3 Favorite Fall Soups :: An Instant Pot Recipe Roundup

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September 23, 2019

fall soups - Boston Moms Blog — Photo courtesy Fat Free Vegan.

All of a sudden, the school year has begun, the leaves are starting to change, and I’m putting on a sweater. This is the time for apple picking, for yard clean up, and for fall soups. Yes, soup! As the days start getting shorter and the temperatures start dipping, I find nothing more comforting than a bowl of soup. And as a mom of two trying to get dinner on the table after a day at the office, there is nothing more comforting than my Instant Pot — my amazing set-and-forget, one-appliance wonder.

Admittedly, I spend a lot of time looking for the perfect fall soup recipe or recipe inspiration. And these three recipes are fan favorites in my house! They are all healthy recipes, not too complicated, and make tons of leftovers.

Butternut squash soup

When I think of fall, one of the first foods I think of is butternut squash soup — the classic choice when it comes to fall soups! This recipe is an excellent one that you can customize to your family’s preferences. I substituted vegetable stock for the apple cider, added an already-baked sweet potato, a can of chickpeas, and some honey, and had a delicious dinner ready in about 40 minutes. Easy prep tip: Use frozen, cubed butternut squash.

Chicken noodle soup

You are never too old for a hug from your mother, and when I think of chicken soup, I think of my mother giving me a big hug. I like to think this is why my girls like it, too. This recipe is a great one because it has the added bonus of showing you how to cook frozen chicken — whether to be cut for soup or used for shredded chicken — an Instant Pot cult classic.

For this recipe, I eliminate the butter, add frozen spinach, use boneless chicken breasts, and add dill. Dill is such a fabulous addition to chicken soup, and my only regret is that I didn’t realize this earlier in my life. I also sometimes will substitute whole wheat pasta noodles.

Yellow split-pea soup with sweet potatoes and kale

Granted, my older daughter is not a fan of this soup. But the rest of us have no problem eating her share! This soup is surprisingly filling and tastes even better the next day. This is also the one recipe I do not alter, except for eliminating mustard seeds (only because I don’t have them). I use frozen kale or frozen spinach because it is quicker and easier.

And… apples!

OK, OK… I know this is supposed to be about fall soups. But how can I write about the fall season and not talk about apples???

Yes, you guessed it! The Instant Pot makes wonderful applesauce, and you can really play around with water-to-apple ratios and seasonings.

Why You Should Always Go In for an Eye Exam

By

Jalisa Harris

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September 20, 2019

A few years ago I had a BIG health scare.

I had been complaining of excruciating and unexplainable headaches. Previously, I hadn’t experienced many headaches aside from my pregnancy a few years prior. Every time one would hit, I would head to my doctor’s office. And every time, they would dismiss it, telling me it was a tension or stress headache.

But it wasn’t. I had pseudotumor cerebri, or intracranial hypertension.

How was I diagnosed? See, I suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And after childbirth, my symptoms felt different. While I once experienced extra weight gain and insulin resistance, I began losing weight. By the time my son was 8 weeks, I was in the midst of postpartum depression, which caused the weight to come right back. And I really struggled with the weight gain. Then the headaches began.

The doctors I saw threw various prescriptions at me for tension headaches. Then one day, I went in for my yearly eye exam at our local Pearle Vision — and everything changed. The optometrist said something wasn’t right. She asked me if I was on any birth control but ruled that out as an issue when she learned I had the Paraguard IUD, which doesn’t have hormones. I told her what was going on with my headaches.

She told me to go straight to the ER for an MRI. The nerves behind my eyes were inflamed.

Following that routine eye exam, doctors at MGH performed what is like an ultrasound of my eyes. And they quickly saw I had pseudotumor cerebri, which occurs when the pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure) increases for no obvious reason. Symptoms mimic those of a brain tumor, but no tumor is present. Pseudotumor cerebri can occur in children and adults, but it’s most common in women of childbearing age who are obese.

I dissolved into tears, unsure of what this would mean for me (though the doctors assured me and my husband I would be OK).

