No matter where she goes, she frequently hears the same comment from strangers in passing.

“Oh my, that woman sure does have her hands full!”

However, Honoree Brown wouldn’t have it any other way.  The mother of four couldn’t imagine her life without the little ones keeping her busy.

“I love my family and all the work that goes with it,” says Honoree.  “Although a break every now and then is nice though!”

Honoree and her husband Thomas are not originally from New Jersey, but have grown to really like the Jersey Shore area and all that it offers for families. The couple moved here from Oregon about 10 years ago and started Point Pleasant Parasail.  Then the children started to arrive one-by-one and it became quite a challenge to run the company properly while raising a young family.  Recently, they decided it was time to move on and sold the business to one of their long-time employees.

“It was bittersweet letting it go, but we know we made the right decision,” says Honoree.

Even without the business, both Honoree and her husband have plenty of activities and commitments to keep them busy at all times.

“Thomas is a full-time college student, a medic in the New Jersey National Guard, a NCAA soccer official, a USCG licensed captain who has worked in the parasail industry for over 20 years, and is most importantly, a great dad,” says Honoree.  “My number one job is the kids.  When we had the parasail business, I spent a lot of time doing paperwork so it’s very nice to have that off my shoulders and just be able to focus on the family.  I homeschool our children and though I’m far from being the ideal teacher, I truly love it and the rewards that come from it.  I find out about many activities for homeschooled children through the Shore Homeschoolers group that I recently became a part of.  I’m also the Primary President at my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   I oversee the Sunday schedule for those children who are 18 months through 11-years-old.  We occasionally plan activities that benefit the youth and the community as well.”

Your Child Today recently had the pleasure of speaking to the Brown Family and this is what they had to say:

YCT: Tell us a little about your family and the personalities of each of your children.

Honoree:  We have four children: Kailyn (7), Cash (5), Nixon (3) and Schatzi (6 months).  Kailyn is our wild child.  She’s all about fun but is an awesome big sister and a great helper to me.  She loves to swim, play outside, and make crafts.  Cash is a little more reserved.  He loves to fish, play basketball, ride his scooter and help me cook.  Nixon is our silly one.  He enjoys Legos, watching “Tom and Jerry” on television, and loving his baby sister. He also loves any and all things superhero.  Schatzi loves to be hugged and kissed and she’s great at just being a sweet baby.  They are all really terrific kids.  They help with many of the chores around the house, such as cooking, folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, washing windows, feeding the chickens, and cleaning their rooms.

YCT: What is an average day like in your house?

Honoree:   Things are pretty laid back at our house.  We get up and around 7:30 am and have breakfast.  Since we homeschool, we don’t have the burden of a tight schedule which is very nice.  Next, we usually do a quick clean-up before starting our learning.  Most days we can finish our learning by lunchtime.  That leaves the rest of the day for family time and field trips to the library, museum, park, aquarium, or other fun, learning activities.  In October, the kids will be starting a homeschool gym class at Good Sports in Wall.  They all love to swim as well, so we’ll probably be visiting the Toms River YMCA frequently this winter for their homeschool open swim on Wednesdays.  There is no set schedule at our house which leaves us the freedom to learn and do what we want, when we want.

YCT: What activities do your children participate in after school?

Honoree: “After school” my kids love to play outside.  They ride bikes, play with the chickens, shoot some hoops and continue work on digging their “hole to China” in our backyard.  Last winter, my oldest daughter was in a gymnastics class at The Little Gym in Manasquan and she also played on a B.T.S.A. team.  This winter, Cash will be playing basketball through the Point Pleasant Borough Department of Recreation and Kailyn is signed up for the “Mad Science” class they’re offering.

YCT: What is your favorite thing to do locally with your family?

Honoree: With my husband’s busy schedule, we don’t get a whole lot of family leisure time so we turn necessary outings into fun family time.  For example, like going to the grocery store, shopping for clothes, or dining out.  I know, it doesn’t sound very glamorous, but we truly enjoy whatever time we have together.   In the winter, we might go see a movie, go bowling, or go to a festival or parade.  We love to eat out and have found some great restaurants that serve awesome food and are very family friendly.  Some of our favorites are The Hickory Hog in Point Pleasant for their amazing dry rub baby back ribs, IKKO in Brick for their delicious and very entertaining hibachi, and Napoli Pizza, also located in Brick, for the best plain pie I’ve ever tasted.

YCT:  Do you have any favorite local vacation spots?

Honoree:  One of our favorite local “vacation” spots is the river beach located on the Manasquan River where River Avenue dead ends. As soon as the weather warms up and until it’s just too cold to bare it, we try to go as much as we can.  I love that for one dollar, I can take all four of my kids to play in the sand and the water, with a lifeguard on duty, and not have to worry about a heavy current carrying them away.  They always bring a bucket to catch crabs, fish, jellyfish and whatever other sea creatures may be hanging out that day.  There’s a playground and always lots of kids to play with.  Both my boys learned to swim there.  The kids also love feeding the animals at Atlantic Farms in Manasquan and this summer we went to Raceway Park in Englishtown to see the monster truck show featuring Robosaurus.  We’ll definitely be going again.  They had a blast and it was completely worth the price.  Of course, parasailing is always a hit and it’s something the whole family can enjoy.  The crew at Point Pleasant Parasail is friendly, professional, and loves to show the kids a good time.

YCT: Have you ever gone on any vacations without the kids and where?

Honoree:   The closest my husband and I have come to a vacation without our kids was staying one night at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch last winter which was courtesy of some very kind friends.  My husband had just finished basic training in Georgia and was able to come home for two weeks before he started his advanced training in Texas.  It was such a treat to just hang out in our room, order room service and sleep in as long as we wished.  Oh, how I could use another one night getaway like that!

YCT: What is your favorite date night location and how often do you get to go out alone with your husband?

Honoree:  We haven’t been out in a while.  Ideally, I would love to go on a date with my husband once a week.  In reality, it happens about once every six months.  Man that sounds terrible!  When we do make it out alone, we love to try a restaurant we’ve never been to.  I often ask friends what their favorite places are.  We love sushi because it reminds us of our first date, so we’ll often hit up the sushi bar at IKKO in Brick, one of our favorites.  We recently tried Spano’s in Point Pleasant Beach for the first time.  It was amazing and we can’t wait to go back.  I’m also looking forward to trying The Coal House in Point Pleasant Beach as I’ve been hearing great things about it.

YCT: What is your favorite non-mommy thing to do and how often for you get to do it?

Honoree:   My favorite non-mommy thing to do is nap which doesn’t happen very often so my second favorite non-mommy thing to do is hang out with my friends.  Every once in a while we get together to play BUNCO or go out for a kid-free dinner.  I also love to do things I don’t get to do very often, like shop.  I enjoy the Brook 35 Plaza in Sea Girt or go to the salon to get pampered.  My favorite is Salon du Monde in Point Pleasant Beach.  It’s always all about the kids or my husband so it feels great to do something just for me, to revitalize. My husband and I love to have friends over for dinner, too.  It allows me to cook a yummy meal, which is something I love and spend some time engaging in quality, adult conversation.  With four kids in the house every day, this is something I need!

YCT: What is your husband’s favorite non-Daddy thing to do?

Honoree:  My husband’s favorite non-daddy things to do are play golf and referee soccer.  I would have said taking a nap, but I think that’s a normal daddy thing to do, right?

YCT: Do you frequent any advertisers from our magazine?

