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PARENT TO PARENT
Spring 2011:
Child Care
NannyShare Chicago .....PAGE 6
Work-Life Balance Through Cultural Exchange .....PAGE 8
Guidelines for Fighting in Front of the Kids .....PAGE 12
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Chicago, IL 60657
773-248-1741
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Chicago, IL 60625
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0111-519HO
2 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
OUR
MISSION
Connecting a
diverse community
of families with
the resources they
need to navigate
parenting in the city.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Features
News & Information
NannyShare Chicago............................. 6
NPN Volunteers......................................5
Just for Dads..........................................7
NPN Neighborhood Picks.................... 23
Achieving Work-Life Balance
Through Cultural Exchange................... 8
Upcoming Events................Back Cover
The Nanny: Your Secret Weapon
for Getting Organized........................... 9
Babysitting Co-op: More Than
“Free” Babysitting................................ 11
Guidelines for Fighting in
Front of the Kids..................................12
Introducing the Joys of
Sports and Fitness................................14
Go Green Baby Style............................ 15
PARENT
TO
PARENT
Jill Chukerman, Managing Editor
[email protected]
Peggy Fink, Designer
[email protected]
Firebelly Design, Creative Direction
firebellydesign.com
Ellie Ander, Marketing & Advertising
[email protected]
Sarah Cobb, Executive Director
[email protected]
BJ Slusarczyk, Administration
[email protected]
Parent to Parent contains articles and
information contributed by parents for
parents. For information about advertising and editorial submissions,
Caring About Reading..........................16
Top Chef Parent...................................18
Are You a Diaper-BagToting Foodie?.....................................21
Letter from the
Executive Director
Happy spring NPN! The first glimmers of warm
afternoons and adventures outside are just
around the corner. We are thrilled to have our
new website in place to help you connect
with other Chicago families, learn from great
experts and find new ways to navigate
parenting in the city.
This issue’s theme is child care, a topic near and dear to every
parent I meet. Finding great, affordable and trustworthy child care that fits your family
can be a challenge. Each child has specific needs, and all parents come to the table with individual
expectations, idiosyncrasies and secret fantasies of finding Mary Poppins or that special caregiver
who will be with their family for a decade.
Wading through the different options like nannies, nanny shares, au pairs, day care centers,
in-home day cares, full day preschools, part-time help, babysitters, co-ops, etc.—and determining
the pros and cons of each—takes effort and patience.
Whether you use the NPN Discussion Forum, an agency or recommendations from friends, start by
determining your requirements, budget and must-haves. Next, gather a reliable list of candidates
and start interviewing. Spend some time considering a list of questions to ask prospects. My favorite
question: “Tell me a cute or funny story from your prior work experience caring for children.”
Understanding how she will connect with my child is always important to me.
visit npnparents.org. We look forward
Be patient and don’t give up—there are wonderful candidates out there. NPN’s resources are here
to help you find your way through the search. Be sure to tell us what you learn along the way!
to hearing from you!
Sarah Cobb
npnparents.org • 3
Pediatric Dentistry
Robert Govoni, DDS
Orthodontics
Specialized dental and orthodontic care
for the entire family
Brigette Ligas, DMD, MS
General & Cosmetic
Dentistry
Monika Govoni, DDS
Tips for Your Child’s Diet & Dental Health:
• Brush effectively twice a day, including once before bedtime.
• Floss your child’s teeth once a day.
• Limit the number of snack times; choose healthy
nutritious snacks.
• Limit juice to 1 6oz. serving per day with a meal.
• Do not put your young child to bed with a bottle or
sippy cup of milk, formula, or juice.
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4 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
NPN THANKS OUR VOLUNTEERS
Clubs
NPN Board of Directors
Andersonville-Edgewater.....................................................Robin Brannigan/Rosemary Wolfe
Lakeview................................................................................. Christine Jordan/Meg Standing
Lincoln Park................................................................................. Ann Hickey/Shannon Blaha
Lincoln Square-North Center............................................................................. Traci Hinshaw
Near West-South Side............................................. Lisa Kulisek/Gina Joslin/ Francine Verlotta
Old Town-Gold Coast..................................................................................... Shannon Colteu
Portage Park................................................................................Cyrus Clausen/Lisa Falconer
Rogers Park............................................................................... Beth Burkhart/Geoff Burkhart
West Town.................................................................................. Amy Johnson/Kelly Cantwell
Adoption..........................................................................................Tammy Miller/Julie Rakay
Asian............................................................................................... .Jennifer Uson/Ying Zhan
Attorney Moms............................................................................Jean Choi/Elizabeth O’Brien
Dads..................................................................................... Michael Schaefer/Ian Smithdahl
Developmental Differences................................................... Ellen Sternweiler/Kandalyn Hahn
Moms’ Night Out.............................................................................................. Allison Andre
Moms Over 35..................................................................................Gina Ferraro/Marie Lona
Multiples.............................................................................. Eileen Richards/Cari Matykiewicz
Not So New Parents................................................................................... Bernadette Pawlik
Same Sex Parents............................................................... Janice McGeehan/Monique Urban
Single Parents...................................................................................................Angela Kezon
Working Mom................................................................Marietta Coles/Rebekah Kohmescher
Board President......................................................... Lee Haas
Treasurer...................................................... Susan Pyne-Torres
Secretary....................................................Ann Marie Hankins
Board Members................................................... Kelley Ahuja
Sarah Davis
Elisa Kronish Drake
Alex Guzman
Daniel Murphy
Victoria Nygren
Lynne Obiala
Sharmila Rao Thakkar
Resources
Legal Counselor...............................................................................................Heather Varon
Are you interested in volunteering?
