Special Products, Born in the OC
Babies hit developmental milestones at their own pace, and those with sensitivities (emotional to physical) can especially benefit from products with their needs in mind. Bonus —these goods were born (or their creators were) right in OC! Laceez Anaheim Hills dad, Jason Flores, has created a simple fix to the stress of trying to get tiny shoes on, and keeping those laces tied. These brightly colored accessories look like real laces, but are elasticized and stay put with a t-aglet design. $8, www.laceez.com Cibo Made by Ladera Ranch mom, Amy Chandler, who got tired of crawling under the table and...
Insect Protection
Zika-Freaked? We’ve got you covered. Spring break vacation plans might not look so inviting for those expecting or trying, with the latest in the Caribbean and countries south of the border. We get it. Arm yourself with the latest knowledge from the CDC (www.cdc.gov/zika) and these safe items to ward off the day-biting bugs. Insect Shield Buffs and Yoga Pants When your first trimester-tummy is already whirling, rubbing scented spray around your nostrils isn’t very appealing. You can still save face with these odorless treated buffs and scarfs. IS maternity leggings offer comfy coverage, though yoga pants one size up...
Brady Gardner
Brady Gardner, 13, of Huntington Beach goes to bat for kids with challenges. When Brady Gardner, 13, of Huntington Beach steps up to the plate, he’s already batting a thousand in the eyes of the players and parents affiliated with the Little League Challenger Division. The league is designed to help kids with challenges enjoy a classic sports team experience, and it couldn’t happen without Brady and his friends. “It’s fun helping others who don’t get a chance to do what everyone else can. I used to play Little League — this gives them the opportunity to do the same....
A Lesson in Boundaries
(Photo Courtesy of Canva) This Father’s Day, we’re reflecting on the life lessons that fathers can pass on to their children — particularly boundaries. Father’s Day is just around the corner. There are so many essential life lessons that dads pass on to their children. Father’s Day is a reminder of how much dads impact their kids’ lives. One of the most important things that we think dads can teach their kids is how to set boundaries. Why Are Boundaries So Important for Kids? It’s easy to picture boundaries as being imaginary lines that we draw that we don’t...
Football Fears
My son wants to join the football team at school but I’m worried about concussions. If I let him join, how can I keep him safe? …
Mom Time
Mompreneur Cristina Gamarnik saw a need in the community for a safe space for new moms, and The Mommy Center was born…
Family Hiking Magic
The wonders of hiking can be enjoyed by the whole family with just a bit of planning. This is shaping up to be a spectacular hiking season. The early, drenching rains set the creeks flowing with water again. The warm sunshine interspersed among the storms provided just the right conditions for colorful wildflowers to pop open by mid-January. If you haven’t taken your family out on the trail yet this year, don’t worry. The very best of the season is in March and April, when the blooms are at their most abundant, the hills are thick with greenery and the...
OC Cooking and Baking Classes
Whether it’s girls’ night out or family bonding time, these OC cooking and baking classes will make you feel like a domestic goddess with fun, food, and laughter. Sweet Crumb Bakery Every little girl dreams of owning a pet unicorn, and while they can’t be bought, they can be made. Sweet Crumb Bakery runs a class that teaches moms (and children ages 10 and up) how to bake a cake that takes the form of the mystical and elusive horned horse (pictured). Students begin the class by learning how to assemble, cut, fill and level their cakes. Next, they crumb...
Performing Arts Camps for All Ages
OC performing arts camps teach more than just drama and dance numbers. Whether your child dreams of lighting up Broadway, dancing in “The Nutcracker,” or is just looking to make lasting memories with their peers, performing arts camps may be the way to go this summer. Back in the day, parents with stars-in-the-making used to have to commute to Los Angeles for prestigious summer theater and dance programs. However, the performance bug took a big bite out of OC for the past couple of decades with nationally recognized theaters, universities, and institutions popping up all over the county offering onstage...
Top Teacher & Employee Awards 2023 — Winners Announced
We celebrate our 10th Annual School Heroes — Top Teachers, Top Employees and Top Leaders — of Orange County Awards and Issue. With more than 200 nominations, we were impressed as we are year after year with the caliber of teachers, employees and administrators that are clearly making the lives of our students and families so much better. This year we expanded our criteria to include all kinds of education — from private and public to alternative and online schools — and the response was truly overwhelming. Adrienne Kessler Speech & Language Development Center Rebeca Martinez Los Amigos High School...
Sensory Summer
How to support your child’s sensory needs this summer. For many kids, summer is a time for fun, play, rest and discovery. But summer can be difficult for kids.