Honoree:   We love Jersey Shore Pirates.  Kailyn had her 6th birthday party with them and it was great.  They’re so friendly and professional and it’s nice, as a parent, to be able to just sit back and relax and enjoy the boat ride while the kids are entertained by the amazing crew.  I’ve also taken Kailyn into Sparkle Diva a couple times.  Once for a birthday party, which was so much fun for all the little girls, and on another occasion to get a haircut.  She loved being treated like a princess.  We went to a birthday party at Bounce U one time and the kids have been begging to go back.

YCT: Do you have any parenting advice that you would like to offer our readers?

Honoree:   Patience, patience, patience!  And give your children confidence.  They’ll need all they can get to make wise choices in a complicated world.  I would hate to think that one of my children might be too scared to make the right choice.

YCT:  What is your favorite part of Your Child Today magazine?

Honoree:  With four kiddies at home with me, pretty much twenty four hours a day, it’s nice to find out what this area has to offer so we can get out and have some fun…and I can get a break.  Thank you, Your Child Today!

Fall is indeed in the air – the leaves are changing, cool weather is rolling in and, of course, Halloween is right around the corner. What better time of year to be outside? If you’re looking to enjoy the fall weather and have some seasonal fun, Jersey Shore Spooktacular is the perfect opportunity. Coordinated by Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Spooktacular is Monmouth and Ocean counties’ only fall festival planned by teenage Girl Scouts for the community.

Located at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s Program Activity Center in Farmingdale and throughout the more than 154 wooded acres of Sacajawea Day Camp, Spooktacular is a frighteningly pleasant sight with girls dressed as goblins, spider webs wafting through the trees, children and adults alike laughing as they enjoy a hayride around camp.

“At any given time you can find a variety of sessions going on that are all girl-created and girl-planned,” said Joan Basilotto, outdoor program manager, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. “These dedicated Girl Scouts work diligently each year to ensure that Spooktacular attendees are impressed and engaged. Their creativity is incredible and you can tell people are having fun just by the joy on their faces.”

Spooktacular boasts a wide array of festivities including a ghost walk, storytelling, scary skits performed by the girls, marshmallow roasting, pretzel/apple dipping, dancing with the DJ, a tombstone scavenger hunt, as well as the aforementioned hayrides. When the weather is right, almost 4,000 people will visit over the course of the weekend.

“We love the various stations, story telling, marshmallow roasting and more,” said Tracey Schulman Dubey of Howell. “
is a fun and popular event that is a must do every year!”

Most sessions are available only to Girl Scout members, but every year – for three hours – the public is invited to partake in the Spooktacular experience. This year’s Spooktacular Family Day will take place at Sacajawea Day Camp on Saturday, October 22 from noon to 3:00 pm. You do not need to be a Girl Scout to attend this session. Cost is $8.50 per person and children under the age of three are free. Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore is also looking for adult and teen (grades seven and above) volunteers to become involved in the planning of Spooktacular and to share creative visions with girls and families throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties. For more information, visit www.jerseyshorespooktacular.com or call (800) 785-2090, ext. 156.

By Tricia Berwick

One night, after the kids were tucked into bed and sleeping soundly, my husband and I settled in to relax and watch some television.  However, after flipping around our hundreds of channels for awhile, we couldn’t find anything to hold our interest.  What to do?  With our daughters’ seventh birthdays only a few days away, we decided to pop in their “baby movies” and reminisce about how cute and cuddly they were as infants and toddlers.   For a few hours, we were captivated by two crawling babies motoring around the house, wobbly first steps, brightly-colored baby food splattered on high chairs, and chants of “Ma Ma” and “Da Da” which totally re-melted our hearts.  We just kept saying to each other, “Thank goodness we have these movies!  If we didn’t, we would have totally forgotten many of these moments!”

Now it’s easier than ever to preserve your family memories.  If you think recording home videos is time consuming and will take you away from enjoying the moment, think again.  All it takes is a few clicks to catch all of the giggles and smiling faces of your children, no matter how old they are.

A digital camera today serves not just a single purpose. Aside from snapping photos, you can also take video clips.  The bigger the size of your memory card, the more photos and videos you can capture.  Digital cameras have become smaller and more compact, but also more powerful in terms of their advanced features.  These handy gadgets are extremely convenient and versatile because they can record videos, too.  Many cameras even come with editing software.

Once you have videos, you can then enjoy sharing them with family and friends.  Flickr from Yahoo! is an online photo management and sharing application which allows users to upload photos and videos.  Before getting started, users need to create an account with a Yahoo, Google, or Facebook ID.  It’s important to note that Flickr offers flexible privacy controls that make sharing your images simple and secure.  As a member of Flickr, you are also able to upload and share videos just like you do with photos.  For more information about how the program works, visit their website at flickr.com.

Photobucket is another way to store, create, and share photos and videos.  After uploading all of your best shots and movies, share them by email or link them to your favorite sites like Twitter and Facebook.  In addition to personalizing photos and making slideshows for friends and family, users can enter competitions or search the site’s photo and video library.  Photobucket.com can be used on the Web or on your mobile phone.

With so much technology available today, it is so easy and convenient to capture your children’s significant moments and accomplishments throughout the years.  Simply choose the camera that will work best for your family and get started.  My husband and I are so glad that we took the time to preserve so many of our daughters’ funny and priceless moments and we’re looking forward to capturing more memories with each passing year.

By Tricia Berwick

Today’s busy mothers need to find helpful and trustworthy information in a flash.  The Internet is a terrific tool for moms to access tips and advice about how to make their jobs as parents a little easier and less stressful.  Here is a list of useful websites that moms can refer to multiple times in their parenting journeys.

1.)Google Maps—Your daughter has to meet at a different field for soccer practice later in the day and you are unsure of how to find this new location.  Simply enter the address you want to find in the Google search bar and step-by-step directions will appear.  This website is amazingly useful and handy to use before you leave the house, or even better, on your cell phone, in case you are lost during the trip.

2.)Dictionary.com—Even though you don’t want to admit it, how many times have your kids stumped you with the meaning of a word?  If you find yourself in this predicament, use this site to answer any questions.  The website also has links to a thesaurus, flashcards, daily crosswords, and word games.  Plus, you’ll find a daily “Quote of the Day,” “Word of the Day,” and opportunities to learn the Spanish translations of words.

3.)Weather.com—As active moms, our worlds are directly affected by the weather.  Will your son’s baseball game be cancelled because of the threat of a thunderstorm?  Can you host a backyard playdate for the neighborhood kids on Friday afternoon?  Features include: maps, weather apps, videos, and specific sections for travel and outdoors.  Refer to this website often to get specific weather information for your local community.

4.)Webmd.com—Unsure about whether or not your daughter’s fever is normal or is the sign of something more serious?  Find the answers to many of your health-related questions on this site.  It also has areas designated for healthy living, eating and diet, a vaccine tracker, teen health, how to keep kids fit, and even information about pet health.  In addition, there’s “Today’s Health News and Features,” expert blogs, and opportunities to join multiple community discussion boards.  Sign up for one of 40 free newsletters which will be sent directly to your inbox.

5.)Amazon.com—From best-selling books to gourmet food to trendy clothes, you name it, and you’ll find it on this website.  Sometimes, there are special deals to get free super saving shipping, too.  It’s also a great resource to compare and contrast prices of various items.  Plus, there’s information about special daily deals, and a gifts and wish lists section.  If you’re not quite sure of what to get that special someone, simply order a gift card to a favorite store.  Users can also sign in to get personal recommendations, too.

6.)Couponmom.com—This website is a must for bargain shoppers.  Learn how to coupon, find out about drugstore deals, browse through a coupon database, get coupons for your favorite restaurants, and sign up for free samples.

