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Happy Friday everyone -- I hope you're all bundled up and cozy! We managed to get out for a family walk to the market this morning and now are hunkered in. Regarding this weekend, as of yesterday these listings were in go mode, but please click through closer in to check on cancellations or revised hours. Meanwhile, here are 20 things to do indoors when it's time to take a break from sledding and igloo building. Have a great weekend everyone!
Today, Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) shares four astute tips for parenting tweens:
My daughter turned 10 a few months ago, and while the tween years are technically between the ages of 9 to 12, this particular birthday felt important, auspicious. We are tiptoeing over a line, she and I. As I move through this next season of motherhood, more than anything I want my daughter to keep talking to me. This priority informs all of my actions these days. At least for me, the difference between relating to a 10-year-old and to an 8-year-old is far wider than the two year gap would suggest. I have a few recommendations to share on communicating with tweens:
Today, Jane (also of see jane blog) shares her tried and true tips for reducing holiday stress for the whole family:
Particularly as a mother, I've noticed over the years that the holidays can be both difficult and joyful -- for kids and adults. Big expectations tend to provoke stress: Getting the right gifts for friends and family. Doing well on final exams. Seeing family members you haven't seen in a long time. Saying yes to every invitation and demand on your time. Also, extended time together allows more opportunities for emotions to rise to the surface. Here I share what I have found to be the most effective ways to reduce holiday stress, for my immediate family of six and beyond:
Today, Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) recommends a book/journal that I am totally ordering for myself and Laurel (and several friends with daughters) after I publish this post:
My daughter is approaching 10 and my primary concern at this point is to keep her communicating with me. Somehow I feel like if I can just keep her talking to and trusting me, we'll be okay in what I know are some more complicated waters ahead.
Today, Sheri shares five tips for teaching kids netiquette:
Given that kids interact online as much (hopefully not more) as they do in person, it's important to teach kids "netiquette" -- how to behave when it come to social interactions on the internet. Now that many kids are off (or soon to be off) for the summer and have more free time to spend online at home, it's a good time to have these conversations. Here are five basic netiquette rules that parents can model and teach to their kids:
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares a book recommendation for parents:
After hearing UMass/Amherst sociology professor Amy Schalet speak at a conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy, I was intrigued to read her book Not Under My Roof: Parents, Teens, and the Culture of Sex, which proved to be a fascinating and well-researched analysis of the contrasting ways parents in the Netherlands and the United States typically handle teen sexuality.
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking with your kids about the HPV vaccine:
One of the most important and challenging tasks parents face is communicating our values to our children (without them rolling their eyes) -- especially when talking about sex. But while these conversations can be difficult and awkward, research shows that positive and honest communication helps young people delay sexual activity and make healthier, safer decisions about sex.
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares a review of Start Talking. Read on for Amy's review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Start Talking:
Start Talking is an engaging resource for mothers and daughters to help open the door to better communication about a variety of topics ranging from periods and sex to self-esteem and dating. According to authors Mary Jo Rapini (mother of two daughters, psychotherapist, and feature consultant on TLC's Big Medicine) and Janine Sherman (mother of two daughters, teen health expert, and OB/GYN nurse practitioner), the best time to talk to your teen daughter about sex and her body is right now. Starting at the age of 8 or 9, moms must begin having these conversations. They stress that by opening up now mothers can turn "the talk" into an ongoing conversation, and become a trusted resource for their daughters.
Sometimes it's hard for me to believe we're already discussing social quandaries with Laurel in kindergarten. And I know it will only get more complicated as she approaches the teen years. If you need help figuring out how to communicate with your teen, consider this lead: Tomorrow at the Boston Health & Fitness Expo, medical staff from MGH and Newton-Wellesley Hospital will lead a session to offer parents of teens strategies on ways to support self-esteem and independence, and recognize and address signs of depression and substance abuse. Registration required.
At the Hynes Convention Center, Boston.
Today, Kate shares a charming book series for girls:
When I was a young girl, my favorite gift to receive was one of the books in the Very Young series by photographer and writer Jill Krementz. Oversized and filled with gorgeous black and white photographs, each book follows a period in the life of a young girl -- all between 8 and 12 or so -- who excel in particular sports or hobbies: ballet, gymnastics, figure skating, horseback riding.