Deserving Mom Makeover Giveaway —2023
To celebrate the hard-working, selfless moms of our community, Parenting OC Magazine teamed up with local businesses to give two lucky moms a fabulous makeover package. Family and friends submitted essays about why a mother in their life is deserving of a makeover. A huge congratulations to Maria Ferrel and Kimmie Le for winning Parenting OC’s Mom Makeover! Our deserving moms received the following prizes… Therapeutic spa services Haircut and styling Makeup Manicure Customized eyebrow microblading (Photo Courtesy of Madison Amirehteshami) Deserving Mom Essay Winner... Maria Ferrel, of Orange My mother is deserving and in need of a makeover. In...
Reader’s Choice Awards 2020: Kids Play & Places Winners
Best Mommy & Me My Gym A fifth-year winner, My Gym in Yorba Linda is the perfect place to get kids and babies moving. Arts and crafts, music and games help keep kids engaged and active. From tumbling to handstands, classes grow with your kids, and drop-off programs and pay-by-day options make choosing My Gym easy. Birthday party packages are available too, with so many themes to choose from like Hello Kitty and Star Wars. mygym.com/yorbalinda | Yorba Linda Best Party Caterer Chick-fil-A With multiple locations throughout Orange County, Chick-fil-A’s quality and customer service keep fans coming back. As one...
Meet Mickey the Jaguar
In spring of last year, the OC Zoo in Orange unveiled its brand-new Large Mammal Exhibit, with two young, orphaned mountain lion sisters, a young, injured male
Food
We bring you the best of the best in Orange County food for families and plenty more you won’t want to miss. Congratulations to all our winners!
Rainy Day Fun
Rainy days as of late have made us search for fun things for the kids to do indoors. The kiddos can stay warm and dry at home while having a blast with these entertainment options. Beaker Creatures Whirling Wave Reactor Toys and books are all fun, but for a truly exciting reaction, Beaker Creatures’ brand-new Whirling Wave Reactor will have your children making their own creatures right in the comfort of home. For those parents whose kiddos are mad scientists in training, this is perfect for birthdays and special occasion gifts. This incredible and inventive Whirling Wave Reactor is virtually...
Moms Doing Good
(Photo Courtesy of Julia Bendis) Moms across the county share their stories of how and why they give. Julia Bendis City: Rancho Santa Margarita Family: Husband and two sons ages 17 and 22 How do you give back? “Since Day 1 of the war in Ukraine I got on the phone connecting with volunteers, civilians and military personnel on the ground, translating documents from the Ukrainian government with requests for medical supplies, connecting NGOs and other volunteers for evacuations, calling Ukrainian people stuck in their homes to get them evacuated safely, a lot of them elderly, disabled or with medical...
FAFSA and other Free Money for College
With money being tight these days, is there some kind of financial aid we can apply to for our college-bound teen? Teens and adults To maximize financial aid (free money), students need to file the FAFSA and the CSS Profile annually to qualify for grants/gifts and scholarships. The FAFSA can be filed annually starting Oct. 1 for the following school year. The CSS Profile is required by a small percent of top-tier schools. It is filed through the College Board. One-third of college students do not complete the FAFSA and in 2018 missed out on $2.6 billion. The other issue...
Dive Into Summer Fun
(Photo Courtesy of Larry Crayton/Unsplash) We hope this summer will be full of water and fun. But are there any precautions we should take as a family? All ages The CDC has advised that pools and beaches are relatively COVID-safe — but is your family water safe enough to hit those pools and beaches? As people emerge from their homes after more than a year of COVID restrictions, lifeguards are expecting to see record crowds at beaches and pools this summer. Many people, kids in particular, might be a bit out of practice when it comes to swimming. The combination...
The Importance of Children Playing
A new clinical report stresses the importance of play for children. If your pediatrician is up on the latest prescriptions for children, you’ll be told about whatever vaccines might be needed at this age and counseled about the importance of nutritious instead of junk food. And then you’ll be asked: Is your child getting enough play? Not sports leagues or piano practice and certainly not video games. Just plain play: building with blocks, imagining up a traveling circus in space with stuffed animals, climbing a jungle gym at the park with friends, playing a board game, putting on a talent...
The Importance of Early Childhood Screenings
Q: [All Ages] Does your two-month-old baby smile at the sound of your voice? Can your five-month-old grab and hold a rattle? Does your one-year-old clap his hands? Does your two-year-old engage in pretend play? A: These are just a few of the questions that developmental screenings explore. Even if your baby is healthy and thriving, it is important to take advantage of free developmental screenings as a way to learn more about your child’s specific behavior and development. Ideally, screenings are part of a well-child medical visit, but a number of community agencies provide access to them as well....
