BaystateParent November 2021

BaystateParent MASSACHUSETTS’

PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES SINCE 1996

NOVEMBER 2021 | PRICELESS

+

Inspiring Gratitude in Kids DIY Pumpkin Fun 14 November Adventures

FAMILY BUSINESS How parenthood inspired three local entrepreneurs

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. 2 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

contents Table of

November 2021

volume 26

number 7

in every issue 5 5 6 7 9

Editor’s note

A creamy pumpkin cheesecake in a cup!

Finally Forever Good to Know Herding Goofballs DIY: Pumpkin Spice Playdough

on the agenda 16

November Adventures: 14 Things to Do With the Kids This Month

19

The List: 5 Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Bay State

bites 20

Goose’s Goodies: Pumpkin Pie Parfaits

21

Nutrition: Eatable Alphabet

features

13

BaystateParent MASSACHUSETTS’

PREMIER MAGAZINE

FOR FAMILIES SINCE

1996

NOVEMBER 2021

Cover Story: Parenthood inspires local entrepreneurs

| PRICELESS

+

Inspiring Gratitude in Kids DIY Pumpkin Fun 14 November Adventures

FAMILY BUSINESS How parenthood inspired three local entrep reneurs

on the cover

22

Books and journals to inspire gratitude in kids

Susan Alger and her children Ella DeAmato and Eva DeAmato outside their home in Ipswich.

DAVID SOKOL/ WICKED LOCAL

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 3

CAN WE SAVE YOU MONEY?

Whether you need a lower rate on your auto loan, are applying for a credit card, or looking to unlock equity in your home, we can help.

BaystateParent Executive editor Dave Nordman

CREATIVE Editor in chief Amanda Collins Bernier

Designer Katherine Silvia

ADVERTISING Sales manager Brittany Prendiville 774-420-4095 bprendiville@localiq.com

Account executive Kathy Puffer 508-767-9544 kpuffer@localiq.com Account executive Regina Stillings 508-767-9546 rstillings@localiq.com baystateparent is published monthly and is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

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Email your suggestion to acollins@gatehousemedia.com

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Serving all of Worcester County Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. * Annual Percentage Rate.

New and Used Auto Loan Disclosure: Loan approval and actual rate will be determined based on credit history, term, loan to value, and other factors. Stated rate assumes term of 24 months and includes a 0.25% discount for Direct Deposit and Electronic Loan Payment and an additional 0.25% discount when deducted from a Central One Premium Checking account. Copy of purchase and sale agreement required. Rate may be adjusted for vehicle age or high mileage vehicles. Qualified borrowers with A+ or A credit may borrow up to 120% of the NADA retail value. Auto Refinance Disclosure: Rate assumes term of 24 months. Loan approval and actual rate will be determined based on credit history, term, loan to value, and other factors. Stated rate includes a 0.25% discount for Direct Deposit and Electronic Loan Payment and an additional 0.25% discount when deducted from a Central One Premium Checking account. MAP Disclosure: Any vehicle with MSRP over $75,000.00 and a residual value of $20,000.00 or more will have a surcharge added to the loan.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Disclosure: Variable interest rate as low as Prime minus 1%. Floor rate is 3.25% APR. The Prime Rate is published by the Wall Street Journal; the current Prime rate can be found at the WSJ website. Rate adjustment occurs once per year on the 15th of the month of account anniversary. Max APR is 17.5%. Actual rate will be determined based on credit history, term, loan to value and other factors. Home must be owner-occupied or second home. Borrow up to 80% of the appraised value of your home less first mortgage balance or 70% of the tax-assessment value less first mortgage balance. Credit score of 660+ required. Other loan to value options available for credit scores below 660. Only pay interest on the funds you borrow. Minimum line amount of $7,500.Flexible payment terms of up to 30 years. Interest may be tax deductible (consult your tax advisor). No closing costs for properties within Worcester County with loans of $250,000 or less (except appraisal and title search if required). Any loan amount over $250,000 will require an appraisal. Title search fees may apply for properties outside of Worcester County or properties obtained through a foreclosure deed. Property and flood insurance may be required. Other restrictions may apply. All loan programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change. Call a lending specialist at 800-527-1017 for more information. **Visa Signature® Credit Card disclosure: Terms and conditions apply. See our website for details. Cash back rewards are deposited directly into your Central One account.

4 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

2020

editor’s note

B

November’s Child: Meet Gene

FINALLY

forever

Hi, my name is Gene and I am learning how to play guitar!

Gene is a quiet teenager of Caucasian descent.

Those who know Gene best describe him as being reserved at fi rst, but once he gets to know you, he becomes friendly and outgoing. Gene, 15, enjoys sports and is athletic. He is looking forward to playing basketball at his school in the winter. In the past, Gene has participated in other sports such as soccer, baseball, and Pop Warner football. Some of his other favorite activities include playing video games on the computer and collecting Pokémon cards. He is currently trying to expand his interests by learning how to play the guitar and ukulele.

Legally freed for adoption, Gene is seeking a twoparent home with a mother and a father, or a single male or female parent. An ideal home for Gene would

be a family that can provide him with the stability and structure he needs to thrive. His social worker believes he would do well in a family with or without other children. He would especially do well in a placement with younger children. The considering family must be open to helping Gene maintain his relationship with his older sister.

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.

etween bath time and bedtime stories, snacks and a million sips of water, we really didn’t need to add anything to our bedtime routine.

But recently my son was gifted a gratitude journal, so into the nightly mix it went.

I wasn’t quite sure how it would go. Max is only 4, and while he understands the importance of “thank you”, gratitude was a new concept. But each night when we’d snuggle up and refl ect, he’d think of more and more things he appreciated. Some have been the typical things you’d expect a little boy to be thankful for -his ride-on Gator or the glowin-the-dark stars on his ceiling -- but others have been more unexpected (“my eyes so I can see”). The listings range from sweet and innocent to the most hilariously random things.

Studies show that gratitude can be a very powerful tool for kids, and the more children practice, the better they get at it and the greater the benefi ts. This month, when we all start thinking of the things we’re thankful for, is a perfect time to introduce a daily gratitude practice. On page 22, you’ll fi nd books and journals to help kids and teens get started.

