Fall 2021 Newsletter
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Leaves are falling, autumn is calling
The sweet traditions of autumn are upon us! I’m seeing the changing colors, the return of that cleansing Oregon rain, and the decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving showing up and it’s reassuring. So much has been up-ended in this past year, and yet these traditions and seasons continue on. These last few months have been busy – we’ve been able to offer some in-person services, including Squishtivities, a hands-on play group for littles and their parents, as well as our car seat installation services. Our First Three Years, Make Parenting A Pleasure, and Healthy Families Lane County programs and professional development workshops are all virtual for now, but we can all see that this is likely to change. In the meantime, we have a fun baking event with Kim Davaz, some wonderful new faces joining our staff, and I’m confident that we’ll be ready when it’s time to return to our traditional in-person groups and trainings. For now, here's to a beautiful autumn season.

Lynne Grilley
Executive Director
What's Happening
at Parenting Now:
Join us for some messy, silly fun during Parenting Now's Fall Squishtivities Series!

Families are invited to join us for free sensory activities and messy play in our outdoor play area from either 10 am to 11 am, or 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, every Wednesday this fall. Families will also take home a Squishtivities handbook with lots of ideas for sensory exploration!
November 3: Paint With Baby Oil
November 10: Paper Towel Roll Binoculars
Space is limited. Pre-register at: parentingnow.org/events

Thank you to our generous sponsor:
On the Blog

Car Seat Concerns?

Babies don’t come with an instruction manual—but car seats sure do, and even then, we, as parents, still question whether we are using the right type of car seat (infant seat, convertible car seat, booster, high-back booster?) and installing it correctly. If you too have had these questions, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are professionals to turn to when you have questions about car seat installation and need some guidance. Read more
On the Blog

Social Support Reduces Risk of Isolation

Between feedings, diaper changes, holding, swaying, and rocking, it can be easy to get caught up in the demands of parenthood—leaving little time to attend to your own individual needs. It’s not uncommon for new parents to feel sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed during the baby's first year of life. Whether it’s a mild spell of the baby blues or a more serious case of Postpartum Depression (PPD), there are local resources that can help you get back on track. Read more
Squishtivities Craft:
Foil Leaves

Your child will delight as she watches the veins and shapes of leaves form on foil as she gently rubs the leaf details into an imprint. Lay a leaf upside down on the table so that the leaf’s veins are facing up. Now show your child how to place the foil so that the entire leaf is covered. You may want to tack the edges of the foil down with some masking tape. Guide your child as she gently rubs the leaf’s impression into the foil. Now she can cut out the leaf and glue it along with other foil impressions onto a sheet of construction paper for a beautiful fall leaf collage. 

You Will Need:

• Leaves, preferably ones with pronounced veins on the back
• Foil paper
• Scissors
• Construction paper 
Skills:

• Fine motor skills
• Eye-hand coordination
• Creativity
• Sensory and tactile experience
• Cause and effect
• Appreciation for the natural sciences 
Handpicked by the children's librarians at Eugene Public Library, here are their fall reading recommendations, centered around the theme of "community." Give them a read!
Thank you, Omu! Written and illustrated by Oge Mora. When the aroma of Omu's homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit.

Our Little Kitchen. Written and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. A crew of resourceful neighbors come together to prepare a meal for their community. Includes a recipe and an author's note about the volunteering experience that inspired the book.

Together We Grow. Written by Susan Vaught; illustrated by Kelly Murphy. When a bad storm drives all of the farm animals into the barn, can they set aside their fears and welcome wild animals, too?

My Two Border Towns. Written by David Bowles; illustrated by Erika Meza. A boy and his father cross the United States-Mexico border every other Saturday, visiting their favorite places, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care

We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga. Written by Traci Sorell; illustrated by Frané Lessac. Otsaliheliga is a Cherokee word that is used to express gratitude. Journey through the year with a Cherokee family and their tribal nation as they express thanks for celebrations big and small. A look at modern Native American life as told by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
Meet the Team:
Learn more about the individuals who make the magic happen at Parenting Now
Kalina Glover-Moresi
Children's Program Coordinator

