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Rockland Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM MARCH 2018

Camp Planner!

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

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Ax Your Taxes Deductions Even Smart Parents Miss

End Bad Behavior In ONE Surprising Step

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

march 2018

42 26

camp

How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen

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

Family Fun in Manhattan

Two can’t-miss, family-friendly events in NYC, plus two venues to visit to make the most of your day

14 How Camp Prepares Kids for College 18 Camp Directory

36

22 Camps-at-a-Glance Chart

Spring Clean It!

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

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 9 5 Things Parents Should Know About Bad Behavior 10 Fear Not, Little One 40 Sleep Training 101 42 How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen 46 Meet the Doctor 47 Party Central 49 Party Planner 49 Advertisers’ Index 50 Quotables

11 Fake Fur Pom

24 Make Filing Less Taxing

26 Family Fun in Manhattan

36 Spring Clean It!

27 Family Activities Calendar

44 Top ‘o the Morning to Ya!

34 Spring into March

NYMetroParents

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

9 End Bad Behavior

13 Camp Planner! 24 Ax Your Taxes

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

Lessons in Chemistry.

And kindness.

Invest in a Catholic education when it makes the most difference. Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York offer a unique combination of academic and spiritual development that helps children of all backgrounds get the best start in life. Our students learn in an environment where respect, courtesy and service to others are always part of the curriculum— and they are outpacing New York State and New York City public school students in both Math and English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency standards.

We invite you to see the value of a Catholic education: schedule a tour at a nearby school at any time, or attend one of the upcoming TOURING TUESDAY open house events being held at 133 participating Catholic elementary schools.

Open Houses: March 13 & April 24 from 9-11am.

2018-19 ADMISSIONS ARE OPEN Book a Tour at a School Near You or Apply Today

CatholicSchoolsNY.org/admissions Bilingual Helpline: (646) 794-2885

RocklandParent

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raising kids editor’s note

MARCH 2018 • Vol.11 • No.7

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

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

Springing Forward— Confidently

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

Y

ou can feel it in the air: Spring is on its way. Sure, we may still be stepping around slush puddles, but soon enough we’ll be soaking up sunshine, and the ground—well, outside Manhattan, at least—will be a gorgeous sea of green. No matter how many times you’ve experienced this change of seasons, it always seems like a miracle.

If you’re a new parent, you may be praying for another miracle: a good night’s sleep.

Well, believe it or not, that too is possible. Just read Bethany Braun-Silva’s article, “Sleep Training 101,” on page 40—it examines popular techniques you can use to get your baby to settle down peacefully each evening and minimize those middle-ofthe-night tears (his and yours). It also explains why you shouldn’t despair if your baby backslides a little from time to time. Over on page 42, Christina Vercelletto’s article, “How to Raise a Take-Charge Teen,” will help you guide your older kid through an amazing transformation too—one that turns her from a wishy-washy crowd-follower into someone who makes her own decisions, regardless of what her friends do.

Of course, spring isn’t just bunnies and daffodils; there’s important work to done.

For starters, you’ll need to finish your taxes (sorry!). Don’t file them until you’ve read “Make Filing Less Taxing” on page 24—we share savvy pro tips that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, a big help when you’re raising a family. Spring cleaning is another chore many of us tackle right about now, and we’ll show you how to make sure you really do the job right. Just turn to page 36 for Katelin Walling’s article, “Spring Clean It!”. We asked the experts to point out all the nooks and crannies that even the most enthusiastic housecleaners (not that we know any of those!) tend to overlook. Once you’re done de-griming them, you can rest easy knowing that your house is deep-down clean for you and your kids.

Just as soon as you’ve gotten your house ready for warmer weather, you’ll start thinking about summertime. Have you made your child’s camp plans yet? Starting your search now will give you the time to find a program that really resonates with your kid’s personality and brings out his full potential. Read Stacey Ebert’s wonderful piece on page 14, “How Camp Prepares Kids for College,” to learn how a positive summer experience can help your child flourish not just now, but years down the road. Then check out our amazing new camp chart on page 22. We know you’re busy, so we made it easy for you to scan different camps’ services and offerings at a glance. With so many great choices listed, you’re bound to found the ideal program. It’s just one more reason to “spring forward” with plenty of energy and optimism. Enjoy!

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

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CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith

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Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director

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

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

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

Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

ANNUAL

20

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ROCKLAND COUNTY

YOUTHFEST

at SUNY RCC Field House - 11am-4pm

SUNDAY, MARCH 11 11 AM - 4 PM

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RAIN OR SHINE - FREE ADMISSION - FREE PARKING

Over 150 Booths showcasing programs, goods and services for families and children!

• Performances by Bossy Frog as well as Carlo Pelligrini and Amazing Grace CIRCUS! Inc. • Bounce House, Slide and much more provided

by Inflatable Party Adventures.

• Passports processed on site by Rockland County Clerk’s office. Call (845) 638-5098 for more info.

Talent Performances! Crafts!

Face Painting! Interactive Activities!

Dental Wellness of Suffern Now Offers:

ANESTHESIA-FREE & VIRTUALLY PAIN-FREE PROCEDURES

We are proud to annouce that we have added the Solea dental laser to our practice: No drill No numb feeling No needles No jarring noises No soreness And multiple procedures done in one appointment

PLUS

ROCKLAND COUNTY GOVERNMENT DAY: An interactive and interesting way for you to learn directly from departmental staff about all your County Government has to offer!

Ed Day, County Executive

Premier Sponsor: Crystal Run Healthcare Sponsors: Rockland Community College, Apple Bank, Good Samaritan Hospital, Nyack Hospital, Sterling National Bank, Active International , HealthSav LLC, Hwarang Taekwondo, Rockland County Solid Waste Authority, Rockland County YMCA, The Anthony G. Team @ Keller Williams Valley Realty, All Bright Electric, Applebee’s Neighborhood & Bar Grill, Chase, Computuners, Dave & Busters, Dental Wellness of Suffern, Dominican College, Faist & Yassky Families, FitChick CPR, Head Start of Rockland, Help is Here Coaching LLC ADHD Parent & Child Coach, Dr. Howard Werfel, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Peak Physique, Renewal by Anderson, Rockland 21C, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Volumetric Fund, World Financial Group, Wright Brothers, Putnam County Savings Bank Media Sponsors: Rockland Parent Magazine/NYMetroParents.com

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Execu�ve Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern (845) 918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com RocklandParent

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raising kids new places, new programs

Nanuet Dance Studio Adds Hip-Hop Program for Children with Special Needs Who: Coupé Theatre Studio What’s New: Rhythm Works, an inclusive hip-hop dance class for children, ages 7-14, with special needs, including autism and Down syndrome.

The 10-week class, which launched in October 2017, is currently in a second session. It helps children build skills such as strength, coordination, and memory.

“I learned how to apply fun and functional dance movement to evidencebased practices commonly used in sensory integration, applied behavior analysis therapy, kinesiology, and movement safety to aid in reaching developmental goals,” says Julie McDonald, Rhythm Works instructor.

The studio plans to offer more sessions in the future. Preregistration is required so McDonald can create a routine specific to students’ needs.

Want More Info: 430 Market St., Nanuet; 845-623-2808; coupedance.com

Rhythm Works at Cou pé Theatre Studio ope ns the doors for all children to enjoy the wo rld of dance, says inst ructor Julie McDonald.

Common Core-Focused Day Care to Open in New City Who: Brilliant Minds Daycare and Learning Center What’s New: The day care center for ages 3 months to 5 years, which is scheduled to host its grand opening later this month.

Children will be taught Common Core standards through active play and other activities that are age-appropriate, including science experiments, yoga, and Spanish. The center also offers after-school care for children ages 12 and younger.

Owner Yomaira Martin will lead activities with assistance from two other caregivers, and Yomaira’s husband Anthony will help her with Common Core and pre-K standards.

“We just want to emphasize that it is an educationally based, structured setting, close to what it will be like inside of a classroom,” Yomaira says.

Want More Info: 67 N. Little Tor Road, New City; 845-535-9658; brilliantmindsdaycare.com

l be Learning Center wil Minds Daycare and activities ough a variety of Children at Brilliant thr s ard nd sta re on Co mm Co to d uce introd and free play.

Who: Healthbarn USA What’s New: A summer camp for children ages 3-15, which will be held in weekly sessions June 18-Aug. 31. The weekly sessions will be limited to 35 campers.

Each week will follow a different theme pertaining to food and nutrition. Campers will participate in activities, such as cooking, organic gardening, environmental activities, and active play.

“Our teaching garden is completely taken care of by children and it includes growing produce as well as composting and learning the skills to grow their own food at home,” says Stacey Antine, M.S., R.D.N., founder of Healthbarn USA. Want More Info: 1057 Hillcrest Road, Ridgewood, NJ; 201-444-2955; healthbarnusa.com 8

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Healthbarn USA

Bergen County Teaching Garden to Offer Summer Camp

Healthbarn USA moved to its curre nt location two years ago, and the garden will be in full production this summer.

raising kids in the know

5 Things Parents Should Know About Bad Behavior ››

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

P

arenting is easy,” said no one ever. It involves dealing with endless laundry, poop, and stomach viruses, plus making lunches, grocery shopping, cleaning up messes, and much more. It sometimes can be a thankless job, but it’s the job for which we signed up. We parent out of love, and mostly, even with the work, it’s a joy. However, there is a lot of unpleasantness that isn’t an inevitable part of the job, namely dealing with kids’ whining, complaining, tantrums, and wheedling. These button-pushing, parentprovoking behaviors are mostly learned, but they can be unlearned in a flash. When that happens, parenting becomes less like a job and a lot more fun.

Here, Catherine Pearlman, Ph.D., LCSW, author of Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking The Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction, shares five important points parents should know about kids’ annoying and attention-seeking behaviors.

“

1. Kids whine, complain, and negotiate all for one simple reason: because it works. Begging for an ice pop or complaining about having to eat broccoli tends to get the desired response. Either kids get to avoid something they don’t want to do, or they get something they desperately want, like another brownie or more screen time. If the behavior doesn’t produce these rewards, children will find other, more appropriate ways to behave.

2. Behavior that is reinforced will be repeated. Kids are smart cookies. Once they break the parenting code and figure out how to get more of what they want and less of

what they don’t, they will use these effective techniques to their advantage. Children aren’t deviant monsters; they are just learning from their parents how to work the system. If you knew what to do to get a free Frappuccino at Starbucks, wouldn’t you do it?

3. When parents change how they respond to a behavior, the behavior changes. The good news is children notice very quickly when their tried-and-true behaviors are no longer effective. If kids throw a tantrum but it gets them nothing, they decide it’s not worth it.

When arguing and begging for more screen time produces no more time and no additional attention, kids give it up.

4. To avoid rewarding or reinforcing misbehavior, ignore it. Once you’ve said “no” to a pack of gum at Target or a balloon at the stationery store, ignore the whining and complaining. Also ignore it when your child tries to negotiate for fewer carrots at dinner, or burps for attention. Without any reward, kids will quickly drop these behaviors. Why would kids beg, whine, or negotiate if nothing comes of it?

5. Ignore the misbehavior, not the child. Kids still need attention, so give it to them, just not following misbehavior. Instead, catch them when they’re listening, being kind, or following directions, then reward them for those actions. An important caveat of ignoring misbehavior: Don’t ignore your child’s pain or anyone who is in pain as a result of your child’s behavior.

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

RocklandParent

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raising kids voices

Fear Not, Little One

››

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

I

was afraid of many things as a child. From thunder and lightning to E.T. and our neighbor’s dog, I always found something to freak out about. I was leery of department stores and getting lost in their maze-like clothing racks. I was so scared of the board game Operation that I had to wear earmuffs to mask the constant buzzing sound when my older sister played with her friends. I couldn’t even look at my father’s heavy-duty liquid soap bottle because the giant greasy hands on it were totally terrifying to me.

This summer my daughter turned 2 years old, and as all the parenting literature promised, she started to develop some fears herself. Despite my own experience with this, I felt helpless and perplexed. Rather than a gradual introduction to shock and fright, we’ve been dealing with the sudden appearance of fears, some from seemingly nowhere. My once-fearless toddler started clinging to me if a dad entered the playground, and crying if strangers looked at her for too long in the grocery store. The “stranger danger” was short lived, but she still gets very irritable when unfamiliar men are around.

My daughter still seemed fairly intrepid this summer, swimming (with assistance from her floaties!) in the Hudson River or socializing with a new playgroup—until the smoke alarm in her bedroom went off three times in one evening. From then on, bedtime, naptime, and anything within one hour of these sacred rituals became riddled with anxiety triggers. It would start with some clinginess during her pre-bed meal, then tears while I was cleaning up, which led to protests at going upstairs and reading books, then screaming “No beep beep!” until it erupted into a full-blown meltdown on her bedroom floor. It was impossible to stop and heartbreaking to witness.

