PRICELESS
Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996
OCTOBER 2020
FUR-EVER
L VE THE PET ISSUE
How Pets Help Kids with Special Needs
Flu Shot Mandate: What Parents Should Know
Celebrating Halloween at Home
2 OCTOBER2020
contents ta b le o f
o c t o ber 2020 v ol u m e 2 5
Editor’s Note Finally Forever Herding Goofballs
OCTOBER 2020
FUR-EVER
Cyber Savvy Mom
12
Flu Shot mandate draws praise and ire from parents
L VE THE PET ISSUE
bites
8 Good to Know 18 11 Very Special People 19 27 Captured
14
Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996
n u mb e r 6
in every issue 4 5 6 7
PRICELESS
Nutrition: How to be a positive eating role model Goose’s Goodies: Homemade Pet Treats
on the agenda 20 22 24
October Adventures
How Pets Help Kids with Special Needs
Flu Shot Mandate: What Parents Should Know
Celebrating Halloween at Home
on the cover: Sutton’s Kristiana Cake, 5, with her beloved service dog, Matti. Ashley Green photo
The List: 8 awesome corn mazes Halloween at Home
Should your child be on the cover of baystateparent? Send us their picture!
Special needs, special friends: pets and kids with disabilities
Enter our second annual Holiday Cover Contest for the chance to be on the front page. We'll pick one holiday-themed reader photo to grace the cover of our December issue!
16
Photos should be high-resolution (no screenshots or cell phone pics, please) and must be sent to bspeditor@gatehousemedia. com by October 31. Write "Holiday Cover Contest" in the subject line, and include names, ages and towns of all who are pictured, and the photographer's name, if applicable. By sending in your photo, you grant permission for baystateparent to use it in print and online.
Pandemic empties pet shelters, families add four-legged members
Due to the volume of submissions, we will only be contacting the sender of the winning photo.
BAYSTATEPARENT 3
My s g n i h T Fa vo rit e
The annual Boston Book Festival may be online this year, but it will still offer an opportunity to explore Boston's diverse neighborhoods and discover great books at the same time. During the month of October, kids and families will find StoryWalks in Nubian Square and in Downtown Crossing, with pages from award-winning picture books posted in store windows. Just follow the route to read the book in order!
’Tis the season for all things pumpkin -including my favorite muffins ever! One of the most popular recipes to ever appear in baystateparent, Pumpkin Harvest Loaf, is moist, sweet and kid-friendly (hello, chocolate chips!). Go to baystateparent. com to find this easy, classic fall recipe.
4 OCTOBER2020
editor’s note When I reminisce on some of the simplest joys of my childhood, a few things come to mind: my grandpa Tony’s cooking, weekends on the boat, and my sweet black lab, Coala. Though an assortment of pets were part of my youth -- there was Thumper the bunny, a canary named Cheep Cheep, and a couple of cats -- it’s the interactions with Coala I most nostalgically recall. I remember how she’d calmly sit and allow my sisters and me to paint her toenails, dress her up in hats and pearls, or serve her imaginary cups of tea. It’s the same sweet tolerance I see my dog Toby now bestow on my three-year-old son. Some pets seem to know that kids are just kids, and give a grace and patience that only animals can offer. Pets give unconditional love, and their people love them right back. Last year, Americans spent a record $95.7 billion on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association, and that wasn’t just on vet bills and food. More and more, we view our four-legged friends as fully fledged members of our family. They live in our homes with us, we do things with them, and we’re closely bonded to them. That connection can be even greater when it comes to kids. A pet is often a child’s first confidante, playmate, and sometimes, their partner in crime. A Cambridge University study even found that children suffering from some form of adversity in their lives are more likely to turn to the family pet for comfort than their friends or siblings. In celebration of this special bond, we’ve put together our first-ever Pet Issue. You can read about animals helping local children with special needs on page 14, how the pandemic has impacted pet adoptions in the Bay State on page 16, and on page 19 you’ll even find recipes to make your own treats for your little fur-babies. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of ideas for family-friendly things to do in this issue. Turn to the “On The Agenda” section on page 20 for all sorts of fall fun -- from the coolest corn mazes to get lost in this month to ideas for scaring up a Halloween celebration right at home. Happy fall, and happy reading!
Amanda
“Feet on the triangles, hands on the hearts!” My 3-year-old yogiin-the-making has been practicing his favorite poses on this Chi Universe yoga mat. The kid-sized mat has playful symbols that guide kiddos to different yoga positions. My son loves picking out new poses to try on the included how-to poster. Parents can also download a free app that guides kids through a Flow and Phreeze game, helping them interconnect poses and sequences and learn breathing techniques to increase strength, balance, and focus. Find it at chiuniverse.com.
How cool is this no-carve pumpkin decorating idea? Grab some of your kids’ old crayons, peel off the paper, and glue them to the top of a pumpkin with tacky glue. Hold a hot hair dryer over the crayons and watch them drip! Turn to page 24 for more fun Halloween ideas.
baystateparent president PAUL M. PROVOST
CREATIVE editor in chief AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER 508-767-9526 acollins@gatehousemedia.com creative director KIMBERLY VASSEUR 508-767-9550 kvasseur@gannett.com
ADVERTISING sales manager JEREMY WARDWELL 508-767-9574 jwardwell@localiq.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-767-9544 kpuffer@localiq.com account executive REGINA STILLINGS 508-767-9546 rstillings@localiq.com
finally
forever
October’s Child: Meet Jaiden
Hi, my name is Jaiden and I love to snuggle!
Jaiden, 6, is a sweet and loving little boy of Caucasian descent. Those who know him best adore him and share that he can make you smile as soon as you see him. Once you start speaking to Jaiden, he will turn towards you to see who is visiting and will give you a wide grin. The more you speak to him, the more excited he gets. He absolutely loves to be held and is a very happy boy. All of the staff members in the program at which Jaiden resides, as well as his teachers at school, have fallen in love with him and are hoping that he finds his forever family soon. Jaiden’s favorite activities include playing with the Singing Elmo that he received for Christmas and listening to music. He loves being in the pool and enjoys pushing off the wall and splashing around in the water. Jaiden is also able to engage in many activities at school such as arts and craft projects with the help of his teachers and aide. Jaiden enjoys going to school and is always happy to see his teachers. Jaiden is non-verbal, is wheelchair bound, and has been diagnosed with cortical blindness. He relies on 24/7 support and receives occupational, physical, vision, and speech therapy at his school. Legally freed for adoption, Jaiden is seeking a loving and caring home that can understand
the complexity of his needs. The staff at his program are committed to helping a pre-adoptive family make Jaiden comfortable and happy in a home setting. Jaiden has the potential to thrive in a family of any constellation, either as an only child or with siblings (he very much enjoys being around other children). It is important to Jaiden that he maintains a relationship with his two siblings who are placed in another home. Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples. The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for. To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-6273 or visit www.mareinc.org.
baystateparent is published monthly and is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts. 100 Front Street, 5th Floor Worcester, MA 01608 Do you have a story idea? We want to hear from you! Email your suggestion to acollins@gatehousemedia.com
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BAYSTATEPARENT 5
Herding
Goofballs
zombies forming before my very eyes. While I get that television is not quite what it was when my generation were kids, the outdoors is still very much open and great, Josh.
