Bergen Rockland June 2019 by City Guide NY

Bergen Rockland Parent •

NYMETROPARENTS.COM JUNE 2019

Summer A Z 26 ways to have a blast with your kids Plus, there’s still time to register for summer programs!

Is Your Teen Ready for a Job? Learning to Live with a Picky Eater

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

EXCELLENT DOCTORS EXCEPTIONAL CARE

INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALISTS

Providing the best in infectious disease and travel medicine.

With increasing tick populations this summer, Lyme disease infections are expected to spread rapidly. If you’ve been bitten by a tick and need treatment, our Infectious Disease team is ready diagnose, treat and manage you back to health.

When it comes to managing infectious diseases, you need high-quality care you can count on. Crystal Run’s team of top-rated Infectious Disease specialists treat a wide variety of diseases and tick-related illnesses in children and adults. For those that plan on traveling to foreign countries or locations where infection risk is higher, our ID specialists can help determine whether special immunizations or other preventive measures are necessary to protect you from disease. If you’ve been bitten by a tick and need information on what to do next, call our Tick Hotline at 845-703-6448.

To book an appointment call 845.348.1100 or we’ll call you: www.CrystalRunHealthcare.com/callback

Pictured: Arturo G. Pascual, Jr. MD (Infectious Disease)

CRH_AW_Infectious Disease_73x96-Rockland Parent.indd 1

4/30/19 4:30 PM

End of Summer Kids Club drop offs! Mon, Aug 26th, to Thurs, Aug 29th 9:30am–12:00 or 1:00pm–3:00pm

$30 per session

Happy BEE Day!! Reserve your PRIVATE Birthday Party with us.

401 Market Street Nanuet, NY

RocklandParent

contents table of

Original photo by ›› Big Apple Portraits (bigappleportraits.com) Clothing provided by Land’s End (landsend.com)

june 2019

5 Things to Know About Sun Protection

9 23

Precautions to protect you and your child’s skin from the harmful effects of UV rays

Family Activities Calendar

Find something fun to do with your family every day of the month!

summer fun 11 18 20 42

Summer A to Z Is Your Teen Ready for a Job? Summer Fun Listings Camps at-a-Glance Chart

Time to Sell?

From kids’ rooms to bathrooms and the kitchen, easy solutions to keep your home clutter-free.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 7 New Places, New Programs 8 Fear of Carrots 9 5 Things to Know About Sun Protection 38 My Baby Hates Tummy Time 40 Meet the Health Care Professional 43 Party Central 44 Party Planner 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 LGBTQ+ Books for Kids

8 Mini Jurassic Land

34 Why You Need an Emergency Fund 36 Time to Sell?

22 Family Fun in Manhattan 23 Family Activities Calendar

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 11 Summer A to Z 18 Is Your Teen Ready for a Job? 8 Learning to Live with a Picky Eater facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

We Love Kids & Know How to Care for Them! Meet Your Smile Team!

845-367-7782 Sleep Dentistry for Children Gentle and Caring Dentist Warm and Friendly Smile Team

Voted

140 Oak Tree Road Tappan, NY 10983

and most importantly...

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Guaranteed to make your children smile! SmileMoreKidz.com

Most Insurance is Welcome Most Insurances are and Maxmized. Welcome and Maximized $0 cleaning with most insurances! children's cleaning, exam, $69 X-rays, and fluoride

Appointments Weekdays and Saturdays

Local Businesses Have Gifts For Your Children

Bounce! Trampoline Sports - Valley Cottage - 2 hours FREE Open Bounce Time

New City Bowl & Batting Cages special offer - One FREE Game of Bowling

Palisades Climb Adventure Birthday - One FREE complimentary day pass

Jill’s Ceramics Birthday Party One FREE item to paint

Enroll Your Children nymetroparents.com/birthdayclub RocklandParent

raising kids editor’s note JUNE 2019 • Vol.12 • No.9

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

Summer Daze

h, summer! With school vacation on the horizon and the start of camp quickly approaching, it’s the season our kids look forward to most. If your children are going to summer camp this year, or you’re still looking for the perfect dance, art, sports, or day camp, take a look the Camp Planner if you haven’t yet. It’s full of great advice to be the best camp parent possible—you won’t want to miss the best-kept secrets camp directors shared!—and local camp descriptions to find the right camp for your children. Read it at nymetroparents.com/campguide/rockland. On the other hand, if your children are spending their summer days at home, you might be wondering what the heck you’re going to do to keep them from repeating the dreaded “I’m bored!” multiple times a day. Turn to p. 11 for “Summer A to Z.” We searched the area for 26 things to do with your kids—from minor league baseball games and amusement parks to strawberry festivals and making your own ice cream—all so you can spend your time doing what’s most important: having fun with your children. If your kids have aged out of summer camp and are looking for something to do, a part-time job may be on their minds. But is your really teen ready to take on the responsibility? Check out the four questions to gauge job readiness on p. 18 to see if the time is right for your child to fill out applications. Here’s to a fun, relaxing summer! Katelin Walling Editorial Director

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling FEATURES EDITOR: Shana Liebman PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes ASSISTANT EDITORS: Jacqueline Neber, Anja Webb CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Lisa Fogarty, Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

ADVERTISING SALES

Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager Lauren Alperin Meirowitz, Managing Director Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Lauren Anchin, Merrill Sugarman Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews

STATEN ISLAND PARENT

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-494-1932

MOMMYBITES

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

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Lauren Alperin Meirowitz 646-736-3609 EDITOR: Jennifer Rojas

OPERATIONS

DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

Get Your 2019 Summer Camp Guide nymetroparents.com/campguide/rockland

DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT: Silvia Balu

MARKETING

ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER: Kristine Pulaski

FINANCE

CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Dan Finnegan

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

• 20 Lessons from Camp We Use Every Day • Camp Planning Timeline • What Camp Directors Wish Parents Knew • 8 Questions to Ask a Camp Director • Choosing a Camp for a Child with Special Needs • Is Your Child Ready for Sleepaway Camp? • 10 Things Counselors Wish Parents DIDN’T Do • Ready to Be a CIT?

Camp Directory • Open Houses • Camp Charts

CEO: David L. Miller GENERAL MANAGER: Thomas K. Hanlon CFO: David Friedman 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2019, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.

raising kids new places, new programs

Courtesy Northvale Diner

Diner in Northvale, NJ Adds Unique Shakes to Menu

Rockland Kids Will Receive Free Gift Certificates from Local Businesses

Northvale Diner ’s Cookie Monster shake is a blue-colored vanilla cookie dough shake with a vanilla icing- and crumbled chocolate cookie- rim and a homemade butter shortbread cookie in the likeness of Cookie Monster.

Who: Northvale Diner What’s New: Wild Shakes, which are slated to be added at the end of May. The Funfetti, Cookie Monster, Elmo, cookie dough, and candy bar shakes will all be added to the menu. Shakes will include a variety of ingredients, including shortbread cookies, vanilla icing rims, cookie dough, homemade whipped cream, red velvet, funfetti, cake pops, and cake batter. These new Instagram-ready shakes will join the classic flavors: Oreo, brownie, cheesecake, and cannoli. The ice cream is from a small-batch ice cream manufacturer in Brooklyn, according to Michael Kontolios, owner of the diner. Want More Info: 247 Livingston St., Northvale, NJ; 201-767-6267; northvaleclassicdiner.com

Who: Rockland Parent What’s New: The Birthday Club, which launched May 20. Rockland Parent teamed up with local businesses to celebrate the birthdays of children in our community. Current partners include Bounce Trampoline Sports in Valley Cottage, New City Bowl & Batting Cages, Palisades Climb Adventure in West Nyack, and Jill’s Ceramics in West Nyack. Parents will register their children for the birthday club using an email address. Then, two weeks before their birthday, children will receive free gift certificates to have fun at participating businesses. Want More Info: nymetroparents.com/birthdayclub

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305 W. Grand Avenue., Ste. 100, Montvale, NJ 07645 (near NEW Wegman’s) BearBrookDentalCare.com • 201-746-9474 RocklandParent

raising kids voices

Shana Liebman

A Fear of Carrots ››

How I’m learning to live with my picky eater By Shana Liebman

e’ve all met this kid before. He only eats pasta with butter and plain oatmeal. Or Cheerios and french fries. Before I had children, it was impossible for me to imagine that I—a home cook, a frequent restaurant-goer, a lifetime subscriber to Gourmet—would call this kind of kid my own. But as fate would have it, I have a picky eater. His name is Nate, and he is adorable, smart, funny, warm, creative, talented, and a terrible, no good, very bad eater. His staples are hot dogs, cheese sticks, and pasta without sauce. He refuses all vegetables and fruits and anything slightly outside his comfort zone. Which is everything. It started when he was a baby (he was revolted by his first piece of avocado) and at age 4, he would rather forgo TV than eat a snap pea. I have gone through the stages of grief: 1. No way not me! 2. I can change him with my clever cooking. 3. I will punish him until he changes. 4. I don’t care. Let him starve. 5. I cracked the code! 6. I don’t care. Let him starve. 7. Help! For years, family dinners went something like this: 6:15pm: Nate refuses to even try the cauliflower with cheese sauce or hummus and carrots. He asks for ketchup. 6:18pm: Nate eats four strands of pasta and asks to be excused. We say no and he slides off his chair onto the floor, then tries to stick forks into water bottles. We tell Nate to join us; he cries. Nate goes to his room. We eat his dinner. 6:25pm: I clean up a million dishes. In 2014, Nate ate a carrot, and I got so excited that I served carrots with every meal and as a prerequisite for every treat. That is until Nate, under the adoring gaze of his grandparents, refused his one baby carrot. I pushed and threatened and 30 minutes later when he finally finished the tiny carrot, he made a weird gagging noise, came over to me, and threw it up in my lap. It wasn’t a lot of vomit—but it was the whole baby carrot, the one I made him eat, in regurgitated flecks on my lap. (My husband Michael and I later noted that this was a pretty brilliant move that we now refer to as “throwing up the carrot”—when a kid makes it almost impossible to continue to make him do something.) By then I was fully in stage eight, denial, so I soldiered on. I 8

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Nate, the picky eater who prefers hot dogs, cheese sticks, and plain pasta

tried all the tricks, including instituting schedules for meals and snacks, as Dina Rose recommends in her brilliant book It’s Not About the Broccoli. We tried mandatory tasting to no avail, and I had little success with the hide-the-veggies approach to recipes a la Jessica Seinfeld. My banana-peanut butter-spinach muffins were bland and dense. Nobody liked them…all 48 of them. There was one that was successful—Melissa Clark’s Carroty Mac and Cheese. Then in 2015, a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics claimed picky eaters had a higher tendency toward mental health problems: “Their sensory experience is more intense in the areas of taste, texture, and visual cues. And their internal experience may be more intense, so they have stronger feelings. They’re sensitive kids who may be anxious or a little depressed; so cutting up fruits into funny shapes is not going to do the trick for these kids.” While I hope Nate never suffers from anxiety or depression, the study hit home. I’d long noticed Nate’s aversion to foods was not remedied with games or tricks. It goes deep. Something about a texture or smell will completely disgust him. While I’ve fantasized that he will turn into a “super taster” or foodie with highly developed senses who actually excels at all things culinary, it’s probably more likely this extreme sensitivity will apply to other aspects of his life. Also, maybe this whole picky eating thing was beyond his control. Around then I heard a PBS investigation into the science of picky eating that seemed to support that theory. “Biologists have discovered that, out of the thousands of genes in our DNA, there’s one that determines if we like the taste of some healthy greens or if we can’t stand them,” explained NOVA host Neil DeGrasse Tyson. In other words: “It is biologically predetermined. They are innocent in this accusatory world.” Both of these studies urged parents to create positive experiences around eating. Family dinner should be more about family than dinner. And this is ultimately what became our solution. Lay off him. Make sure he gets a minimum of nutrients, gently urge him to try new foods and talk about something else. Five years later, he’s still a picky eater but at least we now eat dinner without tears.

raising kids in the know

5 Things to Know About Sun Protection D ››

id you know it only takes about 7 minutes for the receptors in your skin cells to become fully saturated with Vitamin D? With summer finally approaching, your family may be itching to get outside. However, it’s important to protect you and your children from the harm the sun can cause, including greater risk for skin cancer, increased photo aging, and a variety of rashes that can arise as a result of strong sun exposure. Kenneth T. Kircher, D.O., FAOCD, dermatologist on the medical staff of HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, shares five things to know to best protect your family from harmful UV rays.

Use zinc oxide sunscreen. When it comes to sunscreen, there are two main categories: physical blocks and chemical blocks. While chemical blocks absorb the harmful UV rays from the sun, physical blocks cause those rays to bounce off your skin. Both are useful, but Dr. Kircher recommends zinc oxide (a physical block), especially for children, because, as a naturally occurring mineral, zinc is thought to be safer to use on small children. Titanium dioxide is another physical block, while everything else is a chemical block. Sunscreens won’t harm you. A recent study by the Food and Drug Administration shows that an amount of chemicals is absorbed through the body when chemical block sunscreens are used. However, the main chemicals in those sunscreens—avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule—are not harmful to the body. The FDA’s study was simply conducted to find out more safety data, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The ingredients used most frequently in sunscreens in the U.S. are safe.

