The Back to School Issue 2017
How Do Vermont Schools Provide Healthy, Local Food and Break Even?; An Essex Mom Uses Research to Help Parents Find Sleep Solutions for Babies
Natural Connection
When I was homeschooling my daughters five years ago, I would have loved a copy of Amy Clapp’s nature guide, Naturally Literate Vermont. This slim book, geared to kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, features checklists of the most common Vermont species of mammals, reptiles, trees, flowers and more. The book’s premise is simple: If…
What Can Parents Do About Kids’ Persistent Nosebleeds?
Nosebleeds are a messy part of childhood. They can be a frightening experience for children, especially the first time, but usually they’re nothing more than a minor nuisance that stains kids’ sheets and clothing. But what if nosebleeds happen frequently? Dr. Richard Hubbell, a pediatric otolaryngologist — or ear, nose and throat specialist — at…
Sleep Savior: A Local Mom Uses Research to Help Babies — and Parents — Rest Easy
If you have an infant who’s having trouble sleeping, you might have heard of Alexis Dubief. Her website, Precious Little Sleep, gets four million visits annually. On it, she writes about all things related to baby sleep — from white-noise machines to infant reflux to breaking the swing-to-sleep habit. All of her posts are rooted…
Trails for Two Wheels: Five Top Spots for Kid-Friendly Mountain Biking
With crisp mornings and sunny afternoons, fall days are perfect for mountain biking. It’s a great way to enjoy the vibrant foliage this time of year. And, thanks to Vermont’s world-class trail network with plenty of excellent beginner rides, it’s an activity both kids and adults can enjoy. So grab your helmets, pack up the…
Habitat: School Garden & Chicken Coop
It takes a village to grow a garden. That’s one lesson to be gleaned from Barre Town Middle and Elementary School, where teachers, staff, students and volunteers work together to nurture a collection of raised beds throughout the year. The project, called Crops by Kids, was established in the spring of 2005 as part of…
Kids Out Loud Project Unites Communities in Song
Vermonters can participate in a musical flash mob and show their support for high-quality, affordable childcare thanks to a new creative initiative from public awareness campaign Let’s Grow Kids. The Kids Out Loud project aims to recruit 1,000 participants of all ages to sing an original song titled “Something Beautiful” that celebrates the importance of nurturing…
Whim of Whimsy Adds WOW Factor to Parties
Three years ago, Cambridge moms Nicole Howard and Raelyn Ward met through Front Porch Forum after responding to a post looking for Girl Scout leaders. The two quickly realized that, in addition to having a knack for cookie selling, they both loved planning Pinterest-inspired celebrations. In August, the pair launched Whim Of Whimsy, a party…
Modern Pop Connects Rad Dads
After his daughter was born 14 months ago, Keegan Albaugh of Burlington says he found himself feeling “kind of jealous” of the opportunities his wife, Stephanie, had to connect with other mothers. While new moms can commiserate in postnatal yoga, breastfeeding meetings and support groups like VerMamas at Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, there’s…
Vermont Fairy Tale Festival Brings Stories to Life
Twenty of the state’s public libraries celebrate stories, both traditional and lesser known, at the first-ever Vermont Fairy Tale Festival, this month in Killington. Each participating library will sponsor a booth focused on a different tale — from Jack and the Beanstalk to The Musicians of Bremen — giving visitors a chance to learn the…
Czech Fruit Dumplings: A sweet Eastern European treat
My husband and I originally planned to go to Scotland for our honeymoon, but our timing was off. The mad cow epidemic had been sweeping the British Isles, so the prospect of staying on a few farms during our visit seemed unwise. We decided to go with our second choice — Prague. Before going, I…
STRUT’s Teenage Designers
In early September, Burlington hosts the South End Art Hop. The lively three-day celebration of the arts includes exhibits, activities and events. But for a cohort of fashion-oriented creatives, the STRUT Fashion Show is the focus. This year, the 13th annual STRUT takes place on Saturday, September 9, and features more than 100 models sporting…
Parenting Hacks: Kids’ Favorite Book Titles
Need some reading suggestions now that school is back in session? This month, parents shared their kids’ favorite book titles Send your parenting hacks to ideas@kidsvt.com. Both our boys hold a special place in their hearts for My Father’s Dragon. It was the first chapter book that really hooked them. —Angie Ferenc I Know a…
Parent Portrait: Amy, Zoe & Cooper
What is it like parenting two teenagers? Amy: I feel so thankful that I have two kids because I feel like one relationship will often buoy me up when the other one is feeling challenging. What is something you like to do all together? Amy: Art galleries! We like to go to Shelburne Museum together.…
Trending — September 2017
WalletHub ranks Vermont the number one state to have a baby, with high scores in health care, baby-friendliness and family-friendliness. Not to mention the postcard-worthy view from UVM Med Center’s Labor Lounge. Ninety-four-year-old widower Keith Davison installs inground pool in his Minnesota backyard to give neighborhood kids a place to swim and to combat his…
The Art Of… School Year Food Prep
In the summer, my family gets pretty lax about cooking. From wanting to avoid the stove on hot days to the many opportunities to eat locally sourced tacos and burgers al fresco, there are plenty of reasons to skip home-cooked meals. When the school year begins, it’s hard to hop back into the kitchen. Early…
Crash Course: Adulthood Gets Redefined When Two Cars Collide
Despite being solidly in my mid-thirties, I’ve only recently started to feel like a grown-up. I spent many years waiting for a definitive moment that would propel me across the threshold into adulthood. But it was something far less conventional than home ownership, marriage or having kids that made me think I’d arrived. A few…
How Do I Know When My Kids Are Ready to Stay Home Alone?
Children grow from pants-pooping, mashed peas-loving, dependent little goobers to opinion-having, self-aware mini-adults seemingly overnight. Meanwhile, parents go from imagining all the accidents that might befall our babies when we look away to longing for them to be more independent. It’s not just that we want them to become healthy, functioning adults; their independence is…
Blank Slate
Before working at Kids VT, I was an elementary school teacher. One aspect of the job I liked most was its cyclical nature. Regardless of what had happened the previous school year, September was a chance to start fresh. I could rethink routines, reorganize my classroom and plan new units of study. Plus, I got…
Tricks of the Tray: How School Food Programs Nourish Students, Buy Local and Try to Break Even
Vermont is a national leader in the movement to serve kids fresh, nutritious and locally sourced food in K-12 schools. To see how it’s earned that reputation, visit the cafeteria at Milton Middle School at lunchtime. On a hot day last June, food service staff set out options for a colorful fruit and veggie bar,…
