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2 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
Table of
contents April 2022
volume 26
number 12
in every issue 5 5 7 8 23
Editor’s note Finally Forever
Baby Chick Lemon Cookies
Good to Know Herding Goofballs DIY: Earth Day Crayons
on the agenda 15
April Adventures: 15 Things to do with the Kids This Month
bites 18
5 Things to Do During a Formula Shortage
19
Goose’s Goodies: Baby Chick Lemon Cookies
features
10
Secrets to Kids’ Consignment Shopping and Selling
12
Cover Story: Meet the Moms Rocking the Spectrum
20
Here’s How to Talk to Kids About Sexual Abuse
on the cover Sisters Sherley Brice, left, and Melissa Defay. ANN RINGWOOD/WICKED LOCAL
BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 3
A checking account that makes the grade Our free Student Checking account is designed with input from educators to help parents guide their children towards adopting excellent money management skills.
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4 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
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2020
editor’s note Recently, my fouryear old’s pajama drawer has be come so overstuff ed it will hardly close. On the top of the pile are the favorites du jour – PAW Patrol and Spiderman – while the bottom is lined with Daniel Tiger and Bluey; jam mies suddenly outgrown in more ways than one. And so “go through Max’s pj’s” is the newest bullet point on my neverending todo list. Among all the unexpected things about motherhood is just how much time I’d spend going through things. There are endless clothes to sort, gear to group, and piles of toys to pare down. Kids come with a lot of stuff , but the thing is, they don’t need it for very long. One day they’re in bouncers and Bumbos and the next you’re taking the training wheels off their bike. It’s hard to keep up with their rapid growth and the constant changes in interests, needs and favorite toys. What to do with it all? On page 10, we dig into one way you can ditch all the stuff , and score a little cash, too. We'll let you in on the
April’s Children: Meet Chance and Keith We are Chance and Keith, and we are ready to fi nd our forever family! Chance and Keith, ages 12 and 14, are viva cious boys of African American descent. Chance is a kind hearted and softspo ken child. He is de scribed as gentle yet playful by those who know him best. Chance loves physical play such as basketball, soccer, bike riding, and swimming. He loves Pokemon and Legos, too! Chance reports that he likes school, and his favorite subject is math. Keith is a quiet, re served young boy who is known to be a good
friend. He is very ath letic and enjoys sports and participating in ac tivities outside. He also likes to read. Keith is a great advocate for him self and for his siblings. He has great relation ships with his caretak ers and he is able to make friends easily. Legally freed for adoption, Chance and Keith would like to grow up together in a permanent, loving family. The children have requested that their future family con sists of a mother, fa ther, and some pets. A family must be open to
maintaining birth fam ily contact through an Open Adoption Agree ment. Both boys would benefi t from continued visits with their older siblings. 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 par ents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeown
secrets to kids’ consigning – from what you need to know before you try to sell things, to the best stuff to buy secondhand. Consignment shopping is not only easier on your wallet, it’s better for the environment, too. If you’re getting the urge to purge this month, it’s a great time to give it a try. April is not just for spring cleaning, it’s also Autism Awareness Month. A new estimate released by the CDC reports that one in 44 U.S. children now is diag nosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is an increase to estimates reported two years ago of one in 54, and underscores the need for services for children on the spectrum. In our cover story, we’ll introduce you to two local moms (and sisters!) who recently opened a sensory safe indoor playground in Wellesley. We Rock the Spectrum provides an inclusive environment for neu rotypical children and children on the spectrum. Read about why these moms wanted to bring this to the Bay State, and what they off er children of all abilities on page 12. With inclusivity in mind, we’ve added a new section to our monthly Adventures where you’ll fi nd sensory friendly events and activities geared toward children of diff ering abilities. Check it out on page 15. Happy reading! Amanda
FINALLY
forever
ers; LGBTQ+ singles and couples. As an adoptive parent, you won’t have to pay any fees, adoption from foster care is complete ly free in Massachu setts. The process to adopt a child from fos ter care includes train ing, interviews, and home visits to deter mine if adoption is right for you. These steps will help match you with a child or sib ling group that your family will fi t well with. To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massa chusetts Adoption Re source Exchange (MARE) at (617) 964 6273 or visit www.mareinc.org.
BaystateParent BaystatePar ent is a monthly pu blicat dedicated to ion the families o Massachuse f tts
We are available at more than 1,000 locations across more than 90 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Do you have a story idea? Email your suggestion to acollinsbernier@gannett.com BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 5
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GOOD TO
SOURCEBOOK S
know
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The updates, made with the American Academy of Pediatrics, revise several developmental milestone checklists which use 50th percentile, or averageage, milestones. Using this ap proach means only half of children can be expected to achieve that milestone by that age. The revised developmental milestones are written in familyfriendly language and identify the behaviors that 75% or more of children can be expected to exhibit at a certain age based on data, developmental resources and clinician experience. Changes to the guidance include: h Adding checklists for ages 15 and 30 months; now there is a checklist for every wellchild visit from 2 months to 5 years. h Identifying additional social and emotional milestones (e.g., Smiles on their own to get your attention, age 4 months). h Removing vague language like “may” or “begins” when referring to certain milestones. h Providing new, openended questions to use in discussion with families
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Kids are really cashing in on lost teeth, according to a new Tooth Fairy poll by Delta Dental. The average cash gift nationwide is $5.36 per tooth, according to the dental insur ance company, which has been tracking tooth fairy payouts since 1998 when the average was just over $1 a tooth. The Northeast continues to lead U.S. regions with the highest average per lost tooth, rocketing $2 above the national average at $7.36. That's a $1.64 gain over the previ ous year’s results.
