1115bsp by baystateparent magazine

NOVEMBER 2015

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TACKLE YOUR PHOTO BACKLOG LIKE A PRO TOP TOOLS THAT GIVE KIDS AN EDGE

Holidays, Here We Go! EASY WAYS TO KEEP FAMILY HISTORY ALIVE BABY TO TEEN: 30 UNIQUE GIFT PICKS

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

R E T S E C M R U WO MUSE T R A ce

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table of contents NOVEMBER 2015

VOLUME 20

things we learned

while making

the november issue

Here’s an argument for arranging the holiday table with young and old seated together: Children who have a firm sense of their family narrative have higher self-esteem, a stronger sense of control over their lives, and less anxiety. Discover four easy ways to delve into your family’s past on page 50.

Holidays, Here We Go! 43

From Baby to Teen: Our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide

Holidays: A Perfect Opportunity to Discover Family History

Holiday Dining 101: Simple Fixes for Great Social Skills

Divorce & Single Parenting: Co-Parenting Over the Holidays

A Preschooler’s Recipe Box For The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner

The Quick, Doable Solution for Digital Photo Overload

Eat, Drive & Be Merry: Family Holiday Day Trips & Destinations

6 NOVEMBER2015

NUMBER 7

Want to raise a successful child? According to an article in The New York Times citing research from Harvard University, the only occupations that have shown consistent wage growth since 2000 require cognitive and social skills. Yet, kids today are lacking on the social skills front more than ever before. Help is on the way. Turn to page 54.

The average parent will post nearly 973 digital photos online before their child turns 5, according to a study by The Parent Zone. No wonder many of us feel overwhelmed when it comes to organizing and printing them. Turn to page 58 for tips from the pros.

in every issue

features

9 10 11

WELCOME: A Letter from Our Editor MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS BSP ONLINE SHOW & TELL: Tooth Fairies & Unbored books

ASK THE EXPERT: Only-Childto-Big-Brother Transition

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE: Public Meltdowns & Bystanders

FINALLY FOREVER: National Adoption Day: A Dedication to a Lifetime of Happiness

NOVEMBER’S CHILD: Meet Justin

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Area Adoption Events

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: November Calendar of Family Events

CAPTURED: baystateparent heroes @ KidsFest

REEL LIFE WITH JANE: Family Movies Coming to Theatres in November

OUR NOVEMBER FAVORITES: Facts, Finds and Freebies

TAKE 8: Family Reunited, Redefined: Tracey Myers

Birth Order Basics: The Only Child

Creating a Home Library Kids Will Love

Non-Profit Group Blankets Small Patients In Love

Awakening Your Intuitive Relationship to Food

What Successful Kids Need: Social Skills Course Comes to Mass

Of Gingerbread and Imaginary Castles

Tummy Troubles: Expert Advice

Bites: Color-changing soap, cookie-dough to go, goodbye styrofoam, FDA making food safer, and DIY Happy Hour Cleaner

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meet team

Welcome

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

creative editor in chief MELISSA SHAW 508-865-7070 ext. 201 editor@baystateparent.com creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com multimedia editor HEATHER KEMPSKIE heather@baystateparent.com

advertising director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 kathy@baystateparent.com account executive JAMI GRAY 508-951-6626 jami@baystateparent.com

“Holidays, here we go.” The name of this month’s issue, as my wonderful colleague Heather pointed out, can be taken in two ways, all depending upon how you punctuate it. There’s the excited, “Holidays, here we go!” or the already-tired “Holidays, [insert sigh here] here we go…” For most of us, the months of November and December are a little bit of both, so our stories this month feature very practical, fun takes on ways your family can make the most of the season. Our holidays typically begin at a social event. The season is loaded with them and experts say today’s youth, thanks to technology and more-protective parents, are seriously lacking in social skills — everything from holding eye contact when talking to another to the inability to cut food with a knife and fork. But before you scoff at what you might think are outmoded pleasantries and irrelevant customs, think again. These

interpersonal skills, experts say, have a huge impact on a child’s self-confidence and self-esteem and can give those who possess them a major edge in the future, whether it’s college admissions or landing that first job. After your child is done wowing the relatives with their fantastic interpersonal skills and confidence, there’s more fun to be had. Family get-togethers are the perfect time to look back, sharing memories, anecdotes, and history. Our story on page 50 outlines how families can make the most of that time, share their stories and, most importantly, chronicle it for future generations. While you’re sharing family history at get-togethers, you’ll no doubt be taking many photos, too. The old joke about not having any pictures of the youngest child in the family may not provoke a chuckle anymore as societally today we’re pretty great at taking a lot of photos. Thanks to the ubiquity of smart phone cameras, quality handhelds, and of course DSLRs, we’ve got the picture-taking down. The photo printing? Not so much. While many parents are consis-

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS photographers STEVEN KING STEPHANIE PISCITELLI SHAWNA SHENETTE

is published monthly with a main office at 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

baystateparent.com Find us on:

8 NOVEMBER2015

This month’s cover model Ryan, 8, of Marblehead cover photo

bellini PORTRAITS

tent about ordering prints and filling albums, many of us (*raises hand*) are woefully behind. We have thousands of precious, irreplaceable family memories sitting on hard drives (hopefully backed-up somewhere). “Hey, kids! Let’s sit around my monitor and click through some pictures!” doesn’t hold the same allure as a comfy couch and physical pages to flip. And the problem only gets worse as your “to-print” backlog grows: It seems more insurmountable and just keeps growing. Turn to page 58, where professional photographers share their best tips on how to tackle — and print out — that digital mountain of memories. It’s not impossible, you just need a game plan, and our experts have several for you. And that’s just the beginning of our November stories. There’s so much more ahead, read on, and as always drop me a line at melissa@baystateparent.com. I’d love to hear what you think.

M e li ss a Melissa Shaw, Editor

NOVEMBER CONTRIBUTORS On page 16, writer and Andover mother of three Wendy Bulawa Agudelo shares what help parents of children with special needs desire during public meltdowns. Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of ReelLifeWithJane. com. On page 70 she gets you up to date on what’s coming to theatres and DVD this month. Writer and mother of two Michele Bennett-Decoteau this month looks at the increased demand for breast milk and how Massachusetts mothers can donate — and request milk on page 66. Jennifer Sheehy Everett of Melrose is mom to an active toddler, wife to husband John, and a public relations and crisis management veteran of 20 years. On page 50, Jenn outlines how families can take advantage of holiday get-togethers to share and document family history. On page 40, writer and mother of two Joan Goodchild of Shrewsbury profiles Binkeez, the nonprofit that delivers comfort in the form of soft blankets to critically ill children. Lynne Karlson, MD, is chief of general pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, and an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. This month, she answers our Ask The Experts question on page 12. Michelle Perras-Charron is a freelance writer and mom to four boys in Belchertown. On page 58, she talks to pro photographers about how parents can tackle their backlog of unprinted family pictures. Attorney Irwin M. Pollack is founder and lead attorney of Pollack Law Group, P.C. (PollackLawGroup.com) and a divorced father himself. He shares insights and information about co-parenting on his weekly radio talk show, Talking About Divorce. On page 56, Irwin examines co-parenting best practices during the holiday season.

Massachusetts mom Leslie Reichert is known as the Green Cleaning Coach and is aiming to change the world — “one spray bottle at a time.” A national lecturer and author of (The Joy Of Green Cleaning), you can find her at greencleaningcoach.com, on Facebook (GreenCleaningCoach), Twitter (@GreenCleanCoach), and Pinterest (cleaningcoach). On page 35, she shares her DIY “Dr. Oz” cleanser. Darcy Schwartz has worked as an illustrator and designer for the past 30 years and is the founder and director of ArtReach studio (artreachstudioafs.com) in Worcester, which provides art education and opportunities for children and adults. When not teaching or creating art in her everyday life, she is a wife, a mother, and avid gardener. On page 36, Darcy details how families can create an inviting home library that contains much more than books. Heather Waxman and Kasey Arena are the Amazon best-selling authors of BODYpeace. Heather Waxman is a spiritual life coach, writer, and inspirational singer-songwriter, while Kasey is a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. You can find them at heatherwaxman.com and kaseyarena.com. On page 32 they explain how adults can awaken their intuitive relationship with food. On page 30, Rutland-based writer and mother of three Kathy Sloan examines how now-defunct Higgins Armory Museum’s annual Gingerbread Castle Contest is finding new life at the Worcester Art Museum. Abbey Tiderman is a writer, editor, and social media strategist who lives in Wilbraham with her husband and two young sons. On page 14 she continues her multi-part series on birth order, taking a look at only children. Sara Pokorny is a freelance writer who lives in Amherst and is a proud puppy mommy to Link and Piper. On page 18, Sara looks at the history and celebration behind National Adoption Day.

Got a story idea? Interested in contributing to baystateparent? Contact editor@baystateparent.com.

Believe Believe in the Magic Friday, November 13 · 5pm Here Comes Santa Claus

Join us as we welcome Santa with friends & fun Receive $5.00 off select photo packages

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Enjoy a snack while Santa reads his favorite stories. Make & Take Craft courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts

Believe that You can Make a Difference Saturday, November 21 · 10am - 4pm 2015 Day of Cheer

A special day for non profit groups within our community to increase awareness of services, recruit volunteers and promote events. See how you can help someone believe this season

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bsp ONLiNE Win Gifts Featured In Our Gift Guide Allow us to do the shopping for you! Here’s how to get in on the action to win one of the products featured on pages 43-48. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Make sure you are signed up for our weekly e-newsletter. To subscribe, head to baystateparent. com and click the green Newsletter Signup button on the top right or text BAYSTATEPARENT to 22828

Gavin is keeping lice away with Fairy Tales spray

They Got It! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win one of our monthly giveaways. You can check out the loot on our Favorites page (head to page 72) and then head to baystateaparent. com to enter. We also do spot giveaways all the time! Your best chance

Lorenzo is loving his new bandana bib

to stay in the know is to like our Facebook page (baystateparent) and subscribe to our e-newsletter at baystateparent.com/newsletter! It’s that easy, and look how happy these kiddos are!

2. Find out which gifts are available to win in our Nov. 12 e-newsletter and enter. 3. Read the Nov. 26 e-newsletter to see if you are the lucky winner and skip those Black Friday lines!

Get Your Guides You wouldn’t believe how many resources we have waiting for you online under our new “Guides” section at baystateparent.com. Here you will find listings upon listings that will take the Google searches and Facebook inquires out of the equation for good. If you need to find the perfect after-school activity for your child, browse through our Extraordinary Extracurricular Guide, or if you need to start researching summer camp options, our Camp Guide can help. The guides and resources will keep coming, so stay tuned. Heather Kempskie, Multimedia Editor, heather@baystateparent.com

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SHOW & TELL Make Room on The Shelf, Elf Considering that the Tooth Fairy will visit a child at least 20 times between the ages of 5 and 12, it makes sense to be prepared for this special guest. Former elementary school teacher and mom Ingrid Bencosme has done the upfront work with the creation of a doll-and-book combo. The kit (retailing at $49.99) also comes with a keepsake box and a plush fairy, which each child can personally name. I really like that the plush friend can visit when a loose tooth comes on the scene, reporting back to the “Fairy Boss” whether the child is taking good care of his teeth. Move over Elf on the Shelf, a new lady is in town. Available in select bookstores, Nordstrom, and online at amazon.com or teethfaires.com. — Heather, multimedia editor (heather@baystateparent.com)

An Affordable Slam-Dunk Present For Kids If you’re looking for a great, affordable gift for kids (holiday, birthday, or what have you), it’s hard to beat any of the books in the Unbored series by Joshua Glenn and Elizabeth Foy Larsen. Both parents themselves, Glenn and Larson have compiled what are basically three field guides to classic indoor and outdoor modern-day kid fun activities boys and girls can enjoy with their peers or with their families. (Check out my interview with Glenn from last year: baystateparent.com/December-2014/ Game-Night-Age-Defying-Family-Fun.) In the original Unbored, the duo detailed everything from how to

make a bowl out of a record, make a snow fort or turn your home into a spa to how to short-sheet a bed. In Unbored Games, released last year, the book explains, recommends, and details more than 70 games — from board to outdoors, online and offline — kids and families can play. And in the just released Unbored Adventure, the authors outline excitement inside and out, from how to camouflage yourself in the woods, improvise a bean shooter, and play urban bingo, to how sew your own ditty bag, build and bury a time capsule, and map your brain. The books are packed with activities kids will actually want to try. The suggestions are not segregated by gender, nor are they kids-only or no-parents-allowed, so if the children will let you, you’ll have fun, too. Plus, each book is under $20. — Melissa, editor-in-chief (melissa@baystateparent.com) BAYSTATEPARENT 11

ASK THE EXPERT

Aiding The Only-Child-To-Big-Brother Transition BY LYNNE KARLSON, MD FLOATING HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN AT TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER

Dear Reader,

We will be welcoming a second child into the family in a few months. How can I best prepare my 23-month-old son for this major addition? What should I expect? He’s been the star of the show his whole life!

12 NOVEMBER2015

Your question is a common one, and the answer varies depending on the age of the older child. For children of any age, however, you can expect to see changes in behavior after the new baby arrives, and there are steps you can take to mitigate feelings of jealousy.

What to Expect It is common for children to be jealous when a new baby enters the picture, and this jealousy is often manifested through the child regressing. Do not be surprised if your 2-year-old returns to asking for a bottle or other behaviors that were common when he was younger, especially since he is too young to verbalize his feelings. Older siblings who are newly potty-trained might return to using diapers. After all, the new baby exhibiting these behaviors is receiving a great deal of attention.

How to Prepare Parents of young toddlers often make the mistake of starting to prepare their child for a sibling’s arrival too soon. When you spend six months preparing a 2-year-old for the arrival of a new baby, it loses its meaning and impact, as these become words the child has heard for nearly a quarter of his or her life. If the older sibling is as young as age 2, then parents are better off waiting until two months

before the due date to start building excitement. Books, toys, and gifts can help to ease the transition. Buying your older child — boy or girl — a baby doll without mentioning the new baby can help teach the child how to gently interact with a baby, as can spending time with baby cousins or neighbors. Reading big brother or big sister books to your child is also beneficial. As your due date nears, it helps to have a wrapped present for your older child in the bag that you will take to the hospital. When your older child visits the hospital after the birth, as is recommended, you can present the gift as being from the new baby. Likewise, it helps to have wrapped gifts in your closet at home in case a visitor comes by with a gift only for the newborn.

Returning Home When you are home from the hospital as a parent of two, there are steps you can take to ensure that your older child continues to feel valued despite the new baby’s need for attention. When the baby is sleeping, this is an opportunity to spend time with the older sibling, reading a book or taking a trip to the park. It is also helpful if one parent can focus energy on giving attention to your older child while the other is occupied with tending to the newborn. This attention can also be provided by grandparents, aunts, and uncles. From a medical perspective, it

is important to be cautious about germs if your older child attends day care. He or she should receive a flu shot.

Moving Forward After a few weeks with the new baby, it is common for an older sibling to suggest returning the child to the hospital. Do not be alarmed. Children often become disappointed when the initial excitement and gift-giving wears off, and when they realize their new sibling is not yet capable of being a playmate. Continue to be conscious of providing your older child with individual attention to ease the transition. While older children will always have the memory of once being an only child, parents of young toddlers should realize that life with a sibling is likely all this child will remember. Finally, it is recommended that you discuss your child’s changing behaviors — especially if they are concerning — with your pediatrician. It is often my experience that when parents bring in new babies for regular visits, they come prepared with a number of questions about the older sibling as well. Lynne Karlson, MD, is chief of general pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, and an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

BAYSTATEPARENT 13

t l u d A e l t t i L A The Only Child: PART 4 OF A 5 PART SERIES

Birth Order Basics: BY ABBEY TIDERMAN

ccording to the Pew Research Center, American families in the 1950s were having an average of 3.7 children. Today, it’s 1.9 kids, and the U.S. Census Bureau says a solid 23% have just one child, some by choice, others due to factors beyond their control. There have even been popular books published over the past couple years highlighting the benefits of this particular life decision, including One and Only: The Freedom of Having an Only Child, and the Joy of Being One by Lauren Sandler.

