Akron Today Magazine

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Family

Should You Make Your Child a Professional Athlete?

If your child has an inclination for sports, you might be like many parents who fantasize about helping them pursue becoming a professional athlete.  This could include dance, football, tennis, horse showing, baseball, gymnastics, soccer or any number of other physical, competitive pursuits.

I am writing this article to give these parents general advice on things to consider.  I am doing this because we, as a family, are pursuing this kind of goal.  It is fun, but also expensive and a huge amount of time and sacrifice.  Here is what you need to know.

High School sports are fun.  But being top dog in a sport in your high school is not a sign your child can go pro in a sport.  In fact, many players who are serious about their sports do not play high school because the time spent with the high school team takes away from more serious training.  My oldest daughter, for example, was a very good high school tennis player but when she tried to compete in more serious tournaments, she quickly realized younger players were much better than her.  She did not want to go pro anyway, but as a parent, we thought she was hot stuff till we saw what real competition looks like.  Don’t get too excited to early.

Second, remember coaches are there to motivate you, earn a living and try to get the best out of the player they can.  This might result in stroking a parent’s ego a bit on how good a kid is.

Next, have a long term goal, not a short term goal.  Winning is not everything.  Proper training and physical fitness appropriate for the age along with good technique is more important than winning at a young age.  Being a serious tennis family with our youngest means we get to see parents freaking out all the time because their kid loses or has an off day.  Guess what.  Every weekend is another chance to get out there and get better.  But negativity will hurt that long term performance.

This we have seen lead to high stress in kids as well as parents getting divorced.  If you cannot deal with the stress that comes with this level of constant training and competition you may be better off not taking it so seriously.

Also, you should consider money.  Most sports are very cheap to play casually.  Take tennis for example.  Playing on a public court with 3 week old balls is a very cheap way to have fun and stay fit.  However, if you are serious about it, you are going to have 3 or more racquets that are $200ish and have them restrung each month at $35 a pop plus indoor memberships and multiple lessons per week plus a gym membership.  Then you are going to be travelling around your local area and if you are lucky, you will be travelling nationally competing in bigger tournaments and working with specialists.  In the Summer months you might spend $600 per month and Winter closer to $1,000 per month at least.  If you look at the serious Tennis academies in Florida, they are $60,000 per year in many cases.

So that $25 Walmart tennis racquet and old can of balls playing in the park can quickly become a very expensive proposition.  And in case you are wondering, no you cannot become great without some serious money and time.

Of course, there are exceptions when your child is a total freak of nature athlete.  But even then you cannot just pick up a sport in an afternoon.  Strategy and coordination must be learned.

These are just some of the issues you need to think about as a parent of a talented youth athlete.  I am not telling you not to pursue it.  I am saying you need to be realistic about chances and also about your ability to provide the resources to be successful.  Good luck.

6 Family Activities After Dusk

Summer is when the sun goes down later at night, and often kids are in bed around dusk.  But it is a great time to stay outside and enjoy the evening if your kids can stay up.  Here are 6 ideas of things you can do at dusk together as a family.

  1. Camp Fire – fire rings are common now and having a camp fire in your back yard is a great way to talk and have fun.  Each city has different fire codes and you should find out what yours are, but in many cases as long as it is contained you can have a great little fire.  Cook smores, learn fire building techniques, fire safety, and just catch up with each other.
  2. Minor League Baseball – Akron Rubberducks – check their schedule, sometimes they have fireworks.
  3. Night Hike – Take flashlights and explore a well marked, safe path at night to get a whole new perspective on nature.
  4. Drive In Theater – Yes, they are still around.  Not better quality picture, not better sounds, but a wholly different movie experience your kids need to try at least once.  Here is the one between Kent and Ravenna.
  5. Carnivals and Festivals – Do a quick search and you will find local fairgrounds and downtowns full of festivals and carnivals all Summer long.
  6. Free Park Concerts – Want to expose your family to some culture?  Me either – but we still have fun going to park concerts and you cannot lose when they are free.

