march 2013 - south jersey mom magazine

MARCH 2013

FREE

• Prescription Drug Dangers• Get Your Party Started• Microwave-Safe Kids

Inside this issue:Tips for ahassle-freeBirthday Party

Fantastic Party Planning Guide

Summer Camp

Season is right around

the corner

VacationDollars

6ways to save

2 | March 2013 Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

June 2, 201311:00am to 4:00pm Moorestown Mall

FREE EVENT

MAGAZINE

2013 Health & Family Fitness Expo

Saturday, May 1110:00am to 4:00pm

Deptford Mall

Sunday, June 211:00am to 4:00pm

Moorestown Mall

2013 Mommy & Me Expo

Pre-Register at www.southjerseymom.comWin Prizes!

BE AN EXHIBITOR...Call 609.670.1794

Each March has become the month where I decide what activities to plan

for my kids’ birthdays. Both of them have spring birthdays, a month apart, so I have just enough time to plan a party if we decide to have one. We always celebrate by eating cake and going out to dinner; but sometimes, we’ve had parties with their friends, classmates and my friends’ children. In the past, I arranged a joint party since the kids knew and were friends with the same children. However, since grow-ing up, they eschew the idea of “sharing” a party. My daughter doesn’t want her little brother being part of her festivities; my social butterfly son wants to invite EV-ERYONE. Last year, I thought I’d outsmart the mob by having a boys-only party for him – turns out he had 16 boys in his class. This year, who knows what I’m do-ing? I’m perplexed. Three things weigh on my mind: Why doesn’t anyone RSVP? With the myriad of communication devices, you’d think this would become simpler, but even with all your contact information on an invitation, you still may fail to hear from guests. Do guests of joint par-ties feel obligated to buy a gift for each child? Although I don’t know if my kids would mirror these feelings, I’m just happy that their guests arrive and enjoy themselves. How can you guaran-tee good weather for a party? You’d think spring/summer birthdays are ideal for outdoor parties, and I’m always so tempted, but what if a monsoon happens on the day of your party? One friend

planned a pool party on the first day of summer which happened to be her son’s birthday, and it poured. Luckily, her house could accommo-date her guests. Have you wracked your brains and wal-

lets to plan the perfect birthday party? Well, relax and look no further than our special Birthday Party issue. Check out our special sec-tion featuring local businesses who can dream up birthday parties to make your wishes come true without blowing out any candles. You’ll also find birthday par-ty advice by reading these articles. Baby expert Blythe Lipman writes about ways to incorporate charitable acts into your child’s birthday party in “It’s My Par-ty!” In “Mind Your Birthday Party Manners” by Deb McCarson, she offers advice to host and guest about birthday party etiquette. And our resident Party Planner, Stacy McGuigan of Everyday Cel-ebrations, answers real moms’ birthday party conundrums in “Ask the Party Planner.” So join the party and take a look at our Birthday Party section and much more in this issue. You can also join in the party by liking our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SouthJerseyMOM. Have an idea for an article or a topic you’d like to see covered? Send me an e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!✲

Your friend and fellow MOM, M.B.

Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter March 2013 | 3

Table of Contents

March 2013

mom 2 mom 6 How to Love the “Well Child” 8 6 Ways to Save Vacation Dollars 10 Midwives Deliver Moms-To-Be a Helping Hand 12 Kids in the Kitchen—Microwave Safety 14 Thumbs Up or Down for Thumbsucking?

moms R women 2 16 Lessons from Layoffs: Coping with my Out-of-Work Spouse 18 Are You Letting Prescription Drugs Take You Away?

features20 Birthday Party Planning Headquarters32 Summer Camp Guide

know 2 grow 27 Hope for the Hutchinsons28 The Magical Path to Literacy30 Living Life with Multiple Sclerosis31 Handle with Care: Children Living with Cerebral Palsy

also in this issue 15 recipe corner19 making a difference37 things to do 38 resource guide

letter from the editor

Dear Readers,

Visit www.southjerseymom.com to enter to win these prizes

H 4 Tickets to CoCo Key Water Resort

H Women’s Designer Handbag— Bag Blaze: Every woman needs a good- looking handbag to complete her outfit. At BagBlaze.com we provide personalized and unique trends for every purse fanatic.

MARCH Giveaways

“Like” South Jersey MOM magazine on Facebook and find out about local events, win prizes and connect with other moms in the area! www.facebook.com/SouthJerseyMOM

https://www.facebook.com/SouthJerseyMOM

mailto:[email protected]


March 2013

From Beautiful Smiles to

Sound Sleep.

Zahra Afsharzand, D.M.D., Prosthodontist NJ specialty #5584 • Rayna Setya, D.M.D.

Restorative and Cosmetic DentistrySleep Apnea and TMJ Dental Appliances • Veneers • Crowns • Bridges • Implants • Dentures

FREE EXAM AND X-RAYS WITH PAID CLEANING. FREE CONSULTATION.

NEW!

Specialists dedicated to transforming your smile.

31 Covered Bridge Road • Cherry Hill, NJ 08034(Located at entrance to Barclay Farm Neighborhood)

856.428.2550www.cherryhilldentalexcellence.comwww.newjerseysleepsolutions.com

Bringing family-centered advanced care to the families of South Jersey

When your child is sick, you expect the best care possible – but you also want the comforting feeling of knowing what’s going on and what to expect next. Working together, specialists from Nemours and South Jersey Healthcare give you access to expert pediatric care here at your community hospital. The renowned specialists from Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, one of the nation’s best, provide advanced inpatient and emergency care, heart care and neonatal intensive care. With a commitment to guiding your family every step of the way. We’re close when it matters most – so you can stay close to your child. Your child. Our promise.

Find the services nearest you at Nemours.org. To schedule an appointment with a Nemours specialist, call (800) 416-4441.

“South Jersey Healthcare and the Nemours physicians really comforted me through this difficult time.”

-Mother of a premature infant

MOM


South Jersey March 2013

CEO/Publisher Christopher Ognibene • (609) 670-1794

[email protected]

Executive Editor M.B. Sanok

[email protected]

Marketing & Business Development Specialist

Michelle Scianni • (856) 986-9606 [email protected]

For General Advertising Inquiries: Marissa Josephick • (856) 537-7089

[email protected]

Jennifer Kahoun • [email protected]

Randi Wall • [email protected]

Chris Ognibene • (609) 670-1794 [email protected]

Production Manager Lisa Celfo

[email protected]

Photographer Perfect Day Photography

www.perfectdayphotography.com (856) 241-3850

Contributing Writers Angela De Groot, Sharla Feldscher,

Lisa Figueiredo, Samantha Gill, Dr. Trina L. Gipson-Jones, Dolores Hoffman, Carolyn

Leigh Kellerman, Blythe Lipman, Deb McCarson, Stacy McGuigan, Jess

Michaels, Keri Mikulski, Denise M. Mooney, Dr. Kelly N. Moore, Fiona Paterna,

Cheryl Lynne Potter, Andy Pritikin

Submit Calendar Listing: [email protected]

www.southjerseymom.comCreated by Markations

Adam Nichols • (215) 825-7499

Superior Graphics Print Management LLC publishes South Jersey MOM™ monthly and distributes it throughout the region.

The publication is available free of charge at select locations.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the

authorization of the publisher.

Superior Graphics Print Management, LLCPublisher of South Jersey MOM

P.O. BOX 268Wenonah, NJ 08090

Main: (609) 670-1794Fax: (856) 210-1524

Cutest Kid In Town Winner: Isaiah is 20 months and is from Vineland, NJ. He is very active. He loves anything Mickey Mouse. He loves to play with his older brother. One of his favorite places to play is the park. One of his favorite snacks are grapes. You can find him always hopping around. He just started singing his ABCs and counting his 123s.

On the Cover

Okay, these are really rocks from a garden with lots of colorful chalk,

but, to some people, they could be con-sidered unique Easter Eggs that would look beautiful as guests arrive for Easter Sunday! If you have big, thick chalk (to be used, preferably outdoors), kids can keep busy designing the sidewalk, the steps, rocks … and more! Happy Easter!

Not only a South Jersey Mom, Sharla Feldscher is a proud South Jersey Grandmom (Grammy, as she prefers to be called). The author of six books on creative ideas to do with young children, including two KIDFUN Activity Books published by HarperCollins, she has a blog at www.kidfunandmore.com with more easy-to-do KIDFUN ideas. Sharla has her own public relations business in Philadelphia. A real kid-believer, she began her career as the first PR Director of the Please Touch Museum and started her own business with Sesame Place as her first account, representing the park for 26 years.

Rock Chalking – or – Unique Easter Eggs

I have a 3 and a 2-year old. My 2-year old has special needs, lots of therapy and doctors’

appointments. My almost 4-year old has been right on track, meeting and

exceeding all of her milestones. I’m blessed with two very adorable, loving daughters. They both have very full-of-life personalities and both in different places. One sick; one well. Slowly, I’ve been learning how to manage my life as the mom of a child with “needs”: oxygen, ordering, refills, appointments, therapy, binders, files...multi-tasking has become my third job (first, being Mommy; second, my “real” job.) But one thing that keeps me up some nights is worry. Obviously, I have the natural worries of parenting a sick child. But I worry, too, about my well child. The child I, sometimes, cannot give my 100% attention because my other child is having a “bad day” or was admitted to the hospital -- again. I worry that she’ll feel penalized for being well. That being “sick” = attention and love. I’ve made the conscientious effort to work on being a better Well-Mommy. I know some may read this and think, “You have

to work at being a Mommy?!” What I mean is, I really have to pay close attention to myself, my mannerisms, my tone and how I speak to my well child -- especially on the “bad days.”

This is what I’ve learned and am learning:Kids Watch Everything–You Need to, Too And I mean EVERYTHING. My 3-year old remembers everything she sees and what’s said. It’s almost eerie how she does it! But she does. So when I have that “Mommy of the Year Moment”, I have to learn to take the advice I give…to take a deep breath and a step back. I need to look -- really look -- at my well child. Is she worried? Tired? Upset? Is she acting out simply for attention or for something as simple as a hug and “I love you”? The key is to pay as close attention to your actions/behavior like your child is. You’ll soon catch yourself.

Be Upfront–If there’s a planned hospital admission, testing or procedure coming up, be sure to prepare your well child for your absence. You don’t have to get into the nitty gritty of

medical mumbo-jumbo OR your worry and concerns. But

you do have to let them know what to expect. “Mommy has to take Sissy to

the hospital Friday. We should be home the very next day! You and I’ll talk on the phone while I’m there. Mommy loves you very much and will miss you.”

