Welcome
Ralph and Kim Capaldi of Auburn were eating dinner at the Picadilly Pub in town with their two boys, Ralph, age four, and Dante, 20 months. Paula Monette Ethier, baystateparent's creative director, was also having dinner there with her husband when she couldn't help but notice the family. Full Story
GUESTBOOK
Dear baystateparent, My family and I attended the Rumplestiltskin program today (at Foothills Theater, Worcester) and had a wonderful time. The girls really enjoyed the live theatre and the kooky actors. The best part for them was being able to meet them afterwards and get a picture and their autographs--they look forward to seeing more live theatre in the future!!!! Full Story
JUNKDRAWERS
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
FLORAL Flies Fifteen years ago, Heather Krasnov saved all of her mother-in-law's old zippers and buttons, knowing that someday she would come up with a creative use for them. That day came four years ago when Heather and her husband were touring a museum exhibit of Victorian fashion in San Francisco. Full Story
FINALLYFOREVER
While We WAIT
We come to adoption for different reasons, and from a myriad of situations, but one feature adoptions have in common is wait time. Infertility is an issue for about 20% of couples, so plenty of people arrive at adoption after years of medical issues. Full Story
Circle Of Friends
FEBRUARY'SADOPTIONRELATEDEVENTS
Adoption Associates 1163 Walnut St., Newton Highlands. 617-965-9369, adoptionassociates.org, email adoptionassociates@yahoo.com Ongoing Groups: For adopted children, groups for parents through adoption, and/or general informational sessions. Individual and family therapy and consultations available for the decision making stage of family building. Full Story
FEBRUARY'SCHILD
David is an active, friendly, jovial boy with a charming personality and a great smile, who likes to watch sports, go to the gym, and play on the computer. Playing with cars, his Gameboy, and being with friends makes him the happiest. He also enjoys watching the Disney Channel and cartoons as well as riding his bike, playing basketball,and putting puzzles together. Full Story
Play-Date Camp School Vacation Week February 16-20
It's February vacation and the kids are out of school. But, what if it's not time off for Mom and Dad?! Try your own February Play-Date Camp! It's not only inexpensive, but the kids will not be bored! Worried about where the kids will go vacation week while you are at work? Full Story
UNDERMYROOF
Just Blowing Off Snow
When did we become such wimps? This is New England. It is winter. Snow happens. We used to regard a snowstorm as a chance to hunker down and rediscover small joys like reading a book or watching a movie until it was time to clear the front sidewalk. Full Story
MOMS WHO ROCK
Kara Milotte OF HOLDEN
Age: 36 Occupation: Stay-at-home mom (or as Kara puts it, "housewife." "It's very retro '50s," she says) and volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Mom of Two: Matthew (5) and Quinn (3) Married to: Full Story
Sweet Deals...
Challenge: baystateparent sent two stylin' and thrify moms, sisters Kristin Wattu of Berlin and Beth Cormier of Wrentham, on a shopping spree. We wanted the firsthand scoop on stretching budgets with second-hand styles. How low could these two moms go? Full Story
'Upscale Resale Chain' Children's Orchard of Massachusetts Provides Smart Alternative to Kids Clothing Shopping
As parents try to stay in budget while keeping their kids in fashion, many parents have turned to buying resale for their children's clothing and accessories. Children's Orchard, the nation's leader in 'upscale resale' for children, thrives as families hunt for the latest children's brand name fashions at discount prices. Full Story
Home Equity to the Rescue!
As the national economy falters and credit is harder to get and maintain these days, some families are turning to their one major asset, their home, for help. Though home equity was traditionally used to make improvements to a home, some families have used it to help consolidate debt, buy new cars or take trips, or to pay for their children's college. Full Story
LET'SROLL
AT THE SPELLMAN MUSEUM OF STAMPS AND POSTAL HISTORY
ON the way to the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History in Weston, I ask my 12-year-old son Joel, his friend Oren and my 7-year-old son Caleb, "Do you guys know how much a stamp costs today?" "Five cents?" Oren offers. I shake my head. "Fifty cents?" Joel guesses. Yikes. Full Story
GET TO THE BOTTOM OF YOUR Love/Hate RELATIONSHIP WITH JEANS!
Shannon Gray, co-owner of Tush Denim in Worcester, makes a $150 pair of jeans sound like a bargain. Think of the money we waste on jeans that end up not really fitting. Full Story
TAKING VALENTINE'S DAY TO Heart
Parents take note: Valentine's Day needn't be only for love-struck couples or candy-stuck cards for your kids' classmates. This flower-and-chocolateladen holiday can be easily transformed into a meaningful family event that you and your kids will look forward to year after year. Full Story
LEARN TO FALL WHEN YOU LEARN TO SKATE
MOMS AND DADS CAN LEARN TOO!
i have vivid memories of putting my skates on - with Dad lacing them up, of course - and pushing an oversized orange cone for balance. Without the weekly trips to the rink, there is no way I would have come to know and love hockey, since skating is the key piece to that sport's puzzle. Full Story
10 Things to TEACH Kids BEFORE They Go to Camp
YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT THE THINGS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO!
For hundreds of thousands of kids every year, summer camp offers a brief, but intense, introduction to independent living. Away from the helping hands of parents and siblings, many campers are startled to find themselves responsible for, well, themselves for the first time in their lives. Full Story
MUMMY TUMMY
Badge of Motherhood or Cause for Surgery?
As a mother of twins and a younger son who tipped the scales at 10 lbs 1 oz, my body has been stretched in ways I did not think humanly possible. I still cringe when I flip my head upside down to blow-dry my hair every morning and see my sad, sorry "mummy tummy" crying out for mercy. Full Story
TAKEGOODCARE
WHEN CHILDREN PLAY DOCTOR
Imagine the scene: Six-year-old Johnny, your neighbor's son, is at your house playing with your five-yearold daughter, Sally. They are in the basement, in the playroom. After a while, you go down to call them for a snack. To your surprise, you find them playing "doctor." The doctor set is open, one has the stethoscope on his ears, the other has the "shot" in her hand. Full Story
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
A BOOK TO READ TOGETHER
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson; Simon & Schuster, 2008 The winner of the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Category: Middle grade historical fiction IF AN ENTIRE NATION COULD SEEK ITS FREEDOM, WHY NOT A GIRL? Full Story
Chains: ONE FAMILY'S REVIEW
When I am older and my kids are grown and I think back on my parenting, I will surely cherish memories of our time reading together. Full Story
baystateparent's 10 Hot Shots!
Below are the 10 finalists from baystateparent 's Third Annual Cover Model Search. Two finalists were selected in five age categories. One grand prize winner will appear on a 2009 cover. All 10 finalists will participate in a photo shoot for a future 2009 issue. A sincere thank you to all who participated in our cover search. Full Story
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