Metro Detroit Parents Share Literary Love with Ferndale’s Newest Bookshop

Love is in the air in Ferndale thanks to Erin and Max Cambron and their new book shop- Love & Other Books.

The front of this darling bookshop on 9 Mile Road is home to carefully-curated romance novels meant to lighten their readers’ days while the back of the bookshop is dedicated to children’s literature.

Because Max loves reading funny books to his children before bed, shoppers are guaranteed to find a collection of books that will elicit plenty of snuggly giggles from their little ones.

Max said that alongside those humorous picture books, one can also find old classics like Jamberry.

“Jamberry is just a fun book where the more you read it, especially when you read it as an adult, the more you notice all these silly, funny things, and then as the kids get older, they also start to notice those things. So it’s a fun way to connect- over a book.”

Connection is the name of the game at Love & Other Books where shoppers are invited to become part of a community of readers. Head over to the website to sign up for one of the monthly book clubs- Cozy Fantasy Book Club, Sweet and Swoony Book Club, or September Highlighter Book Club. The meetings are ticketed events, where the cost can go towards purchasing the book.

Q&A with Erin and Max Cambron of Love & Other Books 

Photos courtesy of Erin Cambron

Tell me about your family.

Erin: So it is me and my husband, and we’ve been married for nine years now. And we have a daughter who is four and a half, about to go into Kindergarten, and a son who is two and a half.

Max: We also have a dog named Blue, and we have a cat named Nova.

Tell me about your bookshop.

Erin: I wanted to open a place mainly for parents and children. I was looking for a comfortable place to go to read books in a cozy environment. So Max and I came up with this idea. Ferndale did not have a community bookstore at the time, so we decided that this was the perfect place to open a community bookstore.

I read romance, so I knew that romance would be the main specialty. Romance is definitely having a moment in publishing, so it was easy for us to make that a specialty.

And then there are children’s books, too, because I love reading to my kids, and my kids love books. Children’s literature is just so much fun.

What book recommendations do you often find yourself giving to customers?

Erin: Okay, so, obviously, my first recommendation is romance, and I especially love romcoms. They’re light. They’re fluffy. They give you a good hit of dopamine. It’s nice to escape just reality a little bit with something light and fluffy. So, I usually recommend Abby Jimenez. She is my favorite author.

Max: For kids’ books, I like really funny stories. I’d say the one that I recommend the most is probably Wide Mouth Frog. It’s just a fun book that my kids love. It’s a pop-up book.

Are there any community events or partnerships you’re excited about?

Erin: I’m doing a local authors’ signing on National Bookstore Romance Day, so I have three local romance authors coming in for an author signing. We will have Hannah Jenkins, DK Marie and Maggie Elliott. They’re all independently published. I want to give a platform for independently published authors, especially if they’re Detroit locals. So yeah, we’re excited!

How do you envision your bookstore evolving over the next few years?

Max: I think time will tell. It’s just one of these things. It’s gonna be different six months from now. It’s probably gonna be different three months from now. I learned when we were talking to other bookstore owners in our research phase that the customers will tell you how to evolve. We want to listen to what the customers want, and they certainly want romances right now.

How does being in Ferndale influence your bookstore’s identity?

Max: We’ve been in Ferndale for 11 years. We moved here in our mid-20s and then started growing our family. Ferndale, as a whole, is kind of in the same place as we are right now, meaning that there are a lot of new families with young kids. That was one of the reasons why we saw a need for a place like this.

So it’s very community-based here. There are a lot of very small shops that do well.

Erin: We also have many Ferndale residents who are LGBTQ, and we believe in all love. So, in the name of our store, I wanted to honor that because Ferndale Pride is important to us, which is why we did Love and Other Books.

Fast Talk with Max and Erin

Photos courtesy of Erin Cambron

Your favorite word:

Erin: Community.

Max: I’d say wonky.

Your favorite place to read:

Max: Our porch.

Erin: My bed.

Your favorite bookstore besides your own:

Erin: Sidetrack Bookshop in Royal Oak.

Max: Barnes & Noble, because I like walking around and seeing all the different books. I know it’s the opposite of what you want me to say, but it’s awesome. There are so many different things.

Erin: Oh my god! You can’t say that!

Your secret obsession:

Erin: Queso.

Max: Cars.

Your personal tagline:

Erin: What if you turned your magic all the way up?

Max: Just go with it or let’s go.

One word that your kids would use to describe you as a parent.

Max: Funny, and, Erin, sweet.

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5 Tips for Overcoming New School Year Anxiety

Think about the last time you started a new job. Did you feel some level of anxiety? Were you terrified of the unknown? 

