PRICELESS
SEPTEMBER 2020
Kick Off Fall Apple Picking & Adventures
AFM Outbreak What Parents Should Know
Pandemic Babies
Birth in the Covid Era
Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996
2 SEPTEMBER2020
contents ta bl e o f
se pte m ber 2020 v ol u m e 2 5
n u mb e r 5
in every issue
11
Navigating Breastfeeding While Working From Home
12
Pandemic Babies: What’s It’s Like to Give Birth in the COVID Era
4 5 6 8 10
Editor’s Note Finally Forever Good to Know Herding Goofballs Very Special People
bites 17
Make Iconic Fair Treats at Home
18 Nutrition: 6 Food Additives to Watch Out For
19
on the cover: Myjorie Phillipe, of Harvard, and baby Grace, who was born in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in June. photo: E Newton Photography
Goose’s Goodies: Apple Oatmeal Cookies
on the agenda 20
7 September Adventures
22
PYO: Apple Orchard Guide
14
Printed Books vs. E-Readers for Kids
16
MCAS Requirement Under Scrutiny BAYSTATEPARENT 3
My s g n i h T Fa vo rit e
Apple picking is one of my favorite September traditions. If you’re looking for things to make with an abundance of apples this month, turn to page 19 for a Cinnamon Apple Cookies recipe, or go to baystateparent.com for a crave-worthy Apple Squares recipe. Or, make these kid-friendly “Apple Donuts” by coring slices of apples and spreading with nut butter, yogurt, or cream cheese and topping with sprinkles, chocolate chips, berries, coconut, etc.
The new “Time Capsule Journal,” for ages 6 to 10, allows kids to write about who they are now, and revisit in the future to see how they’ve grown. The book is filled with prompts, with half to be answered in the present and half to be answered in the future. Put the book away for a few years (three is recommended) so kids can see how they’ve grown over time.
4 SEPTEMBER2020
editor’s note
My husband was outside mowing the lawn, but I couldn’t wait for him to finish and come inside. So there I stood, barefoot in the driveway, waving him down from across the yard. “I have to tell you something!” I hollered over the roar of the lawnmower. He cocked his head as if to say right now, drove over and killed the engine. “What’s going on?” he asked, both worried and a bit annoyed. “I’m pregnant.” The words fell out of my mouth and hung there in the air. For a minute, we just stared at each other. We had been playing with the idea of adding to our family for a few months, but had never settled on the idea. Our son would be turning three and we wouldn’t want to wait much longer, we’d said, but still, we weren’t sure if maybe we wanted to be a one-kid family. Another baby was still up in the air … until now. Whether it’s unexpected or you’ve been crossing your fingers and toes for that thin blue line, pregnancy comes with a mix of emotions. Joy and anticipation, sure, but also nerves and uncertainty. As my husband and I stood in the driveway hugging, we felt it all. And then, something else hit us: we were having a baby … in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. When COVID-19 first changed our everyday lives back in March, many joked it would lead to a baby boom. With so many folks stuck at home with nothing to do, some mused that a crop of corona-babies would come along in about nine months. But as the pandemic wore into the summer, experts predicted COVID was actually more likely to lead to a baby bust – as many as 300,000 to 500,000 fewer births next year due to the economic and social instability. Boom or bust, countless women, myself included, are carrying and delivering a baby in a world where the new normal is face masks and isolation. Each day in the United States, more than 10,000 babies, on average, are born. Locally, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, nearly 1,000 babies were born from March 1 to September 1. Babies come when they’re ready -- pandemic or not. Delivering a child is stressful in the best of times. A global health crisis adds to the anxiety. So what’s it like to be pregnant or give birth during a global pandemic? What hopes and dreams — and fears — do the parents have when welcoming a newborn? In this issue, we talked to local moms about their pregnancy and postpartum journey as coronavirus encircled the globe and changed the world. From laboring with face coverings on to introducing new grandparents -- who live just a short drive away -- to their baby over Zoom, their experiences tell a unique story of parenting in a post-COVID world. There’s no guide for “What to Expect When You’re Expecting During a Pandemic” on bookshelves. But if there ever is, these families’ experiences, on page 12, could be the first chapter. And even with the threat of coronavirus looming, these moms all agreed: nothing can really tarnish the joy of having a child. Yes, these are tough and scary times. The challenges of parenting in these circumstances can’t be overstated, no matter what stage you’re in. Still, there are pockets of joy. As stressful as pandemic parenting can be, children -- whether newborns or teenagers -- are a source of happiness, and more importantly, hope.
Amanda
We got our hands on Mixy Squish, a new stretchy sensory clay. My son loves the texture and that it’s still “squishy” even after it’s dry. It’s available on Amazon.
Did you know the Sunday after Labor Day -- this year, Sept. 13 -- is Grandparents’ Day? While this “holiday” is refreshingly non-commercial, it’s still worth celebrating. There are proven benefits to a strong grandparent-grandchild relationship, for both kids and the grandparents. I’m sending a shout out and thank you to the grandparents in our life: Geen, Mema and Pep, Goose and Papa.
baystateparent president PAUL M. PROVOST
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 WARDWELL 508-767-9574 jwardwell@gatehousemedia.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-767-9544 kpuffer@gatehousemedia.com account executive REGINA STILLINGS 508-767-9546 rstillings@gatehousemedia.com
finally
forever
September’s Child: Meet Markis
Hi, my name is Markis and I enjoy Legos and origami! Markis, 13, is an intelligent boy of Caucasian and African American descent. He is very active and loves to be praised and supported by adults. He is also a big fan of video games. When he is outside, Markis loves to ride his bike. He is also interested in drawing and break dancing. Markis is sweet, loving, and needs to feel supported to be successful. He does well in school and performs at his best with some supports in math and writing. Freed for adoption, Markis will need a two-parent family to help balance his needs. This family will need to be comfortable with setting limits and creating structure. His thinking can be very concrete at times, and he will need things presented to him clearly and concisely. Markis loves animals and would thrive in a home with pets. He should be the only child in his new
home. Markis has eight siblings, one of which is a twin with whom he visits upon request, as well as another brother in a program whom he visits with as well. 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 617-6273 or visit www. mareinc.org.
baystateparent is published monthly and is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts. 100 Front Street, 5th Floor Worcester, MA 01608 do you have a story idea? We want to hear from you! Email your suggestion to acollins@gatehousemedia.com
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BAYSTATEPARENT 5
good to know Massachusetts is 2020’s best state for working dads. In a recent study by WalletHub, the Bay State topped the list as the No. 1 state for men who play a dual role of parent and provider. The ranking took into account average length of work day, child care costs and men’s health. Minnesota and Connecticut rounded out the top three.
Nearly 26% of parents say they are hesitant to have their children get a flu shot, according to research published in the journal Pediatrics. Parents’ reluctance stems not from concerns about safety but from doubts about the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. By contrast, just 6% of parents question the effectiveness of routine childhood vaccines, such as those for measles, mumps and whooping cough.
Google’s smart assistant can now help families with kids taking classes online from home. If you say “Hey Google, create a Family Bell,” you’ll be able to create bells throughout the day for things like lunch time, homework time, nap time, a reminder when a virtual class starts or when school starts and ends. The Assistant can be personalized to include the names of your kids for the tone, which has a unique sound, unlike a reminder. Nest Hub devices can also play background noises, like the sounds of people shuffling through lockers. 6 SEPTEMBER2020
Stay-at-home toys from Fisher-Price put playtime into the coronavirus pandemic BY MIKE SNIDER The newest Fisher-Price toys let kids play along with their parents who, as part of the coronavirus pandemic, are working from home and doing other stay-at-home activities. These new play sets let kids play like they also are working from home, exercising in the house, and spending more time in the kitchen – just like their parents. Babies and toddlers can play along with adults with these toys "that turn every day grownup activities into, well, toys," says Chuck Scothon, senior vice president of Fisher-Price and Mattel's global head of infant and preschool, in a blog post announcing them. "This collection features a number of actions that kids are seeing the adults in their lives do now more than ever."
