And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

For a serious dose of cuteness, check out The Bump’s Halloween photo gallery. And you could win: a Two Tinas personalized blanket & bodysuit at MomFinds, a pair of Fashion Bug Right Fit Jeans at One Chic Mama, and an Ubi baby changing table at Coochicoos.

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Diapers & Potty; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gear
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As someone who loves and relies on the convenience of online shopping, it’s probably surprising that grocery delivery isn’t part of our routine. But following my post about Stop & Shop’s overhaul, Peapod asked whether I’d be interested in evaluating their service, and as a one-car family eager for less errands, it seemed worth investigating. Here’s what I found during my online reconnaissance mission:

Browsing interface. Peapod’s browsing interface is solid; the online organization of their stock is sensible and I especially like that there are separate natural/organic sections within each department (e.g., produce, health & beauty). Since I defaulted to shopping those sections, it made the experience very easy.

One element that I would like to see improved, though, is in the right checkout column. The shopping cart items and running total are displayed, but the individual item prices are not shown. It made comparison shopping cumbersome, as I needed to go back to the original item listings to compare prices.

Availability. Stock availability in general was good, but not as good as in-store for my preferred natural and organic departments (the organic produce section in particular was very limited). Also, when I typed in my 13 digit Stop & Shop card number – which retrieves your shopping history to make online shopping easier - I was surprised to see only a dozen or so items available online from my in-store history.

Speed. I loved how easy and fast the Peapod experience was from start to finish. Shopping and checkout were quick and easy (especially since I targeted the natural and organic grocery sections), and there were plenty of time windows for next day delivery. Another nice feature is that you can make changes to your order until just before midnight. On the receiving end, the delivery person arrived right in the specified time window and was very courteous.

Quality of perishables. For my test mission I decided to order potentially problematic perishables, such as meat and delicate produce (e.g., grapes, strawberries, tomatoes), and I must say that I was really impressed by the quality. The meat arrived very cold (i.e., nixing my mental image of meat trays sweltering in the back of a truck), and the produce in great shape; as in, same quality as I would have selected myself at the store.

Overall cost. The online and store prices seemed comparable, so the one element families would need to weigh is if the shipping & fuel charges are worth the convenience factor. The delivery fee is $9.95 for orders under $100, and $6.95 for orders over $100. For my order under $100 the fuel surcharge was about $1.

Summary. While Peapod still doesn’t solve my aforementioned conundrum of acquiring all of my natural and organic needs from one supplier (at reasonable produce prices), the quality of the experience in general was very good. I think Peapod is a great solution for urban dwellers without a car, or those who want to streamline their routine and forego trips to the grocery store, particularly if you need to place a large order, in which case it would be really nice to have someone deliver and haul in your groceries for you.

A final note: one feature that could really sway me over as a regular Peapod shopper is if there was a paper bag option, or some way for regular shoppers to have groceries delivered in cloth totes that you could swap back in on your next delivery.

The folks at Peapod kindly are offering a discount code for Boston Mamas readers who'd like to try the online service; use code BLOGPOST17 at checkout for $20 off your order (first time users only).

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (12) | Filed in Home; Solutions
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Today, Kate reports on the Children's Museum of Maine:

“Most of us Bostonians have been to the big museums - the Boston Children's Museum, the Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts - but New England is home to many smaller museums that have charms particular to their size and location.

The Children's Museum of Maine, located in Portland, is one such place. Made up of two manageably sized floors and a number of fun and interactive exhibits - some specific to the history, culture, and geography of Maine - the Children's Museum provides kids with a fun and educational experience in an environment that isn't nearly as overwhelming or crowded as the big museums can sometimes be.

My toddler daughter spent a happy hour in the first-floor exhibit that combined a play supermarket, auto mechanic, and fire truck, and she was joined by kids of a variety of ages all making their own activities with the hands-on displays. The Children's Museum - which is within a few blocks of a number of kid-friendly restaurants - is a great place for a rainy vacation day, and is also well worth the drive up from Boston. Members of the Boston Children's Museum are admitted for free.”

Children's Museum of Maine, 142 Free Street, Portland, Maine; Tel: 207-828-1234

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Given that Laurel - much like mom - gets insanely grumpy when she’s hungry, I always try to tote a snack when we’re on the go. So I was thrilled to learn about Smashies, a wonderfully convenient and healthful organic fruit snack that provides a welcome alternative to carb-heavy snacks. Parent, kid, and earth friendly, these applesauce packs (more flavors are forthcoming) are mess and utensil free thanks to the slurp spout, and once your child has squeezed out every last drop, the packaging - the lining of which is BPA-free - is recyclable.

Want to win a 10-pack of Smashies? Here’s how:

If your kids are eager to get the Halloween party started early, check out tomorrow’s Fort Point Channel Pumpkin Pageant (12-4pm). Hosted by the Friends of the Fort Point Channel, this event is free and open to the public, and will include pumpkin carving and decorating, face painting, and fall treats. Costumes are welcome but not required to join the fun.

At the Children’s Wharf at the Boston Children’s Museum, 300 Congress Street, Boston; Tel: 617-451-9239

Posted by Christine Koh on 29 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Today, Mary reviews Be Nice, a locally grown CD that’s entertaining and helps parents teach kids about life etiquette. Read on for Mary’s review, as well as to learn how to be 1 of 4 winners to receive a copy of Be Nice!

“Ain’t isn’t a word, and I know that. However, my three-year-old daughter may not since it is so commonly (mis)used. Good thing Berklee College of Music grads, Ilene Altman (Leeny) and Steve Equi (Steve), collaborated to produce their debut CD, Be Nice.

Featuring songs such as Ain’t Ain’t A Word, Be Nice teaches youngsters about ain’t’s place in the English vernacular. Know What Nos Are and It’s Not Nice are other songs whose lyrics complement parents’ efforts at teaching preschoolers “life etiquette.”

The 16 songs on Be Nice teach and entertain children through a variety of musical styles, witty lyrics, and upbeat melodies. The music is also appealing to adults because it does not take the intellect of an adult for granted. Listening to the CD while in the car with my children, I found myself chuckling to the smart, well-written lyrics and quickly began singing along to songs like Mammals and I Like Fruit. (Admittedly, I also caught myself singing these tunes while doing dishes and working out.)

Lively music for car rides or play dates, as well great background ambience for doing things such as nursing a baby, Be Nice is a great way to spend an hour. This music “ain’t” no Wheels on the Bus, which is likely a welcomed reprieve for most parents.”

Now, want to be 1 of 4 winners to receive a copy of Be Nice*? Here’s how:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Susan Dorson & Amy Weitzman, two local moms on a mission to save their community library and provide parents with an eco-friendly, affordable shopping option via The Little Fox Shop. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Susan Dorson & Amy Weitzman, co-founders of The Little Fox Shop

Christine: Welcome, Susan and Amy! You were nominated for this feature because of the work you have done to start The Little Fox Shop at the Edith Fox Branch Library in East Arlington, where all proceeds go to support the library (whose doors have been on the verge of closing for some time due to budget cuts). Now, everyone (present company included) talks about the importance of preserving local libraries, but your efforts truly walk the walk. What inspired you to action to help save the Fox Branch?

Susan: I have always loved the Fox Library but when I was pregnant with my first son, I would take daily walks up to the Fox and chat with the librarians and it became a part of my life. After my son was born, there were days when I was very lonely but I knew that my local library was a place I could find people to talk to - and of course books. The thing about a branch library is that it is more than just a place to get books; it is a community gathering place. Owing in part to the smaller population that the Fox serves, you can see the same faces each week, you can network and go to events, and it becomes central to your life. I couldn't see this taken away from me, my children, or my neighborhood. The main branch is wonderful but to be able to walk into a place and have everybody know your name....well, that's special.

Amy: When Susan asked me be to part of a new children's secondhand store inside the library, I didn't hesitate to join her. I have always loved libraries and seriously considered becoming a school librarian a few years ago, but was disheartened when I saw that librarian positions were being eliminated at many schools around the country. Running the shop to save my local library seemed like the next best thing to me. Susan informed me that Arlington elementary schools no longer have librarians. The Fox Library will be the best way for my children to access the wealth of knowledge that librarians have on children's books and reading. That really motivated me. Also, the recycling aspect of the Little Fox is tremendously important to both Susan and me. When you buy a recycled item from the Little Fox instead of new from another store, the earth smiles.

Christine:How difficult was it to get this effort going? What was the rough timetable from conception to opening? Did the town of Arlington help with startup funds to spruce up the space and get your website going or was it all pieced together through friends and family? Some combination of both?

