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nepafamily.comnepafamily.comJanuary/February 2014 • free January/February 2014 • free

balancingLIFE,academics& activities

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NEPA Family MagazineP.O. Box 2095Kingston, PA 18704phone: 570-714-2828fax: 570-718-0843www.nepafamily.com contact@nepafamily.com

Publisher Pamela J. Rogers

Editor Kimberley Kindler

Sales Michelle McGrath- Fenstermacher Brandy Lewis Terri Yencha

Calendar of Events Editor Terri Yencha

Contributing Writers Tina Rasalla-Gallagher Paula Chaiken

Distribution Manager Brandy Lewis

Published bi-monthly by Northeast Pennsylvania Family Magazine L.L.C.

Copyright 2014 by Northeast Pennsylvania Family Magazine, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. NEPA Family Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement.

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Graphic Design/Layout Carol Scholl

Web Design Alysia Clancy

Visit nepafamily.com to sign up for our weekly 5 Things to Do This Weekend e-mail.

Subscriptions available. Contact us at contact@nepafamily.com.

Jan/Feb 2014 • nepafamily.com

13 a fun way to create a masterpiece

Meet up with your friends and discover your artistic side at Spirited Art.

8balancing

LIFE, academics &

activities

6 click it Visit our website for our Private School Directory

and for exclusive articles and frequent giveaways!

14 and the winners are… Yahoo! Check out our 2013 NEPA Family Favorites

Award winners!

18 buzzworthy Dental decay? No way. Floss, brush and dental

checks will make it go away. Plus, find out about the new Healthy Way to Grow initiative and more.

20 neat techy ways to LEARN Two new online ways to help improve grades.

22 calendar of events Check out our abundant calendar of events that

will turn winter woes into winter wows.

25 winter fun Snow, ski, ice fish or skate… See our Directory of

Winter Fun activities.

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nepafamily.comClick it

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Visit our website for our Private School Directory and for exclusive articles and giveaways.

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you don’t miss out on our fun giveaways! EDUCATIONAL GAMES FROM LAKESHORELEARNING.COM (FOR AGES 6+)Truth or Myth? Science Kit. Can you really cook s’mores with sunlight? Little scientists discover whether popular beliefs are truth or myth – as they explore solar power, gravity & more! AND … What Should You Do? A Game of Consequences. Players face everyday dilemmas that deal with topics like honesty, bullying, manners and more.

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The other night, after religious education, wrestling practice and a basketball game, my seven year old son put his little hand in mine, looked up at me with big brown eyes and asked, “Mom, is there a night when, we can, you know, all just be?”

Academics,

Athletics and

Activities

FamilyLife

vs.

By Paula Chaiken

9 NEPA Family Magazine January/February 2014

Just be. In our rush to expose our children to all that is, to help them get into college, to

mold them into master musicians, ballerinas, athletes and, of course, scholars, who has time to ‘just be’? And are we all doing too much to the detriment of our kids, our families and ourselves?

This question seems to plague our nation. With books with names like “The Over-Scheduled Child” and “Hyper-parenting” and over 20,000,000 hits for “over scheduled children” on a Google search, everyone seems to be asking the same question – and there’s no real consensus.

So I started asking around. I began with friends and other parents at sports practices, children’s events and at school. They all replied that they felt pressure to have their children involved in all of the activities that the kids were interested in, even if it added stress to the family.

Jennifer Finkelstein, a Licensed Clinical Therapist and Co-founder of Real Women Talking, recognizes this issue. “I hear about a hunger for much-needed quality family time, but a constant challenge to fit it in. While I can’t say that any of us will successfully create a 25-hour day, I know that we can all take pause, and figure out some strategies to negotiate the proverbial balancing act of life’s demands and quality time. The first step requires a step back, a slowing down really to figure out what is working for your family, and what is just creating more stress. We can all act like our own family counselor of sorts and ask some critical questions about our stress levels, how we find and feel joy, and how much connection we feel to our family. These questions can act as a starting point to figuring out how to do it all, and for figuring out when ‘doing it all’ is just not the right goal, and is not working.”

In addition to asking some difficult questions about what’s best for our families, there are other ways to add balance to our lives. Avalyn Quick of Shavertown, Certified Leadership Coach, advises that families take cues from successful businesses to create a ‘work-life balance.’ She recommends a weekly family meeting where parents and children review the upcoming week. This is a time to ask questions like who is going to watch which sporting event or who is going to carpool, and also a chance for children to voice their expectations. Quick also suggests time management and routines. She uses the time driving to and from her kid’s commitments having meaningful conversations and quality time.

“Let go of what ‘quality time’ is supposed to look like – with the family gathered around the dinner table – and make meaningful moments where you can,” she advises.

You may feel as

if you are failing

as a mom for not

doing more, but

doing less may

actually be better

for your child.

