts, have “conquered the planet.” It will be shown on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center in Ukiah, as part of the IWFF post tour’s Nature’s Weird and Wonderful Family Night. Joining it will be two shorts: 1000’s of Bugs, 100 Islands & 1 Happy Entomologist and Sounds of Survival. Preceding the screenings, at 6:15 p.m., will be snacks and live banjo music. The tour comprises several films, which will be shown on Fridays at the Civic Center, March 6–20. To see the full schedule, go to rvoep.org. ¶

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Crab for Cobb

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or those who have not had their fill of this season’s crab, there are two fundraisers that offer the chance to indulge in the local favorite. The first is the Mountain Lions Crab Feed on March 7 at 6 p.m. at the Cobb Community Center (aka the Little Red Schoolhouse) in Cobb. Advance tickets are $60 and include DJ’d dancing and cocktails. Proceeds go toward the renovation of the center. Call 715-7008 or 486-4141, or email mountainlionsclub@gmail.com for details. The second feed is on March 14 at 5 p.m. at the American Legion in Clearlake. Tickets are $50 in advance (two for $90) or $60 at the door. For more information, call the Legion: 994-3677. ¶

Homeschoolers Get Creative

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omeschoolers may have to work a little harder to find educational resources and places to socialize. The Middletown Art Center in Middletown seeks to fill both needs with art classes geared especially toward kids who learn at home. Instruction in drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and clay works is all part of the mix. Classes are held on Thursdays: drumming, 10:30-11:30 a.m. and art (for ages 5–17), noon–1:30 p.m. A series of four classes is $75 for art and $60 for drumming; the drop-in fee is $22.50 and $20, respectively. Drop-ins are asked to call in advance: 809-8118. Sign up at middletownartcenter.org. ¶

A Whale of a Good Time

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very spring, gray whales leave the warm waters of Baja, calves in tow, and head back to the colder waters near Alaska. To protect their young, they hug the coastline—making it a great time to catch a glimpse of them. That’s why the Mendocino Whale Festival is offering guided whale walks on March 7 and 8. Whale seekers can meet at 1 p.m. at the Ford House in Mendocino, and, for a $5 donation, an interpreter will lead them on a walk around Mendocino Headlands State Park. Other Mendocino festival events include tours of the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Lantern Room and Fresnel lens, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., both days; a Chowder and Beer Tasting on March 7, 11 a.m.– 1 p.m., at Crown Hall (chowder tickets are $10 and beer tickets, $5); a wine tasting on March 7, 1–4 p.m., at various locations ($35–$40), and a free coffee tasting at the Ford House on March 7, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. A whale festival also will be held in Little River on March 14 and in Fort Bragg on March 21. See mendocinocoast.com/whale-home for more information. ¶

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March 2020

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

as about different milestones that kids need to meet. We post links to our web content on our Facebook page (@lakecoe.org), and then ask people to post comments about their experiences with our activities and materials. People who share

A Garden of Children Bloom Initiative Prepares Local Kids for Kindergarten

The Lake County Office of Education (LCOE) wants to make sure that kids ages 0–5 are given ample opportunities to grow and eventually be ready for kindergarten. So they created the Bloom program. Carly Swatosh-Sherman, LCOE education specialist, filled us in on what the program is all about.

Family Life: Tell us about the basics of Bloom.

Carly Swatosh-Sherman: We started Bloom as a way to encourage all of our families with 0–5-year-olds to use simple techniques to help their children get ready for kindergarten. We mainly 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

communicate through Facebook because it’s free and easy to access.

On our website, lakebloom.org, we post events, information about preschools and kindergartens, and monthly activities and questions, like “What is a family tradition that you enjoy?” We talk about different children’s books and authors as well

On our website, lakebloom.org, we post events, information about preschools and kindergartens, and monthly activities and questions. their input on our Facebook page are entered to win prize packages.

The prizes are all developmentally appropriate for kindergarten readiness.

FL: Are you modeling this program after others in the country, or is it something that you’ve figured out on your own?

CSS: We’re not completely modeling it after any one program.

What we found was that we had a lot of families on Facebook reacting and communicating about the fires.

And that’s how we discovered that Facebook was a really good way to access everyone.

FL: So the fires taught you a valuable lesson, in terms of how to communicate with parents, and you just jumped on it.

CSS: Yes. We also print a book called Bloom into Kindergarten. It’s written in English and Spanish, printed locally, and distributed by all of our elementary schools and the Lake County Department of

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Social Services. It covers topics such as how to determine kindergarten readiness; what you need, as far as paperwork, to actually enroll kids; and different social, emotional, physical, and academic activities to practice at home—for instance, practicing counting and becoming familiar with books.

FL: What are your goals for the program, beyond what you’ve already told us, and how do you hope to achieve them?

CSS: Our specific goal is to increase kindergarten readiness.

And how we achieve that is to run a Kindergarten Development Screening every fall in every Lake County kindergarten classroom. It

People who share their input on our Facebook page are entered to win prize packages. helps us to gauge how students who are entering kindergarten are doing.

Another big goal is to increase the time that parents and kids spend face-to-face, forming attachments and bonds while doing things like reading together. An additional objective is increasing kindergarten registration before the first day of school. We try to make sure families register either in the spring or in the early summer. It just really helps when children are already enrolled and ready to go. They feel included in the school, teachers can have everything prepared, and kids can really enjoy that first day with their new friends. Âś www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Have More Fun & Create Great Memories Get weekly FREE e-mail updates for the best LOCAL family fun calendar

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or apple orchard to find out what activities are offered. For a list of farms in Sonoma County, go to farmtrails.org or do a Google search for farms in Mendocino and Lake Counties.

Recreational Romp Recreation and fitness centers offer a wide variety of activities for birthdays, including gymnastics, swimming, basketball, and arts and crafts.

Birthday Parties for Busy Parents Kids Get to Play, You Get to Stay Sane

By Kimberly Blaker

S

o your child’s birthday is just around the corner, and you don’t have time to plan and prepare the perfect party? Don’t despair. There are plenty of fun places to hold kids’ parties that’ll save you time in planning, preparation, and cleanup. Most importantly, your birthday child and guests will have a blast.

