The weather is warming up and now’s the time to spread out a blanket and enjoy a meal al fresco on the grass. Read on to discover the best, most under-the-radar picnic destinations around LA that you and the kids can enjoy. And if you are as garden-obsessed as the rest of us, bookmark our “Guide to LA’s Botanical Gardens & Flower Fields to Visit Now.”

Vista Hermosa Natural Park

This 10.5-acre park just outside of downtown LA features walking trails, streams, meadows and oak trees that offer plenty of shade for your picnic. 

100 N. Toluca St. 
Echo Park
Online: mrca.ca.gov

READ: Our Favorite Things to Do with Kids in DTLA

South Coast Botanic Garden

Looking to escape the heat in LA? Make advance reservations before heading to this 87-acre garden on the the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where you'll find a koi pond, rose garden, flowering fruit trees and more. Picnics are permitted in designated areas. 

Good to Know: Don't miss the hide-and-seek art exhibit around the grounds of the South Coast Botanic Garden—fun for all ages!

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $15 for adults; $5 for children 5-13; and free for children 4 and under.

26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Palos Verdes
Online: southcoastbotanicgarden.org

The Old Zoo at Griffith Park

Admittedly, an abandoned zoo might not be the first place that comes to mind when choosing a picnic spot for little ones, but we promise your pint-sized explorers will totally dig it. This was the original site of the LA Zoo that opened in 1912 and later closed in 1966, but its remnants, including an empty bear grotto, stone caves and old monkey cages still remain.

Insider Tip: The Old Zoo can be a tad tricky to locate, but if you park in the lot next to the merry-go-round in Griffith Park, it's just a short hike up the hill nearby.

4730 Crystal Springs
Los Angeles
Online: laparks.org/griffithpark

Arlington Gardens in Pasadena

outdoor picnic spots in LA
MarMar Q. via Yelp

Pasadena's only dedicated public garden offers free access to three acres of of native trees and plants for the whole family to enjoy—including pets! Although there are benches and tables on the grounds, you can always bring your own blanket and tuck into your own private spot.

Hours: Open 7 days a week, during daylight hours
Cost: Free

275 Arlington Dr.
Pasadena
Online: arlingtongardenpasadena.com

Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park

Oliver M. via Yelp

This 8.5 acre park is an urban oasis, located on the corner of Slauson Ave. and Compton Ave. There's a short hiking trail, a pond where kids might spot some ducks and turtles, and plenty of grassy areas for picnicking.

5790 Compton Ave.
South LA
Online: laparks.org

Wattles Mansion and Community Garden

Cyrena S. via Yelp

Talk about hiding in plain sight: This destination is walking distance from the always-packed Runyon Canyon, but looks and feels like a world away. Also very pet-friendly.

Fun Fact: Nirvana filmed part of their video for "Come as You Are" in this park. 

Hours: Weekdays, noon-4 p.m; weekends 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free

1850 N. Curson Ave. 
Hollywood
Online: laparks.org

 

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Just like that, Meghan Trainor is mom to a one-year-old! The singer and her husband Daryl Sabara celebrated their son Riley’s first birthday recently and thankfully shared the sweet moment on Instagram.

Captioning the photos with “Happy birthday Riley! You are my everything! I love you to the moon and back. Best year of my life😭🥰🎂1️⃣,” the montage shares an adorably-clad Riley in red suspenders and a “1” shirt.

While fellow parents can’t help but “aww” over the collection, we seriously relate to the seventh picture Trainor snagged. It appears little Riley is not impressed at all with his fruit-infused cake, no matter how pretty it is!

More than likely, he is just absolutely DONE smiling for pics and is ready to just dig in.

Once he does, he has no qualms about sharing his smash-worthy cake cake with mom, Meghan who definitely looks surprised.

As major fans of the All About That Bass singer, we love that Trainor has been so open about sharing her journey to motherhood. From her quarantine pregnancy and a scary birth story, to giving us a glimpse into Riley growing up, you can check out her Instagram account to catch up with Meghan and fam.

