Mary C DeSouza
4th of July Activities in Central Mass
Best Fourth of July Daytime Activities in and Around Central Massachusetts
There’s something magical about the Fourth of July in New England.
Maybe it’s the sound...
My Favorite Outdoor-Centered Summer Day Camps in Central Massachusetts
If you’re balancing work, commuting, and raising active kids, these camps stand out for one key reason: they actually work for real families. Think...
Preparing for Sleepaway Camp at Camp Waziyatah
Sleepaway camp is a huge step for a kid. And preparing for it with your child is enormous, as well. It’s exciting, emotional, and...
Water Safety for Toddlers: A Non-Negotiable Life Skill
Water safety isn’t just a “nice to have”. Water safety is a life-saving skill.
The Leading Cause
Did you know that drowning is the leading cause...
Memorial Day Weekend Getaways within 2 Hours of Central Mass
Memorial Day Weekend always sneaks up on us. One minute we’re still packing sweatshirts for sports practices, and the next we’re trying to figure...
May the 4th Be with you, Mom
The Force Is Strong With This One: Raising Kids With Inner Strength (Not Just Outer Success)
May the 4th always makes me pause.
Not because of...
April’s Lesson In Letting Go
April always tricks me.
It arrives quietly hopeful. Longer light, softer air, the promise of something new.
And I convince myself this is it. This is...
Parenting as a Part of Spring’s Natural Flow
Spring didn’t fix my parenting
The laundry still piles up faster than I can fold it. Someone is always hungry five minutes after dinner. Emotions...
Starting Your First Family Garden :: Things Kids Love to Grow
Every spring, when winter finally loosens its grip and the days start stretching longer, something magical happens in our kitchen window. Little green seedlings...
Why I Chose to Send My Six-Year-Old to Sleepaway Camp
As a parent, coach, educator, and someone who spends a great deal of time thinking about how children grow and develop confidence, I made...















