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Livingston Parent Journal MAY 2013

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Page 1: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

MAY

201

3

Page 2: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

Call Today for an Informational Brochure

(810) 632-2200

A Tuition-free Education. Enroll Now. Space is Limited.Full-day/Everyday or Half-time Kindergarten Options

Licensed Before & After School Care, Athletics, and After School Enrichments

Open Enrollment NOW for Fall 2013

Recognized by the State of Michigan as a

Reward School

for high academic achievement

A Charyl Stockwell Academy education puts students on course for success in college, career and life. The rich and diverse education programs will spark your child’s intellect, creativity and enthusiasm for learning.

Small Class Sizes School Uniforms Character Education Strong Gifted Program Art, Music, Physical Education and Foreign Language

Page 3: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 3

In every issue...Events......................................................................... 12-14Off the Wall .............................................................................8

Classifi eds ....................................................................... 22

Features...

Good Loser

Mothers DayTeens and Tattoos

An Independent local publication.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Livingston Parent Journal is to share

worthwhile information with area parents by listing

family-oriented events, educational opportunities for parents,

and by providing feature articles and tips on topics relevant

to raising children of all ages.

MAY 2013

— EDITOR/ PUBLISHER —

Rick & Terri McGarry

—WRITERS—

Patty Thomas

Jude Bijou, MA, MFT

Kelly Milano, DC

Darl Papple

— GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT —

Mindy Simon

The Livingston Parent Journal does not necessarily endorse

the views of the authors or the products of the advertisers.

Medical and health advice is not

intended to replace the care of a physician.

Member of

866.806.1680

© December 2012 All rights reserved.

20

Infant CPR

16Summer Job

610

9

Page 4: Livingston Parent Journal

The

LPJ

May Happy Birthdays!02 Grace Meinke Reese Yeagley

04 Kara K ing06 Breanna Zaborowski Grace Pante las C la ra Tay lor07 Lydia Wi lson Drew Bur ton Jackson F re l ich Lorenzo De Cia08 Danie l Ondusky Br ianna Mi l le r Dominick Ondusky

09 Phoenix Mayes Sunora Mayes

10 Isabel le Neuman

11 John Burch Cole James Herrs t

12 Owen Wendel I sabel la De Cia

14 Aidan Burke

16 Nathanie l Sredzinsk i

18 Ben Conquest E leanor Jeruzal

19 Lane Ol iv ia Adis

20 Alex is Caf in i Dar ren Wal ton

21 L i l l ian F reeman

22 Amel ia Ott Kelc i Smith

23 Adel ine Cox

24 Sar ina Caf in i Noah Harper

26 Tor i Conquest

30 Wi l l iam Blewett Summer McNei l l

4 Livingston Parent Journal

From Our

Family to

Yours.

We are always looking for more sponsors for the Birthday Club.Email [email protected] or call 866.806.1680 for details.

Kids! Join our Birthday Club and we’ll send you a special treat and let everyone know it’s your special day!Send your child’s date of birth to [email protected]

10006 Highland Rd. Hartland

810.632.6932

Homemade Chocolate

129 E. Grand River. Fowlerville

517.223.1322

Howell Big Boy

2222 E. Grand River. Howell

517.548.1800

It was nice to see so many of you at the Natural Parenting Expo last month in Howell. We welcome you, and everyone, to our Mothers Day issue.

For those of us who celebrate moms all year, it’s always a pleasure when Mothers Day rolls around and the rest of the country gets on board. Probably many of you can relate to the mom who tells her Mothers Day story on page six about trying to manage her expectations for the day, until she was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of how truly blessed she was.

For our part, we continue to work hard to find new ways to be helpful, supportive and a blessing to both moms and dads. Last year we organized our first camp fair, and launched our new web site

and our weekly event e-newsletter. (If you are not receiving it, email [email protected] to subscribe.) The web site allows us to make resources like the Summer Camp Guide available for many months instead of just in March, and the newsletter gives us a chance to send you the very latest updates about events coming up every weekend.

It’s also exciting, energizing, and gratifying to be able to connect with so many of you on our Facebook, and to hear back from you as well. For us, and I hope for you, Livingston Parent Journal has become so much more than just a magazine, although we are still very committed to making our publication as excellent as we are able. We feel privileged that you picked us to be a part of your parenting team.

We’ll try hard not to let you down and to support you in the critical task of passing along values to the next generation.

Looking ahead, the June issue next month will be our Day Trip Planner. Don’t miss our directory of local family destinations as well as our salute to fatherhood.

Until then, enjoy Mothers Day, and May flowers, and Memorial Day.

We’re all in this together,

Dear Friends,

Page 5: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 5

Page 6: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

With summer job season quickly approaching, parents every-where are realizing that their kids have zero job experience or employable skills.

Suzanne Kleinberg is a career coach and author who has provided consulting services to corpora-tions, not-for-profit organizations and individual clients. She has a B.A. in Economics from York University and a Masters in Project Manage-ment.

There is a serious disconnect for Generation Text between what having a job requires and what corporate culture actually is,” states Kleinberg, informed by her own experiences as a career coach who specializes in working with youth and new graduates.

She was kind enough to offer some advice for parents of stu-dents looking for summer work.

What did you learn and how did you benefit from your own summer teen employment experiences?

The most important thing that I learned was to be proud of doing a good job no matter what job you have. Many teens feel that their worth is far more than what the job market reflects. When I worked the candy counter at the movie theater, I had to clean up sticky soda, buttery topping and burnt popcorn stuck to the popper. I had to wear a hideous uniform and I had to work late hours for minimum wage. Through all this, I learned that there is no shame in doing your best. Every job is a growing and learning experience.

Once while working during the summer at a law firm I was let go. As a result, I learned to take work a little more seriously. I was fired because I let my attitude affect the work I produced. This lesson changed the way I approached job responsibilities in the future.

If you knew then what you knew now, what would you do differently?

I would listen more. As a typical teen, I knew everything so I stopped learning. If I had listened more, I would at least have learned how to work with all different types of people.

I would also take the job search process and my work more seriously. Because money wasn’t a key issue for getting a job as a teen, I didn’t appreciate the jobs as much as someone who needed them for their livelihood.

I would focus more on developing my people skills. How you talk to, listen to and build positive relationships with co-workers is one of the toughest skills, and it can only be taught through experience.

I would have tried different things. As a teen, I had no clue as to what I wanted to be. But I didn’t experiment to find out. If I had known, then I would have gotten my college degree in something I enjoyed instead of something that people expected of me.

