washingtonFAMILY.com JUNE 2021 Smart. Local. Parenting for the DMV. Happy Father's Day! LOCAL ICE CREAM SHOPS DOCTORS AND DOULAS AND MIDWIVES, OH MY! WHEN YOU’RE VACCINATED … BUT YOUR KIDS AREN’T LIFE AS A STAY-AT-HOME DAD CONTENTS JUNE 2021 Experts weigh in on summer plans when you're vaccinated but your kids aren't  Page 26 FEATURES 17 BUILDING YOUR PRENATAL 14 23 CARE TEAM Expectant mothers should feel comfortable and safe. Let us help find what's right for you STAY-AT-HOME DADS The growing phenomenom comes with a whole new set of challenges DIAPERS DEMYSTIFIED Cloth? Disposable? Hybrid? Only the best for your baby's bottom The scoop on the DMV's best ice cream Page 12 DEPARTMENTS 6 8 CALENDAR PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Meet Tom Dolan, two-time Olympic champion and father of four 10 EDITOR'S PICKS 30 HEALTHY FAMILY Summer health and safety myths 32 34 BOOK MARKED Honoring dads of all sorts MY TURN "Is it hard to tie a tie?" 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Any reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without expressed written permission. 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 300 | Rockville, MD 20852 | 301-230-2222 or 703-318-1385 | washingtonfamily.com FIRST WORD Let’s Hear It for the Dads I PJ Feinstein Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com n a recent study conducted by The Ohio State Univer- sity, researchers found that highly educated men from dual-earning couples who were more stereotypically masculine — competitive, adventurous and dominant, etc. — displayed more positive parenting behaviors than men with fewer “old-fashioned” traits. The catch: They also had to believe that dads should be highly involved with their kids. “These men are combining traditional aspects of masculinity with new nurturing ideals to create new fathering identities. They may be in the midst of trans- forming fatherhood,” says Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, psychology professor and lead author of the study. You know who else is transforming fatherhood? Stay- at-home dads. In this issue, Mid-Atlantic Media staff writer Eleanor Linafelt explores the challenges unique to SAHDs, as they often refer to themselves, who strug- gle to find a social network of like-minded dads and have to steel themselves for possible judgement from those wondering why they don’t have a “real” job. As we go to press, nearly 38% of the total U.S. popula- tion has been vaccinated, and with mask mandates being lifted across the county, many of us are eager to dine indoors and start traveling again. But is it really safe to do those things if our young kids haven’t been inocu- lated yet? Contributor Sophie Panzer asks what parents everywhere want to know: What are our options? Here’s something I’m planning to do with my boys this summer: grab a sweet treat at all 10 D.C.-area ice cream shops listed in our Family Fun story. We’ll also be visiting our neighborhood pool. Speaking of swimming, our Parent You Should Know this month is Tom Dolan, a two-time Olympic champion, whose eponymous swim schools in Northern Virginia were recently acquired by Big Blue Swim School. Dolan wants to teach kids how to be safer swimmers and to help them build important life skills along the way. He’s also happy to let his students wear his Olympic medals, in case you’re wondering. Stay safe, and happy Father’s Day to all the different kinds of dads out there. n Join us for a summer of fun! Limited spaces available, so register today! Musical Theater & Creative Arts Camp Ages 5-7, Ages 8-14 Junior Music Camp Ages 4-6 2 019 W IN N ER celebrating 20 years of excellence in performing arts education Washington FAMILY The Area’s Leader in STEM Education Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year Please call 301-770-4370 to learn more! *promotion ends 6/30/21 Preschool-8th Grade www.feynmanschool.org 703-938-7301 | WWW . HARMONIASCHOOL . ORG WashingtonFAMILY.com  5 WF CALENDAR TOP 10 Family Activities in June Around the DMV BY KATIE BEECHER 4 JUNE 6 WORLD HERITAGE FESTIVAL Sample ethnic food, enjoy cultural performances and shop from more than 60 vendors at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. This free family-friendly event includes a kids zone with plenty of activities and games. eventbrite.com 2 3 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY History lessons don’t have to stop when school ends. Bring the kids back to the National Museum of American History to explore our nation’s complex history. Reserve free timed-entry passes online. americanhistory.si.edu ONGOING WATERFRONT DISTRICT AT NATIONAL HARBOR Take the family out on the Potomac River. You’ll find kayaks, swan and dragon pedal boats, new hydrobike water bikes and other rentals available from various boat companies at National Harbor. nationalharbor.com ONGOING NATIONAL ZOO Reunite with your favorite furry friends this month at the recently reopened National Zoo. Visitors can reserve free timed-entry passes online. nationalzoo.si.edu 6  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 5 ONGOING BUTLER’S ORCHARD This month, you can pick your own strawberries, tart cherries, black raspberries, blueberries and peas. Be sure to build in time for the slides, playground and farm animals. butlersorchard.com. 1 NINOCHKA / DIGITALVISION VECTORS; 2 OLGA KURBATOVA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 4 A-DIGIT / DIGITALVISION VECTORS; 5 OLGA NAUMOVA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS 1 ONGOING 6 JUNE 15 P&P LIVE! & D.C. PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENT ‘FATIMA’S GREAT OUTDOORS’ Ambreen Tariq, founder of @BrownPeopleCamping, talks about her debut picture book, “Fatima’s Great Outdoors,” and her goal of getting more people of color to hike and camp. politics-prose.com JUNE 28 – JULY 2 VIRTUAL SPY CAMP Kids ages 9-13 can learn all about the exciting world of espionage at the Spy Museum’s week-long virtual spy camp. Activities include top secret briefings, developing disguises, breaking codes, creating spy gadgets and running missions. spymuseum.org 7 9 JUNE 25 & 26 THROUGH JUNE 30 INDEPENDENCE FIREWORKS AT MOUNT VERNON 6 AMAZON; 7 ARAKOLOG / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 8 INKSPOTTS / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 9 CSA-ARCHIVE / DIGITALVISION VECTORS; 10 MOLLICART / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS Why wait until July 4th to celebrate Independence Day? Take in the dazzling fireworks display at the home of our nation’s first president while enjoying food from Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and live musical performances. washington.org 8 NATIONAL CAPITAL BARBEQUE BATTLE 10 The annual D.C. summer festival goes virtual for the second year in a row, with BBQ contests, cooking demos, tips from pitmasters and more. Kids’ activities include a junior chef competition, crafts, magic shows and downloadable activity pages. bbqindc.com Opening May 29th! Weekends Only • Open daily starting June 10th Limited Capacity. Reservations Required. Plan Ahead www.chesapeakebeachwaterpark.com LAP POOL • BEACHCOMBER GRILLE • CHARACTER DAYS JUNE 27 SANDY SPRING MUSEUM BLUEGRASS JAM Grab your favorite instrument and join other local musicians on the museum grounds. Everyone, no matter your age or skill level, is welcome to jam out and enjoy some outdoor fun. sandyspringmuseum.com SPEED SLIDES • WATERFALLS • BIRTHDAY PARTIES • LAZY RIVERS 4079 Gordon Stinnett Ave. | Chesapeake Beach, MD WashingtonFAMILY.com  7 PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW A Conversation with Tom Dolan The two-time Olympic gold medalist has been teaching local kids how to swim for nearly a decade BY PJ FEINSTEIN 8  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 What is your favorite part of the day? The morning — although I’m not a morning person, thanks to years of swimming way too early in the morning. I drive my kids to school each morning. It’s a special time and a great way to start the day. We have routines we follow, like calling out restaurants or places we pass on our drive. The kids also love to sing songs on our way. I love hearing their stories and sharing fun messages and thoughts to set up the day. What’s the most challenging time of the day? The transition at night from work to daddy time and bedtime. I think all parents can relate to this. It’s not easy to compartmentalize those tough workdays when I walk into the house, switch to playtime with daddy and help get four kids ready for bed. I want to be as present as possible for those bedtime conversations with my kids. What do you love doing with your kids? I love playing with them! We love soccer, baseball, tag and whatever game we can think of in our backyard. My kids share my wife’s and my competitive spirit, so they love any race or game against me. What do you do that embarrasses your kids? Since my kids are still young, I have not reached the point of embarrassing them. I know it’s coming soon, though! I’m sure I will be a significant source of embarrassment for them, just like all parents. What are you looking forward to this summer? Swimming! My kids love swimming in our summer pool, and we love going to Bethany Beach to swim in the ocean. This summer, in particular, we are looking forward to traveling for the first time in over a year. What do you want for Father’s Day? I coach my son’s t-ball team. What a Father’s Day gift it would be if my team of 4- to -6-year-olds actually listened to me! Even if just for one game or practice. Other than that dream, just some nice weather so I can go on a hike or play in the backyard with my kids. n PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM DOLAN T om Dolan recalls a conversation with a parent of one of his young students shortly after opening his first Tom Dolan Swim School in Northern Virginia. The 5-year-old had just gotten comfortable putting his face in the water, and his father wanted Dolan’s help