Right or wrong, I love April Fools’ Day. My kids and I started plotting our pranks weeks ago. Sadly, my husband doesn’t join in until the last moment, and takes the brunt of most of the jokes.  Here are 10 awesome April Fools’ day pranks that the whole family can get in on. Barbie goes to work. My daughter has a zillion Barbie dolls, and we thought they may enjoy a day at the office. We loaded up my husband’s car with them (in the windshield, out the back window and buckled in on the passenger side). Daddy felt like a stud! Mess with breakfast (or lunch or dinner). Put gummy worms in their …

Apple-picking season is here. After you've made all the apple breads and pies, here's another way to make use of fall's favorite fruit. Cut apples vertically in half. With the flat side down, vertically insert a Popsicle stick in the center of the apple. Your children can use these homemade stamps to make paintings. Pour paint onto paper plates then have your children dip the apples into the paint and gently press them onto paper. BabyTake your baby’s hands and explore an apple half together. Let her smell and touch the fruit. If she is six months or older and eating dairy, you can place some…

Follow car safety rules. Babies should ride in the backseat in a rear-facing car seat. Prior to installing, read the instructions carefully. Your local police department can help too. Go for new baby equipment. Before you re-use any hand-me-down baby accessory, be sure it meets the most up-to-date safety standards and guidelines. Recently, the consumer protection agency has banned the use of drop-down cribs because of safety concerns. When your baby isn’t being held, make sure they are in a safe place such as a crib or pack and play. Remember babies become mobile very quickly so stay close …

As families ready for the first day of school, Patch has some tips to get back into the groove. Wake up In order for your child to do his best in school, he’s going to need sleep. Experts say children ages 5-10 need 10 hours of sleep a night; ages 11-13 need 9.5 hours; and ages 13 and older need 9.2 hours. Keeping a watchful eye on your children's sleep is as important to their overall health as the food they eat and the exercise they get.  Start setting a bedtime and stick to it. Establish a sleep routine. Keeping the same schedule (brush teeth, read a story, say goodnight) makes it easier …

It wasn’t fun figuring this math equation out, but, after the use of my fingers and some scratches on a piece of paper, I got it: My son will graduate high school in 2021. It wasn’t fun because I’m terrible at math and it wasn’t fun because I’m not ready to have an 18-year-old anytime soon. What will his mind set be by the time he graduates? Beloit College recently released its annual "MindSet" list providing parents a glimpse into how their offspring will view the world. Warning: You will feel old. For example incoming freshmen born in 1993 are more likely to associate ''Amazon'' with online…

Could your pediatrician fire you? Yup, and its happening around the U.S., according to an article in Time Magazine. The issue at hand: vaccinations. Pediatricians say parents who refuse to vaccinate their children put other children (especially infants) and people with compromised immune systems at risk. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the percentage of pediatricians in the U.S. who are turning away “vaccine refusers" rose from 18 percent in 2005 to 25 percent in 2011. When a 1998 study linked vaccines to autism — and JennyMcCarthy’s books hit shelves on how she believed a …

Why does summer seem to go by so quickly? From picnics to drive-in movies, don't let summer end without: Making s’mores! Whether it’s a backyard fire or the microwave version, nothing tastes of summer days like melted marshmallow and chocolate on a graham cracker. Heading to a drive-in movie! The Mendon drive-in theatre (35 Milford Street, Mendon) is open seven days a week and its $20 a car. That’s a pretty good deal considering how much it costs to get into movie theatres around here. Two family friendly movies are there now: Smurfs and Zookeeper. Seeing a baseball game! You don’t have to …

From pet allergies to chicken pox, here’s some of the latest news on the parenting front. Pets good for allergies? How about this: despite those allergy concerns, your pet pooch may be good for your children's health. A new report says that scientists found that kids who were exposed to animals at a young age had lower rates of nasal allergies as teenagers. Researchers say its further evidence that avoiding exposure may not be the best way to protect children against allergies. C-Sections are popular, but are the right way to go? A new study by HealthGrades has found that C-sections are at an…

It’s been hot. Really hot. If I didn’t have kids, I would have been more than content to spend my time in the comforts of an air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, my little ones need constant entertainment. If you’re one of the brave few who are willing to leave home, run to the car and find some summertime adventure, I’ve got a list of ways you can stay cool: 1. Water PlayCapron Park Zoo, Attleboro Yeah, they have animals and cool species but, better yet, they have a new splash park. This zero-depth water playground will have water spraying them, pouring on them and delighting them. Kids can …

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it didn’t cost $50 to go see a movie? Yeah. That would be nice but I have another idea. I’ve put together a quick list of fun summer nights that won’t cost you an extra penny. Movie Night: Hit the local Red Box and grab a good movie for $1. Some good family flicks available now are “Gnomeo & Juliet” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” Make some popcorn, or you could try one of my kid’s favorite movie snacks that we affectionately call “Mix-ups.” Mix your favorite cereal with some dried fruit and add in some M&Ms or whatever other small snacks you have in the house. …

