baystateparent magazine APRIL 2019

baystateparent PRICELESS

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

APRIL 2019

120+ THINGS TO DO IN APRIL HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME IS TOO MUCH?

adventure AWAITS! the TRAVEL issue

2 APRIL2019

BAYSTATEPARENT 3

contents Family APRIL 2019 VOLUME 24

features 30

Road Trip! Inn at East Hill Farm Offers Year-Round Family Stays

32

Two Days in Boston with a Toddler in Tow

35

Travel Scam: Watch Out for Shady School Trips

37

12 DIY Exercise Projects You Can Make at Home

40

Youth Community Initiative Gives Student Activists a Voice

41

Bay State Buckles Down to Curb Teen Vaping Epidemic

44

Your Child Got Accepted to College... Now What?

in every issue 6 8 9 23 29 42 45 47 48 51

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Momma to the Max Herding Goofballs On the Agenda Bites Our Fave Four #MomLife Very Special People Cyber Savvy Mom Finally Forever Take Eight with Anthony Field

NUMBER 11

Travel

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baystateparent president PAUL M. PROVOST associate publisher KATHY REAL BENOIT 508-767-9525 kbenoit@gatehousemedia.com

CREATIVE editor in chief AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER 508-767-9526 acollins@gatehousemedia.com creative director SHIELA NEALON 508-793-9121 shiela.nealon@telegram.com

ADVERTISING sales manager JEREMY WARDELL 508-767-9574 jwardwell@gatehousemedia.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-767-9544 kpuffer@gatehousemedia.com

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100 Front Street, 5th Floor Worcester, MA 01608 baystateparent is published monthly and is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

momma to the

MAX

1,001 Words Excited clapping. Frantic waving.

Jumping up and down while spinning in a circle.

Every single parent has been there. When adults try to get kids to look at a camera and smile, ridiculousness ensues.

There was no exception to this rule when it came to shooting the cover for this issue, which features my 19-month-old son. Since it’s our annual travel issue and Max is practically affixed to his ride-on airplane, I campaigned to get them both on the front page. You can imagine my motherly joy when I got the OK to make my boy a cover model.

But as the photo shoot unfolded, pride turned to panic. At first, Max wouldn’t even touch his beloved plane, never mind sit on it and pose.

He wandered around the studio, touching things he shouldn’t, tugging at his scarf and pulling off his hat. He shouted “NO!” when the camera so much as pointed in his direction, and refused my bribes of snacks and sweets and toys.

It wasn’t until my husband and I burst into song and dance, performing an embarrassingly over-thetop rendition of the theme song to PBS’s Dinosaur Train -- complete with choo-chooing and dramatic roars -- that Max sat on his plane and gave a couple half-smiles in

Cover photo by Shawna Shenette Photography. Max’s Speedster Ride-On Plane is by Baghera and available from thegrommet.com, $175.

6 APRIL2019

the right direction. We decided to take what we could get and call it a day before a meltdown arose, crossing our fingers that somehow, just one of the shots would work out.

When it comes to pictures of little kids, the silliness behind the scenes might be more priceless than the photo itself. A few months ago, a video of an Indiana family trying to get a group of six baby cousins to smile for a photo went viral, viewed over 5 million times on Facebook. The parents and grandparents didn’t know they were being filmed as they cooed, clapped, and capered while the bewildered babies looked on. Their ridiculous (but relatable) antics produced a couple grins, a few befuddled faces, and one unamused nose-picker.

One for the family album, for sure.

I guess it’s all fitting when it comes to parenting. You find yourself doing some surprising things for your kids, and even when all goes right, it’s never quite how you expected. Parenthood isn’t picture perfect… no matter what you might see on Instagram.

In that spirit, I’m sharing some outtakes of me and Max in front of the camera. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, and I think these snapshots speak at least that much on what parenthood is really like.

Amanda

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Herding

Goofballs

Tales from

Aisle 5

BY JOSH FARNSWORTH, ILLUSTRATION BY KIRA BEAUDOIN

A vague memory of Friday night, pre-kids, is still clinging to a few of my brain cells.

Every kickoff to the weekend was different, but usually involved some form of celebrating at the house/apartment or with friends elsewhere.

Sometimes there was live music. There was usually food.

There was usually drink.

When no plans materialized, however, I was enjoying one of my favorite de-stressors: grocery shopping.

I assure you, no sarcasm here.

Grocery shopping reduced my stress. It got me out of the house and into the right frame of mind. Also, how great is food? Am I right? And before you cast me as a lame, no-fun geek, let me assure you… that you are correct.

Regardless, I was a lame, no-fun king, free to gallivant about the kingdom as I pleased on these nights.

This kingdom, however, has grown by two court jesters.

And while I still enjoy my foodbased pastime, the journey to the grocery store can take on the stressors of a mystical quest that would make King Arthur consider another line of work.

Some nights are fine. We 8 APRIL2019

drive to my favorite store. We more or less come home with a reasonable assortment of food from my carefully constructed shopping list.

And then there are the other times.

They are the times when exhaustion has crept in early, and tolerance for anything less than a cart filled with candy is unacceptable to Cooper, 5, and Milo, 2.

Damn the torpedoes and damn the reasonable assortment.

Forget the cross country trip.

Friday nights to the grocery store with just the boys and I are the adventures that dreams are made of.

A look at my typical adventure…

6:25 p.m. After getting kids in jackets, hats, etc. look for toys that they can easily carry and will not break when dropped from the height of the shopping cart handles.

6:30 p.m. Depart with now-sobbing children, who cannot believe you left the house with only three toys apiece.

Side note: You monster!

6:35 p.m. Remind kids we are not there yet, but will be soon.

6:38 p.m. Ditto.

6:41 p.m. Ditto Ditto.

6:45 p.m. Arrive to triumphant cheers that the long, arduous trek is finally over (until…you know…we have to go home later).

6:47 p.m. Place Milo in

shopping cart seat facing you.

Remind Cooper if he wants to walk, he needs to pay attention and not touch anything. He swears to walk entire grocery trip.

6:48 p.m. Yank Cooper away from bread display he started walking into while trying to grab a muffin package. Re-state verbatim what you said at 6:47 p.m. Side note: He is not even interested in the muffins.

6:50 p.m. Endure full-scale onslaught of kids’ prayers that we get the spheres of white cheddar affectionately known in the Farnsworth household as “circle cheese.” Decide to use circle cheese as reward for good behavior.

6:52 p.m. Decide to spend extra quarter on the cartoon-themed mac n’ cheese.

Soak in cheering from kids, whose very livelihood rested on the shape of these noodles.

6:53 p.m. Allow Cooper to pull ticket from deli ticket machine and Milo to put ticket stub back in the small ticket receptacle. Shower deli worker with praise for offering to give kids piece of cheese.

6:55 p.m. The infamous rack of toys at the end of Aisle 5 approaches. Try to distract boys by talking about other items I will allow them to pick out later. It almost never works.

Firmly, yet lovingly remind them that we are here for food.

If they persist, explain that you are not above calling an Uber

for them to get home the rest of the way.

6:57 p.m. Put Cooper in carriage after he has discovered he has no more energy to walk.

6:59 p.m. Watch in awe as Cooper builds an intricate fort out of the contents of the cart.

7:00 p.m. Comfort him after taking the corner to the next aisle and his fort has imploded.

7:05 p.m. As we finish gathering produce, both kids break into impromptu singing of their favorite movie theme. Side note: See, Josh. You still DO get live music on a Friday night.

7:10 p.m. Under exasperations from Milo, explain that trying to climb into freezer will be cold.

7:15 p.m. Give encouraging nods to lady behind us in line who is openly flirting with my two-year-old and saying how blue his eyes are.

7:18 p.m. Thank cashier for adorning children with stickers as we finish checking out. Ask if s/he is available to babysit (if so, tell cashier to bring plenty of stickers).

7:20 p.m. Deposit groceries and children in van after returning cart. Call for compliance by threatening to withhold circle cheese.

7:21 p.m. Cave in and give them circle cheese after realizing the car ride home will be better for everyone this way.

7:37 p.m. Arrive home. Bring kids in first, who tell my wife of their adventures. Bring in gro-

ceries and put away.

7:38 p.m. Deny children yet another circle cheese, remind them that they have already eaten their weight in dairy products this evening.

Those pre-kids Friday nights were fun.

But watching Cooper excitedly unfolding an unprecedented third small wheel of cheese from its packaging, and Milo screaming in wild celebration at our conquest of choosing the theme to the gummy snacks, the difference was clear: I got all that time listed above with my two dudes.

Tired or not—even with several trips down Aisle 5—that time together trumps all things.

Period.

And now our castle was stocked. There was food. There was drink. If there were two court jesters riding with me, all was right in the kingdom.

9:05 p.m. Upon checking refrigerator, make a note that we are officially out of circle cheese. Plan next adventure to the grocery store.

Josh Farnsworth is a husband, father of goofballs Cooper and Milo, goofball himself, and award-winning writer and columnist living in Worcester. He can be reached for column ideas at josh.farnsworth@yahoo.com.

on the

agenda • FACTS & FREEBIES • APRIL’S ADVENTURES • THE LIST

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on the

agenda

facts and freebies tuesday

monday

1 8 {FREEBIE}

Children can create their best-ever souvenir with “Go! My Travel Journal” which includes thought-starters, activities, postcards, and places to keep photos and other treasures.

We’re giving away this adorable journal today on our Facebook page!

15 22 {FACT}

It’s Earth Day! Get the kids involved

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thurs

2 {FACT}

3

4

9

10

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Light it up BLUE! Today is World Autism Day.

{FACT} Tell the kids to stop bickering, if only for today. It’s National Siblings Day after all!

16 {FREEBIE}

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Children with egg allergies can enjoy the age-old tradition of coloring Easter eggs with eggnots, a ceramic replacement for Easter eggs. We’re giving away a 12-pack today on our Facebook page, so you can make your very own Easter keepsake.

in efforts to save the Earth by bringing your cans and bottles to a redemption center. Recycling one can of soda will save enough energy to power a TV for three hours!

29

wednesday

30 {FREEBIE}

Wireless, waterproof headphones… made just for kids! Enter today to win a pair of BuddyPhones WAVE Bluetooth headphones ($80 value!). They are volume-safe and perfect for kids 3 and up.

18{FACT On this day last year, movie Black Panther made history as the first film shown at a commercial cinema in 35 years in Saudi Arabia.

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Starting on the date the prize appears, go to our page to enter for your chance to win.

sday

T}

friday

5 {FREEBIE}

From the Berkshires to the islands, the Trustees of Reservations cares for more than 100 special places in the Bay State.

Connect with these natural, historical, and cultural treasures -- enter today to win a family 4-pack of passes to a Trustees site.

12 {FACT}

Did you know April was once the most popular month name, but in more recent years it’s been overtaken by June (for girls) and August (for boys). In 2018, April ranked at #621 for baby names.

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26 {FACT}

It’s National Pretzel Day! European monks created the world’s first pretzels in medieval times, using bits of leftover dough twisted to representing arms in prayer.

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on the

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april

ADVENTURES OUR TOP

5 PICKS OF THINGS TO DO IN APRIL

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Thursday, April 4, 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Eric Carle’s characters leap from page to stage during this performance featuring 75 loveable puppets adapting four classic stories. $19-29. thehanovertheatre.org.

Festival of Flowers Family Day. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the world of flowers through hands-on activities, from bee bots to science adventures, to artmaking. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths 3 and up $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0: Activate Creature Power. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Saturday, April 6, 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Experience live on stage what makes the hit series ‘Wild Kratts’ a family favorite, as Chris and Martin activate new creature powers and go off to the creature rescue. $29-100.

The Great Egg Hunt. Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary, 56 Capen Rd., Charlton. Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hike through wooded trails and hunt for more 5,000 eggs decorated to look like forest friends. Meet resident animals in the visitor center, enjoy face painting, food and visits with the Easter Bunny. $10 per family. capenhill.org.

Sheep & Wool Festival. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. Saturday, April 13, 1-4 p.m. Learn how sheep are sheared and how those fleeces eventually become warm hats and mittens, in a day of kids’ activities, crafters, and more. Register ahead.

Member adults $7, children $4; nonmember adults $10, children $5; ages under 2 free. massaudubon.org.

ADVENTURES

on the

agenda

april

Entries in blue denote accomodations for children with autism or other special needs.

1 MONDAY Kiddie Music Time. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m.

Join the Monument Square Community Music School for an introduction to classic and original music, percussion instruments, and dance.

For ages 5 and under. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Terrific Toddlers. Worcester Public Library: Salem Sq., Worcester. 10-11 a.m. Songs, stories, playtime, and more comes during this celebration of your learning tot. For ages 18 months to 3 years. Free. mywpl.org.

MFA Playdates: Loud and Quiet Sounds. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15-11 a.m.

Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by artmaking. Recommended for ages 4 and younger. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7 and up $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org.

2 TUESDAY Dance Party. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:30 a.m. Move and groove to the music. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Tinker Tuesday: Kits. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m.

Drop-in to celebrate National Kite Month by creating and experimenting with various materials to design your very own kite and tails. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Especially for Me: Sensory Friendly Afternoon. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Come to celebrate Autism Understanding and Acceptance Month and explore the entire museum campus at your own place, during this time of limited crowding, and available quiet spaces. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

3 WEDNESDAY Terrific Twos Storytime. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

10-10:30 a.m. Join for stories, music, and fun for children. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Preschool Free-Play Exploration.

Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 10-10:45 a.m. Fun, interactive stations are set up with activities that encourage early literacy, motor skill development, curiosity and play. For ages 3 to 5. Free. mywpl.org.

Make a Mess: Spin Art. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m.

Twist tools, twirl papers, and give watercolors a whirl during this spin on art. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Walk & Watch: Dance of the Woodcock. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester.

