Buried my father-in-law. Buried some grief. Ready to move on.

Today, Hillary of Mass Audubon shares tips to help you attract butterflies to your garden:

As if you needed an excuse to get excited for spring and summer, here are two: flowers and butterflies. It just so happens that March 12 is Plant a Flower Day and March 14 is Learn about Butterflies Day. The fact that these are timed so close together is perfect, as butterflies and flowers go together like peanut butter and jelly.

But not just any flowers will do. Different species of butterflies flock to specific flowers. And some, like the Monarch, rely on one species for its existence (one that is showing signs of trouble). Want to bring butterflies to your backyard and help keep populations strong? Here’s what you need to know:

• Between March and October, over 100 different butterflies can be found in Massachusetts, but not all at the same time. Mourning cloaks are seen mainly early spring, mid summer and fall; swallowtails are present late May to September; and monarchs June to October.
• Over 60 different insects, including monarch butterflies, need milkweed to complete their life cycle. These insects not only have adapted to potent chemicals in milkweed, but some use them to repel predators.
• Nothing blooms all season long, but by choosing plants that flower at different times you can attract a constant stream of butterflies.

Wondering what types of flowers to plant? Here are butterfly-attracting flowers by season:

Spring

• Chive Blossoms
• Bleeding Heart
• Siberian Wallflower

Early Summer

• Milkweeds (swamp milkweed, butterflyweed, whorled milkweed, and poke milkweed) 
• Zinnias
• Verbena
• Blazing star
• Garden Phlox

Late Summer

• Asters
• Sunflowers
• Joe-Pye weed
• New York Ironweed

Want to learn more about butterflies?

• Check out Mass Audubon’s blog post on Five Common Summer Butterflies.
• Pick up a handy, laminated pocket guide to Northeastern Butterflies and Butterfly Gardening.
• Explore the Butterfly Atlas to learn more about species in Massachusetts.
• Take a butterfly program at a wildlife sanctuary near you.
• Attend the annual Barbara J Walker Butterfly Festival at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester on August 9.

Image credits: 1) US Fish & Wildlife Service (public domain images); 2) Richard Johnson for Mass Audubon

It's been a while since I've posted a Dear Boston Mamas query and I'm thrilled to do so today! Reader Debbie (mom of two, ages 4 and 6) wrote in to ask about chores; specifically, how to get her kids to do them, whether there should be allowance tied to chores, and what kinds of special privileges seem appropriate and will make doing chores feel like a positive milestone. Here are my thoughts; thanks for writing in Debbie!:

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As readers of Minimalist Parenting know, I feel very strongly about kids doing chores! Chores represent a double parenting win: by building them into your family routine and system, you are equipping your child with essential life skills (you do not want your kid to leave the nest and be clueless about how to toast a bagel or do laundry!) AND delegating so you're not shouldering all of the chores. I have found the below 8 tips on how to get kids to do chores particularly effective:

1. Be matter of fact about the job. Present chores in an emotionally uncharged and non-negotiable way. Your kids may bristle about housework, but simply be matter of fact about it and express that since they are a part of the household, they also need to help with housework. End of story.

2. Offer options. One of the simplest ways to make parenting easier is to offer options. For example, instead of asking, “Will you set the table?” (which conveys that the task is negotiable) ask, “Would you like to set the table or prep the salad?” Kids like to feel like they have control; giving them choice does that.

3. Meet them where they’re at. Kids will get frustrated if you present them with tasks that are too hard then freak out if they make mistakes. Check out this chore chart for some ideas about kids and chores by age. Remember, as soon as kids are verbal, they can help. Case in point: 2-year-old Violet knows to bring her plate to the sink at the end of a meal!

4. Embrace imperfection. When you start kids off with chores, they probably won’t do it as perfectly as you want. Embrace it and let them make mistakes and work on their skills. Give helpful tips if need be but don’t hover or yell at them if they don’t do things perfectly. I used to be uptight about kitchen tasks, wanting vegetables to be uniformly cut or cookies perfectly shaped. But I let go of that and Laurel has developed the skills on her own. She now makes us dinner on occasion and can bake chocolate layer cake (and many other things) from scratch! WIN!

5. Make it fun. Especially with younger kids, it’s easy to turn chores into a game. For example, give your kids a spray bottle of water and a rag and have them find all the spots to clean on the floor. They’ll love being able to spray things! Turn on some music while you work to amp up the fun.

6. Do chores together. Use chore time as together time; you tackle the grownup tasks while the kids take care of their chores. I've found with Laurel (now 9) that it's often easier for her to talk to me about challenging things when we're working side by side on chores vs. sitting across the table from each other making eye contact. So, chores as together time can also offer a unique window for communication.

7. Build in incentives. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t believe in paying for everyday chores but you can incentivize in other ways. Completion of chores can unlock other privileges (e.g., a special snack, story, or game) or one thing we’ve done with Laurel is offer a small payment if she wants to do a task that seems out of the ordinary.

