ML Interest Tag: rag

Best Ways to Use Up Every Last Drop of Summer

by Debra Flanagan

Have you been to an outdoor movie night? Seen the fireworks over Navy Pier?

You may not be ready to officially admit that lazy summer days are dwindling; it seems as though it has only just begun, but that time is creeping in. This may seem like a moment for panic, but we’re going to help you rally to squeeze in every bit of sunshine and adventuring. Before you have to settle into school-year routines, take advantage of the last couple of months of favorable weather by hiking, boating, golfing, and more. If they aren’t on your summer bucket list yet, check out our recommendations around the Chicagoland area.

Listen to Music Under the Stars

From classical, to rock, country, and even Opera for the Young, there is literally something for everyone during the 2023 Ravinia Festival.

Dine Out in the Open Air

A residual from the pandemic, many neighborhoods are still closing their streets on a limited basis, to allow restaurant capacity to spill onto pop-up patios. It’s a great opportunity to visit some finer establishments with the kids or even pets. The next Dine Out on Broadway will occur on September 15-17.

Shop til You Drop

While there will never be a shortage of places to shop in Chicago, the indoor/outdoor Randolph Street Market is America’s largest urban antiques market. Remaining dates include July 29-30 and September 23-24.

Picnic at the Movies

Lay down a blanket at one of the many free outdoor movie screenings, including the Millenium Park Summer Film Series.

Take a Hike

The call of hanging in the urban jungle all summer long is strong. But, how about throwing in some fresh air, unforgettable scenery, and wild animal spotting into the agenda? Lace up your boots, strap an infant to your back, maybe even bring along the fishing poles, and explore some lesser-known hiking spots found in our story: Discover the Not-So-Obvious Spots to Hike, Camp & Fish Near Chicago.

Visit the Zoos!

How lucky are we that we have not one, but two amazing zoos in Chicago? Pick your favorite—or visit both—and monkey around as a family for a day.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know about the Lincoln Park Zoo

Go for a Donut-Themed Jog (or Walk)

Grab your donut-lovin friends and register for Stan’s Donut Race. Join in for a 5K and Kids Dash at Montrose Harbor on Aug. 19.

Thrill-Seek as a Family at The Forge: Lemont Quarries

The Forge: Lemont Quarries (aka The Forge) is an amazing 300-acre adventure park, 22 miles from downtown Chicago. Not only does the park feature the largest aerial adventure course in North America, but a day of adventuring also gives you access to four over-water ziplines, 5 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, paddle sports, and a dedicated kids’ zone.

Play a Round of Mini Golf

Mini-golf. Putt-putt. Goofy golf. Adventure golf. Shorties. No matter what you call it, you have a blast playing it. Most of Chicago’s mini-golf courses are pure, kitschy fun and are only open for a limited time each year. So grab a short pencil and head to one of our city and suburban favorites.

Meander Through the North Shore Sculpture Park

Walk. Bike. Run. Skip. Gallop. However you make your way down this two-mile trail, you’re sure to enjoy the sights at the North Shore Sculpture Park. The paved path is lined with sculptures from artists across the world.

Make a Splash at Raging Waves

Splish, Splash! Illinois’ largest waterpark dedicated to family fun for all ages, Raging Waves, is excited to you its newest addition: Aussie Mat Dash. Riders race side-by-side on mats down the six-lane slide.

Cruise the Waterways on a Fireboat

Once the largest diesel-powered fireboat in the world, the Fred A. Busse is now set to share a bit of history with passengers who take a Chicago Fireboat Tour.

RELATED: Exciting Ways to Explore the Chicago River

Tour the Baha’i Temple Gardens

Take in the beauty of Baha’i Temple with a walk around their gardens.

Introduce the Kid to Chicago-Style Hot Dogs

Love ’em or leave ’em, hot dogs are big in Chicago, and if your kids haven’t begged for one yet, they will soon—and they get a pass on the sacrilege of using ketchup. Grab one at a legendary local spot and turn eating into an adventure.

