Parents Press January 2020

WWW.PARENTSPRESS.COM

January 2020

Touched

by OPEN ADOPTION IN 2020 Post-Holiday TOY OVERLOAD FAMILY CALENDAR Events & Activities Around the Bay Area

pg. 17

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Parents Press | January 2020

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Contents

www.parentspress.com

JANUARY 2020

FEATURES

8

Kids and Climate Without Tears

10

Touched by Adoption in 2020

12

Post-Holiday Toy Overload

...AND MORE

6 Good to Know

• Camp Is Not Just for Kids • 2019 Top Baby Names • Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.

16 Calendar • Oakland Zoo Lights

• Walnut Creek on Ice • Lunar New Year at Fairyland ...and lots more

17 School Open House Events 27 Deciphering Parenting Metaphors

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Parents Press | January 2020

Mailing Address 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421, Alameda, CA 94502 Publisher | Parenting Media, Inc Art Director | Debbi Murzyn Calendar Editor | Grace Batmale Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com Copies of Parents’ Press are distributed to locations throughout the Bay Area.

Send letters to the editor to editor@ parentspress.com Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date. Send calendar information to calendar@parentspress.com Parents’ Press is published monthly. ©2020 Parents’ Press

January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

5

Good to Know Camp Is Not Just for Kids

S

ure, you might currently be huddled around your fireplace in an attempt to stay cozy this winter, but it’s already time to start thinking about where your little ones will be enjoying a campfire this summer. It may be of interest to know that, according to the American Camp Association, 38 percent of camps offer family opportunities. This means that if you want to ease your child into the idea of a sleepaway situation, there’s likely a camp that will take your entire family for a session.

CELEBRATING

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

W

hile legislation was signed in 1983 to create the federal holiday to mark the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it wasn’t until 1994 that Congress designated Martin Luther King the date as a national Memorial, Washington DC day of service. Their slogan is it’s a “day on, not a day off.” Americans of all ages are encouraged to do good in honor of Dr. King’s vision for a united community.

TOP BABY Names in 2019

Liam and Charlotte top the list of the most popular baby names in 2019, according to BabyNames.com. Here’s the top baby names.

MALE 1. Liam 2. Oliver 3. Theodore 4. Declan 5. Henry 6. Owen 7. Finn/Fynn 8. Caleb 9. Emmett 10. Benjamin

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Parents Press | January 2020

FEMALE 1. Charlotte 2. Amelia/Emilia 3. Violet 4. Aria/Arya 5. Aurora 6. Ava 7. Olivia/Alivia 8. Vivienne/Vivien/Vivian 9. Nora/Norah 10. Scarlett

Leaving your Child Home Alone Cassandra Slater, BA, CPST

L

eaving a child alone for the first time is a big step in their development and knowing when they are ready can be challenging, as it’s different for every child. In California, there is no law stating at what age a child can be left at home alone. If a child is mature enough to take care of themselves, they will know what to do Write down all emergency in an emergency situation, numbers on a sheet of paper where to find a trusted and place it on your family adult, and how to reach fridge for easy access. You parents in an emergency. It should include any family might take time and pracmember or family friend that the tice to drill the answers to child views as a trusted adult. these questions into your children’s heads, but will be well worth it to ensure they stay safe every time.

Once you’ve determined that your child is ready to be left home alone without an adult, create a safe environment by limiting access to dangerous areas, such as the garage, laundry room, or rooms with firearms. Use common child home-safety equipment such as cabinet locks or medication lock boxes to create boundaries so children know which areas are safe to play in and which need to be left alone.

Write down all emergency numbers on a sheet of paper and place it on your family fridge for easy access. You should include any family member or family friend that the child views as a trusted adult.

Run through what they should do if there is a fire in the home or if strangers approach the house.

Set out easy-to-make meals that do not require the stove or microwave to prepare. This will prevent any kitchen incidents that could lead to injury or fire while you aren’t home, as well as limit mess.

Until you know your child is capable of making safe decisions while home alone, do not allow them to have friends over when you are gone. Also, clearly state what a child can and cannot do when you are not home; such as leave the house, use the stove, use knives, or anything that could put them at risk for injury.

Mobile phones make it very easy to keep in contact with children from afar, so set up regular check in times throughout the day to make sure they are staying safe and following the rules you’ve laid out for them.

BENTLEY SCHOOL CHARACTER - PURPOSE - COMMUNITY

C

elebrating 100 years of educational excellence, Bentley School is a nationally recognized K-12 community. Our exceptional teachers inspire intellectual curiosity and a joy for learning. We empower students to build strength of character and to lead lives of purpose.

Learn more and arrange a visit: www.bentleyschool.org/admissions Oakland (K-8): 510.843.2512 Lafayette (9-12): 925.283.2101 January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

7

Kids and Climate

Without Tears

By Sarah Shaffer

I

recently had a parent ask me if she should be doing life choices, to research policies that reverse course, to more to encourage her seven-year-old to become reward the responsible use of resources, and to vote for active in the Children’s Climate Crusade. She was politicians who share our values. In other words, it’s caught off-guard, and was perhaps just a bit relieved, the grown-ups who should be in charge of waging the by my quick response. “No. In fact, when it comes to the climate war. crusade aspect of it, you should probably be doing less.”