How To Protect Your Children From The Summer Heat

Summer vacation is the perfect time for children to enjoy hours of outdoor sports and other activities. However, the summer heat also brings the risk of sunburn and heat exhaustion. These heat related problems can result in simply an irritating sunburn or serious health consequences. This is why it is important for children and parents to know some of the ways they can protect themselves from the sun. This includes knowing what clothing to wear, what places to avoid, and the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Wear The Right Clothing

One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is to dress your children in clothes that will stop them from getting hot. As a general rule, it is best to dress your children in loose clothing that is made out of as light of a material as possible. The clothing should be loose enough to allow the air to circulate, and something like a loose button up shirt will help to increase air circulation. Clothing that is of a light color is preferable, but it is important to avoid dressing your children in heavy clothing that is lightly colored. Brimmed hats will help to prevent sunburn, and will further help to keep them cool.

Avoid Cars And Hot Places

Heat stroke generally occurs when a child is exposed to a hot confined space. This is why parents should make sure that they do not leave their children in hot spaces. One of the most dangerous and common places are car interiors. It is important to never leave a child in a car unattended, and to know that simply opening a car window will not protect your child from heat stroke. Similarly, children should be provided with a shady place to rest. This is especially important during and after exercise when children are most susceptible to heat exhaustion.

Know The Signs Of Heat Exhaustion And Heat Stroke

Finally, parents should know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include redness of skin, excessive sweating, cramps, dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. The warning signs of heat stroke include cessation of sweating, vomiting, cramps, and high body temperature. Parents should know these warning signs and be vigilant. Children suffering from heat exhaustion should be taken to a cool place, and those suffering from heat stroke need to be taken to the hospital immediately.

Akron Kayaking

Kayaking and canoeing along the Cuyahoga River is a pleasurable experience many people enjoy every spring, summer, and fall in northeast Ohio. The winding, calm river is ideal for families who want to take advantage of the summer months enjoying water activities with their small children.

There are several places around northeast Ohio that allow you to rent a canoe or kayak to enjoy the river and enjoy a fun weekend with your children. These are three of the many businesses for renting a kayak or canoe.

  1. Crooked River Adventures

100 Stow St,

Kent, OH 44240

(330) 541-7467

https://fareharbor.com/crookedriveradventures/

  1. Burning River Adventures

2025 Munroe Falls Avenue

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

(330) 969-2628

http://www.paddletheriver.com/

  1. Killinit Kayaks Inc.

3803 1/2 State Rd,

Akron, OH 44319

(330) 760-3533

https://killinitkayaks.com/

Before you decide to rent a kayak or canoe from one of these businesses, visit their website and check for availability, hours of operation and prices. Some of these businesses accept coupons and are very friendly and accommodating.

If on the other hand you own a kayak or canoe and decide to take it on the river, remember the safety precautions and rules and regulations you have to abide by before entering the waters on the Cuyahoga River.

  1. All kayak, canoes and inflatable boats must be registered in the state of Ohio. The boat registration must be carried onboard, and ID is required if you are visiting from other states where registration is not required
  2. Life jackets in wearable condition and right size are required for each person on the boat, kayak or inflatable boat. If you have children under the age of 10, they MUST wear properly sized life jacket at all times.
  3. No alcohol is permitted while on National parks or rivers
  4. No littering
  5. Children under the age of 12 MUST be supervised by an adult at all times if operating their own kayak, canoe or inflatable boat.

A fun weekend with the family will forge unforgettable memories for your children.  Safety should never be undermined, nor ignore.  A life jacket can save the life of your child. If they complain the life jacket is not comfortable, find another one that will fit them better, but do not relent about them wearing one.

Enjoy your summer.

Estate Planning Pitfalls – 5 Things You Need

“I have a will. I am covered.”

If this seems like something you would say, you probably are not aware that you are not covered for 80% of the life events that you need to be. Yes, a will is important. But you are far more likely to have another kind of issue that a will does not address.

In this article we will walk you through four other documents you need to protect yourself, protect your family and minimize the costs and hassles that can be experienced by your loved ones in the event that you have a medical emergency or become incapacitated.

As you read this, do not feel overwhelmed. There are attorneys who specialize in setting these all up for you and are very experienced in making sure there are no gaps or errors. In the greater Akron area, call Boone Legal at (330) 968-6003 for help with these.

