The Getting-Out Guide :: Boston’s Best Events for Kids This July

By

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June 29, 2018

If you are looking for Boston events to keep your family entertained this July, we’ve got you covered! Our monthly events guides are on hand to be sure you don’t miss a thing happening around the Boston area. We know you are looking for ideas for family fun all the time. There are so many great activities going on in Boston this summer.

In addition to our Getting-Out Guide, be sure to check out our Guide to a Boston Summer and our 2018 Summer Bucket List for awesome ideas for summertime fun in Boston! Finally, check out our Fireworks Roundup for a list of Fourth of July celebrations!

We’ve also included links to area libraries and recurring events. This is, by no means, a comprehensive list. If you know of any fun family activities we missed, please let us know in the comments.

Oh, and be sure to join our Community & Conversation Group to meet other moms near you!

July 1–8

July 1–4 :: Boston Harborfest :: Boston :: This five-day event combines history and modern-day fun. On Sunday, July 1, head to Christopher Columbus Park trellis to enjoy the Art Festival, where artists will be selling their historical and maritime-themed artwork. Interactive art demonstrations will occur throughout the day, along with live performing arts. Also at Christopher Columbus Park will be the Chowderfest, where there will be samples of local restaurants’ chowder. Vote on your favorite and enjoy live music in Christopher Columbus Park.

July 3–4 :: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular :: Boston :: The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will take place at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade (concert from 8-10:30 p.m.; fireworks display from 10:30-11; the concert, without fireworks display, will also take place on July 3, starting at 8 p.m.).

July 4 :: Photo Scavenger Hunt :: Boston :: Celebrate Independence Day and race around Boston on an exciting photo scavenger hunt! Solve challenging clues and puzzles by taking pictures of historic sites on the Freedom Trail. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating facts about Boston’s role in American history, look for gravesites of famous Revolutionaries, find the locations where groundbreaking events took place, and so much more. It’s a great family-friendly learning experience for all ages and a lot more fun than a traditional Freedom Trail walking tour! Advance registration required.

July 5 :: Birds of Prey :: Boston :: Head to Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center (191W Atlantic Avenue) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. to join a Mass Audubon bird specialist for a close-up look at live owls, falcons, and other birds who call New England home.

July 6 :: Rosalita’s Puppets: The Enchanted Castle :: Marshfield :: Join Fairy Godmother “Glitter” as she tells stories, sings songs, and teaches the crowd how to be knights, princesses, and princes. The show includes three short hand puppet stories. Meet a fairy puppet, a dragon puppet, and a unicorn puppet!

July 7 :: Chinatown Main Street Summer Festival :: Boston :: Chinatown Main Street’s 15th Annual Summer Festival will host performances on a grand stage in Chinatown Park.

July 7 :: Downtown Playdates Lego Challenge :: Boston :: Drop in for a LEGO challenge during the Downtown Playdates series using your imagination and an extensive collection of LEGO bricks. Each week participants will face a different design challenge, including creating the tallest tower, reimagining a Boston neighborhood, designing a new neighborhood, or picturing buildings resilient to sea level rise. Join BSA Space’s design team for a brick ton of fun while envisioning Boston’s future using your favorite design tool.

July 7–8 :: Boston Pizza Festival at City Hall Plaza :: Boston :: Boston’s expansive City Hall Plaza turns into a giant picnic ground when the Boston Pizza Festival returns, bringing all-you-can-eat pizza; entertainment, such as pizza tossing shows and live music; adult and other beverages; and games to this family-friendly celebration of summer. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 the day of the festival.

July 8 :: Open Newbury Street :: Boston :: Newbury Street will become a pedestrian-only walkway, closing to vehicles to allow pedestrians the opportunity use the full width of the street. Newbury Street will be pedestrian-only from Arlington Street to Massachusetts Avenue.

July 9–15

July 10 :: Kids Yoga by KidPowerment Yoga :: Boston :: These innovative kids yoga classes, deeply rooted in the foundations of yoga, empower kids to have strong bodies, focused minds, and brave hearts. Head to Chestnut Hill from 3-5 p.m. for this free event.

July 13 :: Free Friday Flicks :: Boston :: Bring a blanket and perhaps a picnic to the Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade, and get ready to enjoy family-friendly movies under the stars — a truly magical Boston summer experience! The July 13 showing is the Emoji movie. Movies begin at sundown (about 8:15 p.m.).

July 13 :: Heidi, Presented by the Kaleidoscope Children’s Theatre :: Beverly :: A wondrous tale of the charming Swiss miss who captures the hearts of everyone she meets, from her stern mountain-man of a grandfather to the nasty governess Miss Rottenmeier. She’s guaranteed to win your heart too! It’s a mountain of a musical that is fun for everyone!

July 14 :: WGBH FunFest :: Boston :: Come hang out with friends, family, and even a few of your favorite PBS kids characters at WGBH Studios in Brighton! There’s fun family music on stage and all the ice cream you can eat from a variety of local vendors. Did we also mention games, rides, and face painting?! Hours of fun out in the sun. Please register in advance.

July 14 :: ArtBeat 2018 :: Somerville :: ArtBeat is one of the area’s largest and most innovative arts festivals, with over a dozen bands, dance troupes, 75 craft vendors, food, and all-age activities. Head down to Davis Square for craft vendors, two stages of music, dance in the Somerville Theater, and a host of great interactive performances from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

July 14 :: RiverFest at DCR Neponset II Park :: Dorchester :: Celebrate the Neponset River and the beautiful parks and pedestrian paths along the shore, along with the natural salt marshes and wetlands that support more than 200 species of birds, fish, and other wildlife. Try out a canoe or kayak, for free, courtesy of PaddleBoston : Neponset River. There will also be music, food, children’s activities – and lots of fun and interesting people to talk to!