6:45-8:30 p.m. Gather around dusk as we learn and watch the flights, spirals, and courting rituals of woodcocks in our backyard.

Register ahead. member adults $15, children $5; nonmember adults $19, children $8. massaudubon.org.

4 THURSDAY Intro to Ukulele. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 6:30-8 p.m. See the fundamentals of ukulele playing as 24 of these stringed instruments come to the library. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Woodcock Watch. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 7:15-8:15 p.m. Watch as woodcocks put on incredible courtship displays spiraling 300 feet into the air before descending rapidly for this not-to-be-missed display.

Register ahead. Members free; nonmember adults $6, children $3. massaudubon.org.

5 FRIDAY Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing. Move, make music, learn, and get a multi-sensory workout. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a naturebased activity based on the weather and season either in the Discovery Woods or the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Baby Signing. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Join Baby Kneads and learn how to teach your baby sign language featuring props, toys, puppets and more. For ages 5 through pre-verbal. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

First Friday Nights Free. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

4:30-8 p.m. Free admission and explore the museum at night. Non-perishable food donations accepted for local pantries. Free. discoveryacton.org.

Stars Over Springfield. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield.

Join members of the Springfield Stars Club for skygazing in the Science Museum’s observatory or, if overcast, a planetarium show. $3. springfieldmuseums.org.

6 SATURDAY Easter Bunny Breakfast & Egg Hop. Solomon Pond Mall, 601 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Breakfast, crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny in the food court. RSVP by April 3 at eventbrite.com. Free.

Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends.

Jasper Hill Restaurant, 270 Exchange St., Millis. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Interactive story songs to spark your imagination during this special family brunch and music series. Adults $8, children $6. jasperhillmillis.com.

Wizarding Day at Franklin Park Zoo. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A magical day, featuring performances by Magician Debbie O’Carroll, a special zookeeper talk, and bewitching day when costumes are encouraged.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, ages 2 to 12 $11.95, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

Bee Movie. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Watch as bee Barry B. Benson explores the world beyond his hive for the first time, during this Science on Screen Jr. screening with a discussion on the importance of bees in our own backyards. $6. coolidge.org.

Beyond the Spectrum: Fantastic Fashion. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Explore the different ways that artists, designers, and individuals have used fashion and dress to express, with a time to make your own designs during this adventures in art for children on the Autism Spectrum. $9. mfa.org.

The Little Mermaid: Sensory Friendly. RJ Grey Jr. High School Auditorium, 16 Charter Rd., Acton. 1 p.m. The story of Ariel comes to life onstage during this performance by Open Door Theater featuring sensory-friendly tailoring for children on the autism spectrum. $10. opendoortheater.org.

Special Storytime: Aaron Becker.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Join Caldecott Honor artists Aaron Becker as he reads from his new book ‘You Are Light’. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Spider Man meets many different versions of himself in this Academy Award-winning animated film showing heroes come from all backgrounds. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

The Little Mermaid: Audio-Described. RJ Grey Jr. High School Auditorium, 16 Charter Rd., Acton. 7 p.m. The story

of Ariel unfolds onstage during this Open Door Theater production featuring audio-described access for audience members. $15. opendoortheater.org.

7 SUNDAY Groton Dunstable Chamber Chorus. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 2-4 p.m. An afternoon of stunning classical and contemporary a cappella pieces. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Celtic Woman: Ancient Land. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 3 p.m. Celebrate Ireland’s rich musical tradition through this world-class performance collective introducing some of the Emerald Isle’s most talented singers and musicians to the world stage. $45-156. thehanovertheatre.org.

8 MONDAY Don and Audrey Wood Celebration. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Celebrate the books of Don and Audrey Wood through stories, art, music, and movement. For ages 2 to 5.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Terrific Toddlers. Worcester Public Library: Salem Sq., Worcester. 10-11 a.m. Songs, stories, playtime, and more comes during this celebration of your learning tot. For ages 18 months to 3 years. Free. mywpl.org.

Baby Bookworms. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 11-11:30 a.m. Interact with your youngster through a variety of nursery rhymes, action rhymes, songs, and stories. For babies from birth to 12 months. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

9 TUESDAY Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 1010:45 a.m. Join the Joanne Langione Dance Center for this music and movement class. For ages 2 to 6. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Make a Mess: A Variety of Vegetables. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Come experiment with a variety of food found in the garden to compare and contrast, look at the inside and out, and do some taste-testing too. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

10 WEDNESDAY Terrific Twos Storytime. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

10-10:30 a.m. Join for stories, music, and fun for children. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Preschool Free-Play Exploration.

Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3

Salem Sq., Worcester. 10-10:45 a.m. Fun, interactive stations are set up with activities that encourage early literacy, motor skill development, curiosity and play. For ages 3 to 5. Free. mywpl.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Community Kite Making and Kite Walk. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in and work together to create and decorate a community kite to take on a walk to a nearby field for a test run. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

11 THURSDAY Make a MESS: Paint with What?

The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-11 a.m. Celebrate Week of the Young Child.

Use silly objects to experiment with paints and painting without the brushes. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Nature Adventure for Children.

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 1-3 p.m. A hands-on nature program exploring topics using investigations, crafts, and activities indoor and out. Designed for ages 5 to 7. Register ahead. Member children $10, nonmember children $12. massaudubon.org.

Take Aparts. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Drop-in and look inside telephones, computers, radios, and more and uncover the inner workings of everyday electronics. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Little Lab Coats. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Go on a scientific discovery exploring basic properties of science in an easy and fun way.

For ages 6 to 9. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

12 FRIDAY Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather and season either in the Discovery Woods or the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Baby Signing. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Join Baby Kneads as we learn how to teach your baby sign language featuring props, toys, puppets and more. For ages 5 through pre-verbal.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Preschool Story & Nature Hour: Kites & Wind. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Come for an hour of BAYSTATEPARENT 13

nature-themed fun with your youngster and take to the skies and explore wind and kites.

Register ahead. Member children $3, nonmember children $4, adults free. massaudubon.org.

Sensory Storytime. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 11:15 a.m. Look, listen, touch, and play as we explore different concepts and story-time activities. For ages 2 to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Special Egg Hunt. Chapel of the Cross, 160 Flanders Rd., Westborough. 6-7 p.m.

Special needs children and their families are invited to hunt for eggs. Reservations required. chapelcares.com/special-eeh.

13 SATURDAY Family Farm Festival. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the Village’s newborn chicks, lambs, and cattle, enjoy a wagon ride, learn about gardening, and more to celebrate Spring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends. Jasper Hill Restaurant, 270 Exchange St., Millis.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Interactive story songs to spark your imagination during this special family brunch and music series. Adults $8, children $6. jasperhillmillis.com.

The Yo-Yo People. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Three-time Guinness World Record holders bring their unbelievable skills to you, as they perform a variety of tricks old and new that amaze audiences of all ages. Adults $12, children $10.

Natickarts.org.

Easter Egg Hunt. Chapel of the Cross, 160 Flanders Rd., Westborough. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Games, crafts, bounce houses, face painting, hot dogs, popcorn -- and, of course, an egg hunt! Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food pantry. Free. chapelcares. com.

Backyard and Beyond: World Fish Migration Day and the Year of the Salmon. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn about the local migratory fish species and the obstacles they face in rivers and streams. Pretend you’re a fish swimming upstream. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

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Boston Children’s Chorus. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston. 1:30 p.m. Youth singers from the Boston Children’s Chorus brings a wonderful afternoon concert for all to enjoy. $15.-36. gardnermuseum.org.

Daddy and Me: Build a Birdhouse.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. Bring your dad/ caregiver as we read birdhouse stories, and build a birdhouse with hammer, nail, and paint. For ages 4 to 7. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Especially for Me: Free Evening for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or KODA Children. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 5-8 p.m. A free evening where you can play, explore, and learn with available ASL Interpreters and dinner provided. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

14 SUNDAY Family Farm Festival. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the Village’s newborn chicks, lambs, and cattle, enjoy a wagon ride, learn about gardening, and more to celebrate Spring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

New England Folk Festival. Mansfield High School, 250 East St., Mansfield. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Enjoy cultural education, performers, dance, music, food, and more throughout the day embracing New England and folk traditions. Member adults $27, youths 9 to 17 $9, ages under 9 free; nonmember adults $30, youths $10, ages under 9 free. neffa.org.

Earth Day Festival. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Eco-friendly demonstrations, bluegrass music, and special exhibits celebrate Earth Day at the Science Museum. Free. springfieldmuseums.org.

27th Annual Newton Heartbreak Hill Road Race. Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Participate in this one mile run up and down historic Heartbreak Hill for youngsters, adults, and family. Register ahead. newtoncommunitypride.org/roadrace.

15 MONDAY Patriots’ Day. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Experience the sights and sounds of colonial ancestors as the Revolutionary War began, including military drills, musket demonstrations, music, and more. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

OneBoston Day. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Patriot’s Day and reflect on the 6th anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon through exploration and learning, with an afternoon concert. Free. osmh.org.

Scavenger Hunt Challenge. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Follow clues around the grounds and museum building, learn fun facts, and return to the check-in table to claim prizes. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $15, youths 5 to 13 $6, ages under 5 free. fruitlands.org.

Stomp, Chomp, and Roar: Dinosaur Week. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a week of chomping, stomping, and roaring fun. Take April Vacation by the tracking, discovery, and adventures on all things dinosaurs. Through Friday. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths 3 to 17 $13, ages under 4 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

16 TUESDAY Storytime Music Fun. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Come for songs, stories, and rhymes at this music and movement drop-in program. For ages up to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

The Spectacular Science Show with Kosmic Kelly. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Fizzy rainbow volcanoes, elephant toothpaste, bubbling beakers, and more emerge during this exciting and interactive show. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

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David Zucker: Poetry In Motion.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Poetry comes to life in this masterful performance of acting, mime, vocal gymnastics, humor, audience participation, and a truck full of costumes, puppets, and props. Register ahead. Free. jfklibrary.org.

The Pineapple Project. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 11 a.m. Enjoy this interactive play that is a fun piece exploring the gender creativity in all of us. Recommended for ages 3 to 8. Members $4.50; nonmembers $5. carlemuseum.org.

April Vacation Week: Communicating through Art. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore the ICA, take in

the harbor views, and discover unforgettable art, as you have fun with artist’s tools and materials to shape and share your ideas. Free with admission. Members free; adults $15, youth 17 and under free. icaboston.org.

The Wizard of Oz Performance.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m. Hampstead Players present this adaptation of the classic L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz finding a Kansas farm girl transported to a magical land. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Hatch-A-Chick. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Children are invited to join as Templeton Family Organics drops off its incubator and eggs for its 5-week Hatch-A-Chick Program. For ages 4 to 12. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

17 WEDNESDAY

Celebrate Earth Day at the Zoo. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Talk with exhibitors from local conservation organizations, meet zookeepers, participate in hands-on activities, and more. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, ages 2 to 12 $11.95, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

Dance Party. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:30 a.m. Move and groove to the music during this event for kids and caregivers. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

April Vacation Week: Extended Hours. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Uncover the symbols, signs, and stories dotting throughout the museum, with

demonstrations, art activity cards, artmaking, performances, and more. Free with admission. Members free; Adults $25, youths free. mfa.org.

April Vacation Week: Communicating through Art. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore the ICA, take in the harbor views, and discover unforgettable art, as you have fun with artist’s tools and materials to shape and share your ideas. Free with admission. Members free; adults $15, youth 17 and under free. icaboston.org.

The Toe Jam Variety Show. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. The Toe Jam Puppet Band Variety show bring dance songs, stories, puppet, and interactive fun during this family-friendly performance. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

18 THURSDAY Meet a Scientist. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Come see the world through the eyes of a scientist and explore what research reveals about life and our planet. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $15, youths $10, ages under 3 free. hmnh.harvard.edu.

April Vacation Week: Communicating through Art. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore the ICA, take in the harbor views, and discover unforgettable art, as you have fun with artist’s tools and materials to shape and share your ideas. Free with admission. Members free; adults $15, youth 17 and under free. icaboston.org.

Mary Poppins Returns. Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 2:30 p.m. The magical nanny returns with songs, dance, and adventure for the Banks siblings. Free. mywpl.org.

Todd Migliacci Magic. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m.

Families are invited to join for mind-blowing entertainment with nationally touring Magician Todd Migliacci in a show friendly for all ages.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

19 FRIDAY Officer Leo Storytime Meet & Greet. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-10:30 a.m. Meet one of our amazing local police officers during this special story-time. Recommended for ages 3 to 6. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Earthapalooza. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 1 p.m.

Berklee’s fifth annual Earth Day celebration features a mix of faculty speaker and student bands performing original music, including songs with environmental themes. Free. berklee.edu/events.

Fruitlands Fairy Festival. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard.

1-4 p.m. Don your wings, grab your crowns, and come play in the Fruitlands woods or make a fun fairy wand to take home. Register ahead. Members $5; nonmember adults $10, children free. fruitlands.org.

Family Fun. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Drop-in for games and activities, as you make new friends and meet your neighbors. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

20 SATURDAY Family Farm Festival. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the Village’s newborn chicks, lambs, and cattle, enjoy a wagon ride, learn about gardening, and more to celebrate Spring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Sarah Gardner: Kids Music Series.

Jasper Hill Restaurant, 270 Exchange St., Millis. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. A ‘jazzed up’ Saturday morning with Norwood’s favorite music teacher and jazz singer for kids, during this special brunch. Recommended for ages 2 to 8.

Adults $8, children $6. jasperhillmillis.com.

16 APRIL2019

MFA Playdates: Loud and Quiet Sounds. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15-11 a.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by artmaking. Recommended for ages 4 and younger. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7 and up $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org.