Here is the list of must-haves to protect yourself and your family:

  1. Yes. An actual Will is important for distributing your assets according to your wishes. If you do not have a properly made Will that clearly states where or who your assets should go to, the State of Ohio makes a plan for you, which may or may not comply with your wishes. It is also important to note that even if you have a Will, you will most likely still need to probate the Will when you die, which is an expensive and time consuming process. The only way to avoid probate is through the use of advanced estate planning techniques that are best discussed with an attorney. Call Boone Legal at (330) 968-6003 to discuss these advanced techniques so that your assets pass to your loved in the way that you desire.
  2. A Financial Power of Attorney (also called a Durable Power of Attorney)– This is very likely to be needed in the event that you become unable to make financial transactions for yourself. This gives someone you trust the authority to complete financial transactions on your behalf. This can include renewing car tags, filing taxes, paying bills, etc.
  3. Living Will – This is needed to specify your wishes in situations of medical treatment in which you are no longer able to express informed consent to a doctor. Often referred to as the “pull the plug” document, a Living Wills names an agent to speak on your behalf should you be unable to make life ending decisions for yourself.
  4. Health Care Power of Attorney- Similar to a Living Will, a Health Care Power of Attorney names an agent to give informed consent to medical treatment should you be unable to express consent yourself. A Health Care Power of Attorney grants a broader scope of authority than a Living Will and in Ohio, it is customary to have both a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney in place.
  5. HIPPA Release – This gives someone else authority to access your medical records and find out information regarding your health. Without this, your family may be left in the dark if you are experiencing medical issues.

Many families need an additional document in place called a Trust, which allows for more privacy, flexibility and if properly drafted and funded, can even be used to protect and preserves assets for heirs. Even if you think your means are modest, a trust can help facilitate the transfer of assets and reduce the costs and losses of those assets.

Failure to have any of these can result in considerable loss of money, or time, or both. With a little advanced planning you can make sure no matter what the emergency is, your family can have the resources and access they need to make good decisions on your behalf and minimize the expense and frustration when you pass.

Boone Legal helps Northeast Ohio residents plan for all these things and have greater piece of mind for their own well-being and for their family’s future security. Call (330) 968-6003 or visit https://www.boonelegal.com​ to find out more.

How To Raise a Happy, Healthy Kitten

Having a new kitten is always exciting and can bring joy to any household: Kittens are full of fun energy and will keep you on your toes. After adopting or finding the perfect kitten for you, be sure to have all the necessities before bringing them home.

Before bringing your kitten home, try to proof the house. Any cords or dangerous items should be kept out of reach. If they chew on something plugged in, they could get electrocuted. Also, keep anything breakable away from the edge of a table. As much as they play, kittens crash just as often. An hour of fun can put a kitten to sleep for twice as long so have lots of places around the house where your cat can take a nap. Throw blankets, pillows and even their own pet bed will be cozy enough.

On top of keeping your kitten comfortable, be sure they’re getting everything they need. For the first few months, your kitten will seem to always be growing and it’s important they’re getting all the nutrients that they need. Kittens normally aren’t too picky about what they eat, but they should eat twice a day. Consider a kitten formula and try to switch between wet and dry food. Or, find a natural or organic cat food to try; gluten or grain-free formulas may also do the trick. Those types of foods will keep your kitten hydrated and provide a balanced diet. If you notice your kitten is having diarrhea or vomiting, take a look at the ingredients in their food. Also, remember to always keep a bowl of water out and change it daily.

A healthy kitten is a happy one, and they’ll let you know when they are. Kittens are always ready to play and sometimes don’t think before they act. Don’t get upset when they start biting at your hands or legs, remember that kittens are just being playful. Keep lots of toys around to replace things they shouldn’t be biting for when they start. That will help them learn not to get rough with you.

There’s no need to go out and spend every penny on toys, though; everyday items can be a cat’s best friend. Do you have an old eye mask laying around? Cut the end of one string connected to the mask and you have a new toy for your kitten to chase. A small, bouncy or soft ball serves as another option for kittens to play with and chase. Another DIY option is to cut an old piece of fabric into a square shape that’s about 8 inches long on each side, then find some cotton balls, old plastic bags or tissues and form them into a tight ball in the center of this fabric (if you add some catnip to what’s inside, you will guarantee your kitten’s interest). Tighten the fabric around the ball, until the ends of the fabric are below it, and use a rubber band or string to tighten the fabric around the ball to tie it off.