Skates and Blades Roller-skating rinks are again gaining popularity, and most offer a choice of inline or roller-skate rentals. Also, consider ice-skating and ice- or roller-hockey parties.

Strike It Big Bowling parties are a fun form of recreation for kids of all ages. Preschoolers can score every time with bumper bowling, while teens

12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

can go cosmic for glow-in-the-dark fun.

Offer small prizes for low and high scores and the most and fewest gutters.

Pizza and Play Preschool and early elementary children can play kiddie arcade-style games, win tickets for prizes, hop on coin-operated rides, and romp in soft play areas.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm Check with a nearby farm, ranch,

You Should Be Dancin’ Local dance studios may offer birthday-party packages that include professional dance instruction and food and party treats.

Music Marvel Look for a kiddie musical adventure offered by an area musician or music center, or take a teen to see a favorite musician perform.

Check with a nearby farm, ranch, or apple orchard to find out what activities are offered.

Craft Magic Young kids love to create. So schedule a craft party at a fabric shop, craft store, or scrap-recycling center where kids’ activities are offered.

Putt-Putt and More Family fun centers offer a variety of entertainment, including batting cages, miniature golf, video games, bumper boats, and go-carts.

Hands-On Science Kids of all ages will be thoroughly engrossed and entertained at hands-on science museums. The party-goers can try out gadgets, watch or participate in

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

experiments, play instruments, and much more.

Climbing Adventures Daredevils won’t want to miss one of these exciting quests. Look for a local rock-climbing gym where party guests can do rock climbing with a professional instructor.

Beach Party Give your teen some fun in the sun with a beach bash. Choose a park and make a reservation for a covered picnic area. (For park locations, see

Row, Row, Row Your Boat For teens, an afternoon canoe excursion on the Russian River or the Eel River is the ultimate in outdoor fun. Contact canoe rental facilities for details. Bring along soda and a picnic lunch, and make sure the food stays in the chaperone’s canoe, where it’ll be safe from tips. Don’t forget balloons for water balloon fights during rest stops.

Z Is for Zoo Zoos are an excellent place to celebrate birthdays. Many offer party packages that include meals, cake, invitations, live animal presentations, and more. ¶ Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting issues.

When planning your child’s party, keep in mind that what’s important is not how perfectly the party goes but that your birthday child and guests have fun. To ensure success, follow these tips:

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• Keep the guest list manageable to avoid chaos, confusion, and conflict. The number of guests should correspond with the child’s age.

• Request an RSVP with a specific deadline, so there is time to invite others should the guest list fall short. Be sure to include your phone number and email address.

TS

parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov, mendocinocounty.org, and lakecountyca.gov.) Look for a spot with horseshoes and plenty of sand, and don’t forget the beach balls, pizza, and cooler of soda.

Tips for a Successful Bash

©P N

Schedule a craft party at a fabric shop, craft store, or scrap-recycling center.

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• Offer your child choices for the party, ask for input, and allow him or her to assist in planning.

• Send out written invitations.

Verbal invitations are easily forgotten and make the invitee feel that he or she was an afterthought. Also, it can leave parents of the invited child wondering whether or not the birthday child’s parents approved of the invitation.

• Specify all details on the invitation, including a start and end time, address and directions, phone number, and what guests need to bring.

• Play it safe and set a rain date for outdoor parties.

• Keep the length of the party within reason. Unless it’s a sleepover or special event, limit parties to one hour for preschoolers, and two to three hours for older children.

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teachers who tell kids what to do, camp counselors act much more like older brothers and sisters who’re on a joint adventure with the kids. I’ll never forget the first time my spouse and I picked up our son from sleepaway camp. Independent, mature, and with a confident, knowing demeanor, he acted like a completely different person than the one we’d left behind only a few short weeks earlier.

Home Away from Home

By Tanni Haas

5 Reasons to Send Your Kids to Sleepaway Camp

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Organization Sleepaway teaches kids how to become better organized. From the moment they wake up in the morning to the moment they go to sleep at night, they have to make many choices that require them to learn how to organize themselves and their time.

Camp counselors show kids how to treat others with compassion, care, and respect.

here are so many great reasons why you should consider sending your kids to sleepaway camp this summer, and it’s not only because they’ll have a whole lot of fun. Based on my experiences as the parent of a camp-loving teenager, as well as my conversations with other parents, I’ve learned that sleepaway camp can be character-building. Here are five different ways that your kids will develop and mature.

For example, in the morning they’re supposed to wake up, get dressed, brush their teeth, make their beds, and walk with all the other kids they’re bunking with to the dining hall. But unlike in school, where teachers tell kids exactly what to do and when to do it, camp counselors expect kids to figure things out for themselves—and that includes not forgetting to put dirty clothes in the hamper on laundry day.

Independence For most kids, sleepaway camp is the first time they get to experience real independence.

They’re away from their parents and other adult family members for an extended period of time, and they’ve

Comradery Kids also learn some very valuable lessons about comradery.

Camps often let parents request that their kids bunk with friends from home. Yet, kids will also bunk with many other campers, often from different states and countries. This

14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

got to quickly learn how to take care of themselves, from getting ready in the morning to choosing their daily activities. Of course, there are counselors who’re responsible for the overall welfare of the kids, but unlike

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

teaches them how to get along with and enjoy the company of kids with very different backgrounds than their own. Most camps are aware of this and organize activities aimed at creating a strong sense of comradery

For most kids, sleepaway camp is the first time they get to experience real independence. and community, including evening campfires, sing-a-longs, and the ever-popular Camp Olympics.

Compassion Not every kid easily adjusts to being away from her or his parents for a long period of time, and not every kid easily makes new

friends. If there’s one area where camp counselors do actively step in to help kids adapt, it’s when someone is homesick or just not happy. Camp counselors show kids how to treat others with compassion, care, and respect. Many camps also have a buddy system where kids are teamed up to support each other and do fun things together.

Conflict-Resolution Sometimes, despite camp counselors’ best efforts, conflicts do occur over who bunks together, who sits next to whom at meal times, and who plays with whom. After all, at camp kids often live with unfamiliar roommates in cramped quarters. But that’s not such a bad thing: One of the most important skills kids learn

at sleepaway camp is how to solve interpersonal conflicts on their own.

