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SCREAM & SHOUT HEALTHY WAYS TO LET IT OUT MOM APPROVED OB-GYNS, MIDWIVES & FERTILITY SPECIALISTS
MEET THE WOMEN OF THE OLD MOMS CLUB PODCAST
FINDING YOURSELF AFTER MOTHERHOOD
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MOM APPROVED
23 Mom-Approved OB-GYNs, Midwives and Fertility Specialists
Women’s health providers who get local moms’ stamp of approval
SUMMER CAMP
30 Ready for Camp?
Gauging you and your kids’ readiness for sleepaway camp
FEATURE
18 Lost in Motherhood
Rediscovering your sense of self as a mom words Amanda Collins Bernier
NOTED
9 No Need to Shout How to stop yelling at your kids and parent more effectively
REAL MOMS
13 Moms Next Door / Michelle Hooper and Kristi McDonald
With their ‘Old Moms Club’ podcast, this duo is helping new moms feel seen
16 Briefs / 5 Favorite Things
Our Moms Next Door share their tips for making life with a toddler a little easier
PLAYBOOK
51 Things To Do
28 family fun events this February and March
6 Hello / Minding Mental Health
Like all wellness, the health of our mind impacts all facets of our lives
54 Looking Back
Acclaimed children’s entertainer
Joe Scruggs sings to a new generation of kids
MY OLDEST SON WAS 3 BEFORE I FINALLY PRIED THE BINKY FROM HIS MOUTH FOR THE LAST TIME. My second-born, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with a pacifier, no matter how many times I desperately offered it.
From their eating habits to sleeping patterns and general dispositions, my two boys couldn’t be more different. And from the get-go, parenting them has been vastly different too. It wasn’t just their distinct personalities, it was me. First-time motherhood left me lovestruck and joyous, but the second time around, I felt crushed and depleted. Postpartum depression made me an entirely different mom.
Parenting—whether it’s the newborn days or the teenage years—is always trying. But parenting while facing a mental health concern is even more challenging. And studies have found that the mental wellness of parents and their children is intertwined; poor mental health in parents is related to poor mental and physical health in kids. And so when the editorial team sat down to map out a theme for this issue, we knew mental health was an imperative topic to address.
Like all wellness, the health of our mind impacts all facets of our lives. As moms, it impacts how we interact with our children and how we see ourselves. On page 9, we look at the impact yelling can have on kids and parents, while offering ways you can keep your composure when emotions boil over. And on page 18, we explore why it’s so common for moms to lose their identity in motherhood—and how you can get it back.
It’s vital that we talk about kids’ mental health, too. In late 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health, and while much progress remains to be made, it opened the door to more conversations around the importance of our children’s mental health. And it’s about time.
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EDITORIAL
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Kelly Wooley
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Publishing Coordinator
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DFWChild is published bimonthly by Lauren Publications, Inc. DFWChild is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. Additional or back copies are available for $2 per copy at the offices of Lauren Publications, Inc. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. DFWChild is ©2023 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.
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YELLING. SCREAMING. SHOUTING. We’ve all done it. Every parent has raised their voice at their children, and often regretted it later. But studies show that yelling is not only ineffective, it can actually be damaging to the child and the parent.
Yelling is a natural response to feeling angry, frustrated or overwhelmed, but almost no parent sets out to yell at their child, says Erica Sewell, a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist at Full Circle Counseling and Family Services in North Dallas. Instead, she says, yelling typically happens as the result of a culmination of events and stressors. Being a parent can be stressful, and those daily and long-term stressors add up over time.
It’s a struggle that’s familiar to Alicia Hillman, a Fort Worth mom raising a toddler. Though Hillman is striving for gentle parenting, an approach that’s level and calm, there are moments when keeping an even keel while wrangling an active 20-month-old is a challenge. “I’m a fulltime single parent and I get
exhausted,” she explains. “Like at the end of the day, when I pick him up from Montessori and I have been working all day and still have work to do and he’s so full of energy, that’s when I get triggered. It’s still very much a work in progress.”
That’s not uncommon, says Sewell. It can be hard enough to navigate life and make it through the day, but significant life stressors—like a lack of family support or being a single parent—can impact a parent’s tolerance level even more. So even when parents are doing and trying their best to remain calm and collected, the fatigue from it all can produce a short fuse. “If a person is running on empty, it would be challenging for anyone to respond in a supportive and empathetic
Knowing the downsides to yelling can help parents to strive to pause before flying off the handle. For the child, the effects of yelling can be damaging to their self-worth and mental health. “Yelling can negatively impact a child’s self-esteem because it can lead to them not feeling valued,” says Sewell. “Studies have shown that yelling at a child makes them more susceptible to depression and anxiety, can negatively impact brain development, and potentially intensify challenging behaviors.”
Scan
tern—your parents yelled so you yell—but that could carry on a pattern that doesn’t align with the relationship you want to produce. “People say we don’t have a manual [for raising children] but the reality is that we, the parents, are the manual on how our grandchildren will be raised. So think about how you want to write that manual for your children when they grow up to become parents,” she says.
So, how can you stop yelling? And what’s a more effective option? Sewell urges parents to keep in mind that they have the authority to pause and call for a reset, taking away the sense of urgency that can spur parents to lose their temper. “Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you can handle this,” she suggests. “Remind yourself that your child is just having a moment and that things will get better.”
Looking for more resources to get you on a path to becoming a calmer parent? Our experts curated this reading list to help you learn to keep your cool.
• Becoming Me While Raising
You, by Kim Muench
• No Drama Discipline, by Daniel J Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
• The Whole Brain Child, by Dan Siegel M.D. and Tina Pryson, Ph.D.
• Beyond Behaviors, by Mona Delahoke, Ph.D.
• I Love You Rituals, by Dr. Becky Bailey
Yelling is just a short-term fix. Aside from stopping your child from running out into traffic, yelling at them doesn’t work to actually change their behaviors, experts say. In fact, from a neuroscience perspective, it is counterproductive. “Yelling can trigger fight or flight mode and makes it hard for a child to comprehend what is occurring around them,” says Sewell, “so it limits their ability to comprehend what is occurring around them.”
• How To Talk So Little Kids
Will Listen, by Joanna Farber and Julie King
But it’s not only about the moments before the conflict; the time parents do—or don’t—put into their emotional wellness makes a difference too. “I would say to set yourself up for success, you have to put into practice daily self-care,” says Muench. “It does not have to be a huge amount of time, but it has to be things that you will not negotiate and that you will do every single day.” Muench says that this can be something as basic as getting outside for a bit, but her favorite tool is meditation. “There is no shortage of research now coming out, telling us the importance and value in just taking even you know 2 to 3 minutes in the morning setting intention for your day,” she says.
Not only does it have long-term consequences for the child, but yelling takes a toll on parents as well. “It can make them feel bad about themselves, the guilt,” says parenting coach Kim Meunch, founder of Real Life Parent Guide in Flower Mound. She points out that sometimes it’s a generational pat-
Lastly, strive for imperfect progress. “I want parents to think of it as being a muscle and something you practice,” says Muench. “Maybe you didn’t yell immediately this time and maybe you de-escalated more the next time.” And even slip ups can be a tool. “When a parent does lose their cool, it allows for the parent to model how to own their behavior and apologize,” she points out, “which is a powerful tool in strengthening and repairing the relationship.”
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Join us for fun, hands-on, creative activities designed for the whole family to enjoy together—every day 11 am–3 pm.
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Art Museum of Fort Worth 3200 Darnell Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107
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BASICS Michelle, 43, from Dallas; Kristi, 40, from Tyler
MARITAL STATUS
Michelle is newly married to Matthew; Kristi is a newly single mom
CHILDREN Michelle has Ava, 18 months, and three stepchildren ages 25, 27 and 29. Kristi’s daughter, Eden, is 1
MOMPRENEURS
Michelle cofounded the marketing agency Digital Philosophies. Kristi, a part-time middle school teacher, founded the E Teacher App FUN FACT The pair usually records their weekly podcasts virtually
KRISTI MCDONALD AND MICHELLE HOOPER , friends, cofounders and hosts of the Old Moms Club podcast, refer to themselves as “new moms in old bodies.”
They use the word “old” lightheartedly after both women were told by doctors that their pregnancies were considered “geriatric.” The term was not exactly appreciated, but it became something to bond over and ultimately the inspiration behind their podcast.
The moms met at Boss Talks Dallas, a women’s networking organization, and became fast friends and each other’s go-to person for all the pregnancy dilemmas no one talks about. During their talks, they found there was a lack of resources for first-time moms in their late 30s and early 40s. So last Mother's Day, they launched their podcast to educate, entertain and inform. They record one episode a week, which airs every Thursday, and covers the challenges, milestones and magic of being an “old” new mom.
DFWCHILD: Did you both always know you wanted to be a mom?
MICHELLE HOOPER: I’d always wanted to be a mom and just expected it would happen. I would fall in love in my early 20s and then become a mom, but that just didn’t happen. So I focused on my career and traveled the world. I was 36 when I started to grieve the idea of not being a mom. Then at 37, I met Matthew and gave birth to Ava right before my 39th birthday.
KRISTI MCDONALD: I didn’t really have that ticking clock that many women have when it came to being a mom. I had my career and loved to travel so it wasn’t necessarily on my radar. But it’s funny how God always knows what we need, even when we don’t. Eden was exactly what I needed, when I needed it most.
DFWCHILD: How is becoming a firsttime mom later in life different than having a baby in say, your 20s?