By Melissa Wickes

The higher the SPF, the better. You’ve likely heard the rumor that an SPF higher than 50 does not make a difference. While the increase in protection is quite small once you go above 50, it does make a difference. “When [a brand tests] a sunscreen, they put them on way thicker than you would wear it,” Dr. Kircher says. So, with SPF 50, you may actually only be getting an SPF of 30-35, he explains. Limit sun exposure. When avoiding the sun is unavoidable, wearing a rash guard in the water, a hat, SPF-protected clothing, or even a regular cotton T-shirt can protect your skin. After all, “have you ever gotten a sunburn through a shirt that wasn’t wet?” Dr. Kircher asks. Be cognizant of the amount of time your child is in the sun. A sunburn is an inflammatory process that will take hours to manifest, according to Dr. Kircher, so you may not see the effects of excessive sun exposure until later. Dr. Kircher recommends covering up infants younger than 6 months as much as possible using clothing. This includes sunglasses which should have a UVA/ UVB blocking label. Luckily, almost all sunglasses (even cheap ones) have this protection. Reapplication time depends on your activity. Sunscreens now provide a water-resistance time factor on the label. If you’re wearing an 80-minute sunscreen, you should reapply every 2 hours or so. However, this is all relative to your activity. “If your child is in the waves, you will have to reapply more frequently than if they’re just walking around on a cool day,” Dr. Kircher says. RocklandParent

ER R C OD IST ME AL PR M IN SU ORIG E,

SUMMER ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE

P! AM ON! C R I ME CT UM RODU S FOR AL P OW RIGIN N ER , O IST ALE REG LL SC FU

Summer Arts Day Camp

Acting Workshops For Kids of All Ages! • Learn acting fundamentals in a creative environment • Gain confidence – by contributing to the process • PRIVATE COACHING • COLLEGE PREP/ PRESCREENS • Creating original theatre & performances for all ages!

8 Second Street, New City | 845-708-2288 clarkstowntheatrecompany.com

July 1- August 23, 2019 3 or 5 days per week 2, 4, 6, or 8 week sessions grades K-9

Fine Arts h Ceramics h Swimming h Sculpture Nature Trails h Dance h Theater Artsh Yoga ROCKLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS 27 s greenbush rd, w nyack, ny 10994 (845) 358-0877 www.rocklandartcenter.org

Sponsored by

S T E A M Scholarships are available to qualifying applicants, email sreynold@stac.edu to learn more!

SUMMER CAMPS 2019 Monday, July 8th through Friday, August 2nd

St. Thomas Aquinas College together with the generous support of Orange & Rockland Utilities is offering five summer camps in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math designed for Middle School Students, Grades 5-9. Only a few spots left, register soon at www.stac.edu/steam • • • • •

Math of Games: Strategy and Influence - Figure out your opponent’s moves! Mathematics & Art - Tessellations, fractals, and origami. Adventures in App Development - Create apps for iPhone and iPad. Emerging Technologies - Robots, drones, and virtual reality. Forensic Science - Solve a “Who done it?” case.

125 Route 340 • Sparkill, NY 10976 • 845.398.4100 • www.stac.edu/steam 10

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Summer A Work your way through the alphabet for 26 fun things to do with your kids this season!

By Katelin Walling and Shana Liebman

ith school coming to a close, you may be wondering what the heck you’re going to do to keep your kids entertained if they’re not going to summer camp this year (or they’re going for a week or two). We’ve got you covered! From boat rides and visits to the zoo to picnicking, watching movies outside, and a trip back in time to an Elizabethan England village, you’ll find 26 ideas for summer fun. Whether you start at A, Z, or somewhere in the middle, make sure to go through the whole alphabet for a summer of fun right here at home!

Anchors aweigh!

Don your sea legs and take a 2-hour Hudson River cruise aboard The River Rose (riverrosecruises.com), an authentic, stern-driven Mississippi paddle wheeler. Docked in Newburgh, this tour heads south to view historically significant sites, such as Bannerman’s Island, the Catskill Water Aqueduct, World’s End, and the Northern West Point.

Build sand castles at Harriman State Park in Bear Mountain. It offers two beaches, 31 lakes and reservoirs, more than 200 miles of hiking trails, and two public camping areas, plus miles of streams and scenic roads and scores of wildlife species, vistas, and vantage points. For more information, and more nearby beaches, visit nymetroparents.com/beaches.

Carry out a

random act of kindness!

Inspire your kids to hold the door open for a stranger, help an elderly person with his or her groceries, or pick up litter. Performing random acts of kindness can be contagious, especially when you turn it into a game. That’s where Boom Boom! Cards Family Edition ($14.99), which includes 26 RAKs, comes in handy. Each deck has a unique code that you register at boomboomcards.com. After performing an act of kindness, log in and tell your fellow “agents of altruism” about it; then pass along that particular card to another family. Via the website, you can track your friends’ acts of kindness, too.

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Day trip, anyone?

If you’re itching for an adventure and your family vacation is still weeks away, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled itineraries for the best day trips (all within 150 miles of NYC) with your family, whether you want to explore the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT, or the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA. Check it out at nymetroparents.com/day-trips.

Eat al fresco. There’s no better way to shake up meal time than dining al fresco, whether it’s at a restaurant that has outdoor seating, in your backyard, or on your apartment building’s rooftop terrace. We love spreading out a blanket and dining among nature (and other picnickers) at the neighborhood park.

Find fresh produce and baked goods at the farmers’ market. As a year-round market, the Nyack Farmers’ Market offers more than just fruits, veggies, and tasty treats. Shoppers can find grass-fed beef, flowers, and fresh mozzarella, as well as performances from kids’ musicians. For more information, and other markets in Rockland and Bergen counties, visit nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets.

Gobble up some strawberry treats at Alstede Farms’ Strawberry Harvest Festival.

Located in Chester, NJ, this festival features strawberry-themed foods, a hayride to the strawberry patch, pony and tractor train rides for kids, and more. This year’s celebration will be held June 1-16, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. For more strawberry festivals, visit nymetroparents.com/strawberries. RocklandParent 13

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! It’s especially important to drink plenty of water when you’re out and about with your family during the summer months, and you can’t go wrong with the tried-and-true Nalgene (nalgene.com) water bottles, which are manufactured in Rochester! From Grip-n-Gulps ($13) for toddlers to age 6, to Kids On-the-Fly ($14) and 16oz-32oz bottles for adults ($7-$16)— all of which come in an assortment of colors and prints—you’ll find a BPA-, BPS-, and phthalate-free bottle for everyone in your family.

Indulge in ice cream to beat the heat. While we love stopping by the local scoop shop for a dish of our favorite flavor, there’s nothing quite like making your own ice cream at home! For a sciencefilled recipe that will have your kids learning, visit nymetroparents.com/icecream-science. Or for a super-easy recipe that only calls for frozen bananas, peanut butter (optional), cocoa powder, and vanilla, visit nymetroparents.com/easy-icecream.

Jump, jump, jump around! The Big Bounce America is bringing 20,000 square feet of inflatable fun to Aviator Sports and Events Center in Marine Park, Brooklyn for two weekends: July 26-28 and Aug. 2-4. Trust us, the trip to Brooklyn is worth it! Find more information at nymetroparents.com/big-bounce. 14

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Kick back and relax with a book.

Visit your local public library branch, have each child in your family (and you!) pick out a book or two, check them out, and bring them home for a family story time.

Look at the stars. After your picnic, let the kids run around the park or play on the playground until dark, when you can lay back and look for shooting stars. Or, if you want to know what you’re looking at, visit the Town of Ramapo Challenger Center (ramapoparks.org) in Airmont to discover the wonders of the universe.

Munch on peanuts and Cracker Jack while rooting for the Rockland Boulders!

The Can-Am League team, based in Pomona, offers BoulderBird’s Kids Club, a free club for ages 13 and younger. Members get a free ticket to Sunday home games, discounts, and more! Find more minor league baseball teams in the New York metro area at nymetroparents.com/baseball.

Nurture a passion for giving back. While some may only think of volunteering during the holiday season, we say lend a hand all year-round! Whether its at the library, a nursing home, or an animal shelter, volunteering helps your kids become global citizens—and helps the community. Find places to volunteer with your children at nymetroparents.com/volunteer.

Outdoor movies are one of summer’s greatest pleasures.

Stake out your spot before the sun sets, lay out a picnic, and let the kids frolic nearby. At Veterans Park in Westwood, NJ, you can enjoy free popcorn while watching Sand Lot, Enchanted, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Karate Kid. For more information, and other outdoor movies in Rockland and Bergen counties, visit nymetroparents.com/outdoor-movies.

Putt your way to a hole in one! Mini-golf has something for everyone: from scenic views along the course to glow-in-the-dark pirates. At Germonds Park in West Nyack, the 18-hole course features water traps, landscaping, and a well-manicured turf. For more information, and more mini-golf courses in Rockland and Bergen counties, visit nymetroparents.com/mini-golf.

RocklandParent 15

Quiet time is easier to come by in summer.

Take a couple hours off to find solace in peaceful outdoor places. Take a walk in the park, visit the serene Cloisters in upper Manhattan or bike one of the many beautiful trails in Rockland or Bergen counties. Whatever you choose, make sure you leave the noise behind.

Round & Round we go!

Climb aboard your favorite animal and take a spin or two on the Bear Mountain State Park Merry-Go-Round. Built in 2001, this 42-seat ride features local animals such as turkeys, deer, black bears, bobcats, and rabbits. When you’re done, spend the rest of the day exploring the park. For more carousels in Rockland and Bergen, visit nymetroparents.com/carousels.

Scamper through the rain. Don your rain coats and boots to jump in puddles with your kids. Whoever makes the biggest splash wins!

Thrill your kids with a day at Land of Make Believe! This 30-acre park (lomb.com), located in Hope, NJ, was designed specifically for parents to participate with their children. With water rides—including a lazy river, slides, and splash park—and non-water rides—including a Ferris wheel, carousel, and Scream Machine 360—this park truly has something for families of all ages.

r e t a W r e d Un to cool urosuffits. e c la p t s e b e grab yo is th n bears down,

arby mmer su , and hit a ne When the su e restless kids to th s lly or ra do s, r el ei w th and to hich open w of l and al ck — lo ol a to bring community po . Don’t forget ne yo er ev d anyone an a good book.

Vitamin D? Yes, please!

But before you head outside, make sure everyone in the family slathers on the sunscreen—and re-applies it every hour. After all, we don’t want any sunburns to hamper our summer fun! We’re loving Supergoop’s new Sunnyscreen, three 100-percent mineral sunscreen formulas specifically for babies and kids ($24-$26; supergoop.com).

Wander

through Elizabethan England.

Back in the Orange County town of Tuxedo for its 42nd season, the New York Renaissance Faire (renfair.com/ny) will be held Saturday-Sunday and Labor Day, Aug. 17-Oct. 6. The 65-acre village celebrates life in the 16th century with costumed performers, jousting tournaments, music, festive foods, magicians, rides, and more than 100 shops selling handmade wares. Don’t miss the Children’s Knighting Ceremony, the Enchanted Forest, or Kidsquest, where kids can participate in a 30-minute adventure in which they work together to help the fairies save their enchanted homes.

X-treme sports are not just for athletes. Warm weather and summer adrenaline can inspire even the most reluctant adventurers to get outdoors and try something new. Now’s the time to sign up for the group trapeze class or a ziplining trip. Get out there—it’s the season to explore!

Yard sales, flea markets, tag sales, oh my! Before spending a day browsing for treasures, make your own scavenger hunt with unique things like “the weirdest thing you found,” “a book with the letter z in the title,” “a gadget you’ve never seen before,” “a blast from the past (an old game system, old telephone, or typewriter).” Happy hunting!

Zoos are

easy family fun. Though not technically a zoo, the Hudson Highland Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Center in Cornwall-on-Hudson houses live, native animals. Visitors can get an up-close look at the wildlife during Meet the Animal programs. For more information, and more local zoos, visit nymetroparents.com/zoos. RocklandParent 17

raising kids teen

Is Your Teen Ready for a Job?

››

Your high-schooler may need money, but that doesn’t mean jumping into the workforce is the right move. By Christina Vercelletto

arents of teens commiserate over many things, but if there is one universal they can all relate to, it is the phrase “I need money for….” The possibilities for the second half of the sentence are endless: new sneakers, a ticket for the school play, a team jacket, a friend’s birthday gift, a MetroCard. So, when your high-schooler brings up getting a job, it may be all you can do to resist shouting “Yesssss!” But your jubilation should be tempered with a bit of caution.

