In this episode of Chicago Style Parenting, hosts Amy and Sitaara discuss the various summer camp options available for children in Chicago. They are joined by a panel of experts who share insights on the benefits of summer camp, how to choose the right camp, and the importance of early registration. The conversation also touches on the unique needs of neurodiverse children and the types of camps available, including therapeutic and arts-focused programs. The panelists provide valuable advice for parents on ensuring a positive camp experience for their children.

Our panel in this episode includes: Dana Hutchins, Executive Director of Leep Forward/Quantum Leep Academy, Jay Hannah, Admissions Director at Intercultural Montessori Language School, Sarah Grant, Middle School Program Manager at Chicago Academy for the Arts, And Shinyi Ding, Co-director of Northwestern’s Chapter of Camp Kesem 

Amy speaks with Cortney Stark Cope of Chicago Jewish Day School, Joy Campbell of St. James Lutheran School, and Amy Cascarano of St. Josaphat School about the value of a religious school education. Beyond religious education, Cortney, Joy, and Amy describe how well-organized schools help students thrive. Every parent who is in school-search mode will benefit from this conversation.

Amy, Sitaara, and Lydia Thibodeau, founder of ⁠Sommet Nannies⁠, discuss how parents can conduct an independent nanny search, and how to identify and address red and yellow flags that might come up during the search process.

About our guest: Lydia Thibodeau is a highly regarded expert in the childcare industry. She has presented at the International Nanny Association conference and has been a contributor in Forbes, the Boston Globe, WBG radio, and the Chicago Tribune. Lydia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Lydia started ⁠Sommet Nannies⁠ in Chicago in 2015. She expanded to Boston shortly thereafter and now has additional locations in New York, Boston, and Washington, DC, and she connects families and nannies nationwide. Lydia resides with her family in Boston, MA.

Amy and Sitaara talk with Sara Phou, LCSW, about how parents can talk with other kids about their child's disability. In this episode, you'll learn how to prepare yourself for the conversation, and you'll walk away with at least one concrete step you can take to make the conversation easier.

About our guest

Sara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working with children and families in a variety of settings since 2008. She holds expertise in infant and early childhood development, infant assessment, and parent-child therapy.

Sara was formerly a therapist and the director of the Erikson Institute Center for Children and Families which served children under 8 years old and their families through relational and play therapy. She’s an adjunct professor in the Erikson Institute's Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program. 

Sara earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Chicago. She holds a certificate in infant and early childhood mental health from the Erikson Institute and is a member of the Illinois Association of Infant Mental Health. Sara has her own therapy practice located in Lincoln Square. Learn more here.

Laura Baginski, of Earlybirds Club, joins Amy and Sitaara to dive deep into NPN's popular email, the NPN Weekly. We talk about the amazing vibes of Earlybirds Club and relocating for incentives. We touch on the 450% increase in birth rate for women over the age 45 and the ups and downs of parenting at any age. We also discuss the mindboggling statistic that nearly 20% of recent college graduates are bringing their parents to job interviews with them and talk through a post on the NPN forum that asks whether it is ok or not for a parent to make the initial inquiry about a job for their teen. Finally, we find time to discuss the goose in Wrigley Field. Listen to find out which one of us thought geese had teeth.
 

Do you want to receive the popular email, NPN Weekly, every Friday? Sign up here or email us at [email protected].
 

What should we discuss next month? Please tell us.

Join Amy as she talks with four Chicago teenagers about their summer jobs. These teens share where they worked, how they got their jobs, their work schedules, and what they liked and didn't like about working. Listen in for the practical advice they have for Chicago teenagers looking for their first summer job, such as when to start looking, how to apply, and more. Finally, hear what these panelists think parents should know when their teen starts working.

What should we discuss next month? Please tell us.

Join Sitaara as she talks with Natasha Croff and Julie Molina, Parent Support Specialists for Chicago Public Schools, about the CPS application and admissions process for students with disabilities. Natasha and Julie provide expert insights on navigating the system, things to take into consideration when applying to selective enrollment elementary and high schools, available resources and what resources to look for when considering which school may be the best fit. Tune in for practical advice, key steps families should take to ensure their children receive the support they need, and essential information to help make the admissions journey smoother.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Chicago Style Parenting

• 03:09 Meet the Parent Support Specialists
• 06:31 Understanding the Office for Students with Disabilities
• 09:29 Navigating the IEP Process
• 12:31 Application and Admissions Process for Students with Disabilities
• 15:30 Individualized Education Plans and School Placement
• 18:23 Addressing Parental Concerns and School Support
• 18:35 Navigating School Assignments and IEPs
• 21:34 Understanding Selective Enrollment for Special Education
• 23:28 Application Process Insights for Parents
• 24:16 Advice for Parents on School Selection
• 27:22 Empowering Parents in the IEP Process
• 29:48 Choosing the Right School for Your Child
• 30:56 Final Tips and Resources for Parents 

Important Links:

Learn More and Contact a CPS Parent Support Specialists

Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)

Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) Hotline: 773-553-1800

Parents of Students with Disabilities

GoCPS

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Office of Access and Enrollment

Selective Enrollment Programs: K-8

Selective Enrollment Programs: High School

Marc Berkman is the CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety (OFSMS), the first consumer protection organization focused on social media. In this episode he talks with Amy and Sitaara about how the organization uses a consumer-oriented approach of education, advocacy, and technology in working to make social media safe for children. Learn about children’s drive for “clout”, the lose-lose parenting trade off, and practical safety interventions that parents can implement at home for children from preschool to young adulthood. We discuss the legislation the Organization for Social Media Safety is working on to protect children online and the impact schools can have in keeping students safe. After listening to this episode listeners will walk away with practical advice on safety software options and concrete steps to take to make social media safe for everyone.

Important links:

Buckling the Social Media Seatbelt Supercourse (free parent course)

OFSMS School Programs

Bark

Bright Canary

Net Nanny

Donate to OFSMS

OFSMS 2025 Gala (in Chicago!)

Buckets Over Bullying

Special thanks to our episode sponsor: Buckets Over Bullying

Martin Moran, lead designer of Middle and Upper School at Bennett Day School talks with Amy and Sitaara about preparing children for the age of artificial intelligence. We discuss Bennett Day School's educational approach and why Martin and his team aren't particularly worried about AI. Learn some ways teachers and students use AI to increase efficiency and enhance their work, when parents should allow or discourage the use of AI in completing homework, and how parents can help their students learn skills that AI can't replace, like empathy, ingenuity, and critical thinking.

Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois talks with Amy about Medicaid. We discuss what it is, what it provides, and who uses it. Parents might be surprised to learn that Medicaid benefits families at all income levels and it makes disability services possible in Illinois. Hear about what services will be lost and who will be at risk if Medicaid funding is cut. Learn how to advocate for full funding and how you can support your neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities in your daily life.

Important links:

The Arc of Illinois

Take Action and Contact Your Legislators

Share Your Medicaid Story

Plus, ask specific questions about Medicaid to The Arc of Illinois' Director of Family to Family Health Information Center here: [email protected]

See also:

NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Fair - coming up April 27, 2025!

NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Directory

NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group