7.)Familyfun.com--.Parents will find countless ideas for family activities and projects on this website.  If you’re looking for a unique craft idea to try with your kids this weekend, it’s easy to narrow the search based on your child’s age and ability level.  Of course, there are projects for every season and just about every holiday imaginable, too.  The recipes section includes lots of kid-friendly meal ideas.  Print one out and let your child be a junior chef this evening.  There are also numerous suggestions for treats to make for your child’s next birthday party or playdate.  If you’re planning a family vacation, there are multiple resources, including information about Disney, camping trips, great beaches to visit, how to plan the perfect city trip, what to take along on road trips, and which theme parks are age-appropriate for your children.

8.)Education.com- If would like to take a more active role in your child’s education, this is definitely one to bookmark as one of your favorites.  Sign up for the free newsletter which provides expert advice, education tips, project ideas, recipes, and more.  Browse articles by age and also sign up to receive weekly grade specific tips and activities from a teacher who knows what’s going on inside your child’s classroom.

9.)Familyeducation.com—This website breaks the articles down into three age categories: 0-6, 7-11, and 12-18.  This makes it very convenient to really pinpoint the specific concerns and activities for your child.  The website also caters to moms and covers topics such as marriage, working mothers, and child care.  There are also blogs and message boards to communicate with other parents about topics such as bullying in schools or proper playdate etiquette.  The recipes section has a different feature that other websites do not have.  Instead of just printing out the recipe, you can actually watch a cooking video which demonstrates how the meal is prepared.

10.)Starfall.com-- This is an excellent way for you to help your child learn how to read.  The website is fun for kids to navigate with interactive sounds and colorful visuals on the screen.  One of the best parts is the “surprise” behind every letter.  For example, for the letter “M” there’s a matching game.  For the letter “Z,” there’s a snappy song about zigzags.  Perfect for the pre-kindergarten through second grade crowd, your child can play and explore by clicking on any letter and will then recognize the relationship between letters and sounds.

Even though you are over-extended and have lots of things to do, take a few minutes to explore these websites.  If will definitely be worth the time for both you and your child.

By Sue Gerard

What better backdrop can you think of for family portraits than a strip along the beautiful Jersey Shore?!?  I know we just had a major hurricane, but the dunes are already bouncing back and the sand still sparkles in the sun!  I made sure I went to some of my favorite shooting spots to see how they fared during the storm and I am happy to report it’s going to be fine!  I love that I live so close to the beach and chose this profession – or was it the other way around and it chose me?  It’s great to have a passion that you can make a living from.  Getting out onto the beach with the sand between my toes, camera in hand and waves at my feet is heaven to me.  Who else can say they get to work at the surf’s edge doing what they love?

I know the economy has been a factor for the last couple of years and paying for family portraits is now considered a luxury expenditure.  But think about all the things you spend money on that provide no residual paybacks.  We spend so much money on food and drinks, on entertainment in and out of the home, on convenience items, etc.  But investing in portrait art for your home isn’t something you should pass up.  It doesn’t have to be done every year…. just every few years so that you continue to capture your family as it grows and grows up!  You need to catch your children while they are babies, when they are missing teeth, as they enter teen years, and as they become young adults.  I would much rather have a nice framed print or gallery wrap canvas of my family hanging in my home than some random print you buy at a store.  My goal is to create art for YOUR home with my portraiture, thereby redefining art for your home.  And there are so many unique ways to display this portrait art in your home these days that have been spawned by the digital revolution.  You have prints, wraps, folios, photo books, mini accordion books, magnets, photo tiles, photo panels, holiday cards, ornaments, collages, DVD slideshows, brag books, pencil sketches and oil paintings!  The list grows and grows.

I try to portray emotion and love within the portrait imagery.  I do many combinations of people within your family.  If it’s just your immediate family then we do the obvious ones of the whole family, the kids together and separate, but then I like to do one parent with the children, or capture moments of interaction down by the water.  I like doing a mixture of posed and candid images so you have a lot to choose from.  These images should tell stories, celebrating family, focusing on relationships within it.  And if we are doing extended families, well then we have many more combinations to have fun with.  Each family unit will get their own session but then we do a big group shot, grandparents with their grown children and with their grandchildren, sibling shots, cousin shots, all the guys, all the girls, whatever you can think of!!  And I love to end a session by doing big groups down by the water jumping up in the air!  Everyone has a lot of fun.

So if you are considering a family portrait session on the beach, there are many things to take into consideration such as time of year, time of day, clothing, etc.  I go over all those details in a phone consultation but here is a general overview.  Best time of year is between late May and late September.  I do shoot before and after that, but for “summer” portraits in summer clothing, it’s best to stick between those times.  Many families look for fall portraits both on the beach and at the park and that is coming up.  Best time of day is 90 minutes prior to sunset.  This is when the sun is low and soft to avoid harsh lighting that causes squinting and shadows.  Clothing is a matter of preference but its best to coordinate colors if not completely match.  By doing so, it allows one to focus on the faces in a portrait vs. being distracted by different colors or designs.  It’s best to wear solid colors to compliment each other and the surrounding environment.  I feel that whites, blues and greens look best for beach portraits.

Once you have your family all dressed and at the beach at the proper time, it’s great to utilize the talents of a professional like myself not only to capture the proper light for the photos, but to help in the posing.  Being able to pose a family and your children is half the battle of taking a good portrait.  And many people use wanting to lose weight as a reason to put off getting portraits done, but I am trained to pose you in the most flattering way I can and try to hide any trouble spots.  What if you gain weight instead of lose it?  Then you would wish you had done it sooner!  So put your worries aside and celebrate your family in portraits.  So many people tell me they want to do it, but never take the time to do it!  Record those moments in time, share your story with portraits, preserve the memories, seize the day!!

Your life and your history is precious and priceless and you need to document it regularly.  I hope to hear from you sometime in the near future to book your family portrait and capture the memories and magic of family for you.  Remember, define your art with portraiture.

For more details, give me a call at 732-899-3049 or visit my website at www.suespointofview.com.

By Tricia Berwick

It always happens this way–the summer flies by at lighting speed and then before we know it, school days are here again.  In no time, kids will be busy with homework assignments and families will settle into their daily routines.  However, if your weekends aren’t too filled up yet with soccer games, karate sessions, and other extra-curricular activities, then carve out some time to enjoy the great September weather and tons of activities here are the Jersey Shore.  Before the weather turns chilly and the chances for outdoor activities are limited, browse through this list of ideas to get outside and have some fun with the family.

1.) Hit the Beaches-- Now that the summer visitors have returned home, you’ll have an easier time finding a super close and convenient parking spot.  Plus, without the big crowds, your family will have much more room to spread out the beach blanket and play in the sand.  The best part?  No more beach fees! What’s better than a free beach?  The weather is usually still gorgeous and sunny during the month of September and the ocean temperatures have finally warmed up.   This is one of my family’s favorite times to visit the beach.   We usually pick a day when we don’t have a lot happening after school, eat an early dinner and then head out the door to play and relax on the sand before the sun sets.   If it’s particularly warm, the girls and my husband will even take a dip in the ocean.  If our weeknights are too hectic, we always plan to visit the beach for a few hours over the weekend.  Even if it’s not warm enough for swimming, we’ll toss a Frisbee or play catch.  Our theory is this: in a few short weeks, it’s going to get darker and colder, so why not take advantage of the beautiful weather and beaches now?

