baystateparent magazine March 2019 by baystateparent magazine

PRICELESS

MARCH 2019

READY, SET,

CAMP!

Massachusettsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

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contents MARCH 2019 VOLUME 23

NUMBER 11

features 21

Spring Forward, Stay Sane: A Sleep Expert’s Guide

Fresh Air Fund Serves Up Summer Fun for City Kids & Host Families

When Camp’s Not in Session

Planning for Your Child’s Health Needs at Summer Camp

Wayland Family Marks 50 Years Owning Maine’s Camp Caribou

What Type of Camp Will Your Child Like?

in every issue 8 10 11 12 13 22 24 37 39 46 48 50

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Momma to the Max & Meet the Cover Artist Herding Goofballs Our Fave Four Finally Forever On the Agenda The List Facts & Freebies Very Special People Bites Cyber Savvy Mom #MomLife Take Eight with Ella Anderson

Ready, Set,

CAMP!

ILLUSTRATION BY KATHRYN BURKE

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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 amanda@gatehousemedia.com creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-767-9536 pethier@gatehousemedia.com

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

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

an original illustration by Maureen McAfee, a student at the Massachusetts College of Art & Design. baystateparent had the pleasure of working MassArt’s senior Professional Freelance Studio class to design the cover of our annual Summer Camp issue. We gave the students a little direction, and they gave us some truly incredible art. We had such a hard time deciding which piece would grace the cover that we elected to include all of the artwork in this issue. You’ll see these talented students’ creativity and designs throughout the magazine (and right on this page!). Personally, I’m glad we didn’t have to pick just one illustration to put in this month’s issue, not just because all of it deserves to be published, but also because I am terrible at making decisions. Just ask my husband when it comes to picking where we should go for dinner or what movie we should rent from the Redbox. Last week I bought three different clocks to hang on my kitchen wall because I couldn’t pick which one I liked best. ILLUSTRATION BY NATHALY DAVIS Days later, I still haven’t made a decision and three large clocks are ticking away on my dining room table. Whether you are someone who can pick and choose quickly and confidently, or someone who agonizes over what to do in every situation, we all are faced with many decisions, evDecisions, Decisions ery single day. And when you’re a parent, that’s even more true. Notice anything different about Not only are you making all this month’s issue? those choices for yourself, but Usually, an adorable kid or a for someone else, too. rock star mom is pictured on the Have you ever really thought front, but this edition features about the barrage of decisions

momma to the

MAX

meet our cover artist MAUREEN Maureen McAfee, 22, is a senior at MassArt majoring in Illustration. The Bay State native -- who grew up in Falmouth and Arlington -- plans to focus on children’s illustration and editorial work after she graduates this spring.

enjoyed. I knew that I didn’t want to go to school for a job I would hate the rest of my life. I wanted a job that I was passionate about. That’s when I decided I wanted to go to art school and be an illustrator. It was the best decision I ever made!

What was your inspiration for the cover illustration? I was inspired by curiosity and the sense of adventure that kids have. I figured that the best way to show that was drawing a gal surrounded by nature and ready to explore.

What's your favorite medium? I’m always dancing between different mediums. I love gouache, colored pencil, ink, and watercolor but I also love working digitally too. Sometimes mixed media as well.

When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist? Senior year of high school when applying to colleges. Reality just sort of hit me. I’d always loved art class, it was the only part of school I really 8 MARCH2019

Have you been particularly influenced by any artists? I love the classic children’s illustrators like E.H. Shepard, Ludwig Bemelmans, and Beatrix Potter. Their work is so timeless and brings me a lot of nostalgia from my childhood. Lately, I’ve

been especially obsessed with illustrations by Claire Keane and Lorelay Bove. What are your other interests? To be honest, everything I love to do is art related! I love traveling just for the sake of filling my sketchbook. When I’m in town just going to the museum on a rainy night or staying in watching movies is great too. Did you go to summer camp? If so, what are your favorite memories? Funnily enough, I never went to a summer camp as a kid but I loved spending time outdoors. My favorite places were at the stables where our horse was or at the beach down the street from our house. I guess swimming and riding were my favorite activities!

you make day in and day out as a parent? There’s the momentous ones -- Should you vaccinate? Co-sleep? Circumcise? How do you discipline? Do they need medication? -- and the more trivial ones -- What’s for breakfast? Do they need a haircut? Is it time for a bath? Will one more episode of Paw Patrol hurt? The sheer number of decisions we have to make daily can actually take a toll on us, according to an article in Elite Daily. It’s called “decision fatigue” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Making choices -- even small ones -- can zap our mental energy, and turn our minds to mush (hello “mom brain”). Just another reason why parenthood can feel so darn exhausting! But there are ways to allay some of this parental decision fatigue: simplify. Take a page from Mark Zuckerberg’s book, for example. Ever wonder why you see him always wearing that plain gray t-shirt? He’s said that his wardrobe choice -- or lack thereof -- is a tool for narrowing decisions. It seems to make sense; if we can eliminate little, insignificant choices, we should be better able to better focus on the bigger, more important stuff. So, is which clock ends up on my wall really a weighty decision? Probably not, but it feels like it….along with what to feed to feed my son for dinner tonight and when to pull the plug on Daniel Tiger. Decisions, decisions.

Amanda

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Herding

Goofballs

Space and

Time

BY JOSH FARNSWORTH, ILLUSTRATION BY KIRA BEAUDOIN

It was about 6:45 a.m. The sky from my bathroom window began to show pink and orange layers as if to roll out a welcome mat to the impending sun. The silence was absolute and calming. Until it wasn’t. 10 MARCH2019

A few thudding footsteps shook the floor. All I could think about was the scene from Jurassic Park when the water glass started to ripple and shake. Thud. Thud. Thud. “Dad???!!! I’m awake! Are you in there???!!!” Mental poetry: over. Allow me to hedge the rest of this column with the following disclaimer: I love my kids with my entire being, and spending time with them is my greatest joy. With that in mind, it’s honesty time. One of the biggest misconceptions I had before I was a parent was that I would never want another moment alone once my boys arrived. Why would I ever want to be apart for more than a second or two when they were here? It held true when they were very young babies. A 4 a.m. wakeup call to walk around the house rocking you back to sleep? Sure. The first eight times tonight were cool for me, too. But eventually, the clingy phases began. My kids have drifted in and out of several bouts of high anxiety when not directly tethered to my wife and me. The thought of temporary separation—even to walk to the kitchen to get some chocolate milk

they begged me for seconds ago—sometimes causes mini panic attacks when I am not in clear view the entire time. The optimist in me is reminded how much I am needed and wanted and loved. On the other hand, it can be hard to complete a full thought in my head without being dragged by the sleeve into the playroom. One or two times a day does not call for hiding out like a thief. It’s usually around the 43rd or 44th cry of despair, I find myself wondering if I can run to the closet and claim “sanctuary” for a while. It seems obvious, but needs to be said out loud (or in your favorite parenting publication, of course): Parents need breaks. Often. Daily, if possible. I can imagine, for single parents, this is truer. Let’s get one thing on the record that I am SURE all parents with kids at least two years or old do, but would never willingly admit… I hide in the bathroom sometimes. There, I said it. I seek asylum for 5-10 minutes at a time in perhaps the only place in the house where privacy is mandatory. Even then, it doesn’t fully guarantee quiet time to regroup. Once that bathroom door closes, forget that Dos Equis guy; I am the Most Interesting Man in the

World. Go ahead and admit it: you hide, too. Maybe your “refuge” isn’t a bathroom, but the basement or the backyard. Say it out loud. Own it. I’ll wait… …good. I’m proud of you. So, what’s the solution? Maybe we toss the kiddos the keys, wish them good luck and return in a couple hours? (Hint: No!!) Whether it’s stubbornness, a feeling of shame or guilt, or maybe our own code of ethics, asking for help for time to relax can be tough. Trust me. All of these feelings apply to me sometimes. Call your relatives. Call your friends. Call those you trust with the most intimate details of your life. Ask for a couple hours of having them watch your kids. Another thing that works for my wife and me is tagging. In other words, maybe after dinner, she will tag-in and watch the kids for 10 minutes while I go collapse onto the bed. Once that is done, I tag-in and she takes 10 minutes to do the same. A few rules for tagging time… • No chores • No career-based work • No quick errands • Rest • Deep breaths

It’s not about avoiding your kids when they express a need. I feel strongly these breaks actually make you a better parent. Sometimes you just need to refocus your weary head to give them the parent who actually can channel the energy to help finish building that pillow fort. Self-care is crucial, but near impossible if there is zero time for you to practice it. Asking for help can win you some of this time. In the end, a short or extended break can help reduce the stress of clinginess and give you quality time over quantity of time. Tagging works for us. Maybe tagging or something similar can for you. Win back those 6:45 a.m. sunrises. To my wife: sorry, my bladder is just fine. My head just needed a break. And if you need me to tag-in, you know in what room to find me. 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.

our fave

The days are getting longer and warmer and before you know it, summer will be here. Check out these four fun finds to send with your kids when they head off to camp.

2. 4. 1. Wear it as a neck gaiter, ban-

dana, headband, face maskâ&#x20AC;Ś the possibilities are endless. The seamless bandana scarf by Toes Home is breathable, sweat wicking and protects from the sun. $9.99. Available at amazon.com.

This all-in-one lantern, light, and USB charger offers illumination and power anywhere. Clip PowerLight Mini Lantern & Battery on to see or be seen or keep it in your bag as a backup power supply. $44.95 Available at thegrommet.com.

Campers can stash this collapsible water bottle in their backpack or pocket. Hydaway is made of silicone and folds down to just over an inch high. $24.99. Available at thegrommet.com.

4. Kids can capture memories the old fashioned way with this mini camera from Fujifilm, which produces credit card sized photos in an instant. Comes with a 10-pack of film. $49. Available at jet.com.

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finally

forever

FAQ:

The Adoption Process COMPILED BY RICARDO L. FRANCO

If adoption from foster care is something you’ve thought about, chances are you have a lot of questions. Ricardo L. Frano, a Family Support Services Coordinator at MARE Inc. (Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange), answers some of families’ most frequently asked questions.

I’m not sure if adoption from foster care is the right way for me/us to start my/our family. Can I speak with someone who has done it?

How long does the adoption process take?

On average, it takes families between eight months to one year to complete all the steps The prospect of adopting a to be licensed for adoption child can be both exciting and through the foster care system. overwhelming. There are many This includes the application, different types of adoption and background checks, initial choices to be made in pursuing home visit, MAPP classes, and this path. In addition to that, for homestudy. The time it takes to many couples and single individ- be matched with a child varies uals the decision to create or to greatly depending on the famigrow their family through adop- ly’s criteria and the needs of our tion implies a lot of emotional waiting children. work. Families in the process of adoption have consistently Why is the process so long? commented on the tremendous benefit of speaking with expeThe process takes time rienced adoptive parents. In because it includes three stages: response, MARE has created the eligibility process, MAPP trainFriend of the Family Program. ing, and home study writing. This program matches experiThese steps are crucial to ensurenced adoptive parents with ing the safety and well-being of families at all stages in the adop- children who have been neglecttion process to provide ongoing ed and/or abused. The goal is guidance, share their own expe- to prepare families as well as riences, and to equip them with possible to care for and parent resources and services. If you these children. are considering adoption from The first step of the profoster care and would like to cess is to obtain a “Family learn more about MARE’s Friend Resource Application” from the of the Family program please Department of Children and visit https://www.mareinc.org/ Families (DCF) or one of the page/friend-of-the-family-mentor- contracted agencies. When your program. application is processed and backgrounds record checks, and How do I know if I am a viable personal and medical references candidate to adopt from foster are completed, a social worker care? will reach to you to schedule a home visit to ensure that your To be eligible to adopt a child home meets the physical safety from the Department of Children standards established by state & Families (DCF) you must meet law. This first eligibility stage the following minimum requiremight take several weeks. ments: Once your application is approved and you have had • Be a Massachusetts resident your home safety visit done 18 years of age or older you will be invited to a 10-week training known as MAPP • Have a stable source of (Massachusetts Approach income to Partnership in Parenting). Sometimes families have to wait • Rent or own a home that until a MAPP training convemeets DCF’s home safety nient for them is scheduled in standards their area. The final step is the home • Pass a background check study which is both a process 12 MARCH2019

and a document. It involves a series of home visits and interviews conducted by a social worker who will help the family with the submission of document and who will produce an extensive document detailing the family’s composition, background, strengths, and child interest characteristics. The elaboration of the home study usually takes between 8-12 weeks. Can I start doing foster care and later adopt the child/ren placed in my home? Families approved for foster care may request the DCF’s Adoption Development Licensing Unit that their home study be updated for adoption. However, this doesn’t imply that the children they are providing foster care for are going to have their goal changed to adoption. There are other factors to be considered, for instance, if the children are legally freed for adoption or if the family’s characteristics are what the social worker is looking for the permanency of the children. What is the difference between DCF and a contracted agency? The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state agency charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect and strengthening families in Massachusetts. While much of DCF’s work is focused on child protective services, they also provide adoption services through the adoption units. DCF also works with “contracted agencies” to screen potential adoptive families, conduct MAPP trainings and complete family home studies. The requirements, stages, and duration of the licensing process is the same whether you work with DCF or one of the contracted agencies. Sometimes families working with DCF are MAPP

trained by one of the agencies. Should I work with DCF or an agency? This is a matter of personal preference, geographical location, or convenience with the scheduled trainings. It is important to know that all children in foster care with a goal of adoption in Massachusetts are under the custody of the DCF and for that reason families who get licensed through one of the agencies will eventually work with DCF in the matching and finalization stages of the adoption process. What is “Open Adoption?” Many of the children waiting for adoption are still at “legal risk” which means that their parent’s legal rights have not been terminated by the court. Others are legally freed. However, in many cases when a legally freed child is placed and adopted by a family, it is in the best interest on the child to keep a healthy connection to his/her biological family. This type of adoption is known as “Open Adoption.” The Open Adoption agreement is a legally binding document determined by the judge which allows adoptive parents, and often the adopted child, to interact with the child’s birth parents. Openness can vary greatly from family to family and may change over time. Communication may happen through letters, emails, social media exchanges, telephone calls, or visits. Visitation might take place at visitation centers supervised by a third party social worker. While some families may exchange brief notes and photos, others may spend more time together and celebrate birthdays or holidays together. The frequency of contact will be decided by the judge and can range from one to six visits per year.