There are so many fun ways to get involved. We are looking for members who want to:
*plan events for one of these groups:
*participate in one of these committees:
Northwest Side
South Side
Attachment Parenting
Expectant Moms
Moms’ Night Out
Parents of One
Single Parents
Fundraising/Silent Auction/Grants
Strategic Planning/Technology Project
School Fair & Directory
Volunteer Recruiting and Management
If you are interested in these
opportunities or have new ideas,
please contact [email protected]
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npnparents.org • 5
NANNYSHARE CHICAGO
By Sarah Davis, NPN member since 2004, Board member since 2009
PARENTS DECIDING BETWEEN A NANNY AND
DAYCARE OFTEN FIND A NANNYSHARE TO BE A
PERFECT SOLUTION.
If you are pregnant or have a newborn, you probably have
heard about a NannyShare, the new big thing sweeping
across the nanny industry. There are pros and cons to a
NannyShare; my goal is to shed some light on a few issues.
What is a NannyShare?
Most simply: two families with children close in age hire
one nanny for both families. This arrangement might
involve families sharing the nanny during the same hours or
one family having the nanny part-time and the other fulltime. In my experience, it’s preferable to have similar hours
so the nanny can come to either house on the same days
and at the same times every week.
Is a NannyShare right for you?
One benefit is a playmate for your child every day. A lot
of parents worry that a nanny will not offer their children
enough involvement and interaction. Parents deciding
between a nanny and daycare often find a NannyShare to
be a perfect solution, combining the benefits of having a
nanny at their home, using their child’s crib and providing
the child with a playmate. Another big benefit is cost: if
you NannyShare, you and the other family each pay only
half the salary.
Many nannies also prefer a NannyShare situation. They
appreciate having two (or more) children to grow, learn and
play together. Also, your nanny will have a higher salary. If
the nanny has experience with multiple children, it’s a winwin. Keep in mind that your nanny will have four bosses,
so if you need to address something, talk it over first as
parents and have one person approach the nanny.
A few things to look out for
Make sure the family that you NannyShare with has the
same philosophies about parenting as your family. Do you
like your child to be active—go to the park, story time,
museums? Do you want your child eating only organic, or
are you particular when it comes to being “green”? If the
other family does not share your priorities, it may not be a
good match. It’s also important to agree on the qualities
you desire in a nanny. If you’re looking for a younger,
energetic, outgoing nanny and the other family wants an
older, experienced nanny, you may not see eye to eye.
I recommend having a list of expectations for both the
family partaking in the “share” and the nanny. Compare
notes, ask lots of questions and make sure you are all on
the same page. Finding a family to work with is just as
important as finding a great nanny.
Do your legwork and talk to more then just one family.
Chances are there is another great family looking for the
same thing you are!
.
sy Sarah Davis
Photo courte
6 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
Sarah Davis founded the Olive.You.Nanny agency (oliveyounanny.com)
in 2004. She was a nanny for eight years and is now a mother of three.
The agency can match families with full-time, part-time, summer and
occasional (night out) sitters. The agency also recently launched a free
website for families to connect with other families seeking a NannyShare:
nannysharechicago.com. Special NPN Parent Perk: FREE sign-up in
March for NPN members with code NPN.
JUST FOR DADS
By Daniel P. Murphy
NPN member since 2009, Board member since 2010
AS A DAD, I TRY TO MAXIMIZE
MY TIME WITH MY SON AND
FIND VENUES THAT ARE FUN YET
INTERACTIVE FOR BOTH OF US.
Photo courtesy Danie
l P. Murphy.
Here are a few more favorite spots:
Dads have the opportunity to spend time with our children
alone to give Moms a break, either during the week or
on the weekends. So where to find the right activity that
will keep our kids entertained? As a Dad, I try to maximize
my time with my son and find venues that are fun yet
interactive for both of us. I’m looking for activities that keep
us engaged—he meets and plays with other children and
spends time with Dad, and I meet other fathers. Going back
to the same activity (breakfast, parks, zoo, etc.) brings him
joy; however, exposing him to a new activity (golf, baseball,
sledding, go-karts, etc.) shows him what the world has to
offer. It is amazing to see him experience something for the
first time.
Through the NPN Dads Group, I can check out a new event
each month just for Dads and children. Recent spots have
included Bubbles Academy, Garfield Park Conservatory, Oz
Park for a pizza party, Wrigley Field tour and Pump It Up—
all great for Dads to spend time with our children and meet
other Dads. Many friendships have evolved, and the group
continues to grow.
“Every Saturday at 8 a.m., I meet up with one or two other
Dads and their kids at Wishbone on Lincoln for breakfast.
We have been going for almost four years and now have
this awesome weekend tradition.” John, Dad of a four-year-old in
Lakeview, NPN member since 2007
“Lincoln Park Zoo is a great tradition; I take my kids
throughout the year. In the winter, the paths are plowed
and buildings are open to warm up, and it’s always a fun
experience.” Michael, Dad of a five-month-old and two-year-old in
Lincoln Park, NPN member since 2009
“A great activity is a trip to the grocery store. I put my son in
the cart facing me so we can carry on a constant dialogue.
We talk about everything from apples to zucchini, and I
teach him everything I can about the world around him.”
Alex, Dad of a 20-month-old in Margate Terrace, NPN member since 2009
“I get a lot of mileage with the museum passports from
the Public Library, and they have great little playgrounds
that are appropriate all year round, especially the Adler
Planetarium. There are plenty of activities that keep both
of us engaged equally.” Ian, Dad of a four-year-old in Lincoln Park,
NPN member since 2008
“Diversey Rock N Bowl has dollar bowling and dollar shoes
before 5 p.m. With bumper lanes, six-pound balls, push
ramps, automated scoring, an arcade and a great menu,
it’s like being able to hang out in a clubhouse that you and
your kids will both enjoy.” Brendan, Dad of an eight-month-old and
two-and-a-half-year-old in Lincoln Park, NPN member since 2009.
