Without a doubt, one of the best perks of living in the Bay Area is the year-round temperate weather (also why left coast = best coast). This affords our families the opportunity to be outside no matter what the season and that means our playgrounds are top-notch! In this guide, you’ll find a playground for every kid out there who takes the saying, “Play is a child’s work” seriously. We’ve gathered our favorite playgrounds from Marin to the South Bay with brand-new all-ability playgrounds and more. Time to get to work! 

Favorite San Francisco Playgrounds

Bruna Saito via Pexels

From the hilltops of Bernal to Eureka Valley to the Civic Center, there is no shortage of gorgeous playgrounds (some with spectacular views!) and we rounded up some of the best!

Click here for our San Francisco playgrounds picks!

The Best Playgrounds of the East Bay

Pexels

Whether you are in Berkeley and Alameda to the inlands of Walnut Creek and San Ramon, the work is cut out for you as we selected the best playgrounds. 

Click here for our East Bay playground picks!

Peninsula Playground Breakdown

Abian Centeno via Unsplash

Looking for a dragon castle themed park or a hidden neighborhood gem? Your search ends here as we’ve scouted it all out for you! 

Click here for our Peninsula playground picks!

South Bay Playgrounds to Frolic In 

iStock

Pirates, butterflies and ant themed playgrounds litter the South Bay so be sure to check one (or several) out! 

Click here for our South Bay playground picks!

 

Marin Playgrounds You Must Visit 

Schmidt-Reportagen via Pixabay

From serene open spaces to sweeping scenic playgrounds in San Rafael to Corte Madera to Tiburon, we’ve picked out our best-loved playgrounds.

Click here for our Marin playground picks!

All-Abilities Playgrounds for All Children

iStock

Not every child plays the same way but every child needs to play! These all-abilities playgrounds take into account all children—from slides created to prevent snagging of cochlear implants to swings for wheelchairs.

Click here for our All-Abilities playground picks! 

Splash Pads and Spray Parks to Splish Splash In

iStock

The transcendent of all playgrounds in the summer by far are ones with splash pads! The minis can run wild on the playground then cool off in the splash pad which makes for a quiet ride home and early bedtime. WIN. 

Click here for our Splash Pad playground picks!

—Christine Lai

feature photo: iStock

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If your kid is one of the 30 million who subscribes to Ryan’s World on YouTube, they’ll be stoked for this news! Skechers has collaborated with the kid star to release a limited edition shoe collection, out now. It’s the first time a major shoe brand has offered a young YouTube personality a global footwear deal.

Of course, Ryan released one of his signature videos to break the news. You can watch it now and go behind the scenes as the collection comes to life!

With three styles to choose from, your family will be back to school in style. Ryan’s Challenge is a light-up slip-on style with bungee laces, Gamer Ryan is a slip-on with a Magna-Fit toggle closure and the classic Red Titan sneaker is canvas with Ryan’s superhero character design. The shoes range from $57 to $62 and come in sizes from a kid’s 10.5 to 5.

The shoe collection is limited edition and available now online at Skechers. No doubt your kids can’t wait to unbox these!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Skechers

 

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Wonder Woman Gal Gadot has added a third daughter to her crew! The actress announced the news on Instagram today with the first shared photo of the family of five. She and husband Jaron Varsano welcome daughter Daniella, who joins Alma and Maya.

Accompanying the candid snapshot, Gadot wrote, “My sweet family 🖐🏼 I couldn’t be more grateful and happy (and tired 🤪) we are all so excited to welcome Daniella into our family. I’m sending all of you love and health. GG ♥️🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼”

Varsano posted the same photo to his account with the caption “And now we are 🖐🏼 So happy and grateful. My dear wife is a lioness! So thankful and humbled by your powers.”

The 36-year-old Gadot married Varsano, an Israeli real estate developer and businessman, in 2008. Oldest daughter Alma was born in 2011 and Maya joined the family in 2017. In an earlier post this year, Gadot praised her husband as “the greatest dad in the world!”

Congratulations to the happy family! No doubt Gadot’s powerful superhero will be an inspiration to all three daughters for years to come.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Tinseltown/Shutterstock 

 

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Royally good news today: Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter is pregnant! Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi will welcome their first child together, after tying the knot ten months ago.

