Courtesy of Darcy Troutman

Darcy Troutman is a mother of three children (7, 6, and 3 years old) who likes: sleeping in, Alice Munro, cheap red wine, old rocking chairs, shoes without heels, mix tapes, balloons, the color grey, & discovering new things. Check her out at No Monsters in My Bed. Below is an excerpt from one of her most popular posts on great things to do this summer with your kids – click here to read more fantastic ideas!

18 categories, 64 ideas. My goal is to check off at least one activity in each category. Who wants to join me?

I. RIDE A CAROUSEL

1. The National Zoo – A new carousel is scheduled to arrive at the National Zoo this summer. Yay!! Or check out The National Mall carousel.

II. PLAY IN A CHILDREN’S GARDEN

2. River Farm (Alexandria, VA) –  A beautiful meadow and a great children’s garden make this a wonderful place for an afternoon outside. Unfortunately, it’s only open to the public on weekdays and Saturday mornings. FREE!

3. Meadowlark Gardens (Vienna, VA) –  A beautiful gazebo overlooks the lake and a wonderful children’s garden includes a life-size tea set and sandbox. Stroller-friendly trails and sculptures surround the property. Walk through a forest. Check out the geese. Feed the fish. Smell the flowers. Gorgeous. Though be warned – the property resides on a large hill with the visitors center at top, so the walk back to the car can be a haul for small children.

4. United States Botanic Garden (Washington DC) – A fish fountain with a pump, various shovels and watering cans, a miniature house. So much fun. FREE!

5. Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, MD) – This place is huge, I don’t think we’ve ever managed to see the whole thing in one day. Lots of gazebos and ponds and room to run. And a wonderful children’s garden with a treehouse. In the summer the garden usually hosts an indoor butterfly exhibit (additional cost) which is quite spectacular (P is scared of butterflies, so we can never stay long).

III. SPEND A DAY ON THE FARM

6. Oxon Hill Farm (Oxon Hill, MD) – A great working farm, full of various farm animals. Lots of places to run. A barn full of old farm equipment that kids can sit and play on. The farm hosts several daily activities, but they’re often canceled, so call ahead. The property is a very short drive from National Harbor, which has many good lunch places. FREE!

7. Great Country Farms (Bluemont, VA) – Of everywhere on this list I think Great Country Farms is my favorite place. The farm always has something available for you-pick (from potatoes to strawberries to blackberries, check the website for information) and the grounds are full of wonderful kid-friendly activities – a HUGE bouncing pillow (sort of like a moon-bounce but better), slides, a petting zoo, rope swings, tire mountains, a corn crib, mini-tractors, sandboxes, a giant outdoor chess set, etc. So much fun. So much!!

8. Frying Pan Farm & Park (Herndon, VA) –  This working farm recreates a local farm from the 1920s to the 1950s. Lots of animals – pigs, horses, cows, goats, peacocks, chickens, etc – make it a great place for kids. Plus, the mini-tractors (great for photo opps) and the two playgrounds make for a wonderful day or afternoon. A trail around the park includes a short walk in the woods. Wagon rides and a country-store are on site (be careful in the store, as your kids are sure to want the toys they sell). FREE!

9. Claude Moore Colonial Farm (McLean, VA) – Travel back in time to 1771 and see the world a different way. I especially recommend going on the weekend of a Market Fair (previously posted here) where you’ll encounter puppet shows, three-legged races, wonderful bbque, tight-rope walkers, cheap beer, and crafts galore. So much fun.

10. The National Colonial Farm (Accokeek, MD) – We’ve never been here, but I really want to go. The farm is a living history museum that depicts life for an ordinary tobacco planting family in the 1770s. On weekends visitors may come across people spinning, dyeing, woodworking and playing colonial games.

