Say it with us, “I’m going easy on myself today”

Parenting is no walk in the park, and sometimes it feels like the cards are stacked against us: work, dealing with tantrums (be it your toddler or tween), laundry, inflation on just about everything. That’s why it is more important than ever to offer some positive reinforcement… to yourself! We talked to the experts and came up with 15 positive affirmations to write down, display, or pull out on the days or in the moments when you need a lift.

Why positive affirmations can make you a better parent

We asked renowned parenting expert Reena B. Patel why positive affirmations matter. Patel, who is also a licensed educational psychologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and the author of Winnie & Her Worries, reminds us that positive affirmations are rooted in positive psychology. “Positive, simple statements help shift your focus away from perceived failures and direct your focus toward your strengths,” says Patel. “We believe and act upon what we think, thus leading to self-fulfilling prophecies if we focus only on what we are not good at. There is power in positive thinking. Positive emotions are linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being.”

Patel also suggests that, whenever possible, parents try to state their affirmation while looking at themselves in the mirror, and by saying the statement multiple times a day (at least three is ideal). Use positive “I’ statements and place a visual of the words in an area that you can see daily as a reminder, she adds.

1. I am a good parent. It’s easy to criticize ourselves and focus on how we think we’re failing as a mom or dad. But parenting is tough, and we’re all doing the best we can. Acknowledge that fact, and tell yourself out loud, every day, that you’re a good parent.

2. Loving myself is the greatest gift I can give to my child. Kids are sponges and they learn from us. So if your kiddos know you appreciate yourself, they will learn to love themselves. That’s one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids.

3. I’m not perfect. We all know that nobody is perfect. But we place a big expectation on ourselves as parents to be pretty close to it. Repeating that mantra is a great reminder that it’s okay to be human, not to be perfect.

4. I can only control myself. It’s so hard, but one of the best ways to help kids grow emotionally is to exhibit mature behavior. Debbie Pincus, MS LMHC, says, “When we react emotionally to our kids and lose control, we’re allowing our kids to determine how we behave rather than the other way around.” Next time your kid throws a massive fit, try to stay calm and see what happens.

5. I am willing to learn and grow. Patel reminds us that it is critical to embrace change and growth, even when things seem tough. After all, it’s what we’d tell our kids, right?
6. Today is a new day. It’s easy to focus on how yesterday was a bad day. Sanah Rizvi, the founder of The Psych Way, suggests shifting the self-talk to focus on how every day is a chance to make progress toward what you want and the person you want to be.

7. I’m doing the best I can do. At the end of the day, that’s all we can do. Repeating that mantra every day will help you accept it as truth.

8. I make good decisions for my kids. This positive affirmation is a tough one to remember, especially when little ones are very vocal about making their displeasure with our decisions known. Parent Trust points out that moms and dads know they’re making the right choices for their kids. Embrace it and repeat the statement to yourself as a reminder.

9. I’m going easy on myself today. Permit yourself to take it easy. Say it out loud and grow comfortable with the idea.

10. It’s okay to ask for help, and what’s more, I deserve it. It’s time to take control of your needs and be OKAY with asking for help. You’ll be surprised to find out how many people are willing to step up if you just ask them.

11. Parenting is exhausting. Every parent knows this statement to be true. Writer Lauren Tamm suggests repeating this mantra as a reminder that taking care of kids is hard work. No wonder we’re so tired at the end of the day!

12. I am loved. Motherhood can be a thankless job, and little ones aren’t known for their compliments. Parent coach and family therapist Nicole Schwarz reminds moms that even though their kids may not say it, they really do feel that way. You just may need to put words to it.

13. I am what my kiddo needs. At the end of the day, there’s nothing else that’s as true as that statement.

14. It won’t always be like this. The one thing we know for sure is that hardships always pass. From colicky babies to navigating social media with tweens, one day, you’ll find yourself on the other side.

15. I do not need to compare. ” I know my kids the best, and comparisons do not serve me. If I notice myself comparing, I will quickly let it go,” Patel says. And that’s a lead worth following.

—with additional reporting by Leah Singer

Powerful words can make a difference before kids head to middle school

Dear daughter,

1. Someone else doesn’t need to think you’re beautiful to make it true.

Please know that you are beautiful. And not in the least because of how your eyes and nose fit on your face or the size of your waist. You are beautiful because of who you are. Those who care about you will not only see your beauty, but they will love you for loving yourself and knowing all of your own great strengths.

Do not put the power of your truth in the hands of another to decide. Hold onto it and boldly believe in yourself. You already possess it. Whether they see it or not, it’s yours.

2. Feeling good about yourself is not a bad thing.

To know one’s own strengths is a great skill. It is necessary for success in life, love, friendships, intimacy, careers, and even physical and mental health. Do not be afraid to trust in your strengths. You can know where your greatness lies and balance it with the awareness of where your faults and struggles hold you back.