Pay a Visit to Shedd Aquarium

Are they soft, fluffy, or rough? You’ll find out what a stingray feels like during a 15-minute touch session. Learn about sustainable seafood options that help protect these creatures in the wild. Along with learning about different species (including cownose and yellow stingrays) and their wild habits, you’ll see just how docile and friendly these ocean swimmers can be.

RELATED: Animal Farms Near Chicago You HAVE to Visit

Explore the Green Space at Chicago Botanic Gardens

Visit Chicago Botanic Garden and be treated to colorful views of the North Lake, vistas of the Malott Japanese Garden, and close-ups of blooms in Dixon Prairie and the McDonald Woods. Until Sep. 5, you will also see hundreds of winged beauties and pretty petals in the Butterflies & Blooms exhibit.

Experience Blue Man Group

A visit to see the iconic Blue Man Group is always a fun way to celebrate the new school year. A dynamic combo of art, music, comedy, and tech, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child in order to see the world through a new perspective.

Admire Navy Pier Fireworks

Keep the kids up a tad later on Wednesdays and Saturdays this summer to experience the fireworks display synchronized to music at Navy Pier. Make it extra unforgettable by booking a nighttime segway tour.

Additional reporting by Maria Chambers

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The Best Outdoor Events Hitting Chicago over Labor Day Weekend

by Sara Yaniga

There’s no better place to be than outside during Labor Day weekend in Chicago, so we’ve rounded up the best outdoor family-friendly festivals and activities to soak up the sun

Labor Day weekend can be a magical time in Chicago. Summer breaks are over and kids have just returned to school, so it serves as one last chance for some carefree summer fun. Some will head out of town, but many of us locals know that there is no better time, and no shortage of fun, to have right here in the Windy City. Festivals are plentiful this time of year, the lake has finally reached a comfortable temperature, and if the sun is shining, people will be found outdoors soaking it up in any way they can.

Among the outdoor fun to be had this Labor Day weekend—for the foodies, the audiophiles, and adventure junkies alike—there is a little something for everyone and every budget. So grab your sunscreen, and your family, and head on out to savor a long holiday weekend. If you haven’t already, you’ll discover what makes this such a special time in the city.

The Great American Lobster Fest
The Great American Lobster Fest celebrates its seventh year at Navy Pier. Enjoy live lobster flown in fresh from the cold waters of the East Coast, live music performances, family-friendly games, unique craft shopping, and cold beverages. Picky eaters need not worry: they’ll also have plenty of dessert and non-seafood items to please the whole family! The festival grounds are open to the general public to enjoy live music and many different food, drink, and craft vendor options. Do note that no lobster meals are included for walk-up guests, and VIP or special meal experiences are a separate fee.

When: Sep. 2-4
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Online: lobsterfest.com

Related: The Best Ways to Use Up Every Last Drop of Summer in Chicago

North Park Neighborhood Artisan Market
Whether you are looking for a cool t-shirt, a toy or souvenir your family has not seen before or a one-of-a-kind collectible for your home, shopping in Chicago is more dynamic and delightful at Navy Pier. Learn about the different neighborhoods of Chicago and their talented residents. Meet local artists, see their craft and learn their stories. While you are at the Pier you can find plenty of things to do as a family—from splashing in the fountain at Polk Bros park to climbing aboard the ferris wheel for a bird’s eye view of the city and lake.

When: Sep. 2-4
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Online: navypier.com

Chicago Jazz Festival
The Chicago Jazz Festival is a Labor Day weekend tradition that promotes all forms of jazz through free, high-quality music programming. The festival showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved art forms.

When: Sep. 2-4
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St.
Online: jazzinchicago.com

Nashwood
Slip on your boots and don your cowboy hats and head to Downtown Highwood for three days of live country, bluegrass, southern rock music and some tasty Southern inspired food and drinks! This event is free and for all ages with a family-friendly lineup and activities on both Friday and Saturday.

