Parents Magazine (December 2019)

PERFECT



FIT EVERY



TIME





®
Reynolds Kitchens Parchment
Paper makes it easy to fit any
size pan.




this is the good stuff

A D V E R T I S E M E N T












































How to Host




an At-Home



Holiday




Cookie Swap




Prepare tasty treats and plan a cozy
afternoon for family and friends
with help from The Chinet® Brand.




Plan the Guest List: Invite Make Serving Seamless:
1 4
enough people to provide a Count on the Chinet Cut
®
®
good variety of cookies, but not Crystal glasses to serve cold
so many that organizing becomes drinks, like sparkling cider, the
®
stressful. Six to eight is ideal. Chinet Classic White ™ plates for
displaying the beautiful array
Choose the Dessert Menu: of cookies and serving savory
2
Decide who will bring hors d’oeuvres, and the Chinet ®
which type of cookie, and ask Comfort Cup insulated hot
®
them each to bring copies cups for serving drinks, like
of their recipe to hand out. cocoa and coffee, that guests

Include your kids — they can can even bring home.
help you bake and decorate.



3 Don’t Forget the
Wrapping: Pick up
pretty packaging supplies
so everyone can take home
a sampling of cookies
when the afternoon ends.



FIND HOLIDAY RECIPES AND GATHERING IDEAS FROM THE CHINET® BRAND AT MYCHINET.COM.

the holidays are better together



taste, toast and make the most of your gatherings this season

with the help of the Chinet family of products.
®






®
Chinet is a registered trademark of Huhtamaki, Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries.

KIDSÑ Cookies










Red Velvet Snowmen
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes,
plus cooling and chilling
Makes 24 cookies
INGR EDIENTS
22/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. unsweetened
cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter,
softened (2 1/2 sticks)
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbs. red gel food coloring
8 oz. white baking chocolate,
chopped
Candy-coated sunflower
seeds, for noses
Candy eyes, such as Wilton
Sno-Caps, chocolate chips,
or M&M’s Minis, for buttons
Halved black-licorice
gumdrops or jelly dots,
for hats
Black-licorice laces,
for hat brims
Airheads or Sour S’ghetti,
for scarves

M A K E IT
1. Line a 9x13-in. baking pan
with parchment, leaving
extra on the two long sides to
serve as handles.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk
together the flour, cocoa,
and salt. In a large bowl, using
an electric mixer, combine
the butter, sugar, and food
coloring until smooth and
evenly colored. Add flour
mixture, mixing just until
incorporated. Press dough into
prepared pan and chill until
firm, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 325°F.
Pierce dough all over with a
fork. Bake until the top looks
and feels dry, 35 to 40 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool
completely. Once cool, remove
from the pan and trim the
edges using a large serrated
knife. Cut in half lengthwise,
then cut 1-in. rectangles.
You should have twenty-six
4½x1-in. rectangles.
4. Microwave chocolate in a
small bowl in 30-second
increments at 50% power,
stirring in between, until
smooth. Spoon three rounds
onto each rectangle, using the
back of a teaspoon to spread
into even circles. Immediately
decorate with candies to PACK & GIVE:
Kids can decorate mini
make snowmen. Refrigerate
until firm. Store snowmen at pizza boxes with washi tape.
room temperature for 3 days The snowmen are sized to
or undecorated cookies in fit in the box snugly. You can
crumple extra paper to fill
the freezer for up to 3 months.
any gaps. Kraft Mini Pizza
Boxes (5 in.), $9 for eight;
amazon.com. Red Polka Dot
Waxed Tissue, $5 for 20
P A R E N T S 50 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 sheets; containerstore.com.



KIDSÑ Cookies












PACK & GIVE:
Adorn takeout
containers with holiday
stickers. Clear Take
Out Favor Boxes
(4x3½ in.), $12 for 12;
nashvillewraps.com.
Mini Christmas
Icon Sticker Roll, $9; Fortune Cookies
merimeri.com.
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Makes 20 cookies
INGR EDIENTS
4 oz. white baking
chocolate, chopped
4 oz. semisweet baking
chocolate, chopped
20 fortune cookies
Sprinkles and/or
nonpareils, for decoration
M A K E IT
1. Microwave white chocolate
in a small bowl in 30-second
increments at 50% power,
stirring in between, until
smooth. Repeat with
semisweet chocolate.
2. Line a large baking sheet
with parchment paper. Dip
half of each cookie into one
of the chocolates, tapping
off the excess.

3. Top with sprinkles and/or
nonpareils. Cool on baking
sheet until set. Store
decorated cookies in an
airtight container at room
temperature for 3 days.
Pick up fortune cookies at
your favorite Chinese
restaurant, or order cookies
with personalized notes of
kindness tucked inside at sites
like MyLuckyFortune.com
and FortuneCookieGuy.com.


























BAKE YOUR OWN!
Scan this code
with your phone’s
camera for a
homemade fortune-
cookie recipe
(no app needed).


P A R E N T S 52 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

P E P P E R M I N T B A R K
C O O K I E S A N D C R E A M
C H E E S E C A K E


Prep Time: 30 min. | Total Time: 6 hours 35 min. | Makes: 16 servings
(incl. refrigerating)

WHAT YOU NEED
30 OREO Cookies, divided
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
35 starlight mints, divided
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
2 oz. BAKER'S White Chocolate

MAKE IT
HEAT oven to 325°F.
USE pulsing action of food processor to process 18 cookies until finely
ground. Add butter; mix well. Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
Bake 10 min.
CRUSH 30 mints, then chop 10 of remaining cookies. Beat cream cheese
and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time,
mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Stir in crushed mints
and chopped cookies. Pour over crust.
BAKE 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to
loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
MEANWHILE, crush remaining mints, then chop remaining cookies.
Cover baking sheet with parchment. Melt chocolates separately as
directed on packages. Spread semi-sweet chocolate into thin layer on
prepared baking sheet; top with tablespoonfuls of the white chocolate.
Swirl gently with spoon. Top with crushed mints and chopped cookies.
Refrigerate until firm.
BREAK chocolate bark into small pieces; sprinkle over cheesecake
before serving.

Variation:
Substitute 3/4 cup crushed candy canes for the starlight mints. Reserve
1 Tbsp. crushed candy for sprinkling over the swirled chocolate bark;
stir remaining crushed candy into the cheesecake batter before baking
as directed.




















©2019 Kraft Foods

KIDSÑ Cookies





6. Set up a wire rack over a baking sheet.
Working with one cookie at a time, dip top
side of each cookie into the glaze, gently
Active Time 40 minutes
shake off the excess, and transfer to the
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes, plus cooling
wire rack. Immediately sprinkle over the
Makes 36 cookies
desired toppings. Let dry completely. Store
INGR EDIENTS
glazed cookies at room temperature for up
For the cookies:
to 3 days or unglazed cookies in the freezer
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
for up to 3 months.
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (11/2 sticks),
softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
For the glaze:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. lemon juice
(or use water)
1 tsp. finely grated zest
To decorate:
Shelled pistachios, roughly
chopped; freeze-dried
raspberries, roughly chopped;
toasted shredded coconut; Active Time 20 minutes
dried rose petals; sprinkles Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes, plus cooling
(optional) Makes 24 cookies
M A K E IT INGR EDIENTS
1. Line two large baking sheets with 1 cup granulated sugar
parchment paper. 3/4 tsp. cornstarch
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/8 tsp. baking powder
flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large 1/2 cup egg whites, at room temperature
bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the (4 large eggs)
butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
3 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla. 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. pure peppermint extract
Reduce mixer speed to low and add flour Natural red gel or liquid
mixture, beating until just incorporated. food coloring
3. Shape dough into a disk, then roll out M A K E IT
between two sheets of parchment paper 1. Preheat oven to 225°F. Line two baking
Set a plate by until ¼ in. thick. Cut out shapes and use a sheets with parchment paper. Place oven
small offset spatula to transfer to prepared racks in top and bottom thirds of oven.
cookie sheets. Reroll scraps and cut out.
the chimney Chill cutout shapes on baking sheets until 2. In a medium bowl, combine sugar,
with care. 4. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Bake bowl, use an electric mixer on medium
cornstarch, and baking powder. In a large
firm, at least 20 minutes.
speed to beat egg whites and cream of tartar
until the cookies are lightly golden brown
around the edges, 11 to 13 minutes, rotating until the consistency of shaving foam,
about 2 minutes.
the pans halfway through. Let cool on
baking sheets. 3. Increase mixer speed to high and add
the sugar mixture 1 Tbs. at a time over a
5. Once cookies are cool, make the glaze. In 2- or 3-minute period. The mixture should
a small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar resemble stiff, glossy peaks.
with 2 Tbs. of the lemon juice (or 2 Tbs.
water) and zest. Add additional juice or water 4. Reduce mixer speed to medium and
1 tsp. at a time to make a thick glaze. add the peppermint extract. Turn off mixer.
Drip 3 dots of food coloring into the
egg-white mixture at different spots. Run
For recipes a spoon through the food coloring 1 or
2 times to create streaks. (Do not overmix.
and inspiration visit The color will continue to incorporate as
you portion out the meringues.)
Pillsbury.com
5. Using two spoons, dollop 2 or 3 Tbs. of
the mixture per meringue onto the prepared
baking sheets, leaving 2 in. between.
6. Bake, rotating the pans from top to bottom
and front to back halfway through, until
no longer tacky to touch, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Turn
oven off and leave meringues inside to cool
fully, at least 2 hours. Once cool, immediately
store in an airtight container to keep crisp.
Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.