March’s Child: Meet Ezra Ezra is a 13-year-old girl of Cape Verdean heritage. Ezra is usually laid back and quiet until you get her talking about her favorite topics: Monster High and the robotics club she belongs to at her Boys & Girls Club! Ezra enjoys reading, writing and drawing. She has a great imagination for writing her own stories and is an excellent writer. Those who know Ezra best say she loves to please others. She does well in school and has recently been on the honor roll. Ezra is ready for adoption and will need to maintain monthly visits with her siblings whom she is unable to be placed. Ezra expresses wanting a family with a mom therefore her social worker is honoring this wish and seeking any type of family with at least one female parent. 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.

on the

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

ILLUSTRATION BY SAMUEL STROJNY BAYSTATEPARENT 13

on the

agenda

march

ADVENTURES OUR TOP

5 PICKS OF THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

On Your Feet. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. March 27-31. Travel behind the music and inside the real story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan from their humble beginnings in Cuba to their sensational climb to the top of America’s and the world’s music charts. $45-80. thehanovertheatre.org.

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SMART Gals: Beatrix Potter. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. Tuesday, March 19, 2-4:30 p.m. Celebrate Beatrix Potter’s beautiful and intricate drawings as you make your own nature journal and try your hand at dissecting and drawing flower specimens. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Everyday Engineering: Air Play. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. Saturday, March 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop-in to create with repurposed and recycled materials exploring the properties of aerodynamics. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

A Roaring Birthday Celebration. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate lion brothers Dinari and Kamaia as they turn 10 this March with creative lion-themed arts and crafts, a giant birthday card, education stations, and possibly a piece of cake. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, youths 2 to 12 $11.95, ages under 2 free. Zoonewengland.org.

Swan Lake. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Friday, March 22, 8 p.m. The Russian National Ballet brings this timeless ballet classic to life featuring the music of Tchaikovsky. $41-59, children $25. thehanovertheatre.org.

ADVENTURES 1 FRIDAY Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing as you 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. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather of the season either in the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. First Friday Night Free. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 4-8 p.m. Explore the museum at night. Non-perishable food donations gratefully accepted for surrounding community. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Stars Over Springfield. Springfield Museum, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 7:30-9 p.m. Join members of the Springfield Stars Club for skygazing in the Science Museum’s observatory or planetarium show. $3. springfieldmuseums.org.

2 SATURDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org. Check the House for Art. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10 a.m. Brian Friedland presents this multimedia program of participatory music making, discussion, collaborative activities and humor for the entire family to enjoy. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Adults $13.50, children $10.50. coolidge.org. Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Celebrate beloved children’s author and Springfield native Dr. Seuss on his 115th birthday through an action packed day filled with art, science, decorations, meet-and-greets, and more. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths 3 and up $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Family Tour. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m. Explore the Museum galleries with your family on a docent-guided discovery tour filled with facts, stories, and time together. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4-17 $6, ages under 3 free. worcesterart.org.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday through stories, games, crafts, cake, and party favors. For ages 5 and under. Free. mywpl.org. Beyond the Spectrum: Daring Design. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn how artists use color, contrast, and composition to catch our attention before making our own boldly designed monoprints using water-based ink on Gelli plates. $9. mfa.org. Read Across America at the Zoo. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Join Clifford the Big Red Dog, Big Joe the Storyteller, zookeeper chats, arts and crafts, and more to celebrate Read Across America. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, youths 2 to 12 $11.95, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org. The Yo-Yo People. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Watch this threetime Guinness World Record Holder duo as they test the boundaries of what a yo-yo can do. Adults $12, children $10. natickarts.org. Zumba Kids. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Kids and adults join in a short family friendly Zumba class utilizing dance styles for a fun workout. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Special Storytime with Leslea Newman. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Follow the story of Gittel and her mother as they are separated on their journey immigrating to America at Ellis Island. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org. A Celtic Family Concert. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. Enjoy some toe-tapping Irish Music, songs, and stories celebrating Irish culture and history. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

3 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org. Mary and the Witch’s Flower. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Studio Ghibli creates a dazzling adventure about a young girl who discovers a flower that grants magical powers but only for one night. $6. coolidge.org. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’

birthday with stories, activities, and some of your favorite characters. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. First Sunday. Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union Sq., Clinton. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy free admission all day as you celebrate the first Sunday of the month. Free. museumofrussianicons.org. Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 & 2 p.m. A fun, interactive program where you can learn all about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, Medieval knights, and beyond. Free. worcesterart.org. ARTfull Explorations. deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1-3 p.m. Investigate new ideas and unique materials inspired by the Museum exhibitions. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Boston Symphony Orchestra Concert. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Join Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians for an interactive program geared to young ones. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

on the

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march

4 MONDAY Preschool Playgroup. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-11:00 a.m. Bring a snack and drop-in as you make new friends and learn to socialize. Free. (508) 867-2232. Kiddie Music Time. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Join the Monument Square Community Music School as we are introduced to classic and original music, song, percussion instruments, and dance through this interactive class. Recommended for ages 5 and under. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org. MFA Playdates: Loopy Lines. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15-11 a.m. Bring your favorite youngsters to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by artmaking. Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7 and up $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org. West Side Story. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 7 p.m. Watch this modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet following star-crossed lovers caught in the midst of a New York City turf war. Adults $13.25, children $11.25. coolidge.org.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with stories, activities, and some of your favorite characters. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Harvard Lions Winter Fest. Community Harvest Project, Prospect Hill Farm, 115 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 1-7 p.m. Enjoy a day of family friendly activities in the midst of late winter air, as we throw out winter blues and awaken the orchards. Free. thetrustees.org. How to Train Your Dragon. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Relax at the library and watch this animated feature film following a young Viking and his unlikely friendship with a dragon. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

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Spring Open House. Brookline Arts Center, 86 Monmouth St., Brookline. Sunday, March 24, 1-3 p.m. A wonderful spring-inspired afternoon filled with artwork, activities, and fun for all ages. Free. brooklineartscenter.com

Best Inventions Plus. Berk Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston St., Boston. 7 p.m. Experience this recital of the best student counterpoint projects from the previous year. Free. berklee.edu/events.

5 TUESDAY

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 6-7:30 p.m. Read a Dr. Seuss story, do a fun craft, have a sing-along, and enjoy some good bags to celebrate the famous children’s author. Recommended for ages 7 and under. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Dance Party. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:30 a.m. Move and groove to the music as kids and caregivers are invited to dance together. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Songwriting Scholarship Winners Showcase. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the music of some of the best songwriting students at Berklee. Free. berklee.edu/events.

Lil’ SMART Gals: Mary Anning. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Come try your hand at observing and digging for fossils to celebrate Mary Anning’s childhood passion that led her to the field of paleontology. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

6 WEDNESDAY Music and Movement. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10 a.m. Drop-in to stretch and shake off your sleeping eyes during this special morning workout. Free. (508) 867-2232.

Especially for Me: Free Sensory-Friendly Afternoons. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Come explore the Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods during this time with limited crowding and special support access to exhibits. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

WAM Stroller Tours. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy a docent guided tour followed by an age appropriate story and refreshments. Recommended for ages up to 3 with siblings. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4-17 $6, ages under 3 free. worcesterart.org.

SMART Gals: Anna Atkins. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4 p.m. Dropin to make sun prints and exploring different materials from nature to celebrate botanist Anna Atkins. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

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

Spring in My Backyard. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Celebrate Spring by planting seedlings, making a pinecone bird feeder, learning about earthworm composting, and meeting animal friends. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

7 THURSDAY STEM Experiments. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10:30 a.m. Unlock your inner scientist and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

concepts during this morning session. Free. (508) 867-2232. Take Aparts, Jr. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in and grab some tools to discovery the inner workings of household gadgets and gizmos. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Bunny Storytime. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Take the time to read for your young child, meet Daisy the puppet, sing songs, and play a musical instrument. For ages 12 to 24 months with caregiver. Free. leominsterlibrary.org. Storytime Adventures: Lion Tales. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Celebrate the king of the wild, and enjoy a story-time filled with lion tales. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Guitar Night: R&B/Funk Showcase. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston.

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7:30 p.m. Six stellar guitarists lead their bands in a program of R&B and funk originals and covers. Free. berklee.edu/events.

8 FRIDAY

Sensory Storytime. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Look, listen, touch, play and enjoy a sensory story-time and activities to explore different concepts. For ages 2 to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Ralph Breaks the Internet. Worcester Public Library: Tatnuck Branch, Roosevelt Branch, Goddard Branch, and Burncoat Branch, Worcester. 4 p.m. Watch this adventure following the Wreck It Ralph team as they escape the arcade room and through the internet on an amazing adventure. Free. mywpl.org.

Preschool Story and Nature Hour: Ice Age. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an hour of nature-themed fun with your youngster. Read, make a nature craft to take home, and walk on one of the sanctuary’s beautiful trails. For ages 2 to 5. Register ahead. Member children $3, nonmember children $4, adults free. massaudubon.org.

Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org.

9 SATURDAY

Little Groove. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Play instruments, dance, sing, and groove to songs about playtime, sleep-time, trains, planes, rainbows, pigs, and more during this educational music experience. Adults $13.50, children $10.50. coolidge.org. The Greene-O’Leary School of Irish Dancers. John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. 10:3011:30 a.m. Enjoy a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day through both contemporary and traditional styles of Irish dance. Free. register ahead. jfklibrary.org. Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. A fun interactive program where you can learn about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, Medieval knights, and beyond. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4-17 $6, ages under 3 free. worcesterart.org. Backyard and Beyond: Winter Survival Workshop. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Expert survivalist Tim ‘PrimiTim’ Swanson will cover basic shelter building, wild edibles, fire starting, and more during this fun class. Register ahead. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Minni of Boston DesignShop: Tiny Houses. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 2:30-4 p.m. Budding decorators and designers take on the tiny homes trend through crafting, and learning. For ages 6 to 10. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org. Especially for Me: Free Autism-Friendly Evening. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 5-8 p.m. Come join in all the fun and explore the Museum during this special evening just for families with members on the autism spectrum, with dinner provided. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

10 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org. The Sleeping Beauty. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10 a.m. Ballet brings to life the tale of the cursed Princess Aurora as she falls into a deep slumber lasting one hundred years. $25. coolidge.org.

11 MONDAY Preschool Playgroup. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-11 a.m. Bring a snack and drop-in as you make new friends and learn to socialize. Free. (508) 867-2232. Eric Carle Celebration. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Celebrate the books of Eric Carle through stories, art, music, and movement. For ages 2 to 5. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Baby Bookworms. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 11-11:30 a.m. Interact with your babies through a variety of nursery rhymes, action rhymes, songs, and stories. For ages up to 12 months. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org. LEGOS, Coloring and Games Galore. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 1-4 p.m. Spend your half day of school with Legos, games, and other activities. For ages 5 and up with caregivers. Free. leominsterlibrary.org. Leprechaun Traps. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester. 3:30.-4:30 p.m. Use everyday household items to trap some unsuspecting Irish fairing with just the right bait, setup, and ingenuity through STEAM concepts. Free. mywpl.org. Go-to-Meetin’ Jubilee. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Celebrate 10 years of this groundbreaking American Negro spiritual ensemble through this a cappella concert. Free. berklee.edu/events.