I would have developed the skills that I lacked through volunteer work. In the last few years I have learned a lot of skills through volunteering, even though I have been working professionally for a long while. Charities allow you to develop skills even if you have no experience.

How have things changed for working teens since you were a teen?

I think things are harder for teens now. With the economy being so poor, teens are competing with experienced workers or uni-

Dear Fellow Parents,

You probably have a nice kid. He’s sweet, and follows the

rules, and wouldn’t harm a fly. And it hurts, doesn’t it, when

you see him being picked on by bigger, tougher kids? The

sad truth is…nice kids almost always get picked on.

Often, in the “world of kids,” niceness is seen as weakness.

You see, the bullies and bad guys aren’t looking for a tough

fight. They are looking for someone who they can easily

terrorize. Easily dominate. Easily humiliate. And these

days, if you are a nice kid, it’s like wearing a sign that says,

“Come pick on me!”

So — what are you supposed to do? You cringe at the

thought of “toughening him up.” You certainly don’t want

him to lose his niceness and sweet disposition. And —

absolutely — you don’t want him to solve this problem by

becoming like the bullies and bad guys.

Read carefully. I’m going to tell you a secret.

If you understand what I’m about to tell you, you will have

the “key” to resolving this entire, frustrating situation.

The Secret: Some kids don’t get picked on at all.

That’s right. Some kids don’t get picked on – at all. And

we know why. They don’t pick on other kids, either. They

are free to enjoy themselves, to be themselves…and it

wouldn’t even occur to a bully to give them a hard time.

What I can do for you.It’s pretty simple, really. I’m going to take your kid out of

the group of kids that get picked on – and put him or her

in the group of kids that doesn’t get picked on. And, I’m

going to do it without turning your nice, sweet kid into one

of those “tough guys.”

So how does it work?

It will take me about 15 minutes to explain it to you. And, I

guarantee the answer will surprise you. So don’t wait. Just

call Sam at (517) 586-1001, and he will set up a time for us

to visit. No obligation. No charge. Our mission at Ohana

Karate is to stop bullying in our schools and community

IS YOUR CHILD HARASSED BY BULLIES?He or She May Be -- And You Might Not Even Know . . .

so that no child is hurt. You need to stop the bullying right

now before the damage is permanent. You DO NOT have

to be a student to get our help.

If you call now, you will receive:

1. A FREE private consultation session to access your

situation and formulate an action plan to stop the

bullying.

2. A FREE Introductory Program for your child, if you

decide that our “Bully-Proofing” system is right for

your family.

3. A FREE Karate Uniform for your child.

Yours in the fight against bullying,

Sam Larioza

P.S. – “Girl Bullying” is even more damaging. Girls use

relationship and emotional bullying to torment their vic-

tims.

P.P.S – If your child is being bullied call me right away–

you do not need to be a current student. I want help every

family in our community to oppose bullying. I believe

bullying is 100% preventable and that no child should

ever be hurt by it.

Yes, Sensei Larioza, please register me for my FREE Introductory Program

and my FREE uniform!2 Ways to Register:

Free Introductory ProgramFree Uniform

Playstation

Page 7: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 7

versity graduates for basic entry level jobs. When I was a teen, you didn’t need a résumé for a job serving coffee but now you do. Teens are expected to be far more polished in applying and interviewing for typical summer jobs.

Teens today are also bombarded by the media with unrealistic expectations. Teens feel that their first jobs should be glamorous, pay well for little work and have minimal hours. Some teens turn down typical teen jobs because they feel it is beneath them. It does not fit into the image that they have developed for them-selves based on media.

What is your best advice for teens who want to find a job this summer?

Understand what skills you have to offer. Create different types of résumés for different types of work so you can highlight the skills needed for each type of job. And be prepared to be able to discuss those skills in an interview confi-dently.

Have a job search plan. If you have an organized plan to follow, you will have more success and less stress.

No job is beneath you. Sum-mer jobs are important be-cause they give you work experience. You will not be able to get your future dream job without experience and proof that you are a hard worker. Even when you get your dream job, it will still include tasks you won’t want to do.

Be professional at all times. Even if you are re-jected, always act polite and mature because you never know what future opportunities might exist. Employers always remem-ber the person who was rude or immature.

Don’t wait for jobs to be posted. Go around to the places of work and give them a copy of your résumé. Just because jobs aren’t posted doesn’t mean that they don’t exist or that they don’t come up the following week.

Be persistent. Don’t give up. If you have put in a résumé and you have not gotten a response, follow up with them. Be polite but keep trying to contact them until you receive an answer, but don’t call or email at busy times.

Don’t beat yourself up about not get-ting a job. The economy is tough for sea-soned professionals. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get a job but don’t feel down because you haven’t so far.

To Workstation

At LivingstonParentJournal.com, Suzanne Kleinberg (author of From Playstation to orkstation) explains which job is the right fit for your teen, and why your teen should still look for work even though unemployment figures are so high.

Page 8: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

Lori BurkartEden thinks I’m disabled. I explained that I couldn’t actu-ally ice skate with her because I could fall & hurt the baby. She now thinks Wii Ping Pong is too risky because you have to move your arms a lot.

Natalie Beauregard BurgePracticed the cello for an hour and half last night with Lucas at my feet, he kept clapping and messing up my time up. He needs to work on clapping to the beat.

Natalie Beauregard Burge

Just keeping my nephew entertained while on my lunch break.

Angela Cox”Mom, I have the best idea so dad won’t have to go to work today! We build three robots, one says DAD on it, and it goes to work and does the jobs, then the second one goes there and gets the money and takes it to the other one who puts it in the jar and then puts the lid on. When the jar’s all fi lled up, dad doesn’t have to go to work anymore”

Carrie Tennant ShumakerPool torpedo landed on top of a hot hal-ogen lamp, melted and fi lled the house with noxious fumes. I think there is a teachable moment in here somewhere.

Laura Cronenwett WebberBoaz: “Are all Moms smart like you, or no?”

www.mapletreemontessori.com

2013

Montessori Classes, Camp and Enrichment Programs

Half Day and Full Day Optionsfor All Children Aged 2 1/2 to 12

www.mapletreemontessori.com

2944 S. Old US 23, Brighton | (810) 225-8321For Enrollment

Info Call or Go Online

Enrichment Classes Offered Include

ComputersSpanish ChineseSewing

ArtViolin

Experimental Science

Page 9: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 9

In too many ways, Mother’s Day is just like every other day. Wise moms wishing to avoid frustration adjust their expectations accordingly. God forbid, that on a day when your family is trying to celebrate your sweetness, you invite disillusionment, frustration, and anger to the party with your unreasonable expectations. After 24 Mother’s Days, I fi nally know better.