Be Thoughtful–Again, if I know there’s a planned admission coming up, I try to either do something special with my 3-year old beforehand or get her something special. Once I surprised her at school, took a half-day from work and “stole” her away for the day. She was SO excited! She couldn’t believe it. On another admission, I bought her little tiny gifts with notes from me to open: one in the morning; one before bed. It doesn’t have to be

anything expensive. Even the dollar store has cute stuff kids love!

Praise, Praise and Praise–Let your child know how proud you are of them. What a huge help they are. Tell them how much you love them all of the time. Since I leave early in the morning for work, I leave my daughter a note every morning. Sometimes, I draw a funny picture, too.

Special Time–I set aside two days a week for my 3-year old and me. My 2-year old has therapy 4-5 times a week. Every Sunday my 3-year old and I go to church together and then go shopping afterwards. And every Wednesday, we go to her gymnastics class. It’s our standing “date”. We both love and look forward it.

I can only hope that I’m “doing a good job”, and both my girls feel loved and will be happy and healthy. Sometimes, just realizing how fortunate I am to have two beautiful daughters is enough.✲

mom

2 m

om How to Love the “Well Child”By Samantha Gill

“Sometimes, just realizing how fortunate I am to

have two beautiful daughters is

enough”



2040 Springdale Rd. • Cherry Hill, NJwww.discoverymuseum.com

856-424-1233$1.00 off admission for up to five people when you bring in this ad!

us on Facebook

March 26, 27, 28, 30april 2, 3, 4, 6, 2013All Shows Are At 2pm

discovery theatre presents

www.EnglishSeptic.com • (856) 358-2518

Some customers call us Angels when we fix their Septic System’s on weekends and holidays.

However we just like to think we are doing ourjobs. Call us and we will protect you too!

EZ Pay Options Available. Follow Us On

NO Extra Service Fees for night & weekend calls, same rates 24/7!

www.EnglishSeptic.com

(856) 358-2518


Here’s to hoping you and your families have a fantastic, safe, and budget-friendly vacation!Photos by Claire Sinclair

By Dr. Kelly N. Moore

The emerging buds on trees, longer stretches of sunlight, and warmer weather means that summer is on its way! If you’re anything like

me and my mommy friends, you love vacation, and even more, a vacation that doesn’t demolish your family’s pocketbook. Most of us know the tricks to finding great flight, hotel or even car rental prices on various internet sites, but here are some other tips to help make your vacation time fun and focused on family and not your dollars.

6ways to save vacation dollars

I wouldn’t be a Jersey Mom if I didn’t state the obvious. If ever there was a year to

try to pour some money back into the Jersey economy, this is

our year! New Jerseyans should try their best to plan to spend some time going back to our shore towns that are on the mend from Hurricane Sandy and support local shops, restaurants, B&Bs and attractions. It’s cheaper than flying, and you may even be able to participate in relief efforts that are still ongoing.

I can’t stress this enough, and I speak from experience. I’ve

stayed in many different types of accommodations, and I can tell

you, you’ll hardly ever be there if you’re truly enjoying your vacation. This is not to say that you should stay in a place that’s disgusting or a random motel, but when you go away on a vacation, be sure to remember that you’ll be paying for admissions to attractions and dining locations so you don’t want to blow your whole budget on your hotel when you’ll only be there at the start and end of each day.

1 3Take a Staycation Don’t Spend a Fortune on Your Hotel

If you’ve used your credit cards all year long, now’s the

time to redeem your points for gift cards. You can use them to

purchase items for the trip, for the kids or for restaurant chains that you may go to in a pinch while you’re traveling.

5Cash in Rewardsfrom Credit Cards

Call ahead if you’re traveling to a theme park and find out if you can bring in food or drink

from the outside. You would be surprised. We traveled to Disney

a couple of years ago and were shocked to find that we could bring some food items into the park. This can greatly cut down on costs. Just head to a local grocery store, get bottled water and healthy snacks, use your hotel’s fridge or a cooler, and bring it along with you. Trust me -- buying a $6 case of water beats paying $5 for only one bottle when you get into the park!

4Find the Loopholes

Vacations are fun and, of course, it should have some moments of spontaneity,

but the fact is that budget-ing your vacation serves the

same function as budgeting your home life. It helps keep you focused on the big picture and the things you really want to enjoy and relieves the stress and risk of overspending and breaking the family budget.

6Plan Ahead

When you travel, head straight to the hotel con-cierge to ask questions about

coupons for local places for dining, entertainment and shop-

ping. This is especially helpful when you’re traveling to a place that you’re not familiar with. Little savings like these go a long way when you’re traveling with little ones.

2 Look for Freebies

What is a midwife? The average person probably doesn’t know what a midwife is or what they actually do for a living. Yet midwives have been around for centuries, helping women ex-

perience the miracle of childbirth. In fact, references to midwives can be found in many historical documents. Midwives are mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman manuscripts, and they’re even talked about in the Old Testament of the Bible. The word midwife is an Old English term that means “with woman” which explains why midwives are with women during labor and delivery and even after the birth of newborns. Women who choose midwives usually want natural childbirth.

Jeana and Mark Horner of Clayton chose a midwife for the birth of their first baby because of Jeana’s desire for natural childbirth without an epidural. She also wanted a water birth. “I thought this was the best option for the baby,” she said. Jeana admits that her first pregnancy had her “nervous and a lot scared about being pregnant and giving birth.” However, after lengthy discussions with family and friends, Jeana made the decision to contact a midwife and called upon Certified Nurse-Midwife, Patricia Madden, own-er of Ostetrica Healthcare For Women, located in rural Elk Township. The Horners chose Madden as their midwife for a variety of rea-sons. One of the main reasons was the comfort level that Madden gave Jeana and her mom during their first visit to her office. “She made us feel so comfortable,” said Jeana. “She gave me confidence the first time I met her.” When Jeana told Madden about her desires for the birth of her baby, Madden told her, “Whatever you had in mind, that’s what we’re going to do.” Midwives offer women “personalized care.” Women need to be “ed-ucated, so they can make decisions on how they want their care to be provided,” Madden said. A midwife’s philosophy is much different than that of a physician. “Doctors often use preventive testing and medical technology more than midwives do,” according to the medical website, Kids Health. Midwives also don’t do any surgical procedures, such as Cesarean sections, said Madden. However, they’re trained to handle certain abnor-mal pregnancies by using non-invasive techniques. Certified Nurse-Mid-wives are also trained in basic life support for newborns. According to the NJ Chapter of the American College of Nurse-Mid-wives’ website, obstetricians and midwives can be, at times, compli-mentary to one another but can also be at odds, since obstetricians are “taught to actively manage labor while midwives are taught not to inter-vene unless necessary.” Midwives are specialists in low-risk pregnancies, but they do consult with other healthcare professionals just in case complications do arise. Today’s midwife offers a “full scope of gynecological care as well as ob-stetric care,” said Madden. However, it’s the expert care given to pregnant women that makes them so unique. Jeana and Mark can still recall quite vividly the extraordinary care they received from Madden several months ago. “She kept everything a calming experience,” said Mark. After 27 hours of labor, Jeana gave birth to a beautiful 9lb., 5oz. baby boy that they named Jaron. “My experience with Patty was phenomenal,” said first-time father Mark. He admits having a baby with a midwife has been, for him and his wife, “nothing but a positive experience.” “When you have a baby with a midwife,” said Jeana, “you want no one else to ever deliver your baby.”✲


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Ostetrica Healthcare For Women (856) 223-2669 • www.ostetricahealth.com

American College of Nurse-Midwives www.midwife.org

New Jersey Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives www.newjerseymidwife.org

American Pregnancy Association www.americanpregnancy.org

Kids Health www.kidshealth.org

Midwives Deliver Moms-To-Be a Helping HandBy Cheryl Lynne Potter

http://www.ostetricahealth.com/

http://www.midwife.org/

http://www.newjerseymidwife.org/

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/

http://www.kidshealth.org/


$130 spring mini-sessionNOW JUST $65

Includes 8 edited images Must present coupon. Must be used between 3/1/13 and 4/30/13. Call for details and to book your session.

“I know that Kasey is safe and getting the care she needs.” – Mary D., Kasey’s mother

With BAYADA Pediatrics…

Kasey D., BAYADA client

With a team of pediatric professionals committed to keeping special children safe at home, BAYADA provides:• Specializedcareathomeandatschool• Thoroughlyscreenedhealth

care professionals• Clinicalsupport24hours,

7 days

Compassion. Excellence. Reliability.

Call 888-4-BAYADA (422-9232) l www.bayada.com

We Make MathMake Sense

WE ARE EXPERIENCED MATH SPECIALISTS

WE TEACH ALL LEVELS OF MATH ABILITY

PROVEN RESULTS

With mention of this ad($50.00 value)

FREE REGISTRATION

Mathnasium of Washington Township141 Tuckahoe Rd, Suite 320 • Sewell, NJ 08080

mathnasium.com/washingtontownship

856-875-1234

2nd-12th GRADE • SAT, ACT & ISEE TEST PREP • HOMEWORK HELP • SUMMER PROGRAMS


Microwave-Safe? Learning what materials can and cannot go into the microwave is a good place to start. Show your children the “microwave-safe” labels on the bottom of containers and keep your microwave-safe kitchenware in one cabinet so that they know where to find them. Explain that metallic items like foil and wire ties should never be used in the microwave. Consult your microwave oven manual for a complete safety checklist.

Operating the Microwave – Show & Tell. Microwave cooking times vary depending on the type and quantity of food being heated. Demonstrate and explain how each food item should be prepared, then supervise your children’s first few attempts until you’re satisfied they can prepare items safely and react appropriately to boil-overs. Find out

what dishes your children like to make, then draw up a chart of these foods with their cooking times. Tape the chart to the inside of a nearby cabinet for easy reference. Avoid hotspots by stirring food half-way through and at the end of the cooking process so that heat is evenly distributed. Food should be allowed to stand before removing from the oven using kid-sized potholders.

Safety Basics. Burns are the most common microwave injury. The microwave should be situated so that your children can operate it without having to stand on furniture to do so. Remind your children to always use potholders to remove items from the microwave as even microwave-safe kitchenware can become hot during the cooking process. Lids should be removed so that steam is vented away from

their hands and faces. Special care should be taken when heating liquids which can become heated beyond the boiling point without appearing to do so. To avoid boil-overs, heat liquids in deep containers for 30-second intervals, stir and test before continuing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if children are too young to read or follow written directions they’re too young to use the microwave without close adult supervision. Children should be encouraged to always ask permission before using the microwave oven.

Once your children have the basics down, grab a recipe book and get your family cooking.✲

Kids in the Kitchen—Microwave SafetyBy Angela De Groot

While microwave ovens provide a convenient way for kids

to prepare meals, like all kitchen appliances, they can be hazardous if not used correctly. Here are some tips for teaching your children how to safely use the microwave oven.