My brave little girl was completely distraught, and I felt powerless to comfort her. So I learned a slightly different kind of parenting, with plenty of listening and less talking, and more creative problem solving than usual. I soon realized that my daughter desperately wanted to talk about the “beep beep,” so

I gave her every opportunity to repeat the story of what happened that night. “Beep beep. Daddy fixed it. We go outside,” she would say over and over again, recounting how the alarm blared, my husband shut it off, and then we went outside to call our local fire department just to make sure there wasn’t any carbon monoxide setting off the alarm. She wanted to put Elmo stickers on the alarm, so I found our tallest stool and managed to stick a few around its perimeter on her bedroom ceiling.

Then I started pointing out all the happy beeps that we hear throughout the day. The microwave, which means her breakfast sausage is ready! My phone alarm, which means it’s time to get ready for preschool! Or the “beep beep” of her grandmother’s car just parked in our driveway, which always means a fun, lollipop-fueled visit. We even tried an at-home version of art therapy, drawing a picture of her bedroom together, her crib surrounded by books and stuffed animals, and the all-important “beep beep” at the top right-hand corner, with Elmo stickers nearby, of course.

Our journey from fearless to fearful and back again just goes to show that I’ll probably never parent the same exact kid or in the same exact ways two years in a row, and that’s a good thing because it helps both me and my daughter grow. The first year was all about patience (breast-feeding, sleep regressions, and teething, for starters), but the second year has been about becoming more flexible and nimble, always ready to meet her wherever she needs me.

A few weeks ago, my daughter’s bedtime routine went back to normal. She stopped talking about the “beep beep” entirely.

It fell off her list of hot topics, which currently includes pigs, birthdays (dates, cakes, songs, presents, all of it), and the names of all her friends’ baby brothers and sisters. But now, instead of screaming out from her crib in fear, she’s shouting out in anger.

“Put my arm under the blankie! Put my arm under!” she demands with increasing frustration.

It’s been a long, cold winter. But at least she’s not afraid of Jack Frost—yet.

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

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

things to do

diy corner

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

Things you need Felt pen or a pencil Fake fur material Compass or large roll of tape as a template Scissors Needle and strong thread Toy stuffing / wadding Small coin, 1 inch in diameter Small piece of felt 2 shoe clips Glue gun Directions 1. Draw two circles on your fur material, roughly 4¾ inches in diameter—a full roll of sticky tape is a good size to draw round.

2. Cut out the circles with scissors and put one to one side.

Thread your needle with a double length of thread, leaving a thread tail of 4 inches. Tack around the edge of the fur disc, using a running stitch.

3. When you get back to where you started, go back out the disc with the needle so now you have two tail ends next to each other. Hold the disc and pull the tail ends to ruche up the disc into a pouch.

4. Put a small amount of stuffing inside the pouch so it fills out, almost into a ball shape. You can also use your fur offcuts for stuffing.

5. Pull the tail ends and tie a knot to close up the opening.

6. Thread a needle onto the tail ends and sew a few stitches to secure. Repeat steps 2-6 to make another pompom.

7. Place your small coin on the felt and draw round it to make two circles. Cut them out. Sew a shoe clip onto each felt disc.

8. Attach the back of each felt disc to the base of a pompom, using a glue gun. Hold in place until the glue dries.

9. Clip the pompoms to your favorite pair of shoes and get dancing!

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Excerpted with permission from Dress You Up by Rosy Nicholas, photography by Adam Laycock; published by Quadrille April 2017; RRP $19.99 hardcover.

RocklandParent 11

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

online extras The most important things kids learn at camp are the ones you can’t see.

Here are 20 camp lessons we use every day ›› nymetroparents.com/camp-lessons

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

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

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

inside

raising kids camp planner

14 How Camp Prepares Kids for College: Sending children to summer camp does more than keep them entertained—it prepares them for collegiate life. amp Directory: Find day 18 C camps, specialty camps, and sleepaway camps in and near Rockland County.

22 C amp Guide: This camps-at-a-glance chart makes it easier to find exactly what you want in a summer camp.

How Camp Prepares Kids for College ››

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

A

t age 7 I went to day camp and by 10 I began going to sleepaway camp. Summer after summer I yearned for the end of school with excitement, though always with trepidation and a dash of worry as well. But the minute I opened the car door or the bus pulled up to my camp I was home, and that feeling never waned.

Eight years after my first sleepaway camp experience, I headed off to college and that same mixture of emotions came along for the ride. Drawing on my camp experience, I was happy to discover, made the transition easier. Remembering the fun that superseded the fear, the compassion that outranked the chaos, and the learning that leveled the playing field helped more than any college preparatory book I could have read or any “what to know before you go to college” podcast I could have listened to (if those had existed at the time, of course!). What

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

my camp friends and I learned stayed with us, transferred to others, and wove itself into the fabric of our being. As a camper and counselor, camp gave me the informal credits I needed to prepare for college. Here are 10 things I learned at camp that helped with the transition:

Learn to accept change.

This is probably the most significant lesson from camp that translates to college and then to life. Learning the only things we have control over are our attitudes, outlook, and responses is not an easy feat. Our cabins were decided before we arrived, and sometimes our friends weren’t with us, or perhaps new friends left before the summer’s end. Counselors shifted each session, and the new ones had very different personalities than our previous leaders. We could fight these changes, be angry

CAMP MARKETPLACE when they happened, and let it ruin our camp experience, or we could find a way to accept the change, experience the new, and learn and grow. In college, friendships, roommates, and even majors change. Dealing with change isn’t easy, but it’s fantastically necessary. As we progress in years, the changes we deal with get more difficult, so our ability to accept what we can’t change must grow—and camp starts that process.

Be flexible and go with the flow.

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

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Embrace and learn from diversity.

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

Don’t be afraid to be yourself.

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

RocklandParent 15

‹‹ continued from previous page

those lessons we reach for in the dorm room during moments that are coupled with the fear that we might not be enough.

Everyone gets homesick.

Perhaps it happened after you read a letter or email from home.

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

Respect yourself and others.

Camp provides us freedoms we might not have at home while encouraging us to make good choices, take care of ourselves, and use good judgment. These lessons continue after we leave the grounds in August. Camp discourages bullying, teaches us to speak up for fellow campers and ourselves, and reminds us that although we’re away from home and school our character still counts and our actions have consequences. College life comes with privileges of freedoms, new people and attitudes, and many of the same choices as camp. Remembering the advice of camp counselors from our youth who constantly reminded us to respect ourselves stays with us and often pops up in critical moments when we have difficult choices to make.

Share your skills and your stuff.

Jill always brought the coolest clothes and stuff to camp. No one knew more about all things agricultural than Erin. Mr. Bill could fix everything, and his wife made the best iced tea in the world (well, according to us). Carolyn showed us how to make a one-match fire, and Maryanne introduced us to our favorite crumb cake recipe. Some people shared stuff, some shared knowledge, and others shared experiences—and it all mattered.

Those who had something to share felt good knowing they were able to help someone else. Those who benefited from the generosity felt a connection, a boost in positivity, and often a desire to continue to pay it forward. College is much the same. Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing a pizza, lending out a sweatshirt, copying class notes for a sick friend, or explaining a statistics problem at 3am to your stressed out roommate. At camp we borrowed clothes, lent encouragement, and shared our knowledge. It was never about who had or knew the most or the best of anything; it was about those with the biggest hearts, the kindest ears, and the ability to be there. It mattered then, and it will continue to matter throughout college and the years thereafter.

Everyone has something to teach and to learn.

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

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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

Face your fears.

Nature’s creepy crawlies wound their webs in all sorts of knobby corners at camp, and our bathrooms were outside.

Then there was the swim test in the first days of the season.

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

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

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

GLSW

German Language School Westwood

GERMAN LANGUAGE CLASSES Register for Fall 2018 Small Classes All Ages and Levels Preparation for all College Admissions Tests

Accredited Non-Profit Since 1972

Call Now About SUMMER CAMP

www.germanschoolnj.org

201-825-9770

An Artist’s Retreat for Children and Teens

June 25-August 17, 2018 3 or 5 days per week 2, 4, 6, or 8 week sessions grades K-9 Save $50 with code “camp18” when you pay in full by 2/28/18 Register online now @ www.rocklandartcenter.org or call 845-358-0877 for more information.

Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Rd., W. Nyack, NY 10994

RocklandParent 17

Camp Directory DAY CAMPS Alpine Day Camp

441 US 9W Box 377, Alpine, NJ 201-768-1910 alpinescoutcamp.org/daycamp Are you ready for some adventure this summer? The Alpine Scout Camp, operated by the Boy Scouts of America, one of the country’s oldest institutions for outdoor learning, is proud to announce a brand-new Day Camp open to all children entering first-seventh grades. Your kids will have experiences that will stay with them forever. From swimming and archery, to rock climbing and nature hikes, our camp strives to be the best!

Open houses are available March 24, April 14, and May 5. Extended hours included at no extra cost.

Brilliant Minds Daycare and Learning Center

845-535-9658 brilliantmindsdaycare.com myra@brilliantmindsdaycare.com We are a NYS-licensed day care and learning center for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years and after-school care for children ages 12 and younger. We will be offering full- and part-day summer hours for children of all ages. We nurture all aspects of a child’s development and include specialized activities in order to fully engage your child, such as baking, Spanish, dance, yoga and exercise, science experiments, daily outdoor play (weather permitting), learning centers equipped with iPads and computers, dramatic play, and art. Flexible scheduling to fit your needs.

Camp Ramaquois

30 Mountain Road, Pomona 845-354-1600 ramaquois.com Camp Ramaquois is “a day camp as complete as sleepaway camp,” situated on 44 acres in Rockland County. From adventurous activities to creative arts and athletic activities, boys and girls ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities. Facilities include a 5-acre crystalline lake; nine heated swimming pools; a splash park; tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts; hockey rinks; ball fields; soccer fields; a petting zoo; and special events. Many air-conditioned buildings. Visit us on our website or call for a personal tour.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

The Lindgren Nursery School and Camp

211 Irving Ave., Closter 201-768-3550 lindgrenschool.com/summer-camp Set in our spacious, fenced in woodland oasis, Lindgren is a haven, unlike any camp in the local area. Pools, pavilions, and farm animals create a true outdoor camp experience. Local elementary teachers and artisans bring their talents to each department. Campers meet for their appointed Red Cross swim lesson and morning roll call, and for lunch with their troop daily. Otherwise, they can spend as long as they wish, with whom they wish, in any of our activity areas including arts and crafts, sewing and beading, woodworking, sports, table games, theater, dance, yoga, cooking, music, gardening, and hiking. Daily trips available.

Mosholu Day Camp

261 Arden Valley Road, Southfields 845-243-0751 mosholudaycamp.com Mosholu Camps offer parents a quality program at a low cost. With a strong emphasis on developing new relationships and experiences, our traditional camp day is filled with dynamic activities. Located at Lake Cohasset in Harriman State Park, our staff is a spirited group of creative counselors, who offer encouragement and motivation to help strengthen the camper’s self-opinion, while developing their social, athletic, and academic skills. Campers participate in an array of activities such as swimming, music, arts, trips, archery, boating, dance, and sports. At Mosholu, we make memories!

Palisades Country Day Camp

248 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 201-784-7600 x3 palisadescountryday.com It’s all about fun at Palisades Country Day Camp in Closter, New Jersey! Bergen County’s No. 1 summer day camp for toddlers (18 months) through second-graders ensures that every child has the opportunity to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Campers enjoy three heated pools with twisty slides, two drenching splash parks, a triple-decker playground, and amazing daily activities. Gated community for Tiny Tots, swim lessons, recreational swim, special events, themed weeks, including petting zoos, and magic shows. Before and after care, 1-on-1 swim lessons, and busing available at additional cost.

RoCA Summer Camp / Rockland Center for the Arts

Amy Alinkofsky, camp director 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack 845-358-0877 x18 rocklandartcenter.org amy@rocklandartcenter.org Camp RoCA: where children explore their creativity and imaginations while developing skills they can use throughout their lives—a place for developing artists to explore various art forms in our studio-based activities. RoCA features one of the region’s most comprehensive art programs. Under the guidance of teaching artists, campers explore art in an environment where cooperation, personal development, and self-esteem are encouraged.

Available five or three days a week; two-, four-, six-, or eight-week sessions from June 25-Aug. 17. Open houses will be held March 18 and May 6 from 1-4pm.

Young World Day Camp

585 Wyckoff Ave., Mahwah, NJ 201-327-3888 youngworlddayschool.org director@ywdschool.org Young World Day Camp offers the initial camp experience for children ages 2 through rising fifth-graders, a middle-school student CIT program, and an academic preschool Montessori Camp, beginning on June 25 and running for eight weeks. Age-appropriate activities promote physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development. Choose full-day (9am-4pm) or half-day sessions (9am-12pm or 1-4pm) in our air-conditioned facility. Extended care available from 8-9am and 4-5pm. Daily swim instruction provided for all potty-trained campers in our heated, non-chlorine pool by Red Cross-certified water safety instructors.

Soccer, kickball, and volleyball instruction provided by Kids in Motion.

OUTINGS FOR CAMPS Main Street Cinemas - New City 6

202 S. Main St., New City 845-634-5100 mainstcinemas.com events@mainstcinemas.com Main Street Cinemas welcomes all camp groups by showing today’s best kids’ and family-friendly movies at the lowest admission prices in Rockland County! For special rates and packages for camps, kids’ birthday parties, and other

group outings, please contact us at events@mainstcinemas.com. We will see you at the movies!

