Getting-Out Guide :: Boston’s Best Activities for Families This June

We are so excited to partner with Goldfish Swim School to bring you this Guide to June!

Summer kicks off this month, and we couldn’t be more excited! It is officially time to enjoy the fun, sun, and excitement of a Boston summer. Check out our monthly events guide, brought to you by Goldfish Swim School, to get some great ideas for family fun this June!

In addition to this guide, our calendar has daily events listed to keep you active and entertained this month!

We’ve also included links to area libraries and recurring events. We know this is not a comprehensive list, so if you think of any fun family activities we missed, please share them with us in the comments.

If you are looking to connect with other moms near you, make sure to join our Community & Conversation Group!

June 1 :: Mermaid Promenade at the Cambridge Arts River Festival :: Central Square, Cambridge

The Mermaid Promenade will be a first-of-its-kind participatory community spectacle featuring mermaids, mermen, and many more water creatures and features! Read about the full parade lineup here. All are welcome to march in this spectacular parade. Attendees are invited to line up in costume and/or with props at the River Festival’s youth and family stage, near the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Essex Street at 3:45 p.m.

June 1 :: Norwell Summer Fest :: Norwell Center, Norwell

Enjoy this free community festival and see the best that Norwell has to offer! All ages are invited to gather and celebrate with live entertainment, rides, local food options, local artisans, and more.

June 1–2 :: Gelato Festival America :: Boylston Plaza, Boston

Eataly Boston will host this delicious event, where a wristband will give you the opportunity to taste all the gelato you can eat, including original flavors made by local and visiting artisans. Does that sound like heaven or what?! Cast your vote for your favorite flavor and the chef who created it — the winner will continue on toward the final of the Gelato Festival World Masters 2021.

June 4–6 :: Jimmy Fund Scooperbowl :: Boston City Hall Plaza

If all-you-can-eat gelato isn’t your thing, perhaps all-you-can-eat ice cream is? Taste a variety of ice cream flavors from Ben & Jerry’s, HP Hood, Baskin-Robbins, Breyers, Edy’s, Friendly’s, and Yasso, all while benefiting Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s mission to end cancer. A win-win!

June 5 :: Teddy Bear Picnic :: Telford Park, Plainville

Bring your stuffed friends, a picnic lunch, and a blanket or a chair, and join in on this fun annual event! The musical picnic at Telford Park Gazebo will feature Miss Cindy Tuminelli. All ages are welcome to participate in this fun day in the park!

June 7–9 :: Salem Arts Festival :: Downtown Salem District

Sponsored by the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Arts Festival celebrates art in all its forms, including painting, photography, poetry, film, dance, music, culinary, and many more mediums. Visitors can enjoy visual artists’ work in Old Town Hall, performances in the indoor and outdoor stage venues, and a street fair. The community will have many opportunities to actively participate in the arts during this exciting festival. 

June 8 :: TouchTomorrow at WPI :: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester

This family-friendly festival of science, technology, and robots features an array of research lab activities, hands-on experiments, and interactive exhibits. Suitable for all ages, the entire family will have a great time learning about all things science!

June 8 :: Strawberry Festival :: Topsfield Town Common

Fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and shortcake await you at the 51st Annual Strawberry Festival! This FREE festival will feature music, children’s games, tours of the Capen House, and goods from over 60 fine artists.

June 8–9 :: The Boston Slime Party :: Arts at the Armory, Somerville

Yes, there is such a thing as a slime convention. And yes, you know your kids want to go to it. This ooey-gooey convention features slime vendors from all over the country selling slimes, doing live demos, and giving away tons of door prizes. You can even bring your own slime and enter it into slime contests! One lucky attendee will win a grand prize gift basket worth over $500!

June 12–16 :: Plum Island Jet Rally :: Plum Island Airport, Newbury

Celebrate Father’s Day watching pilots from all over the East Coast and Canada showing off their impressive aircraft and piloting skills! This five-day-long event is exciting for pilots and spectators alike!

June 15 :: Lantern Festival :: West Parish Garden Cemetery, Andover

Experience the beauty of this ancient Asian ritual as you decorate your lantern to send messages of faith, love, peace, and hope. There will be refreshments, as well as music and dance performances. The lanterns will be launched together on the pond at sunset.

June 17–27 (selected days) :: Star Students Free at Edaville :: Edaville Family Theme Park, Carver

Calling all star students! Students up to the 8th grade who have all A/Bs, 3/4s, or the equivalent will receive one free admission with the purchase of one full-priced gate admission. Some restrictions apply, and this offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Please see the Edaville website for exact dates.

June 19 :: Juneteenth at the MFA Boston :: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

On the evening of June 19, join the Museum of Fine Arts for a celebration of Juneteenth — the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This night will be held in partnership with The Urban Labs and will feature discussion, art, and activities from local Boston artists. This event is free, and admission will begin at 4 p.m.

June 19–30 :: Cirque de Soleil :: Agganis Arena, Boston

Revel in the amazing acrobatic feats and creative artistry of the Cirque de Soleil experience! This spectacular performance will entertain even the youngest guests and leave your family in awe.

June 20 :: Stuffbrary Try It Day :: Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk

Come on over to the Town Hill to try out some of the fun outdoor Stuffbrary items, like giant Jenga, giant Yahtzee, the portable projector, and more! All ages are welcome to come play, and no pre-registration is required. Rain date: Monday, June 24.

June 22 :: Boston Pickle Fair :: One Design Center Place, Boston

Calling all pickle lovers! This event is kind of a big dill! Head on over to the Seaport District to enjoy pickle samples, a home pickling competition, access to a beer garden, an indoor pickle lounge, and entertainment! Additional food, beverages, and pickle products will be available for purchase.