A Visionary BY JOSH FARNSWORTH ILLUSTRATION BY KIRA BEAUDOIN
H
ow much is too much? It’s a question that comes up frequently while trying to achieve balance in a child’s life. How much ice cream is too much right before bed? (I would say just about any taste of it if you are hoping for them to fall asleep before midnight.) How much sunscreen is too much to apply before heading out to the beach? (Given my fair Irish complexion, I keep applying until they shine like they just came out of a rock tumbler.) Moderation is hard. For kids. For adults. Especially, for adults moderating for kids. I know how much of something I can take before disaster strikes, but converting it into 7- and 4-year-old proportions takes
6 OCTOBER2020
some advanced mathematics. Ultimately, it’s about knowing your own kids and sifting through all the voices out there trying to guilt you into one direction. And there is the question when it comes to parenting moderation: how much screen time to allow your kids to have? There is a general consensus out there, right? Screen time is necessary, but “bad.” I have no idea what to think. I tend to jump between three schools of thought - sometimes on a daily basis: 1. Any screen beyond something very educational, is the corroding of every human’s brain. In some cases, the “lack of screen time” becomes a point
of pride. “You know, I pretty much never let my kids watch any TV.” What other people may think: “Thanks for that. Not sure I’m the guy who gives out the medals for accomplishments like this, but good for you.” I am guilty of guarding the secret to how much I let them watch. I want to be popular, too, you know. 2. A screen is the greatest parent. All hail the glowing screen! Sometimes, I believe you roll out the electronics and get the heck out of the way. While I enjoy a good Disney+ diversion here in there to help me out, I definitely overdo it sometimes, and get a veiled glimpse at the very real
3. I have no idea. Welcome to my normal school of thought. There seems to be conflicting reports on how relatively good or bad, healthy or detrimental, many of these things seem to be. And I know, “just use moderation” is the way to go, but what does that look like? Do I let the kids watch just one more episode of Bluey? Does it count as culturing them if it’s something from PBS? I feel like a hypocrite a lot on this topic. It’s very hard to turn to my kids after watching a three-hour football game about how not to waste your life indoors during nice days. Come on, the 49ers-Patriots game is just like hiking through a New England sunset, right? On the other hand, it is 2020. Moderating screen time is a difficult task normally. On bad weather days in 2020, it’s impossible. Television, phone screens, computers, etc. have the power to transport my kids places they have never been before. And since they cannot even go to most places here in town, they all also offer a virtual ride share for those destinations as well. So, you’ve read a lot about my struggles, but here are my Josh’s Four Rules for Screens that I am hoping to enact… 1. Treat screens like dessert. Okay, maybe more accurately, treat screens like I treat dessert. Use it as a compliment after eating the veggies (getting exercise outside). However, sometimes having dessert for a meal has its positive notes, too. Don’t stress about letting the kids have that extra dollop of show from time to time.
2. Merge the two disciplines when you can. In other words, take a hike after watching a nature piece on the elusive monarch butterfly or watch a cooking show together and then go and try and tackle that cherry cobbler. (Side note: If you get good at this, please send all food to baystateparent/ CC: Hungry column guy). 3. It’s okay to have different rules for parents and kids. I work on a computer, so that screen pays the bills. That said, I will try to be better when not on the clock and try to enjoy more goofball time, less Netflix time. I promise. 4. Don’t shame others. They are your kids, so your rules apply. Other people have different philosophies. Borrow ideas? Sure. Let that couple have it for letting their daughter watch a Top Chef marathon? Not your turf. Topics like this can be a stressor for sure. They can remind me that, at many times during parenting, I am still flying by the seat of my pants. But they are, indeed, your pants. Your seat. So, let’s fly. Good luck on your own screen time rules. Let’s build collaboration with tricky topics like this. Let’s have each other’s backs. Moderation is hard enough as it is.
Josh Farnsworth is a husband, father of goofballs Cooper and Milo, goofball himself, and award-winning writer and columnist living in Worcester. He can be reached for column ideas at josh. farnsworth@ yahoo.com.
cyber savvy mom
How to keep kids' data private during remote learning While we are more comfortable this time with online learning, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down when it comes to student privacy. BY JOAN GOODCHILD, CYBER SAVVY MOM
B
y now, we are several weeks into the school year and your student is hitting their stride when it comes to distance learning. For most of us, this is our second time around with this experience and we are taking the lessons we learned last spring to help our kids succeed this year. But as students dig deeper into the experience of remote school work, it is important to consider the unique questions about child data privacy and how to protect students' personal information. Mitigating the risks around your kids' data should not be overlooked, even if we have begun to feel more comfortable with distance learning efforts. Parents should still be helping their kids understand technology and should be involved in their online activities. "The pandemic has pushed our kids to be more reliant on the Internet for their social and academic interactions. Technology and privacy policies related to online services in schools has been a growing problem for years and the pandemic has been like gas on a flame," said Craig Young, a researcher with security firm Tripwire. "Parents must choose between accepting third-party privacy policies for their children or risk excluding their children from class participation. It is especially critical that technology used in the classroom or for distance learning have strict rules limiting what data can be collected and how it may be used." The technology K-12 students are using for distance education comes with several security and privacy threats. These concerns include the exposure of personally identifiable information, biometric data,
academic information, and their location, just to name a few. Young said all of it can be exploited. "Although it may not always be obvious, the small bits of data people generate with online activities can paint a vivid picture about who they are and what they care about. We've seen large-scale examples proving how just portions of this information could be leveraged to manipulate adults. It is scary to think about how much more effectively our children can be manipulated if we do not figure out effective ways to regulate the industry." That is why it is critical for parents to understand what information is being collected on their kids and how it is used. It is also vital to understand the threats posed by each tool. Knowing this can help you make informed decisions about safeguarding kids online now and in the future. This is particularly true for younger students who need parental guidance to navigate online education. Keeping distance learning safe and private There are many best practices families can put in place to try and minimize the chance that their student will face exploitation or attack by a cyber criminal. The professionals we spoke to made the following recommendations. Use a dedicated system for remote learning Young advises keeping the system students use to learn separate from personal technology use. The system should not be used to check personal email, social media, or anything else other than school work and it should be turned off and stored when not in use.
Assume the camera and mic are on When using a provided device, students should assume that the camera, microphone, location sensors may be remotely activated at any time and that browsing/usage history may also get reported. Use a camera cover and turn off the system when not in use for extra privacy. Don't assume school-issued means secure Security can be severely lacking on school-issued devices. Many districts simply don't have the funds for best-in-class security. Young said some third-party software installed by universities and K-12 institutions will also install custom SSL trusted CA certificates which might weaken the overall security of the device. Protect and use strong passwords Ensure students use strong passwords that are not obvious, like a birthday, or default
passwords provided with devices. And advise them to never share a password with anyone, said Renee Tarun, deputy CISO, with security company Fortinet. Keep devices up to date Tarun also cautions that parents need to take an active role to ensure devices and applications are updated with patches, and that any antivirus/malware software is current and operational. Don't download unvetted applications Ensure your student is not downloading apps for their schoolwork that haven't been approved by the school. If you do want to allow them to download certain apps, you can get information about online tools and privacy ratings at Common Sense Media or Dr. Trust's website, which are both great sources on educational technology like knowledge and assessment tools.
