BaystateParent January 2022

BaystateParent MASSACHUSETTS’

PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES SINCE 1996

JANUARY 2022 | PRICELESS

+ 10 Outdoor Ice Rinks Child Tax Credits: What to Know How to Build a Snow Fort

TINY &

Photographer mom showcases resilience of NICU grads

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2 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440

978-630-6228

contents Table of

January 2022

volume 26

number 9

in every issue 5 5 6 7 12 23

Editor’s note

Chicken tortilla soup will warm a cold day.

Finally Forever Good to Know Herding Goofballs Very Special People DIY: Tin Can Bird Feeder

on the agenda 14

The List: 10 Spots for Outdoor Ice Skating

16

January Adventures: 13 Things To Do With The Kids This Month

bites 20

Goose’s Goodies: Chicken Tortilla Soup

21

Nutrition: Low-Fat or Whole Milk for Kids?

features

8

What to Know About Advance Child Tax Credits

22

How to Build a Snow Fort

BaystateParent + MASSACHUSETTS’

PREMIER MAGAZINE

FOR FAMILIES SINCE

1996

JANUARY 2022

| PRICELESS

10 Outdoor Ice Rinks Child Tax Credits: What to Know How to Build a Snow Fort

Photographer mom showcases resilience of NICU grads

TINY &

MIGHTY

10 on the cover

Kerry Callahan's daughter Hailey, born at 24 weeks.

KERRY CALLAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 3

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2020

editor’s note

GETTY IMAGES

January’s Children: Meet Ash and Emily

FINALLY

forever

Hi, our names are Ash and Emily and we want to be adopted together!

Emily and Ash, ages 13 and 14, are friendly and sweet siblings who are looking to be adopted together. Emily is a kind, humorous, sweet, and helpful girl. Very sociable, she makes friends easily, although she sometimes can miss social cues. She enjoys drawing, painting, watching anime and YouTube videos, and going swimming. She easily engages in conversations and loves to talk about her day. Ash, who uses they/them pronouns, works hard on building self-esteem, getting involved in the community, expressing emotions, and exploring their gender identity. In school, they do very well in the classes that they enjoy. Ash does report that they are shy but can be outgoing when they feel comfortable.

Legally freed for adoption, Emily and Ash would thrive in a supportive and committed two-parent family or in a strong singleparent home. The ideal family would provide these siblings with structure, clear boundaries, and a nurturing and attentive environment. A home with other children in it would be welcomed as well as families with no children. Their new family must be willing to help these siblings maintain contact with their biological younger brother.

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) 964-6273 or visitwww.mareinc.org.

What happened to 2021?

It seems like just yesterday I was sitting at my computer, my belly about to pop, writing a farewell column to 2020. I blinked, and here I am with a one-year-old toddling around and another New Year here.

I’ve always loved the promise of a new year; the idea of new beginnings. For many, it’s a time to commit to making positive changes or reaching goals -- however little or lofty they may be.

I’m one of the 41 percent of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions, and they typically fall into the same general themes: exercise more, eat healthier, save more, you know the drill. And, like most others, by the time Groundhog Day rolls around I’ve typically abandoned my good intentions and gone back to my old habits.

But this year, I’m making just one promise, and I’m keeping it. Really. It’s simple, but in light of the last year, it’s probably the most important resolution I’ve made.

In 2022, I resolve to slow down.

Time fl ies, we all know that, and the impression that our lives speed up as we get older is so widespread that it has become conventional wisdom.

But nothing makes time pass at the warp speed it does as when you’re watching your children grow up. In fact, studies have even found that parents perceive time as passing more quickly than do non-parents. Since nothing will slow

the clock, I’m planning to be more intentional about slowing myself.

When I look back on 2021, the little moments are my favorites. Going for walks around the neighborhood, making cookies with my 4year-old, or playing wiffl e ball in the yard. This year, I plan to linger in those times just a little longer. To slow down and soak in the small stuff . Instead of adding anything to my to-do list this year, I plan on taking things off . Instead of stressing about making special moments with my kids, I want to step back and relish the quiet moments that unfold everyday, but get missed in the blur of life.

Are you making New Year’s resolutions for 2022? However you’re planning to be a better, happier parent, I’d love to hear about it. You can email me at acollinsbernier@gannett.com.

And if you haven’t made any resolutions, no worries. Another new year will be here before you know it.

Amanda

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BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 5

GOOD TO

know

HELLO MY NAME IS When it comes to reading to toddlers, you may want to ditch the device and flip through a book instead.

A new study finds that children engage more with stories if they’re read from a real book.

The University of Michigan studied parents and young children ages 2 to 3 reading the same nursery rhymes from tablets and books. They found that parents talked more to their children when reading them a real book, while children also responded more to this conversation than if a tablet was used.

This is important because parent-child interactions are crucial to future developmental outcomes in language, friendships, and school success, researchers said.

They added that parents should also co-view digital media with their children, asking questions and talking to help their children engage and learn.

HELLO MYHELLO NAME IS

The name experts at Nameberry have projected the most common sources of inspiration for new parents in 2022.

HELLO

MY NAME IS

MY NAME IS

Are grandmothers more connected to their grandchildren than their own kids? One study says yes.

Researchers at Emory University used functional magnetic resonance imaging to scan grandmothers’ brains as they looked at photos of their grandchild, the child’s parents and images of an unrelated child and adult.

“When grandmothers viewed photographs of their grandchildren, they particularly activated brain regions that have previously been associated with emotional empathy, suggesting that grandmothers may be predisposed to share the emotional states of their grandchildren,” James Rilling, a professor of anthropology, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, told USA Today.

The study found that when a grandmother saw a photo of their grandchild it activated parts of their brain associated with emotional empathy and movement. When the grandmothers saw a photo of their adult child, it activated areas of the brain associated with cognitive empathy.