I saw a neurologist, who put me on meds to help get rid of the fluid. Like many medications, the benefits come at a cost — this particular prescription can cause birth defects, so I couldn’t think about getting pregnant again. I also couldn’t take any supplements, as certain vitamins can actually cause increased fluids in your body.

I also needed a spinal tap to release the fluid surrounding my brain. This meant a needle would be inserted into my spinal canal to collect the fluid — a bit similar to getting an epidural, just the opposite. They can be scary, but all I could think about was getting well for my son. So I did it, and I was down for about a day. But it was well worth it — my headaches were relieved that day.

My ongoing regimen consists of birth control, fluid retention meds, and weight loss. And I’m thrilled to say my pseudotumor cerebri has been officially dormant for the last two years!

But it’s not out of sight entirely.

One cause of this condition is from carrying extra weight my body just doesn’t want me to have. And I’ve decided to try for another pregnancy later this fall, so consulting with my team of doctors is crucial. Not knowing how much weight I’ll gain with a pregnancy means I have to keep up with my ophthalmologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, and OBGYN.

If not treated properly, this condition can cause painful headaches, nausea, double vision, ringing in the ears, back pain, and even sight loss. I am so thankful I went for an eye exam that day — otherwise, I might have never received a diagnosis.

Why I Can’t Become a #CricutMom

By

Kat Cornetta

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September 19, 2019

Cricut - Boston Moms Blog

A friend recently invited me to go to a New Kids on the Block concert with her. Though I wasn’t a huge fan of the group in their heyday, I’ve grown fond of their concerts now because it’s the largest gathering of women my age I can find. (“Do you remember Caboodles and clear telephones with multicolored gears?” “Oh my gosh, yes!”)

I met her on Canal Street before the concert. As she walked up to me, she proudly presented me with my very own New Kids T-shirt. It looked different and so much better than the ones hawkers were selling on the street. “This is awesome!” I exclaimed. “Where did you get these?”

“I made them last night!” she said.

She then went on to tell me all about the magic of her Cricut. Within minutes, I went from wanting to listen to Joey McIntyre to wanting to go to a craft store, buy a Cricut, Silhouette, or one of their competitors, and become a fellow #CricutMom.

I’ve now spent the last month researching these machines, which connect to your computer or tablet and allow you to print designs and lettering on a variety of materials, including iron-ons for fabric. With the Cricut, you can make labels for your Rubbermaid containers, decals for your tumblers, and banners for your child’s birthday that all look like you paid good money for them at Target.

Just like seeing the New Kids in concert brought back childhood nostalgia, so did the idea of making my own T-shirts with one of these Cricuts. One of my favorite hobbies as an ’80s child was puff painting T-shirts for every occasion.

But, in the biggest display of self-control I may have ever exhibited, I have not purchased one.

What?!

The things I could make! The gift-giving I could do! The labels I could stick to anything and everything!

I have restrained myself. When my friend mentioned the best way to buy one might be via Facebook Marketplace because people use them once and then want to ditch them, it raised a red flag. I thought about the dusty glue gun in my dining room drawer, the crochet needles I abandoned a decade ago, and the quilt squares I tried to make out of my college T-shirts. The list of craft hobbies I have started and abandoned over my 37 years is way longer than I would like. I approached all of them with the same excitement I have for the Cricut, but when I actually practiced them, it faded fast.

The more I thought about it, I realized that the only craft hobby I ever kept up was calligraphy and hand-lettering, which I’ve done since second grade.

Maybe that’s all I have the capacity for?

Still, I would love to join the ranks of the #CricutMoms, if only to bring back those feelings of making puff paint T-shirts. But the thought of buying a $250 machine that I might use once or twice and then never use again has brought that dream to a halt. Until I can convince myself that I will use one enough to not let it gather dust, I’ll support moms who run side hustles with their Cricut when I need a custom onesie or coffee mug. It is mildly disappointing to not to be among their ranks, but I’ll just tell myself I’m lifting other women up while not adding to my list of failed crafts. It’s a win-win.