Max’s enthusiasm for thankfulness has made me start my own daily refl ection and journaling. He’s reminded

me that looking for the good can be both grounding and uplifting.

On page 13, you’ll meet some other parents who have been inspired by their kids to start something new. Three local “parent-preneurs” share how their parenting journey sparked a business idea, and how they brought it to life.

Of course, we couldn’t put this November issue together without some ideas for Thanksgiving. From cool places to go to mark the holiday (page 18) to a kid-friendly recipe (page 11) and a pumpkin-y craft (page 9), we’re sharing plenty of Turkey Day fun.

I’m grateful for this fun job creating content for other moms and dads, and connecting me to the parenting community here in the Bay State.

Thank you, readers, and happy November!

Amanda

MEDICAL ADVICE WHEN YOU ARE ON THE GO. DOWNLOAD OUR FREE SYMPTOM CHECKER APP TODAY! Our Health eCheck app helps you make decisions on what type of medical care is needed when your child falls off their bike or has a persistant cough.

Search from a list of symptoms or by body area.

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 5

GOOD TO

know

Several free admission events have returned this fall at the Discovery Museum in Acton. Especially for Me events offer free admission for families with children on the autism spectrum, with hearing or vision loss, or facing other developmental challenges, during dedicated hours when the Museum is closed to the general public and building capacity is limited. Accommodations are also offered that increase access to museum exhibits during these times. Families can register online at discoveryaction.com/efm for one of the following Especially for Me events: h Sunday, Nov. 21, 3-4:30 p.m.: Afternoon for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing and KODA Children h Sunday, Dec. 5, 3-4:30 p.m.: Autism-Friendly Afternoon First Free Friday nights have also returned to the museum. All visitors can enjoy free admission from 4:307:30 p.m. on the first Friday night of each month through June. Advanced reservations will be required.

Instagram is postponing plans to release a kids version of its social media app following uproar from parents groups and lawmakers.

In a recent post, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri wrote they are “pausing” plans to build an Instagram experience for people under the age of 13 in order to work with parents, lawmakers and other critics to hear their concerns.

This follows a coalition led by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and groups including the Center for Humane Technology, Common Sense Media and the Center for Digital Democracy along with dozens of researchers that sent a letter to Instagram’s parent company, Facebook, expressing their concerns back in April.

Updated breast milk storage guidance from American Academy of Pediatrics now allows for the mixing of cold and warm pumped milk, and notes that pooling milk pumped within 24 hours together could help “even out the variability of nutrients due to pumping time or breast emptying.”

Previously, the AAP had advised that pumped milk different temperatures should not be combined.

Freshly pumped milk is warner because of the mother’s body temperature, and the experts has advised that it be cooled in a separate container before being added to already cold stored milk. One less storage step makes things a bit easier on pumping parents.

The main takeaway from the updated guidance is keeping it clean. “Mothers should aim for cleanliness but realize milk is a biologic substance and full of probiotic and commensal bacteria,” the AAP says.

“Hand washing, using clean or new containers, minimizing milk transfers (which waste fat and calories) and pumping directstorage containers are recomed.”

ly into mend-

The group expressed concern that the platform’s focus on appearance and self-presentation could be harmful to teens. “Younger children are even less developmentally equipped to deal with these challenges, as they are learning to navigate social interactions, friendships, and their inner sense of strengths during this crucial window of development,” the letter said.

But Mosseri stood firm on launching Instagram Kids, saying it provides an alternative for children who are already online and using apps like Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. “The reality is that kids are already online, and we believe that developing age-appropriate experiences designed specifically for them is far better for parents than where we are today,” he wrote.

Skip the crowds on Black Friday and go green, instead.

Green Friday instead. Green Friday has emerged as a sort of Anti-Black Friday event, and it can mean a few different things. For some, it’s about shopping more sustainably on the busiest shopping day of the year, and making more mindful purchases. For others, it’s about skipping shopping altogether, and enjoying the great outdoors, instead. Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough will host a guided Green Friday Hike followed by a campfire with hot cocoa and s’mores. Or, mark Green Friday by heading to your favorite local farm or nursery for Christmas trees, holiday plants, and holiday decorating needs.

Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day — the perfect day to do a little something to make the world a happier place. Get your child involved by encouraging them to do a random act of kindness, large or small. Need some inspiration? At kindness.org you can find a customized kindness recommendation.

6 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

HERDING

goofballs

Everyone should have one.

Not two. Not three. Certainly, not zero.

It’s a place - hallowed ground that has a mysterious aura to it. It’s a spot, but not just any spot, our spot. The spot for my kids and I to understand that there is no other place like it on Earth - and while it belongs to nature, is sort of leased to us for special moments.

Allow me to explain.

When my oldest son was fi nally coordinated enough to walk and jog along without me having to bubble wrap his entire body – or cushion the entire fl oor – we took a stroll not too far from our home. We happened upon this particular walkway that was draped in trees and close enough to watch some cars fl y past on the highway.

The path was cement, but in the three seasons not named “winter” the greenery overgrows much of the vantage points from the road itself - leaving a small window of sight to see passing cars and perhaps a train chugging by in the distance on occasion. It is shrouded in quiet, yet so close to the frenzy of a big city. And in the winter, the skinny branches open up a much larger picture.

In the snow, you can pretty much see the drivers white-knuckling through a Nor’easter.

The fi rst couple minutes we were there were peaceful and exciting (whether you are 3 years old or 85, watching a shiny, red muscle car open it up and go fast draws the same exact reaction). The third minute brought a big rig that decided to let loose an air horn blast that probably shattered windshields on the same highway.

Cooper jumped about fi ve feet into the air and into my arms. As his head was behind mine, momentarily, I thought he had started crying. I started cursing whatever commercial truck that was that I would never buy their products again.

Never again, furniture company!

Take your obnoxious ottomans and fi nd another road to terrorize!