July 14 :: Downtown Playdates Lego Challenge :: Boston :: Drop in for a LEGO challenge during the Downtown Playdates series using your imagination and an extensive collection of LEGO bricks. Each week participants will face a different design challenge, including creating the tallest tower, reimagining a Boston neighborhood, designing a new neighborhood, or picturing buildings resilient to sea level rise. Join BSA Space’s design team for a brick ton of fun while envisioning Boston’s future using your favorite design tool.

July 16–22

July 17 :: Storytelling at Faneuil Hall Marketplace :: Boston :: Professional storytellers perform free shows that are kid-tested and parent-approved.

July 19–22 :: Needham Carnival :: Needham :: The Rotary Club of Needham is happy to bring back the Needham Carnival this year, with rides, games, prizes, and fun for all ages.

July 20 :: Free Friday Flicks:: Boston :: Bring a blanket and perhaps a picnic to the Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade, and get ready to enjoy family-friendly movies under the stars — a truly magical Boston summer experience! The July 20 showing is Elf. Movies begin at sundown (about 8:15 p.m.).

July 20 :: Animal World at the Winslow House :: Marshfield :: Meet a motley collection from the animal kingdom as Animal World Experiences returns to the Winslow House. From the cute and furry to the gross and slimy, you never know who will show up!

July 20–22 :: Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach :: Revere :: Fifteen renowned master sculptors from around the world work their magic with individual 12-ton allotments of sand. The sculptors compete for $14,000 in prize money, and the sculptures they create will amaze you with their detail and artistry. With music performances, a food truck festival, amusement rides, and crafts activities on site as well, you’ll find plenty of family entertainment — and don’t forget to bring your swimsuits, sunscreen, and towels for the beach!

July 21 :: Downtown Playdates Lego Challenge :: Boston :: Drop in for a LEGO challenge during the Downtown Playdates series using your imagination and an extensive collection of LEGO bricks. Each week participants will face a different design challenge, including creating the tallest tower, reimagining a Boston neighborhood, designing a new neighborhood, or picturing buildings resilient to sea level rise. Join BSA Space’s design team for a brick ton of fun while envisioning Boston’s future using your favorite design tool.

July 23–29

July 27 :: Free Friday Flicks:: Boston :: Bring a blanket and perhaps a picnic at the Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade, and get ready to enjoy family-friendly movies under the stars — a truly magical Boston summer experience! The July 27 showing is Cars 3. Movies begin at sundown (about 8:15 p.m.).

July 27 :: Teddy Bear Picnic :: Marshfield :: It’s a colonial build-a-bear! Come celebrate our most popular children’s event. Children will make their own teddy bear to take home and keep forever! Games, tasty treats, and a celebration of summer. Registration required ($10/child).

July 27 :: Family Fun Friday :: Sandwich :: Enjoy a day at Heritage that features fun for the whole family, including a performance by Wayne Potash and the Music Fun Band, outdoor games, and family challenges. Free with museum admission.

July 28 :: Downtown Playdates Lego Challenge :: Boston :: Drop in for a LEGO challenge during the Downtown Playdates series using your imagination and an extensive collection of LEGO bricks. Each week participants will face a different design challenge, including creating the tallest tower, reimagining a Boston neighborhood, designing a new neighborhood, or picturing buildings resilient to sea level rise. Join BSA Space’s design team for a brick ton of fun while envisioning Boston’s future using your favorite design tool.

July 30–31

July 31 :: Storytelling at Faneuil Hall Marketplace :: Boston :: Professional storytellers perform free shows that are kid-tested and parent-approved. Find the fun on South Market Street outside Wagamama.

Library Storytimes

Ongoing Events

Baby-Friendly Monday Matinees at the Capitol Theatre :: Arlington :: Mondays, 12–2 p.m. :: The Capitol Theatre features a baby-friendly movie every Monday afternoon. Please check the theater’s Monday schedule to see what feature has been selected for parents and their infants.

Kids’ Art Club :: Dorchester :: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m. :: This club has a new art project at the library every Tuesday. Projects include collage self-portraits and artist’s books. Art Club projects are showcased in rotating displays in the library children’s room.

Nature Time at Blue Hills Trailside Museum :: Milton :: Thursdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. :: Introduce your preschool-aged child to nature with this fun program. Programs may feature a story, nature games, crafts, short walks outside, or meeting one of the museum’s animal residents. Meet, play, and learn with other area families. Each program runs for 45 minutes and meets most Thursdays. Museum admission is included with this program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

JFN Free Friday Playgroup :: Natick :: Fridays, 9:30–11:30 a.m. :: Bring the little ones and come join other parents and caregivers in the Metrowest area for a fun-filled morning of play and socializing. There are plenty of songs, activities, toys, snacks, and laughter, as both the children and their grown-ups build connections and lasting friendships.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays :: Acton :: Fridays, 10–11 a.m. :: A great way for the whole family to enjoy time outdoors, the Forest Friday program is held outside, no matter the weather. Every Friday morning there is a nature-based activity based on the weather and season, either in Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. All ages are welcome but activities are designed for 2- to 6-year-olds. Please note that the conservation land trails are not ADA or stroller accessible; please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

StoryTime at the Curious George Store :: Cambridge :: Fridays, 10:30–11 a.m. :: Small children and their caregivers are welcome at these weekly storytimes, running throughout the year.

SaturPLAY :: Rose Kennedy Greenway – Chinatown :: Boston :: Select Saturdays, 1–3 p.m. :: The Asian Community Development Corporation’s youth program, A-VOYCE, hosts a placemaking event monthly to activate and bring children to The Greenway’s Mary Soo Hoo Park. Each month features a different theme with games, activities, crafts, and more. Youth volunteers are on hand to engage children. SaturPlay is subject to weather conditions.