If you are a new or expecting Dad and looking for fun
events and activities to enjoy with your children, NPN is
a great resource. The value of the programs, services and
events will benefit you and your family for many years. I
encourage you to not only join NPN, but also be an active
member by volunteering and contributing to this wonderful
organization.
Daniel P. Murphy lives in the Avondale neighborhood and is married with
a four-year-old son. He is a VP of sales for a local manufacturing company.
He enjoys volunteering for NPN, is active in the Dads Group and looks
forward to continuing to volunteer and attend NPN events with his family.
npnparents.org • 7
ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
THROUGH CULTURAL EXCHANGE
By Karen Hurley, NPN member since 2010
“THE BEST PART OF HOSTING AN AU PAIR—I’VE LEARNED
SO MUCH, TOO!”
The Gwinn family of Roscoe Village, like all of us, is trying
to balance it all—life, family and work. Dad travels for
business and is often gone three to four nights a week, and
that leaves Sandy home to handle the day-to-day routine
for their three active children: Max, age six, and four-yearold twins Alexander and Reese.
The “Aha” moment
Sandy relates, “The twins were born two months prematurely,
and our parents helped out and were great, but they lived
out of state and could only help us for so long. A coworker of my husband had au pairs for many years, and
he recommended that we try hosting.” Sandy was using a
nannyshare for a few weeks, and her “Aha” moment came
when one infant got sick on a Monday and the doctor’s
office asked her to come in that day at 2 p.m. She realized
that her nanny wasn’t coming until Wednesday. “Having to
take all three children to the doctor’s office convinced me
that there had to be a better way.”
Cultural exchange
The Gwinns (NPN members since 2004) are currently
hosting their fourth German au pair. The cultural exchange
experience has become an everyday part of their lives. “All
my children can count in German, know all their colors
and sing a German lullaby every night to go to sleep. Max
entered a talent show at school and sang in German and
also knows the longest German word. He won the talent
show. My daughter knows the German word for butterfly.
Everywhere they go, they point and ask our au pair, ‘How
do you say this in German?’” One former au pair, Viktoria,
shared her family recipe for birthday cake, which the family
now bakes for their birthdays. Former au pairs call the children
on their birthdays, and two have come to visit. One au pair is
trying to return to Chicago to intern at a German language
school in hopes of being near her American host family.
Photo courtesy Karen Hurley.
Flexibility
Even though her children are now older, Sandy still sees the
value in hosting an au pair. “Last year the children were in
three different schools, and without my au pair, Marina, I
would never have been able to get everyone ready in the
morning and handle drop-off and pickup. I don’t know
of any nanny who would be willing to work for an hour,
have a break and come back later. This year is a little easier
because I have two in one school and the third in another,
but I still need her help. Today I had to take my boys to an
activity after school and my au pair, Sina, stayed home with
my daughter and baked cookies.”
So what, you may ask, is the German word for butterfly?
“Schmetterling,” says Sandy. “This is the best part of
hosting an au pair—I’ve learned so much, too!”
Since 2007, Karen Hurley has been helping parents with their child care needs
through Cultural Care Au Pair. Karen is a mom of three, stepmom of four and
a “mom” to one-year-old black Lab Maggie. She welcomes questions and
discussion on creating work-life balance with a cultural exchange: 800-333-6056
ext. 3711 or http://pages.culturalcare.com/neighborhood parentsnetwork
8 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
THE NANNY: YOUR SECRET WEAPON
FOR GETTING ORGANIZED
By Sarah Giller Nelson, NPN member since 2008
Spring is the perfect time to clean and reorganize your home.
This year, employ your nanny in the process. Considering
she spends most of her time surrounded by your child’s
stuff, she is the perfect person to recognize the things your
child uses most, where and why. Here are some tips to help
you help her create an organized kids’ space.
Before organizing
• Have a detailed conversation. Maintaining open lines
of communication is key to a healthy relationship. Share
your expectations with your nanny and your definition of
“organized.” Everyone’s standards are different. Be very
specific. Do you want her to set aside outgrown clothes
or unpopular toys, or is that something you prefer to do?
Should she gather toy components each time your child
uses them? What is your tolerance for mixing Duplos
and Legos in the same container? Organizing is a detailoriented process, and you should convey all the details.
• Recognize strengths. If she has a knack for organization,
let her take the lead. Just make sure she explains her
systems. If you are more organized, be sympathetic. With
a bit of work everyone can become more organized.
During organizing
• Use the right storage tools. I recommend clear plastic
boxes with lids. They are inexpensive, stackable, contain items
neatly and allow children to see their contents. Purchase
a variety of sizes and a few extras to accommodate new
items. Use one 56-quart container for outgrown clothes
and one for clothes that do not yet fit.
SHE IS THE PERFECT PERSON TO RECOGNIZE WHAT
YOUR CHILD USES MOST, WHERE AND WHY.
• Label everything. Good labels help everyone find and
return items easily. Use stickers or invest in a label maker.
A basic model can cost less than $30 at office supply
stores. Use pictures of a box’s contents for pre-readers. In
a household with many people, labels are often the most
important part of maintaining organized spaces.
After organizing
• Clean as you go—and teach the kids to do so as well.
Once it is clear children are finished playing with toys, put
them away. Make this a habit. Insist that everyone in the
household do the same.
• Have the nanny refill diaper-changing stations as soon as
she uses supplies and restock the diaper bag as soon as
she returns from an outing with your child.