P A R E N T S 54 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

A Christmas morning tradition





worth slowing down for.





Savor every moment of family time
with Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls.
ª

Pillsbury.com

KIDSÑHelping







It’s Never Too Early to Volunteer


Even toddlers can help their community and
the world at large. Use our age-by-age guide to get started.

by KAITLIN LOWE / photograph by LUCY SCHAEFFER



































































LET’S SET the record straight: food bank. You could also Set up two coin jars in his
No child is too young to AG E S 2 T O 4 consider starting a reverse room and give him change
volunteer. In fact, during the Advent calendar, having to collect. When they're full,
your child put one item in a help him choose one gift
toddler and preschool years,
box every day leading up that you know a friend needs
being a helper shapes a child’s Pick wildflowers with your to Christmas. Dairy products and one treat for being kind. STYLING BY ANNIE NICHOLAS FOR ENNIS INC. GROOMING BY MEL PALDINO FOR ENNIS INC.
developing sense of morality, child, bundle them up, and and lean proteins are in high Write “Thank you!” on
says Joseph F. Hagan Jr., M.D., together give the bouquet to demand, so shelf-stable milk, cards for your preschooler to
clinical professor of pediatrics a friend, a family member, peanut butter, and canned color. Carry them with you
at Larner College of Medicine or a neighbor who could use tuna are good to grab. to give to workers or veterans
cheering up. you encounter.
at The University of Vermont, Take advantage of your
Encourage him to notice a toddler’s love of sorting, and Decorate paper lunch bags
in Burlington. You can help
child playing alone and have ask her to help put recyclables and holiday-themed place
spark lifelong altruism with
him ask to join in. into your bin. It’s a good mats together, then help add a
these age-specific ideas
Pick out nonperishables chance to remind yourself of the special touch to deliveries by
from experts, families, and in from your cabinets together types of plastics and papers donating your crafts to Meals on
some cases, kids themselves. and pack a box for your local that can and can’t be recycled. Wheels or a local nursing home.




P A R E N T S 56 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

advertisement
G R Y P H & I V Y R O S E
GRYPH & IVYROSE


SHARE YOUR
Voıce


































































Parents invites you to join our reader panel.

We want to know what you think!




SEND your thoughts and opinions

TEST new products for moms and kids


GET free samples, coupons, and more






JOIN TODAY

Go to parents.com/meredithvoices

and enter for a chance to win $10,000*






*NO PURCHASE OR SURVEY PARTICIPATION IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Subject to Official Rules at
www.surveygizmo.com/s3/989068/Sweepstakes-Rules. The $10,000 Reader Survey Sweepstakes begins at 12:00
AM ET on October 1, 2019 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on September 30, 2020. Open to legal residents of the United
States and the District of Columbia, 21 years or older. Sweepstakes is offered by Meredith Corporation and may
be promoted by any of its publications in various creative executions online and in print at any time during the
sweepstakes. Limit one (1) entry per person and per email address, per survey. Void where prohibited. Sponsor:
Meredith Corporation.

KIDSÑHelping

T H E S E K I D S
S TA R T E D
C H A R I T I E S !


AG E S 5 T O 7




Before a big haircut, ask your
child if she’d like to donate to
Locks of Love, an organization
that makes free wigs for
people who have lost their hair
due to an illness. She’ll need
at least 10 inches of extra
length secured in a ponytail
holder and a donation form
(go to locksoflove.org).
Encourage your child to Nate Hyland Ryan Hickman Khloe Thompson
assemble an “activity box”
HIS CAUSE: HIS CAUSE: HER CAUSE:
with toys he’s outgrown, then
Baby Food Fund Ryan’s Recycling Khloe Kares
donate it to a social-services
After noticing donation boxes When Ryan was 3, his father, While in fourth grade, Khloe
center, Boys & Girls Clubs of
at cash registers, 6-year-old Damion, took him on an errand asked her mom about a
America, or a local Y.
Nate decided to make his to their neighborhood recycling homeless woman she saw
Check out the DIY donation own in hopes of helping the center. “He loved it,” Damion every day on her way to school.
ideas at AntiCruelty.org, where hungry. He collected $30 by says. “He told me he wanted “When my mom told me how
you can find easy tutorials for asking for contributions from to go back.” The next day, people become homeless, I
making dog and cat toys for friends and family who visited Damion asked his neighbors to knew I had to do something to
animal shelters. Dropping them his home. Nate’s mother, Sarah, save their recyclables for him help her,” she says. With her
off with a can of food or a suggested he narrow his so he could return to the center. parents, Khloe got busy on her
bag of kitty litter is extra useful. cause to a specific group. As “I just thought it was fun,” Ryan sewing machine and made
they were dropping off baby says, “and I wanted to keep a tote bag. When she was done,
Help your birthday kid
food at a local shelter, a woman recycling and recycling ... and she filled it with personal-
select a cause she cares about,
entered with her baby. “That recycling!” Now age 10, he’s hygiene products such as soap,
make a collection box, and ask was it for Nate,” Sarah says. “He recycled more than 625,000 deodorant, socks, wipes, and
classmates and neighbors for
saw a baby who he could help cans and bottles. Ryan’s feminine products, and gave it
donations. If you’re throwing
directly.” Nate started the Baby Recycling has donated nearly to the woman. Khloe, now
a party, use KidsCanGiveToo Food Fund with his mom’s $10,000 to the Pacific Marine 12, has made more than 5,500
.com to send invites and help. “Instead of saying ‘You’re Mammal Center, in Laguna “Kare Bags” for the homeless
collect money for a charity. only 6’ or ‘Why don’t you wait Beach, California. His next goal? and founded a charity, Khloe
Choose his favorite until you’re older?’ I listened “I bet I could reach a million Kares. She has also expanded
of 100-plus threatened and to what he wanted,” Sarah cans and bottles in a couple of her efforts on a global scale in
endangered animals at adds. Now age 12, Nate has years,” Ryan says. Ghana, installing water pumps
WorldWildlife.org. He can draw delivered 1 ton of baby food and bathroom facilities.
pictures of the animal in to his county’s food bank.
exchange for donations from
friends and family, then
“adopt” it and a plush toy.
Set up a hot-chocolate stand
to raise money for your child’s at LittleFreeLibrary.org. Your together encouraging your Box, and have your child write
charity of choice. “Your kid can neighbors can stop by to collect congressional leaders to a letter of support. Find a
make a sign letting customers and share books for free. support conservation policies free label to ship donations at
know what she’s raising money Or find Head Start locations that protect this species. OperationRefugeeChild.org.
for and why she believes near you (headstartprogram Assist him in setting Tell your child about a local
in it,” suggests Aubre Andrus, .us) and ask if they need used up a beach cleanup with his political rally. Discuss why a
author of 101 Small Ways to children’s books. friends. Look together at cause is worth your advocacy,
Change the World. the tips at OceanConservancy then make a sign and attend
Seek out a local animal .org. Search for volunteer the event together.
shelter that offers a reading opportunities at the U.S.
program. Many ASPCAs AG E S 8 AN D U P National Parks (nps.gov).
and Animal Humane Society Learn how she can help start
locations allow kids to a school-supplies drive with
practice their reading skills Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife friends and family through
with dogs and cats that need Service’s website (fws.gov) the Kids in Need Foundation
some interaction. to learn about endangered (kinf.org). COURTESY OF THE SUBJECTS.
Collect old books and help species in your state. Ask Solicit contributions of PIN THESE IDEAS!
Scan this code with your phone’s
him build a lending library your child to choose an animal unused clothing and personal-
camera for a pin of all the ways your kid
outside your home; get details to draw and write a letter care items for a Refugee Hope can volunteer (no app needed).



P A R E N T S 58 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

HOW DO YOU SAY,



“ THANKS






FOR BEING







MY FURRY






BFF”?







































TM











ALL REAL
NATURAL CHICKEN

KIDSÑAdvice







Help Kids Understand Hate


In an era rife with division, bias incidents darken our news feeds

and escalate our anxiety. We asked leading experts how
parents can shield their children from—and shepherd them

through—a world that seems hell-bent on hate.

by KATIE ARNOLD -RATLIFF / illustrations by ANDREA D e SANTIS































































THINK BACK to when you were small, years. From the way your uncle sneered Now adult-you sees hate—racism,
when you first noticed that some people at the boys on the corner; from an adult’s misogyny, anti-Semitism, homophobia,
differed from you. You noticed but didn’t whispered joke when she thought you transphobia—enjoying a grotesque
much care. At school or on your block, couldn’t hear or understand. (Adults golden age. You worry that your child
you’d hang with anyone who wanted to always underestimate what kids hear will soon learn the same sad truths you
play, whether or not their skin, religion, and understand.) Maybe you learned did, except earlier, more terrifyingly.
physical ability, or family was like yours. about difference because you had to: You worry that when he’s alone in his
You knew the streetlight’s glow meant “There are people who don’t like us bed or quiet in the car, he’s thinking
dinnertime, the bell’s trill meant recess’s because of who we are,” your dad said, “so not of Saturday’s cartoons but of
end, and that differences between people we must be careful.” And eventually, you yesterday’s carnage, trying to make
were real but benign, value-neutral. learned, from footage of cops clubbing a sense of some grisly headline that tore
So it rattled your little world to learn crouching man or from Anne Frank’s across the screen before you could
that for some, difference inspires disgust, diary, that there are people who so loathe change the channel. You worry that
rage, hatred. You learned this slowly, over difference they will hurt or kill over it. what he sees could someday change




P A R E N T S 60 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

PROMOTION





Scan Discover!
t o





Smart codes can be used to unlock bonus

content, opportunities, and experiences!







