JULY 2014

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ContentsJULY 2014

Cutest Kid In Town Winner: Reagan loves to ride her bike and play with her big brother Ryan. She enjoys dance class and takes both tap and ballet lessons. Reagan also plays soccer, loves going to Walt Disney World and taking camping trips with her family. Reagan’s photo shoot for South Jersey Mom Magazine was taken on her 5th birthday!

on the Cover

Summer Camp Guide

moms r women 26

Prenatal Fitness Facts & Fiction,

Tips & Techniques

mom 2 mom10

A Summer Bucket List, Living Bettter with

an Organized Child

know 2 grow12

Learning Summer Long

14 5 Ways of Spending

Time with Good Friends

16

Speech & Hearing Impariments

also in this issue5

A Few of My Faves

22

Recipe Corner

23

Things to Do

features

20 4 Secrets to Becoming a Great Mentor

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Call 856-251-0990 to enroll and don’t forget RiverWinds annual memberships are open to the public!

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

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

juLY giveaways

Kids are finally out of school for summer break! As a mom, that has tons of meanings packed into the statement. The kids are home, but

they’re always hungry, the house is messier and they get bored easily. For me, summer is a time to create new habits & purge some of the bad ones. I was reminded of this in the article “Summer Bucket List-Living Better with an Organized Child” (page 10). I really don’t want my kid to be the one that loses the camera or wears impractical shoes on a trip, but I tell myself, how else can they learn to self-regulate? I try to instill new habits during the summer because the kids have so many other stressors during the school year. I feel like summer is the time I can put some heat on them and not feel too bad about it. My daughter, who is

a delightful gem is a messy gal and leaves a trail behind her. My goal for her this summer is to be aware of the mess she leaves behind and to start putting things away before she leaves a room. Last night I planted the seed during a gentle conversation. This morning she made herself chocolate almond milk and she put the milk and syrup away without me having to ask. See progress already, but I’m not fooled by her eagerness to please as I found her wet bath towel on the couch this morning. Summer is also a time to squeeze in doctor appointments that have been put off. This month we have an article “Speech and Hearing Impairments” (page 16) to learn what signs to look for during different development stages. I think we can all agree that the best part of summer is relaxing with family and friends. I’m always looking for fun food to bring to family gatherings and Lisa Ann, our recipe guru came up with a “Berry Patriotic Trifle” (page 22). South Jersey MOM loves incorporating your ideas and insight so keep sharing through email, Facebook and snail mail.

Your friend & fellow MOM,

a few 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

Silk’n PediI had to try the Silk’n Pedi since I’m prone to cracked heels. It gets the dead skin off safely so that moisturizer can penetrate the skin. It makes feet really smooth and soft. Consider the money you’ll be saving by giving your- self at-home

pedicures. Silkn.com, $29

with free shipping

Neutrogena oil-free moisture with SPF35Daily sunscreen is a must, I wear this under make-up daily and my husband has starting using it as his aftershave. I can even get the kids to put this on their faces before camp. The lotion is very thin & doesn’t cause burning when applied. Local drugstores, $10

Shark Cordless Rechargeable Floor & Carpet Sweeper model V2950This is a must have for the mom on the go! Are your kids and pets tracking a mess into the house with the long days of summer? I run this on hardwood and carpet for quick pick-ups of crafts, food and even playdoh. Emptying the dust cup is rewarding to see what goes in the trash. Kohls.com, $70

Karen Ognibenekaren@superiorgx.com

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Exercise during pregnancy is not only imperative to keep a mom-to-be fit and healthy, but it can also benefit the child’s lifelong health. This is

according to recent research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, which determined that exercise during pregnancy has a distinct molecular consequence on the unborn child that essentially allows the child to be more fit. Other studies have shown that maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy is tied to preventing childhood obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. Of course, prenatal fitness is also an imperative for the budding mom’s own health with respect to both her physical and emaotional well-being. That said, while most understand that maintaining a pregnancy fitness regimen is beneficial, many women harbor erroneous fears and misconceptions about prenatal exercise or simply don’t know the best way to go about integrating fitness into their daily lifestyles—both of which undermine and inhibit a pregnant woman’s opportunity to optimize her health and fully enjoy the experience. To help moms-to-be (with no applicable medical com-plications) gain knowledge and innate confidence relating to their fitness choices, below are 8 tips and truths to give di-rection, debunk myths, and provide overall peace-of-mind to foster a fit, healthy and happy 9 months*.Start now. If a woman becomes pregnant and has not had a structured fitness routine beforehand, she can certainly start now—and should since exercise develops muscle tone, can help prevent gestational diabetes, aids in digestion and can help regulate blood pressure. Just be sure to begin with some gentle forms of exercise. As the due date approaches, remain-ing active can also encourage the baby to move into proper position for birth. Even activity as simple as walking is huge-ly beneficial to a pregnant woman. She can even run, bike, dance and strength train as long as it still feels safe for her body. Whatever modality of exercise she decides to engage in, it is always of utmost importance that she listen to her body and recognize individual limitations. Exercise to release endorphins. Exercise not only has countless physical benefits with keeping muscles toned, maintaining healthy body fat levels, and improving cardio-vascular health among them, but it also releases endorphins that can help boost mood, improve self-esteem, reduce anx-iety and depression, decrease stress, alleviate pain and im-prove sleep. All of these can greatly enhance the lifestyle of a pregnant woman, helping her enjoy the overall experience.Yes, “do abs.” Pregnant women still have them and will ben-efit from strengthening them in advance of delivery. Exer-

