Portland Parent Magazine Sep+Oct 2018

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September+October 2018

contents

8 13 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FAMILY BUILDERS

5 8 9 10 13

ABCs of a Successful School Year: Success Is as Easy as Learning Your ABCs!!

Cut to the Chase: Homework Strategies that Work!

17

Family Chatter.......................................................................18 That’s Good to Know!........................................................20 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care..........21-22 Teach Your Kids Something New!................................24 Snacks—Recipes for Tasty Get-togethers............... 26 Crafts—Get Creative with Your Kids........................... 28

Sugar Shutdown: W hy It’s Important to Cut Down on Your Sugar Consumption

FAMILY FUN GUIDE

Help Your Child Out of Their Comfort Zone: How to Be An Encouraging Parent

31

Five Myths About Stepfamily Life: Helping Stepcouples Understand Normalcy and Find Contentment in their Relationships

Get to know the people, places, and things that make the Emerald Coast special!

Seasonal..................................................................................31 The Arts | Runs, Walks, & More.....................................32 Sounds Fun............................................................................34 Reoccurring Local...............................................................35

30

Teen Talk Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another

YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

16

Living life to its fullest begins with staying healthy, fit, and safe.

Spark up some lively conversation with your kids. Take the FamilyChatter Challenge.

22 FamilyChatter

parent Emerald Coast

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4 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine

ABCs

By Pam Molnar

of a Successful School Year A S U CC E SS F U L S C H O O L Y E A R I S AS E ASY AS L E A R N I N G YO U R A B C S . C H E C K O U T T H E S E S I M P L E T I P S FO R A H A P PY A N D H E A LT H Y S C H O O L Y E A R .

Accept new challenges

Downtime

Push your child to go outside of his comfort zone. Encourage him to try new activities, learn new sports, and make new friends.

Be sure to add free time to their schedule. These are the times your child can relax on the couch, play video games, or have a lastminute pick-up game with friends in the neighborhood.

Breakfast We all know breakfast is an important meal. If your child does not have time for a sit-down breakfast, provide on-the-go breakfast foods like muffins, fruit or protein bars.

Chores Give your child a sense of responsibility. Assign your child a few jobs that you expect to be done each day before or after school, such as making her bed or feeding the dog. A little bit of responsibility will go a long way.

Exercise Balance your child’s sedentary school day with plenty of exercise outside after school. Combine unstructured play with friends with a more structured team practice.

Friends Encourage your child to invite new friends over so that you can get to know the person your child is spending time with. It is a great opportunity to meet the friend’s parents, too.

Continued on page 6 ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 5

Continued from page 5

Grab-and-go snacks

Mindful of others’ feelings

Your child will be hungry after school. Instead of grabbing a handful of cookies, provide her with pre-bagged healthy snacks that won’t interfere with the dinner hour. Think veggies and dip, or hummus and crackers.

Tell your child to think before he says it and to apologize if it comes out wrong. Tell him to practice “the more, the merrier” when making plans and to include new friends in his group.

Help, but don’t do it for him We want our children to succeed, but they will never learn if we do it for them. It is okay to give suggestions, but remember that it is their name on the paper.

Nutrition Plan healthy meals ahead of time. Stock up on ingredients for quick healthy meals that your family enjoys. Save time by using the crockpot or prepping food ahead of time.

Illness

Organization

It’s back to school and back to a room full of germs. Stock your child’s backpack or desk with tissues and hand sanitizer. Remind her to wash her hands and to sneeze into her arm.

Lay out clothes, make lunches the night before, and put backpacks and shoes in the same place each night.

Join Encourage your child to join activities at school. It will give him a sense of belonging and he will be more than just another face in the crowd.

Keep trying It is hard to see your child not get the role, position or grade that she hoped for. Encourage your child to pick herself back up and try again. Disappointment builds character and gives her the tools to succeed.

Limitations Only you know your child’s limitations. While being a part of extracurricular activities is important, sometimes they are overwhelming. It’s okay to say no to invitations and extra practice when you see your child is overwhelmed.

6 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Provide a good example While words are important, your actions mean so much more. In other words, practice what you preach.

Quality time It is easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of back to school. Try to plan dinners together or have a family game night. It is important to stay connected and catch up on each other’s day.

Rules Remind everyone of the school-year rules. Reestablish bed times, discuss the when, where and how long for electronics use, and what happens when Mom and Dad are not home.

Social media Reconfirm what social media sites your child belongs to and check all passwords.

Take time to talk Open your schedule each day and let your kids know when it is a good time to come to you with problems and concerns. You will get more out of the discussion if you are both tuned in.

Use their time wisely As our kids get older, their commitments increase. Teach your child to use his time wisely by prioritizing so that he will not be up at midnight doing homework.

Volunteer It is a great way to see what goes on at school, meet the teachers, and interact with the other parents. Even working parents can get involved by helping at evening and weekend events.

Workspace Establish where your child will do his homework. Is the kitchen table too distracting? Does he have a desk in his room? Choose a space that is quiet and has all the tools he needs.

Xtra help Get a jumpstart on finding a qualified tutor for your child. If she struggles in a subject, look for someone who can keep her on track this year.

Year of . . .

Help your child set achievable goals this year. Make this the year of straight As, perfect attendance, or the lead in the school play.

And voted #1 by most moms: Zzzzzzs Time to return to the school-night bedtimes. It is hard to adjust to waking up early again, so adjust it a little at a time. Tell your child to listen to her body and go to bed earlier if she needs it. v

Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. This is her 13th new school year as a parent.

EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 7

By Gayla Grace

Cut to the Chase: Homework Strategies that Work As I overheard a conversation with a parent discussing her child’s routine and the late hour the child completed her homework the night before, I thought about how easily we allow our kids to slip into procrastinating habits that result in disastrous consequences.

Instead of encouraging behavior that will allow our children to meet their responsibilities, we allow distracted effort or inaction.

with your expectations. If your child doesn’t immediately start his task, make sure he understands why he’s allowed a break (so that he will be more productive later) and how much time he has before he must begin the task.

Consider the why. Is there a legitimate reason your child

hasn’t started her assignment? Does she have the resources she needs? Is there a clear goal in mind? Does she need some organizational help to get started? Does she have a quiet place to work?

Every child has different needs, and as parents, we help our children succeed when we provide them with what they need to accomplish the task at hand. That doesn’t mean we dive in and tackle the assignment with them, but it might mean we take them to the store to buy necessary supplies to get started.

If we teach our kids to overcome the temptation of procrastinating, we give them a valuable skill that reaches into adulthood. Here Break it down. It’s easy to procrastinate a task that appears are a few tips to help your child complete overwhelming. Our son had an assignment recently that required required tasks without procrastinating. multiple tasks. When he looked at the project all at once, he became overwhelmed with the amount of work to do. But as I helped him

Determine your child’s most productive put together a step-by-step outline to reach the goal, it empowered period. Sometimes parents insist that their children complete him to tackle the assignment. Breaking large projects into smaller their homework immediately upon arriving home from school.

However, it might not be the most productive time for your child.

Talk with your child about how he feels when he comes home from school. Does he need a snack break? Does he want to shoot the basketball first? Does he want to immediately start his required tasks at home to allow more time to play later without having to think about the chores or homework that must be done? Be clear

assignments makes them appear more manageable, and thus, children will be less likely to procrastinate.

Discourage perfectionism. Striving for perfection on

every assignment and every test leads to stress and encourages procrastinating habits. When a child thinks she must make a 100 on her assignment, she has less motivation to even begin the assignment.

Continued on page 14

8 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

By Jan Udlock

Sugar Shutdown The insurance letter came in the mail, and to our relief, this time he qualified. Six months earlier the life insurance company disqualified my husband after reviewing his blood work. We were shocked to find out that even though he was 6’1” and 205 pounds, his test results showed he had a 12 percent higher risk of having a heart attack.

Consequently, he cut down on his fat and sugar consumption, lost 20 pounds, and after a second round of blood tests, his second application was accepted. “Obesity is the root of most diseases we are dealing with today. Weight doesn’t necessarily cause a disease, but it exacerbates the risk factors and makes many conditions harder to treat,” says Patricia Greenberg, nutritionist, chef and author.

Food at Home Most of my seven family members are average to slim but this health scare made my husband and me take a second look at our diet. We started cutting down on the amount of sugar that we consumed as a family through making some simple changes, and we are still working today on making more changes.