Know what data is being collected What kind of information does the district need to collect on students in order for them to participate in online classes? Will it be attendance, progress, grades, something else? Knowing what is collected helps you understand the risks associated with that data. Understand attack techniques Unfortunately, cybercriminals evolve annually with new ways of fooling people. Children are particularly vulnerable. Talk openly with kids about the kinds of scams criminals use to trick online users into clicking on malicious links and divulging personal information. Some great resources include staysafeonline. org and safekids.com.
Do you have a story suggestion or question for Cyber Savvy Mom? Contact me at joangoodchild@ cybersavvymedia.com. BAYSTATEPARENT 7
good to know
Making more out of chores How weekly tasks help kids be more caring, responsible BY MELISSA ERIKSON
The iconic Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign has moved online this year. Beginning Oct. 1, teachers and parents can register children at trickortreatforunicef.org, where they will receive a Virtual Collection Box with a customized link and QR code. Kids can participate in online activities and watch educational videos to earn Trick-or-Treat Coins which translate to real-life earnings. Children can then decide where they’d like their earnings to go.
Old Sturbridge Village is offering free admission for kids through Nov. 28.
Up to three kids 17 and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult paying full admission. Visitors are required to purchase/ reserve tickets in advance. Visit osv.org for all the details.
For some children, screen time before bed translates to less sleep.
According to a study by Arizona State University, media use in the hour before bedtime impacts how kids sleep, especially children who struggle to self-regulate their behavior. Frequent media use before bed in these children predicted later bedtimes and less sleep.
8 OCTOBER2020
Telling your children it’s fun to be productive probably won’t convince them that doing household chores is a great way to spend a Saturday morning. It’s worth the struggle, though, because doing chores is good for kids in many ways. “Chores are incredibly important for developing children and teenagers,” said Dr. Gene Beresin, executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital. “By mastering new skills in daily life, they will build positive self-esteem and essential life skills. In short, chores will make them feel like they are growing up.” Additionally, chores are necessary to prepare kids and teens to be more independent, responsible individuals. “Even if they don’t recognize it at first, they will enjoy being able to take care of themselves and others,” Beresin said. “It is valuable for them to feel and be recognized that they are making important contributions to the family.”
Choose a motivating reward
Assigning chores will likely be met with resistance and eye rolls. “The stigma of chores as boring activities does still exist, so it’s important parents stand their ground in enforcing them, as they will be beneficial to everyone down the road,” Beresin said. Parents may have to be creative to get children to cooperate. “Rewarding kids and teens for completing chores is a great way to motivate them. One of these ways is by giving them more freedom. For example, allow school-age kids to choose how to spend their down-time after completing their chores, such as using their iPad or watching TV. For teenagers, allow them a later curfew or more use of the car if they have a license,” Beresin said. Supplying child-sized cleaning tools may help children get in on the fun, but role modeling good behavior helps set the
right tone. “Doing chores alongside kids is also a way that you could make it more fun. Kids love spending time with their parents, so helping them do things like putting toys away or cleaning up after dinner will give them that opportunity,” Beresin said. “You could also put on some music while you do the chores, which will brighten the mood.”
Helping kids succeed
Parents should gear a task toward a child’s maturity and ability to perform to help them succeed, Beresin said. “Reframing chores as responsibilities will show kids and teens that chores are just life skills that have a great payoff,” he said. “Not only are they learning to be more independent, which will obviously help when they grow up, it gives them opportunities to learn something and perfect it for use later in life.” Chores help teach kids and teens that they have a responsibility for themselves, but also to care for other people. “This will later help them with relationships and working in a group to accomplish a common goal,” Beresin said. “Because our brains are wired for giving, performing acts that help others release powerful neurochemicals that make us feel good.” Avoid overloading kids and teens with too many family chores, because that can affect their schoolwork or ability to just be a kid. “Children require time to play, learn social skills and pursue their own hobbies and interests,” Beresin said.
Age-appropriate tasks Assigning age-appropriate chores helps to cut down on frustration at kids’ and teens’ inability to
complete them, Beresin said Preschoolers are learning the basics of taking care of themselves, so keep things very simple. “Things like carrying their plate to the sink after dinner or feeding the cat will make them feel important and accomplished,” he said. “They may also help in putting their toys away or tucking their stuffed animals away and putting them to bed.” School-age kids will succeed with more responsibility, such as setting the table for dinner or taking the dog for a walk. “They also are old enough to help in cooking meals with older siblings or parents. This age group might be more likely to push back and complain about being assigned chores, so remembering to express praise and gratitude will go a long way,” Beresin said. As they’re getting ready for adulthood, teenagers’ chores should revolve around preparing them to be independent. “Babysitting, cooking meals on their own or cleaning the bathroom are great things they can do for the family, and skills they will eventually need later in life. Teens, in particular will be motivated with more freedom, so consider that as a reward for completing chores,” Beresin said.
How to manage kids’ exposure to news coverage The 24-hour news cycle, the internet and social media all allow people to stay much more connected to the events going on around the world, but as parents, we often don’t know the extent of our children’s exposure to news coverage when it comes to tragic events - especially in 2020.
While it is important for kids to understand the world around them and the events that shape and affect their lives, parents and caregivers can struggle with the question, “How much is too much?” According to the American Psychological Association, parents should learn to manage the amount of exposure their children have to tragic news events and prevent overexposure to such events. Experts say taking a break from news coverage increases our own resilience and the resilience of our children to cope with difficult situations. Here are a few ways you can help manage the amount of exposure your children have to tragic news events, according to the APA.
1. Talk to your children: Parents should have an age appropriate conversation with your children and teens about what they have seen and heard. Explain or correct rumors or misunderstandings that they may have.
2. Be mindful of your children:
It’s easy to get caught up in news coverage and not even realize your children are present. It’s unnecessary for very young children to watch news coverage at all. They may not understand that what they see are replays which can be misconstrued as circumstances happening again.
3. Find other ways to connect:
Children may want to send pictures they made or letters they have written to families, first responders, hospitals or teachers. This can be a way to take positive actions and express caring.