Although we don’t often have dinner together, I take comfort in the fact that we are able to sit together at the table for breakfast. My husband and I take those minutes between bites of cereal or scrambled eggs to check-in with the kids and each other and begin the day together.

For the sake of the balance, you may have to eliminate some activities, according to William Doherty, a professor of family studies and director of the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Minnesota. He states in an article in the New York Times, “… some stimulating activities outside school are important, but equally critical is a warm and well-connected family life.”

“Sometimes for the sake of child and family balance, you have to say no to intensive activity,” he said. That can mean that if your child likes soccer, she can play on the recreational soccer team but not on the more time-consuming travel team, he added.

For those who are high-level athletes, Kim Barbacci, Assistant Coach of the Wyoming Seminary Field Hockey Team, explains the necessity of discipline. “Going into the season, our players and their families know the practice commitment and they know the game schedule. We encourage the students to be organized and to recognize that when they have time, use it for school work and for studying.” She also encourages students to “explore other activities. They should go out and have fun. Try things that don’t interfere with schoolwork or your sport.”

Even colleges are seeking balanced students, according to Melissa Bevacqua, Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Scranton. She suggests, “Let kids be kids and naturally gravitate towards the things that interest them. Help them find one or two things that they’re passionate about.”

tip:

continued on page 10

Extra-curricular academic activities don’t necessarily translate into an advantage when applying to college. Supplementing classroom learning with private Mandarin Chinese instruction, voice lessons and acting class may lead your child to resenting the entire educational environment and to you as a parent. You may feel as if you are failing as a mom for not doing more, but doing less may actually be better for your child.

Carey Manternach, a stay-at-home mother of three from Dallas, has chosen to prioritize family. “You’re only young once,” she believes. “You can pick up a sport or an activity at any age, but you’re never getting sleepovers and fun with your friends and family back.” To that end, Manternach limits her children to one sport each, beginning in third grade. She also creates ‘quality time’ each morning by sharing a quick breakfast as well as a family discussion and Bible study. “We fill up on the physical as well as the spiritual in the morning.”

Buoyed by these experts, a few days after my son asked for a night to ‘just be,’ we ‘just were.’ After the homework was finished, we skipped practices and after-school activities. The boys wrote stories, played football in the yard and invented games out of cardboard boxes. We ate dinner as a family, had a nice discussion and watched television together. We all got to bed early. My seven year old was right. It was a great night. … Now I face the challenge of adding a weekly ‘just be’ night to our already full schedule.

Paula Chaiken is an over-scheduled mom of an over-scheduled family trying to schedule a much needed daily moment of peace.

NEPA Family Magazine January/February 2014

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Open since October, Spirited Art is located in the Fashion Mall in Dickson City. “Our goal is to make art accessible to everyone,” says Katharine Schkloven, owner of Spirited Art.

“Even for people who don’t know how to paint, Spirited Art makes it simple, easy and fun.”

In each class, attendees are shown step-by-step instructions on how to create their own acrylic painting, which can be taken home at the end of the night. No special skill is required. If you know your colors, shapes and letters, you can master the basics of painting. An instructor talks you through the steps of the design as they demonstrate on their own canvas. Paint, easels, brushes, canvas, aprons and anything else that may be necessary is provided, and customers are encouraged to bring a snack or wine to enjoy while they create.

“This is a great way to get together with friends and family and enjoy a unique experience,” Schkloven says.

Adult classes are offered in the evening from 6:30-9:00. These classes have a “girls’ night out” atmosphere and are a fun way to spend time with friends. Classes for children are held during the day and are age appropriate. Preschool Picasso is geared toward children aged three to five and kids’ classes are available for children five and up. Family and tween classes are specifically designed for older kids and teenagers.

What’s more, Spirited Art is very interested in helping the community. One night of every month is dedicated to fundraising for a nonprofit organization or charity. The spotlight charity is encouraged to invite a maximum of 50 people to a class on a designated night, and up to 50% of that evening’s proceeds go directly back to the organization.

Spirited Art is also the perfect place for Girl Scouts (and other organizations) to paint together, earn a badge, celebrate an achievement, or just hang out and have a good time.

While Spirited Art gets creative juices flowing, Schkloven believes it also helps build confidence. “It’s always fun to watch someone who walked into the studio nervous and doubtful walk out with a completed painting and a smile on their face. If you come in here thinking you won’t be able to do it and create something beautiful, your confidence will certainly be boosted a bit and that may translate into other areas of your life.”

You can find more information on booking a private party or attending a class at: myspiritedart.com or at facebook.com/SpiritedArtScranton

Spirited Art:Uncork Your Creativity

By Tina Gallagher

Whether you’re a BUDDING ARTIST or ARTISTICALLY CHALLENGED, Spirited

Art can help you transform a blank canvas into a completed masterpiece.

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NEPA Family Magazine January/February 2014 13