Parents Press August 2022

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Drowning Prevention: Know the Signs

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Contents

Vol. 41, No.12

AUGUST 2022

www.parentspress.com

12 Our Annual Reader’s Choice Awards This issue provides 1,000+ places to explore, shop, learn and play along with schools, preschools and enrichment programs plus health and wellness for both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

2022 CAMPS......................................................................13 CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS............. 20 FUN AND ATTRACTIONS......................................... 23 RETAIL & SERVICES................................................ 25 HEALTH................................................................... 26

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EARLY EDUCATION.................................................. 27 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS......................................... 28 MIDDLE SCHOOLS.................................................. 30 HIGH SCHOOLS....................................................... 30

A KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort AND THERE’S MORE...

6 Good to Know

• Drowning Prevention: Know the Signs • Back to School Anxiety

10 Beware of Cosigning Student Loans Publisher | Parenting Media, Inc.

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Parents’ Press is published monthly. ©2022 Parents’ Press

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Parents Press | August 2022

Welcome to the world of

Imagine a place where the only things bigger than the creatures are the secrets they reveal. Discover the amazing adaptations of bugs and get up close to larger-than-life models in this immersive new exhibit.

Now open | Get tickets at calacademy.org Every visit supports our mission to regenerate the natural world.

THIS EXHIBITION HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND TE PAPA TONGAREWA WITH WETA WORKSHOP LIMITED.

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

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Good to Know Our Annual Reader’s Choice Awards

2022

issue provides 1,000+ places to explore, shop, dine and play along with schools, preschools and enrichment programs plus health and wellness for both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Check it out in this issue and throughout the year, refer back to it at www.ParentsPress.com.

Back to School Anxiety How to make the transition easier.

F

eelings of anxiety are expected for children going through transitions such as going back to school.

Over the summer, routines have changed and worries of the unknown may begin to stir as the school year approaches. There are ways to recognize anxiety in your child, as well as interventions that can help relieve those feelings. Some behaviors that may indicate your child is having anxiety surrounding the return to school are irritability, change in sleep patterns, continually seeking reassurance or asking repeated questions, and in some cases complaints of headache, fatigue and stomachache. It is important for your child to attend school to learn that their fears can be overcome, as prolonged absence can worsen your child’s fears.

LISTEN One of the best ways to make the school transition easier on your child is to acknowledge their anxiety. This can be done by listening to your child’s feelings and encouraging them to speak to you about how they feel. It is important to validate their feelings and not dismiss them. Demonstrate confidence that your child can handle the situation.

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Parents Press | August 2022

PRACTICE Practicing school routines is another way to prepare your child for school. This can include practice walks to the bus stop, evening routines of packing the backpack and picking out their clothes, or routines that begin when they wake up such as breakfast, getting dressed and traveling to school. Having a school tour prior to the first day can be a great way to introduce the new environment, as well as finding a new friend or neighbor who will be at the school prior to the first day.

During the practice runs, it’s helpful to support your child as they think through difficult points of their day such as changing classrooms.

deep breaths and remind yourself that your child’s behavior is being driven by anxiety.

SLEEP

ROLE MODEL

Another method to set your child up for success for the new school year is ensuring enough sleep based on their age. The new wake-up schedule for school may need to be slowly implemented 1-2 weeks ahead of the first day. Feelings of fatigue can enhance your child’s anxiety.

Another way to provide relief for your child is modeling the calm behavior you would like to see.

This can feel difficult in situations where you feel stressed, rushed, or anxious yourself. To work through your own feelings, think of taking

After the school year begins, if your child continues to display signs of anxiety such as tantrums, problems sleeping, and/or refusal to attend school or activities, speak with your primary care provider about further interventions.

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

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Good to Know Drowning Prevention: Know the Signs

W

ith warm weather here, families are getting ready for the summer and are planning their beach trips. Whether you’re spending your summer by the pool or at the beach, it is important to know the facts about drowning, and how to keep your children safe this summer.

Know the Statistics In the United States, the CDC reports an average of 11 drowning deaths per day compared to an estimated 22 nonfatal drownings per day. Drowning is considered the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, and it is the second leading cause of unintentional injury or death after motor vehicle crashes in children ages 1-14. Children and teens are 5% more likely to drown in an open water setting than in pools due to the extra hazards that open water poses, such as strong currents, sudden drop-offs, rocks and vegetation, and limited visibility, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.

Know the Signs What does drowning look like? You may think of the violent splashing and cries for help that you see on television. However, this is often not the case. Drowning is generally quick, silent, and can happen in smaller inflatable pools and even bathtubs. The instinctive drowning response disables victims from being able to wave or call out for help. Drowning people often cannot control their arm movements.

Lucky Lefties

C

Some common signs that someone is drowning include: 1. Head low in the water tilted back, mouth open at water level.

2. Glassy (or closed) eyes.

3. Hair over forehead or eyes.

4. They don’t appear to be using their legs – upright in vertical position.

5. Hyperventilating or gasping.

6. Trying to swim in a particular direction but not moving.

7. Trying to roll onto their back.

Prevention You do not have to avoid beaches and pools during the summer to ensure your child’s safety. But, how can we prevent drowning? This summer, always be sure to: 1. Watch kids when they are in or around water. If there is more than one adult present, taking turns can be helpful for avoiding distractions.

2. Empty bath tubs, buckets, containers and kids’ pools immediately after use to avoid accidents.

3. Install fences around home pools. Fences should be at least 4ft tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.

4. Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills – it could help save a life.

elebrate your favorite lefty this month! Left Hander’s Day is designated annually for August 13. Did you know that girls are more likely to be left-handed than boys by about 4 percent? And mothers who are over 40 at the time of their baby’s birth are 128 percent more likely to have a child who is left-handed. That’s quite a leg up considering only 10 to 12 percent of people on earth are considered lefties. 

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Parents Press | August 2022

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BEWARE OF

Cosigning Student Loans

By Aaron Crowe

S

tudent loan debt isn’t a great way to start off life as a college graduate. It isn’t any fun for parents, either, especially those who co-sign for their children’s student loans. Getting a loan in college is often the last option for students seeking to pay their college bills. And it’s becoming a bigger problem every year.

The $1.61 trillion in outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. is the second-highest level of consumer debt behind only mortgages. About 40 million Americans hold student loans and about 70 percent of bachelor’s degree recipients graduate with debt.

Young people don’t often have a credit history, which can make getting a loan difficult — at least with private loans. Most federal student loans are easier to qualify for.

Parents co-signing a student loan for their children can make it easier for a loan to be approved and can reduce the interest rate.

But it can leave parents with a lower credit score, make qualifying for a mortgage or

other loan more difficult, and affect their retirement, and it makes them just as responsible for the college loan as their student.

CO-SIGNING MEANS BEING LIABLE While parents may talk to their children about student loans, few may go over how to repay the loans. If their kids don’t repay the loans that they’ve co-signed, the parents are legally responsible for the loans. If parents can’t afford those payments, then they shouldn’t co-sign the loans.

Most federal student loans don’t require a co-signer, but private loans often require one because students usually have little or no credit history.

A co-signer can be a parent, grandparent, guardian, or other credit-worthy adult who will be responsible for the full amount of

If their kids don’t repay the loans that they’ve co-signed, the parents are legally responsible for the loans.

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Parents Press | August 2022

Late payments can have a domino effect on the co-signers.

After lowering their credit score, they can have more difficulty being approved for other loans such as a mortgage or auto loan. the student debt, regardless of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.

Having two people responsible for repaying a loan can reduce the interest rate by as much as half a point, even if the co-signer doesn’t have a better credit score than the student. If they do, the rate could go lower.

EFFECTS ON CREDIT SCORE Long before a student loan becomes due, it could hurt a co-borrower’s credit score. The loan will show up on their credit report, just as any other loan would, and could hurt their credit score if it looks like they have too much debt.

The new loan could also improve their score by improving the mix of credit. Having a variety of loans that are paid on time — mortgage, auto loan, and credit cards, among others — can raise a credit score.

When payments start on student loans — usually within six months of graduation — the co-signer’s credit score could drop if the new graduate isn’t making monthly payments on time or not repaying the loan at all.

A survey of co-signers by LendEDU found that 62 percent of parents who co-signed their children’s student loans believe that their credit scores have been negatively impacted by the agreements.

For co-signed private student loans, the most likely cause of the co-signer’s damaged credit score is a late payment by the primary borrower, the survey found. To a credit bureau, a late payment by the borrower is essentially the same as the co-signer making a late payment.

The survey found that 43 percent of people said their children have made late payments that hurt the co-signers’ credit scores.

RETIREMENT PROBLEMS Student loan debt problems can also follow co-signers into retirement and can cause them to work longer and delay retiring. Having student loans at age 65 can be incredibly stressful, but it is surprisingly common.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that outstanding federal student loan debt for people 65 and older is growing, at $336.1 billion in 2021. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, there are 2.3 million student loan borrowers ages 62 and up and they carry an average of $37,739 in debt - that’s higher that the average for recent college graduates.

Respondents in the LendEDU survey were almost split on if their child’s student debt put their retirement in jeopardy. Most said it didn’t, at 53 percent, and 47 percent said they felt it did jeopardize their retirement. An upswing in the stock market before the survey started and the resulting growth in retirement funds may explain why most people didn’t see an effect, LendEDU reasoned.

OPTIONS FOR CO-SIGNERS Co-signers can be released of their responsibility for the loan if the borrower seeks a release from the lender.

Terms vary, and can include on-time payments for at least a year and are more likely to happen with private student loans. Just one missed payment can disqualify a borrower from this release option.

The co-signer would then be removed from the loan and the primary borrower would be entirely responsible for it.

Co-signers can also be released if the primary borrower refinances the loan on their own. This requires taking out a new loan to pay off the old loan, when the co-signer would be removed from the old loan.  Aaron Crowe is a freelance writer who specializes in personal finance topics. He graduated from college with a small student loan, which he paid off within two years.

DIFFICULTY WITH OTHER LOANS Late payments can have a domino effect on the cosigners. After lowering their credit score, they can have more difficulty being approved for other loans such as a mortgage or auto loan. Forty percent of the LendEDU respondents said they had a tougher time qualifying for financing after co-signing student loans.

Late payments or defaulting on the loan will damage the credit history of both parties — student and parent. When the co-signer’s credit report is evaluated for a potential loan, including refinancing a mortgage, they could be denied or face a higher interest rate.

If a graduate misses too many student loan payments or defaults on the loan, lenders will then go to the parent to make the monthly payments.

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

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2022 Our Annual Reader’s Choice Awards This issue provides 1,000+ places to explore, shop, learn and play along with schools, preschools and enrichment programs plus health and wellness for both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Check it out in this issue and throughout the year, refer back to it at www.ParentsPress.com.

