North Shore Children & Families April 2012 by Michael Mascolo

North Shore

Children

& Families FREE!

The online and print forum promoting the development of children, families and the parents who care for them.

IN THIS ISSUE Summer Camps & Programs Showcase See pages 11-15!

Springing into Love This Thing Called Love How Love Grows The 3rd Person in the Bedroom Nurturing Your Teen through Relationships Between Two Consenting Adults Community Calendar Education Feature: Cape Ann Waldorf School Reader Contest! See page 2!

www.northshorefamilies.com

APRIL 2012

2 North Shore Children & Families

Family & Friends

Hello Spring! MORE Nice Days – MORE Camps MORE Contests – MORE Local Moms! We’ve Got MORE! by Suzanne Provencher, Publisher Hmmm…did I miss Winter? I had barely gotten used to the fact that Spring is here – when Summer showed up recently. And not just for one freak day – Summer graced us with her presence on several days, with many even heading to the beach on those March 80 degree days. I’m not complaining – and the older I get, the more I like warmer weather year round. I’m just concerned what this means to our environment…to our planet. Something just doesn’t seem right. It’s like the North and South are switching places, so maybe by the time I retire I won’t even have to consider moving South to a

warmer climate. It’s odd…and troubling – and I wonder what it really means? But that’s a bigger conversation for another time. At the very least, and in honor of Earth Day this month, we can recycle as much as possible and be mindful of how each of us can cut back and be less wasteful. We can turn off lights and appliances when not in use, organize neighborhood, park and beach clean-ups – so we can continue to enjoy these precious places. We can teach our children to be responsible and respectful of all living things – and to pick up after themselves. We must all work to keep our planet as clean and efficient

as possible. And while we’re being so environmentally conscious – don’t forget to play outside, take a walk, breathe in some fresh air, bask in a little warm sunshine and celebrate the season! As the vibrancy of color returns to our landscape – so, too, do warm feelings of change and rebirth and hope. So put away the winter jackets, the remote and the technology we are addicted to – and go play outside with your real friends!

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ Don’t miss our April Calendar, which starts on page 20! You’ll find many Open Houses, special offers for free classes and screenings, fundraisers that benefit local schools

and children and lots of fun things to do for you and your family. If you have an event listing to share (see page 20), May calendar listings are due by Tues., April 17, to be considered for our May Calendar, which appears in print and online. Preference is given to those events that are free, familyfriendly, fundraisers that benefit local children, families and schools – and those listings submitted by our advertisers, who make our free family publication possible.

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

It’s time for another contest! We have partnered once again with Big Apple Circus – and we are giving

Karen J. Cronin, MS CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist

Open your home

Evaluations • Consultations Pediatric Therapy

share your community

Karen evaluates and treats children (18 months to 14 years of age) with various speech and language delays and disorders including: • developmental delays • receptive and expressive language disorders • articulation and phonological delays/disorders • literacy based delays and disorders • high functioning autism and pragmatic language disorders • motor speech disorders • language and auditory processing disorders • attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities Karen actively collaborates with your child’s caregivers, specialists, teachers and other team members to promote carryover of therapy success into your child’s everyday life. Individual & Group Sessions • Short & Long-Term Therapy Options • Summer Sessions to Prevent Regression of Skills • FREE Screenings! Over 20 Years of Experience Working in Public Schools & Private Practice • Certified Member of the American Speech Language & Hearing Assoc. • Licensed in MA Payment Options: Blue Cross/Blue Shield • Harvard Vanguard • Private Pay

Middleton Green, 10 Maple St., Suite 203, Middleton • 978.239.5520

Continued on page 17

to an international student and for a few weeks this summer! Host an International Student (ages 14-17) and earn up to $2,400 this summer! • Students from Italy, France, and Spain are coming on July 5th for 3 weeks. • Students from China are coming on July 25th for 3 weeks. If you are able to provide a room, meals, transportation to a local point, and a caring environment, you have what it takes to host friendly students from abroad!

Educational Homestay Programs

Enter to Win A Family 4-Pack to See

Big Apple Circus in Boston! Courtesy of North Shore Children & Families

Enter online at www.northshorefamilies.com! Deadline to enter is April 27! Only one entry per person, please. Several prizes will be awarded.

North Shore Children & Families

Letter from the Editor

by Michael F. Mascolo, PhD Spring is in the air. The air is clean and everything is alive! The green is sprouting all over. The blossoms are blossoming, the flowers are flowering and our thoughts turn to all that is new and fresh. Spring has sprung, and among the young, love springs eternal. But not just in the young. Among the not-so-young, depending upon where you are in your romantic journey, spring holds out the promise of different types of love. The love of middle and old age is not the same as the love of youth (at least we hope not). Love in later life tends to be more seasoned, more nuanced and, dare I say – more developed and sophisticated (at least we hope so). Even among those who are starting again and are beginning a relationship in our later years, we tend to approach it with a more sophisticated view of what it means to love and to cultivate a loving relationship (again, at least we hope so). In this issue, we explore the development and experience of love and loving relationships from adolescence onward. We’ll explore the anxious longing of infatuation and the nature and nurturing of romantic relationships through adolescence. We’ll also explore the difference between

www.northshorefamilies.com P.O. Box 150 Nahant, MA 01908-0150 781.584.4569 A publication of North Shore Ink, LLC © 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction in full or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Suzanne M. Provencher Publisher/Co-Founder/Managing Partner suzanne@northshorefamilies.com Michael F. Mascolo, PhD Editor/Co-Founder/Partner michael@northshorefamilies.com Designed by Group One Graphics Printed by Seacoast Media Group Please see our Calendar in this issue for our upcoming deadlines. Published and distributed monthly throughout the North Shore, 10x per year, and always online. All articles are written by Michael F. Mascolo, PhD unless otherwise credited. Information contained in NSC&F is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. Individual readers are responsible for their use of any information provided. NSC&F is not liable or responsible for the effects of use of information contained in NSC&F. Established 2007.

Our culture is one that romanticizes youth and venerates superficial sexuality. It is our job to give our youths the benefit of our deeper experience when it comes to matters of the heart. But therein lies the rub: while teens would gain obvious benefits by heeding the wisdom of their elders, it is this very wisdom that youth cannot begin to fathom. From their view, honoring the wisdom of one’s elders would require an act of faith. And in our youth-loving culture, old people are treated more like objects to be discarded than sages to be regarded. This, of course, is the perennial predicament of being a parent. But it’s spring and all is new again. Predicaments be damned! Let’s spring into action.

Where to Find Us North Shore Children & Families is available at over 425 locations throughout the North Shore! Our free, monthly parenting publication is available at North Shore libraries, schools, pediatric doctor & dentist offices, hospitals, pre-schools, children & family support services, retailers that cater to parents, children & thriving families,YMCAs, children’s activity & instruction centers (dance, gymnastics, music, children’s gyms) and more! You can find us from route 93 in Woburn – north to the Andovers & NH border – east to Newburyport & Salisbury – south to Gloucester & Cape Ann – west to Malden & Medford and everywhere in between.

We’ve got the North Shore covered! If you would like to be considered to host & distribute our free publication each month from your family-friendly, North Shore business location – or if you’re a reader who needs to find a location near you – please contact Suzanne: suzanne@northshorefamilies.com or 781.584.4569.

GEM, MINERAL & FOSSIL ID • JEWELRY • GOLD

The North Shore Rock & Mineral Club Invites All to the 49th ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND

Gem & Mineral Show Featuring WHOLESALE & RETAIL DEALERS, Purveyors of Quality Rock, Mineral, Crystal and Fossil Specimens, Lapidary Supplies, Precious and Semi-Precious Jewelry, Beads and Jewelry Supplies, FREE Crystal, Gem, Mineral and Fossil ID, Gold Panning, Spin-A-Gem, Exhibits and Demonstrations, Geode Cutting and more!

Saturday, MAY 5, 2012 • 9am - 5pm Sunday, MAY 6, 2012 • 10am - 4pm

Topsfield Fairgrounds Rt. 1 North, Topsfield, MA Enter at Rivergate Entrance.

FREE PARKING! GENERAL ADMISSION $5.00 PER PERSON With this ad, $4.00 (2 discount admissions only) Senior Citizens $3.00 – Children under 12 FREE For discount flyers, e-mail donna@nahant.com Visit our website: www.nahant.com/nsrmc

JEWELS • GEMS • EXHIBITS • SPIN-A-GEM • BEADS • LAPIDARY SUPPLIES • JEWELRY • EXHIBITS • GEODES

North Shore Children & Families

What are you saying? That you fear that the more genuine and mature form of love is a love without passion? Goodness! Do you think that only those youths who have difficulty harnessing their hormones have a monopoly on passion? No so fast. Youth, as they say, tends to be wasted on the young. Those young innocents (and not-so-innocents) know precious little or nothing about the sensual longings that are structured by genuine love. And so, let’s talk a bit about how to help our teens approach sexuality in ways that will become truly fulfilling as they work to cultivate genuine loving relationships over time.