Consider how your child might feel at the beginning of each new school year, or when they transition from elementary school to middle school. If your family has moved over the summer and your child is walking into a whole new school in a whole new town, the unknown looms even larger. 

Change can be hard for kids…and for adults. Some anxiety is a normal human response, says Suzanne Brown, PhD, acting associate dean at Wayne State University School of Social Work.

“One of the biggest things about these transitions for kids and adults is that we are all social beings and one of our biggest fears is what if I don’t fit in?” Brown says. On a base level, we want to know how we’ll survive without an established community. 

Moving to a new school can feel like moving to a new planet. “And you don’t know what the rules are or what’s going to happen. And what if you mess up and then are ostracized or other kids make fun of you and the teacher gets mad at you?” she says. 

5 ways to help your child transition to the new school year

It’s tempting to reassure your child that none of that is going to happen. But is that the most helpful way to calm their anxieties? Here, we share five things you can do to help your child make a smooth transition to that new classroom, new grade or new school.

1. Manage your own anxiety

It’s normal to feel anxious on behalf of your child, but they will absolutely pick up on that. Ask yourself how you are managing your own anxiety so that you can “be kind of a regulator for your kid’s anxiety,” says Brown. 

2. Follow your child’s lead

Your child’s first day may be great, or it may be horrible. But they don’t have your perspective of years of overcoming tough situations and don’t know that tomorrow might be better. When your child lands in the car after that first day, check in and match your response to what you hear. You might want to hear how exciting and fun it was, but you might hear that it was hard and frustrating. Respect that.

3. Ask specific questions

If you ask “How was your day?” expect a single-word response. Instead, ask your kid to share the best or worst thing that happened, or what they’re most proud of that they did that day or the new person they liked the most. “That’s an entrance into a larger conversation where you can potentially get a sense of where they are,” Brown says. 

4. Help your child recognize their competence

Picture this example: your child says the hardest thing of the day was finding the right classroom in the four minutes they had between classes, but that they did it with seconds to spare. “In that story is a chance for efficacy, a chance for the kid to be a hero,” explains Brown. “They experience being a competent person and not a victim of whatever happens from day to day.”

5. Validate in a balanced way

Find balance when responding to your child’s worries. You can say “Oh, that was hard,” but not follow through with what might come next. Or you can invalidate by saying “Oh, it will be OK.” It’s better to hold both responses, says Brown. Try saying, “Yeah, that sounds hard. And just think, tomorrow you will know even better what to do in that situation. And, each day you’ll know even more.”

What to do if new school year anxiety continues or intensifies

Stomachaches, headaches, nausea can indicate potential anxiety, especially if you’ve ruled out physical causes. Your child may even say they don’t want to go to school — or refuse outright. Your child’s physical symptoms are real, even when you know they are rooted in anxiety. 

“There’s a balance of wanting to encourage your child to function at the best level they can,” says Brown. Encourage your child to go to school, and don’t make it an all-or-nothing proposition. “Can they go to school for part of the day? Can they go to school and call you if they need to come home? Can they go to the nurse?” suggests Brown, adding that letting your child know that if they really need you, you will be there for them provides a scaffold of support. 

“It can be hard once we allow a kid to stay home whenever they feel anxious, the anxiety takes root. The more avoidance there is, the more anxiety there is in it. It reinforces itself. That gentle encouragement becomes really important,” Brown says. “The more we avoid, the more insurmountable anxiety starts to feel.”

With support, your child’s angst should begin to diminish and you’ll see more good days than bad, Brown says. Give it ample time, and if your child isn’t feeling better in six months or so, consider an evaluation. “I would say start with a primary care physician at that point,” she says.

Content brought to you by the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. Learn more at flinnfoundation.org.

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Boll Family YMCA Is Detroit’s Best Kept Secret

When I stepped into the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit with my two sons and their friend, I expected a standard community gym experience. But what I found was nothing short of amazing! 

This YMCA isn’t just a place to work out. It is a sprawling, three-story state-of-the-art wellness center that left all four of us in awe. Did we just discover Detroit’s best-kept secret? 

Photo Credit: Steffy McCourt

The best news? You can experience the Boll Family Y with your own YMCA family membership. Here’s what we did while we were there.

Is this really a YMCA?

Walking into Boll Family YMCA, we were impressed by the entryway that soared three stories high. This grand entrance totally set the tone for what was to come. 

We stepped further inside and noticed we were standing in a community art gallery. It was hard to know where to look because there was so much to see.