Camp counselors certainly step in to solve serious conflicts. But they’ll

One of the most important skills kids learn at sleepaway camp is how to solve interpersonal conflicts on their own. typically let the kids solve the small ones by themselves. And learning how to solve conflict is a great skill kids will bring home with them and use long after camp is over. ¶ Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a college communications professor.

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In hindsight, I wish I could have saved the energy I spent trying to have a perfect pregnancy that first time for other things—like taking my two children, now three- and five-years-old, to the supermarket.

It turns out that I’m not the only one who, if given a chance, would do things differently the first time around.

A number of women gave me their best tips for making the first pregnancy feel like the second.

First Pregnancy Advice from Worries? Veteran Moms

By Pam Moore

T

he night before I found out I was pregnant with my first child, my biggest concern was finding an amazing restaurant where my husband and I could go to celebrate our anniversary. We found the perfect place, where I enjoyed way too much wine. At least it was organic. (I think.)

The next day, I peed on that fateful stick.

At the airport, instead of paging through Real Simple, I scrolled BabyCenter and nearly spit out the sushi I’d been devouring. I shuddered to think what other pregnancy laws I’d unknowingly violated over the past 24 hours.

I also needed to know: Which fruit did my baby most resemble, five weeks, two days, and 17 hours into my pregnancy?

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Two years later, while my toddler sat on the bathroom floor with a board book, an expired pregnancy test I found at the back of the linen closet revealed a faint plus sign. I waited until my daughter was asleep that night to hit the supermarket for a fresh test. I couldn’t muster the strength to take her to the store for one lousy item. That night, I fell into a dreamless sleep. Between pregnancy and toddler-wrangling, I didn’t care if I was carrying a peanut, a kumquat, or a glazed donut.

Chill Out Like many, Elizabeth Waterstraat grew more laid back with each pregnancy. She summarizes her three pregnancies in simple terms. “First: No coffee, no wine.

“Both kids are totally healthy and each pregnancy was completely different.”

—Morgan McGarvey

Second: Some coffee, no wine. Third: Daily coffee, some wine.” Allison Schwartz also steadily increased her coffee consumption with each of her pregnancies, noting, “By pregnancy number four [cutting out coffee] was not an option.”

Joy Jackson, a mom of three, says if she could go back in time 12 years to when she was pregnant with her first, she’d put down her copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

“Experience teaches us we don’t have as much control as we’d like to believe,” says Waterstraat. “[Babies] will come out the way they want to come out. Not much you do will influence that. So relax, let go of ‘plans,’ and enjoy the journey.”

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Enjoy It Caitlin Hardy fully enjoyed her second pregnancy, focusing on the experiences she’d have less, if any, time for once her newborn arrived. “I went out to dinner more, hung out with girlfriends more, did prenatal yoga every Sunday, ran around at the bike park with my toddler, nabbed every date I could go on with my husband.”

For Morgan McGarvey, a mom of a toddler and a newborn, enjoying her second pregnancy meant doing less, not more. “I gave myself many passes.” With her first pregnancy, she strictly avoided the prescribed dietary no-no’s, went to “every possible class,” and had her nursery decorated well before her due date.

With her second, she skipped the classes, enjoyed some Brie cheese,

and held off on buying anything for the nursery until after her baby arrived. “Both kids are totally healthy and each pregnancy was completely different,” she says.

running, Kurian says she was glad she only made that mistake once.

“I was miserable during my first pregnancy. The second and third were so much better!”

Everything in Moderation Many women regret taking the idea

Any mom will tell you, you can’t recreate the novelty (or the neurosis) of your first pregnancy…and that’s okay. Liz Willey, whose sons are 1 and 4, says she felt guilty about paying so much more attention to her first pregnancy versus the second. “But in the end,” she says, “I shouldn’t have worried. They are both nutty, happy boys!” ¶

“By pregnancy number four [cutting out coffee] was not an option.”

— Allison Schwartz

of eating for two and getting plenty of rest a little too seriously. Laura Kurian, a mom of three, wishes she’d forced herself to exercise more during her first pregnancy.

A dedicated athlete who enjoys

This article was originally published on Parent Co. To get Pam Moore’s free guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome, visit pam-moore.com.

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you should be consuming each day according to your weight and activity level, including breastfeeding.

Sleep when the baby sleeps.

“Those first days home from the hospital, rest, rest, rest, and spend as much time skin-to-skin with your baby as you can,” says Teresa Marshall, a birth and postpartum doula. “This will truly make for a smoother transition for baby from womb to room and for mama, as well.”

Sleep When the Baby Sleeps 7 Secrets to Postpartum Recovery

By Christa Melnyk Hines

T

hroughout your pregnancy, you eat the right foods, drink plenty of fluids, rest and try to keep stress to a minimum.

You might think that you can relax your self-care regimen once your baby arrives, but caring for yourself should remain a top priority to ensure the health of both of you and your child.

Drink plenty of water. “The key to optimal recovery after delivery is fluid hydration with water,” says Gina Petelin, MD. “This is important for replenishing your body after significant fluid losses.”

Nourish yourself. Before the baby arrives, assemble healthy meals and stash them in your freezer. In the midst of caring for a newborn, you’ll be less likely to eat poorly when

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

you can quickly pop a nutritious, ready-made meal into the oven or crockpot.

Also, stock up on protein-packed snacks to keep your energy up, especially if you plan to breastfeed.

Choose simple, healthy snacks, such as cheese sticks, almonds, rotisserie chicken, yogurt, and energy bars.

Consult with your physician to determine how many extra calories

Tricia Walania, a postpartum emotional support program coordinator, says that rest is one

The sooner you seek support, the faster you can start feeling like yourself again. of the best ways you can care for yourself. “Being rested helps you cope more effectively with both physical and emotional changes,” she says.

Unable to catnap? Relax with your eyes closed.

Integrate gentle exercise. Many moms are surprised that they still look pregnant after delivery. Don’t panic; that’s normal, Petelin says. Although the uterus decreases in size right away, you will still appear to be about five months pregnant when leaving the hospital. By following a healthy diet and exercising according to your doctor’s instructions, you’ll get back to your pre-pregnancy body.

Many moms enjoy group exercise activities, such as “mommy and me” yoga and Fit4Mom, which offer companionship with other moms.

