March 2010 Issue
A Half-Century of Education
Generational lessons
Want to curse a kid? Tell them “I hope you have children who act just like you!”
While it may sound innocent enough, especially when said in the heat of a moment by my mother years ago, I’m praying that her evil words don’t come back to haunt me.
I don’t want kids like me. I want kids like my parents.
As my mother and father celebrate their golden anniversary this month, I realize that I don’t recall them making the bad decisions raising me that I’ve made raising my kids. I’m hoping that family intelligence skips a generation.
Andrews Osborne Reaches the World
A quarter of Andrews Osborne’s students represent numerous countries throughout the globe, making the Willoughby campus truly a global village. As an independent, coeducational boarding school that serves students in grade pre-K-12, AOA offers students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to live on campus or attend as day students.
The curriculum at each grade level is rich and challenging. “In everything we do, we are committed to excellence and to the growth and development of our students,” Roman says. “We embrace differences in learning style and culture in a richly diverse and supportive community.”
Game On At Camp
Introduction by Terri Nighswonger / Profiles by Ron Hollowell
If your child can attend a sports camp and improve his skills in a particular sport or maybe even learn a new sport, that’s great. If he can learn skills for life, that’s even better.
Rich Garbinsky, general manager of Pinnacle Sports in Medina and Twinsburg, says Pinnacle’s programs go beyond skill instruction that might make children better players to instruction that makes them a better person.
Health Issues and Preterm Babies
Prematurity rates in the United States are rising at an alarming rate, with more than a half-million babies born prematurely annually. In an average week in Ohio, 385 babies are born preterm, which means they spent less than 37 weeks in their mother’s womb.
Because they are born too soon, preemies don’t have the
opportunity to fully develop and have specialized health needs as a result. That’s why preterm infants are susceptible to a variety of problems such as jaundice and difficulties with breathing, feeding and maintaining their temperature.
Keeping Kids Current
Getting children interested in the world around them can be tough. While many parents have long been unsure how to properly address certain current events with their children, there’s a resurgence of efforts to reach young people and expand the scope of their world.
A number of outlets have worked to establish news sources for children, while President Obama made some waves this past September when he delivered an address aimed specifically at the nation’s children. Even TV pundit Bill O’Reilly wrote a book for children.
Living with Muscular Dystrophy
"Everybody knows Jerry Lewis, but nobody really knows what muscular dystrophy is,” says Brian Wolf, whose personal experience has taught him much about the familiar disease.
Wolf’s son, Jack, was delayed in gross motor skills compared to his brother and peers. A physical therapist suggested Jack displayed the signs of muscular dystrophy. A diagnosis of Duchenne’s, a form of muscular dystrophy, was confirmed by a pediatrician and a neurologist.
No Leftovers - Perfect Birthday Cake
Local moms create the perfect birthday cake and share
Your child’s big birthday party is looming, and you’re worried that you’ll have a cake disaster. Making the perfect cake can be scary. As moms, we compare our cake-making skills to TV shows such as “Cake Boss” and to the perfect cakes made by our friends and relatives. Here are some tips from local “cake moms” who will help you find the right ingredients to make your cake a take-home favorite.
Recipe vs. mix and can
Planning Pizazz - The Perfect Children's Party
The old-fashioned days of a simple birthday party with a homemade cake, ice cream and a few friends being dropped off is a thing of the past for today’s trendy kids. The trend in birthday parties today seems to be action and interaction. Parents are planning, and kids are asking for, birthday parties that are creative, hands-on and, to some degree, even challenging. When planning your next birthday party, consider several options.
Recession Redo
New home looks, low costs for you
Perhaps it’s been years since you’ve changed a thing.
The pillows are on the same chair, the throws are in the same place. You couldn’t even describe the picture above your sofa, you’re so used to it.
Redecorating may sound too expensive to do during a recession. Local interior designers are quick to note, however, that little, inexpensive touches can make a surprising difference to a living space.