PARENT PARTICIPATION
PET CORNER
This month, we feature best-buddy photos and interviews in “Friends Forever” on page 18. Below, find a few more sweet friendship stories submitted by parents. I could not help but think of my daughter, Isabelle, and her best friend, Catherine. When we bought our first home in South Hero, we knew no one. Isabelle was 18 months old and is an only child. When we needed a new daycare, Catherine’s mom, Heather, opened a new in-home daycare. Izzy and Cat quickly became inseparable. Through their special friendship, Heather and I have become best friends. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have made a lifelong best friend myself.
My friend and I each have sixthgrade girls who have been wonderful friends since age 3 and second-grade boys who have been best buds since infancy! Even after my friend’s family moved to New York for four years, the kids remained friends, and when they moved back to Vermont two years ago, they picked up where they left off! The girls both share a love of horses, and the boys love winter sports and tae kwon do!
—GINA MCCLAIN
—BETH FRIESEN
The first friendship that comes to mind is my daughter Stella and her friend, Greta, who spent their days together here in our home from their toddler days until kindergarten. Now they are in first grade at different schools, but any time they get together, it’s as though they were never apart. My son, Henry, is 9. I love his bond with my dad. They text, call each other and plan fun days together. It’s a wonderful bond that fills both of their hearts,
Desiree Vatter shared this snapshot of her 2-year-old son, Abbott, with the family dog, Roy. “Roy not only has an incredible amount of energy to keep up with Abbott,” Vatter told us, “but also has the patience for his hugs and love!”
and mine! And lastly, my best friend is Hannah O’Brien. Our kids, all five of them together, are the “O’Brarretts.” They are closer than friends; they are more like siblings! They tease, they taunt, and they LOVE! —HONI BEAN BARRETT
#INSTAKIDSVT THROWBACK FEBRUARY 2016
HERE’S HOW:
Follow @kids_vt on Instagram.
Post your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #instakidsvt. We’ll select a photo to feature in the next issue.
ilovevermontbiking Just another day at the beach (it’s warm at the top of the climb in the sun).
KIDS VT
Read the full story at kidsvt.com/transgender
FEBRUARY 2018
Two years ago, we wrote about transgender kids and teens in Vermont. “You’re fighting your insides and your outsides and ... it’s just a huge struggle,” said then-17-year-old Marcus Pizer, describing the anxiety and anger he experienced before he came out to his parents.
KIDSVT.COM
Young & In Transition
Thanks for sharing your family photos with us using the hashtag #instakidsvt. We loved this picture from Prospect Mountain Nordic ski center in Woodford. Share a picture of your kids enjoying winter this month.
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