Animal Encounters
Get up-close-and-personal to all kinds of animal life with these unique adventures. Knott’s Livery Stable depending on the season, can have different animals
Maximizing Your Open House
(Photo Courtesy of Michael Merchan, Fairmont Schools) A guide for parents of young learners looking for a school to call home. Numerous studies have demonstrated that children who receive a solid education during their early elementary years are more likely to excel academically and to thrive personally as they advance through their education. As parents, you want to give your child every possible advantage, so the decision about which school your child attends is vitally important. Just as we encourage our young learners to do their homework, parents also need to do theirs in order to find the best school...
Winning Goals for 2024
Our past Top Teacher winners share their goals for the year. We have had some amazing Top Teacher award winners, and what makes them all stand out is how each a
Mother’s Day Makeover Giveaway —2024
Our Annual Deserving Mom Makeover Contest! Two lucky moms won a fabulous makeover package and a mini-portrait session to show off the final results!
Mompreneurs of OC: Baby Edition
When these hardworking and innovative mamas got down to business, they took inspiration directly from their little ones! Anna Dubrovsky City: Orange Mom to: Leela, 5, Rafael 4 Business Name: Wee Likey | weelikey.com Business Location: Wherever I happen to be Year of Business Creation: Incorporated in 2016, launched in 2017 What inspired you to become a mompreneur? I remember going to Babies“R”Us when pregnant and feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of products. I didn’t know what I would need or want. After my daughter was born, what I really wanted was sleep and the occasional shower. Earrings and bracelets...
Chronic Catalina
The impact of a million visitors a year and the arrival of dozens of activities can’t shake off the original Catalina. Here’s hoping it never fades away. By the nature of their isolation, separated by sea from other influences, islands can be slow to evolve. When a people, a way of life, a plant or an animal takes hold, these things happily cling and resist the forces of change as the world spins. Therein lies the charm of Catalina Island, at least for me. Most of Avalon took shape in the ‘20s and ‘30s. The shaper was William Wrigley Jr.,...
Back at the Ranch
OC Families share how their trips to Rankin Ranch, a Central California Dude Ranch, have become treasured traditions.
Spoil Your Dog Day Treats
What could be sweeter for your pup than homemade treats? They’re much healthier than store-bought treats and made with just four ingredients.
Family Fun
Best Amusement Park Boomers Boomers remains a reader favorite and fixture for family fun. With the variety of activities offered at the park, it’s easy to see why. From Go Karts, miniature golf, bumper boats and other rides, laser tag and climbing walls to batting cages and arcade games, just about anyone can find something entertaining. Private banquet rooms are available for special occasions, and post-prom and grad night lock-ins provide a safe, party-all-night venue. boomersparks.com | Irvine Best Arcade Dave & Buster’s Readers still love Dave & Buster’s arcade thanks to its longtime mix of food and games. There...
A Season of Reflection
It is all too easy to rush through the days. Cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and your children, embrace a mindful approach to parenting.
Editor’s Picks: June 2019
PICK OF THE MONTHDuck-A-Thon May 31 to June 2 More than 2,500 tiny rubber ducks will be battling for prizes in this unique competition. The first 60 ducks to reach shore after being dropped from the pier will win a prize for their owners. The first place winner wins $1,000. However, the real winners of this three-day event are the recipients of this fundraising effort—those in the AltaMed Medical and Dental Group’s program for the uninsured and medically underserved patients. Ducks are dropped from the side of the pier into a controlled area monitored by volunteers on surfboards. Volunteers and...
Editor’s Picks: September 2017
PICK OF THE MONTH Parenting OC's Learn & Grow Expo Saturday, September 30th The first annual Learn & Grow Expo is kicking off at the Discovery Cube OC with a dash of fun for the kids. A Bubble Dash, to be exact. Kids can sign up for this multi-activity obstacle course of fitness fun and win a chance to appear on next year's Parenting OC Summer of Fun cover. But this expo isn't all just fun and games. Families can find out about all facets of healthy living, education options and special needs services at this event. More than 60...
Holiday Gift Guide
Find the perfect gift for everyone in your family with this ultimate guide! Unique ideas to make their season special.
Activity Boost
Learn how physical activity at camp can benefit kids on all levels. Swinging, climbing, jumping, running, sliding and smiling. That’s the picture you see when..