Kittens will also need clean, safe spaces to do their business. Be sure to clean your kitten’s litter box every day, or every two to three days. It’s important to keep a sanitary space for them so they can be as happy as can be. If you have more than one cat, it’s recommended to give each one their own litter box. Furthermore, once a month or so, take the time to remove all the litter from it and wash out the bin. Just like tidying up the house, its best to keep on top of things before they get too dirty.

Remember that a new pet will be a lot of work but will be rewarded in cuddles. A pet depends on you for their safety, health, and happiness. Be sure you’re prepared to bring an animal into your home and give them the best chance they have for a loving life.

LynAnne Vucovich is a journalist who studied at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She has a passion for culture, community and cats.

Support for People Caring for Aging Parents

Home Care Provides Peace of Mind

Caring for an aging parent is a major source of stress for caregivers. Trying to manage your loved one’s health, and home, while juggling a career and raising your own family, can be overwhelming. Your health, and your relationships with your spouse and other family members, can suffer. But what are your options?

For many in this situation, the solution is home care. At BAYADA Home Health Care, our nurses, aides, and therapists enable people to remain safely in their homes with comfort, independence, and dignity – and provide families with peace of mind.

Why home health care?

The clinicians come directly to your loved one’s home. Patients heal more quickly at home than in the hospital, since they are able to remain in familiar surroundings. And home care can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that all of the details are being handled for you and your loved ones are being cared for where they want to be.

How do I know what home care services are needed?

For seniors who are relatively healthy but need help to remain safely at home, services from a therapist can help your loved one with stairs, bathing or increasing or maintaining independence with daily tasks. Others may require skilled services from a nurse or therapist. Some companies, like BAYADA, provide specialized services to keep those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other illnesses safe in their homes.

How can I know that the caregivers are high quality and trustworthy?

You should consider only those home care providers whose caregivers are employees of the company – not part of a registry. Reputable companies have stringent hiring standards, including checking references, criminal background, and work experience. BAYADA hires only those who provide care with compassion, excellence, and reliability – our core values.

Make sure the provider is accredited.

BAYADA is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner, a leader in home care accreditation.

BAYADA Home health care has been in business for over 40 years, however is new to Ohio with an office located at 2497 State Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.

For more information about how BAYADA can help you and your loved ones find peace of mind, call 330-929-5512.

Classic Books for School Aged Children

Before children return to school, many parents are eager to have their children read a book or two before they have to go back and start their homework marathons for the school year.   Many parents suggest books to their children that they remember with fondness, or were forced to read in school and believe to be good.  But, do you know which books to truly check out and encourage them to read?  Do you know the difficulty level your child needs to be able to enjoy the book? If your child is discourage and

The Lexile method to determine a child’s ability to read is commonly used by schools.  But, it can be used by you as effectively to determine your child’s Lexile level.

Whether your child is into science fiction, adventure, mystery or fantasy, there are classic books you can choose from each genre, that will keep him turning the pages till the wee hours of the night.

Now that you have determined your child’s reading level and interests, it is time to look at some of the classic books you can choose from, and that your child will love.

  • The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
  • Shane by Jack Schaefer
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
  • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  • Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

One of the most difficult tasks for parents in gauging the level of interest a child expresses when reading a book.  If the book seems not to interest your child, ask him why.  They can tell you if it’s too difficult or if they are not really “into” them.  They can tell you if it’s boring, or if that is not what they like to read. If your child does not want to continue a book and has stopped reading altogether, offer other alternatives.  A child that reads is better served in the long run, but remember to avoid the books that offer grammatical errors in every sentence trying to be “funny,” those books are not doing your child a service.

This is an extremely small list for you to choose from, considering the amount of classic books we have at our disposal, but it is a list you can start with if you do not know what book to choose for your child’s next reading.

Happy reading!

5 Things To Do With Your Aging Parents

When your parents start getting older and slowing down a bit, you have to change what you do when you want to spend quality time with them.  The best place to start is probably looking at things they have always liked but finding ways to do the same thing while lightening the load and reducing stress.

If your parent always liked going on rugged hikes, for example, finding less challenging paths and going shorter distances may be a welcome change without giving up things they like.  Here is a list of five other things you may be able to do with them, based on past activities modified to scale back on the stress.

