A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | | |
April is the Month of the Young Child
and Child Abuse Prevention Month
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Yesenia has some helpful ideas for those times when we're tired, frustrated and feeling like we might lose it, in fact she offers 30 small steps for those moments when we need help.
I appreciated Katherine Martinko's thoughtful article, Raising Screen-Free Boys and Keeping them as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible, by Katherine Martinko, wife, mother and thinker/writer.
Irene van der Zande, Executive Director & Founder of KidPower has a timely article for April, Private Areas: What are the safety rules?
Happy Spring! Have a fine Spring weekend, Parmalee
| | Ask Yesenia: Little Changes, Lasting Impact | |
by Yesenia
April is the Month of the Young Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that 1) raising happy, healthy children is both exhausting and rewarding, 2) every parent struggles, feels unprepared, or worries they’ve failed at parenting at some point, and 3) everyone in the community can play a role in making sure children and families have the resources and support needed to thrive.
Dear Yesenia, My family is struggling. My partner and I are both stressed with work, and we barely spend time together. When we do, we end up arguing, and the kids fight. I lose my patience, yell, and my partner gets upset with me for it. It’s a constant cycle, even though we all want better communication and relationships. How can we change this? Sandy
Dear Sandy, You’re not alone! Many families experience similar types of stress and conflict. Parents are often embarrassed or afraid to talk about parenting and relationship difficulties out of fear of being judged as a “bad parent.” The good news is that there are small steps you can take that can have a big impact on your family’s communication and relationships. Here are 30 small steps to try – one for each day of the month > > >
| | How to Pick the Right Summer Camp for Kids | | |
by Barbara Rowley
It’s much more than s’mores and sing-alongs: Top camps provide lifelong memories and skills. Here’s how to pick a winner — and help your kid have an awesome summer.
Even before I had kids, I knew they’d go to summer camp. I had spent literally decades (as a camper, staffer, and director) at my own sleep-away camp. What child of mine wouldn’t want to do the same?
But my daughters turned out to be homebodies who didn’t want to leave for a day, let alone overnight. My husband had never gone to camp himself and liked having everyone close in the summer. Faced with an uphill battle, I began to lose perspective. What did camp really matter, anyway?
It’s a question many parents struggle with — and one that camp professionals are eager to answer > > >
| | A Story about Peer Pressure, Stealing and Trust | | |
by Spun Counterguy
What a great 1980s relic! Published in 1983 by Scholastic Books, “The Computer that Said Steal Me“ is full of all of the things that made that decade exciting, at least by my reckoning.
Adam is a kid who’s great at chess but then one of his friends that he generally wins against starts getting better because she has gotten a computer chess program. So while his parents are out protesting nuclear weapons, Adam comes up with a perfect plan to steal a talking chess computer from the local mall electronics store.
There’s even a part of the book where he and his friends are constructing a Dungeons & Dragons scenario involving a nuclear holocaust to raise awareness to their peers about the dangers of nuclear war, I guess in case any of the kids were actually for it.
It’s actually a sweet little story and even has a nice observation by the father of Adam, when his son is in the height of his guilt, dipping his toe into confession by making up a story about stealing a candy bar.
“Every time someone steals from someone, he or she doesn’t just steal a TV or a piece of jewelry or a sweater or a candy bar, he steals trust."
When you stole that candy bar, you didn’t just steal the money the owner of the store paid to buy that candy bar, you told your victim, "Don’t trust other people."
It’s worse when a child steals because you’re saying, "Don’t trust children. Don’t trust the generation before you."
People want to trust children because they want to believe the future will be better than today, so when you steal, you steal hope and you steal trust.
Every time you steal, you’re announcing to the world that people can’t live together in peace.”
Spun Counterguy is still friends with his buddies from childhood. He and his family --wife, children and grandchildren-- live near each other in Kentucky, where he teaches history, writes and goes on grand local historical adventures with his grandson Ethan.