Mother’s Day Makeover Giveaway —2025
Enter our Deserving Mom Makeover Contest for two lucky moms to win a fabulous makeover package and a mini-portrait session to show off the final results!
Family Volunteer Vacations
Family volunteer vacations balance doing good with having fun. For your next family trip, how about doing some good while also having fun. Sound intriguing? It’s called a “family volunteer vacation,” and thousands of people across the country are doing it every year. The trips can last for a few days or several weeks, but they all have one thing in common: Your family will spend some time helping out people or animals in need. Why do so many families choose to go on such vacations? According to Nancy Schretter, the founder of Together For Good, a non-profit organization that...
Road Trip!
On the go with tot-in-tow? No problem. Use these gadgets to make sure you never hit a bump in the road. Diono Dreamliner Travel Bassinet Naps are no small thing, it can be the crucial do-or-die element when on the road or in unfamiliar places. Keep them cozy in this Dreamliner, that sits nicely next to your beach chair under an umbrella, or the hotel pool while the older kids are splashing away. The travel bed even boasts an insect net, sun canopy and breathable sides for extra zzzzz’s. $99 us.diono.com 7AM Enfant Voyage Bag Packing for a...
Green Schools
California Green Ribbon Schools create a sustainable learning environment. If anyone eventually figures out how to fix our climate change woes…
Building Community
Learn how building community supports your child’s growth — and yours too. As parents, we are inundated with messages urging us to buy all the stuff that will
From Spooky to Sweet
You know your child best. Seasonal festivities offer a unique opportunity for young children to interact with adults in ways that are both new and meaningful. So how can families make fall celebrations feel more wholesome than hectic? YMCA of Orange County offers some “tricks” to help young families experience Halloween as a real “treat.”
Top Teacher & Employee Awards —Nomination Criteria
Judging Criteria Top Teachers Criteria 2026 Do you have a teacher at your school who does more than educate students? Who gets students excited about learning, teaches life lessons, is valued by parents, peers, administration and students, and whose classes consistently rank among the top in test scores? Nominate him or her to be honored by Parenting OC in our upcoming March 2026 Top Teachers issue. Teacher Award Categories Preschool Teacher Grade School Teacher Middle School Teacher High School Teacher Nomination Rules Only one nomination per category, for each school Teacher must be actively teaching in Orange County Nomination must...
Top Leader Finalists 2026
We spotlight the Top Leaders of Orange County. Congrats to the Top Leader of 2026, Christina June Carrera of Foothill Ranch Elementary School, Foothill Ranch
Strawberry Sunshine Yogurt Bark
Bright, sweet and full of spring flavor, this frozen yogurt bark is a fun treat kids can help make from start to finish. With juicy strawberries and crunchy…
Reclaiming Summer
Reconnect as a family and take summer back, mindfully. I think about this more than I expected to. Back in the early 1900s, during the rise of the Industrial…
Rainforest Café
Downtown Disney in Anaheim [Editor’s note: As a parent of a picky eater, I can sympathize with the plight of those fighting the good fight when it comes to mealtime. So we planned an entire page dedicated to making food extra enticing.] You might have passed by this Downtown Disney eatery without ever suspecting just how very, ahem, wild it would be to enjoy a meal inside. The Amazonian jungle-filled interior will calm your beast of a picky eater by its highly elevated fun factor alone. Apes beat their chests, brightly colored macaws squawk from all corners, a trumpeting elephant...
Christmas in July? How about an Extra Helping of Thanksgiving…
Thankfulness should come easy. I preach thankfulness to our kids, correct my husband if he forgets to say thank you, and have taught the dogs to bark and smile when I give them their morning treat. Not really, but I wish. I can spell “thank you,” define the word perfectly, say it in 3 different languages, and know that spelled backwards it means—absolutely nothing. I was trying to be impressive. In my effort to be consistently thankful every day and not just near the Thanksgiving holiday I struggle. Thankfulness at Thanksgiving is expected, everyone is doing it. Thanksgiving in July...
Roy’s Restaurant
Located inside the Anaheim GardenWalk, chase a day of park fun or just treat dad to a delicious fresh seafood feast of inspired bites and enticing cocktails in a vibrant dining room that features Roy’s signature exhibition kitchen. Classic dishes like the Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi in a savory browned butter sauce pair nicely with a bevy of freshly made tasty sushi rolls to start dinner right. For a spicy cool kick, order dad a jalapeño margarita subtly sweetened with agave. Pacific Rim fusion sets the tone for the expansive menu, which leans heavily on fresh fish popular in Hawaii,...
