Welcome
We know what you're thinking. We talk about adoption a lot in baystateparent. But really how can we not when there are 10,400 foster care children in Massachusetts, 2,400 of whom are legallyfree to be adopted and need a home right now? Plus thousands of Bay State couples experience infertility when they attempt to have a child. Full Story
MEET OUR NOVEMBER COVER MODEL
Julia Clare Richards of Carlisleof Carlisle 4 1/2
1. Who will you show the baystateparent cover to first? What do you think they will say? My friends. I think they will say it is pretty. 2. What do you like to do on Thanksgiving? Go to Plimoth Plantation 3. Full Story
GUESTBOOK
Dear baystateparent, Recently my son went to a Halloween/birthday party and needed to wear a costume. He wore the Dracula outfit featured in last month's issue. We went to iParty to purchase the Snazaroo face paint and followed the pictures in the article. Full Story
Look at some of the prizes baystateparent gave away on facebook. When are you going to join us?
• Tickets to Orquestra De Sao Paulo at Mechanics Hall, Worcester (valued at $46 each):Cristin Murphy, Worcester • Passes to Santa's Village: Cathy Keddy, Grafton • Passes to Southwick's Zoo, Mendon: Vikki Ludwigson, Full Story
Shields Oncology
Offers Shorter, More Convenient Radiation Treatment in the Burbs for Busy Parents
The correct Web site for the Shields Health Care Group of Quincy profiled in baystateparent's October Think Pink issue is shields.com, not shieldsoncology. com. In addition, the five-day radiation treatment is safe and FDA approved. Full Story
JUNKDRAWERS
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
MOMMY, Can I PLAY on the COMPUTER? How many times do you hear that in a day? Now, there's something new for children ages 5 - 8 that just may ease your mind when kids want to have their turn on the computer. (And moms, you don't have to buy any stuffed animals! Full Story
UNDER MY ROOF
Gotta Hand it to Thanksgiving
I have a love affair with Thanksgiving. It's a secret I've been carrying around for some time. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I don't care who knows anymore. Christmas will almost certainly feel betrayed, the Fourth of July will turn white, see red and feel blue, and I don't even want to think about moody Memorial Day's reaction. Full Story
Swine Flu and You
(Achoo!)
Here we are entering the most virulent flu season anticipated in nearly a century, and one of my daughter's classmates just ran up to me in the carpool line to gleefully announce that my darling little girl had licked his hand. Full Story
TRIM YOUR TREE 1.2.3
Goodbye glitter! Goodbye paint! These special gift ornaments in three fabulous (and inexpensive) styles, from elegant to practical and sentimental to whimsical, will shine on their own...without all the mess. Kids can make their own stars (they come out stunning!) or have them assist you with the other two crafts. Full Story
Best Gifts for Hard-To-Buy-for Adults
Let's face it, the kids are easy to shop for. We know you need ideas for the hard-to-buy-for adults in your life. Picks from baystateparent's creative team: Eco-Luxury Personalized Hostess Gift This hand-carved, Vermont soap is eco-luxurious! Give some guilt-free pampering with this practical and elegant gift. Full Story
Fa La La LONELY
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS AFTER DIVORCE
A resident of Florence, Massachusetts, Sandra Murphy is a licensed independent clinical social worker who, for the past eight years, has taught a five-hour, statemandated course called, Parents and Children in Divorce. Full Story
Adoption Guide (cover)
Shahada, 7 and Deshiya, 9 photography by ken kotch Full Story
A PART OF U.S. HISTORY SELDOM HEARD
They didn't know where they were going or who would step up to care for them. In the years between 1854 and 1929, nearly 200,000 abandoned and neglected children from Boston and other crowded east-coast cities were put on trains and sent through out rural America in hopes that people greeting the trains would provide the children with homes. Full Story
FROM TRASH BAG TO TREASURE
Would you carry your belongings in a trash bag? Then why do almost 14,000 children in state care have to?