It would be so nice, however, as the seasoned mom next door shared with me, if, for example, for just one day the children would not bicker. I know however, that my children will never allow that fantasy to persist for very long.

In addition to bickering, on Mother’s Day I know that my children will almost certainly drop their belongings on the fl oor wherever they happen to be standing, and leave them there. They may very well spill a box of cookies, forget their basic responsibilities, and insist that their preparations for church not move forward until I resume my constant nagging.

Then, inexplicably, they will sneak in something so sweet and unexpected as to totally disarm me, which is what happened last year. My big son set up an umbrella and a reading chair for me

on the lawn so I could enjoy a book in the beautiful

weather without getting too warm. My young daughter was asked to sweep the kitchen fl oor, but then mopped it as well. My smallest one wrapped me in the hugest hug, his little heart just overfl owing with love and affection for me. My faraway child sent me a beautiful photo recalling a moment we had shared weeks ago. My struggling one, the one responsible for a whole new crop of wrinkles, wrote me a heartfelt letter telling me that I was her life raft this year and that she would have been lost without me. My oldest, a mother herself now who fi nally knows what it feels like to give endlessly of herself, made me the loveliest cocktail, which was just the right touch at the end of my day.

There were also gifts, given with such gleeful expressions of delight on their faces, in anticipation of how I would just love their offerings: Little projects made in kindergarten, carefully hand made presents, and a photo collage on which they had collaborated for weeks. There were also carefully selected random things from Target: Chocolates, candy scented hand soaps, new clothes for my yoga class, and wall art. They had worked on all these things so diligently over the past few weeks, all the while presumably thinking loving thoughts about me. I knew for sure that some of that work must have been done on days when I was short tempered, crabby and too rushed to give them the attention they desired from me. It was humbling to see their devotion and to remember that despite my best intentions I still fall short of what I wish to be for them.

So like every year, I ended Mother’s Day full of gratitude and feeling so blessed; overwhelmed in fact, at the heaps of blessings that are miraculously and undeservedly mine.

I am so deeply, profoundly grateful for the six beautiful souls who belong to me and for the man who made me a mother and who has provided the kind of life where I could pour all of myself into my mothering. They are

imperfect. I also am imperfect, but I love them with all of my being and I am so grateful that

we belong to each other. To love and be loved, to be happy in this life and have

hope in the next, is to have it all.

Patty Thomas

Mother’s Day ExpectationsTo love and be

loved, to be happy

in this life and have

hope in the next,

is to have it all.

Page 10: Livingston Parent Journal

Be a Good Loser

Our kids are exposed to bad losers all the time--not only in their sports leagues or skating competitions, but also on TV. They see reality show contestants throw tantrums and professional athletes trash their teammates or coaches for losing.

With such poor role modeling, how can parents teach kids to be good losers? We can start by helping kids understand the basic reasons for the behavior of bad losers. Sore losers think they’re special. They believe the whole world should agree with them and bow down to them. When they don’t win and aren’t acknowledged for how special they are, they get angry, because it feels like an injustice.

Explain to kids that it’s normal to have an emotional reaction when they don’t get what they want. It’s natural to feel angry when the world doesn’t conform to their expectations or when they experience something that feels unfair. But it’s not

okay to make others the target of what’s going on inside of you, and they need to understand that. Being a poor loser will drive friends and allies away from them.

Here are six simple lessons to teach to kids that will help them be good losers.

Have fun.

Running in a race on a beautiful day when you feel healthy and alive should be fun. Remind your child that the activity she loves is fun, and that she can put less emphasis on winning. When she thinks this way, even the practices leading up to the tournament can just be about fun and doing her best. No matter how disappointing the outcome of the competition, she’ll have had joyous moments and great memories leading up to it.

Focus on trying.

Resilient people--those who bounce back easily from disappointments and setbacks--aren’t wedded to the outcome. Don’t let your child set himself up for disappointment with the expectation that he’ll win. Teach him that giving it his maximum effort is the only thing he can control. If he does win, that’s a wonderful bonus and shows that hard work pays off.

Look for the benefi t.

Your child won’t always get what she wants, but she can always benefi t from trying. Ask her, “What did you learn?” Most competitive kids can come up with an answer that’s helpful. There’s always a win for your child personally, whether it’s honing her skills, learning something about her technique, or fi guring out a different and better strategy for next time.

Congratulate yourself.

If a child’s sense of well-being is dependent upon external recognition, he’ll set himself up for disappointment and will always be at the mercy of outside sources for self-worth and happiness. If he’s having a particularly

Livingston Parent Journal

diffi cult time letting go of negative feelings, have him repeat over and over to himself: “I gave it my best shot. I did well to get as far as I did.”

Join in the celebration.

Being a gracious loser centers around the ability to celebrate someone else’s good fortune, despite the disappointment one feels. It’s fi ne for a kid to acknowledge her disappointment at losing, but it’s not fi ne to diminish the success or joy of the winner. Remind her that if she had won, she’d want and expect others to congratulate her, so it’s right for her to congratulate the winner.

Deal with inevitable emotions.

Let your child know that it’s okay and healthy to feel and express anger and frustration at losing, but in a safe and private place. Show him how to have that temper tantrum by himself. For example, he can punch a punching bag at home in the basement and yell at the top of his lungs. He’ll feel relieved after he lets all that emotional energy out, and much better than if he took out his frustration and rage on someone else.

Jude Bijou, MA, MFT, is a respected psychotherapist, professional educator, and workshop leader. Her theory of Attitude Reconstruction® evolved over the course of more than 30 years working

with clients as a licensed marriage and family therapist, and is the subject of her award-winning book, Attitude Reconstruction: A Blueprint for Building a Better Life. attitudereconstruction.com.

Page 11: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 11

Make plans now for an exciting summer! It’s a short drive to FYT and registration is now open.

