It’s hard to believe, but Mother’s Day is right around the corner. This means it’s time to start thinking of what we’re going to give the mothers in our lives as gifts. My favorite gifts to receive and to give are homemade, thoughtful gifts that incorporate art from my child. Here are some fun, thoughtful, and adorable Mother’s Day crafts that your child can make. Cotton Ball Heart Painting This project is super easy, and cute and makes a thoughtful gift! First, you tape the cutout heart to the canvas. Then you use the clothespin to hold the cotton ball and dip it in paint. After, you dab the ..read more

Two and half years ago my life irrevocably changed. One moment, I was a 39-year-old woman with a husband, and an almost two-year-old son, living in a single-family home in a desirable neighborhood in a quintessential Massachusetts town, with hopes and dreams for myself and my family’s future. The next moment, or after years of a series of small and seemingly insignificant moments that built up over time, I separated from my spouse of almost 12 years and met with our realtor to discuss selling our beautiful home. The life I envisioned in that home was erased before it had truly begun. It was th ..read more

Our next Mom’s Night Out event is here! Are you looking for a low-pressure way to meet other local moms? Join us for a barre class hosted by our friends at The Barre Effect! Leave the kids at home and come hang out with us. Our Mom’s Night Out events are always a huge hit! So save the date, grab a ticket, and discover what you’ve been missing! Bring a friend or come solo! There is always a mix of individuals and friend groups at our events. Don’t be afraid to come alone! We are so excited to partner with The Barre Effect in Grafton for a barre class exclusive to our Central Mass Mom communit ..read more

Our next Mom’s Night Out event is here! Are you looking for a low-pressure way to meet other local moms? Join us for a private shopping night at Flock & Flourish! Leave the kids at home and come hang out with us. Our Mom’s Night Out events are always a huge hit! So save the date, grab a ticket, and find out what you’ve been missing! Bring a friend or come solo! There is always a mix of individuals and friend groups at our events. Don’t be afraid to come alone – there will be lots to chat about! Flock & Flourish is opening its doors after hours exclusively to our Central Mass Mom Comm ..read more

Have you ever had something said to you that was probably meant with good intentions but it was hurtful? Chances are this has happened at least once in your lifetime. As a mom with a child on the spectrum, I’ve had this happen more times than I care to admit. When people hear the word autism, something in their mind shifts in a negative direction. As if there’s a scarlet letter embroidered on me. This tends to make for challenging conversations. I often feel like questions or comments are made without realizing how they will be received. These situations can leave me feeling very low and somet ..read more

Homeschooling was the best decision we could have made for our family. I have been asked countless times why I homeschool my son. There are even the questions, “But what about socialization?”, “How long are you planning to homeschool?”, “That is so awesome, how do you do it?”, or “How do you find the time?” My son is only six years old, and I have been his first teacher since the day he was born. I enjoy spending that time with him and seeing him continue to learn with me. I am so incredibly lucky that I can homeschool. Homeschooling is an amazing opportunity that I never imagined doing, but I ..read more

No parent wants to believe that someone they know and trust would ever harm their children. Yet sadly, there is plenty of evidence demonstrating that sexual abuse towards children and teens most often occurs at the hands of a family member or someone else in the family’s circle of trust. This may include babysitters or other caretakers, coaches, teachers, youth group leaders, or others who have regular interaction with the child. When you know and recognize the signs and six stages of grooming, you empower yourself to intervene before abuse ever takes place. Awareness of grooming behavior will ..read more

The sun is setting later, the trees are budding, the flowers are popping, and the weather is taking a turn for the warmer. New England is a little slice of heaven during the warmer months and Central Mass is at the heart of it. With so many places to get outside and explore here are my favorite hiking trails in Central Mass to get the endorphins going: Echo Lake Trail (Wachusett Mountain) This beautiful scenic trail is perfect for families. It’s often not as busy as the main trail and while there isn’t as much parking it’s well worth it. You start with nice flat trails that are perfect for lit ..read more

We had so much fun at our Mommy & Me Playdate at Let’s Bee Kids PlayCenter with Professor Bugman℠! We had so much fun at our first mommy & me playdate last year at Let’s Bee Kids PlayCenter, that we had to have another one! And this one did not disappoint! This was truly a playdate that these moms and kiddos won’t soon forget. Moms got a chance to chat, while the kids explored. The kids were free to roam the play center which included bounce houses, puzzles, and a sensory rice table. The kids used their imaginations while playing in the main play area with the grocery store, lemonade ..read more

Another great playdate in the books! A big thank you to We Rock the Spectrum Westford for hosting us! Moms got a chance to chat while kids got to burn off some energy. Kids got to enjoy the high energy activities like climbing the cargo net, jumping on the trampoline, climbing the rock wall, riding the zipline, and swinging in a variety of swings, as well as some creative play options like dress up, building a train track, or relaxing in the sensory-friendly calming room. Kids could take a break from playing to have a snack at the tables near the front desk, with snacks available for purcha ..read more