According to researchers, the grandmothers were attempting to emotionally empathize with their grandchildren while trying to cognitively understand what their adult children were thinking.

“That suggests that grandmothers are geared toward feeling what their grandchildren are feeling when they interact with them,” Rilling said. “If their grandchild is smiling, they’re feeling the child’s joy. And if their grandchild is crying, they’re feeling the child’s pain and distress.”

From “Bear” to “Cosmo” to “Rhythm,” there may be some unique baby names may be in store this year.

Nameberry expects the trends to fall into ten categories, ranging from playful or nature-themed (Birdie, Forest) to Bridgerton-inspired or non-binary (Daphne, Benedict, Avery, Dylan).

Spirit and soul names (think Praise, Dream) along with retro, nostalgic names (Hank, Etta), will also be popular. The website says musical names (Lyric, Cadence), punchy R names (Rhodes, Rue), and names ending in S (Wells, Banks), will also be on-trend.

Liam and Olivia were the most popular names of 2021. The top ten baby girl names remained relatively constant since 2020, but there was some movement on the boys’ side, with a pair of new names – Levi and Asher – entering the top ten.

After nearly two years of transforming their homes into classrooms and offices, families are ready for a vacation – and letting kids call the shots.

According to VRBO’s 2022 Trend Report, which predicts what’s likely to shape family travel in the year to come, kids are a big part of the vacation picture.

Compared to pre-pandemic times, half of families said they’re more likely to let their kids decide where they vacation, and 1 in 3 are more likely to let their kids invite a friend.

But it’s quality time over all else. More than 60% of families said they’re more likely to require their children to disconnect from their devices on vacation. That way, everyone can indulge in the change of scenery and enjoy the precious time away together.

6 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

GETTY IMAGES ILLUSTRATIONS

goofballs

IN LIFE AND (GERBIL) DEATH Josh Farnsworth

There was no escaping the obvious. An already gray and dismal day turned drearier with a simple discovery in the living room.

Alone in the house working, I made the unfortunate discovery. There he was. Swedish Gerbil, one of two family gerbils, had drawn his last gerbil breath. Gone was the little ball of energy, who spent his glory days playing with his brother, Patrick (our other gerbil), jumping and hanging from the top of his cage like a daredevil rock climber and destroying empty paper towel rolls by the dozen to make more bedding.

And for fun. Swedish loved himself a good paper towel roll to eviscerate.

My brain tried to fi gure out what happened.

Patrick seemed fi ne. Side note: After a thorough investigation of the scene, Patrick was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, he was asked to not leave the cage

in case I had any other questions.

But mostly my brain went to my two goofballs, who would be coming home in a couple hours. This was the fi rst time my kids would be learning of someone they were very close to had passed on, so the words had to be perfect. Playing out the scene in my head, I didn’t know what to expect.

Would what I say traumatize them for life? Would they take this loss a million times harder if I botch this? I spent about 10 years of my writing career delivering news, but here it was - an animal the size of a tennis ball leaving me helplessly lost for words.

Forget “the talk”, I thought.

This is the real hard talk to have.

(Although, I will save this line for when they are teenagers and I am a bumbling mess trying to explain that fun Pandora’s box of questions).

Death is a tricky subject to broach with young kids and scripting my answer, after thinking of it all afternoon, just seemed like it wouldn’t come off well. What made the news double tricky was the fact that the kids were elated to celebrate their fi rst birthday two days from this grim moment.

After some planning - and cleaning of the cage - I welcomed the kids home and sat them down. I told them Swedish had died.

From there, two very diff erent things happened.

My oldest son, who was fonder of Swedish, was an emotional wreck for a few hours. All we could do is reassure him that his gerbil buddy was given a good life. He was loved. He was entertained.

On the other end of the emotional spectrum, my youngest son did not cry a single tear. Nope. Instead, he had questions. And statements.

They were about life and death. They were introspective about his relationship with the gerbils.

Really, he wanted to talk out these feelings. A lot. So much so that he got to the point at dinner when my oldest had fi nally calmed down, we had to encourage our youngest to perhaps… ya know… maybe chill on the Swedish talk.

Read the room, kid. Read the room.

But his response was miraculous. He was comforting to his older brother. He even spent several minutes explaining very candidly by the glass of the cage to Patrick what had happened.

Their starkly diff erent reactions to the same traumatic event enabled us parents to point out something very important that I hope they carry with them: we all mourn diff erently, but if we mourn together, we can help each other through anything. No response is wrong. We’re all just built a little diff erently.

With a birthday still on the horizon for Patrick, we opted to have a Gerbil Celebration of Life. In other words, the kids got to pick what we ate for dinner and dessert. We also talked about Swedish and the joy he brought to us.

Oh, and that other thing.

“This means we are getting a new gerbil, right??!”

Yeah, but maybe we wait to get excited about that until after our celebration dinner is over.

The next day, we decided to have a brief burial service in the backyard. We found a spot near a tree that got more sunlight than most locations in our yard. My oldest even used a rock to carve a headstone out for Swedish on a thinner rock.

You catch yourself sometimes in life, as a parent, in bizarre places under bizarre circumstances. Digging a hole in the backyard and then giving a eulogy for a small rat-like creature is up there.

These are the places that don’t come in the parents’ manual when you sign up. I suppose the best you can do, when death comes around, is to emphasize both the joy they

brought and not worry about the trauma of the moment and let your kids express themselves how they need to when hearing that news.

As of this writing, Patrick is doing fi ne. The Farnsworth family is looking into the best way to introduce a new friend soon.

And as for you, Swedish Gerbil, thanks for the memories. We’ll visit your handmade burial plot often to say hello.

