Our 2012 Summer Camps and Learning Guide includes loads of information about local camps and other summer learning opportunities; a comprehensive list of local camp options; and articles on active camps, academic camps, and camp basics – from helping kids overcome homesickness and how camps promote healthy lifestyles to how you can stop worrying about your kids when you send them off to camp!

Pick up a copy today, or check it out online for all the information you need to make this summer a success!

The first study, conducted by researchers at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, reports that preschoolers in the United States are seriously lacking in outdoor play time at home. Using a sample that represented four million kids, researchers found nearly half lacked even one parent-supervised outdoor play period per day.

A few interesting findings from the report include: (1) moms took the kids outside more often than dads, (2) children with three or more regular playmates were twice as likely to spend time outdoors every day, and (3) non-white families had lower rates of outdoor play than white families.

The second study that caught our eye came out of Oregon State University. This one suggests western society’s tendency to keep girls cleaner than boys could be detrimental to their health.

OSU philosopher Sharyn Clough notes that women have higher rates of allergies, asthma and many autoimmune disorders. Pairing that with a known link between increased hygiene and sanitation and higher rates of asthma, allergies and autoimmune disorders, she suggests researchers look into a possible correlation. (Whatever they find, we encourage girls to get outside and play – without worrying about getting dirty – as often as possible!)

Learn more about the beauty of dirt – including tips on encouraging “dirty” play and a “Dirtiest Kid” photo challenge – from the National Wildlife Federation.

For tips on getting kids outside early and often, read Ages & Stages: Raising a Nature Lover, beginning on page 12 or our April issue.

ALL WEEKEND

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie! Oregon Children’s Theatre brings back this popular play based on the endearing children’s book by Laura Numeroff. Runs through June 3; check website for show times. $13 to $30, plus surcharge. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-228-9571. octc.org.

El Zorrito: The Legend of the Boy Zorro. Northwest Children’s Theater presents this bilingual musical adventure about integrity, justice and the creation of a legend. Best for ages 6 and older. Runs through May 27; check website for show times. $22 adult, $18 youth, plus surcharge. 1819 NW Everett St. 503-222-2190. nwcts.org.

The Storm in the Barn. Oregon Children’s Theatre’s inspiring musical of 1937 Dust Bowl. Best for ages 10 and older. Runs through May 20; check website for show times. $13 to $28, plus surcharge. Winningatad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-228-9517. octc.org.

FRIDAY

Public Gardens Day. Download a voucher for free admission to public gardens. bhg.com.

SATURDAY

Safety Saturday at Belmont Firehouse. Tour the historic firehouse, get safety tips and more. 9 am to 3 pm. FREE. 900 SE 35th Ave. 503-823-3615. jeffmorrisfoundation.org.

Festival of the Birds. Guided bird walks (9 am to 2 pm), storytelling, music for kids ages 3 to 11, Audubon education birds and more. 9 am to 3 pm. FREE. Sellwood Park, SE 7th Ave. & Miller St. 503-823-3601. portlandonline.com.

Queen Melissa Tea Cruise. Join Queen Melissa for high tea, story time, face painting, a treasure hunt, games and more aboard the Portland Spirit. Noon to 2 pm every Saturday in May. $28 adults, $20 ages 1+. Board (11:30) at Salmon Street Springs Fountain. 503-224-3900. portlandspirit.com.

Boise-Eliot Bluegrass Festival. Kid-friendly music workshops at 11 am, performances by professionals begin at 1 pm. Workshops $10, festival $15. Family-friendly fundraiser for Port City Development Center, which provides work/training for disabled individuals. 2124 N Williams Ave. 503-236-9515. portcitydevelopment.org.

Doggie Dash. Run/walk 1.5 or 2.5 miles. Pooches welcome. Music, contests, vendors, doggie demos and more. 9 am to 1 pm. $30 to run/walk. Benefits Oregon Humane Society. Waterfront Park near SW Natio/SW Pine. 503-285-7722 xt. 412. oregonhumane.org.

Family Fishing Day. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife provide equipment, guide kids in fishing in stocked pond. No license required for ages 17 and under. 9 am to 2 pm. FREE. Commonwealth Pond, off Foothills Dr. in Beaverton. 971-673-6034. dfw.state.or.us.

SUNDAY

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Run Mama Run. Adult and kid runs, plus crafts, entertainment and more 9:30 kid’s run, 10 am run/walk. $45 adult run, free kid’s run. Benefits Adoption Mosaic. Mt. Tabor Park, 6000 SE Salmon St. 971-212-1108. runmamarunpdx.org.

