september 2014 - south jersey mom magazine

september 2014

Free

Back to School

EXPOMoorestown Mall

September 14th

WIN PRIZES!

the SKINNY on childhoodOBESITY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

E Facing childhood cancer as a family

E Living with LupusE 5 minute

make-up tips

GOOD for you

Grandparents are LUNcH BOx

2 | September 2014 Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter

Check us out at www.RiverWinds.org or call 856-251-0990 for details regarding how you and your family can enroll!

Enjoy a Premier State-of-the-Art Fitness Center!Memberships Are Now Open to the Public!

www.RiverWinds.org

A variety of membership packages are available, including those for families, individuals, or youth/students, among others. Individuals and families who live in West

Deptford Township enjoy a 50% discount on annual fees.

• Walk our indoor track & take advantage of the full line of cardio, selectorized, & free weight equipment.

• Join a spinning or yoga class, or take advantage of our personal training & nutrition seminars. Childcare provided.

• Climb the 28’ rock wall, shoot hoops, swim in the 8-lane competition lap pool.

• Take some me time with a seasonal art or pottery class, relax in the hot tub and steam room.

• Enroll the children in a swim lesson or kids’ craft workshop.

Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter September 2014 | 3

ContentsSEPTEMBER 2014

Cutest Kid In Town Winner: Bethany, age 3, lives in West Deptford with her Mom, Dad and 2 cats. She enjoys taking dance, music and horse back riding lessons. Her favorite color is pink. Bethany loves to dress up and play with her princess castles. She is very excited to be attending her first year of pre-school this Fall! Clothing provided by www.daisylaing.com.

on the Cover

Coupon Mania

mom 2 mom6

Your Child Has Cancer Now What?

9

Why Being a Mom Isn’t Enough

moms r women 214

Time for Me

know 2 grow18

Fighting Childhood Obesity Starts with Us

20

Being There: The Complexities of Grandparenthood

also in this issue5

Some of My Faves

7 Lunch Box Blues

8 Five Minute Makeovers

10 Books & Music

21

Things to Do

22

Recipe Corner

features

11 Business Spotlight: Kid Academy 15 Business Spotlight: South Jersey Eye Associates16 Business Spotlight: Dr. Pérez-Rivera


Cherry Hill Robotics ClubSummer Camps • Evening & Saturday Sessions

Our Robotics Club is geared for grade school and middle school boys and girls. We bring “STEM”(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to your child in a fun camp type atmosphere.

2050 Fairfax Avenue • Cherry Hill856.313.8816 • www.cherryhillrobotics.com

The camp is run by NJ Certified teachers

• LEGO, VIRTUAL and VEX Robotics • New Young Engineers for 6-8 year olds• Competition Teams now forming


Summer has come to an end and now it’s time to get back into the school routine. My family had a relaxing summer hanging out and taking day trips to the beach. My

kids are getting older and in many ways it’s getting easier as they can fill their days with things they like to do and create their own fun. I remember when my son was 5 and I was a stay-at-home mom, the summer was coming to an end and I couldn’t take another moment of him and I put him in camp for the last 2 weeks of the summer. I felt so guilty! As a stay-at-home mom we put so much pressure on ourselves that we have to do it all. But, my limits were maxed out with him

and he needed a routine to thrive in. It’s hard to believe that same boy is starting HS this year and still requires a routine to thrive in; except the difference is he no longer depends on me to provide it. Now he’s on auto-pilot with school, homework and sports and whatever else gets thrown his way. This month we have a great issue packed with helpful information and human interest stories. Don’t miss the article written by a South Jersey MOM, “Your Child Has Cancer: Now What?” (page 6). September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, so don’t miss the article on page 18, “Fighting Childhood Obesity Starts with us!” Flip through the pages to see what else we have in this fun filled issue.Your friend & fellow MOM,

Visit www.southjerseymom.com to enter to win these prizes

H 3 passes to Clementon Park H 4 tickets to Riversharks Baseball Game

SEPTEMBER giveaways

some of my faves

a letter from the eDiTor

“Like” South Jersey MOM magazine on Facebook and find out about local events, win prizes and connect with other moms in the area! www.facebook.com/SouthJerseyMOM

Pocket Poppet The weather changes and what do you do? This stylish and functional cardigan offers a fashionable and easy way to always have a clean jacket handy to pop on. It is a fashion-able open drape front cardigan that is created to fold into its own attached convenient and protective pouch. How cool is that? Pocketpoppet.com, $99

Cool Cups Cool Cup Natural Gels are available in 3 delicious flavors, Orange, Peach Mango, and Black Cherry. My family favors the Black Cherry. They come in convenient single serving cups and are packaged to be sold in a handy 4 pack size. Every great fruity flavor is, fat free, gluten free, GMO free, 100% Vegan, and Naturally Low in Calories. I love that they have cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. Wegmans, $3

Karen [email protected]

South Jersey MOM has a lot going on so check us out on the website and Facebook for contests and giveaways.

PRIZES: 2 outfits and accessories valuing $400Salon services including hair and make-up • Photo shoot

One lucky winner will enjoy a day of pampering, fashion consultation, new apparel & accessories, salon services, beauty swag bag and a photo shoot from Deptford Mall!

Rules: No purchase necessary. like south Jersey MOM and Deptford Mall on Facebook. send full name, address, birthdate, phone number along with a maximum 100 word description “Why I deserve a Mommy Makeover” along with one full length photo (jpeg or pdf file) to [email protected] by midnight, september 10, 2014. *Visit www.southjerseymom.com for rules and regulations. One winner will be selected on september 12, 2014.

