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baystateparent FREE

MAY 2017

14 WAYS TO PACK EASIER, LIGHTER

NEW DR. SEUSS MUSEUM OPENING SOON HOW TO HELP YOUR PERFECTIONIST CHILD

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

Explore, experience, and learn this spring at WAM • Youth & Teen Art Classes • Discover Art for ages 14-36 months • First Saturday Family Tour & Artmaking • First and Third Wednesday Stroller Tours • Helmutt’s Drop-in Studio • In-Gallery Learning Art Carts • Arms & Armor Demonstrations • Birthday Parties

And, much more!

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM 2 MAY2017

worcesterart.org

Women’s Health & Lifestyle Program The mission of Saint Vincent Hospital’s Women’s Health & Lifestyle Center’s Program is to promote prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of disease in women. We provide compassionate, high quality care that is convenient and comprehensive for women of all ages.

We promote health and wellness, educating our patients and collaborating with our colleagues.

Let’s create a healthier community, one woman at a time.

Benefits of the program include: > Preferred Appointment Access to Providers enrolled in our Program > “Healthy You” e-newsletters with tips on improving your health, fitness, diet, and lifestyle > Be the first to hear about: - Educational lectures given by our Providers - Preventative Screening Events - Group health and wellness classes offered in the community

Visit www.stvincenthospital.com/whlc and enroll today!

To make an appointment with one of our providers please call: 855-792-6327 Client ID: 9-25x11 SVH Women’s Health Component: Space Ad SVH Women's Health Space Ad 032717.indd 1 Project Number: SVH032717 Colors: cmyk

Flat Size: 9.25x11 Finished Size: 9.25x11

BAYSTATEPARENT 3/27/17 5:11 PM3

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Announcing The 2017 Theatre Camp Shows

grades 8-12 - including recent high school graduates.

This camp will take your teen to a higher level in theatre!

They will produce and act in THEIR OWN show - separate from the younger campers! Join in this exciting adventure!

grades 2-7 Learn the importance of teamwork, make friends for life, experience being part of a show from start to finish!

July 10th - July 30th

Grades 2 -12 including recent high school graduates • 5 days! Mon.-Fri. • 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Camp show performances on July 29th & 30th Your child will enjoy a summer of music, art, drama and dance at our 3 week, state certified theatre camp held in Worcester. Campers will also produce a full show for family and friends at the conclusion of camp. Students will learn all the aspects of producing a show from acting, singing & dancing to set building, costumes and more!

For all information, call 978-602-6288 or register online at

wachusetttheatre.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 5

After 15 years, our “kids” have grown up, and we will continue to be there for them!

We now provide transition planning and adult care.

The Child Development Network is pleased to announce the founding of the Adult Development Network. We dedicate the same commitment to providing excellent diagnostic assessments and consultation for adolescents, young adults, and adults with developmental, attention, and learning concerns.

The ADN & CDN network of doctors provides expert clinical care

Adult Development Network, Inc.

6 MAY2017

Lexington, MA • 781-861-6655 www.CDNKids.com

Child Development Network, Inc.

table of contents MAY 2017 VOLUME 22

4

1.

NUMBER 1

in every issue

things we learned

while making the may issue

10 14 23

DIVORCE & CO-PARENTING: Key Travel Considerations for Co-Parents

You may have already seen it: calorie counts listed in chain restaurant menus, per a new regulation from the Food and Drug Administration.

Head to page 13 and learn how kids can make better choices from the children’s menu for a healthier lifestyle.

34

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: May Calendar Of Family Events

48

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE: My Child Has Been Diagnosed With ASD: Now What?

50

THE THINKING PARENT: How to Help Your Perfectionist Child

52

ASK THE EXPERT: Can Infant Exposure to Peanuts Reduce Allergies Later?

3.

2.

For years, the rule of thumb has been the same: Wait until a child turns 1 before giving them any food containing nuts for the first time. However, this guidance has now changed, with some parents encouraged to introduce peanut-related foods to children as young as 6 months old. On page 52, learn how infants are being categorized into three groups and how that affects when and where they can try nut-related food.

52 52 53

Bed bugs can ruin your vacation and your return home if they tag along. Turn to page 33 and discover how an easy, 10-minute, preventative hotel room check can save you aggravation and a lot of money down the road.

58

4.

It’s estimated that 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. On page 48, learn how parents can navigate what can be a confusing or overwhelming time and take the next steps with their child.

meet team publisher KIRK DAVIS

associate publisher KATHY REAL 508-749-3166 ext. 331 kreal@baystateparent.com

creative

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS ADD TO CART: Our favorite May product picks

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Area adoption events MAY’s CHILD: Meet Anthony REEL LIFE WITH JANE: May’s top family movie releases TAKE 8: Cartoonist, Middle Grade Author Stephan Pastis

JOIN US ONLINE! facebook.com/baystateparent Twitter @baystateparent

advertising

editor in chief MELISSA SHAW 508-865-7070 ext. 201 editor@baystateparent.com

director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com

is published monthly with a main office at 22 West Street Millbury, MA 01527

creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com

account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 kathy@baystateparent.com

It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com

508-865-7070

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS

baystateparent.com BAYSTATEPARENT 7

table of contents Adventure Awaits

Features 16 18 20 21 49

How You Can Create a Home of Learning What to Do When Food Allergies Strike BOE Sets Scoring Levels, Definitions for MCAS 2.0 Report: Rhode Island to Adopt MCAS 2.0 Mass TEARS Foundation Takes Big Steps for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

24

14 Ways to Make Family Travel Packing Lighter, Easier

26

Springfield Museums Add Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum Next Month

28

Planning a Visit to the Wonderful (and Accommodating) World of Disney

30

Family Cruising Offers Freedom for Kids, Free Time for Parents

33

Simple Steps to Ensure Your Hotel Room is Bed-Bug Free

Ripe 12 13

Travel Bites: Keeping the Family Healthy (and Hydrated) on Vacation

Correction

Our story, “State Education Officials Vague on MCAS 2.0” (April 2017, page 26) contained an error. Common Core standards were created by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Eating Better From the Kids Menu

What does #MCU mean to you?

Great. Home. Equity. Rates.

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Initial rate of 2.25% for the first six months; therafter the APR will be equal to prime rate, adjusted monthly, with a floor rate of 3.50%.

Maximum APR will not exceed 18%. Interest may be tax deductible, please consult your tax advisor.

No fees, with the excepiton of an appraisal, if necessary.

Elaine Dupuis joined MCU 31 years ago and is the vp, consumer credit manager. She has enjoyed helping MCU members buy or upgrade homes, refinance, and plan for vacations. Elaine and our mortgage team can help you too.

Personalize Your Banking www.millburycu.com

Your Community Credit Union!

508-865-7600 @#MCU

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8 MAY2017

This month’s cover model: Alex, 15 months Cristen Farrell, a family photographer in Andover, captured our cover photo during a summer day at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. More of her work can be viewed at cristenfarrell.com

Cornerstone Academy Educating all learners in grades K-6

An elementary preparatory school that celebrates the individual.

Tour on May 23 at 9 a.m.

Sign up on our website!

Nurturing the Love of Music, The Arts, and Nature at Cornerstone Academy!

We take pride in personalizing each child’s learning experience with care and creativity.

• Offering Transitional Kindergarten and full day Kindergarten through Grade 6 curriculum.

• Highly qualified faculty trained to adapt curriculum to your child’s ability.

• Small classes, individual attention.

• Intellectually enriching environment.

• Solid academic foundation complemented by art, Spanish, music and physical fitness.

• State of the art technology utilized in all classrooms.

5 Oak Avenue • Northboro, MA 01532 • 508-351-9976 www.cornerstoneacademy.org BAYSTATEPARENT 9

MAY CONTRIBUTORS Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of ReelLifeWithJane.com. Her reviews and work have been published in Family Circle, Parade, New York Times, Variety, People, and more.

Rachael Bottone will be graduating this month with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Becker College in Leicester. She has provided clinical services to adults, children, and families in at the Counselor Training Clinic at Becker College and in the greater Worcester Community.

Sally Burke, M.S. Ed., BCB, is director of Early Intervention Services at Behavioral Concepts, Inc. BCI has two locations, Worcester and Fitchburg, and serves children with autism from communities within a one-hour radius of its Worcester location. For more information, visit bciaba.com.

Michele Bennett Decoteau is a writer and mom to a tween and a teen in central New England. In addition to writing on science, nature, and parenting topics, she is a hiker and beekeeper. You can find her at MicheleDecoteau.com or @MBDecoteau.

Marshal D. Haneisen is a freelance journalist, writer, and creative writing instructor. She lives in Fitchburg with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. Her son has a dual-diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, and her experience as a parent of a child with special needs inspires some of her writing for various publications, as well as for her blog, thespecialneedsfiles.com.

Information about Marshal’s writing and workshops can be found marshaldhaneisen.com.

Jodi Healy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from Clark University. A mother of three, Jodi grew up in a rich learning environment with a leading preschool attached to her home, which her mother ran for over 30 years. She spent her first 18 years participating in, helping, facilitating, and supporting the preschool, which led to the foundation of createahomeoflearning.com.

John Leung, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and allergist; co-director of the Food Allergy Center at Floating Hospital of Tufts Medical Center; and a clinical professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, at Tufts University.

Attorney Andy P. Miller is the Managing Attorney of Pollack Law Group, P.C. A father himself, Miller focuses on children and their best interests by helping guide parents through the divorce process. Having practiced in nearly every county in Massachusetts, he has a wide understanding of the various courts in Massachusetts and experience before many judges.

Doug Page is a Medfield father of two and award-winning writer whose newspaper career started in high school. He’s written stories, sold ads, and delivered newspapers during the morning’s wee hours. He’s covered stories as shocking as the crash of Delta flight 191 in Dallas many years ago to the recent controversy involving Common Core and standardized testing in Massachusetts.

Michelle Perras-Charron is a freelance writer and mother to four school-aged boys in Western Mass. A Navy brat and also the wife of a retired Air Force Captain, she loves writing about people and all topics related to parenting. She also enjoys running and a strong cup of coffee.

Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc, is a Boston-based pediatric allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network (allergyasthmanetwork.org). He will join MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s Food Allergy Center this summer. He is co-author of Living Confidently With Food Allergy and is a voluntary consultant with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, School Health Service Unit.

Martha Ruch is the owner of Simply Delicious Personal Chef Service, helping busy families come together at the dinner table since 2007. Find pictures, recipes, cooking tips and more at simplydeliciouschef.com; on Facebook @ SimplyDeliciousPersonalChefService; and on Twitter @chefmartha

10 MAY2017

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

travels take you, chances are you’ll be on the road or in the air for a while, and you will get hungry and thirsty along the way. Once you get to your destination, you may encounter tempting treats you’re not used to having at home. Let’s look at ways to keep the family happy and hydrated vs. “hangry.”

Just like when you are at home, having a plan for meals and snacks on vacation is always a good idea.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Meals and snacks to go

Travel Bite

Keeping the Family Healthy (and Hydrated) on Vacation

BY MARTHA RUCH

W

ith the end of school in sight and summer approaching, many of us are making travel plans for the upcoming months. According to a 2016 AAA survey, more than one-third of Americans planned to take a family vacation of 50 miles 12 MAY2017

or more away from home, with road trips (69%), national parks (49%) and theme parks (42%) being the most popular types of vacations for families surveyed. Vacations to international destinations (26%) and cruises (19%) rounded out the most popular vacation options for traveling families. No matter where your

Travel food for car trips is the easiest to figure out, because you can pack a cooler. Depending on the time of day, easy-to-pack (and eat) meal ideas include mini bagels, fresh or dried fruit, homemade smoothies (car trips only, in small, securely lidded cups) and small yogurts for morning meals; sandwiches or wraps, cut up vegetables, pretzels and trail mix for lunch-time meals; and cheese sticks, nuts, jerky, individual bags of dry cereal, and protein bars for snacks.

Whether you’re driving or flying, packing an insulated lunch bag for each family member ensures everyone has his or her preferred food at their fingertips.

If you’re driving, make sure to pack water bottles (which can be frozen and used to help keep food cool along the way) and other favorite beverages as well.

Gatorade, iced tea, and individual powdered mixes you can add to water work well. Carbonated and sugary drinks (including milk and juice) are not a good idea as they will most likely end up sprayed or spilled along the way, making a sticky mess in the car. Don’t forget a canister of wipes for preand post-snack clean up, as well as a small bag for garbage.

Rules of thumb for car or air travel: Leave the stinky (tuna, blue cheese, garlic, hard-boiled eggs), sticky (drippy peaches, syrup, jam, honey), super crumbly (crunchy granola bars, NutriGraintype cereal bars), and greasy foods (salami, potato chips, pizza) at home.

Are we there yet?

We all know someone who goes on vacation and comes back five pounds heavier (or more). For some reason “vacation” seems to imply undoing all of our healthy habits,

which in a week’s time can take a toll. Naturally, once you arrive at your destination, you will want to partake in the local cuisine (or your parents’ home cooking), which is great as long as you remember to use moderation and not abandon your healthy diet and exercise.

If your travels take you to one of our national parks, you’ll be interested to know that the National Park Service has a “Healthy Parks, Healthy People Plan” that includes a healthy and sustainable food program that provides standards, guidelines, tools, and resources for parks and concessioners to help ensure visitors have healthy food options.

Headed to a theme park? Eat a good breakfast before arriving and pack some healthy snacks to tide you over instead of caving and buying ice cream at 10 a.m. At lunchtime, scout out a grilled chicken sandwich, veggie burger, or salad for lunch. Beware the hot dogs, fries, giant sugary drinks, and other temptations: Just say no!

If you normally decline bread or dessert at dinner, do so when traveling, as well. If you always have a smoothie for breakfast, stick to that rather than ordering the Extreme Waffle and Sausage plate at the hotel. Similarly, attempt to keep your children on a regular meal schedule that includes familiar foods, which may help prevent meltdowns, tummy aches, and midafternoon slumps.

For healthy snacks on vacation, scout out a farmer’s market, where you can buy locally-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as shelf-stable foods and other handmade items to take home as souvenirs or gifts.

Ways to get some exercise in a new location include walking to restaurants or other destinations, taking a family walk (or swim) before or after dinner, running around a playground with your kids, taking an earlymorning jog on the beach, hitting the hotel gym or pool, or going to a fitness class. If you’re exploring a national park or making the rounds at Disney, you probably are getting a lot of walking in every day. Just make sure to stroll right past the fried dough stand.

Martha Ruch is the owner of Simply Delicious Personal Chef Service, helping busy families come together at the dinner table since 2007. Find pictures, recipes, cooking tips and more at simply deliciouschef.com; on Facebook @ SimplyDeliciousPersonalChefService; and on Twitter @chefmartha

Eating Better from the Kids’ Menu

BY VANESSA LYNSKY Beginning this spring, large restaurant chains nationwide will be required to post calorie counts on their menus. But how will you use that information to make healthier choices for your family? Rather than changing habits overnight, try some simple swaps that can go a long way.

Filling up on adult-size meal combinations, sugary fountain drinks, and rich side dishes can lead kids to consume excess calories, fat, and added sugars. But now it’s easier than ever to avoid these pitfalls and choose more healthful options — if you know where to look.

Experts agree that a kids’ meal at a restaurant should have no more than 600 calories. Here are some easy ways to get closer to that goal: without doing mental math at the ordering counter!

1. Order from the kids’ menu instead of the regular menu. Many kids’ menu meals are satisfying and

right-sized for kids.

2. Replace soda with water or milk.

Keep sugar in check by ordering water or low-fat or fat-free plain milk with your child’s meal. Make a game out of it by challenging them to drink at least one full cup during their meal.

3. Include a fruit or (healthy) vegetable side with your meal. Many restaurants now offer sides like apple slices with kids’ meals. Boost the nutrients in your child’s meal by adding a fruit or veggie side instead of French fries.

4. Order grilled foods instead of fried. Grilled menu items typically have fewer calories and fat than fried ones. Watch out for words like “crispy,” which often means fried.

5. Skip dessert and finish the meal with fruit instead. Sweets like ice

16th Annual

Apple Blossom and Craft Festival at Sholan Farms

cream, cookies, and cake can add lots of fat and sugar to a restaurant meal. Try ending most meals with fruit, and save desserts for truly special occasions.

6. Give kids a little incentive to eat healthy. Use the free Kids Reward Program (yourethemom.org/assets/ pdf/CO180_KidRewards_V4.pdf) to encourage your child to eat healthier. For every five healthy items they eat or drink, reward them with a fun activity you can do together, like going to the park or pool or doing an art project.

Whether you’re sitting down to eat or hitting the drive-through, taking small steps to help your family eat more healthfully now can set good habits for years to come.

Vanessa Lynsky, MPH, is senior project manager, Restaurant Initiative at Child Obesity180 (childobesity180.)

org). Based at Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, ChildObesity180 unites national leaders from the private, public, nonprofit, and academic sectors committed to developing, measuring, and implementing evidence-based solutions to reverse the alarming epidemic of childhood obesity in America.

