Rockland Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM MAY 2018
Family Health Guide • Decode Your Baby’s Skin Rash • Medicine Cabinet Makeover • Surviving Teen Acne
10 Things to Tackle in Your New Home Insurance Gaps Most Families Have (And How to Fix Them Fast)
HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
RocklandParent
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COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN ROCKLAND!
Aimée Kahn, MD, MPH Pediatrics Board Certified: Pediatrics Appointments available in West Nyack | 2 Centerock Road
WE ARE reaching milestones together. At Crystal Run Healthcare we know how important all of those little milestones are. That’s why our Pediatricians are committed to caring for your child from infancy through adolescence, offering everything from check-ups, sports and school physicals to nutritional guidance and wellness strategies. What’s more, our pediatricians can see your child quickly – including same-day access and 24/7 availability in case of an emergency. Crystal Run offers the convenience of:
West Nyack | 845.348.1100 CrystalRunHealthcare.com #WeAreCrystalRun
• • • • •
Same-Day Appointments for Well and Sick Visits Same-Day School and Sports Physicals Extended-Hours Including Early Mornings, Evenings and Weekends from 7:30AM-7:30PM Adolescent Medicine Specialist for Adolescents & Young Adults Prenatal Classes Offered Monthly for Expectant Families: Classes held monthly from 5-6PM. To register, visit CrystalRunHealthcare.com/events.
Extended Primary Care Hours | Onsite Labs & Diagnostic Imaging | Urgent Care Open 7/365 with Pediatricians Available Medicaid Managed Care & most commercial insurance plans accepted. Se habla Español. Easy access via public transportation.
CRH_We Are Color_West Nyack_Pediatrics_73x96-Rockland Parent.indd 1
4/10/18 12:54 PM
Highland Medical Obstetrics. More Reasons Than Ever.
Highland Medical, P.C., Welcomes Olga Tusheva, MD
Dental Wellness of Suffern Now Offers:
ANESTHESIA-FREE & VIRTUALLY PAIN-FREE PROCEDURES
Dr. Olga Tusheva, a skilled Obstetrician and Gynecologist, has joined OBS-GYN of Rockland. A new mother herself, Dr. Tusheva takes great pride in caring for expectant mothers and helping to keep them and their babies healthy. She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian and is accepting new patients.
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
One more reason to choose Highland Medical, P.C.
OBS-GYN of Rockland New City 510 Route 304 New City, NY 10956 T: 845.634.8400
Highland Medical, P.C., is affiliated with Montefiore Nyack
HighlandMedicalPC.com
Stony Point 20-21 Liberty Square Stony Point, NY 10980 T: 845.947.2225
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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contents table of
Original photo by ›› PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)
may 2018
10 30
health
5 Things Parents Need to Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online
Expert tips to protect your children on the Internet
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 Medicine Cabinet Makeover 16 Decode Your Baby’s Rash
32
18 Nixing Zits & Boosting Self-Esteem 20 Health Directory
New Home—Now What?
Now that you’ve found the perfect house for your family, there are things you‘ll want to take care of.
raising kids
things to do
family life
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Things Parents Should Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online 11 Bracing Ourselves 29 Party Central 38 Camps-at-a-Glance Chart 42 Meet the Doctor 44 Party Planner 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Quotables
22 Sun Salutations
32 New Home—Now What?
23 Family Activities Calendar
34 Insurance You Need—But Might Not Have
30 Family Fun in Manhattan
36 Food Allergies and Kids
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› facebook.com/nymetroparents
13 Family Health Guide
32 10 Things to Tackle in Your New Home 34 Insurance Gaps Most Families Have
@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
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15th Anniversary
Arts Festival 2018
May 19th – 20th 11am – 6pm (Rain or Shine)
55 W. Railroad Avenue Garnerville, NY 10923 www.garnerartscenter.org Photo Credit: Kristi Veltidi
Where History & Contemporary Art Collide Amongst 14 Acres of 19th Century Industrial Spaces • Open Artist Studios • Workshops • Food Trucks • On Site Craft Brewery & More $8 Adults, $6 Seniors/Students, Children under 14 are free 1 and 2 day pass packages available with additional discounts. Go to garnerartscenter.org for details.
RocklandParent
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raising kids editor’s note
MAY 2018 • Vol.11 • No.9
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf ASSISTANT EDITOR: Melissa Wickes
Here’s to Your Health!
P
arenthood has taught me plenty—for instance, it’s possible for a child to get chicken noodle soup in her armpit. And, if deprived of enough sleep, a new mom may misplace her wallet for hours, only to later find it in the refrigerator. But the very earliest lesson that parenthood imparted to me was this: Babies don’t always look the way they do in diaper commercials—you know, all smooth and dewy and pretty. In fact, though I naturally thought that both of my daughters were beautiful as newborns, they were also kind of…well, pimply right at the beginning! As I soon learned, that’s common, as are many of our little ones’ bumps, scales, and splotches. Ever wondered if what you’re seeing is cause for concern? In this issue, Bethany Braun-Silva speaks with experts to decode all sorts of baby skin rashes (p. 16). Of course, infants aren’t the only ones with skin problems. Our focus on health continues with an article by Katelin Walling about teens’ acne and its effect on their psyche (p. 18). We share fixes that are more than skin-deep by explaining ways to buoy your kid’s self-esteem while battling those zits together. And once your child has gotten the proper acne medications, they’ll need to be safely stored. Learn how to keep your medicine chest in tip-top shape by reading Melissa Wickes’ article on p. 14. While you’re tackling that project, take a look around the rest of your house. If you’ve recently moved in, you won’t want to miss “New Home—Now What?” on p. 32. We reveal 10 fix-ups that can make any house, new or not, more beautiful, valuable, and enjoyable for its owners. You’ll want to protect everything in your home—including its residents—so be sure to also check out my article on p. 34 about important insurance policies that even careful families often overlook. Speaking of safety, take a minute to read our important story by Samantha Neudorf on kids’ food allergies, and what to keep in mind when you’re around a food-allergic child, on p. 36. Lastly take a look at my essay about my younger daughter’s scoliosis (p. 11) and the surprising way in which in changed us both for the better. And no, we haven’t forgotten that May is Mother’s Day! We’ve got a gift for the proud parent in you: a chance to get your child (the cutest in the world, natch) on the cover of one of our magazines. See p. 12 for more details, and visit nymetroparents. com/cover-contest-info to see how to enter. Wishing you a beautiful month!
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 INTERNS: Cintia Feliz, Caitlin Sawicki To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents
ADVERTISING SALES
Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, EJ Morales-Gomez, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Leonard Porter, Christopher Regalado DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth
ACCOUNTING
Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director, NYMetroParents
CONTROLLER: David Friedman
ADMINISTRATION
CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith
MOMMYBITES.COM
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192
Davler Media Group davlermedia.com
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
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RocklandParent
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Ariele Alon
raising kids new places, new programs
Pediatric Physicians Group in Rockland Offers At-Home Medical Screenings
Ric Santiago, chief info
rmation officer at Alli
ed Physicians Group .D.
Who: Allied Physicians Group What’s New: TytoHome, a “telehealth” system powered by TytoCare, which gives parents the convenience of a comprehensive medical exam for their children without leaving home. The device can be used to connect with your Allied doctor, without wait times, for many common conditions including ear infections and colds. The TytoHome exam kit includes a smartphone app and a hand-held examination tool to collect images and readings, which are sent to a pediatrician for review. “Our mission is quality care without walls, enhancing the lives of our patients and parents,” says Ric Santiago, chief information officer at Allied Physicians Group. Want More Info: myalliedtelehealth.com
Courtesy Dr. Am
Who: Sachdev Family Orthodontics What’s New: The Garnerville orthodontic practice, which had its grand opening Jan. 20, and officially opened doors to patients Feb. 8. Kids and adults are treated with personal attention. Keeping this in mind, the orthodontist designed the “open feel” office herself. The office is completely digital and is equipped with high tech features such as the iTero Intraoral Scanner, which does away with “gooey” impressions. “This scanner helps me in the sense that everything in my office is digital, even patient records,” says Ameeta Sachdev, D.M.D., owner of Sachdev Family Orthodontics. Want More Info: 124 E. Ramapo Road, Suite #2, Garnerville; 845-786-7736; sfojustsmile.com
eeta Sachdev, D.M
Family Orthodontic Practice Opened in Garnerville
Ameeta Sachdev,
D.M.D., owner of
Sachdev Family Ort
hodontics
Who: Wholeness Center of Rockland What’s New: Artist Discovery classes for kids ages 4-6 and 7-9. The class for 4- to 6-year-olds, which began April 10, is held Tuesdays at 3:45pm. Each week will focus on a different theme including Hear Me Roar (watercolors), Slippery Sliding Silly Seal (chalk pastels), Love Bug (oil pastels/sandpaper), and Who You Looking At (prismacolor markers/chalk pastels). The session for 7- to 9-year-olds, which began April 14, is held on Saturdays from 10am-12pm. The themes for these classes include Finish Line (pastel chalk), Shine On Me (flair brushes/markers), Buggin’ Out (fabric banners), and Peaceful Waters (charcoal). The classes will run for four weeks. Walk-ins are welcome and cost $22. Want More Info: 7 New Lake Road, Valley Cottage; 845-2687532; wholenesscenterny.com 8
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Erica Amendola
Wellness Center in Valley Cottage Adds Art Classes for Kids
A young girl colors with pastel chalk
at Wholeness Center of Rockland.
Phoenix Aquatic Club Swim Lessons May, June, July, August Online Registration is Now Open! Great New Location:
HNA Palisade Conference Center 334 Rte. 9W, Palisades, NY Learn to Swim / Pre-Team Registration
Have an Incredible Party at Main Street! Main Street Cinemas hosts birthday parties with the best kids and family friendly movies...at the best admission prices in Rockland County! For special rates and packages for kid’s birthday parties and other group outings, please contact us at: 845-634-5100 or email: events@mainstcinemas.com www.MainStCinemas.com
• • • •
Warm Water, Indoor Facility perfect for swim lessons Swim lessons for Ages 4 and up (Small Groups) Pre & Competitive Swim Teams All programs are guided by qualified, certified USA Swimming Coaches
845-708-5349 • www.phoenixaquatic.com
GYMNASTICS & FITNESS 10 months to 12 years
Register Now!
Summer Classes Begin June 24th
Ask about payment plan options!
PRE SCHOOL CLASSES (PARENT PARTICIPATION) TODDLER GYM:
(WITHOUT PARENTS) BUSY BEE/TUMBLE BEE
(10 months - 24 months)
(3-1/2 yrs. - 5 yrs. Old)
ROMP & ROLL:
SPECIAL CLASSES
(2 yrs. - 3 yrs. Old)
(4 yrs. - 10 yrs. Old)
FUN & FIT GYMNASTICS KINDERGYM (5-6 YRS.)
SCHOOL AGE GYMNASTICS (6-12 YRS.)
401 Market Street Nanuet Mall South Nanuet, NY
(845) 623-2553
Reserve Your Private Birthday Party Open Gym, Exciting Theme Weeks, Tumble-Bee Kids Club
www.Tumble-beegymnastics.com
• Child, Teen & Adult Coach • Mindfulness Meditation • Parent Training • Organizational skills • Executive Functioning skills • Teacher Training email: Isabel@HelpIsHereCoaching.com
HelpIsHereCoaching.com (917) 359-5442 Sessions Offered at our offices in Rockland and Westchester as well as Virtually RocklandParent
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raising kids in the know
5 Things Parents Need to Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva with Titania Jordan
O
nline safety has been at the forefront of many parenting conversations for quite some time. Between cyber bullying and scary challenges that somehow entice teens (Tide pods anyone?) keeping kids protected while they’re on the web is more challenging than ever. How do we monitor their activity without invading their privacy? How do we know if they are being bullied? Here Titania Jordan, chief parent officer of bark.us, an award winning app that monitors kids’ activities online and alerts parents of potential dangers, shares five ways parents can help keep their kids safe online.
Use technology as a parenting tool. In addition to constant conversations and general awareness surrounding your children’s digital activity, there are tech tools made just for you to help keep your children safer online. Get to know the parental control options on the various devices and platforms your children interact with. This will keep them safe while both home and on-the-go. Next, look at what offerings your Internet, cable, or mobile service providers have. Utilizing the 4-digit pin is critical on Netflix, now that remotes are voice activated.