Susan & Amy: Getting the Little Fox started took a lot of thinking and planning. The time from conception to opening was about 8 weeks. One of our most important goals was to create an atmosphere in which people would enjoy shopping and volunteering. We didn't receive any funds from the town, but they gave us the space and free reign over it. Almost nothing in the shop was purchased new. One of us would spy a good shelf on the curb for trash and haul it over to the shop. We would have "pizza night" at the store and our husbands and children would come and they would play while we worked. Friends would come with us to the shop and help us get ready for the opening as well. Susan has a really good eye for store design and has done most of the arranging and decorating of our physical space. Amy worked in advertising and software development before she had children, so she was able to create our website and organizes our online schedule of volunteers. Our different skill sets compliment each other very well.

One of the inspirations for the Little Fox was the PTO Thrift Store, which operated in the basement of the Fox Library for four years. It was a great success and many people in Arlington were sad to see it closing. They sold anything and everything, but we love and need kid stuff and decided to focus exclusively on children's items. We opened the same month the PTO Thrift Store closed, and they generously gave us many of their racks and shelving. Also, the librarians at both the Fox and Robbins Libraries have been wonderfully helpful and supportive.

Christine: What used to live in the space where The Little Fox shop now resides? Did you take before and after photos? From a design perspective, what transformed the space from (presumably) dingy storage space to what your nominator called a “hip thrift shop”?

Susan & Amy: The space most recently held the Arlington Early Intervention program, which moved about a year ago. I don't think we have any before pictures, but it wasn't very appealing when we took over the space. While we wanted to repaint the entire space, that was one thing were weren't allowed to do, so it was all about distracting the eye from the beat-up beige walls; we used paintings, colorful decorations that hang from the wall and ceiling, and the items we are selling tend to come in bold, bright colors so that helps, too. We put stuffed animals out as decorations and created a clothesline on our most prominent wall to display seasonal items; right now we have Halloween costumes on that wall.

Christine: You sell kids' clothing, toys, baby gear, and maternity clothes. What have been some of your favorite, most amazing finds to walk in the door?

Amy: It's funny, the best "finds" are very personal. I love stuffed animals that are characters from books and get excited when a new one comes in, like Madeline or Snoopy.

Susan: I love when great gear shows up, like an almost new jogging stroller or a highly sought after Bumbo seat. I also get very excited about great books and particularly cute girls clothes (as I have two boys, I enjoy the chance to see all of the great girls things)! We recently got a Thomas Train table and I am waiting to see how long that will last.

Christine: Your nominator wrote, “Since opening this summer, Amy and Susan have opened a beautiful retail space, organized a small army of volunteers, and raised over $7,000!” Are you aware of what that money actually funds (e.g., staff, longer library hours, utilities, etc.)? Meaning, roughly, what does it take to keep a small but thriving branch library open for business?

Susan & Amy: The library costs approximately $90,000 per year to operate, although closing it wouldn't save the town nearly that much, as most of the salary costs of the senior staff positions would simply be transferred to the cost of operating the main library. Our goal is to raise enough money to keep the town from considering The Fox a liability.

Christine: Clearly, your efforts are paying off and the shop is growing. Where are your greatest areas of need for volunteers? How can people get involved to help? What kind of commitment is involved?

Susan & Amy: We are constantly amazed at the quality and dedication of our volunteers, but we can always use more. Since many of the volunteers who run the shop are also moms, their availability can change at a moment's notice; when something in their household changes, whether it is a shift in childcare arrangements or a new job for themselves or their partner. We also have a few retired people working at the shop and they are a great help since they are able to work hours that are difficult for those with young families to volunteer (like pickup time at the elementary schools). Working at the Little Fox is fun! If you worked retail as a young person, running the register can bring back memories. For retired people, the Little Fox can be a low-key workplace and a place to socialize. Our volunteers work as little as once a month for a couple of hours or 2-3 hours each week; it's completely up to them. See the volunteer page of our website for more information on volunteering at the shop.

Christine: You’re both mothers of two children. How do you juggle your efforts with The Little Fox Shop with parenting? Do your children come to work with you?

Susan & Amy: Susan often brings her children to the store while she works. Sometimes she lets them borrow books or small toys from the shop as an incentive, but most of the time they are happy to be there since it's a toy store where they can play with all of the toys! Amy is able to work in the store with her older daughter who is 4 1/2, but not very well with her younger girl, who is 18 months old (she likes to wander out the door)! Amy's husband works at home, so she often runs over to the store during her younger daughter's nap or works the evening shift on Wednesday while her husband makes dinner and puts the kids to bed. The summer was a challenging time to start the store since our kids were home with us full-time, but now that we have volunteers running the store much of the time, things have gotten much easier for us and our families. And it helps that we both live within walking distance of the store.

Christine: I truly find your efforts so commendable and I wonder whether one or both of you have strong roots in community service. Is this work part of a long history of helping others?

Susan & Amy: We definitely love to help others. Susan's background is in Macro Social Work, which means working with groups and populations on issues that they face; one facet of that is community organizing of which there is a strong element at the Little Fox. For the past 2 years, Amy has been running the Arlington Parents List, an email list with over 1500 local parents. Before that, she taught a basic computer skills class for low-income mothers. We also have a strong interest in recycling, and the fact that we are helping families to reuse and recycle is important to us.

Christine: We’ve talked exclusively about The Little Fox Shop until now. We’d love to know more about you both; give us a snapshot of your history and interests.

Susan: A snapshot of my history? That is tough. OK, very quick. I grew up the daughter of two ministers learning about helping to give to our community and protecting our world. In college I majored in psychology and then afterwards worked in children's theater with a focus on social issues. As I said before, my graduate degree is in Macro Social Work (from BU). My interests are making everything around me better....maybe that is too ambitious?! In reality I love to read, camp, bike, and go on adventure with my family. I love to be challenged and am relishing my experiences in starting a non-profit!

Amy: I grew up in Texas and California, but came to Boston as a freshman at BU. I majored in English Literature but added a Computer Science minor at the last minute so I'd be able to find a job when I graduated! My husband and I love to travel and have tried to continue to explore the world, even though we now take up more than one row on an airplane. I enjoy making paper collage and reading crafty blogs. I also have been known to stay up half the night reading a book. Text the word "novel" to the number 41411 to get a list of my favorite books. Try it, it really works!

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Susan: As a Boston mama I love the fact that there is so much to do. I can take my children to festivals, fairs, concerts, and museums or just bike on the Esplanade, sail on lakes and rivers, or explore the parks. If you can't find something to do or somewhere to go, you simply aren't trying hard enough!

Amy: Playgrounds and sandwiches. I'm not kidding, Boston has the best sandwiches. We love to get a great sandwich and eat it while the kids play at the playground. Most of our favorite places for sandwiches are in Cambridge, but we have been known to get a pizza and walk to Spy Pond right here in Arlington and watch the sun go down as the girls play with stones on the edge of the water.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Eco Living; Local; Retail
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One of my favorite perks of traveling in creative circles is meeting truly inspired and amazing innovators, and I was honored when Melissa Massello and Meghan Udell - the savvy and stylish local brains behind Shoestring Magazine - asked me to be part of their creative team. New this month, Shoestring’s mantra is “the good life for less” and offers great content on resourceful living and achieving style on a budget. While surfing they're cool site, check out my first column with Shoestring, on secondhand, vintage, and regifting for kids.

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Family Issues; Home; Solutions
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Opportunities can emerge in unexpected ways, and shortly after reporting about Care.com last year, they approached me about freelancing. I’ve written a lot of nuts and bolts family care articles for them, and more recently have written about some very interesting child development and child care topics. Check out my column on understanding why children lie and how to work through this normal part of childhood development.

Image credit: Wikipedia entry on Pinocchio

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
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It’s not easy drumming up new material when your kid asks you to conjure a story, but luckily, parents now can find relief and inspire their child’s creativity with a nifty twist on choose your own adventure. Written by Newburyport based author Jennifer Karin Sidford, The DreamStarter Book offers 50 story beginnings that serve as the catalyst for your child to create their own adventures. Well suited for quality time with the tween set at home or on the road, what’s not to love about an activity that offers parents a way to read and bond with their kids, while encouraging kids to hone and become confident in their unique style of narrative?

Want to win 2 copies of DreamStarter*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

One Chic Mama reports on the Lady Lock safety system (hop over to win one). MomFinds is giving away a $100 shopping spree at Vincent Shoes. Check out The Bump's Your Belly This Week newsletter, which provides developmental information, planning tips, advice, and more. And Modern Mom chats with The Bachelorette’s Trista Sutter.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Solutions
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Babies and toddlers attract a lot of attention on their own, but don a costume and they take the cuteness to a whole new level. And this Sunday (10/26), Isis Maternity will celebrate the opening of their fabulous new location at The Shops at Prudential Center with Pru Boo – a costume parade for kids under 3 (actually, 2 parades – pick your time of 11:30am or 12:30pm).

Pru Boo will benefit local organization Room to Grow. In exchange for a $4 donation to Room to Grow, your child will receive a Halloween bag and is invited to trick-or-treat throughout the Pru. After the costume parade, Isis also will offer a free Halloween-themed photograph of your child with professional photographer Keirnan Conroy Klosek, story time with children’s author Barbara Barbieri McGrath, and Halloween giveaways.