Early last week, I came across this quote: “Be the adult you want your children to be.” While I know it is not a new quote, for whatever reason, in the past seven days, I have reflected on the quote again and again. I am comfortable with the idea that my children see a host of positive character traits and qualities in me and in my spouse that I wish for them as well (e.g., ethical, caring, hard working, kind, dependable, etc). However, I also am struck by a sinking feeling when I think about how they must perceive my husband and me in our daily lives, in which we often feel frenetic, time-starved, and stressed. Our routine daily pace is quite rapid, and it accelerates still further when we try to squeeze in things that are important to us, but which do not fall neatly into the family or work buckets (e.g., friends, music, nature hikes). We muster as much energy as possible to continue to move quickly and efficiently through never-ending and always growing to-do lists in the family and work spheres, multitasking as much as possible – rarely stopping to “just be” in the moment. Even when we are embracing our friends, having fun at an event or game, delighting in our children, happily engaging in community service, or appreciating our interesting work, we almost always feel under pressure, especially on the weekend (ironically) to hurry to the next deadline. It is rare that we find ourselves able just to experience the joy of a given event, without interruption; the next things on the calendar always seem to barge into the moment and unrelentingly demand attention from us.

I cannot help but think: Is this the kind of adult I want my children to be? Or, more pointedly, is the adult I want to continue to be? NO!

It appears that I am not alone in feeling rushed (although maybe others feel more at peace with the feverish pace than I), where a 2013 Pew Research Report recently reported that 40% of working mothers and 34% of working fathers say they “always feel rushed.” The report also noted that 56% of working mothers and 50% of working fathers feel that it is “difficult” to balance the responsibilities of work and family. In addition, the Huffington Post just reported that in a recent survey that 77% of Americans feel stressed “regularly.” The economic downturn, the widely publicized tragedies and violence of the recent days and years, the challenges of gaining and keeping full-time employment, the increase in elder care responsibilities, the availability of technology which enables us to work anywhere at any time, and the anxiety that children need to start and excel earlier to ensure college acceptance, only help to feed this sense of being rushed or stressed (is your heart rate up, yet?). Moreover, in my case, part of my family’s daily staccato rhythm is likely due to the basic fact that we are a family of five, with two working parents.

No matter what the reason for the rushing, I do not want my kids to model their adulthood on this part of my husband and my lives if they do not have to do so. Instead, I wish for them a life in which they can comfortably pursue and successfully engage in work and family, friends and hobbies, and nature and exercise — or even just those things that are important to them — all free from sleep deprivation, the ongoing assault by the clock, and generalized anxiety.

“Be the adult you want your children to be.” I will attempt the Sisyphean task of revamping the way in which we approach our daily lives, but I long for better tools and firmer ground than what I have in hand and underfoot. Ironically, what I need is time to brainstorm. Perhaps, we can do that together, and save us all some time. Thoughts?

By Julie Weber – Activity Rocket’s Work-Family Expert 

See Related Posts: Need Family Dinnertime?; Where Did the Fun Go in Kids Sports?, The Rocket Book Review; Co-Parenting & Still Stressed Out, Tips for Choosing the Perfect Activity, Meet Julie Weber – Activity Rocket’s Work-Family Expert

The Skinny on Fats

Heavily processed, hydrogenated “trans” fats used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. They can compromise the cardiovascular system, immune system, and contribute to behavior problems. They can also lead to weight gain, skin breakouts, high blood pressure, and liver strain.

Many people are scared of fats, but our bodies need fat for insulation, vitamin and mineral absorption, and to protect our organs. High-quality fats can steady our metabolism, keep hormone levels even, nourish our skin, hair, and nails, and provide lubrication to keep the body functioning fluidly.

Where to Find Healthy Fats 

-Avocados, olives, coconuts, wild salmon, and omega-3 rich organic eggs.

-Whole nuts and seeds, and their butters like almond butter or tahini.

-Look for the highest quality oils when shopping. Words to look for: first-pressed, cold-pressed, extra-virgin, and unrefined. Avoid expeller-pressed, refined, and solvent extracted.

How to Use Healthy Fats When Cooking 

-For cooking at high temperatures (stir frying and baking), try butter, ghee (clarified butter), or coconut oil.

-When sautéing foods, try extra virgin olive oil.

-Oils like flaxseed, sesame, toasted sesame, walnut, and pumpkin seed are best used unheated in sauces or dressings.

