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Motherhood: What's Your Story?

It may seem a little early to start thinking about Mother’s Day, but if you have a story about motherhood that you would like to share, the time to start writing is now.

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Angry and Alone: Helping Kids Deal with Grief

For anyone who loses a parent, a sibling or someone else they love, it can be a heartbreaking experience.

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Mom's Happy Hour: Some Kids Aren't Always Smarties

Welcome to Mom's Happy Hour, in which we sort through the latest news about parents, parenting and pop culture so you don't have to.

Kids aren't always Smarties

Kids do stupid things. Like the time I walked in to find a stack of pillows at the bottom of our staircase and a four-year-old ready to jump from the top. Or the time when my brother was 16 and tried to leap a plastic construction fence to show off and got his foot caught and broke his arm.

Now kids are snorting Smarties in order to blow the candy dust out their noses or mouths like cigarette smoke. There’s no known high or benefit, just a group of middle schoolers who think the practice will get them the ladies and the respect of their schoolmates who are too scared to ingest the most inedible candy in the world.

There are a couple of huge issues with this. One, it’s mimicking the drug problem we have in this country. Two, the candy is leaving sugary remnants lodged in the nose, increasing the risk for nasal maggots. If we didn’t think our kids could get any grosser, they go and become infested.

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HACKERu.org Fuels Kids’ Fascination With STEAM

When it comes to the future of our children, and the future of our economy, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education has well, gained steam among educators and professionals.

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Win Tickets to See the Wizard of Oz!

Join Dorothy in her iconic red shoes - on pointe this time - the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, the Scarecrow, Glinda, the Wicked Witch of the West, the Munchkins, poppies and the rest of Dorothy's friends when Dance St. Louis presents the Wizards of Oz.

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When to 'Let It Go' and When to Tone It Down, Mom

Welcome to Mom's Happy Hour, in which we sort through the latest news about parents, parenting and pop culture so you don't have to.
 

Tone it down, Mom

Surprising, the “everybody gets a trophy” mentality many parents shower on kids may actually be hurting the very children it’s supposed to “protect.”

When our children are struggling, we think that being their own personal cheerleaders on Red Bull will keep them motivated. However, researchers at Ohio State University found that when we bestow inflated praise on children with low self-esteem, we actually lead them to shy away from taking on new challenges.

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Thanks, Honey. But I Hate It.

My husband and I are not what you would call gift people. Wait – let me rephrase that. My husband is not what you would call gift people.

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18 Ways St. Louis Parents Can Survive Yet Another Snow Day

With snow on the ground, snow in the forecast and subzero temperatures keeping everyone indoors, St. Louis parents are starting to go a little crazy. For many of us, this potentially never ending winter break has now lasted for more than two weeks.

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3 Ways to Be Happier in the New Year (Hint: Your Kids Know the Secret)

With 2014 just around the corner, it’s resolution time again. Instead of planning on exercising more or eating better – because where’s the joy in that – I decided to focus on things that would make me truly happy.

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New Year's Eve Celebrations For Kids (and Some for Parents Too!)

As St. Louisans ring in 2014 your kids can join the party at these New Year's Eve events designed just for the younger crowd. We've even included one event the whole family can enjoy.

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Middle Schoolers Can LEAP Into Art Education at CAM This Winter

For teens and tweens in middle school, their days can be full of confusion, frustration and struggles with low self-esteem.

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Why Moms are Flocking to The Nest

A new gathering place for moms, kids and families has “hatched” in the St. Louis area, much to the delight of local parents – and particularly local moms.
 
The Nest, a self-described “stay and play creative café designed to function as a modern day community center, restaurant and membership club for women and families,” officially opened its doors in Frontenac last week. With an indoor play forest, drop-in childcare, classes for women and children and unique and healthy dining options, The Nest fills a niche that has been long overlooked in the St. Louis region.
 
According to Co-Founder Christina McHugh, the idea for The Nest was born from what she describes as “a HUGE deficit in the current market.”
 
“For me,” says McHugh, “what was lacking was a space that caters to children AND offers variety to adults. That was really missing in our area. We try to create an environment that supports families – where mom feels comfortable breastfeeding, where the kids are going to have a good time and not want to leave, where parents will always have that helping hand.”
 
“We’re the ones,” she continues, “who will hold the baby while you pay your check or put on your coat.”