mapping out strategies to ensure his son would get into college on a swimming scholarship. “He probably didn’t want my answer,” says Dolan, who suggested that the dad give it some time “I’m really big into having kids try a lot of different activities and seeing what strikes their little personalities and passions.” Dolan, 45, isn’t in the business of creating the next Tom Dolan — a swimming superstar who set two world records and won two gold medals and one silver in the Olympics. Instead, his goal since 2012 has been to teach kids to be safer swimmers and to help them build important life skills along the way. He doesn’t even have aspirations for his own kids — Hannah, 7; Nora, 6; Fitz, 4; and Connor, 3 — to become competitive swimmers. “What I hope is that they find something that they truly love, and that their passion for it runs as deep as my passion was, and will always be, for swimming,” Dolan says. “Whether that’s playing an instrument or playing chess or finding it in a sport — that comes without any judgment from me whatsoever.” The father of four and his wife, Maryellen, live in Falls Church, about two miles from where he grew up in Arlington. He keeps his Olympic medals at home, much to the delight of his children, who will randomly ask to see them. “I’ll always say to them, ‘Guys, you can always look at them. Because it’s not about the metals. It’s about the stories that Daddy shares with you about what I did to get to this point to be lucky enough to have these, and that’s what you need to learn,’” says Dolan. In March, Dolan sold his eponymous swim school, with locations in Dulles and Falls Church, to Big Blue Swim School. He’ll stay on as president of mid-Atlantic operations, a transition that will allow him to continue sharing his passion for swimming with the community. Washington FAMILY spoke to the busy dad and entrepreneur about the highs and lows of parenthood. HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOVING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS MONTH For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com BY ELENA EPSTEIN, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARENTING PRODUCT AWARDS Miffy Cool to Be Kind Plush toy Kids will appreciate this beloved children’s book character in a fresh, modern palette and a positive message, “it’s cool to be kind,” in colorful embroidered letters. $15.95, ages 2+, douglascuddletoy.com 3D Glow Spin Art Station Capture your little artist’s imagination with this unique swirl art machine that includes fun 3D glasses to make your painting come to life! $24.99, ages 6+, kohls.com 10  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 SplashEZ Educational Sprinkler Pool This three-in-one splash pad and sprinkler pool offers fun and learning in the sun. Your child will enjoy the whimsical animals, letters and colors. $39.99, ages 12 months+, amazon.com TETIANA GARKUSHA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS EDITOR’S PICKS On The Go Activity Set This three-pack set of role-play toys will keep your babies and toddlers busy and learning at home and out and about. The set includes a phone, remote control and game controller. $39.99, ages 3 months+, tlji.com Sunny Day Mobile Farm Stand Intricate details enhance the imaginative play experience in this farm- themed play set featuring two figurines, a horse and plenty of accessories. $34.99, ages 3 to 8 years, schleich-s.com 100 Words About Places I Go Explore words about places kids love with this bilingual learning book. Go to the beach, the farm, the park and more in any season and discover words in English and Spanish about things to bring and surprises to find. $17.99, ages 18 months+, store.leapfrog.com Sparklings Paige the Tiger Add a touch of magic to play with Paige. She talks, sings and lights up with a kaleidoscope of colors. Touch her magical necklace, then touch her head, eyes and ears to change her color and her mood. $14.99, ages 4+, vtechkids.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 FAMILY FUN M A E ICE CR DMV for Everyone in the BY ELEANOR LINAFELT 12  Washington’s FAMILY  JUNE 2021 Ice cream used to only be a treat for the D.C.-area elite. In 1784, George Washington splurged on a “cream machine for ice” and made sure Mount Vernon’s kitchen was stocked with 10 ice cream pots. These days, thankfully, ice cream is widely available all over the DMV — and for a much cheaper price than what Washington paid. In fact, there are so many ice cream shops across D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia that it was hard to narrow down a list. These 10 are particularly well-loved spots, with a far-ranging variety of both unusual and classic flavors, many of which are handmade with local ingredients. Ice Cream Jubilee is all about the flavors. Even its “classic” options are unusual: Thai iced tea, banana bourbon caramel and honey lemon lavender are all often on the menu. Each of its three locations also offers a rotating selection of seasonal flavors. 301 Water St. SE, Washington, D.C.; 1407 T St. NW, Washington, D.C.; 4238 Wilson Blvd. #143, Arlington, Va. icecreamjubilee.com Mount Desert Island Ice Cream Thoughtfully made by hand with ingredients from sustainable local suppliers, the ice cream at Mount Desert Island is remarkably creamy and flavorful. The fruits, herbs and vanilla pods they use are fresh and real – no artificial flavoring here – and you taste it. 3110 Mount Pleasant St. NW, Washington, D.C. mdiic.com Thomas Sweet Ice Cream This well-loved old-fashioned Georgetown ice cream shop has a long list of flavors and toppings. If you order one of their signature blend-ins, they’ll mix up to three toppings of your choosing into your ice cream. Thomas Sweet also offers frozen yogurt, chocolates and fudge for those with an extra sweet tooth. 3214 P St. NW, Washington, D.C. thomassweet.com Moorenko’s Ice Cream Susan Soorenko founded Moorenko’s in 2002 to provide pure, tasty ice cream to her children. After studying with ice cream experts in New York and a gelato maker in Italy, she created the creamy and rich ice cream available at this Silver Spring spot (and in grocery stores across the area) that your children can now enjoy, too. 8030 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. moorenkos.com York Castle Tropical Ice Cream This Rockville store boasts unique Caribbean ice cream flavors, including guava, lychee and soursop, in addition to classics like vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan. York Castle Tropical Ice Cream is a local favorite with offerings that you can’t find just anywhere else. 827 Hungerford Dr., Rockville, Md. Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream Started by a Bethesda mother-daughter team, Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream uses primarily local ingredients for their small-batch, all-natural recipes. What’s even sweeter is that Sarah’s is committed to serving the community; throughout the pandemic, they donated hundreds of ice cream scoops to local hardworking healthcare workers. 10219 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Md.; 5241 River Road, Bethesda, Md. sarahshandmadeicecream.com Great Falls Creamery A perfect stop after a day hiking with the kids at the nearby Great Falls Park or Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, Great Falls Creamery is a family-friendly shop with low prices and friendly service. While the main attraction is the ice cream, the creamery also sells local treats, including baked goods, maple syrup and other dairy products. 766 Walker Road, Great Falls, Va. Lil City Creamery Opened in 2015, this Falls Church shop is big enough for an ice cream freezer and an extensive collection of retro character toys — and that’s about it. Enjoy your cup, cone, milkshake or cookie sandwich, made from ice cream sourced from Woodside Farm Creamery in Delaware, at nearby Mr Brown’s Park. 114 W. Broad St., Falls Church, Va. lilcitycreamery.com Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream These recipes date back to the 1940s, when Ray “Pop” Giovanni served his ice cream to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House. This old-fashioned Alexandria shop continues his legacy, offering specialty sundaes and a long list of flavors. 109 King St., Alexandria, Va. popsoldfashionedicecream.com The Creamery The oldest ice cream shop in downtown Alexandria, operating for over 30 years, The Creamery makes their ice cream and frozen custard daily with quality local ingredients. They offer southern regional flavors, including orange chocolate chip, lemon custard and banana pudding. 