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The Way We Calculated at San Lorenzo Museum, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, 1 – 4pm through June 15, Enjoy a plethora of artifacts and archives, many of which have never before been exhibited, and a locally constructed model of Vannevar Bush’s 1931 differential analyzer – a mechanical analog computer that solves differential equations. These objects and archives can serve as a window into the lives of those that used them and into occupations that no longer exist. There are hands on objects for younger visitors too, with activities that promote problem solving. Details
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Contra Dancing at Live Oak Grange, Friday, March 28: Newcomers’ intro: 6:30pm, dance 7 – 10pm, Come kick your heels up contra dancing at Live Oak Grange with some amazing local talent and fun and friendly dancers! Details
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Boardwalk Fun Run, Kids 1K and a 5K for those who can handle it! Saturday, March 29, 8am, Lace up your sneakers and join the Boardwalk Fun Run on Saturday, March 29th! Burn some calories for great causes! Continue the fun after the race is over and go on rides, play games and enjoy the beach! Details
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Where your California State Library Parks Pass Will Take You, Details
GuidedWalk: Big Basin: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, Details
Mystery Box Monday at MOD, Mondays, 3pm, Calling all curious minds! Details
Little Discoverer Infant/Toddler Fridays, Fridays 10:30-11am, Details
Live Like Coco Seeks Volunteers for Read Run Repeat, April 26, Details
Watsonville Wetlands Paid Internship for Watsonville Public High school students,Apply today! Details
LAST National Craft Month Madness, Saturday, March 29, 1 - 3pm, Details
Lego Brick Builder Fridays, Fridays, 3-4pm, Details
Pokemon at Live Oak Annex, Thursdays 3-5pm, Details
Skate the Civic, Monday, 6:30 – 9:30pm, Roller skate at the Civic! Details
Free Magic Show at Kennolyn Camp, Sunday, April 27, Details
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Qing Ming Festival, Saturday, March 29, 9am – 2pm, A vibrant celebration of the traditional Qing Ming Chinese festival will be held at the MAH and Evergreen Cemetery on March 29th.
The event begins at 9am with refreshments at MAH and remarks by historian Traci Bliss, author of Evergreen Cemetery of Santa Cruz. Bliss will share why her ancestors gave the Evergreen land as a burial ground open to all and how they were able to support Chinese residents amidst vicious racism. Details
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From Only to Older: Helping Your First Child Adjust to Being a Sibling, Thursday, March 27, 7:30 – 9pm, Going from being the only child to being an older sibling is tough on every first child, but there are things parents can do to help the love of their life feel secure through this transition. Join Tina McRorie, MA for this 90 minute online workshop and learn ways you can help your firstborn feel less jealousy and displacement, feel understood and accepted, and build a warm and playful sibling relationship. Details
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Composting with Worms (Vermicomposting) Workshop, March 29, 10am – 12pm, London Nelson, Have you been curious about vermicomposting? In this workshop, we will build a vermicomposting bin together, discuss best practices for maintaining a bin, and discuss strategies for reducing wasted food and why it matters. For those ready to start their vermicomposting journey, we will also offer basic supplies for a “DIY” worm bin tower. Registration required, Details
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Beginner Bird Walk / Paseando con los Pájaritos, UCSC Arboretum, Saturday, March 29, 10am – 12pm, Join the Bird School Project as they close out the celebrations for Hummingbird Month. This bird walk is beginner and family-friendly. Bring binoculars if you have them, if not, binoculars or a monocular will be provided for you during the walk. The group will meet up at the entrance of the Australia Garden right next to the large cypress tree in the middle of the parking lot. A Bird School Instructor will be leading the walk and will alternate speaking English and Spanish as needed. Details
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Paying for College: Understanding Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Cost Strategies, Saturday, March 29, 1 – 2:30pm, With college costs on the rise, learn strategies to make higher education affordable. This workshop will explore how to navigate federal financial aid, apply for scholarships, consider cost-effective options, and plan financially for the college years. Details | | | |
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Banana Slug String Band 40th Anniversary Family Show, Saturday, March 29, 4 – 6:30pm, The Banana Slug String Band, a beloved children’s music group known for their quirky characters and educational tunes, is thrilled to announce their 40th Anniversary show for the whole family. With 40 years of experience and counting, the Banana Slugs have captured the hearts of millions of children with their infectious energy and environmentally conscious message. Their unique blend of folk, rock, and reggae creates a fun and engaging atmosphere that inspires kids to learn and grow. Details
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Parenting Workshops, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! March ~ April
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