Four Questions to Assess Job Readiness

Teens may all need money, but not all of them are actually ready to handle a job. Whether seeking gainful employment was her idea or yours, here’s what to consider before you sign the working papers. Can he manage his time pretty well? This is one of the most fundamental skill sets for job readiness, affirms Alexandra Hamlet, Psy.D., at Child Mind Institute in Manhattan. “Teens who can show respect for their co-workers’ and boss’ time are on their way to becoming successful in their first job,” she says. If your kid is the one forever missing the bus, waiting on applying for that first job might be wise. How are her communication skills? “Communication skills development is key for many areas of life, and especially in the workforce,” Dr. Hamlet notes. If your teen seems comfortable holding conversations with adults, and is able to express her thoughts clearly, those are good signs she’s ready to respond to that help-wanted post. Kids who are afraid to ask questions (and tend to pretend they know more than they do to avoid looking “stupid”) would likely do well to work on breaking those habits before taking a job. Does he seem to have a solid sense of what’s appropriate in different situations? Professionalism is another key readiness factor that can be expressed in several ways: showing up in appropriate attire, coming prepared for the workday, and being able to maintain a respectful, friendly demeanor (even when he’s in a bad mood), Dr. Hamlet says. When deciding if your child has the ability to present himself appropriately, look to what happens at school. Does he wear clean, weather-appropriate clothes, or is he a wrinkled mess? Is he usually prepared with his school work? Does he follow the rules? Is she a team player? Most jobs these days, for students or grownups, require at least some teamwork. “Teaching your teen a teamwork ethic could be helpful,” Dr. Hamlet says. “This would include

formation of overall leadership abilities, learning to be helpful and collaborative with others, and valuing contributions from members of the team.” If your child seems to work well during group projects, or has successfully been playing a team sport, those are good signs. Even if your teen seems to be coming up a bit short in one or two of these areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean she or he shouldn’t apply for a job. All of these job-readiness criteria are moderated by the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for planning complex cognitive behavior, decision making and impulse control, and moderating social behavior, which isn’t fully mature until the early 20s. “Waiting for them to be one-hundred percent in all of those areas would probably require you to wait until they graduate from college to allow them to have their first job!” Dr. Hamlet notes. “Working toward growth in each of these areas is more realistic.”

Know the Labor Laws

Your teen wants a job. You think he’s ready to handle it. The next step is applying, and it’s important to educate yourself about child labor laws. Make sure you understand the rules that apply to your child, because not every employer can be trusted to adhere to them. Christine Koehler’s daughter, Mari, was 15 when she was hired as a hostess for a pub-style restaurant near the family’s Long Beach home. “She loved it at first, but the owner kept giving her more and more hours,” Koehler recalls. “Before long, I was picking her up at [one in the morning] on Saturday nights. The owner didn’t really seem to care she was a young girl working nights with...the bar crowd.” “New York state has one of the strictest child labor laws in the country,” says Wendy Gildin, an attorney in Garden City specializing in issues surrounding students. Kids younger than 14 can’t work, period. Fourteen and 15-year-olds can’t work more than 3 hours on a school day, or more than 18 hours in any given week. There are also laws around how late at night minors can work on school vs. nonschool days, with some exceptions for babysitters, Gilden notes. New York state requires all 14- to 17-year-olds to file working papers. These are available through your child’s school. “Your child will have to have had a doctor’s exam in the last year,” Gildin adds. Our very first job is one we all remember, even if it wasn’t the perfect experience. Talk with your teen, about what he needs money for and how much, what the world of work entails, and how it can be part of his healthy march toward adulthood. Prepare him well, and his job will be a life-long memory, too.

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.

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

ACTIVITIES

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SUMMER ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE

Countdown To Summer Fun Starts Now! Award Winning Camp • Established in 1979

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Ages 4-15 Located on over 1,000 acres on a protected nature site on Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park Swimming • Waterpark Get advance notice Center on activities, Boating participate group• Arts discussions Team in Sports & Crafts Nature & Hiking Programs • & Much More and receive special notices. Certified Teachers • Transportation Included Minutes away in Rockland County www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

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SKY TYKES COURSE FOR TODDLERS GROUPS • BIRTHDAY PARTIES • CAMPS

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50% OFF PALISADES CLIMB When you purchase one at full price Not to be combined, excludes holidays

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Summer Fun PROGRAMS & CLASSES

Camp Venture Summer Camp

58 Oak Colony Road, Stony Point 845-624-3868 venturerockland.org/programs/ summer-camp Camp Venture is proud to offer a summer day camp for all children, while also specializing in providing kids with special needs a unique camping experience. Our one- to seven-week integrated camp is a fun, nurturing place for Rockland children with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Activities include swimming, art, and noncompetitive sports. Morning and teen programs available.

Clarkstown Theatre Company

8 Second St., Lower Level, New City 845-708-2288 clarkstowntheatrecompany.com We are a year-round theater company offering acting classes, music theater workshops, and intimate, original showpieces. In addition to after-school classes, we are offering a new three-week summer program that involves your child in an original production from start to finish. We keep our casts small, so the experience is huge!

Danceworks

69 Lake Road, Congers 845-268-4669 Danceworks will be offering a craft and dance camp this summer. The program is for kids in pre-K through third grade and will be held from July 8-Aug. 2. Please call our studio at 845-268-4669 for day and time availability. Danceworks specializes in children, encouraging a friendly and noncompetitive atmosphere.

Day Camp In The Park

6 Kendall Drive, New City 845-638-2515 daycampinthepark.com dcitp1979@gmail.com Located on a 500-acre nature preserve on majestic Lake Tiorati in Rockland County. We offer more than 100 activities including archery, arts, kayaking, kickball, skateboarding, and soccer plus a lakefront water park, in-ground heated pool, and 25 indoor cabins! Certified teachers lead every group. Door-to-door, air-conditioned transportation from Rockland, Bergen, Westchester, and Orange counties.

Green Meadow Waldorf School

307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-356-2514 gmws.org Run by trained Waldorf teachers, our summer programs take place on more than 11 acres of farm, fields, forests, gardens, and streams. Parents appreciate our unplugged environment, ecological sustainability, and commitment to organic food.

Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio

61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com We are the best alternative to an all-day camp, at reasonable rates! We cater to ages 16 months (diapers welcomed) to 5 years. This multi-arts program includes music, creative movement, theme weeks, and tumbling. Other special summer programs for ages 2 to adult include a variety of dance and combination classes.

Palisades Country Day Camp

248 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 201-784-7600 x3 palisadescountryday.com It’s all about fun at Palisades Country Day Camp in Closter, NJ. Bergen County’s No. 1 summer day camp for toddlers-second graders ensures that every child has the opportunity to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Campers enjoy three heated pools, two splash parks, a triple-decker playground, and amazing daily activities.

RCC Summer Camps

145 College Road, Suffern 845-574-4451 rccsummercamps.com Our instructional sports camp for girls and boys offers a safe, fun environment and builds athletic skills in a variety of sports. Our Kids College programs offer options for science, computers, art, and performing arts. Mix and match weeks except for performing arts which is a threeweek commitment.

RoCA Summer Camp/Rockland Center for the Arts

Amy Alinkofsky, camp director 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack 845-358-0877 x18 rocklandartcenter.org amy@rocklandartcenter.org RoCA features one of the region’s most comprehensive art programs. At Camp RoCA, with

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

guidance from teaching artists, campers explore various art forms in studio-based activities where they learn cooperation, personal development, and self-esteem. Available five or three days-aweek, two, four, six, or eight weeks. July 1-Aug. 23.

St. Thomas Aquinas College, STEAM Summer Camp

125 Route 340, Sparkill 845-398-4100 stac.edu/steam Summer STEAM Camps at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill are designed for middle school level students, grades fifth-ninth. Starting July 8-Aug. 2, the College will host a series of STEAM camps in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, sponsored by Orange and Rockland.

Surge Studio

285 N. Route 303 (in Colonial Plaza), Congers 845-589-0990 surgestudioarts.com info@surgestudioarts.com Join Surge Studio for our summer dance camp! Our dance camp sessions take place Monday-Thursday. If you are unable to join us for dance camp fun, we will have one-time dance workshops throughout the summer as well. Programs for ages 3-18, beginners-advanced, including a competition team dance camp.

ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5010 intrepidmuseum.org groupsales@intrepidmuseum.org An exciting destination for camp groups that want to learn science, history, and innovation. Self-guided visits for outside groups can include private tours, scavenger hunts, lunch operations, and souvenir packages. Group rates and services only available with advanced registration and the group minimum is 15 people. Contact our group sales professionals.

Jill’s Ceramics

180 Germonds Road, West Nyack 845-623-4975 jillceramics.com jillsceramics@aol.com We provide a great ceramics program to offer groups this summer. Schedule field trips to

our fully equipped ceramics and plaster studio in West Nyack, or a program to be held at your location. We offer many choices from our paint-and-take-home items. All age groups, affordable rates.

Museum Village

1010 State Route 17M, Monroe 845-782-8248 museumvillage.org Museum Village is the perfect place for a fun, educational family day trip! Explore 19th-century life with more than 20 buildings including the School House, Drug Store, Candle Shop, Broom Shop, and Printer. We also have one of the three complete mastodon skeletons in the world! Visit our website for special events.

Palisades Climb Adventure

4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com We offer the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course. Standing 85-feet tall, with five levels and 75 unique challenge elements to explore, climb, and conquer including a zip line. Our Sky Tykes kids ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for camp groups, parties, and special events.

Ramsey Farmers’s Market

Ramsey Main Street Train Station, Ramsay, NJ ramseyfarmersmarket.org Open every Sunday, rain or shine, June-November from 9am-2pm at the Ramsey Main Street Train Station. Featuring more than 50 great vendors, music, chef demos, children’s crafts, and ample free parking. Sponsored by The Ramsey Historical Association and the Borough of Ramsey. Check our website for special summer events.

West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex

21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com Our All Sports and Basketball camps feature fun-filled instruction, sports, and games. Campers will improve their conditioning and sports skills in our state-ofthe art, air-conditioned facility featuring six Har-Tru tennis courts, two regulation-size basketball courts, and indoor turf fields. Offering flexible schedules, extended hours, multi-week discounts, and lunch options.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE

Jill’s Ceramics Where children & adults create their own functional works of art

• KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES • ADULT’S NIGHT OUT • Specialty Items For Every Holiday • Paint & Go - Same Day • Glaze & Fire Look us up on Facebook

Call for Extended Group Hours/Pricing and Current Weekend Hours

Mon, Tues & Weds 930am-300pm; Thurs 700pm-930pm; Friday Kids Classes 300-500pm

180 Germonds Rd. West Nyack, NY • 845-623-4975 • www.jillsceramics.com

Every Sunday: June-November 9am - 2pm, Ramsey Main Street Train Station

Rain or Shine, Ample free parking 50+ great vendors Music, Chef Demos, Childrenʼs Crafts

Ramsey Pays It Forward

Bring a non-perishable food item to the market each week to be donated to The Center for Food Action

Strawberry Festival June 2nd

Visit the website for details and updates:

ramseyfarmersmarket.org

sponsored by the Ramsey Historical Association and Borough of Ramsey

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Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!

DEALS? Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

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N Y C

Family Fun in Manhattan

New Yorkers will come together for one of NYC’s largest events celebrating Israel on Sunday, June 2.

Celebrate Israel!

Courtesy NYC Multicultural Festival

One of NYC’s largest events, the Celebrate Israel Parade is back for the 55th year. Spanning almost 20 blocks on Fifth Avenue, more than 30 floats, musical performances, 15 marching bands, and 40,000 marchers will join in blue and white. The 2019 theme for groups and floats is “Only in Israel,” named after the Hebrew song “Rak B’Yisrael.” Sunday, June 2; 11am-4pm; Ages: All. Free. Fifth Avenue, from 57th-74th streets; celebrateisraelny.org; 212-843-9223.

The NYC Multicultural Festival invites people of all ages to participate in cultural activities of all kinds.

Dive into All Heritages

Celebrate diversity with vendors from all five boroughs as they highlight cultures from all around the world. Performances, activities, shopping, games, and food are just some of the multicultural aspects of the 10th anniversary of the NYC Multicultural Festival. It will celebrate cultures of all kinds at two locations on two dates; Saturday, June 1; 12-6pm; St. Nicholas Avenue, 141st-145th streets, Harlem. Saturday, June 8, 11am-7pm; Jackie Robinson Park, 85 Bradhurst Ave., West Harlem. Ages: All. Free to attend. 347-938-9335.