When: Sep. 2-4
Highwood Ave. & Green Bay Rd.
Highwood, IL
Online: celebratenashwood.com

Lincoln Square Greek Fest
Opa! Celebrate the end of summer at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church over Labor Day weekend for their annual Lincoln Square Greek Fest. Enjoy Greek food, delicious pastries, loukoumades (Greek honey puffs), NORTHSIDE’s performance on Friday, Greek dance troupes, and the Hellenic marketplace.

When: Sep. 2-5
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2727 W. Winona St.
Online: lincolnsquaregreekfest.com

Taste of Polonia Festival
Did someone say pierogi? For four days, you can enjoy a true cultural experience that includes nonstop live music, dance performances, authentic Polish food and beer, exhibitions, local merchants, a casino, beer garden, a kids stage and area filled with great activities and much much more! The largest Polish festival in the US is a Labor Day weekend tradition in Chicago.

When: Sep. 2-5
5216 W Lawrence Ave.
Online: tasteofpolonia.com

Fireworks at Navy Pier
Catch the final fireworks show of the summer over Labor Day weekend. You can see the fireworks from Navy Pier, or find a vantage point along the lake shore if you want less of a crowd and a little space to spread out. You can also check out one of the many options to watch the show aboard a boat!

When: Sep. 3
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave
Online: navypier.com

Related: Discover the Not-So-Obvious Spots to Hike, Camp & Fish Near Chicago

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTkQgWeLdrU/?hidecaption=true

Bike the Drive
Grab your helmets and set your morning alarms for a Sunday morning ride along DuSable Lake Shore Drive—from the neighborhoods of Edgewater to Bronzeville—to explore Chicago in a new way while spending time being active outdoors together. While the main festival is located in iconic Grant Park, you are able to begin riding from any of the five entry points along the course and you can choose to do the full 30-mile loop, or you can stop, or change direction at any of the checkpoints and rest stops along the way. You can register in advance for this event to avoid paying “same day” pricing. This event does support the Active Transportation Alliance which works to enhance walking, biking, and public transportation conditions throughout Chicago.

When: Sep. 4
DuSable Lake Shore Drive (between Bryn Mawr Ave. and Oakwood Blvd.)
Online: bikethedrive.com

Art on theMART
Mesmerizing and beautiful since its debut in 2018, this is something worth seeing at least once in your life, but with a seasonally changing schedule of shows, you can see it over and over in a year if you like! In fact, Labor Day weekend is a great time to see the current shows before new ones debut September 8th. Art on theMart is the largest permanent digital art exhibit in the world, covering over 2 acres of the building’s south facade. Pack a picnic and use public transportation to save yourself the hassle (and expense) of parking.

When: Nightly at 9 p.m.
Chicago Riverwalk (between Lake & Wells)
Online: artonthemart.com

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Space Trivia for Kids That Is Totally Out of This World

by Amber Guetebier

Space trivia for kids is perfect for a night under the stars

Whether you’ve got a would-be astronaut in your household or are just looking for quirky or interesting facts for kids, there’s no denying that space is a fascinating topic. From the moon and stars to space exploration, here’s some of our favorite space trivia for kids.

1. The moon is very hot (224 degrees Fahrenheit, average) during the day but very cold (-243 degrees average) at night.

2. Venus spins clockwise. It’s the only planet that does!

3. One teaspoon of a neutron star would weigh six-billion tons.

4. Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly in space, on June 18, 1983.

5. One million Earths could fit inside the sun!

6. Even in an airplane, a trip to Pluto would take about 800 years. 

7. Ham the Astrochimp was the first hominid in space, launched on Jan. 31, 1961. 

8. Neptune’s days are 16 hours long.

Astronaut in space
NASA via Unsplash

9. It takes eight minutes and 19 seconds for light to travel from the sun to Earth.

10. The footprints on the moon will be there for 100 million years. 

11. A neutron star can spin 600 times in one second. 

12. Jupiter is the fastest spinning planet in the solar system (it only takes about 10 hours to complete a full rotation on its axis). 