MOMMycontest

Do you know a mom in need of a make-over? See details in red box below


mom

2 m

om

You live your life moment to moment, often forgetting to stop and enjoy every moment because let’s be honest, time flies when you are having fun, working full time, and raising children. You live

a happy, boring life that is until that one day when your world is turned upside down. Your child is diagnosed with cancer. You think, how can this be, they have always been healthy, there were no signs, how could this have happened? It is nothing you did, or said. Here are some tips for parents trying to cope with a childhood cancer diagnosis….Get the facts: Your doctors will talk to you immediately following the diagnosis. They will go into detail about your roadmap, the chemotherapy drugs that will be used, and what to expect. Take notes, take someone with you to help write stuff down and to ask questions because you will most likely tune them out. Have them tell you everything straight, no sugar coating. You want all of the facts in front of you. Don’t fight the battle alone: Emotional support is huge. Whether you seek it out from your family, friends, church members, and other cancer families, you need to. Face it: Cry, scream, be mad, get mad! You should be mad and upset. Your life has just been turned upside down and people need to know that you are grieving. You are saddened for your little one. Your life as you

knew it is over. If you don’t hit it head on you won’t be able to absorb it and start the fight, so grieve for your old normal and embrace your new normal. Life Continues: Yes, we were just given the worst news ever and we think that everyone should stop what they are doing to help us during this time. Sad to say that will not happen. Life will continue to go on. Everyone else will go on their way and you will be stuck in a time warp that seems to spin out of control every once in a while.Ask for help: Many times during treatment a parent must take time off from work, it is a full time job to take care of a cancer pa-tient. You will need all of the help you can get. Great news, there are many foun-dations out there that can and will help you with a lot of expenses. Work as a team: It is very easy to feel isolated and alone during this journey but your family and loved ones are there for you. Work with your partner. Take turns during inpatient stays, and clinic visits. Stay Organized: A flood of new unknown information will suddenly be a huge part of your daily life. There will be side affects to drugs, blood pressure issues, and blood levels to check, and chemo dosages etc. You will need to keep everything together and organized. Stay Positive: Receiving the news is not easy and you immediately think cancer=death. Who doesn’t? Truth is that 80% of childhood cancer patients are survivors! That is huge! Think of cancer as an ailment, fight it off the best you can and get past it.✲

Your Child has Cancer: Now What?

By Lauren Keating-Wear

Lauren Keating-Wear is a South Jersey Mother of a childhood cancer survivor. She went to school for English and Elementary Education. She is 32 years old and mother of 3 children. She is the Founder & President of HurriKanen Pediatric Cancer Foundation and advocate for childhood cancer.

It is very easy to feel isolated and

alone during this journey but your family and

loved ones are there for you.


Sky, age 14 and his sister Julia, age 11 both take their lunches to school. But rare-ly do they eat a traditional sandwich. In

fact, as the head lunch packer of the house I hardly ever buy sandwich bread. Instead, this creative momma stuffs pita pockets and layers cheese and sauce on a bagel thin (which are 110 calories for both slices). As a result, no one gets bored and food doesn’t come back home wasted. At our house we always have small fajitas and bagel thins on hand and the George Forman Grill, that I bought second hand is the best kitchen appliance. My daughter, Julia’s favorite lunches are a tortilla rolled with cheese that I grill on the George Forman in the morning and pack with a small container of tomato sauce for dipping. The other is all natural hot dog with no preser-vatives that I roll in a fajita with some cheese & I cook that on the George Forman and cool in the frig before she is off for school.

Leftovers are always fair game in a small thermos. I use the thermos brand (bit more ex-pensive, but they last for years) and it keeps the food hot. To deal with temperature concerns I always put in a cold juice box (I buy Honest Kids and Fruitables) and/or a yogurt. Peanut butter and jelly is an easy morn-ing fix when we are low on food. However, so many kids are allergic and for some it can be a life or death situation. Teach your kids to wipe

their hands real good after eating so that it doesn’t get transferred to another child.

My son and I both have peanut aller-gies and I keep soy nut butter and sun butter (sesame seeds) in the house. Teach kids to help make their own lunches and they can come up with their own creative ideas. Some ideas are fruit sal-ad: cantaloupe, grapes, water-melon, berries and pineapple. Hummus or low calorie ranch

dressing with cut up veggies is easy and tasty.✲

Limited Openings Availablewww.staNurserySchool.comRoute 70 – Cherry Hill (next to Ponzio’s Diner)

856-429-4470Certified experienced teachers focus on your child’s total development – Social, Intellectual, Emotional & Physical

• 18 Months to 5 Years• Literacy Lab• Science & Math Academy• Transitional Kindergarten• Parent Toddler Classes• Mother’s Morning Out• Nursery School Classes

• State Licensed Since 1966• AM & PM Sessions• Gymnasium/Large Play Yard• Small Class Size• Discount for Second Child• Fingerprint Security System

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The St. Andrew’s Nursery School & Kindergarten admits students of any race, color, national origin and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,

national origin, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational or admission policies or in any school administered programs.

Lunch Box BluesBy Karen Ognibene

Here are local moms lunch ideas:

Grilled cheese cut into strips and a thermos of tomato soup, especially in the winter. — Fiona M.

“Cut an apple and quickly wrap in plastic wrap ... with a side of peanut butter.” — Amy D.-P.

“Since my daughter has a severe peanut/tree nut allergy, we use Wowbutter, it tastes very similar to PB.” — Stephanie C.-G.

“Pasta salad with veggie pasta in fun shapes and colors”. — Cheryl H.

“Banana hot dog...hot dog bun with banana and peanut butter”. — Erica S.-H.