[email protected]

609-234-7589

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL COACH & NUTRITION AND WELLNESS CONSULTANT

Do you want to find that “thing” that is missing...

Most want to find OUT, but the key is to find IN...What’s INside of you?

Discover your life’s missing link with coaching

CONTACT ME FOR A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY

SESSION!

connect 3 coachingmind, body and spirit

You Can Make a Difference! Be a Foster or Adoptive Parent

Open your heart and your home

1-877- NJ FOSTER www.njfoster.org1-800- 99 ADOPT www.njadopt.org

For more information contact:

NJ DepartmeNt of ChilDreN aND familiesChilD proteCtioN aND permaNeNCy


Quality Care Resourceand Referral Services, Inc.

Corporate Phone Number856.462.6800

856.462.6801 (fax)www.qcrrinc.org

Before and After Care Subsidy Assistance • Parent ReferralsChild Care Subsidy Assistance • Strengthening Families

Technical Assistance on Child Care Issues • ProfesssionalDevelopment for Child Care Providers

Parent Education • Family Child Care Registration

CAPE MAY OFFICE1065 Rt. 47 South

Suite ARio Grande, NJ 08242Phone: 609.898.5500

Fax: 609.898.5501

CUMBERLAND OFFICE415 West Landis Ave.

Suite 202Vineland, NJ 08360

Phone: 856.462.6800Fax: 856.462.6801

GLOUCESTER OFFICE6 North Broad Street

Suite 300Woodbury, NJ 08096Phone: 856.628.8600

Fax: 856.628.8601

SALEM OFFICE5 Route 45Suite 200

Mannington, NJ 08079Phone: 856.469.6100

Fax: 856.469.6101

A. Buy the perfect gift. B. Surprise the Daddy-to-Be.C. Get ready for the big day!

DaddySwag Gift Set™ includes: DaddyScrubs®, t-shirt, hat, mug, & sunglasses!

the perfect gift for the expectant dad!(it’s as easy as A-B-C)

DaddyScrubs.com save 15% promo code: SoUTHJerSeY


When my son snubbed a pacifier, embracing his thumb, I was relieved. Recently, I’d played “binky fairy” to my three-year old daughter who no longer napped and replaced her binkies with

a pink Magna-Doodle. Flashbacks to sleepless nights I suffered, stumbling down the hallway to insert her binky when it fell out of reach. Desper-ate after calculating the dwindling hours of sleep each time I collapsed into bed, I showered her crib with pacifiers, hoping she could locate one without disturbing my precious sleep. Yes, she slept twelve hours through the night since eight-weeks old, albeit a binky-induced, dependent sleep. Gazing down at my thumbsucking son, I rejoiced that he’d always find his thumb! It never occurred to me that I should be concerned until a friend recommended that he “better get that thumb out of his mouth.” Down-trodden, I realized a thumb fairy couldn’t take his thumb away after his third birthday. I faced a parental dilemma: push pacifier usage, encourage continued thumbsucking or neither? After research and medical consultation, I found there’s no reason to encourage either in uninterested infants since the sucking instinct is sat-isfied through breast- or bottle-feeding. Furthermore, I realized it wasn’t my decision to make (yet). Sucking on digits while in the womb is a nat-ural reflex, providing security and relaxation, so whether my son favored a pacifier or his thumb, it wasn’t something to control but rather “deal with” later. But how much later? Dr. Janine Trindade, D.M.D., an orthodontist and periodontist at Your Child’s Very Own Dentist in West Deptford, thoroughly explains, “Re-search shows the effect of finger or thumbsucking can present as early

as ages two through four. Sucking puts pressure on the sides and roof of the mouth; as a result, the upper jaw can narrow, causing the teeth to not meet properly from the top to bottom. It can make an existing crossbite worse and cause speech problems such as lisping. It also prevents teeth from erupting properly—either by preventing eruption or by proclining them excessively.” The American Dental Association says problems are more likely to occur at an earlier age for active thumbsuckers than for passive thumb-suckers. (Active thumbsuckers suck thumbs so forcefully that a popping sound is heard when the thumb is removed from the mouth.) In the case of active tongue-thrusters, or if your child is embarrassed, try discourag-ing the habit by age four. Between ages two through four, most children gradually lessen and cease the habit due to environment, exploration, and peer pressure. Prolonged finger or thumbsucking may necessitate braces in adolescence.

Whatever the age, be wary of your approach in deterring the habit. First, it’s best to attune when, where, and why your child sucks his thumb and offer alternatives. For example, if he tends to suck his thumb when he’s tired, encourage a midday nap or offer a tactile cuddle toy at bedtime. If he sucks his thumb in the car, offer something to occupy them. If the habit occurs when he’s anxious, try to determine and disarm the stressor. If it’s used to attract attention, ignore it. If it’s an involuntary behavior, gently remind him to stop and use a designated private cue in public to avoid embarrassment. Dr. Trindade recommends additional methods. First, reward children when they refrain from sucking during particularly difficult periods, such as when separated from their parents. Second, if parents’ reminders fall on deaf ears, your child’s dentist can explain what could happen if the behavior continues and encourage them to stop. Third, if thumbsucking persists, remind children of the habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Lastly, your dentist may recommend using a varnish to paint on the digits or a mouth appliance. Remember, thumbsucking is one of the most common habits of chil-dren -- between 50 and 87 percent of children do so. In fact, 90 percent do some form of hand-sucking by age two (Boston Children’s Hospital). That means 90 percent of parents have probably been concerned with this issue at some point. Like potty-training, you’re not alone as a con-cerned and devoted parent and will leave this stage unscathed.✲

References: WebMD, American Dental Association, Mayo Clinic & Boston Children’s Hospital

Thumbs Up or Down for

Thumbsucking?By Fiona Paterna

“Sucking on digits while in the womb is a natural reflex, providing

security and relaxation...”


recipe corner

“Spring Has Sprung” Vanilla Cupcakes• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup almond flour • 1 1/2 tsp. non-aluminum baking powder • 1/2 tsp. sea salt • 1 cup raw or granulated sugar • 1/2 cup butter, softened • 2 large eggs, at room temperature • 1/2 cup organic or regular whole milk• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract • Favorite frosting

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the sugar and butter until well blended. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla, beat until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups (about 1/4 cup batter into each cup). Bake until cake springs back when touched, or a toothpick inserted into the center of cupcakes comes out clean (approximately 14 -17 minutes). Transfer to a wire rack and allow cupcakes to cool completely. Frost the tops of the cupcakes, and decorate with spring-themed items.

Crustless Spinach, Cheese & Turkey Bacon Quiche • 1 tbs. safflower or sunflower oil • 1 small onion, peeled and sliced thin • 1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained • 5 eggs, beaten • 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled or sliced • 3 cups shredded cheddar or Jack cheese • 1/4 tsp. sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9-inch pie pan with non-stick cooking spray. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté, stirring occasionally until caramelized. Add spinach to the skillet and continue to cook until excess liquid has evaporated. Turn off heat and let spinach and onion mixture cool. In a large bowl, combine eggs, turkey bacon, cheese, salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Pour into prepared pie pan. Bake for approximately 30 - 40 min-utes or until eggs have set. Let quiche cool 5 minutes before serving.

Tortellini Salad• 2 lbs. cheese tortellini, cooked, drained and cooled • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped small• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped small• 1 carrot, thinly sliced • 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced • 1 small onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup sliced black olives• Balsamic vinegar, to taste• Extra virgin olive oil, to taste• Sea salt, to taste• Ground black pepper, to taste• Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

In a large bowl add cooled tortellini, red and green peppers, carrot, celery, onion, and olives. Drizzle in vinegar and olive oil, add salt and pepper, toss all together. Top with Parmesan cheese before serving, if desired.✲

As always, Bon Appetit!

Cook Up Some Spring CheerBy Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio

Springtime is the perfect time to host a spring-themed party, brunch or luncheon. Simply deco-rate the table with bunches of beautiful daffodils

and/or tulips, cheerful bright table linens or runner, and any seasonal items that you like. Make sure to let your children help with age-appropriate tasks – they’re sure to have a good time helping to decorate! The three rec-ipes I’m sharing this month would be perfect to serve your family or guests, along with any family favorites you may have, so here’s to a fun, flavorful and healthy Spring!

Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio is the author of “Seasoned With Love, Treasured Recipes” & “Lisa Ann’s Seasoned With Love II”, and the children’s book, “Snicker Learns An Important Lesson.” Visit her blog http://lisaanndinunzio.blogspot.com/ or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001935347501

http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/sea-salt/index.html

http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/extracts/index.html

http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/batter/index.html

During twenty years of marriage, I’ve become a “reluctant expert” on coping with an out-of-work spouse. It’s been an unexpected lesson in the school of hard knocks that I’ve had repeatedly. My husband, a computer software engineer, has been out-of-work multiple times due to the dot-com bust. Since that initial layoff, he’s worked at various companies until becoming a successful

consultant. Several of these periods of unemployment overlapped with major life changes involving pregnancy, moving or both! Needless to say, I didn’t always cope well. Along the way, however, I learned some techniques that enabled me to cope better each time. Give them a try if you find yourself face-to-face with an out-of-work spouse.


mom

s R

wom

en 2 Lessons from Layoffs:

Coping With My Out-Of-Work Spouse

Patience: Life with a jobless spouse requires patience. For men, especially, occupation and identity are intensely intertwined. Women tend to identify with the many hats we wear: mom, career, friend, etc. Understanding this difference helped me have more patience with my husband during unemployment. Even as a result of a huge corporate downsizing, the joblessness can be a blow to self-esteem which may lead to depression and withdrawal. I needed to be patient, understanding and encouraging when he seemed down or discouraged. I quickly learned that it was definitely not the appropriate time for me to pile on the “honey-do” list or whine about putting grocery store items back when the cash ran short. Patiently holding back on my own issues while listening to his concerns, especially in the face of a lengthy unemployment, was always more of an encouragement to him.

Support: Rely on your community network of family and friends. It’s okay to seek help! Rather than burden your already stressed out spouse with more anxiety, try venting to a friend, relative, pastor or counselor when feeling overwhelmed. Our church family helped us immensely through each trial. Despite how extreme or trivial the situation seemed, our congregation cared for us through prayer, encouragement, meals, and in tougher times, groceries and financial assistance. Having benefited first-hand from a caring community, we value the importance of turning around and helping others.

Distraction: Find fun, free or cheap things to fill the extra time with your spouse. Have a picnic in the park, watch home movies, play games or just go for a walk. One of our favorite pastimes is watching movies, so we always enjoy using gift cards we receive for special occasions to treat ourselves to the latest flicks when funds are low. Enjoy the gift of time you’ve been given to demonstrate your love in simple ways (a love note, back rub or fresh batch of brownies.)

