Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth shares tips on discipline, consistency, and complementary parenting approaches:

Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. Such a BIG word when it comes to parents applying discipline. In our home - where my husband and I shared much of the childcare - it was unrealistic to assume that two such different but equally competent people would do childcare in the same exact way. So is this need/insistence on consistency vastly overrated?

Consistency is overrated when two parents dispense discipline. Perfect consistency is also unrealistic, rigid, and paradoxically less than helpful or growth promoting for kids. Two separate but equal parents dispensing discipline can be a model parental checks and balances system. Inconsistency concerns arise when one parent appears strict and the other parent appears lenient. The stricter parent worries that the children may love the lenient parent more and/or will run first to the more lenient parent to get the desired response. I (the stricter parent) am here to tell you that neither needs to be true; our daughters appreciated and loved the structure I provided and they loved and appreciated the occasional lapses in structure their dad allowed them. For example, I wanted to provide sit down, conversational dinners for my girls every evening. When I went out, my husband opted to eat pizza with the girls in front of the TV. But instead of becoming confused, they looked forward to their evenings with their Dad but also loved when they got to "dine" all four of us.

It's all in how less than perfect consistency is executed. Imperfect consistency (or inconsistency) is not going to fly well if parents scream at each other often over their different paths. Respect is required. Per the dinner example above, my husband and I both appreciated the benefits in the other’s approach and never fought about doing it only one way or the other. Subsequently, this taught our girls that there are different, complementary ways to carry out family matters.

It's helpful to agree on some big-ticket items. Although we differed in perspective on things like mealtime approach, we agreed about schoolwork and bedtimes. Homework needed to get done thoroughly and with good effort and bedtimes were firm. Agreement meant we both encouraged and modeled these behaviors.

When there's disagreement on the big-ticket items, communicate, don't name call. If there is disagreement on a big-ticket item, sit down and talk it through. “I” statements (weird as they can sound and feel to construct) are appropriate here: "I noticed Sophie was still up at 10pm the other night when I came home. I worry she'll be cranky the next day because she didn't get her usual ten hours of sleep." Allow the other parent to respond and usually that's enough if the atmosphere is open and nontoxic. Find solutions together. It's more important that both parents keep parenting, no matter the different styles.

Look away, let it go, and pray. This one isn't easy. When Bob took Jessie in her stroller, he would either forget to strap her in, refuse to strap her in, or feel that I was an intrusive mom interfering with his baby care. Somehow I couldn't make Bob see the necessity of using a belt to keep Jessie in her stroller. All I could do was look away, let it go, and pray (to whomever). It was simply better he take her with him than not and he was a wonderful father who didn't want his baby to get hurt. Until one day, it happened; Bob and Jessie went off on an errand, and she stood up in her stroller, fell, and split her lip. He called – sheepishly and unhappily – from the hospital. Jessie was perfectly fine and subsequently Bob changed his mind about straps and strollers without the toxicity of bitter arguments.

Bottom line: It is important that both parents keep parenting and it is important that parenting is performed in a nontoxic household. And while different perspectives sometimes feel frustrating in the moment, these differences can be very positive. Parents can learn that different approaches can, in fact, be complementary, and children can see how their parents resolve differences.

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
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For both Laurel and myself, I love the ease and prettiness of dresses, and as we eagerly await (consistently!) warm weather, I can't wait to get Laurel into her delicious pink hibiscus off to the hampton's dress from kookie. Fully lined and beautifully constructed of cheery patterned fabric and a crisp white contrast collar, this dress is so effortless and cute that it would serve just as well on a rushed school day morning as it would for a breezy day on vacation or a special event.

Want to win a kookie off to the hampton's dress? Here’s how:

Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers tips for choosing baby toys:

Babies learn by using their five senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste. It’s not always necessary to purchase expensive toys for your baby; some of the very best toys are everyday objects we have in our homes (e.g., measuring cups or spoons, empty plastic containers). However, when you are ready to purchase a toy for your baby here are some basic guidelines to consider.

My friend Nicola claims not to be terribly crafty, but she seems to have a knack for assembling super cute birthday parties. I’ve been meaning to post for some time about this teddy bear tea party she hosted when her daughter turned 4 years old. In a similar spirit to my nature fairy party and marvelous messy party posts, here’s the how-to:

Invitations: Purchase teddy bear themed invites or print them up at home using teddy bear clip art procured online. Invite your child’s friends to bring their favorite teddy bear to the party.

Story Time: Once all of the guests arrived, the party started with a story circle time. Any teddy bear, tea party, or hat story will do. Nicola read a teddy bear story then invited each child to introduce her teddy bear.

Tea Party Hat Craft: The table was set with a large straw hat for each girl plus a mini matching hat (underneath, a cute surprise!) for the teddies. In the center of the table were two large baskets filled with feathers, ribbon, pompoms, birds, and silk flowers. Kids used regular glue to affix items to their hats, or adults helped with hot glue guns (necessary for affixing heavier items such as craft birds, plus dries much faster and stronger compared to regular glue). All supplies are available at local craft stores such as Michael’s or A.C. Moore, though Nicola purchased the mini hats from Oriental Trading.

Tea Party Play: After the hat craft was done, the girls played tea party with the bears (in the living room) while the craft table was cleared and lunch was set up.

Tea Party Table: The table was set with teddy bear plates, teddy bear confetti, simple foldover place cards (with teddy bear stickers on them of course), and cute little bud vases with flowers.

Tea Party Food: Lunch consisted of PB&J and cucumber & cream cheese sandwiches cut out using teddy bear cookie cutters, Teddy Grahams, veggies, fruit salad, and tea. Cupcakes (topped with teddy bear and tea pot candles from Oriental Trading) and ice cream were served for dessert.

Thanks for the adorable inspiration, Nicola!

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Arts & Crafts; Home
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Want to introduce your little one to little bits of science? Running March 28 - April 5 at the Museum of Science, NanoDays will use jugglers, balloons, and interactive presentations to explain the microscopic world of nanoscience in an accessible, fun way. And if the Museum of Science isn’t in striking distance, 200+ other science museums and research centers nationwide also will host NanoDays events starting tomorrow.

Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Museum of Science*? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “NanoDays” in the subject by noon Monday, March 30.

Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston; 617-723-2500

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Last night we had a dear friend in town for dinner and were thrilled to fire up the grill for some Korean BBQ. The marinade (originally inspired by a Bon Appétit feature) is lightning quick; an even speedier alternative to my bulgogi recipe (which I still love and use). Below is my modified recipe, which we used for both chicken and beef. We served the grilled goodies with brown rice, seasoned nori, scallion pancakes, pan seared tofu, kimchee, and cucumber salad.

[Click thumbnail above for enlarged image]

Korean Mixed Grill

I’m an avid supporter of the public schools, and subsequently was interested to hear via Universal Hub about a rally for Boston public schools today. Boston Public School Parents will convene at the State House between 11:30am – 2pm to lobby for funding and legislation. Click here for information on how to support the effort.

Image credit: City of Boston

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare & Education; Local; Outreach
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Today, April offers a cool idea to inspire kids to try new foods:

My daughter has interesting tastes in food. She is my child in so many ways, but in the food adventure sort of way, not so much. I was dying to try everything as a child...just because. I wanted to try it all, and I often did. My daughter? Well, she has her favorites and she'd like to stick to them, thankyouverymuch. Luckily for us, her favorite foods are black beans, broccoli, and pasta. Not a bad triad of vitamins, protein and fiber. But try to get an apple in the girl? A grape? A suspect vegetable? It all produces a gag reflex that upsets the stomach of everyone around. Even the promise of a treat for sampling everything on her plate cannot tempt her. She'll decide to go without.

I do subscribe to the theory that food should not be a battle. There is no way to win that and I think it might set up a rather unhealthy relationship with food. Plus, I have some unhappy food allergies and I know that her rejection might be caused by an unnoticed, low-grade allergic reaction. So, no forcing. But encouraging is fair play, and I play sneaky.

We also travel a lot, and my daughter loves it. She loves her passport and she loves how the people at the airport stamp it. So, we made one just for meals. We call it her "Food Explorer Passport" and she gets a sticker "stamp" for trying any new food, or any food that she is wary of. On our latest trip to southern Spain, she willingly scarfed down unfamiliar Spanish foods and helped me put the stickers in her "passport" to prove it. Next to the stickers, I wrote out what foods she tried. She was beaming with pride and very willing to give things a go, although not everything. Some dishes weren't worth a sticker, she decided, and that's OK.

Since returning home, she's stuck with the idea and will happily take a taste of many foods that are merely in the "suspicious" category. Any that she dreads don't merit the effort yet, apparently. That's OK with us, because she's upped her intake of new flavors by quite a lot, and that's really something for our broccoli-pasta-beans girl.

Here's how we made our Food Explorer Passport:

I bought a 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" Moleskine cahier pack. They are thin, saddle-stitched notebooks that come in a pack of three instead of the thick traditional notebook. They come in ruled, grid, or plain. (I chose grid because, well, that's what the store had in stock when I got the idea.) It's very similar in size and thickness to a real passport. I bought silverware stickers and globe stickers and I arranged them on the cover (with my daughter's help) to look like a place setting. All you need after that is a collection of stickers to fill the book, a pen, and food to try. I'm generally liberal with stickers and I don't begrudge extras, especially for trying patatas bravas.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Arts & Crafts; Feeding & Nursing; Gifts & Paper; Home
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If you couldn’t tell from my interviews with Kimmie Meissner and Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, I have a bit of a thing for figure skating, and subsequently I’m pretty excited about Stars on Ice coming to TD BankNorth Garden. In town for one show on April 5 (3pm), the production will feature an international roster of Olympic, World, US, and Canadian medalists who no doubt will prove entertaining for the whole family. Click here to buy tickets; meanwhile, want to win a 4-pack of tickets to Stars on Ice*? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “Stars on Ice” in the subject by noon Friday, March 27.