Earth Day Kite Festival. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard.

1-4 p.m. Welcome the 2019 Main Season in style as you make your own simple kite, bring your own from home, and see the sky filled with colorful floats. Free. fruitlands.org.

Mary Poppins Returns. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

2-4 p.m. The magical nanny Mary Poppins returns with new songs, dances, and adventures for the Banks children. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Happier Family Comedy Show. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 3-4 p.m. Creativity flourishing during this created-on-the-spot family friendly improvisational show. Recommended for ages 5 to 12. Member adults $9, youths $4.50; nonmember adults $10, youths $5. carlemuseum.org.

21 SUNDAY Mission Hill Easter Egg Hunt.

McLaughlin Playground, 239 Parker Hill Ave., Boston. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Neighborhood Easter egg hunt with a bounce house, petting zoo, and face painting. Free. kingshillboston.com.

Family Farm Festival. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the Village’s newborn chicks, lambs, and cattle, enjoy a wagon ride, learn about gardening, and more to celebrate Spring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Special Sunday in the Studio. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 12-5 p.m. A day of special artmaking in our in-house studio. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

22 MONDAY Little Yogis & Me Yoga and Movement. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-10:45 a.m. & 11-11:45 a.m. A fun-filled yoga play for active tots and preschools featuring yoga expressions and creativity. Recommended for ages 1 to 4.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Earth Day Celebration. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4-5 p.m.

An afternoon celebrating Earth Day. For ages 3 to 8. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

23 TUESDAY 29th Annual Autism Conference.

Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, 1 Monarch Pl., Springfield. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Families are invited to come together for a day of education, inspiration, and connection, featuring over 400 professionals, educators, and families during this conference convened

by Pathlight. Register ahead. General admission $125; family, caregiver, person with autism $75. autismconnectionsma.org.

Matt Heaton Family Singalong.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:45 a.m. The Toddlerbilly Troubadour, Matt Heaton, brings an infectious energy to his sing-alongs featuring classic and new songs. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Snip and Tear. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in as you show off your scissor skills, try cutting for the first time, or use your hands to tear a collection of confetti. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Pajamarama Literacy Fair. Priest Street School, 115 Priest St., Leominster.

6-7:30 p.m. Celebrate Building Progress Week and Fairytales through activity stations and fun. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

24 WEDNESDAY ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Engage with art, stories, nature, and new friends during multi-sensory activities. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youths 12 and under free. deCordova.org.

25 THURSDAY Doggy Days: Portraits of Abby. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1011 a.m. Drop-in and create your own portrait of Therapy Dog Abby from the Pets & People Foundation. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Ukulele J: Song Time Fun and Stuffed Animal Parade. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

10-11 a.m. Come prepared to sing, dance, march, and have fun with songs on a ukulele twist and bring your favorite stuffed friend for a special parade. Recommended for ages up to 5. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Nature Adventure for Children.

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 1-3 p.m. A hands-on nature program exploring topics using investigations, crafts, and activities indoor and out. Designed for ages 5 to 7. Register ahead. Member children $10, nonmember children $12. massaudubon.org.

Celebrate DNA Day. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Celebrate the discovery of the double helix and completion of the Human Genome Project by making your very own strawberry DNA necklace. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Craft Day. Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 3-4 p.m. Come join your friends and make a ‘stained glass’ candle holder to bring home. Free. mywpl.org.

26 FRIDAY Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather and season either in the Discovery Woods or the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Baby Signing. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Join

Backyard and Beyond: Earth Day Clean-Up. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Drop-in and meet in the Discovery Woods to pick up equipment and venture into the Conservation Land for a little cleanup scavenger hunt. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

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Baby Kneads and learn how to teach your baby sign language featuring props, toys, puppets and more. For ages 5 through pre-verbal. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Preschool Story & Nature Hour: Ducks. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an hour of nature-themed fun with your youngster as we waddle along on an adventure celebrating ducks. Register ahead.

Member children $3; nonmember children $4; adults free. massaudubon.org.

Sensory Storytime. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 11:15 a.m. Look, listen, touch, and play during this time of stories and activities. For ages 2 to 4.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Revealing Rainbows. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m.

Drop-in and see if you can uncover hidden rainbows in some everyday objects and try a simple experiment to reveal a rainbow that you can take home. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Play for All: Family Autism Event. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 4-6 p.m.

Families with children aged 10 and under on the Autism Spectrum and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified are welcomed to the museum for an evening of fun. Register ahead. Free. cmeaston.org.

27 SATURDAY Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends.

Jasper Hill Restaurant, 270 Exchange St., Millis. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Interactive story songs to spark your imagination during this special family brunch and music series.

Adults $8, children $6. jasperhillmillis.com.

Play Date: Boston Youth Dance Showcase. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. See art, try gallery games and family pop-up talks, make and frame a sketch of Boston Harbor, and be dazzled by performances by Boston-area kids. Free. icaboston.org.

32nd Annual Sheep-shearing Festival. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Spring during this annual tradition featuring herding demonstrations, sheep sheering, fiber artists, historical re-enactors, music, and more.

Members free; nonmembers $20, ages under 13 free. goreplace.org.

Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Participate in cooperative games, age-appropriate poses, partner poses, breathing exercises, and simple mindfulness activities.

For ages 3 to 12 with caregiver. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Special Storytime: Mordicai Gerstein. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Caldecott Medalist Mordicai Gerstein brings us the Messenger of the Gods through the new book ‘I Am Hermes’. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Spring Fling Event. Heritage Museums & Gardens, 67 Grove St., Sandwich. 2-7 p.m.

Celebrate the opening day of Heritage’s 50th season with mobile food vendors, live music, and the lush gardens of Heritage. Members free; nonmember adults $20, youths $10, ages under 3 free. heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.

Especially for Me: Autism-Friendly Evening. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 5-8 p.m. A free evening where you can play, explore, and learn with new and renovated exhibits, and enjoy a provided dinner. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

18 APRIL2019

5th Annual Worcester County Dance Festival. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7 p.m. Experience this evening of diverse dance celebrating New England’s talented schools and companies on one stage. $20. thehanovertheatre.org.

28 SUNDAY WILD ArtWeek at the Zoo. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Experience animal encounters talk to zookeepers and ask artists from the New England Watercolor Society as they draw inspiration from animals and paint their likeness. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, ages 2 to 12 $11.95, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

Art in Bloom Community Day. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate Art in Bloom with family-friendly programming and entertainment. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7 and up $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org.

29 MONDAY Drumlin Farm Wild Tales.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-10:30 a.m. & 10:30-11 a.m. Listen to a story and then meet a real, live Great Horned Owl from Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Recommended for ages 3 to 6. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Art In Bloom. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Celebrate the return of spring during the Museum’s annual festival of fine arts and flowers. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7 and up $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org.

Officer Leo Storytime Meet & Greet. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 6-7 p.m. Meet a local police officers during this special story-time.

Recommended for ages 3 to 8. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

30 TUESDAY LittleBeats Dance. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 1010:30 a.m. Join friends from LIttleBeats for creative dance at the library. For ages up to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Dress Your Stuffed Pet. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in and treat your favorite stuffed animal to a new outfit, as you bring a stuffed animal and your imagination to design and construct a special costume for your furry friend.

Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

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on the

agenda

the list

Light It Up Blue

9 Events to Mark Autism Awareness Month Approximately 1 in 59 American children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month, a time to raise awareness of the difference of those on the spectrum, and also celebrate people of all abilities and with all types of minds. It kicks off with World Autism Day on April 2 when buildings around the world will “light it up blue,” and autism-friendly events and activities follow throughout the month. Here’s a roundup of some educational, celebratory, and sensory-friendly events happening here in the Bay State.

1. 10th Annual Autism Awareness & Acceptance Celebration Tuesday, April 2, 5:30-8 p.m.

UMass Medical School, Worcester In conjunction with World Autism Day, UMass Medical School will hold their Light It Up Blue event, an occasion that began nine years ago with lighting the medical school building blue. It has since grown into a community event for families and service providers to come together in celebration of autism awareness and acceptance. Stop by the Albert Sherman Center for entertainment, food and music.

Family-friendly activities include drumming and face painting, while families can find information and resources from various community providers from central Massachusetts. For more information visit shriver.umass.edu/liub, or contact 774455-4100 or childresearch@umass.edu.

2. Spring Autism Fair: Research & Fun Day Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Bring the whole family to have fun with sensory activities including arts and crafts, a photo booth and a magical musician at this event put on by the Autism Spectrum Center and the SPARKS Study Team at the Boston Children’s Hospital.

Speak to a variety of resource groups and participate in landmark research. Listen to “lightning” talks by experts in the field; topics include “Medical Marijuana or CBD for Autism: Miracle or Myth?” and “Tips for Handling Food Refusal and Picky Eating.” Brunch will be provided. For more information email spark@childrens. harvard.edu, call 617-355-8300. To register find the event on eventbrite.com by searching “autism fair.”

3. Beyond the Spectrum: Kids’ Art Class Saturday, April 6, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Beyond the Spectrum is a specially designed program for children and teens with autism at the Museum of Fine Arts. This class, for children ages 8-12, features a structured gallery tour led by an experienced instructor, followed by a creative art-making workshop. Children must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver.

Class is $9 per student, which includes materials and museum admission. For more information and to sign up, visit mfa.org/programs. Advanced registration required.

20 APRIL2019

4. Big Apple Circus Embraces Autism Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

Northshore Mall, Peabody The Big Apple Show makes sensory-friendly adaptations to welcome ASD patrons and their families. There will be modifications to sound and lighting, a professionally staffed calming area in the lobby, extra signage, and volunteers with helping hands, fidgets and earplugs. Social Story will be available as a PDF with ticket purchase. Tickets $10 at bigappplecircus.com/tickets, or contact llewis@bigapplecircus.com or 646-491-8934.

5. Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day Thursday, April 11, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Great Hall of State House, Boston Hosted by Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, the annual Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day at the Boston State House invites the community to hear from speakers, legislators and self-advocates. Attendees are encouraged to visit their legislators to advocate for support of legislation and funding for autism-related services. For more information, see the Autism Awareness Day event page on Facebook.

6. Beyond the Spectrum: Teen Art Studio Saturday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Part of the museum’s monthly Beyond the Spectrum classes for individuals with autism, this class for 13-18 year olds focuses on specific art topics, and incorporates discussion, critical inquiry and sketching in the galleries. Students then work independently on a project with guidance from an experienced instructor. Parents and caregivers are welcome, but not required to attend. Class is $9 per student, which includes materials and museum admission. For more information and to sign up, visit mfa.org/programs. Advanced registration required.

7. “Especially for Me” at Discovery Museum Saturday, April 27, 5-8 p.m.

Discovery Museum, Acton A free evening at the Discovery Museum just for families with members on the autism spectrum. Explore the hands-on museum, which blends science, nature and play, while it is closed to the general public. Take a nature adventure in the coolest, biggest treehouse in Discovery Woods, walk on the wiggly bridge to swing in the swaying nest. Everything is inclusive and fully accessible. Dinner, including gluten-free options, will be provided. Pre-registration required at discoverymuseums. org/efm, or contact 978-264-4200 ext. 114 or jjaques@discoveryacton.org.

8. Autism Speaks Day at Fenway Park Saturday, April 27 Fenway Park, Boston The Red Sox Autism Awareness Day extends a special welcome to individuals and families affected by autism across New England. Select members of the autism community will be included in the pre-game ceremonies, and social stories and a quiet zone will be available for all. The Red Sox will be playing the Tampa Bay Rays, and a portion of proceeds from each ticket will be donated to Autism Speaks. Buy tickets at mlb.com/redsox.

9. Sensory-Friendly Awareness Weekend at Edaville Saturday & Sunday, April 27-28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Edaville Family Theme Park, Carver Everyone is welcome at a weekend where the park will be sensory-friendly, offering activities for people on with ASD, and promoting awareness, education and safety.

The park will be open to the public for this event. Tickets $35 for adults and kids over 3, $30 for children ages 2 and 3, available at edaville.com.

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22 APRIL2019

bites

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • GOOSE’S GOODIES • NUTRITION

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Bites

Food for

Thought Home Run Snacking The Red Sox Opening Day is April 9, and while you’ll have to be at the game to enjoy a Fenway Frank, you can serve up a nostalgic ballpark snack right at home.

I

t’s been said that baseball is the emblem of the American spirit: Simple in concept, complex in reality. You start with a ball and a bat and end up with a game that ignites passions for generations.

Baseball is in our nation’s collective DNA and whether you’re cheering on your child’s first base run or barking at the ump in a big league ballpark, it is best enjoyed in the company of another All-American—popcorn.

Like baseball, popcorn is deceptively simple in concept: A seed from a grass—which just happens to undergo a unique physiological transformation when heated turning it into a captivating and delicious snack.

And, like baseball, popcorn is American thru and thru. It’s been around for thousands of years, yet over time, it has remained a humble little kernel of goodness. Get in the spirit with this ballpark inspired snack courtesy of the Popcorn Board.

Ballpark Popcorn Crunch Ingredients • 1/2 cup butter • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 3 quarts unsalted popped popcorn • 1 cup chopped nuts Cream together butter and brown sugar till light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, toss popcorn and walnuts. Add creamed mixture to popcorn and nuts; combine until coated. Spread on a large baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until crisp.

‘Food Cubby’: A Helpful Hack for Picky Eaters If you have a finicky eater at home, this could be a dinnertime lifesaver: a food-safe, silicone semi-circle called the “Food Cubby.”

This genius little plate divider was invented by someone who knows a thing or two about, shall we say, a “selective palate” -- a 6 year old.

Leave it to a kid who just cannot stand to have different foods touching to come up with a suctioning food wall.