June 22 :: Spring Mass Reptile Expo :: Starland Sportplex, Hanover

Get up close and personal with live reptiles! There will be hands-on education experiences and a photo booth for pictures with your scaly new friends! Come to browse, or bring home a new reptilian buddy!

June 22–23 :: North Star Pro Rodeo :: Marshfield Fairgrounds

Ride ’em cowboy! Enjoy seven different rodeo events and specialty acts at this real-life rodeo! There will be special events for kids to participate in prior to the rodeo each day. This event will take place rain or shine, and covered seating is available.

June 24 :: Basics of Animation Course :: Old Colony YMCA, Stoughton

Students in the 3rd through 8th grade will learn to bring their drawings to life in this exciting class! This course will help kids to learn the fundamental skills necessary for any young artist, animator, or game concept designer as they write, design, create, and direct their own animated short!

June 27 :: Family Fun Nights: Pilgrim Olympics! :: Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth

Test your skills at a pilgrim-style Olympics! Challenging feats for guests of all ages await! Do you have what it takes to survive life in a 17th-century Plymouth colony? Head on over to the Summer 2019 Family Fun Nights to find out!

June 29 :: Braintree 4th of July :: Braintree High School

Join the fun at Braintree’s 45th annual Braintree Day Celebration! The stars and stripes parade will kick off at 11:45 a.m. from the RMV parking lot. Enjoy family entertainment and snacks at the food truck rodeo at Braintree High School beginning at 4 p.m., and finish off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display!

June 29 :: New Kids On The Block: The Mixtape Tour :: TD Garden

So maybe this one is more for the moms than the kids! Take your 90s fan-girl self on a date to see these New Kids, all grown up! They’ve certainly still got all the Right Stuff!

June 29 :: Boston Lighthouse Tour :: Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park

Experience the beauty of the lighthouses of Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park on this two-hour narrated cruise. Learn about maritime history as you sail past Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light, America’s Oldest Light Station. Staff and volunteers from the National Park Service and United States Coast Guard will guide the narrations and programs onboard the ship.

Little Farmer’s Mornings :: Red Horse Farm, Hanson :: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. (June–October)

Little ones up to 4 years old will learn about farm chores with horses, chickens, and goats! They will also enjoy a farm-related story or craft.

Storytime at Showcase Cinema de Lux :: Patriot Place, Foxborough :: Tuesdays, 11 a.m.

This free weekly storytime takes place every Tuesday at Showcase Cinema de Lux. After a story reading, a special character makes a weekly appearance followed by a short movie.

Public Telescope Nights at New England Sci-Tech :: 16 Tech Circle, Natick :: Tuesdays and Fridays, 8–9 pm

The public is invited to join New England Sci-Tech for an evening of astronomy during the spring, summer, and fall months. Depending on staff availability, inside activities such as planetarium shows and visiting the astronomy classrooms may be available. Visitors are also invited to borrow smaller “starblast” telescopes to use on their own.

Recreation Sundays on Memorial Drive :: Memorial Drive, Cambridge :: Sundays, May–November

Every Sunday, from the last Sunday of April to the second Sunday of November, Memorial Drive is closed to traffic between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street — and open to recreation! Ride a bike or scooter, take a jog, or bring your baby on a leisurely stroll down this usually busy road while you enjoy the beautiful views of the Charles River!

Urban Air Sensory Friendly Jump/Play Time :: Bellingham :: Sundays, 9 a.m. 

This event is specifically designed for children with autism and special needs to enjoy time at the park and have a lot of fun without loud music and flashing lights! The lights will be white and music/video games turned off for those with sensory challenges during this time.

Baby-Friendly Monday Matinees at the Capitol Theatre :: Arlington :: Mondays, 12–2 p.m. 

The Capitol Theatre features a baby-friendly movie every Monday afternoon. Please check the theater’s Monday schedule to see what feature has been selected for parents and their infants. 

Kids’ Art Club :: Dorchester :: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m. 

This club has a new art project at the library every Tuesday. Projects include collage self-portraits and artist’s books. Art Club projects are showcased in rotating displays in the library children’s room.

Nature Time at Blue Hills Trailside Museum :: Milton :: Thursdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. 

Introduce your preschool-aged child to nature with this fun program. Programs may feature a story, nature games, crafts, short walks outside, or meeting one of the museum’s animal residents. Meet, play, and learn with other area families. Each program runs for 45 minutes and meets most Thursdays. Museum admission is included with this program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

JFN Free Friday Playgroup :: Natick :: Fridays, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Bring the little ones and come join other parents and caregivers in the Metrowest area for a fun-filled morning of play and socializing. There are plenty of songs, activities, toys, snacks, and laughter, as both the children and their grown-ups build connections and lasting friendships. 

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays :: Acton :: Fridays, 10–11 a.m. 

A great way for the whole family to enjoy time outdoors, the Forest Friday program is held outside, no matter the weather. Every Friday morning there is a nature-based activity based on the weather and season, either in Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. All ages are welcome but activities are designed for 2- to 6-year-olds. Please note that the conservation land trails are not ADA or stroller accessible; please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Storytime at the Curious George Store :: Cambridge :: Fridays, 10:30–11 a.m. 

Small children and their caregivers are welcome at these weekly storytimes, running throughout the year. 

SaturPLAY :: Rose Kennedy Greenway – Chinatown :: Boston :: Select Saturdays, 1–3 p.m. 

The Asian Community Development Corporation’s youth program, A-VOYCE, hosts a placemaking event monthly to activate and bring children to The Greenway’s Mary Soo Hoo Park. Each month features a different theme with games, activities, crafts, and more. Youth volunteers are on hand to engage children. SaturPlay is subject to weather conditions.