Prenatal Fitness Facts & Fiction, Tips & Techniques

By Amy Griffithmom

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cising abs and the entire core group of muscles will help prevent back and posture problems caused by the growing stomach, will make pushing more effective pushing during labor, and will help the new mother recover quicker. For example, a pregnant mother in her second and third trimester will mainly be working her transverse abdominus, which wrap from front to back like a corset, and also the obliques. Keeping these muscles toned and active will help them to return to their pre-pregnancy state far sooner. Abdominal exercises during pregnancy can also reduce the risk of abdominal sepa-ration, which can lead to other physical ailments. Beforehand, be sure to research the safest types of abdominal exercise for the various trimesters and execute with proper form.Try yoga. Yoga is not just about gaining strength and flexibility, and finding calm in moments of stress; it also helps slow down our busy lives. And, prenatal yoga is a very safe form of exercise. Ex-ecuted with the use of props to support the pregnant woman as baby grows, the mother can maintain the standard yoga poses but in a modified way. Prenatal yoga also teaches the powerful connection of breath and movement, encouraging the woman to let go of tension trigger points in her body. All of these elements combine to cultivate a deeper understanding of how the woman’s body moves and what she can do to relax in an uncomfortable situation, both physically and mentally. Many of the elements of a prenatal yoga class can be utilized by the mother as she moves through labor and deliv-ery, including poses to ease labor pains, breathing techniques, and meditation.Cardiovascular exercise is a-ok. The old theory of not allowing your heart rate to exceed 140 beats per minute is no longer supported by the medical community. There is about a 50% increase in blood flow when a women is pregnant, so the heart works much harder to deliver all of these nutrients throughout the body and especially the placenta. While a pregnant woman who is exercising may tire out more quickly, there is no evidence that such exertion is harmful to her baby. The general rule of thumb is if a pregnant woman can continue to carry on a conversation while performing an exercise routine, then she is in a cardiovascular safe zone. Set a fitness mantra. A mantra is a positive intention—a word or phrase that you come back to daily to “check in” and be reminded that everything is ok and on course. Setting a mantra will help you to trust your body, and accept the changes that are occurring physically. It can help to quiet down the ego and encourage you to slow down and even accept the temporary fitness limitations. This is a key lesson to reiterate throughout pregnancy and can help to keep the pregnant woman safe while exercising. Some mantras are, “I accept,” “I trust,” and “I am strong.” These positive reminders carry throughout the pregnancy and the birth of the baby.Massage to recover faster. A carefully delivered massage from a prenatal massage specialist can alleviate pain in various parts of the body that can be caused by too much physical activity—exercise and otherwise. Massage stretches and loosens muscles that become tight as baby grows and the as the woman’s body changes. Massage will also benefit the pregnant woman as it relieves tension. A pregnant woman’s low back pain, headaches, sciatica, and swelling can all be eased by a trained massage therapist. When her body feels better, she is able to continue to keep herself healthy with regular exercise.Meditate to de-stress. Meditating to a mantra you set or simply quiet the mind can calm your ner-vous system and regulate your blood pressure. When employed in combination with a fitness regime, a pregnant woman can reap the rewards of both physical and emotional health. Pregnant women can quiet down fears and release them through the practice of meditation. When the mother lets go of fear, it opens her up to having a positive pregnancy and birth. Labor and delivery are certainly a physical experience, but many women say it is 90% mental. Allowing oneself to move inward and “step out of your own way” gives the body permission to do exactly what it knows how to do: birth baby! Meditation enables the mom-to-be to mentally surrender while exercise gives her physical strength and confidence.✲Nationally certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor, Amy Griffith—star of her own “Active Prenatal Yoga” Workout DVD for expectant mothers, is one of America’s leading prenatal fitness and lifestyle experts. She provides free advice, including eBook and video content, to her Army of followers and fans online at www.AmyGriffithWorkout.com. *The above should not be construed as medical advice. Individuals should consult with their own physicians before starting any fitness or exercise regime.

