core topics that we will focus on to help develop

volume 35 • number 2

Magazine Magazine P.O. Box 1809 Castroville, TX 78009 210-305-4181

PUBLISHER Rudy Riojas 210-526-0312

DISTRIBUTION Taspas Delivery

ADVERTISING: Pat Ramotowski 210-209-8673

Magazine Amy Sugarman 210-987-2202

On the Cover Photo by: ROMAN STETSYK

ABA Therapy for children and young adults in the Autism Spectrum Disorder and with other special needs. We strive to improve the quality of life of our clients and their families.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation has partnered with Kohl’s Department Stores to implement “Kohl’s Smiles for Kids.” Take this time to teach your children about the importance of self-care.

Help fight tooth decay and gum disease by: • Brushing and flossing daily • Drinking fluoride-enriched tap water • Scheduling regular dental checkups

Visit chofsa.org/dental or call 210.704.2206 to schedule a pediatric dental appointment and for more information on how we do everything for our children.

By Sandi Schwartz

How often do you hug your children? We all live busy, stressful lives and have endless concerns as parents, but it is clear that one of the most important things we need to do is to stop and give our kids a big loving squeeze. Research over the past decade highlights the link between affection in childhood and health and happiness in the future.

According to Child Trends – the leading nonprofit research organization in the United States focused on improving the lives and prospects of children, youth, and their families – science supports the idea that warmth and affection expressed by parents to their children results in life-long positive outcomes for those children.

Higher self-esteem, improved academic performance, better parent-child communication, and fewer psychological and behavior problems have been linked to this type of affection. On the other hand, children who do not have affectionate parents tend to have lower self-esteem and to feel more alienated, hostile, aggressive, and anti-social.

There have been a number of recent studies that highlight the relationship between parental affection and children’s happiness and success.

In 2010, researchers at Duke University Medical School found that babies with very affectionate and attentive mothers grow up to be happier, more resilient, and less anxious adults. Five hundred people were followed from when they were infants until they were in their 30s. When the babies were eight months old, psychologists

observed their mothers’ interactions with them as they took several developmental tests. Then 30 years later, those same individuals were interviewed about their emotional health. The adults whose mothers showed “extravagant” or “caressing” affection were much less likely than the others to feel stressed and anxious. They were also less likely to report hostility, distressing social interactions, and psychosomatic symptoms. Researchers concluded that the hormone oxytocin may be responsible for this effect, as it is released when a person feels emotions related to love and connection.

Next, a 2013 study from UCLA found that unconditional love and affection from a parent can make children emotionally happier and less anxious. This happens because their brain actually changes as a result of the affection. On the other hand, the negative impact of childhood abuse and lack of affection impacts children both mentally and physically. This can lead to all kinds of health and emotional problems throughout their lives. What’s really fascinating is that scientists think parental affection can actually protect individuals against the harmful effects of childhood stress.

Then in 2015, a study out of the University of Notre Dame showed that children who receive affection from their parents were happier as adults. More than 600 adults were surveyed about how they were raised, including how much physical affection they had. The adults who reported receiving more affection in childhood displayed less depression and anxiety and were more compassionate overall. Those who reported less affection struggled

with mental health, tended to be more upset in social situations, and were less able to relate to other people’s perspectives.

Researchers have also studied the benefits of skinto-skin contact for infants. This special interaction between mother and baby, in particular, helps calm babies so they cry less and sleep more. It has also been shown to boost brain development. According to an article in Scientific American, children who lived in a deprived environment like an orphanage had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who lived with their parents. Scientists believe that the lack of physical contact in the orphanages is a major factor in these physical changes.

Finally, numerous studies on the effects of massage show the positive benefits it offers to reduce anxiety in children. Massage is also a good way for parents to connect to their children, both physically and emotionally. Starting in infancy, a parent can begin to massage their child, which can create a strong bond. Studies have shown children and adults who receive massage experience less anxiety during academic stress, hospital stays, and other stressful events.

From the moment you bring your baby home from the hospital, be sure to hold, touch, and rock them in your arms. Spend many precious moments caressing your baby so that their skin can touch your skin. As they get older, be playful by doing fun activi- ties like dancing together or creating silly games like pretending to be a hugging or kissing monster.

Set a reminder to make sure hugging is part of your daily routine. In the adorable Trolls movie, the Trolls wore watches with alarm clocks that would go off every hour for hug time. If that’s what it takes, then set yourself an alarm. Or make sure to give your kids a hug during certain times of the day, such as before they leave for school, when they get home from school, and before bedtime.