2.) Boardwalk Rides—Similar to the beaches, during the summer months, the boardwalks at Jenkinson’s and in Seaside Heights are always packed with people.  There are long lines for the rides, and it’s always a challenge to navigate clear paths along the boards with a stroller.  With fewer people in September, there are lots of opportunities to play games of chance, get a candy apple or ice cream without waiting on a long line, and the kids can choose their favorite rides without a hassle.  The great thing about living so close to both of these attractions is that you just need an hour or two to get in some family fun.  Even if weekends are busy, plan to visit one of the area’s boardwalks for a few last spins on the carousel or roller coaster.  When the snow is falling in December and everyone is huddled inside because of the frosty temperatures, you’ll be glad you did!

3.) Apple Picking at Eastmont Orchards—Picking a few juicy and delicious apples is the perfect way to welcome fall with your family.  From now through mid-October, your family can pick lots of apples which can be used for snacking or baking.  The orchard, which is located in Colts Neck, is open to pick-your-own customers until the end of October (pumpkin season).  Since the hours are highly dependent upon weather and supply conditions, it is recommended that you call right before leaving to confirm what they are picking and closing times.  For more information, visit eastmontorchards.com.

4.) Festivals–-If your family likes to walk around, take in the sights and sounds, and sample different foods, then check out one of the many festivals held at the Jersey Shore throughout the month of September.  The 34th Annual Festival of the Sea and Street Fair in Point Pleasant Beach will be held on Saturday, September 17.  The rain date is scheduled for the following day, Sunday, September 18. Visitors will have an opportunity to taste various dishes by some of the area’s finest restaurants, including crab cakes, shrimp skewers, paella, soups and bisques, lobster, and other seafood items.  If your family does not care for fish, there are plenty of other foods to choose from such as steaks and hamburgers. In addition, there will be arts and crafts for the kids, pony rides, games, live entertainment, and hundreds of vendors. The festival runs from 10 AM to 7 PM on Arnold and Bay Avenues. The Festival of the Sea has been one of Point Pleasant Beach’s top events. Beginning in September of 1975 as an end-of-summer gathering, the festival has grown in to the major event that it is today.   Earlier in the month, Seaside Heights will have its own Seafood Festival on Sunday, September 11 from 10 AM to 7 PM on Grant Ave.  The festival will feature vendors, artists, crafters and live entertainment.  If you didn’t get enough of the sea air, head back to Seaside Heights for the weekend of September 17-18 and catch the 30^th Annual Clownfest, America’s Grandest Clown Celebration.  The boardwalk festival day on September 17 will feature a “Big Splash Party.”  This event will include: Big Kahona DJ, buffet, 50/50 prize drawing and more.  On Sunday, there will be a “Clown Parade” at 2 PM on the boardwalk.  For more information on these events, visit www.ptchamber.com or clownfest.com.

5.) Bike Riding—I don’t know about you, but there were many hot and steamy summer nights when my kids asked to go bike riding and I couldn’t get myself motivated to take them because the weather was just unbearable.  However, now that the evenings are a little cooler and the sun is not as strong, I am very excited to start pedaling and getting a good workout.  Even if it’s just for a half hour, I would like to go with them at least a few nights every week after dinner.  I love taking bike rides with my girls because in addition to getting some exercise and saying hello to all of their classmates as we bike throughout  the neighborhood, they also tell me some funny stories and anecdotes about what’s happening in their lives.  One of our goals is to bring our bikes to the one of the area’s boardwalks for a very scenic and beautiful ride along the ocean.  It’s impossible to do this during the summer months, which is another great reason to love September at the Jersey Shore!

6.) Set up a lemonade stand—During the months of July and August, people are busy with day camps, barbeques, and vacations.  Now that everyone is back at home and on a daily schedule, there are more people out and about and in the neighborhood.  With people zipping back and forth between soccer practice and piano lessons, there will be more opportunities for kids to stop by your lemonade stand for a refreshing drink.  Squeeze some lemons, add some sugar and start mixing!  Have the kids decide how much they will charge per glass and ask them if they would like to sell anything else, too like cookies or brownies for an extra profit.  Once all of the money has been collected, decide on an organization or local religious group to donate the funds.  This will teach your children a valuable lesson about giving back to their community and helping others.

7.) Check out the seafood restaurants—Now that the summer tourists have gone back to North Jersey and New York, there are plenty of tables available at all of the area’s local seafood restaurants.  Instead of waiting over an hour or more for a table during the summer months, let your taste buds wait until September and then enjoy!

8.) Block Parties—It’s hard to pin everyone down for an available date during the summer, so now is the perfect time to plan a gathering for the entire neighborhood.  Before the weather turns chilly, September is the best time to plan this fun outdoor party.  The first step is to put a flyer in everyone’s mailbox which will invite them to discuss a block party.  At this meeting, discuss food and drinks, entertainment, and distribute sign-up sheets for barbeque grills, tables and chairs and other supplies.  Have the kids help out and ask them to distribute invitations to all of the families in the neighborhood.  Make sure everyone knows what to bring so you won’t be missing any important items for the big day.

9.) County Parks—The Monmouth County Parks System offers interesting and educational activities all-year-round and September is no exception.  Be sure to make time for the “End of the Summer Nature Walk” on Saturday, September 10 at 1 PM.  Join a Naturalist at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center as visitors take a stroll in the woods looking for signs of the upcoming fall season.   All participants must meet in the lobby.   This event is free.  If that date doesn’t work with your schedule, there is also another opportunity to look for signs of fall on September 18.   Or, head to the 3^rd Annual Cornbread Contest on September 18 from 1 -3 PM.  Bring two batches of your best cornbread along with a copy of the recipe to be judged by visitors and our judging panel to determine the Best Cornbread. Bring your cornbread and recipe to Historic Walnford.  “Lewis and Clark Return” will be held on September 23 and 24 at 11 AM. Celebrate the return to St. Louis of the Corps of Discovery back in 1806 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center.  This event is free to the public.  On September 25, at 9 AM, take part in the Manasquan Reservoir 5 Mile Run.  Join other runners for five miles of scenic running around the perimeter trail of the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell.  Finally, also on September 25, from 11 AM to 5 PM, there will be a Harvest Home Festival at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel.  At this old-fashioned fair reminiscent of the 1890’s, visitors can enjoy wagon rides, games and live entertainment.  There is also ongoing crafts demonstrations and a Home and Garden competition.

10.) Playing Outside—As a busy mom of two, sometimes it’s refreshing not to have an organized activity.  If we don’t have any plans, it’s nice to just play in the backyard on the jungle gym, draw a few pictures on the driveway with colored chalk, or sit on the porch and have an icy or ice cream.  We love to take advantage of every opportunity we can get to be outside and enjoy the September sunshine at the Jersey Shore.

September 10

18th Annual Children’s Surf Fishing Tournament, Island Beach State Park, Ocean Beach Pavilion #1, Route 35 South. 8 am – 10 am registration: 10 am – 1 pm fishing: 1 pm – 2 pm hot dog lunch: 2 pm – 3 pm prize giveaway: & 3 pm awards. Free registration. Ages 16 and under. Sponsored by the NJ Beach Buggy Assoc. which will provide limited bait and tackle. Information: 732-279-3177 or www.njbba.org – ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

Sailfest Regatta & Street Fair 2011, River Ave. 10 am – 11 pm. Sailboat Race, huge craft fair, amusement rides, live entertainment, food vendors and free shuttle service from Island Heights Fire Co. Presented by the Rotary Club of Toms River. Information: 732-929-0011 or www.tomsriverrotary.org – ISLAND HEIGHTS

12th Annual Pig Roast, Pine Park, Clarence Brown Picnic Area, West County Line Rd. 1 pm – 6 pm. Cost includes pig roast, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads, clams, ice cream, beer, wine and soda. Live entertainment, give aways, kids games, moonwalks, 50-50’s, face painting, rock climbing, carnival games, tattoos. Rain or shine. Sponsored by the Jackson Police PBA 168 $ Information: 732-928-1111 or www.jacksonpba.com – JACKSON