“Our World Is A Family,” a book for ages 38 from refugee resettlement organization Miry’s List, edu cates children about difficult topics like war in an ageappropriate, digestible way. It explores the complicated topic of human migration in a gentle way, touching on the reason people might leave their homes and inspiring children to welcome their new neighbors – who may be different from them – into their communities.
Massachusetts is among several states launching a probe into TikTok’s effect on kids’ health. State attorneys general from eight states are looking into possible harmful effects the popular video platform could have on young users’ mental health. The investigation will look into the possible harms its usage may cause young people and what TikTok knew about those harms. The investigation focuses, among other things, on the methods and techniques utilized by TikTok to boost young user engagement, including increasing the dura tion of time spent on the platform and frequency of engagement with the platform. Attorneys general na tionwide are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws and put the public at risk. TIKTOK
For the first time in 20 years, the CDC updated its developmental milestones for infants and young children, aiming to give doctors and parents clearer benchmarks for identifying whether or not a child could have a developmental delay or disability.
A new picture book can help parents engage with their children on the difficult topic of refugeeism, and help kids understand why lack of safety can cause people to leave their homes.
BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 7
HERDING
Question 1: On average, how many times have you heard the word ‘butt’ in your kids’ casual conversation this last week?
goofballs
h 0 points: 0 (What’s it like?) h 1 point: 110 (Guessing they are distracted by other funny words this week?) h 5 points: 11+ (Give yourself an additional point if you’ve had to place “butt limits” on what they say, just so you feel better that they have other words they still remember.) Question 2: How early do your kids wake up? h 0 points: After 8 a.m. (Your child is perfect. Never change a single thing about your routine.)
GETTING TESTY Josh Farnsworth
W
hat Harry Potter character are you? h If you were an entrée, you’d be… h Just how ‘80s are you? h Perhaps the most saturated content online while you are busy inbetween waiting for your kids’ lessons to fi nish up are those wonderful surveys to help “measure” just how you com pare amongst a certain fandom. h For the record: Ron Weasley, meatloaf and, appro priately, 80% 80s. h It’s all harmless fun reminisce about old times, answer a few questions, get a fun answer to see how compatible with something or someone you are… and then retake it seven more times until you beat the algorithm into submis sion and get the answer you really want. h After all, over your dead body you are a Samantha in those Sex and the City quizzes, right? You are a Carrie Bradshaw, darn it! h While there are a few parentbased ones out there, I have wondered about ones that best describe whether you have the personality of a certain type of parent. Mostly, I am curious if other parents have similar front row seats to the things my kids are saying/doing. Am I getting the same experience as other parents to 5 to 8yearolds? h Why wait for an algorithm? I have all the research I have in front of me. Take this homemade quiz and score how you did at the end. It’s science…kind of.
How did you score? Check it out… Your kids are…
goofball altogether.
0 points or less: Void of goofball. Void of little kid. Are you actually raising a polite adult?
2334 points: Goofball rising. There is a consistent goofi ness to your experience, but you may even still have a full head of nongraying hair.
110 points: Slightly goofball. Their wacky streaks are subdued and you rarely have to refer to outings or events as “chaotic”.
3544 points: Certifi ed goofball! This is a safe space, reader. We have much to chat about.
1122 points: Goofball tendencies. You might have a different genre of
45+ points: Actually parents of Cooper or Milo. And if not, we are truly parental soulmates.
Josh Farnsworth is a husband, father of goofballs Cooper and Milo, goofball him self, and awardwinning writer and columnist living in Worcester. He can be reached for column ideas at josh.farnsworth@yahoo.com. 8 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
Question 5: When bedtime is announced their reaction is… h 0 points: Reasonable and cheery (What?? Liar. In fact, lose an additional point if they climb into bed without a single threat.) h 2 points: Melancholy, but swift (A good twominute meltdown, but that energy spent was enough to exhaust them to sleep.) h 5 points: Atomic and needy (Immediately, their young bodies need food, drink, books, light, attention and the chance to run around simultaneously. The human body is a wonderful thing, huh?) Question 6: When it is their turn to listen to music, they…
h 3 points: Always at 6:30 a.m. or earlier (May your coffee maker never break.)
h 0 points: Sit still and listen only (Even when dance music comes on)
h 5 points: At 6:30 a.m. or earlier on weekends, but struggle to arise on school days (The best minds in science are still fi guring this one out.)
h 3 points: Sing a bit here and there and tap their toes (Sometimes, this is just to the theme song of their favorite show or a jingle they have been overexposed to)
Question 3: Unprompted, your children are likely to emerge from their room dressed… h 0 points: Tastefully in relatively ordinary clothing and fully dressed (Show off) h 2 points: Everything is mismatched, but at least they have pants on (To be fair, this is how I would score myself.) h 4 points: In the same pajamas they have worn for the last 36 hours (Come on, mom and dad, comfort is king!) h 10 points: Wearing several parts of multiple Halloween costumes and at least fi ve minutes into their own story (Less worry if the ensemble includes a helmet for when they attempt to walk around the house in it.)
h 5 points: Quickly go to fullon singing at the top of their lungs complete with interpretive dance (I’ll be honest, this one is all my fault for my goofballs.) Question 7: When they decide to create a story/action sequence, they… h 0 points: Really reign it in and try casual dialogue (something you would fi nd on PBS) h 3 points: Decide to go with a structured comedy that involved silly names, but low energy (something you would fi nd on Disney Junior) h 5 points: Turn the story into a scifi , heroheavy, dramatic space opera about the tiniest of things (not suitable for TV)
Question 4: The best comparison for your kids’ eating habits is…
Question 8: When your kids read, they prefer to read…
h 0 points: Minimalist: They eat what is provided, politely and do not disturb you for a snack until the next scheduled meal. (This concept is completely alien to me. Please send pictures as proof this habit exists.)
h 0 points: With their inside voice, always (and you probably have to check on them every fi ve minutes to make sure they are still reading)
h 3 points: Wolves ripping through a plate with reckless abandon (Safest thing to do is lob the plate in front of them so you don’t accidentally lose an arm.) h 5 points: Locusts leaving no morsel uneaten and moving quickly onto the next meal (Never thought a grocery bill could make a grown man cry.)
h 3 points: Aloud for the rest of the room to share in the experience (same goes for this wonderful column) h 5 points: With gusto and different zany voices for each character (may need to temper that excitement when they are old enough to read harrowing tales)
YOUR JOURNEY LEADS YOU
HERE to North Central Massachusetts
Learn more about our family-friendly spring activites at VisitNorthCentral.com!
