Does ‘Stranger Danger’ Make Sense?

Does ‘Stranger Danger’ Make Sense?

By Trish on January 20th, 2012

The recent incident on School Street that was reported as a possible abduction attempt of a Mill Pond student by two men in a pickup truck has been resolved. According to a statement issued by the Westborough Police, the incident was the result of a misunderstanding. The men in the truck had asked the girl to step out of the street. The girl obviously perceived the men as a threat enough to ignore them, walk away, and tell what ..read more
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Camped Out

Camped Out

Published in baystateparent Magazine Spring has barely sprung, and already the brochures have begun piling up in my mailbox: baseball summer camp, Cub Scout camp, phonics camp, soccer camp, camp for the gifted, camp for the musically inclined, camp for kids who don’t like camp… and the list goes on and on. Even my son’s preschool offers a summer program, for tots with unproductive time on their chubby little hands. Sure to follow on the heels of the glossy mailings will be ..read more
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The Boston Marathon Baby

Published in the Metrowest Daily News and the Westborough News It’s the holy grail. The brass ring. The oldest, the notorious, the elite, the famed. The magical, mythical Boston Marathon. And I was running it. Just saying “I’m training for the Boston Marathon,” gave me a smug, self-satisfied feeling. I won’t lie. No matter that I was a charity runner, had the flabby breasts-tummy-thigh-thing going from bearing three children in five years. I dreamed of that moment in April when I ..read more
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Cold Cash

Cold Cash

I spent a large part of the holiday weekend freezing my bunting off at the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet in Hampton, New Hampshire. I had volunteered to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Association, not counting on numbing single-digit temperatures and arctic gales. Standing outside of a liquor store asking for spare change was a few degrees out of my comfort zone. As I drove there the first day, I questioned my commitment and soundness of mind. Ten hours, hundreds of ..read more
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For Whom the Paul Revere Bell Tolls

For Whom the Paul Revere Bell Tolls

The weather outside may have been frightful, but the first peals of Boston’s Old South Meeting House newly-installed Paul Revere Bell were, in a word, delightful. At 12:00 pm on 1/12/2012, the historic Westborough Paul Revere bell rang 12 times. It was the first time in 136 years that a bell has rung out on the hour from Old South. Despite the driving rain and windy weather, dozens of onlookers were there to witness the historic event. “Nearly a hundred thousand ..read more
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Do You Let Your Young Kids Ski Alone?

Do You Let Your Young Kids Ski Alone?

This Martin Luther King holiday weekend will likely be one of the busiest ski weekends in New England. If you’re planning on taking your kids skiing, will you ski with them or let them ski alone? Does your answer depend on their age? Their ability? The size of the ski resort? The price of an adult lift ticket? When I first heard the news of the tragic death of 18-year-old Nipmuc High School Senior Jack Street last Tuesday after falling 30 ..read more
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New Year's Advice from a Mid-Life Mom

New Year’s Advice from a Mid-Life Mom

“What you can do, or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The ball was dropping in Times Square. My champagne flute was in hand. My husband turned to me, looked me lovingly in the eyes and asked, “So, did you make any New Year’s resolutions?” I’m not joking, that’s exactly what he said. “Not a single one,” I replied, raising the glass to my lips. It’s not that I don’t believe ..read more
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Holiday Traditions, not Trappings

Holiday Traditions, not Trappings

Published in Atlanta Parent and Central California Parent Panicking over the impending, non-ending list of holiday to-dos? Wait a minute! When did the holidays morph from moments of meaning to pre-holiday months of mania? I used to epitomize the stressed-out holiday mom, snapping at her four kids (No, you can’t change your list to Santa – too late for that!), snagging parking spaces at the mall, risking life and limb (not mine), and frantically Photoshopping my family into an online ..read more
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When Mommy or Daddy has Special Needs

When Mommy or Daddy has Special Needs

Published in baystateparent Magazine “We may be blinded by our own perceived flaws, but those who love us have clearer vision.” - Sarah Ban Breathnach What makes a person a good parent? Is it staying up-todate on the latest parenting advice from the experts? Spending more time with your kids? Volunteering at school? baystateparent recently interviewed two Massachusetts parents to better understand their unique perspectives on parenting. Here are their stories: Laura Fritz is an intelligent, compassionate adoptive mom of 2-year-old Mayleah (pronounced “Myla”) McKenny. ..read more
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A Piece of Cake

Simple Tips for Simply Fun Birthday Parties Does the thought of planning your child’s next birthday party make you want to celebrate or break out on a cold sweat? Children’s birthday celebrations can easily balloon out of control. Parties are big business, where the birthday guest list often includes Chuck E. Cheese. As kid’s parties get bigger, so do complications, expenses and stress. Your child’s next birthday party shouldn’t require a lot of fuss to be a lot of fun. Here are ..read more
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Be Like Brit

Be Like Brit

Published in baystateparent magazine In December 2009, Britney Gengel, 19, of Rutland MA, was home on winter break from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Brit was excited about her upcoming school mission trip, “Journey of Hope to Haiti” with international relief organization Food for the Poor. Britney told her parents that she was thinking about changing her major from Communications to Human Services. “The three of us talked, heart-to-heart,” Britney’s mom Cherylann recalls. “We said, ‘Brit, you’ll know, when you come ..read more
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Feel the Love: Emeril’s Customer Service Secrets Revealed

Feel the Love: Emeril’s Customer Service Secrets Revealed

I recently gained illicit possession of something that’s never before been seen outside the kitchen of the Original Emeril’s Restaurant in New Orleans, and I just can’t keep it secret. It’s too good to be true! It’s better than knowing what’s in Emeril’s Essence, or cracking Emeril’s confidential Cajun or Creole creations. It’s Emeril’s 15 Commandments for Excellent Customer Service. Oh, it’s hot. Spicy hot. For all us foodies out there who know first-hand how bad service can spoil the best ..read more
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