We are not meant to ignore our bright light, nor are we meant to pretend as though we lack imperfections. You may be tempted to step heel to toe to make others feel more comfortable or accepting, but we all fall off that tightrope. Your feet belong on solid ground because you are incredible and flawed. Accept both.

3. You can blame me for anything.

There will be times when you find yourself in a situation that you know is trouble. You will be faced with drinking, drugs, and other “just do it” situations that are harmful to you or that you just don’t want to participate in. And yet, what should you say? Dear daughter, say that your mom has the superhero power of knowing all and you will be indentured to a life of chores and Friday night board games with your parents forever.

I trust you to make good choices, but when you need an excuse, when you need someone to blame, I can be whatever you want me to be to get you out of a bad situation.

Related: Daughters (Who’ll Conquer the World) Need to Hear These 8 Things

4. Everyone is exaggerating.

Fear of missing out can lead to bad choices, loneliness, jealousy, and hurt feelings. When you are feeling that way, remember that pictures exaggerate the truth. A simple night of three friends sitting around staring at their own phones can look like the sleepover of the century with one selfie posted on Instagram. Filters are there for a reason, they make the image of the truth look better than it really is. Likely you didn’t miss out on anything. And even if you did, your turn will come.

5. Build up your friends; it doesn’t take away from how awesome you are.

An unfortunate lie that girls are told in our society is that we must compete with one another to be the best. Healthy competition in sports and activities is a good thing when everyone knows the rules and is on the same playing field. Unhealthy competition is unspoken or hidden; it is not acknowledged and there are no rules. It leads to covert bullying also known as relational aggression.

Magazines and movies want us to think that only one girl can be the beautiful one at a party, only one dress can be the prettiest, and only one girl can get the guy. Do not be held back by needing to be prettier/smarter/cuter/trendier/sportier than your friends. Don’t be friends with girls who are stuck needing to be better than you. Be yourself and then give your friends props for being awesome, too.

6. You are in charge of your body.

Okay, this is a serious one—the most important one on this list. I want you to close your eyes and think really hard about this now for a moment because you only have one body. And your body is precious to me. I hope your body is precious to you. I hope that you treat your body as the strong, capable, incredible form that it is.

Every part of you is beautiful and perfect, designed for anything and everything you want it to do. Listen to your body, be the driver of your vessel, treat it with respect, and others will, too.

7. I will always be here. You are always my girl.

Life is hard. And like I said, we are all just trying to figure it out. As you learn and grow and change, I will always be here. I hope you will feel the warmth of my arms around you no matter where you are, like a ribbon tethering you always to the place from where you first came. I love you more than the air I breathe. I love watching you unfold and figure out who you are and claim your path.

You already have everything inside of you that you will ever need, and I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you as my daughter. I am always on your side, I’ve got your back and am holding a spotlight over you as you learn to fly, forever your cheerleader. Thanks for being you.

Related: 7 Things My Son Absolutely Needs to Hear—& Know—Before Middle School

 

 

Krissy Dieruf is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children, loves to sing and dance around the house and has a soft spot for rebels and crazy hair. 

The big day is almost here! Now’s the time to map out your Atlanta trick-or-treat route with the kids

October brings everything spooky, and Halloween is a real “treat” in Atlanta. It’s time to gather your little ghouls and goblins to take them for a mysterious, but a kid-friendly, night on the town. The metro Atlanta area springs to life every year with annual Halloween trick-or-treating bashes, and this season there are a few new additions for kids to gather their goodies in some of the most haunted areas. Check out these fang-tastic Halloween-themed activities you and the kiddos can head to this year.

The best Atlanta trick-or-treat neighborhoods and events

 

Halloween Hike

Become one with the creatures of the forest at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Explore the mysterious forest on a guided night hike during the 37th Annual Halloween Hikes. This is a family-friendly hike with music, crafts, and campfires and is perfect for a non-scary Halloween event for all ages. But make it a new Halloween tradition. Hikes held on October 28 and 29.

9135 Willeo Rd.
Roswell, GA
Event details

 

Margaret Mitchell Neighborhood

This Buckhead neighborhood is bound by Moore's Mill Road on the south, I-75 on the east, and the Paces neighborhood on the west, and is especially happening in the streets surrounding the Morris Brandon Primary Center. Expect a neighborhood draw and loads of kids.

Find it: Start on Sequoyah Dr. and Margaret Mitchell Dr. in Atlanta.

Related: Scare Up Fun! 15 Halloween Happenings around Atlanta

Midtown

Located at Penn Avenue and Myrtle Street, from Fourth to Eighth Streets, you'll find The Midtown Neighborhood Association is hosting its annual Bash on Halloween this year. The Halloween Bash, which is now a spooktacular block party, will allow the kiddies to party for two extra hours. The family can enjoy food, mysterious fun, and trick-or-treating during the extended time. 

