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Avoid summer-time blues with these cheap boredom busters! Summer is here, and it is bound to bring the words every mom dreads: I’m bored! It’s a fact – kids may complain about school and long for a break, but long stretches of hot days soon use up the appeal of sleeping in and watching cartoon reruns. If, like me, you look for ways to occupy your children without resorting to constant screen time and without breaking the bank, you are in luck! With a little planning, you can offer your children a wide range of summer options. Side note: while you are planning what to do “on the cheap” with your family, consider using our family’s tried-and-true option when a child utters the “b” word. Any child who says they are “bored” in our house knows he or she will gain an immediate chore as a reward. Works like a charm! Ideas for at Home There’s no place like home, and that includes finding boredom busters. You will save money on gas and avoid pricey eating-out costs. Bonus: your kiddos may learn to appreciate what they already have! Right now, before summer boredom hits, grab some unique playtime items the family already owns. Put these in a bin out of easy reach, and label it the “boredom” box or “rainyday” bin. This can be pulled out at the first hint of summer boredom. A classic game from your childhood, a set of paper dolls, a building set are all good places to start. Make sure to switch out items once they are used and to put the box back out of reach. While you’re at it, look through the board games on the back of your shelves. Challenge your family to a game-night tournament, complete with brackets and silly prizes. Awards could be purchased at the dollar store or, better yet, come up with coupons for a “chore-free day” or “choose a dessert” to enjoy down the road. Send the children to the basement and garage to find suitable buckets, bins and containers. Pull on your bathing suits (don’t forget sunscreen!) and head outside for an all-out water war. Make sure to set some ground rules (boundaries for safety, protection for young siblings or pets) and consider inviting neighborhood families to join the fun. A family-water war is a great way to beat the heat and have some fun without spending a dime! Spend a night under the stars in your own backyard. If you don’t have a tent or camping gear, ask around for a set to borrow. Include a simple meal to be cooked over a campfire: our family loves roasting things like hot dogs, apples and marshmallows. Find online star charts (starrynighteducation.com) for your location and impress the children with your astronomy skills. Remember, the best way to ensure the success of home-time fun is to join in. No matter their ages, your kids are sure to enjoy watching mom and dad play with them. And the memories you make – even without spending a dime – will be priceless in the years ahead. The family that plays together stays together! Ideas for an Outing I have been known to bribe my summer-weary children with a day outing. In our case, we all (parents and kids) must fulfill our work and chore obligations for a week. The reward is usually a half-day outing to a location within a short drive. We try to cap the cost at $20 (sometimes, it’s just a few bucks for an ice cream cone on the way home). Some of our more successful outings include: Geocaching. Think of it as a scavenger hunt in nature. Great websites abound, we like www.geocaching.com. If geocaching sounds too complicated, we have also scouted out unique landmarks in our area; you wouldn’t believe how many giant forks we’ve found within a few miles of our driveway! Check out www.roadsideamerica.com to find some oddities near you. Yes, thre is a fork in the road! We found this oddity at RoadsideAmerica.com. Public library. Get free books, movies and music at your local library. Many also offer a summer reading program with rewards for the kids. We also grab books on tape to listen to on the go. Local museums. These can get pricey, but we find discounts online. Another good source for free tickets? Your public library. Pet shelters. A shelter near us has a great program that invites kids to come and read to the cats. My feline-loving daughter requests this outing regularly. Factories. Many offer free tours! Our favorite so far is the Martin Guitar Factory in Bethlehem. A google search can help you find a good site near you. Local parks and trails. We grab the dog and go for a walk, or pack up the bikes and go for a ride. In Hamburg, a great choice is the Schuylkill River trails off State Street. Farmer’s market and gardening. If you have the space, let your kids grow a vegetable of their choice, then challenge them to find ways to cook and/or preserve it. We also like to visit local markets and use a set budget (say, $5 a kid) to find unusual foods to try. It makes for an interesting menu! Ideas for Funding a Splurge As the days go on and the dog days of summer hit, you and your family may be ready to do something special for a day or so. While “splurges” include spending some money, you can be creative in both saving up money and spending it wisely. My dear mother-in-law was onto a saving trick years ago. When my husband and his sister were little, they held a family yard sale. Not only did they clear out some of the unused toys and outgrown clothing at home, but the money they saved was used to help fund a pool pass for the summer. A similar idea could help fund a trip to the pool, a showing at a movie theatre or a trip to an amusement park for your family. One of our favorite outings is to visit one of the community fairs in our areas: we ride a few rides, sample fair food and make sure to check out the animals and craft displays. We love attending