Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jenny via e-mail:
Dear Boston Mamas, I'm pregnant with my first child and would love to find a prenatal yoga class in Harvard Square or Watertown. Do you know of any good classes/instructors? Thanks!Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jenny via e-mail:
Dear Boston Mamas, I'm pregnant with my first child and would love to find a prenatal yoga class in Harvard Square or Watertown. Do you know of any good classes/instructors? Thanks!
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! -- where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today's interview with Joanna Silverman, a mother of one and the educator and holistic health counselor behind Nourishing the Peas and the Pod. Read on to learn about Joanna's wonderful work with moms and kids. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous fellow mama!
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from CM via e-mail:
Dear Boston Mamas, I'm about halfway through my pregnancy and am in desperate need of maternity clothes, but I hate the thought of spending tons of money on clothes I'll only wear for a few months. Any sources of reasonably priced maternity clothes in the area that you'd recommend? Thanks!
Welcome (or shall I say welcome back!) to Boston Mamas Rock! -- where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today's interview with Janet Lee Harrold, mother of one, artist, book author, and special needs advocate by way of her efforts to support her granddaughter Hailey, a 3-year-old with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. Read on to learn about Janet's impassioned efforts on behalf of her granddaughter and the special needs community as a whole. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous fellow mama!
Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents recommends recharging at Habitat:
Few things erase the frenzy of everyday life like nature. And mere blocks from my home is a wonderful gem: Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont. Part of the Mass Audubon system -- which maintains 43 wildlife sanctuaries in the state -- Habitat is a heavenly place to walk alone or with the family in all four seasons and using all five senses.
Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents takes a departure from parenting advice to recommend two stylish local finds:
Given my apparent talent for spilling black coffee, chocolate ice cream, and ketchup on myself, I don't like spending lots of money on clothing. For me, it's not worth it to ruin expensive clothes and it's good to tighten the spending belt when a bad economy threatens us. That said, I still like to shop, dress well, and look professional. Here are two Boston area shops to try that won't break the bank.
Today, Lindsey recommends Verrill Farm for your next birthday party:
I've always gotten really excited about my kids' birthday parties. I think it might come from my own August birthday and consequent sense that I never had the parties I dreamed of as a kid. Whatever the reason, I really enjoy planning celebrations for my son and daughter, who are 5 and 7 respectively. We've had a lot of parties already, and far and away our favorite location -- one we've already done twice and plan to do again this October -- is Verrill Farm in Concord.
Though in general I advocate for less of the unnecessary, every now and then something material catches my eye and refuses to budge from my periphery. Such was the case last weekend when Laurel and I were in Porter Square, picking up some Japanese pastries and browsing Tokai. I circled away from these ridiculously cute Japanese panda mugs (note the adorable tail blob on the back of the mug) about five times, trying to convince myself out of buying them. Which of course meant I needed to buy them.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Amy via the Boston Mamas Facebook community page:
Hi Boston Mamas! I am new to the Boston area and have a 21-month-old little girl. I need things to do with her this fall/winter and weekends/rainy days. Also, I need some ideas for her birthday this fall. I would LOVE some suggestions! (FYI, we've done Boston Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc... we're looking for something a bit more interactive and smaller scale). Also, we live in Watertown so closer to that side of town would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Sometimes, for seemingly unexplainable reasons, certain retail locations appear cursed. Take for example, the site of Posto in Davis Square, which didn't survive as the café chain Carberry's (despite a seemingly thriving business; they closed well before the Lyndell's acquisition), and then as another food outlet (The Green Tomato maybe?), and who knows what else before that. But Posto -- a well styled purveyor of wood fired pizza, pasta, and other Italian delights -- seems well positioned to reverse the curse.
Today, Heather recommends a fantastic ocean adventure for the whole family:
No visit to Cape Cod would be complete without some type of water excursion. And OceanQuest -- a non-profit marine education program out of Woods Hole -- was one of the highlights of our vacation. The 90-minute cruise is a hands-on, marine educational experience for kids and parents of all ages and truly has something for everyone. Passengers are introduced to the major disciplines within oceanography and are actively involved in manipulating equipment, collecting data, and discovering the wonder of ocean sciences.
Today, Jennifer recommends George's Island for a little island fun:
With my husband on vacation for a few weeks in July, we took advantage of the many wonderful sites and day trips around Beantown. One of our favorites? A trip out to Georges lsland. My husband (a native of the area) loved going there all the time as a kid and was anxious to show our kiddos how fun an old fort on an island can be!
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Nan in Minnesota via e-mail:
Dear Boston Mamas, Growing up in the suburb of Belmont, I recall entertaining myself by hopping the bus to Harvard Square, eating copious amounts of Ranc's ice cream, skinny dipping in Walden Pond, and stealing traffic cones. As I sit pondering a visit back to Massachusetts later this month with my almost 2-year old daughter, I certainly hope to let her enjoy two of those activities, but am looking for some ideas on what else we can do. Thoughts and ideas on fun activities for a youngster in and around Boston would be appreciated!
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Victoria in Chicago via e-mail:
Dear Christine, I live in Chicago and I am planning my best friend's baby shower in the Boston area. She lives in Newburyport. Any suggestions for places in Boston or Newburyport?
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, April recommends the MFA for creative and educational birthday parties:
We love going to birthday parties. Esmé has a great time playing with her friends and we love talking to everyone. When Esmé turned 4, I knew that she would love a party--and that we'd love to give her one--but I've never really considered myself a birthday party person. Even though it sounds easy (kids + pizza + cake + goodie bags), I could see myself getting stressed out hosting a party and trying to keep 20 kids happy--and what good is that? I needed to find a little structure so I didn't have to worry, and everyone would have a good time.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Kimberly via Twitter:
Dear Christine, my hubby and I are celebrating 10 years in September. Any suggestions for a nice getaway? I am in Malden (so, about 5 miles from Boston). We are willing to travel a little!
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Anne via e-mail:
Hi Christine, My friend and I split a "plus one" membership to our local zoo. The zoo pass lists my name and my friend's, "plus one." It is a family pass, which in this case seems to include whatever little kiddos we have with us. Our zoo allows anyone (the plus one) to enter with the pass, even if my friend and I aren't there, so that a babysitter, or my husband, can bring my daughter. An employee at the zoo gave us the idea. I'm wondering if you know how it works with a Boston Children's Museum membership. They have great reciprocal agreements with other fun venues, so I'm thinking if several moms or families can go in on membership, it would be worth it, even for those of us who wouldn't be using it very often.