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The Appeal of One Mr. Justin Timberlake

For years there have been battles between the helicopter mom and the free range parent. The co-sleeper and the cry-it-out devotee. But through it all, there’s one thing almost every mom can agree on.

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The Mother's Day Gift

I'm far from a perfect mom, and my daughter decided to remind me of that last Mother's Day. It turned out to be the gift I've cherished most.

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Are We There Yet?

Kids these days don't realize how good they've got it. Thank goodness for The Magic House. In my day we learned about electricity the painful way.

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Talking Like a Sexpert

Teen pregnancy rates are down, but there's more to be done - starting with simple conversations.

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Top 10 Reasons to Visit the Children’s Garden

We're lucky to live in a city that offers so many great outdoor adventures for kids, and nestled within the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the most awesome. From the slides that look like trees to the edible garden, here's why the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden is the backyard playhouse of kids' dreams.

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Out of the House with Stories @ STAGES

When my daughter was little, she and I participated in just about every class or activity available to the toddler-preschool set on a weekday morning. Little Gym? Check. StrollerFit? Check. Art classes? Check. Story time at the library? Check. Mommy and Me playgroups? Check. I could go on and on.

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4 Tips for Choosing The Right Summer Camp

When the summer camp guide from a local arts center arrived in our mailbox, my third grader paged through it eagerly … and then proudly pointed to about thirteen different camps she planned to sign up for this summer. From circus camp to acting camp to a camp where you make your own ice cream, she had visions of attending them all.

For kids, the world of summer camp is filled with excitement and possibility. For parents, on the other hand, it can be a bit trickier to navigate. The options seem endless, the costs add up, and those darned kids insist on having their own opinions and making choices that differ from your own.

The good news? With so many quality summer camp options throughout the St. Louis area, it’s easier than ever to find a camp that will meet the needs of your entire family. You just need to follow a few simple guidelines.

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Taking the Drama Out of Daycare Drop-Off

Every morning, my 3-year-old and I live our own personal Lifetime mini-series. It’s called The One She Left Behind, and it’s particularly heart wrenching.
 

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Join the Party! The Planetarium is Turning 50

The Saint Louis Science Center invites you to join the party celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium with a new exhibition, special programs, laser shows and retro prices for star shows in the Planetarium.
 

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Public Trepidation

One of the big ticket items on the Mayer Family 2013 Spring Break Bucket List was to take my three daughters (ages 1, 2 and 3) for a ride around the city on the metro link.

Yes, I know what you're thinking, and I doubled up on my Zoloft right before the train pulled into the station.

We pass the metro almost every morning on the way to pre-school and my girls are completely fascinated. My husband happened to be off work this week also so I had some back-up if things went all pear-shaped. Which is usually a pretty solid bet any time we leave the house.

I've always had fond memories of the metro - the cars buzzing with my fellow Cardinals fans on the way to a playoff game; crammed shoulder to shoulder with a group of spirited women on our way downtown to walk for a cure.

“LET'S GO CARDS!” I belted to two business men listening to their ipods as we all stepped onto the train.

The dynamic at 9 a.m. on a random Tuesday morning was a little different than my metro trips from days of yore.

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Bottle Envy

The so-tired-my-eyelid-is-twitching part of me loves

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Infant Massage Benefits Mom and Baby

When my daughter was a newborn, she cried – a lot. She never wanted to sleep in more than 30 minute increments, and she wanted to be held constantly. Breastfeeding seemed to be the only thing that soothed her, so like a lot of new moms, I spent those first few months of motherhood with an infant literally attached to me almost 24 hours a day.

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10 "Egg-citing" Easter Events for St. Louis Families That Will Get You Hopping

With Easter less than two weeks away, many St. Louis families are looking for fun, kid-friendly ways to celebrate the upcoming holiday.

Whether you’re hoping to meet the Easter Bunny himself or simply want to partake in a good, old-fashioned egg hunt, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most “egg-citing” Easter events that St. Louis has to offer.
 
1. Hunt for a Cure in Forest Park
 
On Saturday, March 23, more than 50,000 eggs will be hidden on the central fields of Forest Park, and kids up to the age of 12 are invited to hunt for them! Hunt for a Cure is one of the largest egg hunts in St. Louis, and will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Gateway Chapter. Registration, which costs just $5 per family, begins at 11:00 a.m. on the day of the event, or you can register online in advance. The Easter Bunny will also arrive at 11:00 a.m. – in a carriage pulled by Clydesdales, no less – so be sure to bring your camera and dress in your Easter best.  
 