Sources:news.virginia.edu/content/study-exercise-during-pregnancy-can-benefit-child-s-lifelong-healthwww.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131001192015.htmwww.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depressionwww.livestrong.com/article/19025-abdominal-exercises-pregnant-women

South JerseyJuly MOM 2014

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

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PrOduCtiOn ManagEr Lisa Celfo

lisasjmom@gmail.com

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www.perfectdayphotography.com

COntributing WritErs Lisa Bates, Matthew Brenner Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio,

Sharla Feldscher, Amy Griffith Christina Higgins, Fiona Paterna

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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.

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It’s the summer and, I don’t know about your house, but mine is filled with bottles of bubbles. So, try this -- look around the house for homemade wands. Pipe cleaners are fun -- how about cookie cutters, too? You can connect a couple pipe cleaners

and make a giant circle for bigger bubbles. You can shape them like in the photo and even wrap a pipe cleaner around a cookie cutter leaving extra at the end for the handle. What else would work? Have the kids be spies to try to figure it out! Have the whole family get in the fun.✲

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Kline tells the plight of countless orphans during the Great

Migration to the Midwest in the early 1900’s that became

blessings for some children and never ending horrors for others. The pages will fly through your

fingers as the compelling story of Molly and Vivian weave together

there past and present to forge an unforgettable friendship.

Share your favorite book on South Jersey MOM’s facebook page.

staff Book favorite

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.

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You better take a jacket, it might rain.” “What about the permission slips?” “Did you pack your cleats for the game

today?” “Hurry, the bus is coming!” “Do you have your music for band?” “Do you need money today?” “Did you pack the lunch I made?” Some version of these questions is fired out in rapid, succession by every mom, every day, in every home across America as we rush out the door into our daily lives. We ask these questions out of love, con-cern, and the hope of creating a happy, stress free day for our child, but is this really helping? By constantly planning, organizing, packing, checking and more for our children, we are actually inhibiting their ability to develop these important skills themselves. Recently, I had the privilege of chaper-oning 40+ teenagers to New York and observe their disparate levels of “planning ability”. At one end of the spectrum, we managed to lose a video camera and nearly lost a wallet that was left on the floor of a restaurant. At the opposite end of the spectrum the “planners” in the group were clearly less stressed, spent more time relaxing and relied less on others to help them survive. For the non-planners in the group it was abundantly clear that it was most likely their first time getting up and out the door complete-

ly on their own. The “non-planners” managed to lock themselves out of their rooms, missed breakfast due to poor timing and lost exhibit tickets handed to them as they stepped off the bus. This group of teenagers forgot sunblock, jackets, important parts of their performance costume, and toothpaste. They needed bandag-es and aspirins; they missed check-ins, and lost money. They were cold, stressed and there are many young ladies who learned that walking long distances in high heels in New York City is not a good time! So how do we help our children to devel-op this extremely important skill of planning? Like most things our children learn, it will be through trial and error. Our job is to provide as much opportunity for that “trial and error” learning to occur and the younger you start the better. Summer is a terrific time to help your children improve their organizational skills. With less stress than the school year and more time for excursions and adventures, summer is rich with opportunities to teach organization-al thinking. There are many effective ways to teach planning with children, beginning with modeling the skill for your children by creating lists, using a calendar, or doing in-ternet research. Discuss your plans aloud and allow your children to ask questions and con-

tribute. Have your child experience “organi-zational thinking” as it relates to planning in hands on ways. A child’s development in the area of plan-ning follows a natural progression that can be easily assessed by asking the following questions:• Can your child help make a plan?• Can your child follow a plan?• Can your child create their own plan? While planning cannot answer the prover-bial question, “Are we there yet?” it will most certainly add to any trip or adventure. Plan-ning is often as much fun as the destination itself. If you are planning an overnight visit to grandma’s house you can reinforce organiza-tional thinking by challenging your child along the planning progression. Young children can “help make a list” of things they will need by giving you suggestions to write down or by drawing pictures of items. Challenge the items on the list by asking “why they might need an item” or “do you think this item will fit in your suitcase”. Don’t be surprised when they pack their favorite possessions without regard to necessities. I can recall a hamster that went on our vacation because my child thought “Dobby” would like to ride in a car.