I talked with my kids about hidden sugar. Ingredients are listed in order of content percentage, so if sugar is close to or at the beginning of a product’s list of ingredients, then it’s not the one you

want to buy. Sugar has a variety of names, such as malted barley, malted rice, dehydrated cane juice, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, etc.

I also started buying more fruits and veggies. The key for our family was to put them out on the counter washed and ready to eat instead of leaving them in the refrigerator. Who doesn’t like those tiny carrots to munch on?

Changing our dessert patterns was the hardest for us. We are a dessert-every-night family. We always had ice cream with homemade fudge; but to cut down on the amount of sugar, we now have it less often. We had to change our mindset before we were able to change our eating habits. Sugar is not good for us and should be considered a rare treat. Only then can we live a more health-conscious life.

Many nights my husband would make a shake that would contain less ice cream than what each child would get in a bowl. Less sugar?

Well, we’re not perfect.

My hubby has always been a big baker, so we rarely eat processed cookies and cakes. “Try to make homemade as often as possible to reduce the sugar content and monitor the quantity,” says Greenberg.

He has even put pureed fruit or applesauce in brownies, but shh! don’t tell my kids.

New Habits Need Time Habits take time to form, so don’t expect to adapt a new food habit within a week. I found myself discouraged because I craved dessert after dinner. So I realized that if I took something away, I had to replace it with something better. Sometimes we offer our kids fresh raspberries or blueberries for dessert. “Instead of weighing and Continued on page 12 ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 9

By Kim Seidel

HELP YOUR CHILD OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE H OW TO B E A N E N CO U R AG I N G PA R E N T With more children over-scheduled these days than not, many parents wouldn’t think the need to push children to get involved would be an issue. Surprisingly, that’s not the case.

“The high pressure on children to succeed holds many kids back from trying in the first place,” says Kristy Braunreiter, a parent educator. “The pressure doesn’t always come from parents, but society in general.”

The media, too, showcase perfect performances by athletes and entertainers that children can easily assume happen overnight.

They’re too young to realize that success requires hard work, practice, and patience, Braunreiter says.

“When children start a new activity, explain to them it will require hard work,” Braunreiter says. “This will help them to develop confidence over time.”

Consider your child’s personality The initiative to participate also depends on a child’s personality.

Braunreiter knows that her nine-year-old son’s Type A personality wants to be the best immediately. That causes Lars to shy away from new programs.

To help encourage children, set aside time to talk with them about their interests, Braunreiter suggests. “As parents, we know our children the very best,” she says. Point out their strengths; tell them these are gifts to share with others.

Jessica Apfel Miller, recognized that her daughter Jada tended to have performance anxiety. At one point, her then 12-year-old daughter refused to consider joining show choir. “I knew in my heart of hearts that Jada wanted to try out for show choir,” Apfel Miller says. “It blew my mind when she told me that she didn’t want to try out.”

“When children start a new activity, explain to them it will require hard work.”

This mom took action that other parents may find surprising: Apfel Miller decided to make Jada go through the auditions. She went so far as to walk Jada into school and turn in her permission sheet for try-outs that day. Although Jada admitted she was nervous, Miller could sense her excitement too. “She was convinced she wasn’t

10 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

10 TIPGSA

T O B E IN

VE POSITI T PAREN DISCUSS THAT SUCCESS REQUIRES HARD WORK AND DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. TALK ABOUT CONFIDENCE; IT DEVELOPS OVER TIME WITH A LOT OF PRACTICE AND PATIENCE. CONSIDER YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALITY WHEN SELECTING ACTIVITIES. DISCOVER YOUR CHILD’S INTERESTS AND DREAMS BY TRULY LISTENING TO HIM OR HER. POINT OUT YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS AS GIFTS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. VISIT WITH COACHES AND OTHER PARENTS TO LEARN ABOUT SPECIFIC PROGRAMS. ATTEND A CLASS OR PRACTICE SESSION WITH YOUR CHILD TO DETERMINE IF IT’S A GOOD FIT. IF IT DOESN’T WORK OUT, DON’T RUSH YOUR CHILD INTO SELECTING ANOTHER ACTIVITY. COMMIT TO THE SEASON. DON’T ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO QUIT WHEN IT GETS DIFFICULT. ATTEND YOUR CHILD’S EVENTS AND GAMES AS AN ENCOURAGING PARENT.

Continued from page 10

going to make it, but I could see that she felt good about trying out,” Apfel Miller says. “As her mom, I was proud that she got out of her comfort zone.”

When Jada was selected for the show choir, Apfel Miller says that Jada displayed a roller coaster of emotions: relief, fear, worry, and elation. Apfel Miller continued to show her daughter encouragement, including through the first difficult days of show choir camp. “By the third day at camp, she found her confidence and was having so much fun,” Apfel Miller says. “Now you can find her and her girlfriends practicing their routines every chance they get.”

Support your child’s activities Once a child chooses an activity, Braunreiter recommends learning about the program. Some children thrive on competition, while others prefer a more low-key activity. Talk to coaches and program leaders about your questions and concerns. “A hesitant child is relying on you, their parent, for support and encouragement,” Braunreiter says. “They’re trusting you to help them determine whether it’s a good fit for them.”

Visit a class or practice session with your child to determine if it would offer a good experience for your child. Sometimes it helps a more reserved child to invite a friend to participate in an activity with them.

Some children thrive on competition, while others prefer a low-key activity.

When a child decides they’d rather not participate in a program—​ or when they aren’t accepted into an activity—give your child time before rushing to the next possibility, Braunreiter says. “If you make it too pressurized, it will backfire on you as the parent,” she says.

“Your child needs to know that they’re being heard and respected.”

However, when a child opts to get involved in an activity, follow-through is important for both child and parent. Ensure that the child attends practices and games. Commit to the season—no matter what challenges arise. Attend the events and games to cheer for them and to show your support. “This teaches them good life skills, and that’s what you want from an activity,” Braunreiter says. “This teaches them about work ethic and helps them to mature.” v Kim Seidel has two active daughters and often faces the challenge of whether to push or back away as their mother.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 11

Want to retire like a champ? Get on track with tips at

Continued from page 9

measuring, have one day a week designated for desserts and make it a special day for the family,” says Greenberg.

Preparation Is Important If you have younger children, let them pick out their own water bottles to carry around, and make sure everyone has their bottle when leaving the house. Pack snacks for the car or when out shopping to prevent having to eat out or making poor choices.

As you run out of the sugary items, replace them with healthier alternatives. Eat more smaller meals in a day so that you won’t have a tendency to gorge at one meal.

Greenberg reminds parents that “children seem to naturally gravitate toward sweets, which is a combination of the visual appeal as well as being hungry more often because they are growing. They also tend to get bored quicker than adults and restlessness is often mistaken for hunger.”

Food Away from Home

7.0 in.

Motion Picture Artwork © 2018 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

7.0 in.

We also stopped ordering sodas at restaurants while out in public.

I still see my kids’ eyes swoop over and look at me while they are looking at a menu. I shake my head no and they go right back to their meal decision. This newest food decision provides a considerable savings for our family because fast food and restaurant drinks can run $2.00 to $2.50 a piece. I still drink diet sodas infrequently at home; however, I’ve lost a lot of my taste for them since I’ve been drinking more water.

The idea that “you can’t eat it if it’s not there” sounds too simple but I stopped buying certain processed foods. I mumble some answer if a child asks about the missing sugary cereal and wait a few weeks before buying it. Often, they forget about it, and we move on.

Coffee, Anyone?

My hubby used to turn up his nose when I ordered a nonfat coffee drink when I was out running around town. But soon he started looking at the website of our favorite coffee store and saw the sugar load of calories in a blended coffee drink—wowza!—64 grams of sugar in one yummy drink. He’s now drinking skinny lattes with a flavored syrup. I use artificial sweeteners in my coffee at home and use sugarfree syrups when I buy a coffee out. I’m still working on that decision.

Further Ideas The American Diabetes Association has an abundance of recipes, cookbooks and ideas to help us manage and prevent the onset of obesity.

Our journey continues as we investigate different foods and recipes. Cutting down on sugar is hard at times but so worth your and your family’s health. v

Take time to

be a dad today.

