Brooklyn Parent December 2019 by City Guide NY

Brooklyn Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM DECEMBER 2019

Superb Staycations Plus, 4 seasonal Brooklyn favorites you don’t want to miss!

It’s Okay to Regift 6 Easy Tips for Decluttering Success HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

december 2019

9 19 seasonal fun

10 Spectacular Staycations 18 Holiday Fun a Ride Away

Regift Without Regret

The do’s and don’ts of courteous regifting

Family Activities Calendar

Find something to do every day this month in Brooklyn

Get Insured

How to choose and sign up for an insurance plan if your company doesn’t offer one

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 7 The Best Back-up Sitter Options 8 How to Be a Grinch 9 Regift Without Regret 16 New Businesses Directory 34 Sick Day Rx 36 Decoding Infant Reflexes 38 Don’t Let Go—Just Yet 42 Meet the Health Care Professional 43 Education Directory, Party Central, Open Houses 44 Professional Services 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Trip of a Lifetime

19 Family Activities Calendar

12 Declutter Your Home 14 Get Insured 40 Use It Or Lose It

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 9 It’s Okay to Regift 10 Superb Staycations 12 6 Easy Tips for Decluttering Success facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

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raising kids editor’s note

DECEMBER 2019 • Vol.17 • No.4

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

Happy Holidays!

o matter which holiday you celebrate this month, the end of the year is typically the time many families have travel plans—to visit family, escape the cold for a week, or even just a few days away to take advantage of kids’ time off from school. But if holiday travel isn’t on your calendar yet, we’ve got just the thing for you: six out-of-the-box staycation ideas in Manhattan, plus four can’t-miss seasonal holiday events across New York City (p. 10). Of course, there’s always the trusty calendar (p. 19), chock-full of ideas for every day of the month to keep your kids active, entertained, and having a blast for the rest of 2019! Speaking of holidays, have you ever been given a gift that, while thoughtful, wasn’t your style? Chances are you’ll get at least one more this year. Not to worry! It’s 100-percent acceptable to regift any presents you receive, says Lizzie Post, greatgreat-granddaughter of etiquette guru Emily Post. Just make sure you read Lizzie’s do’s and don’ts of regifting first (p. 9)! And while we’re thinking about gifts (and the season’s hottest toys your kids are begging for)…it might be time to purge the toy box and get rid of any toys your child has outgrown. Read expert organizers’ tips for decluttering your home on p. 12. This might not be the highlight of your holiday vacation, but it will benefit your family in the long run. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and fruitful holiday season! Katelin Walling Editorial Director

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

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

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raising kids child care

Backup Sitter Options ›› Courtesy Mommybites

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SOCCER CLASSES

hile employing a nanny can be a more flexible arrangement than other child care options, you’ll need a Plan B. Nannies get sick, go on vacation, and have car, family, household emergencies like anyone else. Save yourself last-minute stress by thinking ahead. Here are smart back-up plans to consider.

Drop-In Centers

Some child care centers offer an occasional drop-in option for families whose kids don’t normally attend. Typically, no advance notice is required, but you have to be pre-registered. Check with some of your local child care centers to see which ones may offer this arrangement. Ask whether the fee is based on a membership, where you can drop in up to a certain number of times in a year, or if you only pay for the days you actually use the service.

Another Nanny

Do you have friends who employ a nanny for their children? If so, see if that nanny might be willing to watch your kids on the days yours is unavailable. Your nanny can then return the favor. Of course, you check with your nanny to make sure she’d be okay with this—and talk to your friend—before you’re in a jam.

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Stay-at-Home Parents

They’re busy too, needless to say, and should not be taken for granted. But that said, if you have a close friend nearby who stays home with her kids, she’d probably be willing to help you out. Again, you’ll want to broach the subject well before your hour of need.

A Work-from-Home Clearance

If none of these options pan out, and the type of job you have allows for it, you could plan to work from home on those days when your nanny can’t make it. Discuss this with your boss before the time comes.

Mommybites’ nanny boards only feature postings from nannies’ current families. You can rely on their recommendations. If you need a nanny or babysitter, visit Mommybites.com.

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raising kids

Humor

How to Be a Grinch

››

Don’t put the ho-ho-hum in the holiday season! By Deborah Skolnik

rom taking the perfect family photo for your holiday cards to decorating your house so it’s picture-perfect and scurrying around finding the must-haves on your children’s gift wish lists, it’s easy to suck the joy right out of the holiday season. If, by some chance, you’d rather have a holiday season full of cheer where everyone is happy, we have recommendations for you! Here’s how to put the bah-humbug in the holidays—or not: 1. Insist on getting the perfect photo for your annual holiday card. Dress up everyone in their finest clothes and keep stagedirecting them (“a little to the left…a little to the right”) until their smiles are as frozen as a snowman’s. Instead: Go for a shot that’s casual or silly—it’s what life is really like with kids. 2. Knock yourself out trying to find this season’s hottest overpriced toy, even if your child didn’t ask for it. Instead: Have your child help you pick out a toy for Toys for Tots or another organization that brings joy to children in need. Show her that it’s what caring families do. 3. Write a glowing holiday letter to your family and friends, then spend the rest of the season wishing your life were half as awesome as you made it sound. Instead: Be honest about some of the struggles you’ve faced, like losing your battle with the scale or struggling to make your kids understand that “no means no.” People will appreciate your honesty.

4. Scurry around so much getting ready for the holidays that you spend less time with your kids than you want to. Instead: Slow down and enjoy the season together. Take an evening to drive around and admire the holiday lights or go iceskating one afternoon. 5. Decorate your home with lots of “don’t-touch” holiday objects, then get upset when your child breaks one (or worse, get scared when he ends up hurting himself). Instead: Learn how to keep your home festive but hazard free. 6. Drag your children to a nighttime holiday religious service, then feel embarrassed when they can’t keep it together. Instead: Look for a “family” service, where kids are welcome and a certain amount of squirminess is permitted. 7. Pressure your kids to give hugs and kisses to family friends and relatives they barely know. Instead: Remember that kids, like adults, have the right to decide whom they want to be cozy with. If your child doesn’t feel like it, ask him to give a simple wave or say a friendly hello. Really young kids may not even be able to manage that much, but it’s okay; the adults around them will almost certainly understand. 8. Go into debt making this “the best holiday ever.” Instead: Create a reasonable budget and stick to it. You’ll start the new year feeling refreshed—not impoverished.

Deborah Skolnik lives in Westchester with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys writing, cooking, and gardening.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

raising kids in the know

Regift Without Regret

s it rude to regift? Not at all, says Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of the legendary etiquette guru Emily Post, author of numerous proper-behavior books, and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast. Post says she prefers to be open and honest when she regifts. She once regifted a bracelet from an old boyfriend to her cousin on her 21st birthday. “I told her that I was given the bracelet by someone who really loved me and that I thought she would appreciate it, and she was thrilled,” Post says. “It became a piece that meant something to her and that I felt good about letting go of because I let her know the history.” But even if you want your gift’s origin to remain a secret, keeping useful items in circulation is not only good for the planet, but can make others happy. Here are Post’s do’s and don’ts for courteous regifting.

Use Original Packaging

The item shouldn’t look like it’s been open, tested, or used. If you’re not telling the recipient it’s a regifted item, then it really has to look brand-new. Reminder for gift bags: Remove the tag that’s inscribed to you.

Don’t Regift Personalized Items

It’s hard to believe, but Post says people call into the podcast who have received (and given) gifts with engravings meant for someone

›› By Jaimie Seaton

else, including a wedding date or inscription. Needless to say, this is not acceptable. Unless the new recipient has the exact same wedding date, keep the gift.

Let Time Pass Before Regifting

If you’re choosing to keep your regifting a secret, Post says you need to be 99-percent sure the person you’re giving it to and the person who gave it to you aren’t going to find out. Let some time lapse before immediately regifting the item—the amount of time, according to Post, is a personal decision and calls for good judgement.

Don’t Regift Unique or Handmade Items

If someone paints you a painting or gives you a particularly unique or memorable gift (such as an Octopus planter), there’s no way to regift these items within your family or circle of friends. Avoid hurt feelings and keep the gifts or regift to a friend or relative who will never cross paths with the original giver.

Be Thoughtful About Regifting

Only regift when you think the item will benefit the person receiving it. In other words, don’t thoughtlessly regift things simply to get rid of them or save money. If it’s not a good match, sell or donate the item, Post advises.

Jaimie Seaton has been a journalist for more than 20 years and is the former Thailand correspondent for Newsweek. Her work on divorce, parenting, dating, and a wide range of topics has been featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian, Glamour, and numerous other publications.

BrooklynParent

Mark Weinberg

The FAO Schwarz Holiday Suite at Conrad New York Midtown is decked out in the store’s favorite toys for the kids (and kids at heart) to play with.

Spectacular Staycations 6 unique holiday adventures that will make you glad you stayed local ‘

››

By Lambeth Hochwald

is the season to stay in town! That’s because New York City has some of the best staycation options—and we don’t mean a visit to the Met or a chilly walk through Central Park. In fact, once we started thinking outside the box, we discovered some extraordinary and innovative ways to spend your holiday.

in Hudson Yards, the Crowne Plaza HY36’s Hibernation Vacation Suite is stocked with cozy sleeping bags and plush throw blankets. Artificial candles, crackling fireplace sounds, and a mini chocolate fountain for deconstructed s’mores bring elements of camping into your room.

A Tween’s Dream Come True

For the Young (and Young at Heart)

Don’t just go to the theater. Book a night at the Row NYC hotel, just steps away from some of the biggest shows including The Lion King, which is just a block away. This year Row NYC is offering the Bloomingdale’s Shop & Stay package, which includes exclusive in-store savings, a branded duffle bag, and a $50 gift card to the store. For the perfect pre-theater or post-shopping treat, stop by City Kitchen, a food hall located right off Row NYC’s lobby, for snacks such as Dough’s famous doughnuts.

Glamp in the City

It may be too cold for camping, but several hotels are bringing the experience inside. The JW Marriott Essex House New York, just a stone’s throw from the Wollman Rink at Central Park, sets up custom camper tents in family-sized luxury suites. Further downtown

At the new Conrad New York Midtown, the first-ever FAO Schwarz Holiday Suite comes decorated with the iconic store’s favorites for the season—including a mini gourmet kitchen, ride-on train tracks, and DJ turntables. Suite guests also get a private shopping spree and tour of the store by an FAO Schwarz toy soldier.

A Flavor for All Taste Buds

During an invigorating walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, it helps to know a cozy food hall awaits on the other side. That place is Dumbo’s Time Out Market New York, which serves Juliana’s Pizza (without the wait), and the now-legendary blueberry pancakes courtesy of Clinton Street Baking Co., alongside views of the East River waterfront and lower Manhattan skyline. Before you eat, take a spin on nearby Jane’s Carousel—which is not just for kids.

Courtesy One World Observatory

Courtesy Madame Tussauds New York

Spend an afternoon at Madame Tussauds New York, where you can snap Insta-worthy pics of your kids with their favorite celebrities, comic heroes, and more—including Taylor Swift and the Hulk.

Locals as Tourists

Just blocks away from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, The Knickerbocker, aka The Knick, is a boutique hotel that feels like an oasis even though it’s in busy Times Square. Relax over a meal at Charlie Palmer at The Knick, which offers a kids’ menu that’s as varied as it is healthy. (Salmon and veggies on a kids’ menu? Now we’re talking.) Plus, it’s steps away from popular destinations, such as Madame Tussauds, National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Don’t forget to ask about the hotel’s holiday partnership with Shoott—which is offering an hourlong professional photoshoot to commemorate your special staycation. It could yield the perfect picture for next year’s holiday card.

Sweet Indulgence

There’s a new shake in town this holiday season, and you can find it at Black Tap 35th, the restaurant’s new flagship location in Herald Square. The Holiday Shake (available Dec. 1-31) is a cheesecake-flavored milkshake with a vanilla-frosted rim and white, gold, and silver sprinkles. As if that weren’t decadent enough—it’s topped with a slice of white-chocolate, macadamia-nut cheesecake, whipped cream, and a cherry. The kids will go bananas watching this and other shakes come to life at the Black Tap’s CrazyShake Bar.

Courtesy Black Tap

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

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a decadent milkshake from Black Tap 35th, like the seasonal Holiday Shake.

After you stop by Brookfield Place in the Financial District, head up to One World Observatory for a spectacular view of Manhattan (and some Instaworthy photo ops with your family).

