Save the date: November 14th @ 8:30 a.m.! 

Carl the Collector is slated to make its debut on PBS on November 14th, featuring adorable fluffy critter friends Carl, Forrest, Sheldon, Lotta, Nico and Arugula. They go on adventures together, bravely face problems and experience the neighborhood together. 

A first of its kind, this sweet show is puts the spotlight on Carl, a lead character on the autism spectrum. The beautiful series will celebrate diversity and inclusion while helping kiddos develop a strong sense of self and community. Carl’s friends are diverse, also! Ranging from the neurotypical and neurodiverse, each as unique as the next for their own reasons!

Be sure to tune in! And head to PBS’s Carl the Collector page to meet the cast and get some sneak peeks at the cute collector, Carl. 

Additional Showtimes include:
November 15th 8:30 a.m. – The Fake Mustache Collection/The Lint Dinosaur Collection
November 17th, 10 a.m. – The Plushie Collection/The Bouncy Ball Collection
November 18th, 8:30 a.m. – Lemons!/The Butterfly Collection
November 19th, 8:30 a.m. – Whole Lotta Lotta/ Leaf It to Carl
November 20th, 8:30 a.m. – The Tool Collection/The Stick Collection
November 21st, 8:30 a.m. – The Fall/The World Collection
Check the CET schedule for even more shows, here. 

The post Carl the Collector debuts on PBS appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Woodhouse Spa

Runners Up 

Deluxe Nail Salon & Spa & J Spa, Mayerson JCC 

Favorite Family Physician 

Barbara L. Neuman, CNP

Runners up 

Adi Carmi, MD, Kenneth G. Farber, DO, & Anna J. Schweikert, MD

Favorite Hospital

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Runners Up 

Good Samaritan Hospital & The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health

Favorite OB/GYN Doctor

Julia Hyunju Lee, MD

Runners Up

Joseph T. Caligaris, MD, Lisa C. Gennari, MD & Tara D. Knipper, MD 

Favorite Orthodontist

Alex Cassinelli, DMD

Runners Up 

Eric Hickman, DDS & Jacob Stadiem, DMD, MS 

Favorite Pediatric Dentist

Laura Doss, DDS

Runners Up 

Ronald Poulos, DDS & Bracken Webb, DDS 

Favorite Pediatrician 

Jenny Lynn DeBruer, MD

Runners Up 

Jeff A. Drasnin, MD, FAAP & Firoza (Tasha) Zaman Faruqui, DO 

Favorite Psychiatrist/Psychologist

Suzanne M. James PsyD

Runner Up

Gabrielle V. Paul, MD

Favorite Therapist/Counselor 

Casey Hill LPCC-S

Runner Up

Pamela McCarthy, LCSW

The post Family Favorites 2024: Family Health appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Ghost Afraid of the Dark by Alex Willmore and Sara Conway

This sweet book is a spooky take on facing your fears. Your kids will love it because not only are the characters cute, but the cover glows in the dark!

Trick or Treat by Roald Dahl

What better way to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of Roald Dahl than with a Halloween themed lift the flap book? This is a great choice for some of our littlest readers. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Fall by Eric Carle

It’s your familiar, favorite character discovering everything that there is to love about fall. With Eric Carle’s beautiful artwork, this is a great one to pick up for the pictures alone. 

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles Shulz

We are big fans of the Peanuts gang and this special has been a staple in our home each October. Being able to pick up a copy of the story in board book form was a great treat because our kids can now enjoy the story any time of year. 

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago 

In this story Gustavo struggles to make friends and eventually realizes that it’s because no one can see him. We love this story because this is such a relatable experience for a lot of kiddos out there and it shows them that they are not alone. 

The Little Ghost Who was a Quilt by Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler

This is an endearing story about self acceptance. This little ghost isn’t covered in a bedsheet but a quilt instead. All the little ghost sees is what is bad about being covered with a quilt instead of a sheet until one night when the thing that makes him different makes him amazing too. 

The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson and Kazu Kibuishi

If anyone takes a glance at this cover, I think that you can surmise that this picture book is going to be anything but boring. This is a story about an ordinary boy having an ordinary day until an epic adventure finds him waiting. 