10 Mom Must-Haves From the Dollar Store

By

Morgan Sheena

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September 18, 2019

dollar store - Boston Moms Blog

When I confessed my love of the dollar store to a friend, I was informed that it was very “off-brand” for me. But I own it. I’m normally a slightly frivolous spender and definitely am not a good bargain hunter. But the dollar store is my jam! I would go there every single day if I could, and my kids seem to have inherited this love from me. Dollar stores offer so much! Yes, there is some garbage. But there are some real gems there, with a price tag that can’t be beat. Here are 10 of my dollar store mom must-haves — all for just $1!

Toys

Look, sometimes bribery works. And I’m not above using a toy or two to get my kids to behave. At the dollar store, I don’t mind getting them something — knowing it may break or get lost — if it ensures I get well-behaved children at the supermarket. It’s a win for everyone!

Activity books

We love activity books, sudoku, crossword puzzles, and coloring books at my house. We always make sure to pick books up for everyone (including the grown-ups) to keep us busy. This is especially a must before a long trip.

Loofahs

We all love a loofah for the shower! At a dollar apiece, I don’t feel so bad when they inevitably start to fall apart. I also replace them much more regularly (hygiene!) than I would otherwise.

Party supplies

I’m not big into extravagant theme parties. We need basics — plates, tablecloths, balloons, a little decor. I love to pop over to the dollar store and pick up a few things to make the party just a little more fun without going over the top.

Art supplies

Pencils, paper, glue, cardboard, markers — we grab them all. We go through so much of it (both using it and losing it!), and at $1 per item, I don’t feel so bad when the markers stay uncapped or the glue won’t open.

Theme goodies

Hawaiian Day at school? Kids want to wear all green for Saint Patrick’s Day? The dollar store has got you covered with odds and ends to make things fun, fit a theme, and ensure your kids don’t miss out on any of those school dress-up days!

Storage bins

I really like things organized. Order makes me happy. We’ve been slowly stocking up on storage bins and containers to contain messes, organize closets, and keep things where they need to be. The bins may not be the best quality, but they serve their purpose. For things that are out in the open, we splurge on nicer baskets, but for closet organization, the dollar store can’t be beat!

Candy

The dollar store offers some of our favorites in much smaller sizes. Again, bribery. I’m not sorry.

Hair elastics

My daughter and I go through hair elastics like it’s our job. No matter which kind we use, we lose them or break them. My daughter also wants fun colored elastics for her beautiful hair, and at the dollar store I can grab a bunch for her to have fun with.

Little extras

I can’t leave the dollar store without finding something just a little bit fun — lunch box notes, cute stickers, holiday decor. I know they won’t last forever, and I really don’t care. For a dollar, how can I say no?

What We Didn’t Do This Summer (But Said We Would)

By

Annie Claflin

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September 17, 2019

summer - Boston Moms Blog — Annie Claflin Photography, LLC

Summer is full of unfulfilled promises we made to ourselves during the spring about what we would do once the weather turned warmer. If you’re anything like us, you didn’t hold yourself to your promises this summer. Still, we had fun not doing much at all and not meeting our goals. Here’s where we fell short:

Not diving into potty training

I know little, if anything, about potty training. But I have heard about a method involving letting kids run around naked. I swore I’d try this approach to potty training this summer. After all, it’s easier to let your toddler run around in the nude during the warmer months of the year. Alas, we did not take advantage of this brief reprieve from the Boston cold to potty train our child naked. Now, almost three months after summer started, our son is still in diapers and could not care less about the potty. Those racecar undies we’ve tried to tempt our son with are nowhere in sight.

Avoiding swim lessons

I’ve taken my son to swim lessons during the winter months, and it is not easy. Which is why I stopped. You have to bundle up at home, unbundle at the pool, change into swim gear while herding a wandering child, and pretend it’s really fun to force water into your child’s nose and mouth. I was looking forward to continuing lessons in the summer, when changing in and out of swimsuits requires fewer clothes and less effort. Instead of procuring structured lessons, we chose to let our son romp in the ocean waves and kick his feet in pools while using our arms as floaties. We hoped keeping him in the water was just as good as paying someone to teach him how to swim. We are currently looking into fall swim lessons.