WM-29204886
BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 9
Secrets to kids’
consignment How to sell their old stuff, and what to buy used Danielle Ray
C
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onsignment may be one of the best kept secrets of frugal, environmentally conscious parents and those who realize the value purchasing gently used over brand new. h Accord ing to the ThredUp 2021 Annual Resale Report, over 6.65 bil lion items of clothing have been recirculated through the secondhand market over the last decade. By 2023, the secondhand and resale market is expected to reach $53 billion, according to CNBC.
10 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
“Consignment and resale (are) the best way to give items a second chance to be used,” said Cassandra Abramson, president and founder of ECi Stores out of Leominster. “We as a society, create tons of waste a year headed to our land fi lls of items that are still in great condi tion and can be used again. To keep the items in a circular path of use and pass them onto another family that can use them, consignment is the way to go. Plus, by shopping consignment, you get to experience items for you and your family from all your favorite brands, at a fraction of original retail pricing.” Wendy Salo, owner of The Children’s Consignment Boutique at the Felter’s Mill in Millbury, echoed her sentiments, saying that the environmental con scious aspect is just one advantage of shopping resale. “The benefi ts of shopping consign ment, besides decreasing the amount of waste heading to the dumps, is allowing local parents, grandparents and the like to not only save money, but also earn credit towards ‘new to you’ items,” she said. “I fi nd it benefi cial in helping fam ilies give back to other families. Every one can help each other, whether it be directly or indirectly.” Consumers are purchasing from re sale retailers more than ever. America’s Research Group, a consumer research fi rm, found that about 16 to 18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store during a given year and for consignment and resale shops that number is about 12 to 15%. ECi Stores includes Cutie Patuties at 1021 Central St., a consignment shop fi lled to the brim with children’s, teen and women’s clothing, shoes, toys, and much more such as cribs and other new born accessories. CP & Company and Q Teens are included under the company umbrella inside Cuties and Cutiques at 12 Manning Ave. is a home décor and furniture shop. “The best secret we can give custom ers is to shop frequently,” Abramson said. “New items come into the store ev ery day, and you don’t want to miss any thing. If you can’t shop in person, check the website to stay up to date on current inventory and buy online. We only have one of each item and you don’t want to miss it.” Aside from shopping, consigning is a smart move for parents looking to purge, too. Children outgrow clothes and toys so fast, and most of these items have a lot of life left. Why not pass them on, and score a little money?
Salo has good advice for those think ing of consigning. “Make sure every thing is in the condition that would prompt you to purchase it if you came across it in a resell shop,” she said. “For example, clothing would have as little wrinkling as possible, shoes would have little to no signs of wear, and all the pieces to toys would be included.” Abramson said the most in demand items at Cutie Patuties are new toys, great condition shoes, and outdoor play gear, and that “many items are factored into determining the value of each item.” “Condition, brand, style, and de mand from customers are the most im portant,” she said about pricing clothing and more. Salo said that in her shop, “the high est demand items honestly vary every day.” “Some days I have three people look ing for highchairs, other days, everyone seems to be in search of raincoats and boots,” Salo said. “When people ask me what it is I am in need of the most, I usu ally answer with ‘It all depends on what people happen to be in search of today!’” She went on to say that while people may think a consignment shop “isn’t the place for them, I truly believe everyone
America’s Research Group, a consumer research fi rm, found about 16% to 18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store, and for consignment and resale shops that number is about 12% to 15%. GETTY IMAGES
should visit a few of them to see what great surprises they can fi nd.” “When buying from my consignment shop, it is no secret that I only accept the best of the best of the gently loved items. You can save a lot of money for quality items,” she said. According to NARTS: The Associa tion of Resale Professionals, “there are currently more than 25,000 resale, con signment and Not For Profi t resale shops in the United States.”
In addition to shops, consignment sales are another way shoppers can hunt for bargains or sell their stuff . These are local, organized shopping events usually held over three or four days that can be a quick and easy way to sell a number of items all at once. You drop off your items to the event organiz ers, who are responsible for promoting and running the sale in exchange for a percentage of your sales. The LexFUN! consignment sale, vot ed one of the top fi ve consignment sales in the state by Boston Parents Paper, is returning on April 23 at the Lexington High School Field House. As one of the largest children’s consignment sales, families, parents, and caregivers can not only consign their own items but also shop deals from hundreds of sellers that includes baby, children’s, and ma ternity clothing, gear, toys, and more. Find all the details at lexfun.org/consignment. The website consignmentsalefi nder.org helps con sumers locate a children’s consignment sale in the state, whether in person or virtual. According to the website, chil dren’s consignment sales are typically held twice a year, in late winter and in the fall.
3 tips to make the most money consigning kids’ items Presentation is everything: Think about the condition you’d want an item to be in if you bought it. Ripped or stained clothes are a no. Take some time to wash, spot treat or iron clothes. Wipe down and sanitize toys and other gear. Price it right: You set the price when you sell at a consignment sale. Keep it affordable. Generally, items go for 50% to 70% less than the retail price. When it comes to clothes, you can charge a bit more for namebrand or specialty outfi ts. Start with the bestsellers: Start with big ticket items like baby gear and accessories and excellent condition toys. Then move to coats, clothes and shoes. Next, smaller items like games and puzzles.