13. Sound does not carry in space. 

14. The Earth's core is as hot as the surface of the sun. 

15. The very first animals in space were fruit flies...they were sent up in 1947 and recovered alive. 

16. In 2011, ten-year-old Kathryn Aurora Gray discovered a supernova (a star that has run out of energy, explodes and then collapses before it dies) that no one else had seen before. 

Chabot Space & Science Center

17. Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has saltwater geysers that are 20x taller than Mt. Everest. 

18. Saturn's rings are made from trillions of chunks of orbiting ice. 

19. Alpha Centauri isn't a star, but a star system. It is 4.22 light years away. 

20. One day on Venus is almost 8 months on Earth. 

21. Golf is one of only two sports ever played on the moon. In 1971, Alan Shepard hit a ball with a six-iron while on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission. The other sport was a javelin toss, during the same visit. 

22. Jupiter's Great Red Spot is the Solar System's longest raging storm: it has been observed for more than 200 years. 

23. Mercury and Venus do not have moons. (They are the only two planets in our solar system that don't!)

24. There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sands on Earth. 

 

space trivia for kids
NASA via Unsplash

25. Mars has the biggest volcano (so far) ever discovered in the solar system. 

26. Jupiter's red spot, which scientists have been observing for 150 years, is changing shape and might be shrinking. 

27. Since there is no atmosphere in space, it is completely silent. 

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Bay Area Kids Event: July 16-18

by Christine Lai

The summer is JUST starting to heat up with block parties, festivals, concerts, art walks and movie nights. Where will your family head off to this fine summer weekend?

San Francisco

Visit Presidio’s New Marshland & Trail
Visitors can enjoy an up-close experience of nature along an elevated pedestrian bridge and trail that winds through the marsh. Native salt marsh and riparian plants create an extraordinary habitat for fish, crabs, oysters and birds – bring binoculars!

Fri.-Sat. Event details

Jessi St Block Party
This summer, the Westfield San Francisco Centre will host a block party complete with music, arts, and dining every Friday and Saturday night.
Fri.& Sat. Event details. 

Stern Grove Festival
The retro-soul band, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, plays at Stern Grove this Sunday. Make your reservations for this free concert the whole family will enjoy.

Sun. Event details.

East Bay

Island City Waterways Art Walk
The Rhythmix Island City Waterways Art Walk showcases the diversity of Alameda’s West End as Webster Street honors the people and cultures, past and present, who have defined and continue to shape the character of the neighborhood. Live music and performances.

Fri. Event details.

Wild Wonders
Wildness awaits! Explore the wonders of the wilderness through games, activities and explorations at the Sunol Regional Preserve.
Sun. Event details.

Pacific Pinball Museum
With five rooms of unlimited play and over ninety classic pinball machines, your kids will not want to leave this museum!
Fri.-Sat. Event details

 

South Bay/Peninsula 

Magical Bridges Summer Concert Series
The beloved Music is Magical concert series returns with delightful performances that is family-friendly and sensory-friendly for all to enjoy.
Fri.. Event details

Family Field trip to Filoli
A guided 1.5-mile hike through grounds only accessible to staff will be just the field trip you need out in the open while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Filoli.
Fri. Event details

Take the Kids to Raging Waters
Raging Waters has a little bit of something for everyone sure to guarantee a fun, splashy day for all!
Fri.-Sun. Event details

Marin

Movie Nights at the Mart
Every Friday night is Movie Night at the Mart! With plenty of dining (and dessert!) options nearby, your family is sure to kick off the weekend with a bang.
Fri. Event details

Jazz and Blues by the Bay
The City of Sausalito Park and Recreation Department is proud to present Jazz and Blues by the Bay once more in Gabrielson Park. Buying a table for the entire season ensures you have the best seat in the house every Friday!
Fri.  Event details 

Virtual

Empowered Kids Storytime
Bay Area Discovery Museum is launching its newest program, Empowered Kids, a free monthly virtual program! Using meaningful storytelling and activities, this program will equip your family with tools to explore positive social change in your lives and community.