Don't Let a Missing Sign Sour Your Deal

Fun Packed Entertainment for All Ages!!

May 20 • 10 am-4 pm Rain date May 21

• Live Kids Entertainment • Fallbrook Song Birds • International Veterans Chorus • Ragged Heros • Steve Charette Magic Show • Balloon Ben – Balloon Sculptures • Bagpipers Band & Parade • Native American Indian Crafts & Display • Appleseed John • Crime Stoppers • Hidden Treasures Hike • Project Apples Story Walk • 4-H Club Animals & Demo • Gift Basket Silent Auction • Bake Sale • Great Food Truck Vendors

Fun for the whole family!

Sholan Farms

1125 Pleasant St. Leominster 978-840-3276 • www.sholanfarms.com Like us on facebook

Whether you are a young entrepreneur or a seasoned Scout Leader, we can help with all your signage for: • Fundraisers • School Functions • School Projects • Scouting Events • Car Washes • Bake Sales • And Even Your Lemonade Stand!

545 SW Cutoff, Worcester, MA 01607 508-832-8844

info@signaramaworcester.com www.signaramaworcester.com BAYSTATEPARENT 13

add to CART The coolest stuff we found online this month

Known for durable, fashionable footwear, Kamik has introduced two new rain boots that bring a fun look to an old staple. The Sharonlo (women’s) and Rainplaylo (girls) anklelength rubber rain boots are easy to slip on and off and keep moms’ and daughters’ feet dry in a shower. Sharonlo (sizes 6-11) $49.99. Rainplaylo (Toddler sizes 3-10) $30.99. kamik.com

Want a new workout that’s fun, fast, and effective? Get twisting with the Simply Fit Board. Backed by Shark Tank’s Lori Greiner, the board offers a fullbody workout thanks to the combination of balance board pivoting and a basic twisting motion, which works all muscles in the core. Low-impact and easy on your joints, the board supports up to 400 lbs., is lightweight, portable, stores easily, and comes with a workout DVD and user guide. simplyfitboard.com.

Roses don’t last forever, but teddy bears do.

Get Mom, Grandma, or any stuffed animal lover a different style of gift with the Mother’s Day Bear Bouquet. The bear bunch features 12 matching teddy bears wrapped in tissue paper and tied in an elegant purple box. $34.99. amazon.com.

When you need a towel, you need a towel, and if you pack the NanoDry from Matador, you’ll have one. The quick-drying NanoDry Towel absorbs 2.3x its weight and packs down into its own vented silicone storage case, which can hook onto a diaper bag, gym bag, or work bag, thanks to a carabiner. Featuring Gold-coat antimicrobial technology, the towel opens to 47x28 inches, yet when packed weighs only 2.7oz. $34.99. matadorup.com.

14 MAY2017

Take your little one along on your workout — or for a leisurely, stylish spin — with the Schwinn Interval Jogger from Safety 1st. Combining the best of safety expertise and bicycle knowledge, this stroller features a lightweight frame, lockable front wheel, real all-terrain tires, premium suspension, and a multi-position adjustable handle for maximum comfort.

Easy to maneuver on the road or in the mall, the stroller also accepts any Safety 1st Cosco infant car seat. $199.99. safety1st.com.

DanT A SHAW

s t u b e DM D

e b u YouT g n i m a G r a t s r e p u S w o h S y l i m a F w e N

LISS

BY ME

Y

ouTube gaming superstar Dan Middleton, known to millions worldwide as DanTDM, is pulling triple duty these days: crisscrossing the U.S. on his first North American tour, producing videos for his 14-million-subscriber-strong YouTube channel, and debuting a new live action/animated show for families on YouTube Red: DanTDM Creates a Big Scene.

The six-episode series, which recently debuted on YouTube and the YouTube Kids app for YouTube Red subscribers, follows the fictional behind-the-scenes of Middleton’s tour. Each episode follows Middleton and friends as they pull together to face challenges that threaten to jeopardize his touring show. The series combines live action with animated characters from his massively popular Minecraft videos and includes real footage from his world tour intermixed with the chaotic behind-thescenes storylines.

“It’s a great opportunity to take the characters out of the video games I play and stories I tell in those and put them into their own world inside the tour,” Middleton said from Los Angeles, where he was recording videos for his DanTDM channel at YouTube’s LA Space production studios. “We can take them into the real

world outside of the show to go on their own adventures; it was really cool. I’m excited for that, and I felt like it really combined the show and the characters perfectly. I think it will be really interesting to see them outside of the game in real world adventures and carrying out their own stories.”

Middleton, 25, said his cast of characters from his Minecraft videos have been developed much more for the new show and hopes fans enjoy that, as well as the mix of live action and animation.

“It’s been a super fun project I’m really proud of,” he said. “I also hope that they get an idea of the tour because only a small percentage of my fan base gets to see the live shows. It’s going to be cool to have them experience a little bit of the live show, too.”

While Middleton has previously toured throughout the U.K. and Australia, his current U.S. tour, DanTDM On Tour, which started in Boston in March, is his first “full-on tour,” he says. “Before the tour started I’d only been to Orlando and New York City. This is a great opportunity to explore new places.”

Constant travel, via his rock-starlevel tour bus, has been split up with flights to YouTube Space studios on both coasts to continue producing gaming videos for his channel. “It can

be difficult because I’m doing the tour, but that’s almost weirdly a side project because I’m doing my main channel at the same time,” he explained.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time in the YouTube Space, which is cool because I can focus on that for hours and record as much as I can.”

And, like any performer who tours and travels extensively, sleep can be a precious commodity: “Going state to state, show to show, it’s been a massive learning curve for me. What I’m learning very quickly is we don’t know what day it is a lot.”

The first half of the U.S. tour will take Middleton to 17 states, ending this month in San Francisco. “After the first leg of the tour, I’ll get about four weeks at home where I’ll enjoy going back to normal for a bit, and then we’re out for another six weeks for the second leg of the U.S. tour,” he said. “I’m away from home, different country, and we’re traveling a lot. It’s crazy hectic, but it’s tons of fun as well.”

The 90-minute live show takes Middleton’s online life and brings it

into the real world, featuring characters from his channel, games, and adventures to explore. Whether they’re in the U.K., Australia, or the U.S., Middleton said audiences are similar in that they’re different every night because every show is unique.

“They respond differently to certain parts of the show, which has been really interesting to learn about and experience,” he added. “It’s a really cool thing because each show is different and that makes it even more fun.”

Middleton said the live shows, many of which have been selling out, have also been “really rewarding” as he gets to see thousands of his fans at once, a novelty as main interactions are traditionally online.

“When I wasn’t doing the tour, I can spend long periods of times between events not meeting fans often, maybe once a month or so,” he said. “Whereas now, every weekend I’m meeting fans and getting feedback instantly on the stuff we’re doing. I really enjoy it.”

BAYSTATEPARENT 15

How You Can Create a Home of Learning

By Jodi Healy

16 MAY2017

A facilitator’s role is to create a positive and enriched environment with resources and circumstances for enhanced learning and development. Many parents believe they are doing facilitation right, providing play dates, sending the child to preschool, signing them up for soccer, or even buying them the toys they want. And these are ways to facilitate a child’s life. However, without facilitating learning, much of our opportunity to serve as the greatest resource for our growing and everchanging child is lost.

ences, interpretations, development, competency, and understanding.

We have the opportunity right in our homes to facilitate learning by using the toys, practices, and techniques that naturally target the learning domains of a developing child. We can bring the resources any accredited program offers and implement them right in our homes.

Materials and concepts used in nationally accredited early learning programs have been developed and used by early childhood practitioners and educators for decades,

The importance of play

combining experience, knowledge, and practical application.

Parents can offer the same rich experiences and create the same environment at home. This approach can begin as soon as a child can crawl and can be used through formal schooling (to age 8 and beyond), providing years of discovery and fun. The objective is not to create a preschool in the home, supplement a preschool experience, or create an academic world. Creating a home of learning is not building a prescribed, teaching-based environment, but rather providing the child with the right toys and resources to experiment, discover, evolve, and grow through play.

Inside Learning Areas

Photo courtesy Jodi Healy

I

magine giving a bicycle to an adult who has never seen or ridden one, and not showing them how or what to do. The adult may be able to figure it out, but it is unlikely. The person would try, fall, and probably never ride again.

A child, new to the world, is the same. If you give a child a cup, they will hold it for a minute, then drop it.

Without instruction, the cup holds no purpose for the child, and he or she does not know the possibilities.

However, if you create the proper setting and facilitate learning, giving this same child a cup and a spoon full of water, the minute will turn into five. If you give the child a spoon and a cup with a bucket of water outside, or with pasta or bubbles, the five minutes will turn into thirty, and so on. Rather than simple observation, the activity will turn into exploration and a rich sensory integration experience.

Open your mind to the possibilities and opportunity you have to create a home of learning. This is not a daunting task or more work. I actually had more free time because I took the time to facilitate such an environment, which kept my children occupied. I was not their sole source of entertainment. I kept my children busy, learning through play, while I was able to do the dishes, make phone calls, check email, or do other things. I also had the peace of mind knowing I was giving them the right opportunities of discovery and exploration, not sticking them in front of a TV so I could have a break (even though I did do that at times).

And teaching happens naturally in this type of rich learning environment because it also keeps you engaged in your child’s development and progress. They will ask for help, guidance, and engage you with questions.

By being conscious of the constant opportunity you have to create and facilitate learning while a child plays, you can also become your child’s greatest teacher. The concepts of structuring a child’s environment and learning how to facilitate it around the home and beyond will become a new way of life.

Young children learn when they play — and work very hard when they do. They use all their resources and energy to participate in and make sense of the world around them. Children learn when challenged by settings and tools that foster their growing skills and abilities.

A child’s brain triples in size the first three years of life and absorbs more information than any other time.

The first five to eight years are the most important in preparing a child for what is ahead: establishing confidence, independence, and a joy for learning. The home environment can set the stage for all future life experi-

In nationally accredited early learning programs, learning domains — essential areas of learning in proper development — are targeted and promoted by using specific toys and equipment through intentionally designed work and play centers.

Centers are dedicated areas for art, blocks, discovering science, dramatic play, literacy, math and manipulatives, music and movement, sand and water play, technology, or more.

In these areas, toys are rotated, and activities are changed regularly, often following a curriculum or theme. Centers are also designed to accommodate multi-aged children’s interest and abilities.

The concept of centers can be implemented easily in a smaller home setting, by setting up spaces called Learning Areas. There are 12 dedicated Learning Areas (see diagram, next page.) Each is designed to target learning domains and facilitate proper development through different types of play. All areas should be established, but you can start with a few toys or items in each and add as you go. Toys and equipment will evolve with age and competence. Children between ages 3 and 6 will require more complex and rich play, where infants up to age 2 will be more interested in shapes, colors, textures and sizes, and exploring toys rather than engaging in play with them.

If you do not have a large enough space for all the Learning Areas, some can be established in different parts of the home. When my children were very small, the easel served as the Art Area and the Writing Area, but as fine motor skills and writing became more developmentally appropriate, I established a dedicated Writing Area. I have a small, sturdy, round table and four chairs in my kitchen with a clear plastic three-drawer container that holds different types of paper, crayons, markers, scissors, paints, glue, colored pencils, and more.

The 12 basic Learning Areas and sample equipment: 1. Center Activity Table (for manipulatives and free play collections) 2. House Area (babies, changing station, kitchen, dress up clothes) 3. Climbing & Movement Area (climbing structure, rocking horse, sit and spins) Photo courtesy Jodi Healy

4. Play House Structures Area (various houses to play in) 5. Art Area (easel or small table and chairs) 6. Reading Area (bookcase, books, reading area, cushions, soft elements- blanket) 7. Listening Area (recorder, CDs) 11. Sensory Table (i.e., water table)

8. Writing Area (small table and chairs) 9. Construction Area (blocks, cars, car tracks, parking garage, dinosaurs) 10. Doll House Area* (full-size doll house or Barbie house)

12. Outdoor Area (chalk, balls, jump ropes, other) To small children, the world feels very big. This is why we create Learning Areas and a set up a playroom sized just for them. Everything

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in the playroom should be in reach of and be able to be used by the child. A child’s play space should be their own little world. Items, such as tables and chairs, should be childsized, All children are alike and all children are different. Some will naturally be drawn to and play in certain

workspaces and with types of toys or equipment more than others.

Some children may spend most of the day playing with blocks or cars, while others may be in the reading space looking at books. This is normal and healthy. Learning is influenced by many factors: genetic heritage, age and size, sex or gender, culture (home and community), interests, ability and disability, and medical conditions.

Offering children choices of Learning Areas, toys, and activities will give you insight into their interests and abilities, and you will find yourself changing your setup to accommodate their interests.

However, if a child needs work in one area, it is important to facilitate them to that activity or area. Some children may need to practice coordination, such as using their large muscles for climbing or pumping a swing.

Areas of learning will cultivate a whole and competent child with the foundation necessary for success. Understanding how children play, the right toys to provide, and techniques to follow will transform the life of your children and open the world of learning and discovery right in your home. For more information, visit facebook.com/ createahomeoflearning or createahomeoflearning.com.

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What to Do When Food Allergies Strike

BY MICHAEL PISTINER, MD

F

irst it was the funny taste in his mouth. Then crankiness.

Then vomiting. After about 20 minutes came throat clearing and some coughing.

Thirty minutes later came the hives and itchiness. This was my son’s reaction after he tried a chocolate walnut bar for the first time. He was 3 ½ at the time.

It’s Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month and approximately 15 million Americans have a food allergy, including 6 million children, according to the Allergy & Asthma Network.

Each person can have different food allergy symptoms — and even different symptoms from one reaction to the next. Symptoms can include itchiness and swelling on the lips or

tongue, or an itchy, swollen rash on the skin. If symptoms worsen, there can be shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness vomiting, and even loss of consciousness.

All because of a bite of food.

Most food-allergic reactions are mild, but there are approximately 30,000 episodes of food-induced anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening, allergic reaction — every year in the United States, including some that can be fatal.

The only proven way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid foods you or your child are allergic to — that’s why an accurate diagnosis from a board-certified allergist is essential.

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What’s an allergen?

An allergen is anything that causes an allergic reaction. People can be allergic to practically any food, but the most common food allergens in the United States are: • Cow’s milk • Eggs • Peanuts • Tree nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, or cashews) • Fish • Shellfish (such as crab, lobster, or shrimp) • Wheat • Soy

In addition to these Top 8 allergens, sesame allergy is on the rise in the United States. Less-common food allergens include corn, garlic, mustard, sunflower seeds, and poppy seeds.

Since allergens can be found in foods you don’t normally expect, it’s important for parents to read food product labels and avoid cross contact.

Federal law mandates that food labels list any allergens in clear language, either in the ingredients or in a “Contains” statement placement immediately after or next to the ingredients listing. Avoid food products labeled with advisory statement such as “May contain…”

— this means there’s a chance the

food allergen is present or it was made with equipment or utensils used on other food products containing allergens. Also, be cautious with imported foods as labeling regulations vary by country.

Cross-contact occurs when a food allergen comes into contact with a food that’s safe for you. It happens more often than you think: dipping a knife in the jelly jar after using it to spread peanut butter, for example, or chopping almonds on a cutting board and then slicing a tomato without cleaning the cutting board first. Parents should thoroughly wash dishes, utensils, pots and pans, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing foods.

What is the treatment for a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction?

For all the allergen-avoidance strategies, accidental exposures still happen. When they do, and anaphylaxis strikes, epinephrine is the only drug that will treat symptoms. It should be given as soon as a severe reaction is suspected.

Epinephrine is a form of adrenaline, a hormone your body produces naturally in response to stressful situations. Administered through the use of an epinephrine autoinjector, the medication has a similar effect on the body. It increases your heart rate and blood pressure, relaxes muscles in the airways and suppresses your immune system’s response to the allergens, halting the life-threatening effects.

Delays in administering epinephrine can increase the risk of hospitalization. Fatal reactions are often associated with delaying the use of epinephrine or not using it at all.

When you are prepared to treat an allergic reaction, it makes a real emergency situation less stressful.

Learn to recognize your child’s signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction so you can give epinephrine as early as possible. Most allergic reactions happen within minutes to a few hours after contact with an allergen. Reactions can differ each time; they can start as mild symptoms and worsen quickly.

Talk to your child’s doctor about when and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. Each brand has a website with instructions and videos to help you learn how to use the device. Practice with a training device; studies show supervised epinephrine tutorials improve patient and parent comfort levels with administering the medication.

Be sure to ask your doctor to fill out an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. The American Academy of Pediatrics developed the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan to spell out when to administer your epinephrine

auto-injector. Read more about the plan and download a PDF version at healthychildren.org/English/healthissues/conditions/allergies-asthma/ Pages/Create-an-Allergy-andAnaphylaxis-Emergency-Plan.aspx.