And while we can assume having just one child provides parents with plenty of positives — perhaps a more rapid return to their profession, more financial breathing room, or more moments to themselves, for starters — what about the impact on the child growing up without siblings to play, compete, and conflict with? How does being an only child influence personality and success later in life? Jack Agati, counselor, author, and creator of the audio series, Why Do Kids Do The Things They Do?, emphasizes several advantages. “Only children tend to be wonderful readers, very creative, and imaginative in problem solving,” he says. “Their creativity early on is entertainment for themselves and is hardly ever stifled. There are no siblings to criticize them or their ideas.” This comes in handy later in life and in their careers because they don’t worry about competition. “Firstborns, on the other hand, have got to keep themselves #1,” he adds. “There’s always someone behind them. When an only child approaches a project, there’s a confidence, a self-assuredness about getting things done.” He notes, however, that the only child does have a lot in common with firstborns, in that they’re born into an adult world and are used to the organization and everything else that goes along with that. “We also see that only children at times wish they weren’t an only child, while firstborns sometimes wish they were!” Agati adds. One of the challenges that has historically accompanied parenting an only child is the child learning to play with other children and working through the various natural issues that arise in those social situations. Because an only child doesn’t 14 NOVEMBER2015

grow up with siblings in the household, they aren’t faced with the same daily scenarios as those from larger families. “Socialization is important for them,” Agati says, but notes, “things are better than they once were with the prevalence of daycare centers and preschools. An only child today is learning quicker than they used to — that’s a good thing.” To help things along, he suggests organizing regular play dates early on, but not play dates with several children at once. One-on-one play dates work best for only children as they navigate social cues with peers as opposed to adults. “Identify one or two children who might be loyal in friendships. Nurture those,” he says. If you invite more than one child — children who are used to interacting with more than one peer — the child guests may naturally connect with one another, and your child may end up feeling left out and playing alone. Inviting another child to join in on short family vacations may also be beneficial, he adds. As an only child gets older and more comfortable and the bumps of socialization have been smoothed out, they may be selective about their friendships, and the relationships they build tend to be strong. “The friendships of an only child are different. It’ll likely be a relatively small number of people, friendship that’s slow and gradual in development, but loyal and long-lasting,” Agati notes. He adds one warning: “If you are a friend of an only child and you violate that friendship, it’s over.” Another common only-child trait is they love their “me time” and are particularly affected by overstimulation. Those who grow up in a house with siblings are used

to an environment that can be a bit loud and chaotic. They can handle it well. “An only child needs quiet time. They need alone time,” Agati emphasizes. “They can take bombardment and noise and the social give and take only so long.” Parents can help by simply being aware of that fact. Plan on leaving birthday parties or large gatherings a little early or lend an understanding ear if you find your child in another room away from the crowd. Some parents may feel social pressure to push their child back into the lively setting “for their own good,” but it’s important to allow them the down time. “They may be playing and seemingly thriving, until a point comes and you’re, like, ‘Where’d they go?’ It’s almost like a circuit breaker. The stimulation gets to them,” Agati says. The same applies for school, especially at first. “An only child watches the teacher thinking, ‘I have to share you with 18 other kids? This is crazy!’ They’re used to sharing themselves between adults. Sharing themselves among other kids is a hard thing to do because onlies aren’t used to being competitive,” he adds. Parents can help school adjustment by communicating with a child’s teacher and let her know your child may not volunteer to answer a ques-

tion in a sea of other hands, but he can probably give the right answer if called upon. Only children may need a little more prompting. Another trait parents of only children should be aware of: “Onlies tend to live ‘in their own heads,’ which can make you either think that your child’s lying to you or you’re losing your mind!” Agati says. A 12-year-old only child may “remind” his parents he’s meeting a friend on Saturday — certain he told them the week before — yet the adults have no recollection of the conversation. The child is probably not lying, but more likely, he had the conversation with his parents in his head and didn’t quite get around to the real-life exchange. Similarly, in a work setting, an only child adult tends to think he’s done a task because he’s gone through the steps in his head already — which can certainly lead to some confusion with the boss! On a positive note, however, this type of thought process makes onlies very independent thinkers. Before making a decision, they tend to debate pros and cons to themselves before deciding what they want to do — free of outside opinions — not a bad trait to have.

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Next month: The final installment in our five-part birth order series: multiples.

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VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

The Help Parents Want During

PUBLIC MELTDOWNS BY WENDY BULAWA-AGUDELO

Earlier this month, I stumbled across this author-unknown quote, which read,

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about.”

Upon reading it, I thought of the brave patients fighting cancer, families who recently lost loved ones and, of course, the volumes of families of children with special needs. Those outside the special needs community may not be aware of our daily challenges or struggles, but in reality, there are many. Can you imagine what it feels like to endure awkward and toolengthy stares from strangers, or unexpected commentary from those we come upon during toobrief journeys around town? Like others, we juggle. Some

days we juggle successfully, while others, we fail miserably. In those moments of parental failure — when our children are amid full-blown anxiety attacks, sensory overload or struggling to self-regulate — the last thing we can manage is visual judgment. The added pressure of conforming within an intolerant society can be incredibly exhausting, especially given that we desire exactly what you do — to grab a cup of coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts, quickly shop for groceries before a doctor’s visit, or enjoy a local playground. But our trips around town aren’t

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nearly as easy-breezy. It can actually take some of us upwards of an hour to get ourselves prepped and safely buckled in the car. And then we arrive at our first chosen destination only to meet the next road bump in our day. And here’s the thing…. we don’t intentionally wish to interrupt your movie or restaurant meal. We don’t mean to hold up the checkout line as we try to comfort our child when he is in the middle of an anxiety meltdown. It’s actually quite the opposite: We’re just trying to juggle life responsibilities. Knowing this, it may be clearer why the last thing we can manage is visual judgement from strangers who look on as my son contends with sensory overload caused by the background noise at the grocery store. The noise, barely audible to or easily blocked out by many of us, to him sounds like a dentist’s-drill- jackhammer-shrill-screaming-baby all mashed together. There is no pill he can take to block it out. There is no head wrap or ear plug to silence it. He’s not misbehaving as he covers his ears and gets upset. No form of punishment will prevent him from responding to it, and there is no way to fully predict when certain trigger stimuli will cause him discomfort. It’s a life filled with constant unpredictability. Yet, with profound love for the life we created, we play the cards dealt to each of us, even amid the fear of intolerance that we face daily, often resulting in families becoming paralyzed as prisoners in their own home. So when I stumbled across Paula Milo at a nail salon, where I was getting a luxurious pedicure (something I’ve waited more than two years to receive), I found myself in a most unique situation. On the day I went, the nail salon was quiet, and Paula and I were the only two clients in the place. We exchanged initial pleasantries and both decided on the same new nail polish color. Soon after, I learned exactly what the earlier quote really meant. Like me, Paula is mom to a set of twins. Further, her twins were diagnosed at the age of 4 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). One of my twins has a similar diagnosis. She also shared that the week her daughters were diagnosed, her young and healthy husband visited his doctor for a physical, at which time he was inexplicably diagnosed with cancer. Tragically, his cancer progressed rapidly, and within eight short weeks of that initial doctor’s visit, Paula’s husband passed away. Undeniably, I was stunned and immediately felt for this woman, a similar mom of multiples with

special needs, who had been widowed and hit with an unexpected and very challenging medical diagnosis for her twins, all at once. Too often when we see people struggling, our instincts direct us in one of two ways. The first is to help or assist. Think of the early responders who, when the Twin Towers were burning on 9/11, entered the building as others ran to escape. The other instinct is to look away and ignore. When you don’t know how or can’t do anything to support another, many people just look the other way to avoid acknowledgement. The sad fact is that by turning your head away, you ultimately do not see. And when you don’t see, you don’t learn. Parents of children with special needs feel immense pressure to explain in the moment when others look on with judgement or pity. When I asked Paula what she wished others did in those moments of challenge in public, she said, “I wish for patience and understanding.” Today, Paula remains a single mom, working and raising her autistic twins. It isn’t easy. She shared that strangers often try to help by giving her unsolicited advice — especially when in the throes of a difficult moment. I’ve endured some of those situations, too — when our kids struggle with sensory overload at the grocery store and it looks to those around us like a behavior problem. Or when one of our children walks in circles at the playground (called a self-regulatory stim) as onlookers stare and snicker. The worst is when others around us make wellintentioned suggestions, assuming that they have the answers we’ve somehow overlooked. When I asked Paula how she manages situations when she or her girls are having a bad day, she smiled and said, “We get through them just like everyone else.” In social skills training programs, counselors often use the term, “read the scene,” which verbally cues and reinforces the importance of observing how others are acting or responding around you. Perhaps rather than trying to instinctually assist or ignore when we stumble upon scenes where parents of children with special needs are struggling, we can evolve to instead offer patience, understanding and tolerance. No one enjoys being ridiculed or mocked, sidelined or forgotten. We’re doing our best for those we love, and hope that when you spot us out and about, you’ll help us bridge differences with building blocks of comfort.

A Commitment That Lasts a Lifetime The Special Needs Practice Group at Fletcher Tilton PC is one of the most well-respected in the region and offers years of experience providing comprehensive legal services in a caring and concerned environment. We help individuals and families with: • Special Needs Planning • Guardianship & Alternatives • Transition Planning & Adult Services • Advocacy For more information call our Special Needs Practice Group leader, Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., at 508.459.8059 or email him at fmisilo@fletchertilton.com. DoN’T miSS our SemiNAr

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Half-page Ad-Nov.indd 1

10/6/2015 1:28:49 PM

FINALLY FOREVER

A Day’s Dedication to a Lifetime of Happines

NOVEMBER’S CHILD

BY SARA POKORNY

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Waiting Families Matching Night, DCF Lawrence Regional Office, 280 Merrimack St., Lawrence. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Open to any family that is currently attending MAPP, completing homestudy, or waiting to be matched. This event is intended for adults only. There will not be any waiting children present. RSVP: 617-542-3678 x135. Sunday, Nov. 8 — Meet your Match in Westfield, Boys & Girls Club, South Broad Street. 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet waiting children ages 8 and up or younger children part of a sibling group, and chat with social workers to learn about waiting children of all ages. Participate in a wood working project with The Home Depot, a gymnastic and dance demonstration, arts and crafts, balloon creations, and jewelry-making with waiting children and teens. Pizza will be served at 1pm. This party is for in-process or already homestudied families. 18 NOVEMBER2015

From a mere nine jurisdictions participating nationwide in its inaugural year to 4,500 children being legally adopted on the date in 2014, National Adoption Day is a yearly awareness celebration that has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. “Since its inception in 2000, this annual one-day event had made the dreams of nearly 54,500 children come true,” said Guillermo Martin, communications coordinator of Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), a nonprofit that serves as the central link between families interested in adoption, the state Department of Children and Families (DCF), and its contracted adoption agencies. The idea for National Adoption Day came to fruition 15 years ago, when several national partners joined forces, among them The Alliance for Children’s Rights, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Children’s Action Network, and the Freddie Mac Foundation. These entities worked with many other groups — law firms, state foster care agencies, and child advocates — to complete hundreds of foster care adoptions in nine jurisdictions across the nation on that date. Slated to occur on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, every year the number of jurisdictions participating Justin is a cheerful Caucasian 9-year-old boy who is always smiling. His favorite meal is hot dogs and baked beans. Justin has an easy-going personality and works towards overcoming the obstacles he encounters with enthusiasm. Justin has significant global developmental delays, with limited mobility on his left side. Justin has limited speech, but one look into his eyes tells people he comprehends a great deal. He benefits from the involvement of various services, including occupational, physical, speech, and

has grown, giving rise to a greater number of children being officiallyadopted from foster care. Given that there are 100,000 children currently awaiting adoption from foster care, National Adoption Day plays an integral part in finding them forever homes, note DCF officials. There will be National Adoption Day celebrations on Nov. 20 at five Massachusetts courthouses: Boston (Edward Brooke), Worcester (Worcester Trial Court), Brockton (George N. Covett), Hadley (FranklinHampshire Juvenile Court), and Pittsfield (Berkshire Juvenile Court). Judges meet privately with the children and their adoptive families and then sign an adoption decree. To make the day festive, there will be food and entertainment for the children. All of the courts will have speakers, typically adults or young adults who were adopted from the foster care system as children. “National Adoption Day helps raise awareness of the importance of permanency in the life of a child,” DCF officials say. “There are hundreds of children in Massachusetts waiting for families to provide them with the stability and love every child deserves.” While many days such as National Adoption Day are geared towards medical specialists to aid him in his progress. Justin loves participating in activities in his specialized school program. He loves to listen to music, ride his adaptive bicycle, play on the swing set, swim, or take a stroll outside. Justin enjoys most of these activities with specialized supports provided by an extensive Individualized Education Plan. Justin is legally free for adoption and due to his needs, his social worker is looking for a dedicated twoparent family with no other children

Tuesday, Nov. 10 — Northern Region Adoption Info Meetings, Jordan’s Furniture Reading: IMAX Conference Room - 50 Walker’s Brook Dr., Reading. 6 p.m. RSVP: 978-557-2734.

education group for parents of adopted children ages birth through 8. This month’s topic: “Overview of the 7 Core Issues of Adoption.” For more information call 978-287-0221, ext. 218.

Thursday, Nov. 12 — Family Support Group, Jordan’s Furniture Reading: IMAX Conference Room - 50 Walker’s Brook Dr., Reading. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Open to families from all regions who are waiting, matched, or placed with a child. This is safe space for families to share their thoughts on the adoption process and receive guidance and support from other families. RSVP to 978-337-6500.

Thursday, Nov. 19— Southern Region Adoption Info Meetings, Morton Hospital, 88 Washington Street, Taunton, Margaret Stone Conference Room, first floor. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: 508-894-3830.

Monday, Nov. 16 — Southern Region Adoption Info Meetings, Mass. Department of Children and Families, Police Station, 1492 Washington Street, Canton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP to 508-894-3830. Wednesday, Nov. 18 — Boston Region Adoption Info Meeting, DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 617-989-9209. Wednesday, Nov. 18 — Post Adoption Support Group, Emerson Hospital, Community Agencies Building, Concord. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. A support and

Ongoing — Federation for Children with Special Needs Parent Trainings. Free and open to the public, these trainings cover a range of topics: Effective Communication and the IEP, Basic Rights in Special Education, Understanding My Child’s Learning Style, and more. Visit fcsn.org/ptic/workshops/schedule for a schedule and descriptions. Ongoing — Group for Adoptive Parents. Adoption Associates, 34 Lincoln Street, Newton. For parents of children in elementary or middle school, this monthly group focuses on understanding the impact of loss and trauma; learning to manage difficult and challenging behaviors; strengthening the family bond while preserving identity; and more. For more

raising awareness for a cause, that’s not quite the case here, at least the way Susan Wilson from the adoption program at The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston sees it. Americans are well aware of foster care adoption and, according to a University of New England study, the opinion of it has grown favorably — by 84% — between 2007 and 2013. Wilson thinks the message is more about people understanding adoption, going beyond the favorability of it. “I don’t think the need for awareness is the vital message, it’s more that there are children in DCF care who are in need of permanency,” she said. “It’s just as critical that people become educated about the process and understand who the children are who are in need of permanency. Places like our Website (thehome. org/adoption) are great resources for people to start to learn more about the process and the greatest needs, such as keeping sibling groups together or adopting older youth. There are so many kids out there of all ages and backgrounds who need permanent families.” For another perspective on adoption, head to page 78 for a Take 8 interview with adoptive child Tracey Meyers. or with much older children; a family with room in their hearts and lives to support Justin and his needs into adulthood. This optimistic and amazing little boy has much love to give and is looking for a family who can return that love and shower him with hugs, kisses, and attention. For more information on Justin or the adoption process in general, please contact Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) Recruiter Deirdre Madden at 617-54-ADOPT.

information, contact 617-965-9369 or info@adoptionassociates.org. Ongoing — Group for Adopted Teens. Adoption Associates, 34 Lincoln Street, Newton. For adopted children ages 14-19, this group focuses on identity development, self-esteem improvement, confidence building and communication skills. Participants will use conversation to reflect upon the experience of adoption and belonging. For more information, contact 617-965-9369 or info@adoptionassociates.org. Ongoing — Group for Adoptive Parents of Teens. Adoption Associates, 34 Lincoln Street, Newton. This monthly group focuses on understanding the impact of loss and trauma on children ages 14-19; learning to manage difficult and challenging behaviors; strengthening the family bond while preserving identity; and more. For more information, contact 617-965-9369 or info@adoptionassociates.org. If your group or organization is holding an adoption information or support group and would like to have information posted for readers of baystateparent, please email editor@baystateparent.com.

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OH,

THE PLACES YOU’LL

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

- dr. seuss

GO BUILD 18th Annual F.A.T. Chain Reaction. Cambridge. Nov. 27, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

GO CHEER Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic. DCU Center, Worcester. Nov. 5-8. 20 NOVEMBER2015

GO CARVE Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Science. Science Discovery Museum, Acton. Nov. 12, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

GO SING A LONG Mary Poppins Sing-A-Long. The Regent Theatre, Arlington. Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Photo by Samara Vise

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…

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Enjoy stories, songs, and movement activities at this later hour using the Every Child Ready to Read five practices. For ages 2 to 6. Free. worcpublib.org.

1 Sunday Day of the Dead Celebration. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate Día de los Muertos through a day filled with joyful Mexican folk dances, live mariachi music, and plenty of crafts and activities for the entire family. Free. peabody.harvard.edu.

Cosmic Loops: Music Beneath the Stars. Museum of Science: Boston, 1 Science Park, Boston. 7:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m. Soar through nebulas, galaxies, and star systems in this immersive space under the Charles Hayden Planetarium’s dome, filled with live music building layer upon layer into an intricate universe of musical loops. Recommended for students in grades 9 to 12. $15. mos.org.

Drop Into Art. Danforth Art Museum and School, 123 Union Ave., Framingham. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Explore art through hands-on activities with our teen and adult docents in the Children’s Gallery before creating your own art inspired by what you saw. Free. danforthart.org.

5 Thursday

2 Monday Bilingual MFA Playdate. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Come with your toddler for an immersive experience for your child in español, as we explore the art galleries with educators from Pine Village Preschool. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, children ages 17 to 7 $10, children 6 and under free. mfa.org. Origami Fun. Boston Public Library: Copley Square Brach, 700 Boylston St., Boston. 3:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Come learn the art of paper folding and watch as various shapes come to life through your own creativity. For children ages 4 to 7. Free. bpl.org. Dia de Los Muertos Celebration. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy skull decorating crafts followed by a story, with refreshments provided. For ages 8 and under. Free. worcpublib.org.