Sat. Event details. 

Night with a Naturalist
Gather your family around this virtual roaring campfire for silly songs and a fun, interactive program. S’mores optional.

Fri. Event details.

—Christine Lai

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9 Bay Area Outdoor Movies & Drive-Ins to Visit this Summer

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Eek! After a Year Hiatus, Halloween Time at Disneyland Is Back

by Karly Wood

Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort is hands down one of the most popular times to visit, and with the pandemic raging, fans of all ages missed out on last years festivities. But the spooky season is back!

From Sep. 3 through Oct. 31, 2021, Halloween magic can be found all throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Ride overlays, festive food and creepy character abound during the celebration, with fun for all ages. 

Once again you can find a transformed Haunted Mansion and Guardians of the Galaxy–Monsters After Dark within the parks, both of which have a twist on the traditional attractions. In addition to the regular Halloween festivities, families can also opt for the Ooogie Boogie Bash– A Disney Halloween Party, a separate-ticketed event at Disney California Adventure park on 25 select nights starting Sept. 9.

During this event, families will have the opportunity to dress up in costume, trick-or-treat, watch shows and parades and of course, run into frightfully dressed characters! To attend, visit disneyland.com to purchase tickets (in addition to your park entry tickets).

Over at Disney California Adventure Park, Plaza de la Familia will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos, special merchandise live entertainment and food. And finally, Downtime Disney District will also have special decor, food and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit from Sept. 9 through Oct. 31.

Even more magic awaits, so check back on even more updates about the upcoming spooky season.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disneyland

 

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Beat the Heat at These Bay Area Water Parks (Including the New Spot at Great America!)

by Christine Lai

School is out and the temperature is rising! If destroying your home interior is NOT a part of the summer agenda, a water park is perfect for kids to cool down, have fun and get rid of extra energy. Thankfully, the Bay Area boasts several so there are options to choose from. We think you’ll especially love the new South Bay Shores at Great America. Pack those towels for a day out!

East Bay

AquaAdventure

Compared to the other mega water parks, AquaAdventure is smaller and more intimate which makes it manageable with the littles. A lazy river snakes through the park and kids will enjoy the splash pad, Bucket Bay and Oasis pool that is 3.5-4 feet deep. There are also four water slides from the Fortress of Fun tower that the more adventurous kid can conquer. 

Things to know:
-Bring a blanket for seating on crowded days
-There is a large, grassy picnic area just outside the entrance for those who wish to bring lunch
-Swim lessons, camps and aqua aerobics are also offered 

40500 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 
Online:goaquaadventure.com

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

With thirty-five attractions ranging from an idyllic lazy river to extreme waterslides for the daredevils, there's something for the whole family here. Younger ones will love hanging out at Splashwater Island with its pint-sized slides while waiting for the massive bucket to dump water on people below. 

Things to know: 
-Plan to arrive early and stake out shaded chairs/picnic tables for a home base for your crew especially on the weekends
-There are lockers for your valuables so pick a spot nearby if you plan to access them throughout the day

1950 Waterworld Pkwy, Concord, CA 
Online: sixflags.com/hurricaneharborconcord

Road Trip Worthy: Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge

Manteca is very much worthy of a road trip to visit Great Wolf Lodge. A hotel, nine eateries, an arcade, ropes course, bowling alley and more—read our Great Wolf Lodge story to find out why it is so much more than just an indoor waterpark! 

 

South Bay

NEW! South Bay Shores at California Great America

South Bay Shores

Newly expanded and having just opened, South Bay Shores is now twice the size of the old park and double the fun! You'll find that it is brightly updated with large, shaded areas for lounging and relaxing on sweltering days. The youngest visitors will adore Pup’s Pier with its water guns, interactive spray jets and climbing nets while rides like Shark Reef Plunge’s near-vertical free fall in which the floor drops out from underneath you will satisfy thrill-seekers.  Your admission ticket to Great America includes South Bay Shores leaving your family with a terrible dilemma: roller coasters or water slides?!