May the paper towel rolls they provide you in gerbil heaven never end.

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.

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BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 7

feature

I

f you are one of the 36 million American families who received Advance Child Tax Credit payments this year and have questions about how that will aff ect your 2021 tax fi ling you are not alone.

The COVID-19 relief bill gave a boost to the Child Tax Credit, from $2,000 to $3,600 for kids under six and $3,000 for each child between six and 17. Many parents already received half of those Child Tax Credits in the form of six, monthly checks that started hitting bank accounts over the summer, and in 2022 will receive the remaining balance of the bonus Child Tax Credit.

In addition, if you had a baby in 2021 you should be eligible for another $1,400 stimulus check from COVID-19 relief funds after fi ling your 2021 tax return through the American Rescue Plan.

We sat down with Michael Duff y of Fletcher Tilton PC on Main Street in Worcester, a tax attorney since 2010, to answer the questions on many parents’ minds.

Q: What was the idea behind the Advance Child Tax Credit payments?

What you need to know about the

ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDITS Danielle Ray

8 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

A: The Child Tax Credit has been in the tax code for a long time as a relief provision to assist families with children, but until 2021 the Child Tax Credit did not provide any benefi t to qualifying families until they fi led their income tax returns in the following year.

The idea behind the Advance Child Tax Credit payments was to put 50% of the estimated Child Tax Credit due to a family into their bank account before the end of the year via a series of monthly installments. Based on a family’s prior income tax returns, the IRS was instructed to automatically determine who would likely be eligible for benefi ts in 2021 and begin making monthly payments in July of this year.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury estimates that Advanced Child Tax Credit payments have been paid to families having some 59 million children.

Q: Who was eligible to receive the payments?

A: In order to receive Advanced Child Tax Credit payments in 2021 a family needs to show it fi rst qualifi es for the Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit provides a dollar-for-dollar off set to a family’s federal income tax liability and in some cases can provide a refund even if no tax is due. The amount of the Child Tax Credit was $2,000 per child in 2020 but for the 2021 tax year was increased to $3,000 per child and $3,600 for each child under the age of six. In order to qualify for a Child Tax Credit, a family needs to have a child who is under the age of 18 at the end of 2021, the child needs to live with them, and the family has to provide at least half of the child’s total yearly fi nancial support.

The Child Tax Credit is designed to provide an incentive for families with incomes below certain thresholds. For families with annual joint spousal incomes over $150,000 or $112,500 for head of household fi lers, the amount of Child Tax Credit they are eligible for is reduced or eliminated altogether. The IRS used the most-recent available data to determine which families were likely to qualify for the Advanced Child Tax Credit payments in 2021. This information was mainly how much income and how many children a family reported on their 2019 or 2020 income

tax returns. For families that did not fi le income tax returns in 2019 or 2020, the IRS created a portal for families to notify the IRS if they are eligible to receive advanced payments.

Q: What does this mean for doing your 2021 taxes - will it change or add anything to the process?

A: A family may not know with certainty whether they are eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit, nor the amount of the credit, until the end of the year. This is especially the case for families with incomes over the income phase-out threshold of $150,000 or $112,500 for head of household. Because the IRS is using old information to determine whether a family will qualify for the Child Tax Credit, and how much credit they may be eligible for, the process has the potential generate a bad estimate.

When families fi le their taxes for 2021, they will need to take into account the amount of Advanced Child Tax Credit they have already been provided during the year. Because this portion of the Child Tax Credit has already been paid, it will reduce the potential refund available. If, for whatever reason, the family determines it qualifi es for less Child Tax Credit than the IRS estimated and already paid out, it is possible that a portion of any Advanced Child Tax Credit already re-

ceived may need to be paid back.

Q: Will you get less Child Tax Credit back than usual if you received the Advanced Child Tax Credit this year?

A: The Advanced Child Tax Credit is just a portion of the estimated Child Tax Credit a family is entitled to, paid out before their annual tax return is fi led. Receipt of the Advanced Child Tax Credit will reduce the Child Tax Credit a family is entitled to receive as a tax refund the following year, but ultimately will not impact the total amount of tax credit they are eligible for under the tax code. Because the Child Tax Credit was increased from $2,000 per child to $3,000 or $3,600, and because the advanced portion is only 50% of the total estimated credit, most families will likely receive an additional Child Tax Credit refund when they fi le their 2021 income tax returns.

Q: What about people with children born in 2021, are they able to receive the tax credit next year if they didn’t this year?

A: The Child Tax Credit provides an incentive for families with qualifying children who were living at any point during the tax year. This includes children born on December 31st and children who may have died during the year. Of course, the IRS will likely not

know about a birth in time to pay out any Advanced Child Tax Credit, as the estimates are generally based on a return fi led for a previous year.

Q: How was Advanced Child Tax Credit benefi cial to families, especially during the pandemic and people feeling the fi nancial ramifi cations from it?

A: The Child Tax Credit was expanded in 2021 and paid in advanced payments in part to combat any lingering economic anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. A study released by the Poverty Center at Columbia University over the summer estimates that the expanded amount and Advanced Child Tax Credit together have worked to reduce the child poverty rate in the United States by up to 40%. Ultimately, we may not know the full impact of this program for some time, but surely there are a large number of families where an additional $300 per month in the latter half of the year has made a diff erence.

Without Congressional action, the Advanced Child Tax Credit and the expanded per-child benefi t are set to expire at the end of 2021. Congress is currently debating whether to continue similar benefi ts for the 2022 tax year and beyond.