––Karly Wood

All images: Courtesy of Meghan Trainor via Instagram

 

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With 2021 closing out and more pandemic babies on the way, it’s the perfect time to start the search for the most popular baby names! There have been plenty of projections for popular trends for 2022 like Dune, Bali and Rupert but what about the most popular names of the last century?

The Social Security Administration is the leading authority on the top names, and while 2021’s information hasn’t been compiled yet, the agency does the last 100 years through 2020. So who reigns as the most popular?

photo: iStock

Mary and James are the top names given from 1921 to 2020, followed by John, Patricia, Robert and Jennifer. The data reflects that classic names, while not consistently popular every year, continue to grace the hearts of parents.

To see the full list of the most popular baby names from the last century, visit the Social Security Administration’s website.

––Karly Wood

 

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After a long and anxious wait, COVID-19 vaccines are now available for kids age 5 to 11. Getting young kids vaccinated is critical for protecting our communities, since this is a large age group, and taking this step will give millions of parents peace of mind. 

Paul Lewis, MD, a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician in Portland, Oregon, who specializes in infections in kids, says that as winter and the holidays approach, this is a good time to get kids vaccinated. He suggests using the COVID-19 vaccine authorization as an opportunity to get kids caught up on other vaccinations as well, since many people have fallen behind on regular appointments during the last 18 months. He also suggests that all children over 6 months old get their flu shot this year. Fortunately, he says, it’s no problem to get both shots at the same time.

We know parents, caregivers, and others may have questions about the safety of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. In this Q&A, Dr. Lewis answers common questions about it.

 

How well does the COVID-19 vaccine work for kids?

For kids under 12, the COVID-19 vaccine is incredibly effective. A recent study, affirmed by the Food and Drug Administration, that included more than 3,000 kids who got the pediatric dose of the vaccine found that it was more than 90% effective at preventing infection with symptoms.

 

How does the vaccine for children 5 to 11 differ from the vaccine for people 12 and older?

The pediatric vaccine is identical to the vaccine that’s used for older teenagers and adults, but the dose is one-third of the adult dose. That dosage was chosen because it was just as effective at providing protective antibodies but had a much lower rate of side effects.

What are the most common side effects?

Of the thousands of kids who were part of that recent study, zero had serious adverse events. Some kids get sore arms, redness or swelling, and a smaller percentage might get fatigue, muscle aches or fever. But they’re getting side effects at lower rates than teenagers and adults.

 

What is the risk of myocarditis?

Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, has occurred in young men who’ve been vaccinated but is pretty rare, with a handful of cases per million vaccination doses. Many cardiologists think that, since this is generally more common in teenagers than school-age kids, it’ll be less common after vaccination as well. 

If my child has underlying health conditions, should I go ahead with vaccination?

Studies on this are ongoing. We know that older adolescents and adults with immunocompromised conditions or on immunosuppressive medications respond less well to vaccination, but they do respond. We also know that if they get COVID-19, they’re more likely to have worse outcomes, including needing hospitalization and intensive care. If someone has an underlying condition, such as an immunosuppressive condition, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, we recommend getting an age-appropriate vaccine.

If my child is used to wearing a mask, can’t I just rely on that for prevention?

Social distancing and wearing masks are important layers of protection, but they are hard to continue day after day, especially for kids at recess or at lunch. So the vaccine is a big, thick layer of protection to help with all those other measures, and people should use them together. 

How should I prepare my child for a vaccination appointment?

I’ve never met a kid who wanted to get a shot, but kids are resilient. You can help by explaining that you’ve been vaccinated and, while it does hurt, the pain goes away quickly and you’re there for them. At Kaiser Permanente vaccination sites, there will be people who are used to dealing with children and who know that there is a lot of emotion and fear. Kaiser Permanente staff and parents can work together to make it a minor experience for kids.

To schedule a vaccination and learn more, visit kp.org/covidvaccine/nw.

Is there anything you can do to help reduce the pain that happens in the arm after getting the vaccine? Does heat or cold compresses work better?