Behind the Scenes Tour, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. 9:30 – 11:00 am. Discover what goes on behind the scenes at our aquarium while you tour the building from top to bottom! Sneakers are required. Ages 5 and up only. $ Pre-registration is required. Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Halfway to St. Patricks Day, Boardwalk between the two amusement piers. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Celebration of Irish Heritage Shop around Irish craft & Irish retail vendors! Free. Information: 1-800-732-7467 or www.seasideheightstourism.com – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

6th Annual Irish Festival, 10th St. & Shore Ave on the Bay. 11 am – 9 pm. Mike Byrne Show Band, Ocean County Emerald Society pipes & Drums, Bantry boys, The Moonshiners & Ceili Dancers, and Irish Step Dancers. $ Information: www.lbiaoh.com – SHIP BOTTOM

September 11

Beach Plum Festival, Ocean Bathing Beach #1, Island Beach State Park, south end Route 35. 9 am – 4 pm. An indoor/outdoor festival celebrating the nature of Island Beach State Park with environmental displays, crafters and family activities next to the bathing beach. Information: 732-793-5525 or friendsofislandbeach.com – ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

The Great Atlantic Ocean Triathlon, North end of Boardwalk and Hiering Avenue Beach Area. Race starts 6:50 am. Triathlon including .5 mile swim, Bike 14 miles and Run 4 miles. Registration Fee. Event is held Rain or Shine. Information: 732-241-4555 or www.jsmultisport.com – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Seafood in Seaside Festival, Grant Avenue. 10 am to 7 pm. Seafood Festival. Food vendors, artists, and Live Entertainment. Information: 1-800-732-7467 or www.seasideheightstourism.com – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Vintage Automobile 33rd Annual Car Show, Bay Boulevard. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sponsored by the Vintage Automobile Club of Ocean County. Free. Information: 1-800-732-7467 or www.seasideheightstourism.com – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Farmer’s Market, Marina Lawn, J Street & Central Ave. 11 – 5 pm. Runs Sundays September 11 – October 16. Information: 732-793-3700 ext. 105. or www.seasideparknj.org – SEASIDE PARK

September 12

7:00-8:30pm

WELLNESS MOMS AMERICA gathering free for all moms to learn and share the best strategies to raise healthy children.  Topics include but are not limited to: Nutrition, vaccination, pregnancy, breastfeeding, chiropractic, cosleeping, maximizing immune and brain function etc. Also how to support kids without drugs that experience colic, ear infections, Asthma, ADHD, reflux, allergies, headaches, exema. Come connect with moms with similar interests. Meetings held at Center for Prenatal, Infant and Family Wellness 3201 Bridge Ave. Point Pleasant. For information call

732-600-3892 or

email drswarner@aol.com

September 13

Toddler Make and Take, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. 9:30 am – 10:30 am. Make marine life crafts, listen to a story, and learn about some of our animals! This program is for children ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult. Pre-registration is required. $ Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

September 15

Birding By Kayak, Island Beach State Park, End of Rt. 35 S. 7:30 am – 11:30 am. Discover the joy of birding as you peacefully paddle in the Barnegat Bay estuarine ecosystem. $ Information: 732-793-1698 or www.friendsofislandbeach.com – ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

September 16

Weekend Broadway Cabarets, Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, 2305 Grand Central Ave. (Route 35 north). Broadway Cabarets begin at 6 pm and run continuously throughout the night about every 45-50 minutes. Experience the old-fashioned ice cream shoppe while waiters who are your performers will sing and perform an upbeat Broadway Review. Show is free when you order an ice cream sundae. Runs from May 28 – September 17. Information: 732-854-2779 or www.themusicman.com – LAVALLETTE

Seaside Heights Camporee, Beach at Casino Pier. Arrive from 4 pm to 8 pm, Opening at 8 pm. Event Registration fees apply. Scout Camporee on the beach. Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America. Information: www.jerseyshore-bsa.org

- SEASIDE HEIGHTS

September 17,18

New Jersey Wild Outdoor Expo, Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area., 299 E. Colliers Mill Rd. 10 am – 5 pm. The Expo helps people connect with the natural world by providing a unique blend of conservation information, education and hands-on opportunities to learn outdoor skills and activities. Numerous environmental and conservation exhibits, demonstrations and seminars are planned for the weekend. Visitors can learn about, and try, a wide array of activities including fishing, hiking, shooting sports, kayaking, camping skills, rock climbing, wildlife watching and much more. Free. Information: 609-259-6961 or wildoutdoorexpo.com – JACKSON

Seaside Heights Camporee, Beach at Casino Pier. 7:30 am to 9 pm. Event Registration fees apply. Scout Camporee on the beach. Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America. Information: www.jerseyshore-bsa.org – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

30th Annual Clownfest, On the Boardwalk. 12 noon – 4 pm. 30th anniversary of a weekend full of Clowns Big Clown Parade on Sunday at 2 pm. Free. Information: 1-800-732-7467 or www.seasideheightstourism.com – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

September 18

Talk Like a Pirate Day, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. Come join we scallywags fer some piratical fun as we celebrate this international ‘oliday. Enjoy activities, crafts, and a tall tale or two. All Ages. Included with Admission. Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Seaside Heights Camporee, Beach at Casino Pier. 7:30 am to 2 pm. Event Registration fees apply. Scout Camporee on the beach. Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America. Information: www.jerseyshore-bsa.org – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Farmer’s Market, Marina Lawn, J Street & Central Ave. 11 – 5 pm. Runs Sundays September 11 – October 16. Information: 732-793-3700 ext. 105. or www.seasideparknj.org – SEASIDE PARK

September 19

Concert Night Series: Tommy Emmanuel, Engleside & Beach Aves. 7:00 pm. Australian guitar wizard, Tommy Emmanuel is one of the finest guitar players in the world with an energetic, emotional style that spans a career of over 40 years. Information: 609-492-9477 or www.surflight.org

- BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

September 23,24,25

Que by the Sea: Third Annual Barbeque State Championship and Festival, Grant Ave. 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. BBQ competition and festival. Large food vendors will be selling tasty barbeque specialties along Grant Avenue, artists and crafters, as well as retail vendors will contribute to the experience of the event. All day musical entertainment Information: 800-732-7467 or www.seasideheightstourism.com – SEASIDE HEIGHTS

September 23,24,25

Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo, FirstEnergy Park, Cedar Bridge & New Hampshire Aves. 10 am – 6 pm. The show will feature new and pre-owned boats and accessories offering the best selection and prices of the year. Attendees can easily get on board a variety of both new and pre-owned boats. Information: 732-901-7000 or www.blueclaws.com - LAKEWOOD

Of Mice and Men, Arts & Community Center, Ocean County College, College Drive, off Hooper Ave. 8 pm. Presented by The National Players a story about a mismatched friendship. $ Information: 732-255-0500 or www.ocean.edu

- TOMS RIVER

September 25

Farmer’s Market, Marina Lawn, J Street & Central Ave. 11 – 5 pm. Runs Sundays September 11 – October 16. Information: 732-793-3700 ext. 105. or www.seasideparknj.org – SEASIDE PARK

September 29

Day in the Life: Reptile Keeper, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. 9:00 – 11:00 am. Get hands-on while learning how to care for all that slithers during this eye-opening reptile program! Sneakers are required. Ages 11-16. Pre-registration is required. $ Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

September 30

Surf Fishing Clinic, Island Beach State Park, south end of Route 35. 8 am – Noon. Learn the techniques for successful surf fishing. All fishing equipment and bait is supplied. 10 years and older. Information: 732-793-1698 or www.friendsofislandbeach.com – ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

By Tricia Berwick

Backyard barbecues, dips in the pool, building castles in the sand, and trips to the local ice cream shop.  Summer at the Jersey Shore is definitely a special time for everyone.  However, the lazy days of summer are quickly coming to an end.  It’s time to put away the beach toys and lounge chairs because September is here.  It’s back to the books for kids and a return to hectic schedules for parents.  After weeks of blissful freedom, it’s time for kids to get into a routine again and concentrate on listening to teachers and preparing for school assignments.   Here are some tips to make sure your family’s first weeks of the school year go smoothly.