• The Cutest Chef Gift Set ($14.99, available now) has a chef's apron bib, chewable oven mitt, tongs with a spinning meatball and a recipe card.
The new Fisher-Price toys include: • My Home Office Set ($24.99, available for pre-order) comes with a toy laptop with changeable fabric apps for the screen, toy smartphone, headset and coffee cup.
• Baby Biceps Gift Set ($14.99, available now) includes a headband, play dumbbell and kettlebell, plus a pretend protein shake drink cup.
• Tiny Tourist Gift Set ($14.99, available now) to make staycations feel like a game. The set includes a toy camera with a clicking lens and rattling beads, sunscreen bottle, a mirror and a chewable teething “passport." This was released earlier in the year.
Fisher-Price toy designers used popular social media hashtags – #food, #fitness and #staycations – as inspiration for the new products which are meant to tickle adults as well as kids, Scothon says. "We’ve always been focused on making playtime more fun by infusing surprising and playful elements into our toys," he said. "In the infant and preschool categories especially, we have deliberately focused on introducing toys that get parents and caregivers laughing too." Other Fisher-Price and Mattel toys announced during the pandemic included action figures and figurines of doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, grocery workers and delivery drivers. The company also released new Matchbox vehicles including delivery vans and a garbage truck, plus play sets including a police cruiser with a police officer and medical personnel.
CDC: Acute flaccid myelitis, disease that causes paralysis in kids, to peak this year BY ADRIANNA RODRIGUEZ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention anticipates 2020 will be another peak year for cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, the mysterious polio-like illness that causes paralysis in children. The agency attributes this increase in cases to enteroviruses, particularly EVD68, according to the CDC Vital Signs report released over the summer. It’s the most common virus identified among patients with AFM. Researchers had pinpointed enteroviruses in the past, suggesting the devastating disease could be caused by this strain of respiratory virus. Results of a fall study were published by the University of California, San Francisco in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine in October 2019. The CDC said the disease has peaked every two years between August and November in the United States since 2014, when the CDC first began AFM surveillance. Fewer than 1 in 1 million children are affected by AFM, but cases have grown over the years. While other countries have reported cases, including Canada, France, Britain and Norway, the size and pattern of the U.S. outbreaks have been more pronounced. More than 550 Americans have been struck this decade. The oldest was 32. More than 90% were children, most around 4, 5 or 6 years old. AFM cases are still exceedingly rare, but the results are devastating. It can paralyze a child’s arms and legs. Some need ventilators to breathe. It can also cause muscle weakness, slurred speech and difficulty moving eyes and swallowing. Many families say their children have regained at least some movement in affected limbs, but stories of complete recovery are unusual. While symptoms of the
disease resemble polio, the CDC said all AFM patients tested negative for the poliovirus. The agency also reported 35% of patients weren’t hospitalized until two or more days after limb weakness in 2018, delaying care that could be vital to patient treatment. “Recognition and early diagnosis are critical,” said
CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield. “CDC and public health partners have strengthened early disease detection systems, a vital step toward rapid treatment and rehabilitation for children with AFM.” Dr. Thomas Clark, deputy director of the CDC’s division of viral diseases, says the
COVID-19 pandemic may require clinicians to perform evaluations by phone or telemedicine. However, he urges doctors not to delay hospitalization when they suspect AFM. Dr. Robert Glatter, emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said there has been a sharp decrease in emergency room visits not related to COVID-19. He predicts the pandemic's impact on the health care system and access to medical care will "most likely have an adverse effect on our ability
to detect, refer and rapidly evaluate patients with AFM." "While we recognize that parents are concerned about the risks of COVID-19 when making a visit to the ER, the greater risks of permanent paralysis and mechanical ventilation resulting from AFM should take precedence," he said. Common early symptoms of AFM include difficulty walking, neck or back pain, fever and limb pain. There is currently no specific test, proven treatment or prevention method for AFM.
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BAYSTATEPARENT 7
Herding
Goofballs
Appetites Rising BY JOSH FARNSWORTH ILLUSTRATION BY KIRA BEAUDOIN Looking around the table, my first glance appeared to show a scene straight out of a natural disaster documentary. The table was littered with baron plates piled on top of each other. Crumbs of multiple colors lined the floor under the table with a tiny spill pooling. I had only left the room two minutes prior to go get a glass of water for myself. But make no mistake: the tornadoes had touched down and left nothing but utter destruction in their paths. Such is the life of two perpetually hungry boys living under one roof all the time. Cooper, 7, and Milo, 4, have gone from little human beings to walking vacuums that seem to consume and erase any trace of food I put in front of them. Based on their current intake, I estimate 8 SEPTEMBER2020
they are eating enough daily calories to compete with those Coney Island hot dog eating champions that get airtime every Fourth of July. I have compared them in the last month or so to a swarm of locusts, termites, a powerful pair of tornadoes (see above)—really anything that arrives at food and leaves nothing by an empty space behind. (Note: Termites is a term of endearment, I swear—they are my little termites, after all.) And yet, despite this consumption, their finely tuned appetites only seem to make them grow stronger, taller and readier for even more courses of food. And when I mean “more courses”, I don’t mean three. Working from home during the past several months has been
eye-opening when it comes to the frequency of meals around here. Before lunch most weekdays, here is a breakdown of requests they put through to their personal kitchen (Read: Mom and dad): 6:30 a.m. Bowl of cereal with milk 6:45 a.m. Juice or chocolate milk (have to hydrate, after all) 7:30 a.m. Fig bar—both pieces that come in the packet, so don’t be stingy (I’m looking at you, dad!) 8:45 a.m. Bowl of yogurt with generous amount of fruit 9:30 a.m. More fruit please, because my brother got more blueberries 10 a.m. Crackers 10:30 a.m. Juice or chocolate milk again The meals don’t ever really end. It is more just one day-
long meal with lapses for their parents to catch their breath and clean off the dishes piling up by the minute. In essence, I am raising hobbits. Luckily, their love of food has borne fruit on the tree of opportunity. Food has become the prime form of entertainment in the Farnsworth household during the pandemic. Without many places to go or many people to see this summer, food has filled in some of those empty gaps. Bringing them to swim, bike, play sports, campfires or other summertime fun has been a challenge filled with no’s and broken hearts. Food, however, has been a ‘yes’. It is probably now why I am the proud owner of a new air fryer, ice cream maker, popcorn maker, tabletop skillet, baking pans and more since school let out. My kids have also become obsessed with cooking shows. From British baking competitions to amateur food construction to a mythical place known as Flavortown (pretty sure I told the kids Flavortown is somewhere south of Wakanda), they are also starting to consume knowledge on cooking. It is getting to the point where my two smarty pants are even critiquing seasoned chefs on the decisions they make on these cooking competitions. “No! Don’t bake the chicken! Grill it and cook onions!” Sorry, contestants, but good to know my wife and I aren’t the only targets of criticism when it comes time to hit the kitchen for a meal. That has led to several rounds in the kitchen baking, stirring, and otherwise contributing to the creative culinary process. Well, “creative culinary process” may just mean stirring in the powdered mix to help make mac n’ cheese, but contributing to food around here carries real weight with my kids. And some projects have been downright impressive. For a few weeks running, we were making a fancy cake per week that we’d find on the internet. Some called for elaborate ingredients like homemade marshmallow fondant.
