Summer is here, but not without its share of blood, sweat and tears. As parents, we’re used to trudging through it all — unstoppable forces until we come up against that immovable object. This year, just 72 hours after the first day of summer, I came face to face with my immovable object: a hip gone bad.

By the time you read this, I’ll have undergone surgery and will be (I hope) recovering well at home. While none of us ever wants to go under the knife, the timing was perfect. Since learning last year that I needed surgery, my main refrain was: “Just please let it be after my son’s prom, graduation and college admissions stuff.” In other words, like many moms, I had no time to take care of me. Thankfully, one by one, each of Sol’s senior-year milestones was reached:

He received his college acceptances, then made his final choice.

He attended prom — and on a yacht in Marina del Rey. But on the afternoon of prom, I got my first call ever from a school nurse: Our son had cut his finger on a robotics project and needed stitches! Luckily, my husband got him in and out of a packed urgent care by playing the prom card, and I found the perfect last-minute brooch for his tux by texting him photos from the shop and awaiting his yay or nay responses.

He turned 18!

He graduated — and we parents screamed our heads off as our robe-clad progeny pretended not to hear us.

We threw a backyard garden party to celebrate the graduate’s rite of passage with our extended community.

He got the nose piercing he’s been begging for. “At 18, you don’t need your parents for most stuff,” he told me. Yet, tuition still has to be paid and he still expects my hearty breakfast “sammiches” every morning.

As we cleaned up the party leftovers, I could sense a shift in my parenting journey: In a way, my husband and I were graduates, too.

In June, our digital editor, Nina Harada, attended her eldest’s kindergarten promotion. She emailed the L.A. Parent team after the ceremony: “I barely held it together. I am going to be a MESS for all graduations to follow. Cassandra, how did you survive Sol’s?!”

So far, I’ve held it together, but I have a feeling that come August (campus move-in time), I’ll have had a few breakdowns. And yet, these good cries are like a soft drizzle compared to the storms so many of our fellow families are facing (ICE raids, still trying to find their way after the L.A. fires and more).

I hope you and your family have a safe summer — and that you find ways to play, explore and unplug — even in the midst of chaos. This edition is a beautiful guide to help you do just that.

The post Editor’s Note: Rites of Passage appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Stories allow us to travel to new worlds, even when we are stuck at home. And while reading can be a solitary experience, it’s a wonderful way to bond with children, no matter how old they are. This summer reading list features books that will take readers to the depths of their imaginations to spark quality time and insightful discussion.

One Alley Summer

by Anne Ylvisaker

A coming of age novel in verse, “One Alley Summer” by Anne Ylvisaker is relatable story that can introduce young readers to poetry. The novel follows Phee in a the summer before she begins middle school as she begins a friendship with her new neighborhood, Mercy Jones. 

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody: The Hat of Great Importance

by Patrick Ness and illustrated by Tim Miller

“Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody: The Hat of Great Importance” by Patrick Ness is the second installment in his Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody series. This imaginative chapter book with illustrations is about the monitor lizards Zeke, Daniel, and Alicia and a hawk named Meil in their not-so-normal school days. 

Recommended for ages 8-12.

The Incorruptibles

by Lauren Magaziner 

In a world where sorcerers rule over humans, Fiora Barrowling joins the human resistance and enrolls in the Incorruptibles Academy. “The Incorruptibles” is a fantasy book by Lauren Magaziner about resistance and magic. 

Recommended for ages 9-15.

The Wild Robot on the Island

by Peter Brown

Based on Peter Brown’s original trilogy that inspired the movie “The Wild Robot,, “The Wild Robot on the Island” is a picture book about a robot named Roz that learns to adapt to her new island home. 

Recommended for ages 4-8.

Fern’s School for Wayward Fay: The Grim Adventure

by Fern Forgettable and as told by Piper CJ

The second book of the series Fern’s School for Wayward Fay, “The Grim Adventure” follows a school with students part magical and part human as they fight against Death itself. Written by Fern Forgettable as told by Piper CJ.

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel

by Guy Bass and illustrated by Pete Williamson 

“Stich Head: The Graphic Novel,” written by Guy Bass and illustrated by Pete Williamson, is a spooky coming of age story about family and acceptance. 

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Kitty Vs. Kindergarten

by Martha Freeman and illustrated by Eda Kaban 

The picture book “Kitty vs. Kindergarten,” written by Martha Freeman and illustrated by Eda Kaban, follows Kitty as he is forced to adapt to an unfamiliar environment: the kindergarten classroom. 

Recommended for ages 3-7.

Ash Wang is an editorial intern at L.A. Parent. Born and raised in Irvine, they will attend Pitzer College this fall. Wang is a member of @the309collective, and their writing has been featured in @CulturalDaily and the anthology “Home is a Hope.”

The post What to Read This Summer: Stories That Spark Imagination and Connection appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Submitted by the team at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children

As summer winds down and kids gear up for the fall sports season, excitement is in the air — and so is the risk of injury. Each year, millions of young athletes experience sports-related injuries, many of which are preventable with proper preparation. Whether your child participates in football, soccer, volleyball or cross-country, preparing strategically during the preseason can significantly reduce the risk of injuries that sideline kids and disrupt seasons.