*One lucky winner will receive a 4-pack of tickets to the April 5 show. Tickets are valued at approximately $25 each.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Detangling Laurel’s hair can be one of the most challenging parts of our morning routine; she has very fine hair that’s prone to bird nesting in the back overnight, and chopping off length (short of a buzz cut...) doesn’t solve the problem. So I set out on a mission to identify effective natural and organic kids hair detanglers. Read on for my report, which also includes some discount shopping codes and a Goody giveaway!

A few preliminary notes:

1. You'll likely find several kids hair detanglers on the shelves at your local drugstore, but after trying some of these brands – and fretting over the chemical content – I tossed those products and began the hunt for natural and organic detanglers that stood up to the non-organics.

2. I was looking for two solutions:

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 Sarah Pike, a mother of one who developed a passion and appreciation for food alongside her five siblings on her parents’ organic farm. Sarah is the owner of Good Tastes Kitchen, a meal delivery & catering service.

Sarah Pike, Owner, Good Tastes Kitchen

Christine: Welcome, Sarah! You’re a mom of one and the owner of Good Tastes Kitchen, a meal delivery & catering service. Tell us about the path that led you to forming this business last year.

Sarah: I have always known I would start a business in the food industry – it was just a matter of the right time to get it started. Of course I now know there is never a perfect time, but this past year was when it made the most sense for me to take the leap. As a working mom I know firsthand how hard it is to make healthy and easy dinner choices for my family and I knew there had to be a better way to approach dinner. Thirty-minute meals are tough when a trip to the grocery store with a toddler is involved! So it was really born out of a personal need for this service, and I figured if I needed it, chances were someone else did too!

Christine: In addition to running Good Tastes, you’re also an online marketing consultant. Tell us more about this - what is your division of time like between these two work trajectories? Do you have full time child care for your toddler son?

Sarah: Yes, my background is in online marketing – so the hats are quite different! My day is really scheduled, and I try to be as efficient as possible in whatever it is that I am focusing on at the time. We do have a nanny with Ben during the week, but I try to segment my time so that I am with him in the afternoon through dinnertime, and I am back at the computer after he is asleep. Luckily my husband is an entrepreneur as well, so we spend a lot of our weeknights in our home office comparing notes! It is quite romantic.

Christine: Your nominator claimed that you make the best mac n’ cheese in Massachusetts, and that your Baja fish tacos are gaining a cult following on the North Shore. What makes these recipes so good? Do you use any unusual or unexpected ingredients? What are some other popular items over at Good Tastes?

Sarah: My approach to food is quite simple – use the best ingredients possible, and make sure that each and every item we create is something fit for Tina Turner! We create simple menu items that are appropriate for busy nights – but with an added flavor or kick that takes it beyond the ordinary. This time of year for example, our Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry has been really popular – and we infuse it with cognac & fresh herbs to make it really special. We also have gained national attention for our Mac & Cheese of the Month Club (our monthly gourmet macs now ship nationally). With flavors like Black Truffle & Pea, Brie & Fig, and Penne w/ Five Cheeses - it is not your ordinary Mac & Cheese!

Christine: Your nominator also said that you make your own organic baby food and regularly teach classes to other moms. Is this a formal part of your business? Do you have a brick and mortar location? Or do you do these classes at your home or at the homes of clients?

Sarah: I have taught these classes to local Mothers Clubs as a way to expose new moms to Good Tastes and to also show how easy it can be to make baby food at home. I am committed to helping people learn how to make better food choices – and that it doesn’t have to be complicated or impossible to fit into our busy lives. The educational aspect of the business is something I plan on growing substantially.

Currently we do not have a brick and mortar location, but we are working on it!

Christine: I’m one of seven and was so interested to learn that you are one of six children. Where are you in the birth order? How did you evolve among your siblings as being the family cook when you were growing up?

Sarah: I am the 2nd oldest in the lineup, and the oldest daughter. My family had an organic farm in Maine, well before it was the “hip” thing! I quickly learned I did not like working in the garden, and much preferred sautéing peas over picking them! So my “role” during the busy summer months was to help out with the cooking. I didn’t realize how good I had it with all the wonderful produce and organic products at hand!

Christine: Is the farm still operating? If so, which one is it? How has farm living inspired choices you have made for your own business?

Sarah: The farm is no longer operating – it was an incredible amount of work and this was really before the demand in local and organic vegetables really became such a fixture in popular culture. The experiences I had growing up on the farm are deeply rooted in how I am building this business. Being sustainable, sourcing locally when possible, choosing packaging with as little impact on our environment as possible – these are all values that I am keeping in check as I make decisions.

The other way this has influenced me is work/life balance! Farming is one of the hardest and most demanding industries – I recall watching my mom pick spinach after dark, using the headlights of the car to illuminate her work. It was never ending – especially when you are a perfectionist! So I have tried to keep this in check and carve out time to recharge. Some weeks are better than others, but I try!

Christine: I have to ask…is your child a picky eater? What are your top recommendations for parents of picky eaters?

Sarah: Yes – there are times when Ben is extremely picky. Words of wisdom from my doctor, my mom, and other more “seasoned” moms has been that children will not starve themselves, and to not become a short order cook. Dinnertime is really important to me, so we make the effort every night to eat together and for us all to enjoy the same things. We’ll see how Ben tests my resolve as he gets older, but as one of 6, we certainly did not have much choice as far as our meals went! If I survived, I am sure he will too.

Christine: You started your business with a baby in the house. Do you have a team, or is it just you behind Good Tastes? What has been the most challenging thing about being an independent mamapreneur, juggling the high demands of a new business with family life? Do you have any nuggets of wisdom for aspiring mamapreneurs?

Sarah: I absolutely could not do this without my amazing kitchen staff. I have two people who work in the kitchen with me, and they are fantastic.

The most challenging part to all of this is the general balance of my life – while I might feel I am being a good mom/good wife one day, I might be frustrated that I haven’t been able to get to the gym or catch up with a friend on another day. It doesn’t seem like I can ever tackle all of the important things simultaneously, so the guilt involved in making those choices has been a tough one to carry. I have learned to become much better about asking for help – and that would be the biggest nugget I could pass along. I would rather sacrifice certain things so we can get help around the house – so that when I am not working on building Good Tastes I can stop and really enjoy the time with my family.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. Tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind or any hidden/unusual talents you may have.

Sarah: I really love the outdoors and unwind best when I can be active outside. My husband and I really enjoy cross-country skiing with our son and dog Murphy in the winter, or heading to the beach in the summer. I have tried to have a vegetable garden at home and have found it to be quite therapeutic for me – but this past year the weeds got ahead of me, and that wasn’t therapeutic at all! So we’ll see how this falls in the mix this summer!

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

Sarah: I am a true New Englander at heart – and am probably one of the few people who really do love the weather here! I think each season has something special to offer – and the recipes that are inspired by each season keep me motivated to embrace even the coldest of months! I am encouraged by the commitment of people in the Boston area to support local agriculture and being mindful of the food choices they make so it is a perfect place for me!

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

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Food & Drink; Local
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Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a quick and yummy brussels sprouts recipe:

I never thought I’d “make friends” with brussels sprouts but as I wandered the aisles of Trader Joe’s last week, I noticed that my friend (and TJ’s employee) John was buying brussels sprouts. John and I love to talk about food and share recipes, so I thought he might be able to offer ideas for how to use these little cabbages. Lo and behold, he gave me an idea that I rushed home to try and we loved the results; sweet and a little salty, with none of the residual bitter flavor that I normally associate with brussels sprouts.

Fluffy Brussels Sprouts

Oh how we have earned this first day of spring! It’s thus rather fitting to blog eco today in conjunction with a blog blast hosted by The Parent Bloggers Network and Nature’s Source. PBN wants to know how parents are adjusting their lifestyles to live more naturally; the following are some of my favorite ways to spring into green living:

Keep up the good work. As you think about ways to live greener, don’t forget to celebrate and keep rolling with whatever you already are doing. (For some good starter ideas, check out these 10 green tips).

French press it. Consider phasing out your traditional coffee maker in favor of a French press. We love that our Bodum takes up less counter space, saves on coffee (due to the steeping method), and negates the need for a paper filter.

Invest in a composter. We finally bought a composter; I never imagined I’d be so excited to see produce scraps and yard waste turn to dirt.

Go soapnuts. This year I became obsessed with Soapnuts, amazing berries that offer an effective (and lightweight!) all natural laundry solution.

Get crunchy. I’ve been making a lot of granola; it’s easy and economical to make from scratch and saves on packaging waste.

Carry out. It’s not always terribly convenient but Jon and I carry out recycle-ables (e.g., gelato cups) whenever possible.

Make repurposing fun. It’s always gratifying to teach Laurel about recycling and repurposing in a fun way, such as when we recently gave new life to old plant pots.