Courtesy the Children’s Museum of Manhattan

W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s Dynamic H2O exhibit is a hands-on, interactive way for children to learn about the role of water in NYC.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

This museum for kids is home to five floors of hands-on learning, programs, discovery, and fun. Learn about dance, art, health, water, and of course play in the variety of exhibits the museum has to offer. Kids can play in the Dynamic H2O exhibit while learning about the role water plays in NYC’s environment. Visit it: 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side; 212-721-1223; cmom.org Can’t-miss event: Father’s Day Duct Tape Creations, Saturday, June 15, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm; all ages. Directions: Approximately a 48-minute drive from New City

Courtesy Cooper Hewitt

Courtesy Celebrate Israel

By Melissa Wickes

The Immersion Room at Cooper Hewitt invites visitors to use ‘the Pen’ to select wallpapers to project onto the museum walls.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Empower your family to embrace their creative sides at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithonian Design Museum. Learn about contemporary and historic design through exhibits such as Nature by Design, which highlights how nature and design intersect. The Immersion Room allows visitors to contribute to the art using ‘the Pen’ to select digital images or sketch their own designs. Visit it: 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side; 212-894-2950; cooperhewitt.org Can’t-miss event: Morning at the Museum (access for individuals with cognitive and sensory processing disabilities), Saturday, June 1, 9-10:30am Directions: Approximately a 50-minute drive from New City

Ideas When You Need Them:

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Turn the page for details on the State Fair Meadowlands (No. 6 on our list)

JUNE

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CALENDAR 24 Editor’s Hot Tickets 25 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE! 26 Smarty Pants, The Great Outdoors,

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar rpeditor@davlermedia.com

Celebrate Pride

27 Showtime 28 Fun Fairs & Festivals

29 Movers & Shakers, Holiday Fun 30 Mini Musicians, Crafty Kids 31 Once Upon a Time, Little Foodies 32 Dance Party, Animal Lovers 33 On Screen

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the seven 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!

Newburgh Illuminated Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 12-10pm WHERE: The City of Newburgh, Broadway near Liberty and Grand streets, Newburgh AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a day of music, art, dance, poetry, food, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: The festivities include a Colorfest, activities for children, and a fashion show. WANT TO GO? newburghilluminatedfestival.com.

International Dinosaur Day

WHEN: June 1-2, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Take a quiz to get your inner dinosaur, dress up like a dino, and take part in a parade. WHY WE LOVE IT: The fun also includes a dino-themed spelling contest and dinosaur mask-making activity. WANT TO GO? $39.95; $34.95 seniors 65 and older; $29.95 children 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-220-5100. bronxzoo.com.

6th Annual Nanuet Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 10am-5pm WHERE: Nanuet Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy vendors, live music, great food, a Kidz Zone, performances, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: New to the fair this year are a magician and a live reptile show. WANT TO GO? 845-393-1954. nanuetchamber.com. 24

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Nature Day!

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 11am-4pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy canoe rides on Pfister’s Pond, birds of prey and bat presentations, flower planting, nature art, the butterfly house, workshops, sing-alongs, animal encounters, and story times. WHY WE LOVE IT: There’s something for everyone with a beer garden too! WANT TO GO? $10; $5 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Bergen PAC Family Events at Westfield Garden State Plaza: Animal Interactive FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 10-10:30am; 11-11:30am; 1212:30pm; 1-1:30pm WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy this interactive show featuring animals and reptiles of all kinds. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids learn surprising facts about each animal. WANT TO GO? 201-843-2121. westfield.com.

State Fair Meadowlands

WHEN: June 20-July 7, Monday-Thursday, 6pm-12am; Friday, 6pm-1am; Saturday, 2pm-1am; Sunday, 2pm-12am WHERE: Meadowlands, Stadium Road, 102 NJ State Highway 120, East Rutherford, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy quality rides, food, free entertainment, exciting games, and prizes. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will love live entertainment like Jurassic Kingdom, Jungle Island High Dive, and Rosaire’s Royal Racing Pigs! W ANT TO GO? See website for price schedule. 201-355-5911. njfair.com.

Weekly Drop-In at Rockland Baby Cafe FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 31, 2020: Tuesdays, 10:30am12:30pm WHERE: Rockland Baby Cafe, 14 S. Main St., Spring Valley AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Meet and talk to new moms, learn how to make breastfeeding easier, and get tips on pumping, going back to work, and other parenting topics. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s the first drop-in baby cafe in the New York metro area. WANT TO GO? 914-922-2240. rocklandgov.com.

JUNE 6-9

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. Crystal Run Healthcare Prenatal Class FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 5-6pm WHERE: West Nyack Office, 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack AGES: Adult WHAT: This program provides guidance and emotional support for expectant parents. WANT TO GO? 845-703-6999. crystalrunhealthcare.com.

Special Olympics FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 11am WHERE: Bogota Public Library, 375 Larch Ave., Bogota, NJ AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This inclusive sports play program helps children celebrate what they can do! WANT TO GO? 201-488-7185. bogotapubliclibrary.org.

PROVIDING KID APPROVED DENTAL CARE!

Babywearing Meeting FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 9am WHERE: JCC of Rockland, 450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Babywearing educators will provide you with small group or 1-on-1 help with carriers. WANT TO GO? 845-362-4400. nybabywearing.wixsite.com/info.

Children’s Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 1-4pm WHERE: New Windsor Cantonment, 374 Temple Hill Road, New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: Children will enjoy the petting zoo, magician, and 18thcentury games. WANT TO GO? hudsonrivervalley.com.

Health & Fitness Expo at MetLife Stadium, Sponsored by NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 FREE

WHEN: June 22-23, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy free health screenings, special New York Giants locker room tours, and the chance to meet NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 anchors and reporters. WANT TO GO? 212-664-6169. nbcnewyork.com. ››

Marita Smith, DDS Board Certiﬁed Pediatric Dentist

Specializing in Dental Care for Children of All Ages State of the Art Dental Care & Facility Evening & Saturday Hours Available 24 Hour Emergency Service Available Most Dental Insurances Accepted Nitrous Oxide available for children when necessary Se Habla Espanol

Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona, NY 10970 drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com

(845) 414-9626

www.smithslittlesmiles.com

facebook.com/smithslittlesmilespd

@smithslittlesmiles

RocklandParent 25

THE GREAT OUTDOORS TNC National Trail Day Hike FREE

SMARTY PANTS Free Hands-Only CPR Training FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 12-6pm WHERE: The Palisades Mall, 30 Tuxedo Lane, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Learn hands-only CPR training. WANT TO GO? 914-643-3663. healthsav.com.

Everything Animals: Our Cosmic Neighbors—Animal Constellations FREE

WHEN: Monday, June 24, 6:30-7:15pm WHERE: Pearl River Public Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore and learn to identify some animal constellations. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.

Library Chess Group FREE

WHEN: June 5-26, Wednesdays, 5:30-8pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13 and older WHAT: New players are always welcome for non-instructional chess. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Puzzle Club FREE

WHEN: June 20-27, Thursdays, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join for jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and word games. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370 x214. nyacklibrary.org.

Science Squad-Rockets! FREE

WHEN: Thursday, June 27, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Blast off with rockets! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Baby Signs with Miss Fran FREE

WHEN: June 6-27, Thursdays, 10:30-11am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Learn signs with your baby so that they can communicate before they can talk. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Weekly Drop-In at Rockland Baby Cafe FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 31: Thursdays, 11am-1pm WHERE: Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center, 110 Bethune Blvd., Spring Valley AGES: Newborn to 2, Adult WHAT: A drop-in to meet and talk to new moms, learn how to make breastfeeding easier, make sure your baby is latching and gaining well, get tips on pumping and going back to work, and learn about other parenting topics. WANT TO GO? 914-922-2240. rocklandgov.com. 26

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 3-4:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: The whole family will enjoy this hike and learn how the trails are maintained. WANT TO GO? 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 2-3pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Work as a team as you hike along the trails to complete the hunt. WANT TO GO? $20 family max; $6 per person; $10 family max members; $3 per person. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Ladybug Release

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson AGES: 5 and older WHAT: After a short presentation, release native ladybugs into the fields and gardens. WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children; $5 members; $3 members children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Father’s Day Hike FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 2-3pm WHERE: Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a guided hike and spend some quality time with the father figure in your life. WANT TO GO? 201-567-1265. flatrockbrook.org.

Moonlight Mysteries with the Cornell Cooperative FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, June 26, 2-3pm, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about the animals that are awake at night and how they hunt for their food. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

CELEBRATE PRIDE Glen Rock Pride in the Park FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 12-3pm WHERE: Wilde Memorial Park, 683 Maple Ave., Glen Rock AGES: All WHAT: Hear from keynote speakers, enjoy music by DJ Joe Rush, “Allyship” Gallery featuring GRHS poetry and art, and rainbow face painting. WANT TO GO? 201-670-3951. glenrocknj.net.

Rockland County Pride Center Night at the Rockland Boulders

WHEN: Thursday, June 6, 6:30-9:30pm WHERE: Palisades Credit Union Park, 1 Palisades Credit Union Park Drive, Pomona AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a night of baseball, mini-golf, and fun while raising money for the Rockland County Pride Center. WANT TO GO? $15. 845-353-6300. rocklandboulders.com.

Pride Party FREE

WHEN: Thursday, June 13, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride with rainbow face paint and inspiring YouTube videos. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370 x214. nyacklibrary.org.

Pride Sunday FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 23, 12-5pm WHERE: Rockland County Pride Center, Downtown Haverstraw, Maple & West Broad streets, across from Village Hall, Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with live music, crowning of Mx. Rockland County Pride, food trucks, and vendors. Families will enjoy Drag Queen Story Hours, a bounce castle, slide, inflatable obstacle course, and crafts. WANT TO GO? 845-353-6300. rocklandpridecenter.org.

SHOW TIME! Bergen PAC Family Events at Westfield Garden State Plaza: Magic by Anthony Salazar FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 10-10:30am; 11-11:30am; 12-12:30pm; 1-1:30pm WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the illusions and dazzling talents of magician Anthony Salazar. WANT TO GO? 201-843-2121. westfield.com.

The Out of This World Magic Show with Magician Steve Woyce FREE

WHEN: Friday, June 7, 4-5pm WHERE: Rutherford Public Library, 150 Park Ave., Rutherford, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Join Steve Woyce for his all new 2019 Summer Reading Magic Show! WANT TO GO? 201-939-8600. rutherfordlibrary.org.

Bergen PAC Family Events at Westfield Garden State Plaza: David Darwin FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 10-10:30am; 11-11:30am; 12-12:30pm; 1-1:30pm WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: David Darwin, The One Man Side Show, will keep you riveted with juggling, sideshow, and comedy. WANT TO GO? 201-843-2121. westfield.com.

Bubble Trouble with Jeff Boyer FREE

WHEN: June 16-22, Saturday-Sunday, 2-3pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Bring the kids to this interactive bubble show! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Bergen PAC Family Events at Westfield Garden State Plaza: Princess Sing-Along FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 22, 10-10:30am; 11-11:30am; 12-12:30pm; 1-1:30pm WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Kids will love this sing-along featuring three favorite princesses! WANT TO GO? 201-843-2121. westfield.com.

Ken Ludwig’s ‘The Three Musketeers’

WHEN: June 12-July 7, see website for showtimes WHERE: The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This adaptation stays true to the original story while adding more female characters to the tale. WANT TO GO? $29 and up. 973-408-5600. shakespearenj.org. ››

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RocklandParent 27

Greek Festival FREE

WHEN: June 6-9, Thursday, 5:30-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 12-10pm; Sunday, 12-8pm WHERE: Saints Constantine and Helen, 1 Marycrest Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: The largest cultural festival in Rockland County features Greek food, games, rides, live music, dancing, and more. WANT TO GO? 845-623-4023.

New City Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 10am-5pm WHERE: New City Chamber of Commerce, Congers Road & Main Street, New City AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live music, great food and drink, vendors, bouncies, face painting, and much more. WANT TO GO? newcitychamber.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Wyckoff Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 11am-9pm WHERE: Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ AGES: All WHAT: There will be tons of rides and games, food, vendors, music, and a family swim! WANT TO GO? 201-891-2081 x117. wyckoffymca.org.

Stony Point Bike Safety & Touch-A-Truck FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 12-3pm WHERE: Charles S. Eccher Park, Lowland Hill Road, Stony Point AGES: All WHAT: Bring your bike and helmet and try out the Bike Safety Course. Then enjoy a getting up close with trucks, music, giveaways, and food. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2242. stonypointpal.org.

11th Annual PLUS Polish Festival FREE

WHEN: June 1-2, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-10pm WHERE: German Masonic Park, 89 Western Highway, Tappan AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy Polish food, dancing, cultural activities, children’s amusements, and more! WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 12. 973-928-3838. plusfestival.com.

15th Annual Westwood Heritage Society Pride Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 10am-5pm WHERE: Veterans Park Westwood, Madison Avenue, Westwood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: A showcase of the town’s volunteer organizations and services highlighting their goals, activities, and accomplishments, along with a craft fair. WANT TO GO? celebratewestwood.org.

Celebrate Westwood 125th Anniversary Carnival & Concert FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 1-5pm WHERE: Veterans Park Westwood, Madison Avenue, Westwood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with inflatables, lawn games, music, historic displays, photo ops, a dunk tank, face painters, and more! WANT TO GO? celebratewestwood.org. 28

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Montvale Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 10am-5pm WHERE: Montvale Chamber of Commerce, 101 Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Great fun, delicious food, live music, and more. WANT TO GO? 201-998-6311. jcpromotions.info.

Irish Music Festival

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 2-10pm WHERE: Rockland GAA, 160 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the second annual Irish Music festival featuring Irish bands, the pipe band, and vendor booths! WANT TO GO? $20 at the door; $15 advanced tickets; free for children 12 and younger. bergencountyirish.org.