TRADITIONAL TREATS You won’t feel like a tourist with seasonal activities at these New York City destinations. Shopping, and Santa, and Skating, Oh My! Brookfield Place is Financial District’s must-see shopping center, located across from One World Trade. It hosts a Santa meet-up, ice-skating on The Rink, and Light Up Luminaries, a spectacular light installation. While you’re in the neighborhood, head up to One World Observatory for an unbelievable view of Manhattan. Marvel at Mini and Vintage Trains At the New York Botanical Garden, the Holiday Train Show features miniature model trains that zip through more than 175 mini landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Or head to Brooklyn’s Transit Museum and take a Holiday Nostalgia Ride on a vintage 1930s train car (on select Sundays this season.) Be Wowed by Lights For the first time since 2007, the Bronx Zoo is bringing back its dazzling light display as part of its Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights celebration. The event features custom Asian lanterns, animated light shows as well as ice-carving demos, train rides, and holiday-themed music performances. Support Local Artists Shop for gifts and crafts by local artists at one of the many holiday markets that pop up around town—including in Union Square and Columbus Circle. In Midtown, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, now in its 18th year, features the only free-admission skating rink in New York City, as well as more than 170 holiday kiosks curated by Urbanspace. And don’t miss the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade at Brooklyn Historical Society (Dec. 7-8) and the Holiday Market in Astoria (Dec. 1, 8, and 15). BrooklynParent 11

family life

home

By having your whole family sort through their belongings and deciding what to get rid of, you all are making room for new clothes, books, toys, and more— and giving new life to your old items.

Declutter Your Home

››

Simple strategies that will make a big difference By Madeleine Burry

iles of papers, overstuffed closets, and toys scattered everywhere. Does this sound familiar? Clutter can seem like an unavoidable, but essentially harmless, way of life, particularly for families in tight quarters. But chaos and disorganization can have a negative impact, both physically and mentally. “As the clutter piles up, so do the feelings of anxiety,” says Elsa Elbert, professional organizer and owner of the Los Angeles-based personal organizing company Composed Living. And that’s true for kids, as well as moms and dads. “When kids are surrounded by clutter or too many things, they can have difficulty choosing what to play with and this can impact their attention span and ability to concentrate,” says Jane Stoller, professional organizer and author of Decluttering for Dummies. The reasons to declutter are clear, Stoller adds: an increase in productivity, happiness, and free time to spend with loved ones. And the actual process doesn’t have to be daunting if you do it right.

Get the Family Involved

Before you dive into a declutter project, keep in mind it will be less successful as a solo mission. “It is very important that everyone in the house is aware and on board with your decluttering mission,” Stoller advises. Start by having a conversation with your significant other. “Go through why decluttering will help the household and your 12

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

relationship,” Stoller says. These benefits may include more time to spend together or less early-morning stress about locating the kids’ sports equipment before the school bus arrives. And get your kids involved, too. “Ask your children to go through their rooms and make two piles—the things they love, and the things they don’t love so much,” Elbert suggests. This will help them feel empowered, and far more willing to be part of the process. Another trick: Let kids know their toys will be donated to others—and by sorting through them, they’re clearing space for new toys. You can also gamify decluttering to encourage participation, Stoller says. Try setting the timer for 30 minutes, she suggests. If your kids declutter 20 items and put them into their boxes in 30 minutes, they get a small reward.

Follow Through

Even after you’ve sorted the mail and thrown out stained clothes, more mail will enter your home, and you’ll drip more coffee on your jeans. Decluttering is not a one-and-done project. “It should be an automatic part of your daily routines and lifestyle,” Stoller says. Her advice? Before you purchase an item or allow it into your space, question if it will provide value. If it won’t, don’t allow it inside your door. Avoid impulse purchases; a list or clearly defined purpose when you head into a store can help.

Marty Basher, home organization expert for Modular Closets, suggests making decluttering a routine. “Schedule a time each week, or even each day, to tidy up and get things in their place,” he says. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed by the volume of items in your home. If you find yourself avoiding the task, just remember, decluttering benefits you—and your family—in important ways. As Elbert says, “Decluttering, in combination with creating easyto-maintain systems, is a great way to turn your home into the sanctuary you and your family deserve.”

TIPS FOR DECLUTTERING SUCCESS Giving your whole house an overhaul in one day can be overwhelming, so start with these tips to get in the groove. Start small. If you are overwhelmed by the entire house, tackle one space at a time, suggests Jane Stoller, professional organizer and author of Decluttering for Dummies. For example, attack the kitchen junk drawer or an unruly closet. Alternatively, choose one category— papers, sweaters, or that Tupperware collection. Use a timer. “Set a timer for 15 minutes and see how much you can accomplish,” says Marty Basher, home organization expert for Modular Closets, who finds that 15 minutes is the perfect amount of time to bring order to a bathroom cabinet or a heaping pile of mail. Elsa Elbert, professional organizer and owner of Composed Living, says other easy-to-tackle spots are sock drawers and kids’ dressers, along with shelves of expired food in the pantry. Start with non-sentimental items. Going through the kids’ artwork or baby clothes can be hard because of all the emotions attached, so begin your decluttering with items that aren’t laden with sentiment, Basher says. Choose a donation spot. “Every time you find anything you don’t love or no longer use, immediately place it in the donation station,” Elbert says. Put an appointment on your calendar to drop things off monthly (or less frequently, depending on how much it piles up), Basher suggests. “If you want to make a little extra money, sell your items on eBay or your local Facebook marketplace,” he suggests.

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Go room by room. Divvying up the task makes it far more manageable. Once you’ve selected a room, be prepared to go through and categorize items into piles for toss, donate/sell, and keep, Basher says. Make sure to put an organizational system in place so closets and tables don’t revert to their pre-decluttering look. “The key is to make sure everything has a place or a ‘home,’” he adds. Cut down on keepsakes. Consider having a curated—not comprehensive—collection of your little ones’ arts-and-crafts projects. “For your own personal memorabilia and those of your kids, sort through your keepsakes and think hard about their importance,” Basher says. “Only keep items that you feel will be important to look back at years from now, or ones to share with your kids.”

Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse. BrooklynParent 13

family life

insurance

Get Insured

››

How to choose and sign up for a health insurance plan if your company doesn’t offer one By Emma Steven

f you don’t receive health insurance from an employer, getting covered can be a daunting process, especially with dependents. Many people consult a broker or an agent, but before making any choices, it’s important to do your homework. To help you sort out the complex options, we spoke to health care experts about how best to choose a plan.

Know Your Timing

The most important thing to remember when it comes to buying health insurance is there is a limited period of time each year— open enrollment season—when you are able to enroll in a new plan (or make a change, such as being added to a spouse’s plan). One of the most common mistakes people make is they miss this window, says Lisa Zamosky, spokesperson for private online health insurance exchange eHealth and author of Healthcare, Insurance, and You: The Savvy Consumer’s Guide. “The window has shortened in the last two years. It’s now just a month and a half,” she says. In our area, open enrollment runs from Nov. 1-Dec. 15, 2019, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2020. Open enrollment periods for employer plans vary. Remember: It’s impossible to enroll at any other time, unless you have what qualifies as special enrollment—a change of circumstances, such as losing your job, getting married, or having a baby. New York is one of the only states in the U.S. that considers pregnancy a special enrollment event.

Decide What You Need

Some folks may qualify for Medicaid and/or Child Health Insurance Protection—visit health.ny.gov for more information. Most people, however, will have to choose a plan depending on their individual medical needs. This can get confusing. “One of the most common mistakes people make is focusing exclusively on the monthly premium,” Zamosky says. “That’s really important. It’s got to fit into your budget. But it’s also really important to understand how the things that you need are covered.” For example, consider how often you go to the doctor, your medications, and what you seek in preventative care. Brittney Castro, Certified Financial Planner and expert at Investopedia.com has this advice: “Anytime you shop for insurance…start with looking at the policy offer (what is it covering?) and the benefits you want,” she says. “Start there and see what the cost comes out to be, then compare it against your budget and see if that’s realistic. Then you can start to eliminate certain bits of the coverage to get that premium down to a level that you feel you could afford.”

Types of Plans

Don’t just choose a plan at random. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each, then select the best one for you and your family. Here is an overview of the various health insurance plans available. 14 December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Spouse Plans If you are married, check if your spouse’s employer offers coverage as part of his or her benefits package. You can be added to the plan during the open enrollment period or under special enrollment. If you aren’t married, many employers also offer domestic partner benefits to their employees. This can be tricky: Domestic partner benefits are not tax-free like the premiums paid for a spouse; on the other hand, employers may help cover the cost of these premiums. Before you go this route, Zamosky recommends checking the numbers. “More often than not, it’s a better and more cost-effective choice. But there are certainly scenarios where that may not be the case,” she says. “It costs you nothing to go online and take a look at the plans.” If adding everyone to one policy is too expensive, you can search for a new family plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, or private exchanges such as eHealth. You may qualify for financial help. Unfortunately, due to a rule colloquially called the “Family Glitch,” even if you qualify for subsidies based on your family income, the system may still count you as having access to an affordable plan because the calculation is based on the individual premium, not the family premium. This means you might not always be eligible for assistance, even if adding your whole family to the plan is unaffordable. COBRA If you recently quit or lost your job, you can keep your old insurance for a limited period thanks to the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act, COBRA for short. This federal law allows you to continue paying for your old plan. The catch? You now have to pick up the entire cost, so it is often very expensive. Plus, you only have 60 days to sign up after your job coverage ends, so you need to move quickly. You can also use COBRA to get coverage if you get a divorce, your insured spouse dies, or you become too old to be on your parents’ plan. The maximum amount of time you can get coverage this way is 18 months, and you can opt out at any time. Exchange Plans Another option is buying a plan on an exchange and, thanks to the ACA, every state now has an insurance marketplace (ours is nystateofhealth.ny.gov), where you can compare plans and choose the best one for you. Each is guaranteed to comply with the ACA’s

rules, such as covering pre-existing conditions and preventative care, and no cap on annual benefits. There are also many subsidies you can apply for. You can buy a plan from the marketplace online, on the phone, via a paper form, through a private exchange, or direct from a broker or agent. Again, you can only do this during open enrollment or special enrollment. What many people don’t realize is the state marketplace doesn’t include all ACA-compliant plans offered by insurers. “If you don’t qualify for subsidies, it’s a good idea to have a look at something like eHealth or speak to a broker, because there may be a plan that isn’t on the state marketplace that could be good for you,” Zamosky says.

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Small Business Owners One exception to the open enrollment period rule is available to small business owners. If you run a small business with two or more full-time employees, you can buy something called small business plan insurance. These are ACA-compliant and often work out to be very good value, Zamosky says. If you don’t have your own business, there are many business associations that offer health insurance plans. For example, if you are one of the 57 million freelance workers in the United States, you can buy a plan through the Freelancer Union (freelancersunion.org). There are 450,000 members nationwide, and it’s free to join. Association plans like this can only be joined during open enrollment or special enrollment. High-Deductible Health Plans With HDHPs, you pay a lower monthly premium because your deductible is high. They are often offered by employers alongside a Health Savings Account they contribute to, but HDHPs can be bought individually. Before deciding on one of these plans, it’s very important to figure out if it makes sense based on your specific medical needs. According to Zamosky, there are two types of people who this plan suits: those who rarely visit the doctor and so save money with the low premium, and those who anticipate high costs (such as people planning surgery in the next year) who benefit from the cap on the out-ofpocket expenses. Whatever path you choose, don’t opt out. No insurance means you won’t be able to take care of your health with regular check-ups and preventative care. You won’t be prepared in the case of an accident if you need medical attention or hospitalization. Medical bills can quickly add up if you don’t have insurance, and are a leading cause of bankruptcy, according to a recent study by the American Public Health Association. “I would never recommend that as a financial planner—or as just a citizen,” Castro says. Emma Steven is a British freelance writer living in Manhattan with her husband, two small kids, and two cats.

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New Businesses

DIRECTORY

A Whole New World Academy

910 Union St. 718-230-0022, 718-230-0026 awnwa.com A Whole New World Academy provides a safe and supportive environment. “The Mother Goose Time” curriculum embraces your child’s uniqueness to ensure they will learn 33 key skills. Lunch and snacks are provided by Yumble Kids, since we believe in nurturing a child’s body as well as their mind.

The British Swim School

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

904 Pacific St., Prospect Heights 718-576-1870 britishswimschool.com/region/brooklyn-queens The British Swim School difference, our swim lessons are unlike any other water safety program, focused on gentle, fun learning. With more than 35 years of experience, we teach babies as young as three months old through to adults. We are excited to open in Prospect Heights January 2020!

Gotham Gymnastics

315 Douglass St. 718-722-7122, 718-722-7211 gothamgymnastics.com info@gothamgymnastics.com The best gymnastics classes and high-level gymnastics team in New York area. We’ve launched a brand-new way to think about gymnastics! A gym started by coaches, parents, trainers, and advisors who want to see a better way to train and succeed.