2. Bunny Hop in Shaw Park
 
Hop on over to Shaw Park in Clayton for an egg hunt, a visit with Mr. Bunny, and even a petting zoo! The hunt begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, and advanced tickets are available at a discounted price ($6 for Clayton residents or Centre of Clayton members, $7 for non-members and non-residents) by calling 314-727-8100. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event for $10.
 

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St. Louis Families Rally to Save Local Businesses

A few years ago, my husband and I migrated from St. Louis City to the Edwardsville area. With a young daughter, another on the way, and two busy careers for which we traveled frequently, we needed to be closer to his family.

But while the move was right for our family, I won’t deny I threw myself on my bed, wailed like a hormonal teenager (“It’s not fair. I don’t wanna gooooo!”), and cranked The Cure to musically proclaim my displeasure with my husband’s plan.

No more spur-of-the-moment trips to the Zoo, no more 10-minute walks to a quaint dinner on The Hill. Home was to be a suburban promised land of chain restaurants as far as the eye could see and happy hours centered on the Applebee’s margarita.  

Yet, as much as big box stores dominate the suburban landscape and as much as consumers and the community depend on their services, to my delight and surprise, Edwardsville has held on tight to its locally-owned businesses –  the organizations that built and fuel small towns like ours. And at no time has that devotion been more evident than the past two weeks.

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The List, Some Nerds, and An Awesome Giveaway

Like most married couples I know, my husband and I have a celebrity “list.”

You know, that special list of celebrities where, if the opportunity arises, we can totally blow off dinner plans and dump the kids on the other to go to a book signing. No questions asked.

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13 Crafty Tips for Not-So-Crafty Moms

March, I’ve recently discovered, is National Craft Month. There’s a month for everything these days – hello, it’s also National Frozen Foods Month – so I probably shouldn’t be all that surprised to find out that we’re devoting an entire 31 days to getting our national craft on.

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Training Teens to Make a Difference

Emergencies and natural disasters – they’re not things that most of us like to think about. But when it comes to situations such as these, proper preparation and training can play a crucial role in protecting ourselves and our community.

Do you know how to put out a small fire, treat the top three medical killers, or search for and rescue victims without putting yourself in harm’s way?
 
If you answered no, you’re not alone. Many other adults don’t either.
 
The local St. Louis teens who participate in the Mid America Teen Community Emergency Response Team, however, do know how to do all of these things – and much more.

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The ABCs of Sleep Every Parent Should Know

In a couple of weeks my little brother is going to become a first-time dad. I was so excited to hear about a new nephew coming into the world — not least because it was a great opportunity to wrest some of those last baby toys from my 6-year-old’s clutches and send them halfway across the country to his new cousin.

As I packed up boxes of crib sheets that my own mother-in-law had lovingly sewn for my boys, I came across a cute moon-and-stars bumper pad that matched my old nursery theme.

Without hesitation, I threw it away.

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Things to Do

Easter Egg-Citement at Eckert's
Friday, March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024

Hop on down the bunny trail and fill your basket with fun! Eckert’s Annual Egg Hunt includes animals for petting, tractor rides around the farm, planting seeds to take home, ice a cookie, gifts from the bunny, and a free photo scene with the Easter Bunny. 

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Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

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Spring Training Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Friday, March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024

See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Spring Training Shows return. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, lots of splashing and even more surprises! 

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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 Market Make Great Family Outings! Here is Your 2024 Guide to Farmers Market 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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Life Lessons Learned at Overnight Camp

With the perfect blend of adventure and responsibility, camp life teaches kids valuable lessons they can use for the rest of their lives. If you send your child to overnight camp, here are some life lessons they are likely to learn.

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Spring Break Camps Offer a Variety of Activities for Kids and Teens in St. Louis

Excitement is building for summer and the wide variety of summer camp experiences available for kids in the St. Louis metro area. But first! Spring break is around the corner, and there are plenty of Spring Break camps now enrolling. 

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10 Reasons Your Teen Might Love to be a Camp Counselor

Day or sleepaway summer camp is the perfect place for teens to transition to the world of the employed. The paycheck is nice, but being a summer camp counselor has other rewards, too.

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