Instantly connect by following these simple instructions:


1 FIND 2 OPEN 3 SCAN


Look for one of Open the camera Hold your phone over the
these codes. on your phone. smart code so it is visible
within the screen.












KIDSÑPets

DISCOVER!
Animal
Read more about your

favorite subject online House!

Watch a video from

our trusted experts


Shop for items you’ve
seen in the magazine


Share with friends


Buy products directly
from your phone


Save money with

coupons for your
favorite products WARDROBE STYLING BY ANNIE CARUSO. PROP STYLING BY JOJO LI FOR HELLO ARTISTS. GROOMING BY CLELIA BERGONZOLI FOR UTOPIA. ON JALIYAH: DRESS, MINI RODINI. LEGGINGS, CREWCUTS. VEST, CAT & JACK FOR TARGET. SHOES, NEW BALANCE FOR CREWCUTS.













Brought to you by:

KIDSÑAdvice






him—that he might begin to “Families talk about these
believe hateful things too. issues all the time without
But the hopeful news—and realizing it,” says Allison
we could all use some—is that Briscoe-Smith, Ph.D., a clinical
you can counter hate’s insidious psychologist in Berkeley,
reach. We asked experts in child California, who specializes in
psychology and the fight against addressing trauma in children
bigotry for guidance about and the study of how children
putting malevolent events and understand race. “Little kids
beliefs into context, dispelling are very attuned to what’s fair
little ones’ misapprehensions, and not fair. That’s a strong
and empowering your kids to be basis for discussing injustice.”
forces for good. Let your child be your guide.
Kids this age can articulate
AGES 0 TO 6 their feelings, so the onus to
In these early years, your task direct the conversation
is to lay positive groundwork, needn’t—and shouldn’t—be
addressing hate by cultivating entirely on you. “Ask her how
its opposite—compassion and she understands what she’s
tolerance. Luckily, your child hearing,” says Dr. Briscoe-
has a head start: an innocent Smith. What are people saying
indifference to what sets people on the playground? What has
apart. “Kids are very aware she seen on TV? You’ll be able
of ways we differ, but they to keep the conversation at the
aren’t born identifying people right level—of reassurance,
with a particular race, gender, honesty, and detail.
or ethnicity,” says David Schonfeld, Also key: Don’t overdo it. “Be simple,
M.D., professor of pediatrics at the 3-year-old and say, ‘Let’s talk about brief, and as honest as you can be,” says
University of Southern California and racism,’ ” says Dr. Schonfeld.) But if the Spiegler. If you feel a reflexive urge to
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles need for a conversation arises, have it. downplay—“What happened at the garlic
and director of the National Center “In 2017 we were seeing a wave of bomb festival could never happen here”—avoid
for School Crisis and Bereavement. threats at Jewish community centers,” it. An empty promise sounds a lot like
“They don’t naturally discriminate.” says Jinnie Spiegler, director of dismissiveness, and if she has fears about
The hope is that kids who grow up in curriculum and training at the Anti- these events, she’ll feel you’re not taking
communities that are ethnically, Defamation League. “On the news you’d them seriously. Instead, says Dr. Briscoe-
socioeconomically, or otherwise diverse see very small kids evacuating from these Smith, “tell her what you do know for
will have acceptance baked into their facilities. Surely, they knew something sure: that you love her, and that there are
worldview. That’s not guaranteed, but was wrong and were afraid. So of course adults working to keep her safe.”
studies show it does help. If your child you’d want to talk about it with them.” Kids can have a quirky, literal view
has little exposure to people who don’t This may seem impossible—exploring of the world, and they may ask something
look or live like her, though, experts violent anti-Semitism with a toddler?—but seemingly bizarre but crucial to their
advise bringing the world home: Study the key is to keep the scope and language understanding. “When I told my then
other cultures together by eating their manageable. “You’d say something like, 8-year-old daughter that Osama bin
foods and watching their films. Urge your ‘The person doing this must be very Laden had been killed, she asked me,
child’s teacher to build multiculturalism angry,’ ” Dr. Schonfeld says. “ ‘But we use ‘Where’s his body?’ ” says Spiegler. “It was
into her curriculum. Speak your mother our words to solve problems.’ ” However an odd question, but you can’t trivialize
tongue if you are bilingual, or encourage odd the conversation feels, silence is worse. what they genuinely want to know.”
your child to study another language. “Imagine you’re a 4-year-old and you You may also learn that your child has
A 2014 University of Chicago study notice Dad is looking at his phone, that misunderstood part of what’s occurred,
revealed that children who hear multiple he’s upset and people seem worried, and
languages in daily life are more accepting no one is telling you why,” says Spiegler.
of people whose language differs from “Think how scary that would be.” TOUGH TALK
their own—which is a stepping-stone Scan this code with
your phone’s camera
toward a broader spirit of acceptance. AGES 6 TO 8 to read an essay
about how one parent
You don’t need to preemptively lecture Discussing hate explicitly becomes
explained racism to
a kid this age on the evils of bigotry. easier at this age, but don’t think it has to her young son
(no app needed).
(“I don’t know that I’d sit down with a be a hyperformal Very Important Talk.



P A R E N T S 62 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

perhaps anxiously inflating the event to TWEENS AND TEENS online or in life—and yes, even kids of
outsize proportions. But for every worry As kids prepare to exit childhood, they socially aware, justice-minded parents
like “We can’t go to Walmart; people get cement their sense of identity, laying a do so—speak up. “Adolescents are trying
shot there,” there is a calming response. foundation for who they will become. As to develop their own values,” says
You could say, “I understand why you’d we’ve seen in the news, this age can be a Dr. Briscoe-Smith. “You say, ‘We’re not on
think that, but that was a particularly tipping point. Many kids, even most, will the same page on this—so what do you
unusual event, and it’s really unlikely to choose a life of acceptance, compassion, believe?’ ” Remember that teenagers often
happen again.” and respect for fellow human beings. fail to see things in their full complexity.
Others will travel a darker path. “Stereotypes are oversimplifications,”
AGES 9 TO 11 If you witness your child engaging in says Spiegler. “If your child is buying
Child psychologists say that helping biased thinking or hate speech, whether into them, it’s your job to help him
kids process scary events has become complicate his thinking, to see nuances
a very different task in recent years. he’s not appreciating.” She has a few
The ubiquity of technology gives kids pointers: “It’s a tightrope walk. You
unprecedented exposure to information want to keep the conversation open but
they don’t possess the maturity to make make it clear you don’t condone bias
sense of. “The advice used to be: Turn off or stereotypes: ‘I don’t think that way,
the TV; don’t allow kids access to images and I don’t think what you’re saying
of death,” says Dr. Briscoe-Smith. “But is respectful.’ Or: ‘I used to think that
by 9 or 10, they have phones. They’ll see it way, but then I read X or learned Y.’
there and on the dozens of other screens Bring the News to Even if he doesn’t seem to, he’s hearing
they encounter. So we have to help them Their Level what you say.”
understand what they see and hear.” Other kids may, when confronting
Even with safety settings, upsetting Teachers use Time for Kids, the weekly these vexing issues, feel compelled to act.
junior edition of Time, to keep students
news—and abhorrent views—will reach This is a powerful impulse, and parents
abreast of the news. But it isn’t just one
your child. Says Dr. Briscoe-Smith, “My should support it. “It doesn’t have to mean
magazine—it’s many. There’s a version
kids tell me that students at their school for kindergartners and first-graders; starting a foundation,” says Dr. Briscoe-
tease Latino kids about ICE: ‘You better one each for second-, third-, and Smith. “It can be, ‘I’m going to do one kind
run, ICE is gonna get you.’ Research fourth-graders; and one for fifth- and thing today,’ or even, ‘I haven’t been
shows that in recent years there’s been an sixth-graders, the content adjusted for sleeping well because I’m upset, so I’m
each group. In other words, the staff
uptick in racialized bullying. So I ask, going to make sure I get some sleep.’ ”
knows a thing or two about meeting
‘What are people talking about at school, Taking action also offers a sense of
kids where they are when discussing
what’s your phone saying?’ ” tough topics. Time for Kids editor-in- control. “Activism gives you agency,” says
This sort of inquiry is necessary, chief Andrea Delbanco revealed some Spiegler. “It’s scary to see terribleness in
particularly if you have a child who isn’t of the principles the editors uphold. the world, and if you feel you’re
naturally forthcoming. “You can’t count Are we doing more harm than good contributing and connecting with people
on your kids to bring up troubling things by bringing this up? Will it foster who feel as you do, you’re reassured.”
with you,” says Spiegler. “You need to ask. anxiety, or understanding? For second
Rumors spread like wildfire at school grade and below, we almost always None of this is easy, of course. You may
steer clear of anything difficult.
and online. So help them fill in the gaps. stumble—after all, these issues are
‘I’m not sure it happened that way What’s the least scary, most as complex as they are troubling. But in
in Charlottesville,’ you can say, before reassuring way to explain this? We’ve this as in all things, your best tool
covered just one school shooting, and
explaining how it did happen.” is your instincts. Says Spiegler, “Every
only for older readers. It was Parkland,
At this age, your child may also start parent, child, and situation is different.
well after the event had passed, with
to pick up on biased views among those a focus on the activism the students But we know our kids and what they can
he knows and loves. Grandma posts a had undertaken in the aftermath. handle.” It’s okay to let your child see
homophobic meme; your neighbor that you, too, are reacting to these scary
How can we give them the context
goes off at the barbecue about the need to understand this? Kids need you to times. “If we don’t show that we’re upset,
for a border wall. Your child may rightly assume no prior knowledge. If we run our kids will feel abnormal for being
be confused: He cares for this person, a story about protests in Hong Kong, upset,” says Dr. Schonfeld. “We can’t
but her beliefs differ from his family’s. we start with “Where’s Hong Kong?” No teach coping skills if we pretend we
information is too basic or obvious.
Address these disparities. “Keep your never need to cope.”
language neutral,” says Dr. Briscoe- What action can we encourage them These conversations may not be
to take? Kids believe they can make
Smith. “ ‘We love Grandma, and we comfortable, but they will be necessary.
an impact—they don’t have that
think differently from her. She’s come As Dr. Schonfeld says, “We can’t just
hopeless, boats-against-the-tide feeling
to her conclusions, but we’ve come to teach our kids what’s easy—we need to
adults get. We want to nurture that.
different ones.’ ” teach them what’s important.”

