Rockland Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM AUGUST 2018
Get Set for
SCHOOL! • Weighing Your Educational Options • Create a Homework Hot Spot • ACT or SAT? • Easy Ways to Find Scholarships
How to Talk to a Baby HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
RocklandParent
1
SAME-DAY SCHOOL & SPORTS PHYSICALS AVAILABLE!
Sephora Marsha Germain, MD Pediatrics Board Certified: Pediatrics Appointments available in West Nyack | 2 Centerock Road
SAVE TIME & BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE!
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-SCHOOL.indd 1
7/5/18 2:12 PM
20 YEARS OF SERVICE
“It’s very important for everyone to have health insurance. I feel proud and satisfied because I can help others. I’m very grateful for the opportunity Fidelis Care has given me.” Isabel Ondreicka Member Services Support Associate
HERE TODAY. HERE TOMORROW.
HERE TO STAY.
1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)
TTY: 711
RocklandParent
3
contents table of
august 2018
12 25
A Blended Family
How reluctantly raising my son in two homes turned out to be a blessing in disguise
Family Activities Calendar
Find something to do with your kids every day this month, from fairs and farmers’ markets to movies and crafts
back-to-school 16 Choices, Choices, Choices
38
18 Create a Homework Hot Spot 20 After-School Classes & Programs
Cash for College
Ten ways to find scholarships, grants, and financial aid online
raising kids
things to do
family life
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Things to Know About Raising an Entrepreneur 12 A Blended Family 34 The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby 36 A Tale of Two Tests 40 Characteristics of Coughs 41 Party Central 42 Meet the Doctor 44 Party Planner 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Quotables
13 Pom Pom Hand Puppets
38 Cash for College
23 August Activities 25 Family Activities Calendar 32 Family Fun in Manhattan 33 6 Revolutionary War Sites to Visit
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 16 Weighing Your Educational Options 18 Create a Homework Hot Spot 34 How to Talk to a Baby 36 ACT or SAT? 38 Easy Ways to Find Scholarships facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
RocklandParent
5
AUGUST 2018 • Vol.11 • No.12
raising kids editor’s note
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes
Back to School Before You Know It!
D
on’t hate me for stating the obvious: In just a few short weeks, these lazy, hazy days aren’t going to be so lazy anymore. Though technically it will still be summer, at least for a while, school (or “the S-word” as my daughters like to call it) will be back in session. Maybe you’ll be relieved, glad to no longer have bored children underfoot, demanding to be entertained or bickering with each other. Or perhaps like me you’ll feel as sad as the kids do, mourning the loss of blank-slate days and the endless possibilities that accompany them. It’s also fine to fall somewhere between these two extremes, wistful for all that delicious free time but glad your family will once again settle into a more predictable routine. If you’re the parent of a child in middle or high school, you know that kids in the upper grades have unique challenges. This month we’re tackling some of the major bigkid educational issues out there, offering guidance to help your year get off to a good start. Katelin Walling’s piece “Choices, Choices, Choices” on p. 16 examines the benefits of different types of schools, from public and parochial to charter and beyond, so you can determine what sort of environment will allow your child to flourish. Of course, your home environment should be geared toward your student’s needs too! “Create a Homework Hot Spot” by Lambeth Hochwald (p. 18) shares easy ways to design a study space that will help your student buckle down and excel. And speaking of excelling, for parents of teens, the SAT and the ACT both loom large on the radar. Which test is best for your child to take? The expert insights in “A Tale of Two Tests” on p. 36 will assist you in coming up with the right answer. We’ll also help you tackle the exorbitant cost of higher education with “Cash for College” (p. 38). But don’t worry: We haven’t forgotten those of you with little ones. You’ll definitely want to read Melissa Wickes’ article, “The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby,” on p. 34. Child development pros share how to boost your little one’s speech development—and the way you may unintentionally be sabotaging it. And don’t miss popular kids’ musician Suzi Shelton’s essay (p. 12) about how raising a child under two roofs gave him a strong foundation. Wishing you lots of fun as you get in your last licks of summer!