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

Mythical creatures, magic, battles and secrets are just a bit of what the first book in this new fantasy series has to offer. Not only is the story fast paced and interesting, but it’s also filled with illustrations of the mythical creatures and places which is sure to keep the reader intrigued. (Ages 10 and up)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians – The Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

This is the newest book in the Percy Jackson series. In order to obtain his college recommendation letters, he is pet-sitting for the gods during Halloween week. Cue the shenanigans. (Ages 10 and up)

Babysitting Nightmares by Kat Shepherd

The Babysitting Nightmares series tackles a bit of everything that goes bump in the night. Each book tackles a different paranormal event that centers around the babysitting job one of the girls is working. This series feels like Nancy Drew meets The Bailey School kids. (Ages 8 and up)

 

By Emily Widolff,
owner of Never-Ending Stories
Be sure to check out their October Boo Box, now available for preorder.

Click here to visit Never-Ending Stories book store!

The post 10 Books to Fall For This October appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

From identifying coins to spending and saving, Finley the panda will help little ones learn all about financial concepts in an accessible way. Order your own box – Click here to learn more!

The post Local Mom Creates Little Treasurer 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. 

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Several local attractions received accolades in USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers Choice Awards:

CINCINNATI HISTORY MUSEUM was recognized as one of the top three history museums in the nation.

CINCINNATI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM was named in the top five children’s museums in the nation.

NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER was ranked #2 in the history museum category.

Check out the museums located in our city for yourself! Head to cincymuseum.org and freedomcenter.org to find out more.

To learn more about USA TODAY’S 10Best Readers Choice Awards, go to 10best.usatoday.com.

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Parenting Kids in Sports

SHOULD I PUSH MY KID TO PLAY SPORTS?

Whether or not to push your child to play sports is a decision that depends on various factors, including your child’s interests, abilities and developmental stage, as well as your own motivations and approach.

• Consider your child’s interests and preferences when encouraging participation in sports.
• Exposing kids to different sports allows them to discover what they enjoy and where their talents lie.
• Emphasize the importance of enjoyment in sports rather than focusing on performance or competition.
• Create a supportive environment and offer encouragement, but avoid the pressure of expectations.
• Prioritize your child’s overall well-being, including their physical/mental health, academic responsibilities and social development.
• While it’s important to encourage children to participate in physical activity and sports, pushing them into activities they don’t enjoy or aren’t ready for can be counterproductive. It can lead to burnout, injury negative psychological effects. Instead, focus on providing opportunities for exploration, fostering enjoyment and supporting the child’s interests and well-being. Ultimately, the goal should be to promote a positive and lifelong relationship with physical activity rather than forcing participation for external reasons.

SETTING THE EXAMPLE

You’re an important part of creating a healthy sporting environment. You can serve as a role model for your kids in sports, helping them to develop life skills such as sportsmanship, resilience and a healthy attitude towards competition.

Kelsey Logan, director of sports medicine with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center shares that, “research shows that when parents exhibit poor behavior on the sidelines, our kids see this and model it.”

HOW TO HANDLE LOSSES AND LETDOWNS

But what about the losses and the let downs? Parenting kids in sports includes a lot of that.

“Your relationship with your child is important and helps get them through the personal and team challenges that occur in sports,” Logan says. “You supporting the hard work, sportsmanship and follow through involved in sports participation makes a big difference in helping young athletes develop; kids are certainly disappointed when things don’t go well for them on the field. Acknowledge this when your child is upset. It is OK for them to feel disappointed, embarrassed or hurt. They need you to validate this,” she adds.

Shriver, a 13-year-old athlete, says the most helpful thing his parents do after a loss is to give him space. “They leave me alone to think about the game, but the next day they provide me with encouragement,” Shriver says.

FROM RECREATIONAL TO COMPETITIVE

Moving a child from recreational sports to competitive sports can have both advantages and disadvantages. Parenting kids in sports has pros and cons.

PROS:

• Competitive sports typically offer more structured training and coaching, which can lead to improved skills and performance.
• Competitive sports can teach important life skills such as discipline, teamwork and perseverance.
• In some cases, excelling in competitive sports can open doors to scholarships for college or future opportunities in the sport at a higher level; note that your child needs to be exceptional for that opportunity.