Run Like a Mother. Women only 5K, 1-mile kiddo race, expo follows. 8 am to noon. $35 women, $15 kids. World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St.
503-313-8441. runlikeamotherrace.com.

Sunday Parkways. The roads are closed, so you can walk, run, ride, skip or dance the 8-mile route in NE Portland. Enjoy activities, entertainment, vendors and more. 11 am to 4 pm. FREE. Route along NE Going, NE 17th Ave, NE Ainsworth. 503-823-5185. portlandsundayparkways.org.

Family Frolic. Laura Veirs and Sneakin’ Out perform, with art making, a dance party and more. All ages. Noon. $10 adults, $5 toddlers to 12 years, free for non-walkers. McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33d Ave. 503-249-3983. mcmenamins.com.

Surprising, yes, but keep in mind it wasn’t all that long ago that it was legal to advertise gender-specific job openings. The struggle for a family and medical leave policy has a long history in the United States. While some wanted to dissuade women from entering the work force, and companies feared the expense, feminists too had problems with maternity leave. They wanted women to be treated equally and, in their view, a woman’s place in the workforce could too easily be damaged by a focus on maternity leave. It took years of debate (and two vetoed bills) before President Clinton finally signed the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) into law in 1993, just 19 years ago.

So how does our family leave compare to leave policies in other countries?

Let’s look at France. As a French mother, I would be given anywhere from 16 weeks (at 84 percent of my salary) to three years (with some form of reduced pay) of leave. If I were a single mother, I would receive regular government support payments until my child turned 3. And all French families, regardless of income, receive a family allowance that is more generous than any tax deduction or credit the United States offers.

It’s true the French government instituted these policies to combat a declining birth rate by encouraging families to have more children, but it’s important to note that that part of their plan hasn’t worked. As a matter of fact, French families have slightly fewer children than families in the United States.

What the policies do is reduce the number of children living in poverty. An unacceptable 20 percent of all U.S. children ages 17 and under live in poverty compared to about 8 percent in France.

And the United States doesn’t just fall behind other countries when it comes to paid maternity leave. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway provide generous paid maternity leaves (about 30 to 42 weeks or more) as well as separate paid paternity leave, shorter work weeks, significantly more vacation time, high-quality and affordable childcare and a well-funded public education system.

By stark contrast, a new mom in the United States is allowed 12 weeks of unpaid leave if she works for a company with 50 or more employees. Period. Childcare easily can cost as much as she earns. And we all know what the funding situation for our public schools looks like here in Oregon.

In her book The Invisible Heart: Economics and Family Values (New Press, 2002), Nancy Folbre takes a hard look at the programs the United States has in place to support families and children. Not only do we lag behind other countries in public support for families with young children, funding for these programs is declining – and they’re inequitable and often insufficient to achieve their goals.

The repercussions of weak family leave policies and ineffective public assistance programs are huge – for families, our economy and our communities. From increased infant mortality rates to depression in mothers to lower cognitive test scores in children to poverty later in life, especially for women. The truth is, when workers get paid time off to get treatment for an illness or to care for a new baby or an ill family member, they stay employed longer. So while it may seem counterintuitive at first, offering paid leave leads to more economic security for families, which is cheaper for taxpayers, and people stay employed longer, which is good for employers.

It’s time to catch up with the rest of the world. It’s time to catch up with those countries that have already realized the benefits of supporting pregnant women, families and young children. The examples are out there, with years of data to help us craft a robust and family-friendly economy.

Learn more about the benefits of paid family leave:

The Effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave on Employment Stability and Economic Security

Rutgers Study Finds Paid Family Leave Leads to Positive Economic Outcomes

Next Week’s Conversation:

Next week it’s time to start thinking about solutions. What are the building blocks of a family-friendly economy? What looks promising for Oregon? Who are our allies and where do we want to start?

Share Your Thoughts:

What are your thoughts on the questions posed above (under “Next Week’s Conversation”)?

What do YOU want for the future?

