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, S 1 )&01er h In $ C4mrs ut KirtleorCsite. 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 'd 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. ❑