Be where they are. You wouldn’t send your child to a new school without first taking a tour, so don’t let your child download an app, play a game, or visit a website unless you (at the very least) know about it first. Google the name of the platform plus the word “dangers”, or review its rating on Common Sense Media. Even better, spend some time with it and get to know the ins and outs of the platform firsthand.
When in doubt, just say no. We have this powerful sixth sense called intuition that arguably gives us a leg up on any parenting situation. Tune into it and use it. If something doesn’t feel right, go with your gut. So many parents these days give in to their children because everyone else a) is doing it b) is playing it c) already has a phone d) has seen the series e) has downloaded it or f) fill in the blank. So what. Go against the grain. Childhood innocence kept a little longer = parenting win. I’m not saying keep your children in the dark ages, but only you know what is best for your family’s dynamic.
Have those difficult conversations. Often. Children as young as 6 are committing suicide, thanks to cyberbullying and the ability to Google how to take their own lives. Sexting, according to some school administrators, is the new first base. This is where we are as a society. So how do we fix it? As soon as your children are old enough to encounter content on a device, you need to talk to them about the importance of asking for permission before clicking on anything. Once they are older and more Internet independent discuss the concept of personally identifiable information, as nobody needs to know your child’s name, age, gender, address, school location, baseball league, or anything else that can lead predators right to where they are.
Media literacy is key. Especially in this day and age, we have to teach our children to not take everything they see online at face value. We have to encourage our children to look for multiple sources, realize that anyone can copy a photo (even of their friend!) and create a fake profile, and be responsible with the content they engage with and post online. They need to know about algorithms that are tailored to them based on their search history and browsing preferences, and remember that everything they post on the Internet, even in a private “disappearing” message, is a screen shot away from lasting forever and haunting them in the future.
As CPO, Titania Jordan is Bark’s resident factotum, her role spanning across product, design, copy, customer acquisition and education, and media relations. Jordan has tremendous experience at the intersection of families and technology, formerly serving as CMO at KidsLink, co-founder/CMO at Privet, and executive director of Band of Coders Girls Academy. She holds a BBA in Marketing, and enjoys painting and building some pretty sweet Lego cities with her family in her downtime.
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May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
raising kids voices
Bracing Ourselves ›› A straight-up look at the surprising way a mom was changed by her daughter’s scoliosis. By Deborah Skolnik
H
uh. I wasn’t expecting that,” the emergency-room physician said, frowning as he read the report from my daughter Genie’s chest X-ray. I shot a nervous glance at my pale, coughing 3-year-old. “So she has pneumonia?” I asked. “No, her lungs are clear—it’s just a cold. But there’s a note here saying that her spine is curved,” the doctor replied. I was glad Genie didn’t have pneumonia, but what did it mean that her spine was curved? I pictured a spine shaped like a question mark. Once Genie was better, we visited an orthopedist our pediatrician had recommended. She diagnosed Genie with scoliosis, an abnormal, side-to-side spinal curvature. The curve stood at 18 degrees; if it progressed to 20 degrees, Genie would need to wear a back brace for 23 hours a day until sometime in her teens. I prayed Genie’s curve would hold or improve. But a follow-up visit the next year brought devastating news: Her spine was now listing at 26 degrees. A brace-maker armed with a tape measure and clipboard was called in. Weeks later, we were presented with the hard, thick plastic shell that would encase my daughter’s torso for the next decade. You don’t mess with scoliosis. Left unchecked, it can cause profound problems, from visible deformity and chronic pain to heart and lung trouble. My husband and I knew we needed to treat Genie at once, but that didn’t make it any less agonizing to buckle our wiggly child into a bulky, inflexible contraption. And it wasn’t like I could tell her “lots of kids have this.” They don’t, especially not at age 4. In fact, Genie was the only child in our elementary school’s 100-plus-year history to wear a back brace to classes. Genie’s clothing covered the brace, but the outline of its front buckles was clearly visible through her clothes. The shoulder straps jutted upward, making her look like a pintsized linebacker. All I could think was that her new, slightly lumpy appearance was tantamount to social suicide. But something surprising happened: Genie stayed happy-
“
go-lucky, maybe because she was too young to feel selfconscious. She covered her brace in stickers and showed it off to her pals, acting like it was cool gear she was lucky to have. She took her brace in stride, and, following her lead, so did those around her. The years marched on. There was the occasional mean girl at camp or insensitive adult, but for the most part, people either disregarded Genie’s brace or were intrigued by it. When a performer at a medieval fair selected Genie to ride on his shoulders, he discovered her brace as he lifted her. “She has her own armor!” he roared to the crowd. Meanwhile, Genie was disarming me—stripping away the guilty awkwardness I’d long felt around people with visible differences. Because she didn’t view her brace as tragic, she didn’t view others’ medical equipment—or they themselves— as objects of pity. She’d say breezy hellos to people in wheelchairs, and coo over babies in headgear. Several years ago, she made a best friend at camp and told me everything about her—except that the girl had impaired mobility and used a walker. I didn’t learn about it until visiting day, when I witnessed Genie happily helping her pal get up a hill while singing to her. Why didn’t she tell me about the walker? I wondered. Then I realized it was because to her, it wasn’t worth a mention. I started to see that it wasn’t just Genie’s spine that needed help; my attitude toward people with disabilities needed some straightening out, too. I no longer avert my gaze from them, worried that they’ll see sorrow in my eyes. Instead, like Genie, I make a point of saying hi. I treat them the way I want people to treat Genie—the way I was supposed to have been treating them all along. Genie’s now 14, and her spinal curve is almost completely gone. The day is coming when she’ll leave her back brace behind for good, but I know the compassion she gained from her years of treatment will last a lifetime. She’s not just a kid with a straight back; she’s a person with real backbone. RocklandParent 11
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3 Easy Steps to Enter: 1. Go to nymetroparents.com/covercontest or facebook.com/nymetroparents 2. Select your favorite photo of your child (ages 2-16) 3. Upload the photo (.jpg or .png) (Every entry will be automatically reviewed by Barbizon talent scouts)
Prizes for Winners
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May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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online extras Everything’s blooming, and your child is sneezing, but does he have allergies or a cold? Find expert advice at ›› nymetroparents.com/allergies-or-cold
What really works to lower a fever in children? The answers may surprise you. Get the lowdown from a pediatrician at ›› nymetroparents.com/lower-fever
Kids’ snoring can seem cute, but it could spell trouble. Find out why at ›› nymetroparents.com/snoring
Some germs are actually beneficial to kids’ health. Learn the reasons at ›› nymetroparents.com/good-germs
inside
raising kids family health guide
14 Medicine Cabinet Makeover: It turns out you may not need everything you’ve been stocking up on. 16 Decode Your Baby’s Rash: Find out if what you’re seeing on your infant’s skin is normal. 18 Nixing Zits & Boosting Self-Esteem: How you can help your teen clear her acne—and keep her self-esteem intact. 20 Health Directory: Find health care providers in Rockland County.
Medicine Cabinet Makeover
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It turns out you may not need everything you’ve been stocking up on, so add this oft-forgotten area to your spring-cleaning list. By Melissa Wickes
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ur medicine cabinets have become at-home mini drugstores and are often the first place we turn when facing a medical issue, sometimes even before turning to the doctor. As parents, we want to have a plethora of medications on hand in case of any emergency, whether it’s the flu or the imaginary boo-boo your little one has because she wants to accessorize with character Band-Aids. We’re right there with you: It’s comforting to know there are three bottles of children’s fever reducer within reach at all times. But every time we open the cabinet, we run the risk of an avalanche of cotton balls, cough drops, and painkillers falling on us, which doesn’t need to be the case! We’re here to help with advice from pediatricians and pharmacists to completely rethink what you need to have on hand, reorganize your medicine cabinet for safety reasons, and provide a little sanity when your kid gets sick.
Cabinet Clean Out
Doctors and pharmacists recommend cleaning out the medicine cabinet and taking inventory of the medications it contains once or twice a year. Check the expiration dates on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and properly dispose of those that are no longer safe to take. “The main problem with taking expired medications is decrease in efficiency,” says Eric Levene, M.D., a pediatrician at Allied Pediatrics in White Plains. “After the expiration date, the medicine won’t work as well, and you won’t be taking the right dosage because it will be less effective.” 14
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Eye drops, creams, and even cosmetics that are stored in the medicine cabinet can harbor different types of bacteria, so when in doubt, throw it out. The irony of a medicine cabinet? Due to the moisture levels in your bathroom, it isn’t the best place for longterm medication storage, according to Joanna Tracy, Pharm. D., assistant director of Pharmacy at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital (NYU Langone). Most medications can be stored at room temperature, but you should always defer to the medication label when determining which conditions are best for storage. (Areas to never store your medications, though: the car or any other places subject to high temperatures.)
What to Have on Hand
Parents tend to buy a ton of medications to have on hand “just in case,” but this isn’t recommended, according to Dr. Tracy. While it can be anxiety relieving to have the comfort of a makeshift drugstore store readily available, this can actually do more harm than good. Having a ton of medications laying around raises the risk of kids getting their hands on medicines that can be toxic to them and ingesting expired medications, and creates overall clutter in a place where it is important to be organized. Additionally, over-the-counter medications, while helpful, often have active ingredients that provide the potential for incidental misuse and higher-than-recommended dosages, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Some ingredients found in OTC medications that can be harmful include dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, and loperamide, an anti-diarrheal. These medications,
when combined with other drugs such as alcohol and marijuana, are especially harmful because they can affect the brain in a similar way to opioids, according to NIDA. “There have been reports of over-the-counter medications causing life threatening side effects in children under two,” says Dr. Tracy, so it is important to pay attention to what medications are safe to give your infant. In the case that you need to give your infant a pain reliever or fever reducer, it is safe to administer acetaminophen, but not ibuprofen. Though, Dr. Levene recommends herbal remedies, with mediation, for infants. “Herbal remedies are the standard for infants, however just because they are natural does not mean they are always safe,” Dr. Levene says. “Always consult with your physician and let them know everything you are using to treat your baby because some medications can interfere with herbal remedies.” For children younger than 6, you should refrain from administering cough medications, according to Dr. Levene. After age 6, saline sprays, ibuprofen pain relievers, and antihistamines such as Benadryl are generally okay, but you should always consult your doctor especially when children are at a young age.
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Keep Kids’ Hands Off
When arranging the medications in your cabinet, keep in mind what you’re putting within reach of your little ones. Any and all medications should ideally be kept in a place where children cannot reach them and only adults should be able to distribute them. This is especially important for antidepressants and opioids. “If the medicine cabinet is in a place accessible to a child, for example a lower cabinet, then it is recommended that the cabinet be locked,” says Aimée Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician at Crystal Run Healthcare in West Nyack. Disposing of unnecessary medications properly guarantees your children will not access them. And that’s no small concern: The nonmedical use of prescription drugs is a highly dangerous issue that is plaguing today’s youth. In fact, the rate of prescription opioid misuse is incredibly high and rapidly growing, according to the results of the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In a series of studies involving 810 patients, more than twothirds of subjects reported having opioids left over after surgery, according to a report published by JAMA Surgery. Only 4-30 percent of those study participants actually planned to or had already disposed of the leftover drugs, and even fewer had followed U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines to do so properly. Remember: You should never flush any medications down the toilet or sink due to the risk of contaminating the water supply. With that said, when you’re done taking a medication but have some left over, properly discard it and don’t leave it laying around for anyone to get their hands on it. The best way to do this is through a New York state-approved medicine drop off location, according to Dr. Tracy; visit health.ny.gov to find one near you. There are also scheduled U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration take-back days; find more information about these days in accordance with your area at takebackday.dea.gov. “The inquisitive nature of children is an amazing thing, and we as parents and caregivers should do our best to give them a safe environment,” Dr. Kahn says. “Young kids love to explore!” If you are cognizant of where your medication is from the day it is picked up to the day you’re done with it, the medicine cabinet doesn’t have to be a scary place.