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BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 11
cover story
Rocking THE SPECTRUM Moms open sensory-friendly gym for kids with autism Debbie Laplaca
Melissa Defay had a problem. The mother of two needed a welcoming place for her autistic son to play and have fun, while safely stim ulating his senses. The solution? She opened a gym. Defay and her 8yearold son had a “bad incident at a local trampoline park” which led to a search for a bet ter playground option. “I was really distraught and determined to fi nd someplace that I could bring my son where it was com fortable, safe and a welcoming place to go,” she said. No local options were found but she did discover a gym franchise that off ered specially designed sensory play equipment suitable for children on the spectrum. “It was We Rock but it had no locations in Massa chusetts. I knew at that moment that we needed to bring one here.” Defay rallied her sister, Sherley Brice, and together, they opened We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym Welles ley. The 5,000 square foot indoor playground at 34 Cen tral Street off ers children of all abilities, ages newborn to 12, a place to play and grow together. “As the only kid’s gym that off ers an inclusive phi losophy, we have found all children can benefi t from our unique sensory equipment that is specifi cally de signed to aid children with sensory processing disor ders,” the sisters said. “However, in our experience, all children are able to benefi t greatly from this equip ment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.” Brice is mom to a 16yearold son, who has tuberous sclerosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors or growths in the brain and other organs. She shared her sister’s upset with the “bad incident” involving her nephew and was all in. “I thought it was fate because this awful thing hap pened, then all of the sudden this gym came up and it just seemed like it was what we were supposed to be doing as a purpose in our lives,” Brice said, “It just seemed like something that we were fated to do.” 12 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
Sisters Sherley Brice, left, and Melissa Defay, posed for photos inside their gym “We Rock the Spectrum” in Wellesley. ANN RINGWOOD/WICKED LOCAL
Their fate was realized when the in door playground opened in October 2021. “We defi nitely thought that we had something unique, and we prayed that we would have a lot of success and a lot of parents and kiddos come through our doors,” Defay said. “We didn’t expect it immediately because we opened during a pandemic and knew it was a tough time to take on this endeavor, but we just had to go for it.” Since then, roughly 1,300 children have come through the doors. “I’m pleasantly surprised but not sur prised by some of the need during the pandemic,” Brice said. “It was really hard for parents doing ZOOM at home and it was hard on kids on the spectrum. I saw that fi rsthand with my nephew. If our family was really needing it, then other families would need that as well.” A month after the grand opening, We Rock was nominated for Favorite Indoor Playground for Toddlers by the audi ence of Community Kangaroo in the an nual Joey Award competition. “We are all inclusive,” Defay said. “With the demographic we serve, op portunities are few and far between for our kiddos to fi nd programs where they will be included. Everything we’ve done is adaptive, so we include equipment for children of all abilities.” The gym features, in part, therapy equipment, an arts and crafts area, and a calming room. It also off ers support groups for parents and siblings, a music therapy group, a parents’ night out, tod dler playgroup, a vacation club, and birthday parties. Melissa Gautam is mom to 4year old twin boys, one with a speech delay. She holds an unlimited monthly mem bership to We Rock and uses it three to four times per week. “They absolutely love it,” she said of her boys. “It has opened them up to playing with other children. Especially with COVID, they haven’t had a chance to socialize and the issue with my son’s speech sometimes makes it diffi cult.” The staff at the gym, she said, are caring and patient. “I really enjoy their extracircular ac tivities like the science class. My kids really benefi t from that,” Gautam said. “The play equipment helps my kids get some energy out especially now that it’s winter. It’s been wonderful.” The sisters have developed partner ships that bring outside agencies and organizations in for the benefi t of the children. One such partnership is Bud ding Bookworms, a creative enrichment
Peyton Penta, 2, of Newton, peeked out from her hideaway to smile at the photographer at “We Rock the Spectrum.” RIGHT: The gym, “We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym” in Wellesley, welcomed kids on the autism spectrum. PHOTOS BY ANN RINGWOOD/ WICKED LOCAL
program, that runs science classes in side the gym. Therapists also attend with the child under their care to observe and provide therapy while using the specialized equipment. One of the gym’s many structured programs, Play with Purpose, exercises and stimulates the seven senses through positive physical, emotional and social development. “Our primary focus is for kids to have fun in playing. Fun is always the pri mary goal but for children on the spec trum and other special needs, it’s more benefi cial for them; its therapeutic,” De fay said. “It’s hard for them to focus, so they have to be moving around a lot. They are sensory seeking, so our gym provides that sensory environment.” Defay is also mom to a 12yearold son. Her education background and work experience are in accounting and business management. Brice’s back ground includes degrees in psychology and clinical social work. The gym off ers full use indoor play with parent supervision for a $25 drop in fee. It also off ers packages and mem berships. We Rock the Spectrum is an indepen dently owned franchise with 107 desti nations in 25 states and eight countries.
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ON THE
agenda
v Touch Tomorrow: Festival of Science, Technology & Robots April 2 Worcester WPI faculty, staff and students along with industry partners host this event at Polar Park featuring handson activ ities, exhibits and demonstrations de signed to demystify STEM, and create new passions for students of all ages. wp.wpi.edu/touchtomorrow.