If you’re at risk for anaphylaxis, always carry two doses of epinephrine with you at all times. About 20% of children experiencing a food-induced anaphylactic reaction will experience a second reaction, called a biphasic reaction.

While antihistamines may be effective for mild allergic reactions, they do not treat severe or life-threatening reactions. And when allergic reactions occur, there’s no way of

knowing whether it will progress from mild to severe.

Clinical practice guidelines support epinephrine as the first line of defense to treat anaphylaxis.

After you give epinephrine, call 911 for an ambulance and request one that carries a supply of epinephrine so treatment is readily available in case a second reaction occurs.

Share as many details as possible about the incident and what may have caused the allergic reaction.

Provide information about when the epinephrine auto-injector was administered; bring the used device if possible. After treatment, request

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a referral to a board-certified allergist if you don’t already see one.

Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc, is a Boston-based pediatric allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network (allergyasthmanetwork.org). He will join MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s Food Allergy Center this summer. He is co-author of Living Confidently With Food Allergy and is a voluntary consultant with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, School Health Service Unit.

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BOE Sets Scoring Levels, Definitions for MCAS 2.0

BY DOUG PAGE

To help teachers figure out where students excelled and struggled, we will give descriptions of all items so they can identify which skill was tested in that question.”

The late arrival of test scores prevents a suggestion from state Secretary of Education James Peyser from becoming a reality. During February’s Massachusetts Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Peyser suggested a new top achievement level — “Being Successful For The Next Grade Level.”

“We have a technical problem in referring to being ready for next year because the reports arrive in the parents’ hands next year,” DESE Deputy Commissioner Jeff Wulfson told Peyser. Wulfson leads DESE’s efforts to create the new test.

At its March meeting, the BOE approved the following achievement level definitions for MCAS 2.0, which is being taken this spring by 425,000 Massachusetts students in Grades 3-8:

• Exceeding Expectations – A stu-

While the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) remains opaque about the level of Common Core-related content in the new MCAS 2.0 test, what is clear is the test’s achievement levels and their definitions.

As in the previous version of the exam, there are four achievement, or scoring, levels that gauge how well children in Grades 3-8 performed on the exam.

And similar to the former MCAS, this spring’s new test results won’t be released to parents and guardians until October, causing some Massachusetts public school educators — who requested anonymity — to label it “an autopsy” because students will be in the next grade by the time test scores arrive.

“The information is still useful in addressing areas where the child might need more help in the future,” DESE spokesperson Jacqueline Reis said. “We are supplying schools with preliminary results over the summer that can be used to plan instruction.

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dent who performed at this level exceeded grade-level expectations by demonstrating mastery of the subject matter.

• Meeting Expectations – A student who performed at this level met grade-level expectations and is academically on track to succeed in the current grade in this subject.

• Partially Meeting Expectations – A student who performed at this level partially met grade-level expectations in this subject. The school, in consultation with the student’s parent/ guardian, should consider whether the student needs additional academic assistance to succeed in this subject.

• Not Meeting Expectations – A student who performed at this level did not meet grade-level expectations in this subject. The school, in consultation with the student’s parent/guardian, should determine the coordinated academic assistance and/or additional instruction the student needs to succeed in the subject.

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Unlike previous years, when school districts were required to test at least 95% of their students or risk receiving a Level 3 rating (akin to a warning) based on a low participation, this year school districts will not automatically fall into that category if they assess at least 90% of their Grade 3-8 students. That changes next year, when federal education law requires all schools and school districts test at least 95% of their students, Reis says.

Reis also notes that this year’s percentage exception doesn’t apply to high schools. At least 95% of high school students in public school districts scheduled to take MCAS are required to be assessed to keep the school district out of a Level 3 rating.

In approving the new exam in November 2015, the BOE decided that low test scores will not be held against school districts this year.

That changes next year, when MCAS scores will be counted toward a school district’s rating, from 1 (the best) to 5 (the worst).

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Report: Rhode Island to Adopt MCAS 2.0 While key details are still unknown, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) announced it’s tossing out the Common Core-aligned PARCC to test its public school children in Grades 3-8 and adopting the MCAS 2.0 test from Massachusetts.

Massachusetts first rolled out MCAS 2.0 this spring as a “hybrid” test, featuring a mix of Common Core questions from the controversial PARCC exam and those unique to Massachusetts. MCAS 2.0 is viewed as a compromise between the need to administer a standardized test to continue to receive federal education funds and a way to avoid the ire and protest of parents, educators, and administrators who are staunch critics of Common Core and the PARCC test. MCAS 2.0 is being administered for the first time to 425,000 Massachusetts third through eighth graders this spring.

Massachusetts’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which oversees all K-12 public schools in Massachusetts, announced in a press release that it is in “talks [with RIDE] to use the next-generation MCAS for its students in Grades 3-8.”

But a story published in Rhode Island’s largest newspaper, The Providence Journal, in mid-April, reports the state’s adoption of MCAS 2.0 is a done deal: “State Education Commissioner Ken Wagner announced Friday that the state is tossing out Rhode Island’s widely unpopular standardized test, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and adopting the well-regarded Massachusetts test for grades three through eight.”

“It’s an opportunity to move to a well-respected partner,” Wagner said in the story.

Further in the article, he noted: “MCAS isn’t a better test. It’s about a partnership with Massachusetts. We always compare ourselves to Massachusetts.

Now we can actually do it.”

The PARCC test, which was used to test Rhode Island public school students in Grades 3-8, was unpopular, with many par-

ents and teachers complaining it was too long, The Providence Journal reported. More than 10,000 Rhode Island students opted out of taking the PARCC test in 2015, the newspaper said.

Details of the Ocean State’s adoption of MCAS 2.0 are unknown, including the financial aspects for RIDE to use MCAS 2.0, as well as when Rhode Island will introduce the new test.

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DIVORCE & SINGLE PARENTING • ADVENTURE AWAITS

Key Travel Considerations for Co-Parents

BY ATTY. ANDY P. MILLER School will soon be out for the summer, and many families are already planning their summer getaways. If you’re separated or divorced, travel plans can be challenging. But we’ve got some tips to help ensure smooth sailing, no matter where you go.

If you’re planning to go out of state or out of the country, the first thing you need to do is ensure that you’ve got the permission of your child’s other parent. Some divorce agreements require prior approval. But even if yours doesn’t, it’s common courtesy to let your ex-spouse know your plans.

Both parents also need to consent to the issuance of a passport for children under age 18. The easiest way to do this is to have both of you present when you apply for your child’s passport. If that’s not possible, you need to provide a court order showing you have sole legal custody of the child; proof you are the only legal parent; or a notarized statement of consent from the other parent.

It also helps to have a notarized statement from your ex saying you have his or her permission to take

your child out of state or out of the country, as well as a notarized statement authorizing medical care in a medical emergency.

When it comes to planning your vacation, try to include your children in making travel plans. Give them a say in where you’re going and what you’ll be doing, if possible. When you’re ready to travel, let them help find the gate at the airport or read maps to get to your destination. It’s not only fun for them, but it also teaches them necessary skills for traveling on their own some day.

If you’re traveling by plane, here are some tips to make it easier: • Avoid check-in lines at the airport.

Check in ahead of time online.

• Bring a stroller to make it easier to juggle toddlers and luggage. You can check the stroller when you board the airplane; it doesn’t count as luggage.

• Take advantage of early boarding for families with small children, helping you get your children and carryons in place.

• Make sure you’ve got plenty of things to keep your children enter-

tained — including books, coloring and activity books, games and electronic devices. (Don’t forget to bring portable charging units to keep them powered.)

• Pack snacks for the plane ride, as well as for your hotel.

• Don’t forget an emergency kit with Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, a thermometer, and children’s Advil or Tylenol.

• Also make sure you’ve got an emergency plan in place, knowing how and who to call for help should they become separated from you while away.

• Pick family-friendly hotels and have a family-friendly itinerary.

• Have an emergency plan in case your kids get separated… make sure they know how to find help and

whom to ask.

Finally, remember to have fun. It’s tough to maintain routines while on vacation, but it’s OK to be flexible when it comes to bedtimes and other routines.

The single most important thing you need to do is enjoy your time together, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Attorney Andy P. Miller is the founder and managing attorney of Miller Law Group, P.C. (apmillerlawgroup.com). A father himself, Miller focuses on children and their best interests by helping guide parents through the divorce process.

Having practiced in nearly every county in Massachusetts, he has a wide understanding of the various courts in Massachusetts and experience before many judges.

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ADVENTURE AWAITS

14 Ways to Make Family Travel Packing Lighter, Easier

BY MELISSA SHAW

P

acking is an unavoidable reality of traveling, and when you’re a mom preparing for a family trip, the chore is multiplied by the number of children in your family. Sure, once your kids get older they can be trusted to pack for themselves. But for several years, the responsibility of remembering all your stuff — and theirs — falls on your shoulders (and possibly in your bag, too).

To literally lighten your next load and make the experience easier, check out real-world, practical advice from these travel and parenting experts.

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Start with a list. Yes, it’s obvious — but do you use one? “There are many mistakes that families can make when packing for travel,” says Tammy Gold, licensed therapist, certified parent coach, and founder of the New York-based Tammy Gold Nanny Agency. “The biggest one is forgetting those items that you reminded yourself 100 times not to forget. The easiest way to deal with this? Lists, lists, lists. As redundant as it sounds, lists can be a lifesaver!

Write down all the things you need and check them off once they make it into the suitcase to make sure

24 MAY2017

nothing gets left behind.”

“Make a checklist of items required for the trip, and remember that airport shops rarely have products for infants,” adds Lisa Furuland, mother of two and creator of DockATot, a portable baby lounger where infants can sleep, play, and more (dockatot.com).

Stephanie Goldman, senior director of marketing and communications at Samsonite, suggests parents create a travel checklist for every family member: “For older kids, get them involved, and have them fill their own personal item — like a backpack — with activities and snacks.”

When you get to your destination, can you buy whatever you forgot?

Sure. But remembering that item in the first place saves you time, extra travel, and money. Did you really travel to your vacation destination to see the inside of a Target?

Pack essentials first, extras last.

“Do we really need the 64 pack of crayons? A rule of thumb I like to follow is ‘pack smart,’” Gold explains. “Start with the bare minimum; only pack the things you need. Once those are bundled, then it’s OK to start adding the rest with the leftover room.”

Packing clothes that pull double duty helps, too. “Consider packing multi-purpose clothing, like a lightweight jacket, as opposed to different sweaters and cardigans for each day,” Samsonite’s Goldman says.

Pack at the same time. “One way for families to lighten their load is to pack at the same time,” she adds.

“While it may be a challenge to scurry around and gather everything together, it helps to get another perspective on what’s being packed.

When packing alone, the question of ‘Do I really need this?’ occurs a lot, and usually follows with you throwing it in your suitcase, anyway. When packing together, a simple call out of, ‘Do I really need this?’ will result in a system that will keep your over packing at bay (and probably a lot of no’s as well).”

Roll those clothes. “Rolling clothes, instead of folding them, will allow you to fit more into a smaller space,” explains family travel expert Grainne Kelly, a former travel agent who created BubbleBum, the world’s first inflatable booster seat (bubblebum.co).

“Garments like underwear, T-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won’t wrinkle when rolled tightly,” Gold adds. “Stiffer fabrics, like cotton shirts, blazers, dress pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded, as they can wrinkle easy.”

Avoid ‘Bag of the Day.’ “While some people will suggest that the best way to pack for kids is to pack an outfit per day — including socks and underwear — into ziplock bags, labeled and ready to go, I have

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Don’t forget duct tape and plastic ziplock bags. “Yes, you read that right. Duct tape is the perfect allaround tool,” Kelly notes. “You can fix a torn suitcase or bag handle in a snap; baby-proof electrical outlets by covering them with a piece of it; and so on. You never know what might need a quick fix on the road! Plastic ziplock baggies are for everything: dirty laundry, wet swimwear, socks and underwear, items that could leak, items that need protecting, all the electronics chargers. Keeping small items in a bag make them easier to locate and keep organized.”

Tone down the toys. Packing too many toys is easy to do and a burden in the long run. “You need some items that do double duty to avoid the problem,” Kelly advises.

“For example, the Mr. Bear that your daughter can’t live without can double as a travel pillow. The tablet you were thinking of leaving behind can be loaded up with movies, games, coloring apps, and more, making it a one-stop play tool. With older children, the best thing to do is provide them with a carry-on bag that they can put their personal items in. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t go. Throw in a few snacks, their sunglasses, and any other necessities, and you’re ready to go!”

Look to laundry. If luggage space is a major issue, call and see if your destination has a laundry.

“When booking family accommodation, look for one that has some sort of laundry facility,” Kelly says.

“That way, you can pack less clothing and do a load mid-way through the trip to have enough for the duration. Hotel laundry services are expensive, so avoid that unless there’s tomato sauce on the flower girl dress and ceremony is the next day!”

Borrow gear. “To lighten the load of luggage and baggage fees, look for family friendly hotels/ resorts that provide baby gear, like strollers, for traveling families,” DockATot’s Furuland suggests.

Packing a carry-on “When it comes to avoiding airline baggage fees, it’s important to know each airline’s policy,” she reminds. “No two airlines baggage policies are alike; some airlines allow passengers to check one bag for free, some airlines charge for carry-on bags.”

“If the flight you’re traveling on allows a free carry-on, you better believe everyone’s bringing an extra bag with them,” Gold notes.

If you’re traveling with a baby, Furuland advises parents plan for delays when packing diapers, formula, and baby wipes. “If you’re breastfeeding, consider additional breast shields to prevent leakage,” she adds. “Pre-pack bottles and use powders to avoid additional delays at the TSA checkpoints. Request warm water from the flight attendant once on board; they usually have plenty on-hand for tea and coffee.”

BubbleBum’s Kelly says carry-ons aren’t just for extra clothes and snacks. “You should also consider those items you can’t live without: medications, important papers, Mr. Bear. These are all things that could get lost if placed in checked luggage, creating a negative start to a great family trip.”

Go hands-free. “Bring a baby sling or carrier,” Furuland says. “This can make moving about a busy airport easier. No need to bring a stroller to struggle with, especially if you have older kids in tow. If you need a stroller, do a gate check for ease of drop-off and pick-up.”

Everything you bring, you carry.

“Just keep in mind that everything you pack is going to be something you will have to carry through airports and train stations, to taxi stands and buses. So make sure you’re not setting out to start your trip as a pack mule,” Kelly advises.

Stand out in a crowd. Your luggage is easy to spot in your home, but how about at the baggage carousel?

“Having cases that are easy to spot in a crowd makes it easier to keep control of them,” Kelly notes. “Even a child can spot their suitcase with the pink unicorn webbing strap or hippy chic floral pattern. Basic black is lovely for business, but when you’re trying to track down four cases while keeping hold of two kids, it’s best if you can spot your luggage a long way off.”

And, remember, you need to get that suitcase through the airport, so make sure yours doesn’t make that a chore. “Choose luggage that is easy to push, pull, and carry,” Samsonite’s Goldman says. “Today there are cases that are lower to the ground and have even more handle heights, allowing for ease of use by most all family members.”

TM & © DSE

found that for any child older than a toddler, the system goes haywire

by Day Three as they decide that they don’t actually want to wear what is in the Day Three bag,” Kelly says. “It can be bulkier to pack this way, too, unless you’re using compression bags, and in a location with changing weather conditions — completely useless.”

“Consider packing cubes and labeling them into categories like shoes, toiletries, dirty laundry, etc.,” Goldman recommends. “This allows you to find and store items easily in your suitcase.”

Opening June 3 All New Bilingual Museum

Featuring literacy-based interactives, never-before-seen art and personal memorabilia Learn more at SpringfieldMuseums.org/SeussInSpringfield

BAYSTATEPARENT 25

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Springfield Museums Add Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum Next Month

B

oasting four separate museums, the oldest working planetarium in the United States, and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, the Springfield Museums truly offer something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Whether you’ve already visited or have never set foot in the Quadrangle Park of museums, you’ll want to mark your summer calendar for a road trip to 21 Edwards St., Springfield, because next month a fifth museum will be added to its

26 MAY2017

lineup with the grand opening of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum.

“The science museum is a great destination for families,” says Kay Simpson, Springfield Museums executive director. “We always try to have really kid-friendly exhibits on display.”

With an exploration center on the lower level that offers hands-on learning stations and live animal demonstration stations, it’s easy to see why the science museum is a hit.

Add to that life-size dinosaur replicas in Dinosaur Hall, a 290-pound meteorite in Mineral Hall, and fish that walk on land in the Solutia Live Animal Center, and parents have the beginnings of a great day trip.

And be sure to catch a show in the Seymour Planetarium while at the science museum.