Laughter: As the saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.” The first time my husband was laid off, I cried...a lot (being 8 months pregnant didn’t help!) After a couple more layoffs, I began to just laugh it off. It seemed the best coping mechanism I had. My choice was to laugh or cry and I chose to laugh! Several times I recall him job hunting before Christmas which inspired me to sing, “It’s that time of year when he needs a job!” After a while, the kids joined in, he was forced to crack a smile and even wrote more lyrics!

Creativity: With restricted finances, it can be extremely frustrating to go grocery shopping. To spice things up, we started “The Great Cupboard Challenge” by coming up with creative meals we could find in our pantry. This enabled us to save some money, help the unemployment check last longer, provide different meals than usual and clean out the cabinets! While establishing his own consulting business, my husband sometimes needs to look for new work, and that’s when

we inevitably re-institute another “Great Cupboard Challenge!” Creatively challenge your family to find ways to save money during those out-of-work months.

Our family has overcome many trials including multiple times of unemployment. Encouraging one another, seeking support, spending time together, taking a moment to laugh and being creative within our circumstances, have been great tools to help us cope with the situation, as well as each other!✲Read Denise M. Mooney’s blog at www.MyMidLifeMother-hood.com

By Denise M. Mooney

My Husband’s Tips for Out-of-Work Husbands• Show your wife you’re work-

ing to find a job every day

• Take advantage of the flexibility by spending special time with your family

• Insulate your family from the ups and downs of the job search

• Celebrate together when you have an offer in writing!


Eyecare At Its Best

Save 20 to 30% on your Heating and Air Conditioning bill!

Our tinting keeps your furniture and your floors from fading, gives you privacy and security and makes

the room more comfortable!

$200 OFFa full house

when you mention this ad


Easing Pain with Prescription MedicationSevere and moderate pain is a condition many people suffer during their lifetime. Whatever your pain may be, doctors can prescribe med-icine that will help manage the pain; however, taking stronger medication can have severe consequences if not appropriately managed. Opiate pain killers are one of the most ad-dictive prescription medications available. If you do not have appropriate monitoring by a medical professional, a person can build up a tolerance, dependence and addiction.Addiction Pain Medicines• Oxycodone• Morphine• Opiate

Weight Loss PillsWeight loss pills can also be very dangerous to a person’s health and cause serious side effects. Prescription-only weight loss pills include appetite-suppressing amphetamines which are highly addictive and have high abuse potential. Amphetamines are stimulant drugs which give a person a boost of energy, stami-na and can reduce sleepiness. In some cases, however, these drugs used over a long period of time can cause a person to exhibit signs of exhaustion, paranoia and delusions. If you or anyone you know have symptoms (listed below) caused by weight loss pills, call your doctor immediately.• Mood swings• Chest pains• Anxiety• Hallucinations• Severe headaches• Irregular heartbeat

Sleeping MedicationsMany women juggle family, social lives and jobs; and insomnia is a common ailment that takes away our sleep time. Evidence shows that women tend to sleep less and are more concerned with working out the details of their lives when the rest of the house is asleep. To alleviate sleep problems, many women rely on sleeping pills but this solution doesn’t re-solve the problem of sleep issues. Taking any prescription drugs that aren’t given by a doc-tor can have damaging effects on a person’s health. Always ask your doctor questions and be monitored when taking any prescription medication.✲

Are You Letting

Prescription Drugs Take You Away?

By Carolyn Leigh Kellerman

Prescription drug use is one the most commonly abused med-ications with an increase in the number of prescribed drugs being used. Research suggests that women are more likely

to abuse prescription drugs than males. Women are more likely to misuse pain medication, sleeping pills, diet pills and antidepressant drugs. Abusing prescription drugs is just as harmful as abusing illicit substances and can cause significant problems for a person’s physical or mental health. It also can cause financial problems as well as social. When taken with over-the-counter medications, prescription medications can be extremely dangerous. These drugs can have seri-ous adverse interactions with other drugs that are taken on a regular basis. They can also contain other substances that can cause toxic reactions in the body as well as major health problems.


A fatal car accident changed the direction of kindergarten teacher and activist Angela

Donato’s life. In June 2011, her beloved sister, Toni Donato-Bolis, and unborn nephew R.J. (Ryan Jeffrey) were killed in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, two days before her nephew’s birth. Distractions impact our lives daily; however, Angela wants to remind you about the dangers of distracted driving. “You don’t want your family to go through this,” she says. Ever since the tragedy, she instinctively knew she would speak about her sister’s accident, especially since distracted driving con-tributes to a drastically growing num-ber of preventable car accidents. Although Angela’s intent was to spread the word post-tragedy about distracted driving, three Clearview High School students paved the way, urging her to speak out about her sis-ter’s accident and the dangers of dis-tracted driving as part of their DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of Amer-ica) project. With her educational background, and despite her personal proximity to tragedy, she naturally took to engaging South Jersey high school students in the importance of never allowing distractions to interfere with driving. The Toni Donato-Bolis and RJ Foundation’s mission is to alert drivers to the dangers of distracted driving. By sharing her sister’s story, Angela hopes people will heed this serious message and consider the consequences. In ad-dition to raising awareness, they raise monies to promote safe driving and offer college scholarships to qualified recipients who demonstrate their commitment to helping other families experiencing similar tragedies. They also continue to help implement and strengthen Federal and State laws re-garding distracted driving. Angela’s presentation begins with a brief documentary on the Dona-to family produced by DuPont, about distracted driving and the dire conse-quences that stem from it. Then she calmly retells the story of the accident and why it’s so important to remain fo-

cused when driving. Although the sub-ject matter is dour, the presentation is not always somber. “I never talk down to them…and I don’t like to stand behind a podium,” Angela, who is not much older than the students, says. Afterward students can sign a pledge, promising to use caution when driving. Attendees can purchase rib-bons, pins, magnets and bracelets, all in green, honoring Toni’s favorite color and, ironically, also representing dis-tracted driving. Proceeds go directly toward the scholarship fund. During the summer, the organization hosts an Annual Motorcycle Bike Run. Ange-la states that it’s “a great time to rally support…and sign a pledge to be a safe driver.” Through the foundation’s hard work, the Kulesh, Kubert and Bolis bill which allows tougher punishment against drivers who hurt or kill some-one while unlawfully using a cell phone was enacted into law in July 2012 af-ter a seven-year delay. Angela spoke in front of the NJ Assembly and Senate to urge them to pass this law which she notes is their biggest accomplishment. Angela has been honored by both Washington Township and the State House’s Women and Children Com-mittee. South Jersey Magazine chose Angela, her mother and her sister An-nette to receive their Super Woman award as well. Lindenwold High School named her their Hometown Hero. From handwritten letters to hugs, she’s very touched and humbled, saying, “If it wasn’t for Toni, I wouldn’t be some-one’s hero.” And so far, four students have received foundation scholarships, including the Clearview students who now feel like family to the Donato’s. Since Angela started her dream job as a kindergarten teacher, her sister Toni’s best friend now shares speaking duties. But her goal remains to “expand safe driving awareness globally” and that distracted driving “statistics must go down.” Somehow, you know Toni is smiling down with pride and love at her younger sister who is someone’s hero. Visit www.toniandrjfoundation.org for more information.✲

making a difference

Someone’s Hero:The Toni Donato-Bolis & RJ Foundation By M.B. Sanok

Toni Donato-Bolis and daughter Mia

Sisters, Angela, Annette & Toni

The Donato family

20 | January 2013 Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter20 | March 2013 Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

BonBons Princesses • Characters • Super Heroes will thrill your children on their special day.We offer Face Painting • Balloon Art • Glitter Tattoos • Crafts and so much more. Voted The Best Children’s Party Entertainers in South Jersey. www.bbepromotions.com 856-701-8734

edwards events and entertainment Edwards Events and Entertainment Caricatures, Clowns, Face Painters, Balloon Artists, Magicians! Bands, DJ’s! Photo Booths! We do entertainment, Family and Corporate Events! Contact us at (856) 227-1217, (856) 571-2161 or [email protected]. Book your event NOW!

eLite CLimBinG Try our Mt. Everest Rock Climbing Birthday Party, the perfect way to celebrate your child’s birthday! Reach new heights at Elite Climbing! Beginner? No problem, our expert staff will guide you through your climbing experience. For more information, please call (856) 273-1370 www.eliteclimbing.com

enCHanted dreams“Best Children’s Birthday Party!” SJ Magazine. With dress-up such as princesses & pirates, children’s imaginations soar and the interactive fun never ends. Continuous activities provided by enthusiastic staff.www.enchanteddreams.biz. 856-429-9909

Garden state disCovery museum Garden State Discovery Museum parties are a unique way to for your child to celebrate their special day with family & friends. Our birthday party experience is sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces! For more information, please call (856) 424-1233 ext 305 or visit www.discoverymuseum.com

internationaL, sports, skatinG, & Fun Centre oF CHerry HiLL, mt. LaureL & deptFordFantastic Birthday Parties at ISC & DSC! All you bring is the cake! We do the rest! We offer parties for Roller Skating, Indoor Sports, Inflatables, FunZone our Indoor Giant Jungle Gym, Arcades, Glow, Teen, Princess and Pirate Parties! 856-428-8588 www.intsports.com

JuBiLi Beads & yarns Great jewelry-making/craft/stuffed animal parties & more, from age 3! Party with Jubili every year x 10 and never make the same thing twice! Second floor room seats 22, kitchenette/restroom adjacent. Girl Scout/special needs groups welcome! 713 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108 856-858-7844 www.jubilibeadsandyarns.com

JuBiLation Creations We are a very special non profit organization dedicated to the developmentally disabled/special needs community. Individual craft classes, group craft field trip events, weekly yoga classes, ages 7 through adulthood. Wheelchair accessible. 713 Haddon Ave. , Collingswood, NJ 08108 856-240-1558 www.jubilationcreations.org

kidsskateFree.Com Roller Skating is a fun way to increase muscular strength and cardiorespiratory endurance and to burn 330 to 600 calories per hour! It is also great for improv-ing balance and flexibility. Find a skating center near you and register to skate free. www.kidsskatefree.com

LeaH’s CariCatures & FaCe paintinGOffering high quality face painting, cari-catures, balloon art and glitter tattoos for parties, special events and festivals in South Jersey/Philly area! March coupon- receive 10% OFF your total bill when you mention SJMOM! www.facepaintingbyleah.com (609) 432-1191

mad sCienCe parties Mad Science Parties are entertaining, exciting & interactive Shows that come to you! No-mess, hassle-free Parties with special add-ons like bubbling potions and rocket launches. Slippery Slime, Silly Putty and More! Goodie bags & invitations too! Call today 609-737-0313 or visit www.madsciencenj.com

primo HoaGies Birthday Party trays and much more. It’s not just a hoagie it’s a primo! 115F South Black Horse Pike Bellmawr, NJ 08031856-931-7746 www.primohoagies.com

Planning Headquarters

Your BirtHday Party


Open Full Hours Every Day of S

pring Break

$17.99 Day Pass, $10 Savings! Visit NJCoCoKey.com Use Promotional Code: SJMPASS213 for $10 off the already reduced online only price of $27.99 Expires 4/30/12

at The Hotel ML, 915 Route 73, Mt. Laurel, NJ

THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM®

Let us do all the work so you can have all the fun!Now featuring Themed Decoration Packages!