APRIL ADVENTURES 16 things to do with the kids this month
TOUCH TOMORROW FACEBOOK
SHEN YUN
SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS
x Shen Yun April 210 Boston Watch ancient legends, heavenly realms, and modern tales of courage spring to life through classical Chinese dance. See ethnic dances, dazzling costumes, and powerful fl ips fi ll the stage with color and energy. And let the orchestra’s exquisite melodies, the singers’ soaring voices, and the dynamic animated backdrops uplift your spirit and transport you to another world. Tickets start at $85. bochcenter.org. ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO
x Stars Over Springfi eld April 1 Springfi eld Join members of the Springfi eld Stars Club for skygazing in the Science Mu seum’s observatory. If overcast, attendees will be off ered a tour of the observatory. $3 adults, $2 children. springfi eldmuseums.org.
w First Friday Nights Free
DISCOVERY MUSEUM
April 1 Acton Explore the Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods with free admission on the fi rst Friday night of each month. Nonperishable food donations for Open Table and the Acton Food Pantry are accepted. Reservations are required and can be made 10 days in advance. discoveryacton.org.
x Roger Williams Park Zoo 150th Celebration April 3 Providence Celebrations for Roger Williams’ 150th anniversary kickoff with $1.50 admis sion, entertainment and more surprises. See the animals celebrate the day with birthday treats, too! Advanced tickets required. rwpzoo.org. BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 15
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x Family Hike: Vernal Pool Exploration
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April 3 Princeton These small but mighty water bodies teem with amazing life for just a few short weeks, and Wachusett Meadow is home to several of them. Come hike to a vernal pool and discover the life cycle wonders of the frogs, turtles, and sala manders that live there. Adults $18; chil dren $12. massaudubon.org.
x Preschool Story Hour
Amy’s first steps
x Tots in the Kitchen THE MOVEMENT AT BERKLEE
x Music Through the Zoo
(508) 425-5857 reliantmedicalgroup.org/kids 16 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
April 9 Topsfi eld Each year on the fi rst warm rainy night of spring, wood frogs and mole salamanders begin a mass migration to the vernal pools where they breed. If you happen to be out on one of these evenings, the experience can be like a spectacular amphibian celebration. It’s called “Big Night!” On this night, a part of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will be transformed into a Big Night scene. Take a onehour guided walk along the Vernal Pool Trail, and meet some larger thanlife characters who will share in teresting facts and stories about them selves, vernal pools, and this special time of year. Some stops will feature live animals to see fi rsthand and learn about. The trail will lead to a real vernal pool where more animals and their eggs can be seen. $11. massaudubon.org.
THE TRUSTEES
Proud supporters of
Worcester & Princeton April 8, 27 & 29 A thematic hour of a story, an activity and a naturalistled walk at Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester and Wa chusett Meadow in Princeton. April top ics include birds, wind and rain show ers. Children $5. massaudubon.org.
x Big Night: Frog & Salamander Migration Celebration
April 9 Boston Berklee College of Music students perform music for the animals that call Franklin Park Zoo home. Performances will be held throughout the zoo in front of various exhibits. Included with ad mission. zoonewengland.org.
April 5 & 26 Dover Children ages 2 years 9 months to 5 will learn the basics of cooking at Po wisset Farm. Each session children will make a simple recipe – muffi ns, cookies and more — to enjoy on the spot or take home to share with the family. Adult su pervision/participation is required; not a drop off program. $30/$24 Trustees members. thetrustees.org.
v Princess Day at Stone Zoo
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO
April 23 Stoneham Come in your fairytale best and meet six of your favorite princesses. Feel like you’re in a fairytale while learning all about the animals that live at the zoo. Included with admission. zoonewengland.org.
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SensoryFriendly & Inclusive Programs: GORE PLACE
x Sheepshearing Festival
Starts April 13 Providence The Roger Williams Zoo is transformed into a dazzling evening experience with interactive displays, delicious Asianinspired cuisine and performances. The lan terns are created by hand with silk fabric stretched over steel frames, and expert craftsmanship embodies tradition as the artisans pass their skills from one genera tion to the next. Opening April 13, this zoowide walkthrough event will be open Wednesday – Sunday evenings. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. rwpzoo.org.
y Party for the Planet
OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE
x Village Earth Week April 1924 Sturbridge Old Sturbridge Village’s Earth Week features a wide variety of talks, walks, workshops, and activities related to na ture, ecology, stewardship, and the cli mate. Visit the gardeners and farmers to learn about how they are preparing the fi elds and gardens in the spring planting season. This week will feature a diff er ent theme each day. Included with ad mission. osv.org.
April 22 Boston Visit Franklin Park Zoo for a fun and engaging day to raise awareness for the planet and all it has to off er on Earth Day. Guests are invited to enjoy hands on activities and games to learn how conservation happens all around us. Meet exhibitors from local conservation organizations and nonprofi ts to learn how they can contribute to a healthy planet and preserve the Earth. Included with admission. zoonewengland.org. ZOO NEW ENGLAND
Saturday, April 2. Children with spe cial needs/medical needs can visit the museum with few other visitors.
Sensory Friendly Hour at Apex: Sunday, April 3. Enjoy all that Apex Entertainment in Marlborough has to off er in a sensoryfriendly environment.
Discovery Museum Sensory Friendly Afternoon: Tuesday, April 5. Group visits and birthday parties are not scheduled, to avoid crowding and support access to exhibits.
Sensory Friendly Saturday at Springfi eld Museums: Saturday, April 9. Exhibits modifi ed and sensoryfriendly crafts off ered.
Discovery Museum Evening for Families with D/HH & KODA Children: GETTY IMAGES
x Asian Lantern Spectacular
April 23 Waltham After two years online, this beloved festival is back, featuring music, 100 craft and fi ber artists, demonstrations of traditional shearing and herding dogs, and historic reenactors, on the beautiful grounds of this historic, 50 acre Gore Place Estate. Along with the crafts, demonstrations, and other en tertainment, the festival will feature handson activities for children and adults, and food vendors will be onsite. $20 adults, children under 12 free. goreplace.org.