Here are three evidence-based tips every parent should consider to help their athlete start the season strong and finish injury-free.

1. Ease Into Training: Gradual Progression Prevents Overload

One of the most common causes of preseason and early season injuries is doing too much too soon. After a summer of relatively light activity levels, young athletes may jump into intense practices, conditioning or scrimmages — putting their bodies at risk for “acute overload” injuries like tendinitis, stress fractures and muscle strains.

Research shows that a rapid increase in training load is a key risk factor for injury in youth sports. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends increasing training volume by no more than 10% per week to allow the body time to adapt (Gabbett, 2016). This applies to both endurance-based sports like cross-country and speed-based sports like football and soccer.

Parent Tip: Encourage your child to start a structured training and conditioning program at least 4-6 weeks before the season begins, gradually increasing the intensity and duration of workouts. Activities should include aerobic fitness, speed and agility, sport-specific drills and mobility training.

2. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: Recovery Starts Off the Field

Recovery is just as important as training, and two of the most overlooked aspects of recovery are sleep and nutrition. Sleep plays a vital role in muscle repair, hormone regulation and reaction time. A landmark study in adolescent athletes found that those who slept less than eight hours per night were 1.7 times more likely to suffer an injury compared to their well-rested peers (Milewski et al., 2014).

Similarly, nutrition fuels performance and supports tissue recovery and repair. Inadequate overall calorie consumption, as well as protein intake, can increase the risk of bone and soft-tissue injuries, particularly in growing athletes.

Parent Tip: Help your child get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, especially during high training periods. Support balanced meals with lean protein, complex carbs, fruits and vegetables. And don’t forget hydration. Even mild dehydration can impair performance and increase injury risk.

3. Build a Foundation: Strength, Balance and Mobility Matter

Injury prevention isn’t just about avoiding collisions or rolling an ankle, it’s about preparing the body to handle the demands of sport. Studies show that incorporating a dynamic neuromuscular training program into preseason prep can significantly reduce the risk of ACL tears, ankle sprains and other injuries common in youth athletes.

A 2018 meta-analysis in Sports Medicine found that injury-prevention programs focused on strength, balance, agility and movement control reduced overall injury rates by up to 46% in adolescent athletes (Emery et al., 2015).

Parent Tip: Seek out programs or athletic-performance coaches that incorporate dynamic warm-ups, single-leg balance work, core strengthening and jump-landing mechanics. These can often be integrated into regular practices or completed at home in 15-20 minutes a few times per week.

Final Thoughts

Sports offer tremendous physical, emotional and social benefits for our children, but injuries can derail progress and discourage participation. By gradually increasing training, supporting recovery with sleep and nutrition, and integrating injury-prevention exercises, parents can play a vital role in keeping young athletes healthy and confident this fall season.

A proactive approach in the preseason can set the stage for a safer, more successful season on the field.

If you have a child who active in sports and you have questions about their training, or if they sustain an injury, the team at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children in Los Angeles in standing by to help. From urgent care to sports medicine to a variety of specialists, we are here to help your family.

References:

• Gabbett, T. J. (2016). The training—injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095788
  
• Milewski, M. D., et al. (2014). Chronic lack of sleep is associated with increased sports injuries in adolescent athletes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 34(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000000151
  
• Emery, C. A., Roy, T. O., Whittaker, J. L., Nettel-Aguirre, A., & van Mechelen, W. (2015). Neuromuscular training injury prevention strategies in youth sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(13), 865–870. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094639

The post 3 Essential Tips to Prevent Injuries in Youth Athletes appeared first on L.A. Parent.

This July, the rhythmic pulse of drums and paddles will echo across Brandenburg, Germany as more than 4,000 elite athletes from more than 30 countries compete in the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships — the most prestigious event in the sport’s international calendar.

Among them? 14-year-old Ysabella Cajanding from Bellflower — making waves on the Junior U.S. National Team.

“These kids have made sacrifices for two years preparing for Germany, and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Nathan Salazar, Team USA coach.

Dragon boat racing, a sport with roots dating back over 2,000 years in China, is now one of the fastest-growing water sports worldwide. It combines fierce physical endurance, flawless timing, and team unity — teams of 20 paddlers race in sync to the beat of a drum aboard 40-foot-long boats adorned with traditional dragon heads and tails. It’s a spectacle of culture, community and competition.

“I want to bond with my team, make memories, and hopefully win gold,” Ysabella said about the upcoming trip to Germany. ”I like the community it creates with my teammates. We’re working together, paddling together and winning together.”

For Ysabella, this journey started when she was just seven years old, paddling alongside her dad Rex who has competed for over two decades. By age 12, she was making history, competing internationally in Thailand, where she brought home three gold medals and two silvers, becoming the youngest competitor at the 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Competition.

“I started because I saw my dad doing this sport. He’s been a part of it since before I was born, and he saw my interest growing and put me in the boat with him. Now, I’ve been paddling for half my life,” Ysabella said.

