Two Meetings and an MNO in May!

May is a busy month, mamas! We have our regular evening meeting May 21, a special daytime meeting May 14, and a special open-to-all Moms Night Out in May 11.

After our great "Screen Time" meeting with Lisa Guernsey, we decided to continue the conversation. During Screen-Free Week May 4-10, we'll be having a series of playdates for members.* Then we'll be following that week up with a special evening discussion open to anyone. Join us on Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Del Ray) for a special parents' night out to discuss how the week went!

On May 14, we're welcoming back Dr. James Bronson and Dr. Alex Bronson of Bronson Family Dentistry on the topic of"Holistic Dentistry and Orthodontics," which they presented at our December evening meeting

Thursday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA.

View a video about the ALF orthodontic appliance made by one of Dr. Bronson's students at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oj59AfDDLw

Finally, on our regular Third Thursday evening meeting, May 21, we are disappointed to learn that Nina Planck, farmers' market advocate and author of several books will be unable to join us. While we hope to reschedule, for this meeting we will have an open discussion on how we feed our families and what "Real Food" means to us. Bring books to pass around and lists of links to your favorite food blogs and let's get some inspiration going! This meeting is back at our regular location of Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd. (Rt. 50 at S. George Mason Dr.) and runs 7:00-9:00 p.m. with a book signing to follow the meeting. 
Doors open at 7:00 for socializing; introductions start at 7:15.

*Join our chapter online anytime at HolisticMoms.org. The fee is normally $45/year, half of which comes back to our chapter to support our meetings, including room rental, snacks for social events, copying and supplies. Click here for more information about membership from the national organization. Special in May - $10 off! No discount code needed!

If you want to participate in the Screen-Free week playdates, please also email membershiphmnarlalex (at) gmail (dot) com to let chapter co-leader Michelle know so she can get you details about our members-only events as soon as they are posted even if it takes a day or two for you to be added to our chapter email list.

To apply to be considered for the Helping Moms in Need Program or to donate to support membership for parents of limited income, please visit the national organization's website at HolisticMoms.org.

Screen Time in April

How are children affected by what they watch and how they interact with screens? 

For our April meeting, local mom Lisa Guernsey, author of Screen Time: How Electronic Media – from Baby Videos to Electronic Software – Affects Your Young Child, addressed the question of “Raising Children in a BooksPlus World.”  

This event was co-sponsored by the Arlington/Alexandria chapter of the Holistic Moms Network and Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool. 

Lisa gave a great presentation and answered lots of questions from parents. 

Lisa cited many, many research studies and also talked about new and emerging areas of research into how apps and e-books affect learning and also social development. Parents left with lots to think about and guidelines to help them along the way.

Based on research for Screen Time: How Electronic Media – from Baby Videos to Electronic Software – Affects Your Young Child. For more information, see http://www.lisaguernsey.com/

Thank you to Lisa for coming and for AUCP for co-sponsoring!

Screen-Free Week is May 4-10. Join us on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Del Ray) for a special parents' night out to discuss how the week went!