Spending time inside

As far as I’m concerned, if you live in a wintery state, you better take advantage of hot temperatures by spending as much time outdoors as possible. Why not wake up, go outside, and not come home until it’s dark? We achieved far less outdoor time than the long stretch between sunrise and sunset. If my son is content to play indoors with his cars, I let him do that, no matter the time of year. It isn’t worth pushing him into a transition to go outdoors in the summer when he is perfectly happy indoors. Remind me a few months from now when there are many inches of snow on my side porch that I let the sunshine land on this empty play space in vain.

Neglecting New England beaches

I think we visited exactly two beaches this year. One of these beaches we only visited once. We are creatures of habit and go to the same beach every weekend of every summer. And while it’s my all-time favorite sandy retreat, we leave much of the New England shoreline behind. I’m sorry we missed you, coastal northeast.

Summer is just too short to get it all done. So we didn’t. And that was great for us.

There’s something so lovely about getting lost in a slower pace as time passes you by. I thoroughly enjoyed my summer — changing my toddler in and out of swim diapers, not educating him on swim safety, letting him play indoors when he felt like it, and returning to the same beach every weekend instead of exploring new spaces. It may not have been action-packed or eventful, but we love wasting time.

5 Hacks Every Mom Needs for a Play-Doh Mess

By

Jalisa Harris

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September 13, 2019

September 16 is National Play-Doh Day!

Truthfully, I dislike Play-Doh. I loathe slime. I’m that mom. When I’m at a kid’s birthday party and I see the squishy stuff in the favor bag, all I can think is, “What a mess this will make!”

My son suffers from ADHD, so our playtime often looks a bit different than other kids his age. When I tried allowing my son to play with Play-Doh unsupervised, it was a disaster. I’d find it all over the house – smashed into the rug, smeared on his clothes. I could do a load of laundry and still find some in the clean clothes! He would also leave pieces out, so they’d become dried out and unusable. He simply couldn’t grasp the concept of the mess Play-Doh made or the fact that it needed to be in a sealed container.

But I do see the value in creative play with sensory-friendly toys like Play-Doh, so we’ve persisted. And I’ve learned a few hacks along the way.

1. Use a dry brush

What happens when your little one decides to play with Play-Doh on a suede sofa? It literally sticks to every fiber of the sofa. Try using a soft, dry brush to get the Play-Doh out of the suede without damaging the spot.

2. Try hydrogen peroxide

When the Play-Doh gets stuck on clothing and just won’t come out, try hydrogen peroxide. Take a soft, dry brush with a capsize of hydrogen peroxide, and it will come out easily.

3. Just add water

We’ve all dealt with dried, hardened Play-Doh. But don’t throw it away! Just add water. Try adding water one drop at a time and working it in to moisten it. You can also try wrapping Play-Doh in a damp paper towel, returning it to the container, and replacing the cover. Let it sit overnight.

4. No-touch hydration

If you don’t enjoy the feel of Play-Doh when trying to knead water into it, you can also do the Ziploc bag trick — the no-touch hydration option. Place Play-Doh in a Ziploc bag and add a few drops of water. Seal the bag (pushing the air out) and mush it around. You can also let it sit overnight. Voila. It will look and feel brand new.

5. Remove it from hair

There have been a few instances where my son has gotten it in his hair. That’s when I would add a few drops of tea tree oil to hot water with a few drops of Dawn. You can put this mixture in a spray bottle and spray the spot directly, or just mix it around in a bowl and massage it into your kiddo’s scalp.

These are so simple and easy to do — they make playing with Play-Doh worthwhile! Are there any other ways you’ve removed it from tricky places? Share with us!

Family Dinners — It’s Not About Where, But Who

By

Krystal Avila

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September 12, 2019

Growing up, I did not sit at a table with my family for dinner.

My mom was a working single mom, and I remember dinners on the couch, in front of the TV. For awhile, we didn’t even have a kitchen — just a hot plate and a microwave — so the couch was where we parked ourselves for each meal. I remember these family meals fondly. My brother, mom, and I would watch “Roseanne” while eating our English muffin pizzas or the latest TV dinner.