Jill’s Ceramics

180 Germonds Road, West Nyack 845-623-4975 jillceramics.com jillsceramics@aol.com Calling all camps! We provide a great ceramics program you can offer your campers this summer.

You can schedule field trips to our fully equipped ceramics and plaster studio in West Nyack, or we can schedule a program to be held at your location.

Sports-themed items, piggy banks, jewelry boxes, and Disney characters are just a few of the many choices from our “paint and take home” items. All age groups, very affordable rates— call for details.

Palisades Climb Adventure

4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course.

Standing 85-feet tall, it has five levels and 75 unique challenge elements to explore, climb, and conquer including a new zip line. More advanced athletes will find a challenge, while “just for fun” climbers will experience a sense of athletic accomplishment. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7, 48-inches tall and shorter. Both courses are available for birthday parties, camp groups, and special events.

Book your group today!

SLEEPAWAY CAMPS Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington, a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism, and related developmental and learning disabilities, and ADD. Ability levels mild to moderatesevere. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and

instructionally designed recreation programs in summer and certain weekends during the year. Programs offer structured daily activities designed to be safe, learning-based, fun, and rewarding. Positive reinforcement motivates children to be happy and participate meaningfully. Activities encourage improvement in selfmanagement and independence, and advancement in social and life skills. camphuntington.com.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

SPECIALTY CAMPS The Academy For Martial Arts

8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 rocklandkarate.com Every kid should learn self-defense. It’s like learning to swim— it’s a lot of fun and it can save your life. Your child can receive self-defense training, get fit, and improve their focus and self-confidence—all while having a great time this summer at The Academy For Martial Arts Summer Camp. In addition to learning karate and jiu-jitsu, we’ll offer plenty of other activities to keep kids active and entertained all summer long: dodgeball and other games, big screen movies, and arts and crafts. Enroll in advance, by the week. (Space is limited).

Call for more information. Camp registration is now open.

Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare

6 Charles St., New City 914-420-5785 2 Mountainview Court, Pomona brightbeginningsofrockland.com We are a NYS-licensed and NAFCC-accredited facility and our staff is CPR- and first aid-certified. We offer a fun, affordable, summer program for children 6 months through school age. Located in a private cul-de-sac, we have more than an acre of property where children can play. Summer program includes all meals, American Red Cross swim lessons, water table and sprinkler play, dance lessons, arts and crafts, physical education, and different theme weeks. We also follow a NYS curriculum, as Bright Beginnings is run by a NYS-certified elementary teacher. continued on next page ››

OPEN TO BOYS & GIRLS 1-7 GRADE

free extended hours

OPEN HOUSES 10A-2P MARCH 24•APRIL 21•MAY 5 ALPINESCOUTCAMP.ORG/DAYCAMP 201.768.1910 Leap into dance This Summer at

Coupé Theatre Studio

Camps for children aged 4 though teens Beginner through Advanced Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Acting, Acro and Lyrical Trips to Broadway and More

June 25th-July 27th 2018

(845) 623-2808 430 Market St., Nanuet NY www.coupedance.com RocklandParent 19

CAMP MARKETPLACE

‹‹ continued from previous page

Camp Clio

SUMMER CAMP? WE’RE THE NATURAL CHOICE. Wander down the Lindgren drive and you know you’ve entered into a very special place. We offer an extensive arts and crafts program, sports, and swim lessons, gardening, and farm animals and hikes in the adjacent Closter Nature Center.

Our unique country atmosphere engages and inspires campers and lets children be children.

FIND OUT MORE!

Visit lindgrenschool.com or call 201.768.3550 today.

Summer Camp for ages 3 to 11

Camp Huntington CLOSTER, NJ

Want more parenting tips, tools & resources...

NYMetroParents.com Helping parents make better decisions

Be Social

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Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Camp Clio and our new Camp Clio Teen offer a unique experience for adopted children (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-16). Camp Clio campers and counselors, themselves adopted and serving as role models, share the intimacy and safety of being with other adopted friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: July 1-13. Camp Clio Youth: July 1-21. Campers may come for one or more sessions.

Scholarships available.

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

gift shop. We also host chocolate birthday parties, fundraisers, chocolate-making classes, and more. Visit our website to see our gallery of chocolate platters and for more information on parties and camp, or email or give us a call.

Clarkstown Theatre Company

8 Second St., Lower Level, New City 845-708-2288 clarkstowntheatrecompany.com Clarkstown Theatre Company began in our community to create and develop artists as actors and performers. We are a year-round organization offering acting classes, music theater workshops, and intimate original showpieces. Join us where the craft of theater is experienced in a warm and positive environment with professional instructors.

In addition to our after-school classes, we are offering a summer program that involves your child in every aspect of an original production from start to finish.

Please call for details. Space still available for this summer. We keep our casts small, so the experience is “huge!”

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Coupé Theatre Studio Camp Huntington, a coed, 430 Market St., Nanuet residential summer camp for 845-623-2808 children and young adults coupedance.com with autism, and related Beautiful air-conditioned studios. developmental and learning Exciting summer programs for disabilities, and ADD. Ability students ages 4 through teens levels mild to moderate-severe. and a Ballet Intensive (by audiLocated in High Falls in the tion). Programs feature age-apbeautiful Catskill Mountain propriate in ballet, jazz, region, the camp provides Helping parents makeclasses better decisions tap, modern, hip-hop, musical therapeutically and instructionally theater, acro and acrodance,Be Social designed recreation programs in voice training, and acting. Trips summer and certain weekends to Broadway shows, and ballet at during the year. Programs Lincoln Center. Flexible schedoffer structured daily activities ules are available. designed to be safe, learningbased, fun, and rewarding.

German Language School Positive reinforcement motivates Westwood children to be happy and 47 Berkeley Ave., Westwood, NJ participate meaningfully. Activities 201-825-9770 encourage improvement in selfgermanschoolnj.org management and independence, info@germanschoolnj.org and advancement in social and life The German Language skills. camphuntington.com.

School-Westwood is a nonprofit organization in Bergen County.

Chocolatier Matisse For the second year, we will 32 Orangetown Shopping Center, be offering German Language Orangeburg Immersion Summer All Day 845-365-0285 Camp in Alpine, New Jersey. chocolatiermatisse.com Campers may sign up for any chocolatiermatisse@gmail.com choice of week. Activities include Mini camps run year-round in swimming, archery, rock-climbour homemade chocolate and

Want more activities to do this fall…

NYMetroParents.com

ing, nature walks, daily German lessons, and other outdoor activities. Before and after care are available. Consult our website, email, or call for dates and cost.

Tuition includes lunch. The minimum age for students to participate is 5 years.

HealthBarn USA

1057 Hillcrest Road, Ridgewood, NJ 201-444-2955 healthbarnusa.com info@healthbarnusa.com HealthBarn USA’s intimate “garden-to-table” camp (ages 5-15) teaches kids about planting and harvesting their own handgrown organic produce and gets them in the kitchen cooking breakfast, lunch, and snack every day while keeping them engaged with crafts, sports, yoga, and nature hunts. Space limited to 35 campers each week. Kids ages 3-5 can get a taste of camp through the “Summer Seedlings” program that runs in the afternoons for five- or ten-week sessions. Camp will be held Monday-Friday, 9am3pm, June-August.

Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio

61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com We are the best alternative to an all-day camp with the most reasonable rates! We cater to ages 16 months (diapers welcomed) to 5 years. This multi-arts program includes music with instruments, creative movement, theme weeks, and tumbling! Other special summer programs for ages 2½ to adult include Dance Theatre Workshop, Teen Dance Workshop, Princess Dress-up Dance Tea Party, American Girl Dance, Broadway Kidz Camp, Pop Diva Camp, and a variety of combination classes. Programs are 1-3 hours long, with extended-hour options.

Mathnasium of Nanuet

209B W. Route 59, Nanuet 845-624-MATH (6284) mathnasium.com/nanuet nanuet@mathnasium.com Mathnasium Summer Math Camp is a great way to give your child fun activities to do during the summer while also meeting their educational needs. Our

flexible programs can be tailored to meet your child’s specific summer goals. Here are just a few things you can find at Mathnasium Summer Math Camp: 1-on-1 instruction; mastery of number facts; cracking the SAT and ACT; help with fractions; preview or review of Algebra I and II, Geometry, and Trigonometry; hands-on activities; and growing confidence in math.

Summer Math Camp Package starting at $275 per month.

Rivertown Music & Arts Camp Rivertown Music Studio

20 Bridge St., Nyack 845-405-3615 rivertownmusic.net rivertownmusicnyack@gmail.com Rivertown Music Studio in Nyack offers a Music and Arts Summer Camp combining music, movement, and the arts with loads of fresh air and tons of summer fun. The professional staff conducts daily activities for campers ages 5-12, including music and theater games, songwriting, storytelling, creative movement, art, and yoga, plus one weekly private lesson in piano, guitar, voice, or drums. See what happens when your child unplugs in this non-competitive, supportive camp. Join one or both two-week sessions. Visit our website for details.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

The Best Alternative To An All Day Camp!

Programs & Workshops for Girls & Boys 16 months - teens

vicki’s dance studio

2 or more hour sessions available (extended hour options)

Our Summer Programs Include: • Multi-Arts Program (Ages 16 months - 5 years old) includes Arts & Crafts, Music with instruments, theme weeks, tumbling, creative movement & more

• Princess Dress Up Dance Tea Party • American Girl Dance Around The World • Broadway Kidz • Pop Diva • Youth Theatre • Pre-Teen - Teen Dance Workshop • Tumbling Tots

61 Maple Ave, New City • www.vickistudio.com • 634-2202

West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex

21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com Our All Sports Summer Camp features fun-filled instruction and encompasses various sports and games. Friday special theme days include Color War, Relay Races, Field Day, and Olympics! Our Basketball Summer Camp focuses specifically on basketball skills. All campers, regardless of age and athletic ability, will improve their conditioning, while honing existing sports skills. We emphasize fun and learning good sportsmanship in a positive, social setting.

State-of-the-art air-conditioned facility, six har-tru tennis courts, two regulation-size basketball courts, and four indoor turf fields (26,000-square-feet). Flexible schedules, extended hours, multi-week discounts, and lunch options available.

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Alpine Day Camp alpinescoutcamp.org

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summerplaycamp.org

Challenge Courses

Fine Arts

Special Needs

Nature/Petting Zoo

CIT

(Counselor-in-Training)

Travel

Horseback Riding

Competitive Sports

Theater

STEAM/Robotics

PROGRAMS: Scholarship

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

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ER R C OD ST E PR GI MM INAL E R SMARKETPLACE U IG CAMP R , OR FO CALE LS

L CHILDCARE & PRE-SCHOOL FU OPEN ENROLLMENT 2018

• NYS Licensed Facility • Daycare for Ages 6 weeks – 5 yrs • Flexible Hours to Fit Your Schedule • CPR & First Aid Certified Staff • After School & Holiday Break Care for Children up to 12 yrs • Learning Center Equipped with Ipads & Computers • Full & Part Time Summer Program • We Follow NYS Pre-k Curriculum • Fun activities including baking, dance, yoga/exercise, science experiments, daily outdoor play (weather permitting), dramatic play, Spanish and Art.

Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center

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

Acting Workshops For Kids of All Ages!

New City, NY | 845-535-9658 | Brilliantmindsdaycare.com • Learn acting fundamentals in a creative environment • Gain confidence – by contributing to the process

GARDEN-TO-TABLE

Summer Camp

• PRIVATE COACHING • COLLEGE PREP / PRESCREENS

ages 3-15

• Creating original theatre & performances for all ages!

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

June - August 2018 Ridgewood, NJ

201-444-2955

Young World Day Camp

Featured on The Rachael Ray Show, CNN, CBS-TV & FOX Good Day New York & in The New York Times & Women’s Health Magazine

Ages 2-Rising 5th Grader 8 weeks beginning June 25th • Air-conditioned facility

www.healthbarnusa.com Mathnasium Summer Camp can help with the loss of knowledge over summer vacation.

Sports Fundamentals

Summer M ath Camp pac kage starting at $275/mon th!

Ask about our Montessori Camp and New Middle School Counselor in Training Program

Summer Learning Gap

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Sum

2016

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lide

2017

2018

*Johns Hopkins University study about summer slide: http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/ Journals/spring2010/why-summer-learning/

Mathnasium of Nanuet

845-624-6284

mathnasium.com/nanuet

209B W. Route 59, Nanuet, NY 10954

585 Wyckoff Avenue Mahwah, NJ 07430 Ph. 201-327-3888 Fx. 201-327-2416 www.youngworlddayschool.org RocklandParent 23

family life finances

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

T

ax season is here again. Will you end up forking over fistfuls of cash, or hardly feeling any financial pain? The answer may depend on how savvy you are. Take advantage of all the deductions and credits you’re eligible for, and you can save up to thousands of dollars, and in some cases even get money back.

