Parenting

Dear Lizzie,  My child loves messy, sensory play and it keeps him busy on these long winter days, but I hate the mess! Can you recommend a messy/not-so-messy activity to keep us both happy?  Dear reader, Your child is on to something! Sensory play is particularly appealing in the winter, as we miss the natural sensory experiences often found outdoors in the summer. It makes a whole lot of sense that tactile play would be keeping your little one engaged.  Lizzie Assa As a parent…

Dear Lizzie, This year, my child's eyes lit up with each gift they unwrapped at Christmas, but now those same toys seem forgotten, gathering dust in the corner. It's frustrating to see, and I'm not sure how to encourage them to play with their new toys. Do you have any advice?  Dear reader, Ah, the post-holiday toy dilemma! One minute, your living room looks like a toy store, and the next, it's as if the toys have become invisible to your little one. I have…

The Current is proud to partner with Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead. Send your questions for Lizzie to AskLizzie@marbleheadnews.org. Dear Lizzie, Last holiday season, we had an uncomfortable moment when my three-year-old loudly said, “I already have that!” upon opening a present from my sister. The incident left everyone upset: my child in tears, me mortified and my sister visibly hurt. As we approach this year's family gathering, I'm…

Dear Lizzie, I'm often at the pediatrician's with my kids, and the waiting room has become a test of patience. Can you suggest ways to make the wait less tedious? Dear reader, With the arrival of the cooler months, many of us are spending a lot of time in the pediatrician's waiting room. While this can be a challenging space for keeping little ones contained and entertained, I've gathered some tips to help make your visits less daunting. Involve your kids in preparing for the…

The Current is proud to partner with columnist Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workplace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead. Send your questions to Lizzie at AskLizzie@marbleheadnews.org. Dear Lizzie, My preschooler is really excited about the idea of Halloween, but he’s also a kid who gets scared easily. How can I make sure he has fun with all of the spooky decorations and costumes?  Dear reader,  Parenting strategist LIzzie Assa COURTESY PHOTO Your child is lucky…

The Current is proud to welcome columnist Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead.  Send your questions to Lizzie at AskLizzie@marbleheadnews.org. Dear Lizzie, I'm having a hard time getting my elementary schooler out the door in the morning. She's always saying that she doesn't want to go to school. How do I make this less painful for everyone? Dear reader, I write this to you after a morning that left me…