110 King St., Alexandria, Va. creameryalexandria.com n WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 IMGORTHAND / E+ Ice Cream Jubilee JOB IT’S A VERY REAL B Y E L E A N O R L I N A F E LT 14  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 YARUTA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS THE UPS AND DOWNS OF BEING A STAY-AT-HOME DAD ane Sebasovich initially decided to stay home with his two children to save money on daycare, but quickly grew to appreciate being a primary caregiver. “I’m making a lot more value in return than I would if I was working my tail off to pay for somebody else to do something that is my superpower,” he says. “I’m not just watching the kids, I’m teaching them to play games, I’m working through their tantrums and I’m working on myself and how I deal with the stresses of the moment.” But even though Sebasovich takes pride in caring for his children, he still gets asked when he plans to get a “real job.” The national percentage of dads who stay at home with their children has nearly doubled over the past 30 years and an increasing number of them say it’s because they want to be more involved with their kids. However, as the total number of SAHDs, a common acronym, is still relatively low, fathers who are primary caregivers often feel isolated. While SAHDs tend to be satisfied with their decision to be more involved in their children’s lives, there is a stigma for men who choose to stay home with their children rather than return to the workforce, as well as for men who ask for help in dealing with their sense of loneliness. Even so, they try to overcome these challenges by connecting with other dads through organized groups, conferences and social media. “I’m just trying to be seen,” Sebasovich says, which he adds is hard to admit as someone who has significant privilege as a white cisgender man. “There’s a shame for even having the fear of not being seen.” A common challenge for SAHDs is the lack of a parenting support network. “Taking care of children can be pretty lonely and it’s stressful at times,” Jay Fagan, a professor of social work at Temple University and co-director of the Fatherhood Research Practice Network, says. “A lot of women have peers with children who they can socialize with, and that’s not so easy for men to do.” What’s worse, SAHDs often feel uncomfortable The national percentage of dads who stay at home with their children has nearly doubled over the past 30 years. looking for support from other fathers. “People seem to think guys don’t need that type of thing or that only moms should flock together,” agrees Tito Bryson, a SAHD. “It comes off as less masculine, but [socializing with other SAHDs is] great for mental health and increasing your general happiness.” Bryson describes the bond he has created while staying at home with his two daughters as “one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my life,” but he finds it hard to connect with other parents. “When I take the girls to the park you primarily see other women as caregivers,” he says. “It’s not that the moms do anything in particular to make me feel WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 Parenting HelpLine: 800.243.7337 familytreemd.org/flip 16  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 MIKOLETTE/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS Parenting isn’t easy, but there are strategies that can help. excluded; I believe it’s more of a subconscious thing for people.” Some SAHDs do manage to form groups with other fathers who are primary caregivers. Before moving to Pennsylvania, Alexander Mustico, a father to three who has been a SAHD for eight-and-a-half years, joined a local dad group in Virginia. “I immediately found it an extremely useful resource of both veteran dads who could show me the way, as well as fellow new dads who were experiencing the same new challenges that I was,” he says. However, when he moved, Mustico found that the local group of SAHDs was much less active than his previous one, due to what he, like Bryson, believes were gendered reasons. “Men in general are not good at expressing their feelings and because of that, getting them to show up to a dad group and then keep showing up is impossible. I think it is just the nature of men and machismo,” he says. Eventually, Mustico found the support that he wanted again through attending HomeDadCon, an annual convention hosted by the National At-Home Dad Network, an organization that provides advocacy and support for fathers who are primary caregivers. “HomeDadCon brings SAHDs together from across the country for professional development and networking,” Mustico says. “It was at that convention that I truly felt I had ‘met my tribe’ and entered the ‘brotherhood of fatherhood.’” Despite dealing with stigma and isolation, SAHDs tend to ultimately find significant value in being highly involved in their children’s lives. “The research has tended to show a fairly high level of satisfaction that stay at home fathers have in caring for their children,” Fagan says. “They don’t particularly perceive themselves as being un-masculine, or they’ve redefined what it means to be a man and what it means to be masculine. They see caregiving as something that is acceptable.” Sebasovich recognizes the challenges of being a SAHD, but treasures the special moments he is able to have with his kids. Recently, when Sebasovich was going through a rough patch with his children, he took a step back and realized that parenting is “kind of like Christmas lights.” “There will be this unexpected beautiful moment that lasts for just a second and then a long, green, twisted, not-so-pretty cord that attaches to the next moment,” he says. “It’s those little moments that make the long parts so worth it.” And, he adds, “It’s a very real job.”  P BUILDING YOUR PRENATAL CARE TEAM Here’s what to know about the different types of prenatal care providers B Y J E N N I F E R M A R I N O W A LT E R S You’re pregnant — yay! Before you begin all the fun stuff like decorating the nursery and picking out baby clothes, you’ll need to make an important decision: Who will help care for you and your baby during pregnancy and childbirth? Read on to learn about your options, so you can put together a prenatal care team that will best meet your needs and goals. MATHIEUKOR / E+ WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) More than 90% of women choose an OB/GYN — a physician that specializes in women’s reproductive and general health — as their prenatal care practitioner. OB/GYNs oversees prenatal check-ups, ultrasounds and tests. They also take care of non-pregnancy-related female needs, such as pap smears, breast exams and contraception. OB/GYNs almost always deliver babies in hospitals. They are the best choice for women with high-risk pregnancies — those who are over 35, are underweight or overweight, are carrying multiples, have had a problem with a previous pregnancy, or have a health problem such as diabetes or high blood pressure. OB/ GYNs are also trained to perform Caesarean sections (C-sections), which account for more than 31% of U.S. births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Keep in mind, though, that OB/GYNs are more likely than midwives to use surgical and technological interventions, such as episiotomy (an incision made in the perinium to make more room for the baby) and a vacuum or forceps during delivery. And if you’re hoping to labor without drugs or an epidural, an OB/GYN may not be right for you. Family Physician A family physician can serve as your primary care provider, your OB/GYN and the baby’s pediatrician, thereby meeting all of your family’s medical needs. But family physicians typically don’t perform C-sections, so if complications occur, you’ll need to switch to an OB/GYN. Midwife A midwife is not a doctor, but a trained health- care professional who cares for women during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post birth. “Midwives are trained to support the natural process of birth in a way that is holistic and family-centered … while providing the least amount of intervention necessary,” says Paige Barocca, a midwife with Moonstone Midwifery in Maryland. That makes midwives a great choice for women who want to avoid an epidural or labor-inducing drugs (though midwives can prescribe these if the woman changes her mind). Midwives are also more likely than doctors to offer breastfeeding and lactation support. While midwives often perform hospital births, many also deliver babies at birthing 18  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 CREATING A BIRTH PLAN A birth plan will help you communicate your birth preferences to your medical team. Here are some of the main things to include: LOCATION: Where do you want to give birth? Most women give birth at a hospital, but hospitals differ in the types of birthing rooms they offer and the protocols they follow. Home births offer women with low-risk pregnancies much more comfort, but you won’t have the amenities of a hospital if something goes wrong. Birthing centers feel more relaxed than hospitals but offer some of the same medical amenities. PAIN MANAGEMENT: Do you want to try to give birth without an epidural or pain medications? INDUCTION: Do you want to be induced if your labor is going slowly, or would you rather have more time to let things progress naturally? ATMOSPHERE: Do you want to play music? Would you like a certain type of lighting? Do you want to use a birthing ball or have the freedom to move around during labor? TYPE OF DELIVERY: Would you like to try for a water birth? If you’ve had a C-section before, do you want to try for a vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC), or would you rather schedule another C-section? If you opt for a C-section, do you want to see the baby coming out? A doula can help you come up with any other items to include in your birth plan. Just remember that these are simply guidelines, not requirements, and that they may need to change based on how your labor goes and whether any complications arise. T centers or, like Barocca, in women’s homes. Many health insurance plans cover midwife deliveries at a hospital, but not at a birthing center or home. However, birthing centers and midwives are typically less expensive than hospitals and physicians. Karissa Harris of Burke, Virginia, used midwives to deliver her third baby at a hospital via water birth. “Even though she was my biggest baby by almost a pound, her birth did not result in any tearing like my first two did,” Harris says. “I attribute that in part to the midwives and their willingness to let me listen to my body.” There are three main types of midwives: • A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with a graduate degree in midwifery. CNMs are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) to perform births in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. • A certified midwife (CM) has a graduate degree in midwifery and is certified by the AMCB. • A certified professional midwife (CPM) is educated via a midwifery school, apprenticeship or other professional courses before being certified by the North American Registry of Midwives. CPMs typically perform home or birthing center births and cannot prescribe most medications. Midwives cannot perform C-sections, so you may be transferred to an OB/GYN if there’s