KM: On one hand, it was easier because life was more stable. We both had established careers, life experiences and life lessons on our side. On the other hand, the physical part of pregnancy and birth—it’s harder on your body and you don’t recover as quickly.
DFWCHILD: Do you think your perspective differs from moms who had babies when they were younger?
MH: I think there’s almost an identity crisis that happens when you have a baby and you’ve already lived 20 years as an adult. Most of your friends might not be in the same life stage as you are. Your identity has been in your career and to shift that into motherhood is a unique thing.
DFWCHILD: So you named your podcast the “Old Mom’s Club” to give a sense of belonging to other moms in your same situation?
KM: Yes, because we all want to feel like we belong somewhere. We wanted it to be very inclusive. But you don’t have to be an “old mom” to be in the club.
DFWCHILD: Kristi, how has being single affected your experience as an older mom?
KM: Just like there’s a stigma around having a baby when you’re older, I think there’s still a stigma around being a single mom. In
many ways, it’s been easier. There’s less tension and it’s going to be easier to instill the values in Eden that are so important to me.
DFWCHILD: How did the idea of the podcast come up?
MH: With Ava being a few months older, I kept texting Kristi about things she was going to need in a few months. From that, we started making this list of topics that no one tells you about—pregnancy, birth or postpartum. There’s this whole secret world that moms know about, but no one talks about. We felt like we were doing a disservice to women by not talking freely about the things that all of us experience as mothers.
DFWCHILD: So many people have great ideas that never actually come to fruition. How did you make it happen?
MH: I had lived in Los Angeles where practically everyone had a podcast. I reached out to one of my good friends who had one and basically told her, “we need to know all your quick and easy tips and tricks for getting this launched in two weeks.” So, we hired her as a consultant and launched it on Mother’s Day.
DFWCHILD: What’s your definition of an “old mom”?
KM: Apparently “geriatric pregnancy” is the new term for advanced maternal age or a high-risk pregnancy, which starts at age 35. When I heard that, I looked straight at my doctor and said, “you will not say that.” I mean, you’re newly pregnant and excited just like all the younger moms and you go to your doctor’s office to be told you’re geriatric?
DFWCHILD: Have any listeners been upset at the idea that they might be an “old mom”?
KM: We have listeners who are like “we’re not old” and we’re like, exactly, that’s the point! Nowhere else in any medical situation is being 35 years old considered geriatric.
DFWCHILD: What’s the best advice you’ve received as a mom?
KM: Advocate for yourself. You know what your body is doing and you know your body best
At
This
Michelle Hooper and Kristi McDonald share their favorite ways to make life with a toddler just a little easier.
KM: A luxurious shower is my selfcare. Although after new mom life, any shower longer than one minute seems luxurious. I love using all the hot water and fresh eucalyptus.
MH: Even after becoming a mom, I still never miss a manicure! My go-to spot is The Best Nails Dallas. They use a European-style gel manicure, which lasts over four weeks—a great option for busy moms that don’t have time for frequent nail appointments.
THE BEST NAILS DALLAS // 2821 McKinney Ave., Dallas; 945/400-5739; thebestnailsdallas.com
MH: My favorite app for tracking my daughter’s sleep and eating trends is Nara Baby. I also use The Short Years app, which is a baby book app. I upload pictures and answer a couple of questions each month, then they mail the completed pages.
KM: Peel and stick placemats by Klean Kids. Great for restaurants and traveling with
KLEAN KIDS DISPOSABLE PLACEMATS // amazon.com; 40-pack $15
NARA BABY // naraorganics.com; free THE SHORT YEARS // theshortyearsbooks.com; books from $129
MH: We’ve attended Backyard Music Class since Ava was 4 months old. It’s taught by Audrey Schott and located in the Swiss Avenue Historic District in Dallas. We also started Mommy & Me Gymnastics classes at ASI Gymnastics in Lakewood.
BACKYARD MUSIC CLASS // 5622 Swiss Ave., Dallas; backyardmusicclasses.com; drop-in $30
ASI GYMNASTICS // 6464 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas; 972/671-5510; asigymnastics.com; classes from $90/month
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“I’M A MOM. I’M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE.” It wasn’t until I heard myself utter those words out loud that I realized it: somewhere along the way, I had lost myself in motherhood.
It happened years ago when I worked in an office divided into identical beige cubes. The only thing differentiating one from another were their colorful, custom name plaques. Cartoon characters, race cars, refreshing vacations scenes—each placard told a little story about the person who sat inside that cube. But when it came time for me to design my own, I froze. What did I like? What were my hobbies? I honestly didn’t know. Though I had a career, a husband, friends and family, the most central part of my identity was being a mom—so much so, that I couldn’t remember the most basic qualities that made me me.
Experts say that many—if not most— moms will at some point come to this crossroads. So many mothers have a moment when they feel that their entire identity is wrapped up in the role of mom. According to the 2020 State of Motherhood survey by Motherly, 71% of moms report being “most strongly defined” by their motherhood. Among moms under 30 with young children, that bumps up to 78%. And those who are not in the workforce—87%—are more likely to feel this way.
“Losing yourself in motherhood is so common,” says Heidi McBain, a marriage and family therapist based in Flower Mound
who specializes in coaching moms and momsto-be. “Women are often socialized to put other people’s wants and needs before their own, which can be an easy pattern to continue in motherhood. Also, women are still more likely than men in this day and age to become full-time stay-at-home parents or cut back on their work hours to take care of family, which can lead to motherhood becoming all-encompassing.”
But whether working, staying home, or somewhere in between, motherhood is all-consuming. It’s a demanding, round-the-clock job, where one day’s responsibilities bleed into the next with no breaks in between. In fact, a 2018 study found that the average American mom “works” about 98 hours a week caring for her family, the equivalent of two-and-a-half fulltime jobs. But more than a non-stop barrage of tasks, being a mom is mentally and emotionally consuming, as well. No wonder maintaining one’s independent selfhood while also having children can seem impossible. At some point, women come up for air and realize that they’ve slowly faded away from themselves.
“That sense of identity loss often comes with a sudden realization, because it’s progressive,” says Annia Palacios, a licensed professional counselor who owns Tightrope Therapy in Fort Worth and specializes in working with mothers. “We don’t realize it until there’s a distinct moment where we’re like, ‘wait a second, I don’t know who I am outside of motherhood. What do I like? What do I enjoy? I don’t even know anymore.’ It’s not like a light switch where it’s on and off and you lose your outside hobbies and interests. It gradually builds over time, and we don’t realize that it’s even happening.”
For Jennifer Jurek Land, the loss happened over the span of 15 years. The Fort Worth mom poured herself into homeschooling her five children for nearly two decades, a job that took nearly all of her time, energy and attention. Her own passions and pursuits were afterthoughts; squeezed into her life as her kids’ schedules allowed. But when her youngest was finally old enough to not need her so intensely, she didn’t feel relief. Instead, she says, it felt “weird.”
“I felt lost,” she says, “like I needed to understand who I am now at this point in my life.”
Elisabeth Reta, a mom of two from Dallas, came to a similar crossroads after she moved from working outside the home to being a stay-at-home mom amid the pandemic.
“I kind of felt like all I was doing was mom stuff. There wasn’t really anything in my life that was just for me anymore,” she says. “I felt like I was having like a midlife crisis. Like if I died tomorrow, what would my legacy be? And being a mom is a wonderful legacy, but that’s not all of who I am. I was a whole person before I got married and had kids.”
Do we really lose ourselves when we become moms, or is it that motherhood fundamentally changes who we are? A little of both, experts say.
“In motherhood we may lose touch with ourselves because we’re prioritizing taking care of our kids over taking care of ourselves. But motherhood does change who we are fundamentally as well,” says McBain. “The woman who becomes a mom is not the same woman she was before having children, starting on day one.”
The shift starts with the period of matrescence, Palacios explains, a physical, hormonal, emotional and social transition into motherhood. Just like adolescence marks the growth from children to young adults, matrescence is a distinct, year-long period of change that marks the emergence of a whole new identity: a mother.
“It’s normal to feel you’re redefining your identity in this time,” says Palacios. “And every time you have another child, you go through this period. Maybe the changes that you go through will look different from a first-time mom to a second-time mom and beyond. But it’s a year of transitioning into your new role.”
But once this period passes, moms don’t just go back to who they used to be. Instead, they continue to evolve, going through their own seismic shifts just as their kids grow and change. Being a parent reshapes relationships with family, friends and partners—and the way we see ourselves.
“Now, you’re somebody’s mom,” says Palacios. “We even describe ourselves like that: ‘I’m Sarah’s mom,’ instead of using our own name.”
But preserving a sense of self outside their kids is vital to a mom’s mental health. “Then you bring a better, more fulfilled woman back to yourself, and into the family and your relationship with your partner,” says McBain. “You have something to give versus always feeling depleted by others.”
Fort Worth mom of one Jessica Parham says a loss of self eventually led to “a serious anxiety spiral.” So her therapist prescribed that she do something she used to love: read a book.
“It was like I woke up,” she says about picking up a book for the first time in ten
years. “After that one, I couldn’t stop.” In the last year-and-a-half, she’s read almost 100 books, started a book blog and Bookstagram. “I finally feel like myself again and it’s awesome,” she says.
Jurek Land had a similar assignment from a counselor as she grappled with her own identity crisis: make a list of all the things she used to love to do as a kid. She realized that she still loved many of those things, she just didn’t do them anymore.
“It had me reflecting on how to incorporate those ‘old me’ things into my new life in a way that was fulfilling. I began making lists for myself. What are some things I want out of life? What are my dreams? What have I always wanted to do? And what’s stopping me from doing it?” she says. Eventually, her journey to reconnect with herself led to a new career and stronger sense of identity than ever before.
