Happy weekend, everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful one! After an unusually busy May, we're trying to take it easy this weekend and keep things very home/neighborhood-centric! I also found inspiration this week to return to music (slow, baby steps!), which feels pretty fantastic. Meanwhile, if you're looking to kick back with some interesting content, here are the reads/visuals that caught my eye this week via Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome:

- When family-friendly policies backfire.

- An evolving view of animals.

- For the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler fans out there!

- How to build a business that fits your lifestyle (featuring my colleague Morra Aarons-Mele!).

- Yelling from the sidelines? It can distract your child.

- Out of the classroom and into the woods.

- Short film Just Breathe helps kids deal with emotions.

- Remember when I was yabbling away about the awesomeness of Priority Bicycles? They've got a Kickstarter going for children's bicycles!

- I am positively obsessed with Meghan Trainor's ukulele rendition of Dear Future Husband.

- Mapping the hourly wage needed to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in every state. (UGH)

- Nonacademic skills are the key to success. But what should we call them?

Image credit: no-bake millionaire's shortbread bars via Pinterest

We haven't yet traveled internationally as a family, and though I definitely plan on it once Violet is a little older, meanwhile, I'm always keen on finding ways to expose my kids to different cultures. And luckily, living in a city like Boston, it's not that hard a task! I'm subsequently thrilled to partner with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair to bring you a fun new editorial series to help you explore the world from the comfort of home.

The first post in this series is about Brazil. Here are 14 ways to introduce your family to Brazilian culture; for my non-local readers, the recommendations in the second half of the post are for you!

*** VISIT ***

1. Mark your calendar for Boston’s 20th Brazilian Independence Day Festival on September 13, 2015. At the festival, you can soak in cultural activities, food, live performances, and more!

2. Learn a variety of Brazilian dance styles at Moves & Vibes Dance Co. in Cambridge. Let go of inhibition and give forro or samba a try!

3. Experience capoeira -- a Brazilian martial art performed through dance -- at Capoeira Angola Quintal Boston in Somerville.

*** EAT ***

4. For vibrant, authentic Brazilian fare, try Muqueca in Cambridge. The menu offers lots of options but I've totally got my eye on the signature Brazilian seafood stews. #nomnom

5. Love meat on giant skewers? Midwest Grill has locations in Cambridge and Saugus and specializes in traditional Brazilian BBQ, and also offers seafood and vegetarian dishes.

6. When it’s time for something sweet (um, when is it not?), head to Padaria Brasil Bakery where cakes, breads, and snacks await. You can find Padaria at two Framingham locations, as well as Allston and Milford.

*** SHOP LOCAL ***

7. For many, Brazil is synonymous with soccer. If you've got soccer fans in the house, head to the Brazilian Soccer House in East Boston to gear up.

8. Casa de Carne Solucao in Somerville is a butcher shop that offers fresh cut meat and traditional Brazilian dishes.

*** PLAY ***

9. I love using crafts as a lever for cultural teaching. Try these Brazilian craft activities to create maracas, tambourines, and more.

10. As a former music and brain scientist, not surprisingly, I believe that music has lots of power! Learn more about -- and jam out to -- choro instrumental music, which was born out of Rio de Janeiro in the 1800s.

*** READ ***

11. Brazil ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Brazil dives into Brazilian culture, geography, and history in an easy for kids A-B-C format.

12. The best way to build bridges across cultures? Pick up some of the language! Get started with My First Book of Portugese Words.

13. For a 3D learning experience, check out Rio de Janeiro: A 3D Keepsake Cityscape for a foldout tour of Brazil's landmarks in Rio de Janeiro. So pretty!

14. Looking to learn alongside your kids? The Brazil Reader: History, Culture, Politics offers a comprehensive look at Brazil's historical, cultural, and political development.

So awesome, right? Enjoy exploring Brazil and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, totally related: Cultural Care Au Pair is hosting the Somerville 2015 World Fair at The Armory this Sunday, February 1. RSVP today for this free, fun-filled event celebrating South American, European, and Asian cultures.

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Disclosure: This post reflects an editorial partnership with Cultural Care Au Pair. Cultural Care Au Pair is a leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 90,000 au pairs in American homes. Hosting an au pair offers many benefits, one of which includes the opportunity for your family to learn about another country's culture.

Image credits: 1) flag via Wikipedia; 2) compilation graphic by Christine Koh with images via linked sources above.