Seeing Double (or Triple!)
If your joy (and possibly panic) has been multiplied by news of twins, triplets or more — fear not. We’ll help you keep your sanity with these tools for new little bundles of bliss. Pump In Style Advanced Backpack Not only might you need to pump to enlist helpers during group-feeding time, when on the go you will likely need a hands-free tote, as yours are bound to be occupied. Sling on this backpack-style double pump set and you are good to go. This will also work well for those observing post-cesarean lifting restrictions and those in need of a...
The Power of a Wish
Taylor Mayes is the spunky Make-a-Wish child who graced our cover last April. We met Taylor and her family as we joined forces with businesses and organizations across Orange County, and Ellen K of 103.5 KOST FM, to help make Taylor’s wish of becoming a singer and living the popstar experience come true. Taylor had been fighting Ewings Sarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue, and had only been released from the hospital after a grueling final round of chemo a few days before our cover shoot. We have had so many readers want to know how she is doing,...
Family Camp?
Q: [School-Aged] We are looking at camps for the summer. Some have sibling discounts, which has us wondering — is it a pro or con to send sibs to camp together? We don’t join up with other friends for camp because we like our child to branch out and make new friends and get a fresh perspective on life, but should that extend to picking different camps for our kids, too? A: The question of whether to send siblings to the same camp is an interesting one and has a variety of considerations. If your camp of choice offers a...
Serenity Now! Sleep Makeover
Those of us in, or remembering, baby days know the key to peace and happiness (and sometimes survival) can be as simple as a good night’s sleep. Too rarely do we make it a true priority, though. Our bedrooms are an afterthought. It’s the one room where friends generally aren’t traipsing through, so we don’t give it the same attention when it comes to décor or even comfort. And in the priority game of keeping the kids happy and healthy, crawling around picking up legos a little sibling might choke on, or making a platter of nachos or grilled cheese...
Mommy Works
Have you ever dreamed of bringing your kids to work with you? Well, now you can. Mommy Works is a child-friendly office that gives work-from-home moms a space to engage, collaborate and work with other professionals, all while keeping a watchful eye on their children. The office, which describes itself as a “co-working community for all moms”, offers desks, Wi-Fi, coffee and conference rooms for moms and a safe, supervised playroom for kids. Geared at children aged six months-to-six years, Mommy Works also features breastfeeding and pumping stations, a child-friendly kitchen and a quiet room with a children’s reading corner....
Wagly
Tails will surely be wagging thanks to a new pet care facility that aims to offer kibbles of convenience to both Fido and his fur-baby mom. Wagly, which launched its first California location October 31, is a one-stop shop for pet owners. It offers veterinary services, boarding, grooming, training, consultations and more. A soon-to-be-launched app will also give pet parents access to a slew of Wagly home services. This includes hiking, walking, house sitting and nutritional support. Wagly says its goal is to help give pets the best possible care, while alleviating the workload of busy parents Tustin | www.wagly.com...
The Emotional Side of SIDS
Parents usually do not bury their children. Children outlive their parents and make way for the next generation. For me, that reality shattered when my third child, and only son, died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at three months of age. I felt my sanity slip through my fingers the morning I found my sweet Erik in his crib, as purple as an eggplant. I called the police; they came and cordoned off the room, forbidding me to see my son. The police had to rule out foul play. And one does not learn the cause of death until...
Mon Reve Dance Studio
The latest dance studio to hit OC’s “culture of character” is defined by “Le Gros Trois” (the big three):1. Hard work 2. Respect 3. Kindness. Mon Reve offers ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop classes for children ages 2-12, but was created to combine a strong culture of character within the beauty of dance for all children. “Establishing the ballet program for children with Down Syndrome helped me realize that dance is about so much more than just dance,” says Paige Peplow, founder of Mon Reve (my dream). “It can help children build self-esteem, confidence, a work ethic, et cetera.”...
Backyard Pool Safety
Q: [Infants & Toddlers] My husband surprised our family by announcing we were getting a backyard pool. The kids are thrilled, but with a toddler in the house and two often distracted or forgetful older kids running in and out, how do I keep my little one safe? A: Keeping a toddler safe around a body of water is difficult. Throw in a couple of older siblings and it becomes a much tougher task. There is hope though. Although you can never fully substitute for good adult supervision, you can offer yourself peace of mind by enrolling your toddler in...
