July 2023 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Best of 2023

growingupsc — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 21:05:17 +0000

We asked you to share your favorite places to take your kids and places you enjoy as a family. We wanted to know what businesses you consider the Best in Santa Cruz, and man, did you ever respond! Thanks to everyone who answered our survey. Camps Day Camps Kennolyn Day Camps kennolyncamps.com Runners up Henry Cowell Girl Scout Day Camp Farm Discovery at Live Oak Residential Camp Kennolyn kennolyncamps.com Runners up Mount Hermon Mission Springs Dining Bakery Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria 504 Bay Avenue, Capitola 831.462.1200 gaylesbakery.com/ Runners up Companion Bakeshop The Buttery Coffee Shop Verve Coffee Vervecoffee.com 4 Santa Cruz locations Runners up Lula Carpenter’s Cat & Cloud Breakfast Zachary’s Restaurant 819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz 831.427.0646 Runners up Harbor Cafe Walnut Street Cafe Deli Zoccoli’s Delicatessen 831.423.1711 1534 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz zoccolis.com Runner up Erik’s DeliCafé Many locations order.EriksDeliCafe.com Thank you for voting Erik’s as Runner up for Best Deli and Best Lunch Place! Our sandwiches, soups, and salads are made with fresh, quality ingredients and are full of “character”. We’re proud to celebrate our 50th anniversary and can’t wait to continue serving you time and time again. Dinner Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar 1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com Thank you Santa Cruz for Kianti’s Best Of wins: Dinner, Lunch, To Go, Pizza, Kid Friendly, Celebrating Kids Birthdays and Adult Milestones.Order at kiantis.com. Patio, curbside and delivery for our entire menu and drinks including Kianti’s Signature Cocktails, Bottles of Kianti’s Wine and Kianti’s Vodka, Gin, Rum, Whiskey or Tequila. Runners up Otoro Cowboy Bar & Grill Fine Dining Shadowbrook Restaurant 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola 831.475.1511 shadowbrook-capitola.com Runners up Vim Lali’s Grocery Store New Leaf Locations in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Aptos newleaf.com Runners up Shoppers Corner Staff of Life Ice Cream The Penny Ice Creamery Locations in Santa Cruz, Aptos and Scotts Valley 831.204.2523 thepennyicecreamery.com Runner up Marianne’s Lunch Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar 1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com Runners up Erik’s DeliCafé Many locations order.EriksDeliCafe.com Gayle’s Pizza Pizza My Heart 1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz 831.426.2511 pizzamyheart.com Runners up Kianti’s Boulder Creek Pizza and Pub Sushi Akira Locations in Santa Cruz and Aptos akirasantacruz.com akiraaptos.com Runners up Mobo Sushi Otoro Sushi Taqueria Taqueria Vallarta Locations in Santa Cruz and Felton Enjoytaqueriavallarta.com Runner up Los Pericos Tacos Morenos To Go Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar 1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com Runner up Charlie Hong Kong Poke House Family Friendly Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar 1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com Runners up Carpo’s Dharmas Extra Curricular After School Care Boys and Girls Club Locations in Santa Cruz and Live Oak boysandgirlsclub.info Runners up Campus Kids Connection Coastal Community Preschool Art Seven Directions Creative Learning Center 831.713.9392 sevendirectionsinfo@gmail.com Sevendirections.org Seven Directions is Santa Cruz’s premiere creative center for kids and teens! Offering instruction in various arts, sciences and more in a lively studio with over 30 live exotic animals. We are committed to helping to nurture students’ self-esteem, building lasting friendships and empowering them as artists, learners and creative thinkers. Runners up Mon Ami Studio Sprouts Dance International Dance Academy (IAD) 320 Encinal Street Santa Cruz 831.466.0458 info@iadance.com iadance.com Dance for JOY! IAD provides professional instruction for all ages in an encouraging atmosphere. Our studio trains students to develop their artistry, technique, balance, strength and flexibility, while honing style, focus, agility and energy… bringing joy to every class and performance! We can’t wait to see you in the studio! Runners up The Tannery Pacific Arts Complex Gymnastics June Bug’s Gym 3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz 831.464.BUGS (2847) JuneBugsGym.com June Bug’s Gym is a place where your child can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. We have a caring, respectful, and supportive staff that encourages every child in their growth of large motor skills and gymnastics along with social, emotional, and cognitive development. Our goals for our students are to help them feel control and empowerment in their bodies, to build self-esteem through success, to open up their imaginations, and to feel confidence and joy in their exploration of movement. Runners up Santa Cruz Gymnastics Vargas Music MusicalMe MusicalMe, Inc. offering Music Together™ Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County 831.332.9002 registrar@musicalme.com musicalme.com MusicalMe is overjoyed to be voted #1! Now in our 27th year, made possible with the loving support of our incredible community of families and teachers. Thank you for choosing us as your favorite music school! Runners up Be Natural Moe’s Alley Sport Santa Cruz County Lacrosse Association scclax.org Runners up SLV Soccer Santa Cruz Little League Swimming Simpkins Family Swim Center 979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.454.7960 scparks.com Runners up Adventure Sports Unlimited 303 Potrero St., Suite 15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648 asudoit.com Thank you Santa Cruz families, we are so honored! We love teaching the children of this beautiful community how to swim and love the water! Come play with us! SLV Swim Center Theatre All About Theatre Santa Cruz 831.345.6340 allabouttheatre.org Runners up CYT West Performing Arts Family Services Bank Bay Federal Credit Union bayfed.com Runners up Chase Santa Cruz County Bank House of Worship Twin Lakes Church 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos 831.465.3300 tlc.org Runners up Vintage Faith Holy Cross Insurance AAA 4400 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz 800.922.8228 mwg.aaa.com Runners up Farmer’s State Farm Photographer Alicia Telfer aliciatelfer.com Realtor (tie) Bailey Properties Four locations in Santa Cruz County baileyproperties.com Shannon Shaffer – Coldwell 831.566.3866 coldwellbanker.com Health Dentist Alison Jackson, Children’s Dentistry 7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos 831.662.2900 santacruzkidsdentist.com Thank you for voting us your favorite dentist for the second year in a row! We will always do everything we can to keep your kids healthy and happy. We are preventive-dentistry oriented and very thorough in our evaluations and consultations. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients. Call us and schedule an appointment soon! Runner ups: Capitola Kids Dentistry, Seth Reder SC Children’s Dental Group Orthodontist Hedrick Orthodotics 550 Water St, Santa Cruz 831.427.2822 hedrickorthodontics.com Runner up Hulme Fitness Toadal Fitness Downtown: 831.423.3764 Live Oak: 831.464.3764 Cabrillo: 831.475.5979 Scotts Valley: 831.430.9200 Westside: 831.466.3764 Watsonville/Freedom:831.337.8623 information@toadalfitness.com toadalfitness.com Runners up In-Shape Spenga Hospital Dominican Hospital 1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz 877.917.0343 bayarea.dignityhealth.org/dominican-hospital Runner up Sutter Health Pediatrician Raelene Walker 21507 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz 831.427.3500 schealthcenters.org Runner up Casey Schirmer Reproductive (tie) Dana Ramsay 5161 Soquel Drive, Suite C, Soquel 831.515.7078 nurturesantacruz.com Sienna Titen 1505 Soquel Dr Ste 1, Santa Cruz 831.465.5440 dignityhealth.org Midwife/Doula Nora Yerena 559.287.8934 centralcoastdoulaservices.com Therapist Therapy Works Locations in Capitola and Scotts Valley mytherapyworks.com Specialist Santa Cruz Allergy 3035 North Main Street, Soquel 831.423.4111 sutterhealth.org Outdoors Beach Park Seabright State Beach 1305 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz parks.ca.gov Runners up Seacliff Twin Lakes Park Leo’s Haven 1975 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz Runners up Henry Cowell Sky Park Hiking Nisene Marks parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666 Runners up Henry Cowell Pogonip Personal Care Hair Salon Faust Salon Locations in Santa Cruz and Soquel 831.420.0701 faustdowntownsc.com Runners up Alchemy The Nook Spa Well Within Spa 417 Cedar St, Santa Cruz 831.458.9355 wellwithinspa.com Runners up Yoso Wellness Kalani Day Spa Message Therapist Well Within Spa 417 Cedar St, Santa Cruz 831.458.9355 wellwithinspa.com Nail Salon Tracy’s Nails 1420 41st Ave. Capitola 831.462-2292 Runner up Bella Nails Resources Landscape/Gardening K&D Landscape 62c Hangar Way, Watsonville 831.728.4018 kndlandscaping.com Runner up San Lorenzo Lumber Radio Station KZSC 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz 831.459.2811 KZSC.org Runner up KPIG KAZA House Cleaning (tie) Christie’s Green Cleaning 831.676.1271 Maxima’s Cleaners 520 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 831.430.8499 Automotive Pristine Dent Repair 1025 Water St Suite B, Santa Cruz 831.261.7977 pristinedentrepair.com Home Repair Travis Martin Plumbing 831.461.4300 santacruzcaplumber.com Place to celebrate kid’s birthday (tie) Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar 1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com June Bug’s Gym 3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz 831.464.BUGS (2847) JuneBugsGym.com Runner up The Beach Boardwalk Place to celebrate adult birthday or milestone Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar 1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com Runners up Shadowbrook Crow’s Nest Pets Kennel Bed & Biscuits Groomingdales 2625 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz 831.475.1580 1hotelfordogs@gmail.com bedandbiscuits.com Runners up Heritage Your Furry Godmother Pet Supplies Pet Pals 3660 Soquel Dr Ste. A, Soquel 831.464.8775 petpals.net Runners up Mountain Feed Aptos Pet Feed Veterinarian Chanticleer Veterinary Hospital 2701 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz 831.475.1479 chanticleervethospital.com Runner up South Valley Veterinary Hospital Retail Art Supplies Palace Art & Office Supply 1501 41st Ave K, Capitola 831.464.2700 palaceartsupply.com Runner up Lenz Arts Beverly’s Baby Mini Mint 808 41st Ave, Santa Cruz 831.902.1899 minimintstudio.com Runners up Hope’s Closet Bike Shop (tie) Another Bike Shop 2361 Mission St, Santa Cruz 831.427.2232 anotherbikeshop.com Santa Cruz Cycle Sport 914 41st Ave, Santa Cruz 831.475.3883 cyclesport.com Runner up Bike Trip Children’s Clothing Hope’s Closet 2555-2557 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz 831.462.6700 hopesclosetsc.com Runners up Little Trends Mini Mint Gift Shop Zinnia’s Gift Boutique 219 Mt Hermon Rd C, Scotts Valley 831.430.9466 zinniasgiftboutique.com Runners up Outside In Botanic and Luxe Home Decor Zinnia’s Gift Boutique 219 Mt Hermon Rd C, Scotts Valley 831.430.9466 zinniasgiftboutique.com Runner up The Warmth Company Dig Garden Nursery/Garden Mountain Feed & Farm Supply 9550 CA-9, Ben Lomond 831.336.8876 mountainfeed.com Runners up Dig Gardens San Lorenzo Gardens Skate/Surf O’Neill Surf Shop 110 Cooper St #100d 831.469.4377 us.oneill.com Runner up Bill’s Wheels Santa Cruz Boardroom Teen Clothing Forever 21 1200 Pacific Ave Suite 100, Santa Cruz 831.824.9811 forever21.com Toys Childish Toy Shop 127 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 831.454.8208 childishsantacruz.com Runner up Wonderland Toys Women’s Clothing Pacific Trading Co. Santa Cruz and Capitola Santa Cruz : 831.423.3349 Capitola: 831.476.6109 info@pacific-trading-co.com pacific-trading-co.com Schools Charter School San Lorenzo Valley Charter School 305 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond 831.335.0932 charter.slvusd.org/ Runners up Pacific Collegiate School Nature Academy Elementary School San Lorenzo Valley Elementary slvusd.org We are proud to have SLVUSD schools recognized as the best schools to attend in Growing Up Santa Cruz. These accolades confirm what we in the Valley already know is the best place for students and staff. We thank everyone for the support they provide in making us SLV STRONG! Runners up Delaveaga Elementary Rio Del Mar Middle School San Lorenzo Valley Middle School slvusd.org Runner up Mission Hill Nature Academy High School San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (SLVUSD) slvusd.org Runner up Pacific Collegiate School Preschool Coastal Community Preschool 900 High Street, Santa Cruz 831.462.5437 coastalcommunitypreschool.org Runners up Simcha Preschool Mount Madonna Lic #440709549 491 Summit Road, Mount Madonna 408.847.2717 MountMadonnaSchool.org The Montessori-inspired program provides a loving, safe and stimulating learning community where children are encouraged to problem-solve, develop at their own pace and engage in outdoor exploration. We nurture each child’s innate sense of curiosity, trust, goodness and wonder; while developing kindness and respect for self and others. Private School Spring Hill School 250 California St, Santa Cruz 831.427.2641 springhillschool.org Runners up Santa Cruz Montessori Ages 18 months – 14 years Main Campus (Primary and Elementary) 6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos Winston Campus (Young Children’s Community and Jr. High) 244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel 831.476.1646 scms.org Santa Cruz Montessori serves children 18 months to 14 years. Based on a deep understanding of child through adolescent development, our programs meet the interests and needs of our students, engaging and challenging them to do their best and inspiring a life long love of learning through the Montessori curriculum. Baymonte