Fair Lawn Engine 3 WetDown FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 22, 1-5pm WHERE: Fair Lawn Memorial Pool, Avenue of Heroes, Fair Lawn, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the arrival of a newly delivered engine with food, T-shirts, mugs, and live entertainment! WANT TO GO? 201-796-5609. facebook.com/FairLawnFireCompany3.

Sweet Bee’s Honey Festival & Artisan Market

WHEN: Sunday, June 23, 10am-5pm WHERE: Museum Village, 1010 NY-17M, Monroe AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live music, museum access, farm animals, face painting, children’s activities, and Conestoga covered wagon rides. WANT TO GO? $30 VIP purchased online; $20; $15 children 4-12; $15 adult and $10 children 4-12 online; $10 online for admission after 3pm ages 4 and older; $15 for admission after 3pm ages 4 and older. 845-7828248. honeyfestival.com.

Glen Rock Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 30, 11am-5pm WHERE: Glen Rock Chamber of Commerce, Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the day with food and many different vendors. WANT TO GO? glenrockchamberofcommerce.com.

Fan Fest

WHEN: June 29-30, VIP, 9am; Saturday, 10:30am-6pm; Sunday, 10:30am-5pm WHERE: New Jersey Expo and Convention Center at Raritan Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, NJ

AGES: All WHAT: Fan Fest Events bring the best of sci-fi, horror, and all things heroes and villains! WANT TO GO? $25 and up; free for military with ID and children 10 and younger. fanfestevents.com/newjersey.

Piermont’s Farmers Market FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 24: Sundays, 10am-3pm WHERE: Downtown Piermont, M & T parking lot, downtown Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Visit booths with Hudson Valley farmers, artists, artisans, and chefs. WANT TO GO? piermontfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Gathering the Magic with Master Ben FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, June 26, 4-6pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Learn new tricks, meet new people, and have fun! WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370 x214. nyacklibrary.org.

Kids Bowl Free Registration FREE

WHEN: June 1-30, Monday-Friday, 3:30-6pm; Saturday, 12-2pm WHERE: New City Bowl, 90 N. Main St., New City AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Register online to receive two free games. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4977. kidsbowlfree.com/NCB.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

HOLIDAY FUN

Gaming Hour FREE

Father’s Day Craft & Stories FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 3-4pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Play the Nintendo Switch and Minecraft! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Summer League Registration FREE

WHEN: June 4-12, Tuesdays, and Wednesday, June 12, 4-6pm WHERE: New City Bowl, 90 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Register for a youth summer league and get a free game of bowling! WANT TO GO? 845-634-4977. newcitybowlandbattingcages.com.

Tri-State Spartan Kids Race

WHEN: June 15-16, Saturday, 9am-2:30pm; Sunday, 9am-1:30pm WHERE: Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center, 581 Route 17A W., Tuxedo AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Kids will enjoy obstacle racing at various distances and difficulties. WANT TO GO? $25.99-$47.99. spartan.com.

Scavenge and Hunt FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 11, 4:30pm WHERE: Palisades Free Library, 19 Closter Road, Palisades AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join for stories about dads and a make a craft to give as a Father’s Day gift. WANT TO GO? 845-359-0136. palisadeslibrary.org.

Father’s Day Story & Craft FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, June 12, 4-4:30pm WHERE: River Vale Library, 412 Rivervale Road, River Vale, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Listen to some fun stories and make an owl card for dad. WANT TO GO? 201-391-2323. bccls.libcal.com.

Father’s Day Storybook Cooking

WHEN: Wednesday, June 12, 4-4:45pm WHERE: Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Celebrate dads with a treat and great stories. WANT TO GO? $5. 201-670-5600. ridgewoodlibrary.org.

Juneteenth Celebration FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 23, 2-3pm WHERE: Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Look for clues the way scavengers and hunters would on the trails. WANT TO GO? 201-567-1265. flatrockbrook.org.

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 4-7pm WHERE: The Haverstraw African American Connection, Clinton Street, Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Commemorate the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. with entertainment, food, and vendors. WANT TO GO? 845-429-2920. thehaac.com.

Master Ben’s Boardgames FREE

Father’s Day Road Race

WHEN: June 3-24, Mondays, 4-6pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Play some new board games and meet fellow gamers. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370 x214. nyacklibrary.org.

Gaming Hour FREE

WHEN: June 4-25, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Play the Nintendo Switch and the PS4 on the big screen. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 7:30-11am; 8:30am Run Starts WHERE: Elks Lodge 2041, 2041 Elks Drive, Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: Bring the whole family and enjoy this Father’s Day 4-mile run. WANT TO GO? $25. 845-623-2041. elks.org.

Father’s Day Special

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 12-8pm WHERE: Germonds Park Miniature Golf Course, 185 Germonds Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Fathers can play mini golf with their children. WANT TO GO? $3. 845-639-6200. town.clarkstown.ny.us. ›› RocklandParent 29

CRAFTY KIDS Lego Sunday FREE

MINI

MUSICIANS Concert: The Frost Kings FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 3pm WHERE: Pearl River Public Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: All WHAT: The Frost Kings will play blues and R&B music. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.

Jeffrey Friedberg and the Bossy Frog Band FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Pearl River Public Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Young audiences will be thrilled by a costumed character dancing along to the musical performance! WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.

Tykes Tuesday: Matty Roxx: Kid’s Musician & Funster! FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 11am-12pm WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy funny songs, general silliness, and hand-clapping and foot-stompin’ fun! WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com/tykes-tuesday.

Concert: The Vestapolitans FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 3pm WHERE: Pearl River Public Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: All WHAT: A good-time mix of blues, skiffle, ragtime, and American roots rock ‘n’ roll. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.

New City School of Music June Student Recital FREE WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 11am-4pm WHERE: Union Arts Center, 2 Union St., Sparkill AGES: All WHAT: See the progress students have been making! WANT TO GO? 845-709-8383. newcitymusicschool.com.

Tykes Tuesday: Rolie Polie Guacamole FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 2-3pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Bring a friend and build! WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Drop-In Teen Tuesdays FREE

WHEN: Through June 11: Tuesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join the library for a different activity each week. WANT TO GO? 201-837-4171. teanecklibrary.org.

Sew-You Club FREE

WHEN: Through June 13: Thursdays, 6:30-7:45pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Learn the basic sewing skills to get you started! Make a cool project to take home. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Crafts with Miss Cheryl FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, June 19, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Make a fun craft! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Builders Club FREE

WHEN: June 10-24, select Mondays, 5-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Have fun with Legos, marble runs, Magic Nuudles, littleBits, K’nex, and more! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Coloring Club FREE

WHEN: June 4-25, Tuesdays, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enchanted Forest and other “Inky Treasure” coloring pages and pencils will be provided. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Friday Fun FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 18, 11am-12pm WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Rolie Polie Guacamole has developed a smart, parent-friendly musical style. WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com/tykes-tuesday.

WHEN: June 7-28, Fridays, 4-5pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Programs include Builder’s Club, games, 3-D fun with 3-D pens, PS4, Code Club, and Science Squad. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

Tykes Tuesday: Michelle Miller’s Snappy Happy Show! FREE

Hop into Art Family Workshop

WHEN: Tuesday, June 25, 11am-12pm WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Kids will love singing along! WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com/tykes-tuesday. 30

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through June 30: Saturday-Sunday, 1-3pm WHERE: Edward Hopper House Art Center, 82 N. Broadway, Nyack AGES: All WHAT: This workshop program gives families immediate access to high-qual-

ity art while offering insights into the exhibitions and local history. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors; $2 students 17 and older; free for children ages 16 and younger. 845-358-0774. edwardhopperhouse.org.

Storytime

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Mondays, 11:30am WHERE: Glaze, 34 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children enjoy 30 minutes of a new book, then paint a piece of pottery. WANT TO GO? $20. 845-359-9020. glazeartstudio.com.

ONCE UPON A TIME Tiny Tyke

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 2-3pm WHERE: Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood, NJ AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy a story time by the pond, an animal meet-and-greet, and a short walk or craft. WANT TO GO? $10; free for members. 201-567-1265. flatrockbrook.org.

Anne Frank’s Diary FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 5-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Design a journal and receive a copy of the biography of Anne Frank. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Tales and Tunes FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 11-11:30am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy stories, fingerplays, songs, and bubbles! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

What’s Your Story: Library 100th Anniversary Celebration FREE WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 10am-5pm WHERE: Westwood Free Public Library, 49 Park Ave., Westwood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with music, treats, and activities. WANT TO GO? 201-664-0583. celebratewestwood.org.

Grand Re-Opening of the Children’s Library FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 11am-1pm WHERE: Mahwah Public Library, 100 Ridge Road, Mahwah, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Hear stories from special guest readers, check out the newly designed space, and have some fun! WANT TO GO? 201-529-7323. mahwahlibrary.org.

Sensory Story Time FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 11-11:30am WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This story time is specifically designed for children who are on the autism spectrum and/or have sensory integration issues. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370 x214. nyacklibrary.org.

Pint-Sized Science FREE

WHEN: June 4-26, Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm; Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Explore science through stories, games, and themed activities. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Playtime Storytime FREE

WHEN: June 7-28, Fridays, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy themes like stories and songs, sensory story time with activities, fun with non-fiction, and more! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

LITTLE FOODIES The Flavors of Haverstraw Food Crawl FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 1-5pm WHERE: Downtown Haverstraw, 38 New Main St., Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Sample small plates from a wide range of cuisine. WANT TO GO? haverstrawriverwidearts.org/taste-haverstraw.

Mix it Up! FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 11, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Measure and mix all your ingredients and then take them home to bake. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Enchanted Princess Breakfast

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 10am-12pm WHERE: Dave & Buster’s Palisades Mall, 4661 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy a delicious breakfast and meet and take pictures with some of your favorite princesses! WANT TO GO? $22.45-$36.37. 845-348-6006. palisadescenter.com/ tenants/dave-busters.

Culinary Corner FREE

WHEN: Mondays, June 3 (ages 5-7), 5-6pm; June 17 (ages 8-12), 5-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Make adorable or ferocious cupcake animals. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Opening Day and Strawberry Festival FREE

WHEN: June 6-Nov. 24, Sunday, 9am-2pm WHERE: Ramsey Farmers’ Market, Ramsey Main Street Train Station, Ramsey, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate everything strawberry! Plus, fresh, local produce and products, including organic and responsibly grown vegetables and fruit, artisan breads and fine cheese, and so much more. WANT TO GO? 201-675-6866. ramseyfarmersmarket.org. ›› RocklandParent 31

Bergen PAC Family Events at Westfield Garden State Plaza: Glimmer FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 29, 10-10:30am; 11-11:30am; 12-12:30pm; 1-1:30pm WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Astonishing acrobatics, dazzling specialty acts, and glittering costumes abound in a world the whole family will enjoy! WANT TO GO? 201-843-2121. westfield.com.

ANIMAL LOVERS Annual Pet Walk FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 11am-2pm WHERE: River Road, Between Fair Lawn and Berdan avenues, Fair Lawn, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the close relationship between animals and humans. WANT TO GO? 201-797-3442. fairlawnriverroad.com.

READ to a Dog FREE

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 10:30am-12pm and Wednesday, June 12, 5-6:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Sign up for a 15-minute session to read to a dog! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

DANCE PARTY Hudson River Barn Dance FREE

WHEN: Sunday, June 2, 2-4pm WHERE: Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine Picnic Area and Boat Basin, Alpine, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Expect dance caller Dave Harvey and a live acoustic band for an open barn dance. WANT TO GO? njpalisades.org.

Tykes Tuesday: Mr. Kurt Gallagher FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 11, 11am-12pm WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children will have fun as they clap, slap, shake, spin, stomp, and sing. WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com/tykes-tuesday.

Silly Songs with Mr. Kurt FREE

WHEN: Monday, June 17, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy drums, limber jack puppets, jaw harp, ukulele, slide whistle, musical storytelling, and lots of bubbles! WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.

Music Together FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, June 18, 11:45am-12:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children sing, move, chant, listen, dance, and explore musical instruments. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370 x214. nyacklibrary.org. 32

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Humane Hero’s Youth Program

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, ages 8-10: 11am-12:30pm; ages 9-11: 12:45-1:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 8-11 WHAT: Learn about the shelter, its animals, caring for animals, and animal behavior, and meet special animal guests. WANT TO GO? $25. 845-354-7900. hitor.org.

Nature Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 10-10:30am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy a nature-themed story and a visit from animals such as snakes, frogs, turtles, owls, or a hawk. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members and children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Pondering Ponds

WHEN: Sunday, June 16, 3-4pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn all about what makes ponds special, meet a pond friend, and take a trip down to Pfister’s pond! WANT TO GO? $10; $5 members; free for children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Grizzly Corner Dinosaurs Rock!

WHEN: June 22-30, 11am-4pm; Fossil Adventure Show at 1pm and 2:30pm WHERE: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Experience life-size dino fossils at this pop-up exhibit. WANT TO GO? $39.95; $34.95 seniors 65 and older; $29.95 children 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-220-5100. bronxzoo.com.

