Salem MOM | Feb / Mar 2023

Offering 3 in 1 Testing…. Flu, RSV & COVID No Appointment Necessary!

Register for a patient account on LabDash.net

Visit SantiamHospital.org to schedule an appointment

Arrive at your allotted time and call (503) 769-3230

Collect your sample by following the prompts on LabDash.net

You will receive a notification that your results have been posted via email

SCoPE Molecular Lab is now providing RSV/Flu/CoVID PCR tests! 1 2 3 4 5 6

Your test results should be available within 12-48 hours on LabDash.net

WHEN 2:00-5:00pm Mon-Fri 2:00-4:30pm Sat-Sun

(except Holidays)

WHERE 134 W Main St. Sublimity, OR

Support

Support for Families with Audrey Benson, page 8

the experts

Pets

Pets are Family with Dr. Emily Kalenius, page 11

Health

Healthy MOM with Santiam Hospital, page 6

Focus

Focus with Dr. Alton Rossman, page 10

Drive

On the Road with Laura Augustine, page 20

[They know what they’re talking about] meet

“

There is no such thing as a perfect parent so just be a real one.

“

– Sue Atkins

Because I said so!

Published by GO Creative, LLC

263 29th Avenue SW Albany, OR 97322

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Director

Audrey Meier DeKam audrey@mommag.com

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Representative

Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com

503-510-9036

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Linda Blair

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541-231-7250

Designer

Sean Carver

MOM MagazineTM is produced by GO Creative, LLC. © 2023

All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. Information in the magazine is provided for general information purposes only with the understanding that none of the content constitutes professional advice.

Opinions expressed by the writers or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of the magazine or the publisher. Inclusion in the magazine does not constitute endorsement of information, products or services.

Here’s your reminder

If you’re like me, you flip the calendar to March and are seized by a cold sweat of having kids off school for spring break. I should have planned something by now, I think to myself. I’ll definitely need more food, too, as my children and their friends consume every last calorie in the house. Not even uncooked taco shells are safe from being raided.

If you had your act together long ago and already booked something, please teach me how. The rest of us will likely be scrambling, depending on the ages of our kids and what kind of budget we have.

If you have the funds, try looking for flights out of the Eugene Airport through airlines like Avelo. You can find direct flights to Burbank, which puts you right into all kinds of LA-based fun. For something closer, Portland’s Oaks Amusement Park gets shockingly overlooked by valley residents when it’s practically in our backyard. I took a pack of boys there last spring break (yes, it was last minute) and we had a blast. It has a great selection of rides and activities for all ages. Don’t do what we did, though, in typical post-winter Oregonian fashion: we forgot sunscreen and paid the price.

If keeping it low-key and local is more your vibe, try your local library. I am continually amazed at the breadth of services they offer. Did you know you can check out cake pans? Wild…and super handy.

Whatever you do for your upcoming break, consider this your reminder to plan it now. That goes for myself, too.

Audrey Meier DeKam Editor-in-Chief

RSV

What you need to know

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been in the news a lot recently, but it’s nothing new. What is new is global attention for seemingly pedestrian illnesses that can have severe consequences for people with other conditions.

RSV is a highly contagious and very common infection. By the time most children are two years of age, they have likely had and recovered from an RSV infection. The virus is transmitted by droplets in much the same way the cold or flu can be spread.

While most kids recover easily from RSV, there are some at greater risk due to pre-existing conditions such as premature birth, being under six months of age, or having cancer or other chronic diseases. RSV starts out like the common cold so it’s important for parents, especially those with children at higher risk, to be vigilant if symptoms progress.

Children and adults who contract RSV usually start with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion and mild fever. Usually these symptoms can be treated successfully at home. However, if symptoms worsen, it’s important to seek medical care in order to avoid progression of the illness to bronchitis or pneumonia. Be especially on guard when:

• An infant under six months of age or in a high-risk group shows signs of RSV

• A baby has trouble breathing or a cough lasting more than four days, and/or is very lethargic and does not eat or drink

• A child’s fever is high or persistent

• A child’s mucus is very thick and green, gray or yellow

Because it’s a virus, there is no vaccine or cure for RSV. The best defense is to avoid it entirely, and if caught, to watch the symptoms carefully. When in doubt, parents should consult their child’s health care provider.

Brought to you by: santiamhospital.org

It’s important for people of all ages to avoid others that are visibly ill, and to practice good hand hygiene. In fact, these steps are the best way to avoid just about any virus!

Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the restroom or before eating.

Avoid touching your face.

In public, avoid or sanitize touch points such as door knobs or grocery cart handles.

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE FOR

calming minds

Nature has been proven to positively impact mental health while promoting calmness and creativity. Spending some time outside with the kiddos helps everyone disconnect from the bustle of life, and reconnect with what’s important.

In the Willamette Valley, we’re fortunate to have stunning natural beauty all around us. No need to wait for a sunny day in Oregon — the clouds and winter mist bring their own special beauty. Bundle up and try this simple mindfulness exercise with your kids, that we call Nature Sit Spots:

1. Grab paper, pens or pencils and take your little ones outside to a quiet, safe spot to sit. “Nature” can be deep in the woods, your yard or a local park. Don’t overthink it!

2. If you have more than one child, ask that they sit far away from each other so as to not distract those around them.

3 . This is too easy: Whisper your directions to set the tone for this activity. Ask them to sit quietly with their pen and paper. They can draw what they see around them, journal, pick at the grass, etc. The only rule is they must be quiet and stay in their Sit Spot.

4 . Continue this activity for as long as your kiddo can remain quiet and focused. We may notice that our children find it difficult to sit in one spot for more than a few minutes. That’s okay! Help them focus by pointing out something in nature for them to draw, hold, smell, etc. If the struggle is too real, be flexible and end the activity. The next time you try, they’ll likely be able to engage longer.

5 . Watch the magic, take cleansing breaths and enjoy the moment for yourself, too.

Brought to you by:

KIDS NW connects families with compassionate caregivers, specially trained in serving individuals with disabilities.

“You should sit in nature for 20 minutes a day… unless you are busy, then you should sit for an hour.”

— Zen Proverb

KIDS NW has proudly served the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) community in greater Oregon since 2019. We specialize in providing high quality, reliable support to the families we serve. Our Caregivers receive professional level, advanced skills training, backed by our highly qualified behavioral support team.

• $22 to $24 per hour DOE

• Career advancement opportunities

• Paid training

• Medical, dental, vision

• Paid time off

• Paid working holidays

• Overtime available

• Advanced skills training

• 401k matching

• Incredible company culture

To start services with KIDS NW, visit www.kidsnw.org/families 1-888-360-0360

“KIDS

How to properly clean eyeglasses THIS GOES FOR SUNGLASSES, TOO

Ah yes, the old wipe-on-the shirt method of cleaning one’s glasses is what many people do when they need a quick lens clean. But this just tends to smear oils and grime around. Do yourself a favor and clean your glasses properly. Starting with clean hands:

• Run your glasses under warm water.

• Wash with a non-lotion type of soap. Avoid the lotion types, as they can leave a film.

• Don’t skip lathering the section above the nose, called the bridge, or the parts that sit on your ears, called the temple tips.

• Dry glasses thoroughly with a lint-free or microfiber cloth. Avoid cloths treated with fabric softener or dryer sheets as they can leave smears.

Using a lens spray that is safe for polycarbonate and eyeglass coatings is also ideal. Again, a lint-free cloth is best. Do not use paper towels, as they can scratch the delicate glass.

Children who wear glasses will need help and reminders for this. Aim to clean glasses every one to two days, and take a moment to check for loose screws or broken hinges, heavy scratches or bent rims. If you notice any problems, call your optometry office for guidance.

by: Alton Rossman, OD

Brought to you

Sterling Vision West Salem Vision Center 1594 Edgewater St NW STE 190, Salem 503-779-2119 | sterlingvision.com

Healthy weight for pets

One thing is clear: dogs and cats who maintain a healthy weight live longer, healthier lives. There are significant health concerns associated with being overweight for our pets, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, respiratory compromise, fatty liver disease, increased anesthetic risk, and more.

If your pet is overweight, your first consideration should be a wellness exam with your regular veterinarian to determine what a healthy weight range is. They will likely discuss a body condition score and a target weight. Don’t rely on Googling “What is a healthy weight for a lab?” because some labs are naturally larger than others. The same goes for other breeds.

Your veterinarian can help guide you through a gradual, healthy weight loss program for your pet. This program will focus on two methods: calorie reduction and

exercise. Typically, a feeding schedule will reduce caloric intake by 20% and is best achieved by feeding a measured amount of a prescription weight loss diet. Be aware that treats count and shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your pets’ intake. Regular weighins at the vet’s office will also be in order.