I mentioned middle school. This is when boys and Given that my passion is inspiring kids to build a happy, girls begin to develop a sense of agency, a feeling that lifelong relationship with science and nature, people they have a degree of control over outcomes that effect are sometimes surprised to learn that I don’t want to them. Knowing they have the power to do something turn the youngest children in my programs into takes the fear out of environmental engagement, little climate warriors. Our kids have enough and kids this age become more active in chamto worry about without adding the climate What about the pioning the causes close to their hearts. As apocalypse—fires, mudslides, droughts, little kids? They they move through high school and college, heat waves, hurricanes, and floods—to the should simply fall their influence grows along with their levels list. The very word “crusade” conjures up sophistication and knowledge. What in love with Mother ofabout images of soldiers with shields marching the little kids? They should simply Nature. As parents fall in love with Mother Nature. As parents off to battle. I want the children in my we have the fun job we have the fun job of helping them do programs to fall in love with the natural world, not fall into the fray in its defense. just that. Get your kids outside. Encourage of helping them But doesn’t somebody have to take them to follow honeybees from blossom to do just that. Get responsibility for the damage that human blossom. Let them look under rocks, splash your kids outside. in puddles, and float leaves. Hike with activity has inflicted on the planet? Yes. Encourage them to them. Lie in the grass and watch the race of The generations that have caused it. Even follow honeybees in this, I take a “no-shame, no-blame” apclouds with them. Nobody cares about saving proach to finding solutions. Guilt is better at from blossom to something they haven’t first learned to love. It inspiring denial than it is at inspiring creative is this love that will provide the foundation on blossom. remedies. Most of us have only recently become which we’ll build a healthy world. aware of just how widespread and negative our impact on the environment has been. It may have been the Sarah Shaffer, award-winning educator, has been offering unique after-school youth movement, kids from middle school on up, that has enrichment and outdoor science and nature programs for children, parents, and forced our attention, but it is on us to educate ourselves teachers for over twenty-five years. More information about Sarah’s Science can about climate science, to practice sustainability in our be found at www.sarahscience.com

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Parents Press | January 2020

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9

A message to those whose lives will be touched by open adoption in 2020

By Abbie E. Goldberg, Ph.D.

T

he New Year is a time to reflect on the past and consider the future, and to focus on one’s individual and shared (e.g., family) goals and commitments. Some families are embarking on a lifechanging commitment in 2020: they will be introducing a child to their home through adoption.

We live in a time when “open” adoptions are the norm (the majority of adoption agencies facilitate “matches” between birth and adoptive parents in which some information is exchanged between parties before and/or after the adoptive placement). Years ago, this meant mailing photos and letters to loved ones (sometimes with the agency as the intermediary) once you’ve parted ways. In today’s information age, it could mean much more frequent and direct contact.

In my new book, “Open Adoption and Diverse Families: Complex Families in the Digital Age” (2020, Oxford University Press), I share research I uncovered over the course of a decade of interviewing lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents in open adoptions at various points during their children’s childhood. What I’ve found was that even when adoptive parents faced challenges in their relationships with birth families (i.e., birth parents dropping out of contact due to mental health or addiction issues), they were generally very grateful to be in open adoptions.

Families who are embarking on an open adoption should consider these questions: What happens when adoptees have access to information about their birth family early on in their lives and can contact these individuals as they grow up? How is having access to birth families beneficial—and what unexpected complexities does it bring? What types of unique family

10

Parents Press | January 2020

dynamics arise in open adoption arrangements, and how do adoptive and birth families manage them?

These are some of the questions I explore in my book.

Research from the past few decades shows that children who have access to their birth families as they grow up are ultimately more satisfied with their adoptions, and have fewer unresolved questions about their background (e.g., reasons for placement, medical history).

Adoptive parents I’ve interviewed recognized the numerous ways in which access to birth family members positively impacted their children and families.

For example, white parents who adopted children of color were grateful for family members who could serve as valuable racial/ethnic role models for their children and important sources of support when navigating issues that they, as white people, did not have first-hand knowledge of (e.g., preparing for and addressing racial bias and discrimination, questions about skin and hair care). Similarly, parents whose children encountered unexpected medical issues were grateful to learn about their family’s medical history. Gay fathers especially valued that birth mothers were an important female presence in their children’s lives—and were often interested in a level of emotional intimacy with birth mothers that was more rare in other types of families.

More often than not, adoptive parents were either satisfied with the level of contact they had with birth families, or wanted more contact than they currently had. In a minority of cases, however, birth families reportedly (i.e., by adoptive parents’ accounts) wanted more contact, or a different type of contact, than what

Adoptive parents I’ve interviewed recognized the numerous ways in which access to birth family members positively impacted their children and families. adoptive parents had in mind. Such boundary challenges were difficult to negotiate amidst a desire not to alienate birth family members. Families dealt with such boundary management issues in a variety of ways, including relaxing their own preferences to accommodate the relational request, talking through their hesitations with the birth family (resulting in even better communication in their relationship in some cases, and to hurt feelings in others), or maintaining their boundary (i.e., not accommodating the request or overture), sometimes with little explanation or communication.

A note of caution: much in the same way that relationships with extended family can be complicated, some parents I interviewed wrestled with feelings of disappointment or frustration when birth parents could not fully “show up” for the children, often for the same reasons—unstable lives or difficult histories—that led them to choose adoption in the first place.

Overall, the parents I’ve interviewed were grateful that they chose open adoption, disappointed when the adoption was not as open as they assumed or expected, and in those cases, were often committed to continuing to reach out to birth family members over the course of their children’s lives in the hopes that they would eventually reconnect or reestablish contact.

Open adoption is not a practice that is lived in a day; it is fluid, complex, and often changes over the life course. It involves decisions and dynamics that will need to be (re)negotiated again and again. There will be moments of frustration and sadness—as well as moments of deep joy and gratitude. I encourage you to draw on all the resources at your disposal— humor, patience, family and friend support, and outside experts—to prepare for whatever this extraordinary life change will bring.