• When you acquire new toys and games, make sure to show
all the pieces to the nanny so she knows what goes with what.
• Finally, check in with her about systems regularly. If
something is not working well, jointly come up with an
alternative. Happy organizing!
Sarah Giller Nelson is the owner of Less is More, a professional organizing services
company that specializes in organizing busy families (LessIsMoreOrganizers.
com). She has two children, Jack (four) and Naomi (18 months). Her tolerance for
storing Duplos and Legos in the same container is extremely low.
Avoid deep baskets or large toy chests, unless they are
used only for a few large items. Not only do these become
“catch-alls,” but the piles of toys tend to be difficult for
small children to access without removing everything.
• Create zones. Establish areas for certain activities: arts and
crafts, dress-up/pretend play, reading, diaper-changing,
supplies, etc.
• Based on these zones, assign homes for items after
use. Store arts and crafts supplies next to the table your
child uses for art. Place books near the bed for nightly
reading. Keep all clothes your child currently wears in the
same closet or dresser. Keep diaper-changing supplies by
the diaper-changing table. Place the most popular toys in
the most accessible places. Store less popular toys or those
that require supervision (like glitter) in less accessible
places. (This strategic placement also helps you recognize
when to pass along an unused toy.)
Photo courtesy Sarah
Giller Nelson.
npnparents.org • 9
Relieving Sleep Deprived parents
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10 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
BABYSITTING CO-OP:
MORE THAN “FREE”
BABYSITTING
By Melanie Schlachter, NPN member since 2008
Photo courtes
y Melanie Schla
Are you fortunate enough to have your parents, in-laws or
other friends and family nearby, willing to drop everything
so that you can enjoy an evening out, attend an adults-only
school function or just run some errands without the kids in
tow? If you are one of these lucky few, no need to read any
further. The rest of you may want to read on.
The typical cost for babysitting in Chicago starts around
$10 per hour and goes up from there. And a good sitter is
tough to find.
Sitter-challenged
Our breaking point with sitters came about three years ago.
It was New Year’s Eve Eve. We had a large group of friends
in town for the weekend and a dinner reservation at one
of our favorite sushi spots. We’d arranged for a sitter,
someone we’d used before, recommended by a trustworthy
colleague, to watch our son and the child of a visiting friend.
To say we were looking forward to our “big” night out, a
luxury for us with a new baby at home, is an understatement.
That’s when I saw my Blackberry blinking. I checked my e-mail
and learned that our babysitter had cancelled on us, a mere
hour and a half before we were scheduled to leave, because
she was “sick.” I can’t fault the girl for coming down with a
cold. But a little notice would have been nice.
The Northside Babysitting Co-op
Soon after our New Year’s debacle, through the NPN discussion
boards, we discovered The Northside Babysitting Cooperative,
a group now including families from across the city.
Founded more than 20 years ago, the Co-op provides member
families access to a pool of “babysitters” at no cost. Co-op
parents are the babysitters, ensuring an unmatched level of
child care experience and reliability. The Co-op also serves as a
support system. As one longtime member explains, “The Coop helps make a large city seem a little smaller and much more
livable for families with children.” Membership is limited to 35
families maximum to ensure a strong sense of community.
chter.
The Co-op rules include:
• Completing an application, attending an initial meeting
and maintaining an up-to-date online profile
• Attending at least one out of every three
bi-monthly meetings
• Using the Co-op (by either performing or receiving
babysitting services) at least once every two months
• Reporting hours through an online database
“I really appreciate getting to know the other parents,
especially seeing how they interact with their kids and other
families’ kids, before making a decision as to whom I might
want to babysit for my child,” remarks one Co-op mom.
To earn credits, a Co-op member may babysit for any other
Co-op member, and Co-op members redeem credits for
babysitting services from any member family. Babysitting may
take place at the children’s or sitter’s home; the two families
work out the logistics.
The benefit
We ended up finding a sitter that New Year’s Eve Eve—a
roommate of a friend of a sister’s friend (follow that?), whom
we had to entice with hefty overtime pay. We’ve also found
some terrific sitters whom we love (and pay) dearly. However,
the Co-op has been a godsend for our family. More than just
free babysitting, it has provided a network of amazing families
whom we enjoy and trust.
To learn more about the Co-op, please contact Co-op
Coordinator Monica Lasky at [email protected].
Melanie Schlachter is a former marketing leader turned stay-at-home
Mom of Jack (three) and Clara (one and a half). She has been active with
NPN since shortly after her son was born and joined the Northside Babysitting Co-op after the birth of her daughter. She, her husband Christian,
their children and their dog Parker live in Andersonville.
WE HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT VERY EASY TO FIND A SITTER WHEN WE
NEED ONE. THE SIZE OF THE CO-OP, PROXIMITY AND FLEXIBILITY OF THE
MEMBERS WORK IN OUR FAVOR.
npnparents.org • 11
GUIDELINES FOR FIGHTING IN
FRONT OF THE KIDS
By Tovah Means, NPN member since 2010
THE KEY IS TO BE SELF-CONTROLLED, TACTFULLY HONEST,
RESPECTFUL AND FORGIVING DURING A CONFLICT.
What kind of marital conflict is appropriate to show in front
of the kids? On the one hand, it is important for them to learn
that their parents can disagree, be angry and hurt and still love
and respect each other. On the other hand, some types of
conflict can be harmful and are best left to the bedroom. Here
are some rules of thumb for the kinds of conflict that children
should not be privy to:
1. Any physical violence, threats of violence or destruction
of property: This one might seem obvious, but fights can
escalate quickly, especially if the couple has low control
over emotions like anger. Rage, belligerence and violence
all create an extremely unsafe physical and emotional
environment for kids.