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Decode Your Baby’s Rash
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Find out if what you’re seeing on your infant’s skin is normal or if you should call a doctor. By Bethany Braun-Silva
F
inding a rash on your infant is fairly common given that baby skin is so sensitive. But as a new parent, “it can be difficult to determine the seriousness of a rash,” says Aimée Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., pediatrician at Crystal Run Healthcare in West Nyack. “Most rashes are not life-threatening, but if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or feeling sick, bring your child in to be seen by their doctor.” Common symptoms of a serious rash include oozing, pus, blisters, broken skin, pain, tenderness, bruising, or redness, Dr. Kahn says. A not-so-serious rash may be treated at home with emollients or can even be left untreated to clear up on its own. But “it is important to be aware of rashes that do not get better or appear to be worsening,” Dr. Kahn adds. “In these cases one should bring that child to see their pediatrician for an exam.” Here we explain the rashes and skin ailments that commonly affect infants, and give you insight as to when it’s time to call the pediatrician.
Cradle Cap
Most common in newborns, cradle cap appears as yellow, crusty, or greasy, scaly patches. It will generally show up on your baby’s scalp, but may appear on his eyebrows, ears, and neck. This is a harmless skin condition and should clear up on its own within a few months. However, it can be treated with a mild soap and a soft bristle brush to help loosen the scales. Call the pediatrician if the rash does not go away or gets worse; occasionally a baby may have a secondary yeast infection. “In some cases even cradle cap will require a prescription shampoo or lotion to be treated,” Dr. Kahn says. 16
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Contact Dermatitis
This will show up as a dry and bumpy or red and oozing rash and will only be present in areas where your infant has been exposed to an irritant, such as Band-Aids, soap, or laundry detergent. Contact dermatitis can be avoided by simply no longer using the product that is causing the trouble, and you can apply a mild anti-itch or cortisone cream to ease the symptoms until the rash clears up. Call the pediatrician if your baby has been exposed to a severe irritant such as poison ivy, as this may require treatment with an oral steroid or cortisone.
Diaper Rash
A diaper rash occurs when urine and stool act together to create an acidic environment that breaks down baby’s skin. Diarrhea can make diaper rash more frequent. A diaper rash shows up as redness or burn-like marks. Diaper cream should do the trick and can be applied with each diaper change. Call the pediatrician if your child has severe rashes with open sores that do not heal easily. “On occasion, diaper rash can become secondarily infected. If an area of redness becomes scaly and bumpy, it is possible that the skin has become infected with yeast, which requires a topical antifungal medication. Babies can occasionally experience bacterial infections, like impetigo [see next page], due to severe irritation,” says Katherine Miao, M.D., a medical director at City MD Metro North Region. If baby has large, soft, yellow fluid-filled blisters, a staph infection may have developed. See your doctor; this needs prompt treatment with oral antibiotics.
Eczema
It looks different in infants than it does in older children. When an infant develops an eczema rash, it typically appears on her cheeks, trunk, or scalp; the areas look red, scaly, and sometimes crusty. Call the pediatrician if the eczema gets worse despite treating with over-the-counter cream. Your child may have developed a bacterial infection, in which case antibiotics are necessary to clear it up. Eczema that isn’t getting better could also be the result of an allergy, especially to foods such as milk or soy. You may need to consult an allergist to find out the specific cause.
Hives
These flat or slightly raised blotches are usually caused by an allergy, most frequently to food or medicine. A telltale sign that the rash is a hive is if it fades in one area and reappears in another. To treat, use a mild antihistamine or remove whatever is causing the allergy. Call the pediatrician if your baby is having difficulty breathing, or has swollen eyes or lips in addition to hives. In fact, it is recommended you call 911 if any of these symptoms occur, as they are signs of a severe allergic reaction.
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Impetigo
If your child develops yellow, crusty, oozing sores around his mouth, this may be a sign of impetigo. It’s caused by a staph or strep germ and can occur anywhere the skin has been broken and bacteria can enter. Call the pediatrician if you notice the symptoms listed above. Impetigo needs to be treated by a doctor either with antibiotics or a prescribed cream. If the outbreak does not go away after a few days of treatment, call the doctor again.
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Infant Acne or Milia
Milia are tiny white bumps that appear under your baby’s skin. The bumps are normally present on the nose, chin, or cheeks and are caused by skin flakes trapped near the surface of the skin. Baby acne is red or white bumps on the forehead or cheeks, which are caused by hormones the baby receives from his mother at the end of pregnancy. Infant acne can be present when your baby is born or appear when she is 2-4 weeks old. Both milia and baby acne will disappear in several weeks and are harmless. You can care for your baby’s acne by washing his skin with warm water and a mild soap and by avoiding oils and lotions on the affected area. Call the pediatrician if the acne appears to be getting larger or appears swollen and is producing discharge. This could be a sign of a bacterial infection, which needs to be treated with antibiotics.
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Nixing Zits & Boosting Self-Esteem
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In the unfair stage of puberty with changes happening all at once, here’s how you can help your teen clear her acne—and keep her self-esteem intact. By Katelin Walling
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s a tween with the (seemingly) sudden onset of zits and blackheads clogging my pores, I devoured all the information I could find about acne, its causes (so I could avoid those factors to the best of my ability), and how to get rid of it once and for all. Because, really, who wants acne? I tried all the over-the-counter cleansers and spot treatments on the market. I convinced my mom to splurge and get me Proactiv. I was desperate to clear up my face because I was so self-conscious about breakouts—heck, I still am. In middle school, I got bangs to hide any zits on my forehead. In high school, I started dabbling in makeup to conceal blemishes. I still conceal breakouts with makeup, but the difference between now and then is I actually know what I’m doing with makeup— YouTube tutorials didn’t exist when I was in my early teens. The only thing that kept me sane was the fact that some of my close friends were also struggling with acne. Some tweens and teens might not be so lucky and escape serious self-esteem issues related to acne, especially when it comes to seeing the “perfect” pictures others are posting on social media. (Thankfully Facebook was in its infancy and only open to college students and Instagram didn’t exist when I was in high school, so I didn’t have pictures of people with clear skin flooding my feeds.) What’s encouraging, though, is a lot of celebrities are being real about their skin: Most notably, Lili Reinhart of Riverdale fame has been refreshingly honest about her battle with cystic acne. “The struggle is real, as they say,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., who dealt with acne in her late teens. Dr. Nazarian is a board-certified dermatologist, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and sees patients at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. The one thing I didn’t do as a teen, regrettably, was talk to a dermatologist to figure out the best course of treatment for my skin. 18
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
All About Acne
There are two categories of acne: inflammatory lesions, which are more likely to scar such as cystic acne (usually deep, bumpy, tender, red nodules) and non-inflammatory lesions, such as whiteheads and blackheads, which are less likely to scar unless the teen picks at them, according to Dr. Nazarian. Dietary factors may play a role in acne, but “it’s a pretty weak link at this point,” Dr. Nazarian says. There’s no hard evidence, but some studies have suggested dairy products containing natural growth hormones can stimulate over-oil production and cause pimples, and high-glycemic (sugary) and greasy, fried foods are also thought to be linked to acne, Dr. Nazarian explains. “But short of that, we know that most acne is actually just caused by a very normal reaction of the skin from internal hormones and chemicals in the body that can happen from stress, it can just happen from normal puberty, and certainly there are things that you can take [such as medications and supplements] that will absolutely cause acne, but that is not a regular cause,” she says. “There are so many different treatments now depending on what the patient comes in with and truly how they feel about it, how quickly they need it gone, how distraught they are,” Dr. Nazarian says, and a number of those treatments can be used at the same time. Topically, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, peels such as glycolic acid, and a range of retinoids can be found over the counter or by prescription, according to Dr. Nazarian. Oral prescriptions include antibiotics such as doxycycline or minocycline, isotretinoin (more commonly known by the former brand name Accutane), as well as spironolactone, an option for females only, Dr. Nazarian says. Dermatologists also have tools, such as lasers and blue lights, they can use in the office.
One thing to keep in mind: The more your teen can do to prevent bacteria from clogging her pores, the better off her skin will be. Some easy things he can do are wash his face twice a day with a gentle cleanser but don’t over-scrub, change his pillowcase once a week, regularly wipe down his phone screen and headphone cords with an alcohol wipe, and use a facial cleansing wipe after playing sports or working out. While none of these will miraculously clear acne completely, each little step can help reduce the number of pimples she sees.
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Supporting Self-Esteem
Puberty is an awkward phase of life, and you don’t have to be an expert to see that some teens are self-conscious or have self-esteem issues, says Sanam Hafeez, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and founder and director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. in New York City. But there are things you, as parents, can do to prevent your teen’s self-esteem from dropping—and help improve it. “The longer acne lasts, the worse the emotional symptoms might be,” says Lindsay Macchia, Ph.D., associate psychologist at the Mood Disorders Center and Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. So the first step she suggests is to take your teen to a dermatologist. The faster acne is treated, the more likely the teen is to not have feelings of low self-esteem and low self-worth. “I would encourage a parent to find a doctor who is very empathic and validating and understands that, yes, this is a skin condition, but it can also effect the tween or teen emotionally too,” she says. Additionally, parents should emphasize that they are part of their teen’s support system and validate his feelings. “If their self-esteem is starting to dip or they are starting to be concerned about their appearance…or what other people might be thinking of them or how they might be treating them, knowing that they can turn to their parents for support can go a very long way,” Dr. Macchia says. “Parents, sometimes in their years of experience and feeling that their problems are so much bigger than their teenagers’ problems, are dismissive,” Dr. Hafeez adds. But “dismissing them makes them feel alone and the only people they can turn to for help are people who are also now not taking them seriously and sort of undermining or downplaying their problem.” Listen to your teen and tell her, “I understand. It must be really hard. Would you like to go see a doctor or a dermatologist with me?” If you can talk to your teen, and spend time with him to help him feel heard and validated, acne or not, he’s going to feel a boost in his self-esteem because he feels important to those people who mean the most, Dr. Hafeez says.
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If your tween or teen suddenly changes her behavior—starts avoiding social activities such as parties, sports teams, after-school clubs, or school events; always covers or hides her face; seems more sad or irritable than usual; tries to skip school; or even verbalizes that she thinks she looks ugly—her self-esteem may be plummeting because of her acne, and it might be time to seek professional help. If you’re anxious about asking your teen whether he wants to see a psychologist, Dr. Hafeez suggests saying, “I’m here for you. I’m always willing to talk, but I don’t want to assume that I’m the answer to all of your problems. Maybe there are things you don’t want to tell me. I want you to be able to speak openly to someone who you feel isn’t going to judge you.” “Just giving them those options makes the child feel like their parent cares enough about doing something about this, and it’s not just about how they feel now. Teenagers can be brats and they can be ungrateful, but someday that teenager is going to look back and be appreciative of those things,” Dr. Hafeez says.
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Health Directory The Academy For Martial Arts
8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 theacademyformartialarts.com Children are precious. As a parent, you know it is your responsibility to protect your child from all sorts of dangerous situations. It isn’t easy. They grow up fast. Time flies, and eventually children must learn to defend themselves. You certainly do not want your son or daughter to be bullied, or to become a bully. Martial arts lessons are a fantastic solution. Every kid should learn self-defense. It’s like learning to swim—it’s lots of fun, it can save your life, and it builds self-control and self-confidence. After serving the Rockland and Bergen communities for 18 years under a different name, we are now The Academy For Martial Arts, and we have a program that is perfect for your child.
Allied Physicians Group
3 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville 866-621-2769 alliedphysiciansgroup.com The more than 120 physicians that comprise Allied Physicians Group are among the top pediatricians throughout Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and beyond. When you bring your children to an Allied pediatric practice, you know they are getting the very best care. Our doctors have access to resources, technology, and support that other, stand-alone pediatric practices simply cannot offer. Our doctors have more time for what matters most: you and your child! For more information, visit alliedphysiciansgroup.com or call us at 866621-2769.
Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT)
845-517-0400 rocklandhelp.org The Behavioral Health Response Team provides mobile behavioral health services and crisis intervention 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to individuals, families, and agencies in Rockland County. BHRT has an experienced team of mental health professionals capable of responding immediately to requests for assistance or intervention with any behavioral health issue. Our team will conduct a basic needs assessment, an essential part of the outreach process. We provide referrals to mental health providers and agencies to ensure that individuals and families receive the ongoing care they need.
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May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Clemente Orthodontics
603 S. Route 304, New City 845-638-6646 60 W. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-2888 clementeorthodontics.com At Clemente Orthodontics, our patients receive the benefit of experience, quality, and energy that comes with a multigenerational team. Dr. Michael Clemente and his daughters, Drs. Nicole Clemente and Marissa Clemente, work together seamlessly to care for your orthodontic needs. They run a state-of-the-art practice with digital X-rays, private treatment rooms, impression-free Invisalign, and a highly experienced staff. They are an Invisalign Super Elite Premier provider, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as treatment options. As always, consultations are complimentary. We are excited to now offer Acceledent to our patients.