Returning to the things you enjoyed before kids may be one way of rediscovering yourself, but it’s not always the answer. For some women, it’s more about balancing who you used to be with who you are now. After all, interests change and what was fun or fulfill-
READS
THESE SELF-DISCOVERY BOOKS GIVE YOU THE TOOLS TO FEEL FULFILLED AND STEP INTO YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF.
• Self-Discovery Journal for First-Time Moms by Sarah Griesemer
With a wide range of writing prompts and positive affirmations, this journal helps moms make time for self-care and find themselves again.
• Find Your Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky
This practical guide helps you discover the unique gifts and talents that make you, you, and how to make time for this “unicorn space.”
• More Than a Mom: Finding Purpose in the Everyday Monotony Without Losing Yourself or Your Sanity by Ashley Cabonatto
An honest and funny look at the ups and downs of motherhood and finding purpose in all the mundane tasks that come along with it.
• Mama Rising: Rediscovering the New You Through Motherhood by Amy Taylor-Kabbaz Interviews with experts, case studies and the author’s own tried-and-tested advice help mothers reconnect with the woman they are outside the role of mom.
ing before children might not be the same today. So finding yourself after motherhood might mean accepting that you’re no longer the same person you were before having kids and connecting with the new version of you. What fills her cup?
Not sure where to begin? That’s common, says Palacios. If you feel like you don’t even know what you like anymore, she suggests starting with what you don’t like and working from there.
“I tell moms, ‘let’s talk about the things that you really don’t like right now. Let’s talk about what’s really bothering you, and then we try to find the opposite,’” she says. “So for example, maybe someone feels overstimulated and touched out because the kids or the baby is just always on them. So let’s talk about what the opposite of that might look like.”
From there, figure out concrete but easy actions you can take. If you need alone time, try taking a walk without the stroller, without the dog—just you. Palacios says a little trial and error can help you figure out what does feel good.
But the biggest key in connecting with yourself, experts say, is making it a priority. That may feel backwards to moms, who are used to putting the needs of their kids first, but it’s possible to prioritize your children and yourself. In fact, since a child’s wellness is directly related to their mother’s mental health, taking time for you is taking care of them.
Be intentional about carving out a few minutes of me-time every day, and make sure you’re not “living on leftovers,” says Palacios. Too often, mothers take care of themselves in leftovers of the day—naptime or after bed-
time—and in those spaces, they are already mentally and emotionally drained. Plus, what if the baby takes a short nap, but you were counting on that hour to do something for yourself? “This is where we begin to lose ourselves because we don’t intentionally carve out that time to have time for ourselves,” says Palacios.
In the moments that you take for yourself, focus on self-care from a wholistic standpoint. How can you truly care for your whole wellbeing, including intellectually or creatively? Maybe it’s listening to a podcast, reading a book that’s not a bedtime story, drawing or painting or just connecting with other adults.
“What matters to each person, what fills your cup, is going to be different based on each individual,” Palacios explains. “It’s about taking the time to find those things and then prioritizing them and protecting mom’s ability to do that.”
These local therapists specialize in working with moms and navigating the ups and downs of motherhood.
Heidi McBain, LMFT, LPC, PMH-C Flower Mound, 214/206-6918 heidimcbain.com Annia Palacios, LPC, PMH-C Fort Worth, 817/818-7152 tightropetherapy.com“The woman who becomes a mom is not the same woman she was before having children, starting on day one.”
For over 30 years Vernon and Waldrep OB/GYN Associates has provided compassionate, high quality medical care to women of all ages. They are very excited to have Dr. Regan Allen and Dr. Allison Kramer join the practice. We are honored to be nominated by our patients and excited to be welcomed to the DFWChild community.
OB-GYNS, MIDWIVES & FERTILITY SPECIALISTS
WORDS AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
1 CUP OF BREAST MILK CONTAINS
TEXAS
RATE IN THE COUNTRY: 35%
26.9 26.9
70% 70%
THE AVERAGE AGE OF FIRST-TIME MOTHERS IN THE U.S. IS AND STEADILY ON THE RISE
22
11 GRAMS OF FAT 17 GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATES
2.5 GRAMS OF PROTEIN
About 2% of all U.S. births annually are via IVF
THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC CORD BLOOD BANKS IN TEXAS THAT PARTNER WITH HOSPITALS TO COLLECT DONATED CORD BLOOD
171 CALORIES
OF PREGNANT WOMEN MORNING SICKNESS MORNING SICKNESS
EXPERIENCE ,
AND FOR 3% IT’S SEVERE
DUE DATES DUE DATES
FOURTH TRIMESTER
The 12-week period immediately after giving birth
84
DELAYED CORD CLAMPING IS WAITING ANY AMOUNT OF TIME— FROM 30 SECONDS TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE CLAMPING THE CORD
Texas had the secondhighest number of births in the U.S. in 2020:
368,190
368,190
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Tate, Amy LM, CPM Swiss Avenue Birth & Wellness
DENTON
Monday, Matika CNM Caring for Women
FARMERSVILLE
DeStefano, Robin LM
Heritage Midwives
FLOWER MOUND
Gross, Marsha APRN, CNM, MSN
Flourish Birth & Wellness Center
FORT WORTH
Diamond, Hannah APRN, CNM Texas Health Nurse Midwife Care
Donaldson, Kathleen APRN, CNM Texas Health Nurse Midwife Care
Griffith, Lindsay CNM Midwife+Co
Hicks, Candis APRN, CNM Texas Health Nurse Midwife Care
Kirk, Alison APRN, CNM Texas Health Nurse Midwife Care
FRISCO
Mitchell, Teri APRN, CNM, IBCLC BundleBorn Midwifery
Wallis, Margie LM, CPM Frisco Midwifery & Birth Center See ad on page 29
HURST
Gaspard, Cheryl CPM, LM Gentle Beginnings Birth Center
KELLER
Wages, Kaitlyn LM, CPM Origins Birth & Wellness Collective
LEWISVILLE
Monday, Matika CNM Caring for Women
MCKINNEY
Evenson, Robin WHNP, CNM Craig Ranch OB-GYN
Young, Krista LM, CPM Legacy Midwives
PLANO
Silberstein, Lindsay MSN, APRN, CNM Plano Birthplace
RICHARDSON
Brown, Krystal MSN, APRN, CNM Lovers Lane Birth Center
See ad on page 28
Hammack, Kristy LM, CPM Lovers Lane Birth Center
See ad on page 28
ARLINGTON
Oladell, Charmaine MD, FACOG
Omega OB-GYN Associates
Walker, David MD
Omega OB-GYN Associates
BEDFORD
Anderson, Marquita MD Texas Health Women’s Care
DALLAS
Anders, Brittney MD, FACOG
Legacy Women’s Health
Blewett, Kavitha MD, FACOG Women’s Health
Specialists of Dallas
See ad on page 28
Caram, Bianca MD, FACOG Legacy Women’s Health
Crable, Quanita MD, FACOG Dr. Crable OB-GYN
Dennard, Austin DO UT Southwestern OB-GYN, Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic
Elmquist, Alison MD, FACOG
Vernon & Waldrep OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 22
Forbes, Joanna MD UT Southwestern OB-GYN, Park Cities
Gaitonde, Ashwin MD Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates of Dallas
Gladney, Robert MD Swiss OB-GYN
Gunderson, Rachel MD Carlos & Parnell, MD, PA
Hagood, Julie MD Walnut Hill Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates
Hays, Tracy MD
Carter, Hays, Martin & Associates
Heintges, Michelle MD Advanced Women’s Health Care
Joykutty, Jessy DO Baylor Scott & White Park Lane OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 27
Littrell, Christina MD Swiss OB-GYN
McClintock, Jean MD, FACOG
Northlake Obstetrics & Gynecology
O’Connor, Tara MD, FACOG
Vernon & Waldrep
OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 22
Oliveira, Marcia MD, PA Marcia J. Oliveira MD, PA
Peveto, Joy MD, FACOG Women’s Health Alliance
Potter, Dana MD Baylor Scott & White Park Lane OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 27
Rosenfield, Laura MD Gynecological & Obstetrical Associates
Ruk, Todd MD, FACOG Northlake Obstetrics & Gynecology
Silver, Kyler Elwell MD UT Southwestern OB-GYN, Park Cities
Stevenson-Gargiulo, Elizabeth DO Baylor Scott & White Park Lane OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 27
Tajzoy, Emil W. MD Emil W. Tajzoy, MD, PLLC
Tillman, Felicia MD Health Central Women’s Care
Waldrep, Kathryn MD, FACOG
Vernon & Waldrep
OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 22
Walker, Angela MD, FACOG
Vernon & Waldrep
OB-GYN Associates
See ad on page 22
DENTON
Finger, Laura MD Caring for Women
FLOWER MOUND
Finger, Laura MD Caring for Women
Goldman, Alexandra MD North Texas OB-GYN Associates
Sbanotto, Ashley MD North Texas OB-GYN Associates
Tovar, Rudolph MD North Texas OB-GYN Associates
FORT WORTH
Allen, Katrina MD
Women’s Integrated Healthcare
Arnold, Laura DO Texas Health
Women’s Care
Atkins, Lori MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care
See ad on page 26
Bevan, Catherine MD, FACOG
Fenom Women’s Care
See ad on page 26
Breedlove, Lindsay MD Vivi Women’s Health
Cammack, Kathleen MD Vivi Women’s Health
Erwin, Jamie MD Vivi Women’s Health
Garda, Jacqueline DO Vivi Women’s Health & Texas Health Care
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Glenn, Sunny MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care & Baylor Scott & White, Andrews Women’s Hospital, Fort Worth
See ad on page 26
Hooper, Mickey DO MY Texas Health Care
Obstetrics & Gynecology
King, Kristi MD WholeLife Authentic Care
Kutzler, Beatrice MD MY Texas Health Care
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Larsen, Alicia MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care
See ad on page 26
Lusby, Rachel MD, FACOG MY Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maas, Emily MD Vivi Women’s Health
Moyers, Carolyn DO, FACOG, NCMP Sky Women’s Health