GEMS • REFRESHMENTS • DEMONSTRATIONS • MINERALS • FOSSILS • ROCKS • CRYSTALS • JEWELRY • GEMS

Springing into Love

the adolescent ginger pop feeling of being “in love” and the cultivation of the more mature and genuine forms of romantic love that can evolve as we grow older and wiser.

GEODES • HOURLY DOOR PRIZES • SPIN-O-GEM

North Shore Children & Families

Love & Relationships

What is This Thing We Call Love? Perhaps the most important thing that we seek in our relationships is love. We want to love and we want to be loved. But what is love? We all seem to know what love is until we actually try to say what it is. What is this thing called love? Is love the feeling of “pitter-pat” and excitement that comes when we first lay eyes upon that person who seems oh so perfect? Is it the feeling of “being on Cloud 9” that comes when that handsome guy finally asks you for a date? Is it the feeling of sexual desire? What happens after those feelings of excitement fade? Do you still love your partner? Are you still in love? And what about those crabby old folks who have been together for 50 years? Do they still “love” each other? If not, why are they together? If so, their love seems very different from that

which we see in the movies! What’s going on? Nikki just met Justin and now she is obsessed! Justin is tall, handsome, sexy and smart. She imagines what it would be like to be his girlfriend. Life would be just perfect in every way. She wants to see him so badly. She is planning to wait outside of the library and “bump” into him accidentally on purpose. Oh, I hope he likes me! Vanessa and Valerie have been dating for about three months. Valerie is all that Vanessa can think about. Vanessa can’t wait to see Valerie at the end of the day. Since she has been dating Valerie, everything seems just a little bit brighter. There’s a little extra oomph in her step. When you see

Vanessa and Valerie together, you can’t help but notice that they are smiling at each other and looking into each other’s eyes.

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From Your House, To Ours A place to call their own, a warm community of friends, a nurturing environment to develop independence, the freedom to discover their true potential.

Your child is ready for the first school experience. At Harborlight-Stoneridge, we know the importance of investing in your child’s potential.

Call Today to Schedule a Tour!

Guided by certified Montessori teachers, young children are provided with the unique opportunity to develop through their natural sense of wonder. The warm and inviting classrooms are fully equipped with learning materials Please call 978.922.1008. necessary to nourish curious minds, inspire creativity, and foster self-confidence. Our curriculum is designed to meet the specific gifts and 243 Essex Street, Beverly talents of your child, from infancy through grade eight. www.harborlightmontessori.org

Chris and Denise have been married for 13 years. Denise is a teacher. Even on weekends, Denise spends a lot of time out of the

PARENT-CHILD PLAYGROUPS

Join Us! Saturday Mornings 9:00-10:30 Ages 2 1/2 –5 years No fee – please RSVP to 978.922.1008. This playgroup is open to families not already affiliated with Harborlight-Stoneridge Montessori School.

243 Essex Street, Beverly

house working with her students. Chris is often home with their two children. Chris and Denise enjoy their time together, but they don’t mind being apart. They are not as physically intimate as often as Chris would like, and they fight more often than they used to. However, when Chris thinks of Denise, he can’t imagine spending his life with a more wonderful, thoughtful, moral and beautiful person. Which of these three scenes describes genuine or mature love? Most of us would rule out the first one pretty quickly. Nikki may think that she is “in love” with Justin, or that she even loves him. But she has only just met him! How can she possibly love him? The answer, of course, is that she can’t. Love requires intimacy – knowledge of the other person as he or she really is. Nikki doesn’t know Justin. Instead, she idealizes him. Justin is just perfect in every way! He is the ideal mate for Nikki, not because she knows him, but precisely because she does not know him. Because she only knows Justin’s seemingly perfect exterior, now Nikki can make him into anything that her soaring heart

desires. He is a wonderful fantasy. But just wait until he actually speaks… So, we can say that Nikki is infatuated, but she’s not “in love”. The second scenario seems more like what we think of when we think of love. This is the stuff of love songs. Vanessa and Valerie look into each other’s eyes; they smile; their attention is fixed on each other. They want to spend all of their time together. But is this love? Well, it certainly is in the love family. We do have an expression that seems to characterize this type of love rather well – we call it being “in love”. When two people are “in love”, they experience the ginger-pop feelings of excitement that come from getting to know that new someone. It’s the feelings of being “on Cloud 9” that we refer to when we speak of being “in love”. And what happens when those gingerpop feelings fade and subside? For some people, this becomes a problem. If I don’t feel that adolescent excitement, then do I really love you? Being “in love” is certainly a form of love. But it is not yet mature, genuine or real love.

North Shore Children & Families Mature love is not about the self; it is about the other person. Return to the example of Nikki who was infatuated with Justin. Nikki doesn’t know Justin; there is not yet any real Justin there to love! Nikki is more excited about how Justin feels about her. Will he like me? In this sense, Nikki’s infatuation is at least as much about her as it is about Justin. Things are a bit different for Vanessa and Valerie. But they are focused on each other and are getting to know each other. But that which feels so palpable to them – their excited feelings of being “in love” – arise mostly from the novelty and uncertainty of their new relationship. What happens when the novelty wears off? What is Your Love’s Market Value? And Why You Don’t Care So what separates real, genuine and mature love from infatuation or feeling in love? Mature love? That’s what Chris and Denise share. Let’s take a look at what “mature” love is all about.

Love is the bestowal of value onto another person. To love someone is to experience that person as valuable in and of himself or herself. This is different from experiencing that person simply as valuable for me. Loving someone simply for what he or she can do for me is not mature love. Such love may be strong, but it is more similar to the way a young child loves a mother. The child is dependent upon the mother to fulfill his or her needs. Loving someone because they fulfill our personal needs is not the same as loving them as a person. The word bestow is particularly important here. The philosopher, Irving Singer, compares the idea of “bestowing” with “appraising”. Let’s say that you were going to buy a house. You would look for houses and try to find the one that best suits your needs. Let’s say that you found a house that you like. Now you want to settle on a price. You might ask, “What is the value of this house?” You might hire an appraiser who will determine the market value of the house. Continued on page 6

because I love you for who you are, not how I imagine or want you to be. And because I love you, I want to care for you; I want to take care of you, to nurture you, to protect you.

6 North Shore Children & Families What is This Thing We Call Love? Continued from page 5

The appraiser would do this by finding out what other people are willing to pay for a house with features that are similar to the house you have chosen. The appraiser will determine the “objective” market value of the house. To bestow value is not the same as appraising the market value of a house or a car. The criteria that we use to appraise a house come from sources that are external to us (how much money the new porch costs; the price of living near the water, etc.). However, a bestowal comes from within us. A bestowal of value is entirely unrelated to any sort of appraised value. When we bestow, we are the ones that give value to the person or thing before us. It doesn’t matter what other people think, what the market value of the object is, or the like: I love you because I bestow value upon you. My love for you is entirely unswayed by your “market value” (for

example, in the “sexual marketplace”) or by how much other people assess your worth.

Imagine a beautiful vase that you love. Why do you love this vase? Not because of what it does for you. You love the vase because it is beautiful; because of the way it is shaped; because of its unique design, and so forth. And because you love this vase for itself, you don’t want anything to happen to it. You want to take care of it. It wouldn’t be love if you didn’t care what happened to your loved object.

Let’s say that you found the house of your dreams. You love this house. If you really love the house, no appraiser or appraisal will change your mind. If an appraiser said, “You know, this is not a very valuable house; it’s only worth $100,000”, your love for the house would not be diminished an iota. This does not mean that you would necessarily pay any price for the house; after all, the house might be very expensive and you may not be able to afford it. But the point is that the appraised value of the house is simply irrelevant to you. You love the house because you bestow value upon it. If I Love You, I Want to Take Care of You So, I love you. I bestow value upon you based upon knowing you as you

Nursery & Kindergarten Tour – April 6, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. Open House & Egg Decorating – April 7, 10:00 a.m. - Noon Elementary & Middle School Tour – April 10, 8:15 - 10:15 a.m. NEW! Cape Ann Waldorf Summer Camp - from July 16 to August 10!

Love is Cultivated

are. I admire you, respect you. And my love is about you, not me. Because it is you whom I love, what I love about you has to do with you and not simply for what you can do for me – and

And this is the real thing: mature love is not the same as infatuation. It’s not even the same as “being in love”. It’s something much stronger. And like anything that is strong, secure and good, it takes time, effort and even struggle to cultivate. Genuine mature love is deeper, more stable and more satisfying than its less developed and (arguably) more exciting versions.