CATEGORY INDEX CAMPS.......................................................13 CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS.............................................20 FUN AND ATTRACTIONS...........................23 RETAIL & SERVICES..................................25

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HEALTH.....................................................26 EARLY EDUCATION....................................27 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS...........................28 MIDDLE SCHOOLS.....................................30 HIGH SCHOOLS..........................................30

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BEST OF

2022 WINNER

OUTDOO RS INDOORS , and ONLINE

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August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

17

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Parents Press | August 2022

We Pursue

MUNITY

at shcp.edu/visit August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

19

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2

CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

Classes for Musical Instrument Instruction

• Berkeley City Ballet • Kids ‘N Dance

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

Art Classes

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

• Junior Center of Art and Science

THE TOP 5

• Alameda Art Lab • Brushstrokes Studio Inc • Junior Center of Art and Science • The Child Unique Montessori School • The Crucible

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Richmond Art Center

THE TOP 5

• City of El Cerrito Recreation Department • i heart art studio • In Motion Dance Center • Rebel Art School • Richmond Art Center

• East Bay Music Together • • • •

Crowden Music Center East Bay Music Together Expression Arts Musically Minded Academy • School of Rock

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Village Music School

THE TOP 5

• East Bay Center for the Performing Arts • Lamorinda Music • School of Rock • The Ballet School Performing Arts • Village Music School

Computer Science & Coding Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY • The Ballet School Performing Arts

THE TOP 5

• Broadway Rhythm Dance Company • East Bay Center for the Performing Arts • Funkmode Hip Hop Dance Studio • In Motion Dance Center • The Ballet School Performing Arts

Early Childhood Family Music Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• East Bay Music Together

THE TOP 5

• East Bay Community Music Project • East Bay Music Together • Gymboree Play & Music • Jon’s School of Music • Kindermusik

Ballet Classes

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

• theCoderSchool

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

THE WINNER

• Alameda Ballet Academy

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Academy at Oakland Ballet Alameda Ballet Academy Berkeley Ballet Theater Berkeley City Ballet Tutu School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• The Ballet School Performing Arts

THE TOP 5

• Broadway Rhythm Dance Company • Clayton Valley Dance Academy • Diablo Ballet School • East Bay Center for the Performing Arts • The Ballet School Performing Arts

20

Parents Press | August 2022

• • • • •

Berkeley Coding Academy codeAtorium ID Tech Integem theCoderSchool

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER • ID Tech

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

CodingKids Diablo Valley College Hackington Code School ID Tech theCoderSchool

• East Bay Music Together

THE TOP 5

• East Bay Center for the Performing Arts • East Bay Music Together • Kindermusik With Miss Lindsay & Friends • Music Together Tri-Valley • Poison Apple Productions

Enrichment & AfterSchool Programs

THE TOP 5

• Broadway Rhythm Dance Company • City of El Cerrito Recreation Department • Holbrook Language Academy • In Motion Dance Center • The Ballet School Performing Arts

Foreign Language Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• East Bay German International School

THE TOP 5

• East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley • Escuela Bilingüe Internacional • Shu Ren International • Viva el Español

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Viva el Español

THE TOP 5

• Happy Panda Kids • Holbrook Language Academy • Salesian College Preparatory • Tagalog Kids+ • Viva el Español

Gymnastics Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Kids N’ Dance

THE TOP 5

Dance Classes

• Kids N’ Dance

• • • • •

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

• • • •

THE WINNER

• Alameda Ballet Academy

THE TOP 5

• Academy at Oakland Ballet • Alameda Ballet Academy • Berkeley Ballet Theater

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

Berkeley City Ballet Classroom Matters East Bay Music Together Junior Center of Art and Science • Kids ‘N Dance

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Holbrook Language Academy

Bay Aerial Gymnastics Golden Bear Gymnastics Head Over Heels Kids N’ Dance Pacific West Gymnastics

THE WINNER • EncoreGym

THE TOP 5

• Black Diamond Kids Center • City Of El Cerrito Recreation Department • EncoreGym • Liberty Gymnastic • My Gym

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 Martial Arts Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Emeryville Martial Arts

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Aiki Arts Center Aikido Shusekai Cuong Nhu Hoa Sen Dojo Emeryville Martial Arts West-Wind Karate School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• City Of El Cerrrito Recreation Department

THE TOP 5

• City Of El Cerrrito Recreation Department • Concord Kung Fu Academy • Hanabi Judo • Mires Martial Arts • Vision Martial Arts Center

Math Programs After School ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• FireCracker Math

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

AoPS Academy Berkeley Math Club Firecracker Math iKidZ Learning Center Kumon of Oakland

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER • Kumon

THE TOP 5

• Fusion Academy • Huntington Learning Center

• Kumon • Mathnasium • Metas - Contra Costa College

STEM Enrichment Programs ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• MADE Museum

THE TOP 5

• Alameda Education Foundation • codeAtorium • Coding Kids • Lawrence Hall of Science • MADE Museum

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• City Of El Cerrito Recreation Department

A ministry of Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

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

1803 North Loop Rd. Alameda, CA 94502

TTPreschoolalameda.org Facility # 013422027

THE TOP 5

• Boys & Girls Club • City Of El Cerrito Recreation Department • Engineering for Kids • Kids Coding Classes by Teens • Vision Tech

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

Montessori Children’s Center

Sports Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

Full and half-day programs available Before and after school care Open 7am - 6pm

THE WINNER

• Oakland Ice Center

THE TOP 5

• Albany Berkeley Soccer Club • Athletic Playground • Bladium • Oakland Ice Center • Soccer 2gether

An Authentic Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten Lic #384001313

Serving children ages 2 - 6

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

Offering a Year Round Academic Montessori Program Preschool Program (ages 18 months to 5 years old) Kindergarten Program Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (or 4:00 p.m.)