Try this delicious, easy recipe for a great source of healthy fat: 

Avocado Dip -Prep time: 3 minutes - Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:

• 1 large peeled and pitted avocado

• 2/3 cup plain yogurt, goat yogurt, coconut yogurt, or almond yogurt

• 1 diced tomato

• a squirt of lemon or lime juice

• a dash or two of cayenne pepper

• sea salt and black pepper

Directions:

• Mash avocado with a fork until very smooth.

• Add yogurt, tomato, and cayenne. Blend until smooth. This may be done in a food processor, in a blender, or with a fork.

• Add sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste.

• Serve chilled with mixed raw vegetables.

Tip: Best made a maximum of 1 hour before serving.

By Eris Norman, Certified Holistic Health Coach, AADP 

Norman’s Farm Market - 100% Locally Grown Produce 

Learning to Operate in the Real World 

While it’s quite likely that your child will almost always have access to a calculator of some sort in his adult life, it’s still important that he have at least a basic understanding of how to work out simple mathematical equations. Technology isn’t infallible, and there may come a time when he needs to come to a numerical conclusion and has no access to a calculator. When children rely on technology to do all of their work for them, they’re missing out on necessary life skills.

Learning Real Skills Versus Learning to Operate Software 

A 2007 report by the Institute of Education Sciences and the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance to Congress shows that 16 of the best and most powerful reading and math learning software programs had no measurable effect on test scores. Students learned how to operate the software to obtain the desired affects, but not to apply the underlying concepts in daily life. No matter how well your child learns to solve equations on his calculator, he will essentially be missing the most important part of the exercise: how the solution is found. Kids can’t watch a calculator perform equations in real-time or observe the various steps in between. They simply enter a set of numbers, and another is returned to them. Manipulating a calculator with speed and accuracy doesn’t necessarily indicate that your child has the first idea of how to complete that same equation with a pencil and paper.

Obtaining Higher Education

Kids as young as those in elementary school are given calculators as a part of their curriculum, a practice that’s often continued all the way up to high school. What parents may not realize, however, is that many university math departments do not allow the use of a calculator. When a high school honors student is struggling merely to pass his first math classes in college, the hit to his self-esteem alone could affect his performance in the realm of higher education. Introductory collegiate mathematics classes generally ban calculator use, largely because in higher math the numbers are secondary to the abstract equations. For a science or mathematics-based major, the ability to understand the basic parts of an equation is essential. A calculator is of absolutely no use beyond introductory calculus, nor will it help a physics student find the answers they’re looking for. Instilling basic, core competency in these areas from a younger age and actively using those skills throughout high school far better prepares a young student to explore an education beyond the walls of that high school.

In an educational environment that relies largely upon calculators in the classroom, figuring out a way to instill basic mathematical principles and an appreciation for arriving at a solution through figuring it out independently isn’t easy. As long as calculator use is encouraged, and even required as part of a public curriculum, the responsibility to teach and reinforce basic equation-building and mathematical skills will fall upon the shoulders of parents. When your child protests that calculators are everywhere and he’ll never need to know how to work out a problem manually, explaining all of the reasons why he should still acquire these skills may help to soothe his indignation.

For more great posts like this one visit www.nannypro.com.

Sending child to camp with a food allergy or asthma throws another wrench into the works.  This coming week (May 12- 18) is National Food Allergy Awareness Week, and according to Food Allergy Research and Education, 1 in 13 kids is affected by food allergies. Additionally, May is the month for awareness of asthma, which affects 1 in 10 kids. If your child is one of them, there are some very important things to know before sending him or her off to camp.

1. Pick the right place. Activity Rocket is a great starting point for locating camps, but you should follow up with the camp to learn more about how they can accommodate your child’s needs. Some questions to ask:

• What are their food containment/food preparation policies?
• Are the facilities air-conditioned? How about the presence of asthma triggers such as pollen, molds, dust, etc.?
• Do they have experience with children with similar needs?
• How do they handle medical emergencies? Where is the nearest hospital?

If possible, it is wise to check the facility out firsthand. If not, seek recommendations from parents of other children with asthma/food allergies. If your child’s asthma or food allergies are more severe, you may opt for a camp specifically for children with allergies/asthma.