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: Alana Coopersmith, Allison Ingrum, Dasha Kofman To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents
ADVERTISING SALES
Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, EJ Morales-Gomez 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 DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth
MARKETING
Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director
ASSISTANT MARKETING MANGER: Kristine Pulaski
ACCOUNTING
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 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239
Keep in Touch: @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com
8
8
8
8
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
RocklandParent
7
raising kids new places, new programs
Sama Courtesy Good
Who: Good Samaritan Hospital What’s New: The Obstetrics Emergency Department (OB-ED), plus its Center for Breast Health received accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for excellence in breast care. The OB-ED offers expectant mothers and families high-quality, specialized labor and delivery care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is the only OB-ED in Rockland and Orange counties and in the entire Hudson Valley. The full accreditation designation was granted in April and will last three years. Accreditation by the NAPBC is an elite honor and is only administered to breast health centers that are voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality breast care. Want More Info: 255 Lafayette Ave., Suffern; goodsamhosp.org; 845-368-5000
ritan Hospital
Hospital in Suffern Opens Obstetrics Emergency Department and Is Recognized for Quality Breast Care
The OB-ED provid
es a calm setting
that prioritizes a pa
tient-first culture.
Fall& Spring
2018/2019 CHILDREN’S DANCE Ages 2-7
YOUTH BALLET Ages 8-18
Use code: LOVETODANCE and save $50.00
COME GROW WITH US
LETS START LEARNING BALLET
www.joffreyballetschool.com | 434 Ave. of the Americas, 3rd Fl, NY NY 10011 8
August 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Highland Medical Obstetrics. More Reasons Than Ever.
• 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
PROVIDING KID APPROVED DENTAL CARE!
Highland Medical, P.C., Welcomes Olga Tusheva, MD 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. One more reason to choose Highland Medical, P.C.
Marita Smith, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Specializing in Dental Care for Children of All Ages State of the Art Dental Care & Facility Evening & Saturday Hours Available 24 Hour Emergency Service Available Most Dental Insurances Accepted Nitrous Oxide available for children when necessary
OBS-GYN of Rockland New City Office 510 Route 304 New City, NY 10956 T: 845.634.8400
Stony Point Office 20-21 Liberty Square Stony Point, NY 10980 T: 845.947.2225
HighlandMedicalPC.com 1-866-550-HMPC
Se Habla Espanol
Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona, NY 10970 drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com
(845) 414-9626
www.smithslittlesmiles.com
facebook.com/smithslittlesmilespd
@smithslittlesmiles
RocklandParent
9
Courtesy Mark Cuban, Shaan Patel, and Ian McCue
raising kids in the know
5Things to Know About Raising an Entrepreneur
››
By Melissa Wickes
D
oes your son love to sell lemonade on the corner of your street? Is your daughter always making duct-tape wallets and decorating her own jeans? If your child demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit, you should encourage him to pursue that. Here are five ways you can teach your child to be an entrepreneur, even as a kid, with help from Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and star of the hit TV show Shark Tank, Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., founder of Prep Expert, an SAT and ACT prep company that was pitched on Shark Tank in 2016, and Ian McCue, a rising senior at UNLV and the founder of Spark Skill, a technology summer camp provider. All three co-authored Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur. Be supportive of your child’s ideas. While everyone’s path is different, the first step to starting a business is to get feedback from as many people as possible before spending any money, according to Dr. Patel. So, if your kid comes up to you with an idea she wants to kickstart, encourage her, give her honest feedback and advice, and make her excited about it! Entrepreneurs often have the fear that someone will ‘steal’ their idea, however chances are, even if someone wanted to ‘steal’ the idea, they won’t put in the time, effort, and passion that your child would. “Ideas are cheap, execution is the hard part,” Cuban says. Instill perseverance. When running a business, you are very rarely going to do everything right the first time, McCue says. Unfortunately, school-age kids are often programmed to think you have to. Teaching your child it is okay to fail can make him all the more successful. “You have to be willing to try a bunch of things and accept that only a few will work out. Be persistent,” McCue says. In teaching perseverance, you will also help your child know it may take time to get traction in a business. Dr. Patel suggests committing to an idea for six months to a year before deciding it may not be the best option. He also suggests being aware that 10
August 2018 | nymetroparents.com
From left: Shaan Patel, Mark Cuban, and Ian McCue, co-authors of Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur
some businesses are simply seasonal and will not take off until they are ‘in season.’ “I launched Prep Expert in December, but because SAT and ACT prep doesn’t start until around May, it took about five months to get my first customer,” Dr. Patel says. Teach self-control. This is important because, when starting and running your own business, you regulate your own hours, no one is forcing you to work 9am-5pm at a desk, Dr. Patel says. By teaching your child self-control, even when she is a toddler being told to only eat one cookie from the jar that is filled, you are increasing the odds that your child will one day have a higher income, better relationships, higher SAT scores, and fewer issues involving drugs and alcohol. Encourage him to pursue his hobbies. It may seem unlikely that a kid can really be a master in anything. However, kids become infatuated with things they like, learning every facet of a game, a toy, a sport, an accessory trend, without even knowing they’re becoming experts. “My advice to all entrepreneurs is to start a business that you’re an expert in,” Dr. Patel says. “It’s pretty easy to narrow your ideas down to the things that you actually know and are good at. If you pick one of those things, this gives you a leg up.” Teach her to be a problem-solver. In a world where so many ideas have been thought of and so many inventions have been created, one might ask, where do you even begin brainstorming creative ideas? The co-authors of Kid Start-Up suggest looking at everyday problems, no matter how small, and finding a way to solve them. These challenges are familiar to us, making it easier to think of ways to fix them. Does your son’s phone constantly die before after-school activities? Does your daughter complain her backpack is the same as everyone else’s in the class? Encourage your kids to look to these seemingly small inconveniences for inspiration.