Find it: Start at Myrtle St. and Fourth St. in Atlanta.

a family sits down after trick or treating on Halloween to look at candy
iStock

Ashford Park Neighborhood

This neighborhood in Brookhaven, surrounding Ashford Park Elementary School, is known for its pedestrian-only Redding Road segment of Halloween revelry, but the streets near Redding Road equally embrace Halloween. The best news? Ashford Park, located at Redding Road and Caldwell Road, is known as the "push toy park" and is the perfect spot to calm an over-excited (or over-sugared) little one down before heading to the next house.

Find it: Start on Redding Rd. and Caldwell Rd. in Atlanta.

Virginia-Highland

Not far from Inman Park, you'll find elaborately decorated homes, sidewalks, and plenty of streetlights in Virginia Highland. Just steer clear of North Highland Ave. This particular neighborhood may be more geared toward older kids and adults. Some bars and restaurants celebrate Halloween, but it may be a bit scary for the tiny tikes.
Find it: Start at Barnett St. and Adair Ave. in Atlanta.

Related: 14 Atlanta-inspired Halloween Costumes for Kids

Inman Park Neighborhood

Inman Park is probably one of the best places to trick or treat. With streets of Victorian houses (not so spooky any other time of the year, but really—have you ever seen a haunted house that's not a Victorian?), Inman Park is the perfect backdrop for trick-or-treating. The neighborhood takes decorating for Halloween seriously, so expect some legitimately spooky displays, but it's a fun and safe environment suitable for some serious fun.

Find it: Start on Sinclair Ave. or Elizabeth St. in Atlanta.

Historic Brookhaven

While the homes in Historic Brookhaven are a bit more spread out, the streets in this beautiful neighborhood are easy to navigate and are filled with little trick-or-treaters every Halloween.

Find it: Start at East Brookhaven Dr. and East Club Ln. in Atlanta.

Related: Scared Silly: Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Thrills for Atlanta Kids

a group of kids in costumes is ready to go trick or treating with pumpkins in hand
iStock

Grant Park

This historic neighborhood in Atlanta has a bit of the Halloween flair year-round, with massive Victorians lining the streets. These (possibly haunted) homes go all out for trick-or-treating and are close together to maximize your candy and minimize your walking. The Atlanta Zoo is also nearby and a great place to trick or treat and have a howling good time. Kiddies can dress up as their favorite animals and hang out with them at the Boo at the Zoo. Don't forget you can also go ghost hunting and "Capture the Spirits" at the Oakland Cemetery.

Find it: Start at Cherokee Ave. and Atlanta Ave. in Atlanta.

Avondale Estates

Annually on Halloween night, the City of Avondale closes some of its streets, issues a detailed safety map for trick-or-treaters, and awards homeowners City of Avondale Estates Halloween Spirit Awards for best decorations, scariest, most creative, and best decor for kids. This year, a neighborhood parade will end with spooky treats, good eats, and ghostly fun!

Find it: Start on Clarendon Pl. in Avondale Estates.

Chastain Park Neighborhood

With streets that are closed to vehicles, food trucks, and even one of Atlanta's best playgrounds (in case the kiddos need a break from the action). The area is perfectly set up for the annual this neighborhood is prime trick-or-treat real estate. 

Find it: Start at Broadland Rd. and Hillside Dr. in Atlanta.

The HBO Max series will be an adult animated comedy

Scooby and Shaggy usually steal the show when it comes to any Scooby-Doo episode, but that’s about the change thanks to a new HBO series. Together with Warner Bros. Animation, the show is all about the “unsung and under appreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang, Velma Dinkley.”

Velma is slated to be a ten-episode series for the first season and the leading lady will be voiced by executive producer, Mindy Kaling. Before the kiddos get too excited, parents should know this is styled as an adult animated comedy series and likely won’t be appropriate for young viewers.

Related: Netflix Releases Trailer for Jason Momoa’s New ‘Slumberland’

Velma Trailer

The first teaser trailer shows an outrage Velma sending an email to HBO Max about a new Judy Jetson show, a “genre bending comedic origin story.” It quickly transitions to a scene reminiscent of cult classic horror film, Scream, in which Velma engages in a serial killer who is inside her house about how classics should never be changed. Cue the knife!

Velma Plot

HBO Max’s logline for the show states it is an “original and humorous spin unmasks the complex and colorful past of one of America’s most beloved mystery solvers.” Viewers will notice that Scooby will actually not be a part of the series.

“It felt like what made it a kids’ show was Scooby-Doo. That coincided with Warner Bros. Animation saying, ‘Hey, you can’t use the dog,’” showrunner Charlie Grandy revealed at Comic Con. “So we were like, ‘Great, this works out well.’”

Related: David Harbour Turns Santa into a Vengeful Action Hero in ‘Violent Night’

hbo max velma
Warner Media

Velma Cast

According to Variety, Kaling revealed the cast of Velma at New York Comic Con. Leads will include features Sam Richardson as Shaggy, Constance Wu as Daphne and Glenn Howerton as Fred.