The times we did eat at a table were at my Grammie and Grampa’s house. When we spent time at their house, we knew dinner was at 5 p.m. on the dot, milk was what we were drinking, and you could not leave the table without asking to be excused. The dinner conversations at that table were very different from the casual banter we typically had on our couch while watching “Roseanne.” But, everyone was together.

These meals on the couch, or, occasionally, the more formal dinners at my grandparents’ home, were our family dinners — and our normal. But it’s not what dinner looked like in many other homes. I remember having dinner at friends’ houses when I was growing up, and I always left their homes thinking, When I have kids, I am always going to eat dinner at the table.

That was what everyone else did, and I should do it for my own kids, I thought at the time.

Since having children of my own, I have come to realize the where isn’t important. What is important is that we are together. This time together, eating, gives us an opportunity to catch up, share our favorite foods, try new dishes, and enjoy each other’s company in a common place.

Currently, I try to eat at the table when we are home. Our table is small and tall and always overflowing with food. (Partly due to the growing taste buds of a 4-year-old and picky 2-year-old.) But, more important, also included at the table are chatter, laughter, and (maybe sometimes) an occasional tear. Some nights the dinner table is only three of us due to my hubby’s schedule. But, even minus Papi, we are together.

“May I please be excused from the table?” and hot TV dinner brownies are what worked for my family when I was a child. Sitting at the high top, appeasing the tastebuds, and still asking to be excused from the table are what work for my family now. We’ve meshed my childhood memories of being together with our current dinners together.

Whether your meals are on a couch at dinner time, at the counter in the morning for breakfast before school, or on a picnic blanket for dinner at the playground, do it together. Find your normal, make it a priority, and stick to it. It doesn’t matter what other families do. Do what works for you.

Photo credit: Karyn Novakowski owns and operates Kin & Kid Photography, which serves Boston and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with Karyn here.

My Son Takes Dance, and It’s Awesome!

By

Leah Lynch

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September 11, 2019

Photo cred: Molly FergusonWe started looking for extracurricular activities for our son, who is on the autism spectrum, when he was in preschool. We knew the typical sports would not be a good fit for him. While he is verbal, he does have limited communication and many processing delays. I know preschool sports are not highly structured or intense activities, but I also know my son. He is not interested in kicking a ball — instead, he would prefer to gather the balls and line them up (and he would have most likely lined up the cones as well).

We needed to find an activity where he could socialize with other kids and adults, but his teammates would not be dependent on him to perform themselves. A friend told us about a dance studio in our town that accepts children with all abilities. The studio offers both conservatory and integrated classes, as well as therapeutic classes for children and adults with more limited abilities. So we tried a class, and my son enjoyed it. We stuck with it the next year — and every year since.

Every September, when it’s time to think about the next year’s classes, I wonder if we should re-enroll.

Should we try something else? Will he be bullied at school for taking dance lessons? Does he mind that he is the only boy?

Ultimately, we always stick with dance. Because he loves it!

Like, he really LOVES it! He loves the recital and performing on the big stage. The choreography is right up his alley, and he often reminds his dance teacher if she does the wrong step. He is constantly dancing at home. And if his teachers put music on at school for indoor recess, he will dance there too. It gives him joy and pride. He knows and loves his “dance girls.” We are truly grateful for dance and this studio. They even allowed my son and my daughter to perform a short duet last year to a song my son composed on his iPad. I mean, how cool is that!

When the recital was over this year and we gave my son flowers to congratulate him, he said, “Oh my, I am so happy — I have the tears of joy!” So, dear son, you go on dancing. Watching you dance gives us all immense joy. We are so proud of you.

When Mom or Dad Has Cancer

By

Kristen D

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September 10, 2019

cancer - Boston Moms Blog

No one wants to belong to the cancer club — but once you’re in it, you’re in it for life.

Two years ago, when a persistent cough and mild chest pressure turned out to be a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma tumor the size of a dollar bill compressing my husband’s airway, we joined that club. My husband was 31 and I was 32. Our children were 4, 3, and less than 1.

Welcome to the cancer club.

According to the National Cancer Institute, 38% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. The cancer club is not small. But unlike my husband, the majority of those people are diagnosed between 55 and 84.

