For a limited time, pre-schoolers can enjoy a year of underwater fun at the Newport Aquarium; it is as simple as 1-2-3!

1. Pre-register online at least 1-day prior to activation
Click here to register by Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

***EXTENDED! Families can register by Friday, March 7th!!!***

2. Activate Pass, in Person
Visit the Newport Aquarium by Sunday, March 9th, 2025 to activate your two to four year old’s pass. Families will need to provide proof of age upon activation such as original copy of birth certificate, passport, adoption/foster paperwork or green card with birth date.

3. Visit! 
Little ones receive unlimited visits to the Newport Aquarium for one year with their Pre-K Membership.

Click here for more information.

and

Check out calendar of events, here, for more fun things to do with a toddler in tow.

The post Newport Aquarium’s Pre-K Membership appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Jordan Ryan, MD, Family Medicine physician at The Christ Hospital Health Network, says that the bottom line is, if something doesn’t seem right, your best bet is just go to the ER.

“It’s never worth risking your child’s well-being,” he continues. “However, if you have a good relationship with your child’s pediatrician or family medicine doctor, we can often manage minor injuries in our office and save you a trip to the ER.”

As a parent, we know our kids better than anyone else, and we know a life-threatening situation when we see one. So remember to go with your gut and trust your instincts. If it doesn’t seem life-threatening, take the situation into your hands and protect the injured area (keep weight off it, wear a sling, etc) and then call your doctor for some more guidance, says Ryan. Some obvious signs that your kid’s injury means going to the emergency room include their refusal to use or move the extremity in question, says Remzi Sipahi, physician at the Division of Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

“For example, if a child with an ankle or foot injury is unable to walk a few steps then they should be evaluated for a possible fracture,” says Sipahi.

Others to look out for are head injuries, bleeding, heart or lung problems. In this case, get help right away.

Kids Sports Injuries

Kids are kids and this is one of the reasons they are prone to injury, in addition to being involved with activities and sports. However, kids who are involved in a variety of sports rather than just one do have a better chance at dodging injuries. Why? A variety of activities actually helps them build up more strength and coordination, says Ryan. However,
remember that too much can cause issues, too. The right balance is key.

“Sometimes playing sports can cause pain,” he continues. “The most common injuries I see are overuse injuries. These usually occur because a child is doing one activity too much. Because children are still growing, it puts them at greater risk of overuse injuries than adults.”

Common injuries include rotator cuff injuries in swimming; elbow injuries in throwing sports; and patellar tendon injuries in bruises; fractures; ligament sprains and muscle strains.

“Stress fractures and growth plate damage are also very common so pay attention to consistent complaints of pain in bones or joints,” Ryan continues.

Overuse is the most important to pay attention to here – those are the injuries that are often overlooked, according to Sipahi. Overuse injuries happen when kids are pushed to play multiple sports at once, or when they are in the same sport year-round, he continues. As a way of prevention, do your best to find the right balance with your kids’ activities and allow breaks and free play in between.

THAT Kid

Is your kid “that kid” that seems to be injury-prone or you know a kid who is? It’s not just coincidence – there are some reasons behind this.

It is a given that the more risky sports and activities your kids are exposed to (contact sports such as football, wrestling, mountain biking, etc.) the more likely they are to get injured. There are also those kids who may have attention problems, play more aggressively, have a connective tissue disorder or just bad luck, says Ryan, and this could be a reason why they are just that kid. However, just because that kid seems to be more injury-prone than others doesn’t mean he should give up on sports.

“My best advice would be to know the risks but have fun,” he continues. “Don’t avoid participating just because you’re worried about injuries.”

Growth and development can play a role here, too, adds Sipahi.

“Our children are constantly adapting to their growing bodies, and trying to navigate sports during this time can be very challenging at times and can lead to more injuries,” he continues. “Lastly, I would say that active kids have injury risks. Working on motor skill development and appropriate fitness for the activity helps reduce injury risk.”