8 �Add a themed decoration package to any Please Touch Museum birthday party.Choose a Wonderland Tea Party, a Construction Zone or a more traditional festive décor package to spark your guest’s imaginations.

For pricing and info, please contact our reservationists at 215.581.3170.

rockin roller moBile arcaDe & moBile miniature GolFOur 34-foot mobile arcade has full-size arcade machines offering over 70 dif-ferent classic video games! Housed in a climate-controlled, self-powered trailer that is brought directly to your location for birthday parties or special events. We also rent a 9-hole portable miniature golf course featuring a variety of obstacles and designs making the course challenging and fun! Call (856) 803-rock or visit www.rockinrollermobilearcade.com

splasH Zone Have a splashtacular party at Splash Zone Water Park in Wildwood! Includes all day in park; unlimited pizza, chips, fountain drinks, ice cream & personalized cake; FREE parking for 1 car; goodie bags, Splash Zone t-shirt & return ticket for birthday child! (609) 729-5600, ext 10, [email protected]


The old rule of thumb used to be: the number of years the child’s celebrating is the number of attendees to invite. You

know the song, “It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to!”? Well, it seems like this happens a lot when children are younger, and they have too many people at their party. Plus, the focus is off the party child because, as the host, you’re trying to keep all the guests happy and satisfied. If you’re having the party in your home, you’ll best be able to gauge the amount of space you have for guests. Up to 12 children for kids under 10 is perfect. Make sure you have a “game” plan to keep the kids engaged with little “free-time”. If you have a large “guest” list, having the party at a location may best suit your needs: bounce place, artist studio, skating rink, etc. These facilities allow parents to have a celebration for large num-bers of children in safe environment. Always ask if you’ll have to pay extra for the parents -- an expense you may not count on.

How do you politely tell people that always stay longer than every-one else that you would like them to leave? Erin, Deptford

What is the rule of thumb for numbers (how many to invite) for kids parties? Allison, Cherry Hill

Thanks to the Real South Jersey MOMS’ Readers’ Panel for their questions!Stacy McGuigan is owner and creative engine of South Jersey’s one-stop event-planning service, Everyday Celebrations. For more information, visit www.ecpartyconcierge.com. Every Thursday, she will answer your party questions on Facebook https://apps.facebook.com/neatchat/chatroom?pid=227819697229322 .

Ask the Party PlannerBy Stacy McGuigan

Q. Q.

How do you know if you were supposed to stay with your child if they were invited to a party at someone›s home? Tiffany, Gibbstown

Q.

This is a very good question and one that seems to come up often. One thing to make sure you always do is state an end-

ing time for the party. DON’T leave the cute? for the ending time on the invitation -- that just encourages people who love to linger. When about 45 minutes are left of the party, start cleaning up, clearing dishes, walking around making sure everyone enjoyed themselves. About 10 minutes out, make an announcement to the children about finding their “stuff” (shoes, jackets, crafts that were made, etc.) When the party is officially over, have your child go from guest to guest, handing out their favor bags and saying thank you for coming to my party. Then, as the adult, follow-up with your goodbyes and thank-yous. Leave them with an invitation to come back another time when you’re more relaxed and have time to focus on them and chat. If all else fails, start vacuuming!

You know what they say, “Never Assume.” Depending on the age of your child, ask the host. There’s nothing wrong with

being upfront and honest. The host will be thankful. For a majority of home parties, the host feels like they can handle the celebration without help, but your phone call may be the life-saver she needs. So, if you ask, be prepared to stay and help.

A. A.

For more information visit these websites:www.preferredpartyrentals.com

www.j-dogs.comwww.ecpartyconcierge.com

A.


FOR HOSTS

u Use written invitations rather than mentioning the party in passing at a soccer game.

u If you’re planning to pass out invitations in your child’s school, be mindful of being exclusive. Some schools have protocol for this. If you’re going to invite only a few of your child’s closest friends, don’t hand out the invitations at school. Mail them instead.

u Clearly state the beginning and end times on the invitation and start and end the party as indicated. Families are busyand need to stick to schedules. Parties for babies and toddlers do not need to be longer than one hour. Four to seven-year olds can handle a 90-minute party. Two hours is adequate for children over seven. Teen parties can be longer.

u Indicate whether you want parents to stay with their children during the party. If you want them to stay, make sure you have food and beverages for the adults as well.

u Have your child greet guests at the door and see them out when they leave.

u Plan enough activities so that unoccupied children won’t take matters into their own hands. Free time in the playroom or backyard is fine, especially for younger children. Make sure they’re supervised, and if things start to get out of hand, incorporate an organized activity.

u Don’t feel pressured to provide expensive goodie bags and prizes. Stay within your party budget. Simple and practical take-home items tailored to the theme of your party are nice but not required. A pleasant experience with friends should be the goal of the party.

u Follow up with thank-you cards for gifts received. Make sure your child is part of this process. If your child is too young to write, you can write the note and have your child draw a picture underneath.

FOR GuESTS

u Be sure to RSVP by the date indicated on the invitation. The host will need this information to plan for food, games and prizes.

u Don’t ask if you can bring other siblings.

u It’s generally assumed that parents of preschool-aged children and younger will stay with them at a birthday party. If your child is five or older, ask the host if she prefers parents to stay or leave if it’s not indicated on the invitation.

u When considering a gift, you should spend what fits into your budget. Ask your child what his/her friend likes to do and pick out an appropriate gift that will be appreciated.

u Explain to your child that the party is to honor the birthday boy or girl. Remind her to say “happy birthday” when she arrives, to partici-pate in the planned activities, and to say goodbye as she leaves.

Mind Your Birthday Party

A PRIVATE Dance Party Studio where Fun Parents throw their Kids’ BEST PARTY EVER!!!

• LED Lighting • Dance Floor Camera • Flat Screen TVs• Bubble & Haze Machines

701 Cooper Road, Suite 3 • Voorhees, NJ 08043

856.504.3913

Get Your Groove On Here!

Pick YourPartY!

dancekaraoke

zumbagame show

Birthday Parties for Kids ages 4-94!

ww

w.GrooveLounge.

net

Birthday parties are an inevitable part of a child’s social life. Planning and attending parties provides an opportunity for children to begin to appreciate etiquette. The purpose of etiquette is not to conform to an elite standard but to be courteous and respectful of others. As your children mature, help them

understand the difference.

By Deb McCarsonmanners


Hair Accessories • Piggy Banks • Tutus1st Birthday and Special Occasion Outfits & Accessories

856-906-9933 • www.BlingBabyUSA.blogspot.com

Sparkle & Shine in Every Design

Make your little girl’s party one to remember with our “Once Upon

a Sparkle” birthday party packages!

Mention this add to receive a FREE headband with your next purchase

HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY IN A CANDY STORE!Boys & Girls ages 5-12. It’s a Candy Creation Party!

We include everything in one price!

Aunt Selma’s Candy451 Larchmont Blvd, Mt. Laurel

Call to book your PARTY!856.642.6363

$20.00 OFFA Birthday Party. Expires 12/1/13.

View a video of a party at www.AuntSelmasCandy.com

• Moon Bounces• Water Slides• Water Games

• Glimmer Tattoos• Face Painting• Dessert Tables

Serving South Jersey

For Promotional Codes and Discounts

“We provide the BOUNCE for your BEAN”

www.JumpinBeansRentals.com • 609-410-1801

We Do AMAZING Karate Birthday Parties! Throw an amazing party without lifting a finger! Our parties are a totally cool way for your kids to celebrate. Plus, all you do is relax because we do all the work!

MULLICA HILL 856-241-2210PITMAN 856-589-5551

SWEDESBORO 856-241-2210WEST DEPTFORD 856-464-3900

www.GloucesterCountyKarate.com

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL(10 or more kids)

Book your 2013 birthday party by

March 31st and pay only $29.00 per person. Includes; private referee, entry, air, 500 paintballs,

and rental package*The Birthday person will

also receive a FREE One-Year Pass ($149 value)


It’s My Party!

856-437-6250 Moorestown, NJ

Find us on Facebook!

How Sweet It Is Cupcake Company

Simply Elegant Cupcakes for your Special Occasion

By Blythe Lipman

With preschool in session, your child’s social calendar is filled with birthday parties each

weekend including her own. In such a shaky economy, how can you possibly compete with gymnastic bonanzas and fully catered events including professional entertainment? But let’s put this in perspective, birthdays are a time for celebration, not a time for keeping score. And teaching your children about charity and giving back on their special day is an added plus. Here are a few tips to help you structure meaningful and fun-filled birthday celebrations:Make sure your party is age-appropriate. The rule of thumb is to invite two children more than your child’s age. Forget the big party and invite one best friend. Go to a movie or rent a video and cook a special lunch or dessert together! Instant pudding, sugar cookies with sprinkles or mini pizzas on English muffins are just a couple of fun examples.Plan an exercise party. Put a music or exercise video on and give each child a turn leading the exercises. Serve cut up vegetables and fruit with yogurt dip or ranch dressing. What fun, and the giggles will have you in stitches!! Plan a “book party.” Instead of bringing a present, ask each child to bring a book they would like to pass on. Have circle time talking about the stories. Ask the children to make two pretty cardboard bookmarks decorating cardboard strips with yarn, buttons and markers. Put one in the book and take the other home. Then donate the books to a favorite charity. A great way to pay it forward.

