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Queens
Family June 2010 Letter from the publisher Happy Father’s Day!
I
don’t know anyone who doesn’t love the month of June. It’s loaded with great weather and loads of happy celebrations. Lots of birthdays, graduations and of course Father’s Day, make it a month of utter bliss that if you’re a kid also says it’s the beginning of summer vacation. For us grown-ups as well as kids it’s the month of the longest daylight hours, roses, high birth rates, berries in season, open beaches, and Camp beginning. In our house, it’s my daughter’s birthday, my birthday, and this year, the month we’re going on vacation. (I aim to capitalize on those long days). She’s just finishing her freshman year at college and amazingly she still wants to travel with me. This month always makes me think about my father. He’s been gone for 26 years and yet I think of him more all the time. So much of who I am in life is because of him and because of my other father (my uncle) who also did a great deal in the way of parenting this gal who lost her birth mother in her life at the age of three. Fathers all around us are more and more taking on equal responsibility in the raising of their children. Many are opting to stay at home for their kid’s formative years, and we have a terrific profile this month on a Dad in Riverdale who has chosen such a path. There is also a focus this month on Special Needs issues and on some of the services in our communities that provide much needed education and therapies. Soon our magazines New York Special Child and Long Island Special Child will be out for the spring/summer issue and you can contact us for distribution at family@cnglocal.com or call us at 718 260-8336. Happy Graduation! Happy Father’s Day! Happy Birthday to all you fellow Gemini/Cancer creative spirits. Happy Summer everyone! Don’t forget to fan us on FACEBOOK! Thanks for reading.
columns 2 Newbie Dad By Brian Kantz by Christine M. Palumbo, RD
6 Family Health
8 Dad stays home
Fathers who choose to make kids their primary job By Tiziana Rinaldi
10 Dumpin’ the bingo wings!
Finding an exercise regime to tackle my upper arms By Kathy Sena
12 LI’s best museums for kids
For a great day out, discover one of these treasures By Mary Carroll Wininger
16 Debunking the suburban myth Uncovering the truth about Stepford
by Ivan Hand, MD, FAAP
14 Lions and Tigers and Teens Myrna Beth Haskell
18 Cinematters by Laura Gray
20 Growing Up Online by Carolyn Jabs
28 Parents Helping Parents by Sharon C. Peters
48 New & Noteworthy
By Risa C. Doherty
The hottest new products
24 The balancing act
Some advice on caring for a child with ADHD By elaine lerner, mswm csw
calender of events 34 Going Places
30 Autism economics
Financial planning for families with special needs By Jeffrey R. Silverman
Take the family out and find out what’s going on in your town
32 Down syndrome families connect special section Support for parents with special needs children By Mary Carroll Wininger
24 Focus on Special Needs
Staff
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Brooklyn Family, Queens Family, Bronx Family and Long Island Family are published monthly. Copyright©2010. No part of our contents may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.
June 2010 • QUEENS Family 1
PARENTING
Father’s Day is the new Mother’s Day
NEWBIE DAD BRIAN KANTZ
2 QUEENS Family • June 2010
L
ogically, I’ve chosen to write about Father’s Day for this month’s column. I’m a father. Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20. Makes perfect sense. Illogically — it may seem at first glance — I’ve chosen to headline this column with what could be taken as a divisive statement. I fully realize that moms make up the majority of the readership of this magazine and I can hear the reaction now … “Father’s Day is the new Mother’s Day! What kind of a jerk wrote that! He’s trying to take Mother’s Day away from us!” But wait. Just wait. Hear me out. I’m not trying to take anything away from moms. I sincerely hope that every mom out there was treated like royalty for at least one day last month. I hope that your significant other pampered you with breakfast in bed and showered you with flowers. I hope that your kids drew wonderful crayon portraits of you with the words “I LOVE YOU, MOM” scrawled across the top of the page. I hope that you felt truly appreciated. I hope that you felt the love. It’s just that things are changing for families across America — in particular, fathers are more actively involved in the day-to-day care of their kids than ever before — and I have a feeling that dads are going to start to feel the love, too. So, goodbye cliché present (necktie, mug, grilling apron), hello heartfelt appreciation. The Daddy Shift: How Stay-atHome Dads, Breadwinning Moms, and Shared Parenting are Transforming the American Family (Beacon Press, 2009) is a wonderful and important book by journalist Jeremy Adam Smith. You should check it out. It details the way fatherhood is being redefined in our country. Smith argues that changes in attitudes and economics over the past 40 years or so have altered what American society expects of a father and what a father expects of himself. The result is that our country is a pretty progressive place for dudes today.
Smith goes straight to the source — his own father — for some historical perspective. His old man told him that in the late 1960s and early 1970s, “the idea that a mother could have a career and be a mom was the radical thought of the time. The thought that dad would stay home was not considered. If it was, nobody told me, and the thought never entered my head.” In other words, the prevailing attitude in this country had been that men work and women stay home to raise the children. Most people couldn’t even envision a different way of doing things. Now, of course, all of that has changed. In the 1960s woman began fighting for the option to work, stay home to raise children, or do both. For American men, gaining “options” — like the option to stay home as the primary caregiver to their children — came later and more subtly. Smith writes that “in the early 1980s, signs appeared that younger men and women were open to the possibility of a reverse-traditional arrangement, with female breadwinners and male caregivers. This momentous cultural change did not, of course, happen all at once. There was no epochal thunderclap and no storming of the Bastille — just an
accumulation of decisions made by ordinary fathers and mothers who only wanted what was best for their kids and themselves.” Economics have played a large part in driving this attitude shift. Smith notes that in the 1950s, women made half as much as men for the same work. Today, women make about 80 percent as much as men. It’s still not fair, but it is significant enough of a gain to make the notion of “mom as the primary breadwinner” viable. That notion is also buoyed by the fact that women are now just as likely as men to have completed college and to hold an advanced degree. In turn, today’s open-minded American man is pretty OK with all of this. A 2007 poll by Monster.com found that 68 percent of American men would consider staying home full-time with their kids. That means that nearly seven out of 10 guys are willing to consider taking on the dayto-day, nitty-gritty care of their children. I’m talking tenderly diapering and feeding babies, lovingly tending to the scraped knees of preschoolers, and devotedly counseling confused teenagers. Those kinds of moments, those intimate interactions, are the reason why children have such a special bond with their mothers — and why we send them heartfelt gifts for Mother’s Day. Increasingly, dads want in on that action. Fathers will never, ever take the place of mothers. Don’t worry about that. But men are spending more time with their children than ever before (both as stay-at-home dads and super-involved working fathers) and, on Father’s Day, they will receive those heartfelt gifts — not because they want or need the accolades, but because their children will want to say thanks. Brian Kantz never thought of himself as a revolutionary figure before, but he thanks author Jeremy Adam Smith for pointing it out. Visit Brian online at www.briankantz.com or drop him a note at thenewbiedad@yahoo.com.
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nosotros ponemos su salud primero
HEALTHY EATING
When daddy cooks
Sometimes the father is in charge of the menu
L GOOD SENSE EATING CHRISTINE M. PALUMBO, RD
ike many contemporary fathers, Kirk Christensen not only brings home the figurative bacon, but cooks it, too. The suburban Chicago father of two enjoys cooking whenever he can, although it’s often limited to grilling outside on the weekends. Much has been written about mothers’ influence on their children’s eating styles, but what about the dads? Studies suggest that fathers have a major influence on their children’s eating habits and nutritional status. While mothers traditionally had the primary responsibility for shopping and cooking, fathers are increasingly pulling their own weight. In a 2008 study published by the Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 65 percent of dads said meal preparation and shopping was done by mothers or shared equally between the mothers and fathers. Twenty four percent of the dads reported that the meal preparations were their primary responsibility and 14 percent share the chore equally with their wives. In the same study, 24 percent of dads had the primary grocery shopping responsibilities for their families. Parenting style can also impact nutrition status. In a 2006 study in
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*Excerpted from 101 Optimal Life Foods by David Grotto, RD, LDN Copyright © 2009 by David Grotto. Excerpted by permission of Bantam, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
4 QUEENS Family • June 2010
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Q: I’m a single dad with child custody on the weekends. How can I feed my children well? A: If your children are old enough, they can help you draw up plans for the weekend meals. Take them to the grocery store, then share in some simple meal prep. Doing things together can be fun and you’ll be teaching them valuable life skills.
Obesity, fathers influenced their daughters’ weight. Those with highly controlling fathers had a higher percentage of body fat.
Dads as role models
Chicago area dietitian David Grotto, president of Nutrition Housecall, LLC, says dads play a special role in their children’s eating habit formation. Dads may not always be cooking up a storm or take main responsibility for the grocery shopping, but they can serve as a positive role model for their children when it comes to eating right. Yet, according to the USDA, the majority of fathers fall short in their fruit and vegetable eating. Why? It’s not the cost, but because they don’t care for them. Grotto, who has three tween daughters, suggests fathers praise mom’s cooking and eat it with a smile. He notes, “If dad won’t eat it, the kids might not either.” Grotto points to ways dads can model enjoying meals in just the right amounts. “Slow and steady wins the race. Assuring kids that there is plenty of food to go around and they won’t ‘starve to death’ when eating slowly, is a great life-long lesson.” He adds
that fathers can also send a strong message about eating until you are just about full – but not uncomfortable. In some households, Mom stresses the nutrition and Dad reluctantly goes along with it. This is somewhat true in the Christensen household. Kirk relates that, at times, his wife sneaks healthy veggies, such as zucchini, into sauces. “I’ll give her the eye as if to ask, ‘This is a squash sauce, isn’t it?’”
When dad’s in charge
If dads don’t cook and they are “home alone” charged with feeding the brood, they often turn to less than stellar options. Grotto suggests these tips for cooking-challenged fathers: Bust out some tortillas, pasta sauce and cheese to make quick and simple pizzas in the toaster oven. Show children how to enjoy food in its simplest form. Slice up some apples and cheese, toast some hearty whole grain bread and serve with hummus or a drizzle of olive oil. Eating behaviors and food choices established in childhood often significantly track into adulthood. We cannot underestimate the roles of fathers on their child’s current and future eating habits. Christine M. Palumbo is a Naperville, Illinois-based dietitian and mother of three. She loves it when her husband cooks, but positively swoons when he cleans up afterward. She can be reached at (630) 3698495 or Chris@ChristinePalumbo.com.
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June 2010 â&#x20AC;¢ QUEENS Family 5
HEALTH
Kids & sun exposure FAMILY HEALTH IVAN HAND, MD, FAAP Director of Neonatology Queens Hospital Center
W
ith the warm weather and long summer days upon us, it is important to remember to protect your child’s skin from overexposure to the sun. Overexposure to sunlight in childhood can lead to skin damage such as wrinkling, scarring and cancer later in life. Although many of us only think about sun exposure when going to the beach on a clear summer day, protection from the sun is important every day. The sun’s rays are composed of both visible and invisible rays of light. It is the invisible ultraviolet rays that cause skin damage and burning. These rays are present even on cloudy days when the sun isn’t “shining.”
Under 6 months:
The most important recommendation is to avoid direct sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. The sunscreen should be made for children and be fragrance-free if possible.
For older children:
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The sunscreen should be made for children with an SPF of at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB rays. Higher SPF’s (above 30) can be used in high exposure areas such as the face and hands. The best defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, and cotton clothing with a tight weave. Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside and should state that they block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays or meet ANSI UV requirements. Toy sunglasses without these labels may not effectively block all of the UV rays from your child’s eyes. 6 QUEENS Family • June 2010
Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours — between 10 am and 4 pm. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, even if they claim to be waterproof. Use extra caution near water, snow, concrete and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.
Sunburn
If your child develops a sunburn after exposure, apply cool com-
presses to the affected area. Acetaminophen can be given in the appropriate dose to ease some of the pain. If the sunburn causes blisters or if your child is feeling very ill with fever, chills or vomiting, call your pediatrician. Sunburn can cause a serious burn that may need professional treatment and could lead to dehydration. Summertime is a wonderful time for children and families. A few minutes of prevention will make you and your child more comfortable, and prevent serious long term consequences of overexposure.
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www.straightenwithbraces.com June 2010 • QUEENS Family 7
PARENTING
Dad stays home Fathers who choose to make their kids their primary job
8 QUEENS Family • June 2010
BY TIZIANA RINALDI
T
imes have changed, mentalities have evolved and so has the way we care for our children. And if families don’t mind adding a little roughhousing to the kids’ daily activities, they can discover how quickly dads can morph into great caretakers.
When Father’s Day comes around this month, Riverdale dad Michael Berlin will be basking in that recognition along with a growing number of stay-home fathers (159,000 according to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau figures), who cherish their role all over the country. “Once you get over the mentality of ‘earning that paycheck’,” said Berlin who lost his job at Time Warner during the 2008 economic down-
turn, “and you realize that taking care of them is the best for your kids, you can choose what’s important.” Happenstance sparked self-reflection, and the former manager of a desktop support team found himself considering a different kind of transition. Already sharing an equal parenting lifestyle with wife Donna, an ESL teacher in the Ardsley school district, but facing one of the worst job markets in the history of the country, Berlin soon grasped the benefits of postponing his career choices and becoming a full time dad. “You just jump in and do it,” he said of how he learned to take care of Julia and Brendan, his 28-month-old daughter and 8-month-old son, respectively. But, most importantly, that’s how he always approached his role, especially since both children arrived via C-section and their mom needed time to recover. “The biggest hurdle, if this is new to a father, is getting over the mental block of doing the activities. The fear of it,” he added. “Once you jump into it, any dad or any man can do it.” Now raising his kids fulltime, the young father has his hands full. Between meals, baths, naps, diaper changes, doctors’ appointments, Julia’s parent-toddler classes every Tuesday and Thursday, and the daily enrichment activities, there’s isn’t much time for respite. “It definitely has its challenges, especially with the two of them being so young, and so close in age,” said the stay-home-dad of the hectic pace of the day, the unknowns of young tempers, his daughter’s desire for dad’s attention and the sudden nature of kids’ little health afflictions. Berlin, though, remains fully aware of his opportunity. “It’s very fulfilling. You cannot ask for more than seeing their daily progress.” Already appreciating the good fortune he has had to witness his little girl taking her first steps, and transforming
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from a bubbling baby into a laughing, talking and engaging toddler. He also knows that he “won’t be out of the workforce forever,” which gives him more of a reason to reap the privilege of setting his own agenda. “They’re my ‘bosses”, said Berlin smiling and looking at the kids, “but, I am also my own boss. I can do what I need to do!” It’s nice not having to get up every morning to wear suit and tie and face the daily commute, he explained. Even better, on a beautiful day it feels great going to the park for a few hours to enjoy nature, take the kids to feed the ducks or hang out at the playground. Still, for all its advantages, it took courage to “break the mold” and choose to build the life Berlin envisioned for himself and his family, away from old-fashioned gender definitions and rigid societal expectations.