Remain Calm

When your kids take a fall, the best thing you can do for them is to stay calm and listen. Kids react to our reactions, so if mom freaks out, they will freak out, says Ryan.

“The best thing you can do for your kids is spend time with them and listen to them. The more you do that, the more you’ll be able to trust yourself to take care of them the way they need,” he continues.

While you can’t prevent your kids from getting hurt, there are ways to prevent it from happening. Your job is to create  a safe environment for your kids to explore, have fun, and grow! Ways to do this include:

• Sign up for swim lessons
• Wear a helmet when riding a bike
• Get regular physicals
• Wear the correct protective gear for sports
• Sign kids up for a variety of activities and sports
• Eat healthy, drink water and exercise regularly (ages 3 – 5 years need to be active throughout the day; ages 6 – 17 need to be active for 60 minutes every day). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The post Handling Your Kids’ Sports Injuries appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

The Good Way to Fight: Rupture and Repair

Brown describes this healthy conflict as “Rupture and Repair,” a concept that refers to the breaking and restoring of connections with one another.
    “Since humans are wired for connection, and research shows connection is what brings us the most happiness, rupture and repair is a critical concept to learn,” she says.
    The reality is, it’s not possible to agree with your partner all of the time. Brown suggests having heated conversations in private, away from the kids but to look at a healthy argument as a learning opportunity. If your children pick up on a tense vibe in the home, acknowledge that rupture. Then let them know what you are doing to repair the situation with your partner.
    “If your child is not around to witness the repair, communicate how you worked it out so they start to learn about healthy ways to resolve conflict,” says Brown.
    Kids need to understand that a rupture in a relationship does not mean the end of the relationship, says Julie Foster, LISW-S, RN. Foster is an outpatient therapist for adolescents and at Lindner Center of Hope in Cincinnati.
    “Making up in front of kids shows them that relationships can have resilience,” says Foster. “Parents can make an effort to also show affection and admiration toward each other to help kids feel more secure in the parents’ relationship,” she says.

The Positive Side to Fighting

Finding a healthy balance in an argument — the good way to fight — can be difficult when emotions are high. But according to Foster, there are some very good outcomes to having an argument in front of your kids. Children who witness their parents having an argument develop a realistic view of relationships, she says. Kids need to understand that people often disagree on things and can still be in a healthy and happy relationship. Kids also need to learn that just because someone is mad at them, it doesn’t mean the relationship is over. Or that the other person will stop loving them.
    Foster says this includes kids understanding that when a parent gets mad at a child it doesn’t mean they stop loving them, either. This in turn helps kids build healthy relationships with friends. In addition, fighting in front of your children can teach them resolution and coping skills.
    “Children are watching us, so modeling how you address conflict in a healthy way lays the foundation for their future relationships,” says Brown.
    If you happen to have an explosive moment, Brown suggests saying, “I don’t like how we handled that.” Then add, “Next time I am angry with your dad, I am going to try to take a deep breath or go on a walk.” Brown says it is critical to broadcast how you are feeling and how you take care of yourself when you are overwhelmed. Your child will model this behavior when they are faced with the same situations.

 … and the Negative Side

Kids are aware. It doesn’t take much for them to get the pulse of a room, regardless of the words being spoken. Foster says kids will pick up on any sarcasm, criticism, disrespect and purposeful ignoring. If fighting is constant, it can create anxiety for kids, especially stirring up worries about the intactness of the family.
    “Kids might start wondering if the family will fall apart,” says Foster. “They need reassurance and proof that there is such a thing as fair fighting.”
    Ignoring your kids during a fight will not make the situation better, says Brown. Parents should pause the argument and address the kids in the room.
    “Parents need to acknowledge the disagreement and tell their kids it is OK to have differences in opinions or values,” she says. “Assure your children that you still care about your partner. And just like siblings you sometimes get into disagreements, but you still love them.”