KIDSÑ Crafts













Easiest


Ornaments

Ever!

Start with a stash of
shatterproof balls,
then let the kids go to
town decorating
1 them. Here are three

ideas they’ll love.

by CAYLIN HARRIS
photograph by
TED + CHELSEA CAVANAUGH





Have your child cover the
surface of the ornament with
one color of washi tape. Then
wrap a few stripes of contrasting
colors on top; the slightly
see-through tape creates a cool
effect when layered. Smooth
the tape down, but don’t get
too crazy trying to get it to lie
perfectly flat (the rounded
surface makes it impossible).



Colorful dot stickers are a
simple way to customize a plain
sphere. Even a preschooler
3
can do this well! Pick a color
theme (warm hues, red and
green, shades of blue), and
2
let your child play with the
size and placement of the dots.
Or for a more elegant look,
use only gold glitter circles on
a metallic ball.



Big kids can draw sweet or silly
faces with oil-based paint
pens. To prevent smudging, try
PROP STYLING BY JOJO LI FOR HELLO ARTISTS.
to work in sections, moving
from left to right. Simple shapes
like circles and squiggles are
easiest for younger kids to draw
themselves.















P A R E N T S 64 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Fujifilm Instax Baby Shark Pictionary Air Game Cool Maker Go Glam
Mini 9 Camera Sound Cube Nail Stamper Kit



For all





the skilled






surprisers Nintendo Switch Lite








Find a gift your kids will love at Target. Let them
create wrapping paper to add a bit of holiday cheer.





















Chickapig Board Classic Pinball Little Live Scruff-A-Luvs Fortnite Jumbo
Game Board Game Real Rescue Electronic Pet Loot Llama Pinata




















Lite Brite Ultimate More Than Magic
Classic Snowglobe





LEGO Harry Potter
Hogwarts Great Hall

KIDSÑPets









Animal much, she even has
“We love her so

House! her own Christmas

stocking!”
Charlotte, 8,
and her Persian cat,
Chantilly, 3


photograph by
MEI TAO





















CH A R LOTTE
TELLS THE TA LE
OF HER K ITTY:
1
We named her after
Chantilly lace.

2
When she first came
home from the shelter,
she hid under the
bed for a month. Now
she’s always near us!

3
I comb her every
day while my mom
combs my hair.

4
She sits on our computer
keyboard all the time,
but she looks so cute WARDROBE STYLING BY SARAH CLARY FOR THE WALL GROUP. GROOMING BY SUMMER TRAN. PROP STYING BY TRACY MORGAN.
I don’t want to move her.

5 CHILD WRANGLING BY MELANIE SAWYER. ON CHARLOTTE: SKIRT, RYLEE + CRU. JACKET, ROCKETS OF AWESOME.
My family calls
the two of us Char Char
and Chan Chan.

6
I’ve never heard
her hiss, and she only
meows for treats. Adopted from
Happy Homes Animal
Rescue, in Old
Bridge, New Jersey;
rescued from
a pet hoarder.






P A R E N T S 66 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Vet recommended for © 2019 Mars or Affiliates. Treat shape is a trademark. US Patent No. 587,428

dental care that dogs love

IT’S CLEANING




REINVENTED









©2019 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

T E N D T O _ _ _ _ _SOOTHE SORE MUSCLES
Y O U R S E L F , B O D Y ROCK KINDNESS_ _ _ _ _
A N D S O U L POWERFUL PARENTING MANTRAS




Match your
friends to
their favorite
charity!











Purchasing this
one gives money
to WIDECAST
to save endangered
sea turtles.










































Beauty

Gifts That
This one gives
Make an money to the Xerces
Society to
protect bees and
Impact
their habitat.
PROP STYLING BY JOJO LI FOR HELLO ARTISTS. ($40 each; chantecaille.com)
LUXE BLUSH These
gorgeous Chantecaille
Philanthropy Cheek Shades

deliver a subtle skin-
brightening flush.
Give-Back Bonus: The
embossed symbols stand for
charity partners that benefit
from the product’s proceeds.


by SHANNON M. BAUER
photographs by
TED + CHELSEA
CAVANAUGH

P A R E N T S 69 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

YOUÑBeauty
















The Tatcha Pampering
Choose from individually
Indulgences Set ($59, tatcha
sized formulas
.com) includes a lip balm with
23k gold flecks and a luxe
1 body butter and hand cream
with a few)! containing soothing indigo.
Give-Back Bonus: Every
purchase of Tatcha skin care
2 supports Room to Read, a
charity that funds education
for girls in Asia and Africa.



Lancôme Paris Idôle Eau de
Parfum ($96; lancome-usa
.com) will give your loved one
I-smell-amazing confidence.
Give-Back Bonus: Supporting
3 Lancôme means helping
St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital: The company has
donated $4 million so far.




masks—each with a different
skin-boosting benefit—in
the Mary Kay Limited-Edition
Mad About Masking Set
($25; marykay.com).
Give-Back Bonus: This year
the Mary Kay Foundation
awarded $2 million to domestic-
violence shelters and $1.1 million
5
in grants related to women’s
cancer research.



a Charlotte Tilbury Mini Hot
Lips ($25 for three minis;
sephora.com) lipstick delivers
long-lasting, sexy color that
instantly brightens your look.
Give-Back Bonus: $1 million
from the sales of these
lipsticks will go to Women for
Women International, a charity
that supports marginalized
women in areas affected by
conflict and war.

4
or copper shade from Thrive
Causemetics Brilliant Eye
Brightener ($24 each; thrive
causemetics.com) to the
inner corners of your eyes for
an extra-awake effect.
Give-Back Bonus: For every
Tilbury named product the brand sells, a
these after donation is made to cancer
her friends: JK Magic, patients, domestic-violence
Amazing survivors, or the homeless.
Amal, and Viva La
Vergara.




P A R E N T S 70 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

©2019 P&G





























































DAY DAY


0 14



























S
BETTER KIN

FROM A BODY WASH?


I
BETTER BELIEVE T.


Olay Body Wash visibly transforms

your skin from dry and dull
to strong and healthy in just 14 days.



Dramatization modeled after clinical results.

YOUÑBeauty






1. ENERGIZING ESSENTIALS
3
Treat a man who needs a jump
start to Rituals The Ritual of
leave at Samurai Invigorating Collection
dovemencare.com/ wolves in the wild. ($50; rituals.com), which includes
pledge. aftershave, shower gel, shaving
foam, and cologne.
Give-Back Bonus: The brand
supports Tiny Miracles, a charity
that works to break the cycle
of poverty in developing nations.
1
2 2. CRISP BODYWASH
The fresh scent and hydrating
formula make Dove Men+Care Clean
Comfort Body and Face Wash ($5;
drugstores) a go-to stocking stuffer.
Give-Back Bonus: Dove is funding
4
grants for dads who don’t get
paid parental leave and is working to
make this a universal standard.
5 3. SMOOTH + HYDRATE SET
You get two amazing products in
the Kiehl’s Body Besties Set
($25: kiehls.com): Creme de Corps
Grapefruit Whipped Body Butter
and Body Scrub, plus no-need-
to-wrap gift boxes designed by
graphic artist Janine Rewell.
Give-Back Bonus: Every dollar
in sales from this collection funds
6 ten meals for needy families
through Feeding America.
4. A VERY HELPFUL CREAM
The cruelty-free Lush Charity
Pot ($8 to $28; lushusa.com)
leaves skin velvety and scented
with ylang-ylang.
Give-Back Bonus: Each lid features
the specific humanitarian,
environmental, or animal-rights
organization that 100 percent of
your purchase price will benefit.

