Back to School: Tips for Parents in Boston

As the end of the summer break approaches, it’s natural for students and their parents to start planning for their return to school. Starting a new school year can be exciting, daunting, challenging, and nerve-wracking for children, so as parents, we need to help them get ready for the new school year. Here are a few back-to-school tips.

Organize Your Home

Over the break, it’s normal for your home to have become somewhat messier than normal. Make a team effort with the whole family to clean up, de-clutter and get organized. Not only does this put everyone back into work mode and set the scene for being back in school, but it also means your kids have no excuse for not being able to find their gym kit or book bag the night before going back in school. If you’ve got lots of junk to get rid of, save time by renting a dumpster. It’s so much easier to be able to toss things away as you’re sorting, rather than maneuvering around piles in your home and making multiple trips to the local recycling center.

Clean Out Your Closets

Linked to above, make sure you sort through your closets while getting your home in tip-top order. If your child has had a summer growth spurt, it’s better to know beforehand instead of finding out they have nothing suitable to wear for their first day in school! It also helps your child find everything they will need for their schooldays. Get rid of clothes and shoes that no longer fit or are showing signs of wear and tear. You can donate items in good condition and discard the rest. In case you open the closets and discover a huge pile of hidden laundry, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed — get practical time-saving help from your local laundry or dry-cleaning service.

Get Vaccines

School can be a veritable breeding ground for germs. When kids start mingling again in school, you might find that your child comes home with colds, sore throats and earaches more frequently than when they’re off school. Head to your local pharmacy to get the family updated with their flu shots. While you are there, you can also conveniently pick up various school supplies and other back-to-school items like backpacks.

Check School Updates in Advance

Nobody likes being surprised on the first day back to school. Put your mind at rest and check for pertinent updates on your school’s website and prepare accordingly. Are there any special supplies your child needs for the next academic year? Give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary purchases. Confirm the actual first day back and read up on your school’s most recent COVID policy. Get any required COVID supplies like masks while you are at the drug store as well.

Arrange Activities

It doesn’t need to be all work and no play when the kids go back to school. Keep your kids engaged and motivated outside of the classroom by making sure they have plenty of fun with their peers in the evenings and on weekends. It can be as simple as arranging with other Boston parents for kids to meet up in the neighborhood park or playground. Alternatively, take a look at your town’s library calendar to find diverse activities and events geared toward youngsters.

Set those school year daily routines in motion, like school transportation, lunches, study habits, bed time, etc. Finally, give your child a good pep talk, a pat on the back, hugs and kisses, and send them off to a good start!

Back to Normal for St Patrick’s Day: Tips for Celebrating in 2022

With a pandemic raging, the last couple of years have been some of the strangest in modern times. From school and work closures to the banning of large gatherings, people have not been able to socialize and have fun!

With people getting back to work and school, what better way to get back into the swing of things than to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Parades are a traditional way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Boston’s traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade is back for 2022 on March 20th at 1:00 pm.

If you can’t make it to the parade, why not do a celebration of your own? Here are a few things you can do!

Take It Outside

Invite some guests for a backyard BBQ. Don’t forget to make sure you have a full propane tank for your grill! If you want to serve traditional Irish food, make some corned beef and cabbage or beef stew. It’s also fun to make as many green foods as you can, like green soda bread, cookies, cupcakes, candy, etc. Serve a great Irish beer like Guinness and your St Paddy’s party would be perfect! Make sure to have some digestive aids on hand for the next morning!

Green Balloons

Helium balloons are always a crowd-pleaser. Get yourself a helium tank and some green balloons for the St. Patrick’s Day decorations. Attach the green balloons to the mailbox, a post in the yard, and even in the house.

Balloons always create a festive atmosphere and once the party guests arrive, don’t forget to play some Irish music.

Have a Park Party for the Kids

Kids always love to play on the swings and slides at the park. Even if you’re not Irish, you can still load up on some green snacks and drinks, bring a few green balloons, and dress yourself and your kids in green tee shirts for an impromptu St. Patrick’s Day party at the park playground.

While the kids rest after playing, pass the snacks around and tell them the story of St Patrick:

St. Patrick lived during the fifth century and is the patron saint of Ireland. Although he was born in Roman Britain, he was captured and taken as a slave to Ireland. The Catholic Church credits St. Patrick with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

There are several legends surrounding St. Patrick. One of the most well-known is how he taught the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of the Shamrock (Irish Clover).

When is St. Patrick’s Day? People celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th — the day of St. Patrick’s death. Although the celebration falls in Lent, the Church waives the requirement for abstinence from meat if the day falls on a Friday.

Amid the not-so-perfect weather of March, St. Patrick’s Day offers a fun respite from the dreary days of the pandemic. Do take advantage of it!

5 Best Ways to Enjoy the Fall in Boston for Visitors

Boston Massachusetts is one of the gems of New England and a great place to bring the family. Fall in Boston is arguably the best time to visit.

Thinking about a vacation in Boston? Here is a must-see/do list that you will need for your fall vacation destination.

1. Oh, the Food!

One thing that you must do is compare the two famous bakeries just one block from each other in the upper north end of Boston. Bova’s has been in business since 1932, and Mike’s since 1946.

Take a walk through Chinatown for some authentic Chinese bakeries and restaurants, and for a bit of cultural immersion.

And, don’t worry if you dropped a little something on your shirt at dinner, let the folks at Utopia Cleaners handle that for you.

Tobin bridge, Zakim bridge and Boston skyline panorama at sunset.

2. Arts & History Attractions in Boston

Wednesdays after 3 pm at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is only $5, and always has some great installations to check out. Allow yourself at least an hour as the museum has 3 levels and over 51,000 square feet of art space to enjoy.