North Shore Children & Families

Love & Relationships

How Love Grows Love is like a rose. It is beautiful. It smells so sweet. But it has thorns. It grows. If you don’t take care of it, it will wither and die. Love is confusing. So often, we equate “love” with “falling in love”. But falling in love is not mature love. Some cynical folks (mostly evolutionary psychologists) even say that “falling in love” is nature’s way of getting you hooked. We fall in love even though we don’t really know the person who we are falling in love with very well. We feel all the butterflies and the walking on air and the spring in our step and, well, you know the rest. We get hooked and procreate. And then we find out who the other person really is! But by that time, you’re hooked. Nature fools you with the adolescent ginger pop of falling in love. Yes, this is a bit cynical for sure. But there is a lesson in it. Falling in love is quite nice, but it’s better to have genuine mature love. But that takes time, effort and cultivation. Take a look at the graph on the right. This is how love grows. (Well, not always, but a lot of the time. There are many pathways to mature love.) Quite often, love starts with infatuation. Is infatuation love? Well, how could it be? Love requires knowledge of the other person. You can’t love whom you don’t know! In infatuation, we idealize the object of our affections. But what’s more, unlike love, the state of infatuation is as much focused on the self as it is

on the other person. The person who is infatuated is anxious, nervous and longing for reciprocity. Will my perfect someone want me? Infatuation starts off strong. Then, of course, the other person speaks. Sometimes that’s enough to kill it. But if not, and if and when our intended reciprocates our interest, then we’re off! The infatuation begins to fade and the stage is set for the possibility of falling in love! Continued on page 8

8 North Shore Children & Families

How Love Grows Continued from page 7

And so he likes you. You date. It’s all so novel and new and wonderful and exciting! I can’t wait to see him! We look into each other’s eyes. We want to be together. Surely we are in love! And so, we fall in love; our sense of being “in love” intensifies over time. It can stay for a short time or a long time – or a very long time. But then, something dangerous begins to happen. The butterflies fade. The ginger pop begins to lose its pop. Oh no! Am I falling out of love? Maybe I don’t love you anymore? Why are the butterflies flying away? Is it because I don’t “love” you anymore? Maybe – but maybe not. To find out, we have to ask ourselves why the butterflies were there in the first place? They were there not because of real, genuine mature love; they were there because of the novelty of the other person. The other person is new; our love is new. We are just getting to know each other! That can take a long time. And here is the paradox: the butterflies flap their wings in your tummy when the relationship is new – when you don’t know the other person. The butterflies stop flapping when you come to know the other person, when the relationship becomes more stable, when the intimacy is deeper. The butterflies wane when the novelty wears off. Genuine, mature love requires knowledge of the other person. We can only genuinely love that which we know. But the feeling of being “in love” often dissipates as we get to know the other person – because we are becoming more familiar. Falling in love is nice; but it just sets up the really real thing that, hopefully, will come later. And now the real work begins. If the relationship is going to be sustained, then the couple is going to have to work to continue to build real, genuine and mature love. They will need to cultivate the sense of what they genuinely value in the other person – not simply what the other person does for the self – but instead what is good, valuable wonderful and beautiful about the other person. And this needs to be done while knowing full well that all those good, valuable, wonderful and beautiful aspects of your loved one are all wrapped up with the things about your loved one that annoy and even infuriate you. This is the really real thing, not the soda pop version of being in love (although that’s real too – or at least real love in the making…). Unlike “falling in love”, this really real thing is slow growing and is only achieved after some hard work, effort and even pain. This is the place to be, whether or not it is less exciting than being “in love”. Now, this is all lost on the typical teenager. How could it not be? They have not lived enough of life to experience the pleasures and pains of real growth. But teens are not immune to equating “love” with the excitement of “falling in love”. A lot of adults make the mistake of thinking that relationships can be sustained by feelings of being “in love”. It’s mostly the opposite – feelings of genuine love (or even the excitement of feeling “in love” over time) takes hard work and commitment over time. And so, next time you are in a restaurant, and you see that old couple in the booth sitting next to you, and you think of how sorry you are that the excitement seems to be long gone from their relationship, think again. You may be right. But then again, they may know something that you don’t.

North Shore Children & Families

Education Feature

What’s So Special about a Waldorf Kindergarten? A Kindergarten experience full of purpose, not pressure A Waldorf Kindergarten provides a rich sensory experience in which the child can thrive. Music and craft work are interwoven throughout the day. Watercolor painting, drawing, baking and sewing are weekly activities. The children experience and participate in “real work” throughout the day such as cleaning, preparing the daily meal, setting the table, grinding grains, threshing wheat, carrying pails of water and gardening, to name a few. Their days breathe with quiet times and not-so-quiet times in order to create a healthy, balanced experience. The play is the thing Play is what builds a child’s foundation.

In a word, everything Outside, children play no matter what the weather. The play areas feature rope ladders, sandboxes, rocks to climb on and tree swings rather than metal or plastic play structures. Step inside and the room glows with sunlight, the toys are made of wood and wool, and the aroma of baking bread fills the air. It does not take long to realize that there is something special happening in a Waldorf Kindergarten. Doing it “differently” matters Your child is unique. Waldorf teachers use a timetested teaching method founded on the principle that every child is unique. A central tenet of Waldorf education – from Pre-kindergarten up through the Grades – is discovering and supporting the child’s emerging individuality. Your child is unique. Waldorf education also recognizes that childhood is unique. It is the one time in an individual’s life where a true foundation is laid for the future. Waldorf early childhood education offers a rich, unhurried, developmentally appropriate curriculum that prepares children for the academics that await them in the elementary grades. Children in a Waldorf Kindergarten are provided an environment that lets them grow up healthy, secure, imaginative, and joyful. Your child is unique. So is a Waldorf Kindergarten.

A Waldorf Kindergarten provides opportunities for gross motor and fine motor movement, sequencing, sensory integration, eye-hand coordination, tracking, as well as for experiencing the beauty in language and developing other basic skills necessary for academic excellence. Why has this form of education blossomed throughout the world for the past 90 years? Because Waldorf is based on sound, time-tested insights about human development to help unfold each child’s potential. Over the last ten years, hundreds of studies have been conducted and discoveries made in brain and child-development research validating the theories and methods behind Waldorf education, including the value of play. Cape Ann Waldorf School’s new campus at Moraine Farm Cape Ann Waldorf School is now located at its permanent home at Moraine Farm in Beverly. With ten acres of land on a historic Fredrick Law Olmsted designed property, the school is exploring many new opportunities and program offerings.

Cape Ann Waldorf Summer Camp This summer, Cape Ann Waldorf School will launch its Summer Camp program for children entering grades two through four. The camp will offer balanced, ageappropriate activities including art, songs, stories, water play, games, outdoor exploration, and hands-on activities for four weeks beginning July 16, 2012. Experience a Waldorf Kindergarten First Hand Parents are warmly invited to come with their children, 4 to 6 years old, from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Light, healthy snack will be provided. March 28 April 4 April 11 April 25

Seasonal Puppetry Handwork Nature Walk Imaginative Circle Journey

Reservations required. Please call 978-927-1936.

The Gift of Waldorf Education “In today’s pressured, nature-starved, media-saturated world, Waldorf education offers a proven approach to give children the health and inner strength they need to move fully into life and help solve the problems of tomorrow.” – Cape Ann Waldorf School Middle School Teacher, Alumna Parent, Harvard Alumna “This is a mindful, nurturing education that challenges the intellect, honors the child’s developmental path, and cultivates reverence for the natural world, giving our graduates a distinctive sense of self and inner focus to their life and work.” – Cape Ann Waldorf School Third Grade Parent and Wellesley Alumna “The commitment to letting children play and be outdoors, and the ‘no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing’ approach. We went to look at another school and they watch movies in the gym when it rains.” – Cape Ann Waldorf School First Grade Parent “Your children will thank you for it!” – CAWS Graduate, 2003

The information contained in this education feature was submitted by Cape Ann Waldorf School, and published in partnership with North Shore Children & Families; www.northshorefamilies.com.

The breadth and depth of the Waldorf experience is just too vast to sum up in one page. We encourage you to come for a visit. For many of our families, enrolling at CAWS has truly been a gift for their whole family.