Obst, Jaime DO WholeLife Authentic Care
Rainer, Drew MD Women’s Health Medical Group
Rogers, Rebecca MD Vivi Women’s Health
Tabor, Lauren MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care & Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology
See ad on page 26
Webster, Barbara DO Texas Health Women’s Care
White, Michael MD North Texas Women’s Health Care
Whitfield, John MD, FACOG John A. Whitfield Gynecology & Gynecologic Surgery
Wood, Rita DO, PA Eighth Avenue Obstetrics & Gynecology
Zwernemann, Robert MD MY Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology
FRISCO
Holt, Catherine MD Catherine Holt, MD
Ibekwe, Tochi MD Baylor Scott & White Obstetrics & Gynecology, Frisco
See ad on page 28
Ricks, Jon T. MD Jon T. Ricks, MD
GRAND PRAIRIE
Walker, David MD
Omega OB-GYN Associates
GRAPEVINE
Berzinskas, Egle MD
Baylor Scott & White Riverside Obstetrics & Gynecology
New, Jr., Troy MD Grapevine OB-GYN
IRVING
Awosemusi, Yetunde MD
UT Southwestern OB-GYN, Las Colinas
Sakovich, Stephen Peter MD MacArthur Medical Center
Staud, Jennifer MD UT Southwestern OB-GYN, Las Colinas
KELLER White, Michael MD North Texas Women’s Health Care
LAKE WORTH
Rainer, Drew MD Women’s Health Medical Group
LEWISVILLE
Goldman, Alexandra MD North Texas OB-GYN Associates
Sbanotto, Ashley MD North Texas OB-GYN Associates
Tovar, Rudolph MD North Texas OB-GYN Associates
MANSFIELD
Kindred, Robin MD
Women’s Health Specialists of North Texas
Oladell, Charmaine MD, FACOG Omega OB-GYN Associates
MCKINNEY
Luciani, Gerald MD, FACOG
Comprehensive OB-GYN
Robert, Sara MD Craig Ranch OB-GYN
MESQUITE
Brodsky, Charles MD Women’s Health Alliance
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
Zwernemann, Robert MD MY Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology
PLANO
Axmann, Brenda MD Axmann & Whitaker Gynecologic Associates
Baghdassarian, David MD, FACOG Women’s Specialists of Plano
Evans, Aungel MD
Associated Women’s Healthcare
Grisham, Charles Keith MD Northwest Plano OB-GYN Mos, Amy MD Plano Women’s Healthcare See ad on page 28
Trylovich, Courtney MD, FACOG Northlake Obstetrics & Gynecology
ROCKWALL
Do, Linda MD, FACOG Baylor Scott & White Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rockwall
ROWLETT
Ngoc-Dung NguyenReyes, Tracy MD, FACOG Baylor Scott & White Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rowlett
SOUTHLAKE
Allen, Katrina MD Women’s Integrated Healthcare
WEATHERFORD
Mikes, April DO, FACOG Weatherford OB-GYN Associates
WILLOW PARK
Breedlove, Lindsay MD Vivi Women’s Health
Lusby, Rachel MD, FACOG MY Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrics & Gynecology
9x Mom Approved
FENOM Women’s Care is not just a practice in medicine, it is a practice in humanity. We combine the finest general obstetrics and gynecology with care that extends beyond check-ups and physical wellness. Our all-female physician team offers real insight in order to create a true continuum of health throughout the lives of our patients for years to come.
The OBGYNs of FENOM are so proud to have been recognized as “Mom Approved.” You Moms, you FENOMenal humans—YOU are the reason why we do what we do. Our mission at FENOM is to take care of you throughout your lifespan, meeting you where you are every step of the way. We are committed to empowering you to take charge of your health through personalized care, insightful education and expert service. We are comprehensive, compassionate, and powerful.
We love our patients and strive as a team to be there for you in every capacity. From the nervous time of preconception, to possible struggles with infertility, the uncertainty of pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the tumultuous postpartum period, it is our belief that a woman is most empowered when she expands her knowledge of her body and her womanhood. We offer annual exams, adolescent gynecology, menopausal medicine, pelvic support, sexual dysfunction, and so much more. Here at Fenom, we want to be a valuable resource to you.
As a physician team, our commitment to those we serve allows for the added benefit of consistency of care between physicians. Whenever a health need arises, we will be here for you. This includes our amazing clinical staff, a vital part of FENOM, and we thank them for taking such great care of our patients (and of us!). Together, we form a community that is FENOMenal.
Recognition from our patients means the world to us. It lets us know you see us like we see you. Thank you for being part of our FENOMenal family. #weareFENOM
Obstetrics & Gynecology
10x Mom Approved
The physicians at Baylor Scott & White Park Lane OB/GYN Associates are honored to have been chosen again as DFWChild Mom-Approved doctors! Since 2004, Baylor Scott & White Park Lane OB/GYN has been providing evidence-based care for women and people requiring obstetric and gynecologic care in an inclusive practice. Our practice has now grown to four physicians and a nurse practitioner, and we take most commercial insurance plans.
We deliver our patients at Baylor Scott & White Dallas, also known as
Baylor University Medical Center, which provides advanced maternity care. Our care encompasses the entire spectrum of obstetrics, from unmedicated deliveries to low risk VBACs, and pregnancies complicated by complex maternal medical issues. We have a team-based approach to the health of our patients during such an exciting time in their lives. As gynecologists, we do everything from annual well visits, office-based gynecologic procedures, and most major surgeries for benign gynecologic conditions. Our doctors are highly trained in minimally invasive
surgery including laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, and now are also offering vaginal laparoscopic surgery, so our patients who need surgery can quickly return to their normal activities.
Whether you are having menstrual issues, currently pregnant or trying, having symptoms due to menopause, or part of the LGBTQIA+ community and looking for inclusive care, we look forward to seeing you in our conveniently located office right in the heart of Dallas across from NorthPark Center.
Baylor Scott & White Park Lane OB/GYN Associates
9101 N Central Expy., Ste 250 Dallas, TX 75231
214-826-2979
ParkLaneOBGYN.com
Midwives
2x Mom Approved
Krystal and Kristy are midwives that offer out-of-hospital birth to moms at Lovers Lovers Lane Birth Center. Lovers Lane Birth Center is the first black-owned birth center serving the DFW metroplex. With us, moms have the option to give birth at the birth center or in their own homes.
Krystal and Kristy believe that shared decision making is the cornerstone for healthier moms and babies. We strive to provide loving, personalized care throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.
Lovers Lane Birth Center 304 S. Cottonwood Dr., Ste. A Richardson, TX 75080 214-366-3579 • loverslanebirthcenter.com
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Ibekwe is passionate about providing compassionate and comprehensive medical and surgical care to women of all ages. After completing her residency and earning the Maternal Fetal Medicine Outstanding Resident Award, she joined Johns Hopkins Hospital where she served as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She later returned home to DFW, where she served as the OB Hospitalist Site Director at a busy women’s health center. She enjoys building a special relationship with her patients. She strives to provide patient-centered, evidenced-based care and empowers patients to be well-informed advocates for their health.
Baylor Scott & White Obstetrics & Gynecology—Frisco 4461 Coit Rd., Ste 205, Frisco, TX, 75035 972-817-1249 • BSWHealth.com/Tochi-Ibekwe
8x Mom Approved
Dr. Amy Mos established her practice with Plano Women’s Healthcare in 2006. Dr Mos enjoys providing personalized and compassionate healthcare to women by getting to know each patient on a personal level and understanding their own unique needs and concerns. She especially enjoys taking care of women during pregnancy, both uncomplicated and high-risk pregnancies. She performs minimally invasive robotic procedures at Medical City Plano, where she had the honor of serving as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2013–2015. Another focus of her practice is helping women with the transition through menopause with individualized hormone therapy. Both she and her husband, Danny, grew up in Plano and enjoy spending their time with their children, Dylan and Sophie.
Plano Women’s Healthcare 1600 Coit Rd, Suite 202, Plano, TX 75075 972-596-2470 • planowomenshealthcare.com
Obstetrics & Gynecology
8x Mom Approved
Dr. Kavitha Blewett enjoys providing compassionate women’s healthcare, which is tailored to each individual patient’s needs. Her patients especially appreciate her caring bedside manner and willingness to explain diagnoses and procedures in easy-to-understand language. She is interested in all areas of obstetrics and gynecology including complicated high-risk pregnancy, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, adolescent gynecologic care, contraception and menopausal changes.
Women’s Health Specialists of Dallas, PA
8160 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75231 214-363-4421 • whsdallas.com
It’s normal to feel both excited and anxious as you anticipate the birth of your baby! Frisco Midwifery & Birth Center specializes in guiding expectant families through pregnancy and birth so you feel safe, confident, informed and nurtured. We combine holistic care (body, mind and heart) with physiologic care (Midwifery Model). We help you create an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. Be safe. Be seen. Be confident. Call to schedule a free consultation Frisco Midwifery
469-MIDWIFE • 469-643-9433 friscobirthcenter.com
PICTURE IT: YOUR KIDS ARE SWIMMING, DOING ARTS AND CRAFTS, PLAYING SPORTS, FLYING DOWN ZIP LINES.