an emergency. Doula A doula is a trained pregnancy and labor companion who provides emotional and physical support to the mother and her family and helps to ensure that a woman has the birth experience she wants. A doula will generally meet with a family at least once during the ANDREYPOPOV IMGORTHAND / E+ / GETTY IMAGES GRAPHICS: LILETT/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLU; BABY: RYANKING999 pregnancy to get to know them and to discuss their birth plan (see sidebar). The doula can help the woman find a physician or midwife, educate her on childbirth options and help ease her anxieties and concerns. “Once a family hires me, I am theirs,” says Elizabeth Oldham, owner and CEO of Doulas of Northern Virginia. “We’re walking through this together, and they know that they have somebody they can lean on through the pregnancy.” During the birth, the doula will employ various techniques to help the mother and her partner (if she has one) relax. This can include massage, aromatherapy, music and more. The doula will also serve as an advocate to help ensure the family’s preferences are followed. Stacey Trost, a mother of two, hired a doula for the birth of her first daughter. The doula helped Trost move into various positions to ease her pain, guided her through meditations and spoke with the medical team to ensure her wishes were met. “She was firm on my behalf, and I really appreciated that,” recalls Trost. “I felt so very looked after. I don’t know what I would have done without her.” Like midwives, doulas are an excellent choice for women who want a natural childbirth with few interventions. Studies have shown that women who use doulas are less likely to have C-sections, epidurals, pain medications and labor-inducing drugs. Doulas can also help reduce the length of labor, improve mother-baby bonding and increase the chance of breastfeeding success. What all of these prenatal care providers have in common is their desire for you to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. “We are not just growing babies,” says Barocca, “but growing resilient parents who are taking an active role in their children’s lives from the very beginning.” T 2021 Baby & Maternity Directory Child Care A CHILD’S PLACE achildsplaceinc.com 703-698-8050 3100 Prosperity Ave. , Fairfax, VA A Child’s Place in Fairfax was established in 1981. We take children eight weeks to five years. Please stop by for a visit. A MOTHER’S PRAYER NANNY SERVICE ampnannies.com 301-744-9AMP 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD 2 Wisconsin Cir #700, Chevy Chase, MD Offering baby nannies, babysitters and doulas. Over 20 years experience in childcare. CHI AU PAIR USA chiaupairorg; chichris@chinet.org 703-528-5152 CHI Au Pair USA offers safe and affordable childcare in your home. Approximately $345 per family, per week. Carefully screened and trained au pairs ages 18 to 26 available from many different countries. Au pairs can stay up to two years, have legal visa, medical and liability insurance, and childcare experience. U.S. Government designated cultural exchange program. Local support provided in your community. Discounts and special promotions available. Children’s & Misc. Retail BELFORT FURNITURE belfortfurniture.com; info@belfortfurniture.com 703-406-7600 22250 Shaw Rd., Dulles, VA Belfort, Washington’s only Stanley Young America Signature Shop, where you’ll find the area’s largest selection of cribs, twin and full size beds, plus sleigh, bunk, loft, novelty and storage beds at affordable prices. Classes & Instruction ACORN HILL WALDORF KINDERGARTEN & NURSERY acornhill.org; info@acornhill.org 301-565-2282 9504 Brunett Ave., Silver Spring, MD Ongoing birth to three parenting classes, September through June. Parent-infant (six weeks to one year), parent-toddler (1 to 2 years), parent- child (2 to 3 years). Parents learn games, songs and spend time mindfully attuning to their babies, supporting development. BEANTREE LEARNING ASHBURN CAMPUS beantreelearning.com 43629 Greenway Corporate Dr., Ashburn, VA BeanTree Learning offers private early childhood education and care through pre-K. With a robust learning curriculum, BeanTree offers stimulating academic learning, experiential play, and specialty programs in art, music, foreign language and technology taught by degreed, experienced educators. All programs are offered in small classroom environments to promote learning. Year round open enrollment available. Call for a personal tour today. BEANTREE LEARNING WESTFIELDS CAMPUS beantreelearning.com 703-961-8222 5003 Westone Plaza, Chantilly, VA BeanTree Learning is fully accredited through the prestigious AdvancED/SACS CASI organization offering full day private Kindergarten and a robust after school program. With a team of degreed, experienced educators, BeanTree offers an advanced curriculum taught in small classroom settings, providing students with one- to-one attention and homework help after school to reinforce subject matter. Year-round open enrollment available. Call or a personal tour today. BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org sarah@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, VA Ages Served: 3-10 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Mindfulness, nutrition, Spanish, dance, music & art, outdoor adventure program, extracurricular activities and summer camp. FEYNMAN SCHOOL feynmanschool.org admissions@feynmanschool.org 301-770-4370 11810 Falls Road, Potomac, MD Grades: Preschool-Grade 8 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The area’s leader in educating academically-gifted children, Feynman School features extraordinary WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 703-542-5522 24328 Marrwood Dr, Aldie, VA Ages: 12 weeks – 12 FRIENDSHIP CHILDREN’S CENTER 202-244-5115 www.friendshipchildren.org 5411 Western Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. Infant to pre-kindergarten. Creative curriculum. Music, dance, yoga and Spanish classes. Intergenerational activities. Community outreach. Educational outings. Full-time, part- time. Morning preschool. Call for enrollment information. GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT BROADLANDS guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ broadlands-ashburn-va; broadlands@ guidepostmontessori.com 703-723-3364 42945 Waxpool Rd., Ashburn, VA Ages: 16 months - 12 years GYMBOREE PLAY & MUSIC gymboreeclasses.com (202) 627-2450 wdc@gymboreeclasses.com 2639 Connecticut Ave NW #113, Washington, DC Gymboree Play and Music classes are uniquely and intentionally designed for early childhood development. Through play, your child is challenged physically, socially and cognitively, building crucial skills to support a lifetime of learning. Our expert play leaders support you through 45 minutes of uninterrupted time to play, explore, and learn. Our custom designed curriculum challenges your child as they grow, with changing playscapes and themes every three weeks. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave., Bethesda, MD 11325 Seven Locks Rd Suite 255, Potomac, MD 4701 Sangamore Road Suite LL-03, Bethesda, MD Ages Served: 6 months - 95 years Music lessons in all instruments and voice. All levels and ages accepted. Nurturing and experienced faculty. Optional recitals and certificate programs. Early childhood music offered (six months - five years). Can schedule family members at the same time. GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT ALDIE guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ aldie-va; aldie@guidepostmontessori.com GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT BURKE guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ burke-va; burke@guidepostmontessori.com 571-404-6991 6000 Schoolhouse Woods Rd, Burke, VA Ages: 6 weeks - 6 GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT CHANTILLY guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ chantilly-fairfax-county-va; chantilly@ guidepostmontessori.com 571-321-0364 4550 Walney Rd., Chantilly, VA Ages: 16 months - 12 GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT FAIRFAX guidepostmontessori.com/ locations/fairfax-va; fairfax@ guidepostmontessori.com 703-934-0920 3909 Oak St, Fairfax, VA Ages: 3 - 6 GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT HERNDON guidepostmontessori.com/ locations/herndon-va; herndon@ guidepostmontessori.com 3251 Woodland Park Rd, Herndon, VA 571 203 8686 Ages: 16 months - 6 GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT RESTON guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ reston-herndon-va; reston@ guidepostmontessori.com 703-404-9733 11579 Cedar Chase Rd., Herndon, VA Ages: 16 months - 6 20  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT SOUTH RIDING guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ south-riding-loudoun-county-va; southriding@guidepostmontessori.com 571-370-8777 43181 Amberwood Plaza, Chantilly VA Ages: 10 months - 6 GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI WEST ALEX guidepostmontessori.com/locations/ west-alex-alexandria-va; westalex@ guidepostmontessori.com 571-206-1687 3475 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA Ages: 18 months - 6 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com; office@ restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Sq. West Reston, VA Infant Program starting at three months. Doctors, Dentists & Orthodontists LACTATION ROOM 301.529.5433 lactationroom.com Home, Office & Virtual Lactation Support Silver Spring, Rockville, Laurel, Greenbelt, Bethesda, Frederick, NOVA, Vienna, Loudon, Burke, Fairfax, Sterling & more! MCLEAN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Cris Ann Ternisky, DDS 703-356-1875 McLean Doctors Building 6711 Whittier Ave., McLean, VA Pediatric dental growth & development. Preventative dentistry including school exams, fluoride treatments, pediatric oral surgery, early orthodontics, habit appliances, sealants, cleaning & general consultations. PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE mypdcdentists.com 703-383-3434 10614 Warwick Ave., Ste. B Fairfax, VA 703-992-7100 6120 Brandon Ave., Ste. 114 Springfield, VA (703) 957-3190 24805 Pinebrook Rd., Suite 108, Chantilly, VA PDC - Kids come first. We offer comprehensive dental treatment for all ages. We are pediatric dental specialists treating children starting from age one. Healthy smile...healthy child. WEST SPRINGFIELD DENTAL ARTS wsdentalarts.com; mydentist@wsdentalarts.com 703-451-8332 6116 Rolling Rd., Ste. 316  Springfield, VA Serving our community since 1963! Doulas A MOTHER’S PRAYER NANNY SERVICE ampnannies.com info@ampnannies.com 301-744-9AMP 3 Bethesda Metro Center Bethesda, MD Offering baby nannies, babysitters and Doulas. Over 20 years experience in childcare. Misc. Babies, Maternity & Toddlers INMED PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHILDREN opportunitycenter.us; ccapecee@inmed.org 703-729-4951 21630 Ridgetop Circle, Ste. 130, Sterling, VA INMED’s Family & Youth Opportunity Center offers free child development classes to low-income families. DOCTOR & PATIENTS: STOCKBYTE programs in science, math, language arts, theater and music designed to maximize your child’s potential. CAMP DIRECTORY DAY CAMPS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DCI EXPEDITIONS Ages: Rising 5th-8th graders dcinternationalschool.org/ summercamp info@dcinternationalschool.org 202-808-9033 District of Columbia International School The Parks at Walter Reed 1400 Main Drive NW Washington, DC 20012 Categories: Language Intensives, Visual Arts, Dance, Music, Theatre, Cooking, Design, Sports and MORE! taught over 500,000 kids all over North America how to ride with confidence! We’re keeping it safe at camp with physical distancing, small classes with the same instructor, enhanced cleaning, health checks, and more. MARYLAND ADVENTURE THEATRE & ATMTC ACADEMY adventuretheatre-mtc.org/camps/ 301-251-5766 Grades 1-6 Montessori School of McLean STUDIO ACTING CONSERVATORY Ages: 10-17 studioactingconservatory.org/ young_actors 3423 Holmead Place NW Washington, DC 20010 202-232-0714 info@studioactingconservatory.org PEDALHEADS THE THEATRE LAB Ages 3-12 pedalheads.com 888-886-6464 info@pedalheads.com Learn-to-Ride-Bike Camps. Best known for helping kids get off training wheels and safely ride on the road! New to DC this summer! Since 1995, we’ve Grades: 1-8 theatrelab.org/camp contact@theatrelab.org 202-842-0449 733 8th St. NW Washington, DC 20001 Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Extended Day, Drama/Theatre Glen Echo Park 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812 Grade 6-12 Wintergreen Plaza, 837 D Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 Exceptional Montessori Education for Toddlers through Upper Elementary: Ages 2-12 Cultivating each child’s unique ability to flourish in mind, body and spirit ENRICHMENTS • Science • Technology • Spanish • Outdoor Classroom • Library • Music • Drama • Art • Physical Education Aftercare • Transportation • Summer Camp IN-PERSON ACTING CLASSES For Cildren and Teens Ages 10-17 CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 28 AN JUL 1 To register, call 202.22.0714 or visit StdioActingConservator.org The Center for Ballet Arts Register Now Summer Dance Camps Summer Intensive Programs July 5 - August 7 Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com 1711 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049 Accredited by www.mcleanmontessori.org Now at a NEW SITE: Bender JCC in Rockville Developing Championship Level Swimmers Of All Ages For Over 50 Years! Sign up Today! WWW.SEADEVILS.ORG Programs available in DC, Maryland, and Virginia Bender JCC -- Holton-Arms School -- St. Albans School South Run RECenter -- Wilson HS WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 summer drama camps Enroll in June-August sessions CAMP ACCOMPLISH Ages: 5-18 melwood.org/recreation-programs/camp recreationcenter@melwood.org 301-870-3226 9035 Ironsides Road Nanjemoy, MD 20662 Categories: Day Camp, Residential Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Sibling Discount, Transportation, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Horseback Riding, Music, Overnight Camping, Special Needs, Sports, Swimming, Yoga DAY CAMPS VIRGINIA ASHBURN ICE HOUSE Ages: 3-10 Affiliation: William Day ashburnice.com info@ashburnice.com 703-858-0300 21595 Smith Switch Road Ashburn, VA 20147 Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Extended Day Join us in-person or online! theatrelab.org/camp (202) 824-0449 900 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC DCI EXPEDITIONS DCI EXPEDITIONS DCI EXPEDITIONS EXPEDITIONS DCI VIRTUAL VIRTUAL SUMMER SUMMER CAMP CAMP VIRTUAL SUMMER SUMMER CAMP CAMP VIRTUAL BROOKSFIELD SUMMER CAMP Ages: 3-10 brooksfieldschool.org camp@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 ext. 2 1830 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 Categories: Extended Day, Arts, CIT, Cooking, Dance, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Music, Sports, Swimming, Yoga Magic, Balloons, Now Bubbles Off ering FOAMTASTIC Join us us Join one, two, Join for for one, us one, for or two, one, all or all or all us Join for two, or two, all three sessions of our Language Immersion three sessions three of our sessions Language of our Language three sessions of our Language and Immersion Culture Camps in Culture Spanish, Immersion and Immersion Culture and Camps and Culture Camps Camps French, or Chinese in Spanish, French, in Spanish, or Chinese French, or Chinese in Spanish, French, or Chinese graders! for for rising 5th-8th for 5th-8th rising graders! 5th-8th graders! for rising rising 5th-8th graders! July | | Tues-Thurs: 6-22 10am-12pm | Tues-Thurs: 10am-12pm July 6-22 July | Tues-Thurs: 6-22 10am-12pm July 6-22 Tues-Thurs: 10am-12pm Language Intensives, Visual Arts, Language Intensives, Visual Arts, Language Intensives, Visual Language Intensives, Visual Arts, Arts, Dance, Music, Theatre, Cooking, Dance, Dance, Music, Cooking, Music, Cooking, Dance, Theatre, Music, Theatre, Theatre, Cooking, Sports and MORE! Design, Design, Sports Design, and MORE! Sports and Design, Sports and MORE! MORE! Learn more at more more Learn Learn at at Parties! magicandmoreinc.com Puppet Shows Puppet Shows Puppet Shows Occasions For Occasions All Occasions For For All All (703) 444-9426 (703) 444-9426 (703)444-9426 Large and and colorful • Large marionettes and colorful marionettes • • Large colorful marionettes hand puppets puppets and hand puppets and and hand Lively music music • Lively music • • Lively • • Audience participation Audience participation • Audience participation • • Puppet-making Puppet-making workshops • workshops Puppet-making workshops Goody bags bags • Goody bags • • Goody Susan Wall's Susan Wall's dcinternationalschool.org/summercamp dcinternationalschool.org/summercamp dcinternationalschool.org/summercamp REGISTRATION REGISTRATION REGISTRATION OPEN NOW OPEN OPEN NOW NOW 22  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 www.carouselpuppets.com www.carouselpuppets.com CAMP GRIFFIN AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL Ages: 3-14 Years www.westminsterschool.com/campgriffin kmock@westminsterschool.com 703-340-7268 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, VA 22003 Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Sibling Discount, Arts and Crafts, Field Trips, Hiking, Sports, Swimming, Yoga HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART Ages: 4-18 harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301; 204-F Mill Street NE, Vienna, VA Teens, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts, Musical Theater, Music, Main Stage Production THE LM PROJECT 646-684-3539 Age: 9-18 http://www.lmprojectnyc.com/ Reston Community Players Rehearsal Hall 266 Sunset Park Dr Herndon, VA 20170 MEDSTAR CAPITALS ICEPLEX Ages: 4-14 627 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203 Categories: Coed, Sports medstarcapitalsiceplex.com 571-224-0555 Info@MedStarCapitalsIceplex.com PINECREST PAVILION AT PINECREST SCHOOL Ages: 4-12 pinecrestschool.org camp@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 7209 Quiet Cove, Annandale, VA 22003 Categories: Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts, Computers, Cooking, Drama, Educational Activities, Field Trips RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ages: 3-9 restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Square W Reston, VA 20190 Categories: Extended Day, Arts, Field Trips. OVERNIGHT CAMPS CAMP RIM ROCK Ages: 6-18 camprimrock.com; info@camprimrock.com 347-746-7625 343 Camp Rim Rock Road Yellow Spring, WV 26808 Categories: Girls Only, Arts, Dance, Drama, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Music, Swimming. n DIAPERS demystified BY ALIZA FRIEDLANDER W ? WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLOTH AND DISPOSABLE BABY DIAPERS, AND WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY? hen it comes to choosing diapers, you’ll find two types of parents: the ones who are committed to cloth diapering and the ones who are determined to use disposable diapers. How do you decide which type of diaper is best for your baby? “You need to look at your priorities,” says Jocelyn Albertson, a certified birth and postpartum doula, who provides educational classes through The Flourish Fund, a new experiential baby registry. Here, Albertson and other parenting experts share the pros and cons of both cloth and disposable diapers to help you make the right choice for your family. OZGURCANKAYA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 Deep Dive into Disposables AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! WashingtonFamily.com/guides/ Back-to-School • Education Theater & Arts • Party Extravaganza Private Schools • Special Kids Welcome to Washington Baby & Maternity • Camps Dentist & Orthodontist • Entertainment Indoor Play • Preschool & Child Care Private School Open House Spring Break