Crystal Run Healthcare
2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com Crystal Run Healthcare is a physician-owned, physician-led, multi-specialty medical group practice offering the convenience of Primary Care and more than 40 specialties, all under one roof. Our 70,000-square-foot West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care by way of more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, an infusion center, urgent care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and women’s imaging—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.
Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S.
2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net Dr. Alpert is excited to offer drill-free, needle-free dentistry with the Solea CO2 Laser. Her practice offers comfortable cosmetic dentistry for the entire family including implants and full mouth reconstruction if necessary. Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care to make your visit as enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working 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.
Gayle Sturmer L.C.S.W.-R. Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychotherapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy®
99 Main St., Nyack 914-450-2413 gaylesturmer.com Gayle Sturmer’s treatment method is shortterm 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™ (RRT) 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.
Help Is Here Coaching, L.L.C. Isabel Ebrahimi, Certified ADHD Coach and Certified Life Coach
66 N. Broadway, Suite 9, Nyack 80 Theodore Fremd Ave., Rye 917-359-5442 helpisherecoaching.com isabel@helpisherecoaching.com Isabel is a compassionate, supportive, certified coach offering help to children, teens, and adults dealing with ADHD, stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. She effectively helps identify factors contributing to these issues, and can customize steps to facilitate and address these struggles in a concrete way. She teaches cognitive tools such as mindfulness, organizational skills, and specific strategies to bring about the achievement of their goals, through the acquisition of skills needed to create positive and lasting change in their lives. Isabel works in office or virtually. Call for a free consultation.
Helping Kids Pediatrics
180 Phillips Hill Road, Suite 4A, New City 845-499-2339 helpingkidspediatrics.com hkp@helpingkidspediatrics.com Dr. Stanley and Dr. Elizabeth are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have specialized training in caring for pediatric patients. They offer customized care and look forward to caring for the health and well-being of your children from birth through adolescence. Dr. Elizabeth is also an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, offering consultations in the office. In addition, they have specialized training in the Ear Well™ system for correction of
newborn congenital ear deformities. This is a non-invasive, pain-free, non-surgical option for newborns.
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.
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.
Meals on Wheels Adult Day Care Program
121 W. Nyack Road, Unit 8, Nanuet 845-624-6325 mowadultdaycare.org Meals on Wheels in Rockland offers a structure social model Adult Day Care program providing peace of mind to older adults and their caregivers by offering a safe and caring environment while improving the quality of life for participants affected by Alzheimer’s and related cognitive disorders. Mental stimulation and interaction with peers is encouraged through a variety of therapeutic and recreational activities including exercise, music and dance therapies, tai chi, holiday parties, memory stimulation, pet therapy, and visiting entertainers. Ask about a free trial. Visit mowadultdaycare.org for more information.
Nyack Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Angela Boudounis-Hatzis
265 N. Highland Ave. (Route 9W), Nyack 845-512-8434 nyackpediatricdentistry.com drb@nyackpediatricdentistry.com Nyack Pediatric Dentistry is a cutting-edge
practice that delivers state-of-the-art oral health care to the pediatric population, from birth through teenage years. We believe that good oral health begins with prevention. Using age-appropriate techniques, we accomplish this through education and motivation. Our office is bright and cheerful and equipped with video games, flat screen TVs, toys, books, and prizes. We believe that by providing a comfortable and understanding atmosphere, patients will develop a positive attitude toward dental care that will last a lifetime. We welcome patients with special needs.
Olga Tusheva, M.D., OBS-GYN
510 Route 304, New City 845-634-8400 20-21 Liberty Square, Stony Point 845-947-2225 highlandmedicalpc.com Olga Tusheva, M.D., a skilled physician with Highland Medical, P.C., OBS-GYN of Rockland, received her medical doctorate from the University of Central Florida where she received the prestigious honor of “Outstanding Senior in Surgery.” She completed her internship in obstetrics and gynecology at New York’s Beth Israel Medical Center, residency at North Shore–LIJ Health System, as well as a research internship at The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. Her research experience includes a position held at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Sachdev Family Orthodontics
124 E. Ramapo Road, Suite 2, Garnerville 845-786-7736 sfojustsmile.com sfojustsmile@gmail.com facebook.com/sachdevfamilyorthodontics Instagram: @sachdevfamilyorthodontics At Sachdev Family Orthodontics, we provide individualized braces and Invisalign treatment to kids and adults. Dr. Ameeta Sachdev has been in the dental field for two decades with dual dental degrees from India and U.S. She teaches orthodontics at St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx. She pays attention to detail, whether it is designing the state-of-the-art office herself or perfecting your smile. Being committed to serve, she is an active supporter of community events and local art. Free consults, most insurance accepted, evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available.
SPOTS Special Programs in Occupational Therapy Services
30 Ramland Road, Orangeburg 845-848-2228 spotsot.com SPOTS is a pediatric occupational therapy practice with a new location in Orangeburg. Founded in 1998 in Manhattan, SPOTS is excited to be offering services in Rockland County. SPOTS provides personal occupa-
tional therapy services for toddlers to teens. We are committed to fostering a child’s self-esteem and confidence while utilizing his or her strengths to improve areas of difficulty, such as sensory processing skills, fine and gross motor skills, handwriting skills, social skills, attention and self-regulation skills. We offer comprehensive evaluations, individual therapy, social skills, and handwriting groups.
Tenafly Pediatrics
74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge, NJ 201-326-7120 Offices also in Tenafly, Fort Lee, Clifton, Paramus, Oakland, and Hoboken, NJ tenaflypediatrics.com Tenafly Pediatrics has expanded its Park Ridge, NJ location, which is just 2 miles from the Rockland County border. Established in the mid-1970s, Tenafly Pediatrics has grown due to the quality of medical care provided to its young patients. The Park Ridge office has walk-in hours for sick visits from 8:30-9:30am, Monday-Friday. Evening check-ups are also available. Check out our website at tenaflypediatrics.com and see for yourself how convenient the practice is to your home, and the quality of care your family will receive.
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness
401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness is more than just tumbling. We offer an education in gymnastics, fitness, and fun. Serving Rockland for more than 30 years, we offer private birthday parties, and programs for children ages 10 months to 12 years. Our preschool program offers exciting lessons and theme weeks. We teach the nationally recognized Fun & Fit Gymnastics program and International Smart Moves for our after-school program. Our staff is warm, caring, and well trained to work with your child building confidence and self-esteem to achieve success in the future.
West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex
21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com Rockland’s premier facility for sports training, development, birthday parties, and special events, offers programs for children and adults in basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, tennis, and fitness. Our skilled staff ensures your child has the perfect mix of fun, physical activity, and training. Whether it’s our Basketball Academy, Tiny Tots Soccer classes for young children, or revamped tennis academy, we offer plenty of programs to meet your child’s needs, no matter his or her age or ability. Allow West Rock to be your one and only stop for your family’s sports and entertainment needs!
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Sun things to do
where-to guide
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Compiled by Samantha Neudorf
CAROUSELS Palisades Center Mall Carousel
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Exit 12 off Route 303, West Nyack 845-353-2595; palisadescenter.com Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-9:30pm, and Sunday, 11am-7pm Price: $2.50 per ride; $11 for five tickets; $20 for 10 tickets The carousel, a double-decker Venetian model by Bertazzon, is located in the food court next to the Ferris wheel. Find more>> carousels in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/carousels.
Courtesy Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Summer is within in our reach, and there’s no better way to help your kids to get their first tastes of summer vacation than to bring them to one of these exciting outdoor activities. Mini golf is a fun way for families to bond over a game. Zoos, nature centers, and botanical gardens are a great way to greet wildlife while soaking in some vitamin D, and if your children can’t get enough of animals, bring them to a nearby stable to ride horses (it’s the next best idea to getting them a pony!). But if your kids are not quite ready to meet a real horse, you can always bring them to a carousel in your area. Here’s hoping your May gets you and your family ready for summer!
HORSEBACK RIDING Nickel-O-Farm
369 Strawtown Road, West Nyack 845-353-8006; nickelofarms.com Private Western- and English-style riding lessons are offered for ages 4 and older. Petting zoos and “pony parties” are available remotely. There is a weekly summer riding program June-August in which kids ride and learn to groom the horses, as well as participate special activities.
Kids can play in Grasshopper Grove, a nature play area that allows them to connect with the outdoors.
ZOOS, NATURE CENTERS, & BOTANICAL GARDENS Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
116 Route 303, Tappan 845-359-0642; clostergolfcenter.com Hours: daily, 9am-9pm (weather permitting) Price: $7; $6 for children 10 and younger. Putters, balls, and scorecards are provided at no charge. Putt 18 holes at this outdoor course. The center has a driving range and batting cages as well. Birthday parties are also available.
Outdoor Discovery Center: 120 Muser Drive (across from 174 Angola Road), Cornwall; 845-534-5506 Wildlife Education Center: 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson 845-534-7781; hhnm.org Hours: Trails: daily, 10am to dusk. Wildlife Education Center: Friday-Sunday, 12-4pm, year-round. Outdoor Discovery Center visitor center: weekends, 10am-4pm. Admission: Wildlife Education Center: $3; free for children 2 and younger. Outdoor Discovery Center: $3; free for children younger than 2. Event and program costs vary. The museum includes the two centers listed above, along with a pond, field, and woodland hiking trails. Visitors can participate in weekly programs, events, and activities, all with a basis in environmental education and conservation.
Find more>> mini-golf courses in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/minigolf.
Find more>> zoos, nature centers, and botanical gardens in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/zoos.
Tappan Golf Closter
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MINI GOLF
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Find more>> horseback-riding stables in Rockland County at nymetroparents.com/horseback-riding.
Ideas When You Need Them:
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Turn the page for details on Rockland Boulders Opening Day (No. 3 on our list).
MAY
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CALENDAR 24
Editor’s Hot Tickets
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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!
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Show Time!, Animal Lovers
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The Great Outdoors, Special Needs, Browse & Buy
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Smarty Pants, Movers & Shakers
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!
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Opening Day
WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 12-8pm WHERE: Playland Park, 1 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Fun for everyone including family rides, thrill rides, and kiddie rides at Kiddyland, as well as live entertainment. WHY WE LOVE IT: Nothing makes us more excited for summer like a day at the amusement park! WANT TO GO? $15 rides; $10 parking. 914-813-7010. playlandpark.org.
Mother’s Day Hike to the Women’s Monument FREE
WHEN: Sunday, May 13, 11am WHERE: Palisades Interstate Park Headquarters, Palisades Interstate Parkway Exit 2, Alpine, NJ AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The destination and turn-around point will be a 1929 trailside monument honoring the crucial role that the New Jersey Women’s Clubs played in preserving the Palisades and creating the park. The hike will cover approximately 4 miles in 2 hours. WHY WE LOVE IT: Spend a scenic, active, thoughtful day with mom. WANT TO GO? 201-768-1360. njpalisades.org.
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Rockland Boulders Opening Day
WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 6:30pm WHERE: Palisades Credit Union Park, 1 Palisades Credit Union Park Drive, Pomona AGES: All WHAT: Come to cheer on the Rockland Boulders and stay for the post-game fireworks. WHY WE LOVE IT: Our favorite team just happens to be local! WANT TO GO? $12-$15. 845-364-0009. rocklandboulders.com.
Touch-A-Truck FREE
WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 9am-2pm WHERE: Memorial Park Van Neste Square, South Walnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: An interactive adventure that gives children the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with police cars, emergency vehicles, fire trucks, public works equipment, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Even better than Matchbox cars! WANT TO GO? 201-445-2600. experienceridgewood.com.
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May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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Nyack Famous Street Fair
WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 10am-5pm WHERE: Downtown Main Street and Broadway, 100 Main St., Nyack AGES: 3-5 WHAT: More than 350 booths will be filled with arts, crafts, retail items, commercial companies, festival foods, Nyack cafes, and music. A large Kidz Zone will be set up in the parking lot with inflatables and games. WHY WE LOVE IT: A reminder that summer is right around the corner! WANT TO GO? Free admission. 201-666-1340. pjspromotions.com.
