Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in boston, MA

Boston Dog Parks

June 23, 2009

I admit that I'm a bit out of my league here since a) I don't own a dog, and b) I have not been to a dog run since my teens when I thought I'd attract the interest of some cute guy by accompanying him on a trip to a local dog run.  But I do know secondhand the intense commitment level most dog-owners have toward their pet and they want to show ‘em a good time.  So in honor of all you dog-lovers in search of a local dog run, here's looking at you:

1. Boston Common. Though most of the day dog-owners must keep their canines leashed, there are a few exceptions. Dogs are allowed off-leash in the Boston Common between the hours of 6:30-9:30am and 5-7pm. There are still areas where signage instructs leashes at all times, and since this is a busy place, keep an eye on your dog.

2. Peters Park Dog Run. A park dedicated for dogs, this is a 16,500-square-foot piece of land in the South End where dogs can run leash-free. The park is cleaned twice a week but users are expected to pick up after their pets. Open daily, 6am - 10pm.

3. Danehy Park. 50-acres of open space comprise this park in Cambridge.  Within the park is a designated off-leash area that is not fenced in so keep an eye on your dog.

4. Coolidge Playground.  A smaller park located in Brookline, this place is perfect for area dog-owners.  Dogs are permitted off-leash from dawn until 9am.   

5. Soule Recreation Center.  Ah, one of our top spots for summer, this fabulous playground and spray park also offers off-leash hours from dawn until 9am.   

Thinking about adding a new 4-legged creature to your family, there are rules and regulations set forth by the city of Boston.  Visit them here. 

Don't forget your pooper-scooper!! 

A Fish, an Angel, a Miracle - The March of Dimes

by Jay and Melanie Harper

April 13, 2009

It's safe to say that until a few years ago, we didn't know much about the March of Dimes.  Then suddenly we became all too aware of their mission and this is the story about why I'm here today.

In February 2003, my wife, Melanie, became pregnant for the first time.  We named our little one "Guppy" when we learned from one of our books that at that stage he/she looked like a fish, and at 10 weeks we couldn't wait to hear Guppy's heartbeat for the first time.  Unfortunately, we never would.  Melanie miscarried, Guppy was gone.

After the initial shock and pain, we became determined to do whatever it took to bring life into this world.  Finally, after a year of surgeries and recovery, followed by another frustrating year of negative pregnancy tests, Melanie was pregnant again!  At 20 weeks, we learned we were having a healthy boy...with hiccups.  These sounded like bubbles, and thus he was "Bubbles" until we decided on a name.   Melanie's OB said we were in the home stretch and could put our worries aside.  We did, but only for two weeks.  Melanie called me at work, and ten minutes later I started the longest cab ride of my life from Boston to Beverly Hospital.

There was a good chance we would lose the pregnancy, and given that we were only at week 22, the chances of Bubbles surviving was practically zero.  Practically zero.  How did we go from "the home stretch" to a practically zero chance our son would survive, seemingly overnight?  We would not give up on Bubbles and we planned to make it to 24 weeks and be transferred to Boston's Beth Israel Hospital with its Level III NICU.  We approached the long road ahead with a positive attitude, and a one-day-at-a-time mindset.  That night we said a prayer that would become a nightly ritual:  "Thank you God for today, and Lord, please let us have another good day tomorrow."  There wouldn't be many tomorrows.

On the eve of Bubbles reaching the 24 week mark Melanie went into preterm labor and they transferred us to the BI.  We made it to Boston, but not the way we hoped.  We had prepared ourselves for this moment and knew what to do: if he's fighting we fight with him, if he's quiet, we let him sleep peacefully.

Our son came into the world quietly at 5:05am August 6, 2005 and we named him Keona, a Hawaiian boys name meaning "God's gift."  The doctors turned to us and we knew: Hello meant goodbye.  Keona's delivery team was incredibly compassionate and wept openly with us.  They cleaned him up, swaddled him and we held our first-born son.  He was perfect in every way except for being too little. 

As fate would have it on April 15^th, 2006, the three year anniversary of the loss of Guppy, Melanie gave me the incredible news that she was pregnant once again.  Keona came into the world as quiet as a lamb.  On December 9, 2006, our second son Ian was born, full-term, crying at the top of his lungs.  It was the most beautiful sound we had ever heard.  Ian looked just like his big brother...only a little bigger. 

Today, Ian is a loving, happy and healthy 2 year old with a tremendous curiosity and a vocabulary and intellect that seem to be growing by leaps and bounds every day.  Melanie and I are the proud and happy parents of two little angels; one in Heaven, one on Earth.

Because of Keona, we learned about the mission of the March of Dimes and we also learned about how little is known about prematurity.  As a scientist I'm frustrated when all my questions about what caused this to happen to Keona are answered with "We simply don't know."  As such we became interested in the March of Dimes to help fund research that would provide answers to unanswered questions, and more importantly, to help prevent other couples from going through the tragedy we faced.  No parent should ever suffer the loss of a child, and the birth of a child should always be a time for celebration, not a time for sorrow.

Each year we donate to the March of Dimes in place of the Christmas presents that we'll never buy Keona.  Last spring, Melanie saw an ad for the March for Babies and we decided that it was time to do more to honor his memory.  We set up Team Keona and told many of our friends and colleagues our tale for the first time and about this great event in which most were walking as a "thank you" for helping their children born prematurely to survive and thrive, and others like us were walking in memory of those who were simply born too soon.  The outpouring of generosity was astounding.  Our goal of $1000 was literally smashed within hours after sending out the first donation requests.  Eventually we raised over $6000 (including a $2000 contribution from my employer Genzyme) for this incredible charity.