1.)   Create an organization station.  Designate one area for all school papers, books, backpacks, and lunch bags.  Make sure it is accessible for the kids.  During the first few days of school, get them into the habit of putting all of their daily supplies in this area.

2.)   Establish a routine. During the summer months, kids sleep in and bedtime is usually more flexible as youngsters stay up late for family time or to play with their neighborhood friends.  However, now it’s time to develop a schedule again.  Even though children don’t like to admit it, they thrive on having a consistent routine in their lives.  So, that means getting organized the night before, and getting the kids to hit the sheets at a reasonable hour.  Getting a good night of sleep is extremely important.  In order for kids to be successful during the day, they need to get an adequate amount of rest.  Once your child’s after-school activities and homework assignments are completed, give your little one an opportunity to unwind with a soothing bedtime routine of a bath and quiet reading time.  If your child requires a lot of sleep, adjust his bedtime accordingly.  Some children require at least 10-12 hours of rest per night, so bump the bedtime back if this is the case.

3.)   Prepare the night before. To avoid the mad dash as everyone heads out the door, pack up all backpacks and lunches the night before.  Even if you’re completely exhausted, the routine will run more smoothly in the morning if a little preparation is completed during the evening hours.  Anything that can be taken care of ahead of time should be done. To avoid extra craziness in the morning, have your child pick out a desirable outfit the night before.  When your child wakes up, all he has to do is get dressed and washed for school.  Also, take the time to sign all papers and correct homework assignments the evening before.  The last thing you need in the morning is to run out to the bus stop with a missing paper!   Keep everything by the front door, so kids can just grab-and-go as they head out to catch the bus.  Taking an extra fifteen minutes to prepare ahead of time will allow for you to enjoy a smoother and less eventful morning.

4.)   Keep the family calendar in a central location. These days, everyone has a digital calendar, either through email or cell phones.  But, it’s still important to keep a large visual of the family’s daily events and happenings for everyone to see in a central location (probably the kitchen).  This will allow the entire family to keep track of ballet and soccer practices, birthday party invitations, and due dates for long-term assignments and projects.  Planning ahead and keeping dates organized will teach your child how to manage homework and project deadlines and when to complete the work around her various extra-curricular activities.  This way, there won’t be any questions about which activity is on a specific day or which assignment is due.

5.)   Create a homework space. Designate a quiet area of your house where your children can comfortably complete homework assignments and projects.  Make sure the space has adequate light and is equipped with pencils, scissors, and glue sticks so your little students are prepared for all of the teacher’s assignments.  Also, provide each child with a bin to hold his individual school papers such as forms, trip information, class rules, and project information.  If you want your children to take their homework seriously on a nightly basis, then it is imperative to set up a comfortable and reliable homework space for each child.

6.)   Get involved in your child’s school. Start the school year off right by getting actively involved in your child’s school.  Whether it’s working at the book fair, helping out in your child’s classroom, or assisting teachers on the playground or in the lunch room, it’s important to have a presence in your child’s academic life.  Even if it’s a challenge to take time off from your job, maybe it’s feasible to volunteer for a morning or afternoon instead of an entire day.   Also, attend back-to-school night, join the Parent-Teacher Organization, or volunteer for a few school events.  Becoming an active participant at school will show your child that you value her education.  Plus, it will keep you connected to what she is learning in the classroom, how she connects with the teacher, and who her friends are on the playground.  In order for children to excel in school, it’s crucial for parents to be as involved as possible and to always keep the lines of communication open.

7.)   Make time to read together every night—Kick off the school year on a good note by actively promoting a love for reading in your household.  Stimulate your child’s love for learning and get her hooked on books.  Take a few minutes to read every night at bedtime and plan for some time to visit the library during the week.  Show your children that reading is important to you as well by reading the newspaper, magazines, or a novel in her presence.  Read the same chapter books as your child and then discuss characters and the story’s central theme together.  Or, start a book club for your child with friends and their parents.  To further promote reading, maybe you can volunteer to be a guest reader in your child’s class.  Talk to your child’s teacher about the possibility of reading or maybe even bringing in local authors to inspire the children.  Raising a reader should be one of your top parenting priorities.

8.)   Get the necessary school supplies. Check your child’s class list of supplies and make sure your student has everything she needs to begin the school year on a positive note.  Don’t forget to check your child’s supplies from the previous school year.  It’s a good bet that many of the pencils and crayons are still in fine condition and can be used again.  For those parents in search of new materials, take the time to search the best prices so you can give your kids the tools they need without breaking the bank.  One tip is to sign up for coupons on retailer websites.  Parents who sign up for newsletters and coupons can save a substantial amount of money during back-to-school shopping sprees.  Also, if you have questions and are unsure about some of the supplies, feel free to call the teacher to get answers and discuss any of your concerns.  As for backpacks, choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.   Encourage your child to pack light and organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Also, pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight.  Have your kids always use both shoulder straps, too.  Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

9.)   Take preventive measures to avoid getting sick. We all know that going back-to-school means the resurgence of germs, colds and viruses.  In order to keep your trips to the doctor’s office at a minimum, make sure you wash your children’s hands as often as possible–before meals and snacks and after bathroom visits.  Instill this in your children, and hopefully they will remember to frequently wash when they are away from you, too.  Also, stress to your children that they are not allowed to share drinks or snacks at school, to avoid germ swapping and infections.  In addition, get your child back on a healthy eating routine of whole grains, fruits, veggies, milk and dairy products.   Add in the proper amount of sleep every night, and that is your best defense, as a mom, against sickness hitting your family.

10.)                  Plan menus. Instead of scrambling for ideas of what to make for dinner after your family arrives home from soccer practice, take a few minutes on Sunday afternoons to plan out the menu for the week.  Be sure to pick some hassle-free suppers, like crock pot meals for busy weeknights and include lots of healthy choices, like fresh fruits and vegetables.   Also, ask the kids what they would like to have in their lunch boxes for the upcoming week.   Taking a few minutes to plan ahead for meals will help make busy evenings a little less stressful.  Plus, it will guarantee your family healthy dinners instead of ordering takeout when everyone is starving after soccer practice.  When the little stomachs are growling at 5:30 p.m., you’ll know exactly what your family will be enjoying for dinner that night!

11.)                  Build confidence.  If your kids are starting school for the first time this September and are feeling apprehensive about meeting academic and social expectations, be positive and let your child know that he can always come to you with questions or concerns, no matter what.  One way to help ease your child’s fears and anxieties is to prepare them as much as possible before school begins.   Point out the positive aspects of starting school and stress that it will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had fun and learned some interesting new things at the same time.   Another helpful tip is to prepare your child about upcoming situations.  For example, if your child walks or rides a bicycle to school, walk or ride the route with him. Or, if your student takes the bus, show her where the bus stop is, tell her about the schedule, and make sure she knows how to find the bus after school. As for after-school care, make sure your child knows he will be staying after school for a special program or coming home to find a babysitter.  If necessary, contact the teacher to discuss some of your child’s fears about school or facilitate playdates at your house to help foster friendships with classmates.

