Month: October 2019

Happy Halloween and important reminders!

For children with autism, holidays like Halloween can sometimes be more stressful than they are fun. However, one Hawaii-based mom is determined to make sure her 3-year-old son — who is autistic and nonverbal — doesn’t have to worry about having a fun time while trick-or-treating this year. “My son is 3 years old and has autism. He is nonverbal. Last year houses will wait for him to say TRICK OR TREAT in order for him to get a piece of candy and there I go explaining the situation for the next 5 blocks,” Omairis Taylor wrote on Facebook last week. “This year we will be trying the BLUE BUCKET to signify he has autism.” The blue buckets are meant to alert candy givers that the child might have autism, may be non-verbal, and can’t say things like “trick-or-treat” or “Happy Halloween...

26 family-friendly events in Denver this week

 It’s Denver Arts Week (with free night at the museum), Dis de los Muertos, Confluence Park Public Art Tour and more.  See our event calendar for full listings and our guide to Colorado’s best fall colors, festivals and corn mazes and Harvest Fun: Colorado’s best pumpkin patches, farm stands and U-Pick Tours.  Pumpkin Nights at Adams County Fairgrounds and Regional Park Complex Oct 17  – Nov 3  Pumpkin Nights is returning this fall and bringing even more magic than ever before to Denver from Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, November 3! Taking place at the Adams County Fairgrounds and Regional Park Complex, visitors will experience new interactive Halloween experiences and festival activities unlike anything else. Pumpkin Nigh...

30 Best Places to Go Sledding in Colorado

Updated January 2023. When the snow flies in Colorado, consider seeking out a sled at one of these locations for some old-fashioned fun. There is myriad of sledding hills–some public, some secret. Here are a handful of our favorite spots. Some offer sled rentals: others are BYOS. These are the best sledding hills all over Colorado. All parks are free unless otherwise noted.  Also, a fun new pastime is going on a hike with your family and sledding down the trail after. This Eurosoed Mrikan Missile Sled is on my wish list for sure and wherever you go, be sure to check for avalanche safety if you’re in a high-risk area.  Where Are the Best Sledding Hills Near Denver? Denver This may come as a surprise to sledding enthusiasts in the Mile High City: It’s technically ...

10 delicious soup recipes for cold fall nights

Sure, we love our chicken noodle soup and chili but I’m all about adding new soups to our autumn meal rotation. Don’t miss these 10 delicious soup recipes.  First up, Autumn Minestrone Soup from Cooking Classy. This gorgeous version uses kale, butternut squash and zucchini which certainly boosts the health-value! If you are looking for a low-carb hit, try DamnDelicious.net’s Cauliflower Chowder. With bacon, garlic, and lots of chopped cauliflower, you won’t even miss those extra carbohydrates.   She Wears Many Hats brings us a perfectly simple version of Egg Drop Soup. According to my sister, bone broth made from Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken will yield completely irresistible (and immune-boosting) results. Even my ...

Emotional Risks and Real-life Consequences of Online Life

Recently at a screening at a school of Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, the principal told me she had a group of boys who were posting inappropriate things about each other on social media. When she told the boys that this could come back to haunt them—i.e., things can last forever on the internet—they responded:  “Yeah, we hear that, but we never hear a story of anything bad happening.”  I encourage you to listen with your teens to an episode of a podcast about an emotional story of a student who posts inappropriate comments in a “private” group chat and the subsequent severe consequences. In today’s Tech Talk Tuesday, I explore the huge range of emotions that kids and teens experience from interactions online. It is so important to start a conversati...

Deals: FREE Night at the Museums, Free Days & more!

I received a fun box of goodies from The Outlets of Castle Rock this last week. Not only was the box great fun to open and see what all was in it (Banana Republic animal print scarf, beanies from both Mountain Khakis and Arcteryx, Harry and David chocolates, Asics socks, necklace from Loft Outlet, and Vera Bradley lanyard and zip case). I also got an invitation to go shopping! In the box, I also received several gift cards which I’m super excited to go cash in – Asics, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, Mountain Khaki’s, and a center certificate. When you are planning your holiday excursions – don’t forget you can SAVE a ton of money by shopping at the outlet…then maybe you can save enough to get a little somethin...