Buckingham Palace’s statement reads: “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting a baby in autumn of this year. The Queen has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.”

This will be the Queen’s 12th great-grandchild—Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie, had her own first child in February. Princess Beatrice is already a step-mom to Christopher Woolf (Wolfie), her husband’s son from his first marriage. She’s the first grandchild of the monarch to have a step-child and no doubt it prepared her well for a new addition!

The new parent’s families had been friends for many years, before the couple began a relationship and announced their engagement in 2019. Their low-key wedding ceremony in 2020 included a very small group of loved ones, with Wolfie serving as the pageboy. Congratulations to the Royal Family!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock.com

 

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Get ready for a whole new awesome experience this summer! LEGO Movie World is opening in the LEGOLAND California Resort on May 27—and it’s packed with brand-new rides, attractions, dining options, and so much more.

Fans of the film franchises can take a trip through a brick-filled world on a Triple Decker Flying Couch on Emmet’s Flying Adventure Riding. If that isn’t enough awesomeness for your mini builder, check out Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Queen Watevra’s Carousel.

 

photo courtesy of Chip Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Along with the three new rides, park guests can visit the LEGO Movie-themed attractions: Emmet’s Super Suite, Benny’s Playship and Build Watevra You Wa’Na Build.

There’s no doubt your brick-building kiddos will work up an appetite walking around the awesome adventure-filled park. When the fam is ready to take a break from the rides and other attractions, check out the land’s premiere dining experience Everything is Ramen, savor the sweetness of Cloud Cuckoo Crepes or hydrate yourself at Benny’s Blaster Slushies.

Of course your littles can’t leave this LEGOLAND park without hitting the gift store. The Awesome Shop is packed with souvenirs galore, including plenty of The LEGO Movie T-shirts, mugs and other merch.

Visit the LEGOLAND California Resort website here for info on Annual Passes and online ticket purchase options.

—Erica Loop

 

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Does this sound familiar? Your child comes home upset and reports that their friend did or said something mean. After hearing the story, you are convinced that indeed there was malicious intent, and the friend is to blame. A few days later, your child’s friendship returns to normal. But you are still stewing and have a hard time seeing your child’s friend in a positive light.

In social situations like these, our minds generate a variety of explanations for the behavior of others. Some of these explanations give someone the benefit of the doubt. Others assign blame, judge, and even attack their character. In the situation described above, we only heard one perspective, yet we assigned blame and assumed the friend’s bad intention.

This sort of thing happens all the time. Humans tend to jump to conclusions so we can make better sense of our world. Psychologists refer to this as our “attribution st‌yle.” Some people tend to give others the benefit of the doubt (benign attribution style), while other people tend to blame and assume bad intent (hostile attribution st‌yle).

Which attribution st‌yle has more positive relationships and overall happiness? (The tendency to blame or the tendency to give others the benefit of the doubt?)

Studies show that people with a benign attribution st‌yle, or the tendency to see the good in others, lead happier lives and experience more positive relationships.

So what does this have to do with parenting?

Our attribution st‌yle is not set in stone. If we tend to have a hostile attribution st‌yle, we can change the way we think. This effort will positively impact our kids as they see us giving them and others the benefit of the doubt before jumping to negative conclusions.

As parents, it’s important to help our kids navigate difficult emotions and situations. In these instances, we can make sure our kids feel heard and validate their feelings. Then, we can help them see the bigger picture. Maybe their friend is having a difficult time, maybe the behavior was not intentional, and that there is likely more to the story. 

When we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, life will no doubt be challenging. People are dealing with unprecedented changes in their lives, such as the loss of jobs, loved ones, routine, and connection with others. Life is steeped in uncertainty and fear. Now is a perfect time to practice a benign attribution st‌yle. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Avoid assumptions. Focus on the good. The world needs this right now, and so do our kids.

This post originally appeared on www.JessicaSpeer.com.

Jessica Speer is the author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? Girls Guide to Happy Friendships. Combining humor, the voices of kids, and research-based explanations, Jessica unpacks topics in ways that connect with tweens and teens. She’s the mother of two and has a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences.    

I love you. Three simple words that most of us throw around loosely and take for granted.