Luckily for them, metabolism on a 4- and 7-year-old is a wonderful thing. As long as they run around for ten minutes, they lose all that cake weight immediately. As for me, my walking time has increased to compensate for “Cake Days.” Milo especially has been officially bitten by the baking bug. He is infinitely curious about putting ingredients together to make something tasty. As I pen this column, he helped my wife bake homemade cinnamon rolls. Even before a single roll came out of the oven, Milo was anxiously asking about taking some of the ingredients and making a second bakery item. One culinary project at a time, master chef. And also, maybe we take it easy with the thought that everything works together. I agree that, in theory, chili powder cookies sound great, but with a heavy hand stirring in the spices, I am afraid for my digestive system. Most importantly, I can see confidence building in them with every wooden spoon stir. They may not be ready for tons of labor intensive chores, but meals and the art of cooking have given them a focus in these crazy times. They are learning meaningful skills that will help them now and down the road. With the future uncertain, we will continue to bake; continue to put our new cooking devices to work. Because confidence can be in short supply these days, simply baking a cookie can do amazing things for a kid in 2020. Have a recipe? Email me below and I will send you one of ours. From my little termites to yours, I thank you. 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.
BAYSTATEPARENT 9
very
special people
Sensory Sacks
a friend to children with autism when needed most
I
BY DEBBIE LAPLACA
magine the sensory overload for an autistic child traveling by ambulance to emergency care, especially when the shrill of sirens sound for safe passage through traffic. Erik Davidson, a paramedic with Northfield EMS, and his wife Jo-Ann, a special education teacher, have learned that alarms, such as the sound for school fire drills, are unsettling to their 12-year-old autistic daughter, Janelle. Hoping to minimize such trauma for children across Massachusetts, the couple worked with autism specialists to develop Sensory Sacks. Each item in the sack was selected in consultation with educational and sensory awareness specialists. They include noise-canceling headphones for those sensitive to loud noises, a Rubik’s Cube, a weighted stuffed animal, a stress ball, a feelings wheel, a fidget spinner, Play-Doh, bubbles, a mini paddle ball, a mini- flute and a
10 SEPTEMBER2020
marble fidget tube. The sacks, which had been going out to fire departments in Western Massachusetts, have arrived in Worcester County and may soon go nationwide. The Davidsons established the Start Em Early Foundation, a nonprofit that teaches youth the basics of CPR, first aid and community service. Most instructors are volunteers who work in the fields of firefighting, EMS and law enforcement. Some are certified first responders. Sensory Sack is the foundation’s signature project. The sacks are donated to fire, police, and medical agencies to aid in treating and interacting with patients who have sensory challenges. “When I first started the project, my key thing was with her (Janelle) and sound,” Davidson said. Many of the sack items are geared toward keeping children occupied.
“It’s all sensory acceptable stuff. Like the Play-Doh. Everybody loves PlayDoh. You’ve got the scent, the color and the squishiness,” Davidson said. More than 50 sacks have been donated to 15 or so Western Massachusetts fire departments. “My goal is to outfit the whole state,” Davidson said. “The next step is going into the Worcester area.” Davidson and Central Massachusetts coordinator Misty Wisuri, a registered nurse and a paramedic with Worcester EMS, presented the first such area donation to the Dudley Fire Department on July 9. Fire Chief Dean C. Kochanowski received a review of each item in the sacks donated to his department. “I think the items in these kits are very calming,” the chief said. “The ambulance can be an experience for anyone, but I imagine it’s one
hundred times worse for someone who has autism.” Since the donation in Dudley, Wisuri has supplied three kits to the Bellingham Fire Department, two to Auburn, two to Douglas, three to Spencer, and she is set to deliver 10 kits to Worcester EMS on Aug. 10. Wisuri met Davidson when they worked together at Milford Regional Medical Center and she decided to help distribute the calming care kits. “I’ve been with Worcester EMS for 18 years and we haven’t had anything like this on the truck,” Wisuri said. Until this week, the one-time use sacks were supported by community donations. Davidson announced Wednesday that Primum Non Nocere Foundation Inc. is sponsoring the Start Em Early Foundation going forward. “This organization will help us purchase supplies, custom logo bags and distribute the Sensory Sacks nationwide,” Davidson said. “This is an exciting development.”
Navigating
breastfeeding while working from home
BY JENNIFER JORDAN
W
ith many people still working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents have been forced to juggle caring for their children while working, which can get tricky when regular video calls are involved -- especially for new moms who are establishing and/or trying to maintain a nursing schedule. Working remotely has made it easier for new moms to breastfeed, and as a result, recent studies have shown that approximately 40 percent of women indicate an increased commitment to providing breast milk to their babies and 25 percent are breastfeeding or pumping more now than before the pandemic. While this can be great for both mom and baby, some moms may be experiencing insecurity about support from their employer and coworkers -- especially after reading stories of male employees complaining about coworkers breastfeeding on Zoom calls. There remains uncertainty about the “boundaries” when working from the comfort of your own home where you can nurse anytime, anywhere. Here are some tips to help navigate breastfeeding while working from home: Know your rights as a working mother Long before the pandemic hit, nursing mothers were protected by the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law included under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This requires employers to provide reasonable break time for mothers to express breast milk for their newborn up to one
year after birth. The second part of this law requires employers to provide a private space free from the intrusion of coworkers or the public, but the shift to remote work has made it much easier for moms to find a comfortable and safe place to nurse or pump. Regardless of whether you’re in the office or not, you’re allowed adequate break time to nurse and should make sure these rights are acknowledged and enforced by your employer. Working moms should not tolerate workplace discrimination for feeding your child in a way that works best for you and you should absolutely advocate for these rights should conflict arise. Employers, managers, and co-workers are all responsible for creating a supportive environment for the breastfeeding women in their organization. How to talk to your employer If you’ve been feeling judged or unsupported by your employer or coworkers for balancing work and breastfeeding during this time, it’s time to have a conversation with your employer. This can often be uncomfortable and nervewracking, but properly preparing is key to success. The first step is understanding your rights, which we outlined above. Next, you’ll want to determine your breastfeeding goals, including the number of times you’d like to breastfeed or pump per day and when, and lay out how your employer can support you in meeting those goals. It’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to hear and honestly address your employer’s concerns, if there are any. This also presents the
opportunity to highlight the employer benefits of supporting breastfeeding. There is plenty of research available about the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby, which translates to an improved bottom line for employers who provide proper accommodations through lower healthcare costs, decrease in lost work and increased productivity and retention. This becomes increasingly important when you consider working mothers with children under the age of three comprise just under half of the workforce and are the fastest growing segment. Keep in mind that this could be a first-time conversation for both parties, so be patient and don’t give up if it doesn’t go as planned.
about maintaining your daily feeding or pumping schedule when working remotely, and you should do so in a way that makes you feel most comfortable. You have every right to block time on a shared calendar to prevent disruptions or coinciding meetings during feeding time, or if you prefer to multitask while pumping or breastfeeding, you should feel supported in doing so on your Zoom calls with or without the camera on. Breastfeeding when your baby is hungry, in public or at home, is a right that is legally protected in all states, and we
need to continue advocating for businesses to foster environments that welcome and encourage breastfeeding and overall aim to make new mothers feel supported. Jennifer Jordan is the Director of Mom & Baby at Aeroflow Healthcare, a durable medical equipment provider that has provided breast pumps through insurance to hundreds of thousands of women. A working and oncebreastfeeding mom, Jennifer is committed to supporting all moms on their breastfeeding journey through support, education, and customer service.