As I slowly retracted my son from my shoulder, I realized he was not actually crying – he was laughing. Sure, the horn scared him (which is why he turned into Michael Jordan at that moment), but he was thrilled at the excitement.

I take it back, furniture company!

In fact, I’ll take two of your fi nest sofas

this piece of majestic land and starts to get anxious you may have buried treasure at this location - and that’s why you keep coming back - it’s a nogo.

The same applies to you, kids. If mom or dad are checking their watch every couple minutes, you are close, but no cigar.

Rule 4: No buried treasure.

Maybe after reading Rule 3 you got a great idea for an alternative site to do your banking. Absolutely no burying of treasure or creating another reason for visiting other than each other’s company.

No exceptions, even for pirates.

Rule 5: Only invite those who are worthy.

SPOT ON

A select few know of our the spot.

My son Milo is now a card-carrying the spot member. A handful of other close family members and friends have been able to gaze on its beauty.

Keep it to your close circle of mutual friends. Do not sully the spot with, you know, other people.

Josh Farnsworth

Spotty as repentance for my earlier dad rage.

Cooper decided to run back and forth on this narrow walkway to celebrate. Shortly thereafter, we declared this small speck of land our offi cial spot.

Years later, we still return to our the spot often. We talk. We goof. We play.

We … OK, it’s about an 80-20 goof-toanything-else ratio.

But it’s our the spot. And we choose goofi ness.

Maybe you are interested in forging memories in your own the spot? To ensure you fi nd your “the spot”, however, I have crafted the following guidelines to diff erentiate between “our spot” and “wow, this is a highly likeable plot of land.”

Rule 1: It cannot be visible from your house.

Sure, I can see the allure of a wellplaced stream that runs through the backyard, but if you can see it from the front window, what you have is a nice homestead oasis.

Enjoy, but you are forbidden by law to call it the spot (I am still fi ling the

bill. You know how long these things take to become legal, amiright??).

Rule 2: It must be perceived as untouched by humans … sort of.

Sure, the elderly lady fi nishing her morning walk may happen by and the graffi ti-laden steps suggest this purple spray paint probably doesn’t occur naturally, but for 98% of each visit, if you are by yourself, you have a perfectly good the spot.

This also goes for social media. You may post one photo that does not divulge its exact location, but reaffi rms the rumors to your friends who may have heard a few too many the spot stories from you and are starting to doubt its existence.

Rule 3: There must be mutual affection for said spot.

Maybe you have grown fond of a particular rock that overlooks a butterfl y fi eld and feel like you have hit “the spot Yahtzee.” Hold your dice shaker, Player One. If after a couple of trips to this spot your child has grown bored of

There was a temptation for me with this column to submit some sort of photo of this spot to illustrate where we go. But that’s for you to imagine.

That’s for you to discern on your own terms. (In other words, get your own spot!)

There is something special to be said about shared adventure with your kids and having a place that you can come to when life gets overbearing.

For me, it’s also a great way to mark time and remember to appreciate how fast life is sprinting – well beyond that day my son jumped into my shoulder for comfort and amazement.

I hope you fi nd your the spot, my readers. I hope you get to forge those memories in a place that seem just yours for a few fl eeting moments.

I’ll be visiting mine again soon. And if I ever spot that truck again, just maybe I’ll order a futon or two to start furnishing it.

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.

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 7

VERY SPECIAL

people

5 EXPERT TIPS TO HELP TEENS WITH ADHD Cheryl Maguire

“I got detention for forgetting my book three times in a row,” read Michael’s text. His mother wasn’t surprised. Michael was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 8 years old, and she’d received other messages saying he misplaced or even forgotten to do his homework. His mother hoped that he’d be more organized by 13, and she wondered if this was typical teenage behavior, or due to his ADHD. “Everyone has ADHD behavior at times,” says Dr. Sarah Cheyette, a pediatric neurologist and author of the book, “ADHD & The Focused Mind.” The diff erence between a person with ADHD and other people is that the person with ADHD is unfocused too much of the time, she explains.

“There are diff erences between a child and a teen with ADHD,” Cheyette says. When a younger child has ADHD, parents tend to be more forgiving and helpful with their unfocused behaviors.

A teen with ADHD may want their independence but lack the skills to focus and control their impulses. This can lead to more severe consequences than when they were younger.

But parents can help their teens with ADHD improve their focus. Here are fi ve ways to improve focus for kids with ADHD:

say to yourself, ‘I don’t feel like doing this,’ then you probably won’t.” For example, if your teen doesn’t like doing homework, encouraging them to change their mindset can help improve their focus. Reframing the negative thought (“I don’t want to do my homework”) in a more positive light (“Finishing my homework will make me feel good about this class”) can help a teen become more focused and complete the task.

2. The right surroundings Emily, a parent of a 14-year-old son diagnosed with ADHD, has found that choosing the right environment helps her son’s mindset. “I encourage him to stay after school to do his homework,” she says. “This way he doesn’t become distracted by things at home, like his phone, and he can receive help from his teachers.”

3. Healthy lifestyle choices Cheyette also stresses the importance of a healthy lifestyle for improving and maintaining

focus. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep and making time to exercise can all contribute to improved focus for teens with ADHD. Sleep problems can lead to issues with memory and impulse control for any child, but especially kids with ADHD. Jen, a parent to a 12-year-old daughter diagnosed with ADHD, agrees with Cheyette about the importance of eating healthy and getting enough sleep.

Her daughter experiences intense mood swings and an inability to deal with stress when she doesn’t eat or sleep well.

4. Setting goals Cheyette says that setting goals can help teens with ADHD improve their focus and achieving their goals will help them feel successful. As a parent, you may be tempted to provide directions or nag your child to make sure they are working towards their goals, but it’s important for teens to actively set and own their goals.

But you can still help them.

“Make

1. Positive thinking GETTY IMAGES

When a teen is interested in doing a particular task, it will be easier to accomplish. “Most people become more focused when they decide they want to do something,” says Cheyette. “If you

observations and ask questions,” Cheyette recommends. “If you notice your son’s backpack is a mess, instead of saying, ‘You need to organize your backpack,’ try saying, ‘It must be diffi cult to fi nd your homework when your backpack looks like this’ or ‘How are you able to fi nd your homework?’”