2.    Inform the camp of your child’s needs. Let the camp personnel know the extent of your child’s allergies/asthma symptoms. Make your child’s counselors aware of the specific symptoms your child manifests when having an episode or adverse reaction. Most importantly, make sure you’ve develop an asthma or allergy action plan, and share it with camp staff. Access templates here (for asthma) and here (for food allergies).

3. Educate your camper. Make kids play an active role in their own health and safety. For kids with food allergies, make sure they know not to trade food with other campers or eat foods if they’re not sure of the ingredients. Teach them how to read a food label (if age appropriate) and identify potential allergens. For kids with asthma and allergies, tell them to be proactive if they feel a reaction or an asthma attack coming on so they can tell an adult. They should know to keep their inhaler or EpiPen on them at all times and how to use it if need be.

Whether preparing for your kid’s stint at sleep away or day camp, following these tips can help ensure a fun, safe summer for your child!

Additional resources:

http://www.foodallergy.org/managing-food-allergies/at-camp

http://www.asthmaandallergycenter.com/w/seasonal.mvc/Details/4

1. Read bedtime stories that take place in another country or include some foreign words, so you can practice pronunciation.

2. Host an international au pair. You can use matching agencies like AuPairCare, which have au pairs from more than 40 countries.

3. Enroll your child in a cultural dance or martial arts class, such as Bollywood, Flamenco or Capoeira.

4. Enroll your child in foreign language classes for kids, such as Lango.

5. Plan art activities for your child based on different cultures such as Japanese calligraphy, Chinese paper cut outs, and Puerto Rican Ponce Carnival Masks.

6. Cook and try new foods inspired by other cultures with your children, or enroll them in cooking classes like Cooking Up Culture.

7. Plan a heritage party for your children and their friends, and encourage each child to bring food and games from their family’s heritage.

8. Watch family-friendly movies that take place in another country.

9. Listen to popular music from different cultures while in the car, or teach your kids a simple song in a foreign language.

10. Attend local festivals and parades that celebrate different cultures such as Cinco de Mayo, Carnival, Chinese New Year, and Bastille Day.

“Children are little sponges, taking in the world around them with eagle eyes and curious minds,” said Heidi Woehl, vice president of AuPairCare and a mother of five. “This curiosity is a great thing and should be cultivated through as many avenues as possible, in an effort to raise a globally and culturally aware next generation.”

Blog Post Sponsored by AuPairCare

Rochelle Coleman of RAC Basketball

Basketball has indeed been my passport to visit new places, people, and experiences. Now I do have a literal United States Government issued passport, I just used it on my trip to Israel. The connection I had to visiting Israel in the first place was because of basketball. My friend David Lasday runs the Netayna Hoops for Kids program in Netanya, Israel and for the past two years I have worked with the organization to help run basketball clinics in the city. The amount of Hebrew I speak and the amount of English the children speak can be counted on one hand, but we are able to work together. Basketball crosses all types of barriers; language, ethnicities, mental and physical disabilities, you name it basketball can bridge the gap.

I have visited places that I would have never thought of, but because of playing and now coaching I am visiting the world and meeting people from all walks of life. I have played or taught basketball in 23 states and two countries. In the last two years I have been able to meet children and coaches from Indonesia and the Republic of Congo to share information with each other on what we know about basketball and life. I have the opportunity to work with KEEN of Greater Washington, a great organization the works with children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities through sport and recreation activities. I was approached because of my basketball background to run their basketball Saturday clinics, which I have been for the past two years. We have create a team at KEEN we are the “Wildcats” and it is great to see them work hard and improve their skills and the best part many of the drills I conduct with them I would conduct with someone without disabilities.

Would I have had these connections without basketball? Maybe, but I doubt it. Basketball is a non-discriminatory sport, I can proudly say my life revolves around it or as my players at Paint Branch would say, “Ball is life”. I started playing as a child and now I teach others how to play. My company teaches children how to play basketball, but the truth is I am a motivator and instructor teaching children how to work through problems, finding joy in accomplishing goals, and how to keep an open mind that anyone can contribute to this game and to life.