Things to know:

- Parking is $20/vehicle pre-purchased online, $25 at the gate and $30 for preferred parking (not offered online)
- The Sand Bar next to the wave pool offers ice-cold beer, wine and frosty adult slushies. If you close your eyes, you could almost be in Maui. 
- The food options range from fish tacos to sliders and wraps to rotisserie chicken which is the most diverse (and delicious in our opinion) of the water parks. 

4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 
Online:cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores

Raging Waters

Raging Waters

Nestled next to the San Jose Foothills and Lake Cunningham, Raging Waters is the traditional and iconic water park that many of us grew up at! Let Speed Slide hurtle you down at dizzying speeds (neck and back permitting) or tube down the family-friendly Serpentine Slides (the yellow slide is the fastest!). Play structures Pirate’s Cove and Wacky Water Works along with the Little Dipper activity pool will keep tiny tykes happy. With many varying attractions, your family will include fun, soaked days at Raging Waters in their summer memories!  

Things to know:
-There is limited shade. Consider bringing a pop-up sunshade or umbrella. 
-Insider tip: Cross the bridge over the lazy river towards Speed Slide where there is a large, shaded grassy area to lay out a blanket or towel

2333 South White Road
San Jose, CA 
Online: rwsplash.com

Gilroy Gardens Water Oasis

Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy Gardens' Water Oasis has everyone's favorite dump bucket along with kiddie water slides, sprayers, splash pools and more. The original water oasis is still there as well, perfect for tots. Reserve a cabana to give yourself somewhere to chill out in the shade. 

3050 Hecker Pass Hwy.
Gilroy, CA
Online: gilroygardens.org

—Christine Lai & Kate Loweth

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5 Easy Ways to Support your Girl Scout During the Busy Cookie Season

By Brian Weisfeld

Photo: iStock

Moms and dads, start your engines—literally. It’s just about time to load up the car and start moving those boxes of cookies that fans clamor for year after year, right around this time. 

With visions of shortbread, chocolate mint wafers, peanut butter crème and caramel-y goodness dancing in your head, you might be thinking, “How do we get rid of all these boxes and pronto?” At the same time, we’d encourage you to use this season as a way to bond with your daughter, help her learn important life lessons and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. 

The Startup Squad created some awesome tips and great ideas for your daughter, to help her become the best little entrepreneur she can be. To make it easy, we’ve created a convenient cookie-selling tip sheet for her that you can download and review with her here. For all the the parents of Girl Scouts, here are 5 tips to support your salesgirl in training:

Teach your daughter how to speak with confidence. Even if she’s a raging 10 on the extrovert scale, she still may need a few pointers on how to speak confidently with strangers—especially adults and especially the ones she’s asking for money.

“Look people in the eye when you’re speaking to them.”

“Talk loud enough for them to hear you.”

“Speak clearly.”

“Don’t fidget or dance around too much; stand still while you’re talking.”

“Be prepared for what you’d like to say.”

You could even roleplay with your daughter, giving her a chance to practice on you or other family members. That might make her feel more comfortable when she’s ready for the real selling to begin.

Help her think outside the cookie box. By this, we mean brainstorm selling points with her that’ll motivate customers to buy more boxes, so she’s ready to sell more than just the cookies themselves. Sure, most people love cookies. But there might be other reasons people would be willing to support her and her troupe, as well. Where does the money go? And why cookies—how did this tradition originate and what’s the story behind it? What are her goals and how can she talk about them as she’s selling? People are often motivated to buy cookies because, well, they’re good. But beyond that, they may be motivated by an emotional pull or to support a cause. Help your daughter verbalize what that cause is and how she can communicate it succinctly to customers.

