Dear Reader
W
elcome to our issue dedicated to special needs. Raising children is challenging for all parents, Sharon Gowan but for those Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us who have kids with behavioral, emotional, or physical issues, common problems take on new dimensions. For instance, finding a sitter is doubly difficult. Lynne Adams, a child psychologist and mom of a son who has autism, shares strategies that worked for her in “Exceptional Babysitters” (page 14). In terms of day-to-day coping, Cheryl Maguire finds focusing on
her child’s strengths helps. She shares her positive point of view, as well as life lessons learned, in “Spirited Away” (page 12).
Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us
Whether or not you have a child with special needs, getting to school safely is most likely tops on your list of priorities. Read Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Steven D. Herrington’s “Bike, Bus, Walk” (page 10) for travel safety tips. Then turn to “Lunch Ninja” (page 27) for advice on packing your child’s lunchbox with quick, healthy meals. May your family’s fall be full of the excitement of learning new things.
Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Marie Anderson marie@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 Jean Flint jean@family-life.us
Nothing runs on empty. Especially 1 in 6 of our Sonoma County neighbors who struggle with hunger. Join the Redwood Empire Food Bank to help end hunger in our community.
Act now at REFB.ORG.
Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us
Contributing Writers Lynne Adams Steven D. Herrington Holly Hester Cheryl Maguire Karen Nochimowski
Billing Jan Wasson-Smith
Publishing Office 134 Lystra Court, Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95403
HUNGER ACTION MONTH
Tel (707) 586-9562 Fax (707) 586-9571
(707) 523-7900 | www.refb.org 3990 Brickway Blvd. | Santa Rosa | CA | 95403
6 SonomaFamilyLife
September 2017 www.sonomafamilylife.com