3 Tuesday ASD Friendly Afternoon. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30 p.m.4:30 p.m. Participate in special sensory-based activities open to everyone, with a dedicated room available to welcome families with children with an ASD. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org. 3D Printing for Kids. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Learn how 3D printing works by using Tinkercad to design a three-dimensional creation. For students in grades 2 to 5. Register ahead. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. A Celtic Family Celebration. Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main St., Rockport. 8 p.m. Fiddle musician Natalie McMaster brings a

Spanish Bilingual Story-Time. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy a special bilingual story-time with stories, songs, and movement in English and Spanish. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. GO TO THE HILLS The Von Trapps in Concert. The Regent Theatre, Arlington. Nov. 15, 3 p.m.

dynamic and enchanting performance inspired by her life beginning in Cape Breton. $40-$93. rockportmusic.org.

4 Wednesday Free First Wednesday. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10 a.m. Explore the grounds and galleries of deCordova, where art dots the great experience to be had. Free. decordova.org. Color of Music. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m. Learn and experience how different types of music can help create different emotion and memories, and find out what you will envision while painting to classical, swing, and pop music. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. The Joanne Langione Dance Center presents a music and movement class for toddlers and preschoolers. For ages 2 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Preschool Story-Time: Discover Fall. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Listen to stories about fall before heading outside to explore the grounds with the Gore Place Takea-Walk Bags. Identify leaves, look at squirrels preparing for winter, and more. For ages 3 and 4. Register ahead. Member children $5, nonmember children $10. goreplace.org.

Story-Time for Preschool Listeners. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Enjoy this “All by Myself” themed story-time. For children ages 3 to 5. Free. morseinstitute.org. Getting Ready for the Winter. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop in as the weather gets colder and participate in hands-on activities showing how some familiar animals prepare for the coming winter. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Disney On Ice 100 Years of Magic. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 7 p.m. Enjoy a parade of more than 50 beloved Disney characters, as they take to the ice, recreating moments from Finding Nemo, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, during this melodious performance celebrating Disney favorites, old and new. Through Sunday. $22-$77. disneyonice.com.

6 Friday Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing, as you move, make music, listen, learn, and get a sensory workout. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. dicoverymuseums.org.

Cranberry Workshop. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Learn about the history and habits of this local fruit, pick cranberries, and head up to the Great House kitchen to make something tasty. For ages 15 and up. Register ahead. Members $30, nonmembers $35. thetrustees.org.

Comfy Kitchen Story Hour. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Pull up a pillow and enjoy a story while learning about cooking, food, and the natural world, where small snacks will be provided. Register ahead. Free. thetrustees.org.

Creative Connections: Mark Twain. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 3 p.m. Enjoy a visit with one of America’s bestloved writers and humorists, as you laugh along to the foibles, follies, and fantasies spun by performer Richard Clark. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Nature Playground. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Enjoy an outdoor outing with games, songs, special art projects, and exploration during this nature-themed playgroup. Designed for ages 2 to 5. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Puppet Palooza. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Create your very own puppet from recycled materials. For ages 6 to 8. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Ready to Read Night Owls. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester.

Sing Me a Song. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Join Fran Friedman as she presents a morning of musical fun through an uplifting, fun-filled performance. For ages 2 and 3. Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org. BAYSTATEPARENT 21

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! magical fun as Bonaparte excites and delights children and families with his special brand of magic. Adults $12, children $9. coolidge.org. Wild About Turkeys. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This special morning will be filled with turkey stories, activities, and biofacts, as we kick-off our Turkey Trail. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $7, children ages 3 to 15 $3, children under 3 free. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org. PhUn Days. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn about you and all of your parts during this Physiology Understanding Day. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

GO NATURAL Natural Living Expo. Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlborough. Nov. 14 & 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

First Friday Night Free. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Enjoy free admission and explore the museums at night. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

Worcester. 8 p.m. Enjoy the classic Dr. Seuss story come to life during this fantastically dressed and whimsically told musical. Through Sunday. $40-$70. thehanovertheatre.org.

School Readiness Friday Night. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join an evening of school readiness activities, circle time, story acting, science exploration, and more for children to practice skills needed for Kindergarten. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

7 Saturday

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St.,

Wreath Making for Kids. Appleton Farms, 219 County Rd., Ipswich. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Get into the holiday season by creating your own evergreen wreath, using local greenery, winter berries, fallen cones, holly leaves, ribbons, and more. For ages 8 and up. Member children $15, nonmember children $25. thetrustees.org. Magic by Bonaparte. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Join the

Story Walk Passport to Kindergarten Celebration. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy stories inside and outside the Museum all day long, as families have fun, and children build school-readiness skills. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Girls Day. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate women in science, technology, engineering, and math, as you explore, build, create, and investigate through a variety of demonstrations and interactive activities. Free with admission. Adults $10, youth under 18 $5, children under age 5 free. mit.edu/museum. Saturday Smash. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Play Smash Brothers on the big screen or one of our other games on the smaller screens. For ages 13 to 18. Free. worcpublib.org. Home. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 pm.-4 p.m.

Catch this animated movie following a young girl attempting to reconnect with her mother after being separated by an alien invasion. For children ages 12 and under. Free. worcpublib.org. Upcycled Crafts. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop by as we weave baskets out of old newspapers or magazines during this fun, environmentally friendly craft time. Free. worcpublib.org. Diwali Celebration. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate Diwali at the library as we share stories and a craft. For students in grades K-2. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Fruitlands Annual Bonfire. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 5 p.m. Say goodbye to the 2015 Main Season with glow sticks, the Drummers de Lookie, s’mores, and a great sight to behold. Free. fruitlands.org. Especially for Me: Visual Impairment Friendly Evening. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join in all the fun and explore both museums during this special evening featuring drop-in music therapy workshops and dinner. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org. An Evening of Illumination. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Step into the past and experience the quiet charms of evening as early New Englanders did, as we enjoy a special guided tour, followed by light refreshments and mulled cider. Register ahead. Members $30, nonmembers $35. osv.org. Kidz Bop “Make Some Noise” Tour. Calvin Theatre, 19 King St., Northampton. The #1 kids music group takes the stage to perform family-friendly versions of today’s biggest hits in this energetic and interactive live show. $25-$50. nbotickets.com.

For more events, visit baystateparent.com Looking for parenting support? UMass Memorial Medical Center and New England Prenatal and Family Education offer classes for expecting women, new moms, their families and support persons.

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

8 Sunday

10 Tuesday

Giselle. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10 a.m. This romantic ballet follows Giselle, a young peasant girl who — against her own will — joins a group of vengeful spirits after she is betrayed. $20. coolidge.org.

Baby Play. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Enjoy language play, songs, rhymes, and stretches for babies and grown-ups. Register ahead. morseinstitute.org.

Salem Trayned Band. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This group accurately recreates a 17th-century English colonial militia unit from Salem. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children ages 4 to 17 $6, children ages 3 and under free. worcesterart.org.

Card Corner. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Come and play your favorite trading card games with new and old friends, using your own or one of our decks. For ages 6 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Art in the Park. Francis William Bird Park, 41 Rhoades Ave., East Walpole. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy the landscape and bring the broad brush approach to a wonderful painting right in the heart of Bird Park. Members $25, nonmembers $35. thetrustees.org.

Veterans’ Day. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Veterans’ Day during this special presentation of activities celebrating the nation’s military history. Free with admission. Adults $24, youths ages 3 to 17 $10, children age 2 and under free. osv.org.

Renaissance of Ravenswood. Ravenswood Park, 330 Western Ave., Gloucester. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Walk through history at Ravenswood Park and learn the stories of the colorful people who helped make Ravenswood the unique and special place treasured today. Members $5, nonmembers $10. thetrustees.org.

Crazy About Cranberries. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop-in for a day of exploration and learning about our favorite regional fruit, the cranberry, in a day filled with cranberrycelebratory foods. Members $4, nonmembers $6. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

Hands-On History. Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. An afternoon for families to learn together through crafts, history hunts, and special gallery activities. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children age 5 to 17 $5, children under 5 free. concordmuseum.org. All Newton Music School Concert. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. A concert performed by faculty members from the All Newton Music School. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Little Red Riding Hood with Boston Conservatory. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. A live musical performance of the classic fairy tale, brought to life by musicians from the Boston Conservatory. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

9 Monday Minecraft Hunger Games Prelim. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Compete to be Worcester Public Library’s representative in the International Games Day @ Your Library Minecraft Hunger Games competition. For ages 8 to 17. Register ahead. Free. worcpublib.org.

11 Wednesday

Ballet Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a day with the Boston Ballet. Meet characters and costumes from The Nutcracker, listen to the music of the Boston Ballet Orchestra, take a dance class, and more. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Alice in Wonderland. Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton St., Newton. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Emmy-nominated Pushcart Players brings Lewis Carroll’s zany and fantastical tale to life in this delightful adaptation filled with whimsical music, vibrant costumes, and spectacular scenic elements. Geared for ages 3 and up. Members $13, nonmembers $15. bostonjcc.org. Exploring Nano: The Smallest Science. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Join in for hands-on educational activities about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

12 Thursday Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Science. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy all of the ooey gooey fun to be had. Drop-in and explore pumpkins, squashes, and more through activities and

GO EXPLORE New England Rocks. Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge. Nov. 15, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

observation. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Story-Time Surprise: Bingo. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy a specially integrated story-time as we play book bingo amongst friends. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Zumba. Worcester Public Library: Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Get your exercise today in the best way — dance with Zumba on the big screen. For ages 8 and up. Free. worcpublib.org. Afternoon Music. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 Washington St., Canton. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Hear local singers, songwriters, and musicians in a beautiful country estate setting during this seasonal celebration. Members $15, nonmembers $20. thetrustees.org. Rarest of the Rare. Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St., Cambridge. 6 p.m. Celebrate the “cabinet of wonder and temple of science” that is the rich and unlikely history of the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Free. hmnh.harvard.edu

13 Friday Radiant Child Yoga. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Stretch, breathe, relax, and strike a pose, as GroovyBabyMusic brings yoga fun and relaxation including meditation exercises. For ages 3 to 5. Register ahead. Member children $10, nonmember children $15. thetrustees.org.

Origami Ornaments. Worcester Public Library: Main Library, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Learn to make ornaments using the traditional Japanese art form of paper folding, origami. Free. worcpublib.org. Disney Live: Three Classic Fairy Tales. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. Step into a world of wonder where dreams come true as Mickey and Minnie bring to life Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for a magical theatrical experience. $22. thehanovertheatre.org. Aladdin. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Come and enjoy this classic Disney movie musical starring the voice talents of Robin Williams. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Second Fridays. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Kickstart your weekend with an evening of interactive learning and fun. Free with admission. Adults $10, youth under age 18 $5, children under age 5 free. mit.edu/museum.

14 Saturday 9th Annual Natural Living Expo. Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Rd., Marlborough. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy 225 exhibits, 90 workshops, healthy food and cooking demos, experience meditation, and enjoy a free natural product sample bar, handmade crafts, reading and more. Through Sunday. Adults $15, children free. naturalexpo.org. BAYSTATEPARENT 23

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! The Fammalammajammathon. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 Washington St., Canton. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The most fun family race Canton has ever seen, as families race through physical and mental challenges on their way to the finish line. Member families $30, nonmember families $40. thetrustees.org. Global Art and Music Day. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Join WAM in celebrating global art and music, through dance, food, and more. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children ages 4 to 17 $6, children ages 3 and under free. worcesterart.org.

NOV. 7&8, 14&15, 21&22 and 26

HeartH COOkiNg

aNd bakiNg demONStratiONS

meet Heritage breed turkeyS

tHaNkSgiViNg buffet fOr PurCHaSe iN

bullard taVerN PRESENTED BY

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

MAKE HISTORY!

STEM for Tweens. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us as we conduct simple science experiments, play games, and compete in building challenges all around science, technology, engineering, and math. For ages 9 to 12. Free. worcpublib.org.

15 Sunday

Backyard Birding. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn more about birds and see who you can spot at our feeders as birds and squirrels begin their process of fattening up for winter. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Massachusetts Reptiles. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a unique opportunity to see some of our scaled and shelled friends up close with a trained naturalist from the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Kitchen Science. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mix, build, predict, and experiment with materi-

Squirrels, Snakes, and Snowmageddon. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln.,

Got an event? We’d love to include it! Send details by the first of the month to editor@baystateparent.com als and foods found in your kitchen. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Bring the family and enjoy this introduction to yoga through cooperative games, age-appropriate poses, partner poses, simple mindfulness, and breathing exercises. Recommended for ages 3 to 12 with a caregiver. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Stop, Look, and Listen Tour. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor adventure with the whole family. Investigate the trail for tracks and telltales, before enjoying a bonfire and hot chocolate. Members $5, nonmembers $10. thetrustees.org.

Old Sturbridge Village

about seven young women who are breaking barriers as they follow their passions in STEM. For girls in grades 6 to 12. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Big Dream. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Girls are invited to mingle with female scientists and engineers before enjoying a screening of a documentary

Norwell. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Through a presentation, hands-on activities, and a nature walk, see how squirrels, snakes, and other animals prepare for winter. Members $5, nonmembers $7. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org. Historic Thanksgiving at the Manse. The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy the sights, aromas, and tastes of the holiday as you stroll through the kitchen and parlors to discover what Manse residents ate and how they prepared it. Reservations recommended. Members $10, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org. Artfull Explorations. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Fill your weekend with art and family through group explorations of Sculpture Park installations, Museum exhibitions, and engagements with materials and processes inspired by the themes and the artists of the day. For ages 2 to 12 with a caregiver. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14, children ages 12 and under free. decordova.org.

WWW.OSV.ORG

For more events, visit baystateparent.com 24 NOVEMBER2015

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! New England Rocks. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Explore the rocks and minerals found in New England through hands-on activities and segments from the new NOVA-WGBH series “Making North America,” where members of the Boston Mineral Club will be on hand to identify your mineral specimens. Free with admission. Adults $12, children ages 3 to 18 $8, children under 3 free. hmnh.harvard.edu. Landscape Painting for Kids. Governor Hutchinson’s Field, 196 Adams St., Milton. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy the timeless art of plein air painting as children can work on their own or with a grown-up to create a fall painting, with supplies provided. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Members $30, nonmembers $45. thetrustees.org. New England Philharmonic: Woodwinds. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2 p.m. This live interactive performance with the New England Philharmonic examines the role and function of wind instruments. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

18 Wednesday Tail Waggin’ Tales. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 9:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Join registered therapy dog team Stephanie and Marmalade for a highly-interactive story-time. For children ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Squawking Turkeys. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m. Help make a whole flock of noisy turkeys to celebrate Thanksgiving, during this event emphasizing math, engineering, and science. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Fill your day with art and play through this experience presenting a unique opportunity to engage with art, books, materials, the environment, and new friends. For ages 2 to 5 with a caregiver. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14, children ages 12 and under free. decordova.org.

GET a hEaD STaRT oN YouR

Make and Take: Colonial Crafts. Powisset Farm, 37 Powisset St., Dover. 1 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Get in the Thanksgiving spirit and listen to stories about the journey on the Mayflower and life in Plymouth colony, before making some colonial crafts to take home. Free. thetrustees.org.

SHOPPiNg

NOV. 7&8, 14&15, 21&22 and 26

Boston Area Chantey and Maritime Sing. USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown. 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Listen, learn, and lift your voice as you participate in a rousing chorus of sea chanteys at the USS Constitution Museum. Free. ussconstitutionmuseum.org. The Von Trapps in Concert. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 3 p.m. A performance by the great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp, as they reinvent the legacy of their birthright for the modern age. $25-$35. regenttheatre.com.

16 Monday MFA Playdates. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy in story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making. Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths age 7 to 17 $10, children age 6 and under free. mfa.org.

Where Do Bugs Go in Winter. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m. Learn about the different ways insects make it through the winter. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Ocean Exploration Technologies. Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St., Cambridge. 6 p.m. Explore what the future of ocean explorations looks like with Robert D. Ballard, the famous explorer who helped uncover the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Free. hmnh.harvard.edu.

19 Thursday

17 Tuesday

Take Aparts. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Grab a screwdriver and discover resistors and capacitors as you uncover the inner workings of everyday electronics. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Folk Open Mic. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 8 p.m. Join us in this gathering spot for local artists, as they perform the best of their folk music. Members free, nonmembers $5. natickarts.org.

Story-Time Surprise: Turkey Talk. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Join in on this fun and special story-time featuring a turkey-themed craft. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

NOVember 27 – 29

HOliday

25+ juRiED aRTiSaNS aND

CrafterS HaNd-made jEwElRY, cloThiNG, BoxES, oRNaMENTS, DESiGNER caNDlES, BakED GooDS aND VillaGE-MaDE PRoDucTS PRESENTED BY

Old Sturbridge Village Sturbridge, Massachusetts

MAKE HISTORY!