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BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 9

cover story

TINY AND

MIGHTY Photographer mom showcases resilience of NICU grads

10 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

K

Amanda Collins Bernier Bay State Parent Magazine | USA TODAY NETWORK

erry Callahan, a newborn photographer from West Boylston, was just over halfway through her pregnancy -- 22 weeks along -- when she went into labor. h It was her third baby, and up until then everything about her pregnancy had been normal. Scared but hopeful, she underwent a cervical

cerclage -- a procedure in which a doctor sews the cervix closed -- to help prevent a preterm delivery. h It lasted two weeks. h Hailey, who was due in June, was born Jan.

4, 2016. She weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces; so small that her tiny eyes were still fused shut.

For the fi ve months Hailey spent in the NICU at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Callahan felt a constant internal tug-of-war. She wanted to be with her baby, who spent the fi rst six weeks of her life intubated, but also had two children at home and a working husband. She’d spend mornings and weekends at the hospital with Hailey, then go home and try to bring some semblance of normalcy to her older children.

But nothing felt normal.

“You’re like a deer in the headlights,” Callahan said of the early days in the NICU. She found support in the community of other parents all going through the same thing.

“I remember when I was brand new there, this other mom sort of yelled over to me across the aisle. She asked me about my baby and told me about hers,” she said. “Then eventually you’re not the new mom anymore. And other new moms come in and you take them under your wing and tell them it’s going to be OK.” Today, Hailey is a spirited, healthy kindergartner, but Callahan will never forget the terrifying fi rst few months of her life. For many parents of preemies, fear can overshadow the joy of welcoming a new baby.

“What you need during that time is hope,” she said.

Callahan, now a mom of four, is providing that hope by capturing Hailey, and other NICU grads, with her camera.

She photographs former NICU patients who are thriving today as “big kids,” each holding a framed photo of themselves from their NICU stay, along

with their gestational age and weight at birth. The portraits capture the fi ghting spirit of the littlest babies.

Dozens of children from across Massachusetts are featured in Callahan’s photography project.

One of the tiniest is Anastasia, who was born at 24 weeks and weighed just 1 pound, 8 ounces. Many of the children, like Hailey, were born premature. Others were born fullterm, but still spent time in the NICU for various reasons or complications.

Five of the portraits hang in the NICU at UMass, a welcome sight for families and staff there.

“Both families and faculty love seeing pictures of success stories that come out of the NICU,” said Dr. Lawrence M. Rhein, Chief of Neonatology, a triplet who spent time in the NICU as a newborn. “Some days, it is the inspiration we need as a pick us up when the unit is busy or we have a sad case. Everyone in the unit is giving all they have to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes - having the inspirational stories and pictures inspires us to keep working hard, and also makes us proud of the work we’re doing.”

The collection was also made into “Hailey’s Book of Hope,” a photo book that, with the help of sponsors, Callahan has sent to NICUs around the country.

Recently, the book made its way into the hands of parents who had booked a newborn photo session with Callahan but ended up having their baby six weeks early.

“They said it helped them to

see all these babies thriving.

That was a full circle moment,” Callahan said.

Callahan would love to showcase more NICU grads and hopes to eventually make the project a yearly endeavor.

She is also looking for sponsors to help fund more books.

“I love the exposure for these babies, and showing how strong they are,” she said.

“To see them then, and to see them now, it’s just incredible.”

For more information about “Hailey’s Book of Hope” email kerry@kerrycallahanphotography.com.

PHOTOS BY KERRY CALLAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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VERY SPECIAL

people

What’s next?

Preparing for your child aging out of the educational system Christopher White, Ed.D. CEO, Road to Responsibility

For families of children with disabilities on the cusp of aging out of the educational system – typically at age 22 – and into adult life, there is much to think about. Is a job on the horizon? Is post-secondary education a consideration? What are the residential options?

At age 22 there is a cliff – services convert from being an entitlement to becoming voluntary non-entitlement, all subject to state regulations and the availability of resources. The need to begin a transition plan and address these potentially life-altering decisions, at least two years prior to this milestone, is critical.

Preparation for the transition process occurs through the child’s school, which is responsible for providing support options to meet post-high school goals to the best of the child’s abilities. School districts work in concert with other entities within state government, most notably the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). It’s important for families to become well acquainted with the adult service provider network well in advance of their child turning 22, as the smoothest transitions are predicated on a good fi t between the individual’s needs and the provider’s abilities.

Each service provider network has a slightly diff erent focus in terms of the populations served. For example, a program focused on providing day services for people with autism will look diff erent from one serving people with signifi cant physical disabilities.

12 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

The most likely outcome for people who are eligible for services through DDS is funding for day and employment programs. Community Based Day Support (CBDS) services are, broadly, geared toward younger people, with a goal of getting out into society, exploring employment, and engaging in a variety of enrichment activities. Day habilitation programs are designed for people who are older or medically complex and strive to help them acquire and maintain skills needed to be successful living in the community and provide access to regular therapies, such as speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies.

CBDS is particularly benefi cial for young adults who have

completed their education.

While school systems are quite proactive about exposing students to opportunities in the workplace, there are only so many hours in the day that educators can focus their attentions on introducing these employment and volunteerism prospects. As such, students moving forward to their adult lives may be unaware of the breadth of opportunities that exist within their own community.

Here is where provider organizations can get people involved in a transitional step known as group employment.

This step can greatly benefi t those who are unsure if they want a job, but recognize the importance of securing employment, or those who are being encouraged by parents/ family members to seek employment yet are anxious about taking this major life leap. Group employment allows for more of a gentle transition. In this scenario, fi rsttime employees work parttime at local businesses within a small group setting and are accompanied by a staff person from the provider organization.

Typical jobs include restocking shelves at grocery stores or cleaning and hanging clothes at department stores, but there is no real limit to the kinds of jobs and settings where group employment can, and does, occur. IT-related posts provide great opportunities for those with autism in particular. Scanning and organizing documents, categorizing fi les, and shredding are just a few of the wide range of different job prospects often available to those transitioning out of the educational system.