South JerseySeptember MOM 2014

CEO/PublishEr Christopher Ognibene • (609) 670-1794

[email protected]

ExECutivE EditOr Karen Ognibene • (609) 230-6280

[email protected]

MarkEting & businEss dEvElOPMEnt sPECialist

Michelle Scianni • (856) 986-9606 [email protected]

FOr gEnEral advErtising inquiriEs Marissa Josephick • (856) 537-7089

[email protected]

Chris Ognibene • (609) 670-1794 [email protected]

PrOduCtiOn ManagEr Lisa Celfo

[email protected]

PhOtOgraPhEr Kate Bennett

www.perfectdayphotography.com

COntributing WritErs Dolores Hoffman, Sunshine Jones, Brie Latini,

Deb McCarson, Dr. Kelly Moore, Lauren Keating-Wear, The Lady

sPECial thanks Daisy Laing Children’s Clothing

Vatsala Ramprasad, M.D. and Crozer-Keystone Health System

subMit CalEndar listing [email protected]

WWW.sOuthjErsEyMOM.COM Created by Markations

Adam Nichols • (215) 825-7499

Superior Graphics Print Management LLC publishes South Jersey MOM™ monthly and distributes it throughout the region.

The publication is available free of charge at select locations.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the

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Superior Graphics Print Management, LLC Publisher of South Jersey MOM

P.O. BOX 268 • Wenonah, NJ 08090

Main: (609) 670-1794 Fax: (856) 210-1524

All materials and services provided in this magazine are for informational or educational purposes only

Every month South Jersey MOM features a local child on the cover. If you think you have the “Cutest Kid in Town”, send a 4x6 photo to South Jersey MOM. P.O. Box 268, Wenonah, NJ 08090.

On back of photo write child’s name and age along with guardian contact info.

What is it about shadows? They are always intriguing and a great way to get kids into taking a walk or a run! My granddaughter Ryan and I were taking a walk and all of a sudden we started stepping on each other’s shadow. Watch

out — it could happen to you! Try it on any sunny day to make taking a walk filled with laughter!** And, help your child notice shadows more often. They are everywhere. The shadow on a table from the ketchup bottle or a cup. The shadow of a car on the cement. Build-ing awareness is always an asset. I’m looking out my window as I write this and see this long shadow from a tree. Help your kids see shadows, too!

Not only a South Jersey Mom, Sharla Feldscheris a proud South Jersey Grandmom (Grammy, as she prefers to be called). The author of six books on creative ideas to do with young children, including two KIDFUN Activity Books published by HarperCollins, she has a blog at www.kidfunandmore.com with more easy-to-do KIDFUN ideas. Sharla has her own public relations business in Philadelphia. A real kid-believer, she began her career as the first PR Director of the Please Touch Museum and started her own business with Sesame Place as her first account, representing the park for 26 years.


As busy moms on the go we often put our-selves last, but spending just a few minutes on your appearance can give you a huge

confidence boost throughout the day. Taking just a few minutes will not only make you look bet-ter, but with the right products your skin will reap some benefits as well. “The key is to use multi-tasking products! Each product in my bag must give me at least two uses. First apply a tinted moisturizer all over. A good one will give you some hydration, SPF protection, and even out the skin tone. Yellow undertones work best for correcting any ruddiness in the skin. Next step is a bronzer/illuminating powder. There are many options available with several stripes of color that can be blended or used individually. With a large brush you can mix the colors togeth-er to give your skin a nice glow. One of my favorite tricks is to take the lightest color and make a “C” around the eye with my finger for a highlight. On the cheeks, I love a nice bright pink or peachy pop on the apple of the cheek with a creamy blush. Hold it up to your eyes in the mirror! It should make your eyes look brighter and more intense! After applying blush, whatever color is left on your finger can be smeared onto the lip for a stain of color. For the eyes take your finger and tap just a tiny bit of the brightest color in your illuminating/highlighting/bronzer on the lid. To finish your look, use an eyeliner (the felt tip kind are the easiest to carry with the most intense look) to create a black line close to the lashes top ONLY and 2-3 coats of mascara – black of course. This super quick five minute face will give you a radiant glow and the confidence to go anywhere all day!Sunshine Jones is a professional makeup artist and aesthetician that has made women look glamorous for weddings, run-way, and television appearances. For more information visit: makeupbysunshine.com

Five Minute

By Sunshine JonesFabulous

http://www.kidfunandmore.com

http://makeupbysunshine.com/


Have you ever been told being a mother, a lady in the everyday trenches with her babes, is more than enough? Although, I get the heart of that message is to give you a break, it’s a pipe dream. Being

a mom is enough? Nope, unfortunately, it’s not even close. That world, one in which you ignore your agendas, phone, and chores and focus solely on being with your children, isn’t a world that exists. Who makes the money in that world? Who runs the house? Or does the mother do it after the kids are asleep and don’t need her doting attention? Does she just skip the part where she sleeps? As a mother, you have to focus on more than your kids, for you and for them It’s a necessity. Whatever schedule you keep, you’re going to miss some of their childhood because there’s much to do to get to their adulthood. The endless to-do list needs attention, and sometimes it’s at the cost of quality time with the kids. You HAVE to keep everyone clean, fed, clothed, and sheltered. That huge responsibility takes up time. After that, everything else is extra, right? Other tasks can be ignored, so you can make sure not to break eye contact with your little one, lest you miss something magical. How dare you take time to do laundry, mop floors, dust shelves, wash dishes, make meals, craft projects, clean out closets, pay bills, decorate walls, and sort through the mess to reveal a beautiful house made into a loving home for your family? A safe, clean, and unique place where you can live, grow, play, and share so much magic together it’ll make Disney World look like a dud. How dare you focus on you instead of your children? Hours spent at work pouring over files, making connections, and gaining experience are

frivolous. Time used unwinding, venting, and regrouping with friends, fellow parents, and childless buddies are no more than selfish desires. That magical feeling when you realize you can be a parent AND a person in your own right

is clearly a farce that should immediately be replaced with unadulterated attention to your child.