Family Show :: Cambridge :: Saturdays, 4–5 p.m. :: Improv Boston’s improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on your suggestion. No two shows are alike! Best of all, children who want to participate have opportunities to be on stage and take part in the fun! Our show is ideal for family outings, birthday parties, and school field trips. The Family Show is fun for the whole family and best for children ages 4-12.

5 Ways to Thrive This Summer With Your ADHD Child

By

Jalisa Harris

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June 28, 2018

Summer is in full force. School’s out, and parents and kids are full of excitement — and anxiety. Having a child who was diagnosed with ADHD at the ripe age of 3 means no stopping on a regular day. So for us, staying busy and finding ways to survive summer is essential. It helps keep us — parents and children — feeling sane. And who doesn’t want to feel like they’ve totally crushed the whole parenting-through-the-summer thing?

Now that my son is 5, we are accustomed to learning what works and what doesn’t. Last summer, we made a plan for how to keep him busy without feeling like we were ripping our hair out of our heads. Here are five sure ways to survive this summer with your ADHD child. We all know what the struggle consists of!

Take day trips

You don’t have to go on a full-on vacation to be able to enjoy summer. Last summer, we took a day trip every weekend. This is especially practical if you have no time during the week or the kids are in a summer program. And one perk of living in New England is that your day trip could even take you out of state! I’ve found that the more outdoor places we can visit, the better. The zoo is a great place to start — it’s outdoors, and you have lots of space to run around and get out that energy. The Highland Street Foundation offers so many great activities for fun free Fridays and even places you can receive a discount on.

Create a schedule

Whether you’re going on a day trip or sticking closer to home, create a schedule. Getting up early helps little ones to exert all their energy and get tired sooner. That means naptime — and a parenting win.

Bring snacks

For as much as my son eats daily, he is the equivalent of a twig. It is known that people who suffer from ADHD often experience some type of eating disorder later in life — if not handled early.

Visit a fruit farm

Speaking of snacking, heading straight to the farm is the best! Whether it’s blueberries, peaches, or apples, the kids are eating healthy foods by snacking effectively on the fruits they are picking. Lookout Farm in Natick is the farm of all farms. They have trains to get to and from the different fields (apples, peaches, berries). They have various farm stands for refreshments and even a few parks. Plus, when you’re counting fruit, naming colors, and identifying shapes, it’s an educational day.

Create small activities

I’ve learned a lot from my son’s IEP paraprofessionals since he started pre-K when he turned 3. They have given me so many tips on how to help him excel. One of the ways we bring this learning home is by creating small activities that combine learning with sensory play. For example, my son likes to draw his name in shaving cream, or use chalk paint, or create a beach bin full of sand.

These five tips have helped us so much. Parenting a busy 5-year-old is no easy task, but this summer we will be busy and having tons of fun!

FREE (or Cheap) Things to Do This Summer With Kids in MetroWest Boston

By

Jacquelyn Eckmann

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June 27, 2018

things to do this summer - Boston Moms Blog

While a Boston-area child’s summer may not technically begin until late June (thanks, snow days), the long-awaited reprieve from learning is now here, and children big and small have heard that final school bell and are ready for the days that will follow.

But after the honeymoon (filled with sleeping in, some much-needed downtime, and way too much Fortnite) is over, even the most creative child begins to mutter that dreaded summer phrase: “Mom, I’m bored!”

Now, if you are like me, you can’t exactly afford the daily fortune it takes to keep them entertained (or enrolled in a camp). So here are some excellent free (or extremely cheap) things to do in MetroWest Boston this summer.

Hike the local trails

Oak Hill in Littleton is a short hike that’s typically dry and has a great view at the top. The Acton Arboretum allows hikers to stroll along open meadows, woodland ponds, a glacial esker, and a bog. And Concord’s Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful way to experience New England’s vast open space.

Another favorite? The Thanksgiving Ground in Chelmsford. The hike is super short, stroller friendly, and culminates in an area filled with massive boulders for the littles to climb and explore. It takes less than 15 minutes to get to the rocks and is perfect for the non-hiker.

Peruse the farmers markets

Visit one of the area’s many local farmers markets to buy fresh produce or simply soak up the organic atmosphere! There are lots, but you can find the one nearest to you here.

Discover The Discovery Museum’s “Especially for Me” events

For parents of children with developmental challenges, The Discovery Museum’s “Especially for Me” events (in Acton) offer dedicated hours and free museum admission. These nights are designed for (but not limited to) families of children who have autism spectrum disorder, are deaf or hard of hearing, or have a visual impairment.

Have a “Free Fun Friday”

The Highland Street Foundation is once again offering Free Fun Fridays! This summer program features free admission to cultural venues around Massachusetts. Some of the MetroWest venues include The Discovery Museum, The Fruitlands Museum (in Harvard), and the Concord Museum. Also, if you want to drive a bit further west, the EcoTarium in Worcester is on the list, too.

Watch a performance

Free Fun for Kids performances will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Lowell this summer, featuring crafts, a concert, and organic snacks. Some of the performances include an accidentally funny magician, an African dance and drum troupe, and a juggling, unicycling, accordion-playing clown.

Take advantage of the library

Visit your local library for free summer programs and events! Some pretty awesome ones in the area are the Maynard Public Library and Littleton’s Reuben Hoar Library, but you can find others around you here.

children's books - boston moms blog

Visit a farm

Located in Weston, Land’s Sake Farm is a nonprofit farm devoted to educating the public. The farm features hay rides, a farm stand, and pick-your-own fruits and vegetables.