At the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, parents can bond with their kiddos over the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), who have resurfaced for a new generation of children to enjoy. Families can explore a unique exhibit on view until Sept. 3 that compares original TMNT graphic novel art with the art museum’s own extensive collection of Japanese arms, armor, and artwork. The exhibit, “Turtle Power!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Samurai Heroes,” compares the modern-day samurai turtle heroes to the original samurai of Japan, showcasing ancient samurai artifacts as well as 80 original TMNT illustrations. Fun fact: TMNT creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird lived just 20 miles away in Northampton when they issued their first TMNT comic

Photos courtesy Springfield Museums

BY MICHELLE PERRAS-CHARRON

book in 1984.

At the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, “Jeweled Objects of Desire” will dazzle parents and children alike. The special exhibit, which runs through the remainder of the year, features the work of jewelry designer Sidney Mobell, who is internationally known for transforming common objects into jeweled pieces of artwork.

“He’s taken utilitarian objects and turned them into something fantastically beautiful and interesting,” Simpson notes of the special exhibition.

Examples of items on display include a jeweled penny gumball machine, a Monopoly game board, and a golden mailbox with 76.70 carats of precious and semi-precious

stones, among many others.

At the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, families can explore some of the amazing products born out of Springfield, including the Automobile Gallery, which features a replica of a Duryea (the first gas-powered car in the United States); the Granville Brothers Aircraft; the Esta Manthos Indian Motorcycle Collection; the Smith & Wesson Gallery of Firearms History; and Hasbro GameLand.

Described as “fun and interactive”

by Simpson, GameLand has several interactive stations for children to enjoy. While there, families can also learn about Milton Bradley, who moved to Springfield in 1856 as a failing lithographer.

Inside The New Seuss Museum And, finally, there is the grand opening of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum the first weekend in June.

The official ribbon cutting will take place June 2, says Simpson, with June 3-4 playing host to numerous kidfriendly events, including a parade that will begin on the real Mulberry Street in Springfield and make its way to Quadrangle Park. Released in 1937, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was Dr. Seuss’s first children’s book — based on a real street in downtown Springfield — near where he grew up in the early 1900s.

“We are replicating what we did when we opened the sculpture garden in 2002,” Simpson notes of the 30 bronze statues that celebrate the author/illustrator and his characters.

“It really will be a very grand celebration.”

Parade highlights include the 50-foot-tall The Cat in the Hat balloon, traditionally seen in Springfield’s Parade of the Big Balloons the day after Thanksgiving; costumed characters such as Thing 1 and Thing 2; the Springfield High School of Science & Technology Band, the Springfield Thunderbirds; an open top doubledecker bus; and “Seussed”-up antique cars, to name a few. It will be a very Seussical day of fun, Simpson says,

including hands-on activities for children.

As for the new museum, it promises to be an interesting and interactive look at the early life of Dr. Seuss, with three-dimensional recreations of places seen and frequented by Dr. Seuss as a young boy in Springfield.

Described by Simpson as an “immersive, wrap-around environment,” the many murals, 3-D replicas, digital technology, special lighting and even colors on the museum’s first floor

was fond of drawing his imaginary creatures on his bedroom walls.

Inspiration for these imaginary creatures often came from the Forest Park Zoo, where Geisel’s father was the superintendent.

“He would go all the time with his sketchbook and draw his imaginary creatures,” Simpson says.

Naturally, one can only imagine Dr. Seuss’s, If I Ran the Zoo was eventually born from these outings to Forest Park Zoo.

“The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum explores Ted’s childhood in Springfield and what inspired him as a child.”

— Kay Simpson, Springield Museums Executive Director

help to engage museum-goers with a world as seen through the eyes of a young Theodor Geisel.

“The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum explores Ted’s childhood in Springfield and what inspired him as a child,” she adds.

For example, Geisel’s childhood home in Forest Park is recreated, replete with a large, interactive, touch-screen drawing wall for children, Simpson notes, because Geisel

The Howard Street Armory is also represented at the museum, as this was located across from the Seuss Bakery, which was owned by his mother’s family, she adds. While at the museum, families may note the armory’s signature turrets and winding staircases, both of which can often be found in Dr. Seuss children’s books.

“It’s like storybook Springfield: places he knew, but with glimpses of

things to come,” Simpson adds.

In Readingville, interactive stations allow families to explore the many books written by Dr. Seuss to encourage reading. Here, favorite characters such as the Lorax, Horton, and The Cat in the Hat are represented three dimensionally — there is even a Seven Hump Wump of Mr. Gump for the kiddos to climb on!

On the second level, parents and older children will enjoy viewing a recreation of Dr. Seuss’s studio, which includes original drawings, artwork, his drawing desk, chair, and other furniture from his family home.

Unpublished family photographs are also on display.

There is also an educational display detailing the creation of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.

The bronze sculptures were made

by Dr. Seuss’s step-daughter, Lark, Simpson says. Coupled with the fun and zaniness of the lower level, the new museum holds a space for all ages to enjoy.

“Dr. Seuss is multi-generational,” she adds. “Kids just identify with the characters from the books that they love. And the parents are reading the books that they loved to read as a kid.”

For more information about the Springfield Museums, including opening weekend of the new Dr. Seuss museum, visit springfield museums.org.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 27

Planning a Visit to the Wonderful accomModating WORLD OF DISNEY

BY MARSHAL D. HANEISEN

Planning is key

“If you can dream it, you can do it,” Walt Disney famously said. Many children dream of a family vacation to Walt Disney World Resort. For some, the trip is a once-in-a-lifetime event. The pressure is on to make it wonderful, and when a family has a child with special needs, the concerns can be more complex. Yet, the resort has an array of services and accommodations for guests with disabilities.

28 MAY2017

If there is one theme that occurs over and over in parenting, it is the power of planning. And planning is an important part of a successful trip to Disney World — for any family. Set aside a fair amount of time to explore the vacation planning website, disneyworld.disney.go.com. On the dropdown menu under Help, you will find the Guests with Disabilities page: disneyworld. disney.go.com/guest-services/ guests-with-disabilities. This comprehensive webpage provides an overview of the resort’s extensive offerings, including: Disability Access Service: This program is designed to accommodate people with disabilities who are unable to tolerate longer waits in line for rides and attractions. Note: This program does not allow the person or their group to cut in the line ahead of everyone else. Instead, it provides the guest with a return time at which he or she will be able to board or enter the attraction.

This allows the person to use the restroom, eat, or see other sights while waiting for the return time.

This service cannot be arranged in advance of the trip; it must be coordinated in-person at Guest Services.

Mobility Services: This sorts park attractions according to a guest’s ability to remain in a wheelchair, need to transfer from the wheelchair to a vehicle or seat, or a need to be ambulatory.

Accommodations for Guests with Autism or Cognitive Disabilities: These include Advanced Ticket Purchase, Stroller and Wheelchair Rental, Stroller as Wheelchair Accommodation, Air-conditioned Quiet Rooms, Rider Switch, Break Areas, and Companion Restrooms, as well as helpful guides and maps to each attraction.

The parks also offer an impressive collection of resources available to accommodate guests with hearing or visual disabilities.

Other subcategories on the Services or Guests with Disabilities website page include: •

• •

• • • • • •

Restroom & Companion Restrooms Wheelchair rentals Electric Conveyance Vehicle Rentals Services for Guests with Disabilities at Disney Resort Hotels Service Animals Light Sensitivity Magnetic Fields Parking Guides for Guests with Disabilities.

Make a list of questions and concerns as you explore the website, then call the Disability Services Department at 407-5602547.

According to a Guest Relations Cast Member, upon arrival to the park, families with children with disabilities should visit Guest Relations: “We try to understand the needs of each guest. Every

need is different. Guest Relations is a one-stop shop to assist visitors.”

Overcoming discomfort around using accommodations Rebecca and Steve Marcoux visited Walt Disney World with their sons, Joshua, and Ryan, who has Down syndrome. Rebecca said she understands that parents might feel uneasy or unsure about whether to utilize services for guests with disabilities.

“I had heard that kids with special needs were given a pass to bypass the lines, but felt that since Ryan was so little we didn’t qualify for that perk,” she said.

“Then people [some with children with special needs and some without] encouraged me to ask for the pass because it would enhance the whole family’s experience, which we all deserved.

At that point in his life, the most special treatment Ryan’s diagnosis brought him were hospital stays, surgeries, and therapy appointments. Maybe this one time it was OK to take advantage of a good, positive experience.”

The staff at Guest Relations greeted the Marcoux family warmly, she said, and provided them with the Disability Access Pass.

Heat When people travel to Florida from other parts of the country, they may be surprised at just

According to Guest Relations, guests can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks into the park, though glass containers and jars are prohibited. Coolers under 24 inches are allowed and storage lockers are available. Guests are instructed to inform a Security Cast Member of any food upon entering the park.

When ordering food from any of the restaurant options in the park or at the resort hotels, guests should inform staff of dietary needs or allergies.

Think about details how warm it can be in the Sunshine State. Staying hydrated and seeking cool locations throughout the day can make for a more pleasant visit.

Quick Service locations throughout the park will provide free water at any time. Quiet rooms in Guest Relations, First Aid Stations, and Baby Care Areas are all air-conditioned spaces where families can take a break for the heat.

Restrooms and toileting First Aid Stations were important to the Buscanera family of Templeton on their visit to Walt Disney World Resort, said mom Heidi. She visited the park when her children were 16, 15, 12, and 11. Then 11-year-old Desiree, who is wheelchair-dependent, has spastic cerebral palsy as a result of being born at 23 weeks.

The first aid areas are equipped with large bathrooms and beds/ tables for changing, which the Buscaneras found helpful. “The public restrooms can be very busy, and even though stalls are labeled accessible, not all are big enough,” Heidi noted. “In the first aid areas my husband and I could both go in and change /toilet her,” she said.

Dietary concerns Special dietary needs may be a concern for some families.

No one knows your family better than you.

Examine your family’s unique needs and try to consider the details. For example, Buscanera suggests parents plan ahead for the parades: “We didn’t map out the wheelchair section and, unfortunately, with the large crowd she was unable to see the parade. She pretty much saw people’s butts.”

Overall, the Buscanera family had a wonderful experience on their visit. However, a few issues arose.

“We used her Kid Kart, it is safety- and transport-approved and has tie-down attachments like a traditional wheelchair,” Buscanera noted. “However, because it looks a little different, oftentimes after waiting in line we would be ready to board and we would then have to wait while they called someone from management to OK it.”

Also, the family was a party of eight, including two grandparents.

Some of the accessible areas and shows allow for the wheelchair and one attendant, she said.

“Most of all, expect delays and don’t expect to see the whole park in a day. Everything takes a little bit longer, and expect things to not go as planned,” she advised.

“Remain patient and go with the flow. If your child is having fun, that’s all that matters. They won’t remember what they didn’t see.

We spent two hours digging in the sand looking for fossils. It killed me, as I knew we were missing a show, but the kids had a blast.”

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BAYSTATEPARENT 29

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Family Cruising Offers Freedom for Kids, Free Time for Parents

BY MELISSA SHAW

Hitting the high seas with your family can seem intimidating for first-timers, but mom and family travel expert Lissa Poirot says cruises can be a unique family travel experience, one in which parents can actually — really — relax.

“Cruises have something for everybody to do together as a family, but it also gives kids that chance to say, ‘Hey, Mom, I’m gonna go explore on my own.’

They get that freedom they might not get on another vacation. If you go to a city, of course you’re not going to do that with your kids,” says Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic (familyvacationcritic.com), a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers reviews of family hotels, resorts, and destinations. “That’s what I liked about [cruising]: having that moment where I get to go sit at the pool and read a book, and they’re happy, too. But we’re still together and having a family vacation.” (Family Vacation Critic’s sister site, Cruise Critic, outlines “Best Ships for Families” based on cruiser reviews and ratings, and offers a family forum message board where parents can ask questions and get answers: cruisecritic. com).

Of course, younger children can’t go wandering around a large ship by themselves, but Poirot says cruise lines offer age-specific, drop-off kids clubs and programs. Parents can check their children into the club/program and then go enjoy their own activity, kid-free.

“When you’re dealing with your kids that young, having that break is so important, because otherwise it’s not a vacation for you,” she notes. “You can have a little bit of a break, which is important.”

She shares the story of her family’s first cruise, a trip to Alaska on Disney Cruise Lines. She asked her then4-year-old son what he wanted to do on his last day of vacation. His choice was to stay in the kids club all day; he didn’t even want to leave to eat meals with the family. However, when all of the Disney characters came out for meet-and-greets, Poirot couldn’t resist going to get him, figuring he wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity.

“He was furious!” she laughs. “‘I told you not to take me out! I was having fun with my friends!’ I felt guilty thinking he was going to be in there all day, but that was the vacation he wanted,” she recalls.

While parents must drop off and pick up young ones from programs, many cruise lines enable kids ages tween and up to check themselves in and out of clubs and programs, with parental permission.

“My kids are now 11 and 12. My daughter is starting those tween years, and the thing she really likes is having the freedom to walk away from me,” Poirot says. “That was what was great about cruises — I know she’s not going anywhere. So I can say, ‘Let’s meet at five, we’re going to have a family meal together.’ I’m giving her three hours where she can go and do things with her friends in some of the kids programming.”

Planning and choices Talk to cruise veterans and many are fans for life, booking repeat trips on their favorite line. But for newcomers, the array of destinations, packages, and

30 MAY2017

choices can seem intimidating.

“For me, it was overwhelming trying to plan a cruise the first time,” Poirot admits, noting her children were 4 and 5 the first time they sailed. “The fear of the unknown was the biggest hurdle. Am I going to be happy being stuck on a ship for a few days? Are we going to have enough to do? Once we experienced it, it was, like, “Oh, wow, there really is a lot to do’ and it really was easy.”

For Poirot, her planning began with the destination: “We wanted to see Alaska. We ended up going with Disney, because we thought if you’re gonna do anything, Disney must know what they’re doing. It helped us take a lot of the guesswork of it.

They helped plan everything, and they had so many details available, which made it easier for us. Since then we have done a couple of other cruises, and it made it easier because now we’re familiar.”

If you’re flexible on destination, other places to start planning include duration (some can last 3-4 days, others up to 10), price (where can you get the most for your money?), or family programming options.

“With kids, we were very interested in knowing what kinds of kids programs they had,” Poirot says. “Do they have kids clubs and activities?

Are there things they’re going to be able to do with other kids, and will there be a chance to have alone time at dinner while they’re at a pizza party? We’ve seen since more and more cruise lines trying to appeal to families in that way, offering great programming for kids and kids clubs options for different age groups.”

She encourages parents to think of what they want out of a cruise when they are researching options.

“Value, to me, is going to be: What do I get?” she says. “Do I get to have that free time? Is it going to be really easy on me? Because then it becomes more of a vacation for me. I’ve heard people complain that Disney can be a little bit pricey, but for me at the time I wanted this value. I wanted to know my kids are going to be entertained, that somebody’s going to take care of us because I was afraid to go cruising for the first time. I had no idea what I was doing. It was involving a lot of travel and the kids were young and little. I thought, to me, it was worth it, having a little extra money going to that.”

Know your kids Port excursions and special off-ship activities are a highlight of many sailings, but Poirot argues less may be more when it comes to cruising with kids.

“When they’re that young, my kids just wanted to be in the kids clubs,” she remembers. “I had taken them before to vacations where we did

attractions and all these things.

At the end I asked them what was their favorite part of the vacation, and they said, ‘The hotel swimming pool.’ When they’re really little, they don’t need those excursions. You don’t need to show them everything.

They’re going to be happy if they’re playing in a pool all day. They’re not going to want to go and whale watch, they want to play in the kids club and play in the pool.”

When Poirot took her kids on the Alaskan cruise, she chose two excursions she knew they would enjoy (dog sledding and gold panning), and skipped the rest: “It was just enough it wasn’t going to tire them out. It got them off the ship for a little bit of time and they were back in the kids club and splashing in the pool. That’s what’s really great about cruising – you get to choose what you want to do. My thing has always been: When the kids are small, don’t overdo it because you’re going to end up being exhausted and it’s not a vacation. Tailor it to your kids’ ages and what they can handle.”

Extra expenses Carefully selecting excursions and resisting the need to book many will also save you a lot of money, as many excursions cost extra above what you paid for the trip.

“I thought cruising was all-inclusive — once you got onboard pretty much everything was going to be included. And I was surprised to learn it wasn’t,” Poirot says.

For example, alcohol, and often soda, are not included in your package price. Some of a ship’s signature or upscale restaurants may cost extra, too. She advises parents do their research ahead of time and remember what is — and is not — included in their package. Another mandatory additional charge that can add up — gratuity for the ship’s staff, such as the cabin steward, housekeepers, and dining room staff who have served you for the entire trip. Many lines will outline a minimum of what each guest (kids, too) needs to pay to compensate the staff for their service.

Poirot, who since Disney has also cruised Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean with her family, says families may be able to save money by looking for unadvertised deals or discounts, especially the first night of the cruise. She remembers the first night of one trip, when her family took advantage of discount dining at one of the upscale restaurants on the ship.

The server happened to mention a special, available that night only, in which for every bottle of wine they bought, they would get one free.