Once you’ve framed the problem, she says, “Ask questions such as, ‘How can you help yourself?’ or ‘How can you act diff erently next time?’ to allow your child to think about and own their behaviors.

5. Medication Like younger kids, teens can benefi t from medication. Amy, a parent of a 15year-old son diagnosed with ADHD, bought her son a trampoline to use after school to help him release his energy.

And the exercise was helpful. But she saw the most improvement when her son began taking medication. “Once he was medicated he could use self-regulating strategies,” she says. “Before that, he wasn’t able to learn these strategies since he couldn’t pay attention.”

Cheyette wants to remind parents that you are your child’s best advocate and the parents interviewed here agree.

“The best advice I can give other parents is to tell them that there may be really bad times, but your child needs to know that you are in their court,” Jen says. “When your child feels like a failure or has no friends, or school is horrible, they need to be able to come home to you and release their frustrations and emotions.” *names have been changed for privacy

WhenYour Family Asks HowThey Can Help Consider establishing a Family Special Needs Gift Trust. It enables extended family to set aside part of their estate for the benefit of a family member with a disability. In this season of giving, it’s a wonderful way to help.

Contact Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. fmisilo@fletchertilton.com

Art by Dominic Killiany, an artist living with autism

8 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

WORCESTER | FRA MINGHAM | BOSTON | CAP E COD | PROVIDENCE 508.459.8000 | FletcherTilton.com

DIY

Pumpkin Spice

PLAYDOUGH Celebrate the season with this autumn inspired acGETTY IMAGES

tivity. Squishy and fun, this playdough smells just like pumpkin pie! You may have to remind the kids that it’s not actually edible.

Directions: Combine all the dry ingredients in a nonstick saucepan.

You’ll need:

Add the oil, water, and 5 to 6 drops of orange food coloring. Whisk together until smooth.

1 cup flour ⁄ 2 cup salt

1

2 teaspoons cream of tartar ⁄ 2 teaspoon cinnamon

1

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture starts to form into a dough in the center and pull away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat.

1 cup water

Place the dough on your counter and let it cool slightly, then knead with your hands until smooth.

orange food coloring

Store playdough up to two weeks in a ziplock bag.

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BITES

nutrition

ChopChop’s new

‘Eatable Alphabet’ Amanda Collins Bernier

ChopChop Family has cooked up something fun and new for little kids. The Watertown-based nonprofi t that produces a quarterly kids’ cooking and food magazine just launched Eatable Alphabet, a deck of 26 boxed kitchen activity cards.

Developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the cards promote early nutrition awareness. Each double-sided card features a letter, the name of a food and its Spanish translation, and off ers ideas for simple recipes or sensory activities. Made just for little hands, they’re sturdy and spill-proof, too!

The Eatable Alphabet is $16.99 and available at chopchopfamily.org.

LEARNING FIRST CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 20��-202� SCHOOL YEAR Learning First Charter Public School (formerly Seven Hills Charter Public School) is a free independent public school that offers challenging academic programs for children in grades K through 8.

OTHER IMPORTANT FEATURES ARE: • Two outstanding educators in each • A commitment to family involvement K-5 core classroom • An appreciation of diversity • An emphasis on college and career readiness • Comprehensive programs for students • An enriched curriculum including character with special needs or English language education, integrated arts and technology learning needs Applications are available in our Main Office and online at learningfirstcharter.org starting September 1,202� Application deadline: March �, 202�. Lottery will be held on March �, 202�. Location: Learning First Charter Public School, 51 Gage Street Worcester MA

WM-0000476166-01

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CERTIFIED TEACHERS

The Learning First Charter School is a tuition-free public school serving Worcester’s children. With no admission test, the school serves a student body that is representative of Worcester’s diversity. Learning First Charter Public School does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, gender identity, cultural heritage, linguistic background, political beliefs, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. In the event that there are more applicants than seats, a lottery will be used to select students.

10 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

CHOPCHOP FAMILY PHOTOS

GOOSE’S

goodies

PUMPKIN

PIE PARFAITS

These yummy parfaits taste like a creamy pumpkin cheesecake in a cup. Kids will love helping to layer them — and, of course, digging in!

Ingredients 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 cup cream cheese, softened 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 2 1⁄ 2 cups graham crackers, crushed (about two sleeves) Small jars or glass cups

Directions In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined.

In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.

Add a layer of crushed graham crackers to the bottom of the jars. Top with a layer of the pumpkin mixture, then a layer of whipped cream. Repeat the layers until you have at least two layers of each ingredient.

Chill in the fridge before serving. These parfaits can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Pumpkin Pie Parfaits AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 11

12 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

cover story

Susan Alger created the Potty Poncho after a flash of creativity when potty training her daughter. Alger is pictured above with her children Ella DeAmato and Eva DeAmato. DAVID SOKOL/WICKED LOCAL

T

Family BUSINESS

here's something about parenthood that sparks ingenuity. That's

just part of the job — parents see a problem, and fi gure out how to fi x it. h These local moms and dads had ideas to make life better and easier for parents and their kids, and took the risk of entrepreneurship. Here's what got them started, and what keeps them going.

How parenthood inspired these local entrepreneurs Amanda Collins Bernier

Potty Poncho There’s a sworn by method of potty training that calls for staying home for a few days and letting your kid go naked – or at least commando. The theory is that if he or she knows there’s nothing there to catch the pee or poop, it should click that they need to get their bare butt to a potty.

Sue Alger was ready. She had cleared the calendar, bought the plastic potty, and was all set to camp out at home until her oldest daughter got the hang of it. But an unexpected problem

popped up: while sitting on her princess potty in the living room watching Sesame Street, her daughter complained that she was cold.

Alger grabbed a blanket to wrap around her, but it kept falling and distracting the little girl.

In a fl ash of creativity, Alger grabbed a hooded bath towel. She used scissors to cut a strategic hole in the bottom, then wrapped it around her daughter.

Cozy and warm — with no fi dgeting or complaining — Alger’s daughter sat and did her business. And just like that, the Potty Poncho was born.