Overlook these tax breaks, though, and the opposite will happen: You’ll end up forfeiting money that’s rightfully yours.

A good tax professional can help make sure you’re minimizing your payout. (Tax-prep software is another popular alternative.)

And be aware of the credits and deductions listed here. While they may not be a comprehensive rundown of every last way you can reduce your taxes, they’re a good start.

Getting Credit Where It’s Due

One of the best ways to minimize your tax burden is by looking for credits you’re eligible to take—these reduce the amount of taxes you owe. Listed here are some tax credits that are particularly helpful for families.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit: “This is designed to provide a tax benefit for homes in which both parents work fulltime or have earned income,” says Nicholas Sher, CPA, managing director of Sher & Associates, LLC, a boutique tax planning firm 24

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

››

By Deborah Skolnik

in midtown Manhattan. At the federal level, the credit is at least 20 percent of the first $3,000 of child care expense per child, for a maximum of two children. At the state level, you will receive a credit of at least 20 percent of the federal level. That means if you spend $3,000 on your child’s care you can save a minimum of $840 total—useful when you’re raising a family. Note: This credit is not available to a spouse who stays at home and doesn’t earn income.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Didn’t have a great year financially? The EITC may be the break you need. This federal tax credit is available to people who have earned an income below a certain threshold, and it increases in relation to the amount of children in the home, up to a maximum of three kids, Sher explains. You can’t have earned very much—for instance, a married couple filing jointly, with three or more children, must have an earned income and adjusted gross income (that’s the total income you report that is eligible to be taxed, minus some adjustments you’re allowed to make) of each less than $53,930.

But the credit can be sizeable: a maximum of $6,318. What’s scary is that according to Jackson Hewitt, nearly 1 in 5 eligible Americans fails to claim this tax credit, leaving up to thousands of dollars on the table. Even if you haven’t qualified for the EITC before, don’t forget to check with your tax professional to see if

you qualify this time: nearly one-third of all people who can claim it are newly eligible each year.

The Saver’s Credit or Retirement Savings Contribution Credit: Have you been putting away money for your retirement?

You deserve a pat on the back. And, depending on what you earn, the government wants to give you something more: a tax credit.

If you’re married or filing jointly and make an income of $62,000 or less, you may be eligible for a credit of between 10-50 percent of your contributions to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or an employer-sponsored retirement savings program. If you’re filing as the head of household, you may be eligible for the credit if you earned $46,500 or less, Sher says.

Making Clever Deductions

In addition to tax credits, stay on the lookout for deductions you can take. A deduction reduces your taxable income, which increases the chances of a lower overall tax bill. Read on; some of the ones listed here might apply to you.

Medical expenses: Does someone in your family require extensive medical care? If your medical expenses exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income, you may be eligible for a deduction, says Rebecca Walser, a tax attorney, certified financial planner, and the author of Wealth Unbroken, but you must itemize your deductions in this case. New-mom gear, such as breast pumps and lactation equipment, can be included. And if you pay tuition for special education for a child with special needs, that too can be deductible if the curriculum is considered medically necessary, Sher says. (This is a highly scrutinized deduction, so check with your tax pro before you take it.) Going forward, consider funding a Health Savings Account, says Mark Kohler, a senior tax advisor with TaxSlayer, a tax preparation and financial technology company. The money you deposit in the account both grows tax-free and comes out tax-free for qualified family medical expenses. You also get a tax deduction for contributions on your tax return.

PROVIDING KID APPROVED DENTAL CARE!

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Health insurance, if you’re your own boss: “If you are selfemployed you can deduct one hundred percent of the cost of health insurance for yourself,” Walser says.

Moving expenses: It’s the rare family that doesn’t move at some point, but are the expenses related to a relocation deductible? It depends, Sher says. “You must move more than 50 miles away, and you must remain employed for 39 weeks of the next 52 week period,” he explains. FYI, this is the last year that this deduction can be taken; it’s being swept away for 2018 with the new tax reforms we’ve all heard so much about.

Job-hunting expenses: Like medical expenses, these need to be itemized. And you will have to have launched a truly extensive search for new employment: You aren’t eligible for a deduction unless the costs exceeded 2 percent of your AGI. New York state 529 plan contributions: “Anyone who is making a New York state 529 plan contribution should be taking the eligible deduction, which is up to ten thousand dollars for a married couple filing jointly,” Sher says. Though this account has been used to save for children’s college tuition up until now, beginning in 2018 contributions can also be used toward private school tuition.

Want more pointers? Consult your favorite tax professional. He or she can help you formulate a strategy to make tax time far less taxing on your family.

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N Y C

Family Fun in Manhattan Malcolm Pinckney

Courtesy VStar Entertainment Group

W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

The whole patrol shows up for some live action fun!

Who Let the Pups Out?

Riverside Park

Neighboring the Hudson River, this park stretches from 72nd to 158th streets with nature-friendly areas, including the Bird Sanctuary, Garden People’s Garden, Mount Tom, and Cherry Walk. Kids can enjoy visiting one of more than 15 playgrounds throughout the park, from Hippo Playground to Dinosaur Playground and Neufeld (Elephant) Playground.

Visit it: Riverside Drive and 72nd to 158th streets, Upper West Side; 212-873-3070; riversideparknyc.org Can’t-miss event: TNF’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Fun on March 24, 9:30am-3pm Directions: Approximately a 50-minute drive from New City

Amanda Gentile

Mitchell Zachs Photography

Fans of the TV show will flip when they see PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure on stage. It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, and Mayor Goodway is getting ready for a big celebration.

But first, Ryder and his team of pirate pups must rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. When they do, they also discover a secret pirate treasure map. The PAW Patrol sets out over land and sea to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway’s celebration before Mayor Humdinger finds it first. The pups will need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including some help from the newest pup, Tracker. The 85-minute show includes a 15-minute intermission. And expect plenty of impressive music, choreography, lights, and special effects. March 22-25, see website for times.

Age: All. $30 and up. The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown. pawpatrollive.com.

The production is inspired by the poem “Wynken, Blynken and Nod.”

Sleep No More

What happens when we go to sleep? Where can our imaginations take us? Spellbound Theatre’s ‘Wink’ at Symphony Space is a highly creative and multi-disciplinary performance that explores dreams from the perspective of a young child and her bear. Blending shadow puppetry, physical theater, and animation, this unique show is a captivating journey designed to engage and inspire the very youngest audience members. March 24, 11am and 2pm. Age: 2-7. $17 and up. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side. symphonyspace.org.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Irish Arts Center

Explore Irish heritage at this arts and cultural center with programs in music, dance, language, literary arts, and theater. Kid-friendly programs include Introductory Step Dance, during which families learn the reel and the jig, and Bagpipes: Traditional Irish Music for Kids to learn how to play these Irish pipes.

Visit it: 553 W. 51st St., Hell’s Kitchen; 212-757-3318; irishartscenter.org Can’t-miss event: Annual St. Patrick’s Open Day on March 11, 12pm Directions: Approximately a 1-hour drive from New City

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

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Turn the page for details on ‘Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!’

(No. 2 on our list).

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nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: SAMANTHA BERANBOM rpeditor@davlermedia.com

MARCH CALENDAR 28

Editor’s Hot Tickets

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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Holiday Fun

31

Browse & Buy, Smarty Pants,

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The Great Outdoors, Show Time!

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Movers & Shakers

5

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!

1

REACH Foundation STEAM Expo FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 11am-3pm WHERE: Suffern High School, 49 Viola Road, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: The expo will consist of STEAM project displays, exhibits, demonstrations, local organization booths, and vendors. Come see Mario the Magician’s STEAM creations, learn how to make your own creations, figure out how to get out of the Escape Room, and more.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A community-wide event that celebrates science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

WANT TO GO? 845-664-2994. reachfoundation.org.

‘Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!’

2

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2pm and 4pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Meet and interact with an eye-popping collection of life-like dinosaurs and other creatures in pre-historic Australia, brought to life by a team of skilled performers and puppeteers, and designed with the help of professional paleontologists.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHY WE LOVE IT: The show will thrill and entertain kids while stimulating their imaginations in ways that will forever connect them to their world.

WANT TO GO? $15-$39. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

3

Annual Purim Character Palooza

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 10-11:30am WHERE: JCC of Rockland, 450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Meet some of your favorite characters including Pooh, Tigger, Donald, Daisy, and more to be announced. The event includes snacks, bounce house, face painting, games, crafts, activity booths filled with Legos, sports, art, and more.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Always a sold out celebration!

WANT TO GO? $17. 845-362-4400. jccrockland.org.

Grand Re-Opening

WHEN: Friday, March 16, 7pm WHERE: Warwick Drive-In Theater, 5 Warwick Turnpike, Warwick

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AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The drive-in is reopening for the season, with a double feature.

Check the website for updated show listings.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Keep the tradition of drive-in theaters alive!

WANT TO GO? $11; $8 seniors and children ages 4-11; free for children younger than 4. 845-986-4440. warwickdrivein.com.

5

Outragehisss Pets FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 12-1pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Outragehisss Pets brings a menagerie of wild animals to The Nature Place Day Camp. Learn about, see, and even touch or hold these unique creatures. Animals include chinchillas, fennec foxes, armadillos, snakes, and hedgehogs.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A great opportunity for animal lovers to get up close and personal with wildlife!

WANT TO GO? 845-356-1234. thenatureplace.com.

56th Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 1:30pm WHERE: Rockland County Ancient Order of Hiberians, Crooked Hill Road, Pearl River AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with one of the most popular annual parades in the area, comprised of more than 5,000 marchers and 25 bands. Check the website for updated information and parade route.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The entire family will march along watching this annual local celebration.

WANT TO GO? rocklandcountyaoh.com.

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Fireside Fun

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Gather around the campfire to learn about signs of spring, sing silly songs, watch funny skits, and eat some campfire treats. Registration required.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A no-electronic-device zone!

WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Classic Film Club

WHEN: March 3-31, Saturdays, 11:30am WHERE: Lafayette Theater, 97 Lafayette Ave., Suffern AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Enjoy a different classic film in this classic theater. This month’s movies include Hairspray, On the Town, Little Shop of Horrors, Singing in the Rain, and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.

WHY WE LOVE IT: One lucky audience member will receive a golden ticket at the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory screening!

WANT TO GO? $3. 845-368-1889. lafayettetheatersuffern.com.

Main Street Cinemas welcomes all Camp Groups by showing today’s best kids and family friendly movies... at the lowest admission prices in Rockland County!

For special rates and packages for camps, kid’s birthday parties and other group outings, please contact us at: events@mainstcinemas.com

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And we will see you at the movies!

Main Street Cinemas (FORMERLY FINE ARTS)

202 South Main Street New City, NY 10956 845-634-5100

www.MainStCinemas.com RocklandParent 29

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.

Saint Margaret Elementary School Touring Tuesday FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 13, 9-11am WHERE: Saint Margaret School of Antioch, 34 N. Magnolia St., Pearl River AGES: All WHAT: Come experience St. Margaret of Antioch School in action by visiting a Touring Tuesday.

WANT TO GO? 845-735-2855. saintmargaretschool.com.

Introductory Session for Prospective Parents FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 16, 9-11am WHERE: Green Meadow Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: Adult WHAT: Each session begins with the viewing of a video presentation on Waldorf education, followed by a Q-and-A period with faculty and students. The session concludes with a campus tour. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-356-2514 x302. gmws.org.

Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: March 11-17, Sunday and Saturday, 1-4pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Come learn about this a non-competitive, nature-oriented family-run camp. Receive a tour by appointment only and have any and all questions about the ins and outs of camp answered.

WANT TO GO? 845-356-1234. thenatureplace.com.

Prenatal Class FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 20, 5-6pm WHERE: Crystal Run Healthcare, 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack AGES: Adult WHAT: Expectant parents will learn invaluable information on how to care for your child, what to expect in the first weeks and months and when to call the doctor. Sephora Germain, M.D., will be on hand to answer any questions.

WANT TO GO? 845.348.1100. crystalrunhealthcare.com.

Weekly Drop-In at Rockland Baby Café FREE

WHEN: Year-round: Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Rockland Baby Café, 14 S. Main St., Spring Valley AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Meet and talk to new moms, learn how to make breast-feeding easier, make sure your baby is latching and gaining well, and get tips on pumping, going back to work, and other parenting topics.

WANT TO GO? 914-922-2240. rocklandgov.com.

HOLIDAY FUN Captain Underpants Purim Spiel & Carnival

WHEN: Sunday, March 4, 9:30am WHERE: The Reform Temple of Rockland, 330 N. Highland Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Come celebrate Purim at this fun and wacky spiel, then party at the carnival with a bounce house, treats, and games.

WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-358-2248. rtrny.org.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

St. Patrick’s Day Snakes

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson AGES: All WHAT: Legend says that Ireland has no snakes because St. Patrick chased them into the sea and banished them from the island forever.

Museum educators will separate fact from fiction about this story and everything snakes.

WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Flashlight Egg Hunt FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 23, 7pm WHERE: Zukor Park, 19 Zukor Road, New City AGES: All WHAT: Bring baskets and a flashlight to collect eggs at this special family night time egg hunt.

