Make Sure Your Child
Is A "Happy Camper"
This Summer
Family
BOREDOM BUSTERS page 19
At KinderCare's Summer Champs Program, - your
child will enjoy a whole new and different learning expe-
rience and participate in many new activities. From music,
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art and nature hikes to sports, games and water activities.
All designed to bring out new creativity and the hidden
talent in your child.
The
Summer Champs Program,
only at KinderCare.
Sign up for some or all of our weekly camps. Preschool to
12 years. Enroll now. Space is limited.
Call for a complete camp activity schedule.
The 1996 Summer Champs Program at KinderCare®
West Bloomfield
Southfield
Troy
6615 Middlebelt Road
25345 Evergreen Road
5135 Coolidge Highway
(810) 855-1963
(810) 357-3390
(810) 641-8480
©1995 KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc
Sailing
Tripping
Canoeing
Water Skiing
or,
CD
ON LAKE COUCHICNING
A UNIQUE SPIRITED CAMP FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
AGES 6-15
20
10 Day Mini Sessions
PLUS
• 42 yrs. Nashman Family Original Owners/Directors
• 150 Acres ...Magnificent Crystal Clear Lake
• 1 1/2 hours from Toronto
• Complete Waterfront, Creative Arts & Landsports Facilities
• Enthusiastic, Caring Staff
• Great Food
• Shabbat Dinner ... Friday Evening Services
P
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0
0
(XI
Personal Interviews with Director
WErigiMiNg
THE DE TRO IT .JE WISH NEWS
7, 4 & 3 WEEK PERIODS
VA IMEMI
1• I es
ours •
cd
0
BRUCE NASHMAN in DETROIT AREA
• SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24th •
•SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25th •
For information call Toll Free 1-800-701-3132 or
in Michigan call Deby Gannes (810) 851-0040
Theatre
Science
Dance
C.I.T.
Program
a
Windsurfing
have something at stake in this
exam, too (perhaps you can buy
your daughter that new Scream-
ing Dead tape she wants if she
stumps you on 50 percent of the
questions).
* Isn't it wonderful? To chil-
dren aged about 6-10, $1 is still
a lot of money. They'll have a
great time if you take them to a
$1 store and let them buy any one
treat they want.
* Go out for ice cream. The fun
of it is that hardly anyone else
will think of doing something so
crazy in the middle of winter, so
you may even have the whole
place to yourself. Besides, chil-
dren of all ages love ice cream any
time of the year.
* Plan a winter scavenger
hunt. Bundle all the children up
and give them a list of treasures
to find. Some ideas: a pine cone,
birdseed, one leaf, a rock. ❑
The Secrets
Of Stepfamilies
KinderCare
Swimming
and Big Bird running nonstop.
There are a number of toys in the
back which children are free to
play with for as long as they like
(or as long as you can take it).
There's a Kaybee toy store at
Twelve Oaks, too, and a Mr.
Bulky, where you can let your
child get a small bag filled with
Reese's Pieces or M&Ms (unless
you're a parent who considers ap-
ples a fine enough treat).
* Teens and older children face
a constant barrage of homework,
tests, reports and "What did you
do at school today?" queries (Is
there any child who has ever ac-
tually done something, or is it al-
ways "nothing"?). Why not let
them turn the tables on you? Ask
your son or daughter to spend
about an hour at the library, re-
searching questions on a variety
of topics. Then have him prepare
a test for you, and see how many
you can answer. It will be fun to
Crg
ELIZABETH SCHEIBNER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
T
he nuclear family, as we
know it, has all but van-
ished. Today, more than
70 million Americans
live in some sort of stepfamily,
with hundreds more forming each
day. And by the year 2000, experts
predict there will be more step-
families than original families.
Despite the fact that stepfam-
ilies make up a large portion of
the population, step relationships
are still widely misunderstood.
One of the most common pitfalls
facing stepfamilies is the tenden-
cy to set unrealistic expectations.
A stepfamily isn't a biological fam-
ily, and trying to make it run like
one will only lead to disappoint-
ment and resentment.
Unlike biological families,
which have years to grow accus-
tomed to one another, stepfami-
lies are often thrown together
overnight and must quickly learn
rules, responsibilities and roles.
One of the keys to establishing
a positive and healthy stepfami-
ly, experts contend, is to allow
each member of the family to
mourn his or her losses. Whether
a marriage ends in divorce or
death, there needs to be a period
of adjustment for everyone in-
volved.
Children often feel responsible
for their parents' breakup or feel
Elizabeth Bcheibner writes for
Copley News Service.
that they are somehow being re-
jected or replaced. For this rea-
son, parents need to be
particularly sensitive to a child's
feelings when they remarry. Try
to foster a sense of security and
stability in your child's life and
minimize the number of changes
he or she must face.
Communication is absolutely
essential, which is why it's im-
portant to encourage your child
to express his or her feelings open-
ly and honestly. Holding regular
family meetings can be helpful
gatherings give children a sense
of control over their lives and help
make them feel important.
In many cases, stepfamilies find
it beneficial to seek the guidance
of a professional counselor to help
them deal with some of the issues
and conflicts that commonly arise
when two families merge.
Experts encourage stepparents
to make it clear to their stepchil-
dren that they're not trying to be-
come a replacement parent. In
fact, it's better if stepparents try
to become a child's friend or men-
tor than another parent.
Stepparents must learn to re-
spect and acknowledge the
stepchild's bond with his or her
biological parent and not try to
compete for the child's affection.
The best way to develop a rela-
tionship with a stepchild is by es-
tablishing trust.
❑