Additional voices incljude Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Russell Peters, Melissa Fumero, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, Ming-Na Wen, Ken Leung, Cherry Jones, Frank Welker, Fortune Feimster, Yvonne Orji, Sarayu Blue, Nicole Byer, Shay Mitchell, Debby Ryan, Kulap Vilaysak, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Velma Release Date

HBO Max’s Velma series will debut sometime in 2023.

These local costume shops are perfect for outfitting your little ones this Halloween—and beyond

It’s time for your family to begin pondering one of life’s big questions: what should we be for Halloween?! And, these days, it’s not enough to come up with a one-night-only disguise for Halloween trick-or-treating. All October, dozens of family-friendly Halloween events promise to get kids into the spooky spirit, with costumes highly encouraged. Thankfully, we have you covered with some of our favorite local storefronts and pop-up places to shop for costumes, accessories, and festive décor. Whatever your family needs to complete their costumes, keep the Halloween spirit alive with the help of these shops—many of which are open year-round and can help you with many a theme-party looks!—in both the city and the ‘burbs.

For a Vintage Vibe: Lost Eras
The cool speakeasy of costume shops, Lost Eras is a hidden gem with a throwback twist. It houses a showroom full of vintage and antique collectibles, and is known for renting props and costumes to theater and movie sets (Ferris Bueller’s Day OffThe Untouchables, and Public Enemies—yep, Robert De Niro wore their clothes!). At Halloween, they add to their stock and go gangbusters. If you’re looking for funky décorHalloween or otherwiseLost Eras has a lot to choose from.

1511 W. Howard St.
Rogers Park
Online: losteras.com

Related: Our Ultimate Guide to Chicago-Area Pumpkin Patches

For Treasure Hunting: Chicago Costume Company
Don't let its small facade deceive you: Chicago Costume is crammed to the rafters with costumes, makeup, accessories and anything else you need to transform your look. Kiddies will go bananas for the selection of Disney, Star Wars, superhero, and comic book-themed costumes. This is one of just a handful of year-round costume shops so don’t panic when your little superhero needs a new costume in January. Too busy to shop in the store? Purchase online and have your costume shipped to you or pick it up for free at one of their two Chicago locations.

1120 W. Fullerton
Lincoln Park

4727 W. Montrose St.
Portage Park

Online: chicagocostume.com

For a Spooky Setting: Halloween Hallway
Known for its robust selection of adult costumes since it was founded in 2007, Halloween Hallway also caters to kids with four Chicago locations (River North, Wicker Park, Downtown, Lincoln Park) that are open during Halloween season only. We love the overabundance of accessories. They take decorating seriously and some of the décor (zombies, vampires and other things that go bump in the night) might be a little scary for little ones—yet super-duper cool for big kids!

Multiple locations
Online: 
halloweenhallway.com

Related: Field Day! Local Chicago Corn Mazes to Get Lost In

For the Procrastinator or Late-Night Shopper: Fantasy Costumes
This year-round costume headquarters is a Chicago classic and known for helpful service. So helpful, in fact, that for the last few days before Halloween, they stay open 24 hours a day to satisfy all those last-minute, eleventh-hour switcheroos that parents love so much. Kids will love the Fortnite costume selection—and with so many adult costumes, your whole family can dress up together! Fantasy Costumes goes above and beyond in the accessories department, so expect to find an enormous selection of makeup, wigs, masquerade masks, and other do-dads to complete the transformation.

4065 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Portage Park
Online: fantasycostumes.com

 

For Kids, Pumpkins & Pets: Spirit Halloween
North, south, east, west—no matter where you turn, Spirit is like your friendly-ghost neighbor. With costumes for everyone (including pets!), a dedicated pumpkin carving area, and a "glow" section of accessories that will last well beyond Halloween, you'll find everything you need here. Because many locations are seasonal brick-and-mortar stores, open only during the holiday time, check their site for up-to-date locations. 

Multiple locations
Online: spirithalloween.com

Boston is known for many things. Our great sports teams. Fantastic attractions that bring visitors from all over the world. And the city’s storied history (who else can claim a molasses flood or the largest art heist in the world?). So we thought it would be fun to gather up the city’s popular places, people and historically significant spots and turn them into a list of Boston baby names for a little fun and inspiration. Whether you’re expecting, or you just want to see how your kiddo’s name stacks up, these Boston-themed baby names are all the inspiration you need. Read on to find out just how “Boston” your kiddo really is.

a bay smiles on a mat
Daniel Thomas via unsplash

Abigail

A powerful woman in American history, Abigail Adams was one of the founders of the United States, bearing the designations of second First Lady and first Second Lady. She is well known for her numerous letters to her husband John Adams that are filled with complex, political discussions. 

Amelia

While the first woman to fly across the Atlantic originally hails from Kansas, Amelia Earhart moved to Medford, MA with her mother and sister following her mother's divorce. Amelia makes a powerful middle or first name that definitely stands the test of time. 