Spring Festival
WHEN: May 26-28, Saturday-Monday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Sugar Loaf, 1407 Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf AGES: All WHAT: Family fun featuring crafts, vendors, food, and more in this artisan community. WHY WE LOVE IT: The festival is set in the scenic backdrop of Warwick Valley. WANT TO GO? Free admission. sugarloafnewyork.com.
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Zerbini Family Circus
WHEN: May 25-28, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm and 5pm; Sunday, 1pm and 4:30pm; Monday, 5pm WHERE: Museum Village, 1010 State Route 17M, Monroe AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Enjoy the Big Top fun with jugglers, high flyers, high wire, camels, clowns, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Good old school family fun! WANT TO GO? $12; $10 children ages 3-12. 845-782-8248. museumvillage.org.
Children and Family Programs FREE
WHEN: May 6-Nov. 25, Sundays, 1pm WHERE: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: Hands-on experiences are created and led by artists, conservators, arts educators, and environmental educators at these drop-in workshops. WHY WE LOVE IT: Perfect for those budding artists. WANT TO GO? 845-534-3115. stormkingartcenter.org.
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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. Family Fun Night FREE
WHEN: Friday, May 4, 6-8:30pm WHERE: JTS Community Center, 115 Torne Valley Road, Hillburn AGES: All WHAT: Families will enjoy the open gym to participate in basketball, bounce houses, bingo, wall climbing, and more. WANT TO GO? 845-753-2324. ramapoparks.org.
Willow B’s Book Signing FREE
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2pm WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 140 Rockland Plaza, Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: Willow B. will read excerpts and sign copies of her book Woodly Wiley Pierre, a story of a girl who leaves Haiti to come to America. Woodly learns many lessons, including the fact that she is just as judgmental as her bullies. WANT TO GO? 845-290-3107. willowb.org.
• We provide orthodontics to the "ENTIRE" family (ages 7 - 90 years) • New state-of-the-art office and equipment to better serve your needs (no gooey impressions!!) • Discount plans and most insurances including CSEA and NYC PBA accepted Stop by or schedule an appointment to meet our team, see our office and learn more about our services.
124 E. Ramapo Road Suite #2 Garnerville, NY 10923 Phone: (845) 786-7736 | Email: sfojustsmile@gmail.com www.sfojustsmile.com
A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles
Tilly...
Great American Cleanup FREE
WHEN: Through May 6: Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Keep Rockland Beautiful, see website for locations, Rockland County AGES: All WHAT: Help remove tons of litter from our streets, parks, and waterways to make our communities cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful. Check the website for specific dates, times, locations, and registration. WANT TO GO? 845-708-9164. keeprocklandbeautiful.org.
Rocket Launch FREE
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 3-5pm WHERE: Weldler Park, West Maple Avenue, Monsey AGES: All WHAT: Bring your own low-powered rockets (A – D motors) to launch or just come to watch. Beginners and advanced rocketeers are welcome. WANT TO GO? 845-357-3416. ramapoparks.org.
FREE
Consults!!
A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)
Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Call 914-764-5564
to schedule a free Tilly Event for schools, libraries & hospitals Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:
www.tillyadeerstale.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. ››
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LOOKING FOR
GREAT
GREAT DEALS?
DEALS?
Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!
Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!
Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.
RocklandParent 25
LOOKING FOR
Saving money on a
JBCF Kids: ‘Babies’
WHEN: May 19-20, Saturday-Sunday, 12pm WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville AGES: 5 and older WHAT: An eye-opening look at the first year of a baby’s life from birth to first steps, immersing audiences in the lives of four babies from Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and the United States. WANT TO GO? $14; $7.50 for children 13 and younger. 914-747-5555. burnsfilmcenter.org.
SHOW TIME!
The Rock and Roll Playhouse presents: The Music of The Beatles for Kids
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 3pm WHERE: Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, 145 Westchester Ave., Port Chester AGES: All WHAT: An early and often first introduction to a child’s lifelong journey with live music and rock ‘n’ roll. Watch as your kids discover some of your favorite songs. WANT TO GO? $12. 914-937-4126. thecapitoltheatre.com.
Classic Film Club: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 11am organ performance; 11:30am showtime WHERE: Lafayette Theater, 97 Lafayette Ave., Suffern AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Enjoy this comedy with the kids! Check out the website for other Saturday morning classic films. WANT TO GO? $3. 845-368-1889. lafayettetheatersuffern.com.
New Jersey Ballet’s ‘Cinderella’
ANIMAL LOVERS Sheep Shearing
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: It’s a sure sign of spring when the sheep get their haircuts. Enjoy shearing demonstrations, crafts, story times, spinning demonstrations, and more. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14. 201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us.
Annual Amphibian Amble
WHEN: Friday, May 11, 7pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Search out salamanders and frogs on this guided twilight wetland walk. Bring a flashlight and waterproof boots and learn to recognize local frogs by sight and sound while putting your identification skills to the test. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The classic fairy tale about a girl losing her slipper at the big ball gets the royal treatment with beautiful sets and costumes. New Jersey Ballet’s hallmark “storyteller” narration makes sure even the littlest theater-goers can keep up with ease. WANT TO GO? $15-$39. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.
Shellabration Time - Come On!
‘Clue the Musical’
Bats for Beginners
WHEN: May 10-12, Thursday-Saturday, 7pm WHERE: Porch Light Productions, 555 Broad St., Glen Rock, NJ AGES: All WHAT: The internationally popular game is now a fun-filled musical that brings the world’s best known suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room and with what weapon. Performed by the cast of Porch Light’s Youth Performance Troupe senior company. WANT TO GO? $15. 201-857-3520. porchlightproductions.org.
‘The Winter’s Tale’
WHEN: May 11-19, Friday-Saturday, 7-9pm WHERE: The Palisades Presbyterian Church, 117 Washington Spring Road, Palisades AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Two kings were boyhood friends, but then one suspects the other of trying to steal his wife. The gods intervene to set him straight, but it is too late. His young son dies of grief at hearing that his mother has been imprisoned by his father. Sixteen years later, a daughter is restored to the king and she brings all the sad parties back together for a happy and magical ending. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $10 children. 845-826-2623. childrensshakespeare.org. 26
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 2pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate World Turtle Day. Meet some of Tenafly Nature Center’s Turtle Ambassadors and learn more about how to protect turtles and help them thrive. WANT TO GO? $6. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org. WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 7pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Learn how bats use echolocation to play a vital ecological role. Understand more about the only flying mammal in New Jersey, then walk along trails using a sonar detector to search for signs of bat life. Registration is required. WANT TO GO? $10. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
SPECIAL NEEDS Autism Day at Six Flags Great Adventure
WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 10:30am-6pm WHERE: Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Six Flags Great Adventure is being transformed into a sensory-friendly environment for individuals on the autism spectrum with their families and friends. Rides and attractions, custom sensory activity areas, guest speakers, local autism resources, and more. WANT TO GO? $32.99. 732-928-2000. sixflags.com/greatadventure.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Primitive Living Skills Workshop Family Session
WHEN: Sunday, May 13, 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. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $25. 845-356-1234. thenatureplace.com.
Spring Fun
WHEN: Through May 18, Tuesday-Friday, 1:30-5pm WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Watch the garden’s plants and animals wake up from winter with buds bursting, birds nesting, and seeds sprouting. Investigate the ways that nature signals spring and help our feathered friends build their nests with special nesting bags to take back to your neighborhood. WANT TO GO? $23; $20 seniors and children ages 2-12; $10 for children younger than 2. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.
Camp Open House FREE
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 1-4pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: All WHAT: Come learn about The Nature Place, a non-competitive, nature-oriented day 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.
Rockland Friendship Circle Walk
WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 1pm WHERE: RCC Fieldhouse, 145 College Road, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: This annual 1k walk raises vital funds and community awareness for Friendship Circle: a nonprofit organization for that brings joy, cheer, and respite to children with special needs and their families. Enjoy a post-walk celebration with activities including inflatables, a video game truck, a gaga pit, live DJ, food, and more. WANT TO GO? $10 fair bracelets; $6 in advance. 845-368-1889. rocklandfriendshipwalk.com.
BROWSE & BUY
Warwick Valley Community Showcase
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 10am-4pm WHERE: Village of Warwick, Main Street and Railroad Avenue, Warwick AGES: All WHAT: Kick off spring at this “Be Local, Buy Local” event featuring community businesses and more. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-986-2720. warwickcc.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.
Get in the Garden & Native Plant Sale
WHEN: Monday, May 21, 11am WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Ring in spring and warm weather with a planting event sponsored by Home Depot at the Palisades Center. WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com.
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 9am-1pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Get advice from experienced gardeners, and purchase native plants to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. In addition, create a Garden Toad House and meet a real American Toad, make Native Wildflower Seed Balls for your garden, and go on a Guided Nature Walk through the Outdoor Discovery Center. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
Story Walk Opening Day
Garden Club of Nyack Plant Sale
Planting Event at Home Depot FREE
WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 10am-4pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Read Forest Bright, Forest Night by Jennifer Ward, and look for clues about these special animals as you stroll along the meadow trail. At 11am and 1pm, take a guided walk along the StoryWalk™ Trail and meet one of the animals from the book. WANT TO GO? $3; free for children 2 and younger. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 10am-2pm WHERE: The Garden Club of Nyack, 507 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack AGES: All WHAT: A wide variety of plants will be sold from members’ gardens as well as annuals and perennials from bumps nursery and bulbs from the International Bulb Company. Proceeds are used for community projects in Nyack such as the Butterfly Garden, Hopper House, the Old Stone Meeting House, as well as maintaining a plot in the community garden. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-358-7292. thenyackgardenclub.wordpress.com. ››
RocklandParent 27
Public Space Mission
WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 2-5pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Public crew-members will attend a briefing session and select tasks to perform on the mission. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and for children 8 and younger. 845-3573416. ramapoparks.org.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
SMARTY PANTS Kids Art Program
WHEN: Through May 5: Tuesdays, 3:45-5:45pm; Saturdays, 10am-12pm WHERE: Wholeness Center, 7 New Lake Road, Valley Cottage AGES: 5-12 WHAT: The program helps bring out the creative side in children. WANT TO GO? $22 drop-in class. 845-268-7532. wholenesscenterny.com.
Munchkin Monday: Mad Science FREE
WHEN: Monday, May 7, 11am WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Preschoolers will enjoy demonstrations and perform science experiments. WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com.
The Tipping Point: Advancing Climate Change Communication & Expression FREE
WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 7-9pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A panel discussion among thought leaders from science, art, and the humanities. The primary goal is to generate insights into how these fields can benefit from each other in communicating climate change information. WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.
Public Planetarium Show
WHEN: Sunday, May 13, 2-4pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Following a 1-hour planetarium show, participants will take part in a hands-on astronomy-related project in the center’s activity room. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and for children 8 and younger. 845-3573416. ramapoparks.org.
Munchkin Monday: Music Together FREE
WHEN: Monday, May 14, 11am WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Drop in for Music Together, an international music and movement program for children and their parents. WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com.
Your First Mud Run at North Rockland
WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 10am WHERE: North Rockland High School, 106 Hammond Road, Thiells AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Designed so parents and kids can run together, courses are 1½-2 miles with 10-16 obstacles. A portion of the proceeds will go to the North Rockland High School’s class of 2021. WANT TO GO? $45-$55. 201-891-4115. yourfirstmudrun.com.
The Hard Cider Run
WHEN: May 5-6, Saturday-Sunday, 10am WHERE: Warwick Valley Winery, 114 Little York Road, Warwick AGES: All WHAT: A 3.1 mile run/walk. Participants receive a T-shirt, glass of hard cider, and more. Kids welcome; non-alcholic cider available. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $40. thehardciderrun.com.
Family Promise of Bergen County Hike or Bike Event
WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 12pm WHERE: Van Neste Square, East Ridgewood Avenue and Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Participants secure sponsorships in support of homeless, working families. Choose between a 3-mile hike or bike, or 15-mile bike. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 in advance; free for children 5 and younger. 201-833-8009. bergenfamilypromise.org.
Black and Gold Color Run
WHEN: Sunday, May 13, 10am; 9am kids run WHERE: Nanuet Outdoor Education Center, 135 Convent Road, Nanuet AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy an untimed fun run featuring a 5K course. Throughout the course, participants will be doused in color. WANT TO GO? $35; $15 for children 10 and younger. nanuetblackandgoldclub.