WWW.OSV.ORG

For more events, visit baystateparent.com BAYSTATEPARENT 25

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Citizen Science Challenge. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Explore a citizen science project, collect data, and enter it into the center’s databases, which will shape future environmental actions across the United States. For students in grades 3 to 5. Members $15, nonmembers $18. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

20 Friday Puppet Pals. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Join in for songs, stories, and lots of puppet friends, followed by a craft, during this special story-time. For children ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Hunger Games Scavenger Hunt. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the release of Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II with our library-wide scavenger hunt. For ages 13 to 17. Free. worcpublib.org. Family Campfire Cooking and Stargazing. Governor Hutchinson’s Field, 196 Adams St., Milton. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Learn how to build and maintain a campfire beneath the stars, before we cook some delicious campfire snacks, play games, and find planets and constellations. Register ahead. Member adults $10, children $5; nonmember adults $15, children $10. thetrustees.org.

Pajama Party in PlaySpace. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Toddlers and their older siblings are invited to wear their pajamas they play games, sing songs, and hear stories. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

21 Saturday International Games Day @ Your Library. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Join in on this American Library Association celebration. Play video games on the big screen and board games, and participate in the International Minecraft Hunger Games. For ages 8 to 12. Free. worcpublib.org. Marine Life Opening. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Experience the centerpiece of the new Marine Life exhibition — a floor to-ceiling recreation of life in New England’s coastal waters — as it immerses visitors in the astounding diversity and dynamic interplay among the marine communities. Free with admission. Adults $12, children ages 3 to 18 $8, children under 3 free. hmnh.harvard.edu. Bring in the Harvest Craft. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join us for a drop-in craft time.

Use recyclables to create crafts and adornments to celebrate this autumnal season. For ages 3 to 10. Free. morseinstitute.org. Critter Day: Jungle Encounters. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A fun, live, animal program, where children learn about their favorite creatures and how they impact them. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers free, children under 1 year free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Mister G. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Join Latin Grammy-nominee, Mister G, as he performs what has been called one of the “Best Live Acts for Kids and Families”. Featuring original music celebrating music and reading. Recommended for ages 2 and up. Adults $12, children $9. coolidge.org. Karen K and the Jitterbugs. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. Bug out with Karen K in her imaginary backyard fort where she makes music with her friends, the Jitterbugs, and takes audience members on a musical adventure exploring themes of kindness, friendship, and fun. Members $7; nonmember adults $10, children age 12 and under $8. regenttheatre.com. Pre-Turkey Trot. Pope John Paul II Park, Hallet St., Dorchester. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Earn your Thanksgiving dinner by joining friends

and neighbors for a run or brisk walk along the Neponset Greenway. Free. thetrustees.org. Abra-Kid-Abra. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Magician Mike Bent wows crowds with his wacky and outrageously funny tricks and jokes. Adults $12, children $10. naticksarts.org. Cooking with Fire. Farandnear, 156 Center Rd., Shirley. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Get a head start on your harvest holiday preparation through this afternoon featuring author Paula Marcoux. Member adults $15, nonmember adults $25, children free. thetrustees.org.

22 Sunday Bounty: Thanksgiving. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate the season by stepping back to an 19th century New England Thanksgiving. Free with admission. Adults $24, youths ages 3 to 17 $10, children age 2 and under free. osv.org. Nature Journaling. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop-in and explore the natural world through science, art, and writing. Take a nature walk to observe and record all the colors and activities of the outdoors. Free with admission. Members free,

The Trumpet of the Swan

October 23November 22 Friday nights at 7:30 Saturday & Sunday matinees at 3:00 Tickets: $20-$38. Pajama Party Fridays: $17.

Please join the City of Worcester for the annual

Festival of Lights 6-8 pm, December 4, 2015 Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m.

Box Office: 617-879-2300 tickets@wheelock.edu 180 The Riverway in Boston’s Fenway district

www.WheelockFamilyTheatre.org 26 NOVEMBER2015

Worcester Common and Paul V. Mullaney Plaza (behind City Hall) Photos with Santa! Holiday Tree lighting! Carriage Rides! Free ice skating admission on the Worcester Common Oval! 6-8 p.m.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Holiday Concert. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2 p.m. This concert features Handel and Haydn Society singers, along with a chorus of children ages 6 to 12, covering festive music for the season. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. The Family Folk Chorale. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 3:30 p.m. An epic sing-a-long featuring you, your family, a 60 voice chorus, and an amazing band, with songs from Alicia Keys and Pharell Williams to Sara Bareilles. $13. regenttheatre.com. Morningstar Access. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy this time especially designed for families of children with special needs, allowing children to explore the museum with less concern about infection and large crowds. Register ahead. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

23 Monday Family Literacy Month Celebration. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Families are

invited to read and play together in a fun-filled activity with refreshments provided. For ages 12 and under. Free. worcpublib.org. 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 for stories, songs, and simple crafting or family activities. For ages 3 to 9. morseinstitute.org.

Toddler Time. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and stretches for toddlers and grown-ups to enjoy together. For toddlers under 2. Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

26 Thursday Traditional Thanksgiving Feast at Bullard Tavern. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 11 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Treat yourself and your family to a unique holiday experience with dinner inside the Village. Register ahead. Member adults $63, children ages 4 to 12 $29; nonmember adults $65, children ages 4 to 12 $29; children 3 and under free. osv.org.

Youth Speech Competition. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The library hosts the Lions Club’s annual youth speech competition for students in grades 9 to 12. Free. worcpublib.org.

Eat Like a Bird. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Test different shaped and sized bird beaks to discover what it really means to “eat like a bird” during this fun drop-in activity. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Jurassic World. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.-8:35 p.m. Watch this follow-up to the classic Jurassic Park series, set 22 years after the events of the first movie. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

A Concert of Thanks. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 Washington St., Canton. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. A time to reflect and be thankful during this classical concert that all of the family will enjoy. Members $15, nonmembers $25. thetrustees.org.

24 Tuesday

25 Wednesday

PEEP Science Adventures: Mixing Colors. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m. Peep is yellow, Quack is blue, and Chirp is red, but what happens with these colors when you paint and mix them? Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers. Full Moon and Folklore Hike. Crane Wildlife John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Refuge of the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd., Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. 10:30 a.m.Ipswich. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. An evening hike across 11:30 a.m. Join the Wampanoag Nation Singers dunes and through soft sand, under what Native and Dancers as they share stories of both their American tribes termed the “Full Beaver Moon.” history and modern culture culminating in a Recommended for ages 13 and up. Register ahead. full audience powwow. Register ahead. Free. Members $10, nonmembers $15.1thetrustees.org. CBCNutcrackerAd_Layout 9/14/15 5:30 PM jfklibrary.org. Page 1

FAMILY FUN FOR

EVERYONE

27 Friday LEGO Zone. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Bring your imagination as you try your hand at one of our LEGO challenge or your own design. Add your creation to our community display to inspire your fellow visitors. Through Sunday. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

O M M O N W E A L T H

A L L E T

Nutcracker

T he

CHIP MORRIS Ar tistic Director

2015

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School November 27 – 6PM November 28 – 1PM & 6PM November 29 – 1PM

Regis College, Weston

December 11 –7PM December 12 – 1PM & 6PM December 13 – 1PM

INTERACTIVE

LEARNING LOUNGES, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, TOURS, AND EXHIBITIONS FOR ALL AGES!

Order online at CommonwealthBallet.org or call 978-263-7794

¡FAM ES PARA TODOS!

Land Ho!

currently on view:

Tickets starting at $20 Free parking

185 Elm Street Fitchburg,MA 01420 978.345.4207 fitchburgartmuseum.org PHOTO: MIKE NYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

BAYSTATEPARENT 27

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

29 Sunday

Photo courtesy Zoo New England

UnShopping Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Every family member can enjoy up-cycled art projects, fresh musical acts, and the chance to savor each other’s company during this day filled with interactive crafts and programs. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Mary Poppins Sing-A-Long. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. Enjoy this beloved Disney classic out-loud during this interactive movie experience. Through Sunday. Adults $15-18, children $13-15. regenttheatre.com. Thanksgiving Weekend Crafts. Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Get crafty with your family with special projects related to this year’s children’s book, as the museum celebrates the opening of its Family Trees exhibit. Through Saturday. Free with Family Trees admission. Members free; nonmember adults $15, children 4 to 18 $6, children under 4 free. concordmuseum.org. 18th Annual F.A.T. Chain Reaction. Rockwell Cage Gymnasium, 120 Vassar St., Cambridge. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Join the MIT Museum as it hosts this annual Friday after Thanksgiving tradition, featuring teams and participants in this one-ofa-kind engineering feat that must be seen to be believed, filled with themed hands-on activities and a surprise ending. Adults $15, children ages 5 to 17 $5, children under 5 free. mit.edu/ museum. ZooLights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham. Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit by strolling along treelined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Visit with Santa in his castle and enter a magical holiday world filled with fairy tale characters and dancing plush animals. Tickets start at $7, in addition to regular Zoo admission price. stonezoo.org KidsJam. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

GO MEET ZooLights. Stone Zoo, Stoneham. Nov. 27-Jan. 3.

Join us for a family dance party with a live DJ, dance lessons, games, and fun. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. The Nutcracker. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7 p.m. Jump start the holiday season with The Nutcracker, presented by Ballet Arts Worcester and the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. Through Sunday. $26-$38. thehanovertheatre.org. Rock Off Main Street. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 7:30 p.m. Watch musicians of all ages perform an eclectic mix of music from pop, to emo, to indie. $8. natickarts.org.

28 Saturday The Muppets Take Manhattan. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. The Muppets, fresh out of drama school, move to New York in hopes of bringing their musical, Manhattan Melodies, to the stage. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Adults $8, children $6. coolidge.org.

Saturday Sit-With-Me. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Drop-in for a story and craft time, exploring the theme of “Woodsy Wonders.” For ages 3 to 9. Free. morseinstitute.org. Art Lessons with Bayda. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Take art lessons with Bayda on the topics of tapestry, yarn bottles, and sculpture. Register ahead. For ages 7 to 12. Free. worcpublib.org. Germ Keep Away Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn about germs and hygiene and how your body’s immune system works, as you play games that promote healthy habits and create your own germ art. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Tomorrowland. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-4:10 p.m. A scientifically minded teenager discovers an advanced technology trinket that provides an astounding glimpse into the future. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Gingerbread Castle Competition. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. View magnificent gingerbread castles and vote for your favorite (through Dec. 6), during this fun, holiday event. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $12, children ages 4 to 17 $6, children ages 3 and under free. worcesterart.org. What To Do With Friends and Family. The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord. 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Join us for a Special Thanksgiving Weekend Opening, filled with unique family activities and walk-in tours. Members free; nonmember adults $10, ages 12 and older $9, children ages 6 to 11 $5, children under 6 free. thetrustees.org. New England Philharmonic: Strings. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2 p.m. This live interactive performance with the New England Philharmonic examines the role and function of string instruments. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under age 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. WPI Vocal Performance Lab Concert. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 2 p.m. The Vocal Performance Lab returns to the Worcester Art Museum to celebrate the holiday season. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $12, children ages 4 to 17 $6, children ages 3 and under free. worcesterart.org.

30 Monday ZooLights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights, with the opportunities to meet a reindeer up close during nightly photo opportunities. Members free; nonmember adults $16, children ages 2 to 12 $12, children under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

Looking for more? Sign up for our newsletter: baystateparent.com/newsletter

28 NOVEMBER2015

HOLIDAY CLASSIC RETURNS TO BOSTON! “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” animated television special adapted from a story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks, music and lyrics by Johnny Marks. All elements © and ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 29

In Awakening Your Intuitive Relationship With Food

If you’re ready to give your relationship to food a spiritual makeover, these tips can help you start today.

BY HEATHER WAXMAN AND KASEY ARENA 30 NOVEMBER2015

today’s food-obsessed culture, we’re inundated with people talking about the benefits of going vegan, eating gluten-free, removing sugar from our diets and more. While all these choices might be excellent health options, oftentimes they’re presented in the form of “guilt marketing.” This is where you’re left feeling guilty and shameful for not eating how someone else thinks you should eat instead of feeling inspired and motivated to eat what feels right to you and leave the rest. Assessing new food information is an opportunity to become more connected to your intuitive relationship with food. If you’re left thinking thoughts like, “I’m so confused. What lifestyle is right for me?” then this is exactly the right time for you to explore that question. What often comes along with guilt and shame is a nasty case of perfectionism. We tend to distrust the process of trial and error and our curious nature because we’re so afraid of getting it wrong. Ironically, though, the key to finding a way of eating that works best for you is through trial and error and a hefty dose of curiosity. These are the touchstones to awakening your intuitive relationship with food. If you’re ready to give your relationship to food a spiritual makeover, these tips can help you start right away.

Be mindful of the energy you bring to your meal Let’s be real: life is hard. We’re busy and have many commitments. Add technology into the mix and you sometimes feel like you barely have time to breathe, right? And what is one of the first things to go out the window when you get busy? Self care. While it can be really hard to prioritize self care, taking the time to simply be mindful of the energy you bring to your meals is paramount. We live in an anxious society. This anxious energy brought to your meal times causes you to rush through your meals and feel uncomfortable afterwards because you haven’t given your body the time it needs to digest the food. Not to mention that you aren’t able to actually enjoy the meal because you are plowing through it so quickly! The energy you bring to a meal while you prepare it is the energy you’ll mirror as you eat it. Tip: Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel as I prepare my meal? How do I want to feel while I eat my meal? How do I want to feel after I eat my meal?” Take some time to think about this, write those feelings down, and make a conscious effort to bring them into your life. For example, if you want to feel calm as you prepare your meal, put on some relaxing music while you

French fries, we felt guilty about it. We might have been physically satisfied, but we weren’t spiritually satisfied by what we ate. Your soul is constantly communicating to you through your body. When we challenged ourselves to become conscious of shifting our thoughts from guilt to pleasure and allowed ourselves to enjoy foods that gave us pleasure, regardless of whether they were healthy, we craved them far less often and created a naturally balanced relationship with them.

chop your veggies. Set yourself up to create a loving atmosphere to eat in.

Make meal-time intentions a habit Many spiritual and religious traditions engage in the practice of setting an intention before they eat. This ritual reminds you to recall a sense of reverence for the food and for your body. This isn’t anything new, but in this crazy-busy world that we live in, it’s something we’ve neglected and put to the side. Taking the time to slow down and set an intention while eating can help you to eat more slowly and feel more connected to your body. And it only takes 10 seconds! This simple practice can help you to develop a deep respect for the food you eat and for how your body deserves to receive that food.

Tip: Choose seven foods that bring you pleasure. They can be healthy or unhealthy. No rules here! For the next week, allow yourself to eat one of those foods every day. Practice feeling pleasure at your meal. When you notice guilt come up, become conscious that it’s there, but don’t judge it. Witness it and repeat this mantra: “I deserve to receive this pleasure.” Watch the shifts that will happen in just one week!

Tip: Before you eat, set yourself up for success by setting an intention over your meal.

Make room for pleasure

Meet Waxman and Arena at the Natural Living Expo on Sunday, Nov. 15 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough. They will present intuitive food and cooking demos all day in the exhibit hall. Visit naturalexpo.org for details. Want to win tickets? Sign up for our newsletter for entry details at baystateparent.com/newsletter

We sometimes forget that we don’t just eat for health. We also eat for pleasure! Feeling pleasure about what you eat is crucial, yet so often neglected, especially by women. We both experienced this first hand. When we started our careers as healthy living bloggers, we felt a responsibility to only eat healthy foods. When we did want to enjoy something like frozen yogurt or

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Of Gingerbread and Imaginary Castles Worcester Art Museum Continues Gingerbread Castle Competition BY KATHY SLOAN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN KING

he sweet, spicy aroma of gingerbread evokes such a sense of comfort, warmth, and holiday cheer. Now, imagine an entire room filled with the scent of gingerbread in the form of castles. At the end of November and into December, castlelike gingerbread houses will fill the educational wing of the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) as it hosts the 5th annual Gingerbread Castle Competition. The competition began in 2010 at the former Higgins Armory Museum as an effort to help boost programming and museum attendance during the month of December, says Jesse Rives, WAM education coordinator. The competition calls for gingerbread houses in the form of castles because of the well-known castle-like building that formerly housed the armory. The contest attracted hundreds of visitors to the armory each year and was open to anyone who wanted to submit a castle. When WAM took over the Higgins Armory collection in 2014 after the latter closed, it also continued the Gingerbread Castle Competition. But entries and foot traffic were low. “I don’t think people realized that the contest would continue here,” Rives says. Julieane Frost, WAM manager of 32 NOVEMBER2015

marketing, communication, and design, says the museum did not have a lot of time last year to advertise the competition, but hopes that this year they will receive many more entries from professional bakers and the public. Frost says that the acquisition of the Higgins collection has offered WAM the opportunity to engage the Higgins audience in new and exciting ways, one of which is continuing the castle competition. “The contest has opened an opportunity for us to reach out to the family audience,” Frost says. She hopes that families will not only come to view the castles, but also stay and enjoy the museum and its collections. The Worcester Art Museum opened in 1898 and today houses a collection of 38,000 works, from paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, to photography, prints, drawings, and new media. The integration of the collection from the Higgins Armory Museum helped expand WAM’s curatorial and program offerings. The museum also has a diverse education department offering programs for tots to seniors. Last year’s winner of the Gingerbread Castle Competition were a grandmother and granddaughter duo from Northbridge: Kathryn Tucker and her granddaughter, Amelia.