Cape Ann Waldorf School, 701 Cabot Street (Rte 97), Beverly, MA 01915 Serving children in Grades 1-8, Kindergarten and Nursery. Parent & Child classes are also offered.

www.capeannwaldorf.org

978-927-1936

admissions@capeannwaldorf.org

10 North Shore Children & Families

Love & Relationships

The Third Person in the Bedroom No, it’s not quite what you are thinking – but it’s not that far off though. Recently, in a discussion in a college class on relationships, the conversation turned to “hooking up” – the practice of sex without strings. “Hooking up” refers to the activity of meeting someone and choosing to have sex under the explicit awareness that there will be no emotional involvement. It is sex for sex; no strings attached. A variant of this practice is the phenomenon of “friends with benefits”: friends who have sex, but who separate the benefits of friendship from the momentary pleasures of sex. The student started her remarks by saying, “You can have sex, but if there are feelings, the love can get in the way…” Somehow, we have managed to put the cart before the horse. It used to be that the sex could get in the way of the development of a loving relationship. Now, it seems that quite often, it is the other way around. We seem genuinely confused about the relationship between sex and love. Sex and love are not the same thing; yet they are so clearly related. Some say that it is possible and desirable to separate sex from love (e.g., the “hooking up” culture among many young people); at the other extreme, others say that sex is only appropriate in the context of marriage. There are many gradations between these two extremes.

Our culture has evolved to a point where teenage sex is seen as something that is simply normative. Teens will have sex. Their hormones are raging. Sexual messages are all around them. We can’t really stop our teens from having sex. And besides – what’s the real harm? For many people, the only real moral issue around sex is whether or not it is consensual or not. Beyond that, the big issue here is how to keep teens safe. So, we will need to show teens how to use birth control, how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and how to keep themselves physically safe in relationships that could turn out to be risky. Our contemporary way of thinking about sex leaves something out. We tend to be rather ambivalent about teenage sex. We tend to think of it as an inevitable something that we should try to stave off as long as possible. However, we seem not to be able to come up with compelling reasons why this should be the case. Much of our ambivalence, I think, occurs because we are often unwilling to acknowledge the very genuine social and moral issues around sexual activity – and the ways in which casual sex (at any age) can be damaging to future relationships. The Third Person Who is the third person in the bedroom? The third person is an individual’s future long-term romantic partner. Continued on page 16

For young men & women grades 6 - 12, who seek a challenging,yet supportive learning environment, in a Catholic, faith based setting.

North Shore Children & Families

Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 2 of 4

Series continues in our May & Summer issues.

North Shore Children & Families

Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 2 of 4

Series continues in our May & Summer issues.

North Shore Children & Families

Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 2 of 4

Series continues in our May & Summer issues.

Regular and Summer Sessions Enrolling Now!

We are math specialists who have helped thousands of children worldwide not only learn math, but love math. Whether your child is struggling to stay at grade level, has already fallen behind, or needs to be challenged, we will develop an individualized learning plan to ensure success.

WARN

YOUR CING: HILD COULD BE C

CRAZOYME ABOUT MATH

Summer is a great time to catch up, get ahead and keep skills fresh. Flexible hours and programs available for all ability levels. Call or visit to learn about our convenient and affordable options. Your neighborhood center is

Mathnasium Dodge Street Crossing 4 Enon St. N. Beverly, MA 01915 northbeverly@mathnasium.com 978.922.2200 1ST - 12TH GRADES • SAT & ACT PREP • HOMEWORK HELP • SUMMER PROGRAMS

North Shore Children & Families

Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 2 of 4

Series continues in our May & Summer issues.

Tara Montessori School

SUMMER CAMP – Infants (3 mos.) through Age 6 Join Us This Summer! Tara Montessori Summer Camp provides a comforting place that focuses on love and trust. Founded in 1988 by Toni Dunleavy, Director.

For Infants (3 mos.+) & Toddlers: features singing, reading, giggling, cuddling & tummy time For Preschool & Kindergarten (through age 6): features mini-sports, soccer, t-ball, bike riding & sprinkler fun

2012 Summer Camp Dates: June 12 – August 16, Mon. – Thurs., 8:30a.m. – 12:15p.m., with extended day options available. 62 School Street, Manchester, MA • www.taramontessori.com

Call today to register! 978.526.8487

Camp Birch Hill your home away from home

Located In The Beautiful Lakes Region Of New Hampshire

BROOKS SCHOOL NORTH ANDOVER, MA

Campers choose from 50 activities to create their own personalized schedule! Ages 4-12 – Four Two-Week Sessions Red Cross Swim Lessons, Outdoor Adventures, Crafts

TWO, FOUR and SIX WEEK SESSIONS AVAILABLE

Boys And Girls Ages 6-15

Many Activities to choose: • Land Sports • Tennis • Paintball • Dance

• Water Sports • Horseback Riding • Go Karts

• Zip Line • Adventure • Canoeing • Golf

Grades 7-10 – Eight One-Week Sessions

• Fine Arts • Climbing • Waterski • and more!

Adventure, Performing and Creative Arts, Field Trips

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION Celebrating 20 years of friendship and memories of a lifetime summer@campbirchhill.com • (603) 859-4525 www.CampBirchHill.com

Grades 3-8 – Six One-Week Sessions Movie Making, Game Design, Robotics, Swimming

Tel: 978-725-6253 – daycamp@brooksschool.org http://summer.brooksschool.org

North Shore Children & Families

Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 2 of 4

YOUR CAMP COULD BE HERE NEXT MONTH! Contact Suzanne by April 11 to have your summer camp or program appear in our May showcase!

781.584.4569 suzanne@northshorefamilies.com

ACTING ★ SINGING ★ DANCING ★ THEATRE

North Shore Children’s Theatre (NSCT) provides young performers professional training and arts education offering classes in musical theater dance, acting and singing while giving children the opportunity to be a part of a professional theater production.

To register for our Summer Program or for more information about our Summer or our School Year Programs, please call 781.248.9458 or visit www.northshorechildrenstheatre.org.

Classes are held in Salem, MA. Summer Session, for ages 7-18, runs from July 9 through August 3 (M-F, 9am-3pm; extended care available), with performances on Aug. 3 & 4. ACTING ★ SINGING ★ DANCING ★ THEATRE

DON’T MISS OUR MAY SHOWCASE!

Ad Space Closes 4/13!* Series es u continur in o mer Sum May & sues! is

★ ACTING ★ SINGING ★ DANCING ★ THEATRE ARTS ★ ACTING ★ SINGING ★ DANCING ★

See Our Back Cover for Another Option for Your Kids this Summer!

★ ACTING ★ SINGING ★ DANCING ★ THEATRE ARTS ★ ACTING ★ SINGING ★ DANCING ★

Series continues in our May & Summer issues.

Limited Supply of Flex Passes Available to Pay for Your Camp Days – Buy One Today!

Anytime, Summertime Camps at The Little Gym. Our unique camps provide three hours of fun and activities in a non-competitive, nurturing environment. Each day, different creative themes keep your child on their toes as they take part in exciting imaginative journeys. Choose one day, a few days, or a few weeks. Now Enrolling for Summer Classes and Camps.

Call Today!

• The Little Gym is the home of Serious Fun! Kids have a blast playing with their friends (that’s the FUN part), while at the same time getting all of the benefits of 3-dimensional learning: Brain Boost, Citizen Kid and Get Moving! • Parent/child classes for infants and toddlers up to 3 years of age • Classes in Gymnastics, Sports Skills, Dance and more for children 3-12 • AWESOME birthdays and fun theme-based day camps too! • Open all summer long…air conditioned, clean, safe and FUN!

www.tlgdanversma.com Danvers, MA • 978.777.7977

www.tlgwoburnma.com Woburn, MA • 781.933.3388

North Shore Children & Families presents the 5th Annual

Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series – 2012! CAMPS & SUMMER PROGRAMS!

Secure your summer! ✔ Boost your summer enrollments & reach parents throughout the North Shore! ✔ Over 50,000 local readers - moms & dads with children of all ages & interests! ✔ Showcases run on bannered pages! ✔ Participation includes complimentary online text listing & link!

The largest camp showcases in print on the North Shore! *DEADLINE FOR MAY SHOWCASE ADS: If you require ad production assistance, secure your ad space & submit your ad materials by Wed., April 11. If you do not require ad production assistance, secure your ad space by noon, Fri., April 13 – then share your completed ad by Tues., April 17.

Special Showcase ad sizes and pricing are offered for this series. To learn more or to secure your space, please contact Suzanne: suzanne@northshorefamilies.com or 781.584.4569.

about wanting pleasant sensations (that can be accomplished without a partner). It is about achieving a kind of physical union with another person. Sexual desire is almost a kind of aesthetic judgment – the judgment of beauty. Sexual desire is often the first step of “making the other person special”.