And to keep the celebration rolling through the week, Isis Boston has an impressive roster of events scheduled Oct. 27 – Nov. 2. All classes and events are free and open to the public (registration is recommended to ensure a spot).

I’ve known about the impending Pru opening for some time, and I’m thrilled that it’s finally here. After responding to many Boston moms who are eager to test strollers and other gear, but lack the wheels to get to stores in Brookline, Arlington, and the surrounds, Isis Boston no doubt will fill an excellent niche for downtown moms looking for easy access to gear, classes, and – let’s hope – the occasional massage.

Isis Maternity - Boston, The Shops at Prudential Center (between the U.S. Post Office and P.F. Chang's in the Belvidere Arcade), 800 Boylston Street, Boston

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Pre & Postnatal Services; Retail
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Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on moo juice:

Milk is on my mind at the moment, because: 1) the fall edition my Little Lettice newsletter focuses on milk, and 2) I just signed up with a raw milk buying club where milk straight from pasture-fed dairies around Boston is delivered to a pick up point near my home. Here’s a primer on milk and ways to incorporate it into food for the family.

Why milk is good for kids

Milk is a good source of calcium and of protein. Research has shown that children aged between 2 and 8 years who consumed more calcium actually had overall lower body fat than those who consumed less of this mineral. Calcium also appears to help prevent cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, kidney stones, and hypertension.

At what age can cow’s milk be introduced to my baby?

When the child is about 12 months old.

Why is it that babies can have cheese and dairy around 7 - 9 months, but not milk until 12 months?

Pediatricians recommend waiting until 12 months because cow’s milk contains low amounts of iron. Also, many infants have trouble digesting milk before this time because the blend of cow milk protein is not ideal.

What other sources of calcium are out there apart from milk?

Leafy greens such as kale, kohlrabi, and broccoli contain calcium. Our bodies absorb the calcium from leafy greens at a higher rate than they absorb calcium from milk. But because there is so much less calcium in the leafy greens to start with, we would have to eat 3 servings of kale to 1 serving of milk to absorb the same amount of calcium.

But don’t rely on milk only for your child’s nutrients

Don’t let too much milk (more than 3 servings per day) prevent your child from eating a nutritionally varied diet.

Recipes that contain milk

If your child is like my son Nick, who doesn’t drink milk, I have some alternative ways to work milk into his diet. And he loves them all, which proves my theory that children’s bodies crave what they lack in their diets!

Creamy Rice Pudding

Don’t worry if it seems as if there is a teeny bit of rice drowning in a sea of milk. It gets absorbed in the end and the slower you cook it for, the creamier it becomes!

Ingredients (serves 6-8):

As much as I love summer, I’m always relieved when fall arrives and I no longer need to slather Laurel in sunscreen. The task is completely necessary, but nobody enjoys it. Even after summer, though, skin protection is important and I love the nifty little shortcut that Bethesda sunscreen soap offers. This natural soap – which is suitable for the whole family – nurtures the skin via a boatload of vitamins and minerals, and creates an unnoticeable protective layer that provides a minimum of SPF 10 protection. If only summer skin protection was this easy!

Want to win a 3pk of Bethesda sunscreen soap*? Here’s how:

Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers tips for improving the health of your Halloween festivities:

“I have a confession to make. I am one of those moms. I cringe at the thought of high fructose corn syrup entering the bodies of my two children. It's not that high fructose corn syrup is much worse for their bodies than ordinary sugar. But to me, it is a sign that the food that it's in is a man-made laboratory concoction. Don't get me wrong. I love a good hunk of chocolate or a bowl of ice cream as much as the next person. But I aim to indulge in sugar-laden treats that are made from real food. And even then, I try to do so only on occasion.

So, how should I handle Halloween? Should I ban the sugar-bombs that my kids bring home with pride after a fun evening of trick-or-treating? No way – that will only make them want to eat more. Are there appealing options for handling the sugar and over packaging madness that surrounds this holiday? You bet!

Kids learn from our actions – it's time we step up and show our kids that we care about their health and the health of other people's children…not to mention the health of our planet. Here are some tips for improving the health of your Halloween festivities:

1. Try to shift the focus from conventional candy treats to activities and treasures that are better for our bodies and our planet.

2. Consider the ingredients that are in the treats that you share with the little ghosts, princesses, and superheroes that come to your door.

3. Consider a partial trade-in policy – you will give your child a book, toy, or coupon for a favorite activity if they turn in all but their favorite 10-15 pieces of candy.

4. Do you have to give out candy? If not, give out special treasures that will last awhile before being dumped into the trash. Here are some of my favorite treat alternatives:

One of my favorite things about fall is the return of snuggly jammies, and Éléphant’s pajama sets – part of a new collection of 100% natural fiber clothing and toys for kids – are downright cozy and delicious. Éléphant’s aesthetic is simple, yet conveys a distinctly hip, earthy point of view. And I love the line’s rich, gender-neutral color palette; no doubt these pajamas will get plenty of wear by their first owner, and any lucky hand me down recipients following.

Want to win Éléphant’s crockie stuffed animal? Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Sharon Chase, mother of two and professional vocalist and party-throwing princess. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Sharon Chase, professional vocalist and party planner

Christine: Tell us a little bit about your background Sharon. You’re a professional vocalist who owns a princess oriented party business. How old were you when you found your voice? When did you decide that you wanted to become a professional musician?

Sharon: I have been singing pretty much since I popped out of the womb! I have always been acting, singing, and performing as far back as I can remember. I always knew that I wanted to do something with children but I also couldn’t ignore my great love for music. I graduated from Wheelock College in 1996 with a degree in Early Childhood education and an interdisciplinary major in theatre, voice, and cello. I also was doing independent studies over at the New England Conservatory and was always in shows at the Wheelock Family Theatre and the "Little Theatre" at Wheelock.

When I graduated I was a little lost, not thinking that my calling was to be a typical classroom teacher. I ended up in, of all things, financial services selling mutual funds! I did love working with others helping them to find their investments, but my heart wasn't there. I then began working as a computer programmer, software consultant, and trainer.

After some soul searching, I decided to quit my job and get back to music and children and began recording personalized children's tapes with a music company. Then I started teaching music classes for children and mommies; I called myself "Vocalmotion." I also worked as a special education teacher in the Cohasset Middle School until right before I had my son, who is now 5 (I also have a 3-year-old daughter). And I painted children's murals on occasion and sang in wedding ceremonies.

As my Vocalmotion classes started filling and I continued to paint murals and sing at weddings, I felt as if I wanted to do more and the princess thing just evolved! I knew that with my creative background and interest in music I could create something that was not only fun and super cute, but educational and enriching as well. I still do murals on occasion (I'm working on a "transportation" mural right now for a childhood friend's little boy who has overcome cancer).

Christine: Wow, that’s an impressive history! Let’s discuss your party business. As Princess Sharon you provide musical princess, diva, and spa themed birthday parties and special events in the Boston and South Shore areas. Tell us a little bit about how a typical party goes; how do you work in music and movement into something like a spa event?

Sharon: Good question! I make sure that all of my parties have a musical focus. We take about two hours to set up, and we go pretty over the top! I figure if you are going to be a princess, you might as well FEEL like one! For the princess party, we have a rack of ball gowns, a fluffy pink mirror with pearls for the girls to look into, and hang giant butterflies and scatter flower petals and play princess music. The kids get to play dress up, and do face paint, a craft (usually princess purses and pirate pouches to decorate), and then a tea party. After this I do the music portion, where I read musical stories and lead other fun musical games. It's a performance but also very interactive.

My Diva Glam and Spa parties are a whole other ball game! The accoutrements for Spa-Berry Twist, for example, include racks of plush pink robes, slippers (which the girls get to take home), flip-flop pillows, spa mats with pillows, glitter toe polish, and fuzzy foot massagers. The Diva Glam party is for girls who are out of "princess" mode but are not old enough for spa. It's an age-appropriate "rock-star" type party where they get to play with dressing up (glitter, boas, hats, bags, etc) and do dancing games. Of course I do musical singing games at both my diva and spa parties.

I also do custom events if someone wants to have a theme party that I don't offer. There is a cost associated with custom parties but I'm always open to doing them!

Christine: I see that you are able to provide everything from linens to tea service to food to all the dress up clothes for girls and boys. I have to admit, I’m a little curious; how often do little pirates and princes attend such parties?

Sharon: Pirates are always welcomed at my parties!! My linens and gowns may be girly but my little pirates never go hungry! I always have lots of pirate costumes in a big pirate chest, deluxe pirate favors with skull and cross bones on them, hooks, eye patches, and lots of other "boy" stuff. Also, my music is always universal and never leaves anyone out. Believe it or not, my dad, of One World Video in Boston, is not only a multi media producer but he's also a great performer and has been known to accompany me as Pirate Peter!