8. Keep at it. If your kids belly ache about chores, don’t give up! Keep building it into your routine and they will eventually get it. I used to ask Laurel every day to make sure she did her homework and emptied her lunchbox and school papers. And then a couple of months into the school year I realized I couldn’t remember when I last asked her to take care of these tasks. With persistence, Laurel learned to build those tasks into her daily routine. It took a lot of reminders but now it is utter bliss to have her own those tasks!

Do you have other chore methods that have worked well for your family? Feel free to share in the comments! And if you have a Dear Boston Mamas query for Christine, drop her a line at editor@bostonmamas.com.

Image credits: Christine Koh

Happy Monday everyone; I hope you had a great weekend. It was truly awesome to get a taste of spring and enjoy some non-frigid time outdoors with the girls! Meanwhile, I'm excited to meet some of you wonderful mamas tomorrow at the spa party (yay!), and if you're looking for something to do this week with your kids, enjoy this roundup of events via the Weekly Blueprint:

March 10: Irish music with Kevin Mulkerrins. (Dorchester)

March 12: From the tap to the table, the journey of maple syrup. (Ipswich)

March 12: Fill your day with art and play. (Lincoln)

March 12: How about some Feathers for Lunch? (Salem)

March 13: Just how did SMART Gal Ruth Benerito revolutionize fashion? (Easton)

March 13 - 16: One World, Many Stories. (Brookline)

March 13: Optical illusions with Steve Lechner. (Charlestown)

March 14: Math lovers rejoice. It’s Pi Day! (Boston)

March 14: A St. Patty’s day treasure hunt for the gold at the end of the rainbow. (Cambridge)

March 14: Who can resist more Pi? (Easton)

March 14: Make some cookies for the cow...and maybe he’ll share with you too. (Lincoln)

Image credit: Pi pie via Pinterest

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Oh man, you know what's awesome in real life? THIS WEATHER! I am so, so ready for spring and it was awesome to hit the park with Vivy this morning in a relaxed, non-freezing manner. I hope you enjoy some time out and about today! Meanwhile, if you're looking to curl up with some reads and visuals, enjoy this week's edition of Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome.

- The best time to book an airplane ticket.

- OMG dolphins and whales.

- DIY gold glitter slime!

- Next week is National Crochet Week; get your crochet on with these easy crochet patterns.

- United colors of Lupita.

- 9 quick and easy things to make a single mom’s day.

- Great yoga poses for runners.

- 10 Boston stereotypes that are completely accurate.

- Gorgeous accent pillows I am coveting.

- Organization tips for busy families: March 24th at 3pm!

- Great foods for hydrating your skin.

Image credit: Gold glitter slime via Pinterest

One of my least favorite things about home nail polish jobs is the stink. Also, the liquid accidents. So I was thrilled to discover La Fresh Eco-Beauty nail polish remover pads (introduced to me by my friends at Tieks, actually). These nail polish remover pads are acetone-free (the fresh Tuscan orange smells delicious), 100% biodegradable, and one pad cleans and conditions all 10 nails. La Fresh's makeup remover and face cleanser wipes work great too and the packets are super convenient for travel.

Want more Friday Finds? Check out: ridiculously awesome pants, parachute cord crafts, Where Is The Cake?, and Travelpro luggage

Image credit: tote and travel pack via Amazon

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week. It's been a busy one here and I've got painters in the house right now (color! exciting! this feels grownup!) so I'm looking forward to downtime with the girls this weekend (hello, unplugging!). If you're looking for something to do, here are 16 events, lovingly curated for your consideration. Have a wonderful weekend!

1. A special night at the museum for children with ASD. (Acton)

2. Magic show with Rupayan Neogy. (Acton)

3. Margot Fox family fun show. (Arlington)

4. Ben Rudnick show benefitting Birthday Wishes. (Boston)

5. Explore and restore the Boston Harbor Islands habitats. (Boston)

6. Mix, built, predict and experiment with kitchen science. (Boston)

7. For the 5+ set, the egg tower challenge. (Boston)

8. Spend the day discovering the mysterious octopus. (Boston)

9. Share an arctic journey with Elska and her friends. (Brookline)

10. Tales of a Mysterious Land. (Brookline)

11. Spend your Saturday at the sugar shack. (Ipswich)

12. Explore line and space through tiny collaborative sculptures. (Lincoln)

13. Have a playdate with nature and get your mud madness on. (Mattapan)

14. It’s sugarin’ time. (Milton)

15. MA Special Olympics Winter Games. (Princeton)

16. Maple days. (Sturbridge)

Image credit: Mass Audubon

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Did you know that National Day of Unplugging runs sundown to sundown March 7-8? Even if you can't pull the plug for this particular 24 hour window, I still believe that being more mindful about technology consumption and also designating unplugged time can result in a meaningful and positive shift for your family. Today, Jane shares 8 tips to help you get there:

Do you have a small panic attack when you misplace your phone? Do you spend more waking hours in front of a computer, tablet, or TV than outside or with friends and family? Yeah, me too. While there is good and necessity in connectivity (hello, I have teenagers), obsessive technology insanity is what led our family to an official unplugging schedule, also known as "blackout hours" at our home. Here’s how you can do the same, and reclaim together time:

1. Take a stand. At ages 6, 10, 13, and 15, my kids would have sooner volunteered to go without food, water, or shelter than lose their technology. But my husband and I took a stand; remember, you’re the grownup! You can set the rules!

