Suffolk Parent January 2019

LongIsland SUFFOLK EDITION

Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM JANUARY 2019

r

STEM

STE AM Why art was added to science, technology, engineering, and math •

Plus, find schools, tutors, academic enrichment, and more!

•

NEW: Read about schools’ highlighted programs

Is It Time to Move?

Real-estate experts and parents weigh in

5 Reasons It’s Okay to Be a ‘Lazy Parent’ HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

january 2019

22

Family Fun in Manhattan

36

What Your Teen Really Needs From You

40

Where There’s a Will

Things to do and shows to see this month in the Big Apple!

Ten things your teen is still relying on you for, despite her newfound independence.

education 14 Full STEAM Ahead 18 Education Directory 20 Highlighted Programs

Having a plan in place will protect your children and prepare them for the future.

raising kids

things to do

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Reasons It’s Okay to Be a Lazy Parent 12 A Healthy Obsession 36 What Your Teen Really Needs From You 38 Ready, Set, Sibling!

44 Party Central 42 Professional Services 43 Meet the Health Care Professional 45 Advertiser’s Index 46 Stuff We Like

22 Family Fun in Manhattan

family life 34 Are You Ready to Move?

23 Family Activities Calendar

40 Where There’s a Will

33 Chill Out This Winter

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 10 5 Reasons It’s Okay to Be a ‘Lazy Parent’ 34 Is It Time to Move? 14 STEM --> STEAM facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

Filled with Fun & Excitement!

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For More Info, Call 516-729-0690 • ypdc.com LongIslandParent

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raising kids editor’s note

JANUARY 2019 • Vol.10 • No.8

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

New Year, New Resolutions

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes DIRECTOR OF CONTENT: Deborah Skolnik

H

appy New Year!

For many of us, January means turning over a new leaf (or at least trying!). We make resolutions we promise ourselves we will keep only to let our family take priority. It’s only natural; after all, you want to make the best decisions for your kids, from finding fun and exciting things to do with your children any day of the month to selecting the right camps, health care providers, schools, or after-school activities for your brood. We here at Suffolk Parent are here to help find just what you’re looking for and make better decisions for your family!

Ensuring our kids get a great education is always a priority, so we’re also here to tell you about a big trend in more and more schools: Art is being added to STEM studies.

In “Full STEAM Ahead” by Madeleine Burry (p. 14), you’ll find six reasons schools are embracing art as part of science, technology, engineering, and math education. And turn to our Education Directory on p. 18 to find a school, academic enrichment program, or tutor for your child to kick the new semester off on a great start.

If you’re expecting a second child, you’ll want to make sure your first-born is fully prepared. In “Ready, Set, Sibling!” (p. 38), Denise Porretto shares tips on everything, from sharing the news to post-birth bonding. Speaking of growing your family: The size of your home or where you live may soon become a hot-button topic, so check out “Are You Ready to Move?” by Lambeth Hochwald (p. 34).

Are you the parent of a teen? Once upon a time, you were your teen’s social director, homework-helper, and more, but most of those roles have been phased out. While it may seem like your oh-so-grown-up child needs you less, she actually still needs a lot from you.

Read Deborah Skolnik’s “What Your Teen Really Needs from You” (pg. 36) for 10 reasons you shouldn’t keep your distance. Go ahead, give your teen a hug—just maybe not in public.

Another thing that should be a priority? Take time to establish a will (see p. 40 for willwriting advice). While no one wants to think about the unimaginable, having a plan in place will protect your children should something happen to you and your partner.

From our family—me, Melissa, Anja, Alice, Whitney, and Debbie—to yours, we wish you all a happy, healthy New Year!

DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Megan Vasquez

ADVERTISING SALES

Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager Lauren Alperin Meirowitz, Managing Director Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman 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 To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews

STATEN ISLAND PARENT

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-494-1932

MOMMYBITES

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Lauren Alperin Meirowitz 646-736-3609

OPERATIONS

DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER: Erin Jordan

Katelin Walling Editorial Director Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT: Silvia Balu

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

CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris NASSAU CALENDAR: Dee Saunders EVENT RESEARCHERS: Rochelle Dorset, Shara Levine

MARKETING

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Tell Us How You Give Back!

In this season of showing gratitude and giving, we want hear how you help those who are less fortunate. Does your family volunteer on a regular basis? Do your kids raise money for a charity? Does your business give back to the community?