Dealing with a life-threatening diagnosis by itself is overwhelming, but trying to parent young children at the same time presents a whole other set of challenges. Things like:

Dealing with your children’s fears about death as well as your own
Explaining chemo and extended hospitalizations to a 3-year-old
Finding childcare and having enough energy to keep up with kids
Family planning and fertility

It felt isolating and lonely, and I had a hard time finding resources that were helpful and appropriate for our season of life.

If you are a young parent and in the cancer club, my heart aches for you because I know many of the unique struggles you are now facing. I am not an expert, but I will happily share my experience — anytime. These are some of the things that were helpful to me.

Let someone else manage logistics

The most helpful thing my friends did was to organize, plan, and manage things so I didn’t have to. As a parent and a caregiver, I was overwhelmed by the logistics and the lack of sleep.

I had an amazing friend organize help for us, and that was a godsend. She used Lotsa Helping Hands to organize everything, but Meal Train or Take Them a Meal are also good resources. Every few weeks, she asked what our tangible needs were, and she wouldn’t take a polite brush off. House cleaning, school pickups, middle-of-the-night childcare (we had lots of ER visits/stays due to no immune system and lots of winter school germs), meals that felt like love, grocery delivery, and researching things for me were all huge gifts to us. You focus on what is essential and let someone else manage the rest.

If you are in the cancer club, please say yes when your friends offer things that are helpful. If they don’t offer, ask! You will need people with you in this — especially for your kids’ sakes.

Connect with others

Beyond taking some logistics off my plate, the most helpful thing friends did was show up. Be available. Offer tangibly. Not, “What can I do to help?” but, “I’m running errands — what can I drop off for you?” or “What do your kids need today?” People acknowledging that our kids were hurting meant a lot.

It is hard for your people to show up if they don’t know what you need and what’s going on. We found that writing about our process was helpful. Sites like CaringBridge offer an easy way to help others be with you in your journey. Even if it’s just a few friends, find your tribe of people with whom you will share the experience.

When it feels difficult to connect with friends, connecting with others going through similar things can be helpful. Dana-Farber has online cancer forums, as do most cancer treatment centers. Connect your child to resources like Camp Kasem so they also can connect with peers who understand what they’re going through.

Seek professional counseling

Our oldest started seeing a counselor a few months into chemo, and that was hugely helpful. Children grieve deeply, and their fears are real. It matters that we honor their grief and give them the resources they need to process it. It was very hard for us to find counselors for young children, but good places to start are your cancer treatment center, the local children’s hospital, social workers that you know, or your place of worship.

cancer - Boston Moms Blog

Thanks to the cutting-edge, compassionate care we received at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, my husband is now one year into remission. And while every doctor’s appointment still triggers my PTSD (because it was/is a trauma), we are breathing a little easier. While we will always be members of the cancer club, we are thankful to have made it to this point. We owe no small debt of gratitude to the people who supported us and these resources that we benefited from.

Additional Cancer Resources:

Books for kids

“Life Isn’t Always a Day at the Beach“
“Big Tree is Sick“
“The Invisible String“
CancerCare Reading List (recommended books about cancer for children)

Articles/blogs

Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer: Dealing With a Parent’s Terminal Illness
Having Cancer and Young Children: A Mother’s Advice
Parenting with Cancer: Advice from Survivors
Parenting With Cancer
Stupid Cancer (an organization and directory of resources for young adults with cancer — not all resources are helpful for parents, but many are relevant)
Inheritance of Hope (for those young families facing the loss of a parent due to cancer)

Embrace the Minivan

By

Amanda Rotondo

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September 9, 2019

The minivan is synonymous with uncoolness — a final and melancholy acquiescence to the fate of eternal parenthood.

When we were staring down the loaded barrel of a third kid on the way and realized we were going to have to buy a minivan, I got a bumper sticker that says, “I used to be cool.” (For the record, it’s a lie — I have never been cool.) But I never put the bumper sticker on the van. You know why? Because I discovered that MINIVANS ARE COOL.

Yeah, I said it: Minivans. Are. Cool.