Keep doing you, mama! We’ve all been thrown into new routines since the start of this pandemic, including breastfeeding and pumping routines, and it’s important that employers, managers and coworkers are understanding and supportive of this--not only to help you reach your breastfeeding goals, but to also help normalize breastfeeding in general. You should not feel guilty BAYSTATEPARENT 11
Pandemic Babies Pregnancy and birth in the COVID world BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
T
Auburn’s Brittany Morgan, who had twin girls in August, spent most of her second pregnancy in quarantine. 12 SEPTEMBER2020
he day before Kerry Cole went into the hospital to give birth to her first baby, the governor declared a State of Emergency. It was March 10, 2020, and a global health crisis was just at the brink, but still, to Cole, coronavirus felt like a vague threat. But just days later, everything was different. By the time Cole’s son, William, was a week old, the world had completely shut down. “Looking back, it’s funny how naïve we were,” said Cole, who lives in Sturbridge and works as Vice President of Admissions at American International College. “At that time most people were naïve about COVID, even in hospitals. Few wore masks with normal interactions (that changed about 7-10 days post Will being born). At the time, we allowed family to come visit, once. Our parents came up after we got home for one visit each.” The magnitude of a global pandemic began to unfold just as the Coles brought home their newborn baby. Suddenly, visits with grandparents felt unsafe, planned excursions as a family of three were out of the question, and the world outside their home felt threatening. Cole spent her maternity leave in strict quarantine, staging her own newborn photos on her front porch and replacing impromptu visits with family with weekly Zoom meetings. The isolation put more strain on what’s already a stressful time for postpartum women. “I think the hardest part about being a first-time mom during the pandemic was the fact that you couldn’t ask for help. Even with little things,”
she said. Bringing home a newborn is always an adjustment, but the pandemic has made it unusually complex for new parents like Cole. The joy of a baby has been tinged with the sadness of not being able to share the experience with extended family and friends in person, and happiness has been tainted by fear of a virus looming beyond their own four walls. For Cole, it brought on a sense of panic. “Things we took advantage of, like seemingly endless supplies of toilet paper, formula and diapers became hard to find,” she said. “I had expected ups and downs during maternity leave, but I never anticipated that I would be worried about providing the basic necessities for my baby. As a planner, I took it hard. I felt guilty that I couldn’t predict this. But honestly, who would have predicted a pandemic? No one taught us that in our baby 101 classes.” Birth plans don’t always go as planned It’s not just those first weeks at home with a baby that have changed for moms in the coronavirus era. Labor and delivery protocols have been upturned, as well. Early on in the pandemic, representatives from hospitals in Central and Western Massachusetts and Easter Connecticut gathered to outline policies, said Dr. Michele Sinopoli, an OBGYN and Medical Director at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. “We quickly realized in the region we needed to be aligned with other hospitals; that it would be helpful early on to have consistent messages on
what to expect,” she said. In the tightened labor and delivery policies at regional hospitals, women are tested for COVID just prior to or on admission, and are allowed only one support person with them. If a woman tests positive for the coronavirus, her support person can stay with her unless she has a cesarean delivery. In most cases, babies can room-in with mothers with COVID-19, according to the most guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. But, the AAP recommends the mother maintain a reasonable distance from her infant when possible and wear a mask when providing hands-on care. The guidance also recommends that mothers with COVID-19 breastfeed after appropriate hand hygiene or express milk for the newborn, depending on the circumstances. Post-birth visitors are extremely limited at local hospitals, and patients and visitors are asked to wear a mask at all times, unless eating. Worried that the guidelines could impact the birth she wanted, Myjorie Phillipe, of Harvard, almost didn’t have her third baby, Grace, in a hospital back in June. “There was a lot of unknown. Especially being Black I always fear the worst when I’m pregnant because Black die at a higher rate during their pregnancy,” she said. Because of COVID, Phillipe’s choice of pain management, nitrous oxide, was unavailable when she delivered at Emerson Hospital in Concord. She ended up having an unmedicated birth, which was not her plan. (Editor’s note: nitrous oxide is again available to women in
Myjorie Phillipe, of Harvard, said giving birth to her daughter, Grace, in June, was a completely different experience than having her first two children. labor and delivery at Emerson.) “With my previous pregnancies I was able to have the birth plan I wanted and not have to worry about last minute changes,” Phillipe said. “Having a baby during a pandemic is definitely different than my other two children.” Dr. Sinopoli said hospital staff is acutely aware of the challenges women giving birth in the COVID world face. They’ve provided FaceTime in the delivery room, or positioned patients near windows to show off the baby to visitors outside, she said. They’ve also implemented a new postpartum depression screening before discharge, knowing that many new moms could feel isolated once they go home.
“We don’t want women to be scared -- they’re not alone. I think in the current situation, we’re even more in tune to the fact that patients really need us,” she said. What to expect when you’re expecting in a pandemic Nearly six months since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, scores of women have spent all or most of their pregnancies in this new normal. That’s meant canceled baby showers, and masked, solo doctors’ appointments. Even birthing classes and hospital tours are being held virtually. “Best word to describe it is depressing,” said Brittany Morgan, of Auburn, who was expecting twin girls when she
Kerry Cole, of Sturbridge, gave birth to her first child, son William, just as pandemic put the world on lockdown.
spoke to baystateparent in early August. “My boyfriend hasn’t been allowed to an appointment since I was 12 weeks pregnant and I feel very alone at times during this pregnancy.” A self-proclaimed “gym rat,” Morgan, a 911 dispatcher, was also forced to quit her workout routine when COVID closed down businesses in March. She felt “sad and robbed,” she said of being pregnant during a pandemic. “I felt like my experience, especially one with twins, has been stolen by the isolation of COVID,” she said. But taking every precaution to stay healthy while pregnant is important for moms-to-be. While current data suggest that pregnant women, newborns,
and children are not at highest risk for COVID-19 deaths, pregnant women might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women. And in July, physicians in France published a case study that strongly suggests a newborn caught the coronavirus before birth from his mother via the placenta. “It’s worth it to take extra precautions,” Dr. Sinopoli said of women who are expecting. “You don’t want to have the virus at all, but especially when you’re pregnant.” The silver lining Five months after welcoming her son, Cole has been able to reflect on the experience of being a new mom in the midst
of a global health crisis. It hasn’t been what she expected life with a newborn would be, but it hasn’t been all bad. “We got to spend the first 4.5 months at home with our son. We got to see him roll over for the first time. We heard his first laugh. We spent every lunch with him, listening to him babble in his bouncy seat. We got to have coffee with him and take breaks from work to sing silly songs on toddler radio. We got extra snuggles,” she said. “The pandemic and the restrictions that come with it are hard to swallow. However, the bond that my husband and I have with our son, in part due to the pandemic, is one that I wouldn’t trade for the world. We are a stronger couple and family because of it.”
A new mom’s tips for future ‘pandemic moms’ Kerry Cole shares the five tips she contributed to “Taking Cara Babies” for future pandemic moms. 1. Give yourself time to mourn/be upset about our current situation. You had a vision of your first few months with your baby. It's OK to feel upset for yourself, your parents and your family. You lost traditional experiences but you will create your own. The memories will be there! 2. Plan your own newborn photos. Many photographers aren't doing newborn sessions now.
(And you might not want anyone close to your baby during a pandemic). If you can, do a little research and create your own newborn photos. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Our wedding and planned newborn photographer sent great tips. 3. Buy extra diapers and formula. Even if you plan to breastfeed. 4. Schedule conference calls with family and friends. With and without the baby.