 Keep Discussions Age Appropriate

Some common things that parents get wrong when fighting includes encouraging kids to take a side. Name calling, blaming, interrupting, yelling or bringing up irrelevant past issues should be avoided. Parents should also steer clear of issues that are too stressful for kids to understand. If the subject is too mature for the child, the discussion should be conducted in private.
    “Parents need to avoid turning their children into ‘little therapists,’” says Foster. “This creates internal conflicts of loyalty for the kids. Oversharing is a big complaint from kids when it comes to their parents.”

Healthy Ways to Manage Conflicts

Not sure how to address conflict with your partner in front of your kids? Although there is no perfect way to fight, Foster offers these suggestions:

— Use a gentle manner and speak for yourself, avoiding criticism, or condemnation. Listen fully to the other person before responding and validate their perspective.

— Take responsibility for your part by showing remorse and apologizing when it’s appropriate.

— Model self-soothing: take deep breaths, take a time-out, stop and think before speaking.

— Come to a resolution: avoid shutting down or giving the silent treatment and walking away.

— After the fight, show signs of love toward the other person.

— If you feel conflicts are impacting your children, seek individual or couples therapy depending on the circumstances. 

The post The Good Way to Fight appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

CITY OF BELLEVUE EASTER EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 at 12 p.m.; Bellevue Beach Park, 100 Ward Ave., Bellevue, Ky
Hunt for eggs and get photos with the Easter Bunny.

EASTER EGG HUNT AT VETERAN’S PARK
Sat., March 23 at 1 p.m.; 906 Clough Pike Cincinnati, Oh
One giant egg hunt for all.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Sat., March 23 at 10 a.m.; Riverside Park, 425 Victor Stier Dr. Milford, Oh
Egg hunts and the bunny.

FLORENCE EASTER EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 at 10:30 a.m.; Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way Florence, Ky
Games, music, hunts, the bunny, photos and more. ‘

FORT THOMAS EASTER EGG HUNTS
Sat., March 23 at 12 p.m.; Tower Park, 900 S. Ft. Thomas Ave. Fort Thomas, Ky
Easter egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny.

THE GREAT SYMMES EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 at 11:30 a.m.; Home of the Brave Park, 11605 Lebanon Road Loveland, Oh
The annual hunt (ages 10 and younger) includes the Easter Bunny.

HOPPIN’ EASTER EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 at 10 a.m.; Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Drive Fairfield, Oh
Egg hunts by age group and the Easter Bunny.

INDEPENDENCE EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 10:30 a.m – 1:30 p.m.; Memorial Park Jackwoods, Pkwy. Independence, Ky
The annual hunt.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP EASTER EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 at 10 a.m.; 7100 Foundry Row Liberty Township, Oh
Hunts by age group, arts & crafts, a family-friendly DJ and the Easter Bunny.

WASHINGTON PARK EASTER EGG HUNT
Sat., March 23 at 11 a.m. Sun., March 24 at 3 p.m.; 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati, Oh
A two-day scavenger hunt; eggs will be handed to participants.

Plus, Mark Your Calendars for the Zoo’s Easter Celebration!

CINCINNATI ZOO EASTER CELEBRATION!
Sat., March 30, 12 – 5 p.m. 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, Oh
Easter-themed fun with treat stations (bring your own bag) and Easter Bunny meetups in the Gift Shop.

For More Easter Events, Check Out “THINGS TO DO” 

The post Easter Egg Hunts Around Town! appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

In addition to watching your favorite king penguins walk in the parade (Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. beginning January 8 – the end of February including holiday Mondays) you can take advantage of  discounted zoo admission through March 8. The kids can also enjoy all of the special animal encounters on the weekends and learn more about otters, insects, wolves, keas, and African painted dogs from their zoo keepers plus other indoor habitats including Birds of the World, Manatee Springs, Night Hunters and more. You can check out the in their indoor habitat, as well as Fiona, as long as temps are above 40 degrees.