local fairs. Many offer a special night for discount rides. Check out www.visitpa.com! Here are a few more ideas to save money along the way: When eating out, only order (free) water to drink. Keep a tally in a notebook of money saved, and use this money to help fund a family reward down the road. And take advantage of restaurants that offer free meals for kids (see www.kidsmealdeals.com). Encourage your little entrepreneurs. Can they set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood? Can they responsibly mow a neighbor’s yard or weed a flowerbed? Do they make a sale-worthy craft? Challenge them to think of a way to use their talents, and consider offering a matching grant (for every dollar they earn and save, you match a second dollar). Consider asking grandparents and relatives to give gift certificates for summer outings instead of toys as presents. A family I know has embraced this idea for Christmas and Easter, and the children love spending their gift cards and tokens at movie theatres, soda shops, bowling alleys and ice-cream joints. You could also ask for (or purchase) a family membership to an attraction you enjoy, be it a zoo, theme park or rec area. Stay local when you can. You will save on gas and car maintenance. You’ll also have the satisfaction of supporting local businesses, which will help families in your neighborhood. So there you have it, tried and true ways our family has enjoyed an exciting but budget-friendly summer filled with memories. I would love to hear how your family avoids boredom without breaking the bank! #waterwar #summer #geocaching #outing #oddities #kidseatfree #gamenight #fun #budget #family #free

Hot off the presses, here is our spring newsletter. So much is going on at Life’s Choices, from new staff appointments to increased client visits to opportunities to share at local schools. Please take a moment to read our newsletter – and contact us if you’d like to be added to our email list for future newsletters! P.S. All that we do at Life’s Choices is possible through donations and support. A great way to assist us financially is to take part in our FUNdraiser on April 16 (see this link for details). You can also become a one-time or regular supporter. Email Laurie (lwilliams@lifeschoicessupport.org) to find out more!

Prior to assuming the position of Executive Director at Life’s Choices my work experience was in the business world. Assuming the position of director was a major change for me and my first experience working in a nonprofit organization and most importantly a ministry. As I transitioned into my new role, I soon realized that no matter what position we hold in a ministry, we are directly accountable to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as the ministry is His. We are merely servants entrusted to fulfill His Plan for such a time as this. It wasn’t very long into my time of service, that I gained wisdom that only God could provide through some very teachable moments. As a result of staffing changes I found myself handling the day to day role of client services rep. It became very apparent that the situations in which our clients find themselves are complex and many times are a result of severe brokenness for such very precious young people. It was during this time that God developed the gift of mercy in my life. It is to Him we need to look for direction; Psalm 119:133 NIV “Direct my footsteps according to your word….”. It is to Him we seek our provision; Philippians 4:19 NIV “And my God will meet all your needs….”. This does not, however, exempt us from hard work. Colossians 3:23 tells us “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men….” NIV It was through God’s direction and provision that Life’s Choices and Second Chance Boutique were established in Hamburg. This could not have come to fruition in and of our own strength. Too many situations occurred that were not coincidental but rather supernatural. God’s leading and connecting the dots like only He can do, provided Life’s Choices, Kutztown with the opportunity to offer STI testing 2 years ago. Client growth has occurred. This is not just reflected in the number of tests being completed, but in the number of lives that have been impacted through this service. This has opened the door to life changing conversations that may not have otherwise happened. To God be the glory! It is my prayer that as God has called this season of service to an end for me at Life’s Choices; Daniel 2:21 “He changes times and seasons.”; He will remain at the helm of His ministry as he directs and provides to fulfill His plan for such a time as this. I look with anticipation as individuals, whether continuing or new to the ministry, serve at Life’s Choices. I pray that they will be blessed as I have been by seeing God’s hand at work in ways I never previously experienced. I also look forward to see what God has for me as I enter this new season. He is faithful! Brenda