Morningstar Program at Boston Children’s Museum:
x Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk April 23 & 24 Salisbury Nearly 200 fairy and gnome homes are peppered throughout this whimsical milelong walk through a wooded path at historic Pettengill Farm. Homes are created by professionals, families, school children, and local businesses. Enjoy artist exhibits, free crafts and ac tivities, live music, improv theater per formances, fairy tales read in the woods, food trucks and more. Tickets $7. fairygnomewalk.weebly.com.
Saturday, April 9. The museum is closed to the general public, ASL inter pretation may be available upon re quest. Dinner provided.
Mass Audubon Sensory Friendly Days. April 4, 11 & 25. An opportunity for families and children with autism and other sensory needs to connect with na ture at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, and Habitat Education Center in Belmont.
Discovery Museum Autism Friendly Evening: Saturday, April 30. Explore the mu seum and Discovery Woods during this special evening event for families with members on the autism spectrum. BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 17
BITES
nutrition
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BABY BOTTLE WOES? 5 things to do during a formula shortage Janelle Randazza
It’s important to consult your pedia trician about how to make the transition easier on your baby’s delicate digestive system, but that doesn’t mean that tran sitioning to another brand isn’t an op tion to explore. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician about options and alterna tives, which they can guide you through. “Most people think they have to stick with the formula they are currently us ing, but every brand likely has a version you can use, and it’s very easy to switch [with guidance]. Even if your baby has a sensitivity there is plenty of room to move up or down on the spectrum of formula,” says Barsella.
Reviewed.com
4. Start your baby on solid foods
USA TODAY NETWORK
A
s if having a newborn during a pandemic isn’t hard enough, recent baby formula shortages in certain parts of the country have thrust new parents into a state of panic. h The reason for the baby formula shortage is un clear. Chains like Walmart and CVS blame supply issues, while manu facturers like Gerber, Enfamil and Similac say retailers aren’t getting their products into stores once it is delivered. h Whatever the reason, bare shelves are causing parents of infants to panic. If you fi nd yourself looking at low levels of baby formula at home, we are here to tell you there is no need to stress. There are many options and smart steps you can take to keep your baby healthy and fed.
1. Shop beyond the grocery store A bare grocery store shelf may cause panic, but know that your local grocery isn’t the only place to buy or fi nd infant formula. You may be surprised to fi nd a better supply at drug stores, conve nience store chains, local pharmacies and baby specialty stores in your area. Manufacturer websites often have information on where to fi nd stock, so you can usually even check before you make the drive. If all else fails, you can also order in fant formula directly from the manufac turer. Most manufacturers seem to have full stock and can even off er discounts on subscription orders, to ensure you never run out.
you be unable to fi nd your preferred brand of baby formula. “Your pediatrician should be able to triage and troubleshoot for you,” he says. If your baby requires a specialized formula, your pediatrician can call in for medical requests to get them exactly what they need. Barsella also says that most pediatri cians’ offi ces can help in the event of an emergency. “Most have a [variety of samples] and a stock of products for children of complex needs. They don’t have enough supply to feed all of their patients, but, if you are waiting on a formula order, your pediatrician can help you make it through,” says Barsella.
2. Ask your pediatrician for help
3. Try a new formula brand
According to Adam Barsella, a pedia trician at Northwestern Medicine Cen tral DuPage Hospital in Winfi eld, Illi nois, your own pediatrician will likely have a host of solutions for you, should
As new moms know, there is a lot of brand loyalty when it comes to baby for mula. Changing baby formulas can be scary and can cause varying issues if it’s done too rapidly.
18 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
You should continue feeding with formula until your baby turns 1 year old, but if your child is over six months you can start to supplement nutrition with some solids. The CDC recommends that you intro duce one solid at a time to monitor for food intolerance and allergies. A good place to start is with fortifi ed cereal, mashed bananas or avocado, or even wellcooked and puréed meat, poultry and beans.
searches for how to make baby formula, but all experts agree, this is one thing you should never feed your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food and Drug Administration both caution parents against making their own baby formula. Infants have very specifi c nutritional needs, which require a very specifi c balance of hydra tion and nutritional density. Commercially manufactured infant formulas are carefully regulated to en sure that they deliver a specifi c balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates, mimicking what is found in breast milk. The FDA regulates commercial for mula for safety, both in the ingredients used and in the manufacturing process. There’s no way to guarantee the purity and safety of storebought ingredients and the multistep process that is often taken to make homemade formula opens the fi nal product up to bacterial contamination. “Unless you’re a chemist, this isn’t something you should do at home,” says Barsella. “I understand it’s stressful out there, but it’s very diffi cult to balance out all of the calories and nutrients that a child under 1 year old will need without causing problems.”
5. Give breastmilk a try Do not dilute baby formula While we are aware that many fam ilies use formula because they either need to supplement, can’t breastfeed or prefer not to, your own breast milk isn’t the only option for your baby. There are breast milk banks that can provide safe, pasteurized breast milk for your baby. Informal breast milk sharing – even between friends and community mem bers – is not recommended for health and safety reasons, so it’s best to con sult a regulated breast milk bank. To fi nd a milk bank, you can contact your nearest Human Milk Banking As sociation of America location. If they don’t have a milk bank near you they can help you fi nd a licensed location to ac cess breast milk that has been thor oughly vetted for safety.
Never make your own formula There has been an uptick in online
If you’re running low on supply, you may be tempted to dilute the formula you have on hand. Barsella cautions caregivers to never dilute breast milk. Extra water can be dangerous to ba bies. Diluting formula or breastmilk can interfere with an infant’s ability to ab sorb nutrients. This can cause seizures, brain damage and – in extreme cases – death. “This is one of the reasons parents shouldn’t make their own formula, but it extends to diluting what they have,” says Barsella, adding that an imbalance of water and nutrients can cause seri ous neurological issues down the road. “A more diluted formula might seem like a good idea as a shortterm solution, but it can result in lifelong neurological issues for the baby. It’s better to fi nd an other resource for feeding your baby the nutrients they require,” says Barsella.
