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.
Today, Jules offers a new favorite recipe:
I am so excited about this dish. After watching a food show where the host traveled to Mexico City and ate the most appetizing street food I’ve ever seen (I actually was salivating), I raided my refrigerator to see what I could make that might resemble these dishes. This dish looks complex but actually is really fast once you’ve got all the ingredients lined up. It packs a lot of flavor and nutrients; the bite of the cilantro vinegar works really well with the sweet pork.
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 Angelika Paul, a mother of one (with #2 on the way) who founded FightPregnancyDiscrimination.org to help connect women with legal or other types of help to fight pregnancy discrimination.
Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares tips for keeping the peace during meals:
Parents often ask me how to handle family mealtime power struggles. First, remember that you are not alone if mealtimes = stress/whining/arguing/negotiating in your house. Here are some simple ways to get mealtimes back on track:
We do lots of arts and crafts at our house, but every now and then I discover a magical item that positively consumes Laurel, be it at home, while waiting at a restaurant, or during travel. The Orb Factory’s sticky mosaic kits currently are Laurel’s project of choice; she's so instantly, happily, and independently engrossed in these kits that they even allow me some time to catch up on work or household matters nearby.
Reader Holly wrote in with a Cape Cod tip; this venue opens for the season today:
“For families traveling to the Cape Cod area, we came upon the most amazing museum/garden/grounds! The Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich has museum buildings amidst an incredible spread of gardens, complete with an outdoor theater that has great concerts and shows. One building has an historic carousel and free rides, one is an antique car museum, and one is American art and history. The grounds are a horticultural wonderland and there is a beautiful old windmill and a cute outdoor café. I highly recommend it.”
Heritage Museums & Gardens, 67 Grove Street, Sandwich; Tel: 508-888-3300
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?
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.