Now, Ysabella and Rex are not just father and daughter, but also teammates representing Team USA on the global stage. Their shared passion for dragon boat racing has built more than strength, it’s deepened their bond and created a legacy of teamwork and resilience.

When she’s not on the water, she prioritizes her wellness and conditioning for the sport. According to a nationwide survey conducted by Planet Fitness, teens believe physical activity helps deal with emotional ups and downs of being a teenager, and 93 percent agree that regular exercise is beneficial when handling challenges. 

“Watching my daughter grow through sports and at the gym, I’ve seen how it strengthens more than just her body—it gives her confidence, clears her mind, and helps her face the daily challenges teens deal with today. She also has our full support. Her mother, Liz, provides her with good nutrition and mental stability, always reminding her that she’s a student before an athlete,” said Ysabella’s father, Rex. 

Ysabella is a regular at her neighborhood Planet Fitness, where she utilizes Team USA coach-approved machines that target the back, shoulders and core muscle groups she needs to excel as an athlete. She works out at Planet Fitness three times a week, noting that the gym has lots of space for her to complete her fitness routine. 

“I have an athlete mentality, and I’m thankful that my local Planet Fitness has the space for what I need to accomplish. It’s hard to find a good gym that’s not overcrowded,” said Ysabella. 

She especially enjoys the resistance bands for assisted pull-ups, something that not every nearby gym provides. Both Ysabella and Rex use the massage chairs and hydromassage beds at Planet Fitness to cool down and recover their sore muscles. What’s more uplifting, 90 percent of teens say exercise helps them feel happy, with 88 percent noting improved mood after exercise noted by the survey.

Whether they are training for a sport or just want to get in some healthy exercise, Planet Fitness is dedicated to investing in teen wellness. The franchise is offering free memberships to high school students and athletes nationwide ages 14-19 from now until Aug. 31 as part of Planet Fitness’s annual High School Summer Pass Program. For more information on how to sign up, head to planetfitness.com/summerpass. 

The post L.A. County Teen Makes Waves at World Dragon Boat Championships appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Each year, The Tomorrow Prize offers a window into the future — one imagined and articulated by L.A. County high school students who write, revise and enter their stories into the annual science-fiction writing contest founded by the Omega Sci-fi Project. This year, we are thrilled to honor Eddy Ju, whose first-place story “Verdant” stood out for its bold vision, strong writing and environmental themes.

L.A. Parent is proud to join other organizations each year in co-sponsoring the prize. I served as a finalist judge, and we publish the first-place winner’s short story on laparent.com and excerpt it in our digital and print magazines. 

This year marked the 10^th anniversary of the prize, which is the culmination of months of free classroom workshops led by passionate writers and educators. The workshops engage more than 400 students each year, empowering them to prepare their stories for submission to The Tomorrow Prize or The Green Feather Award, both part of the Omega Sci-Fi Project. In May, the awards ceremony was held at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Well-known actors performed dramatic readings of the students’ stories, bringing them to life on stage and affirming the power of storytelling.

Ju, who recently graduated from University Prep Value High School, says he was shocked when he heard his name called as the first-place winner. “Verdant” is a gripping sci-fi story imagining climate resistance through sentient plant life in L.A. “I felt this mix of shock, excitement and gratitude,” he says. “It was surreal to realize that something I wrote had resonated so deeply with others.”

Ju says he wrote “Verdant” because he’s always been fascinated by the intersection of science and society. “I wanted to explore how environmental challenges might shape the future in deeply human ways,” he explains. “The idea of bioengineered plants transforming urban life came from both a place of curiosity and a desire to imagine hope amid crises. 

“I’ve also been a part of the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse Program for three years as an intern, where we focus on environmental restoration, education and justice,” he says. “The experience I gained from the program really shaped how I think about cities, ecosystems and the role young people can play in reimagining both. Writing this story felt like a creative extension of that work.”

And while he will study economics at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, “writing will always be part of my life,” Ju says. “Whether through journalism, creative writing or research, I hope to keep finding new ways to communicate ideas that matter.”

Read “Verdant” by Eddy Ju below.

Verdant

By Eddy Ju

Los Angeles was dying.

The heat smothered the city, pressing against buildings and streets like a lid trapping boiling air inside a sealed jar. The asphalt exhaled a stench of scorched tar and metallic ozone, and the once-bustling streets lay eerily still, their surfaces shimmering with a feverish glow. Those fortunate enough barricaded themselves inside climate-controlled sanctuaries while the rest were left to wilt under the relentless sun as they endured the rolling heatwaves and the slow, suffocating collapse of a city gasping for relief.

But high above the sweltering streets, in a rooftop lab where the last breath of innovation stirred, Leo Park watched something grow.

A single vine stretched upward, its bioluminescent leaves catching the hazy light like fragments of a dying star. It coiled around a steel beam, moving slowly and deliberately as if it were sensing the world around it. Verdant had taken root.

Maya Torres, a community gardener and Leo’s closest ally outside the lab, crouched beside the vine. She traced her fingers over its smooth surface.