Guidepost Montessori

717 Driggs Ave., Williamsburg 347-464-0490 guidepostmontessori.com/williamsburg 212 Hicks St., Brooklyn Heights 929-524-3588 guidepostmontessori.com/brooklyn-heights Guidepost Montessori is among a growing network of schools that serves more than 2,200 families worldwide. Our campuses in Brooklyn serve children age 12 months through fifth grade. Guidepost’s exceptionally beautiful classrooms are equipped with lovingly chosen furniture and authentic Montessori materials, designed to inspire your child. Visit guidepostmontessori.com.

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Miss American Pie

86 5th Ave. missamericanpienyc.com The Mission of Miss American Pie is to provide unrivaled desserts and pastries, in a relaxed, fun-loving atmosphere that brings joy, and facilitates community. The shop will be a 1950s-inspired bakery with an industrial twist serving up pies of all sorts, as well as coffee drinks, pastries, and savory goodies.

Paché Montessori

292 Court St. 718-208-4665 pachemontessori.com Paché Montessori (formally LePort Montessori) is an authentic Montessori school for children 3 months through kindergarten. A dedicated team of educators lovingly guide students’ process of self-construction by supporting their independence and leveraging their natural curiosity and desire to learn in a safe environment.

BROOKLYN NEW BUSINESSES NEW PROSPECT HEIGHTS POOL OPENS JANUARY 7TH!

• Highly trained instructors • 35+ years of experience • Small class sizes • Great after-school activity • Mommy-, Daddy-, and Caregiver-and-Me classes

718-576-1870

BritishSwimSchool.com/BrooklynQueens

Paché Montessori offers authentic Montessori in Cobble Hill for children aged 3 months through Kindergarten Spanish Immersion is available Accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year Schedule a tour online Paché Montessori 292 Court Street Brooklyn NY 11231

PACHEMONTESSORI.COM

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. Call us today!

YOU GOT THIS WE GOT YOU Classes, birthday parties and competitive gymnastics for kids 18 months to 18 years

GP111819

Brooklyn Heights (929) 524-3588

Williamsburg (347) 464-0490

guidepostmontessori.com/nyc Infant • Toddler • Preschool • Kindergarten • Elementary

315 Douglass St, Brooklyn NY

www.gothamgymnastics.com 718.722.7122 | 718.722.7211

A Whole New World Academy is a BRAND NEW CENTER, where education and fun becomes one. Visit our music room, computer for tots program and the Park Slope Playhouse. For Information On Open House Events Or To Schedule A Private Tour

Classic hand-made pies, it's what Love tastes like. Spread the Love to family and friends this holiday season with a Miss American Pie gift card, or place an order for a whole pie to complete your holiday table! Our cute little space is also rentable for your holiday office party or social gathering. Give us a call to find out details.

718-789-3747 86 5th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217

www.missamericanpienyc.com

OPEN Our curriculum includes: HOUSE: • Phonics • Music Dec 14th • Art • Life Science 2-4 • Dance • Math Skills • Theatre • Second Language

WE OFFER: • Flexible Hours 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM • Nutritious Breakfast Lunch and Snacks Provided • Free Birthday Parties on Weekends • Reasonable Tuition Rates

» ENROLL NOW! « Call 718-230-0022 or visit www.awnwa.com

We are conveniently located at 910 Union St. and Prospect Park W.

BrooklynParent 17

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away Courtesy Hicks Nurseries

Courtesy Old Westbury Gardens

In Nassau County…

Every room in the 100-year-old mansion at Old Westbury Gardens will be decked out in holiday décor.

Santa is at Hicks Nurseries for visits with families every day through Christmas.

Old Westbury Gardens

Hicks Nurseries Around the holidays, Hicks Nurseries is far more than a home and garden store. In addition to getting all of your holiday decoration shopping done, you can enjoy the animated children’s Christmas story Cookies for Santa, a visit with Santa, drop your letter in the North Pole mailbox, or stop by the café for a cup of hot chocolate. Visit It: 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury; hicksnurseries.com; 516-334-0066

Courtesy Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

Courtesy The Maritime Aquarium

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Westbury Gardens is home to a 100-year-old mansion, furnished with beautiful English antiques. On select dates from Dec. 1-22, every room in the mansion will be decked out in magnificent holiday decor for Christmas at Westbury House, featuring Christmas trees, cookies, cider, and even a visit from Santa. Visit It: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury; oldwestburygardens.org; 516-333-0048

beyond! d n a

Santa will dive into the aquarium’s 110,000-gallon Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit, which is home to 8- and 9-foot sharks.

The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor is hosting a variety of holiday events this season, including a holiday craft extravaganza.

The Maritime Aquarium

The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

Get up close and personal with all of your favorite sea critters, such as harbor seals, sea turtles, crabs, and lobsters. On select days throughout December, watch Santa take a dive in the shark tank and snap a picture when he swims up to the glass. Other fun wintry features include a menorah lighting ceremony, Flurry Zone! An Indoor Snow Experience, which sets off a “snowfall” every hour on the hour, and screenings of The Polar Express. Visit It: 10 North Water St., Norwalk, CT; 203-852-0700; maritimeaquarium.org

This unique museum offers a plethora of information and activities about whaling, once one of Long Island’s most important industries. Throughout the holiday season, stop by for a variety of activities, such as a sea glass ornament workshop or a menorah workshop, where you can learn all about whale oil lamps and create a Whale Menorah to light up your home. Visit It: 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, Suffolk County; 631-367-3418; cshwhalingmuseum.org

Ideas When You Need Them:

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Turn the page for details on NYC Winter Lantern Festival 2019 (No. 7 on our list).

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

DECEMBER CALENDAR

20 Editor’s Hot Tickets

27 Movers & Shakers

21 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

28 Holiday Fun

22 Crafty Kids

29 Show Time!

23 Dance Party

30 Once Upon a Time

24 The Great Outdoors

31 Animal Lovers

25 Mini Musicians

32 Browse & Buy

26 Smarty Pants

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

Sinterklass Saint Nicholas Holiday

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-4pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Families can enjoy an afternoon of events including a traditional concert by colonial balladeer Linda Russell and a visit from St. Nicholas as he arrives on horseback, plus the chance to feed his horse carrots and hay. WHY WE LOVE IT: The festive fun includes hot cider, colonial games, crafts, signing the Red Book with St. Nicholas before he tells a traditional tale, and dressing the Christmas tree! WANT TO GO? $7; $4 ages 3-10. 718-629-5400. eventbrite.com/e/ sinterklass-saint-nicholas-day-tickets-78037073989.

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music: Jingle Fest! Holiday Concert & Cookie Swap 2019

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 3pm WHERE: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 286-88 7th Ave. between 6th & 7th Streets, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for a joyful holiday family concert followed by their fourth annual cookie swap. WHY WE LOVE IT: The deliciousness goes beyond cookies with cider and hot chocolate. Plus, photo ops with Santa! WANT TO GO? $15; free ticket if bringing cookies for swap and for children younger than 2. 718-622-3300. bkcm.org.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Chanukah Village in Park Slope FREE

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 9, 3-4:30pm WHERE: 5th Avenue in Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Walk from store to store enjoying Chanukah crafts, activities, and treats, followed by a Menorah lighting at J.J. Bryne Park with latkes, live music, and entertainment. Registration required. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will have fun painting a Menorah canvas and donut decorating while parents sip Kosher wine. WANT TO GO? 718-832-6400. chabadparkslope.com.

City of Science 2019: Brooklyn FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 10am-4pm WHERE: Park Slope Armory YMCA, 361 15th St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Filled with interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and enormous exhibitions, this free program unleashes everyone’s inner scientist. WHY WE LOVE IT: Walk on water, blast into orbit, and defy gravity at this larger-than-life touring event! WANT TO GO? 212-348-1400. eventbrite.com/e/city-of-science-2019brooklyn-tickets-74142826189.

Hip Hop ‘Nutcracker’

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2pm and 6:30pm WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: All

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WHAT: A dozen all-star dancers, plus a DJ, a violinist, and awesome digital scenery bring the traditional Nutcracker story to new life, but with a distinctly urban twist. WHY WE LOVE IT: This evening-length show celebrates love, community, and the magic of the holiday season. WANT TO GO? $29.50-$79.50. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with Asase Yaa and Brooklyn Children’s Museum

WHEN: Dec. 26-31, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights

AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the history and significance of Kwanzaa, play the djembe drum, create Zawadi gifts, and hear African folktales. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can help paint a mural that explores each of Kwanzaa’s principles with painter ZuluSoul. WANT TO GO? $13; free for members and infants younger than 12 months; pay as you wish Thursdays, 2-6pm, and Sundays, 4-7pm. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

New Year’s Eve (Day) Party!

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Welcome 2020 with games, crafts, light refreshments, a balloon-drop finale, and a performance by returning favorite Music with Patrick! WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun way to celebrate as a family, without missing bedtime! WANT TO GO? $8; free for members and children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

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NYC Winter Lantern Festival 2019

WHEN: Through Jan. 12: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5-9:30pm; Fridays-Sundays, 5-10:30pm; Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 5-10:30pm WHERE: Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: See more than 1,000 lanterns on display, sculpted into magnificent figures of luminescent art, along with cultural performances, international eats, and a glittering holiday market. WHY WE LOVE IT: The year’s display is completely fresh and new for visitors! WANT TO GO? $18-$25. nycwinterlanternfestival.com.

Gingerbread Lane 2019

WHEN: Through Jan. 12: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Visitors can marvel at homemade gingerbread houses made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing, and candy. The houses are drafted, designed, baked, planned, built, and decorated by chef Jon Lovitch over the course of an entire year. WHY WE LOVE IT: Visitors can make their own gingerbread houses or trains during dedicated workshops. WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($16 adults; $13 children ages 2-17). 718-699-0005. nysci.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.

Sing ‘n Schmooze on Shabbat! FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 4pm WHERE: Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Avenue & 81st Street, Bay Ridge AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Singing, games, refreshments, schmooze time for parents. Led by the amazing Tkiya Music! WANT TO GO? 718-836-3103. brjc.org.

Atlantic Avenue ‘Walk the Windows’ Event FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 11am-7pm WHERE: St. Cyril of Turov Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill AGES: All WHAT: Atlantic Avenue merchants will have in-store events and deals for the community to enjoy. WANT TO GO? 718-875-8993. atlanticave.org.

BYOBaby Play Date

WHEN: Through Dec. 17: Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm WHERE: Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Avenue & 81st Street, Bay Ridge AGES: Newborn to 3, adult WHAT: A weekly drop-in secular community event providing parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers a time to relax and mingle. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-836-3103. brjc.org.

Anime Club for Teens FREE

WHEN: Dec. 4-18, Wednesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, 1044 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Enjoy all things anime with other teens at the library. WANT TO GO? 718-953-4225. bklynlibrary.org.

Photos with Santa FREE

WHEN: Nov. 30-Dec. 22, Saturdays, 11am-2pm; Sundays, 4-7pm WHERE: Gateway Center, 501 Gateway Drive, East New York AGES: All WHAT: Meet Santa at the holiday tree and take free photos! WANT TO GO? 718-235-0467. shopgatewaycenterbrooklyn.com. ››

BrooklynParent 21

Family Art Workshops: Mystical Maps

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Make maps of real or imaginary places (maybe a little bit of both) using drawing materials, large scale paper, and collage. Registration recommended. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 students and seniors; $2 children 2-12; free for members. 718-727-1135. statenislandmuseum.org.

The Edible Island Market FREE

CRAFTY KIDS

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 11am-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Mmmm your way through a market full of delicious regional tastes, bites, and gift-able treats. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 718-727-1135. statenislandmuseum.org.

Winter Fair FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Mill Basin AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids learn about adinkra symbols and create their own. WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 11am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Waldorf School, 11 Jefferson Ave., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: A fun-filled day featuring hands-on activities, crafts, games, food, live music, performances, vendors, and more. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, activities and vendor fees vary. 718783-3270. brooklynwaldorf.org.

Peepers

F.A.M. (Family Art Magic)

Kids Create: Adinkra Symbols FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5, 9:15-10:45am WHERE: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Through hands-on activities, crafts, and stories, kids and their caregivers will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $3 per child; free for Greenbelt Conservancy members. 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 4-6 WHAT: The future is now as you visit Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion and Garry Winogrand: Color, and create your own artistic time capsules. WANT TO GO? $31 includes museum general admission for one child and one adult. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Tree Tots

WHEN: Dec. 4-11, Wednesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Kensington, 4207 18th Ave., Kensington AGES: 7-12 WHAT: Learn how to crochet or knit your own hat, scarf, or bag design by yourself. WANT TO GO? 718-436-0545. bklynlibrary.org.

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5, 11-11:45am WHERE: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Through hands-on activities, crafts, and stories, children will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $3 per child; free for Greenbelt Conservancy members. 718-667-2165. sigreenbelt.org/.