Hot Musical Products
Get those tiny (or tween) toes tapping with these fun musical products that will be harmony, or at least a lot of fun, to your household. Karaoke Machine Portable Speaker System This all-in-one machine plays CDs or allows streaming from smartphones/tablets, with 3.5” screen display for lyrics (or show on TV for parties and sleepovers). Auto-tune and “voice coach” keeps things sounding great and even fills in the blanks when a singer forgets a line. $69, www.ElectroHome.com Aquatune Floating Water Speaker A lot of speakers claim to be waterproof, but this puppy actually floats. Let them get their groove on...
Mummies of the World: The Exhibition
Bowers Museum, Santa Ana Featuring over 150 artifacts with real human and animal mummies, this is the largest exhibit ever assembled of mummies and related historic items. Visitors will get a rare look into the past and get a sense of what life was like long ago in ancient Egypt, South America and Europe. The exhibition’s cool state-of-the-art technology, 3D animation and interactive features all help to provide visitors with an immersive museum-going experience. For a unique step back in time, visit the exhibit at Bowers Museum, through September 5. www.bowers.org Chapter Two Grand Re-Opening Once Upon a Storybook, Tustin...
What’s in your Easter Basket?
Listen up, Peeps! Chocolate eggs and colorful jellybeans might sweeten the pot, but these adorable trinkets are completely sugar-free (and just might fit nicely into medium or large plastic eggs!). Bunny Slippers Toddler toes can race through the egg hunt on these adorable non-slip suede soles, approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. $20, robeez.com Soapsox In a contest for cuteness, this cuddly ducky cleans up — and also has a slot for a bar of soap to help with little ones’ baths. $10, www.soapsoxkids.com Piggy Paint Their little piggies will cry “Wheee! Wheee! Wheee!” all the way to the...
SOL Cocina
Newport Beach | www.solcocina.com This hotspot boasting coastal Baja-inpired cuisine, featuring authentic flavors reminiscent of surf trips and street carts served up in surrounds with a decidedly upscale flair, is helmed by James Beard nom’d Executive Chef & Partner Deborah Schneider. Chef Deb is not only an award-winning cookbook author and successful restaurateur, but a mom. But is this trendy eatery good for families? “It sounds cliché, but there is something for everyone to enjoy; and we like kids!,” says Schneider, who believes in expanding culinary horizons for little ones. “I raised two! My rule was, ‘Just try it —...
Parenting Through Trauma
(Photo Courtesy of Xavier Mouton Photographie) How do I help guide my kids through the trauma of school shootings? All ages Earthquake drills. Fire drills. These types of emergency preparations have long been part of student life in Orange County schools. These days, unfortunately, many children have something else built into their school schedules: active shooter drills, to prepare them for the possibility of a mass school shooting. The Robb Elementary School shooting in May was the 27th school shooting this year, according to Education Week. There have been over 200 mass shootings in the US this year alone. It...
Baseball Dad
[caption id="attachment_36208" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Courtesy of Los Angeles Angels[/caption] COVID-19 and stay-home orders have impacted all people and industries — including baseball. In time for Father’s Day, we spoke with Los Angeles Angels baseball outfielder Justin Upton to get a glimpse of a professional athlete and father living life in the age of coronavirus. Justin Upton Los Angeles Angels outfielder City: Newport Beach Family: Wife, Ashley; daughters, Sydnee, 4, and Evyn, 1 Los Angeles Angels player: Since 2017 How long did you know you wanted to be a professional baseball player? “I started playing when I was 4 years old...
Creature Comforts
(Ethan with Anneliese Schools miniature horse/ Photo Courtesy of Anneliese Schools) Anneliese Schools Animal Care Coordinator Janet O’Faolain talks about the important role animals can play in child development. Stefanie Speed A New York native, Janet O’Faolain found it therapeutic being around the horses in Central Park. She learned about therapeutic horsemanship and began volunteering in the Bronx. When she moved to California, she volunteered at The Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano. “I was studying yoga and yoga therapy while volunteering,” she said. “I wanted to do both. In 2008, I became a therapeutic riding instructor through...
Bringing the Family Together Through Fishing
Start a new tradition with an old classic and let the serenity of fishing bring you together. The most restful adult day I ever spent was on a sport fishing boat out of Dana Point Harbor. (The second most restful day was rock climbing out at Lake Perris.) In both cases, my mind was totally focused all day on what I was doing and the scenery around me. Climbing, my nose was inches from the rock face, my hands and feet attuned to every ridge and bump that might give me a handgrip or foothold. I was concentrating too hard...
e-Scholars Network
Covid safe online tutoring Assistance in K-8, high school, and college subject matter Our teachers or "e-Scholars" will help your student get back on track with distance learning, homeschooling, in-person learning, or any combination All sessions designed and taught exclusively by licensed and credentialed teachers from across the United States and are personally tailored to your student's ability, schedule, and taught at their pace Where teachers TEACH and students LEARN Click HERE to visit our website and learn more!