“It’s alive,” she murmured, though there was something in her voice that hinted at awe rather than simple observation.

Dr. Malik, Leo’s mentor, scoffed from the railing. “It’s a plant, not a prophet.” Maya didn’t look up. “Then why does it feel like it knows we’re here?”

Leo didn’t answer. The data streaming across his tablet told him what he already suspected.

The numbers didn’t lie — Verdant was growing at an impossible rate. It reached for shaded spaces, adjusted its own temperature to combat the sweltering heat and, somehow, deep beneath the soil, it was coaxing moisture from places that should have been long barren.

The city needed this. The world needed this.

At first, no one noticed the transformation. The change came gradually, creeping in like the quiet before a storm. Vines slithered through alleyways, spreading cool shade over the cracked pavement. Rooftops once blistering under the relentless sun softened beneath a canopy of emerald leaves. The brittle skeleton of the LA River cracked open, and from the depths, water flowed once more, feeding a resurgence of green that no one had thought possible.

The city exhaled. For the first time in years, people could breathe. And then, the news reports began: INVASIVE PLANT THREATENS CITY INFRASTRUCTURE

BIOENGINEERED GROWTH COULD DESTABILIZE LA. 

IS VERDANT A MIRACLE — OR A MONSTER?

At first, Leo dismissed the media’s panic as nothing more than fearmongering. Verdant had been designed to heal, not to harm. It was meant to be the city’s salvation, a last desperate attempt to restore balance to an environment that humans had already pushed beyond repair. Yet as negative reports continued to flood in, he could no longer ignore the weight pressing against his chest.

The data had always suggested rapid growth, but this was something else. The plant was not just expanding; it was choosing.

Leo scrolled through the latest satellite images, his fingers tightening around the tablet as he studied the patterns forming across the city. Verdant had spread far beyond its initial test sites. Its tendrils stretched into every neglected space and weaved through the underfunded neighborhoods that had suffered the worst of the heat. South L.A., Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights — Verdant flourished in the very places the city had abandoned. And yet, in the glittering corridors of Downtown, along the manicured streets of the Westside, the growth remained restrained. Its presence was delicate, almost intentional.

Maya stood beside him, arms crossed, her gaze hard. “You see it, too, don’t you?” He swallowed, unable to look away from the images. 

“It’s favoring certain areas. It’s protecting them,” she said quietly. “Like it knows who the city left behind.”

Leo wanted to remind her that plants didn’t make choices and that this was all just environmental adaptation. But deep down, something gnawed at the edges of his understanding. Verdant had been engineered to respond to stress and to seek out the most extreme conditions and restore balance. What if that instinct had extended beyond soil and temperature? What if it had recognized something woven into the city’s foundations and history of neglect and division?

Dr. Malik, who had remained silent for most of the evening, exhaled sharply and set his tablet down. “We designed Verdant to survive. We just didn’t consider what it would do once it understood the world it had been born into.”

Before Leo could respond, the lab door burst open. Amelia Cho, one of the junior researchers, stood in the doorway, her face pale, phone gripped tightly in her hand. “Turn on the news.”

Leo hesitated for only a moment before swiping to the live broadcast. The screen flickered, and the image of a press conference filled the room.

A man in a tailored suit stood at the podium, the sleek skyline of Downtown L.A. stretching behind him like a kingdom he had no intention of surrendering. Anton Vale, CEO of Orion Industries, the city’s largest energy company, stared down at the gathered reporters with the careful calculation of a man who already knew the outcome of the conversation.

“This isn’t about innovation anymore,” Vale said, his voice smooth, practiced. “This is about control. This plant is a threat. If we don’t act now, we risk losing the ability to manage our own infrastructure, our own homes. Orion is prepared to do what the city cannot. We will reclaim Los Angeles before it’s too late.”

The statement sent a ripple of dread through Leo’s chest.

Orion wasn’t just a corporation. It was the foundation upon which the entire city had been rebuilt after the climate crisis of the previous decades. The cooling grids, the artificial shade structures, the hydroelectric reservoirs — it all belonged to Orion. They had spent years selling the idea that survival had a price and that comfort could only be bought in carefully rationed increments.

Verdant, in its relentless growth, had dismantled that model in a matter of weeks. It had made Orion irrelevant.

And now, they were going to erase it.

Maya’s voice was tight. “What does he mean by ‘reclaim’?”

Dr. Malik didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. Because outside, beyond the glass walls of the rooftop lab, the first waves of destruction had already begun.

Fires erupted in the distance, thick black smoke curling into the sky as entire blocks were set ablaze. Controlled burns, designed to immolate Verdant from the streets before it could spread any further. Drone fleets descended like swarms of locusts, spraying chemical defoliants in shimmering, toxic clouds. The air reeked of scorched greenery and synthetic decay.

Leo felt his pulse hammer against his ribs. “No, no, no — this isn’t right. They can’t just…” 

“They can,” Malik said grimly. “And they will.”

But something was wrong.

The flames should have consumed the vines, reducing them to nothing but charred remnants scattered in the hot wind. The chemicals should have seeped into the roots, poisoned them, turned them brittle and lifeless. And yet, through the thickening smoke and the acrid haze of destruction, the plants continued to move.