5. Join a virtual new Mom's group. New motherhood is isolating. During a pandemic, that's compounded. Having regular meetings with moms who have kids my son's age was incredibly helpful. Plus you get to "meet" new people. BAYSTATEPARENT 13
Raising Readers
Printed books vs. eReaders for kids BY KRISTIN GUAY
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hen Amazon released the Kindle Kids Edition last fall, Ron Charles, book critic for the Washington Post offered his opinion on how this might impact the magical relationship children have with reading and books. “Kids don’t feel burdened by carrying physical books; they feel girded with the tools of their own entertainment. They clutch them, they rearrange them, they show them off. And, most importantly, they use them to build castles in their own minds. Reduce the full spectrum of those objects to the soulless glow of a screen, and you’ve stolen something precious from a child,” he wrote. “The ery physical thing-ness of a printed book offers an enhancement the e-ink can’t touch.” Still, some are firmly for kids and e-readers. According to recent research by the National Literacy Trust, e-books aren’t just a good alternative to paper books, but could actually have some surprising advantages. A printed book or an e-reader -- it’s a debatable topic among parents, educators, pediatricians, and the children themselves. The question is: do e-readers help or hurt a child’s literacy development or even their love of reading. And, unfortunately, there is no one clear answer.
What is an e-reader? Let’s begin by clarifying exactly what an e-reader is. There are several different types of electronic devices on the market that provide a digital version of a book, magazine, newspaper, or some other type of reading material. Some e-readers have features that pertain just to the reading and comprehension of the story. These include word hints on difficult words, personal word lists created from words the child has looked up, and dictionary features to help further clarify unknown words. There are also tracking devices to record how much time or how many pages a child has read and even features to set goals for reading time and pages. Additional features include the ability to 14 SEPTEMBER2020
change the font, enlarge the font size, and modify the brightness of the background. Other e-readers contain even more features, some that pertain to the story and others that do not. This might include comprehension questions or suggestions on how the story might relate to real life. Some e-reader devices might also include music, animation, and games that are not related to the story. Tablets are a little different in that you can access electronic reading material, but you can also browse the Internet, play games, watch movies, take pictures, create videos, and so much more.
E-readers and kids under 3 You would be hard pressed to find research or an early childhood professional that supports e-readers for children at this age. Because many consider e-readers screen time, there is a considerable amount of evidence that supports the position it can actually be more harmful than helpful to a child at this age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under the age of two. At this age, it is important to develop motor
skills and interpersonal relationships and any screen time will compromise that development. Ideally, parents should use print books to create a positive reading experience for their child. The stories should be read with animated voices and children should be encouraged to engage in the stories -- maybe turning the pages or pointing to objects. Some might question if an e-reader at this age would be better than no reading at all, and the answer is no. If a parent/ caregiver does not spend time reading to a child, then simple conversation and verbal stimulation with the child is better than an e-reader for language and early literacy development. Talking to an infant/toddler as you go through the activities of the day such as getting dressed, preparing a meal, eating food, playing, cleaning up, bathing, etc. is very important for their language development and will do more
than plopping them down with an electronic book. Very young children need the tactile experience of handling a print book and this includes holding it in their hands, manipulating the book to be able to open the pages properly, and then turning the pages as the story progresses. Reading books to young children is a comforting and nurturing experience as seen when gathering around a teacher in a classroom or curling up on a bed during the evening. Print books do not have sound effects or pop-ups, and for young children, these features can be more distracting than helpful.
E-readers and kids ages 4-5 For this age group, the World Health Organization recommends that children have no more than one hour a screen time per day and less is preferable. Their reasoning behind this is that what children need most for mental and physical development is physical activity and sleep, and screen time interferes with this. Any sort of e-reader should be used as a supplement to language development activities already employed by the parent, not as a substitute. Any electronic programs should have few enhancements and these features should only pertain to the story--not be additional games or unnecessary animations. If these features do not relate to the comprehension of the story, children will be distracted from the story. The problem with e-readers is that parents and children lack what is called “dialogic reading” -- the dialogue that parents and children have while reading a story. This can be looking at the cover and trying to guess what the book will be about, asking the child what they think might happen next before they turn the page, asking them what they think of a particular character in the story, or even observing how something in the story relates to something
in the child’s life. If parents chose to introduce e-readers to children of this age, it is very important to treat the e-reader just as they would a print book. The dialogic reading can and should happen with an e-reader as well.
E-readers and kids ages 5-10 Children at this age are developing their independent reading skills and some e-readers can help with this process. Even though the extra features on digital readers can be distracting to some children, they can actually provide some benefits for children that might be struggling or are considered reluctant readers. There are features that can help children with unfamiliar words by providing hints. Some devices are able to identify words that present a struggle to children and can create a personal dictionary of words the child has looked up that can be reviewed to improve vocabulary. Some devices have activity trackers that record how many pages or how much time was spent reading. These features can also be used to set reading goals such as reading a certain amount of minutes or pages per day. Electronic devices are appealing to reluctant readers who are sensitive about their reading level compared to their peers, but who also become intimidated at the amount of text on a page. The user has control over the type of font, print size, and even the brightness of the background. This feature is especially useful for children with visual processing disorders or learning disabilities such as dyslexia. They can basically arrange the text on a page that is user-friendly and more manageable to them. Jamie Ziblsky, Ph.D., weighed the pros and cons of e-readers for children that might need the additional support in an article in Psychology Today. She mentioned research that showed how technologyenhanced storybooks impact literacy development in young children. “Children from low SES (socioeconomic status) background and/ or from immigrant bilingual families benefited most from the multimedia features of technology-enhanced storybooks, likely because the additional information presented
nonverbally helped enhance their background knowledge, and thus, comprehension of the story. But interactive features distracted them somewhat more than their more advantaged peers.” Other studies have been conducted around the world regarding the potential benefits of e-readers and improved literacy skills of children in this age group. The National Literacy Trust reported on the impact of ebooks on elementary student’s performance during an academic year, noting that “being given the opportunity to read ebooks had a positive impact on children’s reading attitudes, particularly for boys and those who began the project as less engaged readers. The study found that over the course of the project, which lasted for an average of 4.2 months, boys’ reading levels increased by an average of 8.4 months, compared to 7.2 months’ progress made by girls. Furthermore, the percentage of boys that felt reading was difficult almost halved from 28.0% to 15.9%, suggesting that confidence in their own reading ability increased as a result of the project. In addition, the percentage that felt reading was cool rose from 34.4% to 66.5%.” In the study, students said they prefered ebooks over print books, mostly to do with ease of reading. Some children stated that they found the page less intimidating because they could make the font size bigger which seemed to make the text on each page more palatable. They also liked that they could control the color and the brightness of the background, making it easier on the eyes. It really came down to simply being easier and less of a strain to read the material.
provide anonymity for the reader and the material they are reading is known only to them. This is especially important in the middle and high school years when children use literature to better understand themselves and their world. At this age, there are many fiction and nonfiction books with topics of bullying, LGBTQ, substance abuse, sexual abuse, self-harm, and a host of other topics that this age group would prefer to explore in private. Another benefit of e-readers at this age is that it can help with the required reading from their academic curriculum, especially reading assignments given during the summer months. Some e-readers are better suited to work with Overdrive, the system that public libraries across the US use to lend e-books. This feature is particularly helpful when a student is looking for a summer reading book (one week before school starts!) and all the required reading books are checked out. Retrieving a book from Overdrive could save the day. As children get older, there is a tendency by parents to not monitor screen time as carefully, and this can be a serious mistake. Kids between the ages
of 8-19 have an average of seven hours of screen time per day. Research has linked screen time with an increased amount of sedentary behavior in children and teens, and while there is no long term evidence yet to link screen time to an increased risk of health conditions like cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol, there is mounting evidence that it is associated with obesity, according to the American Heart Association. When teens use electronic devices to read, either for school assignments or for pleasure, it is important to make sure these devices focus on reading material, not the other games, animations and other features that come with some e-readers or even tablets. Another word of caution: it is important to limit any screen use with children late into the evening. E-readers do not have the same screen flicker as other electronic devices, but there is still some concern that any electronic use too close to bedtime might interfere with children winding down at the end of the day.