I understand that so many mothers are struggling with the burden of doing it all. I’m one of them! I know it gets

overwhelming to take good care of your kids and allow yourself to take good care of you too. Raising babies is difficult. From pregnancy to the moment they drive away…and every moment in between and after. Time with your children is paramount, but you can’t brush aside the rest of life. Sometimes I have to say no to

playtime because dinner calls. Eating is kind of essential, you know? Show your children that they aren’t the center of

the universe, not even yours. They’ll survive you missing every opportunity to applaud their drawings, jokes, or games. They’ll learn

the value of imagination, independence, and self-fulfillment. They’ll see you juggling different sides of yourself and will learn that no lady (or man) should have to pick only one path. You can be a mother AND any other person you want to be, free from guilt and shame. “Just being a mom” isn’t something you can afford to be, and, moreover, it’s not something you should be told to want to be either. There’s nothing wrong with focusing on parts of life that don’t directly involve your children.✲The Lady is an anonymous blogger who writes about her life and our times. You can find her on Facebook where she overshares daily amidst the love and frustration that comes with marriage and parenting. To read more of what she has to share, including the unabridged version of this article, please visit her website at www.ohthisagain.com.

Why Being A Mom Isn’t Enough

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Serving New Jersey with his expertise in plastic surgery, Dr. Sean Bidic specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery such as breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, tummy tuck, and surgery after weight loss.

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Lola Goes To The Doctor By Marcia Goldman (Creston, $12.99, ages 3 to 8) Lola is a brave 5 lb. Yorkshire Terrior and the book focuses on her feelings about going to the doctor. This is a great book for kids on the Autism Spectrum. The pictures show

you what happens and the author uses descriptive words to convey feelings along with pictures that show you what hap-pens each step of the doctor appointment.

CD: Party Pop by KIDZ BOP The new CD that came out in May ’14 has fun dance songs “The Fox” (What Does The Fox Say) and “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” and the classic “Who Let The Dogs Out. This is great to get your kids moving and dancing around.

Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island Bay Michael Phillip Cash (Red Feather, $12.99, teen to adult) Paul Russo has spent the last year watching his wife, Allison decline and suffer through many treatments for a brain tumor. It was a hopeless diagnosis and she is gone. After her death he is lost and his spirit is torn apart. He doesn’t know where to begin to pick up the pieces of his life and to take care of three adorable children. He is not sleeping, eating and he is having hallucinations. The children and he are all having terrifying nightmares about evil demons. They still feel the presence of their mother

around them, but what does it all mean.

He decides the only thing to do is to go back to work as a realtor and he will be asked by two close friends to sell their family home the “Stillwell Manor”. The house is over 200 years old and said to be haunted and has been the site of two horrific tradedies. That’s when Paul’s troubles begin…

Full Speed Ahead: My journey with Kit American Girl, ($9.99, 8 and up) Beforever is the new line of books that Ameri-can Girl is introducing this month. Kit is living during the Great Depression and she is faced with helping others that are less fortunate. The line of books has multiple ending stories where the reader selects from different options to create a journey back in time with multiple twists and turns. This will keep your young reader turning the page

Wheels of Change By Darlene Beck Jacobson (Creston, $12.99, ages 8 to 13) Emily is a spunky 12 year old during a pivotal time in history. The local writer, from Mantua uses her own family’s story to tell a story of how people struggle, but ultimately overcome obstacles. There are descrip-tive historical details that will educate your tween on what it was like to live in Washington, DC in 1908.


September is just around the corner and with that comes the question of where to place your child for the very best care

and quality learning experience. KidAcademy Learning Center is the only answer if you are looking for a place for your child to be provid-ed with enrichment, and given all of the aca-demic, social and nurturing needs so your child can grow strong and confident! KidAcademy Learning Center is a Pri-vate Learning Center with 6 locations in NJ. Our centers have been providing quality early childhood education for over “25 years”. Chil-dren experience an elite learning experience with our program which effectively prepares them for their primary school years ahead. Our program has been proven to provide a founda-tion of all essential learning tools through our curriculum, High Reach Learning which is rat-ed one of the top curriculums in NJ. It offers the recognition and comprehension of letters, colors, numbers and shapes. This high stan-dard of curriculum utilized in our program aligns with the core curriculum standards used in the public schools, therefore, our students walk into Kindergarten confident, well-round-ed and diverse learners.

KidAcademy also has an extensive lan-guage program which includes American Sign Language and Spanish to further enhance our students’ ability to communicate effectively as they grow. Our highly qualified teachers and nurturing care givers guide each child through our language-enriched environment thus encouraging children’s development of learning literacy skills through activities such as read-aloud high-quality children’s literature, sight words and hand writing through journal-ing. We also invite our mascot, PAWS- a big furry, friendly pup, to come to our centers fre-quently promoting reading readiness through our “READY TO READ PROGRAM. PAWS joins us for classroom read-ins, special events and attends various community affairs that Ki-

dAcademy takes part in throughout the year. Having PAWS in our program has helped the students to understand the importance of lit-eracy. Our READY TO READ program has been a great partner in preparing early learners to read as a way for each child’s growth and development to blossom. Further, we include “building a healthy body” through a nation-wide physical educa-tion program by the name of CATCH. This teaches children and their families the best