Abbie E. Goldberg is a professor of psychology and director of Women’s & Gender Studies, at Clark University and author of “Open Adoption and Diverse Families: complex relationships in the digital age”

SPRING CAMP 2020

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Daily attendance possible • For children ages 4 to 11

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Camps in Oakland & Berkeley March 30 - April 3

In addition to studying stream life, we’ll create fun art projects, play outdoors, build Lego structures and watch science movies.

(A few) Featured Projects o

Build a nature camera and develop solar prints of stream plants.

o

Make stream identification cards and become a naturalist.

Take a field trip on a bus to investigate a real stream.

Fish out fascinating stream creatures for a closer look.

Go on a hike to discover the plants and animals living near streams.

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Don’t miss the Biggest Camp & School Fairs of the season

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Pre-register for Free Raffle: www.BayAreaCampFairs.com 1 Free Raffle Ticket for each canned good donation

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www.BayAreaCampFairs.com January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

11

• • • HOW TO HANDLE • • •

Post-Holiday Toy Overload

T

By Laura Weiler

he holidays are filled with celebration, food, family... and toys. So. Many. Toys. If dolls, Legos, art supplies, and games have taken over your house, fear not—it can be reclaimed!

As a mom of two girls and someone who organizes other people’s homes for a living, I have seen lots of playrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms that are overrun with toys.

And I’ve noticed that having too many choices seems to overwhelm kids. It’s more fun to play when there’s space to spread out. And you’d probably enjoying sitting down in your living room without seeing toys strewn about. So how do you unclutter the toys?

REMOVE TOYS YOUR KIDS HAVE OUTGROWN. If they’ve aged past it, it’s time to go. If it’s an absolute treasure worth saving for future grandkids, pack well and move to the attic. Anything else can be passed on to friends or family with younger kids, the library or doctor’s office, or donated to charity.

LOOK FOR TOYS WITH BROKEN PIECES AND MISSING PARTS. Game or puzzle missing multiple pieces? Headless Barbie doll? Car with three wheels? Say goodbye. When you have a surplus of toys, broken ones are unlikely to be played with.

LOOK FOR THINGS THAT NEVER GET USED. If it never leaves the shelf, it probably won’t be missed.

INVOLVE THEM IN THE PROCESS—OR DON’T. If your kids are old enough and receptive, ask them to choose things to donate. Knowing their rarely used toys will make another kid happy can be really motivating. Or maybe your kids don’t want to part with anything, played with or not...it’s very common! If that’s your situation, declutter when they’re not home, or sleeping, to make it less of a battle.

ROTATE TOYS. This works best for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Instead of all toys out all the time, split them in half and after a couple weeks swap them out. It’s almost like getting new toys, but your house stays uncluttered.

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Parents Press | January 2020

CREATE A TEMPORARY HOME IF YOU’RE UNSURE ABOUT GETTING RID OF SOMETHING. If you’re worried your kids might miss something you declutter, move it out of sight. If they ask, get it out—but if they don’t mention the toy in the time frame you determine (1 month, 3 months, etc.), pass it on.

THINK OF CRAFTS AS AN EXPERIENCE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT MUST BE SAVED FOR ETERNITY. Craft kits are great...until there’s a year’s worth of slime, jewelry, and painted rocks in your living room. The fun is in making the craft—they’re not all keepers. Ask your kids to choose a few favorites to keep...or smuggle things out under the cover of darkness once they’re asleep. You can always take a picture of it first.

MAKE IT EASY FOR KIDS TO CLEAN UP—AND KNOW WHERE THINGS BELONG. Think about classrooms and day cares. Every single toy, game, art supply, etc. has a home, and when kids finish using it, that’s where it goes. The shelves, bins, etc. are labeled so everyone knows where things belong.

Kids play with one thing, then clean it up before switching activities so the mess doesn’t get too big. You can use these strategies at home—I use them when I organize toys. Though I’ll admit the “clean up as you go” part is MUCH harder to implement at home... Sort the toys (i.e. Barbie dolls, baby dolls, Legos, Magna-Tiles) and designate a container for each category. Label it—if your kids aren’t reading yet, use pictures. Sturdy plastic bins can be cleaned, labeled, and easily carried around. Woven baskets are a great way to camouflage toys kept in the living room. Tossing toys into a bin is an easy way to clean up. It’s the rare kid who will color-code their Legos at clean-up time—keep it simple and you’re more likely to get them on board.

So there you have it! Declutter those toys and enjoy easier clean up and a neater house.

Laura Weiler is a home organizer.

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January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

13

Fearless, W

COMM “At SHC, the most important thing I learned was how to work collaboratively on a team—both in sports and academics. I’ve learned that the most effective ones are the teams in which everyone is valued, respected and encourages one another.”

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Parents Press | January 2020

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MUNITY Find out more at shcp.edu/visit

C O , C A • 4 1 5 . 7 7 5 . 6 6 2 6 • S H C P. E D U January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

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Calendar

30th Anniversary of the Pier 39 Sea Lions Sunday-Monday, Jan. 19-20 Pier 39 • 2 Beach Street, San Francisco 10:30 am - 3:30 pm www.pier39.com Stop by the Sea Lion Center and enjoy programming every half hour including, Sea Lion Shenanigans, Party for the Planet Blue, What’s for Lunch?

Floatin’ with the Sea Lions of San Francisco.

All ages. FREE 16

Parents Press | January 2020

1 | Wednesday

Open House Events

Zoo Lights 5:30 - 9pm, Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Going to the zoo at night time is half the fun. There will be music and fun activities. The animal enclosures are decorated, and so is the small amusement park on site. The 20-min train ride is just enough fun for little riders. Through Jan 5, 2020. All ages. $12 adults, $11 children, children under 2, free. $1 discount for members.