16 North Shore Children & Families The Third Person in the Bedroom Continued from page 10

What are the implications of casual sex for one’s future relationships? This is not something that we ordinarily think of. It is certainly not something that teens ordinarily think of. To answer this question, let’s consider the relationship between sex and love, and how casual sex has the potential to diminish the special brand of intimacy that forms the core of loving relationships. To love is to make special. We all want to be loved. What does it mean to love and be loved? When I love you, I bestow value upon you. I see you as special. And I want you to see me as special. I cannot be special if you judge me to be on par with everyone else. To be special is to be valued for one’s uniqueness; I can only be special to you if I am uniquely valued in your eyes. If we have a special relationship – a love relationship – then I want what is shared between us to be unique – something that you have shared with no one else. To love is to know. Love requires knowledge of the loved person. We cannot love that which we do not know. This is why infatuation, for example, cannot be regarded as a genuine form of love. Infatuation involves the idealization of another person; as a result, a teen who is infatuated doesn’t really know the object of his affection. Loving another person requires deep knowledge of the other person. The sharing of this knowledge is what we call intimacy. When two people are in a genuine love relationship, they have deep knowledge of each other. They are vulnerable to each other; they know each other’s secrets and are able to trust each other with that which is intensely private. The relationship between love and sex. Sex is a lot like love. Sexual desire is the desire for another person – and not simply a desire for a person’s body, but for the person as a conscious and embodied being. Sexual desire is not just

BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE

ONE HUMONGOUS GRIN AT A TIME

Similarly, sexual activity is a form of knowing. When two people engage in sexual activity, they come to know each other physically. They gain carnal knowledge of each other (knowledge of the body). When two people engage in sexual activity, they reveal their bodies to each other. They reveal the sensual secrets of their bodies and of their desires; they gain carnal knowledge of their partner as their partner gains carnal knowledge of them. How Casual Sex Can Affect Future Relationships At this point, we can begin to see how it is possible for casual sex to tear at the fabric of future relationships. The term “casual” means “suited for everyday use”. Its synonyms include: easy, careless, everyday, relaxed, unconcerned and unfussy. If being loved is about being uniquely known, then how can I feel special if you have known so many others? If being loved is about being special to you, how can I feel loved if you have been “unfussy” about who you have known in such a special way? How can I be special when what we have is so far from unique?

NOW OPEN! GIFT CERTIFICATES!

GET IN ON THE ACTION!

An exceptional K-12 education at an exceptional price

We invite you and your child to see all this Serious Fun in action at your local THE LITTLE GYM. CALL US OR ENROLL ONLINE

TODAY

FOR YOUR FREE

Recreational Education Center 83 Pine St., Peabody 978.717.5062

Programs Offered: • Open REC (indoor playground) • 13 Week Summer Day Camp • School Vacation Weeks • Weekends • After School • Social Skills and Play Groups • Date Nights & more! The "REC" is a family resource center that specializes in supporting families with children, adolescents, young adults and those with special needs.

INTRODUCTORY CLASS

Parent/Child Classes 4 months - 3 years

Pre-K/Kindergarten Gymnastics 3 - 6 years

Grade School Gymnastics 6 - 12 years

Sports Skill Development 3 - 5 years

Dance 3 - 12 years

Awesome Birthday Bash 1 - 12 years

DANVERS

WOBURN

29 Andover St.,(Rt. 114) 260 West Cummings Park 978.777.7977 781.933.3388 www.tlgdanversma.com www.tlgwoburnma.com

Open Classroom: Thursday, April 12, 9 - 10:30 am r.s.v.p. greatly appreciated 487 Locust St., Danvers, MA 978-777-4699 www.clarkschool.com

All programs are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.

www.recreationaleducationcenter.com Tues.-Fri. 11am-6pm; Sat. & Sun. 10am-6pm

Kylie Bisutti was a fashion model for Victoria’s Secret. (Anyone who knows about Victoria’s Secret knows that there is very little that Victoria keeps secret.) Bisutti modeled sexy lingerie for Victoria’s Secret for two years. However, after getting married, Bisutti decided to stop modeling, believing that only her husband should be able to see her body. Some people might find Bisutti’s decision to be extreme or prudish. However, her decision reflects the type of sentiment discussed here. My body is personal, even sacred. If I share my body with everyone, I make it common; to make it common is to make the experience of sharing my body less special. What Parents Can Do Adults serve many functions for children and teens. For one thing, they are the holders of knowledge that is simply beyond their immediate grasp. For example, although their teens may not know it, parents know that “hanging out with the wrong crowd” may be harmful for their teen’s future. In this way, teens are not especially good at considering the account when acting in the present. This is especially true of sexual relationships. For many teens, present biological and emotional needs can take precedence over the future consequences of their actions, especially if those consequences are far off and difficult to comprehend. It is important to discuss issues related to sexuality with children and teens. In so doing, it is essential to go beyond simply discussing the biology of sexual activity and the tenet of safe sex. These are important issues. But it is more important to have frank and honest discussions about the meaning of sex in your child’s relationships. Anything that you can do to prompt your child or teen to begin to reflect on these important questions will go a long way to empowering your child. Don’t be afraid to address the truly important questions.

North Shore Children & Families

Family & Friends Continued from page 2

away several family 4-packs to see their new show, Dream Big – Grandma’s Farewell Tour, in the big tent on Boston’s City Hall Plaza! See page 2 and enter to win! If you’d like to purchase tickets, which start at $20, please see the ad on page 8. Prizes are awarded courtesy of North Shore Children & Families and in partnership with select sponsors. One entry per person, please – and be sure to enter online starting April 1 and by April 27!

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

We also have more summer camps & programs for you to consider in the second installment of our 5th Annual Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series, which begins on page 11. Our Camp Showcases are the largest in print on the North Shore (for 5 years running!)

and you’ll find lots of great ideas and options for your children this summer. Early enrollments are encouraged while there is still space available in these summer camps and programs, many of which offer early enrollment incentives! And make sure you check back with us in May and June for the final two installments of our 2012 Camp Showcase Series. To advertise in our May issue, with a regular display ad or a camp showcase ad, please contact me by Wed., April 11 (if you require ad production assistance) or by noon, Fri., April 13 (if you do not need ad production assistance): suzanne@northshorefamilies.com. Thanks so much for sharing some time with us again this month – and as always, we truly hope you enjoy this issue! Until next time – Suzanne

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18 North Shore Children & Families

Love & Relationships

Nurturing Your Teen through Romantic Relationships Adolescence is a time of sexual awakening. After puberty, teens begin to show romantic interests in other teens. This is often a time when parents begin to anticipate the terror of raising teens! There will certainly be ups and downs in nurturing teens through their romantic engagements. But here are some potentially comforting thoughts: • We develop through relationships. • Teens don’t need their parents any less during the teen years; they simply need them in different and more complex ways. • Teens don’t necessarily turn away from their parents during the teen years. Yes, they learn to become separate beings (they develop identities separate from others), but

they remain connected to others throughout – including parents. • Teens not only develop as a result of their relationships with parents and peers, they also develop through the romantic relationships they form over adolescence. So even though there may be some rocky roads ahead, it is all a part of learning. Romantic relationships can be a large part of your teen’s development. Parents Matter! Research shows that parents have an important role to play in how a teen moves through romantic relationships. The role of parents, however, begins long before adolescence. Research shows that the quality of parenting that occurs prior to adolescence plays

North Shore Children & Families is available for free each month at over 425 familyfrequented locations throughout the North Shore!

Attention Advertisers: Ask us about our … … “Try Us!” program for new advertisers … Annual advertising frequency programs … The Annual Planner for Schools program … The North Shore Party Planner program … Annual Summer Camps & Programs Showcase series … Service Directory Target your message to North Shore parents. We’ve got the North Shore covered!

2012 PUBLISHING SCHEDULE Issue

Ad Space Deadline

Ads Due

May Summer (June/July) August

Fri., April 13 Fri., May 18 Fri., July 20

Tues., April 17 Tues., May 22 Tues., July 24

To explore your advertising options or to secure your space, please contact Suzanne at 781.584.4569 or suzanne@northshorefamilies.com. To learn more, please visit www.northshorefamilies.com.

an important role in the nature of romantic relationships that teens form during adolescence. For example, research shows that teens who had received sensitive parenting prior to

adolescence were less likely to be in deeply engaged romantic relationships at 15 years of age. However, those 15 yearolds who did become deeply engaged in relationships, the quality of those relationships was enhanced if the teens had previously been recipients of high quality, sensitive parenting. Parenting makes a difference.

Wish you could give the person who has everything something they don't have?

Personalized Poems & Prose by Suzanne The perfect gift to enhance any special occasion. Clever verses for your invitations and thank you notes. Speeches, toasts and roasts. Birthdays • Graduations • Showers Weddings • Anniversaries • Births • Retirements • Holidays All Special Occasions

Life Celebrations

specializing in poignant, personalized eulogies – available in prose and in verse. Celebrate your loved one's life and share their story. Your guests will leave with smiles, fond memories and lots to talk about.

781.584.4569

or suzanne@northshorefamilies.com Samples available.

