It's time to explore the world again! Remember the fun posts offering inspiration to learn about Polish, Brazilian, and German culture? The fourth post in this editorial series with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair focuses on Sweden. Here are 13 ways to introduce your family to Swedish culture. And as with the other culture posts, for my readers outside of Massachusetts, there are a number of recommendations below that can be enjoyed from anywhere!

*** VISIT ***

1. The Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton is a hub for Nordic cultural activities. The center hosts notable Scandinavian speakers, shows cultural movies, and is home to the Kaffestugan coffee shop where you can enjoy Scandinavian treats. The Center is also home to The Scandinavian Library where you can take Swedish language classes.

*** SING & DANCE ***

2. Are you a pop music fan? I was totally intrigued by Nolan Feeney's article Why Is Sweden So Good at Pop Music? (written in honor of Ace of Bace's 20th anniversary of The Sign).

3. Love dancing? See if you can pull of the Polska, a traditional Swedish dance. 

*** CELEBRATE ***

4. Mark your calendar for the Swedish Yuletide celebration December 5, 2015!

5. Also handy for getting festive in Swedish style around the holidays is A Swedish Christmas: Simple Scandanavian Crafts, Recipes, and Decorations.

*** SHOP ***

6. Enjoy Swedish and Scandinavian food at A Swedish Shop in West Bridgewater. The shop includes jewelry and traditional crafts to look through while visiting this little store.

7. From Swedish tea biscuits to troll and Viking trinkets, The Gift Chalet offers a wide array of Scandanavian gifts.

*** EAT & CRAFT ***

8. Shake up your breakfast with these tasty Swedish pancakes.

9. Make a Viking out of a toilet paper roll!

10. Get the whole family to make Swedish flags by sponge painting.

*** READ ***

11. Learn more about Sweden, Greenland, and other Nordic countries through D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet.

12. Ronia, the Robber's Daughter, by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, tells the story of Ronia, who lives with her father and a band of robbers in a castle in the woods. Follow her adventures as she befriends a rival robber’s son.

13. Another Astrid Lindgren classic is The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, a great story about a spunky nine-year-old girl who lives alone (with a monkey) in a wacky house.

So fun, right? Enjoy exploring Sweden and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, if you are interested in learning more about au pair childcare, you can check out the Cultural Care Au Pair tables at one of these upcoming family-friendly cultural events: the International Festival in Hingham (May 2) and IFED – International Family Day in Somerville (May 3).

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Disclosure: This post reflects a sponsored 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.

Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend! Once again, we've got a rather crazy full Satuday and a very relaxed Sunday on tap, though it's definitely all good and fun things for today! If you're looking for some interesting content and visuals to absorb during downtime, here's what caught my eye around the web this week, via Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome. Enjoy and I'll be sharing the April vacation mega-roundup soon!

- The secret language of girls on Instagram.

- After 49 years, mother reunites with the daughter she thought died at birth.

- The moral bucket list.

- The fight of angels.

- A map of restaurants based on MBTA stops.

- The 10 most beautiful neighborhoods in America (Woo hoo #1! And here are 15 awesome local gems in that neighborhood.)

- 40 kids who got ridiculous detention slips and don't regret a thing.

- Girls with nagging moms grow up to be more successful. (I'm not wild about the link bait title, and keeping up with your kids isn't the same as being a Tiger mom, but still, an interesting research snippet!)

- Colorado teacher shares heartbreaking notes from third graders.

- Report debunks "earlier is better" academic instruction for young children.

Image credit: 15 sparkling drink recipes for spring via Pinterest

Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! I have some great reads and visuals to share for this week's edition of Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome. Also, on this site, be sure to check out how the Red Sox are working to make Fenway more family-friendly, my thoughts on alcohol consumption, social media, and kids, a roundup of rad, neutral shoes, great stuff to do this weekend, and the ride that made me cry! See you back here on Monday!

- Michelle Obama's got the moves.

- The real roots of midlife crisis.

- Stupid things people ask you when you are pregnant over 40.

- Nothing beats that new baby jaguar smell.

- Transgender kids: 'Everyone was calling me Sebastian, but I knew I was a girl.'

- What happens when students boycott a standardized test?

- The double-standard of making the poor prove they're worthy of government benefits.

- Why I wear the exact same thing to work every day.

- Raising your successful 35-year-old.