health practices regarding good eating habits, exercise and making healthy life choices. We will implement this curriculum into our Fall program to help us to continue our efforts in fos-tering the very best physical and well-ness aspects of each child. Our schools offer dance, music, physical education and cooking pro-grams as well as computer instruc-tion. Our large spacious classrooms provide optimum opportunities for children to posi-tively engage in social interactions as well as navigate their experiences as they explore the learning environment around them. We share in the special moments and en-gage daily in the observation of each child’s in-dividuality, uniqueness and cultural diversity. KidAcademy Learning Center prides itself on the academic success of each student as they soar through each level of development. Our “hands on” teaching methods, teacher-parent communication meetings, and regular aca-demic assessments are done with each student throughout the year and are just a few of the fine examples that show our program is com-mitted to excellence. Our teaching staff is a family of experienced professionals that are highly trained and invested in the academ-ic progress and success of each student. Ki-dAcademy is a private learning center that has a genuine commitment to providing a quality early learning experience for young children. You can visit our website at www.ki-dacademy.com to find a KidAcademy Learn-ing Center nearest to you, or contact us at 1-888-303-3104. Space is limited, so call or stop by today!✲

business spotlight

The BENEFITS of Early Education

http://www.kidacademy.com

http://www.kidacademy.com


REGISTER NOW FOR FALL!Fall Classes Begin September 8th

230 Maple Ave • Marlton, NJ 08053

856.797.0303www.dancecrazeonline.com

Ages 3-AdultTap • Jazz

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BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEYExperience a Fire Power tour of our nation’s most decorated battleship – the Battleship New Jersey, located on the Camden Waterfront. Check out the ship’s weapons systems, learn how the crew lived aboard this floating city and more. www.battleshipnewjersey.org


Jamie’s Dance Odyssey is a 7000 square foot facility located in Deptford, NJ with professional, raised dance surfaces in 6 studios. We offer experienced adult teaching staf f who specialize in tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, pointe, contemporary, creative movement and acro for ages 2 and up.

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A day in the life of a mother can be pretty chaotic. Finding time for yourself seems almost im-

possible sometimes. Here are a few ways to achieve this while still being there for your kids. Plan a day out of the houseAt least once month arrange a babysit-

ter to watch the kids so you can have some alone time. Whether its grocery shopping, spending time at the park or something more glamorous like a spa treatment or a salon appointment, the point is to use this time wisely and go home feel-ing rejuvenated and ready for anything.ExerciseI know it sounds like work but starting a fitness routine can clear your mind and boost your day. A workout routine gives you the energy needed to face the world. Whether you can attend a class or opt for a workout video at home, exercise can be a great stress release for you.Get the kids involved in your “Me Time”If you can’t carve out time for yourself, work around the kids to get that much needed downtime. Giving your kids things to do while you take time for yourself is easier than you think. While in the garden or yard,

give them the hose while you plant flowers or pick veggies. Give them coloring books while you sit back and read or take them to a park and let them run off some energy while you relax under a tree. Don’t feel guiltyWe all have been there. A moment to ourselves and the guilt sets in. We feel guilty for just about everything when it comes to our children. Although it’s important to bond with your child, time spent by yourself benefits the whole family. The balancing act be-tween our mothering responsibilities

and our desire for time away is an enormous task. But it can be juggled if the guilt doesn’t get in the way. It’s also good for the kids to see you take care of yourself. Studies show that kids take on the stress of their parents. Showing them that you have your own interests will give them the confidence to pursue their dreams as they grow. Whatever way you choose to find “me time” it has benefits that are long-lasting and worthwhile for the whole family. A few minutes here and there can go a long way toward a happier and healthier you.✲

Time for MeBy Dolores Hoffman

mom

s R

wom

en 2


Through a Child’s EyesSouth Jersey Eye

Associates Win Parents Over with Kid-Friendly

Eyecare

Dr. Michael A. Feinstein, Dr. Brandon J. Wuzzardo, Dr. Robert M. Cole III

When we say we’re a family eyecare center, we mean it,” says Dr. Robert M. Cole III, optometric physician and partner at South Jersey Eye Associates. “We don’t treat children with

a one-size-fits-all approach. Kids require specialized care and deserve personalized service, just like any other patient.” Located in Bridgeton at the Upper Deerfield Professional Center on Old Deerfield Pike, South Jersey Eye Associates (SJEA) is a compre-hensive eyecare and optical center that prides itself in tailoring its care to patients of every age, even the youngest. Their child friendly approach has been winning parents over for years. Last year, SJEA’s Dr. Cole and Dr. Michael A. Feinstein, optometric physician and partner, expanded the practice, bringing onboard optometric physician Dr. Brandon J. Wuzzardo in an effort to continue meeting the needs of their growing patient base—of which children and adolescents form a significant part. “Among Dr. Wuzzardo’s areas of expertise is the assessment and remediation of children with vision disorders,” explains Dr. Feinstein. “Quality eyecare is critical for everyone, but it’s especially important for children who may have undiagnosed vision problems that can impact their ability to perform at school. Dr. Wuzzardo’s passion and skill when it comes to caring for children makes him an invaluable addition to our family.” “It’s a privilege to be part of a practice that’s truly committed to hon-oring a ‘patient first’ philosophy ,” says Dr. Wuzzardo.” It doesn’t matter if the patient is 3 or 93; if you come to SJEA, you can be sure that you’ll be receiving the best in eyecare and you’ll be served by doctors and staff who are warm and welcoming and really care.” Dr. Cole says, “We believe in helping people see the world better and we do everything that we can to ensure that every child’s experience at SJEA is a positive one. We strive to deliver the same quality of care we would want for our own family.”✲


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Sometimes we all need a little help from time to time. Children are no different says, Dr. Perez-Rivera, PhD, a Licensed