12 TUESDAY LittleBeats Dance. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:30 a.m. Join friends from LittleBeats for a creative dance session at the library. For ages up to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Lil’ SMART Gals: Rosalind Franklin. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in as you play with a DNA-inspired scavenger hunt to find all the ways you look the same or different from your grown-up and then create a face of your own design. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. SMART Gals: Rosalind Franklin. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4 p.m. Celebrate chemist Rosalind Franklin as we make strawberry DNA necklaces and other DNAinspired creations. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Berklee American Roots Music Program. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the first 10 years of the Berklee American Roots Music Program through this extraordinary concert welcoming back amazing Berklee College of Music-trained musicians. Advance $15-20; dayof $20-25. berklee.edu/events.

13 WEDNESDAY Music and Movement. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10 a.m. Drop-in as to stretch and shake off your sleeping eyes during this special morning workout. Free. (508) 867-2232. Peter and the Wolf & Hansel and Gretel. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m. Two well-known fairy tales are told through ballet and bring the story book pages to the grand stage. $12. thehanovertheatre.org. Leprechaun Traps. Worcester Public Library: Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Let’s catch some leprechauns using BAYSTATEPARENT 17

21 THURSDAY STEM Experiments. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10:30 a.m. Unlock your inner scientist and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts during this morning session. Free. (508) 867-2232.

St. Patrick’s Day at the Zoo. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. Saturday, March 16, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Visit the zoo to watch some of the animals receive green-themed treats, get creatives with arts and crafts, and discover fun facts. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, youths 2 to 12 $11.95, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

everyday household items using STEAM concepts. Free. mywpl.org.

14 THURSDAY STEM Experiments. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10:30 a.m. Unlock your inner scientist and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts during this morning session. Free. (508) 867-2232. Asobouyo: Explore the Songs and Toys of Japan. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. & 2-2:45 p.m. Join visiting student teachers from Showa University in Tokyo to explore classic Japanese children’s songs and toys. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Leprechaun Traps. Worcester Public Library: Tatnuck Branch, 1083 Pleasant St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Use everyday household items to trap some unsuspecting Irish fairies with just the right bait, setup, ingenuity, and STEAM concepts. Free. mywpl.org.

15 FRIDAY Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather of the season either in the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Family Fun. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3-5 p.m. Drop-in for family games and activities for an afternoon of fun. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

16 SATURDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org. Circle of Songs: Live. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. Join nationally-known early childhood educator and musical entertainer Hugh Hanley as he brings his energy and music for parents and children to enjoy. Members $7; nonmember adults $12, ages 3-10 $10, ages under 3 free. regenttheatre.com.

18 MARCH2019

Doggy Days: Out for a Walk. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in and meet Abby the Therapy Dog as she gets her daily dose of exercise. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. A fun interactive program where you can learn about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, Medieval knights, and beyond. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4-17 $6, ages under 3 free. worcesterart.org.

iStorytime. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-11 a.m. Watch and listen to a story, sing songs, play instruments, and join in for an activity and craft. Recommended for ages up to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Take Aparts. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Drop-in to discover capacitors, circuit boards, and the inner workings of computers, radios, and more. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Happier Family Comedy Show. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 3-4 p.m. Get your creative imagination jump-started during this on-thespot family friendly improvisational show from this favorite Western Mass-based group. Member adults $9, youths $4.50; nonmember adults $10, youths $5. carlemuseum.org.

Woodcock Watch. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 7-8 p.m. Watch as woodcocks put on their incredible courtship flight displays spiraling 300 feet into the air and descending rapidly. Register ahead. Members free; nonmember adults $6, children $3. massaudubon.org.

Daddy & Me Brain Building Afternoon: Firetrucks. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. Dads and caretakers are invited to bring their child to the library to enjoy firetruck stories, and a handson building of wooden firetrucks with hammer, nails, and paint. For ages 2 to 4 with caregiver. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Fake Science with ImprovBoston. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. 7:30-9 p.m. New England’s oldest and biggest comedy theater brings its signature off-the-cuff laughs to the far reaches of the galaxy with the expert technological wizardry of the Planetarium. Advance $20, day-of $25. mos.org.

Leprechaun Traps. Worcester Public Library: Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat St., Worcester. 3-4 p.m. Use everyday household items to trap some unsuspecting Irish fairies with just the right bait, setup, ingenuity, and STEAM concepts. Free. mywpl.org. Remembering the Queen: The Music of Aretha Franklin. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 8 p.m. Celebrate the Aretha Franklin with this live concert performance. $30-40. regenttheatre.com.

17 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org. Jumanji. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, and Bonnie Hunter star in this adventurous adaptation of the award-winning children’s book following an untamed boardgame. Adults $9.50, children $7.50. coolidge.org. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore culture, identity and stories of immigration through arts, crafts, activities, and live performances celebrating Irish and Irish-American culture.

22 FRIDAY

Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 7 p.m. The longest consecutively running jazz festival in the world comes to Boston featuring a stunning line-up of musicians and singers. $45-65. berklee.edu/events.

Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:45 a.m. Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to this special music and movement class. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Folk Open Mic. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 8 p.m. Enjoy some of the best folk music live on stage with a special performance by artists Ben Hoke. Members free, public $5. natickarts.org.

18 MONDAY

20 WEDNESDAY

Preschool Playgroup. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-11 a.m. Bring a snack and drop-in as you make new friends and learn to socialize. Free. (508) 867-2232.

Music and Movement. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10 a.m. Dropin to we stretch and shake off your sleeping eyes during this special morning workout. Free. (508) 867-2232.

Family Fun Night: Frogs. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 6-7 p.m. Investigate frogs while you read stories, make a frog craft, investigate the life cycle of a frog, and play a frog counting game. For ages 3 to 7. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

19 TUESDAY Joanne Langione Dance and Movement

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather of the season either in the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Health Fair: Our Bodies, Our Future. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn all about the complex structures behind the human body, featuring hands-on activities, talks, and more. Free with exhibit halls admission. Members free; nonmembers $25, youths ages 3 to 11 $20, ages under 3 free. mos.org. Preschool Story and Nature Hour: Tracks in the Snow. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an hour of naturethemed fun with your youngster. Read, make a nature craft to take home, and walk on one of the sanctuary’s beautiful trails. For ages 2 to 5. 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.-12 p.m. Look, listen, touch, and play as you experience

a sensory story-time and activities to explore different concepts. For ages 2 to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

23 SATURDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org. Health Fair: Our Bodies, Our Future. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn all about the complex structures behind the human body, featuring hands-on activities, talks, and more. Free with exhibit halls admission. Members free; nonmembers $25, youths ages 3 to 11 $20, ages under 3 free. mos.org. Margot Fox & Friends: Family Fun Saturday. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. Get ready to move as Margot brings audiences of all ages to their feet with fantastic dancing, wiggly, and family-friendly folk rock. Members $9; nonmember adults $12.50, children $10.50, ages under 3 free. regenttheatre.com. Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy cooperative games, age-appropriate poses, parent-child poses, breathing exercises, and more to relax children and their caregivers. Recommended for ages 3 to 12 with caregiver. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. The Wacky Science Show with Mike Bent. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Get ready for an award-winning show teaching that science can be exciting, fun, high energy, and filled with humor. Adults $14, children $12. natickarts.org. Kitchen Ka-Boom. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Be a kitchen scientist with cool, hands-on, kids-safe experiments using ingredients found in most pantries. Register ahead. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. berkshiremuseum.org. Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. A fun interactive program where you can learn about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, Medieval knights, and beyond. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4-17 $6, ages under 3 free. worcesterart.org. March Teddy Bear Tea. Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Tpke, Concord. 12-3 p.m. Delight the youngster in your life with an afternoon for just the two of your and their favorite stuffed friends for tea, cocoa, sweets, and a simple crafts. Register ahead. Member adults $20, youths $17; nonmember adults $25, youths $22. concordmuseum.org. Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindlewald. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Watch this movie from the mind of Harry Potter’s JK Rowling following the malevolent wizard Grindelwald as he is chased by Albus Dumbledore and Newt Scamander. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Wingmasters: New England Birds of Prey Live. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 2-3 p.m.. Witness our neighbors to the sky, as Wingmasters brings us birds with hooked beaks, grabbing feet, and sharp talons. Register ahead. Member adults $9, children $6; adults $15, children $10. fruitlands.org. Bilingual Storytime: Spanish. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. Enjoy a special story-time with stories, songs, and movement activities in both English and Spanish. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

24 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Get a taste of the season, smell wood smoke and maple syrup, and enjoy tree tapping and sugaring. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths 4 and up $14, ages under 3 free. osv.org.

Little Yogis & Me Yoga and Movement. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-10:45 a.m. & 11-11:45 a.m. Join us for a fun filled yoga play for active tots and preschools featuring songs, poses, and movement. For ages 1 to 4 with caregiver. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org. Metal Guitar Night. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Faculty guitarist Joe Stump will be featured in a night filled with fierce riffage and shred guitar pyrotechnics. Free. berklee.edu/events.

26 TUESDAY Matt Heaton Family Singalong. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:45 a.m. Matt Heaton, the Toddlerbilly Troubadour, brings and infectious energy to

his sing-alongs, peppering classic and original songs on guitar and banjo. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Little SMART Gals: Marie Tharp. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Become inspired by Marie Tharp’s work in helping create the first scientific map of the Atlantic Ocean floor. Do your own investigations of maps and the ocean floor. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton. org. SMART Gals: Katherine Johnson. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Celebrate groundbreaking physicist and mathematician Katherine Johnson. Design and build your own landing pods worthy of a moon landing. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Toto the Tornado Cat. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester. 4:30-5:30 p.m. A reading of Toto the Tornado Cat inspired by the amazing story of a 2-week old kitten swept up in a tornado that touched down in Central Massachusetts, featuring Toto the Cat. Free. mywpl.org. Mandolin Mashup. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss this annual Berklee celebration of mandolins in all their forms ranging from bluegrass to Bach. Free. berklee.edu/events.

27 WEDNESDAY Music and Movement. Hitchcock Academy,

Karen K & the Jitterbugs. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Bug out as Karen K and her imaginary buggy friends present an energetic, colorful, and family-favorite musical concern. Adults $13.50, children $10.50. coolidge.org. Festival of Hina. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Experience the Japanese Festival of HIna, a celebration of womanhood, through stories and songs. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 12-4 p.m. Celebrate the Caterpillar’s special day at The Carle. Enjoy a special art studio project, food scavenger hunt, films, storytimes, and more. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org. Traditional Turkish Music. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2-3 p.m. JA concert of Turkish music spanning 17th-20th centuries with traditional instruments such as tanbur and ud. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Peter Pan. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 3 p.m. Watch J.M Barrie’s classic tale come to life with this early adaptation of his story featuring a live organ accompaniment. Members $13; nonmember adults $18, children $13, ages 3 and under free. regenttheatre.com.

