What’s the Going Rate for Birthday Presents for Your Kids’ Friends?
Birthday season seems endless, and with so many gifts to give, another line item in your budget might be in order. So what’s the right amount to spend on your kids’ friends’ gifts? South End Patch News
Mothers and Kids Photo Gallery: Add Yours for Mother’s Day
Yes, this Sunday, May 12, is Mother’s Day. To honor moms — and in particular, your mom, we’re asking Patch readers to add photos of themselves with their moms, or Patch moms with their kids. And if you are so inspired, we’d like you to also answer this question: what do you/did you like best about your mom? Just click that Upload Photos and Videos button. It’s easy. South End Patch
When Kids Don’t React to Tragedy
Never was Boston so grateful for a Monday: Back to work, back to school, back to routines, after a five-day ordeal shook the city and the world watched. Gone are most of the satellite trucks, the clusters of reporters and cameramen, the strands of law enforcement officers for every street on our normal path. By Wednesday, barricades and memorials for the victims of the April 15 bombings, bookending Boylston St., were moved and the street reopened. One week ago, my innocent concern was for the magnolias on Commonwealth Avenue, and whether they’d be at their showy peak when 23,000 marathoners rose up out of the underpass to greet the last six-tenths of their 26.2-mile race. Last year, the trees bloomed pink and white in March, and Patriots Day was really too hot for running. This past marathon morning, my children and I took a break from planting dozens of unpromising looking, dormant rhizomes in our yard, and before noon we walked over in the cool sunshine to see the first hour’s worth of finishers turn the corner onto Hereford Street. We stole some space between a police van and the fence. My little one got tired of watching, and I told the big sisters to not stay too long. They were practically standing on top of the exhaust from the van. I let out the leash a little that day and let the girls walk home on their own, for the first time for that particular route and distance. There were so many policemen around, what could happen? Racing against our own gardening fatigue, we dug dirt and forgot to track some friends’ progress, as we normally do, never returning to the course. When my daughter asked about the loud bangs, I attributed them to a lumbering truck. I gasped when I read the words “Boston bombing” for the first time that day, realizing how our city would be tied to a tragedy, as are other communities who must wear their own sad histories with words like “massacre” attached to their names. I cried when I heard the fatalities included an eight-year-old boy, as my own eight-year-old and her sisters watched their dad take my tears on his shoulder. Our family is part of school communities that actually had classes in fits and starts last week, while most children were on spring break. So on Patriots’ Day, we left the house after police started to command the streets to find an open store and buy some required supplies for school the next day. With the weight of tragedy on everyone’s minds, I felt a little guilty asking a policewoman some practical questions about […]
Parents: Share Your Ideas to Keep Kids Occupied During Bomber Crisis
Greater Boston is in total lock down and even adults are scared by the news of a cop-killing bomber on the loose. WGBH just tweeted a helpful note for parents: They have children’s programming you can stream from your computer. If any other parent has helpful resources to keep kids occupied and away from the heavy news morning, please share them in the comments below. South End Patch
Boston Schools Superintendent Shares Tips for Talking with Kids about Marathon Bombing
In the aftermath of Monday’s Boston Marathon bombing, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson sent a letter to staff and families of students titled, “Talking with Children about Tragedies,” that was shared via the Warren-Prescott School newsletter on Tuesday morning. In the newsletter, Warren-Prescott Principal Michele Davis wrote: “Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by yesterday’s events. Our own Melissa Shea ran the Boston Marathon yesterday and her family was among the spectators. I am relieved to report that Melissa and her family are safe.” Davis asked that anyone with information about other Warren-Prescott families that may have been affected by the bombing to contact her at mdavis@boston.k12.ma.us. Boston Public Schools are closed this week for April Vacation. Below is Johnson’s letter: —– Dear BPS families and friends, We hope you and your family are safe tonight. We wish to express our deep gratitude to the first responders, public safety personnel and everyday citizens who stepped in to help today at the Boston Marathon. Many of you have questions about how to talk to your children about today’s events. Below, please find resources from the National Association of School Psychologists, which has prepared tip sheets for parents and teachers to help children, teenagers and adults cope with tragic situations. Among their professional advice (from the NASP website): Remain calm and reassuring. Children will take their cues from you, especially young children. Acknowledge that the threats and uncertainty are unnerving but the likelihood is that you and your children or students will be okay. There is a difference between the possibility of danger and the probability of it affecting them personally. Acknowledge and normalize their feelings. Allow children to discuss their feelings and concerns and encourage any questions they may have regarding this event. Listen and empathize. An empathetic listener is very important. Let them know that others are feeling the same way and that their reactions are normal and expected. Take care of your own needs. Take time for yourself and try to deal with your own reactions to the situation as fully as possible. You will be better able to help your children if you are coping well. If you are anxious or upset, your children are more likely to be so as well. Talk to other adults such as family, friends, faith leaders, or a counselor. It is important not to dwell on your fears by yourself. Sharing feelings with others often makes us feel more connected and secure. Take care of your physical health. Make time, however small, to do things you enjoy. Turn off or monitor the television. It is important to stay […]
Kids’ Activities in Boston During February Vacation Week
You love your kids. You really do. But with the recent snow days and the entire upcoming week spent with them at home, you’re simply running out of fun things to do together. And it’s defintiely time to get them out of the house. Before you start pulling out your hair—and before they start pulling out theirs—check out these great family-friendly events happening in your neighborhood and elsewhere in Boston. SOUTH ENDPlay Space: Drop by Coco Baby (1636 Washington St.) with your kids and enjoy toys, arts and crafts and musical instruments. The play space provides children with an area to explore their creative sides, interact with others their own age and get out all that excess energy. Cost is $ 8. More info here. BACK BAY Architecture Program at the Mary Baker Eddy Library: The free program, at the Mary Baker Eddy Library (200 Massachusetts Ave.), will introduce the topic of architecture, highlighting different building techniques and materials, as well as architectural vocabulary. Various activities will touch upon the concepts of construction and design, as well as the history behind the creation of our building and the Mapparium. More info here. FENWAY/KENMORE “Oliver”: Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of “Oliver” will play all week with 1 p.m. matinees daily Monday, Feb 18 through Friday, Feb. 22 on theWheelock College campus (180 Riverway). Tickets are $ 20-$ 30. More info here. Museum of Fine Arts: Join the Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Ave.) and participate in free activities for youth all week. From art-making classes to story hours, there is something for all ages. Programs run Feb. 18-22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to 8 p.m. More info here. BROOKLINE Racecar Learning: The Larz Anderson Auto Museum (15 Newton St.,Brookline) is hosting BUCKLE UP! Fast, Fun, February this week. Learn what it takes to be a race car driver with fun, racing-related activities all week long. Kids activities begin on Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the special racing activities run Tuesday to Friday from 1-2:30 p.m. Admission is $ 10 for adults, $ 5 for children, students and seniors and free for children under six years old.More info here. Puppet Show: Head to the Puppet Showplace Theater (32 Station St., Brookline) to see “Under Night Sky,” which follows three children on journeys united by threads of courage, love and hope. This show repeats all day. Admission is $ 8. More info here. DOWNTOWN Ice skating: The Boston Common Frog Pond is open daily for public ice skating throughout the season. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $ 5 for ages 14 and up and free for […]