4. Plan your TV/internet viewing: Find windows of time each
day (like in the morning, midday and evening) to watch. Limit this to 30–60 minutes. Then get up and do something else. If you continue to want to stay with TV/ Internet, switch to another show or site that has programming you enjoy. BAYSTATEPARENT 9
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very
special people
Avoiding behavioral setbacks during COVID-19 How telehealth ABA therapy is helping children with autism
BY ASHLEY WILLIAMS, PH.D., LABA, BCBA
D
uring these times of social distancing, many parents of children with autism who had been receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy have asked, “How will we maintain the therapeutic gains that have been made? How do we adhere to the treatment plan and continue to make progress?” These concerns are justified, as discontinuation or delay in
ABA therapy can cause distress in children with ASD. It can also create some real setbacks, including the potential for behavior regression. Setbacks Distress can manifest in different ways. Existing behavior can reemerge and there can be changes in skills acquisition. For example, a child who was pottytrained may begin having more accidents. Another concern is the emergence of new behaviors. For example, one child who did not receive ABA services for weeks during the initial phases of COVID-19 returned for therapy and new behaviors like spitting and bolting had emerged. The rates surpassed pre-COVID levels and it was difficult to get the child to adapt back. Virtual ABA treatment during COVID-19 Telehealth ABA therapy allows children and families
ite t ebs s Trus w r d u r e ck o l Ne mbe Che pecia Nove S n for inar i b e w
to continue services and work towards treatment goals. Typically, these video conferences are one to two hours long and held at least three times a week via computer, tablet or smartphone. Some children benefit from shorter, more frequent sessions, up to five days a week. Virtual therapy enables families to build on and reinforce social and communication skills, and also addresses personal hygiene and daily living skills. Developing routines at home Many children with ASD have a hard time knowing what’s expected now that they are home all the time. Cues that would have otherwise indicated what to expect are no longer present. For example, the school building itself is a cue associated with learning and the particular behavior exhibited while at school. Children may get frustrated when previously they had free access to toys or electronics at home, but are now asked to do “demands” such as learning virtually. At-home routines can help establish what is expected and predicted. Establish rules around where and what children can access. Maybe designate the kitchen as the room for virtual learning, and the dining room for meals and snacks. Rules provide predictability and routine. Set up a visual schedule
using pictures (preferably) or words, on a whiteboard or Velcro board, so that daily activities are planned out. If the routine or schedule changes, involve your child in visually adjusting the schedule to match the day. Individual reinforcement strategies A system of tickets is an excellent way to reinforce behaviors and reward your child. Does your child just want to eat snacks and use electronics seemingly all day? By using a ticket system, there is a visual associated with a limit. The tickets indicate how many times your child can ask for a “want.” For example, three tickets are dedicated to asking for a snack. Additional tickets may be earned. Maintaining social interaction Opportunities for social interaction will help with your child’s self-esteem while also improving their mental health. Seek out online groups that your child may attend. A virtual Lunch Bunch group meets several times a week. Children start by talking about what they are eating, and oftentimes, that progresses to follow-up questions to previous discussions such as “How was your visit to Cape Cod last week?” A virtual Lunch Bunch group provides a more relaxed space enabling new skills to emerge and friendships to bloom.
Staying safe From social distancing to mask wearing, parents are worried about going out in public with their children with ASD while adhering to COVID-19 precautions. Some fear judgement if their child is defiant for not wearing a mask or observing social distancing guidelines. Mask wearing is a problem for children with sensory issues. Try a system for tolerating a mask with contact reinforcement. At the outset, parents may expect 10 seconds (or less) of mask wearing. Practice at home by having your child wear a mask for a period of time where they can be successful (i.e., without complaining, attempting to take it off or other behaviors). After the predetermined period of time, your child gets a highly preferred item or activity. In the COVID era, it’s difficult to predict future needs and think long-term, so focus on your child’s and family’s current needs. How can we create a model that works now? Telehealth ABA therapy can provide answers and support. Dr. Ashley Williams is the Sr. Clinical Director for Behavioral Concept Inc.’s Eastern Massachusetts region. She serves on the state’s licensure board for Allied Health and teaches in Northeastern University’s graduate and undergraduate ABA programs.
We’re Here to Help Whether your loved one with special needs is an adult or a child, we can help with:
• Special Needs Planning • Advocacy
• Transition Planning & Adult Services • Guardianship & Alternatives
Contact Meredith H. Greene, Esq. at mgreene@fletchertilton.com
Art by Dominic Killiany, an artist living with autism.
WORCESTER | FRAMINGHAM | BOSTON | CAPE COD | PROVIDENCE 508.459.8000 | FletcherTilton.com BAYSTATEPARENT 11
Flu shot mandate draws praise and ire from parents All children who attend school this year in Massachusetts will be required to have a flu shot. While medical professionals say it makes sense, some concerned parents are pushing back. BY JOAN GOODCHILD
E
ach fall, Anne Gray, a Shrewsbury mom of two, heads to the annual flu shot clinic at her local pediatrician to get her boys, aged 12 and 13, vaccinated. “I’m aware that the efficacy of the flu shot varies each year, but I also understand that it can reduce the risk of flu illness and hospitalization,” she said. “The potential protection from the vaccine is important for keeping my kids safe and healthy, and therefore it's an annual vaccine for them and our entire family.” Soon, more parents may be joining Gray and her kids at flu shot clinics. For some, it won’t be by choice. Massachusetts officials recently announced a new, first-in-the-nation flu shot mandate for students under age 30. Under the rule, anyone 6 months or older in child care centers, preschool, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities, will be required to receive the flu vaccination this year. And it must be administered before the end of the year. The rationale for the requirement is that levels of COVID-19 may spike again. A coronavirus surge, coupled with seasonal influenza outbreaks, may overwhelm the healthcare system with an increase in hospitalizations and ER visits. Officials also note that since the symptoms of coronavirus and the flu are similar, they hope vaccinating children against influenza means it will require less time to discern whether symptoms like a cough or fever are one virus or the other. “I see this as two-fold,” said Dr. Christina Hermos, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at UMass Memorial Medical Center, and an assistant professor at UMass Medical School. “We need to do everything in our power to limit flu this season. We don't know what will happen with COVID-19 and if numbers start to surge, we need to have available medical personnel and hospital beds available and cutting down in ED and inpatient flu numbers will help. Flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms. When symptoms develop, children are out of school and adults out of work until a diagnosis can be made. If we limit the number of COVID-19 ‘mimickers’ circulating, it will help children stay in school and limit the number of tests requested for COVID-19-like illnesses.” Hermos stresses that data confirms the flu vaccine is safe and effective for
12 OCTOBER2020
kids. Last year it was about 60 percent effective in preventing flu in kids, she noted. The vaccine is also effective at preventing severe flu, which can lead to hospitalizations and deaths. Preventing flu in kids also helps limit its spread in the community, she said, and in particular, helps prevent the chances that an older person, who may not respond to the vaccine, becomes infected. Forced into a decision But for a variety of reasons, there are parents who simply don’t want their child to get the flu shot. For some of these families, there are ways to opt out. Students who have a religious or medical exemption are not required to get the vaccine. And those who are homeschooled by parents or family, or are living off campus and learning in remote-only classes, are also not required to receive the flu shot. But many believe the opt-out options don’t reach far enough. The mandate has drawn backlash from several parents who are concerned about the vaccine and do not want to be forced into having their
child receive it. After the announcement, a group known as Health Choice 4 Action launched a petition calling on the state’s health department and state lawmakers to repeal the flu shot rule. The group also held a rally in August at the State House. “The decision to abstain from the flu shot is neither uncommon nor irrational. But now, it comes with the life-long consequences of losing access to education,” said Candice Edwards, executive director of Health Choice 4 Action. “Children and young adults in Massachusetts will be barred from daycare, school or college if they make the same reasonable choice a majority of American adults make every year--to decline the influenza vaccine. Keeping kids out of school has enormous costs and real risks. One might assume that the data for influenza vaccine is rock-solid and benefits clearly outweigh costs. Not so.” Edwards urges parents opposed to the new mandate to start crafting emails and to call their local lawmaker to make their opinion be heard. “Parents who oppose the mandate must become involved in civil engagement in an effort to rescind the mandate,” said Edwards. “We advise them to respectfully write and call their legislators, the Governor, and the Massachusetts Department of Health to tell them to repeal the order by communicating and sourcing their opposition. Additionally, parents can attend peaceful protests and sign-on to the class action
lawsuit against Governor Baker.” Hermos said, like mask requirements in the wake of coronavirus, just about any mandate always draws some initial protest, but the benefits of the flu vaccine far outweigh any perceived risks. “One-hundred-eighty-five children died of flu last year and most of these were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated,” she said. “We are learning that children are likely not the main drivers of COVID-19 infection and outbreaks among adults, but children are known to readily infect adults with flu and contribute to community flu rates. Vaccine is the right thing to protect kids and the community at large.” Joan Goodchild is a veteran writer and editor and mom of two living in Central Massachusetts.