I am excited to see where or what experience basketball will bring next. Whichever way the ball bounces I will be sure to follow. So yes it can be just a “game”, but keep in mind if you stay focused, keep your eyes up, and take advantage of what’s in front of you this “game” can be so much more. There are many means to explore this world but basketball is definitely my passport.

Rochelle Coleman, Owner, RAC Basketball 

Activity Rocket makes it easy to locate fun physical activity classes and camps in your area. But how can you incorporate more exercise into your kids current schedules? One mom has the answer:

A fun and easy way for kids to get more fresh air and exercise is to walk or bike to school.  Give it a try this Wednesday May 8 on International Bike to School Day, when kids all over the DC area will be rolling and walking.

Start now so your family is ready and relaxed when the big day comes:

1.  Brush up on your bike-to-school know-how on the  parent info page of the national Safe Routes to School program.

2.  Map a safe route with this free online tool.

3.  Talk to your child about safety. Watch this tried-and-true safe cycling video together.

4.  Give your child’s equipment a once-over.  Make sure:

• tires are full
• brakes work
• chains are tight
• helmet fits!

Kids younger than middle school age will need you to walk or bike with them. Or perhaps your child can jump in with a group of kids led by a parent guide such as this dad who started a “bike train” in Fairfax County. Often, kids with disabilities or live too far to walk or bike can also take part. It’s up to parents to decide whether their middle-schoolers are mature and confident enough to ride or bike on their own.

And remember, for those with older kids—walking and biking isn’t limited to pre-drivers. High schoolers can get fit and reduce traffic and air pollution around school if they walk and bike, too!

Read more here about how biking/walking to school is picking up speed in Vienna, VA!

This post is courtesy of The Durable Human – a blog by NoVA writer mom Jenifer Joy Madden.  Read more about how to raise active, durable kids in her just-released Durable Human Manifesto: Hooray for Humans! – a picture-filled quick-read “booklette” you can download here for free!.

Learn more about JJ on Google+. 

Adopt a Player – Most people have specific players that they adore. Find out which players your kids admire most and “adopt” them. Help the kids make homemade cards to send to team members, and be sure to let the kids sign their own names. You never can tell if one of the players might just send a note back.

Hold Your Own Pep Rally – Time to call all the friends and relatives and invite them over for a pep rally! Remember the good old days of high school rallies before a big game? Recreate them at home to bring back that spark of excitement. Haul out the sports trivia games, decorate with the team colors and don’t forget the party favors! To get the kids involved, have them help make theme related snacks to serve throughout the rally.

Get Other Families Involved – If the sports team you happen to be rooting for is your kid’s local team, get other parents involved and show your children a united front of support. Come up with a special cheer or fight song to rally the kids on to success. Your child will be so excited to see the entire family and all of her friends showing support for her team that she’s sure to be psyched for the big game.

Create a Cheer Squad – The home town team may not have a cheerleading squad of its own, especially if you live in a particularly small community. Get the kids and a few friends together and create one to cheer the team on to victory. Crafty moms can even sew up cheerleading uniforms for your little cheerleaders, and the kids can help you put together pom-poms! Work with the kids to come up with some original cheers or borrow a few from your own school days.

Enroll the Kids in a Team-Sponsored Sports Clinic – Many professional teams will sponsor sports clinics for kids during the summer vacation. Kids will learn about the sport they love and get a chance to play with some of the team members. They may also have opportunities to get t-shirts, posters, autographs and other memorabilia. Just think of how exciting it will be for your kids to cheer on the players who helped them learn and love the sport.

Make a Sports Board – Grab a bulletin board and encourage the kids to cut out stories and pictures of their favorite teams. Be sure to discuss the additions to the board as a family, too. You can also keep track of the teams’ stats here, as well as stats for favorite individual players. Pretty soon you will have a complete sports collage!

Pick a Women’s Team to Follow – Female athletes are growing in popularity all the time. Following a women’s team in the sport your daughter enjoys is a wonderful way to support the team and your daughter, too. Girls need to know that they can aspire to make it in professional sports just like boys, and by supporting a female team you are sending a positive message to the girls in your household.