Share your story of giving back with us, and we’ll share it with our readers on NYMetroParents.com. We’ll help you to raise the visibility of your cause and let others know how they can get involved.

Sharing your story couldn’t be easier: Simply fill out the form at nymetroparents.com/submitnews. We look forward to hearing from you!

MARKETING DIRECTOR: Ryan Christopher ASSISTANT MARKETING MANGER: Kristine Pulaski

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BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND 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

Here for you with the health insurance your family deserves Money-saving plans that make you all feel better We’re here for you with help choosing the right health insurance. With our plans, you can save on medications, see specialists without a referral, even talk to a doctor 24/7.

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Call 1-888-974-3183 Monday–Saturday, 8am–8pm

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Enroll by January 31 for coverage starting March 1*

*Your enrollment period and coverage effective date may vary based on your application date and plan.

Coverage is provided by Healthfirst Health Plan, Inc., Healthfirst PHSP, Inc., and/or Healthfirst Insurance Company, Inc. (together, “Healthfirst”). Plans contain exclusions and limitations. Benefits vary per your Healthfirst plan. Telemedicine isn’t a replacement for your Primary Care Provider (PCP). Your PCP should always be your first choice for care and for regular visits. © 2018 HF Management Services, LLC 2245-18 XP18_189

raising kids new places, new programs

Who: Great South Bay YMCA What’s New: Boga Fit classes, which began October 2018.

Boga Fit is a combination of yoga, Pilates, and conditioning that is conducted on Boga Fit Mats, aquatic floating fitness mats, suspended in a swimming pool. The board is similar to a paddleboard in size and support and a yoga mat in texture and comfort. Each workout is designed for ages 16 and older, with plans to expand to a children’s program for ages 8-10 in February.

There are five classes offered weekly, each with different fitness focuses and times, including Boga lates, Boga boot camp, Boga beginner class, and Boga Fit. Want More Info: 200 W. Main St., Bay Shore; 631-665-4255; ymcali.org

South Bay YMCA

YMCA in Bay Shore Adds Aquatic Fitness Classes

Camp W focuses on building close relatio nships with every kid.

Courtesy Great

Who: Camp W What’s New: An entertainment lounge, Lego room, water village, DJ lessons, and a baseball team, all of which are slated to debut in the summer.

The entertainment lounge will have two large TVs and eight wireless headphones, the Lego room is modeled after the Lego store in Manhattan, and the water village is complete with a slipand-slide and a makeshift car wash walk-through. Campers can also show off their spinning skills at weekly DJ lessons, and those in sixth-eighth grades can try out for the baseball team.

During the final week of summer, campers will take field trips to amusement parks and entertainment centers every day.

Want More Info: 121 Wolf Hill Road, Melville; 631-692-6222; campwdaycamp.com; info@campwdaycamp.com

Courtesy Camp W

Melville Day Camp to Add Programs and Features

held upright South Bay YMCA is Fit classes at Great of the board to k bac the and Each mat in Boga nt fro hers that attach the in the water by tet in the pool. lane marker buoys

8

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Diocese of

Who: Diocese of Rockville Centre What’s New: Ten Catholic schools under the Diocese of Rockville Centre began providing language learning options with Rosetta Stone in September 2018.

Students have the opportunity to choose between Spanish, French, German, Polish, Italian, and Latin. The selection of languages offered often reflects the students’ communities and heritages as well as their personal and academic interests.

This supplement for instructor-led classes allows students to move at their own pace, to take control of their learning, and to gain more experience working with computers and utilizing software.

Want More Info: 128 Cherry Lane, Hicksville; 516-280-2479; drvc.org

Rockville Centre

Catholic Elementary Schools on Long Island Partner with Rosetta Stone for Language Program

Students at the St. Joh n Paull II School in Riv erhead use their com and headphones in the puters language lab.

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raising kids in the know

5 Ways to ‘Not Quite Ruin Your Child’

›› By Melissa Wickes

T

here’s an abundance of resources—from books and magazines to Facebook and parent groups—to turn to when seeking advice on how to raise the smartest, highest-achieving, and most successful children. We all want what’s best for our kids, after all. But James Breakwell, professional comedy writer and selfproclaimed amateur father of four girls (and two pigs), suggests it’s simply a waste of time. “In the long run, we all work out to be average,” he says. “Your child would be better off if you just relax and do a little less for them, rather than stress yourself out and push them as hard as possible.”