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

510-430-1322

admin@oakgrovelearning.com www.OakGroveLearning.com Hwy 580 • Keller Ave exit 8115 Fontaine Street • Oakland 94605

Virtual and in-person tour available!

License 013423093

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

21

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• City Of El Cerrito Recreation Department

THE TOP 5

• Ants Sports • City Of El Cerrito Recreation Department • Pleasant Hill Baseball Association Sports Complex • Sky Hawk Sports • Walnut Creek Recreation

Swim Classes ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• American Swim Academy

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

American Swim Academy AquaTech Swim School British Swim School Calphin Aquatic Club Happy Fish Swim School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• El Cerrito Swim Center

Berkeley City Ballet berkeleycityballet.org Ages 2 and up Boys ballet Dance camps Birthday parties State-of-the-art studios Sprung floors Easy parking Easy online registration and payment

photo: andy mogg

THE TOP 5

• Contra Costa Civic Theatre • East Bay Center for the Performing Arts • Poison Apple Productions • The Ballet School Performing Arts

Theater & Performing Arts Classes

Tutoring or Educational Support Programs

ALAMEDA COUNTY

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

THE WINNER

• Kids ‘N Dance

• Classroom Matters

THE TOP 5

THE TOP 5

• Berkeley Playhouse • Berkeley Rep School of Theatre • Dance 10 Performing Arts Center • Kids ‘N Dance • Mr. D’s Music Club

• Classroom Matters • Education Enrichment Center • Kaplan • Kumon of Oakland • Learning Bee Learning Center

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

THE WINNER

• • • • •

American Swim Academy AquaTech Swim School Canyon Swim School El Cerrito Swim Center Little Dipper

• The Ballet School Performing Arts

THE TOP 5

• City of El Cerrito Recreation Department

• Kumon

THE TOP 5

• Cal Prep Academy • Huntington Learning Center

Let’s Dance!

Register Now for Fall Classes.

Take In-Person Spanish Classes in Lafayette, from Kinder to Middle School

Ask about our online classes too!

Classes are specially designed to encourage and support daily use of the Spanish language, with themes that are relevant to your child's life.

Storytelling, music, art, games and TONS of fun - en español!

More info: AlamedaBallet.com | admin@alamedaballet.com 22

Parents Press | August 2022

925 Village Center, Suite 2, Lafayette, CA 94549 info@vivaelespanol.org www.vivaelespanol.org

925-962-9177

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 • JEI Leaning Canters • Kumon • Viva el Español

Live Theater ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

FUN AND ATTRACTIONS Amusement Parks ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Children’s Fairyland

THE TOP 5

• Children’s Fairyland • Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train) • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk • Six Flags Discovery Kingdom • Universal Studios Hollywood

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Pixieland Amusement Park

THE TOP 5

• Adventure Playground • California’s Great America • Pixieland Amusement Park • Six Flags Discovery Kingdom • Small World

Indoor Play Places ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER • Pump It Up

THE TOP 5

• Junior Center of Art & Science • Lawrence Hall of Science • Play Ground Castro Valley • Pump It Up • Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park

• Berkeley Playhouse

THE TOP 5

• Bay Area Children’s Theatre • Berkeley Playhouse • Children’s Fairyland • Kids ‘N Dance • Oakland Children’s Musical Theater

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Poison Apple Productions

THE TOP 5

• Constra Costa Civic Theatre • Diablo Theatre Company • I Can Do That!

Performing Arts Center • Lesher Center for the Arts • Poison Apple Productions

Local Farms ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Tilden Little Farm

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Ardenwood Historic Farm Harley Farms Goat Dairy Sienna Ranch Swansons Tilden Little Farm

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY • Tilden Little Farm

THE TOP 5

• Balestrieri Family Farm • Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm & Christmas Trees • Sienna Ranch • Smith Family Farm • Tilden Little Farm

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

• • • • •

Diablo Rock Gym Luv 2 Play My Gym Studio Grow The Playhouse, Brentwood

Since 1972

THE WINNER

Museum and Attractions

• Diablo Rock Gym

Be curious. Be inspired. Be yourself.

Berkeley’s Only Independent College Preparatory High School

• Exploratorium

THE TOP 5

• California Academy of Sciences • Chabot Space and Science Center

Parents’ Press

BEST OF

2022 TOP 5

2727 College Avenue www.maybeckhs.org

(510) 841-8489 For event information, contact admissions@maybeckhs.org August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

23

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 • Exploratorium • Lawrence Hall of Science • Oakland Museum

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

THE WINNER

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

• Lawrence Hall of Sciencee

THE TOP 5

• Blackhawk Auto Museum • California Academy of Science • Lawrence Hall of Science • Lindsay Wildlife Experience • Oakland Zoo

Zoos and Aquariums

• Oakland Zoo

• California Academy of Sciences • Lindsay Wildlife Experience • Monterey Bay Aquarium • Oakland Zoo • San Francisco Zoo

RETAIL & SERVICES

ALAMEDA COUNTY

Baby/Children Gifts & Gear

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

• Oakland Zoo

THE TOP 5

• Aquarium of the Bay • California Academy Of Science • Lindsay Wildlife Experience • Monterey Bay Aquarium • Oakland Zoo