Engage in simple kitchen acts. A Bon Appetit feature on eating green offered some great, easy tips; from that feature, we now resist the urge to open the oven door to check on baking (lost heat), opt for the knife over the food processor (save electricity, build muscle), and don't let water boil excessively (save energy).

Recycle toys. Enjoy the longevity and cost-effectiveness of used toys by procuring basement treasures or buying or selling toys via classifieds.

Go completely cloth. We’ve always used cloth napkins for our family, but I used to put out paper napkins when we had guests, probably because we don’t have cloth napkins in sets larger than 4. I no longer worry about matching sets and now always offer cloth. Laurel and her friends love the designs on her Fabkins napkins.

If you have a favorite green living tip to share, please comment in below!

Image credit: Posh Peacock (original illustration)

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Eco Living
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I’m currently doing a 30-day shredding challenge with some online friends, so the last thing I need is a marvelously decadent place like The Danish Pastry House within reach. But I experienced their goodies for the first time last weekend (offsite), and immediately fell in love when I visited the café in person with Laurel this week.

Situated on Boston Avenue at the edge of the Tufts campus, The Danish Pastry House is sunny and welcoming, with an ample number of tables (decently spaced to accommodate strollers), as well as some bar (as in sandwich bar) seating. The pastry case is resplendent, filled with all sorts of beautiful, mysteriously filled marzipan confections (I must have asked them to identify at least a dozen items...they were remarkably patient) and traditional Danish pastries, plus an entire case dedicated to cakes, and one to chocolates.

I still need to go back and try their real food (their sandwich, salad, panini, and crepe menu looks lovely) but meanwhile, it’s tough to go wrong with their treats. The other day I sampled one of their truffles (classically yummy), and Laurel and I shared a confection constructed of a macaroon cookie base topped with a chubby chocolate dome shell filled with marshmallow crème (sinfully yummy).

But the real killer is their kringle (which I first tasted offsite last weekend). This is their signature Danish pastry and it is perfection - rich in base, flaky on top, and oozing with a buttery almond paste that probably is really, really bad for you. You must not leave this establishment without trying it.

As I said, none of this is good for my shredding, but that kringle is worth an extra shred session.

The Danish Pastry House, 330 Boston Ave, Medford; Tel: 781-396-8999

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local
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I can barely shuffle a deck of cards, so I’ve always held particular appreciation and admiration for those who are skilled at executing magic tricks. And this Saturday, March 21 (10:30am), our friends at The Regent Theatre are hosting Boston’s award winning magician Bonaparté, who will captivate families with his unique blend of magic, comedy, and interactive entertainment. Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to see Bonaparté? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “Regent” in the subject by midnight Thursday, March 19, 2009.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers tips for coping with biting during breastfeeding:

“Ouch! Although a teething baby does occasionally bite the breast, it doesn’t mean that s/he needs to be weaned right away. The biting should be temporary, especially if baby has been nursing effectively up to this point. Here are some tips to help manage biting during breastfeeding:

Alternate causes. Aside from teething, factors that may contribute to biting are: low milk supply, using artificial nipples, and nasal congestion in baby. Maintaining a sufficient milk supply and avoiding artificial nipples for a while will help to prevent biting.

Teething solutions. If you have ruled out other causes and teething is the culprit, offer baby something cold to bite on before the feed to help soothe irritated gums.

Unlatch when the feed is finished. Keep in mind that as long as baby is nursing properly, it’s impossible for baby to bite the breast. Most biting occurs in a playful fashion at the end of a feeding. If your baby is inclined to bite in this manner, take him/her off the breast as soon as s/he begins to slow down and the feeding is finished.

Teach baby about biting consequences. If a bite does occur mid-feed, remove baby from the breast immediately and firmly tell him/her ‘no,’ even if your baby is laughing at you. Don’t return him/her to the breast immediately. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes, or, if possible, end the nursing session. Offering food to baby immediately after biting is actually rewarding her for this behavior. Be consistent with this pattern to help baby learn.

Remain calm. While it can be stressful and irritating, the good news is that biting is common and will pass - it’s usually just one of many quick phases that your baby will go through.”

For older kids, check out Heather’s column on handling toddler biting behavior, as well as a column I wrote about coping with biting behavior for Care.com.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Feeding & Nursing
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I’m constantly looking for ways to streamline or repurpose around the house; here’s a lovely way to give old plant pots new life. This project was inspired by: a) plant clippings we already had rooted (plus more overgrown plants that needed grooming); b) yet another snow day where we were looking for something to do; and c) a tired collection of empty plant pots. Laurel and I decided to paint one of our old pots to make a creative, earth-friendly gift for a loved one. Here's the how-to:

1. Collect Plant Clippings

Trim clippings from overgrown plants (e.g., pathos or other plants that tend to grow long). Trim just above the node, making sure that your clipping is long enough such that there are 1-2 leaves (nodes) of extra length. Trim these bottom leaves off and place clippings in a jar of water in a sunny spot; new roots will grow from the nodes where you trimmed off the leaves. Rooting time will vary depending on plant, sun, temperature, etc., but allow about two weeks.

2. Paint the Pot

This is a perfect inclement weather project. All you need is an old plant pot and your child’s painting supplies. We used a plastic pot, but I think terra cotta would probably hold basic kid paint better (we saw a little paint flaking using the plastic once the paint dried).

I recommend flipping the pot over so it’s easier for your child to paint (if the pot tapers), and also to prevent your child from painting inside the pot. Laurel simply painted freestyle but one could make patterns of stripes, dots, flowers, paint the recipient’s name, etc.

3. Plant the Clippings

Once the pot is dry and your clippings are rooted, fill the pot with soil, plant the clippings (use all of the same variety or mix different clippings), and then give the soil a good soak to help the roots acclimate from going from the water to soil environment. You may want to do this step in the sink or outside in case the water runs up over the drainage dish holding the pot.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Eco Living; Home; Solutions
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Baby shoes rank among my favorite baby gifts to give; they’re wonderfully practical yet can be unbelievably cute and unique – and Bugaloo makes them happily affordable too. Priced under $20, you’ll want to stock up on this indie collection of washable leather soft-soled shoes for aspiring and young walkers. In addition to their comfortable yet sturdy construction, I love that among the many adorable styles are some super sweet unisex options (such as the Ollie, shown) – lovely for gifting when the gender is unknown or for passing from one sibling to the next.

Want to win a pair of Bugaloo shoes*? Here’s how:

This weekend we met friends for lunch in Wellesley, at what possibly is one of the most family friendly restaurants I’ve been to in some time – The Cottage - followed by some fantastic gelato at The Gelato Café. I’m already scheming to get back to Linden Street soon; here are some notes on both spots.

The Cottage is a dream for parents who want to enjoy real grown up food in an elegant environment where kids are truly welcomed. The Cottage is ideal from a logistical standpoint: it’s situated on the Linden Street commercial district where there is plentiful lot and street parking. The restaurant also is spacious enough to handle weekend flow with little or no wait, and kids are treated to a generous 8-page menu/activity booklet, crayons, and - when we were there - waxy, bendable craft sticks.

From a food standpoint, The Cottage not only offers pretty salads, sandwiches, and more fancy dishes for grownups (our party enjoyed the following: Grilled Chicken & Goat Cheese Salad, Patty Melt, All American Burger, Cottage Fish Tacos), but they also have an exclusive kids’ menu with plenty of options, such as turkey, tuna, PB & J, and grilled cheese sandwiches, or chicken fingers, pasta, etc.; all of these dishes come with fruit, veggies, or fries.

Given all of this, I’m surprised The Cottage doesn’t list its kids’ menu - or tout its family friendliness - on their website. But other than the fact that I think they ought to serve eggs past noon on Saturday, this place is a real winner.

The Cottage, 190 Linden Street, Wellesley; Tel 781-239-1100

Jon and I basically are incapable of resisting gelato, so after hitting The Cottage, we visited the neighboring Gelato Café. Bright, modern, and clean, this stop also didn’t disappoint, with about two dozen flavors to choose from and a very friendly staff. Also of note: The Gelato Café serves their gelato in very cute and colorful frosted plastic cups. I didn’t notice whether they recycle them (I hope so…), but I brought ours home to wash – they’re pretty enough to reuse for kiddie snack time, or repurpose for craft projects.

The Gelato Café, 180 Linden Street, Wellesley; Tel: 781-237-5500

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Eco Living; Food & Drink; Local
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Today, Kate recommends a humble yet essential household gadget:

“Our world is filled with the seductive calls of shiny, splashy, colorful things, all vying for our attention, time, and money. I like to shop because I enjoy pretty, clever, and well-packaged products; however, I have a number of items that are simple, un-fancy, and humble, and that make me inordinately happy because they do what they are designed to do so well, so effortlessly, and with so little razzmatazz, and by doing so genuinely improve the quality of life in my household. One such product is the Black and Decker DustBuster.