25 MONDAY Preschool Playgroup. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-11:00 a.m. Bring a snack and drop-in as you make new friends and learn to socialize. Free. (508) 867-2232. Especially for Me: Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Infants and Toddlers. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come for a special morning at the Museum as we explore, play, experiment, and imagine with ASL interpreters on-site to support your visit. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org. BAYSTATEPARENT 19

2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10 a.m. Dropin to stretch and shake off your sleeping eyes during this special morning workout. Free. (508) 867-2232. ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Engage with art, stories, and new friends through multi-sensory activities. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Slime Time. Worcester Public Library: Tatnuck Branch, 1083 Pleasant St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Enjoy this special slime workshop supporting STEAM concepts. For ages 8 and up. Free. mywpl.org. International Folk Festival. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. Music from around the world performed by Berklee College of Music students and guests is presented during this 33rd annual folk festival. Advance $10, day-of

$15. berklee.edu/events. 28 THURSDAY STEM Experiments. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. 9-10:30 a.m. Unlock your inner scientist and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts during this morning session. Free. (508) 867-2232. Rolling Down a Ramp. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in and use a variety of materials and plenty of curiosity to make predictions, observations, and hypotheses about force, speed, and motion. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. 29 FRIDAY Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather of the season either in

the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Make a Mess: Foamy Fun. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Drop-in to have some good clean fun experimenting with shaving cream and paint to create unique masterpieces. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. All Ages Owl Prowl. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join a local naturalist and educator on this family-friendly guided Owl Prowl through our grounds. Register ahead. Member adults $9, nonmember adults $15, children free. fruitlands.org. 30 SATURDAY Pop-Up Play Day. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 10-12 p.m. A morning

of child-directed play as we use the big, blue blocks of Imagination Playground to explore innovation and collaboration. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. berkshiremuseum.org. Play Date: Going Far Together. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Drive., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join community partners Boston City Singers, musician Alastair Mook, and social justice pathmakers Wee the People for a day of multimedia art, art-making, performances, and more. Free. icaboston.org. Everyday Engineering: Balls and Ramps. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Design, build, and test out some simple tracks and mini-rollercoasters as we send marbles and golf balls on a thrilling ride. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org. Healthy Kids Festival. Boston Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit the teddy bear clinic and learn what happens in the hospital, experience medical tools in non-threatening ways, learn about healthy habits, and more during this celebration of wellness. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under one free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. A fun interactive program where you can learn about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, Medieval knights, and beyond. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4-17 $6, ages under 3 free. worcesterart.org. Ralph Breaks the Internet. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Watch the Wreck-It-Ralph team as they travel beyond arcade games and into the internet on a fantastically funny adventure. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. 31 SUNDAY Davey the Clown. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy silly juggling, amazing music, incredible unicycle tricks, wacky antics, music, balloon sculptures, and more. Adults $13.50, children $10.50. coolidge.org. All Newton Music School Concert. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2-3 p.m. An afternoon concert by faculty from the All Newton Music School. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

SHARE YOUR EVENTS! Have an adventure you want listed in our calendar? Send your events, with a photo if you have one, to bspeditor@ gatehousemedia.com. Deadline is the first of the month prior to the event. You can also post events directly to our website at baystateparent.com/ thingstodo 20 MARCH2019

Spring Forward, Stay Sane: A Sleep Expert’s Guide to DST

Don’t be sleepless this spring. Here’s expert advice to keep Daylight Saving Time from ruining your child’s sleep routine. BY MALIA JACOBSON If you have little ones at home, chances are, you’re not a fan of “spring forward,” the annual Daylight Saving Time ritual that throws off bedtime for kids from coast to coast. This year, clocks jump ahead on Sunday, March 10. When the clock moves forward in the spring, the most common complaint from parents is that kids won’t go to bed “on time.” It’s not hard to understand why: When the clock reads 8 p.m., your child’s body thinks that it’s 7. When 9 or 10 p.m. rolls around and kids still aren’t tired, parents get understandably grumpy. It’s not just bedtime that gets wonky: Many parents find that DST throws off kids’ wake times and naptimes, too. An hour’s worth of time change is a lot for little bodies to handle, akin to jet lag for a baby or toddler. Some particularly sensitive kids (or those who are already overtired to begin with) can

take days—or weeks—to adapt to the new time shown on the clock. Want to help your little one take the time change in stride? Here’s how to “spring forward” without missing a beat. (For simplicity, this example uses a 7 a.m. wake-up and a 7 p.m. bedtime. Kids wake and go to bed at different times, so adjust as needed for your family’s needs.)

Rise and shine The key to helping your child fall asleep at his normal bedtime on clock-change day is waking him up earlier that morning, and for a few mornings preceding the change. Here’s why: If he sleeps until his body’s regular wake-up time (say, 7 a.m.) on clock-change day, the clock will read 8. If you try to put him to bed that night at 7 p.m., his regular bedtime, only 11 hours have elapsed

since he woke up, and he’s not likely to be tired enough to go to sleep. This is especially true if he slept a bit later than normal that morning. DST occurs on a weekend, so many parents allow children to sleep later than normal. During the rest of the year, sleeping in up to an hour on weekends isn’t a big problem, but when you add the time change, things can quickly go awry.

Planning ahead The best way to avoid any sleep disruption: plan in advance. Beginning two to three days before the change, begin waking your child 30 minutes earlier in the morning, and putting her to bed 30 minutes earlier at night. For babies and young children who still nap, make corresponding adjustments to naps by moving them 30 minutes earlier as well. In

this example, that would mean waking your child at 6:30 a.m. and putting her to bed at 6:30 p.m. (This may sound like an extremely early bedtime, but remember, it’s only for a couple of days.) On the morning of DST, wake your child at his normal wakeup time. If he normally wakes at 7 a.m. standard time, wake him at 7 Daylight time. (This will actually be 6 a.m., according to his body clock, but you’ve prepped him for this change already with a couple days of early wake-ups.) Offer nap(s) at the normal times. No need to make adjustments here. Having woken up at 7 a.m., he’ll be ready for sleep at his normal bedtime.

Last-minute help Starting last-minute? No time to prep your child a couple of days before the time change? No problem. Just remember to

wake your child at her normal wake-up time (not the adjusted time) on clock-change day. If she normally wakes at 7, get her up at 7—her body will still think it’s 6 a.m., so she’ll probably still be snoozing, and she’ll be tired, because she “lost” an hour of sleep. But she will be ready to snooze at her regular bedtime that night. And you won’t have a wide-awake kid bouncing off the walls while you’re trying to watch Weekend Update on DVR. Daylight Saving Time, done! Malia Jacobson is a sleep coach, an award-winning journalist specializing in health and family topics, and a mom of three. Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades. BAYSTATEPARENT 21

on the

agenda

the list

7 Sweet Ways to Enjoy Maple Month

There is plenty of maple-themed fun (and food) to savor throughout the month of March. Many of the state’s 300+ maple producers are hosting events this month where you can watch the process of turning sap into syrup, or enjoy an authentic sugarhouse maple breakfast. Here are seven of the sweetest ways to celebrate Maple Month.

1. Maple Days Saturday & Sunday, March 2-24, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge Costumed historians demonstrate the maple sugaring process of the early 19th-century at a working sugar camp, show how maple sugaring has changed over the years, and more. See the entire maple sugar-making process, from tapping trees to “sugaring off,” and learn how maple sugar was used in early New England. Period foods made with maple products will be cooked by the hearth at the village’s farmhouse. Cost: (included in OSV admission) Adults $28, kids $14, children under 4 free

2. Sugar-on-Snow March 3, 1-2 p.m. Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon Celebrate the season with an iconic maple sugaring tradition: sugar-on-snow! This sweet treat of hot syrup quickly cooled over snow (or ice if snow is lacking) is a true sign of the season. The intense sweetness is countered/enhanced by a bite of pickle and plain donut...really, we aren’t kidding! Keep an open mind and give it a try while learning a bit about the process of sugaring during this special program. Moose Hill also hosts Maple Sugaring Weekends for a sap to syrup journey March 17, 23 & 24. Cost: Mass Audubon members $10, non-members $15

3. Maple Day March 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell Explore maple history, culture and production as you help tap the trees for sap and then watch how it is boiled into syrup. The day will include scheduled woodland walks for tree tapping, historical interpreters, sweet treats, fun crafts and lots of hands-on activities. Cost: Members $5, non-members $8, children under 3 free

4. Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast March 9 & 10, 8:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln Explore the farm and see how sap is collected from its majestic maple trees. Learn about Native American sap-to-syrup techniques and the history of this sticky New England favorite. Finish the morning off with a breakfast of hearty pancakes with real maple syrup and Drumlin’s own roasted potatoes and sausage. Most seatings are at half-hour intervals, starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required for this sell-out event. Register online at massaudubon.org or call 781-259-2200. Cost: Mass Audubon members $15, non-members $17, children under 2 free

22 MARCH2019

5. Sugaring Off March 23, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. Land’s Sake Farm, Weston Tour the Sugar House, watch maple sugaring demonstrations, and enjoy a maple-y breakfast, all led by students in the farm’s Maple Education programs. The non-profit public farm puts this event on annually at the Bill McElwain Sugar House at Weston Middle School, 456 Wellesley St., Weston.

6. Spring Flapjack Fling March 23, 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield Enjoy the fruit (or sap) of the labor of sugaring season at a pancake breakfast featuring syrup from the sanctuary’s maple trees. After breakfast take an hour-long sugaring tour to see and learn about the transformation from sap to syrup. Advance registration is required. Register at massaudubon.org or call 978-887-9264. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary also hosts naturalist-guided tours Saturdays & Sundays, March 2-17. Watch the sap being boiled down in the sugarhouse, and get a sweet taste of the final product. Afterwards, warm up by the woodstove in the barn with hot dogs cooked in maple sap (aka sap dogs). Cost: Adults $17, children $14, babies on laps free. Sugaring tour only: Adults $10, kids $8, children under 3 free

7. Maple Sugar Days Festival March 23 & 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Brookwood Farm, Canton Join in this decades-long tradition of sugaring at the Blue Hills Reservation, hosted by Massachusetts DCR. Handle various sugar-making tools on a walk down “Maple Lane,” where you’ll see first-hand how sap is drawn from trees. Watch bubbling sap cooking into syrup in the sugar house, and get a taste of real maple! A food truck, artisan demonstrations and a toasty bonfire round out this family-friendly event. More information is at massaudubon.org. Cost: Adults $10, kids $5, children under 2 are free.

BAYSTATEPARENT 23

on the

agenda

facts and freebies

monday

11 {FREEBIE}

PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” will be at the Boch Center Wang Theatre this month. Here’s your chance to win tickets to this music-filled production!

tuesday

5 {FACT}

Today is Mardis Gras! Those ubiquitous beads have meaning: purple is for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

12 {FACT}

Aloha! On this day 60 years ago, Hawaii became our 50th state.

wednesday

6 {FREEBIE}

The Harlem Globetrotters will awe audiences at the Worcester DCU Center this month! Want to take the kids? Here’s your chance to win a family 4-pack!

19 {FREEBIE} 20 {FACT}

27 {FACT}

26 {FACT}

Wear purple today for epilepsy awareness. 50 million people have epilepsy worldwide, and in at least 50% of cases, the cause is unknown.

24 MARCH2019

7 14

Ideal for school, play and big adventures, this adorable Zip & Zoe kid’s backpack is spacious enough for books, snacks and toys. And the Dino World makes it extra cool to little ones. Go to Facebook today to win one!

thurs

The first LegoLand in the U.S. opened 20 years ago today in California.

Scribble with a child on National Scribble Day.

21{FAC

National Single Parent Day. We recognize the hard work, devotion and sacrifices of single parenting.

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

sday

CT}

friday

1{FACT}

It’s National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, and boy, do Americans love their PB! We spend $800 million per year on the creamy spread.

8 {FACT}

Can you make it through the day screen-free? Give it a try for National Day of Unplugging.

15 {FREEBIE} Meet Nickelodeon star Ella Anderson, get pictures with the Easter Bunny, and enjoy live entertainment at the upcoming KidzExpo! Today you can score free tickets to this family friendly event!

22 29 BAYSTATEPARENT 25

Ready, Set, CAMP!

CASSANDRA SIM

CHRISTIANA ANTICO

CAMDEN Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;NEILL

RICO ST. PAUL

BIANA BOVA

HUONG NGUYEN

LAILA KHERALLAH 26 MARCH2019

MADELYN SWEET

LEO DURHAM

MARY KATHERINE CONNORS

MADELINE MORIZZO

SAMUEL STROJNY

PHOTOS COURTESY FRESH AIR FUND FACEBOOK

READY, SET, CAMP!

A Breath of FRESH AIR FAF Serves Up Summer Fun for City Kids and Host Families BY JOAN GOODCHILD

any children head to camps and activities away from their families for a few hours a day, or even a few weeks, each summer. But when you live year-round in an urban environment, without as much opportunity to spend time outdoors, the chance to join a family living in more rural areas can be an exciting experience. The Fresh Air Fund, an inde-

pendent, not-for-profit agency, offers free summer experiences to thousands of New York City children from low-income communities. Through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns program, children apply to visit with volunteer host families along the East Coast and Southern Canada. Once placed, guests live with their family for a week in the summer, and have the chance to

enjoy nature and the outdoors, away from the stresses of city life. “Host families love children and enjoy adding a Fresh Air child to their family unit for one week in the summer,” said Stenie Gullans, a host and volunteer who serves as the Metrowest area chairperson for FAF. “I am blessed to get to know our Fresh Air children who come to Metrowest and

our local host families are an inspiration to me. It is a special group of people who love children and who open their hearts to include another sweet child in their family.” Families like Gullans’, who first began hosting in 2010, open their homes to a FAF guest and many bond quickly. Families often see guests return for multiple summers after the initial experience, and guests often stay for longer periods after their first summer. While the goal is to give the Fresh Air kids a fun, positive experience, Gullans says hosts come away equally as happy with the visit. “They all agree that as much as they love enriching their inner-city friend’s life, it is they who become more enriched than they could ever have imagined,” said Gullans. Families who want to host need to demonstrate that they have a safe home environment and a bed the child can have to themselves during their stay. The visit is often spent introducing FAF guests to the many joys of summer time in suburban and rural communities. “All kids love to swim, so that is always a favorite activity,” explained Gullans. “Ice cream is a must as well! It’s important to remember that everything outside of city life is new for Fresh Air kids, so even just the simple

pleasure of walking barefoot in the grass or enjoying a picnic outdoors is a special treat.” FAF organizers will often also coordinate an area meetup during the week to give families and guests and opportunity to spend time together in a group. Gullans says it is a fun way for everyone to get to know each other and activities might include wiffle ball, shooting hoops, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories. Besides all of the fun, Gullans says the new friendships made during the visits are what many participants cite as the best reward. “The biggest gifts are the friendships that are made for years to come,” she said. “Host kids have a special bond with their Fresh Air sisters and brothers and look forward to their visits every summer.” Gullans encourages anyone interested in becoming a FAF host to inquire. More information about hosting is available on the Fresh Air Fund’s website at freshair.org. Joan Goodchild is a veteran writer and editor and mom of two living in Central Massachusetts.