Another favorite is Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. There you’ll find a short little trail to a pretty pond and farm animals (it’s a working dairy farm). Bring quarters to buy feed for the goats, sheep, and llamas. Also, there’s homemade ice cream, which is always a win for me my kids. Finally, Chip-In farm in Bedford offers a petting zoo, fresh produce and eggs from their free-running hens, and a penny candy counter.

Live it up at Natick Nights

Natick Nights are held EVERY Thursday night in June and July, with themes like The Voice Competition and Christmas in July. These nights are sure to appeal to the kiddos.

Play in the water

Trying to stay cool? Head to the Concord Playground & Spray Fountain, the Philip J. Weihn Memorial Swimming Pool in Clinton, or any of the DCR’s swimming facilities — all free. Another idea? Visit Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord. Pack a picnic and go for a swim! (An $8 parking fee applies.)

Catch a flick

Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express promotion offers $1 tickets for family-friendly flicks on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings — and Regal Solomon Pond Stadium 15 in Marlboro will be participating. Features include “The Lego Movie,” “Despicable Me 2,” “Paddington 2,” “Trolls,” and “Sing.”

summer movies in Boston - Boston Moms Blog

Go bowling

Free bowling, anyone? That’s right, Wamesit Lanes in Tewksbury is offering two free games (plus a $4 shoe rental) every day during the summer! You do have to register, so make sure to plan ahead!

Get steeped in history

You could head into Boston to learn some history lessons, or you could visit some of the many historical sites in MetroWest. One of my faves? Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord. Be sure to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at either of the visitor centers, because kids who complete the booklet receive a Junior Ranger certificate and a special badge.

Scope out a sculpture

Fill your morning with art and play at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum‘s 30 acres of sculpture art. Designated “Play in the Park” and “Makemobile” days through the summer offer play, experimentation, and engineering activities. Kids under 12 are always admitted free, and you can find discounted passes through local libraries for adult tickets.

Frolic at a festival

The 2018 Lowell Folk Festival is the perfect spot to enjoy great music while soaking up summer vibes and making memories.

Helping My Kids Reach Their Goals :: End-of-Year Wrap-Up

By

Timika Hopkins

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June 26, 2018

goals - Boston Moms Blog

I know the great pressure I put on myself as a teenager. I finished in the top of my class while managing a schedule that included sports, extracurricular activities, work, and family commitments, all while traveling over an hour a day to and from school each day. Today, things aren’t much different — I work and blog and podcast, I have three kids to teach, and I own a business. My overachiever ways are alive and well, and this, good or bad, affects my parenting style.

Now, before I lose any of you to gasps and eye rolls, I want to be clear that my kids are never treated as tiny adults. They live the ultimate child-appropriate lives — basketball in the driveway, family bike rides through the woods, and video games on weekends. My goal is to teach — not force — them how to mature gracefully, and also, how to achieve whatever they want to in life.

So, before the school year began in 2017, we called a Family Goals Meeting over pizza, fruit, and juice boxes. Here’s what happened:

The goal-setting session

The best way to approach a goal-setting session with your little ones is to meet first with the adults involved in supporting those goals. For us, this included my husband, but I could have easily included my parents as well. They are very involved with our children. My husband and I brainstormed some goal categories we wanted to frame our kids’ choices with. We narrowed it to academics and extracurriculars, and we decided the children would choose their goals and we would help develop those goals so they were measurable. We were not allowed to choose the goal for them.

When it came time to goal set, I reviewed what goals were (definition and example), we discussed which goals they’d achieved already (relatable content), and we pointed out examples of how I or their dad reached our own goals (case studies). We set the firm requirement of one academic and one extracurricular goal minimum, each, and we went to the whiteboard to hash out the actual goals.

Our fifth grader wanted to:

1. Make the basketball team and play as a starter.
2. Get perfect attendance.
3. Make the honor roll.

Our fourth grader wanted to:

1. Write two songs for the piano.
2. Get perfect attendance.
3. Earn great grades (satisfactory, meets expectations, weird stuff).
4. Learn violin.
5. Get one triple-double in each of her basketball games.

Our 3-year-old wanted to:

1. Go to the zoo.

Outcomes: Wins and fails

Fifth grader’s outcomes:

1. Award for perfect attendance since first grade.
2. Made the fifth-grade basketball team after two-day tryouts (#awesome).
3. Became the starting shooting guard.
4. Did receive the honor roll — but had a slight hiccup in the middle terms.

Fourth grader’s outcomes:

1. Wrote 2 short songs for the piano.
2. Missed perfect attendance this year for a trip to Harry Potter World (of course!).
3. Excellent report card
4. Played well in the violin recital AND piano recital (“No One” by Alicia Keys).
5. Had a few triple doubles in her basketball games — not all games.

3-year-old’s outcomes:

1. Would not, could not forget about the zoo. We went at least a dozen times this year.

A prize for hard work

We won’t allow ourselves to be all work and no play. We have planned a family cruise in celebration of birthdays, graduations, and an overall EXCELLENT and rewarding school year.

Why you should try this approach

This exercise is not about placing pressure on our children to succeed and overachieve. It is about coming together as a group and setting common focuses. It is about letting our children know they aren’t just going to school because they are mandated; they have control over what happens during their school year. They own the year and can affect all outcomes. This exercise is about learning what is important to our kids. Whether the importance lies in playing at the zoo or making the honor roll, these are the experiences they choose to shape their lives with. Therefore, these focus points become important to us. And as a family, working together and focusing together, we know we can always make any goal happen.

5 Reasons It’s Cool To Have Children Close In Age

By

Ranessa Doucet

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June 22, 2018

two children close in age sharing ice cream cones (having kids close together) — iStock

If you had asked me a few years ago if I would recommend having children close in age, my answer would have been a resounding, “No!” When my children were babies and toddlers, it was challenging, to say the least. Now my tune has drastically changed.