They were not retreating. Instead, they were adapting.

Leo could only watch as the leaves darkened, their surfaces shifting, thickening, sealing themselves against the burn like a living armor. The roots plunged deeper into the earth, rerouting their paths with silent precision, evading the poisoned soil as if they had learned to recognize the threat.

And then, with terrifying speed, Verdant lunged.

Tendrils, once delicate and searching, now moved with singular intent. They stretched toward the heart of the industrial corridors where Orion’s cooling towers loomed in stark defiance of the encroaching green. What had started as an experiment in restoration had become something else entirely.

Leo’s breath came fast and shallow, his pulse pounding in his ears. Every instinct screamed that this was impossible, that no biological system could behave this way, not without guidance, not without will. And yet, the truth sprawled out before him, winding through the veins of the city, reshaping its foundation. This wasn’t a simple ecological shift. This wasn’t just survival.

Verdant was fighting back.

The city, which had once choked beneath the weight of its own decay, had grown tired of waiting to be saved. It was no longer a place of passive suffering, no longer a monument to human neglect. The plants were no longer just reclaiming the streets. They were becoming them.

A low rumble trembled through the ground, subtle at first but unmistakable, like a distant warning. Leo staggered back, his fingers tightening around the railing. Maya turned toward him, her expression unreadable, her voice quiet but steady.

“We started this,” she said. “Now what?”

Leo opened his mouth, but no words came.

Because beneath his feet, Verdant pulsed — not in fear, not in surrender, but in something deeper, something inevitable. The city shuddered, and for the first time, Leo understood.

This wasn’t just an experiment spiraling beyond control. It was an intelligence waking up.

And it was just the beginning.

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Since before our son could toddle, he’s been traveling alongside my husband and me. We’ve bundled him, backpacked him, and “Bijorned” him on boats, planes and automobiles. 

We’ve trekked together across many continents, and explored cities and deserts nearer home, instilling in all of us, a love of exploration and renewal.

Our family odyssey has taught us invaluable lessons — some profound, some hilarious, and some that smelled suspiciously like goat. Here are seven big takeaways from our travels that extend far beyond the school gates.

Curiosity creates lifelong learners

Young people sometimes show a premature weariness with life — it’s all algorithms and eye rolls. But the world outside WiFi is endlessly fascinating.

Our son’s curiosity exploded in the best way possible once he saw how kids lived around the world. We’ve watched pre-teens hunting for food with their parents in Africa, seen children clean their classrooms in Japan, and youngsters fish at dawn, in the Amazon.

In Fiji, we looked on in awe as children made music with found objects, showing a deep resourcefulness and creativity we rarely see at home. My son learned an invaluable lesson that day; when there’s no toy shop, you must make the toys. 

All our minds have been opened many times — and honestly, if my son ever loses interest in TikTok, I’ll credit the children of the Andes.

Confidence comes from climbing, not clicking

True confidence stems from real achievements and a sense of being capable. While American society often promotes confidence, it sometimes leans into a “fake it till you make it” mentality. The idea of posing in front of someone else’s Maserati doesn’t build genuine self-esteem.

True, hands-on experiences create a deeper sense of accomplishment and identity, and travel is a short-cut to that. It’s important your kids, partner, and family see you trying new things, solving problems, and having fun — whether it’s figuring out where to buy sunscreen, replacing lost contact lenses, or picking the perfect picnic spot.

Our family has learned this first hand during our travels. We’ve all faced moments of uncertainty and confusion — wondering where to catch a bus, deciphering signs to find waterfalls, or trying to figure out opening hours in another language. Tackling these challenges together has given us a “we’ve got this” attitude. 

Empathy needs no translation

In this digital world, connecting both to nature and to people has never been more important. I’ve watched our son connect to a Masai tribe in Tanzania and to a woman carrying a small goat in Peru. I’ve looked on as a beautiful lady served our son soda in Japan and admired our son’s gratitude in receiving it. 

I’ll never forget the time, high up in the Andes, a group of women grabbed him as he ran up the stairs to greet them at 12,000 feet altitude, and then nearly fainted in their arms as the lack of oxygen hit. They wrapped him in blankets and made him a cup of cocoa. 

It was extraordinary to see him give himself over to this tribe of mothers without a word of English being spoken. It takes a village, sure — but sometimes it also takes an Andean auntie with a flask and a good sense of humor.

Think outside the goldfish bowl

Fixed perspectives can suffocate potential and understanding but shopping at a busy weekly market, doing laundry at a local laundromat, or trying a food that might be considered a pet (side order of guinea pig anyone?), creates not just curiosity but also empathy. 

We’ve been to a cat park in Lima, Peru, and there was a shared sense of joy, peace and play with every human and creature in the area, and, in Madrid, a history-filled whole roast suckling pig dining, remains a family highlight.

In transit, we’ve had to visit a local eye doctor (Austria and Spain), a tailor for to fix a camera bag (Zimbabwe), and a local electronics shop to fix an iPad (Japan), which were all adventures of their own. 