“

Living Better with an

Organized ChildBy Lisa Bates

A Summer Bucket List

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As children gain more experience with the planning pro-cess they are ready to start “following a list”. This skill lev-el mimics expectations that teachers have in school. Follow-ing directions, paying attention to order and details are essential skills for success in school. When children are given homework assignments or projects they are essentially being asked to “follow a plan”. For the overnight trip example, a child can be given a list of items to pack in his/her suitcase. Have the child double check his/her list by crossing off the necessary items as they are packed. The final stage of planning incorporates both of the prior skills and it is the one that demonstrates the most mastery. After successfully imple-menting plans set by you as the parent, or following lists that you have delineated, can they “create their own plan”? With the example of visiting grandma for an overnight, you might give the child the parameters they will need to generate their own list. “You will be going to Grandma’s for two nights, she plans to take you to the beach as well as out to a restau-rant.” Your child can brainstorm and create a list of items he/she will need for a fun visit. Many of our recent teenage travelers to New York had not thought through a plan for the visit. Even though they had received a detailed itinerary of the trip, they struggled with picturing the necessities and po-tential day to day needs. While most of the incidents were minor (with the exception of the video camera – ouch), it was clear to me that the teen-agers who were more organized and responsible enjoyed their visit to the city more. The teenagers who were struggling learned valuable lessons however there is nothing like being cold, hungry, or in need of something to reinforce the errors made and diminish the odds of being repeated in the future.

Last but certainly not least, find something in your children’s plan-ning efforts to be proud of, to be astonished by, to be happy to know, this will ensure they enjoy this process and want to repeat it. They are children first, and their idea of what is important to pack, to plan, to bring, may be very different from what you anticipated. Acknowledging your child’s contribution to the plan could be the very best item on the list! One way to ensure that you make great plans this summer is to create a “Summer Bucket List”. For a free template and suggestions to make your summer plans a hit, visit www.lblivingbetter.com to download a copy today. Happy Planning!✲

EXPO

CALLING ALL VENDORS...

Saturday, August 16, 2014 10am-4pm • Deptford Mall

Tables are selling out quick! Call Chris at 609-670-1794

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Lazy summer days may sound refreshing to parents; however, they may be detrimental to their children’s educational advancement. A study by Dr. Harris Cooper, a professor of psychology at the

University of Missouri-Columbia, reveals that students can lose an average of one to three months of what they learned upon returning back to school after summer break.

Parents can help their children avoid this “summer slide” by reinvigorating creativity, innovation and education during the summer. When you provide your kids with brain-stimulating experiences, you can help them to retain what they spent all year learning. Brain-boosting activitiesHere are several engaging activities your kids will think are so fun they won’t even know they’re learning.Use books for family bondingA family book club is a great way to get in more bonding time while also encouraging a love of reading. The children’s section of the local library or bookstore is a great place to find books that also tie in scientific lessons. Discuss characters, plot and themes in an interactive fashion that allows every family member to take part in the discussion.Celebrate the curious mindEncourage inquisitiveness by enrolling them in a specialized summer camp, such as those offered by Camp Invention, which is supported by the United States Patent and Trademark Office with curriculum developed by inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Led by local educators, this weeklong experience immerses elementary school children in engaging real-world challenges where they can turn wonder into discoveries. Each themed module uses connections between science, technology, engineering and math to inspire innovation.

Talk to their teachersFigure out what kind of lessons they will be covering in the upcoming school year and incorporate it into your summer schedule. Give them a journalEvery child loves having a special spot to keep a record of their wonderful summer trips, times with friends and even drawings. Encourage them to keep a journal where they can tap into their scientific side by jotting down different discoveries

Questions to Consider When Finding a CampMany parents fondly look back on spending their own childhood summer days at camp. And because today’s camps offer a much larger spectrum of specialty programs, while also featuring a more individualized experience for youngsters, Camp Invention, a premier summer enrichment day camp program, suggests asking these questions to help select the perfect summertime program:• Does your child have special interests or talents that they would

like to build on or develop?• Is your child willing to try or learn new things?• What goals do you have for your child while they attend

summer camp?• How much can you afford for a camp program?It’s easy to break up the boredom of summer break with a few en- gaging activities that will get your kids off to a great start in the coming school year. For more information, visit www.campinvention.org or www.facebook.com/campinvention.✲

Learning All Summer

LongFun, brain-boosting

activities for kidsBy Family Features

know

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Hey Mom–Feeling Overwhelmed?