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Special Needs, Special Friends BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
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hough the pandemic has upturned much of Kimberly Cake’s life — she’s navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs in the COVIDera, not to mention remote Kindergarten — the Sutton mom has been sleeping more soundly since the world changed in March. As schools and communities were shutting down, the Cake family was opening their home to a new family member. One with four legs. Manhattan, or Matti, for short, a two-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador, has brought
peace, comfort and happiness since she came into the Cakes’ life this spring. A seizure alert, autism assistance and mobility assistance dog, Matti is trained for the specific needs of Cake’s 5-year-old daughter, Kristiana. Born at 24 weeks, weighing just over 1 pound, Kristiana has had more than her share of obstacles from the very start – a brain bleed, a hole in her heart, a tracheotomy, just to name a few. When she was diagnosed with autism at 2 ½, her parents began the long process of
finding a service dog. “We’d heard dogs can do great things for kids with autism,” said Cake. “We knew a dog could be a social bridge to help her connect with people and help calm her during meltdowns.” Service dogs are being
How pets help kids with autism, disabilities
used increasingly to help children who have learning, behavioral, or developmental challenges. They are bred for a calm temperament so they don’t react to even the most extreme behaviors such as screaming, impulsivity, and aggression. First used to guide the blind, service dogs can be trained to perform specific tasks to address a particular disability. Autism assistance dogs, for instance, can be trained to distract and disrupt repetitive behaviors or meltdowns, to prevent and protect a child from wandering, and in tracking to locate a child who has wandered. As Kristiana was put on the waitlist for her dog, she was dealt another blow. She was diagnosed with epilepsy just before turning three, then also with a mild case of Cerebral palsy. “At that point we were so glad we had started the long process for a service dog,” said Cake. “It felt like everytime we thought something leveled off, there was something new.” But Matti’s trainers kept assuring her, “that’s OK, we can train her for that too,” she said. When Matti and Kristiana first met in March, the bond was instant. “Right away, they were this little dynamic duo,” said Cake. Indeed, they had both been waiting for each other: Matti for the girl she’d trained nearly her whole life to care for, and Kristiana for the dog who would make her feel “safe and brave.” The changes Matti has brought have been profound, said Cake. Kristiana tolerates doctors appointments better, sleeps better, gets around easier, and has a new way of connecting
Kristiana Cake has more confidence, and her mom, Kimberly more peace of mind, since welcoming service dog Matti into their family this spring.
Ashley Green photo
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socially. “This is my Matti,” she’ll tell anyone she meets. They play dress up, have princess parties, and sleep together every night. For Cake and her husband, she’s brought peace of mind. Already, Matti has alerted them to four seizures. “We see her working daily,” said Cake, “but Kristiana just sees her best friend.” Special needs, special friends While Matti, trained as an advanced assistance dog by Ohio-based 4 Paws for Ability, is the right companion for Kristiana, experts say service dogs aren't the only animals that help children with special needs. According to a University of Missouri study, children with autism form attachments to a variety of small pets — dogs, cats, even rabbits and guinea pigs — and those with pets may develop stronger social and communication skills. But children with a myriad of special needs, not just autism, can benefit from the presence of animals. Reluctant readers may feel more comfortable reading aloud to a patient, nonjudgmental animal, for instance, or children with physical disabilities can find relaxation and improved balance and coordination in the rhythm of horseback riding. And animals with no special training can still offer comfort and affection through qualities like playfulness, soft fur, or a relaxing purr. While parents can seek out animal therapy and services, Rachel Goclawski found support for her two daughters in an unexpected place – right in her backyard coop. The Millbury mom of girls ages 11 and 9 has been raising chickens since her daughters were toddlers. “I first noticed chickens helped them with their special needs a couple years later when they would come home from school over-stimulated, anxious or upset and I would see how
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The Goclawski family, of Millbury, has found unexpected therapeutic benefits from raising chickens. much the chickens would calm them and the smiles would just come right out,” she said. Caring for the chickens has provided Goclawski’s younger daughter, who has ADHD, with an opportunity to practice skills she needs to work on like discipline, focus, delayed gratification and impulse control. And in the past few months the birds have been particularly helpful for her older daughter, who is on the spectrum and struggled to adjust to remote learning. “She has anxiety, had panic attacks and many meltdowns over the first few months (of quarantine),” she said. “Nothing calmed her and gave her joy more than those baby chicks, her favorite full-grown chicken as well.” According to Modern Farmer, when socialized and supervised properly, specific animals, including chickens, can offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits to children and adolescents with autism as well as conditions including anxiety, depression and attachment issues. “Nothing is more calming than to watch them scratch and forage, and to listen to the noises they make,” Goclawski said. Pets help parents, too The benefits of animals and special needs families extends beyond the children. New research from research from the University of Missouri has found that pets lead to strong bonds and reduced stress for both children with special needs and their
parents. Gretchen Carlisle, a research scientist with the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, surveyed more than 700 families from the Interactive Autism Network on the benefits and burdens of having a dog or cat in the family. She found that despite the responsibility of pet care, both children with autism and their parents reported strong bonds with their pets. Pet ownership was not related to parent stress, and parents with multiple pets reported more benefits. “Given that the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder are so broad, it can be difficult to identify interventions that are widely beneficial,” Carlisle said. “Some of the core challenges that children with autism face include anxiety and difficulty communicating. As pets can help increase social interaction and decrease anxiety, we found that they are not only helpful in providing comfort and support to children with autism, but to their parents as well.” For parents considering adding a pet into their family, Carlisle recommends including the child in the decision and making sure the pet’s activity level is a good match with the child’s, as some kids have specific sensitivities. “A big, loud dog that is highly active might cause sensory overload for a particular child, while a quiet cat may be a better fit,” Carlisle said.