A local mama of twins found her fabulous nanny through Craigslist. After seeing a friend tango unsuccessfully with a nanny agency (to the tune of a $2500 matching fee), this mama posted an advertisement on Craiglist, interviewed 25 (!) candidates who responded to her post, picked the top 4, did trial periods with each, and ultimately was able to hire Super Nanny.

Hiring a nanny was more economical than enrolling her twins in day care; this mama suggested starting the nanny search about two months prior to actual need so you can do a thorough search and not settle for a so-so candidate.

This strategy also would suit a search for a babysitter or mother's helper. Click here for the direct childcare link on Craigslist.

Among taboo mama topics is that of how a mama feels about her maternity leave. Polarized responses such as “I’m so sad for my leave to end!” and “I can’t wait to get back to work!” are common.

Regardless of how you feel during leave time, it’s probably safe to say that all mamas feel some degree of guilt if and when they return to work. A Mayo Clinic article offers some helpful tips on how to ease transition, cope with guilt, and continue to breastfeed. An article from U. Michigan Medical also offers tips on returning to work and description of different types of child-care options.
Among the logistical issues, I suggest working out child-care and pumping arrangements as soon possible. The child-care situation is a major stressor; there just doesn’t seem to be enough supply for the demand. Get your name on wait lists as soon as you can and pursue other options in the meanwhile. And don’t be afraid to ask for space to pump. Take the Mayo Clinic advice that you should never accept to pump somewhere you wouldn’t eat your lunch to heart (I pumped in a bathroom once, and believe me, I will never do that again!).

Among the personal issues, I think the most sanity preserving measures include: self care, not being afraid to ask for help, and letting less important matters slide. The little chores can wait; or if you have the resources, you can rationalize that a sane and happy mama is worth the price of an occasional visit from a housecleaning service.

Day cares – especially those that take infants – are tough to find, but Bright Horizons offers plenty of places to look. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Bright Horizons from several mama pals. Bright Horizons is massive; they operate more than 600 child-care centers and schools across the U.S., Canada and Europe. In Massachusetts, locations that are open to the community for application include Allston, Andover, Bedford, Beverly, Boston, Boxborough, Braintree, Cambridge, Charlestown, Foxboro, Framingham, Franklin, Hingham, Lexington, Marlborough, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newburyport, North Reading, Norwell, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Quincy, Randolph, Sudbury, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, and Wellesley. Click here to narrow your search by distance from your home; check specific locations for age limits.

I am grateful that I have a husband who both brings home a steady income and makes it a priority to get home in time to play with the babe and put her to bed several nights of the week. It’s hard to be “on” every day, and that’s why single mamas are especially amazing to me.

Linda Tucci’s financial feature in The Boston Globe, "Child-care costs strain single mom’s resources” (March 19, 2006), offers a quantitative window into the struggles of single mama hood. The article presents the financial case study of Joan Lieb, single mother of two, and describes various options reviewed to try to make child-care for Joan’s two children possible.

A mama from Medford passed along recommendations for two local family day cares. Carol Ricker (5 Bussell Rd., Medford, 781-395-4212) takes babes from 3 months to 3 years old and comes highly recommended for infant care. Donna Swales (61 Paris Street, Medford, 781-395-5612) takes babes from 3 months to 5 years, and comes highly recommended for toddler/pre-schoolers (2.5 – 5 years).

Thanks Mama N. from Medford!

A mama pal struck babysitting gold using Sittercity. Search for babysitters by zip code, view detailed profiles (including reviews, references, a personal statement, photos, contact information, and schedule availability), then interview your candidates. My mama pal interviewed five candidates (all fabulous) and happily was able to secure the most fabulous of the five.

Two sign up plans are offered. The annual plan is $7.99 per month + free registration and an included 2-year subscription to Parenting magazine. The monthly plan is $9.99 per month + a $39.99 registration fee.

A mama pal struck babysitting gold using Sittercity. Search for babysitters by zip code, view detailed profiles (including reviews, references, a personal statement, photos, contact information, and schedule availability), then interview your candidates. My mama pal interviewed five candidates (all fabulous) and happily was able to secure the most fabulous of the five.

Two sign up plans are offered. The annual plan is $7.99 per month + free registration and an included 2-year subscription to Parenting magazine. The monthly plan is $9.99 per month + a $39.99 registration fee.