5 Ways Connecting with Good Friends Helps Manage Overwhelm By Christina Higgins

Guilt’ used to be the go to word to de-scribe the stresses of modern moth-erhood but now I think it’s ‘over-

whelmed’. Working mothers spend more time today with their children than stay at home mothers did in the 50’s while also continuing to do more of the housework. It’s not just the time though. It’s also what we are expected to do with that time. The focus, attention and knowledge needed to parent well can make you wonder how getting a PhD in children’s devel-opment is not a prerequisite to giving birth. The unfortunate casualties of this state of af-fairs can be the very friendships that would provide the support we each need. Here are just five ways spending time with good friends can help you manage overwhelm.

Tell a good friend what’s going on and you’ll often end up laughing it up. It didn’t seem funny in the moment but when I told my friend Claire about one of those days when nothing went right, I found my-self in tears of laughter by the time I finished explaining the ridiculous parenting day. Nobody Posts Grumpy Mommy Selfies. Parenting is about more than just those

blissful, joyous moments but you would never know that from social media. When your parenting experience doesn’t match up to that ideal, there is nothing like swapping real world challenges with a good friend to get some perspective on your experience. A break. If parenting is the hardest job in the world, then parents need lots of breaks. Whether it’s a fifteen minute walk around the block or a couple of hours of pure non-productive play, breaks can give you the emotional and physical energy you need to bring the very best to your kids. Your friends are your friends because you have stuff in common – often outside of being a parent. Remember that? Well, if you don’t, pick up the phone and ask your friends. They will probably remember!You Can Start to Hear Yourself Think. One of the unexpected challenges of parent-ing has been how many rules of life I have to teach. From basic etiquette (“No licking your plate clean.”), to social rules (“Ev-eryone gets a turn.”) to public presentation (“No. You can’t go to school in your under-wear.”). It seems there is an endless list of

life’s lessons to teach. When you have a con-versation with a good friend about some of the bigger lessons of life such as how to help your children manage bullying, very often you’ll walk away with a deeper understand-ing of how you want to teach a lesson.Your good friends are interested in your full self. Spending time with good friends is about bringing your full self to the ta-ble. When your the name “Mommy” starts to feel like the only name you hear outside of work, getting a chance to just be you can be powerful stuff. That time spent will give you a boost in confidence that you are going to do this whole parenting thing in your own way.

Whether it’s a 15 minute call, a morning run or a lunch date, good friends are essential to managing overwhelm and having a little fun in the process. So, what are you waiting for?✲ Cristina Higgins founded Strategic Mama with the goal of empowering women to be the mother they want to be while thriving in who they are as a person. You can read more at www.stratigicmama.com and connect with her on Facebook at Strategic Mama.

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Events include:July 10th: Livestock Auction–8:00pmJuly 11th: NBRA Barrel Racing–6:00pm Chicken BBQ–4:30 to 7:00pmJuly 12th: Teddy Bear Tea–4:00pm Demolition Derby–7:00pm

GRAND OPENINGMonday, July 7th • 6:00pm

Cumberland County Fair

Amusements, food and lots of entertainment

July 7th-12th, 2014For more information call

856.451.2800 x3

Cumberland County Fairgrounds3001 Carmel Road • Millville, NJ 08322

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Have you expressed, “I wish he could just tell me what he wants!” or “It’s like he doesn’t even hear what I’m saying!” When speech and language milestones don’t occur as expected, you may com-

pare your child to older siblings, consult a pediatrician, or conduct re-search.Speech vs. LanguageSpeech and language are often confused. Amy Nelson, MA, CCC-SLP explains, “Speech is the “verbal expression of language and includes ar-ticulation,” while language is the “entire system of expressing and re-ceiving information.” Language encompasses verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Children may experience difficulty with speech, language, or both.

What’s “Normal”? • Infant: Reacts to sound, coos, babbles, forms word, recognizes names

of common objects.• 12-15 months: Babbles and imitates sounds, says one or more words

spontaneously, follows one-step directions.• 18-24 months: By 18 months, says about 20 words. By age two, says

about 50 words, forms simple sentences, identifies common objects, and follows two-step commands.

• 2-3 years: Uses increased vocabulary, forms three-word sentences; by age three, comprehends prepositions, color, and size.

Types of Speech Impairments • Articulation: incorrect sound production. • Fluency: “flow of speech is disrupted by sounds, syllables, and

repeated words, prolonged, or avoided and where there may be silent blocks or inappropriate inhalation, exhalation, or phonation patterns” (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities).

• Voice: abnormal voice quality. Language: difficult verbal expression and comprehension.

