Bp 0817 by City Guide NY

BrooklynParent AUGUST 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Organize

Your Home • 8 Hacks for Taming the Mess • What to Do With Kids’ Artwork

How to Turn After-School Activities Into College Scholarships! Reasons to

Relax

Why Me Time Is Good for Your Health

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

BrooklynParent

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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BrooklynParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

August 2017 ››

Features

12 Battling Burnout How me time benefits your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships 16 Easy Home Organization Hacks for Families One mom offers tips for taming the mess and getting your home in order.

20 Hang, Store—or Toss? Ideas for organizing and displaying kids’ artwork 22 DIY Your Home Three projects to make your decor uniquely you, plus an easy way to clean crayon and pencil marks off your walls 42 From Extracurricular to Extra Cash How to turn your kids’ after-school passion into a college scholarship 47 The Dangers of Dry & Secondary Drowning What to watch out for even after children leave the pool

48 Bring Shake Shack to Your Kitchen Rather than wait on line for what feels like hours, you can make the NYC chain’s customer favorites at home.

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Lyss Stern, founder of Divalysscious Moms, talks reclaiming your identity after giving birth. 54 Voices: What Potty Training Taught Me

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

26 Outing: Wild West City 29 Family Activities Calendar 40 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Berries

Directories 50 50 51 53

Party Central Professional Services Meet the Health Care Professional Advertisers’ Index

ON THE COVER ›› Organize Your Home: 16 8 Hacks for Taming the Mess 20 What to Do With Kids’ Artwork 12 Reasons to Relax 42 How to Turn After-School Activities Into College Scholarships facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

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

Call for Information

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After School Programs OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday August 16th 5pm – 7pm 245-86th Street!

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Stepping Stones is an early childhood facility offering summer and fall programs for children ages two to five. Stepping Stones is a safe and secure childcare facility with an educational curriculum that focuses on developing a love of learning. Close personal attention to each child is essential to providing an educational experience for all children; therefore adequate personnel ensure each child has the proper supervision. Children at Stepping Stones will engage in large and small muscle activities, sensory and discovery exploration, social interaction and creative expression. Stepping Stones is equipped with age appropriate activities where children experience music, art, dramatic play, housekeeping center, block corner, sand and water play, puzzles, table games, library, storytelling, outdoor play, computer time and field trips.

steppingstones86.com • Steppingstones86@aol.com Please call or email us to schedule a tour to view the school. Nursery School: 245 86th street • brooklyn, ny 11209 • p.718-630-1000 • f.718-630-1446 The Next Step: 9321 ridge boulevard • brooklyn, ny 11209 • p.718-630-1001 BrooklynParent

AUGUST 2017 • Vol.14 • No.1

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling

EDITOR’S NOTE

DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf

Hack Your Home Organization

erhaps you’re one of those people whose home seems immaculate and clutterfree every moment of every day, even as the kids run around being, well, kids. I, most decidedly, am not. Despite our efforts to keep some semblance of order and to teach our kids to clean up after themselves and put stuff away when they’re done with it, our house seems consistently overrun with toys large and small, notes home from camp or school, books strewn about, and of course, artwork everywhere. If your house is anything like mine, read on as we bring you our first-ever Home Issue. In these pages, find easy-to-do hacks for home organization (p. 16), tips for what to do with all that kids’ artwork (p. 20), and DIY projects to make your home feel more uniquely your own (p. 22). I’ve always found late August to be a good time for home projects. Summer is winding down, and my mind is on my kids’ school year ahead—a time to take stock, literally and figuratively, and get organized. It’s also a time for figuring out the kids’ after-school activities and classes. In recent years, mine have participated in a mix of gymnastics, drama, academic enrichment, and chess programs. For younger kids like mine, these are fun activities that build skills and character. For older kids, though, they can be even more rewarding and lucrative, even life-changing, as high school seniors seek scholarships to help with college costs. If your August to-do list includes gearing up for college applications—and figuring out how to pay for it all—check out Samantha Neudorf ’s report on how to turn your child’s extracurricular activities into scholarship money (p. 42). In the meantime, though, there’s plenty of time left to enjoy summer—safely, of course. I love swimming with my kids, but I must admit to feeling a bit of relief when it’s time to pack up and head home; there are so many potential dangers at the pool that I sometimes find it hard to relax. Recent headlines have reminded me, however, that the danger is not over just because a child is no longer in the water. Dry drowning and secondary drowning (related but different syndromes) happen in the hours or even days after a child has gulped water accidentally, and they can potentially be fatal. Learn more about these conditions, including how to prevent them, recognize the signs, and react if you suspect your child has them (p. 47). For fun beyond the pool, find the best activities in the region with our calendar (p. 29), or check out our report on Wild West City in Stanhope, NJ (p. 26). And finally, don’t forget to take time for yourself. Katelin Walling explores the importance of me time to your health and well-being (p. 12)—so if you need an excuse to take a run or relax in a coffeeshop, now you have it! Michael Kress Editorial Director

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-bp

Who: Urban Umbrella What’s New: An after-school program for children ages 4-12, which is scheduled to begin in September and run through June for the 20172018 school year. It is open to all children. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, the Ecological Covenant©, aims to enrich students by working on projects in content areas not typically found in a regular school setting. The after-school program will be held Monday-Friday from 3-7pm. The program has two bilingual teachers who speak English and Italian as well as English and Hebrew. Want More Info: Inside Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy: 81 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights; 917-525-0511; nymetroparents.com/listing/ urban-umbrella-

Courtesy Urban Umbrella

After-School Program Coming to Brooklyn Heights

Urban Umbrella’s after-school program serves children ages 4-12.

Who: Discovery PitStop What’s New: A nursery school for children ages 4 months to 4 years, which opened July 10 in Clinton Hill. Discovery PitStop is an early learning environment that provides daily and extended care. The school is inquiry-based and focuses mainly on early literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) activities. Christopher and Linique McCoy are the owners, with Linique serving as the director. She is a Brooklyn native and New York state-certified teacher with more than 10 years of experience at local public schools. Want More Info: 467 Vanderbilt Ave., Clinton Hill; 718-6360601; info@discoverypitstop.com; discoverypitstop.com

Courtesy Discovery PitStop

Nursery School Opens in Clinton Hill

The toddler classroom at Discovery PitStop in Clinton Hill was designed to be a bright, child-friendly space.

Who: Green Apron Kitchen What’s New: Four birthday party packages, which were added to the cooking school’s offerings this summer. Green Apron Kitchen in Bensonhurst hosts 90- to 120-minute children’s birthday parties with age-appropriate cooking activities alongside a head chef and kitchen assistants. “Kids make their full menu completely from scratch,” says owner Maya Rybak. The Basic, Premium, and Ultimate Party Packages discern the menu’s difficulty level, length of party, and add-ons such as party favors and adult coffee and tea (to enjoy in the parent lounge). The VIP Party Package is a fully customized party for the birthday child. Want More Info: 7122 Bay Parkway, Bensonhurst; 718-676-4792; greenapronkitchen.com

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Green Apron Kitchen

Cooking School in Bensonhurst Adds Birthday Party Packages

Green Apron Kitchen offers birthday party packages and classes for kids and adults such as pizza and pasta making.

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UOTABLES Be easy on yourself postpartum. Ask for help. Call upon your village. Allow yourself to process all the feelings that come up. There is no rulebook. Practicing gratitude every day will help you keep things in perspective. My dear friend always says, “It’s like a hurricane in a teacup.” This phase feels like 1000 years when you are in it but I promise you it will pass. It gets easier. —Lindsey Bliss, in the “Honest Motherhood” series on theglow.com

in an instagram Saturdays. (Posted by @kaityvelez, aka Kaity Velez, co-founder of wellroundedny.com)

A SPECIAL MILESTONE

in an instagram When your friends force you on a ride.. what the heck #yolo Thanks @Lunaparknyc for hosting us (Posted by @mamidoesitall, aka Karen Angustia, who blogs at mamidoesitall.com)

“My son—he is exactly like me, we are kindred spirits and he drives me up the wall. We butt heads, we argue, we never see eye-to-eye which doesn’t make any sense because we are so damn alike. I guess you could say it literally does feel like we are two positive sides of a magnet trying to come to together yet repelling each other at the same time.” —Katie Smith, in a post entitled “It’s Not Easy When Your Child is Just Like You,” on mom.me

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“My son has autism and, at age 13, recently saw a movie in a theater for the first time. It is not something I thought would work for him—until now.” —Manhattan mom Dana Greenberg in an article entitled “Taking a Child with Autism to the Movies: 5 Tips From a Mom Who’s Been There.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/autism-movies.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: SAND & SURF: Find the best beaches near you at nymetroparents.com/beaches. LUNCH TO GO: Discover the perfect picnic spot at nymetroparents.com/picnic. SUMMER FUN: See 100 things to do in NYC this summer at nymetroparents.com/summer-fun. KEEP ‘EM SAFE: Learn tips for keeping kids safe at amusement parks at nymetroparents.com/park-safety.

NYMP Q&A

Motherhood is Fabulyss ››

The Mary Louis Academy

TMLA +

By Bethany Braun-Silva

Lyss Stern is the founder of Divalysscious Moms, a networking company for moms in New York City. Stern recently wrote the book Motherhood is a B#tch! 10 Steps to Regaining Your Sanity, Sexiness, and Inner Diva. Why do you think it’s so important for moms to reclaim their identity after giving birth? Being a mom is wonderful but that’s only part of what defines me. Motherhood should be added onto everything else a woman was before she became a mom. Of course, if you want to take a pause from work and you want to change careers or be a stay-at-home mom that’s 100-percent great with whatever you choose to do, but at the end of the day, moms, especially new moms, shouldn’t lose sight of who they were before they had a kid. So what are some things moms can do to get their mojo back? If you can get an hour of exercise a day or an hour to yourself a day, that’s ideal. Everyone can carve out five to 10 minutes a day whether it is going to your local coffee shop and having a cup of coffee with a girlfriend or locking yourself in the bathroom for 10 minutes and reading a magazine. For me, I take a bubble bath and I light some candles; that is my time. Go sit quietly for 10 minutes and meditate. Go for a long walk in the park, whatever it may be, do something just for you, and it doesn’t have to cost any money. Just hit the pause button, just take a moment to breathe, and you will start to feel a little bit better every time you do that because we take on so much. It’s great how you take ownership of the word b#tch. Can you tell our readers what being a b#tch means to you? In the book, we spell it out for you. “B” stands for, be the person you want to be. “I,” identify with that. “T,” take time out for yourself. “C,” care for yourself. “H,” ask for the help. We spell the word b#tch for you by giving you ways to make yourself stronger: to empower yourself to be the best you can be, to learn to say the word “no,” to practice self-care, to ask for help. I talk about it in the book, but when I first started off 13 years ago, I thought I was Wonder Woman. I had black hair and blue eyes, and I thought I could have it all. I could have the career and have these kids and do it all by myself. But here I am, 13 years later, and it was a wakeup call for me because I can’t do this all by myself. I want ask for help, I want to delegate, I want to take time for myself, I want to be the woman I visualize myself as. And I think that if all moms took a moment to realize this, we will be much better off.

At The Mary Louis Academy, you will find your own voice—distinctive, confident, intelligent, creative, and empowered—a voice that will be one of your greatest assets in life.

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The Mary Louis Academy is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Chartered by the State of NY.

176-21 Wexford Terrace, Jamaica Estates, NY 11432 Phone: 718-297-2120 | Fax: 718-739-0037 @WEARETMLA | #HILLTOPPERNATION | TACHS #016 BrooklynParent 11

FOCUS ON: ME TIME

Battling Burnout

››

Why spending 15-20 minutes every day doing something for yourself will benefit your physical and emotional health, as well as your relationships with your partner and children By Katelin Walling

our kids left their shoes in the middle of the entryway, and your first reaction is to lose your cool and yell at them. You’re pulling away from your partner because you feel like he isn’t doing his fair share of household chores. Your mental, physical, and emotional health is crumbling because you consistently feel stressed out. If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you but you’re not sure why you’re feeling this way, I have two words for you: caregiver burnout. Yes, it’s a very real thing. And the antidote to caregiver burnout? Me time. “The way I like to put it often is, if you don’t put on your oxygen mask first, you can’t really help anyone around you. So to some degree women often do feel responsible and even guilty and push themselves to be there for everybody else in their lives,” says Gail Saltz, M.D., a Manhattan-based psychiatrist and author of The Power of Different. And to do so with maximal effort and without staying attuned to their own emotional or physical needs, they can become very depleted and unable to care for themselves and for others, she says.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Health Benefits of Me Time

“Me time is recovery time, it’s recoup time, it’s regeneration time,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love. “When you continually do something—even if it’s something you enjoy doing—if you keep doing it and pushing yourself without ever taking a step back, that’s like training for a marathon and running 100 miles a day. You can’t do that. Your body can’t handle it,” she says. So how, exactly, does me time positively affect physical and mental health? Overall, it relieves stress, which can: Boost the immune system. Based on research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of the effect of the mind on health and resistance to disease), when we are stressed out, we’re more likely to get sick because our immune system doesn’t function as well, according to Dr. Lombardo.