A final thought The benefits of strong literacy skills have been analyzed and
discussed for many years. Strong literacy skills are important in every academic topic, higher education applications, job employment, and general adultlife situations such as lease agreements, contracts, mortgage applications and a host of other personal and professional situations where it is imperative to have strong reading skills. Everything from creating a protective and nurturing feeling for a child, decreasing high school drop-out rates, success in finding a productive job, to prison time have all been tied in with literacy skills. Many parents might be wondering if e-readers are the golden ticket to securing literacy success in their child -- and the simple answer is yes and no. For some children an e-reader could prove very helpful, but for others, not so much. Factors such as the age of the child, personality of the child, reading style, learning difficulties, and type of e-reader all need to be taken into consideration. Ask questions of your child’s teacher or physician and observe your child when reading print or e-books to help make the right decision for your child and your family.
E-readers for middle and high schoolers This might come as a surprise, but many studies have shown that middle/high school students actually prefer print books over e-readers. There are many thoughts on this but the most common explanation seems to do with the everyday habits of this age group. They are constantly on electronic devices and, when it comes to reading for pleasure, they want a break from the electronic format. But one reason that some teens do gravitate to electronic reading devices is that the e-readers BAYSTATEPARENT 15
In COVID era,
high school MCAS requirement under scrutiny BY DOUG PAGE
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bill in the Massachusetts legislature suspending the MCAS exams the Bay State’s public high school students must pass to earn a diploma – due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic – is being vetted by the Joint Committee on Education. The Committee is seeking written testimony about the proposed legislation, but it’s unknown whether it will be passed by the committee. If it is passed, it will likely undergo further review by the state Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, says a Beacon Hill staff member. Introduced by State Sen. Joanne Comerford, a Democrat whose district includes Hampshire and Franklin counties in western Massachusetts, in late June, it would defer the high school MCAS requirement for four years, between 2020 and 2024. Her bill proposes creating a commission consisting of members of the legislature, the state secretary of
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education, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Jeff Riley, the Bay State’s teachers’ unions, and some interest groups, including the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Muslim Justice League, to review the impact of the high school MCAS tests. “With COVID-19, this is an exceedingly stressful time for students, teachers and school committees across the Commonwealth. MCAS is one more significant stressor for students,” Comerford said. “The logical thing is not to take away time for learning when so much time is needed for learning recovery.” State Rep. James Hawkins (D-Attleboro) also filed legislation in June to shelve the MCAS high school exams for three academic years, starting with the coming school year, due to COVID-19. He expects his bill to be vetted by the Joint Committee on Education, too. “School districts don’t know if they’re going back to
school full time, will have to implement some sort of hybrid model (teaching kids both at school and at home) or be fulltime remote,” he said. “Plus school districts are dealing with smaller staff because many teachers and staff have been pink slipped or retired. I don’t know how they’re going to deal with lunches. How are school buses going to implement social distancing? Why do we have to do MCAS testing on top of that?” Hawkins added. It’s unknown when either bill could come up for a vote by both houses of the legislature. It’s also unknown whether the U. S. Department of Education (DOE) would allow Massachusetts not to test its high school students. Massachusetts is one of 11 states, and the only one in New England, requiring its public high school students to pass an exam before they earn a diploma, down from 27 states that previously required them, says FairTest, an organization tracking which states require the exams.
“The lack of a high school diploma feeds the wealth gap and racial inequities,” said Bob Schaeffer, FairTest’s interim executive director. “Graduation tests potentially put kids out on the street without a diploma, which is a necessary credential for a decent job and many other societal benefits. “They’re doing this to kids who otherwise completed their high school coursework with adequate grades. They’re going to be way behind the eight-ball for sustaining themselves and their families. Many states have recognized that and dropped them,” he added. The high school MCAS tests – one each for English, math, and science – like those given in grades 3-8, rests on two laws, a federal and a state one. The exams came about because of the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform law, which put more Commonwealth money into the state’s K-12 public schools and have been taken since 1998. In addition, Massachusetts, because it receives federal money from the DOE – nearly $700 million during the current fiscal year, which started in September – under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2015, to fund its public schools, is required to administer a standardized test to its high school student as well as those in grades 3-8. There is no requirement under ESSA, says a DOE official, that the results of any high school standardized test, in whatever state it’s given, determine whether a student earns a diploma. That’s up to individual state legislators and governors. State and federal education laws requiring standardized tests don’t apply to students in private or parochial schools. Earlier this year, before the public schools closed due to Covid-19, DESE received a waiver from the DOE, under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) allowing it not to administer the MCAS tests for those grades that are tested. Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposed legislation, approved by the Massachusetts legislature, gave DESE state permission to waive or modify the MCAS exams.
As a result, Commissioner Riley granted high school seniors in the class of 2020 – who had yet to pass the MCAS exams – an exemption, allowing them to receive their diploma as long as they met all other graduation requirements or could show, through their transcripts, they passed courses covering material that would have appeared on the high school MCAS test. “The MCAS test provides some very important information for parents and educators,” said Edward Lambert, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, an advocacy group supporting the MCAS exams. “It says whether students are meeting the standards that have been determined with teacher input. “MCAS has propelled Massachusetts public schools to first in the nation. The idea that we should stop assessing students and return to a system that is not based on data is a wrong one,” he added. DESE reports that 88 percent of students across the Commonwealth’s high school class of 2019 graduated after four years while 5.3 percent of the class dropped out. Nearly 91 percent of all female students graduated on time while nearly 86 percent of all male students did. In its detailed demographic review of the high school class, DESE reports that more than 90 percent of Asian and white students graduated after four years in 2019 while nearly 80 percent of African American students did. More than 74 percent of Hispanic students graduated in 2019 after four years of high school. Seventynine percent of students considered economically disadvantaged graduated after four years of high school in 2019. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, reports that adults without a high school diploma make around $32,000 annually compared to the nearly $40,000 people with a high school diploma earn. People with a bachelor’s degree or advanced collegiate degrees earn even more, just over $72,000, on average, reports the Bureau.
Missing
Fair Food Make these iconic festival treats at home It’s the season of state fairs and fried food -- except that it’s not. Coronavirus might have cancelled annual traditions like the Big E and local fairs and festivals, but you don’t have to miss out on the entire experience. Chef George Geary’s bestselling cookbook, “Fair Foods: The Most Popular and Offbeat Recipes from America’s State and County Fairs,” lets you make your own crave-worthy festival fare right at home. Here, he shares the recipe for two iconic fair staples with us.
Funnel Cake with Berries Makes 6 to 10 funnel cakes Supplies: Electric Mixer Stockpot Medium saucepan Candy/Deep fry Thermometer Pastry Bag Wire Rack Ingredients: 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 cup water, cool 1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 large eggs 2 large egg whites Canola oil Confectioners’ sugar Directions: Combine butter, water, salt and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour. Return the pan to low heat and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes to cook the flour slightly and rid the mixture of a starchy floury taste.
Remove the pan from the heat and place the dough in the bowl of the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until most of the steam subsides, then add the eggs and egg whites, one at a time, until each is incorporated, and a batter is formed. Pour 3-inches of oil into a stockpot and heat to 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, place the batter in a pastry bag that is fitted with a round pastry tip no wider than 1/4 inch in diameter. Holding the pastry bag over the hot oil, push the batter out into the hot oil in a zigzag or spiral shape. Fry no more than 1 large or two smaller funnel cakes at a time. Fry the cakes until puffed up and golden (they will triple in size), 3 to 5 minutes, flipping every 30 seconds or so. Drain the cakes on a rack and cool slightly, then sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and Berry
Berry Topping Makes 2 cups Ingredients: 1-quart fresh berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries) 1/2 cup granulated sugar Pinch sea salt Directions: In a bowl, combine berries, sugar, and salt. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.