Psychologist that specializes in working with children ages 1 year to 25 years old. In addition, she works with adults that are dealing with bereavement, mid-life cri-sis, social skill problems and much more. Symptoms can be warning signs for larger issues. “It’s normal for children to experience some level of anxiety; however, when it starts disrupting a child’s body, mind and their interactions with family and friends, that’s when it’s time to seek professional help,” says Dr. Perez-Rivera. Parents can tell if their youngster is having diffi-culty by first comparing their child’s baseline, which is how a child behaves on a typical day and how their behavior has changed. However, parents have to be careful says Dr. Perez-Rivera, “Something that looks like a medical prob-lem may actually be an emotional problem.” Gastrointestinal problems, she says, can actually be problems stemming from anxiety or depression. Your child’s pediatrician office is the first place to go to for help. Pedia-tricians can rule out any underlying medical problems and even make rec-ommendations to see a licensed professional like Dr. Perez-Rivera where a child can receive help. If you think your child is experiencing an emotional crisis or may be suicidal, Dr. Perez-Rivera suggests that they be taken immediately to a hospital’s mental health department for an evaluation to receive proper treatment. It’s important to get help immediately when a child or teen is in crisis or suicidal. There should also be immediate concern if a new behav-ior that parents are not used to seeing has lasted for two weeks or longer and parents have, she says, exhausted all forms of parental intervention.

Dr. Perez-Rivera sees youngsters who have mild to severe emotional problems. Her training as a clinical psychologist gives her the ability to treat kids with se-vere emotional problems that parents find confusing. She also works in collaboration with many school dis-tricts’ child study teams to provide better advocacy for her clients. It’s not unusual during the child study team evaluation that Dr. Perez-Rivera will observe the child in the classroom and see how they interact in the class environment. “I’m there to advocate for the child,” says Dr. Perez-Rivera. Her first level of concern, she admits, is to make sure the needs of her clients are met. She even helps the school district to draft, if needed, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). One of her specialties in addition to diagnoses like ADD/ADHD, anxiety and depression is Autism-Spectrum Disorders

for children. She also serves as a consultant to CHOP. One unique feature of her practice is her desire not to pull kids from school for treatment. Dr. Perez-Rivera says, “I don’t want treatment to be a stressor for my parents or kids,” and offers weekend hours for clients, along with her regular weekday hours. Also, Dr. Perez-Rivera is bi-lin-gual and offers therapy sessions in Spanish. Most therapy is short term, which can be two to four sessions or up to a few months to equip parents with new tools to modify unwanted behaviors. In some instances, there is the child that needs more extensive therapy that can take longer. If your child is acting out or showing signs of anxiety or depression get them the help they need with a compassionate professional. Dr. Pe-rez-Rivera has convenient locations in Pitman and Mt. Laurel, NJ. She is a highly skilled Licensed Psychologist that can help your child to be the best that they can be. Get the help your child needs today by calling 856-383-0585.✲

South Jersey Center for Psychological Services

Giving Kids ToolsTO SUCCEED

By Cheryl Lynne Potter

Dr. Katherine Pérez-Rivera


Katherine Pérez-Rivera, Ph.D.NJ Licensed Psychologist #4352

(856) 383-0585PITMAN • MT. LAUREL

Saturday, Sunday, and after-school/evening appointmentsAll services provided in English or Spanish

STOP the HEARTBREAK for you and your FAMILY... GIVE your CHILD their CHILDHOOD back

Is your child…v unable to sit still and focus?v struggling in school & getting poor grades?v anxious, worried, and feeling “down” ?v refusing to do chores and talking back?v getting lost in electronics & social media?v living through a separation or divorce?

You deserve…v Top-notch treatment and evaluations v Advocacy for 504s and IEPsv Weekend and after-school appointmentsv No waiting for your appointment to beginv Returned calls on the same day

Work with a highly-skilled and

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Childhood obesity has become a major public health concern in recent years. First Lady Michelle Obama has targeted it directly in her Let’s Move! initiative which

has been well received across the country. Childhood Obesity has been linked to many negative outcomes for children because it can increase the risk of developing life threatening illnesses such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, and high cholesterol. Furthermore, research has shown that children identified as obese tend to endorse lower self-esteem, problems with social acceptance and relationships, increased depressed mood, and decreased quality of life. Essentially, children struggling with obesity have a number of challenges. The good news is that there are clear steps that we can take to stop childhood obesity.Accept & CorrectIf a doctor has informed you that your child is obese, avoid two opposite, but equally damaging emotional reactions: guilt and/or denial. If a doctor needs your child to adjust their eating or activity habits to avoid the negative health risks of childhood obesity, then it should be an impetus for a lifestyle change for the whole family. Feelings of guilt and/or denial prevent you from taking the necessary steps to get these changes going. Instead, shift to problem-solving mode and begin looking for apps, websites, and suggestions from your doctor about how to improve your child’s health. Thinking positivelyEvery person needs to feel loved and respected and taking care of oneself also means having a positive mental attitude. Since depressed mood and low self-esteem can be more prevalent in obese children, the most important thing a parent can do is to infuse positive affirmations into their child. Impress upon them that they are loved and remind them of all their amazing attributes. Help them understand that you love them and want them to be strong and healthy and they will come to adopt that same attitude for themselves. Be a healthy role modelAs parents, we are our child’s first teachers. Make sure your children see you eating healthy foods and if you enjoy some of the less healthy options from time to time (ahem-me!), then be sure to practice moderation and not allow foods highs in sodium and sugar to dominate your diet. Keep fresh fruits and vegetables in your home. Activate their competitive side by creating a rule that everyone in the family has to drink a certain amount of water each day. Make a game of it so kids are eager to meet the challenge. When your children see you making health a priority, they will follow your lead. Take your child to local farms to pick fruits and vegetables. They may be more inclined to eat them when they have enjoyed going out to pick for themselves!Get activeThere have been many news reports about children being less active due to increased TV watching and video game use. However, remember that YOU are the parent. Set boundaries about how much “screen” time can be used each night and find ways to get your child excited about physical activity. Get them involved in sports, dance, or fitness activities that they will be excited to participate in. And again, YOU can demonstrate a high value for health and fitness by taking care of your physical fitness as well.