“Donna is my No. 1 supporter,” said the Bronx dad, who credits his wife for leading the charge and making it easy to stay at home. She shares the load when she comes back from work, and pushes the husband to recharge his batteries. “I can see a number of wives saying ’what are you doing, you need to go back to the workforce’, but she really understood the importance for [our kids] to be with one of their parents.” The ability not to let stereotypes define their attitudes was present for both of these parents, continued Berlin, since his wife did not fall for the “super-mom” image either, or the “do-it-all” wife and career woman. Then, there is the cultural conditioning that men ought to be the breadwinners. “It is for every father and husband to work it out in their own way”, shared the stay-home-dad. “I’m comfortable in my own skin, and I know this is my choice.” On Father’s Day, Berlin suggests that working fathers should be mindful of how much effort is put in, and how much value is created, by the stay-home parent, while his advice for those who are thinking of staying home is “Do it! You won’t regret it.” Children are only little once. You can go back to work at any point after that.”
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HEALTH
Dumpin’ the bingo wings! Finding an exercise regime to tackle those upper arms BY KATHY SENA
“M
om, you’re flappin’ your bingo wings!” Little did I know, when my teenage son said that, that he was talking about that lovely bit of wiggly flab on the back of each arm. Bingo wings? Me? I took a good look in the mirror and started thinking about the last time I did any real upper-body exercise. Did carrying groceries count? Marginally. How about hauling that
I didn’t start seriously pumping iron. I just started doing exercises with light hand weights while I watched TV.
10 QUEENS Family • June 2010
stuffed laundry basket up and down the stairs every day? I could claim brownie points, I suppose, but it sure wasn’t causing me to develop Michelle Obama arms. (How hard must the First Lady work out to have those fabulous arms? I’m impressed. If I had arms like that, I’d wear short sleeves every day.) Sadly, neither of my “activities” was enough to banish the flabby flesh with the funny name. And then my doctor recommended a bone-density test, and the results came back showing that, while I wasn’t a candidate for osteoporosis, my numbers could be a
bit better. So in adThat got me thinkdition to my regular ing about a trip we walking, I decided took to Yosemite Nait was time to add a tional Park over the few hand weights to holidays last year. my exercise plan to While my husband pump up my upperand son were skibody strength and ing, I took long walks give those bones a through the Yosemite workout, too. Valley, enjoying the Part 4 of a series That’s me in the solitude, the chance photo, sans makeup to get away from parand doing a little dumbbell action. enting responsibilities, and enjoy the (There’s something about lifting magnificent view. weights that makes the good Did it feel like I was exercising? old chin fat seem to just pop Not really. In fact, I didn’t even think out, making for a brutally about “working out” the whole time honest — but not terribly flat- I was there. But I ended up walking tering — photo! Next goal: miles each day, and feeling healthy lose the chin fat. I have a — and tired in a good way — at the feeling that will come with end of each day. more weight loss. I’m not sure That’s the approach I want to there are many “chin” exer- take to upper-body strength, too. cises I can do — except that Of course, with hand weights, I can’t well-known push-away-from- exactly tell myself I’m not exercising. the-table exercise, which will But I want to incorporate it into my result in less chewing…) day in a way that makes it part of No, I didn’t start seriously something fun — like watching the pumping iron. I just started women of “The View” argue about doing exercises with light who-knows-what. hand weights, bought at OK, it’s that time. The monthly Target, while I watched TV. weigh-in. Apparently slow and steady Heck, if I was going to sit wins the race! on my couch while watching Weigh-in #1: 147.0 (my starting weight) “Ellen,” why not get up and Weigh-in #2: 144.6 (lost 2.4 pounds total) do some stretches, maybe Weigh-in #3: 139.0 (lost 8 pounds total) march in place a little bit, and Weigh-in #4: 135.6 (lost 11.4 pounds total) use some hand weights while The weight isn’t peeling off at light being entertained? (And Ellen speed. But it’s coming off at a rate loves to dance around the studio at that allows me to go out to dinner the beginning of the show — more with my family now and then, have a motivation!) piece of chocolate (not a huge bar!) In her book, “Small Changes, Big when a craving hits and not feel like Results,” registered dietitian Ellie I’m starving myself. Krieger talks about making exercise This is a plan I can live with: Moda lifestyle. “Think about it,” she says. erate increases in exercise. Moder“You spend only a small portion of ate changes in my eating habits. And time actually exercising. Even if you hey, I’m down 11.4 pounds of fat that work out for an hour a day, the other I plan to never see again! Kathy Sena is a freelance journalist 23 hours a day are spent working, eating, sleeping and performing all specializing in family-health issues. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles the other activities of daily life.” By becoming more active during Times, Newsweek, Woman’s Day and those 23 hours, you increase your fit- many other publications. Visit her parness level and improve health with- enting blog, Parent Talk Today, at www. out even thinking about it, she adds. parenttalktoday.com.
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June 2010 • QUEENS Family 11
AROUND TOWN
Long Island’s best museums for kids For a great day out, discover one of these treasures
BY MARY CARROLL WININGER
T
hese days many families are looking for a way to spend meaningful time together without spending a fortune. Traditional family outings like amusement parks or movies can cost as much as a week’s worth of groceries, and don’t provide the opportunity to reconnect, thanks to endless lines and multi-decibel sound effects. The wonderful thing about Long Island is that cheaper, smarter, and more substantive family entertainment is abundant. This summer, museums of Long Island showcase a breadth of cultural opportunities for local families, including exhibits dedicated to turtles, windmills, WWII fighter planes, and
Some more suggestions For further research, here are three more Long Island area museums worth exploring.
Southold Indian Museum 1080 Main Bayview Road Southold, NY 11971 (631) 765-5577 www.southoldindianmuseum.org HOURS: Open Sundays 1:30-4:30pm and by appointment, also open Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm in July and August, closed major holidays COST: $2 for adults, 50 cents for children This non-profit organization houses an impressive collection of Algonquin pottery and arrowheads.
Nassau County Police Museum 1490 Franklin Avenue Mineola, NY 11501 12 QUEENS Family • June 2010
(an electrical outlet encumbered by too many plugs and an uncovered pot among them). Young visitors have proven to be observant. “It was awesome when [they] showed us what a burned wall looks like,” says Alexa, 8, of East Meadow. The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum, 1 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, (516) 572-4177, www.ncfiremuseum.org, Hours: Tues. – Sun. 10 am–5 pm, Cost: $4 Adults, $3.50 Children.
(516) 573-7620 www.policeny.com/ncpdm2005.html HOURS: Open year-round, call for appointment. COST: Call for cost. Vintage handcuffs, batons, and motorcycles on display show how cops in Nassau County used to serve and protect.
Custer Institute 1115 Main Bayview Road Southold, NY 11971 (631) 765-2626 www.custerobservatory.org HOURS: Open every Saturday from dusk until 12am. COST: $5 adults, $3 children under 14 Be stargazers this season at an observatory on the North Shore where visitors receive guided tours of the night sky, followed by refreshments.
Kids learn about insects at the Long Island Science Center. shipwrecks. And while it’s nice to know that the educational institutions of the big city are nearby, attending local museums means you don’t have to endure traffic on the L.I.E. in the name of cultural expansion.
History of heroes
Not long ago, Frank Pendl, a Nassau county fire academy instructor, began amassing a collection of antique and modern-day firefighter memorabilia, which he displayed in the academy’s lobby. The collection eventually became so massive it threatened to overtake the space. That’s when a local fire marshal, Andy Stienmuller, and legions of area firefighters raised enough money to open a new home for the collection: the Nassau County Firefighters Museum. Today, it’s a hands-on, 10,000square-foot showcase featuring a gooseneck hand-drawn and operated waterpump dating back to 1832, which belonged to one of the first fire departments in Nassau County. The museum also functions as an interactive gallery where families can learn about fire safety. Kids can walk through a cartoonishly exaggerated house and spot fire hazards
Creatures of the deep
If your child is less likely to bring home a stray puppy and more inclined to take in a box turtle or common garden snake, the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium will be their new favorite place. Back in 1883, the aquarium got its start as a state-run trout-rearing facility. It only recently evolved into a center designed to educate the public about freshwater ecosystems. Today, it boasts the largest living collection of New York State-native fish, reptiles, and amphibians in the Northeast, with two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds. Exhibits include the Hatch House, where visitors can observe trout eggs hatching and baby trout growing; and the Catch and Keep Trout Fishing program, where kids 3 and up can go fishing with their families. Children can also meet Tiny, the resident 78-pound Common Snapping Turtle. It’s just the thing for your budding ichthyologist. Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, (516) 692-6768, www. cshfha.org, Hours: Open daily 10 am–5 pm, open Sat and Sun 10 am–6 pm from June – August, Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday, Cost: $6 adults, $4 children ages 3-12, free for age 2 and under.
Science is fun
As any parent knows, kids are naturally curious. To answer some of these questions, take them to the Long Island Science Center in Riverhead and all will be explained. An interactive museum dedicated to fostering a love of math, science and technology in young people; the Science Center features a variety of exhibits for children of all ages, such as creating enormous bubbles to learn about the concept of surface tension or reading a forecast of the weather to understand patterns in meteorology. Recent exhibits have explored dusting for fingerprints and how magnets work. The Long Island Science Center, 11 West Main St., Riverhead, NY 11901, (631) 208-8000, www.lisciencecenter. org, Hours: All year, Mon. – Fri. 10 am–2 pm, Sun. 11 am–4 pm, from July 9 – Aug 24, Wed. – Sun. 11 am–4pm, Cost: Children $5, Adults $2.
Flying high
A visit to the American Airpower Museum will help bring Grandpa’s stories of aerial combat missions to life. Formerly a home to Republic Aviation, manufacturer of more than 9,000 World War II fighter planes, this museum today displays preserved vintage aircrafts in the original hangar where they were readied for war. The best part is the planes are not dusty relics, but fully-operational artifacts. Weather permitting, entire squadrons give flying demonstrations on a weekly basis. Members of the museum can pay $300 to suit up and ride shotgun inside the planes, reenacting military maneuvers over
the eastern tip of the island. The goal of this institution is not to dazzle audiences with gleaming instruments of war, but to give younger visitors an idea of what was required during some of America’s toughest days. The American Airpower Museum, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735, (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.com, Hours: Thurs. –Sun. 10:30 am–4 pm, Cost: $10 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children.
Sailing away
For those who dream of pirates, the Long Island Maritime Museum offers a comprehensive history lesson into the island’s seafaring and shipwrecked past. Originally the summer estate of a Singer Sewing Machine Company heiress, the museum today provides a look back at the boat-building traditions and related industries which were once such a part of Long Island’s livelihood. On hand is a treasure trove of locally-crafted sailing vessels, each with its own story to tell: the original Fire Island ferry – back then, powered by sails; a 121-year-old sailing dredge vessel named Priscilla; and a boat which bears the name Abe Lincoln, handcrafted by a freed slave. Also on display is an original (and the last working) oyster culling house dating back to 1890, with piles of cracked-open oyster shells littering the floor, and names carved in the rafters by the young men who worked there. Long Island Maritime Museum, 86 West Ave., West Sayville, NY 11796, (631) HISTORY, www.limaritime.org,
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 am–4 pm, Sun. 12 pm–4 pm, open year-round except New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Cost: Adults $4, Children $2 ages 3-17.
Visitors watch a squadron of vintage aircraft fly in formation at the American Airpower Museum.
Kid power
Exhibits at the Children’s Museum of the East End cover a range of interests and include a little bit of everything. Kids learn how potatoes become potato chips and how windmills contribute to agriculture. Children are also able to dabble in mediums like finger painting and clay sculpture in the drop-in art room, wear period costumes in a turn-of-the-century recreation of a general store, and read books by local authors in a library shaped like an upside-down book. Temporary events have included tea parties where girls are encouraged to dress up like mermaids, and puppet shows in the museum’s amphitheatre where families are encouraged to picnic. Rotating classes have included lessons in cookie decorating. Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932, 631.537.8250, www.cmee.org, Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 am–5 pm, Sun. 10 am–5 pm, Only open Tuesdays from June 30Sept 1. Cost: General admission $7, children under 1 year old are free.
Tiny is the 78-pound common snapping turtle that cheerfully greets all visitors to the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium.
June 2010 • QUEENS Family 13
PARENTING
The dreaded curfew Does your teen need one? So how do you enforce it?
LIONS AND TIGERS AND TEENS MYRNA BETH HASKELL
I
grew up in a house at the bottom of a hill. This was a good thing. If I was past curfew, I’d turn off the headlights and engine, then glide down the hill, into the driveway…steadily… into park. The doors weren’t as accommodating, however. The squeaking always woke up Mom, who was inevitably perched on the couch watching late night TV. I swear my parents never greased those hinges to catch me. Does your teen give you a hard time about the tabs you keep on him? Are you considered a member of the curfew police in your household? Rather than thinking of curfews as steadfast rules, try to think of them as malleable guidelines – or rules that can change depending on your teen’s age and special circumstances.
Is it necessary?