They’re learning skills, trying new things, gaining independence, making friends and meeting people from backgrounds that are different from theirs.
Camp is where kids learn to make—and celebrate—mistakes, where they learn to keep trying to succeed, where they gain socialemotional competencies that are essential for learning in school. In fact, research has shown that having these kinds of experiences results in increased academic success, according to Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association.
There’s no doubt that sleepaway camp has numerous benefits for kids—ones you can and can’t see. But is your child ready to attend? And, for that matter, are you ready to send them?
GAUGING KIDS’ READINESS
While there is no hard-and-fast rule for the age at which children could start attending sleepaway camp, “I think almost every child who has completed second grade is ready,” says Susie Baskin, who, along with her husband Steve, owns Camp Champions, a sleepaway camp in Marble Falls, which welcomes about a quarter of their campers from Dallas-Fort Worth each summer.
But remember, camp readiness varies by child, so if your kid isn’t ready to attend after second grade, that’s perfectly okay. If your child is ready at a younger age, some overnight camps will accept kids who have finished
kindergarten and first grade on a case-by-case basis.
What are a few surefire ways to gauge if your child is ready for sleepaway camp?
Your child has successful sleepovers. Whether it’s at a friend or a family member’s house, “having successful sleepovers is the number one predictor of success at camp,” Baskin says. That means they don’t call you to pick them up (unless, of course, they’re sick).
They can reasonably keep track of their belongings. “I’m not saying that every child should know where everything is all the time, but they should have a general idea of what they brought to camp and where they put it,” Baskin says. After all, you won’t be there to pick up after them.
Your kid knows how to ask for help. Rosenberg says it’s important that your child is able to advocate for themselves.
They have a general knowhow of hygiene. Can they brush their teeth, wash and brush their hair, etc.? Camps expect kids to have a developmentally appropriate level of self-care, Baskin says.
Your child can reasonably clean up after themselves, including making the bed and clearing their dishes after meals.
They show an interest. Maybe their friend or cousin goes to sleepaway camp. Perhaps an older neighborhood kid has talked about it. If your child mentions camp to you, it may be time to choose one.
You’re child checks all the boxes and you know they’re ready to attend sleepaway camp. But if it’s your first time, you may be
hesitant. Baskin says her experience with camp growing up was watching The Parent Trap, but she was fully exposed to the lifestyle when she met her “summer camp fanatic” husband. “Were it not for Steve, I would have been one of those nervous mamas who would have pushed back,” she says.
Racheal Hackler, a licensed professional counselor, owner and lead therapist at TrueSelf Counseling and Coaching in Fort Worth, is in a similar situation. Her husband grew up going to camp and she did not. Now they’re having discussions about whether it’s time to send their 7-year-old twins to camp.
If you’re in the same boat, here’s what to consider to gauge your readiness: Do you have separation anxiety or are you fearful of being “kid-sick”? “Kid-sickness” is when parents are worried or feel lonely because their kids have left. “I think it’s natural to have a little bit of anxiety about your kiddos going off to some type of overnight camp,” Hackler says. But, as Baskin advises, you have to look at the long-term benefits of camp and not the shortterm discomfort of sending your child away. If you need help managing this anxiety, it’s a good idea to seek help from a therapist.
Look inward. Ask yourself: what are my fears? What is worrying me? Are these some serious concerns? Is it a reality that these things could happen? “I think a lot of times our anxiety and our thoughts come from things that we’ve experienced in our childhood,” Hackler says. It’s okay to have these feelings, but the most important thing is to not let your anxieties spill over to your child as you’re working through them.
Start small. If you’re not quite ready for sleepaway camp, consider day camp. Your child will get to experience camp, and it will help you work up to feeling more comfortable about sleepaway camp, Hackler suggests. Another idea? Rosenberg suggests attending a family camp, so you and your child can experience sleepaway camp together, preparing you both for the separation of next summer.
Ask questions. “A really quality camp wants to be your longterm partner,” Baskin says, so don’t be afraid to call the director to address some of your concerns. Ask whether the camp is accredited by the ACA, meaning the camp is fully invested in understanding and implementing policies that reflect industry-recognized standards around health, safety and risk management, Rosenberg advises. Ask about staff training procedures, how kids’ physical and mental health is cared for, how bullies are handled, how food allergies are addressed. How does the camp handle homesickness? What are policies in communicating with your child and camp staff? And make sure to ask about things you’re worried or anxious about. Getting answers to these questions will help remove some of the fear of the unknown.
Once you’ve decided you’re ready to send your child to camp, make fun plans for yourself for the first week your child is away. Whether you take a weekend trip with your partner or plan fun social events during the week, Rosenberg says the last thing you should do is stay home and fret about your child. After all, your kid is having a blast at summer camp, so you should too.
How to know if your kids—and you— are ready for sleepaway camp
SummerYou is an eight-week summer program facilitated by, and on the campus of, All Saints’ Episcopal School
Our 147-acre campus in west Fort Worth is the perfect habitat for exploration, adventure, and curiosity.
With more than 200 camps to choose from, your child won’t be riding the boredom train. From building robots to throwing water balloons, starting a business to playing baseball, SummerYou has it all!
With full-day options and affordable weekly camps for Ages 3–Grade 12 all on one world-class campus, parents can rest easy knowing the logistics, and their kids, are well taken care of.
Bee active, Bee silly, Bee YOU!
Registration for summer 2023 is open! Explore featured camps and dive into details at summeryou.org/fwcmag
9700 Saints Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76108 817-560-5700, ext. 416 summeryou.org/fwcmag
Play the Cooper Way!
Keep your kids and teens active this spring while having fun without screen time.
Ages 5–16
• Summer Fit & Fun Day Camp (early bird registration pricing ends March 1)
• Junior Tennis Clinics
• Swim Lessons
• Kids in the Kitchen
• Triathlon Training
• Spring Break Camp
• Performance Camp
Connect in person | Play safely | Have fun
Register today at cooperyouth.com.
12100 Preston Road Dallas, TX 75230 972.233.4382
Join us for S.E.E.D (Summer Exploration, Engagement, and Discovery) Camp in the Garden!
Campers will explore the grounds of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden while learning about the natural world, growing into young scientists, and having fun!
Camp sessions run from the week of June 5 to the week of July 10. Check out our website for descriptions and registration information!
• Camps for ages 5–14
• Half day (9am–12pm) for ages 4–5
• Full day (9am-3pm) for ages 6–14
• Hands-on investigations and creative activities
• Indoor and outdoor exploration
• Social-emotional learning
• Focus on environmental STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)
fwbg.org/camps
mschmidlkofer@fwbg.org
Let the creativity flow as your child explores the arts! TCA+A has week-long summer camps for students ages 3–18 Enjoy dance, music, theatre and visual arts every day with friends! After a week of learning and exploring, put your skills to use with an end of the week presentation. You can choose the camp that’s perfect for your child whether it be Creative Arts, Art Studio, Dance Intensive, Tech Theatre: Sound Workshop or Tech Theatre: Lighting Workshop
We also have two new summer camps that utilize our professional-level choirs.
A Week With TBC allows your student to be an honorary member of the Grammy Award-winning Texas Boys Choir for a week. Camp is open to any young male singer with an unchanged voice (treble voice). Participants must have at least completed 1st grade.
Songbird Symposium is a treble choir experience that serves high school singers and celebrates treble choirs and the music they perform. Join us for a weekend of music, friendship, and learning. All high school treble singers, their directors, and rising 9th graders are welcome to attend.
3901 South Hulen St. Fort Worth, TX 76109 817-717-4544
artsacademics.org/summer
At the Y, kids experience new adventures, learn to swim, make new friends, and shape memories that last a lifetime! Join us for overnight camps and day camps, offering fun, new adventures for your kids like horseback riding, climbing wall, alpine tower, zip lining, swim lessons, canoeing, water skiing, sailing, fishing, and so much more.
YMCA Summer Camps are located throughout North Texas, and our Camp Grady Spruce is located on Possum Kingdom Lake. We hope your children, ages 3–16, will spend their summer with the Y!
• Day Camp
• Resident Camp
• Ages 5–16 years—vary by camp
• Camp fun and amenities—vary by camp
° Horseback Riding ° Archery ° Climbing Wall
° Alpine Tower
° Water Skiing
• Many camp options
° Swim Lessons ° Canoeing
° Sailing ° Fishing
° Camp Grady Spruce: Resident camp located on Possum Kingdom Lake
° Collin County Adventure Camp: Day camp and resident camp options located in Anna, Texas
° Camp on the Lake – Day camp located on Lake Lewisville
° YMCA Day Camps – 20+ locations throughout North Texas
214-880-9622
ymcadallas.org/camp
Ann & Nate Levine Academy Summer Camps offer fun-filled learning opportunities for children ages infant to 14 years old!
Campers may enroll in one or more weekly sessions, facilitated by professional staff. Themes vary weekly throughout the summer. Camp Shemesh, ages Infant-care through Kindergarten
Early care/aftercare available from 7:45am to 6pm (5pm Fridays).
Summer@Levine, ages 6–14
Weekly camps embrace arts, sports, STEM, and much more! Open to the community.
18011 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, TX 75252 972-248-3032 levineacademy.org/camp
Pioneer Camp
June 12–16, 26–30, July 17–21
Creek and Critter Camp
June 19–23, July 10–14, 24–28
Camps are held 9am–1pm, Monday thru Friday. $250/camper, daily snack and t-shirt included. Visit our summer camp page to register.