GOOSE’S
goodies
BABY CHICK LEMON COOKIES A perfect treat for Easter or to celebrate spring, these cake mix cookies are simple to make and decorate -- a perfect kitchen project with the kids!
Ingredients 1 box lemon cake mix 2 eggs ⁄ 2 cup shortening
1
Yellow food coloring Mini chocolate chips Orange candy slices Orange frosting
Directions In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs, shortening and yellow food coloring until well blended. Batter will be thick. For each chick, roll two balls of dough, one bigger than the other. Aim for about 1 1⁄ 2 inches for the larger ball, and about 3⁄ 4 inch for the smaller one. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet with the smaller ball just touching the larger ball. Bake at 350 degrees for 1012 minutes, or until edges of the cookies are golden brown. While the cookies are still warm, press in two mini chocolate chips into the small section for the eyes. Remove cookies from the cookie sheet and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut the edges off the orange slice candy to make the beaks. “Glue” the beak on with a little orange frosting. Pipe on frosting feet to fi nish the chicks.
Known as “Goose” to her grandkids, Laurie Silva Collins has perfected her recipes over years of cooking for her three daughters and six grandchildren.
AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 19
feature
We have to talk with our kids about sexual abuse.
HERE’S WHAT TO SAY
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Amanda Collins Bernier Bay State Parent Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
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 or has a persistant cough. Search from a list of symptoms or by body area.
H
ave you talked to your kids about sexual abuse? It can feel like an awkward and scary topic to broach with children, but experts say it’s important to discuss in a frank and open way. Just like you talk to kids about why they need to wash their hands or wear a bike helmet, you should approach the topic from a personal safety perspective. h The truth is, child sexual abuse happens – probably more than you think. Statistics say that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys are sexually abused before they’re adults, and in 90% of cases, sexually abused children know their abuser. But in reality, the numbers could be even higher because so much of it is not discussed or reported. The Committee for Children hopes to change that with their Hot Chocolate Talk campaign, a public awareness eff ort that launches April 1 for Child Abuse Prevention Month. It provides simple, researchbased conversation starters to help you weave these critical safety conversations into everyday interactions you have with your children such as during bedtime, read ing time, and at meals. Where do you start? What should you say? We talked with Dr. Tia Kim, a researcher, mom of two boys and Vice President of Education, Research & Impact at Committee for Children to get some advice.
Why is something as simple as a conversation so powerful when it comes to protecting children from sexual abuse? The data around child sexual abuse can be really scary for parents, but research shows that children who are informed about their bodies and who feel 20 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
comfortable talking openly with a trusted adult are less likely to be abused and more likely to disclose abuse if it happens. Simple conversations can be such powerful and eff ective prevention tools for families because they give parents and caregivers opportuni ties to inform children about their bodies, set safety rules, and build trust.
How can we normalize this safety talk for parents who feel uncomfortable? I know having this kind of discussion with children can feel uncomfortable for some parents, but it doesn’t have to. The easiest way to normalize having safety conversations with your kids is to have them early in children’s lives and often as children grow. The Com mittee for Children created the free Hot Chocolate Talk howto guides, so parents and caregivers don’t have to worry about what to say or when to say it. Available for free at hotchocolatetalk.org, the guides provide fam
ilies with the precise ageappropriate words they can use to start these important safety conversations with children and continue the conversations as children grow up. In my experience, the more often parents have these talks with their kids, the more comfortable the conversation becomes.
It’s suggested that this conversation begins early, but this seems like a scary topic for a toddler. How do we talk to young children about unsafe touching in a natural, approachable way? Many parents are surprised to hear that the best time to start having these conversations is when your child begins naming their own body parts. When talk ing with children ages 05, I recommend keeping the conversations simple and focus on a couple things to help lay a foundation for future conversations. Teach toddlers the anatomically correct names for their body parts. This is important because if they are harmed, children can accurately describe what hap pened. A great time to do this is during bath time with young kids. I also recommend parents teach children to refuse unsafe touching. Let your child know that it’s okay to refuse touches, even if it’s a hug from a relative or an activity that seems fun, like tickling. Practice assert iveness together. Model standing up tall and refusing uncomfortable situations with a calm voice. For exam ple, parents can tell children things like “If something makes you uncomfortable, you can say: ‘Stop. I don’t like that.’”
How should the conversation change as children get older? As children get older and begin spending more time away from their parents, it’s important that they know safety rules to help keep them safe from harm. For ex ample, parents can tell children ages 68 things like “Bathing suits cover the parts of the body that are meant to be private, which means they are not for oth ers to see or touch.” I also recommend parents create a family safety plan, so children know safe, trusted adults to contact if they have a safety concern. Families can also try role playing or asking “What if ” questions to give children a chance to practice skills such as how to refuse unwant ed touch. As children approach adolescence, they often have questions about what’s normal and are beginning to have more unsupervised time online, so they need to know how to stay safe from abuse in person and on line. When children reach ages 910, this is a great time to review family safety rules, go into more detail about privacy, and reinforce the lesson that keeping secrets is not okay. Families can tell children things like “No one should take or ask for photos of your private body parts or show you photos of other people’s private parts, in person or online” or “If anyone ever makes you feel uncomfortable, you can tell me. I will believe you and keep you safe.”
What’s the right time to bring up the topic of consent to a teenager? It's important to start having these types of conver
Some resources where families can get help include: h Childhelp www.childhelp.org | 8004224453 h Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network www.rainn.org | 8006564673 h National Sexual Violence Resource Center www.nsvrc.org | 8777393895 h National Human Trafficking Hotline 8883737888 | or text HELP to 233733
feelings in your body, like butterfl ies in your tummy. That might mean a situation is not okay.” 2. Teach children to REFUSE unsafe behavior and situations. For example, “It’s always okay to say ‘No,’ even if you’ve already said ‘Yes.’ Your feelings and safe ty come fi rst.” 3. Teach children to REPORT unsafe behavior and situations. For example, “Never keep secrets about touching. If anyone ever makes you feel uncomfort able, you can tell me. I will believe you and keep you safe.” The 3 Rs provides a framework that really helps par ents set specifi c safety rules that will work best for their families.
