EDITOR'SNOTE
Sundays, growing up, were special. First, I got to sleep in a bit. Then, it was off to church. Later, mom made a fabulous dinner. While my family almost nightly ate dinner together at the table in the kitchen, Sunday was always the "special family dinner. Full Story
LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
Dear Bay State Parent, Super magazine! Where can I findyou in Weymouth? I'm due to give birth in August. I picked up a copy at the Boston Baby Expo. Can't wait for the next issue. Jen Donnelly Editor's Note: Congrats on your pregnancy! Glad you liked our 7th annual pregnancy & baby guide issue. Full Story
Go Forth, Good Sports!
How to Teach Children the Way to Play the Game
As adults, we often turn a blind eye to bad sportsmanship when it is glorified in the media. Heck, some adults join in on the banter. Quotes and questionable behavior from angry, volatile players and coaches is often excused in the heat of battle. We love our sports, we love our players, and secretly, we love a good rumble. Full Story
Ever Wish You Had More Time or Another Set of Hands?
These Local Businesses Give Mothers Just That
Images of T.V. mom, June Cleaver flash before me when the dog is barking, the phone is ringing, and the doorbell chimes - simultaneously. June, ever elegant, would handle these diversions effortlessly and unflappably, while also helping my sons with their homework and placing a hot meal on the table for dinner. And, that's fiction. Full Story
A Glance At Mom's Services Offered THEN & NOW
1965 + Deliveries from Dydee Diapers (predisposables), Happy Homes Baked goods, milk, flowers, and pharmacy orders + Home visits from doctors and doorto door salespeople selling vacuums, encyclopedias, and makeup + Visiting the drive-inn movies with the family on a summer's night Full Story
Hovering Over Your Child
Are Helicopter Parents Due For A Crash Landing?
Are you a parent who plans to write your child's college application essay? Are you in constant contact with your child's elementary or middle school? Do you lash out at your child's coach when he or she doesn't get enough playing time? If you've answered yes to the above questions, chances are you've become a helicopter parent - a person who hovers over their child. Full Story
Signs of A Hovering Parent
How do you know if you're a helicopter parent? If the following items describe you, then you're probably over managing your child's life, according to the College Board. + You're in constant contact with your child. If you dial your child's cell phone multiple times a day, then you are hovering. Full Story
Are You A Soccer Mom?
Moms Debate The Name and & the Stereotypes Attached To It
Debbie Hoff's family lives and breathes the sport of soccer. Her three children play in the town of Stow. One of her son plays on two teams. Her husband, Greg, coaches their 4-yearold daughter, serves on the Stow Soccer board, and has been known to set his alarm to wake in the wee hours of the morning to watch the World Cup. Full Story
ADVENTURE
Free Monthly Play Dates at The New Institute of Contemporary Art In Boston
The new Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) on the Boston waterfront is not just a building; it's a sculpture to explore. While it's obviously "hands-off" the works of art, there are plenty of corners, staircases, and alcoves to discover and interesting things to see and do. Full Story
TEENTOTWEEN
Tracking Computer Use and Sites
Sasha Benitez, a freshman at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, doesn't have a MySpace.com profile. Neither does Joshua Harmon, a tenth grader at North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg. Both give the same reason why not. I'm scared of the sexual predators and the dangers," Sasha said, a fear echoed by Joshua. Full Story
Get Active & Get Fit!
The days are getting longer and warmer, so it's a perfect chance to boost your family's activity. Why focus on activity? There are many proven benefits to increasing physical activity. Full Story
calendar of may events
All listings are accurate at press. Please call ahead to confirmevents. Listings are arranged alphabetical by community. A Full Story
Family-Friendly Theater & Musical Performances
The Puppet Showplace Theatre in Brookline offers puppet shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and weekends. Find a complete schedule of May's titles below.
