Join us tomorrow night (August 29) at Barnes & Noble in Burlington at 7 p.m.  for a special “Raise a Reader” event that you don’t want to miss! We’re planning for an entertaining, educational and hands-on workshop showing parents easy ways to foster healthy and happy relationships among their children.  

I waited for my turn. Twenty or so new moms sat in a circle on hard plastic chairs. There was constant movement as we all tended to our newborns - feeding, cradling and changing diapers. One at a time, each woman spoke about her experiences as a new mom. When the group leader finally set her gaze on me, I stated my concern. “I don’t know if I should return to work or stay home.”

No small statement. It’s a very personal and challenging decision to make with its own heap of considerations: Could we survive without a second income? Would I be sacrificing my career? Could I be at home 24/7?

No one told me what to do that day but I would imagine most moms find themselves at this crossroads at one point or another. It can happen shortly after you become a mom or years later when you have raised your children and are ready to re-enter the workforce.

Many moms find themselves in job search mode this month - with the change in season and the start of a new school year. In this issue, P&K contributor Alison Murray O’Leary explores this trend, shares some advice and includes a listing of local resources and events.

This month, we’re celebrating the grandparents in our lives (Grandparent’s Day is Sept. 7) with ideas for fun with the grandkids.

If you’re considering a private school education for your child, read Carrie Nash’s article “Thinking Independently” and understand your options. 

As for me, I decided not to return to my job as a spokesperson for North Shore Medical Center. My husband and I made some lifestyle changes so we could handle the loss of income. I took on some freelancing work (including writing for P&K!) and spent most of my hours learning to be a mom.

After our second was born, opportunity knocked. P&K needed an editor. I had found a job that suited my family, skills, schedule and personal aspirations.

In all, it was a journey. Some crossroads, unexpected detours and divine opportunities. I guess I just waited for my turn.

In a few days, I will have to bid farewell to my kids’ daycare provider. She has cared for my son since he was 1 and my daughter since she was 6 months old. Three days a week for the past four years, I have made the trek to her house with kids, blankies and adored stuffed animals in tow. Now my son is set to begin his official education and my daughter will enter a preschool program. They have outgrown daycare and I’m not handling it well.

I have no idea how to properly thank a woman who has served as a parent in my absence a few days a week. Anything I think of seems petty. A framed photo (boring!), a letter of thanks (yeah, but what else?), a gift certificate (good so she can use it and have nothing to remember us by?)

But beyond the parting gift, I don’t know how to accept the fact that my babies are growing up.
They are now old enough to attend school. I won’t be able to call and check on them.
I also don’t think its acceptable to handwrite instructions for the teachers on how to understand my son’s tendency to be shy or my daughter’s “spirited” attitude. I’m loosing my grip on things. And now the world wants me to be OK with the job I’ve done and trust that my kids can go out into the big, scary world of elementary education?

If only I could stop time. I can’t, I know. I’ll cry when I say goodbye to my daycare provider and I’ll cry when he hops on the school bus for the first time. It won’t be entirely different from when I cried dropping him off at daycare for the first time. Man, does this separation every get easier???

My twin sister Lisa made her TV debut yesterday morning on NECN. Despite the nerves and early hour, Lisa and I had a blast discussing our new book with the ever-lovely Karen Swensen.  If you’re looking for some ways to spend time with your kids during the last weeks of summer, take a look.

Yesterday, I was in school prep mode. I dropped off medical records at Kyle’s kindergarten, visited his classroom, bought a back pack, etc. My timing must have been good because when we got home, there in our mailbox was a letter from his new teacher.

She wrote how excited she was for the school year to begin and a short list of things to bring for the first day:

A big smile!

That is in direct contrast to what fellow P&K blogger Meredith O’Brien received in her mail. You have to check out her blog re: required back to school supplies shopping. I’m simply blown away. She has three children (one entering second grade and two entering fourth grade) The lists are long and extremely detailed. Just know that she is on the search for specific colored TAN twin pocket folders.

She’s trying to determine if its just her school that is way over the line or every parent is facing this massive shopping spree. Post your lists and share your thoughts so we can compare!

It’s back to school week at NECN (New England Cable News). All week they’ll be giving you tips on how to prepare your kids to head back to the classroom. Today, I gave some tips on getting back into the school groove including tips on familiarizing yourself with school policies.

I know, I know it’s still summer but it can’t hurt to start thinking about back to school. There’s lots of prep to be done. For some quick tips, tune into NECN (New England Cable News) on Monday morning at 8:45 a.m. I’ll be giving our best advice - how to start up the schedule, get the right supplies and prepare your child for a year of learning!

It’s all good….

My twin sister Lisa and I had the pleasure of serving as co-hosts/guests of the ever popular Manic Mommies weekly podcast. How to describe Manic Mommies? In just three years, the original Manic Mommies- Erin Martin Kane and Kristin Brandt of Ashland- have created a cultural phenomenon for working moms across the nation. Every month, 40,000 moms tune in to their program to get the latest news, win prizes, have a conversation and receive what moms need most…validation!

We talked with Erin (Kristin was on a much-need vacation) about our lives as identical twin sisters, the reality of sibling rivalry and the concept behind The Siblings’ Busy Book. Get ready to have some fun!

Click on the link below!

I’m a grown woman. I won’t tell you how old I am but I’m old enough to be married for a decade and be responsible for two children. But, as I recently found out, I’m never too old to be a daughter. I got in trouble.

Recently, I had to meet my mother at an art gallery in Mansfield for an event we were planning. I had my two little ones in tow (they are 3 & 5 years old). Now picture them in an art gallery where little white signs share the price of delicate, exposed sculptures around the room. $450 for one all brown piece of art called Red Foot Left, Green Foot Right. On a nearby bench lay a beautiful water color painting for $750.

Prior to even bringing them inside the room, I repeated my expectations over and over. “Mommy needs to talk to this lady. I need you both to sit on the couch and wait quietly. You can look at the beautiful art from where you sit but no moving. The more quiet you are, the faster we can leave and go get ice-cream.”

Ice cream was the motivator. The serious tone of my voice was the threat.

We enter and the owner turns the corner looking very displeased at the sight of humans who just stopped wearing diapers.

“How old are you?” my 3-year-old daughter asks. In her defense, she wasn’t trying to be rude. This is how she makes conversation.

That’s unimportant though. What you need to know is that my kids started acting like animals. They were touching the glass walls, hopping on the couch, turning into noodles if I tried to put them back on the couch. My mother, thankfully, was able to conduct the business side of the discussion while I tuned in between grabbing their little hands and whispering about ice-cream futures.

We left the gallery and the four of us stood on the sidewalk (mom, me and the kids).

“Mom, can we have some ice cream now,” my son whines.

“No. Do really think you get to have ice-cream after that?”

My mom turns quickly to make sure she heard right. It registers and she snaps, “You have got to be kidding me! They did wonderfully in there.”

Boy, was I in trouble. I can’t remember the last time I got yelled at. My mother is THE most sweet, patient, loving woman in the world and here I stood - part mother and part daughter. Three generations in a fight. I held my ground but my insides felt a bit uneasy.

We’ve laughed about it since. She feels badly she second-guessed my authority to withhold ice cream from her grandbabies. I should add that after we left the gallery, we all rode to one other store. When I returned back to the car both of my kids were eating chocolate covered strawberries.

“What? It’s not ice cream,” she said when I looked her way.

Leave it to that grandmother to find a loophole!

If you’d like to celebrate the grandmother/father in your kids’ lives, please consider sharing a photo and message in the September issue of P&K. Details can be found here. http://www.wickedlocalcontests.com/contests/grandparents