EDITOR'SNOTE
When I was pregnant with my first and only child, I was lucky to have a great support system. I talked to my mom daily. My sister Linda was due with her second child, days within my due date. A handful of women at my workplace were pregnant, some with their first child, too. Full Story
Magazine Earns 8 New England Press Awards
Bay State Parent magazine was named one of the best monthly publications in New England last month at the annual New England Press Association Convention in Boston. For the second year in a row, the magazine earned second place for General Excellence in the monthly division. Full Story
LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
Dear Bay State Parent,
We recently adopted a son. We do not share the same race. Often, we don't know how to deal with the questions we get from friends and families, plus strangers - even in supermarkets and the mall. A fellow member of a support group recommended a couple of places we could turn to, including your magazine. We picked up your adoption issue in November and read it from cover-to-cover. Full Story
ASKTHETEACHER
Ways to Prepare Your Fourth Grader for This Month's MCAS
Yes, it's that time of year again for students in grades 3 through 10 … It's MCAS time! No, MCAS does not stand for May Cause Anxiety Soon! The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAS) measures student achievement related to specific standards in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Full Story
Fourth Grade MCAS Question Examples
Source: www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testitems.html, 2006 4th grade MCAS test Writing Prompt: Think about your favorite thing to do in your free time. Maybe you like to pretend, play sports, read, play a musical instrument, dance or do something totally different. Write a story about a fun time that you had doing your favorite thing. Full Story
The Waiting is the Hardest Part
More Stringent Rules & Tougher Penalties for Teen Drivers Go Into Effect March 31
For Shrewsbury High freshman Kate Dupuis, 151/2, her sweet 16 birthday will bring with it the excitement of knowing she's now eligible to apply for her learner driver's permit. That's good news to people like Westborough High freshman Brianna Gross, who last fall emailed Massachusetts legislators expressing her disapproval of a plan to raise the state's legal driving age from 16-1/2 to 17-1/2. Full Story
SPECIALREPORT
Putting Muscle Into The Fight Against Childhood Obesity
Almost half the children in elementary schools are either overweight or medically obese, (30.3 percent children ages 6 to 11 are overweight and 15.3 percent are obese) according to the American Obesity Association. The government has declared a war on childhood obesity. Full Story
Ending the Food Fight is a Family Issue
Next month, Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Clinic at Children's Hospital in Boston, hopes to get his warning about childhood obesity to a greater audience with the publication of his first book, Ending The Food Fight: Full Story
10 Steps To A Healthy Weight: Eat Right & Get Active
Eat Right: + When buying groceries, shop the perimeter of the store first to findfresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats and dairy products. Choose fresh over packaged foods that may be high in sugar and fat. + Always have healthy snacks available. Find ideas for healthy snaking at metrowestkids. Full Story
Facts on Childhood Obesity
+ More than 9 million children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. + In the past 20 years, the incidence of overweight has doubled among children and tripled among adolescents. Full Story
A Junk Food Ban at Massachusetts Schools?
During the 2005-06 legislative session, the Massachusetts Public Health Association spearheaded an effort to get a bill passed that would ban junk food and soda in Massachusetts schools. The bill sponsored by Representative Peter Koutoujian, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health, had more than 140 endorsements from organizations and newspapers. Full Story
In Your Face Billboards, Drew Attention To Obesity Problem
In late January, the Metrowest CommunityHealth Care Foundation launched a public awareness campaign on childhood obesity that sparked a controversy. Some critics claimed the advertisements were too stark and, well, mean. In response, the Foundation recently canceled one of the billboards that it determined was too insensitive. Full Story
Combating Fat Families with Witty Words & Funny Illustrations
Famed childhood authors Rosemary Wells (Max & Ruby) and Marc Brown (Arthur) have teamed up to tackle the family obesity problem in this country through a new children's book The Gulps. About 60 million Americans, or 30% of the adult population, are considered obese by the U.S. government. Full Story
Circle of Friends
MARCH CALENDAR OF ADOPTION-RELATED EVENTS
Adoption Associates 1163 Walnut St., Newton Highlands. 617-965-9369. adoptionassociates.org. e-mail adoptionassociates@yahoo.com. Monthly Tuesdays. For Adoptive Parents of Elementary School Age Children. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. March 6: GLBT Group for Adoptive Parents. Meets on Tuesdays 9 - 10:30 a.m. Full Story
ADOPTIONCOACH
Adoption Costs
Q: Dear Bay State Parent: My wife and I are interested in adopting. We have talked to several programs, but we are confused about how much it should cost to adopt a child. Can you tell us what it should cost and what A: charges are for? Full Story
AdoptionInsights
Attend the Largest Conference in the United States
Thinking about adoption? Want to understand your adopted child better? Or learn how to search for your birth parents? Full Story
Royal Treatment
5 Products To Upgrade a Girl
By the time your baby girl arrived, her nursery was likely covered in pink and filled with frills. She never got a say in the d Full Story
A Slam Dunk!