ImprovBoston Family Show :: Cambridge :: Saturdays, 4–5 p.m.

Improv Boston’s improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on your suggestion. No two shows are alike! Best of all, children who want to participate have opportunities to be on stage and take part in the fun! The show is ideal for family outings, birthday parties, and school field trips. It’s fun for the whole family and best for children ages 4-12.

guide to june pinterest

The Grind of Motherhood :: How I Coexist With It

motherhood - Boston Moms Blog

It happens slowly. Building up in tiny increments over days and weeks. One day you are at peace with your days — and just busy enough. But yet there is space and room. So you say yes to something new.

You put a new project on your to-do list. It seems like a fun and rewarding idea but quickly transforms into a must do or else. You reach out to your friends for coffee and ladies nights out. Before you know it, your social calendar is full. You agree to volunteer for a school event and find yourself unexpectedly leading a group of people. You need to get into shape, so you sign up for a half marathon and begin a training schedule. And you still need to plan fun outings for the kids and date nights with the husband.

You are in the grind of motherhood.

Now the days are hectic, and you’re just a bit too busy. You are in it deep. How did that happen? How did you go from wondering what to do one day to not enough hours in the present day? It happens all the time to me. All. The. Time. Over and over again. So now, when I wake up to the reality that I found my way back to the grind, I reflect.

I ask myself, Is this where I wanted to end up? If yes, how long do I want to be here? If no, how do I get out of it?

The grind of motherhood is not necessarily a bad place to be. It can be quite fun if you are busy doing things you really want to be doing. Having nothing to do sounds amazing and is for A DAY, but it gets old fast. And I am having a blast in my current grind.

I am creating volunteer art with kids at my children’s school, which has boosted my creative spark. I am socializing with my favorite people. My children and I are trying new things, like horseback riding and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I am volunteering at their school’s annual auction. Our family is spending quality time together, going on outings and playdates and taking the kids to lessons and sports. My husband and I are working on tightening up our budget and stabilizing our morning/evening routines. AND I am writing.

I am crazy busy these days, but as I look at what my time is going to, I genuinely feel happy with all of it, even when I am stressed. I have allocated my time to things I have wanted to gain exposure to, participate in, or learn.

That said, I am ready to find my way back to the days of calm. I am almost done with my volunteering duties and the children’s art projects. My social calendar is winding down for a few weeks so I can gear up for summer. I would love for some lazy days with my kids by the pool or ocean and some open air time in the backyard. So now, my focus is getting back out of the grind.

I am saying no.

I am tapped out. Taking on more right now is not part of my plan. I am tired and ready to shorten my to-do list. I have found that being honest with people generates respect and understanding rather than negativity. Telling people I cannot do something creates boundaries as well as an invitation for conversations about the many things we are both doing.

I am considering new opportunities to engage in carefully. When presented with a new opportunity, I sit with it. Sometimes for minutes, other times for days or weeks. I do not rush the process. Time allows for ideas to fizzle, be forgotten, strengthen, develop, or progress. When an idea or opportunity develops into a sense of urgency or passion, that is typically the moment I decide and base my decision on the feelings I have surrounding it regarding time, energy, and overall desire.

There have been many times where I have found myself unhappy in the grind of motherhood. That is not where I want to be if I can prevent it. Because I cannot always truly know if something I sign on to do will be worth it, I allow myself the time to consider whether I can handle it for the length of time it will take to fulfill the commitment. I make a conscious choice, fully owning what I am saying yes to. Regardless of how much I end up enjoying it, at least I know I gave myself, my family, the requester, and the decision the respect deserved. With that in mind, I am always good with fulfilling my commitments. By taking the time to really think about how the task will affect me and my family, the likelihood of the next grind being fun and enjoyable is increased.

I have come to learn that the grind of motherhood can be a flowing and constantly changing force. We can be in it and we can come out of it. Intentionally creating it and intentionally withdrawing from it seems to me to be a wonderful and more enjoyable way to coexist with it.


10 Exciting Milestones — for Preschoolers!

milestones for preschoolers - Boston Moms Blog

Once your little one passes the more typically tracked baby milestones — smiling, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking — it’s easy to forget what’s coming. Maybe it’s because there’s such a range in age for the milestones that occur after age 2. It’s easy to get caught up in life and forget all our children are learning to do. And then it happens!

Here are a few fun milestones for preschoolers — roughly ages 3 to 5. They’re definitely worth looking forward to and celebrating when they happen!

No more diapers

Or pull-ups. Or swim diapers. Or anything other than underwear! My kids are about 1.5 years apart, so it feels like we’ve been living with diapers for eternity. But once they’re gone, the feeling is awesome. (Both for your kid’s accomplishment and the family budget.)

No more daycare payments

One family I know considers this such a huge milestone they had an actual party when their last one finished daycare. Now it’s on to extended-day fees, school fundraisers, sports fees, scouts, and more. Perhaps it’s all a wash in the end, but not writing a daycare check bigger than my mortgage will certainly be nice.  

First “show”

Whether it’s preschool graduation, the dance recital, or a big game, the first time your kid races toward you from a stage or field and asks if you saw him/her up there is priceless.

First trophy

And when your kid gets a trophy for said accomplishment, their pride is endless. Even if everyone got one. 

Independent dressing

Sure, my kids may dress themselves in not-quite-matching outfits. But they dress themselves! As long as it’s not shorts in the snow, I try to go with it!

Solo shoe tying

This milestone took awhile — plus two pairs of shoes and a replacement set of longer laces to make learning easier. But once it happened, the accomplishment was magical!