Four astronauts aboard a 30-year-old spacecraft had dinner with many American families. On Thursday, July 14, they dined on grilled chicken, barbecue brisket, baked beans and southwestern corn. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is making its final journey to space with a year's worth of critical supplies for the International Space Station.  It’s the 135th shuttle mission overall, making it a pretty incredibletime to get the kids interested in space travel. Food scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston prepared a special "All-American Meal" for the astronauts to eat on July 14. For the …

Some of the many reasons, my kids love to camp are: They don’t have to shower. They can play in the dirt, stay up late, hunt for bugs and have my complete attention (iPhone not invited). Minus the shower part – that’s why I love it too. If you need a reason to dust off the tent or roll out the sleep bags, I have one. This Saturday, June 25, marks the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout. It’s their annual push to get people outside and sleeping under the stars. I don’t need to tell you that kids aren’t spending time outside. Most kids are spending more than seven …

My friend opened her pool for the first time this season, and instead of the adults relaxing poolside, we were shouting commands to the kids, “Don’t run.” “No jumping on the shallow end.” “Nate, where are you? I can’t see you!” Let’s just say we have to get our feet wet again when it comes to re-establishing pool safety as we splash into summer. I thought it would be a good idea to offer a quick refresher to all parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following tips to ensure safe swimming this summer: Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment. …

As the school year comes to a close, you may be wondering how to properly thank your child’s teacher or daycare provider. The good news is that an inexpensive, thoughtful gift packs just as a big punch as a gift certificate to an exclusive day spa.  Recruit fellow parents to contribute to the group gift – they will appreciate you taking the lead and figuring out the perfect gift. Here are some great group gift ideas for teachers: Build a classroom library: This is a perfect group gift that will add value to the classroom for years to come. Each student brings in a copy of their favorite book …

I don’t have a green thumb, but I do love fresh vegetables, so I decided to give gardening a try last year. The kids and I trotted off to the local Home Depot and picked up dozens of seed packets and a few already-grown tomato plants to get us started. If you’ve ever considered a vegetable garden, Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off day. The weather is warm enough for seedlings to survive and thrive with some minor help from you. Fortunately, kids and gardens go hand in hand: 1) All kids love to play in dirt; 2)They love things that transform (seed to plant) and 3) They love to …

A parenting decision that could have gone either way. My family and I were on the Blackstone Valley bike path last summer. My then 7-year-old son took turns complaining about being tired and about wearing a helmet. He and I took a break, and he spent a minute or two begging to take off his helmet.  “It feels tight. It feels heavy. I don’t need it!” For a quick, split second I considered just taking his helmet. I couldn’t take the whining any more. Besides, we were only two minutes from the car. Thankfully, I stuck to my guns and refused his request. One minute later he was cruising down a …

With a little incentive, mixed with a small guilt trip, I was able to convince my off-spring that hiking through the Blue Hill mountains would be the most perfect way to spend Mother’s Day. The incentive was a few yummy, energizing snacks at the top. The guilt trip? It was Mother’s Day and they had to do what I wanted. I was impressed. We hiked a 3-mile loop up some pretty steep inclines and my children really enjoyed the journey. In fact, my son offered his hand and help several times throughout the hike to help his aging mommy along. It inspired me to share a few great places to enjoy a …

Hola! Celebrate all the wonderful traditions, foods and games of people of Mexican heritage on Cinco de Mayo (May 5) with our top five picks to mark the day! The day commemorates the triumph of a small Mexican army over French forces in an 1862 battle, and is a great excuse to break out your sombrero and introduce your kids to Mexican culture. 1. Make your own piñata. How psyched are your kids going to be when you suggest making (and breaking) a piñata for this holiday? This nifty tradition was brought to Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors at the beginning of the 16th century. Make your own …

Could watching SpongeBob today affect your child's long-term health? Is your teenager just lazy or does she have a legitimate health condition? Here's some information on topics you and other parents may discuss at the playground or ponder over on the sidelines of a little league game. Too much TV could lead to health problems in the distant future Duh? According to a study conducted by the University of Sydney, children who watch excessive amounts of TV or play loads of computer games could be at higher risk for future heart attacks and strokes. I’m just wondering if this news will deter my …

So, for the fifth time today, parents everywhere are serving as referees as their beautiful offspring call each other names, fight over a toy and try to shove each other out of the way. Feel like you’re going to lose it? What if I told you that this is actually a natural and positive part of your children’s lives? According to some experts, kids ages three to seven years old engage in some kind of conflict 3.5 times an hour. Yes, per hour. They're learning important lessons along the way. When they are fighting over possessions, teasing each other and even when they are getting along, they …