Breakwell, author of Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not-Quite Ruining Your Child, shares advice that proves it’s okay to be a “lazy parent.”

Say no to (parental) peer pressure. When the mother of a boy in your son’s Boy Scout troop makes comments about the KitKat you put in his lunch or your daughter’s field hockey coach asks why she’s not on a travel team yet (in fourth grade), it can be difficult to stick to your own parenting ways. But if every parent thinks they’re right about how to parent and you’re wrong, then everyone is wrong, according to Breakwell. “If someone tells you you’re a terrible parent, who cares,” he says.

“They can’t stop you from giving your kid that candy bar. We’ve been raising kids for hundreds of thousands of years before Facebook and online forums. Don’t let parent-shaming control your decisions.”

Show up sometimes, but not all the time. “Raise your kid to think they’re a member of the family, not the entire family,” Breakwell suggests. By dropping everything, leaving work, and traveling far and wide to go to every single one of your son’s lacrosse games, you’re teaching him that he’s the epicenter of the universe and he should only do things in search of your validation, not because he loves them. Instead, Breakwell suggests showing up when you can, and when you do, take him out for dinner after the game. “After all, your kids aren’t going to remember the games you weren’t at, but they will remember the one time you took them for pizza after,” he says.

Speaking of sports, are you spending all of your time and money to fly around the country, pay tournament fees, and book hotels so your child can potentially get a scholarship to college and you can save money? Breakwell compares that to spending $1,000 at a claw machine for a $5 stuffed animal. “Why not take all of that money 10

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

James Breakwell (middle), author of Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimage Guide to Not-Quite Ruining Your Child, with his family

you’re wasting and save it for college?” Breakwell suggests. Plus, it’s likely your kid won’t become a professional sports player.

Convince them they had a great childhood. When parents post pictures on Facebook, Breakwell says they’re lying to their friends.

“You post your best picture, I post my best picture, and we create an echo chamber of lying where everyone thinks the other is telling the truth,” Breakwell says. “Use this to your advantage.”

Due to the strange phenomenon known as childhood amnesia, kids can only remember events that occurred before age 3 when they’re little, according to Popular Science. By the time they’re 7, these early memories are almost entirely gone and what they “remember” is a product of what you tell them and the photos they see. “If they don’t remember anyway, why are we stressing out?!” Breakwell asks. “Save the pictures that frame you in a good light and tell your kid she had a happy childhood, and, when she grows up, she won’t blame you for all of her problems.”

Stop worrying about preschool (and middle school, high school, college…). “Overachieving parents say that all they care about is their child getting a good education and that education is all that matters. Honestly, I don’t think education matters all that much as long as your kid somehow gets one somewhere,” Breakwell says. “Nobody has secret math. Math at one school will be the same as it is at another school even if the other school has a swimming pool and a polo field.” If a parent is saying she wants her son to go to the best school, does this mean the school that will make him the happiest and feel the most fulfilled, or is it the one that will ensure he makes the most money? Instead of focusing on getting your kid into the school with the ‘best reputation,’ focus on helping your child make the most of his education.

Gently shove your child out the door. The first benchmark of successful parenting is if you raised your child to ultimately support themselves, according to Breakwell. Now, no one is suggesting your 7-year-old live off of lemonade stand money. However, when the time is right, if your child doesn’t get a job, he will certainly never leave.

While every parent ideally wants to encourage his child to follow her dreams of becoming a freelance traveling poet, money does ultimately matter. If she’s not making any, it’s coming from you. While you don’t have to explicitly discourage your child from choosing a “fun but impoverishing career,” it can’t hurt to not encourage her to choose a career that will lead to her living in your basement.

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raising kids voices

A Healthy Obsession ››

My son is my best reason yet to learn to limit my OCD behaviors. By Christopher Dale

I

did not hit the genetic lottery. Depression, anxiety, and addiction run in my family, and in early adulthood I battled all three.

Fortunately, a combination of psychiatry, medication, and Alcoholics Anonymous have made my 30s far better than my 20s.

I got well—or at least well enough—just in time to salvage my marriage and become a father.

Now, as my toddler marches steadily toward constant cognizance— into remembering and mimicking his parents’ mannerisms—I feel urgency to address another diagnosis, one less dangerous but nonetheless a source of angst and alienation.

I want to overcome my obsessive-compulsive disorder—before it affects my son.