BAYSTATEPARENT 27

READY, SET, CAMP!

When Camp’s Not In Session Off season, summer camps host everything from family reunions to rustic weddings BY JAMIE LOBER

When you think of summer camp, chances are you picture a rustic retreat teeming with happy kids. But what about a family breakfast in the dining hall? Or a cocktail hour in the woods? Each spring and fall, Bay State camps transform into venues for other kinds of fun -- from family reunions to baby show-

28 MARCH2019

ers or even weddings. Many summer camp venues are available to rent out when camp is not in session and they make great backdrops for all sorts of special occasions, offering a mix of nostalgia and adventure. “Many people who have been to camp before want to continue that feeling and have a whole weekend experience that is not

just 4 or 5 hours of a wedding,” said Mandy Neuman, office manager at Camp Lenox, which can be rented out in late spring and early fall. Camps tend to be the first to come to mind when people think of non-traditional spaces for a special event, as most have missions that make you feel good about your decision.

“A lot of couples are hoping to have their events at nontraditional spaces that have some sort of meaning,” said Veronica Armstrong, head of marketing for Mayflower Venues, a curated platform for discovering and booking nontraditional outdoor wedding venues. “People love them and they attract laidback millennial couples that want to

support the environment and the mission of the property itself.” Whether it’s for a wedding, a marching band, martial arts school, family reunion, church camp or business group, the facilities of a summer camp can provide a setting for fun, learning and memories. Here’s a look at what happens off-sea-

son at a few camps in Massachusetts.

Crossroads In the summertime, Crossroads overnight camps offer traditional camp activities while instilling confidence in at-risk youth. At Camp Wing, acres of sprawling woodlands in Duxbury, and Camp Mitton, nestled in a secluded area of Brewster, you’ll find campers enjoying all the time-honored summer camp adventures: kayaking, swimming, hiking and more. But off-season, these venues play host to adventures of a different kind. When camp is not session, Crossroads is home to everything from middle school retreats to couples saying ‘I do.’ Many choose a Crossroads location for a special event in their life because they hold the camp’s mission of long-term empowerment near and dear to their heart, said Director Will Palmer. The fee guests pay to rent the space goes toward helping youth reach their highest potential. But the stunning scenery is also a

plus. “It is beautiful. Camp Wing in Duxbury has over 200 acres around a pond and lovely piece of land with cabins for overnight, swimming pools and all the stuff you would expect to find at summer camp,” he said. It makes for a great place to kick off the school year because kids can do icebreakers and get reacquainted after the long break of being apart. “People do not come back to kayak and boat, but for the human interaction,” said Palmer. Weekend rental packages of the venues include the use of their kitchens, lawn games, camp fires, and lake swimming. To top it all off, guests can add some campinspired fun to their event, with instructor-led activities like archery, canoeing and even tie-dying and bracelet making.

Camp Lenox A residential summer camp for boys and girls in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Camp Lenox offers various sports programs led by some of the finest coaches in the

country. Adventure beckons from the thick mountainous woods surrounding camp and an entire summer could be spent on the Shaw Pond waterfront. But beyond summer, the camp that sits on 170 acres of fields, forest, and sparkling water can be rented out for special events. In the weeks leading up to and following the summer camp season, Camp Lenox hosts reunions, graduations, weddings, corporate retreats, sports camps, seminars, birthday parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Many guests make a weekend out of it -- coming on Friday and leaving on Sunday and enjoying five meals in the dining hall and a ton of fun in between. Here, cabins provide accommodations for up to 350 and the dining hall overlooks the lake, with plenty of room for up to 450 guests. Wedding ceremonies most commonly overlook the lake, weather-permitting. “We have campfire areas which is a great place to get the whole crew together and be traditional with s’mores,” said Mandy Neuman, office manager. Couples often like to put together an itinerary

for the weekend and can jam as little or as much as they want into it. “We have facilities inside that have a stage, piano and soundsystem and we have linen rental available,” said Neuman. Anything you can dream, you can do here. “We just improved our waterfront area and it is an extended overlook that is really nice,” said Neuman. This is no one-size-fits-all event center — the camp leadership custom tailors a unique and memorable experience for each group, based upon their needs and size. Facilities that can be rented out include a waterfront dock for waterskiing, sailing or boating, the lodge, an indoor athletic fieldhouse, basketball or tennis courts, soccer or baseball fields, a climbing wall, ropes course, and a zip line. Professional chefs are on hand to prepare meals and staff are available to run activities like the ropes course or the waterfront. Jamie Lober is the author of Pink Power (getpinkpower. com). She can be reached at jamie@getpinkpower.com.

BAYSTATEPARENT 29

READY, SET, CAMP!

Planning For Your

Child’s Health Needs

at Summer Camp BY SAAD AND RAY DINNO, ILLUSTRATION BY BRIANNA BOGER

ustomers in our pharmacies ask us all the time for advice on preparing their son or daughter for summer camp. As you consider your child’s plans for the summer, we thought it might be helpful to share with you the most common questions, and the answers that we provide. Q: What should you consider about camp for a child who takes medication or has allergies? A: If your child takes daily medication or has a food or environmental allergy, it can be nerve-wracking sending them off to camp for several weeks, or even just for the day. Before choosing a camp, there are few things to keep in mind. First, ask questions – a lot of questions. Take some time to call the director or even schedule a visit. Ask if they are familiar with handling allergies? Is there medical staff on-site? How is medication administration handled? Where 30 MARCH2019

is the nearest hospital? Learn what activities your child might be doing on a regular basis, to identify potential problems. Once you learn more about who is in charge and the operations of the camp, you can decide if it is a good fit. Q: What information should parents provide the camp about their child’s allergies? A: Before kids go off to camp, parents should explain in detail their child’s allergies, including what they are allergic to, the severity of the allergy, and the necessary precautions. If your child is allergic to peanuts, for instance, learn what meals they serve and how the food is prepared. Ask the camp if there are separate nut-free tables for kids, or even better, a nut-free policy. For day camps, ask if they can request that other parents pack their kids nut-free meals, so your child can enjoy lunch with their friends. Explain what a reaction looks like and how it should be

treated. Make sure they have written procedures around storing and using EpiPens. Q: Who at the camp should know about a child’s medications? A: The medical staff should be made well-aware of what medication your child takes, the dosage, and when they need it. Keep this in mind when packing: Make sure medications are clearly labeled and in separate vials. Some camps, for ease and efficiency and to ensure that campers get their medication when they are supposed to, may use a pharmacy that pre-packages prescription medication for all campers, and in that case you won’t need to pack medications. Check with the camp to see if they have such an arrangement. If your child has asthma, staff should have ready access to their inhaler. Parents should always provide for the camp a list of emergency contacts, including the name of the child’s

pediatrician, as well as their insurance information. Q: How can kids stay safe in the sun and hot weather at camp? A: Long hours in the sun can pose health concerns for kids. Dehydration and sunburn are major concerns, but they can be avoided. If you are sending your child to a day camp, fill a reusable water bottle in the morning for them that they can refill throughout the day. Because water is vital to the body’s functioning, staying hydrated will improve your child’s mood and prevent headaches and exhaustion from the heat. When it comes to sunscreen, apply, apply, apply! Help your child apply sunscreen in the morning, and remind them to re-apply throughout the day, particularly after swimming, as the sunscreen’s protective layer can easily weaken with activity and time. It’s always a good idea to get some shade, particularly

during the sun’s peak strength between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Encourage your kids to always take a break when they need it. Q: What other general tips should I keep in mind? A: A non-toxic insect repellent is important, particularly for overnight camps or day camps that have activities at dusk. You may also want to pack a lotion or gel that can be applied to insect bites as well as burns. And lastly – this does not relate to health – put a label on everything if you want it to come back with your camper! Pharmacists Raied (Ray) Dinno and Saad Dinno are co-owners of Acton Pharmacy, West Concord Pharmacy, and Keyes Drug in Newton.

LEO DURHAM

READY, SET, CAMP!

BAYSTATEPARENT 31

READY, SET, CAMP!

Wayland Family Marks 50 Years Owning Maine’s Camp Caribou BY HENRY SCHWAN, PHOTOS BY KEN MCGAGH Bill and Martha Lerman, left, with their daughter, Lori Lerman, and son-in-law Alex Rotman.

Camp Caribou in Maine has been around for 96 years. For 50 of them, the camp has been owned by the Lerman family. Bill Lerman calls his wife, Martha, “the franchise.” The words are stitched in red letters on a black fleece vest Martha wore during a recent interview inside her Wayland home. Stitched above those words is a small reindeer head -- the logo of Camp Caribou, the all-boys summer camp in Winslow, Maine, that the Lerman family has owned for 50 years. It’s been quite a run for the Lermans in Winslow, a community of about 7,500 along the Kennebec River, near Waterville. The camp sits on a 200-acre peninsula in town. Bill’s parents, Al and Evelyn, bought the camp in 1968, and Bill took it over a decade later after his father was about to sell it. I’ll give it a whirl,”’ Bill remembers telling his dad, and over the years the camp has been fixed up with a lot of sweat labor, especially from Bill. From 80 campers 50 years ago, Caribou today enrolls 275, ages 7-15. Mike Stern knows why Camp Caribou is a success. Stern, 45, first attended Caribou when he was 11, and spent nine summers there, including four as a counselor. Today, he’s an elementary school teacher in Newton, helps 32 MARCH2019

Caribou raise money to provide financial assistance to campers, and does it because of his affinity for Bill and Martha. “Martha is genuine and has a gentle spirit, and Bill has an inexplicable enthusiasm for what he does,” Stern said. “It’s such a winning formula. There is nothing forced or fake about them.” Bill, 66, is a big man with a ponytail and a gravelly voice that sounds like a mixture of Boston and the Bronx. He’s full of stories, and knows everything there is about New England summer camps, including who owned them, going back generations. He’s had a number of jobs in his career, including a year of woodcutting in Maine. And his woodcutting days aren’t over, as Bill has a wood-splitting business. He picks up an axe and splits wood every day when Caribou isn’t in session. A big pile he recently split sat in his backyard, visible from the kitchen window. Martha, 59, doesn’t split wood, but her warm personality, and equally keen knowledge of New England summer camps, was on display as she sat at her kitchen table with Bill, her daughter Lori, and Lori’s husband, Alex Rotman. When Bill joined his parents and sister 50 years ago for the drive up to Maine in the middle

of winter to look at five camps to see if one was worth buying, he remembers his father falling in love with Camp Caribou the minute he saw it. Al and Evelyn Lerman are retired, and live in Sarasota, Florida. Bill and Martha have stepped away from the daily management of Caribou, leaving that to their son Bobby, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is in charge of recruiting new campers, while Lori and Alex handle just about everything else. Bill and Martha’s other son, Jerry, lives in Austin, Texas, and works for Camp Leaders, a firm that recruits camp staff. Bill and Martha have a rule that their children have to work somewhere else before applying for a job at Caribou, and if they show the desire to join the family business, it’s Bill and Martha who do the interviewing. And it’s a tough interview, according to Lori, who was interviewed by Bill. “It’s truly a family environment,” Sudbury teenager Brett Siegal said. Next summer will be Seigal’s eighth year at Camp Caribou, and he’ll work as a counselor after spending six as a camper and one as a counselor-in-training. “It’s a place where you make your best friends.” It’s also a place to meet a future spouse -- at least that’s what happened to Lori and Alex.

Alex first attended Camp Caribou when he was 8 years old, returned for several summers, and met Lori during his last summer as a camper. They became great friends, and years later exchanged wedding vows at Camp Caribou. Bill and Martha didn’t meet at Caribou, and it took some wooing by Bill to win her over. “I thought he was kind of strange,” Martha said with a hearty laugh, reflecting on the first time they met. “He was wearing rose-colored glasses, his belt buckle was on the side of his waist, and he wore zip-up dress boots.” A dinner date followed, and Bill didn’t hold back when he told Martha they were destined to get married. “Martha had a boyfriend at the time, and I had to drive the guy away,” Bill said. He did, and after more than 30 years of marriage, Bill has another pet name for Martha besides “the franchise.” It’s “the giver,” because, as Lori said, “My mom’s got so much love to give.” Martha has a pet name for Bill. It’s “the teacher,” because Bill has many passions that he loves sharing with his family and Caribou campers. They include sports, construction, telling stories, a love of the outdoors and, of course, splitting wood.