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5 Reasons You Won't Find an Elf on Our Shelf

Like a lot of moms, I have a love-hate relationship with the holiday season. I love baking (okay, mostly eating) gingerbread cookies. I love decking the halls with lights and garland and bright red bows.

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Festival of Frights

The most important lesson I've learned this holiday season is that life is as precious as it is fragile.

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So long Emma and Aiden. You've been Bumped. See the Top Baby Names for 2013.

A friends of mine who is due to give birth to a girl later this month recently told me she and her husband had finally agreed on a name for their precious bundle of joy. And that they had made it up.

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Mom's Happy Hour: Trouble In Toyland

Welcome to Mom's Happy Hour, in which we sort through the latest news about parents, parenting and pop culture so you don't have to. And then we add a little bit of snark and a whole lot of judgment.

Stockings are a death trap

With the holidays upon us, it’s time to weed out all the dangerous toys from our children’s shopping lists and replace them with cotton balls (no wait, they can swallow them!) and feather pillows (no wait – allergies!). The U.S. Public Interest Research Group has released its “Trouble in Toyland” report featuring toys equivalent to a Bag o’ Glass. A number of products like Littlest Pet Shop sets are mislabeled and can offer up choking hazards while the Captain America Soft Shield has 29 times the legal standard for lead. For a list of harmful toys, check out the full report.

Your son is by far the smelliest

In the movie Big Daddy, Adam Sandler is honored to hear his kid is the smelliest in the class. In real-life, a preschool teacher in New York is under fire for sending home a note to all of her parents

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Children Who Face Unimaginable Odds Find Help at Marygrove (and You Can Help Too)

Each year, more than 900 young people suffering from the emotional and psychological damage of abuse, neglect and other traumas find an open door and a helping hand at Marygrove, the second largest

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Things to Do

Music & Movement

Explore songs, finger plays, music and more during this Music & Movement class for ages 2-6. Some sessions are held in person at various branches of the St. Louis County Library. Some sessions are virtual. 

 

 

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Trike Town at The Magic House

Adventures abound at Trike Town, the outdoor, child-size city at The Magic House. Kids can pick out their favorite little red tricycle and explore the entire town while learning about bicycle safety and the importance of wearing a helmet. 

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Pumpkin Decorating in the Park
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Bring you little ones to this fun-filled pumpkin decorating event designed just for little hands! Pumpkin Decorating in the Park encourages children ages 2-5 to get creative as they decorate their very own pumpkins using an assortment of festive stickers. All materials and pumpkins are provided.

 

 

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Embark on a musical adventure with Dan Brown’s latest surprise, Wild Symphony! Travel through the trees and across the seas to meet a wonderous whale and impatient ponies, busy beetles, and an eager elephant—each with a special secret to share. 

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COCA Ignites Creativity and Sparks Fun for Kids of All Ages, All Summer Long

Stroll along the Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop, and you’ll spot the playwrights, actors, and artists who got their start in St. Louis, from Tennessee Williams and Katherine Dunham, to Tina Turner and John Goodman. Just a few steps away and around the corner, a new generation of Gateway City superstars will discover their love for the visual and performing arts this summer.

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Farmer's Markets Make Great Family Outings! Here is Your 2024 Guide to Farmers Markets Across the St. Louis Area

A trip to the farmer’s market is a fun outing for the entire family – and it can be educational too. Make plans to visit one (or several) of these top St. Louis farmers’ markets this spring and summer, so that you and your kids can learn more about where your food comes from and indulge in some of the freshest, seasonal produce the St. Louis region has to offer. Plus, many of these markets offer activities just for kids, feature food trucks, welcome dogs, and more.    

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6 Places to Find Fun on the Farm this Fall

Visiting a farm can be a real adventure for city and suburban kids. Getting up close to and even feeding farm animals can lead to lots of fun and unexpected learning. We've rounded up some tried and true nearby options where your family can spend a day in the country and meet some new barnyard friends.

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SUE: The T. Rex Experience to Roar Into the Saint Louis Science Center

This summer. families can meet Sue, the most complete, best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, in the Lou! The Saint Louis Science Center will welcome SUE: The T. rex Experience beginning June 8. The special exhibition features the latest scientific discoveries about the species as a whole along as well immersive, sensory exploration of life in the Cretaceous period.

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