The post Best of 2023 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Building a Foundation for Resilience

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:28:13 +0000

These days you might find Ginhee Rancourt, 38, owner of Young Art in Santa Clara, jetting around the world bringing art lessons for free to kids in developing nations. Or maybe you saw her win this year’s Minority Women Lead award for entrepreneurs or YWCA Silicon Valley’s Tribute to Women Award. But that’s not where she expected to be at 16 when her youngest sibling was born and she was planning a career in ballet. And her successes are definitely not what she wants you to take away from this story.Ginhee founded Young Art as a for-profit art studio in 2013 in Oregon, and she opened studios in California soon after. Originally, it was a traditional mall-based art studio for kids. Parents would drop kids off for an hour of creative fun while they shopped – a service parents happily paid for. What sets Ginhee apart from most business owners is her intense focus on what she calls her mission, to bring art and innovative thinking to children who can’t pay. Her mission has taken on huge proportions now, but she says that her philanthropy started just like any other small business. “We would get asked by some low-income neighborhoods that had Title I schools to do donations just to their school,” she remembers. “Obviously as a startup you don’t have a lot of free cash to give but you have services.” The for-profit business was thriving when the pandemic hit, and like other educational outlets, the studio went online. Used to providing hands-on fun for any random kid who walked through the door, Young Art had to make deep changes in their educational model. That’s when Ginhee realized that although art is hands-on, video would allow her to expand access to her lessons. She started by offering video lessons to American public schools that had little or no funding for art. The classes were a success. That success led her to cast her view more widely. Going International“Our dream is to connect the children here in the Western world with kids like their peers in the developing world,” Ginhee says, and she’s not one to let dreams lie still. In fact, she’s moving so fast that she hasn’t yet finished setting up the nonprofit to back the philanthropic efforts funded by Young Art.She used her wide connections in the U.S. to find the first locations for setting up what she hopes to be a model to be replicated in any developing nation. Her first connection was with an American whose church does outreach in the Philippines. A series of connections led Ginhee to Analiza Palaran, 43, of Catanico CDO City, Mindanao. Analiza, known as Ann, is a widow with five children who has dedicated herself to running Young Art’s free program on Sunday afternoons at her church. A teacher in the U.S. teaches the classes remotely, and not only are the students learning artistic skills, but Ann says they are also learning the principles of commerce. “They put art in the frame and you sell it like a museum…in the public market in the city,” she explains. “I’m happy that the children are learning online so that when they grow up, the talent will help them to make money.” Ginhee explains that her approach uses art to introduce children to design thinking and technology.“When we are there visiting, we try to inject as much joy into that community with art supplies, art workshops, and really celebrate the joy of creativity with them. But then with the right pieces of technology they can continue their learning, so we [bring] some basic projectors and computers so we can do live classes with them each week.” Ginhee hires local teachers on a California pay scale, which raises their standard of living, and students attend the classes in person or online for free. Another connection she made was with Dr. Sara Safari, founder and president of Climb Your Everest, a foundation that works to raise awareness of marginalized girls and victims of sex trafficking around the world. Ginhee first offered art supplies and video instructions, then joined Sara on trips to serve young women in Nepal and elsewhere. She has recently joined the board. Sara refers to them as “a team,” Climb Your Everest working with women to help them define goals and improve their lives, and Young Art offering children art lessons that have larger life lessons embedded in them. “In one of the classes,” Sara remembers, “I was asking the kids, ‘What is the biggest problem you’re dealing with and how do you want to solve it? Create art, draw something, paint something.’ She was encouraging, engaging, inclusive.” Sonam Gurung Sherpa, 36, who runs I.A.M. Trekking and Expedition with her husband in Kathmandu, Nepal, helped start classes in her local school after connecting with Ginhee through Dr. Safari.“It helps them to know about the color mixing techniques, and the way to express your feeling through art,” Sonam explains. “Kids really enjoyed such programs; also they get refreshed.” Madan Jung Shah, 43, runs schools and social services for poor children in Kailali, in far west Nepal. His work is funded by Marian and Suzie Noronha of New Hampshire, another couple driven by their faith to promote learning around the world, who are family friends of Ginhee’s. When Madan visited the Noronhas in the U.S., he met Ginhee and invited her to offer lessons in Nepal. Madan’s work focuses mostly on girls, who he said have few prospects in western Nepal. “[The girls leave school to] help in their family, look after their goats, cows, buffalo, and look after the children. Especially in that particular culture, they think that a girl is going to get married to another family, so she doesn’t need education.” Ginhee started by providing video training to teachers in the school. Madan says that he was initially skeptical about whether art had any value past personal fulfillment. “When I came to know Ginhee and Ginhee told us all about innovation I was blown away. We were amazed to see art has so much influence among the people. We talk about innovation, how our children can think and solve problems and come up with different ideas.” The children in Madan’s school meet online with American children to talk about problems that they face, especially environmental issues. Madan believes that this interconnection is important because the children on both sides of the world will grow up to focus on solving problems together. This year Ginhee visited the site in person with her younger sister Rubee. The photos of Ginhee’s visit include beaming children holding up their artwork. Although not affiliated with a religious instituation, Ginhee mixes faith-based and business terms when she describes her charitable work. It is clear that she uses the word “mission” with a meaning deeper than a business’s mission statement. “For me, that’s the most inspiring part of our model right now,” Ginhee explains. “The studios in California where parents pay to drop off their child for an experience funds the goodness to these children on the other side of the world.” Work ethicGinhee was born in Massachusetts to entrepreneurial parents. When Ginhee was small, her Korean-American mother instilled a sense of work ethic and goal-setting. “She gave me an appetite for getting things done so she’d make me long checklists. I would have to do those chores and I used to like checking off the boxes!” The eldest in her family, by the time Ginhee was sixteen she was dancing with a regional ballet company in the Pacific Northwest, where she lived with her parents and young siblings. She remembers her parents running a series of small businesses, from selling Korean pot stickers at a fair to house painting. Soon she realized that her intended career as a ballet dancer would have to take a backseat to her family obligations. She ran her parents’ small chain of boutique stores while caring for her large family, her parents were increasingly unable to provide for them. Barely out of childhood herself, she became surrogate mom and main breadwinner. In 2013, now living in California and getting ready to leave the family business and start Young Art, Ginhee went to court and applied to be the guardian of all of her five minor siblings. Ginhee hesitates to be specific about what led to her eventually being awarded custody, only referring obliquely to her own parents’ trauma which led them to not be able to care for the younger siblings.“I have a lot of compassion because we all make wrong choices,” Ginhee says. “We didn’t have the traditional structure of parents anymore, but the good news is that we drew a lot of power and love and strength from one another.” She acknowledges that she now knows how hard parenting is, and is happy that some of her siblings—the youngest of whom just graduated from high school—have reached out to their estranged parents.“Like they say, hindsight’s 20-20 and I probably was ill-equipped for the task but I had good intent. So my business started with the intent of just doing what I could with what I had so I was able to take care of my siblings.” Experiential learningPerhaps the design of Young Art has more than a little to do with Ginhee’s experience learning to care for her siblings. The curriculum leans heavily on the idea of experiential learning, in which children learn by trying, failing, and trying again. Instead of lessons to teach them what is right before they start, the teachers help the students build a sense of adventure and exploration. With traditional art as a foundation, the lessons now include components of engineering and design, especially in the developing nations that they serve. Led by local professionals in their native language or by video from California, students make art while learning to identify a problem and come up with solutions. Ann’s group in Mindanao, for example, realized that they could bring electricity to their village by harnessing the power of the river. They are working with their American peers to develop designs for simple water turbines. Madan’s students in Nepal are trying to solve their trash problem with the help of American kids. But at the same time as the kids overseas benefit, Ginhee says, the Americans working with them learn sobering lessons about need. “It really does something to your heart and you just realize they’re growing up with no running water, no electricity. When we tried to face paint some of the children’s faces they would say, ‘Do you have bread?’” Adversity breeds strengthOn every measure, Ginhee is a success story. With her younger siblings on their way to or settled into young adulthood, she is an “empty nester” who has no children of her own. Nevertheless, Ginhee says she has regrets about her improvised parenting. She wishes she’d known how to help her siblings build the sort of strength that comes from facing obstacles. “I was just a well-meaning older sister. Now seeing them as young adults I do see a lot of gaps. We did the best we could with what we knew.” She says she definitely sees the contrast between her American students, who are compassionate but face few challenges in their lives, and her students in developing nations.“Sometimes adversity creates a sense of being anti-fragile—it stems from just having challenges and obstacles in your way.” Sara Safari says that Ginhee is an example of what people can do to improve their lives when they identify their own Mount Everest to climb. “I compare it to mountain climbing. On the mountain, every single difficulty that happens you have to keep rising above that, you have to keep staying in the moment. You have to keep being okay with fears and failures. You have to be so present to your own power and believing in yourself. I think these women—like Ginhee—have been an example of that. There is a lot of hardship...