Let her “own” her business. It’s so easy to want to step in and do it for her, right? Making the signs or posters, talking to potential customers, setting up a display, helping her write an elevator or sales pitch. But when you take an approach that’s too hands-on, you rob your daughter of the opportunity to learn and grow in valuable life skills. Of course, she needs you for things like spreading the word on social media or helping to carry boxes or just supervising her overall efforts—but for the things that she can do, let her. Even if it means facing a little failure in the process. Learning to fail, then get back up and start again is one of the most important life skills anyone can learn.

Look for teachable moments. If she’s set a goal that she’s in danger of missing, talk about how to pivot and take a different approach or maybe reset her goal to be more attainable. If she’s constantly comparing herself to other girls and measuring her success against theirs, it might be a moment to discuss self-worth and learning to be content with her own strengths and abilities. Or maybe she really wants to sell cookies, but she doesn’t want to talk to people—that’s a great time to introduce her to the concept of stepping out of her comfort zone and pushing herself. Be aware of how she’s feeling, what issues she’s wrestling with and how you can use those things to see the bigger picture and learn important and memorable lessons along the way.

Have fun. You’re selling cookies—how fun is that?! This is a great opportunity to connect with your daughter in a meaningful way while enjoying the chance to do something fun with her, support her and watch her become a strong, confident, considerate young lady. Embrace the process, however imperfect. Put down your phone and give her your full attention. And know this time is precious—it won’t last forever and one day, she’ll crave more independent opportunities where you become her cheerleader on the side while she ventures down her own path. You have an opportunity now to invest in your relationship in a unique way. Have fun doing so.

Happy selling and may you savor every cookie crumb along the journey.

This post originally appeared on The Startup Squad Blog.

I've always built businesses, from a childhood gummy bear business to adult gigs at IMAX and Coupons.com. I founded The Startup Squad to help girls reach their potential and my book series, The Startup Squad, is published by Macmillan. I live in Silicon Valley with my wife and two daughters.

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This Comedian’s “Middle Schoolers Be Like” Videos Are All Too True

by Karly Wood

Let’s be honest: navigating puberty is hard and we’re all pretty glad when it’s over. From raging hormones and over-the-top emotions to the awkward body changes and meddling parents, no stone is left unturned in the transformation from child to teenager.

If there’s one person who’s managed to capture all the glory of this crazy time in life, it’s comedian Trey Kennedy in his “Middle Schoolers Be Like” videos. Despite being an adult, Kennedy’s portrayal of the all-out frustrating middle school years is so spot on.

Kennedy performs all the roles in his videos: the exasperated middle schooler, the well-intentioned mom and even the obnoxious sister and authoritative dad—which somehow makes it even funnier.

As if he didn’t hit the nail quite squarely on the head in his first video, he returned recently with part two, which offers even more painfully true scenarios between tweens and parents.

This may be the parent inside all of us, but watching Kennedy take out those trash cans? We’re seriously holding back the “go to your room” right now! In addition to a good laugh, we’re also way more sympathetic to our parents-in-arms raising tweens right now!

If you can’t get enough of Kennedy’s Middle School gig, then head to his Facebook page, where you can catch up on the entire lineup of Middle School Maddox videos.

––Karly Wood

 

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Have a Firefighter-Loving Kid? They’ll Love These Fireman Facts!

By Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan

Fires have been in the news—a combination of climate change and human activities has sparked raging fires in various parts of the world. Even though fires today might not be the same as decades ago, firefighting sure has changed, and that’s a good thing. Here, Xyza: News for Kids is taking a look at how firefighting has evolved over the decades.

 

Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation? 

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Teachers Aren’t Responsible for Saving Our Country

By Colleen Wildenhaus

Sometime in the last few weeks, our country has lost sight of the role that teachers hold in society. Prior to the pandemic, teachers were seen as academic instructors who taught children of all ages to read, solve math problems, and inquire about scientific topics. Their pay, evaluation, and often reputation, is based on the test scores of their students regardless of said student’s mental health, access to food or basic care, access to technology, or the hours in which their parents work. Similarly, schools are graded, and publicly ranked, based on the test scores of their students. School funding, and reputation, are positively or negatively impacted by these scores. Once again, it does not matter whether or not the children had influences outside of the school setting that could impact their academic performance. 