Deep-Fried Twinkies Makes 6 Twinkies Supplies: Dutch Oven Candy/Deep Fry Thermometer Skewers (6) Baking Sheet, lined with Parchment Paper Paper Towels Ingredients: 6 Twinkies 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. sea salt 1 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup whole milk 3 large eggs 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted Canola oil Confectioners’ sugar
In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, milk, eggs, and melted butter. Pour into flour mixture and blend just until smooth. In a Dutch oven, heat 2-inches of Canola oil over medium heat to 375F. Working two at a time, dip the Twinkies into the batter until fully coated. Place in the hot oil, turning after a few seconds until all sides have reached a light brown color, about 4 to 6 minutes. Drain on a paper towel, then dust with confectioners sugar. Recipes and photos reprinted from “Fair Foods: The Most Popular and Offbeat Recipes from America’s State and County Fairs” by George Geary, Santa Monica Press.
Directions: Skewer each Twinkie and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours. Meanwhile, prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. BAYSTATEPARENT 17
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nutrition
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additives to watch out for
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voiding all food additives might be a fruitless task with more than 3,000 additives used in foods, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additives are used to enhance flavor, texture or self life, and range from salt and sugar to chemical compounds. Experts say that reading nutrition labels on packaged foods is helpful to stay healthy and is a way to judge the quality of the food you are purchasing. Although most additives are deemed safe by the FDA, some recent research on food additives has caused some concern. Here are a few additives to keep your eye on, according to ConsumerReports.org. Nitrates and nitrites Used as preservatives in processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs and deli meat. Concern: When cooked at high heat, the added nitrites can generate nitrosamines, which might be carcinogenic. Some research has shown that eating as little as half an ounce of deli meat or half a hot dog daily increases the risk of premature death. Trehalose A type of sugar used to enhance flavor by adding a mild sweetness to foods. Trehalose is also used to extend a product’s shelf life and improve texture. Concern: Research has shown a connection with Trehalose and Clostridioides difficile infections, which causes inflammation of the colon and diarrhea. Carrageenan Carrageenan is derived from red seaweed and is used as a
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stabilizer and to give products such as frozen desserts, yogurts, and plant milks a creamy taste and texture. Concern: Carrageenan can cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. People with inflammatory digestive conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, have reported symptom relief when avoiding carrageenan. Artificial sweeteners Acesulfame potassium, aspartame and sucralose are sugar substitutes that are sweeter than sugar and have few or no calories. Concern: Research has shown that artificial sweeteners might be associated with increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and can cause harmful changes in the gut microbiome. Sorbitol A sugar alcohol that is used as a sweetener in sugar-free versions of foods like candy, cookies and gum. It is also used as an emulsifier and anti-caking agent. Concern: High doses of sorbitol can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. Phosphates Phosphorus additives, such as phosphoric acid and disodium phosphate are found in a number of processed foods. Experts have said phosphorus from additives is more readily absorbed when it occurs naturally in food. Concern: High phosphorus intake is hazardous for people with kidney disease or those at risk for it. Too much phosphorus can also cause bones to become brittle and has been linked to increased levels of cardiovascular risk.
Apple Oatmeal Cookies Pie, cobbler, crisp… there are so many things to make with the season’s bounty of apples. Looking for something different to make with your orchard goodies? Try these yummy, soft oatmeal cookies. Use any variety of apple you like, and customize by mixing in other goodies like white chocolate chips or raisins.
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goose’s
goodies
Ingredients 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon apple juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats 1 cup apple, peeled, cored and chopped Directions Heat oven to 350°F and lightly grease cookie sheet. Beat butter, brown sugar, egg, apple juice and vanilla in a large bowl until creamy. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture; beat until blended. Stir in oats. Add apple; stir until blended. (If adding chocolate chips or raisins, stir them in now.) Drop by teaspoons onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. 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.
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September Adventures
7 things to do this month 1. Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience
Franklin Park Zoo, Boston Nightly through Labor Day; Thursday to Sunday Labor Day through Nov. 1, 6-10:30 p.m. Non-members $19.95; members: $17.95; family 4-pack $67.95/$59.95
Hundreds of luminous, large-scale lanterns will light up Franklin Park Zoo in a first-of-its-kind experience this fall. More than 50 enormous
displays of hundreds of colorful lanterns span the zoo’s 72 acres in Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience. Featuring stunning, dramatic entrance arches, a walk-through 66-foot-long shark tunnel, a 26-foottall giant panda, a 197-foot-long dragon, whimsical ocean scenes, vibrant flowers, traditional Asian lantern scenes and much more, the whole experience is sure to dazzle and delight. Advanced online and timed ticketing for a designated
day and time is required. Visitors over age 2 are required to wear face coverings. zoonewengland.org
2. StoryWalk on the Trails
Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough and Powisset Farm, Dover Daily through September, dawn to dusk Free Enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time with a StoryWalk at Chestnut Hill Farm. Conceived as a way to inspire parents, teachers, and caregivers to take young children outside for physical activity and to learn, StoryWalk helps build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy activity for everyone. Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along one of our farm’s trails. As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story. thetrustees.org
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3. Warm & Fuzzy Feels Exhibit
Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 2-4:30 p.m. Admission $18, members and babies under 1 free The new Warm & Fuzzy Feels at Boston Children’s Museum exhibition explores the tenderness, care, joy, and love that is generated by friendship between women from different cultural backgrounds. While differences make us special, there are some communities where it is uncommon to befriend people from different cultures. Warm & Fuzzy Feels combines portraits of friends, textiles, and shapes. The combination of those materials mirrors the beauty that is created when differences are accepted and celebrated. The art installation was created by Chanel Thervil, a Haitian American artist and educator who lives in Roxbury, and is open through Jan. 15, 2021. Online tickets or reservations required for the museum. Guests over the age of 2 must wear a face covering. bostonchildrensmuseum.org 20 SEPTEMBER2020
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4. Tortoise Encounter and Feeding
Stone Zoo, Stoneham Daily, 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets $10 (plus cost of admission) The new Tortoise Encounter & Feeding offers a new, up-close way to get to know Stone Zoo’s three African spurred tortoises and to participate in the animals' feeding times. Snap some photos while feeding these magnificent reptiles their favorite meal: yummy fresh produce. Six guests can be accommodated per group, while only two people at a time will be permitted in the feeding area to allow for social distancing. Tickets must be reserved online in advance, in addition to purchasing general Zoo admission. Sessions run for approximately 30 minutes and are weather permitting (in the case of rain, tickets may be refunded or exchanged for a different day). Safety protocols must be followed while within the Zoo, including the use of a face covering for anyone above the age of two. zoonewengland.org
5. Meet the Machines
Appleton Farms, Hamilton and Ispwich Sunday, Sept. 14, 12-4 p.m. Free Balers and bucket loaders and harrows, oh my! Spend an afternoon at Appleton Farms meeting the machines and enjoying a pizza made fresh in the wood-fired oven. Explore the workings of a backhoe, check out manure spreaders and imagine what it’s like to drive a tractor through the fields. After you’ve gotten your fill of machines, grab a pizza and an ice cream and enjoy a picnic at the farm. Beverages, sweet treats and beer and wine from local vendors will also be available. Picnic blankets are strongly encouraged. Also, sign up for a wagon ride throughout the pastures and fields.thetrustees.org
6. Davis Farm Mega Maze
Davis Farmland, Sterling Saturdays and Sundays, starting Sept. 19 Prices to be announced
Weave your way through this 8-acre corn maze with nearly three miles puzzling pathway networks. Adventure seekers can try to tackle some or all of the games located inside the maze. If you get frustrated or have little ones, helpful Maze Masters can direct you out, or to the next fun Adventure Zone featuring hammer bells, the field goal kick, slingshots, end goal slide and a dozen other games. Be on the lookout for surprises and photo-ops inside the maze itself. davismegamaze.com
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7. Hide-Seek-andDraw: Family Art Quest Fruitlands Museum, Harvard Saturday, Sept. 26, 2:30-4 p.m. Non-member adult/child pair $25, member pair $15
Go on an Art Quest! Children and caregivers can join in a HikeSeek-and-Draw Family Workshop out on the trails at Fruitlands. Collect natural items from the forest floor, then come together to use magnifying glasses and other tools to look closely and draw the items you just collected. In compliance with state regulations and social distancing guidelines space is limited in this program and all guests must pre-register online in advance. fruitlands.org
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2020 Apple Picking Guide
Check out these area pick-your-own orchards, grab a bushel, and take a bite out of this year’s apple season. At some orchards, you can hop on a hayride, weave your way through a corn maze, or even grab a pint of beer. Social distancing measures are mandatory, and some farms require a reservation for picking. (Meltdown Warning: while we’ve done our best to ensure the accuracy of this information, things can and do change. Please call or check the website before heading out on your apple adventure.)