“I saw the email about the contest and thought it would be fun,” Tucker says. She asked her granddaughter if she wanted to help her complete the castle and the fourth-grader said yes. The pair worked on their creation (seen above) over the course of several weeks, Tucker taking care of gingerbread baking and construction, while Amelia made the decorating decisions. “Amelia would come over after school, or for dinner, and on the weekends. We did a little at a time but it was a great way to spend time together doing something fun,” Tucker says. Amelia adds that she loved spending time with her grandmother and making the castle: “My favorite part was the yummy treats, nom nom nom!” They experienced rooftop mishaps and candy that slid off the castle, but the pair worked together to fix those problems. When Tucker received the call that their entry had won, she was shocked: “I never imagined winning!” She hopes more family teams enter the competition this year. “You don’t have to be some great decorator. It’s more about trial and error, seeing what works and what doesn’t,” she says. She adds that whether you’re creating an entry for

the Gingerbread Castle Competition or you’re looking for a way to spend time with your children or grandchildren during the holiday season, making a gingerbread house is a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime. The best part is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re using a boxed version of a gingerbread house or creating one from scratch, Tucker says: “It just takes a little patience and a lot of confectionary sugar!” Last year’s winning duo will be creating another entry for this year’s competition, which includes two categories: professional and amateur (which includes youth/families entries). The pair has been busy collaborating on the design of this year’s creation. “Maybe this time Amelia’s little brother will help us,” Tucker notes. The deadline to enter the competition is Nov. 8. Completed entries must be dropped off at the museum Nov. 28 or 29. Museum visitors can vote on their favorite castle from Nov. 29-Dec. 6. Winners will be announced at the museum on Dec. 6. There is no cost to enter the competition or to view or vote for the gingerbread castles, which will be on display through Dec. 13. For more information and entry rules, visit worcesterart.org/ events/holidays-at-wam/2015/

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS BAYSTATEPARENT 33

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Recipes aren’t always found in printed cookbooks today. If you’ve found a gem online and you’re following the recipe via an iPad while you cook, you’ll need the tablet near your work surface. However, you also don’t want it scratched, wet, splattered, or spilled upon. Enter the Kitchen Kit from NewerTech. The kit features the NuStand 360 iPad holder, which offers a heavyweight base with rubberized feet. Snap your iPad into the stand and it can then pivot up or down and rotate 360 degrees, so the screen is always where you want it. The kit also comes with a stylus, which means you can navigate around an iPad screen without subjecting it to messy fingers. Kitchen Kit retails for $24.99 and can be found at eshop.macsales.com.

Bill Would Ban Styrofoam Takeout/Leftover Containers in Massachusetts Sen. Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) and Rep. Frank Smizik (D-Brookline) have filed a bill that would ban Massachusetts restaurants from using Styrofoam to package food for patrons. If passed, “An Act to Restrict the Use of Polystyrene” would give businesses a year to find alternative packaging for single-use, disposable plates, cups, bowls, trays, and hinged or lidded containers. The proposal does not include items such as straws, cup lids, or utensils. The bill would not be the first Styrofoam ban in the state as several Massachusetts cities and towns have already made the move, including Amherst, Brookline, Great Barrington, Nantucket (city and county), Pittsfield, Somerville, and Williamstown. Further information on the bill and its progress can be found at malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H2066. 34 NOVEMBER2015

5 Ways New FDA Rules Will Make Foods Safer The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in more than 70 years, was signed into law by President Obama in 2011. Its goal: to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. The FSMA is comprised of preventative control rules, which will be finalized and implemented now through 2016. Here is what the upcoming changes will mean to U.S. families, according to the FDA:

1. Food companies will apply greater controls to help prevent hazards.

“Rather than just react to outbreaks, we are requiring food facilities to take measures to prevent them from the get-go,” says Jenny Scott, a senior advisor in the FDA’s Office of Food Safety. Food facilities will need to think upfront about what could be harmful to consumers and then put controls in place to minimize or prevent those hazards.

2. Pets get protected from tainted animal food.

“The same up-front thinking now required of human food manufacturing will also apply to manufacturers of animal food, including pet food,” says Dan McChesney, director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. If pet food manufacturers have methods in place to kill harmful bacteria, it will be much safer for both the pet and for anyone handling the food, he says.

3. Eating healthfully and eating safely will go hand-in-hand

The Produce Safety rule, which will be issued this fall, will create safeguards to help prevent illnesses in ways that are appropriate for farms. “Farms, unlike factories, are open environments,” says Samir Assar, director of the FDA’s Division of Produce Safety. “There are elements we understand that farms can’t necessarily control.” However, there are actions that can be taken to minimize the likelihood of contamination in ways that are practical and feasible for growers. Farming conditions and methods for growing the same crop can differ widely from state to state and coast to coast, so the new regulations will focus on major conduits of contamination that are common to all or most farming environments, Assar says. The FDA anticipates that the produce rule as proposed would prevent hundreds of thousands of illnesses caused by produce each year.

4. There will be greater oversight of imported food

Overall, 15% of the U.S. food supply is imported from other countries, yet this includes 80% of Americans’ seafood, nearly 50% of their fresh fruit, and 20% of their fresh vegetables. “The rule, when finalized, will require importers to assume greater responsibility to verify that the foods they import into the United States meet the same safety standards required of domestic producers,” says Brian Pendleton, senior policy advisor.

5. Consumers will be more confident that their food is safe.

“Up until now, everything has been reactive,” says Darin Detwiler, senior policy coordinator for the advocacy group STOP Foodborne Illness. “This is the most sweeping food safety legislation passed within the last 70 years.”

DIY Happy Hour Cleaner BY LESLIE REICHERT

I recently traveled to New York to join Dr. Oz on his TV show. I’ve been on the show before, but this time he wanted me to come down and show him and a panel of experts one of my recipes. Not only did I show them how to mix up my Happy Hour Cleaner, but we also tested it and found that it worked as well as store-bought cleaner. We also evaluated the cost and it was only $3.27 per spray bottle. Here is the recipe and the rundown on the cost:

“Dr. Oz’s Happy Hour Cleaner” Ingredients: • Inexpensive Vodka: 50 cents an ounce • Vinegar: .03 cents an ounce • Lemon Juice: 25 cents an ounce

• Castile Soap (drops): .01 cents • Lemon Grass Oil (drops): .02 cents Start by placing 8 oz. of distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. If you’re like me and not a fan of the vinegar smell, add 7 or 8 drops of your favorite essential oil directly to the vinegar. Mix completely and you will find you can barely smell the vinegar. Add 4 oz. of vodka (which is why we call it “Happy Hour Cleaner”) and 4 oz. lemon juice. The alcohol is a natural disinfectant and will work to kill germs on the surfaces on which it is sprayed. Lemon juice is a natural acid along with the white vinegar and together they will work to cut through any grease or grime. Finally, add a few drops of organic castile soap to help lift

dirt off the surface so the other ingredients can work. This simple all-purpose cleaner can be used in the kitchen or the bathroom to clean and sanitize surfaces. It’s great for removing grease and oil and even cutting through soap scum. Give it a try. It will be the best $3.27 you’ve ever spent on your home.

BAYSTATEPARENT 35

Creating a Home Library Your Children Will Love BY DARCY SCHWARTZ

a recent article by The National Literacy Trust, it was noted that becoming a lifetime reader is based on developing a deep love of reading, and that a welcoming, print-rich home environment is a key influence on how children —and adults — embrace the art of escaping into words and pictures. Beautifully illustrated books and classic literature are nice to have, but an inviting, designated spot for snuggling up and exploring special topics or going on literary adventures is a worthy addition to a home. So, how can you achieve this idea of an esoteric space where books, art, and musical collections are available to be read and discussed by all who wander there? You build it. And if you build it, they will come. When I say, “build,” I don’t mean that you need to call a contractor and add square footage to your house. Here are a few ideas to get you started: • Find a space for your home library. Many families have found that setting aside a spot in the home where their family traditionally gathers is the perfect place to start; any space is fine, even in a corner of

36 NOVEMBER2015

your family room. Your focus should be on creating a comfortable area with adequate lighting and a variety of materials to engage your readers. If space allows, consider a rocking chair or overstuffed pillows or rugs to lay on. • Materials to include. Just about anything goes in a family library. Look at what you already own. Are some of your childhood favorites tucked in boxes in your attic? It's the variety, not the amount, which really counts. Keep in mind the special interests and preferences of each member of the family, incorporating favorite subjects and authors. Local libraries often host book sales, and used book stores are another great way to build your collection. Consider including classics such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, or the Little House book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, a dictionary, an illustrated atlas, old set of encyclopedias, magazines, song books, newspapers and periodicals. Also consider chapter books and lots of picture books! Yes, picture books. Traditionally a 24- or 32-page formatted children’s story illustrated with words and images, picture books over the past decade have developed into amazing pieces of artistry that combine language and

illustration in a way that entices young readers — and those who are “young at heart” — to channel their inner child. Readers can fall, even for a short time, into fantastical worlds like Aaron Becker’s Quest, in which a girl and her friend draw their ideas into existence. You could include one of the many pictorial biographies or history picture books to be used as reference for school, discussion, or even the beginnings of a historical family vacation. A small collection of books, thoughtfully gathered over time, is better than a large collection that goes unread. By keeping the ages and interests of family members in mind when selecting your library material and getting their suggestions, you are making sure there is something for everyone at every reading level. • Display your treasures. Sturdy bookcases, built-in shelves, and open magazine racks are excellent places to display and store reading material. Crates and baskets work well, too. A floor-to-ceiling wall system with glass doors might be beautiful, but would discourage a young reader who couldn't get to the books inside. Be sure to put reading material for the youngest readers on the lowest shelves. You may want to group

together books about your child's favorite topics — from dinosaurs to space travel — or books by a favorite author. Maybe designate an assortment of books for each family member in a special place or on a special shelf for them to enjoy as their own. • Add art. A home library shouldn’t be a place to just sit and read. It should also be an inviting oasis that inspires via words and pictures. If space allows, include some fine paper journals and pens for writing, as well as pencils and maybe charcoal, and a sketchpad to draw. A small set of watercolors, brushes and paper to paint. Create your own (or print existing) bookplates to put inside your favorite books. Have cardstock and markers available to make bookmarks inspired by titles and characters. Including some photo albums filled with family and friends is a great way to relax and share memories. Books on tape and music DVDs are other ways to utilize the space with creative additions to reading. Now that you have a spot, invite your family to “Dig in!” Instead of a family movie night, have a family R.E.A.D Night. R.E.A.D. (Reading, Enrichment, Art, and Design) is a program that expands on traditional reading groups by incorporating dis-

cussion and art into a shared experience. Have everyone in your family share what they are reading. Use paper, pencils, even small watercolor sets, to create illustrations for books that have none. Challenge another family member to create a song or dance to complement what they’re reading, and then perform it. Reading a book from a far-away place or with an ethnic theme? Research favorite foods and recipes from the setting and create a book-themed dinner. Maybe even have that movie night, only choose one based on a favorite book you’ve read together (children’s stories are great for this) so you can discuss the differences. The power of reading is as important as anything we learn. Reading develops your brain, language, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills, but most importantly reading provides you with a window into the world around you. So build your space. Your literary, creative oasis. Fill it with books, maps, music, and art. Invite your family to come in and relax. Share what you’ve created, and they will come.

5 Inspirations For Building Your Dream Home Library 1. An Unlikely Story: Created and owned by Wimpy Kid best-selling author Jeff Kinney, this environmentally friendly, independent bookstore in Plainville is filled with books, gifts, and places to explore. Visit its Website for details and upcoming events: anunlikelystory.com. 2. Book Pickings @ Brain Pickings: Brain Pickings is the brainchild of writer and blogger Maria Popova. The literary review extension of a

beautifully creative blog, Book Pickings looks at books from all genres and styles, and reviews them not only for content, but also for their place in what matters to the world and why. From the meaning behind the writing to the story and technique behind the pictures, this is the place to go when looking for new books for every spot on your shelf: bookpickings.brainpickings.org 3. Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum Store: The Metropolitan Museum of Art co-publishes its own series of books and children’s books about art and artists. Available at the Museum Store in NYC and online, they range from exhibition journals, such as Matisse: In Search of True Painting to When Pigasso Met Mootisse, a children’s book by Nina Laden. Art books of all kinds make a perfect addition to a home library. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, with an online store at store.metmuseum.org. 4. The Horn Book: Considered the guide for children’s and young adult literature, the Horn Book Guide is a bi-monthly periodical that critically reviews new books from all genre and subject matter. If you are looking for something new, something uniquely illustrated, or something for a special someone on your holiday list, visit hbook.com. 5. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: An Art Museum. Performances. An art studio. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is also a must visit for anyone who loves to read. Bring your sketchbook and pencils to draw in the galleries. Read your favorite children’s book in a cozy corner of the library. Spend some time in the studio making art. Sit under the apple trees and enjoy the day. A wonderful, family friendly, art- and book-based nirvana for those who love to read. Visit carlemuseum.org.

Come to the digital side Text baystateparent to 22828 to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter Things to do, stuff to win and news to know

Your family can share in the holiday magic of

THE NUTCRACKER presented by dancers of

Saturday, December 5th • 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6th • 2:00 p.m. Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg, MA Guest artist Ty Parmenter from Festival Ballet Providence.

Children & Seniors $16 Adults $18 Ticket sales from these performances help to fund our free public performances for 2,000 local school children each year.

For ticket information call

978-422-6989

Last Year’s Performances “Sold Out” Parents – bring a camera and take a photo of your Sugar Plums with our Sugar Plum Fairy, 1/2 hour prior to each performance.

Dance • Voice • Piano • Theatre 50 Leominster Road, Sterling, MA 01564 www.paulameoladance.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 37

CAPTURED at KidsFest, Wachusett Mountain

baystateparent superheroes Sibling action brought to you by Carlie Rose, 9 and CJ, 7.

Have no fear, 7-year-old Caitlyn of Auburn is here!

Saving the world is Jacob, 4, of Lunenburg.

It’s a bird, It’s a plane, it’s 7-month-old Kellen of Fitchburg. 38 NOVEMBER2015

A triple threat by Yamira, 9, Shayla, 10 and Manuel, 7 of West Boylston.

Here’s Super Jeremy, 6, of Millbury.

Celebrate November at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Picture Book Theatre presents:

Rooster’s Off to See the World and “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” Said the Sloth by Eric Carle See Eric Carle’s stories come to life with puppets and young dancers. November 14, 21 • 2:00 pm November 27, 28 • 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm Program Ticket (show only) – $6 (Members $5) Combo Ticket (includes Museum Admission) – Save $3 off Museum Admission

All About Alice Day A day of programs celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland November 22 • 1:00 pm–4:00 pm • Mad Hatter Family Tea Party

1:00 pm–2:00 pm $5 Members; $10 Non-member Youth; $12 Non-Member Adult Wear your favorite hat and follow the white rabbit to an afternoon of tea, cookies, and a special art project! • A Look at Alice*

1:00 pm–1:30 pm Gallery Talk with Chief Curator Ellen Keiter • Adventures with Alice*

2:00 pm A Conversation with Leonard S. Marcus, Barry Moser, and Charles Santore

The Carle Bookshop Holiday Sale November 27 – November 29, 2015 15–75% off books and toys. Members save an additional 15%. In-store only

Happy 60th Birthday, Eloise! A Special Storytime with Hilary Knight* November 28 • 11:30 am The New York Times calls her “one of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature!” See website for signing guidelines. *Free with Museum Admission

125 West Bay Road, Amherst Massachusetts 01002

413.658.1100

www.carlemuseum.org BAYSTATEPARENT 39

Children Blanketed In Love By Mass Nonprofit Binkeez for Comfort is designing blankets and delivering care and love to small patients in need BY JOAN GOODCHILD

40 NOVEMBER2015

For a child fighting cancer, sometimes just the smallest comfort can help them feel safe and, maybe, just a bit better. This support can include a reassuring smile and squeeze of the hand from a loved one, a favorite toy from home, or a soft blanket. That last item is where Susan Posterro and Binkeez for Comfort come in. Binkeez for Comfort is a Shrewsbury-based nonprofit dedicated to making and delivering warm, soft, snuggly blankets to children with serious illnesses. But, as Posterro, a Grafton resident and Binkeez founder, is quick to point out: Binkeez is more than just a blanket. Binkeez is a conscious love initiative. Binkeez are made with a certified fabric that Posterro notes is leadfree, hypoallergenic, and meets the strict safety standards necessary for an item that will be given to a child with serious health concerns. Many of the children receiving a Binkeez blanket are fighting cancer, she noted, and can’t be exposed to harsh chemicals. Because of her dedication to ensuring the blankets are produced with such stringent standards, Binkeez is accredited with most of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the United States. “The reason I’m accredited is I’m a rule follower,” she said. “The hospitals we work with know the blankets are certified.” Posterro and her team of volunteers have active blanket donation programs in several hospitals in the region, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Rhode Island, and UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester, where they can often be found hand-delivering Binkeez to patients. The organization delivers around 250 blankets monthly, and, in 2013, delivered more than 5,000 blankets at no cost to patients and their families. A trip to the Binkeez headquarters provides an overview of the nonprofit’s mission. Various, brightlycolored blanket fabrics line the rooms and sewing machines are at the ready in one room for Binkeez volunteers, known as Moms on a Mission, to sew and create each special blanket. “Most of our volunteers have children who are fighting cancer or are in Heaven,” Posterro noted. “They truly get what’s at stake.” Each fabric is named after a fighter, she added, displaying several of the blankets currently in production, which include names like the Serenity, the Nelly, the Andrew, and the Maddie, each with its own unique pattern. “The blankets are just a part of what we do. Everything we do is about continuously loving each child and family that works with our organization,” she said. Posterro left her career as the

manager of a law firm to form Binkeez in 2012, embarking on a path that she said allowed her to follow her heart. The personal challenge of not having her own children led Posterro to a crossroads: continue her career or pursue her desire to change paths and find a way to make a difference in the world.