Since group employment is part-time and alongside a group of friends they have come to know from the provider organization – and with the on-site reassurance from a provider staff member – the sense of aloneness and anxiety is diminished.

This transitional step also allows people to try working at a few sites to discover the type of job or industry they prefer, and then move on to individual career development with the goal of securing independent employment.

For families who need resi-

dential support for their adult child, the challenges can be many. The young adult must fi rst be deemed eligible for residential support by DDS. If that priority gets the green light, chances are good that a shared living placement will be offered at fi rst. This arrangement can be likened to foster care; the person lives with a family that is specially trained in understanding the needs of the individual.

Many families struggle with the shared living space concept – this is one of the many reasons why the more planning that is done in advance, the better off all will be. Families who prefer a group home situation should be aware that the wait can be long for placement. Group homes are centered around individuals who share a common disability, such as autism, or intellectual or learning incapacities. Group homes create an environment with a focus on routine, common goals, and cooperation with close staff supervision to ensure safety and promote independence and appropriate behavior. Applicants need to consider the entire family context when presenting a case to DDS for group home placement; the case should be as accurate and compelling as possible as to why the adult child needs a group home setting instead of shared living. Take all family matters into consideration. Do both parents work?

Does one parent have a grave illness?

Residential services can be quite expensive; those fi nding a spot in a group home nowadays typically have medical and behavioral needs in addition to intellectual disability.

Start early, plan comprehensively, and become acquainted with area providers and the types of services they off er. Additionally, parents need to be open to the reality that their son or daughter may want something diff erent than what they want.

Christopher White, Ed.D. is CEO of Road to Responsibility (www.roadtoresponsibility.org), which off ers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout southern Massachusetts.

BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 13

THE

list

10 OUTDOOR ICE RINKS

The perfect antidote for cabin fever, ice skating is fun for kids of all ages. Here’s where you can bundle up and go for a glide.

Worcester Common Oval - Worcester The City’s 12,000-square-foot rink (4,000 square feet larger than the rink at New York City’s Rockefeller Center!) is located on the common directly behind Worcester City Hall and is professionally managed by the DCU Center’s team. It boasts piped-in music, skate rentals, concessions, holiday lights and more. Open Friday 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, school vacation and holidays 1-6 p.m. General admission $5, kids under 5 free.

Skate rentals $5. worcesterma.gov.

Sturbridge Town Common - Sturbridge GETTY IMAGES

An open-air rink on the town’s picturesque common is open for free each winter from dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Bring your own skates. After skating, head across the street to warm up with a hot drink and goodie from the historic Publick House bakery. sturbridge.gov.

Stoneham Town Common Skating is a Stoneham tradition, with the town sending locals to 5 Winter Olympics for hockey and figure-skating, most recently medalist Nancy Kerrigan. In winter, there is a free public skating rink on the Stoneham Common on Main Street, open from 9 to 9 daily. Bring your own skates. explorestoneham.com.

CHRISTINE PETERSON

14 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

Jack Kirrane Skating Rink

THE FENWAY

This public rink at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline has a heated pavilion to warm up in, and offers both figure and hockey skate rentals. Skaters must pre-register for open skate ahead of time online through Brookline Recreation.

Public skate is open Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:45-11:45 a.m.; Friday 12-1 p.m. and 1:15-2:15 p.m.; and weekends 1:15-2:15 p.m., 2:30-3:30 p.m. and 3:45-4:45 p.m. Admission is $6, rentals are $7. brooklinerec.com.

BROOKLINE RECREATION

The Rink at 401 Park

MarketStreet Rink

This 6,000-square-foot rink in Boston’s bustling Fenway neighborhood is the ultimate winter playground, featuring themed nights, skating lessons and more. Open weekdays 3-9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Adults $10, children $6, skate rentals $6. 401park.com/icerink.

The North Shore’s largest open air shopping center, MarketStreet in Lynnfield offers everything from retail shopping to dining and entertainment -- and outdoor ice skating. The rink is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 3-8 p.m.; Wednesday 1-8 p.m.; Friday 3-9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Admission is $10, kids under 3 skate free. Rentals are $5. marketstreetlynnfield.com .

Boston Common Frog Pond Named USA Today’s Best Outdoor Ice Rink in the U.S., the Frog Pond is situated in the heart of the nation’s oldest public park and features unbeatable skyline views.

Skate rentals and sharpening, “skating seals” for unsteady kiddos, lockers and hot cocoa are available. Public ice skating is offered seven days a week, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (closes at 3:45 p.m. on Mondays).

Admission is based on the skater’s height: 58+ inches $6, and free for skaters under 58 inches. Rentals are $12 for adults and $6 for kids. bostonfrogpond.com.

Skating on the Square This community ice skating rink is located at Monument Square in Downtown Leominster and run by the city. Bring your skates and enjoy skating downtown under the lights.

Hours and rental information TBA. leominster-ma.gov.

LEOMINSTER ICE RINK

BOSTON COMMON FROG POND

Winter Skate at Patriot Place The 60-by-140-foot rink in the shadow of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough is large enough to accommodate beginners and experts alike, and its professional, refrigerated surface provides ideal skating conditions at all times. There’s an observation deck for nonskaters, on-site skate rentals, concessions and bathrooms.

Patriot Place is just a short walk away, offering 19 restaurants, a variety of shopping options, a 14-screen movie theatre and more. The rink is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 4-9 p.m.; Fridays 4-10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed for Patriots home games. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for kids, and skate rentals are $5. patriot-place.com.