Help prevent and relieve chronic pain. Constant stress is also likely to cause aches and pains, Dr. Lombardo says. When she first started her private practice in psychology (she also has a background in physical therapy), Dr. Lombardo worked exclusively with those who had chronic pain known as medically unexplained pain. “The majority of those people had something in common, which was they took care of a whole lot of other people and did not have a lot of me time. They didn’t allow their bodies to rest and recoup, and they pushed it to the limit until their bodies finally said, if you’re not going to listen to me, I’m going to make you listen to me, and they developed chronic problems,” she says. Lead to better overall health. Moms who don’t take any time for themselves tend to forgo exercise and may skip doctors visits. “Physically you don’t have cardiovascular health and all that goes with it, you don’t go to the doctor and do preventative health care, you don’t go to the doctor and catch things in early stages that maybe can be dealt with as opposed to waiting,” Dr. Saltz says. Prevent negative thinking. “When we are at heightened levels of stress without coming down, it affects our ability to think and we tend to use cognitive distortion. We tend to think in more negative ways,” Dr. Lombardo says. “We personalize that our kid doesn’t pick up their shoes and get more upset about it than we need to.” Cause more positive emotions and prevent unhealthy habits. “I think for moms the biggest issue becomes depression or anxiety related to feeling that they have not done anything to meet their own emotional needs,” Dr. Saltz says. When we experience negative emotions, Dr. Lombardo says, we tend to turn to alcohol,

retail therapy, and what she likes to call Ben & Jerry’s therapy to squelch those feelings. Lead to a better night’s sleep. Constant stress can lead to trouble sleeping, which affects mental and physical health, Dr. Lombardo says. “I don’t know about you, but when I don’t get enough sleep, I can’t think straight and I’m frankly not a very nice person, and that can affect our mental health,” she says.

Your Me Time Benefits Everyone in Your Life

Burning out affects more than just physical and mental health; it affects relationship health, too. “When we have that time to ourselves, we can be close to our true self, and that true self is the person who has less stress, is compassionate and loving,” Dr. Lombardo says. “When you are your true self, you are a lot more fun to be with, you are a lot more forgiving.” Mia Redrick, The Mom Strategist™ and author of Time for Mom-Me: 5 Essential Strategies for a Mother’s Self-Care and Time for Mom-Me: 365 Daily Strategies for a Mother’s Self-Care, adds that when you spend time “dating yourself” (something her mother made her promise to do every week as a mom), you become clear about what’s good for you—what you really want and need in life—and truly knowing yourself adds value to yourself. “I think that one of the greatest assets is being a parent that has added value to herself and therefore you can add value to that parent-child relationship. Imagine that because you are connected to who you are, your kids now know the things that make you happy and fulfilled,” Redrick says. continued on next page ››

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‹‹ continued from previous page

Another thing to consider is children constantly observe their parents. “If you think about how you want your children to be when they become parents, my guess is we all want our kids to be healthy, well-rounded parents. …So it’s really modeling positive behavior for them to be able to see that Mom gets time for herself,” Dr. Lombardo says. “And that’s a good thing.” Plus, not taking me time is unhealthy for the parent-child relationship “in terms of being so enmeshed with your child and promoting the idea that your child can’t be okay without you,” according to Dr. Saltz. “You want a child to be able to separate and feel that they can be independent and they’re okay.” As for how me time benefits relationships between partners? For moms who don’t have me time, “their primary relationship may start to decline, their sexual relationship may start to decline. Particularly, moms can become so focused on children that spouses can feel like, hey, there’s nothing going on between us—anything from strain to feeling disconnected and feeling like, [she’s] not in love with me anymore, or even feeling like, [I’m] not in love with [her] anymore. So time must be taken to maintain a healthy primary relationship,” Dr. Saltz says. Dr. Lombardo shares a story about one of her clients. He and his wife were having issues, and they had young children. For their anniversary, he got a hotel room for one night and had her stay there alone. “Honestly it’s the best thing he could have done for their marriage,” Dr. Lombardo says. “To realize that he understood she just needed some time to herself, and he was not only okay with it, he made sure it happened. I’m not saying it saved their marriage, but it did a lot.”

“Finding” Time for Me Time

“Before we even talk about finding time, we have to talk about giving yourself permission,” Dr. Lombardo says. “Because here’s the thing: We all have the same amount of time, we all know that. So if something is so important to you, you’re going to do it. No one says, I haven’t brushed my teeth all month because I just couldn’t find the time. So the first thing is to realize why it’s important to you personally, but also to your kids.” Once you’ve given yourself permission to take me time—and we’re only talking 15-20 minutes a day—a good next step is to figure out the best time, Dr. Saltz says. Is it when your partner is home to care for your young child, or if you want to do something with your spouse, can a grandparent or babysitter care for your child? For Redrick, finding that time comes from implementing three techniques: Mirroring: When you’re doing something for yourself, have your kids do that same thing for themselves. For instance, tell your kids, Mommy is going to read a book to herself for two minutes, and you’re going to read a book to yourself for two minutes. “I did this with my kids when they were very young. As they got older, the time grew, but as a result of that, I could always read for myself, by myself every single day,” Redrick says. Blending: When Redrick does something for her kids, she looks for an opportunity to do something for herself during that time. “I do something for myself every day because it’s tied to me doing something for my kids. For example if I push them on the swing, I do a squat for myself. If I sign them up for an activity, I can write my book while they’re in their class or practice. I always look for opportunities to do things for me and advance me while I’m doing things for them and advancing them.” 14

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

DIPP: Delegate household chores or tasks to family members to create more time for yourself, even something as simple as “having the kids do the dishes so you can read a book,” Redrick says. Incorporate others in your space. “Maybe, if you’ve got young children, you have a mother’s helper—a 13- to 15-year-old that comes over to your house so that you can make some calls if you’re trying to start a business while she reads to your kids for an hour, or something like that. Maybe its grandparents who ritualistically commit to coming over to get the kids so you can take a bath alone without the kids knocking on the door,” she says. Plan time for yourself. It’s impossible to make time for you if you don’t plan it. You don’t get the support you need if you don’t plan it. Purge your calendar and get rid of activities that no longer add value to your life. “I think so many moms are really good at addition and not great at subtraction. We just add and add and add. And then you try to figure out why you’re feeling overwhelmed, why there’s no room for me time—it’s because we’re connected to so many things,” Redrick says.

Suggestions for Me Time

Now that you know why taking me time is important and how you can find the time, the next step is to figure out what you want to do during your alone time. “Once you identify [what you want to do], figure out how can you do it. So if someone says to me, oh, I just want to go to the beach and get away for five days. Okay, maybe you can’t do that, but maybe you can do part of that. So if you live near a beach, you can go for a walk down there. If it’s just sitting in the warmth, maybe it’s taking 20 minutes [to sit] in a hot tub or getting in the warm bath. So just looking at what do you want to do and looking at ways to do it,” Dr. Lombardo says. If you’re stumped and need an idea to kick-start your me time, try: Indulging in self-care. Take a nap, meditate, or do guided visualization “where you can kind of go on a metal vacation,” Dr. Lombardo says (you can find free guided visualization videos on YouTube). Or splurge a little and get a massage or a mani/pedi. Doing something small and inexpensive. “A lot of people think me time has to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be,” Redrick says. “I initially would just go to a coffee shop and enjoy a cup of coffee and read a book to myself, or I would go to the bookstore and spend some time alone, or I would go to a park with a picnic blanket and snack that I like and I could spend some time just to hear myself think.” Reading a book or magazine. “I had one client who was talking about how she had a stack of magazines that built up over three years. She had three kids and she had the magazines, but hadn’t read any of them,” Dr. Lombardo says. “And just the thought of sitting down with her feet up without anyone asking her for anything for 10 minutes was all she wanted, and that’s so easy to do.” Signing up for a class or activity. Just because you say you’ll take me time, it doesn’t mean you’ll always commit to yourself and actually take it—something inevitably will come up. “If you find you’re one of those people and you have all the support in the world, then what you do is you commit in advance with an activity,” Redrick says, “So I would book a concert series six weeks out, and I knew I would go because I paid in advance, or a cooking class, or a yoga class, or Zumba. Commit with your dollars to a class that has a date and that will get you out of the house.”

Engaging your creative side. Whether it’s music, journaling, painting, knitting, writing, or drawing, your creative talents can be utilized during me time. Dr. Lombardo has a client who, when they were talking about musical instruments, said she used to play the guitar and wished she had never stopped. When Dr. Lombardo asked why she didn’t play now, “she looked at me like I was crazy and said, ‘I don’t have any time!’ And I said, ‘What if you took 15 minutes once a week to play the guitar. What would that be like for you?’ And she just became dreamy, just that thought to her was so wonderful,” Dr. Lombardo says. Going to the gym or for a walk. “I think exercise is a biggie because it really helps with mood, it helps with mental health and physical health. So that’s an important thing to try to be doing,” Dr. Saltz says. “But if you don’t find exercise to be pleasurable, then it is important to have times when you’re picking something that you do enjoy.”

Overcoming the Mom Guilt

While the idea of taking me time is well and good, what about that ever-lingering feeling of mom guilt and the fear of being on the receiving end of mom shaming? “When people are concerned about being judged by other people, what they really are is judging themselves. Because if you aren’t judging yourself, if you are one hundred-percent fine with it, then another mother could say some comment or remark like, oh, it must be nice to be able to do that, and it doesn’t hurt,” Dr. Lombardo says. Moms feel guilty about spending time alone because they have a perfectionistic expectation of themselves and they shouldn’t need me time, according to Dr. Lombardo. “In psychology we talk about should-ing all over yourself. I shouldn’t do this. I shouldn’t do that. That’s ridiculous, and it’s so harmful psychologically, it’s so harmful physically, it’s so harmful socially,” she adds. “We are such an all-or-nothing society—you’re either selfish or selfless, but there’s a lot in between. So realizing that it’s not being selfish, it’s practicing good self-care. You can’t consistently be a great mom if you’re so overwhelmed you’re not taking time for yourself. We have needs like rest, we have needs like having fun…and we really need to take care of those needs. You can take care of yourself and that doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you human.” On the other hand, “if you’re so overwhelmed with guilt that you can’t take 15 minutes to go take a bath or to read a book, I would be concerned that either you have separation anxiety from your child, or your child is having something going on that makes it feel like you can’t leave. Maybe they have an issue that needs attending to or you have an issue going on that needs attending to,” Dr. Saltz says. “It should be okay to take 15 minutes to do something relaxing or engaging that doesn’t include your child.” And if that mom guilt does start to creep in when you’re doing something for yourself, just remember: “We’re human. Everyone needs time for themselves, it’s just part of they way we’re made up,” Dr. Lombardo says. “Remind yourself, I’m being a really good mom by taking this time for myself because I can be much more engaged with my children. I can be more present.” This is the first in a two-part series on me time. Next month: Why downtime is important for kids—and how to balance it with their busy after-school activities schedules. BrooklynParent 15

A pill organizer makes for great hair tie storage.

Use food containers to store craft supplies.

Easy Home Organization Hacks for Families

Recycle shoeboxes to organize messy drawers.

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Clutter is a fact of life for most parents. One mom offers tips for taming the mess and getting your home in order.

Hack #1: Baskets

By Jennifer Garry

Let’s be honest: When you have kids, you accumulate an abundance of stuff. From products to soothe and comfort them as babies to itty bitty figures and the countless toy houses that go with them when they’re a little older, it can get really tough to tackle clutter. While I can be the queen of messes, sometimes I go on epic decluttering sprees that leave me feeling much more sane and in charge of my surroundings—even if neither of those things is actually true. In the spirit of helping a mother out and making you feel more sane and in charge, I’m sharing eight super-simple organization tricks that my sister and I swear by.

In my house, there are baskets everywhere. We have shelves filled with them. They’re in our cabinets and under side tables. They’re next to my girls’ desks and all over our basement. The reason? They offer an incredibly easy way to contain similar items and hide things that look messy. Toys are sorted into different categories and the baskets are put onto our shelves. Things my daughters need to put away are in baskets next to their desks. Smaller baskets hold like food items to make it easier to grab and go. And I love the look of nice, cozy blankets stored in a basket instead of haphazardly strewn over chairs. Baskets can also be a great way to store puzzles and card games, which brings me to our next hack…

Hack #2: Storing Board Games I won’t lie to you—our board game situation was the bane of my existence for a while. I cringed any time one of the girls asked to play a game because I knew that getting a board game out was going to require some serious Tetris skills and would more likely than not end with me getting hit in the head with flying game pieces. That is until I made the (brilliant) decision to store all of our board games sideways instead of lying them flat and on top of one another. This way, when someone wants to play a game, all you have to do is slide it out of its slot. There’s no delicate balancing act or cursing or crawling on the floor looking for tiny pieces. Pro tip: You might want to secure boxes with a rubber band if you store them this way to make sure the tops don’t slide off. 16

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Hack #4: Food Containers for Craft Supplies Like dress up, craft supplies are another area that gets unruly really quickly. For one, I’m kind of a craft supply hoarder. Aside from typical things such as crayons, markers, and glue, I keep an assortment of things that may otherwise have found their way into the garbage. I love seeing what creative ways my daughters find to use things such as bottle caps or a pair of jeans that got too tattered to wear anymore. (The jeans were turned into a pretty cool throw pillow by my tween.) The problem? With so many random things on hand, it can be difficult to corral them and then store everything neatly—until my repurposed craft supplies inspired me to repurpose containers to hold them in. Now I clean and save takeout containers or any other plastic containers our food comes in (hummus containers, for instance, are a great size for holding tiny beads) and store craft supplies in those. Not only is it cheap and eco-friendly, but it keeps things contained and makes it easier to stack them inside our craft closet.