The second method for weight loss is increasing exercise and activity. Walking, running and fetching at a dog park are good ways for your dog to exercise more. Fortunately, this can coincide with exercise for us, too! For cats, there are many options for indoor play, many of them low-cost, like laser pointers or wand-type toys. Consult with your veterinarian before you start a pet weight loss program, and then be sure to periodically check in to ensure that the method you select is safe and effective.

DVM

Join the Parenting Young Children Project

Paying attention to your own wellbeing is crucial to being the parent you want to be. We believe that parents are resilient and can thrive in their caregiving role when given adequate support.

Our program is designed to support parents:

• with past or current substance use;

• who are parenting a child aged 18 months to 5 years old;

• in a validating, nonjudgmental, and strengths-based way.

All parents will complete surveys and use an app designed to support healthy coping and provide parenting tips for early childhood.

Some parents will also receive free, private, one-on-one support from a parenting coach over the phone or Zoom.

Parents will be asked to complete 4 surveys over the course of a year and will receive $75 per completed survey (up to $425; more details on website).

Please contact us…We look forward to hearing from you!

Website: www.parentingyoungchildren.org

Phone: 971-219-2025

Brought to you by: Emily Kalenius,

Elaine Navarro

PROFESSION: Grant writing consultant and co-founder of “Tasting with Tots”

PARTNER: Adam Navarro, Sales Director at SOS Hydration and Founder of Toe 2 Toe Boxing Gym

CHILDREN: Anna, age 8; Ellis, age 3; and Joplin, age 17 months |

COMMUNITY: Keizer

PHOTOS BY: BETTY BOYCE PHOTOGRAPHY

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours. I’m a Keizer kid, born and raised. I spent time down in Eugene (Go Ducks!) and up in Portland for college and my early career, but found my way back to Salem-Keizer eventually. My parents still live here so when Adam and I decided to have kids, it was very important to us to be close to family. It truly takes a village.

Adam and I have been married almost five years. He is the most ambitious, positive, uplifting, high-energy person that I have ever met. If you meet him, you’ll see what I mean immediately. I am a closet introvert and far more laid back, but we complement each other really well.

We have three daughters, Anna, Ellis, and Joplin, and two English Bulldogs named Zoey and Fred. Our house is always loud, filled with dress-up, cartoons, singing, dancing and puzzles. We live on a cul-desac with a ton of other kids, which is super fun for our girls at this stage in life. Never a dull moment, and always someone to play with. All us parents get along great, too.

As a family, we love getting out and about as much as we can. Trips to Bend, Black Butte, the coast, and Walla Walla are some of our favorites. Acclimating our kids into our lifestyle and exposing them to new people and experiences has helped them to become well-adjusted, polite, patient young people. And that makes me very proud as a parent.

Every family has its own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What are some of yours? Some may find this non-traditional, but we love to visit tot-friendly wineries, breweries, cideries, and tap houses as a family. The PNW has a bounty of delicious beverages (for both kids and adults) and some of our favorite meals have come from local breweries and tap houses (hello, beer cheese pretzels!) Through our Tasting with Tots blog and Instagram, we share our favorite tot-friendly spots so that parents will know what to expect and what kid-friendly amenities are available.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom? I knew I wanted to be a mom when I met Adam. I became a stepmom to Anna before I became anyone’s biological mom. Before that, kids were never really on my radar. Don’t get me wrong, I liked kids just fine and they seemed to enjoy my presence. But I was not the type of person who was born to be a mom. I’ve been a bulldog mom for a long time, which is a super high maintenance but amazing breed. Honestly, this prepared me well for becoming a mom as I was already so used to butts, boogers, slobber and other bodily functions.

Has the pandemic changed the way you parent, beyond just the practical and logistical parts? If so, how? The pandemic turned a lot of things upside-down for us in the Navarro home and made our priorities clearer, for which I am grateful. With the pandemic onset, Adam got laid off from his former employer and it was a tremendous struggle until he found another job (220+ job applications later!) It was during this time that I launched my grant consulting business as a “side-hustle,” which has since grown into a thriving, sustaining business beyond my wildest dreams. It was also during this time that we opened Toe 2 Toe Boxing gym, which had been Adam’s dream for many, many years. Things have really fallen into place. We both work from home now (when we aren’t at the gym), manage a variety of businesses, and have a far healthier work/life balance. Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments. I am always very proud when we are out in public and people tell us how “well-behaved” our kids are. We are very lucky, but this luck does take a lot of work, boundaries, hard conversations and consistency.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments. I’m not immune to #momfails. I have them all the time. Ellis, my threeyear-old, LOVES Cocomelon. I cannot stand Cocomelon. So whenever she would request to watch Cocomelon or listen to a song on the way to daycare, I would reluctantly let her but with a heavy sigh and eye roll. Well eventually, she stopped asking me so I figured she had simply grown out of it and moved onto other

“STOP LICKING THE SOFA!” AND OTHER PHRASES YOU MIGHT HEAR FROM ELAINE NAVARRO THAT APPLY TO BOTH KIDS AND DOGS.

