EDITOR'S NOTE
The doorbell starts ringing in August, even before my daughter heads back to school. It's typically a UPS, FedEx, DHL, or a U.S. Postal worker. It's almost always a brown box arriving. The boxes appear more frequently throughout September and almost daily in October. Full Story
DECEMBER'S CHILD
Mandi, age 13
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
FAMILY HEALTH • SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTING
Doctors Recommend Screening For Autism Twice By Age 2
The American Academy of Pediatrics has taken a step towards helping pediatricians identify and treat autism spectrum disorders early, which will help guide families to effective treatments sooner. Full Story
SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTING
Choosing Toys for Children with Disabilities
"Play is the work of children and good toys are their tools," said Betsy Madson who has run the Classic Toy Shop in Worcester for almost three decades. Toy purchases have changed over the years. "In 1980, I would have people inquire about a toy for a child with autism maybe three to five times a year," Madson said. Full Story
EDITORS' PICKS
10 IDEAS FOR FAMILY FUN
1. Thursday, Dec. 6: Plan to take a self-guided tours and meet the many animals waiting to be adopted at the Worcester Animal Rescue League's Holiday Open House. Enjoy fun trivia style games and refreshments. Admission is an item donation (i.e. kitten food, cat toys, nonclumping cat litter, etc.) The open house is at 139 Holden St. Full Story
Nutcrackers, Family Theater, and Musical Performances
Editor's Note: Performances are listed alphabetically by venue location. Family Fun Saturdays. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. 12/1 Legacy Dancers 'Tis the Season; 12/8 Ben Rudnick's 6th Annual Holiday Extravaganza, and 12/15 Meryl Galaid Sings Favorite Children's Songs and More. Ticket prices vary from $6 - $15. 781-646-4849. www.regenttheatre. Full Story
Santa: Pack These Toys Into Your Sleigh
TechnoKids! Today's tweens are listening to MP3 players, texting friends, and yes; even the little ones are navigating a mouse and perhaps more techno-savvy than some of their parents. So when it comes to the holidays, it shouldn't surprise you that some of the best technological advances can be found in toys and are likely to be on your child's wish list. Full Story
Get Active, Get Fit!
Almost half the children in American elementary schools are either overweight or medically obese, according to the American Obesity Association. Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions. This generation has the highest percentage of overweight children in history. Full Story
Playtime & Storytime
Americans are spending less time reading books and their reading aptitude is getting worse, announced the National Endowment for the Arts just before Thanksgiving. The government-funded organization collated statistics from more than 40 studies on the reading habits and skills of Americans in a new study called To Read or Not To Read. Full Story
Baby Bliss (Means Happy Parents) Toys!
When shopping for a toy for a newborn, infant, or toddler, it is important to know the child and his developmental ability. When purchasing a toy for this fast-developing age group, follow manufacturedrecommended age guidelines. While a toy at 18 months-plus may seem like the perfect fit for your nephew, if he is only 6 months old; the toy may be unsafe for him. Full Story
Bored? Snow Bound? Break Out The Board Games!
Perfect for school vacation weeks and snow bound weekends, these board and DVD games are fun ways to enjoy special, memorable time with the entire family and they make great holiday gifts, too. (Most of the games are geared for the hard-to-please tween and teen age children in your house. Full Story
Everyday Toys, Games, & Art Supplies For Special Children
Shopping for a child who has been diagnosed with a special need can be trying for a parent, and difficult and/or confusing for extended family members. Full Story
mind your MANNERS!
10 Tips For Helping Children Show Manners During The Holiday Season
Joey, a 5-year-old boy with big brown eyes and a proven love for mashed potatoes did the unthinkable. Sitting around the holiday table, Joey wanted to show his Aunt Theresa that he could be part of the "clean the plate club" just like his Great Uncle Lester. Full Story
Toxic Toys:
Parents Say Recalls of More Than 25 Million Toys Will Affect How They Shop For the Holidays
Jennifer Rios of Westminster has a box full of Thomas the Tank Engine toys that her children, ages 6, 4, and 2, are not allowed to play with. She is not entirely sure which ones have been recalled and which are safe. But she is sure that some of those toys she bought for her children have been painted with lead paint. So, no Thomas the Tank Engine play time in her home. Full Story
HOLIDAY TEACHER GIFTS …
Ho Ho Ho or No No No!