WANT TO GO? 845-639-6200. town.clarkstown.ny.us.

Chocolate Sedar Experience FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 25, 10:30am WHERE: JCC of Rockland, 450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Walk through the steps of the Seder and enjoy a sweet treat at every stop along the way.

WANT TO GO? 845-362-4400. jccrockland.org.

Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt

WHEN: Friday, March 30, 6pm WHERE: JTS Community Center, 115 Torne Valley Road, Hillburn AGES: All WHAT: Don’t forget to bring a basket and the whole family for this unique holiday hunt.

WANT TO GO? 845-753-2324. ramapoparks.org.

Funny Bunnies

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 10am and 11:30am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Learn about the native Eastern cottontail and then take a walk to search for signs of wild rabbits. Meet a live rabbit and make a bunny craft to take home.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Chicks and Bunnies

WHEN: March 24-31, Friday-Saturday, 9am-4pm WHERE: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Visit with the Easter Bunny, take pictures, and pet farm-raised chicks and bunnies.

WANT TO GO? $5. 201-891-0278. abmasfarm.com.

Hop Around Haverstraw Easter Egg Hunt & Pictures with Easter Bunny

WHEN: March 17-31, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-3pm WHERE: The Haverstraw Information & Tourism Center, 1 Railroad Square, Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Hop around Haverstraw to local vendors collecting Easter eggs in search of the golden ticket to win a prize. Also enjoy pictures with the Easter Bunny, coloring, raffles, music, vendors, and more.

WANT TO GO? $25 photos with the Easter Bunny; $10 Easter egg hunt.

845-271-3663. infostraw.com.

SMARTY PANTS Children’s Legislative Forum FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 2, 8am WHERE: Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern AGES: Adult WHAT: Learn more and join the discussion about early learning and health, family engagement, immigration, and pre- and perinatal mood disorders.

WANT TO GO? 845-425-0009. childcarerockland.org.

A Morning in the Nursery/Kindergarten FREE

Ramsey’s Indoor Winter Market

WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 9:30-11am WHERE: Green Meadow Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Experience a typical morning in the Early Childhood Program with your child, including bread baking and circle time.

Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-356-2514 x302. gmws.org.

The Souk Farm Market and Artisan Bazaar

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Green Meadow Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Celebrate the seasons with Andrea Gambardella and plant peas for St. Patrick’s Day. Prepare pots and soil for a June harvest and sing songs to entice the coming spring.

Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-356-2514 x302. gmws.org.

BROWSE & BUY WHEN: Through March 25: Sundays, 10am-2pm WHERE: Ramsey Farmers’ Market, Eric Smith School, 73 Monroe St., Ramsey, NJ AGES: All WHAT: More than 30 local farmers and food purveyors offer fresh, local, seasonal produce, including organic, artisan breads and fine cheeses; fresh fish directly from the Hampton Bays; hummus; guacamole made on-site, gluten-free baked goods; and organic prepared foods.

WANT TO GO? Free admission. 201-675-6866. ramseyfarmersmarket.org.

WHEN: Through March 25: Sundays, 11am-3pm WHERE: The Outside In, 249 Ferdon Ave., Piermont AGES: All WHAT: A spin on traditional markets, featuring food and artisan vendors in a gallery/greenhouse.

WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-398-0706. theoutside.in.

Palisades Winter Farmers’ Market

WHEN: Through March 31: Saturdays, 9am-1pm WHERE: Palisades Community Center, 675 Oak Tree Road, Palisades AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Housed in a charming historic schoolhouse, stock up on justpicked veggies and locally made artisinal specialties. There is also a craft table for kids.

WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-359-3988. palisadesfm.org.

Nyack Indoor Farmers’ Market

WHEN: Through April 30: Thursdays, 8am-2pm WHERE: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Locally produced food, featuring fresh produce, baked goods, sweets, and more.

WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-358-2600. nyackchamber.org.

Clarkstown’s Indoor Farmers’ Market

WHEN: Through May 12: Saturdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: Congers Community Center, 6 Gilchrest Road, Congers AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy fresh produce and goodies even when it’s cold out. Find baked goods, pickles, produce, vegetables, jams, eggs, meats, and more.

WANT TO GO? Free admission. town.clarkstown.ny.us.

Celebrate the Seasons with a Waldorf Teacher FREE

Frog Conservation Day

WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Come to the zoo to meet several interesting frogs and learn about their key role in nature through artifacts, animal programs, crafts, and stories.

WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14. 201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us.

Hogwarts Book Club FREE

WHEN: Through March 29: Thursdays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Discuss the stories and adventure of Harry Potter and his days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

The Tipping Point: Artists Address Climate Change FREE

WHEN: March 25-May 25, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Tipping Point offers a fresh perspective on critical environmental issues, the effects we have to our climate and planet, and how understand and adapt to change these effects.

WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org. ››

RocklandParent 31

Gardener’s Day

WHEN: Wednesday, March 21, 8:30am-2pm WHERE: CCE-Rockland Education Center & Office, 10 Patriot Hills Drive, Stony Point AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Listen to a keynote presentation by New York Times Bestseller and American Horticultural Society Book Award-winner Marta McDowell.

WANT TO GO? $40. 845-429-7085. cce.cornell.edu.

Spring Campfire

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Public Skating Sessions

WHEN: Through March 3: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-1:30pm; Friday, 8-9:30pm; Saturday, 10am-9:30pm; Sunday, 10am-7:30pm WHERE: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain AGES: All WHAT: Lace-up for the season and enjoy skating outdoors.

WANT TO GO? $5; $4 children ages 4-11; $4 skate rentals; $10 parking fee. 845-786-2701. bearmountainicerink.com.

Roots to Shoots

WHEN: Wednesday, March 7, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Learn how to make compostable flower pots, learn which plants can grow together nicely, and find out how to start a garden, even if you don’t have any garden beds. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 6-8:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Gather ‘round the campfire to explore how lengthening days and warmers temperatures affect plants and animals. Listen to stories and roast marshmallows for s’mores. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $10. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Maple Sugaring

WHEN: March 4-25, Sundays, 12:30pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to identify a maple tree. Discover the history of syrup making and how technology has changed the way we gather sap over the centuries. The group will check Tenafly Nature Center’s tapped tree and boil down sap to make maple syrup. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $10; $30 per family. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Ski, Snowboard, and Tubing Season

WHEN: Through March 31: Monday-Thursday, 2-8pm; Friday, 1-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-8pm WHERE: Campgaw Mountain, 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a variety of skiing and snowboarding terrain for all abilities.

Equipment rentals and instruction for all ages available.

WANT TO GO? See website for rates and packages. 201-327-7800. skicampgaw.com.

Primitive Living Skills Workshop - Family Session

SHOW TIME!

Maple Sugar Tours

WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center - Drapkin Cabaret & Lounge, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Performing as the Gizmo Guys, Allan Jacobs and Barrett Felker have amazed and amused audiences around the world with their juggling act. Sensory-friendly performances will have softer sound levels and the room’s lights on at a lower level. Patrons are free to stand, move around, and talk during the performance.

WANT TO GO? $19. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2-4:30pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 285 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 5 and older WHAT: An immersive, hands-on workshop, designed to build a foundation in ancestral skills such as shelter building, water procurement, fire building, and methods of obtaining food. Perfect for beginners as well as those looking to grow their knowledge and abilities. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $25. 845-356-1234. thenatureplace.com.

WHEN: Feb. 24-March 18, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Learn how to identify and tap sugar maple trees; discover sugaring techniques used by Native Americans, pioneers, and modern-day farmers; see an evaporator in action; and finish by participating in a taste-test challenge to see if you can tell the difference between maple-flavored syrup and the real thing. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $10; $8 children ages 3-17. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Sensory Friendly Kidz Cabaret Series: Gizmo Guys

The Magic of Adam Trent

WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 8pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Direct from Broadway, Adam Trent, the breakout star of the world’s best-selling magic show The Illusionists, brings his signature brand of magic and illusion in this extravaganza of magic, comedy, and music for the entire family.

WANT TO GO? $29-$59. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

Children’s Shakespeare Theatre’s ‘Merchant of Venice’

WHEN: March 2-10, Friday-Saturday, 7pm WHERE: The Bell-Ans Arts Center, 103 S. Greenbush Road, Orangeburg AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The overarching themes are difficult to tackle and many directors shy away from the play as a result. Performed in modern costume and live music.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $10 children. 845-920-6573. childrensshakespeare.org.

Doktor Kaboom!

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 11am and 1:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join Doktor Kaboom! for a sidesplitting journey of increasingly spectacular (and often successful) science experiments designed to involve, excite, educate, and entertain. He will explore the fundamentals of electrical energy as well as the history of unlocking its powerful potential.

WANT TO GO? $15. 914-698-0098. emelin.org.

Sing Along with ‘The Muppet Movie’

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2pm WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown, NJ AGES: All WHAT: A family-friendly, interactive experience in which you can renew your rainbow connection with the classic Jim Henson film. The Sing Along crew brings elements of the film to life for the audience via puppetry and more, while children and adults are urged to participate in a variety of fun ways for Muppet fans old and new.

WANT TO GO? $20-$30. 973-539-8008. mayoarts.org.

‘DINO Light’

WHEN: Sunday, March 25, 11am and 1:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: 5-12 WHAT: A famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love.

WANT TO GO? $15. 914-698-0098. emelin.org.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Rockland County Teachers Association Bowling Spectacular to Benefit United Hospice of Rockland

WHEN: Thursday, March 15, 4-7pm WHERE: Hi-Tor Lanes, 40 S. Route 9W, West Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Bowl to benefit the United Hospice of Rockland. There will be two kid-friendly lanes with bumpers.

WANT TO GO? $20 suggested donation at the door. 845-429-8000. hospiceofrockland.org.

Bowl for Kid’s Sakes for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 2-4pm WHERE: New City Bowl & Batting Cages, 90 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County will hold its first annual Bowl for Kid’s Sakes. Come as a team of four to five players.

WANT TO GO? $25. 845-634-2199 x4. bbbsofrc.com.

Inaugural Albertus Magnus Falcon 5K Run / Walk

WHEN: Sunday, March 25, 10:30am WHERE: Rockland Lake State Park, 299 Rockland Lake Road, Congers AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Come help raise money to benefit the Albertus Magnus Girls and Boys Track and Cross Country teams. Awards will be given out to the top performers in their age groups.

WANT TO GO? $35. 201-314-4763. runsignup.com.

Pee Wee Playgroup

WHEN: Through March 29: Mondays and Thursdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: JTS Community Center, 115 Torne Valley Road, Hillburn AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Children with a caregiver can participate in a variety of different developmental activities from a bounce house to the balance beam, bouncy balls, mat activities, and more to help develop social skills, balance, and coordination.

WANT TO GO? $10. 845-753-2324. ramapoparks.org.

Ice-Skating Season

WHEN: Through April 1: daily, 8:30-12am WHERE: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Take a skate around the outdoor rink before stopping by the many shops and restaurants at Rockefeller Center. Skate lessons are offered as well.

WANT TO GO? $25; $15 seniors and for children younger than 11.

212-332-7654. therinkatrockcenter.com.

Coming up next month: APRIL 8: SpringFest Street Fair at North Broadway and Main streets, Nyack APRIL 22: Healthy Kids Running Series at the Oakland Recreation Complex, Oakland, NJ APRIL 29: Autism Awareness Day at Bergen County Zoo, Paramus, NJ

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things to do

where-to guide

Spring into March ✿ ✿

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

MAPLE SUGARING Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center: 120 Muser Drive (Angola Road), Cornwall 845-534-5506 x204; hhnm.org Maple Sugar Tours: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 24-Mar. 18, 11am-3pm Learn how to identify and tap sugar maple trees; discover sugaring techniques used by Native Americans, pioneers, and modern-day farmers; see an evaporator in action; and participate in a taste test challenge. The Sugar Bush Tour is a 1-mile, moderate hike to the Sugar Shack and embarks at 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. The Maple Lane Tour is suited for hikers of all levels and embarks at 12pm and 3pm.

It is a short walk from the farmhouse to the new Sugar Shack after a tour of the sugar maple stand.

VOLUNTEER

✿✿

JCC of Rockland Mitzvah Program 450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack jccrockland.org JCC of Rockland Mitzvah Program is dedicated to the enrichment and continuity of Jewish life and to the preservation and celebration of Jewish heritage. The Mitzvah Program is designed for middle-school and high-school aged kids. For certain other JCC programs certified by the state, you must be 16 to volunteer, and for family event programs you must be 14 to volunteer. For more information, contact Emily Shotland, director of teens and Maccabi experience, at emilys@jccrockland.org or Monica Rosenbaum, director of youth and family engagement, at monicar@jccrockland.org.

Find more>> volunteer opportunities in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/volunteer.

Courtesy Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center

Compiled by Samantha Neudorf

Find more>> maple-sugaring activities in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/maple-sugaring.

✿

The core of the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center is an interactive, computerized simulator with a mission control room patterned after the NASA Johnson Space Center and an orbiting space station ready for exploration.