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Pandemic empties pet shelters as families add new four-legged members BY DEBBIE LAPLACA
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he makeshift corner office and kitchen classroom has many quarantined families taking a fresh look at the space they call home and finding it’s the perfect time to add a little something warm and fuzzy. An uptick in pet adoption requests since March coupled with a limited supply of animals brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic has emptied shelters and filled homes and hearts with pets. In case you haven’t heard, pets can make your family healthier. Dogs for instance love to play and are known to move their owners toward a more active lifestyle. The American Heart Association says dog owners are 54% more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than non-dog owners. Further, those exposed to pet fur and dander have been shown to have stronger immune systems, which could lead to a decrease in bloodpressure and cholesterol levels. And if that isn’t enough, pets can also reduce stress, anxiety, depression and the sense of loneliness that many have recently experienced from isolation. While these are compelling reasons to adopt a pet, training a puppy or acclimating an older dog is a time-consuming, hands-on commitment that typically
16 OCTOBER2020
doesn’t work for every busy family or fast-paced household. Then came the pandemic. Work from home and school from home meant more people at home with time to care for a new addition to the family. Add warm weather and quarantine fatigue to the mix and walking a dog becomes an attractive way to get up and out. Families turned to shelters in unprecedented numbers and soon Fido became the loyal co-worker, recess buddy, and warm shoulder to cry on. The Sterling Animal Shelter ran out of pets to adopt in March and today, hundreds of people are on its waiting list, while availability remains low. “It coincided with our shutdown when everything started to get crazy with COVID in March,” Kendel Burdeaux said. “A lot of our pets come from Puerto Rico and unfortunately with the transportation problems and the crazy heat this summer, it’s been too hot to transport. There was a two-month lull where
we had nearly no dogs coming in.” Yet, the demand for adoptions rapidly increased as did the waiting list. Sterling has received more than 2,000 applications to adopt since the end of April, which, Burdeaux says is a great problem to have at a shelter. “I think some of it is the circumstances of the COVID era. The increase is because people are working from home and have the time to train them,” she said. “I also think it’s the product of the culture in New England: people are very good to their pets and make a lifelong commitment.” The shelter has been scouting for pet transportation partners in the southern states and is presently working with a transporter in Texas. “Places in the south are drowning with animals and here where we can’t find them. We really don’t have a stray animal problem up here and we don’t see a lot of local surrenders. The requests we get here are from people who have to give up their pets,” Burdeaux said. “We are getting cats, but we are struggling with finding appropriate dogs.” When dogs
arrive, their profile is posted online, and those interested are asked to complete an online application before an appointment will be made to meet at the shelter. Sterling recently took in 28 cats and kittens from new partners in Texas and Louisiana and they were quickly adopted. Lindsay Doray, Development Director at Second Chance Animal Services, said the shelter has experienced numerous occasions since March when all their pets were adopted. “We’ve had so many people waiting to adopt that we when do have pets, we
don’t have them very long,” she said. “Animals are going out as fast as they are coming in.” Doray said they are grateful to the outpouring of adopters who have welcomed new pets into their homes. But this, combined with the limited animal transports across the U.S. at this time, means there are fewer pets available than usual. Second Chance helps more than 40,000 pets and their families each year through adoption, spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, community outreach, educational outreach, training, and a pet food pantry. It operates an adoption center in East Brookfield and community veterinary hospitals in North Brookfield,
Springfield, and Worcester. Second Chance receives some cats and dogs from local owner surrenders and animal control officers, but most come from overcrowded shelters that are euthanizing for space from various locations, including the southern states. “COVID did bring some challenges in bringing in pets, even from the overcrowded shelters for a while. Transports were shut down because nobody really knew what was
veterinary programs. “Our pet food pantry is serving additional food pantries to help ensure that no pet goes hungry during this crisis. It has become a vital lifeline for many,” Doray said. To help limit people entering their buildings due to social distancing restrictions, Second Chance is offering curbside appointments, where clients pull up and staff takes the pet in to be seen. The vet then calls the client to discuss treatment.
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The financial challenges in many households due to the pandemic has also impacted shelters that survive on donations. Second Chance, for instance, has experienced a 40% decline in donations. “We have had to postpone, limit or cancel all of our major fundraisers, as well as more than 100 mobile adoption events and small community events that we take part in,” Doray said. Families looking to adopt will find that fees vary. At Sterling, the cost to adopt a standard adult dog runs from $200 to $500 depending on their circumstance, as the fees for the dogs from other states are typically higher due to transportation costs. Many shelters have senior dog and cat programs that are less expensive to adopt.
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going to happen with this virus,” Doray said. Today, animals are posted on the shelter’s website when they are ready for adoption, where people are asked to submit an online adoption survey. “We had to alter our adoption protocol and limit it to one family in the building at a time so that we could clean between families to reduce any possible risk. There are days we have a line of people waiting to come in and adopt. It has been great,” Doray said. The Second Chance nonprofit, full-service hospitals that offer subsidized rates for low income households have also been swamped with 2-3 times the normal call volumes for emergencies and vet appointments. Partly, Doray said, due to an increase in families financially impacted by the pandemic and due to the closure of school-based
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How to be a positive eating role model
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hildren learn a lot of what they know from mimicking their parents. From how to greet another person to how to eat with a fork, children watch their parents closely. One area parents might not think about their children mimicking them is when it comes to eating - specifically eating healthy. According to a new study conducted by the University of Oregon, researchers have found that how parents view their own self-regulation of sugar and salt is a contributing factor in how children develop their own food preferences. According to experts, food systems heavy in calories and light on recommended nutrition are a major factor contributing to global obesity and are a major challenge to parents of young children. The Oregon study showed “providing 3- to 5-year-old children with junk food influences their preferences for the same tastes.” The study also showed that children are less willing to eat vegetables. Here are a few ways to positively influence your children’s eating habits and be a good role model, according to Unlockfood.ca. 1. Create a positive eating environment • Have a regular meal and snack times: If children eat whenever they feel like it, they might not be hungry when it’s time for a scheduled meal or snack.
18 OCTOBER2020
• Eat together as a family: Children who eat meals with their family tend to eat healthier foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They are also at lower risk for becoming overweight. • Avoid pressuring your children to eat: Insisting that your children eat certain foods may actually cause them to eat less. Your children should be allowed to decide how much to eat based on how hungry they feel. • Avoid using food as a reward or punishment: Using food as a reward or punishment may lead to unhealthy eating habits. • Have healthy foods at home: Make sure to buy healthy foods when you shop. The foods available in your fridge, freezer, cupboards and pantry are what your children will get used to eating. 2. Being a positive role model • Make healthy foods the usual choice: When your children see you eating healthy foods, they are more likely to want to eat them too. • Limit foods high in calories, fat, sugar and salt: Foods that are high in calories, fat, sugar and salt like cakes, chocolate, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, French fries, potato chips, pop, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened hot or cold drinks should be eaten less often. When you limit these foods yourself, your children will be less likely to eat them as well. It is important not to label these foods as “bad”. They are simply foods to be eaten occasionally and in moderation.
Bites
goose’s
goodies
Homemade Dog & Cat Treats This time of year, pumpkin pops up in lots of goodies, but it’s not just for people. These recipes for dogs and cats both use the October cooking staple. Kids will love making their own treats for the family’s fourlegged members, and your fur-babies are sure to be happy, too.
PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN DOG TREATS Ingredients 2/3 cup pumpkin puree 1/4 cup peanut butter 2 large eggs 2 1/2 – 3 cups whole wheat flour Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat together pumpkin puree, peanut butter and eggs with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it comes together. With a rolling pin, roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
PUMPKIN SALMON KITTY TREATS Ingredients 1 1/4 cups oat flour 5 oz. boneless skinless salmon (from a can or pouch) drained 1 large egg 1/4 cup pumpkin puree Directions Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Break the salmon up with a fork or in a chopper or blender. With a spoon or electric mixer, combine 1 cup of the oat flour, salmon, egg and pumpkin puree in a large bowl. Place the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, sprinkle with some additional oat flour and pat down to about 1/4 inch thick. Prick the top of the dough all over with a fork (this helps relieve moisture while cooking.) Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a pizza or pastry cutter to cut into small "bits.” Spread the bits out and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until firm. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Laurie Silva Collins, known affectionately as Goose by her grandkids, is a nurse, mother and grandmother who is happiest when she’s in the kitchen, cooking and baking for those she loves. She learned to cook from her parents, and has perfected her recipes over the years while raising three daughters… and spoiling seven grandchildren. BAYSTATEPARENT 19
on the
agenda
October Adventures the list
7 cool things to do this month
Autumn Illuminated - West Boylston Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Thursday through Sunday, through Nov. 1, 6-10 p.m. Member adults $9, kids $3; nonmembers $10/$5; children 5 and under free
Fairy Fun at the Park Francis William Bird Park, Walpole Daily, Oct. 1-18, dawn to dusk Member families $5; nonmembers $10
Don your wings, grab your crowns and visit the park’s Fairy Lane where gnomes, elves and pixies dwell. On your way to the lane, collect natural treasures to use later on. As you walk down Fairy Lane, make sure to look for little decorated doors at the base of trees where fairies have already moved in. Once you’ve found a good spot, use your treasures for your own fairy home and wand. Take your wand home with you, but leave your little house for the park’s sprites to enjoy and others to see as the park’s fairy village grows. This is a self-guided program. Families will receive a downloadable Fairy Fun Activity kit with a map and wand craft tutorial prior to the visit. thetrustees.org.
Wander along a lighted path highlighting the colors of fall through the gardens at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Experience outdoors including illuminated plants, paths, sculptures, and fountains, and enjoy the magic of a fall evening in New England, dry leaves underfoot, the moon above, autumnal lighting guiding the pathway. Visitors are encouraged to wear festive costumes to celebrate the season while connecting to nature’s magic at this special after-dark experience. Timed tickets must be pre-reserved online. towerhillbg.org.
Hayrides and Pizza Picnics Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich Fridays through October, 4-6 p.m. Member families $20; nonmembers $25
Tour historic Appleton Farms and take in all of its spectacular grounds and animals on a hayride during their evening Pizza Picnics. Rides take place every 20 minutes. Then, grab a pizza baked fresh-to-order in the farm’s wood fire oven. Pick a spot anywhere on the grass for a picnicstyle meal – picnic blankets are strongly encouraged. thetrustees.org. 20 OCTOBER2020
Drive-Through Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI Daily through Nov. 1, 6:30-11 p.m. Members $45 per car; nonmembers $50
Immerse the family in the sights and sounds of the season and see thousands of intricately carved pumpkins from the comfort of your car. The iconic Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular is a trail that winds from Roger Williams Zoo’s parking lot through a portion of the zoo. Catch a glimpse of pumpkins in trees, on the side of the trail, and just about everywhere the eye can see during the 25-minute drive-through experience. Advance tickets only, must be purchased online. Tickets are sold for each half hour. rpwzoo.com/jols.
Fall Fun on the Farm Powisset Farm, Dover
Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 8, 12-4:30 p.m. Member adult $12, child $9; nonmembers $20/$15
What are you waiting for? Join the thousands of followers in more than 180 countries.
Enjoy views of the farm and fall foliage, live music, walking trails, Storywalk, hayrides, climbing haystack, fall produce and a visit to see the barnyard animals. Farm fresh pizza from the outdoor brick oven, wine and craft beer from local breweries will be available for purchase. Timed ticketing will ensure social distancing, preregistration is required. thetrustees.org.
Fall Fun on the Farm Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough
Saturdays & Sundays through Nov. 8, 12-6 p.m. Member adult $12, child $9; nonmembers $20/$15 Celebrate the harvest at a quintessentially New England farm. Enjoy live music, hayrides, a scavenger hunt, and a visit with the farm’s friendly goats. Food from alternating food trucks and craft beer from a local beer vendor will be available for purchase. Timed ticketing will ensure social distancing, pre-registration is required. thetrustees.org.
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Boston Book Festival Virtual/Boston Neighborhoods Oct. 5-25 Free
Youth-geared virtual sessions and activities will allow children of all ages to engage creatively with literature this month. Themed picture book sessions -- covering space and the universe, identity, and justice and activism -- feature book readings, interactive content such as writing exercises and drawing prompts, and opportunities for Q&As with book creators. For teens, BBF has two panels featuring a great lineup of talented writers: first, a session on authenticity and identity, and secondly, a thoughtful session about friendship and its end. The Festival is also putting on StoryWalks in Nubian Square and in Downtown Crossing during the month of October. bostonbookfest.org.
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October Adventures the corn mazes you’ll want list to get lost in this fall
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utumn offers the challenge of navigating your way through a corn maze at farms around the state. Pumpkin and apple picking, hayrides, childrens’ games and delicious fall foods add to the family fun of the adventure of tackling a maze. Before you head out, be sure to check online for each venue’s specific COVD-19 regulations.
1. West End Creamery Whitinsville
Get a taste of cross-country travel following a summer spent cooped up at home. The Road Trip USA-themed corn maze is just part of the fall fun at this family friendly farm and creamery situated next to Purgatory Chasm. Admission ($13.95 per person, kids under 36” free) includes two corn mazes, a socially distanced wagon ride, pedal karts, cow train, duck races, barnyard jump, tug-o-war, and barnyard basketball. Mini golf, pony rides, and pumpkin picking are offered on-site for an additional charge. westendcreamery.com.
2. Sauchuk’s Corn Maze - Plympton
Sauchuk Farm brought the first large-scale corn maze to eastern Massachusetts over a decade ago, and they continue to do it big every year. This year, they’re celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage, the founding of Plymouth Colony and the historic interaction between the Wamponoag and English
peoples. The farm offers pumpkin picking, hay wagon rides, a cow train and jumping pillows. Kids’ activities like tug-of-war, duck races, and barnyard ball add to the fun. Advanced tickets ($15.95 per person, kids 2 and under free) with a specified date and entry time are required, and available online each Monday for the upcoming weekend. Admission includes most activities. sauchukmaze.com.
3. Schartner Farms - Bolton
Not only are first responders and medical personnel celebrated in the design of this year’s maze, those at the frontlines of the pandemic will also receive free entry to corn maze. Enjoy apple picking while you’re there, and let kids get a kick out of their menagerie of farm animals. Corn maze open weekends only; admission $10 for ages 12 and up, $7 ages 3-11. schartnerfarm.com.
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4. Wojick’s Farm - Blackstone
Country Livin’ is the theme of this year’s maze at Wojik’s Farm, where families can weave their way through a guitar, boots, horseshoes and a cowboy hat. Hop on a tractor driven wagon ride to make your way to the maze, apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Snack shack is open, and sweet treats to take home are available in the farm store. Maze open weekends; admission $10 per person, and free for kids 5 and under. wojcikfarm.com.