And it’s not just kids who can learn. Camping is not my first choice of a vacation but when my son wanted to go, I rented an RV and it turns out, that for a few days, I can enjoy life in a mobile home. And yes, I brought half my house for a three-day camping trip. And yes, I used all of it. Don’t judge.

When the plan becomes cereal in bed

Life doesn’t always play out as it should and neither will your vacation. Things screw up, everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes things are less than the photo presented. We learned as a family how to research, leap, pivot and that sometimes it’s okay to go back to your room to sleep and wait to get out to the next place. 

On a walking trip through Japan, after a day that saw us hike at a high elevation for 7.5 miles, from Matsuzaki to Hiroshima, the three of us ended the day snuggled in our room, enjoying bowls of cereal in bed, instead of a group dinner. 

While exploring the Dolomites, a magical hiking day turned into a mad dash down the mountain when torrential rain clouds arrived with lightening. It felt like an episode of The Amazing Race to return to the tram to hitch a ride down before it closed for the day. Travel is chaos with a sense of direction, and learning to pivot is part of the package.

Adventures lead to smarter choices

Many people often have an unrealistic understanding of what’s safe and what’s risky but travel can teach us valuable lessons about making sound decisions and clearly navigating through life.

In Africa, when our son asked if he could stand and put his head out of the roof of our Jeep, our guide responded: “There are few rules out here in the Bush, so do what you want. I’ll tell you this however, the nearest doctor is six hours away and he is a shaman. The nearest doctor the way you are used to it is a plane ride away, so choose your actions carefully.” He sat down.

On a Japanese commuter train, we watched everyone clean up before they departed, and now we’re just as committed to always leaving our public areas just as tidy when leaving.

You can tell your kid to watch their phone until you’re blue in the face, but it may take being in a group when an adult is pickpocketed, such as happened to us in Spain, for them to take notice. 

Coming home with new eyes — and heated toilet seats

There’s a huge amount of joy in budgeting for a trip and anticipating the adventures that lay ahead – but mistakes happen. 

I once had to return a bunch of scarves to a Japanese museum gift shop because I’d wrongly calculated the exchange rate. And that’s fine because we also found joy in unexpected places; for example, we learned that the Japanese use heated toilet seats, and so my husband purchased one as a souvenir!

Returning home after traveling makes us fully appreciate the comfort and security of our everyday lives. These moments of gratitude, mixed with the excitement of our adventures, inspire us to value what we have and think about how we can protect and share these experiences for future generations.

From the peaks of Patagonia to the canyons of California, our journey continues. But the real treasures? Curiosity, resilience, empathy and an unshakable belief that cereal in bed sometimes beats fine dining.

Pack light. Laugh often. The world is waiting — with snacks.

Margot Black is a Los Angeles-based travel writer, mom and founder of Black Ink PR.

The post 7 Life Lessons Kids Learn from Traveling the World appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Sohyun Kim’s calling to make a difference for families in Los Angeles who have children who learn different came early – and gave her a clear path forward.

Kim was a high school teacher for several years at Taft High School in Woodland Hills and then started working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2013. As a bilingual and bicultural educator and clinician, she worked with Korean families to provide culturally-sensitive support. She has also been teaching at Cal State LA and at CSUN since 2020, including undergraduate and graduate-level ABA courses.

Today it is Dr. Sohyun Kim – having received her Ph.D. in Special Education from UCLA – who heads up SK Behavior & Learning, a team of dedicated professionals with expertise in ABA and consultation, and their focus is on providing personalized and effective support to individuals and families by using family-centered approaches in culturally-responsive ways.

We met Dr. Kim through the Special Needs Resource Fair we did in conjunction with The Help Group earlier this year and were impressed, so we asked her to share her journey – and passion for helping – with our community.

L.A. Parent: When did you feel a pull to help children who learn differently?

Dr. Kim: Honestly, answering this question brings me full circle. My very first job after college was at The Help Group, working as an instructional aide in an art classroom filled with students on the autism spectrum. There was one student I’ll never forget – he didn’t use words to communicate, but the stories he told through his artwork were extraordinary. Watching him express complex thoughts and emotions through color and movement opened my eyes. I began to understand that learning and communication don’t look the same for everyone, and that’s OK. It’s a difference we’re meant to honor.

That early experience planted a seed of dedication in me, a desire to meet each child where they are, with awe, empathy and curiosity. Over the next decade, I became a teacher, a board-certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), earned my Ph.D. in Special Education from UCLA and eventually founded SK Behavior and Learning. But it all started in that art room.

L.A. Parent: How did you build your business?

Dr. Kim: While pursuing my Ph.D. at UCLA, I was conducting a research project about the experiences of Korean American parents raising children with autism. My goal was to amplify the voices of culturally and linguistically diverse parents, a demographic that is significantly underrepresented in research. 

I was deeply immersed in the academic side of things – reading and conducting research, analyzing data and writing – but I kept feeling this urgency: These aren’t just data points. These are real families, with real struggles, trying to find their way in a system that doesn’t always speak their language – literally and culturally.