At its root, OCD is a fear-based mental illness. It involves counterproductive efforts to maintain a sense of safety when feeling threatened or at risk. A telltale peculiarity is the actions taken to offset these uneasy feelings are completely unassociated with the perceived threats. For example, my OCD might compel me to mitigate fear of failing at work by adjusting a framed photo in the bedroom.

Thus commences a cycle where, contrary to intentions, the safety-seeking actions actually lead to worsening anxiety. It’s the feeling of hopelessness attached to knowing that what you’re doing is patently illogical…and being incapable of doing anything about it.

Though no specific gene has been pinpointed, research indicates OCD runs in families. Those with a parent or sibling with OCD have a higher risk of developing it. Experts also believe environmental factors can cause OCD tendencies to develop—a “monkey see, monkey do” effect.

In other words, the more my son, Nicholas, sees my OCD-mandated movements, the more likely he is to develop his own.

I got off lightly compared to many others with OCD, as my obsessive thoughts and routines aren’t extreme or dangerous. I’m compelled to rigidly arrange my shoes, and often fail to flick a light switch per my compulsion’s inexplicable ideal, leading to multiple repeats. I do this pinching thing with my hands (the pressure quells my OCD), and, stereotypically, I’m uneasy stepping on sidewalk cracks.

I also fight the urge to grind my teeth—often unsuccessfully, considering my dental records. These bodily compulsions are particularly burdensome since, unlike shoes and light switches, I can’t just walk away from my teeth. Constant triggers require constant vigilance.

And though it hasn’t impacted my career, relationships, or other big-ticket items, my OCD is still a significant source of alienation,

The author with his son, Nicholas

humiliation, and stress. Despite this, I’ve never hit an “immediate pain vs. long-term reward” ratio sufficient to commit myself to truly overcoming my OCD. Until now. Until Nicholas.

If Nicholas develops OCD via overwhelming genetics, so be it.

But if nurture plays a determining role, it’s my responsibility to prevent my son from following in my pavement crack-averse footsteps.

From a parenting perspective, this dilemma’s simplicity is refreshing. Even at age 2, raising Nicholas presents a spectrum of gray areas. Is he eating enough? Learning enough? Interacting enough?

Answers typically fall into the “probably,” “I think so,” or “I have no idea” columns. Clear-cut cases of yes and no are elusive.

Not so with this issue. It’s a must-do.

In spite—or perhaps because—of this, the execution is exceptionally intimidating. So are the stakes: There is absolutely nothing in which I am more invested than my only child. For his sake, I simply cannot fail at this, and that fact is overwhelming.

Sometimes I watch him at play—a carefree mind concocting universes where roaring dinosaurs and anthropomorphized trains coexist—and can’t imagine burdening that innocence with my compulsions. That my failing is even a possibility brings deep shame, and I feel guilty even though the jury is still out.

The disorder’s volatility adds even more pressure. My OCD is relatively minor, but those who are not as lucky as I am can be hindered or even debilitated by it. What if Nicholas not only gets it from me, but gets it worse than me?

It is with this tenuous poker hand—these imperfect cards, these unknowable variables and outcomes—that I simply have to go all in. I do this by default, as neither standing pat nor folding are viable options.

My path to success is straight but uphill: Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most proven way to overcome mild-to-moderate OCD such as mine. The specific therapy is astoundingly simple, yet exceedingly difficult: exposure and response prevention, which is clinical speak for facing my triggers without acting on my fear-based physical impulses.

Apparently, there’s a catch phrase to this: “Better sane than safe.” The fact that such a phrase exists is, well, kind of insane.

Nevertheless, here we go. The shoe rack is about to get less tidy, the light fixtures less flickered, my teeth less clenched (and hopefully less sore).

Wish me luck. It’ll be a tough road. Thankfully my son—my ultimate motivator—is riding shotgun.

Christopher Dale is a freelance writer and public relations executive who resides in Little Falls, NJ. His work has appeared in a variety of outlets, including NY Daily News, Newsday, The Daily Beast, and Parents.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDaleWriter.

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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LongIslandParent 13

Full STEAM Ahead

››

How the arts play an important role in your child’s science, technology, engineering, and math education By Madeleine Burry

I

’ve always loved both science and art,” says Liz Heinecke, author of several STEAM project books for children, including STEAM Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Hands-On Projects for Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. If you think about it, she says, science and art are inseparable. But that’s not always how educators and learning experts have approached the two disciplines.