Is your teen interested in VOLUNTEERING as a summer camp counselor? Details and application link are available on our summer camp page.
1900 West 15th St., Plano, TX 75075
• 972-881-0140 heritagefarmstead.org/summer-camps
Come find MORE at Camp El Tesoro more fun, more acceptance, more friendships, more adventures, more technology-free space, and more opportunities to try new things Overnight Camp features a wide range of activities from horseback riding and archery to crafts, woodshop, high ropes, and kayaking. See for yourself at FREE Camp Previews on March 12, April 16, or May 14.
Camp Fire Camp El Tesoro
7710 Fall Creek Hwy., Granbury TX 76049 817-831-2111
CampFireFW.org/CampET
Summer Camp at The Behavior Exchange combines highly individualized accredited Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy services, with a specialized summerthemed curriculum that gives children with autism a fun and engaging learning experience. With locations in Plano, Frisco, and Prosper, our “hives” offer a welcoming and caring environment where our ABA experts will help your child and family reach their full and meaningful potential.
Other services include:
• B.E.E.S. – The Behavior Exchange
Early Start program encourages learning through fun and prepares children for school success
XPLORE: Summer at TVS provides a season of safe, unique, and fun learning experiences!
Each year, over 750 participants ages 4–17 attend at least one camp, and many return for several weeks! We welcome ALL students from the Fort Worth area and beyond.
XPLORE programs focus on growing active, confident, and creative young people. Setting XPLORE: Summer at TVS apart is our firm belief that your family should have as much choice as possible when determining your summer activities.
We have the perfect camp adventure for you in a wide array of themed STEAM camp programming. Thousands of children have experienced the magic of our award winning camps. Inspired by everything kids love most, our epic camps are vacations in their own right—super fun, interactive, hands-on, and exciting! Our themes include Pet Palooza, Arcade Mania, Entrepreneurs, Girls & Dolls, Under the Sea, Space, Investigators, Slime and many, many more!
Challenge Island—West Plano/North Dallas 17630 Davenport #104, Dallas, TX 75252 469-779-7844
challenge-island.com/westplano-northdallas
• Social Skills Group – For older, school-aged children where they can learn basic to complex social skills to interact with peers and make lasting friendships
• One-on-One Therapy – Highly intensive and focused therapy based on the unique needs of each child and family
• Parent and Family Training – Learn ABA basics and strategies to promote positive behaviors at home and in public settings
• And MORE!
We’re in-network with most major insurances.
Hives in Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Boulder, CO 972-312-8733 behaviorexchange.com/our-services/summer-camp
Camp and class topics include yoga, painting, soccer, coding, mosaics, babysitting, climbing & the challenge course, Spanish, science, drumming, theater, field hockey, bike club, storybook adventure, STEAM, football, and much more!
The 2023 season will run from May 30 to August 4. Please join us as we embark on a great adventure in Summer 2023!
XPLORE: Summer at TVS Trinity Valley School 7500 Dutch Branch Road Fort Worth, TX 76132 tvs.org
For 29 years Kidventure has provided the chance for our kids to grow, learn, and be a part of something rewarding. The need for that opportunity to do so has never been greater. Our kids need the chance to foster strong relationships. Our kids need the opportunity to gain confidence. Most of all our kids need to unplug—and plug into one another! Registration begins February 1st.
Kidventure provides summer day camp programs at a number of outstanding locations including Kessler, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, Little Elm and Plano!
214-303-9789
kidventure.com/dallas-summer-camp
A co-educational overnight residential camp in the heart of Texas! 4-H Camp features traditional camp experiences such as kayaking, shooting sports, challenge course, environmental education, arts and crafts, dancing, swimming and lots more!
Camp season runs from June 6–July 27. Check out our website for more information and registration, texas4hcenter.tamu.edu
5600 FM 3021, Brownwood, TX 76801 325-784-5482 • Fax: 325-784-6486 • texas4-hcenter@ag.tamu.edu texas4hcenter.tamu.edu
The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife.
With SMU Girls Soccer Camps, there are a variety of camp options available to suit your camper from ages 5+. Our goal is to offer your camper the opportunity to improve her skills while also having FUN. Whether you want to make new friends, develop with your teammates, improve your technical skill, grow your tactical knowledge, be identified as an SMU women’s soccer recruit, and/ or just have FUN, we have the camp for you!
**All sport camps and clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age, grade level, gender, or number of participants **
5800 Ownby Drive, Ford Stadium, Gate 5 Dallas, TX 75275 945-230-4030 smusoccercamps.com
Ballet Basics introduces young dancers, ages 3 to 6, to the fundamentals of ballet in a fun, encouraging environment. The camp experience also includes crafts, story time and choreography matching the theme of the week. The Young Dancer Intensive (ages 7–9) and Junior Intensive (ages 10–14) broaden dancers’ perspectives with a variety of classes including ballet, modern, jazz and musical theater. Dancers will focus on artistry and technique with instruction from supportive faculty. All programs are available at our Fort Worth and Richardson campuses. For more information, visit our website or contact your nearest campus at fwschool@texasballet.org or dallasschool@texasballet.org
Fort Worth: 1500 Mall Circle, Fort Worth 76116 • 817-763-0207
Dallas: 300 N. Coit Rd. Ste. 231, Richardson 75080 • 214-377-8576 texasballettheater.org/summer-programs
UA+ Summer Camps stimulate curiosity, spark innovation, encourage collaboration and embrace Ursuline Academy of Dallas’ motto, Serviam (I will serve). You will love becoming a part of our community! Come join the fun June 5–July 28, 2023!
• Adventure Camps for boys and girls entering grades 3 and up.
• Athletic Camps for girls entering grades 5 and up.
• All-State Audition Prep Camps for musicians entering grades 9 and up.
No one does summer like the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth! Summer should be a time of fun, freedom and new adventures. That is exactly what a YMCA summer offers your child. Through a variety of day, overnight, sports and specialty camps, there is something for every child at the YMCA. Our summer camp experiences are for children age 4–16 years old and offer:
• An environment where children are encouraged to be themselves in a safe and positive atmosphere
• Opportunities to learn, grow and meet new friends
• Experiences that create lasting memories
• Swimming and outdoor adventures
The DIS Summer Enrichment Camp is a 6-week program open to ages 3 to 16. It is designed to offer campers the opportunity to explore a wide range of activities in a safe and caring environment. Campers may enroll in a full or 1/2-day program in any combination of activities. The camps will be hosted on both of our campuses.
6039 Churchill Way, Dallas, TX 75230 17811 Waterview Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75252 972-991-6379 camps@dallasinternationalschool.org dallasinternationalschool.org
Multiple locations across North Texas Questions? 817-338-1238 or communications@ymcafw.org ymcafw.org
Unplug and reconnect with nature, adventure, and friends at Girl Scout camp!
We offer three camp properties, sleepaway and day camps with a variety of themes and activities. Join us at The STEM Center of Excellence, Camp Bette Perot, or Camp Gambill Horses. Crafts. Cooking. Drones. Sailing. Experience it all at a camp where you can be you!
4900 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 469-232-1800 www.ursulinedallas.org/summerprograms 11110
972-349-2400 gsnetx.org/camp
Good Shepherd Episcopal School’s Summer Program provides students the opportunity to take risks and try new activities while being in a safe and nurturing environment.
We are excited to bring a unique blend of dynamic and academically rich programs, designed specifically for ages 12 months through 8th grade.
The program runs from May 30–August 4.
Spending time in nature plays a vital role in child health and development!
Register for a Heard Nature Camp and give your child the gift of a connection to nature. Heard Nature Camps , Specialty Camps , and Mini-Camps feature opportunities to investigate the wonders of nature on our 289-acre sanctuary, encounter animals, go behind the scenes, and more.
1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069 972-562-5566 heardmuseum.org/summer-nature-camps
Explore literature in a fun and creative way! At NTPA, kids transform into their favorite storybook characters as they bring popular stories to life on stage. Popular themes like Descendants, Harry Potter, Frozen, Lion King, Legally Blonde, and more! Taught by professional directors, actors, and singers who have worked everywhere from Broadway to L.A. Ages 5–18. New students get 50% off!
Summer, the Shelton Way, offers academic and enrichment classes as well as speech and sports camps for students in early childhood through 12th grades. Classes feature Shelton’s multisensory and discovery learning methods. It is open to Shelton and non-Shelton students. Registration opens Feb. 15.
• Summer Classes EC–12th grade: June 12–30
• Scholars: June 12–30
• Speech/Language Hearing Program: June–July
• Sports Programs: June–August
17301 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75252 shelton.org/summerschool
May 29–Aug 4
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge. Campers aged 4–12 choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, maker crafts, sports, and more!
Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time. If your plans change, we’ll automatically refund any unused passes in full. Lunch, snacks and all hours (8am–6pm) included.
Camp is held in Dallas at the Winston School 5707 Royal Ln., Dallas, TX 75229 steveandkatescamp.com/dallas
Texas Discovery Gardens hosts exciting, nature-themed week-long camps for ages 4–12 during several summer weeks. We incorporate STEAM and Social Emotional Learning topics into our daily activities and crafts. Most camp time will take place outside in our 7.5 acres of organic gardens with daily trips to our tropical butterfly house. Come explore with us!