2. N
ame calling, expressions of contempt and threatening
to leave: Disliking a spouse is very normal. It happens to
the best of us. If you have crossed over into hating and
feeling disdain, however, it can be difficult to cover up those
feelings. Kids are incredibly sensitive to the cohesiveness of
the parental unit and depend on its stability for their own
sense of security.
3. O
ngoing fights and the inability to repair or forgive:
Saying “I’m sorry” and extending forgiveness is essential to
teaching kids about resolving conflict. If they can see their
parents fight but also take responsibility and say they’re
sorry, they will learn that conflict does not always lead to
hurt, rejection or disconnection. Extending forgiveness also
teaches the kids about having empathy for others.
4. A
voiding, ignoring and withdrawing: Avoidance can
lead to showing emotions in an underhanded way, rather
than directly addressing the issues. Often in families there
are emotions that are “off limits” like anger, sadness or
passion. These emotions are categorized as unpleasant,
shameful and inappropriate. Addressing conflict openly will
allow your kids to express what they are feeling without
attaching a negative stigma. Also, emotional withdrawal is
a way of leaving the relationship, teaching that conflict can
lead to rejection, loneliness and isolation. Kids need to feel
safe bringing up concerns and talking about their feelings
without worrying if a parent can handle them.
12 • Parent to Parent, Winter 2010
5. V
enting and post-fight smack talking: Kids should
never be brought into the middle of marital conflict. If they
express some anxiety about the conflict, it’s important to
reassure them that the parental unit is “OK” and that’s it.
Sharing age-inappropriate information, trying to get them
on your side or bashing the other in front of them causes
a lot of distress and asks the kids to take sides, something
they should not be asked to do. Parents need to give
reassurance that they can take care of themselves.
The key is to be self-controlled, tactfully honest, respectful and
forgiving during a conflict. This will teach kids that they can be
close to someone and have conflict with that person without
fearing that they may lose or hurt the relationship. It will also
teach them that expressing painful emotions is OK, even if
they are intense and unpleasant at times. It might even show
that conflict can bring two people closer together.
Tovah Means, MS, AMFT is an associate marriage and family therapist.
She works with couples and families at Prairie Family Therapy in Chicago
and Naperville.
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npnparents.org • 13
INTRODUCING THE JOYS OF
SPORTS AND FITNESS
By Barb Lazarus, NPN member since 2010
JUST AS IMPORTANT, AS YOUR CHILDREN MASTER
THE “GAME,” THEY BUILD CONFIDENCE.
Sports and fitness, a.k.a. an active lifestyle, are good for the
body and soul. I can confidently say that this message is
proven, receiving more attention and emphasis by the day.
So how do we safely and effectively introduce our youngest
children to a physically active life? And once we expose,
how do we hook them forever?
Two key components to success
The first is making the introduction (and continued involvement)
fun. The second is the all-important concept of confidence.
From the earliest toddler years, literally and figuratively start
the ball rolling. The belly-aching laughter from a game of
Nerf or rubber push-ball as you and your little one sit on the
floor, legs spread, touching to form the boundaries, rolling
the ball back and forth, is priceless.
Here’s a classic: Everyone down on hands and knees, ready
to chase. One of you gives the ball a shove down the floor
or hall and it’s a race to recapture. These types of creative
games foster physical, mental and hand-eye coordination
along with muscle development in an atmosphere of pure fun.
Just as important, as your children master the “game,”
they build confidence. You should therefore build slowly
to ensure development at a pace commensurate with
ability. If you move too quickly, the child tends to become
frustrated and wants to quit. If you move too slowly, the
child becomes bored.
Your rolling and crawling games may progress to hitting a
rolling Nerf ball with a Nerf bat or even off a tee. And then
there is my family’s favorite pillow-throw game. A parent
(or both) strategically throws small pillows side to side
with the object of having your child make a diving catch
on to a mattress, bed or soft carpet. Feel free to speed
up the throws when ready, intensifying the challenge
while promoting footwork, focus, coordination and fun.
Everyone in the family can participate and work up sweat
that earns that trip to the kitchen for some light ice cream!
Here are a couple of additional progressive games to consider:
1. Basketball
A. Roll the little rubber ball to your child, child picks it
up, runs and dumps it in the bucket.
B. T oss the ball to your child on a bounce or fly and have
him/her turn and toss on a fly into the bucket.
C. Introduce a Little Tyke hoop.
2. Tennis
Start with the Nerf paddle. Simply swat the Nerf ball
around, making contact while the ball is moving.
Progress to tossing the ball on a bounce or fly and
having your child strive for contact. Then you can move
to lightly hitting the ball back and forth so that it lands
within boxes formed by tape on your basement or
hallway floor.
The bottom line is be creative with these games and
have fun.
Visit npnparents.org for more valuable tips and discussion
on maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your kids as well
as suggestions for fun, active games.
Barb Lazarus is a mother, wife, veteran athlete and co-founder/owner of Game
On! Summer Sports Camps 4 Girls. After years as an attorney and business owner,
she pursued her lifelong dream of giving back to girls’ sports in return for the
benefits from her years of participation. Visit gameonsportscamp.com or e-mail
[email protected].
b Lazarus.
Photo courtesy Bar
14 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
GO GREEN
BABY STYLE
By Kim Sledgister,
NPN member since 2007
MAKING HEADS OR TALES OF THE
GREEN JARGON
There is enough lingo in the green movement to make your
head spin. Nowadays, going green is all the rage, especially
when it comes to our children. It’s becoming trendy. Green
is the new black—and I don’t mean a size 6. More like 6T.
Going green—who actually has time to stop and think
about what that really means? Doesn’t that mean organic?