As for Caribou’s future, Bill and Martha believe the traditional camp experience they offer will survive, even in these times of kids glued to their mobile phones and increased competition from an explosion of leisure options. Martha said she’s noticed a trend in the last couple of years among the families who send their children to Caribou that they’re looking for a place where their children can make genuine friendships without technology. Caribou has a no-technology policy for campers. Bill has a different take on why Caribou will survive. He said the playground used to be where kids learned to negotiate and settle differences, but now that kids don’t go to playgrounds, camp is where they can learn those skills. The third generation of Lermans will determine Caribou’s future, and while Lori has thought about adding a camp for girls, she said she will never sell Camp Caribou. “It’s my dream job. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Lori said. Henry Schwan is a reporter for the MetroWest Daily News. Follow him on Twitter @henrymetrowest. He can be reached at hschwan@ wickedlocal.com.

CASSANDRA SIM

READY, SET, CAMP!

BAYSTATEPARENT 33

READY, SET, CAMP!

What

Type of Camp Will Your Child Like? BY CHERYL MAGUIRE, ILLUSTRATION BY REBECCA BISCHOF

hen I was younger, I only had one choice for summer camp—the town camp. The town camp was a traditional all-day 6 hour camp with a heavy emphasis on sports. I was more of a bookworm than an athlete so this type of camp was not a good match for my personality. I remember coming home every day whining to my mom, “It was so hot and all we did was play (fill in a sport). Do I have to go to camp tomorrow?” By the end of the summer, I’m sure my mom wished there were other options for me.

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Now there are so many choices it can be overwhelming to figure out what type of camp would be a good fit for your child. Hopefully, the following descriptions will help you to match your child with the correct camp so you hear your child tell you, “Camp was so much fun today,” instead of what my poor mother dealt with daily.

Traditional Day Camp A traditional day camp is 6 hours (half day options may be available) and offers a variety of activities such as sports, swimming, art, and music. These camps are located at YMCAs, public schools, or private settings. Is this a good fit for your child? Most of the activities are outside so if your child loves the outdoors and playing sports or team building activities then this would be a good type of camp for them. Since there is a variety of activities this would also be a good fit for a child that likes to try different things.

Sports Specialty sports camps usually are one sport such as baseball or soccer that the child plays either for 3 or 6 hours. Depending on where you live there may even be an option for tennis, golf, surfing or sailing camp. This type of camp is typically owned by private organizations. Some towns may have town operated sports camps. Is this a good fit for your child? If your child loves a specific sport and would like to improve their skills, this would be a great option. It could even be a way for your child to try a sport such surfing that they might not otherwise have exposure to it.

Art/Musical Theater Specialty art or musical theater

camps focus solely on the arts. Musical theater camps typically showcase a production such as “Beauty and the Beast,” whereas in an art camp a child would use a variety of art mediums like painting or drawing. These type of camps are located in public schools or private organizations. In the public school setting the drama teacher usually runs the camp, and it isn’t widely advertised but it is available for anyone to participate. To find out more information call public schools in your area. Is this a good fit for your child? If your child is creative and prefers the indoors, then these types of camps would be worth looking into. It may be a good way to introduce the arts to your child since most of these camps are time-limited for one week.

Educational An educational camp focuses on learning a new skill or subject matter. Since it is camp and not school these types of camps tend to be handson with an emphasis on fun. These camps are located in public schools, museums, and colleges. Is this a good fit for your child? If your child is curious and always asking questions about how/why things work, this may be a good match for them. If a child is interested in learning a new skill such as computer programming or speaking Spanish some educational camps offer that as well.

Overnight Camp/ Sleepaway Overnight camp is when your child lives at the camp for either a week or longer period. There are Boy/Girl Scout camps and private residential camps. These camps tend to offer options such as sailing, boating,

archery, horseback riding and other activities that may not be available close to your home. Is this a good fit for your child? An overnight camp gives your child the chance to meet other kids from different states and countries. There is also more time to do activities and foster independence compared to traditional day camps.

Travel There are two types of travel camps. One type is when your child goes on day trips and the other type sometimes referred to as “teen tours” is when your child travels with a group for an extended period (usually a few weeks or a month). This type of camp is located at religious or private organizations. Is this a good fit for your child? Some of these camps travel to places by a plane so it would give your child the chance to travel to a place that you might not have gone to as a family. If your child enjoys experiencing new destinations, then this would be a great fit for them.

How Can I Find These Camps? A good place to start is asking friends and family where they sent their child to camp and if it was a positive experience for them. You could then call your local public school and ask about local camp programs. Private camps usually offer an open house during the year to allow your child to visit before signing up. Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. You can find her on Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

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VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Raising an Intersex Child Born with CAH: One Mother’s Story Imagine giving birth to your first child and waiting for the excited declaration -- “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” -- but instead, the doctors whisper to one another. Imagine hearing that they’re unsure of the sex of your child. Here, one mother shares her story as a parent to a child with CAH. BY COLLEEN GELETKO

As an expectant mother, I aimed to do it all perfectly. I was ready to be the best in every role; wife, mother, preschool mom, working mom, breastfeeding mom, sports mom and more. As a classic overachiever, I had a solid plan of how I was going to juggle authentic happiness with my family and keep up with the Joneses at the same time. While I thought my plan was fool-proof, nothing could have ever prepared me for the first few minutes of my first-born

child’s life when I saw the doctors whispering about my baby. Nothing could ever compare to the knot that formed in my stomach when the doctor told me they weren’t sure of the gender of my child. No words can ever describe the emotion I felt when having to relay the news to grandparents waiting to meet their first grandchild. The life that I had planned, with a year of flawless “firsts” for my baby, would instead be filled with doctor’s visits,

hospital stays, endless blood draws, fear, worry and an overwhelming feeling of the loss of control. My daughter has Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), the most common cause of female intersex, or disorders of sexual development (DSD). It is a rare and life threatening genetic disease that affects the production of several vital hormones that are necessary for life. With each week my husband and I drew strength from learn-

ing more and more about the disease. We scheduled blood draws at consistent times. We pored over their results and read books to understand the medication dosing and how they relate. We found support groups of parents of children with CAH. We administered medicine religiously eight hours apart as prescribed. But while I focused on logistically managing CAH, I lacked in allowing myself to feel the impact on my new family’s life emotionally. I began to eval-

uate my life from the outside, and by the end of the year, what I was able to see so clearly was the strength of my child. All along while the topical issues associated with having a child with a chronic disease were so dominant in my mind, my child was learning, growing and flourishing just like every other child, even with all the challenges she was encountering. I looked at my child, so brave, so happy and so innocently unaware of the trials that lie ahead. She was unaware of the idea that her life would be challenging – unless, I myself taught her that idea. With this epiphany, I turned my worry over not being able to give my child the life I had planned, into passion for turning life with a rare disease into something empowering for my child. I would assist my child in leading a happy and healthy life by helping her gain the skills to keep herself physically healthy, establishing her as a partner in her care and self-advocate for her needs and instilling confidence in her to manage the disease mentally. I give her all my bravery and strength, and I send her into the world to conquer all of her dreams. This disease will not hold her back; it will push her forward. Five years and two more kids later, we’re now a home with two children with a rare disease and one with anaphylactic food allergies. We are raising our children to prioritize their disease without allowing it to mask their hopes. Our lives are impacted dramatically by CAH, but it doesn’t define who we are as a family. We are not caught up with keeping up with the Joneses – we are living an authentic, honest life focused on loving others for who they are and spreading kindness. My girls are dependent on two

BAYSTATEPARENT 37

lost hormones and require increased amounts when ill or injured. They are closely followed by endocrinologist and without proper treatment are at risk for an adrenal crisis which can cause shock or death. But my girls are not Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia – they are Vivienne and Scarlett – and they are a force to be reckoned with. Colleen Geletko lives with her three children and husband. She works as a publicist, marketer and serves as an advocate for her children with a rare disease and for all families who suffer from food allergies. She enjoys exploring the neighborhoods with her family, mentoring students and young professionals and volunteering her expertise to nonprofits.

Facts About CAH

not cause intersex in those with XY chromosomes, so the prevalence of CAH-related intersex is about 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 36,000.

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is the most prevalent cause of intersex among people with XX chromosomes.

• For a child to have CAH, each parent must either have CAH or carry an abnormal gene. If two parents have the gene for CAH but not the disorder, then their children have a 25 percent chance of being born with CAH.

• About 1 in 10,000 to 18,000 children are born with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, but it does

• In the United States, newborns are screened for CAH with a blood test from a heel prick right

after birth. • In many cases, female infants are diagnosed at birth, because they have ambiguous genitalia (external sex organs that resemble male genitals). However, they still have normal internal female organs (ovaries and uterus). • A male infant with classic CAH usually appears normal at birth, although he may have an enlarged penis. After infancy, boys with classic CAH grow rapidly and show signs of early puberty.

Taking a trip?

You wont want to miss April's baystateparent, bursting with inspiration, advice and tips to plan your BEST family vacation ever! Plus, our monthly reader favorites: the giant calendar of family events, expert columnists, feel-good features and more! Deadline is March 14th

To Reach Over 80,000 Readers contact sales@baystateparent. com

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bites

GOOSE’S GOODIES • NUTRITION • FOOD FOR THOUGHT BAYSTATEPARENT 39

yrup’s not just for pancakes! Maple gives a hint of sweetness to these yummy, crunchy chicken tenders. Add pecans to the coating for a little something extra, or leave out the nuts if your little one has an allergy or isn’t a fan.

Maple Chicken Tenders Ingredients • • • • •

1⁄4 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 3⁄4 teaspoon salt 3⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs 1⁄2 cup pecans, finely chopped (optional) • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Directions • Heat oven to 400 degrees. • Pulse pecans in a mini food processor, set aside. • Mix maple syrup, mayo and salt in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish mix panko crumbs and pecans (if using). • Pound chicken breasts to 1/2inch thickness, then slice into tender-sized strips. • Dip chicken into syrup mixture, then roll in bread crumbs. • Place tenders on a greased baking sheet. If you have one, you can use a cooling rack placed on the baking sheet to ensure the chicken gets crispy on both sides. Spray top of the chicken with cooking spray. • Bake 15-20 minutes, (turning once if not on a rack) until coating is golden brown.

Bites

goose’s

goodies 40 MARCH2019

Laurie Silva Collins, known affectionately by 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

Load Up? Should Teen Athletes Eat Extra Carbs? BY LAUREN SHARIFI, RD LDN

I’ve heard of runners “carb-loading” before a marathon. Should my teen athlete eat more carbs before a game?

Carbohydrates are a great pre-practice or pre-game fuel. They are easy to digest and provide a quick burst of energy to help your child perform their best during the game. Adding a small amount of protein or fat will ensure the snack lasts from the beginning to the end of the game. Since most teens aren’t engaging in marathon style practices or games it’s not necessary to “carb load” but instead consistently eat carbohydrates throughout the day and days leading up to the game. This will help ensure their muscles are well fueled to be able to perform well throughout the game. Try and plan meals and snacks in the home that contain a source of carbohydrates (e.g. bread, pasta, rice, cereals, starchy vegetables, fruit and dairy) along with protein and some fat and fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Here is a list of 10 great pregame snacks to have available at home for your teen to pack and eat before their game or practice: 1. Fruit and cheese sticks

2. Granola bar made with nuts or seeds (e.g. Kind Bar) 3. Whole wheat crackers and peanut butter (or other nut/ seed butter) 4. Yogurt with fruit 5. Trail mix made with whole grain cereal, dried fruit and nuts 6. Turkey or cheese sandwich 7. Whole grain cereal with milk 8. Hummus and pretzels 9. Apple or banana and peanut butter 10. Chocolate milk and whole grain crackers 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. BAYSTATEPARENT 41