5. ON-THE-GO MUST-HAVE
Every Conscious Coconut Oil Travel
Tube ($28; consciouscoconut
7 .com) is filled with organic fair-trade
cold-pressed coconut oil—aka
the heal-all for every mom we know.
Give-Back Bonus: Adults with
developmental and mental
INDULGE—AND DO GOOD! disabilities package the products.
6. COZIEST CANDLES
With seasonal scents like LOVE BEAUTY AND PLANET AND MAC COSMETICS: COURTESY OF THE BRANDS. GARNIER WHOLE BLENDS: JEFFREY WESTBROOK.
Cinnamon Cedar, Thistle Farms
Soy Candles ($30; thistlefarms
.com) are sure to become a
self-care staple.
Give-Back Bonus: Each candle is
hand poured by female survivors
of trafficking and addiction, and
every sale supports their housing
and counseling.
Support Sustainability Defend Equal Rights Help a Child
All profits from the Love Beauty The full retail price of every Stock up on hair care for your 7. R&R FOR SKIN
and Planet Coconut Water MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam family: $1 from every Garnier The Body Shop Sheet Mask ($6;
& Mimosa Flower Spa Body Kit Lipstick in Viva Glam III Whole Blends Holiday Kit thebodyshop.com) soothes skin
($10; drugstores) go to ($18.50; maccosmetics.com), a ($10; walmart.com), which with aloe and is compostable.
The Recycling Partnership, a party-ready muted plum, is includes shampoo, conditioner, Give-Back Bonus: Brand values
nonprofit that works donated to the MAC Viva Glam and a leave-in treatment, goes include fair prices for labor, no
to transform recycling in Fund, which supports a to UNICEF to provide animal testing, biodiversity, and
communities across America. variety of LGBTQ+ charities. education to children in need. eco-conscious packaging.




P A R E N T S 72 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

ogxbeauty.com | ogxbeauty

Without A, B and O, we can’t save anybody.










Only 3 out of 100 Americans donate blood—and that’s not enough to help patients in need.




Without more donors, patients will not have the type A, B, O or AB blood they need.

You can help fi ll the #MissingTypes this summer. Make a blood donation appointment today.




RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes

advertisement
A D V E R T I S E M E N T




Aisles

GoodStuff


Seasonal
M U S T - H A V E S & M U S T - D O S F O R M O M & F A M I LY
Shortcuts


Every year from Thanksgiving
through New Year’s, our kitchens seem
to go into overdrive. Save time—and
your composure—with some of our
favorite seasonal shortcuts.





Cleaning Reinvented

There’s no time for grime with
Scrubbing Bubbles® Bathroom Grime
Fighter Spray! It removes 100% soap
scum and smells amazing — making
it the perfect solution for messes
that build up in bathrooms.
scrubbingbubbles.com





1


Assemble a make-ahead
breakfast casserole with sausage,
eggs, potatoes, and cheese to
feed hungry houseguests
in the morning.

2


No time to make sauces or gravies
2x the Meat* from scratch? No problem! Keep

STOUFFER’S® Lasagna with favorite prepared versions on hand
Meat & Sauce has 2x the meat* baked to pinch hit for any recipe.
into every cheesy, mouthwatering bite.
Because when it comes to irresistible 3
taste, more is always more.
Embrace the huge time-saver that

stouffers.com
is refrigerated pie crust. In addition
*2x the meat required by the lasagna to pie, you can use it for quiches,
with meat sauce standard.
STOUFFER’S® is a registered trademark of tarts, and more. Genius!
Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.



SPONSORED BY


















Download our holiday recipe
parentspromo.com/goodstuff booklet at parentspromo.com

YOUÑWomen’s Hea lth






Ease Parenting Pains With THE KINDEST


a Foam Roller POSTPARTUM KIT


A SORE
NEW MOM COULD

ASK FOR
Massage
your

muscles!




















Birth-giving bodies go
through so much—so why
do we treat postdelivery
care like an afterthought?
As any vaginal-birth
veteran can tell you, the
Aching from hauling a car seat or hoisting your spinal alignment. Lie on your back
your toddler? A foam or soft-rubber with your knees bent and the roller provisions you need to take
roller can help, but using it the wrong way perpendicular to your spine at about care down there after the
could actually cause pain or injury. Sue where your bra hits. Without arching your baby arrives—disposable
Hitzmann, connective-tissue specialist back or neck, slowly expand your rib cage undies, witch hazel pads,
and creator of the self-care practice the over the roller as you inhale. On your
MELT Method, shares three ways to boost exhale, make a shh sound to engage your benzocaine foam—are
the total-body benefits of your roller. core. Repeat three times. To release traditionally swiped from
lower-back tension, place the roller along the hospital or hastily
Start with your legs. your spine and do the same inhale and
Lie on your back with the roller under your exhale while bending to the right and left. bought at a drugstore in an
thighs just below your buttocks. Twist the exhausted haze. Not any
flesh on one thigh by moving your leg End with your hips. more, if the Frida company
back and forth in a figure-eight motion for Extended sitting or repetitive motions has its say. The Frida Mom
up to a minute. Then pause to let the weight (like running or biking) can compress your
of your thigh compress into the roller. lower back. Lie on your back with your Labor and Delivery +
Repeat these actions for your midthigh knees bent, and place the roller under Postpartum Recovery Kit
and lower thigh. Be sure to flip and do the your pelvis. Bring your knees to your chest ($100; fridamom.com)
other leg too! Or try doing both at once. and gently rock your hips from side to side includes a soft gown and
four or five times to release tension. Then
Move to your upper back. place one foot on the ground, cross the socks for labor, a peri
If you often sit hunched at a desk or stand opposite ankle over your thigh, and bring bottle, instant-ice maxi
over a changing table, your roller can help your legs into your chest for a hip stretch. pads (praise!), and more for
you open up your chest area and improve Repeat on the other side. —Emily Elveru CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: STUDIO FIRMA/STOCKSY; PETER ARDITO; PRISCILLA GRAGG.
all that comes after. Buy it
for yourself or for any mom-
A CAUTION ABOUT BREASTFEEDING + KETO to-be who’d like to actually
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb plan in which your body have what she needs—no
metabolizes fat instead of carbs as energy, says Pegah Jalali, R.D., a hospital thievery required.
pediatric dietitian in New York City. If you’re nursing, ask your ob-gyn
before trying it, since research hasn’t yet shown how it can affect your milk —Katie Arnold-Ratliff
or your baby’s development. Also, both keto and nursing increase your
need for fluids and electrolytes, so you’ll require even more if you do both.
Not drinking enough will decrease your milk supply. —Shannon M. Bauer




P A R E N T S 78 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

YOU CAN’T SHUT DOWN YOUR NEIGHBORS


BUT YOU CAN SHUT DOWN YOUR COLD SYMPTOMS

IMAGINE KINDNESS




Do what you love and make the world a better place. No one does just that

quite like Dan Reynolds, front man for the band Imagine Dragons,
and his wife, musician Aja Volkman. Editor-in-chief LIZ VACCARIELLO sat

down with the power couple to discuss how they are building a
family—and launching a movement—rooted in generosity and acceptance.


photographs by ARI MICHELSON


P A R E N T S 80 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

YOUÑRea l Ta l k










































































































From left: Arrow, 7,
Coco, 2, Dan,
Gia, 2, and Aja,
pregnant
with Valentine.