Isn’t that really expensive? There’s just too much—maybe
I’ll just stop at Target instead. Wait! What was that toy that
got recalled for lead? I have that e-mail here somewhere.
There’s nothing wrong with Target. I shop there. Whenever
possible, though, I strive to make the healthiest choice for
my family and the planet no matter where I am. It can be
dizzying for busy parents to know what it all means. What
is safe? What carries risk?
Eco-friendly describes an item that has an environmental
benefit (or, more important, causes no harm). Unlike “organic,”
there is currently no regulation to determine whether
a product is actually “green.” As long as there’s an ecobenefit somewhere, it fits.
Socially conscious is a fairly new kid on the block in greenland. Previously linked to the awareness of social hardship,
it’s now used mostly in marketing. Most commonly, if an item
is socially conscious, it means the product was produced
under fair trade practices (no sweatshops), using recycled
materials or via up-cycling (avoiding waste by repurposing
scraps left over during the production of something else).
Tales: Converting eco-talk to eco-choices—
it’s easier than you think
If your head is spinning, don’t worry—you aren’t alone
and there’s much more to learn. Chicago offers many ecooptions for parents. NPN’s greener living discussion board
is a great place to start. Also littlegreenbabyboutique.
blogspot.com goes into greater green detail.
Where to start in your own family? The next time you’re out
shopping, ask yourself if there’s a better option. It’s that
simple. One small choice can make a big impact. It starts
with you—every little bit helps.
Kim Sledgister is the owner of local eco-baby boutique Little Green Baby
in Lincoln Square. A Chicago native and practicing real estate agent, she
lives in West Bucktown with her husband, two young daughters and two
beloved pups.
Heads: Green jargon dissected
By now, many of us have heard the terms “organic,”
“eco-friendly” and “socially conscious.” But what do they
actually mean to us?
Organic means “grown without the use of pesticides,
synthetic fertilizers or hormone enhancers.” Would you
drink Miracle Gro? No. Then why spray it all over your garden
(cotton included)? This is not the same as something that
says “all natural,” which means that there are no synthetic
materials in your item. The reason this is important is
because not only do chemicals leech into our bodies from
items grown with pesticides, it also contaminates the
ground water and spills into major waterways. Makes me
wonder about the Hexavalent Chromium in our water.
©Jill Liebhaber
/ jookie, a portr
ait boutique, inc
.
npnparents.org • 15
CARING ABOUT READING
By Hope Egan, NPN member since 2006
SINCE CHILDREN LEARN BY EXAMPLE, I TRY TO
LET MY SON CATCH ME READING, WHETHER IT’S
A BOOK, A MAGAZINE OR EVEN THE AD FLYER
FROM WHOLE FOODS.
Almost daily I experience the same pressure most parents
feel to help their children learn. As a homeschooling mom
of a four-year-old, I have been doing some homework on
how to best help my little one become an academic allstar—especially in the area of reading. Here’s what I’ve
learned so far:
• Wait. Finland boasts the world’s highest reading scores,
even though they don’t start school until age seven. It is
tempting, but I avoid pressuring Daniel to read. While it’s
exciting to see him show reading readiness (like asking
what different words say), I will not push him until he
responds positively to my subtle, periodic attempts.
• Be a good role model. Since children learn by example, I
try to let my son catch me reading, whether it’s a book, a
magazine or even the ad flyer from Whole Foods.
• Read aloud. “Those meaningful sounds in the ear now
will help the child make sense of the words coming in
through the eye later when learning to read,” writes Jim
Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook. He goes
on to list other benefits, including building vocabulary
and background knowledge. Besides, reading aloud is
bonding and snuggly!
• Avoid expensive videos and flashcards. In spite of
what the tempting infomercials tout, focusing on sight
words rather than phonics, especially at an early age, can
actually hinder learning rather than help it.
ABCDEFG
P
O
N
K
J
M
I
L
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QRSTUVWX YZ
16 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
Here are some resources that help me in my quest to
boost Daniel’s literacy:
• The Read-Aloud Handbook (Jim Trelease, Penguin
Books) This best-selling handbook provides astounding
information about the benefits of reading aloud,
tips for making it more enjoyable and a “Treasury of
Read-Alouds,” which includes more than 1,000 book
recommendations for children of all ages.
• The Three R’s (Grades K–3) (Ruth Beechick, Mott
Media) This tiny paperback is filled with simple advice
on teaching basic reading, writing and arithmetic to your
children. It is geared towards homeschooling parents, but
it is an excellent resource for any parents eager to help
further their children’s education.
• Chicago Public Library (chipublib.org) Using the library
is much easier than it used to be. Once I received my
library card, I let my fingers do the walking to search for
books, request transfers from another branch and put
them on hold.
• Paperbackbookswap.com I add books we’ve loved to
our home library, often using this money-saving website.
I simply post books (hardcover or paperback) that I no
longer want and earn one credit for each book requested
by another member (and shipped at my expense, usually
$2 to $3). For each credit I earn, I can buy a book from
someone else, who pays the postage. The “wishlist”
function lets me automatically put dibs on books that I
want as soon as other members post them.
I don’t know how Daniel will score on the reading portion
of his SAT exam, but in the meantime, I plan to do as much
cuddly couch reading with him as possible!
Hope Feinglass Egan is the author of What the Bible Says about Healthy
Living Cookbook (BSACookbook.com). She and her husband live in
Lakeview with their son Daniel, whom they home school. She can be
reached at [email protected]
BOOKS WE LOVE—
SO FAR
For the Very Young
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
For Preschool and Older
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag
Jessie Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom
The Big Green Pocketbook by Candice F. Ransom
I am an Artist by Pat Lowery Collins
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Photo courte
sy Hope Egan
.
npnparents.org • 17
TOP CHEF PARENT
By A’me Dunn, NPN member since 2009
MAKE A HEALTHY MEAL FOR A TODDLER AND BABY
IN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES. GO!