Hack #5: Pill Organizer for Hair Ties Hack #3: Kids Dress Up Outfits I don’t know about you, but I’m a saver. If I think my kids will get use out of it, it stays. That means we have a ragtag collection of old Halloween costumes, party props, and dress up clothes exploding all over the place. While I’ve yet to tackle our mess, I absolutely love how my sister organized my niece’s dress up. With nothing more than a hanging rod and a shelf, not only does her dress up look nice, but it’s organized in a way that’s manageable for my niece and makes choosing things much less overwhelming than digging through an enormous mound (which is our current situation). The baskets up top keep all of the loose accessories together and out of view.

Another kids organization problem always making me crazy is hair ties—especially the teensy, tiny hair ties required for babies’ fine hair and for securing small braids and ponytails. They’re so small they’re hard to keep track of to begin with. Add in varying sizes and kids who get very specific about what color is allowed to grace their head each day and you have yourself a situation that can easily suck up more of your precious morning time than you’d like. Pill organizers have completely changed that for me. The small compartments are the perfect size for sorting hair ties of different colors, sizes, and materials. It makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and helps limit choices if your daughter has to pick them out herself. It’s essential to note that, obviously, this is not a great idea if you regularly use pill organizers for actual medicine. I wouldn’t want my daughter feeling comfortable sorting through one for hair ties if there were organizers elsewhere in the house containing medicine that she might find and feel free to explore.

Hack #6: Shoeboxes for Storage This one is similar to baskets, but it’s a free, ecofriendly version for spots that don’t need to look pretty. You can, however, make them pretty if you need to with a coat of paint or some scrapbook paper. My kids’ dressers always drive me crazy. They’re constantly digging and pulling things out of there so that it becomes impossible to find anything really quickly. To combat that, I’ve started using shoeboxes to keep smaller items together. I fill open shoeboxes with underwear, socks, tights, and bathing suits to make them easier to find. I can’t even tell you how much time this one little tip saves me. I also use shoeboxes for crayons, markers, colored pencils, and stickers. It’s so much easier than trying to keep them in the boxes they typically come in. My girls generally destroy those pretty quickly. continued on next page ››

BrooklynParent 17

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Hack #7: Toilet Paper Tubes for Cords I realize this one sounds a little insane at first, but hear me out. We had tangled messes of power cords and wires for all of our technological devices spread all over the house. My husband solved the tangling problem with Velcro strips, which at least helped tame them into little circles. But there was still the problem of having cords all over the house and constantly being unsure of where to find the particular one we needed. Enter toilet paper tube organization! Once the cords are wrapped into tight circles and secured with Velcro, they fit perfectly into toilet paper tubes—which fit nicely into shoeboxes. Now, we line up toilet paper tubes inside of a shoebox (which is so easy to tuck into cabinets and out of sight) and store a cord in each tube. Pro tip: Use washi tape to make labels for each of your cords to make finding them even easier.

Hack #8: Wine Crates for Storage

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Sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit. My sister scored a bunch of wine crates for free at a local liquor store. Like baskets and shoeboxes, they are a great way to contain things, but they add a different kind of visual feel. While baskets can almost melt into the background and go unnoticed, wine crates are a little unexpected and add a cool touch. They’re also nice and sturdy, which comes in handy if little people are going to be sorting through them. If you have any hacks for organizing your home that you swear by, I’d love to hear them. I’m all for anything that makes life easier Jennifer Garry is a freelance writer and Westchester mom. She writes the blog CuddlesandChaos.com.

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Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised

Hang, Store—or Toss? A simple kids’ art wall, using wire and clothespins

A child hangs her artwork in frames her parents have hung on the wall for this purpose.

Kids love to create, and create, and create some more. Here’s how to display and organize all that artwork—and when it’s okay to make it disappear. By Bethany Braun-Silva

et’s face it, there’s only so much room on the fridge, and hanging macaroni art or finger paintings on the living room wall might not be to your design taste. No judgment, it’s not mine either. So what do we do with the countless art projects our kids create in camp, in school, at after-school programs, at friends’ houses, and at home? Sure, we can toss some of it, but we naturally want to keep a lot of it, albeit without creating clutter. Luckily, there are some fun ways to display and store your kids’ artwork, all while getting them involved in the process, too.

Let Your Child Decide

Kids love to show off what they’ve learned and accomplished, and that’s why a DIY gallery wall is a great way to give them some ownership of their space and their artwork. Hang several empty frames of various shapes, sizes, and colors in your child’s room. Then give her some blue tacky or scotch 20

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

tape and let her decide which of her masterpieces to display. The artwork can easily be swapped out, and older pieces can be moved to storage (or recycled!). If you don’t have a ton of wall space, leave it to Target to sell the perfect solution. The Loft by Umbra Kids Art Display & Storage frame allows you to store artwork right in the frame: Your child can pick a piece of artwork to display while storing several other pieces behind it, and she can switch it out when ever she feels like it. It’s a space-saving lifesaver! Another easy way for kids to display their own art is by hanging a wire and attaching some clothespins to it. Haeley Giambalvo, a DIY expert and founder of the blog designimprovised.com writes, “The art wall has become a rotating display in the playroom. It is right by their table so the girls can hang up something on their own once they are done.” It’s a simple and fun way to display kids’ art.

New Yorkers know apartment space is sacred, simply because we don’t have a lot it. And even in the ‘burbs, plenty of us find extra wall space is at a premium. We turned to Sharon Lowenheim, a certified personal organizer and founder of Organizing Goddess, to give us some advice on how to display our kids’ art when we don’t have a lot of room to do so. “First, you need to decide how much space you are willing to devote to storing your child’s art,” Lowenheim says. Once you decide if it’s a little or a lot, she suggests you “buy a portfolio or plastic bin of the appropriate size, and then make sure that you don’t exceed that space. This will require you to continually make decisions about what stays and what goes.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Throw It Away

Throwing away your child’s art is usually harder on the parents than it is on the kids—cue the mom guilt! But unless it’s a particularly special or important project, your child will probably not be all that attached to it. After all, they create so much! Talk with your child about recycling his art instead of throwing it away. This might make the conversation a little easier and also help to teach him about repurposing items and the process of recycling. “We always involved our daughter in making the decision about what would be displayed and what would go directly into the recycle bin. Small children are very passionate about recycling and will understand that what doesn’t get kept should be recycled,” Lowenheim says. “It’s important for your child to learn that not everything can be saved, and that decision-making about what to keep is important at every stage of life,” she adds. If throwing your kid’s art away just simply isn’t your style you always have the option of gifting it to friends or relatives. Sending several pieces to Grandma and Grandpa is a great way to free up space in your house, while at the same time deepening their relationship with their grandkids and reminding them just how important they are to your kids.

they can be viewed at any time or put into a photo album that is easily accessible when you’re feeling nostalgic. Or, if you have a digital photo frame, you can display your child’s art on rotation. • Make your own storage binder using clear sheet protectors. Much like a photo album, you and your children can go through it together and see their progress through the years. For larger artwork and projects, Bonnie Dewkett of The Joyful Organizer suggests, “For three-dimensional pieces of art, the easiest thing to do is take a photo of your child with the piece; keep it [the project] for a little while, and then dispose of it. I usually suggest moving it to another area of the house, such as the garage, after a period of time. If it’s not missed, you can easily get rid of it.” Courtesy makelifelovely.com

Solutions for Small Spaces

A binder in which you can neatly store kids’ art.

As much as we want to honor our kids’ work by keeping and displaying it, it is also important for children to understand organization and tidiness, and how to know when to keep and when to throw away certain items. Letting your little Picasso curate her own bedroom gallery might have you well on your way to a more organized home.

Turn to Tech

These days, there are tons of ways to store your kids’ art and schoolwork on the web. Apps like Keepy allow you to store, save, and even privately share your children’s artwork and schoolwork. All the photos you take of your child’s work is uploaded to the cloud, which is backed up on Keepy’s own server to ensure your stuff is always safe. Similarly, the app Art My Kid Made is like an Instagram for kids’ art. Parents take a photograph of the artwork, upload it, tag it, and share. You can also upload to other social networks through the app, and there is even an option to print.

Storage Ideas

After putting pieces on display for a certain period, it might be time to put them away to make room for newer pieces of artwork from the creation machines all children are. Here are some great ways to store your kids’ art: • S ouvenarte Books (souvenartebooks.com) will make a coffee table book of your child’s art. “It’s a great way to honor your child’s creations without having to save them all,” Lowenheim says. • S nap a photo. Even without a dedicated app, photos of kids’ art can be uploaded to the family computer, where

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DIY CORNER

DIY Your Home

Make your decor uniquely you with these projects from “Make It Yours,” “Rag Rugs, Pillows, & More,” and “Sunshine Spaces.” Plus, an easy way to clean crayon and pencil marks off your walls. Time: 1 hour Difficulty: • Learn: How to decoupage wood surfaces Remix: Use this decoupage technique for keepsake wooden boxes or recipe boxes Materials Wood panel, 18-by-24-inch with 2-inch cradle 400-grit sandpaper (optional) Rag Rubbing alcohol (optional) Base coat paint (optional) Foam brush, 4-inch (10cm) Laser printer

Message Board

As an anti-list maker and avid forgetter-of-all-things, I’ve had to change my ways now that I’ve got a toddler in tow. I wanted a message board that looked good whether it’s blank or packed with messages, so I worked up this project. These wood panels are available in many sizes in art stores and their depth allows you to rest a chalk marker on the top for writing. Remember that you must use photocopies from a laser printer. (An inkjet print will bleed when it hits the liquid Mod Podge.) You can just bring the book to the copy shop or lay the template directly on the copy glass. Because you don’t glue the graphics down until later, you can move them around until you get the composition you want.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Graphics (visit nymetroparents. com/message-board to download) White paper (standard weight, not cardstock) Scissors Scrap paper Mod Podge Chalk marker

Directions 1. Prep the wood panel if it is rough by sanding with 400-grit sandpaper. Cleaning off wood with a wet cloth will raise the grain. Best to use a soft rag that is either dry or moistened with rubbing alcohol that evaporates quickly. Prime and paint the panel a solid color if you like, using a large foam brush. 2. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the surface and sides of the wood panel with a foam brush and allow it to dry. 3. Photocopy the graphics provided or design your own. Use a laser printer to print the images on white paper and then cut out the graphics with scissors. 4. Position graphics in place to create a composition. I chose to space the graphics at least 2 inches inside the perimeter of the panel and then space them evenly from one another, but you could bunch them together as well. My composition means I will be writing my list over the graphics, but I chose this design so the board would still look interesting when there was no writing on it at all. 5. Place one of the graphics facedown on scrap paper and use foam brush to coat it with Mod Podge. Then quickly place graphic back in position. Use foam brush to coat the front of the graphic with Mod Podge, stroking from center to edges. This will adhere the graphic and ensure a smooth surface. 6. Repeat step 5 until all the graphics are adhered in position. 7. Paint several coats of Mod Podge over the entire surface and set it aside to dry for at least 24 hours. 8. Use a chalk marker to write your messages and wipe them off with a damp cloth when needed.

Reprinted from Yellow Owl Workshop’s Make It Yours. Copyright © 2017 by Christine Schmidt. Photographs copyright © 2017 by Aubrie Pick. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Hiding Space

How much do kids love a hiding space? For that matter, how much do adults love one, too? I love it when my kids create their own spaces to hide in, but I don’t love the mess left afterwards. I feel like I’m folding up sheets and putting away cushions for days. This is a hiding spot you can make that is somewhat more permanent, and can be quickly collapsed and put away for another day. It can also be moved outdoors and lined with blankets and a few cushions, to provide a comfy, shaded reading / napping / tea-party spot for both kids and adults alike. You Will Need: Scrap paper 4 10-foot lengths of white fabric, about 4 feet wide (I used varying weights but all lightweight fabrics, such as gauze or poplin) Acrylic paints: grey, mustard, pale pink, navy (or use fabric paints if you have them) Wide paintbrushes

Scissors Pins Sewing machine and thread Retractable knife 20 feet of ¾-inch wide flexible cream-colored irrigation tubing 3 irrigation tubing joiners Tape measure and pencil 26 feet of 1/8-inch rope or cord, cut into four equal lengths

Directions: 1. Cover the work area with some scrap paper, then place your first length of fabric on top. Have all your paints ready. 2. Using a wide paintbrush, paint large waves and swirls on the fabric. If you don’t have enough space to lay the whole fabric length on the table, paint sections and then, when it’s dry, move the fabric along to the next blank spot. 3. Use a variety of shapes and colors, keeping the pattern fairly simple. Repeat the process with the remaining three lengths of fabric.

4. When the painted fabric lengths are completely dry, cut them in half lengthways so you end up with eight pieces, 10 feet long and 2 feet wide. At the top of each piece, fold over 2 inches of fabric to create a loop for the tubing. Pin and sew. If you like, hem the bottom of each length (I didn’t, but I’m lazy). 5. Cut the irrigation tubes into one 3-foot, 3-inch, one 6-foot, 8-inch, and one 9-foot, 10-inch lengths. Join the ends of the 6-foot, 8-inch length together with tubing joiners to form a hoop. Repeat for the 9-foot, 10-inch length. 6. Feed the 3-foot, 3-inch length of tube through the loops at the top of each fabric length, ensuring the painted side of the fabric is facing outwards. Fasten with a joiner. 7. Place the hoops in order of size, starting with the smallest in the center (the smallest hoop will have all the fabric attached). Using a tape measure, measure and mark eight equally distanced spaces around the hoops: 3-foot, 3-inch hoop = 5 inches; 6-foot, 6-inch hoop = 10 inches; 9-foot, 10-inch hoop = 15 inches. 8. Align the ends of the four lengths of rope, then fold them in half and tie in a knot at the folded end, leaving loops at the top for hanging. Tie the eight ends of rope at the marked spaces on the hoops, starting at the top hoop and moving down to the next marked line on the next hoop, so the rope stays in line. Leave 8 inches of rope between the top knot and the smallest hoop, 10 inches between the small and medium hoop, and 12 inches between the medium and largest hoop. Trim any excess rope. Hang from the nearest shady spot using a lasso knot.