I don’t know of any magic or comparison between heat and cold. My advice to parents would be to avoid focusing on it; it is not much different than any other injection- actually smaller in volume. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you normally would for the degree of pain.

My son keeps taking his mask off during recess at school, is he safe since he’s outside?

Different states and different school districts have varying policies on using masks outside. In general, the risk of getting COVID outside is MUCH less than in any indoor setting. Please try to follow the school’s rules—they are doing there best in a difficult situation and parents can help by being supportive

I know the CDC says it’s safe to get both the flu vaccine at the same time as the covid vaccine, but as a pediatrician would you recommend waiting a week or two in between those vaccines?

Simultaneous vaccines are recommended because it is hard for individuals and families to make multiple appointments or to fit multiple visits into their schedules. I got mine together last week!

Are there any over the counter medications that my child should or should not take right after getting the vaccine?


CDC recommends not taking OTCs unless you need them for symptom management.

I have a 17 year old son with a heart murmur and a left ventricular bundle branch block, is he at a higher risk for Myocarditis with the vaccine?

Hard question, but I would check with his cardiologist who knows his case the best.

I have a child with a compromised immune system; with the new variant heading to the US, should I consider homeschooling during the winter months?

We will know much more about the new variant by January. It is not yet widespread enough in the US to worry and when school starts again after New Years we should know more about the risk to vaccinated and unvaccinated kids.

Do you have an estimated timeline of when kids under 5 will be approved for the vaccine?

Hard to make a guarantee but hopefully by spring of 2022.

 

 

 

 

In the U.S., flu season is typically October through May, with peak flu activity from December to March. This is a familiar cycle parents navigate with their kids annually. However, this season of sniffles might be a little different, with the possibility of what experts are calling a “twindemic,” the combination of a severe flu season alongside COVID-19.

While parents may understand how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the flu, it can be difficult to find the right words to explain such precautions to young kids. Thankfully, it is doable!

Here are three tips from The Goddard School’s team of early childhood health and education experts to help keep these discussions cheerful, along with six indoor activities to make quarantine time fun, engaging and educational:

1. Make Healthy Habits Fun

  • Remind your child that handwashing is a great way to stay healthy, clean and safe. Have them scrub their hands to the tune of “Happy Birthday” to ensure proper timing. Washing hands as a group makes for additional fun.
  • Teach kids about keeping themselves and each other safe. Share guidelines about wearing masks and social distancing. This may mean that the “big kids” (older than 2-years-old) should wear masks if they are able. Coach them on how close or far apart to sit when indoors or outdoors. Make it a game by having kids help set up chairs in the appropriate arrangement. For some added imagination, throw a few blankets over the chairs to create a fun and socially distanced fort!

2. Talk about Quarantine

  • Quarantine can be a tough concept for young children to grasp. Remind them that sometimes teachers and friends might need to stay home to get better. And if someone in your family gets sick, explain to your child why that person is staying home. While it may be a given for you, help tie the two things together for them.
  • Ensure the conversations are easy for young children to understand. Simply explain that staying home gives them a chance to rest and get well enough to be reunited with their friends.
  • Above all, keep conversations with kids about illness, COVID-19, quarantine and the like upbeat and foster a feeling of safety and protection.

3. Teach Your Child to Be Honest about How They’re Feeling

  • Kids may want to stay silent if they don’t feel well to avoid getting sent home and be away from their friends. Who can blame them? It’s helpful to point out that going home sooner may help them feel better faster while lessening the chance of their friends getting sick.
  • It’s important to teach kids there’s no shame in feeling sick and help them feel comfortable telling teachers or other grown-ups. Be sure to keep the mood supportive and nurturing. This will help them open up, and in the long run, help everyone have less of a chance of getting sick.

4. Keep Young Minds Engaged with Indoor Activities

Whether homebound due to quarantine or just stuck inside on a cold afternoon, here are six indoor activities to keep your little one entertained while supporting their learning:

Puzzles: Puzzles are a great way to learn how to solve a problem. As your child works on puzzles, they develop self-regulation and concentration. Kids can also make their own by gluing pictures on paper and then cutting the paper into 6-12 pieces.