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Walking is also beneficial. A stroll around the block on a sunny day is not only good exercise, but also does wonders for your emotional well-being and gives you a boost of vitamin D. Take extra care if you’ve had a cesarean; gradually increase your activity level only according to your doctor’s instructions. Current recommendations include no driving the first two to three weeks postpartum and, for the first six weeks, no lifting anything that weighs more than 15 pounds.

Expect hormonal changes.

Many new moms feel overwhelmed, tired, anxious, tearful, or mildly

Often friends and family members are eager to assist. depressed. “Exhaustion, hormonal changes, and isolation after the birth of a baby may lead to what is referred to as ‘baby blues,’” Walania says. “To some degree this happens to everyone. It’s natural and not permanent.” Anxiety and depression can also be linked to thyroid issues, and low levels of iron and vitamin D. Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Sometimes hormonal shifts can lead to postpartum depression, a serious mood disorder that can manifest as suicidal thoughts. See postpartumdepression.org for more information. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.

Tap your village. “I would recommend reaching out. Don’t be www.mendolakefamilylife.com

afraid to ask for help or just a visit,” Marshall says.

Often friends and family members are eager to assist by holding the baby or watching siblings so you have a chance to nap, shower, or run an errand.

“You have to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your baby,” Walania says.

While social media can help you feel connected to the outside world, nothing can quite replace

Rest is one of the best ways you can care for yourself. a deeply satisfying conversation with a friend or a warm hug. Get together for coffee, lunch, or a walk.

If your network feels inadequate, join a mothers’ group or look for parent-child gatherings in your neighborhood through Meetup.com.

The sooner you seek support, the faster you can start feeling like yourself again.

Nurture your spirit. You may be a mom now, but you aren’t only a mom. Take time to do the things that have always brought you personal fulfillment and joy, whether that’s crafting, relaxing in a warm bath, browsing at a boutique, or lunching with a friend. When you are happier and healthier, your baby will be, too. ¶ Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published writer. She and her husband are the parents of two boys.

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powerful, and not just because they say it on YouTube.

2. Learning is about successive approximations.

The hardest part of potty training my own kids was letting them make mistakes. A skinned knee is one thing but poop on the rug is quite another.

Potty Training Success 7 Tips from a Psychologist Mom

By Lynn Adams

A

fter 10 years raising my children, I’m returning to work in the same spot I started: the bathroom. In my first job, any potty-related referrals trickled down to the lowest psychologist on the totem pole: me. Later, I got into the complexities of diagnosis, consultation, and intervention. Then I had my own son and daughter, and there ended my ability to keep a straight face when using the words “parent” and “expert” in the same sentence.

Potty training shouldn’t be shunted to the office newbie. It’s an important chance for a parent to take on a teaching role. And your child’s responses might teach you something in return.

1. It’s your child’s accomplishment, not yours.

Not all children are eager to please 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

at all times. Potty training can be the first time you have to support self-motivation over parent-pleasing or compliance. You’ll need to do this over and over when your child learns skills you expect him or her to carry out of the home, such as manners or tidiness.

Kids love to hear, “I’m so proud of you.” But “You got this” is even more

How do kids learn how full a bladder can get before it bursts?

Accidents.

This year, my daughter learned to play volleyball. She spent the whole season getting her serve closer and closer to the net. Psychologists call these “successive approximations.” At the last game, the crowd went wild when she finally made it over. Parents feel the same way when a child becomes independent with the potty. But first, they have some approximations to clean up. They’re part of the process.

3. The journey is more important than the destination.

Like everything else these days, potty training is a metaphorical journey.

Your child will learn from mistakes, yes, but also from your responses to those mistakes. Do you stay calm, take a step back, and problem solve as a team? “Oops! What just happened? I turned on the tub, and you peed on the floor. Hearing water makes you have to pee!” You’ll do this again later, with household chores: “Oops! Your jersey is under your bed! Maybe that’s why it didn’t make it into the washing machine!” If you focus too much on the destination, it’s all: “Why can’t you ever put your laundry where it goes?” and “Stop peeing on the floor!”

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

mendo lake 4. Learners need to test the limits. How do kids learn how full a bladder can get before it bursts?

Accidents. I’m flashing back to a tall geyser in the checkout line at the supermarket. But you know what?

They were lovely about it. Remember that everyone you’ll see pushing a grocery cart has been potty trained.

5. Skills can be broken into sub-skills. Potty training draws on multiple developmental skills your child is in the process of acquiring, each child at her or his own pace and in her or his own way. As your child’s learning, look beyond complex skills to simpler building blocks. Certain sub-skills will stand out as strengths or weaknesses for your child:

diapers limited his school options. I knew I’d need several weeks with no travel or other major disruptions. So he started potty training with his motor skills still inadequate, and with absolutely no interest in big boy underwear. And he still succeeded. I had to think creatively when teaching other skills—like using a house key—as his motor skills continued to develop slowly.

7. Toddlers seek conflict.

Parents don’t have to deliver it.

Personality is the X-factor in toileting readiness. If your child likes to be in control, to surprise you, and to do things “her way,” toilet training will become an intense social interaction rather than a developmental

• social: to motivate her or him to avoid accidents • language: if she or he needs direction to the potty • gross motor: to get from the playroom to the bathroom • fine motor: to pull down pants • motor coordination: to control the stream • persistence: to follow through from peeing to wiping to getting dressed • anxiety management: to cope with variations in bathrooms • planning ahead: to stay dry on the road 6. Readiness is important but not always essential. I really tried to wait for my son to be ready.

But as he approached age three, www.mendolakefamilylife.com

for 25 years

#1 local resource for local families magazine • web • email

• sensory: to recognize the need to go • attention: to drop one activity for another

LOCAL

Your child will learn from mistakes, yes, but also from your responses to those mistakes. milestone. Focus on your child’s accomplishments not your reactions: “I bet those dry pants feel great!” The same will work later with math homework: “Wow. How good does it feel to get all those math problems done before dinner?” It’s not a chance for your child to test your patience but rather to exercise her or his skills—as independently as possible.

There are many “right” ways to potty train. No matter how exciting the process turns out to be, your child will learn how the two of you are going to work together in the years ahead. ¶

HEY MOM GIVE US A SHOUT! We want to know what you think.