Some parents believe their teens don’t need curfews because they are trustworthy. Others believe in enforcing strict curfews no matter what the circumstance. Susan Kuczmarski, Ed.D., author of The Sacred Flight of the Teenager: A Parent’s Guide to Stepping Back and Letting Go (Book Ends Publishing, 2004), explains, “We want to nurture creative, independent teens, but also create a family culture where everyone is respected. Setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries helps to protect each family member’s dignity (and sanity) and to preserve reasonable harmony in your home.” There are many different parenting styles, and all parents have their own comfort zone. Kuczmarski says, “Family systems can be closed or open. In a closed system, children are given orders, threats, and warnings by their parents. In a totally open family, teens are allowed to do what they want. The first approach puts teens on a short leash, while the second puts them on one that is too long. The ideal system is somewhere in between.”
Setting curfew
There is no hard and fast rule to follow. Parents should consider their teen’s history - how well she has followed rules, and whether or not she
14 QUEENS Family • June 2010
has been able to avoid trouble. Discuss your reasons for setting a curfew. What if there was an accident or she needed your help? You wouldn’t know to be concerned if you weren’t expecting her. Work out a reasonable curfew together. Your teen will be more likely to abide by it and take ownership of it. Kuczmarski comments, “Teens hate fixed, out-of-date, and inhuman rules with a passion. Teens need enough direction and control to guide them, yet enough room to breathe, learn, and grow. There must be a balance between structure and flexibility. Curfews can accomplish this balance - especially if teens are involved in setting them up with their parents.” Explain that abiding by curfews builds trust and demonstrates maturity, so she will be rewarded for this. Kuczmarski suggests, “As your teen gets older, the arrival hour can be negotiated toward an increasingly later time.”
Consequences for breaking curfew
If your teen has had input with setting curfews, hopefully he won’t break them. If he does, there needs to be a set of consequences. It’s important to discuss the consequences ahead of time. Kuczmarski says, “When he is late, give him the freedom and opportunity to explain. Maybe there were unplanned events, like a flat tire or a surprise party. If your teen continues to break the curfew rule, let the agreed-upon consequences fall into place. If your teen has missed curfew because drinking or drugs were involved, then the consequences should be more serious.”
Tips and tales
“I always tell them to set the alarm on their cell phone 30 minutes be-
fore curfew. That gives them time to say their goodbyes and they still won’t be late.” Lisa DeLisio, Woodstock, NY “The key with curfews is to work with expectations and behaviors long before the curfew becomes an issue. When it does, there is a perfect opportunity for discussion that involves them in the decision-making process. I believe that involvement also decreases tensions and increases adherence to the agreedupon time.” James B. Childs, Kingston, NY
Share your ideas
Upcoming topic: Your teen’s permit: How to stay calm in the passenger seat Please send your full name, address, and brief comments to: myrnahaskell@ gmail.com or visit: home.roadrunner. com/~haskellfamily/myrna/
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HOME LIFE
Debunking the Uncovering the truth about Stepford
16 QUEENS Family • June 2010
BY RISA C. DOHERTY
M
oving from within the city limits to the suburbs is a big change. For many Queens residents it can mean the move from an apartment to a house. Many lifelong apartment dwellers, in areas like Forest Hills, are accustomed to landlords pumping up the heat so high that the balmy indoor temperatures bring to mind a Maui luau. On the coldest of winter days, these apartment residents rely on their window fans to relieve the heat from radiators that can only be described as possessed: continuing to generate heat even after being turned off. When these young families make the move to a private home, with normal indoor temperatures, they feel like they have finally left the tropics. Of course, there is a virtue to having a superintendent in your apartment building. When something breaks, he comes and fixes it. Once you move out to the wilderness of Long Island, Westchester or New Jersey, when something breaks, you either crack open the phone book or call your neighbors for references. Hence, you add a new serviceman to the roster, which includes the air conditioning guy, the roofer, the chimney guy, the alarm guy, the lawn guy, the tree-trimming guy, the landscaping guy, the tree doctor, the exterminator, the sprinkler company, the plumber, the heating oil company, the furnace man, the termite exterminator, et al. When there are three or more service providers scheduled for any single day, I almost feel like breaking out the hors d’oeuvres. If you grew up in an apartment along Queens Boulevard, you are familiar with the seismic sensation caused by the E, F and what used to be the G, subway lines, running underground. You barely notice it after a few years, happy that the furniture does not migrate across the room with the arrival and departure of the express train, much like an episode
No fewer than five mothers in my area drive the exact same SUV, and my daughter always tries to get into the wrong one. of I Love Lucy. Still, the uninitiated feel the apartment vibrating and may tactfully ask why the building is shaking, guessing that we hit a three on the Richter scale. If you ever hear a siren in suburbia, you will probably run right outside, to see which neighbor’s house is on fire. Back in “the old neighborhood” one does not even bother peering out the window to see what is going on, because one would hear sirens go by several times per hour. I remember one evening when part of my apartment building was on fire. We paid no attention to the multiple sirens and only bothered to look outside once we were disturbed by the lights from the five fire engines parked directly under our windows. Many parents think that one of the best reasons to buy a house is so that each of the children can have their own bedroom. Yet, the truth be told, many of the children, used to the company of their siblings choose to continue to share a room and leave the other bedroom vacant. In addition, all the new landowners vow to host their children’s parties in their new homes. They now have enough space to accommodate 25 to 30 of their children’s closest friends. Ironically, the moment the deed changes hands there is often a sudden change of heart and the new homeowner suddenly deems it unthinkable to permit a pack of miniature mobsters to descend on her pristine palace. As soon as the realization would dawn, she would hurriedly familiarize herself with
every commercial party establishment within a thirty-mile radius. I have noticed over the years that small suburban communities maintain an unwritten law with respect to pedestrian activity, i.e. people are not permitted to walk anywhere a car can access, with two exceptions, power walking in pairs or walking a dog. A resident just does not set out on foot merely to reach a destination. Newcomers to suburbia quickly learn that lawbreaking pedestrians must endure the insufferable stares of long-time residents, when they deign to leave their abode sans vehicle. Suburbia is quite inviting to the uninitiated urbanite, who might enjoy a quiet stroll to the store. After all, with its lush green rolling hills, majestic trees and wonderful fresh air, it should be a pedestrian paradise. In many areas, residents refuse to install sidewalks to discourage such foolish behavior. But, the newcomers quickly catch on and can be seen driving in and out of adjacent strip malls with ease. For the most part, apartment dwellers have no clue when their garbage is carted off. Needless to say, uninitiated former urbanites must soon face the new complexities of trash removal. The former citydwellers I know never expected that they would be crossing the days off on their calendar in desperate anticipation of the next trash removal day. Mondays are for kitchen garbage only, Wednesdays are for kitchen garbage in back and cartons and boxes in front, and Fridays are for kitchen garbage in back and bottle recycling or newspaper pick-up in front: check your schedule. It was so much easier to just walk down the hall to the incinerator room (which used to have a chute leading to an actual fire-burning incinerator) and dump your garbage down, whenever you pleased. The limits on suburban trash removal seem to have had a deleterious effect on some of my friends’
suburban myth other idyllic lifestyles. I listened with amazement as one friend clapped with joy at an invitation to her inlaw’s house, within the New York City limits. It seems as if each trip into the Big Apple is a new opportunity to unload excess trash. They approach the city limits with delight, their trunk filled to the brim with large green trash bags. One tool of suburban life that is undervalued by many apartmentdwelling city slickers is the snow shovel. Each of the seemingly 400 times that it snowed this winter, apartment dwellers in Queens must have reveled in the knowledge that snow removal was someone else’s problem, secretly amused by the aggravation that some haughty new landed gentry had to face. They must feel lucky that they do not have to sit glued to the weather channel, dreading any bursts of color that might appear on the local radar. Even worse, in a way, are the homeowners paying for snow removal for each and every storm, in a snowy winter. For the most part, city residents prefer not to drive in seriously inclement weather. Suburbanites, on the other hand are undaunted by inclement weather. No matter how much snow is coming down, they board their four-wheel drive vehicles and steer their vehicles down their long driveways, leaving tire tracks in the newly fallen snow. It is inconceivable that they would allow their child, at any age, to walk in such conditions (see earlier pedestrian rules). When I first moved to the suburbs I would sit at my window in amazement and watch the SUVs and minivans exit their driveways in synchronized motion, under treacherous conditions. Suburban moms can be found shopping in the local overpriced
gourmet market, with their matching boots and designer handbags, lapsed professionals with flawless manicures. At the designated time, they all make a mad dash for the register, so they can rush to the parking lot to their SUVs and reach the schools before they are summoned by cell phone by their demanding progeny. There are no fewer than five mothers in my immediate area who drive the exact same make, model and color SUV, and my daughter keeps trying to get into the other cars, never sure which one is ours. Then there is the “myth of the manageable commute,” which is perpetuated by most suburbanites. They claim that commuting to Manhattan is a quick and pleasurable experience. Unable to compete with the 25-minute express train ride or
the 20-minute express bus record, they talk in terms of “travel time to the city.” This surprisingly only includes the time on the actual train, not the time to and from the train on either end. Residents of western Nassau County commute almost an hour and a half to go 19 miles to midtown Manhattan. Some claim to utilize the ride time to do work or socialize with fellow commuters and even play cards on the train. They forget to mention the delays and cancellations, which are not uncommon on the LIRR, Metro North and NJ Transit lines. So, there you have it: the truth about suburban life. Theoretically, the house with the white picket fence in the suburbs is the American dream. I guess it comes with a catch or two, like everything else. June 2010 • QUEENS Family 17
ENTERTAINMENT
Girl learns to play by her own rules Alice in Wonderland
LAURA GRAY
ust like his dad and grandpa, your son has spent years on the baseball field. He’s pretty good at it, but his enthusiasm is beginning to wane. As the school year winds down, he announces it will be his last as a baseball player. Disappointed, you try to find out why the change of heart. Your son explains that baseball was never his dream, but yours. And now he wants to turn his attention to his true Alice meets The Mad Hatter on her latest visit to Wonderland. passion: music. Being true to yourself sometimes means standing up to ing the wisdom of entering into an Red Queen has been controlling her someone else’s expectations, even arranged marriage with a spoiled kingdom using the frightening monwhen they’re well-intentioned. Your aristocrat named Hamish. When he ster. In a terrifying battle, Alice slays son discovered this at an early age; proposes, she flees into the nearby the Jabberwocky. The White Queen others never do. The young heroine woods to ponder the situation. She banishes her sister and the Knave of Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland,” accidentally falls into a rabbit hole to the Outlands. Underland is free! available this month on DVD, learns and lands in the mysterious Under- Alice returns to her world and rethe same lesson before she makes land. Alice has visited often, mis- fuses Hamish’s marriage proposal. a life-altering choice that’s not her takenly calling it “Wonderland,” but Instead, she bucks tradition and own. Make it a family movie night always thought it was a dream. becomes an apprentice to a wealthy with Alice and then talk about this Now she has returned just in shipping magnate. By following her theme and others with our Talk To- time to fulfill her destiny. She has heart, Alice finds true happiness. gether points. Then play the Curious been chosen to kill the dreaded Game, our Play Together activity. Jabberwocky and free the residents Talk together Alice never quite lives up to her soIn “Alice in Wonderland,” 19-year- of the evil Red Queen’s rule. Alice old Alice Kingsleigh questions ev- balks; she could never kill anything, ciety’s expectations of young women. erything and everyone — includ- she declares. But soon the queen’s What are some of the ways she is difhenchman, the Knave of Hearts, is ferent? Why does she choose to not hunting her down to destroy her “play by the rules?” Even in Underland, Alice finds chances of success. Alice meets the Mad Hatter, who there are expectations of her that example, remove her earrings hides her in a teapot from the Knave she did not choose. For example, or switch shoes with someone. and advises her to go to the White everyone expects her to kill the JabThen call “It” back into the room Queen, the Red Queen’s good sister, berwocky. How does she feel about to discover what’s different. Time for help. Then he is captured by it? Why does she change her mind? each player’s efforts. the Knave and sentenced to die by Where does she find the courage to The one who finds all the the Red Queen. The Cheshire Cat complete such a scary task? Plan a family movie night this month! changes in the shortest amount rescues him, and Alice and the Mad of time is the winner. You will Hatter join forces with the White Check out our archives at www.Cinematters.com and get some great ideas for learn to pay attention to what Queen. makes each of us unique! Finally, Alice agrees to fight the fun with your favorite films! © 2010, Cinematters. Jabberwocky. She knows that the
Play together: Curious game How well do you know yourself — and your surroundings? You will need: Two or more players Gather all the players in one room. Choose one person to be “It” and leave the room. While “It” is gone, each of the other players should change something about his or her appearance. For 18 QUEENS Family • June 2010
© Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
J
Rated PG
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June 2010 • QUEENS Family 19
TECHNOLOGY
A virtual field trip
M GROWING UP ONLINE CAROLYN JABS
ost parents would like to show their kids the wonders of the world. Most don’t because travel is expensive and vacation schedules are short. In many families, grandma assumes everyone will use summertime for a family reunion and, to be honest, busy parents (and even kids) often need to recharge by doing nothing more challenging that lying on a beach or splashing in a hotel pool. Still, it’s a rare parent who doesn’t fantasize about holding a child’s hand while standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, or pointing out the marvels in a museum like the Smithsonian. Happily, you can
take these and other dream trips simply by visiting the right Web sites. Obviously, a virtual vacation isn’t the same as the real thing, but if your goal is to awaken your kids to their natural and cultural heritage, these sites are a terrific start. Here are five virtual trips worth taking: Tour the Smithsonian Museum. If you’ve visited the Smithsonian, you know how overwhelming “America’s attic” can be. The Web site can also be confounding if only because there are so many museums. Start with the Museum of Natural History, where your tax dollars have been put to good use creating a virtual tour with a 360 degree environment that makes it feel like you are wandering around the museum (www.mnh.si.edu/panoramas). When your child spots some20 QUEENS Family • June 2010
thing intriguing, he or she can ask for a close-up of everything from dinosaurs and fossils to sea-life and mammals, plants and insects to bones and gems. Younger children will enjoy the Live Cams at the National Zoo (nationalzoo.si.edu) and older children can deepen their understanding of American history, culture and art through exhibits at the other museums (smithsonian. org/museums). Visit a National Park. (www. nature.nps.gov/views/index.cfm) The National Park Service Web site is rich with visuals and information about the ecology and history of the parks. In addition to famous parks like the Grand Canyon and the Mall in Washinton D.C., you and your kids can hang out in more remote spots like the Badlands of South Dakota, Petroglyph Park in New Mexico or the Timpanogos Cave in Utah. The pages on the site load quickly, in part because they don’t include music or narration. Reading the short, intriguing captions is a good way to keep school skills sharp, and kids who become immersed in the site will be rewarded by the occasional game. It is also an excellent way to plan a visit to a park — or to remember past trips. Hike in the Woods. UPM, a multinational forest products company, sponsors an extraordinary website that makes you feel as though you’re tromping through a forest. To access the site go to www.upm.com and click on UPM Forest Life. Suddenly, bird calls fill the air. Is that a stream burbling in the background? A guide appears and offers to show you around, but you can also explore by clicking hot spots that explain everything from fungi to forestry management. The narration on the site is available in German, French and Suomi (Finnish), which may slow summer erosion of foreign language skills. Explore Earth. Planet in Action (www.planetinaction.com) enhances maps available at Google Earth to create vivid interactive tours of landmark sites. Check out the “Places” section of the site for tours of Mount St. Helens, Manhattan and Paris Dis-
neyland. With a click of the mouse, you can zoom in for a closer look at points of interest. It also includes flight simulation games for kids who find a simple tour boring. You can also go straight to the source by downloading Google Earth (earth.google.com/intl/en/), a richer version of GoogleMaps that allows investigation of almost any place on the planet, sometimes in three dimensions. Start by looking for familiar landmarks in your own community. Can you find your child’s school, the playground, your own backyard? Then go wild and visit places that are totally beyond the family budget. Tokyo. A Carribean island. The Serengeti. Magnify the map until little hot spots appear. Then click on them to learn more about local life. Take a Moon Walk. If exploring earth seems passé, try a virtual vacation that is quite literally out of this world. On the toolbar at the top of Google Earth, there’s a tiny image of Saturn. Clicking on it gives you the choice of studying the night sky, exploring Mars or traveling to the moon. On the moon, Apollo astronauts offer a personal tour, explaining the craft they used in their historic flight and pointing out their actual footprints. These virtual tours offer so many options that younger children will enjoy them more in the company of an adult guide. If possible, hook a computer to a larger monitor or even the family television, so several people can explore together. Kids over 10 may prefer to do their own investigating. Point them toward one of these sites and suggest they give the rest of the family a tour of what they discover. Knowing that, after dinner, in the company of your kids, you can look forward to sharing a virtual trip to a place you’ve always wanted to visit can become its own mini, but memorable, vacation. Carolyn Jabs, MA, has been writing about families and the Internet for over 15 years. She is the mother of three computer-savvy kids. Other Growing Up Online columns appear on her Web site www.growing-up-online.com. @ Copyright, 2010, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.