S WILD check out our

ON SCREEN ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’- Live In Concert

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 2pm and 7:30pm WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: See Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, projected in high-definition on a giant screen, with the score performed live by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. WANT TO GO? $39-$89. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

Classic Movie Night: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, June 7, 8-10pm WHERE: Veterans Park Westwood, Madison Avenue, Westwood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: See the Wizard of Oz under the stars! Popcorn for everyone. WANT TO GO? celebratewestwood.org.

Teen Gaming FREE

WHEN: Through June 13: Thursdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join the library for game play on the Nintendo Switch. WANT TO GO? 201-837-4171. teanecklibrary.org.

512 ROUTE 303 · ORANGEBURG · 845-359-3592

Family Movie FREE

WHEN: Mondays, June 3 and 17, 5-8pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 4-12 WHAT: Join the library for a new family movie! WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

DCG Presents Movies in the Park: ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ FREE WHEN: Thursday, June 20, 7:30-10pm WHERE: Memorial Park, 199 Pershing St., Dumont, NJ AGES: All WHAT: See Ralph Breaks the Internet at the park! WANT TO GO? dumontcommunitygroup.org.

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, June 27, 8-10:30pm WHERE: Atlantic Street Park, 102 State St., Hackensack, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this film under the stars. WANT TO GO? 201-820-3007. hacpac.org.

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family life finance

Why You Need an Emergency Fund ›› Also known as a rainy-day fund, the money in this savings account will tide you over in case you lose your income or have a major expense come up. By Niko Vercelletto

hink about this: If your family had an emergency that required a large amount of money—unexpected car repairs, job loss, or a major medical expense—would you have enough cash on hand to pay it? If you’re like most Americans, you would probably have a difficult time coming up with the money without selling something or taking out a loan. More than half of all Americans have less than $1,000 saved, according to a GoBankingRates survey in 2017. Even scarier, 39 percent have no savings at all. With the average household spending of $60,000 in 2017, many aren’t even saving enough for weekly grocery bills, let alone car repairs and doctors’ visits. What’s causing this inability to save? There are many reasons, but the three biggest are high-cost of living, low salaries, and high debt balances, specifically from college and credit cards. With a bachelor’s degree from a private university costing an average of $43,000 per year and the average adult racking up almost $7,000 in credit-card debt, it’s no wonder many aren’t saving. Even if there were no barriers to saving, banks aren’t exactly enticing customers to deposit money. The average interest rate on a savings account is a measly 0.10 percent (this means that for every $1,000 you put in, you receive $1 per year), with many of the major banks offering even less in terms of interest. Yet despite the negativity surrounding savings rates and accounts in America, creating an emergency fund is one of the most important things you can do for financial stability and peace of mind. One of the biggest reasons you want this fund is in case of job loss. The latter half of 2018 saw 1.8 million people either laid off or discharged per month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is no way to know if, and when, a major change will occur, but an emergency fund can soften the blow. “Life happens,” says Todd Christensen, education manager at MoneyFit, a nonprofit based on Long Island that helps with debt and credit counseling. “[Things will go wrong] whether you are saving or not. Having an emergency fund just makes it less stressful.”

Choose an Emergency Fund Account

First, you need a place to save your money. The most important rule in choosing an account to deposit your funds is to make sure it’s easily accessible. This means do not invest your emergency fund into stocks, bonds, IRAs, or 401Ks, basically anything that is volatile in value; you don’t want to be cashing in bonds to pay for a trip to the emergency room. The most common choices are Federal Deposit Insurance 34

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Corporation (FDIC)-insured savings or checking accounts or a combination of both. This means that if your bank goes out of business or loses your money, you are protected against that loss. Banks are not mandated to be FDIC-insured, but it’s become a point of competition among many. Another thing to consider is interest. Despite the aforementioned terrible rates, not all accounts are created equal; there are banks that offer upwards of 2 percent. While you will need to do your own research, some safe bets are FNBO Direct (2.15 percent), CIT Bank (1.55 percent), and American Express Bank (2.10 percent). Lastly, look for accounts that have no or low minimum balances, as well as ones that do not have annual or monthly fees. Some banks charge you simply for the privilege of opening a savings account; paying $10 every month can quickly suck up your savings. “I am no fan of accounts with fees,” Christensen says. “I recommend having…a savings account at a bank or credit union separate from where you have your checking account [so] you are not tempted to transfer money…for nonessential expenses.”

How Much Should Be in My Emergency Fund?

The short answer, and general rule of thumb, is six months’ worth of expenses. The long answer? It depends on a number of factors, including how much debt you have and the stability of your income. A larger emergency fund (nine to 12 months) may be warranted if your income is variable or uncertain, such as freelance. However, no matter what your goal, you want to commit. “Too many parents are worried that they won’t be able to save the ten to fifteen percent of their income many experts recommend, so they do not even start,” Christensen says. “Initially, committing to save something (even five dollars) is more important than the amount you are saving.” The foundation of financial well-being is knowing what you’re spending your money on. If you don’t know how much you spend per month, you’ll need to create a budget and reduce expenses. Minimizing your expenses to practical necessities (housing costs, utilities, food), which are harder to get rid of than entertainment items (you don’t need both Netflix and Hulu, we promise), will bring more money in your pocket and, eventually, in your emergency fund. Michele Lee, a registered representative of Guardian Life Insurance in Jericho, has tips for cutting expenses. “[First], examine current bills. See where the money is going and think of cutting out extras and finding cheaper alternatives. [Next], pay with cash. There’s something about the tactile quality of cash that makes it hard to part with. [Finally], adjust your habits. All of us

have habits that we fall into that can be revised and made more financially healthy,” she says. Make a list of recurring purchases that happen every month, such as gas, mortgage or rent payments, and child care, and tally the total. There are free online tools to make this easier, such as Mint.com and PersonalCapital.com, which link to your bank account and automatically categorize your purchases. You can even create email and text alerts that will tell you when you have exceeded your set limit. If you have debts with interest rates that are higher than 10 percent, you should “focus the bulk of your discretionary cash on paying down your debts,” Christensen advises. “But still contribute something— even five or twenty-five dollars a month. …If you can’t save while repaying your debts, you won’t save after your debts are paid off.” Figuring how to create an emergency fund can be scary; after all, the word “emergency” is in the name. However, the benefits of having one—financial, emotional, mental—all outweigh the slight headache that comes with budgeting and saving. Simply having an emergency fund will put you ahead of the majority of the country, but, even more important, it will put you ahead in your own life.

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Niko Vercelletto is a New York native who has been writing since the days at his high school newspaper. His work can be found in publications such as Popular Mechanics, Realtor.com, NYMetroParents, and CityGuideNY.

GET INTO THE SAVING MINDSET Now comes the fun part: depositing the money and watching your savings grow. There are numerous ways to get funds into your emergency account, many of which you will find as you experiment, but here are three easy things you can do. Create a Recurring Direct Deposit The best way to save is when you don’t even think about it. Almost all banks will have an option online that lets you set up recurring payments from your checking account into your savings and vice versa. On the date you choose once a month, any amount of money can be automatically deposited into your fund without you having to lift a finger. Trust us, you won’t even notice it’s happening. Even better is to have the money taken straight out of your paycheck. “Most employers offer two or more direct deposits,” says Todd Christensen, education manager at MoneyFit, a nonprofit based on Long Island that helps with debt and credit counseling. “Set up a deposit to your savings so you do not even see it in your paycheck.”

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Time to Sell?

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Experts share the top 9 things you should do in your home if you’re getting ready to put it on the market. By Lambeth Hochwald

If you’re getting ready to sell your house, experts suggest boosting the curb appeal by cleaning up the yard and making sure planters are full of flowering plants.

elling your home is stressful. In addition to loads of paperwork and prepping your kids for a new neighborhood, you have to present your house in its best light. This is where the experts come in—to help prioritize fix-ups and offer staging tips to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

a licensed real estate salesperson with the Friedman team at Compass in NYC. “In addition, if you’ve painted rooms a certain color that feels tired, repaint in nice, light, neutral colors. You can’t go wrong with white.”

Do a walk through—with a critical eye.

You may have ignored certain flaws in your home, but a potential buyer won’t be pleased with the cracked paint or drippy faucet. Now’s the time to make a room-to-room punch list of what needs to be fixed before the first open house, says Ted Karagannis, a real estate broker at Warburg Realty in New York City.

“I buy a fresh set of white towels and bathmats from Target and I don’t wash them so they remain fresh looking,” says Katy Winter, a professional organizer and founder of Katy’s Organized Home in Chappaqua, who adds that it’s super important for your home to smell good during walk-throughs. She recommends lighting scented candles or baking some chocolate chip cookies.

Clean from ceiling to floor.

Declutter and streamline décor.

“Use this as an opportunity to dust off that chandelier or ceiling fan you’ve neglected for years,” advises Shawn Wilson, a real estate broker at Compass Real Estate in NYC. “Wash the walls and baseboards. Clean the kitchen, especially the stove and refrigerator, to make the place look as turn-key as possible.”

Make easy DIY upgrades.

“Doing things like changing knobs on cabinets and closets can be a powerful way to create contrast and heighten a space,” says Nicolas Paredes, a broker at Warburg. “I like to stick with simple, organic color palettes like brushed nickel or ceramic knobs.”

Avoid doing major projects.

Undertaking major overhauls is not advisable, says Alison Bernstein, founder and president of Suburban Jungle, a real estate and lifestyle advisory firm dedicated to helping young families leave urban homes for suburban ones. “You are better off taking a discount rather than investing in additional construction or renovation costs as your tastes may very well be different than those of the potential buyers.”

Remove the outdated.

Get rid of window treatments, light fixtures, and any oversized furniture that isn’t retro in a cool way, says Lewis Friedman,

Draw inspiration from hotels.

“Buyers want to feel like the house is move-in ready, and this is especially important when it comes to kitchen and bathroom counters that shouldn’t be stacked with items that will look messy and disorganized,” Winter says. “Also, always keep bookshelves as simple and accessory-free as possible. Try to stay with the same color story—either display whites and neutrals or blues and grays.”

Refresh your outdoor space.

Outdoor space is the first impression of your home. Make sure your lawn looks shipshape and your planters are full of flowering plants. “You’ll want to take a close look at your front door, too, and make sure it’s painted in a fresh, inviting color,” Winter says. “And always put away outdoor clutter, whether that’s a bunch of scooters and bikes or grungy garbage cans.”

Focus on the light.

“Floor lamps or torchieres are a great way to shoot light up at the ceiling and then reflect it back down again,” says Steven Gottlieb, a broker at Warburg. “Those lights will enhance your walls, so make sure that every single wall is bright and clean. A fresh coat of paint will not only eliminate possible cracks from an older paint job, but lighter colors reflect the light and make rooms seem bigger, cleaner, and brighter.”

Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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RocklandParent 37

raising kids baby

Help! My Baby Hates Tummy Time! ›› All of your questions about this developmental activity for infants are answered—plus, hacks to make it easier on you and your child. By Emma Steven

f your baby hates tummy time, you’re not alone. We talked to the experts to find out why pediatricians recommend it, and the answers to the most-common tummy time questions.