Kalina received her Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of Oregon and continues her career as a licensed teacher. She has been in the teaching community for over 20 years. In her free time, Kalina loves watching Harry Potter movies and anything having to do with Disney, building Legos with her husband, traveling, celebrating holidays, and date nights with her hubby.
Dixie Devita-Osborne
Program Supervisor, Healthy Families Lane County

Dixie has worked in various roles at Healthy Families Lane County, including Family Support Specialist, for the past nine years, and currently works as its Program Supervisor. She enjoys getting to know families and celebrating milestones with them. "It is always an honor when a family invites us into their lives. We problem talk challenges together and celebrate their many successes."
Family Activity: Pumpkin Patches!
It's fall, y'all—which means pumpkins are bursting off the vine. It's the perfect time to take the family to a local pumpkin patch!

• A & M Family Farms: 84735 Parkway Rd., Pleasant Hill. Pumpkin patch, farm stand, homemade cinnamon rolls, goats.

• Bush’s Fern View Farms: 90536 Territorial Hwy., Junction City. Pumpkin patch, hay maze, apple cider.

• Detering Orchards: 30946 Wyatt Dr., Harrisburg. Tractor rides, cow train rides, apple blaster, treasure mining, mechanical bull, corn maze, animal corral, and playground.

• Hentze Family Farm: 30045 Hentze Lane, Junction City. Wagon rides, hay maze, apple cider.

• Johnson Farms: 89733 Armitage Rd., Eugene. Wagon rides, hay maze, miniature pumpkin launching, u-pick pumpkins.

• Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm: 36777 Wheeler Rd., Pleasant Hill. Haunted corn maze on weekends; scavenger hunt, Halloween store, sunflower maze, farm stand.
Updates From the
Development Team

We are proud to announce that more than 4,200 parents and children used our services last year. Parenting Now has remained a lifeline for parents through these ever-changing times. Together, with our donors, we are the support that is making the difference for families every day. 

Together, we are bringing hope to thousands of parents and children in our community. The results are extraordinary. The results are stronger families, nurtured children, lifelong friendships, and ultimately a resilient community. 

Thank you for being a part of our support for families. 

A Family That Bakes Together
Join Parenting Now for a virtual baking a-long and learn how to make a new holiday cake that is sure to become a family favorite: Gingerbread Apple Upside Down Cake!

Purchase a Family Baking Package for $50 and bake-a-long with us on Nov. 16th or watch the baking instructional video anytime. During the event, we will follow along as Pastry Master, Kim Davaz, teaches us how to make her special recipe for gingerbread apple upside down cake. Gingerbread apple upside down cake is a festive and homey dessert that is great for baking with the whole family. 

Bake with us on Tuesday, November 16th at 5:00 pm or follow along with the video that we will send to you after the event.

Included in each $50 Family Baking Package:
• Baking ingredients for 2 batches
• Baking pan
• A special baking gift

Free touch-less doorstep delivery in Eugene/Springfield!


Thank you again for partnering with us to support our community. From all of us at Parenting Now, have a wonderful fall ahead!

Kathryn Gaines and Sona Hodaie
Ways to Support Parenting Now this Fall

• Purchase a cotton face mask with the Parenting Now logo! Now is your chance to support Parenting Now while staying safe and healthy! $12.00 each (includes shipping). Click here to purchase yours now!

• AmazonSmile donates to Parenting Now when you shop through its website! Create an AmazonSmile account at smile.amazon.com and select Parenting Now! as your charity of choice.

• Donate Items for Families: Diapers, baby supplies, and children’s books! 
Thank you, Foundations!

Foundation support helps ensure that families have access to parenting education. Thank you for supporting local families and valuing parenting education!

• Candace Callan Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, for general support.

• Cressey Family Charitable Trust, to purchase children’s books for families participating in our Healthy Families Lane County program and our Make Parenting A Pleasure parenting groups. 

• International Paper Foundation, funding for Make Parenting A Pleasure. 

• Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, funding for Make Parenting A Pleasure and operating support. 
 
• Oregon Community Credit Union Foundation, funding for our Spanish language, cultural adaptation of Make Parenting A Pleasure Second Edition.

• Redtail Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, for general support.

• Robert D. and Marcia H. Randall Charitable Trust, for Parenting: The First Three Years.
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