• What did you like?

• What didn’t you like?

• What subjects would you like us to cover?

• Got any local story ideas? e-mail melissa@family-life.us

Find more of Lynn Adams’s work at lynnadamsphd.com.

March 2020

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

March

Calendar of Events

St. Paddy Day Fun

K

id-free time is essential for parental sanity. And a little adult beverage doesn’t hurt either. St. Paddy’s Day Swig and Jig in downtown Kelseyville definitely offers the latter. During the annual event, businesses, bars, and wineries serve samples of local craft beer and wine, and appetizers, too.

Dressing up in shamrock finery is encouraged. The event happens on March 15, 1–5 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance ($35 at the door) and may be purchased at visitkelseyville.com. Participants must check in at Lake County Economic Development on Main Street by 3 p.m. in order to participate. ¶

Tuesday 3 FREE Kindergarten Jamboree.

Introduction to Christian education program. 10 a.m. Noon: complimentary lunch with principal. Ukiah Jr. Academy. 180 Stipp Ln., Ukiah. RSVP. 462-6350. ukiahjracademy.org.

Mother-Wise Weekly Workshops.

Tuesdays. 1–3 p.m. Mar. 3: Importance of Reading. Mar. 10: Potty Training.

Mar. 17: St. Paddy’s Day Fun. Mar. 24: Poison Prevention. Mar. 31: Healthy Eating for the Family. Mother-Wise.

180 N. Main St., Lakeport. facebook. com/motherwiselakecounty.

Wednesday 4 FREE Tax Preparation Help. Free

tax-preparation assistance. No age requirement. Bring Social Security cards, last year’s return, photo ID & all forms reporting 2019 income.

Mondays & Wednesdays. 8:30–11:30 a.m. First come, first served. Runs thru April 15. Ukiah Senior Center.

499 Leslie St., Ukiah. 463-1535.

St. Paddy’s Day Swig and Jig

Thursday 5 FREE Introduction to Organic Gardening. With Sakina Bush,

owner of Sakina’s Garden & Nursery.

Presented by the Fort Bragg Seed Library. Topics: selecting & timing crops, caring for soil, managing pests & keeping a garden journal. 2–4 p.m.

Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org.

Just Between Friends Kids’ & Maternity Consignment Sales Event. The largest of its kind in Northern CA. $2–$4. Mar. 5 & 6: 9

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a.m.–7:30 p.m. Mar. 7: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Mar. 8 (1/2 price day): 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Sonoma County Fair & Event Center.

1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbay.jbfsale.com.

Cemetery Club. Play about 3 Jewish

widows who meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. $12–$25. (Previews on Mar. 5 & 6: $7–$15. Gala on Mar. 7: $45). Thursdays–Saturdays. 7:30 p.m. Mar. 29: 2 p.m. Runs thru April 12. Mendocino Theatre Company.

45200 Little Lake St., Mendocino. mendocinotheatre.tix.com.

Pride & Prejudice. Play

based on the novel by Jane Austin. A courtship begins between a young woman & the handsome friend of a wealthy bachelor. $11–$20. Mar. 5, 6 & 7: 7 p.m. Mar. 8: 2 p.m. Ukiah Players Theatre. 1041 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Art Classes for Homeschoolers.

Drawing, painting, printmaking, collage & clay works. Also drumming classes. Thursdays. Drumming: 10:30–11:30 a.m. Art (ages 5–17):

noon–1:30 p.m. Series of 4 classes: $75 (art), $60 (drumming). Drop-ins: $22.50 (art), $20 (drumming).

Middletown Art Center. 21456 Hwy. 175, Middletown. Sign up: middletownartcenter.org. Drop-ins call in advance: 809-8118.

Friday 6 International Wildlife Film Festival.

Each night features a variety of films of various lengths. Mar. 6: Humpback Whales: A Detective Story. Mar. 13 (family night): Amazing Pigs. Mar. 20: Sons of Enkai. $5–$10. Films are appropriate for older children. Live music & snacks: 6:15 p.m. Film: 7 p.m.

Ukiah Civic Center. 300 Seminary Ave., Ukiah. Full schedule: rvoep.org.

FREE Lego Club. Design, build &

invent with Lego bricks & Duplo blocks. All ages. Fridays. 3:30–4:30 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. See facebook.com/ LakeCountyLibrary for a schedule of similar events at other Lake County libraries.

Alice in Pantoland. Lake

County Theatre Company performs a

comedic re-telling of this classic story. Family-friendly event. $18.

Mar. 6: 7 p.m. Mar. 7 & 8: 2 p.m.

Upper Lake Middle School Theater.

725 Old Lucerne Rd., Upper Lake. laketheatre.org.

Saturday 7 FREE Beach Clean-Up. Join volunteers from Noyo Center for Marine Sciences on Noyo Harbor Beach (“Dog Beach”) on first Saturday of each month. 10–11 a.m. Noyo Harbor. 19101 S. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg. noyocenter.org.

Mendocino Whale Festival. Whale

Walk: Meet at the Ford House at 1 p.m., $5 donation. Chowder & Beer Tasting: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Crown Hall (chowder tasting, $10 & beer, $5).

Wine Tasting: 1–4 p.m. at various locations, $35–$40. Free coffee tasting: 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Ford House.

Mendocino. Tickets: mendocinocoast. com/mendocino-whale-festival.

Whale Festival Lens Tours. $5

donation per car. Children 42” & taller welcome. Mar. 7–8 & 21–22. 10

Free Tire Collection

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MARCH 9-11, 12-4PM • 40855 FISH ROCK ROAD, GUALALA

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MORE INFORMATION (707) 468-9710 www.mendorecycle.org Facebook @mendorecycle info@mendorecycle.org www.mendolakefamilylife.com

TIRE DEALERS MAY NOT PARTICIPATE March 2020

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

a.m.–4 p.m. Allow time for half-mile walk to the lighthouse. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. 45300 Lighthouse Rd., Mendocino. 937-6123. pointcabrillo.org.

FREE Mendocino County Museum.

Free admission first Saturday of each month. Noon–4 p.m. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. facebook. com/MendocinoCountyMuseum.

459-2736.