North Shore Children & Families

Love & Relationships

Between Two Consenting Adults… When the discussion comes to sex, it is often said, “What two consenting people do in the privacy of their bedroom is their concern.” Indeed, for the most part, our legal system – thankfully – ensures that this is the case. Our legal system is based upon the idea of individual freedom. Individuals are able to pursue their own happiness free from the constraints of government. As long as two people consent to what they are doing, and are not harming anyone, the government has no right to intervene. Not only does parenting made a difference, but the quality of the romantic relationships between parents plays a role in the development of teen relationships. In one study, the quality of the parent’s romantic relationship predicted the quality of their children’s romantic relationships 17 years later! High quality relationships between and among parents and children provide the foundation for high quality, romantic relationships among teens. Still further, parents play an important role in nurturing and regulating romantic relationships over the teen years. Studies show that most parents provide set “dating rules” for their children, which vary according to the age and gender of the teen. Different types of “dating rules” are associated with different types of teen relationships. Healthy parent-child relations were associated with a parental mindset of supervising and guiding teens; prohibitions and restrictions were associated with less healthy teen relationships. Steps in the Development of Romantic Relationships Over the Teen Years Studies of adolescence suggest that teens progress through a loose series of steps as they form romantic relationships during the teen years. Teens tend to move from (a) being “single” (i.e., no dating) to (b) engaging in single, casual dating relationships to (c) engaging in multiple, casual dating relationships, and finally establishing (d) steady dating relationships. Most teens

engage in a series of steps before they embark on steady or deeper romantic relationships. The graph on the previous page shows the progression of social, romantic and sexual behaviors that teens tend to go through as they pass through adolescence. When teens begin to form relationships, they tend to begin to see each other first in social groups. At about the same time, they will tend to meet their partner’s parents and begin to spend time alone with their partners. When teens begin to form romantic relationships, they tend to begin relating to each other by holding hands and kissing before they come to see and announce themselves as a “couple”. Soon after, they may declare their love for each other, exchange gifts and engage in other types of “romantic” interactions. As the graph indicates, sexual behavior tends to occur after teens come to see themselves as a couple and begin more steady dating. Sexual relations tend to move from holding hands and kissing, to touching with or without clothes, to various forms of genital contact, and finally, to sexual intercourse. Thus, for most teens, the development of romantic relationships occurs gradually over time, giving parents a good deal of room to nurture their children through the process. The closer and more healthy the parentchild relationship, the more influence – in the form of guidance, support and direction – a parent will have over his or her teen when romance begins to blossom.

This is a wonderful legal doctrine; I wouldn’t change it for the world. However, there is a difference between what is legal and what is good. The statement, “What two consenting people do in the privacy of their bedroom is their concern” is a legal concept. It says, “We should make no laws that impose my morality on you.” It says, “People should have the freedom to do as they please, as long as they do no harm”. But we should not confuse what is legal with what is good. Just because something is legal (and should be legal) doesn’t make it good. It is legal to be rude; but it is not good. It is legal to be selfish; but it is not good. It is legal to be disrespectful; but it is not good. It is legal for teens to engage in sexual activity, even promiscuous sexual activity. But that does not imply that it is good. My point here is a simple one: we cannot justify any given practice – sexual or otherwise – simply by saying that people have the right to engage in the practice. There is a difference between saying, “We will not restrict the power to choose” and saying “Because we respect individual choice, whatever a person chooses to do is good.” One doesn’t follow from the other. And when we extend this line of “laissez-faire” thinking to how we raise our children, the consequences can be quite serious. Is sexual freedom a good thing or a bad thing? The answer to this question is the same as it is for any sort of freedom that we have. Sexual freedom – like any other freedom – is good only to the extent that it is exercised responsibly. Responsibility is a moral concept. What does the responsible exercise of sexual freedom look like? That is the question that every parent should discuss with every teen. There are no freedoms without responsibilities.

JLC ADVOCACY Special Education Consultant Advocate

Jody L. Crowther 6 Perkins Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940

Tel: 781-334-4363

Free Phone Consultation!

Helping parents navigate the IEP process for children with special education needs.

20 North Shore Children & Families

SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR SUMMER:

Community Calendar To Submit to our Community Calendar: Please visit us at www.northshorefamilies.com and submit your listings directly through our website. From our Home Page – click on Calendar – then click on Submit in the upper right corner and our form will open for you to complete and submit your listings. While we will make every attempt to post all appropriate listings in our Community Calendar, space is limited – and priority will be given to those events that are free and family-friendly – and those submitted by our advertising partners & sponsors. Calendar listings are generally due by the 15th of each month prior and must be submitted through our website. If you need to guarantee that your listing will be posted – please contact Suzanne to advertise. See our current Calendar for our upcoming issue deadlines. To advertise, please contact Suzanne at suzanne@northshorefamilies.com or 781.584.4569.

For complete listing accuracy, we recommend that you call ahead or check the websites listed. Featured listings do not constitute an endorsement from this publisher and we encourage our readers to always do their own research. APRIL IS THE MONTH FOR: Autism Awareness, Child Abuse Prevention, Frogs, Humor, Guitars, Keeping America Beautiful, Lawns & Gardens, Poetry, Pecans, Welding, Records & Info. Management, Stress Awareness, Parkinson’s Awareness, Volunteers, Math Education

SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS! It’s time to start choosing summer camps & programs! See pages 11-15 in this issue for lots of great summer camps & programs! Take advantage of early registration discounts now! Pick up our May issue to see more options! To advertise in our May Showcase, contact suzanne@northshorefamilies. com by April 11!

MAY ISSUE DEADLINES!

The

Bayside of Nahant

May Calendar Listings Due By April 17 Please submit your listings directly through our website.

North Shore's best kept secret & the perfect location for:

suzanne@ northshorefamilies.com

781.584.4569

Karen J. Cronin, MS CCC, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, has opened her new office at Middleton Green, 10 Maple St., Middleton. FREE screenings (by appointment); see ad on page 2. To schedule an appointment for your child, please call 978.239.5520. SIGN UP TODAY: Indoor Playspace Available for Parent Groups at the Recreational Education Center, Pine St., Peabody. Available Tues.-Fri. 11am-6pm; for groups with kids ages 0-16. Book a day, your group will enjoy our ball pit, climbing structures, crafts, games, puzzles & more; see ad on page 16. JLC Advocacy is offering a free phone consultation for parents who need help with special education and IEPs. See ad on page 19.

GET TICKETS NOW: Big Apple Circus – Dream Big! All new show – Grandma’s Farewell Tour! Tix start at $20, shows run through May 13 at Boston City Hall. See ad on page 8. www.bigapplecircus.org APRIL STORY TIMES AT LYNN MUSEUM: Join North Shore Community College students at the Lynn Museum as they share the unforgettable stories of the Adventures of Curious George! Program is FREE and open to all. Caregivers must remain with their child(ren). Expand your child's vocabulary, do arts & crafts while meeting new friends! On April 4, 13, 18 & 25: 9:4510:20am AND 11:45am-12:20pm at Lynn Museum, 590 Washington St., Lynn. Contact cbednar@northshore.edu for more info. WEDNESDAYS: Cape Ann Waldorf School presents Morning Glory Parent & Child Classes, meets every Wed., 12:30-

To advertise, please contact suzanne@northshorefamilies.com.

Oceanfront Splendor... Magnificent Views... Elegant & Affordable

To secure your ad space:

FREE SCREENINGS (by appt.):

Call today to schedule a FREE introductory class at The Little Gym! Danvers: 978.777.7977; Woburn: 781.933.3388.

The North Shore Party Planner

If you need ad production assistance Ad Space Closes Wed., April 11 If you do not need ad production assistance Ad Space Closes Fri., April 13

Host an international student (ages 14-17) and earn up to $2,400 this summer! See ad on page 2 to learn more about Educational Homestay Programs from Education First!

FREE CLASSES:

• Weddings,

Personalized Poems & Prose by Suzanne For Gifts A Personalized Poem Makes a Perfect Gift for Any Special Occasion

Speeches, Toasts & Roasts

781.592.3080

781.584.4569

www.baysidefunctions.com

· Private party – clean, safe, beautiful facility all to yourselves. · Instructor led – great age-appropriate games and activities. · Stress-free for The Little Gym of Danvers parents…we take 978.777.7977 care of EVERYTHING! www.tlgdanversma.com Call for details.

The Little Gym of Woburn 781.933.3388 • www.tlgwoburnma.com

For Invitations

Showers • Birthdays, Sweet 16s • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Anniversaries • All Special Occasions • Wedding & Function Packages • Many Menus to Choose From One Range Road, Nahant

Have an Awesome Birthday Bash at The Little Gym!