CONS:

• Competitive sports often come with higher expectations and pressure to perform, which can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout.
• The intensity of competitive sports can increase the risk of injury due to factors such as overtraining, higher levels of physical contact and increased competition.
• Competitive sports require a significant time commitment for practices, games and travel, which can impact a child’s academic performance, social life and overall well-being.
• Competitive sports can be expensive, with costs associated with registration fees, equipment, travel and private coaching. This financial burden may not be feasible for all families. Ultimately, the decision to move a child from recreational sports to competitive sports should consider the individual child’s interests, goals and well-being. It’s important to strike a balance between providing opportunities for growth and development in the sport while prioritizing the child’s overall happiness and well-being.

IF YOUR KID WANTS TO QUIT

When a child expresses a desire to quit a sport, it’s essential for parents to approach the situation with empathy, understanding and open communication. Here is some advice for parents in this situation:

• Take the time to listen to your child’s reasons for wanting to quit the sport. Encourage them to express their feelings openly and without fear of judgment.
• Ask questions to uncover the underlying reasons behind their desire to quit. It could be due to lack of interest, burnout, social issues, pressure or dissatisfaction with the experience.
• Let your child know that you support them no matter what decision they make. Offer encouragement and reassurance, emphasizing that their well-being and happiness are more important than their participation in the sport.
• Explore alternative options with your child if they’re open to it. They may be interested in trying a different sport or activity that better aligns with their interests and goals.
• Use this as a teaching moment to discuss the importance of commitment, perseverance and overcoming challenges. Help your child understand that it’s normal to face difficulties and setbacks in any endeavor and that quitting isn’t always the solution.
• Maintain open lines of communication with your child throughout the process. Let them know that they can always come to you with any concerns or changes in their feelings about the sport.

“Sports interest and participation should always be led by the child,” says Logan. “Always. When you push an athlete to participate beyond readiness or interest, you may create an environment that they cannot succeed in,” she adds.

MODELING GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

• Focus on the effort and attitude your child puts into their sport rather than on winning or losing.
• Show that hard work, dedication and perseverance are valuable traits regardless of the outcome.
• Avoid displaying frustration, anger or criticism toward your child, coaches or officials.
• Keep healthy attitudes toward competition by emphasizing the importance of doing one’s best.
• Highlight the value of challenging oneself and striving for personal growth.
• Encourage your child to maintain a healthy balance between sports, academics, social activities and rest.
• Model self-care behaviors such as prioritizing rest, proper nutrition and maintaining perspective on the role of sports in their overall well-being.
• Engage in sports-related activities with your child, such as practicing together, attending games or matches and supporting their involvement in the sport.
• Use honest communication with your child about their experiences in sports.

Discover More Parenting Stories

The post Parenting Kids in Sports appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

“Whatever it is, get them involved in something,” says Ryan. “Kids who play sports develop better social skills, cope with hard situations better and can foster a love of exercise that can last the rest of their lives.”

Here are some youth run clubs to help your kids get involved.

CROSS-COUNTRY FOR YOUTH
crosscountryforyouth.org
Locate what fits your family.

GIRLS ON THE RUN GREATER CINCINNATI
gotrcincinnati.org
Blends physical activity with life skills development.

LET ME RUN
cincinnati.letmerun.org
A nonprofit twice-weekly program that inspires boys to be themselves and be active.

MAYERSON JCC YOUTH RUNNING
mayersonjcc.org/programs/youth-running
For ages 6 – 12, partners with Girls on the Run and Let Me Run.

OHIO HEAT (SOUTH) TC
cincipushinglimitstc.com
A youth AAU travel track team program for ages 5 – 18; for kids serious about getting faster and dedicated.

CINCINNATI ALL STARS TRACK & FIELD CLUB, INC.
sites.google.com/site/cincinnatiallstarstrackclub/home
A youth organization that competes in the USATF Junior Olympics program; open to athletes ages 7 to 19 years old.

RUNNERS CLUB OF GREATER CINCINNATI
cincinnatirunning.com/membership
Men, women and kids of all ages and abilities can participate; no need to be a fast runner, or a runner at all.

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