It's a spring full of science in Boston. And as a former scientist, I applaud these efforts to make science fun for kids, particularly programming designed to encourage girls to thrive in science alongside boys (I was one of few women in my lab during my postdoctoral fellowship...it made the need to pump in my shared-with-dudes office, well, awkward). Here are three great opportunities to get your kid's science mojo running this and next month:
Given how passionate I am about all things eco, I am thrilled to be a media sponsor of Down:2:Earth. This sustainable living expo will take place April 9-11 at the Hynes, and in addition to covering everything from products to gardening to services to fashion to food for grownups, there is plenty of programming for families to enjoy. The D2E Kids Block will include activities such as butter making, a demonstration on worms and farming, hands on animal activities, face painting, and storytelling. There also will be a panel on clean energy opportunities for teens, and Dr. Mayim Bialik of the Holistic Moms Network (and formerly of Blossom fame) will present a workshop on holistic parenting.
Today, Jennifer shares a fabulous find for ladies who love switching up their accessories. Read on to learn more about the Switch Gear Kit, a cool and artsy interchangeable earring kit designed by local metalsmith Lisa Monahan, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a Switch Gear Kit (entry closes March 15).
They say that boredom leads to trouble, so here’s a great way to engage teens to be active community members while staying out of said trouble. This coming Sunday (February 7, 12 – 4pm) Teen Life Boston is hosting a community service fair to introduce middle and high school students, parents, and educators to a fantastic roster of national and local non-profit organizations that are seeking teen volunteers. The event is free and pre-registration is recommended.
Between recently watching the PBS Raising Girls program and reading about Phoebe Prince last week, my mind has been on cyberbullying. I’m subsequently grateful to PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody, who today shares helpful information, tips, and resources for parents regarding cyberbullying:
This past weekend I finally had a chance to view PBS’s program A Girl’s Life with Rachel Simmons, and I highly recommend that parents watch the program. Though the issues (e.g., body image, cyberbullying) were not new to me, learning that girls are equal to or ahead of boys until middle school (at which point they tend to fall behind as confidence crumbles due to social issues, negative body image, etc.) and seeing the interview footage made the issues so much more real to me. I couldn’t help but envision Laurel five years (or less) forward.
I didn’t plan on this being sexual health education day, but it seemed only fitting to follow my tomKIT post with this one from PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody. Today, Amy shares three favorite resources to help parents discuss sexual health and sexuality issues with kids ages 4 and up:
My mom and I never discussed birds, bees, or any other metaphorical critters, so it’s not surprising that I was completely unprepared when my period started. I’m thus committed to educating Laurel about periods and am happy to see products such as the tomKIT on the market. Designed to equip girls for their period in eco-friendly fashion, the tomKIT includes biodegradable, flushable pads, wipes, and panty liners, recyclable disposal sacks, cotton underwear, and natural hand sanitizer and lip balm, all housed in a natural jute cosmetic case. Also handily included: a chart to teach girls to track their periods because really, it’s pretty inexcusable for women (like me and many of my friends) to make it well into their 20s before understanding cycles.
Want to win a tomKIT? Here’s how:
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to daughters about menstruation, including advice especially for dads:
“If your daughter is approaching menstruation, you can make the whole process easier and more comfortable for her (and you) by talking to her openly about what it means to have your "period." It's very important to begin to teach girls about the changes their bodies will go through during puberty - and especially menstruation - before they get their first period. But it is never too late to start!
Last night I visited WGBH for a preview of FRONTLINE’s Digital Nation – an upcoming documentary that will explore how the Web and digital media are changing the way we think, work, learn, and interact - and a discussion with the documentary’s producer, Rachel Dretzin. The preview and discussion were truly thought provoking and I found that some of Dretzin’s opening comments really touched a nerve. She referred to her dominant emotion around the current digital age as anxiety, with a feeling that people are “drowning in a sea of emails and text messages.” She also expressed her disdain over realizing that her kids “reach for technology to fill an empty space.”
Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice reviews teen chef Sam Stern’s new cookbook, Get Cooking. Read on for Sara’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of 5 winners to receive a copy of Get Cooking!