Makeover A Boy
Okay, while you little girl may wish to shop with you for the perfect items for her sanctuary, the best you'll probably get out of your son is "I want ! Or "Don't decorate my bedroom with trains. I'm too big for that now!" Bay State Parent magazine again asked HGKids to identify five products valued at under $250 that can upgrade a little boy's room in a day. HGKids completed the task and spent just $100.
Full Story
calendar of march events
All listings are accurate at press. Please call ahead to confirmevents. Listings are arranged alphabetical by community. A Full Story
Wearin' O' the Green at the St. Patrick's Day Parade
In New England, you never know if there will be sun, snow, or rain in March. To St. Patty's Day parade-goers, however, it looks green every year on the fiveparade routes throughout Massachusetts. Be a part of the green scene this year with your family. Enjoy a few hours of fresh air, festive Irish music and step dancing, marching, and Irish cheer. Full Story
Maple Magic: A New England Tradition
The maple sugaring process is a New England tradition that occurs every spring. Treat the kids to an educational outing where they will see syrup become sap before their eyes. Warm, buttery pancakes drizzled with the finished product make a sweet ending to an ideal family day. Full Story
EDITORS'PICKS
10 Can't Miss Family Activities in March
#1) Saturday, March 17: You're invited to Bay State Parent's 10th Birthday Party. Like any 10-year-old, we're thrilled to be turning double-digits. To celebrate, we've hosted a party every month at local family attractions. Full Story
American Baby Faire Crawls Into Boston
Attention expectant and new parents as well as proud grandparents: The American Baby Faire is coming to the Bay Side Expo Center in Boston on Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a great day to celebrate your baby-to-be or beautiful baby and learn about the latest in parenting from over 100 exhibitors. Full Story
Second Largest Flower Show Blooms Into Bay Side Expo Center
Exhibitors are hoping you'll walk away from the 2007 New England Spring Flower show saying, "I didn't know you could do that!" Gardeners are breaking the "rules" at this year's show by showing both experienced and novice green thumbs as well as landscapers what magic can happen when you dare to take the road less traveled. The theme of this year's show is "Yes, You Can! Full Story
SPECIALNEEDSPARENTING
Understanding Children With Asperger's Syndrome
When Niki Wilson began questioning behavioral changes in her then 3-yearold son Jake, she consulted her local school district. "At first he did not 'qualify' for special education preschool, as he didn't meet the eligibility rules," she said. "Finally he was admitted … for a speech delay. Full Story
Children Have Social Issues Not Violent Ones
The recent tragedy at Lincoln-Sudbury High in January, where a student with Asperger's Syndrome stabbed and killed classmate, had many parents concerned about children with this syndrome. Dr. Full Story
PARENTING1-2-3
6 Ways to Deal with the Hurtful Things Your Child Says in Anger
Your child's body has not been taken over by aliens. You do not need to clean out your ears. That's right. You've heard it correctly. Any person who has ever said, "words will never hurt you" never had a 4-year old child say, "I hate you" to his face. Full Story
Breaking Barriers
Massachusetts Fails To Support & Protect Breastfeeding Moms
Kerrie Galvin never thought breastfeeding her infant at a family barbecue would cause a stir. But she was wrong. "My mother called me in and said some of the men were uncomfortable," said the Holden mother of three. "I was so upset and so taken aback. It was all extended family. I ended up leaving." Full Story
Massachusetts One of The Worst
Massachusetts is one of only three states to have no breastfeeding laws protecting breastfeeding mothers and babies. Nearly all states (47) have enacted legislation related to breastfeeding. Massachusetts isn't one of them, although legislation was refilledin January to change that. Full Story
Resources
La Leche League of Massachusetts This international, nonprofit, organization dedicates itself to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Full Story
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Benefits for Baby Some studies suggest that infants who are not breastfed have higher rates of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life, and higher rates of certain types of diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, overweight and obesity, high cholesterol and asthma. Full Story
BAYSTATE BOUTIQUES
7 Essentials for New Mom & Baby
1. SWEETEST ENTERTAINMENT: Mobiles provide visual and hearing stimulation for baby. (For safety, hang mobile at an infant Full Story
Baby Guide Truth About Miscarriage & Life After Miscarriage
ABOUT THE SERIES
Miscarriage, defined as a pregnancy loss before the 20th week, occurs in about 20 out of every 100 pregnancies. However, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that the miscarriage rate might be as high as 50 percent of all pregnancies, or one out of every two. Full Story
It's Not Your Fault
Four days before Christmas 2005, Kathleen LeBlanc learned she was pregnant for the second time. She told her friends and family the news, and happily received a pregnancy planning book from her husband Christopher. The couple showed the ultrasound photo to their 2-year-old son Colin. The friends who had borrowed their bassinet returned it. Full Story
Are There Too Many C-Sections?