Local foster dad collects 6,000 suitcases and counting for foster kids in Massachusetts. F or most of us, it's hard to imagine children being shuttled from one house to another, their belongings hastily crammed into trash bags like so much rubbish. Full Story
Thank You
CONVERSE, THE RED SOX TEAM STORE, GO GAGA, AND WHOLE FOODS FOR HELPING FOSTER KIDS IN MASSACHUSETTS!
baystateparent reached out to the following companies who generously donated brand-new bags to suitcases4kids.org. Full Story
GIVING BIG KIDS A CHANCE
STEPPING UP TO FOSTER AND ADOPT OLDER CHILDREN IN MASSACHUSETTS
Zenaida Plasse has a heart for kids—especially the older ones. She first volunteered to foster parent a pregnant 15-year-old child when she herself was only 19. The child was ultimately reunited with her biological mother several months after the baby was born. Full Story
Circle of Friends
NOVEMBER'SADOPTIONRELATEDEVENTS
Adoption Community of New England, Inc. 45 Lyman Street, #2, Westborough 508-366-6812, AdoptionCommunityofNE.org. Pre-register for all events. Sat., Nov. 7 and Dec. 5: Triad Group, 10 a.m. - Noon. Meet with other adult members of the adoption triad who are not in your immediate triad. Full Story
Heart Gallery
The Heart Gallery is a portrait exhibit to raise awareness about Massachusetts children available for adoption. For more information about the Heart Gallery or to find out how you can help, please contact MARE at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or 1-800-882- 1176. Full Story
Adoption FYI
CELEBRATE NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY ON NOVEMBER 20
It's the 10-year anniversary of National Adoption Day, a day where the courts open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care. Visit nationaladoptionday.org to see a schedule of Massachusetts events. Full Story
NOVEMBER'S CHILD
Jordan, age 11
In honor of National Adoption Month, we would like to re-introduce you to Jordan, who has been waiting for a permanent family for two years. He has been in the care and custody of the Department for over eight years due to neglect and has had a number of temporary foster home placements as well as placement in a small residential home over this timespan. Full Story
Embryo Adoption
For couples who wish to donate embryos left over from IVF treatment to couples who wish to give birth to their adopted child
It used to be that couples who struggled with fertility and wanted to have a child had three options: 1) a traditional foreign or domestic adoption of an existing child 2) fertility treatments or 3) a surrogate. Now a fourth option is available to couples--embryo adoption. Full Story
Keep Sound Minds
In memory of Kaleigh and Shane Lambert and their aunt, Marci Thibault, of Bellingham
January 11, 2010 marks two years since Danielle and Ken Lambert's only children, Kaleigh, age 5, and Shane, age 4, died on Route 495 on the way to a sleepover in Bellingham, MA with their Aunt Marci. Full Story
Help Keep Sound Minds
Touched by Ken and Danielle's story? They welcome your help.
1. Join the email list for Keep Sound Minds, Inc. to be notified of future events, meetings, and legislative initiatives on mental health parity, advocacy, and protective laws. 2. Volunteers are needed in accounting, legal issues, Web site support, speaking opportunities, office support, research and many other tasks. Full Story
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Inspiration for what we can do for our country, our community, each other
When we became parents, my husband Rich and I created "Friday Family Fun Day." Since we are fortunate enough to have summers off, we take turns picking a Friday destination, just the four of us, for some sort of day trip. Full Story
MOMS WHO ROCK
Jane Savas OF HOLLISTON
Age: 43 Occupation: Founder & Concepts for local Cafe' Pejamajo Mom of six: Elizabeth 18, Perry 17, Hannah 15, Tess 14, Madison 12, and Halley 10 Married to: Peter Savas Having six kids in seven years requires some serious multi-tasking, a skill which has also provided great training for busy mom, Jane Savas, who recently founded Holliston's Crepe Café, Full Story
All the Fixings for the Thanksgiving Kids' Table
Paper goods in fun colors equal less dishes, more fun! Your kids will love sitting at this kids' table. Artsy Tablecloth: Set the kids' table with a white plastic tablecloth (this can be used as a canvas for little guests to play games like tic-tac-toe and Hangman or to create art). Good news: crayons (and not markers...whew!) work surprisingly well on the plastic. Full Story
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