The post Building a Foundation for Resilience first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:24:39 +0000

Summer is a time families can enjoy quality time together; BBQ’s, adventures and it can also come with a lot of stress for busy working parents trying to juggle it all. Which means we can be wrapped in chaos and forget to take a moment to breathe…and enjoy all the fun! Most of us on average spend over six hours per day on technology devices. In order to lead by example, we parents need to work on limiting our screen time so we can support our kids doing the same. In addition to that, focus on one of the simplest ways we can calm our stress. What if there was a way to manage that stress in a matter of minutes? In recent years a phenomenal wellness modality has become very popular and with great reason. The best part – it is FREE! And we ALL have access to it. Can you guess what this is? BREATHWORK. Yup – that’s correct, we can change from a stress state to a calm state in a matter of minutes when focusing on conscious breathing. And the more we raise awareness to our breathing patterns, the easier it is to regulate our nervous system. (Even on a busy summer vacay.) Breathing is part of our autonomic nervous system, meaning we breathe all day long, whether we are aware of it or not. It is imperative for keeping our body functioning and we take roughly 20,000 breaths per day. According to a recent study at Stanford University, Dr. Andrew Huberman describes a simple breathwork technique as a “kill switch for stress”. What is breathwork?Breathwork is a technique used to help with mental, spiritual and physical health. It involves regulating breathing patterns and changing to regulate our nervous system. There are a number of benefits in using breathing exercises and the two most popular are lower stress and anxiety. When we inhale we are contracting parts of our body and it is activating. When we exhale, we are relaxing and activating a calming sense. The most simple breathing technique is to inhale and as you exhale extend the length of the exhale to fully activate the parasympathetic, AKA rest and digest part of our nervous system. ExcercisesHere are two other simple breathwork practices you can include in your day in under five minutes to activate calm and feel more present: 4-7-8 breath. Dr. Andrew Weil made this breathwork modality popular and it includes breathing in through the nose for a count of 4, holding breath for 7 seconds and then releasing through pursed lips for eight seconds. Repeat this cycle four times and watch yourself instantly calm down Box breathing is another method that is very simple and effective. Inhale through the nose for count of four, hold four seconds, exhale four seconds and hold four seconds. Repeat this cycle 4-8 times and focus on how present you feel after. Breathwork is nothing NEW, but it is rapidly growing in popularity due to the high stress, cortisol, go-go-go lifestyle many of us are living in today’s society. Controlled breathing can lower blood pressure, reduces levels of stress hormones in the blood and can give us an almost immediate sense of inner peace. If you don’t yet have a breathwork practice built into your life, no better time than right now to get started. Best partIt is something you can do with the entire family. When anyone feels stress or tension in my house, we use the word PINEAPPLE as a reminder to focus on three deep breaths to calm our nervous system and guess what? It works! Instead of rushing through the summer packing all the things in and ending up feeling like you are going through the motions, why not give breathwork a try!! Once you’ve explored some of the basic breathing exercises and want to deepen your practice, you can learn deeper breathing styles with a trained breathwork facilitator. Jaime McFaden is an international self-care specialist focusing on raising awareness of what self-care really means. She is a best-selling author of WAVES of Self-Care: It Takes a Village, and works with busy burnt out mamas supporting them on sustainable self-care. Host of Self-Care secrets podcast. In her free time she spends time with her family playing at the beach. You can connect with her on social media @jaimemcfaden or jaimemcfaden.com