MetroArts Kids Camp: Discounted rates of $200 per week or $310 for two weeks if you register by May 18. (Page 22)

Sunriver Resort: During May, receive 20 to 25 percent off the best available rates for summer, starting at $139 per night! (Page 31)

Hollywood Bowl AND Rose Bowl: Get $25 off any birthday or team party. (Page 47)

Baby Boot Camp: Get a $20 new membership in May. (Page 27)

Power Brain Training Center: Receive $50 off when you sign up for at least two weeks of summer camp, and/or get a free trial class. Expires May 31. (Page 11)

Sylvan Learning Center: Free assessment ($195 value). (Page 21)

A+ Grades Up Tutoring: Evaluation and learning plan for $50, plus summer tutoring for $36/hour. (Page 23)

Kohlhoff & Welch, Attorneys: Get a will for $300. (Page 19)

North Clackamas Aquatic Park: Get 10 percent off a birthday party! (Page 35)

Bob’s Red Mill: Buy two Bob’s Red Mill products, get one free at the Mill Store in Milwaukie. (Page 16)

EcoMaids: Buy one deep cleaning service and get a free fill-in service. (Page 27)

Play Boutique: Get $25 off your next party. (Page 28)

World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Complimentary dental exam for children under 2. (Page 18)

Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Get a free initial exam for children under 3. (Page 29)

Learning Palace: Take 15 percent off all regular priced items. (Page 37)

Tidee Didee: Get one free week of diaper service with four prepaid weeks. (Page 43)

And here’s a handy PDF version of the magazine, perfect for clipping coupons!

ALL WEEKEND

Cinco de Mayo. Two entertainment stages, carnival rides (extra charge), vendors and fun. 11 am to 11 pm May 4, 5, 6. $8 ages 13 and older, $4 ages 6 to 12, free ages 6 and under. Free Friday from 11 am to 3 pm. Waterfront Park, 1020 Naito Pkwy. cincodemayo.org.

El Zorrito: The Legend of the Boy Zorro. Northwest Children’s Theater presents this bilingual musical adventure about integrity, justice and the creation of a legend. Best for ages 6 and older. Runs through May 27; check website for show times. $22 adult, $18 youth, plus surcharge. 1819 NW Everett St. 503-222-2190. nwcts.org.

The Storm in the Barn. Oregon Children’s Theatre’s inspiring musical of 1937 Dust Bowl. Best for ages 10 and older. Runs through May 20; check website for show times. $13 to $28, plus surcharge. Winningatad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-228-9517. octc.org.

Sesame Street Live. Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the gang make music fun. 7 pm May 4; 10:30 am, 2 & 5:30 pm May 5; 1 & 4:30 pm May 6. $12-$60, plus surcharge. Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Winning Way. rosequarter.com.

Willy Wonka. Middle school students perform this familiar musical. 7 pm May 4 & 5 (also May 10, 11 & 12, plus 2 pm May 12.) $7 adults, $5 youth. Robert Gray Middle School, 5505 SW 23rd Ave. graypta.org.

Jefferson Dancers. This Portland Public Schools high school troupe will knock your socks off with their versatility and virtuosity. 7:30 pm May 4 & 5, 2 pm May 5. $11.75-$22.75, plus surcharge. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-248-4335. pcpa.com.

Puppet Museum Opening. Ping Pong’s Pint Sized Puppet Museum opens. 2 to 8 pm May 5 & 6. FREE. 906 SE Umatilla St. 503-233-7723. puppetmuseum.com.

Faire in the Grove. Medieval combat, cooking, dancing, music, storytelling, juggling and more. 10 am to 6 pm May 5, 10 am to 4 pm May 6. FREE admission. McMenamins Grand Lodge, 3505 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove. 877-992-9533. faireinthegrove.com.

SATURDAY

Queen Melissa Tea Cruise. Join Queen Melissa for high tea, story time, face painting, a treasure hunt, games and more aboard the Portland Spirit. Noon to 2 pm every Saturday in May. $28 adults, $20 ages 1+. Board (11:30) at Salmon Street Springs Fountain. 503-224-3900. portlandspirit.com.

Lei Day. Hawaiian games and bowling, bean bag toss, crafts, lei making, Polynesian entertainment. 11 am to 6 pm. $5, ages 10 and under, small charge for some activities. Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 3000 NW 119th St., Vancouver. 360-901-3749. kekukuifoundation.org.

Kodomo no Hi. Celebrate Children’s Day at the Japanese Garden with activities and performances. Make a paper helmet, try taiko drums and more. 1 to 3 pm. Free with garden admission: $9.50 adult, $6.75 ages 6 to 17, free ages 5 and under. 611 SE Kingston Ave. 503-223-1321. japanesegarden.com.

Free Comic Book Day. Participating stores across US give away one comic book. Check freecomicbookday.com to find closest participating shop.

SUNDAY

Portland Youth Philharmonic. Talented young musicians perform. 4 pm. $11 to $40, plus surcharge. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway. 503-223-5939. portlandyouthphil.org.