THE WINNER

• Lauren’s Closet

THE TOP 5

• Five Little Monkeys • Bird and Bean • Lauren’s Closet • Mommy’s Trading Post • Toy Safari

• Five Little Monkeys • • • • •

Dianz Boutique Five Little Monkeys Learning Express Sweetie Face Whimsy Kidz

Birthday Party Resources ALAMEDA COUNTY

• Bay Area Performing Academy • Color Bundles Art • i heart art studio • Tutu School

Birthday Party Venues ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Children’s Fairyland

THE TOP 5

THE TOP 5

• • • • •

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

• Bay Aerials Gymnastics • • • • •

Children’s Fairyland Head Over Heels Oakland Ice Center Oakland Zoo Pump It Up

American Game Trailer CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Bay Aerials Gymnastics Impossibubble THE WINNER Lori’s Comedy Magic Show • Lindsay Wildlife Pump It Up Oakland Experience

• City of El Cerrito Recreation Department • Lindsay Wildlife THE TOP 5 Experience • ARF - Tony La Russa’s • Q-ZAR Laser Tag Animal Rescue Foundation • Rockin Jump • Small World Park

THE WINNER

• i heart art studio

Parents’ Press

BEST OF

2022 WINNER

At MESA, Montessori is mind-changing education

Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda – MEISA

Right now, we need schools that respond to injustice and teach children how to be culturally responsive – MEISA creates change-makers.

Award-Winning Montessori Elementary/Middle School

510.521.0595 1400 6th Street • Alameda office@thechildunique.org

24

Parents Press | August 2022

www.thechildunique.org

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 Birthday Party Entertainment ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Fire Pixie Entertainment

THE TOP 5

• Buki the Clown • Fire Pixie Entertainment • Magician Mike Della Penna • The Dilly Dallies • Vivarium

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Fabulous Frank of Playland-Not-at-theBeach

THE TOP 5

• Fabulous Frank of Playland-Not-at-theBeach • Magician Mike Della Penna • Sandi and Stevie • The Ballet School Performing Arts • Vivarium

Book Stores ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Mr. Mopps Children’s Books

THE TOP 5

• Books Inc. • Lauren’s Closet • Mr. Mopps Children’s Books • Mrs Dalloway’s • Pegasus Books

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Rakestraw Book

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Bel and Bunna’s Books Flashlight Books Friend’s Corner Bookstore Half Price Books Rakestraw Book

Consignment Stores THE WINNER

• Grove Street Kids

THE TOP 5

• Chloe’s Closet • Grove Street Kids • Kelly’s Corner

• Lauren’s Closet • Mommy’s Trading Post

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Growing Pains

THE TOP 5

• Growing Pains • Home Consignment Stores • Kelly’s Corner • Really Cool Kids Consignment Sale • Youth Homes Thirft Store

Family Photographer ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Nightingale Photography

THE TOP 5

• Amelia Plumb Photography • Breslow Imaging • Hi + Hello Photography • Joy Coakley Photography • Nightingale Photography

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Yuri Pettengill Photography

THE TOP 5

• Gretchen Adams Photography • Hold Em’ Photography • Jessica McCoy Photography • Nornhold Photography • Yuri Pettengill Photography

Kids’ Casual Wear Stores ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Chloe’s Closet

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Bird and Bean Chloe’s Closet GoldenBug Lauren’s Closet Valentine’s

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER • Milk + Lily

THE TOP 5

• Big Kiss Little Kiss • Milk + Lily • The Modest Baby

Since 1956

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

25

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 • Whimsy Kidz • Wish

Nanny Services

Kid’s Haircuts

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Snips Children’s Hair Salon

THE TOP 5

• Family Hair Care • La Petite Hair Salon • Little Scissors - Kids Hair Salon • Snippety Crickets • Snips Children’s Hair Salon

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER • Cool Tops

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Cool Tops Kristine’s Kuts Pigtails and Crewcuts Pony Tails Tommy Cuts

ALAMEDA COUNTY • A Nanny Connection

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

A Nanny Connection Bay Super Nannies Nannies Plus The Nannies Inc. Trusted Nanny Match

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• A Nanny Connection

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

A Nanny Connection Bay Super Nannies Nannies Plus The Nannies Inc. Trusted Nanny Match

Toy Stores

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Five Little Monkeys Mr Mopps’ Toy Shop Sweet Dreams Toy Go Round Toy Safari

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Five Little Monkeys

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Five Little Monkeys Games Unlimited Pot of Gold Toyslogic Youth Homes Thirft Store

• Mr Mopps’ Toy Shop

• Alta Bates

THE TOP 5

• John Muir Health

THE TOP 5

Download our App today!

• • • •

Contra Costa Health John Muir Health Kaiser Permanente Stanford Health ValleyCare • Sutter Delta Medical

Dentists for Kids ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Alameda Pediatric Dentistry Serving

Let’s find your family a great match!

925-263-9448 info@thenanniesinc.com

www.thenanniesinc.com 26

Parents Press | August 2022

the Bay

Area

Parents’ Press

BEST OF

2022 TOP 5

Hospital/Medical Centers

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

Full Time Nannies Doulas and Infant Specialists Nanny House Managers Nanny Housekeepers Nanny Language Immersion Specialists Nanny Educators Nanny Personal Assistants On-Call Nannies & Event Nannies And more...

• Aloha Pediatric Dentistry • Children’s Dentistry Nicholas Ching, D.D.S.,Inc. • Danville Pediatric Dentistry • Fong, Karen T DDS • Pediatric Dentistry San Ramon

Birth Centers & Maternity Care

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

• • • • • • • • •

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

• Alta Bates • Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center.

• Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center • Dr. Sandhu,Anahat • Sutter Health

Providing Designer Nanny Placements:

• Aloha Pediatric Dentistry

HEALTH

THE WINNER

THE WINNER

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

ALAMEDA COUNTY

ALAMEDA COUNTY

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

• Alameda Pediatric Dentistry • Aloha Pediatric Dentistry • Berkeley Children’s Dentistry • Nijjar Dental • Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry

• Alameda Health System • Alameda Health System • Alta Bates Summit Medical Center • Kaiser Permanente • San Leandro Hospital • UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• John Muir Health Medical Center

THE TOP 5

• John Muir Health Medical Center • Kaiser Permanente • San Ramon Medical Center • Stanford Health ValleyCare • Sutter Delta Medical

Optometrists ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• UC Berkeley School of Optometry

THE TOP 5 • • • •

Eye Care Optometry Wong,Harlan J. , OD Lunettes du Monde UC Berkeley School of Optometry Professional Program • Moonsamy, Ursula OD

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• UC Berkeley School of Optometry

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 THE TOP 5 • • • •

Alamo Optometry Eye Love Optometry Lamorinda Optometry UC Berkeley School of Optometry • West Coast Optometry

Orthodontists ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Alameda Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

THE TOP 5

• Alameda Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics • Aubrey Barrett Orthodontics • Berkeley Orthodontics • Tinloy, Douglas B. DDS • Hillside View Orthodontics

by Ikeda + Righellis

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• McCormick, Josh DDS

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Axelrode Orthodontics McCormick, Josh DDS Majeroni Orthodontics San Ramon Orthodontics Smile Power Orthodontics

• Kiwi Pediatrics Medical Group

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Rush, Philip A. MD, John Muir Health

THE TOP 5

• East Bay Pediatrics • Montgomery Kong MD • Rush, Philip A. MD, John Muir Health • San Ramon Valley Primary Care • Tri-Valley Pediatrics

Bayside Medical Group Berkeley Pediatric East Bay Pediatrics Dr. Gerwein,Katya

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

• East Bay German International School

THE WINNER

THE TOP 5-TIE

THE TOP 5

• St John’s Preschool

THE WINNER

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

Bilingual Preschool

• The Renaissance International School

THE WINNER

• Choice in Learning Montessori

THE TOP 5

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

• • • •

THE WINNER

ALAMEDA COUNTY

EARLY EDUCATION

THE WINNER THE TOP 5

ALAMEDA COUNTY

• Hearts and Hands Christian Childcare • Holy Spirit Preschool • Jewish Community Center of the East Bay • St Philip Neri Preschool • Valley Christian Preschool

• Contra Costa Christian Schools • King’s Valley Preschool • St David School • St John’s Preschool • St Patrick School

ALAMEDA COUNTY • Bayside Medical Group

Child Care Facilities

THE TOP 5

• Berkeley Rose Waldorf School • East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley • Montessori School at Five Canyons • The Child Unique Montessori School • The Renaissance International School

• East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley • KSS Immersion Preschool • Shu Ren International School • The Renaissance International School

Pediatricians

• El Cerrito Preschool Co-op • KSS Immersion Preschool • My Spanish Village • Nomura Preschool

THE WINNER

• Nomura Preschool

THE TOP 5

• Black Diamond Kids Center

THE TOP 5-TIE

• Choice in Learning Montessori • Clayton Valley Parent Preschool • Creative Play Center • Nomura Preschool • St John’s Preschool • The Child Day School

Independent Preschools ALAMEDA COUNTY • The Renaissance International School

THE TOP 5

• East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley • Rockridge Montessori • Step One School • The Renaissance International School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

Faith-Based Preschools

• Choice in Learning Montessori

ALAMEDA COUNTY

• Choice in Learning Montessori

THE WINNER

THE TOP 5

• St Philip Neri Preschool

SCHOOLS

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

27

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 • Clayton Valley Parent Preschool • Creative Play Center • Nomura Preschool • The Child Day School

Large Preschools (Capacity 31+) ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• East Bay German International School

THE TOP 5-TIE

• East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley • Mills College Children’s School • Montessori School at Five Canyons • The Child Unique Montessori School • The Renaissance International School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Choice in Learning Montessori

THE TOP 5

• Choice in Learning Montessori • Creative Play Center • Nomura Preschool • St John’s Preschool • The Child Day Schools

Montessori Preschool ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• The Child Unique Montessori School

THE TOP 5

• Mission Valley Montessori • Montessori School at Five Canyons • Rockridge Montessori School • The Child Unique Montessori School • The Renaissance International School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Choice in Learning Montessori

28

Parents Press | August 2022

THE TOP 5

• Choice in Learning Montessori • La Casita Bilingue Montessori School • Myrtle Farm Montessori School • Springfield Montessori School • Step By Step Montessori Preschool

Small Preschool (30 or Less) ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Berkeley Rose Waldorf School

THE TOP 5

• Alameda Recreation and Park Department • Berkeley Rose Waldorf School • Duck Pond • Genius Kids • Montclair Community Play Center (MCPC)

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Clayton Valley Parent Preschool

THE TOP 5

• Creative Play Center • Clayton Valley Parent Preschool • First Steps Learning Center • Footprints Preschool • Story Garden Preschool and Childcare

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

• Park Day School • The Crowden School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Prospect Sierra School