Pumping on the swings

No more pushing required at the park! I love peeking at the backyard swing set from the house at my two master swing pumpers while I prep dinner. “Watch me, Mama!” Oh, that view of pride — from the front, instead of pushing from behind — is so much fun. 

Song mastery

Whether it’s a silly preschool song, a radio hit, or your favorite tune from way back when, it’s so much fun when you realize your kid knows the whole song and can sing it independently. Including hilarious mixed-up lyrics!

Learning their contact info

I moved around a lot as a military kid, but even as a preschooler my parents taught me to memorize my new address and phone number. I knew my own preschoolers had a bigger job ahead of them with two nine-digit phone numbers (mom and dad’s cell phones — no more home phone!) and an address to learn. But we took it one detail at a time, turned it into a song, and they did it!

Kindergarten prep

When the principal at my preschooler’s future elementary school flashed up a PowerPoint with “Class of 2032” at kindergarten parent night, the audience reaction was priceless — wows, laughter, gasps, amazement. Prepping your family and your future kindergartner for what’s ahead is a big deal. You can look forward to registration, screening, parent night, school tour, and summer kindergarten play dates. Because soon enough, they’ll be off on the big yellow bus into new adventures and — and new milestones to look forward to.


Avoiding the Summer Slide With Our Partners at KinderCare

We are excited to partner with KinderCare on this post!
KinderCare summer slide - Boston Moms Blog

Our partners at KinderCare know learning doesn’t stop when school lets out for the summer. They want to help you make sure your child starts the new school year ready to learn. Read on for tips on how you can mix learning and fun this summer!

What is the summer slide?

The summer slide refers to the slip in academics that many children experience over the summer months. After working so hard in the classroom all year, students tend to lose some of their academic achievements during those lazy summer months!

What can parents do to avoid the summer slide?

As parents, we want to do all we can to help our children succeed! How can we ensure our kids don’t start to fall behind this summer? The experts at KinderCare have come up with some tips to help parents combine learning and fun this summer and help their children avoid the summer slide!

Read and learn as a family!

According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reading and writing as a family have a bigger impact on preventing the summer slide than any other activity. So, make every day a reading day! Find a chapter book to take turns reading, find books written by local authors and explore the settings in person, or read a nature poem and go on a nature scavenger hunt! Your local library is an amazing resource!

Don’t forget math!

Math tends to fall by the wayside over the summer months, but there are many creative ways to keep those numbers moving! From counting up the number of trees on your daily walk to adding up the total of the groceries, there are opportunities for math everywhere!

Plan your vacation around educational activities!

The Collaborative Summer Library Program’s summer slide research shows that children who have access to extracurricular activities are not as likely to forget what they learned over the summer. So, find some time in your family vacation for enriching educational activities like exploring museums, visiting cultural and historical sites, and exposing your children to the arts.

Get up and get moving!

Kids who spend more time playing outside are better creative problem solvers and have improved focus and cognitive skills. It can be tough to resist the urge to let screens do the work, but summer is the perfect time to get out and get those bodies moving!

Encourage social and emotional development.

Kids spend less time around their peers during the summer months. In turn, they can lose up to 7% of their progress in social interpersonal skills for each month they are out of school. Yikes! Parents can offset this by scheduling playdates with friends or enrolling their kids in summer programming!

For 50 years, KinderCare teachers have been creating safe, encouraging environments where kids can learn, grow, and build confidence for life. At KinderCare, hardworking families are family — regardless of needs, backgrounds, and experiences.

KinderCare Learning Centers is opening a new center in the Seaport District of Boston. Stop by Seaport KinderCare on Saturday, June 8, to celebrate with kids’ activities, tours, music, and more!

Learn more about how you can prevent the summer slide through fun, educational summer activities and programs in your area at KinderCare.com.

Avoiding the Summer Slide With our Partners at KinderCare _ Boston Moms Blog

The Double-Edged Sword of Joint Custody

joint custody - Boston Moms Blog

For me, joint custody means half the time.

My ex-husband and I share approximately 50/50 custody of our son. The mediator described our joint custody as a rotating two-two-three. On either Monday or Wednesday mornings, I drop my son off at daycare and kiss him goodbye, knowing I won’t see him again for over 48 hours. 

To say being without my son is HARD is putting it mildly. When it gets to be around 5:15 p.m., I start to get anxious, waiting to hear from my ex about how my son’s day went. I grip my phone from 8:30 p.m. on, until I get the text telling me he’s ready to Facetime goodnight. My stomach is in knots waiting to see his face for just a few minutes so I can tell him I love him, even if I’m not with him to say it in person. 

Yet, there are perks to being alone.

On nights my son is with his father, I don’t have to worry about making dinner or packing lunch (for a 4-year-old whose tastes can change hourly). I only have to figure out what I am going to wear instead of what to dress him in, too. I can wake up, get ready, and be out the door in under 30 minutes when I’m by myself in the mornings. The day-to-day responsibilities go more quickly without a preschooler present.  

Being child-free a few nights a week has also given (or forced) me the opportunity to spend more time with my friends — catching up with old, strengthening the bond with current, and even developing some new. I’m fortunate to have a small circle of women who have been incredibly supportive through my recent ups and downs. They comfort me while I ugly cry when I miss my son so much I physically hurt. Two minutes later, they make me cry from laughing so hard at stupid jokes on our nights out.