Riverdance. The Mullins Center, Amherst. May 21-23. 7 p.m. The acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song, and dance features an international company that has touched the hearts of millions around the world. mullinscenter.com. Sleeping Beauty. Once Upon a Time Theatre, The Lyric Stage Company of Boston , 140 Clarendon St. (at Stuart St. Full Story
EDITORS'PICKS
11 Ideas For Family Fun In May
1. Saturday, May 12: 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
Make Some Mother's Day Memories
Brunches, Nature Walks, Teas, Free Admission, & More
Happy Mother's Day! Moms, you deserve a special outing away from your to-do lists where you can enjoy time with your family. Choose from one of the following events, and plan to make some memories. - Carrie Wattu Saturday, May 12 Mother's Day Picture Event. Full Story
"I Could Make A Difference In One Child's Life"
Author Talks About Adoption, Motherhood, and Her New Book
Author Rose A. Lewis' first children's book I Love You Like Crazy Cakes was a New York Times bestseller. The book, which tells the story of her adoption of a baby girl from China, was Child Magazine's Best Books of the Year 2000 winner, a Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist 2001, and a Children's Crown Gallery. Full Story
Circle of Friends
MAY 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. to 12:30 p.m. Ongoing: Groups for the Challenges of New Parents; Gay and Lesbian Parents of Adopted Kids; Parents of Adopted Teens; Adopted and Special Needs Too? Full Story
MAY'SCHILD
Every child deserves a place to call home and the outpouring of love that is the foundation of a healthy parent-child relationship. However, there are nearly 10,000 Massachusetts children and teens in foster or other substitute care who have suffered abuse, neglect, abandonment, and betrayal at a time in their lives when they needed to be cared for most. Full Story
ADOPTIONGUIDE
Recognizing Adoption Pioneers
For 26 years, WBZ-TV CBS4 news anchor Jack Williams has used the television spotlight to help hundreds of special needs kids findadoptive homes through a program he initiated called Wednesday's Child. Full Story
Anchor Feted For Creating Wednesday's Child
Weekly on the news, WBZ-TV CBS4 anchor Jack Williams interviews a special needs child seeking a permanent home. Wednesday's Child has succeeded in getting more than 650 kids adopted directly, he said; and has indirectly resulted in many more from the pool of adoptive parents that respond to its segments. Full Story
Connecting Families & Creating Reunions
"Adoption is a wonderful way to create a family, but there's a lot of loss too," said Frankel, who helps some 300 people a year, either adoptees seeking birth family members or vice versa.
Sheila Frankel has waged her pioneering effort in the adoption world in a far quieter setting, helping adoptees, birth parents, and other family members one phone call at a time. Armed with patience and persistence, she searches boxes of records and traces decades-old adoptions, aided by her firsthand knowledge of the system. Full Story
Guatemalan Adoptions Questioned
Families Facing Long Delays and DNA Testing & Possible, Ban Altogether By the End of 2007
For many families planning to adopt a child from Guatemala, life is going to get more complex. Recent statements from the United States Department of State have delivered a one-two punch to families and professionals in the Guatemalan adoption community. Full Story
The U.S. State Department's Stand
The two State Department announcements that have created concerns in the Guatemalan adoption community can be found on the State Department Web site at www.state.gov Here's a brief summary: In March, the State Department announced it can not recommend families adopt from Guatemala, at this time, because of concerns of fraud and other problems with the adoption system in that country. Full Story
One Family's Journey
"If you can withstand some of the frustration you will feel with the process, I would highly recommend Guatemala.''
Betsy and Martin (for privacy reasons, we have agreed not to publish their last name) of Needham have been officialparents on paper for just a few months, but in their hearts they have been for nearly two years. The couple decided to become adoptive parents in the spring of 2005. They had hoped to adopt a baby girl from Guatemala and were working with a local agency. Full Story
kid-friendly DINING GUIDE
Editor's Note: Welcome to Bay State Parent magazine's first Family-Friendly Dining Guide. The reason for the guide is to help families identify restaurants the entire family can enjoy. Full Story
Teaching Mealtime Manners
You're sitting in a restaurant, minding your own business, when suddenly there's a chubby little finger poking your back and a smile beaming from a friendly child's face. Maybe you smile back, maybe you scowl, or maybe you ignore the whole thing. Monique Akeman feels fortunate that the diners her children have poked and otherwise annoyed have seemed understanding rather than condescending. Full Story
Reviving the Tradition of Family Dinners
Family dinners in the Mance household are anything but calm and leisurely. Francesca, 18 months, clamors to get out of her high chair as soon as her appetite is sated. Few foods interest 5-year-old William, and he eats only small portions of even his favorites. That leaves little incentive for him to stay at the table. Full Story
10 Benefits of Frequent Family Dinners
The more often children and teens eat dinner with their families the less likely they are to use tobacco, alcohol and drugs, according to studies by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, The more often children and teens eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink and use drugs, too. Full Story
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