If someone wants a pure, no-frills pirate party, I often refer them to my online boutique where I provide "do-it-yourself" party packages to go, custom boutique (monogrammed) children's clothing, invitations, sweets, and other favors and gifts. I offer pretty much everything you would need to create your own party if you wanted that option.

Christine: You started this business only two years ago, yet you’ve already done gigs for folks like the Red Sox. How have you gotten your name out there?

Sharon: Yes, I was so grateful to be asked by the Boston Red Sox to perform for the children of the players. Word of mouth got me that one! Most of my work comes from word of mouth and I also believe that if you have a very sharp website people can get a much better idea of the quality of work that you do. I used to spend hours plastering my name on the Internet at every free advertising venue that I could find. I don't do any of that anymore for the most part. Once word of mouth spread and people started clicking on my site, I started moving up on Google and other search engines, which had a cyclical effect.

Christine: In addition to your work as Princess Sharon, you also are a wedding vocalist and paint children’s murals. What is your distribution of time across these various ventures? And how did you get into the mural work?

Sharon: I LOVE painting and singing but my main business is Princess Sharon. It takes so much of my time and between my family and the business there isn't a ton of extra time. If someone asks me I'll do a mural or a wedding (and I'm going to paint my kids rooms in our new house we are currently building) but I don't advertise those things. Murals started honestly because I discovered one day, when I was trying to figure out a theme for my children's reading corner, that I could actually do it and I could do it well! Then friends started asking me to paint murals, and then friends of friends.

Christine: You have two children. How old are they and where were you work-wise when they arrived? How did you handle maternity leave time and return to work? Was your work environment supportive of your role as a new mom?

Sharon: My children, Zander (boy) and Aizza (girl), are 5 and 3, respectively. When I was pregnant with Zander I left teaching special education and started teaching music classes. That worked because it was on my schedule and I could really do what I wanted with it. I started teaching classes at Our World, Children's Global Discovery Museum in Cohasset. They were wonderful about letting me use their fantastic space and now I am gratefully a board member of the museum working to keep it available for other young families.

Christine: As a multifaceted artist, you really are going it solo. What do you think has been the most challenging aspect about being an independent mamapreneur? Do you have any nuggets of wisdom for fellow mamapreneurs?

Sharon: For me, the challenge was believing that this princess could do such a "grown-up" thing! I always knew I had different talents and skills but wanted to work for someone else. I never thought I could possibly find out and take action on the things you need to do for your own business -- the scary IRS, tax ID's, pricing, websites, board of health, book keeping, wholesale purchasing, advertising, storage, and not to mention being responsible for the total entertainment of large groups of children! "One step at a time" was very, very critical for me. I needed to not be afraid to pick up the phone and ask lots of "how" questions. I asked other party planners, the town, friends, my mother-in-law, my mom, my sisters…anyone I could brainstorm with. It has been a HUGE and humbling learning experience for me! I am a member of several party planning groups on Yahoo (there is a group for everything!). One step at a time I have gotten the courage to do all of those "grown-up" steps and have been able to now say I am an official successful business. I love what I do and really believe in it. I always wanted to be able to bring music into other children's lives and have found my calling.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. When you’re not singing, painting, and preparing for parties, tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind.

Sharon: I hate to admit it, but I'm a Scramble junkie! If you have never heard of it, it's an application on Facebook much like the old Boggle. I'm not terrific at it but I love to play! I also am one of three girls and am very close to my parents and my in-laws and their family. I have been blessed with a really wonderful family and love to spend time with them. On occasion I actually get to SEE my husband (who is a builder and has to work a lot) but absolutely treasure our time together.

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Sharon: You know what I love most about Boston? The fact that I can get into the city in a flash. I have the best of both worlds down here in Cohasset. We get the water and that country feel and then if I zip up 93 I can be in the city in no time. I am a city girl at heart but really also love my rural family life here on the South Shore. I grew up in Lexington where it was the same deal. We lived back in the woods and the smell of pine was always in the air, but we often made trips to the city for fun, museum trips, and shopping, of course!

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Kid's Parties; Local
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Today, Heather shares a yummy recipe from her Triplets, Moms, & More newsletter:

“My 5-year-old daughter Emma just loves to bake - and of course eat - chocolate cake. I’m happy to encourage culinary activities, but can do without the messy cleanup and irresistible leftovers that somehow find their way straight to my thighs. Subsequently, we really like this 5 minute chocolate cake in a mug recipe. It’s not necessarily decadent but more than satisfies, and it makes for a nice play date activity.

Ingredients

Today, Tracy shares Halloween tips for parents, friends, and neighbors of kids with allergies:

“One of the biggest bug-a-boos for families dealing with food allergies is Halloween. When a holiday is specifically targeted at kids, and the whole point is to collect as much candy as possible, what are parents and their food allergic kid to do? Here are some of the ideas we have found useful over the years, and how they are changing as our children get older.

1. Invent a Halloween fairy. We did this for a number of years when Gabriel was little enough to not know the difference and I wasn’t keen on him having any candy (never mind that to which he was allergic). The Halloween fairy comes and takes all of the candy piled in the middle of the kitchen table and replaces it with an inexpensive toy. Gabriel is now 7, and realizes that we are the only family he knows with one of these fairies, so the surprise premise will remain the same, but he knows it’s me replacing the loot. In addition, I have purchased allergen-free candy and chocolate instead of toys (Divvies and Enjoy Life are good sources for these). Alternatively, you could bake safe treats for your child.

2. Teach your child to say, “No, thank you. I have allergies.” This may sound mean, but it’s necessary. Up until now, we haven’t used this strategy because Gabriel didn’t eat or touch any of the candy he collected. This year, I’m sure he will want to rifle through his loot to see if there are some things he can have. But if he were to stash all of the chocolate bars and candies that contain his allergens and something broke open, we'd have to assume the whole haul got contaminated and toss it. Not worth the disappointment, I assure you. So, this year, he will learn to quickly identify obviously dangerous treats (e.g., peanut butter cups) and politely decline them. His younger brother who does not share his allergies will do the same.

3. Consider a free-for-all. If you have safe treat alternatives, consider allowing a free-for-all after trick or treating is over. Seriously. Food allergic kids are denied so much of the time that there should be one day where they are allowed to be free of restraint. Also, consider stashing some of the safe stuff to bring to school in lunches, so your kid can enjoy post-Halloween treats along with his or her friends.

4. Figure out sibling protocol. For siblings without allergies, decide how treats are handled in your family. Some families choose to keep a small selection of treats for the other children that they eat away from home. We have decided that, in fairness to Gabriel, Halloween is simply an allergen-free holiday. His brother and sister won’t know the difference for a long time, and when they do, I hope they react with empathy to their brother’s situation, and feel proud to share in his treats knowing that they are protecting his health. Kids understand this stuff remarkably early as long as it is a regular topic of conversation. Gabe’s 4-year-old brother can repeat a list of candies that would not be okay for Gabriel, and also why they aren’t okay for any of us to have (e.g., accidentally transferring the allergen via kissing, holding hands, etc.).

5. Review and enforce the treat rules. In our house these are: a) an Epi Pen is a must, along with the backup. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t go with your costume; b) No eating while treating; c) No label = no good; d) Read the ingredients every time…these change often, and different sized candy packages can have different ingredient lists.

6. Play up the costume part of Halloween. We get out a bit later than most other trick or treaters that are the ages of our kids, because we make a HUGE deal about their costumes. I scour secondhand shops and department stores for the items we need weeks in advance to make sure I have exactly what is wanted for each costume. While the kids are still home getting ready, I also make a big deal about how the other costumes look when trick or treaters come to our door. I hardly mention what we’re giving out at all (which is also always allergy-friendly, by the way). I’m sure to exclaim with delight over each and every princess and ghost who shows up at our door, to emphasize that it’s the dressing up that is fun. Candy is a side benefit.

7. Be prepared with allergy-friendly alternatives. If you’re the neighbor or friend of a child who is food allergic, ask his or her parents for safe alternatives to give when they come knocking. Remember to keep these separate from the loot you’re handing out to the other ghouls and goblins. If you encounter a trick or treater who says, “No, thank you,” if you have allergy-friendly treats, explain to the parent/guardian what you have and, if OK’d, offer it to the child. For peanut allergic kids, there are now more options, but it gets trickier as you get into allergies such as egg, milk, soy, and corn. There are probably very few candies that are completely safe for these kids, but at least you’ve shown interest, care, and consideration. Another option is to also have non-treat items on hand, such as sport trading cards, toys, bubbles, fairy wands, etc.

Overall, Halloween is still a much-anticipated holiday in our house. Food allergies are a challenge; however, with some savvy management by parents, food allergic kids can still have their treats, and eat them, too!”