Healthy Kids Running Series
WHEN: Through May 20: see website for dates and times WHERE: Check website for race locations, Bergen County, NJ AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Each race series offers age-appropriate running events, including the 50 yard dash, 75 yard dash, and ¼-, ½-, and 1-mile runs. WANT TO GO? $35. 484-352-2729. healthykidsrunningseries.org.
Open Cockpit Weekend
WHEN: May 19-20, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey, 400 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Fully open cockpits include a rare Lockheed Bushmaster, a M*A*S*H Bell helicopter, and a Walter Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting truck. WANT TO GO? $12; $9 seniors and children. 201-288-6344. njahof.org. 28
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Coming up next month: JUNE 2: Newburgh Illuminated Festival at Liberty and Broadway streets, Newburgh JUNE 3: Hudson River Barn Dance at Alpine Picnic Area and Boat Basin, Alpine, NJ JUNE 10: Montvale Street Fair at Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ
PartyCentral
Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. BIRTHDAY ENTERTAINMENT
FUDGIE THE CLOWN AND MYSTIQUE THE MAGICIAN Serving Rockland and Bergen counties 201-825-7481 fudgietheclown.com Invite Fudgie or Mystique to your next party, picnic, or event! A professional family entertainer specializing in magic, face painting, and balloon animals. Ask about mid-week special rates. Fully insured. INFLATABLE PARTY ADVENTURES Serving Rockland, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester 845-267-2022 inflatablepartyadventures.com Premier state-of-the-art inflatables and entertainment equipment at a price that can’t be beat. Every rental includes our risk-free rain policy. We specialize in delivering the type of fun guaranteed to make your next event one to be remembered and talked about for years to come. K & A HOUSE OF BOUNCE PARTY RENTALS 845-825-6617 kahouseofbounce.com “We bring the party to you.” We have one of the largest selections of themed bounce houses along with dry and wet slides, obstacle courses, dunk tanks, and other interactive inflatables as well as cotton candy, popcorn, and additional fun concession foods. BIRTHDAY GIFTS TILLY...A DEER’S TALE 914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift! TOYRIFFIC2 TOY STORE 1581 Route 202, Pomona 845-362-6053 toyriffic2.com toyriffic2@aol.com Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our unique toy store in Pomona. We offer a great selection of Melissa & Doug crafts and many other quality, affordable, educational toys, crafts, games, and puzzles for kids of all ages, both boys and girls.
PARTY PLACES ABRAKADOODLE ART STUDIO FOR KIDS 53 Prospect Place, Hillsdale 201-383-0027 abrakadoodle.com/nj04 Facebook: abrakadoodlenj04 Instagram: abrakadoodlenorthjersey kroberts@abrakadoodle.com Paint, slime, draw, fun, clay, and glitter are all the cool things we do at our studio! Abrakadoodle has been serving the community for more than 11 years offering arty parties for ages 3 and older. THE ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS 8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 theacademyformartialarts.com A karate party is a great way to enter the world of martial arts. It’s also a great way for experienced students to share the martial arts with friends and family. Spacious, fully equipped facility, an energetic, cheerful, and professional staff, and martial artsthemed fun and games. BLUE MOON MEXICAN CAFÉ 7-27 Pondfield Road, Bronxville 914-337-4000 42 Kinderkamack Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 201-782-9500 23 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ 201-541-0600 327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-1331 595 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 201-784-3311 bluemoonmexicancafe.com Looking to spice up your child’s next birthday party without sending your savings south of the border? Your party guests will revel in a fun-filled celebration with a mouth-watering menu. Call today to find out more! CHOCOLATIER MATISSE 32 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-365-0285 chocolatiermatisse.com chocolatiermatisse@gmail.com Chocolatier Birthday Parties for girls and boys ages 3 and older. Children learn how chocolate is made and make and decorate a chocolate pizza, balloon bowl filled with dipped items, candy apples, and other hand dipped goodies to take home. You pick what your guests create.
JILL’S CERAMICS 180 Germonds Road, West Nyack 845-623-4975 jillceramics.com jillsceramics@aol.com We offer a fully equipped ceramics and plaster studio at which children and adults let their creativity run wild. Parties for kids include paper goods, a painter’s hat for the birthday child signed by their friends, and an item for each child to paint. MAIN STREET CINEMAS - NEW CITY 6 202 S. Main St., New City 845-634-5100 mainstcinemas.com events@mainstcinemas.com We offer the lowest admission prices and movie party packages in Rockland County. Packages include bundled price for admission and snacks, reserved seating, and expedited snack bar service. PALISADES CLIMB ADVENTURE 4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course with 75 unique challenge elements. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for birthday parties. Book your party today! TUMBLE-BEE GYMNASTICS AND FITNESS 401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Our bright, colorful facility is the perfect place for your child’s private birthday party (ages 1-12). We’ll provide two wonderful, exciting, and energetic party instructors. Also, free invitations, paper products, and utensils. The birthday child receives a free gift and balloons. Reserve in advance. They book quickly!! WEST ROCK INDOOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX 21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com West Rock offers the ultimate place to hold your birthday party. Our unique and versatile facility boasts 40-foot ceilings, 26,000 square feet of turf, two regulation-size basketball courts, six HarTru tennis courts, indoor bouncers, and private party room.
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things to do
city bound
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Families can get their bike fix perusing the aisles full of cycling styles and gear.
Children of all ages can try out the unique moves.
Enjoy a day filled with free performances from top Irish dance companies at the 17th Annual Irish Dance Festival at Riverside Park South. Learn the difference between sean-nós, céilí, and step dance, and take the opportunity to join in on the dancing. Performers include festival favorites Donny Golden Dancers, Niall O’Leary Dance Troupe, Darrah Carr Dance, and Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, plus special guests. Expect music and Irish language lessons, children’s crafts, face-painting, and more. May 6, 1-7pm. Age: All. FREE. Pier I, Riverside Park South, irishartscenter.org.
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Located within the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, this museum features temporary and permanent exhibits and programming that explore the diversity of American Indians, and is home to one of the most extensive collections of Native American arts and artifacts in the world. The imagiNATIONS Activity Center opens May 17, with family-friendly activities for kids to learn more about Native scientific discoveries and inventions. Visit it: 1 Bowling Green, Bowling Green; 212-514-3700; nmai.si.edu Can’t-miss event: Annual Children’s Festival: Celebrating imagniNATIONS! from May 19-20, 11am-5pm Directions: Approximately a 1-hour drive from New City
Chela C.
Darial Sneed
During the two days prior to the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, more than 60,000 cyclists roll through Basketball City at Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan for Bike Expo New York to meet, greet, and talk shop with one another and more than 100 exhibitors, from big brands to local innovators. The expo features everything from beginner’s lessons to state-of-the-art equipment for races to fun giveaways and panels. May 4-5, Friday, 10am-8pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm. Age: All. FREE. Pier 36, Lower Manhattan. bike.nyc/events/bike-expo-new-york.
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W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …
National Museum of the American Indian
Round and Round We Go
Craic ‘Til You Drop!
Courtesy The Morgan Library & Museum
Courtesy Bike New York
Family Fun in Manhattan
Governors Island
Open from May through the end of October, this former military outpost is now a family-friendly public space accessible via ferry from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The 172-acre island boasts biking, play fountains, ballfields, a compost learning center, mini golf, Slide Hill, and play:ground NYC for kids. On weekends, families can take advantage of the Flywire Zip Line, Amazen’ Maze, and Climbing Challenge. Visit it: Ferries depart from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South St., Lower Manhattan; govisland.org Can’t-miss event: NYC Holi Hai Festival on May 6, 10am-6pm Directions: Approximately a 1-hour drive from New City
We've got everything for a…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH
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Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins
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Where-To Guide: Berry Picking
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Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science
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RocklandParent 31
family life home
New Home—Now What? ››
Now that you’ve found the perfect house for your family, there are a few things you’ll want to take care of in the first year. By Barbara Russo
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ongratulations...You just closed on your new home! The mortgage is set up, you’ve got the keys, and the family is all moved in. What should you do next? Well, the most stressful parts of buying a house are over, from filling out piles of paperwork to packing (and unpacking). But there’s still some settling-in work that needs to be done to make your house feel like a home. We’re talking about more than just hanging pictures or finding a place for everything. To get you started, we spoke to experts and created a list of 10 things you should do in the first year to help set a strong foundation for an enjoyable home-owning experience now and in the years to come.
First Things First...Change the Locks!
You received the keys to your new house at the closing, but do you know how many people have copies? Changing the locks should be one of the first things you do after moving in, according to Anthony Marino, a licensed associate real estate broker based in southwest and downtown Brooklyn. “You would be surprised how many people don’t change the locks. They get the key at closing and think it’s the only copy, but meanwhile the previous family had five kids and everyone’s got keys,” he says.
Reassess Your Homeowners Insurance
It’s often necessary to have insurance in place even before making your home purchase. Many banks require new homeowners to roll their mortgage, insurance, and taxes into one payment each month. After about six months, once you’re comfortable and have gotten to know your house, it’s a good idea to take another 32
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look at your policy. “If you need to change things throughout the year—maybe you got too much or too little coverage—then go back to the insurance company and tell them what you need, and they should be able to work with you,” Marino says. Special insurance is required if you’re in a flood zone; it’s not the same as homeowners insurance. “We know now from Hurricane Sandy, in certain parts of the city, we’re more susceptible to floods than we previously thought,” Marino says.
Update Your Address
You have a new address now, so make sure you officially change it. Updating your address on your driver’s license through the DMV is a good first step to help streamline your mail service, but Marino recommends contacting utility and other service companies directly to let them know where you now live. “They don’t care who’s on the bill. They only care if someone is paying it,” Marino says. “And if it’s not paid, they will turn off your gas, they’ll turn off your electric, and you’ll be responsible for it and not even know.”
Make Over the Kitchen and Bathroom
A well-built, fully functional, and structurally safe house is no doubt important, but many new homeowners choose to renovate the two most lived-in rooms: the kitchen and bathroom. “It’s one of the first things people do, even if the house is move-in ready,” Marino says. “I’ve seen people take a perfectly good kitchen and renovate it. It’s all about taste.” Maintaining and updating your kitchen and bathrooms can also add instant value and purchasing appeal if you ever decide to sell your home.
Paint, Paint, Paint
Giving your new home a fresh coat of paint is an instant and easy way to freshen it up. “When you paint the house, it smells new and it feels like it’s yours,” Marino says. Colors making a splash in 2018 home décor include turquoise, rich yellows, and earth tones, according to Elle Decor.
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Focus on the Floors
If you purchased a carpet-lined house, you might consider pulling it up. Not only is hardwood flooring a popular trend, it can also be healthier and cleaner. Carpets can hold allergens and dirt you can’t see, according to Tommy Meyers, a flooring technician based in Middletown. “It might look clean on the surface, but things like animal urine and spilled drinks will soak into padding like a sponge,” Meyers says. “Steam cleaning won’t work either—it only cleans the surface and looks good for about a week. As people walk on it, the carpet begins to soak up dirt from the padding.” If having carpet under your feet gives you a cozy feeling, consider laying down an area rug. It’s cheaper than carpeting a whole floor, and when it’s time for a new look, you can roll it up and store it away.
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Repair the Roof If Needed
Banks don’t require you to get a home inspection when taking out a mortgage, but it’s a good idea to get one so you know what problems exist before you purchase the house. Roofing is very important to look at, according to Meyers. “An inspector can climb on the roof to look for leaks and check to see how good the shingles are. They’ll go in the attic and check for water damage,” he says. If your inspection report comes back showing problems with the roof, improvement costs can be negotiated before you make the purchase. Just be sure to fix the problems either before or as soon as possible after moving in so they don’t get worse or cause catastrophic damage.
Clean Your Clothes Dryer
If your new home came with a clothes dryer, be sure to clean out its lint screens and ducts. This not only freshens it up, it saves you money and prevents a fire from occurring. Each year, 2,900 clothes-dryer fires are reported and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is also good reason to clean your dryer’s lint screen before and after every load of laundry. Lint can build up behind the dryer, so check there too.