510-632-9525, www. oaklandzoo.org

Walnut Creek On Ice 12 - 8pm, Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. From now until Jan. 20, 2020, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park! Anyone able to skate is welcome.

Admission includes skate rental. Mon.-Fri. $12 per person. Fridays 5 p.m.Sundays 8 p.m. $15/ person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages. 707644-4000, www.walnutcreekonice.com

2 | Thursday Free First Thursday at the Berkeley Art Museum 10am - 7pm, Berkeley Art Museum, 2155 Center St, Berkeley.

Through art and film programs, collections, and research resources, the University aspires to

More Events Online at www.ParentsPress.com

ALAMEDA

Saint Philip Neri Catholic School Come TK and Kindergarten Information Night January 8, 2020 @ 7:00 pm Open House January 26, 2020 @ 10:15 am 1335 High St www.school.spnalameda.org

BERKELEY

The Academy Open House January 12, 2020 @ 6:00 pm 2722 Benvenue Ave www.theacademyschool.org Bayhill High School Tour & Talk January 23, 2020 @ 1:00 pm February 18, 2020 @ 1:00 pm 1904 Virginia St www.bayhillhs.org

DANVILLE

The Athenian School Middle School Parent Information Session January 14, 2020 - Call for time Upper School Open House January 11, 2020 @ 1:00 pm Middle School Open House January 12, 2020 @ 1:00 pm 2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd www.athenian.org St. Isidore School TK/K Parent Information Meeting January 10, 2020 @ 10:00 am Open House Sneak-a-Peak January 26, 2020 @ 10:00 am Science Fair Awards/Catholic Schools Week Open House January 30, 2020 @ 5:30 pm 435 La Gonda Way www.stisidore.org/

DUBLIN

The Quarry Lane School Lower School Parent Information Meeting (Grades JK-5) January 14, 2020 @ 9:00 am Middle School Parent Information Meeting (Grades 6-8) January 16, 2020 @ 9:00 am High School Parent Information Meeting (Grades 9-12) January 17, 2020 @ 9:00 am Open House Jr. K through Grade 12 January 26, 2020 @ 1:00 pm 6363 Tassajara Rd www.quarrylane.org/

EL SOBRANTE

East Bay Waldorf School

Group Tour January 8, 2020 @ 9:00 am Open House January 11, 2020 @ 10:00 am 3800 Clark Rd www.eastbaywaldorf.org/

EMERYVILLE

East Bay German International Campus Tour January 10, 2020 @ 9:00 am February 6, 2020 @ 9:00 am EBGIS Open House February 29, 2020 @ 10:00 am 1070 41st St www.ebgis.org/ EBI San Pablo Campus PK-5 Information Session January 8, 2020 @ 6:30 pm 4550 San Pablo Ave www.ebinternacional.org/visit-ebi

OAKLAND

Park Day School Tour, Grades 2nd - 8th January 9, 2020 @ 8:45 am Tour, Grades K - 1st January 10, 2020 @ 8:45 am 360 42nd St www.parkdayschool.org/ The Renaissance International School Kindergarten/Elementary Tour January 14, 2020 @ 9:30 am Pre-Primary/Primary Tour January 21, 2020 @ 9:30 am 3650 Dimond Ave www.therenaissanceschool.org/

ORINDA

Fountainhead Montessori Preschool January 4, 2020 @ 10:00 am 30 Santa Maria Way www.fms.org/

PIEDMONT

Corpus Christi School Open House January 7, 2020 @ 8:15 am February 4, 2020 @ 8:15 am 1 Estates Dr www.corpuschristischool.com The Renaissance International School Elementary/Middle School Tour January 16, 2020 @ 6:30 pm 5201 Park Blvd www.therenaissanceschool.org/

WALNUT CREEK

The Seven Hills School Campus Tour January 10, 2020 @ 8:45 am 975 N San Carlos Dr www.sevenhillsschool.org/

January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

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Crafts for kids! All ages. FREE. 510-532-9142, www. peraltahacienda.org

3 | Friday

11am - 3pm, Lakeshore Learning Center, 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday; this week’s craft is a dancing robot! Free. Ages 3 and up. 925-944-1495, www.lakeshorelearning.com

$5 First Friday: Life Hacks 6 - 10pm, Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland. Have a blast while using everyday objects in new ways to hack your life! A life hack is any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency. Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages. $5 per person. 510-336-7373, www. chabotspace.org

4 | Saturday Saturday Science: Rainbow Science 11am - 1pm, Randall Museum 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. Drop by the Randall Museum’s Science Studio and discover the wonders of science through project-based activities that explore a different science topic each week. Drop-in on 1/4 to discover the wonders of rainbows. Find and catch rainbows to brighten this winter day. $10 per parent-child combo; $5 for extra child. All ages. (415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org

Celebrate Three Kings Day at Peralta Hacienda 2:30 - 5:30pm, Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave, Oakland. Celebrate Three Kings Day at Peralta Hacienda and taste Fruitvale’s cultural richness! Enjoy “Rosca de Reyes” - a special Three Kings Day cake, delicious Mexican hot chocolate, and Arts & 18

Parents Press | January 2020

Free Children’s Crafts

Zoo Lights 5:30 - 9pm, Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Going to the zoo at night time is half the fun.

There will be music and fun activities. The animal enclosures are decorated, and so is the small amusement park on site. The 20-min train ride is just enough fun for little riders. Through Jan 5, 2020. All ages. $12 adults, $11 children, children under 2, free. $1 discount for members. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org

5 | Sunday The Wheels on the Bus 10 and 11:15am showtimes, BACT’s Berkeley Center in the Second Stage, 2055 Center St, Berkeley. Inspired by the ever-popular book and song. Toddler “bus drivers in training” will drive through town, stopping to meet a baker, a teacher, a veterinarian, a librarian and other community members, making music all along the way. Child: $15; Adult: $18. Ages 6 mos. - 3 years.

