Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Each week the JP Patch Moms Council discusses a parenting topic. Today it's "How do you find time for yourself?"
This week's question is "How do you find time for yourself?" Deb Nam-Krane gets us started. Deb Nam-Krane: I have quiet time but the challenge is making sure I spend it well, not necessarily alone. I homeschool, but I still have my fingers in a number of projects. I have quiet time when I can get things done, but for me the challenge is making sure I spend it well, not necessarily alone. I don't crave time away from my children. I enjoy being around them, as loud and disobedient as they can be. When they first started their "school year" activities and I had about six hours to myself on Sundays, I wasn't elated- I was sad. I got a lot of work done, but I missed them. The next week I snuck in some time with my sons after their activity…
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Each Wednesday the JP Patch Moms Council discusses a parenting topic. Join the conversation in the comments section.
This week's Moms Council topic is: How do you parent differently than your parents did? Deb Nam-Krane: After being moved once or twice a year as a kid, I resisted moving my own children. I prioritize my children's stability far more than my parents ever did. When I was younger, I moved frequently- at least once or twice per year. The change of address was jarring- it was hard to set down roots. I also changed schools quite a bit. In my parents' defense, most of those moves were made to give us what they thought were a better education. I resisted moving my oldest around until I absolutely had to; in retrospect, that may not have been the best decision- she stayed where she was, but other people moved around her. Stability can …
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Each week the JP Moms Council starts a discussion of a parenting topic. Join in the conversation in the comments section.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
This week's topic: If you could go back and give advice to yourself when you were pregnant, what would you say? Casey Carey-Brown: Stop focusing on the "stuff." My advice to my pregnant self would be to stop focusing on the stuff. First of all, you really don't know what your baby will need until they arrive. Our daughter would have been just fine with a few wooden toys, some simple cloth diapers, a basic crib, a nice blanket for the floor, and a bouncy seat. And some cute clothes from Hatched wouldn't have hurt. We agonized over the stroller and all the other gear that we really didn't need as much as we thought we would. I also definitely would've either taken a breastfeeding class or read more about it beforehand. I decided to try …
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Each week the JP Patch Moms Council starts a discussion about a parenting topic.
Mary Hannon: At the time we thought we might be lying to our children — when we told them everything would be fine. September 11th was a moment of real reflection. Fight or flight are two responses to danger. And I remember feeling like picking up the kids and running. At the time our children were 8 and 2 and both were in JP at their co-ops. We kept the 8-year-old from the news. I wanted to congregate with others and discuss the event, we watched it collectively unfold that morning in our co-op hosts' house. I remember feeling as though the world was certainly going to be changing and feared the worse. I wanted to run to my younger boy and bring him close. I was fearful of not being able to get to him should something happen in Boston. It…
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Last week the JP Patch Moms Council talked about best indoor spots for children. This week they talk about where to go now that the weather is better.
[Editor's note: This "archive-edition" discussion originally ran in April. Next week we plan to return with a fresh topic: birthday parties (and those durn gift bags).] This week the JP Patch Moms Council talks about the best outdoor spots for children in our neighborhood. Add your own favorites in the comment section below. Erica Lewy: We’ll be going to the Lamartine playground more often now that the tire mulch has been removed I was totally overwhelmed when I started writing this. JP is so full of outdoor places, I can't believe how lucky we are to live in such a great part of the city. This winter almost made me forget how wonderful it was. I think I need to get warmer clothes so we can enjoy these places year round. SW CORRIDOR PARK …
42.308383
-71.119936
Arnold Arboretum
125 Arborway, Boston, MA
/articles/what-are-the-best-kid-friendly-outdoor-places-in-jp
1285814
/locations/5177048
42.298229
-71.107677
Forest Hills Cemetery
95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/what-are-the-best-kid-friendly-outdoor-places-in-jp
766944
/locations/5177049
42.322507
-71.104464
Mozart Playground
312 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/what-are-the-best-kid-friendly-outdoor-places-in-jp
1346690
/locations/5177050
42.326346
-71.099129
Southwest Corridor Park
38 New Heath St, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/what-are-the-best-kid-friendly-outdoor-places-in-jp
1346699
/locations/5177051
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Each Wednesday, the JP Patch Moms Council tackles a parenting topic.