✿

MUSEUMS

Pickwick Books 8 S. Broadway, Nyack 845-358-9126; pickwickbookshop.com This bookstore has been a favorite in the area since opening its doors in 1945, with a selection of books from local authors and the largest section for kids in the area.

Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center 225 Route 59, Airmont 845-357-3416; lhvcc.com Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm; weekend hours depend upon when missions and planetarium programs are scheduled Admission: $10 per public mission and planetarium show; $5 seniors and children 8 and younger (when accompanied by a paying adult) Part of the Challenger Learning Center Network, the Challenger Center offers an interactive experience in science, technology, engineering, and math through performing tasks of real NASA employees. One of 4 centers in the New York metro area, it’s the only one that offers public space missions and planetarium shows.

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

Find more>> children’s museums in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/museums.

BOOKSTORES

✿

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family life home

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

Spring Clean It!

››

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

C

leaning. To a lot of us, that’s as bad as a four-letter word.

I was a housekeeper at an inn in high school and got the satisfaction of cleaning a space to shine, but—to this day—I have never been a fan of the actual process.

Even some cleaning experts feel the same way: “I really hate cleaning,” says Melissa Maker, a Toronto, Ontario-based cleaning expert, host of the Clean My Space YouTube channel, and author of Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster—and Loving Your Home Every Day. “But I love the benefits of living in a clean space.”

Heck, with kids, keeping up with the laundry is almost more than we can handle sometimes. So, if you’re like us—not fans of cleaning, but love having a clean space—you know you have to take out the broom and duster regularly to ensure your home is presentable for play dates and dinner guests without a last-minute, frenzied cleaning session. But did you know you’re likely missing some spots that should be cleaned more often than not?

We got the inside scoop from cleaning experts and enthusiasts on the areas we need to pay a little more attention to when we have the cleaning products out.

36

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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

Bathroom

The area around the toilet: “People often clean in the toilet, but they don’t clean the base or the area behind the toilet,” Maker says. “And over time, that can get really gross, especially if you have individuals in the home who stand up to pee instead of sit down to pee.” So whenever you clean the inside of your toilet, spray a disinfectant or all-purpose cleaner around the base and wipe it clean.

Toilet handle: Speaking of missed spots on the toilet, do you regularly, consciously sanitize the flush handle on the toilet?

Didn’t think so. Spray it with your preferred cleaner and wipe it down—but please do this before wiping the floor around the toilet, or else use a fresh cleaning cloth.

Medicine cabinet: Because it’s a high-traffic area in the house we don’t typically think of cleaning, it can get quite

messy, says Christine Dimmick, author of Detox Your Home: Removing Toxins and Improving Your Life, which is set to be released in early April, and founder of The Good Home Company, a Manhattan-based home care and laundry product line that is paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free.

We access our medicine cabinets at least twice a day (when we’re getting ready for work and school in the morning and when we’re getting ready for bed at night), so a lot of water gets in there—and water is the first thing to grow bacteria.

Dimmick suggests attacking the medicine cabinet once a month—and her all-purpose cleaners of choice are a mixture of white vinegar and water, or castile soap. And while you’re at it, check the expiration dates on your medicine and beauty products and dispose of them correctly.

Ceiling vent: “If you don’t clean that, it becomes very noisy when it’s on, and it doesn’t remove moisture effectively,” Maker says.

The easiest way to clean it, she adds, is to give it a quick vacuum with the brush attachment.

Bath towels, bathmats, and bathrobes: While you won’t necessarily have to do two towel loads in the wash each week—let’s face it, our linen closets are overstuffed with towels and washcloths—your bath towel should be replaced halfway through the week, according to Mary Gagliardi, aka Dr. Laundry for Clorox, whose background is in textile science and research and development at Clorox. And every time you wash a load of towels, go ahead and throw in the bathrobes and bathmats because, as Gagliardi says, they’re used similarly and as often as bath towels. While you’re at it, just find all the towels currently in use in the house and add them to the wash, too—we’re looking at you, kitchen towels.

Gagliardi suggests washing these in bleach to properly disinfect them, after testing the fabrics to make sure they’re bleach-fast. To test, mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with ¼ cup of water, put a drop of the solution on a hidden part of the fabric, let it sit for a minute, and rinse it and blot dry with towel. If the color didn’t change, you can use regular bleach on the item; otherwise go for color-safe bleach.

Toothbrush holder: This is a small thing that is usually overlooked and it has a lot of germs around it, says Jim Ireland, founder of White Glove Elite, a cleaning service in New York City. And it’s one I can attest to after a particularly bad college roommate experience. Let’s just say I always kept my toothbrush separate. So do everyone—and your mouth—a favor and clean the toothbrush holder before it even starts to look grimy.

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Bedrooms

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

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

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

Mattresses: Maintaining your mattress is really important; after all we spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping! The best way to clean your mattress, Maker says, is to strip the sheets off it, sprinkle baking soda on it, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes, and then vacuum it off. This will neutralize any odors.

Once the mattress is vacuumed, place a waterproof mattress protector on it and your sheets as normal. Maker also says rotating your mattress two to four times a year is key, so why not clean it at the same time?

Points of contact: We’re talking all over the house here.

Bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, tablets, phones, anything you and your family touch on a daily basis. These points of contact are how germs are transferred from person to person, so these are areas to be particularly mindful about cleaning, Maker says. “You can take a disinfectant and spray those points of contact as long as they don’t have electricity associated with them, you can let that product sit for a minute or two, and then wipe it,” she says.

If the point of contact does have an electric component, Maker suggests spraying a cloth with a cleaner or rubbing alcohol and wiping it down.

Under the bed: It’s a big one, according to Dimmick. A lot of dust can quickly accumulate there, “and by cleaning that, you can solve a lot of your allergy issues, or not sleeping well at night,” she says.

Closets: At least twice a year—but ideally after each season— go through your closets and get rid of any seasonal pieces you didn’t wear that season, suggests Tova Weinstock, aka Tidy Tova, a professional organizer and cleaning enthusiast based in New York City. For example, now that spring is upon us, go through your winter sweaters and donate the ones you weren’t compelled to wear. “Even with people I work with, if they’re debating whether to get rid of a springy shirt, I’ll say, ‘why don’t you keep it and if you don’t wear it this season, then let go of it,’” Weinstock says. Once you’ve gone through everything and the closet is empty, sweep and dust in there and then put everything back in an organized fashion—and the same goes for the drawers in your dresser.

Stuffed animals: These get a lot of love from young children, so they regularly need a freshening up. These can be vacuumed or go in the washing machine (if it’s okay for the lovie) as often as you can get them away from your kids—once a year at the very least.

Common Rooms

Ceiling fans: The tops of the fan blades can get particularly dusty—out of sight, out of mind. When I moved into my first apartment in New York City, my dad, who sees all those out-ofsight places because he’s 6-foot-4, wiped down the fan blades in my room—and you wouldn’t believe the amount of caked-on dust that came off. I only wish I had known Ireland’s trick: Every few months, dampen a pillowcase, put it over each blade so the fan blade is encased, and slide the pillowcase off so the dust stays inside the pillowcase.

Pet food bowls: If you feed your dog or cat wet food, chances are you regularly wash their bowls to clean off dried-on food.

But what about dry food bowls? “A lot of times people have dogs where the food never gets eaten all the way or the cat food is always in there, so it’s nice if once a week you can wash them with soapy water, rinse them, and sanitize them,” Gagliardi advises.

Houseplants: We don’t typically think of plants getting dusty, but they do. “We tend to overlook them until we notice them, and we tend to brush the dust off with our hands, but the oil from our hands is not friendly to plants,” Ireland says. So use a water38

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Litter boxes: While we regularly clean out the litter boxes and refresh the litter, how often do we actually wash the litter box?

Probably not often enough. “We have a recommendation for deodorizing litter boxes, where you remove the cat litter and clean the litter box with soapy water, let it soak with a half cup of bleach per gallon of water for five minutes, and rinse it and let it air dry,” Gagliardi suggests. “Put the cat litter back in and that will keep litter boxes smelling much, much better.”

Baseboards, crown molding, and heat registers / return vents: Dust builds up on these. Weinstock, Maker, and Gagliardi all suggest vacuuming them a few times a year with the brush attachment—or stay on top of it by cleaning them every time you vacuum the carpets.

Kitchen

Overhead exhaust: The purpose of the overhead exhaust is to suck the greasy vapor out of your kitchen, according to Maker.

“On its way up, the vapor leaves behind a significant amount of grease, and as it builds up, it becomes sticky, it becomes rancid, and you really do need to give it a good clean,” she says. Maker recommends you fill up a bucket with hot water and a scoop of oxygen bleach powder, soak it for about 10 minutes, dry it, and put it back up. You may need to give it a bit of a scrub, she cautions.

Potholders: “People never wash those, and they don’t necessarily hold up well to washing,” Gagliardi says. “But if they’re so dirty that you shouldn’t be using them anyway and you wash them and they don’t necessarily have good dimensional stability, then it was time to replace them.” Just be careful when laundering potholders, as they tend to bleed color. Soak them in water first to see how much color runs off; that way you won’t have dye transfer onto other items, Gagliardi advises.

Under the sink: This area tends to become a hotspot for junk, cleaning products, plastic shopping bags, and sometimes bits of trash that miss the garbage can (that is, if you keep the garbage can under the sink). So every now and then, dive in and take everything out, give it a good wipe, and, as Maker recommends, “put in a shelf liner because it can become very wet under there and you can ruin the base of the cabinet.” Then put back only the items you need. Now that we think about it, tackle the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom, too.

Garbage cans and recycling bins: We all regularly take out the garbage and recycling—at the very least when it’s trash day—but cleaning the receptacles themselves is often left undone. Gagliardi suggests disinfecting these once a month, especially if drink cans aren’t rinsed out before going in there. To keep them disinfected and deodorized, she suggests washing them with soapy water, then letting them soak in a solution of ½ cup of bleach per ¾ gallon of water for 5 minutes, rinsing it, and letting it air dry. Alternatively, Ireland suggests using a trash can as a bucket when mopping the floors, which will clean it too.

Inside the microwave: When food is nuked in the microwave, it can splatter, “and most people will leave it for a week, but would you leave food stains or dried up food on your counter for a week?

Probably not,” Dimmick says. She suggests cleaning the microwave daily with a mixture of vinegar and water. Meanwhile Weinstock suggests heating up water in the microwave to create a steam, which will loosen up caked-on food, making it easier to wipe off.

Sponges: These can get smelly fast. Rather than throwing them out frequently, every time you run your dishwasher, Gagliardi suggests tossing them in, too. And for a deeper clean, she says you can soak them in a solution of ½ cup of bleach per gallon of water for 5 minutes, rinse them, and let them air dry. For a cleaning double-whammy, get your sponge wet and microwave it on high for 2 minutes, then carefully remove it. This deodorizes and disinfects your sponge, Ireland says, and the steam makes it easier to clean the microwave.

The warming drawer in the oven: People tend to use this little drawer under the oven as storage for baking sheets and think nothing of it since it’s not being used for food. But if you remove everything, “you’ll see it’s just full of crumbs, so every now and then its important to take everything out,” Maker says. “You can use the brush attachment on the vacuum to clean it out, and once you vacuum out the crumbs, spray it and wipe it out, and replace only the items you need.”

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

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

Refrigerator: “You can still grow bacteria in there even though it’s cold,” Dimmick says. So she cleans out her fridge once a week.

“It’s also a great time to do a deep dive and look at the expiration dates on condiments,” she adds. And make sure to get under the crisper drawers. “We spend a lot of time trying to keep odors out of the refrigerator, but a lot of times there’s stuff under the crisper drawers,” Ireland adds.

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raising kids baby

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Sleep Training 101

››

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

W

hen I was pregnant with my first child the number of people who told me, “You will never sleep again,” was overwhelming. Cut to six years, a second child, and many sleepless nights later—though I’m sure I have actually slept—and I am, indeed, pretty darn tired.

Fatigue certainly comes with the parenting territory, especially in the first few months of bringing home your newborn. But getting consistent sleep is extremely important, not only for your baby, but for you as a parent, too. That’s why sleep training your baby once she’s a few months old—that is, teaching her to fall asleep and stay asleep on her own—is a great way to ensure everyone is well rested, and, in turn, happy.

There are several sleep-training techniques, but ultimately all of them lead to restful nights for the whole family.

Sleep-Training Methods Explained

You may have heard of the “Cry It Out” and “Ferberizing” sleep-training methods. Those are two of the most well-known approaches, but many different variations have been developed.

Each technique involves a few (or a lot of) tears, and all differ slightly in terms of how present you are supposed to be and how much you comfort your child as he falls asleep and when he wakes up. Ingrid Prueher, founder of Ingrid Baby Sleep Whisperer (ingridbabysleepwhisperer.com) and a Fox & Friends sleep expert, 40

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

works with individual families to create a method that works for them, while other experts, such as Denise Stern, baby nurse, postpartum care expert, and founder of Let Mommy Sleep (an overnight, in-home, infant care service), use a practice called sleep helping. “It is a simple way to say that we very gradually increase feeding during the day while gradually decreasing feeds overnight,” Stern says. Whichever method you choose, take comfort in knowing a good night’s sleep isn’t too far off.