C a l l 8 7 7- 4 D A D 4 11 o r v i s i t w w w . f a t h e r h o o d . g o v

FIVE MYTHS ABOUT STEPFAMILY LIFE

By Gayla Grace

An estimated one-third of children will live in a stepparent home before the age of 18 and 50% will have a stepparent at some point in their lifetime.

“I didn’t know remarriage would be this hard,” said stepmom Sally. “We’ve been married more than a year and our relationships are still struggling. It feels like we take one step forward and three steps backward.”

Sally’s frustration is normal. White-picket-fence expectations of a do-over in marriage or second chance after the loss of a spouse create unrealistic ideas of stepfamily life. Myths about how things should be influence our understanding and set us up for disappointment. When we smother the myths of stepfamily life and replace them with reality, we more easily adjust to the new family in our home. Here are a few myths to consider:

Myth 1: Love is enough for a longlasting marriage as a stepcouple.

Fairy tales present an image that love is all we need. Marriage naturally includes love, but the complexities of stepfamily life require more than a gushy feeling. For a stepcouple to traverse bumpy roads with windy curves and unexpected potholes—and refuse the temptation to turn back at times—there must also be perseverance, commitment to the vows of “for better or for worse,” willingness to offer grace freely, empathy for another’s feelings, patience, forgiveness, understanding, wisdom, selfsacrifice, and more. It’s not that love isn’t important. It is! But sometimes, on hard days, we need to dig deep for something more than love, which just might be the ticket for thriving, longterm relationships.

Myth 2: Kids are resilient; they’ll adjust easily to their new family.

Although kids might be resilient, that doesn’t mean they won’t struggle to accept their new family. There’s often a period of adjustment that can include behavioral outbursts or emotional withdrawal, particularly when kids haven’t had adequate time to grieve the loss of their original family or their age is in double digits (younger kids often adjust easier). Stepfamily research tells us that it takes 4-7 years for relationships to come together and perhaps longer when both parents bring children to the marriage.

It helps to adjust our expectations so that we allow for a period of settling in when disharmony and uncomfortable feelings show up more often than we’d like. Relationship bonding is a marathon, not a sprint, with rewards for those who stay the course.

Myth 3: Stepparents are evil.

Despite the message Cinderella taught us that stepparents are evil, we find stepparents everywhere who work hard to create loving homes and establish healthy relationships with their stepchildren.

My stepmom friend, Lisa, is an example. Despite confusion in her role and uncomfortable feelings as an outsider at times, Lisa offers

Continued on page 15

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 13

Set a timer when necessary.

Maintain a balanced routine. If we allow our kids to

participate in every sport, music, drama, and school activity that occurs, we create an unmanageable schedule with little time left over for responsibilities at home. When our children can’t visualize the satisfaction of completing a task when they begin, it’s likely they won’t want to start. So, ask your children what activities interest them most and prioritize their desires to create a schedule that allows time for starting and completing other tasks as well. Rearrange the schedule as necessary to maintain balance.

Model good habits. Avoid procrastination in your everyday Continued from page 8

Be realistic with your expectations, particularly in the early years as children are adjusting to new routines. We want our kids to enjoy school and the privilege of learning, not labor over perfect grades.

Set a timer when necessary. When our son is having

a particularly hard time settling in to work on an assignment, we determine together how long he must sit and work and then we set a timer. When he knows he gets a break after a predetermined time, he more easily commits to beginning the work. A timer is a great tool to help kids develop consistent study habits, which will be especially important as they get older and need to commit to longer periods of study.

routine. Our children are watching us and will emulate what we do.

I love the poem by Edgar Guest that captures the importance of example. Here’s a portion of it: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.” If we want to raise young adults who will avoid procrastination, we must avoid it ourselves.

Procrastinating habits become harder to break the longer they’re practiced. But through

intentional effort, we can teach our children to avoid the pitfalls of procrastination. v Gayla Grace is an author and stepfamily coach with a “his, hers and ours” family. She enjoys helping nontraditional families thrive in their relationships.

Continued from page 13

grace freely and often in her home. She doesn’t claim to be perfect, but she pushes past her mistakes and tries again when she fails. She understands the tug of loyalty her stepchildren feel that naturally pulls them toward their biological mother. She still offers love, guidance, and nurturing to better the lives of her stepchildren, recognizing there might be few rewards in return. Kudos to Lisa and stepparents everywhere who do the same.

Stepparenting with Grace

A Devotional for Blended Families ISBN 978-1683972686, August 2018

An estimated 113.6 million Americans (adults and kids) have a step relationship.

Myth 4: Co-parenting is the only option.

We all recognize the importance of healthy co-parenting with the ex-spouse in another home. But sometimes co-parenting isn’t possible. When Josie remarried, her ex-husband became volatile and uncooperative with her. Although Josie tried hard to keep communication open and amicable, every conversation about their kids turned into an argument. Finally, Josie opted to try parallel parenting, a form of disengaged parenting that is essentially “my house, my rules; your house, your rules.” There were often different standards in the two homes, but her kids learned to transition without a problem and no longer had to witness the arguments between two people they loved. Josie hopes co-parenting might work in the future, but for now, parallel parenting is the best option to reduce the inevitable conflict with her ex-husband.

Approximately one-third of all weddings in America today form stepfamilies.

Myth 5: Blended families can function like biological families.

Blended families might try to function as traditional families, but frustration often follows. The dynamics are vastly different. For instance, parental roles are not clear. Since kids pre-date the marriage, stepparents fare better when they step back and establish a relationship before diving into a disciplinarian role. The old adage that “rules without relationship result in rebellion” rings true here. Another difference is the dynamic of insiders and outsiders. In traditional families, everyone is an insider and accepted into the family circle. Stepfamilies have outsiders (stepparents) who weren’t part of the original circle and have to earn their way in. A stepchild who lives in another home might also feel like an outsider. When these complex variables are recognized and managed—differently than biological families—then blended families can form healthy, thriving relationships.

We gain a greater likelihood of contentment and harmony within our stepfamily relationships when we’re aware of stepfamily myths and confront them with reality, adjusting our expectations in the process. What other stepfamily myth does society project that needs to be considered? v Gayla Grace is the author of Stepparenting with Grace, A Devotional for Blended Families.

She writes, speaks, and coaches with a passion to encourage stepfamilies and help them create long-term, thriving relationships. She holds a master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling and created StepparentingWithGrace.com more than a decade ago to offer resources and coaching services to stepcouples. Gayla and her husband, Randy, have five children in their blended family.

Uniting Two Families into One Is Not an Easy Task!

The stepmom journey includes days of bumpy roads and overwhelming emotions. Struggles with ex-spouses, complicated schedules, bickering kids, and financial concerns can easily threaten a hopedfor idyllic home and leave you longing for a white picket fence. But where do stepmoms go when they just need a little encouragement?

Stepparenting with Grace: A Devotional for Blended Families is the resource that veteran stepmom Gayla Grace wanted but couldn’t find.

The StepFamily Foundation reports that there are more than 1,300 new stepfamilies forming every day and that 75 percent of stepfamilies complain that they don’t have access to resources specific to their situation. “As a young stepmom,” writes Gayla, “I longed for a devotional that offered encouraging words for my unique needs. But I found limited resources to help combat my emotions during a confusing transition.”

Knowing that blended-family dynamics are complicated and the demands are many, Gayla set out to write a devotional that could provide a soothing salve and encouragement for the thousands of other stepparents navigating the rocky terrain of creating a blended family. Through the wisdom gleaned from her own experiences as a stepmother, Gayla offers the much-needed companionship, encouragement, and understanding that stepparents desperately need. v

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 15

Warning Signs of Concussion WITH FALL AROUND THE CORNER, TRAINING FOR FOOTBALL AND SOCCER ARE WELL UNDERWAY. SPORTS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE GOOD WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY AND ACTIVE, BUT THERE ARE RISKS OF INJURY TOO, ESPECIALLY WITH CONTACT SPORTS. Concussions are common sports-related injuries that frequently go unnoticed or overlooked. Take time to learn the warning signs of concussion to keep your child from experiencing a more serious brain injury.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. They can be caused by a blow to the head or when the upper body and head are shaken. Brains of children and teens have not fully developed, putting them at risk for more serious brain damage from a concussion.

Symptoms of a serious head injury include repeated vomiting, loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds, a headache that gets worse over time, changes in behavior, changes in coordination such as stumbling or clumsiness, disorientation and slurred speech.

If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately.