An epic climbing wall 

A highlight for the boys was the climbing wall. Starting on the second floor and rising all the way to the third, it’s an impressive structure overlooking that grand entryway. The kids were eager to strap into their harnesses and start climbing. The wall caters to all skill levels, and the boys had a blast competing to see who could reach the top.

Photo Credit: Steffy McCourt

Boll Family YMCA offers an open family climb once a week in addition to climbing fitness classes for kids and adults. This wasn’t our first climbing wall, but it was one of the most challenging. No one reached the top — and not because they didn’t try!

King of the court

Next, we headed to the basketball gym. This gym gives new meaning to that old game “King of the Court.” The gym is full of natural light which streams through large windows that deliver breathtaking views of the city. Hoopers must truly feel like kings on this court.

 The small group of basketball players already on the court were very welcoming. My boys wasted no time in starting a game. 

Meanwhile, I climbed the stairs to check out the running and walking track that circles above the gym. Here I could keep an eye on my guys — but the 360-degree city views added an extra touch of motivation to my work out!

YMCA is a great place to swim

The pools at the Boll Family YMCA were another beautiful surprise. Clean and warm, they were the perfect place for the boys to splash around and have fun. 

What impressed me most was the number of lifeguards on duty. I felt like I could truly relax in the jacuzzi section of the family pool while the boys had a ton of fun jumping and swimming.

Photo Credit: Steffy McCourt

My oldest son even decided to take the swim test so that he could swim in the deeper pool with lanes. It was hard to drag them out of the pool, but I finally found success when I promised that we would definitely be back.

Detroit’s best-kept secret

From the impressive entryway to the unique amenities, everything about this YMCA was exceptional. A lot of thought has gone into creating a space that is welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for families.

Even if it’s not your local Y, Boll Family YMCA — as well as the six other family YMCA locations in metro Detroit — is all yours with your family membership.

(And if Boll Family Y is local for you, lucky you! I hope to see you there.)

Learn more about YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit and get your own family membership. Visit ymcadetroit.org.

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Decked Out Detroit and RollerCade Take Summer Fun to the Next Level

Decked Out Detroit and RollerCade skate rink have partnered up to bring a taste of the beloved Monroe Street Midway back to downtown Detroit this summer. Next Level by RollerCade is a two-story family fun center with arcade games on the first floor and an intimate skate rink with views of Woodward Avenue on the second floor. 

Next Level by RollerCade in Downtown Detroit

Photo courtesy of Bedrock

• Address: 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
• Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Available for private rentals Monday-Wednesday. Hours may vary seasonally. 
• Cost: $10/skate admission, $3/skate rental; arcade games are $.50-$3 per play 
• Parking: There are eight parking garages in the area. Use this list of parking garages to secure a parking spot. 

Load up your play card with credits, then get your game on with classic video games, basketball games, air hockey tables and more arcade fun. After your gaming session, take the fun to the next level on the second-floor roller rink. Lace up your skates and zoom around the rink while taking in scenic downtown views. 

Things to do at Next Level by RollerCade

Photo courtesy of Bedrock

• Play classic arcade games. 
• Test your skills with basketball, air hockey and racing games.
• Hit the second floor rink and go roller skating with a view of Woodward Avenue. 
• Enjoy drinks and snacks from the concession stands. 

Tips for visiting Next Level by RollerCade with kids 

Photo courtesy of Bedrock

• A waiver must be completed online prior to participating in rollerskating.
• Due to the size of the skating rink, roller skating is best suited for smaller groups and beginner skaters. For a large party, contact the venue for party rentals. 
• For a next level celebration, party rentals are available Monday-Wednesday. 

Other things to do with kids nearby 

Photo credit: Nadir Ali

• While you’re downtown, play tourist in your city with our family guide to downtown Detroit, which includes our favorite spots to eat, shop, play and explore with kids downtown. 
• Grab a classic coney dog at American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island. Or, visit a kid-friendly restaurant like JoJo’s Shake Bar or Mom’s Spaghetti.
• Explore the scenic parks, bike trails and public art along the Detroit Riverfront.

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5 Must-Try Fall Treats to Savor This Season in Metro Detroit

Cinnamon sugar, pumpkin spice and everything chocolate — that’s what fall treats are made of! 

When the air cools and the leaves begin to crunch, there’s nothing like a massive soft pretzel paired with mustard, beer cheese and an Oktoberfest brew, or a toasty pumpkin spice beverage paired with an apple cinnamon donut. Plus, the spooky season is the perfect time to indulge in over-the-top sweets and all things chocolate! 