The Food Cubby is BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and sticks to a flat dinner plate to not only separate food, but make it easy to scoop against for those who have trouble using utensils. It is sold for $14 for two and is available on Amazon.

24 APRIL2019

Box Lets Kids Explore the World While They Cook One of the easiest ways to get kids to become fantastic eaters is by getting them involved in the cooking process. A new subscription box meal service encourages this, while also bringing the culture and cuisine of another country into your kitchen.

The “explorer box” provides tools for families to cook together, learn, and dine on different foods from around world. The boxes do not include perishable products, so you can use the included ingredients and cook when you have time. eat2explore provides a shopping list to purchase proteins and vegetables of your choice at your local grocery store and includes hard-to-find spices and sauces.

Every box has three easy-to-follow recipes, explore country brochure, activity sheet, country sticker, flag pin and a fun collectible.

Current countries available are France, Spain, Italy, Greece, USA, China, Japan, India, Mexico, Singapore, Israel, Morocco, Lebanon, Ethiopia and Brazil. You can shop by country (1-time purchase), continent (4-month subscription) or world (12-month subscription).

Prices starting at $21. Available at www.eat2explore.com and Amazon.

How Social Media is Influencing What Kids Eat

W

hile age limits discourage social media use among young children, research has found that at least half of children ages 8-11 use Instagram, and even more access content on YouTube. A new study, “Social Media Influencer Marketing and Children’s Food Intake: A Randomized Trial,” in the April Pediatrics, found that social media influencers may inspire children to eat unhealthy foods—potentially leading to obesity.

Researchers found that social media influencers’ promotion of unhealthy foods increased children’s immediate junk food intake, whereas the equivalent marketing of healthy foods had no effect.

Researchers studied 176 children, ages 9-11, and asked them to view mock Instagram profiles of two popular YouTube video bloggers featur-

ing images of the influencers with unhealthy snacks, healthy snacks, or non-food products.

Afterward, researchers provided the children a selection of healthy and unhealthy snacks.

The children who viewed influencers with unhealthy snacks ate more unhealthy snacks and more food in general, compared with children who viewed influencers with non-food products. Viewing influencers with healthy snacks did not significantly affect intake. Researchers concluded that food marketing restrictions should be applied to new forms of digital marketing, particularly on social media where vulnerable young people spend a lot of their time online, but that more research is needed to understand the impact of digital food marketing and to inform appropriate policy action.

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S

pringtime is upon us and with the change of season, we welcome a new set of vegetables to markets -- and our plates!

April is prime season for asparagus. These tasty spears can be roasted and served as a side, added to stir frys or pasta, or cooked with eggs for a yummy, healthy breakfast. Asparagus is the star of this easy frittata, which can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Asparagus Feta Frittata Ingredients • • • • • • •

14 asparagus spears 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 scallions, chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic 8 eggs, beaten 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese Dash of salt and pepper

Directions

Bites

goose’s

goodies 26 APRIL2019

• Blanch 10-12 thin asparagus spears in boiling water for 3 minutes. Refresh in cold water, drain and set aside.

• Mince remaining 3 or 4 uncooked asparagus spears, and sauté in medium size, ovenproof non-stick fry pan with olive oil, garlic and chopped scallions. Cook for 4 minutes.

• Add beaten eggs, and dash of salt and pepper.

• Stir lightly and cook over low heat until eggs are partially set.

Then, remove pan from heat and lay the blanched spears on top of eggs, crumble feta on top.

• Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until eggs are set. (Test eggs by inserting a butter knife in the center of the frittata. If knife comes out clean, eggs are set.)

Laurie Silva Collins, known affectionately as Goose by her grandkids, is a nurse, mother and grandmother who is happiest when she’s in the kitchen, cooking and baking for those she loves. She learned to cook from her parents, and has perfected her recipes over the years while raising three daughters… and spoiling seven grandchildren.

Bites

ask the nutritiontist

Ensuring Dairy-Free Kids Get Enough Calcium

BY LAUREN SHARIFI, RD LDN

Q

We just found out my young son has a milk allergy.

How can I make sure he’s getting enough calcium?

A

If your son or daughter has a milk or dairy allergy, there are plenty of non-dairy foods that can provide your child with the calcium they need to build healthy, strong bones.

Non-dairy foods fortified with calcium: • fortified unsweetened soy, rice or almond milk • fortified orange juice • tofu made with calcium sulfate • ready-to-eat fortified cereal Fortification means that calcium has been added to the food product. To be sure a product is fortified with calcium look on the nutrition fact label for ingredients like calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxylate, or calcium sulfate as well check that the food products contains a percent daily value (%DV) of calcium. This percentage may change from product to product and depending on the serving size.

Non-dairy foods with naturally occurring calcium: • sardines, canned in oil, with bones • pink salmon, canned, with bones • spinach • collard greens

• bok choy, cooked • tahini • white beans (navy beans), cooked • almonds/ almond butter Foods naturally containing calcium often contain a lower percent daily value of calcium but are still a great way to incorporate calcium into your child’s diet. To help meet your child’s calcium needs I recommend serving at least 2-3 servings of calcium fortified foods along with 2-3 servings of plant-based foods into your child’s meals and snacks. If there is any concern that your child may not be getting in enough of these calcium containing foods, consider adding in a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement.

Lauren Sharifi is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and food blogger at biteofhealthnutrition.com.

Lauren works in private practice in Brighton at ASF-Peak Health (asfpeakhealth.com) and is passionate about helping individuals and families become competent eaters that find joy out of eating.

Have a question for Lauren?

Email BSPeditor@gatehousemedia.com.

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28 APRIL2019

ADVENTURE AWAITS

our

1.

fave

4

Traveling can be a hassle. Traveling with kids can be a nightmare. Check out these four sanity-saving items that will help you conquer everything from laundry to luggage when you’re on the go with the little ones.

2.

4.

1. Dead battery? No need for

3.

an outlet. The myCharge HubPlus is a sleek portable charger that is equipped with a built-in Apple Lightning cable, a micro-USB cable and a USB port, meaning numerous products can be charging at once.

It also has built- in wall prongs to recharge the unit, making cables a thing of the past. Available on Amazon. $79.99.

3. A laundry solution for when you’re

2. CozyPhones Kids’ Headphones

ride-on, carry-on luggage. Perfect for little ones age 3-6, it features a multi-functional strap that allows parents to tow tired children on their rolling luggage, or easily sling it over their shoulder. Available on Amazon. $75.

are more comfortable (and look way cooler!) than regular headphones, so your kids might actually keep them on. The washable, foldable headband won’t interfere with seats or headrests. Available on Amazon. $19.99.

on the go, Laundreez is a portable, waterproof bag for washing clothes – just soak and shake! It can also be used as a dry bag around water, a compression space-saver in luggage, or an ice carrier/cooler.

Available on Amazon. $29.99.

4. The Trunki kid’s suitcase is sit-on,

BAYSTATEPARENT 29

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Road Trip!

The Inn at East Hill Farm: Year-Round Family Farm Stays

BY ALYSON GREGORY

S

earching for your next memorable vacation destination sans airfare? You might not have been thinking ‘Agritourism,’ but that isn’t a reason not to pull out your wellies! Not only is East Hill Farm easy to get to—it is both an all-inclusive resort, and a true recreational and educational farm experience. With a nonstop immersive activity schedule for all ages, home-cooked meals, mountain views, and a spotty WiFi connection endearingly referred to as “Country WiFi,” quality time with the fam is a sure thing. Think sleepaway camp for the entire family!

You’ll find the Inn nestled at the base of Mt. Monadnock, just a short drive north to New Hampshire’s southwest “quiet corner.” A couple of full-body breaths will come easy as you admire the panoramic backdrop of this rural, working farm on your stroll into the main Inn’s cozy farmhouse complete with a wooden screen door that will bang shut behind you.

Check-in is an exciting affair for everyone among the hustle and bustle of new and returning families settling in, and starts with a quick orientation tour and rundown of the weekend activity schedule. Among them, DJ family dance party and cheese making with Farmer Dave. Your kids will beam when the friendly staff hands them over an empty egg carton for collecting their breakfast from the chicken coop the next morning. This is the moment you forget where your car is parked.

Other morning “working” farm activities include milking a cow and goat in the barn—and there’s no shortage of daily chores that need getting done if you’d like to lend more of a hand! Talk to the barn staff, and while you’re in there, sign up for horseback riding.

There are pony rides for the littlest, and Junior Wrangler lessons and trail rides for

30 APRIL2019

the bigger kids. Don’t miss the Udder to Butter workshop after lunch for the ultimate butter making experience for all ages—you’ll be able to taste it on your bread come dinnertime.

Most indoor activities take place back in the main Inn where you’ll want to keep an eye on the illustrated activity board. The full day’s schedule is laid out visually so even the youngest of your clan can gather round and make their picks. The downstairs rec room is where you’ll find the Ping-Pong Tournaments, and is a hive of activity offering various Arts & Crafts for toddlers to teens. EHF’s warm and multi-talented staff turn out to be expert face painters! They are the ones who will be hosting the kids-only party later on while the adults gather in the dining hall upstairs for cocktails and some classic retro-style hors d’oeuvres. The “not-to-be missed” activity of the evening? Family Bingo, with prizes from the gift shop.

The dining room is a great open and inviting space resembling a cross between the mess hall from The Parent Trap and your favorite coffee shop. You may have spotted your name on a place card on your first lap through. Each family has their own separate table assigned to them for the weekend, and meals are home-cooked and all you can eat. Diet restrictions? No problem—the staff will happily accommodate any and all special requests including gluten-free, low-sugar, and allergies. A weekend stay includes three meals a day plus a bottomless cookie jar (homemade of course) with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks available anytime. Breakfast includes fresh-baked muffins and cooked to order eggs, lunch a savory hot and cold buffet, and dinner a full-course, family-style affair with entrée choices and a full kid’s menu. And don’t forget to take your table’s leftover bread—the farm animals will be expecting it for breakfast the next morning!

Whether you choose lodging in the main Inn’s 1834 farmhouse, or opt for one of the property’s cottages, you’ll be sure to find something that suits your family.

With 65 guest rooms ranging from basic to deluxe, all accommodations have private bathrooms and the more modern units have beyond basic amenities like television, AC, and fireplaces. Layout options are plentiful with sitting areas, twin rooms, and private living rooms and can be viewed on the Inn’s website. Many have stunning views of Mt. Monadnock and the property’s Perkins Pond.

With 150 acres to explore, and an abundant seasonal activity schedule 365 days a year, there’s no reason to leave the grounds until you are headed home. So dress for the weather and inspire a love of the great outdoors in your family.

Winter

activities include sledding, ice-skating in a ‘naturally cooled’ outbuilding, and even a Night Walk led by Naturalist Hans Meyer. Bring your own skis if you have them, or rent them at the Inn and take off on the cross-country trails steps away. Want to learn to snowshoe? The Inn’s got you covered! When you get cold, there are plenty of cozy nooks to warm everyone up back at the main lodge. Grab a game or book from the front desk, kick off your boots and relax around the fireplace with your family. If the Inn at East Hill Farm had a motto, it would be “Where Traditions Start.”

The Inn is at 460 Monadnock St., Troy, NH, 603242-6495, east-hill-farm.com

Upcoming Events: April 5-7 Family Farm Camp: The classic East Hill Farm getaway weekend turns ultimate with even more immersive farm activities and workshops like Backyard Chicken Keeping. Rumor has it there may be a Pig Snorting contest!

April 12-14 Spring Step Back in Time Weekend: Get back to basics with your family, and create some new memories with old-fashioned activities like egg collecting, hay jumping, and pony grooming.

April 15-19

Alyson Gregory is a native New Yorker and Boston-based freelance writer, mother, and holistic health educator.

Glad You Know: Tradition abounds here at the farm in every season with many families rebooking the same dates next year, so choose your week or weekend wisely. You’ll have first dibs on your accommodations when checking out. If you opt for one of the more rustic cottages, you may want to throw some extra blankets and pillows in the car. Also, accommodations requiring a cot may elicit a Princess and the Pea response from certain children.

Mount Monadnock at 3,165 feet is North Fun Fact: America’s most frequently climbed mountain.

April Vacation Week: Join the farm for an early spring getaway for as many nights as you wish and watch the farm come to life! Check out the Spring Family Weekend Activity Schedule online and pick your family favorites.

April 19-21 Easter Weekend: Have you ever been to an Easter Egg hunt on a farm? Well why not? The Easter Bunny does it all the time! Bring your basket, and join your favorite rabbit for some holiday weekend fun!

April 26-28 Cooking with Kids Family Weekend: Explore the world of cooking with your kids on the farm this weekend featuring The Culinary Playground, and introduce them to cooking basics, safety, and kitchen creativity. You’ll have a blast, and get some help in the kitchen when you return home!

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ADVENTURE AWAITS

Our Urban Excursion Two Days in Boston with a Toddler in Tow

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

W

hen it comes to road trips and weekend getaways, my family always seems to head in the same direction: north. The mountains of New Hampshire or the coast of Maine are the usual spots, with nature, ocean, and a slower way of life tempting us to return to the same sleepy destinations over and over again.

But while I love a bucolic setting and the salty sea as much as anyone else, I also have a certain zeal for city life. There’s excitement in the bustle; there’s energy and character. In college, I lived in the heart of Boston, and while there were parts of the city I knew like the back of my hand, I always loved that it still had the capacity to surprise me.

So over February vacation, my husband and I decided to switch it up. Instead of heading into the quiet, we packed up for a getaway into the buzz of Boston with our 19-month-old son.

The last time I had spent any significant time in the city was when I was student and then recent graduate. It was less than a decade ago, but in some ways it feels like different lifetime. It was the pre-motherhood, quasi-adult season of my life. I had the the ability to do whatever I wanted, whenever you wanted, without having to think about anyone’s else needs or schedule.