Helping Children’s Anxiety with Summer Camps
Q: [School-Age] How can I help my son ease his anxiety of going to summer camp? How can I ease my own anxiousness with it? A: Going off to summer camp for a child can cause them to become real anxious – especially if they are gone for a long period of time and if it is their first time going. So what is a parent to do if a child is having anxiety about going off to camp? The Child Mind Institute offers these words of advice for parents who have children that are having anxiety about going to...
Guide to a Healthy Mind
Learn some insightful tips for keeping the mind in an optimal state. There are many approaches to mental health, and finding the one that fits you is a journey…
Looking Back and Ahead With Disney100
(Photo Courtesy of Disneyland Resort) Disneyland Resort celebrates Disney100 with new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride, new Nighttime Spectaculars and more — while honoring the history of Disney. Oh, how different the country was in 1923. Just five years removed from World War I, women had just won the right to vote and the population of California was less than the population of Los Angeles today. Barely a third of Americans owned a phone, even less had indoor plumbing and electricity and Orange County was an agricultural community. When local developers erected massive letters on a hillside overlooking LA,...
Summer Camp Support
(Photo Courtesy of Endless Sun Surf Camp) Mental health remains in view for camp directors as we head into summer camp season. In 2020, Camp James directors received emails or had parents coming in to say — often with tears in their eyes — that they had not seen their child smile for the past months prior to coming to camp. “That they see that their precious little child is still in there after months of being homebound essentially and that at camp they see all their happiness returning,” said Camp James Newport Dunes co-director Theresa Collins. “We have returning...
Autism and Fanfiction
‘Harry Potter’ fanfiction may help those with autism tell their stories. A study led by UC Irvine researchers and published in January in the Journal of Literacy Research found that those with autism—along with family members, teachers and advocates—use “Harry Potter” fanfiction to cast autistic characters in their stories that can help challenge stereotypes. “We expected to find that fanfiction authors with autism, or friends, family members and close advocates of autistic individuals, would write about autism in ways that challenged pervasive stereotypes about neurological difference that are often found in popular media,” said Rebecca W. Black, UCI associate professor...
Navigating Divorce with Children
My husband and I are currently getting divorced and I know that it can be traumatic for kids, so how can I help them work through these kinds of traumas?
The New Fiesta Village at Knott’s
The redesigned Fiesta Village at Knott’s is opening in time for summer and promises to be full of Mariachi music, storytelling, Folklorico dance performances an
Kids Play & Places
We bring you the best of the best in Orange County kids’ play and places, plus plenty more you won’t want to miss. Congratulations to all our winners!
Holiday Gift Guide 2018
Unique, trending and local — suggestions for everyone on your list For the Family 52 Essential Conversations Card Game A busy mom of three, Jenny Woo, of Irvine, wanted to create something to help maximize quality time with her children. She came up with a simple yet effective card game. Made up of questions in categories like compassion and responsibility (“What is a new responsibility that you want to have?”), the game works to open a family dialogue about important topics in a fun setting. $25, mindbrainparenting.org SafeSleeve Phone Cases Carlsbad-based SafeSleeve makes multi-functional anti-radiation phone cases for families concerned...
A Sweet Life
Mom, social worker and entrepreneur Kimberly Luu taps her social network to help others…
Distance Learning Tips for Working Parents
I’m a manager at a large company and a mom. Do you have advice on how I can manage my team from home while also managing my kids’ distance learning? All ages I can certainly relate with many parents in this situation that balancing work and home life is often a struggle. And if your role at work requires daily team and client meetings, along with managing virtual learning — well, let’s just say it’s not easy, especially for parents with young kids. And, it’s even more challenging because socialization with their friends is extremely important and impactful, while also...
Gaming and Screen Time Pros and Cons
(Photo Courtesy of Stillness InMotion/Unsplash) How do we balance gaming and screen time with off-screen activities? All Ages Let me be clear. I’m not a gamer. But I do spend many hours looking at screens. What are the pros and cons of gaming and screen time from the viewpoints of education and health? And who is to decide what’s too much or just right? As an educational consultant who speaks to parents about this topic almost daily, I must first say that I don’t claim to know the answer. But there is an answer for each family that can be...