Poirot and her husband took advantage of the offer and were able to buy their wine in advance for the BAYSTATEPARENT 31

Gear up for

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duration of the trip at that deep discount.

“That was something I would never have known about, it just happened the server told me about it,” she remembers.

She encourages parents to check their itinerary or ask the staff if there are special deals or other discounts, perhaps even on excursions, especially on the first night.

River cruises

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Say “cruise” to a New Englander and “Caribbean” or “Bahamas” are usually the first thoughts. But Poirot says European river cruises are making a push for families — often multiple generations together — with special sailings designed for them.

While traditional city-sized cruise ships offer everything from zip-ling and bumper cars to Broadwaystyle shows and multiple nightlife options, river cruise lines, such as AmaWaterways and Uniworld, offer much smaller ships, more relaxation, and the opportunity to see Europe in a new way.

“I hadn’t heard about [river cruises], and I really loved it because they’re small, they’re boutique,” she says. “I thought this is something only older people want

to do, but it was really relaxing.

Everybody knows who you are, you see the same people for all your meals in the evening. You’re traveling together, and you make friends. It’s more intimate than a large cruise.”

Packing “On the cruise ships, there’s not a lot of space to put your things,” Poirot notes. “If you’re sharing a room, you’re not going to have a lot of room for big suitcases.

Try to pack as light as you can.

Bathrooms are usually very small — think of that.”

If there are clothes or goods you’ll need the moment you step onboard, she recommends putting them in your carry-on, as luggage make take a few hours to reach your room that first day. Diapers or other necessary supplies can be shipped ahead of time to save you precious space and weight in your bag.

Poirot advises children use their school backpacks as easy carryons: “School backpacks are already so large. I will try to get as much in their backpacks, as they’re used to carrying it anyway, so they can carry them and get them on the plane.”

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ADVENTURE AWAITS

Beware of

The

Bugs

Simple steps to ensure your hotel room is bed-bug free

BY MICHELE BENNETT DECOTEAU

W

hile many families are vigilant about lice prevention, they may be sleeping — literally — on another pest that can be just as easily caught and bring even more inconvenience, frustration, and expense to a household.

Bed bug reports are on the rise again nationwide, yet the pests are a classic example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.

With a little forethought and careful examination, families can prevent bringing home any unwanted “souvenirs.”

Bed bugs are small, flat, oval, brownish insects about the size of an apple pit and feed exclusively on blood — human is their favorite.

“No one likes bed bugs,” says Jim

Dill, Pest Management Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, “but they don’t transmit diseases. Their bites don’t hurt, but you can get an allergic reaction to the bites, and anyone visiting you can take them home. And an infant lying on a mattress is a captive food source to them.”

Bed bugs could be found in any hotel room — from the fanciest of five stars to a roadside bargain motel — so plan ahead to check the room carefully before you settle in.

When you walk into a hotel room, put your bags in the bathroom. Bed bugs like to hang around places where people or animals sleep, but they can travel, so set down your bags at least 5 feet away from the bed. The bathroom is usually an ideal location.

“Don’t put your luggage on the carpet. Put it on a chair or in the bathroom,” adds Yolanda Villamil, manager of Alpha Travel in Worcester.

Get out a flashlight. Pull the bed

covers down and look at the area near the headboard of the bed. Then pull up the fitted sheet and look carefully around the lip of the mattress. Bed bugs like to sleep in snug little spots during the day. They don’t make nests, but they do like to hang out together.

No bugs yet? Pull out the nightstand drawers. A bed isn’t the only place bed bugs can hide. They are sneaky suckers, so flip the drawer over and check underneath and in any books left in the drawer. Still nothing? Check the fabric straps of the luggage rack and any joints they could hide in, as well as any chairs near the bed.

Be sure to lift the mattress pad, if there is one, and look at the mattress itself for blood speckles.

It should take about 10 minutes to check the room for unwanted guests (watch Dill walk you through a hotel room check at youtube. com/watch?v=tnOrYqKpmpI). If you haven’t seen any bugs (or blood on the mattress), relax! If you see any

little bugs, their nymphs (non-adult, less-mobile stages), or frass (bug poop), take your luggage from the safety of the bathroom and ask for another room.

“Usually the bed bug infestation is spotty,” Dill says. “Ask for a room far away. Bed bugs do travel on their own. They can use water pipes or even just crawl under the door and go to the next room. They have a rather rigorous mating, so it is usually the female who disperses. And she can be pregnant.”

Adults can live many months without a blood meal, especially if it is cooler. In an ideal environment with plenty of food and warmth, bed bugs can produce three generations per year.

There is an online registry where people can report bed bug infestations, but be wary, Dill advises.

“There are registries for different states, but they only tell you that at one time a hotel had a room with bed bugs, but it may not still be accurate,” he adds. “And they are [guests] reporting. Someone could report bed bugs at a hotel when they just had a bad experience.”

When you return home, vacuum out your luggage just in case and wash any clothes you brought immediately. Ten minutes of prevention and some quick cleaning once home will take a little time, but it could also save you a lot of money.

“Getting bed bugs in your home is very costly,” Villamil notes.

A house can be treated for bed bugs, and professional help is required. “They are difficult to get rid of and impossible to get rid of on your own,” Dill explains. “Treatment is heat and insecticide. If you can bring the heat up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, you can kill all stages of the bed bug. But this is not recommended for people to do on their own. You never know what might melt or need to be removed before treating. The heat is followed by insecticide.”

Some pest companies employ bedbug-sniffing dogs to do the job. “The dogs can sniff out live bed bugs, but any time an insecticide is used to treat the bed bugs, the dogs can’t be used,” Dill says.

Bed bugs were not the issue a decade ago that they are today, he explains.

“About eight years ago, we started to see more concerning reports of bed bugs that were resistant to insecticides,” he notes. “At the same time, global travel is much easier.

You can get across the globe today and come back home tomorrow.

This increased bed bug reports.

At the same time, we used to treat cracks and crevices with insecticide for cockroaches and that killed bed bugs, too. That was changed to a more-effective bait system that kills more roaches, but not bed bugs.”

BAYSTATEPARENT 33

Photo courtesy Friends of the Public Garden

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! - dr. seuss

Backyard and Beyond.

May 2. The Discovery Museums, Acton.

34 MAY2017

Go Wild During ArtWeek. May 7. Franklin Park Zoo, Boston.

Photo courtesy Smith College

Photo courtesy Zoo New England

Photo courtesy The Discovery Museums

Duckling Day. May 14. Boston Common.

Second Friday. May 12.

Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination.

Although we’ve done our best to ensure accuracy at press time, things can and do change.

1 Monday Photo courtesy the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps

Art in Bloom. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate this exuberant spring, pairing fine art and floral design with free guided tours, workshops, demonstrations, and lectures. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, ages 7 and up $10, children under 7 free. mfa.org.

2 Tuesday Tinker Tuesdays: Construction Zone. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and don your safety googles as we grab hammers, tools, and other instruments in this STEAM educational program. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Pete the Cat: Children’s Book Week Celebration. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 10 a.m.11 a.m. Librarians dress up as their favorite picture books and host a special story-time on the lovable Pete the Cat, featuring songs, crafts, and activities. Recommended for ages 5 and under.

Free. mywpl.org.

Babywearing Tour. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Get out of the house and be with other new parents, as a veteran babywearer brings you around the gorgeous 1806 mansion and grounds, with coffee and snacks. $12. goreplace.org.

Storytime. Showcase Cinema De Lux, Patriot Place, Foxborough. 11 a.m. Enjoy a special reading of “Let’s Go Visit the School” followed by an appearance by Barney.

Especially for Me: Sensory-Friendly Afternoon. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Explore the entire campus at your own pace, during this time with quiet spaces and an afternoon of lowcrowding at the museum. Register ahead. Free. discoverymusems.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Great Hill Exploration. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 3 p.m. Explore some of the trails that wind through the 184-acre woods and conservation land behind The Discovery Museums. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Lexington Fife & Drum Muster. May 12.

Minute Man National Park Visitors Center, Lexington.

song, story, and activities learn how one tropical tree got saturated with letters. Recommended for ages 5 and under. Free. mywpl.org.

Stroller Tour: Shiny and Silver. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester.

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Look at what shimmers in art during this time for engaging conversation designed for tots and their caretakers, with coffee, juice, and snacks after the tour. For children up to age 3. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youths 4 and up $6, children under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

Everyday Engineering: Build A Bubble Wand. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in and find out how we can change, manipulate, and build with bubbles. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Henri Matisse 2D Collage Art. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick.

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Make your own cut paper collage inspired by French artist Henri Matisse, as we look at some of the famous cut-outs created

by Matisse and contemporaries when he lived in France, before jumping into our own imaginations. Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

3 Wednesday

4 Thursday

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Children’s Book Week Celebration. Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Through

Make a MESS: Making Tints and Shades.

The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and see how many vari-

eties of one color you can make, by adding white and black to colored paint to make an endless number of tints and shades. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Put Me in the Zoo. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 10 a.m.11 a.m. Explore zoo life and your imagination during this craft, activity, and story hour celebrating the longest national literacy initiative in the country. Recommended for ages 5 and under.

Free. mywpl.org.

5 Friday Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing as we move, make music, listen, and get a multi-sensory workout with professional musician and Kindermusik educator, Miss Bernadette. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Enjoy as we work on a nature-based activity constructed around the weather and the season, and venture outside to the Discovery Woods or the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6.

Fridays. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Friday Fun with Mr. Kim. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common.10:15 a.m. A music and movement program for preschoolers ages 2+. Children must be accompanied at all times by a parent/caregiver. Free. Registration required. graftonlibrary.org.

Sing Me a Song with Fran Friedman. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick.

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Come enjoy this uplifting, fun-filled performance filling the morning with musical fun for children. Recommended for ages 2 and 3. Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Baby Yoga. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Enjoy a warm and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to explore how yoga and mindfulness can introduce new ways to nurture their bond and connect with their infants.

For ages 24 months and under. Free. mywpl.org.

First Friday Nights Free. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 4:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. Enjoy free admission to explore the museum at night, as we collect non-perishable food donations for the Acton Food Pantry and Open Table of Concord and Maynard. Free. disocverymuseums.org. #popscope. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Look up as we are joined by the folks from #popscope and use a telescope to look for the stars, planets, and other features in the night sky. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Meet the Scientists. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Drop in and find out through hands-on activities what it is like to be a scientist and engineer. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

6 Saturday Volunteer Day. Broad Meadow Brook, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Help care for the sanctuary, as we put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend gardens, and more. Free. massaudubon.org.

Safety Weekend. Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd, Sterling. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Active firefighters, EMTs, police officers, armed service personnel, correctional officers and their immediate family are admitted free to Davis Farmland on Safety Weekend when accompanied by the safety officer and their valid service I.D. Through May 7. Adults and children ages 2+ $20.95, Seniors (60+) $17.95, children under 2 free. davisfarmland.com.

Introduction to Birding: Spring. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., BAYSTATEPARENT 35

Princeton. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Join us as we look for physical and behavioral characteristics of birds, songs, and calls as aids to field identification, before heading outside to practice identification skill. Member adults $18, nonmember adults $25. massaudubon.org.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Make Way for Ducklings Read-A-Thon.

5:30 and 7:30 with Dr. Diana Suskind. Register Museum of Fine Art: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

Boston. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Join in the fun and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Make Way for Ducklings with the Boston Public Library Director Spring Bird Walks. Wachusett Meadow David Leonard, and WCVB anchors Emily Riemer Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., and Ben Simmoneau, with amazing animal stories, Princeton. 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Join us for an early ducky art, and our special Robert McCloskey morning walk in search of Wachusett Meadow’s exhibit. Free with admission. Members free; nondiverse birdlife, as we look for migrants as well member adults $25, children free. mfa.org. as breeding species. Member adults, free; nonFamilies @ WAM Make Art. Worcester Art member adults $4. massaudubon.org.

Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester.

Backyard and Beyond: Tree ID Walk. The 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Drop in for a fun, interDiscovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 generation time at the Worcester Art Museum a.m.-10:30 a.m. Join a special guest from the galleries, where you can get inspired by our art Sudbury Valley Trustees, as she takes us on a and try making something uniquely yours. Free. guided walk through the Great Hill Conservation worcesterart.org.

Land, while we identify some common trees Hidden Treasures: Walk on the Emersongrowing along the trails. Free with admission.

Thoreau Amble. Concord Museum, 200 Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children Lexington Rd., Concord. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Follow under1 free. discoverymuseums.org. the footsteps of writers Ralph Waldo Emerson Go WILD during ArtWeek. Franklin Park and Henry David Thoreau as you join us for a Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10 a.m.guided walk from Emerson’s house to Fairyland 3 p.m. Celebrate ArtWeek as you make your Pond in Walden Woods. Reserve ahead. Free. own animal puppet with experts from Puppet concordmuseum.org.

Showplace Theater, improve your illustration skills with a trained artist, discover how birds Make a MESS: Spin Art. The Discovery have influenced music with a walk through Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 Bird’s World, and meet a few animals up close. p.m. Drop in as we put a fresh spin on art by Members free; adults $20, children ages 2 to 12 twisting our tools, twirling our paper, and giving $14, children under 2 free. zoonewengland.org. our watercolors a whirl. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children Nature and Nurture with Miss under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Bernadette. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Explore the The Lexington Fife & Drum Muster. Minute great outdoors, as we sing songs, take a nature Man National Park Visitor’s Center, Route 2A, walk, read a story, or make a craft during this Lexington. 12 p.m. From noon until 5 p.m. class designed to help discover the wonders of enjoy a parade, colonial vendors, re-enactors nature. Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Free with and performances by 30 fife and drum corps admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, from around the country, as these uniformed children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org. musicians represent different time periods in American History. Free. williamdiamondjrs.org.

Explore Jacob’s Pond. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell.

Especially for Me: Autism-Friendly Evening.

1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Discover what plants and The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 5 animals live in and around the pond by explorp.m.-8:30 p.m. Join in all the fun and explore the ing the water and shore with dip nets, buckets, entire campus during this special evening for famand magnifiers, but prepare to get a little wet. ilies with members on the autism spectrum, with Member families $12, nonmember families $15. dinner included, and a special session between southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

7 Sunday

Paper Dolls: Parent and Child Workshop.

The Willard House and Clock Museum, 11 Willard St., Grafton. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join us during this hands-on art workshop, featuring a followup kid-friendly tour of the museum. Free with admission. Adults $10, children ages 6 to 12 $6, children under 6 free. willardhouse.org.

Puppet Playtime: Enchanted Forest.

Creative Arts, 25 Woburn St., Reading. 10:30 a.m. Join us on a fantasy adventure with Brenda, Phil, and Bella filled with fairies, knights, unicorns, magic, and more, featuring a magical lineup of fantasy-themed music, imaginary dramatic play, shadow theater, and a short puppetry performance of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. $5. weteachcreativearts.org.

Family Tour at WAM. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore the Worcester Art Museum galleries with your family on a docent-guided tour, as you hear fun facts, stories, and enjoy sharing observations and time together. Free. worcesterart.org.

Exploring Science Together: Marine Life.

Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Dive deep into the underwater life of marine animals, as we learn all about the challenges of life at sea with hands-on activities, create your own ‘dive log,’ and investigate the museum’s collection with interactive gallery explorations. Register ahead. Members $10, nonmembers $20. hmnh.harvard.edu.

Beyond the Spectrum: Lush Landscapes.

Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. We explore sweeping views of brightly colored skies, the techniques that artists use to capture the beauty of the natural world, and your own creativity as we create landscape scenes using print-making techniques, during this program for children on the autism spectrum. Register ahead. $9. mfa.org.

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The Vintage Vocal Quartet. Leominster Public Library. 30 West St., Leominster.

1:30 p.m. This self-contained quartet brings to life the sweet harmonies of the big band era with each member singing harmony and playing an instrument (piano, bass, guitar and trumpet).

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

8 Monday Music and Movement with Deb Hudgins!

10:30 a.m.Sutton Public Library, 4 Uxbridge Rd., Sutton. Sing and dance along with Deb Hudgins as she shares stories and songs that will get your body grooving and your mind growing!

For ages 1-5. Free. suttonpubliclibrary.org.

9 Tuesday Flower Take Aparts: Junior. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Go beyond a flower’s petals while dissecting and uncovering its insides, before we mix and match the parts from your flower with others to create your very own fantastic flora. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Storytime. Showcase Cinema De Lux, Patriot Place, Foxborough. 11 a.m. Enjoy a special reading of “Sports Day” followed by an appearance by Marshall from Paw Patrol.

Flower Take Aparts. The Discovery Museums.

177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in as we dissect flowers to understand better how these plants grow, bloom, and repopulate, before mixing and matching for some creative fun. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Annie. Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston.

7 p.m. The national tour of the beloved family music returns to Boston through May 21. Tickets starts at $35. bochcenter.org.

