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.)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.)
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.
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.
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.
Today, Kate shares a local lead for easy and colorful crafting:
“I've never been very good with crafts. Art class in school? I was the one who liked the hard-to-mess-up projects that didn't require much independent creativity. Projects with my daughter? I like to keep it simple and let her show me the way, since my own ideas are so limited. Which is why I was so pleased to discover Made by Me in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge.
Following my previous post on the Pampers/UNICEF press conference, here is a transcript of the small group interview, during which I had the pleasure and honor of chatting with Salma Hayek along with Isabel Kallman (Alpha Mom), Nicole Feliciano (Momtrends), and Lauren Passell (Parenting). We talked about everything from the “1 Pack = 1 Vaccine” campaign, to the loneliness that motherhood can bring, to daughter Valentina’s favorite books and lovey. We also were privileged to have Caryl Stern (President and CEO of UNICEF) in on the conversation.
This past Thursday (when I was absent from posting…) I had the honor of attending a media event in New York, during which Jodi Allen (VP of North America Baby Care, P & G), Caryl Stern (President and CEO, US Fund for UNICEF), and Salma Hayek (actress and Pampers/UNICEF campaign spokesperson) announced the relaunch of the “1 Pack = 1 Vaccine” campaign to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Read on to learn more about the campaign and press conference; in my next post I’ll share the transcript from my small group interview with Salma Hayek.
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.
Today, Evadne shares her family's love for the Stella & Sam sibling book series:
“I spend a lot of time reading with my children (ages 4 and almost 2 years) and so have a special appreciation for books that are well written and beautifully illustrated. One of our favorite series follows the adventures of a fiery little redhead named Stella, and her more cerebral younger brother, Sam.
My husband recently returned from 10 days in Mexico, and while I realize that many families are split up for far longer stretches, this was a big deal for us. Prior to Jon’s departure, I prepped myself by revisiting and gleaning ideas from the coping with separation collective editorial that I posted last spring. And below are additional tips that proved useful for making it through the separation:
Does your child have a tendency to look at life through somewhat darkened lenses? Today, Tracy offers a review of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, a book for parents of kids who tend towards negative thinking. Read on for Tracy’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of this book!
Pursuant to my previous post on local inauguration celebrations, here are some ideas for celebrating history at home with your family, excerpted from the energetic and ever informative Andrea Astrachan of Stop & Shop. These ideas would do well implemented not just today but through the remainder of the week or month. I know I could use the history refresher (last bullet point):
Today, Kate offers inspiration for the creation and nurturing of traditions; here, with a favorite family cookie recipe:
"With the 2008 holidays now behind us, I am reflecting on one moment in the past few weeks that was especially special for me: baking holiday cookies for my father with the help and company of my toddler daughter.
Today, Mary shares food tips and resource leads for managing Celiac Disease:
“A year ago, my biggest concern when grocery shopping was scanning the aisles for the best sales, but once our daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease - the autoimmune disorder caused by a reaction to gluten protein found in wheat, barley, and rye (see basic Celiac facts at the end of this post) - my priority turned towards reading labels and looking for the presence of wheat, barley, or rye in our groceries.
Today, Tracy shares strategies for coping with picky eating. Read on for her tips, and feel free to share others that have worked for your family.
“If there’s one issue that can unite and divide parents, it’s picky eating. I have lost count of the number of conversations I have had with other parents about how to manage this ubiquitous tendency.
Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares tips for C-section recovery:
“One out of every three infants born in Massachusetts in 2006 was delivered by caesarean section, according to a state report released on February 13, 2008. This increase can be attributed to many factors, such as advanced maternal age, increases in obesity and diabetes, obstetrician’s fear of lawsuits, and parental desire to schedule the delivery to plan around older children. Whether you have a planned or unexpected C-section, here are some practical tips to aid your recovery post-surgery.