THE TOP 5

• Eagle Peak Montessori School • Holbrook Elementary School • Prospect Sierra School • St David School • The Seven Hills School

THE WINNER

• Ecole Bilingual de Berkeley

THE TOP 5 - TIE

• Berkwood Hedge School • Black Pine Circle School • Ecole Bilingual de Berkeley • Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda

• Christ the King Catholic School • St David School • St.Francis of Assisi School • St Mary of the Immaculate Conception • Tabernacle School

Montessori Elementary Schools ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• The Renaissance International School

Bilingual Elementary THE TOP 5 Schools ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• The Renaissance International School

THE TOP 5

• American International Montessori School • Global Montessori International School • Grand Lake Montessori • Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda • The Renaissance International School

• Black Pine Circle School • East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley CONTRA COSTA COUNTY • Escuela Bilingue Internacional THE WINNER • The Renaissance • Montessori School of International School Concord

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Holbrook Language Academy

THE TOP 5

• Cambridge Park • Golestan School • Holbrook Elementary School • St David School • Viva el Español

Faith-Based Elementary Schools ALAMEDA COUNTY

Alternative Learning THE WINNER Styles • Corpus Christi School ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE TOP 5

THE TOP 5

• California Crosspoint Academy • Corpus Christi School • Redwood Christian School • St Philip Neri School • School of the Madeleine

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• St Mary of the Immaculate Conception

THE TOP 5

• Alice’s Montessori Learning • Eagle Peak Montessori School • Montessori Family School • Montessori School of Concord • Pearlite Montessori House of Children

Private Independent Elementary Schools ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Berkwood Hedge School

THE TOP 5

• Berkwood Hedge School • Black Pine Circle School • East Bay German International School • Park Day School • The Renaissance International School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNERS-TIE • Prospect Sierra Elementary School

Parents’ Press

BEST OF

2022 WINNER

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

29

B E S T O F PA R E N T S ’ P R E S S 2 0 2 2 • The Seven Hills School

THE TOP 5

• Crestmont School • Golestan School • Prospect Sierra Elementary School • The Saklan School • The Seven Hills School

Progressive Elementary Schools ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Park Day School

THE TOP 5 • • • • •

Berkwood Hedge School Black Pine Circle School Park Day School Redwood Day School The Renaissance International School

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Prospect Sierra Elementary School

THE TOP 5

• Crestmont Elementary School • Holbrook Elementary School • Prospect Sierra School • The Saklan School • The Seven Hills School

• Neil Armstrong Elementary School • Sequoia Elementary School

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Black Pine Circle School

• East Bay German International School

THE TOP 5

• East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley • Escuela Bilingue Internacional • The Renaissance International School • Yu Ming Charter School

Faith-Based Middle Schools ALAMEDA COUNTY

THE WINNER

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER

• Monte Gardens Elementary

THE TOP 5

• Donald Rheem Elementary School • Harding Elementary School • Monte Gardens Elementary

30

Parents Press | August 2022

• Berkeley Rose Waldorf School • Berkwood Hedge School • Black Pine Circle School • Crowden School • East Bay German International School • Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley • Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda • Park Day School • Redwood Day School • The Renaissance International School

THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

• Franklin Elementary School • Kensington Hilltop • Lincoln Elementary School • Oxford Elementary School • Yu Ming Charter School

THE TOP 10

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

THE WINNER THE TOP 5

THE WINNER

• Corpus Christi School

ALAMEDA COUNTY • Kensington Hilltop

Private Independent Middle Schools

Bilingual Middle Schools

• California Crosspoint Academy • Corpus Christi School • Redwood Christian School • St Philip Neri School • St Theresa Catholic School

Public Elementary Schools

• Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda • Montessori Family School • The Renaissance International School • Valley Montessori School

THE WINNER

• St David School

THE TOP 5

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A KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort After two years of lockdown, a 7- and 11-year-old reintroduce their parents to the world.

By Calvin Hennick Photos courtesy of Beaches Turks & Caicos

M

y wife and I are normally pretty independent travelers, but the pandemic put us out of practice. So, for our first trip in two years, we took our kids to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort, where everything we wanted would be in one place.

Or, in a way, our kids took us.

My wife and I did the packing.

(Fine, I confess, it was mostly my

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Parents Press | August 2022

wife.) But it was our children who came home from school every day and fired up YouTube to watch videos about the resort.

“Oooh, Dad!” our 7-year-old daughter Eloise would say. “I want to drink hot chocolate and eat pastries at Café de Paris! And we need to check out the surfing simulator! And you can get cotton candy every day! And there’s Continued next page >>>

a place where you can bring a white shirt and tie dye it any color you want!”

Our son Nile, who turned 11 during the trip, had more modest ambitions. “I only want to do two things,” he announced after watching hours of content about surf and sun. “Lie in a hammock and eat jerk chicken.”

We all did a lot more than that. Here’s how it went.

The Beach I’m tempted to leave a one-word review here: “Perfect.”

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort sits on Grace Bay Beach, which routinely earns spots on lists ranking the best beaches in the world. It’s easy to see why. The sand is white. The water is warm and calm and a brilliant turquoise. The sun is almost always out. Type the words “beautiful beach” into Google Images, and the results are going to look a whole lot like your vacation to Turks & Caicos.

“It’s not like the beaches in the Bay Area,” Eloise said, casting a bit of shade on her home state’s shoreline. “The sand at the resort was almost fluffy. But the sand at home is dirty and rocky and full of little sticks that hurt your feet.”