What is tummy time? It’s the activity of placing your newborn baby on its stomach when he’s awake and supervised, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians. The AAP views this time as important as putting your baby on her back to sleep. Who should do it? All infants, unless instructed by a pediatrician, should be doing some form of tummy time as soon as they get home from the hospital, says Catherine Workman, M.D., developmental pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in Manhattan. “It doesn’t have to be a long amount of time at once, particularly at the beginning,” she says. “Start with just three to five minutes at a time and work up.” Isn’t putting an infant on his tummy dangerous? It’s complicated. In 1992, the AAP launched its Back to Sleep campaign, announcing what many pediatricians had believed for years: Putting a baby to sleep on his stomach was dangerous. The AAP recommended all babies sleep on their backs until the age 38

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

of 1. Back to Sleep led to a dramatic reduction in the amount of SIDS deaths but an increase in anxiety in parents about baby being on her stomach. A 1995 study in the Journal of Pediatric Medicine found that a quarter of parents never put their babies on their front to play due to fear of SIDS. However, putting baby in this position is perfectly safe as long as he is awake and supervised. Why does my infant need tummy time? After the Back to Sleep campaign, doctors and physiotherapists began to notice it was taking babies a little longer to reach some developmental milestones such as sitting up, rolling over, and crawling. Studies also showed an increase in the number of babies with a condition called plagiocephaly, or flat spots on their head, caused by spending most of their time lying on their backs. After concerns were raised in 2003, the AAP made the recommendation that all babies should be placed on their tummies as much as possible when they are awake, and the term tummy time was officially born. The AAP then coined the phrase Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play. “Tummy time sets you up for strengthening and coordination,” says Amanda Math, MPT, C-SIPT, physical therapist and coowner of Jumping Jax Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy, which has locations in Manhattan and Westchester County. Math

treats babies and young children with developmental delays and is passionate about the benefits of daily tummy time. “When you strengthen those head-neck muscles, upper back muscles, and shoulder muscles early on, you’re going to start to get some head control, which points you in the direction of achieving all of your early developmental milestones.” How often do I do it? Whenever your infant isn’t feeding or sleeping, look for opportunities to put her on her stomach (under your supervision). The key is to start early, do it for frequent, short periods of time, and build up time gradually. “By four or five months you want them on their tummy for forty minutes to an hour a day cumulatively,” Math says. My baby is so busy sleeping, eating, and napping; how do I fit tummy time in? A common misconception is tummy time is a specific activity that’s scheduled every day at a set time. In fact, the best way to approach it is to build it into whatever you’re doing with your baby during the day (and night!). Anytime baby is leaning on his stomach counts. My baby screams so much, what do I do? Remember the old parenting adage: this too shall pass. “As the baby gets stronger, they will like the time more,” Dr. Workman says. “Kids eventually learn to roll over. Once they’re rolling over on their own it’s less of an issue, so it’s a time-limited problem.” When your baby gets upset during tummy time, it can be hard to distinguish between minor discomfort and distress, but you know your baby best. Math recommends watching for central nervous system reactions such as his face turning red, or holding his breath. A bit of frustration and discomfort at the beginning is normal, but don’t push a distressed baby. Pick him up and try again another time. “Get down on your tummy yourself,” she says. “It’s hard when we put them down and they sense that we’re far away from them. Modified positions are great to help, and then you just do whatever you can. You sing songs, you’re silly, you move that rattle, and just do your best to encourage it because it really sets them up to be in the best developmental position.” My baby has reflux, do I still have to do it? As a mother of two babies who suffered from severe reflux, I can still remember how difficult tummy time was. Lying down flat caused them to throw up and cry in pain, sometimes at the same time! Dr. Workman recommends having tummy time after a nap so a long period has passed since the last feeding, or doing it just after you give medication if applicable. Math suggests using modified positions like using a bolster or on a caregiver’s chest as more reflux-friendly versions. My mom friend says her pediatrician told her not to force it if her baby hates it, but mine says it’s essential. Who is right? Although most experts recommend tummy time, there are some who view it as unnecessary and suggest parents instead let their babies reach milestones in their own time. Studies suggest the delays in development are transient and resolve by 18 months. Michel Cohen, M.D., is a pediatrician with more than 25 years of experience and is founder of Tribeca Pediatrics, which has 24 locations across the city. He is known for the low-intervention approach that has made him extremely popular with New York parents. His view? We should be letting babies develop their own muscles at their own pace. “Why are we tampering with nature?” he says. “Babies are meant to develop by themselves.” He points out that tummy time can even create more stress for parents: “The baby

can end up liking it,” he says. “And they have a problem because now you have a two-month-old who likes being on his belly.” In his popular 2004 parenting book, The New Basics: A-Z Baby and Childcare for the Modern Parent, his simple, yet controversial, advice is, if baby hates it, then skip it. “Since there’s no need to strengthen any specific muscle group, I advise you not to act as Lucy’s personal trainer. Skip the tummy time and tickle her tummy so she’ll exercise her giggling muscles instead.” As with everything in parenting, deciding what’s right for your child is a personal decision made between you and your pediatrician. Emma Steven is a British freelance writer living in Manhattan with her husband, two small kids, and two cats.

TUMMY TIME HACKS Catherine Workman, M.D., developmental pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone suggests making tummy time fun: “Pair it with something they like, so it’s more enjoyable for the parent and the child.” Here are seven ideas to make tummy time more fun for your infant—and you: The Diaper Change Massage: After a diaper change, flip your baby over for a few minutes on the changing mat (but stay close to avoid falls). If she’s fussy, give her a massage to distract her. The Caregiver Crawl: Tummy time isn’t just about the playmat. Lying on a caregiver’s chest is cozy and counts toward his daily minutes. Just make sure your baby is supporting himself on his own stomach. You can vary the incline by sitting or lying down yourself. I Spy Me!: “A lot of babies respond really well to mirror play,” Dr. Workman says. Using a nonbreakable baby mirror so baby can see herself while she’s on her tummy can be a fun distraction. “All babies want to do is stare at the other baby in the room because they don’t realize that it’s them,” says Amanda Math, MPT, C-SIPT, physical therapist and co-owner of Jumping Jax Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy. The Bolster: Math recommends using a bolster made from a rolled-up towel or a breast-feeding pillow to help prop up reluctant tummy timers. “Prop them on their stomachs so they’re weight bearing a little bit on their hands and their forearms, but their head is upright,” she says. The Burp: Instead of burping your baby over your shoulder, try laying him down gently across your knees (making sure to support his head and neck). Lots of babies love it because the pressure helps them with gas, and they’re close to you. Sensory Stimulation: Dr. Workman suggests alternating the type of sensory material the baby is lying on. Use a fluffy blanket one day, a crinkly one the next, and seek out baby mats with lots of different sensations. “Maybe they like a certain type of blanket [more] than another,” she says. “Finding what it is that the baby enjoys can make it more palatable.” Get Out of the Chair: Avoid the tendency to always have your baby in a seat or stroller when he’s awake and not being held. Wherever possible put him down on his tummy to play. RocklandParent 39

Meet the

Health Care Professional Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net

Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute. Dr. Crohn is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He offers state-of-the art treatment including on-site cone beam 3-D imaging.

Marita Smith, D.D.S. Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-414-9626 smithslittlesmiles.com drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com

Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for a child to be comfortable and stress-free during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! Most insurances accepted. Evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available. Se habla Español.

Kastin Orthodontics 6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 kastinorthodontics.com drkastin09@yahoo.com

With 17 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Brett Kastin prides his practice on conservative early treatment and cost-free childhood dental monitoring, enabling the most effective treatment possible, as well as being a knowledgeable, compassionate clinician and friend. He utilizes state-of-theart materials and customized treatment. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006, and was voted Rockland’s “Top Orthodontist” by the dentists of Rockland County for the past 10 years. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Tenafly Pediatrics 74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge 201-326-7120 Offices also in Tenafly, Fort Lee, Clifton, Paramus, and Oakland, NJ tenaflypediatrics.com

Dr. David Schaumberger is one of the pediatricians working out of our newly expanded Park Ridge office. As someone who lives nearby, he enjoys working in Northern Bergen and Rockland counties. Dr. Schaumberger completed his pediatric residency from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and has been working at Tenafly Pediatrics since 2001. On a personal note, he enjoys ethnic cuisine and spending time with his three children. Tenafly Pediatrics is a recent Angie’s List Winner with offices conveniently located throughout Bergen County.

A & R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com

At A&R Advanced Dental Group, patient satisfaction and comfort is our No. 1 priority. We are a cutting-edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art dental care to our patients. Dr. Roman Izmailov and Dr. Anna Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including high-quality and affordable dental implants, zirconia crowns, porcelain veneers, fixed bridges, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, and composite fillings. Evening appointments are available and we accept most insurances.

Sachdev Family Orthodontics 124 E. Ramapo Road, suite 2, Garnerville 845-786-7736 sfojustsmile.com sfojustsmile@gmail.com Facebook.com/sachdevfamilyorthodontics

Instagram: @sachdevfamilyorthodontics At Sachdev Family Orthodontics, we provide individualized braces and Invisalign treatment to kids and adults. Dr. Ameeta Sachdev has been in the dental field for two decades with dual dental degrees from India and U.S. She teaches orthodontics at St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx. She pays attention to detail, whether it is designing the state-of-the-art office herself or perfecting your smile. Being committed to serve, she is an active supporter of community events and local art. Most insurances accepted, evening and Saturday hours and 24hour emergency service available.

Bear Brook Dental Care Dr. Kiwon Lee, D.D.S. Adult Dentistry & Dental Medicine for Sleep Apnea 305 W. Grand Ave., Suite 100, Montvale, NJ 201-746-9474 bearbrookdentalcare.com; info@bearbrookdentalcare.com

Dr. Kiwon Lee received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University and completed his residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Lee is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is also a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Kiwon Lee is well-recognized in the industry as one of the most experienced dental sleep medicine providers, having successfully managed more than 500 obstructive sleep apnea patients during his career and being featured as an expert on “American Health Front” on WCBS-TV, CBS, Channel 2.

Crystal Run 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com

Crystal Run Healthcare is a premier multispecialty group medical practice with more than 400 providers, offering the convenience of Primary Care and nearly 50 medical specialties. Our state-of-the-art West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care with more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, including adolescent medicine, pediatrics, maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, including urogynecology. Our innovative facility boasts an Infusion Center, Urgent Care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and women’s imaging. Crystal Run also has offices in Haverstraw, Stony Point, and Suffern.

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At Clemente Orthodontics, our patients receive the benefit of experience, Great and Newenergy York deals, savings, quality, that comes with aspecial multigenerational team. Dr. Michael offers and discounts—for youClemente and and Dr. Marissa Clemente, Clemente anddeep his daughters, Dr. Nicole yourtogether family—are yourstowith work seamlessly carejust for ayour orthodontic needs. They run a stateclick of the mouse. of-the-art practice with digital X-rays, private treatment rooms, impression-free Invisalign, and a highly experienced staff. They are an Invisalign Super Elite Premier provider, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as treatment options. Consultations are complimentary.

Bear Brook Children’s Dental Specialists Dr. Tommy Lee, D.M.D., Pediatric Dentist 305 W. Grand Ave., Suite 100, Montvale, NJ 201-746-9474 bearbrookdentalcare.com; info@bearbrookdentalcare.com

Dr. Tommy Lee specializes in pediatric dentistry. He treats patients from infancy to adolescence, including children with special needs. Understanding that many dental phobias develop in early childhood, Dr. Lee will take great care to ensure your kids grow up with a positive outlook on oral health. Even the most nervous child will leave with a healthier smile under Dr. Lee’s care. Dr. Lee earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree at Boston University and completed his pediatric dental specialty training at Yale School of Medicine. Most major insurance accepted.

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net

Dr. Alpert is excited to offer drill-free, needle-free dentistry with the Solea CO2 Laser. Her practice offers comfortable cosmetic dentistry for the entire family including implants and full mouth reconstruction if necessary. Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care to make your visit as enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working Saving on with children who are apprehensive creatingmoney a fun environment LOOKING FORabout the dentist, with magic tricks, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game. a New York City

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RocklandParent 41

8 8

Camp Venture Summer Camp venturerockland.org

8 8

Challenge Courses

Fine Arts

Special Needs

Nature & Petting Zoo

JCC Rockland jccrocklandcamps.org

German Language Camp germanschoolnj.org

Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio vickistudio.com

Lindgren Summer Camp lindgrenschool.com

Mosholu Day Camp mosholudaycamp.com

Palisades Country Day Camp palisadescountryday.com

8 8

St. Anne Stages stannestages.com

Surge Studio surgestudioarts.com

The Academy for Martial Arts theacademyformartialarts.com

8 8 8

8 8

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

West Rock Indoor westrockindoor.com

Young World Day Camp youngworlddayschool.org

8 8

Coupé Theatre Studio coupedance.com

Sprout Creek Farm sproutcreekfarm.org

Children’s Shakespeare Theatre childrensshakespeare.org

Deer Mountain Day Camp deermountaindaycamp.com

Camp RoCA rocklandartcenter.org

Campus Kids Weekday Sleep-Away Camp campuskids.com

Camp Kids ‘N Comedy kidsncomedy.com Camp Ramaquois ramaquois.com

Counselor-in-Training

Travel

Camp Clio campclio.org

Horseback Riding

Competitive Sports

Music, Theater, & Dance

Bright Beginnings brightbeginningsofrockland.com

STEAM & Academic Enrichment

PROGRAMS: Scholarship

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Alpine Day Camp alpinedaycamp.org

Transportation

Lunch

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT FUDGIE THE CLOWN AND MYSTIQUE THE MAGICIAN Serving Rockland and Bergen counties 201-825-7481 fudgietheclown.com Invite Fudgie or Mystique to your next party, picnic, or event! A professional family entertainer specializing in magic, face painting, and balloon animals. Ask about mid-week special rates. Fully insured.

INFLATABLE PARTY ADVENTURES Serving Rockland, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester 845-267-2022 inflatablepartyadventures.com

Premier state-of-the-art inflatables and entertainment equipment at a price that can’t be beat. Every rental includes our risk-free rain policy. We specialize in delivering the type of fun guaranteed to make your next event one to be remembered and talked about for years to come.

K & A HOUSE OF BOUNCE PARTY RENTALS 845-825-6617 kahouseofbounce.com

“We bring the party to you.” We have one of the largest selections of themed bounce houses along with dry and wet slides, obstacle courses, dunk tanks, and other interactive inflatables as well as cotton candy, popcorn, and additional fun concession foods.

PARTY PACK CREW 917-882-6660 partypackcrew.com

Our fabulous birthday and themed parties include more than just your favorite characters. We also decorate, and entertain your party guests to make your moments of celebration unforgettable!