- Sign this petition to ask President Obama to commit to giving 50% of global poverty-fighting aid to the world’s least developed countries.

Image credit: creamy mushroom tart via Pinterest

Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're enjoying this very welcome warm up! It has been so gratifying to see the persistent snow piles dwindling down! Anyway, it's been a fascinating week on the web this week, as you'll see from this week's Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome -- enjoy! And also, you have until tomorrow to enter to win $500 for you + $500 for a friend via an Instagram giveaway I'm co-hosting with some lovely friends! Be sure to enter to win!

- A mom holds her kids accountable for their bad behavior via an amazing use of social media.

- The science of why you should spend your money on experiences not things.

- Four personal style lessons.

- Wonder Woman gets her own sneaker!

- You can play Pac-Mac inside Google Maps right now.

- Why kids are getting more agressive on the playground.

- There's a modern problem afflicting our friendships and it's time to talk about it.

- Getting girls excited about science.

- How to get kids interested in coding + 7 free resources that teach how to code.

- A 9-year-old's letter to Obama about putting a woman on U.S. currency -- and Obama's response.

- Why America's obsession with STEM education is dangerous.

Image credit: 9 plants you can totally neglect via Pinterest

When I went to college, private tuition was in the $20,000/year range and I remember people saying that it was impossible that families would be willing to spend more than $100,000 total on college. Well, tuition rates are well beyond that and it's a daunting matter. Today, contributor (and financial professional) Sandra Gilpatrick shares 4 key tips for how to start saving for college (also be sure to check out Sandra's article on how to teach kids to budget!):

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From Sandra:

If you are planning on paying for your child's college education, it will likely be one of your most expensive goals. How do you tackle this financial monster? Here are 4 tips to help you get on your way.

1. Get compound interest on your side! If you can put smaller amounts toward investment earlier, you can make compound interest work for you. Click on my quick video explaining compound interest to learn how it can help you reach a future goal, like college tuition. The longer you wait to invest for college, the more you’ll miss out on compound interest, and will need to make larger deposits later in order to make up for lost time. But remember, if you owe money (e.g., credit card), this same concept can work against you. If your credit card has an interest rate of 20% (compounding monthly) on a $20,000 debt you would pay over $4,000 per year to the credit card company.

2. Flip small moments into opportunity. When my son lost his first tooth, I didn't research the tooth fairy’s going rate. I expected that inflation had increased the amount from a quarter when I was a child, so I asked him to choose between one dollar now or $100 invested in his college investment account, a 529 plan. Without hesitation he chose to have $100 for his lost tooth invested toward college. I asked him why and he said, “Saving now will put me ahead.” That’s a simple summary of compound interest. Twenty teeth will discipline me to invest an extra $2,000 in his 529 plan, and assuming a 7.5% rate of return on $2000 for 10 years, you would just about double college funds available to $4000 (you can use the Rule of 72 for quick estimates). My son astutely asked if he would get more for his larger molar teeth. I may use that occasion to increase my funding!

3. Start as soon as you can. As with most financial goals, the earlier you start investing, the more time you have to take advantage of compound interest. Today a typical private New England college costs around $63,000 per year. That is only tuition, room, and board, not all the extras. According to collegesavings.org, if you have a 7-year-old, the current annual increases will translate into about $102,288 yearly tuition beginning ten years from now (i.e., his or her freshman year in college). If you start saving when your child is a baby, investing about $10,380 per year or $858 monthly will get you toward your goal. If you wait until age 9, however, you'll need to almost double your annual investments to $18,391, or $1,532 per month.

4. Make investing a family affair. When I was pregnant, I started a 529 plan with myself as beneficiary, and changed my son to the beneficiary once he was born. In retrospect, a 529 plan contribution would have been a wiser baby shower request than most of the gifts I didn’t use for more than five months. I’ve been encouraging my son’s grandparents to contribute toward his college, instead of buying him toys for his birthday and holidays. Admittedly, it's not the easiest battle to win, but I've made some progress! 

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Are there specific financial topics you’d love to see Sandra address? Drop me a line at christine@bostonmamas.com to let me know!