CHiLDREN’S BiRTHDAY PARTiES TURN YOUR PARTY INTO A FIESTA AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BLUE MOON
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Pinatas • Crafts • Entertainment • Sombreros • Birthday Cake (packages range from $8.95 - $21.00 per child)
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201.848.4088 • www.bluemoonmexicancafe.com
Look at Your Landscaping
A house with curb appeal is nice to come home to every day. Depending on how big your property is, you can either stock up on the equipment you need to care for your yard, or research a reputable landscaping company in the area. Ask your new neighbors what landscapers they recommend. This could also be a good time to make friends in the neighborhood, which brings us to the last item on our list.
Have a Party!
After most of your first-year work is done, it might be fun to kick back and celebrate. Hosting a house-warming party is a great way to get to know your neighbors. “These are people you will possibly be spending the next 30 years of your life living next to. Get to know them, get to know the restaurants and local businesses,” Marino says. Maintaining and updating your house over the years is a rewarding experience, and a great way to help build home equity. As most real estate experts will say, a home should always be gaining value, and that’s something to take pride in after putting in much work and care over the years. Barbara Russo, a freelance writer with a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York, enjoys playing guitar, following current events, and hanging out with her rabbits.
NEED to plan the perfect party?
FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers, and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.
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family life finances
Insurance You Need—But Might Not Have ››
These policies can shield you from financial headaches, and even devastating losses. Isn’t it time you learned more about them? By Deborah Skolnik
O
ne evening a few years ago, Gerri Sanders* returned from work to an unexpectedly messy home. “Our housekeeper Susannah was supposed to have come by, but nothing had been straightened up,” she says. A few minutes later, Susannah’s son called with awful news: While Susannah had been cleaning the Sanders’ home, she’d climbed a ladder to reach a cobweb and had fallen, breaking her leg. Fortunately, she’d managed to call an ambulance. “I was very worried about Susannah,” says Sanders, a mother of two in Scarsdale. “Then I also started worrying that she’d sue us and we’d lose everything, because she’d gotten hurt on our property while working for us. I didn’t sleep all night.” In the morning, Sanders called her insurance company and got some reassuring news: Among the family’s various policies was workers compensation, a type of insurance that provides wage replacement and/or medical benefits to workers hurt on the job. Susannah’s fall would be covered. “I was so relieved, I cried,” Sanders says. Insurance isn’t something people spend a lot of time thinking about until they need to use it. While Sanders got lucky, many people find 34
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out too late that they are underinsured or not covered at all for their or their employees’ illnesses, accidents, and other adverse events. Don’t be one of them! We asked experts what kinds of policies families typically overlook but may need—read on for their advice, and check with your insurance agent to determine which plans are right for you. Disability insurance for both parents. “The most important insurance, statistically, is long-term disability coverage,” says Lou Cannataro, founder of and partner at Cannataro Park Avenue Financial. “We’ve got over a twenty-five percent chance of getting sick or hurt at some point in our lives and not being able to work.” Don’t count on your workplace disability insurance (if you have it at all) to provide you as much as you’ll need—typically these policies only cover a portion of your lost wages. Life insurance for a non-working spouse. You likely have life insurance for the family breadwinner, but how about the at-home parent (if there is one)? “It’s a no-brainer,” Cannataro says. “That non-working spouse is extremely important,” he stresses, even
though he or she isn’t earning a salary. Think of what would happen should the at-home parent pass away, he explains: “Would the working parent be able to be in the seven o’clock meeting at work? Who would be taking care of the kids at home? It’s a phenomenal expense.” A life insurance policy will help cover the cost of sitters, drivers, and others. “Also if there are insurance proceeds to pay off mortgages and fund college education, then there is less pressure on the working spouse to earn that higher income,” Cannataro says. Workers compensation insurance. Being a parent often means having workers, such as cleaners or nannies, in the home. As Sanders learned, workers compensation insurance can help protect against claims domestic employees may bring for accidents on the job. (These accidents, by the way, don’t have to be in your residence—a worker could file a claim if he gets hurt while walking your dog around the neighborhood, for instance.) “It will cover hospitalization or medical care and replaces some of the income the worker may lose for not being able to work,” says Guy Maddalone, a licensed insurance broker and founder of GTM Payroll Services and GTM Employment Benefits. In fact, families in New York that hire an in-home nanny for 40 or more hours per week are required to carry workers’ compensation. “The penalties for being out of compliance are steep,” Maddalone warns. “A family can be fined as much as two thousand dollars for every ten days that they did not have workers compensation coverage. On top of that, if their nanny does get hurt on the job, the family may be liable for medical expenses and lost wages.” Worth noting: If you hire a nanny to work 40 hours per week, even for just one week, you need to have workers compensation insurance in place for the entire year. Disability insurance for domestic employees. This insurance is also mandatory if you have a full-time domestic employee, Maddalone says. It covers employees for things that happen while they’re officially employed that prevent them from working, but that occur outside of work. Some examples: An employee hurts her back while at home, or is pregnant and needs to leave the job to have her baby. (Household employees are also eligible for New York’s Paid Family Leave program, which provides a portion of their wages for six weeks if they must take a leave for qualified reasons, such as the birth of a child.) Many homeowners insurance policies won’t be able to add on workers compensation or disability insurance, Maddalone notes—you may need to go to another carrier to get these. Auto insurance for a nanny or other household employee. “Add your nanny to your insurance policy if she will be regularly using your car,” advises Michael Foguth of Foguth Financial Group. “If she uses it only on rare occasions, you might not need to.” (Ask your insurer.) If your nanny uses her own car on the job, “ask to see a copy of her auto insurance policy, and make sure that it hasn’t lapsed,” Maddalone recommends.
treatments? The answer is a resounding “maybe.” If you have enough money put away that a $1,000 or $1,500 bill won’t be damaging to your finances, you probably don’t need it, says Jason Hargraves, managing editor of InsuranceQuotes.com. Another factor to consider is your pet’s age: “If your pet or pets are in rather good health and young, it probably isn’t necessary. If they’re older and have had health issues, it might be worthy of consideration,” Foguth says. Before signing on the dotted line, “find out what is covered and what the process is for you to be reimbursed,” Hargraves says. “Some kinds of procedures may not be covered, or it might take months for you to get paid back—make sure you know forward and backward what is insured.” Trip insurance. You’ve planned a family trip, but what happens if someone gets ill, your luggage gets lost, or you have to come home early due to an unforeseen circumstance? “Travel insurance for a family vacation is a good idea as long as you know exactly what it does and doesn’t cover, and that coverage matches up with your needs,” Foguth says. (A policy may not cover a flare-up of a preexisting condition, for instance.) And before you purchase a policy, “look at what you already have. Sometimes your credit card will cover you for trip cancellation,” Foguth points out. Theater ticket insurance. It’s no secret that theater tickets for the family are expensive. What you might not know, though, is they’re insurable, generally for about $20 or less. Is it worth it? “First ask yourself if you could resell the tickets if you couldn’t go at the last minute,” Hargraves says. “And make sure what the insurance would pay out and the process of paying it out. But I would certainly go for it if it will give you peace of mind.” *Name has been changed.
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36 Years In Rockland
An umbrella policy. This policy protects you when the rain really falls, so to speak. “Umbrella insurance provides for additional coverage beyond that of your homeowners and car insurance,” says Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance. If someone is hurt in a car accident you’ve caused and sues you for a million dollars, for instance, your umbrella policy will help cover the amount that’s beyond the limits of your auto insurance. “An umbrella policy also protects you for other types of circumstances that you never had insurance for—for example, if you’re skiing and you accidentally run into another skier who then sues you,” Maddalone says. Pet insurance. If you’re like many people, you probably consider your pet part of the family. So does it pay to have health insurance for your furry friend in case he needs surgery or other expensive RocklandParent 35
family life food & nutrition
Food Allergies and Kids ››
What parents should know about food allergies in children, and how to be more sensitive to those who are food-allergic. By Samantha Neudorf
A
pproximately 15 million Americans have food allergies, whether it’s dairy, soy, egg, wheat, shellfish, or nuts. Food Allergy Awareness Week, which runs May 13-19, aims to shed light on this health issue by educating everyone about what they should know and keep in mind when they are around individuals with food allergies—especially children. One in 13 kids has food allergies, which is equivalent to nearly two kids per class in the United States. In an effort to help with this educational effort, we spoke to Susan Schuval, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy/Immunology at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and associate professor of clinical pediatrics at Stony Brook School of Medicine on Long Island. Read on for her insights into what parents should know about children’s food allergies and precautionary measures to take around others who may be in their children’s classes.
What do parents need to know about children with food allergies? Food allergies occur in 5-8 percent of children and may range from mild reactions such as hives to severe systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Although anyone can develop a food allergy at any age, food allergies are more common in young children, and may be outgrown over time. Milk, soy, egg, and wheat allergies are most commonly seen in young children, while adults are more likely to be allergic to fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. In the past, strict avoidance of the offending foods was recommended to patients with food allergies. However, the success of recent clinical trials of food oral immunotherapy (OIT) has suggested that OIT may be an effective future treatment for food allergies. This involves inducing tolerance of allergenic foods via very slow introduction, starting at very low doses, and then gradually increasing over time, under the close care of an allergist. Though, OIT is currently not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recent studies have also shown that earlier introduction of allergenic foods such as peanuts may prevent food allergies in high-risk infants. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has recommended earlier introduction of peanuts to infants, with evaluation by an allergist suggested for high-risk infants (those with eczema and peanut allergy).
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How can you determine what food allergies your child has? Evaluation by an allergist is helpful in the diagnosis of food allergy. Children diagnosed with food allergies should see the allergist regularly for patient education, and to review use of the epinephrine auto-injector, a medication that may be lifesaving in children experiencing severe allergic reactions to foods. Yearly retesting is often recommended, as many children will outgrow their food allergies. Milk, egg, soy, and wheat allergies are commonly outgrown, while peanut allergies are outgrown in 20 percent of children and tree nut allergies in 10 percent of children over time. What can parents do to be more sensitive to a child with food allergies who may be in their child’s class? Some classrooms or schools may be “peanut-free” or “tree nutfree,” or may offer a “peanut-free table.” Parents may be asked to send in lunches or snacks without peanuts or tree nuts, and should be cognizant of these requests. Also, children without food allergies may bully children with food allergies, so teachers and parents should be aware of any such activities. How can parents better support their child who has food allergies? Food Allergy Research and Education offers numerous resources for food-allergic patients such as tips on home food preparation, dining out in restaurants, and dealing with food allergies at school. It also provides resources such as food allergy support groups for parents who may feel overwhelmed by their child’s food allergies. Family and patient education about avoiding food allergen cross-contamination and accidental food exposures is provided by the allergist. Meals should be customized for children with food allergies, and involving the child in grocery shopping and menu preparation may be helpful. Nutritionist evaluation may be needed in a child with multiple food allergies to ensure a healthy diet. What are some resources parents of children with food allergies can use to help them? Regularly scheduled visits with the allergist are important in monitoring a child’s food allergies and providing ongoing patient education. Online resources include FARE; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
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Alpine Day Camp alpinescoutcamp.org
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German Language Camp germanschoolnj.org
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Healthbarn USA healthbarnusa.com
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Lindgren Summer Camp lindgrenschool.com
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(Counselor-in-Training)
Travel
Horseback Riding
Competitive Sports
Theater
STEAM/Robotics
PROGRAMS: Scholarship
Flexible Scheduling
Extended Hours
Lunch
Transportation
Camp Guide
SERVICES:
8 8
8
8 8
CAMP MARKETPLACE
June 25-August 17, 2018, 3 or 5 days per week 2, 4, 6, or 8 week sessions, grades K-9 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
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CAMP MARKETPLACE OPEN ENROLLMENT 2018 • NYS Licensed Facility • Daycare for Ages 6 weeks – 5 yrs • Flexible Hours to Fit Your Schedule • 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.
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Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center
New City, NY | 845-535-9658 | Brilliantmindsdaycare.com
Mr. Amazing’s BIG TOP CIRCUS Summer Camp! 15th Anniversary Year
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201 s e i t i v i t ly Ac
Fami
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ay
y Thurssda
Frida
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se u o H Open JCC at
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2 convenient locations this summer: Grace Church Nyack, NY and Community Center, Warwick, NY Ages 5 – 14 • 9:00am – 4:00pm • Monday - Friday
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JUNE 25 – AUGUST 3, 2018
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845.721.5059 carlo@amazinggracecircus.org
26 25
Preschool & Childcare Open Enrollment
2 years-School Age
• Operated and run by a NYS certified Elementary Teacher with a Literacy Specialization. • All Staff – CPR & First Aid Certified • We offer special rates for teachers!
