Update: Equestrian Team Shines; Educating Parents

A few weeks ago, I introduced you to our own Concord Equestrian Team, and told you they were going to National Finals at the end of April. Well, they not only went, but they did fabulously well, and I’m here to tell you about it!

On the first day of the event, four of the six girls who went competed in groups of twenty on the flats. The top eight were chosen from each group, and they had a ride-off as a group, and then they had oral tests. It all took place in a massive stadium (think huge, scary arena). All four of our girls made it to the final level of competition, with two girls, Chloe Howes (freshman at CCHS) and Sophie James, riding in the JV division, and Kayla Russell and Tessa James riding in the beginner flats class. Sophie won first and Chloe third; and Kayla earned fourth and Tessa sixth in their division.

The next day they had the jumping classes, and Morgan Manchester (senior at CCHS) came in ninth in the varsity open, while Emma Parker (CMS) came in ninth in futures, both out of twenty.

But the best part was that they were all rooting for each other, no matter what. According to Coach Meg Howes, “The girls were such good sports; it was exciting for them just to all be in Maryland together. They have a healthy level of competition.”

These girls worked hard, and it shows. They don’t rest on their laurels, though: they had barely hung up their ribbons when the team came back to tryouts on Mother’s Day for the coming season. Now they’re all set to start getting ready to compete again. The Concord Equestrian Team rides out of Verrill Farm, over at Nine Acre Corner.

I Need to Think About This Already??

When our kids were little, we’d take them to the playground to wear them out/entertain them, but we were also looking forward to some adult-talk. You know what I mean: chatting up the other mommies and daddies, getting the inside scoop on preschools and Ferberizing and the latest sale at Gymboree. But once they hit middle school, those opportunities for random parent interactions drop dramatically, and your information pipeline dries right up, just when you need it most. Because NOW, you want/need to talk about the scary things, the things that interrupt your sleep at night, things like alcohol, dating, parties, drugs, and sex. For your kids, not you, that is.

So to help you out, Concord Youth Services and the Concord Free Public Library have teamed up to facilitate a discussion group, specifically aimed at Middle School parents, to give them a place and time to talk about – well, the things we don’t like to think about. The meeting takes place next Monday, May 23, at 7:30 at the newly renovated Fowler Library, which, if you haven’t been there yet, has some beautiful new meeting spaces. If you have any questions or want more information, you can contact Erin Duggan at eduggan@concordma.gov or 978-318-3043. Listen, you may think your kids are old enough to not need so much parent intervention, but truthfully, they need it more now than when they were on the playground, trying not to fall off the monkey bars.

Healthy Body Image: Supporting Our Children’s Healthy Relationship to Food

Ok, let’s just admit that we’re all busy, racing the kids from instrument lessons to sports practice to play rehearsal. And what with our own busy lives, we have no real time to eat a meal, much less plan a nutritious one. Add to that the unrealistic body images extolled by the media, and you have a recipe for dietary and nutritional disaster. You want your kids to eat healthy and feel good about their bodies, but you don’t have time to think about how to do that, which is why the Center for Parents and Teachers is here to help you. They’re offering a presentation next Wednesday, May 25, from 7:30 to 9, featuring Jodi R. Galin, Ph.D. You’ll get great information on recognizing some of the “red flags” of childhood obesity and eating disorders, two important issues. The program is open to the public, and will be held at the Concord Middle School Peabody Forum. No pre-registration is necessary, and while the program is technically free, you can support the Center for Parents and Teachers by giving a $5 donation at the door. Not a lot to give, for the people who give you so much. If you have any questions, contact Angela at amartinez@colonial.net.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at stefanieac@comcast.net or Maureen at mcb23@comcast.net, and we will be happy to help you spread the good news.