Cooking: Follow a recipe or create your own! Have your child engage in planning, collecting the ingredients and tools, measuring and mixing. All these activities support math, science and execution function skills such as planning and organizing. Most of all, it’s a fun way to connect with your child and enjoy what you made.

Fun Science: Simple science experiments can be a fun way to your child. For example, try the classic volcano. It’s messy but a lot of fun! To start, cover a soda can or bottle with paper and clay, leaving a hole at the top. Let the clay dry. Add about one cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of dish soap into the can. Wrap a tablespoon of baking soda in a bit of paper towel and push it into the can. When the paper breaks down, the volcano will erupt!

Child Games: Learning to take turns, counting and vocabulary development are just some of the skills kids build when playing simple board games. Get out the classics such as Candy Land, UNO for Juniors and Chutes and Ladders, and prepare for lots of giggles. You can also play games such as Under the Cups or Simon Says. Under the Cups is simple—as your child watches, place one bean under one of three cups. Move the cups around. Can your child guess where the bean is?

Creative Fun: Get out the art supplies and let your child create. You can add to the fun with special projects such as building a tower challenge (who can go the highest without it falling) or sending secret messages on paper. Your child can write a message in white crayon on paper. Then use watercolor paint and brush on the paper. Surprise, the message is revealed!

Reading: Reading together is very powerful. The experience strengthens the bond with your kids, builds their vocabulary and language skills, supports brain development, teaches life lessons through conversations about the characters in the stories and so much more. It is magical what a few moments spent with a book can do at each stage of life.

Here are a few book suggestions from Goddard’s Life Lesson Library that are designed to support emotional development and inspire on indoor days:

Infants—Toddlers:

  • I Like Myself! By Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow
  • Corduroy by Don Freeman
  • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Preschoolers—Kindergarteners:

  • The Rabbit Listened by Cory Doerrfeld
  • The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems

The Goddard School’s mission is to make the world a better place through early childhood education. As the nation’s leading premium early childcare provider, Goddard is trusted by parents and families, reaching more than 70,000 students from six weeks to six years old in more than 560 Schools across 38 states.

Potty training, grooming, making your house safe—adding to your family is a big change whether you’re bringing home a fur baby or an actual baby. We’ve teamed up with Hill’s Pet to hear how five moms navigated adding a pet to their families:

See how Hill’s science-backed nutrition can give your best friend their best life.

 

When The Jamie Lynn Show brought her Goldendoodle pup home, she was overwhelmed with training and puppy nipping! Now the here pup is a bit older (and a bit more trained) she’s used the resources at HillsPet.com to help with obedience training.

 

Nashville Wife Styles added her second pup Ginger to her family nearly two years ago, and quickly learned that having two dogs around the house is a big change—particularly for her first dog. Fortunately, after a little bonding time, the two are now pals.

See how Hill’s science-backed nutrition can give your best friend their best life.

 

As a new pet parent, Texas Forever Farmhouse quickly learned about her cat’s quirks and how some cats are sneaky with games of hide-and-go-seek. After hours of searching their neighborhood for a lost kitten, they discovered Neville hiding in a crock pot in their pantry!

When Ann Marie Baliey brought her dog Geno home early on during quarantine, it took a while for her tiny humans to adapt to an energetic puppy! Now that the puppy nipping has subsided, they couldn’t be closer.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GingyPants (@thegingypants)

The Gingy Pants got her dog Fin years ago and become a dog mom before she was a mom to humans. Between way too many toys and a lot of overpreparing, Fin helped her prep for being a mom to two little ones!


These kitchen workhorses with a French flair have been favorites for generations and last just as long. You’ll find many of the most popular items like the Le Creuset Wide Dutch Oven and Le Creuset Signature Roaster heavily discounted as part of the Factory to Table Sale. Find one you like? Buy it now as when they’re gone, they’re gone!

ON SALE: Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven

Quite possibly the most iconic item in the Le Creuset collection, the Round Dutch Oven is a piece of cookware that will have you slow cooking coq au vin in no time. Or, pop it in the oven to bake the perfect crust on your quarantine sourdough bread loaf. 