Plan a “pet party.” Ask each child to bring a picture of a favorite pet and a can of pet food. Place some newspaper on the floor or table with construction paper, yarn, buttons, markers, glue sticks, etc., and let each child make a collage to take home. Serve goldfish crackers, string cheese, gummy worms and pudding cups with candles for a snack. Donate the dog food to a local shelter. For older children, meet at a local animal shelter for a tour, then go to the park for fun and snacks. Fill a

brown lunch bag with goldfish crackers, string cheese, a cookie and water for each child. (Moms must stay with their children for

this celebration.) Have the children meet at an assisted living center and ask each child to bring one magazine each for the residents. Spend a little time saying hello and then take the children back to your home for snacks and games. (Moms must stay with their children for this celebration.) Bake two cupcakes for each child. Have them ice and decorate both and place a candle on one cupcake and blow them out together. Send the other home as a party favor. What fun! Plan a family birthday celebration. There’s no rule that says you have to invite the world. Family celebrations are sometimes the ones we remember the most! And don’t forget to have that camera charged and ready...Kodak moments last a lifetime! Remember, the most important gift to give your child is your time. It’s better than all the toys in the world!Blythe Lipman is the president of Baby Instructions and passionate about babies, toddlers and their parents. After 35 years in the field, she wrote her third award-winning book, MORE…HELP! MY BABY CAME WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS, available at www.babyinstructions.com, amazon.com and all major bookstores. Blythe hosts a weekly radio show on Wednesdays, 11am EST at http://www.toginet.com She is available for in-home, video and telephone consultations. Help! My Toddler Came Without Instructions will be born on Mother’s Day 2013.

http://www.babyinstructions.com/

http://www.babyinstructions.com/

http://www.toginet.com


Sixteen-month-old Zachary Hutchinson was a happy and active toddler. He had reached all of his developmental mile-

stones on time and all of his pediatric well-vis-its were perfect. Then, one day, it all changed. “He did things differently. And then, all of a sudden, he struggled to do things that once came easily to him.” Michelle Hutchinson, Zachary’s mother, fought back tears as she re-called the day she noticed subtle differences in her only child. “Every day he crawled up the steps and then, all of a sudden, he fought to go up one. We knew something was wrong.” After a month full of doctors’ appoint-ments, Michelle and her husband Michael’s worst fears were confirmed when they were hit with a devastating diagnosis. “We saw our pediatrician, an orthopedist, a radiologist and a neurologist.” Michelle shared her experience of that horrific month of waiting for an answer. “After an MRI, spinal tap and blood work, we found out why Zach was struggling with walk-ing, crawling and standing.” On August 29th, Zachary was diagnosed with late infantile Krabbe Disease, a rare, in-herited, and, oftentimes, fatal disorder of the central and peripheral nervous system. Chil-dren with this type of leukodystrophy lack an enzyme that breaks down important com-pounds within the body. When deficient of this enzyme, substances start to accumulate, de-stroying nerve cells and preventing the repair

of new ones. This leads to the deterioration of the nervous system. Only 1 in 100,000 people are diagnosed with Krabbe Disease in the United States, but 1 in 125 citizens are carriers of the genetic defi-ciency. There’s no cure. “The neurologist told us to look for a spe-cialist and, in the meantime, take time off from work to spend as much time with Zach as we could,” Michelle conveyed from her new home at the Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh. Recently, stem cell and bone marrow transplants have been proven effective by stim-ulating normal development of nerve cells. At the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, a team of Krabbe specialists transplant stem cells from cord blood to give patients like Zachary the enzyme he needs to survive. “Mike and I left our home and moved to Pittsburgh,” Michelle said. “Right away, Zach completed thirteen days of chemotherapy and received the transplant.” Medical care for children diagnosed with Krabbe’s Disease costs around $700,000 annu-ally. To help offset the hefty cost, Michelle’s sis-ter, Nichole Gedling, setup the Zachary Krab-be’s Fight Fund. The funds’ efforts have raised money with the help of many family, friends, local firefighters and police officers including Zachary’s grandfather, Nick Giannini, a retired Maple Shade police officer and other family members who serve.

“The support has been amazing,” Michelle said. “A million thanks would never be enough.” This past holiday season, the Hutchinsons’ prayers were answered when Zachary’s body accepted the transplant, and he began produc-ing enzymes. “Every day brings a new milestone as Zach is relearning everything,” Michelle said. “We are so grateful for every moment with our little boy.” The Hutchinson’s ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the disease. In fact, if Zach’s parents didn’t notice the signs and symptoms early on, the disease would have progressed too far for treatment. Currently, NJ mandates all babies born be screened for 54 specific genetic, metabolic, endocrine and hemologic disorders, not including leukodystrophies. Re-cently, the state is working to implement a law that would require a test for leukodystrophies, including Krabbe’s Disease, in newborns. “The testing is critical,” Zachary’s Aunt Nichole said. “Once they start showing symp-toms, things progress so quickly, and the myelin will not be repaired. Newborn testing could help save lives.”✲

To donate, attend an event or to learn more about Krabbe’s Disease, please visit the Zachary Krabbe Fight page at https://www.facebook.com/ZacharysKrabbe-Fight?ref=stream. For all other inquiries or donations, please send to Columbia Savings c/o Zachary Hutchinson Fund, 253 East Main St., Maple Shade, NJ 08052.

HOPE for the Hutchinsons By Keri Mikulski

know 2 grow

https://www.facebook.com/ZacharysKrabbeFight?ref=stream

https://www.facebook.com/ZacharysKrabbeFight?ref=stream


The Magical Path to LITERACYBy Lisa Figueiredo

Reading can take you to magical places. Create and escape -- allowing you to go to places you’ve never been.

Getting your child to read can be a daunting task for some parents. From the time your little one is born, there are things you can do to encourage their desire to read. Read aloud to them. From the time my son was in my womb, I began reading to him. Experts say that even at a few months, a baby hears the sound of your voice, learns to see the pictures and turn the cardboard pages. Make reading a special time without distractions. By having a special place, perhaps with a chair, comfy blanket or pillow, you’ll create a relaxed environment. Turn the television and radio off, put your cell phone on vibrate and refrain from other distractions. Don’t stop taking the time to read aloud even after your children have learned to read for themselves. You can encourage them by having them read part of the story and then switching roles. Making different character voices helps to keep your child’s interest. It’s important to provide constant encouragement when they figure out a new word or read a sentence on their own. You can keep a reading log, logging minutes read, rather than the number of books to encourage their progress. Keep books in your home. From the time you’re preparing for your little one’s arrival, start a home library for them. You can stick to your childhood favorites, perhaps a particular author. Whether of not you realize it, you’re a role model for your child. They’ll learn by your example. It’s also important for them to see you reading newspapers, books and magazines. Take regular trips to the library. Your child may enjoy the sense of responsibility they get from picking out their own books and even having a library card. Allow them to pick their own books. It doesn’t matter what your child is reading as long as it’s something they enjoy, and they won’t see it as chore. Some suggest that you encourage boys who sometimes take less to reading with books like sports almanacs or encyclopedias. Like parents, books lay the foundation for successful reading, and fostering early literacy through fun, verbal stimulation will promote interest. Ensuring your child’s love of reading will set them up to be successful in school and life.✲


Call today to schedule a visit 1-888-303-7104

Visit us online at kidacademy.com

• Infants through school age• Full & part time

programs• Flex hours• High reach curriculum• Spacious A/C buildings

• Certified teachers• 24 hour surveillance • Hot lunch & snacks

provided• 6 locations throughout

New Jersey

South Jersey’s Best Kept Secret in Child Care

“25 Years of Educating for Success”

Field Trips F Swimming F Game Days F Arts & Crafts F Theme Days F Special Guests Computers F Sing-A-Longs • Cooking F BBQs

ENROLL NOW FOR SUMMER CAMP...COME JOIN THE FUN!


Living Life with Multiple SclerosisBy Dolores Hoffman

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system

where the immune system incor-rectly attacks a person’s healthy tis-sue. MS affects approximately 1 in 700 people and can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, slurred speech and extreme fatigue among other problems. These problems may be permanent or may come and go. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. MS isn’t considered a fatal disease but people affected by it often face in-creasing limitations. With some planning and a lot of support, MS patients can live a full and productive life. Here are a few suggestions to help you or a loved one cope with MS on a daily basis:

ExerciseFatigue is a huge issue in MS, affect-ing most who suffer from the dis-ease. Exercise sounds like it would be counter-productive to combat fatigue, but the Multiple Sclerosis Society says keeping fit and improv-ing your strength can help reduce the severity of symptoms. Don’t overdo it, though. Start slow and then rest after exercising. When ex-ercising, consider yoga. It has been found to help stretch the muscles and reduce inflammation. Many studios now offer yoga classes de-signed specifically for Multiple Scle-rosis patients.

Take NapsShort breaks or naps can help with afternoon fatigue and will make it easier to get through the day. If you exhaust yourself by lunch, you’ll find you have no energy left for the rest of the day. Resting BEFORE you get tired is essential to saving en-ergy. Take advantage of handicapped parking spaces and park close. Using your scooter, wheelchair or cane can help offset daily exhaustion. Make sure to adapt your lifestyle according to your changing abilities. For example, lowering a counter in

the kitchen so you can sit when you cook or adjusting your workplace to fit your needs will help keep you as active as possible.

Eating HealthyHealthy eating is important for everyone, but it’s particularly im-portant if you have a chronic illness such as Multiple Sclerosis. Good nutrition can help the body store protein and vital nutrients which will provide much needed energy and also help fight infection. Try to limit sugar and salt as they may deplete energy. Also, water is es-sential for MS patients because it helps maintain a normal body tem-perature. For some people with MS, high body temperature may inten-sify symptoms and lead to fatigue. Remember, countless websites have recipes specifically for MS Patients, so give them a try.

Avoid StressYour attitude can set the bar on how well you cope with MS. A good outlook will help you focus on your goals in life and not let MS define you. If you have a positive attitude, it will help in your everyday routine of taking your medication, exercis-ing and eating well.

Find SupportTurn to family members and friends for support. You may even want to get involved with the National Mul-tiple Sclerosis Society to find local MS support groups. Connecting with someone else living with MS can help you express your frustra-tions and goals. Depression is com-mon in MS, affecting up to 50% of individuals so taking the steps to find a good support system will help you handle the low points when they come.

Although there’s still no cure for MS, according to the Multiple Scle-rosis Society, there are advances in the treatment and understanding of MS every year. The possibility that future research will finally find the cure for multiple sclerosis is very encouraging.✲


Cerebral palsy is a debilitating group of disorders which are caused by an ab-normally developed or damaged brain.

This affects the child ability to control use of his or her muscles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that ap-proximately 1 in 303 children in United States are living with cerebral palsy. Caring for chil-dren with special needs is a family affair which begins by understanding basic monitoring, screening and treatment option information.

MonitoringWell-child visits are the best opportunity to monitor the physical, mental, social-emotional development of the child. Routine visits to the pediatrician or nurse practitioner facilitates the tracking of your child’s growth and devel-opment. In addition, the healthcare provider can use this information to compare your child’s development to the norm. Therefore, any issues can be identified early. Parents of premature or low birth weight babies should take their child for well-visits as advised by their pediatrician or nurse practitioner due to their increased risk for developmental issues.

During well-child visits, the doctor or nurse will assess your child’s development by asking questions, observing your child’s movements and interactions, and taking or updating the medical history.