Bites

Food for

Thought Baby-Led Weaning: Everything You Need to Know An Expert Weighs in on this Popular Approach to Introducing Solids

here is no onesize-fits-all approach when it comes to anything in parenting, and this is especially true when it comes to feeding our little ones. When it’s time for baby to start exploring foods, for instance, spoon-feeding soft purees might be the most common way parents introduce solids, but it’s definitely not the only way go. Skipping purees altogether is quite common in other countries and cultures, and this method has been steadily gaining traction here, too. More and more parents are turning to the “baby led” approach to weaning, introducing table foods right from the get-go. Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is hot a term right now, but what does it actually mean, and how do you actually do it? Annabel Karmel, a mother of three, a child feeding expert and the author of Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book: 120 Recipes to Let Your Baby Take the Lead, tackles the most common questions parents have around BLW. In a nutshell, what exactly is baby-led weaning? Why is it so popular? The ethos behind baby-led weaning is that you bypass the 42 MARCH2019

more traditional puree stage of weaning, and instead offer your baby a variety of foods which she can pick up and eat herself whether this is soft finger foods or small portions of family meals, it is about allowing her to decide what, how much, and how quickly to eat. A lot of families are keen on adopting the baby-led weaning approach as, put simply, it is less time spent mashing and pureeing! Baby-led weaning encourages your baby to join the dinner table and experiment with meals the whole family are enjoying (albeit without added sugar or salt). This method is thought to encourage the development of their social skills. Mealtimes suddenly become more than being just about food and there is the view that, as a result, your baby will go on to develop healthy eating habits for life. What are the benefits to BLW rather than feeding purees? There is the belief that babyled weaning can help with appetite control. Self-feeding helps them learn their hunger and fullness cues as she will stop eating when she is full and will be less likely to overeat if she is allowed to choose what she eats (from a range of nutritious

foods), eat at her own pace and decide when she’s had enough. There has also been some research done which found that babies who are offered a limited variety of foods could develop fussiness, whereas babies given the opportunity to explore a wide range of foods for themselves tend to accept new foods more willingly. We all know that babies are naturally inquisitive – they are programmed to experiment and explore, it’s how they learn. Self-feeding encourages handeye coordination and regularly handling foods improves their dexterity. And, by encouraging your baby to feed themselves it will give them the confidence in their own abilities. For babies, play is about learning, and they can learn a lot from handling food; from finding out how to hold something with or without dropping it, to getting to grips with different shapes, sizes, weights, tastes and textures and even learning what food sounds like when they throw it on the floor! Self-feeding involves all of the senses and can help babies to understand the world around them. Can you do purees and BLW? Yes absolutely! There is no

right or wrong to weaning. Some babies thrive on purees, others on finger foods and yet some on both. Instead of committing to a certain feeding method, it’s ok to be flexible in your approach and to follow your intuition and your baby’s developmental signs. Sometimes parents think that baby-led weaning is an all-ornothing method but you can choose to feed your baby soft finger foods and small portions of family meals alongside spoon-feeding purees. It’s all about what fits in with your routine and most importantly that both you and your baby feel content and comfortable. Combining both methods is a popular option and one that many parents are finding the most realistic to adopt. I think a flexible approach is particularly significant to consider for those with babies whose motor skills are slower to develop, as they will not be able to selffeed useful amounts of food until they are much older than six months. And this could be problematic as once babies get to six months they need essential nutrients such as iron and omega 3s which cannot be fully gained from breast or formula milk alone. This is where some form of pureeing or mashing of nutrient-rich food such as chick-

en, meat and oily fish becomes important. How do you know if baby is ready for self-feeding? Each and every baby is different so it is important to follow their lead and only start when they are developmentally ready. Many babies take to self-feeding early and easily, however, you need to be aware that you can’t start baby-led weaning before six months. Prior to this, babies tend not to have developed the hand-to-eye coordination needed for baby-led weaning, which means they won’t physically be able pick up the food and get it towards their mouth. So it’s not an option if your baby is ready to wean early and in this case, purees or well-mashed food are an obvious bridge between milk and solid foods. From six months, there are some key tell-tale signs that indicate your baby is ready to start feeding herself: • She can sit up unassisted • She has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (automatically pushing solids out of her mouth with her tongue) • She has developed sufficient hand-to-eye coordination to pick up food and put it in her mouth

• She is able to chew, even if she has few or no teeth What if baby has no teeth? Babies actually don’t need teeth to chew – their teeth are sitting under their gums and these gums are very hard, and are capable of managing all sorts of textures. So, it is less about her having teeth and more about whether she is able to chew, along with other key signs that your baby is ready. Many parents are worried about choking. What do you tell them? Choking is a question I get asked about all the time and it’s understandable that parents worry about this. My main piece of advice would be to follow your baby’s lead - their own developmental abilities are what ensure that the transition to solid foods takes place at the right time for her. Going at your baby’s own pace will significantly reduce the risk of choking. It’s important to note that however your baby is fed, they shouldn’t be left alone while eating, and they must always be supported in an upright position. I also encourage new parents to become familiar with first aid procedures. Avoid these foods that could cause choking • Whole grapes • Whole cherry tomatoes • Whole or chopped Nuts • Fruits with stones such as cherries • Bony fish (always check thoroughly for bones first) Remember that babies have a tendency to store food in their mouth for some time so just check they’re not storing any spare food reserves! What if baby gags? Gagging is very different to choking and in fact very normal and to be expected. Gagging is your baby’s own safety mechanism that prevents choking by pushing food away from the airway if it is too big to be swallowed. The gag reflex in babies is triggered towards the front of the tongue (unlike adults where this is much further back). All babies will gag while they master the skill of eating. Foods such as melt-in-mouth puff snacks can be good as they are helpful for babies to learn hand-to-eye coordination and self-feeding without needing to deal with pieces of food that require chewing, which could

trigger a gag. You can then gradually progress this by offering soft sticks or batons of steamed carrot or sweet potato for example. She can control how far she pushes these into her mouth and the more she practices the more the gag reflex will move to the back of the mouth. Practice makes perfect! What are some of the best foods to start with? Are there any to avoid? Soft finger foods such as steamed carrot and broccoli, wedges of mango and banana slices are great from 6 months as they help your baby learn to chew and swallow when their reflex is safely close to the front of the mouth. Babies around 6 months tend to use their whole hand to pick things up so avoid making the pieces too wide. Fairly long pieces stand a better chance of being picked up. I would suggest cutting food into 2-inch sticks so that half is held in a baby’s hand and the other half sticks out. These are some great first foods to get started with babyled weaning: • Batons of banana, avocado, pear and mango • Steamed carrot and broccoli (they can hold the stem) • Wedges of roasted sweet potato or butternut squash • Cubes or fingers of bread or pita • Soft pasteurized cheeses cut into chunks • Cooked eggs, cut in half • Pieces of cooked fish such as salmon and chicken (the dark meat is extra nutritious) • Mini portions of a family meal – just keep a close eye on potential allergens and omit the addition of salt and sugar. Don’t worry about how much or how little your baby eats at the beginning; the best thing you can do is serve a variety of tastes and textures and as many different nutritious foods. There are some foods to leave off the menu for babies under 12 months: • Honey • Mould-ripened soft cheeses • Added salt and sugar • Paté • Whole cow’s milk (or goat’s/ sheep’s milk) as a main drink. You can introduce a little into your baby’s foods from six months, once she’s started on solids • Shark, swordfish or marlin (due to high mercury levels) • High choking-risk foods BAYSTATEPARENT 43

• High choking-risk foods like whole grapes and whole/ chopped nuts (although nut butters can be given at six months) • Stimulants such as chocolate or sugar • Unhealthy and processed foods such as battered foods, sugary breakfast cereals, chips, and other foods that contain sugar • Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cola How did you come up with the recipes in your new book? Do you have a favorite? I like to look at recipes that have worked really well previously and adapt these to create a twist on a signature. For example, the Mini Burgers contain grated apple which was my secret ingredient in getting my fussy eating son Nicholas to eat chicken for the first time. It’s adds a subtle hint of natural sweetness which can encourage babies to give all-important iron-rich meat a try. I also love the Chicken, Cherry Tomato & Sweetcorn Quesadillas. The whole family will adore these and they are perfect if you want to rustle up a tasty and nutritious meal in a flash!

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Mini Burgers Grated apple is the secret ingredient here. It makes the burgers succulent and tender, giving them flavor that babies love. Simply process all ingredients together in a blender and you’re good to go. Freeze any leftover cooked burgers. 1 ½ cups fresh breadcrumbs 1 small red onion, chopped 1 cup grated peeled carrot ½ cup grated peeled apple 9 oz lean ground beef 1 small garlic clove, crushed 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese mini slider burger rolls (optional) Place breadcrumbs in the bowl of a food processor with the onion, carrot, apple, ground beef, garlic, thyme, and Parmesan and process until finely chopped. Transfer burger mixture into a bowl and use your hands to shape it into 20 mini burgers. Preheat broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with lightly greased foil. Place burgers on the baking sheet and place under the broiler for 5 minutes. Turn over and broil for 3-5 minutes more until lightly golden and cooked. Serve on mini burger rolls, if you wish. Find more than 100 other BLW recipes in Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book: 120 Recipes to Let Your Baby Take the Lead, available April 9 from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, $24.99.

7 Ways to Reduce Your Family’s Food Waste Bay Staters are among the most wasteful Americans when it comes to food, throwing out an average of over $1,075 worth each year, a new study reveals. The results of survey of 3,200 American households found that we’re wasting nearly a quarter of our food every month. Massachusetts is in the top ten of the most wanton states, according to the study by Klein Kitchen & Bath. So why are we being so wasteful? It seems that the misunderstanding of

food labeling might be a huge factor. The survey found that nearly half of respondents (48.9%) won’t eat food that’s marked as past its sell-by date – but perhaps that’s because they are misinformed about what the sell-by date actually means – it is the last date by which it must be sold in a store; however, after that, it’s still good to eat (even if it’s past what’s marked as the use-by date). Again, the label – use-by date – caused confusion: only one-quarter knew that it signifies the last date for use of the product at its peak quality. Nearly a third (30.4%) believed that it was the last date the product was edible, almost a quarter (22%) thought it meant that it was the last date the food product could be displayed and sold in a store, and finally, 21% thought it meant the date that the product would be at its best flavor and quality - when, in fact, this is the ‘bestby’ date.

There’s a Coffee Just for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms

Are you guilty of throwing out too much food? Here’s a few ways to be more resourceful and less wasteful:

ting near their use-by date, you can mix them up with some over-ripe fruit for a smoothie or even freeze into ice-lollies.

1. Freeze your food. You can actually freeze the food right up till the use-by date, and it will be good to eat months later! (Just double check what you can or can’t freeze - not everything can go in, like soft cheeses).

5. Turn stale bread or crusts into breadcrumbs. Just put them in a food processor. Mix in herbs or onions to make a stuffing for chicken or to top baked fish!

2. Freeze milk into an ice cube tray. Most people will throw away dairy products first - but you can use this handy tip instead of wasting. Use the frozen milk cubes in coffee or tea. 3. Put your herbs into a glass of water. This will prevent them from wilting quickly, and make them last much longer! 4. Make a smoothie. If yogurts are get-

Forget booze. When it comes to the things moms have to give up while pregnant and/or breastfeeding, that morning cup of joe may be the hardest. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a “moderate amount” of caffeine during pregnancy, defined as less than 200 milligrams per day, “does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth.” This leaves moms wrestling with tradeoffs between what they believe is best for

6. Skip the peeler. When cooking with foods such as potatoes, broccoli, or carrots, use it all. You don’t need to remove the peel or cut the stems off; they often have additional nutrients. And if you don’t like the peel or stem, you can compost what you don’t use. 7. Donate. There will be plenty of food kitchens nearby that would really appreciate anything you have which is going spare.

baby and what they need and want for themselves. There is a guilt-free option for mamas who still want (love/need/crave) caffeine while pregnant or breastfeeding. Mommee Coffee offers four caffeine content levels (decaf, ½, ¼ and full-caf), is water processed (ie chemical-free), has low acidity (because, heartburn), and is made with organic beans. You can buy it at mommeecoffee.com. You’re welcome.