Hawk Hill Orchards 83 Carleton Rd., Millbury Highland Farm 635 Highland St., Holliston highlandfarmorchard.net
Berlin Orchards 310 Sawyer Hill Road, Berlin berlinorchards.com
Carver Hill Orchard 101 Brookside Ave, Stow carverhillorchard.com
Doe Orchards 327 Ayer Rd., Harvard doeorchards.com
Bolton Spring Farm 159 Main Street, Bolton boltonspringfarm.com
Charlton Orchards Farm 44 Old Worcester Rd., Charlton facebook.com/charltonorchards/
Douglas Orchard & Farm 36 Locust St., Douglas douglasorchardandfarm.com
Breezeland Orchards 1791 Southbridge Road, Warren breezelandsorchards.com
Clearview Farm 4 Kendall Hill Rd., Sterling clearviewfarmstand.com
Fairmount Fruit Farm 887 Lincoln St., Franklin fairmountfruit.com
Brookfield Orchards 121 Lincoln Rd, North Brookfield ookfieldorchardsonline.com
Cook’s Farm Orchard 106 Haynes Hill Rd., Brimfield cooksfarmorchard.net Davis Farmland and Mega Maze 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling davisfarmland.com
Fay Mountain Farm 12 Cemetery Rd., Charlton faymountainfarm.org
Hollis Hills Farm 340 Marshall Rd., Fitchburg hollishillsfarm.com Honey Pot Hill Orchards 138 Sudbury Rd., Stow honeypothill.com Hyland Orchard & Pavilion 199 Arnold Rd., Sturbridge hylandorchard.com
George Hill Orchards 582 George Hill Rd., Lancaster yourfavoritefarm.com
Lanni Orchards 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg lanniorchards.com
Carlson Orchards 115 Oak Hill Road, Harvard carlsonorchards.com
Meadowbrook Orchards 209 Chace Hill Rd., Sterling meadowbrookorchards.com Nashoba Valley Winery 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Rd., Bolton nasobawinery.com Nicewicz Family Farm 116 Sawyer Rd., Bolton nicewiczfarm.com Old Frog Pond Farm 38 Eldridge Road., Harvard oldfrogpondfarm.com Parker’s Orchard Farm 11 Spring Rd., Westborough Pease Orchard 11 Phillipston Rd, Templeton peaseorchard.com Red Apple Farm 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston redapplefarm.com
Schartner Farm 211 West Berlin Rd., Bolton schartnerfarm.com Shelburne Farm 106 West Acton Rd., Stow shelburnefarm.com Sholan Farms 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster sholanfarms.com Stowe Farm 15 Stowe Rd., Millbury stowefarm.com Tougas Family Farm 234 Ball St., Northborough tougasfarm.com Westward Orchards 178 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard westwardorchards.com
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22 SEPTEMBER2020
Tackling the science of
parenting with humor
PBS NOVA launches ‘Parentalogic’ series BY JOAN GOODCHILD
A
ny parent knows that raising kids is filled with a lot of love and fun, but also a good amount of angst and questions for every year of a child’s life. From tantrums to fevers to sleepless nights, raising happy, healthy children and staying sane throughout the process is a tall order. Unfortunately, there is no manual or helpline, and there’s no shortage of contradictory advice from family, neighbors, total strangers, and the Internet. Enter Parentalogic, a new digital show from PBS science series NOVA and WGBH Boston that focuses on the science behind parenting. The series is produced in partnership with PBS Digital Studios and can be found on its own YouTube channel. Co-hosted by pediatrician Alok Patel and Boston-based comedian Bethany Van Delft, the bi-weekly series tackles the challenges of raising children with scientific research and humor. “Parenting is wonderful and HAAAARRRRRD!!” said Van Delft. “There’s so much to know, so much going on, and there is so much information coming at you from all directions. The internet, well-meaning family, meddling strangers, it makes finding reliable, factual information daunting. We hope to not only offer parents
legitimate answers to their most commonly asked questions, but to help them understand what’s going on with their kids by providing useful health and science research along with, advice from both a medical and parenting perspective.” As Van Delft notes, the internet is a blessing and a curse for us all in our parenting journey. Armchair experts that get their information from Google often mean well, but instead parents can come away with both facts and
fiction when it comes to kids. That’s why Patel said the mission is to use science-based information in the series. “Parents simply want to do what’s best for their children and at times that means trying to find quick answers to make the best decisions,” said Patel. “Unfortunately, the ‘search’ can lead towards a path of pseudoscience and misinformation and ultimately, more confusion. I’ve seen this with everything from vaccine information, to teething remedies, to antibiotic use, to, the present-day example;
Covid-19. With this program, we hope to do two things to combat the pseudoscience epidemic: give parents a quick, evidence-based, overview on common pediatric topics and to help motivate everyone to pay attention to credentials and the validity of any health information they may run into online.” And with a healthy dose of humor added to each episode, the hosts hope that means the content will be approachable and easy to understand. “I think humor helps relax people,” said Van Delft. “Humor connects people, it shows you you’re not alone in this experience. And humor can help make clinical, complex, or daunting topics more accessible. And, well, science is science.” “Humans are hilarious, without even trying to be,”
added Patel. “The most real version of a human is a child – the inspirational being without inhibition who simply wants to have fun. We do our best to tell their story while sprinkling in the science.” Each episode is only 5 to 6 minutes. The first episode premiered in July and looked into the science behind tantrums. Other episodes have tackled fevers in children, and kids’ poop (yes, poop!). Topic development is a collaborative effort and, in the future, will include a dive into issues like how to decide between breastfeeding, formula, or a combination of both, or where allergies come from, and child common bathroom habits. “We all jotted down the most common childcare questions we could think of. We wanted to make sure the topics were general enough to be inclusive, applicable to all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, with their core in general pediatrics,” said Patel. “From there, we wanted to focus on topics that could provide enough science with actionable items. We wanted to empower our viewers with everyday knowledge and not just esoteric facts.” Episodes are posted biweekly and as the show evolves, Patel said Parentalogic staff want to hear from viewers on ideas for future topics. You can catch the show now on the PARENTALOGIC YouTube channel. BAYSTATEPARENT 23
24 SEPTEMBER2020