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5. Mike’s Maze Sunderland
The “stalks” have never been higher. The designers of Mike’s Maze are celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act with eight acres of campaign trails, reminding maze-goers to vote. Located on a working farm at the foot of Mount Sugarloaf, visitors enjoy gorgeous views of the New England foliage. Access to the Pasture Playground where kids can bounce on an inflatable jump pad, race rubber duckies, play giant versions of games like chess and Jenga, and climb around on real tractor tires is included in admission. A petting zoo, pedal carts, potato blasters and Corn Cafe are also on site. Open weekends; admission $15, $12 for kids 5-11, kids 4 and under free. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased online. mikesmaze.com.
6. Davis Farmland Mega Maze - Sterling
More than an 8-acre corn maze with nearly three miles of puzzling pathways, you’ll also find Kansas City BBQ, craft beer and wine and live music on the weekends at Davis Mega Maze. Try to tackle some or all of the games located inside the maze at Adventure Zones featuring hammer bells, the field goal kick, slingshots, end goal slide and other fun. Surprises and photo-ops are to be found inside the maze itself. Tickets must be purchased online. davismegamaze.com.
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MEDICAL ADVICE WHEN YOU ARE ON THE GO. DOWNLOAD OUR FREE SYMPTOM CHECKER APP TODAY! Our Health eCheck app helps you make decisions on what type of medical care is needed when your child falls off their bike or has a persistant cough. Search from a list of symptoms or by body area.
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7. Connors Farm Danvers
Make your way through the Music Maze, a 7-acre corn maze featuring an array of instruments. Pick apples and pumpkins, visit the farm store and let kids loose on the playground. Online tickets encouraged; weekend admission $16.99, seniors $14.99, kids under 2 free. Weekdays $12.99. connorsfarm. com.
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8. Westview Farms Creamery - Monson
This 6-acre corn maze is designed as a “thank you” to frontline workers. Children will enjoy a playground, sandbox, and feeding goats at this family friendly creamery where you’ll find some of the best homemade ice cream around and unbeatable autumn views. Pick pumpkins, grab lunch from the grill, and enjoy live music while there. Maze is open weekends only, admission $12 for adults, $8 for kids under 12, and children under 2 are free. westviewmonson.com.
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on the
agenda
Not-so-Spooky Movie Night Set the Mood Break out some of your Halloween decor to create a festive atmosphere, but keep it comfy and casual. Bring out some extra pillows and blankets, and let kids pile them on the floor or stake their favorite spot on the couch. For a true theater feel, turn off the lights when you start the movie, and use blackout curtains to make the room even darker.
Keep the menu simple but fun. Make mini “Mummy Pizzas” by topping English muffins with pizza sauce, string cheese “fabric” and olive eyes. You can also give a classic movie snack a spooky twist by making Popcorn Hands. Just take clear, disposable gloves, drop a candy corn “nail” in each fingertip, and fill the rest with popcorn. Tie the ends with ribbon or twine.
Keep it Kid-Friendly Save the horror movies for another night, and go with some kid-friendly Halloween movies with just a hint of fright. Some of our favorites:
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Trick or Tacos Ole! Line up ingredients for a taco bar and let kids make their own “Monster Tacos” by arranging toppings like sour cream, olives, or tomatoes into creepy faces. Enjoy with a side of “Frankenguac”: smear guacamole into a rectangle on a platter, make eyes out of sour cream and olives, and use blue corn chips for hair.
Bat for Candy
Get Snackin’
Beetlejuice Casper Coraline Ghostbusters Hocus Pocus
Halloween Fiesta
Hotel Transylvania Monster House Halloweentown Frankenweenie
Backyard Trick-or-Treating Dress for the Occasion Move the usual door-to-door trick-or-treating to the backyard. Hide candy or other goodies in the nooks and crannies of your yard. But don’t skimp on the costumes just because you’re home. Have kids get all dressed up to hunt for their treats.
Make it Festive Don’t want candy lost all over your yard? Draw jack-o-lantern faces on orange cupcake liners, and fill those with treats, or put the goodies in
A piñata full of candy is just as much fun as trickor-treating. Party City has adorable Halloweenthemed piñatas, including a happy ghost, a jack-o-lantern, and a black and orange spider. Or, choose a piñata that goes along with your child’s Halloween costume.
Make Sugar Skull Masks Why not weave Mexico’s Day of the Dead (Día de Los Muertos) into your Halloween fiesta? Sure, they are different holidays, but they share some common roots and fall closely together on the calendar. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to the rich culture and traditions of Día de los Muertos, when the spirits of departed loved ones are welcomed into the home and cemeteries. Sugar skulls, or calaveras, designed with vibrant colors and intricate designs, are a hallmark of the Day of the Dead. Make your own with paper plates, markers, and festive decorations. Have kids trace a skull shape on a white paper plate, draw a face, and add designs and embellishments. The more colorful the better! Attach a popsicle stick or paper straw to the bottom to finish it off.
Halloween-themed paper cups. It will be a bit easier for kids to spot the treats, and add a festive pop to the “candy hunt.”
Fire it Up End your backyard celebration with a bonfire and some spooky treats. Let kids snuggle up fireside with a cup of hot cocoa or cider. Tell ghost stories, and make “bloody” s’mores by drizzling a little red cookie icing on the classic campfire goody.
Hearts and Crafts: Birthday Wishes nonprofit launches new kids’ craft box opportunity to talk to them about giving back. The new Hearts & Crafts program is kicking off with a Pet Pack Craft & Activity Kit — three pet-themed craft kits mailed to you for a $35 donation. A puppy puppet with a dog ear headband, a bubble-poppin’ fish with bubbles, and a “pet” turtle with a Race Across the River game — these are some of the crafts that Birthday Wishes volunteers do with children at monthly parties in shelters. Each kit includes instructions and all required supplies to complete each project. Extra supplies are included in each kit, just in case. “There is always a reason behind the featured party craft and in the case of the Pet Pack, it’s
to give the children living in the shelter ‘pets’ that they can take care of and play with since many had to give up their own pet when entering the shelter,” said Denell Nuese, Birthday Wishes Executive Director. Currently, Birthday Wishes is providing Birthday-in-a-Box boxes filled with party supplies and gifts to all shelters in its program as in-person parties have to come to a halt due to the pandemic. Last year, the organization celebrated over 5,000 birthday boys and girls at birthday parties at more than 200 homeless shelters, as well as delivering over 3,400 Birthday-ina-Box kits. To order your Hearts & Crafts kit, visit birthdaywishes.org/ hearts-and-crafts.
A GOOD PARTY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON! Reach more than 80,000 readers each month with baystateparent’s Party Pages! Contact Kathy Puffer to book your Party Page ad today! Call 508-737-5653 or email kpuffer@localiq.com
Children are fascinated with our collection of reptiles. We allow them to experience firsthand these special creatures.
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W
ith kids spending more time than ever at home, are you constantly looking for ways to keep them busy? Birthday Wishes, the Natickbased nonprofit that provides the simple magic of a birthday party to children experiencing homelessness, has you covered with a crafty new fundraiser. Aside from cake and presents, a craft related activity is a hallmark of a Birthday Wishes party. Children enjoy a sense of accomplishment completing a project, and it provides a way for volunteers to get parents and older kids in the shelter involved in the celebration. Now, you can bring these special projects into your own home; providing a fun activity for your kids, and an
617-407-7533
Call us for Birthdays, Special Events, Educational Presentations. To see more of our animals follow us on Facebook under Reptile Circus
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