Classes

If this is your first Mother’s Day as a mom, congratulations! One of the best gifts you can receive as a new mom is a group that gives you support and a sense of community. We’ve rounded up several of these groups – read on to find one that might work for you.

Taking full advantage of Boston’s location - the Charles River to the west and Boston Harbor to the east - community boating programs provide numerous opportunities for kids and families to learn to sail in Boston. Look a little further to the north and south, and options multiply. From annual memberships to five-day passes to one-day rentals, the following sailing centers offer packages that will fit your budget and schedule. Note that many of the lesson and camp programs fill up fast, so be sure to plan ahead.

I’m not sure why I had my daughter audition for the Boston Children’s Chorus two years ago. She was so shy, she could barely look at an adult during a conversation. She wasn’t a great singer, she knew very little about music, and she had absolutely no desire to perform.

But I insisted. I wanted her to be a part of a diverse community, to spend time with kids she wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to meet. I thought it was important for her to learn to read music and sing songs from different cultures. Most of all, I was hoping she would gain confidence – she was such a bright and capable kid, but she hadn’t yet found her voice.

What a difference two seasons in the Boston Children’s Chorus can make.

By Julie Marden

Outdoor ice skating rinks are great for some fun, unstructured time, but if your budding skater dreams of forward skating, backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, turns and Mohawks, some formal instruction may be just the thing. Lessons are offered at each of the five outdoor rinks featured in our related post, and three skating schools also provide lessons at indoor rinks in the area. We’ve highlighted these skating schools and lesson options below; schedules, registration forms and pricing details can be found on the rink or school websites.