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Family Issues; Feeding & Nursing; Home; Solutions
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We've long been fans of cloth – whether in the form of diapers, napkins, or handkerchiefs – so it’s no surprise that I love the concept of Bummas. These eco-friendly 5 x 7” velour terry cloth towels can serve to wipe your kid’s runny nose, messy meal face, or sudsy bath body, but they’re particularly excellent at the diaper table. Also handy for pee spray prevention with baby boys, you can use Bummas with water in place of wipes, and/or take advantage of the super soft side to pat baby dry and prevent diaper rash naturally. I’d just recommend color-coding based on usage so face and bottom cloths stay separate.

Want to win a 10pk of Bummas*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

One Chic Mama features Belly Bundles, an online maternity consignment boutique. The Bump offers a vaccination checklist for well-baby visits. Clever Parents reports on the ups and downs of humidification. And you could win: a Dante Beatrix stroller tote at MomFinds and a Mod Dog print at We Covet.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be
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Following my absurd foray into making Laurel’s big yellow grape costume two years ago, I’ve been all about easy or recycling-based costumes. And for those looking to shore up costumes this weekend, check out Craft’s feature on 5 DIY costumes that can be made with household materials, plus a little support from your local craft store. The ideas are cute as is, or I like that the concepts can serve to inspire other costumes (e.g., sushi to bunch o’ grapes, Lego to robot, bee to fairy, etc.). Don’t be scared off when you see the instruction length of the first costume (pirate); the following 4 costumes are less complicated. And if your kid is old enough, enlist their help assembling the costume; it’ll make for a fun activity to do together and they’ll likely be even more proud to wear it.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Home
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On Tuesday I attended Seventh Generation & the Environmental Working Group’s panel on chemicals and kids. And my friends, I must admit that the first 20 minutes of the panel left me feeling depressed and hopeless. But as the evening proceeded, so improved my perception that personal power and positive action on this matter are, in fact, attainable. Below is my recap of the event, including concrete ways that parents can take charge of their family’s environmental health.

The Context

Jane Houlihan, Vice President of Research at the EWG, set the context for the evening with description of a study in which cord blood samples taken from 10 newborns at delivery were analyzed, and 200 man-made chemicals were found present in the blood.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect with Houlihan after the meeting, and the researcher in me couldn’t help but want clarification of the data. A sample of 10 is small and who were the mothers? Were any of them women dedicated to organic foods and natural personal care products during pregnancy? If yes, was there any difference between the chemical content for those compared to other participants? Was the group homogenous in terms of the type of work/living environment, or did any participants have increased exposure to environmental toxins? And what was the profile of these chemicals? Were any of them linked to the neurodevelopmental disorders described earlier in the conversations? My brain immediately went into overdrive, mentally noting the products I used when pregnant with Laurel and all of the products our family currently uses. Had I done, or was I doing, enough to protect me and my family from the impact of chemicals in every day products?

And Then It Got Worse…

We then learned from pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene and Seventh Generation brand representative Courtney Loveman that in contrast to Canada and Europe, in the US, cleaning and personal care product purveyors are not required to fully disclose their ingredients on their product labels. Only ingredients shown to be toxic to a specified level are required to be listed on the label, otherwise the rest is up to the discretion of the company. And many companies – typically citing that they don’t want to give away their secret formulas – opt to leave off items that may cause buyers to avoid their product.

According to Courtney Loveman, Seventh Generation is the only household and personal care company that has moved to complete disclosure on their labels. I haven’t had a chance to fact check on this matter, but I will say that at face value this nugget of information certainly makes me want to buy more of their products (personal disclosure: we are long time users of Seventh Generation in addition to other natural cleaning and household brands).

And Then It Got Better…

My personal turning point in this discussion was when Dr. Greene – no doubt looking out across a sea of terrified parents, many cradling babies – said, “The good news is that environmental triggers mean there are environmental solutions.”

So What Can You Do?

Below are some of my takeaway action points from the evening. Many are very easy, and some will require a bit more digging, but will be worth the effort:

Check out the homework that has been done for you. The EWG offers a For Parents section that includes a wealth of information ranging from specific product information (sunscreen, kids’ personal products, etc.), to healthy pet tips, to quick household tips. Their 10 Tips for a Healthy Home and 10 Everyday Pollution Solution lists are good starting points for making change.

Check your cosmetics. For those who share my love of beauty products, this may prove a bit tough on the stomach (and wallet…if you’re prone to mourning sunk costs), but I highly recommend checking out the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. You can search for a specific product, ingredient, or company and get an overall hazard score then detailed information on potential ingredient hazards. I did a quick search on a few products that I use regularly and was dismayed to see the results. I'm planning on a major product purge this weekend.

Check out other household products. The Department of Health & Human Services offers a Household Products Database where you can find information on everything from arts and crafts supplies (gulp), to home and office products, to pet and personal care.

Join the campaign. Familiarize yourself with and spread the word about the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act, and consider signing the declaration to support the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act. And at the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database site, you also can sign the petition to require manufacturers to prove the safety of their products before they are allowed to sell them.

Clean out under your sink. In reference to the aforementioned lack of disclosure on product labels, get rid of and avoid products that have danger or caution warnings on them. These products are the worst offenders, and we don’t really even know the whole of it since all the ingredients probably aren’t listed.

Read the labels. Seventh Generation has created a label reading guide to help people understand the ingredients in various products. You can even download the guide to your mobile phone so you have the information with you at the grocery store. This, of course, doesn’t completely help with companies that don’t fully disclose, but at least you can check what they do list.

Be a voice locally. I’ve always been the person who believes that it never hurts to ask and that your voice in the suggestion box is a good thing. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly product at your local store and don’t see it, ask for it. If you see something really toxic, tell them they shouldn’t carry it. Big chains are finally listening up and are starting to respond to the demand for items such as BPA-free bottles, natural cleaning products, etc.

Keep up on the latest information. The EWG Action Fund now has a blog – Enviroblog – which covers the latest science and news on toxins in food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health.

I know this is a lot to digest but I hope you’ll see the positive in it and start to take baby and then bigger steps to purging chemical content from your home. The reality is that as consumers, we actually do drive the bus, as it were, and as the EWG’s Jane Houlihan concluded, wouldn’t it be great if we could get to a point where we run the EWG out of business?

UPDATE (10/23/2008): Seventh Generation just posted the Web cast of the Children's Museum event if you wish to check it out.

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Eco Living
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Laurel is utterly obsessed with Halloween this year, and she can’t get enough of the haunted hayrides over at Wilson Farms. These free rides run 5 days a week until October 31, and take visitors through the fields where (gently) spooky displays await. The ride is relatively (and appropriately) short, which allows time for visits to see the barnyard animals and the fish in the garden center. And this likely is part of the rationale for hosting such events, but I also love the convenience of being able to pick up groceries on the way out without having to make another stop.

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Carol Band, mother of three and nationally syndicated parenting humor columnist and book author. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Carol Band, parenting humor columnist and book author

Christine: Tell us a bit about your background Carol. You’re a long time writer, but have you always been? Any interesting alternative careers you’d like to tell us about? And what was your journalistic beat before becoming a humor columnist?

Carol: Writers always have alternative careers. I’ve been a cocktail waitress (okay, I wore hot pants), a cook, and worked the graveyard shift in a paper cup factory. My first job in journalism was slipping the advertising inserts into the New Britain Herald when I was in high school.

Christine: I understand that you’ve also taken your writing skills to the marketing world. Do you have PR training? Is it at all challenging to transition between your creative and traditional work?

Carol: You have to pay the bills and if it means selling my soul to the dark side, so be it. Before I had kids, I cut my PR and marketing teeth working for agencies, colleges, and non-profit organizations – strictly learning on the job. I still freelance for several clients – and think that all writing is creative writing – marketing, copywriting – humor writing…it’s juggling the words around until they fit. It’s a little bit like a jigsaw puzzle.

Christine: Your column A Household World is award winning and nationally syndicated. When did you start writing this column and when did it become syndicated? Where were you and how did you react when you learned that your words were going national?

Carol: After my second child was born (a colicky daughter), I became a stay-at-home mom and took a part-time job as an editor at The Boston Parents’ Paper. They asked me to write a column and, when the paper was bought by a large company, my column was part of the deal. I was lucky.

Because the column is national, I try not to talk about stuff that is uniquely greater Boston. I try not to gloat about the Red Sox or try not to say wicked pissah too much.

Christine: As a parenting columnist, obviously, your family is at the core of your content. Have you and your husband and/or children (or other family members…) ever had major blowouts over what you have written about them? How have you negotiated your family’s boundaries and sense of privacy with the very content that is so appealing to readers hungry for stories on real parenting?

Carol: I suppose if my family ever really read my column, it might be a problem, but it runs in parenting newspapers – not on Perez Hilton or on Facebook – so they don’t ever really see it.

It’s a humor column so I’m not revealing any horrible secrets – and I try not to make my kids or husband the butt off the humor. They provide the set up – I provide the butt.