Kid’s Paint and Pizza Day

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-3pm WHERE: Paint with a Purpose Art Studio, 103 Monroe St., Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Includes pizza, painting and fun! RSVP required. WANT TO GO? $15. 917-423-5632. facebook.com/events/495798561011897/.

Christmas Countdown Calendar FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot Gowanus, 550 Hamilton Ave., Gowanus AGES: 3-12 WHAT: With help from parents and store associates, your child will make a merry memory this holiday season. Register online. WANT TO GO? 718-832-8553. homedepot.com.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Kids Create: Knitting & Crocheting Club FREE

F.A.M. (Family Art Magic)

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 4-6 WHAT: Explore works in Nobody Promised You Tomorrow: Art 50 Years After Stonewall and JR: Chronicles that center around New York City and Brooklyn, then use recycled materials to create your own dream city. Ages 4-6. WANT TO GO? $29 includes museum general admission for one child and up to two adults. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

DIY for Teens FREE

WHEN: Dec. 10-17, Tuesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Dyker Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Learn how to make useful and fun crafts while socializing with other teens! WANT TO GO? 718-748-8001. bklynlibrary.org.

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Art Fridays with Sadie Kadlec FREE

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 20, 3-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Williamsburg, 240 Division Ave., Williamsburg AGES: 4-12 WHAT: Explore new techniques and materials with local artist Sadie Kadlec in this visual arts workshop for children. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-302-3485. bklynlibrary.org.

Farmhouse Family Day: Festive Felt and Fiber Crafts FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 21, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Explore traditional fiber crafts like spinning, felting, and sewing and stick around for a scavenger hunt, art projects, Colonial-era toys, and games. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

Kids Create: Digital Stills FREE

WHEN: Dec. 9-23, Dec. 9 and Dec. 23, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Kensington, 4207 18th Ave., Kensington AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Use iPads to virtually finger-paint and digitally sketch. WANT TO GO? 718-436-0545. bklynlibrary.org.

First Five Years Kids Create FREE

WHEN: Dec. 6-27, Fridays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Dyker Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Fun arts and crafts projects for young children! WANT TO GO? 718-748-8001. bklynlibrary.org.

Kids Create FREE

WHEN: Dec. 6-27, Fridays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Crown Heights Branch, 560 New York Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create your own constellations and make up the story behind them. WANT TO GO? 718-773-1180. bklynlibrary.org.

Winter Recess in Prospect Park: Gilded Frame

WHEN: Dec. 26-29, 1-3pm, daily WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Make your own “gilded frame” for holiday photos. WANT TO GO? $3 suggested donation. 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Kids Create: Party Shakers FREE

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 30, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Mill Basin AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Create your own party shakers just in time for New Year’s Eve. WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.

Teen DIY: Arts and Crafts FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-30, Tuesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Eastern Parkway, 1044 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Enjoy getting creative using crafting materials with other teens! WANT TO GO? 718-953-4225. bklynlibrary.org.

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Transit Tots

WHEN: Year-round, Thursdays, 10:15-11am WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Young train enthusiasts explore themes like animals underground, the people and buildings of New York City, colors and shapes, and the city’s subways and buses. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

DANCE PARTY BRIC House Party: Jungle Rave FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 12-5pm WHERE: BRIC, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy animal-inspired art making, innovative media activities, live performances, and a family dance party! WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org/.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2pm and 7pm WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Presenting world-class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, and a two-dancer Dove of Peace with a 20-foot wingspan! WANT TO GO? $33 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.

Brooklyn ‘Nutcracker’

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2pm and 7pm WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop, and a myriad of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today’s audience. WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.

Cobble Hill Ballet presents Excerpts from ‘The Nutcracker’

WHEN: Dec. 14-15, Saturday and Sunday, 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm WHERE: LIU Brooklyn Kumble Theater, 1 University Plaza (Between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street), Downtown Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: A shortened version of the original ballet, perfect for children. WANT TO GO? $23; $15 children 12 and younger; free for children 3 and younger on laps. 718-488-1364. kumbletheater.org.

Santa Disco Party

WHEN: Dec. 7-21, Saturdays, 12-2pm WHERE: Dreamland Roller Rink at City Point, 445 Albee Square W., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Dress up in festive apparel and skate around to a mix of contemporary and retro tunes! There will be holiday-themed games led by Santa or Mrs. Claus. Bring your own helmets and safety gear! WANT TO GO? $18. dreamlandrollerrink.com. ››

BrooklynParent 23

Winter Zoo Wonderland

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

WHEN: Dec. 1-Jan. 26, Saturdays-Sundays, 11am-3pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens AGES: All WHAT: Explore Prospect Park Zoo’s wintery outdoor trail, warm up in their indoor exhibits, and discover the special adaptations animals have to survive in the cold. Post your “Zoo Year” resolutions for a better planet on the Zoo’s special wall to inspire others. WANT TO GO? $9.95; $7.95 seniors; $6.95 ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

MINI

Nature Exploration FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 10am-1pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs, such as animal encounters, at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. WANT TO GO? 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org.

Family Christmas Bird Count FREE

WHEN: Dec. 14-15, 10am-1pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Blooming naturalists can take part in a tradition more than 100 years old by helping conservation researchers track the health of bird populations in Prospect Park. WANT TO GO? 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org.

Celebrating Solstice

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 21, 11am WHERE: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: 4-8 WHAT: Take a short walk and see how the forest has been preparing for winter. Then create a festive craft. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $3 per child; free for Greenbelt Conservancy members. 718-351-3540. sigreenbelt.org.

Winter Recess in Prospect Park: Nature Exploration FREE WHEN: Dec. 26-29, daily, 12-4pm

WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join the Prospect Park Alliance for an afternoon of nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. WANT TO GO? 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org.

Fight for Sunlight Exhibit

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s greenhouse complex was built in the 1980s to cultivate and display plants from environments around the world. Specifically selected for its access to sunlight, this is one of the only places in New York City where you can see such a diverse collection of rare plants in bloom year-round. WANT TO GO? Free with Garden admission: $15; $8 seniors and students 12 and older, free for children 11 and younger. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket FREE

WHEN: Dec. 10-31, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 8am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Downtown Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Buy fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables and take part in nutrition workshops, clothing collections, and food scrap collections. WANT TO GO? grownyc.org. 24

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

MUSICIANS The Little Orchestra Society: Bringing Stories to Life

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 4-4:45pm and 5-5:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Explore the music of different cultures around the world through movement, song, composition, and an introduction to world instruments. WANT TO GO? $13; free for members and infants younger than 12 months; pay as you wish Thursdays, 2-6pm, and Sundays, 4-7pm. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

BAMkids Movie Matinee and Music Series: Muppet Christmas Carol

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Surrounded by music and Muppets, not even the miserly Scrooge (Michael Caine) can remain immune to the holiday spirit. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 members; free for children 12 and younger and for Level 4 members and above. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

The Rock and Roll Playhouse Presents Free Fallin’ Ft. the Music of Tom Petty for Kids and More!

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families games, movement, stories, and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-963-3369. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Raga Kids

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:30am and 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Through original multilingual songs and sing-alongs, kids learn the Indian equivalent of Do-Re-Mi and the percussion language of the tabla, as well as enjoy classics from the American songbook. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Hopalong Andrew

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 11am WHERE: Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia St., Red Hook AGES: All WHAT: Hopalong Andrew sings clever and whimsical urban cowboy songs and his high-spirited concerts are meant for the whole family to enjoy. WANT TO GO? $25 family of four; $10 individual tickets; $5 children. 718-395-3214. jalopytheatre.org.

The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of the Strokes for Kids WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-963-3369. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Planning an Activity or Event for Children or Families?

The Music Room

Get FREE Exposure on

WHEN: Through Dec. 12: 1-4pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Step into the world of sound at The Music Room, a hands-on temporary exhibit at the Jewish Children’s Museum. WANT TO GO? $13. 718-907-8833. jcm.museum.

The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of the Beatles for Kids

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families games, movement, stories, and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-963-3369. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

NYMetroParents Fa

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Lavender Blues REMIX FREE

WHEN: Dec. 3-17, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Beyond at Liberty View, 850 3rd Ave., Sunset Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join Lady B for a mash up of her new album and her Lavender Blues class! WANT TO GO? 929-305-3821. bedbathandbeyond.com.

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Dr. Alex & Friends FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-16, Mondays, 10-11am WHERE: Beyond at Liberty View, 850 3rd Ave., on 3rd Avenue at 31st Street, Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Join for a high-octane sing-along and 40 minutes of big energy fun! WANT TO GO? 929-305-3821. bedbathandbeyond.com.

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The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Motown for Kids Holiday Celebration Ft. Music of Diana, Stevie, Gladys, The Temptations, and More! WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 22, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Celebrate the holidays and introduce your little ones to the music of Motown featuring the sounds of Diana, Stevie, Gladys, The Temptations, and more. WANT TO GO? $13. 718-963-3369. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Tot Shabbat FREE

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 30, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Avenue & 81st Street, Bay Ridge AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Laugh, jump, sing along, and welcome Shabbat with stories, music, challah, and grape juice, led by the amazing Tkiya Music. WANT TO GO? 718-836-3103. brjc.org. ››

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WHAT: See a 250-gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a 10-foot scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, a reading corner, and much more! WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Library Lab FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Dyker 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? 718-748-8001. bklynlibrary.org.

Friday Drop-Off

SMARTY PANTS Verbal Description and Touch Tour

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Blind individuals and those with low vision are invited to experience the museum’s collection through a descriptive gallery tour featuring tactile opportunities and other sensory engagement. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 adults 65 and older, students with ID, and visitors with disabilities (care partner free of charge); free for ages 19 and younger and members. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

The Roebling Bridges FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:30am-12:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A few of John Roebling’s descendants will read stories and help conduct two experiments to learn about how some their family’s bridges were built. WANT TO GO? 718-222-4111. brooklynhistory.org.

Science Babies FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 13: Fridays, 11am-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Ave., DeKalb Avenue, Bushwick AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: During this special series for babies and toddlers, they’ll explore STEM through gravity, motion, magnets, chemical reaction, light, bubbles, sound, and more! WANT TO GO? 718-455-3898. bklynlibrary.org.

ASL Tour FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 1:30-3pm and 3:30-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Visitors from the deaf community are invited to experience the museum’s collection in an American Sign Language (ASL) tour, led by a deaf teaching artist. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Environmental Education Center Open Hours FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-18, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-5 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 99 Plymouth St., Dumbo AGES: All

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Dec. 27, Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Game Lab, 310 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop in for Dungeons and Dragons and go on a multi-month campaign each week. WANT TO GO? $48. 718-788-1122. brooklyngamelab.com.

DIY: Creative Writing Club FREE

WHEN: Dec. 6-27, Fridays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Kensington, 4207 18th Ave., Kensington AGES: 13-17 WHAT: With the guidance of a professional writer, teens work on their creative writing process in a welcoming and encouraging environment. WANT TO GO? 718-436-0545. bklynlibrary.org.

Super Science: Exploring Light

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 28, 11am-1pm WHERE: Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A, Staten Island AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about the spectrum of colors, the physics of reflection and refraction, and build simple optical instruments. Registration recommended. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 students and seniors; $2 children 2-12; free for members. 718-727-1135. statenislandmuseum.org.

NYTM Train Operators Workshop

WHEN: Through Dec. 29: Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-12:30pm and 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 10-17 WHAT: Drop by the computer lab to take control of a NYC subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track, using some incredibly realistic software. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors 62 and older and children ages 2-17; free for members. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

‘Apollo 11: First Steps Edition’

WHEN: Through Jan. 21: daily, 3pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of NASA’s celebrated Apollo 11 mission, Apollo 11: First Steps Edition is a thrilling 2D cinematic experience showcasing the real-life moments of the first lunar landing. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children plus museum admission: $16; $13 children, students, & senior citizens. nysci.org.

‘An Opening’

WHEN: Through June 30: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: An Opening, an installation of audio and visual artworks by Brooklyn-based artist Kameelah Janan Rasheed, engages with a multiplicity of Muslim experiences in Brooklyn. WANT TO GO? Suggested admission: $10; $6 seniors and teachers; FREE for children and visitors with disabilities. 718-222-4111. brooklynhistory.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Sensory Sensitive Sundays

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 9-11am WHERE: Chuck E. Cheese, 139 Flatbush Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Chuck E. Cheese has taken great care to ensure elements of the restaurant are toned down to be more sensory-friendly for children of all ages during this monthly event. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for games and food. 718-783-4570. chuckecheese.com.