That’s a question parents ask themselves all the time – especially mothers. And the answer is often pretty sobering.

The fact is, childcare is expensive (think college tuition expensive), and quality care isn’t always readily available. As a new parent I found myself fairly clueless about what I should even look for. Daycare center? Home-based care? Nanny? How are the caregivers trained? What kind of oversight is there? And just as important, how much are they paid and what are their benefits?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, childcare workers earn a median income of just $9.28 per hour (minimum wage in Oregon is $8.80). Historically, domestic workers haven’t had minimum wage and workplace discrimination protection, benefits like sick leave and vacation, or overtime pay. As a result, there is high turnover and it is often the most qualified childcare workers – those who know they can earn a better living in another career – who move on to find other work so that they can better care for their own families.

As more and more women enter the work force (in 2011, 70 percent of mothers with children under 18 worked or were looking for work outside the home), there is an increasing need for someone else to do the typically unpaid work of a family (cooking, cleaning, laundry and childcare, among others). Relying on family members to help care for children can be a solution, if they are willing, able, and live nearby, but it doesn’t necessarily negate the need for quality childcare. People are retiring later in life, which means more grandparents have their own jobs. Plus, there’s the very real possibility that parents might find themselves sandwiched between caring for their children and their aging parents at the same time.

How Do We Value Paid Care Work?

Care work historically has been seen as female work and research shows the more women in a job field, the lower the pay in that field. When we undervalue paid care work we’re undervaluing working women and contributing to the wage gap. The value we place on care work is reflected in how we pay and treat our care workers, but it’s also reflected in our social policies. Under current law, low-income stay-at-home parents who qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) can’t count caring for their own young children toward their work requirement, but at the same time they can’t afford to pay for the childcare they would need to go to work. (Check out the Woman’s Option to Raise Kids Act recently introduced by Congressman Pete Stark from California, which proposes to change that).

A Working Example Right Here at Home

If we do want quality, affordable childcare provided by educated care workers who are paid a living wage, we can take a cue from the U.S. military, which is well known for its coordinated, affordable, quality system. By subsidizing childcare, requiring that care workers complete training in child development, psychology, health and safety, and by giving workers good pay and full benefits, the military has created a system that encourages stable, quality care that’s affordable for families. Learn more about the military model, and then ponder how it might translate into the civilian world.

My ideal? Workplace policies that provide parents the time, flexibility and living wages to support and care for their families, combined with a system of well-located, quality, affordable childcare programs. It’s being done in other countries. Surely we can make it work here, too.

Next Week’s Conversation:

Next week we’ll discuss how the U.S. supports families and how we compare to the rest of the world.

Share Your Thoughts:

What has been your experience with the tax and welfare system?

What do you think the government’s role in supporting families should be?

Do you think we will ever have a system like Sweden or France? Why or why not?
Dive right in with this cross-country comparison. (Heads up: It’s kinda wonky, but fascinating).

You’ll also find a Family Fare review of brunch at The Heathman Restaurant and Bar, an Angels Among Us column featuring Adelante Mujeres and their Adelante Chicas program, a Viewpoint about Pap-HPV co-testing, and, as always, our extensive Family Calendar.

Pick up a copy at your favorite distribution point, or read it online today.

ALL WEEKEND

Ag Fest. Take your city slicker kids to this fun festival to experience life on a farm. Plant a seedling, ride a pony, dig for potatoes and more. 8:30 to 5 pm April 28, 10 am to 5 pm April 29. $9 adults, free ages 12 and under. Free parking. Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem. 503-535-9353. oragfest.com.

The Storm in the Barn. Oregon Children’s Theatre presents a musical adaptation of Matt Phelan’s tale of the 1937 Dust Bowl. Will 11-year-old Jack and his family survive? What is that sinister figure with a face like a thunderstorm? Best for ages 10 and older. Runs April 28 through May 20. Check website for show times. $13 to $28, plus surcharge. Winningatad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-228-9517. octc.org.

Just Between Friends. Huge children’s, maternity consignment sale. Buy or sell. 12 to 7 pm April 27, 9 am to 4 pm April 28, 9 am to 2 pm April 29. FREE admission. Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Dr. 503-944-9837. portland.jbfsale.com.

Home Grown Inspiration. Kids can make a dino-terrarium, plant a sunflower, play salmon mini golf and more at this home idea fair. 9 am to 6 pm April 27 & 28, 10 am to 5 pm April 29. FREE. Clark Public Utilities at Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield. 360-992-3000. clarkpublicutilities.com.