I'm sure most of us grew up with one somewhere in our homes - my mother had one stashed in the pantry at all times, as well as a second one for the car - and I imagine that many of us now have our own. I bought my first one about two years ago, when I was at the end of my rope from picking cheerios out of the recesses of my daughter's stroller. A light bulb went off: a DustBuster will solve this! And it did, and it has served me loyally ever since, sucking up crumbs and dust and leftover snack food, and bits of string and grit from our shoes, and probably all sorts of other stuff for which it isn't really designed but which it handles without complaint. In its simplicity, its modest price tag, and its reliability, my DustBuster is a model of what a good household product should be, and it would be improved not at all by fancy packaging and a slick concept. Make your life easier (and tidier) by getting a Dustbuster, and remember the appeal of the simple.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Gadgets; Home
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It’s been a busy (and rather spicy) week in the mom blogosphere. Here’s what caught my eye around the web – including marketing ideas for mom bloggers and PR folks, the power of online solidarity for fitness, and the latest in mom guilt and nursing wars - per Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

These days I’m all about doing more with less, and this Sunday at 1pm you can do just that (while burning off cabin fever with the kids) at tap dancer and body percussionist Max Pollak’s Body Music workshop at Springstep. Body Music is the second of Springstep’s Spring Sundays program, a series of workshops designed to be entertaining and interactive via a short performance + music and dance workshop for the whole family.

Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford; Tel: 781-395-0402

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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The New England Spring Flower Show isn’t running this year, but if you’re yearning for a dose of spring beauty (truly, who isn't?), check out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Blooms! exhibits. Free and open to the public, the Boston collections will show from March 13-15, and three smaller satellite mall exhibits are on display until March 22.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Particularly in these trying economic times, it’s critical to get maximum bang for your buck, so what’s not to love about a versatile bag that can transition from diaper duty to, well, anything else duty for either or both parents? Such are Go GaGa bags, which are stylish and unisex, and feature a unique, ergonomic strap to ensure comfortable carrying. And for our next installment of Giveaway Goodness, my friends over at Daily Grommet are sponsoring a giveaway of this go-to bag for the lovely readers of Boston Mamas! Simply check out the rules below and respond by March 14 to enter to win.

To enter to win, simply:

Monday night I met up with some mama friends for a lovely evening of catching up, crafts (bring a long abandoned project to work on…), and desserts. My fabulous friend Sarah brought a plate of divine meringue cookies studded with chocolate. Sarah kindly has shared her recipe for Two-Chocolate Forgotten Cookies (pictured, the last cookie standing):

Chocolate (or Two-Chocolate) Forgotten Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen (see note below re: doubling recipe for Two-Chocolate cookies)

Planning a homebirth? Today, Tracy shares tips that proved useful in preparing her sons for the homebirth of their third child:

“As we anticipated and planned the homebirth of our 3rd child, my husband and I quickly realized that aside from preparing ourselves, our gear, and our hearts for the arrival of a new baby, we had two boys to prepare as well.

As homebirthing parents and advocates, we were aware that there was an extra pile of issues to cover aside from the usual answers to physiological questions (“How does the baby get out, Mama?”), and the somewhat trite reassurances about what life with a new sibling will be like (“Don’t forget, we’ll still love you guys, too.”). Things like: what labor sounds like, caregivers for the boys, meals/snacks, keeping busy, etc. Everything happens at home, so there needed to be good plans in place, with 2 or 3 reliable backups for each. Here’s what we felt was necessary to prepare for and with the boys leading up to their little sister’s birth.

Meet the team. We took our sons (7 and 4 years old) to almost every midwife appointment, so they could meet most of the midwives and be reasonably familiar with the women who would help us birth our baby. The boys were active participants in these visits; they got to ask questions if they had them, helped listen to the baby’s heartbeat, measure my belly, etc.

Books. In addition to getting them used to the concepts of midwifery care, we also talked (a lot) about what happens to a mother’s body as a baby grows, and as the baby is being born. We read several books that were helpful in introducing homebirth to the boys. Our two favorites were Welcome With Love and Runa's Birth.

Videos. We watched videos showing (sometimes graphically) actual homebirths. We used two from our midwives: I Watched My Brother Being Born and the Homebirth of Psalm and Zoya. The first explains birth from an older siblings perspective, which resonated with our 7-year-old, as the “helper.” And the second allowed the boys to see very clearly what it looks like when a baby leaves its mother’s body. I also watched several videos with the boys on YouTube. All of this I believe prepared them for what they would see happening in and around the birthing room when the time came.

Prepare for sound. Despite the above preparations, what was missing was a way to prepare the boys for the sounds. If you think about it, a woman is probably less likely to make and distribute a video of herself birthing if she is, like me, a very “loud coper.” Most of these videos showed mothers who could be calm during the stormiest of contractions, something I am unable to do. I needed to know that my noises, shouts and, yes, even screams, wouldn’t terrify the boys. So, we started talking about “hard work noises.” We began practicing grunts, me starting and the boys imitating. Then we moved up to yells, loud moans, and the crescendo of them through contractions. The boys mostly thought this was hilarious, and would check in with my husband to make sure I actually sounded like that. I always made sure to explain what these noises were for, in the context of what a birthing mother is experiencing. I also explained to the boys that sometimes moms are overwhelmed because what is happening to their bodies is such a big thing. Birthing babies is hard work and sometimes we feel like we’re too tired to do it anymore. I took care to reassure them that we had lots of helpers to make sure everything was going well, and that usually, there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Make it optional. Despite the fact that the boys would likely be home when I gave birth, I also always made it clear that being in the room was optional. Gabriel was at first very hesitant, but eventually, he decided he wanted to be there and that he was comfortable with it. Caius, at 4, really only wanted to feed me bananas, an idea he got from one of the videos we watched.

Enlist a variety of caregivers. Given that being present was optional, I needed to make sure that there was someone around to help entertain, feed, and supervise the boys. We lined up my mother-in-law to come and help with that task. We also had my sister in town; she could be present if needed (and if she wasn’t helping another mom…she’s a midwife). Last resort was a family friend who could be called in to pinch hit. Make sure these are trusted, well-known individuals. You may need to arrange some “get to know you” time if there isn’t a particular someone that immediately springs to mind.

Kits for the kids. As I assembled my home birth supplies, I came up with the idea to assemble a kit for the boys as well. Included were: new games, crafts and activities, changes of clothes, and disposable cameras so they could take pictures of the event (try to find inexpensive digital cameras if possible; my 4-year-old burned through his disposable camera on pictures of the stairs and radiator cover). Give the bags to the caregiver with instructions to dole out slowly, in the event of a long labor. I also included a cake mix so the boys could be busy making a birthday cake for the baby.

Stock the fridge and freezer. I packed the freezer with food, and easy-cook meals for our family. Due to Gabriel’s food allergies, I needed to know that those caring for him could prepare a meal without worrying about reading ingredient lists. Labor can take a while so be sure to have food stocked for your “team.”

Think about family needs, and be prepared for adjustment. My last piece of advice is to really think about what is likely to be needed for your family. Talk about it (exhaustively, if need be) with your prenatal care provider(s). Chances are, they’ve got lots of good ideas and helpful tips from their own experience attending births with older siblings present. Don’t forget to think about what you’ll need, as well. As the person with the main role in the homebirthing process, mamas need to know where their “weak spots” are, too. I realized that my usual preference is to have my husband with me every moment during active labor. When it occurred to me that the boys might need him more than I did, I mentally prepared myself to use the rest of my support team to do the things I would have wanted him to do. I also made sure to give him explicit permission to tend to the boys if they needed more reassurance than the other caregivers could give them. That way, he wouldn’t feel torn, and could also be confident making that call if I was unable to participate in a discussion about it at the time.

Follow your instinct. Obviously, it’s okay not to have your kids present, too. In that case, I think all of the above still applies, it just gets moved off site, so to speak. If you’re unsure how you feel about what they’ll see and hear, and how they’ll react, or how you’ll react (some mamas feel unable to “give in” to labor for fear of scaring their kiddos) to having them there, the decision is yours. Again, talk about it with all those involved, and come up with a plan that works for your family. In the end, what you really want to plan for is the birth scenario that will allow you to feel empowered to birth in your home.

How it worked out for us. Ironically, the boys were asleep when the baby was born, but we woke them up soon after, and they helped Dad cut the cord. One of the first things our baby heard was her older brother singing ‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’ to her. That was worth every bit of preparation!”

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Family Issues; For Babies & Kids; Pregnancy & Postpartum
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BlogHer Boston was such an amazingly fun ride that there was no question that I wanted to get myself to the big BlogHer meeting this summer. And I’m so very grateful and thrilled to announce that the Boston-based PR firm 360 Public Relations is sponsoring my trip to Chicago. Thank you, 360PR! Read on to learn more about 360PR and a cool (paid!) opportunity they offer for moms across the country.

I get pitched by a lot of companies and PR firms - sometimes in ways that unfortunately range from aggravating to utterly insulting. In contrast, 360PR is one of those firms that truly gives the PR industry a good name. They don’t just try to represent everyone for the sake of scrabbling for dollars (meaning, they have a portfolio of clients that makes sense and shows key interests, e.g., organics, parenting, playtime), they have a talented and passionate staff, and they really “get” the ever-evolving media space and the importance of moms in that space. To that effect, 360PR’s sponsorship is on behalf of their 360PR MomSquad™. If you’re a mom looking for some paid side work, check out the information below:

“360 Public Relations is seeking moms with marketing, social media or journalism expertise to join the 360PR MomSquad™. The 360PR MomSquad is a network of influencer moms across the country who provide input on new products and services for parents and how best to reach parents. Members also contribute articles to the 360PR MomSquad Trendletter, trend spotting and identifying partnership, product seeding, social media and other opportunities for 360PR clients. Commitment is generally a few hours a month (paid). If interested, send a brief introductory email to Laura Tomasetti, ltomasetti@360publicrelations.com, or DM Laura at Twitter/Laura360.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Mama in the Workplace; Web (Admin)
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Today, Jules reviews Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be, a book designed to provide daddies with practical, helpful, rudimentary, and important details about what is happening to partner and baby during pregnancy. Read on for Jules’ review, and then learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be:

“The authors of Your Pregnancy Week by Week have brought us another pregnancy guide bible - Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be - which I am excited to say, is worth buying! Currently on my second pregnancy, I’ve raked through book after book and taken every book suggestion made by friends and family. When clumped together in one hazy, tired, pregnant brain, many of these books seem really similar in their messages and content.

Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be does share similar content as many of the other books out there, but its easy to follow style and straightforward talk for dads are what I like most. I particularly enjoy the small little boxed sections called, “Brownie Points: In the Doghouse,” which are tips spaced throughout the book to help dad impress mom with his thoughtful gestures. I’ll conveniently forget that my husband learned these tricks from this book when he impresses me with one of them.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this book is that it exists at all. There are very few books for expectant fathers and this one hits the nail on the head in terms of delivering practical, helpful, rudimentary, and important details about what is happening to partner and baby. In pregnancy, the dads are often overlooked; this is the MOTHER’S gig, right? Wrong. Your Pregnancy underscores how vital it is for you and your partner to share in the journey together by discussing ways to support your partner, changes you may experience in your relationship, and generally just remembering that you exist!

As mentioned previously, this is our second time around. It is amazing what we have both forgotten in one year and so I was pleased to hand this book to my dear husband. He read it cover to cover (apparently, he paid attention to “do as your pregnant wife asks without argument”) and we subsequently have enjoyed lots of conversations about this process. Going through pregnancy is both frightening and exciting. In my personal life, I have never gone through and shared such an amazing thing with anyone. What has really enabled us to savor this time is that we both have the shared knowledge—and love—of what it means to be pregnant, and it is the information that we feel equipped with that encourages that. Truly a terrific buy for any expectant guy!”

Now, want to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be? 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 Isabela Garcia, a young mother who has overcome the challenges and stereotypes associated with teenage pregnancy to create a loving environment for her son, while pursuing her education and contemplating future aspirations of becoming a psychologist or doula, writing a book, and advocating for more realistic sex education in schools.

Christine: Welcome, Isabela. I should start by saying that this is a very, very different – and possibly controversial – interview for us. For obvious reasons, we do not recommend that teens choose to get pregnant, but we were inspired by your story and feel that you are representative of a cultural reality, and have handled your teen pregnancy and young motherhood with resilience and courage. Thank you for taking the time to share your story.

Isabela: You’re welcome.

Christine: You had your son Jeremiah when you were 16 years old. How did you react when you learned that you were pregnant?

Isabela: I told my mother immediately, because [I knew] it would make the situation a reality. I was mainly questioning how I would finish my education, as I had maintained the reputation of being an outstanding student and was worried about how my mom would react, as we were very close. Luckily, with the assurance and support of her and Sam (my child's father), I was put very much at ease and looked forward to the journey ahead of me. I looked at it in a positive manner and never felt sorry for myself.

Christine: How do you cope with the judgment that comes with being a teen parent? Do you use these instances of judgment to fuel your own commitment to parenting? What have been the biggest challenges?

Isabela: I ignore all the judgment and criticism I face from strangers, as the people around me know the truth about the commitment, love, and hard work I put into my son from my pregnancy up until now. I just would like to remind the people who want to judge and criticize that at 17, I spent my Friday nights playing and cuddling with my infant, reading stories, and doing work after he went to sleep...while their 17-year-old teenager was most likely at a party or other unknown location underage drinking. I would never go back to that lifestyle.

Every time I get a dirty look or a judgmental face - and trust me in Boston it's the worst, not only because I'm young but also because I have a biracial son - I just smile and push my son to his playgroup a little quicker.

I would say the biggest challenge is connecting with other older mothers. I attend the same classes with their children, the same libraries, breastfeed my son the same way, question my son's development at every milestone, have the support of my husband and family, etc., but instead of looking at me as an equal mother they look at me as a "teen mother." I'm just a mother. Period.

Christine: What support systems do you have in place? Is your partner also a teenager? Is he working or in school? Do you have relatives helping you? Essentially, how are you making life work, particularly in a highly educated city (meaning, job competition can be tough) and a challenging economy?

Isabela: I have plenty of support systems. I have strong relationships with my close friends, and my mother and grandmother support me tremendously...as does my dad, although he took a longer time to adjust…but in the end I proved any doubts he had wrong. My husband is 22, and he is an accounting major at Eastern Nazarene and does part time work in the financial district. We live in our own apartment, and Sam works while I stay home with Jeremiah doing what every other city mom does. We live quite well thanks to the hard work that Sam puts in. I took 3 classes last semester, and finished with 3 A's. Occasionally, I'll do babysitting here and there...but I bring my son along. I live in a highly educated city, but I'm also a highly cultured and educated young woman, coming from an immensely educated family. My husband comes from a family of educators and is well traveled and highly capable..so that really is not an issue. I feel grateful to have strong role models surrounding me.

Christine: What resources did you draw on to help you through your teen pregnancy and early parenthood days? For example, were there any organizations you found supportive or books/websites that you found especially helpful?

Isabela: I like to refer to my pregnancy as a pregnancy, not a "teen pregnancy." It was not different than any other woman's pregnancy. I had the same symptoms, ate the same healthy foods, and went through the same joys of pregnancy. I took my pregnancy seriously the minute I saw that positive line. I read Dr. Sears’ pregnancy and baby books, and What to Expect When You Are Expecting. I researched endless amounts of websites and books to make decisions on circumcision, natural labor, and breastfeeding. I also had a great OB at Hampshire OB/GYN, and a great delivery. Once I had Jeremiah, I pretty much had most of it figured out. And any questions I had along the way, as ANY new mother does, I received from a close relative or a nearby book. But in most situations, I went with my motherly instinct…and it worked!

Christine: Your nominator said that you delayed school so you could exclusively nurse but now (as an 18-year-old) are taking courses at Quincy College. What kind of schooling are you pursuing and how are you balancing school with family life?

Isabela: I was supposed to finish high school a year early, but I left school in April of 2007 as a junior. I was due in May. I did tutoring to finish up any loose ends up until I gave birth so I could graduate. I plan to pursue a degree in psychology, focusing on child psychology. But I'm thinking about becoming certified as a doula. I will see how it plays out. Balancing school and family has been rewarding. I go to school and have personal time as well as study what I love, while my son bonds with his grandmother, grandfather, or father.

Christine: I also understand that you want to write a book about your experiences as a teen mother. What would be the angle and message of that book?

Isabela: The message of the book would be not to focus on the mother's age and the hardships she will face. But to be filled with important facts, ideas, and support that will offer the mother a chance to make conscious decisions regarding healthy eating, dealing with unsupportive peers, and in some cases absent partners, so she can avoid these hardships. I also would love to encourage attachment parenting ideas, and realistic ones, so that these moms learn ways to feel closer to their child, instead of seeing him/her with resentment. More importantly, I would offer ways in which to take advantage of their youth and make it work for them.

The point it not to inspire teen pregnancy. The point is to inspire young mothers to make a stronger statement and be taken more seriously. Because at the end of the day they are still doing what every other mother does...but some of them don't have the love and support that older women do. Therefore, they make poor choices. But if the world would stop being so judgmental when the situation does occur, then some of this could be avoided. Plus, the book would have some of my sarcastic humor, and be easy to relate to since I've been there.

Christine: Several of my writers and I have discussed that as a society, we need to demand better sex education, and then support the needs of young families and single parents. Do you have any interest in pursuing advocacy around spreading awareness around teen pregnancy issues? If so, in what ways?

Isabela: It's sad how much girls don't know about their own bodies. And there's a direct correlation with the lack of sex education. I would hope that the government and school systems would realize that if they don't deal with real issues like explaining the pull-out method, birth control, sex on a period, etc. – and the REAL questions that these girls have - they end up with more teen pregnancies and jeopardize the future of our next generations. I really would love to be an advocate for stronger and more realistic sex education in the schools and with families who weren't as educated. Just because a 15-year-old girl has a 35-year-old mother, it doesn't mean the mother will always educate her properly about sex and protection, because she may not know the truth, regardless of her age. I would love to go around and speak in high schools or to teen girls and answer questions and explain the issues I faced with pregnancy at a young age...because it's much easier to relate to an 18-year-old with an almost 2-year-old than a stranger who had her kids at 25.

Christine: You clearly have embraced motherhood, but parenthood is the hardest job out there. What would your message be to other young women regarding waiting for parenthood?

Isabela: I would say to young women thinking about becoming pregnant, to enjoy every minute of being a child and young adult. There is nothing to rush for! You will still be a great mother in 10 years. But you will have more support, more life experience (no matter how mature you think you are), and more time to enjoy yourself…and the partner who supposedly wants you to have their child. If a pregnancy does occur, enjoy those months and educate yourself as much as possible. And hold your head up high, make responsible choices, and all good things will come! We're women after all.