I wanted to take everything I was learning and actually do something with it, so I started SK Behavior and Learning with a simple mission: To offer ABA services that felt deeply respectful of who they are – linguistically, culturally, emotionally. It was a small team at first, with like-minded people who shared the same mission. We started with a handful of families, but we kept growing through word of mouth because families felt that they were respected and supported. 

L.A. Parent: What sets your company apart from others?

Dr. Kim: I think what makes us different is how much time we spend getting to know each family – really getting to know them. Not just the child’s goals or the paperwork, but what the family cares about, how they see their child, what they hope for. We don’t come in assuming we know what’s best. We ask a lot of questions. We listen.

Most of the families we work with speak more than one language or live between cultures, just like I did growing up. That’s part of why we’re so intentional about being respectful and curious. We talk a lot in our team about cultural humility – not pretending to be experts in someone else’s culture, but being open and willing to learn.

At the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to teach skills. It’s to build trust. To help families feel safe, seen and supported. When that happens, the learning comes because the connection is there first.

L.A. Parent: How did your upbringing in a bilingual and bicultural home shape your work?

Dr. Kim: Growing up in a bilingual, bicultural home shaped how I see the world. I was constantly navigating between two cultures – translating not just language, but expectations, norms and emotions. I watched my parents try so hard to advocate for me in school, even when the system didn’t make space for them. Their love and resilience stayed with me.

That experience fuels my empathy and my accepting of differences as the beauty of human diversity. I know firsthand how it feels to be misunderstood or overlooked simply because of cultural or linguistic mismatch. That’s why I’m so passionate about providing care that is culturally sensitive and rooted in respect for other cultures while being proud of my own. I want our families to know: You don’t have to change who you are to receive support. You don’t have to explain your entire culture. We’re here to listen, learn and walk with you.

L.A. Parent: What services does your team offer?

Dr. Kim: We offer a range of services tailored to where each child, and each family, is on their journey. That includes:

• Early Intervention: We target developmentally appropriate skills such as communication, joint attention, play and daily routines.

• ABA Program: We target meaningful goals within the domains of communication, social/leisure skills, imitation, daily living skills and motor skills and behavioral readiness through evidence-based strategies.

• Parent Training: We use family centered principles to provide culturally responsive parent training. We empower the parents so that they can confidently use positive behavioral strategies as a part of their daily routine.

• Adaptive Skills Training: We help your child with various daily living skills to foster independence at home and in the community.

• IEP support: We help families understand their rights and communicate with schools.

We offer services in multiple languages and we’re always ready to learn more about what makes each family unique.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many families, each with their own hopes, worries and beautiful strengths. I carry their stories with me every day. They remind me why I do this work, and why it matters to meet each child and caregiver with both clinical expertise and human compassion.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do promise to listen, to ask questions and to honor what makes each family unique. Because I truly believe that when we center care around empathy, cultural humility and connection, we can help children not just grow but thrive.

The post The Secret to Success for SK Behavior & Learning appeared first on L.A. Parent.

This summer, local teens get to hit the gym for free.  Planet Fitness has announced the return of its annual High School Summer Pass program. Celebrating its fifth year, the initiative invites high school teens ages 14-19 to work out for free at any of its 2,700+ Planet Fitness locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Teens can visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass to register for the program with club access beginning June 1-Aug. 31. Find the club nearest you here. 

Since launching the program in 2019, Planet Fitness has invested more than $300 million in waived membership dues to promote youth health and wellness and improve the physical and mental health of millions of teens. Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass program has helped millions of teens establish healthy fitness habits during the summer months, a critical time when many young people lack access to organized physical activities.

To better understand what today’s teens are experiencing — and how to support them — Planet Fitness conducted a nationwide study, revealing the following key insights:

• Mental health is a major concern: 66 percent of parents are concerned about their teen’s well-being and stress levels and 72 percent of parents believe that consistent exercise can improve their teen’s mental wellness. Unfortunately, around three in five teens report their stress and anxiety are not improving and getting worse as they get older. 
• Working out is a solution: Encouragingly, 90 percent of teens say exercise helps them feel happy, with 88 percent noting improved mood after exercise.
• Exercise is more than physical health: Teens believe physical activity helps deal with emotional ups and downs of being a teenager; 93 percent agree that regular exercise is beneficial when handling challenges.
• Screen time is consuming: 81 percent of teens acknowledge that social media and video games take up a significant portion of their day. In fact, nearly four in five teens report that avoiding social media is helpful. 
• Summer brings a fitness slump: 50 percent of teens report that their fitness levels tend to decline when school is out for summer break.

“At Planet Fitness, we offer a high value experience to both our members and High School Summer Pass participants in a welcoming, judgment-free environment where everyone can get a great workout,” says Planet Fitness’ Chief Executive Officer Colleen Keating. “With free access to our clubs throughout the summer, we’re providing teens with the tools they need to develop healthy fitness habits that can last a lifetime.”

The post Planet Fitness Offers Free Summer Gym Passes for Teens appeared first on L.A. Parent.