I was watching Top Chef and wondering why those chefs
can’t be more creative, can’t finish on time and mess up the
easiest things like over-salting. I imagined myself as a “Top
Chef Parent” contestant. The two judges have given me a
goal, and I must reach it, adhering to very strict rules I don’t
know about until I break them.
At stake: a chance to cook an actual dinner using both
hands with a time limit of at least an hour, furnished by a
husband who promises to come home early and present a
bouquet of flowers.
First is the Quickfire Challenge. Quick! Name six proteins
other than meat! My child doesn’t like the texture of meat
but I have to feed him 21 meals plus snacks every single
week. Cheese, beans, eggs, peanut butter, milk and...
and... doh! Too late! I will not have immunity for this meal.
Can’t call in for a cheese pizza from Lou Malnati’s.
Now for the Elimination Challenge. Make a healthy
meal for a toddler and baby in less than two minutes. Go!
First, microwave the chicken nuggets. It takes one minute
and he hates crispy food so the nuked chicken substance
is perfect. Does ketchup count as a vegetable? Next, dish
out some yogurt and grab the strawberries. Wait! It’s not
going to be that easy. It’s winter so strawberries are out of
season! I’ll have to get clementines instead. And since they
have so much peeling I will have to supreme them.
Did you think the hard part was over? Now I must dice
veggies while holding a baby on one hip. Keep those tiny
fingers away from the knife, chop the veggies and stop the
crying. Whew! Done. One minute remaining.
Now to make the baby’s food so it contains fluid but is
not a bottle because he has recently gone on strike from
the bottle. OK: soak cheerios in formula, add formula to
the oatmeal, where’s the puree? and... and... oh! Twenty
seconds!
Time for plating. Chicken nuggets, yogurt, clementines
and green beans that were also put in the microwave to
steam. The green beans will be too hot and not at room
temperature when I serve them but that is a risk I must
take. Time’s up! Utensils down, hands up!
I stand at attention and wait nervously as the two judges,
one in a high chair and the other in a toddler seat, look at
their plates. Suddenly the toddler judge points at his plate
as if it contained a live scorpion and screams. How dare
you let the ketchup touch the nuggets even though he
was going to dip the nuggets into the ketchup anyway?
The baby swipes his hand across his plate and it lands face
down on the floor.
I look at the time and it’s still two hours until wine o’clock.
I clean up the mess on the floor and smile at the toddler
with hope that tomorrow’s breakfast challenge won’t be
as nerve-shattering. Surely the actual Top Chef contestants
don’t face this much pressure!
A’me Dunn is the mom of two boys. She continues to find ways to incorporate
fiber and vegetables into her kids’ diets by sacrificing her morals and lying
to them.
.
sy A’me Dunn
Photo courte
18 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
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20 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
ARE YOU A DIAPER-BAG-TOTING FOODIE?
By Cindy McCarthy, NPN member since 2008
As a food lover and a mom of two toddlers, I am always searching
for great restaurants that also accommodate the needs of young
families (highchairs, changing stations, kids’ menu, etc.). Luckily,
in Chicago it is possible to find sushi restaurants that have kids’
menus and great Italian restaurants where kids eat free.
Budget Conscious
From fine dining to budget conscious, here are a few of our
favorite finds:
Flat Top Grill
Old Town/Near North Side
319 W. North
Kids under four always eat free, all kids eat free Mondays
Fine Dining
Sushisamba Rio
River North
504 N. Wells
Big Jones
Andersonville
5347 N. Clark
Kids eat free M–F until 6 p.m.
Takes reservations for brunch
Trattoria Trullo
Lincoln Square
4767 N. Lincoln
Kids under seven eat free
Glenn’s Diner
Ravenswood
1820 W. Montrose
Takes reservations for brunch
Feast
Near North Side/Gold Coast
25 E. Delaware
Kids eat free Sundays 5–9 p.m.
Wilde Bar & Restaurant
Lakeview
3130 N. Broadway
Kids eat free M–F 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Dunlays on the Square
Logan Square
3137 W. Logan
Kids eat free 4:30–6 p.m.
Scoozi
River North
410 W. Huron
Kids eat free, make their own pizza
Sundays 5–6:30 p.m.
Kitsch’n On Roscoe
Roscoe Village
2005 W. Roscoe
In addition to being a mother of two, Cindy McCarthy is an urban explorer
of kid-sized Chicago and author of onthegochicago.com, a blog that
highlights family-friendly restaurants, activities, classes and events.
Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/onthegochicago or on Facebook at
facebook.com/onthegoChicago.
npnparents.org • 21
Sprouts Academy Preschool
A natural living preschool where children learn, laugh & grow in a green philosophy environment
Sprouts Academy Preschool has taken a very unique approach to the education and health
of children. The students of Sprouts Academy thrive in this playful and educational
environment with the help of caring, passionate and highly experienced educators. Our
curriculum is based on multiple theories of child development that exemplify the emergent
curriculum, anti-bias education and natural living philosophies.
Additionally, we believe that food is an integral part of a Natural Living Lifestyle. Our natural
food chef will use local, organic/seasonal and whole foods to serve nutrient dense and
delicious meals to the children.
Parents are investing in the social capital of their children. When our students move on from
Sprouts Academy Preschool they will leave with self confidence and learned Eco-friendly
habits that will not only be used in their future education but for life as well.
Learn more at: www.sproutsacademy.org
NOW ACCEPTING ENROLLMENTS!