"Sam Stern is a British teen celebrity chef who is now – amazingly – on his third cookbook. The premise of his latest cookbook - Get Cooking - is simple: get up and get cooking. Cleverly, Sam got eight friends to inspire with the contents, resulting in eight chapters based around ingredients that teenagers really love: cheese, pasta, chocolate, potatoes, and so on.
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for parents and teens regarding sexting:
As parents, we know that taking certain risks is a natural part of development for teens. However, a recent survey by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com indicates a troubling trend of teens electronically sharing sexually suggestive content (text, photos, videos) with people they know as well as complete strangers. Furthermore, the study showed that what teens are doing electronically seems to have an effect on what they do in real life.
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.
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to kids about teen pregnancy:
“Unplanned pregnancy, especially teen pregnancy, has been high on the media radar in the last year, both locally via the increase in teen pregnancies in Gloucester, and through several media-hyped celebrity pregnancies, including Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin.
After posting about Boston area skating rinks and the lack of media buzz in advance of the recent US Nationals, I was offered the wonderful opportunity to chat with Kimmie Meissner, national and world figure skating champion, member of the 2006 Olympic team, and 2010 Olympic contender. Read on for my interview with Kimmie, where we talk about everything from competitions, to shows (she’ll be in Boston in April for Stars on Ice), to the amazing family that has kept her grounded, to tips for skating safely with kids.
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Visit MomFinds to enter to win a Perfect Spa bath set from Chloe & Jane. Moms’ Buzz is calling all moms of daughters entering puberty to participate in a poll. And The Bump addresses basic questions and concerns about trying to conceive.
For parents seeking guidance on how to negotiate their kids through today’s sexualized commercial culture, tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7pm), Jean Kilbourne and Diane Levin will speak at Simmons College about issues and coping strategies raised in their book So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids. For details on the event, click here.
It’s not easy drumming up new material when your kid asks you to conjure a story, but luckily, parents now can find relief and inspire their child’s creativity with a nifty twist on choose your own adventure. Written by Newburyport based author Jennifer Karin Sidford, The DreamStarter Book offers 50 story beginnings that serve as the catalyst for your child to create their own adventures. Well suited for quality time with the tween set at home or on the road, what’s not to love about an activity that offers parents a way to read and bond with their kids, while encouraging kids to hone and become confident in their unique style of narrative?
Want to win 2 copies of DreamStarter*? Here’s how:
Although guest contributor Sara Cabot of Little Lettice is one of our family food experts, today Sara – a mom of four children approaching or in their tween years - takes a diversion from nutritional content to provide a review of Pressured Parents, Stressed-out Kids. Read on for Sara’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of 5 winners to receive a copy of Pressured Parents!
Like it or not, talking the talk is necessary to keep your kids safe in our increasingly complex world. Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody recommends Dr. Sharon Maxwell’s The Talk: What Your Kids Need to Hear from You About Sex as a helpful new resource to ready you for these conversations. Read on for Amy's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Talk!
Few things characterize the tween/teen years like puberty; or more specifically, who has hit it, and who hasn’t. And if you were in the same boat as me and my peers back in the day, your parents didn't prep you for what to expect and when. Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody offers tips to help you talk to your kids about puberty:
Today, Kate takes us on a walk down memory lane…with Judy Blume.
For girls of a certain generation - mine, and those directly before and after - the experience of reading the novels of Judy Blume was a double-layered rite of adolescent passage: the books themselves were sacred texts, and the universal stories they told - of being teased, of being not the prettiest, of being kissed, of having your parents split up, of loving and being loved, and of losing (love, virginity, friendship, your lunch in public) - were the stories we were all living, vividly and in real time and with an empathy that our parents couldn't come close to.