Causes of Delayed Speech or Language • Oral Impairments: problems with the tongue, palate, or frenulum. • Oral-motor problems: difficulty coordinating the lips, tongue, and

jaw to produce speech sounds.• Part of Another Puzzle: part of a general developmental delay.• Hearing Problems: chronic ear infections.

Hearing ImpairmentsAccording to Thierry Morlet, PhD, “Hearing impairment “occurs when there’s a problem with damage to one or more parts of the ear” and “about 28 million Americans are deaf or hearing impaired.” Hearing impairments are detected by various types of hearing screenings. All 50 states implemented an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program to identify children born with hearing loss before three months old and provide intervention services by six months old. Newborns are not discharged from the hospital until they receive a hearing screening; children born at home should receive a hearing screen-ing within the first three weeks of life. Children who fail the hearing test should be retested by three months of age.

Speech and Hearing Impairments

By Fiona Paterna

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Hearing Developmental Norms • Newborn: startles at sudden, loud noises• 3 months: recognizes parent’s/parents’ voice(s)• 6 months: turns eyes or head toward sound• 12 months: imitates sound, produces simple words

Signs and Causes of Hearing LossParents should be aware of slow vocabulary development, short, simple sentence construction, and academic and social difficulty.

Causes of Hearing Loss are: • Congenital: refers to hearing loss present at birth (1-

3/1000 babies)• Sensorineural: involves “malformation, dysfunction,

or damage” to inner ear or auditory nerve, is caused by genetics, injuries, loud noises, medications, disease or illnesses, or complications during birth or pregnancy; usually permanent

• Conductive: caused by interruption of sound to the inner ear, frequently due to ear infections; usually mild, tempo-rary, and treatable

• Acquired: result of a disease, condition, or injury • Mixed: sensorineural + conductive hearing loss• Central: cochlea works properly, brain communication

problem, less frequently occurring, more difficult to treat • Noise-induced: caused by extremely loud noises • Otitis Media: inflammation of middle ear, usually with

fluid that may/may not be infected. Without signs of in-fection, OM may go unnoticed, causing the child to miss significant listening experiences that affect speech and language development.

What’s Next? Your pediatrician may refer your child to an otolaryngologist, an audiologist for a hearing test, or to early intervention ser-vices for an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist who will measure current speech and language skills and recom-mend a remedial program. Rebecca Stanwood, RN, CPNP, states, “Children are often referred between 15-24 months due to delayed speech and hearing concerns.” Stacey DiMeo, a Speech and Language Specialist, states, “Under the age of three, families can contact their local Early Intervention Agency. After age three, families can con-tact their neighborhood public school. As a parent, you know your child best, and if concerned, have your child evaluated. Having a speech-language pathologist look at your child will alleviate your worries or give your child the help he or she needs.✲Sources:Kids Health from Nemours www.kidshealth.org Nelson, 2013 “Delayed Speech or Language Development” Kids Health from Nemours www.kidshealth.org Morlet, 2012 “Hearing Evaluation in Children” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association www.asha.org 2014National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities www.nichcy.org/disability/specific/speechlanguageStacey DiMeo, Speech and Language Specialist Email: sdimeo@wdeptford.k12.nj.us

Rebecca Stanwood, RN, CPNP, 856-649-8486

My hero is a woman who has taught me the power of love. My grandmother had a difficult childhood and all she desired for her future was a loving family and friends. She taught me that through unconditional love wounds can be healed and all challenges can be overcome. It is her unend-ing love that has helped me to become the woman and mom that I am today. I only hope that when I am a grandmother that my children and grandchildren will feel as loved by me as I do from my grandmother.

I was in Wawa with my 5-year-old son and this super toned amazon babe

walked in wearing full skin tight yoga-wear with a bootie that

put JLo to shame and Timmy screamed “Mom!! Look at her BUTT!!!!”

I. Could. Have. Died! Oh, and she heard. All of Wawa heard.

— Anonymous

Kids Say the Darndest Things…

Inspiration...Jenean Kirby is inspired by her grandmother, Betty Rodriguez

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Come Experience Some “Barn Time”at Fairway Farm Riding Center

Horse and Pony CampMonday thru Friday9:00am-3:00pmCheck out camp dates at www.FairwayFarmNJ.com

Pittsgrove, NJ

856-305-1649FairwayFarmRides@aol.com

“Paint Your Own” Ceramics Thursday through Sunday, 1pm-4pm

Summer hours will be extended

50 S. Main Street • Mullica Hill, NJ856-418-1135 www.mullicahillartcenter.com

Camps are from 9am until 2pm $300 per child per week

July 7th - July 11thJuly 21st - July 25th

August 4th - Aug 8thAugust 18th-22nd

975D Bridgeton Pike Sewell, NJ 08080

856-625-7050

w Art Classes for All Ages w Dessert Party Painting Mixers w Birthday Parties

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SUMMER 2014 FOR CHILDREN AGES 10 TO 15

SUMMER 2014 FOR CHILDREN AGES 10 TO 15

Camden County College has a summer camp program that will bring out the star in your child.