tries. When deciding it was time for a career change, Posterro turned to blanket-sewing, making it a full-time job to provide comfort and warmth for kids in need. Delivering the blankets on site to children in the hospital is rewarding for Posterro and her team, too. “When we go to deliver a blanket,

“When we go to deliver a blanket, it’s always personal. When a parent sees a child sleep for 30 minutes for the first time in ages, it is a huge comfort for them as well.” – SUSAN POSTERRO, BINKEEZ FOUNDER

Binkeez was not her first foray into providing blankets and comfort to those in need. Posterro and her mother, Lynne, are experienced seamstresses, who over a decade earlier ran a small baby blanket making business and donated many to children in Third World coun-

it’s always personal,” she said. “When a parent sees a child sleep for 30 minutes for the first time in ages, it is a huge comfort for them as well.” Katie Furtado is a Cranston, RI, mother whose 5-year-old daughter, Celia, is fighting B cell

Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Furtado enthusiastically recalled her family’s introduction to Binkeez. “After many inpatient stays and visits to clinic, I started to notice how many kids and their parents had the most comfortable-looking blankets,” she said. “When we met Susan I felt like I was being reunited with an old friend. I felt like we already knew each other. On the night she came to present Celia with her very own blanket designed just for her, we were inpatient at Hasbro. It came at the perfect time. I was so surprised to find out she also brought me a matching blanket in adult size. Celia and I cuddled up in them for the rest of the night. “It is a comfort that I cannot describe with words,” Furtado continued. “You just have to feel it.” Indeed, Posterro said she often hears that the comfort each blanket brings has an intangible quality to it. “I often have people ask, ‘What do you put in those blankets?’ I like say, ‘love crack,’” she joked. While the comfort Posterro takes in her mission and work each day fulfills her, it does not come without an emotional price, as some Binkeez recipients ultimately lose their battle and pass on. “This is a very personal journey for me and absolutely affects my heart and soul,” Posterro said. “Our organization is blessed to have a life and soul coach, Beth Vinton, to help with this for me personally and the organization. “We choose our focus to always remain on what each child and family faces, and one child and blanket at a time, which continues to teach so many what true strength and love really means,” she continued. “It has been humbling to learn that many of our children that have flown into the arms of the angels have been laid to rest with their Binkeez.” Posterro recently learned that Binkeez will now be able to deliver some of their blanketing love to the tiniest of patients, supporting NICUs in New England and across the United States, as the company branches out into new opportunities to offer comfort. “We will be taking our little bits of Binkeez, or scraps, and making Itty Bitty Binkeez for the NICUs,” Posterro said. “We will be kicking this off in November by loving forward 400 Itty Bitty Binkeez to the March of Dimes, who will then ensure every Level 3 NICU bed in New England will receive an Itty Bitty Binkeez on Premature Awareness Day (Nov. 17).” Binkeez are also available to purchase on the Binkeez for Comfort boutique at binkeezforcomfort.org. Posterro noted that proceeds from Binkeez sales go to pediatric cancer research. BAYSTATEPARENT 41

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The U.Fund® College Investing Plan is offered by MEFA and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a Massachusetts resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary’s home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other benefits. Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation. MEFA, MEFA UFund Massachusetts 529 Plan, and U.Fund are registered service marks of the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. The Fidelity Investments and pyramid design logo and the navigational line and directional design are service marks of FMR LLC. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 © 2015 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

42 NOVEMBER2015

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HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

HOLIDAY gift guide 2015 by baystateparent staff

We sorted through a mountain of offerings and have compiled the best picks across five age groups: Baby, Toddlers, Preschoolers, School-Age Kids, and Tweens & Teens. The styles, categories, and prices all vary, but these 30 unique products have one thing in common: they will be a big hit with the lucky recipient. Lighten your holiday shopping list and win some of these great gifts! Head to baystateparent.com/newsletter or text baystateparent to 22828 to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, where we will be giving away many of our top picks all month long.

Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo fisher-price.com, $40

Press BeatBo’s tummy or any of the buttons on his feet to activate fun songs, learning content, and dance moves. This latest favorite from Fisher-Price has three modes — Dance ’n Move, Learning & Games, and Customized Sing-Along, where mommy or baby can record a phrase or sound, and BeatBo will remix it into his favorite song. Best Bets For Baby, next page.

Mini2Go Scooter

microkickboard.com, $129.99

Puppet Making Kits

cateandlevi.com, $20 These high-quality wool puppet making kits from Cate and Levi produce one-of-a-kind creations that crafty kids will love to construct and show off to friends and family. Sure Shots For School-Age Kids, page 47.

Cacoon

thegrommet.com, $340 This award-winning ride-on for children 18 months and up grows with your child, converting to a stand-up three-wheel scooter with T-bar. The toy drawer slides in and out, so toddlers can pack up their favorite possessions to take on the ride. Non-marking wheels enable the Mini2Go to be used indoors and out. Top Picks For Toddlers, page 45.

Little Cosmetics Little Makeup Artist Set littlecosmetics.com, $24.99

Invented by a mother for her daughter, this line of pretend makeup for children ages 3 to 5 looks and feels just like real makeup, but is completely fake — no color transfers or applies onto skin. This gift set includes one makeup set for a child and another for her 18-inch doll. Perfect Presents For Preschoolers, page 46.

A cross between a hanging tent and a hammock, the Cacoon from Hang-In-Out is a chic, cozy hideaway made out of the same durable materials used in marine and camping equipment. The Cacoon can weather all kinds of elements from the patio to the beach and can also be hung off a rafter indoors. Weighing only 14 lbs, its maximum weight capacity is 440 lbs. Top Buys For Tweens & Teens, page 48.

BAYSTATEPARENT 43

Smart Armchair with Spare Blanket amazon.com, $54.99

Designed in conjunction with child development experts to help babies learn to sit up, this miniature version of Mom or Dad’s chair from Candide features storage pockets for bottles and toys and a spare blanket that attaches to the back.

best bets for

BABY

This activity center from Oribel offers plenty of stimulation and playtime for baby and even folds up flat when not in use. Once the child outgrows the infant seat, the Activity Center converts into a play table, perfect for art, dramatic play, and more.

Zipadee-Zip sleepingbaby.com, $36.95 A natural progression from swaddling, this sleep garment provides babies with the snug feeling of security while also allowing for the freedom of pajamas. Babies are free to stand up, crawl, roll and move around safely. Zipadee-Zip comes in sizes ranging from 3 to 6 months to toddler.

The Original Squeeze originalsqueeze.com, $14.99 Fill this reusable silicone squeeze pouch with fresh homemade food, yogurt, or applesauce, and thanks to the patented, spill-proof nipple, your child can enjoy mess-free snacking on the go.

LullaBelay fiddlediddles.com, $49.95

The first and only adjustable strap system that safely secures an infant car seat to a shopping cart, LullaBelay keeps an infant safe and the toddler seat and cart basket completely open.

44 NOVEMBER2015

PortaPlay Convertible Activity Center loveoribel.com, $149

Bears for Humanity bearsforhumanity.com, $19.99 & up You can’t go wrong with a teddy bear, the ultimate classic, well-loved gift. These teddy bears are built in the U.S. and made with 100% certified organic cotton/hemp fur fabric. For every bear sold, the company donates one to a child in need via six charities, including Toys For Tots, Save The World, and more.

Pacific Play Tents pacificplaytents.com, $56.99 and up

Pacific Play Tents offer a fun, creative space — indoors or out — for imaginative play, reading, or even a nap. Made of durable material, the award-winning tents are built to last and inspire hours of play that yield a myriad of benefits to growing children.

Tea Set greentoys.com, $27.99 This 17-piece set from Green Toys includes a teapot and lid, sugar bowl with lid, creamer, four cups, four saucers, and four spoons, and is made out of eco-friendly materials.

top picks for

TODDLERS 5.

Milestone Toddler Cards milestonecards.com, $24

Capture a child’s firsts in a unique way. This set of 30 cards features memorable events that occur somewhere between the ages of 1 to 4. Simply fill in the date and take a picture of your little one with the card for a fantastic photo momento.

Let’s Eat Vegetables & Let’s Eat Fruits sticker books and Voice Pen, creativebabyinc.com $5.99 each (sticker books), $49.99 (voice pen)

Children can enjoy the tactile thrill of placing a sticker on the smooth surface and removing it easily, then repeating the act again and again with these sticker books from Creative Baby. These accordion-shaped books boast 10 yummy fruits or vegetables for sticker fun. Children can use the Voice Pen to touch a light bulb or star symbol and get rewarded with a fruit or vegetable name spoken in one of three languages. BAYSTATEPARENT 45

perfect presents for

PRESCHOOLERS 3. Tegu Skyhook & Magbot tegu.com, $30 & $50

The latest from Tegu’s Futuristic and Stunt Team collections, these magnetic block sets can be built as shown or rebuilt into new, original creations.

Tricksters mypillowpets.com, $29.99 Inspired by popular Pillow Pets characters, these Consumer Product Safety Commissioncertified helmets make safety fun, flashy, and furry in five different styles.

Table Manners Cards gollygee-pers.com, $12.95 This mealtime game from Golly Gee-pers encourages children to compete for thumbs-up cards and avoid thumbs-down cards in an effort to win a coveted Ready-to-Dine-Out award. Enjoy a fun, new way to reinforce manners and excellent mealtime behavior — without nagging.

Eco-Kids Art Easel oneiloveshop.com, $19.99 Constructed from recycled cardboard and printed using soy inks, this 22x16 tabletop easel features an elastic band to secure paper, side brush holders, and a convenient storage shelf. It even folds for easy storage.

46 NOVEMBER2015

Mobo Rockabilly Tot mobocruiser.com, $149.99 Kids can ride in style with this pinstriped, ergonomically-designed cruiser for kids ages 2 to 5. While they’re having fun, children are also developing gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and enjoying healthy physical activity.

Compose Yourself composeyourself.thinkfun.com, $15 Compose Yourself is a set of musical “building bricks” that encourages anyone to “play with” music just as they would with a construction kit. The digital music game, offering more than a billion melody combinations, features a deck of transparent cards that can be placed in any order to create a song. Access to an exclusive Website brings the song to life and allows composers to share with friends and family, or download/print a custom sheet music.

2. Build With Stickers Kits & Craft Kit Forest Pack squirrelking.org, $5.99 & up (sticker kits), $19.99 (Craft Kit Forest Pack)

Minecraft Mini-Figures mattel.com, $3.49 The video game phenomenon comes to life in the form of these tiny figures. Perfect for a stocking stuffer, they’re packaged in “blind boxes,” meaning the recipient won’t know whom he or she gets until it’s opened.

Kids love to build and they love stickers, which makes these all-sticker, no-glue kits from Squirrel King a great gift. The company’s Craft Kit Forest Pack provides a card game, and the materials for children to create purple, blue, and green squirrels.

Spitfire XT rollerblade.com, $84 Rollerblade’s Spitfire is designed with a lower center of gravity for balance and control. Comfortable with easy closure, each model expands four sizes for growing inline skaters. Spitfire XT comes in three sizes: 11 toddler-1, 2-5, and 5-8.

Kidizoom Action Cam vtechkids.com, $59.99 This kid-tough, waterproof, tiny camera from VTech is mountable on your child’s bike, skateboard, snowboard or any other moving object. Kids can shoot video or photos of their adventures, then add special effects and, transfer it all to a computer for viewing.

sure shots for

SCHOOL-AGE KIDS BAYSTATEPARENT 47

Star Wars Wireless Headphones smsaudio.com, $179.95

These on-ear wireless headphones from SMS Audio are ultra-durable and comfortable and deliver rich, exceptional audio quality in four geek-approved styles: R2-D2, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Tie Fighter.

Daytrader playdaytrader.com, $39.99 Monopoly meets Wall Street with this unique new board game. Here is your chance to become a fast-thinking, investment-savvy Day Trader and navigate the volatile market with the ultimate goal of saving enough cash to retire before the other players.

top buys for

TWEENS & TEENS

5. 4.

Balance Board thegrommet.com, $119.95 & up Balance Boards from Vew-Do are geared not only for off-season snowboard and skateboard training, but also for anytime/anywhere recreation, fitness, corebuilding, and rehabilitation. Choose from a range of styles from beginner (Pickle Nub), intermediate (Flow), and advanced (El Dorado).

48 NOVEMBER2015

Bleacher Creatures bleachercreatures.com, $19.99 and up You’re never too old for stuffed toys, especially when they come in the form of Tom Brady or Gronk. Bleacher Creatures offers a full lineup of sports figures (NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLB), Marvel, DC Comics, and even Pope Francis!

Ozobot Bit ozobot.com, $59.99 This tiny robot gamifies STEM and computer science learning through a collection of game-based activities and digital apps. Its easy-to-understand color code language makes Ozobot Bit a fun way to introduce young minds to computer science, robotics, and coding.

Opening Night Tickets $15! Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability. No double discounts. Excludes premium seats.

NOV. 5 – 8

323309

Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster.com • 800-745-3000 • Venue Box Office #DisneyOnIce

DisneyOnIce.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 49

HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

Holidays:

The Perfect Season for Discovering, Preserving Family History 4 easy ways to delve into your family’s past BY JENNIFER SHEEHY EVERETT

he holiday season is here, time to step off the daily treadmill of life and reconnect with family. November and December are filled with traditions and get-togethers, why not make the most of that time in a way that will link past and present and benefit children? The holidays provide wonderful opportunities for families to dig into their unique histories to better understand the people and circumstances that laid the foundation for the multiple generations now seated around the holiday table. Knowledge of family history has been shown to reap surprising rewards for children. A 2001 study on the subject by Drs. Marshall P. Duke and Robyn Fivush of Emory University suggests that children who know more about their family narrative have higher self-esteem, a stronger sense of control over their lives, less anxiety, and fewer behavioral problems. A critical piece of the study was the “Do You Know?” scale, which asked children to answer 20 questions that included: Do you know where your mother and father grew up? Do you know how your parents met? Do you know your birth story? Do you know 50 NOVEMBER2015

some of the lessons your parents learned from good or bad experiences? The study found that the scale turned out to be the single best predictor of children’s emotional health and happiness. After the September 11 attacks, researchers reassessed the same population of children and found, again, that those with deeper family knowledge were more resilient and better able to manage stress. So how can children and families use the upcoming holidays to begin capturing the stories of generations past for such worthwhile benefit?

2. Capture what you already know (and it’s more than you think). Start with basic names and life details (birthplace, schooling, profession, marriage, children, etc.) of immediate family and expand from there. Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history service, is one resource that offers free family tree building software and genealogical worksheets and charts to help document these details. It also offers access to billions of digitized historical records, photos, and family trees submitted by other Ancestry.com users.

1. Tell relatives that you’re embarking on family history research. Ask them to bring old family photos, letters, mementos, jewelry or personal items like diaries or family bibles to holiday gatherings to spark the sharing of stories. Together, you can capture historical details on the backs of photos or on tags you attach to family mementos. Some relatives also may have tackled similar research and may be able to offer partially completed family trees or copies of vital records, such as birth, marriage and death certificates or census and military service documents.

Michelle Ercanbrack, a family historian at Ancestry.com, notes that people “can use our Ancestry app to access their family tree on-thego with an Internet connection and mobile device. You can show relatives what you’ve been working on at home and upload to your tree in real time images of family documents, portraits and memorabilia.” Family members near and far can also receive access to any online family tree to review or contribute information. Social media also enables geographically distant family to participate in genealogy efforts. One option is creating a private family Facebook

group where members can upload and post comments about old family photos, video, mementos, etc. and weigh in on family lineage. 3. Interview family members during holiday gatherings to confirm the critical names, dates, places, and relationships, but pay equal attention to uncovering the stories of ancestors’ daily lives. David Allen Lambert, chief genealogist for the Boston-based New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), sees genealogy “as a way of expressing the whole story of where we came from. People should think about how to light up each of the elements on their family tree. Consider the dash on a gravestone [between the dates of birth and death]. This is an ancestor’s story, and someone just needs to narrate it.” NEHGS is America’s founding genealogical organization and largest society of its kind in the world. The richest stories are often uncovered through group conversation, where multiple layers of a story are shared. Lindsay Fulton, genealogist and colleague to Lambert at NEHGS, believes it’s beneficial to “have family come together as a group to talk about their history. Family members

size the importance of capturing family history in writing. Fulton acknowledges that “digital files are great and long-lasting, but can get lost in the shuffle. It’s important to be consistent and think about how people will find the information you collect at a later time.” 4. Confirm the accuracy of family stories. Lambert believes that “oral tradition is a wonderful resource, but shouldn’t be the last one. It’s good to be an investigator within your own family’s oral tradition. Often times, you’ll find you’re disproving Grandma.” Primary records created at the time of an event (e.g., marriage certificates, real estate deeds) provide the most accurate historical information. The authenticity of secondary sources, including genealogies published online, should be examined. Ercanbrack recommends “using the family information you have as a jumping-off point, but looking at what the records are telling you vs. trying to make the records fit a certain family story.”

can play off each other to fill in stories, help each other remember, and even check each other. People can become guarded about family history, so it should be a fun conversation about the family. Everyone will tend to give more information.” Oneon-one interviews are a worthwhile supplement to group conversation. Whatever the approach, recording the conversations ensures that critical family details (and the people and personalities of the current generation) are memorialized. While there are countless ways to document a family narrative in the digital age, genealogists empha-

Such sleuthing can be put to good use as Thanksgiving festivities morph into holiday gift shopping. Meaningful historical photos or documents could be framed or captured in a scrapbook with the stories that illustrate them. A subscription to an online ancestry service or a guided memory book could be the perfect gifts to link younger and older generations in collaborative and memory-making projects. For example, publisher from you to me (fromyoutome. us) specializes in guided journals. Some are written by different generations, such as joint journals Mom & Me, Dad & Me, Grandma & Me, and Grandpa & Me, others solely by a parent or grandparent, Dear Grandma, Dear Grandpa, etc.