Nowadays, STEAM is a common phrase. The acronym, as “ Heinecke’s book title suggests, stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Rewind just a few years, though, and the buzzed-about term was STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math, without the arts included. And earlier still, elementary, middle, and high schools didn’t devote much time to engineering and technology, and math and science were typically taught in different classrooms, without much exploration of the interactions between the two topics. We asked experts to explain the evolution, and why it makes sense from an educational perspective.

How the Arts Got Top Billing

STEM was first mentioned in the 1990s, says Jackie Speake, Ed.D., STEM education consultant and author of Designing Meaningful STEM Lessons. The concept “spread like wildfire through the educational landscape,” she says.

Driving STEM’s popularity were concerns that American children lack the skills required for a 21st-century workforce, from problem solving to a strong backbone of knowledge. That’s backed up by data: American students “rank around the middle of the pack” in international math and science assessments, Pew Research notes.

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

With STEM, the focus is not primarily on knowledge—for instance, how accurately students can recite times tables or elements in the periodic table—but on the application of information, and growing problem-solving, observational, and exploratory skills. And rather than treating the four pillars as separate and distinct from each other, STEM education focuses on how they’re connected and inform each other.

So, what about that “A”?

Artist and author John Maeda, former president of Rhode Island School of Art and Design, was the first champion of adding the arts to STEM and growing the acronym to STEAM. “There is great power in these fields [design and technology] taken separately, and even more when they are put together,” he wrote in a 2013 op-ed for Seattle Times. But, he went on to note, the key is to develop creative, critical-thinking skills in kindergarten through 12th-grade schools.

Benefits of Going STEAM

Why add the arts to STEM? For one thing, the arts make for an inviting, easy access point to STEM topics.

“Art is a great on-ramp for a lot of kids, to get them doing science, technology, engineering, and math experiments in a way that is entertaining and approachable,” Heinecke says.

And that’s just one reason why it’s smart to embrace the arts within STEM. These are some others: The arts are already a vital part of science, technology, engineering, and math. No need to shoehorn in the arts when it comes to learning—or teaching—science, technology, engineering,

and math. “Art and design have played a prominent role in STEM, whether it’s pointed out to people or not,” Heinecke notes.

Speake agrees. “STEM lessons naturally involve art (for example, product design), language arts (communication), and social studies and history (setting the context for engineering challenges),” she says.

Here’s where a schism occurs, however, between STEAM and STEM proponents: “I’m not necessarily supportive of additional disciplines as separate entities within STEM,” Speake says. This isn’t due to a lack of appreciation for the arts. “STEM projects do not deliberately exclude the arts or any other subject,” she says, noting that they’re included as needed. She—and other educators and experts—have concerns that giving the arts equal weight dilutes the focus on the core STEM disciplines.

STEAM advocates, on the other hand, see art’s presence as just surfacing a discipline that was already involved and integral to learning STEM topics.

Arts make STEM topics more engaging—even to kids who don’t think they like science or math. Does your child say, “I hate science” or “I’m just not good at math”? These phrases can start early but including the arts in learning can be transformative for some kids.

It’s easy to find memorizing a long litany of facts and formulas unappealing, but Heinecke points out math is also a language that helps us describe the universe. If we can get kids to see math as art and beauty and nature, that changes the way they think about the world and the way they approach subjects in school,” Heinecke says.

Doing hands-on projects and experiments that involve the arts solidifies a child’s understanding of concepts. Take tessellations—they’re a pattern of repeated shapes without any

gaps. Think: the tiles on your kitchen backsplash or bathroom walls. Explain the concept and it’s possible kids will follow, but also possible they’ll be intimidated by the long word or struggle to find the relevance.

A better option? Have kids create tessellations of their own, Heinecke suggests. This is a project in one of her books, done using candy wrappers or dried pasta as the pattern-making device. By creating tessellations, kids see the concept in

action and may be inspired to seek out other tessellations in nature (the design on the back of a turtle’s shell, for instance).

Plus, the creation process is most likely more memorable than a lecture or slides.

STEAM connects your child’s interests to the real world.

Watch any popular cooking show (say, The Great British Baking Show or MasterChef Junior) and you and your kids will see science and art, and possibly

engineering and technology, in action, Heinecke points out.