• Before and after school programs as well as drops in for school delays and closures. • We follow a NYS pre-k curriculum • NYS Licensed Facility & NAFCC Accredited
Now Includes Weekly Dance Lessons
(914)420-5785 Two Great Locations in New City & Pomona
BrightBeginningsofRockland.com
Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com 40
May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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Announce it to more than 100,000 parents who are visiting NYMetroParents.com every month. Be featured on the largest family activities Calendar in the metropolitan New York area.
CAMP MARKETPLACE
eventh S r u O nd Year a g din Expan ion iss Our M
Camp Clio
a seriously fun place for adopted children... Youths and Teens
TH DAY, June 25 k STARTS MON er Camp Wee TO REGISTER OR Y FIRST Summ LIT BI Y FOR AVAILA CALL US TODA ITED SPACE is LIM
Camp Clio
(Ages 9 - 12)
July 1 to July 21, 2018 (1, 2, or 3 weeks) Held at Camp Claire Lyme, CT
Camp Clio Teen
(Ages 13 - 16)
July 1-6 or July 7-13, 2018 (1 or 2 weeks)
le ** ailab r! v A iste ots Reg d Sp mite Now To i L * * Us Call
Held at Middlesex County Camp Moodus, CT
Summer Musical Theater Camp 2018
Join Our Exciting Musical Theater Program Register Now for Summer 2018 Offering Classes & Shows for All Ages: A Comprehensive Musical Theater Education: n: Classes in Acting, Singing & Dancing enhanced by the unique opportunity to perform in Shows! Ages 3-15
July 2nd-August 17th Sign up for one or two week shows
Pending Approval
25 West Central Ave, Pearl River, NY
201.362.4948 845.920.1555 Kathy Renna, Executive Director • kathyrenna@earthlink.net
RocklandParent 41
Meet the
Health Care Professional
A&R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400; aradvanceddental.com
At A&R Advanced Dental Group, patient satisfaction and comfort is our No. 1 priority. We are a cutting edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art dental care to our patients. Dr. Roman Izmailov and Dr. Anna Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including high quality and affordable dental implants, zirconia crowns, porcelain veneers, fixed bridges, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, and composite fillings. Evening appointments are available, and we accept most insurances.
Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net
Gayle Sturmer L.C.S.W.-R. Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychotherapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy® 99 Main St., Nyack 914-450-2413 gaylesturmer.com
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.
Gayle Sturmer’s treatment 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™ (RRT) 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.
Marita Smith, D.D.S. Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-414-9626 smithslittlesmiles.com drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com
Kastin Orthodontics 6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 kastinorthodontics.com drkastin09@yahoo.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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May 2018 | nymetroparents.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 Healthcare 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.
Sachdev Family Orthodontics 124 E. Ramapo Road, Suite 2, Garnerville 845-786-7736 sfojustsmile.com sfojustsmile@gmail.com facebook.com/sachdevfamilyorthodontics Instagram: @sachdevfamilyorthodontics
social
What a difference a ^ day makes! Older adults affected by Alzheimer’s and other cognitive challenges can enjoy a stimulating, social day in a safe, supervised environment.
At Sachdev Family Orthodontics, we provide individualized braces and Invisalign treatment to kids and adults. Dr. Ameeta Sachdev has been in the dental field for two decades with dual dental degrees, from India and the U.S. She teaches orthodontics at St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx. She pays attention to detail, whether it is designing the state-of-the-art office herself or perfecting your smile. Being committed to serve, she is an active supporter of community events and local art. Free consults, most insurance accepted, evening and Saturday hours, and 24-hour emergency service available.
Schedule a tour today. Call 845-624-6325.
MOW
Mom still remembers all the words!
A PROGRAM OF MEALS ON WHEELS OF ROCKLAND
info@mowrockland.org
You don’t have to deal with your child’s depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal thoughts or drug addiction alone.
MoW_Adult-Day-Ad-Rockland-Parent_032718.indd 5
Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net
Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute. Dr. Crohn is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He offers state-of-the art treatment including on-site cone beam 3-D imaging.
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.
Helping Kids Pediatrics 180 Phillips Hill Road, Suite 4A, New City 845-499-2339 helpingkidspediatrics.com hkp@helpingkidspediatrics.com
Drs. Stanley and Elizabeth are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have specialized training in caring for pediatric patients. They offer customized care and look forward to caring for the health and well-being of your children from birth through adolescence. Dr. Elizabeth is also an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, offering consultations in the office. In addition, they have specialized training in the Ear Well™ system for correction of newborn congenital ear deformities. This is a non-invasive, pain free, non-surgical option for newborns.
Adult Day Care of Rockland
MOWAdultDayCare.org
3/28/18 4:27 PM
We’re here to help 24/7 free of charge.
BHRT
Don’t Wait. Get Help.
Behavioral Health Response Team
24 Hour Hotline: 845-517-0400
www.RocklandHelp.org
Don’t Wait. Get Help.
Division of Rockland Paramedic Services | Raymond Florida, Executive Director | Grant funded by Rockland County
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Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse. RocklandParent 43
PARTY PLANNER
To advertise: 845-848-8021 or nympads@davlermedia.com
Invite Fudgie or Mystique to your next party!
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Also a full homemade chocolate and gift shop for all occasions: • Holidays • Showers • Party Platters or just a quick treat!
Mini-Camps Running Year 'Round! 32 Orangetown Center, Orangeburg
845-365-0285 chocolatiermatisse@gmail.com
www.chocolatiermatisse.com
Jill’s Ceramics
Where children & adults create their own functional works of art
We Bring The Party To You!! K&A HOUSE OF BOUNCE
• Kids Birthday Parties
• Themed Bouncers • Super Wet Slides • Dry Slides • Fun Food Machines
• Adult’s Night Out • Specialty Items For Every Holiday • Paint & Go or Glaze & Fire
Mon, Tues & Wed 930am-300pm Tues & Thurs 700pm-930pm Friday Kids Classes 300-500pm
Call for Extended Group Hours / Pricing & Current Weekend Hours
180 Germonds Rd. West Nyack, NY 845-623-4975 • www.jillsceramics.com
845-825-6617 WWW.KAHOUSEOFBOUNCE.COM
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Fo 3 – r ag 10 es 3
Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our Unique Toy Boutique!
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We offer over 7,000 games, toys, crafts, puzzles, gadgets and NEW specialty balloons.
1581 Route 202 • Pomona, NY
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raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics
Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center.....................40
Smile More Dentistry......................................................43
Amazing Grace CIRCUS!...............................................40
Palisades Country Day School & Camp.........................39
Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry...................19, 42
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................9
Spots OT..........................................................................7
family entertainment / birthday / party services
events / outings
Academy for Martial Arts................................................41
Garner Arts Festival..........................................................5
Blue Moon Mexican Café...............................................33
Land of Make Believe.....................................................35
Main Street Cinemas........................................................9
Main Street Cinemas........................................................9
Rockland Parent Party Planner......................................44
Palisades Center ...........................................................48
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................9
Wild West City..................................................................5
West Rock Indoor Sports Complex................................41
camps
Land of Make Believe.....................................................35
Academy for Martial Arts................................................41
Wild West City..................................................................5
Amazing Grace CIRCUS!...............................................40 Bright Beginnings Preschool & Daycare ........................40 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center.....................40
Suez.................................................................................7
performing arts / acting Applause Performing Arts Center...................................41
restaurant / food services Blue Moon Mexican Café...............................................33
financial planning/insurance
Palisades Center ...........................................................48
James Kivlehan / Edward Jones Financial Advisor........19
retail
Camp Clio.......................................................................41 Palisades Country Day School & Camp.........................39
fitness
Rockland Center for the Arts..........................................39
Academy for Martial Arts................................................41
West Rock Indoor Sports Complex................................41
Danceworks....................................................................35 Phoenix Aquatic Club.......................................................9
child care / day care
home services
Amazing Grace CIRCUS!...............................................40
family travel
Applause Performing Arts Center...................................41
Tenafly Pediatrics.....................................................15, 42
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................9
Palisades Center ...........................................................48 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale..........................................................25
services DeStaso Landscaping......................................................7
Bright Beginnings Preschool & Daycare ........................40 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center.....................40
health Allied Foundation..............................................................5
classes Rockland Center for the Arts..........................................39 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................9
Danceworks....................................................................35
developmental Help is Here Coaching, LLC.............................................9
Garner Arts Festival..........................................................5
Clemente Orthodontics ..................................................33 Crystal Run Healthcare..............................................2, 42 Dental Wellness of Suffern...................................3, 42, 43 DeStaso Landscaping......................................................7
dance
special events
Dr Olga Tusheva, OBS/GYN, Highlane Medical Group....3
special needs Help is Here Coaching, LLC.............................................9 Nyack Pediatric Dentistry...............................................17 Spots OT..........................................................................7
Gayle Sturmer, LCSW-R..........................................15, 42
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics..................................................9
Help is Here Coaching, LLC.............................................9
Sports.................................................................................
Helping Kids Pediatrics...................................................43
Academy for Martial Arts................................................41
Kastin & Newman Orthodontics......................................42
Phoenix Aquatic Club.......................................................9
Meals on Wheels Adult Daycare Program......................43
West Rock Indoor Sports Complex................................41
Nyack Pediatric Dentistry...............................................17
education
Rockland Behavioral Health...........................................43
theater
Bright Beginnings Preschool & Daycare ........................40
Sachdev Family Orthodontics...................................25, 43
Main Street Cinemas........................................................9
RocklandParent 45
raising kids quotables
What has been your favorite Mother’s Day memory? “It’s corny, but my first Mother’s Day as a mom is my favorite. We had just brought Luke home a few weeks before and honestly the day had slipped my mind, but luckily not my husband’s. He surprised me with flowers and breakfast in bed where the three of us stayed all morning. It was the best!” –Mary Hass, New City
“I told my mom I was pregnant with my first child on Mother’s Day 10 years ago. It was way before those viral videos…but my mom’s reaction was so great, I wish I’d filmed [it]. I could have started the trend much earlier.” –Grace Skinner, Bayside, Queens
“Because I was adopted, Mother’s Day was always pretty bittersweet for me. I’m looking forward to making new Mother’s Day memories with my son, but not until next year. I’m not due until July!” –Marisa Beyer, Tribeca, Manhattan
in an instagram Motherhood is a new chapter in life so make sure it’s a fabulous one! (Posted by @scoutthecity aka Brooklyn mom and fashion blogger, Sai De Silva)
Do you remember that time? It is that odd stage of pregnancy when everyone swears by a certain method or book. I found it really overwhelming then. I stayed away then. Once, we found a stack of pregnancy books and swore we’d read them and eventually, just let them compile with the stack of unreadables. I’m sure they were insightful and beautiful, but my personal comfort in parenting is in just gut-feeling and asking questions with real-life living role-models. –LaTonya Yvette in a post entitled “On Following The Gut-Feeling,” her blog latonyayvette.com
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May 2018 | nymetroparents.com
“My husband’s mom passed when he was very young, so he never really celebrated. He’s more than making up for it now with me, and we always make sure to commemorate his mom in the process. Every Mother’s Day has been my favorite.” –Cheryl H., Park Slope, Brooklyn
“My favorite Mother’s Day memory was last year with my girls and my mother and grandmother. It was so special to see all four generations together.” –Julia Romanov, Piermont
Go For It! “Let me sleep in. To be able to wake up as late as I want would be awesome. Since this rarely happens, I’d appreciate it more than you could ever know. What this means for you, darling husband, is waking up when the kids wake up and making sure they understand that I’m not to be disturbed until I’ve decided to come out of my sleeping chamber.” –Alice Currah in an article entitled “What Mom Really Wants for Mother’s Day;” read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/ what-mom-wants.
More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: CRAFTS FOR MOM: Make it a flowery Mother’s Day with these crafts (nymetroparents.com/mothers-day-crafts). SAIL AWAY: Where to go catch a boat in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/boat-rides) UNDER THE SEA! Discover a marine life paradise at Atlantis Bahamas (nymetroparents.com/atlantis). SPRING IN NYC: Check out all the fun NYC has to offer in the spring (nymetroparents.com/nyc-spring).
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