In the bustling rhythm of Los Angeles life, parents often juggle multiple responsibilities, striving to provide the best for their children. Amidst this hustle, understanding the foundational role of attachment in a child’s development becomes paramount.

Attachment refers to the deep emotional bond that develops between a child and their caregiver. This connection lays the groundwork for a child’s sense of security and influences their social, emotional and cognitive development. Secure attachments foster confidence, resilience and the ability to form healthy relationships throughout life. Children with secure attachments often exhibit:

• Emotional Regulation: They can manage their emotions effectively, leading to fewer behavioral issues.
• Social Competence: Securely attached children tend to have better social skills, enabling them to build strong peer relationships.
• Cognitive Development: A secure base allows children to explore their environment, promoting learning and intellectual growth.

Conversely, insecure attachment styles — which may result from inconsistent, unresponsive or unpredictable caregiving — can have lasting effects. These children may struggle with:

• Anxiety and low self-esteem.
• Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships.
• Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity.
• Academic challenges and reduced motivation.

Without early intervention or supportive relationships later in life, these patterns can persist into adulthood, influencing everything from romantic relationships to parenting styles and mental health.

Fostering Secure Attachments

Parents and caregivers can nurture secure attachments by:

• Being Responsive: Attending to a child’s needs promptly and consistently builds trust.
• Engaging in Quality Time: Shared activities and attentive interactions strengthen the parent-child bond.
• Providing a Safe Environment: A stable and predictable environment helps children feel secure and supported.

Recognizing the importance of community in parenting, we’ve established a supportive group for families seeking guidance on fostering secure attachments. This community offers resources, expert insights and a platform for shared experiences.

For parents interested in deepening their understanding and application of attachment principles, consider joining our supportive community group: www.skool.com/attachment-matters-family

Heather Thompson is the founder of Attachment Matters, LLC, dedicated to supporting families in nurturing secure attachments and promoting healthy child development.

The post Why Attachment Matters for Children appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Young L.A. County filmmakers are on an award-winning streak. C-SPAN visited Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach on May 19 to celebrate and honor students for their prize-winning documentary filmy entries in C-SPAN’s annual student video documentary competition, StudentCam.

C-SPAN and Spectrum representatives recognized the winning students and their teacher, Jeff Montooth, who served as their StudentCam adviser, at an assembly of classmates, teachers, family members and elected officials.

For this year’s competition, C-SPAN, in cooperation with its cable and satellite television partners, asked middle and high school students to address a theme — “Your Message to the President: What issue is most important to you or your community?” In response, nearly 3,500 students from 42 states and Washington, D.C. sent more than 1,700 entries to C-SPAN.

Award-winning documentaries

Several freshmen from Poly High received top honors and cash prizes for their documentaries:

Second-Place Prize ($1,500):

Nolan Sheets, Rene Ortega and Roman Leonor, freshmen, won second prize and $1,500 for the video “Crime: Perception vs. Reality.”

Third-Place Prize ($750):

Sara Kong, a freshman, for the video “Ocean Acidification: Small Changes, Big Problems.”

Honorable Mentions ($250)

Isabella Sim and Owen Gurga, freshmen, for the video “Editing the Future: Bridging Science, Society, and Policy in Gene Editing.”

Juliet Haesly and Megan Lee, freshmen, for the video “No Means No.”

Eliza Floto and Brianna Goldstein, freshmen, for the video “The Divided States of America: Is the United States Really United?”

Natalie Hebdon, a freshman, for the video “A Safer Tomorrow: America’s Need for Enhanced Disaster Protection.”

“Congratulations to all of the incredibly talented young students who won awards in this year’s competition,” C-SPAN’s Director of Education Relations Craig McAndrew said. “Through in-depth research and interviews with an array of topical and technical experts, [they] have crafted impactful short stories that capture issues of wide public interest and importance. [Their] documentaries set a very high bar for future StudentCam filmmakers.”

C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable and satellite television companies as a commercial-free public service. In Long Beach, C-SPAN is available through Spectrum, the local partner in StudentCam. 

“As a long-time supporter of StudentCam, we are continually inspired by the curiosity and creativity students bring to C-SPAN’s annual competition,” Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs for Spectrum Adam Falk said. “The program provides a unique opportunity for young people to showcase the critical thinking, problem solving and civic engagement skills essential for informed and active communities. We celebrate this year’s winners and look forward to watching them continue to follow their passion for storytelling through this medium.”

Popular Topics Explored

Now in its 21st year, this project-based learning experience asked students to explore and analyze matters of personal, local or national importance.The most popular topics addressed were: 

• Climate, environment and land use (11%)
• K-12 education policies and the cost of college (10%)
• Health care and mental health (10%)
• Gun violence, school safety and firearm policies (9%)
• Inflation, taxes, government spending and the economy (9%)

In addition to the grand prize and first-prize winners, C-SPAN awarded 16 second prizes, 32 third prizes and 97 honorable mention prizes. The StudentCam competition has awarded more than $1.6 million in prizes since 2004. You can watch all 150 winning videos from this year’s competition at StudentCam.org.

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