As I loaded diapers, a stroller, a handful of toys and an armful of snacks into the car, I started to get nervous – was taking a two-day trip to the city in the middle of winter with an unpredictable toddler a bad idea? Sure, I loved the city when I could explore it at my leisure, but how was this going to work with a kid?

Here’s what I learned on our little urban excursion: 32 APRIL2019

just as the city has countless offerings for adults, it does for kids too. In fact, Boston was recently ranked among the top 15 kid-friendly cities in the U.S. by RewardExpert. Big cities boast the coolest museums for families, the bulk of our historical treasures, and a never-ending list of things to do and see. But navigating them all can be a hassle when you have a little one. Just like everything else in parenthood, it takes flexibility.

Here’s what went right, and what we should have done differently when it comes to trekking a city with a toddler in tow.

Where We Stayed We stayed at the Royal Sonesta Boston, a modern Cambridge hotel that sits on the banks of the Charles River. We signed up for their “Little Scientists” package, which includes four tickets to the Museum of Science and complimentary cookies and milk. The hotel is in walking distance to the Museum, Kendall Square, the TD Garden, and the Crambridgeside Galleria Mall.

It has a chic, upscale vibe, but is totally kid-friendly.

There’s a heated atrium-style pool for children to splash around, and they even offer complimentary bicycle rentals. The hotel also has a couple restaurants and a grab-and-go coffee shop so you don’t have to go far when the little ones get hungry.

We were surprised with a knock on the door on the first night of our stay. It was room service, with a cart of cookies and milk. It was adorably presented – a stack of giant gourmet cookies tied together with a satin ribbon and a glass bottle of milk chilled on ice. Kids of all ages would get a kick out of this little extra.

What went right: We stayed in a suite overlooking the Charles with panoramic views of the Boston skyline. The size of the room was perfect for a family.

Children are always on the move, and we were glad to have a space other than the hotel bed for our son to run around, play with his toys and eat his snacks...you know, toddler stuff. He was mesmerized by the view (as were we!) and loved just sitting in the windowsill watching the cars and trains.

What we should have done: Rookie mistake: We

didn’t bring the pack & play. Since our son ends up in our bed some nights anyway, we figured we could do without.

What were we thinking? But the Royal Sonesta does have portable cribs for guests, as do many hotels. I suggest calling ahead to check wherever you’re staying.

What We Ate It was cold and we were tired that first night, so we opted for dinner at one of the restaurants in the hotel, ArtBar. The restaurant is known for its outdoor patio overlooking the Charles River. Since we were there in February, it was too chilly to be outside, but we still enjoyed the views of the city lit up at night. The menu featured everything from Duck Confit to chicken wings. The kids menu offered three course meals, with starters of goldfish or a fruit cup and an ice cream sundae for dessert. The favorite of the table were the sweet potato tots – crispy on the outside, sweet and smooth on the inside, and served with garlic parmesan aioli.

On night two, we ate dinner at one of Boston’s most beloved landmarks, Faneuil Hall. With 35 colonnade eateries of all cuisines inside bustling Quincy Market, you’re sure to find something

you like. Actually, you’re sure to find a dozen things you like, making the choice of what to actually eat a tough one. I typically go for chowder and a lobster roll, but my husband had a hankering for a steak and cheese, so we went that route. I was pleasantly surprised by the enormous sandwich from Philadelphia Steak & Hoagie, which was topped with fresh grilled vegetables. This was a good choice because the food court’s indoor seating area was full, and we were able to eat as we strolled through the cobblestone courtyard and window-shopped.

Faneuil Hall is a tourist spot that offers so much more than yummy food.

This was my time visiting with a kid, and it was pretty neat to see it through his eyes. He was awed by the street performers and twinkling lights. If you’re going with your family, it’s a good idea to check out their website beforehand as they offer many kid-friendly events and activities. You may want to time your visit around one of the many special creative

arts performances that drop into the marketplace throughout the year. There are also regularly occurring workshops for children, and in the summer, there are free one-hour tours exploring the architecture, politics and geography of Quincy Market.

We also meandered through the Boston Public Market, an indoor, yearround marketplace featuring New England artisans and food producers.

There, you’ll find meats, poultry, eggs, dairy, baked goods and more, all locally sourced from Massachusetts and New England. We couldn’t resist trying a Maple Bacon donut from Union Square Donuts, featuring real Vermont maple

syrup and topped with thick-cut smoky bacon. The Boston Public Market is also home The KITCHEN, which is managed

by The Trustees and hosts events classes and workshops including a series called “Kids in the Kitchen” for children ages 6-12. We will definitely be giving that a try in a few years.

What went right: Generally, when food is involved, my son is happy. It was nice to have a sit-down restaurant meal (something we don’t do often), but also fun to take in the stir of Boston’s famous marketplaces. I love that eating in Boston can include historic and modern treats all in one day.

What we should have done: Eat

BAYSTATEPARENT 33

more food? There are tasty treasures in every corner of Boston, where any cuisine is at your fingertips. Next time, we plan to head to the North End and Chinatown for some more of Boston’s best.

What We Did Simply strolling the streets and people watching would have been amusing enough for our son. All those new tastes, smells and sounds to experience!

Our hotel package included tickets to the Museum of Science, so that’s the first place we visited. The museum has more than 30 permanent exhibits featuring everything

34 APRIL2019

from a butterfly garden to fullsize models of the Apollo and Mercury capsules that took humans into space. There is also an ever-changing host of other exhibits (Nature’s Superheros: Life at the Limits, which explores unique and bizarre superpowers that creatures have developed in order to survive is open through May 5, and Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure, which immerses young explorers in whole body explorations of ocean habitats, is open through May 22). Our little guy particularly enjoyed the New England Habitat exhibit, where he studied various animals and their environments in

classic dioramas, and, of course Triceratops Cliff, where he got an up-close view of a 65-millionyear-old fossil. But the best spot for young kids is the Discovery Center, an exhibit designed specifically for infants to age 6 that includes a toddler playground.

There are a variety of hands-on activities and the chance to get an up-close look at live animals.

The museum limits the number of visitors to the Discovery Center (hallelujah!) to keep it from getting too crowded. If it’s busy, I suggest putting your name in as soon as you get the museum, so you can meander around until they text you to tell

you there’s an opening. For us, it was about a 45 minute wait, which was perfect.

The next day, we took a cruise in the harbor. Classic Harbor Cruise Line, which operates out of Rowes Wharf, offers an array of excursions from champagne or jazz cruises to sunset or nighttime city lights cruises. The brunch cruise seemed the most child-friendly and worked out best with nap time. Even though it was mid-winter, the cabin on the Northern Lights was warm and cozy, filled with window-side tables and living room-style couch set up. We claimed the couches, and found that there was plenty of room to park the stroller, and a laid-back enough vibe to let our son run around. There is something truly special about seeing the city from the water. The captain pointed out some significant and historic sites, and we even saw a couple harbor porpoise!

The cruise included a delicious three-course brunch buffet of pastries, fruit and yogurt, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, salads and more. The bar was open with beers and cocktails for those who really wanted to get into relaxation mode.

After our cruise, we strolled through the Rose Kennedy Greenway and found its landscaped gardens, promenades, plazas and art were impressive

even in the winter. By then, tuckered out from all the city stimuli, our little guy fell asleep in his stroller, and we decided to pack it up and head home.

What went right: There are endless things to do and see in Beantown. You can’t do it all – especially in a couple days – so we made a conscious decision to not even try. Traveling with a young child requires a different pace. But don’t limit yourself to doing things that are explicitly “toddler- or kid-friendly.”

Sure, we can’t wait to go to the Aquarium, the Children’s Museum, take a ride on a Duck Boat or explore Legoland with our son, but we might save some of those experiences for when he’s older and can enjoy them a bit more.

What we should have done: Parents, if you’re going anywhere with a young child, please don’t make the mistake of skipping naptime. We tried this on Day 1, thinking our little guy would go-with-the-flow and just go to bed early. We learned our lesson (read: epic museum meltdown). A nap or even quiet time will make your child much more agreeable. Remember that travel means new places, sounds, sights, and stimuli which can be exhausting. Take time to decompress in the middle of the day, and maybe stay up a little later than usual to make the most of your time.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Travel Scam:

Watch Out for Shady School Trips

A

couple years ago, 80 Arizona students and chaperones at a Tuscan-area high school paid a travel company $40,000 for a whirlwind trip to California.

As a last hurrah their senior year, they planned to visit Disneyland, Universal Studios and the beach on a four-day trip they each paid $500 for upfront. Bags in hand, they gathered in the high school parking lot for their midnight departure date -- but the busses never came.

About 1,200 miles away, a group of students at a Virginia high school also found themselves out thousands of dollars, being left high and dry after paying for a weeklong senior trip to the Bahamas.

Both groups of students at booked the excursions through seniorgradtrips.com, according to reports by Arizona Central and Fox 5 DC. Senior Grad Trips, which also goes by EB Worldwide, has an ‘F’ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the lowest rating it assigns.

School trips can be life-changing experiences for students -- an opportunity to get out of the classroom and do some real-life, handson learning. But parents should do their homework when it comes to these types of trips. The BBB is warning that event organizers and parents alike must be on alert for shady travel deals.

How the Scam Works A travel agency approaches a school or is referred by a well-intentioned (but misled) individual.

At first, everything seems normal.

The agency looks legitimate, with a professional staff and a website.

The trip prices seem reasonable, and the agency encourages students to host fundraisers to pay for their trips.

However, as the trip gets closer, everything changes. The school or parents may be asked to front money the travel agency was supposed to pay for plane tickets, hotels, and excursions. Scammers

often promise the money will be returned at a later date, and they push you to pay immediately. In one scam report on BBB Scam Tracker, the con artist told parents: “If you don’t front the money, the kids won’t be able to take this trip they’ve been planning for months!”

In the end, scammers get away with the money fronted for the trip. No one is the wiser until students show up, bags packed, only to find out their flights or hotel reservations never actually existed. When you try to get in touch with the travel agency, they don’t respond or have disappeared.

How to Protect Yourself from Travel Scams • Look out for red flags. If you are contacted by a travel agency unsolicited, be wary. Trips that seem too good to be true or are “free” are probably scams.

• Do your research. When considering hiring a company, investigate them thoroughly before giving them any money or sensitive information. Check out org, travel sites, and online parent forums In addition, research your trip destination and activities. The more you know the less likely you are to fall victim to a scam.

• Pay attention to detail. When making a purchase or signing a contract, read all the fine print.

Ask about additional fees and make sure you have all the details in writing. Verify your reservations by calling the hotel or airline directly. Print out all reservation confirmations and keep them with you as your group travels.

• Pay with a credit card. When making a payment, always use your credit card, which offers more protection by allowing you to dispute fraudulent charges if necessary. Be especially wary if the travel agent asks you to pay by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or other unusual forms of payment.

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36 APRIL2019

12 DIY

Exercise Equipment Projects You Can Make at Home

BY DR. LYNN PANTUOSCO-HENSCH AND PAULA LEAHY WELCH On a rainy Friday, instead of canceling my soccer practices, I made a bold move – I invited my 6th and 4th grade teams to my house for some cross training. We have a semi-finished sports space in our home where I set up a series of fitness stations. I incorporated the basic home fitness equipment we have with soccer balls. I found a great radio station on Pandora (Pop Fitness) and cranked up the music. The boys were singing and dancing between stations. It was a great work out, but more important, the kids had a blast! I was so glad I didn’t just cancel.

After the fact, it occurred to me that so much of what we had done could be recreated by families at home. The exercises and equipment can be modified to fit any home, family, and budget. With a little do-it-yourself ingenuity, why can’t more workouts involve fun with the whole family?

Why do DIY Exercise?

Most people do not get enough vigorous exercise. Children, in particular, spend too much of their day being sedentary at school and tend to not get enough unstructured free play.

Outside of physical education classes and organized sports practices, most kids could use more physical activity in their lives – and so could most parents! If children and parents are

invested in making their own equipment, they may be more likely to adhere to their exercise routines.

The benefits of using basic exercise equipment are many, including: • Neuromuscular training: Children can improve agility, balance, and coordination by challenging their bodies with different types of exercise equipment. Exercise equipment does not have to be fancy or expensive to be functional.

• Sports based fitness: Children can incorporate sports skills with fitness, making at-home practice fun and productive.

For example, add throwing and catching (baseball, softball or basketball style) or trapping and passing (soccer) after a series of ladders, hurdles, or jumps. Create an exercise routine to meet the demands for any given sport.

• Injury prevention: Children can reduce injuries by better developing muscles and supporting structures. Various jumps, hops, lunges, or squats are examples of exercises that can strengthen muscles, ligaments, and tendons around hips, knees, and ankles – reducing the risk of injury to these important joints.

• Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD): It’s important to remember that sport success is a marathon, not a sprint. In order for chil-

Jump Rope

dren to develop and maintain good athletic habits and skills over time – it needs to be fun!

At-home exercise with creative equipment adds variety and challenge. When children help create and plan their own exercise or practice, they’re more likely to have a sense of purpose. You can help your children to make a personal investment in LTAD. • Parkour training: In recent years we’ve seen a rise in participation in parkour training (e.g., American Ninja Warriors and Titan Games). With the growing popularity of obstacle course style training, now is a great time to incorporate obstacle courses at home. Using DIY exercise equipment, families can create unique and fun challenges for every fitness and skill level.

How can families do DIY Exercise?

I’ve compiled some of my favorite ideas that we’ve either implemented at home or that I’ve seen done well and used effectively. Each uses basic household items or easily obtained materials. For each item you’ll learn about real exercise equipment available for purchase and DIY options to make similar items at home.

Once some exercise equipment is available, it can be used for obstacle courses, stations, or a systematic exercise routine. Be creative and have fun!

