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Jessica Collins Grimes

Jessica Collins Grimes is a nationally recognized Boston-based writer, editor, blogger, 
and content strategist specializing in health and wellness, parenting, travel, and higher education,. She has contributed to Health, Boston.com, Boston Parents Paper, She Knows, The Bump, and many other publications, and served as executive editor for the WPI Journal, the university magazine of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 

With a background in journalism and more than two decades of marketing communications experience, Jessica is a versatile and engaging writer who can craft everything from long-form feature stories to blog posts to first-person anecdotes. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University.

Health.com •

I Spotted a Lump on My Neck During Pandemic Zoom Calls—And It Was Actually Thyroid Cancer

Last spring, thanks to remote work and countless hours each week staring at myself on my laptop screen during Zoom calls, I noticed something looked off on the right side of my neck. It was subtle––just swollen and a little puffy, but nothing that felt worrisome at the time, so I shrugged it off. But when it did not disappear after a few weeks, I probed the area and felt something. I showed my husband, and he confirmed he felt it too—a lump on my neck.

Although this was the height of the pandem
Boston.com •

10 family-friendly activities to kick off the fall season

Saying goodbye to summer is never easy, although knowing the magic of a New England autumn is just around the corner certainly helps. Wondering what to do with your kids as the leaves begin to change and fall settles in? From corn mazes to college football to harvest festivals, we’ve rounded up 10 family-friendly activities in the Boston area and beyond to help you celebrate the fall season.

Nothing says family teamwork like trying to find your way out of the seven-acre maze at Connors Farm, a
Boston.com •

9 places in the Boston area that will unleash your kids' creativity

Over the past month, the weather has been warm and then cold, spring-y and then snowy. Literally. It’s not ideal for planning fun family adventures. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel and plop your kids in front of a TV. From painting and sewing to cooking and slime-ing, here are nine not-weather-dependent spots in the Boston area where your children can create, explore, and imagine—and maybe even discover a new talent or two.

1. They can get crafty at Muckykids Art Studio

Th
SheKnows •

The best exercise for awesome abs

Do you plank? If not, you should. Learn why this simple yet challenging abs exercise (which has its own Twitter handle!) is such an effective tummy-toner.

Do you plank? If not, you should. Learn why this simple yet challenging abs exercise (which has its own Twitter handle!) is such an effective tummy-toner.

Crunches and sit-ups are so yesterday. If you’re looking for the most efficient and effective exercise to strengthen and tone your core, look no further than the plank. This multitasking m
Boston Parents Paper •

Facing Fears

Monsters under the bed. The neighbor’s dog. A dark room. What do you do when your formerly fearless and adventurous preschooler is suddenly frightened by imaginary creatures, everyday occurrences and everything in between?

Parents might find it frustrating to understand how something harmless can be quite scary to a child – and can generate such a strong emotional reaction. Their fears may be especially intense this time of year when witches, zombies and other spooky Halloween images seem to b

5 Easy Ways to Get Your Toddler Excited About Helping!

My 21-month-old daughter wants to help with everything. If she sees me sweeping, she immediately tries to snatch the broom, announcing, “I help!” And don’t get me started on emptying the dishwasher. When she sees the dishwasher door open, she will fly across the room and go straight for her sippy cups, matching the tops and bottoms and placing them on the counter near the cabinet where we keep them in. Then she’ll proceed to hand me each utensil, one at a time, with a cheerful, “Here you go!”

T

How to Keep Your Kid From Playing Favorites — a Must-Read for Moms (and Dads!)

My toddler is going through a “mommy phase.” She wants me all the time, whether it’s to give her or a bath or read her stories at bedtime or kiss her boo-boos when she falls. I’m the one she calls for when she wakes up in the morning. When I dare to leave the room, she bursts out in tears, running after me.

It’s been going on for several weeks now. Sure, it can be inconvenient and overwhelming at times, and I’ll roll my eyes or complain to my husband about it, but you know what? I secretly love
SheKnows •

The top 5 green health clubs in the country

Looking to reduce your dress size and your carbon footprint? If so, you’re not alone. Check out what these green health clubs are doing to improve the health of both their members and the environment.

Health and fitness clubs across the country are embracing environmentally friendly “green” practices, from refurbished treadmills to spin bikes that generate electricity to water conservation programs. According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), three-quarter