I recently stepped WAY out of my comfort zone and signed up for dating apps. (Tinder and Bumble and Match, oh my!) This is an experience words fail to describe. I started dating my ex-husband when I was 19, so my dating history was minimal. I’m not happy divorce has forced me into the online dating pool. But I am grateful for some of the things I’ve learned about myself (and others) in the process. Fortunately, the online dating game (and trust me, it’s a game… maybe even a sport) did lead me to find a guy who, so far (a couple months in), seems great. My child-free nights allow me to get to know him without logistical concerns or the cost of a babysitter. 

But it’s still far from easy.

Even though I enjoy the activities I do when I don’t have my son, being a mom never shuts off. Joint custody means I miss my son ALL THE TIME. I think about him before I go to sleep and right when I wake up. And countless times in between. I miss snuggling with him on the couch watching terrible children’s TV and hearing his little voice tell me how much he loves me. And the guilt is still VERY REAL. 

I may not technically be choosing to be apart from him in this joint custody setup, but it sometimes feels like just a technicality, and there can be a sense that I shouldn’t enjoy my time without my son. Then I feel guilty that my head is somewhere else and not with whoever I am spending time with. It can be exhausting. While it’s nice to have time to get things done without a preschooler around, there’s a sense of urgency to make sure everything I can get done is done so when I do have him, he is my sole focus. 

What’s most reassuring is that despite divorce, I know he’s still lucky.

My son is safe and happy and very well cared for with his father. And for that, I am so grateful — I know there are countless single parents who cannot say the same. My son has so many people in his life who love and care for him — both his parents, his father’s girlfriend and her family, his grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, teachers, friends. Though his parents are not together, there is no lack of love and care for him in his little world.

I am still learning how to manage my feelings about physically being with my son only part time while trying to step back from mentally being there full time. I’m sure that is going to continue to be a giant joint custody learning curve. For now, though, I need to soak up the snuggles and I love yous every chance I get and let those feelings carry me through to my next chance to get them again.

Because that first hug at daycare pickup on transition days is one of the best.


When a Shopaholic Becomes a Mom

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As a new mom, my life is drastically different than it once was. I discover constant bags under my eyes. I try and sometimes fail to implement a set routine during the week. And I have toddler tunes stuck in my head non-stop. One thing that has not changed is my love of shopping. I don’t know if it’s the thrill of getting a really great deal, the workout from walking while carrying so many bags, or a combo of both, but I never get sick of it. If the Hunger Games were set in the Target clearance section, I would win within about 20 seconds — no question.

However, with my new priorities and responsibilities, I find my shopaholic habits shifting. Some of it has to do with all the postpartum bodily changes. I don’t often feel cute, so I don’t feel the need for cute clothes. (Even if those printed dresses are only $10 each at Primark.) I’m also in this weird between-sizes limbo, so not having an array of outfits and pieces to choose from incentivizes me to get back on track to pre-baby size. Or so I tell myself. And I have a 6-month-old, so I will take comfort over cute any day of the week at the moment. Leggings are a gift from the fashion gods — I don’t care what anyone says. And sweatshirts are the best shirts.

My passion for fashion is still there, it just manifests differently now. The enjoyment I once got from finding nice things for myself has morphed into finding and dressing my son in adorable outfits. Since babies grow at lightning speed, I try not to go overboard. But sometimes it’s very hard to resist an outfit with a teddy bear hoodie that says “The Snuggle Is Real.” I mean, I am only human after all.

I’m still getting a handle on the sizing of baby clothes. Just because an article of clothing is labeled 3–6 months does not mean it will fit an infant in that age range. Some pieces were too small before my little guy even had a chance to christen them with spit-up. Others last much longer than the time frame they advertise themselves to be. Are baby clothes “fake news”? 

What’s worked for me has been familiarizing myself with brands and stores and knowing which things are going to stretch my dollars the most. Some stores stock clothing that I know will be retired to the outgrown pile after one wear, so I’ve learned to avoid them. Other stores sell pieces that I know will last even past their suggested age range. Buying up has also been a game changer. We can work with rolled up sleeves and pant legs, but a too-snug onesie? Unless my son plans on morphing into the Baby Incredible Hulk, it’s a hard pass.

Another trick that works for me is getting items that are on sale at stores selling better-quality clothes. They will last longer due to both quality and size if you buy bigger than your baby’s current fit.

Having someone you can pass the clothes on to eases the spending-spree guilt. I learned early on to curb my spending habits when I witnessed first hand just how fast they grow. But when a good friend has a child only a few months younger than my son, I know the clothes will be put to use when we can’t use them anymore.

I know there is going to come a day when my son will want to pick out his own clothes, and my shopping rules and tricks will need to change. But I am definitely going to have fun shopping for him and dressing him up while I still can.


Everything I Learned in Life I Learned at a Dance Recital

dance recital - Boston Moms Blog
Photo courtesy John Trainor.

It’s dance recital season — that amazing time of the year where parents, grandparents, and the bravest of family friends crowd into high school auditoriums and watch children in what is often one of their very first times on stage. Moms have battle stations with bobby pins and red lipstick, safety pins and hair spray, ready to doll up their children for approximately three minutes of pizzaz, tears, or a little of both.

For approximately 10 years, I put my family through the dance recital ringer. There was my 1991 recital that my uncle volunteered to attend and videotape (he was the only person we knew with a camcorder), not realizing it was three-and-a-half hours of repeated “Little Mermaid” songs. There were the years a growth spurt meant the costume ordered in December no longer fit in June, causing my mom to get creative. And there was the year with three recitals in one day, and either I or the 4-year-olds I taught had a dance in every one of them, meaning my family was stuck there from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To all the families who stick it out in stuffy school auditoriums to cheer for your tiny dancers on what is usually the first warm Saturday of the year, we salute you. You know why? Because I’m 37 and I can tell you that everything I learned in life I learned at a dance recital.