Don’t forget, this is the final weekend to check out the PNC Festival of Lights! The Cincinnati Zoo is opened daily at 10 a.m. Starting Monday, closing time will be 5 p.m. For more information, visit cincinnatizoo.org.

The post Final Year for Penguin Parade at the Zoo appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Visit barnesandnoble.com or call 513-547-5514 for more information.

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What does that even mean? What if my baby won’t take a bottle? Thoughts and worry suffocate you. Depletion of milk happens for many reasons and none of those being your fault. You did not fail. Some babies need more and supplementing is a good thing to help them get what they need, and with a little patience and consistency, you can get your milk supply up to speed again.

“Many things can lead to a reduction in supply, but the great thing is, with a little bit of help, many women can overcome this,” says Charla Payne BSN, clinical nurse manager at the Liberty Birthing Center at The Christ Hospital Health Network. “We tell parents to reach out as soon as they’re seeing an issue. Factors that can cause a drop in supply include decrease in infant feeding or pumping, illness, resumption of your period or returning to work.”

How to Tell If Baby Isn’t Getting Enough

There are some key details to pay attention to consider if your baby isn’t getting enough milk. Your pediatrician will ask you about wet or dirty diapers as soon as you make that first follow-up visit after birth. Your little one should also not have a weight loss that is more than 10 percent from their birth weight by the time they are two weeks old. Before jumping to conclusions, your pediatrician will want to find out the reason why.

“Is the baby not able to transfer milk at the breast or is there not enough milk in the breast?” says Payne. “Working with an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in the lactation department would help get more food in the baby (there are many different options) and potentially work on aspects to increase milk production.” Another sign includes inadequate wet or dirty diapers, says Payne. Also know that if your baby seems to be frequently feeding, that is a completely normal sign and it is not always a sign of a problem. There are more positive signs to look out for according to Payne.

“Meeting appropriate milestones and overall wellness are great signs that Baby is thriving,” she continues.

All About Supplementing

If you are told you need to supplement, that could mean either giving your little one pumped milk, formula or milk from a donor. That is up to you.

“We do not have to use a bottle if mom prefers not to,” says Payne. “Again, this depends on if we are supplementing because of Baby or because of mom meaning is this a milk volume issue or is baby not transferring well related to oral anatomy, tone, being born on the early side or other factors.”

The early days are sweet, but hard. The road doesn’t end with supplementing – you can go back to breastfeeding once your milk production gets back on track, so try not to get discouraged. Creating that little bridge of supplemental milk and a great plan with your lactation consultant can get your milk production climbing again, says Payne.

Get Your Milk Production Back

Pumping and more can help — and reaching out to your doctor or a lactation consultant.

FREQUENT FEEDING AND PUMPING – Pumps vary; Payne recommends a hospital grade pump or a Spectra at minimum.

GET ADEQUATE REST- Restless nights can lead to a stress. Have a close friend or relative come over so you can get some extra zzz’s.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET- Oatmeal, almonds and herbs such as ginger are some great foods that can help your supply.

RELAX AND MASSAGE – Ask for help so you can relax with Baby. Hold Baby skin-to-skin, and massage your breasts before feeding to encourage your let down.

The post “You’re Not Making Enough Milk.” appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

“You have four presents under the tree and I only have one!” a kid says disgustedly to his little brother. As sure as the sun rises each day, your kids are going to have sibling conflicts — many of them full of rivalry. It’s natural. It happens to all kids because they are all unique, with different personalities and tastes.

While adults (well, the majority of them anyway) know how to handle themselves without losing self-control, for young children it can be extremely difficult. Kids growing up have to learn to control their tendencies to stomp their feet, pull another’s hair or engage in any other ill-behaved activity.