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 13

“I thought, ‘wow, this can really make this boring potty training business a lot more fun,’” Alger said. “I looked around and there was nothing like it. There are charts and toys but all that stuff is in a kid’s daily life anyway. This was something diff erent and fun.”

Alger drew up sketches and found a retired grandmother to create the fi rst sample. She met with a patent lawyer and put a hold on the design. But eventually the idea moved to a back burner, and life went on.

Flash forward nine years.

Alger, who lives in Ipswich, now has two preteen daughters. A lot has happened since that day with her daughter in the living room: an unexpected divorce, a move, a new career, and starting over as a single mom. But Alger never forgot her bright idea.

“Years later, when I revisited this idea, I was truly shocked that there still wasn't anything on the market for potty training,” she said. “I decided it was time to put pen to paper.”

Alger said many manufacturers “laughed at the idea.” If

she didn’t need a huge bulk order, they couldn’t help her. But eventually she found the perfect partner in Denver, Colorado — a manufacturing business owned by a dad in the throes of potty training his children.

“It just kind of all came together,” she said.

Alger launched her business last December. The Potty Poncho is a one-size-fi ts-all hooded accessory made of super soft polyfl eece. It comes in fi ve fun, kid-friendly designs.

While it’s designed to make the potty training process easier and cozier, it’s a practical item for the pool, bath time or even a car ride.

The Potty Poncho is $34.99 and sold at thepottyponcho.com, where you’ll also fi nd educational coloring pages and games, potty tracking charts and rewards, potty training books, and more.

Alger’s advice to another parent-preneur: “Stay motivated. Yes, you’re going to have a bad day, but stick with it. And don’t be afraid to start small. See if you can get a small amount of your idea made. If you believe in some-

14 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

Joana Fraser and Lauren Bain are the Boston-based moms behind Littlemore Organics. PHOTOS BY LITTLEMORE ORGANICS

thing, start small and pursue it. You just never know.”

What she hopes her kids have learned: “They saw me on the computer up late, endless nights looking through millions of designs. They’ve been my go-to people. Hopefully, it’s something they will remember. Whether it worked out or not, I hope they’ll remember that mom worked really hard and did a cool thing.”

Littlemore Organics Browsing the baby food aisle when her fi rst son, Jack, was a baby, Joana Fraser felt disappointed. She wanted things she could throw in the diaper bag and go, but found the sea of rice puff s and pouched purees underwhelming.

“There was just a lack of fl avors and diversity,” she said. “I felt like I was settling, whatever I was buying.”

Fraser, a Boston-based practicing pediatrician and Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School, knew that we often underestimate children’s palates. She wanted to avoid overly sweet, fruity, or bland foods, and to expose her son to savory fl avors and different textures as a baby.

Since she couldn’t fi nd quite what she was looking for, Fraser decided to create it herself. She founded a healthy kids' snack food company, Littlemore Organics.

“I thought a lot about what the perfect snack would be.

What it would taste like, what the ingredients would be.

What fl avor would it be? A cracker, a puff , or a bar?” Fraser said.

She landed on organic ancient grain puff s — melt-inyour mouth bagged snacks for babies and kids aged 6 months and older.

Since it wasn’t exactly something she “could make in the kitchen,” she worked with a group of food scientists to get the recipe just right. The texture was the hardest part to perfect; the puff s had to be

Littlemore puffs are offered in sunflower butter and tomato flavors, with additional flavors in the works.

both crunchy and easily dissolvable.

“All that took a little while,” Fraser said. “From idea to snacks in a bag, it was about two-and-a-half years.”

As the business ramped up, Fraser’s friend Lauren Bain joined the endeavor. Lauren, a mom of three with an MBA and background in fi nance and business, brought a different skillset to the company.

“Trying to do it by yourself is insane; you need a good partner,” said Fraser. “Having someone you really trust and work well with to do it with you is so valuable. It lightens the load and gives you that support system.”

Fraser and Bain launched Littlemore’s products at the start of the year. Off ered in two fl avors — sunfl ower butter and tomato — the puff s are made from the ancient grain sorghum, have no corn or rice, no added sugar or salt. The puff s, which are sold in halfounce bags, are made with sunfl ower seed protein, which boosts the nutritional value and also provides a dissolvable consistency making the puff s perfect for baby-led weaning.

Priced at $29 for a box of 12 single-serve bags, they can be purchased directly at littlemoreorganics.com, or at several Boston-area retailers including Brothers Marketplace locations.

Fraser, now a mom of two, said starting the business has

been in some ways like raising her boys.

“It’s like watching your kids grow up; it happens slowly and then all at once. It feels like it takes so long to get to the next step — so much is out of your control — and then all of sudden there’s our product on a shelf.”

Fraser’s advice to another parent-preneur: “Make sure [the product or idea] is something you’re really passionate about. If you’re not, you’re not going to have the drive to make it work and start from scratch. You need to be like, ‘this idea has to happen.’ Then at some point, you have to take the leap… am I going to do this or not?” Also: “Say ‘yes’ to any conversation, or any introduction that you are offered. There have been many times where I thought a conversation wouldn’t lead anywhere, but almost every conversation I’ve had along the way has either been directly helpful or has led to a connection with another individual that has been benefi cial.”

On balancing motherhood, career, entrepreneurship: “I don't like the word ‘balance.’ it suggests that everything is in perfect equilibrium, and that’s not how it is.

Some days you feel stretched so thin, like you’re not doing enough, and other days you feel like you’re killing it. It’s like juggling balls, and you have to determine which ones are made of glass – which ones can you drop, and which ones can’t you.”

Qeepsake For all the big moments that come with raising a child — Christmas morning, the fi rst day of school, or the annual recital — there are a million more little ones. In the busyness that is parenthood, how can you be sure you’re remembering it all … the big things and the little just-asimportant little things, too?

This was a question that was bugging Jeff McNeil back in 2014, who was then a dad of four. He and his wife were on top of capturing the big memories with their kids, but he felt they were behind in saving the quieter, day-to-day moments. And life kept going by.