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Skate at Canal District Kendall This seasonal outdoor rink in the heart of Canal District Kendall (formerly known as Kendall Square) in Cambridge is located in a beautifully landscaped plaza with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. There is a heated pavilion for warming up, lockers and skate rentals and sharpening available. Open Monday and Tuesday 12-5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 12-8 p.m.; Friday 12-9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Admission is $6 adults, $1 for children 13 and under. Rentals are $10/$6. skatekendall.com.

Give the gift of Discovery with a membership or passes to Discovery Museum!

Buy online, by phone, or in person.

177 Main Street, Acton MA 978-264-4200 • discoveryacton.org BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 15

ON THE

agenda

JANUARY ADVENTURES:

13

things to do with the kids this month HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

x Harlem Globetrotters

Saturday, Jan. 1 and 2 Worcester and Lowell The world famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their newly reimagined Spread Game Tour to the DCU Center for two shows on Saturday, Jan. 1 and at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on Sunday, Jan. 2. Ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks are only some of the thrill you can expect from this fully modernized show. Part streetball from the players who defi ned it, part interactive family entertainment, the new tour will show off the best of the Globetrotters in a dazzling exhibition of talent and game. Tickets start at $31. dcucenter.com, tsongascenter.com.

y Castle Hill: The Cat’s Meow

Sunday, Jan. 2 Ipswich Tour the Great House at Castle Hill on Crane Estate during this special experience designed for the youngest visitors. Experience the grandeur of the 2,100-acre seaside estate, its marvelously landscaped grounds, restored Grand Allée, gardens, and Casino complex. See the family suites and learn about the Crane family while helping a costumed servant fi nd Mrs. Crane’s beloved Siamese cat.

The tour is recommended for children 3-8 and their families. General property admission is included in the ticket price: adults $20, children $10; members $10/$5. thetrustees.org.

y Belmont World Family Film Festival

Jan. 14-23 Arlington and Newton This 19th annual family fi lm festival takes place both in-person and online, with some screenings in-person at the Regent Theater in Arlington and the West Newton Cinema. Children ages 3-12 and their families have the opportunity to see current fi lms for children from around the world, giving a window into the lives of kids in other cultures, races, and ethnicities. The festival’s 16 fi lm programs, with over 30 feature length and short animated, live action, and documentary fi lms will be shown in their original languages with English subtitles. Films are from Brazil, Chile, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, India, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the UK, and the U.S., featuring stories about such subjects as: young girls defying female stereotypes; elementary school students learning how to grow food through a 100-year-old in-school gardening program in The Netherlands; and an Indian boy living in Germany who dreams of becoming a Bollywood star, to name a few. The festival also includes several workshops: two clay animation sessions conducted by the senior model maker from Wallace & Gromit fi lms on Saturday, Jan. 14, and a two-day workshop on fi lm criticism, led by former Boston Society of Film Critics President Tom Meek on Jan. 15 and 16. Tickets for online screenings are $10 for shorts and $14 for feature-length fi lms; in-person screenings are $10; workshops are $20 each. Online fi lm passes are $45, which includes admission to all programs except workshops. Full Festival Passes are $70, with admission to all online fi lms and workshops. EBT Cardholder tickets are half price. belmontworldfi lm.org/familyfestival.

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x First Day Hikes

Saturday, Jan. 1 Various locations Start the New Year off right with a guided hike at one of several Trustees locations or Mass Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester. Rangers will lead you on a family-friendly hike to discover natural wonders and ring in 2022. First Day Hikes are off ered at Trustees locations Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough, Appleton Farms and Crane Beach Estate in Ipswich and DeCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln. Times and costs vary, check the website. thetrustees.org, massaudubon.org.

16 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

THE TRUSTEES

BELMONT WORLD FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL

y Young Explorers Owl Prowl

STOMP

x STOMP

Sunday, Jan. 16 Worcester Clap your hands and STOMP your feet when this iconic percussion group returns to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. This one-of-a-kind show incorporates music, dance, acrobatics, and theatrics into the performance. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fi ll the stage with magnifi cent rhythms. Tickets start at $32. thehanovertheatre.org.

Preschool Story Hour

DANIEL TIGER LIVE!

Jan. 19, 20 and 28 Worcester and Princeton A thematic hour with a story, activity and naturalist-led walk at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester or Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton. The theme for the Broad Meadow Brook program is tracking, and will take place outdoors as much as possible on Jan. 19 and 20. The Jan. 28 program at Wachusett Meadow is ice crystals. Pre-registration required. Children $5; members $4. massaudubon.org.

Friday, Jan. 21 Harvard Take to the trails of Fruitlands Museum to see whowho-who might be out and about in the dark winter woods. Join a local naturalist and educator on this family friendly guided Owl Prowl.

Begin with a short presentation about winter-time nocturnal animals and learn how to call in the owls, then venture out to see if you can call any owls. This program involves night-time hiking on a moderate trail with some uphill climbs and uneven terrain, and is geared towards a family audience. Pre-registration is required. Adults $25, children $15; members $15/$9. thetrustees.org.

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x CraneExplorer: Beach Detectives

Sunday, Jan. 23 Ipswich CraneExplorer events are designed to appeal to families with children ages 5-12 while giving their parents an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Crane Estate. Hikes cover less ground to accommodate smaller strides and have more frequent stops to look, listen, and learn from guides. These family-friendly experiences teach kids and delight adults by exploring the wonder of coastal habitats and the rich history of the Crane Estate. At this program, you’ll explore the beach and discover treasures washed up by winter waves. Piece together clues to learn what is living under the sand and below the water line, and use fi eld guides to identify shells, egg cases, seaweed and more to tell the story of what creatures are using the winter beach. After a beach walk, you’ll bring some treasures back to The Casino at Castle Hill to learn more about the beach fi nds over hot chocolate. Make a day of it by adding an optional fi re pit experience after the program. Cost is $30 per family, $25 for members. thetrustees.org.

What are you waiting for?