To learn more about Sandra, visit SandraGilpatrick.com. Third party posts on this profile do not reflect the views of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Image credit: piggy bank via FreeDigitalPhotos.net; large graphic by Christine Koh

I have a bit of an emotional narrative around water, both from my teen years and also as a parent. And these experiences have reinforced my belief that swimming is a life skill (not an optional extracurricular). Through an editorial partnership with the JCC’s Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy, I was intrigued to learn more about survival-based swim programs. Read on for my Q & A with director Korrinn Lubarsky (who can be seen in the photo below, teaching her 3-month-old daughter Harper to float on her back).

1. How do survival-based swim programs differ from regular swim classes?

With traditional swim lessons, the approach is an introduction to water (e.g., singing songs, getting your child comfortable in a larger body of water than their infant tub at home). With survival-based swimming programs, the approach focuses on water safety and not only teaches children how to swim, but what to do if they fall into the water.  

2. What do kids learn in survival-based swim classes?

Survival tests are used where children are gently tossed into the water fully clothed. The theory behind keeping children’s clothing on is because statistics show that children who fall in the water are typically clothed. They are taught to respond appropriately based on their experience level to show they can save themselves. Swimmers are taught to roll over onto their back, called a survival float. This is essential because if you fall into the water, the first instinct of rolling onto your back and floating so you can breathe is critical to survival.  Survival tests provide parents and children with the confidence of knowing their child knows how to save themselves in the water.

3. Does this approach scare kids?

Children can be a bit nervous when they first start their lessons. This is a new environment for most kids and they are learning to be comfortable in the water and with their instructor. We build upon the survival float from the start of the first lesson. Some children are still frightened, yes. However, each week we build confidence and slowly reduce a child’s apprehension. Some children do not pass their survival tests when it comes time to take it, and that is OK! Whenever you start a new skill, it takes time, practice and consistency to excel at it.

4. How early can you start teaching survival-based swimming?

Kids can start survival-based swimming programs as early as three months old. Some parents think they should hold off on swimming until their child is a little older because they don’t think they will learn much at that young age. They say, “How much can babies really learn when they are three months old?” You would be surprised! Little ones will start by getting used to being in the water and learning to float.

5. Why is it important to consider a survival-based swimming program?

Being a certified instructor for over 15 years, I have been exposed to and taught many different approaches to swimming. I grew up learning the traditional method and there is nothing wrong with that! However, back then, drowning statistics were not as alarming as they are today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for young children ages 1 to 4, and one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of 13.  Since drowning statistics have been on the rise, it makes it more imperative for children to learn what to do in the water.

6. If my child already knows the basics of swimming (crawl, treading water), should they take a survival-based swimming program or focus on stroke improvement?

Most survival-based swimming programs have stroke improvement and development wrapped into the curriculum. The curriculum is usually a structured and detailed sequence of building upon each skill. Even though you will be mastering all four swimming strokes, the water safety component is still evident with different drills and skills being tested. The goal is to create water-safe children and proficiently sound swimmers.

For more information about survival swimming programs in your area, contact director Korrinn Lubarsky at the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton at lksainfo@jccgb.org. Also, on Sunday, March 22, enjoy a free wellness expo including interactive exhibits and demonstrations for kids and adults at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center (333 Nahanton Street) in Newton!

Disclosure: This post reflects a sponsored editorial partnership with the JCC  Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy. Image credits: 1) LKSA at the JCC; 2) Korrinn Lubarsky

Today, Hillary of Mass Audubon shares fun facts and resources about owls:

It started with a few critter wall decals from Target. But it was a 3-day mini camp at Drumlin Farm last summer that cemented my 6-year-old’s obsession with owls. She came home one day saying the call of the barred owl over and over ("Who cooks for you…Who cooks for you all…") and it's been nonstop owl this, owl that ever since.

Needless to say, I embraced this newfound interest with gusto. We dove in head first to learn everything we could about owls. Fortunately, there is no shortage of amazing resources for kids and there’s plenty of paraphernalia to keep the interest going (yes, she has an owl backpack and lunch tote). To help jumpstart your child’s interest in these fascinating nocturnal creatures, my daughter and I selected a few fun facts to share.

5 Fun Facts About Owls

1. While there are 200 types of owls in the world, you may spot 8 species in Massachusetts. Of those, the smallest is the saw-whet owl, which could fit in the palm of your hand. The largest is the snowy owl, which comes from the Arctic to Massachusetts some winters.