Music & Voice Production Camp – In Front & Behind the Scene This one-of-a-kind camp is designed to offer campers a different and exciting experience each day by introducing them to the amazing world of the music industry. Campers will have a blast developing their skills in Songwriting, Music Recording, Voice-overs and Audio Equipment Operation. July 14 – 18

TV Hosting/News Anchoring Camp Does your child enjoy creating characters like their favorite TV personalities? This camp is designed so that campers start the fun developing their own stories by researching current events in the news and entertainment world. August 4 – 8

Visit camdencc.edu for Camden County College’s camp program descriptions, cost, times and locations.

Casting Call: Acting for the Camera Have aspiring young ‘stars’ in your household? In this camp, they will learn real auditioning skills, how to characterize and follow directions, block for camera and read with their “co-stars.” August 11 – 15

Film and TV Camp Campers will learn basic levels of acting, directing and operating a camera as well as script writing, storyboarding and improvisation. Participants will create their own original projects as they learn the basics of the film and TV business. August 18 – 22

It’s no secret that everyone likes to feel important. In fact, one could argue that the desire to feel important and needed is what drives the human race. Nevertheless, there are very few people who have

achieved the pinnacle of success without adequate guidance. Whether you’re trying to mentor a colleague at work, a close friend or a child at home, there are guidelines that separate a mentor from being a teacher. The American poet Robert Frost once said, “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.”

Most of the time, mentors are appointed not by a person but merely by fate or circumstance. With that being said, what does one have to do to be an effective mentor? I’ve been teaching children and adults martial arts for a little over 7 years now, and I’ve asked myself this question many times. How can I be more than just a teacher? While I’m sure my answer will evolve over time, here are 4 ways we’ve found to transition from a teacher, leader or parent into a mentor. w First, a mentor must believe in his/her mentee. This is perhaps the

most important key to being a mentor. If a mentor doesn’t truly believe in his mentee, this incongruence will come off in his body language and his advice. The mentee must feel that the mentor truly cares about his success.

w Second, a mentor must truly understand the mentee: whether it’is personality characteristics, family background or history of behavior, a mentor cannot effectively guide someone if they don’t know the motivations behind their thought and behavior.

w Third, a mentor must understand that being in such an esteemed position is a time commitment both emotionally and physically. A mentor must always be there for his mentee in a time of need. A colleague at work could give great advice to an intern or someone lower on the professional ladder, but if he’s not available to provide wisdom is times of extreme need, this mentor’s role will diminish. Mothers and fathers cannot only be there for their children when it’s convenient, they must be there for them when it’s most inconvenient. Any great parent will testify to that fact.

w The fourth guideline to being a mentor is being a mentee; as Peter Drucker, a famous Austrian author on business management wrote, “No one learns as much about a subject as one who is forced to teach it.” There are so many nuances in being a mentor and being a great one requires being on both sides of the relationship.

Ultimately, mentorship is something that’s developed over time, and truly is one of the most gratifying positions one could be in. Unfortunately, in most cases, there’s no way to cognitively appoint yourself to this position. That is, unless you join a mentoring program in your area. These chari-table programs can really benefit the community and make a difference in individual’s lives and, trust me, nothing is more gratifying than that. A good place to start would be nj-mentor.com or joining a program like Friendship Circle that helps disabled children and adults. Following these guidelines will help you if you ever find yourself in this situation: whether it’s with a co-worker, a friend or someone in your family. Just remember, every person is unique, so treat every situation accordingly.✲Matthew Brenner is a freelance writer, Martial Arts Instructor at Action Karate in Cinnaminson and anti-bullying expert.

4 Secrets to Becoming a Great Mentor By Matthew Brenner

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ATLANTIC COUNTY Mercarto Market The market will then run every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Atlantic City Race Course 4501 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing NJ 08330 Mercato Market is South Jersey’s largest outdoor market featuring 1,000 vendors, a beer garden with a full liquor license, gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, special events and shows running every weekend, live horseracing, and more. There’s something for everyone and it will be a great day out for the whole family. The race course is conveniently located just off the Atlantic City Expressway and the Garden State Parkway, behind the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing NJ.