2 3/4 qt on sale for $155

4 1/2 qt on sale for $208

ON SALE: Le Creuset Signature Skillet

The enameled cast iron Signature Skillet is a versatile kitchen essential for searing, sauteing, stir-frying and more. You'll love how the cook surface becomes more nonstick over time. 

On sale for $72-114

ON SALE: Botanique Collection Mini Cocottes

From cobblers to gratins to pot pies, everything tastes better when it comes in a perfectly portioned individual Mini Round Cocotte. We love the cute colors of this set! On sale for $60, down from $100. 

ON SALE: Le Creuset Signature Roaster with Lid

Anyone who cooks for a family know that the Signature Roaster is a dinner staple. Made of cast iron, it retains heat well and can transfer from oven to table with ease. 

On sale for $186

ON SALE: Soup Pot

The Soup Pot is the ideal vessel for soups, stews, one-pot meals and more. On sale for $150, from $250.

ON SALE: Le Creuset Round Wide Dutch Oven

This beauty is destined to sit on your stovetop as you'll want to use it every day. Braising, roasting, baking and frying, this workhorse can do it all. It's currently on sale for $183, down from $305. 

ON SALE: Le Creuset Chrysenth Kettle

Perfect for tea drinkers, oatmeal eaters and cup o' noodle connoisseurs, you'll love having this little cutie on your cooktop year-round. On sale for $60, down from $100. 

 

ON SALE: Le Creuset Nonstick Stainless Steel Fry Pan

When you are wanting to cook up an omelet or sear some fish, only non-stick will do. Le Creuset's Nonstick Stainless Steel Fry Pan has a super-strong non-stick coating that will last for years. Bonus: it's dishwasher safe. Set of two on sale for $153 from $255. 

ON SALE: Le Creuset Multi Bowl

This bowl tops our list because you can totally use it to mix up a big salad and serve from it as well. Save yourself having to do more dishes! On sale for $25.20, down from $42.

ON SALE: Le Creuset Fondue Set

Get all your fixin's ready, it's fondue night! Your family will love using this cute set for special nights. On sale for $200, down from $320. 

Le Creuset Heritage Pie Dish

Bust out your favorite pie recipe that will look perfect from oven to table in the Heritage Pie Dish. The dimpled edge will make the perfect fluting for your hand-rolled dough. 

Le Creuset Braiser

The Le Creuset enameled cast iron Braiser allows you to sear meats and then add liquid and the lid to create steam to lock in flavor and moisture. We love it for chilis and stews

—Kate Loweth

Images courtesy of Le Creuset. Prices were accurate at time of publication. 

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Almost ten years ago, my family made eating dinner together a priority. My life felt crazy busy at the time as I juggled work, two young children, school, and life. I remember wanting to feel less frazzled. I longed to be more grounded and connected with my family. About that time, I stumbled upon research that shared the benefits of eating together. Studies found that families that eat dinner together several times a week experience the following.

Benefits of Family Dinner

  • Better academic performance
  • Higher self-esteem
  • A greater sense of resilience
  • Lower risk of substance abuse
  • Lower risk of teen pregnancy
  • Lower risk of depression
  • Lower likelihood of developing eating disorders
  • Lower rates of obesity

So we started. Up until that point, our family dinners were fast and sporadic. The last thing my two toddlers wanted to do was sit down for dinner. But by ages 3 and 5, spending more time at the table was a possibility.

I heard about using “Rose, Bud, Thorn” as a way for families to connect and share. During dinner, everyone shared their “Rose” for the day or something that went well. Their “Bud,” or something they were excited about. And their “Thorn,” a difficult part of their day. My kids enjoyed these interactions, and it gave me a deeper peek into their world.

Soon, we added other topics. One night, I brought four small journals to dinner. With some eye rolls and resistance, we each wrote down something we were grateful for that day. My youngest daughter didn’t feel like writing, so she drew a picture instead.