10 Wednesday Backyard and Beyond: Flower Moon.

The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

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10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in and celebrate May’s full moon, the Flower Moon, as we learn about the moon and stars, grab a full moon calendar, and start a new tradition of taking a night walk the moon is full. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Paws to Read. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-4 p.m.

Come by to the library and boost your reading skills and confidence as you read to a certified therapy dog. For ages 5 to 12. Free. mywpl.org.

11 Thursday

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! can hold a special message and then be planted to 7. Register ahead. Member children $9, nonin the garden. Free with admission. Members member children $13. massaudubon.org. free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

12 Friday

Backyard and Beyond: Flower Power Forest Friday. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Come meet in the Fairyborough, as we make our own pipe cleaner bees and then fly from flower to flower to learn how bees and butterflies distribute pollen and help flowers reproduce. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Flower Power: Blossoming Brushwork.

The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and create an original artistic masterpiece using a bounty of beautiful blossoms as your brush, where you can create artwork for yourself or as a special someone for Mother’s Day. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Preschool Story and Nature Hour: Chickens. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an hour of nature-themed fun with your youngster, as we read a storybook, make a craft to take home, and go for a walk on one of the sanctuary’s beautiful trails with lead educator Chris Eaton. For ages 2 to 5. Register ahead. Member children $2.50, nonmember children $3.50, adults free. massaudubon.org.

Nature Adventures. Broad Meadow Brook, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Join us for a hands-on nature program designed especially for youngsters, as we explore nature topics indoors using crafts, activities, and investigations, before venturing outside. For ages 5

Plantable Paper. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in and explore the science of papermaking as you sculpt and squish recycled paper pulp into new, usable paper, before Sprinkling a few wildflower seeds and taking home a piece of paper that

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Second Friday. Smith College Museum of Art, 20 Elm St., Northampton. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy this time to explore the museum, where from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. you can enjoy art-making for all ages, diving into the art of weaving as you create your own luxurious textiles, before going about the museum with refreshments. Free. smith.edu.

Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend.

Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

6 p.m. Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. Through May 13 Tickets $20 and up. hanovertheatre.org.

13 Saturday Bird-A-Thon Birds and Breakfast. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. Join us for an early-morning guided walk and then return to the sanctuary for a delicious breakfast and chance to share your findings, with proceeds benefiting Mass Audubon’s annual 24-hour fundraiser, Bird-A-Thon. Register ahead.

Member adults $11, children $6; nonmember adults $13, children $8. massaudubon.org.

All About Herbs: Parent and Child Workshop. The Willard House and Clock Museum, 11 Willard St., Grafton. 10 a.m.12 p.m. Explore and get acquainted with the various seasonings that you can pluck straight from the garden, with this hands-on workshop. Free with admission. Adults $10, children ages 6 to 12 $6, children under 6 free. willardhouse.org.

Celebrate Azize’s 2nd Birthday. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Come celebrate the youngest of Franklin Park Zoo’s gorilla troop, as he turns 2 in May and enjoys special enrichment treats. Sign his giant birthday card for Azize and enjoy a slice of cake. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $20, children ages 2 to 12 $14, children under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

USS Massachusetts’ 75th Commissioning Anniversary. Battleship Cove Maritime Museum, 5 Water St., Fall River. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the day that the USS Massachusetts was commissioned into the U.S. Navy through a day of activities, including designing your own commissioning pennant. Free with admission. Adults $18, children ages 4 to 12 $11, children under 4 free. battleshipcove.org.

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Sit-With-Me Story and Craft. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick.

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Drop in for a story and craft time, as families and their children bond over the love of their imaginations. For ages 3 to 9. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Wildflower Seed Balls. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Let’s keep celebrating flowers by making some wildflower seed balls, as you roll-up your sleeves, squish some dirt and clay together, sprinkle on some wildflower seeds, and then roll it all into a ball for your or a friend’s garden. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

14 Sunday Mother’s Day Celebration. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a day filled with family events, from demonstrations of cooking, to performances, to crafts, where visitors can learn about parenting in the 19th century. Tour our gardens, and watch smiths and potters refine their crafts. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths ages 4 to 17 $14, children under age 3 free, mothers free. osv.org.

Mother’s Day. Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd, Sterling. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids: bring your mom free and pamper her w/ a complimentary massage! (massages available 11-3, based on availability). Adults and children ages 2+ $20.95, Seniors (60+) $17.95, children under 2 free. davisfarmland.com.

Duckling Day. Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, Boston. 10 a.m. Come by for this annual Mother’s Day tradition of over 30 years, as we host hundreds of children dressed as ducks and plenty of ducky fun, inspired by Make Way for Ducklings, with our annual parade beginning at noon. Registration recommended. Advance registered families $35, day of families $40. friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

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Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Zoo. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Come with your mom and celebrate those at our zoo, as you say high to Kiki the western lowland gorilla and her offspring Kimani, Kambiri, and Azize, as well as cotton-top tamarin mom, Wilma, and her baby. Free with admission. Members free; adults $20, children ages 2 to 12 $14, children under 2 free, mothers free. zoonewengland.org.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Zoo. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bring your mother to the zoo and hang out with ours, including Linne’s two-toed sloth mom Lunesta and baby Molasses, as well as the whitecheeked gibbon exhibit to visit mom Iggy and

her offspring Paddy and Jian. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $17, children ages 2 to 12 $12, children under 2 free, mothers free. zoonewengland.org.

Marmee’s Mother’s Day Party. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come by the Fruitlands Farmhouse to celebrate with Mom during this Little Women-themed Mother’s Day Party, featuring live readings, crafts, period dress-up clothes, historic games, and live fiddle music. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children ages 5 to 13 $6, children under age 5 free. fruitlands.org.

Mother’s Day Hike. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Treat your mother to a wonderful walk on the beautiful trails at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, as they are filled with wildflowers and singing birds.

Member adults $9, children $6; nonmember adults $13, children $7. massaudubon.org.

Hands On History. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Enjoy an afternoon for kids and families to learn together through hands-on demonstrations featuring the amazing collection at the museum.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children $5, ages 5 and under free. concordmuseum.org.

Second Annual MA-MAtryoshka Festival.

Clinton Town Hall, 242 Church St., Clinton.

1 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy this celebration presented by the Museum of Russian Icons, featuring vendors, international food, dance, arts, crafts, and more, featuring the theme of the story of Russian Kokoshnik—a traditional Russian headdress.

Advance tickets adults $15, children ages 3 to 17 $8, children under age 3 free; At-door adults $20, children ages 3 to 17 $10, children under age 3 free. museumofrussianicons.org.

16 Tuesday Take Aparts Jr. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and find out what is happening inside everyday electronics, by grabbing some tools and breaking into devices that you can find around your house. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Tasty Tuesday. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10:30 a.m. Come enjoy light healthy snacks, read stories, play games, and discus topics of health and wellness, with an emphasis on self-help, emotional development, and literacy. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Storytime. Showcase Cinema De Lux, Patriot Place, Foxborough. 11 a.m. Enjoy a special reading of “Dora and the Rainbow Kite Festival” followed by an appearance by Dora.

17 Wednesday Stroller Tour: The Art of Fashion. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester.

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Enjoy as a museum teacher engages caretakers and toddler alike with art and stories through the gallery, as we explore the fabrics, textures, and forms that make fashion breathe through artwork. Free with admission. Designed for children up to 3.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youths 4 and up $6, children under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

Magic: The Gathering Open Play. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Join us for a causal play event, where you can bring your own decks or borrow one of ours. For teens, age 13 and up.

Free. mywpl.org.

JOMP Youth Orchestra Spring Gala.

Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester.

7 p.m. Enjoy as students from the Joy of Music Program, showcase a collection of music set to inspire and bring in the joys of spring through instruments from flutes to horns to the harp.

Free. jomp.org.

18 Thursday Doggy Days: Work Like a Dog. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop-in as therapy dog Abby joins the Museum and shows us just why she was hired to make people feel good. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Preschool Story Hour: Whose Garden Is It? Broad Meadow Brook, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring your favorite adult for a thematic story hour, activity, and naturalist-led walk. For ages 3 to 5. Register ahead., Member children $3, nonmember children $4, adults free. massaudubon.org.

Take Aparts. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop-in as we explore the inner workings of telephones, computers, radios, and more, during this handson activity looking at the concepts of everyday engineering. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

19 Friday Toddler and Preschool Play Series: Materials Play. The Eric Carle Museum of

Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Come experiment with materials selected especially for young explorers in the Art Studio. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

20 Saturday

y a l P e m o C • d l i u B e m o C Come To

Home Sweet Home at Fruitlands Museum.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join us for a literary adventure as historic games at the Fruitlands farmhouse, contemporary artwork showcased in our museum, and special guided tours. Free. fruitlands.org.

MFA Playdates: Natural Spring. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.

10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Come bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making, as we enjoy the spring season, and how such richness of nature is found in the museum’s artwork. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, children free. mfa.org.

Drop-In Craft Time. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Join us for this fun craft time as we craft with recyclable materials and our imaginations.

For ages 3 to 10. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell.

11 a.m. Get ready to explore our trails by searching our local plants and animals, and challenge yourself to find as many as you can.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $5, children under age 2 free. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

Zoo New England Presents Endangered Species of Russia. Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union St., Clinton. 1 p.m. Come to this special presentation by Zoo New England, as we explore the endangered species from tigers and cranes to snow leopards and whales, native to Russia. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children ages 3 to 17 $5, children under 3 free. museumofrussianicons.org.

One-Man Star Wars Trilogy. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Enjoy as Starvox Entertainment presents Charlie Ross bringing his fun, energetic, and extremely entertaining performance of ‘OneMan Star Wars Trilogy’, officially endorsed by LucasFilms. Members $24, nonmembers $28. natickarts.org.

Critter Days. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Come meet and investigate critters, during this up-close and personal presentation. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

May 6th & 7th

At the Royal Plaza Trade Center Marlborough, MA. Sat & Sun: 11:00am - 4:30pm DO FUN THINGS...

SEE COOL STUFF...

• Putt • Build • Guess • Photo Ops • Bounce • Shop • Derby • Go Fish • Cornhole • Ring Toss

• Trains • Star Wars • Great Ball Contraption • Bionicle • Military • City • Pop Culture • Mindstorms

Use Pro Code “BAY mo STATE to save 17”

$5 OFF

full-day tick ets, Friday, Apr thru il 21

e! r o m h c u m and so

Advance tickets available until Friday, May 5th.

BrickFair.com/tickets

$15 per person. Ages 3 and under are FREE. The pay-and-enter door is always open.

Please allow yourself at least 90 minutes to enjoy the show.

BrickFair celebrates only LEGO brand products - no clones. BrickFair is not affiliated with The LEGO Group. Strollers are not permitted in BrickFair; it stinks, we know, we’re sorry.

BAYSTATEPARENT 39

DavisFarmland.com

GOT KIDS? SM

The Ultimate Children’s Discovery Farm

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Food for Thought. Inly School, 46 Watch Hill Dr, Scituate. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an entertaining family concert with popular musician and food allergy ambassador, Kyle Dine. Free. foodforthoughtkidsedition.eventbrite.com.

Especially for Me: Evenings for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or KODA Children. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Explore, wonder, experiment, and imagine throughout the Museums’ campus during this special free event when we are closed to the general public, host ASL Interpreters, provide dinner, and have a fun jam session from 5:30 until 6:30. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

21 Sunday

Special Farmland Events for May

Friends of the Library Book and Bake Sale. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. Come to the Morse Institute Library to enjoy thousands of books on sale, as well as movies, puzzles, games, and baked goods provided by our terrific group of library volunteers.

Free. morseinstitute.org.

May 6 & 7 *Safety Weekend: Active firefighters, EMT’s, police officers, armed service personnel, correctional officers AND their immediate family are admitted FREE to Davis Farmland on Safety Weekend when accompanied by the safety officer and their valid service I.D.

Shadow Boxes: Parent and Child Workshop. The Willard House and Clock Museum, 11 Willard St., Grafton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Come by and create wonderful shadowboxes perfect to capture children’s imagination, during this hands-on art workshop and kid-friendly tour. Free with admission. Adults $10, children ages 6 to 12 $6, children under 6 free. willardhouse.org.

Acres Of Family Fun Await you!

May 14 *Mothers Day: Kid’s bring your mom FREE!

Everyday Engineering: Cup Towers. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Engage in some everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials, during this challenge to build a one-of-a-kind tower made entirely out of cups. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

May 27, 28 & 29 *Machinery Madness: Dig with an excavator, climb on machinery and drive a tractor!

Visit *DavisFarmland.com for more information, or call

(978)422-MOOO (6666).

Sun Prints—Walden: Four Views. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1 p.m.2 p.m. Come bring the whole family to ‘Walden: Four Views’ to see the phenomenal photographs of by Abelardo Morell, before joining us in making your own sun prints out on the museum lawn. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children $5, children ages 5 and under free. concordmuseum.org.

Adults must be accompanied by a child 12 years or younger.

©2017 Davis Farmland

FREE! $3 Souvenir Cup of Animal Feed!

One per family. Exp 5/31/17 Not valid with other offers, discounts, packages or special events. BSP5 S T E R L I N G ,

M A S S A C H U S E T T S

40 MAY2017 DFL BSP5 4.5x11 AD 4-4-17.indd 1

4/4/17 7:48 PM

Alex the Jester. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 1:30 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.

Alex the Jester, with his immense warmth, charm and zany shenanigans, will enthrall you with daring stunts, physical feats, and a cornucopia of delightful surprises during his show! leominsterlibrary.org.

10th Annual Celebration of the Dr. Martin T. Feldman Children’s Room. Leominster Public Library. 30 West St., Leominster. 1:30

p.m.-4 p.m. Crafts, roaming railroad, touch-atruck, balloon art, Animal Adventures, and more. leominsterlibrary.org.

Special Storytime: David Hyde Costello. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Join author and illustrator David Hyde Costello for a sweetly told intergeneration story about how even the littlest can make a big difference, following a little pig and his family. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

The Magic of Bonaparté Leominster Public Library. 30 West St., Leominster. 2:30 p.m. His award-winning magic concert features hilarious comedy, oodles of audience participation, and the dramatic appearance of his adorable furry and feathered friends. leominsterlibrary.org.

22 Monday Silver Apple Bedtime Story Hour. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick.

6:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Join the Children’s Room staff for a program of stories, songs, and a simple crafting activity for families as they ease into bedtime. For ages 3 to 9. Free. morseinstitute.org.

23 Tuesday Tinker Tuesday: Open Studio. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Drop-in and explore the possibilities of reusing what we usually throw away, as we engage in this program opening up the creativity and problem solving found in STEAM education. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Meet, Play, Learn. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10:30 a.m. Come enjoy this time for parents, caregivers, and young children to get together with old friends, meet new ones, and discover Museum programs with a twist. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Storytime. Showcase Cinema De Lux, Patriot Place, Foxborough. 11 a.m. Enjoy a special reading of “Sponge Bob Goes to the Doctor” followed by an appearance by SpongeBob.

24 Wednesday Celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Come explore the strange things popping up in the Fairyborough, as you put your skills of observation to test and find out what is behind the mysterious happenings in the Museums’ backyard. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Tots @ 10: Jennie Mak. Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park, Assembly Row & Greater River Rd., Somerville. 10 a.m. Bring your tot outside on a May morning and enjoy the friendly and kid-amusing musical antics of Jennie Mak. Register ahead. Free. assemblyrow.com.

25 Thursday Make a MESS: Paint like Pollock. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and channel your inner Jackson Pollock, as we pour, throw, and drip different kinds of paint to help us create an enormous work of art. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Take a Break Thursdays. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester.

3 p.m.-5 p.m. Join us for knitting, crafting, and more creative fun, or build with something that we have on site, during this session to just relax.

For ages 16 and up. Thursdays. Free. mywpl.org.

Kidding Around Yoga with Nicole. Sutton Public Library, 4 Uxbridge Rd., Sutton. 6 p.m.

Original songs, games and stories provide a sense of calm, balance, and power for every child that rolls out a mat. For ages 4-7. Free.

Registration required. suttonpubliclibrary.org.

26 Friday Preschool Story and Nature Hour: Frogs and More. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton.

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an hour of naturethemed fun as we explore the frogs and croakers of the wildlife sanctuary, through exploration, crafts, and stories. For ages 2 to 5. Register ahead. Member children $2, nonmember children $3, adults free. massaudubon.org.

Pajama Party in PlaySpace. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston.

7:30 p.m. Come don your pajamas and join us for games, songs, and picture stories.

Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

27 Saturday Wool Days Weekend. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge.

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All Memorial Day Weekend, come down to discover how New Englanders reared sheep for their wool, learn about the natural dyes used during the 19th century, dye your own skein of yarn, meet alpacas and llamas, and watch as farmers perform sheep shearing and herding. Through Monday. Free with admission.

Adults $28, youths ages 4 to 17 $14, children under age 3 free. osv.org.