National Parks FREE Week. Admission to our National Parks is free all weekend (through April 29). In Oregon, that’s Crater Lake and in Washington it includes Fort Vancouver, Mt. Rainier, and Olympic National Park. Ft. Vancouver hosts Jr. Ranger Day 10 am to 3 pm April 21 with demonstrations, activities and more. 1001 E 5th St. 360-816-6230. nps.gov.

SATURDAY

Air Force Band Concert. Music from 7 to 8:45 pm. FREE. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville. 503-434-4185. evergreenmusuem.org.

Muddy Boots Family Trail Day. Activities, fun fact stations and more. 10 am to 1 pm. FREE. Tryon Creek Nature Center, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-4398. calendar.oregonmetro.gov.

Dia de los Ninos. Bilingual storytelling and songs. Ages 2 to 8, with grown-up. 1 to 2 pm. FREE. Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th St. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org.

SUNDAY

Hillsboro Latino Cultural Festival. Entertainment, soccer, a parade, art and more. Noon to 5 pm. FREE. Civic Center Plaza, 150 E Main St. 503-726-2150. hillchamber.org.

Tracking Club Dirt Time. Learn or improve your tracking skills. All ages and skill levels. 9 am to noon. FREE, $5 park fee. Oxbow Regional Park, 3010 SE Oxbow Pkwy, Gresham. 503-708-5942. calendar.oregonmetro.gov.

Our conversation during this week’s “High Cost of Motherhood” discussion + action group ended with a question to which we all, understandably, had different answers: If you could change one thing about the public policies that affect how motherhood works (or doesn’t work!) for you personally, what would it be? Of course our answers depended on our individual circumstances, but together they make a pretty good list of the changes many mothers need:

One stay-at-home mom would stop penalizing mothers for caring for kids full-time. There is an opportunity cost for moms who step out of the workforce to care for kids – even if it’s only for a short time. One survey of 200 mothers with MBA degrees found that those who took an average of only 8.8 months out of the job market were less likely to reach upper-middle management and earned 17 percent less than comparable women who had no employment gaps. Another economic analysis in England estimated that a typical middle-class British mother of two forfeits almost half of her potential lifetime earnings. No wonder motherhood is a leading predictor of poverty in old age.

There are creative solutions to this opportunity cost, such as: (1) enabling stay-at-home mothers to earn social security benefits, which they also forfeit while out of the workplace; and (2) enabling mothers who receive government support to count caring for their own small children as “work,” instead of the current rule that only counts paid work toward a work requirement.

One unemployed new mother hopes for onsite childcare when she returns to work. Having childcare near your work makes it easier to keep nursing once you return to work, keeps kids closer to you in the event of an emergency, and makes commuting far more efficient.

It’s worth noting that while employer-provided childcare can work, relying on employers to “do the right thing” isn’t a full answer for all parents, plus it is an expensive endeavor that only certain types and sizes of employers can provide. A problem with it is if you change jobs, does your child then change childcare providers, too? One idea is mapping “childcare deserts” like people are now mapping food deserts, so we start by knowing where there are plenty to serve workers and where there aren’t. Urban planning regulations often require a certain number of parking spots per square foot of an office building – why treat cars better than young children?

An employed mom with two part-time jobs would like to have health care for herself; her two kids are on OHP. It is terrific that the state of Oregon offers health insurance to all uninsured children. But, the fact remains that for parents, health insurance is cheapest when provided through the workplace. Because many mothers work part-time jobs to be able to care for their children and reduce childcare costs, they aren’t eligible for health insurance, which often kicks in at 30 or 40 hours per week. We read a good bit on the negative impacts part-time work can have on employees’ pay and promotion rates, even though for many mothers it is a preferred option that enables them to support and care for their children while staying connected to the workforce, which matters for their long-term earnings potential.

As for me, someone who thinks about the public and workplace policies that affect parents a lot, the one thing I would change – now that I have a 6- and 9-year-old – would be to shift our current, agrarian school calendar to something that jibes better with today’s families real lives. The typical employee gets two to three weeks of vacation annually, while most students are out of school for a full four months. The childcare/summer camp costs are exorbitant; lower-income kids who aren’t enrolled in high-quality, expensive camps fall behind; and parents need and want to spend time with their children rather than sending them to camp five days a week while they work. There have been experiments with alternative schedules and there is research on their success and impact on parents.

Next week we tackle the care economy: Caring for children, the elderly the sick and disabled is not seen as work in our culture. However, it is critical to the functioning of our economy and society. How can we redefine work to include care?

What would YOU change if you could change just one thing about the public policies that affect motherhood?