The post Don’t Forget to Breathe first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Students Receive Scholarships

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:22:24 +0000

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is thrilled to announce the winners of its three inaugural scholarship recipients for 2023. Each scholarship is for $1,000 and was available to graduating seniors in the Pajaro Valley School District.The following are the recipients of the SCCCU scholarships: “This is the first of many years that Santa Cruz Community Credit Union will provide scholarships to exceptional graduating seniors in our community. We were privileged to attend the three ceremonies and present these outstanding students with a scholarship to help them further their educational journey,” stated Beth Carr, President/CEO of SCCCU. The Credit Union scholarships were awarded to deserving students who did not have a previous scholarship, carried a 3.5 grade point average or higher, and planned to continue their educational career.

The post Students Receive Scholarships first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Sharing Our Stories

Laura Maxson — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:20:42 +0000

Giving birth is often considered a rite of passage. Feelings after giving birth can range from empowered, exhilarated, triumphant, in love with the baby, and “amazed at the power of my birthing body”; to violated, discouraged, shocked, traumatized, and “afraid of my baby.” Others fall somewhere in between. How is it that the same event can result in such a diversity of feelings? Surprisingly, it’s not the birth outcome alone that forms these feelings, but rather it’s often related to feelings of power and control, as well as access to accurate information, that can make the difference.Ideally, birth is attended by care providers who have an appreciation of the body’s ability to give birth, an understanding of how empowering birth can be, as well as a respect for how tenderly newborns can enter this world. This mindset can set the stage for kind, and respectful management of a birth that deviates from its original plan. When decisions are made preserving the birthing person’s power and control, needed interventions can take place without negative experiences. A laboring parent may encounter an extremely difficult turn of events and still be empowered by their experience. Unfortunately, many expectant parents may inadvertently give their choices and power to others. “I’m not worried, my care provider knows what’s best for me, and will be there for me in labor.” “If I feel any pain my epidural will take care of it.” What happens when that trusted care provider isn’t available for labor? Are parents prepared for the possibility of an epidural that doesn’t work to take away the pain?Many parents get information that glosses over facts. They may be told that epidurals don’t have risks, that the electronic fetal monitor makes the baby safer, that labor is too hard, that there is no value in a laboring body working hard to give birth. How wonderful would it be if everybody providing care during labor, birth and postpartum respected the process of birth, acknowledged the inherent strength and wisdom of each birthing body, and shared the power and control in decision making? Decisions are based on the knowledge at hand in any given moment. As time passes after a birth, many parents may look back on their experience and know that they would make different decisions now. While there is nothing that can change the past, parents do have an opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences with others in a healing way. Instead of unloading everything that didn’t go as planned, parents can reframe their birth stories to focus on how things might have been improved. Encourage others to fully explore their options. Someone might acknowledge their regret in never booking an interview with a homebirth midwife. Another person might emphasize the importance of looking into a birth or postpartum doula even if their partner is sure they’ll have everything under control. Remind pregnant friends that there are other options for childbirth classes besides those included with their insurance. It can help to be reminded that giving birth is an extraordinary time of life, not just a medical event to be ruled by insurance coverage. Don’t be that person who shares a sketchy birth story at the baby shower. Instead share about specific services that were critical to the success of your experience. Whether it’s a prenatal pelvic floor therapist, lactation support, postpartum doula help, or a support group for new parents, planting the seeds of empowerment is a generous gift. Local childbirth classes, doulas, midwives, body workers and more are listed at www.birthnet.org. By Laura Maxson, LM

The post Sharing Our Stories first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Why Are Students Taking So Many AP Classes?