Beacon

Boston parents have a number of street names that work well as baby names, with Beacon topping the list. You could even go for Bea as a girl's name. 

Benjamin or Franklin

One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. A scientist and inventor, Franklin is most known for his discoveries relating to electricity. 

Brockton

A suburb of Boston, Brockton makes a strong first or middle name, with Brock as a nickname. 

Brookline

We love this name for a girl as it differs from the more popular Brooklyn. It pays homage to this neighborhood just a few T stops past Kenmore Square. 

Brady

This one's for you, Patriots fans. Quarterback Tom Brady has made the names Thomas and Brady popular among fans in recent years. We'll have to wait and see if his recent split from the team will change that trend.  

Bruin

Another for the sports fans out there, Bruin pays homage to the hometown hockey team and makes a good middle name (or dog name, for that matter). 

Cambridge/Cam

We love the name Cambridge for a girl with Cam as the nickname. This name conveys a brilliant sophistication of the college town that is home to Harvard, with a double meaning for sports fan, acknowledging Boston Bruins president Cam Neely. 

Celt

Boston is steeped in Irish history and this name (pronounced "Kelt") is the ultimate. Bonus: it doubles as a Boston Celtics reference. 

Charles

The Charles River is an 80-mile river that meets the Atlantic Ocean in Boston and Charles (or Charlie) are classic names we love. 

Chelsea

Named for a neighborhood in London, this working class city just north of Boston is bordered on three sides by water. 

 

Clara, Clarissa or Harlowe

Clara Barton (born Clarissa Harlowe Barton) was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross and was born in North Oxford, MA. Barton is noteworthy for doing humanitarian work and civil rights advocacy at a time before women had the right to vote. 

Conan

Irish Catholic comedian Conan O'Brien hails from Brookline, MA where he attended school through high school, followed by nearby Harvard University. 

Copley

Copley Square, named for painter John Singleton Copley, is a public square in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. This Boston baby name would be great for either a boy or a girl. 

Dorothea 

Name your child after 19th century activist Dorothea Dix who lived in Boston with her grandmother for much of her childhood. She drastically changed the medical field and championed causes for both the mentally ill and indigenous populations. 

Duncan/Dunkin

Only the most die hard fans would choose the more unique spelling of this name, which pays homage to the coffee company that got its start in 1950 in Quincy, MA. 

Fenway

While this name may be more popular for pups than children, Boston Red Sox fans are a dedicated bunch and have been known to give this Boston baby name as a middle name to their human children. Plus, naming your kid "Green Monster" is out of the question, right?

Isabella

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a long-standing American art collector, philanthropist and patron of the arts who founded the museum with her name in the early 1900s.

Jasmine

Parents raised in the '80s will know why this name is on our list. Anyone who watched the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World, is hip to Boston-born actress Jasmine Guy, who played the part of Whitley Gilbert.

John, Jack or Kennedy

It's no surprise to see these popular names around Boston as the Kennedy family has a long history in Massachusetts.

Jordan 

This '80s-throwback name is popular for both boys and girls, especially for fans of the boy band New Kids on the Block that hails from Dorchester, MA. 

Logan

You don't have to be an aviation geek to name your offspring after Boston's seaside airport. 

Lois

Maybe you and the kids have seen the works of this respected artist gracing the walls of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts or at the National Center for Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) in Boston. Born in 1905, Lois Mailou Jones' successful career spanned continents and decades. 

Lucy (or Stone)

In 1847, Lucy Stone of West Brookfield, MA graduated from Oberlin and became the first Massachusetts woman to receive a college degree. She spoke out for women's rights and against slavery at a time when women were discouraged and prevented from public speaking. 

Mary (or Eliza)

It's no secret that there are tons of Catholic families raising kids in Boston, so this name may seem obvious to include. But we're giving it a second look as a way to honor the work of Mary Elize Mahoney, the first African-American nurse to work in our country's hospitals. She worked for 15 years, while she waited to be let into nursing school, and was only one of four students (out of 43) who actually graduated. 

Quincy

We love this name for either a boy or a girl and it has long-standing Massachusetts roots with Quincy, MA being known as the "birthplace of presidents." Both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams were born there. When the town split from Braintree, it was named Quincy after Colonel John Quincy, maternal grandfather of Abigail Adams and after whom John Quincy Adams was also named

Revere

Prominent Boston silversmith Paul Revere is best known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia in April 1775 to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. The town of Revere, MA was named after him in 1871. 

Skylar

Do you really know anything about Boston if you haven't seen Good Will Hunting? We think not. The name Skylar was made popular after Minnie Driver played a character with this name in the movie that was written by Cambridge, MA friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. 

Tremont

This prominent street in Boston takes you along the Boston Common, through Boston's Theater District and across the Massachusetts Turnpike (affectionately know as the "Mass Pike"). We love it as a boy's name. 