Excerpted with permission from Sunshine Spaces by Beci Orpin, published by Hardie Grant Books April 2017, RRP $24.99.

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BrooklynParent 23

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Braided Rug

Braided rag rugs have been popping up all over social media recently as a fun way to upcycle old T-shirts into something both beautiful and useful. One of the greatest draws is that you don’t need much specialist equipment. In fact, you probably have everything you need at home already! As long as you choose colors you love then it is very difficult to go wrong with the design and the only slightly tricky part is the sewing together of the braid. My main advice if you decide to give this project a go, is to take your time when sewing everything together to make sure that the rug lies perfectly flat in the end. Materials Assorted fabrics (I used 14 T-shirts to make a rug 45-by33½ inches) Fabric scissors Bag clip or clothespin/peg

Ruler or tape measure Pins Needle and thread (I used button or extra-strong thread) Color Palette: Assorted colors

Tip: I like to use at least four “neutral” colors (here I’ve used two whites, light and dark gray, and navy) to ground the color scheme. I mainly use solid colors (as opposed to patterned T-shirts) to create a bold palette. Before turning your T-shirts into fabric yarn, place them next to each other to make sure the colors complement each other. If any of the fabrics look out of place, choose a different color to replace them.

Directions 1. Choose 14 plain T-shirts in various colors for your rug. Turn all the T-shirts into balls of fabric yarn (visit nymetroparents.com/ braided-rug for a step-by-step guide). 2. Choose the three colors you would like at the center of your rug. I recommend choosing at least one “neutral” color to start with. Tie the ends of the three yarns together to form a knot. Weigh down the knot with something heavy to make the braiding easier.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Tip: Before braiding, think through how you would like your rug to look. Braiding similar shades together creates a bold color band in the rug, while mixing different colors together creates a “speckled” look. Do not overanalyze your design—if you are happy with the colors you’ve chosen, then it is hard to go wrong. The colors naturally blend together as one braided color ends and the next yarn is added in. 3. Braid the three yarns together, making sure to keep the braid fairly loose. Secure the braid as you go using a clip or clothespin/peg. As you braid, try to tuck in any seams so that they are on the underside of the braid—the tidier you can keep the top of the braid, the neater your rug will look. During braiding, the fabric strands will get tangled in a counter-braid further down the yarn, so untangle them from time to time. Wind the braid into a ball as you go. 4. When your first ball of yarn is coming to an end, attach the next ball. If you are unsure which color to choose next, unwind the ball of braid and lay it out on the floor in a loose coil to see how the rug is shaping up. Keep braiding until you are happy with the size of the rug, then cut the yarns and tie the end of the braid in a knot. 5. Carefully wind the braid into a large ball. The end of the braid that you would like on the outside of your rug should be at the center of the ball. Before you start assembling the rug: The hardest part of this project is achieving a rag rug that lies perfectly flat. When sewing your braid together, make sure you leave enough excess braid around any curves in the rug. This will prevent your rug from curling up like a bowl. 6. Place the beginning of the braid upside down (you will be sewing on the slightly messier side) and measure 22 inches from the end of the braid. Bend the braid back on itself (all the time keeping the braid facing downward) and pin the bend in the braid together to make sewing easier. 7. Starting at the bend in the braid, sew the two inner edges of the braid together tightly so that the stitches are not visible from the neat side of the braid (fortunately it doesn’t matter what it looks like from the back!). When you reach the knotted end of the braid, cut off the knot and sew the loose edge on top of the bend in the braid (still on the underside) to secure it in place. 8. Continue sewing the braid together in a clockwise direction. It is extremely important that you feed the braid loosely around the corners (so that there is excess braid around any curves) or the rug will curl up. It helps to lay your rug on the floor every now and then to make sure that it is lying flat. 9. Continue sewing your braid in a clockwise direction until you are happy with the size of the rug. It is best to attach the end of your braid to the curved corner of the rug rather than a long, straight edge so that it blends in. Trim the end of the braid and overlap it with the braid inside. Sew it on top to secure the rug. Tip: If you find that your finished rug does not lie flat, stretching the rug out and attaching nonslip backing may fix the problem. Otherwise, lightly dampening the rug, then steaming it flat with an iron can help.

Images and text excerpted from Rag Rugs, Pillows, & More by Elspeth Jackson ($19.95) with permission of CICO Books. Photographs by Emma Mitchell.

HOW TO REMOVE CRAYON AND PENCIL MARKS FROM WALLS

SMART START

Early Childhood Center, Inc. 8411 Fort Hamilton Pkwy. Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-921-1868 Fax-718-921-6713

If you have little ones running around your house, it is a sure bet that one day you will be dealing with a crayoned or penciled masterpiece on a wall! Rest assured, there is a super-simple solution that will have you wiping it right off.

Yield: Varies

Full/Part Time Sessions available for: 2 year old class & 3 year old class

Ingredients: Lemon essential oil Directions: On a damp cloth or sponge, add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Gently rub the crayon or pencil marks until they disappear. That’s it! Easy, right? Did you know... Lemon oil can help in conquering allergies. Lemon oil can also be used as a safe and natural furniture polish. Diffused lemon oil can help purify the air that you breathe every day.

OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday August 9th: 10:00-11:00 A.M. & 6:00-7:00 P.M. For 2 & 3 year old children Register at our open house and receive free registration and a 10% discount on your first monthly payment!

FREE Full Day D.O.E. Pre-K For All! Our curriculum helps children understand and develop skills which will enable them to succeed and make sense of the world through:

Excerpted from Natural Solutions for Cleaning & Wellness by Halle Cottis with permission of publisher. Cover and book design by Page Street Publishing Co.

Dramatic Play, Free Play, Outdoor Play, Arts, Crafts, Music, and Movement while incorporating: Literacy, Math, Science, and Social Studies Child Centered, Certified Teachers, Extended Hours, Year Round Care

Lois A. Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates

Pediatric Dentistry

505 LaGuardia Place, New York • 212.995.8888 16 Court Street, Suite 2211, Brooklyn • 718.855.8833 BrooklynParent 25

OUTINGS: Wild West City

nymetroparents.com/outings

Get a Taste of the Wild West

Step back in time to the 1800s at this western-heritage theme park in Stanhope, NJ. ›› By Caitlin Berens

Joyce Bambach

Courtesy Wild West City

Regina Hartman

Courtesy Wild West City

1 Wild West City’s Main Street is a bustling strip with shops, museum-quality exhibits, and live-action shows. 2 Guests best keep their wits about them when riding on the horse-drawn stagecoach—they might be stopped by bandits. 3 Guests of all ages can learn about life in the 1800s from living history stations including a mountain man, blacksmith, and school marm. 4 Some of Wild West City’s live-action shows and special events encourage child participation. 5 Guests can mine for gold like the real ’49ers at Egan’s Mine #1.

o be transported to the wild west one just needs to drive to New Jersey. Wild West City, located in Stanhope, NJ, features live-action shows, stagecoach rides, and family-friendly events. The western-heritage theme park is a recreation of life in the 1800s in Dodge City, KS. It opened in 1957 and has been family-owned and -operated by the Stabile family since 1963. “For the cost of about a movie you can come and be entertained all day,” says Mary Stabile Benson, park manager of Wild West City.

Nonstop Action on Main Street

There are 22 daily live-action shows on Main Street, some of which encourage child participation—like when the sheriff needs help to capture the notorious Jesse James. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of competing cowboys, the Pony Express, cancan girls, and more. Beyond the re-enactments, Main Street has reproductions of period buildings that include museum-quality exhibits with farming tools, a large collection of Native American art and artifacts, and more. Just be sure to behave, or you might find yourself in one of Wild West City’s circa-1890 jail cells. Main Street also has an old-time candy store, 26

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

spots for lunch and snacks, a photo center at which visitors can dress in western garb, and places to buy clothing and souvenirs.

Hop Aboard a Stagecoach

Step aboard a horse-drawn stagecoach for a ride around Wild West City—but keep an eye out for bandits. Along the route guests will get to see a one-room schoolhouse, a chapel, and may even meet a mountain man. “We have a variety of living history stations,” Benson says. “You can go and watch the blacksmith make tools, and you can talk to the mountain man and learn about survival skills. You can talk to the school marm about lessons back in the 1800s or the chuck wagon [cook] about...how they made meals while they were out on the range.” Train and pony rides are also available.

Hands-On Experiences

Try to strike it rich while panning for gold at Egan’s Mine #1. Swirl dirt in a gold pan like the real ’49ers and you just might find a nugget that glistens like real gold. For some fun in the shade, visitors can aim for a holein-one at the 18-hole miniature golf course. A visit to the Barnyard Zoo will introduce

guests to the animals found on a typical pioneer farm including Billy the goat. The zoo also has a calf and sheep as well as egg-laying Rhode Island Reds (a breed of chicken).

Wild West Events

Wild West City has several entertaining and interactive events including band performances and Wild West Dress-Up Day. Visitors can learn about Chuck Wagon Camp Cooking Aug. 18-20, and Cowboy Larry’s Wild West Show, Aug. 5-6, will showcase rope spinning, bullwhip demonstrations, and trick riding. The popular Native American Intertribal Dancers will return in September.

Want to Go?

Address: 50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 15-minute drive from Park Slope Hours: Daily through Sept. 4, 10:30am6pm; weekends only Sept. 5-Oct. 9 Admission: $17.25; $15.25 children ages 2-11; $13.50 seniors ages 62 and older; $4 per person for select attractions (miniature golf, stagecoach, train, and pony rides); special rates for groups of 20 or more and school groups For more information: wildwestcity.com

n Us For Come Joi , and music ga yo , a b d kid‛s zum ccredite NAEYC A ! m ra og Pr

Free Full Day U.P.K. Program for All Call for Information!

Please call for details.

Family Owned & Operated for 61 Years!

New Jersey's Only Western Theme Park! LIVE ACTION SHOWS • TRAIN, STAGECOACH & PONY RIDE MEET LEGENDS OF THE WEST • EXPLORE FRONTIER LIFE FAMILY FUN • AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

OPEN DAILY June 17th – Labor Day

OPEN WEEKENDS Labor Day – Columbus Day CLASSES ARE ACCOMP ANIED BY LIVE MUSIC

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50 LackawannA Dr. Stanhope, NJ 07874 BrooklynParent 27

We've got everything for a…

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

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After-School Activities

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

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

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+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family

(see our calendar, p. 26)

(see our calendar, p. 32)

Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

•

Dinosaur Fun

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

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

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Turn the page for details on The 241st Commemoration of The Battle of Brooklyn (No. 7 on our list).

AUGUST

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nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: ROSALIND MUGGERIDGE bkcal@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Animal Lovers

Mini Musicians, On Screen

Fun Fairs & Festivals

Dance Party

Smarty Pants

The Great Outdoors

Show Time

Movers & Shakers

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

13th Annual Free SummerStarz Movies: ‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 4, 8pm WHERE: Transmitter Park, Greenpoint Avenue and East River Waterfront, Greenpoint

AGES: All WHAT: School’s out and Town Square’s SummerSTARZ free family movie nights are back. Tonight’s feature is Kung Fu Panda 3. WHY WE LOVE IT: Bring a picnic blanket, friends, and family to watch a movie on the gorgeous Greenpoint waterfront. WANT TO GO? 347-987-2765. townsquareinc.com.

Hindu Lamp Ceremony FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 4-8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pebble Beach, Main and Plymouth streets, DUMBO AGES: All WHAT: Help Aeilushi Mistry bring peace and harmony to the shoreline as she performs the traditional Hindu Aarti Ceremony at the park. WHY WE LOVE IT: Decorate your own palm leaf lamp and release it in the East River as part of this ceremony for peace and harmony. WANT TO GO? 718-624-4719. brooklynbridgepark.org.

4th Annual International Day of Friendship FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 1-5pm WHERE: Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Downtown Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Join Borough President Adams and delegations from around the world for the 4th Annual International Day of Friendship at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Columbus Park. The day will include a Unity Parade of flags, cultural performances, a global village, international cuisine, giveaways, and a cultural talk back session. WHY WE LOVE IT: A chance to pay tribute to our diverse communities and residents. WANT TO GO? 718-802-3530. brooklyn-usa.org. 30

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Family Adventure Race FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 13, 9am WHERE: Conference House Park, Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Join City Parks Foundation’s Family Adventure Race, a parent-child race that incorporates basic exercises and sports skills, and provides a healthy, 1-hour dose of fun for all. Activities include a javelin throw, jump rope, basketball free throw, hurdles, and a mini climbing wall. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s fun, healthy, and free? Sign us up! WANT TO GO? 718-869-6327. cityparksfoundation.org.

Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 19, 12pm WHERE: Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, West 10th-12th streets, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: The 27th Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest brings together individuals, families and artists to celebrate the local community. Professional sculptors will build remarkable sculptures, while amateurs from the community will challenge each other for cash prizes. WHY WE LOVE IT: The day also includes live music, food, and activities for kids. WANT TO GO? 718-310-5600. coneyislandfunguide.com.