I didn’t plan to have my children 16 months apart. When my daughter was 7 months old, I wasn’t even close to being ready for another baby. It took me a long time to become pregnant with my first, and to say I was shocked the second time around is an understatement! I panicked! But now that my children are ages 6 and 7, I am grateful they are close in age. Here are five reasons I think having children close in age is cool.

You keep on rolling

We hadn’t yet packed away any baby stuff when my son was born. The bottles, swing, bouncy seat, and baby toys were all still out. (We did have to buy another crib because my daughter was still in hers.) I didn’t feel like I was starting over; I was merely continuing what I had been doing for the past 16 months.

There’s no jealousy

My daughter was still a baby when my son was born, and she was not the only child for very long. She didn’t have any jealousy or resentment toward him. The main thing we had to deal with was keeping a close eye on her because she wanted to hug him a bit too hard. She doesn’t remember a time without her brother in her life.

They have similar interests

One child is not too old or too young to do the things the other child wants to do. When they were younger, they both loved storytime at the library, tumble time at the YMCA, and taking a walk in the double stroller. They even napped at the same time for almost a year! Now they both love Storyland, playing baseball, and riding bikes. It’s so much easier to keep them both entertained when they are on similar levels.

One school drop-off

My children are only one grade apart. For five years I get to drop them off at one school. One drop-off and pick-up location is seriously convenient. They even have some of the same friends. (I’m guessing this may not be so cool with them when they are teenagers and want to date each other’s friends, but we’ll deal with that when the time comes.)

They are best friends

This is, by far, the best reason for having children close in age. If you ask either of them who their best friends are, they always mention each other. They each have one of their best friends to play with every day. They certainly fight, but they would be lost without each other. When I was putting my daughter to bed the other night, I asked her what she was grateful for. The first thing she said was “my brother.” That right there makes all the challenging toddler years worth it.

I know firsthand that we can’t always plan how far apart our children are, no matter how hard we try. I’m also sure there are a whole host of reasons why it’s great to have children far apart in age. This has been my personal experience, and I’m grateful it worked out the way it did. So, if you’re in the throes of raising two babies or toddlers, trust me — it will be worth it. Hang in there, mama!

#MomsToo :: My Story of Anti-Mom Bias at Work

By

Rachel Wilson

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June 21, 2018

“I know you aren’t even married yet, but are you planning to have children?”

He paused, then laughed, “I think it might be illegal to ask you that.”

It IS illegal.

Nevertheless, the male vice president at my company asked that question in my annual review just before my wedding. A year later, I was pregnant. During an all-staff lunch, this same person announced that two people were hired to help with my workload during my maternity leave. These people, being men, “are unlikely to get pregnant any time soon,” he said.

This statement caused a silent uproar around my office.

At some point over the next few days, all of my co-workers (with the exception of senior leadership) approached me, expressing outrage over these comments. Human resources spoke to me, asking if I could continue to work with that vice president. I felt like I was being held responsible for his actions.

“Bias against mothers is one of the strongest forms of bias against women.”

This quote from Liz Morris, deputy director of the Center for Worklife Law, appeared in a recent New York Times opinion piece by Katherine Goldstein. The author reports that anti-mom bias is a systemic problem. Research shows that mothers are passed over for jobs, despite equal qualifications, and they earn less money. Goldstein describes instances in which promised compensation was denied, promotions weren’t given, and women were fired. All because they were pregnant or were mothers.

A week after the all-staff lunch, I went into pre-term labor and was put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I strongly believe that it was largely due to the stress of this situation. Prior to my unexpected leave, I’d been approved as an expert trial witness for the federal government. During bed rest, I saw that project go to the man who had made the anti-pregnancy comments. No one asked me before they took that career-boosting project away. My last promotion and merit-driven salary increase were in 2013. Right before I became a mom.

But you know what? Part of that was my fault. Because I am also guilty of anti-mom bias.

I came back to work on a part-time basis after my first daughter was born. I continued that schedule after the birth of my second daughter. And here are some things I’ve said since returning to work:

In relation to promotions: “I’m not trying to get ahead right now, I’m just trying to stay afloat.”

Because I do school pickup: “I’m not the best employee because I can’t make afternoon meetings or conference calls.”

I spoke at a conference and had to bring my infant daughter with me. Conference organizers praised my presentation to a colleague, and I responded with: “Oh, they just liked me because I brought my baby.”

I’m a clear offender of anti-mom bias — toward myself. I’ve completely discounted my own abilities, expertise, and commitment to doing great work for my clients all because I’m a mom.

My attitude has hurt me as well as all other moms in the workplace.

But that changed this year, for a number of reasons. Yes, anti-mom bias from others has held me back, but I’ve also held myself back. I don’t want to do that anymore. Instead, I’m advocating for myself, and in doing that, advocating for working moms everywhere. And it’s not enough to change attitudes for the sake of my daughters. I want attitudes to change now, so that working women who are pregnant or already mothers don’t have to fight these same battles. Goldstein states, “But it’s also noteworthy to me that we’ve never had a high-profile case or national discussion about discrimination against mothers, one that begins to raise in the collective consciousness the notion that this kind of discrimination is wrong and truly harmful. . . . If the dam of silence ever starts to break, I believe we’ll soon begin to hear a lot of mothers saying #MomsToo.”

I’m saying it now. Loudly. #MomsToo.