Plyometric Boxes

Jump ropes are useful for warm ups and as an add-on to cardiovascular workouts, as well as foot work such as hops, jumps, and turns. There are performance jump ropes that may be worth the investment. However, any basic jump rope can be given renewed purpose in a DIY exercise routine.

Boxes can be used for explosive plyometric exercises, step aerobics style, or for stability exercises (e.g., abduction/adduction exercises). Note: for safety purposes, use boxes while wearing sneakers or while barefoot, but not in sock or cleats.

Materials: dollar store jump rope

Instructions: Method 1, for lighter weight younger children, milk crates can use used for stepping and controlled jumping. Method 2, for older children and adults, consider using indoor or outdoor stairs for free!

Instructions: no assembly required, just start jumping!

Materials: Method 1, crates; Method 2, stairs

READY, SET, CAMP! Medicine Ball The “medicine ball effect” describes the sensation of training with a weighted ball and then feeling lighter, easier movements afterward with a regular ball. A medicine ball can be effectively used for throwing and catching and for abdominal workouts. Medicine balls come in a variety of weights; 4-8 pounds is recommended for children. Here’s how to make your own: Materials: a deflated ball (basketball, soccer ball or volleyball), sand or rice, duct tape, funnel, and a cork.

Instructions: cut a hole in the deflated ball smaller than the cork; use the funnel to fill with sand or rice equivalent to desired weight of medicine ball; cork the ball; cover the cork with duct tape.

Resistance Bands Resistance bands are a versatile, low cost item to purchase or make. They’re especially useful for targeting upper body muscle groups without the need for weights or machines. Try exercises like bicep curls, chest press, overhead press, and tricep extensions.

Materials: Bungee cords in various lengths (dependent on height of participants),athletic tape, PVC tubes (optional) Instructions: Use the bungee cords as you would actual resistance bands. Be sure to remove or cover the hooks with athletic tape. The ends of the bungee cords can also be tied into a loop to grip or add a small piece of PVC tubing as a handle.

Agility Ladder Agility ladders are useful for nearly every sport and fitness level. There are fantastic exercise ideas at performbetter.com. and on YouTube. I incorporate ladders into my soccer practices on a regular basis, combining fitness with soccer skills.

Materials: For Method 1, floor safe tape; for Method 2, strips of nylon fabric and duct tape Instructions: Method 1, make a row of 12 inch square grids on a (basement or garage) floor in ladder style with 4-12 rungs. To elevate the exercise intensity, try a 6x6 grid of 12 inch squares instead of a straight ladder design to add different movement patterns! Method 2, actually make a ladder out of purchased nylon strips and duct tape to connect joints. This option is more portable and can be used on softer surfaces like grass or carpet.

Free Weights Free weights remain one of the most economical, useful options for at home exercise.

Dumbbells retail for around $1 a pound. Safety is a common concern when using free weights with children. Supervision and proper technique are key. Also, try to provide a mirror in your exercise space so that children can observe themselves, check for correct form, and make adjustments. A basic closet door mirror can be very helpful. This DIY option can be an ideal opportunity for children to make their own equipment and begin to safely learn the basics of resistance training.

Materials: PVC tubes and caps, sandpaper, PVC glue, sand or rice Instructions: cut PVC tubes (or have them cut at a home improvement store) to the desired length to hold the desired weight of sand or rice; cap and then glue ends; sand any remaining rough edges. Let the bicep curls begin!

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Hurdles Hurdles are used frequently for fitness and are generally available in 12-inch, 9-inch or 6-inch sizes. The 9-inch hurdles are a suitable size for young children and the 12-inch are recommended for teens and adults. Hurdles can be used in the same way as agility ladders, but with added vertical challenges.

Materials: pool noodles, wooden dowels (for outdoor use), two or more laundry baskets (for indoor use) Instructions: For outdoor use, cut pool noodles in half; cut dowels into one foot pieces; use the dowels as stakes on each side of the noodle; make an arc for the hurdle; make 4-6 hurdles for sequential exercises (e.g., jumps, hops, skips). For indoor use, place two laundry baskets upside down; insert a pool noodle (or half a pool noodle)between them. Taller laundry baskets allow for more hurdle height options. With boththe indoor or outdoor DIY hurdles, change the height based on personal size and ability.

Dots & Discs Balance dots and discs resemble smaller versions of the more popular bosu balls, or half of the sensory type balls used in early childhood settings.

These discs or dots are used to develop neuromuscular skills like agility, balance, and coordination. Often used in therapeutic settings, these exercise tools have value at home too.

Simple tasks while standing on discs or dots, like bringing a knee to meet an elbow, a hamstring curl, or balanced squat, are all ways to learn to build neuromuscular skills.

Materials: bean bags, old pillows Instructions: simply use bean bags or old pillows as you would use the dots or discs. Standing on the bean bags or pillows creates instability, requiring the use of stabilizing muscles to elicit various movement patterns. Use with one foot on a bean bag and create a trail or a pattern (think hopscotch).

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Stretch Out Strap Stretch out straps are an effective means of improving flexibility. After a workout, a stretch out strap can be used for static stretching for flexibility and recovery. Children can easily use a stretch out strap while they are laying around watching tv too!

Materials: Nylon belt or nylon strap material Instructions: Make a loop at each end of a nylon strap by making a knot. Children can use a nylon belt for stretching exercises available with a simple Google or YouTube search using stretch out strap exercises as the search term. Stretch out straps are especially useful for hamstring, upper body, or lower back active recovery.

Suspension Straps Over the past 10 years, suspension training has gained momentum as an effective full body workout. Systems are designed for home or even travel with a simple door anchor attachment, pull up bars, or more elaborate Smith machines. There are personal trainers, online classes, and handy apps designed to showcase sample suspension exercises.

Materials: Nylon latching straps, 2 carabineer hooks, PVC tubes; use on a Smith machine, pull up bar, or a sturdy tree branch Instructions: For assembly of TRX-like suspension straps, watch the DIY video at www.fitnesstoday.net. For a few dollars worth of materials, the DIY version of the expensive suspension system is a real winner.

Foam Rollers At the end of a workout or even the next day, using a foam roller can assist with active recovery though myofascial release. Foam rollers massage muscles and increase blood flow, promoting a healthy recovery after an intense workout. Use of foam rollers can also reduce muscle soreness and injuries.

Materials: wooden rolling pin or frozen water bottles Instructions: For basic foam rolling benefits, use a wooden rolling pin in the same fashion as a foam roller. To take this recovery strategy one step further, use a frozen water bottle as a roller. The ice will add a therapeutic benefit, even reducing pain and/or inflammation at the same time.

Parallettes Paralettes are most likely best for an older, more experienced child, although younger children will find them fun in a similar fashion to parallel bars in gymnastics.

An at home opportunity to do various push-ups and dips can be a fun challenge for a teenager (and parents). For those especially interested in Parkour training, paralettes allow for supporting body weight in rigorous ways and developing grip strength. Try paralettes when you’re ready to advance your DIY routine.

Materials: PVC tubes, 4 ‘elbows’, 4 T’s, 8 end caps, PVC glue and primer, electrical tape Instructions: For the assembly of these parallettes, read on from the experts at: http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/13_03_Parallettes.pdf.

With more than a dozen DIY projects to choose from, you are ready to be inventive with at-home exercise. The possibilities are both endless and economical. Remember the bottom line is that exercise is great for children and parents - and the opportunities to be active together on a dime are even better. Good luck with your next family rainy day DIY project!

Dr. Lynn Pantuosco-Hensch is an associate professor in the Movement Science department at Westfield State University, teaching motor development, exercise science, and other sport-related courses. She the mother of four boys and lives with her family in Longmeadow.

She thanks Paula Welch for her editorial support.

BAYSTATEPARENT 39

Youth Community Initiative Gives Student Activists a Voice

BY MADISON FRIEND

G

iving a group of 18 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors three months and $25,000 to form a youth grant-making committee might sound crazy, but that’s what the Youth Community Initiative at the Greater Worcester Foundation has been doing for 19 years - and it works.

Since the program’s inception in 1999, over 200 students from across Worcester County have served on YCI’s grant-making committees, awarding more than $300,000 to 75 nonprofit organizations in Worcester County. The YCI is the only youth grant-making committee in Worcester County without ties to any school or school district.

Last year, the committee received 33 applications requesting over $100,000. With only a quarter of that amount available, the 18 student committee members had to make a lot of tough decisions. But Program Officer Sarah Shugrue said this year’s team was up to the challenge.

“There’s so much that affects young people in our community and so often they are not at the table when decisions are being made that affect them,” Shugrue pointed out. “So often you hear, ‘Well, they’re young, they don’t know,’ but young people know it, especially when it comes to things that affect them. They have an opinion, they have a strong voice, and what’s special about these young people is they’re using that voice and being empowered.”

The 2018 YCI committee awarded grants to organizations ranging from the Main South Community Development Corporation to fund a community concert featuring student musicians from high schools across Worcester, to Quinsigamond Community College to help fund a sex education course for Gateway to College students at the school.

Establishing a grant-making committee is no easy feat, especially for a group of teenagers.

The YCI is a two-year program, with meetings that run weekly, three hours each, from September to December. That’s not to mention the after-hours work these students put in because they have so much passion for their work.

“In 12 weeks time, not only do they become friends and have all this fun, but they do a scan in their community to identify gaps in services,” said Shugrue. “They develop a request for proposals that meet the criteria for their three areas of interest. They develop an application and evaluation criteria, and then they get applications, present them to each other, individually they score them online, and then they have to reach consensus.”

Long story short? It’s a lot of work.

Gabriel Cohen, 18, is currently a senior at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden and one of the final candidates competing for a full scholarship to the Illinois Institute of Technology. When Cohen learned about YCI from his dad, who works at the Greater Worcester Foundation, he jumped at the chance to apply for a spot.

“Initially, it was a college application thing for me,” Cohen said, laughing a little at his own honesty. “But as I learned more about the program and began participating in the actual process, I started to realize the impact we were making. I thought, ‘Wow this is something.’ This is something that could have a real effect on the community.”

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The main criteria for awardees this year? Chosen applications had to clearly demonstrate “youth voice,” according to Cohen and Shugrue. This means the organization applying for the grant had to do more than provide youth services - youths had to be involved in the organization and its programs in a meaningful way to qualify.

“To [the committee] that meant no decisions without youth voice,” said Shugrue.

“Youth voice isn’t just a program for youth. Youth voice, like with the sex ed program [for Gateway students at Quinsigamond Community College], is students saying ‘we need this, we want this.’ Even though an instructor will be running the course, it was young people saying, ‘we need it.’”

It’s not just the organizations awarded grants that benefit from this program. The students that participate in the program gain important professional skills through their work at the YCI, learning to be confident, respectful team-players. Business attire is required at meetings, and committee members are expected to be prepared, proactive, and ready to work together every time they show up.

Former YCI member Isabella Corazzini, now a freshman at Goucher College, said these expectations prepared her to work in a professional setting. Corazzini feels that the YCI taught her to be straightforward and assertive, as well as receptive to the concerns of those with experiences different than her own.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” said Corazzini, who went on to found the Worcester Youth movement, a youth led and organized group that aims to educate marginalized communities of young people. “It wasn’t until I had these interactions that I realized I came in with a vastly different experience than everyone else.

Going to YCI, you have to step into the shoes of people you don’t know and kind of do some soul-bearing stuff.”

Shugrue echoed this sentiment.

“Since the program is open to all of Worcester County, it gives these kids opportunity to expand their network in ways they don’t usually get. There were 13 different high schools represented this year from Worcester County.”

The 2018 committee was comprised of 18 student members: Esther Adu, Ian Gachunga, Megan Nguyen, Livia Skende, Kristen Amoah, Devin Kelly, Chelsea Ofosuware, Alyvia Vancelette, Skyler Campanale, Michelle Kim, Ariel Rodriguez, Nayerique Ventura, Gabriel Cohen, Alexis Koduah, Kaiya Saunders, Erin Denis, Yunji Lee, and Himasri Shapally. The students were advised by Program Officer Sarah Shugrue and Program Assistant Maggie Sullivan, a sophomore at Clark University.

Students interested in participating in the Youth Community Initiative can find more information at https://www.greaterworcester.org/About-Us/Youth-forCommunity-Improvement. Applications for the 2019 session open in April of this year.

Madison Friend has been living in Worcester her entire life and writing about it for the past 10 years. When she’s not busy playing with her cat or hiking with her boyfriend, she’s available for questions and comments at mfriend@gatehousemedia.com.

Bay State Buckles Down to Curb Teen Vaping Epidemic Vaping among teens has skyrocketed in recent years. Here’s what parents need to know, and what state officials are doing to tackle the problem.

BY JOAN GOODCHILD

T

oday’s parents grew up with plenty of education about the dangers of smoking. While we may have known adults who smoked, we were warned about how harmful it is to our health. And it appears to have worked, as cigarette smoking has fallen to its lowest point in recorded history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today just 14 percent of adults in the U.S. (about 34.3 million people), smoke cigarettes. This is down a whopping 67 percent from 1965.

But while tobacco use may have declined, health advocates fear it has been replaced with another vice: electronic cigarettes. The use of e-cigarettes, also called vaping, has jumped dramatically in recent years – particularly among teens. A report from the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration and the CDC found 3.6 million teens reported being current e-cigarette users in 2018, a jump from 1.5 million the year before.

Here in Massachusetts, officials are now referring to vaping as an epidemic among young people. The state recently raised the minimum age to buy vapes from 18 to 21, and some towns have even banned the sale of e-cigarettes completely. Dr. Monica Bharel, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, reports more than 40 percent of high school students and nearly 10 percent of middle school students in the state have tried vaping.