Then, an aha moment.

Qeepsake co-founder and CEO Jeff McNeil with his wife, Stephanie, and their children. PHOTOS BY QEEPSAKE

Qeepsake is a digital baby book that prompts users with text messages.

McNeil was in the shower (or maybe his wife was, he can’t quite remember) when the idea struck: a digital baby book service via text messaging. So that parents wouldn’t forget to keep adding to it, the service would prompt users with questions about their child or pregnancy.

That day, Qeepsake was born.

McNeil, of Newton, wasted no time bringing the concept to fruition. He had the idea on Saturday and wrote up a onepage brief on Sunday. “I thought, if someone had already built this, I would know about this,” he said.

Qeepsake sends members questions every day, like writing prompts — they’re to encourage members to text back a response (and relevant photo) and then that answer becomes an entry in their child’s online journal.

Users can also text Qeepsake anytime with an unprompted journal entry, or use the “Milestone” feature on the Qeepsake mobile app.

“It’s memories you wouldn't think of day-to-day; working to create this wealth or content in your own voice,” McNeil explained.

When they're ready, users can order a Qeepsake book with all their memories.

In 2017, McNeil brought the business on Shark Tank. He left without a deal, which he said was a bit “defl ating.”

But today, Qeepsake has grown to 80,000 paid subscribers and a 700,000 user base. They have 20 employees, who work remotely

said. Keeping strict work hours helps him from burning out and becoming “a real grouch” to the family, he said.

Next for Qeepsake is expanding to a fuller family experience. McNeil said they’re working to add ways for other family members to see and contribute to the digital journals. “A day from the viewpoint of grandma is a novel and exciting thing,” he said.

You can sign up for Qeepsake for free at qeepsake.com.

Upgraded memberships start

across the country. McNeil said building the business has been a learn-as-you-go process.

Launching the business “as a team” with his wife, Stephanie, has been key to their success, McNeil said, but he makes it a point to keep his job as CEO separate from his duties as husband and dad (now to six kids).

“It’s interesting that even though the business is related to parenting, I keep a separate work life from home life,” he

at $3.99 per month.

McNeil’s advice to another parent-preneur: “When you’re a parent the stakes are higher. One of my number one goals is building fi nancial stability, and that is at odds with building a business. Start as early as you can. Build conviction in your idea in any way you can. That way it feels less risky to you.”

On evolving: “You’re not growing professionally if you don’t think back on some things and cringe.”

What are you waiting for?

Join the thousands of followers in more than 180 countries.

Follow the UMass Memorial Simply Well blog today:

www.umassmemorial.org/simplywell

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 15

ON THE

agenda

NOVEMBER ADVENTURES

14 THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS THIS MONTH

Hayrides at Appleton Farms v Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Nov. 5-14 Ipswich Experience the beautiful scenery, crisp air and changing and vibrant colors of Appleton Farms in the fall as you enjoy a hayride across the idyllic property. Rides depart every twenty minutes between 4-7 p.m. Space is limited, pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Grab a wood-fired pizza to enjoy afterwards. Adults $10, children $5; members $8/$4. thetrustees.org.

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Fall Food Truck Fest Saturday, Nov. 6

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

Call today for more information

Princeton

All Ages.

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

www.rosalitaspuppets.com 617-633-2832

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Play and learn together again!

This 5th annual event at Wachusett Mountain features live music, a huge selection of beer and plenty of food to keep you full and happy all day long. Take a Skyride to enjoy the views of the season. Adults $5 advance/$8 door, children $3/$5, and kids under 5 free. wachusett.com.

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Fruitlands Annual Bonfire y Saturday, Nov. 6 Harvard After a year off, the Fruitlands Annual Bonfire is back! The event begins at 5 p.m. and the fire will be lit as night falls around 6:15 p.m. S’more kits will be for sale (with a small fire pit for roasting marshmallows). Guests are encouraged to write down a wish and tuck it in the large structure before it’s set afire, sending hopes and dreams into the night sky. Advanced registration is required; $15 per carload, $10 for members. thetrustees.org.

177 Main Street, Acton discoveryacton.org THE TRUSTEES

16 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms v

Family Nature Exploration Program y

Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 6-21

Saturday, Nov. 13

Ipswich

Natick

Ready to try your hand at being a farmhand? Your whole family will get to be farmers together in this unique program. After learning all about the farm’s dairy herd, you can help take care of the chickens, feed the angora rabbits, and perform other hands-on chores with their barnyard animals.

This program is best suited for families—adults and children alike will get to try their hand at chores. Pre-registration required. $20 per person; $15 for members. thetrustees.org.

Take a personalized, private guided tour into the wonders of nature with your family. A Mass Audubon Naturalist will lead your group on an exploration of Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, guiding you through hands-on investigations of plants and animals and observing the interactions in the ecosystem. Choose from themed programs: The Wonders of the Marsh; Into the Woods; or Busy Animals in Autumn. All programs can be customized to your group's interests and optional activities for children based on age and interest can be provided.

Family (up to 5 people) $150; or $130 for members. Advance booking required. massaudubon.org.

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Preschool Story & Nature Hour : Apples and Flowers y Fridays, Nov. 12 and 19 Princeton Visit Wachusett Meadow for an hour of nature-themed fun with your youngster. Read an engaging storybook, make a take-home nature craft, and walk on one of the sanctuary's beautiful trails. The theme for the Nov. 12 class is Red Apples, and Nov. 19 is Dried Flower Centerpieces. Classes will be held outdoors. For ages 2.5 5. Pre-registration required. Adults free, children $5, members $4. massaudubon.org.

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Preschool Story Hour: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle x Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 10-11 Worcester Learn about the three R’s and play games with recyclable materials at this thematic story hour at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. This program includes a story, an activity and a naturalist-led walk. Dress for the weather and be prepared to be outdoors as much as possible for this program. For kids ages 3 - 5. Adults free, children $5, members $4. Preregistration required. massaudubon.org.