Christine: Those with fans typically have at least a few enemies. Do you get hate mail (or, um, “constructive criticism”)? Any doozies to share?

Carol: The grammar police are always out there waiting to pounce on a misplaced comma or to point out that I should have used whom – not who.

But the most hate mail that I ever received was after I wrote a column saying that I would never buy my son a Nintendo. I think that I called it “mind-numbing and seizure-inducing” Hundreds of parents (okay, mostly guys) called me the meanest mom in the world (okay, they called me other things, too).

Christine: A collection of your columns recently has been translated into a book of your column’s namesake. How did this process come to being? What were the biggest challenges of sifting through a decade of work to assemble the final collection?

Carol: Readers have written to me throughout the year and asked for a book. When my syndicate said that they would help publicize it, I decided that the time was right. The challenge was to go back and look at ten years of work and not decide that I should have been a dental hygienist. I updated some old pop culture references, but basically, the essays stayed as they were originally published. You wouldn’t think that would take almost a year to complete!

Christine: You have three children; how old are they? Where were you professionally when your children arrived and how did you negotiate working motherhood, or coming back to writing after raising children?

Carol: My kids are 22, 19, and 15 – too old to be cute but still providing me with plenty of fodder for columns. I was working as a public relations director when my first was born – I took a year off and went back to work until my daughter was born three years later. With two kids – the childcare equation no longer made sense, so I started freelancing and then picked up part-time work that allowed me to stay at home. Working out of the home is tough, but working at home is hard, too – because the kids think that because you are physically there, you are available to make snacks and drive them to their friend’s houses. And the neighbors see you in your jammies at noon and figure that it’s okay if their kids come to your house when there’s a snow day. I have managed to work from my home (with a few brief forays into the workplace) for the majority of their childhoods. I am fortunate that my husband has been gainfully employed and supportive emotionally as well as financially.

Christine: I imagine you work primarily from home. Do you have a creative cohort that you meet up with regularly? How do you stay connected in a somewhat solitary profession?

Carol: I do work primarily from home – although lately, I have been escaping to the Diesel café to write. I like to get out of the house and I like their coffee. I have an online community of humor writers that is very supportive and my freelance work enables me to occasionally speak to grown-ups.

Christine: It seems that more and more moms these days are trying to carve out creative and flexible paths. Any words of wisdom for those looking to become freelance writers, and balance freelance work with motherhood?

Carol: Seems to me that there’s got to be a better way to make a living – I would recommend coal mining or underwater welding… Freelance work is tough, but it does allow for some flexibility…unless you’ve got a deadline. There’s flexibility – unless you have work – then there are deadlines and you have to be able to work at home with the distractions of kids and the phone and the Ben and Jerry’s in the fridge. More than once I have screamed at my kids, “You miserable brats…go away. Can’t you see I am trying to write a humorous column on parenting?”

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Carol: The best part of being a Boston mama is having the chance to meet other Boston mamas. There are amazing women here. Plus…Boston is the best place to raise a kid and the best place to be a parent. There’s so much to do – from skiing in the winter to museums and hiking and the beach. It’s wicked pissah. Best of all, kids in Boston can learn to be independent of their parents – they can take the bus or the T downtown – they can take a ferry to the Harbor Islands. We don’t have to drive them everywhere. I know that when my daughter came home from college for the first time she commented, “It’s wicked chill here.” That, my friends, is high praise.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Boston Mamas Rock!; For Grownups; Local
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I'm a firm believer in the learn through play teaching philosophy, and our third installment of Giveaway Goodness no doubt will inspire your kid to get skilled at setting up shop. We’re giving away Playskool’s entire Cherry Blossom collection, which includes the market playhouse and coordinating produce stand, fruit and cheese set, and ice cream set (value = $110)! Following countless hours of pretend play, don't be surprised if your kid asks to help with the grocery shopping. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

After 10 years of academic conferences, it’s probably no surprise that this past weekend’s BlogHer Boston conference felt revolutionary. Fun, energizing, and replete with interesting content, people, good food, and an affirming obsession with Twitter (I'm @bostonmamas...), I highly recommend that anyone interested or experienced in blogging attend this conference in the future. Here’s my wrap up of the event:

Impressively organized by BlogHer founders Lisa Stone, Elisa Camahort Page, and Jory Des Jardins, Boston’s first ever satellite meeting featured parallel sessions on blogging basics, social media, and tech troubleshooting. I was honored to speak alongside dynamos Candelaria Silva and Susan Getgood on one of the blogging basics panels (specifically, on finding your blogging mojo). To learn more about this and other sessions, hop over to In Good Taste and LaurieWrites to read some incredibly in depth recaps by Maris and Laurie, respectively.

In short, BlogHer Boston was impressive, and from what I heard from folks who have attended the annual meeting, while this event obviously was smaller in scope than the California event, BHB was similarly brimming with the energy and excitement of women convening around a common passion. I actually have little in the way of criticism, and below are my favorite things that this meeting got right:

Whenever I see Laurel’s stack of bland, misshapen, undersized receiving blankets, I wonder how we survived her swaddling months. It’s no wonder those busy feet kept busting out of her burrito, and I certainly would have enjoyed prettier patterns. Luckily, for moms looking to swaddle in style there’s SwaddleDesigns. Created by an RN, SwaddleDesigns’ Ultimate Receiving Blanket is generously sized, cuddly soft, and available in chic patterns and organic options. And for those burrito-free periods of burping, snuggling, and play, you also can opt for coordinating burpies and lovies.

Want to win a SwaddleDesigns Burpie set? Here’s how:

Rules:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Car & Caboodle shares their top 10 things to do while pumping, inspired by the hands-free Medela Freestyle Pump. Clever Parents shares Dr. Greene’s top parenting dos and don’ts. Coochicoos offers leads for inspiration and instruction to making your own Halloween costumes. The Bump shares their new baby countdown tools.

And you could win: a Wow Wow Wubbzy happy pack at We Covet, an Aeromax Toys Halloween costume at MomFinds, a personal image consultation at One Chic Mama, and a Volkswagen 2009 Routan minivan at Moms’ Buzz.

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Development & Behavior; Feeding & Nursing; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Travel
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Just in time to cope with the start of dry skin season, for the second installment of Giveaway Goodness we’re offering amazing goodies in partnership with Parisian skin care company Sothys. This ultra hydrating collection includes Sothys’ moisturizing creams, deep hydrating serum, and rebalancing mask (value = $152!). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

These days, the spooky talk is endless around our house, and for those looking to learn more about and celebrate fall goodness, this weekend (Oct. 10-13) check out Plimoth Plantation’s Annual Harvest Festival. In addition to harvest type activities, kids no doubt will go crazy over the Haunted Pirate Ship aboard Mayflower II. Kicking off during the harvest festival, this “lite fright” event also will run the remaining weekends in October.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Here’s an event that eco-parents will want to try to attend: on Tuesday, Oct. 14 (6-7:30pm), Seventh Generation and the EWG will host a discussion about the impact of chemicals on our kids, the importance of consumer product ingredient disclosure, and the need for improved legislation. The event will take place at the Boston Children’s Museum; admission is free but space is limited and an RSVP is required. RSVP to nikki.wheaton@cohnwolfe.com.

The panel will include author and pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, VP of Research at the Environmental Working Group Jane Houlihan, Brand Mother at Seventh Generation Courtney Loveman, and will be moderated by EMMY award-winning journalist and environmental sustainability expert Simran Sethi. Attendees will learn how to create a healthy home and take action to keep kids safe from harmful chemicals.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Home; Solutions
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Today, Suz shares information about this Sunday's MDSC Buddy Walk:

“I love the month of October – the invigorating colors and crispness in the air, and the return of pumpkin lattes. October – which is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month - also brings an amazing group of “differently-abled people” into the public’s eye.

During this month, I enjoy beautiful pictures of children and individuals with Down syndrome that otherwise do not grace the covers of parenting magazines, or mix into interesting segments on talk shows. I hear about children who bring great empathy and friendship into their integrated classrooms, or the high school graduate who passed the MCAS and is now acclimating to dorm life at college. I read the articles about families who now see an extra chromosome as an unexpected and priceless gift that they would not change for the world. Most importantly, I see people who resemble my son, and who inspire me to think about his future and all the possibilities that fill it. National Down Syndrome Awareness Month reminds me of the beauty that diversity brings in our community, like the vibrant fall colors we enjoy in the landscape this time of year.

On Sunday, October 12, The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress will host the annual Buddy Walk and Family Picnic in Wakefield. It will be a fun-filled day that brings together family members, friends, teachers, co-workers, and community members to raise awareness, and celebrate the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their accomplishments. Registration and pre-walk festivities begin at noon and the 3-mile, scenic walk around Lake Quannapowitt will kick off at 1pm from the gazebo. Following the walk, families and friends will enjoy a picnic, music, face painting, and activities for the kids. Please visit www.mdsc.org for more information.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Fun Outdoors; Local
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The holiday weekend is likely to fill up fast with fun activities, but definitely consider getting tickets to this Saturday’s SteveSongs show at the Regent Theatre (Oct. 11 at 10:30am & 3pm). Kicking off the Regent’s Family Fun Saturday series, the musically engaging wonder also known as Mr. Steve on PBS Kids will celebrate the launch of his new DVD, The Marvelous Musical Adventures, with a show that is sure to get kids and parents dancing in the aisles.

