Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to daughters about menstruation, including advice especially for dads:
“If your daughter is approaching menstruation, you can make the whole process easier and more comfortable for her (and you) by talking to her openly about what it means to have your "period." It's very important to begin to teach girls about the changes their bodies will go through during puberty - and especially menstruation - before they get their first period. But it is never too late to start!Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to daughters about menstruation, including advice especially for dads:
“If your daughter is approaching menstruation, you can make the whole process easier and more comfortable for her (and you) by talking to her openly about what it means to have your "period." It's very important to begin to teach girls about the changes their bodies will go through during puberty - and especially menstruation - before they get their first period. But it is never too late to start!
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Tori Stuart, mother of two and founder of locally based natural food company Zoe Foods. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous local mama!
Today, Kate shares her favorite means for fitness:
“I turned 35 this year, which - combined with other major changes in my life - prodded me into thinking that I should be doing more to keep myself healthy and active. In the past, I've tried gyms, pools, classes, DVDs, and different pairs of sneakers, but nothing has ever stuck for very long and nothing has really felt right: classes don't fit my schedule, gyms are too impersonal, pools are too much of a nuisance (the chlorine! the wet hair!), and I've never quite had the discipline to commit to exercise at home. However, my family has a history of heart disease and I have some very special people for whom to remain healthy, so I decided that this spring would be the season in which I would figure out a way to exercise that I could both enjoy and sustain.
Today, Kate offers a recommendation for safer (non-stinky!) nail polish:
“I've never been a big makeup person - and certainly never wore the stuff as a tween or adolescent - but I've always enjoyed painting my nails. And though I rarely have the time or extra money for a mani-pedi any more, I was reminded of the fun of colorful fingers by my toddler daughter's recent request for me to paint her nails.
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Mila Cole, mother of two and lawyer turned designer behind the children’s clothing line Laughing Out Loud Kids. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous fellow mama!
I’m thrilled to introduce new contributing writer Sarah, a mom of two and lifelong fashion addict. Today, Sarah shares a clever idea that will stimulate your child’s crafty and categorical skills while sprucing up your spring wardrobe:
“I’ll admit it: I dread April school vacation week, with its unpredictable weather and crammed museums, libraries, and movie theaters. To cope, I have devised a family activity that will keep the kids occupied and help you achieve the very thing you want most (okay, other than a good night’s sleep) this spring: a wallet-friendly wardrobe update.
Despite the glorious weather of the last couple of days, no doubt there’s more winter in store. Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares simple and effective tips for protecting baby’s dry skin during the winter. Many of these ideas also are practical for older kids and adults.
I love how resourceful moms are. This tip comes courtesy of my girlfriend Heidi:
“So everyone (or many of us) get gnarly feet in the winter months, and I am always in search of the miracle product that will soften my feet. I recently cleaned out my “mother drawer” and began using my Lansinoh lanolin breast cream on my feet, and voila - cracked heels and rough toes be gone! Four days of use and it’s like having a new pair of feet! A fun way to repurpose if you’re not planning on breastfeeding for a while.”
Today, Kristin recommends craniosacral therapy for kiddie constipation relief:
“If you told me 20 years ago - in my riot girl days of bartending, dancing for two companies, traveling through Europe, etc., etc. that one of the main conversations in my life would be about poop, I would have laughed hysterically in your face. And now, here I am, deeply entrenched in poop (or lack thereof) talk.
I love body products - the delicious smells, the pretty packaging, the pampered feeling. And there’s a cool new collection on the block in Honeydew, a paraben, preservative, dye, and fragrance free line packed with natural goodness and formulated especially for expecting and new moms. Creamy in composition and yummy in natural scent, my top picks are the Balmy Mommy belly balm, which offers on the go itch relief via its glide on applicator, and the C-Scar Therapy cream, which helps reduce the appearance of surgical scars, partially thanks to - of all things - onion extract.
Given that kids dig shapes and animals, and modern parents are hungry for stylish simplicity, the designs at Colette Kids give new meaning to the term “family friendly.” With an understated yet playful less is more approach, this unisex collection of modern, geometric critters is individually hand silk screened onto richly colored 100% cotton tees or 100% organic cotton onesies. Laurel’s favorite is Charlotte; sweet, definitively piggy, yet ultra cool because she’s not trying too hard.
Today, Suz reports on a local spot for therapeutic horse riding:
“When Evan was born with Down syndrome, I did not appreciate the amazing experiences his therapies would bring to our family. Among them is the pleasure we have experienced in taking him to Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center in Rehoboth for hippotherapy.
Welcome to the 3rd installment of Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents (e.g., community theatre, juggling, what have you…), authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Lauren Bellon, professional fundraiser turned yoga teacher, postpartum doula, and founder of Namaste Baby. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!
These days, Laurel is all about looking fancy and colorful (current favorite color = “pink and green and purple and blue and yellow and orange!”), and we’ve recently found a way to bridge her love of color and flounce with comfort through Twirly Girl’s bright and cheery clothing.
One challenge for pregnant working women is finding maternity clothing that is stylish and well constructed, but doesn’t break the bank. When I was pregnant with Laurel and hunting for reasonably priced work pieces, I saw a troubling amount of highly flammable polyester construction that was ill reminiscent of the marching band and color guard (yes, color guard) uniforms I wore in high school. Designers are, thankfully, catching on to the need for affordable maternity style, and among the newcomers is the recently launched Ann Taylor LOFT maternity line.
These days, kid’s fashion can be so fabulous that I often find myself saying, “I wish they made that in grown-up sizes!” So it's refreshing to see that trend in reverse, as Clarks translates their grown-up shoe know-how - they design comfy shoes that span casual to dressy - to Clarks Kids. Available in sizes for new or seasoned walkers (ages 0-5), the line is particularly noteworthy for featuring soles that are grippy yet flexible and footbeds that are deliciously cushy and comfy. The collection's aesthetic is fairly traditional, with a generally sporty look for boys or floral/Mary Jane style for girls (i.e., no appliqué critters), but these shoes will easily take your tot from playground to party, just as a lot of their grown-up shoes can.
Whether you love the messy, tactile nature of art, kitchen, and garden projects with kids, or need a little inspiration to say yes to mess, check out Beansoup’s amazing aprons. Offered in a variety of beautifully patterned, machine washable styles to suit toddlers and kids (and soon, grownups too!), I’m especially crazy about the Cobbler’s Aprons. These 40’s inspired smocks are both functional – featuring 3 generous front pockets perfect for little tools – and chic. When the apron's not busy protecting your kid’s clothes, it's cute enough to double as part of their outfit.
Want to win a kid’s Beansoup apron*? Here’s how:
While generally I believe in investing in key wardrobe pieces, one area that challenges me is bags. I love having a variety of styles to go with different outfits, and I just can’t stomach the idea of picking a single bag to drop a fortune on. And then when one of Laurel’s milk cups exploded inside the one designer tote I do own (a gift from a very generous friend…), I decided to look for alternatives.