12.)                  Don’t stress about getting a fall wardrobe. We have been bombarded with advertisements and commercials about back-to-school-clothes since Fourth of July.  However, for at least the first month or two of the school year, temperatures are still pretty warm, so chances are, your kids will be wearing shorts and t-shirts to school.  Take your time looking for sales and get things when your kids need them.   For even extra savings, check out eBay.  With a little searching, you can often find brand-new or slightly used clothes at a fraction of the price. Or visit some of the neighborhood consignment stores to pick up staples such as jeans, boots, and coats for half the price of department store items.

13.)                  Create a parent list. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with a few reliable parents, either from the neighborhood or from your child’s class.  At some point during the school year, you might find yourself in a major jam and need to ask other parents for help or advice.  Keep a list of names, phone numbers, and email addresses by the phone at home and one at work, too.  If the daily schedule unexpectedly changes during the day, you will always have a person to call who may be able to help out.

14.)                  Make it a priority to unplug. Establish clear rules at the beginning of the school year about how much screen time your child will have during the week.  Put away the computer games, talk about cell phone time for older children, and limit time spent in front of the television.  Make your home a place where you have to study when you come home from school and you have a place for your books.  Maintain a clean and organized environment just like what you would have at the office.

15.) Learn about the curriculum.  No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has made standardized test more important than ever. The National Education Association recommends contacting the state department of education, the school district, or your child’s school for a copy of the standards.   The NEA also suggests finding out the goals your child’s teacher has for the year and how students will be tested. In addition, look for ways to help your child develop academic skills at home. Ask your child’s teacher to recommend educational books, websites, or games.

16.)                  Stay alert. If your child’s eating or sleeping habits have changed, it may be a sign she’s not adjusting well to the challenges of a new school year.  If you notice some of these warning signs, talk to your child about what is happening at school and what she finds troublesome.  Perhaps email the school counselor or your child’s teacher if there are concerns regarding academic or social skills.  Also, if your child has health or medical issues, take the time to speak with the school nurse and discuss your concerns.

17.)                  Find ways to make going back to school special. Celebrate this special time of the year by getting the kids excited for another exciting scholastic experience.  Take them shopping for school supplies with you or let them pick out their own clothes for the first day of school.  Find out who some of your child’s new classmates will be and invite them over for a back-to-school party.   Especially if your child is starting a new school or beginning school, put in some extra effort to commemorate the occasion.

18.)                  Discuss emergency situations. It’s important to know what happens if school is delayed or students are dismissed early due to weather.  Also, make sure your child knows what to expect if you will not able to be at the bus stop after school and who will be there instead.
19.)  Help your child deal with bullies. Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical,verbal, or social.  It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more common in today’s society, so it’s important for parents to prepare their children with the necessary survival skills to combat this problem.  Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to: look the bully in the eye, stand tall and to stay calm.  Also, teach your child that it’s okay to walk away and how to say no in a firm voice.   Teach your child when and how to ask for help.

20.) Plan for some family time. Of course, hitting the books is important, but don’t forget to plan some quality family time, too.  After a busy week, maybe your family could unwind together with a bike ride through the park.  Or perhaps a family movie night with popcorn and candy on a Saturday night is something your family regularly looks forward to.  The activity doesn’t have to be expensive; the important thing is to plan something that your family enjoys so everyone can relax after meeting deadlines and participating in activities all week.  Everyone is always running to and from Monday through Friday, so take some time to relax on the weekends and re-charge your batteries for the upcoming week ahead.

So as summer drifts into early autumn, and everyone heads back to work and school, some kids may be disappointed, but others look forward to the new beginnings September brings.  Take some time to get your kids ready and excited for this upcoming school year.  Ultimately, their physical and mental well-being will be the better for it, and a successful school year will result.

Written By Jennifer Enright

As the summer season winds to a close, many area families are settling back into the school routine, and enjoying one of the best times of year at the Jersey Shore.  Beth Brierley and her husband Jim grew up in Toms River and now live there with their sons, Jimmy and David.  As the tourists go back to their homes and the locals once again enjoy full access to the area, the Brierley family plans to take full advantage of the waning days of September summer.

Beth is a mom with a back-to-school transition of her own, as she teaches at Ocean County College, where she is also the Director/Writer of OCC’s children’s theatre company, Three Story Players. Jim is a sixth-generation funeral director and works in Brick and Point Pleasant.  The couple met when they were students at Toms River’s Intermediate West (now North) school at age 12.  Beth graduated from Toms River High School North, while Jim is a graduate of Toms River High School South.  Close friends through middle school, the pair dated a bit in high school and kept in touch while at separate colleges.  Jim called Beth around her birthday while she was attending graduate school and the spark was re-ignited.  They began dating at that time, and continued for 11 years, until their 2004 marriage.

YCT: Tell us a little about your family and the personalities of each of your children.

Beth:  Jimmy is five and will turn six in late October.  He is very creative.  I love his active imagination, which has grown exponentially since he started reading.  He loves to ride his bike, read, do crafts, write plays, anything related to music, dancing, and anything involving super heroes.  Right now, Batman is his favorite.  We’ll get him started with guitar lessons in the near future.  We have three cats and Jimmy is really sweet with them; he is an affectionate little boy.  He looks just like my husband, whereas David looks a lot like me and my father.

David turned three in May and is my high-energy boy.  He is usually up at 6:00 a.m. with a smile on his face, flashing his blue eyes and dimples (which get him out of a lot of trouble).  He likes to do whatever his brother wants to do.  They play their guitars together and pretend they’re in a band – Jimmy’s is called the Bulldogs and David’s is Cats and Rats.  David loves to play with blocks and do floor puzzles.  He will be a drummer, for sure.  He is always on the go and loves to play in the backyard on the swing set, on his bike, or practice karate.  They both LOVE Trio building blocks, so we have hundreds of them all over the house.

YCT: What is a typical day like in your home?

Beth:  Weekdays are crazy.  David and I are up early.  Then, Jimmy gets up around 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. and we eat breakfast and get ready for school and work.  The boys are in school by 8:15 a.m.  I finish up at work, pick the boys up, and we head home.  Jimmy finishes his homework right away, we have a snack and then it’s outside to burn off some energy.  After dinner, I read to the kids, get them in the tub and try to get them in bed by 8:00 or 8:30 p.m., but that rarely happens.

Weekends are precious to us; we are just happy to play outside together, take a drive somewhere, watch a movie and just enjoy being home.  We love to barbeque, ride bikes or play music.

YCT: What activities do your children participate in after school?

Beth:  David is in preschool at Sung Star Academy in Toms River, so he started practicing karate when he was two.  He loves his teachers and especially enjoys art.

Jimmy has taken karate at Sung Star Academy since he was 23 months old.  He attended preschool and kindergarten there, and they offered art enrichment and computer classes last year and he loved those.  He really enjoys Miss Devin’s music classes so we want to encourage and foster that.  Jimmy just attended his first Tiger Cub meeting, so he will start scouts this year.  He is really excited about that.

We are members of the First United Methodist Church of Toms River.   Jimmy has really enjoyed their Vacation Bible School the last two summers.  This year, he will participate in Kids For Christ, which is a weekly program involving games, choir and crafts.  I grew up in that church and hope my kids will too.

YCT: What is your favorite thing to do locally with your family?

Beth:  We love to take a drive to anything near the water.  We like to go to Island Heights.  It’s a favorite place for us, and Jim and I even got engaged by the pavilion there.  Even though we live so close to the beach and water, sometimes we get so busy that we don’t get over there.  We are happy just to cross the bridge and get near the ocean!