KIDFlix Film Festival FREE

WHEN: Aug. 4-25, Fridays, 7pm WHERE: Fulton Park, Chauncey Street between Lewis and Stuyvesant avenues, Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: All WHAT: Now in its 17th season, this annual event draws hundreds families to experience kid-friendly features, documentaries, shorts, and television programming by filmmakers of the African

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Diaspora. This year’s theme is Growing Up Muslim. WHY WE LOVE IT: An amazing opportunity to view films made by local and independent filmmakers and youth. WANT TO GO? 718-230-0492. mocada.org.

The 241st Commemoration of The Battle of Brooklyn

BROOKLYN: Marine Park • Bensonhurst Park • Lakeside Prospect Park

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 27, 11am-3pm WHERE: Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights AGES: All WHAT: Green-Wood hosts a morning of commemoration to honor all those who served at The Battle of Brooklyn. See parades, cannon fire, horses, and re-enactments. WHY WE LOVE IT: The Battle of Brooklyn was the first battle of the American Revolution to be waged after the Declaration of Independence was signed. WANT TO GO? $30 trolley tour. 718-210-3080. green-wood.com.

Annual Brighton Jubilee Festival FREE

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Open year-round, Rolling admission Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 27, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brighton Beach, Brighton Beach and Coney Island avenues, Brighton Beach AGES: All WHAT: This popular annual street festival features multiple entertainment stages, blocks of merchandise and informational booths, kiddie rides, and food. WHY WE LOVE IT: This huge, annual street fair is a fun summer day out for the whole family. WANT TO GO? 718-891-0800. brightonbeach.com.

Bike & Boat Rentals

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 29, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Multi award-winning children’s artist, Lucy Kalantari, brings delightful jazz age-inspired music everyone can enjoy. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids and families will love the interactive jazz-scatalong play, while singing about the simple joys and delights of life. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

ABC Infant & Toddler Center Child Care for Infants & Toddlers, ages 3-24 months

ABC’s goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate and stimulating programs for children up to five years old, while fulfilling their need to laugh, learn, play, make new friends and discover new things. Providing quality child care since 1993.

ABC Child Center Child Care and Preschool for children ages 2 - 4 years Full Day, Half Day Programs & Drop-off Care Available 109 Nassau Avenue, Greenpoint - Brooklyn, NY (718) 389-9004 • www.abcchildcenter.com For more information or to schedule a tour email us at info@abcchildcenter.com

NYC Unicycle Festival FREE

WHEN: Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Thursday-Sunday, see website for schedule WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: World-famous riders display their skills, and members of the public have the opportunity to try one-wheel riding. This festival’s main event include races, competitions, exhibitions, and a variety of unicycle sports including basketball, hockey, and sumo. WHY WE LOVE IT: This is a great opportunity for all ages to try out this unique sport. WANT TO GO? 212-938-0836. nycunifest.com. ››

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Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com BrooklynParent 31

City Parks Foundation Free Summer Sports FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: See website for registration and activity times WHERE: Various parks across the five boroughs, New York City AGES: 5-17 WHAT: This free sports program provides tennis, golf, soccer, track and field, and fitness instruction and use of equipment for more than 14,000 New York City children during the summer months. Lessons for kids are offered at all skill levels on a first come, first served basis. WANT TO GO? 212-353-9585. cityparksfoundation.org.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

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

WHEN: Through Aug. 2: Wednesdays, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Granite Terrace behind Pier 3, Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy storytime with librarians from the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, who read fun stories from their summer reading list and more. WANT TO GO? 718-624-4719. brooklynbridgepark.org.

SummerStage Free Family Workshops FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 12: See website for schedule WHERE: Various parks, see website for locations, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: In addition to concerts, SummerStage will be hosting free workshops in parks all around Brooklyn. Come before select shows to participate in family-friendly workshops, from dance, beatboxing, and DJ classes, to Latin percussion sessions and more. WANT TO GO? cityparksfoundation.org.

NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 10am-5pm WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam is a spectator-judged vintage Volkswagen car show and picnic with nearly 100 Beetles, buses, dune buggies, and other original VW’s circa 1950-1970. WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

New York Junior Tennis Community Tennis Program FREE

WHEN: Aug. 1-31, Monday-Friday, see website for times WHERE: See website for locations across the five boroughs, New York City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Free tennis program that runs during the summer in multiple locations across the five boroughs. Registration is made in person on the day, and child must be present. WANT TO GO? nyjtl.org. 32

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

ANIMAL LOVERS Adoptapalooza FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 12-5pm WHERE: Bartel-Pritchard Square, 15th Street and Prospect Park West, Windsor Terrace AGES: All WHAT: Join the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals for Adoptapalooza featuring wonderful cats, dogs, and sometimes rabbits for adoption from dozens of Alliance Participating Organizations. The event features additional activities including advice on pet care, product giveaways, microchipping, dog licensing, pet photographers, dog performances, and other fun activities for the whole family—two and four-legged alike. WANT TO GO? 212-252-2350. adoptapaloozanyc.org.

Jenkinson’s Penguin Visit

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the biology, geography, care and feeding, and conservation of penguins. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Serpent Day

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Come see the snakes of the zoo outside of their glass tanks. Guess the weight and length of our biggest and smallest snakes for prizes, view snake feedings, and meet with them up close. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Angry Birds Universe

WHEN: Aug. 1-27, Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Attendees can use giant slingshots to launch Angry Birds in this summer exhibition, then test structures they have built by propelling balls adorned with the images of characters from the famous Angry Birds video game. Build and race handheld vehicles, learn about the creation of the Angry Birds video game, and discover real bird characteristics such as egg sizes and wingspan lengths. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Faces From the Southern Ocean

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: View photographs by J.J. L’Heureux featuring some of the world’s most amazing creatures. The portraits feature the faces of unique birds and mammals from Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, and its islands. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-6990005. nysci.org.

DANCE PARTY

‘Victory Dance’

WHEN: Through Aug. 3: Thursdays, 7pm WHERE: The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A series of shows specifically curated to introduce younger audiences to the incredible artistry and diversity of dance in New York City. Each evening will feature a unique program of three different companies. WANT TO GO? $10. 646-223-3065. newvictory.org.

The Little People Party

WHEN: Through Aug. 15: Mondays, 3-5pm; Wednesdays, 9-11am WHERE: The Backyard, 196 N. 14th St., Greenpoint AGES: 3-5 WHAT: The Little People Party is a twice-weekly, daytime playgroup for young children and their caregivers. The giant, enclosed, Astroturf-covered field is decked out with games and toys for kids. WANT TO GO? $10 children. 646-707-4372. facebook.com/thelittlepeopleparty.

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Conroy Warren FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy jazz, calypso, and reggae through singing and dancing in this interactive performance with entertainer Conroy Warren. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Battery Dance Festival FREE

WHEN: Aug. 13-18, Sunday-Friday, 7-9pm WHERE: Robert F. Wagner Park, 20 Battery Place, Lower Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: New York’s longest running public dance festival features dance companies from around the world with diverse dance backgrounds and styles. Enjoy international dance performances in the scenic setting of Wagner Park. WANT TO GO? 212-219-3910. batterydance.org.

B-Boy Royale II

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 27, 7-10pm WHERE: Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place, East Village, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Eight award-winning East Coast crews battle it out for a $5,000 grand prize at the city’s largest annual breakdance competition. Proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-352-3101. mcdonaldsnytristate.com. ››

Aviator After School Program • Busing • Homework Help • Healthy Snacks • Fun Activities like... - Ice Skating - Gymnastics - Rock Climbing - And MORE!

Mention NYMetro Parents and register in full by September 1, 2017, and receive to 2 FREE Holiday Break Camps (single day holidays)

Camps@AviatorSports.com • AviatorCamps.com • (718) 758-7510

BrooklynParent 33

Discover Gardening

WHEN: Through Aug. 23: Wednesdays, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Drop in and practice gardening skills alongside Discovery Docents in the Hamm Children’s Learning Courtyard inside the Discovery Garden. Water and weed fruit and vegetable beds, plant a seed, and learn about what’s growing. WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 12. 718-6237200. bbg.org.

It’s My Park Days 2017 FREE

THE GREAT OUTDOORS FAD Market x Coney Island Art Walls

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 12-7pm WHERE: Coney Island Art Walls, 3050 Stillwell Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Browse the best of New York’s makers and designers against the vibrant backdrop of the Coney Island Art Walls. Discover a specially curated selection of more than 40 independent artists offering jewelry, apparel, bath and body care, tableware, and art. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 917-775-4636. fadmarket.co.

Family Camping FREE

WHEN: Aug. 5-6, Saturday-Sunday, 6pm-7am WHERE: Wolfe’s Pond Park, Cornelia Avenue, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Camping affords us the opportunity to unplug from the diversions of everyday life and to laugh and play with our families. Space is limited and participants are chosen by lottery online. Tents will be provided. WANT TO GO? 718-984-8266. nycgovparks.org.

Family Cooking in the Garden

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Bring the whole family to the Children’s Garden for an afternoon cooking class. Harvest produce from the garden, then try the kitchen tool, techniques, and recipes in the Children’s Garden that will also keep kids engaged in the home kitchen. The group will prepare one farm-fresh entree and one dessert to share. WANT TO GO? $17. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Free Family Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 19 1-4pm WHERE: The Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, Canarsie AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy engaging, kid-friendly tours, hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, and more. If the weather’s nice, bring a picnic and enjoy our grounds before or after your visit to the house. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Aug. 24: Saturdays, see website for times WHERE: Various parks, see website for addresses, New York City AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Volunteers will participate in a citywide effort to care for our green spaces with brooms, shovels, rakes, and trash grabbers during It’s My Park projects. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Journey to the Stars FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 24: Thursdays, 8:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Amateur Astronomers will guide your eyes across the sky as you discover the wonders of the universe. WANT TO GO? 718-802-0603. brooklynbridgepark.org.

South Beach Fireworks FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 30: Wednesdays, dusk WHERE: South Beach, Father Capodanno Boulevard and Sand Lane, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The ever-popular fireworks will light up the sky, the Boardwalk Grill is open, Uncle Louie G’s ices are cooling, the cotton candy and popcorn carts are ready to roll, and warm weather fun is just getting started at the boardwalk. WANT TO GO? 718-816-6804. boardwalkdays.com.

Karaoke and Fireworks FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 1: Fridays, 9:30pm WHERE: Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, West 10th Street and Surf Avenue, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy singing karaoke with family and friends on the Coney Island Boardwalk in front of Deno’s Wonder Wheel, then watch the fireworks illuminate the sky. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8993. coneyislandfunguide.com.

Anish Kapoor: Descension FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 10: daily, 9am-9pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 1 Entrance, 334 Furman St., DUMBO AGES: All WHAT: World-renowned artist Anish Kapoor’s Descension comes to New York for the first time as part of Public Art Fund’s 40th anniversary season. Through the piece, Kapoor blurs the boundaries between nature, landscape, and art, allowing us to perceive space differently. WANT TO GO? 347-683-7028. brooklynbridgepark.org.

WHAT: The Village Community Boathouse is offering free public rowing on Prospect Park Lake this summer. WANT TO GO? 212-229-2059. prospectpark.org.

Big and Little Skills Academy Basketball Clinics FREE

MOVERS & SHAKERS Brooklyn Cyclones: Kids Only Giveaway Sundays

WHEN: Through Aug. 27: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-7pm; Sundays, 12-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2, Clark and Furman streets, Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Join Big and Little Skills Academy for dynamic youth basketball clinics on Pier 2 that include either yoga to enhance flexibility or flag football for agility training. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Double Dutch FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 6: Sundays, see website for schedule WHERE: MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Catch a Brooklyn Cyclones game and your kids can participate in special giveaways. WANT TO GO? $10-$17. 718-372-5596. brooklyncyclones.com.

WHEN: Through Aug. 30: Wednesdays, 7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2, Clark and Furman streets, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn to double Dutch jump rope in a block party environment with experienced Brooklyn-based Double Dutch Empire instructors. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Summer Playstreets Program 2017 FREE

Pop-Up Pool FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Monday-Thursday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Various venues citywide, see website for addresses, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: The Police Athletic League will close off streets and use playgrounds and parks throughout New York City to provide children with safe, supervised places to enjoy outdoor summer activities. Kids can take part in double Dutch jump rope, hopscotch, nok hockey, and basketball, along with music, arts and crafts, music, and dance. WANT TO GO? 212-477-9450. palnyc.org.

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 9:30am WHERE: USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Road, Flushing, Queens AGES: All WHAT: The day features a ticketed Stadium Show and concert preceded by a free Grounds Festival, which includes interactive games, face painting, music, and tennis clinics, along with a chance to get up close and personal with the biggest stars of tennis. WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 718-760-6200. arthurashekidsday.com.

Kayaking FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Saturdays, 10am-3pm; Thursdays, 5:306:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2 Dock, Furman and Clark streets, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Glide along the water while kayaking with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse at the Pier 2 floating dock. Children younger than 18 must have an adult guardian present. All levels are welcome and no experience is necessary. WANT TO GO? 718-802-0603. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Rowing on Prospect Park Lake FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Saturdays, 12-4pm WHERE: The Well House, 200 Well House Drive, Prospect Park AGES: 5 and older

WHEN: Through Sept. 4: daily, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Brooklyn Bridge Park provides a great way to beat the summer heat with the Pop-Up Pool near Pier 2. Swimmers of all ages and levels are welcome to enter for 45-minute sessions. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Yoga in the Garden FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 6: Wednesdays, 7pm WHERE: Kosciuszko Garden Learning Center, 385 Kosciuszko St., Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Join free yoga classes in the garden every Wednesday. The classes are taught by a certified yoga instructor. WANT TO GO? 718-453-9490. greenthumbnyc.org.