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:17:22 +0000

Parents and students mistakenly believe that taking AP classes is equivalent to taking college courses, and that taking a full load of them will improve their chances of getting into selective colleges. People hear rumors and spread inaccurate information. Here is the real scoop on AP courses and how to get into top colleges: Problem with AP Courses:AP Classes are NOT college-level:Some students believe that by taking AP classes in high school they will be able to skip the same subject introductory courses in college. While this may sound good, AP classes only cover about a third or a half of what is taught in college classes. When entering freshmen use AP classes to skip college courses, they are pushed into classes that they may not be prepared to take. Other students in those upper division college courses took the college’s introductory courses and they’re much better prepared to succeed. They’ll get better grades and be more competitive for grad school admissions. Many colleges do NOT allow AP courses to replace intro courses, and for those that do, most don’t include the high school AP grades in the college GPA. Memorizing facts for the May AP exam is brain numbing:Students across the nation study for eight months to take the same standardized AP exam in May. The “good” AP teachers understand exactly what the students need to learn to receive a “5” (1-5 scale) on this high-stakes exam. They prepare detailed worksheets and study guides, and they give the students dozens of practice AP exams. Classes are organized to cover every aspect of the specific concepts. Students memorize facts, write annotated notes (which takes hours each day), and take practice exams until they consistently score 5s. Unfortunately, these teachers don’t have time to explore the concepts or delve into meaningful conversations with the students. Learning how to write research papers is scraped in lieu of cramming facts into the minds of otherwise curious teens. Students don’t have the opportunity to explore subjects and possible careers. Wealthy students have an unfair advantage:AP classes quickly cover lots of material. Many wealthy students have the luxury of tutors who review the concepts and give tips on acing the exam. Poor students certainly can’t afford private tutors, expensive workbooks and flashcards. AP teachers in high schools for disadvantaged students often don’t have the resources or networks to offer students quality AP guidebooks. Many students in these schools don’t pass the AP exams and as a result, they don’t apply to college. So the “haves” get better teachers, more resources and go to college, while the “have-nots” don’t have AP course support to succeed and aren’t college bound. Colleges want students who take the most challenging courses:When colleges have single-digit admit rates, naturally they will choose students who have taken and succeeded in difficult classes. Unfortunately, most high schools only offer AP, honors and regular classes. So to be competitive high schools started offering more AP courses. When students have the opportunity to enroll in 20+ AP classes, many take 4-5 AP classes every semester.Doing well in 20 AP classes requires a ridiculous number of hours to study each day, which eliminates opportunities for high school students to explore their interests and develop interpersonal skills. So the more AP classes taken, the less interesting their college application is because they aren’t standing out among their peers and they certainly are not demonstrating their intellectual prowess.If not AP classes, how to stand out? Community College classes:Instead of getting weighed down by fact-memorizing courses, students can enroll in college classes at local community colleges that are taught by teachers who aren’t bound by AP study guidelines. Students learn to take good notes because they’ll need them for midterms and final exams. They’ll demonstrate their comprehension and share their thoughts by writing essays. Every college class grade is weighted and most colleges will accept community college courses for credit. These community college transcripts will be submitted to all higher education admissions (grad schools) in the future unlike AP exams that only count for freshman admission. Projects:The best way to stand out to college admissions officers is to focus on something unique that shows intellectual curiosity, unwavering tenacity, and personal drive. Start and complete a project outside of school and clubs that demonstrates grit and integrity. Colleges are intrigued when students do something that is not a class assignment or club requirement. Start a project early in high school so there’s plenty of time for mistakes, changes, and success. Check out Merit’s student projects. Take Away:Many colleges are discouraging students from overloading on AP classes. They’re seeing the negative effects of this trend as students hope to enter college at a sophomore or junior level with their transcripts filled with AP classes. They know that these students are not as prepared as other students who take the college’s introductory courses during their freshman year. Colleges are looking for innovative students who focus on their personal interests and reach their goals. These types of students do well in elite colleges because they engage with their professors, don’t ask for or need study guides, and dive into research and innovative ideas. Only take AP classes that are genuinely interesting and then follow up with college courses in the same areas to learn more. Start independent projects to discover solutions and do it with passion. Colleges don’t want robots trained to memorize and regurgitate facts, they’re looking for students who will come ready to network with other brilliant students. Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes)and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was California Mother of the Year.meritworld.com

The post Why Are Students Taking So Many AP Classes? first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

One Over the Top Grandmother

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:11:09 +0000

As I write this, I have: I’m pretty sure this makes me one over-the-top grandmother. I didn’t even mention the things I’ve found for free. Was I supposed to leave the hand-crafted doll bed and highchair on the side of the road just because I don’t know if my granddaughter will like dolls or even be tall enough to play with them for another three years? My husband thought so. There is also the abandoned Radio Flyer rocking horse, almost as big as a real-life pony, currently living in my garage. Every time I walk by, it whinnies at me, as if to remind me how ridiculous I am. Am I trying to win a competition? Do I think Amazon will be out of business in two years, and I will have missed my chance to buy all the cute things in the world? Of course not, Amazon will always be here. I, however, will not. And there it is: I’m afraid I will die before I get a chance to buy all the things and she will forget about me forever. On the other (less dark) hand, it could be a simple matter of “wherever you go, there you are.” I’ve always been a collector and lover of little things, so I guess it’s only natural for me to stockpile for the next generation. I was hoping by this age I would have stopped trying to be different than I am–that I would have embraced my quirks. But here I am still wondering why I do what I do and if I’m going to die an untimely death (most likely a slip and fall, involving a small toy). Even though age appropriate and educational playthings are not as adorable, as say, a tiny mouse in a toy crib, I have those too. The newest addition to the toy basket is a collection of magnetic shapes, some with faces showing different expressions: one happy, one sad, one surprised, one I’m not sure, queasy, maybe? The very helpful saleswoman explained that the faces help babies learn about emotions. And here I thought babies learned about emotions from having them and seeing other people have them. At any rate, all my exceptionally smart grandchild wants to do is eat them. I would keep writing but I need to get going on her birthday present. Her first birthday is right around the corner, but I’ve been so busy planning her high school graduation party that I’m way behind on what is actually right in front of me. If you are enjoying my column or have a topic you’d like me to write about, I’d love to hear from you at sarahsavasky@gmail.com.

The post One Over the Top Grandmother first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Birthday Party Guide