ScreeningIf your healthcare provider becomes con-cerned about your child’s development and suspects that your child has a developmental delay, he/she will conduct or schedule a neu-rodevelopmental screening test. A neurodevel-opmental screening test is a brief formal eval-uation of developmental skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine development screening during the well-child visits. These visits typically occur at 9, 18, 24 or 30 months. Your healthcare provider or you can also request a developmental screening at any time if concerned about your child’s de-

velopment. After receiving the results of the screening, if concerns persist, then the health-care professional will make a referral for more definitive screening such as a magnetic res-onance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI scan can show the location and type of brain damage. In order to confirm the diagnosis of cerebral palsy, your healthcare provider may refer your child to additional doctors such as a child neu-rologist, developmental pediatrician, eye doc-tor or ear doctor. These specialists will assist the doctor or nurse practitioner in making a more accurate diagnosis and begin a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Treatment OptionsAlthough cerebral palsy cannot be cured, chil-dren who receive this diagnosis typically live into adulthood. Early detection and treatment will often improve the capabilities of your child. When treatment is initiated early, chil-dren have more opportunities to develop ways to adapt to their physical constraints; they also learn new ways to approach challenging tasks. Treatment plans aren’t “one size fits all.” Your doctor or nurse practitioner will work with you and your child to develop a plan that best

fits his/her needs. A comprehensive treatment plan will take a multidisciplinary approach. The following specialty areas may be utilized to in-crease your child’s quality of living: m physical therapy to improve walking and

decrease the likelihood of deformities; m occupational therapy to assist the child

in performing normal activities such as dressing;

m speech therapy to help the child’s speech, swallowing or with other communication issues;

m counseling or behavioral therapy to assist the child cope emotionally;

m medications may be given to control sei-zures, relax muscle spasms, and ease pain;

m surgery might be performed to correct anatomical deformities or release tight muscles;

m braces and other medical devices such as wheelchairs may be used to assist with mobility;

m communication aids such as computers and voice synthesizers may be needed for effective communication.✲

Handle witH

CareChildren Living with Cerebral Palsy

By Dr. Trina L. Gipson-Jones

Remember when summer was so sim-ple? We’d wake up, Dad would already be at work, Mom would be home, and

we would spend our days outside -- in the streets, backyards, parks and pools. In today’s world, our kids have so much more to distract them -- hundreds of TV channels, limitless In-ternet, iPods/Touches/Pads/Phones/etc.; xBox Live, and, of course, central air! Yet these won-derful technological advances create a void of life skills that come from the old-time basics. Instead of learning life exploring outside, kids are learning life through multiple SCREENS. In-stead of scraping their knees and learning life lessons, technology indirectly shelters them from reality. And we know what they’re watch-ing on their screens: sex, violence, and com-mercialized exaggerations of real life. With more and more moms at work than ever be-fore, how can we give our kids the childhood experiences and life skills that we learned? One word: CAMP! So put on your shorts, pack your bath-ing suit, lather on the sunscreen, and leave the electronics home! Camp is a step back in time -- to a simpler time when if it rained, we got a little wet. Choices we made had repercussions because our parents weren’t lurking over our shoulders. And we learned how to socialize and make friends because our relationships weren’t based on texting, “liking” photos and accumulating Facebook “friends” (acquaintanc-es). At camp, young people learn how to ac-tually talk to one another, relate to older and

younger people, and learn the life skills that colleges and employers are looking for in the 21st century. What are 21st century skills you may ask? They are NOT computer programming and technology skills, nor the “3 R’s” which most schools’ standardized tests are based on. They’re the skills and competencies required to work with people so that issues can be re-solved quickly and tasks can be tackled and conquered efficiently. Check out p21.org and see how the top corporations and education organizations have come together to identify the essential skills relevant in today’s world. By the way, there’s a wonderful place where mil-lions of kids continue to gain these skills every summer… CAMP! So while most schools still focus on read-ing, writing and arithmetic, camp is experien-tial education in what the p21 organization calls “the 4Cs” - Critical Thinking and Prob-lem-solving, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity. These are social and behavioral skills such as Work Ethics, Communications, Teamwork, Collaboration, and the #1 DEFI-CIENCY amongst young people: LEADERSHIP. Camp is more relevant and important than ever before. According to the CDC, 17% of children between the ages of 2 and 19 are considered obese, and, of course, they are, spending their lives indoors, in front of screens. The Kaiser Foundation found that children ages 8–18 spend approximately 4.5 hours watching TV, 1.5 hours on the computer, and

over an hour playing video games. As they turn into tweens and teens, they send an average of 60 text messages per day and spend an inordi-nate amount of time updating their social me-dia profiles. Young people may feel that they’re super-connected, but they’re actually less con-nected than ever. Less close friendships, less “face-to-face” social skills and less capable of coping with the challenges of life. Meanwhile, the American Camp Asso-ciation conducted a study with over 7600 campers from over 80 camps to gauge the outcomes by their summer camp experiences. Parents, staff and children all reported signifi-cant growth in: self-esteem, peer relationships, independence, adventure and exploration, leadership, environmental awareness, friend-ship skills, values, decision-making, social com-fort, and spirituality. These are life skills which transform children into successful adults and contributors to society who are inspired to, one day, change the world. Summer camp is a transformative expe-rience, where children find their passions for life, make lasting friendships and feel that their potential is limitless. So get your kids outside, away from the computers, TVs and Smart-phones. Let them get hot, dirty, sweaty and wet at camp this summer. They’ll thank you for it now and later!✲


sum

mer

cam

p gu

ide

CAMP A Transformative Summer Experience!

By Andy Pritikin, Liberty Lake Camp Director


3 Camps to Choose From3 Camps to Choose From

20132013 SUMMERcamps10 & Under Sports &

Tennis CampJunior Tennis CampBasketball Camp

1820 Old Cuthbert Rd. Cherry Hill, NJ856.429.1388 x195

www.chhrc.com/campSave Money! Register before April 1, 2013!

Your family Health ClubSince 1971

1855 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080856.401.8111

www.sportsandmorefun.com

Summer Camp at Sports & More!Open House

11am – 2pm

March 10 • April 21 • May 19 • June 15

• ages 2-14• 11 weeks of camp• before and after care• 3 or 5 day scheduling• pool• inflatable water slide• theme days• field trips• state of the art GAGA court• amazing jumping pillow• rockwall• sibling discounts

We feature 3 different camps!• Camp SAM• Camp GLAM• SAM Playcare

Sports & More.Your family's new best friend!

$15 off Registrationwith this SJ Mom Ad in hand!

inside of. . .Lunch & Snack

are provided!


Philly’s most populartheatre summer camp!

Call Now to Register:215-574-3550 ext. 510

Register Online:www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org

July 8 - August 4

CAMP WALNUT 20l3 CAMP WALNUT 20l3

The Theatre School at

Camp provides children with the opportunity to learn new activities, meet new friends and learn life skills such as self-esteem, leadership and confidence. There are many different

summer camps for families to choose from and each camp provides unique programming and approaches. Parents should consider what type of program and camp environment will fit with their child’s interests and personality. With so many different camp options, what’s the best way for parents to find out what a camp is really like before registering their child for camp? The American Camp Association, NY and NJ, has some tips for parents to help them learn about a camp’s philosophy and character. Tour the CampA good way for parents and children to get a feel for a day or resident camp is to tour the camp. Scheduling a camp tour with your child the summer before sending your child to camp gives the future camper a chance to see camp in action, with campers enjoying all the fun activities the camp has to offer. A tour also gives you a chance to ask the camp director questions while you’re in the camp environment. If it’s not possible to tour the camp during the summer, schedule a tour in the off-season so you can see the facilities and still get a feel for the camp environment. Camp tours give children the feeling that he/she is part of the process of choosing the camp, and the more involved a child feels in the decision-making, the more successful the camp experience will be. If you’re planning on sending your child to camp in 2014, schedule a camp tour for this summer. Rookie Days There are many resident camps that offer Rookie Days or Rookie Weekends which are designed to give future campers a chance to experience the camp in session by joining in on the camp activities before going to camp. While children enjoy the camp activities, parents are taken on a tour of the camp. Rookie days are wonderful ways for children and their parents to get a feel for what the camp is like and to determine if the camp is the right fit. Talk to the Camp DirectorParents want to make sure they click with the camp director. Speaking with the camp director and asking some key questions is a good way for families to find out about a camp’s philosophy and if it matches their own. Get to know the camp director through phone calls, correspondence and in person. Oftentimes, the camp director will come to your home or you can meet the camp director at a camp fair. Ask the camp director about the camps’ mission statement and what type of child is successful at camp. The more open families are with camp directors, the better informed they’ll be when it comes to making a decision.

Look at the Website, Video & Brochure Parents and campers should take time to look over a camp’s website, brochure and video. They’ll give families a sense of what a particular camp is like. Most camp websites have photo slide shows, videos, virtual tours, and maps which will give parents and children a glimpse of the camp and the camp program. Many camps also include a sample daily schedule so families can see what a typical day at camp is like. Camps will also send you a DVD upon request so that you and your child can view the camp and see campers and counselors engaged in camp activities. “When you are researching a camp, keep in mind that you are forming a partnership with the camp director. While it is important for you to get to know a camp’s personality, it is also important for a camp director to know about your family,” said Renee Flax, Camper Placement Specialist Director at the American Camp Association, NY and NJ. “Make sure to give the camp director an accurate picture of your child and what your specific goals are for your child’s camp experience. Tell him or her about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Knowing these things about your child will help the camp director determine if the camp is the right camp for your child and will also help with bunk placement.” To find the right camp for your child, visit the American Camp Association, NY and NJ’s camp database, www.searchforacamp.org, and register for a free, customized list of camps that match your needs. You can also call 1-800-777-CAMP to speak with the American Camp Association, NY and NJ’s Camper Placement Specialist, Renee Flax, for free, one-on-one advice in finding a summer camp. ACA-Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety and ensures that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally-challenging learning opportunities.✲

Getting to Know a Camp’s PersonalityBy Jess Michaels, Director of Communications, The American Camp Association, NY & NJ

SUMMER CAMP

http://www.searchforacamp.org


GO TO BASKETBALL OR DANCE CAMPTHIS SUMMER!

SIGN UP TODAY!

★2013★

★

★

★

★ ★★

★

SIXERSCAMPS.COM ★ 610.668.7676

OR DANCE CAMPTHIS SUMMER!

SIGN UP TODAY!

Experience the Excitement of Sailing!