Christine: One of my contributing writers – who is a parent educator at Planned Parenthood - shared a feature on teen pregnancy in the media and how to talk to kids about the topic. How do you think being a teen parent will shape how you educate your son about choices around parenthood?

Isabela: I will educate my son about the truth and realities of sex and pregnancy at a young age. My son, unfortunately, will feel the stigmatism of having a young mother, because sadly that's how people are. But hopefully he will see beyond that, and look at it as a lesson for his future life, but still have pride in his past. Because whenever that time comes, I feel certain we will be in a great place.

Christine: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your experiences, or your goals for you and your family?

Isabela: In the end, I'm proud of who I am and my choice to have my son. I'm grateful that I have the love and support of Sam and our family…and a wide support network that many girls don't have. I could have taken the easy way out, but where would that have left me? I wake up everyday thrilled to experience a new adventure with Jeremiah. Or hear what new thing he's learned. Sam and I just got married on February 28; we had a big traditional wedding and all of our family was there to support us. I don't look at my story as a sob story...I look at it as an interesting and rewarding twist of motherhood on my journey as becoming a woman who stands out in the world.

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

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (9) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Family Issues; Local; Tweens & Teens
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Let go of mom guilt with Heather’s tip about baby documentation:

"Capturing every 'first' was easy to do with our firstborn. I was given a beautiful baby book as a shower gift and religiously kept it up to date until Emma was about two years old. I had every intention of doing the same for our triplets. I was determined to treat them all equally; what I did for one I wanted to do for the rest. I even purchased 3 separate baby books.

Well, two years later that trio of baby books is still wrapped in the original cellophane. Like so many other things in my life that I have modified with the arrival of Will, Adie, and Theo, so has my method of documenting their first years. But once I let go of my mom guilt over their baby books, I realized that we were building something wonderful; and that more important than the look was the collective way the memories were being captured. Here is how our accidental family log evolved:

Out of necessity, we started a log the day the triplets came home from the hospital to track the basics: feedings, diapers, naps, etc. (The log has taken various forms as each has filled up: 3-ring binder, spiral notebook, simple bound journal.) I often added little side notes to the log; little memories I thought I would include when I sat down to construct their baby books.

When it finally dawned on me that I was never going to get started on those books, the daily log evolved into a journal of sorts. We still loosely document their basics (I rely heavily on the log to look back to see when colds or rashes started, etc.), but now add comments about their daily activities, doctor's appointments, any firsts, and all of those funny 'out of the mouths of babes' comments. My 5-year-old daughter Emma even makes notes in it; it's really become a family journal/log.

Somehow, allowing it to be casual - letting go of the need to make it look perfect and be a project to put together - was a turning point. The log may not be as formal and pretty as our collection of still-sealed baby books, but those concerns are long gone. Especially whenever we flip back through the pages and laugh and marvel over how far we've all come."

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Home; Solutions
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I've recently had the honor and pleasure of conducting some really lovely interviews, and last week I sat down for a one-on-two chat with 2006 Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto before they led a skating clinic at the Simoni Arena in Cambridge. Read on for my interview, in which I talk with this personable duo about everything from competitions, to shows, to tips for skating safely with kids, to important advice for parents who are enrolling their kids in any types of lessons, to why Boston ranks among Tanith’s favorite cities. (Visit Pop Discourse for additional personal photos.)

Christine: Ben, I haven’t seen any recent public updates so I have to start by asking, where are you at with your back injury recovery?

Ben: My back is doing really well - it’s coming along incredibly! We’re pretty much back to full training – all the lifts, all the spins. We’re doing full run-throughs of our programs. The doctors are all really happy and we’re really happy that it’s been a constant progression forward…we’ve never been like go, go, go, and fall back…it’s been little baby steps forward. I think we’ve really been progressing the right way.

Christine: Since the injury prevented you from defending your title at Nationals, what are you doing to rev yourselves up and build momentum for World’s in a few weeks?

Tanith: Well it’s funny - we actually feel that this injury and setback has given us a drive that we maybe wouldn’t have had otherwise. We’ve been really driven this entire season with the move and taking new coaches for the first time in 10 years. And Ben’s recovery has been really phenomenal. The fact that we’ve come back as quickly as we have and are able to train now kind of even surprised us, as far as what we’re capable of and how much we want this. Now we believe more than even before that we can do really great performances at the World Championships. And I’ve used this analogy; that you hear people under extreme circumstances can do great things when faced with adversity. I think the depth of our struggle will reflect the height of our achievement.

Christine: And after your historic silver medal at the 2006 Olympics, what is your strategy for 2010? Is it even possible to think that far ahead yet?

Ben: It’s always in the back of our minds and it’s definitely part of our plan. It’s a two year plan; this is the year before and the next year is the Olympics. We’re definitely excited that we’re able to bring our training together and go into the World Championships and then continue to train for the Olympics.

At the 2006 Olympics (Photo credit: Belbin & Agosto website)

Christine: After talking to Kimmie Meissner about the challenges of adjusting to the current judging system I have a technical question. The former 6.0 system was very favorable for you - you own almost half of the 6.0s ever given out in ice dance at Nationals. I can see how the new judging system impacts elements such as jumps, but since jumps aren’t permitted in ice dancing, what have you found to be most challenging to adjust to with the current judging system?

Tanith: I don’t want to step out of line because I don’t have the same experience the singles skaters do, but I would venture to say it’s had an even greater impact on ice dancing. Only because ice dancing was always that form where it was really subjective but we were left to be really creative with our programs. Unlike single skaters where they have axel, salchow, toe, loop every year, we have to make up new elements every single year…new lifts, new spins. So there’s no standard elements, there’s nothing that’s a direct comparison. But the new judging system tries to create a system where the requirements and criteria that you need to obtain, let’s say, the highest level – Level 4 – you need to be in position A, B, or C. Which means that all teams are going to do lifts that look very similar. So it kind of made us all look the same and the judges would complain the first year: “I’ve seen too many of these horrible donut positions…be more creative.” So we tried [to adjust] but now the callers who decide and determine what level to give you can say, “I don’t think that’s a Level 4, I don’t think that’s a Level 3…”

Christine: So basically, if you try to experiment and be creative and the element is not in the protocol, you may get penalized for it.

Tanith: Exactly. And these days it seems like it’s all coming down to the technical score, and the callers can truly change the entire layout of the competition and placements, perhaps even more so than the judges can. A lot of the competitions this year - if you look at the protocol, the judges had an entirely different podium than the callers did. So as much as we want to reward technical ability and achievement, in dance particularly we want to reward creativity. It’s a struggle, and it’s frustrating. It’s really, truly frustrating, but at the same time, we want to win and we’ll do absolutely anything to win.

Ben: Yes, we’ll do A, B, or C. [laughs]

Christine: And you’ll do it beautifully!

Christine: You broke out on the ice dance scene together as young teenagers. From a parenting perspective I’m curious how your families helped you negotiate the success and pressure during those early years.

Ben: I know that – and I think I can speak for both of us – we would not be where we are without our families. Starting out together, I moved from Chicago, she moved from Montreal on our own to Detroit and our families couldn’t move with us because they had jobs and they had their lives. So initially it was a long distance support but then shortly after, her family moved to Detroit and my mom moved. Our families sacrificed more than we could ever imagine for us to be able to go and skate. They uprooted their homes and lived apart – my dad stayed in Chicago and my mom came to Detroit and my dad commuted on the weekends. So it was difficult for our families but they gave us the support we needed to be able to put everything into skating.

Christine: Actually, related to that…so much sacrifice is required to take a passion to a high level. Do you have any advice to share with parents of kids who are thinking about pursuing an interest competitively, whether it’s sports or music or whatever? What can parents do to help normalize the experience?

Tanith: From what I experienced the most important thing is to make sure that home is separate from everything else. Home is your kid’s safe place to go to where you don’t have to deal with the pressures of the sport or whatever else you are involved in. That was so important in my development and to be able to balance everything with the pressures we withstand in skating. Even at a very young age my mom was a skating coach and she had me on the ice when I was 2 and she was my coach until I was about 9 years old. And we ended up bickering as coach and student on the ice and then getting in the car and bickering all the way home, and bickering over dinner. And it would never stop and one day she realized she couldn’t be both. She had to be my mom so she wasn’t going to be coach, so she sent me off to a different coach and that worked better. But there has to be a separation, it’s just too much. I mean, anyone can relate – you have a work day and you want to come home and relax and feel calm and safe. And if you walk through the door and it’s, “How’s skating?” Just asking that question makes us feel like that’s more important than just “How are you?”

Ben: Or God forbid you didn’t do that jump so well.

Tanith: But I’m not even talking about coming down hard on skating. Even just saying, “How was skating? Did you have a good day skating?” When you skate every single day and you come home, it’s nice to feel like your parents are involved, but at the same time, that can’t define you. Especially in their eyes. Most importantly in their eyes. As professional skaters we identify so much of ourselves with skating but we want to make sure we don’t lose who Tanith and Ben are.

Christine: Today you’re doing a skating clinic here at Simoni Skating Arena in Cambridge. What is your favorite part about events like this, and working with kids?

Ben: Working with kids is so much fun because they’re so enthusiastic about everything. We pros are jaded and we don’t always enjoy being on the ice anymore [laughs]. But seriously, the kids just love it. They’re out there, they don’t care if they’re falling down, it’s great. They just want to have a good time and that harkens us back to when we were little and more things were just for fun. And it’s really refreshing. And to see how they are inspired by different things. Different kids respond to little things so differently.