Teachers are in the profession of educating children academically. Yet, there is no doubt that teachers now wear more hats than any other profession. Teachers are therapists, as they listen to children tell their stories of abuse because students trust the person who cares for them each day. Teachers are nurses, as they tend to minor injuries (often with a drink of water or a wet paper towel), feel heads for fevers, and stay vigilant about allergies. Teachers are caregivers, bringing soiled clothes home to wash, shopping for coats, socks, and pajamas as needed, providing toothbrushes and backpacks. Teachers are nutritionists, offering snacks to students who do not have them, and sending home food for kids who may go hungry without. Teachers make sure that every child has someone on their side, building them up to feel powerful, smart, beautiful, creative, and unique. The emotional toll is exhausting and the financial strain is hard, but it happens without question because teachers love their students. 

Knowing all of this, teachers are still given demands and tasks that do not seem possible to achieve, often by those who have never set foot in the classroom. And yet, the demands are met and goals are achieved. Do more with less, individualize instruction, even more, work more hours for less pay, use your plan time for meetings, spend your money on supplies…the list goes on. And year after year, these same teachers return, genuinely excited to meet their new students, check-in with past students, and create dynamic lessons just waiting for the light bulb of learning to shine.

Today, teachers are being told, once again, that they must be responsible for unrealistic, and potentially unsafe, demands. We are being asked to open our classrooms so that the economy can restart, parents can return to work, child abuse can be identified, children can eat, mental health issues of children can be dealt with, all while a raging pandemic in happening. Believe me, we want to be with our students as badly as parents want us with their children. We do not want to teach online. It was not a pleasant experience. However, we want to feel safe and supported, both physically and mentally. We want children to feel safe as well. We want to hear scientists, politicians, and doctors talking about our needs as well as the needs of the children. 

Just as important though, we need to hear our country talking about how everyone can help children. We need funding to make mental health care affordable for all families and we need providers that can meet with children and their families when the care is needed, not nine months down the road when a slot opens. We need to make sure that children are not going hungry in our communities, regardless of whether or not school is in session. We need social services, doctors, and community members helping to identify children who are being physically and sexually abused, and then putting plans in place to stop this despicable behavior. 

These necessary aspects of daily life cannot fall into the lap of teachers only. Make no mistake, we will help every child who does fall into our lap, while still making sure that each child is adequately prepared for the standardized testing that will be the only indicator of our success, but our children and our teachers deserve more. More attention, more respect, more resources, more support.

In a time of uncertainty, schools should not be a guinea pig to learn how COVID affects children and whether or not children spread the virus like adults. The pressure on teachers to keep kids safe through sanitary steps, proper mask-wearing, and socially distancing is tremendous. Knowing this has to be done while not showing any anxiety to the children is daunting. Now add that this all has to be accomplished while teaching academic content to children, the main function of a school, it becomes nearly impossible.

Since it appears that most teachers will be returning to classrooms full of children, I beg of you to think deeply and creatively of ways that we, as a society, can help our children be safely cared for when away from school, for ways that parents can work without having to pay high costs for childcare when schools are closed, and how to support teachers now and every day. Teaching is a passion, a way of life, and a part of who I am. Whatever is asked of me this year, I will do it with the same high standard I display year after year. I love my students and treat them as if they are my own children, I will educate them as individuals, keeping them as safe as I possibly can. All of this will occur at the expense of my own mental and physical health. I will leave work each day asking myself if I did enough and I will lay in bed each night hoping I did not bring the virus home to myself or my family. Above all, I hope that no teacher makes the ultimate sacrifice, their life, by returning to school.

   

Colleen Wildenhaus
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am Colleen, a mother, teacher, and the founder of Good Bye Anxiety, Hello Joy, a site dedicated to parents and teachers supporting a child with anxiety.  In addition to advocating for child anxiety, I love the beach, fresh cookies, children's laughter, and new school supplies!

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