Trinity

Trinity Church is located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and was founded in 1733. 

—Allison Sutcliffe & Kate Loweth

RELATED STORIES:
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French fries are delicious. They are also world record holders

You’ve consumed a fry or two in your day, but we’re betting you’ve never had one as long or eaten them as fast as some of the world record holders. Read on to learn a few fun facts about french fries, perfect for dipping in and out. When you’re done, check out our list of fun facts for kids.

1. The most considerable helping of fries was served at Twin Oaks Farms in Eagle, Idaho on Sep. 20, 2014. It weighed 1003 lbs. It used 1256 lbs. of raw potatoes and 110 gallons of oil to fry them up.

2. In many parts of the world, French fries are known as American fries.

3. The world’s longest French fry is 34 inches, discovered at Taffy’s Hot Dog Stand in Buffalo, NY by diner John Benbenek in July of 2010.

4. Thomas Jefferson is said to have requested that the White House chef, a French man, prepare for him “potatoes served in the French manner” for a dinner party. These are believed to be some of the first French fries in the United States. The year? 1802.

5. Here’s a fun fact about French fries—the Belgians eat more fries per capita than any other European country.

6. Hugh Rutherford of Oakland, CA set a record on Aug. 25, 2011, for eating a medium-sized order of fries (from Burger King) in a record-breaking one minute and 46.40 seconds. In 2013 in Hamburg, Germany, a woman known only as Caroline E. ate 20 french fries in 2 minutes, and 21.70 seconds without using her hands.

7. We call potatoes spuds after the spade-like tool once used to harvest them by hand.

 

You don’t need a docent to guide you through the Atlanta street art scene, which now boasts over 1000 murals (though you could learn a lot on one of these walking tours). Just hop on a bike, a skateboard, or lace up your sneaks to check out artwork that is as inspiring as it is Insta-worthy. And, to celebrate Atlanta’s growing muralist community, the ATL1000 awareness campaign has big things planned, including a mural painting workshop for kids! Keep reading for our favorite murals around town, below.

This Lela Brunet masterpiece stretches out across several walls of a Buckhead parking deck. If you're looking for a vibrant background with "Atlanta" clearly repeated throughout, this is your spot. One thing to note, however, is that each wall is only about 3-feet high. If you're hoping for a massive backdrop, look elsewhere, but this would be a great backdrop for a younger child or crawler to pose in front of. 

Find It: 3259 Roswell Rd. NE

 

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Tiny Doors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project that installs 7-inch door sculptures by artist Karen Anderson Singer in neighborhoods or at institutions. Door #658 (it's 658 times the size of a traditional tiny door) is located on the Eastside Beltline Trail, and is so big that it will make YOU feel tiny!

Find it: At the Edge OTB (behind the giant bull), 670 DeKalb Ave. SE

 

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Known around town as the #heybrowngirlmural, it's painted on the side of Peters Street Station and is a product of the work done by @nikiaphoenix and @blackgirlbeautifuldotcom, with art by @thepainterbae. It was created to remind us all that brown women all over the world are beautiful, and that representation is important.

Find It: At the corner of Trenholm St. SW and Peters St. SW 

 

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Photo by @sovereignrm

This 70-foot mural of the late Rep. John Lewis is located on the east side of the current Renaissance Walk building. Lewis was a politician and civil rights leader who served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district. Located in an area of downtown with much historical significance, you'll be walking in Lewis' footsteps if you go to pay this mural a visit. The Butler Street YMCA building, where civil rights leaders met in the 1960s, is directly south of this mural, and dozens of historical churches and businesses surround it in the Sweet Auburn Historic District

FInd It: 219 Auburn Ave. NE

 

 

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Moms, grab your coffee and head on over to this mural in Castleberry Hill—an historic neighborhood known for its industrial-to-arts vibe—to snap a picture of yourself in your natural environment: wings up. While you're at it, put the Castleberry Hill Art Stroll (every 2nd Friday) on your agenda. You'll visit fascinating and diverse galleries and get a taste of this little corner of Atlanta!

Find It: 217 Walker St. SW

Painted on the side of Atlanta's famous "Disco Kroger" (it used to be a swinging night club called Limelight Disco, where Andy Warhol purportedly hung out in the 80's), this depiction of the building's former glory days by Yoyo Ferro is actually quite glorious, itself. 

Find It: 3330 Piedmont Rd. NE

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Another Castleberry Hill mural, this one pretty much sums it up. And in the family, there couldn't be a better spot than this one to snap a photo of your kiddos getting along. 

Find It: In the vicinity of 261-263 Peters St. 

 

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This is one of two murals in Decatur painted by  @thekillamari for @livingwallsatl as part of the Laura Patricia Calle Grant, which accepts proposals for a public art project that informs and promotes awareness on social equality, feminism, immigrtants' rights, LGBTQ rights, and cultural diversity.  The colors chosen for this mural are inspired by the Pan-Sexual pride flag. 