But does your home have to be in constant turmoil because your kids can’t get along? Adele Faber, co-author of the bestseller, Sibling Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live, Too (Collins Living; $13.99), says no. Faber says if sibling conflicts are creating what feels like a war zone in your home then perhaps it’s time for Mom and Dad to stop and take a look at what they are – or are not – doing about it. Faber says parents are simply rushing through their days with too much to do on their hands and skipping over the child management.

“Parents are more rushed and stressed than ever,” says Faber. “The pace of society has accelerated to a degree that it’s anti-parenting. Parenting takes time. Some people like to talk about quality time. They say, ‘It’s not how much time you spend with your child, it’s the quality of the time that counts.’ No. Not true. You can’t have quality without quantity. It doesn’t happen,” Faber says.

And parents want solutions fast. “The biggest sibling concern on most parents’ minds is, ‘What do I do when my children are fighting?’ There is no simple answer,” says Faber. “Every situation and each child is different. Factors such as the age of the kids and the nature of the fighting are important.”

So while one of the current school-of-thoughts is that parents should leave their kids alone to work out their problems on their own, some experts say that’s old thinking.

“Used to be kids fought to get a reaction from their parents,” writes Haim G. Ginott in the book Between Parent and Child (Three Rivers Press; $13.95), the best-selling book on parent and child communication. “But the true belief now is that kids need more than that from us. As siblings get older, they find more sophisticated ways of tormenting each other. It’s crucial that parents pay attention to this kind of hurtful behavior because it can have a far-reaching impact on self-esteem and outside relationships,” he adds.

Parents can act as coaches, gently guiding kids through their conflicts when the kids can’t work it out themselves, while also helping them hone the skills they need to communicate. But no matter what, Faber says, try not to rush matters.

“Parents want to fix things,” she says. “They can’t bear to see their children in conflict. What I’d like parents to know is that their kids don’t have to be constantly happy. The message in the home should be that your tears are as welcome as your laughter. I’ll accept you when you’re happy, sad, overwhelmed, discouraged, disappointed, frustrated and so on. I’ll take the whole, human you. You know, the more deeply you feel, the more human you become.”

COMMON SIBLING ISSUES

Scenario:

The children are constantly squabbling and name-calling. When they’re not fighting over who sits where in the car, they’re arguing over who gets to use the Xbox first.

Solution:

Lay down ground rules about how family members should treat one another, Faber says. Communicate clearly and often what your expectations are, otherwise, kids will behave as lawlessly as is allowed. Talk with your kids about what’s going on and how you expect their behavior to change.

You can say that while you can’t demand that they act like they love one another, you do require civility. There is such a thing as kindness without closeness. It’s a lesson that will go a long way in the outside world.

Emphasize that abuse of any kind won’t be tolerated. Pinpoint key conflicts and ask the kids to suggest guidelines – and the consequences for not following them. For example, you all might agree that commandeering the gamer control from a sibling automatically loses the bully an hour of playing time.

“Whatever you try, though, don’t do any of the things that pull them apart, like labeling them into roles as the “good” one or the “smart” one or by showing favoritism,” says Faber.

Scenario:

My daughter gripes that her kid sisters get to have things – like a later bedtime – that she never did. But my younger girls are more mature because their big sister blazed the way. Do we need to hold back on our younger girls on principle?

Solution:

Treating kids equally is usually not possible says Ginott. What matters is that kids perceive that they are being treated fairly. Acknowledge your older daughter’s feelings, then speak candidly about why you’ve made the decisions you have, giving her a vote of confidence at the same time (“You handled these privileges so well, which is why we thought your sisters could handle them sooner”). Then ask if there’s anything she wants. “She might request a 12 a.m. curfew and you’ll need to go over why that may not be a great idea,” says Faber. Regardless, the point is that you treat her as an individual.

Scenario:

There are five years between my two boys who are 10 and 5. The younger one tries to keep up with the older one, and the older one gets annoyed.