FLINTYOUTHTHEATRE.ORG 810.237.1530

Flint YouthTheatre

A Program of the Flint Institute of Music

Summer Acting Classes begin June 24Classes and performance opportunities for all students age 3 – grade 12

DRAMA SCHOOL

Page 12: Livingston Parent Journal

MAYList your event for free at

LivingstonParentJournal.com

Wednesday 1

Ceramic Painting Craft Ages 3-12 Hamburg Library 6:30pm FREE 810.231.1771 hamburglibrary.org hamburglibrary.org

Thursday 2

Family Tae Kwon Do Every Tuesday and Thursday in May Kils Tae Kwon Do 6:30-7:30pm or 7:30-8:30pm $100 517.546.0693 howellrecreation.org

Thur-Sun 2-5

Beauty and the Beast presented by Brighton High School at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts Fri & Sat 7:30pm Sun 4:30pm $16 810.923.5008

Fri-Sun 3-5

Tarzan The Hartland High School thespians present this Broadway musical. Hart-land High School Fri & Sat 7:30 pm Sun 2:30pm $13 hartlanddramaclub.weebly.com

Friday 3

Lost in Space Learn the stories behind the Men, Myths, & Monsters of the night sky inside the StarLab planetar-ium. Brighton Library 6:00, 6:40 or 7:20pm FREE 810.229.6571 brightonlibrary.info

Calling All Owls Join an interpreter and separate fact from fiction, then walk in search of resident screech owls. Ages 6 and older. Kensington 8:30pm $5 810.227.8910

metroparks.com

Saturday 4

Run Against Drugs Organized by Livingston County Community Alliance First United Methodist Church in Howell 10am $25 517.545.5944

Creatures of the Night Meet a live owl, bats, and a fly-ing squirrel and learn how they survive in their nighttime environment. Presented by the Organization for Bat Con-servation. Tickets available 30 minutes before program. For

children ages 6 and up. Brighton Library 1-2pm FREE 810.229.6571 brightonlibrary.info

Birding by Ear Learn tricks to identify local songbirds by ear. A basic guide to common bird songs is included. Ages 10 and older. Kensington 9am $5 810.227.8910

Build an Herb Planter Hands-on workshop for chil-dren ages 5-12. Free workshop apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement. Home Depot 9am-Noon 517.548.3742

Zip Line and Climbing Tower 500’ zip line over a pond. Tallest outdoor tower in Michigan. Howell Nature Center $17 Reservations are required. Howell Nature Center 517.546.0249 howellnaturecenter.org

Sunday 5

YMCA Camp Copneconic Open House Sample sum-mer camp activities, Staff will be on hand to answer questions and help you select activities. 2-5pm FREE campcopneconic.org

Wildwing Watch The herons are back on the rookery. Spotting scopes available. Kensington Noon-4pm 810.227.8910 metroparks.com

Thursday 9

Mom’s Night out at Tanger Outlet. Food, prizes and special sales. Bring your receipt dated May 9 and total-ing $25 or more to Shopper services and get a free $10 gift card. 517.545.0500

Fri-Sun 10-12

Disney’s Aladdin Jr Spring Youth Production of The Community Theatre of Howell. Howell Freshman Campus Fri 7:30pm Sat 2:00 & 7:30pm Sun 2pm $10 517.545.1290 cththeatre.org

Farmers Market in Howell starts May 5.

Livingston Parent Journal

Photograph by Rodney Laura Courtesy of Huron-Clinton

Metroparks Car entry fee. Reservations required. Please call ahead.

FARMERS MARKETSBrighton

Saturdays 8am-1pm200 North 1st Street

810.955.1471 brightoncoc.org

HowellSundays 9am-2pmDowntown on the Courthouse Lawn

517.546.3920 howell.org

Green OakSundays 10am-3pm

Green Oak Village Place Mall313.590.1960

[email protected]

FowlervilleFridays 3-7pm

City Parking Lot on Grand River517.375.5132 fowlerville.org

HartlandOld Hartland High School

Saturdays 9am-1pm810.632.1030

[email protected]

Page 13: Livingston Parent Journal

Friday 10

Open Mic Poetry, comedy, singing, dancing, and other performance art. Bennett Recreation Center 7-9pm $2 517.546.0693 howellrecreation.org

Sat & Sun 11 & 12

Zip Line and Climbing Tower see May 4

Civil War Encampment Weapons drills, military maneuvers, cooking techniques, a baseball game and period music.

Kensington Sat 10am-7pm Sun

10am-5pm 800-47-PARKS metroparks.com

Saturday 11Fly a Kite Bring your own kite or make one when you get there. Watch kite-making demonstrations. Conces-sions available. Genoa Township Hall 10am-Noon 517.546.0693 howellrecreation.org

KinderConcert Kurt Civilette and his French Horn present a half hour concert designed for ages 2-6. Dexter Library 10am FREE a2so.com

May Bird Count Bring binoculars to help conduct a census of Kensington’s spring birds. Everyone will be part of a team led by an experienced birder. Participants should dress for the weather. Kensington 7am 810.227.8910 metroparks.com

Sweetheart Frame Build this gift for Mother’s Day Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic 10am 517.548.3475 lowesbuildandgrow.com

Mother & Daughter Tea Dress up, tea, crumpets, fin-ger sandwiches and soft classical music. Miller Intergen-erational Center 1:30-3:00PM $15/couple 810.299.4130 brightoncommunityed.com

Sunday 12

Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike Join an interpreter on Mother’s Day for a guided hike to discover the wildflow-ers. Hudson Mills Metropark 1pm $5 (free for moms) 734.426.8211 metroparks.com

Mothers’ Day Come visit the farm and see farm ma-mas taking care of their babies, and take mom for a hay-ride. Kensington Noon-4pm 248.684.8632 metroparks.com

Wednesday 15

Contra Dance Learn the dance steps on site with help of a caller and live music. All ages welcome. Howell Op-era House 6:30-9:00pm $5 517.540.0065 theoperahouse.us

May 5 Open House at YMCA Camp Storer Pony rides, arts and crafts, archery, climbing tower, high ropes, pontoon ride. 1-4pm FREE 517.536.8607

May 11 50th Anniversary Celebration at Woldumar Nature Center Geo Cache challenge, naturalist-guided wildflower hikes, eco pontoon boat tours of the Grand River, tree plantings, native plant and birdseed sales, Moon

Cabin tours, a variety of expert-led nature workshops and a bounce house. 10am-5pm woldumar.org

May 17-19 Titanic–Tragedy and Trial Written by Pat Cook and presented by the Young Actors Guild, is an historically ac-curate, tightly written enactment, presented in an imagina-tive way. Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2:00 & 7:30pm, Sun 2pm $15 734.926.5629 aayag.org

Thursday 16

Comedienne Kelli Pomarolli Mother and daughter event. Dressy attire. Followed by refreshments. Center-pointe Church 7pm $5 517.546.4750 kerripom.com

Fri- Sun 17-19

Disney’s Aladdin Jr see May 10-12

Sat & Sun 18 & 19

Heron Days Live bat presentation, native tree and shrub sale, live insect exhibits, a book sale, heron rook-ery viewing, and Rosco the Clown and his magic shows. Kensington Noon-4pm 810.227.8910 metroparks.com

Livingston Parent Journal 13

Photograph by Tom Helfrich Courtesy of

Huron-Clinton Metroparks

May 18 & 19 Beauty and the Beast has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 21 countries. The Whiting $29 810.237.7333 TheWhiting.com

Car entry fee. Reservations required. Please call ahead.