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Zoolights at Stone Zoo v Opens Nov. 19 Stoneham Stone Zoo's ZooLights dazzles visitors of all ages each holiday season. This winter wonderland takes you on a stroll through the zoo, along tree-lined paths lit by twinkling lights. Spanning the Zoo's 26 acres, walk through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and see black bears, a bald eagle, Canada lynx, arctic foxes, and even reindeer! Ticket prices TBA. zoonewengland.org.

STONE ZOO

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 17

Magic of Lights at Gillette v Opens Nov. 19 Foxborough This drive-through experience features dazzling themed light displays created with nearly one million sparkling lights. Guests will enjoy brandnew displays including Prehistoric Christmas, Big Foot Monster Trucks and the Snow Flurry Tunnel, as well as returning favorites including the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland and the Enchanting Tunnel of Lights. The experience will also feature the Illuminating Mega Trees, boasting 40 feet of dancing lights synchronized to popular holiday tunes. Magic of Lights daily from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. beginning Friday, Nov. 19 through Friday, Dec. 24. Tickets start at $40 per vehicle and must be purchased online in advance. magicoflights.com/foxborough.

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Thanksgiving Open Barn & Harvest Market y ERIC J. ADLER

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20-21 w Holiday Lights Spectacular Opens Nov. 26

Harvest X Games y

Providence, RI

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21

This all-new walk-through event features festive, larger-than-life dazzling displays with 1.5 million illuminated lights at Roger Williams Park Zoo. The trail is open nightly from 5-9:30 p.m. on select dates from Nov. 26 to Jan. 2. Tickets are timed-entry and available for purchase online only. rwpzoo.org/holidaylights.

Phillipston Hay bale tossing, pumpkin launching, archery, homebrewing, and even an “Iron Farmer” competition -- it’s all part of the Harvest X-Games at Red Apple Farm’s Thanksgiving Harvest Festival. Every November, more than 40 local family farms and businesses come together at the farm to offer fixings for your Thanksgiving table and home. Local vendors offer fresh crops and unique products from all over New England. The festival, always the weekend before Turkey Day, features delicious food, demonstrations, face painting, a Living History Civil War Encampment, pony rides, local live music, giant pumpkins, and the Harvest X-Games. Grab a drink from the Brew Barn and share in the season’s bounty from the North Quabbin Region. redapplefarm.com.

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ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO

Hardwick A weekend of food, music, shopping and entertaining at Hardwick Vineyard and Winery. This family-friendly event features hayrides, crafts, games, and visits with live farm animals. Shop for your Thanksgiving feast and seasonal gifts at the Crafter’s and Artisan’s Market. hardwickwinery.com.

Dino Safari y Opens in November - dates TBA Boston Grab a Jurassic passport and feel the thrill of standing next to 30+ giant moving dinosaurs on this walk-through expedition at historic Quincy Market. Along the journey, earthquakes might erupt, dinosaurs could battle, and your family might just have to help save a baby dinosaur’s life. You'll learn how dinosaurs evolved over time, where on Earth they lived, and the discoveries paleontologists have made about how they ate, moved, and behaved. Tickets start at $20. dinosafariboston.com.

DINO SAFARI

18 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

Arctic Adventure at MOS x Daily Boston At the Museum of Science’s new permanent exhibit, Arctic Adventure, you’re not just told about the Arctic— you’ll feel it. The region comes to life with digitally immersive sights and sounds including a touchable wall of real ice. Become an Arctic researcher as you use technology (including ground-penetrating radar and ice core drills) to explore our changing environment. The exhibition itself changes, too. Lighting hues mimic the Sun’s motion over the course of the day. The scenery, and the animals you find in it, vary with the seasons. This experience also illuminates the many ways our global climate is changing.

Included with admission: adults $29, children $24, kids under 3 and members free. mos.org.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

#COMETOGETHER

THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES ARE KICKING OFF AT SOLOMON POND Black Friday Shopping, exciting events, and stores to meet all your holiday shopping needs.

For futher details check out www.visitsolomonpondmall.com

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 19

THE

list

5 SPECIAL WAYS TO

CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING

IN THE BAY STATE

The birthplace of Thanksgiving boasts some pretty special ways to mark the holiday. From Cape Cod to the Berkshires, here are five cool ways to spend Turkey Day in Massachusetts.

Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument One of Cape Cod’s most beautiful traditions, the Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument commemorates the Pilgrims’ First Landing — their arrival in Provincetown. In this iconic event, the 252-foot granite monument is illuminated with more 3,000 “landing lights” which will shine nightly through the New Year.

While historically, the annual lighting has taken place the evening before Thanksgiving, last year — the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival in Provincetown — the event was moved to November 11, the day the Pilgrims marked in the diaries as having made landfall. As in 2020, there will be a virtual lighting at dusk on November 11. Revelers are invited to “Holler to the Hill” when the lights go on: blow those car horns and make lots of noise to commemorate the time. Watch the Pilgrim Monument’s social media pages for more details and how you can tune-in to the Annual Lighting.

PILGRIM MONUMENT

National Heritage Corridor

Open Al Op All Wi Winter Wint Come explore our wide open spaces and New England downtowns & villages Visit TheLastGreenValley.org or call 860-774-3300 20 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

LAURA TONELLO

x America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration This three-day celebration is held at the birthplace of Thanksgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving. The celebration of Thanksgiving at the Plymouth Harbor and Waterfront becomes historybrought-to-life as Pilgrims, Native Americans, soldiers, patriots, and pioneers climb out of the history books and onto the streets of Plymouth.

Activities include a parade, concerts, waterfront activities, historic reenactments and more.

Concerts: Things kick off on Friday night, Nov. 19, with the Plymouth Philharmonic. On Saturday night, take in historic renditions of some of America’s best songs played by the Drum and Bugle corps.

Tickets required for both.

Parade: Ranked one of the top Thanksgiving parades in

Thanksgiving holiday. Explore Historic Deerfield, an outdoor museum in the Berkshires that interprets the history and culture of early New England and the Connecticut River Valley. There, you can tour twelve carefully-preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850, and explore collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts on display. The 18th and 19th-century houses of the village center, many on their original site and filled with antique furnishings, reveal the lifestyles of Deerfielders from the time of the first English settlement to the Arts and Crafts Movement in the early 20th century.

the nation, the march steps off from the historic Plymouth rock on Saturday morning, Nov. 20. One of America’s only historically accurate chronological parades, it brings to life America’s rich heritage from the 17th through the 21st centuries.