A re you giving a gift to your child's teacher this holiday season? How much do you plan on spending? Will it be a personal gift or something for the classroom? What are other parents doing? Do I have to give a gift? Full Story
MOMS' PLAYDATE
The Key To Enjoying Holiday Events - Book a Babysitter Early!
As Lexington mom Erika Haas, mother to almost 3-year-old Carolyn, said, finding a good babysitter is, "um, difficult" to say the least. Full Story
WORKING MOM
SPREADING BREAD and Good Will
Banana Nut. Pumpkin. Raisin-Cinnamon. Pumpernickel. The type of loaf doesn't matter. What does is your family's participation by December 31 in this year's premiere Million Bread Bake Campaign, sponsored by the Wayland-based nonprofit organization, Spread the Bread. Full Story
Is Your Mother-In-Law The Monster-In-Law Or A Friend?
Clark University Professor Studied The In-Law Relationship & Offers Advice In Her Newly-Published Book
Relationships between mothers-in-laws and daughters-in-laws are often the butt of bad jokes or the source of over-the-top humor on TV sitcoms like Everybody Loves Raymond. Yet any woman who is a mother-in-law or daughter-in-law knows that in real life these relationships are anything but a big laugh. Full Story
What's Your Type?
Based on her research, Clark University Sociology Professor Deborah M. Merrill identified several distinct types of motherin law and daughter-in-law relationships and details them in her new book. The relationship types range from wonderful to horrible. Where do you fit? Full Story
Advice for a Better Mother-in-Law & Daughter-in-Law Relationship
As part of Clark University Sociology Professor Deborah M. Merrill's research, she asked mothers-in-laws and daughtersin laws to offer advice to women to "lessen the difficulty of in-law relationships. Full Story
Dealings With Own Mom Play Into Relationship with Mother-in-Law
The relationship a woman has with her own mother certainly impacts the relationship she builds with her motherin law, but not in ways one might expect. A woman who lost her own mother at an early age will not necessarily seek out a mother relationship with her mother-in-law, Deborah M. Merrill, a professor of sociology at Clark University in Worcester, reported. Full Story
ADOPTION INSIGHTS
LIVES in LIMBO Families Impacted by Legal & Political Issues in Guatemala
When Mary Beth and Jon Beatrice were in the process of adopting Charlie, now 2 1/2, from Guatemala, it seemed to take forever. The couple anticipated that he would be home by the time he was five months old, but delays that seemed unusual at the time kept him in Guatemala until his seventh month. Full Story
Waiting for Amelia
One Family's Long, Delay-Filled Process of Adopting from Guatemala
In late August, Marybeth and Craig Hay were about 2,200 miles from their home in Whitinsville and sitting on the porch of the Casa Grande, a small hotel in Guatemala City, Guatemala. They were feeling anxious but happy as they chatted with other couples coming and going from the hotel. Full Story
Will Grandfathering Be Allowed?
Governments Try To Sort Out Issues as Dec. 31 Deadline Looms
Just a few years ago, the rapid adoption process in Guatemala enabled American families to welcome children home after just a few months of waiting. Now, increased scrutiny resulting from accusations of unethical and illegal adoptions - and from discussion of highprofile Guatemalan legislation - has made delays and backlogs the rule. Full Story
Crime-Solving ADVENTURE
Exhibit Based on Popular Television Series Teaches Families About Forensic Science
Last month, my husband, two daughters, and I woke up on a Sunday morning thinking it would be just another peaceful and lazy day. Instead, we ended up solving a crime that involved a car crashing into a suburban home. Ok, we didn't really solve a crime, but it certainly felt like it. Full Story
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