YOUÑRea l Ta l k






WITH ONE ARM wrapped around his LIZ: Instant connection. it. Also, I should add that Dan has an
7-year-old daughter, Arrow, and the AJA: Except there was a lot more to it. incredible moral compass. He knows
other pulling a wagon that carries his He’s from an extremely religious family. what’s right and wrong.
2-year-old twins, Gia and Coco, Dan I had a really strong LGBTQ friend base.
Reynolds is the picture of suburban To my best friends, Dan represented LIZ: You understand each other.
fatherhood. He’s also the magnetic lead everything that, at the time, kept them DAN: And that naturally turned into our
vocalist of Imagine Dragons, a band from getting married themselves. philanthropy. We hold LoveLoud in
with a Grammy to its name and DAN: On paper, we could not be together. Utah, in a very Mormon community, to
multiple top ten singles, including the But music helped Aja and me stick it out. open hearts to LGBTQ youth.
2012 anthem “Radioactive” and 2017’s I’d create half a song and email it to her, AJA: People come up to us and say, “This
pump-up jam “Thunder” and paean and she’d write her response. The songs has meant the world to me.”
to pain “Believer.” But at home, in were about how we could not be together DAN: We meet parents who say, “My
Las Vegas, with his children and but couldn’t be apart either. child came out to me because of
his wife, singer-songwriter Aja LoveLoud, and now our family is
Volkman, the 32-year-old crooner stronger.” That feels incredible.
“I have so
is calm and contemplative. He
much gratitude
has big hopes and dreams not because I LIZ: How does this all play
just for his career and his family learned to be out in raising your kids?
fearless,”
but for humanity. Volkman says. AJA: We want them to understand
Reynolds grew up in Nevada as that everybody believes
a Mormon but began to struggle something different. But we’re
with his religion after he returned the same inside. That’s our
from his mission. While he’s still common thread.
a member of the church, he now DAN: Our concern is that they’re
questions some of its doctrine and good people who are mentally
has fought to change it. In 2017, he and physically healthy.
invited other musicians to perform AJA: And we think a lot about
in a fund-raising concert that he how to give back what we have.
dubbed LoveLoud. The event, now ADULTS’ WARDROBE STYLING BY SARAH SCHUSSHEIM FOR THE WALL GROUP. CHILDREN’S WARDROBE STYLING BY VERONICA ALVERICCI FOR ART DEPARTMENT. HAIR AND MAKEUP BY TRACY MOYER FOR THE REX AGENCY. MANICURES BY SAUNDREA GRIFFIN FOR THE ONE LUV AGENCY. PROP AND SET STYLING BY NAOMI GOSS. CHILD WRANGLING BY IAN McDAVID. PREVIOUS SPREAD, LEFT PAGE, ON AJA: DRESS, ISABEL MARANT. ON DAN: SHIRT, J.CREW. PANTS, CITIZENS OF HUMANITY. RIGHT PAGE, ON ARROW: OVERALLS, THE ANIMALS OBSER
in its third year, aims to help the LIZ: You started your family
Mormon community love, support, right away.
understand, accept, and celebrate AJA: Arrow was born a little over
LGBTQ+ friends and family. a year after we were married,
Weeks before the October 1 when Imagine Dragons got big
birth of their son, Valentine, I sat seven years ago.
down with Dan and Aja for a DAN: I was dealing with serious
deeply personal conversation about depression. My therapist asked,
their relationship, their work, “Has anything changed?” I was
parenthood, and their quest to like, “I just got married. Just had a
spread love, kindness, and healing. baby. I’ve been going through an
LIZ: This is so romantic. existential crisis. My band just blew up
LIZ: Let’s start at the beginning. DAN: My mom was like, “You can’t marry and we’re on tour. I’m supposed to be gone
How did you meet? someone who’s not Mormon.” for the next year.”
DAN: Nearly ten years ago, Imagine AJA: But they liked me. I felt comfortable AJA: I started making less music and
Dragons opened for her band, Nico Vega. with his family—they’re angelic. I grappling with who I am and who
AJA: This blond ray of sunshine bounced converted. We got married in a chapel I used to be. That’s the beauty and the
up to me, and one of the first questions and, a year later, married in the temple. hard part of parenting. How do you
out of his mouth was, “What do you I was not this transparent Mormon girl, harmoniously raise children and be a
think happens after this life?” but I am spiritual. My parents raised creative artist?
DAN: She was like, “Let’s sit down me to forge my own belief structure.
and talk.” DAN: That was a foreign concept to me. LIZ: The working-parent dilemma.
AJA: I think we were the only two sober I tend to be all in or out. So when I met AJA: I sacrificed so many things, he was
people in the club. He’s Mormon, and I Aja, it was good for me to learn that I away, and we both had an identity crisis.
was burned out on party life. could respect my culture but have my Neither of us could feel fully committed
DAN: I wasn’t trying to impress her, own version. to playing music or being a parent.
but her lyrics were very existential. We AJA: That’s called agency, and though it’s DAN: I was thinking, “What am I living
stayed up all night talking. what most people preach, not all practice for? What am I grounded to?” I had been




P A R E N T S 82 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

“You’ll never change
someone’s mind

by screaming at them,
and you’ll never

make change
if it’s only about you,”
says Reynolds.

YOUÑRea l Ta l k





MEET
leaning on family, so when I was without best things that ever happened to you.” VALENTINE!
them because I was on the road, And I’d say, “You’re insane, this is way The couple’s first
everything fell apart. The depression too hard.” It was my apocalypse. But son was born on
October 1. (He was in
was debilitating. Then our marriage fell sure enough, I have so much gratitude Aja’s belly at our
photo shoot!) “My
apart, and we separated. now because I learned to be fearless and heart just exploded
to not compromise. Also, the one thing for the fourth time,”
Aja wrote on
LIZ: You separated after the twins that never faltered is how much we love Instagram that day.
were born, right? our children. We didn’t speak much
AJA: I released a solo record before Gia to each other for seven months. Then we
and Coco were born, then I was home started dating again. We got a second our song “It’s Time” was his cancer song.
with all three girls. Meanwhile, Dan was chance at our marriage. We became close, and when he passed,
struggling and I wanted to fix him. But DAN: Now we have a fourth kid. To me, the band started the Tyler Robinson
we didn’t know what to fix. that’s plenty good. I don’t need nine Foundation in his name.
DAN: I felt like I was floating, with no kids. I remember our first week with our AJA: It helps families with unforeseen
foundation. first baby, Arrow, just crying together. costs that surround cancer.
AJA: He was questioning everything AJA: Any parent I see, I immediately DAN: Our road has led us to things that
and back to feeling that if one thing is respect on a deep level for being in the we’re passionate about. LoveLoud has
not true, then nothing is true. trenches. Parenting has been the most raised millions of dollars for LGBTQ
DAN: It was all crumbling in on me. I thrilling, fulfilling part of our relationship charities, such as The Trevor Project
didn’t know about this marriage. I didn’t and our life. Marriage is work. Keeping crisis hotline [866-488-7386] for young
know about this band. I didn’t know a family together is a lot of work. people to call when they feel like they
about Mormonism. I didn’t know about don’t have support at home, and the
anything. I just had to destroy it all. LIZ: Yet, through all of this, you’ve Tegan and Sara Foundation, which
been doing so many other things. raises awareness and funds for LGBTQ
LIZ: Dan, you were also in severe DAN: When the band began, we had issues and sends kids to camps where
physical pain all that time. a young fan going through chemo, and they can find refuge while they’re
AJA: We always underplay that, but it figuring out their sexual identity.
was one of the hardest parts.
DAN: In all the craziness, I was diagnosed LIZ: You’ve engaged your audience
with AS [ankylosing spondylitis, a in such a bipartisan way.
chronic inflammatory disease that AJA: We find that middle line where
causes severe lower-back pain]. things don’t have to be polarizing. We’re
AJA: It was so scary. Do you remember talking about love, not about what you
when I bought you a cane? We were think is right. Love is universal.
going to go to the movies, and it took us DAN: You’ll never change someone’s
45 minutes to get from the car to the mind by screaming at them, and you’ll
door. Then we turned around because never make change if it’s only about you.
he wasn’t able to sit in a theater chair.
DAN: I went to doctor after doctor. LIZ: LIZ: And now here’s Arrow, home
Misdiagnosis is typical with AS. And Dan, you’ve said from school.
at that time we didn’t have health that if Mormon leaders AJA: Why do you have a blue mouth?
insurance; we were broke musicians. won’t change the ARROW: I got a Slurpee because I got
I finally found a rheumatologist who doctrine, you’ll fight to caught being kind at school.
zeroed in just by asking questions, like change the culture. DAN: Well, that’s fitting.
“Does the pain get worse at night? Do
DAN:
regular painkillers help?” Now I partner LIZ: I’m interviewing your parents
When there’s a point of critical
with the Monster Pain in the AS mass with millions agreeing about kindness!
campaign, which has a three-minute that something needs to change ARROW: There was a little kid who
quiz [at monsterpainintheas.tumblr.com] but a few powerful figures grabbed my hand. He wanted to play tag
to help identify symptoms. Hopefully, aren’t making that change, with only me chasing him. So I played LOVELOUD: JEROD HARRIS/GETTY. VALENTINE: COURTESY OF THE FAMILY.
what do you do?
others can skip what I went through. it his way, and I didn’t know there was
AJA: a teacher watching, and she told the
LIZ: Meanwhile, the world was You educate people and principal, and the principal announced it.
rooting for you guys. get them involved. There are AJA: Good job!
other issues we’re ready
AJA: From the minute he was gone, my ARROW: And then I got my Caught
to jump on right now, such as
soul had a hole in it. People said, “You’re Being Kind Bracelet from my teacher.
gun violence.
going to remember this as one of the DAN: That’s cool.



P A R E N T S 84 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

©2019 Procter & Gamble








































UP TO
Zero Feel










Zero Leaks, Zero Bunching, Zero Bulk.




















































Fit to Form Up to 10 Hours
GROOVES LEAK-FREE

YOUÑInspiration


T H E
G R A N D P R I Z E
W I N N E R !
My Parenting


Motto Is … 



We asked you to sum things up in a
phrase—and your descriptions

moved and inspired us beyond measure.
Here are six winning stories.


“Don’t Give Up”
Joy Mermelstein
Trumbull, CT
“DON’T GIVE UP!” My mom
didn’t say this to me as much
as she shouted it. She made
me promise. On her head was a
chic scarf, and her eyebrows
were neatly crafted back into
existence thanks to her trusty
Maybelline. Cancer had taken so
much, but not her ferocity to
protect her children in a life that
would soon be without her. Little
did I know she was bestowing
on me the words I would need to
survive the most difficult time
of my life. I expected my mother
to die. Her cancer was rare and
untreatable, so it was logical that
her body would lose its hard fight
to a rogue cell. What I did not
expect was my son’s epilepsy.
Months after I buried my
mother, I was in an ambulance
racing to the nearest E.R. with
my 2-year-old son. He’d had a
seizure. The first of many. I ran
down the hall and promised
my unconscious toddler I would
not give up. In the year since
his diagnosis, I’ve said these
simple and perhaps cliché words
to myself everywhere: in the
hospital where we spent our days,
in pharmacies fighting for
his medication, during school
meetings where I lobbied for
the care he deserves. I heard my
mom’s words in my ears as I FAMILY: ANTENNA/GETTY. HEADSHOT: COURTESY OF THE SUBJECT.
crossed the finish line of my first

Having a family 10K. On days when I felt like
mantra can help you quitting, these words—“Don’t give
stay focused up”—resuscitated my will.
on the big picture.
After all, a promise is a promise.