Be prepared

My best friend, who I danced with my entire childhood, is preparing for her daughter’s upcoming recital. She sent me a photo of her setup for the dress rehearsal earlier this week. She had EVERYTHING — two mascaras, bobby pins, safety pins, a needle and thread, a few different hair sprays. It was a pint-sized Sephora. More than half that stuff won’t be touched, but in the event it’s needed, it’s there.

Years of that type of preparation taught me well. I’m that person who always has a bobby pin, safety pin, Shout wipe, lipstick, and seven pens in her bag. At work, I stash an extra pair of pantyhose in my office. And I always have a backup for any piece of equipment I have to set up that day. It all stems from those dance recital days, where you might not touch that extra, but it felt good to know it was there if you needed it.

Think on your feet

In the dance studio ecosystem, if you stay around long enough, you might get a solo. It feels like you become a woman the first day you get a solo. Real life isn’t Lifetime’s Dance Moms. You usually get months to learn a solo and perfect it. But if stage fright causes some memory lapses, your teacher will always tell you: “Don’t stop. Just make something up. The audience doesn’t know your dance.”

I tell that story now to colleagues who do a lot of public speaking. No one in the audience knows your speech word for word. If you misspeak or lose your place, don’t stop and announce it to the crowd. You’re bringing attention to it. Pause and keep going, and if you can do so with finesse, it’s even better.

Perseverance, independence, and teamwork

If I struggled to learn a step or a piece of choreography, it was on me to fix it. My mom couldn’t do it for me. I had to physically do it. And if I didn’t learn that piece of choreography to the best of my ability, it would let down the other girls in my class.

In an era where many complain about “coddling” and “helicopter parenting,” dance is one arena where at the end of the day, the child has to go up there and just do it. Sure, plenty of parents give dance teachers grief. But no parent can go up on stage in place of their child. There is some onus on them to learn it, do it, and work as a team to get it done.

To this day, one of the most vivid memories I have is from my last year dancing. A teammate skipped recital. She was with us at rehearsal, but on recital day, she was nowhere to be found.

With our teacher busy running the recital, the 12 of us dancers huddled in the hallway of the theatre, figuring out who would take her individual part and how we could spread out across the stage to cover for her absence. We ranged in age from 12–17, but we worked together to solve the issue. After a decade of dancing, it was the best possible way I could have gone out, using all the qualities I learned dancing to solve a giant problem.

So to the moms and more who take their seats in those auditoriums this spring, and to the moms, like my own, who did so for years, thank you. Those dance lessons will last a lifetime.

5 Reasons to Raise Kids With a Dog

Our dog was our baby before we had kids. We knew we wanted children, so we considered that when deciding what type of dog would be best for our family. We agreed on a pug because they are low maintenance and great with kids. Plus, what’s cuter than a pug puppy? Our dog took a back seat once we had our first baby, but having a dog has been one of the best things we have provided for our kids. She was our kids’ first friend, and she got the first real belly laugh out of our daughter, a moment I’ll never forget. As much work as dogs can be, especially when they are puppies, there are plenty of reasons why they are worth it.

1. Friendship

A dog is a friend that is available for your kids to play with at any time. They are always willing to run around, chase, and play tug of war. They have more energy than you at the end of a long day, and they love attention.

2. Health

Dogs help keep us healthy. They require walks every day (some more than others), so we get much needed fresh air and exercise. Plus, studies have shown that children who live with dogs during their first year of life have better immune systems and a decreased risk of developing asthma.

3. Responsibility

Kids learn how to help take care of another living creature. They can help feed, wash, brush, and walk the dog. Dogs require a lot more responsibility than a fish, and kids can feel like an essential member of the family who their dog depends on.

4. Literacy support

Kids who read often have better academic success overall. The more they read, the better they become at reading. Between sports, playdates, homework, etc., it may be challenging to find time to sit and listen to your kids read as much as you’d like to. Your dog is always a willing listener, and he/she is usually free while you’re making dinner. Another bonus is that your dog won’t judge your struggling reader, so the pressure is off, and your child can enjoy reading while your dog gets extra attention.

5. Comfort and love

Finally, and most important in my eyes, is a dog’s ability to provide comfort and unconditional love. Dogs are ALWAYS happy to see you. They will listen and console without judgment. The simple act of petting a dog brings a sense of calm and helps relieve anxiety. Who doesn’t need more love, comfort, and stress relief in their lives?

And there are many more reasons why growing up with a dog is the best! Getting a dog is not a light decision, and it is a big commitment. I recommend taking a lot of time and doing your research to find the right fit, because they truly become a member of the family.


I “Tidied Up” (My Marie Kondo-Inspired Spring Cleaning)

Marie Kondo - Boston Moms Blog

Marie Kondo is a household name these days.

Have you heard of her? She’s the joy-sparking woman. The re-organizing, cleansing woman. Of course you have. It’s the new, cool thing to do. She’s the cool, new thing. The woman who has you touch everything you own, possibly have a conversation with it, and either bid it adieu or find a nice, tidy spot for it. Yes, her. Well, here is my story of how I adopted her ideas and “tidied-up.” 

After binging on the popular Netflix show “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” I decided it was time to get organized and do some spring cleaning. The first room to tackle was the boys’ room. My boys, 4 1/2 and 2, do not have as much clothing as I do. I thought it would be a good place to start. (Instead of the playroom that is busting at the seams. I’ll get to that later.) Clothes seemed easier. After watching how to meticulously fold, I emptied their drawers and got to it. I didn’t quite ask myself what “sparked joy,” but I got rid of the stained clothing and boxed up the pants that showed their ankles and the shirts that squeezed their heads.