Find It: Commerce & E. College Ave.

 

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​Lela Brunet is an Atlanta artisit known for depicting contrast between a female form and colorful patterns. This particular mural joins those in @outerspaceproject—a week-long event of art, murals, live music, action sports in the ATL—along the #path400 trail in Buckhead. 

Find It: Old Ivy to Wieuca Rd. spur of Path 400

 

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We love the merry marigolds of this mural that's painted on the side of a shipping container. Find it near the chicken coop area of the Berea Mennonite farm on Bouldercrest in East Atlanta. The small urban church has multiple acres under cultivation and grows over 70 different organic vegetables on the east edge of Atlanta, and sells its food at local farmers’ markets. It also provides a first fruits tithe to the community, distributed through a free clinic. 

Find It: 1088 Bouldercrest Dr. SE

 

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In Grant Park, you'll find this cheerful mural called "Vaso de Flores" by artist Yoyo Ferro @yoyoferro. Big, bright, and bold (also very near The Beacon, in case you're shopping or dining nearby), we could all use a vase of flowers this year. 

Find It: In the vicinity of 1039 Grant St. SE

Located in Buckhead, this mural by Thomas Turner is called "Moon Seeker." It's dedicated to Henry Aaron, legendary MLB right fielder and current SVP of the Atlanta Braves. He was also known as the man boxing legend Muhammad Ali called “The only man I idolize more than myself."

Find It: Just north of 3279 Roswell Rd. NE

 

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Each year, we take a moment to pause and give our appreciation to the women of the world who have made waves in life as we know it. Women all across the globe have risen to face challenges, opened their mouths to speak about equality and change, and emblazoned their nature of being an inspiring force. Portland has had numerous of its own citizens create lasting impressions on our society and culture, so this Women’s History Month, teach your children about the women who helped shape our city into the modern day wonder it is today. Take some time and spread a little knowledge amongst your family with the following female pioneers.

Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary

Remember Ramona Quimby? I sure do. The genius story-teller behind this widely successful series grew up in Portland, Oregon and has scattered her books with pieces of the city. Whether or not you’ve walked down Klickitat or Tillamook street, live in the Grant Park neighborhood, or even attended Beverly Cleary School, it is well worth your while to spend an afternoon exploring! Grab a copy of Ramona Quimby and herd the kids to Grant Park for an afternoon spent living in the imagined reality of Ramona by Beverly herself. Don't forget to visit the statue of Ramona Quimby while in Grant Park.

Lucille Beck

Lucille (Lou) Beck was born in Portland, Oregon in 1925 and lived out the extent of her life in this wonderful city. After graduating from Stanford in 1947, she moved back to Portland and established a life with a husband and four children. On top of her duties as a parent and an active member of PTA, Lou fell into an interest in community service and the stars aligned. With help from her partner-in-crime, Jean Siddall, they lobbied the public and political support to induct Tryon Creek Nature Preserve as Oregon’s first urban state park! They established a board of people to be involved in park programming, known then and today as Friends of Tryon Creek, and Lou remained involved in oversight of the park for 35 years. Subsequently, she was asked to join the State Parks Commission and will go down in history as the first woman to serve in such a role. Honoring Lou this month is best done by honoring Portland’s parks, so take your children out to Tryon Creek and spend the afternoon appreciating her dedication to preserving such a beautiful space.

Oregon Historical Society

Hattie Redmond

Born in Missouri, Hattie Redmond and her family moved to Oregon in 1886 on a sponsorship from a white family. She and her siblings attended Portland Colored School in southwest Portland, and as she got older, she began accompanying her father, Reuben, to meetings for the Portland Colored Immigration Society where he was secretary. This fueled Hattie’s inclination to advocate for black women’s right to vote. Beginning in the early 1900s, Hattie held suffrage meetings in her southwest neighborhood and eventually became president of the Colored Women’s Equal Suffrage Association, a pivotal piece of the Black Civil Rights movement. Did you vote this year? You can thank Hattie: she and her counterparts were instrumental in the passing of Oregon Measure 1, the Women’s Suffrage Amendment, in 1912. You may visit her grave at the Lone Fir Cemetery in SE Portland.

Tawna Sanchez

Tawna Sanchez

Tawna Sanchez is nothing short of a pioneer: her position in the Oregon legislature is preceded by only one other Native American, and Tawna is the first to represent the city of Portland. Her work as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives centers on human rights issues, targeting child welfare and foster care systems. She founded Healing Circles, a nationally recognized program whose mission stands to prevent and disrupt domestic violence situations. Tawna is a force doing great work on behalf of Portland’s children. And she walks the talk, too – Tawna Sanchez has raised eighteen foster children!