Solution:

Little brother is desperate for the older’s attention, says Fabre. And little brother is trying to establish an identity within the family so he’s aligning himself with someone who already has one. Bringing the two of them together to acknowledge their feelings is a good idea, too. But it’s also important for the 5-year-old to have plenty of playdates with children his own age so that he can be secure with who he is without feeling like he has to keep up with an older child.

SETTLING SIBLING MATTERS

• Use “break time.” Send each child to separate areas of the room or the house. When they’ve cooled down, have them come back together to work things out.
• Try role playing or role reversal. Have bickering children switch roles to help them see what it’s like to be in the other person’s shoes.
• Remove the source of the conflict and distraction. If a particular item seems to be the cause of the conflict, remove it for a period of time.
• Help children understand that their actions bring consequences.
• Be clear in setting rules and limits. Instead of barking out commands, tell your children plainly and in terms they can understand what you expect of them.
• Teach them the importance of consideration among siblings.
• Avoid labeling and comparing. It’s harmful to give children labels such as clown, klutz, the athlete, the slob, the smart one, airhead, the anxious one, the fun one or the crazy one. Labels also can cause jealousy, which leads to contention. Instead of comparing, praise each child for his unique abilities.
• Shield younger siblings from no-win situations. Younger children often want to compete with older siblings, which can be very disappointing when they keep losing.
• Ask older children to help. You can help siblings develop a bond by having an older child teach the younger child new things. But don’t require an older child to always let a younger sibling participate in his games or hang out with his friends. Make sure the older child gets some privacy.
• Set a good example for your children. Your children are watching how you handle disagreements and arguments with your spouse and your friends and extended family. They look to your example for how to work out their own problems.

The post Solutions to Sibling Rivalry appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

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Drowning remains the number one cause of accidental death for kids under age four. The Goldfish team is committed to changing this statistic. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children participate in regular, high quality swim lessons starting at age one because studies show that swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88 percent. Thousands of Cincinnati families have experienced first-hand the proven curriculum, highly trained instructors, state-of-the art pool, family-friendly facilities that make Goldfish Swim School a place where all children can progress and reach their full potential.

The Fortenboher family from Lebanon, OH has experienced the magic of Goldfish Swim School with each of their three kids who have all had their own learn-to-swim journey. Lillie began swimming at Goldfish Swim School West Chester in 2017 as an 8 month-old.

Lillie’s mom Kelly Fortenboher says, “As a baby, Lillie loved the sea otter float and the slide. She progressed fairly quickly and by age 2, she moved to an independent class without me!”

Since that time, Little has moved up to the Pro 1 level and has her eyes set on the Swim Force Team! Four year-old Liam began swim lessons when he was 18 months-old. Liam was born with a cleft palate and had a speech delay. Kelly notes that his weekly swim lessons were always the highlight of his week and he has made great strides with his swimming, but he has also made enormous progress with his socialization and communication skills thanks to his dedicated swim instructor Miss. Courtney.

At two years-old, little Logan is the newest member of the Fortenboher family to enroll in swim lessons at Goldfish. He works hard at the skills in his Mini class including floating on his back and he is eager to get in the pool and get to work each week! Kelly says that the thing that has really stood out about their experience at Goldfish Swim School is the relationships that the kids develop with the instructors and the enthusiasm that the staff shows each and every child as they reach new milestones.

“The staff is what makes this experience so special. I see their team greet every child by name each week and we feel like part of a family. They are invested in my kids. We are not just an enrollment number. They genuinely care and you can feel that. They have worked with us to ensure that each of our kids is successful in lessons.”

Goldfish Swim School provides indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years-old in a safe, fun and family-friendly setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes, shiver-free 90-degree pools, and a state-of-the-art water purification system. Goldfish offers perpetual lessons and families can enroll at any time. Goldfish Swim School is now enrolling students in their new Kenwood location.

Visit goldfishswimschool.com for more information on free trial offers, grand opening celebrations, free family swim opportunities and more.

The post Growing Up Goldfish! appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.