We say them when we hang up the phone, when a loved one leaves the house, and when we kiss our little one good night. And sometimes just out of habit. It’s something a mother hears a million times over a lifetime—unless your child is nonverbal. Then you might never hear it.

It’s one of those things that most don’t even think about. I have told my daughter “I love you“ every day multiple times a day for her whole life. She begins to respond and say, “You too” and then makes the kiss sound, which I will do back and she will do again and I will do back—you get the picture. And that’s okay, I’ll take it. It’s her way, and she didn’t start doing that until she was in her upper teens. It’s still special to us.

This past summer, she said “I love you” unprompted, on her own, for the first time ever. She has only said it two other times since then—it is wonderful every time. It’s quick and not 100 percent clear so you have to listen, pay attention.

There are some that question if people with autism display emotions. I have no doubt my daughter loves—I know she does, and I don’t need the words, but they are nice to hear. I think for her to say it, she has to truly feel it and be happy and content. The same thing with unprompted hugs and kisses. She does them, but they are rare. Lots of hugs on command but not on her own. That makes them all the more rewarding.

Yesterday on her way to school, she was standing by the car and I was getting her stuff, and she said, simply, “I love you.“ It’s so shocking still. It makes me feel so happy, and of course, I say, “You do!?! Thank you!” And make a big deal out of it.

The thing with autism and having someone nonverbal in your life. You learn to appreciate the little things. In fact, the little things are not so little. You have to open your heart and listen. When you think you hear something, you have to believe. Believe in your child. Believe in your love and believe in what the future may bring.

This post originally appeared on Autism adventures with Alyssa.

Kim McIsaac , is a blogger at autism adventures with Alyssa . She resides in Massachusetts with her husband and four children .  She advocates and passionate about spreading autism awareness and educating and inspiring others . She likes to write , spend time with her  family and loves the beach . 

This girl, right here, had no idea what was in store for her at the blossoming age of fourteen…but one thing she did know…her smile could hide a lot.

Up and downs…trials and tribulations… nine schools, always the new girl.

She had no idea that a move to New York would transform this outgoing girl.

Consuming her with feelings of self-doubt, sadness, and misery.

She never knew the longing she would feel for her friends, the sand beneath her feet, and the salty air brushing against her face as she rode her bike along.

She didn’t know barely passing classes was an option, coming from being a straight A student and always praised.

She didn’t know the weight she felt internally would manifest on the outside as well.

She didn’t know she would switch to three different high schools, as she had a vision of settling down for once but her vision was quickly stripped away.

This girl had no idea that her emotions would take over, cause countless tears, emotional eating and nervous laughter.

This girl couldn’t accept being loved…she never knew if the moving van, driving down the street once again from her house, would drag that love through the rubble, breaking it apart, never to be found again.

So this girl built up some sturdy walls…but one thing this girl knew…she knew she was strong.

She knew this stage was just a few moments in time…a small part of her life…so she persevered. 

She pulled herself up and wrapped herself in love.

She didn’t let anxiety take hold, dragging her down.
She didn’t let some of the teacher’s snide remarks change her love for learning.
She didn’t let her doubt ruin all that was to come.
She didn’t let her fear of love not allow her to love.

So this girl, as miserable as she was, woke up each day, maybe a bit shaky and not as strong as she hoped to be, and placed one foot in front of the other, saying a silent prayer for this day to move along and to find some joy.

She didn’t let her sadness take over, rather she reached into her gut, pulled out a smile, and once again introduced herself, attempting to make new friends.

She didn’t hold back her laughter, even though some days it was hard to muster up the courage to laugh.

Friends, you know what got this girl through? 

Love.

Self-love.

The love she had for herself when nothing was going according to plan.

The love she had for herself when the path she traveled was beyond unstable.

The love she had for herself knowing one day she would make a difference.

Her story would matter.

So when I look at this girl, my young fourteen-year-old self, all I can say to her is, “We made it.”

And we did…we made it.

Never leaving each other’s side, holding tight, knowing the future held so much in store for us.

This post originally appeared on Https://www.Facebook.com/hangintheremama.

 

 

Ali Flynn Is excited to share with you the joys and hardships of motherhood with an open heart, laughter and some tears. Ali is a monthly guest contributor for Westchester County Mom  and has been seen on Filter Free Parents, Grown and Flown, Today Parents and Her View From Home.