The Three Cs: How to Parent Successfully

 Numerous studies suggest that the best-adjusted children are reared by parents who find a way to combine warmth and sensitivity with clear behavioral expectations. Parents may find the Four C’s to be a helpful acronym: Care (showing acceptance and affection) Consistency (maintaining a stable environment) Choices (allowing the child to develop autonomy) Consequences (applying repercussions of choices, whether positive or negative) To parent effectively, it’s not enough to simply avoid the obvious dangers like abuse, neglect, or overindulgence. Indeed, The National Academy of Sciences delineates four major responsibilities for parents: maintaining children’s health and safety, promoting their emotional well-being, instilling social skills, and preparing children intelle...

The Best Ways for Overcoming Sensory Issues at the Dentist

There are a lot of sensory issues that are involved with going to the dentist. There are bright lights, loud noises, and strange tastes and smells. Some children may have sensory issues making it difficult for them to comfortably visit the dentist. Luckily, as a parent, there are many things you can try to help your child overcome any fears or sensory issues your child has at the dentist. This article talks about the best ways for working through sensory issues so your child can have a positive dental visit.  Practice at home  Practicing at home is one great way to begin working through your child’s sensory issues and start teaching them the importance of dental care. Start by using visuals to help your child see what happens at the dentist. Read storybooks and watch videos about...

9 creepy Colorado places for Halloween

 The season of fright is upon us. Halloween candy has hit the grocery store shelves, spooky decorations are popping up in neighborhoods and the time for watching your favorite scary movie has arrived. And for those of us who enjoy the thrill of being scared, Colorado is home to some scary haunted houses and other spooky events.

DMNS Scientists Make Groundbreaking Discovery

Sixty-six million years ago, a meteorite larger than Mount Everest slammed into Earth and 75 percent of species went extinct in a geologic blink of an eye, including nonavian dinosaurs. For decades, scientists worked to determine how the planet and living creatures rebounded, yet continued to know very little about the recovery. Until now. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science recently announced a significant scientific discovery made by Museum curators Drs. Tyler Lyson and Ian Miller, along with other colleagues from our own earth sciences team and across the country. Thanks to their research at a site named Corral Bluffs, near Colorado Springs, their understanding of how mammals evolved and came to thrive after the asteroid impact and extinction of the dinosaurs is snapping into f...

‘I Am More Than’: Debunking the myths about foster kids and foster parenting

When I tell people I am a foster parent, I get lots of questions. “Don’t you get attached to the kids?” “Isn’t it hard?” “Aren’t the kids troubled?”  The answers are yes, yes and yes.  The last one hits me hard. It’s unfortunate that foster kids get a bad rap. Foster kids – a label that brings baggage of a long case file, a troubled childhood and grim statistics. But consider for a moment what these kids have been through. Each year, 3.3 million children are the victims of abuse. Through no fault of their own. And they are so much more than their case file. The bottom line, is like all kids, foster kids just want to feel loved and safe. And sometimes getting to that takes a little creativity, and a lot of patience.  I had one youth who came into my home thinking I would...

27 family-friendly events in Denver this week

Fun events this week include Harvest Farm Festival, BOOnion Station, Baby Shark Live and much more. See our event calendar for full listings and our guide to Colorado’s best fall colors, festivals and corn mazes and Harvest Fun: Colorado’s best pumpkin patches, farm stands and U-Pick Tours.  Pumpkin Nights at Adams County Fairgrounds and Regional Park Complex  Oct 17  – Nov 3  Pumpkin Nights is returning this fall and bringing even more magic than ever before to Denver from Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, November 3! Taking place at the Adams County Fairgrounds and Regional Park Complex, visitors will experience new interactive Halloween experiences and festival activities unlike anything else Glow at the Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens&n...

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