Ocean County College, where I work, has so much to offer children.  Our kids have been to the theatre and the planetarium several times.  We also love the Halloween Parade and Founder’s Day in Toms River and look forward to those events every year.

YCT: Do you have any favorite local vacation spots?

Beth:  We haven’t vacationed in years.  We have had two very stressful years.  A tree fell on our house so we were displaced from our house for several months and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, so we really need one!  Happily, our home has been repaired, and my treatment is going really well.    Thankfully, the cancer was found early and my prognosis looks good.  We love Washington, DC, and we head into New York City whenever possible.  We haven’t made the Disney trip yet, but hope to do so next year.

We are lucky that all our parents live in Toms River.  My husband’s parents have a boat; the kids went on it this year for the Fourth of July and loved it.  My parents have a huge backyard with a pool, playhouse, swing set, frog and fish pond – it’s much more fun and cooler than our backyard.  We really enjoy heading over there and playing.  We are so grateful that our kids live close to their grandparents, and while their homes are not really “vacation spots”, being there is like having a nice little escape.

YCT: Have you ever gone on vacation without the kids?

Beth:  No.  Thankfully, my husband feels the same way I do.  We would miss the kids too much!  We can’t wait to travel with them when they’re a little older.

YCT: Do you have a favorite family-friendly restaurant?

Beth:  We miss the Ground Round!  That was our go-to place for years!  Jimmy called it “the moose place” because we usually sat near the booth that had the moose head mounted on the wall.  We like Tiffany’s on Route 37 in Toms River quite a bit.  They have an extensive menu, and it’s really kid-friendly.

YCT: What is your favorite date night location and how often do you get to go out with just your husband?

Beth:  Our schedules are so hectic.  If we get out to dinner once every three months, that’s pretty good.  My husband knows that if he brings home Chinese food every so often, everyone will be happy.  My favorite Chinese/Japanese take out is from Eastern in the Brick Pavilion.    We love to go to Benihana at the Ocean County Mall or Café Espanol in Greenwich Village.  I’m very happy with a in the backyard!

YCT: What is your favorite non-mommy thing to do and how often do you get to do it?

Beth:  I have performed all my life so I love being involved in theatre or taking dance classes.  I take voice lessons with Faith Kline every month and she keeps me busy singing for churches and with the show “Mrs. Santa Claus” which I perform around the holidays.  The show deals with Christmas and all its preparations from the perspective of Mrs. Claus – it’s really funny!  My husband got me a Nook this year, so I love reading at night when the kids are finally in bed.  I also have a great group of friends from theatre and we go out to dinner or go see a show every so often.

YCT: What is your husband¹s favorite non-daddy thing to do?

Beth:  My husband enjoys playing guitar.  He has been taking guitar lessons at the Music Academy with a great teacher named Rob Diaz who really makes it learning enjoyable and stress-free.  We are in the process of finishing our basement so that keeps him busy too.
: Do you patronize any advertisers from our magazine?

Beth:  Quite a few of them.  Sung Star, of course, has been our second family.  Our children enjoy going to school and camp there.  Jimmy will remain there as they have started a first grade.  We have visited Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Blackbeard’s Cave and Bounce U several times.  We look forward to the Your Child Today Family Expo every year.  We love Insectropolis and the Ocean County Library.  Color Me Mine is our next trip — I promised to take the kids there before the summer ends.

I just read August’s edition and saw Encore Dance Supply featured.  I have been going to Encore since it opened.  Since I direct musicals at the college and teach Musical Theatre, I now send my students there for all their dance shoes.

YCT: Do you have any parenting advice that you would like to offer our readers?

Beth:  Take lots and lots of pictures.

YCT: What is your favorite part of Your Child Today magazine?

Beth:  I enjoy reading the calendar of events and all about the unique party places.

YCT:  What are some of your favorite birthday party locations?

Beth:  Bounce U has to be our favorite.  Everyone leaves happy and tired.

YCT:  What are your hopes for your children’s futures?

Beth:  We want our kids to be safe, healthy and compassionate.  We hope they find something that they love and are fortunateenough to pursue a career in that field.  We hope they will always be best friends.

By Tricia Berwick

As I write this article, my family is preparing for Hurricane Irene, a monstrous storm that’s quickly heading up the East Coast with the Jersey Shore in its direct path.  My husband is busy in the backyard, securing the grill, patio table, and chairs. He’s also bringing everything from the front porch into the garage.  I hit the supermarket the other day, so now the dining room table is filled with bottles of water, batteries, flashlights, and non-perishable food items. We’ve heeded all the warnings and have taken the necessary precautions, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t nervous about getting through all of this.  You see, if it was just the two of us, then that would be okay.  In 1999, we managed to ride out Hurricane Floyd without any damage, but we were newly married and only needed to worry about one another.  But now that we have our children, we feel differently about the whole situation.  We’re responsible for these two little people and their safety is of utmost importance to us.  That’s why my husband just ran out to Lowe’s for some last-minute pieces of ply wood.  He’s not sure if we’ll need the materials, but for peace of mind, he would rather have it here.

Of course, now that our daughters are seven-years-old and completely aware of their surroundings, we couldn’t really hide our preparations.  So, we explained the situation as best we could and told them that we’ll keep them safe.  We also said that it’s going to be very rainy and windy outside, but everything would be okay.  It’ll probably be very loud, but we’ll play games and do different activities to keep their minds off of what’s happening outside.  To make them feel even more secure and less afraid during the storm, we promised the kids that we’ll have a big “camp out” downstairs.  This plan will keep everyone safely away from the windows while also providing comfort by being together in one place.

September is still considered to be prime hurricane season, so if there’s one in the forecast in the coming months, follow these tips to properly prepare your family.

1.)Cover all of your home’s windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.   Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.  Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.  Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or bringing them inside. Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.

2.)Turn off propane tanks and install a generator for emergencies.

3.)Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.

4.)Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

5.)Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting www.FoodSafety.gov.   The website has information regarding recalls and alerts, tips on how to keep food safe, how to determine if you have experienced food poisoning, and news and features.  There’s also a forum to report a problem and an opportunity to ask questions to experts.

6.)Listen to the television or radio for instructions or important updates regarding the weather conditions.  Before the hurricane hits, charge your cell phone.  If the power goes out during the storm, the cell phone may be the only way to communicate with loved ones.  Make sure you have the numbers of all of your family members saved in the phone.

7.)It’s important to plan ahead so that during an emergency you know what to do and how to get in touch with other family members.  The best way to do this is to create a clear family emergency plan. First, gather your family members (including your pets!) together for a quick family meeting, maybe over a pizza or before watching your favorite movie. Then, talk about some of the problems your family will encounter in a disaster and make a list of your family’s solutions.  Identify the responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.  Also, talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan.  Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.  In addition, learn about your community’s hurricane response plan.  Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for your pets to be cared for.  Before you know it, you’ll have a plan in place that everyone in your family can follow.   Type up the plans and make copies for everyone in the family.  Even if it seems like a time-consuming task to prepare the family emergency plan, it will be well worth it when you are trying to weather the storm with your loved ones.

8.)Make sure that your family has a seven-day supply of all medications, including prescription medicines and a fever-reducer for young children.  Also, have extra supplies of baby items including: formula, diapers, wipes, baby food, and bottles.

9.)It’s a good idea to fill up your gas tank and to stop at the ATM for some extra cash to keep in the house, too.

10.)A first aid kit is also extremely important to have.  Be sure it is well-stocked with band-aids, adhesive tape, anesthetic spray, safety pins, tweezers, scissors, and antibiotic cream.