Sprouts Academy Preschool
351 W Ontario St Chicago, IL 60654
312.944.6363 – [email protected]
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22 • Parent to Parent, Spring 2011
NPN NEIGHBORHOOD PICKS: SPRING FAVORITES
Compiled by Amy Archer, NPN Program Manager, NPN member since 2003
Here are a few favorite spots from our amazing volunteers, who run NPN
social and support groups all over Chicago.
ANDERSONVILLE/EDGEWATER/UPTOWN
PORTAGE PARK/OLD IRVING PARK
Eat: Hamburger
Mary’s, 5400 N. Clark
great burgers, great kids’ menu, Bingo Monday nights
Eat: S
usie’s Drive In, 4126 W. Montrose
more than 20 varieties of shakes and good French fries
hava Café, 4656 N. Clark
Eat: C
kid-friendly, close to Chase Park
Eat: T
he Original Alps Restaurant & Pancake House,
3637 W. Irving Park
super-family-friendly, breakfast/lunch only
Play: C
hicago Public Library/Uptown Branch, 929 W. Buena
great stories, songs, rhymes during toddler story time
Wed. 10:30–11 a.m.
Play: T
ot Spot at Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland
$3/visit or $35 season membership—access to indoor
playroom during the week, Sat./Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
LAKEVIEW
Eat: J ohn’s Place, 2132 W. Roscoe
excellent food, family-friendly
Play: E
xplore and Much More, 3827 N. Southport
indoor play place, great birthday party venue
Play: Florence G. Heller JCC on Wellington, 615 W. Wellington
great indoor play space for newborns to age four
LINCOLN PARK
Eat: D
el Seoul, 2568 N. Clark
great reasonably priced Korean dumplings and “tacos,”
don’t miss spicy Kimchi fries, BYOB
Eat: S
ono Wood Fired, 1582 N. Clybourn
great wine list, delicious pizza
See: Emerald City Theater at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln
Musicals for kids
NEAR WEST/NEAR SOUTH
Eat: T
he Beer Bistro, 1601 W. Madison
$5 pizza Mondays, $2 burger Tuesdays
Eat: S
tax, 1401 W. Taylor
outstanding service; “lumberjack” breakfast serves mom
and at least one small child, $13
Play: H
ubbard Street Dance Chicago, 1147 W. Jackson
early childhood dance classes
OLD TOWN/GOLD COAST
Eat: 3
rd Coast Cafe, 1260 N. Dearborn
homey food and atmosphere, excellent menu,
valet parking $10/3 hrs.
Play: I ndependence Park Fieldhouse, 3945 N. Springfield
free open swim and family swim
ROGERS PARK
Eat: R
oyal Coffee, 6764 N. Sheridan
awesome coffee, great food, free wi-fi
Eat: J amaica Jerk, 1631 W. Howard
painted to look like the beach, great inexpensive food
See: T
he New 400 Theater, 6746 N. Sheridan
first-run films $7.50/adult ticket
See: L ifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood
great children’s shows
SOUTH LOOP
Eat: M
ay Street Café, 1146 W. Cermak
cozy atmosphere, Mexican cuisine with or without kids
Eat: K
roll’s, 1736 S. Michigan
catch the game while enjoying a family dinner
Play: L il’ Kickers, 2343 S. Throop
fun indoor soccer classes and more
WEST TOWN
Eat: P
enny’s Noodle Shop, 1542 N. Damen
fast inexpensive large portions, kids can watch the el train
Eat: J anik Café, 2011 W. Division
child-size table near front window, friendly owner,
wide variety of kid-friendly food, stroller-friendly
Play: H
obbitLand, 1504 N. Western
cheerful and clean indoor play space
Amy Archer has two school-age boys who enjoy the free open swim at
Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside. For a fun family night out, her boys love
The Bad Apple, 4300 N. Lincoln, for great food and a super-fun game
room with a real pinball machine!
Eat: M
ore Cupcakes, 1 E. Delaware
delicious cupcake bakery
Eat/Play: H
ershey’s Chicago, 822 N. Michigan
little piece of chocolate heaven, fun for the
whole family
Play: T
he Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn
Suzuki-Orff School of Music classes six months–four and
a half yrs., children’s ballet classes
npnparents.org • 23
Non Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Chicago, IL
Permit No. 2536
Neighborhood Parents
Network of Chicago
3020 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
312.409.2233
npnparents.org
[email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thanks for celebrating
Pre-New Year’s Eve
with NPN!
Find even more events on npnparents.org!
APRIL
16
10 a.m.–12 noon
APRIL
28
7:30–9 p.m.
MAY
5
7–8:30 p.m.
Parent University
Lakeview YMCA
3333 N. Marshfield Avenue, Chicago
Sponsored by:
Mini-Children’s Health Expo: Learn how to keep your child healthy and
strong from experts in children’s health care and wellness.
Expectant Parents
Menomonee Club
1535 N. Dayton Street, Chicago
Financial Planning 101: One seminar with all the answers you need to plan
for your growing family’s financial security and future.
Parent University
Flourish Studios
3020 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
Sponsored by:
Childcare 101: Find child care that fits your family after hearing from our
panel of experts, who will discuss nannies, daycares and au pairs.
Stay connected!
* Become a Facebook fan of Neighborhood Parents Network of Chicago (NPN) and
suggest our page to your friends!
* Follow us on Twitter, http://twitter.com/NPNparents, and send us a Tweet!
Events, news, contests and giveaways!
Our awesome sponsors: Lil’ Kickers,
Little Beans Cafe, New York Life,
101.9 The Mix, Unicoi Art Studio,
KGrace Childcare, Shay Feeney
Photography, Square One Organics,
Pirate’s Booty and Kefir-Lifeway.