I don’t know how this smear campaign against minivans got started, but I assure you it’s nothing but a wide swath of untrue vitriol. Granted, I’m a function-over-form kind of gal, but I do love a good zippy car. In the past, I’ve had a tiny convertible, a super-fast five-speed, and a sleek European SUV. I’d trade any of them in a heartbeat for a good, solid minivan.

Most minivan devotees will tell you it all boils down to convenience, and the convenience factor is undeniable. But I’m taking it a step further. For me, the minivan provides a more esoteric benefit — one thin slice of control in a world where I have, well, none.

My kids are 1, 2, and 5. Two of them (that’s 66.67%!) can get in their seats by themselves. No third-row seat flipping to deal with. More importantly, the kids can open the (sliding) doors themselves. Without my tasting bile watching the car door fling outward toward the Tesla or Mercedes or gold-plated Lamborghini we are inevitably parked next to. They can’t reach each other to engage in the slapping fights of my car-trip youth. (Although, sadly, I haven’t found any options for soundproofing each individual seat so they can’t scream at each other. THERE is a money-maker.)

The driver’s seat of a minivan is a straight-up cockpit. I can open and close all doors with the push of a button. I can turn the heat up for the kid who’s cold and roll the window down for the kid who’s hot. And I can put down the rear-seat-view mirror to see what’s going on back there, or put it up if I just don’t want to know. There is no other vantage point in my world where I can control so much with so little effort. God bless it.

And you want to go on a road trip? Not sure if you need one pack and play or two? Heck, bring three. You’ve got room. Going to the grocery store? Go ahead, buy the 80-pack of toilet paper. No problem. And speaking of toilet paper, tired of stopping every 10 minutes because someone has to pee? Or dealing with accidents because they couldn’t hold it until the next rest stop? Throw a little potty in the back and pull over when one of them needs to go. You just cut two hours off your travel time.

Minivans aren’t just cool for kid stuff, either. On the rare occasion that I get to go out with my friends, we can put seven of us in one car. In Boston that immediately saves $40 for parking, plus that means only one sober driver for all those people! Worried you’ll get stuck being that sober driver? Nah, just offer to let someone else drive your car. Everyone will jump at the chance, because then they’ll get to be seen driving around in a minivan.

And as we all now know, minivans are cool.

Best Boston Day Trips With a Baby

By

Lesley Moreau

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September 6, 2019

Boston day trips with baby - Boston Moms Blog

Now that we’re heading into fall, all we want to do is soak up the nice weather. As a Boston mom, there’s so much to do in the city! But when you have an 8-month-old who doesn’t do a whole lot yet, where do you go? Here are some of our favorite Boston day trips for mom and baby so far.

Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo

The zoo is a fantastic standby for many families, and rightly so. In Boston, the yearly zoo pass offers admission to both the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo. The zoos have over 200 different species of animals, a range of exhibits, and a handful of playgrounds scattered throughout the park.

The North End

Situated right by the waterfront, the North End offers plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. It’s great if you want to do some walking and don’t mind a lot of congestion from tourists and locals alike. It’s also within walking distance of Faneuil Hall, the Seaport, and the Greenway. There’s nothing quite like late summer and fall in the North End, when there’s an array of feasts with fabulous food and fantastic vendors.

Boston Common and Public Garden

One of my favorite Boston day trips is a good stroll around the Common and the Garden — and it’s right in the heart of Boston. The Public Garden happens to be the setting of one of our favorite Boston-based books, “Make Way For Ducklings,” and it has both statues dedicated to the famous fowls and the swan boats illustrated in the classic story. The Common is always great for a dip in Frog Pond or a chance to run around Tadpole Playground.

New England Aquarium

Another staple for Boston family day trips is the aquarium, with its penguins, seals, and a wide array of other aquatic life. Other offerings include an IMAX theatre and a whale watch that runs from April through November. It’s within walking distance to the North End, so you could do a lot in one day!

We’re lucky Boston has so many options that are very baby-friendly! What are some of your favorite Boston day trips?