New York Road Runners Open Run FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 27: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Open Run is a community-based initiative that empowers local volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks all over NYC. All runs are directed by volunteers, and courses are usually between 2½-3 miles. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, and dogs. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

SPARK by Brooklyn Children’s Museum

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday and Friday-Sunday, 1-5pm; Wednesday, 1-3pm; Thursday, 1-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 John St., DUMBO AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: SPARK is an art and play space located in Brooklyn Bridge Park and features an outpost of the popular Brooklyn Block Lab exhibit, as well as daily art and design workshops, music classes, birthday parties, and more. WANT TO GO? $15; free on Thursdays. 718-624-4719. brooklynkids.org. ›› BrooklynParent 35

Live at the Archway Series FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 28: Thursdays, 6pm WHERE: Archway under the Manhattan Bridge, Pearl and Water streets, DUMBO AGES: All WHAT: This 17-week concert series showcases the best of DUMBO and Brooklyn talent, presenting a broad range of music and performance genres. WANT TO GO? dumbo.is.

MINI

MUSICIANS Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Shine and the Moonbeams FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Shine and the Moonbeams create a soulful musical extravaganza that captures the sweetness, uncertainty, and simplicity of youth. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Music in the Grove: Kids Concerts

WHEN: June 21-Aug. 2, Wednesdays, 10am FREE WHERE: Fort Greene Park, Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park, Fort Greene AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy family-friendly music every Wednesday in the park featuring popular NYC kids entertainers. WANT TO GO? 347-559-5142. fortgreenepark.org.

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Alphabet Rockers FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 8, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Alphabet Rockers make learning come alive through the beats, rhymes, moves, and the community of hip-hop. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Alex Mitnick & the Kaleidoscope FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 22, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Emmy Award-winning children’s entertainer Alex Mitnick guides us on a journey that leads to all the treasures of the world. Songs unfold like storybooks, captivating young minds and stirring their imaginations. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

The Rock and Roll Playhouse Presents Sunset Sounds FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 23: Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday, see website for times WHERE: Industry City, 241 37th St., Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Industry City and The Rock and Roll Playhouse teams up for Sunset Sounds, a new series of free shows for music lovers of all kinds. The Rock and Roll Playhouse will hold court on Wednesdays and Saturdays for family concerts and family-friendly DJ dance parties, and popular bands will be featured on Thursdays, offering funk, soul, rock, and more. WANT TO GO? 917-679-5306. brooklynbowl.com. 36

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

ON SCREEN Movies Under the Stars Presents ‘The Wiz’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 7, 7:30pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Bring a blanket or low chair to enjoy a free screening of this family-friendly movie. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nyc.gov/parks.

SummerScreen Film Series FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: Wednesdays, 8pm WHERE: McCarren Park, North 12th Street and Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Now in it’s 12th year, SummerScreen is Brooklyn’s longest running film and music series, bringing crowds to enjoy a lineup of cult classic movies, live music, and food and drink from local vendors. See website for schedule. WANT TO GO? 718-965-6580. summerscreen.org.

A Summer Movie Under the Stars FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: Wednesdays, 7pm WHERE: Prospect Park - Long Meadow North, Grand Army Plaza entrance, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Prospect Park’s 150th Anniversary with park-themed films. Join the Park Alliance and Nitehawk Cinemas and watch The Neverending Story, The Sandlot, Moonrise Kingdom, and Zootopia. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8951. prospectpark.org.

13th Annual Free SummerStarz Movies: ‘Grease’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 11, 8pm WHERE: Transmitter Park, Greenpoint Avenue and East River Waterfront, Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: Bring a picnic blanket, friends, and family to Transmitter Park to watch Grease. WANT TO GO? 347-987-2765. townsquareinc.com.

Outdoor Movie Night FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 20: Sundays, 8:30pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, Field 81, Randall’s Island AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Catch outdoor movies surrounded by great views from Randall’s Island every other Sunday. Watch A League of Their Own on Aug. 6 and Motorcycle Diaries on Aug. 20. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.

Movies Under the Stars Presents: ‘Jungle Book’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 21, 7:30pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Bring a blanket or low chair to watch a free screening of this family-friendly movie. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nyc.gov/parks.

Movies with a View FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 24: Thursdays, 6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9 and older WHAT: There is no better place to be on a hot summer night than watching a classic film under the Brooklyn Bridge. Watch 9 to 5 on Aug. 3; 42 on Aug. 10; Mad Max: Fury Road on Aug. 17; and Public Vote on Aug. 24. WANT TO GO? 718-624-4719. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Summer Movie Express

WHEN: Through Aug. 30: Tuesday-Wednesday, 10am WHERE: UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium, 3907 Shore Parkway, Sheepshead Bay AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Enjoy fun family-friendly movies this summer. The same two movies play on both days and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute. WANT TO GO? $1. regmovies.com.

Movie Night FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 8: Fridays, 8:30pm WHERE: Narrows Botanical Garden, Shore Road between Bay Ridge Avenue and 72nd Street, Bay Ridge AGES: 9 and older WHAT: With views overlooking the New York Bay, it’s the perfect location to enjoy a sunset screening of a great film. See website for schedule. WANT TO GO? narrowsbg.org.

Movie Night

WHEN: Through Oct. 29: Sundays, 8pm WHERE: Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Habana Outpost presents movies under the stars every Sunday at 8pm. See website for schedule. WANT TO GO? Free with food or drink order. 718-858-9500. habanaoutpost.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS NYSoM Back To School Anti Bullying Family Health Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 2-6pm WHERE: Raymond Bush Playground, Monroe Street between Throop Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard, Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: All WHAT: NYSoM presents a late summer back to school healthy experience for the whole family. Activities include free school supplies, music, a Pokemon scavenger hunt, anti-bullying workshops, health care screenings and information, and artisan markets. WANT TO GO? nysomgroup.org.

Community Day FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 5pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy an afternoon of inflatables, games, music, face painting, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nyc.gov/parks.

Summer Streets 2017 FREE

WHEN: Aug. 5-19, Saturdays, 7am-1pm WHERE: Between Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park along Park Avenue and connecting streets, Lafayette Street and Park Avenue up to 72nd Street, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: For three Saturdays in a row, 7 miles of Manhattan’s streets will be closed off to traffic, giving you the chance to explore and take part in the numerous fun activities on offer. WANT TO GO? nyc.gov.

The Battle of Brooklyn: Tales and Tunes FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 7-10pm WHERE: Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights AGES: All WHAT: Stroll Green-Wood’s dusk-lit landscape as Revolutionary War re-enactors illuminate life at the time of our country’s battle for survival: setting up camp, cooking, socializing, and steeling themselves for the next day’s battle. There will be dance demonstrations, festive music, 18th-century food to sample, and storytelling about battles won and lost. WANT TO GO? $25; free for children younger than 5. 718-210-3080. green-wood.com.

Back to School Carnival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 11am-2pm WHERE: Ocean Breeze Park, 625 Father Capodanno Blvd., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the end of summer with a carnival-inspired afternoon of family fun and games, with school-themed prizes and giveaways. WANT TO GO? 718-351-7923. nycgovparks.org.

Kids Food Festival 2017

WHEN: Aug. 26-27, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: See website for address, New York City AGES: All WHAT: Come and celebrate the joy of cooking and eating at this fun food festival just for kids and their families. Full lineup to be announced, but expect workshops, demos, performances, and tasty treats. WANT TO GO? $25 workshop admission. 212-768-4242. kidsfoodfestival.com. ››

BrooklynParent 37

SMARTY PANTS Teen Night: We Wanted a Revolution FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 11, 5-7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: This month’s event features the special exhibition We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85 and is highlighted along with live music, dance performances, art-making, workshops, and refreshments. WANT TO GO? 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Artist’s Eye: Kameelah Janan Rasheed

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 2-3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This series of intimate, in-gallery talks by contemporary artists illuminates special exhibitions with fresh and alternative perspectives. Kameelah Janan Rasheed responds to artists in the exhibition We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85. WANT TO GO? $16; free for children 19 and younger. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Get into high gear and play the part of your favorite safety hero in an emergency. Learn what you can do in a real-life emergency as you call 911, crawl under smoke, plan your escape, and more. WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 2. 718-907-8833. jcm.museum.

Behind the Scenes at Lefferts

Sunset TankerTime, Second Sundays FREE

WHEN: Aug. 13-15, Sunday-Tuesday, 1pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Flatbush AGES: 5 and older WHAT: In honor of the park’s 150th anniversary, Prospect Park Alliance is offering a special tour of this 18th century farmhouse. Learn about its Dutch-American architecture and the changing landscape of Brooklyn, then explore the storage areas to view rarely seen collection items. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Traveling in the New York City of Tomorrow

WHEN: Aug. 19-27, Saturday-Sunday, 1:30-2:15pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Downtown Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Take a look at some practical and fantastical transportation technology ideas, then use craft materials to design vehicles for the 21st century and beyond. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Summer Safety Event

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Monday-Thursday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This annual safety event features a number of temporary exhibits, including a yellow bus photo booth complete with safety information and tips. Kids also get the opportunity to meet and interact with community heroes and safety personnel including policemen, firefighters, paramedics, and military servicemen. WANT TO GO? $13; free for children 2 and younger. 718-467-0600. jcm.museum.

Kids to the Rescue

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights 38

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Sept. 10: Sundays, 5pm-12am WHERE: Aboard the Mary A. Whalen, 190 Pioneer St., Red Hook AGES: All WHAT: During TankerTime, PortSide NewYork opens the main deck of the tanker Mary A. Whalen to the public for passive enjoyment. Hammocks, tables, chairs, stools, info about the ship, and books from the maritime library to read while aboard will be provided. WANT TO GO? 917-414-0565. portsidenewyork.org/summer-2017.

Library Lab: Coding FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 20: Wednesdays, 4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with fun, free activities that will spark curiosity through hands-on experiments. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Train Operators Workshop

WHEN: Through Dec. 23: Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Downtown Brooklyn AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop by the Computer Lab to take control of a NYC Subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track in this realistic game. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-694-1792. nytransitmuseum.org.

Brooklyn Block Lab and Studio

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Visitors of all ages develop their engineering skills as they engage in open block play with large Imagination Playground blocks and table-top sized Kapla Planks and Magnatiles, as well as artist James Paulius’ house-shaped wooden blocks and pegs from his installation Sky Village. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

SHOW TIME! ‘Madagascar’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a live performance of this popular comedy adventure from Plaza Theatrical Productions. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nycgovparks.org.

Patty Cake Theatre Presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 6pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy this enchanting classic fairy tale with a modern twist. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nycgovparks.org.

‘The Reluctant Dragon’

WHEN: Through Aug. 20: See website for schedule WHERE: Puppetworks, 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy Kenneth Grahame’s 1898 English mystery The Reluctant Dragon. The show was adapted for marionettes by Michael Leach. WANT TO GO? $10; $9 for children younger than 12. 718-9653391. puppetworks.org.

‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’

WHEN: Through Aug. 27: See website for schedule WHERE: Puppetworks, 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy Robert Southey’s beloved folktale from 1837: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The show was adapted for hand puppets by Jack Kaplan. WANT TO GO? $10; $9 for children younger than 12. 718-9653391. puppetworks.org.

BK Block Parties FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 16: Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Albee Square, Fulton Mall, Fulton and Bond streets, Downtown Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Once a month, bring the kids for live music, face painting, balloon animals, and more. This month, see the Burdetsky Family Circus: an amazing family circus featuring contortionists and dancing dog acts. WANT TO GO? 212-889-0808. downtownbrooklyn.com.

Magic at Coney

WHEN: Through Dec. 17: Sundays, 12pm WHERE: Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a magical variety show highlighting a vast array of magicians and featuring illusionists, escape artists, and mentalists from around the world. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 for children 12 and younger. 718-372-5159. coneyisland.com.

CityParks Puppetmobile: ‘Cinderella Samba’ FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: See website for schedule WHERE: Various NYC parks throughout Brooklyn and Staten Island, see website for locations, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: As Brazil continues to celebrate the 100th anniversary of samba, the CityParks PuppetMobile will bring the magic and grandeur of Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Carnaval festivities to neighborhood parks across the five boroughs with free performances of Cinderella Samba. WANT TO GO? cityparksfoundation.org.

Coming up next month: SEPT. 2-4: Richmond County Fair at Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island SEPT. 16: Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day at MetroTech Commons, Downtown Brooklyn SEPT. 24: 43rd Annual Atlantic Antic street festival along Atlantic Avenue from 4th Avenue to Hicks Street

BrooklynParent 39

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Pick Your Own Berries

››

Research by Jaime Bonchick and Amanda Marrone

Enjoy the sweet fruits of summer by picking your own berries at a local farm! Kids will love plucking fresh strawberries, blackberries, and even cherries straight from the bush. Many of these farms also have farm stands at which you can purchase pre-picked fruits, baked goods, and fresh juices. Want even more farm fun? Lots of our picks offer hayrides and activities to keep kids busy after they’ve collected their basket of fruit. Note: Dates and availability are projected. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these farms.