“Digital files are great and long-lasting, but can get lost in the shuffle. It’s important to be consistent and think about how people will find the information you collect at a later time.”

- LINDSAY FULTON, NEHGS GENEALOGIST

BAYSTATEPARENT 51

HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

Holiday Dining 101

he holidays are on the horizon, filled with opportunities for social gatherings and family dinners. Yet many children today are falling short when it comes to everything from using a knife and fork to holding up their end of a conversation at the table. The reasons are clear, experts say: technology, busy schedules, and helicopter parenting. And the effects of this decline in skills reach far beyond simple manners, old-fashioned etiquette, and potential parental embarrassment. “[Earlier generations] had 10 times the amount of social interac-

52 NOVEMBER2015

How Simple Fixes For Bolstering Your Child’s Dining Skills Deliver Much More Than ‘Manners’ BY MELISSA SHAW, PHOTOS BY STEVEN KING

tion,” notes Faye de Muyshondt, a 1997 Boston College graduate whose Manhattan-based socialsklz:-) program, featured on The Today Show, will soon be offered in Massachusetts (see story, page 54). “We were forced to have face-to-face social interaction. Kids today, much of that interaction is done via a mobile device, social media.” Interpersonal or “soft” skills, such as introducing yourself, asking a question, and even maintaining eye contact when you’re speaking to another, are all abilities bolstered by practice, and opportunities for children today are fewer than ever before.

“If you look back 20, 30 years ago, one of the things that’s changed: We protect our kids a whole lot more than we used to,” notes Keith Rollag, associate professor and chair of the Management Division at Babson College. “As a result, they find themselves in far fewer situations where they are interacting by themselves with adults. It used to be you send your kid down to the grocery store for something and that would force them to have to interact with the grocer, ask some questions, and figure out what they needed to do. They engaged in conversation with other people and as a result gained that confidence. These days, outside of

interacting with their peers, there’s far fewer opportunities to interact with adults and others. It adds to the lack of development and it adds to the lack of confidence.” And the impact of the infamous helicopter parenting of Millennials is being felt everywhere from dinner tables to colleges and the business world. David Deming, associate professor of education and economics at Harvard University, recently published a study, “The Growing Importance of Social Skills in the Labor Market.” In it, he notes that despite the trend of jobs lost to technology and automation, since

1980 “jobs with high social skill requirements have experienced greater relative growth.” In addition, “employment and wage growth has been strongest in jobs that require high levels of both cognitive skill and social skill,” he wrote. “When I was teaching at New York University, I was seeing the immediate results of what happens when a child has everything done for him or her — when a child has a parent who calls me, their professor, to talk about their kids’ grades,” de Muyshondt says. “When a child doesn’t make any of his or her own decisions, I was seeing the product of that very often in my classroom. I understand the desire as a parent to want to do everything for your child. When you do that, you have a tremendous effect on their self confidence and self esteem and the feeling of not being able to do things for themselves.” “Soft skills are critical in almost anything one does in business, certainly as you move up into leadership positions those soft skills become even more critical,” adds Rollag, author of the recently released book, What To Do When You’re New: How To Be Comfortable, Confident, and Successful in New Situations. “I see it with my students here. They’re graduating, going out there looking for jobs, and many of them are afraid of going to those networking events. As a result, they often talk themselves out of it and not go, and it often comes down to their lack of confidence in those general skills: introducing yourself, asking questions, the give and take of conversations.” Today’s busy family schedules also mean many families fail to regularly gather around the dinner table as often as they did in years past. This can translate into pressure on parents — and kids — at the holidays, as the uptick in traditional dinners sets the stage for children to exhibit skills they may not have been taught and rarely practice, all under the watchful eye of older generations. “Most parents, if you ask them, have not taught their kids how to dine properly. It’s a lesson that needs to be taught. And for some reasons, with these skills — and I’m guilty also — we just assume they’re going to pick them up along the way,” de Muyshondt says. “And they don’t.” De Muyshondt emphasizes she’s not talking about old-school, shrimp fork, calling-card etiquette, but rather practical, everyday tools that she says will give children self-confidence at the Thanksgiving table today and at a business dinner in the future. How to make a good first impression, use a knife and fork, participate in dinner conversation, and be a gracious guest at a restaurant, a friend’s house or grandma’s holiday meal — all of these will give children an edge amongst their peers and a large amount of self-confidence and selfesteem, she adds.

“The concept of making eye contact, smiling, and using good body language — many adults don’t realize the impact those three little things have in your life,” she says. “It’s whether you hear more yesses than no’s when you ask for things.” While that may sound dire, and you may feel guilty about your child’s lack of dining and social skills, de Muyshondt says have no fear, the fix is simple: teach them what to do and have occasional fancy dinner nights in your home before the holiday then continue to practice them throughout the year. “As a parent during the holidays, all of a sudden you’re in front of a lot of family. Your job as a parent is suddenly put on the stage and all it’s based on is their ‘manners’ really,” says de Muyshondt, who has also authored the book socialsklz:-) For Success: How To Give Children The Skills They Need To Thrive In The Modern World. “How did that kid eat at the table? Did that kid say hi? Did that kid make eye contact? Did that kid walk away after I started a conversation with him or her? I say to parents: for the holidays, more than ever, because your parenting is going to be really judged more than ever by your family members, teach the lessons!” And “the lessons” are as simple as, “Hey, guys, let’s have a dining lessons tonight before we have dinner.” Your curriculum: basic skills such as how to set a table, use a knife and fork properly, eat neatly, and more. “Don’t expect these skills to be used every night at the dinner table,” she notes. “Have casual dinners, let them enjoy their food in a relaxed atmosphere. But once a week: have a fancy dinner night at your home. Set the table properly, ask your kids to use their table skills. And then go out in public and, yes, then you can expect those skills to be used. It’s like anything else: How do you get better at soccer? How do you get better at piano? First you take the lessons and repeat. But the problem with these skills is that they’re never taught. You can’t expect a kid to practice and repeat skills they were never taught.” One critical note, de Muyshondt says, is to do your instructing at home, not elsewhere: “Parents think they’ve taught their kids when they correct them in public and it’s really mortifying and humiliating for a child to be corrected in public. Those are not teaching moments.” De Muyshondt and Juanita Allen Kingsley, who will be teaching the socialsklz:-) program in Massachusetts via Century Health Systems in Natick, offer these tips for your child’s holiday dining and social success: 1. Make sure your child feels comfortable with utensils. Gauge your kids’ comfort level with using utensils and cutting food with a knife. “Give

children an opportunity to learn how to really use a knife and fork by Thanksgiving,” she advises. Kingsley says she has noted today’s children can be uncomfortable using utensils for two basic reasons: “We eat on the run so much, we eat finger food so much. And we don’t usually eat things day-in, day-out at a table with a knife and a fork.” In addition, many times when children eat out, the restaurant may supply plastic, disposable utensils. “To hold the weight of metal flatware is not something that most children do every day,” she adds, encouraging families to practice at home. 2. Encourage children to help in any way possible. “At the end of dinner, whether it’s a family dinner, extended family dinner, anywhere, if you can say, ‘How can I help you? May I help you clear the table? Can I bring in dishes for you?’ this is such a huge deal. You’re empathizing with the host: How can I help? And oftentimes it’s a ton of fun,” she says. 3. Have children bring something they can show and share with older relatives. Kingsley encourages children to bring a prop to use as an easy way to engage relatives in conversation. “Print up a picture from fall — a soccer team or fall fair,” she advises. “‘This is a picture of my best friend

and me at the pumpkin fair at school. Who was your best friend in fourth grade? What did you do when you had free time?’ Our children in many ways live in a child-centric world that revolves around them. [This is a way] for them to get away from themselves and actually learn that those grandparents, great-grandparents, that they were fourth graders, too and they had as interesting a life as you did. Everybody wins there. The grandparents get to reminisce, the kids get to learn something about them, and it teaches that conversation skill of back and forth and back and forth.” 4. It takes 3-5 seconds to make a first impression. Review eye contact, facial gestures and body language and ensure it corresponds with how your child would like to come across when he/she walks into a room. 5. What’s the greeting for entering a party or gathering? Teach your child how to shake hands properly and then review how to introduce oneself (First + Last Name) or how to greet someone he or she already knows, “Hello (Name), thank you for having me!” 6. Teach what to say upon departure. “Thank you for having me, (Name)” and whether a hug, cheek kiss, or handshake is appropriate.

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What Today’s Kids Need For Tomorrow’s Success Innovative Social Skills Workshops Arrive in Mass BY MELISSA SHAW, PHOTOS BY STEVEN KING

Veteran health and safety educator Juanita Allen Kingsley spent three years Googling one phrase, “social skills training,” in an attempt to curb a trend she saw in her classes. “In working with children, teens and adults in the past 15 years, I’ve seen a marked decrease in attention span and a marked increase in discomfort being in groups where they couldn’t hide behind screens,” she says. “In all of the courses that I teach, whether it’s home alone safety for children, babysitting for older children, first aid for teens, or even the adult classes, what came back to me over and over again is that the children and the adults who were 54 NOVEMBER2015

best suited for learning the most and getting the most out of every opportunity where those who had the most highly evolved social skills. The children who could talk with each other in a class and learn from each other, the children who had the confidence to ask questions, the adults who could walk into a first aid course and feel confident asking questions and feeling engaged with a group were ultimately the ones who benefited the most from the materials being presented.” Keen to help close the gap for those who needed more confidence and improvement, she kept searching, yet never found quite what she

was looking for. “I would come up with etiquette courses that were, in my view, archaic, revolving around a tea party or a cotillion model. I was really looking for something that was far more current and would address those deficits that were probably going to become greater because of our digital generation,” she says. Kingsley’s persistence finally paid off this year when a search yielded “socialsklz:-)” — “I felt like my divining rod had found water.” The six-year-old Manhattan-based program is the brainchild of Faye de Muyshondt, a PR and marketing expert who developed the curricu-

lum after her experience teaching college students. “As I was teaching I was noticing that a lot of my students — and these were smart kids — that they were often missing the soft skills, social skills, for life success,” she says. “I went from teaching at Fordham, where I was looking at a lecture hall full of eyes, to New York University five years later and I was looking at the backs of computer screens.” While teaching NYU students how to train their future clients on how to appear on television or give media interviews, de Muyshondt realized her students could use the

same skills they were being trained to teach others. That, combined with requests from seniors on jobinterviewing skills, led her to create a course, “The Brand Called You,” which she taught to seniors. “I saw how self-confidence boosting and self-esteem boosting these skills were for my students and realized they really enjoyed the class,” she says. “The university asked me to give it to outgoing seniors in the school of communications, then I thought, ‘Gosh, we should be teaching these skills so much younger in life.’” Demand for the course and a love of teaching led de Muyshondt to close her PR firm and leave higher ed to found and pursue socialsklz:-) (socialsklz.com) full time. Divided into three programs, “kidz” (4-7), “tweenz” (8-12) and “teenz” (13-17), the courses teach children everything from how to make a good first impression, shake hands and dine out or as a guest in someone’s home, to how to engage in conversation, stay safe online and more, all geared for their age group. The two- to fourhour programs lay the foundation, skills, and opportunities for children to practice in the class setting. They’re then sent home with their new abilities and given a guide for parents, who can help their children continue to practice and strengthen their skills. Branching out from New York, de Muyshondt, a regular contributor to The Today Show, has certified socialsklz:-) educators in a handful of states and overseas. Kingsley is bringing the courses to Massachusetts cities and towns via Natick-based Century Health Systems (centuryhealth.org). “There’s no child who can’t benefit from this,” Kingsley says. “The kids who are great at those skills can become even stronger and even teach other children during these workshops by just doing what they do well. The kids who are average can become good. The children who are still searching for confidence can gain that confidence.” “We’re so focused on kids’ academic lives in term of education, but never really teach kids social skills,” de Muyshondt adds. “We don’t teach our students about first impressions, conversational skills, identifying and expressing feelings — these skills that impact your life tremendously, more than your academics. I’m not teaching rocket science, but what I am doing is teaching vital day-to-day skills that are necessary for success, that are necessary for a competitive edge. I see first-hand in the classroom: increased self-confidence, increased self-esteem. You see immediate impacts on how a child can learn that eye contact, facial gestures and body language change the way they come across.” While some might balk at sending their child to a program to learn

skills they traditionally learned at home, de Muyshondt notes: “It’s easier to teach these skills when you’re a non-parental figure. I don’t teach my daughter these skills in a formal setting because I prefer to have instructors teach her. We send our kids to soccer camp to have the experts teach them. For a skill set your kid is going to use every single day of their lives, why wouldn’t you send them to an expert? I can argue they probably won’t become a pro soccer player, but they will use their social skills for the rest of their lives.” Keith Rollag, associate professor and chair of the Management Division at Babson College, says solid interpersonal skills will yield myriad benefits for a person, now and in their future. “It’s clearly something schools are looking for because they realize that impacts to a degree how they contribute in class, it impacts group work and how they interact with others in student project teams, to the extent that they’ll get involved in extra curricular activities on campus,” he says. “And then, obviously, the school is looking to the future and their placement rates — they’re looking for people who will successfully get a job on the other end. Soft skills play in all of those considerations. They’re not a substitute for intelligence and one’s performance and GPA, but in a tie-breaker situation, somebody with soft skills would probably get the edge.” Rollag has been researching and writing about “the newcomer experience” — people joining companies as new employees — for over 20 years. He’s interviewed and surveyed hundreds of professionals about their experiences, even asking some to keep a diary of their first few weeks. “The stuff that caused people the most stress, the most reluctance, the things they regretted not doing afterward, was the [lack of] soft skills,” he says. In response to this, Rollag wrote the recently published What To Do When You’re New: How To Be Comfortable, Confident, and Successful in New Situations, designed to help adults and young adults improve at five key skills: introducing yourself to strangers, remembering names, asking questions of people you don’t know (anyone from a co-worker to a retail clerk), taking relationships to the next level, and how to get comfortable performing new things in front of other people. He echoes Kingsley and de Muyshondt in asserting the key to improving soft skills is simple: “Confidence comes through practice. Sheer repetition builds not only the skills, but also the confidence. All of those are learned skills and they just occur through practice.”

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HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO! DIVORCE & SINGLE PARENTING

GIVE & TAKE: Co-Parenting During the Holidays BY IRWIN M. POLLACK

Successful co-parenting requires empathy, patience, and open communication, which takes hard work by both parents throughout the year. But it can be especially difficult during the holiday season when juggling the challenges posed by children living between two households.

Plan the Holidays in Advance To help ease the stress for everyone, start by meeting with your co-parent to discuss each of your visions for the period from midNovember through early January. Brainstorm plans that keep the best interest of the children at the forefront. Among issues to consider: • Where will the children spend each of the holidays? How much time will they spend there? Consider ways to allow your children to spend time with both parents and their extended families, whether planning Thanksgiving lunch at one house and Thanksgiving dinner at another, or alternating holidays, spending Christmas Eve with one parent and Christmas Day with the other. • How will gifts be handled? It is best to coordinate your gift-buying plans to ensure your children receive a normal amount of presents, to prevent duplication, to spend within your means, and to make sure neither parent is trying to “woo” the children with gifts.

56 NOVEMBER2015

When you are discussing these issues with your child’s other parent, listen twice as much as you speak. Allowing your former spouse to feel that he or she is being “heard” can subconsciously enable him or her to accept your point of view and help you come to a mutual understanding. • Focus on what is in the best interest of your children. Despite how you may feel about your co-parent, your children love you both and need to establish their own relationships with each of you.  To keep a healthy perspective, remember that the holidays are a season. There are many different opportunities for enjoying time with your children throughout the year.

Be Willing to Make and Accept Concessions with the “Regular” Schedule The holidays require give and take. Offer to make some conces-

sions in order to get what you want. For example, if you’d like to take the children on Saturday night, and that was time when the other parent was scheduled to have them, suggest that you’ll give up some of your scheduled time on another day.  At the same time, ask yourself how often you’ve changed the schedule recently and for whom. If your request to change the schedule comes on top of five other recent requests initiated by you, it may end up being a bit more difficut.

