New! Boston Mamas
www.bostonmamas.com

What we like: Launched in July 2006, Boston Mamas is an independent, stylish portal for parents in Boston and beyond, featuring product reviews, local features, and tips/commentary on everything from parenting to eco living to development and behavior to domestics. The site is in blog format, and new content is introduced daily.


What's super cool: Their shopping page includes special independent retailer discounts exclusive to Boston Mamas, as well as promotions from their affiliates. Includes discounts to super cool boutiques or larger chains like Linens N Things and Peapod Delivery! Love that!

New! Siblings Busy Book
www.busybookseries.wordpress.com

What we like: Blog format from local authors who offer tips on creating sibling bonds through play.

What's super cool: The duo offer regular v-casts that make activities easy to set up and more enjoyable!

 

WickedLocalParents
www.wickedlocalparents.com

What we like: Pardon our boasting, but we happen to think the Parentsandkids site earns top billing as a cool and useful parenting resource. Where else can you find so many great articles on issues of importance to Boston area parents? And let’s not forget the witty, informative blogs of P&K Editor Heather Kempskie and contributors Gwenn O’Keeffe and Jennifer Lord. If you want to stay on top of the latest in Boston parenting, be sure to keep this site in your list of Internet Favorites.
 

What’s super cool: Even after your latest issue of P&K has been carted off to recycling, you can still find many of your favorite articles archived online. Also, be sure to check out videos of P&K contributors’ TV appearances!

 

Pediatrics Now
pediatricsnow.com

What we like: Created by local mom and pediatrician, Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe serves as your 'easy-access' connection to health information. She blogs, she provides her expert perspective on the latest health news and advice and she's credible - she's the Editor-in-Chief for the Amercian Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communication and Media!


What's super cool: Her e-newsletter gives tips and advice on the latest bugs/viruses going around.
 

Boston Central – The Center for Boston Families
bostoncentral.com

 

What we like: If the kids are bored and the calendar is empty, or you’ve recently moved to the Boston area and need to know where to go, what to do and when to do it, this site has the answers. There are hundreds of local events listed including crafts, classes, exhibits, concerts, and playspaces along with services such as finance, shopping and educare.

What’s super cool: You can get weekly emails listing fun family activities happening in and around Boston.
 

 

Go City Kids
gocitykids.parentsconnect.com

 

What we like: Next time you’re planning a trip out of town, add a visit to Go City Kids to your to-do list. You can enter any major U.S. city and discover all sorts of cool local happenings that your kids will enjoy. You can narrow your search by type of day, kind of fun and your child’s age. 
 

What’s super cool: You can also search for fun family activities in your own Boston area neighborhood and get useful information on local afterschool activities, childcare, parent resources, restaurants, day camps and classes.

 
 

Wondertime
wondertime.go.com

 

What we like: Wondertime is a great resource for parents of young children (newborn to 6), providing advice on child development, creative parenting, home decorating, recipes, crafts, and games. This attractively designed site is easily navigable and recently featured articles on tackling teasing and making funky playroom murals, along with parents’ ideas for creating workable morning routines.  
 

What’s super cool: Wondertime TV featuring advice from experts, podcasts and the Dalai Mama blog in audio is very cool.

 
 

 iVillage Pregnancy and Parenting
parenting.ivillage.com

 

What we like: There are plenty of cool parenting sites, but this one offers something for everyone. With hundreds of message boards covering every (okay, nearly every) conceivable parenting topic from Disney vacations to the vaccination debate to military families, parents are bound to find a group sharing their interests. The site also features discussions of hot topics, articles by experts, videos, quizzes, a photo gallery and more.
 

What’s super cool: Cool tools include a sleep method decoder to track and solve sleep problems, a development tracker, fetal image slide show, toy recall resources and a family time activities calendar.
 

 

Common Sense Media
commonsensemedia.org

What we like: Wondering if the latest new movie, website, or TV show is family-friendly fare? Are you concerned about the messages your kids may be getting about violence, social behavior and commercialism? This site provides reliable reviews on the latest media from a parent’s perspective. Each review includes commentary on “what parents need to know” along with opinions posted by parents and kids. 

What’s super cool: Each review has an easy-to-read chart listing features such as language and drug use with red, yellow or green lights showing just how much caution is needed.

 
 

Baby Plays – Toy Rental Program
babyplays.com

What we like: We all know kids’ fascination with a new toy is short lived. This site ingeniously addresses the problem of high toy turnover by creating a type of Netflix for toys. Subscribers pay a monthly fee and get rental toys delivered to them for a period of 30 days or more. Once the novelty has worn off, the toys can be returned and a new bunch delivered.
 

What’s super cool: This is the kind of cool idea that makes you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
 

 

Geni
geni.com

 

What we like: Building your family tree has never been easier.  This relatively new site, launched in 2007, lets users enter names and profiles in a family tree which automatically expands as new members are added. Invited family members can join in the fun by adding names, photos and family news.  
 

What’s super cool: Relatives can easily merge their trees with yours, giving new meaning to the term ‘extended family.’ Kids will get a kick out of seeing how they are connected to their great-great-great grandparents.
 

 

Manic Mommies
manicmommies.com
 

What we like: Manic Mommies was created by Erin Kane and Kristin Brandt, two local Boston moms, who decided they wanted to create a blog and podcast about juggling jobs and kids and attempting “not to lose our mind…or our sense of humor.” Clearly, their sense of humor is still intact and their often funny and always thought-provoking take on a variety of parenting issues is both enlightening and entertaining. 
 

What’s supercool: Past podcast guests have included such big names as Julia Louis Dreyfus and Elizabeth Edwards.
 

 

MommaJam
mommajam.com

What we like: This podcast by P&K contributor Sara Eberle is a “let your hair down, crank up the volume, shout out loud audio onslaught for mothers.” Moms in need of a good laugh along with good advice have been tuning in. Recent interviews included a chat with cyber security expert Marian Merritt. 
 

What’s super cool: Ask MommaJam features questions and answers about typical parenting problems.