3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210 214-428-7476 x270 txdg.org/summer-camp-2023
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Amon Carter Museum of American Art cartermuseum.org/events/family-events
817/738-1933
Arkansas State Parks arkansasstateparks.com
501/682-1191
Carrollton Early Childhood PTA cecpta.org
City of Irving irvingevents.org
972/721-2501
City of Roanoke roanoketexas.com
817/491-2411
At the Carter, connecting with art is easy at any age! Our family events are designed to encourage art exploration, inspire curiosity and spark creativity for babies, toddlers and beyond! 817/738-1933. See ad on page 4.
There’s something for everyone at Arkansas’s 52 state parks. Join us as we celebrate 100 years of historic sites, one-of-a-kind experiences and free activities for all. Start planning your adventure today at arkansasstateparks.com See ad on page 4.
Join CECPTA on March 26 for our Community 5K, Fun Run & Stroller Dash, located at Josey Ranch Sports Complex. With family activities, community vendors, music and more, there is sure to be something for everyone!
Cold weather fun comes back to Irving for 2023 with Frost Fest on February 18! This free winter festival features tons of fluffy snow, tubing hills, face painting, caricature art and much more. See ad on page 7.
The City of Roanoke offers many free, family-friendly events. Visit roanoketexas.com to learn more. See ad on page 15.
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Clark Gardens Botanical Park clarkgardens.org
940/682-4856
March’s “Grow at Clark Gardens” has 30+ events revolving around art, wellness, gardening and nature-based activities. “Grow” focuses on recreational and educational activities that create fun, adventurous and restful opportunities for the whole family. 7
Dallas Arboretum dallasarboretum.org
214/515-6615
Enjoy family-friendly activities all year long. Make plans to visit the 8-acre Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden, where science and fun become one. See ad on page 11. 8
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary heardmuseum.org
• 972/562-5566
Enjoy the beauty of our 289-acre nature preserve, trails, exhibits and more. Every day spent on the trails provides new experiences. Sign up for a fun and educational program or explore on your own. See ad on page 38. 9
Irving Archives and Museum irvingarchivesandmuseum.com
972/721-3700
Irving Archives and Museum is a 22,000-square-foot museum packed with fun for the whole family! Experience community history, traveling exhibitions, and a Smithsonian Spark!Lab where young visitors creatively explore the process of invention. See ad on page 15. 10
Kimbell Art Museum kimbellart.org
817/332-8451
Visit the Kimbell during Spring Break (March 14–17) to enjoy artmaking, family films, yoga and more! And join us on Saturdays for Kimbell Kids Drop-In Studios. Visit kimbellart.org/calendar to see more family programs. See ad on page 8. 11
The Lakefront at Little Elm lakefrontlittleelm.com
972/731-3296
Grab your Krewe and join the fun! Celebrate Mardi Gras on March 4 at our familyfriendly Big Easy. Enjoy live music, a balloon glow, Cajun food, an art display, contests and 5K/10K race. See ad on page 17. 12
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth themodern.org
817/738-9215
Take an ART Break with family programming at the Modern while your children are on Spring Break. Slow down, stop and learn more about some of your favorite works from the Modern’s collection. See ad on page 11. 13
North Texas Performing Arts ntpa.org/tickets
972/422-2575
Enjoy a family night out at the theatre with performances in Plano, Fairview, Frisco and Southlake. Spring shows include Hairspray, Little Women, Bye Bye Birdie, and more! Tickets start at just $12. See ad on page 38. 14
Reunion Tower reuniontower.com
214/296-9950
Day or night, the iconic Reunion Tower is the top spot for family fun with 360-degree views and photo ops. Visit our website for upcoming events. See ad on page 6. 15
River Legacy riverlegacy.org
817/860-6752
Play in the Discovery Room, explore our trails, and learn about our amazing environment in the best classroom of all ... nature! Enjoy the outdoors as a family at the River Legacy Nature Center. See ad on page 48.
Parents in Dallas-Fort Worth have an array of options when it comes to child care and preschool. But how do you pick the right one? Browse this guide, featuring a variety of schools and centers across the area, to help you find the perfect fit.
Legacy (PS–K) (469) 573-0077
The
Oakridge School believes in nurturing our students’ curiosity, creativity, and confidence in a diverse, intellectually stimulating, and family-centered community. Visit our campus
The impact we’ve made over the last 50 years...
651,000 children educated
95,000 teachers impacted
10,250 leaders leveled-up
376 combined years of experience
and today, the Little Tyke legacy continues to impact, motivate and educate the leaders of tomorrow.
“Throughout the last 50 years, Little Tyke has remained committed to developing a culture where our children, families, and faculty are nurtured, loved, and educated in a stable, safe, and caring environment. We pride ourselves in this family-centered approach, where everyone who enters our doors becomes a part of the Little Tyke Family Legacy.”
—Alex & Brandy Little, President/Vice-President, Owners
Cleburne | 1805 Brookhaven St., Cleburne, TX 76033 | 817-558-3224
Crowley | 120 Harris Dr., Crowley, TX 76036 | 817-297-1721
Euless | 1000 Villa Dr., Euless, TX 76040 | 817-283-9209
Grapevine/North Euless | 3033 N. Main St., Euless, TX 76039 | 817-283-1113
East Fort Worth | 6913 Brentwood Stair Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76112 | 817-451-9375
North Fort Worth | 7001 N. Beach St., Fort Worth, TX 76137 | 817-232-4008
Hurst | 1734 Sotogrande Blvd., Hurst, TX 76053 | 817-571-7720
N. Richland Hills | 8204 26 Blvd., N. Richland Hills, TX 76180 | 817-281-7387
N. Richland Hills/Watauga | 6700 Smithfield Rd., N. Richland Hills, TX 76182 | 817-281-5783
Richland Hills | 6923 Baker Blvd., Richland Hills, TX 76118 | 817-284-8521
Weatherford | 1718 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford, TX 76086 | 817-596-7556
littletykechildcare.com
Helping parents successfully navigate the childhood years is kind of our thing. Explore our not-so-secret weapon, the online directory, at dfwchild.com/directory
DINOSAURS LIVE
Now through February 20
HEARD NATURAL
SCIENCE MUSEUM & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, MCKINNEY
An animatronic T. rex and 10 other harder-to-pronounce dinosaurs, created by Billings Productions here in Allen, closes its 6-month residency this month.
Come see them on the trail, and at the end, you’ll
find a fossil dig and more dinos made for play and photo ops. $12 adults; $9 children. 972/562-5566; heardmuseum.org
FORT WORTH SYMPHONY FAMILY CONCERTS
February 4 and March 4
BASS PERFORMANCE
HALL, FORT WORTH
During these Saturday morning concerts for
kids, you’ll hear the musical themes from Wonder Woman and Star Wars during Heroes at the Symphony on February 4, and a month later, music written for the children’s book Wild Symphony. Don’t miss the preshow activities in the lobby. Concerts start at 11am, so you’ll be home by naptime. Tickets from $11. 817/665-6000; fwsymphony.org
THE DALLAS OPERA FAMILY SHOWS
February 5 and March 25
WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE, DALLAS
Fun fact: Operas aren’t only performed in Italian or German or French. These two—Billy Goats Gruff in February and Elixir of Love in March—are sung in English and presented for kids as young as 3. Shows include crafts and activities
in the lobby, too. $5 per ticket, or $4 for each show when you book your seats for both. 214/443-1000; dallasopera.org/family
STROLLER TOURS
February 8 and March 8
DALLAS CONTEMPORARY
Sign up online to join this newly relaunched series open to parents and their toddlers 24 months and
count to 10? To 100? Let them put their new skills to use by spotting birds on the nature trails and joining this all-important citizen science project. FREE 817/8606752, riverlegacy.org
EPIC PLUNGE
February 18
EPIC WATERS
INDOOR WATERPARK, GRAND PRAIRIE
MONSTER ENERGY
AMA SUPERCROSS
February 25
AT&T STADIUM, ARLINGTON
Can you name one famous motocross rider?
DALLAS BLOOMS
Opens
February 25
DALLAS ARBORETUM
younger, offered on the second Wednesday each month. A gallery educator guides parents through the current exhibitions and leads a story time or activity. FREE 214/821-2522; dallascontemporary.org
NATURE ADVENTURERS
February 9–March 23
RIVER LEGACY
NATURE CENTER, ARLINGTON
During this spring series offered every other Thursday, preschoolers and their parents can get up-close and personal with frogs (February 9), ladybugs (February 23), honeybees (March 9) or spiders (March 23). If you’re visiting before February 11, don’t miss the real-life lizard ambassadors in the closing exhibition Here Be Dragons. $20 for adult/ child pair; $5 per additional child. Max of two children per adult. For exhibit: $10 adults; $7 children; under 2 free. 817/860-6752; riverlegacy.org
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
February 11
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS
February 12
DICKIES ARENA, FORT WORTH
Who run the world?