Valentine’s Day is a great time to indulge in the sweetness of spending time with someone you love.  This year, why not think outside the box of chocolates. Here are six great ways to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart! CREATIVE Pay a visit to The Art Store or The Dollar Tree and stock up on paper, tissue, markers, chalk, stickers, and whatever your cupid’s heart desires for Valentine-making. Spend an evening cutting and pasting, and writing love poems to each other. Play some big band music and sip hot chocolate while you discover your artistic side. BOOKISH Take your date to Barnes and Noble. First stop: coffee counter. Then browse the travel section and dream about places to visit while you sip your Venti Triple-Shot Skinny Vanilla Latte with a Smidge of Cinnamon. ACTIVE Bundle up and rediscover the thrill of snow tubing at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. Or enjoy the sensation of a chill in your lungs while hiking to The Pinnacle from the Hamburg Reservoir. Don’t forget a picnic lunch and a thermos of hot coffee to enjoy at the top! CULINARY Scour Pinterest for the most scrumptious looking dessert. Make a grocery list and cruise the aisles of Giant Food Store on a shopping cart. Go back home to whip up the concoction while watching (and making fun of) a Valentine’s Hallmark movie. Don’t forget the tissue box (you’ll need it for the commercials). GROUP THERAPY Unattached this Valentine’s Day? Or does Valentine’s Day fall awkwardly early in a new relationship? No worries, invite a group of friends to join you at Ozzy’s Family Fun Center for Laser Tag and Go-karts. Pick up a couple half gallons of ice cream and finish it up at someone’s house for Head’s Up Charades and a nasty case of brain freeze. PAY IT FORWARD Contact a retirement home and plan a night of Bingo with the residents, hosted by you and your sweetheart. Buy a bunch of Valentine gifts at the Dollar Tree to give out as prizes. Hint: DON’T go without prizes, they will not be happy. Afterwards ask for volunteers to share their love stories. I guarantee you will be well entertained. For more ideas of how to cultivate healthy, LIFE-GIVING rather than LIFE-DRAINING relationships contact Life’s Choices. We’re all about Healthy Relationships!

Teenage pregnancy statistics can be daunting. Over 75% of teen pregnancies are unplanned (per the US Department of Health) and 60% of those end in a live birth. DoSomething.Org reports that three in ten teenage girls will be pregnant before they are 20 years old,and the majority of the fathers don’t marry the mothers; many are not involved long-term with their child. Fully half of teen moms will not graduate from high school, and less than two percent will earn a college degree by age 30. These moms are at a disadvantage in the job market, due to lower skill levels and less life experience; many require government assistance, especially in the early years of motherhood. Children of teenage mothers have unique challenges, too. Studies across the board show these kids are at risk educationally and behaviorally. Many face increased health and disability issues, and these children are more likely than their peers to struggle with drug addiction or incarceration. Bringing home a baby and raising a preschooler is challenging for any mom, let alone a teenager overwhelmed by changes in her educational, social and family life. But there is hope, and a lot of it, for a teen mom hoping to tackle the challenges – and rewards – of parenting. And I think the first step is offering these moms what they need, something everyone needs – support. A teen mom needs someone to come alongside her to share in her experience, someone who can offer understanding of what she is going through and ideas for how to forge ahead.  She needs someone to paint a hopeful future for her and her child and help in making concrete steps toward that bright future. There’s a popular word for this kind of relationship: mentoring. And at Life’s Choices, we offer mentoring to young moms! Our “Earn While You Learn” program offers practical, discussion-based parenting classes with the opportunity to earn credits for diapers, clothes and other things a baby needs. Classes can start in early pregnancy and continue through the early childhood years. We also offer ongoing financial mentoring as well as classes on healthy nutrition, relationships and parenting. And we’re excited to announce a brand new option: MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). This group will allow young moms to gather with seasoned moms and other moms like them. It’s a great chance for a new mother to gain support, share ideas and work toward being the best mom possible for her baby.  Stay tuned for details on our Teen MOPS group, which is slated to begin this year! In the meantime, we remain committed to offering mentoring and other support for teen moms, along with men, women and families in our community. Feel free to stop in during our regular hours, check out our Facebook page or call us anytime at Life’s Choices Hamburg (484.772.6883). Kolleen Long Hamburg Client Services Life’s Choices #support #parent #mentoring #parents #MOPS #teens #teen #teenmoms

It’s no secret that as the years go by teens and young adults are becoming more and more sexually active at a younger age. Sex has become just a normal everyday occurrence whether they see it on social media, television or hear about it in school from their friends. Sometimes they don’t realize the consequences of having sex, especially when it comes to getting Sexually Transmitted Diseases. A lot of people have the idea that if they use a condom everything will be ok but that’s not the case. Would you believe that condoms only protect 50% against Chlamydia and Gonorrhea? At Life’s Choices we give free tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea because they are two of the most common Sexually Transmitted Infections. Sexually Transmitted Infections are in the same family as STDs, the only difference is you can get rid of STIs completely and STDs you can only treat the symptoms but you’ll have the disease in your body the rest of your life. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the rate for Chlamydia right here in Berks County is at a higher rate compared to Pennsylvania as a whole. Although Gonorrhea is at a lower rate than Pennsylvania overall, it’s still a problem. Most cases of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are found in people ages 15-24. In Berks County more females are infected then males for both infections. However, the rate of infected females with Chlamydia not only beats out the males but also the average rate in Pennsylvania. Adolescents make up 27% of the sexually active population in the U.S. but they consume about 50% of the STD rate. That’s almost 10 million STDs each year! How can we change this? Of course the only way to remain risk-free is to stay abstinent. It may seem like an impossible task for some, but trust me…it’s possible! If you remain abstinent in your relationship, I think you’ll find that your partnership will grow and maybe turn into something that you never would expect. You’ll be able to rely on more than a physical connection. Remember intimacy doesn’t only mean sex. You can still be intimate with your boyfriend or girlfriend in other ways. For example, having conversations about God, life, the goals you want to achieve, your family, things you experienced in your childhood, etc. These are all conversations that can bring you closer together, allowing you to really get to know each other on a deeper level rather than a sexual one. I had a client come in once and we asked her if she had any regrets entering into her sexual relationships. Her response was an eye opening one. She said, “I definitely regret entering into some of my sexual relationships. I feel like if I never would’ve started, it wouldn’t be issue for me now.” A lot of these young people feel like they can’t stop or they might as well do it because their partner expects them to have sex based on their past. Speaking as someone who just stepped out of the 15-24 age range, I know struggles and temptation are a real thing. You have to be strong and you absolutely have to set boundaries. You must be sure that your boyfriend or girlfriend is on the same page as you. If it’s something they can’t agree with, as hard as it may be, you need to let them go. You need to learn the power of the word “no.” My prayer is that all the clients that come into Life’s Choices will learn their value, show themselves respect, know that God loves them and know that there are people in their community that care for them too.

We live in a country where processed food is everywhere, busyness is the norm, and convenience is of utmost importance. Add children to the mix and everything escalates. We get busier, processed junk food is quick and easy, and we have no time or energy for anything else (much less to fight a battle with a toddler to eat a healthy snack). All of these ingredients combined create unhealthy families. And physically unhealthy families can sometimes create mentally and emotionally unhealthy families. Now, am I saying that if you eat junk food your relationships will suffer? No, but what we eat has a dramatic (profound) impact on our physical AND mental health. Healthy food like vegetables, fruits, beans, complex carbohydrates and protein rich meats are packed with vitamins and minerals essential for the body to grow and function properly. (This is especially important for children’s growing bodies but equally important for adults as well!) Complex carbohydrates provide the energy needed to think, move, play, and learn. Vegetables, which are full of fiber, are good for your heart and digestive system. Protein helps us have strong bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments and can be found in nuts, beans, eggs, fish, chicken, and more! These are only a few examples of the nutrients needed to create healthy bodies which in turn create healthy families. When we feed our bodies properly we feed our brains properly. We respond better to those around us, we sleep better, have a better mood and behavior, and more energy for the day. Who doesn’t want better behaved children and more energy to tackle those crazy days that we’re often faced with?? Two more components of creating healthy minds and bodies are exercise and water. Water is essential to our bodies. We cannot function without it! We are fortunate to live in a country where water is accessible and readily available. Yet, we don’t drink nearly enough. Children need about an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Adults need about half an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. And last by not least is exercise. Exercise not only builds stronger bodies but also builds self-esteem and stronger minds. And parents—make exercise fun! Play outside with your kids, create new games, go on family hikes, just get up and GO! Not only is this healthy for your minds and bodies but you’ll create memories that your children will never forget! So what are you waiting for? Get up, get moving, drink more water, and don’t forget to eat your fruits and veggies! Your mind and body will thank you for it! Let’s start creating healthier and happier families. For more information and tips for creating healthier habits look for our Health and Nutrition Class coming this fall! *Information taken from Dr. Sear’s L.E.A.N. Start Guide. #healthyeating #nutritionclasses