Camps/Holiday Camps Tutoring, Therapy & Special Needs Virtual Camp Fair A parent’s resource for Education, Special Needs, Party Planning, Arts, Music and Sports Programs … and more! 24  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 Pros • Ease of Use: Since disposable diapers are so common, most people already know how to use them, so there won’t be a learning curve for your babysitter, family members or childcare provider. Plus, the ability to change a diaper and toss it on the fly is key for many parents. • Timesaving: No washing or drying is required with disposable diapers — and less laundry at this stage of baby’s life is a good thing. Cons • Chemicals: Disposable diapers are typically made with bleach and dyes (the dyes are what makes the cute patterns), although some more natural diapers use less chemicals than others. “You can’t get rid of all chemicals because that’s what keeps the disposable diapers absorbent and prevents them from leaking,” says Albertson. • Cost: You could easily buy and discard several thousand disposable diapers before your child learns to use the toilet. Is it any wonder why the industry enjoys approximately $30 billion or more in annual revenues? • Environment: Disposable diapers are said to make up about 50% of a family’s waste. Approximately 3.6 tons of disposable diaper waste will end up in landfills, according to a report in the journal Advances in Technical Nonwovens. HENFAES / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS ALL THE RIGHT RESOURCES … WHEN MOST of us think about diapers, disposable ones such as Pampers, Luvs and Huggies are what come to mind. They are more popular than cloth diapers, making up approximately 95% of diaper use, according to The Green Guide. “The vast majority of U.S. parents choose disposable diapers, at least for some of the time … especially in the beginning when baby can have a poopy diaper after each feed,” says Sharon Mazel, who co-authored the fourth and fifth editions of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and other books in the series. Disposable diapers allow for quick, easy diaper changes. However, with convenience comes cost. Disposable diapers cost about $2,500 over the duration of the time babies are in diapers. If you want to use disposable diapers that are more environmentally friendly, such as those made by Honest or Seventh Generation, the cost can be even higher. Cloth Diaper Characteristics WHILE DISPOSABLE DIAPERS are more widely used, cloth diapers are making a comeback. “To succeed with cloth diapering, you must have the information,” says Albertson, who cloth diapered both her daughters. “Like everything, if you don’t have the support you won’t stick with it.” Prefolds are the most basic form of cloth diapers as well as the most economical—about $2 each. Folded into an absorbent rectangle, they sit inside a waterproof diaper cover, which you purchase separately. When it’s time for a diaper change, simply swap out the soiled prefold for a clean one and wipe off the diaper cover. Pocket diapers have a built-in absorbent pocket for removable inserts, and all-in-one diapers, where the absorbent layer is already attached to the waterproof outer layer. Both can only be used once before washing, and they tend to cost a few dollars more than the combined price of a prefold and a diaper cover. Still, they are less expensive than disposable diapers. While cost is a big benefit, the downside to cloth diapers is the commitment. Cloth diapers require a lot of washing, but you can make the process easier (see sidebar). HOW TO WASH CLOTH DIAPERS 1. Flush solid waste down the toilet. 2. Presoak heavily soiled cloth diapers in cold water. 3. Wash diapers in hot water with a mild detergent and bleach. 4. Double-rinse diapers in cold water. 5. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets. SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC Pros Cons CHANTALROUTHIER / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS • More Diaper Changes: Since they aren’t made with chemicals, cloth diapers are less absorbent than disposables, so be prepared to change baby’s diaper more often. You’ll also have several more loads of laundry each week, which, besides being time consuming, can result in higher water and electricity bills. • The Inconvenience Factor: Learning how to use cloth diapers requires a little more effort than disposables, and some daycare providers are reluctant to allow them. Also, if you have to change a cloth diaper while you’re out, you’re stuck with it until you get home. While some parents swear that cloth diapers prevent diaper rash better than disposables, there’s no compelling evidence for this claim, according to the Mayo Clinic. “Diaper rashes can happen to all babies,” Mazel says. “The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change your baby’s diaper often, and after cleaning your baby’s bottom, let it dry completely. I use the diaper to fan baby’s tush before applying diaper cream or ointment. Otherwise, you’d just be trapping in more moisture, leading to discomfort and a greater chance of rash for your baby.” Different Choices for Different Parents IF YOU’RE STILL on the fence, you can consider another option: hybrid diapers. Pairing reusable cloth diaper covers with a disposable inserts, hybrid diapers are more convenient than cloth diapers and less wasteful than disposable ones. Pampers Pure Protection Hybrid Diapers, for example, produce 25% less landfill waste compared to their Pure Protection disposable diapers, according to the Pampers website. In the end, deciding on diapers is going to come down to what’s best for your family. Parents should weigh the pros and cons, figure out their priorities and make the choice that works for them. While not everyone will agree on what type of diapers is best, everyone agrees that diaper decisions are an individual choice. n Diaper Insecurity Amid COVID-19 Diapers are a necessity, but they aren’t affordable for everyone. With the pandemic, diaper insecurity is at a high. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, local banks experienced a 300% increase in diaper demands and other essentials for babies. “Here in Baltimore, we have seen demand for diapers skyrocket,” says Amina Weiskerger, executive director at ShareBaby, a nonprofit providing basic items to low-income children. “We increased our distribution by 300%, (which) continues to persist as diaper prices remain high.” Prior to COVID-19, an estimated one in three families faced diaper need, but Weiskerger says that the needs are so much greater as a result of lockdowns, job losses, supply scarcity and illness. WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 SUDS: VIORIKA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; BABY: STEPHANIE PHILLIPS/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS • Earlier Potty Training: Some people believe that babies who wear cloth diapers potty train earlier because they can feel the wetness. • Natural: Prefolds, inserts or all-in-ones are made from cotton, terry cloth or flannel without any dyes or gels. • Reusable: You can use the same cloth diapers with each of your kids. The upfront cost may be more than disposable, but you can find long-term savings, especially if you plan to have more than one child. YOU’RE VACCINATED JUANMONINO/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS 26  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 S ince the COVID-19 vaccine rollout began in December, health experts have touted the shots as a pathway back to normal life. While it will take months for the United States to reach herd immunity, many fully vaccinated adults are dining indoors, gathering with friends and making plans to travel again. For parents with children under 16, however, it’s more complicated. While most children between the ages of 12 and 15 are now eligible to get the shot, many parents will be hesitant to let their kids get vaccinated before the long- term effects are established. Doubtless those concerns will be even greater for parents of younger children, and the vaccine isn’t expected to be approved for the 2-through-11 age group until fall at the earliest. Until the entire family is vaccinated, parents must decide what levels of risk they are willing to take when it comes to making plans. “The question is, where do we qualify children in terms of risk?” said Dr. Neil Rellosa, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Nemours duPont Pediatrics. “We know that children overall are at a lower risk of developing severe disease, but it doesn’t mean they don’t get infected.” Most children who are infected have mild or asymptomatic cases. However, Rellosa has treated some young patients who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a serious condition that results in the inflammation of organs and other body parts, which has been linked to COVID-19 infections. Dr. Aimee Ando, family medicine physician and director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Penn Medicine, said coronavirus cases among children are rising even as the percentage of vaccinated adults increases. There could be many reasons behind this spike, including schools reopening for in-person learning, the relaxation of social distancing regulations in some areas, the spread of highly contagious variants and better access to testing. Dr. Susan Coffin, pediatric disease specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said families with unvaccinated children should continue to exercise caution when socializing with other households. Indoor playdates and large family gatherings are still not recommended. “Unfortunately, when we’re thinking about people gath- ering who are unvaccinated, the same principles still need to hold in terms of keeping your gathering sizes small, keeping them outside, keep- ing participants masked and having a more consistent small cohort that you get together with rather than a different playmate every day of the week,” said Coffin, who also co-leads CHOP’s coronavirus response. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say vaccinated individuals can gather inside sans masks and social distancing with other people who are fully vaccinated. But the CDC also notes that vaccinated individuals can gather indoors with unvaccinated people who are not at increased risk of severe infection from one household at a time. In other words, according to Ando, a family in which all eligible members are vaccinated and the children are unvaccinated can be inside with a similarly vaccinated family — though she recommends keeping these visits limited. She added that it’s important to maintain open and honest communication about safety with friends and family when planning in-person interactions. This includes discussing vaccination status, recent travel and if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. but your kids aren’t. now what? BY SOPHIE panzer WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 Sister Montessori preschools, proving Northern Virginia’s preschool children with quality education for the past 50 years. What about long-awaited visits with grandparents, many of whom have not been able to hug their grandchildren in over a year? Rellosa said that vaccines greatly reduce seniors’ risk of infection, and provided that fully vaccinated grandparents seldom attend indoor social events, visits with grandchildren are unlikely to infect children with COVID-19. Rellosa said that when he takes his own children to visit their grandparents they hang out indoors and give hugs — albeit while wearing masks. As for parents who have been dreaming of returning to the gym or a date night inside a restaurant, they can do so...on a limited basis, according to Ando. “I think having an occasional date night out is fine, but I wouldn’t have it become a regular practice,” she said. And for parents who are wondering whether a summer getaway will be possible this year, Coffin said travel is reasonably safe as long as children take the usual precautions, like consistent mask-wearing and hand-washing. For air travel, Coffin recommended finding direct flights to reduce exposure to the virus. Rellosa agreed ? that travel should not be a major source of outbreaks, provided travelers maintain masking and social distancing. But even though these safety precautions can reduce risk during travel, Ando said she’s not planning to fly or take a train with her children any time soon; not only would the kids be required to quarantine before returning to daycare, but any travel makes you more likely to come into contact with residents of states that prematurely loosened restrictions and are experiencing unchecked community spreads. For her family, she said, it’s not worth the risk. Ultimately, the doctors agreed that parents must weigh factors like their children’s health conditions, childcare arrangements, community’s level of transmission and the behavior of close contacts to determine the level of risk they can tolerate before their children are vaccinated. Which is to say that, ultimately, you have to decide what you’re comfortable with. But unlike last summer, at least you have some options this time around.  T Have questions about Car Seat Safety?? Maryland What’s the law about car seats? What’s the best car seat for my baby? Where can I get a car seat for my child? Is there a seat check near me? K ids I n S afety S eats has answers! helpline: 800-370-SEAT e-mail: MDH.kiss@maryland.gov website: www.mdkiss.org 28  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 Flooring SALE 50% OFF SPECIAL CALL TODAY! Get 3 Rooms of Carpet $1,000.00 see sales rep for details 240-770-0778 MHIC#89675 DESIGNER FLOORS. DISCOUNT PRICES. 12 months no interest financing *credit approval required Carpet • Hardwood/Refinishing Laminate • Tile • Vinyl FITS YOUR standards With quality you can trust and a lifetime guarantee, Bath Fitter doesn’t just fit your bath, it fits your high standards. Why have over two million people brought Bath Fitter into their homes? It Just Fits. OUR BENEFITS CALL NOW FOR OUR BEST OFFER! 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PA HIC #PA017017, NJ HIC #13VH03073000, WV HIC #WV053085, MD HIC #129436, VA HIC #2705155694, MD HIC #122356, VA HIC #2705096759, IA HIC #C112725, WV HIC #WV038808, MD HIC #129995, VA HIC #2705146537, DC HIC #420213000044. Each Franchise Independently Owned And Operated By Bath Saver, Inc, Iowa Bath Solutions, LLC, Ohio Bath Solutions, LLC, Mid Atlantic Bath Solutions, LLC. WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 HEALTHY FAMILY Debunking Summertime Myths The truth behind some of the season’s biggest misconceptions BY LAURA BOYCOURT If it’s cloudy, I can ditch the sunscreen Dr. Alison Ehrlich, a board-certified dermatologist at FoxHall Dermatology in Washington, DC, says a sunburn is possible even if it’s overcast. “You can still get a sunburn on a cloudy day,” she says, noting that water, snow and even certain types of clouds can reflect rays from the sun and amplify its harmful effects. Ehrlich recommends applying a broad- spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 40 or higher 30 minutes before heading outdoors and re-applying every two to three hours. She also suggests wearing a full-coverage hat, UPF clothing and sunglasses, since eyes can be damaged from sun exposure. If someone is drowning, they’ll be splashing in the water Bonnie Alcid, CEO of British Swim School Central Maryland, says that while movies may show people thrashing about, calling for help and waving their arms, that’s not always what happens when someone is drowning. In many instances, “it’s a silent danger,” 30  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 she says. “It happens so quickly, we don’t have the opportunity to see or most importantly even hear what’s going on.” Lapses in adult supervision — even brief — are particularly dangerous, Alcid says. It only takes about two minutes for a child to become unconscious once they’re submerged. What’s more, small children can drown in just an inch of water. “Parents need to be diligent to always have eyes on their kids,” she says. “As much confidence as you may have in your child’s ability to swim, it’s the other factors that one after another will decrease your child’s ability to save themselves,” Alcid also warns parents that swim floaties, which don’t always keep kids vertical, are not Coast Guard-approved life saving devices and shouldn’t be used to teach children how to swim. Ticks are only a risk in the woods According to the Center for Disease Control, ticks can be found in your own yard or neighborhood, not just in thick forest. From grassy areas to gardens to your pet’s coat, ticks know few bounds. To prevent tick bites, apply an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent like DEET or picaridin before heading outdoors. If you’re going hiking or camping, spray your boots, clothing and gear with permethrin in a well-ventilated area, then let it dry. The CDC also recommends avoiding GYENER / DIGITALVISION VECTORS W ith summer just around the corner, families are gearing up for some fun in the sun. But before we kick off a season full of beach trips, barbeques and boats, it’s time to set the record straight regarding some common summertime safety myths. wooded areas with high grass and checking your clothing and your body for ticks when you return home. I can swim, so I don’t need a life jacket Even for confident swimmers, wearing a life jacket is a crucial part of summer water safety, especially if you encounter the unexpected. According to the BoatUS Foundation, “more than two-thirds of all boating fatalities are drowning incidents and 90% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.” The National Park Service, which sees countless summertime visitors, stresses that conditions at natural bodies of water are typically quite different from those at the average community pool. Even strong swimmers can be overcome by the water, warns the NPS. In some places and situations, you may be required by law to wear a life jacket regardless of your age or ability. Check uscgboating.org for your local regulations. You need to wait 30 minutes after eating to swim Dr. Amanda Caswell, associate professor and program director of athletic training at George Mason University, says this long- held summertime myth has no legs to stand on — or swim with. A review by the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Committee published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education found “no evidence supporting the link between eating before swimming and drowning.” When it comes to how our bodies work, Caswell says there is no basis for waiting to swim after enjoying a meal. EPIXIMAGES / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS I only need to hydrate if I’m thirsty The truth behind this one, Caswell says, is that feeling thirsty means you’re already behind when it comes to water intake. “If you are going to be out in the heat, sun and humidity,” Caswell explains, “hydrate before going out and during activity.” Furthermore, sports drinks are not the best way to stay hydrated, she says. “The amount of sports drinks needed to replenish electrolytes after activity is an amount that is not possible for a person to intake in one setting. The best source of hydration before, during and after activity is water combined with a balanced nutritional diet,” Caswell says. n WashingtonFAMILY.com  31 BOOK MARKED We Love Dads! 13 books devoted to fathers and father-figures This month on Father’s Day we honor dads of all sorts. BY AMY K. ALAPATI, HEAD OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES AT THE DAMASCUS BRANCH OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES PICTURE BOOKS A FATHER’S LOVE Written by Hannah Holt, illustrated by Yee Von Chan Is your father’s love bright like the sun? Maybe it has deep roots or soothes your hurts. From emus to seahorses, playful illustrations and