FREE Saturday Write Live. Prompt

& space to create a piece of writing or piece of art provided. Open to teens & adults. For those who can’t make it to the library, prompt posted on library’s Facebook page.

Saturdays. 11 a.m.–noon. Willits Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. mendolibrary.org.

FREE Board Game Mania. Ages 10

& up. Every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month. 2–4 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. mendolibrary.org. facebook.com/willitslibrary.

Mountain Lions Club Crab Feed.

DJ dancing & cocktails. $60. Tickets only sold in advance. Reservations: 715-7008 or 486-4141. 6 p.m. Cobb Community Center. 15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb. lakecountybloom.com.

Sunday 8 Pianists Benefit Concert. Local pianists come together to play & trade tall tales. Benefits Soper Reese Theatre & Lake County Friends of Mendocino College. $25–$30. Ages 18 & younger: free. No-host reception & silent auction: 2 p.m. Concert: 3 p.m.

Monday 9 FREE VITA Free Tax Preparation.

NCO & United Way of Wine Country provides free tax return prep to individuals & families who earn $60,000 or less. Schedule an appointment: ncoinc.org or 467-3236.

FREE Tire Collection. No rims.

17”-diameter maximum. Limit to 9 tires per day. Open to public, not tire dealers. Mar. 9–11: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 40855 Fish Rock Rd., Gualala. mendorecycle.org.

Full Worm Moon Night Tour.

Experience what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper & climb the tower at night. Champagne, sparkling

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Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. soperreesetheatre.com.

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juice, snacks & souvenir. $30 or 2 for $50. Call by 3:30 p.m. Mar. 6 to ensure a spot. 7:30 p.m. Point Arena Lighthouse. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. 882-2909, ext. 1. pointarenalighthouse.com.

Tuesday 10 FREE Dungeons & Dragons.

skill necessary. Ages 14 & up. League plays Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6 p.m.

8-week spring & fall sessions. Annual fee: $40. Two bocce ball courts are located behind church next to Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center in Middletown. Sign up online by April 1. middletownbocce.org.

Friday 13

Tuesdays. Pizza $1. 5:30 p.m. Game Hub. 9800 CA-53, Lower Lake.

Beads & Bling Mardi Gras

Parenting Support Group. Tuesdays:

Masquerade. Dinner, auctions &

3:30–5:30 p.m. Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m.– noon. Thursdays: 1:30–3 p.m. Willits Family Resource Center. Willits. Sign up: 456-3710.

FREE Middletown Story Time.

Stories, songs & activities. Tuesdays.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. See facebook.com/ LakeCountyLibrary for a schedule of similar events at other local libraries.

raffles. Benefits Minnie Cannon Elementary School. $50. Ages 21 & older only. Dinner: 7 p.m. Twin Pine Event Center. 22223 Hwy. 29, Middletown. facebook.com/ events/614510386031654.

Chili Cook-Off. $6–$10. 5:30–7 p.m.

Willits Senior Center. 1501 Baechtel Rd., Willits. 459-6826.

Saturday 14 Mini Carnival for Children with Sensory Needs. Everyone welcome.

2–4 p.m. Clear Lake High School Gym. 350 Lange St., Lakeport.

FREE Willits Family Dance. All ages.

Dance instruction provided. 3–4:30 p.m. Willits Charter School. 1431 S. Main St., Willits. willitsdance.com.

FREE Anderson Marsh Nature Walk.

Walks are 1.5–3 hours, depending on the route taken. Rain cancels.

8:30 a.m. Anderson Marsh State Park. 8400 Hwy. 53, Lower Lake. andersonmarsh.org.

Little River Whale Festival.

Docent-led Whale Watch walk.

Binoculars available. Leashed dogs welcome. Suggested donation: $5.

Presented By:

CALVARYCHAPEL WILLITS

FREE Facts vs. Nonsense Meet Up for Teens. Ages 12 & older.

Program empowers young adults to investigate reliable sources & detect false information. Teens will learn how to develop essential skills needed to navigate through “fake news” & find reliable sources needed for school projects & reports. Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday. March 10 & 24. 4–5 p.m.

Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. mendolibrary.org.

FREE Tire Collection. No rims.

17”-diameter maximum. Limit to 9 tires per day. Open to public, not tire dealers. Mar. 10–14: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 3200 Taylor Dr., Ukiah. mendorecycle.org.

Wednesday 11 Middletown Bocce Ball League Signups. No experience or special

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 11th 11-1 Willits HS Football Field

Food - Games - Jump Houses - Prizes - Music March 2020

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

Heavy rain cancels. 10 a.m.–noon.

Park on the west side of Hwy. 1, opposite Gordon Ln. Look for the blue flags. More events: mendocinocoast. com/little-river-whale-festival.

Call or visit library to sign up.

Second Saturday of each month.

11 a.m.–1 p.m. Redbud Library.

14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake.

994-5115. lakecountyca.gov.

St. Patrick’s Dinner Fundraiser.

Corned beef & cabbage. No-host bar & beverages. Dessert auction.

Benefits the Anderson Valley Senior Center. $12–$15. Happy hour: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Mendocino County Fairgrounds. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. mendocinocountyfair.com.

American Legion Crab Feed.

Crab, spaghetti & all the trimmings.

Table wine included. $60. 5–8 p.m.

American Legion Hall. 14770 Austin Dr., Clearlake.

Vet Connect Hook Up Hub.

Sunday 15 Drink craft beer & wines & eat appetizers at Kelseyville businesses. $30.

1–5 p.m. Downtown Kelseyville. facebook.com/visitKelseyville.

St. Paddy’s Day Swig & Jig.

FREE Leprechaun Leap Community Walk. Brisk

walk on the Great Redwood Trail. Dress in costumes to win prizes. 10–11 a.m. Meet at Commerce Dr., Ukiah. facebook. com/groups/greatredwoodtrailukiah.

FREE CMAS Lego Robotics. Grades

3–8. Sessions limited to 20 students.

COME ONE, COME ALL!

