Meanwhile, West Orange mom Betsy Stephens is getting nervous. She’s flying to her home state of Texas with her baby and toddler in a month. So far, Betsy will be traveling as scheduled much like Baristanet mom Annette Batson just did.
Yesterday, Montclair public schools sent another flyer home with students on swine flu prevention. So far, their site reassures us that no cases have been reported in Montclair. But any child with flu-like symptoms is being sent home for 24 to 48 hours. Montclair BOE Information Coordinator Laura Federico told me they’re keeping the website up-to-date, so be sure to check it often.
Meanwhile, I’m washing my hands even more than usual as we go about our days. Mostly, I’m just keeping my fingers–and piggies–crossed.
Are you more–or less–concerned about swine flu?

Young Eagles Rally
Who: Kids ages 8 to 17
What: Opportunity to go flying in a real airplane and eat hot dogs, hamburgers and BBQ (maybe after the flight).
Where: Essex County Airport
125 Passaic Ave.
Fairfield, NJ 07004
When: Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Isn’t this a cool event? Would you go up in these airplanes?

I let the children try the equipment–even the monkey bars–when they’re comfortable trying it. I don’t push them, and I don’t hold them back. One of my daughters, Estelle, is athletic, confident and fearless. She was playing with 5-year-old boys in the park when she was 2. Some kids are like that.

But this weekend, a parent at the playground crossed the safety line. My husband took the kids to the Montclair Community Pre-K park on Sunday after church. There is a wonderful climbing tree there. But should our 3-year-old Estelle be climbing it?

My husband and I encourage this child to push herself and try new things. We don’t, however, let her do things that will get her killed.

Another mother at the playground that day, a woman we know from church, followed Estelle to that climbing tree. My husband didn’t think much of it because Estelle can’t reach the tree. Therefore, she cannot get into any tree-climbing conundrums. The woman was just talking to Estelle, and everything seemed fine.

But then, my husband saw the lady lifting Estelle into that climbing tree. He ran over to the woman and pulled Estelle down. He said to that mother, “When she can climb the tree herself, I’ll let her climb it. Until then, Estelle is grounded.” Daddy was angry, but the conversation didn’t go any further.

The woman gave my husband the stink eye and then a huff. Then she walked away. It sure will be fun running into her next Sunday.

What would you have done? I probably would’ve been all nice and polite about it. “Please don’t let my child climb that tree,” I can see myself saying. But inside, I would’ve felt like whooping that mom’s behind.

I definitely don’t think it’s appropriate for random parents to hoist any child–even a 12-year-old–up into a climbing tree. I know I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t touch any child on any playground, for that matter.

What do you think about this playground drama?

Transracial/Transcultural Adoption: Differences May Not Matter to You, But They Matter to Your Child
Who: Parents with multicultural adopted children
What: Parenting workshop by the Spence-Chapin agency
Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair
67 Church Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: Thursday, April 30, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $20, $5 discount if you bring a friend
The Benefits of Becoming Foster or Adoptive Parents
Who: Families interested in fostering or adopting children.
What: Discussion and information session about becoming foster parents or adopting a child. Refreshments will be served.
Where: The Montclair Community Pre-K, 49 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Wednesday, April 29 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Do you know local adoptive families?

Noah Levinson, 16, junior at Glen Ridge High School, member of politics club (and, full disclosure, Debbie Galant of Baristanet’s son)

“Living in a liberal neighborhood in a liberal high school, it’s the first time where the president isn’t the bad guy. It always seemed that we were angry at the authority–students as well as adults. I think Obama still has to prove himself, but I absolutely approve of the way he’s been running things since he came into office.”

Aliyah Toler, 14, freshman at Montclair High School

“His presidency has affected me because it shows that anyone can do anything they set their mind to, and that I can do anything, too. It’s opened my eyes to what’s happening around the world and what our country is going through.”

I also video blogged my feelings as a mom on Obama’s 100 days for the Annie E. Casey Foundation. They are posting parents’ opinions all day, just click the button below.

Wednesday, April 29

We got our first swine flu advisory via email from our school nurse on Tuesday evening.
This the first time I’ve felt like staying inside my house and avoiding the entire world to avoid getting sick as a pig. Something about getting the note from The Montclair Cooperative School just made the whole ordeal seem real. Before, it sounded like media hogwash. But I did think it was serious enough to advise my au pair to cancel her upcoming trip to Cancun. She agreed and had already started looking up flights to Florida instead.
But seriously, as Baristanet reported on Monday, the US has reported this a public health emergency. Nj.com says there are 5 cases of swine flu in New Jersey from travelers who visited Mexico and California. The good news is that these people were never hospitalized, and they are now doing better.
Our school reports that a few families have recently traveled to Mexico–our Spring Break was last week. But according to the Montclair Board of Health, these children cannot be asked to stay home unless they show signs of illness. That makes sense to me.
Just FYI, here are symptoms of swine flu, according to Nurse Beth Tengwell at the Coop…

Symptoms of swine flu:

• Lack of appetite
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Sore throat

Read more on the CDC swine flu website. I hear the best prevention is handwashing, keeping fingers out of eyes and getting enough rest. Also, we should cover our mouths when we sneeze or cough. I’m not sure these provisions give me much confidence.
So what do you think? Are you getting notes home from school? Are you feeling worried? Maybe, this isn’t something to oink at.

Little kids around Baristaville get crazy on their 100th day of school. Teachers plan parties in their kindergarten and preschool classrooms to mark the students’ big accomplishment.

We think President Obama should get crazy, too. Tomorrow is his 100th day in the White House.

Because little kids know, we asked them how President Obama should celebrate his 100th day at his new “school.”

Here is what our insightful local kids had to say…

[Portrait by Sydney Solenthaler, a Northeast 3rd grader as featured in Mini Masterpieces last month.]

Carter, age 5, Glen Ridge

“He should come to our house, and we can order a cake for him with his name on it. Then he can eat it with us.”

Amelia, age 5, Montclair

“All the other presidents should throw President Obama a surprise party.”

Hayden, age 5, Verona

“President Obama should have a party for his 100 friends with 100 cakes, 100 wines and 100 balloons.”

Isabel, age 7, Caldwell

“He should do 100 worksheets about the economy.”

How do your kids think President Obama should celebrate?  Post it in comments.