Page 14: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

Pinckney parade at 1pm 734.417.5420

Howell parade starts at the library at 10am and ends with a service by the lake.

Brighton parade at 10:00 am., starting at the High School, down 7th, to Main Street ending at the Millpond where there will be a small Memorial Day Service.

Hartland Luminary Walk Sunday at dusk in the cemetery, and parade downtown at noon on Monday.

Hartland Luminary Walk

Saturday 18

Wild West Adventure Petting zoo, scavenger hunt, re-freshments, craft, and play forts. 517.881.9142 northforkoutback.com

Bird Hike Bring your binoculars and a fi eld guide to observe bird species seen in the park and record dates, locations and trends from year to year. Hudson Mills Metropark 7:30am $5 734.426.8211 metroparks.com

Camp Ohiyesa Open House Tour the Camp, meet the staff, and try camp activities. 11am-3pm FREE 248.887.4533 [email protected]

Mom to Mom Sale Strollers are welcome. First Unit-ed Methodist Church in Howell Early bird entry from 8-9am, $2; 9am-1pm, $1. 248.343.1573.

Howell History Day Tractors, butter churning, bee-keeping, ventriloquism, science, and tours of historic buildings. Downtown Howell 10am-4pm 517.548.6876

Thursday 23Fountain Dance Ministry Presentation Night Jane Tasch Theatre 7pm $11 fountaindance.org

Saturday 25 Wild West Adventure See May 18

Sat & Sun 25 & 26

Beasts at the Beach Snakes and turtles are among the most fascinating of all animals. Sort out what is true and what isn’t. Kensington 1-3pm 810.227.8910 metroparks.com

Sunday 26

Picnic for Patriots Food, music, and kids carnival games. Donations accepted for the Michigan National Guard Youth Leadership Camp. The Well Church 3-6pm [email protected]

Monday 27

Beasts at the Boat Rental Snakes and turtles are among the most fascinating of all animals. There’s also a lot of misinformation about them. Sort out what is true and what isn’t. Kensington 1-3pm 810.227.8910 metroparks.com

JUNEJune 1

Kid 2 Kid Sale Kids can sell or trade used toys or games. All children must be supervised. Ven-dor spaces are $8 and must be reserved before May 24. Bring your own table. Fenton Community and Cultural Center 10am-1pm 810.714.2011 slpr.net

Safety Day at Independence Lake Explore emergency vehicles, play games, speak with trained professionals, and play in the new spray play facility, Blue Heron Bay. 10am-Noon 734.449.4437

Charyl’s Run-2B-Fit 5K and 10K Trail Runs and a 1 Mile Trail Walk. Huron Meadows Metro Park 9am 810.632.4778 run2bfi [email protected]

Car entry fee. Reservations required. Please call ahead.

Page 15: Livingston Parent Journal

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Livingston Parent Journal 15

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Page 16: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

Jeannie Matovski of Whitmore Lake was on vacation in Wisconsin visiting family,

when her one and a half year old nephew began to choke on a grape. His grandmoth-er began to pat him on the back, trying to dislodge the stuck fruit, but it was not work-ing and she was beginning to panic. Jean-nie, being an elementary teacher, trained in CPR, jumped into action, quickly doing the baby version of a Heimlich Maneuver and dislodging the stuck grape. She states “As a teacher, we naturally just step in and do what it takes to improve a situation. This was no different. I am glad that I had the training and knowledge to know what to do. I potentially could have saved my nephew's life.”

Julie Hibbs, originally from Tennessee, tells a story of her daughter swallowing a pep-permint candy when she was in 3rd grade. Her daughter, Sarah was grasping at her throat, unable to breathe when Julie be-gan to perform Heimlich. She states with humor, “Sara and I both were amazed at

the distance that peppermint flew when it flew out!” Julie also states that her father had Parkinsons disease and would often choke on items. Several times, she had to perform both the Heimlich as well as CPR on him and was incredibly grateful she had been trained to do that.

Despite children having a strong gag re-flex, the diameter of their airway is small-er than that of an adult and is therefore more vulnerable to obstruction. Children are often less able to have as forceful of a cough as an adult would and this can make it more difficult for them to unlodge a small item from their throat. The longer the airflow is obstructed, the more serious the final outcome.

A 2008 study, reported in the NY Times, found that the most common food relat-ed choking hazards in children were hot dogs, peanuts, carrots, boned chicken, candy, meat, popcorn, fish with bones, sunflower seeds and apples. The most common non-food items are small batter-ies, marbles and magnets, balloons, coins, small stones, and art supplies (beads, but-tons, etc.).

Parents can, however, prepare themselves. Training in the Heimlich Maneuver & CPR can save the life of your child, or someone else’s. It is estimated that over 50,000 lives have been saved because of the Heimlich Maneuver, and The American Heart Asso-ciation estimates that 100,000 to 200,000 lives of both adults and children could be spared each year by the proper use of CPR.

While CPR on adults, children and infants is all virtually the same, there are some variations that need to be made based on body size of the individual. Knowing

CPR for an adult does not assure that you could perform it on a 2 month old infant. Since saving a life is the goal, understand-ing these variations is crucial to properly administering CPR.

American Safety & Health Education has teamed up with Restored Life Health

Center in Howell to offer Pediatric CPR & First Aid certifications. ASHE is a nation-ally accredited organization that uses fully certified instructors. They provide training for healthcare providers and workplaces as well as the general community so pro-vide some of the highest quality train-ing possible. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, day care provider, babysit-ter or someone in the general community wanting to learn, this class will provide hands on training that will teach you all you need to know to be prepared.

There are currently two certifications scheduled, for May 18th or June 15th, both at 9:00 a.m. Certification will cost $60 and is limited to under 20 people each day. To register, call 517-507-4343 or go online to facebook.com/myRLHC

Kelly Milano, DC is a chiropractor that both lives and serves in Howell. She is the mother to 5 chil-dren ages 6-15 and works alongside her husband, Dr. Tim at Restored Life Health Center on Grand River in Howell. She is part of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, is certified in Webster Technique, and is also a member of the Chiropractic Cancer Foundation for Children, offer-ing free chiropractic care to children fighting cancer. She loves working with pediatric patients and those with special needs.

