EDITOR'S NOTE       I am intensely competitive. When others see problems, I identify solutions; long after they may have given up. I am always aware of the demands & expectations placed on me. "That's not possible," and "You can't do that," just gives me more motivation to do the impossible. More ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR       Dear Bay State Parent, Hello. I will be moving to Western Massachusetts this summer surrounding the Springfield area. Can you recommend any distributors like your company covering those counties who may offer community resources? More ... Ocean State Adventure Two Families, With 8 Kids, Explore Rhode Island for 8 Hours BY james m. lang & matt robert photos by matt robert       ABOUT THIS SERIES: Following-The-Four-Winds Road Trip Adventure It seemed like a great idea over a couple of bottles of wine one evening, said the series authors. More ... GYMNASTS Tumble & Vault Themselves Into The ER NATIONAL STUDY SAYS GYMNASTICS HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST INJURY RATES OF ALL GIRLS' SPORTS BY jennifer lucarelli       Contrary to what some parents may think, gymnastics is considered by some as the football of girls sports when it comes to injuries. More ... Celebrating Teachers May 4-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week BY heidi hynes       As many of us parents prepare for National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4 - 10), we tend to reflect on how a teacher has impacted our children's lives. Maybe, she offers extra emotional support to an anxious child. Maybe she, challenges a bright mind. Maybe she, encourages a particular talent... More ... The Power of Reading to A Child Hello My Dears, I'm so happy to visit with you and share our love for reading. BY lisa d. welsh, paula swift, photography       One of my earliest memories is sitting on my Grandma Parker's lap as she rocked the two of us in her chair with a force that belied her small frame. Reading Snow White and Rose Red, Grandma would use varying pitches in her voice to distinguish between characters, and not very convincingly, I... More ... Win A Copy Of Counting In The Garden       Scholastic Inc. has generously offered three copies of Kim Parker's book Counting in the Garden for Bay State Parent readers. To enter go onlline and fill out a survey at www.baystateparent.com/common/ entry form.html. More ... MOMS PLAYDATE "You've Got To Have Friends" BY lisa littlewood       When Marybeth France moved to Northbridge for her husband's job three years ago, the then mother of two boys (they have since had a third) didn't know a soul. More ... Mommy IS ON THE RADIO BY amy benoit steven king, photography       I'm late. I can't believe I'm running late. And, of all days. Where is Starbucks? I thought it was here… "Excuse me, Sir? Can you tell me where Starbucks is?" Darting through the parking lot - briefcase, pocketbook, laptop ... it starts raining. More ... Striving for Happiness, not Perfection Moms Need To "Reset Unrealistically High Expectations" For Themselves BY marguerite paolino       Kelly Brigham would love to buzz around town looking great and feeling relaxed. She'd love her children to agree to wear matching clothes to preschool and always play nicely at the playground. She'd love to have a balanced, home-cooked meal on the table for her family each night. She'd love to f... More ... Book Excerpts From the book Be Happy Without Being Perfect: How to Break Free from the Perfection Deception by Dr. Alice Domar, and Alice Lesch Kelly       Model "Good Enough" Behavior "Kids imitate adults. If you do everything perfectly, it makes sense that your children may try to do everything perfectly, too. Help your children learn that sometimes good enough is good enough. Once in a while, let them see you putting towels away without folding ... More ... Is Pressure To Be Perfect Affecting Your Life? BY marguerite paolino       In the book, Be Happy Without Being Perfect: How to Break Free from the Perfection Deception, Dr. More ... Nurture Yourself       Taking care of yourself is essential - and it's something that perfectionist parents often neglect to do. How can you make time for yourself when you're so busy being a perfect mom? Self-nurturing is not selfish. It is selfcare, and in addition to helping reduce your stress levels, it actually he... More ... Learning to Embrace the Chaos BY susan spencer       Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Anna Quindlen remembers when female reporters were assigned to write about fashion and recipes. She's grateful her 19-yearold daughter takes for granted that a woman can be secretary of state, a corporate executive, or a presidential candidate. More ... MOM'S PLAYDATE Meet, Greet, & Read BY leslie castillo       You finish reading a book, and then what? Whether the ending is pleasing, puzzling, or perturbing, you just might want to discuss it with someone. But, with whom? Sara Hofschire of Framingham found the perfect audience. "Whenever I finished a book, even if I didn't particularly love it, I wante... More ... MOMS OFFERING MOMS SUPPORT CLUBS Clubs Help Stay-at-Home Moms Connect BY elizabeth c. regan joyce roberts, photography       Cristen Abrams commuted an hour and fifteen minutes from Worcester to Northampton and back again for over a year before she decided to make a career switch - from library manager at Smith College to full-time mother at home. More ... the Journey Without a Mother Learning to Explore Unfulfilled Expectations, to Create Identities as Motherless Daughters, & to Honor Losses Amidst the Joy of Creating A Family BY donna morin miller      “My mother died of cancer a year before our oldest daughter, Reilly, was 5 - right before she was adopted,” said Anne Coleman softly to a room full of strangers. Her father died the year before. More ... Circle of Friends MAY CALENDAR OF ADOPTION-RELATED EVENTS Listings are arranged alphabetically by organization.       Adoption Associates 1163 Walnut Street, Suite 2, Newton Highlands 02461. 617-965-9369, www.adoptionassociates.org Ongoing: Partners in Parenting Groups: Day and evening groups are now forming for parents of elementary - high school age children. Share stories and explore your concerns in a sup... More ... ADOPTION INSIGHTS Gallery Helps Match Children & Families BY leslie castillo       Like a magnet, the photos capturing the wide grins, smiling faces, and warm embraces of the children will draw you in. This year's 2008 Heart Gallery features 34 children, ages 4 to 16, who are currently in the state's foster care system and have been waiting to find their forever families for at... More ... i can do it MYSELF 10 Ways to Teach Children Self Reliance BY dr. robyn j.a. silverman       Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles on teaching self reliance. Next month: Teaching Your Child How to Pack His Own Bag/Suitcase for a Summer Vacation. "I hate to see her struggle like that. More ... SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTING Living With DIABETES BY sue lovejoy       "Jack doesn't remember what it's like to not have diabetes," said Kim Schwamb, of her bright-eyed, athletic 10-year old son, with an infectious smile. In the summer of 2001, the Schwamb family was unaware their son's seemingly harmless symptoms were actually the first indicators of something am... More ... School Diabetes Packet Suggestions:       • Information packet: The child's parent should put together a diabetes information packet for the school containing brochures and articles with general information on diabetes. More ...