MOMs Love Local

We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for friend: Top Drawer Boutique

…coffee spot: Just Us Girls Coffee and Wine

…view or scenic lookout: Duke’s Family Winery

…spot to get a good workout: Toe 2 Toe Boxing Gym

…place to treat yourself to a massage: Kate Saunders at Holistic Bodyworks & Nutrition

…restaurant to take the kids: Shades of Brew

…restaurants for a date night: The Cozy Taberna

…take-out, food truck or quick bite: JC’s Pizzaria

…meetup spot for happy hour: La Familia Cider (Mug Club Wednesday for the win!)

…boutique to find a new shirt or home décor item: Gatsby

…place where the kids can let off steam: Athletic Edge Adventure Park or the outdoor space at Salt Creek Ciderhouse

…event in your community: Winter Beer Fest at Suttle Lake

…any other local places you love: So many! We are always on the hunt for kid-friendly wineries, breweries, cideries and tap houses. In fact, we have a blog dedicated to just this at tastingwithtots.com or on IG at @tasting_with_tots_pnw.

things. Then one day a few weeks later, Adam told me that he and Ellis always listen to Cocomelon in the car and that she told him that she doesn’t ask Mommy anymore for Cocomelon because it makes me “mad.” Oops. I now try harder to hide my annoyances because at the end of the day, if my kids enjoy something and it brings them joy, I shouldn’t be such a curmudgeon about it.

What is the most surprising thing you have found wedged between the sofa cushions or behind a car seat? Nothing super surprising sadly…a lot of Goldfish crackers, the Amazon Fire remote, fake baby bottles, Barbie clothes, etc.

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do? (skip showers, go to a drive through coffee in your pjs, etc.)?

I now consider slippers to be appropriate footwear to be worn outside of the home. And I have no shame in this game.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say, “______________.” “Stop licking the sofa!” I have said this to my kids and the bulldogs on numerous occasions.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? What sometimes falls through the cracks? I am the first to admit that I do NOT have it all together. Ever. I’m a terrible cook and I’m not the greatest when it comes to keeping up around the house. We recently started investing in a housekeeper and she has

completely changed our lives. My neighbor also recently got us onto those Hello Fresh meals so I feel at least an iota more domestic than I actually am. And I now know how to zest a lime! My kids love to snack so our “meals” sometimes consist of popcorn or Pop-Tarts. But they are fed and happy so I don’t judge myself too hard for it. They are all really good about eating their vegetables, thankfully.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home. I am a full-time grant writing consultant. I launched my business, Just Look Left – Creative Grant Consulting, in July 2020. It’s a tremendous privilege to work with amazing nonprofits that are doing such impactful work. It is also endlessly heartbreaking to know that some of these organizations even have to exist in the first place. I work with many social service organizations and have four clients alone that are working in the foster care space, trying to take care of babies and kids that have been abandoned and disregarded. It makes me sad and outraged, but this helps fuel the passion that I bring to every grant narrative that I write. I believe in the work that all my clients are doing, which makes telling their story to potential funders very fulfilling to me. It is an elating feeling to receive notice that a grant has been awarded because I know the impact that these grant dollars will have on the organization, on the individuals that they serve, and on the entire community at-large. I love, love, love the work that I do — and being my own boss isn’t half bad either.

MOM's Favorite...

Tell us about your favorite…

…place to find some peace & quiet: My car…it’s tricky with three young kiddos.

…binge-worthy podcasts: Journey to Launch, Cathy Heller

…way to get out of making dinner: I’m a terrible cook so it’s pretty easy for me. But I make great truffle popcorn that is a family favorite.

…time-saving app or digital tool: I wish I had one! I’m not the most tech-savvy, unfortunately.