MINI CARNIVAL WELCOMING FOR CHILDREN WITH SENSORY NEEDS

S AT U RD AY MA RC H 14, 2020 2: 00-4: 00PM CL E AR L AKE HIGH S C HOOL G YM PUT ON BY MERARI ALVAREZ SENIOR PROJECT

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Wednesday 18 Numerous veteran resources represented: community services, health care, social networking & veterans organizations. Lunch provided. Veterans ID or DD214 required. No knives, guns, or other weapons allowed. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

American Legion Hall. 14770 Austin Dr., Clearlake.

Friday 20 FREE Noche de Estrellas.

Song, music, dance & theater in Spanish. Mulitgenerational cast of 35 local performers. Tickets will be available only at the door, which will open at 6:30 p.m. / Canción, música, danza y teatro en

SIGN UP TODAY FOR

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MendoLakeFamilyLife.com March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

español. Elenco multigeneracional de 35 artistas locales. Los boletos estarán disponibles solo en la puerta, que abrirá a las 6:30 p.m.

Mar. 20 & 21: 7 p.m. SPACE Theater. 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. spaceperformingarts.org.

New Paradigm College Benefit Dinner. Three-course dinner (wine included). Proceeds benefit the New Paradigm College in Lucerne. $200. 6:30 p.m. Tallman Hotel. 9550 Main St., Upper Lake. Reservations: newparadigmcollege.org/dinner or call 245-9076.

Saturday 21 FREE Redbud Audubon Society Field Trip. Destination: Highland

Springs Reservoir. Suitable for all

levels. Heavy rain cancels. May join or leave group anytime during day. 9 a.m.

Highland Springs Reservoir. 3600 E. Highland Springs Rd., Lakeport. redbudaudubon.org.

$5–$50. (Free rides on the Skunk Train at 11 a.m. for those who present a Whale Run bib. Free train rides also on March 22, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.)

Main Tent. W. Cypress St., Fort Bragg. soroptimistfortbraggca.org.

Guided Whale Walk. Binoculars

are available. Rain or shine. Wear layered clothing. $5 donation. 11 a.m.

MacKerricher State Park. 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd., Fort Bragg. mendoparks.org/whale-festival.

Hella Piano Party with Wendy DeWitt. On-stage battle with

award-winning artists playing 4 pianos. $15–$25. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. soperreesetheatre.com.

Clear Lake Bass Tournament. Cash

prizes. Thru. Mar. 22. (See page 8 for details.) Konocti Vista Casino & Resort. 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd., Lakeport. Info: 263-5092.

Whale Run & Walk. Half-Mile Kiddie

Race: 8:30 a.m. 5K & 10K runs: 9 a.m.

5K Fun Walk: 9:05 a.m. Registration:

Live & Give Gala: Roaring with Gatsby. Full dinner & live music. Benefits the Lake County International Charter School. $35.

Ages 21 & older only. 6–10 p.m.

Middletown Lions Club. 15399 Central Park Rd., Middletown. Purchase tickets online: lcics.org.

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now

2020-21 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2020 will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2, 2020 will enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program

Registration forms available at school offices and at www.uusd.net www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Saturday Saturda y April 1 11th 1th

11:00 am-2:00 pm Twin Pine Casino Event Center

www.TwinPine.com March 2020

Easter Baskets (while supplies last)

Jump Houses Kids Activities 707.987.0197 MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.

Benefits the Fort Bragg High School Class of 2020 Safe & Sober Graduation. $10–$15. To-go orders available. 5 p.m. Fort Bragg Volunteer Fire Department. 141 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. facebook.com/ events/2368470856613988.

Tuesday 24 FREE Art Night: Fairy Houses. Make

a tiny home for a magical creature.

Supplies provided. 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Willits Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. mendolibrary.org.

Thursday 26 FREE Special Needs Advocacy & Parental Support Group. Meets

fourth Thursday of every month.

6–7:30 p.m. (No religious affiliation).

United Christian Parish of Lakeport.

745 N. Brush St., Lakeport. facebook. com/snapslakecountyca.

Saturday 28

0–4. Last Saturday of each month.

10:15 a.m.–noon. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. mendolibrary.org.

Sunday 29

FREE Wild About Wombats. Story

FREE Kelseyville Artisan Market.

time: 10:30 a.m. Kids’ craft: 11 a.m. Down Under Animals (adult program): 2–4 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org.

The work of 20+ local designers & makers, along with treats & lunch items, available for purchase. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Kelseyville Senior Center. 5245 3rd St., Kelseyville. facebook.com/ kelseyvilleseniors.

Santa Rosa Symphony Chamber Players. $20. Ages 18 & younger: free. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre.

275 S. Main St., Lakeport. soperreesetheatre.com.

FREE Little Tots Clothing Swap.

Story time in the Children’s Room followed by socializing & swapping clean, gently used clothes for ages

Tuesday 31 FREE Cesar Chavez Day/Día de Cesar Chavez. Food, art & accordion.

Con comidea, arte y acordeón. 6–7 p.m.

Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org.

Get Free Tax Help

T

ax forms can be intimidating and not everyone has the cash to hire an accountant. Enter the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) Program, a collaboration of North Coast Opportunity’s Volunteer Network and United Way of Wine Country.

IRS-certified volunteers provide free federal and state income tax return preparation, with electronic filing, to individuals and families who earn $60,000 or less. VITA is particularly concerned with making sure that eligible families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can reduce the amount of tax assessed and may also provide a wage supplemental. To schedule an appointment or find out more, call 467-3236 or go to ncoinc.org.

In addition to the VITA program, free tax help can be found at the Ukiah Senior Center in Ukiah. Volunteers will prepare taxes at the center on a first come, first-served basis on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30–11:30 a.m. Participants should bring last year’s return, a driver’s license or other photo identification, social security cards for all family members, and all forms reporting income, including W-2s, SSI, 1099 interest dividends, pension and IRA distributions, and 1095 health insurance forms. The service is available to low-to-moderate-income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. For more information, go to ukiahseniorcenter.org. ¶

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Kenny Washington

Schools

Give Your Give Child a Head Start!

C E N T E R S

Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool!

• Ukiah Child a classroomsTuition-free ✓ 1/2-day & full-day for Montessori North Ukiah - Bush St. ages 18 months to 5 years Nokomis - Washington Ave. Head elementary South forUkiah ages 5-13 - S. State St. ✓ Potty-trained not necessary Peach Tree - S. Orchard Ave. Start!