When someone suffers a more mild concussion they could lose consciousness temporarily and be confused. Other common symptoms include:

• Headache • Amnesia • Dizziness • Ringing in the ears

• Nausea • Vomiting • Slurred speech • Fatigue

Sometimes symptoms will not appear until a few hours or days after the injury, such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, personality changes, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbances, feeling

depressed, and issues with tasting and smelling. Anyone with these symptoms should rest and not return to sports or other vigorous activities until they have been checked and approved by a medical professional.

The effects of a concussion are usually temporary; however, if a person with a concussion does not take time to heal, they can experience serious complications.

Resting and slowly returning to regular activities is the best way to recover from a concussion. If a concussion is left untreated, you risk getting another concussion or permanent brain damage.

Take precautions when your child participates in contact sports and make sure equipment such as helmets and pads are in good condition. If an athlete experiences a blow to the head and feels disoriented, have them sit out the rest of the game. They are more susceptible to getting another or more serious concussion if they keep playing. v

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The Pediatric Specialists of North Okaloosa Physician group treat patients with many sports-related injuries, including concussions. To learn more about concussions or to find a doctor, visit northokaloosaphysiciangroup.com

16 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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BUILDERS Strong Families Don’t Just Happen

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Spend a little time talking to each other every day—take our Family Chatter challenge. Have some messy fun in the kitchen or at a craft table making some of our featured Snacks & Crafts.

Teach your children what to do with leftover Halloween candy with our Teach Your Kids Something New. Learn all about good dental hygiene in That’s Good to Know. ENJOY LIFE—TOGETHER!

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ItsYourMagazine.com

Our FamilyChatter Challenge is simple— just do your best. Here are some simple questions that will hopefully inspire your family to enjoy great conversations whenever, however, you can. Enjoy!

Live, Laugh, Love, and TALK TOGETHER! Do you consider TV to be entertainment or a waste of time? How about video games?

Do you prefer to communicate with friends and family via text or talking on your phone?

What’s the most influential book you have ever read? Why?

What are some things about your family’s past that you’d like to know more about?

What inspires you to do your best in life? What causes you to get discouraged?

Are shoes, sunglasses and other accessories overpriced?

What can you do about it?

What scares you the most and excites you the most about the future?

Why?

What do you think is the hardest thing about being married? Why?

What activities do you look forward to during the fall? What activities can your family do to stay active together?

What did you enjoy most about your summer break? Do you have any “summertime regrets”?

Do you have a pet?

If so, do you feel your pet improves your quality of life or complicates it? Why?

Are you concerned more with what people think of you than with doing what’s right?

What worries you the most when you think about moving away from home?

What’s the largest challenge you’ve overcome in life?

How did you overcome it?

What are some things you believe in that you feel are not generally favored in society?

What are some everyday obstacles that get in the way of saving and investing your money?

18 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Keep the Conversation Going with Follow-up Questions: Interesting. What else can you tell me about that? o Now what are you going to do? o No way! Can you tell me more? o Seriously? Then what happened? o How do feel about what happened? o How does this make you feel? o What’s your next step? o

Taking Care of Your Teeth When you get your picture taken, everyone says, “Say cheese! Smile!” So you do—you open your mouth and show your teeth. When you see the picture, you see a happy person looking back at you.

The healthier those teeth are, the happier you look.

Why is that?.

It’s because your teeth are important in many ways. If you take care of them, they’ll help take care of you. Strong, healthy teeth help you chew the right foods to help you grow. They help you speak clearly. And yes, they help you look your best.

Why Healthy Teeth Are Important

How does taking care of your teeth help with all those things? Taking care of your teeth helps prevent plaque (say: PLAK), which is a clear film of bacteria (say: bak-TEER-ee-uh) that sticks to your teeth.

After you eat, bacteria go crazy over the sugar on your teeth, like ants at a picnic. The bacteria break the sugar down into acids that eat away tooth enamel, causing holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis (say: jin-juh-VY-tis), which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen, and sore. Your gums are those soft pink tissues in your mouth that hold your teeth in place.

If you don’t take care of your teeth, cavities and unhealthy gums will make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult.

And you won’t feel like smiling so much.

Before Toothpaste Was Invented

We’re lucky that we know so much now about taking care of our teeth. Long ago, as people got older, their teeth would rot away and be very painful. To get rid of a toothache, they had their teeth pulled out. Finally, people learned that cleaning their teeth was important, but they didn’t have toothpaste right away.

While you’re swishing that minty-fresh paste around your mouth, think about what people used long ago to clean teeth:

• ground-up chalk or charcoal • lemon juice • ashes (you know, the stuff that’s left over after a fire) • tobacco and honey mixed together Yuck!

It was only about 100 years ago that someone finally created a minty cream to clean teeth. Not long after that, the toothpaste tube was invented so that people could squeeze the paste right onto the toothbrush! Tooth brushing became popular during World War II. The Continued on page 23

20 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Cut out this page.

Then cut it down the middle.

He takes his half, she takes hers.

Keep it simple.

Don’t keep score.

Just enjoy life and each other— as often as you remember!

Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say, “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

10 WAYS to sh w

R E H y u care Take her out on an ice-cream date.

Clean the bathrooms.

Pick a night and cook the family dinner and clean up afterward.

Schedule a his & hers spa day.

Ask her how her day was and then listen to her—show genuine interest.

Get up early and fix her coffee and breakfast.

Encourage her to find time to get away, relax and read a good book— without the kids.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue.

Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Try to help your kids when they’re calling out for mom so her day isn’t so crazy.

Help the kids with schoolwork.

Draw her a bath and have her favorite treat waiting next to the bathtub for her to enjoy.

EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 21

Cut out this page.

Then cut it down the middle.

He takes his half, she takes hers.

Keep it simple.

Don’t keep score.

Just enjoy life and each other— as often as you remember!

Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say, “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

10 WAYS to sh w

M I H y u care Take him out to a movie of his choice.

Encourage him to take time for himself and his hobbies.

Buy him a new book you think he might enjoy. Try a new author.

Have his car washed or detailed without him knowing.

Cook him a dinner he really likes but you haven’t had for a while.

Play video games with him when the kids aren’t looking.

Take him out fishing.

Go to a water park—without the kids.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue.

Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Make a list of his best qualities and slip it in his pocket to find at work.

Go on a long walk together and get ice cream or a snack while you’re out.

22 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine

You Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy!

Continued from page 20

U.S. Army gave brushes and toothpaste to all soldiers, and they learned to brush twice a day. Back then, toothpaste tubes were made of metal; today they’re made of soft plastic and are much easier to squeeze!

Today there are plenty of toothpaste choices: lots of colors and flavors to choose from, and some are made just for kids. People with great-looking teeth advertise toothpaste on TV commercials and in magazines. When you’re choosing a toothpaste, make sure it contains fluoride. Fluoride makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.

When you brush, you don’t need a lot of toothpaste: just squeeze out a bit the size of a pea. It’s not a good idea to swallow the toothpaste, either, so be sure to spit after brushing.

How You Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy Kids can take charge of their teeth by taking these steps:

• Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles (the pack-

age will tell you if they’re soft). Ask your parent to help you get a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when it’s time to change them.

Ask your dentist if an antibacterial mouth rinse is right for you.

Learn how to floss your teeth, which is a very important way to keep them healthy. It feels weird the first few times you do it, but pretty soon you’ll be a pro. Slip the dental floss between each tooth and along the gum line gently once a day. The floss gets rid of food that’s hidden where your toothbrush can’t get it, no matter how well you brush.

You can also brush your tongue to help keep your breath fresh!

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•

It’s also important to visit the dentist twice a year. Besides checking for signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist will help keep your teeth extra clean and can help you learn the best way to brush and floss.

It’s not just brushing and flossing that keep your teeth healthy— you also need to be careful about what you eat and drink. Remember, the plaque on your teeth is just waiting for that sugar to arrive. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda. And don’t forget to smile! v

• Brush at least twice a day—after breakfast and before

bedtime. If you can, brush after lunch or after sweet snacks.

Brushing properly breaks down plaque.

Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Spend some time on the teeth along the sides and in the back.

Have your dentist show you the best way to brush to get your teeth clean without damaging your gums.

Take your time while brushing. Spend at least 2 or 3 minutes each time you brush. If you have trouble keeping track of the time, use a timer or play a recording of a song you like to help pass the time.