Action Heroes: Sooner, Higher, Faster, Harder

WHEN: Through Dec. 15: Saturdays, 5pm; Sundays, 3pm WHERE: SLAM (STREB Lab for Action Mechanics), 51 North 1st St., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: STREB Extreme Action Company have been thrilling and terrifying audiences around the world for 40 years with their signature choreographed feats of physicality, scientifically planned chaos, strength, risk, and elegance. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 in advance. 718-384-6491. streb.org.

Toddler Yoga FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-16, Mondays, 11:15am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Park Slope, 431 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 18 months-3 WHAT: Toddlers will explore yoga poses and breathing in a playful way through adventures, stories, games, and songs. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-832-1853. bklynlibrary.org.

Chess Workshop with William Del Castillo FREE

AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy family-friendly yoga, breath work, and mindfulness practices. RSVP online. WANT TO GO? $32. dumbo.is.

Teen Time & DIY FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-23, Mondays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Park Slope, 431 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Teen Time is a space exclusively for teens where they can play games like Uno, try out DIY kits, and chill with friends. WANT TO GO? 718-832-1853. bklynlibrary.org.

Chess Workshop FREE

WHEN: Dec. 6-27, Fridays, 3-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Eastern Parkway, 1044 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to play or improve your game, with instructor Juan Tica. WANT TO GO? 718-953-4225. bklynlibrary.org.

Chess Workshop with Vladimir Mazo FREE

WHEN: Dec. 6-27, Fridays, 4-5pm WHERE: Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton First Road, Brighton Beach Avenue, Brighton Beach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to play or improve your game, with instructor Vladimir Mazo. WANT TO GO? 718-946-2917. bklynlibrary.org.

Family Bowl

WHEN: Dec. 1-29, Saturdays, 11am-5pm and Sundays, 12:30-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Bring the whole family and get your bowl on. WANT TO GO? $25 per lane per half hour; $4.95 shoe rental; up to 8 people per lane. 718-963-3369. brooklynbowl.com.

Chess Workshop with Jose Villar FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-30, Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Crown Heights Branch, 560 New York Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to play or improve your game. For beginners or advanced players. WANT TO GO? 718-773-1180. bklynlibrary.org. ››

WHEN: Dec. 4-18, Wednesdays, 6-7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Carroll Gardens, 396 Clinton St., Carroll Gardens AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to play or improve your game, with instructor William Del Castillo. WANT TO GO? 718-596-6972. bklynlibrary.org.

Dungeons & Dragons! FREE

WHEN: Dec. 4-18, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Park Slope, 431 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Let your imagination run wild while going on a daring adventure through a magical land. WANT TO GO? 718-832-1853. bklynlibrary.org.

Holiday Family Mindful Movement & Art

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 21, 1:30pm WHERE: Shaktibarre, 164 Water St., Dumbo

BrooklynParent 27

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Congregation Beth Elohim’s Klezmer Hanukkah Party WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 4-6pm WHERE: Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Warm up with latkes, Hanukkah crafts, and more! WANT TO GO? $20; free for children 10 and younger. 718-622-3300. bkcm.org

Brunch with Santa

HOLIDAY FUN Winter on a Flatbush Farm

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 1-3pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Get ready for winter as they did in the 19th century farming village of Flatbush and enjoy a visit from Saint Nicholas on horseback, when children will be presented with treats and have a chance to feed his horse. RSVP online. WANT TO GO? $3 suggested donation. 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Atlantic Avenue Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Party FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-8pm WHERE: St. Cyril of Turov Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill AGES: All WHAT: The community gathers at the church to enjoy performances from local schools and donated treats from Atlantic Avenue merchants. WANT TO GO? 718-875-8993. atlanticave.org.

Town Square’s Annual Santa Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm WHERE: Polish Slavic Center, 176 Java St., Greenpoint AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A delicious homemade pancake brunch, fun arts and crafts, live music, and moments and photos with Santa! WANT TO GO? $30; $20 online; $15 for infants carried in your arms/ wrap; $5 online for infants. 347-559-1410. townsquarebk.org.

Greencycle Holiday Swap

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 12-3pm WHERE: Leonard Library, 81 Devoe St., Williamsburg AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Bring what you no longer use and find something new to you. WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation per family. 347-559-1410. townsquarebk.org.

Photos with Santa!

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 10am-12pm WHERE: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy crafts and cocoa while photos are taken with Santa. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-768-3195. theoldstonehouse.org.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 9-11am and 12-2pm WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a full brunch buffet, an opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus, and live entertainment. WANT TO GO? $34; $32 ages 3-12; $30.60 members; $28.80 members ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-758-7500. aviatorsports.com.

Holiday Caroling with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music FREE

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 20, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, 58 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Join Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for Park Slope’s biggest and merriest caroling event! RSVP online. WANT TO GO? 718-622-3300. bkcm.org.

Voices of Gotham Holiday Acapella Performances FREE

WHEN: Dec. 4-21, Dec. 4, 12-3pm; Dec. 14, 1:30-4:30pm; Dec. 18, 12-3pm; Dec. 21, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Industry City, 220 36th St., Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Voices of Gotham will be providing a mix of seasonal and classical acapella repertoire all around the campus this season. WANT TO GO? 718-965-6450. industrycity.com.

Buddy the Elf FREE

WHEN: Dec. 13-22, Fridays, 12-2pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5pm WHERE: Industry City, 51 35th St., Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Hang out with Buddy the Elf this holiday season at Industry City. See if you can find him around the campus! WANT TO GO? 718-965-6450. industrycity.com.

Staten Island Ballet Presents ‘The Nutcracker’

WHEN: Dec. 21-22, Saturday and Sunday, 2pm and 5pm WHERE: College of Staten Island: Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: See a weekend matinee or early evening production of this holiday classic. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 718-980-0500.

Kwanzaa Marketplace

WHEN: Dec. 1-22, Dec. 1 and Dec. 22, 3-6pm WHERE: Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, 1368 Fulton St., Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: All WHAT: You are invited to unleash your inner Kuumba (creativity) and Kujichagulia (self-determination) as vendors will be showing you how to make fun gifts and crafts through dance and music demos. WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation. 718-935-9700. cumbedance.org.

Photos with Santa FREE

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

WHEN: Through Dec. 24: Through Dec. 11, Mondays-Saturdays, 128pm; Sundays, 11am-7pm; Dec. 12-23, Mondays-Sundays, 10am-9pm; Dec. 24, 10am-6pm WHERE: Kings Plaza Shopping Center, 5100 Kings Plaza, Level 2 near Best Buy, Mill Basin AGES: All WHAT: Santa will be available for photos and visits at his holiday home. WANT TO GO? 718-253-6844. kingsplazaonline.com.

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Menorah Lighting FREE

WHEN: Dec. 22-29, Dec. 22, 4pm; Dec. 23-26, 6pm; Dec. 27, 3:30pm; Dec. 28, 7pm; Dec. 29, 5:30pm WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West and Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Chabad of Park Slope will light “the largest menorah in Brooklyn” and celebrate with a live concert on the first night, plus live music, hot latkes, and gifts for the children every night after. WANT TO GO? 718-965-9836. largestmenorah.com.

Kids Explore: Happy ‘Noon Year’ FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11:15am-12:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Mill Basin AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join this Noon Year’s Eve celebration, complete with fun party hats, crafts, noisemakers, and your very own countdown at noon! WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks FREE

WHEN: Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 10:30pm-12:30am WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West and Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: This free event at Grand Army Plaza includes live entertainment followed by fireworks at the stroke of midnight. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8945. prospectpark.org.

SHOW TIME! ‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’: The Musical

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 1pm and 4:30pm WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. WANT TO GO? $29.50 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’

WHEN: Dec. 6-7, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm WHERE: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 155 Milton St., Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: This show follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, who take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the three wise men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. WANT TO GO? Donation of any amount. 347-559-1410. townsquarebk.org.

1619-2019: 400 Years Later–Puppetry in Practice: ‘Anansi the Spider’ FREE WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 12, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Carroll Gardens, 396 Clinton St., Carroll Gardens AGES: All

WHAT: Performers from Puppetry In Practice (PiP) will be presenting Anansi the Spider, a West African Folktale. WANT TO GO? 718-596-6972. bklynlibrary.org.

‘The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe’

WHEN: Dec. 6-14, Fridays, 8pm; Saturdays, 2pm and 8pm; Sundays, 2pm WHERE: The John Bourne Theater, 26 Willow Place, Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Based on the classic book, this story of love, faith, courage, and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life. WANT TO GO? $20; $18 seniors and youth younger than 18 years old. 718-237-2752. heightsplayers.org.

Spellbound Theatre: ‘Up & Down Again’

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 10am and 11:30am WHERE: The Old Stone House at Washington Park, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: 2-5 WHAT: This one-of-a-kind performance features digging, lifting, rolling, stacking, measuring, and bulldozing…all the things that children love best! WANT TO GO? $49 for family of three; $22 individual tickets. 718768-3195. brownpapertickets.com.

‘The Sleeping Beauty’

WHEN: Through Dec. 22: see website for showtimes WHERE: Puppetworks Inc., 338 Sixth Ave., Brooklyn AGES: 4 and older WHAT: Perrault’s real faery tale with music by Tchaikovsky is adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. WANT TO GO? $11; $10 children. 718-965-3391. puppetworks.org.

Magic at Coney

WHEN: Through Dec. 29: Sundays, 12pm WHERE: Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: “Magic at Coney!” is a magical variety show highlighting a vast array of magicians; featuring illusionists, escape artists, mentalists, and close-up magicians from around the world. WANT TO GO? $12; $8 children younger than 12. 718-372-5159. coneyisland.com.

‘Superpower Dogs 3D’

WHEN: Through May 31: time TBD WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Join an immersive 3D adventure to experience the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children plus museum admission: $16 adults; $13 children, students & senior citizens. nysci.org. ›› BrooklynParent 29

AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join the library for stories and songs in Cantonese for children and their parents and caregivers. WANT TO GO? 718-748-6919. bklynlibrary.org.

Sunday Story Time: Holiday Special FREE

ONCE UPON A TIME Saturday Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 7-Nov. 30, Saturdays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Crown Heights Branch, 560 New York Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join the library each Saturday to hear new stories and favorite tales read aloud. WANT TO GO? 718-773-1180. bklynlibrary.org.

Teen Manga Club FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Dyker Heights AGES: 10-17 WHAT: Read manga, make origami, draw anime characters, and play with washi tape! For ages 10 and older. WANT TO GO? 718-748-8001. bklynlibrary.org.

Andrea Beaty presents “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez” FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6-8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Brooklyn Public Library is proud to co-present with Greenlight Bookstore to celebrate the release of Andrea Beaty and David Roberts’s latest children’s book. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Book Adventures FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Dyker Heights AGES: 7-12 WHAT: Read a book together and do an activity or craft based on the book. WANT TO GO? 718-748-8001. bklynlibrary.org.

Drag Queen Story Hour

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Drag Queen Story Hour is an interactive art and story time program that celebrates the uniqueness of all kids and families! WANT TO GO? $13; free for members and infants younger than 12 months; pay as you wish Thursdays, 2-6pm, and Sundays, 4-7pm. 718735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Saturday Storytime: Cantonese Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 7-14, Saturdays, 3-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Fort Hamilton Branch, 9424 4th Ave., Bay Ridge 30

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 11:30am WHERE: Powerhouse on 8th, 1111 8th Ave. between 11th and 12th streets, Park Slope AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Powerhouse on 8th will be reading from several holiday books, plus offering the chance to get some free merchandise paired with the stories. WANT TO GO? 718-801-8375. powerhouseon8th.com.

Cantonese Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-16, Mondays, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Dyker Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join the library for stories and songs in Cantonese Chinese. WANT TO GO? 718-748-8001. bklynlibrary.org.

Toc Toc Spanish FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-16, Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, 11am-12pm WHERE: Beyond at Liberty View, 850 3rd Ave., on 3rd Avenue at 31st Street, Sunset Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join Toc Toc Spanish for storytime, dancing, and games! WANT TO GO? 929-305-3821. bedbathandbeyond.com.

Babies & Books FREE

WHEN: Dec. 4-18, Wednesdays, 11:15am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Crown Heights Branch, 560 New York Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: A special half-hour of stories, rhymes, and songs geared specifically for the youngest children who are not yet walking. WANT TO GO? 718-773-1180. bklynlibrary.org.

Spanish Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 5-20, Thursdays, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Williamsburg, 240 Division Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join the library for stories and songs in Spanish for children and their parents or caregivers. WANT TO GO? 718-302-3485. bklynlibrary.org.

Drag Queen Story Hour FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 21, 4-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Drag Queen Story Hour captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity in childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Spanish Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-23, Mondays, 10-11am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join the library for stories and songs in Spanish for children and their parents or caregivers. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Story Play FREE

WHEN: Dec. 5-26, Thursdays, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Crown Heights Branch, 560 New York Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 18 months to 5 WHAT: Enjoy stories, rhymes, and hands-on activities at this fun and educational program. WANT TO GO? 718-773-1180. bklynlibrary.org.