Food Prices Slowly on the Rise Grocery store food prices are projected to rise this year, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forecasts in the USDA's Economic Research Service said that consumers will see a 1 to 2 percent rise in 2019. While that represents an increase from the flat to 1% inflation predicted for 2018, it is still below the 20-year average of 2.1% year-over-year grocery inflation, the USDA said. Product categories likely to see price increases this year

include dairy products (+3% to +4%), fresh vegetables (+2.5% to +3.5%), fresh fruit (+2% to +3%), cereals and bakery products (+2% to +3%), beef and veal (+1% to +2%), poultry (+1% to +2%), fish and seafood (+0.25% to +1.25%), and sugars and sweets (0% to +1%). The report also noted the gap between prices paid for food in grocery stores and in restaurants would continue to widen in 2019, with the USDA forecasting 2% to 3% away-from-home inflation next year. BAYSTATEPARENT 45

cyber savvy mom

Keeping Kids Safe on Fortnite and Other Online Games & Apps

Tips and Advice to Empower Kids to Stay Secure When Logging On BY JOAN GOODCHILD

46 MARCH2019

story making the rounds online and in social media has parents worried about the dangers connected to the online game Fortnite. But before you panic and ban the Xbox, let’s examine the realities around what is really happening with online gaming and app use. If you’re not familiar with Fortnite, it is a wildly popular multiplayer game in which players battle for survival. Players can team with others, or play as an individual – and both children and adults love it. The company that produces Fortnite, Epic Games, reports 125 million total users, and saw 78.3 million active Fortnite players in its busiest month, August 2018. My own son clocked hours of playing this past summer, and still plays on occasion. I know well the grip this game has on kids. The predators story gained attention after the high-profile arrest of 24 men who police say were using messaging services through games and apps to try and lure children. The case involved law enforcement officials posing as kids, and the men arrested thought they were communicating with 14- and 15-yearold boys and girls. Instead, on the other end of the messages were detectives with the New Jersey State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The news was reported on NJ.com and the headline proclaimed “Predators are using Fortnite to lure kids. Cops say parents need to worry.” Since it was first published in September, it has been heavily shared and discussed by multiple media outlets. While it is no longer fresh news, I saw it shared by a mom friend once again this week on Facebook. Because so many parents are witnessing the Fortnite phenomenon in their own homes, the scary headline does a good job stoking our deepest fears. That is: the very valid concern that something bad could happen to our children. But the panic it induces is misplaced. My problem with it is it serves only to scare, and fails to

address the real and complex issues around online safety. The concern about dangerous people reaching out to our children online is not a Fortnight-specific problem. It is an online access problem that exists in all games and applications where kids can send and receive messages. In fact, the NJ.com headline is misleading because the predators involved in this specific New Jersey arrest had not even used Fortnite to lure potential victims. Instead, the sites Kik, Skout, Grindr, Whisper were used by the alleged criminals. Child predators can target kids on any game or app where private messaging is a feature. Other apps that law enforcement say have been used by predators include the gaming apps Minecraft and Discord, as well as social media apps Omegle, Tinder, Chat Avenue, Chat Roulette, Wishbone, Live.ly, Musical.ly (now called TikTok), Paltalk, Yubo, Hot or Not, Down, and Tumblr. Use of any of these apps poses the same risk as Fortnite. The NJ.com story simply takes the most popular game of the day and inserts it into the headline for clicks. Keeping kids secure online is part of a much larger effort in your family than simply blocking sites and content and telling kids they can’t play one specific game. Children are going to ask to play these games and use these apps. Often if you ban them in your own home, they will play them at a friend’s house. That’s why we need to empower kids to engage safely while online. We need to educate them and be realistic about the risks that exist every time they log on – whether it is to Fortnite, Minecraft, TikTok or any other site with private messaging. Understanding what is out there - and preparing for how to react - are the first steps to staying safe. Some tips from Common Sense Media to share with your children include: • Recognize “red flags,” including someone ask ing you personal ques tions such as your name and address.

• Never share your name, your school’s name, your age, your phone number, or your email or home address with strangers. • Never send pictures to strangers. • Keep passwords private (except from parents). • Never open a message from a stranger; it may contain a virus that can harm a computer. • Immediately tell an adult if something mean or creepy happens. Author, life coach, parenting educator, and social media expert Laurie Wolk says keeping kids protected online has a lot to do with getting to know their behavior offline. “Pay attention to your kids,” advises Wolk. “How are they acting? Who are they spending time with? Ask those questions. It’s very unlikely that a child upstairs in their bedroom getting catphished by a pedophile isn’t showing other warning signs before that happens.” Talk to your kids realistically and regularly about online security and safety. Ask them what they are seeing and hearing. Let them know they can come to you with concerns and questions and reassure them that it’s not their fault if they witness something scary or inappropriate. Set rules and boundaries for behavior, and go from there. Rather than banning a game, your best defense against online predators is a conversation. Joan Goodchild is a veteran 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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mLife

News, Tips & Advice for Bay State Mamas

Is There a ‘Motherhood Penalty’ in the Workplace? Results of a new study released earlier this year show that working women face a negative effect on their careers as they grow their families, and yet the same study shows working women bring skills to the workplace that can actually make them the best leaders. According to Bright Horizons’ fifth annual Modern Family Index, 72 percent of both working moms and dads agree that women are penalized in their careers for starting families, while men are not. Despite being viewed by their peers as possessing the qualities that make for strong leaders, working moms find they come up against roadblocks at work. A full 78 percent believe they must prove themselves more than others to gain a leadership position at work. And with leadership roles often dominated by men, almost two in five (37 percent) working moms worry

that they do not fit the leadership mold. The report offers concrete data showing that working moms are the best equipped to bring 21st century leadership skills to the workplace. According to the survey, those who “lead like a mom” may be the missing ingredient businesses need to realize their full potential. Working Americans almost unanimously agree (91 percent) that working moms bring unique skills to leadership roles, and 89 percent feel they bring out the best in employees. • The vast majority (85 percent) of those surveyed agree that being a mother helps women prepare for the challenges they will face as business leaders, and 84 percent believe having mothers in leadership roles will make a business more successful.

Motherhood is Equivalent to Working 2.5 Jobs, Study Says No wonder you’re tired! 48 MARCH2019

• Sixty-five percent of those surveyed describe working moms as better listeners than other employees. • They also describe mothers as calmer in crisis (51%), more diplomatic (47%), and better team players (44%) than as compared with working fathers or employees without children. Working mothers were rated better at multitasking than others in the workforce (63% vs 37%) and better at time management (56% vs 44%). Despite possessing the very skills needed to succeed in leadership, this year’s Modern Family Index shows that working mothers are being held back in the workplace. According to the survey: • Sixty-nine percent of respondents say working mothers are more likely to be passed up for

a new job than other employees. • Sixty percent of respondents admit that career opportunities are given to less qualified employees instead of mothers who are more skilled. • Forty-one percent of working Americans view moms in the workplace as less devoted to their work, and 38 percent judge them for needing a more flexible work schedule.

all know motherhood is a full-time job, but according to a new study, it’s actually even more than that. If you add the time a working mom spends on the job and her duties at home, it totals 98 hours a week -- about 2.5 full-time positions. Whew! The research was part of an opt-in survey for moms of children ages 5-12, commissioned by Welch’s. The study of 2,000 American mothers found that the average mother “clocks in” at 6:23 a.m. and “clocks out” at 8:31 p.m., for an average work day of 14 hours (and that doesn’t count overnight, we’d like to point out!). This means that the average mom gets about 1 hour and seven minutes to herself each day… if she’s lucky! With four-in-ten moms surveyed saying the week felt like a never-ending series of tasks to complete, fueling the family accounts for a large part of a mom’s job.

The survey reveals little progress, and in some cases a worsening of the workplace culture in the last five years. Workplaces are still dominated by a culture that continues to favor men as business leaders despite women being ambitious and fit to lead. The data uncovers that in today’s society, working mothers are under a microscope and negative perceptions from senior leaders and colleagues are not only holding moms back in the workplace, but are also

Nearly three quarters of those surveyed said they struggle getting their children to eat healthy snacks and meals. Family members being picky eaters and struggling to find something the whole family enjoys were cited as leading causes of difficulty when it comes to feeding the whole family, according to Yahoo News. The survey also highlighted a top 20 list (voted by moms) of things they couldn’t live without. Wet wipes, yoga pants, an iPad and a dependable babysitter were among some of the “lifesavers.” “The results of the survey highlight just how demanding the role of mom can be and the non-stop barrage of tasks it consists of,” Casey Lewis, MS, RD and Health & Nutrition Lead at Welch’s told Yahoo. “Busy moms may identify with the list of ‘lifesavers’, which highlights not just a rigorous workload but a constant requirement to feed and fuel the family, week in and week out.”

increasingly impacting women’s confidence: • Nearly twice as many working mothers are nervous to tell their boss they are pregnant than five years ago (21% vs 12%), and over three in five (65 percent) women without children worry what having a child will mean for their career. Americans believe working fathers are more dedicated to their careers than working moms (75% vs 59%). • They also believe dads who work are better able to manage their responsibilities without being stretched too thin (77%) than mothers who work (66%). • One in four mothers admit they are concerned by colleagues’ perceptions, worried that they won’t be viewed as leaders (19 percent) or respected by others (13 percent). The report demonstrates the current portrait of senior leadership is far from equal. In fact, 38 percent of mothers say that senior leadership is dominated by a “boys club.” Nearly nine in ten (87 percent) of employed Americans feel that companies can do more to help foster moms in leadership positions. At the same time, moms are hungry for more opportunity and a path to the top free of unnecessary roadblocks. According to the findings, nearly two in five working moms (39 percent) say they will stay with a company if they get assurances that they will have the same growth opportunities as those without children. Almost one in three (32 percent) will also stay if they are guaranteed that no responsibilities will be taken from them. Existing leadership must break through the traditional gender norms and prejudiced notions of working moms in leadership to create a more supportive environment that allows these women to realize their career potential. “We need to support and embrace motherhood in the workplace and learn from our leaders who are also parents,” says Bright Horizons Chief Human Resources Officer, Maribeth Bearfield. “In order to move forward, change attitudes, and make progress, organizations should focus on supporting young female professionals and holding all employees accountable to make sure there is a real path to the top for women as they grow their families.”

talking

Back Based on your child’s current obsession, what will their future occupation be? A wizard or professor at A celebrity stalker. Hogwarts! -Danielle J. -Kelly B. Netflix critic. Is it possible he can be Super -Kelly Ann G. Mario someday? -Danielle S. An Avenger. -Karen M. Ariana Grande’s assistant. -Jane S. Part-time gymnast and fulltime boss of her brother. An ice cream truck driver. -Haylie F. -Vanessa N. A lawyer because she has to Lip gloss manufacturer. debate everything I say. -Carrie H. -Brenda S.

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6 Tips to Spring Clean Your Smartphone Spring cleaning involves more than sprucing up the home. Take some time to reduce digital clutter and organize your smartphone, too, with these tips from Andrew Moore-Crispin, a former tech journalist and the Director of Content at Ting Mobile. Here are six easy tips to keep your device up to speed: 1. Farewell to photos: Backup old photos and videos to the cloud for free with Google Photos. 2. Survival of the hippest: Uninstall useless apps that take up data, slow you down, and eat your battery life. 3. Screen saver: Organize your apps by moving frequently used ones to the home page or sorting them into smart folders. 4. Perpetual permissions: Choose which permissions (i.e. location tracking) to grant to a given app as you install it. 5. Cut the cache: Browser data can build up to the point where it’s significantly slowing down your phone. 6. Where it all began: If the system freezes or some apps refuse to launch, back up your data and do a factory reset.

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take eight with Ella Anderson At just 13, Ella Anderson is already a show biz veteran, getting bitten by the acting bug before she was even a kindergartner. She has already notched up an impressive filmography, holding her own alongside A-list actors. Currently, she plays Piper Hart on Nickelodeon’s “Henry Danger.” Ella will be at KidzExpo at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough on Saturday, March 30. To find out more and to buy tickets go to baystateparent.com/kidzexpo.

How did you get started acting at such a young age? My older brothers are twins, and they were the ones who wanted to act. My mom didn’t know how to get them into the business, so she looked on Craigslist to see if she could find a movie they could be extras in. She found a listing looking for a girl 3-5 years old for a feature film and she asked me if I wanted to audition. I was about 4 ½ at the time, I think. She took me to the audition and I have been hooked ever since the first day I stepped on set.

What’s your favorite role you’ve played? What made it so special? I like all the roles I’ve played for different reasons, but I think my favorite would have to be Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle. It was such a powerful story and I loved collaborating with Brie [Larson] and of course working with Woody [Harrelson] and Naomi [Watts]. It was an incredible acting experience.

You play Piper Hart on the Nickelodeon show Henry Danger. How do you relate to Piper? Are you like her at all? It is super fun to play Piper, but I wouldn’t want anyone to behave like her. I definitely do not have her scheming and manipulative side. I think our similarities are our faces and the fact that we both have older brothers.

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What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? I have been fortunate enough to have people that I look up to that I can ask for advice on specific things. I think the best advice I have ever been given is to trust my heart and to follow it no matter what others might say.

Do you ever get recognized when you’re out and about? What’s that like? I do. I get to meet people that support me and that is pretty cool. I am very happy that my work is well received and that I am able to make things that bring joy into people’s lives.

Have you been star struck by anyone you’ve met? Justin Bieber!

Tell us about your favorites... Food: I tend to like foods that most people hate. For example, pickles, mushrooms, capers, raw onions. Book: I love to read! One of the most recent books that I read is called “The Loneliest Girl in the Universe,” by Lauren James. I loved the plot twists and the detail in the storytelling. I also loved “The Hate You Give,” by Angie Thomas. I can’t just pick one I guess. Movie: I really like “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Shining,” and pretty much anything that A24 makes. Singer: I don’t have a favorite singer, I just listen to music I like the sound of. I like how Daniel Caesar’s voice sounds. Actor: Saoirse Ronan, Viola Davis, Sterling K. Brown, James McAvoy, Natalie Portman...I can’t decide....too many that I admire.

What advice do you have for other kids who are interested in acting? If you can find anything else you are interested in... do that. Haha! Otherwise, work hard, stay true to who you are and never, ever, ever give up.

Saturday, March 30 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel Marlborough, MA Kids under 3 FREE • $5 IN ADVANCE• $10 AT THE DOOR

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