Four Ways Starting My Own Business Helped Our Family

By

Guest Writer

-

September 5, 2019

Four years ago, when I was a stay-at-home mom with a baby girl and 2-year-old boy, I did the unthinkable. I started my own business — a jewelry brand called Winter Hill Jewelry. Becoming an entrepreneur was not something I had given a lot of thought to. It just kind of happened.

One day, my husband brought home a new toy: a 3D printer. I thought it was cool, but I had no idea how to use it nor what I would even use it for. Then one day at the park, I noticed another mom’s laser-cut earrings. My mind flashed back to the printer, and I thought, “I could make those.”

It wasn’t an easy start, but with my newfound motivation I got to work figuring out how to draw simple designs, convert them to 3D models, then use the 3D printer to make my designs into actual earrings.

I started printing the earrings as a side hobby — a way to focus my energy on something outside of my day-to-day responsibilities of caring for my family. As I refined my craft, a few friends encouraged me to try selling them at a local event. And before I knew it, my hobby had evolved into a business.

Starting a business as a stay at home mom wasn’t always easy. But now that I can reflect back on the past four years raising my kids while growing my own business, I realize it was the best decision I made for myself and my family.

1. It has made us adaptable and flexible.

Finding time to dedicate to my business was a challenge. My husband works long hours, and we don’t have family nearby to help out. So the majority of the childcare fell on my plate. I quickly realized that squeezing in time when my kids were napping or watching a show to work on marketing, create my designs, or get ready for a show was not sustainable. It felt way too expensive to send both kids to daycare, so I posted ads on college job boards and asked other Boston moms for babysitter recommendations.

Since starting my business, we’ve had more than 20 different people watch our kids. This patchwork arrangement of childcare has made my kids more independent and flexible: When a babysitter comes over that they haven’t met before, they are excited, not upset.

My kids aren’t the only ones who’ve benefited from this system: It has helped me be more adaptable and flexible as well. I want my kids to be safe and happy, but I am more lenient. It’s OK if they ate too many sweet treats or left an art project all over the floor.

2. My children are able to play independently.

There have been plenty of times when I’ve had to get work done but was unable to find childcare, meaning my kids needed to find things to do on their own. It took some time to get there and required a ton of patience to endure them whining, “Mom, mom, mom!” I’d tell them, “If you can’t figure out something to do on your own, you can go take a nap.”

This line usually encouraged them to find a fun and engaging activity — they never chose the nap. They are now able to play independently and are more creative in their play than ever before. A new game they love is tying string to their toys so they can dangle them off the porch.

3. It helped my husband develop his own parenting style.

I sold earrings at local pop-up markets and events around Boston on weekends and would be gone for eight to ten hours each day. This gave my husband the opportunity to experience what I went through on a daily basis during the week: tears, tantrums, exhaustion, mess. It gave him a chance to parent without my watchful eyes telling him what he was doing “wrong,” which is something I’m not proud to admit I did at times. I wasn’t there to witness if he forgot the diaper bag or didn’t pack any snacks or water. He made use of public water fountains and bought food on the go.

Giving him freedom to parent in his own way reminded me that there is no right or wrong way. Everyone has their own parenting style, and that’s completely fine.

4. It energized me and gave me a new sense of purpose.

Let’s be honest — raising small children can suck the life right out of you, making it seem like the worst time to start a business. Ironically, I found it gave me back the energy my kids were draining from me. Having to problem solve, explore my creativity that had felt locked away, and learn new skills to run my business created a spark in me to keep working, even after a long day with the kids.

And, it’s worth it! The first time I was running errands around town and noticed a stranger wearing my earrings it made me smile ear to ear — the same feeling I had when I watched my kids ride a bike without training wheels for the first time: pure joy and pride.

Vanessa Templeman is a Wisconsin native who lives in Somerville with her family. She is the owner and designer of Winter Hill Jewelry, a boutique jewelry company. She creates unique jewelry by 3D printing her hand-drawn designs. Vanessa graduated from the University of Minnesota, has a MS in human services from UMass Boston, and studied graphic design at the School for the Museum of Fine Arts. When she isn’t making jewelry, she enjoys taking her kiddos, ages 4 and 6, on adventures.

Four Ways Starting My Own Business Helped Our Family _ Boston Moms Blog