• •

© 1995- 2014. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission. Reviewed by: D’Arcy Lyness, PhD., Date reviewed: July 2013

EVEN TEXTERS AND DRIVERS HATE TEXTERS AND DRIVERS. STOPTEXTSSTOPWRECKS.ORG ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 23

Teach Your Kids Something New!

HALLOWEEN CANDY

15 Ways to Use Leftover Candy Once you have a couple of Halloweens (www.operationgratitude.com)—heat-resistant candy only; chocunder your belt, you start to know the deal, olate melts, you know! And don’t forget to include a handwritten letter of support to really put a smile on a soldier’s face! such as, which of your neighbors give out oversized chocolate bars and which ones 3. Reverse Trick-or-Treat greet you with toothbrushes.

Try reverse trick-or-treating! With a parent, make a trip to one or But you also start to realize something else: that even though it’s fun to own a mountain of candy, it’s probably not the best idea to eat it all.

So this year, after sorting through your favorites, why not find something else to do with the rest? We have 15 awesome ideas— from selfless to the silly. Give them a try and your teeth (and your dentist!) will thank you.

1. Candy Exchange Participate in a candy exchange. Some dentists and orthodontists (dentists who specialize in braces) offer candy exchanges. You turn in some candy and get healthy treats in exchange. Or you turn in some candy, and they pay you $1 per pound. They donate the candy to soup kitchens or to troops overseas.

2. Traveling Candy Wouldn’t it be cool if some of your candy went halfway around the world? Your Halloween candy could be included in care packages that are sent to soldiers serving their country far from home. Here’s one organization that ship packages to the troops

more local charities that accept candy donations. You’ll feel great, and you’ll sweeten someone else’s day too. Some ideas include your local Ronald McDonald House, nursing homes, food pantries, children’s hospitals, veterans’ homes, or women’s shelters.

4. Bigger or Better Ask your parents if you can exchange your candy for something else—like a book or a toy. Make it fun by using a scale to weigh your stash—for example, maybe you could earn a book for every pound of candy you trade in.

5. Recycle It Reduce by recycling. If you have a birthday or other party coming up, offer to use your candy to fill up goodie bags.

6. Chocolate Molds Buy fun chocolate molds at a craft store, melt down your extra chocolate bars, pour into the molds, let cool, and voilà—decorative, delicious gifts!

24 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

7. Halloween Trail Mix

12. Candy Experiments

Make a special Halloween version of trail mix by tossing in a handful of candy pieces with your pretzels, nuts, raisins, and dried fruits.

Donate your candy to . . . science? Yep, you can do lots of great candy experiments at home using Skittles, Lifesavers, Starbursts, M&Ms, and more. Plus, you just might want to see what happens when you leave a gummy bear in water . . .

8. Candy Frame Glue candy pieces to an unfinished wooden picture frame (you can buy them at the craft store). Add a photo and you have a really sweet present for someone special.

13. Board Game Create a board game using candy as pieces. Or you can use candy in a sweet game of checkers or—dare we say it?—Candyland.

9. Candy Wrapper Jewelry

14. Candy City

Did you know you can make jewelry and crafts out of candy wrappers? You can search for how-to instructions on the Internet.

Build a candy city. With some glue (ask a parent for help if using a hot glue gun), some toothpicks, and a whole lot of imagination, you can design and construct a scene that even your Legos will envy. And it’s never too early to start planning this year’s holiday gingerbread house.

10. Piñata Use the candy to fill a piñata for someone who has a fall or winter birthday.

11. Candy Math Give “candy math” a whirl! Use candy corns to practice addition, subtraction, or counting by fives and tens. Hershey bars or KitKats are both great for visualizing fractions. Or you can sort your candy (chocolate, gum, lollipops, fruit snacks, etc.) and figure out what percentage each group contributed to your total amount. © 1995- 2014 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.

15. Office Treats Send the candy to work with your mom or dad. That’ll really make it disappear fast!. v

Boo Boo Snacks YOU NEED Graham Crackers White frosting Strawberry jelly Band-Aid® Box

• • • •

DIRECTIONS Break graham cracker into quarters.

Apply white frosting to the center of each graham cracker to mimic the look of a bandage.

Heat strawberry jelly in the microwave for 30 seconds. Spoon the “blood” onto the bandage.

Display Boo Boo Snacks on a plate with a box of Band-Aids.

• • • •

These are great snacks to make with young children. Each step is teachable and easy to do.

Apples in a Bucket YOU NEED Large Pretzels Red Melting Chocolate Your Favorite Brand of Fruit Leather

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• Gummy Worms • Chocolate Bar • Waxed Paper • Kitchen Shears

DIRECTIONS Cut the fruit leather into pieces that look like leaves.

Cut the chocolate candy into chunks that look like stems.

Heat the melting chocolate according to the directions on the package. Add cooking oil to thin if necessary.

Dip pretzels in melting chocolate and place on waxed paper.

Quickly, before the pretzels dry, add leaves and stems to the “apple.”

Arrange in a cute bucket for a fall party or a teacher gift.

• • • • • •

These make great thank-you gifts for your favorite teachers—just in time for a little back-to-school treat!

26 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Candy Corn Marshmallow Ghosts INGREDIENTS Large Marshmallows Melting Chocolate in Orange and Yellow Black Decorating Gel Waxed Paper

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DIRECTIONS Lay down wax paper to cover the entire work area.

Heat the melting chocolate in the microwave according to the directions on the package.* Dip the marshmallow in orange melting chocolate and place on waxed paper. Allow the ghost to dry completely before dipping in yellow.

When the orange is completely dry, dip the ghost in yellow melting chocolate and place on waxed paper. Allow to dry.

Dot eyes onto ghosts with black decorating gel.

• • • • •

*We found that adding a little bit of cooking oil makes the melting chocolate more manageable.

Creepy Apple Smiles YOU NEED Red Apples Creamy peanut butter Mini-marshmallows Spreading Knife

• • • •

DIRECTIONS Cut the apple into strips, representing lips. Be sure to remove the core.

Spread peanut butter smoothly across each apple slice.

Place 5-6 marshmallow teeth on top of the peanut butter on one apple slice.

Place the second apple slice on top of the marshmallows to form an Apple Smile.

• • • •

These are great snacks to make with little children. They’re easy to make and healthy to eat!

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 27

Back to School Picture Frame MATERIALS 4” x 6” Flat Wood Frame 16 Pencils (You may want extras in case you break one or your frame requires more) Pencil Sharpener Small Hack Saw Foam Brush

• • • • •

• White Lined Paper • Mod Podge • Exacto Knife • Hot Glue • Red Cardstock (apple snapped) • School Picture

INSTRUCTIONS Lay your pencils on your frame and mark where you want the end to be for each—using the frame’s corner seams as a guide.

Cut off the extra with a small hack saw and then sharpen the pencils to a point until they all fit perfectly on the frame.

Brush a light coat of Mod Podge over your frame and lay a sheet of lined paper over it, smoothing over the front of the frame.

Mod Podge the edges of the frame and wrap the paper around the corners like a present. Mod Podge the paper around to the back of the frame so the sides look nice and finished.

Cut an X in the paper, in the middle of the frame (see photo), with your exacto and fold the paper onto the inside edge— adhearing it with Mod Podge. Trim off any excess paper.

CAREFULLY hot glue each pencil in place by placing 3 to 4 small dots of hot glue to each pencil as you lay them down.

Attach the cardstock apple using hot glue (see photo).

• • • •

• • •

Apple Jar MATERIALS Mason Jar, Shorter Size Clear Acrylic Spray Foam Brush Light and Dark Red Acrylic Craft Paint Light and Dark Green Acrylic Craft Paint

• • • • •

• Light and Dark Brown Acrylic Craft Paint • Wooden spool • Textured Green Scrapbook Paper • Hot Glue Gun

INSTRUCTIONS Spray entire jar with clear acrylic spray (allows for the acrylic craft paint to adhere to the glass and metal). Allow to dry.

Apply dark red paint to the jar with the foam brush (a second coat might be needed). After the paint has dried, streak or dab the light red paint over the dark red paint to add texture and depth.

Repeat the same procedure with green paint on the lid.

Paint wooden spool brown to create a stem. Allow to dry.

Cut green paper into leaf shapes.

Attach the green paper and stem to the lid with hot glue. Press firmly.

• • • • • •

These apple jars make great gifts for teachers and shows them just how much you appreciate all they do.