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:07:17 +0000

Birthdays—especially in this town of beautiful vistas and welcoming community—are a great moment to reflect on all the good in a child’s life and all the hope of another year despite the worries that swirl around us. A birthday also provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the special things that make each kid tick and share their unique spirit with friends and family. (As an October baby myself, my many pumpkin-filled costume parties through the nineties—Casper and corn mazes galore!—cemented a lifelong love of spooky season.) There’s something distinctly uplifting about launching another trip around the sun and having a festive day that’s all about YOU, these days more than ever. We’ve corralled some of the kindest, most energetic party people in Santa Cruz County to help you curate the bash of a lifetime. Whether you need a bubble (or several) to escape into, a mermaid to sing to you, or a heap of baby blue cotton candy, Santa Cruz has got you covered. Community Mountain GymSan Lorenzo Valley831.824.7750communitymountaingym@gmail.comcommunitymountaingym.comLooking for that little extra to make your party pop, but don’t want to be restrained by location? Don’t stress, we got you! Community Mountain Gym is a mobile fitness gym bringing the fun to wherever you may be. So whether you want to party in your backyard at home, a local park or a business facility somewhere in town, we’ll be there. Let us worry about keeping the kids busy while you enjoy the party! Reach out to see how Community Mountain Gym can help customize your event to make your kid’s next party the talk of the town! The Foam Crewthefoamcrew.comYour driveway or lawn (public parks not an option)Ages: AllRates: $650-750 for the average-scale party, one hour408.444.6921You really do have to see this one to believe it. Within thirty-five minutes of the Foam Crew’s arrival, your space will be filled with about four feet of environmentally friendly foam. It’s the perfect, wild activity for a sunny afternoon party outdoors. Everything needed for this immersive play experience is provided from the foam cannons to a professional sound system. The Foam Crew will be on hand to make sure everyone knows exactly how much fun dancing and prancing around through walls of foam can be. Best of all, the foam is completely biodegradable and evaporates by the end of the day. It’s also safe for pets, so bring an eager pup to jump into the frothy fun! Happily Every Laughterhappilyeverlaughter.comThese performers can meet you all around Santa Cruz and beyondAges: All, curated in age brackets from first birthdays through 9+Rates: Packages start at $375 for a 1.5 hour celebration with a character831.346.0002 / findthemagic@happilyeverlaughter.comImagine surprising your birthday kid with a visit from a one-of-a-kind fairytale character. That present is possible with Happily Ever Laughter! Since 2006, this family favorite has enchanted a whopping 500,000 children and counting. They offer an array of customized Magical Experiences—obstacle courses, outdoor games, puppet shows, balloon twisting, cake cutting, and even more—all of which are led by performers of your choice. (Sunny, a member of the squad, informs us that the most popular character lately is the Sparkling Celebration Leader.) There is no “typical” party in the Happily Ever Laughter world, but the lively structure usually includes thirty-minute blocks of different activities. Jim Booth Swim Schooljimboothswimschool.comDuncan Holbert Pool, 140 Herman Ave, WatsonvilleAges: AllAvailability: SaturdaysRates: $248 for two hours, $125 for each additional hour831.722.3500An indoor pool kept at a balmy 94 degrees? Its waters all to yourself? That just about beats the Pacific! Sign your birthday kid up for the pool party of a lifetime with Jim Booth Swim School. The longest running swim school in Santa Cruz County, these folks are known for their gentle and encouraging technique teaching children as young as 4-months old how to brave the immersive experience of water. Whether your birthday person needs a calm and quiet paddle around the shallow end or an epic match of sharks and minnows, Jim Booth has you covered. Parents may get splashed or dunked, depending on the vibe. JuneBug’s Gymjunebugsgym.com3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2 & 3, Santa CruzAges: Maximum 8 years old or 80 lbs. for safety reasonsAvailability: Saturdays & SundaysRates: Start at $255831.464.2847There’s nothing like some calisthenics to combat aging! Kids don’t have to think that way yet, but they still won’t be able to resist the fun June Bug’s Gym offers. Against the beautiful backdrop of Pleasure Point, this gym and fitness center for kids creates a safe environment for all kinds of buoyant movement. A coach (or two, depending on the size of your party) leads the group through an hour of music, dance, obstacle courses, parachute play, and even ziplining. After, the intrepid gymnasts can reward themselves with cake and hydration in the gym’s party room. This is the party for future Olympians! JuneBug’s Gym is a perfect place to have a birthday party for your active child. The gym offers 5 birthday parties each weekend for children ages 1-8 years. Parties include one hour of supervised gym play and 45 minutes of party room time (inside or outside). The birthday child receives a special birthday t-shirt. Please call 831.464.2847 for more information or check out the website www.junebugsgym.com All parties are booked through the portal found on the website. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz831.469.4400kiantis.comParty with Kianti’s! Kids Pizza Parties include all you can eat pizza, kitchen tour, learn to spin dough and watch a pizza spinning performance. Let us cater at your event or order at kiantis.com for curbside and delivery of our entire menu and drinks including Kianti’s Signature Cocktails, Kianti’s Handcrafted Liquor and Kianti’s Wine. Dine-in offers a lively yet comfortable atmosphere. Our unique menu has the option of family style dining either indoors or cozied up on one of our heated patios. On Friday and Saturday evenings see the pizza spinning team, accompanied by dancing servers and a flame-raising kitchen. Los Gatos Farmslosgatosfarms.com/parties.html21000 Los Gatos Farms Road, Los GatosAvailability: Weekends onlyAges: 3-9 (but keep an eye out for new teen and adult party activities coming this fall, including BB guns, art classes, and hatchet throwing!)Rates: Start at $495 for up to 12 children, $10 for a bunch of lavenderBarn Manager Katie Reyes at 408.382.9148 / entireequinesolutions@gmail.comDo you have a future farmer, gardener, or barn animal lover in your family? Birthday kids get to live out their farm-life fantasies at Los Gatos Farms, a picturesque mountain ranch where all kinds of furry and feathered friends roam. This party often involves horse or pony rides as well as lots of time to interact with the goats, ducks, and chickens. Barn Manager Katie Reyes says, “Kids love to ride the ponies but their favorite farm animal is always Pickles the pig.” There are also swings, slides, and tractors to climb—and for the parents, picnic tables on which to lounge. Be sure to ask about the farm’s special “U-cut” lavender weeks (July-early August) as a sweet-smelling add-on to your party. Mermaid Memories Santa Cruzmermaidmemoriessc.comIndoor or outdoor spot of your choice (land or sea!)Ages: AllRates: $190 for a photoshoot for one, $50 for each additional personJulie Lefmann at 408.529.8031 / jules@mermaidmemoriessc.comImaginative birthday kids will delight in meeting a mythical creature who calls Santa Cruz’s shores her home. Mermaid Jules travels to your party with her camera and custom mermaid/merman accessories in tow. After exploring her colorful collection of 75 swimmable mermaid tails, crowns, tritons, face jewels, and more, children transform into merfolk for a photoshoot—with underwater photography possible! For groups that may be a bit hesitant to get into full costume, Mermaid Jules is happy just to mingle and perform to add a whimsical splash to any party. She loves to sing her siren songs, plays ukulele, and can tell countless stories from the depths of the Pacific. For the beach kids of this beach town, she is a sparkling catch. MM Jumperzmmjumperz.com/santa-cruz-bounce-house-rentalsDelivers all around Santa Cruz CountyAvailability: Any day with 24/7 online orderingAges: AllRates: Varies, but a basic bounce house starts at $155831.262.6939 / mmjumpers2rent@gmail.comHave a particularly energetic bunch of kids? Set them up with an enormous, blow-up obstacle course! MM Jumperz has an astounding array of inflatable bounce houses, water slides, and more. They can also hook the party up with carnival games, cotton candy makers, and many other fun concession machines. Skip the decision making and check out their party packages for preselected combos matching various themes: Mega Palms for the tropical party, the School Bus Combo for the kids who really miss terrorizing the bus driver, the multicolored Mega Castle for those interested in slaying some dragons, and countless others. MusicalMe, Inc. offering Music Together™Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County831.332.9002registrar@musicalme.commusicalme.comIf your child loves to sing, dance, and play, they will LOVE how special they feel with a MusicalMe party! 45 minutes of music making fun to celebrate your special child that invites EVERYONE to participate, from ages Birth to 100 – really! A trained MusicalMe teacher will tailor the party to include your child’s favorite songs & instruments, plus bring a special musical gift. Contact us today and bring the joy of music into your family’s celebration! Redwood Ops Outdoor Laser Tag @ Koinoniaredwoodops.com1605 Eureka Canyon Rd, CorralitosAvailability: Most days possible, weather permittingAges: Minimum age to play is 10Rates: Minimum $400 for 10 players for 2 hours ($40 per additional person)Daryl at 831.722.1472 / daryl@gotocamp.orgRedwood Ops is not your grandma’s laser tag. Take a trail through the redwoods to a two-acre forest setting where a team-based laser tag mission like no other will begin. The cutting-edge technology kids will get use allows for a first-person, tactical laser tag game that’s like playing Call of Duty live. Each tagger produces 18,000 different sound effects, and medic boxes and mystery boxes are incorporated into the mission. This activity takes strategy, skill, and an adventurous spirit. As the managers explain, “Tactical laser tag is live gaming at its best.” Folks come from all over the state to experience this unique game. Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discoverysccmod.org/birthdayparties1855 41st Ave C-10, CapitolaAges: AllAvailability: Saturdays & SundaysRates: Starting at $324 for 18 kidsPaige at PaigeRoberts@sccmod.orgThe only thing more fun than a day at the museum is a party at the museum! Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery throws the best parties around, and you’ll get to learn a lot while you’re at it. Volcano demos to dino bones are in store for these birthday people. The starting rate gets up to eighteen kids into the museum for a visit on Saturday, with the bonus of a party room for cake and gifts. For additional fees, the possibilities are endless. On Sundays, for example, groups can enter the museum when it’s closed to the public for a private party. And while you are welcome to “bring your own theme,” why not take advantage of all the ideas the mad scientists of MoD have devised? There’s a new Slime Factory party for those who want to concoct some custom slime, the Prehistoric Party for time travelers, and so much more. SevenDirections.org831.713.9392sevendirectionsinfo.orgSeven Directions Art Parties are a creative option for celebrations of all kinds! Each participant paints their own canvas with the help of our trained staff and our many inspiring 3D models. After painting is Animal Time where we meet and hold one of the exotic animals who live at our studio! Seymour Marine Discovery Center100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz831.459.3800visitseymour@ucsc.eduseymourcenter.ucsc.eduHost your next event at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, a perfect place for weddings and birthdays. Enjoy a private experience with breathtaking views and one-of-a-kind marine exhibits with your loved ones. A hidden gem on the Santa Cruz coastline, it is the perfect venue for any event. The Surfing MagicianDoug can set up all around the Bay, from public parks to living rooms!Availability: All days of the weekAges: Usually 4-10, but also note Doug caters to older groups as wellRates: $280 for an hour-long show831.251.1525What do you get when you cross a surfer with a magician? Don’t overthink it, Duuude! You get...