  • Shopping – If your parent has always enjoyed shopping, it is easy to take them out and just limit the number of stores, reduce the duration and take more frequent breaks.
  • Cooking – Did one of your parents always cook big meals, make fancy cakes or plan holiday dinners? If they have gotten older, they may want to cut back on some of the work but people who enjoy cooking usually continue to enjoy cooking.  You just have to roll up your sleeves and do more of the work and let them focus on what they enjoy and make sure they are not doing a bunch of the cleanup (no one likes that).
  • Home Repairs- Do you have one of those parents who always was fixing things? Sometimes it is hard for them to let go and hire someone to do the repairs.  However, they may not be as good at fixing things and it might be dangerous for them depending on the job.  In this case, you can have them assist a pro or if it is in your wheelhouse, you can do the repair with them.  Or just limit the repairs to things like painting and not getting on ladders.  Doing a home improvement project with an older parent who has always enjoyed it is a great bonding experience.
  • Parties – If your parents used to have a lot of people over and entertain, you can still help them throw a smaller, simpler party without the stress, headache and large amount of work. Help them plan it, by more things premade and stay at the party with them.  Sure you might end up being the help as they socialize with friends, but it can be a very fun thing for them to do again, if they enjoyed entertaining when they were younger.
  • Travel – One of the most obvious things is travel. Most people still like to travel when they are older, but there is an important difference.  Chances are your parents have slowed down and will not want to do as much walking.  Nor will they want to jam pack the day with sights.  Instead, do less, and at a slower pace and enjoy the fewer things you do at a leisurely stroll.

Older parents are not too old for things, you just have to cut some of the stress and energy required out of the activity.  Get creative, bond with them and help them enjoy their golden years without feeling like they need to give up on all the things they enjoyed for so long.

Video Games and Obesity

Since the introduction of video games and the capability of streaming devices making it more accessible for people to play and enjoy, video games have become a favorite pass time for many people.

Children and young adults are the ones spending an inordinate amount of time in front of the tv and their video games consoles. The trend since 2011 has been a steady increase in the number of hours children 13 and over are spending in front of the television or any mobile device.

The relationship between the number of hours children are spending inactive and the obesity rate cannot be ignored.  Ohio’s obesity rate for 2016 was 19 out of the 50 states, and the obesity rate concerning children 10-17-year-olds is 16 out of 50.

Considering the myriad of health-related issues due to obesity, we are not doing enough to combat this social issue. School children are required by the state of Ohio more hours of exercise while attending a public school, but the effort seems insufficient when considering the epidemic level obesity has reached. Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Arthritis and Cancer related due to obesity are predicted to reach frightening levels by the year 2030.

As a concerned parent, what can you do to help your child reach or maintain a healthy body weight? Avoiding common sense bad foods and drinks should be the start of your journey to health and those foods should stay banned for life at your home.

  1. Sugar-filled drinks— any carbonated, sugar-filled or fruit juices drinks that your children love should be avoided at all costs. Especially if they are drinking several of them while watching tv or playing video games.
  2. Pizza, Pasta, Bread –If the main ingredient of the foods your children are eating is flour, limit the amount and frequency of those foods.  Pizza for a weekly meal is not healthy, even if it sounds delicious.
  3. Cookies, pastries, desserts – The main ingredients of cookies, pastries or any dessert at the grocery store, are flour and sugar. Oils, high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients that are unhealthy for you follow those ingredients.  If you are trying to lose weight, these items should never be in your home, and if you are just trying to maintain your healthy body weight, these items should make an appearance only rarely though out the year.
  4. Unhealthy oils, butter, margarine – Avoiding unhealthy oils and fats that add to your weight is not simple but doable. Start by using a bit fewer oils every day till you have cut the amount to half, then you can continue till you feel that is a reasonable amount to use.
  5. Fast Foods – A trip to your favorite fast food place or restaurant can be fun for you and your children, but it is not healthy.  French fries, hamburgers, milkshakes and ice cream items from those places are high in calories, sugar, and fats.  You can consume your whole daily intake of calories in one trip to these places with no difficulty.

There is a lot of scientific evidence that tells us being overweight is not healthy, that the unhealthy ramifications due to obesity are numerous and scary. Yet, it is very difficult to start eating healthy foods if we have never done it. To change our bad habits, we need to begin working on that change one step at a time.  Tackling one bad habit at a time is not cliche, it is necessary.  We must stick to a plan and keep trying till the new habit has taken root in our life.  The next bad habit will be easier to tackle than the first one, and so forth and so on.  Our children and our health deserve we at least give it a try.