Welcome to Parent Express!
We are a free monthly publication of ideas, resources and activities for parents, caregivers and children. 14,000 copies of Parent Express are distributed around Cheshire and Windham counties. Parent Express welcomes submissions of articles, news and calendar events. Check out our Submission Terms page for guidelines, or contact our editor, Sarah Sherman.
Features
Spring cleaning in New England is a time-honored tradition that makes some people cringe with gloom, and others giddy with delight. But did you know the ritual of cleaning in the spring is part of the same seasonal phenomenon of flowers blooming, grass growing, and that lovely “spring” smell…
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated to honor the achievements of the environment movement, and to raise awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources. Since that day, the event strengthened support for legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Speci…
There are few experiences as unique and special as camp. At camp, children become part of a community and form friendships as they learn how to be more independent, and how to effectively contribute in a group setting. Amidst all the fun of sports, crafts, outdoor adventures, and more, child…
KEENE, NH – MoCo Arts invites children and teens of all abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds to its multi-arts summer day camps: Creative Arts at Keene, aka C.A.K.E., and CupCAKE. Named an outstanding summer arts program by the National Endowment for The Arts, C.A.K.E. draws students from…
Family Wellness
New Year’s resolutions have gotten a bad rap over the years, and that’s no surprise, considering that out of the 41 percent of the people who make resolutions, only 9 percent are successful at achieving their goals. But helping children make resolutions is a good way to teach kids how to set…
Do you know a child who reacts strongly to bright lights, loud noises, or clothing tags rubbing against their skin?
‘Tis the season for the sap to run and be made into maple syrup. This month, visitors to the region’s sugarhouses can look forward to an array of festivities that are not only fun for big kids but for their little kids as well. Keep in mind, the following is not an exhaustive list of sugarho…
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) cavities and tooth decay are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States.
I wrestled with depression and anxiety from a very young age. As a kid, I didn’t have words for what seemed broken in me, didn’t know how to express my overwhelming feelings. My parents were frustrated; they would ask me what was wrong, and I didn’t know how to explain it. At thirteen, I was…
Tasty Table
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, this is a great time to start thinking about fresh, local produce and what is in season. Buying local produce can be a great way to get involved in your community, build a stronger relationship with where your food comes from, and can be mo…
Making Valentine’s Day treats is a fun family project, but as with all holiday endeavors, most of the work falls onto Mom and Dad. Anything involving chocolate and sprinkles is bound to be a messy affair, and prepping for treat-making can often take longer than actually assembling the Valent…
My children love Lunchables and sometimes, I do too. They are so easy to throw in a lunch box when I am running behind in the morning. They are also something the kids see in the grocery store and beg me to buy, so I know when I give them to them, they are usually going to eat them up.
Every summer — it seems like — I feel like I have a weight that has been lifted off my shoulders by not having the chore of making kid’s lunches and packing their lunch bags for school every morning.
Did somebody say kale chips? Nope! Collard green chips! Kale chips have been gaining more popularity over the years, however, there is a denser leafy green that can create a thicker more substantive chip, and that is collard greens. Collard greens are a part of the brassica oleracea family, …
Education
Maple syrup! Yum! It’s that time of year again when, traditionally, the sweet sap of maple trees starts flowing. Sugaring season! Sugar maples have it right in their name, but red maples also produce the sweet sap needed to make maple syrup. Driving around, you may see metal buckets hanging …
We’ve reached that place in her life where Little Bean has begun to, maybe not wrestle with, but comprehend a bigger picture; a sort of foggy realization that — how do I put this diplomatically —life and humans can be unpleasant.
Readers of this column know that my wife and I created the “University of Brattleboro,” the oldest non-existent university in the world. This fake institution has the mission of creating real events that are fun and free.
“Let’s make it work” is the unofficial motto of Making Community Connections (MC2) Charter School, and with good reason. It speaks to the group effort, challenges, and ultimate success that is the goal for every student. As high school students prepare for the unknown challenges of adulthood…
Books
When I was young, all I wanted to do was read and write (those two things are still pretty much at the top of my list). I was one of those kids who always had a book open — on the playground, at lunch, in line for anything. I loved writing poems and stories like I saw in my beloved books. So…
I know I say this every year, but another new school year is upon us and this one has me nostalgic! My youngest grandson Carter, age 5, will be embarking on his very first school year as a full time kindergartner. It’s a bittersweet time for me as his grandmother because I have been caring f…