These gratitude journals are still near our kitchen table today. We pull them out periodically and add to them. My kids love looking back at what they wrote years ago. Writing in these journals seems to shift our focus and remind us of the many good things in our life.

Looking back over the past decade, I see that dinnertime is one of our most meaningful family rituals. Time to stop whatever we are doing and sit down together. Time to listen and learn about each other. Time to connect.

I’ve found that the following ground rules help to set the tone for our dinners:

  • Make the dinner table a safe space. Practice respectful listening. Do not make fun of or embarrass anyone about what they share. (This rule has grown into a house rule too.)
  • Turn off and put away devices. Make the dinner table a no phone, tablet, or TV zone.
  • Make the conversations fun, especially as you get started. (Later, families may delve into more serious topics and discussions.)
  • Choosing not to respond is okay. Allow family members just to listen if they prefer not to share.
  • To start, introduce just one topic at each dinner. From there, decide what works best for your family.

Here are a few topics that my family discussed over the years. When my kids were younger, we prioritized fun and engaging topics.

Dinner Topics for Families with Young Children

  • Rose, Bud, Thorn (Best part of your day? Something you are excited about? Toughest part of your day?)
  • An act of kindness, big or small, you noticed or experienced today?
  • What are you most grateful for today?
  • What is something you are proud of?

Dinner Topics for Families with Tweens and Teens

  • What are you most excited about? What are you most nervous about?
  • Most interesting part of your day? Most awkward part of your day?
  • What inspires you?
  • What makes you feel loved? 
  • Which emotion is most difficult for you to express?

Over the years, I’ve shared many of my family’s dinner conversations. Here are a few of those posts:

Because of the pandemic and social distancing, my family is spending more time together these days. But our family dinners are still a priority. Over dinner, I’ve learned how difficult the pandemic has been for each of my family members. I’ve come to understand the impact it’s had on my kids’ social and emotional worlds. This knowledge has helped me better support the people I love the most during this stressful time. And helped me stay grounded too.

This post originally appeared on https://jessicaspeer.com/blog-jessica-speer/.

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.    

Photo: Ali Flynn

This is how I look during most days of quarantine. Are you digging the crazy bun and no makeup?

Well, as crazy as this messy bun looks, and I’m not sure why it always flops to the side, it is a blessing.

A symbol of renewal and change.

I used to be, like so many of us, the one running all over the place, all of the time and it was never-ending and downright exhausting.

To be honest though, most days I was simply running in circles.

Running from being bored. Running from not feeling grounded. Running from going through the motions.

But now, I’m lucky if I get out of my pajamas before noon on most days and it’s not because I’m sleeping. 

Just the opposite, I’m present.

I’m present and not rushing out of the side door forgetting where my keys are.

I’m present and able to listen fully to each story the girls have to share, rather than rushing out to pick up the last-minute item I need for dinner.

I’m present, fully present, often waiting for them.

I’m talking with the girls over a cup of tea, not rushing, as they pop down to the kitchen to see me between classes online.

I’m making egg sandwiches and making sure it has a dash of love—not rushing.

I’m driving in the car, blasting our favorite songs and belting out the lyrics (most of them wrong)—not rushing.

And you know what? I’m okay with it.

I’m okay not rushing around and I’m okay sometimes being bored. Because I have gained so much more by not rushing.

It doesn’t mean I’m lazy.

It doesn’t mean I’m unmotivated.

It doesn’t mean I don’t want to try.

It just means I have accepted this slowed-down life and pace for what it is. A way to slow down and finally implement all we so desperately craved one year ago. For me, there is a silver lining to the pandemic. I was finally able to find some calm, some peace.

I was finally able to allow relaxation to seep into every pore of my body.

So the new me, with the weird side bun, no makeup, and a smile on my face, can be found planted in the kitchen or on the couch waiting for the girls to hang out and chat. 

Maybe it’s a heart-to-heart, maybe just a quick laugh over something they saw online, or maybe we simply sit, with nowhere to go and embrace the moment.

Whatever it is, I’ll be here, not rushing. 

Rushing. It is truly is over-rated.

This post originally appeared on Hang in there mama.

 

 

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.