The March was a blast!  Our most precious memory from this event occurred as we were walking along the row of signs celebrating survivors and memorializing those who lost their battle.  As we got to Keona's sign, Ian walked up to it, embraced it and gave his big brother a hug.  As Ian grows up, he will learn how the loss of his big brother and research sponsored by the March of Dimes helped bring him into the world.  We have received two wonderful gifts in Keona and Ian, and these walks are the least we can do to give back and help ensure that other babies will be given a healthy start.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Baby Sitting Resources in Boston

by Jay and Melanie Harper

March 10, 2009

In case you missed the first incarnation of this post, it has some useful info on babysitting resources in Boston.  So, Mom's & Dad's, I give you the key to an evening out!

• Please note that I have not used these services but probably would if the need arose.

I wrote about Sittercity a few months ago and that is still one of the top spots for finding a sitter.   Sittercity.com literally does the work for you - they start with a four-step screening process and provide parents with detailed sitter profiles that feature background checks, reviews from other parents, references, distance from you, availability schedules, photos, training and certifications, and more.  And you can do ALL of this online!  A revolutionary idea for busy families!  http://www.sittercity.com/

If you're in an emergency type situation (nanny is sick or on vacation), Parents in a Pinch is a well-reputed service providing backup babysitting service.  Sitters are screened, at least 18, experienced, and loving.  A novel option they offer is Nanny Check - for a fee, they will be professionally interviewed and checked out by this company.   Worth the investment, I'd say.  http://www.parentsinapinch.com/

Nanny Poppins (love it!) offers families help finding nannies and babysitters.  They do offer short-term babysitters on an as-needed basis.  Their sitters are experienced, responsible and mature, and are available also for hotel stay sitting, vacations, and events that require an eye on kids.  http://www.nannypoppins.com/

Consider University message boards as well.  I know many families who have found loving babysitters this way.  Babysitting jobs are submitted with specific job descriptions are posted in the job book. Students respond directly and the college is not involved with the placement.  :

Bay State College: (617) 236-8030.

Boston University Student Employment Office: (617) 353-3594

Emmanuel College: (617) 735-9930

Northeastern University: (617) 373-2000

Simmons College: (617) 521-2000

Suffolk University: (617) 573-8480

Tufts University: (617) 628-3573

Babysitting Resources

by Jill Notkin

January 26, 2009

It's important to get out of the house with your friends or your significant other every so often. I need an adults-only outing once a week or else I go bonkers. That said, you'll need to find a reliable babysitter so you can relax and enjoy your evening out. Below are some ideas for finding local babysitters. Please note that I have not used these services but probably would if the need  Read more...

Potty Training Your Toddler

by Jill Notkin

January 23, 2009

Today we are going to discuss Potty Training. That job we get as parents to get out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know about you, but it is one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. Not that changing diapers or pull-ups is fun, but potty training just seems so ... I don't know ... time consuming? Here to help are Sean and Cindy Platt , the authors of  Read more...

Resources for Autistic Children in Boston

by Jill Notkin

November 14, 2008

Resources for Autistic Children Recently I received an email from someone I knew long ago (gotta love Facebook). She and her husband are considering moving to Boston since her husband's company has an office in the city. More importantly, she told me, her son suffers from high-functioning autism and the city she lives in offers sub-par care for autistic children. Could I help her find  Read more...

'Tis the season

by Jill Notkin

November 10, 2008

'Tis the season for giving and what better way to contribute to our community than by helping families in need. There are a handful of wonderful local organizations who will take your giveaways. Last time I posted about giving , I provided info about where to donate everything from old gowns to linens and towels. Today is all about families, as are the next couple of months.  Read more...

A Giveaway: Sittercity.com

by Jill Notkin

October 22, 2008

I'm a big fan of grown-ups only night out , as any regular reader knows. Whether it's a night with the girls , or a little adult culture , doing something for yourself is as important as spending time with your kids. But in order to do so with a clear head, finding the right babysitter is a must. The key to finding a good babysitter is referrals. Ask your friends, neighbors, moms  Read more...

Sharing & Caring

by Jill Notkin

October 06, 2008

In our house we care constantly cleaning out cupboards, closets and drawers. We don't just "spring clean", we also winter clean, summer clean and fall clean. Truth is, I love getting organized and that means getting rid of the excess. I've used this exercise to help teach my kids about charity, and because I let them help to sort through and put things in boxes, they actually get it! We  Read more...

Are you a Green Planet Family?

by Jill Notkin

September 26, 2008

If you are a regular reader, then you've seen my posts singing the praises of a fantastic toy store, Green Planet Kids, and the wonderful classes they offer there. As if you needed one more reason to stop by, Green Planet Kids is offering free lead screening for your children's toys this weekend. Just because this is the kind of establishment they are! In partnership with Thermo  Read more...

National Baby Safety Month

by Jill Notkin

September 15, 2008

September is National Baby Safety Month . I had never even heard of National Baby Safety Month until recently, and something about September seems like the ideal time to refresh our safety education. After all, complacency is definitely our enemy when it comes to protecting our kids. Spearheaded by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association , each year brings a new focus for  Read more...