• Orthodontics for KIDS & ADULTS • Invisalign and braces • New state-of-the-art office and equipment (no gooey impressions!!) • Most insurances and discount plans accepted (including Union & NYPD insurances)
BOOK YOUR BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! PARTY PACKAGES AVAILABLE
• Jump Around Package
• Conveniently located on Route 202 (opposite Sparky’s Diner) • Close proximity to North Rockland, Clarkstown and Congers schools
FREE
Consults!!
124 E. Ramapo Road Suite #2 Garnerville, NY 10923 Phone: (845) 786-7736 Email: sfojustsmile@gmail.com www.sfojustsmile.com
• Super Jump Package • Ultimate Air Package INTRODUCING OUR NEW SKY WARS PARTY OPTION
• Toddler Time Birthday Package
Bring in This Ad and Save 10% Off Your Party Package *No copies accepted. Restrictions apply.
SKY ZONE ALLENDALE
80 Commerce Drive, Allendale, New Jersey 07401 201-574-1800 • skyzone.com/allendale
Dental Wellness of Suffern Now Offers:
ANESTHESIA-FREE &
845.727.3500
#PALISADESCLIMB 85 FEET TALL
VIRTUALLY PAIN-FREE PROCEDURES
We are proud to announce 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
5 LEVELS OF FAMILY FUN 74 CHALLENGES TO CONQUER SKY TYKES COURSE FOR TODDLERS GROUPS - BIRTHDAY PARTIES - CAMPS
LEVEL 4 - PALISADES CENTER MALL
50% OFF
WITH PURCHASE OF ONE FULL PRICE TICKET. NOT TO BE COMBINED. EXCLUDES ALL HOLIDAYS.
PALISADESCLIMB.COM
Dental Wellness of Suffern | Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Execu�ve Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern | (845) 918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com RocklandParent 11
A Blended Family
Courtesy Suzi Shelton
raising kids voices
››
How reluctantly raising my son in two homes turned out to be a blessing in disguise By Suzi Shelton
W
hen my son was just 2 years old, his father and I decided to split up. We had tried for a while to make it work, but it was clear we would all be happier apart. For me, this meant our son would live with me full time in our Brooklyn apartment, and have visitation with his dad. For his dad, splitting up meant our son would split his time equally, and live in two homes. This wasn’t something I was ready to accept. There was no way this was going to work out. It couldn’t be in the best interest of our young son. Could it? A very wise family therapist told us, “Yes, actually, it could work out.” And yes, it could be a very happy and healthy way to raise our son. As long as we were both 100 percent onboard. So, I thought long and hard about it, and decided I would get onboard. For our son. At first, it was awful. I hated having to give up Sebastian (still a baby for God’s sake) for half of the week. And overnight! I would hand him over with his little Thomas the Tank Engine backpack with tears in my eyes and a pain in my heart. I would count the hours and then minutes until he came back to me, and I would hold him so tightly when he walked in the door. Except it wasn’t actually about me. It was about Sebastian and the fact that he deserved to have quality time with his Dad. We learned (through our family therapist) how to help Sebastian make this transition easier on himself, and on us. We learned to say things like, “I can’t wait to hear what you did at Daddy’s house,” instead of, “I’ll miss you so much!” And it became our new normal for our son to live in two homes. And have two beds and two sets of toys. And, eventually, two more parents. And Sebastian was fine with this. In fact, he was more than fine. He was happy.