415-248-2677, bactheatre.org

Indigenous Red Market 11am-2pm, The Fruitvale Cedar Center, 3124 International Blvd, Oakland. The Native American Health Center and Urban Native Era are bringing

PHOTO BY STEVEN SAYLOR, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Free First Thursday at the Berkeley Art Museum — Berkeley

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January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

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together Indigenous Bay Area artists, designers, and entrepreneurs, for the first Indigenous Red Market in Oakland, CA. Enjoy indigenous food, music, art, and vendors every first Sunday of the month. FREE, visitoakland.com/event/indigenous-red-market/23755/

Alameda Point Antique Faire

MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL

Berkeley’s Independent College Preparatory High School

6am-3pm, 2900 Navy Way at Main Street, Alameda.

The Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the largest antiques show in Northern California. Held on the 1st Sunday of every month, the Faire boasts over 800 Dealer booths. All items are 20 years old or older, making it the ultimate place to shop for vintage and antique home decorations, clothing, furniture, jewelry, art, pottery, books & collectibles. Prices vary on time of entry $15-5/per person; alamedapointantiquesfaire.com

First Sundays @ Oakland Museum of California 11am - 5pm, Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. Spend a day with us and find out why East Bay Express calls OMCA “the best museum for the people, by the people.” Suggested donation: $5.

510-318-8400, www.museumca.org

7 | Tuesday

For admissions please email admissions@maybeckhs.org

Free First Tuesday at the Palace of the Legion of Honor 9:30am - 5:15pm, Palace of the Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., San Francisco. The Palace of the Legion of Honor offers free admission to all visitors today.

FREE, all ages. 415-750-3600, legionofhonor.famsf. org

Free First Tuesday at the de Young Museum 9:30am - 5:15pm, De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. The De Young Museum offers FREE admission to all visitors today.

FREE, all ages. 415-750-3600, deyoung.famsf.org

10 | Friday 2727 College Avenue www.maybeckhs.org

(510) 841-8489 20

Parents Press | January 2020

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California 5 - 9pm, Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. Join OMCA and Off the Grid in August for DJs, live bands, dancing, gourmet food trucks, and more. There will be a family Drop-in activity related to one of the exhibits. This event repeats each Friday

PHOTO BY JOE MABEL, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Free First Tuesday at the de Young Museum — San Francisco

night. All ages. Members and ages 18 and under free, $7.50 adults. 510-318-8400, www.museumca.org

11 | Saturday Zoo Kids: Who’s Sleeping Now?

Zoo Kids class is offered twice per month to accommodate more participants. Each month has a different theme and classes are designed so that children can come to multiple classes without repeating the same activities. Ages 4-5. Members: $25; Nonmembers: $30. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org

9:30am - 12pm, Oakland Zoo, Lower Entrance Discovery Room, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Each

MAKE THE MOST OF PLAYTIME LAUNCH RIGHT IN WITH . . .

a SUPER SPACECRAFT!

GATHER THESE MATERIALS:

Pencil

2 toilet paper tubes

Paper towel tube

2. Draw a rounded 1. Lay a toilet

paper tube on top of a piece of cardboard.

Trace it.

nose to the traced shape. Then draw two rounded triangles for wings.

Small piece of cardboard

Markers or paint

3. Cut out

Scissors

(with an adult�s help)

Paper

Glue

5. Glue your cut tube on top

of the cardboard in the shape of a spacecraft, and let it dry.

the shape.

4. Trace the bottom

of a toilet paper tube on top of another.

Then cut out the round shape.

6. Color or paint your spacecraft.

You can also decorate it with stickers. Place a small toy inside and go for a ride. Tell a story about where you’re going!

TinkerActive Workbooks cover essential skills using curriculum-based exercises and interactive tinkering, making, and engineering activities using common household materials!

The Active Way to learn through play

Odd Dot

An imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

AVAILABLE WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

21

CHATHAM SCHOOL

FUN CHILD-CENTERED PRESCHOOL

Chatham SChool

F4500 un Redwood Child-C entered PreSChool Road 4359 39th Avenue Oakland, CA Road 94619 4500 Redwood Lic#013418176 Oakland, CA 94619 Lic#013418177

Oakland, CA 94619 4359 39th Avenue Lic#01341436 Oakland, CA 94619

013418177 6 mo.Lic# - Kindergarten (35mo.

1 0 )- Kindergarten 531-1302 fax: (510) 531-1301

2 yrs. - Kindergarten extended care 2 yrs. - Kindergarten

Lic#013418176

(510) 531-1302

Lic#01341436

(510) 531-1534

(510) 531-1534

• We do Potty Training • Snacks/Hot Lunch Time/Full Time am-6 pm We Part do Potty Training • 7:30 Snacks / Lunch Part Time / Full Time 7:30am - 6pm www.chathampreschool.com

www.chathampreschool.com

The Model School

Comprehensive Humanistic Learning Center

Infants • Toddlers • Preschool Multicultural, Multiethnic Environments • Se Habla Español!