Want to win Steve’s new DVD*? Here’s how:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Anna Bensted, mother of two, executive producer of WBUR’s Inside Out, and impromptu open house thrower for hundreds of Harvard undergraduate students. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Anna Bensted - Executive Producer, Inside Out; Assistant Program Director, WBUR-FM

Christine: Tell us a little bit about yourself Anna. I know you are a veteran in radio programming (including 15 years with the BBC). Were you always passionate about communications? Did you have an alternate path before launching into the world of broadcast media?

Anna: I didn't get hooked on radio until after university. I was at the start of what I was convinced would be a very respectable career in publishing. But I was also volunteering at a local radio station in the evening - to help out and to get to know people in a town new to me. One fun part was doing live programs for all the local hospitals. I am sure the patients went home sooner, just to avoid our dreadful shows. Anyway, I soon realized I was going to have to give up the well-regarded job in publishing - even if that seemed a little crazy The spoken word turned out to be much more alluring for me than the printed. So I chucked in the day job, went off to India for 6 months with my sister, trekked up near the Everest base camp in Nepal, came back, and went knocking on the door of the BBC. Following a few months of training there doing all sorts of production work, plus some embarrassing on-air learning, I was asked to fill in for a host who was away. After that, they gave me a staff position – I’ve been in radio ever since.

Christine: OK, so I’ll admit that I know nothing about documentary production. What is the origin of the fascinating stories you cover? Do reporters pitch topics they are passionate about? Do you cast out assignments based on what’s on topic in the news? Is it some collaboration of the two?

Anna: Ah, where do the ideas come from... it's both easier and more difficult if you are not part of a newsroom dedicated to daily news stories. Sometimes it's really a gut feeling about a change that's going on - maybe in the way people are living out their daily lives. We are doing a documentary right now on what it means to be middle class in America in 2008. I am also working on a series about the way Boston looks so different these days - new buildings, new spaces, the new energy from that. Certainly other people at the station suggest ideas.

Reporter Rachel Gotbaum was insistent last summer that we needed to do a series of reports on what's happening to primary care in America; the result - a documentary called "The Doctor Can't See You Now." It really seemed to hit a chord with listeners when it aired this spring. The great thing about having the time - and time is the luxury in this business - and working as I do with a very talented fellow producer like George Hicks, is that it means that as a team we can fine-tune material until it's as right as we can get it.

Christine: Has a particular documentary really stuck with you? Why? What has moved you the most in the work that you do?

Anna: There are programs and moments from interviews that have stayed with me for years after we have finished mixing a broadcast. I can hear them in my head now. And yes I have to admit (I'm looking ahead at your next question!) they are mostly pretty "heavy" moments. Reporter Michael Goldfarb's tape from a young girl who had not spoken a word after being tortured in Africa. Years later she was working with a therapist who got her to play the drums while she was being asked to remember what had happened. Her beat on the drums got louder and louder, faster and faster until the sound became furious. As I listened it was chilling, I could hear the young woman's anger and pain pouring out. In fact after those sessions, she began to speak. When Anthony Brooks was reporting on the use of the death penalty in this country he asked one man who had been exonerated after years on death row, what he had wanted most as compensation. I can still hear the answer, spoken with the utmost dignity: "I just wanted someone to say they were sorry." These are just seconds worth of sound, of voice. But to me, and I hope to listeners, these are stories that bring home so much that goes on around the world with little coverage.

I love oral history too, and we sometimes get that into our programs. Sean Cole collected tape from three American sailors who had taken the ship Exodus from here to Europe in 1947 and onto what was then Palestine. There were thousands of Jewish refugees on board. To hear, 60 years later, those three guys talking with such emotion about what that trip meant to them, what they and the refugees went through, was very moving. And we cover more recent history too as we did with a documentary about the Boston Medical Center. Hearing of the dedication of the people who went through an incredibly fraught time to ensure that this city has a hospital where all can go to receive proper medical treatment, to hear that sense of mission was inspiring. I am sure you can tell that now I've started it's difficult to stop thinking of the voices, the audio scenes that we have worked on. There's an awful lot of great material these reporters bring back.

Christine: Human trafficking. British Jihad. The death penalty. You cover some pretty heavy stuff. What do you do to keep things light at the office?

Anna: Well, yes it's true, heavy stuff. That's where my instinct takes me - there are too many serious problems around the world to spend much time on light-hearted stuff. But we are not miserable at work, I promise. You can tell what nerds we are if I tell you that we amused ourselves one afternoon by playing a piece of tape again and again in which a Norwegian scientist out on an Arctic ice sheet got so excited about an ice measurement (another jolly topic for us - the effect of melting ice caps) that he let out squeals of delight and some truly formidable strings of expletives. All done in English but with a wonderfully rich Norwegian accent. His guffaws of delight and the swearing made him utterly endearing. I love meeting and hearing from people who are passionate about their work. The other aspect of daily life at the radio station that's fun is that I get to hear stories and jokes from some of the WBUR personalities…that all helps. Bill Littlefield is a great storyteller and he has a wicked sense of humor - to use my son's turn of phrase. The people who work at WBUR are a remarkable bunch; there are lots of gifted musicians, storytellers, joke tellers, literary types, political junkies - I know it will probably sound corny but it is a privilege to work amongst them.

Christine: And related to the above, do you find you are able to let your work go when it’s time to punch out? Have particular topics been hard to let go of when you leave the office?

Anna: It’s very, very hard to let go of the work when I go home. I'm always thinking about what we could be doing to improve our stories, how we can find the most important ones to tell, worrying about how - with a traditional medium like radio - we can keep up with the changing habits of our audience. Always worrying about whether we have got a story right, did I make the right choice in an edit, was it right to add that music, choose that interviewee…What are our new programs are like, are they effective, are we doing the best for our listeners…Are they ways I can better help the people at the station… It’s not the sort of job you can leave behind!

Christine: As executive producer of Inside Out, do you find that your role as a mom equips you well for the job? Any particularly humorous anecdotes you’d like to share? Feel free to substitute real names for initials.

Anna: Yes, definitely. There is another producer here who has children of a similar age and we compare notes about how trying to get reporters to finish their stories is like getting your kids to tidy their room. We give them false deadlines with minor threats: "If it's not done by…" And that sounds an awful lot like what I used to say to my poor son Piero. Newsrooms can get pretty tense, so knowing how to calm things down can be very useful. I haven't used a time out…yet. Also, it's not a very fancy life in public radio, and the occasional plate of cakes or sweet treats can buck people up a bit. But in the end what it's all about is that WBUR people are happy if a program has gone well or if there's good feedback from the audience.

Christine: My understanding is that your sons are grown (and out of the house?), but when they were little how did you juggle the demands of your career? How did you handle maternity leave (short, long, long stretch out of the workforce then ramped back in, etc.)?

Anna: Yes, both my sons are in college. When they were little it was indeed tough. I went through many variations of a working day: full-time (but I was too sad at being away from my sons all day) so then part-time (first time my BBC boss had given out a part-time job) followed by three-quarters time (the program needed more of me but I still had time to be with my lads in the afternoon) then working from home not in an office (having moved to the US from the UK I needed to be with the boys while they settled into the school here but wanted to keep my BBC work up) and now finally full-time again at WBUR.

And nothing beats a supportive and housework-loving husband. We've been lucky enough that he has flexibility in his work and that's been a great boon. But more than that it's been his instinct to fully share everything about bringing up a family. At one point for example he took over making the school lunches when I started working on a very early shift, a breakfast show. He prepared these lovely lunches for them and started making them for me too. Now our sons are grown, he still makes a lunch every day for me to bring to work.

Christine: Do you have any pearls of wisdom for moms who are considering ramping back into the workforce?

Anna: Yes I do indeed. Don't be too hard on yourself about getting it all just right. I spent too long wanting to get the whole work/family balance perfect. There are bound to be periods when childcare set-ups are OK but not ideal, or work is taking too much of a back seat. But take the long view; kids are tougher than we think and will be fine even if arrangements aren't perfect, and there will be a time when, if you want to, you can kick into top gear for work. Just keep a foot in the work door until that point comes.

Christine: I understand that your husband is a housemaster at Harvard. Do you find undergrads on your door constantly? Looking for food? Internships? A job at WBUR?