There’s no doubt about it, teachers everywhere have been going above and beyond for their students since the pandemic began. One teacher from Pennsylvania saw a need and set out to fill it. Using his stimulus check he made a difference in his students’ lives.

Matthew Pierce

Matthew Pierce, a teacher at Milton Hershey School wanted to help support his students who come from low-income families. As someone who grew up in a low-income household himself, Pierce used his stimulus check to buy Uber Eats gift cards to help provide meals for more than 40 students and families. 

When I knew that some students were going back to their home communities during the pandemic, I knew that there would be a challenge for their families to meet all of their basic needs. I decided that one thing I could do was to help with ensuring that they had one special meal at least. That this meal would alleviate at least one day’s worth of worry from the students and their families,” Pierce said. 

Pierce inspired by the generosity he was shown when he was a child. He said, “In particular, I had a paper route in middle school and my teacher, Mr. Fred Davis, would show up on harsh weather days at 5:30-6 a.m. and help me deliver papers. He did this unannounced and with no fanfare. He did this to help one of his students who had a need.” 

Matthew Pierce

To help Pierce’s efforts go further and to thank him for supporting his community, Uber has matched the $1,200 in gift cards to help Pierce provide even more meals for his students who are at home learning virtually. He said, “When I was contacted by Uber Eats I was humbled and excited. I was also stunned by their generosity.  I am excited that Uber Eats’ kindness will give me the opportunity to help even more students than I was able to before. With Uber Eats’ matching donation, my goal is to help 50 or more students and their families.”

As for the families, they have been very appreciative. Pierce shared, “A student let me know that they became the caregiver for their siblings when their single parent went to work. Because they had received the gift card, they were able to purchase food for them and their siblings during this time.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Milton Hershey School

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When we roll into this new year, it was time to look back at our choices over the last year and reevaluate our goals for change in the new year.

There is no doubt that 2020 will forever be one of the years we all can reflect on.

In 2020 we became special needs parents and discovered both our children carried the medical diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder.

When children are diagnosed, we often hear that the words in no way change who they are. The words on the paper provided a road to services and support they need. The words are only one small part of who they are.

After an autism diagnosis, we fight an inner battle of emotions and dive into learning as much as possible. It can feel overwhelming, and the fear of what the future will hold can suffocate you from the now.

Autism has daily fresh starts. We often watch skills get lost while others form. We open our homes and hearts to strangers who provided resources and sometimes challenging conversations about how we should parent our children. We try what others have for our children and family because they walked through the stage we are in now. I have listened to others stories of diagnosis before there was any awareness or support. I can’t imagine navigating all the systems before the internet age. We have had the opportunity to learn and grow from others paths. They walked the hard roads before awareness and paved the way for us to talk about our experiences.

Before I was given the gift of mothering these spectacular children, I worried about how I could grow as a person and what mark I would leave on this world. After I held both of my children in my arms, my focus shifted outward.

How could I give them everything they needed? What can I pass on to them that will shape who they are?

I wanted to provide a safe landing place they could return to anytime they felt lost. To have an open door I would be standing behind to catch them when they fall. I wanted them to know they would be circled in love and try and accept the choices they made for themselves.

As we parent our children, our mindset often changes based on who they are, and our children help shape what our parenting will be. All parents reach out to those who have come before them for tips and solidarity.

As my focus shifted outward, my hopes of being a security net for my children when they need me haven’t changed. The wide net has expanded to a community that now catch me when I fall.

To the parents who have come before, who talk and share about your experience, thank you. I have learned so much. You have allowed me to learn from your life and to change what I thought this parenting journey would look like with a fresh perspective. To absorb the wins every day, feel the feelings, know that it is normal to sit with them sometimes, snuggle in our children, learn from yours and all your kindness. I will embrace the kindness, learn from the daily fresh starts, and find comfort in your story.

This post originally appeared on www.peaceofautism.com.

Tabitha Cabrera, lives in Arizona with her husband, and two beautiful children. She works as an Attorney and enjoys spending her time in a public service role. The family loves nature and ventures outdoors as much possible. Come check out her little nature babies