The Globetrotters! (But especially their women athletes.) Watch the whole team take on their rivals, the Washington Generals, in these exhibition games. Regular tickets from $23. But the real fun for your kids begins before
tip-off. Sign up for the pregame Magic Pass (for an extra $25) to shoot hoops with the players on the court. 214/665-4797, 817/402-9801; harlemglobetrotters.com
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
February 17–18
MOODY PERFORMANCE
HALL, DALLAS
Avant Chamber Ballet stages this magical production with colorful costumes and an accompanying live orchestra. Tickets from $31.50. Love ballet, but it’s not in the budget? Come to Klyde Warren Park on March 26 when Avant’s ballerinas perform excerpts from Paquita, Sleeping Beauty and other new works. 214/871-5000; ticketdfw.com
FROST FEST
February 18
LEVY EVENT PLAZA, IRVING
There’s no telling what the weather will be on this day (this is Texas, after all) but thanks to snowmaking machines creating a semblance of winter weather, the kids can enjoy a few glorious hours of fun on snow tubing hills and in two snow play areas, plus other entertainment like bounce houses and train rides. FREE 972/721-2501; irvingevents.org
GREAT BACKYARD
BIRD COUNT
February 18
RIVER LEGACY NATURE
CENTER, ARLINGTON
Have a toddler who’s recently learned how to
They say a cold plunge is good for your health, and to do something every day that scares you. Do both and earn complimentary all-day admission to the waterpark afterward by taking the quick dip in the Epic’s outdoor wave pool. You’ll get a hot cup of cocoa and a T-shirt as proof of your bravery and generosity. A portion of proceeds supports the city’s all-abilities playground, PlayGrand Adventures. $49. 972/337-3131; epicwatersgp.com
KREWE OF BARKUS
February 19 MITCHELL
Dog lovers and Mardi Gras revelers unite at this costumed dog parade, all vying for a shot at Best in Show and other awards. Come cheer on the canine entrants, or join in as a family. Registration fee is $5 per pup. While there, be sure to take a look at the newly veiled Benji statue, a tribute to the dog and movie filmed 50 years ago largely in downtown McKinney. 972/547-2660; mckinneytexas.org
ENGINEERS WEEK
February 23–26
FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
During National Engineers Week, let your kids see for themselves that they do have what it takes, if they choose, to pursue a career in engineering and technology. This week they’ll meet real engineers and join in special projects and activities using materials like LEDs and magnets. Free with general admission: $16 adults; $12 children; under 3 free. 817/255-9300; fwmuseum.org
You will after witnessing this high-stakes race where competitors risk life and limb jumping over steep hills on their dirt bikes. Come meet the daredevils in person during the preshow FanFest. Tickets from $40 for the show; $15 for FanFest. 800/844-3545; supercrosslive.com
This spring floral festival known for absolutely blanketing the arboretum with colorful tulips also showcases the return of Gary Lee Price’s bronze sculptures, specifically his Great Contributors series with many new historical figures: Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart and Joan of Arc. $20 adults, $12 children; under 2 free. Additional $3 for Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. 214/515-6615; dallasarboretum.org
FOR ALL THOSE KIDS OBSESSED WITH DRAGONS at the moment, indulge them with one or both of these two live shows with winged creatures from mythology and the pages of Harry Potter
POTTED POTTER
March 3–5
WYLY THEATRE, DALLAS
Potted is British slang for (so says Cambridge Dictionary) “a form of a story or book that has been made shorter or simpler and contains only the main facts or features.” Boom. Bring your young Harry Potter fans, age 6 and up, for this wild, comedic show that condenses all seven books into only 70 minutes—fire-breathing dragon included. Tickets from $45. 214/880-0202; attpac.org
DRAGONS & MYTHICAL BEASTS
March 4
COPPELL ARTS CENTER
The same creators behind Dinosaur World Live, which stopped in Fort Worth last spring, present this new interactive show of impressive puppetry. If you’re one of the lucky few, your kid will be invited on stage to interact with a unicorn, a stone troll and, of course, dragons. $32. 972/304-7047; coppellartscenter.org
games, a dig site and a tracks trail. Come during select times on weekends for dino encounters with Baby Tyrannosaurus, and join Dinos After Dark on Saturdays for special encounters with enhanced sound effects. $29 per vehicle and includes up to six people. 817/410-3450; gograpevine.com
DISNEY ON ICE
March 16–19
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS
NORTH TEXAS
IRISH FESTIVAL
March 3–5
FAIR PARK, DALLAS
No Irish heritage is required to attend this annual fest celebrating the rich traditions of the seven Celtic nations. Expects a full roster of music groups, including a music stage just for kids on Urchin Street, plus plenty of kid-friendly fun like sheep herding demos, crafts and performances by the students of local Irish step dancing academies. Adult tickets from $15; $10 children; under 6 free. 214/821-4173; ntif.org
TRINITY IRISH
DANCE COMPANY
March 3–4
MOODY
PERFORMANCE HALL, DALLAS
Can’t hardly wait for Riverdance this summer? Take a look at this Chicago-based dance company, now touring nationally, and staging a progressive style of Irish step dancing. Tickets from $26. 214/8800202; attpac.org
MONSTER JAM
March 4
AT&T STADIUM, ARLINGTON
A dozen monster trucks, including Zombie, Megalodon, El Toro Loco, and the brand new ThunderROARus burn some serious rubber inside the Cowboys’ stadium. Don’t forget the ear protection for the kids, and
come early to meet the drivers with a pre-show Pit Pass for $20, plus the cost of seats, which start at $30. 817/892-5000; monsterjam.com
TEXFEST
March 4
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
CARROLLTON
Mark Texas Independence Day at this family-friendly festival with—yes, flags galore—but also a mechanical bull, live music, and plenty of photo ops. Visit the live longhorn, the giant Texas flag photo station, the Texas-shaped statue, or the horse-trailer photo booth to memorialize the day. FREE 972/466-9808; cityofcarrollton.com/texfest
This new show Road Trip Adventures features Aladdin’s parade as a prince in disguise, Mary Poppins’s chimney sweeps, and too many other Disney characters to count.
Tickets from $18. $65 for preshow meet and greet with Moana and Mickey. Going to be away on spring break? No worries. Disney On Ice returns soon, April 6–9, with Frozen & Encanto in Fort Worth. 214/6654797; disneyonice.com
THE BIG BOUNCE AMERICA
March 18–April 2
LONE STAR PARK, GRAND PRAIRIE
You know your kids love bounce houses, but parents will love them too after a three-hour playtime in four zones: World’s Biggest Bounce House (with live DJs, confetti blasts and bubbles), the Giant (with ninja warrioresque obstacles), AirSPACE, and Sport Slam (with bouncy dodgeball, basketball and soccer). $35 for junior session or big kid session; $41 for adults-only session. thebigbounceamerica.com
book by Matt de la Peña, young CJ boards the public bus with his Nana for a trip across the city and wonders aloud about the different types of people they see along the way. Tickets from $17. $5 for sensoryfriendly show on March 25. 214/740-0051; dct.org
PIROUETTES FOR PETS
March 25
ALLEN CIVIC AUDITORIUM
Allen Civic Ballet presents its annual free dance performance of original, contemporary works all for the benefit of Allen Animal Shelter. Adorable cats and dogs will be onhand and available for adoption. Admission is free, but donations to the Allen Animal Shelter are encouraged. 972/7275959; allencivicballet.org
TEXAS FOREVER FEST
March 25
HAGGARD PARK, PLANO
Keep the Texas Independence Day pride going with this familyfriendly party deep in the heart of Downtown
Plano. Expect trick roping demonstrations, a quickdrawing cowboys activity and Western-themed inflatables inside the kids zone, as well as line dancing instruction for everyone. FREE 972/941-5800; texasforeverfest.com
PREHISTORIC PARK
March 11–April 16
MEADOWMERE PARK, GRAPEVINE
This outdoor exhibition of animatronic dinosaurs is back with interactive fun for kids, like boneyard
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET
Opens March 18
DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER
In this play, based on the Newbery Medal-winning
JUNIE
Opens March 25 CASA MAÑANA, FORT WORTH
She was framed, OK? Well, here’s what happened: someone stole Junie B.’s new furry mittens, so she in turn decides to adopt “finders keepers, losers weepers” as a personal policy. But, of course, that backfires. Relive the first grade struggles in this play based on the book series by Barbara Park. Tickets from $19. 817/332-2272; casamanana.org
ANNIE
March 28–April 2
BASS PERFORMANCE HALL, FORT WORTH
Little Orphan Annie first appeared in a poem in 1885, then as a comic strip in 1924, then as a radio show and many more iterations on film and on stage since—so, if you’ve never seen it, don’t let this opportunity slip by to see the Broadway musical. Tickets from $44. 817/212-4280; basshall.com
IF YOU GREW UP IN TEXAS in the 80s or 90s, there’s a good chance you grew up on Joe Scruggs’ music.
Described by Texas Monthly as “a cross between Jim Croce, Jimmy Buffett and Mister Rogers,” Scruggs is the acclaimed singer and writer of more than 100 sweet and silly kids’ songs. His most famous, “Wiggle in my Toe,” was featured on Barney & Friends and The David Letterman Show, but Scruggs’ beloved music was also part of early childhood curriculum in classrooms across the Lone Star State—and part of homelife for countless families.
The Austin-based folk musician—and self-proclaimed kid at heart—had already been in the children’s music scene for almost a decade when he appeared on the cover of Dallas Child in 1992. And 30 years later, his music is still incorporated into primary curriculums and his songs are streamed for children in Texas and beyond.
Scruggs is now digging into the vault to put out never-beforeheard songs. Last October, he released his first song since 1994, “Belly Button Hoo Doo.” Next, he plans to release some instrumental tracks as a collection titled “Gentle Instrumentals.”
Proving that some things stand the test of time, his songs are delighting a whole new generation. Now those who grew up with the artist providing the backdrop to their childhood are grooving to the same wholesome tunes with their own kids.
–Amanda Collins BernierSummer
Day Camps
Overnight Camps
Family Camps
Special Needs Camps
dfwchild.com/camps
More than care. Connection.
Hello, neighbor! We want you to know that we’re all in this together. Because “together” is the best way to shape treatment plans made just for your child––ones that are built by a team of doctors, families and patients. That’s what it means to deliver care that connects.
Find care: cookchildrens.org