Here is a cheat-sheet of common sleep-training methods that may work for your family: Cry It Out or CIO: This method involves going through a bedtime routine with your baby, then placing her in her crib, leaving the room, and not coming back until the morning—as long as your infant is safe. This will be, by far, the method that produces the most tears, although it has recently been deemed harmless by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Ferberizing: Developed by Richard Ferber, M.D., this technique is considered a gentler version of CIO. With this method, you check on your infant and console him after a few minutes of crying, increasing the amount of time between your visits to his room to check on him.

The Chair Method: Parents who practice this approach go through the normal bedtime routine, place their baby in the crib,

and then sit in a chair next to the crib until she falls asleep. They do not console her with words or cuddles, only with their presence. Each night they move the chair farther and farther from the crib until they are out of the room.

The Pick Up Put Down Method or PUPD: This gentle method allows parents to pick up their crying baby, soothe him, and then place him in his crib to sleep, repeating this all night until, eventually, baby sleeps through.

The Fading Sleep Training Method: With this technique parents continue to help their baby fall asleep by rocking or feeding. Each day they do less and less to soothe their baby in the hopes that she will begin to soothe herself. This is a great option for parents who prefer a method with less crying.

Getting Started

It’s important not to rush sleep training. For his first few months of life, tend to your baby when he cries and soothe him with feedings, diaper changes, or cuddles. Before sleep training your infant, Prueher suggests that: • You have approval from your pediatrician • Your baby weighs close to 16 pounds •Y our little one is close to 4 months of age. This is when a child’s biological clock forms, and you can use a biological sleep schedule as part of the process of teaching her to become an independent sleeper.

If you can check off all three of those things, you can start sleep training your baby. “Lovingly teaching a child to sleep independently is about empowering the child to do what they have been born to do on their own. Children are born being able to sleep independently,” Prueher says. “In some cases, new parents just don’t know how to put a child to sleep and they feel their role as parents includes closing their child’s eyes for them. So, they resort to rocking, feeding to sleep, driving around, using a stroller during all sleep times.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Babies are programmed to self-soothe; they just need a little push to get started.

One of the most important things for parents to remember before getting started is, no matter what sleep-training method is used, there will be tears. But “sleep training should never be traumatizing, produce throwing up sessions, or make you feel like you are hurting your child,” Prueher says. Creating a plan and feeling secure in it will reduce the number of tears your child (and you) may shed.

Like Prueher, Stern insists you get the “okay” from your pediatrician before starting to sleep train. Your baby needs to be able to go at least 8 hours without a feeding, and babies who were premature or who are gaining weight more slowly are not good candidates for sleep training at 4 months old. “A good rule of thumb is that when a baby is able to take in twenty-eight to thirty-two ounces between the hours of six am and ten pm, that’s usually enough to satiate them through the night, but it’s crucial to have baby’s primary care physician agree that it’s appropriate to begin sleep training,” Stern says.

Remember: Just because you have successfully sleep trained your baby, it doesn’t mean he won’t wake up once or twice (or more) throughout the night. “It is very common for baby to

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

Sleep Regression Tips and Tricks

If your baby, who was successfully sleeping through the night, starts waking more often, or staying awake for an extended period of time or for what seems to be no reason, she may be experiencing sleep regression. This can throw parents for a loop and often make them feel overwhelmed in having to go back to square one.

Alice R., a Brooklyn mom, went through this when her son was 9 months old. “Ryan had been sleeping through the night since we sleep trained him at four months old,” she says. “We had five months of bliss, and then it was like we were hit with a bomb. He was waking up a few hours after being put down and nothing we did worked.” Alice says she felt desperate and contacted a sleep expert for advice. Two weeks after starting the sleep training process all over again, Ryan resumed sleeping through the night.

“The Golden Rule for regression is consistency, consistency, consistency,” Stern says. “Simply continuing the methods that your child is already familiar with is the best way to minimize regression.

It’s important to remember, too, that babies are smart. If you hold them to sleep for a few nights during illness, for example, that does not mean they forgot how to sleep independently when it’s time for them to go back to sleep in the crib.”

While sleep regression may seem like it occurs out of the blue, chances are there is a very good reason your child is waking.

Teething and physical milestones (sitting up, crawling, and standing), and general alertness all contribute to sleep regression.

“No matter if they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ sleepers, all little ones will wake when they’re experiencing teething pain or illness. Babies who are just learning to crawl and stand will also have fun in the overnight hours practicing their new skills,” Stern says. “In fact, many little ones just learning to walk will pull themselves up to a standing position in the crib and then call out to mom or dad because they are ‘stuck’ in the standing position!”

If your baby is not sick, it’s okay to not rush into her room when she wakes in the middle of the night. Giving her a chance to fall asleep on her own, again, just reinforces the sleep training.

In addition to maintaining normal bedtime routines, here are simple tips to combat sleep regression: • Provide extra comfort at bedtime in case separation anxiety is causing your child to wake up.

• Remove all distractions, as lights and mobiles are not so useful during a period of sleep regression.

• Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature, between 68 and 72 degrees.

• Don’t form new “bad” habits such as rocking your baby or bringing him into bed with you. Remember this is a shortterm phase.

Each family is different, and it is important to stay in tune with your baby’s needs, as they may change. Sleep training, whichever method you choose, is a great way to maintain a happy and healthy household.

“We know the benefits of sleep can help our children live happier and healthier lives, so let’s make sleep a priority,” Prueher says. “It’s the best gift you can give your child, it will reward them forever.”

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

RocklandParent 41

raising kids teen

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

A

lexa, 14, never had any interest in sports. Or gym, or even kicking a ball around the yard. Her mom, Laura Valsamachi, kept encouraging her to try something. Once she got into high school, a new option presented itself: golf. Alexa agreed to try it. She liked that it wasn’t a team sport, and the fact that it was walk-on, so her lack of athletic ability wouldn’t be on display during a tryout. Valsamachi completed the registration form, and Alexa took it to school the morning of the sign-up deadline.

And she brought it back that afternoon.

“Julia’s not doing it,” the Long Island freshman said, without looking at her mom. “Who’s Julia? And so what?” Valsamachi asked. “Julia, the one I told you is kind of popular?” Alexa reminded her. “She said she would do golf with me, but now she’s not, so…” Her voice trailed off, her earbuds went in, and that was that.

While some teens seem to have no problem deciding what they want to do and sticking to it, plenty more struggle to think independently and make choices for themselves. Wanting the approval of others is natural to some extent, even for grownups, but needing it can be crippling. If your kid seems to show a tendency toward flip-flopping, read on for the lowdown on how to guide him or her toward confident decision-making.

The Why Behind Wishy-Washy Behavior

Is it typical for teens to be followers, changing their mind about extracurricular activities, clothes, hairstyles, and even what after42

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

By Christina Vercelletto

school jobs to apply for, based on what their peers are doing? In many cases, it’s not a sign of a long-term problem, but more of a phase. “A lot of this is normal and even developmentally healthy behavior,” insists Robi Ludwig, Psy.D., a psychotherapist in New York City. “Teens are still discovering who they are and what’s important to them, so changing what they want and how they want to present themselves is all a part of this,” she explains.

Anecdotally, at least, girls seem more vulnerable than boys to deferring to friends on anything and everything. “Most teenage girls want to be part of the pack. They want to blend in rather than stand out,” says Susan Groner, “The Parenting Mentor” and New York City-based author of Parenting: 101 Ways to Rock Your World. “While this may seem silly to us, there’s nothing wrong with it. You don’t need to worry that she’ll be like this forever. It’s a phase.” (If your child resists making any independent decisions at all, though, “there could be a mood or self-esteem issue going on,” cautions Dr. Ludwig, and in that case, checking in with a therapist would be a good idea.)

Encouraging Independence

Of course teens are not, as a group, big on taking what adults say as gospel. But there are ways we can get our teens to see the benefits of making their own decisions.

Share a story of a time when being a follower backfired. Use articles, stories about people your child knows (with their

permission), and yes, even “when I was your age” stories to get your point across without being too heavy-handed about it, Dr. Ludwig recommends. After the golf incident, Valsamachi shared a personal story with Alexa that seemed to strike a chord: When she’d been a high-school senior, her best friend Maureen had decided that college was a waste of time, and had opted to go straight to work.

Valsamachi, used to walking in lockstep with her BFF, decided to forgo college too. “I wound up getting my degree much later, but still wonder how my life would have been different,” she says. “Oh, and I haven’t spoken to Maureen since 1989.”

Valsamachi resisted the urge to point out “Just like Julia and golf!” at the end of her story. It was just put out there for Alexa to interpret as she would. “And she did seem to absorb it, at least a little,” Valsamachi says.

Keep it neutral. The main thing to guard against, says Dr. Ludwig, is coming across as preachy. Keep a neutral tone. “Teens who feel criticized or are concerned that they would disappoint their parents are often less comfortable sharing their thoughts,” agrees Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., co-author, with Donald A. Moses, M.D., of Raising Independent, Self-Confident Kids.

Be nonjudgmental. It often isn’t easy, but it can pay off. Rose Koehler’s daughter, Emily, wanted to apply to be a page at their local library on Long Island, but a friend convinced her to work with her at a fast-food restaurant instead. “Now, my daughter, who hates noise, rushing, and has been known to burst into tears if a soda splatters on her, working in a fast food restaurant…I knew this would not end well,” Koehler shares. “But I also knew that demanding she stick with her original plan wouldn’t either.”

So Koehler stayed supportive, asking a question about the job now and then, but keeping it neutral. After about five weeks, Emily quit—but the page job had already been filled. “I just gave her a hug and said nothing. Definitely not ‘I told you so!’”

Koehler says. While Emily never came out and said she should have made the decision that felt right to her in the first place, Koehler feels the lesson stuck. “She doesn’t seem as quick to yield to her friends’ opinions anymore,” she says.

Let him practice. Have your teen be a part of the decision-making process for family matters, such as planning a vacation, choosing a family car, or even figuring out how to assist an aging grandparent.

What you’re trying to do, Dr. Moss explains, is guide your child toward minimizing impulsive decisions in favor of the one that is actually best for the situation. And like any other learned skill, that takes practice.

Brainstorm. “Crowd-sourcing” potential solutions to a problem your teen is having by bringing in the whole family—even favorite aunts, uncles, and cousins—lets him know that “family is like a team, stronger than any one member,” Dr. Moss says. What that does is shift the focus off of “mom or dad know best,” so your child is less likely to feel defensive. By seeing that her ideas are as good as anyone else’s, she’ll start to build confidence, and, over time, be less apt to fall into a “what they’re thinking must be better than what I’m thinking” mentality.

The Social Media Aspect

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

You don’t need to discourage your teen from posting a picture or a comment he thinks will get a lot of positive attention, as long as it doesn’t hurt him in the short or long term, Dr. Ludwig says. “Connect it to long-term goals he may have for himself. If he posts in a certain way, explain how this can send the wrong message and hurt him down the line.” She also advises encouraging teens to think like a publicist. This is a concept most high-schoolers can readily grasp. If you were in charge of managing a client’s reputation, would you post this?

Lynne Lincoln, a mother of two teens in New Rochelle, recalls the time her 16-year-old son, Daniel, posted several #foodstagram shots of the burger chain Shake Shack while on an outing to the city with a group of friends. When he came home starving, Lincoln asked, “I thought you had Shake Shack?” Daniel clarified: “Oh, I gave it to Ryan. I don’t eat that stuff. I would have rather had pizza, but nobody is going to follow an account that posts rando pizza. It’s hard to get melted cheese not to look gross.”

Groner says what’s important is that teens are able to separate their online lives from their real ones. If they snap a selfie in front of the now-famous statue of the little girl down on Wall Street, say, did they take the time to think about the art? “Next time your child posts, ask him about the experience,” she suggests. That will give you an idea of whether the experience drove the popular post, or the other way around.

At the end of the day, Dr. Ludwig notes, the best thing you can do to help your child with decision-making—or anything, really— is to tune in to his needs. “Just plug into your child…Let them know you’re on their side and there for them if they need you,” she says.

Christina Vercelletto is a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, and Woman’s Day. She lives on Long Island with her kids, a chiweenie, Pickles, and a 20-pound calico, Chub-Chub.

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family life food & nutrition

Ultimate Green Smoothie and Oat and Kale Breakfast Biscuits

Top o’ the Morning to Ya!

››

Three easy green breakfasts kids will actually enjoy

K

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

Ultimate Green Smoothie

If you are not one for green smoothies in general, you should try this one. It is quite delicious and very virtuous. It helps having a highspeed blender, but if you don’t, just keep blending until the mixture is smooth. You will need to soak the almonds overnight, and if you struggle to buy frozen mango or pineapple, peel and chop up the fruit the night before and freeze it.