Remember that childhood obesity can be effectively managed when the family is committed to taking the necessary steps to create healthy lifestyle choices and work closely with their pediatrician to improve the health of their child.✲

Fighting Childhood Obesity Starts With Us!

Websites to learn more:HealthyChildren.org www.healthychildren.orgThe Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov Let’s Move! www.letsmove.gov

http://www.healthychildren.org

http://www.cdc.gov

http://www.letsmove.gov


Being There: The Complexities of Grandparenthood

Grandparents are good for you. Studies show that the emotional support grand-parents and grandchildren receive from

one another supports the psychological health of both generations. According to the Ameri-can Sociological Association, grandparents and grandchildren who have good relation-ships with each other are less likely to suffer from depression. Many grandparents tend to feel a sense of purpose and productivity when they are active-ly involved in the lives of their grandchildren. A study conducted by Massey University re-veals what grandparents consider “being there” for their grandchildren. One way grandparents define “being there,” is by holding a special place in the hearts of their grandchildren, un-derstanding that this special bond between grandparent and grandchild contributes to the emotional development of the grandchild. Some grandparents who are financially sol-vent define “being there” as having the abili-

ty to lend financial support if needed. Others consider “being there” as providing childcare when necessary. For families, this love, money, and free childcare that comes with grandparenting seems almost too good to be true, and at times, it is. According to the Massey study, these ben-efits are not without a price, and grandparents have expressed the difficulties they sometimes have in maintaining their own sense of well-be-ing while fulfilling the grandparent role. Because grandparents are being called on more to help with childcare in a faltering economy, some feel conflicted between an obligation to babysit their grandchildren and the erosion of their own independence. One grandmother reported that she feels her inde-pendence has become constrained because her children have become dependent on her avail-ability to them. Because she feels there is an expectation that she should “be there” for her grandchildren, her personal choices have be-come limited. Another issue grandparents face is trying to balance the expectation of “being there” with the expectation not to interfere. They struggle to find balance between “being there” and “dis-tancing themselves” from interference. Grand-parents find it difficult to take an increased role

in childcare without crossing the boundaries of what their children consider interference. One grandfather reported, “There has been a bit of confrontation over the way the kids are being brought up.” According to him, his wife and daughter will temporarily smooth these issues out on the surface, but he still senses the under-lying conflict. In order to handle the complexities of the grandparent relationship and respect all those involved, families should make it a point to clearly communicate their feelings about is-sues that arise. This includes sharing good things as well as bad. Grandparents should be told specifically how their “being there” positively affects their grandchild’s life. For instance, parents should encourage children to say things like, “Grandmom, I really like when we bake cookies together.” Parents also need to make it clear to their parents what behaviors they feel border on interference, while keeping in mind the need for grandparents to discipline their grandchildren when they are in their care. A good discussion on issues such as diet, com-puter time, homework, and chores will help families curb disputes and provide much-need-ed consistency for children. Grandparents should respect the methods of discipline es-tablished for their grandchildren by their par-ents, and parents need to consider flexibility for some issues that may be important to the grandparents. In order to allow grandparents to enjoy the independence they have earned, parents should not assume that grandparents would love nothing more than to spend time with their grandchildren. While this is often the case, grandparents should have time to enjoy the freedom that comes with having lived through their own responsibilities of child-rearing. By keeping lines of communication open and respecting each family member’s situation in life, multi-generational relationships can continue to strengthen family ties.✲

By Deb McCarson


CAMDEN COUNTY National MS Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter City to Shore Bike MS Seeks Volunteers, Patco Setup Bike MS: City to Shore Ride is the National MS Society’s premiere event. Over 7,000 cyclists are expected to raise more than $6 million! Volunteers are needed Friday, September 26th to help setup at the starting line in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. To register, please email [email protected] or call (215)271-1500 and ask for Sasha Aziz. Volunteers must be age 13+ and pre-registration is required. Bike Ride Weekend: Join us on Saturday, September 27th and/or Sunday, September 28th at Bike MS: City to Shore Ride 2014. 7,000 cyclists are expected to raise $6 million and you can support them by volunteering. Various volunteers are needed throughout the route on both days! Help out at the PATCO Woodcrest Finish Line on Sunday, the Ocean City Finish Line Chute or along the route at the Waterford Station! To register online, visit www.citytoshore.org or complete a paper registration form. All questions can be directed to [email protected] or call (215)271-1500. All ages are welcome. Volunteer groups and

individuals both encouraged to register!

Blackwood Farmers’ Market now- September 27 2014 9am to 1pm every Saturday Downtown Blackwood, N.J. 856-677-8772 www.blackwoodfarmersmarket.webs.com

BURLINGTON COUNTY Back to School Expo Sunday, September 14, 2014 Moorestown Mall, 11-4pm FREE. Representation from a wide range of program types geared for kids of all ages from pre-K to 16 will be ready to share information about their programs. Free face painting, demonstrations by dance/karate groups and more. Many great prizes and goodie bags will be given away. If you would like to become a vender call Chris at 609-670-1794.