rhyming text explore the different ways animal fathers nurture their children, just as human fathers do. Scientific end notes point out traits unique to each of the nine featured animals, making this book interesting for older preschoolers as well as toddlers. that being a father is a combination of many professions. Waiter, chauffeur, judge — even librarian! How many different careers can one dad have? Readers will be fascinated by the needle-felted figures and detailed scale-models that illustrate the book; Wang’s description of his creative process might inspire resourceful families to make dioramas of their own. EARLY ELEMENTARY A DIFFERENT POND Written by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE In the pre-dawn hours, a boy rises to join his Written by Isabel Quintero, immigrant father on a fishing trip to catch their illustrated by Zeke Peña evening meal. Along the banks they meet others, There’s nothing Daisy Ramona enjoys more than watch the stars, recall loved ones from a faraway adventuring with her Papi, who spends time with place and time, and relish each other’s company. her even after a long day at work. Safely perched The bond between father and son is tangible, atop Papi’s motorcycle, they explore their vibrant and while the story has somber notes, the yet changing community in this jaunty picture evocative illustrations in this Caldecott Honor book splashed with Spanish. A tribute to the book create a bright, immersive environment for author’s old neighborhood, it’s also a love-letter readers ages 5-8. to her father. Daisy’s joy is amplified by award- winning illustrations that bring her family and INDIAN SHOES their city to life. Just right for ages 3-8. Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by MaryBeth Timothy DAD BY MY SIDE Ray, a Cherokee-Seminole boy, trades his favorite Written and illustrated by Soosh neon hightops for a pair of old moccasins to give You can be so brave and learn so much when to Grampa Halfmoon, who is both mother and your dad is by your side. And sometimes he can father to Ray. The worn leather shoes remind learn from you, too. Whimsical watercolors set Grampa of home, far from the city where they the mood for a gentle recounting of all the ways now live. Vignettes of Ray and Grampa’s daily a big, burly daddy cares for his tiny daughter, and activities are interwoven with gentle humor, all the ways she helps and cares for him in return. great compassion for others and a deep love for Young children will find connections to their own one another. Exquisitely written, this gem suits lives in the day-to-day activities shared by this grades 1-3 or reluctant older readers. sweet pair. MY DADDY RULES THE WORLD GREAT JOB, DAD! Written and illustrated Written and illustrated by Holman Wang by Hope Anita Smith This dad has a day job, but after work he discovers A working dad enjoys a game of catch when he 32  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 gets home. A dad far from home misses his child. A stay-at-home dad might have the best job of all. Colorful collage illustrations add spirit to this mix of fun and observant poems. Good for independent readers or for reading aloud. Pair with the award- winning “In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers,” illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. dad’s soon-to-be husband, Jesse. As Bea makes big plans for the wedding, she is most excited about gaining a sister, but the reality is not quite what she anticipated. Told in Bea’s authentic voice, this warm family story simply glows. YOUNG ADULT CLAP WHEN YOU LAND Written by Elizabeth Acevedo Camino Rios of the Dominican Republic loves her MIDDLE GRADE Papi. Yahaira Rios of New York City loves her Papi. THE CROSSOVER Neither knows the other exists, but when their Written by Kwame Alexander, beloved Papi’s plane falls from the sky, they discover illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile Identical twins Josh and JB learned their awesome they are inextricably bound by his astonishing basketball skills from their legendary dad, whom secret. As the truth unfolds, the sisters must decide they both love fiercely, but that’s where the how to move forward: alone or together? Mature similarities end. The boys know the best ways to content makes this novel-in-verse suitable for hurt each other, and as their talents grow so does older teens. their feud. When confronted with a devastating event, they wonder if their love for their father can DARTH VADER AND SON bring them together. Based on the Newbery Award- VADER’S LITTLE PRINCESS Written and illustrated by Jeffrey Brown winning novel-in-verse. From small child to rebellious teen, these slices of everyday life show typical kids with their typical FROM THE DESK OF ZOE dad — who is also a Jedi Knight-turned-Sith Lord. WASHINGTON Whether begging for a new toy or the keys to the Written by Janae Marks Zoe has never known her dad; he’s been in prison Imperial Shuttle, Luke and Leia must contend her whole life. So when she gets a letter from him with their dad’s Force-ful powers. Brimming for her 12th birthday, she’s surprised that he writes with sardonic humor and fractured references to as if they’ve always been in touch. During their the three original movies, these slim volumes of ensuing sort-of-secret correspondence, Zoe learns cartoons will appeal to teen and adult Star Wars fans. something shocking and wonders if she is clever and brave enough to stand up for what is right. This TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD realistic fiction for readers in grades 5-7 concludes Written by Harper Lee, adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham on an optimistic note. Integrity. Love. Wisdom. There is one man in literature who embodies all the qualities we value THE LIST OF THINGS THAT in a “good” dad: Atticus Finch, father to Scout WILL NOT CHANGE and Gem. This graphic novel retelling of the 1960 Written by Rebecca Stead Life is change: some good, some not so good, and classic will attract reluctant readers and presents some just… different. Bea knows that there are a fresh take for those who have already embraced some constants, and she struggles to cope with the original. Addressing disturbing topics such as her insecurities by reminding herself of these racism and injustice in the 1930s Deep South, this is anchors: the love of her mom, her dad and her recommended for mature teen readers.  n WashingtonFAMILY.com  33 WF MY TURN Tying One On I By Anita Brienza   was seven, knees tucked up into my nightgown, leaning against the headboard of my parents’ unmade bed. I would drift into their room some mornings while my father got ready for work. He was handsome and tidy; his thick black hair tamed with Brylcreem, Old Spice floating with every step, shiny black wingtips laced up tight. The tie went on last, and I asked my question before he looped it around his collar. “It’s easy,” he said. That morning, I learned the four-in-hand method, and for the next week, I tried it on all my mother’s scarves, helpfully hanging them from the hooks in her closet. In the ‘70s, during my “Annie Hall” phase, I used Dad’s lesson again on thrift-store ties. I pulled the wide end down long on the right with the shorter skinny end on the left. Wide over skinny side – twice – then wide end through the loop and tighten the knot. So easy. Whole decades went by when there were no ties that needed my expert touch — until I did some volunteer work with an organization that raises people out of challenging circumstances. The clothes, furniture and housewares they collected and distributed were in pristine condition. When they were helping to furnish a client’s home, they pulled entire rooms of furniture together that were aesthetically pleasing. They took the same approach with clothing, which was displayed as if in an upscale department store. My first assignment was to help a group of men with forthcoming job interviews select the right outfits. They were cheerful and polite — recently released from prison, excited about new clothes and the possibility of employment. One of my clients was Darius, only 19. He had sad eyes and close- cropped hair, and I stood nearby as he chose a navy suit and two pastel shirts. When he walked over to the tie rack, he paused uncertainly, looking but not touching. I joined him, pulled two prints that went well with his choices and said, “Why don’t you try on all of the pieces together and see how they look?” “I’ve never had a suit before.” He hesitated and, almost in a whisper, said, “I don’t know how to tie a tie.” “Oh!” I said. “Watch this!” I slipped the ties around my neck, showed him how to loop and loop again, slip the wide end through and knot them. Then I loosened them and handed them over. Darius walked into the dressing room. I heard him kick off his sneakers and the rustle of jeans being exchanged for softer fabric. He tried both shirts and ties on with the suit, coming out each time to show me. His transformation was a happy shock to us both. “You look good, Darius,” I said. “Really sharp.” He smiled and nodded at me, one quick modest dip of the chin, then into the dressing room to change clothes in reverse. He came out with his suit, shirts and ties on hangers. One tie could be slipped over his head and tightened, but the other was undone. I thought of my father, and how he would smile when I told him that his quick lesson one morning before he left for work reached a young man years later who needed it, too. “I’m gonna keep one like this,” Darius said, running his hand over the shirt with its still-knotted tie. Then he pointed to the shirt with the loose tie. “And I’ll practice on that one.” n 34  Washington FAMILY  JUNE 2021 TIE: KENISHIROTIE; FATHER/DAUGHTER: ZGEL / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS “Is it hard to tie a tie?” THEY NEED US. WE NEED YOU. You can help keep Maryland seniors nourished, safe, and connected. 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