Clever, Custom Verses for Your Invitations & Thank You Notes

For Events

suzanne @northshorefamilies.com

Birthday Party on Roller Skates! Roller World, Saugus 781.233.3255 Party Line

BOOST Your PARTY Business HERE! Secure your ad space by April 11 to appear here in May!

2pm; $280/10 wk. session. For parents/caregivers with children ages 20 months – 3.5 years. Call to register: 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org THURSDAYS: Cape Ann Waldorf School presents Morning Glory for the Youngest Child Parent & Child Classes, meets every Thurs., 12:30-2pm; $180/10 wk. session. For parents/caregivers with infants ages 3-19 months. Call to register: 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org FRIDAYS: Cape Ann Waldorf School presents Morning Glory for the Youngest Child Parent & Child Classes, meets every Fri., 9-10:30am: $180/10 wk. session. For parents/caregivers with infants ages 3-19 months. Call to register: 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org Stargazing at the Gilliland Observatory, free, every Friday 8:3010pm, weather permitting; at Museum of Science, Boston. Call 617.589.0267, updated every Fri. at 5:30pm, with info. about that night’s observing session. www.mos.org

April 29, 7pm: Let’s Talk About Sustainable Seafood Hack Your Brain, 4 day workshop May 2,9,16 & 25, 7pm; $180pp, limit 20 On exhibit through Sun., May 6: Geckos: Tails to Toepads Through June 15: Made in Greece exhibit May 22, 7pm: Are You A Sleep Slacker? Opens May 27: Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science exhibit Ongoing: Butterfly Garden, Simulator Experience, Mugar Omni Theater, Alaska: Spirit of the Wild, Dolphins, Tornado Alley, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun, Fractals Rock! (shown on select Fri. & Sat. nights), Cosmic Collisions, Explore the Universe: Live!, The Sky Tonight: Live!, 3-D Digital Camera, Waking the T. Rex: The Story of Sue, Wild Ocean, Turtle Vision; www.mos.org APRIL 1: April Fool’s Day; Palm Sunday; Fun At Work Day Call Harborlight-Stoneridge Montessori School in Beverly today to schedule a tour: 978.922.1008!

SATURDAYS:

APRIL 2:

Parent & Preschooler Playgroup, ages 2.5-5 years, meets most Saturdays, 9-10:30am, at Harborlight-Stoneridge Montessori School, Beverly. Free, but RSVP at 978.922.1008. See ad on page 4.

Children’s Book Day; Peanut Butter & Jelly Day; Reconciliation Day

SUNDAYS: Global Gods: Multigenerational Religious Education – Sunday School for the Whole Family. Free, ages 6-100; April 8, 15 & 22, 11:45am-12:30pm at Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, Danvers. www.nsuu.org MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON: Opens March 31: Bonsai: Creating Art with Nature exhibit April 7-16: Boston Marathon Days at MOS April 13: Race to the Altar, www.mos.org/iDo Reopens April 14: MOS Segway Experience; $60 memb., $65 nonmembers April 14: Robot Block Party, 10am April 14-19: Special hours for school break week: Daily 9am-7pm; April 20, 9am-9pm; April 21 9am-7pm Opens April 20: To the Arctic, in the Mugar Omni Theater April 20-29: Cambridge Science Festival April 25, 7pm: Dangerous Encounters: The Hunt for Asteroids April 26-28, 9am: Inspiring Minds: Meet Women in Science

Brookwood School’s 4 to 14 Speaker Series: Parenting Elementary School Kids, with Wendy Mogel, PhD; 7pm at Brookwood School, One Brookwood Rd., Manchester. $10/person, for adults, limited seating. For tix and info., visit www.brookwood.edu. APRIL 3: Find A Rainbow Day APRIL 4: Hug A Newsperson Day; Walk Around Things Day; School Librarian Day Happy Birthday to John Keenan! Open House for parents w/children ages 4-6, 11am-noon, healthy snack provided, featuring Handwork. At Cape Ann Waldorf School, 701 Cabot St., Beverly; RSVP to 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org Annalivia, string folk band, 7pm, free concert for all ages at Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main St., Rockport. APRIL 5: Read A Road Map Day The Salem Education Foundation Spring Auction/Fundraiser will be April 5, 6-9pm, at the Hawthorne Hotel, Salem. Proceeds help Salem

North Shore Children & Families schools. For tix or to donate to the auction (products, services, gift certificates, experiences, etc.), please contact michelle@minasianevents.com or Cindy at pcterri@comcast.net. To make a monetary donation or to volunteer, please visit www.salemeducationfoundation.org. APRIL 6: Good Friday; Walk to Work Day Passover beings at sundown. Nursery & Kindergarten Tour & Info. Session, 8:15-10am at Cape Ann Waldorf School, Beverly. RSVP to Kelly Hiselman at 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org APRIL 7: Remembering Timmy Spencer. No Housework Day; World Health Day Egg Decorating Open House, 10amnoon, at Cape Ann Waldorf School, 701 Cabot St., Beverly. www.capeannwaldorf.org Bunny Bonanzoo at Stone Zoo, Stoneham! 10am-3pm; adults $13, seniors $11, children 2-12 $9, under 2 free. Easter celebration features scavenger hunts, crafts, meet zookeepers & the Easter Bunny. Come early for Kid’s Price Saturday, $9 for all between 10am-noon. www.stonezoo.org APRIL 8: Easter Sunday Zoo Lovers’ Day APRIL 10: Siblings’ Day; Encourage A Young Writer Day Elementary & Middle School Tour & Info. Session, 8:15-10:15am at Cape Ann Waldorf School, Beverly. RSVP to Kelly Hiselman at 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org APRIL 11: Open House for parents w/children ages 4-6, 11am-noon, healthy snack provided, featuring a Nature Walk. At Cape Ann Waldorf School, 701 Cabot St., Beverly; RSVP to 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org Do you have a summer camp or program? Do you need to BOOST your enrollments? See page 15 for more info. on our 5th Annual Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series – the largest in print on the North Shore! Showcase appears in this issue and continues in our May issue – see below

for advertising deadlines. Contact suzanne@northshorefamilies.com for camp showcase ad rates & sizes.

If you need to advertise in our MAY issue, and if you need our ad production assistance, please confirm your ad size and submit your ad materials TODAY! You can see our regular display ad rates, sizes, available discounts & more at www.northshorefamilies.com. APRIL 12: Boston Ballet’s North Shore Children’s Program to visit Peabody Institute Library, 10am, free/all ages. 82 Main St., Peabody. Enjoy child-friendly version of Don Quixote. Hear story, view costumes, pointe shoes & tiaras, dance lesson with BB school staff! www.bostonballet.org Open Classroom at Clark School, Danvers, 9-10:30am. See ad on page 16. APRIL 13: Scrabble Day; Opening Day at Fenway – GO RED SOX! 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park

Advertising Space Reservation DEADLINE at NOON for ADS in our MAY issue! To advertise, contact suzanne@northshorefamilies.com! If you need our ad production assistance, please confirm your ad size and submit your ad materials by April 11! You can see our regular display ad rates, sizes, available discounts & more at www.northshorefamilies.com. Contact Suzanne for camp showcase ad rates & sizes. APRIL 14: Moment of Laughter Day; Reach As High As You Can Day Bring your bottles & cans to Stone Zoo, Stoneham! 10am-2:30pm, parking lot. Help the environment and a worthy cause – held the 2nd Saturday of each month through October. All proceeds benefit conservation efforts supported by Zoo New England. www.stonezoo.org APRIL 16: Patriot’s Day; Librarian Day; Stress Awareness Day School vacation week for many North Shore schools. Continued on page 22

22 North Shore Children & Families

APRIL 27:

Community Calendar

APRIL 22:

Arbor Day; Prime Rib Day;Tell A Story Day

Continued from page 21

Earth Day; Girl Scout Leader Day; Jelly Bean Day

APRIL 17:

APRIL 23:

Community Calendar listings’ DEADLINE at NOON for MAY issue! Please submit your listings for MAY events directly through our website (see beg. of this Calendar for details). APRIL 18: Newspaper Columnists’ Day; Pet Owners’ Day; Jugglers’ Day Open House at Shore Country Day School, Beverly; www.shoreschool.org/openhouse APRIL 19: High Five Day; Garlic Day; Humorous Day APRIL 20: Look Alike Day; Volunteer Recognition Day APRIL 21: Happy Birthday to Tiara Teel! Kindergarten Day

Deadline to enter to win tickets to see Big Apple Circus! See page 2!