…parenting book: 1-2-3 Magic

Adam and I also operate Toe 2 Toe Boxing Gym in Keizer. My trainers and I run our morning 5 and 5:30 a.m. sessions while Adam and our boxing coaches lead the evening and Saturday morning boxing workouts. It’s a blast, and certainly keeps us busy, on top of our full-time jobs. Our oldest client is 74 and we start kids as young as four (they are the cutest).

We have a ton of youth/teen participants, many of whom have been bullied or ostracized at school. It’s amazing to see them transform when they put their mind to learning a new skill, like boxing. It takes tremendous dedication, skill and perseverance. The environment that we promote prioritizes fun, hard work, self-esteem and positivity. We hear from parents all the time about how our little gym has completely transformed their kids. Makes the long hours all worth it. We also started a 501c3 nonprofit to help raise funds for scholarships for low-income youth and individuals experiencing disabilities. We hope to really hit the ground running on building up our funding sources in 2023.

Tasting with Tots is our passion project, but one that we have a lot of fun doing. We hope to find a way to grow it and better monetize it in the future. As a writer, the

blog is a fun outlet for me. And we love getting DMs on Instagram from parents who had amazing experiences at locations that we have recommended highly.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? I have many! A sampling includes to obliterate my student loan debt, to own a vacation home in Central Oregon, and to grow my business enough to essentially “retire” my husband from his day job so that he can focus on the work that really sets his soul ablaze.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today? My parents are the best people that I know. I had a great upbringing. My dad is a retired firefighter. He worked so hard, taking every extra shift he could to ensure that we always had enough growing up. My mom was (and still is) super mom. Every birthday party and holiday was beyond special. She put her all into everything that she did for my brother and I as kids. And now she brings that same passion to being a grandma. We are so lucky. My parents are now retired and see my kids on the regular. My kids love their time with PaPa and JoJo!

My parents were supportive of all my artistic and athletic endeavors. We traveled almost every weekend when I was in high school for my club soccer team. Looking back, I can’t imagine how tired they were. But they knew that soccer was my “thing” and they were there for me 100% of the time.

I honestly can’t hold a candle to my mom as a mom. She was truly born for it. But the great thing now is that she is still here to bring her magic into my kids’ lives. And my dad no longer has to work so he has the free time to spend with my kids, too. He has the funniest “dad” sense of humor, and my girls just melt him. It’s such a joy to see them as grandparents.

When did you realize you were no longer a child? I don’t feel like a grown-up most of the time, lol. But I knew I wasn’t a child anymore when I started doing my own taxes.

What is one thing you never had that you want for your kids? We never had a dog growing up because my dad was allergic to dogs, cats and rabbits. We had a whole menagerie of other animals (hamsters, fish, chinchillas, lizards, cockatiels) but now as an adult, I won’t ever not have a dog (or two, or three) in my home. There’s something so special about the bond between a dog and a child. And I think it’s so important that kids learn to treat animals kindly at a very young age.

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

To talk to animals, especially to those that have passed.

What is your least/most favorite household chore? I hate folding laundry. I will leave laundry in the dryer for days and just re-fluff when I need something. My husband isn’t a big fan of that.

What’s your guilty pleasure? (dark chocolate hidden in the pantry, TJ Maxx, daily latte habit?)

Whenever I don’t know what to eat or what sounds good, I make “Elaine Nachos” which are saltine crackers with shredded Tillamook cheese melted on top. That’s it. They have been my favorite snack since I was a kid.

Who is your favorite real-life hero?

My Grandpa Sam. He was a WWII vet, started the fire department in Keizer, and had our town’s first grocery store, Orcutt’s IGA. My parents first met at the grocery store. He grew the best corn in his garden and made the most delicious dinner rolls. There’s a street named after him in Keizer and his traffic light stops me often. I think it’s him reminding me to slow down, both literally and figuratively. Just an all-around amazing dude.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Work in the restaurant industry or in retail.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most? I’ve never been a super emotional person, but momhood gets me crying with the drop of a hat. Whether it’s something related to my own kids or a kid that I’ve never met, I feel like I cry all the time now. And I know it will only get worse as the kids get older.

What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now? There is no such thing as “too many snacks” when it comes to kids.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is. Perfect doesn’t exist. Don’t follow other mom accounts (or any account for that matter) on social media that make you feel bad or insecure about yourself or your momhood. You’re doing great. We are all just trying to do our best and that looks different for everyone.

TREAT YOUR CAR TO A SPA DAY

YOUR KID HAULER IS AN UNDERAPPRECIATED PACK MULE. SHOW IT SOME LOVE WITH A GOOD SCRUB.