Machinery Madness. Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd, Sterling. 9:30 a.m.5 p.m. Dig with an excavator, climb on machinery and drive a tractor! The construction site operates Sat. Sun. & Mon 10-12 and 1-3.

Through May 29. Adults and children ages 2+ $20.95, Seniors (60+) 17.95, children under 2 free. davisfarmland.com.

Play Date: Rhythm and Hues. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Come visit the ICA on a day when kids rule the museum, now featuring fun, creative, and even zany activities, from family pop-up talks, to yoga, to mixed-media artworks, and a concert and body percussion performance in our theatre featuring SR9 Trio from France. Free. icaboston.org.

Baby Bounce. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 11 a.m.11:30 a.m. Get your baby bouncing and singing in this storytime just for them, as we read board books, sing songs, and play. For ages up to 2.

Fridays. Free. mywpl.org.

Shinrin-Yoku Forest Breathing Guided Sanctuary Walks. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton.

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn to connect with the natural world in healing, calming, grounding, and replenishing, through a series of gentle guided tours to promote relaxation. Register ahead.

Member adults $3.50, children $2; nonmember adults $4.50, children $3. massaudubon.org.

Exploring Nano: The Smallest Science.

The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

2 p.m.-4 p.m. Join us for hands-on educational activities about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, as we uncover the connection between the tiniest tech and the art of stained glass windows. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Arms and Armor: Live Demonstration of Medieval Combat. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Watch as the subtle skills of attack, parry, and grapple are brought to life by the Cambridge Historic European Martial Arts Study Group. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youths 4 and up $6, children under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

Josie’s Magical Flute. Gateway City Arts, 92 Race St., Holyoke. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Enjoy this home grown local comedy improv group, as they perform a short improv comedy, made up on the spot, and original sketches, made for the entire family to enjoy. $5-$10. gatewaycityarts.com.

KidsJam. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Come enjoy as a live DJ presents music, instructors bring dance lessons, we present games, and you bring your enthusiasm for dance during this all ages dance party. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

28 Sunday Be Well Series: Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come build positive coping skills through fun games and creative activities. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Special Sundays in the Studio: Color Connections. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1 p.m.4 p.m. Enjoy this exploration of color variety and tone inspired by the museum’s special exhibition ‘What’s Your Favorite Color’. Free with admission.

Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

29 Monday Morningstar Access. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 8 a.m.10 a.m. Come enjoy an opportunity to visit the museum at a time when there are only a few other visitors, allowing children with special needs and their families a chance to explore our exhibits and spaces more comfortably. Register ahead. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Memorial Day Open House. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mark Memorial Day with artmaking activities, gallery tours, music, film, and performances, during this day of exploration, as we host the Youth Music Ambassadors group, Sociedad Latina’s, hold a concert at 3 p.m. by the Jewish Arts Collaborative, enjoy tours, and more.

Free. mfa.org.

30 Tuesday Tuesday Volunteer Days. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn about nature as you assist with a variety of property, maintenance, and ecological management projects from gardening, to wildlife monitoring, to animal care. For ages 26 and up. Free. massaudubon.org.

Wacky Bubbles. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in, play and experiment with different shapes and sizes of bubbles. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

31 Wednesday

177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in as we invite you to help contribute new ideas and methods for programming here at the museum, while helping us refine some ideas we have been cooking up. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Masters of Minecraft. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester.

4 p.m.-5 p.m. Come open creative mode worlds and more, as you login to join in all the fun on the library’s very own Minecraft server. For ages 8 and up. Wednesdays. Free. mywpl.org.

Your Event + Our Calendar = Awesome Want your event listed in our comprehensive monthly listing of Massachusetts family fun?

Send the details to editor@baystateparent.com by the first week of the month.

For example, June events should be submitted by the first week of May.

Support and Strategies for Parents of Infants Through Teens

Parenting Solutions • Discipline strategies that work • Sleep and bedtime problems • Changing disrespectful behavior • Helping children with behavior problems in preschool settings • Keeping your teen out of trouble • Dealing with parenting differences • Solving stepfamily problems • Making divorce work for children Visit our website for more information www.parentingsolutionsprograms.com

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Try It Out Tuesday. The Discovery Museums, BAYSTATEPARENT 41

It's Hoop Time!

Join us at Clark University Basketball Camp

Director, Paul Phillips Head Men’s Basketball Coach

SUMMER

CAMP

2

BIG

WEEKS

Day Camps

Week 1 July 31-August 3 Week 2 August 7-10 ALL CAMPS ARE CO-ED, GRADES 4-12 $230/Week M-W 9am-4pm • Th 9am-1pm

C’mon, Let’s Go!

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK OUR CAMP WEBSITE

ILLUSTRATION BY AILISH SHEA

www.clarkathletics.com/Clinics/Basketball_Clinics Questions: rball@clarku.edu • Roxanne Ball 508-793-7161

r e m Su m Ca m p g n i l i Sa

y s e 10t h Ma u y l o H ear e t n r n Ope d & Ju rams sta g r 3 pro e g Ju n ol sailin ho

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ON LAKE QUINSIGAMOND

For the Recreational to Competitive Sailor

My daughter attended the sailing camp for the first time and now wants to go all summer.

Next year she will attend Regatta Point more weeks. It was amazing how after one week she was able to take us sailing by herself.

– Parent of a camper

7-9 years • Guppies from 5 to 9 week long camps starting June 19 • Half/Full Day • $375 9-12 years • 9 week long camps starting June 19 • $329/week • 9-4pm 13-18 years • Junior Program • 3 - 3 week sessions • $329/session

Regatta Point Community Sailing

email info@regattapoint.org • 508.757.2140 • www.RegattaPoint.org 42 42 MAY2017 MAY2017

r u o ng a r i r e Ent t h Y e 57

MEET the YMCA ADVERTORIAL

O

ur campers become part of a neighborhood of friends where potential is nurtured, achievements are celebrated, and exploration is encouraged. Campers will develop skills through a diverse curriculum of traditional camp activities that encourage youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

We’re here to make children feel welcome, feel comfortable being themselves and know they’re a part of something great.

We strive to ensure that campers develop leadership skills and self-esteem, and grow personally through characterbuilding opportunities in a structured, positive environment.

Camps run from June 26 August 25 in various locations.

We’re here to inspire children to work together and play together, creating friendships that can last a lifetime.

CAMP DATES

CONTACT INFO Register online at www. ymcaofcm.org/camp/

YOU’LL HAVE THE BEST SUMMER EVER!

CUSHING ACADEMY SUMMER SESSION JULY 2 - AUGUST 4, 2017

PREP FOR SUCCESS Literature, writing, math, or E.S.L. for rising 7th and 8th graders

CRITICAL SKILLS Reading, writing, math, and study skills for rising 9th—12th graders

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE English immersion, intensive TOEFL preparation, and experiences in American culture for rising 9th—12th graders

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PLUS: Engaging and fun afternoon electives in academics, athletics, and arts; intramural athletic competitions; awesome trips throughout New England!

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Visit www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org to register. Offer expires 5/31/17.

MEET Wachusett Theatre Co. ADVERTORIAL

C

ome create here! Wachusett Theatre Company has shifted gears from star studded mainstage musicals, to a community based children’s theater outfit. Currently taking up residence at Worcester State College, we offer a three-week camp culminating with two full Broadway style productions. This year our youth campers (grades 2- 7) will be performing Shrek Jr. and the teens (grades 8-12) will perform Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Our professional staff walk the children through all aspects of a mainstage musical- vocal coaching, choreography, character development, improvisation, and even stage craft and design.

CAMP DATES July 10-28 from 9 am - 3 pm.

Performance dates: July 29 and 30.

Early arrival and aftercare are available at an additional cost.

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Register online at www.wachusetttheatre. com or call us directly (978) 602-6288

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I MEET Pompositticut Farm Day Camp ADVERTORIAL

f you brought a group of parents together and asked what they were looking for in a summer camp you would receive a myriad of answers. Overall though the agreement would be they want the very best for their child in a safe environment.

At Pompositticut we strive for excellence and challenge campers to seek the same in themselves through calculated risk activities such as high ropes and horseback riding. The challenge to fully assert themselves is as prevalent at the camp’s other activities such as swimming, archery and theater where pride, skill acquisition and overcoming fears are equally encouraged.

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opportunities to educate, self-evaluate and improve performances. Meeting the basic needs of our parents is simply not enough for our founding Director of 37 years, Jackie Kane. It’s pushing the limits in all we do that makes Pompositticut superior in staffing, programming and the overall facility. Through years of being accredited and adhering to these national standards, Pompositticut has helped groom campers in developing into exemplary staff who perpetuate the camp’s solid reputation for overall excellence.

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cancer patients with a scholarship program that enables children of parents undergoing chemotherapy treatment during the summer months to attend camp tuition free. By optimizing all of our resources, any parent can choose from one of our nine programs that will develop their child’s personal growth, strength, compassion and resilience . . . meeting the goals of parents and Pompositticut Farm Day Camp alike.

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2-week camp sessions Camp sessions run from run from June 26 - August 18, 2017

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BAYSTATEPARENT BAYSTATEPARENT 47 47

My Child Has Been

Diagnosed With ASD:

BY SALLY BURKE

T

he reality of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis can have a tremendous emotional impact on parents. You may feel anger, frustration, and sadness, or perhaps even relief in this long-suspected diagnosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has been estimated that 1 in 68 children have ASD. Know that you are not alone; support and resources are available to you.

With your child’s diagnosis, your pediatrician will direct you to helpful resource material such as the “100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of Young Children” published by AutismSpeaks and available for download at autismspeaks. org/family-services/tool-kits.

“Sound Advice on Autism,” a collection of interviews with pediatricians, researchers, and parents that addresses specific questions about autism spectrum disorders, is offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics and may be accessed online at healthychildren.org, under the Health Issues — Autism section.

Within the diagnosis letter, your pediatrician will recommend services for your child. Among them may be educational, behavioral, and consultative services based on the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Your child may need instruction across a variety of domains, from activities of daily living, functional and augmentative communication, and functional academics, to community outings, safety awareness, and social skills.

Your pediatrician will also recommend a specific number of treatment hours (for ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, etc.), which varies on a case-by-case basis.

To help you find service providers, the Early Intervention Program within the Department of Public Health (mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/family-health/ early-intervention) offers a list of autism support centers that provide the services your child needs. It is recommended that you and your child visit at least three service providers prior to making a decision on one. Each provider will conduct an intake session, which is essentially a mini-orientation that enables you, your child, and the service provider to get acquainted. You will also learn more about the types of services offered.

Provider availability During your initial consultation with each service provider, be sure to ask whether they will be able to offer the number of hours your child needs within the parameters of your schedule. Do not be shocked or dismayed if they cannot offer all the hours recommended. With an increasing number of children diagnosed with ASD, many service providers are faced with the challenge of not having enough staff with specialized training to meet demand.

To give you an example, the number of clients our organization is able to work with is dictated by the number of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) we have on staff. (It

Now

What? is important to note that many insurance companies will only cover treatment with BCBA supervision, so it is imperative that you determine insurance coverage prior to the start of your child’s treatment plan.)

You may find that some service providers simply cannot accommodate the number of treatment hours recommended by your pediatrician. In this case, you may decide to start your child right away at fewer than the prescribed number of hours rather than wait until the provider can accommodate all the hours your child needs.

Asking the right questions Along with availability, your comfort level and their expertise are other critical components to consider when selecting a provider.

Below are several key questions to ask each provider during your initial consultation (and make note of their answers): • What are the qualifications and certifications of each staff member who will be working with my child?

(For example, BCBA certification requires a master’s degree.)

• Will your staff share techniques and provide specific training to our family members and caregivers?

• Will you help us navigate special education and instructional services at my child’s school?

Once you complete each intake session, consider each provider’s answers to the above questions and jot down your thoughts and feelings.

Whom did you have a rapport with?

Were you comfortable with the overall environment — the staff and facility? Did you feel your questions and concerns were appreciated?

Be sure to seek feedback from peer parents or from each service provider’s references. Your local autism support center may also be able to connect you with other parents who are already working with those providers.

Remember, there are many resources available to you, including other families in similar situations. Be proactive. By learning all you can, reaching out to your peers, and building a strong support network, you will enhance the journey for you and your child.

Sally Burke, M.S. Ed., BCB, is director of Early Intervention Services at Behavioral Concepts, Inc. BCI has two locations, Worcester and Fitchburg, and serves children with autism from communities within a one-hour radius of its Worcester location. For more information, visit bciaba.com.

We’re Here to Help Our commitment lasts a lifetime. Whether your loved one with special needs is an adult or a child, we can help with: • Special Needs Planning • Guardianship & Alternatives • Transition Planning & Adult Services • Advocacy Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. 508.459.8059 fmisilo@fletchertilton.com

Art by Dominic Killiany, an artist living with autism 48 MAY2017

We’re here to help.

WORCESTER | FRAMINGHAM | CA P E CO D | www.fletchertilton.com

Mass TEARS Foundation Takes Big Steps for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

T

he TEARS Foundation’s Massachusetts Chapter is hosting its second annual Rock & Walk 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, June 25, at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough. Event organizers hope to raise more than $50,000 to support programs and services to benefit local families who have experienced pregnancy loss or the death of an infant. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $40,000.

“One of our primary goals of the event is to spread awareness of The TEARS Foundation’s important resources. One in four women experience pregnancy or infant loss. We want people to know they are not alone. We are here for them,” said Kelly Trefry, Massachusetts Chapter Leader. “In the last month alone, we were able to provide financial assistance to three local families after the loss of their children. This ranged from buying a gravestone marker, to covering the cost of a funeral and cremation so that each family was able to honor their child, despite the huge financial expenses they faced. Massachusetts residents need to know there is help and support available for them, and we are here to help.”

The Rock & Walk is the signature fundraising event for the organization. Registered participants walk in

honor of a child, or simply in support of others. The event’s goals are: • To increase awareness surrounding pregnancy and infant loss • To honor and recognize families who have lost a pregnancy or child(ren) • To raise important funds to provide financial assistance to families unable to afford burial, cremation or grave markers for their child(ren) up to age 12; as well as programming, such as Cribs for Kids, which provides safe sleep education and Pack ‘n Plays for low-income families.

For more information, to register or donate, visit crowdrise.com/massachusettsrockandwalk. Registration is $10. Children 12 and under receive free admission. The event will also feature raffles, games and entertainment for kids and families.

The Massachusetts Chapter of The TEARS Foundation was formed in 2015, with the goal of providing local bereaved families with financial and emotional support after the loss of a child. The chapter offers one-on-one peer companioning and a monthly support group for bereaved families.

More information can be found at facebook.com/MATEARS, massachusettschapter@thetearsfoundation. org, or at the national organization’s site: thetearsfoundation.org

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THE THINKING PARENT

How to Help Your Perfectionist Child

BY RACHAEL BOTTONE

Working as a graduate mental health counselor, I heard the same repeated messages from caretakers at the end of their rope: “I just don’t get him. He’s so lazy sometimes and just won’t complete his homework. If I ask him about homework, he throws a huge fit and becomes angry.”

“I try to calm her down, but she cries inconsolably when she doesn’t understand her assignments. I’ve tried everything to make her relax.”

“It’s so bizarre. Sometimes he spends hours on his homework and gets straight As and other times he refuses to even look at the homework and starts failing.”

For family members immersed in this situation, it is often confusing and frustrating trying to make sense of what feels like unpredictable behavior, especially surrounding academics/homework. However, challenges in school, particularly paired with emotional distress, may be an indicator that your child is suffering from perfectionism.

Research in the field of psychology has identified two different forms of perfectionism: adaptive and maladaptive. Adaptive perfectionism is considered “healthy” perfectionism, promoting self-motivation and creating a sense of drive in children. It differs from maladaptive perfectionism in two ways: the outcome of the assigned task, and what the child tells him/herself when failures occur.

An adaptive perfectionist is likely to achieve tasks and, in the presence of a potential failure, becomes motivat-

ed to correct mistakes and try again.

This child is prone to self-talk such as, “I’ll get it right next time because I’ll do it differently.” Maladaptive perfectionism, on the other hand, looks very different, and is often reflected in a decline in academic performance and self-esteem.

Maladaptive perfectionists tend to procrastinate, or simply not do tasks, due to a crippling fear of failure.

In the face of possible failure, the maladaptive perfectionist will shut down and begin attributing poor performance to shortcomings in who they are as a person. This type of self-talk becomes deeply engrained in the child, becoming the frame of reference for all future performanceoriented tasks.

When I’ve tried to explain maladaptive perfectionism to caregivers, many immediately jump on the guilt wagon, asking, “Where did I go wrong? Did I cause this?” The answer is an ambiguous yes…and no.

Research on the root of maladaptive perfectionism remains unclear. Some studies have found genetics and parenting contribute to the development of perfectionism in children, while others argue that inborn temperament and executive functioning of the child are responsible.

Temperament refers to the natural disposition all of us are born with, and executive functioning references each individual’s ability to engage in future-oriented, organized, logical thought processes. Although the piece about genetics and parenting style may feel discouraging, this means that caregivers have an opportunity to intervene and be a positive influence on their child’s perfectionism.