Don’t Leave Decisions to Your Children   Don’t ask your children to decide which parent they should spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with, nor whether the regular parenting time schedule should be adjusted during the holidays. Leaving those decisions to your children puts too much adult responsibility on their

shoulders. The adults are the parents. Demonstrate this by reaching a compromise about the holiday schedule without using your children to accomplish your goals.

How to Make the Holiday Season More Enjoyable for your Children • Allow your children to share with you the joy of what it’s like being in their other home. Affirm their joy with your own healthy response. Your children’s hearts will be whole when your response is accepting and affirming. • Create a photo collage of your child with their other parent and give it to them as a gift this year. Encourage your child to hang it in their room at your house.   • Purchase a large corkboard and encourage your child to put special tokens and mementos of their entire family on the board (grandparents, step parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, etc.) as a way to celebrate their other family.  Remember that the holidays are family time, and your children should be allowed to enjoy this time with their entire family — even if the family doesn’t live together anymore.

ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT hrewSbury onteSSoriCONFIDENT chool GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED An Authentic Education Preparing Young PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED People for Today’s Changing World ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED January 23, CONFIDENT 2016 • 1:00-3:00pm ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE Snow date: January 24th ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED Shrewsbury Montessori School FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT Age 2.9 through Grade Six ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED 55 Oak Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE 508-842-2116 CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE Montessori Children’s House of Auburn ACCOMPLISHED Ages Three-Six FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT 135 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Auburn, MA 01501 GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED 508-832-9262 PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED admissions@shrewsburymontessori.org ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED www.shrewsburymontessori.org ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED ARTICULATE • ACCOMPLISHED • CONFIDENT • FOCUSED • GUIDED • PREPARED

The chefs: Gabrielle, 4 Abbie, 3 Emily, 3 Natalie, 3 1/2 Charlie, 5 Nick, 4 Lila, 2

HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

How To Make The Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner... According To

Preschoolers

OPEN HOUSE

BY HEATHER KEMPSKIE Are you responsible for making this year’s Thanksgiving Day dinner? If so, consider these original recipes from our new friends at Childworks Discovery Center in Holden. Collectively, this lively group of 3 - and 4-year-olds knows their stuff. They like to eat, they watch Mom and Dad and Grandma prepare their food, and they have seemingly figured it all out. We think they are practically ready to host their own holiday.

How to Make a Turkey

How to Make Bread

You will need: • “1,001 Turkeys” • “Sauce” • “Apple Cider”

You will need: • “Sugar and sauce” • “100 pumpkins” • “2 scoops of ice cream”

“You can get it at the store but you have to walk slowly and be very quiet. Or you can ask a farmer. Bake it for 8 hours.”

“Blend it together and put it on ice and then cook it. Or you could buy it from a store.”

How to Make Gravy

You will need: • “Maybe some sugar” • “Maybe some water, that will make it smooshy” • “Maybe some turkey” • “Serve it cold. Definitely don’t put it in the oven.”

How to Make Stuffing

You will need: • “Bacon, lots of bacon” • “Some blueberries and watermelon” • “Strawberry ice cream” “I’ve ate it before and it’s hard to eat because it’s all stuck together. My dad is a good cook. You put it in a dish at 100 (degrees) and bake it for 8 hours.”

How to Make Mashed Potatoes

• “Some brown potatoes” • “Apple sauce” “Stir it for about two months or two hours.”

Other items that should be on a Thanksgiving dinner menu: • “Pizza” • “Pasta” • “Dum, Dums” • “Chicken” • “Tomato soup” • ”A whirlpool”

BAYSTATEPARENT 57

HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

Thousands of Digital Photos and

Too Many

Empty Albums

How parents can tackle a digital photo backlog like a pro BY MICHELLE PERRAS-CHARRON

ith the holidays on the horizon, many parents will sit down at their computers to create a beautiful holiday card to send to family and friends. Hours will be spent searching photo files in an attempt to find just the right pictures that succinctly capture — on one 5x7 inch piece of cardstock — a whole year in the life of a family. Daunting. Yet we forge ahead to get those cards printed and mailed — even when we know they may arrive late — because, let’s face it, this is probably the only time of year any of those pictures will see the light of day. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, despite the ease of taking photos with smart phones and digital cameras, no one is enjoying their photos. Whether it’s that first dance recital, apple picking, trick-or-treating, or just a silly sibling moment, parents are just too overwhelmed by the number of digital photos they’ve accumulated on their hard drives and 58 NOVEMBER2015

phones to print these pictures and enjoy them. The next time many of us will see those photos will be via a Facebook memory one year later. Though many parents have the ability to print their own photos, they simply do not. It is just too daunting a task to go back and sort through the mountains of photos scattered across multiple devices. “Start where you are and go forward with a system, because when you look back it’s so overwhelming,” agrees Keri Gavin, professional photographer and mother of two. Based in Essex, Gavin photographs children and families and owns Keri Jeanne Photography(kerijeanne.com). Here are her tips for keeping digital photos organized going forward:

On Your Phone: There’s an App for That Gavin recommends free apps like Mpix, Groovebook, and Collect, which allow you to upload, click, and print photos right from your phone. Photos are mailed directly to your doorstep — done! Mpix (mpix.com), which Gavin describes as an affordable alternative to other photo printing Websites, is a sister company to a professional photo lab. Because of this, the quality of paper and ink are consistently of a higher standard. According to Mpix’s site, pricing starts at 19 cents per print. With Groovebook (groovebook.com), parents can upload 100 photos at a time to be printed in a perforated 4x6 inch format for $2.99 per book, shipping and handling included. Keep the photo book or tear photos out to share with friends and family. Collect is a personal favorite of Gavin’s. Collect is a free photo-a-day app which uses a calendar interface/ display with reminders. Simple to use, Gavin says parents can open the calendar, select the day, and import one photo for that day. Parents can then view their daily photos in calendar format, create video slideshows to share, and even print. For parents who find themselves uploading to Facebook simply for the sake of documenting daily photos somewhere rather than not at all, Collect is a great alternative. “It’s like an online journal,” adds Gavin, who calls this her go-to app for her phone. Visit thelenslab.com/collect for more details.

On Your Computer: Folders are Key Gavin recommends parents keep one folder on their desktop titled “To Print” as a visual reminder of the photos they want printed. To keep photos on the hard drive from getting out of hand, Gavin recommends sitting down at

the computer on the same day each month to import photos from your camera. While importing camera photos, immediately drag favorites into the “To Print” folder. “I am so passionate about printing,” she adds. “I really want people to print and enjoy the memories they create.” “Family pictures are a valuable tool for sparking conversation, drawing out memories, and sharing experiences,” agrees award-winning family photographer Amy Tripple. Together with fellow photographer Heidi Peters, the two started ShootAlong.com, a photography project exclusively for parents that offers photography and photo editing education. “If your photos exist only on a hard drive, you’re missing an important step in the creation of a family legacy and story for your children,” she adds.

Then Go Back Now that you have a plan of action going forward, what is a parent to do with the hefty backlog of digital photos scattered across multiple cell phones, cameras, and computer folders? “It’s not uncommon for people to have an overwhelming backlog of digital images,” says Myndi Bogdanovich of Myndi B. Photography in Belchertown (myndib.com). “They’re unsure of how to organize them — especially when there could be hundreds or thousands of files.” First, parents should collect all of their digital images in one place, Tripple and Peters say. Purchasing an external hard drive to exclusively store family photos is one way to do this. Alternately, Tripple and Peters suggest using a cloud-based storage device like Dropbox, Google Photos, or Amazon Cloud. The next step is putting that plan into action. Fortunately, for parents tackling a large backlog, there are photo-managing programs to help make quick work of getting those images into one place. Bogdanovich, who photographs portraits, weddings and other events, relies on DIM (Digital Image Mover) by Alan Light to help keep her images organized. The program moves and sorts images from a camera or phone into folders sorted by year, month, and day they were taken, while also renaming them. The program is free to download at digitalimagemover. tumblr.com. Similarly, Gavin recommends parents try Mylio, which she describes as a “game changer” within the realm of photo organizing. Utilizing photoorganizing software, Mylio can quickly move photos off multiple devices while sorting photos by date/location/ facial recognition. “It’s the best photo managing program I’ve seen yet,” says Gavin, who uses Mylio for her personal photos. Once photos are centrally located

and organized chronologically, it’s time to pick out photos for printing. Gavin suggests starting with bite-sized pieces for printing or making albums. Rather than combing through a whole year’s worth of photos at once, Gavin advises parents to pick out and start with major events, like holidays and birthdays. “They’re easy to find, you know where they are, and it builds momentum,” she says. As you begin to feel more comfortable with your progress, go back and tackle three months at a time, then maybe six. “Tempting as it may be to want to design a beautiful, custom coffee table book or leather-bound album with your images, simplicity is the key to actually getting it done,” Tripple and Peters agree. They recommend parents add 12x12 photo albums with plenty of 4x6 openings to their shopping list. Once pictures are printed and delivered, simply pop them into the albums. If printed pictures begin to pile up on the kitchen counter, enlist the help of your children, Tripple says. Children love looking at pictures, especially when they’re in them! Tripple and Peters suggest keeping these simple albums on a coffee table as a constant reminder to keep building your family’s visual history. At ShootAlong.com, Tripple and Peters provide a free guide for inspiration and how-tos on how to display your printed photographs. As parents gain momentum and begin

to plow through the backlog, they may even be inspired to spend more time creating photo books of their family’s special memories or occasions. Blurb (blurb.com) is a great option for families who want to create photo books, Gavin says. Parents can take a folder of images (from the “To Print” folder), drag it over, and Blurb will automatically create a photo book. Parents can even make books out of their Facebook pictures and add comments. Books start at $14.99. Likewise, Bogdanovich says parents can also use Montage (montagebooks. com) to create a beautiful photo book worthy of coffee table display. Photo books start at $24.65. “I used their software to upload over 200 images from a vacation and they were laid out in the book in less than 5 minutes! From there I arranged the pages how I wanted, and switched out a picture here and there. I had the entire book edited and ordered in less than 30 minutes,” she says. Now that you’re a photo-printing expert, you may even be inclined to dust off that scrapbooking bin (you know, the one hiding under the bed, in the closet, etc.) OK, maybe that’s taking things a little too far. However, if so inclined, Gavin advises parents to stick to one scrapbook page per child per school year. “I really just believe whatever you can do to print — do it! Our kids deserve their memories,” Gavin says.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 59

HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

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6. The Broadway musical production of the holiday hit movie. Tickets start at $35. thehanovertheatre.org

hile the big winter holidays fall in December, there’s so much to do and see these days, the fun really starts the minute the kids’ Halloween costumes go back into the closet. Here’s just a sampling of the fun events, performances, and day trips your family can enjoy through November and the first half of December. Head to baystateparent.com/holidays2015 for a complete, up-to-the-minute list. Boston Christmas Festival. World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8. This annual festival features the distinctive work of more than 300 master American craftsmen and the Gingerbread House Competition, showcasing Boston’s top chefs. $15, children under 14 free. bostonchristmasfestival.com. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Nov. 6-8. A stage adaptation of the Christmas classic. Tickets start at $40. thehanovertheatre.org Holiday Craft Fair. Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, 251 Stonehaven Road, Fall River. Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Featuring over 75 local crafters and vendors. Jewelry, candles, candy, pet treats, homemade treats and much more. Free. Elf. Citi Performing Arts Center, 270 Tremont St., Boston. Nov. 17-Dec. 60 NOVEMBER2015

Castleberry Holiday Arts & Craft Festival. DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester. FridaySunday, Nov. 20-22. This three-day shopping bonanza includes more than 250 of the nation’s finest craftsmen and artisans. Adult $8, under 12 free; one admission good for all three days. castleberryfairs.com Dickens Festival & Victorian Holiday Craft Fair. All Souls Parish Hall, 196 Elm Street, Braintree. Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crafters, costumed characters, homemade apple pies and fudge, carolers and more. allsoulsbraintreechurch.org Methuen Festival of Trees. Valley Office Park, 13 Branch Street, Methuen. Nov. 21-Dec. 5. The event will display more than 240 spectacularly decorated Christmas trees and wreaths. Children’s events include visits and photos with Santa, Polar Express reading, BJ Hickman Magic Shows, Mad Science Show and more. methuenfestivaloftrees.com Tree Lighting Ceremony. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. Saturday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. The marketplace stage will be filled with entertainment all day starting at 2 p.m. leading up to the live broad-

cast on WBZ-TV starting at 7 p.m. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com Blink! A Light & Sound Extravaganza. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. Nov. 21-Jan. 3, nightly performances start at 4:30 p.m. Featuring the music of the Holiday Pops, Blink! is a state-ofthe-art light-and-sound outdoor extravaganza. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com Bright Nights. Forest Park, 200 Trafton Rd., Springfield. Nov. 25-Jan. 3, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. (closed Nov. 30 and Dec. 25). Make the four-mile drive through Forest Park, illuminated with 650,000 sparkling lights. $18 per vehicle Monday-Thursday, $21 Friday-Sunday and holidays. brightnights.org. Festival of Lights. La Salette Shrine, 947 Park St, Attleboro. Nov. 26-Jan. 3, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 2 p.m.-9 p.m. weekends. More than 300,000 lights illuminate over 10 acres. Free. lasalette-shrine.org Parade of the Big Balloons. Main Street, Springfield. Friday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. Welcome Santa to town with Springfield’s own 75-foot Cat In The Hat balloon and several of his inflatable friends, bands, and colorful contingents. spiritofspringfield.org. ZooLights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham. Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths

lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Visit with Santa in his castle and enter a magical holiday world filled with fairy tale characters and dancing plush animals. Tickets start at $7, in addition to regular Zoo admission price. stonezoo.org The Nutcracker. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Nov. 27-29. Ballet Arts Worcester and the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra’s joint production of the seasonal classic. Tickets start at $26. hehanovertheatre.org The 19th Annual Castleberry Faire. Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 27-29. This three-day shopping bonanza includes more than 250 of the nation’s finest craftsmen and artisans. Adult $8, under 12 free; one admission good for all three days. castleberryfairs.com Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. The Boston Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston. Nov. 27-Dec. 31. Tickets start at $45. bostonballet.org City of Lights Parade and Holiday Celebration. Downtown Lowell. Saturday, Nov. 28. Stroll the city streets and enjoy live performances, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, and the Annual Hot Chocolate Competition. The daytime fun leads to the nighttime extravaganza — The City of Lights Parade and City Hall Lighting. Free. lowell.org 30th Annual Boston Tuba Christmas Concert. Faneuil Hall Marketplace,

Merry Massachusetts

Holiday Pops Kids Matinees. Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave, Boston. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24, 11 a.m. These special family concerts include a children’s singalong and post-concert photos with Santa. Tickets start at $38, children under 2 free. bso.org

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM

Christmas on the Common. Bridgewater Town Common. Sunday, Dec. 6, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Bring the family to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, pony rides, holiday music, craft fair, food and hot drinks. Free. bridgewaterbiz.biz Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Recreation. Main Street, Stockbridge. Sunday, Dec. 6, 12 p.m.2 p.m. See Main Street (pictured, left) as Norman Rockwell did when he painted the famous Stockbridge scene at Christmas. Main Street becomes a magical New England village with more than 50 antique cars parked along the street and a full plate of family activities. stockbridgechamber.org Boston. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. More than 150 tuba players serenade the crowd with holiday classics. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com The 63rd Annual Quincy Christmas Parade. Downtown Quincy, Sunday, Nov. 29, 12:30 p.m. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway and runs up Hancock Street to North Quincy. The largest Christmas parade in the state. quincyma.gov The Boston Pops Holiday Concert. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Friday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Pops perform their signature “Sleigh Ride,” as well as other holiday classics and new arrangements of seasonal favorites. Tickets start at $55. hehanovertheatre.org Santa Parade and Tree Lighting. Downtown Gloucester. Saturday, Dec. 5. Parade starts at 1 p.m. from the State Fish Pier and winds its way through Main Street and Western Avenue to Kent Circle. At Kent Circle, enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, scheduled for 4 p.m. Free. rockportusa.com Holiday Fair. Waldorf School of Lexington, 739 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington. Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Events and activities include a Mummers Play, a marionette show, crafts for young children, live music, and artisan vendors who sell unique items for holiday gift shopping. Adults $5, children $3 or $15 per family. thewaldorfschool.org

November 29 – December 31, 2015

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. The Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston. Dec. 1-6. An ASL/Open Captioned Performance will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. The original television classic comes to life onstage. Tickets starts at $38. citicenter.org MetroWest Festival of Trees. Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 11-13. More than 100 decorated trees, Candyland, Santa’s Workshop, North Pole Playland, entertainment, artisans and crafters and much more. Adults $8, seniors (62+) and children 5-12 years, $5, child under 5 free. metrowestfot.org The Christmas Revels: A Welsh Celebration of the Winter Solstice. Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge. Dec. 11-27. A joyous theatrical celebration filled with music, dance, comedy and carols. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $13 for children. revels.org. Middle Street Walk. Middle Street, Main Street and surrounding area, Gloucester. Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Open houses, concerts, special programs and traditional decorations will be featured throughout the afternoon, focused in and around historic Middle Street. gloucesterdowntownassociation.org Holiday Pops Concert. Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, Plymouth. Performances Dec. 12-13. Tickets start at $20. plymouthphil.org

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