One Out Of Every Three Babies Are Delivered By Caesarian Surgery
Karen Stevens said she was interested in a natural birth. She spent months preparing with midwives at Mount Auburn Hospital. She enrolled in a hypnobirthing class. But when she was 39 weeks, an ultrasound revealed her baby was tracking large. "My goal was to have a healthy baby and a healthy me," Stevens said. "I didn't want to end up having an emergency C-section. Full Story
C-SECTION FACTS
Conditions that may necessitate a Cesarean birth or C-section: 1. Prolonged or ineffective labor. 2. Placenta Previa, when the placenta becomes positioned abnormally low within the uterus, which could block the cervix. 3. Placenta Abruptia, when the placenta suddenly separates from the wall of the uterus prior to delivery. Full Story
Baby Guide
Baby Guide Obstetrician is a "24-Hour A Day Job"
Practitioners say delivering babies is a hard job fraught with an ever-present threat of malpractice claim. Malpractice insurance has increased as much as 79 percent in the last 10 years according to the American Medical Association (AMA). The burden of carrying this cost has caused some doctors to stop practicing the specialty altogether. Full Story
Are C-Sections to Blame?
While doctors and researchers across the country, and in particular within Massachusetts, continue to study why Csection surgeries are on the rise, there have been numerous other studies that either blame or take the blame away from c-section for several medical issues. Full Story
Baby Guide A Change Will Do You Good
Newborns Undergo a Transformation in the First 12 Weeks
Being a first-time parent can be a daunting experience. Sleepless nights, constant feedings, and diaper changes are a few of the things that a parent faces. Yet nothing compares to the joy a new parent feels when their baby smiles for the first time or begins to "oooh" or "aaah. Full Story
Baby Guide Should I Hire An Au Pair?
Families Appreciate the Background Checks, Childcare Experience, and Cultural Introductions
When Brett Dickens's two sons were in daycare, she picked them up at 5:30 p.m. Getting home meant it was time for dinner. There wasn't time to go outside or play with the children in the neighborhood. Full Story
The Launch of An Au Pair Company
While working in the technology sector, Shannon Pitts spent enough long days at the office to prompt complaints from his wife Jamie. "She said, 'I didn't get married and have kids to be a single mom,'" said Pitts, who was in the process of taking a company public at the time. "I told her she needed to hire some help - I couldn't just leave what I was doing. Full Story
Where to Find An Au Pair
Designated and regulated au pair programs, approved by the U.S. Department of State include: Agent Au Pair (415) 552-6500 Full Story
Mom'sPlayDate
Find & Make Time For Yourself
Even before the birth of her son, Karen Noonan knew she wanted to be an active new mom. "My biggest fear was becoming isolated," the Westborough mom said. "I really wanted to meet other new moms and form friendships with women at the same place in life … I also wanted to get into the habit of getting my son packed up and out of the house and experience the outside world with my child. Full Story
Ways To Spend Time With Adults
After having a baby, life changes. For many new moms, life begins to revolve around the new member of the family. But it is important for parents to have time with each other and time with other adults. With babies, especially before they are mobile, the options available to connect with old friends or to make new friendships are limitless. Full Story
Baby Guide Always a Free Dressing Room
12 Web Sites To Shop for Maternity Outfits Baby Guide
Picture this: You are three months pregnant and you can't zip up your jeans anymore. Desperately, you rummage your closet searching for an outfit that hopefully is a little big, willing to put on anything that fits. But nothing seems to fit, so you venture to your husband's closet in search of substitute maternity wear. Full Story
What's In A Name?
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet." --Shakespeare Well, Rose doesn't even make the top 100 list of girls' names in America. In fact, it comes in at 333. It just barely cracked the top 300 when a woman named Rose survived a boat sinking in the movies and was #1 at the box office. Full Story
PartyoftheMonth
Showering Guests With Small Sweets
Cupcakes are not just for school bake sales and kids' birthday parties, anymore. Today, the cupcake is the trendy sweet treat for adults from coast-to-coast. So, if you are planning a baby shower for a new mom-to-be, don't settle for just a cake opt instead for dozens of mini-cakes, in a variety of flavors and designs. Full Story
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