Waterfront Family Fun Festival: Keep warm in heated tents along Plymouth’s historic waterfront and the Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Paint, create and build in the Children’s Pavilion, grab a bite from the Food Truck Alley or a drink from the Beer and Wine Garden.

Native American Pavilion: Learn what really happened at that first dinner between the Colonist and Wampanoag people in the fall of 1621.

Historic Village: On Saturday, the scenic Brewster Gardens come to life with four centuries of costumed historians and authentic camps. Begin your journey in the 17th century with Native Peoples and European settlers, and watch the 17th century citizen soldiers practice the defense of their town with spears and matchlock muskets. Interpreters will inform and entertain as you travel among the centuries. y Parade of the Big Balloons A parade of helium giants has been a longstanding tradition in Springfield. For two decades, Santa Claus has been welcomed to town with Springfield’s own 75-foot

PENNY LEVERITT, HISTORIC DEERFIELD, INC.

inflatable “Cat in the Hat” — a nod to Springfield native Dr. Seuss — and a few of his inflatable friends, bands and colorful contingents. See the big balloons as they promenade down Main Street, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade features musical, marching and motorized contingents, and Santa arriving high atop Springfield Fire Departments Ladder #1.

Following the parade, Tower Square hosts a holiday open house with many children’s activities and performances.

songs while enjoying a traditional 17th-century meal of mussels, turkey, fish, pork, corn pudding, stewed pumpkin, cheesecake and more.

Advance tickets are required for all Thanksgiving dining options. Prices include two-day museum admission.

v Thanksgiving at Plimoth Patuxet Take a step back in time and experience Thanksgiving as it began. At Plimoth Patuxet, a living history museum, features a 17-century English Village complete with timber-framed houses, a full-scale reproduction of the tall ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620, and the Wampanoag Homesite.

On Thanksgiving Day, Plimoth Patuxet offers a choice of dining programs. At “The Story of Thanksgiving Dinner,” you’ll be greeted by Pilgrim role players and Native interpreters and sit down to a classic roast turkey meal and all the traditional New England trimmings. A Homestyle Buffet option is also available, a communal style meal with all the Turkey Day fixings.

A New England Harvest Feast is also offered several times throughout November. You’llbe entertained with centuries-old psalms and

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x Open Hearth Cooking at Historic Deerfield Step back in time and watch hearth cooks prepare traditional Thanksgiving dishes using hearth cooking methods. At this special event on November 26 and 27, you’ll learn about the history of harvest celebrations and the evolution of the American

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feature

I

t’s the time of year when we start thinking about everything we have to be thankful for. Although it’s nice to count your blessings on Thanksgiving, being thankful throughout the year could have tremendous benefits on your quality of life. There are science-back benefits to practicing gratitude -- especially for kids. Grateful children tend to be happier, more optimistic, and report more satisfaction with their schools, families, friends, and themselves.

8 BOOKS AND JOURNALS TO

INSPIRE GRATITUDE

IN KIDS

What better time to get started? Here are our favorite journals and books to help inspire gratitude in kids and teens, whether it’s flipping through a picture book or jotting down reflections at the end of the day.

My 26 Week Gratitude Journal

Gratitude is My Superpower v

By Suzanne Culleton and Linda Culleton

By Alicia Ortega

Simple prompts in this journal help children identify and recognize all the things in their life that they can be thankful for. A variety of activities, puzzles, yoga, games, and stickers are also included. Weekly activities and games can be removed from the journal and put in a place kids will see daily, such as the fridge or their bedroom.

With the help of a magic stone, Betsy begins to feel gratitude for her parents, friends, and toys. When she forgets to use the magic of her stone she realizes that the power of gratitude is hidden in her heart. This book helps little ones learn that happiness is made up of simple things in life, both small and big.

Thankful v

By Elaine Vickers; Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill A little girl writes down the things she’s thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to another, her chain grows longer. Brought to life by diorama-like 3-D illustration style, and inspired by the author’s personal family tradition of creating thankful chains, this new picture book is a reminder to observe life’s small joys.

22 | NOVEMBER 2021 | BayStateParent

Thankful Thoughts Journal for Kids v

By Stacey Ventimiglia This journal asks kids to identify their “peaks” as well as their “valleys” each day, reminding them that every day will have its good parts and its bad parts. This gives daily practice to creating a lifelong attitude of looking for the good. It also asks a different question each day, such as “How did you show kindness today?” or “What did you learn today?”

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? v

By Dr. Seuss

Gratitude Finder x Journal

“When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad . . .you should do what I do!” So begins the terrific advice of the wise old man in the Desert of Drize. This classic book provides the perfect antidote for readers of all ages who are feeling a bit down in the dumps. Thanks to Dr. Seuss’s trademark rhymes and signature illustrations, readers will, without a doubt, realize just how lucky they truly are.

Gratitude Soup v

By Olivia Rosewood Violet the Purple Fairy learns how to make Gratitude Soup by thinking of all the things, people, places, and experiences that she is grateful for, putting them in an imaginary soup pot. Perfect for teaching children about gratitude with fun and play, this rhyming picture book combines collage and watercolors as the fairy tells her own story of cooking with gratitude.

By Denise Albright This bright and cheery journal

by Reminder Binder comes in an array of colors and styles to match your little one’s personality. There’s just enough room to jot a quick note of gratitude each day, along with weekly prompts to record encouraging notes, memorable experiences, and special people. Four pages of stickers make the daily habit fun for kids.

Things That Don’t x Totally Suck Mindful Magic Journals Designed for teens, this journal is fun, realistic and easy to fill in. Teen-friendly prompts include: “What didn’t totally suck today?” “What was actually kind of cool?” and “What are you excited to do tomorrow?”

BayStateParent | NOVEMBER 2021 | 23

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