Our Favorite Parenting News Stories Of The Week

triceratops-dinosaur-plastic-f667Remember being a kid and thinking your toys came alive at night? These creative parents took keeping the magic alive to the next level with a hilarious prank involving toy dinosaurs! (Quick Meme)

We all know that feeling of being overworked, and this first grader is no exception. Frustrated by her overwhelming workload at school, this 6-year-old took her dad’s tongue-in-cheek advice and wrote her senator to request a break! (The Stir)

These Massachusetts kids know exactly how to stop bullying in its tracks! When a speech-impaired first grader was getting picked on at school, his Peewee football teammates banded together to show their support for him in an incredible way. (Huffington Post)

Ever thought the Ugly Doll characters looked a little bit familiar? Droid-using parents rejoice–there is a brand new Ugly Doll plush toy in town modeled after the Droid robot! Just in time to infuse some techie fun into the holidays. (Google Store)

A new study suggests that small class sizes are not always the best solution to educational problems. While places more students in classrooms with the most effective teachers may be a short term solution, it does result in an improvement in classroom performance. (The Atlantic)

Guess who’s pumped for the new Hunger Games movie? The Sesame Street gang! We’re loving this hilarious spoof on the popular book and film series. (Slate)

Crafts are a great way to keep kids busy and creative, but sometimes they come at the cost of a parent’s sanity! This mom shares how to make homemade play dough with your child in 47 hilariously frustrating steps. (Huffington Post)

The importance of raising a child with healthy eating habits is on the forefront of many parents’ minds–but what’s the best way to go about it? One mom shares her thoughts. (Motherlode)
Planning to take some family holiday portraits over the long weekend? Be sure to check out these tips from a photography expert! (Elizabeth Street)
Far from adding stress to the Thanksgiving holiday, one mom finds that an influx of babies in her family has actually lightened the mood significantly. How do you feel? (Mommyish)

Relevant Directory Listings

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Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian's Legacy

<p>The Morgan Library & Museum will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene (1879–1950). Widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene was one of the most prominent librarians in American history. The exhibition will trace Greene’s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world’s great research libraries. Through extraordinary objects―from medieval manuscripts and rare printed books to archival records and portraits―the exhibition will demonstrate the confidence and savvy Greene brought to her roles as librarian, scholar, curator, and cultural executive, and honor her enduring legacy.</p>

Collina Italiana, The Italian Language and Cultural Center

<p>Learn Italian the fun way. Children practice and absorb the language through arts & crafts, activities, games, songs and stories!</p>

Adventuring Portal

<p><a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) games for kids.   We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&D.</p> <p>Our D&D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.  Monday – Friday.  Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).  15 total gaming hours for $180.  If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.   </p> <p>Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor’s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done & take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do.</p> <p>All our games focus on experiential learning.   Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&D adventuring!</p> <p>We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum. </p> <p>All girls’ groups available. </p> <p>I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started Adventuring Portal, an online Dungeons & Dragons business for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.</p>