Harsh but true, Eloise!

Nile couldn’t get enough of the water. Now that he’s officially a tween, he poses carefully for most photographs, only letting his lips curl into the slightest smile. But in all of our photos at the beach, he has a big, toothy grin affixed to his face.

If the beach is why you’re here (and after all, it’s right there in the resort’s name), you’re not going to be disappointed.

The Food The dining options at Beaches blew us away.

We’ve done a handful of cruises and all-inclusive resorts before, and I usually temper my expectations when it comes to the food. But here, we were genuinely impressed. Depending on how you count, there are around two dozen restaurants on the property, and we found ourselves making tough decisions about whether to try something new or go back to a place we loved.

At Nile’s request, we started with the Jerk Shack, which sits on the beach at the very edge of the resort. We all got heaping platefuls of jerk chicken, except for my wife, who ordered fish in foil. “It was delicious,” Nile told me when I asked him to provide a review. “I want more!”

Me too, bud.

The first night, we got reservations at Kimonos, the resort’s Teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurant. Nile winced at the oilfueled fireballs that the chefs made when they fired up the grill, but soon he was happily (if unsuccessfully) using his mouth to try to catch food that our chef, Chris, launched across the table with her steel spatula. And Eloise giggled as Chris belted out popular tunes, changing the lyrics to include as many references as possible to fried rice.

That was one of the great things about our trip. We’d barely eaten in a restaurant for more than two years, and I don’t think we’ve ever taken the kids to a Japanese place. But we were able to have a bunch of new experiences – and create new memories – with them, all in one place.

Continued next page >>>

August 2022 | ParentsPress.com

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<<< continued from page 33

Type the words “beautiful beach” into Google Images, and the results are going to look a whole lot like your vacation to Turks & Caicos.

Eloise did get in her tie die experience, and Nile camped out in the resort’s Xbox lounge for as long as we’d let him, playing racing video games. “The Xbox lounge was fun, and you get to play as long as you want,” he said. “Until your mom drags you out, at least!” While Nile played Xbox, Eloise was usually in the nearby game room, making new friends and playing ping pong, bil-

During our four days at Beaches, we celebrated Nile’s birthday with steak and seafood, sampled Indian dishes and sushi, ate pizza by the pool, and piled our plates with ribs at the buffet. I personally wolfed down more late-night fries and milkshakes than I’d care to admit from the ’50s-style burger joint Bobby Dee’s. And Eloise definitely ate her fair share of cotton candy.

Pirates Island I’m sure each of my children could write an in-depth review of the resort’s water park, called Pirates Island.

They certainly spent enough time there!

Nile’s favorite feature was the lazy river, which winds its way through caves and little waterfalls. Eloise was a huge fan of the surfing simulator. Neither of us was brave enough to stand up on a board, but in the afternoons, the feature is restricted to body boarding. It was a lot of fun to swerve and jostle with her in the endless waves.

The water slides in the park were surprisingly exciting, too. Eloise’s favorite was a tube slide that spins you in swirl after swirl, but it made me motion sick. She was also a big fan of the water park’s swim-up bar with its own special frozen drink menu for kids. I think she felt grown-up, sipping her virgin strawberry daquiri in her swimsuit and sunglasses.

I’d sort of forgotten how much kids love to be in the water. Pirates Island reminded me. And I’ll admit that I enjoyed it, too (even if, by Day 4, I largely gave up the water slides in favor of the hot tub).

Activities & Excursions Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort offers free water sports, and we took out both aqua-cycle trikes and a small sailboat (manned by a resort staffer) one sunny morning. There were also stand-up paddle boards and kayaks available, but we were too lazy to give them a whirl.

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Parents Press | August 2022

liards, and air hockey.

Both kids were too old for the Sesame Street camp and activities, but we did catch a character parade the night of the resort’s beach party. I snagged a selfie with The Count and posted it to social media with the caption: “All the celebs are out at Grace Bay Beach tonight!”

(Is it even really a family vacation if Dad doesn’t embarrass the kids a little bit?)

We only left the resort once, for a catamaran cruise and snorkeling trip that left from the resort’s main dock.

Out at the reef, the water was a little rocky, and my wife (not a strong swimmer) tapped out of snorkeling almost immediately, leaving me to try to steer the kids through the chop by their life jackets. We had more fun during our stop at Iguana Island (home not only to the namesake lizards, but also to a vacant, gorgeous beach) and on the catamaran itself – which the DJ and bartender turned into a floating party, complete with a water slide off the back of the boat.

The Resort Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort is just big enough to allow for some exploring, without being overwhelming.

We stayed in a two-bedroom suite in the “Key West” village – one of five distinct villages at the property – and we could get to the far end of the resort on foot in ten minutes or so. (There are also golf cart rides available for those with mobility limitations – or with kids who just want to ride in a golf cart!)

The property is meticulously manicured (for the first two days, I thought the grass was fake), and every time we turned a corner, there was something new the kids wanted to check out – the giant lawn chess set, the tennis court, and yes, plenty of hammocks for Nile to lounge in. Each village has its own pool, and our favorite was the large one in the centrally located Italian Village.

Some of our favorite moments were simply walking around the property at night. We’d find a quiet spot to sit near the beach or one of the pools, taking goofy selfies and just enjoying one the time with one another. After two years of lockdown, we’d had plenty of each other’s company. But trust me: It’s better by the beach.  Calvin Hennick is the author of the memoir Once More to the Rodeo, one of Amazon’s “100 Best Books” of 2019.

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