P A R E N T S 86 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Makes




broccoli less




broccoli-ey.





































































































© 2019 Kraft Foods

YOUÑInspiration





TH E
F I NALI S T S ! Recently, Henry, Ella, and I had a rare

free afternoon. As we strolled to a
local playground—and I mentally made
a list of ways we could fill our time
afterward—Henry piped up with an
idea of his own. “Let’s waste time
today,” he said, big brown eyes shining
with mischievous excitement. “Let’s
go to the park and stay for as long as we
want to, even though we have other
“Let’s Waste Time” things to do!”
Molly Lopez Taken aback that he’d already gleaned
Hudson Valley, NY the simple enjoyment of unscheduled
AS A CHRONIC overcommitter with a time, I laughed and told him I loved that
severe case of productivity-itis, I’ve idea. Now I try to give the “Let’s waste
found that it’s a challenge to prioritize time” philosophy its due in parenting. “Dirt Don’t Hurt”
moments of downtime for my 5-year-old We still have active weekends, but Jamie Noble
Jamestown, OH
son, Henry, and my 3-year-old we also have precious pockets of time
daughter, Ella. My husband and I both in which the kids drive the agenda. With three active,
work full-time during the week, and Burying toes in the sandbox, sniffing outdoorsy boys,
our weekends are captured by day trips, garden herbs, and morphing into tickle I have learned to go with
dance classes, soccer practices, and monsters are often our top priorities.
the flow! We usually
birthday parties. Time has become a It turns out “wasted” time is actually
spend the day trying to
treasured commodity. time well spent.
stay busy and burn
that boy energy in the
great outdoors—hiking,
fishing, backpacking,

I W A N T M Y B O Y S canoeing, and camping.
T O K N O W T H AT At home we love
to be outside gardening,
I C A R E A B O U T T H E I R
sandbox playing, and
I D E A S A N D W H AT
critter finding. On every
T H E Y H A V E T O S AY.
adventure there is
plenty of dirt-digging,
rock-turning, and
every day to have meaningful
“Real Talk” conversations about life, about the bug-inspecting fun. And
Marquita Hammock things that happen around us and if we can throw
Philadelphia, PA within the community, as well as our in creek water or mud,
I HAVE TWO young sons and I talk to hopes and dreams. I also encourage all the better! After
them all the time—to the point that my them to ask questions and to voice learning to appreciate
10-year-old says, “I already know their concerns. all my kids’ interests
what you are going to say.” We live in a I realize the importance of these and curiosities,
time where we are bombarded with discussions around the dinner table,
I have learned to say
so much information, and I feel as if I during afternoon walks, or while
“Dirt don’t hurt” ...
need to have certain conversations driving, when I think about how much
and a good bath doesn’t
with my sons earlier than I would like technology has taken over our minds
to because, let’s face it, I would rather and the minds of our children. Some either!
this come from me than someone else. people can’t function without it, and
COURTESY OF THE SUBJECTS.
I don’t sugarcoat much because they to some extent it destroys the family
need to know the truth as they become structure. I want my boys to know
teenagers and young men. that I care about their ideas and what
The motto “Real talk” signifies our they have to say. It’s the reason why
unwavering dedication to take time we have two ears and only one mouth.





P A R E N T S 88 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9



YOUÑInspiration




TH E
F I NALI S T S !



long-term psychological damage to my house, or takes her Elf on the Shelf
kids with one of my crazy mom rants. on 101 adventures during Advent.
Parenthood is a marathon full of both That’s just not me! I do, however,
magical, heart-warming highs and always change my son’s diapers
guilty, tear-filled lows. The mantra before the blue line turns completely
that often helps me temper the roller back to white, read bedtime stories
coaster of emotion that we’re all like a pro, and take all the big things
riding is “Not the best, but certainly like car-seat safety very seriously.
not the worst.” I’m the only mom my kids will
“Not the Best, But It’s a practical reminder for me that ever have, so I also try to be kind
Certainly parenting spans a vast continuum to myself and remind my mom
and that I’m momming somewhere friends to do the same. “Not the
Not the Worst” solidly in the middle regardless of how best, but certainly not the worst”

Jessica Hazzard fabulous or screwy that particular may not sound like the most
Winter Park, FL moment is going. It’s a good ego check ambitious motto, but then again,
SOME DAYS (more like moments), I on my best days and an inspirational I’m not trying to be the most
feel like Mom of the Year. But much pep talk on my worst. ambitious. I’m just trying to be
COURTESY OF THE SUBJECTS.
more often, I find myself counting I’ll never be the supermom who myself, survive another day, and
the minutes until bedtime and sews amazing Halloween costumes by raise two kids who will be
praying that I haven’t caused any hand, has a spotless (or even clean) comfortable being themselves too.



















CHILDREN’S

ROBITUSSIN ®




AND

HONEY





A NATURAL FIT





NOW AVAILABLE
in Nighttime formula




Real honey plus the proven
cough relief parents count on.



NO

ARTIFICIAL
COLORS


Use as directed. ©2019 Pfi zer, Inc.

how my brain was going to react
to the intrusion of a little
human into my life. I don’t know
if it was the hormones or the
overwhelming love or simply the
responsibility that comes with
keeping another person alive,
but everything changed in the
moment of his birth. Chaos
didn’t overwhelm me anymore. WHEN YOU HAVE
“Embrace the If anything, it motivated me.
Chaos” If there was one thing that SENSITIVE SKIN
I soon could predict with
Rebecca Lemaitre
Concord, MA certainty in my life with a child, YOUR CLOTHES CAN
it was that life was now
AS A WOMAN WITH Asperger’s,
unpredictable. Whenever I fought
I very carefully avoided TURN ON YOU
against that chaos, I recognized
situations that I couldn’t control
the first signs of a meltdown
in my life pre-motherhood.
tingling in my brain. But what we
Even though I wasn’t diagnosed
resist persists. When I remind
until after age 30, I had long
myself to “embrace the chaos,”
known that unplanned events or
my panic passes.
deviations from my routine were
I’m not the first to preach
enough to cause a “record skip”
such a philosophy, but I am happy
in my brain—if not a dreaded
to shout it from the rooftops.
Aspie meltdown.
When we surrender to what we
Then my son was born. While
can’t control, we find the beauty
I was pregnant, I had no idea
and the joy in even the hardest
moments. I carried this
philosophy forward as my son
aged from baby to toddler and
W H E N W E
from toddler to preschooler, and
S U R R E N D E R T O then carried it forward again
W H AT W E as my mother load increased from
one human being to two.
C A N ’ T C O N T R O L ,
Is every day with my two
W E F I N D T H E
children chaotic and crazy and
B E A U T Y A N D T H E J OY full of curveballs and surprises ™

I N E V E N T H E and things I can’t control? Of Try ARM & HAMMER Sensitive
course. But is every day filled Skin Free & Clear detergent–
H A R D E S T M O M E N T S . no dyes, no perfumes, just clean.
with more joy and beauty
than I would have ever imagined Because every wash counts.
possible? Absolutely.


















P A R E N T S 91 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Don’t be the person



that brings



a veggie platter.











































































®/©2019 Tyson Foods, Inc.

E N J OY 5 INSPIRING CHARITIES_ _ _ _ _
T H E J O U R N E Y BRUNCH RECIPES FOR A CROWD
T O G E T H E R _ _ _ _ _HELP A FRIEND IN NEED

































































HOLIDAY INSPO!



A Month

of Magical

Memories


We’ve got

25 ideas for
fun activities

and sweet
surprises to
make this your

family’s most
meaningful

season yet.


by CAYLIN HARRIS

photograph by
SETH SMOOT
P A R E N T S 93 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

LIFEÑ Celebrate







Audible.com. Listen to them
I
M A K E T A S E A S O N
on the drive to Grandma’s.
O F S T O RY TI M E
3. Try an Icelandic tradition.
1. Take a holiday trip to the Give each family member
library. Check out books like a book on Christmas Eve,
Angelina’s Christmas, Little and spend the rest of the 7
Robin’s Christmas, and Mice night reading.
Skating, which all emphasize 4. Read The Night Before Keep Special
the spirit of giving. Gift an Christmas on Christmas Eve. Ornaments S PA R K
eggnog latte to your favorite Catherine Hong, who writes Safe E XC ITE M E NT
librarian on your way in. about children’s books as If trimming the
2. Download Christmas @mrslittlebooks on Instagram, tree with your great-
audiobooks. Get the recommends finding the grandmother’s
original Walter Matthau out-of-print edition illustrated baubles seems too risky
narration of How the Grinch by Gyo Fujikawa. “Her elfin, with a toddler
Stole Christmas! and an jelly-bellied, soot-smudged running around, try these 8. Start a silly ritual. Holly
Charlesworth, the blogger
exclusive Tim Curry reading Santa is my favorite Santa,” techniques that
of A Christmas Carol at says Hong. display your treasures behind My Sister’s Suitcase,
holds an annual Santa-beard
farther from little contest for her brood. Every
hands and curious pets.
family member makes a “beard”
with shaving cream on his
or her face, no mirrors allowed.
When they’re all done, they
take pictures, then hold a
secret-ballot vote to determine
who has the best beard.
9. Remember their inanimate
friends. If your child has a
beloved stuffed animal or doll,
pick out a present for the toy
or doll together, wrap it up, and
put it under the tree for Teddy
On the chandelier
to open on Christmas morning.
10. Play tourist in your own
town. Load everyone into the
car in their pj’s with a thermos
of hot cocoa, and go on a
holiday-lights tour of the
neighborhood. Take it to the
next level by giving each
house a score of 1 to 10 and
choosing your family’s
favorite front-yard display!
11. Watch the same holiday
movie every year. The family
On branches in a vase of Parents contributor Jodi
Levine loves the movie Elf and
established a policy to watch
it only once a year, with cousins,
right before Christmas. To
make it even more fun, they
serve goofy Elf-themed foods
and decorate.
C R E AT E
T R E E
TR ADITION S A M P U P TH E
A N TI C I PATI O N
12. Write a letter to Santa.
With some help from the
On wooden dowels hung
5. Play “I spy” with the 6. Gift your child an ornament on the wall United States Postal Service,
ornaments on your tree. every year. (Or ask a he’ll write back, complete
To start the game, flick off the grandparent to do it!) Make it with a North Pole postmark!
overhead lights and keep a small nod to a big moment Find details for the Letters
only the tree lights on. For an or interest of the last year. From Santa program at the
additional challenge, hide When your child grows up, Postal Service’s website
a favorite ornament and see he’ll have a collection started (usps.com), including Saint
who can spot it first. for his own family. Nick’s mailing address.