Long Island Patty’s Berries and Bunches 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck 631-298-4679 pattysberriesandbunches.com pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com Open daily, 9am-6pm (U-pick closes at 5:30pm) Pick your own strawberries in June; raspberries and blueberries July through mid-August; and blackberries through August. Seasonal pre-picked flowers and homemade ice cream for sale. Seven Ponds Orchard 65 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill 631-726-8015

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own raspberries and blackberries July-November, blueberries also available. Apple picking begins the end of August and continues through November. Also offers on-site market with baked goods and jams, children’s play area, and corn maze. Wickham Farms 28700 Main Road (Route 25), Cutchogue 631-734-6441 wickhamsfruitfarm.com Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm; farm stand open MondaySaturday, 9am-5pm; tours are available by appointment Monday-Friday. Pick your own raspberries and blueberries in July; raspberries, cherries, blackberries, and peaches through August; apples and

nymetroparents.com/where-to pumpkins in September and October. (Note: Berry seasons may be early this year due to weather conditions.) Windy Acres 3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton 631-727-4554 Open Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm Pick your own blackberries, peaches, and nectarines through August. Also has a farm stand with pre-picked fruits and vegetables, jams, and pies.

Pick your own raspberries in mid-July and August; blackberries will be available in mid-August. Blueberries also available. On-site store with pre-picked veggies, local maple syrup, baked goods, snacks, and cider. Kelder’s Farm & U-Pick 5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson

845-626-7137; kelderfarm.com Open daily, 10am-6pm Pick your own blueberries, raspberries, red currants, blackberries, melons, grapes, apples, pumpkins, and a variety of vegetables through

October. Petting zoo, minigolf, hayrides, jumping pillow, and picnicking available, as well as an on-site store with pre-picked produce, ice cream, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, and more.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/berries

Orange County Ochs Orchard 4 Ochs Lane (off Reservoir Road, Route 94), Warwick 845-986-1591; ochsorchard.net Open daily, 9am-5pm (subject to availability) Pick your own strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and raspberries daily through October. Farm stand with prepicked produce open daily, 9am-6pm.

CBE

KIDS

After School Center

Dutchess County Greig Farm 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook 845-758-1234; greigfarm.com Open daily, 8am-8pm Pick your own blueberries in July; blueberries and blackberries in August; and apples in September. Nursery and garden shop on-site. Kids can feed goats and visit the koi fish pond behind Grandiflora Nursery. The Hudson Valley Farmers Market at the Grieg Farm is open every Saturday, 10am-3pm, offering local vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheeses, meats, fish, flowers, and more from local Hudson Valley Farms.

Ulster County Jenkins-Lueken Orchards Route 299 West, New Paltz 845-255-0999; jlorchards.com Open daily, 9am-6pm

2017 Fall Term REGISTRATION FORMS We start Monday, September 11th for the 2017-2018 season. Register Now! www.congregationbethelohim.org/afterschool

Come Enjoy Our Classes in:

Chess, Sewing, Swimming, Sports, Art, Video, Computers, Bit Bots, Hands on Science, Gymnastics, Theater and Much More! DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SERVICES Bobbie Finkelstein 718.768.3814 ext. 210 bfinkelstein@cbebk.org

Congregation Beth Elohim (After School Programs) 274 Garfield Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215 BrooklynParent 41

Lilianne Gering will be attending Muhlenberg College this fall as a double major in business and dance.

From Extracurricular to Extra Cash ››

Whether your kid is committed to sports, the arts, or even community service, here’s how to turn that passion for after-school activities into a college scholarship By Samantha Neudorf

enna Turato, a rising junior at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, knew she wanted to go to college at a young age and knew she could use softball to get there. Turato began playing softball when she was in third grade and watched her older sister play softball and receive a scholarship to college, so she seized the opportunity once it was her turn to apply. An accounting major who lives in her hometown of Garden City South, Turato currently is a pitcher for the Molloy Lions softball team and receives a $7,000 scholarship each year for athletics and academics. “I realized how much softball could really make a difference in my college experience,” Turato says. It’s no secret college is expensive—and, with tuition costs rising, continually getting more out of reach for many families, especially low-income ones. Overall college enrollment declined by 3 percent between 2008 and 2013, falling from 68.6 percent to 65.9 percent, according to an annual survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. The most dramatic decline happened among low-income families, dropping from 55.9 percent to 45.5 percent. Many families may not be able to afford college without assistance, and this is where scholarships for academics or afterschool activities can help to make it more attainable—and even, in some cases, tuition free. (These are separate from the need-based financial and student loans many families rely on to afford college.) 42

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Alexandra Timoshenko graduated from Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville in June and will be attending Molloy College in the fall to study music therapy. She is enrolled in the dual-degree honors program and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship because of her committed involvement in afterschool activities. In fact, Timoshenko received full-tuition scholarships at all of the schools she applied to, including Belmont University, the State University of New York at Fredonia, and Seton Hill University. In high school, Timoshenko was captain of the cross-country and track teams and participated in the jazz ensemble and band, along with a band program outside of school. On top of that, she took numerous Advanced Placement and honors courses and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She attributes her success in obtaining the scholarship to her work ethic. “Everything I did I poured myself into one hundred percent, and all that hard work paid off,” Timoshenko says. Lilianne Gering, a recent graduate from Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, was awarded various scholarships to attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, in the honors program as a double major in dance and business. Gering received merit scholarships, dance talent scholarships, and a scholarship from the Italian Genealogical Group for research on her Italian heritage. In total, she was awarded $38,000. “I was very excited and also

a little shocked because I figured I’d get [scholarships], but I was surprised at how much I got,” she says. Gering started taking dance lessons when she was little and was a part of the Spotlight Dance Studio in Wantagh for 15 years, where she did ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, and kickline. Along with dancing there six days a week and teaching classes, she performed in her school’s production of The Nutcracker during each of her four years there. With two other girls, Gering was co-president of the production in her senior year, as well as the choreographer, director, and a lead role. Gering advises students who are interested in applying for talent scholarships to become very involved with the activities about which they are passionate and to take on leadership positions in high school. “Colleges really want to see students who have leadership potential and the ability to lead and take on new roles within their school,” she says.

The Journey to a Scholarship

No one says it’s easy to earn these scholarships, as these successful teens’ stories attest. All require a strong commitment and passion—not just for the activities themselves but also for the sometimes-arduous college recruitment and scholarship application processes. In order for Turato to have been recruited to play softball at Molloy, she played on a travel team and at recruiting tournaments, to which college coaches are invited in order to decide who will receive offers and scholarships. According to National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, only Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships; Division III schools do not. For fine arts areas such as dance, theater, music, and art, students must submit a sample of their work or audition in person. Gering attended an in-person audition to be considered for a dance scholarship at Muhlenberg. Dance scholarships range from $1,000 to $4,000 a year at Muhlenberg and vary at other schools. When applying for merit-based scholarships, students must follow detailed instructions for submitting the required documents, such as a resume, essay, and transcript. Students should speak to their guidance counselor or teacher for recommendations on scholarships for which they should apply. John Rodis, music department chair at Long Island Lutheran High School, teaches AP Music Theory and symphonic band and prepares students for college through his program. His students follow the New York State School Music Association track, which is the New York affiliate of the National Association for Music Education to evaluate student musicians from elementary through high school. Rodis helps his students prepare for the final level of NYSSMA, which is to audition for the all-state level. Passing this level means that the student is able to read college-level music. When students go through this program with Rodis, they have more opportunities to apply for music scholarships. “These NYSSMA pieces themselves are great vehicles for college auditions,” Rodis says. “If the opportunity [to apply for a scholarship] presents itself to you, you will be prepared.”

A College’s Decision

Colleges, of course, factor in grades and standardized test scores when making admissions decisions, but they also review an applicant’s resume to be considered for various scholarships the institution offers. Marguerite Lane, the director of admissions at Molloy College, says an applicant’s activity involvement comes into consideration if

a student did average on SAT or ACT scores. “The reality is that the students who are the busiest are usually the ones that are the most successful, even in their academic subjects,” Lane says. “They learn very valuable time management skills at a young age that will be very transferable for when they come to college.” And it’s not just sports and the arts that can win a committed high school student tuition relief for college. Many schools also offer community service-based scholarships. Molloy’s range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year and are awarded to students who have served their schools and communities. “We are a mission-based institution and we recognize that [community service is] that component that’s equally as important [as academics],” Lane says. Manhattanville College in Purchase offers community service scholarships starting at $2,000 as well. Nikhil Kumar, vice president of undergraduate enrollment management at Manhattanville, says students with more extracurricular activities on their resumes are favored because national data proves those students are likely to be involved and engaged on campus. “Some would argue that you learn just as much outside of the classroom, if not more, just by having those kinds of experiences,” Kumar says. “It’s teaching you life lessons and humility to give back and get involved.” Involvement in an extracurricular activity in high school does not just translate into potential scholarships; it may also help students transition into college life because they can make friends with people from that same group or team. “It helps them adapt to their new environment,” Kumar says. Kumar suggests applicants research the college and engage with the admissions office or faculty in their area of interest. For example, Turato kept in contact with Molloy coaches and made herself visible at recruiting tournaments while on her travel team. An institution tends to be more interested in a student if that student shows an interest in that institution, Kumar says. “It shows what we call demonstrated interested, and that always weighs heavily in the admissions process.” continued on next page ››

SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST There are many types of scholarships out there to apply for, if you do your research. Here are the requirements that are typically needed for any type of scholarship: • Essay • Letters of recommendation • Resume • Test scores • Transcript Performing arts scholarships, including dance, music, art, and theater, require all of the above, but also: • Audition video (if you cannot attend in-person) • Portfolio of work Athletic scholarships are different than the other types of scholarships because coaches recruit the students they want on their teams. Here is what a coach looks for in a student athlete, along with the requirements from above: • Highlight video • Communication with the coach via phone or email • Attendance in summer camps or showcases BrooklynParent 43

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE ‹‹ continued from previous page

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When seeking scholarships, Lane advises students to find opportunities beyond the colleges, such as scholarships offered by nonprofit and community organizations. “Students don’t realize that if they sit down and take the time to write that five hundred- or one thousand-word essay, it can really help offset their college education costs,” Lane says. “It’s really well-worth applying for as many scholarships as they are qualified for because those independent scholarships can really help them, even if it’s with books for the semester or travel expenses.” Some of Lane’s suggestions include researching Awana clubs, Knights of Columbus, local churches and foundations, and opportunities from parents’ employers for scholarships. When applying, she also says students should thoroughly explain how deeply they have been involved in outside activities. For example, if a student volunteered at a church, it is better to specify how many hours for however many months she did so, rather than just saying she did volunteer work generally. “Show the level of commitment and how it impacts your life and how that has made you ready for college and for life,” Lane says. All that effort and passion for after-school activities just may pay off and make college more financially attainable.

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The Dangers of Dry & Secondary Drowning ››

What to watch out for even after children leave the pool By Stacey Pfeffer

here’s nothing better than swimming in a cool pool during the scorching days of summer. But parents can be forgiven for being wary after reading recent headlines about children who’ve died from a condition called secondary drowning—including a Texas toddler, Frankie Delgado, who lost his life a full week after getting knocked over by a wave at the beach. How can this happen? And more importantly, how can parents make sure their little ones are safe after exiting the water? While secondary and dry drowning make up only 1-2 percent of all drowning deaths, it’s important for parents to know the symptoms, because they can be life-threatening. Secondary drowning and dry drowning are two similar but technically different conditions that can affect anyone, although children are especially vulnerable. As the names imply, both affect their victims after they’ve left the pool, usually with no idea anything is wrong. Symptoms of dry drowning typically occur immediately after any incident in the water, while secondary drowning usually begins later, within one to 24 hours after exiting the water—but it can progress over one to two days, or, as in Frankie Delgado’s case, several days. “Children are more prone to dry and secondary drowning because of their small size, stature, and immature gag reflex,” says Robert Glatter, M.D., an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. Toddlers, especially, may be at heightened risk because they don’t know to keep their mouths closed or how to blow bubbles in the water.

Symptoms

Secondary drowning happens when someone inadvertently swallows too much water and it goes into his lungs. Patients suffering from secondary drowning may feel tired after a short period in the water, have a dry cough, and complain of chest pain. These symptoms can progress over a longer period of time as the child loses oxygen in his blood, a condition known as hypoxia, according to Dr. Glatter. While many pools post rules prohibiting horseplay and dunking other people in the water, parents should emphasize this safety lesson to all children because just a few mouthfuls of water

accidentally swallowed can lead to water entering the lungs. Symptoms of dry drowning are much more profound and develop suddenly, with a spasm of the vocal cords causing them to snap shut. The child cannot get any air in or out and her breathing will sound high-pitched. Wheezing often occurs due to a blockage in the airway and she may turn blue as well. “This child should be taken to the emergency room immediately so that he or she does not asphyxiate,” Dr. Glatter says.

Treatment

While there are no medications for secondary or dry drowning, the treatment is close observation. If necessary, a breathing tube may have to be inserted if oxygen levels drop. Parents should keep a close eye on their child for 24 hours after he may have swallowed water during swimming or had any difficulty breathing in the water. If symptoms do develop, bring your child to the emergency room immediately instead of a doctor’s office or urgent care facility. In the ER, she will have access to an immediate chest X-ray, IV placement, and advanced airway support such as a breathing tube or respirator.

