Editor’s Note

Mess-free Easter egg decorating with a 2-year-old? Yup! We’re loving the Eggmazing Egg Decorator. The egg-shaped decorator holds and spins the eggs; you hold a marker on the egg as it spins, creating stripes, lines and other fun designs. No dyes needed!

Did you know that every year at the start of ice cream season Ben & Jerry’s hands out free cones? Usually held in April, Free Cone Day is postponed this year, but I’m on the lookout for when it’s rescheduled. I think we’re all in need of a free treat!

As we sent this issue off to press, the world felt frightening. As I write this column, my phone buzzes with cancellation alerts. Schools, restaurants and life as it was have come to a temporary halt. Panic over COVID-19 is sweeping through the country.

I admit, the idea that I should cancel all my plans over a doom ful virus from across the word is something I might have once rolled my eyes at. And an entire societal shutdown is something I might have scoffed at.

But it’s funny how things change after you become a mom. Where I was once nonchalant I find myself nervous. Where I was once self-centered, I can’t help but now think of someone else.

As parents, it’s our instinct to protect our children. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to shield my son from sickness or turmoil. So in the midst of this crisis, I feel a bit helpless. The mom in me feels uncertain; the world feels scary and heavy.

But all that’s lost on my Max. My son has been unflappable in the wake of coronavirus, of course, because he’s two. Blissfully unaware of the current events, his to-do list of Lego building, pine cone collecting, and Daniel Tiger-watching remains un changed. Steady and unwavering, his playfulness is the reminder I need: that a giggle is the antidote to unease.

And then there’s Carlos, the 6-year-old boy awaiting a heart transplant who graces the cover of this issue. Though his mom, Sheena, lives with more worry than most parents will ever have to bear, she’s grounded by her son’s unshaken innocence. On his sickest days, Sheena says, it’s Carlos’s sweet spirit that gets them both through.

Indeed, as parents it’s our job to teach our children about life, but, really, they teach us what life is about. There is wisdom in the simple way they look at the world. When big, scary things are weighing on our minds, let’s not forget to enjoy the little things.

Note: Our regular section, The Agenda, has been omitted from this issue as precautionary measures to combat the spread of coro navirus were still developing. Be sure to check baystateparent.com for ideas for things to do while you’re home with the kids, and for family fun event listings when things return to normal.

You know those cute letter boards you see all over social media? Well, there’s one that has something for Insta-moms and their kiddos. The StoryBricks Letter Board by Creative QT has a magnetic back so it sticks right on the fridge. Plus, it’s compatible with all major brands of building bricks, including LEGO.

Newport, Rhode Island is one of my favorite day trip destinations. This month, the City by the Sea is even more stunning than usual, as the Daffodil Days Festivals kicks off on April 24. The weeklong celebration features fun events throughout the city… and 1.2 million daffodils!