What should you do if a child discloses abuse to you? sations young, so as your child grows older, they will see you as a safe and trusted source to come to talk about any diffi cult or tough topic. Tweens and teens often fi nd it easier to talk when they’re not looking di rectly at someone, so the best time to connect may be while riding in a car or cooking a meal together. Per sonal safety rules might also need to be framed in a way that’s less directive than what you would teach a younger child. I encourage parents of tweens and teens to be adap tive and available. If you talk to your tween or teen openly and often, you can be their trusted source of information and better prepare them for relationships and risks. Many parents fi nd opportunities to talk about consent in everyday conversations about their tween or teen’s social life. For example, parents can say, “I know you have strong feelings for your girl friend, so even though it may seem awkward, we need to talk about safety and consent.”
If your child discloses abuse, here’s what you should do and say right away: h Stay calm, even if it’s diffi cult. Ask your child to tell you more about what happened. h Tell your child that you believe them and it’s not their fault. Research shows that children rarely lie about experiencing abuse. h Tell your child you’ll get some help and keep them safe. For more information on how families should re spond if kids disclose abuse, and for agebyage guides to having these conversations, visit hotchocolatetalk.org.
We often think of sexual abuse as a physical violation. What should parents make sure their kids know when it comes to being online? Just as families have safety rules for inperson in teractions, they should also teach children clear safety rules for interactions online. For example, in my house, my sons are only allowed to play video games with people they know in real life. That’s a rule that helps my family, but it may be diff erent for others. I recom mend families teach children that it’s not safe for someone to ask for their personal information, and it’s not safe to send or receive pictures of private body parts. Reinforce the lesson that it’s okay for children to say no to and refuse behavior online that makes them uncomfortable. And ensure that if your child does have an unsafe interaction online, they know to tell you or another trusted adult you’ve identifi ed in your family safety plan.
Presenting puppets, princesses, pirates, storytelling and much more! Call today for more information
What are examples of some simple personal safety rules parents can lay out for their kids? Each family will have its own approach to setting safety rules, but we encourage families to incorporate the three Rs into their family rules: 1. Teach children to RECOGNIZE unsafe behavior and situations. For example, “Pay attention to diff erent
All Ages. Birthday Parties, Schools, Fairs, Day Care Centers, Etc.
www.rosalitaspuppets.com 617-633-2832
WM-29204065
BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 21
feature
7 fun
w Pop Fidget Toy
AMAZ ON.CO
EASTER GIFTS
M
Carrots aren’t just for the Easter Bunny! You can find kidfavorite popits in all shapes and sizes, including this one that’s perfect for Easter. $7.99, amazon.com.
x Totes Bubble Umbrella
for kids Looking for something other than chocolate bunnies and marshmallow peeps to fill their baskets? Check out these fun finds.
Be prepared for those April showers! The clear canopy lets little ones see what’s ahead, and rounded tips and a pinchproof closure keeps little hands safe. $19.83, amazon.com.
ROSHAMBO
x Unbreakable Shades
STANLEY JR.
AMAZON.COM
SQUEAKEE
Roshambo sunglasses feature bendable frames that are virtually unbreakable. They come in sizes from baby to adult and have swappable lenses. $20 and up, roshambobaby.com.
SPICE OF LIFE
x Squeakee Minis Bunny
x SMiLE Soft LED Lantern This charming little lantern glows in the dark in off mode. Turn it on when you need a little more light; hang it as a lantern or use it as a flashlight. $14.50, spiceoflifeusa. com.
22 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
Poppy the Bunny looks just like a balloon animal, but is a lot more fun. Make it “inflate,” squeak, or repeat what you say in a hilarious helium voice. $9.82, wal mart.com.
x Birdhouse Kit Kiddos will love seeing who moves in this spring. Each cus tom kit includes precut wood pieces, tools and paint to create a oneofakind birdhouse. $24.99, stanleyjr.com.
x Egg Chalk A seasonal twist on a timeless classic, this sidewalk chalk shaped like eggs is easy for little hands to hold. $9.99, amazon.com.
DIY Save broken crayons from the trash and create these easy Earth Day inspired crayons. AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
Recycled
EARTH DAY crayons
U
p to 75,000 pounds of broken or unwanted crayons end up in U.S. landfi lls every year. This Earth Day, recycle old crayons with this ecofriendly craft. Mix diff erent shades of blue and green, and add in bits of white and yellow to create these whimsical crayons. No two will be the same!
What You Need Crayons Muffin tin or other ovensafe round mold
How to Make Them Peel the paper off the crayons. To make this easier, you can soak the crayons in warm soapy water before peeling. Break the crayons into small pieces that will fi t into the mold. Place different colors in each mold, layered about 1inch deep. Place the mold on a baking sheet, and bake in a 250 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until the crayons are melted. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven, and let cool for about 30 minutes before removing the crayons from the molds. WM-29205150
BayStateParent | APRIL 2022 | 23
Introducing our new IVF Center. No matter how your path to pregnancy turns, we’re prepared for every step and every stage.
The path to pregnancy can be an overwhelming maze of emotions. You need the right team with the right capabilities. That’s why we’re pleased to announce the addition of our on-site IVF Center to round out our robust fertility services — ensuring convenient, state-of-the-art care, close to home. Reach out today to schedule your appointment.
For appointments, call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763) or visit umassmemorial.org/IVF. 24 | APRIL 2022 | BayStateParent