First, an exterior clean: Most kids love a car wash, be it the drivethrough type or helping at home with a sponge of their own. Watch out for giving them control of the hose, though. A toddler with a spray hose can be a dangerous thing. Advice from the pros: don’t use dish soap; it’s for dishes, not your ride, as it can strip your car’s protective seal. Next up, a garbage cleanout. Get two bags: one for items to keep, one for items to go. If you’re like the rest of us with kids, there’s always a layer of wrappers and refuse. Getting that obvious layer out is motivating because, hey, you can see the floor!

Vacuuming: counterintuitive to what most of us do, many professional car detailers save the vacuuming for last. Apparently they use a top-down method of attack, letting the grime settle on the bottom of the interior before vacuuming.

LEVEL UP CAR-CLEANING

If you’re feeling really motivated beyond the basics, consider some items used by pro detailers:

• A stiff brush used on fabrics helps bring up more of the grunge.

• Small foam paint brushes for getting the dust out of the air vents.

• Cleaning gel that can get into those small, awkward places like coin holders, nooks in the gear shift, etc.

• Adam’s Deep Clean Erasers for automotive use are touted as the way to get rid of stubborn interior ick.

• Clean the dash with a product made for your car’s interior. Tempting though it may be to use a diaper wipe, they are not made for your dash.

• Goo Gone Automotive Spray Gel works on old adhesive and gum. For that old bumper sticker you no longer want, there are plenty of methods using heat, vinegar and other household products, but sometimes you need the big guns.

• Microfiber cloths: Interior windows get greasy. Microfiber or other lint-free material is the way to go in getting them clean, along with a non-toxic window cleaner. Don’t use that spray on the computer display panel, though, as those are typically not made of glass. Check with your vehicle’s manual for guidance on how to properly clean the display.

MEET LAURA AUGUSTINE

Laura Augustine has worked as a finance assistant at Capitol Auto Group for 7 years. She is the proud mom of three kids (four, if you count her husband Chad): Ariel, age 23; Claudia, age 22; and Bryson, age 18. As a family, they love to go fishing and boating at Detroit Lake, and they also have four Saint Bernard Dogs: Grace, Ted, Jerry and Stuart.

Should you buy a car vacuum?

There’s no shortage of car vacuums on the market, many of them with USB charging so you charge-on-the-go. Busy family life means eating in the car, and messes are bound to happen. Whatever you choose, make sure it is properly stowed when driving so that it does not become airborne in the event of a crash.

Brought to you by:

3 important reasons to vaccinate your child

We all want to do what’s best for our kids. We teach them to eat their veggies, hold a grown-up’s hand to cross the street and pay attention in school. But for a long, healthy life, there’s nothing else quite as important as vaccination. Why?

1. Immunizations save lives. Thanks to medical science, kids can get vaccinated against more diseases than ever before. And these aren’t minor illnesses — measles, mumps, polio and whooping cough used to permanently disable or kill thousands of children in the U.S., and still do in some parts of the world.

2. Vaccines have reduced or eliminated diseases that killed or severely disabled people only a few generations ago. For example, children don’t have to get smallpox shots anymore because the disease no longer exists — thanks to the vaccination. And because children are now vaccinated against rubella, the birth defects associated with that virus are no longer seen in the United States. If you and your kids get vaccinated now, your future grandchildren may be even safer.

3. They make financial sense. Childhood immunizations are affordable and almost always covered by insurance. On the other hand, vaccine-preventable illnesses can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. Plus, unvaccinated children or kids who test positive for a vaccine-preventable disease may not be welcome at school or daycare.

Still on the fence about childhood vaccines? Talk to your child’s health care provider. They are the best source for accurate safety information and sound medical advice.

Brought to you by Salem Health Family Birth Center. Learn more at salemhealth.org/FBC.

Being the change

reading lists for anti-RACISM and social justice

What does it mean to “do the work,” when it comes to antiracism? At its core, it’s education, which can come from reading that expands our worlds, and in turn, ourselves.

By guest contributor April Spisak, Head of Youth Services, Albany Public Library

Hey You: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black

by Dapo Adeola,

2021

Joyful and lush, this picture book is a double treat with a collaboration of Black artists whose individual illustrations are seamlessly combined with inspiring text to make a creative and thoughtful whole.

Teens

The Power Book: What is it, Who has it, and Why?

Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You

Who Are Your People?

by Baraki Sellers, Illustrator

Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People

By Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Adapted by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese, 2019

In this impeccable, awardwinning adaptation, the groundwork of history serves as a base upon which teens can begin to build their own concepts for who they want to be in the world, with tools to put those dreams into action.

by

Claire Saunders, with Georgia Amson-Bradshaw, Minna Salami, et al., 2019

In order to manage and use your own power effectively, kids must first understand what gives them their power, whether from privilege or hardfought activism (or both), and then turn all of that into ways to make the world better.

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work

By Tiffany Jewell, Illustrator

Aurelia Durand, 2020

From the vivid cover to the abundance of actionable advice throughout, this gem of a guidebook is intended to spark introspection that can then be a catalyst for change; diarists will appreciate the partner journal with 50 prompts to reinforce the core text.

by

Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, Adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul, 2021

Although this has been adapted for a younger audience, the text retains the sharpness and fearlessness of the original: kids can work to understand and stamp out their own racist thoughts and gain tools to impact those around them.

Reggie Brown, 2022

This extraordinary and affirming picture book helps children understand how their ancestral roots — the people and places they come from — are threads woven into the tapestry of who they are in the world.

How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation

by Maureen Johnson (Editor), 2018

This collection of essays, stories, poems and comics can be read in any order — teens are directly encouraged to find that which inspires them, helping them to create their own aspirational goals while acknowledging where the world stands now.

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person

Better than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World by Frederick Joseph, 2020, 2022

Frederick Joseph is an electric author whose writing is suffused with energy, passion and a resounding belief that teens can absolutely change the world

by

Robin Stevenson, Illustrator Allison Steinfeld, 2019

Part of the fantastic Kid Legends series, this book celebrates activists as children, adding humanity, vulnerability and personal details that make exalted historical individuals far more accessible to a young audience.

Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America

by Amy Reed, with Julie Murphy, Sandhya Menon, et.al., 2020

In this elegant and engrossing collection of essays, authors explore race, ethnicity, religion and gender in personal ways, creating points of accessibility for teens likely living through similar experiences.

White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism

by Robin Diangelo, 2018

This thoughtful book begins with examining white defensive responses to race and racism before moving into action: ways that white people can work to engage in more meaningful, constructive conversations about race.

White Women: Everything You Already Know about Your Racism and How to Do Better

by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao, 2022

This fearless guidebook first analyzes nine aspects of traditional white woman behavior before challenging the reader to consider where their own actions fit within those structures, and how to leave tradition behind.

How to be an Antiracist

by Ibram X. Kendi, 2019 Kendi uses history, science, personal experiences and his impeccable writing skill to present a treatise on moving from racist to actively anti-racist, and how this work can transform a person and, ultimately, society.

The Whiteside Theatre

So You Want to Talk About Race

by Ijeoma Oluo, 2019

Want practical advice about how to talk to a coworker or family member about racism? Oluo offers both an actionable guide to initiating conversations along with an intricate history of this country’s racist heritage.

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor

by Layla F. Saad, 2020

This visionary, inspiring workbook will help readers understand their own biases and begin to dismantle them, all within a structured weekly series of readings, thought exercises and potential discussions.

Unpaid labor

Chore wars

When cohabitating adults need to keep their household running, there is bound to be strife.

According to a long-term study funded through the National Science Foundation, husbands create an extra seven hours a week of housework for wives, while wives save husbands from about an hour of housework a week.

In same-sex households, chores are more equitable. A New York Times article found, “Dozens of studies of gay and lesbian couples have found that they divide unpaid labor in a more egalitarian way. They don’t have traditional gender roles to fall back on, and they tend to be more committed to equality.”

For male-female couples, though, there is room for growth. The good news is that things have improved since 1996. The bad news: a recent Gallup poll found that the division of labor in these households remains tethered to traditional stereotypes, with both men and women saying they each do more than their partner.

Problems

Change the language

“How can I help?”

If there’s a phrase that will detonate an explosive argument, it’s this one. When there’s an imbalance in who is doing the necessary work, the lesser contributing partner will say, How can I help? To the person doing the lion’s share of household labor, it grates because a fully grown adult should already see what needs to be done — and just take care of it.

Don’t ask for an award

And the Oscar goes to… ...Your partner who feels the need to announce every chore they just did in an attempt to garner praise for it. For a menial task, that simply needs to be done. When both of you live there. Give them a Lifetime Achievement Award for Doing a Thing, in the hopes you never hear about it again.