Join the thousands of followers in more than 180 countries.

x Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!

Friday, Jan. 21 Worcester “Won’t you ride along with me?” Daniel Tiger and all his friends from the beloved PBS KIDS television series are hopping back aboard Trolley for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live! at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts.

In this whimsical, family-friendly theatrical event, Daniel Tiger and his family and friends take audiences on an interactive and exciting adventure to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, sharing stories of friendship, helping others, and celebrating new experiences. The live show features new songs as well as fanfavorites from the series. The production is fi lled with music, dancing, and wonderful surprises that will warm the hearts of preschoolers, parents, and grandparents alike. Tickets are $29+ plus service fees; a limited number of VIP tickets that include a post-show photo with Daniel Tiger available. thehanovertheatre.org.

Follow the UMass Memorial Simply Well blog today:

www.umassmemorial.org/simplywell

BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 17

v Wild About Winter

v Lunar New Year Wild Walk

Saturday, Jan. 29 Southborough Learn about the Lunar New Year and explore the moon schedule and what’s in store celestially for us all during January’s full “Wolf Moon.”

Keep your eyes open for animal tracks and other signs of wildlife on the farm and in the woods. This guided hike will be led by a Trustees ranger and naturalist and will be about 30 minutes long and will follow some of Chestnut Hill Farm’s most beautiful trails.

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The campfi re will be going and there will be s’mores to enjoy.

Pre-registration is required.

Adults $25, children $15; members $15/$12. thetrustees.org.

Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30 - Worcester Celebrate the wonders of winter at the EcoTarium. Find fun and beauty in these short winter days through snowfl ake investigation, learning what animals do in winter, art experiences, and more. You can even try your hand at building a winter shelter of your own. The program is included with admission: adults $19, children $14, kids under 2 and members free. Tickets must be reserved in advance. ecotarium.org.

y Snowmazing

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Wednesdays through Sundays Boston Boston Children's Museum’s annual Snowmazing celebration transforms the museum into a winter wonderland for families to discover. Enjoy festive scenes and sparkling winter-themed programs, winter castle and tunnels, and interactive snow and snowball fi ghts. Skate on the sock skating rink, iceberg jump, toss snowballs, and see the biggest (20-feet!) snowman in Boston! The Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays in two time slots, and admission is by advance registration and ticketing.

Tickets are $18, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

BOSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

y Reindeer Quest

Daily through January Southborough and Walpole Get the family outside to discover an elusive herd of wooden reindeer throughout the trails at Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough and Francis William Bird Park in Walpole. This is a free, selfguided program. At the Bird Park, grab a bell from the offi ce to put around the reindeers’ necks. Directions can be found at the trailhead parking lot kiosks. thetrustees.org

THE TRUSTEES

18 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 19

GOOSE’S

goodies

SLOW COOKER

chicken tortilla soup

P

erfect for a chilly night, this hearty soup is a

cinch to make with ingredients you likely have in the pantry. Arrange a topping buff et to let everyone in the family put their own fi nishing touch on their bowl.

Ingredients 1 white onion, chopped 1 can (15.5 oz.) dark red kidney beans, drained 1 can (15.5 oz.) black beans, drained 1 can (11 oz.) white shoepeg corn, drained 2 cans (10 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 can (14.5 oz.) chicken broth 1 package dry taco seasoning 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Directions Mix all ingredients except chicken in crockpot.

Once mixed, top with chicken breasts.

Cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

When done, remove chicken, shred and add back to crockpot.

Top with tortilla strips, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro and sliced avocado.

Known as “Goose” to her grandkids, Laurie Silva Collins has perfected her recipes over years of cooking for her three daughters and six grandchildren.

20 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

W

hole fat milk is just as good for kids as low fat, a new study fi nds.h The research, published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests current public health advice recommending children over the age of two consume low fat dairy products may need to be revised. h As part of the Milky Way study, researchers for the fi rst time comprehensively measured the children’s obesity, body composition, blood pressure, and blood biomarkers to monitor the eff ects of their dairy consumption.

BITES

nutrition

Is low-fat or whole-fat milk better for kids?

Science says it makes no difference GETTY IMAGES

Worcester Early

Although children consuming low-fat dairy took in less calories and fat from dairy, they naturally turned to other foods and drinks to make up this diff erence.

Researchers said the fi ndings showed no signifi cant diff erences between the groups’ obesity or cardiovascular health.

“It had previously been thought young children would benefi t from low fat dairy products due to their lower levels of saturated fats and lower density of energy, in turn helping avoid obesity and risk of associated cardiometabolic diseases,” said Professor Therese O’Sullivan, who led the study.

“Our results suggest healthy children can safely consume whole fat dairy products without increased obesity or adverse cardiome-

tabolic eff ects,” she said.

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends toddlers 12 to 24 months consume 2–3 cups of whole milk per day and children ages 2 to 5 years drink 2– 2.5 cups of low fat or skim milk per day.

“With consideration of our results and previous research, future revisions of dietary guidelines should consider recommending children aged two and over can consume either whole fat or reduced fat dairy,” said O’Sullivan.

Dietitian and PhD candidate on the study Analise Nicholl said this would make life easier for parents.

“This evidence-based approach would help simplify parents’ dairy choices and allow children to consume dairy according to their individual preference.”

Childhood Center

Open House Sunday, Jan 9, 11am—2pm

Reserve for September 2022 • • • •

Virtual tours or in-person / prescheduled only Speak to families currently in the program Children ages 15 months to Kindergarten gross and fine motor, art, science, pre-reading, pre-math, and creative dramatics • Arts, science, swim and gym play Contact Nina Ryan, M. Ed., Early Childhood Director 508.756.7109 x 258 or nryan@worcesterjcc.org

Limited Spots Available BayStateParent | JANUARY 2022 | 21

feature GETTY IMAGES

Follow along for our tips on how to build a snow fort and what types of tools you’ll need!