CAPE MAY COUNTY Street Rod Weekend September 5th – 7th Ocean City, NJ Street Rod Weekend – Features classic cars on display. Boardwalk display 12noon – 4pm on Saturday. For more information call 609-525-9300.

Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow Ocean City, NJ Sunday, Sept 14, 2014, 1:00pm 6th – 14th Streets. Thrill to some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world. For more information call 609-525-9300.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY Kids’ Klub at Cumberland Mall Tuesday, Sept 9 & 23, 10:30am Center Ct., Rtes. 47 & 55, Vineland Area families with preschool-aged children are invited to visit the whimsical world of fairy tales during Cumberland Mall’s free Kids’ Klub in Center Court. Cumberland Mall’s Kids’ Klub takes place every month on the first and third Tuesday. During the program, kids will embark on an awesome adventure into a world of discovery through storytelling, songs, crafts, coloring and educational games. For more information, visit www.cumberlandmallnj.com, www.facebook.com/cumberlandmallnj or follow Cumberland Mall on Twitter @CumberlandMalNJ.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY 11th Annual Italian Heritage Festival of Gloucester County Sunday, September 28, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All-day family fun fashioned after an Italian street fair with entertainment, Italian cuisine, crafts, vendors and artisans. Featuring entertainment from Italy, Center City Opera Theater, The Italian Fairy, Dr. Neff ’s Sicilian Marionettes, the Vivaci! Dancers, children’s activities, and more! RiverWinds Community Center, 1000 RiverWinds Dr. West Deptford, NJ 08086 Event Sponsor: Gloucester County Italian Heritage Commission Web: www.facebook.com/GCItalian. 856-467-0096 Contact Email: [email protected]

Mullica Hill Library Branch Toddler Storytime 10:30-11am, Mondays 2-3 years, enjoy short stories, songs, & craft. Registration is required. 856-223-6029

Wiggles & Giggles Storytime 10:30-11am, Tuesdays 0-2 years, join us for a short story, songs, rhymes & Fingerplays. Registration is required. 856-223-6029

Preschool Storytime 10:30-11am, Thursdays 4-5 years, enjoy stories, songs, & craft. Registration is required. 856-223-6029. 389 Wolfert Station Road Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

September CalendarTo submit your event, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Entries are due six weeks prior to the event and are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Space is limited.

For a complete list of events, log onto www.southjerseymom.com

things 2 do

A: Sleep needs and patterns vary from infancy through adulthood. Children age 5 and older generally need 9-10 hours of sleep. As a society we are sleep-deprived, and several factors contribute to this.Regarding trouble falling asleep, ”connectedness” is the biggest culprit. Children are constantly on the phone or computer, or watching TV; and all of these devices have a blue screen. Blue light is intensely stimulating to those areas of the brain that govern sleep. Also, many adolescents and old-er children participate in after-school sports. By necessity, they participate in some of these activities within a few hours of bedtime. Most children are able to deal with this, but some need that 4-hour window between vigorous exercise and sleep.

Children ages 2 to 5 have large adenoids, which may cause snoring and sleep apnea. Both this and having periodic limb movements can disrupt sleep. Some children develop bad “sleep habits” and have awakenings requiring parental presence. ”Parasomnias,” such as night terrors and sleepwalking, are common from 5 to 15 years of age and may cause awakenings.Both disrupted and decreased sleep can cause daytime issues, including fatigue. Enforce good sleep hygiene from infancy. Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns.✲

Ask the DocVatsala Ramprasad, M.D.Medical Director, Pediatric Sleep ProgramCrozer-Keystone Health System

Q: It seems to take my son hours to fall asleep, he wakes up often during the night and then he’s overtired during the day.

http://www.blackwoodfarmersmarket.webs.com

http://www.blackwoodfarmersmarket.webs.com


APPLE MAPLE CRISP• 4 1/2 cups peeled, cored and sliced apples

• 2 tsp. lemon juice• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon• 3/4 cup brown sugar• 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour• 3/4 cup rolled oats• 4 tbs. butterPreheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Evenly spread the apple slices in the prepared dish. Pour the lemon juice over the apples, then drizzle apples with the maple syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the apples. Bake 30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is lightly browned.

CROCK POT APPLE BuTTER• 14-16 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored & cut in 1/4ths• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar• 1/2 cup apple cider• 1 tbs. ground cinnamon• 1 tbs. fresh lemon juice• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves Mix all ingredients in a bowl, then put into a crock pot on low heat with the lid on for 8 hours. Mash mixture, and cook for 2 more hours keeping the lid off the crock pot. When apple butter is done allow to cool, then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Serve with biscuits, toast, muffins or scones.Note: You can use other apples in place of the Granny Smith such as, Fuji, Winesap etc.As always, Bon Appetit!

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Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio is the author of “Seasoned With Love, Treasured Recipes” & “Lisa Ann’s Seasoned With Love II”, and the children’s book, “Snicker Learns An Important Lesson.” Visit her blog http://lisaanndinunzio.blogspot.com/ or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001935347501

September is here, and with it, the harvest season of a favorite superfood, the apple. Many know the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but do you know just how “good for you” apples are? Apples contain an impressive list of anti-oxidants, fiber, phytonutrients, minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, and numerous vitamins and other

essential nutrients required for good health. So including apples into your families diet is a good thing! If possible look for organic apples, most non-organic apples are highly contaminated with pesticides. I know most people watch their grocery budget, but it’s truly worth spending a bit extra on organic apples, and in-season you can get them at reasonable prices. Here’s to your health!


701 Cooper Road, Suite 3 • Voorhees, NJ 08043 • 856.504.3913

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Birthday Parties forKids Ages 4-94!

september 2014 - south jersey mom magazine

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