The post Birthday Party Guide first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Simple Summertime Ideas for Kids and Families

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 19:57:56 +0000

When I was a child, Summer. Lasted. For. Ever. I remember long days that usually began with picking beans and then weeds in the hot sun, followed by endless hours of playing (and bickering) with my siblings in the hot sun. By the end of the summer, I was ready for school to start. Now that I’m an adult, it seems like summer is over in the blink of an eye. I’m enjoying having both of my young adult kids living in my house for the summer – I know that one day I will truly have an empty nest, so I’m trying to remind myself to pause, enjoy the longer days, and be present for and with my family.This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, email me at triplep@first5scc.org. Dear Nicole,My family’s life is hectic during the school year, but summer break is also hard, in a different way. I’m a single parent and work full time, so my kids (5 and 9) have to be in camps or child care every day. I wish I could spend more time with them during their summer break, but I just got a new job and can’t request time off yet. Sometimes our schedules feel just as hectic and tiring as during the school year. What tips do you have for getting through the summer and having fun? ~Melanie Dear Melanie,Many parents have the same dilemma – kids get a welcome break from the school schedule, but parents still have to work every day! It sounds like you already know the importance of arranging safe, interesting, engaging places for your children to be while you’re at work, which is a great starting point. Here are a few other tips to try. Focus on simple ways to connect every dayFor many families, summer means a break from the hectic routine of school, homework, sports, or other after school activities. This often creates more free time in the evening or on weekends, or can make it easier for some children to have later bedtimes. Use these opportunities to spend quality time together and add variety to your daily routines. The simplest ideas are often the best, like having a “picnic” on the floor or outdoors instead of eating at the table, or going on walks or playing games after dinner instead of watching TV. Plan family outings, even if they are just for a few hours or in your hometownBuild a wish list with your kids and encourage them to be creative about where and how you can explore something new together. Again, simple and inexpensive activities are often the ones that create happy memories that last a lifetime.Visit a local museum, go to a park or beach you’ve never been to, attend free outdoor concerts or movies, try a new ice cream or frozen yogurt shop, or visit the library or local bookstore. The possibilities for creating happy memories while strengthening your relationships with your children are endless. Encourage your childrento develop new skills and interestsTalk to your children about what they’re interested in learning or trying, then find activities in the community or things you could do at home. Keep it simple enough that it’s fun for your children and realistic for you. Even teaching your children to make something besides cereal for breakfast can be a positive learning experience and provide them with lifelong skills. Maintain a routineAlthough summertime routines are often more flexible, maintaining some consistency will make life more predictable and easier, especially with work, camp, and child care schedules.It can also help your children get enough sleep and good nutrition, teach your children about time, or give them something to look forward to – e.g., go to the library every Thursday or call a relative every Sunday. It will also help everyone ease back into the school routine once summer is over. Final ThoughtsMany families look forward to summer during the entire school year, only to find that managing everyone’s schedules and spending time together can be more complicated than keeping up with school work! The good news is that there are many ways to be positive parents during the summer that meet our children’s needs. Just remember it doesn’t have to be complicated or cost anything to be effective– keep it small and simple! Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 19 and 23, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc.org, facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

The post Simple Summertime Ideas for Kids and Families first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Coloring Contest Winners

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 19:55:24 +0000