P A R E N T S 94 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

13





Gather colorful
envelopes, washi tape,
stickers, pom-poms,
and stamps, and
use pushpins to stick
them onto a piece
of corkboard. Number
each envelope
and place a small
treat or a slip of paper
with a fun holiday-
themed to-do inside.
Below are 15 ideas
for tiny treats.
(Psst ... save the candy
for the last few
days, since anything
other than that
may register as a
disappointment once
your child has
gotten one piece!)




— Silver dollar or
Sacagawea dollar
—Mini LEGO figure
—Shopkins toy
—Tiny toy car or truck
—Small toy animal
—Wooden top
—Wrapped candy
—Temporary tattoo
—Sticker
—Lip balm
—Tiny button or pin
— Fortune Teller
Miracle Fish
— Scratch-off lottery
ticket
—Costume jewelry
— Fancy hair elastic or
barrette




















photograph by TED + CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

LIFEÑ Celebrate











J O LLI F Y
YO U R
H O M E




14. Spice up the air. For an
instant holiday mood booster, B O N D T H R O U G H
brew an easy five-ingredient FO O D
stovetop simmer like this one 21. Bake a signature sweet.
from blogger Jamielyn Nye, Pick a cookie recipe your kids
of I Heart Naptime. Combine love and claim it as “your”
cranberries, orange peels, cookie. Give it a goofy name,
cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, hype it like it’s a Girl Scout
and nutmeg in a small pot cookie making its annual
and fill it with a few inches of return, and then bake it only at
water. Simmer on the stove, the holidays to keep it special.
adding more water throughout 22. Enjoy a fancy lunch. Get
the day when it gets low.
the kids all dressed up and
15. Let it snow—in color. Make take them to eat somewhere
paper snowflakes and use nicer than usual, suggests
them to decorate the windows, Kate Smith, a mom of two in
but try making them with Lexington, Kentucky. Not
colored tissue paper instead of only will they look forward to
the usual white for a festive it as a special occasion where
twist on the traditional craft. they’ll have a chance to
16. Raid your pantry for this drink out of wine goblets, but
Hanukkah project. The base they’ll also get to practice
17
of the menorah is a spaghetti their fancy table manners for
box painted blue. Once it’s Craft a cute surprise. the holiday meals to come!
dry, have your child glue on Dress up your kids’ favorite toys with homemade 23. Use food as a tribute.
wagon wheels as the bottom seasonal outfits like felt scarves, Honor family members who
of each candleholder, then are no longer with you by
add large rigatoni or ziti pasta. elf hats, and reindeer antlers. Here’s how: making a favorite recipe, drink,
Decorate with any additional
S C A RV E S Cut a strip of point of the hat to the side of or dessert that they used to
small pasta you have on hand.
felt that’s sized for your toy, the hat. Decorate with strips cook or enjoy. While you’re
To make candles, cut paper and snip a fringe at each end. of felt for cuffs and pom-poms. preparing the recipe with your
straws down to size and twist Cut rectangles of felt the A N T L E R S Download kids, take the time to tell them
small pieces of yellow tissue
same width of your scarf and the template from parents about the person you miss. 
paper to form flames. glue them to the scarf to .com/antlers and print,
create stripes. scaling the size to fit your
E L F H AT S Cut a 21/2- to stuffed animal. Cut out the
5-in. triangle with rounded template and trace onto
corners out of felt. Roll the scrapbook paper; cut antlers S L AY
triangle into a cone shape; out. Hot-glue them onto a TH E B I G PREVIOUS SPREAD, LEFT PAGE, CHILDREN IN WAGON: SETH SMOOT. ORNAMENTS, FROM TOP: ANTHONY MASTERSON PHOTOGRAPHY; KNAPE/GETTY; RG&B IMAGES/STOCKSY.
secure with hot glue along strip of felt, then glue strip N I G H T RIGHT PAGE: PROP STYLING BY JOJO LI FOR HELLO ARTISTS. THIS PAGE, PASTA MENORAH: PETER ARDITO (2). ANIMALS ON CHAIR: TED + CHELSEA CAVANAUGH,
the edge. Optional: Glue the ends together to form a band.



24. Whip up reindeer food. PROP STYLING BY JOJO LI FOR HELLO ARTISTS. PILLOW, WEST ELM. STUFFED BADGER, SIGIKIDS. GIRL EATING COOKIE: JONNY VALIANT.
G I V E B AC K LEGO bricks at home to build Have your kids work with

18. Adopt a family through a a holiday ornament. Display it peelers to shred carrots and
charity. Many local nonprofits in-store, or share online with the celery into a fancy salad.
run programs that let you give hashtag #BuildToGive. For every Let them shake on a little
things to a needy family like ornament built and shared, “reindeer dust” (aka sprinkles)
new clothing, toys, household LEGO will donate a LEGO set to for extra magic.
items, and food or grocery- a child in need of play. 25. Start with a surprise. Hang
store certificates. Take your 20. Create holiday cards for a mini stocking at the foot
kids along to shop and hospitalized children. of your child’s bed for Santa to
have them help you wrap too. You can send your homemade place a tiny present in. He
19. Make an ornament for greetings to the nonprofit might also leave a clue about
Use two
wagon wheels for a cause. Visit a LEGO Store Cards for Hospitalized Kids to a bigger gift that awaits
the shammes between November 1 and distribute (full guidelines at your kid downstairs. Wake up
(helper candle). December 31, or use your cardsforhospitalizedkids.com). to squeals of delight!




P A R E N T S 96 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

e HOLIDAY BACKGROUNDS

















































e

cards exclusively
designed
by Shutterfly









LET US BE YOUR FAMILY’S PHOTOGRAPHER AND ENJOY THIS OFFER






FREE 8x10 STANDARD PRINT reg. $14 99




50% OFF + 4 99 STANDARD + 99 99 HIGH-RES DIGITAL
PRINTS
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY reg. $14.99 each ALBUM reg. $149.99
PURCHASE


Present at session. $9.99 session fee per subject. One offer per family, per day. Standard prints are unenhanced, 10x13 or smaller. Digital album includes the high resolution images photographed in your session
with a copyright license to use and modify the images. Enhancements, collages and specialty sizes created in studio are not included in the digital album. Standard prints and digital album are not discounted
further. Percent off not valid on digital images, digital enhancement upgrade, CD, media bundle, featured product or

Perks Club membership. Not valid on session fees, services, merchandise, reorders, prior purchases, online orders,


outdoor sessions or with other offers. JCPenney Portraits reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any
time without prior notice. No cash value. Valid through 3/1/20. PC1818295


SCHEDULE A SESSION AND FIND A STUDIO LOCATION AT JCPPORTRAITS.COM
Services are subject to availability and may not be available in all JCPenney stores. 193-403

LIFEÑPhi lanthropy



Meet moms
and dads who
started
nonprofits!




“I Had to Do Something.”



Each of these parents had crazy-busy lives (just like the
rest of us). But they didn’t let that stop them from taking real

action when they encountered serious problems.

Their hustle, fortitude, and compassion will inspire you.

by ELISSA STRAUSS


“LOOK FOR THE HELPERS,”
we tell our children when
scary things happen. We quote
When Miry Whitehill (center)
met this Syrian refugee family, Mister Rogers to remind them
they had been living in an
apartment with no furniture. (and ourselves, really) that the
The Alawads were so grateful world is still hospitable to
for Whitehill’s support
that they named their baby goodness and hope. For many,
after her a year later. this small act of redirection is
enough to feel better. But
others want to be the helpers.
These fierce moms and
dads identified an issue and
started their own nonprofits
to make a difference. Parents
is donating $500 to each of
these groups as a holiday
gift to honor our Board of
Advisors. We hope that you’ll
consider contributing too.



MIRY’S LIST


“Many families
who came to
our country seeking
a better life
have fallen through
the cracks.”


PURPOSE Provide refugee
families with
everyday necessities
and social support
FOUNDED 2016


Five months after the birth
of her second child, Miry
Whitehill heard about a
Syrian refugee family who
had just moved to Los Angeles DANNY LIAO.
and wanted a bouncy jumper.




P A R E N T S 98 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9