Things to Do
Zoom :: The New Night Out?
I have been Zooming all week. Staff meetings, department meetings, morning meetings, read alouds for my kids, a special ‘happy birthday’ for my son, and my favorite — happy hour. Zoom happy hour has become a regular part of my day, when I carve out time to enjoy a drink (or more) and chat with friends. These calls have been vital to my week and help keep me sane and grounded each night.
Online Learning Resources for an Accidental Homeschool Mom
In the midst of everything, I’m secretly a little happy about having a few weeks with my kiddo unexpectedly. I’m excited for board games, movie nights, endless games of hopscotch, and bubbles in the backyard. However, I’m also going to need to keep my kiddo’s mind occupied at least long enough for me to shower and maintain some of my sanity. The reality is that I’m an introvert and she’s an extrovert, and when she’s uttered 300,000 words before lunch my brain feels a little fried.
Practicing Gratitude in the Midst of Coronavirus
A full night’s sleep offered some needed perspective the next day: My family was safely home together. We had plenty of food. We were all healthy. As the media highlighted those who were not as fortunate, I knew I did not want to take our situation for granted.
Representation Matters :: A Doll Like Me
My husband and I carefully pulled open the box, put the braces on the baby, and then wrapped her up. The braces looked just like my daughter’s, right down to the pink velcro.
An Open Letter to the Ladies Who Sat Next To Us at a ‘Family-Friendly’ Restaurant
See, things have changed a lot. Parents of young kids these days can be distracted — myself included. We have a lot going on, and technology and social media have created an additional burden on us despite all the ways they have made life easier. In part because of all the information we have available, we are constantly judging ourselves. Moms in particular struggle with comparing themselves and their parenting abilities to those of everyone they follow on Instagram or are friends with on Facebook.
Thank Our Veterans
My hope is that my children see me model this and it becomes something they copy and do themselves. My kids are 8, 5, and 2, so too young to really understand what it means that their “Pop” served in Vietnam. However, I do expect them to thank my father-in-law. Someday they will know and understand the sacrifices he made. And they can be just as proud of him as I am, and just as proud of him as I was of my grandfathers.
Enrolling My Daughter in Dance Was the Best Decision I’ve Made as a Parent (and Not for the Reasons You Think!)
My daughter learned how to stretch her body and wait patiently for her turn. Her teachers encouraged her to look in the mirror and be proud of who she saw looking back at her. She sang songs while she danced, practiced walking on her tiptoes like a princess, was encouraged to use good manners, and, above all, learned to be kind to her classmates.
Bully Proof Your Child with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
From learning and practicing jiu-jitsu, a child becomes stronger, faster, and smarter. When faced with a bully, a child with a jiu-jitsu background is not likely to back down. When bullies sense this unyielding confidence, it is more likely they will back down before engaging. A child who has self-confidence in his ability to defend himself will exude that. This can prevent many bullying encounters. At the same time, jiu-jitsu instills humility.
Things to Do With Kids in East Boston
Before we moved to East Boston, it felt like a distant land, far across the water from the rest of Boston. Now, after having lived here for almost a decade, I cannot imagine a better place to live — or raise kids. One stop away from downtown Boston on the MBTA Blue Line or a short water-taxi ride away, it’s an easy location for an adventure and offers a myriad of options to parents of young children!