Sparhawk School PTO Presents Jim Plunkett Night (PTO’s Annual Fundraiser), 7pm, $20 at door, 2 for APRIL 25: $30 in advance; ages 21+. Join us for an evening of adult fun and dancing, with Happy Birthday to Jackson Smith! entertainment by local legend, Jim Open House for parents w/children Plunkett! Features Silent auction, raffles, ages 4-6, 11am-noon, healthy snack hot appetizers, cash bar, DJ. For tickets, provided, featuring Imaginative call Rhonda at 978.697.9163. Proceeds Circle Journey. At Cape Ann Waldorf benefit Sparhawk School programs & School, 701 Cabot St., Beverly; RSVP to supplemental education materials and 978.927.1936. www.capeannwaldorf.org experiences for Sparhawk students. Pre-K & Kindergarten Open House APRIL 28: at Covenant Christian Academy, Great Poetry Reading Day; Kiss Your West Peabody, 9-11am. See ad on Mate Day page 6. Lovers’ Day; Sing Out Day;Take a Chance Day; World Lab Day

APRIL 26: Take Your Daughter to Work Day; Pretzel Day; Hug A Friend Day Pre-K & Kindergarten Open House at Covenant Christian Academy, West Peabody, 9-11am. See ad on page 6.

The Autism Puzzle: A Conference for Parents, 9am-2pm; $20 w/a.m. refreshments or $30, includes lunch. At Endicott College, Wylie Conference Center, 376 Hale St., Beverly. For info. & to register, call Marge Silvestri at 978.232.2776 or visit www.endicott.edu/gps then click on the event name.

Service Directory DANCE INSTRUCTION Boston Ballet School/NS Studio Marblehead 781.456.6333 www.bostonballet.org/school EARLY EDUCATION Little Sprouts Several North Shore Locations 877.977.7688 www.littlesprouts.com Next Generation Children’s Centers Locations include Andover & Beverly 866.711.NGCC www.ngccenters.com FAMILY FUN!

Greenery Day; Shrimp Scampi Day; Zipper Day

Big Apple Circus presents Dream Big – through May 13 at Boston City Hall See ad on page 8!

Transfer Student Open House, 13pm, at Cohen Hillel, Marblehead. See ad on page 17.

FUN & FITNESS

APRIL 29:

APRIL 30: Hairstyle Appreciation Day; Honesty Day MAY 5: 2nd Annual Strays in Need Fundraiser; $20/person. Tix on sale now at Danvers Animal Hospital, 367 Maple St., Danvers. To donate a silent auction item, raffle item or gift certificates or to be a sponsor, contact Amy Cyr, Hospital Manager, at dahcyr@aol.com. www.danversanimalhospital.com MAY 5 & 6: The North Shore Rock & Mineral Club invites all to the 49th Annual New England Gem & Mineral Show at Topsfield Fairgrounds. Fun for the whole family – see ad on page 3 and save $1 off admission w/ad! Hours: May 5, 9am-5pm; May 6, 10am-4pm. www.nahant.com/nsrmc

The Little Gym Danvers and Woburn www.tlgdanversma.com www.tlgwoburnma.com Recreational Education Center Peabody 978.717.5062 www.recreationaleducationcenter.com GEM & MINERAL SHOW North Shore Rock & Mineral Club’s 49th Annual N.E. Gem & Mineral Show Topsfield Fairgrounds – May 5 & 6 See ad on page 3!

SCHOOLS

Austin Preparatory School Reading 781.944.4900 www.austinprepschool.org

Shore Country Day School Beverly 978.927.1700 www.shoreschool.org

Brookwood School Manchester 978.526.4500 www.brookwood.edu

Sparhawk School Amesbury 978.388.5354 www.sparhawkschool.com

Cape Ann Waldorf School Beverly 978.927.1936 www.capeannwaldorf.org

Tower School Marblehead 781.631.5800 www.towerschool.org

The Children’s Center for Communications Beverly School for the Deaf Beverly • 978.927.7070 ext. 202 VP: 866.320.3233

Waring School Beverly 978.927.8793 www.waringschool.org

Clark School Danvers 978.777.4699 www.clarkschool.com Cohen Hillel Academy Marblehead 781.639.2880 www.cohenhillel.org Covenant Christian Academy West Peabody 978.535.7100 www.covenantchristianacademy.org Glen Urquhart School Beverly Farms 978.927.1064 www.gus.org Harborlight-Stoneridge Montessori School Beverly 978.922.1008 www.harborlightmontessori.org The Phoenix School Salem 978.741.0870 www.phoenixschool.org Plumfield Academy Danvers 978.304.0273 www.plumfieldacademy.org

SEEKING HOSTS Host an Int’l. Student & earn up to $2,400 this summer! www.ef.com/ehp See ad on page 2! SPECIAL EDUCATION JLC Advocacy Lynnfield 781.334.4363 See ad on page 19!

SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY Karen J. Cronin, MS CCC-SLP Middleton 978.239.5520 See ad on page 2! SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS

North Shore Children & Families

SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS

Brookwood - Summer Manchester 978.526.4500 www.brookwood.edu

Summer Quest at Crane Ipswich 978.380.8360 www.thetrustees.org/summerquest

Camp Birch Hill Lakes Region, NH 603.859.4525 www.campbirchhill.com

Tara Montessori School Summer Camp Manchester • 978.526.8487 www.taramontessori.com

Camp Quinebarge White Mountains, NH 603.253.6029 www.campquinebarge.com

Waring School Summer Programs Beverly • 978.927.8793 www.waringschool.org

Glen Urquhart School Beverly Farms 978.927.1064 ext. 131 www.gus.org The Little Gym Danvers & Woburn www.tlgdanversma.com www.tlgwoburnma.com Mathnasium North Beverly 978.922.2200 www.mathnasium.com North Shore Children’s Theatre Salem • 781.248.9458 www.northshorechildrenstheatre.org Phoenix Summer Adventures Salem • 978.741.0870 www.phoenixschool.org Shore Sports & Enrichment Camps Beverly • 978.927.1700 www.shoreschool.org/summershore

Boston Ballet School/NS Studio Marblehead 617.456.6333 www.bostonballet.org/school

Summer at Tower Marblehead 781.631.5800 www.towerschool.org/summer

Brooks School - Summer North Andover 978.725.6253 http://summer.brooksschool.org

Summer Programs at North Shore Comm. College community.northshore.edu/sod See ad on back cover!

TUTORING A+ Reading Center Reading Tutor/Individual Lessons

Serving the North Shore 781.799.2598 mperkins@aplusreadingcenter.com Mathnasium The Math Learning Center North Beverly • 978.922.2200 See ad on page 13!

ATTN: SUMMER CAMPS!

Boost your summer enrollments in our 5th Annual Summer Camps & Programs Showcase series! Continues in our May issue – space closes April 13! GET YOUR SUMMER PROGRAM LISTED HERE! See page 15! Please Support Our Advertisers, Who Sponsor this Publication for You & Your Family!

Who says college is just for grown-ups? $!.6%23 s "%6%2,9

All New !

Summer of Discovery Four weeks of fun activities for kids entering grades 1-5! Summer of Discovery is about learning through fun, educational, interesting, hands on activities, things you have always wanted to learn! Classes are offered Monday through Thursday so you have just enough time to balance the sun, sand, beach, vacations, and more, while filling part of your week with special time just for you! Come for one week or all four. Half-day and full-day weekly sessions are available. Early and late stay is available. NSCC Danvers campus s M-Th s July 9-August 2 s $119 WEEK 1 July 9-12: Animal Kingdom s LEGO® Transformers Mission To Planet Pantheon s Cooking And You! s Amazing World of Harry Potter WEEK 2 July 16-19: The Bake Shop! s Harry Potter School of Wizardry s LEGO Mania s Baby Animal Week WEEK 3 July 23-26: It’s International Cooking Week! s Robotics s Harry Potter School of Magic s Rain Forest Week! WEEK 4 July 30-August 2: It’s Harry Potter Week s Let’s Have Fun with Food and Fitness! s Robotics Challenge s Down on the Farm

North Shore Academy

Kicks O July 9 ff registe r

now

Wicked cool courses for kids in grades 6-12! Summer is a time to call your own, spend time with friends, and enjoy the surf and sand with family, bike, hike or camp! But there are those days when you don’t have a thing to do and having a fun class to look forward to may just make the difference between a good summer and a great summer! Classes meet Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays for two hours and run for three weeks. NSCC Beverly campus s M+W or T+Th s dates vary s $129 FOR GRADES 6-8: Acting Classes 101 s Amazing Art Classes for Kids s American Red Cross Babysitting s Cartooning and Drawing Plus! s Microsoft Office For Teens s Web Design and Video Gaming FOR GRADES 9-12: Amazing Art Classes for Teens s Digital Photography and Photo Shop s Microsoft Office For Teens s Video and Computer Gaming

www.facebook.com/ mynscc.kids2college

summer programs for kids 2012 community.northshore.edu/sod

s Register online s See all course descriptions s Get directions

Contact Nancy Tracy at 978-236-1232 or ntracy@northshore.edu for more information on all programs.