We have availability for Toddlers and Preschoolers Flexible Scheduling Loving, Developmental, Child-Oriented Classrooms Year’round Enrollment, Reasonable Rates

2330 Prince Street, Berkeley, CA 94705 Lic. 010211122 & 010211112

(510) 549-2711

Montessori Children’s Center Full and half-day programs available Before and after school care Open 7am - 6pm

An Authentic Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten Lic #384001313

Serving children ages 2 - 6

80 Juan Bautista Circle | San Francisco | 415.333.4410 montessorichildrenscenter.org

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Parents Press | January 2020

Free Children’s Crafts 11am - 3pm, Lakeshore Learning Center, 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday; this week’s craft is a kid-powered boat! Free. Ages 3 and up. 925-9441495, www.lakeshorelearning.com

Second Saturdays 11am - 5pm, Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. Think of this as sort of a mini-Treasure Island Flea Market. This free event combines kinetic art, workshops and live performances with fun and food. All ages. FREE. 510-645-9292, www.jacklondonsquare.com

Garden Party: Live Music, Food, Refreshments & Plant Sale 12 - 5pm, 10 Cargo Way, San Francisco. Counter the drought, learn about sustainable living, feed the goats, meet the roosters, bring your kids, and start a garden.

Learn about drought-resistant native plants every Second Saturday Afternoon as the celebration continues. All ages. FREE. (415) 287-6755, baynatives.com

Saturday Science: Froggy Origami 11am - 1pm, Randall Museum 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. Drop by the Randall Museum’s Science Studio and discover the wonders of science through project-based activities that explore a different science topic each week. Drop-in on 1/11 to meet some of the Randall’s amphibian residents, learn about the unique life cycles of frogs, and make a froggy origami to take home. $10 per parent-child combo; $5 for extra child. All ages. (415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org

Gallery + Studio: Great Cosmic Eyes 11:30am & 1pm, Berkeley Art Museum, 2155 Center St, Berkeley. Experience the magical realism of Sylvia Fein’s glowing egg tempera paintings, then work with artist Mary Curtis Ratcliff to learn a paint-resist technique—using waxed colors and tempera—for revealing mysterious eyes in unexpected places! Free, ages 6-12 with accompanying adult. (510) 642-0808, bampfa.org

Meet the Animal Keeper 2pm, Randall Museum 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. Venture into the Randall Museum’s live animal exhibit, Wild in California, and join one of the animal keepers in an open discussion about the museum’s wildlife residents. Learn how the keepers

care for the animals and how and where these creatures live in the wild. Kids and families will meet some of the animals up-close and can ask the keeper questions to find out more about their favorites. Visitors can meet a snake, check out a barn owl, or maybe even touch a tortoise. FREE. All ages. (415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org

12 | Sunday Mud, Mud Glorious Mud 1:30-2:30pm, Tilden Nature Area, 600 Canon Dr, Berkeley. Winter weather got you down? Let’s stomp in the mud! It’s fun AND it’s good for your health! Make some mud pies, and see if your mood changes. FREE, all ages. 510-544-2233, ebparks. org

A ministry of Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

- Friday 7am - 6pm A ministry of Monday Bay Area Chinese Bible Church lunch service provided

17 | Friday

1803 North Loop Rd. Alameda, CA 94502

TTPreschoolalameda.org Facility # 013422027

Walnut Creek On Ice 12 - 8pm, Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek.

From now until Jan. 20, 2020, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park! Anyone able to skate

Telephone # 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 Fax # 510-373-2241 1803 North Loop Rd | Alameda | Facility # 013422027 kim.smith@bacbc.org 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 | kim.smith@bacbc.org

Dynamic Education The Optimizing Each Child’s Potential NOW ENROLLING for 2020 Child Day Schools, LLC Call for a Tour • Language & Literacy • Math & Science • Problem Solving • Art & Creativity • Social Skills Low Ratios Highly Trained Teachers FAMILY OPERATED SINCE 1976

www.t cdschools.com

Preschool • Pre-K • Jr.-K • Toddlers • Kindergarten • School Age ANTIOCH 925-754-0144 Lic# 073406638 073406639

SAN RAMON 925-820-2515 Lic# 073406846 073406845, 0734066634

PLEASANTON 925-462-1866

LAFAYETTE 925-284-7092

MORAGA 925-376-5110

Lic# 013420524 013420525

Lic# 073406632 073406633

Lic# 073406850 073406849 January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

23

is welcome. Admission includes skate rental. Mon.Fri. $12 per person. Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages.

707- 644-4000, www.walnutcreekonice.com

30th Anniversary of the Pier 39 Sea Lions 10:30am - 3:30pm, Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco. Stop by the Sea Lion Center and enjoy programming every half hour including, Sea Lion Shenanigans, Party for the Planet Blue, What’s for Lunch? Floatin’ with the Sea Lions of San Francisco.

Thru 1/20. All ages. FREE; www.pier39.com

18 | Saturday Arroyo Viejo Creek Clean Up 9am - 12pm, Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Volunteers work on a variety of outdoor tasks that may include: picking up garbage, pulling invasive species, spreading mulch, moving materials, cleaning signage or planting native plants. After your volunteer assignment is completed, you will receive free admission to explore the Zoo for the remainder of

the day! All ages. FREE. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org

Wobbleland 9am - 1pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is debuting a new exhibit. Kids and their parents are encouraged to play with their food in this exhibit modeled after a kitchen sink! Free with museum admission. Ages 0-4. 415- 339-3900, www. bayareadiscoverymuseum.org

Saturday Science: Pop-up Planetarium 10:30am - 1pm, Randall Museum 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. Drop by the Randall Museum’s Science Studio and discover the wonders of science through project-based activities that explore a different science topic each week. Drop-in on 1/18 to hear stories about the stars with guest astronomer Aaron White in the Randall’s Pop-up Planetarium. Showtimes every half hour. $10 per parent-child combo; $5 for extra child. All ages. (415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum. org

SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS Enrolling now: a NEW Montessori school in Berkeley Ages 2.5-6 • Immediate start • Year-round

Preschool

Our core ideals • • • • •

Hands-on learning in a small, group environment 12– 14 children ages 3 – 5 years The Creative Play Center’s program provides a rich, nurturing environment in which creative play and learning takes place.