Kids ages 9-18 and adults alike can enjoy our beginner and advanced programs

Sessions run Monday - FridayHalf day classes $250 for 2 weeks, 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm

Full day classes are $250 for one week and class is from 9am-4pm

Register online at:www.cooperriveryc.orgCollingswood, NJ

U.S. Sailing Certified Instructors Sessions run every 2 weeksCall us at: 856.869.9145

ISC Summer Day CampCelebrating 11 Years as South Jersey’s #1 Camp Provider

Three Locations!Dozens of Fun Activities!

Lunch, Snack and Extended Care INCLUDED!

Crazy Theme Days • Weekly Sports • GaGa Flag Football • Field Trips • Tutor Time Kinnect & Wii Game Rooms • Dodgeball

Ceramics & Jewelry Making • Special Guests PK,K&1 Curriculum •Flexible Schedules

Games & Activities • Lots of Fun

For Open House Dates, visit www.sjsummercamps.com

FEES: Registration $45 ($35 with coupon before June 30) DAILY: $45 • 2nd sibling $40 • Each additional sibling $36

MOUNT LAUREL3 1/2 years to 8th grade

1 Hovtech Boulevard Mt. Laurel

856.273.2828 [email protected]

CHERRY HILL3 1/2 years to 8th grade

600 Kresson RoadCherry Hill

856.428.8588 [email protected]

DEPTFORD4 years to 8th grade510 Deptford Avenue

Westville856.845.7353

[email protected]

$10 OFF REGISTRATION FEE

When you register before April 30, 2013


LIBERTY LAKE Liberty Lake is a truly transformative experience, teaching life skills to inspire children and adults to change the world. Campers expand their talents, make friends, and have the greatest summer experience imaginable! Check out the Freedom of Choice Elective Program. 1195 Florence Columbus Road • Bordentown, NJ 08505 609.499.7820 www.LibertyLakeDayCamp.com

CHRISTIAN PLAYCARE CENTER SUMMER CAMPAges 6-12 are invited to enjoy our large indoor/outdoor facility which offers weekly themed crafts and activities, weekly trips and a large outdoor pool with a certified lifeguard. Mention this add for FREE registration! Call Today! (856) 227-5596. 1737 Cooper Street, Deptford

CAMP HUNTINGTON Camp Huntington is a co-ed, residential pro-gram for children and young adults with learn-ing and developmental needs; Autism, Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, ADD/HD; 6-21

and young adults. Our program is designed to maximize a child’s potential, locate and develop strengths and hidden abilities. We offer a unique program approach of adaptive therapeutic rec-reation, which combines key elements that encourage progress: structured programming, nurturing care, a positive setting, and academic instruction to meet IEP goals. 1- 855 707 2267 www.camphuntington.com

Summer Day Camps are In Your Neighborhood!

REGISTER NOW!YMCA Day camps enhance a camper’s self confidence, self-esteem and leadership every day, emphasizing on good sportsmanship, teamwork and safety.

Kindercamp Traditional Day Camp Sports Camp Outdoor Day Camp Half-Day Camps Jr. Teen Travel Camp Teen Travel Camp Special Needs Camp Counselor-In-Training

Berlin Burlington City Burlington Twp. DelranHaddonfield Medford Moorestown Mt. Laurel Palmyra

Over 20 camps for children ages 3-16 to spend their summer right in their own neighborhood.

YMCA of Burlington And CAMden Counties

www.ymca-bc.org

LESSONS fOR a

LIfETIME!fuN fOR a

SuMMER...For registration infoand forms, contact:

Nancy HaneyCamp registrar609.543.6200 x308

7am-6pm w/no extended care fees! (excludes outdoor & Half-day Camps)

3/4/5 Day options

Weekly trips to exciting locations

Instructional & recreational swimming 4 days a week

Y Day Camps Offer:

Join us for special discounts at a Camp Open House!Mt. laurelYMCA

Sun, 3/17 11am-2pm

Sun, 5/19 2-4pm

Burlington-riverfront YMCA

Sun, 5/19 11am-1pm

Experienced staff

Low staff to camper ratio


BURLINGTON COUNTY Youth Art Month Art work created by students in grades K-12 from all of Burlington County will be on display at Moorestown Public Library in Moorestown from March 18 - 28 in their gallery area. Each March, public schools celebrate their creations with the observance of Youth Art Month nationally.All children enjoy opportunities where they can draw, create and dream. The primary goal of YAM is to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Students and their families are invited to attend the artists’ closing reception on Thursday, March 28 at 6pm for the awards recognition program and refreshments. The awards will be given at 7pm sharp. This exhibit is coordinated under the direction of Burlington County Chairperson, Felicia Collins. All press personnel can check in at 6pm. Contact Mrs. Collins, (856) 343-9104, for confirmation or e-mail.

Tales and More for Under 4 Friday, March 8 Socks! and Friday, March 22 Pants! Burlington County Historical Society We currently are developing a series of programs for children ages 18 months to 4yrs. and their caregivers. These events will be on Friday afternoons from 10:30-11:30am, and the cost is $5 per child. They’ll involve storytelling, crafts and children will have the opportunity to try on period cloth-ing. Join us March 8 for our first session. www.burlingtoncounty-historicalsociety.org

CAMDEN COUNTY Chicken Little’s Chick-fil-A Every Thursday @ Chick-fil-A Audubon Crossings, 9am-10am, all ages welcome. Join in on our play group! Enjoy great food, fun friends and activities. Audubon Crossings 110 Black Horse Pike Audubon (856) 547-0815

OZ Over the Rainbow Saturday, March 9 – 3pm Sunday, March 10 – 1pm Timber Creek High School 501 Jarvis Rd., Erial Presented by THE DANCE! Work-shop Company. A Children’s Performing Troupe in residence at DANCE By DiNote Washington Township. To reserve your seat for this performance call (856) 227-9414. Donation: Adults $17 and children $12

CHSEPTA Vendor Fair Thursday, March 14 from 7-9pm Malberg Building – 45 Ranoldo Terrace Cherry Hill—Free Vendor Fair for individuals with special needs. Providers will present information on various topics such as therapies, camps, athletics, special needs financial

planning, legal services, food, party venues, support groups and dentistry and optometry needs. For more information, visit www.chsepta.com

Craft/Vendor Boutique Saturday, March 16th 10am – 2pm St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (433 Park Ave, Laurel Springs) The Moms Club® of Blackwood Area will be hosting a Craft/Ven-dor Boutique. See products from Arbonne, Avon, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Thirty-One, Lexi’s Quilts, Origami Owl, Blam, One Crafty Bee and more within one convenient shopping trip. The proceeds from the event will support the children’s art activities within the Moms Club of Blackwood Area. If you would like more information on our chapter, please go to www.momsclub.southjersey.com or e-mail [email protected].

CAPE MAY COUNTY Woofin Paws Pet Fashion Show Saturday, March 30 11am at Carey Stadium, 6th St. off the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Dress your pets in their Easter’s best. For more information, call (609) 525-9300

The Great Egg Hunt Saturday, March 30 11th St. – 14th St. Beach Ocean City Five (5) age groups. 100,000 eggs. (raindate March 31st) For more information, call (609) 525-9300

Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, March 31 Ocean City Music Pier A traditional non-denominational service by the sea. All are wel-come. 6:30am, Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. For more information, call (609) 525-9300

CUMBERLAND COUNTY Children’s Reading Program Tuesdays throughout the school year. Cumberland County Library 800 East Commerce St., Bridgeton (856) 453-2210 ext. 101 Grades: K-6th. The library offers a reading program for children in grades K-6th at 6:30pm Tuesdays throughout the school year!

GLOUCESTER COUNTY Barnes and Noble Weekly Story time— 10 – 11am Join us each week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for great stories that are sure to become favor-ites! The Court at Deptford II, 1553 Almonesson Rd., Deptford (856) 232-3123 http://store-lo-cator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3556420-23

Broadway Theatre of Pitman 43 S. Broadway, Pitman (856) 384-8381 www.thebroadwaytheatre.org Bring the family and catch a show.

March CalendarTo submit your event, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Entries are due six weeks prior to the event and are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Space is limited.

For a complete list of events, log onto www.southjerseymom.com

things 2 do


CLASSES Enrichment Classes & Workshops for Home School Families Constellation Academy offers Christ-centered resources and teaching at affordable rates. Services include academic and elective subject tutoring and/or class instruction, workshops, teacher mentoring, student contests, field trips and fellowship opportunities! Visit ConstellationAcademyHSRN.blogspot.com for more info or call (856) 205-9334.

GIFT IDEAS GREAT PERSONALIZED GIFTS FOR ALL AGES

At JUST FOR LITTLE PEOPLE (and others, too!) we specialize in new baby gifts both hand-painted and/or embroidered. Beautifully wrapped and available for pick-up at our new Gibbsboro location or we can ship it for you. Call (856) 627-8901 or check out www.justforlittlepeople.com

HOME OWNERS FREE OFFERAccurate pricing is the first and most important step towards successfully marketing your home. To receive your Free Comparative Market Analysis from The Ron Bruce Team at Prudential Fox and Roach. Call 609-670-1794. There is no obligation,The team will promptly provide you with a comprehensive report on the value of your home. Begin your free, no-obligation market value analysis today!

reso

urce

gui

de

484 E. Evesham Rd. Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

(inside Short Hills Town Center) (856)229-7058

[email protected]

9 W. Main St. Moorestown, NJ 08057

(856)866-8665 [email protected]

SHORT HILLS CENTER

Grand Opening!

CLASSES: Mommy & Me, Mini Mites (age 3), Ninja Turtles (ages 4-6), Children’s (ages 7-12), Teens and Adults, Cardio Karate and Tai Chi (qi gong)

Visit us at nkikarate.com

SPECIAL OFFER

one month freewith this ad

Specializing in fine art portraiture of babies, children, families, pets

and more.

Mention this ad to receive a complimentary print.

www.laurawaltersphoto.com215.694.6546

Laura Walters 8th Ad - Mar 2013.indd 1 1/8/13 9:46 AM

work with experienced professionals and gain the

freedom you are looking for

4 Be Your Own Boss4 Work Your Own Hours4 Spend More Time with Family4 Build Your Financial Future

for more information call 609-685-5892

START YOUR OWN BUSINESS TODAY

http://ConstellationAcademyHSRN.blogspot.com

lifebankusa.com

1.877.543.3226

When you bank with LifebankUSA®, tissue banking is FREE.*• Only LifebankUSA can bank placenta blood cells, cord blood cells and tissue

• This unique combination yields the greatest number of life-saving cells

• More cells stored means greater protection and the most peace of mind

Saving more cells. Storing more hope.Stem cells from placental and cord blood are indicated to rebuild blood.*Tissue banking includes tissue from the placenta. Storage fees apply after the fi rst year.

LifebankUSA is a registered trademark of Celgene Corporation. © 2012 Celgene Cellular Therapeutics

march 2013 - south jersey mom magazine

Documents