Solutions

Hire a pro

Many couples will tell you that a professional housekeeper is a marriage saver, and that the cost is well worth it. “I’ll collect cans to pay for it, if it comes to that,” says one super-clean parent we talked with, who happily pays for a twice-monthly home cleaning service. In fact, according to a 2019 survey by Yelp, 62% of couples who have outsourced chores say it helped their relationship.

What we fight over the most

1. Washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen.

2. Doing laundry.

A game to make it equitable

The Fair Play Deck: A Couple’s Conversation Deck for Prioritizing What’s Important

Here’s one for date night: a card game aimed at examining who is doing what to keep the household in order. Created by author Eve Rodsky, the deck contains 100 household tasks to shed light on invisible chores, in the hopes of improving the balance of home labor.

3. Cleaning the bathroom.

4. Sweeping and vacuuming.

5. Cooking meals and grocery shopping.

Source: Modern Love and Household Responsibilities, Yelp Survey, 2019

Before kids, your house was likely remarkably cleaner. Enter a child, and everything gets messier, including which adult is responsible for what.

SALEM READS

ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY

Featuring: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah, popular comedian and talk show host, began life with a criminal act—being born. Trevor is the child of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, born in South Africa during the waning days of apartheid. In this memoir, Noah tells stories of his life in a world of poverty, violence, and overt racism. The book has a young readers’ edition under the title It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime and a Spanish translation, Prohibido Nacer

HOT TAKES ON

NON-BIRTHDAY CAKES

Just when you thought your offspring couldn’t be more surprising, they’ll spring something wild on you, such as this: they do not like cake. You may ask yourself: How? Why? Where did I go so wrong?

All jokes aside, we know there are people who do not want their cake and eat it, too. It can be for a variety of reasons, ranging from the texture to food allergies, or maybe just wanting something different.

Try these easy DIY takes on non-birthday cakes to make for festive celebrations.

NO CAKE FORM? NO PROBLEM. TRY YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!

Through what’s called a “library of things” you can check out fun cake pans from your local library. It’s a great way to try them, without the expense or clutter of keeping them in your home.

The Eugene Library offers a selection, with finds like a Backyard Bugs Muffin Pan. The Salem Public Library also has a wealth of offerings, from a crown to a castle, or characters such as Lightning McQueen and Elmo. At the Corvallis Library, round spring form pans are available to try your hand at a cheesecake.

RICE CRISPY TREAT CAKES

No baking needed, but you’ll still have to dirty some dishes. Using simple cake forms makes these a cinch.

A tiny drop of food coloring goes a long way, too. Use shades of green to make a Minecraft version, or go wild with a rainbow of colors.

DRESSED UP DONUTS

Kids under about age 10 are usually easily delighted by something as silly as googly eyes on their favorite filled donuts.

An easy way to make donuts festive is to arrange them in a tower formation. Pick up a few dozen from your local bakery, then arrange in a stack-and stagger method. Using a cake stand helps elevate (literally) the look.

A BOX OF BROWNIES GOES A LONG WAY

Bake, cool and cut into squares. Arrange as a tower, and ta da! Put them in the

back of a lined dump truck toy, sprinkle with powdered sugar and you’ll have one happy toddler.

CANDY CAKE

Eyes will pop wide open at the sight of a colorful candy cake. Cardboard scraps or boxes can be used to create the forms, and a hot glue gun or double-sided tape works for adhering the wrapped candy. Fill in empty areas with colorful shredded paper, and add ribbons for flourish. Bonus on this one: it can be made well in advance…as long as you keep it in a good hiding spot.

LET THEM EAT…PIE

This is a popular birthday request in our house. It has a tangy flavor from the rhubarb that my husband and kids agree isn’t overboard in sweetness.

— AMD

Grandma DeKam’s Rhubarb Custard Pie

3 eggs, slightly beaten

2 ⅔ Tablespoon milk

1 ¾ - 2 cups sugar

4 Tablespoons flour

¾ teaspoon nutmeg

4 cups chopped rhubarb

2 9-inch pie crusts

In a large bowl, add the milk to the slightly beaten eggs.

In a separate bowl, stir together sugar, flour and nutmeg. Then add this dry mixture to the milk and eggs.

Add in the rhubarb and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to dissolve the sugar.

Pour into a 9-inch pie crust then cover with the additional pie crust; get as fancy as you wish with the top.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, then cover the edges with foil. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes more until set.