Heimlich and CPR for Infants

Page 17: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 17

The Most Important Thing You Can Do in Life is to Raise a Child and We are Here

to Help YOU.

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•Staff trained in First Aid and CPR•Security system w/ access code for parents

6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Monday through Friday

schoolbellchildcare.com

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Page 18: Livingston Parent Journal

Breastfeeding Multiples Mother Baby Group is a

free drop-in group for mothers of twins or more. Support

staff available. 3rd Wed, 1-3pm. Sponsored by The Breast-

feeding Center of Ann Arbor 734.975.6534. bfcaa.com

The Breastfeeding Café is a free drop-in group for

breastfeeding mothers and their babies, hosted by

lactation consultant Barbara Robertson. Fridays

10-11:30am The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor.

734.975.6534. bfcaa.com

Saint Joseph Mercy Breastfeeding Clinic is designed

to support breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Appoint-

ments with lactation consultants available. 734.712.6357

Breastfeeding Club is a free, drop-in group facilitated

by a board-certified Lactation Consultant to answer

questions and empower moms to reach their breast-

feeding goals. For pregnant and breastfeeding moms

and babies (as well as older siblings). 2nd Mon, 1-3pm

(no meetings July or December). Ellen Thompson

Women’s Health Center 734.712.6357

Breastfeeding Class ~ Learn breastfeeding techniques

that work. Partners are encouraged to attend.

800.231.2211. Register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes

Working & Breastfeeding Mother Baby Group is a

free drop-in group for mothers who have returned to

work and are continuing to breastfeed. 2nd Sat, 1-3pm.

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor 734.663.1523

Breastfeeding Basics Class ~ Prepare for a satisfying

breastfeeding experience. Weeknight/ Saturday classes

at Center for the Childbearing Year; online classes also

available. center4cby.com.

Dawn Farm Education Series is a free annual work-

shop series providing helpful, hopeful, practical infor-

mation about chemical dependency, recovery, family

concerns and related issues. Programs are presented

on the last 2 or 3 Tuesdays, September through June.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education. 734.485.8725.

dawnfarm.org or [email protected].

Free Eye Exams ~Dr. Muir of Vision Source is offering free

eye exams for children up to 36 months with little or no vision

insurance. 517.545.2020 Provided through InfantSEE. Contact

the American Optometric Association. aoa.org

Livingston County Catholic Charities

provides outpatient mental health & substance abuse

counseling for children, teens, adults & families.

Insurances accepted & sliding-fee scale. 517.545.5944

Livingston County Dept of Public Health

offers immunizations, TB skin tests, assistance to gain

access to medical care, hearing and vision screening,

HIV tests, Children Special Health Care Services, Nurses

Welcome Newborns (newborn home visits) and WIC.

517.546.9850 or visit lchd.org

Livingston Family Center provides outpatient therapy

services to youth and families with runaway services,

supervised visits, support and substance abuse prevention.

Many programs are free. 810.231.9591.

livingstonfamilycenter.org

Understanding Food Allergies is a seasonal workshop

that explores the different types of allergies and testing.

Topics include the use of digestive enzymes, elimination

diets, restoring the immune system, and using supple-

ments to heal the digestive tract. 810.299.4130

Teens Using Drugs: What to Know and What to Do is for parents and

other family members, teens, and people who work

with teens. Free literature about alcohol/other drugs

and teens is provided. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital

Education Center 7:30-9:00pm Oct.-June except Dec.

734.973.7892 teensusingdrugs.org

Great Parents, Great Start Playgroups are parent-

child playgroups that focus on developmental needs

of infants and toddlers. 517.540.6829 robinsschutz@

livingstonesa.org

Livingston Area Parents of Multiples provides

parents/guardians of multiple birth children with

encouragement, resources and information. 3rd Thur.

7pm, Saint Joseph’s Church in Howell. 734.377.6816

[email protected].  Moms and Tots of Brighton ~Playgroups and playdates,

field trips and outings, special interest groups, evenings out for

moms and family events. 734.891.4386 [email protected]

Moms In Touch meets one hour a week to pray for students

& their schools. 517.545.9920 [email protected]

Moms Social Group provides a fun outlet for Moms

of school age children to connect with other Moms.

www.meetup.com/Moms-Social-Group-MSG

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Brigh-

ton, 2nd & 4th Tues. 810.227.9411. Our Savior Lutheran

Church, Hartland 248.887.4300. Fine Arts Academy,

Whitmore Lake 734.646.1429 Interested in starting a

group? Contact: [email protected]

Munchkin Moms Playgroup provides playtime in the gym,

playdates at members’ homes, fun in the parks & field trips.

517.294.7040 [email protected]. hotshepherd.org

Parent-to-Parent Support is a free, informal drop-in

group for moms, dads, partners, and babies. Toddlers

welcome. Every Wednesday, 10-11:30am, Center for the

Childbearing Year, 722 Brooks St., Ann Arbor.

734-663-1523. www.center4cby.com.

Bradley Natural Childbirth Classes ~ Relaxation, nutri-

tion, pregnancy exercises, labor stages, pain reduction,

breastfeeding, coaching, newborn care, and benefits/draw-

backs of typical procedures. 12 weeks. Brighton area. $275.

810.227.0513

Boot Camp for New Dads is a three-hour workshop

for first-time fathers (who may bring their baby).

Taught by Boot Camp veterans under the direction of

a trained coach, this program enables new fathers to

step up to the challenge of being a dad and feel more

confident bringing the new baby home. 800.231.2211

Register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes Center for the Childbearing Year offers classes for

expectant parents: Everything You Need to Know; Labor & Birth; Caring for Your Newborn; Breastfeeding Basics; and Online Childbirth Preparation programs for busy

couples. Also library and free drop-in groups.

center4cby.com or 734.663.1523.

Childbirth Education Classes prepare you and your

labor support coach for labor and delivery. Informa-

tion regarding natural childbirth techniques, relaxation

exercises, medical intervention and cesarean births is

included. Classes are offered at Ann Arbor, Brighton,

Livonia and Chelsea hospitals. 800.231.2211. Register

online: stjoeshealth.org/classes.

Childbirth Prep & Refresher CoursesLearn relaxation techniques, breathing patterns, pain

management, coaching skills for labor and birth,

Cesarean childbirth, breast-feeding, and newborn

care. 810.231.2820

Dad’s Baby Care Boot Camp ~ It is time to lose your

dread of the diaper and conquer your fear of the cry.