Belbin & Agosto work with kids at the Simoni Skating Arena in Cambridge

Christine: Actually, until this year – when my daughter asked me to take her to a rink – I hadn’t been on skates for probably 20 years, so I’m basically working really hard just to stay upright! Do you have any advice for novice parents who are trying to help their kids learn to skate?

Tanith: The basic skills classes that US Figure Skating has created - where you graduate through levels of skating - are great, but before that, if you just want to get them interested in skating, definitely going in groups helps. But before I get to anything, can I just say that in all the public sessions I’ve witnessed, only 10% wear helmets. And I mean the parents! I know you’re an adult and it feels goofy but you see parents out there who can barely stand holding on to their children – if the parent falls and brings their child down there’s so much that can go wrong. So please be careful out there!

Christine: So, helmets for everyone.

Tanith: Yes, helmets for everyone! And then you can get those little walkers that you can put on the ice for kids to lean on…there are a lot of different types of supports. But kids go at things with blind eyes. They just want to have fun and they have so much courage and are so brave and they just go for it. But I’ve seen a few too many head into those boards without any intention of stopping.

Ben: That’s how I used to stop when I was little! I’d just skate and think, “Well I gotta stop some time. Here we go!” Oh, the other thing I wanted to say about kids… they’re just not afraid of anything. Even though I’ve been a skater for 21 years, if something feels a little weird, sometimes I’m hesitant to try it, thinking, “I’m going to hurt myself!” But kids just try anything. So it’s something parents can remember - their kids are not going to have as hard a time as they are necessarily. Kids are kids and you put them on the ice and they’ll probably get going pretty well, whereas adults may take longer.

Tanith: Also, I took Tiny Tots – a precursor to basic skills – in Canada and I think you have to be 3. And I thought it was great because basically all they did was dump out this giant bin of Nerf-type foam balls and toys. And that was the best way to get us skating. So you have a giant puppet, chase the puppet! Going around in circles 100 times may not be that interesting but take a magic marker and draw a bunny on the ice and then say, “Trace the bunny with your skates” or “Jump over the ball” or “Go down on all fours and get the ball then learn how to get back up.” All of these things are good exercises for kids. It’s very easy to, well, trick them into developing their skills on the ice.

Christine: In April you’re slated to make 5 appearances as guest performers with Smucker’s Stars on Ice, including the Boston show on April 5. Tell me about your favorite elements of being on tour and what you’re bringing to the tour this year.

Tanith: As far as the skating goes, after we talked about the issues we have with the judging system, then we can just forget about them and go on tour and do what we want. We can do all the lifts we created and we can skate to different music – maybe modern music that wouldn’t be appreciated in competition. I think this year we’ll be doing a program to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis with modern choreography - we worked with an offsite choreographer. It’s more suited to a show format, it’s a lot more fun for us, and the audience is there to have fun. They’re not pulling for someone to win or lose.

Christine: Actually, since you mentioned music, Ben, I understand that you are a guitar player, a blues fan. Does that musical inclination ever influences choices for show programs?

Ben: Well, it’s such a big decision between the coach and Tanith and myself. So there’s definitely music I wish we could skate to but it’s not necessarily appropriate to what we’re going to do. I will definitely bring my guitar on tour, but that’s more my hobby.

Christine: I talked to Kimmie Meissner about the star struck factor at shows and skating mentorships. You both are now veterans in the business but is there anyone who comes to mind that has served as mentors?

Tanith: More so than being star struck, I really wanted to absorb what others have experienced. If there’s one think that we’ve learned it’s that you can’t get to the top unless you’re had a range of experiences. You have to have a great skate and a terrible skate and an injury and a loss. You have to experience a lot of things and put it all together to develop the mind of a champion. Particularly those skaters who have won multiple world championships, that’s a true testament. Learning from them and even just seeing how they warm up and prepare. For me personally, growing up in Canada I was a big fan of Shae-Lynn Bourne and being able to tour with her was a real treat. Each generation will go through a different world of skating and you want to be able to gather all the information through the years.

Ben: I had the great pleasure of rooming on tour with Gwendal Peizerat. He was such a funny guy and we became great friends and I had my guitar and he was amazed and wanted me to teach him. So he got a guitar and picked it up so quickly. Like Tanith was saying, he has so much experience. It’s more about mental experience not about physical experience – it’s more about how to become strong enough mentally to handle the different pressures and falls and things. That’s really been great.

Tanith: And you can’t learn that from watching. You have to have a conversation – this entire game is so mental, it’s so in your head. I mean, Shae-Lynn is one of the most beautiful, confident ice dancers I’ve ever seen - she just makes everyone want to watch her. And I was talking to her one day, saying, “It’s so difficult. My whole career I’ve always heard that technically I’m the weak link in our team and that I’m hold [Ben] back. That I might be nice to look at in my costumes but I’m not strong enough.” And Shae-Lynn said, “I’ve heard that my entire career.” And I was flabbergasted. To me, she was the star – I mean her partner Victor was amazing, but she was the star. She stood out and to hear her say that she was insecure and had the same feedback meant that I could get over that too just like she did.

Christine: Tanith, I was thrilled to see on your and Ben’s website that Boston is among your favorite cities. What puts it in the category for you, along with L.A., New York, Atlanta, Montreal, Paris, and Las Vegas?

Tanith: I kind of fell in love with Boston back when we were touring on another show years ago. We used to come here all the time. And I never really knew that much about Boston and then going up and down Newbury Street I kind of got exposed to it a little bit. And then I had the pleasure of making a few friends here who have taken me around to different areas. I was actually just here Valentine’s Day weekend to visit friends and we were walking her dog through Boston Common and it was just really fun. They live in Newton so I was a little removed [from the city] but it was really cute. And I just like the people. We’ve lived in a lot of places now and have gotten the feel for different cities and you can really, really tell when there’s a sense of community, and pride, and a friendly vibe. And Boston is one of those places!

Christine: Well that is fantastic to hear! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me today. Is there anything else you want me to know or report on, be it about the Olympics, Stars on Ice, or anything else?

Tanith: I just think it would be great for everyone to come out and see Stars. We’re on and Evan’s on and Kimmie’s on and to see the mixture of the amateurs and the pros…it’s so wonderful.

I shot images 1 and 4 at Simoni Skating Arena. You can check out additional personal photos at Pop Discourse.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues; Fun Indoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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If you’re looking for a family outing that includes a movie and a playdate all in one, check out the Disney Matinee Club. This new program currently is piloting only in Boston (+ Danvers, Framingham, Methuen, and Foxborough) and Dallas and includes four one-week theme segments starting tomorrow and running through May. Read on for details, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a family 4-pack of vouchers to a Disney Matinee Club show of your choice (entry closes 3/8/09)!

What: The Disney Matinee Club features short films and full-length movies, as well as sing-alongs, costume dress-ups, parades, and other activities.

Where: AMC Boston Common, AMC Liberty Tree (Danvers), AMC Framingham , AMC Methuen, & Showcase Cinema de Lux at Patriot Place (Foxborough).

When: There are four one-week themes, starting tomorrow and running through May. Start time: 10am. Running time is between 90 minutes - 2 hours. Themes include:

Today, Kate shares a lead for a local, simian inspired playspace:

"This has been a long winter in New England, and each weekend presents an opportunity - challenge? - to find new ways to keep my toddler daughter happy and occupied while indoors. Recently, a friend passed along a great tip for a different kind of indoor playground: Monkey Joe's in Danvers.

A nationally franchised chain, Monkey Joe's offer a new twist on the playspace recipe by providing a big room of inflated equipment - bouncy castles, slides, climbing walls, twirled and whirled playspaces - all well-padded and all age-appropriate for toddlers and little kids (there's even a self-contained space for babies).

For every kid who has ever waited impatiently in line for a turn in the carnival moon bouncer, Monkey Joe's will be like a little slice of heaven. And for parents, Monkey Joe's offers a chance to let the little ones run and play and burn off winter-captivity energy, all in a safe space and with plentiful adult supervision (the Monkey Joe's staff dresses in referee outfits). Last but not least, Monkey Joe's provides rooms in which to host birthday parties, at which Monkey Joe himself - or, at least, a staff member in an inflated monkey outfit - makes an appearance for cake-cutting or gift-opening (the whole place can also be rented out for special occasions). Take the drive to Danvers and check out the inflatable fun that is Monkey Joe's."

Monkey Joe's, 10 Newbury Street, Danvers; Tel: 978-739-8099

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Kid's Parties; Local
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During this seemingly endless winter, why not think green thoughts? And tomorrow (Thurs., March 5), you can think and learn green at Hill House's GreenFest community day. Suitable for the whole family, this event runs from 3 – 6pm and is free and open to the public. In addition to crafts, projects, and demos for kids, adults can learn about green living from local businesses. Local students also will be on hand to discuss ways to make urban living more eco-friendly, and Hill House will collect reusable bags to donate to a school in Zimbabwe.

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

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Fun Indoors; Home; Local; Solutions
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Ever since realizing – with more than a modicum of embarrassment – that I nearly closed 2008 without reading a single (non-children’s) book, I have made reading a priority again. And I absolutely love the way books can automatically relax me and send me into an alternate universe. Today, I’m sharing a review of Katherine Center’s recently released Everyone Is Beautiful - a “mom lit” novel set in our very own Cambridge, Mass. Read on for my review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of Everyone is Beautiful.