We received word about the Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, which recently launched a new website offering resources for parents of adolescents with panic disorder and other anxiety disorders. The center offers cognitive behavioral therapy treatment (i.e., no medication) with free treatment for qualifying families. I’m grateful to guest contributor Amy Cody, who canvassed some colleagues for feedback about the clinic. Here’s what they had to say:
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody recommends this resource for parents and youth:
“AmberMadison.tv is a unique Web-based video channel informing young adults about sexual health and sexuality in a safe and interactive environment. Amber Madison, author of Hooking Up: A Girl's All-Out Guide to Sex And Sexuality, delivers accurate information through her own humor and real-life perspectives to teens and young adults who are curious about sex, relationships, health, and overall well-being. The programming covers sexual health topics including body image, pregnancy, relationships, sexual assault, sexual orientation, and STDs.”
Are you the parent of a young daughter and are dreading - or already are deeply entrenched in - arguments over questionable clothing choices? Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody addresses the question “What to do when your pre-teen daughter wants to wear makeup and skimpy clothing?” Amy offers general guidelines and links to additional resources for strategies and talking points on this tough topic:
Today, Sharon reports on safe driving techniques that families (especially those with new drivers) could benefit from:
“In late September I traveled via Boston Mamas to the GM Proving Grounds in Michigan to test out the GM 2008 lineup. This was a new trail blazed for this road warrior (who fancies sneakers over wheels), but I discovered parallels between the two transport modes; that a little knowledge goes a long way in taking advantage of safety features.
Continue reading "Re-Inventing the Wheel: Putting Safety First" »
Being a parent often means being at a loss for words when it comes to tough topics, no matter what your kid’s age is. For parents of teens, Amy Cody sent us a great article written by one of her interns; the content offers parents advice for how to navigate the rocky adolescent communication road:
As an adolescent, my parents never discussed anything human body-related; I subsequently got all of my (somewhat sketchy) information about sex, periods, etc. from my older siblings and friends. I’m thus determined to keep the communication channels open with Laurel (and she’s already been testing me here…). Today, Amy Cody offers ideas to help frame your conversations about sex and sexuality with your child:
As a daily blogger who’s long been technically savvy (I learned to build web pages when HTML was the only way to do it), it may seem surprising that as of a year ago, I barely was aware of blogs, and that I currently intentionally keep texting, IMing, and Skype off my radar (it’s a preventative thing, given how much time I already spend with my laptop). As a parent though, keeping up with the technological times is as much a safety necessity as a means to try to keep communication channels open. If the lingo seems overwhelming, Anastasia Goodstein’s Totally Wired: What Teens and Tweens Are Really Doing Online
These days, it seems as if events oddly align as a directive for my writing. And as much as it makes this mama bear bristle, two recent events pointed me on the trajectory of child safety.
The first event involved chatting with a friend about her daughter’s three-year well visit. Towards the end of the visit the doctor told the three-year old that it was time to check the areas of the body under the underwear to make sure that they were healthy, and that it is OK for a doctor to do this if mommy or daddy are in the room. Not surprisingly, my friend couldn’t help but think, “Crap, it’s already time to start talking about this stuff?”
My mom and I never discussed menstruation (or anything related to sexuality, short of a discussion well into my 20’s where she advised me to beware, that “men have urges”), and that phase of life vividly stands out as one of anxiety (I was a late bloomer), cluelessness (I had but brief, periodic perusals of my pal Kate’s Our Bodies, Ourselves
The Dot Girl’s First Period Kit was designed to try to curb these all too frequent female experiences. The pink or blue carry kit ($18) includes a 12-page booklet with answers to common questions about periods, a yearlong calendar to track periods, a small reusable heating pad for soothing cramps, pad and liner samples, and hand wipes. (The case is just a bit too small for standard length tampons, but compact tampons would fit fine.)
Earlier this week my ears perked up when NPR’s feature on college preparation, stress, and teens aired. Obviously, this phase of Laurel’s life is many years off (assuming she opts for college instead of a painting commune) but even now, as I see her and her little friends becoming more complex little people, I alternatively feel joyful and anxious about the years to come. I so want Laurel to be peaceful and happy and confident but times as a teen are invariably tough.
NPR’s feature, the catalyst of which was a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the negative impact of stress and pressure on teens, focused on the stress associated with the college application process. At the end of the broadcast I was interested to hear that the AAP devised a new web site where teens could design personalized stress-reduction plans.
Order Minimalist Parenting via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell's, or your favorite local bookstore! And be sure to watch the trailer!