3 Ways To Protect Your Children From Negative Views of Body Image

By

Linette Bullock

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June 20, 2018

body image - Boston Moms Blog

Summer is here, and body-shaming memes are starting to go viral. It’s no surprise “summer bod vibes” are in full effect here in Boston. We live in a fit-centric city, where 90% of fashion trendsetters on the train are sporting their yoga pants. I’m guilty. I looked through my wardrobe recently, wondering when I last purchased a pair of jeans. This could be because I’m a part-time yoga instructor, and between sessions I try to focus on my personal practice. It’s kind of like of wearing a raincoat in case it rains — I wear yoga pants in case I do yoga.

My students often speak of what they want their ultimate beach bodies to look like, and I teach them to make choices that have long-term wellness effects that extend beyond summer 2018. The words “lifestyle modifications” make them cringe.

It’s difficult not to obsess over beauty standards when you are constantly reminded of them. And if we are so in tune with these standards and how they affect our views of our own bodies, it makes you wonder if our children notice.

My fellow classmates were my greatest influencers as a child. I picked up on colorful language that resulted in long afternoons spent in the principal’s office, but I also contributed, keeping the cycle going. This knowledge exchange caused our parents to work twice as hard. Our children spend 30-40 hours at school each week. Whether you are a working or stay-at-home mom, you know a lot can happen in that amount of time.

These seemingly harmless ways of information sharing have led to forms of unconscious bias, body shaming, and issues with self-esteem. It’s important to speak to our children about these views and how they affect our perceptions.

Here are three ways to protect your children from negative views of body image:

Practice self-love

Be mindful of the way you speak about yourself and others. Children are not always able to discern the difference between a “joke” or whether you truly feel a certain way about your own personal body image. Show them you love and care for your body by encouraging healthy habits! Opt for self-care (even in the smallest forms). It starts with you!

Monitor entertainment sources

Encourage your child to see and appreciate the different forms of beauty that make us unique! Screen all entertainment sources. Look for movies, music, and books with positive messages. Ensure they have varied entertainment that includes body and cultural diversity.

Give them tools

We were all young once. Instead of telling children how to feel, give them the tools needed to make informed decisions. Talk to them about bullying and how it affects other people. Inspire them to love themselves and to honor different standards of beauty.

Tell your children they are beautiful. Give them examples. Help them to be proud of their individual features. Foster positive associations toward body image so that others, too, can recognize their beauty in a world that still has a ways to go in the realm of diverse representation!

ThunderHeadz :: The Sports Collectible You Haven’t Heard Of But Need To Know About

By

Meghan Block

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June 19, 2018

Thank you, ThunderHeadz, for showing us your neat products and facility!

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to my hometown of Plymouth to meet with Owen Nannarone, founder of Outrageous Souvenirs LLC and the creator of ThunderHeadz, the sports collectible souvenir you haven’t heard of… yet.

Owen Nannarone isn’t the typical CEO. You won’t find him in a suit and tie, jaunting to meetings with his briefcase in hand. Instead, Owen can usually be found bent over his workbench and outfitted in his signature black hoodie. He’s a 16-year-old kid with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to do good. He loves working with his hands, sees beauty in design, and really, truly believes in the business he has built.

With the help of his loving parents, Owen has grown his business and manufacturing facility rapidly. With branding licenses from Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and more, his souvenirs are being sold on his own website, on Amazon, in the fan shop right outside of Fenway Park, and at upcoming NASCAR events and the MLB All Star Game. And even more impressively, he’s done all of this while dealing with the unimaginable — brain cancer. You might have gathered this already, but Owen Nannarone is a pretty remarkable kid.

When I walked into his production facility I was awestruck. Owen has a huge space with some very sophisticated equipment — the whole facility was much bigger than the start-up operation I was expecting. I was greeted by Owen’s lovely mom, Korey, who helps him with his business operations and marketing. Together they offered me a full tour, and Owen walked me through the ThunderHeadz manufacturing process from start to finish.

He explained that his idea for this souvenir came from his love for fishing and the thought that some fishing lures are beautifully made and too pretty to be used exclusively for a big catch. With some mentoring, Owen perfected his own design and set out on branding his creation. His hands touch almost every souvenir they churn out.

As a mother myself, I’m always a little skeptical about the types of souvenirs my kids pick out at a ball game or on a family trip. Is it something that can hold up to their rough little hands? Is it multi-functional and worth the money I’m about to spend? Owen sent me home with two ThunderHeadz for my boys, and I can happily report that they LOVED them. They’re fun to wave around! They GLOW! They are branded with the best baseball team in the country (go Sox!). And they were a hit.

With every purchase of a ThunderHeadz souvenir, 10% of the proceeds are donated to brain cancer research. Owen and his company have made it their mission to help to eradicate pediatric brain cancer, and they’ve partnered with The Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he receives his own treatment. Owen’s product, while an eye-catching and super fun souvenir, is so much more than that. It’s a passion project, and it’s doing real good in the real world.

If you’re in the market for a souvenir, have a sports fan or collector in your family, or if you or someone you know has been touched by brain cancer, I encourage you to support Owen and his mission. We’re lucky to know him, and we’re proud to say that ThunderHeadz are Boston Moms Blog approved!

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Bedtime Is Terrible

By

Caitlin Hynes

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June 19, 2018

Back when my son was an infant, bedtime was a dream. By 4 weeks old, he was down to one wake up a night. He would suck down a quick bottle, then go back to snoozing. By 8 weeks, we would place him in his crib, all swaddled up like a baby burrito with a full belly and fresh diaper, and he would sleep for a minimum of eight hours. Eight glorious hours where he didn’t make a peep. I went back to work after being home with him for 12 weeks. It was amazing to wake up and ready myself for a full day of work after being allowed an uninterrupted night’s sleep.

My son would wake up as a smiley little dude shortly before I left and cooperate with his father as he readied them both for the day. At one point, he regressed a little, but when we introduced cereal in his bottle (no lectures, please) before bed he started back to nine or ten hours of peaceful slumber.

Then he turned one.