How To Have A College Experience With No Regrets: If you’re starting your freshman year of college you’ve probably heard at least one person tell you that the next four years are going to be “the best years of your life.” In many ways this is true. For most of us there will never be another time in our lives when we are surrounded so closely by friends, can choose from a multitude of non-stop social opportunities and have no real responsibilities other than going to class and completing assignments. What could be better? Unfortunately the following description of one individual’s college experience tells a different story. My Memories of College: Social anxiety fueled by the perceived pressure to live up to the college stereotype of partying all the time Lots of acquaintances, no real friends Meaningless drunken one-night stands leading to complete emotional sterility Chronic procrastination, all-nighters, constant stress and pressure to get good grades Severe sleep deprivation, caffeine addiction, poor nutrition, binge drinking ending in vomiting more often than not The above factors resulting in feeling like crap 24/7, eventually leading to a diagnosis of clinical depression Disillusionment with life in general after learning the hard way all the lessons people try to teach you in high school but you don’t listen because you’re a naive rebellious teenager At Life’s Choices we hear similar stories, ones filled with regret and dissatisfaction. The following statement was made by a 22 year old male student and is one we hear repeatedly from both men and women. His reflection as a senior: “I’m tired of the college lifestyle. I want something more. Partying and sex feels good in the moment but the next day I feel bad. I’m ready for a relationship that’s real.” For many, their regrets aren’t limited to a bad feeling. Their college experience includes the unwanted bonus of an STD, some of which cannot be cured and tag along as an uninvited guest into any future relationship. According to Stanford University’s Sexual Health Resource Center, one in four college students are infected with a Sexually Transmitted Infection. Many don’t know they’re infected because STIs often have no symptoms. Undiagnosed STIs cause 24,000 women to become infertile each year. Genital Herpes infects 1 in 5 college aged students in the United States. Herpes outbreaks can be treated but cannot be cured. This does NOT need to be your experience! Here’s how to avoid regrets and make your college years some of the best years of your life: Go deeper in your relationships. Friendships are being formed that can last a lifetime, whether it’s finding your soulmate or a great friend group. This doesn’t happen through getting drunk or hooking up. It comes through meaningful conversations, participating in shared interests and activities, and in being there for one another through emotional ups and downs. The college years are a unique time of self-discovery where you are developing your own values and becoming an independent thinker. Peer pressure and following the crowd is so high school. You’re an adult now. Think for yourself and seek out others with similar values. These years are also a time to discover your gifts and pursue your career interests. Focusing on developing your strengths and interests will pay off in greater life satisfaction in the years to come. Take advantage of every opportunity to work towards finding your life’s calling. Doing what you were meant to do and doing it well is extremely satisfying. Finally, this may be the last time in your life you can go to the dining room and be fed three meals a day without having to grocery shop, cook or clean up after yourself. Okay, it’s cafeteria food but hey, it’s better than cold cereal and PB&J. Enjoy it! Welcome back to school! I hope this is one of the best years of your life so far. But I also hope your friendships and life experiences keep getting better and better as you live life with no regrets.

As a mother of two grown children and now the grandmother of 4 precious little boys 5, 4, 3, and 2 (no this is not a countdown but rather their ages), I continue to reflect on the above question to this day. Everything comes with an instruction manual; from a larger item such as a washing machine to a small item such as a flashlight and everything in between. And even from a person who in junior high scored a 34% on a mechanical reasoning test, I can use both of the above without relying on the instruction manual. After all a washer has knobs with words and even a flashlight gives you either a plus or a minus telling you how to put in the batteries. However the most precious gift we are entrusted with to nurture and develop comes with no instructions. They have no “writing on their” sweet little bodies giving us hints as to what might make them do what we would like them to do. Now don’t get me wrong. I made it through years of child rearing and not only did my children survive but it must have been a somewhat positive experience since they too have embarked on the journey of parenthood. Whether you are a first time parent to be who wants to learn everything you can or the parent who is finding themselves with a very “spirited” child and wants to get guidance now while they are still young, Life’s Choices is there to help! From offering a variety of one on one class options with trained instructors as well as their parenting support group “Crave” there is sure to be an option to meet your needs. Below is a list of areas where clients found assistance at Life’s Choices: I want to breastfeed but I understand there is not a lot of time when in the hospital after giving birth to receive instruction. Life Choice’s offers 5 very comprehensive lessons on having a successful breastfeeding experience. We’re not able to do childbirth classes at the hospital because of my husband’s work schedule. Life’s Choices volunteer RN who provides childbirth instruction was able to work out a time convenient for them to get the classes they needed! We’re struggling with our toddler’s behavior. A couple attended parenting classes at Life’s Choices for their three year old addressing the issues they were concerned with regarding discipline while wanting to enjoy their child. A month after they started attending classes they were approached by their daycare staff indicating the positive difference that was observed in their child. Though not an instruction manual, it’s the next best thing. Where were you, Life’s Choices, when I needed you?????