2nd and 4th Tues of every other month. 810.494.5433

Dad’s Team is for expectant dads and dads of toddlers.

Meet with male mentors every other week and progress

through a parenting and life skills curriculum. Earn

“baby bucks” to purchase food, formula, clothing,

diapers, equipment and virtually anything an infant

needs. 810.494.5433

Doulas Care Program is a volunteer program that

matches low-income mothers-to-be with a doula that

provides physical, emotional and educational support.

3 prenatal home visits, attendance at your birth, and 3

post-partum home visits at no charge. 734.332.8070.

doulascare.org

Earn While You Learn~Basic needs & parenting sup-

port for parents of infants. Meet with a mentor every

other week and progress through a parenting and life

skills curriculum. Earn “baby bucks” to purchase food,

formula, clothing, diapers, equipment and virtually

anything an infant needs. 810.494.5433 Family Birth Center Tour is now available on-line at

stjoeshealth.org. To tour the Family Birth Center in person call

800.231.2211 or register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes. Family Birth Center Sibling Class + Tour is a new class

for 3-7 year olds who are preparing to become big brothers

and big sisters, and their mother is delivering at St Joseph

Mercy Hospital-Ann Arbor. 800.231.2211 Register online:

stjoeshealth.org/classes

Family and Friends CPR~Infant and child CPR classes

are available at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

800.231.2211 Register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes Free Pregnancy Testing, Nurse Consultation, & Ultrasound ~After a nurse assessment, a client may be offered

a free ultrasound. Pregnancy Help Clinic 810.494.5433

Infant Care is a class about normal newborn care, both in

the hospital and at home, including demonstrations on how

to bathe and diaper your baby and discussion of infant safety.

800.231.2211. Register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes

TheResource CenterYour spot for ongoing parental assets, clubs, and classes.

The

LPJBreastfeeding

Health

Mom Groups

Pregnancy/Childbirth

18 Livingston Parent Journal

Page 19: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Postpartum Support Group provides a place to talk about your birth or early parent-

ing experiences. Babies and older siblings welcome. 1st

Wed. 10am First United Methodist Church in Brighton

517.214.7272. [email protected] Meet the Doctor & Nurse Practitioner ~ For parents ex-

pecting their first child or looking for a pediatrician. 2nd Tues at

IHA Livingston Pediatrics 5:30-6:30 pm 810.494.6820

Michigan Doula Connection is a nonprofit organization

offering free birth and postpartum doula care for low-income

families. MichiganDoulaConnection.org.

Mommy and Me is a free drop-in meeting for new mom

and her baby. Informal discussion with other new mothers,

sharing ideas, and learning more about caring for yourself

and your newborn.1st Wed 10-11:30am except Jan. & Jul.

Ellen Thompson Women’s Health Center. Pet Preparation before Baby Arrives ~ This

class will educate dog and cat owners about common

behavior problems that occur and strategies to prevent these

issues. 800.231.2211 Register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes Postpartum Depression Support Group 1st & 3rd

Tues 10:30am-Noon Catholic Social Services, Ann

Arbor. Free for women and their partners, children, or

family 734.302.0033. ppd-annarbor.org Prenatal Yoga is a time for mom and unborn child

to stretch and strengthen the spine, release and relax

into the pelvic floor, and learn breathing techniques for

more comfort. Bring a mat or rent one. 810.299.4130

Prenatal or Postnatal Yoga ~ Expectant mothers learn-

stretching and strengthening poses, along with helpful

breathing exercises. 6-8 weeks following delivery you can

bring your baby with you as you regain strength, flexibil-

ity and energy as well as finding balance and restoration.

800.231.2211. Register online: stjoeshealth.org/classes Prenatal/Post-partum Aqua Aerobics is specifically

designed for expectant and post-partum women to

provide support for physiological and anatomical changes

during and after pregnancy. A permission slip from your

obstetrician is required to attend. Tues & Thurs 6:30-

7:30pm 517.540.8355. howellschools.com/aquatics

Survival Skills for New Moms is a prenatal class for

women expecting their first baby. You will learn practical

information on surviving those first few weeks at home

with baby, caring for yourself, juggling visitors, and manag-

ing fatigue. 800.231.2211. Register online:

stjoeshealth.org/classes

Ashley’s Friends is a group for children and youth

5-18 years of age who have experienced the death of a

loved one, and the adults who care for them. This free

group meets at the Kennedy Center in Howell on

Monday evenings. 517.546.4440

Creating Lasting Family Connections provides sup-

port and education for parents raising teenagers. Focus

on substance abuse prevention. Free. Classes in Jan.,

Apr., & Jul. 7 weeks. Call to register 517.548.1350

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Support Group for parents of children with FASD. First Thurs. of each

month. Free. St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital

Cafeteria Conference Room 810.599.9399

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Livingston

County is offering a free support group for parents and other

primary caregivers who have a child or adolescent who has

been diagnosed with a mental illness. 2nd Thurs. 7-9 pm. First

United Methodist Church, Brighton 517.546.7449

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of

parents of children with disabilities who share their

knowledge & resources with other parents and help them

to find their way through the special education “maze”. 2nd

Mon. 9:30am-Noon. LESA Bldg.

517.540.6804. scne.lesa.k12.mi.us

Parents of Hope is a new grief support group for

parents who have lost children of any age. 7pm 1st & 3rd

Tues. Cornerstone Church 810.494.4013

The Family Support Network (FSN) of Michigan

offers emotional support for families of children with

special health needs. Practical suggestions for day-to-day

living, parent support groups, one-on-one support and

training programs for parents. 800.359.3722

LACASA provides 24-hour emergency support and on-

call response for victims of child abuse, domestic violence

and sexual assault. They offer critical resources, shelter,

counseling and legal advocacy for individuals and families

impacted by abuse and senseless violence. Ongoing sup-

port groups held weekly. 866.522.2725. lacasa1.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters~Does your child need an adult mentor?

Ages 5-16 can get one-to-one emotional support. 517.546.1140

Family Story Time ~ Stories, songs and crafts for all ages.