All of a sudden, right around my son’s first birthday, he started to hate sleeping. Like, I mean hate it. All of a sudden he was like an “American Ninja Warrior” contestant, able to scale seemingly impossible heights. My husband and I took extreme measures to keep him in his crib — changing table barrier against a short side. High side facing away from the wall. It worked until it didn’t. One night I found him sitting on his changing table, seemingly really regretting the decisions he made that night.

We 86ed the crib when he was 2 and converted it to a toddler bed, praying that with the climbing factor removed we’d be back to hours upon on hours of restful slumber. We were wrong. So very wrong. Unbeknownst to us, the toddler bed was some sort of torture device designed to terrify and antagonize our son. He REFUSED to sleep in it. For several months, he slept in several places other than his bed — his Anywhere Chair, his floor, an (unused) dog bed in his room. We played this game until later that year when we purchased a used racecar bed to test out a new theory. Maybe with a super fun new bed our son could be willing to sleep like an actual person again. And it worked. That one year was great.

Then, all of a sudden, things took a turn for the worse.

We’d always had a pretty long and involved bedtime routine. There was a show in our bedroom. Then a show in his own room. Then he got to lay down in our room again for five minutes. Finally, he would settle into his own room — and lights out.

But sometime in the early spring, our son burst into tears as it was time for him to go to sleep. Hysterically, he told me he was afraid of his room. The same bedroom he’d been sleeping in since he was 7 weeks old. We tried a million things to make his room a place he wasn’t afraid of. If he said something was scary, it was taken out or replaced. We tried no blankets, new blankets, music on, music off. He had a Mickey nightlight he previously loved. Now it made him cry, so we hid it. Nothing worked.

Scratch that. There was one thing that did work. And that was sleeping in our room. Fortunately, our son doesn’t need to sleep in our bed. Just on our floor — on that same previously mentioned dog bed. But only after he sings to himself, attempts to crawl under our bed, and plays with each and every lovie he hoards onto the bed with him. Some nights I struggle to stay awake long enough to outlast him.

I long for the infant days. I’m sure most people won’t agree with me and will think I’m crazy. And I get that. But in my case, bedtime back then was a breeze. Now, not so much. Now, it’s nearly an hour and a half of cajoling, comprising, and pleading. And that’s on a good night. My son fights sleep like his life depends on staying awake. He hates bedtime.

And truth be told, I’m not a fan either.

A New Twist on the Traditional Pizza Party

By

Megan Samborski

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June 15, 2018

Thank you, Chef Tony, for treating us to incredible pizza and sharing your story with us!

Loved by all ages and devoured by the pickiest and most sophisticated palates, there is one food that pretty much everyone can agree on — pizza. If you are getting ready to plan your next party or event, chances are you have already added this fan-favorite staple to your menu. Let’s face it — pizza really is the perfect party food. It works any time of year, regardless of weather, and creates a comfortable and casual environment.

I order takeout pizza for my family on the regular, but serving up the same old sheet pizza at every party can get pretty monotonous. When it comes to events, it’s fun to shake things up and serve something completely unexpected for your guests. Enter Chef Tony Carbone, certified personal chef and owner of The Urban Epicurean — my new favorite go-to for the perfect pizza festivity.

I recently decided to throw a party for my fellow Boston Moms Blog contributors and contacted The Urban Epicurean to cater the event. My vision was to throw a casual backyard party at my house and weave in my own theme for the party (which I decided would be “Boston,” naturally). Tony described himself as a one-man band who would bring his “pop-up pizzeria” to my house — no big food truck or elaborate setup required. It would just be Tony, his portable stone ovens, and the freshest pizza ingredients. Sounded like the perfect way to spend an afternoon with some fellow moms!

Tony arrived before my guests and went into prep mode while I put some finishing touches on my Boston-themed setup. Preparation was quick and seamless, and the ovens were warming up in no time. We had a bit of rain that afternoon (spring in New England, of course) but luckily Tony can set up his pizza prep station anywhere outdoors — rain or shine.

As my guests started arriving, I introduced them to Tony and we quickly got down to business — food, beverages, and some much-needed adult conversation. Tony kicked things off with a traditional cheese that was the most mouthwatering yet simple combination of tomato, mozzarella, and Parmesan you can possibly imagine. Take it from me, you can hear a pin drop when a bunch of moms (who rarely get to eat a meal while it’s hot) are devouring pizza of this caliber. The ladies were both impressed and curious about the talent behind the ovens, and Tony passionately shared some of his experiences in the catering business in Boston with us. We even learned a little bit about his experience finishing as a top 10 finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s hit reality cooking show “MasterChef” on Fox. Reality TV was just as impressive a topic as pizza when it came to this group of moms, and we had a great time chatting with Tony, who was engaging and entertaining but also kept the conversation light and casual.

Tony went on to serve up the best Margherita pizza I have ever tasted (for the record, I did a great deal of pizza sampling in Italy on my honeymoon). One of my fellow writers admitted that Tony had officially ruined traditional takeout pizza for her. Tony was even able to serve a dairy-free option to a guest with a dairy allergy — there really was something for everyone.

Before we knew it, the party was, sadly, coming to an end. Tony had come fully prepared to serve endless amounts of custom-made, fresh, hot pizza pies, and everyone left happy and full. A few of us inquired about booking parties for kids and were impressed at how affordable his options are. As a dad himself, Tony shared that he loves to engage with kids at his parties as they curiously watch their pizza stretched, tossed, and baked on site.

In the following days I received so much positive feedback about my non-traditional pizza party and what a memorable experience it was. Since I have enough chaos in my life with young kids, I am looking forward to planning my next party through the Urban Epicurean and actually being able to ENJOY another stress-free party!