Each Wednesday, the JP Patch Moms Council tackles a parenting topic. This week's subject is how to deal with children interrupting parental sex lives. Ask your own questions in the comments section and Moms Council members will offer their help. Mary Hannon: Set them up with their favorite cartoon (the reason I think they were invented for Saturday mornings). There's nothing like finally getting the kids to bed and making time for a little romance only to be interrupted. It seemed in the early days the kids were our biggest and best form of birth control; no sooner did we get down to business than the sound of little feet showed up outside our door. My husband said they had a "sex radar" and knew exactly the moment to interrupt. …
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Forget the books — give them away, toss them in recycling or better still don’t even waste your money on them to start with, says JP mom who for years worked in book publishing.
Every week the JP Patch Moms Council tackles a parenting topic. This week: Favorite parenting books. Phillipa Tawn: The books I have read have left me feeling anxious and inadequate. My background is in book publishing. I have spent years and years of my life promoting books. In fact my greatest passion is reading, Therefore I feel as if it should be my job here to promote a set of wonderful parenting books. For this article we have been asked to recommend our favorites. However this presents a problem to me since what I really want to tell new parents is forget the books — give them away, toss them in recycling or better still don’t even waste your money on them to start with. Experience has shown me that you find your own path as a …
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Looking for ways to keep you and your family cool this summer? The JP Patch Moms Council is here to help.
Each week, the JP Patch Moms Council discusses a parenting topic. This week: How to keep the family from sweltering during the summer. Deb Nam-Krane: The JP Branch Library is a kid-friendly refuge with great programming. I planned ahead for last week's heat wave. On Wednesday- the first and mildest of the wave- my sons went to play with a friend while my tween and I went to the air-conditioned art museums to sketch before we all met at the JP Library for their 4 p.m. activity hour. On Thursday, hotter still but bearable, I took my children to Revere Beach, right off the Blue Line. As hot as it got during the five hours we were there, there were always some extremely cold portions of water- so cold that at times I couldn't stay in for too …
42.326346
-71.099129
Southwest Corridor Park
38 New Heath St, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/jamaica-plain-moms-talk-about-beating-the-heat
1346699
/locations/4954331
42.322507
-71.104464
Mozart Playground
312 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/jamaica-plain-moms-talk-about-beating-the-heat
1346690
/locations/4954332
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Each week the JP Moms Council is available to discuss a parenting issue and answer your questions.
This week's parenting topic is a timely one: Camping with kids. Phillipa Tawn: Children just seem to be happier when they are outdoors. Camping is certainly not my idea of the perfect relaxing vacation. However I love to travel and the reality is that camping has been the only way we have been able to afford for our family to take long trips exploring the wonderful national parks out west. Most hotels do not allow more than four people per room which usually means we have to book two rooms or a family suite. A campsite in Yellowstone costs $10 a night for a family of five whereas a family room in the national park accommodation costs $240...Most campsites are equipped with grills or fire pits and these combined with a camping stove mean we…
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Add your own advice or ask a question of the Moms Council in the comments section.
Each Wednesday the JP Patch Moms' Council offers advice on a parenting topic. Today they tackle road trips with the kids. Ask them your own questions or give your own advice in the comment section. Deb Nam-Krane: On trips, when my children aren't complaining, they're singing—very loudly. The majority of my travel with my children is on foot or via public transportation. When we're on public transportation, the majority of my time is spent telling them that they can't sing as loudly as they are, that they need to stay in their seat and that they can't lie down on multiple seats. Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I do this at least four times per week. As trying as that can be, it's much better than being in the car. The last few …
Erica Lewy
4:19 pm on Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thanks for posting about Franklin Park Stacy. I know a lot of people go there. I don't because I'm not as close so I'm glad you posted to add the things you love about it. more ›