28 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Trick-or-Treat Candy Frame MATERIALS Cheap Wooden Frame Black Spray Paint Halloween Candy Hot Glue Gun

• • • •

• White Sticker Letters

(Optional—White Scrapbook Paper, Cricut® Machine and Xyron® Machine)

INSTRUCTIONS Spray the frame with black paint and allow to dry.

Cut white letters out of scrapbook paper with Cricut machine and font of your choice, or use white sticker letters.

Adhere white letters to the frame.

Experiment with candy placement until you achieve the look and balance you like.

Attach one piece of candy at a time with hot glue and press firmly to apply to frame.

Add a cute picture of your Trick-or-Treater!

• • • • • •

Tip – This craft uses real candy and may need to be discarded. If you’d like to have a frame that lasts forever, use candy wrappers instead of whole candy.

Ghost Luminaries MATERIALS Gallon Milk Jugs Scissors Glow Sticks Black Scrapbook or Construction Paper Xyron® machine, double sided sticky tape, or glue

• • • • •

INSTRUCTIONS Thoroughly wash each milk jug and allow to dry.

Cut face shapes out of black paper.

Option A: Xyron Machine—Run black paper shapes through Xyron machine. Remove paper backing and adhere to milk jug.

Option B: Double-sided tape—Adhere double-sided tape to the back of each paper shape and attach to milk jug. Glue—Apply glue to the back of each paper shape and attach to milk jug. Allow drying before moving.

Just before Halloween event, crack open glow sticks and place inside each ghost. Glow sticks last from 1 to 24 hours depending o n the brand.

• • • • •

Tip – Fill with water as needed to prevent luminaries from moving around on sidewalk.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • September+October 2018 • 29

TEEN TALK dvice from Helpful A Another! to n One Tee

HELPFUL TIPS ON SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL Although most of us really hate the idea of having to go back to school, we cannot let our negative feelings affect our focus.

The smartest thing to do is to establish habits from the very first day so that they are easier to maintain. One tip that I think is helpful is getting all of your school supplies and organizing them. By doing this it allows you to feel prepared and designate a place to get the things you need when you’re in class.

Another thing that could benefit any student is creating a daily schedule that shows

when you will focus on your homework, when you will study, and when you will spend time with your friends. Scheduling things day by day gives someone a sense of responsibility and structure that is very much needed .

Other tips that are useful are packing your lunch the night before, choosing your outfits in advance, and setting your alarm to get up and be there on time. All of these can help make the school year much easier, but the most crucial part of success is consistency.

When you stick to your plans and goals for the school year, not only do your grades improve, but also you feel less stressed out and more productive. I have a bad habit of procrastinating on every assignment, so this year I set a goal to be more focused by making a list of everything I need to get done and logging it into my planner.

30 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

It is also important to keep a positive attitude going into the new year. Although school can get really tough and frustrating, by staying positive, you pave the way to being a more determined student. Whether you’re taking a bunch of AP classes or just starting out, remember to pace yourself, try to maintain your goals, and not get too upset over a bad grade every now and then. In the end, school can either be a very fun time to excel and be with your friends or it can be stressful and hard; it all depends on your attitude and choices. v

Nia

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FUN GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

As a parent, we love to explore all that our surrounding communities have to offer. These adventures allow us to make life-long memories with our kids! Enjoy!

House features animated creatures and theatrical actors and is sure to scare! For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Haunted House in Gresham

aerial silks, dancing black-light skeletons, a ghost spinning on the trapeze, and fairy royalty twirling on aerial straps at the Alberta Rose Theater. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Fri, Sept 28–Sat, Nov 3 – Portland House of Shadows promises a haunting evening with performers who will grab you in Gresham!

Ages 13-18 must be with a parent. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Find Your Way through the Maize

Sat, Sept 29–Wed, Oct 31 – Sauvie Island, Portland

Seasonal Eastmoreland Woodstock Oktoberfest Sat, Sept 22 – Portland (1:00p.m.)

This family-friendly event is sure to please with carnival games and crafts, music and live entertainment, food, drinks, and more! It will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Oktoberfest

Sat, Sept 22 – Portland (2:00p.m.)

The German American Society of Portland is hosting their annual Oktoberfest. Celebrate this German tradition with music, food, revelry, and more! For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Haunted House: 13th Door

Fri, Sept 28–Sat, Nov 3 – Portland Portland’s oldest Halloween attraction is back and spookier than ever! The 13th Door Haunted

The ultimate Portland fall experience—celebrating its 20th anniversary. Fun for all ages particularly kids (very kid friendly). This is an annual excursion for our family and it never disappoints.

For more info visit; www.portlandmaize.com.

Fazio Farms

Mon, Oct 1–Wed, Oct 31 – Portland Ready for a fun day with the family? There is no better place than Fazio Farms! Spend the day looking for Pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, get lost wandering the Corn Maze and enjoy tasty treats like our homemade Pickles!!

For more information please visit us at; www. faziofarms.com.

Halloween Trail

Mon, Oct 1–Wed, Oct 31 – Oregon City The Halloween Fantasy Trail is back! Families love the lighted trail, decorated castle, suspension bridge, tunnel and maze at the Wenzel Family Farm in Oregon City! For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Halloween Circus

Fri, Oct 19–Sun, Oct 28 – Portland This fright night features goblins swinging on

Pumpkin Regatta Festival Sat, Oct 20 – Portland

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a race across the lake in giant pumpkins, plus a 5K run, pumpkin carving, music, entertainment, kids’ crafts, costume contest, food, drinks, and more! For more information, visit www. events12.com.

Howloween at the Zoo

Sat, Oct 20–Sun, Oct 28 – Portland Spending the day at the zoo is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween! Kids ages 2-12 will enjoy scavenger hunts, treats, and prizes!. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

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Pumpkin Train

Mon, Oct 22 – Portland (7:00p.m.)

Head to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum to celebrate autumn fun with a ride aboard the pumpkin train! Children can explore the museum and paint a pumpkin to bring home as a souvenir of the day. All visitors are treated to complimentary hot cider and cookies. Regular admission fees apply. For more information, visit www.portlandregion.com/events.

Pumpkin Beer Festival Sat, Oct 27 – Portland

Killer Pumpkin Festival is back and is offering 40 pumpkin beers and cocktails, pumpkin bowling and smashing, and live street music! For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Piggie the Pig. Together, they tackle friendship’s big questions: What happens when two friends want to play with the same toy? And what do you wear to a fancy party? This play is most enjoyed by ages 3 and up. For show times and information, visit www.nwcts.org.

Manhattan Short Film Festival

Sat, Sept 29–Sun, Sept 30 – Portland Film-goers in Portland can unite with over 100,000 film lovers from around the world at the 21st Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival.

Head to the Clinton Street Theater and vote for your favorite short film. The overall winner will be announced on Monday, October 8. For more information, visit www.cstpdx.com.

Weird Film Festival

Fri, Oct 5–Sun, Oct 7 – Portland The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival screens films containing literary horror and weird tales similar to the stories of H.P. Lovecraft and offers panel discussions, author readings, gaming, and art at Hollywood Theatre. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

German Film Festival

Fri, Oct 5–Tues, Oct 9 – Portland Head to Cinema 21 for their annual German Film Festival, which showcases feature films, documentaries and short films that represent state-ofthe-art German film making. All films are shown in German with English subtitles. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

The Arts Pippin

Sat, Sept 8–Sun, Oct 7 – Portland

The Oregon Independent Film Festival is here and will be screening roughly 75 independent films from 14 different countries. If you are looking for great documentaries, look no further! For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Elephant and Piggie’s We Are in a Play Sat, Sept 22–Sun, Oct 21 – Portland

Meet “bestus friends” Gerald the Elephant and

Wed, Sept 26 – Portland

The Portland Trail Series will take you through beautiful Forest Park in Portland! This is the third race in a 5-race series, each race covering a different, challenging course, ranging from 4 to 7 miles. The series will benefit the Forest Park Conservancy; a post-series party will be held immediately after the final race at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub. There will be awards, a raffle, and beer! For information, visit www.runguides.com.

Stumptown Cross is a series of fun, competitive cross-country races for runners of all ages and skill levels to truly test their ability. Head outside to test your limits and skills in the grass, hills and mud! The first race in this series will take place at Portland Meadows. For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

There’s No Business Like Show Business

Fri, Sept 21–Wed, Sept 26 – Portland

Portland Trail Series – Fall Race #3

Sat, Sept 29 – Portland

Lakewood Theatre Company continues its 66th season with the extraordinary timeless tale of Pippin. This musical questions the choices we make in life that lead us to happiness. For tickets, show times and more information, call 503-635-3901.