Babies & Books FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 27: Fridays, 10:30-11am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Mill Basin AGES: Newborn to 18 months WHAT: Hear delightful stories, learn fun songs and rhymes, play with toys, and meet other families and caregivers in your neighborhood. WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.

Toddler Time FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Mondays, 10:15-11am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Ave., DeKalb Ave, Bushwick AGES: 18-36 months WHAT: Have fun hearing great picture books and playing with other children during this program dedicated to active toddlers. WANT TO GO? 718-455-3898. bklynlibrary.org.

Toddler Time FREE

WHEN: Dec. 3-31, Tuesdays, 10:30-11am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Brooklyn AGES: 1-3 WHAT: Join the library for books, fingerplays, rhymes, playtime, and songs! For toddlers who are walking independently. WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.

Saturday Storytime FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 4: Saturdays, 11:30am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Mill Basin AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Hear new stories and favorite tales read aloud. WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.

Saturday Storytime FREE

WHEN: Through May 16: Saturdays, 11-11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Heights, 109 Remsen St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Hear new stories and favorite tales read aloud. WANT TO GO? 718-623-7100. bklynlibrary.org.

AGES: All WHAT: Join Santa for breakfast at the zoo and enjoy live music, crafts, and more. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members; $20 ages 3-15; $15 members ages 3-15. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.doubleknot.com.

Lunch with Santa

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Have lunch with Santa at the zoo and enjoy live music, crafts, animal encounters, and more. Register online. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members; $20 ages 3-15; $15 members ages 3-15; free for children 2 and younger. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo. doubleknot.com.

Keeper for a Day: Sharks

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2pm WHERE: New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: 5-8 WHAT: This fast-paced program is jammed full of special experiences that demonstrate just what it takes to feed and care for the animals. WANT TO GO? $50. 800-433-4149. nyaquarium.com.

Breakfast with Baboons

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 9am WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens AGES: All WHAT: Visit the zoo early, meet animals up close, and make a special treat for these amazing primates. WANT TO GO? $30. 800-433-4149. prospectparkzoo.com.

Happy Zoo Year

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 28, 10am WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Meet animals, enjoy something tasty, and ring in the new year with your friends at the zoo. WANT TO GO? $30. 800-433-4149. prospectparkzoo.com.

Survival of the Slowest

WHEN: Through Feb. 2: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm; Saturdays, Sundays, 10am-7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Survival of the Slowest features 19 distinct habitats with live animals, including Roger the two-toed sloth, a blood python, and a roughneck monitor lizard. WANT TO GO? $13; free for members and infants younger than 12 months; pay as you wish Thursdays, 2-6pm, and Sundays, 4-7pm. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org. ››

ANIMAL LOVERS Santa Paws

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 12-4pm WHERE: Beyond at Liberty View, 850 3rd Ave., on 3rd Ave. at 31st St., Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Bring your furry friends to take pictures with Santa! WANT TO GO? $10. 929-305-3821. bedbathandbeyond.com.

Breakfast with Santa

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 9:30-11am WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island BrooklynParent 31

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Kids Jewelry Sale: Gerritsen Beach Library Friends Group

BROWSE & BUY Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 11am-5pm WHERE: 501 Union, 501 Union St., Gowanus AGES: All WHAT: Check out handpicked makers, food and drinks, craft activities for the kids, free gift wrapping, a professional photo booth, and more. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 347-529-6486. brooklynholidaybazaar.com.

Christmas Bazaar Extravaganza

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 10am-4pm WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Local small businesses and vendors will showcase their merchandise. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 718-758-7500. aviatorsports.com.

Brooklyn Holiday Book Fair

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 11am-5pm WHERE: The Old Stone House at Washington Park, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Used and rare book dealers will sell one-of-a-kind books, ephemera, and other items. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 718-768-3195. theoldstonehouse.org.

2019 NY Handmade Collective’s Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

WHEN: Dec. 7-8, 11am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: This very special holiday market showcases a curated selection of handmade wares from independent artisans. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. nyhandmadecollective.org.

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 13, 11am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, 2808 Gerritsen Ave., Gerritsen Beach AGES: All WHAT: Make a purchase at the kids jewelry sale and help raise money that will be used to improve the library. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 718-368-1435. bklynlibrary.org.

Gasworks Annual Holiday Sale & Auction

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 1-8pm WHERE: Gasworks NYC, 673 Fifth Ave., Greenwood AGES: All WHAT: Shop this student and member sale followed by a raffle that will support Public Ceramics. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 718-635-1394. gasworksnyc.com.

Fad Market Holiday Pop-Up

WHEN: Dec. 7-15, Saturdays-Sundays, 11am-6pm WHERE: The Invisible Dog Art Center, 51 Bergen St., Boerum Hill AGES: All WHAT: Discover unique gifts and one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers! WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. fadmarket.co.

Sunday Greenmarket at Bartel-Pritchard Square

WHEN: Through Dec. 22: Sundays, 9am-3pm WHERE: Bartel-Pritchard Square, Prospect Park Southwest, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Shop from a range of vegetables, fruits, baked goods, plants, and flowers, fresh-caught fish, and organic baked goods. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. prospectpark.org.

CaribBeing Holiday Market Experience

WHEN: Dec. 4-29, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11am-8pm; Dec. 23, 11am8pm; Dec. 24, 11am-4pm; closed Christmas Day WHERE: The Plaza at 300 Ashland, 300 Ashland Place, Corner of Lafayette and Flatbush avenues, Downtown Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Shop for handcrafted items from Caribbean makers and artisans offering food, beauty products, jewelry, and more. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. downtownbrooklyn.com.

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket

WHEN: Nov. 29-Dec. 26, Saturdays, 8am-4pm WHERE: Greenmarket, Prospect Park West & Flatbush Ave, West Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Shop fresh produce, flowers, and more. Drop off your food scrap compost and bring clothing to be recycled. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 212-788-7900. grownyc.org.

Cortelyou Greenmarket

WHEN: Dec. 1-27, Sundays, 8am-3pm WHERE: Greenmarket, Cortelyou Road and Rugby Road, Ditmas Park AGES: All WHAT: Shop at the market, recycle old clothes, and drop off your food scrap compost. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 212-788-7900. grownyc.org. 32

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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raising kids

Health

Sick Day Rx

››

While your kid may be fighting through the sniffles, you’ve got to field calls from work, arrange child care for tomorrow (just in case), and keep your feverish little monster entertained. It won’t necessarily be fun, but it can be easier. By Katelin Walling

he alarm clock rings for school, and your child complains of not feeling well. While fluids and rest are the best treatments when your child is sick, according to Tanya Altmann, M.D., FAAP, pediatrician, mother of two, and American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, you’ve got some immediate decisions to make. Here’s your prescription for sick days, including when your child should stay home and finding last-minute child care to keep this sick day from turning into a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off-like escapade (hey, it’s okay to keep the kid entertained, but let’s skip the parades).

Going to School vs. Staying Home Nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to colds, and approximately 38 million school days are lost each year due to the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your child is starting to feel ill but you don’t want her to contribute too many of her own sick days to those millions of missed school days, you can still send her to school if she has a runny nose, is sneezing, or has a slight cough, says 34

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Sandhya Katz, M.D., board-certified in pediatric and pediatric emergency medicine. “But send them with instructions of: Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and always dispose of used tissues. And send them with a hand sanitizer to keep in their bag so they can constantly clean their hands.” Dr. Katz says you should absolutely not send your child to school when he is feverish, is vomiting more than two times a day, has discharge coming from his eyes, is having trouble breathing, or has a whooping-kind of cough or persistent abdominal pain. If your child is unable to perform daily tasks or be in class for 6-8 hours, Dr. Katz adds, that is also a reason why your child should stay home. When your child has not had a fever for more than 24 hours, is not vomiting, and can sit through a full day of school, she is in the clear to head back to class.

Find last-minute child care. “There are times when you choose to take a somewhat ill child to school because it will seriously inconvenience you.

Other times you don’t want to keep your child home because something special will be missed—a school trip, or a crucial test,” says Susan Bartell, Psy.D., a Port Washington-based child, teen, and parenting psychologist. “We all do it, but let’s face it, it’s not right. If you’re sick you should be home recuperating.” But keeping your child home may not be a cutand-dry situation, especially if both you and your spouse work. Here, a few suggestions for last-minute child care: • Set up an agreement with your partner: If you and your spouse have the flexibility of taking a sick day at work when your child’s sick, take turns on who will stay home each day so one of you isn’t taking all the time off, or consider each working a half-day so neither of you misses a full day of work. • Ask your employer if you have a work-from-home option: Some businesses will allow employees to telecommute for a day or two, which makes it easier for you to care for your child. Just make sure your child understands that you still need to work and can’t give him one-on-one attention all day. • Keep a list of caregivers that may be available at the lastminute: If you have family close by, check with them to see if they’d be willing to care for your child when she has to stay home sick. Another option is asking a friend who works from home to work from your home while keeping an eye on your child. • Call the local hospital: Your neighborhood hospital or pediatrician may offer day care for sick children, or they may know of a sick child drop-in center nearby. (Do this research ahead of time so you’re not scrambling day of.) • Browse online sitter services: Sites such as SitterCity.com, UrbanSitter.com, and Care.com allow you to search for sitters that are available last-minute to care for your child. Full disclosure: Tell the sitter before booking that your child is sick.

Keep the rest of your family healthy. Once school begins, colds spread like wildfire. And if you’re not careful, that school-borne illness your child has can easily spread to the rest of the family. “About 65 percent of all colds are caught in the home,” says Philip Tierno, Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center. So how do you keep the rest of the family healthy? Dr. Tierno suggests you wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (Dr. Altmann suggests teaching your kids to sing “Happy Birthday” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” twice while washing

KEEP THE BOREDOM AT BAY Our top 10 mellow activities to keep sick kids entertained without wearing them out. Make a fort in your child’s bedroom or the living room where he can nap. Have various story times throughout the day if your child is young. Alternatively, if your child is older, give her some pleasure reading books (not school books). Mix up some Jell-O—the perfect snack for sore throats!—in creative shapes, either with fun-shaped silicone baking molds or ice cube trays, or use a good ol’ cookie cutter. Change location. Being confined to the same spot all day will make anyone restless, so switch between the bedroom and living room. This writer’s favorite place when home sick? Mom and Dad’s bed, which was big enough to snuggle with Fido. Cook up a big pot of chicken noodle soup, which delivers protein, carbohydrates, some vitamins, and other helpful nutrients in an easily digested form. A study at Mount Sinai Medical Center found that hot chicken soup, either the smell or the taste, “appears to possess an additional substance for increasing the flow of nasal mucus,” which helps remove germs from your system and gets you on the way to recovery, according to Sue Castle, in her book Mother Knows Best? The Truth About Mom’s Well-Meaning (But Not Always Accurate) Advice. Dust off that stack of coloring and activity books or print free ones at home (check out crayola.com for seemingly endless options). Legos…need we say more? A little screen time never hurt—cue up movies on Netflix, the Disney Channel, or Nickelodeon. Dawdle in a long, warm bath, especially if your kids love playing in the tub but never get enough time for it before bed. Play a board or card game of bygone days—crazy eights, cribbage (bonus: math skills practice), or Sorry, anyone?

hands for proper cleaning); teach your children the proper etiquette for coughing and sneezing—use a tissue or the crux of your arm—and model these actions to your children; sanitize surfaces in the home—doorknobs, dining surfaces, remote controls, telephones; and practice good food hygiene by sanitizing countertops and cooking surfaces regularly, always use a clean cutting board, and avoid mixing uncooked plantand animal-based foods. It’s also important to discourage kids from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and tell them to avoid close contact (such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils) with people who are sick. BrooklynParent 35

raising kids baby

The Palmar Grasp reflex, which happens when you stroke your infant’s palm, is practice for mastering voluntary grasping.

Decoding Infant Reffllflexes ›› Here’s the breakdown on baby’s baffling—but totally normal—built-in behaviors

lmost everything about a newborn is overwhelming. On littleto-no sleep, you’re expected to assemble gear that requires an engineering degree. You can’t go out without carrying what feels like the entire contents of your home. Then you start to notice your baby is doing these...weird things. And your new-parent panic kicks in: What. Is. Happening!? No need to worry. Those fascinating, quirky little behaviors are natural, and actually serve a purpose.

What are reflexes?

Reflexes are involuntary, spontaneous movements that are part of normal infant development. Adults have them too; the “knee-jerk” reaction to a tap of your doctor’s hammer is probably the most familiar. Infant developmental reflexes are also known as primitive reflexes, and they arise from the brain stem and spinal cord. “They are generally believed to exist because they have offered a survival benefit to human infants from an evolutionary perspective,” says Lauren Levine, M.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan. Primitive newborn reflexes will generally fade away between 1 and 6 months of age. “If you think that your infant’s reflexes persist past this age, you should let your pediatrician know,” Dr. Levine says. “But I tell parents not to stress about newborn reflexes. A good pediatrician will be assessing them at each well-baby visit without you even realizing it!” 36

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

By Christina Vercelletto

The Rooting Reflex

What: When either side of a baby’s mouth is touched, he’ll turn his head in that direction, open his mouth, and root around. Why: This helps a baby find the nipple and be able to feed. “You can imagine how an infant without these primitive reflexes might not have survived after birth thousands of years ago,” Dr. Levine notes. In the first month of your baby’s life, when she’s learning how to eat and you’re learning how to feed her, you can leverage this reflex. “Stroking the baby’s face at the corner of the mouth can help encourage the baby to latch on or take the nipple in the mouth,” says Victoria Riese, M.D., of Flatiron Pediatrics in Manhattan. “Just be aware that a baby will root any time the cheek or corner of the mouth is stroked, so don’t mistake the reflex for a sign of hunger, especially if the baby has just eaten.”

The Sucking Reflex

What: When the roof of a baby’s mouth is touched, she immediately starts sucking. (Newborns also have a strong urge to put their fists in their mouths and suck on their own fingers.) Why: Newborns’ neurological systems are immature in the first six months of life. “There needs to be a fail-safe method for the baby to get nourishment without any purposeful behavior, and then growth and development can follow,” Dr. Riese says. (This particular reflex isn’t completely cemented in utero until about 36 weeks, which is

why preemies often have a compromised ability to feed.) Sucking in general is soothing to babies, a secondary function of this reflex that probably developed to motivate babies to suck to get milk. “When a baby is fussy, putting a clean finger or pacifier in her mouth is extremely soothing and will help calm her very easily, especially if she has recently eaten and is not hungry,” Dr. Riese says. “This is one of the most useful methods to calm babies.”

The Moro (aka Startle) Reflex

What: In reaction to a sound or nearby sudden movement, a newborn throws back his head, extends his arms and legs out, then pulls his legs and arms back in. He might cry as well. Some babies even display this reflex in response to their own cry. “They are often the reason babies wake themselves up from sleep,” Dr. Levine says. “This is why swaddling infants helps them to sleep better. Their arms are tucked in and can’t flail about.” Why: “The reflex movement adjusts the baby’s posture to keep him or her balanced. Once a baby develops more voluntary control over movements, these automatic responses fade away,” says Devorah Segal, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric neurologist at New York-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan. And a good sense of balance is quite useful for a new human to have. For one thing, it can make it easier to grab onto your mother if she should start to lose her grip on you.

The Tonic Neck (aka the Fencing Position) Reflex

What: When your baby is lying down, and his head is turned to one side, the arm on that same side extends out, while the other arm bends at his elbow, like a fencer would stand. Why: Much like the Moro reflex, Dr. Segal explains, this one likely originated as an automatic protective response to help maintain balance. After six months or so, “more purposeful balancing motions replace it,” she says.

The Palmar Grasp (aka Grip) Reflex

What: Stroking your baby’s palm spurs her to close her fingers in a grasp. (A similar lesser-known reflex in the feet and toes usually lasts until babies are about 9 months old.) Why: It’s practice, essentially, for being able to master voluntary grasping, which will happen in a few months. Some experts call it a vestigial reflex, meaning its evolutionary purpose is no longer useful. It is thought to have originated as a way for babies to hang onto their mothers’ fur when humans were hairier. That alleviated the need for a mother to hold onto her baby while trying to, say, run from a predator.

The Stepping Reflex

What: Despite not being able to support his own weight, your baby moves his legs as though walking, even dancing, when you’re holding him upright with his feet touching a solid surface. Why: This reflex is pretty much what it looks like: preparation and training for the all-important ability of humans to walk upright. “The best thing for parents to do when it comes to their infant’s primitive reflexes is to know what they are,” Dr. Levine notes. “That way, they’re not alarmed when they see them, and they’re able to tell the pediatrician if any of them are asymmetrical.” For example, your baby only grasps with her right hand and not the left, or, when startled, flails her left arm but not her right. “Such asymmetries could indicate a nerve or musculoskeletal injury from the birth process and need further evaluation,” Dr. Levine says. But remember, the reflexes themselves are not harmful to your baby in any way. Dr. Segal agrees: “There is nothing parents need to do to ‘train’ their baby out of a reflex. They will go away on their own over time.”

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raising kids teen

Your teens still need some guidance when it comes to healthy habits, such as eating a balanced meal, so try cooking together once or twice a week and enjoying a meal as a family.

Don’t Let Go—Just Yet

››

Even though your teen is gaining more independence, you still need to do these four things. By Laura D’Angelo

“ ’m not a little kid anymore!” Those six heart-wrenching words are often what adolescents tell their parents, who may still view their teens as the babies they once were. It can be hard to let go, whether you are handing over the car keys, packing your “child” up for college, or accepting that your 13-year-old wants to start wearing makeup to school. No parent is fully prepared to come to terms with their teenager outgrowing certain childhood habits. However, society sometimes misconstrues what the actual meaning of adolescence is: an extension of childhood. Even though your teenager is beginning to gain independence, that doesn’t mean he is going to become a full-fledged, independent adult overnight. Here are four ways your teen still needs you, according to experts in adolescent psychology.

Set Rules and Boundaries

You’ve likely set guidelines throughout your teen’s life, relating to your family values and morals—and those of society and culture at large. But internalizing and acting according to those rules is a lot for her to take on by herself right now, according to Erin Jant, Ph.D., developmental psychology professor at 38

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Binghamton University. “They’ve had all these routines and rules throughout their life, but they might still need reminders on some things,” Dr. Jant says. This is especially true when it comes to the pressure your teen may feel from her peers or what she sees on social media, according to Alyson Cohen, LCSW, who works with adolescents and young adults at her private practice in midtown Manhattan. Your teen doesn’t need to be micromanaged in every aspect of her life, but gentle reminders here and there—especially when it comes to what’s okay to share and how to act on social media—will go a long way to ensuring your teen stays safe online, Cohen points out.

Remind About Dietary and Hygiene Habits

While your teenager may not need to rely on you entirely for meals and reminders about cleanliness anymore, it’s possible he still might need some help adjusting to becoming independently accountable for the many responsibilities that come with growing up. Check in on your teenager to make sure he’s practicing healthy food habits to balance the junk food he eats when you’re not

around. In many situations she deals with, Cohen finds it helpful when parents are involved in preparing their teenager’s food. Try cooking together once or twice a week, or give him more freedom to choose and prepare a meal for the family. When it comes to hygiene, it’s especially important to help young teens along with some gentle reminders—after all, needing deodorant and getting acne is new for them. Cohen suggests asking questions like: “Are you brushing and flossing your teeth at night?”; “Are you actually using body wash and shampoo when you take a shower?”; “When was the last time your sheets were changed?”; and “Are you making sure your favorite jeans are getting washed?” The important thing is not to come down on him for doing something wrong, but rather to reinforce his positive behaviors and habits through encouragement.

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Allow for Natural Consequences

One of the most influential factors in whether a teenager becomes a self-reliant, confident adult is whether she has been allowed to face (and learn from) the consequences of her actions, Dr. Jant stresses. If you fix every single issue for him, he won’t ever get the sense of autonomy he needs to thrive in the real world. After all, if you keep bringing your teen her lunch at school because she always forgets to pack it, will she ever learn to remember? “[It’s important] that their parents are giving them rules, sending them off, and hoping that they’re learning from their own failures, while always providing support when necessary,” Dr. Jant says. “Natural consequences are very useful and impactful for teens especially.” So, consider letting your teens experience safe and natural consequences. For example, instead of emailing her English teacher asking if she can do extra credit to boost her grade, let her take the lower grade. It’s the only way she’ll realize writing her essays on the bus the morning they are due isn’t a great idea.

Show Emotional and Physical Affection

Even if your teenager tells you he can’t stand your smothering hugs, appropriate physical affection from a parent or guardian is something he’ll never outgrow, Cohen says. “There has been so much research in the last 25 years that there is no amount of love that you can give your child that’s too much,” Cohen says. “And when I say love, I don’t mean being overbearing, in their face trying to do everything for them, but [saying], ‘I love you. I care so much about you. I’m so happy you’re in my life.’” It is especially important to remember your teenager has not outgrown physical affection, according to Dr. Jant. Why? “The risk for depression in adolescence jumps up exponentially compared to middle childhood,” she says. So, it’s crucial that parents pay attention to behavior shifts in their children, and not take on a permissive parenting style just because they want to be liked, Dr. Jant says. “There are so many parents who feel that tension…so then they pull back. They just allow [their teen] to do whatever, and then that can lead to negative consequences for that child.” Even though it can be difficult, it’s important to remember to remain calm when your teenager is acting up or shutting you out. Even if she’s behaving like she wants nothing to do with you, what she really needs more than ever is your love, support, and affection. Laura D’Angelo, a former NYMetroParents editorial intern, is a junior at Binghamton University.

s 20 e i t i v i t c Family A rssday day Wednes

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family life

finance

Use It or Lose It

››

Surprise: Your Flexible Spending Account probably covers more expenses than you think.

he year is almost over. Do you still have a balance in your Flexible Spending Account? The funds can be used tax-free for eligible medical expenses—but only if you spend them within a certain timeframe. The deadline is often Dec. 31; check your plan. After the cutoff date, the money disappears faster than a Lego in a shag rug. Most parents still have between $50 and $200 of FSA money to spend (or lose) before year’s end, according to the FSA Store (fsastore.com), an online shop that sells only FSA-eligible items. But don’t panic: You don’t have to schedule a New Year’s Eve dental cleaning to bring that balance to zero. We spoke with Kim Buckey, vice president of client services at DirectPath, an employee engagement, health care transparency, and compliance firm for Fortune 1000 employers, to get some smart suggestions of FSA-eligible items. Of course, plans can vary, so ask yours. But by and large, the stuff on this list generally gets the green light: • Eyeglasses: Now’s the time to splurge on cool frames or pick up an extra pair for your child who always loses his. • Bandages: The next time your child gets a boo-boo, make her feel better with a kiss and the words “Mommy saved

•

• • • • • • • •

the equivalent of our tax bracket on this bandage.” Or maybe just skip that second part. Travel for medical care: Did you regularly trek to the nearest city so a family member could see a certain physician? The mileage is reimbursable; ask your plan for the going rate. Contact lenses and related supplies: Saline solution, rinses, and even lens holders all count. Pregnancy and ovulation test kits: Ready to expand your family in the new year? Stock up. Diabetes test kits and materials Orthodontia—even partial payments can be deducted. Batteries for medical equipment such as hearing aids and nebulizers Orthopedic inserts for shoes, even non-prescription ones Heating pads Lead paint removal: This is only allowable if your child has or has had lead poisoning. The repainting is not covered.

For more suggestions, visit fsastore.com and browse around. As always, check with your plan’s specific guidelines for eligible purchases.

Deborah Skolnik lives in Westchester with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys writing, cooking, and gardening.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

By Deborah Skolnik

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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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Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

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

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BrooklynParent 41

Meet the

Health Care Professional

Dr. Sue Liebman Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics 185 Montague St., 8th floor 718-622-6741 brooklyn-orthodontist.com info@brooklyn-orthodontist.com

Dr. Sue Liebman literally grew up in the field of orthodontics. Following in her dad’s footsteps, a love of orthodontics and changing people’s smiles was contagious. Board-certified as well as being a renowned lecturer, leader, and mentor, Dr. Liebman brings her own unique dedication to the field. What sets Dr. Liebman apart, is her commitment to truly understanding every patient’s concerns and combining her vast knowledge, experience, and expertise to develop the best treatment possible for each of her patients, at any age and any stage.

Brooklyn Family Orthodontics Alexis K. Fermanis, D.D.S., M.S. 142 Joralemon St. 6B, Brooklyn Heights 73 8th Ave. at Union Street, Park Slope 718-395-6582 bkfamilyortho.com

Amr Abdelgawad, M.D., Ph.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Orthopedics 6010 Bay Parkway 718-283-7400

Dr. Alexis Fermanis is an orthodontic specialist who practiced in Brooklyn for 10 years before starting Brooklyn Family Orthodontics in 2014. She is a native New Yorker and enjoys running and traveling in her free time. Dr. Fermanis believes that a beautiful smile makes a great first impression and she is passionate about providing that to her patients. She is active in her alumni societies and local dental organizations and regularly attends continuing education classes so that she can provide the most successful results for her patients.