One pile for dusting rags, one pile for the basement, and one pile to actually fold and put away. I felt good about this but quickly realized NOTHING was actually leaving my house! It was all just going to different places in the house. Not sure this is what she meant, but hey, it was working for me. 

You know what wasn’t working for me? How does she fold the clothes and then get them to stand on their own?! This blows my mind. I don’t know how many times I folded and re-folded the 18-month-old jeans or the 4T sweatshirt, but nothing, and I mean nothing, stood on its own. After many re-folds, I decided I would just put the folded clothes straight into the drawers and by sheer volume of clothes and lack of space in the drawers everything stood up perfectly. (AKA they are all smushed together.)

Marie Kondo - Boston Moms Blog

I could now see everything in the drawers at one time. And after binge-watching Marie on Netflix, I am pretty sure that was something Marie mentioned was important. It totally makes sense, too. Open the drawer, quickly glance at everything, grab the shirt you want, and shimmy it out, as to not ruin the rest of the folds of the others. Perfecto! I definitely had the hang of this now. 

Next up, the linen closet. The dark, long linen closet that holds everything from towels to swim diapers to paper towels and extra pillows. Sounds like a big space, but, in fact, it’s not! So, here I go again. Take everything out of the closet and touch it. I actually did do this, because there were things in there I had not seen in years. My hair extensions from my wedding definitely sparked joy, but nope, not keeping them. The 25 bottles of nail polish that I can tell you where I wore the color to sparked joy, but nope, not keeping them either. The 15 headbands. Who wears headbands anymore?

I decided to make piles, again. This time, trash or keep. The piles were about equal size, and I had already purchased baskets, per Marie’s recommendation, so once everything went neatly into the baskets and back on the shelves, I felt accomplished. I did follow her recommendation to roll my towels instead of folding. It definitely saves space and I can see them all at once, and they look nice. 

Next up… TBD. These two small-ish projects actually took me several days to finish. And by finish, I mean get everything back in their places so I could once again walk into my boys’ room or actually use the linen closet without things falling on me. I love the idea of being organized and tidy, I really do. I just don’t think I have what it takes to Marie Kondo my entire house. (Well, my 1,300-square-foot condo.) I don’t think her method is for everyone, but it jumpstarted something I would like to continue. At my own pace. Until then, the baskets sitting in my dining room waiting to be filled will have to wait — until I get my next burst of Marie Kondo.

Get a Clean Home With a Clean Conscience

We are excited to partner with Well-Paid Maids to share this great service with you!
Well-Paid Maids - Boston Moms Blog

Dear Boston moms,

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Well-Paid Maids, Boston’s only living-wage home cleaning company, is working to change that. We believe that everyone who works hard should be able to support themselves and that every worker deserves respectful treatment from their employer. That’s why all of our employees make $17/hour and receive a full benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance; unemployment insurance; workers’ compensation insurance; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and 22 paid days off per year (15 vacation days, five sick days, and two holidays). By offering a service that matches your values, we aim to provide a company you can feel good about using.

Reserve an appointment today with one of our happy, hard-working employees, and help us demonstrate that a living-wage business can succeed in one of the country’s most exploitative industries. To find out more, you can check out our “About” page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a ring at (617) 275-2361. Hope we can serve you soon!

Best,

Aaron Seyedian
Founder, Well-Paid Maids

P.S. Enter coupon code “Boston” on our website to get $10 off your first cleaning!

Aaron is the owner and founder of Well-Paid Maids, a living-wage home cleaning company serving the Boston, Baltimore, and DC areas. He started Well-Paid Maids because he wanted to help build a fairer, more humane economy. Previously, Aaron worked in public sector management consulting and international development. Originally from the Buffalo area, he is always on the lookout for good chicken wings.

Get a Clean Home With a Clean Conscience _ Boston Moms Blog

Kid Inspired, Chef Crafted

Thank you, Revolution Foods, for sponsoring this post and helping our kids learn to take ownership of their food choices.

Kid inspired, chef crafted.

That’s a pretty great concept, isn’t it? This is the mission of Revolution Foods, a company that’s transforming school meals and citywide wellness one student at a time by giving students access to real food with clean, local, healthy, and carefully selected ingredients. Revolution Foods believes proper nutrition can help students to unlock their full potential and achieve greater academic success. As a leading provider of healthy and delicious meals in schools, Revolution Foods provides two million healthy and freshly prepared meals to students at 2,500 sites, including schools, early education programs, afterschool programs, and other community groups.

Since becoming the meal provider for Boston Public Schools and select charter schools in 2017, Revolution Foods has served over eight million meals to students in the Boston area! The great thing is, not only are the kids getting their fruits and veggies in, they are actively involved in the whole process! Kids are involved in every aspect of the meal development process, from helping to build the menus and providing regular feedback to the chefs about what worked and what didn’t. In fact, the company’s regional partnership managers and their nonprofit partners survey over 2,000 students every month to gauge satisfaction levels of their meals.

Last week I had the privilege of attending an event at Blackstone Elementary School in Boston to witness Revolution Foods’ new family-style meal program. They are piloting the program in the Boston schools, and so far it’s been a huge success. The children are excited about school lunch, and there has been a 12% increase in lunch participation since launch! Students get to smell the food as soon as they walk in the door. And they’re invested because they have a hand in creating the menu!

With the family-style meal program, there’s authentic flavor and flair, which provides a familiar, home-style experience. We got to see a beautiful menu in action — jerk chicken, pupusas (v), and chile citrus corn. There are also vegetables, fruits, and side dishes available. The kids are able to enjoy a healthy, delicious, and fun lunch that they helped cultivate!