June 2010 • QUEENS Family 21
SPECIAL NEEDS
The balancing Some advice on caring for a child with ADHD
22 QUEENS Family • June 2010
BY ELAINE LERNER, MSW, CSW
I
t’s Monday morning and the start of a new week. Families all over America are getting ready to send their children to school. The Jones family, however, is late once again. Their child won’t get out of bed on time. Their child won’t listen when they say to get dressed. A simple routine of getting up, getting dressed and getting ready for school creates insurmountable obstacles, conflict, hostility and utter chaos. By the time he gets down the stairs for breakfast, the school bus has already left. This happens every day. Their child has been diagnosed with ADHD, and they feel out of control and out of balance all the time. Parents of a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, must search out schools, teachers, professionals, and other community resources. They find themselves having to supervise, monitor, teach, organize, plan, structure, reward, punish, guide, buffer, protect, and nurture their child far more than is demanded by the typical parent. They will also need to meet more often with other adults involved in their child’s daily life — school staff, pediatricians, and mental health professionals. Their lives are a balancing-act in which they must juggle complex schedules. However, raising a child with ADHD can elevate parenting to a higher plane. It may be the hardest thing you ever have to do, but it can provide a tremendous opportunity for self-improvement and fulfillment as a parent. We’re all faced with daily stresses. Finances might be tight and difficult to manage. There may be too many things to do in a given day. Relationships might not receive the attention they deserve and they can become strained. There just never seems to be enough time to
allow us to spend quality time with our children. We get caught up in the everyday activities of life and we fail to recognize what is most important to us, our children and their future. The Jones family feels helpless and frustrated. Their expectations for their child are not being met. They thought life would be easy for them, but their expectations do not take into consideration the reality of their child’s disorder. They are disappointed and upset. They blame themselves for their child’s
These parents have to supervise, monitor, teach, organize, plan, structure, reward, punish, guide, buffer, protect, and nurture their child far more than the typical parent. inability to succeed at school and to form relationships with others. What the Jones family fails to understand is why their child acts and reacts to given situations. They don’t understand that their child has a disorder and has difficulty focusing and concentrating on their commands. They don’t understand that their child’s impulsivity is a part of the disorder. Their child is confused and doesn’t know why he behaves the way he does. As one child said to their mother, “I don’t understand why I act the way I do, please help me mommy.” Their child feels out of control. The Jones family is under constant stress. The family reacts to situations as opposed to being proactive. They fail to plan for winning outcomes. They take things person-
ally, and think their child is just acting out. Their child isn’t acting out, but is just asking for love in the most unloving way. A family with an ADHD or ODD child needs to take control of the situation. Be proactive. Far too often, we react to our children’s behavior on impulse without regard to the consequences and with no plan for what we are trying to achieve. Seeing a situation from a reactive frame of mind can make things look hopeless. It is not what your child does to you that creates these problems, but your response. Take the initiative to change what you do not like in the way you react to your child, and accept the responsibility to make the relationship happen in the way your want it to develop. Spend time with your child. Spend special time with your child each day. Be with them for 20 minutes a day in a non-judgmental way. These children are seeking your attention. Spending quality time with your child without giving directions or judgments is the first step in the process of reconnecting with your child. Be consistent. Children with ADHD lack the ability to plan, to be organized and stay focused. This creates confusion as to what behavior is appropriate in a given situation. This can create a feeling within them of instability, lack of safety and lack of control. Being consistent can help provide them with a safe structure and controlled environment in which they can function at a more productive level. Plan with the end in mind — be goal oriented. All interactions between individuals are a form of negotiation. Don’t just concentrate on what you want your child to do. Concentrate on setting up a behavioral management plan that is goal oriented and achievable. This will enable a child
act to feel successful and improve their self-esteem. The life plan is based upon wants instead of immediate needs and teaches them the ability to think and plan in a proactive way. Take care of yourself. Too often, parents of ADHD children devote too much of their time and energy to their children and, in the process, exhaust themselves. Failing to take time to renew yourself physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually can cause you to shut down and have less time and energy to devote to your child. The best gift you can give yourself is the gift of self-renewal. Use a collaborative approach. ADHD in children often requires medical, education, behavioral, and psychological intervention. This comprehensive multi-modal approach to treatment often includes: s 0ARENT TRAININGS s "EHAVIOR INTERVENTION STRATEGIES s !N APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM s %DUCATION ON !$($ s )NDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING s -EDICATION WHEN APPROPRIATE Parent Trainings are often the first step in the learning process. Trainings help educate parents to better understand the nature of the disorder. Conducting meetings in a group approach allows parents to share their experiences with others in a caring and supportive environment. Parents learn how to manage their children on a day to day basis. Trainings help relieve stress in families, bringing them closer together. Life may still feel like a balancing act, but parents who rise to the occasion often feel a greater sense of accomplishment and bring parenting to a higher level. %LAINE ,ERNER -37 #37 IS AN !$($ !$$ AND /$$ 0ARENT 4RAINER 3HE TRAINED WITH 2USSELL "ARKLEY 0H$ AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY ON !$($ 3HE CONDUCTS 0ARENT 4RAIN-
INGS IN 'ARDEN #ITY ,YNBROOK AND (AUPPAUGE (ER MAILING ADDRESS IS 0/ "OX 'REAT .ECK .9 (ER OFFICE IS LOCATED AT TH 3TREET
3UITE 'ARDEN #ITY .9 0HONE &AX %MAIL ELAINE ADHDPARENTTRAINER COM Š www.ADHDParentTrainer.com June 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ QUEENS Family 23
Special Needs Di r ec to ry Forest Hills West School 63-25 Dry Harbor Road, Middle Village, 718-639-9750
NYS certified teachers and therapists use a team approach to provide a nurturing learning environment
s %ARLY #HILDHOOD AND 3PECIAL %DUCATION 0RESCHOOL s )NTEGRATED #LASSES $EVELOPMENTALLY !PPROPRIATE 0RACTICE s /NGOING 3TAFF $EVELOPMENT s 3TATE %D !PPROVED %VALUATION 3ITE %NGLISH 3PANISH s 5NIVERSAL 0RE + s 7INNER OF .93 /UTSTANDING %ARLY #HILDHOOD !WARD
Licensed by NYC Department Of Health Bureau of Day Care
CREATING REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING At The Shield Institute we have special expertise supporting children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. We offer special education, diagnostic and clinical services in our two preschool programs in Queens and in the Bronx. Additionally we provide family workshops to our parents with children with ASD and to others parents in our surrounding communities. The Shield Institute is affiliated with the Jewish Board of Family and Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services and is a member of the United Way. Parent Workshops (Spanish translation is available for all workshops)
May Workshops May 7th, 14th and 21st Location: 14461 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Helping Parents and Caregivers Manage Difficult Behaviors of Children with ASD. This is a three part training. Presenter: Ramapo for Children Time: 9:45am to 12:00pm
June Workshops June 9th Location: 14461Roosevelt Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Understanding the Sensory Issues with Children with ASD/Autism. Presenter: Lindsey Biel Time: 9:45am to 12:00pm If you are interested in attending any of these workshops free of charge please contact Laura Villa at 718-939-8700 x1167 (Laura is bilingual in Spanish & English) These workshops are made possible by a grant provided by the New York City Council, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
24 QUEENS Family â&#x20AC;˘ June 2010
Family Speech Center 25-32 168th St. Flushing 718-939-0306 Family Speech Center is operated by Niki Stagias-Coulianidis, MA, CCCSLP and Errika Nathenas-Dimitrakis, MS, CCC-SLP, speech language pathologists serving adults and children. They evaluate and treat individuals with articulation and stuttering problems; teach people to speak more fluently; improve the quality of voice for those with voice disorders; assist people with swallowing difficulties as a result of stroke, injury, illness or surgery; help people with aphasia to re-learn speech and language skills; and help to improve an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s communication skills such as accent reduction, pitch, non-verbal communication and delays in receptive and expressive language development.
ICCD Preschool 98-02 62nd Drive, Rego Park; 718-263-1587 35-55 223rd Street, Bayside; 718428-5370 or www.iccd.com ICCD Preschool with other sites within the community offers an innovative program where children with disabilities learn and play alongside children without disabilities. Named as the 1999 Outstanding Early Childhood Program by the NYS Education Department, ICCD offers a unique preschool experience as well as free Universal Pre-K for children born in 2005. The program offers art, music, computers, an indoor gym facility
and an outdoor playground. There are also field trips. Half and full day classes in small group sizes are offered. Children need not be toilet trained.
New York League for Early Learningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Forest Hills West School A Member of the YAI Network Amanda Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Principal 63-25 Dry Harbor Road Middle Village, NY 11379 718-639-9750 NYLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Forest Hills West School provides special education and therapeutic services to children ages 2.5-5 with special needs. Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each child within the context of a developmentally appropriate early childhood program. A warm and nurturing atmosphere sets the stage for learning through play activities, which are incorporated into the daily routine. The goal is provide enough support so each child can reach his or her full potential. Activities that help in the development of independence and self-confidence are built into the curriculum. Each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expanding sense of self is supported beyond the walls of the school community through neighborhood walks and field trips. Parents and family members are in integral part of the process. Parent workshops are held monthly. Support groups provide space for parents and caregivers to meet Continued on page 26
Family Speech Center Evaluation & Therapeutic Services For Children & Adults ! ) ( %*" $ ( - '' ! ) $ ( # )' ! (
SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY - ') *" ) %$ ' " %)%' ' &, - ,% *$ ) %$ " ' &, - '", " %% $) '+ $) %$ '( - %%" $ * ( " ) ( - %' $ $) #&'%+ # $) '% ' # - *") $ * (%' '(
Office Visits By Appointment (718) 939-0306 25-32 168 Street, Flushing, NY 11358
71-25 Main Street Flushing, NY11367
Tel: 718·261·0211 Fax: 718·268·0556 72-52 Metropolitan Ave. Middle Village, NY 11379
Tel: 718·326·0055 Fax: 718·326·0637
We Provide: s Classes in English, Spanish, s Occupational Therapy Hebrew & Russian s Physical Therapy s Integrated Classes s Family Support s Comprehensive Groups and Training Evaluations s Adaptive s School Psychologist Physical Education s Counseling s Fully Equipped s Social Work Services Playground s Speech Therapy s Music & Art
POSITIVE S BEGINNING IMPACTS A LIFETIME
Funded by NYS Educational Dept. and NYS Dept. of Health
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Emphasis on learning skills for school-age success!