Pinckney Library. Tues 11am Wed 1pm FREE 734.878.3888

Families and Providers for the Success of Children

offers support for parents and child care providers meet-

ing the social-emotional needs of children aged 3-5,

particularly those at risk for expulsion. Lending library,

articles and newsletters, phone support. 517.548.9112

Free Children’s Clothing ~ Toys, fresh baked bread,

household goods, appliances, adult clothing. Tues 3pm

Brighton Church of Christ 810.229.7051

Howell Teen Center is a place that is teen friendly and

teen driven where teens gather with friends, interact with

adults, gain recognition, and make choices. about what

they will do and how they will do it, all in a place that is

teen friendly and teen driven. Video games, movies, study

area, live bands, play ping pong or pool. 517.546.0693

Nurturing Parenting Classes ~ award-winning, national-

ly recognized program for parents of young children new-

born to 11 years. For parents and their children. 10-week

sessions beginning in January and April. 517.548.1350

Parent/Tot Play & Make Music Classes help chil-

dren ages 10 months - 4 years develop learning skills

through music and motor activities and use coopera-

tion and social skills to make new friends. Brighton’s

largest indoor playground. Miller Intergenerational

Center 810.299.4130 brightoncommunityed.com

Fathers Only Parenting Class is an 8-week learning ex-

perience for fathers, stepfathers, and other male caregiv-

ers that starts in January and September. 517.548.1350

Special Needs

Miscellaneous

Pregnancy/Childbirth cont.

Livingston Parent Journal 19

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Page 20: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal

Michigan law allows minors to be tattooed in a licensed tattoo shop

as long as one parent or guardian is present to consent to the tattoo and

sign the waiver. From time to time parents come into The Shop, my tattoo parlor in Fowlerville, and tell me that they would like to give their consent because they would rather their child get tattooed professionally than in someone’s basement. They are often shocked to learn that I will not tattoo on

minors, regardless of the law. This article is to explain the reasons why.

When adolescent brains are studied us-ing MRIs, it’s obvious that they actually work differently than adult brains. It’s not just a lack of life experience. In situations where adults would rely on the area of the brain that governs reason and plan-

ning, teens mostly use the amygdala, the region of the brain that guides instinctual or

“gut” reactions. Teenagers do not have a fully developed frontal cortex and so they are not working with their full adult reasoning facul-

ties. This impairs their ability to make good decisions about permanent body art. One teenager was offended when I refused to tat-too her finance’s name on her. However, a few months later, after they broke up, she came back to thank me.

In my experience, teens are less inclined to put crucial thought into their choice of de-signs. Every week adults come into the shop

and show me the tattoo that they regret that they got when they were a teenager. Sometimes

they ask me if we can cover it up. Cover-up designs often require a great deal of creativ-ity and are frequently more expensive than the original tattoo.

Teens also make mistakes about tattoo placement. Often they want the tattoo in a place where they can show their friends. Adolescents should be warned that this placement often inhibits future career ad-

vancement. I remember a guy that was a

waiter at a nice restaurant in Brighton. The uniform didn’t allow for undershirts so he had to apply makeup to his forearm every day before work to cover his tattoo.

Even in the case of memorial tattoos for family members, a few of my adult clients have expressed regret for the impulsive designs they chose as a teen. It’s not that the meaning of the tattoo or the person they were honoring became less important to them, but that their artistic design tastes changed dramatically. They wish they had taken more time to find a design that would better honor their loved one’s memory.

Finally, teens have a hard time believing that even a basic design may not be some-thing they will want on their bodies in just a couple of years. Since adolescence is a time of significant personal growth and development, things that are important to them now may fade and become inconse-quential to them, unlike their tattoos.

Since far too many of my clients lament that they wish they had put more thought into the tattoos they got when they were teen-agers, my best advice to teens who come into The Shop determined to be tattooed is to suggest they get a drawing of the tattoo that they think they want and hang it up on their mir-ror. I tell them to look at it daily. Nine times out of ten, they come up with a new design

idea a couple weeks later and we have to start the “mirror test” all over again.

Darl Papple is a Tattoo Artist and the owner of The Shop, a tattoo parlor in Fowlerville. theshopssite.com

What should I say to my teen who wants a tattoo? Darl shares suggestions at LivingstonParentJournal.com

Page 21: Livingston Parent Journal

Livingston Parent Journal 21

Page 22: Livingston Parent Journal
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Livingston Parent Journal 23

ALL TRAILSLEAD TOADVENTURE

Everyone is welcome. Financial assistance is available. The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit strengthens communities in Southeastern Michigan through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

learn more at miymcacamps.org

» Sunday April 21, 1-4 pm at Camp Ohiyesa, Holly

» Saturday April 27, 1-4 pm at Camp Ohiyesa, Holly

» Saturday May 18, 11 am-3 pm at Camp Ohiyesa, Holly

» Saturday May 18, 12-3 pm at Camp Nissokone

» Saturday June 8, 12-3 pm at Camp Nissokone

UpcomingFamily

Fun Days

Explore how FlexTech is high school...done differently.

Earn a high school diploma in a technology-centered program for students who want a distinctively relevant high school experience.

Flexible scheduling options, including dual enrollment.

Inspiring and innovative project-based approach that values the individual learner.

Technology-based classes that integrate iPads, Google Chrome Books and other innovative technology.

Tuition-free public charter school.

Fall 2013 Enrollment for 9th & 10th grade now open.

810.844.3366 | FlexTech-HS.org7707 Conference Center Drive | Brighton, MI 48114

5 pm to 7 pm

JOIN US...for an open house

WEDNESDAY,

MAY 15

Page 24: Livingston Parent Journal

2013 Innovative School-Age Summer Camps and Fall Preschool

Register Now!

(810) 632-2118 2100 Progressive Drive, Hartland, MI 48353 (1 mile east of US-23, south of M-59)

Come Grow in Our Garden

www.garden-gatemontessori.com

and loving staff

Benefit from a quality licensed child care

that has:

Safe and orderly environmentCharacter educationAP classes & college dual enrollment opportunitiesProject-based & interdisciplinary learningAcademic planning & college advising

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Advanced art and foreign language classesExtracurriculars and athleticsNo hassle transfer systemFully accredited, state funded & tuition-free

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Kensington Woods High School offers students in grades 7-12 a small, personalized learning environment where they have the support to excel in school by exploring content in an engaging and innovative way.

Small class sizesCollege-prep curriculum with high expectationsAccessible, supportive facultyStrong relationships between students and teachers

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www.kwoods.org . 517.545.0828 . On the Campus of Cleary University . 3700 Cleary Drive, Howell

Spring

HouseOpen

Monday, April 29Friday, May 10

Thursday, June 13, 6-8pm. Meet with students and faculty, tour the school and view student work and presentations.

Spring Shadow DaysWant to experience KWoods firsthand? Then come join us for a Spring Shadow Day! Students can shadow a student in their grade, learning about Kensington Woods first hand. To RSVP, call 517-545-0828.

Now Enrolling 7th-12th grades