Historic Smithville & Village Greene Car Show July 11th & 25th 5 pm -8 pm See some spectacular vehicles from days gone by or show off one of your own! Historic Smithville has over 60 shoppes, 7 eateries, carousel, train, paddle boats, antique arcade, lodging and over 26 free weekend events! 615 E. Moss Mill Rd. Smithville, NJ 08205 609-748-8999

CAMDEN COUNTY Blackwood Farmers’ Market June 28 2014 - September 27 2014 9am to 1pm every Saturday Downtown Blackwood, N.J. 856-677-8772 www.blackwoodfarmersmarket.webs.com

BURLINGTON COUNTY St. Andrew’s Vacation Music Academy Enrolling for classes Classes will be offered in music, art, dance, and theater for children in grades K-8 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 121 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. The summer music and

performing arts camp runs from Monday, July 28, 2014 to Friday, August 8, 2014 from 8:30am to 12:30pm. If you know a teen or college student who would like to be a Junior Camp counselor, please invite them to join us, too. The fee is still only $50 per child for the week of camp and $35 per sibling of a registered camper for early registrations before June 16th. The online registration form is found on www.regalcelebrationv.com and click on the icon VMA registrations. You can also sign up at the church or call 609-744-8426

CAPE MAY COUNTY Family Nights Ocean City NJ Boardwalk Every Thursday Night FREE Entertainment on the boardwalk 7:30pm to 9:30pm between 6th – 14th Streets

Sand Sculpting Contest Wednesday, July 9, 2014 9:00am At the 6th St. Beach – the first one of the season. For more information call 609-525-9300.

Freckle Contest Thursday, July 10, 2014 6:30pm At the Music Pier. Registration begins 6pm in front of the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk. For more information call 609-525-9300.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY Cumberland County Fair Cumberland County Fairgrounds July 7-12, 2014 New Jersey’s oldest Fair. Amusements, food and lots of entertainment! Events include: 7/10 Livestock Auction 8pm 7/11 For dinner Chicken BBQ 7/11 NBRA Barrel Racing 6pm 7/12 Teddy Bear Tea 4pm 7/12 Demolition Derby 7pm 3001 Carmel Road Millville, NJ 08322 856-825-3820

Kids’ Klub at Cumberland Mall Tuesday, July 8 & 22, 10:30am Center Court 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.cumber-landmallnj.com, www.facebook.com/cumberlandmallnj or follow Cumberland Mall on Twitter @CumberlandMalNJ.

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

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

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

July CalendarTo submit your event, send an e-mail to michelle@superiorgx.com.

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

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H Keep all meat and poultry refrigerated until ready to grill

H Don’t cross-contaminate! Use clean plates to transfer cooked foods from the grill to the table. Never place cooked food on the same plate or tray that was used with the raw food

H Eat grilled meats as soon as they are cooked, or shortly thereafter

H Keep grill stable and use in well-ventilated outside area

H Use long barbeque utensils to avoid getting burned

H Don’t leave a grill unattended and never attempt to move a grill when it’s hot

H Keep cold foods cold until serving timeH Keep grilled meats hot by holding them on a part of

the grill where they won’t continue to cook until your ready to serve family and guests

H Cook all poultry until cooked completely through, and juices run clear

H Refrigerate any leftover food quickly, avoiding bacteria growth

As always, Bon Appetit!

With the 4th of July quickly approaching many people will be grillin’ and chillin’ with family and friends, enjoying great food and conversation. While tried and true recipes are often made for holidays and special occasions, adding several new dishes to the mix can often lead to new family favorites! Here are two tasty recipes

you might want to try out at your next gathering! Have a happy and safe independence day, God Bless America!

BeRRY PatRiotic tRifLe• 2 pound cakes, cut into 1-inch cubes• 2 quarts strawberries, sliced, with 1 cup

reserved• 2 pints blueberries, with 1/2 cup re-

served• 2 (16 oz.) containers frozen whipped

topping, thawed

In a trifle bowl or large glass serving bowl, add some pound cake, strawber-ries, blueberries, and whipped topping. Repeat layers, then garnish top of trifle with whipped topping and reserved ber-ries in a flag pattern. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Red, White & BLUe diP PLatteR• 1 cup mayonnaise• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream• 1 1/2 cups chunky salsa, drained if

desired

In a medium bowl; add mayonnaise, yogurt and salsa, mix just until well com-bined. Serve on a platter with sliced red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, cauliflower, blue corn chips etc.

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 Import-ant Lesson.” Visit her blog http://lisaanndinunzio.blogspot.com/ or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001935347501

10 outdoor cooking and BBQ Safety tips:

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