“They don’t understand that these are oil based. They think it is healthy, especially since vaping was originally promoted as a way to quit smoking,” said Tina Grosowsky, Project

Coordinator for The Central Massachusetts Tobacco-Free Community Partnership.

The e-cigarettes, which are available in a variety of flavors like mango and cherry, are appealing to kids because they initially seem cool and fun, she said. Teens are not educated about the chemicals in the inhaled vapor and often have no idea that they include intense levels of highly-addictive nicotine, which they’re taking in every time they take a hit.

“Their perception of risk or harm is low,” she said.

Grosowsky believes perception is hurdle number one in tackling the problem of teen vaping. Because of the decline in smoking and tobacco use, most kids have grown up with little to no exposure to adults smoking. The message about addiction, and the potential long-term damage that vaping

can cause, is lost on them.

Now many find themselves hooked on the nicotine and are sneaking hits off of their vape pen in classrooms, or visiting the school bathroom multiple times a day to vape to get the nicotine high. Much of this goes on with no awareness from adults.

“Because of how these work, kids can sit in the back of the class and blow the vapor into a sleeve or swallow it so a teacher isn’t seeing clouds of vapor in the back of the room,” Grosowsky said. “Kids can be walking down the hall using it, or on the bus.”

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey launched an investigation last year to determine if JUUL Labs, Inc. and other online e-cigarette retailers are marketing their products to minors. The AG’s Office also sent cease and desist demands

to two online companies that host three websites that were allegedly selling the vaping products without age verification.

The state also launched a health campaign called “The New Look of Nicotine” directed at students, parents and school administrators that aims to educate on the risks of vaping.

While it’s too early to say if campaigns and laws will have any effect on vaping rates, health experts said talking to your teen today about e-cigarettes risks and nicotine addiction can go a long way toward prevention.

Joan Goodchild is a veteran writer and editor and mom of two living in Central Massachusetts.

This May, baystateparent celebrates

The Power of

WOMEN Deadline is April 16th

To Reach Over 80,000 Readers contact bspsales@baystateparent.com BAYSTATEPARENT 41

#m

mLife

News, Tips & Advice for Bay State Mamas

New Parents Face 6 Years of Disrupted Sleep If you have a baby or toddler at home, don’t count on catching up on sleep anytime soon.

The birth of a child has drastic short-term effects on new mothers’ sleep, particularly during the first three months after birth. But researchers at the University of Warwick have also found sleep duration and satisfaction is decreased up to six years after giving birth for both parents.

After the birth of the first child and up to 6 years after birth, parents’ sleep duration and sleep satisfaction do not fully recover to the levels before pregnancy.

The study followed more than 4,500 firsttime moms and dads from 2008-2015. During

these years parents reported on their sleep in yearly interviews. In the first 3 months after birth mothers slept on average 1 hour less than before pregnancy while fathers sleep duration decreased by approximately 15 minutes.

“Women tend to experience more sleep disruption than men after the birth of a child reflecting that mothers are still more often in the role of the primary caregiver than fathers,” noted Dr. Sakari Lemola, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick.

However, when the children were 4-6 years old sleep duration was still about 20 minutes shorter in mothers and 15 minutes shorter in fathers compared to their sleep duration before pregnancy. A similar time course was also observed for their satisfaction with sleep.

Sleep effects were more pronounced in firsttime parents compared with experienced parents. In the first half a year after birth the sleep effects were also somewhat stronger in breastfeeding compared with bottle-feeding mothers.

Higher household income and psychosocial factors such as dual vs. single parenting did not appear to protect against these changes in sleep after childbirth.

“While having children is a major source of joy for most parents it is possible that increased demands and responsibilities associated with the role as a parent lead to shorter sleep and decreased sleep quality even up to 6 years after birth of the first child,” said Dr. Lemola.

Study: Having More Children Slows Aging Process

G

ood news momsof-many!

New research suggests the number of children a woman bears influences the rate at which her body ages, and -- perhaps surprisingly -- the more babies she has, the longer she could live.

The study by Simon Fraser University found that women who give birth to more surviving children exhibited longer telomeres, the protective tips found at the end of each DNA strand which are indicative of cellular aging. Longer telomeres are integral to cell replication and are associated with longevity.

One might think that since more kids means more aggravation, stress, and running around, women with many children might live shorter lives.

But interestingly, the study findings contradict life history theory which predicts that producing a higher number of offspring accelerates the pace of biological aging.

Why? Hormones, researchers think.

42 APRIL2019

“The slower pace of telomere shortening found in the study participants who have more children, however, may be attributed to the dramatic increase in estrogen, a hormone produced during pregnancy,” said Pablo Nepomnaschy the health sciences professor who led the study and who also spearheads the Maternal and Child Health Laboratory at the SFU Faculty of Health Sciences.

“Estrogen functions as a potent antioxidant that protects cells against telomere shortening.”

The social environment that the study participants live in may also influence the relationship between their reproductive efforts and the pace of aging. “The women we followed over the course of the study were from natural fertility populations where mothers who bear numerous children receive more social support from their relatives and friends,” explained Nepomnaschy. “Greater support leads to an increase in the amount of metabolic energy that can be allocated to tissue maintenance, thereby slowing down the process of aging.”

talking Back Without saying how old you are, name one thing from your childhood that someone younger than you wouldn’t understand.

Recording songs from Getting up to change the radio to cassettes. the channel.

-Nadia N. -Colleen C. Playing Oregon Trail on a green screen computer monitor!

-Lindsey P. #.... This is not only a hashtag.

-Jessica H.

Punky Brewster.

Pound Puppies, banana clips and bubble necklaces.

-Tara S. , -Gina J. Beepers.

-Mary-Rene T. A busy signal.

-Christine Q. Trapper Keepers, shoulder pads, and BIG hair!

Free calls after 7.

-Amy S. -Shaliva G. Join the conversation at Facebook.com/baystateparent.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

A

ccording to dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, dirty makeup brushes can wreak havoc on the skin. In addition to collecting product residue, dirt and oil, makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. This could compromise your complexion—in the form of acne breakouts and rashes—as well as your health, they say.

Since dirty makeup brushes can irritate your skin and even cause an infection, dermatologists with the AAD say it’s a good idea to wash brushes every 7 to 10 days to kill any harmful bacteria that may be lingering on them. Here’s how: • Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to remove residual makeup. Only rinse the tip, as submerging the whole brush head will eventually dissolve the glue that connects the brush head to the handle.

• Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a tablespoon of either gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo. Using plain soap and water can dry out the bristles.

• Swirl each brush tip in the bowl. For a good lather, you can also massage each brush tip in the palm of your hand.

• Rinse the brush tips under running water.

• Continue shampooing and rinsing each brush until the water runs clear from the brush.

• Squeeze out excess moisture with a clean, dry paper towel.

• Lay your brushes flat to dry on a towel with the tips hanging off the edge of the counter. Do not dry your brushes upright in a container, as this will cause the water to run down the brushes, loosening the glue that connects the brush head with the handle.

BAYSTATEPARENT 43

Your Child Got Accepted to College… Now What?

By Kevin McMullin

Y

ou made it through the applications, and now things are getting real for families with high school seniors. By the time spring rolls around, the college acceptances start rolling in. If you have a senior in the enviable position of deciding between multiple college acceptances, here are a few tips to help you make the right decision for you.

1. Remember that some uncertainty is normal.

Some students are sure about their final choice and are ready to sign on the dotted line as soon as the acceptance letter arrives. But many more are not. Some degree of uncertainty is normal for big decisions. So, don’t be alarmed if you don’t feel as certain about your choice as your friends do. That uncer-

tainty typically disappears as soon as you commit.

2. Know your cost before you sign.

Make sure you’ve carefully evaluated your financial aid award so you know the amounts of scholarships, loans, and work

study you qualify for. Not all financial aid is free money, and it’s important not to get preemptively swept up in the total figure listed for the

award.

3. Check your assumptions.

It’s common for families to make evaluative statements about colleges based on assumptions. Some examples: College X is better for premed than College Y. I should choose this school because it will offer great connections when I graduate.

This college will help me get into a good law school.

Are you able to substantiate those statements with facts, rather than opinions or hearsay? If not, then you’re working with assumptions that might be flawed. And that’s not a good way to choose a college.

4. Evaluate yourself, too.

Too many families make the final college decision based on the purported features and benefits of the college without considering if the student will actually take full advantage of them. Choosing a college is a little bit like choosing a gym. The offerings are only as valuable as the frequency and vigor with which you take advantage of them.

5. Don’t look for perfection.

Much like jobs, relationships, and families, there is no such thing as a perfect college. Every college campus has characteristics that could feasibly be improved, changed, fixed, etc. But the benefit of choosing a college that fits is that you’ll be more likely to take advantage of its strengths and less likely to be affected by or to even notice its weaknesses. Comparing supposed pros and cons between your options might help you organize your thinking, but it probably won’t guide you to a clear decision.

Instead, consider the purported strengths and weaknesses.

Then evaluate your ability and likelihood of leaning into the former and working around the latter.

Kevin McMullin is the founder and Head of Talent at Collegewise.

He is the author of If the U Fits: Expert Advice on Finding the Right College and Getting Accepted.

Kevin is a graduate of UC Irvine with majors in English and history (where he answered, “What will you do with those majors?” approximately 783 times), and he has a college counseling certificate from UCLA.

44 APRIL2019

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

When to Step In, When to Step Back Helping Children with Special Needs While Allowing Them to Grow

BY MARSHAL D. HANEISEN

A

ll parents want to help their child, but the urge to do so may be stronger in parents of children with special needs as the depth and span of challenges present themselves at each developmental milestone. But when does helping actually hinder development?

Small Skills are Stepping Stones to Bigger Skills It is so easy to get swept up in small moments.

When we are in a hurry, running out the door, we do things for our children like zipping their coat or tying their shoes so that we can live our lives faster and easier and avoid fights, said Nancy Mader, MA, CRC, Director of Transition Projects at Boston-based Federation for Children with Special Needs. But it is important to remember that even though these skills seem small, they can grow into bigger and more important skills. Teaching our children the little things makes them more independent and in the long run will make everyone’s lives easier. It’s important to think about the long-term and how we can use small teachable moments to create more independent people.

According to Kirstin Brown Birtwell, PhD, Licensed Psychologist at the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital, several factors influence when and how a parent can give a child more room for independence. Some of these factors include the child’s underlying cognitive (intellectual) capacity and his/her developmental level with foundational language, motor, and social skills. Behavioral challenges can also play an important role. The child/adolescent needs to be able to show some basic prerequisite skills, and once these more basic skills emerge or are developed with careful training, the child can and should be given structured and

supported opportunities for greater independence.

It’s important to set both yourself and your child up for success, said Birtwell. Teaching your child to zip their own jacket or tie their shoes independently when you are rushing out the door to school or to a doctor’s appointment may not be the best time, as stress is high for both of you. Instead, consider setting up a fun play scenario about “getting dressed” at another time, perhaps when you are not even intending to go outside or when the schedule is a little bit more flexible to allow

a few minutes to demonstrate and guide your child.

As soon as you feel that your child is ready, set up the expectation that he/she needs to complete the task on his/her own. Focus on one small skill at a time. If you are, in fact, in a rush, don’t beat yourself up over it. Just simply explain that you’d really like to give them the chance to do it themselves but now is not the best time because you are running late and that we can practice more zippers later. By verbalizing that you are not changing the overall expectation but are making an exception because

BAYSTATEPARENT 45

sometimes things don’t go according to plan, you are modeling flexibility and adaptation, which is also important. Later that day, spend a few minutes practicing putting the coat on and off. Make these skills fun, practice them consistently and often, and give them encouragement when they fail and loads of reinforcement when they do it successfully.

Learning from Failure Failure is a natural part of life, yet many parents struggle with the idea of allowing a child to fail, Mader said. But we have all been allowed to fail. She often asks parents in the workshops

46 APRIL2019

she teaches if they learned more from their greatest accomplishments or from their greatest failures. Most say from their greatest failures.

“A young self-advocate used the term ‘dignity in failure’ and I love this idea,” she said. Mader affirms there is dignity in failure; it allows a young person freedom and the right to make decisions for themselves whether they are good or bad decisions.

Hopefully, a relationship has been built between the young person with special needs and the parent or guardian so they can talk about failures and decision-making before or after a bad choice has been made.

There should be supports set up around that young person to help pick up the pieces, learn from the mistake, and be better for it.

Birtwell understands that finding the balance between natural consequences and providing support for success can be difficult as one child’s tolerance for failure may be very different from another’s. As a general clinical approach, her preference is to set the individual up for success rather than intentionally allowing the child to fail. But, failure sometimes happens and is a very natural and expected life experience.

When it does come up, natu-

rally, it can be debriefed using retroactive problem solving, she said.

“The child’s age and developmental level, emotional and behavioral regulation abilities, and the task at hand are all important components,” she said.

Mader, who is also a parent of a child with special needs, appreciates it is easy to sometimes set expectations too high and too quickly.

“Yes, challenge them, but see them for who they are, what they want, and help them get there,” she said.

Self Advocacy According to Mader, the most essential skills are those related to self-advocacy. It’s so important to teach our children with special needs self-advocacy skills and self-determination at an early age. Parents and family members aren’t going to be around forever or for every life event, so giving our children the tools to advocate for themselves is very powerful, she explained.

Mader recommends parents teach children about their disability from as young of an age as possible. Involve them in the IEP process as early as possible.

“Having a disability is not a bad thing that we should hide from our children,” she said.

Mader worked in vocational rehabilitation and vocational evaluation for many years where she would evaluate many high school students who didn’t know what their disability was, how it impacted them, why they were on an IEP, and what accommodations were helpful to them. Some didn’t even know that they received accommodations.

“If a young person knows what their challenges are, what they need to overcome barriers, and who they can go to for help they have a tremendous lifelong skill right there.