Preschool is 9 am until 1 pm - (extended hours available)

compassion and kindness supporting creativity building community passion for learning peace

CPC is currently accepting applications for 2020

(510) 524-9399

www.CreativePlayCenterAlbany.com

1151 Portland Ave., Albany, CA 94706

Lic. #010204748

Part/full/extended day available • Limited financial aid available 2008 McGee Ave • Berkeley • 510.679.5056 • www.littleelephant.net

We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-652-7021 admin@rockridgemon tessori.org www.RockridgeMontessori.org

Helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment 24

Parents Press | January 2020

Close to Rockridge Bart 5633 Manila ave – Oakland 94618

Visit our website to book a tour!

Lic. 01213520,013417669 & 013417787

My Life as a Zucchini 2:30pm, Berkeley Art Museum, 2155 Center St, Berkeley. This stylized and sympathetic stop-motion animation about an orphan boy called Zucchini features the talented comedians Will Forte, Nick Forte, Ellen Page, and Amy Sedaris. Tickets $8 & up. Recommended for ages 12 & up. (510) 642-0808, bampfa.org

Free Children’s Crafts 11am - 3pm, Lakeshore Learning Center, 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday; this week’s craft is a fast-flying glider! Free. Ages 3 and up. 925944-1495, www.lakeshorelearning.com

storyteller Clara Yen will weave folklore into stories of her parents’ childhood in China. Free with admission.

All ages. 510-238-6876; www.fairyland.org

Afternoon Art: Chinese Lion Puppets 11am - 1pm, Randall Museum 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. Drop by the Randall Museum’s Art Room and get creative with your kids. Art instructors guide a different hands-on art activity each week. All ages are welcome to participate. Afternoon Art is a great way to get a taste of the Randall Museum’s arts and crafts SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS H e l p i n g t O m a k e c h i l d h o o d a j O u r n e y, n O t a r a c e .

19 | Sunday 30th Anniversary of the Pier 39 Sea Lions 10:30am - 3:30pm, Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco. Stop by the Sea Lion Center and enjoy programming every half hour including, Sea Lion Shenanigans, Party for the Planet Blue, What’s for Lunch? Floatin’ with the Sea Lions of San Francisco.

Thru 1/20. All ages. FREE; www.pier39.com

Chicken of the Sea: A Children’s Book Reading 2-3pm, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. Oakland. Enjoy a live reading by the authors of Chicken of the Sea, a collaborative children’s book from Viet Thanh Nguyen and Thi Bui, and their children Ellison Nguyen and Hien Bui-Stafford. FREE. 510-637-0455, oacc.cc

18 moS. tHrough 6th grade multi-age classroOms educational exCellence since 1978

2019

Winner

S i g n u p o n l i n e f o r a t o u r t o d ay !

www.grandlakemontessori.com 466 Chetwood, Oakland (510) 836-4313

If you could give your child one gift to last a lifetime, what would it be?

www.nomurapreschool.com

Lic. #070209834

Walnut Creek On Ice 12 - 8pm, Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek.

From now until Jan. 20, 2020, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park! Anyone able to skate is welcome. Admission includes skate rental. Mon.-Fri. $12 per person. Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/ person. Children under 3 skate FREE. All ages. 707644-4000, www.walnutcreekonice.com

25 | Saturday - Chinese New Year Lunar New Year at Fairyland 11am -5pm, Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Dr., Oakland. Join your favorite fairytale characters and other special guests in celebrating the Year of the Rat! This two-day celebration will have arts and crafts, puppet shows, animal encounters, and

• Preparation for Kindergarten • Nurturing Academic Environment • Ballet, Hip Hop Dance, Gymnastics, Violin, Piano, and Soccer

• Music, Art, and Language Programs • Expansive Outdoor Play Area • Hours: 7a.m. – 6p.m. (Year-Round) • Ages 2-5 Years and Bridge K Class

Call to Schedule a Tour: 510-526-7847 1711 Carlson Blvd., Richmond Annex 94804

Call to Schedule a Tour: 510-526-7847 January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

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programs. Drop-in on 1/25 to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a handmade Chinese lion puppet. $10 per parent-child combo; $5 for extra child. Ages 3 & up.

(415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org

to meet a baker, a teacher, a veterinarian, a librarian and other community members, making music all along the way. Child: $15; Adult: $18. Ages 6 mos. - 3 years. 415-248-2677, bactheatre.org

Tilden Fungal Fair

White Elephant Preview Sale

10am - 4:30pm, Tilden Nature Area, 600 Canon Dr, Berkeley. Celebrate the fruits of winter! View hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community, and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two day special event. FREE, all ages. 510-544-2233, ebparks.org

10am-4pm, 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland. Eager shoppers have their first opportunity to see and buy the new, the unusual and the unexpected at the White Elephant Sale Preview. Lines form early! $18 in advance / $20 at the door. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 510-318-8400, whiteelephantsale. org

Zoo Kids: Who’s Sleeping Now? 9:30am - 12pm, Oakland Zoo, Lower Entrance Discovery Room, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Each Zoo Kids class is offered twice per month to accommodate more participants. Each month has a different theme and classes are designed so that children can come to multiple classes without repeating the same activities. Ages 4-5. Members: $25; Nonmembers: $30. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org

26 | Sunday Tilden Fungal Fair 10am - 4:30pm, Tilden Nature Area, 600 Canon Dr, Berkeley. Celebrate the fruits of winter! View hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community, and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two day special event. FREE, all ages. 510-544-2233, ebparks.org

Family Program: Kids and Spices

Banana Slugs String Band Duet 11am - 2pm, Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Boogie on down with award-winning musicians, song pranksters and eco-warriors Doug Dirt & Airy Larry. Join in for a fun, nature-themed interactive musical morning with legendary crazy characters and toe-tappin’ songs! Show starts at 11:45, but pre-show crafts will start at 11. All ages.