BIRTHDAY GIFTS ‘TILLY...A DEER’S TALE’ 914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com

Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift!

TOYRIFFIC2 TOY STORE 1581 ROUTE 202, POMONA 845-362-6053 toyriffic2.com toyriffic2@aol.com

Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our unique toy store in Pomona. We offer a great selection of Melissa & Doug crafts and many other quality, affordable, educational toys, crafts, games, and puzzles for kids of all ages, both boys and girls.

PARTY PLACES ABRAKADOODLE ART STUDIO FOR KIDS 53 Prospect Place, Hillsdale, NJ 201-383-0027 abrakadoodle.com; kroberts@abrakadoodle.com

Paint, slime, draw, fun, clay, and glitter are all the cool things we use at our studio! Abrakadoodle has been serving the

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

community for more than 13 years offering Artie Parties and “no-school Workshops” for ages 3 and older.

THE ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS 8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 rocklandkarate.com 7-11 Suffern Place, Suffern 845-368-3209 martialartssuffern.com

A karate party is a great way to enter the world of martial arts. It’s also a great way for experienced students to share the martial arts with friends and family. Spacious, fully-equipped facility, an energetic, cheerful, and professional staff, and martial arts-themed fun and games.

BACH TO ROCK - NANUET 150 E. Route 59, Nanuet 845-215-9536 nanuet.b2rmusic.com; nanuet@bachtorock.com

Bach to Rock offers birthday parties for kids of all ages and adults. Call to find out more about The Rock Birthday Party, Karaoke Birthday Party, and The Rock City Birthday Party!

JILL’S CERAMICS 180 Germonds Road, West Nyack 845-623-4975 jillceramics.com; jillsceramics@aol.com

We offer a fully equipped ceramics and plaster studio where children and adults let their creativity run wild. Parties for kids include paper goods, a painter’s hat for the birthday child signed by their friends, and an item for each child to paint.

NEW CITY BOWL AND BATTING CAGES 90 N. Main St., New City 845-634-4977 newcitybowlandbattingcages.com

We are well known for our great birthday party packages and offer Glow Bowling for Sunday parties. All parties include bowling, shoe rental, food, paper goods, invitations, setup, and cleanup.

ORANGETOWN CLASSIC DINER 512 Route 303, Orangeburg 845-359-3592 orangetownclassicdiner.com

The perfect place to celebrate! Offering Crazy Shakes, creative pancakes, delicious appetizers, burgers, salads, and comfort food favorites with gluten-free options and vegetarian choices. Be our guest for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, seven days-a-week.

PALISADES CLIMB ADVENTURE 4590 PALISADES CENTER DRIVE, LEVEL 4 OF THE PALISADES CENTER, WEST NYACK 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com

Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course with 75 unique challenge elements. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for birthday parties. Book your party today!

ROCKLAND FENCERS CLUB 40 Lydecker St., Nyack 718-697-1440 rocklandfencersclub.com; info@rocklandfencersclub.com Rockland Fencers Club (RFC) is excited to announce their new Private Fencing Party Package for ages 8-16. No experience required and all necessary equipment included.

ROMP N’ ROLL 28-29 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-580-9065 rompnroll.com; orangeburg@rompnroll.com

Our awesome parties for kids ages 1-6 include exclusive use of gym and party room, moon bounce, rock wall, monkey bars, and bubble party. Plus games, music, and activities!

SURGE STUDIO 285 N. Route 303 (in Colonial Plaza), Congers 845-589-0990 surgestudioarts.com; info@surgestudioarts.com

Let us host a fun and customizable birthday party for your child and their friends at Surge Dance Studio. Parties consist of games, activities, pictures, choreography to the birthday guest’s favorite song, and of course pizza and cake!

TUMBLE-BEE GYMNASTICS AND FITNESS 401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com

Our bright, colorful facility is the perfect place for your child’s private birthday party (ages 1-12) We’ll provide two wonderful, exciting, and energetic party instructors. Also, free invitations, paper products, and utensils. The birthday child receives a free gift and balloons. Reserve in advance. They book quickly!

VENTURE EQUESTRIAN CENTER 15 Fernald Road, Stony Point 845-786-3926 venturerockland.org /programs/equestrian-center horseprogram@campventure.org

Venture Equestrian Center is the perfect spot for your child’s riding birthday party! We offer a year-round, indoor/outdoor arena, with a private party room overlooking the ring.

VICKI’S DANCE STUDIO AND KREATIVE KIDS 61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com

We offer great birthday parties for boys and girls of all ages with a variety of themed options such as Hip-Hop Dance Party and Games Mix, Jumping Gymnastics, Disney Dance Mix, and Dress-up Princess Party!

VISION SPORTS CLUB Youth Fit Zone 37 W. Jefferson Ave., Pearl River 845-517-1427 parties visionsportsclub.com

Our fun-filled parties are one and a half hours with one hour of games and activities of your choice in our 7000-square-foot Sports Zone, private party room, pizza, and drinks.

WEST ROCK INDOOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX 21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com

West Rock offers the ultimate place to hold your birthday party. Our unique and versatile facility boasts 40-foot ceilings, 26,000-square-feet of turf, two regulation-size basketball courts, six Har-Tru tennis courts, indoor bouncers, and a private party room.

RocklandParent 43

PPC

BRINGING THE PARTY TO YOU!!! CUSTOM & THEMED EVENTS FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY Character Rentals Craft Workshops Decorations/Favors Face Painting Bounce House Rentals Fundraisers & More

PARTY PLANNER To advertise: 845-848-8021 or nympads@davlermedia.com

Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our Unique Toy Boutique!

Mention this ad for 15% OFF!

PARTY PACK CREW

BOOK YOUR PARTY TODAY 917-882-6660 @PARTYPACKCREW

WWW.PARTYPACKCREW.COM WE BRING THE PARTY TO YOU!

We offer over 7,000 games, toys, crafts, puzzles, gadgets and NEW specialty balloons.

• Kids Birthday Parties • Adult’s Night Out • Specialty Items For Every Holiday • Paint & Go or Glaze & Fire

Mon, Tues & Wed 930am-300pm Tues & Thurs 700pm-930pm

Invite Fudgie or Mystique to your next party!

Call for Extended Group Hours / Pricing & Current Weekend Hours

Friday Kids Classes 300-500pm 1581 Route 202 • Pomona, NY

845-362-6053

FUDGIE

Jill’s Ceramics

Where children & adults create their own functional works of art

180 Germonds Rd. West Nyack, NY 845-623-4975 • www.jillsceramics.com

Riding

MYSTIQUE

Birthday Parties at Venture Equestrian

Magic - Face Balloon Animals Magic - FacePainting Painting –– Balloon Animals Birthdays Picnics Birthdays–– Camps Camps ––Picnics

All-season, indoor/outdoor riding arena with private party room & small animal farm

Special Reduced Rates Mon – Thurs! 201-825-7481 www.fudgietheclown.com Fully Insured

Year-round lessons & Therapeutic Riding Open tolic! the pub

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE

15 Fernald Dr, Stony Point www.venturerockland.org

ERRANDS & CONCIERGE SERVICES

HOW MUCH IS FREE TIME WORTH TO YOU? LET US HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR ERRANDS! Grocery & Personal Shopping All Local Errands Senior Concierge Services Personal & Virtual Assistance Clerical work www.pressed-fortime.com facebook.com/areyoupressed 914-661-3477

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

845-786-3929

NEED to plan the perfect party? FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers,

and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.

NYMetroParents.com

raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................3

education

performing arts / acting

Green Meadow Waldorf School .....................................35

Clarkstown Theatre Company .......................................10

Palisades Country Day School & Camp ..........................3

birthday / party services Jill’s Ceramics ................................................................21

RCC Summer Camps.....................................................21 Reform Temple of Rockland (The) .................................37

Reform Temple of Rockland (The) .................................37

Orangetown Classic Diner .............................................33 Palisades Climb Adventure ............................................19 Rockland Parent Party Planner......................................44 Surge Studio ..................................................................19 Sweet Guy Ice Cream Co LLC ......................................37 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................3 West Rock Indoor...........................................................21

religious

family entertainment / events / outings Greek Festival................................................................25 Jill’s Ceramics ................................................................21

restaurant / food services Orangetown Classic Diner .............................................33 Sweet Guy Ice Cream Co LLC ......................................37

Nanuet Street Fair............................................................7 Palisades Climb Adventure ............................................19

camps

Ramsey Historical Association Farmer’s Market ...........21

Clarkstown Theatre Company .......................................10 Danceworks ...................................................................33

fitness

Day Camp in the Park ...................................................19

Danceworks ...................................................................33

Green Meadow Waldorf School .....................................35

retail

Tilly...A Deer’s Tale.........................................................27

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................3

special events

Palisades Country Day School & Camp ..........................3 RCC Summer Camps.....................................................21

health

Greek Festival................................................................25

Rockland Center for the Arts .........................................10

Bear Brook Dental Care ............................................7, 41

Nanuet Street Fair............................................................7

St Thomas Aquinas College ..........................................10

Clemente Orthodontics ..................................................41

Ramsey Historical Association Farmer’s Market ...........21

Surge Studio ..................................................................19

Crystal Run Healthcare..............................................2, 41

West Rock Indoor...........................................................21

classes Clarkstown Theatre Company .......................................10 Reform Temple of Rockland (The) .................................37 Rockland Center for the Arts .........................................10 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................3

Dental Wellness of Suffern.................................33, 40, 41 Fidelis Care New York ...................................................48

special needs

Kastin & Newman Orthodontics......................................40

Nyack Pediatric Dentistry ..............................................35

Spots OT........................................................................37

Sachdev Family Orthodontics...................................37, 40

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................3

Smile More Dentistry .................................................5, 41 Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry...................25, 40 Spots OT........................................................................37

sports

Danceworks ...................................................................33

Suresh Ramaswamy. D.D.S. ...................................37, 41

Palisades Climb Adventure ............................................19

Surge Studio ..................................................................19

Tenafly Pediatrics ..........................................................40

West Rock Indoor...........................................................21

dance

RocklandParent 45

raising kids stuff we like

LGBTQ+ Books for Kids

››

By Katelin Walling

Come as You Are Jacob and Sophie don’t look like the other boys and girls in their class. They are gender non-conforming: Jacob has long hair and wears a dress to school, while Sophie has short hair and prefers to wear pants. Because of how they look, their peers chase them out of the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms. Jacob’s Room to Choose, by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, helps kids understand gender expression and stereotypes—and asks, if everyone needs to use the bathroom, why can’t bathrooms be for everyone? (Ages 5-8; APA/Magination Press; $17.99)

Parents are Parents Cultivating a culture of acceptance of everyone begins with the littlest citizens. Enter My Two Moms and Me and My Two Dads and Me, both written by Michael Joosten and illustrated by Izak Zenou. These board books celebrate LGBTQ+ parents and show incredible diversity in the families. Most importantly, the books illustrate the fact that children with two moms or two dads have just as much love as kids with a mom and a dad. (Ages newborn to 3; Doubleday; $8.99 each)

History Makers

Coming into Her Own Zenobia July is starting a new chapter in her life. She moves to Maine to live with her aunts after becoming an orphan, starts at a new school, and comes out of her shell to find her own community of new friends. The biggest change for her? She’s now living her life openly as the girl she always knew she was. But when someone anonymously posts hateful memes on the school’s website, Zen, who used to spend all her time coding and hacking, knows she’s the only one able to solve the cyber mystery. (Ages 10 and older; Viking; $17.99)

June 2019 | nymetroparents.com

The 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising is being commemorated in numerous ways this year, the biggest of which is the fact that New York City was chosen to host WorldPride this month. Another way the uprising is being honored? With Rob Sanders’ Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. This picture book—told from the perspective of Stonewall Inn—takes readers through the history and significance of the Greenwich Village building that started out as a horse stable in the 1840s and is now part of the National Historic Monument, the first of which that honors the LGBTQ+ community. (Ages 5-8; Random House Children’s Books; $17.99)

s t n e r a P o r t e M NY Cover Kids

t s e t Con 10 FINALISTS WILL BE ON OUR COVERS! 2 Easy Steps to Enter: 1. Go to nymetroparents.com/covercontest or facebook.com/nymetroparents 2. Upload your favorite photo (.jpg or .png) of your child (ages 2-16)

Prizes for Winners â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Family Vacation at Great Wolf Lodge â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Barbizon Scholarship & Photo Shoot Contest runs 5/20/19 - 6/12/19

For a complete list of rules: nymetroparents.com/covercontestrules

RocklandParent 47

Happy. Healthy. Loved. These are the dreams we have for our children. So we cherish the moments when little giggles fill the room, imaginations take us on great adventures, and when it seems our hearts could burst with pride and love. Here and now, we’d stop time if we could. Because when kids are being kids, we all feel better.

Let’s get every child covered. If your child needs health insurance, Fidelis Care is just a call, click, or visit away.

Call: 1-888-FIDELIS Click: fideliscare.org/everychildcovered Visit: A Fidelis Care community office near you. Search for locations at fideliscare.org/offices

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 711

To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.