Coping with a Child’s Anger
Q: [School Ages] What can I do to effectively approach my child’s anger or emotional outbursts? A: It’s common for children to have occasional tantrums and outbursts, but when their anger seems to flare up repeatedly or turn into aggression, it can be distressing for parents and often they feel unprepared with solutions. Here are a few helpful tips to help your child cope with anger: Lower Your Tone: It’s your natural inclination to verbally get loud to try to get ahold of an escalating situation. The problem with this is that for many children and teens, this can escalate...
Ways to Get Your Kids Moving
Q: [All Ages] All my kids want to do lately is to play video games or watch TV. How can I get them to exercise? A: In a day and age when technology is king, screen time is everywhere, and families keep busy schedules—sometimes we forget one of the most important things to our overall health and well-being: exercise. Good exercise habits start at a young age and hold many benefits, including improved physical health, increased self-confidence and mood, enhanced quality of life and better academic and work performance. But recent studies show that nearly one in five Orange County...
Halloween Mindfulness
Embrace the spooky season with a mindful approach. While Halloween tends to be associated with fright, it’s essential to remember the power of mindfulness.
Holiday Mindfulness Hacks
The holiday season is a time for parents to practice mindfulness and impart this invaluable skill to their children to teach them presence and gratitude.
Summer Camps for the Future
Learn how summer camps can help inspire careers. Summer camp is a time for fun, learning and making new friends. And for some, it’s also the chance to think abo
Thriving at Camp
Learn how to help your child with special needs have an enriching summer camp experience. Choosing a summer camp — and preparing your child with special needs
Valentine’s Day Heart Craft and Lesson
(Photo Courtesy of Adriene Madden/Adventures in the Schoolhouse) The Little Red Schoolhouse’s (adventuresintheschoolhouse.com) latest crafting video is ready to instruct you how to create a craft for your Valentine. As you craft, don’t forget to snap some photos. https://youtu.be/bksqjLxmu8w Craft Supplies 1 Pinecone Paper plate Yarn Safe Needle Scissors Hole puncher Enter Our Craft Photo Contest Submit a picture of your child with this craft or any other craft of your choice below for a chance to be featured in Parenting OC Magazine, on The Little Red Schoolhouse’s socials and to win a free class with Mrs. Madden! Plus, the...
The Mom’s Guide to Choosing a Preschool
Learn how to find a preschool that fits the needs of your child and family…
Learn & Grow 2024
An estimated 1800 visitors came out to be entertained and to meet the Learn & Grow exhibitors on Saturday, September 14, at The District at Tustin Legacy.
November Thanksgiving Craft: Thankful Turkey Centerpiece
(Photo Courtesy of Adriene Madden/Adventures in the Schoolhouse) The Little Red Schoolhouse’s (adventuresintheschoolhouse.com) latest crafting video is ready to instruct you and your family on how to create a Thanksgiving Turkey Centerpiece. As you craft, don’t forget to snap some photos. https://youtu.be/SXYawt-fyEw Craft Supplies Fall-colored construction paper or card stock 2 round foam spheres from the floral section of any craft store (1 small and 1 large) 2 large balls or skeins of yarn 1 7-10 inch skewer or wooden dowel Scissors Glue gun Stick pins Googly eyes Colored felt Enter Our Craft Photo Contest Submit a picture of your...
DIY Halloween
Discover 4 creative and easy DIY Halloween costume ideas that you can create last minute with items that you already have at home. Perfect for all ages!
The Montessori Method
What is experiential learning in Montessori education? All ages Maria Montessori, a pioneer in the field of neuroscience and child development, was the first to recognize the connection between movement and cognition. Her scientific observations led her to conclude that physical action helps to create stronger neural connections in the brain. Her idea of the “absorbent mind” clearly describes a process where the child integrates information from the environment through experiences gained from sensory integration. She stated, “What the hand does, the mind remembers.” To put it simply, children learn by doing. They need to explore and discover through hands-on...
Editor’s Picks: May 2019
PICK OF THE MONTHBear Awareness DaySaturday, May 4th Ursine enthusiasts will barely be able to contain their excitement over today’s activities (10 am–3 pm). Gather family and friends for a day of bear-themed activities, zookeeper chats and more. Chat with bear keepers and visit learning stations where you can discover the latest in bear research and conservation. Find out how to react in a bear encounter and ways to “bear-proof” camping sites. There will be bear-related craft projects designed for kids too.Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free)....
Rhythm Service
Learn how Orange County Music & Dance has served both children and veterans with the healing powers of music throughout the pandemic…
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