Oregon Historical Society

Mercedes Deiz

Mercedes Deiz grew up poor, the eldest of 10 children. While working during the day, she attended law school in the evenings, becoming the first Black woman admitted to the Oregon Bar, as well as the first Black woman to serve as a district court judge, and the first to be elected as a county circuit court judge. Mrs. Deiz served 22 years as a Multnomah County judge and was well known in the Albina Neighborhood for her civic action in the Urban League of Portland and the NAACP Portland.

Oregon Historical Society

Leah Hing

Leah Hing was the first Chinese American woman to earn her pilot's license, later becoming an instrument mechanic during World War II at the Portland Air Base.

Ms. Hing was a lifelong resident of the Ladd's Addition neighborhood. Ms. Hing served as president of the Portland Chinese Girls' Club and founded the Portland Chinese Girls' Orchestra, as well as serving as the general manager of the Chung Wah Hoopers, Portland’s female basketball team. She also played the saxophone and performed internationally as part of The Honorable Wu's Vaudeville Troupe.

Ms. Hing is shown in a mural of female Oregon aviators at the Portland International Airport, and her first plane is on display in the Pearson Air Museum.

Israel Bayer

Gretchen Kafoury

Being involved in the community is second nature for this history-paving woman. Gretchen served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1977-1982, the Multnomah County Commission from 1985-1991, and on the Portland City Council from 1991-1998. She was always knee-deep in the going-ons of the city she called home. Further, Kafoury helped found the Oregon division of the National Organization for Women in 1970, as well as the Oregon Women’s Political Caucus in 1971. She spent her entire professional career advocating for the rights of women in the state of Oregon, and in 1999 joined Portland State University’s (PSU) faculty teaching courses regarding community development and houselessness. Accomplished enough? Not for Gretchen – she received her Masters in Public Administration from PSU in 2008. 

Gretchen Kafoury Commons, a nine-story apartment community, is located downtown near Portland State University. Gretchen Kafoury is also part of the Women Making History mural, located on the exterior of the building at 2335 North Clark Avenue.

Oregon Historical Society

Beatrice Morrow Cannady

Beatrice Morrow Cannady was the co-founder and vice president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP. Mrs. Cannady was also editor and owner of The Advocate, a Portland-based newspaper that reported on issues relating to racial minorities in the 1920s and 30s. Mrs. Cannady worked to remove racist, exclusionary language from Oregon's constitution and advocated for the passage of civil rights bills. Mrs. Cannady attended Northwestern College of Law and became the first Black woman to graduate from law school in Oregon and the first Black woman to practice law in Oregon.

The Beatrice Morrow apartment building, named after Beatrice Morrow Cannady can be found on NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in the Eliot neighborhood.

Oregon Historical Society

Lola Baldwin

Does your child want to be a police officer? So did Aurora (Lola) Baldwin. She pushed back on convention and challenged gender norms by becoming America’s first female police officer on April 1st, 1908. She commanded space within the Portland Vice Commission, Portland’s Domestic Relations Court, and was named a Special Agent of the state. Her entire career was motivated by her ambition to provide equal treatment for women, in the force or behind bars. When she retired from her law enforcement duties in 1922, she continued to participate on the Oregon Board of Parole and the National Board of Prisons and Prison Labor. Want to be a police officer? Follow Lola’s lead and do whatever it takes!

Oregon Women Lawyers

Mary Gysin Leonard

Mary Gysin Leonard immigrated alone from Switzerland to Portland in her twenties. She studied law and passed the bar exam, however, the Oregon Supreme Court denied her application to the Oregon Bar because she was a woman. Mrs. Leonard persevered, and, after 10+ years of petitioning and legislative action, was finally admitted to the Oregon Bar in 1886. She was a successful attorney in Portland for decades, offering free legal advice women to help them be successful, too.

Cathy Cheney

Kim Stegeman

Kim "Rocket Mean" Stegeman is the founder and Executive Director of the Rose City Rollers, a women's flat track roller derby league and 501(c)3 non-profit. The Rose City Rollers has trained thousands of skaters from around the world and hosted hundreds of skating competitions. Rose City Rollers has over 400 members participating in recreational programs, and adult and junior skating programs with skaters ranging in age from 7 to 60 years old. Rose City's all-star travel team has won the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Championships four times. Rose City Rollers continues to train athletes, host events, and offer pop-up roller skating activities throughout Portland.

Vera Katz

Does power always have to be masculine? Vera Katz thought not, as one of her go-to slogans was “feminization of power”. And boy, did she mean it! As dominating force of the feminist movement in Oregon, she excelled through the ranks of the state legislature, elected first in 1972 and serving as mayor of Portland from 1993-2005. She was one of two women in the nation to hold the position of speaker for the Oregon House of Representatives, but was the first female to be elected presiding officer in the state of Oregon. Vera used her massive intellect and zeal for connecting with the community to push agendas for gun control and rights of minority groups. She advocated for women and gay rights, and urged progressive urban planning in the city of Oregon. Vera was instrumental in Oregon’s history; she is survived by her son Jesse Katz. 

—Hannah Judge

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