Prevention

The vast majority of children recover from dry or secondary drowning, despite the terrifying headlines about toddler deaths. However, the best way to avoid these conditions altogether is to teach kids water safety and to remain constantly vigilant as caregivers. Babies as young as 6 months can begin taking water safety classes. Children should never swim alone, and parents or caregivers should keep a close eye on them at all times. Dr. Glatter also warns parents to not use their phones or any social media while your child is in or near the water. As tempting as it may be to take a video of your child enjoying pool time, he says, “it’s a diversion, and parents must remain cognizant of the risk of secondary and dry drowning. Take all of that attention and focus on your child and remember that drownings can even occur in shallow water—including bathtubs, sinks, toilet bowls, and small plastic pools.” Stacey Pfeffer is a writer based in Chappaqua.

BrooklynParent 47

FOOD & NUTRITION

Bring Shake Shack to Your Kitchen ››

Rather than wait on line for what feels like hours, you can make the NYC chain’s customer favorites at home. The ShackBurger

Okay, here’s our sacred cow! Makes 4

Most likely the reason you have this book in your hands—our version of the great American cheeseburger. Like all deceptively simple things, it took us years to get it right, but now you can master burger perfection in five minutes. 4 hamburger potato buns 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 4 tablespoons ShackSauce (recipe on opposite page) 4 pieces green leaf lettuce

8 ¼-inch slices ripe plum tomato 1 pound very cold ground beef, divided into 4 pucks ½ teaspoon Our Salt & Pepper Mix (recipe on opposite page) 4 slices American cheese

1. H eat a cast-iron griddle over medium-low heat until warm. Meanwhile, open the hamburger buns and brush the insides with the melted butter. A soft brush is helpful here. Place the buns buttered side down on the griddle and toast until golden

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer buns to a plate. Spoon the ShackSauce onto the top bun. Add a piece of the lettuce and two slices of tomato. 2. I ncrease the heat to medium and heat the griddle until hot, 2-3 minutes. 3. Evenly sprinkle a pinch of Our Salt & Pepper Mix on top of each puck of meat. 4. Place the pucks on the griddle, seasoned side down. Using a large, sturdy metal spatula, firmly smash each puck into a 1/ 3-inch-thick round patty. Pressing down on the spatula with another stiff spatula helps flatten the burger quickly. Evenly sprinkle another big pinch of Our Salt & Pepper Mix. 5. Cook the burgers, resisting the urge to move them, until the edges beneath are brown and crisp, and juices on the surface are bubbling hot, approximately 2½ minutes. Slide one of the spatulas beneath the burger to release it from the griddle and scrape up the caramelized browned crust. Use the other spatula to steady the burger and keep it from sliding. Flip the burgers. Put the cheese on top and cook the burgers 1 minute longer for medium. Cook more or less depending on your preference. 6. Transfer the cheeseburgers to the prepared buns and enjoy.

Our Salt & Pepper Mix

‘Shroom Burger Makes 4

We knew that our idea of a community gathering place meant we wanted to offer our vegetarian guests more than just fries to munch on. We set out to create a vegetarian experience even meat eaters would crave. Hence the ’Shroom Burger’s crispy mushroom halves surrounding a creamy, cheesy filling. After it became so popular, we created the Shack Stack, piling a ’Shroom Burger atop a ShackBurger, so our meat-loving friends can get in on the ’Shroom action. For the mushroom caps: 4 4-inch portabello mushroom caps ¼ cup canola oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1/ 8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1½ cups flour 3 eggs 2 cups panko breadcrumbs For the filling: 1½ cups grated muenster ½ cup grated cheddar ½ teaspoon minced onion

teaspoon minced garlic ¼ teaspoon flour 1 egg yolk 1 pinch cayenne 1/ 8

To cook and assemble the mushroom burgers: Canola oil for deep-frying Kosher salt 4 tablespoons ShackSauce (recipe at right) 4 hamburger potato buns, toasted 4 pieces green leaf lettuce 8 ¼-inch slices ripe plum tomato

1. For the mushroom caps, preheat the oven to 375°F. Put mushroom caps on a medium baking pan. Rub caps all over with the oil, then season both sides with the salt and pepper. Arrange mushrooms gill side down in a single layer and roast until tender, 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Slice mushrooms in half horizontally. 2. Put the flour in a wide dish, beat the eggs in another wide dish, and put the panko in a third wide dish and set aside. 3. For the filling, mix together the muenster and cheddar cheeses, onion, garlic, flour, egg yolk, and cayenne in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside. 4. Shape the filling into four equal disks, ½ inch smaller in diameter than the mushroom caps. Place cheese disks on gill side of each mushroom cap, cover with other half of cap, cut side down, and gently press together to secure the filling. 5. Dredge the stuffed mushroom caps in the flour, then dip in the beaten egg, coating them completely, then dredge in the panko. Set prepared mushrooms on a plate and refrigerate while heating the oil to deep-fry them. 6. To cook the mushroom burgers, pour the oil into a deep, wide pot to a depth of 3 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 350°F on a candy thermometer. Deep-fry the prepared mushrooms, one or two at a time, until golden brown and crisp all over, 3-4 minutes. Transfer mushrooms with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels. Season with salt. 7. Spoon the ShackSauce onto the top bun. Add a piece of lettuce and two slices of tomato. 8. Transfer the mushroom burgers to the prepared buns. Enjoy!

We mix ½ cup kosher salt with ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper and use that mixture to season our burgers as they cook. You’ll see we call for a pinch or two of the mixture in every recipe.

ShackSauce

Makes approximately ½ cup Long ago we threw away the key to the secret recipe for ShackSauce; but we promise to get you really close with ingredients easily found in your kitchen. ½ cup Hellman’s mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¾ teaspoon Heinz ketchup

¼ teaspoon kosher dill pickling brine Pinch of cayenne pepper

Put all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Sauce will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Cheese Sauce

Makes approximately 6 cups 1 tablespoon canola oil ½ onion, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick 6 thin slices jalapeño 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons white wine 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups grated American cheese 2 cups grated cheddar

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, jalapeños, peppercorns, and salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the vinegar and wine, and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the cream. Remove the pan from the heat and let the cream steep for 30 minutes to build flavor. 2. Return the saucepan to the stove and heat over medium heat until very warm (don’t let it come to a boil). 3. Meanwhile, put the American and cheddar cheeses into a large heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream through a strainer (to remove the solids) over the cheeses, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth, approximately 3 minutes. Sauce will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to one week. You can easily reheat the sauce in a microwave or over a pot of gently simmering hot water.

Reprinted from Shake Shack. Copyright © 2017 by Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC. Principal photographs copyright © 2017 by Christopher Hirsheimer. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

BrooklynParent 49

PartyCentral Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly Serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. PARTY PLACES ART FUN STUDIO 547 92nd St. 718-680-0508 artfunstudio.com alla@artfunstudio.com Canvas and ceramic painting art studio in Brooklyn. Plan a child’s budget-friendly birthday party or adult’s Sip and Paint event, check our classes or just walk in for spontaneous fun! Seventy five-star reviews on Google and Yelp. Fun and creative packages for all ages. AVIATOR SPORTS AND EVENTS CENTER 3159 Flatbush Ave. 718-758-7551 aviatorsports.com/birthday-parties There are nine birthday party packages at Aviator Sports that make it easy to create a memorable birthday party for children. All parties include a private

party room throughout the duration of the party, and a dedicated party host! BOUNCEU 6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th Street and 9th Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-5867 bounceu.com/brooklyn-ny BounceU, the premier birthday party and play experience in all of Brooklyn. We’re a 30,000-square-foot indoor recreational facility with “YUGE” inflatable play equipment. KIDS ‘N ACTION 1149 McDonald Ave. 718-377-1818 kidsnaction.com steven@kidsnaction.com Fun and thrills are what your kids will have at Kids ‘N Action. Kids never get bored enjoying our thrilling indoor roller coaster, amusing winding train, exciting go-karts, and action-filled arcade games. Parties include unlimited soft play and rides. WHEEL FUN RENTALS - MARINE PARK Avenue U and East 33rd Street, Marine Park 917-533-6196 LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park: 171 East Drive 718-462-0010 Bensonhurst Park: 9000 Bay Parkway 805-650-7770 wheelfunrentals.com Wheel Fun Rentals is the perfect place for birthday parties! Kids and adults can explore the area on one of our specialty bikes-or go on a Surrey Scavenger Hunt!

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Dr. Charlot Cascya - Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn 10 Plaza St. E., Suite 1E 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211; brooklynallergydr.com

Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-theart medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

Lois Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates 16 Court St., Suite 2211 718-855-8833 505 LaGuardia Place, Suite L4, Greenwich Village, near Washington Square Park 212-995-8888; lajacksondds@aol.com

Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical Schooltrained physician who is board-certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. She is the chief of pediatric allergy at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn in Park Slope and Williamsburg. She evaluates patients for a wide variety of allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, food allergies, sinusitis, and environmental allergies. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades including the prestigious Patients’ Choice “Most Compassionate Doctor” award in 2012 and 2013.

Park Slope Kids Dental Care 150 4th Ave. 718-488-0200 parkslopekidsdental.com

Dr. Lois Jackson is very experienced in pediatric dental care for children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. She is the president of the New York State Association of Pediatric Dentists. To give back to the community, Dr. Jackson volunteers and supports numerous civic and cultural organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Brooklyn (sending children to camp), Flatbush Development Corporation, East Midwood Jewish Center, and Fisk Terrace Neighborhood Association. Dr. Jackson was a Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick for Best Dentist for two years running!

At Park Slope Kids Dental Care, children who are first seen for a friendly examination and cleaning are able to enjoy the dental experience and build a bond of trust with us. A customized dental plan that includes prevention, growth development, and possible treatment is created to fit your child’s specific dental needs. We are committed to giving children the best possible experiences at our office to help set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

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Mitzvah Market magazine Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration

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BrooklynParent 53

Melissa Errico

VOICES What Potty Training Taught Me ›› Why the biggest lesson from potty training was for me, not my son By Emma Steven

ver since I got pregnant with my first child I’ve been a parenting book junkie. Books on pregnancy, birth, newborns, sleep, child development, baby-led weaning, traditional weaning, toddler behavior, gentle parenting, traditional discipline—you name it, I’ve read it. My husband rolls his eyes when another Amazon box arrives. “Another parenting book?” he’ll say, before I explain why I need this particular book and how it will change our lives. My friends laugh because whatever the parenting challenge, I’ve usually read a few books about it and can quote them. I can’t solve the particular problem, but boy do I know a few opinions on what we could do. Unfortunately this obsession has yet to turn me into the perfect parent. So when it came to potty training—one of the most dreaded times in toddlerhood—everyone was expecting me to line up some good reading material. “What do the books say?” my husband asked whenever the topic came up. “I don’t know...” I said, for the first time in my parenting life. Perhaps it was because I’d just had another baby, or perhaps it was because I just wasn’t ready for potty training myself. For the first time I didn’t deal with a parenting question by buying a book. I didn’t know what to do; there were so many books, not to mention blogs, videos, and storybooks for kids—how was I to choose? Why were there so many different methods? Why do people need potty training consultants for something that should be so simple? It was overwhelming. My Amazon cart stayed empty. Then my son turned 2. I half-heartedly read a couple of online articles about potty training readiness. But instead of researching the subject thoroughly I did nothing. I bought a potty seat and showed him how to use it. He got the hang of it but showed zero interest. “He’ll do it when he’s ready,” I told my mom. “Eighteen-yearolds don’t wear diapers after all.” So we waited...and waited. I offered to buy him underwear: no interest. I offered a special treat if he potty trained: cue tantrums. I asked him if he wanted to be a big boy and say goodbye to diapers. He said no, he wanted to be a baby and wear diapers forever. His third birthday came and went. His friends all potty trained one by one. The other moms discussed different methods and what worked for them. Still he wasn’t interested. I began to

despair. I knew that he could do it if he wanted, but he didn’t. “What if he’s never ready?” I wept to my husband. “He’s nearly 4!” I shrugged off the disapproving comments in mom forums about the topic of “late” training. I ignored a potty training consultant who told me that kids have to potty train between the ages of 2-3 or face long-term problems. I refused to try and force him, as was suggested by some of these “experts.” Everyone had a piece of advice to give me. “Read him potty stories,” his preschool teachers said at parent-teacher conferences. We had a dozen. “Go underwear shopping,” said other moms. We had drawers of unwanted underwear. I realized that half of my anxiety stemmed from the fact he had always been the first of his friends to hit milestones. Was my competitiveness and anxiety causing his reluctance? He certainly couldn’t care less that he wasn’t potty trained. The mere discussion of it would result in tantrums and tears. So we waited some more. I decided to focus on what he wanted, rather than what he was “supposed” to be doing. Then one day, when he was 3 years and 8 months old, I told him casually we were about to run out of diapers. “Okay,” he said. A few days later he came out of his room asking to sit on the potty. I cheered and did a special dance. Two more days passed and instead of peeing on the floor, he said, “I need to go potty” and ran back to the bathroom. Something had shifted. A week later I told him we’d run out of diapers, and within three days he was trained, day and night, with no fuss, and no need for big rewards. I can count the number of accidents he’s had since then on two hands. My gut instinct had been right all along. When people ask me what method I used I shrug and say, “I didn’t. I just waited until he was ready and he did it.” It took me three years and nine months to realize that the parenting expert who has the most to teach me about my son is my son.

Emma Steven is a writer and NYMetroParents’ Manhattan calendar editor. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, two toddlers, and two cats.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

When your little angel thinks heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a daredevil...

Better have a good pediatrician. Make sure your kids are covered. Call 866.247.5678 (TTY 711) To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.

AffinityPlan.org/CHP BrooklynParent 55