Get your family into the fall spirit by sampling some of the best fall flavors at these eateries, orchards and farms in metro Detroit. Your taste buds will thank you! 

Best Fall Treats in Metro Detroit

Queens Apple Dessert at Blake Farms  

Photo credit: Blake Farms

• Address: 5600 Van Dyke Road, Almont; 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada; 71485 North Avenue, Armada; and 61475 Silver Lake Road, South Lyon

Cider donuts, apple fritters and caramel apples — oh my! Blake’s is one of our go-to spots for fall fun, and a favorite treat is the Queens Apple Dessert. Fresh apple slices are topped with gooey caramel, salty nuts, whipped cream and a cherry. Pair your fall treat with apple cider; there are salted caramel and hard cider varieties, too! 

Freakshakes at Cheat Treats

• Address: 5838 Schaefer Road, Dearborn

The over-the-top Freakshakes at Cheat Treats are getting a fall-tastic upgrade this season! The dessert shop offers all types of ice cream treats, but the Freakshakes — milkshakes topped with candy rims and even more sweet treats — are the real deal. This fall, enjoy apple pie, blueberry pie, peach pie and, of course, pumpkin pie Freakshake flavors. 

Fall Flavors at Cook’s Dairy Farm 

• Address: 2950 E Seymour Lake Road, Ortonville

After a delightful day of hayrides, corn mazes and pumpkin picking, end your visit to Cook’s Dairy Farm with Caramel Apple or Pumpkin Crunch ice cream. The Cook family has been producing the grade A dairy to make their delicious ice cream since 1933. 

Seasonal Cookies at Detroit Cookie Company

• Address: 23421 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale and 25600 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores

Savor the season with two new fall flavors coming in September. Pumpkin Cider Donut cookies have chunks of cinnamon sugar donuts and pumpkin pie smashed into the cookie shop’s original dough. Personally, I must try the Cinnamon Bourbon Coffee Cake cookies — coffee cake soaked in a sweet bourbon syrup, mixed into cookie dough with mini cinnamon chips.

Apple Cider Donut Sundae at Yates Cider Mill 

• Address: 1950 E Avon Road, Rochester Hills

As much as I love a fresh donut, it can be hard to pass up ice cream whenever it’s on the menu. Luckily, you can have a donut and ice cream when you order the signature Donut Sundae. A warm donut is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with cinnamon sugar (peanuts optional) and finished off with a sweet caramel drizzle and whipped cream.

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High School Senior College Planning Checklist for Metro Detroit Students

The finish line is in sight! Senior year is the long-awaited pinnacle of the high school experience, complete big memory-making events (prom, graduation) and big preparation for the next step (standardized tests, college applications). Staying focused during these final two semesters is key to finishing strong.

Coaching and cheering your student along is still important for parents at this stage — especially when the temptation of senioritis looms. After all, as EducationQuest points out: “Learning how to do your best (even if your heart isn’t fully in it) is great practice for college, grad school and, yes, even the working world.”

Help them keep their eye on the prize while still enjoying this final year before they head out into the bigger world. Our High School Senior College Planning Checklist is here to lend a hand.

Lock down final classes

When plotting this final schedule, urge students to go for both rigor and classes that pique their interests, whether it’s yearbook or forensics. Consider courses that bolster critical thinking, which will be essential next year and beyond. Have teens reconnect with their counselor, too, to ensure those grad requirements are met.

Go for it in extracurriculars

Has your child stretched their leadership skills yet? They still have one more chance! Captain of a sports team, French club treasurer, volunteer coordinator: There are so many options. Encourage them to seize a leading role this year.

Finalize college choices

Have your student narrow down the options. That final list should be roughly 6-12 schools, Encourage notes — and teens should get started on this as early as August. From there, it’s time to compare. Look at cost, financial packages, application deadlines and overall fit. Plus, pinpoint exactly when to apply for these schools (the deadlines can vary) and try to visit a few colleges, if you haven’t yet.

Take (and/or retake) those tests

Students who didn’t take the ACT or SAT their junior year need to this year — or, if they’re aiming for a higher score, go for a second or even third try. Remember, practice helps boost the final score, and retakes are common. Typically the latest seniors can sit for the exams is November or December, notes U.S. News & World Report. Ensure those ACT or SAT scores are sent to their contending colleges.

Get a grip on applications

What’s it going to take to get into their dream college? Pin down the requirements and deadlines. There’s often an essay or series of questions (more on that next) and letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors. Hot tip: Request those letters a full two months before the app deadline.