Oregon Independent Film Festival

Runs, Walks & More

Stumptown Cross Race One

Fri, Sept 7 –Wed, Oct 14 – Lakewood Center for The Arts

After a successful run out of town, the Portland Muscial Theater Company is back with their premiere of There’s No Business Like Show Business. This two-hour show will highlight some of Broadway’s best musicals of the 1940s and ’50s, including Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Oklahoma, South Pacific, and more! For information, visit www.portlandmusicaltheater.org.

glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry. For tickets and more information, visit www.stumptownstages.org.

PurpleStride

Sat, Sept 29 – Portland

Australian Cirque Show

Thurs, Oct 11–Sat, Oct 13 – Portland Circa is in town, and this 10-member cir.que troup combines amazing acrobatics, the grace and athleticism of ballet, and story-based theatrics at Newmark Theatre. For tickets and information, visit www.events12.com.

Dreamgirls

Thurs, Oct 18–Sun, Oct 28 – Portland A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th-century American popular music, Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco, and more, Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope, and betrayal, all set in the

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PurpleStride is the annual 5K fun run/walk to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

This road course typically hosts up to 500 people. For information, visit www.runguides.com.

Bay to Brews Half-Marathon and 5K/10K Sat, Sept 29 – Portland

The Bay to Brews run is a 10k and half-marathon race and a fun 5K! Drink in the scenery on one or two loops through lush forest and alongside the beautiful waters of Yaquina Bay. Home base for Bay to Brews is Rogue Ales under the iconic Newport Bay Bridge, where you will join the Ben Rice Band and Mo’s Famous Chowder for postrace fun. For information, visit www.runguides.com.

Pelican Brewing Salmon Run | Tillamook Sat, Sept 29 – Portland (10:00a.m.)

The Pelican Brewing Salmon Run 5K & 10K will take place in beautiful Tillamook, Oregon.

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Tunnel. He strapped on all his gear and ran to the Twin Towers where he paid the ultimate sacrifice that day. His family started this foundation in Stephen’s memory. One of the main programs they support is Building for America’s Bravest, a program that builds specially constructed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans. So far, they have completed or are working on 66 homes. For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

The race will start and finish at Pelican Brewery & Tap Room. This fun timed race will feature a scenic course through picturesque Tillamook.

Runners will enjoy a post-race bash at the brewery, featuring brewery tours, live music, and much more. All participants will receive exclusive Pelican Brewing Salmon Run swag and brew (for ages 21+). Runners under the age of 21 will be treated to a pint of Pelican Brewing root beer.

For information, visit www.runguides.com.

a 50K. Each course has its own signature to it.

Runners opting for something more technical should look into the 15-mile course, while longdistance enthusiasts will want to check out the 50k+ option. For more information, visit www. runguides.com.

Miller Woods Race to Give a Little Sat, Oct 13 – Portland

The Miller Woods race is a mix of single track and wider grass pathways; there are no paved surfaces and the highest elevation on the property is 600 feet!. During this race, you will enjoy beautiful views and rolling hills. This run is great for kids, as there is an outdoor adventure program for kids ages 5-12 during the race.

This race has partnered with the Give a Little Foundation. For more information, visit www. runguides.com.

ORRC Blue Lake Run Sat, Oct 13 – Portland

The ORRC Blue Lake Run is a popular run that winds through beautiful Blue Lake park with views of the Columbia River and surrounding area. For more information or to register, visit www.runguides.com.

Runaway Pumpkin Half-Marathon Sat, Sept 29 – Portland

Each year, the Runaway Pumpkin Half-Marathon and 8k transforms Cheadle Lake Park into a Halloween-themed pumpkin village that is fun for all ages. Whether you are participating in one of the races or are there for moral support, there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy! For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

Tigard K9 5K

Sat, Sept 29 – Portland (8:00a.m.)

Each year the community of Tigard runs the Tigard K9 5K in support of the Tigard Police Department’s K9 patrol team. This chip-timed 5K is a fun fast race through the streets of Tigard. Participants receive a race bib and a finisher’s medal and can choose to either run or walk the course. Bring your own dog too! The race begins and ends at the shelter at Cook Park. There will be a pancake breakfast after the race provided by ChrisCakes.

For information, visit www.runguides.com.

Run for Resilience Ostomy 5K Sat, Oct 6 – Portland

Ostomates, advocates, friends and families, come run the Ostomy AWEARness 5k fun run! An Ostomy health fair, advocacy groups and education are free to all community members. Runners pay $15 and get a shirt. Proceeds benefit the United Ostomy Association of America. For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

Willamette Valley Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk Sat, Oct 6 – Portland

Head to Mt. Angel, Oregon, for a 5K run to honor and support military and first responders. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was started after 9/11 when firefighter Stephen Siller, who was just getting off duty, heard the call. He turned his truck around and got stuck in the Battery

Spirit of Oregon Half-Marathon Sun, Oct 7 – Portland

The Spirit of Oregon Half-Marathon and 5K is the only major-road half-marathon that starts and ends at the capitol. This scenic course takes runners through a tour of historic Salem and finishes with an OR-toberfest with beer, food, wine and music from all over Oregon. For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

Portlandathon

Sun, Oct 7 – Portland Celebrate Portland’s community at this awesome event! The marathon course will be USATF sanctioned and certified and a Boston qualifier. The legendary 5-mile course is back with an added 4-mile river walk, which is noncompetitive and untimed. Dress up in your favorite “Keep Portland Weird” attire for the walk! For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

Portland Trail Series – Fall Race #4 Wed, Oct 10 – Portland The Portland Trail Series will take you through beautiful Forest Park in Portland. This is the fourth race in a 5-race series, each race covering a different challenging course, ranging from 4 to 7 miles. The series will benefit the Forest Park Conservancy. A post-series party will be held immediately after the final race at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub. There will be awards, a raffle, and beer! For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

Elk King’s Mountain Traverse Sat, Oct 13 – Portland

The Elk King’s Mountain Traverse features two courses in the Tillamook forest, a 15-mile and

Stumptown Cross Race Two Sat, Oct 13 – Portland

Stumptown Cross is a series of fun, competitive cross-country races for runners of all ages and abilities to truly test their ability. Head outside to test your limits and skills in the grass, hills and mud! This race in this series will take place at Lents Park. For more information, visit www. runguides.com.

Portland Parks & Recreation – 5K Fun Run Series Sun, Oct 14 – Portland

Portland Parks & Recreation’s 5K series are family-friendly 5K races that take place monthly from April through October at parks throughout the Portland area. The run this week is in East Delta Park near the athletic fields. These races welcome new walkers and runners as well as our seasoned racers. There will also be raffle prizes, music, face painting, crafts, vendors, and lots of bananas! For more information, call 503-823-2525.

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Great Columbia Crossing 10K Run/Walk Sun, Oct 14 – Portland

Experience the glory of the Columbia River as you trek across the Astoria-Megler Bridge during this unique opportunity to walk/run across the bridge! This 10K offers a scenic adventure on a fairly flat road with one steep incline to the peak of the bridge. This event gives participants once-a-year access to cross the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. Whether you’re an experienced runner or looking for a family-friendly event, the Great Columbia Crossing 10K appeals to everyone. For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

different challenging course, ranging from 4 to 7 miles. The series will benefit the Forest Park Conservancy. A post-series party will be held immediately after the final race at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub. There will be awards, a raffle, and beer! For information, visit www.runguides.com.

Autumn Leaves 50/50 Sat, Oct 27 – Portland Recreational and competitive ultra-marathoners from all over the West Coast enjoy this unique running experience. Runners can choose from the 50-mile or 50K race option and will race against some of the best in the U.S. Red and yellow maple trees dominate the fall colors along the Willamette River course and neighboring Champoeg Park campsites (including yurts). For information, visit www.runguides.com.

Air Show

Fri, Sept 28–Sun, Sept 30 – Portland The Oregon International Air Show is back and features airplanes up close and in the air, aerobatics, skydivers, a kids’ zone, a beer garden, and Friday fireworks at Hillsboro Airport. For more information, visit www.oregonairshow.com.