It’s basically almost never that I find myself without my laptop, with all of my hard copy work done, and otherwise sequestered for 3.5 hours with a novel. But that’s where I was at while riding the Acela home after my Salma Hayek interview in New York last month, and I was glad to have Katherine Center’s Everyone Is Beautiful with me.

This “mom lit” novel traces the story of Lanie – mother of three young boys and wife of a musician – as she and her family relocate from Houston, TX to Cambridge, MA. I’ll admit that in my somewhat fatigued state, the beginning of the book – with its detailed descriptions of the everyday tedium of motherhood – almost lost me. But I later realized that this level of description was necessary to orient readers to the emotional pool Lanie felt stagnated by, and subsequently to set the stage for her transformation. Indeed, I was glad I kept reading through the familiar tales of diapers and mess and awkward playdates because Lanie soon begins searching for a way to snap out of her funk and the story picks up momentum. And she wrestles with the same challenges of every modern mom I know: she identifies ways to make herself a priority, yet struggles with the impact that her choices have on family logistics and personal relationships.

Given the somewhat slow start, this novel didn’t knock me out start to finish in the same way as Center’s Bright Side of Disaster, but as soon as Lanie started building personal relationships and getting her groove on, I was glued to the book (and finished it the following day, actually). Center clearly has a knack for writing novels that one can imagine being played out on screen. In Everyone is Beautiful’s final, pre-epilogue scene – as Lanie tries to make things right with her husband after a major misunderstanding – I could visualize the airport scene playing out and felt palpable tension as I rooted for them to find one another again – both in physical airport space, and emotionally too.

Which leads me to my final point, being that I appreciate how this book speaks to the common occurrence that as parents, it’s tragically easy to become exhausted and forget to nurture the relationship with the very person you found dreamy enough to have children with. This is a theme that no doubt will resonate with moms, and hopefully will underscore the importance of rediscovering one’s partner before it’s too late.

Now, want to be one of five winners to receive a copy of Everyone is Beautiful? Here’s how:

I’m honored to share the link for my UNICEF guest blog post, in which I describe how my interactions with UNICEF and Pampers turned me from skeptic to believer. It certainly is ironic that the in-person interactions made such an impact on someone who lives and breathes online media, and I can only hope that my reports do justice to the events and thus possibly inspire action for others. It truly is a privilege to share my story alongside the other amazing reports on UNICEF’s Field Notes blog.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Diapers & Potty; Web (Admin)
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I’m thrilled to introduce new guest contributor and local parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth; today, Hetti covers the basics of baby stimulation:

We all worry that our babies get too much or too little milk, too much or too little sleep, they cry too much or too little, their baths and porridge are too hot or too cold and we worry that we stimulate our babies too much or too little. Rarely do we think we are doing it just right. However, I believe that as long as we feed, bathe, change diapers, clothe, comfort, and love and look at our babies often, those baby-related activities add up to the just right amount of stimulation.

The following are observations and tips on the basics of baby stimulation:

Parents provide the necessary stimulation naturally, automatically, and instinctively. Parents didn’t used to question themselves as much as they do now. Twenty years ago when I raised my babies, I didn't dangle attractive and colorful objects in front of my babies and I didn't feel the need to dance, sing, and story tell 24/7/52. And my daughters - as well as you and me - turned out just fine. We worry more now because there's been so much press about the importance of the first three years on a baby's brain. What is mentioned less, though, is that the parents who are reading or listening to the press are already doing everything necessary, naturally, automatically, and instinctively.

We discount the very stimulations we provide. Each time we diaper baby, we provide a healthy dose of stimulation. Parent and child faces are close, sometimes we coo and talk, and the power of touch is working by necessity. Each time parents feed their babies, the same good things happen. Each time you hand baby a simple, inexpensive rattle or take her outdoors for a stroll you're providing stimulation. It seems that the easier or more natural the stimulation, the more we discount it. Somehow stimulation has to be exhausting or exhilarating in order to matter.

We wonder about the "more is more approach" (the more simulation the better). If dangling objects and talking to baby are good actions, it seems reasonable to think more might be better and make for a brighter baby. But sometimes less is more. Watch baby for clues and watch yourself too; if you are exhausting yourself with over-entertaining, take a step back.

Enhance visual and touch stimulation naturally. Research indicates that visual skill expands mostly during the first 8 months of a baby's life. And touch and caregiver responsiveness are also critical. The good news is that you can enhance those senses naturally. I used to sit my daughters in their car seats (placed securely on the kitchen table) and have them watch me walk around the kitchen preparing their food, or we would sit in the living room window seat and take in the outside world, or we would go for a ride or walk. Every room, scene, mirror, person, and yard are new to baby and endlessly visually satisfying.

Touch is provided each time we bathe, change, dress, feed, soothe, and kiss babies. And if upon occasion we can't get to our baby immediately because our needs intervene, so be it. I certainly didn't get to my babies each and every time they started to cry and I believe they were helped, not hurt, by an occasional lag time. A helpful mantra to remember is: “Well being will not be destroyed within a loving environment.”

The stimulations that work best are the ones that please both mama and baby. I simply was not a play-on-the floor type mama. I did enjoy going out with my babies: walking outdoors and indoors, and yes, even in malls. I love museums and fortunately we enjoyed a membership to the Museum of Fine Arts and so we went often. I love coffee shops and listening to NPR, and would enjoy these things with my babies. I played with my daughters in ways that I also enjoyed. If we do that, our babies will feel loved and nurtured and this love will only foster growth, intelligence, and contentment.

Other forms of good stimulation. Infant massage is a magnificent form of stimulation and an aid to bonding. Infant massage classes are readily available, or you can check your local library for books or DVDs. Listening to music that you enjoy also is a lovely form of stimulation. And remember, simple toys are best. Those are the ones that don't require batteries and the ones that don't guarantee future Ivy League success. Select toys where baby can shake, rattle, or roll then see his/her own outcomes.

Consider temperament. Activities such as reading to baby are rewarding if your baby is of the temperament to watch and listen. Many aren't. And they're all okay. Some babies are simply too active for that kind of activity. And that's just fine and isn’t a predictor of future success or worth becoming frustrated over. Eventually all children will learn to read and perhaps even love to read, as long as we don't coerce or insist on it.

Bottom line: Take care of your baby's basic needs. Get to know your baby. Enjoy your baby. Love and look at him/her often. Cuddle your baby. Keep it simple, and that will be the just right amount of stimulation.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Development & Behavior
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Perfectly timed for yet another snow day, today, Tracy shares her favorite winter boredom busters:

Despite having been raised in Northwestern Ontario, where winter hangs around for about 8 months of the year, I dislike late winter intensely. So do my kids. I mean, really, after you’ve built your 10th snowman, gone sledding for the umpteenth time, and spent countless hours playing board games (I swear my 7-year-old thinks these are “bored” games), you need to shake it up a bit. Here are some of my favorite winter boredom busters:

Play flour. Sprinkle flour onto a cookie sheet (or use a rimmed baking sheet or large plastic tray to cut down on mess) and let your kids draw or race match box cars in it. When the kids are done, sweep up the flour and put it in a sealable container labeled “play flour.” Reuse as necessary. The possibilities are endless and different textured materials (e.g., cornmeal, oats) will offer fun fodder for sensory exploration.

Wash the dishes. If you don’t own a dishwasher, your kids may not find this as exciting as mine do. Fill the sink with water and bubbles, give them a washcloth and some plastic stuff to wash, and let them go to town. Give your kids straws to make bubbles with water and dish soap (remind them not to drink from the sink!).

Simulate summer. Have your kids hop in the bath and break out the summer pool toys. Let them wear a bathing suit to simulate summer (or you could multitask and give them a bath while they play with beach toys).

Make indoor snow people. Buy marshmallows, cake decorating gel tubes, and other little candies. Have your kids use toothpicks to assemble snow people, then decorate using the gel; you can also use the gel to stick on sprinkles or other nonpareils. Toothpicks make good arms, rope licorice makes a great scarf. Display for the day, and eat for dessert later. Or, don’t tell your kids they’re for eating at all, and display until stale.

Make pomanders. Take Mandarin or Clementine oranges that are getting slightly hard, and stud with whole cloves (use a toothpick or fork to make starter holes, otherwise the cloves will be hard for little fingers to push in). Make patterns, or just randomly insert cloves all over the orange. Display a whole bowl as a centerpiece or place a few here and there to fill your house with a lovely scent.

Make Kool-aid play dough. This is really easy and quick, and kids love to guess what color the play dough will end up when you add the water (sometimes a blue package of Kool-aid isn’t blue at all). Combine 2 ½ cups flour, ½ cup salt, 1 tbsp. cream of tartar, and a packet of Kool-aid drink mix. Add 2 cups boiling water, 3 tbsp. oil, and stir to combine. Cool the mixture slightly, and knead it with your hands to make a smooth dough. We’ve made this dough for gifts, and the kids love the kneading process. We do this on the kitchen table, but if your surface is prone to staining you may want to knead on a baking sheet or cutting board. The Kool-aid can make your hands colorful for a while, but much less so than using food coloring. The best part is that it smells good enough to eat, and won’t hurt the kids if they sample a bit while making pretend cookies.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Home; Solutions
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