Dr. Amr Abdelgawad is a highly regarded pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Maimonides Children’s Hospital. Dr. Abdelgawad is fellowship-trained in pediatric orthopedics, orthopedic trauma, limb lengthening and reconstruction. For the past 11 years, Dr. Abdelgawad worked at Texas Tech University Health Science Center of El Paso, where he performed more than 6,500 operative orthopedic procedures. He is editor of Pediatric Orthopedics, A Handbook For Primary Care Physicians. Dr. Abdelgawad treats various pediatric orthopedic conditions including difficult fractures, Blount’s disease, foot deformities, limb length discrepancy, hip deformities, cerebral palsy, and other neuromuscular conditions.

Pediatric Immediate Care 698 Manhattan Ave. 718-389-PEDS (7337) 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com

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

Cynthia Amirtharaj, M.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiology 4802 10th Ave., G1 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500

Yelena Kogelman, M.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology 4802 10th Ave. 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500

Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-ofthe-art 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.

Dr. Cynthia Amirtharaj is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist at the Maimonides Children’s Hospital. She is part of a dedicated team of pediatric cardiologists providing infants, children, and adolescents with comprehensive evaluation and treatment for congenital heart disease, murmurs, arrhythmias, and other cardiac disorders. Dr. Amirtharaj is a compassionate and dedicated physician who combines her vast knowledge, experience, and evidence-based medicine to provide individualized care plans for every patient. The Maimonides Children’s Hospital is equipped with state-of-the art technologies, including fetal and pediatric transthoracic echocardiography.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained 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.

Dr. Kogelman is a highly respected board-certified pediatric endocrinologist who, as part of a team of experienced pediatric endocrine subspecialists, provides care for children and teens who have problems with growth, puberty, obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other disorders related to hormones and the glands that produce them. She also has expertise in transgender care. Dr. Kogelman provides the highest level of compassionate, family-centered care in an environment designed just for children.

Education Directory PRESCHOOLS Guidepost Montessori

International Academy of New York 4 E. 90th St, Manhattan 212-641-0260 ianyc.org info@ianyc.org The International Academy of New York is multi-cultural and diverse, developing culturally astute, confident, and empathetic students with fluency in Mandarin or Spanish, while excelling in literacy, math, and the arts. Pre-nursery (2s)-eighth grade.

Paché Montessori

Treasure Island

347 74th St. (corner of 4th Avenue and 74th Street) 718-238-7676 silbekidz@aol.com Every child deserves a champion who connects with them and helps them to become the best that they can be. At Treasure Island our staff are champions for all children, helping each child to become a confident, motivated, engaged learner. The program promotes social competencies, active thinking, and problem-solving skills.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Guidepost Montessori

International Academy of New York

Smart Start Early Learning Center

Paché Montessori

8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway 718-921-1868 smartstart@verizon.net While providing a safe, warm, and nurturing environment, our staff addresses the social, emotional, and physical needs of children. Through thematic units, arts and crafts, and dramatic play, the whole child will flourish. Full- and part-time classes for ages 2-3, and free universal pre-K for age 4, with extended-day option.

4 E. 90th St, Manhattan 212-641-0260 ianyc.org info@ianyc.org The International Academy of New York is multi-cultural and diverse, developing culturally astute, confident, and empathetic students with fluency in Mandarin or Spanish, while excelling in literacy, math, and the arts. Pre-nursery (2s)-eighth grade.

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! 70 five-star reviews on Google and Yelp. Fun and creative packages for all ages.

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Pier 86, W. 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5166 intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum captivates groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create an original birthday adventure they’ll never forget. Packages start at $30 per person.

SUGAR FACTORY

Sugar Factory - Meatpacking District 835 Washington St. Sugar Factory - The Row 700 8th Ave. Sugar Factory - Upper West Side 1991 Broadway 212-414-8700 sugarfactory.com sfny@sugarfactory.com Party where the stars play! Here at Sugar Factory, we offer pre-fixed and customizable party packages for any celebration and budget! From private large-scale events to private dinners for two, a Sugar Factory celebration is one you will never forget!

OPEN HOUSES 2019 Brooklyn College Preparatory Center for the Performing Arts

234 Roosevelt Hall, 2900 Bedford Ave. 718-951-4111 bcprepcenter.org Join us for a music, dance, and theater open house Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11-4pm.

Guidepost Montessori

International Academy of New York

4 E. 90th St., Manhattan 212-641-0260 ianyc.org info@ianyc.org Learn more at an open house this fall on Dec. 4 at 6pm, or Dec. 18 at 9am. Registration required at admissions@ianyc.org. BrooklynParent 43

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DENTISTS & DENTAL PROVIDERS BROOKLYN FAMILY ORTHODONTICS

Alexis K. Fermanis, D.D.S., M.S. 142 Joralemon St. 6B, Brooklyn Heights 73 8th Ave. at Union Street, Park Slope 718-395-6582 bkfamilyortho.com Dr. Alexis Fermanis is an orthodontic specialist who practiced in Brooklyn for 10 years before starting Brooklyn Family Orthodontics in 2014. Dr. Fermanis believes that a beautiful smile makes a great first impression and is passionate about providing that to her patients.

DR. SUE LIEBMAN - BROOKLYN HEIGHTS ORTHODONTICS

185 Montague St., 8th floor 718-622-6741 brooklyn-orthodontist.com info@brooklyn-orthodontist.com Under the compassionate leadership of Dr. Sue Liebman we are dedicated to providing the most advanced treatments, including braces and Invisalign, to patients of all ages with convenient Saturday hours and affordable payment plans.

DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS AMR ABDELGAWAD, M.D., PH.D.

Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Orthopedics 6010 Bay Parkway 718-283-7400 Dr. Amr Abdelgawad is a highly regarded pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Maimonides Children’s Hospital. Dr. Abdelgawad treats various pediatric orthopedic conditions including difficult fractures, Blount’s disease, foot deformities, limb length discrepancy, hip deformities, cerebral palsy, and other neuromuscular conditions.

CYNTHIA AMIRTHARAJ, M.D.

Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiology 4802 Tenth Ave., G1 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500 Dr. Cynthia Amirtharaj is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist at the Maimonides Children’s Hospital. She is part of a dedicated team of pediatric cardiologists providing infants, children, and adolescents with comprehensive evaluation and treatment for congenital heart disease, murmurs, arrhythmias, and other cardiac disorders.

YELENA KOGELMAN, M.D.

Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology 4802 Tenth Ave. 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500 Dr. Kogelman is a highly respected board-certified pediatric endocrinologist who, as part of a team of experienced pediatric endocrine subspecialists, provides care for children and teens who have problems with growth, puberty, obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other disorders.

PEDIATRIC IMMEDIATE CARE

698 Manhattan Ave. 718-389-PEDS (7337) 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted.

LEGAL SERVICES FERSCH LLC

11 Broadway, Suite 550, Manhattan Serving all of NYC and surrounding areas 212-422-2660 pffamilylaw.com; familylaw@pffamilylaw.com Fersch LLC practices exclusively in matrimonial and family law. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and determined advocates for our clients. We provide care and attention to clients and their families of all income levels.

VISHNICK MCGOVERN MILIZIO LLP

3000 Marcus Ave., Suite 1E9, Lake Success 516-437-4385 570 Lexington Ave., Suite 1600, Manhattan 212-759-3500 255 Monmouth Road, 2nd floor, Oakhurst, NJ 732-531-8900 vmmlegal.com For 50 years, the law firm of Vishnick McGovern Milizio has helped private and business clients ensure their well-being, plan for their future, and protect their interests.

SPECIAL NEEDS

DR. CASCYA CHARLOT

Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn 10 Plaza St. E., Suite 1E 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211 brooklynallergydr.com Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained physician who is board-certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. She evaluates patients for a wide variety of allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, food allergies, sinusitis, and environmental allergies.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

ABLE HEALTH CARE SERVICE

44 Court St., 10th floor #1001 718- 606-7222 91-31 Queens Blvd., 6th floor, Elmhurst, Queens 718- 606-7222 ablehealthcare.com; info@ablehealthcare.com Able’s special needs-certified home health agency provides comprehensive support to clients and their families with developmental disabilities. Services include: home health aide, therapy, skilled nursing, medical social worker, and nutritional counseling.

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

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music

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health Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn............................5, 42

classes Brooklyn College Prep Center For Performing Arts .........2 Gotham Gymnastics ......................................................17 Pottery and Glass Land ...................................................5 Smart Start.....................................................................13 Super Soccer Stars..........................................................7

special needs

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sports British Swim School - Brooklyn ......................................17 Super Soccer Stars..........................................................7

Maimonides Medical Center ..........................................42

tutors

Pediatric Immediate Care...........................................5, 42

Huntington Learning Center ............................................3

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NYMETROPARENTS.COM/NEWSLETTER BrooklynParent 45

Shana Liebman

raising kids voices

Trip of a Lifetime ›› Despite every precaution, our family vacation turned tragic. By Shana Liebman

insisted on the vaccinations. Typhoid, hepatitis A, MMR, polio. I even drove the kids upstate to a clinic because the yellow fever vaccine was in short supply. Their arms hurt for days. For malaria we had to take pills, which for a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old is virtually impossible. I sprayed our clothes with Deet and packed the extra anti-malaria pills along with six bottles of Off and a scarf that was supposed to repel mosquitoes. My husband thought I was crazy. “Bobby says it’s not necessary,” he said. Bobby is our friend who lives in Kenya. We were on our way to visit him for what was going to be—to use a cliched phrase that we found ourselves reluctantly repeating—the trip of a lifetime. “Why take a risk?” I argued. “Whatever you want,” my husband said. Finally, we were ready for what I thought was going to be the hardest part of our journey: a 17-hour plane ride. Instead, we breezed through the epic flight. “See?” My husband said. “It’s easy.” Bobby was there to greet us and drove us through the packed, dusty Nairobi streets to his home behind a guarded gate. That afternoon, the kids held mini bananas while monkeys jumped on their backs. We fed giraffes and drank wine beneath avocado trees. After three days, we flew to the Mara—the bush—where we watched a lioness kill a gazelle then offer the carcass to her cubs. We saw wildebeests, led by zebras, cross a river filled with crocodiles. Our kids gaped in awe from the back of the jeep and slept beneath mosquito nets back at camp. Then we hopped another plane to Watamu, a small town on the Indian Ocean where we found ourselves in a beachfront five-bedroom with a personal chef. I read an entire novel while the kids frolicked in the pool. I am happy, I emailed a friend. After snorkeling, we decided to check out the Crab Shack on the mangrove where we could watch a stunning sunset. It was 5pm, daylight just starting to fade. “Boys get your shoes,” I said. A few seconds later we heard a shatter like a planter had been knocked over and then I saw what had actually happened, a vision that still haunts me every time I close my eyes.

December 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Nate and Mack, the author’s sons, in the Mara with a Masai guide

Mack, my 7-year-old, who was running to get his shoes, had smashed right through the sliding glass door. Glass was everywhere and Mack was screaming. And then there was blood. So much of it. I thought of the gazelle in the Mara. I thought of the book I read where a boy walks through glass and dies. And I thought, is this it? I immediately started reassuring everyone, but for the first time as a parent, I thought: It’s not going to be okay. This is when the good times end. And then: What if? What if he had not left his shoes outside? What if we had decided to stay in that evening? My hands shook as I wrapped Mack’s wounds. The ambulance arrived. A doctor tried to give Mack an IV, but his veins had collapsed. We drove 2 hours through black night under pouring rain on dirt roads to a hospital where a young African girl was wheezing. Was this really happening? There were waves of nausea and blurry floors. Finally, the doctor said, “He’s going to be okay.” “He is?” I asked, still unsure. We spent the rest of our vacation in African hospitals, getting Mack sewn back together. The pain was so bad at times that he needed IVs and shots and nerve-blockers. He screamed and cried and vomited from the medicine. But after a week, we learned there would be no permanent damage, minus a few brutal scars. When we got home, there were notes and flowers from our friends. Exhausted, I unpacked our dusty clothes and saw the bottle of anti-malaria pills. I thought of all the shots I had made the boys get, the forms I carried with us in a sturdy plastic folder— proof of our exceptional health and fortitude. That was us before, I thought, before we knew what it felt like to see our tiny, precious child hurt so badly that time stops. I threw the pill bottle in the trash. We had shielded ourselves against deadly, crippling diseases, and yet life had thrown us a curveball that no vaccine could have blocked. Are we better for it? Who knows? But two months later, as I write this, Mack is kicking a soccer ball against the house, shaking the walls—something I’ve told him many times not to do. And I am grateful, so grateful for it.

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Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. At Guidepost, your child will enter a wonderful world of activities, tools, and learning materials, designed to captivate his interest and inspire his budding intelligence in remarkable ways. Early childhood is a brief moment in time when your child’s mind develops rapidly, and he establishes foundational character traits. Take advantage of this critical age!

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