Write the college essay

Again, find out what schools require first. If your child is facing an essay, have them take a deep breath — and reflect. Hit up that “me” file they’ve kept. They should personalize what they’re most proud of or passionate about. Remember, it’s their story in their words, not a rundown of their accomplishments. (Bonus: Explore our tips on writing an attention-grabbing college essay.)

Time to apply

Aim to get those apps rolling out as soon as autumn, as most deadlines arrive by fall or winter, notes PrepScholar. Keep in mind that deadlines vary, but common options include early decision, early action, regular decision and rolling admissions. Plot out timelines and set alerts or reminders, too.

Explore funding

Don’t leave any college-funding money on the table. Students should aim to finish and submit scholarship applications in the spring. The deadline for the FAFSA, the federal college financial aid source, is typically at the end of the school year. Look into tapping funds from your child’s MESP and MET 529 college savings accounts, too.

Seal the deal

When those college letters start arriving, it’s time to decide! If possible, visit the colleges that have accepted your child, and add to their lists of comparisons to help fuel that final choice. Once they’ve selected the lucky school, it’s time to send in the deposit cost. One last thing: Be sure they write thank you letters to the colleges that have accepted and rejected them. Plus, if a school has accepted them and they won’t attend, they should also let that school know.

Finish strong

Have your student resist that urge to slack. Senioritis is real, but it’s important to keep it in check. Remind them that colleges still do pay attention to those final grades. Have them finish the year out strong — and ready for the next big step.

Note: Be sure to also explore our checklists for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Article published originally in 2021 and updated regularly.

This content brought to you by the Michigan Education Savings Program. Learn more at misaves.com. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s Making Your Child’s College Dreams Come True. 

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10 Reasons to Save with MESP

The cost of higher education is only going up, but that shouldn’t get you down. Saving for college doesn’t need to be a burden. With the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP), there’s no big upfront investment and getting started takes about as long as grabbing a cup of coffee.

1. Easy & convenient

With MESP you can easily open an account online in just 15 minutes. Account management is made simple with online access. By setting up recurring contributions from your bank account or by payroll direct deposit (if supported by your employer), making regular contributions is hassle free.

2. Savings grow more due to tax advantages

Your earnings, if any, are free from federal income tax when used for qualified expenses. In the meantime, your earnings are reinvested automatically so your account can grow more than a taxable account over the same period.

3. Use at schools anywhere

Funds can be used at any accredited university, college or vocational school nationwide — and many abroad. Basically any institution with a student aid program qualifies.

4. Use for more than just tuition

MESP can be used to pay for tuition, certain room and board costs, computers and related technology expenses as well as fees, books, supplies, and other equipment.

5. Lower impact on financial aid than other savings options

Many parents worry that a 529 Savings Account can adversely affect eligibility for financial aid. Assuming the parent is the account owner, funds are typically treated as belonging to the parent, not the child, minimizing the impact on financial aid.*

6. Affordable

Open an account with as little as $25 per investment option, or $15 dollars per pay period using payroll direct deposit. Since there are no application, sales, or maintenance fees, saving for college is affordable even for those on a modest budget.

7. Everyone can help

You don’t have to do it all on your own! Grandparents as well as other family and friends can make gifts to your account for maximum growth potential.

8. Unused funds can be used for other eligible members of your family

If your loved one doesn’t need all the money or their education goals change, you can designate a new beneficiary penalty-free as long as they’re an eligible member of your family.

9. Investment flexibility

MESP provides a variety of professionally managed investment options to choose from including enrollment year options that automatically change as the beneficiary approaches college enrollment. Alternatively you can tailor your portfolio with multi-fund, single-fund and principal plus interest options to match your risk tolerance, timeline and investment preferences.

10. Estate tax planning benefits

When you or anyone else makes a contribution, it may qualify for an annual gift tax exclusion of $18,000 per year for single filers and $36,000 a year for couples. As a 529 Plan, MESP is the only investment that allows you to give up to 5 years’ worth of gifts at one time — for a maximum of $90,000 for a single filer and $180,000 for couples.

Open your account online today and your MESP account could be growing by bedtime.

*The treatment of investments in a 529 savings plan varies by school. Assets are typically treated as the account holder’s and not the student’s. (Student assets are generally assessed at 20% whereas parental assets are generally assessed at 5.6%.) Any investments, including those in 529 accounts, may affect the student’s eligibility to get financial aid based on need. You should check with the schools you are considering regarding this issue.

This content brought to you by the Michigan Education Savings Program. Learn more at misaves.com. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s Making Your Child’s College Dreams Come True.

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