Serves 2 to 3 Ingredients 1 lemon 1½ cups coconut water, preferably raw 3/ -inch piece ginger, peeled 8 and coarsely chopped Handful of almonds, soaked overnight, or for at least 6 hours, and rinsed

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

Directions 1. Cut the lemon in half then cut a thick slice off one half. Chop this up roughly and place in a blender. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon halves and add, together with the coconut water, ginger, and almonds, to the blender. Blend until smooth.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy. If your blender allows for the use of a tamper, it is a good idea to press the frozen fruits down into the blade to avoid uneven blending.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Chard and Feta Savory Muffins

These muffins (not the eggs-Benedict-kind, but the Americanbaked-goods-kind) are great to take along to a picnic or as an after-school snack. Look for traditionally made, soft cooking chorizo that has no added nasties, and choose the mild version if you are feeding youngsters. If you are vegetarian, leave out the chorizo and fry the onion and chard in a little butter or coconut oil, but add another tsp of smoked paprika powder and perhaps a little more cayenne pepper.

Makes 12 Ingredients 7 oz. traditionally made cooking chorizo (the soft kind), casings removed and broken into small pieces 1 medium onion, finely chopped 10½ oz. rainbow or Swiss chard, stalks chopped into small dice, leaves shredded into bite-size pieces Generous 2 cups whole-wheat spelt flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1½ tsp. smoked paprika

½ tsp. cayenne pepper (omit if using spicy chorizo or cooking for children) 1 cup parsley, leaves only, finely chopped 3 medium eggs 5/ cup whole milk or milk substitute 8 2 Tbsp. butter, coconut oil, or ghee, melted, plus extra for greasing Scant 12/3 cups feta cheese, crumbled Sea salt

Directions 1. Sauté the chorizo in a hot, dry frying pan until the fat starts to render, then add the onion and cook until soft and translucent.

Scrape the mixture into a bowl.

2. Add the chard stalks to the pan with a small pinch of salt.

Cook until tender, for 5-10 minutes, depending on size.

If they are drying out, add a splash or three of water to the pan. Add the chard leaves and cook for about a minute, or until wilted.

3. Tip all the chard into a food processor or onto a cutting board, and chop finely. Add this to the chorizo and onion mix, then set aside to cool.

4. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 12-hole muffin tray or 2 smaller cupcake trays.

5. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and spices in a bowl and stir in the parsley.

6. Whisk the eggs, milk, and melted fat in a separate bowl or measuring cup, and pour into the dry ingredients along with the cooled chorizo and chard mixture, and the feta. Using a large spoon, mix only until just combined; do not overmix.

Spoon into the greased muffin pans.

7. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean (allowing for patches of melted feta). Let cool in the trays for a couple of minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Oat and Kale Breakfast Biscuits

Always on the look-out for interesting meals to start the day with, I regularly make this for my family and friends. Nutritious, filling, and different yet familiar, it ticks all the boxes for a special breakfast dish. Being gluten-free, it is a very crumbly biscuit, but no less delicious for it. Instead of the kale and nutmeg, you could add lots of finely chopped chives and cayenne pepper, or a little goat cheese and chopped thyme leaves. Roughly chopped black olives and finely chopped rosemary make a good addition, too.

Makes 9 smallish biscuits Ingredients A little olive oil 1 small onion, diced 3½ oz. kale, stalks removed, roughly chopped 2 cups oat flakes (certified gluten-free if you are sensitive) 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

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

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a medium baking sheet with baking parchment.

2. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the onion, and sweat over gentle heat until soft and translucent. Add the kale and sauté until tender and cooked, then process in a food processor, or chop very finely by hand, press out any moisture and set aside to cool completely.

3. Spoon half the oat flakes into the food processor (no need to

rinse) and blitz until very fine. Add the rest of the flakes and pulse a few times until the larger flakes are broken down slightly. Add the baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt, and pulse to mix.

4. Add the cubed butter or coconut oil and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the cooled kale and onion mixture, the chia seed gel, apple puree, and egg, and process until the mixtures comes together. It should be a little on the sticky side.

5. Using a spatula, scrape the dough out onto the lined baking sheet. Form into a square about ¾ inch thick, then score into 9 smaller squares, leaving them joined together. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden, rotating the sheet halfway through cooking.

6. Carefully slide a spatula under the biscuits to loosen them from the baking parchment, then separate the pieces using a knife, move them apart a little to give them some room and return to the oven for another 10-12 minutes, to crisp the edges.

7. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter, hollandaise, and poached eggs for breakfast.

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

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Meet the

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. David Schaumberger is one of the pediatricians working out of our newly expanded Park Ridge office. As someone who lives nearby, he enjoys working in Northern Bergen and Rockland counties. Dr. Schaumberger completed his pediatric residency from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and has been working at Tenafly Pediatrics since 2001.

On a personal note, he enjoys ethnic cuisine and spending time with his three children. Tenafly Pediatrics is a recent Angie’s List Winner with offices conveniently located throughout Bergen County.

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March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute.

Dr. Crohn is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He offers state-of-the art treatment including on-site cone beam 3-D imaging.

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

With 16 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Brett Kastin prides his practice on conservative early treatment and cost-free childhood dental monitoring, enabling the most effective treatment possible, as well as being a knowledgeable, compassionate clinician and friend. He utilizes state-of-the-art materials and customized treatment planning for every patient to ensure the highest quality of care. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006, and was voted Rockland’s Top Orthodontist by the dentists of Rockland County for the past 10 years. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.

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

Crystal Run Healthcare is a premier multispecialty group medical practice with more than 400 providers, offering the convenience of Primary Care and nearly 50 medical specialties, all under one roof. Our 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care by way of more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, including Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Urogynecology. In addition, our innovative facility boasts an Infusion Center, Urgent Care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, Diagnostic Imaging, and Women’s Imaging—making it a one-stop health care destination for all. We are here to meet the needs of every family member, regardless of age or medical condition. Crystal Run also has offices in Haverstraw, Stony Point, and Suffern.

Smile More Kidz Meet Your Smile Team 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367–4866 smilemorekidz.com

At Smile More Kidz, we are part of a local tradition of providing your children with the very best that dentistry has to offer in a friendly, comfortable setting.

Our entire team understands how children develop and learn and will make the extra effort to make sure nervous kids feel comfortable and respected. We offer 8am–7pm and Saturday appointments so our patients don’t have to miss school for their care, something our team feels strongly about. We believe in building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles by making every visit to our office a fun and informative experience.

Gayle Sturmer L.C.S.W.-R. Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychotherapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy® 99 Main St., Nyack 914-450-2413 239 N. Broadway, Suite 6, Tarrytown 914-450-2413; gaylesturmer.com

Gayle Sturmer’s tr eatment method is short-term and solution-focused. Creativity and understanding are integrated into everything she does. She creates successes immediately to allow quick progression toward goals. Trained and skilled in many different methods, she is a licensed clinical social worker, certified CBT therapist, and certified Rapid Resolution™ therapist with more than 25 years of experience with adults, children as young as age 5, and adolescents. She has a post-graduate degree in Child and Adolescent Therapy from Fordham University.

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32 Orangetown Center, Orangeburg

1581 Route 202 • Pomona, NY

NYMetroParents.com

845-365-0285 chocolatiermatisse@gmail.com

845-362-6053

www.chocolatiermatisse.com

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

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics .............................................. 35

birthday / party services

Academy for Martial Arts .............................................. 12 Blue Moon Mexican Café ............................................. 37 Healthbarn USA............................................................ 23 Jill’s Ceramics............................................................... 39 Main Street Cinemas .................................................... 29 Rockland Parent Party Planner .................................... 49 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics .............................................. 35 West Rock Indoor Sports Complex .............................. 17 The Wholeness Center ................................................. 35

camps

Academy for Martial Arts .............................................. 12 Alpine Scout Camp ....................................................... 19 Bright Beginnings Preschool & Daycare ...................... 45 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center................... 23 Camp Clio ..................................................................... 15 Camp Huntington.......................................................... 15 Camp Ramaquois ......................................................... 21 Camp RoCA - Rockland Center for the Arts ................. 17 Campus Kids Summer Camp ....................................... 17 Clarkstown Theatre Company ...................................... 23 Coupe Theatre Studio .................................................. 19 German Language School Westwood .......................... 17 Healthbarn USA............................................................ 23 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio ........................... 21 Lindgren School & Camp.............................................. 20 Mathnasium of Nanuet ................................................. 23 Mosholu Montefiore Community Center ....................... 12 Palisades Country Day School & Camp ......................... 3 West Rock Indoor Sports Complex .............................. 17 Young World Day Camp ............................................... 23

child care / day care

Bright Beginnings Preschool & Daycare ...................... 45 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center................... 23

classes

Camp RoCA - Rockland Center for the Arts ................. 17 Clarkstown Theatre Company ...................................... 23 German Language School Westwood .......................... 17 Healthbarn USA............................................................ 23 Jill’s Ceramics............................................................... 39 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio ........................... 21 Mathnasium of Nanuet ................................................. 23 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics .............................................. 35

dance

Coupe Theatre Studio .................................................. 19 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio ........................... 21

developmental

Hudson Valley Psychotherapy ...................................... 43

education

Archdiocese of New York................................................ 5 Bright Beginnings Preschool & Daycare ...................... 45 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center................... 23 German Language School Westwood .......................... 17 Lindgren School & Camp.............................................. 20 Mathnasium of Nanuet ................................................. 23 Palisades Country Day School & Camp ......................... 3 Young World Day Camp ............................................... 23

family entertainment / events / outings Haverstraw Caboose - Easter Event ............................ 29 Jill’s Ceramics............................................................... 39 Main Street Cinemas .................................................... 29 Palisades Center ......................................................... 51 Rockland Youth Fest....................................................... 7

fitness

Academy for Martial Arts .............................................. 12 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics .............................................. 35

health

Clemente Orthodontics ................................................ 43 Crystal Run Healthcare ............................................ 2, 46

Dental Wellness of Suffern ....................................... 7, 46 Gayle Sturmer, LCSW-R .............................................. 47 Hudson Valley Psychotherapy ...................................... 43 Johnson, William Dr. ..................................................... 52 Kastin & Newman Orthodontics.................................... 46 Smile More Dentistry .................................................... 47 Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry ................. 25, 46 Spots OT ...................................................................... 45 Tenafly Pediatrics ................................................... 37, 46 The Wholeness Center ................................................. 35

performing arts / acting

Clarkstown Theatre Company ...................................... 23 Coupe Theatre Studio .................................................. 19

restaurant / food services

Blue Moon Mexican Café ............................................. 37 Palisades Center ......................................................... 51

retail

Palisades Center ......................................................... 51 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale ....................................................... 39

special events

Haverstraw Caboose - Easter Event ............................ 29 Jewish Week (The) ....................................................... 47 Lindgren School & Camp.............................................. 20 Rockland Youth Fest....................................................... 7 The Wholeness Center ................................................. 35

special needs

Camp Huntington.......................................................... 15 Coupe Theatre Studio .................................................. 19 Spots OT ...................................................................... 45 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics .............................................. 35

sports

Academy for Martial Arts .............................................. 12 West Rock Indoor Sports Complex .............................. 17

theater

Main Street Cinemas .................................................... 29

RocklandParent 49

raising kids quotables

What has been your luckiest parenting moment?

“Getting pregnant in the first place. I struggled with infertility for years and was smack dab in the middle of IVF when I became pregnant with our son. I never felt luckier than in that moment.”

—Amy Edlestein, Nassau County

“Every day with my kids feels a little bit lucky and a little bit crazy.

We are lucky to go on so many adventures in Brooklyn and discover new parts of our borough every week. The craziness of being a large family is so worth it.”

—Tracy R., Park Slope, Brooklyn

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

—Penny Ramirez, New Rochelle

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

—Amanda Jenkins, Forest Hills, Queens

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

But here’s what I’m beginning to realize, or rather, what I need to realize. Moms are not machines. We can’t go and go and go without stopping or we will break. And there is no free replacement if we do. I may want to hang those picture frames or shred those bills tonight when the have-tos of my day are done. But honestly, what I need to do is to sit on the couch, curl up next to my sweet dog, and watch some Netflix.

—Janene Dutt in a post entitled “If You Feel Like You Didn’t Do Enough Today, Remember This,” on scarymommy.com

50

March 2018 | nymetroparents.com

“I feel lucky for my family and extended family who live in the area.

Without them I don’t know how I would handle this whole parenting thing. It truly takes a village.”

—Susan Klinger, Manhattan

The Joys of Daylight Savings “There’s nothing better than dining al fresco, in my opinion, whether it’s at a restaurant that has outdoor seating, in a backyard (if you’re lucky enough to have one), or on a building’s rooftop terrace. I really love spreading out a blanket and dining among nature (and other picnickers) at the local park.”

—Katelin Walling in an article entitled “Daylight Saving Time: 5 Ways to Take Advantage of an Extra Hour of Sunlight;” read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/daylight-savings.

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: GO FOR A SPIN!: Check out some awesome carousels in the NYC area at nymetroparents.com/carousels CELEBRATING WOMEN: March is Women’s History Month. Find where you can celebrate at nymetroparents. com/womens-history.

SPRING IS HERE! Discover 100 things to do in our area this season (nymetroparents.com/spring) CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Make this delicious and healthy Shamrock Shake (nymetroparents.com/shamrock)

Free Consultation To Review Program

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