HOW TO BUILD A SNOW FORT

If it’s been awhile since you’ve built a snow fort yourself, or you have little ones who need direction, here are the basics on how to build a snow fort.

IT’S SEASON Here’s everything you need to do it right

Presenting puppets, princesses, pirates, storytelling and much more!

Call today for more information All Ages.

Birthday Parties, Schools, Fairs, Day Care Centers, Etc.

www.rosalitaspuppets.com 617-633-2832

WM-0000483986-01

22 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent

Make a plan and map it out First off , it’s best if you have heavy, wet snow, rather than the dry fl aky stuff . Just like sand, the stuff that’s more wet, stays put better. Find a fl at area in your yard and map out a space for the fort. It can be big, small, rectangular, round – whatever you want. The important thing here is to use a stick or a pointy object to trace an outline in the snow.

Leigh Harrington Reviewed.com

W

inter is upon us.

Sure, it’s your annual right (and rite) to bemoan the icy roads and negative temperatures, but, this year, you can put a more positive spin on Mother Nature’s frosty demeanor by jumping kneedeep in the snow.

Yes, we mean this literally.

It’s snow fort season! Have you built one recently with your kids? Maybe you remember building one as a kid yourself?

It’s a fantastically fun activity – much better than snow shoveling – no matter your age, and it gets you moving on days when it’s nigh impossible to go for a run or get to a gym.

Start building Once you know where your snow fort is going to go, you can start building. There are a few ways to create your walls: snow bricks, oversized snow balls, piled snow.

To create snow bricks, you can use a form – anything from old Tupperware to an actual snow brick maker. Alternatively, to make snowballs, roll snow in a path to create largesize snow balls, like you would if you were making a snowman. Lastly, if you already have a huge pile of plowed snow at the top of your driveway or elsewhere in the yard (though not near the street) you can just start digging it out to create more of a snow cave than a fort. Then, you’ll want to start stacking the snow bricks or snow balls in rows, alternating where they break, like you would using real bricks, or, maybe, Legos. Depending on how detail-oriented you are, you can sculpt, smooth, or fl atten your snow-brick walls using a spade or trowel.

Make a roof – or not Consider whether you want an open or closed roof to your snow fort. If you want a roof that’s closed over, you may want to take the digging-asnow-cave or igloo approach.

But, if you have your heart set on building with snow bricks, you can always just throw a

tarp over your structure when done.

Apply fi nishing touches Finally, if you have plans to keep your snow fort around for a while, spray it down with a mist setting on your garden hose to really ice up the walls.

The water will melt the snow a bit and then refreeze, creating an impenetrable snow fortress!

WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD A SNOW FORT

Now that you’re prepared to let the good times roll as the fl akes fall, you’ve got to stock up on the tools that will make it all happen.

If you have zero snow tools on hand at home, you can consider investing in a snow fort building kit. While these vary by maker, most include the essentials that you’ll need.

We love The Ultimate Snow Kit from Unplugged Explorers.

For just about $30, it includes a brick maker and a snow claw for digging, as well as two snowball makers for having fun after your fort is built.

There’s also a scoot sled that you can sit on to keep your tush off the cold ground.

Flexible Flyer also boasts a snow fort building kit, and this one is entirely focused on brick making. The kiddos will have three options to choose from: a large block, a medium brick, and a castle tower to add medieval fl air. If your kids would rather the King Arthur era fullon, the Create a Castle Pro Tower Kit features three large sizes of split tower molds, as well as a few tool accessories for adding details.

If you’d rather piecemeal a kit together or you have some snow fort tools but not others, no worries. You can buy items individually based on your need and whim. Of course, you’ll want a brick maker mold or a set of many, depending on how big your brood is, trowels, shovels for scooping and claws for pulling snow.

Personalize that fort with graffi ti or cave drawings with colorful snow markers, and then create a snowball arsenal for any impending invaders (i.e. Dad). An absolute must is a snowball slingshot – if you dare. And you should!

DIY

TIN CAN

BIRD FEEDER Add a pop of color to your yard this winter, and invite some feathered friends.

What you need Tin can (top removed) Acrylic paint Popsicle stick Hot glue Twine or ribbon Bird seed

To make it Remove any label from your tin. Wash it out and dry completely.

Using a paint brush or foam brush, paint the outside of the can. Let kids have fun here, adding different designs and colors. You may need two coats.

Once paint is completely dry,

NEWENGLAND

Worcester

wrap two sections of the can (one near the front opening and one near the back) several times with ribbon or twine. Cut, and tuck the ends underneath the wrapping.

Cut about a 1 foot piece the ribbon or twine (or more or less depending on how much you need for hanging). Slide one end of the twine underneath the one area of the wrapped twine, then tie in a knot. Repeat with the other end of the twine.

Using hot glue, glue the popsicle stick into the tin can, making sure enough of the stick is coming out of the can so birds can perch on it to eat.

Fill bottom with bird seed, and hang outside.

TRY SOMETHING NEW IN 2022! Join the “J” • • • • • • •

Indoor & Outdoor Pool Full Fitness Center Live & Virtual Studio Classes Preschool/After School Programs Sports, Swim & More Diverse Community A+ COVID Safety Protocols

Open House specials kick off

Sunday, Jan 9, 11am—2pm

Join Now: First / Last Month Free!* *Special requires 12 month membership (last month free for 6 months)

LET’S GET STRONGER TOGETHER!

633 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA www.worcesterjcc.org 508.756.7109 Monica Maher, Membership Director x 236 mmaher@worcesterjcc.org BayStateParent | JANUARY 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 | JANUARY 2022 | BayStateParent