2. Create a schedule and specific rules. Specific blackout hours will help prevent ambiguity and repeated requests around technology. We still haven't nailed down the perfect schedule, but what we try to do is a blackout period from 3-7pm on weekdays unless needed for homework (you may need to monitor to help them stay on task!), tech-free meals, and specific blackout hours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

3. Model the rules. Plain and simple, you can’t set blackout rules for the family and not follow them. Lead by example!

4. Rediscover what you’ve got at home. There really and truly is plenty else to do at home instead of going face down in technology. Read, play board games, have craft time, build forts, do yoga, cook together…find a fun thing to work on together and go!

5. Make plans. Instead of web surfing, shopping online, playing games, or writing emails, make plans to visit with friends and family. Getting away from your everyday routine and being with people in real life will help break you of reaching for technology as a crutch.

6. Set a stop time in the evening. Staying on your computer or phone right up until bedtime interrupts your sleep. The light emitted from your screens actually trick your brain into thinking it needs to stay awake and alert, reducing your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Set a stop time well before bedtime or try unplugging for a whole day and treat your brain to a little less mindless distraction. Your sleep will be peaceful, and you’ll awake refreshed and ready for another day.

7. Remember that there’s always tomorrow. One of the classic tech pitfalls is becoming a prisoner to the e-mails, calls, and text messages that pile up during the day. But really, for the most part, the world will not end if you unplug for a while. Remember, you can always respond tomorrow. 

8. Experiment with quiet. Do you always exercise with your iPod? Keep the TV on in the background even when no one’s watching? Try experimenting with quiet. Clutter can extend to the auditory realm too. I’ve found that it’s incredible how many creative thoughts I can have or how much quicker challenging tasks can be taken care of by me or my family when there’s no electronic distraction.

Have you tried unplugging? What’s worked best for you? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!

Image credits: thumbnail via FreeDigitalPhotos.net; compilation photos by Christine Koh

Following the fun features on Medford and Beacon Hill, today’s Local Gems spotlight is on Lexington, a pretty town 11 miles northwest of Boston. I’m grateful to my brilliant friend and colleague Morra Aarons-Mele (mom of two adorable sons and a digital tour de force via Women Online and The Mission List), who shares her Lexington faves today. Thanks, Morra!

1. Wilson Farm. It's expensive and the traffic can be maddening but Wilson Farm is a magical place in my book. My boys love to go visit Belle the llama in her barn and see the fish in the garden shop. The fresh produce and plants are fantastic (as are the fresh made cider donuts, shown above), and I always buy a fresh turkey at Wilson's for Thanksgiving. My #1 favorite thing, though, is to take my sons on the spooky hayride around Halloween time!

2. Willard’s Woods. This is the most beautiful place to walk your dog. It's leash free on weekdays, which is fantastic. Park in the main parking lot and explore! Also great for kids' walks and mini hikes.

3. Arlington's Great Meadow. Despite the name, Arlington's Great Meadow is in Lexington! I sneak in behind the Waldorf School and onto the bike path. The Meadows are vast and beautiful -- you feel very far away even though you're about 15 feet from civilization. It’s great for little "hikes" for kids.

4. Revolve. Revolve offers incredible women's clothing consignment! Great designers, fair prices, and a good selection. I try to stop in once a week to see what's new. Belmont also has a Revolve but I prefer the Lexington shop for selection.

5. Ride Studio Cafe. OK, you may feel you've stepped into an episode of Portlandia, but the coffee is worth it, I promise. If you're a cycling enthusiast, this place is your hub.

6. Sweet Thyme Bakery. This little café near the Lexington Common is replete with fresh baked bread, scones, and other treats -- all beautifully presented and wrapped. They also offer a small sandwich menu.

7. Rancatore's Ice Cream. Originally established in neighboring Belmont, Rancatore's (aka Ranc's) occupies a prime spot in the heart of Lexington Center. The flavor roster changes daily and includes sweet picks such as cinnamon nutmeg, gingersnap molasses, and callebaut (Belgian) milk chocolate. Also, try the homemade hot fudge!

8. FORTHCOMING GEM ALERT: Il Casale. Nourish was originally on my local gems list, but sadly, they have since closed. The good news? Belmont's Il Casale is opening a sister bistro in Nourish's space this spring. Assuming the Lexington spot mirrors the tastiness of the Belmont location, this will be a fantastic addition to the Center!

Do you have other Lexington gems you love? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Image credits: all images via linked websites, with the exception of Willard's Woods, sourced via Lexington Patch