Adults: $15; Kids 12 and under: $10. 415-444-8000, www.marinjcc.org

The Wizard of Oz 2pm. The Presidio Theater, 99 Moraga Ave, San Francisco. Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco proudly presents The Wizard of Oz for the 2019-2020 season. One hour fun musical for children of all ages. $15-18/ ticket. 415-248-2677, www.ctasf. org

10-11am, UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley. Awaken your senses in this wonderful exploration of spices! Journey into the Tropical House to see some of the plants that produce some of your favorite spices-- such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, black pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, and more. Learn about where these plants grow, the different ways you can use them, do some taste-testing, and create wonderful fragrant art to take home.

Adults: $12-18, Child: $12-18. 510- 643-2755, www. botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu

The Wheels on the Bus 10 and 11:15am showtimes, BACT’s Berkeley Center in the Second Stage, 2055 Center St, Berkeley. Inspired by the ever-popular book and song. Toddler “bus drivers in training” will drive through town, stopping UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens — Berkeley

26

Parents Press | January 2020

Deciphering Parenting Metaphors:

By Cheryl Maguire Animals and Machines

W

hen I grew up parents were referred to as. . . well. . .parents. But nowadays it is hard to keep up with the trendy terms to describe people who raise children. First there were helicopter parents then lawnmower parents and now the newest one is bulldozer parents. I wonder what the next machine metaphor will be. Since land and air vehicles have been covered, maybe submarine? Turns out there is already one of those too.

Besides machines there are animal or invertebrate types of parents. Do animals also gather around and coin terms for their parents? If so would they say, “You are really acting like a human parent right now.” Maybe that could be the basis of the next Disney Pixar movie. Until then here is a cheat sheet of the latest lingo.

The Animal/Invertebrate Parents JELLYFISH PARENT A jellyfish parent is permissive and doesn’t create many rules or expectations. They often give in to avoid confrontation and lack a backbone like a jellyfish.

How do you know you are acting like one? You kid has been whining all day to eat their Halloween candy.

Even though you know they can’t handle eating sugar you hand over the bag and let them have at it. When they are running around the house, unable to go to sleep you realize that saying “no” would have been easier than dealing with Taz the Tasmanian Devil.

bottle. The thought of your child lacking in hydration for five minutes sends you into a tailspin.

TIGER PARENT Tiger parents are strict and demanding. They prioritize academic and extracurricular success.

How do you know you are acting like one? Your favorite show is Dance Moms and you think the media has unjustly demonized the moms who are only trying to help their kid be on Broadway.

ELEPHANT PARENT Elephant parents are the opposite of tiger parents (although I would have picked a koala bear or something cute, cuddly and smaller as the opposite since elephants can trample you) and focus on nurturing and encouraging instead of tough love and being demanding. These parents are protective of their young and intervene at the first sign of danger.

Sometimes these types of parents can be jellyfish-like in the sense they are permissive and lack boundaries (again not seeing the similarity to an actual elephant—maybe I should help coin these terms).

How do you know you are acting like one? Not only did you have a video cam on your babies’ bassinet, but you also situated it directly next to your bed. At the first murmur of a whimper you sprung out of bed and placed your baby next to you where you wanted the baby to be all along.

The Machines HELICOPTER PARENT A helicopter parent is one that hovers over their child’s every move and helps when needed. They tend to worry a lot about their child.

How do you know you are acting like one? You hover next to your child as they eat their hotdog that has been cut into so many pieces it resembles grains of sand on a beach instead of food. And then you count the bites they consume to make sure they are receiving the proper amount of nutrition. If they haven’t reached 15 bites, you say you need to eat one more bite before you leave the table.

LAWNMOWER PARENT Lawnmower parents are more aggressive than the helicopter parent.

Like a lawnmower that cuts grass or anything in its path, the lawnmower parent mows away obstacles, so their child doesn’t have to experience any.

How do you know you are acting like one? When your kid calls, texts or sends a smoke signal to you that they forgot their lunch you rush it over to the school faster than a FedEx delivery truck. Ditto for homework, sports equipment and a water

BULLDOZER PARENT This one is for the warmer climate parents who were not happy with the lawnmower metaphor and wanted a more robust descriptor.

How do you know you are acting like one? Since you reside in warmer weather, before your kid goes to the beach not only do you pack the sunscreen, towel, 10 water bottles, and 100 snacks you also apply the sunscreen to your 15 year old who is fully capable of depressing the button on the sunscreen spray bottle.

So, Which One Are You? I’ll admit it, I’ve probably exhibited symptoms of all these types of parents over the years. When you have three kids, you are going to resort to whatever works in the moment.

Instead of referring to parents as machines or animals maybe we can just call them what they are—human.

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, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05 January 2020 | ParentsPress.com

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Beyond the Expected The Renaissance International School French-Spanish Immersion • Visual Arts • Music Challenging Academics • Inter national Community Ages 2 ~ Middle School

Elementary/ Middle School January 16, 2020

6:30pm-8:30pm Piedmont Campus

28

K/Elementary January 14, 2020

9:30am-11:30am Oakland Campus

PP/Primary January 21, 2020

9:30am-11:30am Oakland Campus

lic# 010214382 www.TheRenaissanceSchool.org Oakland Campus: 3650 Dimond Ave. / Piedmont Campus: 5201 Park Blvd.

Parents Press | January 2020