Before making changes, it is helpful to first acknowledge the signs of maladaptive perfectionism, some of which may include: • Procrastination of assignments or tasks • Intolerance for failure or criticism • Emotional distress (anger or sad-

ness), especially surrounding homework or projects • Statements like, “I’m stupid” or “I’m not good at anything.”

• Sometimes vacillating between studious and organized behavior to apparent “laziness” As a caregiver, one of the most important functions you have is being a role model. Children with perfectionism benefit from watching adults model things like self-acceptance and a healthy tolerance of mistakes or failure. During conversations about work or other domains of life, children pick up on phrases like, “If I don’t have this report submitted on time, I’m dead!” They internalize this information to equate failure or mistakes with disastrous consequences.

It is important to maintain open communication with your children about tolerating and navigating through mistakes.

Similarly, children with maladaptive perfectionism often think in concrete, black-and-white ways, presuming that complete failure or complete achievement are the only options. As caregivers, helping children see the “grey area” in tasks may help them develop a more balanced, realistic perspective on performance-based tasks. An important element of this teaching process involves timing. Moments of high emotionality typically make poor teaching moments, as the child’s emotions become a shout over the whispers of logical thought. Instead, in moments of high distress, validate your child’s concerns, rather than dismissing them with statements such as, “I’m sure you did fine. Don’t stress yourself out.” Once your child has calmed down, take advantage of the opportunity to debrief about the situation. Listen and reflect rather than offer false reassurance.

The most important thing that you, as caregiver, can do in this process is to remain patient. Maladaptive perfectionism involves deeply ingrained thought processes that will take time and practice to undo.

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If your child has begun failing courses, missing school, or experiencing chronic emotional distress related to tasks or assignments they are too fearful to attempt because they might actually fail, it may be time to contact a mental health professional. Many professionals work with children on the deeply ingrained thoughts connected to fears of failure through a modality called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This type of therapy looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and assists children in developing more realistic, positive ways of thinking about one’s self. For example, a child who thinks, “If I fail this homework assignment, my teacher will hate me and I won’t graduate,” may begin to feel depressed. These depressed feelings may lead to a decrease in homework completion, reinforcing the original thought. This endless cycle becomes broken through an increased awareness of thoughts and feelings and an effort toward changing the often unrealistic, negative thoughts into positive ones.

As a caregiver, providing a healthy model of self-acceptance and warm understanding of your child’s perspective on matters of concern goes a long way toward navigating childhood perfectionism. In the end, our children should learn to fail with the same degree of grace and self-acceptance as they enjoy success.

Rachael Bottone will be graduating this month with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Becker College in Leicester. She has provided clinical services to adults, children, and families in at the Counselor Training Clinic at Becker College and in the greater Worcester Community. For information about low-cost mental health counseling services available at the Counselor Training Clinic at Becker College, contact Dr. Beth Greenberg, clinic director, at 508.373.9752.

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Bringing miracles to life is our passion at the LaChance Maternity Center at Heywood Hospital. Our expert team of physicians, nurses and doulas, provide personalized attention in a state-of-the-art environment that promotes a tranquil and natural birthing experience, resulting in the lowest caesarean birth rate in the state. And our specialty services – from our post-birth celebration dinner to our rejuvenating spa treatments including relaxing whirlpool hydrotherapy, post-partum massage therapy, music therapy and aromatherapy – will leave you feeling just heavenly.

To find out more about the services offered at the LaChance Maternity Center visit www.heywood.org.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 51 7/11/14 10:09 PM

ASK THE EXPERT

FINALLY FOREVER

Can Infant Exposure to Peanuts Reduce Allergies Later?

May’s Child Anthony

BY JOHN LEUNG, MD

With my first child I was told to hold off on introducing peanut butter until he turned 1. I recently read a story that the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases recommends babies be exposed much younger, that trying it earlier could reduce allergic reactions later. Is this true?

Y

es, it is true. A recent landmark clinical trial published in New England Journal of Medicine and other recent data suggest early introduction of peanuts in infancy reduces the risk of peanut allergy development later in life. More recently, a guideline has been published to provide practical recommendations on how, when, and where to introduce peanuts safely. The guideline suggests grouping infants into three categories when considering how, when, and where to try peanuts for the first time: Category 1: Infants without eczema or any food allergy Category 2: Infants with mild to moderate eczema Category 3: Infants who have egg allergy and/or severe eczema Infants in Category 1 are at lowest risk of developing a peanut allergy, and there is no concern of introducing peanuts with other solid foods at home.

No specific timeframe has been recommended.

Infants in Category 2 can safely have peanuts introduced at home around 6 months of age to decrease the risk of developing peanut allergy.

Infants in Category 3 are at highest risk of developing a peanut allergy later in life, but they will also benefit the most from 52 MAY2017

early introduction of peanuts at 4 to 6 months old. A simple blood test, known as peanut specific IgE level (peanut sIgE) or a skin prick test (SPT), are used to further determine the risk of reactions. While peanut sIgE measurement can be done at a pediatrician’s office, SPT are usually performed only by allergists.

The results of the peanut sIgE should help your child’s doctor recommend whether peanut introduction can safely be done at home without a doctor’s supervision, or if a referral to an allergist is warranted before introducing peanuts. The allergist will obtain a SPT with peanut extract. The larger the wheal (red, swollen mark) size, the higher the risk of reaction: If the size of the wheal is 0-2mm, peanuts can be safely introduced at home.

If the wheal size is 3-7mm, peanuts should be introduced at the allergist’s office, as the risk of a reaction is moderate.

If the wheal is 8 mm larger than saline control, the infants are probably allergic to peanuts and should continue to work with the allergist for management.

John Leung, MD is a boardcertified gastroenterologist and allergist; co-director of the Food Allergy Center at Floating Hospital of Tufts Medical Center; and a clinical professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Boston.

Anthony, who prefers to be called AJ, is a 12-year-old boy of Caucasian descent. AJ refers to himself as an organizer because he always likes to have a plan. Some of AJ’s interests include Pokemon cards, electronic games, sports, and reading. AJ mentioned he has a few options for his future: He wants to become a lawyer, a banker in foreign currency, or a professional athlete.

AJ is a smart, straightforward child who appreciates knowing what is going on and what to expect. He enjoys going to school and reports his favorite subject is math. Not only does he excel academically, he is able to ask very insightful questions, and he is willing to search for informa-

tion when he lacks the knowledge on a specific topic. AJ’s academic achievements are evident in his grades and participation in class. AJ receives support in school from an Individualized Educational Plan to address emotional needs. Anthony has also been engaged in weekly therapy for the past three years.

When asked about his future family, AJ states he wants a family that will love him and be nice to him. Any pre-adoptive resource for AJ should be understanding of how his past history impacts his current functioning.

His social worker believes he would do well in a two-parent family where parents can support each other during challenging times and have the ability to seek support as needed. AJ would do well as a youngest or only child in the home. AJ is legally free for adoption.

For more information regarding Anthony, please contact Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoption Supervisor Glavia Smith at 617-6603400. The Worcester DCF Office hosts monthly informational meetings on the second Wednesday of each month for those wishing to learn more about the adoption process in general. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 10th from 6 – 7 p.m. The DCF Adoption Development & Licensing Unit’s Office is located at 13 Sudbury St. in Worcester.

Please call (508) 929-2143 to register and for specifics about parking.

Circle of Friends

Tuesday, May 2: Western Region Adoption Info Meeting — Department of Children and Families, 140 High St., 5th Floor, Springfield. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

413-452-3369.

Wednesday, May 10: Central Region Adoption Info Meeting — ADLU Worcester.

13 Sudbury St., Worcester. 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

508-929-2413.

Saturday, May 13: Family Fun Day. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Come meet other pre-adoptive families and explore the museum together.

All-day passes are free for pre-registered MARE families. RSVP to dianet@mareinc.org.

Tuesday, May 16: Northern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Jordan’s Furniture: 50 Walkers Brook Dr., IMAX Conference Room, Reading. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Stephanie Frankel, ADLU supervisor: stephanie.frankel@state.ma.us.

Wednesday, May 17: Boston Region Adoption Info Meeting, DCF Boston,

451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 617-9899209.

Thursday, May 18: Southern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Morton Hospital, 88 Washington St., Margaret Stone Conference Room, Taunton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

RSVP: 508-894-3830.

Saturday, May 20: DCF Central Adoption Party. Holden Chapel, 279 Reservoir St., Holden. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the fun, meet many of the area’s waiting children, and talk with their social workers. Open to families who have already begun the adoption process. To register, call 978-353-3629.

Sunday, May 21: Jordan’s Furniture WalkRun for Adoption. Jordan’s Furniture 450 Revolutionary Drive, E. Taunton, 10 a.m. registration, race start 10:40 a.m. After party through 1 p.m. jordanswalkforadoption.org.

Monday, May 22: Southern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Police Department Conference Room, 1492 Washington St., Canton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: 508-894-3830.

If your group or organization is presenting a program for adoptive families, and you would like to include it in baystateparent magazine, please send information to editor@baystateparent.com

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul New family movies coming to theaters this month

By Jane Louise Boursaw

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 • • • •

Rating PG-13 OK for kids 12+ In theaters May 5 Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels

Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales • • • •

Not yet rated, likely PG-13 In theaters May 26 OK for kids 12+ Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels

The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazer (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea — especially Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has never faced. Also stars Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Stephen Graham.

• • • •

Not yet rated, likely PG In theaters May 19 OK for kids 8+ Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels

Based on the popular book series by Massachusetts’s own Jeff Kinney, this installment of the “Wimpy Kid” franchise finds Greg (Jason Drucker) convincing his family to take a road trip to attend his great-grandmother’s 90th birthday. But what he really wants is to attend a nearby gamer convention and, of course, the trip goes hilariously off course and shenanigans ensue. Directed

by David Bowers, this movie also stars Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Charlie Wright, and Owen Asztalos as Rowley.

Jane’s Reel Rating System • One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.

• Two Reels – Coulda been a contender • Three Reels – Something to talk about.

• Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!

• Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane. Contact her at jboursaw@charter.net.

Images used with permission of the studios and distributors.

BAYSTATEPARENT 53

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Do you STAND OUT in the crowd? baystateparent

is looking for a standout MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE who is a leader in the field Send your resume to Regina Stillings, director of sales at regina@baystateparent.com and stand out with our award-winning print, online, and digital products Full and part-time positions available

56 MAY2017

Thank You to the following businesses who support our publication each month!

Please support them as well.

Without them, we wouldn't be able to bring you this FREE magazine!

Big Joe Productions 55 Big Y Foods, Inc. 11 Bonaparte Magic 54 Boston Children’s Theatre 37 Boston Paintball 55 Breezy Picnic Grounds 37 BrickFair 39 Camp Clio 44 Camp CRAFT Lancaster 46 Children’s Development Network, Inc 6 Children’s Orchard-Westboro 32 Clark University Basketball Camp 42 Community VNA 20 Cornerstone Academy 9 Cushing Academy 43 Davis Farmland 40 Digital Media Academy 44 Driscoll Productions 55 Ecotarium 29,31 Fletcher Tilton PC 48 FMC Ice Sports 4 Gymnastics Learning Center 50 Happy Face Painting 54 Hanover Theatre 22 Heywood Hospital 51 Legoland Discovery Center Boston 53

LuLaRoe 17 Mall At Whitney Field 10 Mary Baker Eddy Library (The) 8 Mike’s Moonwalk Rentals 55 Millbury Federal Credit Union 8 National Inventors Hall of Fame 47 New England Cord Blood Bank Inc 18 Old Sturbridge Village 57 Pakachoag Community Music School 44 Parenting Solutions 41 Pompositticut Farm Day Camp 45 Regatta Point Community Sailing 42 Reliant Medical Group 21 Roaming Raceway & Railroad LLC 55 Rosalita’s Puppets 54 Sholan Farms 13 Shrewsbury Children’s Center 17 Signarama 13 SkyRise Children’s Theater 18,54 Smuggler’s Notch Resort 38 Springfield Museums Corp. 25 St. Mary’s Schools 47 St. Vincent Hospital 3 Stowe Farm 36 Swings N Things 29 The Children’s Workshop 43 Tower Hill Botanic Garden 47 UMass Memorial Medical Center 27,36,60 Unplug & Be Mindful Yoga 24 Usborne Books & More 55 Violet the Clown 55 Wachusett Baseball/Dirt Dawgs 23 Wachusett Theatre Company 5 Worcester Art Museum 2 Worcester Center for Crafts 32 Worcester JCC 27 Worcester Polytechnic Institute 46 YMCA Central Branch 46

SUMMER

DISCOVERY

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Summer Discovery Adventures are 5-day immersive experiences for ages 6 and up.

Activities include: • Hiking on nature trails • Hearth cooking • Getting to know the Village’s animals • Summer crafts • Gardening • Woodworking • Helping with seasonal chores on the farm

PLAN A SPRING

FIELD TRIP! Step out of the classroom and into the dynamic learning environment of Old Sturbridge Village with new program offerings at New England’s largest living history museum.

Ignite your student’s natural curiosity as they explore the Village’s living landscape, making connections between the past and present.

For more details and to register call 508-347-0274 or visit EXPLOREOLDSTURBRIDGEVILLAGE.ORG BAYSTATEPARENT 57

TAKE EIGHT

with Stephan Pastis Cartoonist Stephan Pastis may be best known for his 15-year-old syndicated comic strip, Pearls Before Swine, which runs in 750 newspapers worldwide. Yet his notoriety may be shifting thanks to his popular middle grade book series based around kid detective Timmy Failure, which debuted in 2013. The father of two recently saw his sixth book in the series, Timmy Failure: The Cat Stole My Pants, published last month by Somerville-based Candlewick Press, and talked creativity, comics, and cats with us.

1

How did you make the leap from daily cartoon strip to children’s chapter book?

I was approached by a book agent whose mother was a fan of the comic strip. He asked if I would be interested in writing a book for middle graders. I thought it sounded like a lot of fun, so I said yes.

And how do you juggle the workload?

I write 10 strips a week, instead of the required 7. This buys me 19 free weeks a year to do other things, including taking about two months off in the summer to write the next Timmy book. I love it. It’s a great break from the strip.

3

How did you come up with the idea for Timmy? Did you think of the character first and develop his role as detective later, or did the idea of a kid detective come first and you created Timmy from that?

The latter. I liked the idea of a kid detective who was not smart and could not solve anything. It made me laugh. It seemed so different than other kid detective characters.

How has Timmy changed over the series? Or has he?

I think in each book he learns a little. But not much.

He is a slow learner.

5

4

What do you want readers to take away from The Cat Stole My Pants? (Other than the fact that cats are “remorseless criminals,” as you wrote, which is obviously true. Thank you for getting that in print.)

Ha, ha...well, thank you. I want them to laugh! That’s always my goal.

What advice do you have for parents of children who love to draw and want to encourage their child to continue?

Oh, man, to encourage it! Creativity just unlocks the brain!

It’s a great outlet.

7

2

You previously sat on the board of the Charles Schultz Museum (schulzmuseum. org). What was that experience like, and how did Schultz influence you?

Did you ever get to meet him?

Yes. His strip was why I began to like comic strips and why I wanted to become a cartoonist. His simple art style, his pacing, his characters, his tone, all influenced me and countless others. Yes, I met him three times. It was the thrill of my life.

58 MAY2017

6

The introduction of Timmy’s Dad in this latest book struck me as bittersweet and yet hopeful at the same time.

It added a level of reality to the book that I didn’t expect.

How did you make the decision to introduce his father?

Were you always planning to introduce him at some point in the series or was this a new idea?

I think it’s always been leading up to that. Timmy has a hole in his life, caused in large part by the absence of his father. I think that’s why there is a Total [Timmy’s polar-bear sidekick]. He fills that gap. So, at some point, I wanted to introduce the father.

8

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Cast your nominations between May 29 thru June 15 at

baystateparent.com/bestof17 Voting begins June 26 and ends July 14 Our categories include: FAMILY FUN In-State Vacation New England Vacation MA Beach Destination Family Indoor Attraction Family Outdoor Attraction Fair, Festival or Special Event Movie Theatre Museum Hiking Trail Place to Picnic Orchard - Pick Your Own Campground Family Outdoor Attraction Ski/Boarding or Tubing Place PARTIES, ACTIVITIES, LEARNING Local Gym or Exercise Facility Skating Rink Birthday Party Venue Birthday Party Entertainer Party Rental Private School Parochial School Childcare Preschool Gymnastics Studio Parent/Child Class

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Safe Summer Fun Day 19th Annual Health and Safety Fair for Kids

Saturday, June 3, 2017 10 am - 2 pm UMass Memorial – Marlborough Hospital 157 Union Street, Marlborough Music • Games Child Bike Helmets

FREE!

60 MAY2017

(while supplies last)

Face Painting Activities • Giveaways

FUN!