2. Owls eat rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, reptiles, frogs, and spiders. But they don’t digest the whole thing. Instead, hours later they cough up a “pellet” (think way cooler hair ball). The pellet is made of the teeth, fur, and bones and you can often find these under trees where owls roost (ie gather together).

3. Owls, with 14 different bones their neck, can turn their heads nearly three-quarters of the way around. People, with just seven neck bones, can typically turn their heads around only about halfway.

4. A group of owls is called a Parliament. A baby owl is called an owlet. The great horned owl is nicknamed the flying tiger because it’s so ferocious and strong.

5. It’s sometimes very hard to see an owl in the wild because they are so good at hiding. Instead you are more likely to hear one. To learn how to tell one hoot from another, listen to their calls at massaudubon.org/owls.

Want to learn more about owls?

1. Join an upcoming program or owl prowl. To see a real live owl in person, head over to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln or Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton. Both have owls on display (great horned and barred at the former; snowy, barn, and great horned at the latter) that couldn’t survive in the wild.

2. Check out the owl section on the Mass Audubon website.

3. Pick up one of mine and my daughter’s favorite owl books: The Littlest Owl by Caroline Pitcher & Tina MacNaughton, Owl Moon by by Jane Yolen & John Schoenherr, Owls: Birds of the Night by Emily Sollinger & Chris Rallis, The Book of North American Owls by Helen Roney Sattler & Jean Day Zallinger, and Owls by Gail Gibbons.

Image credits: Mass Audubon

Friends in striking distance of Needham, I have a great exclusive newsletter subscriber giveaway this month! Bright and cheerful Goldfish Swim School is opening in May and will offer indoor swim classes and programs for kids 4 months and up + birthday parties and open family swim time. And how awesome is this? One lucky newsletter subscriber will win their choice of either 1) a free birthday party ($550 value); or 2) 3 months of free swim lessons ($397 value)! To be eligible for the giveaway, subscribe below by March 12!

Subscribe to the newsletter!

Note: the Boston Mamas newsletter drops 1-2 times per month and offers the best from this site (and elsewhere on the internet), as well as periodic exclusive goodies. Yay, for periodic exclusive goodies!

It's time to explore the world again! Remember last month's fun post about 14 ways to learn about Brazilian culture? The second post in this editorial series with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair focuses on Poland. Here are 15 ways to introduce your family to Polish culture. And as with the Brazil post, for my readers outside of Massachusetts, there are a number of recommendations below that can be enjoyed from anywhere!

*** VISIT ***

1. The Polish American Citizens Club of South Boston unites the Polish community in Boston and hosts events throughout the city.

2. The Polish Cultural Foundation in Milton promotes Polish culture in the Boston area and hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

3. Interested in exploring your roots? The Polish Genealogical Society of Massachusetts in Chicopee assists with Polish culture research efforts, family trees, and preserving historical Polish materials.

*** SING & DANCE ***

4. Learn about Polish song and dance via the Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Boston. They're next slated to perform in April at the New England Folk Festival.

5. Learn about Polish music from the comfort of your home via the Polina Music website.

*** EAT ***

6. Café Polonia in South Boston offers traditional Polish favorites such as pierogies, grilled kielbasa sandwiches, and potato pancakes.

7. Want to roll up your sleeves and cook Polish fare at home? Try these pierogies!

8. These gołąbki (cabbage rolls) are a bit more involved but will warm you up on a cold night.

9. Head to the Baltic European Deli in Boston for Polish cold cuts, baked goods, cosmetics, newspapers, and more!

10. In the heart of Boston's Polish Triangle is DJ's European Market and Deli, which offers deli items and baked goods.

*** CRAFT ***

11. Want to step up your egg decorating game this Easter? Check out how to make beautiful Polish pisanki.

12.  Some straw and scrap paper is all you need to create a traditional Polish paper chandelier.

*** READ ***

13. The children's book Little Dog Lost is based on a true story in Poland.

14. For older elementary school aged kids, The Secret of the Village Fool is a story of two boys and the lifesaving deed of a good neighbor.

15. Picture book P is for Poland will take you on a tour of favorite Polish sites and cultural traditions.

So fun, right? Enjoy exploring Poland and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, totally related: Cultural Care Au Pair is hosting a free ice skating event in Quincy on February 28. Enjoy some time on the ice! If you're thinking about an au pair, you'll be able to meet some au pairs and host families at the event. 

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Disclosure: This post reflects a sponsored 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.