Not long ago, I was moaning to a friend about not being able to keep up with the messy chaos of my household. Stacks of dishes teetered in the sink, never-ending piles of unfolded laundry towered behind the couch and I constantly felt stressed, cranky and joyless. In response, my brilliant friend pointed out that […]
Capital City Parent
Posted inSpecial Issues
Container gardening for kids
Container gardening is a great way to introduce kids to the pleasure of growing their own food and enhance their connection with the natural world. You don’t need a large plot of land or fancy planters to grow your own vegetables. Many types of containers can be used to grow a bounty of veggies, herbs […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Why you must talk to your kids about race – especially if they’re white
It’s never too early, or too late, to take on the issue of racism, both within yourself and – yes – with your kids. Indeed, raising children who seek to break down the status quo and fight alongside those who are seeking justice is perhaps one of our most important roles as parents. Why is it so important? Kids are indispensable parties […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The Adventures of Abe, the $5 bill
Has your child ever asked you where money comes from? Or have you ever thought about where the money in your wallet has been or where it might be going? Well, Dr. Eli Goodman, a Springfield resident and author, has a story for you. The Adventures of Abe, the $5 Bill, illustrated by Eva Vikman, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
How to have a vintage summer
It’s no shocker that we live in an era of organized sports, scheduled playdates and endless summer camps. In today’s busy world, parents often dedicate their summers to shuttling children (sometimes as young as 3 years old) back and forth to all sorts of planned events. While there’s a lot to be said for that, I […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Keeping kids active during COVID
Caregivers know intuitively that kids love to move, run and leap. While we’ve always known that letting kiddos run around will make for an easier bedtime, it may be surprising to learn that this kind of active play is also essential for growing a strong body and promoting social well-being. The American Academy of Pediatrics […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Teaching sustainability
As parents, my husband and I strive to equip our children with the tools they’ll need to grow into healthy, happy and successful adults. We teach them good manners, talk to them about the importance of personal hygiene, help them with their homework and tell them to eat their vegetables. We make sure that they […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Be active indoors
It is said February is the shortest month for a reason. Even in a year with full access to in-person school and a variety of indoor places like children’s museums to visit, cabin fever is hard enough. With pandemic restrictions in place for nearly a year, this February has hit parents and kids harder than […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Exploring new genres
Action movies aren’t my thing. If I have a choice of what movie to sit down and watch, you won’t see me picking an action flick. However, if my husband chooses the movie, I may be stuck with an action-packed film, and oddly enough, I often get engrossed in the movie. Recently, the same thing […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The best of times,the worst of times
As far as illness goes, winters in our home used to be pretty brutal. In the past, it seemed like every time I turned around, someone had a runny nose, a low-grade temperature or a dreaded night cough that would keep the entire family awake, leaving us all sleep-deprived for days. I was constantly adding […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Small changes,big results
Years before having a family of my own, I had a conversation with my brother-in-law in which he admitted that his favorite time of day was in the morning, before his children had woken up. Not understanding how exhausting parenting can be, I was shocked by his admission and judged him harshly. I pegged him […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
This holiday season, thank a teacher
Teachers and first responders certainly deserve extra kudos this holiday season. For months they’ve been working overtime to adapt and adjust amidst a scary and constantly changing reality, often at the expense of their own safety and a well-being. Even in the best of times, teachers work long days on their feet without a bathroom […]