A Unique Learning Preschool Experience For Over 20 Years! s 3MALL GROUP SIZE s 7ARM NURTURING s 2EASONABLE RATES s )NDIVIDUAL ATTENTION s 0ARENT SUPPORT GROUPS s .93 %ARLY #HILDHOOD #ERTIlED 4EACHERS s 3PECIAL %DUCATION 3ERVICES !VAILABLE
s 3TATE OF THE ART CLASSROOMS s #OMPUTERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM s /UTDOOR PLAYGROUND s )NDOOR GYM s -USIC MOVEMENT AND ART s &IELD TRIPS
FREE UNIVERSAL PRE-K EXCITING 6 WEEK SUMMER SESSION
/UTSTANDING %ARLY #HILDHOOD 0ROGRAM !WARD FROM .93 %DUCATION $EPARTMENT -EETS ALL .9# $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH $IVISION OF $AY #ARE OPERATING REQUIREMENTS ,ICENSED BY .93 %DUCATION $EPARTMENT
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ND $R REGO PARK
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4O PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WHO HAVE OR ARE SUSPECTED OF HAVING A DISABILITY PURSUANT TO 3ECTION OF !RTICLE OF THE %DUCATION ,AW 3ERVICES ARE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE #03% OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
June 2010 â&#x20AC;¢ QUEENS Family 25
Special Needs Di r ec to ry Continued from page 24
and share their experiences and concerns. The school’s open door policy encourages active involvement, along with ongoing dialogue to ensure effective communication between school and home.
Positive Beginnings Preschool
Become a fan of QUEENS
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71-25 Main Street, Flushing 718-261-0211 72-52 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village 718-326-0055 Evaluation Site: 72-60 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village 718-894-8400 We are preschools servicing typically developing and special education children ages 3-5. Bilingual Spanish and Hebrew classes are available. The nurturing environment caters to children with special needs and their families to provide quality educational programs tailored to enhance the child’s developmental levels. Evaluations, Special Ed classes, Art Education; Music, Occupational, Speech, Language and Physical Therapies, are all accredited professional departments. Their commitment is to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment, with respect for each child’s culture, language, religion, and learning style. The schools and evaluation site are centrally located and convenient to mass transit and major highways.
RCDS
Facebook Search: Queens Family 26 QUEENS Family • June 2010
176-60 Union Turnpike, Suite 160, Fresh Meadows 718-866-939-3418 or www. rcdseip.com RCDS is a NY State DOH approved Early Intervention (EI) provider of Home & Community-Based Evaluations & Service Provisions, serving children from birth to age three. We also provide preschool services to eligible children ages 3-5 years old residing in Rockland and Orange Counties. Established in 1999, by a local Physical Therapist, RCDS has a proven track record of assessing and treating young children with a wide range of developmental delays
or disorders. Over the years RCDS has grown to provide a full range of therapeutic services which help identify and improve the developmental skills and needs of young children. RCDS proudly serves hundreds of families throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Rockland, and Orange Counties.
The Shield Institute 144-61 Roosevelt Avenue Flushing, NY 11354 718-939-8700 ext 1167 or www. shield.org The Shield Institute is a longtime leader in the field of autism and other developmental disabilities. A non-sectarian agency established in 1921, it provides wide-ranging educational and support services to children, adults and families of all backgrounds throughout New York By working with families and communities, the Institute helps enable children and adults with developmental challenges to lead full, meaningful lives that include a chance to work and contribute. The Shield seeks to transform the way communities and societies understand, relate to and support citizens with developmental disabilities. By honoring diversity in values, heritages, abilities and interests, the facility helps ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. By working cooperatively with organized labor, they operate fair and dignified workplaces that bring added value to its mission as a human-service agency. Staff is comprised of certified licensed professionals and other expert staff offer quality educational, clinical and family support services to more than 1,600 infants, children, adults and their families throughout New York City. In the year 2000, the agency embarked on a five-year plan to establish structured teaching through The Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), which incorporates the best practices in order to meet the need of each child. For further information on The Shield Institute and the TEACCH method please call or visit our website.
E OPEN HOUS12 TH
ly Saturday, Ju 0 :3 3:30-5 PM @ Belle Arti
At the Meet Us Hills Forest ir on Street Fa ! 3 1 June TH
June 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ QUEENS Family 27
PARENTING
How to adjust to a special-needs child Dear Sharon, Our son is not normal. I don’t want to go into details, but we’ve realized for some time that he has “special issues.” My question is not about him, it’s about us. We are overwhelmed and depressed and to say “disappointed” is to understate the reaction we’ve had to the discovery that our child is not what we were hoping for or expecting. My husband and I are trying to navigate the difficult road of special everything for our boy and we’re not doing badly, but it’s how it’s affecting my own state of mind, our marriage, and our other child that worries me terribly. The added stress is enormous and I feel myself sinking into despair. Can you give me any advice as to how I can cope better with the burdens, decisions, and responsibilities that I find suffocating?
PARENTS HELPING PARENTS SHARON C. PETERS, MA
Dear Mom, Juggling the needs of a child with special needs can be overwhelming and discouraging to any parent. Thank you for being so honest about what it has been like for you. Here are some ideas that might help. The loneliness of being a parent with a special needs child can be one of the hardest aspects of the job. Many organizations that provide services for children with special needs also have parent groups that meet regularly. I hold two such groups at Parents Helping Parents but there are other places to find meetings as well. For example, the central branch of many of the libraries throughout the metro region run regular workshops for parents of special needs children. Groups such as these can offer moms and dads an opportunity to learn that they are not alone with their stress, questions and concerns. Groups can also provide an excellent way to get emotional support and practical advice from exSharon C. Peters is a mother and director of Parents Helping Parents, 669 President St., Brooklyn (718) 638-9444, www.PHPonline.org. If you have a question about a challenge in your life (no issue is too big or too small) e-mail it to Dear Sharon at SWeiss@cnglocal.com.
28 QUEENS Family • June 2010
perienced parents. If you cannot find an in-person group that meets your needs, then the internet can offer online support. One source for this kind of information is www.comeunity.com. Through contacts with other parents you might make friends with people who also have special needs children. Such relationships can really help. When someone in your life “personally understands” the challenges you face it can make a big difference. It’s also important to try and juggle your son’s demands with the needs of the other members of your family. It is especially important that you and your husband have regular “dates” so that you can enjoy each other’s company and get a break from the pressures you face. This might involve hiring a baby sitter or asking friends or relatives for help but it is almost essential. When mom and dad are more connected and have a little time to relax, things go better for everyone. It can also help to spend time alone with your other child. You both need to remember that life is full of things that are not about special needs. One mom I know sets up her schedule so that she spends at
least one afternoon a week alone with her “typical” child doing things he likes to do. Although that has taken a great deal of effort to arrange, it has improved everyone’s mood at home. Sometimes, at the end of your fun time, it can be good to give your other child the opportunity to express how he or she is feeling about having a sibling that is a bit different. The opportunity to do so can help relieve some of the stress as well. As a parent of several “special” and “typical” children, I have come to realize that “special” is an excellent description. Like you, I did not always feel at ease with the work I woke up to each day, but I learned that there can be something quite wonderful about a little one who has unusual challenges. Sometimes the bonds between parents and their special-needs children grow incredibly deep and strong over time. I am not sure of all the reasons that this can happen, but perhaps the opportunity to love and give so much to a little one is an amazing gift for a mom or dad, even with the overwhelming work and emotional strain. Thank you so much for your question, I wish you all the best as you continue to care for your son.
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FINANCES
Autism economics Financial planning for families with special needs.
BY JEFFREY R. SILVERMAN
T
he daily demands of caring for a child with autism can be so overwhelming that future planning â&#x20AC;&#x201D; particularly financial planning â&#x20AC;&#x201D; can seem impossible. Yet the financial impact of autism is substantial and being on the autistic spectrum has current and future financial implications on the child, as well as on developing siblings and the parents of the special needs family. A lack of preparation weighs heavily on many parents. According to
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living with Autism,â&#x20AC;? a 2008 study by Easter Seals and the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company of parents who have children with autism: s PERCENT FEAR THEIR CHILDREN will not have enough financial support after the parents die (compared to only 18 percent of parents with typically developing children). s PERCENT SAY CARING FOR THEIR child drains the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current financial resources (compared to 13 percent). s PERCENT SAY THE COST OF CARE financially impacts how the parents raise typically developing siblings. 30 QUEENS Family â&#x20AC;˘ June 2010
Despite the overwhelming need for support, most parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seek the help of skilled financial professionals. Moreover, even when they do reach out, the help parents receive can be misguided because it often comes from financial professionals who are not trained to deal specifically with complex cases involving children with special needs. With the right guidance, however, a family can take steps that provide peace of mind and a solid financial foundation with longlasting benefits. s #REATE A LETTER OF INTENT THAT catalogues important information about the family member with special needs. With this information documented, all crucial details are in one place and accessible to future caregivers in an emergency. Although not legally binding, a letter of intent offers guidance to the courts and trustees for interpreting care instructions. It generally includes a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical history, emergency contacts, preferred living arrangements, education or work arrangements, recreational preferences, behavioral challenges and a summary of family and financial information. The letter is a good document for parents and caregivers to share with planners and other professionals. (MassMutual offers a free template of a letter of intent.) s )MPLEMENT A 3UPPLEMENT 3PEcial Needs Trust (SSNT), which helps provide financial resources to an individual with special needs without jeopardizing eligibility for federal aid. (Even $1.00 more than $2,000 in assets can disqualify an individual from governmental programs.) But assets in an SSNT do not count against this $2,000 limit, making it an effective vehicle for enhancing the lifestyle of the person with special needs. You need not be wealthy to have a trust, and there are many ways to fund trust accounts. s 7RITE WILLS FOR YOUR FAMILY )T S important for both parents to have wills and for the wills to coordinate with other planning documents, such as the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trust. For example the
SSNT can accept the special needs childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of the estate, thereby preserving the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eligibility for governmental programs. s #HOOSE GUARDIANS CAREGIVERS and trustees. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital to select the right people for these jobs and advise them of your selection. A great caregiver (guardian) might be a terrible money manager (trustee) and vice versa. The co-trustee or â&#x20AC;&#x153;committeeâ&#x20AC;? approach is often used in difficult situations in which the burden of care and/or oversight is too much for one person alone. s +NOW YOUR RESOURCES 9OUR child may be eligible for benefits under Medicaid, Medicare, the State Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or the Children with Special Health Care Needs (C8HCN) provision of the social Security Act. Parents and caregivers can visit the Web sites for these entities to check eligibility requirements. Easter Seals and other nonprofit organizations provide services, education, outreach and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities. It is wise to work with a special care planner who is aware of available resources and how to coordinate them. s #ORPORATIONS CAN BE HELPFUL as well. MassMutual offers free resource guides, available at www. massmutual.com/specialcare, including Making Plans, a financial outline for people with Down syndrome and their families; a Resource Guide for people with disabilities and other special needs; With Open Arms, a financial plan for families with disabilities; a letter of intent template that aids parents in drafting this important document that supplements life-care plans; and a Gift Guide for giving gifts to children with special needs while avoiding the risk of losing government funding. Jeffrey R. Silverman, JD, is the director of Special Needs Planning for the Center for Wealth Preservation, Syosset, New York. He can be reached for consultation by telephone at (516) 682-3363 or e-mail at jsilverman@finsvcs.com.
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Down syndrome families connect A support network for parents with special needs children
32 QUEENS Family • June 2010
BY MARY CARROLL WININGER
W
hen a couple is planning for a new baby, emotions tend to run high. Joy, elation, and anxiety are just a few of the feelings that expectant parents experience before bringing a new life into the world. If the baby has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, however, the emotional reaction on the part of the parents can be doubly amplified. Once the baby is born, his special needs — emotional, mental, physical, and nutritional — are often overwhelming. And when doctors, close friends, and even family members don’t know what to say and can’t understand, parents may feel they have nowhere to turn. For families residing in Nassau or Suffolk counties, there is a group that understands and supports them: the Down Syndrome Connection of Long Island. This not-for-profit organization based in Huntington seeks to inform and empower local parents of children with Down syndrome. It also reinforces the belief that the birth of any child is a blessing. Maria Cordes, the founder of DSCLI, recalls vividly how she was treated after her now five-year-old son, Jake, was born. While she says her doctors were “great,” and that they never treated her in a negative manner, still “they had no information to provide” her. “No one ever offered me information, literature, not even so much as a pamphlet,” she remembers. And once she brought Jake home, she began feeling isolated, in addition to overwhelmed. “The thing is,” explains Cordes, “a lot of specialists come to your house to work with your children [when they’re first born], and…because
[the specialists are] working in your home, you’re not leaving the house, and you [so] don’t get to interact with anybody.” It was during this time that Cordes confessed her feelings of isolation and frustration to her son’s physical therapist. The therapist confirmed many of the parents she worked with were all saying the same thing: when they had their children, they left the hospital with nothing to go on, and now felt very alone. The therapist then suggested that Cordes and some of the other parents meet to talk and exchange advice. “[Y]ou all wind up using the same therapist, and because we were all telling her of how…we felt at the time, she suggested we…exchange phone numbers and start
talking.” Parents who understood the unique joys and challenges of having kids with Down syndrome began to gather at a local restaurant. That was in the winter of 2007. After a few casual meetings, the parents realized how much other families like theirs could benefit from the formal establishment of their organization. They even went to the trouble of getting their group legally recognized. “We went the whole nine yards with getting the paperwork processed, [hiring] a lawyer, and getting tax IDs to establish ourselves as a non-profit,” explains Cordes. “There are other formalized organizations on [Long] Island, but they offer different things than we do.” One of the main things DSCLI of-
fers is support to parents whose babies — whether newly born or not yet delivered — have just received a diagnosis of Down syndrome. “[We want] to bring the human side of the diagnosis to the patients,” says Cordes. “We have created two binders, one to be provided to the patient and the other for the health care provider, so they can better understand what the patient may be feeling.” And with the First Call program, members of DSCLI make themselves readily available to talk – which they make known through the parents’ health care providers. “[We have] the nurses [at local hospitals]…ask parents of a baby with Down syndrome if they’d like someone [who knows what they’re going through] to meet with them [to talk],” explains Cordes. “When we do meet, we just let them know of information gathered from national organizations,” she adds. “[This information can range from topics such as] early intervention, available services, [and] community groups. We also give them special growth charts created for kids with Down syndrome, so they can observe their children’s progress. [A]nd most importantly…new parents [can] speak freely about their feelings and experiences with others that understand their situation.” The purpose of DSCLI is not to tell any parent the “right” way to feel or make decisions. “We don’t tell people what doctors to see or what choices to make,” confirms Cordes. “We just give them information, so that at least they have it.” DSCLI organizes and hosts informational meetings for parents, during which experts are invited to speak about topics relating to Down syndrome. For example, DSCLI “invite[s]… doctors who work with children with Down syndrome…to come speak to parents about different things they can expect to see in their child’s development,” says Cordes. “We’ve had endocrinologists, feeding specialists, physical therapists, cardiologists. We’ve had people talk about Celiac disease.”