Our blended family (from left): Sebastian (19), Julia (3), Emma (13), and Cole (10)
The thing I didn’t really anticipate with all of this was I would meet my now husband and have another child, and his Dad would marry and do the same, and those “extra” parents and children would be part of our family, too. Our modern family had expanded and grown and there was still quite a lot of love to go around. In fact, when Sebastian was in elementary school, he and his dad wrote a poem called “Mama’s House, Daddy’s House,” which we turned into a song that I put on my second album to share our message with the world…two homes but “one heart—filled with love.” Now almost 18 years later, Sebastian’s dad and stepmom are two of my closest friends. We still share raising Sebastian, and we share raising our other children, too. My 13-year-old daughter has her own drawer of clothes at their house, and their two younger children have the same at my house. My husband and I fondly call them our “stepchildren” since there really isn’t another word for it, and you know what? It works. Our 10-year-old stepson comes over regularly after school to “hang out” and get away from his 3-year-old sister. That same 3-year-old sister calls me “Mama!,” runs into my arms when I occasionally pick her up at preschool, and loves to come over and play with our dog, Penny. They both bring me so much joy. We all decided to spend holidays together instead of alternating Sebastian between the two homes. It’s much easier this way, and actually more fun. I feel like I have four children instead of two. And when I need them, I have three other parents I can count on instead of just one. I feel lucky. I never would have imagined (way back when) that things would have turned out this way, and to be honest, I can’t imagine it any other way now.
Suzi Shelton, an award-winning singer/songwriter for the playground set, has been writing, recording, and performing music for families for more than 15 years. She is the proud mama of two and step-mama of two more. Shelton has just released her fourth solo album and is currently working on her fifth season of Sing with Suzi videos on YouTube for her preschool fans. See and hear it all at suzishelton.com.
12
August 2018 | nymetroparents.com
things to do
diy corner
Pom Pom Hand Puppets While we love the summer weather and perfect beach days, sometimes it’s just too hot (or rainy) to be outside with the kids. But keeping them cooped up inside all day without planned activities can sometimes drive us crazy. So pull out the pipe cleaners and hot glue gun to make these hand puppets—a project featured in Debbie Chapman’s “Low-Mess Crafts for Kids”—and then have the kids write and perform a show for you! Who needs a fancy puppet when you can use your hand?! Slide your middle finger into one of these pom pom hand puppets and use your fingers and thumb as the mouth. Hands can be surprisingly funny when you make them talk in a silly voice! Do you want another low-mess craft tip? Look for bags of short pipe cleaners to add to your craft stash. There are no scraps to worry about when you don’t have to cut anything. Try curling a short pipe cleaner into a spiral for one set of eyes. Or use sparkly pom poms to make eyelashes on another one. A small change can inspire a completely new personality for your puppet. Materials • 5 pipe cleaners, 6 inches long (or 3 full length pipe cleaners, cut in half) • 2 large pom poms • 2 small pom poms
1 2
• 2 medium googly eyes Tools • Low-temperature glue gun (make sure to ask a grownup to help when using)
3
4
5
6
7
8
Directions 1. Fold one pipe cleaner in half, then bend it into a “U” shape. 2. Spread apart the fluff in one of the large pom poms. Add a small glob of hot glue into the opening, then press one of the pipe cleaner ends into the glue, pushing the fluff of the pom pom back into place around the pipe cleaner. Repeat with the other end of the pipe cleaner with the second large pom pom. 3. Fold two pipe cleaners in half. Add a small dab of hot glue onto the small pom poms and press them onto the tip of each pipe cleaner half. These will be the antennae. 4. Attach the pipe cleaner antennae to the top of each of the large pom poms using a glue gun. 5. Bend the pipe cleaner antennae slightly so they curve. 6. Take the end of another pipe cleaner and fold the end by about ½ inch. Fold it by ½ inch in the other direction. Continue folding it back and forth, in opposite directions, until you get to the end. Repeat for the last pipe cleaner. These will be the puppet’s eyebrows. 7. Attach the eyebrows to the front of the large pom poms using hot glue. Then attach the googly eyes slightly over the top of the eyebrows, again using hot glue. 8. Your pom pom hand puppet is complete!
Reprinted from Low-Mess Crafts for Kids with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Debbie Chapman.
RocklandParent 13