Empower them to understand themselves as they are often their best advocates,” she said.

“At the core of self-advocacy is good communication skills, which is challenging for a range of individuals for a variety of reasons,” said Birtwell.

Teaching a child very basic things like making appropriate requests and being able to identify and communicate their own emotional states are important components of self-advocacy.

These are also skills that, in her experience, adults assume some children and teens have when they do not.

“In other words, we are

not able to teach someone to advocate for when they need help before they are able to accurately and reliably identify when they are in need of help,” she said.

While every teen’s needs and strengths may differ, Birtwell values communication and social communication skills, executive functioning skills (e.g., time management, planning, keeping a schedule and calendar), basic hygiene routines, and community skills (e.g., travel skills, money skills) as paramount and most critical for long-term independence.

Vocational skills and other selfcare and home-based skills, like cooking, are also important once the core skills are established, she said.

For students who have the foundation skills, Mader recommends parents help them find vocational experiences while in high school. Opportunities can include volunteering in their community, performing vocational tasks at school, having chores at home, as well as, watching videos on YouTube of people working in a field of interest, researching jobs online, visiting postsecondary schools and understanding the education needed for a certain job, and actual paid work. The important piece is talking to the young person about the experience, what they like about the job, chore, or volunteer experience and what they don’t like about it. Knowing what a young person doesn’t like or doesn’t want is equally important as knowing what they like.

Exposing them to work, asking questions, and listening can provide so much information, she said.

“My best piece of advice is that parents should talk to their children about their disability,” said Mader. “We must start these conversations early and keep at them. It’s hard but I think that it is worth it, in the long run, to make our children strong self-advocates and to give them independence at the greatest level possible for them.”

Marshal DeLisle Haneisen is a writer, public speaker, advocate and mother to a child with Down syndrome and autism. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and she has been a guest speaker at colleges, universities and churches in Massachusetts.

Learn more at marshaldhaneisen.com.

cyber savvy mom

How Much Device Use is Too Much?

Rethinking screen time, and finding low-tech ways to entertain kids

If

you’re a parent who allows your child daily time to use their smartphone or tablet (which is to say, most of us), the information reported in a recent 60 Minutes segment is not encouraging.

The story examined a landmark study of more than 11,000 kids to gauge the effect screen time is having on their brains. Initial brain scans from the study conclude that children who spend more than seven hours a day on screens experience premature thinning of the cortex. The report also notes that younger children who have more than two hours of screen time a day receive lower scores on tests focused on thinking and language skills.

This is just one of many research findings that indicate screen time has harmful effects. Another recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics also reported that excessive screen time is associated with various negative outcomes, including cognitive delays and poorer academic performance.

And work from Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University, looked at four large, national surveys of 11 million young people over several decades. She found in the four years following 2012, the year the iPhone exploded in popularity, the percentage of teens who reported drinking or having sex fell, but the percentage who said they were lonely or depressed spiked.

Here we are, in an age of the device. In many families, they are an item as common as a couch or

a television set were 20 years ago.

Science seems to indicate that apparently we can’t live with ‘em, but ask any teenager and they will certainly assure you that we can’t (won’t!) live without them. What’s a worried mom or dad to do?

Take heart that not all of the research is gloom and doom. Amy Orben, a researcher at Oxford University, recently wrapped up a study that found while digital technology use does impact well-being among teens, the effect is not catastrophic. The work found technology use explains just 0.4 percent of differences in well-being. Orben says factors like adequate sleep, a supportive home life and bullying have more impact on a teen’s well-being.

Yet, with studies and science to inform us, there is little argument that device use in not risk free among kids, and they need to be used in a smart and appropriate manner.

“A generation or two ago, parents knew where the kids were,” said Jean Rogers of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and director of the Children’s Screen Time Action Network. “Now even if they are in the house, if they’re online, we don’t always know where they are going. “ Rogers says a lot of her work is focused not on trying to keep kids away from devices entirely, as she knows it is not realistic. But rather than panic and judge parents, the CCFC wants to offer families tools for smart screen use.

“We like to recommend families try the one-hour rule – abstain from using technology at least one

hour a day, one day a week, one week a month, and one month a year,” said Rogers.

Sounds daunting, doesn’t it?

But start with the one-hour a day challenge and build from there.

You’ll likely find turning devices off for the family dinner hour will get you there. Incorporating a family movie night or a game hour are also ways to connect in a fun way that doesn’t involve everyone sitting separately staring into a tiny screen.

The CCFC is challenging everyone to unplug for a week from April 29 through May 5. Called Screen Free Week, the challenge is just as it sounds: turn off the devices and the television for a week and spend time outside, or reading a great book, or simply connecting with family and friends in ways that screens do not allow us to do.

While it might be hard to remember a time when we didn’t use devices so often, you might be surprised at how much you – and your kids – will enjoy it.

“We underestimate our kids,” said Rogers. “Set something out for them to do while you’re making dinner. Pull out pots and pans, for example. It’s a great time for kids to be resourceful and entertain themselves.”

Rogers also recommends curbing

excessive device use by modeling healthy use yourself. How often are you looking at your phone throughout the day? She also suggests that instead of emphasizing the effort to avoid screens, instead use a family media plan to fill your day with non-device-based activities and then see how much time is left for screens once other “low-tech” activities have been accomplished.

You can find a family media plan tool on the Academy of Pediatric website.

We all know that devices are here to stay in our lives. But, as one researcher notes in the 60 Minutes segment, they should be a tool we use, not a tool that uses us.

Challenge yourself to use devices in a balanced and healthy way and your family can look to you for inspiration. Drop me a line and let me know how you spent low-tech time during Screen Free Week!

Joan Goodchild, aka the Cyber Savvy Mom, is a writer and editor and mom of two living in Central Massachusetts. Have a topic you would like to see discussed?

Reach her at cybersavvymom@yahoo.com.

Get more advice for staying smart, secure and civil online at cybersavvymom.com

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finally

forever

M

Making Room for Antonio

y husband Paul and I entered 2016 not thinking our lives would change that much. We were happy with our jobs and content with our community. We enjoyed our childless life filled with weeknights of watching the Red Sox or Celtics

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play on TV and weekends that comprised of catching up on sleep, exploring new walking and hiking trails in our area, and hanging out with friends. But we felt challenged to consider who we were living our lives for, simply selfishly for ourselves or sacrificially for others.

Without looking for it, we realized we were receiving an undeniable and unmistakable call to adopt from the foster care system.

That call began a crazy yearand-a-half that led to applying to adopt, completing a MAPP class, and moving across town to a

larger home. In April of 2017, my husband and I received a foster to adopt placement of a 10-year-old boy named Antonio.

We had a lovely two-week honeymoon with Antonio, but then the difficult times started. As a child who had experienced incredible trauma and neglect, Antonio required all of our attention all of the time. We were exhausted by the time bedtime came, but we endured months of difficulties getting him to sleep. His destructive behaviors were a surprise to all involved, but we hung in there with him, even when we felt completely at a loss what to do and were utterly exhausted. We are incredibly grateful for the support of friends and family who prayed for us and encouraged us when we were in the trenches that first summer. In-home therapy supports and attachment coaching from Pathways to Permanency were invaluable to helping us through.

Six months into Antonio’s placement with us, the three of us were brushing our teeth before bed.

(Doing bedtime together like this was a huge help to getting Antonio moving in that direction.) Paul and I were close to the sink while Antonio was a few steps away. He came closer and exclaimed, “Make room for Antonio!” with a huge smile and worked himself between us to spit into the sink. Paul and I chuckled as we thought how true those words were!

“Making room for Antonio” has been the messy and beautiful focus of our lives the past 18 months since Antonio moved in with us.

This journey has not been what we had expected in many ways.

Making room for Antonio is messy.

It requires a real transformation on our part to be more selfless and loving – something our religious tradition calls “dying to ourselves.”

No longer do we get to sleep in on weekends and very rarely do we get to watch the Red Sox or Celtics the way we used to. Times to explore new walking and hiking trails are few and far between.

The traumas that Antonio went through in his first 10 years continue to affect him and erode his trust for us at times, causing heartache and pain for all of us.

But making room for Antonio in our lives has been beautiful as we have seen him grow in his trust and attachment with us and as we have observed his effort and performance in school improve. We are so proud of him for how much work he is putting into making this new family – that he didn’t ask for – work. His smile that continues to get brighter and brighter and his hilarious antics fill the places in our hearts we didn’t know needed filling.

The adoption was finalized in May of 2018, a little over a year after Antonio first came to live with us. But making room for Antonio in our lives will be a lifelong endeavor that continues to transform us from selfish people to sacrificial people who care for others more than ourselves.

This article is from the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) Family Blog.

April’s Child: Meet Michael Hi, my name is Michael and I love Mickey Mouse!

Michael is a smart, friendly and happy 5-year-old boy of Caucasian descent who is always laughing.

His favorite activities are playing with toy cars and listening to music. Michael loves anything that has to do with Mickey Mouse. He enjoys school and does well academically. Michael recently learned how to recite the alphabet backwards and is very proud of his accomplishment!

Michael has several medical diagnoses, although he is exceeding his doctors’ expectations in terms of his development. He is currently living in a medical foster home and works with occupational, speech and physical therapists.

Michael has shown the ability to form strong bonds with his caretakers and has good relationships with his foster parent and the nurses who help care for him.

Legally freed for adoption, Michael will thrive in a loving and attentive family that is prepared to care for a medically complicated

child. His social worker is open to exploring families of any constellation where Michael can be the youngest or only child.

Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples.

The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for.

To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-964MARE (617-964-6273) or visit www. mareinc.org.

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A GOOD PARTY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON!

take eight with Anthony Field

aka the Blue Wiggle

Icons for nearly 30 years in child entertainment, The Wiggles have covered a lot of toddler topics. Now, after decades of being asked to write a song to help parents with potty training, they finally have. The Wiggles, the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group, released their own giggly ode to getting your business done, simply called,“The Toilet Song” earlier this year. We caught up with the Blue Wiggle, Anthony Field, to talk about toilet training, parenthood, and what’s it’s like to be rock star to little ones.

1.

The Wiggles have been entertaining children for nearly three decades. What’s it like to look back on all that time?

my youth. My mother said that the three most important things in life are children, music and flowers and that learning to play music is as important as learning to read and write. Before we got a television mum would entertain us by playing the piano and playing a great variety of music; everything from classical music to Gilbert and Sullivan, musical theatre and the pop music of the day. Music has given me my career and endless joy. Although my dad was busy being a pharmacist, he was closely involved in everything we did. He coached our football teams, went to church with us, had every evening meal with us and delighted in everything we did. As I grew up, he became heavily involved in the local community and would counsel those with drug addictions and even dispense methadone in an effort to assist them. Witnessing all the work that he did in that area was a great education in the horrible effects of drugs and so it held no allure to any of us in the family. Most importantly he showed us all unconditional love and when we would make mistakes and mess up, he’d say; go easy on yourself and don’t tell your mother! He died over 20 years ago and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him or his advice.

The Wiggles started organically with mates from university and we honestly didn’t think we would do anything beyond making an album and perhaps a few live shows, so it’s quite incredible to look back and see what we’ve done. It’s been pure joy, I really do have the best job in the world! It’s wonderful to see that children who once saw The Wiggles are now bringing their children to see The Wiggles. I guess that in the not too distant future some young child will tell me that their grandparent used to see The Wiggles!

2.

You’re the only original Wiggle still in group. What’s changed as The Wiggles have evolved? What’s stayed the same?

Children have not really changed over the last 28 years, but the way they see or hear The Wiggles has profoundly changed. Children can now engage with The Wiggles TV episodes via their television, computer, tablet or a smartphone.

They can stream music or read books or watch our YouTube channel through all of these devices.

The only real constant is our live concerts, but that has changed since our early days. There is now more variety in The Wiggles sound with beautiful singers Lachy, Simon and Emma and a greater emphasis on dance with the inclusion of Emma in the group.

3.

Who was your role model growing up as a child?

The youngest of seven children, both my mother and father were the most influential people in

What’s the best parenting advice you ever received?

It’s been so helpful having studied early childhood education because in both entertaining children and raising children I’ve learned to always try and look at things from the perspective of a child. That way you avoid having unrealistic expectations. Even dealing with adults it’s always helpful to have empathy and look at things from their perspective.

8.

What’s your parenting motto?

Children learn best through play.

Of all the places you’ve toured and children you’ve met, are there any that stand out in your mind?

We performed 11 sold out shows at Madison Square Garden Theatre and other iconic venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Beacon Theatre where we met Robert De Niro who brought his son to see the show, The Apollo Theatre in London, The Rogers Centre in Toronto and The Sydney Opera House. Most of the children we meet are through arranged ‘meet and greets.’ Some are sick, have additional needs, or are contest winners. There are some children who have autism and find the world a challenging place and yet music is something that comforts them and adds joy to their life.

It’s wonderful to see the impact that music can have on children’s lives.

Finally a song about potty training!

What’s the story behind The Toilet Song?

The answer to a lot of parents’ prayers?

Parents have been so effusive in their thanks online, telling us that their child has finally used the potty as a result of this song. We have been asked for decades to write this song but we always accompany a video with our songs. The nature of a song about toilet training means you have to show parts of that process and for that reason it had been put in the too hard basket for years. Animation was always an option and we’ve recently worked with some wonderful content creators, Super Simple Songs. We couldn’t be happier with the end result and parents and carers all around the world feel the same way.

4.

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7.

6.

You’ve been open in the past about your battle with depression. Did sharing your story help you in your journey?

I think that being honest about depression makes it easier for those around me to understand the challenges I sometimes face. It has helped others who also suffer from a mental illness to seek help as well as removing the stigma that sometimes surrounds them.

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