Hands-on, arts and music  ✓ Children with disabilities welcome • Willits

integrated with academics Near Brookside School at ✓ Referrals for transportation available Free & Low-Cost Spruce St. & Lincoln Way  National Green Campus Quality Preschool!

• Lake County Also providing FREE in-home services for

 Promotes responsibility, Upper Lake - 2nd Street infants, toddlers & pregnant women!

Head Start Child Development Program

Soulful Sounds

A

ttention jazz-loving moms and dads: Kenny Washington is coming to town. Recently dubbed “the Superman of the Bay Area jazz scene” by the San Francisco Chronicle, the vocalist is known for his expansive range and rapid-fire scatting. Accompanying him on guitar will be Jeff Massanari, who has performed with the San Francisco Symphony at Stern Grove and in China. The duo will play on March 15 at 3 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake. Tickets  are $25 and may be purchased via tallmanhotel.com. The performance, part of the Concert with Conversation series, is not suitable for children. ¶

(707)Development 462-2582 Program License #230111843 Child Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582

Accelerated Achievement  Academy 

YOUR AD HERE

stronomers make a living unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos. Learn a little bit about what they know at the Spring Night Sky lecture series at Taylor Observatory in Kelseyville. Each evening will begin with one hour in the planetarium, where participants will listen to astronomical mythology and discover how to locate seasonal constellations.

Then, at the lecture, detailed information will be given about specific star groups. Talks are open to high schoolers and adults, and will be held 8–10 p.m. on March 18 and 25 and April 15 and 22. Admission is $15 for each lecture. Find a complete schedule at facebook.com/friendsoftaylorobservatory. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

• Coastnorth end of Fairgrounds Fort Bragg - Lincoln St. PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

Get Mom’s Attention!

Starry, Starry Night

Lakeport - Howard Ave. Clearlake - Pearl Ave. ClearlakeLocated - Meadowbrookon Dr.

707-462-0913

Find a School or After-School Activity in our Online Directories MendoLakeFamilyLife.com

A

Lake - Clover Valley respect, andUpper peace

www.ncoinc.org Head Start

Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

March 2020

Focused on the future of each child  FREE public school  Support for struggling students  Small classes  Grades 4-12



    

 Call today! (707) 463-7080

mendo lake

LOCAL

#1 local for 25 years resource for local families magazine • web • email • events

Like Us On Facebook MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

Humor Break together and laugh until you cry. No one makes the birthday girl get off the couch to do something like pour someone a glass of milk when that someone is fully capable of completing the task. And no one shames anyone else for, for instance, not watching their kids twirl around in skirts. Party favors include a free Instagram filter that magically makes you look not tired.

Shop, Scroll, What Mom Wants Sleep for Her Birthday

By Meredith Ethington

M

y birthday is coming up, so I’ve been daydreaming about my fantasy moms-party. Here are some of my ideal themes:

Napping Party We moms lie on our napping pads, put on noise-cancelling headphones, and pull down the blackout shades. Then we sleep for however freaking long we want. Party favors include eye masks and soft blankets.

Target Party For a day, we are all Joanna Gaines picking out a new throw pillow or lampshade for our mom-caves.

Starbucks or Diet Cokes in our hands, we stroll kid-free aisles and buy cactus-shaped earring holders without having to listen to temper tantrums in the distance. Party favors include loot 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

from the “grab as many items as you can from the $1 aisle” contest.

No-Responsibility Party This party has a few rules. No one can ask a mom for anything, especially while she is eating, peeing, or sleeping.

Phrases like “to-do list” and “did you pick up cat food at the store?” are banned, and no one can speak their children’s names. Rather for the entire day everyone pretends to be single women with absolutely zero responsibilities. Party favors include one-way tickets to a deserted island, where no one asks for snacks and everyone gets to eat their food while it’s still warm.

Mindless Social Media Scrolling/Meme-Sharing Party Simply watch stupid online videos

Slumber Party Bring your favorite chick-flick and adult beverage. No bras are allowed, and no one cares if your sweats have a hole in the crotch. Pass out, makeup still on, in your own separate beds at 10 p.m. without anyone rubbing your arm for a little action at midnight. In the morning, awaken when your body feels ready instead of when a toddler and his siblings have decided to play “the ground is lava” game right outside your bedroom door.

For any of these parties, no one can require you to clean your house or judge you when the half-eaten hot dog is inevitably discovered behind the couch. And, of course, no fantasy birthday party would be complete without a never-ending supply of cake that doesn’t make you fat—and an absence of little hands grabbing pieces of it right out of your hands.

Meredith Ethington is a writer and a mom to three who tries to help her kids understand sarcasm—and her need for personal space. Meredith’s debut parenting book, Mom Life: Perfection Pending, is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at Absolute Love Publishing. Meredith writes for many of her favorite parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Babble, Momtastic, and on her own blog (perfectionpending.net). Follow her on Facebook @PerfectionPending and at instagram. com/perfectpending.

March 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

FREE

Family Expo & Camp Fair FRIDAY APRIL 17 3-7 P.M. AT CODDINGTOWN MALL, SANTA ROSA

Redwood Adventure Camp

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RECREATION & PARKS

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Made for more of life’s greatest miracles

We’re all made for more. More miracles. More family time. More healthy years ahead. We are here to help you on your journey. That’s why our team is here to help you on your journey. We believe you can benefit by having one obstetrics provider who gets to know you, helps you develop your birth plan and oversees your care, from prenatal and pregnancy, through to birth and postnatal care.

Deliveries take place in our dedicated Family Birth Unit, a peaceful, nurturing environment designed to help you have a great, comfortable experience. From the start, we have you and your baby’s future in mind and are here to offer exceptional care every step of the way.

Meet our Adventist Health Maternity Care Team

Chris Deuel, MD Family Medicine with Obstetrics

Jodi Parungao, MD Family Medicine with Obstetrics

John Sanchez, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

We now offer full-service prenatal and postnatal care: • • • • • •

Prenatal care Delivery Postpartum care Breast feeding support Individualized birth plans Educational classes and tours

You were made for more, so learn more.

Now welcoming new patients 707-463-7495 | ahukiah.org/Obgyn 1050 N. State Street, Ukiah | 415 Hospital Drive, Suite A, Ukiah