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“Who Raised You?” A Tribute to My Parents’ Love

By

Jacquelyn Eckmann

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June 15, 2018

“Holidays” like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day often lull me into happy thoughts of my childhood, conjuring images of the much younger faces of my parents in the moments I remember most fondly. And as I remember these moments, my heart smiles and I thank my lucky stars for having them as the ones who raised me.

So a few years ago, when a close relative scolded me for doing something she didn’t agree with, condescendingly asking, “Who raised you?!” I was a little miffed. Not because I took offense, but because I am very proud of the way I was raised — and God forbid you infer that my parents were anything less than superstars.

Nonetheless, that question, “Who raised you?” played in my head like a broken record. And I started thinking… who did raise me?

You see, I was a product of divorce. By 5 years old I had a cast of characters that included grandparents, stepparents, and biological parents, all lending a helping hand with the parenting.

As the years passed, my mom and stepdad ended up doing the brunt of the “raising” — the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all. And even though I knew them to be the ones I would strive to be like as an adult, I also knew there was so much more to these people than just the assigned nouns of “mother” and “stepfather.”

Finally, after some deep contemplation, I came up with the answer.

And I knew exactly who raised me.

The people who raised me were selfless, always putting family first. People who cared less about image and more about stability. People who worked hard but never had too little time for their children. People who took the delicate situation of blending a family and managed it with grace and love. People who made sacrifices to better our family.

I was raised by people who encouraged creativity, no matter what form it was in. People who were always my biggest cheerleaders, no matter the endeavor. People who believed in me and taught me I could do whatever I set my mind to. People who helped me develop the skills to believe in myself, even when things seemed impossible.

I was raised by people who believed in commitment, teaching me that once you commit to something, you follow it through, even if it’s not as fun as you thought it would be. People who valued a given word. People who did not make excuses for their shortcomings but recognized the issue and then tried again.

I was raised by kind-hearted people. People who taught me that speaking badly of others is not funny, it’s hurtful. People who appreciated differences in race, culture, and religion and exhibited an example of acceptance just by the way they lived their daily lives. People who felt strongly that no one is better than another.

I was raised by people who taught me to be modest. People who could have flaunted their money, looks, and smarts, but didn’t. By the same token, I was raised by people who passed down the skill of using smarts, humor, and kindness to create genuine relationships. People who valued laughter and wit.

I was raised by people who taught me the value of a dollar. People who budgeted, and saved, and spent frugally. People who didn’t care about materialism in a world that is obsessed with it. People who would rather wear fanny packs than designer purses.

I was raised by people who appreciated all that I was. People who allowed me to have my own opinions, and to share them. People who taught me to share an opinion in a respectful way, and to value others’ opinions.

I was raised by people who I trusted and who would become my confidants in my adult life. People who, to this very day, will sit with me for hours while we share stories. People who inspire me. People who I admire.

Yes, I know exactly who raised me. People I have been fortunate enough to call my parents. People who taught me that family doesn’t always mean having the same blood coursing through our veins. People who taught me that “Dad” means much more than a name on a birth certificate. People I am lucky to have in my life.

In this season of Mother’s and Father’s Days, I thank my parents for their love, for their dedication, and for raising me in a way that makes me proud — a way I strive to model as I raise my own children.

Flag Day :: 4 Ways to Share Patriotism With Kids

By

Teresa Kett

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June 14, 2018

“Do you know what’s on that plate?” someone asked my then 2-year-old at a family Fourth of July celebration.

He grinned proudly and said, “Go Patriots!”

I cringed. It was an American flag. His response elicited laughter, so he was happy. But the brief exchange made me realize something.

I decided to do a better job sharing one of my own values with my kids — patriotism. I want them to recognize the flag and to know the pledge, national anthem, and patriotic songs. I want them to understand the sacrifice so many have made for freedom, including in our own family. To realize that sacrifice has earned them the right to stand up for what they believe, even if it’s not popular or even if it’s not what I believe.

But I can’t teach all that to a preschooler right away. It’s something you have to live and learn, day by day, the same way I did. Just like my son learned red, white, and blue represent his dad’s favorite football team, I wanted to show him those colors could mean more. I never felt like patriotism was something my parents specifically taught me. It was just something that was a part of our family. Here are a few ways I’m making an effort to do the same with my own kids.

By singing

With two preschoolers in my house, singing is an everyday occurrence. We sing everything from songs we learned in music class two years ago to the latest overplayed radio music, complete with hilariously butchered lyrics. Why not patriotic songs too? My oldest is currently working on what he refers to as “our country’s special song” — “The Star-Spangled Banner.” He has mastered “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” which I definitely count in the patriotic column. I have “God Bless America,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in mind next, but we’ll see what interests the singers.

By attending community events

There are always plenty of annual community events, like parades and ceremonies, around big patriotic holidays — Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. Dedham and Quincy, which are in my neck of the woods, have some today and this weekend for Flag Day. We recently attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Walpole Fire Station. It included honor guards from the police and fire departments, bagpipes, the national anthem, and a flag raising. All of this was fascinating to my kids and their friends, who sat right up front in an adorable line for much longer than I would have expected. I’ll be keeping my eye out for more things like this.

By honoring traditions

For as long as I can remember, my family has gathered for the Fourth of July. There are flag plates and napkins, homemade ice cream, a flag cake made with strawberries and blueberries, and, most importantly, fireworks. Growing up, I learned this holiday was important and fun because of how we celebrated. This is something I continue with my own kids.

And making plans for down the road…

When my kids are older, I have things in mind, like participating in a flag retirement ceremony — something I have vivid memories of as a Girl Scout. And I want to take them to cemeteries and veterans walls to see the names etched in stone of those who died so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. I hope by then they’ll realize we live in a pretty special place.