Another interesting idea is to use affection while disciplining your child. As you talk to them about what they did wrong, put your hand on their shoulder and give them a hug at the end of the conversation to ensure them that, even if you are not pleased with their behavior, you still love them. If your children hit their sister or brother, hug them and explain how hugging feels better than hitting.

Finally, be careful not to go overboard and smother your kids. Respect their individual comfort level, and be aware that this will change as they go through different stages.

When I was younger, I only had one choice for summer camp—the town camp. The town camp was a traditional all-day 6 hour camp with a heavy emphasis on sports. I was more of a bookworm than an athlete so this type of camp was not a good match for my personality. I remember coming home every day whinnying to my mom, “It was so hot and all we did was play (fill in a sport). Do I have to go to camp tomorrow?” By the end of the summer, I’m sure my mom wished there were other options for me.

Now there are so many choices it can be overwhelming to figure out what type of camp would be a good fit for your child. Hopefully, the following descriptions will help you to match your child with the correct camp so you hear your child tell you, “Camp was so much fun today,” instead of what my poor mother dealt with daily. Traditional Day Camp

A traditional day camp is 6 hours (half day options may be available) and offers a variety of activities such as sports, swimming, art, and music. These camps are located at YMCAs, public schools, or private settings. Is this a good fit for your child? Most of the activities are outside so if your child loves the outdoors and playing sports or team building activities then this would be a good type of camp for them. Since there is a variety of activities this would also be a good fit for a child that likes to try different things. Sports

Specialty sports camps usually are one sport such as baseball or soccer that the child plays either for 3 or 6 hours. Depending on where you live there may even be an option for tennis, golf, surfing or sailing camp. This type of camp is typically owned by private organizations. Some towns may have town operated sports camps. Is this a good fit for your child? If your child loves a specific sport and would like to improve their skills, this would be a great option. It could even be a way for your child to try a sport such a surfing that they might not otherwise have exposure to it. Art/Musical Theater

Specialty art or musical theater camps focus solely on the arts. Musical theater camps typically showcase a production such as “Beauty and the Beast,” whereas in an art camp a child would use a variety of art mediums like painting or drawing. These type of camps are located in public schools or private organizations. In the public school setting the drama teacher usually runs the camp, and it isn’t widely advertised but it is available for anyone to participate. To find out more information call public schools in your area. Is this a good fit for your child?

If your child is creative and prefers the indoors, then these By Cheryl Maguire Which Camp Will Your Child Like?

An educational camp focuses on learning a new skill or subject matter. Since it is camp and not school these types of camps tend to be hands-on with an emphasis on fun. These camps are located at public schools, museums, and colleges.

Is this a good fit for your child? If your child is curious and always asking questions about how/why things work, this may be a good match for them. If a child is interested in learning a new skill such as commuter programming or speaking Spanish some educational camps offer that as well.

Overnight camp is when your child lives at the camp for either a week or longer period. There are Boy/Girl Scout camps and private residential camps. These camps tend to offer options such as sailing, boating, archery, horseback riding and other activities that may not be available close to your home.

Is this a good fit for your child? An overnight camp gives your child the chance to meet other kids from different states

There are two types of travel camps. One type is when your child goes on day trips and the other type sometimes referred to as “teen tours” is when your child travels with a group for an extended period (usually a few weeks or a month). This type of camp is located at religious or private organizations.

Is this a good fit for your child? Some of these camps travel to places by plane so it would give your child the chance to travel to a place that you might not have gone to as a family. If your child enjoys experiencing new destinations, then this would be a great fit for them.

A good place to start is asking friends and family where they sent their child to camp and if it was a positive experience for them. You could then call your local public school and ask about local camp programs. Private camps usually offer an open house during the year to allow your child to visit before signing up.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, Upworthy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessing and Your Teen Magazine. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05

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With summer calendars quickly filling up, it can be hard to try and squeeze in one more thing. But if you have never sent your kids to a summer camp, here are seven reasons why you should consider it!

From sports camps and art camps to STEM-based camps and more traditional overnight options, summer camps are designed to serve a variety of ages and interests. The length of camp can range from a few mornings for younger kiddos to weeklong sleep-away camps for older kids. Local churches, school districts, and other organizations like the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, and 4-H offer a wide range of camps. With a little bit of research, you can easily find a camp well-suited for your child.

Horseback riding. Paddling a canoe across the lake. Wilderness survival. Conquering a ropes course. Sleeping under the stars. Adventures are endless at camp, and your child will have an opportunity to try something brand new. For the youngest campers, trying a new craft activity or learning a new camp song can be so much fun!

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