Tiny House Festival

Sat, Sept 29–Sun, Sept 30 – Portland See tiny houses and vehicle conversions at this year’s Tiny House Festival. There will be a chance to meet builders, visit vendors, listen to music, and buy food and drinks. There will be presentations and workshops as well. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Stumptown Cross Race Three Sat, Oct 20 – Portland

Run Like Hell is a Halloween-themed race where participants are encouraged to dress up in full costume for a run through Portland’s urban parks and along its waterfront areas along the Willamette River. The run has become a Portland fall tradition with more than 4,000 runners participating annually. For more information, visit www.runguides.com.

Portland Trail Series – Fall Race #5 Wed, Oct 24 – Portland

The Portland Trail series will take you through beautiful Forest Park in Portland! This is the last race in a 5-race series, each race covering a

Head to the Reed College Sports Center for this year’s Portland Juggling Festival. Enjoy three days of special guests, workshops, vendors, open juggling, and juggling games, plus the Juggling and Vaudeville Extravaganza show!

For information, visit www.portlandjugglers.org.

The annual Halloweenathon will take place at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Course in Aloha, Oregon. The entire 18-hole golf course will be reserved for the Halloweenathon, which will feature a 5K, 10K, 15K, 15K relays, and kids’ races. After the event, participants may stay all day and end the day with a BBQ feast prepared

by Famous Dave’s BBQers. For more information, visit www.runguides.com

This marathon is organized to honor and support those diagnosed with breast cancer. The annual event is an opportunity for women in the Portland and Vancouver areas to help support an important cause. Chocolate, toffee, beer, massages and firemen will be waiting for you at the finish line! For more information, visit www. runguides.com.

Sun, Oct 21 – Portland

Fri, Sept 28–Sun, Sept 30 – Portland

Sat, Oct 27 – Aloha

Sun, Oct 14 – Portland

Run Like Hell

Juggling Festival

Halloweenathon

Girlfriends Run for a Cure Half- and Quarter-Marathon

Stumptown Cross is a series of fun, competitive cross-country races for runners of all ages and abilities to truly test their ability. Head outside to test your limits and skills in the grass, hills and mud! This race in this series will take place at Gabriel Park. For more information, visit www. runguides.com.

and used within hours of harvesting. For tickets and information, visit www.oregoncraftbeer.org.

Home Show

Thurs, Oct 4–Sun, Oct 7 – Portland

Sounds Fun All Jane Comedy Festival Wed, Sept 26–Sun, Sept 30 – Portland The All Jane Comedy Festival is here and will be featuring the funniest and most original women in comedy today! Headliners include Marcella Arguello and Georgea Brooks. For more information, visit www.alljanecomedy.org.

Hops Festival at Oaks Park Fri, Sept 28–Sat, Sept 29 – Portland The Portland Fresh Hops Fest is a celebration of the annual hop harvest that takes place from mid-August to mid-September in Oregon.

The festival features Oregon craft beers made with hops that are freshly picked off the vine

34 • September+October 2018 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

The Portland Fall Home show is back! Head to the Portland Expo Center and see homeimprovement vendors, do-it-yourself workshops, a vintage marketplace, an artisan gallery, and orchids. For information, visit www.events12.com.

Greek Festival

Fri, Oct 5–Sun, Oct 7 – Portland The 67th Annual Portland Greek Festival is one of the largest festivals of its kind, typically hosting 15,000 guests annually. There will be Greek food, crafts, music and dance. Each year, a portion of the proceeds from the festival goes toward worthy philanthropic endeavors in the greater Portland community. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Cheese Festival

Sat, Oct 6 – Portland Enjoy a delicious evening of cheese! Taste artisan and farmstead cheese made in the

Northwest and meet the 30 artisan makers at The Wedge. For information, visit www. events12.com.

Wine Walk

Sat, Oct 6 – Portland The 6th Annual Lake Oswego Wine Walk is back! Enjoy 8 tastes of wine, snacks, music and art in local shops. This event sells out every year, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. For more information, visit www.lowinewalk.com.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

Tango Festival

Thurs, Oct 11–Mon, Oct 15 – Portland The Portland Tango Festival is the longest running U.S. festival dedicated to the authentic social dance and culture of Argentina. This year there will be amazing teachers and performers who will deepen your Tango experience. For more information, visit www.portlandtangofest. com.

Hood River Valley Harvest Fest Fri, Oct 12–Sun, Oct 14 – Portland

Celebrate Hood River’s harvest season at the 36th Annual Hood River Valley Harvest Fest.

This old-fashioned fall festival brings together more than 120 vendors offering local produce and food products, arts and crafts, drinks and tastings. For information, visit www.hoodriver.org.

Apple Tasting

Fri, Oct 12–Sun, Oct 14 – Portland Head to Portland Nursery on Stark Street for their Annual Apple Tasting Event. Taste and buy 60 kinds of apples and pears, see scarecrows, watch cider making, hear live music, and visit their kids’ tent! For more information, visit www. portlandnursery.com.

Salmon Weekend

Sat, Oct 13–Sun, Oct 14 – Portland Drive over to Oxbow Regional Park to watch the salmon as they swim up Sandy River for the salmon homecoming. Talk with guides, visit the campfire, and enjoy a warm beverage. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Vegetarian Festival

Sat, Oct 20–Sun, Oct 21 – Portland Portland VegFest is being held at the Oregon Convention Center and offers free samples, 100 exhibitors, speakers, cooking demonstrations, films, and kids’ activities! For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Anime Convention

Fri, Oct 26–Sun, Oct 28 – Portland Kumoricon is back in town and offers cosplay, gaming, dancing, panels, DJs, and a karaoke contest at the Oregon Convention Center. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Antiques and Collectibles Show Fri, Oct 26–Sun, Oct 28 – Portland

Billed as America’s largest antiques and collectible show, this event has 1,000 vendors selling furniture, movie memorabilia, glassware, estate jewelry, paintings, and toys. For more information, visit www.events12.com.

Reoccurring Local Micah & Me

First Monday of each month – Portland (10:00a.m.)

Visit Beanstalk, a children’s consignment store, every first Monday for an in-house dance party and music show for kids of all ages. Micah & Me have the ability to connect with youngsters of all ages while playing live fun-filled music on the guitar and ukulele. For more information, visit www.micahandmerocks.com.

Storytimes in Milwaukie

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Milwaukie (10:30a.m.)

Head to the library to enjoy story time with your kids. Every Monday at 10:30a.m., there will be story time for toddlers ages 1-3. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30a.m., story time will be for children ages 3-5. For more information, visit www.milwaukieoregon.gov.

Honeybee Hikes

Every Wednesday – Portland (10:00a.m.)

Leach Botanical Garden is hosting Honeybee Hikes. This activity is geared toward children ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult. You will get the chance to look for wildlife, listen to the wind and the creek, water the Children’s Discovery Garden, and maybe even eat a raspberry right off the vine! The guides will then read a story and help children craft something fun. For information, visit www.leachgarden.org.

Portland Art Museum

Every Friday – Portland (5:00p.m.)

Portland Art Museum offers a different museum experience for only $5 after 5:00p.m. This experience will be much more relaxed, more interactive, and a more social experience. You can expect to see a pop-up pub, unique tours and games, photo booths, art guides, and more! For information, visit www.portlandartmuseum.org.

Dragon Theater Puppet Show

Every Friday – Portland (6:30p.m.)

The Dragon Theater will have a free puppet show with paid admission to PlayDate PDX. These shows are fun for all ages and change weekly. For more information, visit www.playdatepdx.com.

Part of being a great volunteer is loving what you’re doing.

Find something that you’re passionate about or something that inspires you, and then find a need in your community.

There are dozens of reasons why you should volunteer - you just need to find the one that feels right.

20 GREAT REASONS TO VOLUNTEER 1. Help others 2. Make a difference 3. Find purpose 4. Enjoy a meaningful conversation 5. Connect with your community 6. Feel involved 7. Contribute to a cause that you care about 8. Use your skills in a productive way 9. Develop new skills 10. Meet new people 11. Explore new areas of interest 12. Meet good people 13. Impress your mom 14. Impress yourself 15. Expand your horizons 16. Get out of the house 17. Make new friends 18. Strengthen your resume 19. Feel better about yourself 20. [ Your favorite reason ] For more information about volunteering, visit VolunteerMatch at https://www.volunteermatch.org/

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