Summer Day Camp For Your Child’s Summer Recreational Needs
DSCLI has also hosted congressmen and lawyers who handle cases involving children with special needs. Cordes says these meetings are often the most rewarding aspect of DSCLI. “When we have doctors come speak, the parents thank us. They say, ‘This is information I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.’ They’re glad to know there are other families out there like theirs.” (Denise Supon of East Elmhurst, Queens, is one of those grateful parents: “I highly recommend [DSCLI] to parents…to help them obtain the information they need to assist their child to reach their highest level of function.”) DSCLI also seeks to unify parents of children with Down syndrome in less serious settings. They host family-friendly social activities throughout the year, such as a holiday gathering every December at Meehan’s Irish restaurant in Huntington, as well as an annual bowling party in Syosset. In the summertime, there’s always a get-together at a local park or nearby beach. And DSCLI frequently organizes a “moms’ night out” at local restaurants. There are no dues, fees, or charges for these, or for any other services or events DSCLI plans. “There are no dues,” confirms Cordes. “All we do is organize it. We just get together.” Cordes says one of the best things about being a part of DSCLI is meeting new parents, which typically begins with the members of DSCLI giving them a gift on the occasion of the birth of their child. “The gift we send new parents usually consists of a blanket and a book and a card,” says Cordes. “[We keep it] extra positive. We’re very much on the positive side. We try to let them know, ‘if you want to talk, we’re here.’” For more information about Down Syndrome Connection of Long Island, please visit www.dscli.org.
AGES 4 TO 14 are invited aboard
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June 2010 • QUEENS Family 33
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34 QUEENS Family â&#x20AC;˘ June 2010
Going Places Long-running
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La Leche League: Call for location (718) 626-4833) Meets each month providing free informaiton and support for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers and their babies Support Group: Central Queens YM&WYHA, 67-09 108th St. (718) 2685011 X500; Dstar @cqyjcc.org. www. cqyjcc.org. Coming Back from Cancer provides cancer patients a therapeutic exercise program including stretching to address range of movement limitation issues, core strengthening, resistance training and aerobic activity and is open to those who are currently in treatment or in any stage of recovery. For an interview or additional information about days, times and fees call Robin Budnetz. Support Group: Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road; 516-822-3535 X 326; www.miyjcc.org; Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 am – 2 pm. Shabbat Respite program provides a supportive and nurturing environment for your loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or early onset dementia including socialization, cognitive stimulation activities, art therapy and more. Led by licensed social workers, coffee tea and a nutritious kosher lunch provided. To schedule an appointment or additional information call Doreen. Lizards and Snakes - Alive: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at W. 79th Street; (212) 7695200; www.amnh.org. $24 adults; ($14 children; $18 for seniors/ students). See a diversity of legged and legless lizards representing more than 20 species from all over the world. Amazon Exhibit: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St. 718-699-0005; www.nysci.org; Daily, call for times; Now – Sun, Aug. 22; $11 adults ($8 children 2-17; college students with valid ID and seniors 62 plus). Learn about the world’s most biologically diverse river in Amazon Voyage Vicious Fishes and Other Riches in this hands-on, bilingual exhibit on view. Children’s Storytime: Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike; (718) 380-7077; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am & 7 pm, Free. Storytime fosters the love of reading with weekly children’s storytimes and a
Going Places is dedicated to bringing our readers the most comprehensive events calendar in your area. But to do so, we need your help! All your have to do is send your listing request to calendar@ cnglocal.com — and we’ll take care of the rest. Please e-mail requests more than three weeks prior to the event to ensure we have enough time to get it in. And best of all, it’s FREE!
Fun on the water
T
ough times forcing you to pan a “staycation” this summer? Then plan it around Michaelis-Bayswater Park, where, beginning on June 27, you can enjoy music, games and canoeing, without breaking the bank! The Ranger-led program — called “School’s Out for Summer” — will provide canoes, lifejackets and instructions to children 8 and older accompanied by parent
cookie break. Big Apple Circus: The Big Top at Cunningham Park, Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike; (888) 541-3750; (800) 922-3772. www.bigapplecircus. org; Wednesday, May 26, 11 am; Thursday, May 27, 11 am; Friday, May 28, 11 am; Saturday, May 29, 12:30 pm; Sunday, May 30, 12:30 pm; Monday, May 31, 12:30 pm; Wednesday, June 2, 11 am; Thursday, June 3, 11 am; Friday, June 4, 11 am; Saturday, June 5, 12:30 pm; Sunday, June 6, 12:30 pm; Start at $15. Bello is Back at the Big Apple Circus - Along with his fellow performers they will astound and delight children of all ages. Jewish Mysticism: Central Queens
or guardian who want to explore the inlets of Jamaica Bay. Best of all — it’s free! So maybe you can put it towards that vacation after all. “School’s Out for Summer” at Bayswater Park [Beach 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive in Bayswater, (718) 846-2731], June 27 from noon-3 pm]. Free. Online registration required for canoeing, starting June 16. For info, go to www.nyc.gov/rangers/register. YM & YWHA, 67-09 108th Street; (718) 268-5011; www.cqyjcc.org; Wednesdays, 11:20 am, $54 (non-members). The course takes a closer look at traditional and modern interpretations of Jewish mysticism and is taught by Rabbi Irwin Goldenberg. Friendship Group: Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court; (516) 766-4341; www.friedberg.org; Daily, 2–3 pm. Friendship Group of Middle School meets daily for students with Disabilities and provides an opportunity for Disabled Middle School children in the community meet and enjoy events at the JCC. Come swim in the indoor pool, hang out in the renovated teen lounge and participate in exciting art projects.
Support Group: Parkway Community Church, 95 Stewart Ave; (516)-3958303; Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, $7. A dynamic discussion and support group for 40 plus individuals, who are widowed,divorced or single. Children’s Garden Session Spring: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street; (718) 886-3800 X 230; rwolf@queensbotanical.org; www.queensbotanical.org; Saturdays, 9:30 am – Noon, Now – Sat, June 12; $325 (+10 percent discount for QBG family members). The “Green” program offers kids, ages 5 to 12 the opportunity to practice different sustainable gardening techniques, such as composting and mulching and learn about the reuse and recycling of materials. Race to the End of the Earth: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street; (212) 769-5100; www.amnh.org; Daily, 10 am–5:45 pm; Donations suggested. The exhibit recounts the most stirring tales of Antarctic exploration: the contest to reach the South Pole in 19111912. Highlights include photographs, paintings, and rare historical artifacts as well as actual items of clothing and tools; life-sized models of portions of Amundsen’s and Scott’s base camps; and a diorama featuring the largest of all penguin species alive today, the emperor penguin. There are also interactive and hands-on activities for all ages. Training Group: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd St. (854)-2306406; rsilverman@guidingeyes.org; www.volunteer.guidingeyes.org; Free. Guiding Eyes for the Blind seeks volContinued on page 36
June 2010 • QUEENS Family 35
Going Places Continued from page 35
students). Machover, Minsky and Music in the Dome.
unteers to foster future guide dog puppies. All training, support and veterinary expenses are provided free of charge. Pre-placement classes are held at the Dog Spa in Chelsea at 32 West 25th Street. Required weekly raiser classes are held on Sunday evenings at the Center. Call for specific location & time.
Astronomy Discovery Lab: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St. 718-699-0005; www.nysci.org; Saturdays and Sundays, 1 and 4 pm, Sat, June 5 – Sun, Aug. 29; Free with General Admission. View the night sky and learn more about constellations. Mini Camp: Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road; (516) 822-3535; www. miyjcc.org; Friday, June 18, 10 am; Saturday, June 19, 10 am; Sunday, June 20, 10 am; Monday, June 21, 10 am; Tuesday, June 22, 10 am; Wednesday, June 23, 10 am; Thursday, June 24, 10 am; Friday, June 25, 10 am; Call for fees. “Field of Dreams” is for 3-5 year olds including daily - 45-minute swim lesson, sports, art, free play and lunch. All children must be toilet trained. Sandcastle contest: Hither Hills State Park-Beachhouse, Old Montauk Highway; (631) 668-2554; www.nysparks.com; Thursdays, 9:30–10:30 am, Thurs, June 24 – Thurs, Aug. 26; Free. Sand sculptors may use sand, water, and any other natural materials native to the beach. Each week’s prizes will be awarded for the best sculptors and castles in several categories. Registration is held each Thursday from 9:30am10:30am at the Hither Hills State Park Beachhouse. Children’s Garden Session - Summer: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street; (718) 886-3800 X 230; rwolf@queensbotanical.org; www. queensbotanical.org; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 am – Noon, Mon, July 5 – Thurs, Aug. 19; Call for fees. The “Green” program offers kids, ages 5 to 12 the opportunity to practice different sustainable gardening techniques, such as composting and mulching and learn about the reuse and recycling of materials. Tuesdays or Thursdays.
36 QUEENS Family • June 2010
Curious George Live: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike; (800) 745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com; www.nassaucoliseum.com. TBA; $103.50, $55.50, $40.50, $30.50, $25.50 & $18.50. The amazing ape does it again - 5 Performances!
Andrew Reitsma
Balance Training: Central Queens YM & YWHA, 67-09 108th Street; (718) 268-5011; www.cqyjcc.org; Tuesdays, 10:45 – 11:45 am, Now – Tues, June 29; $55, ($72.00 Non-Members). This class is designed to focus on improving dynamic balance while responding safely to posturally challenging ambulatory tasks, such as changing directions to walk forward or laterally; walking on a plank, turning, bending, stepping on & off curbs, stepping over obstacles, bouncing & catching a ball, and more.
Fri, June 4
Live life like a tiger
E
nter the jungle without ever leaving the city. In “Tigers the Exhibition: Tracking a Legend,” Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport has been turned into an interactive Indian jungle where children can learn all about the big cats. The high-tech, hands-on exploration into tiger habitat, running now through January, immerses visitors in an interactive, sensory stimulating, fun adventure that will change the way they see tigers forever, and leave a lasting impression. Vistors can listen and imitate the sounds of tiger cubs, the tigresses and tigers and get immediate feedback on how well they match the sound via spectrogram graphs showing the vocalizations.
Tues, June 1 Book signing: Barnes & Noble, Central Plaza, 2614 Central Park Avenue; 6–9 pm; Free. Author Patricia Spadaro with her new book “Honor Yourself: The Inner Art of Giving and Receiving”. Poetry night: Barnes & Noble, 17660 Union Turnpike; (718) 380-7077; 7 pm; Free. Children from PS 135 present their poetry.
Thurs, June 3 Training Workshop: JCCA, 120 Wall
Another exhibit allows visitors to experience a tiger’s hunt through a dynamic touch-sensory joystick linked to an animated HD simulation. On the electronic gig-track climbing wall, kids can work their way upwards while exploring Indian wildlife sounds through interactive hand grips. With only 3,500 tigers remaining in the world, kids can learn to recognize our crucial role in preventing the tigers extinction. “Tigers the Exhibition: Tracking a Legend” on the third floor of Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport [89 South St. at FDR Drive in Lower Manhattan, (800) 745-3000], fnow through January 2011. Tickets $15-$17 for adults, $13-$15 for children 12 and under. For info, visit www.tigersNYC. com. Street; (212) 558-9949; www.jcany. org/ametz; 9:30 am – Noon; $35 per person. Best Practices: Ethics and Day-to-Day Adoption Practice, led by Madelyn Freundlich; This is for professionals. Adoption Workshop: Ametz Adoption Program/JCC, 120 Wall Street; (212) 558-9949; www.jccany.org/ametztraining; 9:30 am – noon; $40 pp. Best Practices - Ethics and Day -to-Day Adoption with Madelyn Freundlich, Child Welfare Consultant. Science Festival: American Museum of Natural History, 175 Central Park West, New York; (212) 769-5400; htp:// www.amnh.org; 7:30 pm; $30 ($15
Science Festival: American Museum of Natural History, 175 Central Park West, New York; (212) 769-5400; htp://www.amnh.org; 7 pm; $30 ($15 students). To the End of the Earth and Beyond.
Sat, June 5 Curious George Live: TBA. See Friday, June 4. Family Day: Public School 127, 9801 25th Avenue; (718) 446-4700; 9 am; Free. Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center sponsor annual event, games and activities. Skatboard clinic: Forest Park Skate Park, Forest Park Road and Woodhaven Boulevard; (718) 235-4462; 10 am; Free. The Forest Park Adventure Club for youth aged 14-17 hosts a beginners skateboard clinic. Skateboards and safety gear will be provided. Pre-registration required. Participants must have their parent/guardian present to sign the waiver form. Health Fair: USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadow- Corona Park; (212) 742-2875; highwaytohealth@ healthcorps.org. www.healthcorps.org; Noon–3 pm; Call for Fees. Highway to Health Festival. Fabulous Flowers: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-4000; www.alleypond.com; 1:30–3 pm; $10 ($13 nonmembers. Children 3-4 years old learn all about seeds. A snack is provided. Participants must be toilet trained. Limited to 12 participants. Family Camping: Alley Pond Park, Enter at Winchester Boulevard under the Grand Central Parkway; 718-2174685; www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers/register; 6 pm; Free. Enjoy a night out in the woods in this annual camping adventure. There will be a barbecue cookout and a night hike. Tents, dinner and a light breakfast provided. Bring your own sleeping bags. Must register by May 26. Continued on page 38
Central Queens YM & YWHA Another Quality Community Center of the Samuel Field Y!
67-09 108th Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375 718-268-5011 Pre-school camping - For Ages 2 to 5
Part-time separation program for our youngest campers with very high teacher to camper ratio. Age appropriate activities-gym, sports, swimming, arts & crafts, music, dancing; play, learn and grow with friends. Air conditioned classrooms. Highly trained adult staff. Call Robin Kaufman at 718-268-5011, ext. 482 or email rkaufman@cqyjcc.org
INDOOR & OUTDOOR camps - For Ages 4 to 14
On Site Summer of Arts & Sports Camp: ages 5 to 11; full or half days, weekly or full summer options. Call Health & Fitness, ext. 500 Explorer Day Camp - indoor and outdoor; ages 4 to 9; flexible 2 to 8 weeks. Call Melissa at x 205. Outdoor & Teen Travel Camp: half or full summer, ages 5 to 14. Outdoor campgrounds on 375 acres on Long Island; air conditioned buses. American Red Cross certified swim instruction. Exciting day trips for all campers. Teen Travel Camp with action packed extended trips. Call the Day Camp office at 718-268-5011, ext. 202 or email daycamp@cqyjcc.org; see camp video at cqyjcc.org
$50.00 OFF OUTDOOR & TEEN DAY CAMP WITH THIS AD!* * Not to be combined with any other discounts.
June 2010 • QUEENS Family 37
Going Places Continued from page 36
212th Street and Bell Boulevard; (718) 352-1769; 11 am; Free. Bring the kids to the park for a day of birding by sight and song watching. Children 12 and under. Limited number of children’s binoculards available.
Sun, June 6 Queens festival: 37th Avenue and 85th Street; (718) 228-7599; info@ queenspride.com; 11 am; Free. Queens Pride 2010 - The festival starts at 37th Road from 74th to 77th street, followed by the parade at noon. Curious George Live: TBA. See Friday, June 4. Because Kids Don’t Come with Instructions: JCCA Forest Hills Child Care Center, 108-05 68th Road; (212) 558-9949; www.jccany.org/ametz; 10 am; $10 per person. Post-Adoptive Support Group for parents and children. “Captain Marbles and his Acting Squad”: Theatres at 45 Bleeker Green Room Theater, 45 Bleeker Street; (212) 260-8250; www.iseats.net; 11 am; $20. Dancing, singing, acting and audience participation. For children three and up.
Mon, June 7 31st Gregorian Summer Festival: St. Gregory the Great, 87th and Cross Island Parkway; (718) 347-3707; Mondays – Saturdays, 7–11 pm, Sundays, 6–10 pm, Mon, June 7 – Sun, June 27; Free. Rides, games, food, entertainment.
Thurs, June 10 Summer Reading 2010: PS 111 Schoolyard, 37-44 21st Street; (718) 990-0700; www.queenslibrary.org; 10 am–12:30 pm; Free. Reading opens doors for children of all ages - the kick off event features authors, interactive activities and fun performances. Reading Between the Lines: Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road; (631) 427-5240; www. waltwhitman.org; Call for fees. Reading and discussion series featuring works selected by Maxwell C. Wheat Jr., Poet Laureate of Nassau County.
Fri, June 11 Health fair: Blue Feather Head Start, 27-07 8th Street; (718) 278-2220; 9 am–1 pm; Free. Health information, activities and services. For women over 40 call 1-800453-8378 x 1 to schedule an appointment to be screened, (Mammogram) at a mobile screening van. Puppets in the Park: Michaelisbayswater Park, Beach 32nd and Beach Channel Drive; (718) 318-4000; 9:45–11 am; Free. Classic version - Sleeping Beauty.
38 QUEENS Family • June 2010
Rockstock and Barrels: Rockaway Playground - M, Rockaway Boardwalk; (718) 318-4000; Noon–6 pm; Free. Surf contests, skate board demos and live music. College seminar: Queens Library at Fresh Meadows, 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway; (718) 454-7272; 1 pm; Free. Financial Aid 101 helps students and parents learn the financial aid process.
Magic in the Big Top
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ions, tigers and clowns … oh my! The Big Apple Circus is back in town and the popcorn is flowing. The Big Top, presently at Cunningham Park, Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike in Queens will run through June 6. The tents fold and open again on June 11 at Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow through July 4. Bello, the high-haired, worldfamous clown, is back at the Big Apple Circus — along with fellow performers from around the globe, including Spain’s juggling artiste, Picaso Jr., and Russia’s Aniskin Troupe catapulting to the top of the tent on a trampoline!
Sat, June 12 180th Annual Strawberry Festival: Zion Episcopal Church, 243-01 Northern Boulevard; (718) 464-4052; guzzoland@earthlink.net; 10 am; Free. Fresh Long Island strawberries, ice cream, food, flea market, moonwalk, kids’ games, music and more! Handicapped access. Parking on 44th Avenue. Young Chefs: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-4000; www.alleypond. com; $15 ($19 non-members). Saturday June 12 Children’s Nature Photography – ages 6 – 11 Children will be introduced to the basics of composition and nature photography rules while using disposable cameras. During the first class, they will practice their newlyacquired skills, taking photographs during a nature walk on APEC’s trails. During the second class, the children will create frames to mount their favorite pictures. Limited to 10 participants. 2
For sheer beauty, aerialist Regina Dobrovitskaya rises through the air on shimmering ribbons and equestrians Christine and Sultan get your heart pounding astride galloping horses — Roman style! The thrill-a-minute show will not disappoint. The hour-and-50-minute performances begin at different times each day, so check out the circus’s Web site (www.bigapplecircus.org) for more dates and times. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased by calling (888) 541-3750; (800) 922-3772. For groups of 15 people or more, wheelchair-accessible seating, additional information or to purchase tickets, call or visit www. bigapplecircus.org.
sessions, 1 ½ hours each; film development and all materials included. SECOND SESSION IS JUNE 19. TIME: 10:30 – 12:00 p.m. FEE: $48 members, $54 non-members. Animal Care Trainee: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-4000; www.alleypond.com; 10 am–12:30 pm; $12 ($16 non-members). Children 8-12 learn about taking care of animals. Photography workshop: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-4000; www.alleypond.com; 10:30 am–Noon; $48 ($54 non-members). Children 6 to 11 are introduced to the basics of composition and nature photography rules while using disposable cameras. Two sessions, 1 ½ hours each; film development and all materials included. Birding for kids: Fort Totten Park,
Sun, June 13 Regents Review: Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road; (516) 822-3535; www.miyjcc.org; Call for time; $95 ($110 non-members). Teens - this is your last chance to get ready for the Regents Exam! Great for students who need a little extra help with very busy schedules. All subjects. Walk Now for Autism Speaks NYC: South Street Seaport, 12 Fulton Street; (917)-475-5068; jgreco@autismspeaks.org; www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/nyc; 9 am – 2 pm; Donations suggested. Join Autism Speaks, a fun filled family friendly walk fundraiser and help raise awareness. Registration opens at 9am; walk kicks off at 10:30am; For additional information call Jena Greco. Festival of the Arts: Austin Street, between 69th Road and 72nd Road; 11 am–6 pm; Free. Food, art, 200 artisans showcased. Rain or shine. “Captain Marbles and his Acting Squad”: 11 am. See Sunday, June 6.
Mon, June 14 Getting Special Ed for the 1st Time with Jean Mizutani: ASAC - Queens Services for the Autism Community, 25-09 Broadway; (212) 6774650; gshulman@resourcesnyc.org; resourcesnycdatabase.org; 10 am – 1 pm; Free. Workshops for families and professionals needing programs and services for children with disabilities. Open Mic: Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike; (718) 380-7077; 7:30 pm; Free. Share original works, and listen to aspiring poets with host Susan Yang. Nature Hike: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-4000; www.alleypond.com; 12:30 pm; $3 ($5 non-members). Continued on page 40
soccer for girls and boys 18 months and up
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June 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ QUEENS Family 39
Going Places Continued from page 38
Create a paper craft project to give to Dad or the important man in your child’s life.
An afternoon hike during the full moon tide to observe the horseshoe crabs. Pre-registration required.
Fri, June 18 Queens Jazz Concert: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard; (718) 463-7700; www.flushingtownhall.org; 8 pm; $40/$32 Members/ Package Price: $120/$100 Members (Table for 2, Wine & snacks, Meet the Artists, signed CD). George Wein’s CareFusion Jazz Festival New York.
Sat, June 19 Learn to ride a bike: Hallets Cove Playground (area A), Vernon Boulevard and Welling Court; (212) 932-2453 (BIKE); 10 am–1 pm; Free. Children ages 5 and up uses a safe, easy, and effective method to learn how to ride a bike. Participants should bring a helmet and a bike that fit to their standards. Pre-registration is required. Father’s Day special: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street; (718) 886-3800 X 230; rwolf@queensbotanical.org; (; 2 pm; $5 (does not include dollar bills for bow ties) for materials.
Father’s Day fishing: Kissena Park, Rose and Oak avenues; (718) 846-2731; 10 am. Equipment provided. Everyone welcomed. First-come, first-served. Animal Care Trainee: 10 am–12:30 pm. See Saturday, June 12. Photography workshop: 10:30 am–Noon. See Saturday, June 12. Celebrating Father’s Day: Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike; (718) 380-7077; 11 am; Free. Children create a Father’s Day card. Arts and crafts: Fort Totten Visitors Center, 212th Street and Bell Boulevard; (718) 352-1769; 1 pm; Free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sun, June 20 Nature seminar: Albert H. Mauro Playground, Flushing Meadows - Corona Park; (718) 846-2731; 10 am; Free. Learn about the intricate role that birds and bees play in flower pollination, seed dispersal and overall habitat health.
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40 QUEENS Family • June 2010
Summer at the garden
W
hen summer arrives, the fun and learning heats up at Queens Botanical Gardens. Children can make salads from their spring vegetable plantings, bake cookies in a solar oven and learn about climate and environment. They can also raise and release butterflies, plant delicious summer vegetables, conduct scavenger hunts, and build planters and terrariums. Whether it’s a celebration of Family Day on June 24, from 6 pm – 8 pm (free), or summer camp at HSBC Children’s Garden visitors enjoy beautiful grounds, fresh air and a unique educational experience. HSBC Children’s Garden at
Queens Botanical Garden is a hands-on program for children, ages 5-12, that teaches about plants, gardens and nature: Summer Session I July 5 through August 18, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 am to 4 pm Fee: $900, $810 for members (7 weeks). July only: $520, $468 for members (4 weeks). August only: $390, $351 for members (3 weeks). Summer Session II July 6 through August 19, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 am to 4 pm. Fee: $900, $810 for members (7 weeks). July only: $520, $468 for members (4 weeks). Queens Botanical Gardens, 43-50 Main Street. For additional information call (718) 539-5296 or visit www. queensbotanical.org.
“Captain Marbles and his Acting Squad”: 11 am. See Sunday, June 6.
tions for the Summer Reading Program.
Explore the Shore: Fort Totten Visitors Center, 212th Street and Bell Boulevard; (718) 352-1769; 1 pm; Free. Explore the shore of the coastal bays. Equipment provided.
Moon watching: Fort Totten Visitors Center, 212th Street and Bell Boulevard; (718) 352-1769; 8 pm; Free. Get a glimpse of tonight’s full moon. Weather permitting.
Puppets in the Park: Jackson Pond Playground, Myrtle Avenue and 108th Street; (718) 235-4100; 7–8 pm; Free. Sleeping Beauty.
“Splash”: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street; (718) 886-3800; www.queensbotanical.org; 2 pm; $4 ($3 seniors, $2 students w/ID and children over 3). SPLASH! Valerie Green/Dance Entropy performs and afternoon of dance.
Thurs, June 24
Sun, June 27
Children’s Garden Family Day: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street; (718) 539-5296; www.queensbotanical.org; Free. Families get a preview of the HSBC Chil dren’s Garden Program and receive $50 off tuition if they sign up for Spring Session. In addition any child who registers for the Spring and Summer Sessions at the same time gets the Fall Session for free.
Bug hunt: Fort Totten Visitors Center, 212th Street and Bell Boulevard; (718) 352-1769; 11 am; Free. Look under rocks, logs and trees.
Wed, June 23
Sat, June 26 Science workshop: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-4000; www.alleypond.com; 10:30 am–12:30 pm; $15 ($19 non-members). Children ages 8 – 12 learn about the science of ponds. Summer Reading: Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike; (718) 380-7077; 11 am; Free. Ready, set, read. Children in grades 1-6 can begin to choose their book selec-
School’s Out!: Boardwalk, Michaelisbayswater Park, Beach 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive; (718) 846-2731; www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers/register; 12–3 pm; Free. Enjoy music, games, refreshments, and Ranger-led programs (inlcuding canoeing in Norton Basin). Children 8 and older can participate in the canoe program with a parent / guardian. Canoes, lifejackets, and instruction will be provided. Must register before June 16 for canoeing.
Wed, June 30 Interactive performance: Dry Harbor Playground, Myrtle Avenue and 80th Street; (718) 235-4100; 7–8 pm; Free. Children of all ages enjoy a game of Simon Sez.
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Are you ... s ,OOKING FOR FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES s 7ANTING TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS s )NTERESTED IN PARENT FOCUSED ARTICLES TO INFORM AND INTRIQUE Our growing Web Community is waiting for you! Places to post, vote and have your voices heard too. Check It Out Today! Education, Activities, Party, Camp, Special Needs, Baby;these are just a few of the reasons why MOMS are coming to www.familyresourceny.com
June 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ QUEENS Family 43
Going Places June events at Queens Libraries T ots and teens can enjoy exciting and educational events all month long at the Queens Library, and — best
long-running Crocheting for Teens: Queens Public Library at Baisley Park, 117-11 Sutphin Blvd; (718) 529-1590; Thursdays, 4 pm, Now – Thurs, June 24; free. Teens learn how to crochet with Yvette Jackson and take home their own creations. Yarn and needles will be supplied. Teen Zine: Queens Public Library at Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd; (718) 990-0767; Thursdays, 4 pm, Now – Thurs, June 24; free. If you enjoy writing or drawing, or if you like the idea of publishing a magazine, we would love to publish you in our zine. Game Day: Queens Public Library at Howard Beach, 92-06 156 Avenue; (718) 641-7086; Wednesdays, 3:30 pm, Now – Wed, June 30; free.
of all — it’s all free. For additional information visit a branch near you or online at www. queenslibrary.org. Nintendo Wii, checkers and other board games. Snacks are provided.
youth Discussion Group: Queens Public Library at South Hollis, 204-01 Hollis Avenue; (718) 465-6779; Weekdays, 1:30 pm, Mon, May 3 – Fri, May 28; Free. Teens have an opportunity to share their views.
Children ages 11 to 14 learn basic balloon sculpture. Preregistration is required.
art workshop: Queens Public Library at Elmhurst, 86-01 Broadway; (718) 271-1020; 4–5 pm; Free. Children 10 to 14 learn to draw a selfportrait and make collages. Pre-registration required.
WeD, June 2
tues, June 1
“Wet-N-Wild Edventures”: Queens Public Library at Lefrak City, 98-30 57th Avenue; (718) 592-7677; 4 pm; Free. Erik’s Reptile Edventures featurs live aquatic reptiles and amphibians from four continents. For ages 11 to 14.
book lecture: Queens Public Library at Queens Village, 94-11 217 Street; (718) 776-6800; 2 pm; Free. Metropolitan Museum of Art and Mail-a-Book present six part series featuring Women Artists.
Teen book Club: Queens Public Library at South Hollis, 204-01 Hollis Avenue; (718) 465-6779; 4 pm; Free. Come to the first meeting of the teen book club. For teens ages 11-17. Registration is required and currently limited to 15.
arts and crafts: Queens Public Library at Baisley Park, 117-11 Sutphin Bouelvard; (718) 529-1590; 4 pm; Free.
tHurs, June 3
Public Library at Bayside, 214-20 Northern Boulevard; (718) 229-1834; 3:30 pm; Free. Erik’s Reptile Edventures features live aquatic reptiles and amphibians from four continents. For ages 11 to 14. Summer Reading: Queens Public Library at Whitestone, 151-10 14th Road; (718) 767-8010; 4 pm; Free. Kick off party for the 5th annual Summer Reading Club Challenge. Girl Scout meeting: Queens Public Library at Queens Village, 94-11 217 Street; (718) 776-6800; www.queenslibrary.org; 4 pm; Free. Girls Scouts informational meeting. Twilight Tales: Queens Public Library at Douglaston/Little Neck, 249-01 Northern Boulevard; (718) 225-8414; 6:30 pm; Free. Children 18 months to 5 and their parent/caregiver listen to stories and songs with Mrs. Tina. Space is limited.
Fri, June 4 interactive history program:
“Wet-N-Wild Edvetures”: Queens
Continued on page 46
Coming in our July Issue of BROOKLYN
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Queens Public Library at Maspeth, 6970 Grand Avenue; (718)639-5228; 3:30 pm; Free. See and feel what it was like to be a Revolutionary War soldier at the Boston Tea Party. For ages 6 to 14. Preregistration is required. Fashion design: Queens Public Library at East Elmhurst, 95-06 Astoria Boulevard; (718) 424-2619; 4 pm; Free. Teens are introduced to creative design development relating to the fashion industry. For middle school students. Preregistration is required. Science program: Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights, 35-51 81st Street; (718) 899-2500; 4 pm; Free. Children ages 6 to 9 explore science, scientific procedures, and the scientific method. Preregistration is required. Talent show: Queens Public Library at Woodhaven, 85-41 Forest Parkway; 4:30 pm; Free. For ages 7-15. Four mandatory practices. Preregistration is required.
Sat, June 5 Open House and Karaoke: Queens Public Library at Long Island City, 37-44 21 Street; (718) 752-3700; 10 am; Free. Enjoy a morning of Karaoke and then at 11 celebrate the third annual open house. Author talk: Queens Public Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main Street; (718) 6611212; 2 pm; Free. Teen Author Andrew Xia Fukuda talks about his new book “Crossing”. “Cinderella”: Queens Public Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main Street; (718) 661-1212; 6:30 pm; Free. World Dance Theatre performs classic.
Mon, June 7 Arts and crafts: Queens Public LIbrary at Hillcrest, 187-05 Union Turnpike; (718) 454-2786; 4:30 pm; Free. Kids and teens make paper flowers. Ages 6-14. Jeopardy Geography: Queens Public Library at Steinway, 21-45 31 Street; (718) 728-1965; 4:30 pm; Free. Teens battle it out in a Jeopardy-style. Preregistration required. Family Film Night: Queens Public Library at Queens Village, 94-11 217 Street; (718) 776-6800; 5 pm; Free. Enjoy a movie with your family and friends.
Tues, June 8 Book reading: Queens Public Library at Hollis, 2020-05 Hillside Avenue; (718) 465-7355; 4 pm; Free. Children can read to our adorable
46 QUEENS Family • June 2010
Anne the Dog. Art workshop: 4–5 pm. See Tuesday, June 1. Arts and crafts: Queens Public Library at Queens Village, 94-11 217 Street; (718) 776-6800; 4:30 pm; Free. Teens can make a craft for dad.
Wed, June 9 Art worskshop: Queens Public Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main Street; Flushing; 4 pm; Free. Create your own pop art collage with author and artist Michael Albert. Fashion design: Queens Public Library at Lefrak City, 98-30 57th Avenue; (718) 592-7677; 4 pm; Free. Students are introduced to creative design development relating to the fashion industry. For Middle School students. Pre-registration is required. Arts and crafts: Queens Public Library at Hollis, 202-05 Hillside Avenue; (718) 465-7355; 4 pm; Free. Children learn about the art and science of paper airplanes.
Thurs, June 10 Reading carnival: Queens Public Library at Hillcrest, 187-05 Union Turnpike; (718) 454-2786; 2–3 pm and 5:30–6:30 pm; Free. All-day activities and hand-outs for children and teens. Free gifts for signing up for the 2010 Summer Reading Program. Summer reading: Queens Public Library at Poppenhusen, 121-23 14th Avenue; (718) 359-1102; 2 pm; Free. Children help create an undersea mural. Register and get a prize! Preschoolers with an adult caregiver and school-age children.
(718) 658-1680; 4 pm; Free. For children to enjoy fun crafts, puzzles and receive reading prizes. For ages 5-12. “Teatro Iati: The Brave Calf”: Queens Public Library at Corona, 38-23 104th Street; (718) 426-2844; 4 pm; Free. In Spanish and English.
Sat, June 12 Book Signing: Queens Public Library at Broadway, 40-20 Broadway; (718) 721-2462; 2 pm; Free. Author Erisbelia Garriga presents her latest book and samples of her delicious cuisine. Food is limited. First come, first served. Workshop participants may sample the food.
Sun, June 13 Open Mic: Queens Public Library at Central, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard; ()718) 990-0767; 2 pm; Free. Calling all poets for an open mic.
Mon, June 14 Critter Close-Ups: Queens Public Library at Sunnyside, 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue; (718) 784-3033; 3 pm; Free. Children 3-5, with parent/caregiver, meet live animals. Space is limited. Workshop: Queens Public Library at East Flushing, 196-36 Northern Boulevard; (718) 357-6643; 4 pm; Free. Barbecue Collage for children age 3 and up. Please register at the Children’s Reference Desk.
Public Library at Middle Village, 72-31 Metropolitan Avenue; (718) 326-1390; 4 pm; Free. Robin Weiss teaches children 7 and up how to make a 3D mask. Preregistration is required. Kids Lounge: Queens Public Library at Long Island City, 37-44 21st Street; (718) 752-3700; 4:30 pm; Free. Children 7-11 play board games, Wii, do arts and crafts.
Sat, June 19 Science workshop: Queens Public Library at Central, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard; (718) 990-0767; noon; Free. The Buzz About Bees science lab celebrates National Pollination week. For all ages. “Tigers DVD”: Queens Public Library at Woodhaven, 85-41 Forest Parkway; (718) 849-1010; 3 pm; Free. In the TIGERS DVD exhibit children learn about the tiger’s natural history.
Mon, June 21 Story time: Queens Public Library at Glen Oaks, 256-04 Union Turnpike; (718) 831-8636; 11:15 am; Free. Children 3-5 years old hear stories, sing songs and do arts and crafts. Poetry reading: Queens Public Library at Steinway, 21-45 31 Street; (718) 728-1965; 6 pm; Free. Poet Harry Bailey shares his works with all ages.
Crazy Robots: Queens Public Library at Queensboro Hill, 60-05 Main Street; (718) 359-8332; 6 pm; Free. Children 6 and up, use recycled materials to make a robot. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Tues, June 22
Jewelry workshop: Queens Public Library at Rochdale Village, 169-09 137th Avenue; (718) 723-4440; 3:30 pm; Free. Create a Native American necklace using buffalo teeth and horns and glass beads. For ages 7 to 12. Preregistration is required.
Tues, June 15
Summer reading: Queens Public Library at Broadway, 40-20 Broadway; (718) 721-2462; 3:30 pm; Free. Children ages 5 and up enjoy summer reading. Preregistration is required; space is limited.
Science workshop: Queens Public Library at Laurelton, 134-26 225 Street; (718) 528-2822; 4 pm; Free. Students 11-14 to conduct science experiments that demonstrate the properties of light waves. Preregistration is required.
Stained Glass: Queens Public Library at Rego Park, 91-41 63rd Drive; (718) 459-5140; 4 pm; Free. Children reate a “stained glass” design with artist Robin Weiss. Space is limited. Preregistration is required.
Fri, June 11
Art workshop: 4–5 pm. See Tuesday, June 1.
Summer reading: Queens Public Library at Briarwood, 85-12 Main Street; (718) 658-1680; 3 pm; Free. An hour of fun with games, refreshments and surprises. Preschoolers to 6th grade and their caregivers. Arts and crafts: Queens Public Library at Briarwood, 85-12 Main Street;
Writing workshop: Queens Public Library at Mitchell-Linden, 29-42 Union Street; (718) 539-2330; 4 pm; Free. Creative Writing with Shaun Nickens. For children ages 8 to 10.
Fri, June 18 Flash Friday: Queens Public Library at Ozone Park, 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard; (718) 845-3127; 3:30 pm; Free. For children up to Grade 7. Paper mask workshop: Queens
Art workshop: 4–5 pm. See Tuesday, June 1.
Wed, June 23
Fri, June 25 One-Man Circus: Queens Public Library at Langston Hughes, 100-01 Northern Boulevard; (718) 651-1100; 4:30 pm; Free. Children of all ages enjoy a one man circus.
Tues, June 29 Summer reading club: Queens Public Library at South Ozone Park, 128-16 Rockaway Boulevard; (718) 529-1660; 2 pm; Free. Teens in the Summer Reading Club can make a craft from duct tape. Preregistration is required.
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New & Noteworthy Green means get up! “Is it time to get up yet?” You’ve heard that before. Now, with help from the Stoplight Clock, kids can be empowered to answer that question themselves — and not wake you up in the middle of the night. The Stoplight Clock helps toddlers know when it’s time to rise by using red and green lights. While they can’t tell time, at a young age, kids can understand that red means stop and green means go. So when the clock is green, they know it’s OK to get out of bed. When it’s red, they know it’s still time to sleep. That means more sleep for you, too. For more information on the Stoplight Clock, go to www. stoplightclock.com.
Manual for mom Ever wish parenting came with a manual? Well, here’s one. “See Dick Bite Jane,” a new guide by Elise Mac Adam, offers advice for parenting predicaments both big and small. From strangers constantly “tummy-touching” to negotiating naptime, Adam’s offers no-nonsense advice to help keep everyone on their best behavior. Whether it’s nasty neighbors, playground bullies or your own pesky progeny causing you angst, “See Dick Bite Jane” offers a fresh look at today’s worst-case parenting scenarios. For more information, go to www.adamsmedia.com.
‘Dust’ in the wind Boogeyman, be gone! For a restful night’s sleep, indulge your child a little bit with Shoo! Monster Dust, a 100 percent natural “anti-boogeyman” powder. For a clever, fun way to avoid bedtime fears and tears, sprinkle the dust around and under beds and in closets to ward off those things that go bump in the night. For more information, visit www.HerbanRenewalInc.com. 48 QUEENS Family • June 2010
Song sung fun Going on a long family trip this summer? Don’t leave this at home. New from Scholastic, the “Wheels on the Bus SingAlong Travel Kit” is a creative, interactive and handy takealong product designed to provide kids hours of immersive fun. The kit features two musical DVDs with 15 animated literary classics, including “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” performed by Cyndi Lauper; a CD with 13 sing-along songs, such as “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and, of course, “The Wheels on the Bus”; and a 34page activity booklet loaded with games and activities to support early math and reading skills, crayons, and helpful travel tips for parents. Everything is packaged in a colorful and portable travel case, turning the set into a fun-filled, go-anywhere minisuitcase for kids. This summer travel season, this kit will be the only trip insurance families need. For more information, go to www.newkideo.com.
Eco fashionistas Every newborn needs a hat. Make your little one’s fashionable, comfortable and green with products from KinderCotton. Made from organic cotton, KinderCotton’s hats come with a knot at the top that allows you to adjust the length, and in a variety of patterns and colors. Options include solid yellow, striped blues or yellows, pink polka dots, and a reversible hat that’s pink on one side, white with embroidered hearts on the other. KinderCotton also makes soft, durable booties, so your baby can stay warm from head to toe. For more on, go to www.kindercotton. com.