Revolution Foods decided to start this program because they believe family-style meals offer so many benefits. These benefits include:

  • Aroma: Students are able to smell the amazing foods on the menu as they make their way through the service line.
  • Presentation: Revolution Foods’ family-style meals are displayed in a way that allows students to better see, choose, and engage with their food.
  • Engagement: The serving staff have the opportunity to engage with students at the service line, encouraging them to eat more healthy foods and providing them with the experience typically found at home or at a restaurant.
  • Adaptability: Revolution Foods works with any facility, even the most constrained, to deliver this platform to students, minimizing the hassle or intensity of its operations.

Revolution Foods works with local communities on so many levels to provide education to students so they truly understand the importance of healthy food. There are education opportunities in gardening, nutrition, and lifestyle choices, which help empower students to make better choices across the board.

Isn’t this such a smart idea? Getting the kids involved from the very beginning of the process has them truly engaged in their food. When kids care about what they are eating because they are actively involved, they make better choices. We see it with our own kids, don’t we? When they help pick out produce or are part of the whole cooking process, that pride is evident and they are so much more willing to try new things.

Beyond being involved in the menu design, students are actively engaged in the meal itself and are able to use their senses to truly experience it. Students get to see their food beautifully presented and make choices that work for them. They also get to smell what they’ll be eating, and the staff engages with students to help further their education and empower them to make the best choices.

It’s a struggle we all face — getting our kids to eat right and enjoy and own the choices they make. By putting the onus on students from the very beginning and being actively involved in their education, Revolution Foods empowers students to put their health in their hands!

Kid Inspired, Chef Crafted _ Boston Moms Blog

Life Lessons Learned in the Garden

My favorite part of spring is the annual family trip to the Lowe’s garden section. What is meant to be a “quick trip” inevitably turns into us poring over every plant and bag of mulch as we decide what to take home. Although I am allergic to pretty much anything that grows outside, I have an obsession with gardening. I love nothing more than spending time in the backyard, tending to the beds, and harvesting what grows. My wife and son love it, too, and our family has learned a lot of life lessons from our backyard garden adventures.

Tend to the things you want to see grow.

What better lesson than this? Put a tomato plant in the ground and walk away, and in the right conditions it will likely survive. But we all know that surviving and thriving are not the same thing — and my son knows that too, even at his young age. He trims browning branches, uses Velcro to attach heavy stalks to a wire frame, and replaces the chicken wire assembled to (unsuccessfully) keep rabbits out of the broccoli. He waters, he trims, and he rearranges. Every plant requires work and needs something different to grow. And the rewards far outweigh the effort invested. This is easy to say in life but harder to remember.

Try planting strawberries again.

One year we managed to grow the most gorgeous, delicious strawberries in nothing more than the dangling plastic baskets they came in. We hung them from the railing by the kitchen door, and my 3-year-old son loved checking for a ripe one and popping it into his mouth. But after months of beautiful berries, it was as if some sort of siren call went out through the neighborhood’s squirrel population, and they all suddenly realized there were berries for the taking. My son was devastated, and so were we.

But we love strawberries, and so each year we’ve tried again, thinking that maybe this year would be the year we finally found a squirrel-proof spot. To be honest, four summers of failure have been a sad result. But that won’t stop us from trying again this summer with a new plan. Simply hoping the squirrels won’t return isn’t enough. We’ve learned that the things worth having and holding on to take hard work and perseverance. And so, we try again.

Just give up on the pumpkins, though.

But here’s the thing — you also have to know when to quit. We tore up a bed two years ago in order plant pumpkins. Sadly, the soil there is too sandy, and we don’t seem to attract enough bees for pollination. My wife tried one year to pollinate the flowers by hand with a paintbrush; I’ve tried soil additives. Nevertheless, all that hard work and effort simply hasn’t paid off. So we’ve cut our losses and invested our time in what will grow (and in trying to keep the squirrels out of the strawberries).

Might a better, more persistent gardener be able to make the pumpkins grow? Perhaps. But every minute I spent being frustrated by the pumpkins was a minute I didn’t spend appreciating how giant the cucumbers were that were growing in that same bed, their growth spurred on by the nutrients I’d added to the soil. And so we eat cucumbers, giving away just as many as we consume, and calling it a win, pumpkins or not. We’ve learned we can’t grow everything we might want to. Pumpkins are meant for other people’s gardens, and we are OK with that.

Be careful what you plant and where.

Mint is a weed. A delicious couldn’t-make-my-Mojitos-without-it weed, but a weed nevertheless. It grows so prolifically, paying no mind to anything else around it, that it can choke out other plants. I plant it anyway because I want it. But I am ever mindful of where I plant it, or how much of it I put into the ground, and of how it grows once I do so. Too much of a good thing can be just that — too much. The mint can’t help being mint, but I must control how it interacts with the rest of the garden. Planting mint has taught us that we must be careful, thoughtful, and focused on the long term as opposed to simply on the present.

Those flatbed rolling carts are super fun, so why not just let your kid ride on one?

I suppose this lesson comes more from the garden aisle at Lowes and less from the actual garden. Life is short, and before too long your kids won’t want to spend hours with you choosing just the right rosemary plant. Is that cart meant for kids? Nope. Will the world continue to turn while your kid rides on it anyway? Yes. Will the silly smile of your happy kindergartner as he rolls past the mulch make the world a little brighter? Absolutely. Ignore the judgment-filled face of the person next to you in line.

Friends, maybe you don’t have a backyard and instead only a porch or windowsill. That’s OK. You can grow a garden anywhere. It’s not the amount of space that counts, but how you use it and what you learn.

Happy spring planting, everyone.


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