Anna: Not too many unexpected calls for help or for food. We have great resident tutors and deans in the house who look after the daily needs of the students and we have a wonderful dining hall open most of the day. I often do open houses for the students over the weekend and I am getting pretty snappy at buying food for two hundred on Sunday morning and laying it out in the evening for them to have something a little special. I'll do all chocolate desserts, or masses of cheeses or an Indian evening with lots of spicy stuff and Tabla music from some of our students. It's hard work but fun to do because the students really seem to appreciate it. We also often eat in the main dining hall and my husband is rightly proud of the fact that he knows each of the 450 students by name. I don't do quite so well on that front!

And yes, every year there are students who are interested in a media career so it's good to talk to them about my experiences in radio; sometimes I bring them over and show them around the station. Some students say they get a kick out of waking up, turning on the radio and hearing me fundraising very early in the morning. That offsets to some extent knowing that thousands of WBUR listeners wake up, hear the fundraising, and groan loudly.

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Anna: Being in a city that kids can grow with and find something for each stage. It's a good-sized city, and it's changing all the time. For the series I'm working on with reporter Ken Shulman, "Boston by Design," our team is going out with these wonderful articulate and charismatic architects, historians, and designers - they are explaining for our audience just how much the face of Boston is changing. With the Central Artery gone, there's a new feel to the city and I think that's great for kids as well as adults. It makes for a more vibrant place. There's all the history too. For the program we take a trip down Washington Street and Congress Street and there's so much that can be told about Boston in just those two streets. I came home after the first day of recording and realized how much more there is to Boston than I'd realized, so much to discover, and that's what makes it a good place to be a Boston Mama.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Local
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Today, Heather shares tips on handling biting behavior:

“Adie, my sweet 17-month-old daughter, has been tagged with a new nickname: Piranha! To our dismay, she is a biter and we all have fallen victim to her chompers. In an effort to nip this problem in the bud, I have sought the advice of teachers, childcare providers, child behavior specialists, and fellow moms of biters. Here are some tips for handling biting behavior:

Today, Kate reports on local kid's resale shop Frida Bee:

“Everyone knows that new parents are showered with baby clothes - onesies, booties, pajamas, playsuits - all adorable, many inappropriate to the season, all quickly grown out of. Everyone also knows that the gifts dry up as the baby becomes a toddler, but that the need for new clothing and shoes continues unabated as your little one grows like a beanstalk.

For several years, I've been a big fan of resale clothing, especially as resale stores have lost the musty smell and yard sale patina that used to cling to them. Particularly for children's clothes, resale stores offer a great alternative to paying high prices for clothes that may only see a season of use. Frida Bee in Cambridge's Inman Square offers a small but good selection of clothing, shoes, toys, and books for babies, toddlers, and kids, providing parents who like to shop with a stylish and budget-conscious option to the mainstream kids' stores. Their prices - always low - decline as an item goes unsold, offering great bargains on both major labels and quirky designers.

Frida Bee is also a good way to unload the cartons of old kids' clothes that you probably have in the backs of your closets and tucked under the staircase, as they buy clothing outright - no consignment - to add to their inventory. Check out Frida Bee, and no longer feel guilty about loving to shop for your favorite fashionista.”

Frida Bee, 1297 Cambridge Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-661-1967

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Retail
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As the cool weather sets in, so do the colds and skin care battles, making it ever more important to find safe, nourishing body products for mom and babe. And Belli delivers the goods. Providing “pampered protection” pregnancy, baby, and motherhood body products that repair and relax, Belli takes safety seriously, first scouring medical research findings and consulting with physicians, chemists, nurses, aestheticians, doulas, and prenatal massage therapists, then excluding any ingredients linked to pre and postnatal problems. My top restorative picks include their Surgical Scar Reducer and Body Firming Serum, but their Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer is a must have for moms on the go. This gel does its double duty gently yet powerfully, and the colorful microbeads fascinate Laurel into keeping her hands pristine when we're out and about.

Want to win Belli skin care goodies*? Here’s how:

Rules:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Clever Parents offers 10 simple tips to get motivated to work out. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MomFinds is giving away a $600 Special Edition Oreck Vacuum Cleaner that supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure. And visit Classy Mommy to win a Fancy Nancy board game or puzzle.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids; Gadgets; Home
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Since launching Boston Mamas, I’ve met (virtually, anyway) countless artists, inventors, retailers, and PR firms through my product review process. And sometimes these kind folks – even if featured previously – want to offer cool goodies to you cool readers. So today I’m pleased to announce a new editorial feature you’ll see periodically – Giveaway Goodness – where we’ll feature a high quality (non-review) giveaway for your enjoyment. Today's giveaway is the Mini Set cosmetic brush travel kit from A Design Brushes. This kit includes 6 essential mini handle makeup brushes with full size brush heads. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

Today, Heather shares a cool craft that encourages independent play:

We recently discovered Perler Beads and absolutely love them! My 5-year-old Emma adores any and all arts and crafts. Perler Beads are small, colorful plastic beads that fuse together when ironed. Your child creates a design by placing the beads one by one on a reusable pegboard template. The kit we purchased came with 5 pegboards (circle, square, heart, star, & hexagon). Kids can either follow example patterns or simply let their creative juices flow.

Once the design is complete, a grown-up lays a sheet of the included ironing paper on top of the beads and gently applies the iron for about 10-20 seconds to fuse the beads. Let the design cool, peel off the ironing paper, and remove the design. Emma has spent countless hours making picture frames, holiday ornaments, nametags, and all kinds of fun designs.

The design possibilities are endless, and Perler’s website is also loaded with project ideas. Perler also notes that their beads are safely made in the USA using LDPE, a food-grade plastic free of harmful chemicals. They state that all materials are obtained in the United States and are routinely tested to meet all required safety standards.

Editor’s Note: We also recently were introduced to Perler Beads and Laurel shares Emma’s addiction. We have the same shapes kit that Heather mentioned, as well as the Flower Power kit (shown). This project has been so fun that we had to get the 22,000 bead bin (11,000 bins also are available).

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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Today, Kate shares a great lead for city dwellers without a backyard:

“For those of us raising children in the city, opportunities for old-fashioned run-around and recreation time can require a bit more planning than for those in the suburbs or country. My neighborhood has several nice playgrounds and small parks, but I have no backyard and no place to store equipment or allow my daughter to race around without my supervision. For those looking to provide their kids with chances to bounce and run in the heart of the city, Boston is fortunate to have Hill House, an organization devoted entirely to recreation of all types for little ones.

Located in a historic fire station in the heart of Beacon Hill, Hill House offers a wide range of programs - from art to gymnastics to foreign languages - for babies through pre-teens. Outdoor programs are held on the Boston Common and along the Charles River. Sessions are held during the week and on Saturdays, and are complemented by occasional special events and one-off activities. Relying largely on the support of volunteers and donations, Hill House is an important part of the Beacon Hill community and is open to residents of all areas. Check out their offerings and see if your favorite athlete or artist can find a happy home in the heart of the city.”

Hill House, 127 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston; Tel: 617-227-5838

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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Teaching Laurel empathy has always been very important to us, not only to help curb age appropriate but hurtful behaviors such as biting and hitting, but also simply to help her learn how to be a good friend and family member. And while she has embraced these lessons since toddlerhood (in daycare she always was quick to give a hug or rub a friend’s back if they were sad), we know we’ll need to revisit these themes through her young life. And for parents of tweens, here’s an interesting way to help teach compassion to kids: Generation Cures.

Based in Boston but accessible to anyone online, this free “caring-and-curing” website was created by Children's Hospital Boston and offers educational games, stories, and videos to help teach kids about the importance of caring and compassion. The puzzle-adventure games and animated stories are definitely tween oriented with a science fiction - adventure type look, and are framed on story arcs that convey messages about altruism, community, and science. The behind the scenes videos are directed and produced by kids, and allow a window into the worlds of kids who have been treated successfully at Children’s Hospital. Parents also can sign up for a free account to receive additional features, such as story and game progress tracking, teaching tools, and online community access.

So what’s the catch? There is none whatsoever for usage, though the ultimate hope is that families who enjoy the free content eventually will be inspired to make a gift to benefit pediatric medical research at Children's Hospital. And no doubt any gift made will be given with even more meaningful intention following lessons learned through this entertaining and educational content.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Development & Behavior; For Babies & Kids; Good Deeds
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Laurel has always possessed freakish focus when it comes to working with paper, and as a preschooler, she’s added writing and paper cutting to her crayon, paint, marker, and collage repertoire. We can never have enough activity books around, and currently are enjoying Mead’s Writing Fundamentals line. These activity books use multimodal cues (such as visual via color, and tactile via raised rulers) to enhance fine motor development (stage 1), letter formation (stage 2), primary writing (stage 3), and writing fluency (stage 4). Some of the directions are a tad overdone, but otherwise these books offer a fun, commercial character free means to introduce and develop writing skills. Laurel’s favorite is the Shape Builders learn to draw book; the results are so cute that we’re adding them to her already bulging art archives.

Want to be 1 of 3 winners to receive Mead activity books*? Here’s how: