Bap 0318 by City Guide NY

BigApple Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM MARCH 2018

Camp Planner! • How Camp Preps Kids for College • Find Your Child’s Dream Camp NEW! Camps at a Glance • Transportation • Lunch • Flexible Hours • More

Ax Your Taxes Deductions Even Smart Parents Miss

End Bad Behavior In ONE Surprising Step

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

BigAppleParent

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BigAppleParent

contents table of

march 2018

52 34

camp

How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen

Help your kid learn to make his own decisions instead of just following the crowd.

Family Fun a Ride Away

Plan a day trip to get out of the city—two can’t-miss venues in Bergen County, NJ and more.

18 How Camp Prepares Kids for College 22 Camp Directory

30 Camps-at-a-Glance Chart

Spring Clean It!

Places in your home you should be cleaning on a regular basis, but likely aren’t

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Things Parents Should Know About Bad Behavior 12 Fear Not, Little One 15 Independent School Spotlight 50 Sleep Training 101 52 How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen 55 Professional Services 55 Open Houses 56 Party Central 57 Family Resource Guide and Party Planner 57 Advertisers’ Index 58 Quotables

14 Fake Fur Pom

44 Make Filing Less Taxing

34 Family Fun a Ride Away

46 Spring Clean It!

35 Family Activities Calendar

54 Top ‘o the Morning to Ya!

43 Spring into March

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› facebook.com/nymetroparents

10 End Bad Behavior

17 Camp Planner! 44 Ax Your Taxes

@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

N GIVE YOUR CHILD A

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BigAppleParent

raising kids editor’s note

MARCH 2018 • Vol.33 • No.3

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf

Springing Forward— Confidently

REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Cintia Feliz, Caitlin Sawicki To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents

ou can feel it in the air: Spring is on its way. Sure, we may still be stepping around slush puddles, but soon enough we’ll be soaking up sunshine, and the ground—well, outside Manhattan, at least—will be a gorgeous sea of green. No matter how many times you’ve experienced this change of seasons, it always seems like a miracle. If you’re a new parent, you may be praying for another miracle: a good night’s sleep. Well, believe it or not, that too is possible. Just read Bethany Braun-Silva’s article, “Sleep Training 101,” on page 50—it examines popular techniques you can use to get your baby to settle down peacefully each evening and minimize those middle-ofthe-night tears (his and yours). It also explains why you shouldn’t despair if your baby backslides a little from time to time. Over on page 52, Christina Vercelletto’s article, “How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen,” will help you guide your older kid through an amazing transformation too—one that turns her from a wishy-washy crowd-follower into someone who makes her own decisions, regardless of what her friends do. Of course, spring isn’t just bunnies and daffodils; there’s important work to be done. For starters, you’ll need to finish your taxes (sorry!). Don’t file them until you’ve read “Make Filing Less Taxing” on page 44—we share savvy pro tips that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, a big help when you’re raising a family. Spring cleaning is another chore many of us tackle right about now, and we’ll show you how to make sure you really do the job right. Just turn to page 46 for Katelin Walling’s article, “Spring Clean It!”. We asked the experts to point out all the nooks and crannies that even the most enthusiastic housecleaners (not that we know any of those!) tend to overlook. Once you’re done de-griming them, you can rest easy knowing that your house is deep-down clean for you and your kids. Just as soon as you’ve gotten your house ready for warmer weather, you’ll start thinking about summertime. Have you made your child’s camp plans yet? Starting your search now will give you the time to find a program that really resonates with your kid’s personality and brings out his full potential. Read Stacey Ebert’s wonderful piece on page 18, “How Camp Prepares Kids for College,” to learn how a positive summer experience can help your child flourish not just now, but years down the road. Then check out our amazing new camp chart on page 30. We know you’re busy, so we made it easy for you to scan different camps’ services and offerings at a glance. With so many great choices listed, you’re bound to find the ideal program. It’s just one more reason to “spring forward” with plenty of energy and optimism. Enjoy!

Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Leonard Porter, Christopher Regalado DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth

MARKETING

MARKETING MANAGER: Jaime Graham PUBLISHING & MARKETING MANAGER: Barbara Byrd

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MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192

Davler Media Group

Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director

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CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

Keep in Touch: @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, EJ Morales-Gomez, Linda Pierce

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN •ROCKLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

A Y D C S I AM S A P O A

Su z ing

mme r s . . . L i f e l o n g F

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Central Park at The BASIS School - located at W 97th Street and Columbus Ave. Specialized Early Start Program: Ages 3-5

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Programming designed to expose campers to new, exciting fun activities. Inclusive environment - building bonds and lifelong friendships Sports & Outdoor Adventure • Arts & Crafts • Music & Performing Arts Campers choice activities • American Red Cross Swim Instruction

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BigAppleParent

Academy East

raising kids new places, new programs

Who: Ballet Academy East What’s New: Enrollment for 3-year-olds in the March Mini Camp. The spring break camp will run March 19-29 for girls ages 3-8. It provides young dancers opportunities to explore ballet, musical theater, arts and crafts, cooking, drama, tap, gymnastics, and origami. “It’s really a well-rounded arts program. It’s not just a dance program,” says Katie Eletto, studio manager. “It’s very unique in that they do a lot of different things, but it’s all focused around performing arts.” Registration for the Mini March Camp is now open. Want More Info: 1651 Third Ave., Upper East Side; 212-410-9140; balletacademyeast.com

Courtesy Ballet

Upper East Side Dance Program Expands Spring Break Camp Enrollment

s 3-9, which

mmerdance for age

t will also offer Su Ballet Academy Eas g. 16. will run June 25-Au

Courtesy LAC Early Chil

Who: LAC Early Childhood Center What’s New: A move from the Upper East Side to Greenwich Village, and a nursery program for ages 3 months to 2 years. The early childhood center, which also offers a preschool program for ages 2-5 years, began offering classes at its new location in January. Teachers at the center work to provide a nurturing environment for students. “We teach to the whole child, emotionally and physically, in addition to the academics,” says Tricia Lay, infant and toddler education director. “We do our best to provide stimulating activities that can help children develop to best of their ability.” Registration is now open. Want More Info: 2 Fifth Ave., Greenwich Village; 212-8283975; lacearlychildhood.org

dhood Center

Day Care Center Opens in Greenwich Village

LAC Early Childhood Center provides childre n with a variety of han activities that help dev ds-on elop sensory processin g.

Who: Baketivity What’s New: A monthly subscription for parents to order for their children, as well as bulk orders for groups of eight, 12, or 32 bakers. Baketivity is an online company that sells baking kits designed for use with children to help build their confidence through baking. Each kit contains a recipe and pre-measured ingredients, as well as related educational games. Baking is an enjoyable family activity, says Eli Schwartz, who owns the company with his wife. “We very much want to bring out the point that this builds the parenting relationship between the child and mother,” he says. “It’s a very strong and meaningful way to build the relationship and create warm memories.” Want More Info: baketivity.com 8

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Baketivity

Baking Kit Company Offers Subscriptions and Bulk Ordering

Baketivity’s recipes include triple chocolate chip cookies, atomic cake pops, swirling cinnamon buns, and mufﬁn cupcakes.

BRING YOUR CAMP GROUP AND LEARN ABOUT SCIENCE, HISTORY AND SERVICE.

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Let us tailor a complete itinerary for your camp group, with options like private tours, scavenger hunts, simulator rides and more. The Museum’s Education Department also offers programs for campers ages 4–18 in July and August. Your campers can even stay overnight aboard the ship! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT OUR GROUP SALES TEAM AT GROUPSALES@INTREPIDMUSEUM.ORG OR 646-381-5010. PIER 86, WEST 46TH STREET & 12TH AVENUE

intrepidmuseum.org 2018 © Intrepid Museum Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under applicable law, this work may not be copied, published, disseminated, displayed, performed or played without permission of the copyright holder.

BigAppleParent

raising kids in the know

5 Things Parents Should Know About Bad Behavior ››

By Bethany Braun-Silva with Catherine Pearlman, Ph.D., LCSW

arenting is easy,” said no one ever. It involves dealing with endless laundry, poop, and stomach viruses, plus making lunches, grocery shopping, cleaning up messes, and much more. It sometimes can be a thankless job, but it’s the job for which we signed up. We parent out of love, and mostly, even with the work, it’s a joy. However, there is a lot of unpleasantness that isn’t an inevitable part of the job, namely dealing with kids’ whining, complaining, tantrums, and wheedling. These button-pushing, parentprovoking behaviors are mostly learned, but they can be unlearned in a flash. When that happens, parenting becomes less like a job and a lot more fun. Here, Catherine Pearlman, Ph.D., LCSW, author of Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking The Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction, shares five important points parents should know about kids’ annoying and attention-seeking behaviors.

“

1. Kids whine, complain, and negotiate all for one simple reason: because it works. Begging for an ice pop or complaining about having to eat broccoli tends to get the desired response. Either kids get to avoid something they don’t want to do, or they get something they desperately want, like another brownie or more screen time. If the behavior doesn’t produce these rewards, children will find other, more appropriate ways to behave. 2. Behavior that is reinforced will be repeated. Kids are smart cookies. Once they break the parenting code and figure out how to get more of what they want and less of

what they don’t, they will use these effective techniques to their advantage. Children aren’t deviant monsters; they are just learning from their parents how to work the system. If you knew what to do to get a free Frappuccino at Starbucks, wouldn’t you do it? 3. When parents change how they respond to a behavior, the behavior changes. The good news is children notice very quickly when their tried-and-true behaviors are no longer effective. If kids throw a tantrum but it gets them nothing, they decide it’s not worth it. When arguing and begging for more screen time produces no more time and no additional attention, kids give it up. 4. To avoid rewarding or reinforcing misbehavior, ignore it. Once you’ve said “no” to a pack of gum at Target or a balloon at the stationery store, ignore the whining and complaining. Also ignore it when your child tries to negotiate for fewer carrots at dinner, or burps for attention. Without any reward, kids will quickly drop these behaviors. Why would kids beg, whine, or negotiate if nothing comes of it? 5. Ignore the misbehavior, not the child. Kids still need attention, so give it to them, just not following misbehavior. Instead, catch them when they’re listening, being kind, or following directions, then reward them for those actions. An important caveat of ignoring misbehavior: Don’t ignore your child’s pain or anyone who is in pain as a result of your child’s behavior.

Catherine Pearlman, Ph.D., LCSW, is an assistant professor at Brandman University and the author of Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking The Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction. Visit Dr. Pearlman’s website, thefamilycoach.com.

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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raising kids voices

Fear Not, Little One

››

How my daughter’s journey from fearless to fearful (and back again) changed the way I parent. By Whitney C. Harris

was afraid of many things as a child. From thunder and lightning to E.T. and our neighbor’s dog, I always found something to freak out about. I was leery of department stores and getting lost in their maze-like clothing racks. I was so scared of the board game Operation that I had to wear earmuffs to mask the constant buzzing sound when my older sister played with her friends. I couldn’t even look at my father’s heavy-duty liquid soap bottle because the giant greasy hands on it were totally terrifying to me. This summer my daughter turned 2 years old, and as all the parenting literature promised, she started to develop some fears herself. Despite my own experience with this, I felt helpless and perplexed. Rather than a gradual introduction to shock and fright, we’ve been dealing with the sudden appearance of fears, some from seemingly nowhere. My once-fearless toddler started clinging to me if a dad entered the playground, and crying if strangers looked at her for too long in the grocery store. The “stranger danger” was short lived, but she still gets very irritable when unfamiliar men are around. My daughter still seemed fairly intrepid this summer, swimming (with assistance from her floaties!) in the Hudson River or socializing with a new playgroup—until the smoke alarm in her bedroom went off three times in one evening. From then on, bedtime, naptime, and anything within one hour of these sacred rituals became riddled with anxiety triggers. It would start with some clinginess during her pre-bed meal, then tears while I was cleaning up, which led to protests at going upstairs and reading books, then screaming “No beep beep!” until it erupted into a full-blown meltdown on her bedroom floor. It was impossible to stop and heartbreaking to witness. My brave little girl was completely distraught, and I felt powerless to comfort her. So I learned a slightly different kind of parenting, with plenty of listening and less talking, and more creative problem solving than usual. I soon realized that my daughter desperately wanted to talk about the “beep beep,” so

I gave her every opportunity to repeat the story of what happened that night. “Beep beep. Daddy fixed it. We go outside,” she would say over and over again, recounting how the alarm blared, my husband shut it off, and then we went outside to call our local fire department just to make sure there wasn’t any carbon monoxide setting off the alarm. She wanted to put Elmo stickers on the alarm, so I found our tallest stool and managed to stick a few around its perimeter on her bedroom ceiling. Then I started pointing out all the happy beeps that we hear throughout the day. The microwave, which means her breakfast sausage is ready! My phone alarm, which means it’s time to get ready for preschool! Or the “beep beep” of her grandmother’s car just parked in our driveway, which always means a fun, lollipop-fueled visit. We even tried an at-home version of art therapy, drawing a picture of her bedroom together, her crib surrounded by books and stuffed animals, and the all-important “beep beep” at the top right-hand corner, with Elmo stickers nearby, of course. Our journey from fearless to fearful and back again just goes to show that I’ll probably never parent the same exact kid or in the same exact ways two years in a row, and that’s a good thing because it helps both me and my daughter grow. The first year was all about patience (breast-feeding, sleep regressions, and teething, for starters), but the second year has been about becoming more flexible and nimble, always ready to meet her wherever she needs me. A few weeks ago, my daughter’s bedtime routine went back to normal. She stopped talking about the “beep beep” entirely. It fell off her list of hot topics, which currently includes pigs, birthdays (dates, cakes, songs, presents, all of it), and the names of all her friends’ baby brothers and sisters. But now, instead of screaming out from her crib in fear, she’s shouting out in anger. “Put my arm under the blankie! Put my arm under!” she demands with increasing frustration. It’s been a long, cold winter. But at least she’s not afraid of Jack Frost—yet.

Whitney C. Harris is a freelance writer and NYMetroParents’ Manhattan and Westchester calendar editor. She lives in Sleepy Hollow with her husband, a toddler, and a dog.

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

At The Little Gym, we complement the traditional school experience with unique classes that revolve around active play. Our students are encouraged to jump, flip, and swing their way towards increased health, focus, knowledge, and happiness. Big Discoveries at The Little Gym. Find your kid's happy place with an Introductory Experience!

The Little Gym of Scarsdale tlgscarsdaleny.com 914-722-0072 The Little Gym of Upper West Side tlgupperwestsideny.com 212-799-1225

NOW

enrolling for Spring Semester!

Parent/Child Classes • Pre-K Gymnastics Grade School Gymnastics • Dance Karate • Sports Skills • Awesome Birthday Bashes Parents’ Survival Nights • Camps BigAppleParent 13

things to do

diy corner

Fake Fur Pom

Look at these and tell me you don’t want them! I can’t tell you how much joy I get from wearing these furry guys on my feet every day. If you don’t feel brave enough to wear them on your shoes, sew on a jump ring and attach a key-ring ﬁnding, or even sew one onto a hair elastic for a cute ponytail bobble. Whatever you do, just get them in your life!

Things you need Felt pen or a pencil Fake fur material Compass or large roll of tape as a template Scissors

Needle and strong thread Toy stuffing / wadding Small coin, 1 inch in diameter Small piece of felt 2 shoe clips Glue gun

Directions 1. Draw two circles on your fur material, roughly 4¾ inches in diameter—a full roll of sticky tape is a good size to draw round. 2. Cut out the circles with scissors and put one to one side. Thread your needle with a double length of thread, leaving a thread tail of 4 inches. Tack around the edge of the fur disc, using a running stitch. 3. When you get back to where you started, go back out the disc with the needle so now you have two tail ends next to each other. Hold the disc and pull the tail ends to ruche up the disc into a pouch.

4. Put a small amount of stuffing inside the pouch so it fills out, almost into a ball shape. You can also use your fur off-cuts for stuffing. 5. Pull the tail ends and tie a knot to close up the opening. 6. Thread a needle onto the tail ends and sew a few stitches to secure. Repeat steps 2-6 to make another pompom. 7. Place your small coin on the felt and draw round it to make two circles. Cut them out. Sew a shoe clip onto each felt disc. 8. Attach the back of each felt disc to the base of a pompom, using a glue gun. Hold in place until the glue dries. 9. Clip the pompoms to your favorite pair of shoes and get dancing! Excerpted with permission from Dress You Up by Rosy Nicholas, photography by Adam Laycock; published by Quadrille April 2017; RRP $19.99 hardcover.

Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression Study

Is your child nearsighted? Are they 3 to 16 years of age? If so, your child may be eligible to par�cipate in a study evalua�ng the use of inves�ga�onal eye drops to slow the progression of nearsightedness. This study involves 17 oﬃce visits over 4 years with compensa�on of up to $1,080 for oﬃce visits. Par�cipants may also receive an allowance for glasses or contact lenses.

(212) 938 4052 | clinicresearch@sunyopt.edu | sunyopt.edu/CVRC | 33 West 42nd St New York (between 5th and 6th Ave) Jan 24, 2018

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Independent School Spotlight Courtesy International Academy of New York

raising kids independent school spotlight

Students work on a craft project together.

International Academy of New York Emphasizes Bilingual Education

Students can become fluent in Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

Name of school: International Academy of New York Grades: Preschool to eighth grade Size of student body: 21 Educational approach or philosophy: At IANY, the mission is to raise young adults who possess the skills, confidence, and compassion to contribute and thrive anywhere in the world. The school’s main focus is on all aspects of English literacy (reading, writing, public speaking); skilled and creative mathematical competence; proficiency, and in many cases, fluency, in Spanish or Mandarin; confident and creative artistic expression; interdisciplinary connections in science and social studies; healthy, physically fit bodies; and unwavering attention to kind and respectful treatment of others. “I consider one of my most important jobs is that of hiring our teachers. I make sure to hire exceptional teachers who are skilled in a range of pedagogy and methodology in order to address students’ personal learning styles and developmental needs,” says Shelly Borror Jackson, head of school. “‘Balance’ is an important concept at the International Academy. ...There is no cookie-cutter teaching method that applies to all children, and we embrace that idea, giving individual attention to each child,” adds Emily Benson, director of admissions. What makes the school unique: It is a multi-cultural and diverse community. The school’s bilingual program is also a point of pride, Jackson says. Students as young as 2 spend 40 percent of their week functioning in Spanish or Mandarin, depending on which language their parents have chosen. All teachers involved with language instruction speak Mandarin or Spanish as their first language, a feature that the school’s head is determined to maintain. Jackson also says that the level at which children are known and cared for at IANY is unique, sharing that, “We know every child, their parents, and in many cases, their grandparents. We know who’s about to lose a tooth and what kind of chapter book that first-grader will love most. We know which child is ready to move on to whatever should come next, and we know who deserves more time to fully engage with a concept or skill.” She goes on to say, “We’re not afraid to use the word ‘love’ about our students or our work.”

Join our Spring Open Houses

Please note that registration is required

Tuesday 17th April, 9:00am-10:30am Thursday 19th April, 6:00pm - 7:30pm Nursery 3 - Grade 8 Education should be founded on strong values. At Wetherby-Pembridge School, we inspire the individual to reach personal confidence and success with integrity, kindness, respect and manners. info@wetherbypembridge.org | 646-213-3400 | www.wetherbypembridge.org 7 East 96th Street, New York

BigAppleParent 15

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Also at Launch: Math Programs • STEM Classes • Holiday Camps • Private Instruction Multiple Manhattan Locations • www.launchmath.com • 212-600-1010 • info@launchmath.com

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

online extras The most important things kids learn at camp are the ones you can’t see. Here are 20 camp lessons we use every day ›› nymetroparents.com/camp-lessons

Summer camp can help kids become confident, independent, well-adjusted individuals. Read the benefits of camp at ›› nymetroparents.com/camp-benefits

Camp friends aren’t the only people who will have a lasting effect on your kid. Read about the special camper-counselor relationship at ›› nymetroparents.com/camper-counselor

Can you claim summer camp on your tax returns? Find out if your child’s summer camp qualifies for Child and Dependent Care Credit ›› nymetroparents.com/camp-deduction

inside

raising kids camp planner

18 How Camp Prepares Kids for College: Sending children to summer camp does more than keep them entertained—it prepares them for collegiate life. amp Directory: Find day camps, 22 C specialty camps, and sleepaway camps in and near Manhattan. 30 C amp Guide: This camps-at-a-glance chart makes it easier to find exactly what you want in a summer camp.

How Camp Prepares Kids for College ››

Sending children to summer camp does more than keep them entertained for the season—here are 10 ways it prepares them for the transition to collegiate life. By Stacey Ebert

t age 7 I went to day camp and by 10 I began going to sleepaway camp. Summer after summer I yearned for the end of school with excitement, though always with trepidation and a dash of worry as well. But the minute I opened the car door or the bus pulled up to my camp I was home, and that feeling never waned. Eight years after my first sleepaway camp experience, I headed off to college and that same mixture of emotions came along for the ride. Drawing on my camp experience, I was happy to discover, made the transition easier. Remembering the fun that superseded the fear, the compassion that outranked the chaos, and the learning that leveled the playing field helped more than any college preparatory book I could have read or any “what to know before you go to college” podcast I could have listened to (if those had existed at the time, of course!). What my camp friends and I learned stayed with us, transferred to others, and wove itself into the fabric of our being. As a camper and counselor, camp gave me the informal credits I needed to prepare for college. Here are 10 things I learned at camp that helped with the transition:

Learn to accept change.

This is probably the most significant lesson from camp that translates to college and then to life. Learning the only things we have control over are our attitudes, outlook, and responses is not an easy feat. Our cabins were decided before we arrived, and sometimes our friends weren’t with us, or perhaps new friends left before the summer’s end. 18

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Counselors shifted each session, and the new ones had very different personalities than our previous leaders. We could fight these changes, be angry when they happened, and let it ruin our camp experience, or we could find a way to accept the change, experience the new, and learn and grow. In college, friendships, roommates, and even majors change. Dealing with change isn’t easy, but it’s fantastically necessary. As we progress in years, the changes we deal with get more difficult, so our ability to accept what we can’t change must grow—and camp starts that process.

Be flexible and go with the flow.

You go to canteen and it’s out of Strawberry Shortcakes that day. The cabin night you were waiting for got rained out, so now your evening activity is indoors in the lodge. These things happen. Camp teaches us to go with the flow—our tongues turning blue from a new favorite popsicle, wearing pajamas to evening program instead of wearing layers to the beach, and empathizing with a friend while focusing on having fun with new ones for the duration of camp. That flexibility is necessary in the college stages and beyond. Sometimes our choices are taken away, sometimes the abroad program is unavailable, and sometimes we can’t get into that last class needed to complete our major until the following semester. Camp teaches us to let go; that the more relaxed we can be, the easier the shifts will become; and that the more flexible we are, the better it is for our health and well-being.

Embrace and learn from diversity.

At some point in every camp experience, we meet people who are different from us. Showing interest in those differences makes us better people, and learning from those differences widens our comfort zones and broadens our minds. Cabin and unit mates come from many backgrounds and all bring something different to the table. As the number of people with whom we interact increases, the amount of diversity we encounter grows. We meet people on day one of camp, and by day three we feel as if we’ve known them forever. Camp facilitates ease in meeting new people, lessens the fear in that meeting, and manages to make connecting with strangers more amazing than scary. Having that confidence in making new friends makes it much easier to do the same at freshman orientation. At camp and at school, we spend time with people, and we learn their desires and struggles, likes and dislikes, and upbringings and dreams of what’s to come. Camp and college provide an opportunity to make those strangers become fast friends, take notice of and embrace the differences, and learn more about the world around us.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, likes and dislikes, dreams and aspirations, and things that bring us utter peace. If all of those were the same for our bunkmates, camp would be boring. I loved swim and arts and crafts. One of my best friends could spend her entire day at farm, while the other two practically lived at the barn with the horses. There were those who took to the talent show, while others shied away from the spotlight. There were those who were leaders and others who were not. All of us had a safe place to grow at camp. University campuses and courses widen that playing field too, but those of us who went to camp learned at an

early age that we could be ourselves and be proud of who we are. It’s those lessons we reach for in the dorm room during moments that are coupled with the fear that we might not be enough.

Everyone gets homesick.

Perhaps it happened after you read a letter or email from home. Perhaps it happened after visiting day. Perhaps it happened after a bad dream, or when you fell off a horse, got your first tick, or had that first bellyache at camp. At one point or another, all of us had a twinge of homesickness. But at camp there was often someone with a friendly shoulder, an ear to lend, or open arms for a hug that lessened the ick and reminded us we could get through. Homesickness happens at college, too, but at camp we learned there’s another side, another day, and always someone to help, whether it’s your roommate, a friend, a professor, or an advisor. And sometimes we’re even better equipped to handle homesickness in college because we remember what it felt like at camp and how we overcame it. Feeling homesick happens to the most popular kid, the best athlete, and everyone in between. Homesickness is real, but it’s manageable. I learned that lesson at camp.

Respect yourself and others.

Camp provides us freedoms we might not have at home while encouraging us to make good choices, take care of ourselves, and use good judgment. These lessons continue after we leave the grounds in August. Camp discourages bullying, teaches us to speak up for fellow campers and ourselves, and reminds us that although we’re away from home and school our character still counts and our actions have consequences. College life comes with privileges of freedoms, new people and attitudes, and many of the same choices as camp. continued on next page ››

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Coming to Chatty Child this Summer...

InterAct: Theatre and Therapy Lab — A New Imaginative, Empowering Theatrical and Therapeutic Journey! Featuring Skill Building in: l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Narrative Development Critical Thinking Skills Imaginative Play Oral Motor Development Speech Motor Planning (for Apraxia) Articulation Expressive Language Development Phonological Development Vocabulary Building Auditory Processing Skills Receptive Language Development Interactive Social Skills Pragmatic Language Skills Voice Fluency

July 9 - Aug. 17, Mon. - Fri. 10 AM - 1 PM

A New Program Developed by Seasoned Professionals in Speech-Language Therapy and Educational Theatre.

Exciting Interactive Themes: l l l l l l

Under the Sea Circus / Carnival Around the World Folk Tales / Story Books Aliens, Space & Robots Time Travel – Back in Time

This workshop for children 3 - 12 years old — all ages and abilities — utilizes both proven speech and language techniques and educational theatre learning activities to promote and empower children who have developmental delays. Your child will develop critical thinking tools, tap into their inner creativity, develop imaginative play skills, and strong speech, language and articulation skills …all through a fun, creative and interactive theatre experience! Sign up for as many weeks as you like!

For more information visit www.chattychild.com or to register, call 347.491.4451 or email info@chattychild.com (subject line: InterAct).

325 Broadway - Suite 403 New York, New York 10007 BigAppleParent 19

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Remembering the advice of camp counselors from our youth who constantly reminded us to respect ourselves stays with us and often pops up in critical moments when we have difficult choices to make.

Share your skills and your stuff.

Jill always brought the coolest clothes and stuff to camp. No one knew more about all things agricultural than Erin. Mr. Bill could fix everything, and his wife made the best iced tea in the world (well, according to us). Carolyn showed us how to make a one-match fire, and Maryanne introduced us to our favorite crumb cake recipe. Some people shared stuff, some shared knowledge, and others shared experiences—and it all mattered. Those who had something to share felt good knowing they were able to help someone else. Those who benefited from the generosity felt a connection, a boost in positivity, and often a desire to continue to pay it forward. College is much the same. Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing a pizza, lending out a sweatshirt, copying class notes for a sick friend, or explaining a statistics problem at 3am to your stressed out roommate. At camp we borrowed clothes, lent encouragement, and shared our knowledge. It was never about who had or knew the most or the best of anything; it was about those with the biggest hearts, the kindest ears, and the ability to be there. It mattered then, and it will continue to matter throughout college and the years thereafter.

Everyone has something to teach and to learn.

Trish the nurse taught me how to safely remove a tick. Mr. Bill showed me how to chop down a tree. Laura taught us to sing our hearts out. Millie taught us to cook, Adrienne showed us how to make our well-worn beaded camp bracelets, and I stayed up nights studying lifeguarding with Jackie. We all pitched in and we all offered up what we knew. But it was more than just tangible things: Krista taught me to deal with change, campmates taught me the magic of friendship, and hundreds of counselors taught me kindness, courage, resilience, and perseverance. College was no different. We learn from our professors, our advisors, our friends, our surroundings, and often locals and strangers. Having an open mind, acknowledging that lessons come in all forms,

having willingness to share what we know, and showcasing the ability to listen and share—camp introduced us to these lessons, and for that we are forever grateful.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The road from Girls’ Camp to Boys’ Camp was covered by the trees’ canopy and lined with shrubbery. At night, there were parts of the path where you could barely see the glow of the stars. Whenever we had events at Boys’ Camp, fear of that dark set in. Erin was always there with a hand to lend. If she walked in the middle of the road, anyone whose arms or hands were intertwined with hers was safe from the brush and the creatures of the night. In college, I never would have gotten through statistics without the help of my science- and math-minded friends. When the methods were confusing and laden with frustration, those friends stepped in to lend a hand. Camp taught us not to be afraid to ask for help, whether we needed a hug when we were sad, a boost to reach the top of the rope, a spot with that back-handspring, a buddy for swim, or a friend with whom to walk home. Later in life, we were filled with the knowledge that asking for help only made us stronger, and we were often prepared to lend a hand when asked.

Face your fears.

Nature’s creepy crawlies wound their webs in all sorts of knobby corners at camp, and our bathrooms were outside. Then there was the swim test in the first days of the season. Camp taught us the need to face our fears in order to conquer them, to not get swallowed up by those emotions, and to always offer to help others face their own fears. As our worlds grow, often so do our fears. College finds us in new spaces, with new people and new experiences. Each time we try to push past that comfort zone, there’s fear. Camp reminds us that those fears (whether of failure or spiders) are normal, don’t make us any “less,” and are conquerable. Jackie got back on the horse after she was thrown off, Jill got back in a canoe after she busted her foot, and I jumped off of the biggest rock I’ve ever seen. We knew the future was full of unknowns, failures were bound to happen, and obstacles would most certainly pop up, but we also knew all those things we had to overcome were manageable.

Stacey Ebert is a camper at heart who has spent more than 25 years in the camping and education industries in New York as a teacher, club advisor, counselor, and aquatics director. She is a published writer, blogger, event planner, volunteer manager, and educator always in search of joy. She loves travel, spending time outside, and is an avid yogi. She has visited more than 50 of the world’s countries, and met her Australian-born husband while on a trip in New Zealand. Check out her blog at thegiftoftravel.wordpress.com.

CAMP MARKETPLACE 35

yrs. of Fun, Friend s, & Fitness!

Great Perks For Members

Gymnastics • Ninja Challenge • Music • Playtime •

Modeling Camp TM

Jodi’s To Go • For Kids 9 mos to 12 yrs

V is it O u r To ta Awes o mlly e New ly Ren ova te d Fa ci lity!

Summer & School • Break Camps Best Birthdays Ever •

Nothing Else Even Comes Close!

www.jodisgym.com

25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisco • 914.244.8811 244 E. 84th St. NYC • 212.772.7633

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Camps for girls ages 11-17

As featured on

CAMP MARKETPLACE

SINCE 1983

Camp Clio

eventh S r u O nd Year a g din Expan ion iss Our M

a seriously fun place for adopted children... Youths and Teens Camp Clio

(Ages 9 - 12)

July 1 to July 21, 2018 (1, 2, or 3 weeks)

FRENCH LANGUAGE CAMPS in Montréal

Held at Camp Claire Lyme, CT

Camp Clio Teen

(Ages 13 - 16)

July 1-6 or July 7-13, 2018 (1 or 2 weeks) Held at Middlesex County Camp Moodus, CT

Residential and day camp options • • For campers ages 7 to 17 • Located at McGill University in the centre of Montréal

www.mwscamps.com office@mwscamps.com

YMCA

SUMMER CAMPS

summer 2018

SUNYPURCHASECOLLEGE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

10%

Early Bird Discount ENDS APRIL 21

WEEKLY SESSIONS daily swimming • boys & girls ages 4-16 door to door transportation available

TENNIS • SOCCER • BASEBALL • BASKETBALL • FOOTBALL • LACROSSE • CHESS • RISING STARS DIVING • ACADEMIC • CHEERLEADING • FIELD HOCKEY • SWIM • HORSEBACK RIDING • MAGIC S.T.E.A.M. EDU • CIRCUS ARTS • VOLLEYBALL • SOFTBALL • MULTI-SPORTS • ADVENTURE

NEW YORK CITY’S YMCA

ymcanyc.org/camp

914.273.8500

fscamps.com BigAppleParent 21

Camp Directory DAY CAMPS Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp

Upper East Side and Battery Park City 212-298-7900 555 E. 90th St., Upper East Side 212-298-7900 212 North End Ave. (at Murray Street), Battery Park City 212-298-2900 asphaltgreen.org camps@asphaltgreen.org Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp builds character, confidence, and community. Our core camp values are focal points of every activity, creating a safe space for children to learn and grow. Whether playing sports, doing arts and crafts, or swimming, we encourage campers to be mindful of their actions. Children take the life lessons they learn at camp and apply them to school, sports, and social settings. Our state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities combined with world-class instruction create the ultimate experience. Rich with 30 years of spirit and tradition, you are part of something special at Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp.

The British International School of New York

20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204 bis-ny.org/summer-camp info@bis-ny.org Keep calm and come to camp! Designed to keep young hands and minds active over those hot summer days, the BIS-NY Summer Camp offers daily swimming instruction at our on-site pool, along with a variety of activities to build friendships and explore new skills, from creative science experiments to outdoor games and arts and crafts—all taught by our highly qualified teachers and teaching assistants. Located at our beautiful waterside facility on East 23rd Street. For children ages 3-10. Sign up online now at bis-ny.org/ summer-camp as space is limited. We look forward to welcoming you!

Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex Summer Camps

West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Camps: 212-336-6846 chelseapiers.com/camp Located along the Hudson River, Chelsea Piers is a 28-acre sports village that offers NYC’s biggest and most flexible summer camp program! For 22 summers, athletes of all ages have enjoyed the most dynamic sports

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

curriculum available. With up to 11 weeks and 15 sports to choose from, we have a camp for every athlete and schedule. Our coaches are dedicated year-round to provide athletes with a clean, safe, friendly, and fun environment. Transportation service from many Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods and after care are available. Summer Camps run June 18-Aug. 31. Early bird pricing available through May 18.

Henry Street Settlement-Camp Henry

301 Henry St. 212-254-3100 x262 henrystreet.org/camp info@henrystreet.org acummings@henrystreet.org Give your child (ages 5–13) a summer of fun and learning at Camp Henry at Henry Street Settlement! We provide educational enrichment to prevent “summer learning loss,” including STEAM projects and engaging literacy lessons, plus arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, swimming, and field trips. This year’s theme is Urban Explorers! Full season is July 9-Aug. 24. Half sessions are July 6-Aug. 3 and Aug. 6-Aug. 24. Camp hours are 8:30am-5:30pm, with extended day available. Ask about financial aid, and sibling and early-bird discounts. Camp Henry is American Camp Association-accredited.

JCC Manhattan Summer Camps

Camp Settoga 646-505-4430 jccmanhattan.org/campsettoga Your summer of adventure awaits at Camp Settoga! Nestled in the foothills of Harriman State Park, JCC Manhattan celebrates day camp excellence in a brand-new, state-of-the art, 21-acre home. It’s everything you’ve come to expect from the JCC, with enriching and engaging programs in the arts, the Red Cross Learn to Swim Program, an adventure course, sports, and outdoor cooking! For information, please call the camp office at 646505-4430 or email Genna Singer at gsinger@ jccmanhattan.org.

Jodi’s Gym

244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com Jodi’s Gym Summer Camp is a morning of nonstop, action-packed fun! Your child will run, jump, tumble, balance, stretch, sing, create, move, and groove, all under the

supervision and care of our well-trained, enthusiastic, friendly, and certified staff. Come experience the joys of gymnastics, music, and art. It’s a mix your child is sure to love. Join us in our 36th year! Offered for children ages 3-5. Flexible scheduling (you choose days and weeks)!

Montessori International Summer Camp

347 E. 55th St., Sutton Place 212-223-4630 montessorischoolny.com Montessori International offers a “Sights and Sounds of New York City” Summer Camp for ages 2–14. Biweekly themes are based on world-renowned museums and cultural destinations located in New York City. Children participate in field trips, art projects, sports, academic activities, and weekly barbecues centered on these themes. Children also enjoy dance, arts and crafts, musical theater, foreign language, bowling, ice-skating, and swimming. As the camp is staffed by the school’s teachers, children can also continue with academics, preparing for admission to gifted programs or for a head start on the upcoming year.

Oasis Summer Day Camps in Manhattan

Oasis in Central Park PS 84, 32 W. 92nd St. 646-698-1800 centralpark@oasischildren.com Oasis Downtown Stacie Soto, camp director 718-596-4900 downtown@oasischildren.com oasischildren.com Oasis Camp offers programs for children ages 3 years to sixth grade! With facilities in Manhattan, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey, Oasis features mature staff with low camper-to-staff ratio and a warm environment where kids can participate in activities tailored to their interests. The Early Start camp for kids ages 3 years to kindergarten offers sports, daily Red Cross swim, arts, dance, theater, and a Ready for September enrichment program. The Traditional Camp (first-sixth grades) provides campers with sports, crafts, theater, dance, and Red Cross swim. Teen Travel has daily trips, team building, and overnights.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium

The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx 718-220-5132 Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave. 212-438-6583

Queens Zoo 53-51 111th St., Queens 718-271-7361 Prospect Park Zoo 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn 718-399-7327 New York Aquarium 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn 718-265-3457 wcs.org/education/programs Summer just got wild! Send your animal lover to summer camp at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium! Campers will enjoy up-close animal experiences, Wildlife Theater performances, and age-appropriate, handson STEM activities. Join us at the aquarium for keeper chats, behind-the-scenes experiences, and exclusive early morning access to the new Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. For more information, visit our website at wcs.org/education/ programs, call 800-4334149, or email edu@wcs.org. Use code NYMETRO for 10 percent off one week of camp!

ence for adopted children (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-16). Camp Clio campers and counselors (themselves adopted and serving as role models) share the intimacy and safety of being with other adopted friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: July 1-13. Camp Clio Youth: July 1-21. Campers may

come for one or more sessions. Scholarships available.

Camp Huntington

in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer and certain weekends during the year. Programs offer structured daily activities designed to be safe, learning-based, fun, and rewarding. Positive reinforcement motivates children to be happy and participate meaningfully. Activities encourage improvement in self-management and independence, and continued on next page ››

CAMP MARKETPLACE

SUMMER CAMPS KIDSAIL JULY- AUGUST 2018

YMCA Summer Camps

bit.ly/2FgUwLs ymcanyc.org/camp rho@ymcanyc.org At YMCA Summer Camps, children learn leadership skills and develop self-confidence in a safe, accepting, and stimulating environment. They also build robots, go on field trips, shoot hoops, learn to swim, make new friends, and laugh all summer long! Our creative, educational camp programming—structured around the Y’s values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility—helps campers reach their fullest potential, physically, mentally, and emotionally. With six locations in Manhattan and the Bronx, find the perfect camp for your child! Visit us at ymcanyc.org/camp to learn more today!

SLEEPAWAY CAMPS Camp Clio

Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Camp Clio and our new Camp Clio Teen offer a unique experi-

EARLY BIRD PRICING

Learn more about our KidSail programs! Ages 7–17, no sailing experience necessary! Contact director Doug Reynolds at KidsCamp@NorthCoveSailing.com

North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place 300 Vesey Street, Battery Park City

@sailnorthcove

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Multi-Sports Camp

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advancement in social and life skills. camphuntington.com.

Camp Say

Get MAD Train Like An Athlete 15% OFF with this ad.

Sports Camp located in Midtown 917-822-3359 Manhattan at a University madsportsinc.com July 5th to August 9th madsportscamp@gmail.com

A life-changing 2-week sleep-away camp for young people who stutter. OUTSTANDING CAMPER TO COUNSELOR RATIO • ACA-ACCREDITED • SLIDING SCALE TUITION

CampSAY.org • Camp Director Meg Hart • Meg@SAY.org • 646.403.3522 Camp SAY provides an environment of inclusiveness, builds conﬁdence, communication skills, friendships & community for kids and teens, ages 8-18. Camp SAY is ACA-accredited, and located in the Pocono Mountains, PA.

646-735-1559 say.org meg@say.org Camp SAY combines the highest-quality, traditional summer camp experience with comprehensive activities and innovative programs that empower young people who stutter (ages 8-18). Our two-week, American Camp Association-accredited, sleepaway camp helps kids and teens that stutter build self-confidence, communication skills, and friendships. Summer 2018 dates are July 30-Aug. 13 (shortened stays are available). Camp SAY is hosted at a stateof-the-art camp facility, in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Sliding scale tuition and travel. Learn more at CampSAY.org, or contact Meg Hart (meg@say.org; 646-7351559) to obtain an information package.

New York YMCA Camps

845-858-2200 ymcanyc.org/ycamps camps@ymcanyc.org Located just 90 miles outside of New York City, the New York YMCA Camp—home of Camps McAlister, Talcott, and Greenkill—offers a safe, fun, and memorable sleepaway camp experience for campers ages 7-15. Our diverse community and emphasis on programs that grow with the changing developmental needs of your child, ensure that every camper feels valued, accepted, and challenged to become their very best self—all while having an incredible time!

SPECIALTY CAMPS Abrons Arts Camp at Henry Street Settlement

Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com 24

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

466 Grand St. 212-598-0400 x200 abronsartscenter.org info@henrystreet.org Ignite your 5- to 13-year-old’s creative spark with daily instruction in dance, music, theater, and visual arts, all facilitated by professional or teaching artists. Camp features weekly trips to museums, galleries, theaters,

water parks, and daily outdoor recreation. Each session has a student-authored performance and exhibition, and open art studios for families on Fridays. Camp runs from July 9–Aug. 17 (with half sessions available) from 9am-5pm, with 8:30am drop off and extended day until 6:30pm available. Ask about our generous financial aid, and take advantage of our early bird discount by using the code earlybird2018 for 20 percent off before April 8!

The Ballet Club

328 E. 61st St., 2nd Floor 917-281-1030 theballetclub.com info@theballetclub.com The Ballet Club offers creative and fun full- and half-day summer programs throughout the summer for children ages 3½8. New this year, Our Ballet & Theater Summer Day Camp includes ballet, drama, creative dance, yoga, music, “costume shop” crafts, puppetry, mask-making, story time, and outdoor activities. We also join forces with Little Picasso Children’s Art Studio to provide a creative, nurturing, and fun Movement & Art Day Camp. We also offer a Movement Mini Camp for students who would like to attend only a half-day of activities.

Breakaway Hoops

646-776-2021 x0 Ofﬁce hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm breakawayhoops.com info@breakawayhoops.com Breakaway Hoops is a Manhattan-based basketball company offering youth (ages 6-17) fundamental basketball instruction through camps, leagues, and clinics year-round. Our instructors are current or former college and pro players. Our coaches pride themselves in teaching the game in a fun and instructional manner. As a member of Breakaway Hoops you will see significant improvement and growth in your child’s game. We offer weekly NBA-themed summer day basketball camps from June-August. The weekly camps consist of Shooting Camp, Core Skills Camp, and Triple Threat

CAMP MARKETPLACE Camp. We also offer weekend (Saturday only) Back Court Camps. Spots are filling up fast! Register today!

Bricks 4 Kidz®

646-927-9129 bricks4kidz.com/450 bricks4kidzny@gmail.com Join us this summer for a fun-filled Bricks 4 Kidz NYC Camp! Inspire your child to dive into their imagination and demonstrate their creativity with awesome, educational builds and activities. We’ll take a thrilling journey through Galaxy Far Away, Brick City Engineers, Mining and Crafting, Transformation Creation, Super Hero Academy, and Robotics! Bricks 4 Kidz provides your child with the tools they need to discover their inner science, math, architecture, and engineering skills in an exciting learning environment. Don’t miss out on this great summer camp opportunity!

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

37 W. 65th St., 3rd Floor 212-582-9304 broadwaydancecenter.com Move, learn, and grow with Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens this summer! Our one-week dance camps are the perfect way for girls and boys to learn about dance, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Designed for movers of all levels, our camps give students the opportunity to try a wide variety of styles. The 3-5 age group enjoys a fun theme each week, while the 6-9 and 10-14 age groups rotate between Hip-Hop, All Styles, or Broadway-themed camps! We strive to provide exceptional dance training in a welcoming, supportive atmosphere, promoting strong work ethic, teamwork, and fun!

Camp Clio

Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Camp Clio and our new Camp Clio Teen offer a unique experience for adopted children (ages

9-12) and teens (ages 13-16). Camp Clio campers and counselors (themselves adopted and serving as role models) share the intimacy and safety of being with other adopted friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: July 1-13. Camp Clio Youth: July 1-21. Campers may come for one or more sessions. Scholarships available.

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington, a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism, and related developmental and learning disabilities, and ADD. Ability levels mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer and certain weekends during the year. Programs offer structured daily activities designed to be safe, learning-based, fun, and rewarding. Positive reinforcement motivates children to be happy and participate meaningfully. Activities encourage improvement in self-management and independence, and advancement in social and life skills. camphuntington.com.

GO EAST THIS SUMMER!

(East River and 23rd St. that is...)

Although not quite the Hamptons, the BISͲNY Summer Camp offers daily swimming at our onͲsite pool, the relaxing breeze of our waterfront campus, and the nonͲstop fun and activity of our themed summer camp to keep young hands and minds active! Escape the hustle and bustle and join us! With flexible weekly enrolment to suit your summer schedule. June 25th Ͳ July 20th 2018 9am Ͳ 4pm (late club available) FLEXIBLE WEEKLY ENROLLMENT Boys & Girls: 3 Ͳ 10 years old 20 Waterside Plaza, East 23rd St, NY, NY, 10010 ▪ camp@bis-ny.org ▪ (212) 481-2700 ▪ www.bisͲny.org/summerͲcamp

Camp Say

646-735-1559 say.org meg@say.org Camp SAY combines the highest-quality, traditional summer camp experience with comprehensive activities and innovative programs that empower young people who stutter (ages 8-18). Our two-week, American Camp Association-accredited, sleep-away camp helps kids and teens that stutter build self-confidence, communication skills, and friendships. Summer 2018 dates are July 30-Aug. 13 (shortened stays are available). Camp SAY is hosted at a state-of-the-art camp facility, continued on next page

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BigAppleParent 25

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Montessori Summer Day Camp 347 East 55th Street (at First Avenue)

• Swimming • Drama • Yoga • Arts & Crafts • Field Trips • Dance • Ice Skating • Hands-On Science • Academic Tutoring • SSAT/ISEE/ERB Exam Prep

212-223-4630

Ages 2½ to 14 Wisdom through Knowledge

montessorinyc@aol.com www.montessorischoolny.com

Check out our golf programs for kids in NYC, and Montauk Downs. ktuga.com

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in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Sliding scale tuition and travel. Learn more at CampSAY.org, or contact Meg Hart (meg@say.org; 646-7351559) to obtain an information package.

Center For Architecture

536 LaGuardia Place 212-358-6133 centerforarchitecture.org/summer info@cfafoundation.org Open your children’s eyes to the world of architecture and design at the Center for Architecture’s Summer Programs, running June 25–Aug. 24. These weeklong design studios give children in third through 12th grades a chance to develop their own architectural designs and models. Each week focuses on a different topic and combines hands-on art and building projects with oneof-a-kind trips. Activities include drawing, 3-D model-making, interior design, computer graphics, engineering, green design, and intensive two-week Architectural Design Studios for high school students. Need-based scholarships available; apply by April 1.

Chatty Child Speech & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C.

• LEGO®-based STEM & Robotics Camps • In-School and After-School Classes • Fun and Exciting LEGO® Birthday Parties • Serving children ages 3-12+ throughout New York City

Pusteblume

International School

212-206-1137 info@pusteblumenyc.org www.pusteblumenyc.org German and Spanish language immersion ●Preschool ●After School ●Camps ●Ages 2-12

a nurturing setting that cultivates the

growth and development of your child March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

325 Broadway, Suite 403 347-491-4451 chattychild.com info@chattychild.com Join Chatty Child this summer for InterAct: Theatre and Therapy Lab.™ This summer lab is an interactive, therapeutic workshop designed to promote speech and language development through a unique and creative theater learning experience. This inclusive workshop combines traditional speech and language therapy with an interactive and immersive theater experience. Your child will become part of the InterAct Theatre ensemble! Weekly registration is available for ages 3-12 (all ages and abilities welcome). For information or to register, email info@chattychild.com (subject line: InterAct), call 347-4914451, or visit chattychild.com.

Children’s Museum of the Arts

103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org Children’s Museum of the Arts

spring and summer Art Colony Day Camps allow young artists, ages 5-15, to immerse themselves in full-day, innovative arts courses taught by professional teaching artists. Summer Art Colony camps run weekly from June 18 through Sept. 7, from 9am-5pm. Young artists have a choice of more than 50 classes at two exciting locations, at the museum at 103 Charlton St. and on historic Governors Island. Each week offers a new and unique theme focused on either fine arts or media projects.

China Institute Children’s Immersive Summer Day Camp (ages 2-14)

40 Rector St., 2nd ﬂoor 212-744-8181 x110 chinainstitute.org emarks@chinainstitute.org China Institute offers a unique camp experience in the heart of Lower Manhattan. Full- and half-day sessions are offered for kids ages 2-14 between July and August. The camp offers interactive Chinese language and culture instruction to students of all proficiency levels. Language instruction is led by experienced Chinese language teachers with exciting historical themes designed to inspire learning, participation, and engagement. In addition a variety of fun activities designed to build friendships and explore new skills are offered including Chinese arts and crafts, cooking, music, and dance.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

2 E. 91st St. 212-849-8400 cooperhewitt.org/education/ designcamp cooperhewitt@si.edu Summer Design Camp the week of July 16 will be focused on interior design with “Make Yourself at Home.” Campers will learn the basic fundamentals of interior design—space, line, form, light, color, texture, function, and pattern to design the perfect three-dimensional space that reflects each camper’s unique personality and style. “Typography Today” will be offered the week of Aug. 6. A new “type” of camp activity! Discover the creativity of designing type and lettering. From cursive to calligraphy,

campers will learn about typography through gallery explorations and off-site field trips and create their own letterforms.

École Internationale de New York (EINY) EINY Summer Camp

Anthony Bernier and Caroline Bottasso, camp directors 206 Fifth Ave., Flatiron District 646-766-1843 einy.org anthony@einy.org EINY’s 2018 Summer Camp offers a fun and enriching bilingual experience in French and English through a wide range of activities including art, music, games, sports, and cultural excursions as students are immersed in both French and English. Designed and tailored for different age groups ranging from ages 3-10, of all language backgrounds, from 9am-3:30pm, with an option of extended day from 8:30am-5pm. Located in the neighborhood of Flatiron.

Future Stars Summer Camps Purchase College

Purchase College 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-273-8500 fscamps.com Weekly day sessions for ages 4-16, June 19-Aug. 25 at state-ofthe-art facilities in the heart of Westchester. Our staff and limited enrollment allow each camper the opportunity to maximize their skill development. Campers can choose and combine weeks from 19 individualized specialty programs: Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Multi-Sports, Field Hockey, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Circus Arts, Magic, Softball, Diving, Horseback Riding, Swim, Academic, STEAM Education, and Rising Stars (our youngest campers). Supervised swimming is included, as is instructional swim for Rising Stars. Lunch option and door-todoor transportation from most of Westchester available.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Camp Intrepid Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue 646-381-5166 dklein@intrepidmuseum.org intrepidmuseum.org camp@intrepidmuseum.org An amazing summer awaits

campers at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Campers in kindergarten-fifth grades explore themes such as aviation, space exploration, and engineering during our fun-filled day camps. School break camps are now offered March 26-30 and April 2-6! Summer camps start June 25 and include themes such as Tinker Time, Spy Science, and Superheroes: Time for Action! All camps are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. For more information, call 646-381-5166 or email camp@intrepidmuseum.org.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy

917-270-7257 ktuga.com/weekly-classes ktuga.com/content/ camps-and-special-programs-summer mari@ktuga.com Join KTUGA in Central Park for seasonal classes, mini camps, or bi-weekly lessons. Perfect for children ages 3½-8. Email us for a $50 off coupon code for our summer programs. Going East this summer? We return to Montauk Downs State Park for our eighth season! Children ages 3½ and older play golf on one of the finest courses. Register for one day or stay for the entire summer! Announcing expanded Eagles programming for older, more advanced students. For more information, visit ktuga.com/content/ camps-and-special-programs-summer.

Full summer session: July 9 to Aug. 24 Session I: July 9 to Aug. 3 / Session II: August 6 to August 24 acummings@henrystreet.org

Launch Math + Science Centers

Multiple Manhattan locations: Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Tribeca 212-600-1010 launchmath.com; info@launchmath.com Launch Math + Science Centers offer exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to seventh grade (ages 5-12). Kids at Launch’s specialty summer camps code video games, explore marine biology, create physics experiments, program autonomous robots—and that is just the beginning! Camps feature a 4-to1 camper-to-instructor ratio and all campers keep their projects so that the fun continues at home. For summer 2018, Launch has multiple camp locations around Manhattan on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Tribeca. Register today! continued on next page

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BigAppleParent 27

CAMP MARKETPLACE

ABRONS ARTS CAMP July 9 - August 17, 2018

VISUAL ART THEATER MUSIC DANCE

Visit museums, theaters & waterparks! Student exhibitions & performances!

9am-5pm Optional extended day Half sessions available

ABRONS ARTS SETTLEMENT CENTER

Ask us about financial aid. 20% off before April 8th with code EARLYBIRD2018 abronsartscenter.org

registration@henrystreet.org

HENRY STREET

(212) 598-0400

466 Grand Street

Join

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

Join

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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The Little Gym

2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com Since 1977, The Little Gym has been promoting the healthy and successful physical and mental development of children. Its “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” includes parent and child classes (ages 4 months to 3 years), preschool and kindergarten classes (ages 3-6 years), and grade school gymnastics (non-competitive only!) for beginner, intermediate, or advanced gymnasts. The Little Gym also offers its world-renowned “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” camp for children ages 3-9 years, with flexible scheduling to work around your summer plans. Its unique theme-based curriculum takes children on weekly adventures. Half-day and full-day sessions available.

M.A.D. Sports Camp St. Thomas Choir School

202 W. 58th St. 917-822-3359 madsportsinc.com madsportscamp@gmail.com The founders of M.A.D. Sports Inc. believe participation in sports builds character, teaches fair play, increases confidence, inspires teamwork and leadership, and provides health benefits for people of all ages. The M.A.D. Sports summer camp program offers an alternative to specialty camps for young athletes who are not ready to focus on just one sport. The primary goal is to improve the abilities of all our participants while focusing on skill development, physical fitness, and nutrition by providing safe, high quality, and fun activities in stateof-the-art facilities supported by a highly-trained and friendly staff.

MWS Student Camps 514-531-4193 mwscamps.com

vanessa@mwscamps.com “French Immersion Experience!” MWS Montreal French Camps are located at McGill University in the center of Montreal with residential and day camp options. Our 33 years of experience guarantees a high-quality program for young language learners with personalized attention and support. MWS Camps are specifically designed for each of our age groups: Juniors (ages 7-10), Inters (ages 11-13), and Seniors (ages 14-17). Programs include language study, age focused excursions (daily), and camp activities. Full-day trips to Quebec City and Ottawa.

The New School’s Open Campus Summer Programs

72 Fifth Ave. 212-229-5600 opencampus.newschool.edu/youth opencampus@newschool.edu At The New School’s Open Campus, students from second to 12th grades discover summer programs that broaden their minds and brighten their future. Explore art and design with world-renowned Parsons School of Design, and music through Mannes Prep’s Music Intensives today, and get a head start on tomorrow. Master the skills, theories, and techniques that will stoke your creativity and set you apart from your peers all year long. Learn more about our summer offerings and register today.

North Cove Sailing – KidSail Summer Camp

212-766-7302 northcovesailing.com/kidsail KidSail summer camp is a great opportunity for children growing up in Manhattan to connect with the outdoors and have an awesome NYC adventure. The KidSail camp is for kids ages 7-17. All experience levels are welcome and no sailing experience is required. The program is taught on our fleet of Colgate 26 sailboats. Both the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy have fleets of Colgate 26s, they are stable, safe, and fun boats making them the perfect platform to teach sailing. North Cove Sailing is a certified U.S. Sailing Center.

Play On! Studios 263 W. 86th St. 347-709-4149

playonstudios.com info@playonstudios.com Play On! Studios offers awesome theater camps for kindergarten to 12th grades on the Upper West Side and downtown! Our theater day camps are guaranteed to give kids a week (or more!) full of acting, music, and fun they won’t soon forget! In all of our camps, young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors and teaching artists, and build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment. And, of course, play lots of drama games! Sign up for one week or more.

Pusteblume International Preschool and Afterschool Programs 244 W. 14th St. 212-206-1137 pusteblumenyc.org info@pusteblumenyc.org During the months of July and August we offer fun-packed weeks of activities, excursions, sprinkler fun, games, and a language immersion environment in the German and Spanish language. Pick whatever weeks you like and however many weeks you need. Each week will include at least two sprinkler and water play days and one theme-related visit in our premises or out around town.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, the nation’s pre-eminent arts day camp, offers more than 70 programs of study in the arts—visual art, dance, music,

theater, writing—and arts-related fields—nature, chess, and recreational arts. Each summer, more than 1,500 students ages 4-18 are immersed in art and nature and surrounded by friends who share their interests and enthusiasm. Transportation is provided in air-conditioned buses departing from throughout the New York metro and Long Island areas. Two-, three-, four-, and seven-week sessions are offered from June 25-Aug. 10.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

The Windward School Summer Program

212 E. 93rd St. 40 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains 914-949-6968 x1250 Christopher Q. Eberhard, director of the Summer Program Christine Teahan, co-director of the Summer Program Tanya Ehrlich, assistant director of the Summer Program thewindwardschool.org/ summerprogram summerprogram@ thewindwardschool.org Offered July 2-27 (no class July 4), this unique summer program is designed for students entering third-ninth grades who are interested in improving their skills or enriching their knowledge in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, and study and organizational skills. In the afternoon session, students may participate in sports, arts, drama, and technology activities. Half-day and full-day sessions are available. Classes are in state-of-the-art facilities and are taught by Windward instructors who have been trained in the school’s research-validated, multisensory approach.

THE WINDWARD SCHOOL

2018 Summer Program July 2 – July 27, 2018 (no class July 4) Enriching & Fun Half-Day and Full-Day Sessions for Grades 3–9 In Westchester and Manhattan

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Ballet & Theater Summer Day Camp at The Ballet Club

• Ballet • Drama • Music • Puppetry • Costume Shop • Yoga • Story Time • Outdoor Activities and More! Select the days and weeks that work for you:

July 9 – August 31

9:30 am – 2:30 pm; Drop off 9:00 – 9:30 am Movement Mini-Camp (9:30 am-12:30 pm) & Movement & Art Camp also available

• Reading, writing, math, science, arts, drama, sports, computers, and more • Courses taught by Windward-trained faculty • Morning academic courses and afternoon activities • Academic courses structured around the School’s research-based, multisensory curriculum

thewindwardschool.org/summerprogram summerprogram@thewindwardschool.org • 914.949.6968, ext. 1250

visit www.theballetclub.com to register online.

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Abrons Arts Center abronsartscenter.org Asphalt Green Day Camp asphaltgreen.org Ballet Academy East balletacademyeast.com Bricks 4 Kidz NYC bricks4kidz.com

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Camp SAY campsay.org

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chattychild.com

Chelsea Piers Summer Sports Camps

chelseapiers.com

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Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum of the Arts cmany.org

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Collina Italiana

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Dance

Arts & Crafts

Special Needs

Academic Enrichment

Day Trips

Music

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China Institute

collinaitaliana.com

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Chatty Child Speech and Occupational Therapy

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Center for Architecture

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centerforarchitecture.org

chinainstitute.org

Swimming

Calhoun Summer Camps calhoun.org

Camp Henry at Henry Street Settlement henrystreet.org

Sports

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Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens broadwaydancecenter.com

Camp Clio campclio.org

Theater

STEAM/Robotics

PROGRAMS:

Half-Day

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

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Dwight Summer Camp

dwightsummercamp.org Ecole Internationale de New York

einy.org

Future Stars Summer Camps fscamps.com

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Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum intrepidmuseum.org Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ktuga.com

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Launch Math & Science Centers

launchmath.com

MAD SPORTS madsportsinc.com

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Modeling Camp modelingcamp.com

MWS Student Camps mwscamps.com

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NORY STEM nory.co

Special Needs

Kumon kumon.com

North Cove Sailing northcovesailing.com

Music

Academic Enrichment

Day Trips

Swimming

Sports

Theater

STEAM/Robotics

PROGRAMS:

Half-Day

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

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Oasis Camp in Central Park

oasischildren.com

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Oasis Camp in Downtown oasischildren.com

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Open Campus at The New School

opencampus.newschool.edu

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Play On! Studios

Pusteblume International Preschool

playonstudios.com

pusteblumenyc.org The Ballet Club theballetclub.com

The British International School of New York Summer Camp bis-ny.org

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thewindwardschool.org

YMCA Summer Camps ymcanyc.org

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Arts & Crafts

Special Needs

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Day Trips

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The Windward School Summer Program, Manhattan

usdan.org

STEAM/Robotics

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The Montessori School of New York International montessorischoolny.com

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

PROGRAMS:

Half-Day

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

Children’s Museum of the Arts

Week-Long Hands On Art Making Day Camps For Ages 5 –15 • June 18 - September 7

LOOK

MAKE

SUMMER ART COLONY at 103 Charlton and on historic Governors Island! REGISTER TODAY AT CMANY.ORG! 32

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Hey! Moms and Dads Look what we have for you

CLASSES NANNIES & BABYSITTERS

JOBS

FOR MOMS

EVENTS

FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Check out our 45 minute online education classes, presented by leading experts.

Bonus: Check out library of hundreds of expert written articles

Looking for one? We have tens of referred Nannies and Babysitters

Bonus: Do you want to help your Nanny find her next family? This is the best resource in NYC.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, Moms make great part time employees. Check out the jobs for companies looking specifically to hire a mom.

Bonus: If you are looking for an opportunity, you can post on mommybites.

Check our activities targeted just for you and your families.

Bonus: Local organizations can post their events on mommybites.com/newyork

Get on the list for newest offerings

mommybites.com/newyork Connecting moms and moms-to-be with parenting resources, education, and support since 2006 BigAppleParent 33

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away

Tenafly Nature Center

Courtesy Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

With nearly 400 acres of forest and wetland, this nature preserve protects, improves, and restores wildlife with outdoor, seasonal activities and animal-focused programming. Families can walk on hiking trails, enjoy nature-themed stories on a StoryWalk, and participate in maple sugaring in the spring. Visitors can expect to see more than 50 species of birds, whitetailed deer, red fox, and various turtles that call the nature preserve home. Visit it: 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly; 201-568-6093; tenaflynaturecenter.org

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Comprised of two aquariums and eight outdoor ponds, the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium offers kids the opportunity to learn about preserving freshwater wildlife. Kids can feed trout, learn about freshwater reptiles and amphibians native to New York, go on a backyard bird watch, and spend time fishing. Visit It: 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor; 516-692-6768; cshfishhatchery.org

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Bergen County Zoo

Bergen County Zoo Meet with animals from North and South America, such as a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, Baird’s tapirs, Andean condors, South American pampas, ocelots, capybaras, and more. Families can participate in a Night Owls walk to see nocturnal animals; a Reptile Safari to get a closer look at these cold-blooded, scaly creatures; and the Wild & Crafty Zoo Tour to hear stories about animals, followed by a craft project and walk through the zoo. Visit it: 216 Forest Ave., Paramus; 201-634-3100; co.bergen.n co.bergen.nj.us

and bey ond ! Courtesy Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Courtesy Tenafly Nature Center

In Bergen County, NJ…

Stepping Stones Museum for Children For a day of play and educational activities, kids of all ages and abilities can visit this museum and participate in programs such as Explorations: Dino Stamping to be a paleontologist for a day and create their own dinosaur guide book; Storm the Castle to build a fort and catapults in an Irish castle; and storybook pajama parties. Visit the museum for Egg-straordinary Egg-stravaganza this month, just in time for Easter. Visit It: Mathews Park, 303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT (Metro-North New Haven Line); 203-899-0606; steppingstonesmuseum.org

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Spellbound Theatre ‘Wink’ (No. 7 on our list).

MARCH

y-day day-b : r u o t ou line ar Check alendar on alend c ood, hborh cost. g i e n h by and Searc type, age, t n eve ily! ted da a d p U

nyme

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ents. ropar

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

EDITOR: WHITNEY C. HARRIS nyccalendar@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

Smaty Pants, Mini Musicians

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

Animal Lovers, Movers & Shakers

Show Time!, Fun Fairs & Festivals, Holiday Fun

Crafty Kids, Special Needs

Once Upon a Time

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month! New York City Drone Film Festival

WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 12:30pm WHERE: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., Tribeca AGES: 13 and older WHAT: The New York City Drone Film Festival is the world’s first event exclusively dedicated to celebrating the art of drone cinematography. The festival offers an international platform for filmmakers from every corner of the globe to exhibit their work in front of industry professionals and the drone community. WHY WE LOVE IT: Curious fans can learn all about drone technology, law, and pushing creative boundaries. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-998-4941. nycdronefilmfestival.com.

Kids Night Out Under the Big Top

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 6-8:30pm WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: 5-8 WHAT: A circus-themed evening full of face painting, tricks, and feats of balance. Expect dinner and a very sweet treat. Registration required. WHY WE LOVE IT: Doubles as date night for parents! WANT TO GO? $50. 646-505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

The Paper Bag Players: ‘That’s Quite Absurd!’

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 10am-12:30pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This nonprofit theater company of adults creates and performs original, contemporary, musical theater for children. Delight in the group’s classic blend of cardboard and paper sets,

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

whimsical stories, lovable characters, and live music that will have you and your family singing and dancing in the aisles. WHY WE LOVE IT: The sets and stories may spark your child’s imagination! WANT TO GO? $18. 212-423-3200. thepaperbagplayers.org.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 11am-5pm WHERE: Fifth Avenue, between East 44th and 79th streets, Midtown/Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: Watch thousands of marchers parade up Fifth Avenue in celebration of Irish culture and history. The parade marches past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and ends at the Irish Historical Society at 79th Street. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world! WANT TO GO? 718-231-4400. nycstpatricksparade.org.

Lightwire Theater: ‘DINO-LIGHT’

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Electroluminescent creatures light up the darkness in this glow-in-the-dark, heart-warming original tale of a lovable dinosaur and his scientist creator. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expect a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance. WANT TO GO? $17 and up. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

New York International Children’s Film Festival

WHEN: Through March 18: Friday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Various theaters throughout Manhattan, see website for addresses

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

nymetroparents.com/register ››

AGES: 3 and older WHAT: For four weekends, New York International Children’s Film Festival invites you and your imagination to explore new frontiers through the best new films from around the world. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expect more than 75 film screenings to choose from. WANT TO GO? $14-$20. 212-349-0330. nyicff.org.

Spellbound Theatre ‘Wink’

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This imaginative and multi-disciplinary performance explores dreams from the perspective of a young child and her bear. WHY WE LOVE IT: Blending shadow puppetry, physical theater, and animation, this unique show is a captivating journey designed to engage and inspire kids. WANT TO GO? $17. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

Sun-Earth Day

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 11am WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Explore the special relationship between Earth and the Sun and learn about the delicate balance that makes our planet the perfect place to call home. WHY WE LOVE IT: A chance to meet scientists, look through telescopes, and engage in hands-on activities. WANT TO GO? $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5800. amnh.org.

‘PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure’

WHEN: March 22-25, Thursday-Monday, see website for times WHERE: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, and Mayor Goodway is getting ready for a big celebration. But first, Ryder and his team of pirate pups must rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. WHY WE LOVE IT: TV fans can expect plenty of music, choreography, lights, and special effects. WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 800-844-3545. pawpatrollive.com.

Freedom Art Jam

WHEN: Sunday, March 25, 12-4pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A Passover extravaganza featuring art, music, and dancing. Set yourself free to the soulful sounds of ShirLaLa, craft a holiday artifact, create a freedom painting, add to a Passover-themed installation, explore the galleries, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Four hours of festive fun for the whole family! WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors; $8 students; free for children 18 and younger. 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Annual St. Patrick’s Open Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 12-4pm WHERE: Irish Arts Center, 553 W. 51 St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Visitors can learn the basics of Irish language or a new dance step, get their face painted, create art with children’s crafts, or simply relax with a cup of tea and experience a taste of Ireland’s rich culture. WANT TO GO? 212-757-3318. irishartscenter.org.

R&R Shabbat Diversity Day FREE

WHEN: Through March 17: Saturdays, 2-5pm WHERE: JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Make your Shabbat afternoon special and share in the community with art, yoga, and meditation workshops, creative art projects, music, food, and spa experiences, plus indoor and outdoor play. WANT TO GO? 347-604-3964. jcc.org.

Storytime: Sheep 101 by Richard Morris FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 11am WHERE: David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A slapstick, rollicking mashup of nursery rhyme characters and the time-honored bedtime ritual of counting sheep. From Richard T. Morris, author of This Is a Moose, and beloved illustrator LeUyen. WANT TO GO? 212-721-6500. kids.lincolncenter.org.

NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza 2018 FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 12pm WHERE: Target East Harlem Community Garden, 415 E. 117th St., East Harlem AGES: All WHAT: There will be egg hunts every 10 minutes, Easter egg painting, arts and crafts, and meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny, plus a Looney Tunes character garden and prizes for all who attend. WANT TO GO? nysomgroup.org.

Macy’s Flower Show 2018 FREE

WHEN: March 25-April 8, Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Stop by Macy’s annual welcome to spring, when the store is transformed into breathtaking floral scenes with blooms, fantasy flowers, and lush plants from around the world. This year’s theme is Once Upon a Springtime. WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. macys.com. ››

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MOVERS & SHAKERS Mindfulness for Families

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Join Ayman Mukerji Househam, a mindfulness teacher and researcher, to cultivate a more mindful family. Each session will combine instruction with exercises that can be applied to everyday family life. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

PAUSE/PLAY

WHEN: Through March 17: Saturdays, 2-6pm WHERE: The 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St., East Village AGES: All WHAT: All are welcome in the community for a day of relaxation and renewal every first Saturday of the month. From family yoga and story time to whiskey tastings and open swim, PAUSE/PLAY events feature activities for the whole family. WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 212-780-0800. 14streety.org.

Family Tours

ANIMAL LOVERS Ocean Odyssey

WHEN: Through March 31: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-10:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-12am WHERE: National Geographic Encounter, 226 W. 44th St., Times Square AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This immersive entertainment experience takes families on a simulated underwater adventure to witness Pacific Ocean life firsthand. Meet sea lions, humpback whales, and great white sharks, plus a stunning coral reef. WANT TO GO? $39.50; $36.50 seniors; $32.50 children younger than 12. 646-308-1337. natgeoencounter.com.

The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter

WHEN: Through May 28: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Families can hang with as many as 500 fluttering butterflies at the museum’s 80-degree warm vivarium full of tropical flowers, too. WANT TO GO? $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Unseen Oceans

WHEN: March 12-Jan. 6, 2019: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Explore a series of circular, media-rich galleries that will showcase a range of marine ecosystems and introduce a new generation of scientists who are using cutting-edge research tools and developing new methods to explore the oceans top to bottom. WANT TO GO? $28; $22.50 seniors and students; $16.50 children. 212769-5800. amnh.org. 38

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: March 3-24, Saturdays, 10:45am-1:20pm WHERE: The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about art together through lively discussion and fun gallery activities in this interactive 40-minute tour. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; free for children younger than 18. 212-570-3600. whitney.org.

LC Kids Presents ‘Hup’

WHEN: March 21-25, Wednesday-Friday, 11am; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30am and 12:30pm WHERE: Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Babies and their grown-ups are free to explore during this enchanting classical music experience featuring a playful quartet of musicians. With the help of two violins, one cello, and a raccoon, they’ll become a part of the story of one very special tree. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-721-6500. kids.lincolncenter.org.

Ice-Skating Season

WHEN: Through April 1: daily, 8:30-12am WHERE: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Take a skate around the outdoor rink before stopping by the many shops and restaurants at Rockefeller Center. Skate lessons are offered as well. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 seniors and for children younger than 11. 212-332-7654. therinkatrockcenter.com.

StoryDance Playgroup FREE

WHEN: Through May 3: Thursdays, 9:30-10:15am WHERE: Downtown Dance Factory, 291 Broadway, 4th Floor, Tribeca AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Walking tots and preschoolers take part in story time, a craft, dance games, and activities, plus free play time. WANT TO GO? 212-962-1800. downtowndancefactory.com.

CRAFTY KIDS

AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Using materials such as foam, wire, and pompoms, young artists will construct tiny flowers, hedges, and fruits and veggies of their choice. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 11am-12pm and 2-3pm WHERE: The Met Breuer, 945 Madison Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-731-1675. metmuseum.org.

WHEN: March 1-29, Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm; first and third Saturday, 11am-12pm, 2-3pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, singing, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Picture This! Gallery Tour, Art Workshop & Concert

Build a Bridge Challenge

Family Tours at The Met Breuer

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 10am-12:30pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The fun begins with interactive activities, art viewing, and a PJ Library collection book reading. Then head to the art studio to create original art and enjoy a snack, followed by The Paper Bag Players concert. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org.

Family Day: Spring Into Nowroz! Celebrate the Persian New Year

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 1-5pm WHERE: Asia Society, 725 Park Ave., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: Discover the spirit of Nowroz, the Persian New Year, with traditional music, dance, and crafts from Central Asia and Iran. WANT TO GO? $12; $5 seniors, students, and children. 212-288-6400. asiasociety.org.

Family Fun: Rural America!

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 2:30-4:30pm WHERE: The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Families create hands-on art projects inspired by discussion and activities in the galleries. Explore rural America in Grant Wood: American Gothic and Other Fables. WANT TO GO? $25 adults; $18 seniors; $10 children younger than 18. 212-570-3600. whitney.org.

Family Sundays: Splashes of Neon

WHEN: March 4-25, Sundays, 1-4pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Create your own vibrant realities with glow-in-the-dark tape and splashes of neon bubbles to shape a new, colorful perception of our world. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

From Pants to Plants

WHEN: March 19-25, Monday, 12-5pm; Thursday-Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Young artists will take inspiration from Ian Berry’s denim exhibit, The Secret Garden, and will create their very own sculptural fabric foliage. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

Mini Secret Gardens

WHEN: March 23-29, Monday, 12-5pm; Thursday-Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village

Start with Art at the Met

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 10:30-11:45am WHERE: Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will design, build, and test their own bridges. WANT TO GO? $5. 212-945-6324. skyscraper.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS ‘Addy & Uno’

WHEN: Through March 10: Saturdays, 12pm WHERE: Theatre Row, 410 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 5-12 WHAT: As Uno, a child with autism, faces the challenge of competing in his school’s math competition, his friends with varying disabilities—ADHD, visual, hearing, and physical impairments—rally in support. Through puppets and music, this show celebrates hope, big dreams, and the beauty of differences. WANT TO GO? $40. 212-239-6200. addyanduno.com.

Sensory Tour and Drama Workshop based on Leonard Bernstein at 100 FREE

WHEN: March 10-17, Saturdays, 9:30am WHERE: The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This drama-based workshop for children with disabilities and their families explores this exhibition celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s life. WANT TO GO? 212-875-5375. lincolncenter.org.

Autism Spectrum Tour: The Discovery Squad FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 1: Saturdays, 9-10am WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Families with members on the autism spectrum can attend a 40-minute tour led by specially trained guides, then spend some time exploring the Discovery Room before the museum opens to the public. WANT TO GO? 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Access+Ability

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Sunday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This powerful exhibit displays more than 70 products, projects, and services developed by and with people with disabilities—physical, cognitive, and sensory—that expand their ability to lead independent lives and engage more fully in the world. WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors; $9 students; free for children younger than 18. 212-849-8400. cooperhewitt.org. ›› BigAppleParent 39

Second Sundays Dig Drop-In

WHEN: Through May 13: Sundays, 12-3pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids discover a passion for ancient artifacts in the museum’s simulated archaeological dig every second Sunday of the month. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $7.50 students; free for children 18 and younger. 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org.

Art Explorers

SMARTY PANTS Living History: Harriet Tubman Day

WHEN: March 10-11, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Discover how Tubman led a military raid that freed more than 700 slaves during the Civil War, plus hear tales and learn about the tools and techniques she used to personally lead enslaved individuals to freedom and advocate for civil rights throughout the 19th century. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

Art Trek

WHEN: March 3-17, Saturdays, 11am-12pm and 2-3pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Discover favorite works of art as you look and learn together. This month’s theme is “Changing Landscapes.” WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Living History: Women, the Extraordinary Soldiers of the Civil War!

WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 11am-4pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Meet living historians who recreate and share the underrepresented and contested contributions to war efforts by women who openly served in combat roles and women who disguised themselves as men to enlist, as well as individuals who may not have identified as one gender. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

‘The Number On Great-Grandpa’s Arm’

WHEN: Through April 29: Sunday-Tuesday, 10am-6pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday, 10am-3pm WHERE: Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: When 10-year-old Elliott asks his 90-year-old great-grandfather, Jack, about the number tattooed on his arm, he sparks an intimate conversation about Jack’s life that spans happy memories of childhood in Poland, the loss of his family, surviving Auschwitz, and finding a new life in America. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 students and children ages 13-17; free for children 12 and younger. 646-437-4202. mjhnyc.org. 40

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through May 15: Tuesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Preschoolers and their adult companions can explore Scenes from the Collection, the museum’s new collection exhibition, through themed tours and engaging gallery activities, followed by a visit to the art studio. WANT TO GO? $10. 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS KB Whirly

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 11am WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A high energy, multi-limbed, “one-man-band” show. WANT TO GO? $17 and up. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

Meet the Music! Four Harmonious Friends

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2pm WHERE: Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, 1941 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: A musical version of a story about animals who must learn to get along. WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 212-721-6500. lincolncenter.org.

Living History: American Women in Song

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 11am-4pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Discover historical love songs, laments, ballads, work songs, parlor ditties, suffrage anthems, and more. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

Total Vocal

WHEN: Sunday, March 25, 2-4pm WHERE: David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: A celebration of contemporary a cappella music featuring arrangements from Pitch Perfect, The Sing-Off, Pitch Battle, and more. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 212-707-8566. lincolncenter.org.

Jazz for Kids

WHEN: Through May 27: Sundays, 2-3pm WHERE: Jazz Standard, 116 E. 27th St., Kips Bay AGES: All WHAT: Teen musicians dish out jazz classics. WANT TO GO? $5 suggestion donation. 212-576-2232. jazzstandard.com.

SHOW TIME!

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS

LC Kids Presents ‘Where Words Once Were’

WHEN: March 3-18, Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Various locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, see website AGES: All WHAT: Join in for new works by French and international artists. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. 212-355-6100. tiltkidsfestival.org.

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 2pm WHERE: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 524 W. 59th St., Midtown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Wordplay and adventure abound in this new work by celebrated playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer. Set in a dystopian time when language is rationed, a sentence can get you sentenced, and the silent are rising, young hero Orhan discovers that a word can change the world. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-721-6500. kids.lincolncenter.org.

‘The Ugly Duckling’

WHEN: March 3-11, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Galli Theater, 357 W. 36th St., Suite 202, Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: On its long journey to find itself, the little duckling meets many animals and finally realizes that it is not ugly at all, only different. In the end, the ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.

‘Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged)’

WHEN: March 2-11, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, 12pm and 5pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The Reduced Shakespeare Company presents this play set in a treasure-filled parking lot in Leicester, England, where an ancient manuscript proves to be the literary holy grail: the long-lost first play written by none other than 17-year-old William Shakespeare. WANT TO GO? $16 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

‘The Three Little Pigs’

WHEN: March 17-25, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Galli Theater, 357 W. 36th St., Suite 202, Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Gordy, Perkey, and Snoozy pigs must build houses of their own. But only one takes the time to make a house that stands up to the persistence of a certain wolf. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.

‘Black Beauty’

WHEN: March 16-25, Friday, 7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 3pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Andy McCuddy and his brother have fallen on hard times. When they discover their beloved copy of Black Beauty in the cozy horse trailer they call home, they take the bit firmly between their teeth and reenact portions of the page-turning adventure. WANT TO GO? $16 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

‘The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats’

WHEN: Through March 31, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., Midtown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A play that celebrates the wonder of childhood in the city through four of Keats’ best stories brought to life, including Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, and A Letter to Amy. WANT TO GO? $35. 212-239-6200. thesnowydayplay.com.

Tilt Kids Festival

Pakistani Cultural Festival

WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the culture of Pakistan with workshops and performances. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

Uptown Nights: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Presents The Stretch Music Festival

WHEN: March 30-31, Friday-Saturday, 7:30pm WHERE: Manhattan School of Music, 120 Claremont Ave., Morningside Heights AGES: All WHAT: Expect rhythms such as Kassa Soro from Mali, as well as Salsa and Son that can be found in blues, funk, trap, hip-hop, and stretch music. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-749-2802. msmnyc.edu.

Sea of Light FREE

WHEN: Through March 31: Monday-Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm WHERE: South Street Seaport, 19 Fulton St., Seaport District AGES: All WHAT: A sensory adventure of light and sound activated by proximity and touch. WANT TO GO? 646-374-0867. southstreetseaport.com.

HOLIDAY FUN Shababa Art Smarts

WHEN: Friday, March 9, 1-2:30pm WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children construct projects to decorate for Shabbat. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.

Think ‘N’ Fun NYC’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Fun

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 9:30am WHERE: Riverside Park, Riverside Drive and West 74th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Hunt eggs during 1 of 6 start times to accommodate all children. WANT TO GO? $13 and up. 917-830-6485. tfnnyc.com.

Passover Celebration FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 28, 3:15-4pm WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A special Passover family celebration. WANT TO GO? 646-505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

Creative Family Passover Seder

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 4:30pm WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy singing, “Dayenu” conga-lines, pharaohs, art projects, and more. Caterer Russ Moss creates a locally sourced Kosher, nut-free meal. WANT TO GO? $75; $55 children 3 and older; $25 children 1-2 years; free for children younger than 1. 212-415-5500. 92y.org. ›› BigAppleParent 41

WHAT: Bring the kids for stories and crafts around weekly themes and characters including Elsa, Curious George, Pete the Cat, and Doc McStuffins. WANT TO GO? 212-473-1452. strandbooks.com/story-time.

Toddler Storytime

ONCE UPON A TIME ‘Once on This Island’: Story Time Edition FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 11am WHERE: Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway, Union Square AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Once on This Island is a musical based on the novel My Love, My Love: or, The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy. Visit the second floor of the children’s department to hear members of this Broadway show read popular children’s books. WANT TO GO? 212-473-1452. strandbooks.com.

Reading into History Family Book Club: ‘With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman’s Right to Vote’

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Award-winning author Ann Bausum will chat via Skype and answer your questions about the research she conducted to write this original book on the women’s suffrage movement. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

‘Iggy Peck, Architect’

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 10:30-11:45am WHERE: Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Young learners will be introduced to the basics of architecture through a group reading of Andrea Beaty’s picture book Iggy Peck, Architect. After the story, the young architects will use different materials to design their very own skyscraper. WANT TO GO? $5. 212-945-6324. skyscraper.org.

LC Kids presents ‘Waves, All That Glows Sees / Théâtre des Confettis’

WHEN: March 10-18, Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children are invited inside an enchanted tent to experience this whimsical theatrical tale in which a tall man’s daydreams of a seaside land filled with wonders is transformed into an immersive reality. Sand dunes, sea creatures, boats, and the endless sky are evoked through stunning visuals and original melodies. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-875-5456. kids.lincolncenter.org.

Storytime and Crafts FREE

WHEN: March 3-25, Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Strand Books, 828 Broadway, Union Square AGES: 3-8 42

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: March 4-29, Sunday, 2-2:30pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 3-3:30pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Look, listen, sing, and have fun with picture books, then continue your adventure with a self-guided gallery hunt. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 18. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Special Story Time with Gayle E. Pitman

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Pitman will do a reading of her book When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community. Stick around after the reading to ask her all about the real-life women featured in the story and maybe even get a copy of the book signed. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

PJ Library Storytime FREE

WHEN: Through May 14: Mondays, 3-3:45pm WHERE: JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions through explorations, songs, and PJ Library books. WANT TO GO? 646-505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

Not Your Typical Story Hour

WHEN: Through May 17: Thursdays, 11:30am WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Look at books with your child, listen to stories, create an art project, and dance to the music with Petra as part of this imaginative, interactive story time. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.

Gateway Storytime in the Discovery Room

WHEN: Through June 18: Mondays, 10:15am and 11:15am WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Swing by the museum on a Monday morning for an engaging story time with plenty of interactive learning. Space is limited and tickets are distributed outside the 81st Street Planetarium Entrance between 9:45am and 10:15am. WANT TO GO? $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Coming up next month: APRIL 1: Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival at Fifth Avenue, Midtown APRIL 7-29: The Little Red Fish at The Lion Theatre, Hell’s Kitchen APRIL 10-MAY 6: Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center, Upper West Side

things to do

where-to guide

Spring into March ✿ ✿

Spring is just around the corner and there are so many ways to enjoy the (hopefully) warmer weather, even if it’s still cold. One of our favorite late winter/early spring activities is maple sugaring—after all, there’s nothing quite like making your own maple syrup straight from the tree. This is also a great time of the year to get back outside and help out around your community by volunteering. Or, if it is still too cold to be outside, you can take an educational trip to a museum or bookstore. Here’s to a new season!

MAPLE SUGARING

Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale 914-723-3470; greenburghnaturecenter.org Maple Sugaring Party: Sunday, March 4, 11am-3pm Celebrate the end of winter and the peak of the maple-sugaring season. Featured events include sap collection demonstrations, depictions of Native American and Colonial style sugaring sites, porridge making, maple crafts, and treats. Register and pre-pay online by March 4 for special rates: $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers; $8 for members day of, $15 for non-members day of.

VOLUNTEER

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Partnerships for Parks 212-360-1399; cityparksfoundation.org Partnership for Parks helps New Yorkers work together to make neighborhood parks thrive. The public-private program has a diverse, growing network of dedicated park volunteers and groups, and it provides opportunities for them to celebrate their parks (such as volunteering for It’s My Park Day), become more effective leaders in their communities, and work with government officials to affect decisions about their parks. There are various volunteer opportunities for all age and interest levels. For more information, email info@cityparksfoundation.org. Find more>> volunteer opportunities in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/volunteer. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Compiled by Samantha Neudorf

Find more>> maple-sugaring activities near Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/maple-sugaring.

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s programs for kids and families are designed to spark imagination, creativity, and lifelong connections with art.

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MUSEUMS

BOOKSTORES

Books of Wonder 18 W. 18th St., Flatiron District 212-989-3270; 217 W. 84th St., Upper West Side 212-989-1804; booksofwonder.com Best known for reissuing L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz books with color illustrations—and for appearing in the movie You’ve Got Mail—Books of Wonder has earned its place as the largest and oldest children’s bookstore in NYC. Visit if you’re looking for an unrivaled selection of children’s literature, or a chance to hear an award-winning author speak.

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Find more>> kids’ bookstores in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/bookstores.

Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side 212-535-7710; metmuseum.org Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-5:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-9pm Admission: $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12 The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s programs for kids and families are designed to spark imagination, creativity, and lifelong connections with art. Drop-in programs such as Art Trek and Sunday Studio offer fun through looking, learning, and creating art together. Sign up for classes taught by educators and artists who use the entire museum as an expanded classroom. Get started with #MetKids, a new digital art feature made for, with, and by kids ages 7-12 that includes an interactive map, videos starring kid reporters, and more. Find it at metmuseum.org/metkids. Find more>> children’s museums in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/museums.

family life finances

Make Filing Less Taxing These smart moves can minimize your payout—or score you a sweet refund.

ax season is here again. Will you end up forking over fistfuls of cash, or hardly feeling any financial pain? The answer may depend on how savvy you are. Take advantage of all the deductions and credits you’re eligible for, and you can save up to thousands of dollars, and in some cases even get money back. Overlook these tax breaks, though, and the opposite will happen: You’ll end up forfeiting money that’s rightfully yours. A good tax professional can help make sure you’re minimizing your payout. (Tax-prep software is another popular alternative.) And be aware of the credits and deductions listed here. While they may not be a comprehensive rundown of every last way you can reduce your taxes, they’re a good start.

Getting Credit Where It’s Due

One of the best ways to minimize your tax burden is by looking for credits you’re eligible to take—these reduce the amount of taxes you owe. Listed here are some tax credits that are particularly helpful for families. The Child and Dependent Care Credit: “This is designed to provide a tax benefit for homes in which both parents work fulltime or have earned income,” says Nicholas Sher, CPA, managing director of Sher & Associates, LLC, a boutique tax planning firm 44

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

›› By Deborah Skolnik

in midtown Manhattan. At the federal level, the credit is at least 20 percent of the first $3,000 of child care expense per child, for a maximum of two children. At the state level, you will receive a credit of at least 20 percent of the federal level. That means if you spend $3,000 on your child’s care you can save a minimum of $840 total—useful when you’re raising a family. Note: This credit is not available to a spouse who stays at home and doesn’t earn income. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Didn’t have a great year financially? The EITC may be the break you need. This federal tax credit is available to people who have earned an income below a certain threshold, and it increases in relation to the amount of children in the home, up to a maximum of three kids, Sher explains. You can’t have earned very much—for instance, a married couple filing jointly, with three or more children, must have an earned income and adjusted gross income (that’s the total income you report that is eligible to be taxed, minus some adjustments you’re allowed to make) of each less than $53,930. But the credit can be sizeable: a maximum of $6,318. What’s scary is that according to Jackson Hewitt, nearly 1 in 5 eligible Americans fails to claim this tax credit, leaving up to thousands of dollars on the table. Even if you haven’t qualified for the EITC before, don’t forget to check with your tax professional to see if

you qualify this time: nearly one-third of all people who can claim it are newly eligible each year. The Saver’s Credit or Retirement Savings Contribution Credit: Have you been putting away money for your retirement? You deserve a pat on the back. And, depending on what you earn, the government wants to give you something more: a tax credit. If you’re married or filing jointly and make an income of $62,000 or less, you may be eligible for a credit of between 10-50 percent of your contributions to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or an employer-sponsored retirement savings program. If you’re filing as the head of household, you may be eligible for the credit if you earned $46,500 or less, Sher says.

Making Clever Deductions

In addition to tax credits, stay on the lookout for deductions you can take. A deduction reduces your taxable income, which increases the chances of a lower overall tax bill. Read on; some of the ones listed here might apply to you. Medical expenses: Does someone in your family require extensive medical care? If your medical expenses exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income, you may be eligible for a deduction, says Rebecca Walser, a tax attorney, certified financial planner, and the author of Wealth Unbroken, but you must itemize your deductions in this case. New-mom gear, such as breast pumps and lactation equipment, can be included. And if you pay tuition for special education for a child with special needs, that too can be deductible if the curriculum is considered medically necessary, Sher says. (This is a highly scrutinized deduction, so check with your tax pro before you take it.) Going forward, consider funding a Health Savings Account, says Mark Kohler, a senior tax advisor with TaxSlayer, a tax preparation and financial technology company. The money you deposit in the account both grows tax-free and comes out tax-free for qualified family medical expenses. You also get a tax deduction for contributions on your tax return. Health insurance, if you’re your own boss: “If you are selfemployed you can deduct one hundred percent of the cost of health insurance for yourself,” Walser says. Moving expenses: It’s the rare family that doesn’t move at some point, but are the expenses related to a relocation deductible? It depends, Sher says. “You must move more than fifty miles away, and you must remain employed for thirty-nine weeks of the next fifty-two week period,” he explains. FYI, this is the last year that this deduction can be taken; it’s being swept away for 2018 with the new tax reforms we’ve all heard so much about.

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Job-hunting expenses: Like medical expenses, these need to be itemized. And you will have to have launched a truly extensive search for new employment: You aren’t eligible for a deduction unless the costs exceeded 2 percent of your AGI. New York state 529 plan contributions: “Anyone who is making a New York state 529 plan contribution should be taking the eligible deduction, which is up to ten thousand dollars for a married couple filing jointly,” Sher says. Though this account has been used to save for children’s college tuition up until now, beginning in 2018 contributions can also be used toward private school tuition. Want more pointers? Consult your favorite tax professional. He or she can help you formulate a strategy to make tax time far less taxing on your family. BigAppleParent 45

family life home

Experts suggest swapping out bath towels every few days, which means more frequent towel loads in the wash.

Spring Clean It!

››

Places in your home you should be cleaning on a regular basis, but likely aren’t—plus a few insider tips and tricks By Katelin Walling

leaning. To a lot of us, that’s as bad as a four-letter word. I was a housekeeper at an inn in high school and got the satisfaction of cleaning a space to shine, but—to this day—I have never been a fan of the actual process. Even some cleaning experts feel the same way: “I really hate cleaning,” says Melissa Maker, a Toronto, Ontario-based cleaning expert, host of the Clean My Space YouTube channel, and author of Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster—and Loving Your Home Every Day. “But I love the benefits of living in a clean space.” Heck, with kids, keeping up with the laundry is almost more than we can handle sometimes. So, if you’re like us—not fans of cleaning, but love having a clean space—you know you have to take out the broom and duster regularly to ensure your home is presentable for play dates and dinner guests without a last-minute, frenzied cleaning session. But did you know you’re likely missing some spots that should be cleaned more often than not? We got the inside scoop from cleaning experts and enthusiasts on the areas we need to pay a little more attention to when we have the cleaning products out.

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Remember: These aren’t commandments—we certainly aren’t likely to keep up with most of this as often as we should—just recommendations for a cleaner, healthier home.

Bathroom

The area around the toilet: “People often clean in the toilet, but they don’t clean the base or the area behind the toilet,” Maker says. “And over time, that can get really gross, especially if you have individuals in the home who stand up to pee instead of sit down to pee.” So whenever you clean the inside of your toilet, spray a disinfectant or all-purpose cleaner around the base and wipe it clean. Toilet handle: Speaking of missed spots on the toilet, do you regularly, consciously sanitize the flush handle on the toilet? Didn’t think so. Spray it with your preferred cleaner and wipe it down—but please do this before wiping the floor around the toilet, or else use a fresh cleaning cloth. Medicine cabinet: Because it’s a high-traffic area in the house we don’t typically think of cleaning, it can get quite

messy, says Christine Dimmick, author of Detox Your Home: Removing Toxins and Improving Your Life, which is set to be released in early April, and founder of The Good Home Company, a Manhattan-based home care and laundry product line that is paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free. We access our medicine cabinets at least twice a day (when we’re getting ready for work and school in the morning and when we’re getting ready for bed at night), so a lot of water gets in there—and water is the first thing to grow bacteria. Dimmick suggests attacking the medicine cabinet once a month—and her all-purpose cleaners of choice are a mixture of white vinegar and water, or castile soap. And while you’re at it, check the expiration dates on your medicine and beauty products and dispose of them correctly. Ceiling vent: “If you don’t clean that, it becomes very noisy when it’s on, and it doesn’t remove moisture effectively,” Maker says. The easiest way to clean it, she adds, is to give it a quick vacuum with the brush attachment. Bath towels, bathmats, and bathrobes: While you won’t necessarily have to do two towel loads in the wash each week—let’s face it, our linen closets are overstuffed with towels and washcloths—your bath towel should be replaced halfway through the week, according to Mary Gagliardi, aka Dr. Laundry for Clorox, whose background is in textile science and research and development at Clorox. And every time you wash a load of towels, go ahead and throw in the bathrobes and bathmats because, as Gagliardi says, they’re used similarly and as often as bath towels. While you’re at it, just find all the towels currently in use in the house and add them to the wash, too—we’re looking at you, kitchen towels. Gagliardi suggests washing these in bleach to properly disinfect them, after testing the fabrics to make sure they’re bleach-fast. To test, mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with ¼ cup of water, put a drop of the solution on a hidden part of the fabric, let it sit for a minute, and rinse it and blot dry with towel. If the color didn’t change, you can use regular bleach on the item; otherwise go for color-safe bleach. Toothbrush holder: This is a small thing that is usually overlooked and it has a lot of germs around it, says Jim Ireland, founder of White Glove Elite, a cleaning service in New York City. And it’s one I can attest to after a particularly bad college roommate experience. Let’s just say I always kept my toothbrush separate. So do everyone—and your mouth—a favor and clean the toothbrush holder before it even starts to look grimy. Shower curtains / vinyl liners: Cloth shower curtains should be washed once a year to freshen them up because things can splash on them. Meanwhile vinyl shower curtains or shower curtain liners should be washed once or twice a year in the washing machine with ½ cup of bleach to keep mold and mildew under control, Gagliardi says. And go ahead and pull the curtain closed after your shower so the liner fully air-dries. This small step also keeps your bathroom looking neat.

Bedrooms

Bed sheets: You’re tossing and turning, sweating, and shedding hair and skin cells in your sleep. So regardless of whether you shower at night, sheets should be changed weekly. And in terms of washing them, Gagliardi says she believes they should be bleached—but perform a bleach-ability test on them first! If they fail the bleachability test, then wash them in the hottest water possible to properly

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‹‹ continued from previous page

clean and sanitize them. While you’re at it, gather the throw blankets from the living room and wash those, too.

dampened cloth when you do your regular dusting, or regularly spray your plants.

Mattresses: Maintaining your mattress is really important; after all we spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping! The best way to clean your mattress, Maker says, is to strip the sheets off it, sprinkle baking soda on it, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes, and then vacuum it off. This will neutralize any odors. Once the mattress is vacuumed, place a waterproof mattress protector on it and your sheets as normal. Maker also says rotating your mattress two to four times a year is key, so why not clean it at the same time?

Points of contact: We’re talking all over the house here. Bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, tablets, phones, anything you and your family touch on a daily basis. These points of contact are how germs are transferred from person to person, so these are areas to be particularly mindful about cleaning, Maker says. “You can take a disinfectant and spray those points of contact as long as they don’t have electricity associated with them, you can let that product sit for a minute or two, and then wipe it,” she says. If the point of contact does have an electric component, Maker suggests spraying a cloth with a cleaner or rubbing alcohol and wiping it down.

Under the bed: It’s a big one, according to Dimmick. A lot of dust can quickly accumulate there, “and by cleaning that, you can solve a lot of your allergy issues, or not sleeping well at night,” she says. Closets: At least twice a year—but ideally after each season— go through your closets and get rid of any seasonal pieces you didn’t wear that season, suggests Tova Weinstock, aka Tidy Tova, a professional organizer and cleaning enthusiast based in New York City. For example, now that spring is upon us, go through your winter sweaters and donate the ones you weren’t compelled to wear. “Even with people I work with, if they’re debating whether to get rid of a springy shirt, I’ll say, ‘why don’t you keep it and if you don’t wear it this season, then let go of it,’” Weinstock says. Once you’ve gone through everything and the closet is empty, sweep and dust in there and then put everything back in an organized fashion—and the same goes for the drawers in your dresser. Stuffed animals: These get a lot of love from young children, so they regularly need a freshening up. These can be vacuumed or go in the washing machine (if it’s okay for the lovie) as often as you can get them away from your kids—once a year at the very least.

Common Rooms

Ceiling fans: The tops of the fan blades can get particularly dusty—out of sight, out of mind. When I moved into my first apartment in New York City, my dad, who sees all those out-ofsight places because he’s 6-foot-4, wiped down the fan blades in my room—and you wouldn’t believe the amount of caked-on dust that came off. I only wish I had known Ireland’s trick: Every few months, dampen a pillowcase, put it over each blade so the fan blade is encased, and slide the pillowcase off so the dust stays inside the pillowcase. Pet food bowls: If you feed your dog or cat wet food, chances are you regularly wash their bowls to clean off dried-on food. But what about dry food bowls? “A lot of times people have dogs where the food never gets eaten all the way or the cat food is always in there, so it’s nice if once a week you can wash them with soapy water, rinse them, and sanitize them,” Gagliardi advises. Houseplants: We don’t typically think of plants getting dusty, but they do. “We tend to overlook them until we notice them, and we tend to brush the dust off with our hands, but the oil from our hands is not friendly to plants,” Ireland says. So use a water48

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Litter boxes: While we regularly clean out the litter boxes and refresh the litter, how often do we actually wash the litter box? Probably not often enough. “We have a recommendation for deodorizing litter boxes, where you remove the cat litter and clean the litter box with soapy water, let it soak with a half cup of bleach per gallon of water for five minutes, and rinse it and let it air dry,” Gagliardi suggests. “Put the cat litter back in and that will keep litter boxes smelling much, much better.” Baseboards, crown molding, and heat registers / return vents: Dust builds up on these. Weinstock, Maker, and Gagliardi all suggest vacuuming them a few times a year with the brush attachment—or stay on top of it by cleaning them every time you vacuum the carpets.

Kitchen

Overhead exhaust: The purpose of the overhead exhaust is to suck the greasy vapor out of your kitchen, according to Maker. “On its way up, the vapor leaves behind a significant amount of grease, and as it builds up, it becomes sticky, it becomes rancid, and you really do need to give it a good clean,” she says. Maker recommends you fill up a bucket with hot water and a scoop of oxygen bleach powder, soak it for about 10 minutes, dry it, and put it back up. You may need to give it a bit of a scrub, she cautions. Potholders: “People never wash those, and they don’t necessarily hold up well to washing,” Gagliardi says. “But if they’re so dirty that you shouldn’t be using them anyway and you wash them and they don’t necessarily have good dimensional stability, then it was time to replace them.” Just be careful when laundering potholders, as they tend to bleed color. Soak them in water first to see how much color runs off; that way you won’t have dye transfer onto other items, Gagliardi advises. Under the sink: This area tends to become a hotspot for junk, cleaning products, plastic shopping bags, and sometimes bits of trash that miss the garbage can (that is, if you keep the garbage can under the sink). So every now and then, dive in and take everything out, give it a good wipe, and, as Maker recommends, “put in a shelf liner because it can become very wet under there and you can ruin the base of the cabinet.” Then put back only the items you need. Now that we think about it, tackle the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom, too.

Garbage cans and recycling bins: We all regularly take out the garbage and recycling—at the very least when it’s trash day—but cleaning the receptacles themselves is often left undone. Gagliardi suggests disinfecting these once a month, especially if drink cans aren’t rinsed out before going in there. To keep them disinfected and deodorized, she suggests washing them with soapy water, then letting them soak in a solution of ½ cup of bleach per ¾ gallon of water for 5 minutes, rinsing it, and letting it air dry. Alternatively, Ireland suggests using a trash can as a bucket when mopping the floors, which will clean it too. Inside the microwave: When food is nuked in the microwave, it can splatter, “and most people will leave it for a week, but would you leave food stains or dried up food on your counter for a week? Probably not,” Dimmick says. She suggests cleaning the microwave daily with a mixture of vinegar and water. Meanwhile Weinstock suggests heating up water in the microwave to create a steam, which will loosen up caked-on food, making it easier to wipe off. Sponges: These can get smelly fast. Rather than throwing them out frequently, every time you run your dishwasher, Gagliardi suggests tossing them in, too. And for a deeper clean, she says you can soak them in a solution of ½ cup of bleach per gallon of water for 5 minutes, rinse them, and let them air dry. For a cleaning double-whammy, get your sponge wet and microwave it on high for 2 minutes, then carefully remove it. This deodorizes and disinfects your sponge, Ireland says, and the steam makes it easier to clean the microwave. The warming drawer in the oven: People tend to use this little drawer under the oven as storage for baking sheets and think nothing of it since it’s not being used for food. But if you remove everything, “you’ll see it’s just full of crumbs, so every now and then its important to take everything out,” Maker says. “You can use the brush attachment on the vacuum to clean it out, and once you vacuum out the crumbs, spray it and wipe it out, and replace only the items you need.”

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Coffee pot and coffee grinder: Ireland suggests these be cleaned once a month. Run the coffee maker with a solution that is 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water. Then, for insulated coffee urns that are difficult to clean, he suggests dropping a denture-cleaning tab in 2018_YCE_NYMP_1.6th ad.v1.indd with some hot water and letting that sit overnight, while regular pots can be hand washed with dish soap. And put a handful of uncooked rice in the grinder and grind it. This will clean the blades without needing to get it wet.

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Refrigerator: “You can still grow bacteria in there even though it’s cold,” Dimmick says. So she cleans out her fridge once a week. Saving ontoadoNew York “It’s alsomoney a great time a deep dive City and look at the expiration dates onday condiments,” family is easy!she adds. And make sure to get under the crisper drawers. “We spend a lot of time trying to keep odors out of the refrigerator, but a lot of times there’s stuff under the crisper drawers,” Ireland adds.

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With all of this in mind, Weinstock suggests creating a cleaning routine or schedule that is doable for you. “Try to get in the habit of doing certain tasks every day: sweeping, doing the dishes, wiping the counters,” she says. “And then set aside the time to actually clean, otherwise it gets so overwhelming.”

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Sleep Training 101

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How to get your infant to sleep through the night—and deal with sleep regression when it happens By Bethany Braun-Silva

hen I was pregnant with my first child the number of people who told me, “You will never sleep again,” was overwhelming. Cut to six years, a second child, and many sleepless nights later—though I’m sure I have actually slept—and I am, indeed, pretty darn tired. Fatigue certainly comes with the parenting territory, especially in the first few months of bringing home your newborn. But getting consistent sleep is extremely important, not only for your baby, but for you as a parent, too. That’s why sleep training your baby once she’s a few months old—that is, teaching her to fall asleep and stay asleep on her own—is a great way to ensure everyone is well rested, and, in turn, happy. There are several sleep-training techniques, but ultimately all of them lead to restful nights for the whole family.

Sleep-Training Methods Explained

You may have heard of the “Cry It Out” and “Ferberizing” sleep-training methods. Those are two of the most well-known approaches, but many different variations have been developed. Each technique involves a few (or a lot of) tears, and all differ slightly in terms of how present you are supposed to be and how much you comfort your child as he falls asleep and when he wakes up. Ingrid Prueher, founder of Ingrid Baby Sleep Whisperer (ingridbabysleepwhisperer.com) and a Fox & Friends sleep expert, 50

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

works with individual families to create a method that works for them, while other experts, such as Denise Stern, baby nurse, postpartum care expert, and founder of Let Mommy Sleep (an overnight, in-home, infant care service), use a practice called sleep helping. “It is a simple way to say that we very gradually increase feeding during the day while gradually decreasing feeds overnight,” Stern says. Whichever method you choose, take comfort in knowing a good night’s sleep isn’t too far off. Here is a cheat-sheet of common sleep-training methods that may work for your family: Cry It Out or CIO: This method involves going through a bedtime routine with your baby, then placing her in her crib, leaving the room, and not coming back until the morning—as long as your infant is safe. This will be, by far, the method that produces the most tears, although it has recently been deemed harmless by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Ferberizing: Developed by Richard Ferber, M.D., this technique is considered a gentler version of CIO. With this method, you check on your infant and console him after a few minutes of crying, increasing the amount of time between your visits to his room to check on him. The Chair Method: Parents who practice this approach go through the normal bedtime routine, place their baby in the crib,

and then sit in a chair next to the crib until she falls asleep. They do not console her with words or cuddles, only with their presence. Each night they move the chair farther and farther from the crib until they are out of the room. The Pick Up Put Down Method or PUPD: This gentle method allows parents to pick up their crying baby, soothe him, and then place him in his crib to sleep, repeating this all night until, eventually, baby sleeps through. The Fading Sleep Training Method: With this technique parents continue to help their baby fall asleep by rocking or feeding. Each day they do less and less to soothe their baby in the hopes that she will begin to soothe herself. This is a great option for parents who prefer a method with less crying.

Getting Started

It’s important not to rush sleep training. For his first few months of life, tend to your baby when he cries and soothe him with feedings, diaper changes, or cuddles. Before sleep training your infant, Prueher suggests that: • You have approval from your pediatrician • Your baby weighs close to 16 pounds •Y our little one is close to 4 months of age. This is when a child’s biological clock forms, and you can use a biological sleep schedule as part of the process of teaching her to become an independent sleeper. If you can check off all three of those things, you can start sleep training your baby. “Lovingly teaching a child to sleep independently is about empowering the child to do what they have been born to do on their own. Children are born being able to sleep independently,” Prueher says. “In some cases, new parents just don’t know how to put a child to sleep and they feel their role as parents includes closing their child’s eyes for them. So, they resort to rocking, feeding to sleep, driving around, using a stroller during all sleep times.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Babies are programmed to self-soothe; they just need a little push to get started. One of the most important things for parents to remember before getting started is, no matter what sleep-training method is used, there will be tears. But “sleep training should never be traumatizing, produce throwing up sessions, or make you feel like you are hurting your child,” Prueher says. Creating a plan and feeling secure in it will reduce the number of tears your child (and you) may shed. Like Prueher, Stern insists you get the “okay” from your pediatrician before starting to sleep train. Your baby needs to be able to go at least 8 hours without a feeding, and babies who were premature or who are gaining weight more slowly are not good candidates for sleep training at 4 months old. “A good rule of thumb is that when a baby is able to take in twenty-eight to thirty-two ounces between the hours of six am and ten pm, that’s usually enough to satiate them through the night, but it’s crucial to have baby’s primary care physician agree that it’s appropriate to begin sleep training,” Stern says. Remember: Just because you have successfully sleep trained your baby, it doesn’t mean he won’t wake up once or twice (or more) throughout the night. “It is very common for baby to

have periods of wakefulness and times when they need parents’ help,” Stern says.

Sleep Regression Tips and Tricks

If your baby, who was successfully sleeping through the night, starts waking more often, or staying awake for an extended period of time or for what seems to be no reason, she may be experiencing sleep regression. This can throw parents for a loop and often make them feel overwhelmed in having to go back to square one. Alice R., a Brooklyn mom, went through this when her son was 9 months old. “Ryan had been sleeping through the night since we sleep trained him at four months old,” she says. “We had five months of bliss, and then it was like we were hit with a bomb. He was waking up a few hours after being put down and nothing we did worked.” Alice says she felt desperate and contacted a sleep expert for advice. Two weeks after starting the sleep training process all over again, Ryan resumed sleeping through the night. “The Golden Rule for regression is consistency, consistency, consistency,” Stern says. “Simply continuing the methods that your child is already familiar with is the best way to minimize regression. It’s important to remember, too, that babies are smart. If you hold them to sleep for a few nights during illness, for example, that does not mean they forgot how to sleep independently when it’s time for them to go back to sleep in the crib.” While sleep regression may seem like it occurs out of the blue, chances are there is a very good reason your child is waking. Teething and physical milestones (sitting up, crawling, and standing), and general alertness all contribute to sleep regression. “No matter if they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ sleepers, all little ones will wake when they’re experiencing teething pain or illness. Babies who are just learning to crawl and stand will also have fun in the overnight hours practicing their new skills,” Stern says. “In fact, many little ones just learning to walk will pull themselves up to a standing position in the crib and then call out to mom or dad because they are ‘stuck’ in the standing position!” If your baby is not sick, it’s okay to not rush into her room when she wakes in the middle of the night. Giving her a chance to fall asleep on her own, again, just reinforces the sleep training. In addition to maintaining normal bedtime routines, here are simple tips to combat sleep regression: • Provide extra comfort at bedtime in case separation anxiety is causing your child to wake up. • Remove all distractions, as lights and mobiles are not so useful during a period of sleep regression. • Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature, between 68 and 72 degrees. • Don’t form new “bad” habits such as rocking your baby or bringing him into bed with you. Remember this is a shortterm phase. Each family is different, and it is important to stay in tune with your baby’s needs, as they may change. Sleep training, whichever method you choose, is a great way to maintain a happy and healthy household. “We know the benefits of sleep can help our children live happier and healthier lives, so let’s make sleep a priority,” Prueher says. “It’s the best gift you can give your child, it will reward them forever.”

From our sponsors: The mission of Allied Foundation is to impact and improve the health and well-being of residents within Allied Physicians Group’s geographical footprint, which currently includes Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), Queens, Brooklyn, Richmond, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange. The Allied Foundation funds community-based strategies and initiatives, including Breastfeeding Support (toll-free Support Line: 866-621-2769; Breast Milk Depots), Community Education (free app—AlliedPG—and lectures about such topics as ADHD, managing food allergies, behavioral health, and infant CPR), Early Childhood Literacy (proud partner of Reach Out and Read and The BookFairies); and Community Service (Diaper Bank of Long Island). For more information, visit alliedfoundation.org. BigAppleParent 51

raising kids teen

How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen ›› Help your kid learn to make his own decisions instead of just following the crowd.

lexa, 14, never had any interest in sports. Or gym, or even kicking a ball around the yard. Her mom, Laura Valsamachi, kept encouraging her to try something. Once she got into high school, a new option presented itself: golf. Alexa agreed to try it. She liked that it wasn’t a team sport, and the fact that it was walk-on, so her lack of athletic ability wouldn’t be on display during a tryout. Valsamachi completed the registration form, and Alexa took it to school the morning of the sign-up deadline. And she brought it back that afternoon. “Julia’s not doing it,” the Long Island freshman said, without looking at her mom. “Who’s Julia? And so what?” Valsamachi asked. “Julia, the one I told you is kind of popular?” Alexa reminded her. “She said she would do golf with me, but now she’s not, so…” Her voice trailed off, her earbuds went in, and that was that. While some teens seem to have no problem deciding what they want to do and sticking to it, plenty more struggle to think independently and make choices for themselves. Wanting the approval of others is natural to some extent, even for grownups, but needing it can be crippling. If your kid seems to show a tendency toward flip-flopping, read on for the lowdown on how to guide him or her toward confident decision-making.

The Why Behind Wishy-Washy Behavior

Is it typical for teens to be followers, changing their mind about extracurricular activities, clothes, hairstyles, and even what after52

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

By Christina Vercelletto

school jobs to apply for, based on what their peers are doing? In many cases, it’s not a sign of a long-term problem, but more of a phase. “A lot of this is normal and even developmentally healthy behavior,” insists Robi Ludwig, Psy.D., a psychotherapist in New York City. “Teens are still discovering who they are and what’s important to them, so changing what they want and how they want to present themselves is all a part of this,” she explains. Anecdotally, at least, girls seem more vulnerable than boys to deferring to friends on anything and everything. “Most teenage girls want to be part of the pack. They want to blend in rather than stand out,” says Susan Groner, “The Parenting Mentor” and New York City-based author of Parenting: 101 Ways to Rock Your World. “While this may seem silly to us, there’s nothing wrong with it. You don’t need to worry that she’ll be like this forever. It’s a phase.” (If your child resists making any independent decisions at all, though, “there could be a mood or self-esteem issue going on,” cautions Dr. Ludwig, and in that case, checking in with a therapist would be a good idea.)

Encouraging Independence

Of course teens are not, as a group, big on taking what adults say as gospel. But there are ways we can get our teens to see the benefits of making their own decisions. Share a story of a time when being a follower backfired. Use articles, stories about people your child knows (with their

permission), and yes, even “when I was your age” stories to get your point across without being too heavy-handed about it, Dr. Ludwig recommends. After the golf incident, Valsamachi shared a personal story with Alexa that seemed to strike a chord: When she’d been a high-school senior, her best friend Maureen had decided that college was a waste of time, and had opted to go straight to work. Valsamachi, used to walking in lockstep with her BFF, decided to forgo college too. “I wound up getting my degree much later, but still wonder how my life would have been different,” she says. “Oh, and I haven’t spoken to Maureen since 1989.” Valsamachi resisted the urge to point out “Just like Julia and golf!” at the end of her story. It was just put out there for Alexa to interpret as she would. “And she did seem to absorb it, at least a little,” Valsamachi says. Keep it neutral. The main thing to guard against, says Dr. Ludwig, is coming across as preachy. Keep a neutral tone. “Teens who feel criticized or are concerned that they would disappoint their parents are often less comfortable sharing their thoughts,” agrees Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., co-author, with Donald A. Moses, M.D., of Raising Independent, Self-Confident Kids. Be nonjudgmental. It often isn’t easy, but it can pay off. Rose Koehler’s daughter, Emily, wanted to apply to be a page at their local library on Long Island, but a friend convinced her to work with her at a fast-food restaurant instead. “Now, my daughter, who hates noise, rushing, and has been known to burst into tears if a soda splatters on her, working in a fast food restaurant…I knew this would not end well,” Koehler shares. “But I also knew that demanding she stick with her original plan wouldn’t either.” So Koehler stayed supportive, asking a question about the job now and then, but keeping it neutral. After about five weeks, Emily quit—but the page job had already been filled. “I just gave her a hug and said nothing. Definitely not ‘I told you so!’” Koehler says. While Emily never came out and said she should have made the decision that felt right to her in the first place, Koehler feels the lesson stuck. “She doesn’t seem as quick to yield to her friends’ opinions anymore,” she says.

You don’t need to discourage your teen from posting a picture or a comment he thinks will get a lot of positive attention, as long as it doesn’t hurt him in the short or long term, Dr. Ludwig says. “Connect it to long-term goals he may have for himself. If he posts in a certain way, explain how this can send the wrong message and hurt him down the line.” She also advises encouraging teens to think like a publicist. This is a concept most high-schoolers can readily grasp. If you were in charge of managing a client’s reputation, would you post this? Lynne Lincoln, a mother of two teens in New Rochelle, recalls the time her 16-year-old son, Daniel, posted several #foodstagram shots of the burger chain Shake Shack while on an outing to the city with a group of friends. When he came home starving, Lincoln asked, “I thought you had Shake Shack?” Daniel clarified: “Oh, I gave it to Ryan. I don’t eat that stuff. I would have rather had pizza, but nobody is going to follow an account that posts rando pizza. It’s hard to get melted cheese not to look gross.” Groner says what’s important is that teens are able to separate their online lives from their real ones. If they snap a selfie in front of the now-famous statue of the little girl down on Wall Street, say, did they take the time to think about the art? “Next time your child posts, ask him about the experience,” she suggests. That will give you an idea of whether the experience drove the popular post, or the other way around. At the end of the day, Dr. Ludwig notes, the best thing you can do to help your child with decision-making—or anything, really— is to tune in to his needs. “Just plug into your child…Let them know you’re on their side and there for them if they need you,” she says. Christina Vercelletto is a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, and Woman’s Day. She lives on Long Island with her kids, a chiweenie, Pickles, and a 20-pound calico, Chub-Chub.

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Let him practice. Have your teen be a part of the decision-making process for family matters, such as planning a vacation, choosing a family car, or even figuring out how to assist an aging grandparent. What you’re trying to do, Dr. Moss explains, is guide your child toward minimizing impulsive decisions in favor of the one that is actually best for the situation. And like any other learned skill, that takes practice. Brainstorm. “Crowd-sourcing” potential solutions to a problem your teen is having by bringing in the whole family—even favorite aunts, uncles, and cousins—lets him know that “family is like a team, stronger than any one member,” Dr. Moss says. What that does is shift the focus off of “mom or dad know best,” so your child is less likely to feel defensive. By seeing that her ideas are as good as anyone else’s, she’ll start to build confidence, and, over time, be less apt to fall into a “what they’re thinking must be better than what I’m thinking” mentality.

The Social Media Aspect

Social media doesn’t seem to make it any easier to convince a teen to think independently. After all, accruing likes and positive comments is the name of the game. But that in itself isn’t necessarily bad. “We all want to get positive responses to what we present to the world,” Dr. Ludwig notes.

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family life food & nutrition

Top o’ the Morning to Ya!

››

Easy green breakfasts kids will actually enjoy

ids can be fussy about fruits and vegetables, and we know how challenging it is to make sure they are eating the suggested amount of each every day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and an optimal time to get in those fruits and veggies. Here are three easy green recipes from Eat More Greens by Zita Steyn to get them excited about breakfast. Bonus: They can’t be pinched if they eat this on St. Patrick’s Day!

Oat and Kale Breakfast Biscuits

Always on the look-out for interesting meals to start the day with, I regularly make this for my family and friends. Nutritious, filling, and different yet familiar, it ticks all the boxes for a special breakfast dish. Being gluten-free, it is a very crumbly biscuit, but no less delicious for it. Instead of the kale and nutmeg, you could add lots of finely chopped chives and cayenne pepper, or a little goat cheese and chopped thyme leaves. Roughly chopped black olives and finely chopped rosemary make a good addition, too. Makes 9 smallish biscuits Ingredients A little olive oil 1 small onion, diced 3½ oz. kale, stalks removed, roughly chopped 2 cups oat flakes (certified gluten-free if you are sensitive) 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Large pinch of sea salt 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, mixed with 2 Tbsp. water and stirred until a thick gel forms ½ cup cold butter (or firm coconut oil, hardened in the refrigerator), cut into small cubes ¼ cup apple puree or applesauce 1 egg, lightly whisked

Directions 1. P reheat the oven to 350°F and line a medium baking sheet with baking parchment. 2. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the onion, and sweat over gentle heat until soft and translucent. Add the kale and sauté until tender and cooked, then process in a food processor, or chop very finely by hand, press out any moisture and set aside to cool completely. 3. Spoon half the oat flakes into the food processor (no need to rinse) and blitz until very fine. Add the rest of the flakes and pulse a few times until the larger flakes are broken down slightly. Add the baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt, and pulse to mix. 4. A dd the cubed butter or coconut oil and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the cooled kale and onion mixture, the chia seed gel, apple puree, and egg, and process until the mixtures comes together. It should be a little on the sticky side. 5. U sing a spatula, scrape the dough out onto the lined baking sheet. Form into a square about ¾ inch thick, then score into 9 smaller 54

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Oat and Kale Breakfast Biscuits

squares, leaving them joined together. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden, rotating the sheet halfway through cooking. 6. C arefully slide a spatula under the biscuits to loosen them from the baking parchment, then separate the pieces using a knife, move them apart a little to give them some room and return to the oven for another 10-12 minutes, to crisp the edges. 7. R emove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter, hollandaise, and poached eggs for breakfast.

Ultimate Green Smoothie

If you are not one for green smoothies in general, you should try this one. It is quite delicious and very virtuous. It helps having a high-speed blender, but if you don’t, just keep blending until the mixture is smooth. You will need to soak the almonds overnight, and if you struggle to buy frozen mango or pineapple, peel and chop up the fruit the night before and freeze it. Serves 2 to 3 Ingredients 1 lemon 1½ cups coconut water, preferably raw 3/ -inch piece ginger, peeled 8 and coarsely chopped Handful of almonds, soaked overnight, or for at least 6 hours, and rinsed

Big handful of kale, thick stalks discarded, leaves coarsely chopped or torn 1 tsp. green powder of your choice (optional) 1 ripe medium banana, cut or broken into chunks 1½-1¾ cups frozen fruit

Directions 1. Cut the lemon in half then cut a thick slice off one half. Chop this up roughly and place in a blender. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon halves and add, together with the coconut water, ginger, and almonds, to the blender. Blend until smooth. 2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy. If your blender allows for the use of a tamper, it is a good idea to press the frozen fruits down into the blade to avoid uneven blending.

Recipes excerpted with permission from Eat More Greens by Zita Steyn, photography by Nassima Rothacker; published by Quadrille Publishing March 2017, RRP $24.99 hardcover.

Professional OPENHOUSES 2018 services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals LEGAL SERVICES LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW COHEN 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost. SPECIAL NEEDS LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW COHEN 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost. LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500; hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured they will feel confident. THERAPY & COUNSELORS MR. SPEECH PATHOLOGY 347-399-4836 mrspeechpathology.com; info@mrspeechpathology.com Eugene Chuprin is a bilingual (English-Russian) speech-language pathologist conducting evaluations and providing therapy in the New York City area. His specialty is treating pediatrics with language disorders, articulation disorders, and stuttering.

Camp Say

828-393-4244 say.org info@say.org Camp SAY: the summer camp for young people who stutter. Join us for an open house on Sunday, June 3, in East Stroudsburg, PA. Round-trip bus transportation available from Manhattan (space limited). campsay.org.

Center For Architecture

536 LaGuardia Place 212-358-6133 centerforarchitecture.org/summer info@cfafoundation.org Attend a Summer Programs Information Session to see our programs in action and learn more about a typical summer week. March 22 from 3-4pm. Register online at centerforarchitecture.org/ summer.

Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex Summer Camps

West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Camps: 212-336-6846 chelseapiers.com/camp Join us for an open house and sample classes at the Sky Rink on March 3 from 12:30-2:30pm, the Field House on March 24 from 12:30-2:30pm, and the Golf Club on April 28 from 12-2pm. Please RSVP.

China Institute Children’s Immersive Summer Day Camp (Ages 2-14) 40 Rector St., 2nd floor 212-744-8181 x110

chinainstitute.org emarks@chinainstitute.org Join us for our Immersive Summer Day Camp open house Sunday, March 25 from 11am-1pm. Whether your child is a beginner or advanced, our camp will help them advance their Mandarin.

Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy

917-270-7257 ktuga.com/weekly-classes ktuga.com/content/ camps-and-special-programs-summer mari@ktuga.com Contact mari@ktuga.com to schedule a trial class or find out about our upcoming April open house.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org Join new families interested in learning more about Usdan. Meet with our admissions counselors and tour the campus. Refreshments, warm drinks, information, and 2018 registration available. Sundays, March 18, April 15, or May 20, 11am-2pm.

Wetherby–Pembridge School

7 E. 96th St. 646-213-3400 wetherby-pembridge.org info@whetherby-pembridge.org Join us for an open house on April 17 from 9-10:30am and on April 19 from 6-7:30pm.

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PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT BAKETIVITY 347-534-8131 baketivity.com; help@baketivity.com A scrumptious box of baking activities, along with fun and learning, delivered straight to your door! Order a box to bake for a group or birthday party for a funfilled experience! CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone. PARTY PLACES BOOK NOOK 167 W. 81st St. (at Amsterdam Avenue) 212-873-BOOK (2665) booknooknyc.com Come celebrate your next birthday party at Book Nook! We provide various packages from custom story times to entire space rental of our indoor garden and party room. CHELSEA PIERS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Field House Registration Desk: 212-336-6500 x6520 chelseapiers.com/youth Why cross the bridge for your next birthday party? Because Chelsea Piers parties are action-packed, entertaining, and hassle-free, with more sports, activities, and fun than any other party venue in NYC! THE FASHION CLASS 21 W. 39th St. 646-329-6663 thefashionclass.com Learn from real fashion designers with a runway or sewing party this year in our 2,500-square-foot, bright, sunny, and pink fashion studio! Guests can choose from a variety of our most popular sewing projects, or put on a full runway show! FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience!

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

GALLI THEATER NEW YORK 357 W. 36th St., Suite #202 212-731-0668 gallitheaternyc.com; galliny@gmail.com Party with the Galli Theater New York: We offer a party package for any need and budget! Whether you opt for a personally selected private performance or a workshop party showcasing your little one’s skills, a Galli Theater birthday is one you will never forget! JODI’S GYM 244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 34 years. JUST KIDDING AT SYMPHONY SPACE 2537 Broadway 212-864-1414 x289 symphonyspace.org/justkidding Just Kidding parties are artsy, imaginative, and fun, designed to make party planning easy and engaging! Through the show, kids have the chance to interact with Just Kidding artists creating a once in a lifetime birthday party experience. THE LITTLE GYM 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side 212-799-1225; tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side 212-787-1124; tlguppereastsideny.com 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072; tlgscarsdaleny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444; tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests! PIER 62 CAROUSEL Pier 62 at Hudson River Park (by Chelsea Piers) 718-788-2676 pier62carouselnyc.com; info@nycarousel.com Give your child the best birthday with our VIP Birthday Party Package at Hudson River Park’s whimsical carousel on the water! ROBOFUN 2672 Broadway 212-245-0444 robofun.org; robofun@robofun.org Celebrate your next birthday making robots, video games, or animations with RoboFun. RoboFun birthday parties are the perfect combination of fun and creativity! USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, Queens 718-760-6200 x0 ntc.usta.com Birthday party packages include 1 hour of court time with drills and games organized by our USTA Pro staff and 1 hour in a private room for pizza.

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE To advertise: 212-315-0800 or nympads@davlermedia.com

CHEFS

PARTY PLANNER

TUTORS THOUGH YOU MAY NOT THINK IT POSSIBLE Responsive teacher of piano, all levels (Masters/Music, 27 years experience)

AND

We know the thought of feeding your baby can be a scary thing. Our chefs are here to help guide you and show you how stress free it can be. Let our chefs come teach you or hire us to do all the work. Email us to get started at tatersandtotsnyc@gmail.com

No-nonsense tutor in: writing (thesis, layout, articulation, refining); languages (Masters/Comp.lit); math, history (just enjoy 'em) E. Village studio or your home Call Richard 212-966-3297 typhoodynose@gmail.com

100+ CHARACTERS, INTERACTIVE DJ’S FACE PAINTERS & MAGICIANS SUPERHEROES PHOTO BOOTHS NEW! TREASURE ISLAND “ZOOBOTS”

CARNIVALS & INFLATABLES CHARACTER SHOWS FAIRYTALE PRINCESS PARTIES THEME PARTIES SHOWS & ATTRACTIONS

COMPLETE CARNIVAL & PARTY PLANNING

To Advertise Call 212-315-0800

914-235-7100

www.davescast.com

raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics Jodi’s Gym ............................................20

birthday / party services Asphalt Green.......................................60 Big Apple Parent Party Planner ............57 Bricks 4 Kidz - NYC ..............................26 Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum .....9 Jodi’s Gym ...........................................20 Launch Math .........................................16 Little Gym ............................................13

camps Abrons Art Center @ Henry St. Settlement ............................28 Asphalt Green.......................................60 Ballet Club (The)...................................29 Breakaway Hoops ................................24 Bricks 4 Kidz - NYC ..............................26 British International School of New York ..............................................25 Broadway Dance Center ........................3 Camp Clio .............................................21 Camp Huntington..................................25 Camp SAY ............................................24 Center for Architecture..........................27 Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC ....19 Chelsea Piers ....................................... 11 Children’s Museum of the Arts..............32 China Institute.......................................28 Ecole Internationale de New York.........28 Future Stars ..........................................21 Henry Street Settlement / Camp Henry....27 Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum .....9 JCC Manhattan.....................................33 Jodi’s Gym ...........................................20 Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ...26 Launch Math .........................................16

Little Gym ............................................13 Mad Sports Camp.................................24 Modeling Camp ....................................20 Montessori School of NY International .....26 MWS Student Camps ...........................21 North Cove Sailing................................23 Oasis Children Services .........................7 Play On! Studios ...................................29 Pusteblume International School ..........26 The New School Open Campus ...........16 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts..........2 Windward School..................................29 YMCA of Greater New York ..................21

child care / day care LAC, Early Childhood Center ...............45 Mommybites .........................................33 Pusteblume International School ..........26

classes Breakaway Hoops ................................24 Bricks 4 Kidz - NYC ..............................26 Broadway Dance Center ........................3 Center for Architecture..........................27 Chelsea Piers ....................................... 11 Children’s Museum of the Arts..............32 China Institute.......................................28 Hebrew Public Charter Schools............49 Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ...26 Kumon Manhattan ..................................5 Launch Math .........................................16 North Cove Sailing................................23 Play On! Studios ...................................29 The New School Open Campus ...........16

dance Abrons Art Center @ Henry St. Settlement ............................28

Ballet Club (The)...................................29 Broadway Dance Center ........................3

developmental British International School of New York ..............................................25 Camp SAY ............................................24 Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC ....19 Hebrew Public Charter Schools............49 YMCA of Greater New York ..................21

education British International School of New York ..............................................25 Center for Architecture..........................27 China Institute.......................................28 Ecole Internationale de New York.........28 Hebrew Public Charter Schools............49 Henry Street Settlement / Camp Henry .........................................27 Kumon Manhattan ..................................5 LAC, Early Childhood Center ...............45 Montessori School of NY International .....26 MWS Student Camps ...........................21 Pusteblume International School ..........26 The New School Open Campus ...........16 Wetherby-Pembridge School................15 Windward School..................................29 Young Child Expo .................................49

family entertainment / events / outings Children’s Museum of the Arts..............32 Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum .....9

ﬁtness Mad Sports Camp.................................24

music Play On! Studios ...................................29 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts..........2

performing arts / acting Abrons Art Center @ Henry St. Settlement ............................28 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts..........2

research SUNY College of Optometry.................14

special events Young Child Expo .................................49

special needs Camp Huntington..................................25 Camp SAY ............................................24 Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC ....19 LAC, Early Childhood Center ...............45 Young Child Expo .................................49

sports Asphalt Green.......................................60 Breakaway Hoops ................................24 Chelsea Piers ....................................... 11 Henry Street Settlement / Camp Henry .........................................27 Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ...26 Mad Sports Camp.................................24 North Cove Sailing................................23 YMCA of Greater New York ..................21

theater Ballet Club (The)...................................29

health

tutors

SUNY College of Optometry.................14

Kumon Manhattan ..................................5

BigAppleParent 57

raising kids quotables

What has been your luckiest parenting moment? “Getting pregnant in the first place. I struggled with infertility for years and was smack dab in the middle of IVF when I became pregnant with our son. I never felt luckier than in that moment.” —Amy Edlestein, Nassau County

“Every day with my kids feels a little bit lucky and a little bit crazy. We are lucky to go on so many adventures in Brooklyn and discover new parts of our borough every week. The craziness of being a large family is so worth it.” —Tracy R., Park Slope, Brooklyn

“I don’t know if I believe in luck as much as I believe that everything happens for a reason. I’m grateful for my family every day and always remind my children to count their blessings.” —Penny Ramirez, New Rochelle

“Getting pregnant with twins!! Some people might have totally freaked out but they run in my family, so I felt so lucky to carry on that family tradition with my own brood. My girls are definitely my good luck charms.” —Amanda Jenkins, Forest Hills, Queens

in an instagram The graduating class of The Highland School in Fresh Meadows, Queens, got a chance to visit with Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb of the Today Show.

But here’s what I’m beginning to realize, or rather, what I need to realize. Moms are not machines. We can’t go and go and go without stopping or we will break. And there is no free replacement if we do. I may want to hang those picture frames or shred those bills tonight when the have-tos of my day are done. But honestly, what I need to do is to sit on the couch, curl up next to my sweet dog, and watch some Netflix. —Janene Dutt in a post entitled “If You Feel Like You Didn’t Do Enough Today, Remember This,” on scarymommy.com

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

“I feel lucky for my family and extended family who live in the area. Without them I don’t know how I would handle this whole parenting thing. It truly takes a village.” —Susan Klinger, Manhattan

The Joys of Daylight Savings “There’s nothing better than dining al fresco, in my opinion, whether it’s at a restaurant that has outdoor seating, in a backyard (if you’re lucky enough to have one), or on a building’s rooftop terrace. I really love spreading out a blanket and dining among nature (and other picnickers) at the local park.” —Katelin Walling in an article entitled “Daylight Saving Time: 5 Ways to Take Advantage of an Extra Hour of Sunlight;” read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/daylight-savings.

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: GO FOR A SPIN!: Check out some awesome carousels in the NYC area at nymetroparents.com/carousels CELEBRATING WOMEN: March is Women’s History Month. Find where you can celebrate at nymetroparents. com/womens-history. SPRING IS HERE! Discover 100 things to do in our area this season (nymetroparents.com/spring) CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Make this delicious and healthy Shamrock Shake (nymetroparents.com/shamrock)

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH

HILLSDALE • MONTVALE

SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012

Class Is In!

After-School Activities

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Resource Guide

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SLOW DOWN!

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

What Makes a Good Mentor?

+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family

(see our calendar, p. 26)

(see our calendar, p. 32)

Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

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Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

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