If you’re into a different type of art, you won’t want to miss these:

Graffiti Alley
The murals of Lynn & Salem

There are a few different trolley bus tours that offer guided historical sightseeing through the city if you are ready for a history lesson.

While the weather is great, seasonal allergies do happen. Don’t let hayfever ruin your day. Stop by your local pharmacy for some allergy medicine.

3. Boston Has Great Parks

Did you know that Boston has over 200 parks? There are waterfront parks, parks downtown, and plenty of parks with playgrounds to take the kids to.

The Boston Public Garden is in the heart of Boston, attached to the Commons. And, Franklin Park is the largest in the city.

4. Nothing Beats A Halloween in Boston

Bostonians love the fall, and especially Halloween. There are plenty of bar crawls, parties, and events all across the city to celebrate the spooky holiday.

Salem is only a short drive away and they start celebrating early with a parade in early October. They will have scary witch-themed events throughout the month and end with a huge fireworks display on Halloween night over the Harbor.

Take the night off, you deserve it! Leave the kids with the babysitter, and call into Visiting Angels for companion care for your elderly loved ones.

5. Leaf Peeping

All over the New England area, the fall foliage brings visitors from near and far to see the leaves changing bright tones of red, orange, and yellow. This plus the crisp cool air makes for great camping weather.

Throwing dinner on the grill is one of the favorite fall activities in Boston. Don’t forget to fill up the propane tank at AGP Gas beforehand!

Fall in Boston!

Beantown is always a lively place to visit at any time of year. Fall in Boston, however, is very special as the leaves are brightly colored and the air is crisp and cool; plus, all the seasonal foods and drinks to enjoy while exploring the city.

My Favorite Playgrounds in Natick, Massachusetts

If you are new to Natick or nearby areas, and wondering where the best playgrounds are to take your kids, there are a lot of obvious but also hidden gems when it comes to fun play areas or maybe even playgrounds that would be fantastic for holding birthday parties. Chances are you are also looking to meet new folks and striking up a conversation with a fellow parent can be a low-pressure interaction at a playground when you know everyone’s just there to hang out and have fun.

John J. Lane Playground, Natick, MA — John J. Lane Playground. Source: natickma.gov

My kids love the play structures at Loker Park situated at the corner of Walnut and Bacon Streets. The main play structure has a very prominent rainbow color tunnel slide coming off of it which is how Loker Park became known in our house as the Tunnel Playground! There are also climbing walls that go up to the main play structure that has a little bridge and another cute tunnel tube for younger kids to hide in. This playground also has a basketball court off to the side for older kids and a fabulous hill that gradually slopes down to a large field. In the summer when the grass is thick and soft, my kids will often roll down the slope. It’s great fun and if they happen to be wearing lighter color clothes and get grass stains on them, it’s nothing that a trip to the dry cleaner can’t fix! The summer months are so short, I’ll often indulge them a bit.

Another playground we love is the Hannah Williams Playground! We love this playground for its convenience to Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels and a few other eateries right near the intersection. You could easily pick up some lunch and then head to the gazebo within the park to eat in the shade. The kids can roam around the playground after lunch. One of the neat things about this playground is that you’ll often see old ridables and dump trucks that families have donated for reuse. It’s a great way to reduce plastic waste and the kids love them!

The John J. Lane playground is in our top 3 for a reason! It has a wide variety of spaces for all kinds of activities. What you’ll see when you first walk into the park is the huge boulder and spider web-like climbing structures. Then off to the right, you’ll see the slides and swing set. From here the paved circular walkway leads off and is great for little kids to ride their bikes or even roller skate. Instead of continuing on the circular walkway back to the play structures, go towards the woods and you’ll see a few outdoor fitness equipment situated at the entrance of the nature walk. The nature walk and play area in the back of the park is closer to the woods and lake and is quite shady so you’ll definitely want to be prepared with bug spray. However, what we love best are the sand volleyball courts! It’s so fun to practice setting and bumping and pretend we’re playing beach volleyball at the summer Olympics! The best part is that there’s even a covered pavilion with picnic tables that’s terrific for holding birthday parties. Simply order pizza for delivery there or bring your own food, cake, and fly some helium balloons to create a festive mood. Party stores usually provide helium for balloons. You can get your balloons filled there.

Free Fun at Capron Park Zoo

Hey Bostonians! The Highland Street Foundation is sponsoring Free Fun Fridays again this year. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit museums and cultural venues across Massachusetts for free!

Among the venues is Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro which is about 50 minutes from Boston. It’s a nice ride out of town to see exotic animals such as the white lion, red panda, emus and pythons. But for us, the main attraction is the splash pad, a fun and exciting zero-depth water playground that thrills children of all ages. For maximum enjoyment, bring bathing suits and beach clothing and sunscreen for your kids. The local pharmacy near me offers a quality selection of sunscreens and other health and beauty aids for the whole family and they provide more individualized care than the national chains. You should try them, if you are not yet a customer.

Source: http://capronparkzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LION-AND-BEAR-BEHIND-THE-SCENES-.png

The adults can use some sunscreen too, but take care that it doesn’t stain your clothing. The oil component of these lotions leaves invisible stains that can become visible over time. These stains may not be easily removed in normal washing. I usually take stained clothing to a dry cleaner near me for stain removal.

The park does not allow visitors to bring picnics, but there is a Concession Stand that offers delicious fresh cooked food, ice cream and cold drinks while you rest at shady picnic benches.

The Zoo is a wonderful place to visit at other times of the year too. There are educational classes on animals and how to take care of them, conservation, photography and more. If you have teenage children, you may consider enrolling them into the Zoo Crew program which gives teens the opportunity to volunteer at the Zoo. The Zoo also offers birthday party packages for children – a perfect birthday celebration for the kid who loves animals!