Attend Special Events Hosted By Your Favorite Team – From time to time, professional teams will sponsor special events. Sometimes they’re sports related, and sometimes it may be for charity or to support cause awareness. Taking the kids to such an event lets them know that the players do more than just play sports; it’s good for kids to see the players caring about and participating in the community.

Take the Kids to a College Game – Colleges often have several different sports programs, and each one has a team. Find out what your kids are interested in and take them to some of the college games in those sports. Some college student athletes can provide good, accessible role models for your kids. You can also discuss what it takes to be a collegiate athlete. Who knows, maybe your kid will want to pursue a path in college athletics as a result.

Go to a Game Together – Tickets to professional sporting events aren’t cheap, but the prohibitive price tag doesn’t have to keep your family from making an event of seeing the game! Lots of restaurants now have big screen TVs so you can watch the games with lots of other dedicated fans. Choose a place that caters to families and have a night out on the town. The kids will have loads of fun cheering along with all the other sports fans around them. This night out is sure to be one that will stick in their memories for a long time to come, and one of the really cool things is that you don’t have to clean up the mess!

For more great blog posts like this one visit summernanny.com.

Gaithersburg Book Festival

My almost three-year-old daughter recently has become the queen of the bedtime stall tactics.

“One more Strawberry Shortcake,” she’ll ask. More TV? No.

“I’m thirsty” or “I’m hungry” will be the next plea. I’ll give her a sip of water, but that’s it.

Then comes the kicker, the one she knows she’ll win. “I want you to read me the bunny book.” Or “… the monkeys book.” Or whatever she’s in the mood for that night.

Already, she knows I’ll never say no to reading… even if it is bedtime. It’s also why most Saturdays, after spending our morning at Barnes & Noble, we come home new book in hand, despite bookshelves that already are packed to capacity with her books.

I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. I can still name the book on which I learned to read: “Put Me in the Zoo” by Robert Lopshire.

So it’s no surprise to those who know me that I give away a lot of my free time to help plan, promote and run the Gaithersburg Book Festival. It may be a one-day affair to everyone who attends – with that one day being Saturday, May 18 this year – but for those of us who plan it, it’s a 365-day labor of love.

One of the best aspects of the festival is it’s truly a family affair. It doesn’t matter what you like to read – chick list, serious fiction, mysteries, non-fiction, current events, history, poetry, cookbooks, biographies and more – you’ll find at least one author to love at the book festival. And if you’re lucky, you’ll discover a year’s worth of exciting new authors and books to explore. (That’s what happens for me every year.)

And for parents? The Gaithersburg Book Festival Children’s Village is a gold mine of activities that will keep your kids (of all ages) busy all day. And this year’s festival has one of the best line-ups of authors for children and young adults we’ve ever featured, including Walter Dean Myers, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and founder of “Guys Read,” a literacy initiative for boys (He’s also well known for being the “stinky cheese guy.”); Adele Griffin, two-time National Book Award finalist; Maggie Stiefvater, 2012 Printz Honor; Sheila Turnage, 2013 Newbery Honor; Mac Barnett; Fred Bowen; and Julia Devillers.

In addition to author presentations, the festival’s Children’s Village features activities throughout the day, and the Imagination Station stage, where attendees can be treated to performances by storytellers, puppeteers, jugglers, authors and even a little magic. And if you have a budding author (ages 8-18) at home, he or she can learn more about the craft by taking in one of the free writing workshops presented by Writopia Labs.

At 3, my daughter is too young this year to enjoy the book festival, especially since I’ll be working all day. I look forward to the day that my parents can bring her to the festival for me. For now, she’ll have to settle for enjoying the festival vicariously through me, as our Author Q&A series on our blog helps me to rediscover some of my favorite childhood books (like “The Giant Jam Sandwich” by John Lord), which I’ve been purchasing for her. 

By Robin Ferrier, Chair, PR Committee, Gaithersburg Book Festival

The 2013 Gaithersburg Book Festival will take place Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds of City Hall in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.Parents, this year’s Gaithersburg Book Festival is one event you really shouldn’t miss. It’s free, close to home and a place where you can spark your kids’ imaginations, foster their love of the written word and give them experiences to last a lifetime. For more information, visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@GburgBookFest).