There’s the wizardry of sous vide cooking, the science to temper chocolate, and so on.

“Kids connect best with things when they can touch, see, or understand how to use it everyday life,” Heinecke says.

“One great thing about adding the arts is that it’s just another way for kids to connect their interests in the real world to the STEM disciplines.” continued on next page ››

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LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH SPRING 2019 SATURDAY PROGRAM

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The arts show children how to be creative problem-solvers, and the value of mistakes. Amazing engineers aren’t good at their jobs because of their fast, mental arithmetic or equation-solving abilities. Those are important skills, but it’s creative approaches to problem solving that truly make the difference between a flip phone and an iPhone.

“People come from all around the world to be educated in the United States because kids here learn to be creative. A big part of that is art,” Heinecke says. “Art forces you to be creative and brings you out of your shell.”

And, art gives kids a place to make interesting mistakes and challenge themselves. “Our kids don’t have enough space to be creative,” she says. “Art gives kids an arena where there isn’t always a right answer.”

Art reduces STEM’s intimidation factor—and helps raise informed children. In day-to-day life as grown-ups, even if we work in fields and industries far removed from STEM, we need to have a basic understanding of the topics involved.

“Not every kid has to be a scientist or engineer, but the more you embrace the STEM disciplines, the better citizen of the world you’ll be,” Heinecke says. “The more well-informed people are as children, the more they’ll grow up to be well-informed adults.”

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 38th annual fall and spring program for gifted children. The spring program runs on Saturdays from February 2nd to April 27th.

The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in September 2018. The program expands students’ knowledge, develops creative and critical thinking skills, and offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

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Admission is highly selective and enrollment is limited.

LIU Post • College of Education, Information and Technology • 720 Northern Blvd. • Brookville, NY 11548-1300 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth • Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, Director

Avoid any kids’ play or building kits that do not encourage creative, independent thinking, Speake advises.

“It is not STEM (or STEAM) if there is little creativity in the solving of problems,” Speake says. There’s little value to kits where each child builds the same projects, without options for exploration, she says.

Heinecke’s advice is simple: “Throw some math tools in with your kids’ art supplies.” Rulers, protractors, and compasses are all fair game.

And highlight the moments when disciplines overlap, Heinecke says. As your child learns about patterns and shapes, let her know this is geometry, a type of math.

Ultimately, Heinecke says, a big goal is to make kids comfortable and familiar with STEM before they hit middle school. And including art can help, she says. “The idea is really to get kids engaged—and keep them engaged.”

Madeleine Burry is a freelance writer and editor who has held staff positions at Parents.com, Scholastic, and About.com. Burry lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their cat. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.

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Huntington Learning Centers

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LIU Post Center for Gifted Youth

Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, director LIU Post, Brookville 516-299-2160 liu.edu/giftedyouth The Long Island University program for gifted children was established in 1979 in response to the recognition of society’s special responsibilities for children with demonstrably superior intellectual ability. The LIU Center for Gifted Youth offers extraordinary teachers recruited from leading schools in the metropolitan area, and university-level facilities.

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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Private Schools Winston Preparatory School

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The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children 750 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-520-6000 littlevillage.org jon.feingold@littlevillage.org

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ARTS OPEN HOUSE ool Sch High

LIHSA offers a unique opportunity for all Nassau & Suffolk County students Grades 9-12.

Feb 2 Open House • 11 AM - 2 PM Feb 13 Parent Open House • 8 AM Apr 13 Open House • 11 AM - 2 PM 239 Cold Spring Road, Syosset 516.622.5678 longislandartshighschool.org

LONG ISLAND

HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE

ARTS

LIHSA is a program of Nassau BOCES

LongIslandParent 19

EDUCATION MARKETPLACE

OPEN HOUSE: Monday, January 14th at 7:00 PM Join us & see what makes SCS stand apart from the rest!

Raising up exceptional young Christian leaders with a Heart for God, a mind for Truth, and a passion to change the World.

SCHOOL

Academics

Spiritual Life

Program prepares students for college Exceeds NYS graduation requirements

Daily Bible Classes • Weekly Chapels Spiritual Emphasis Days

Student Life

Extra-Curricular

Community Outreach and Service-Learning Projects Mission Teams

Award-Winning Fine Arts & Music Competitive Athletic Programs Junior Bible Quiz Team

631-265-3334 • www.learnwithscs.org

Summer Camp is coming…

Reserve your spot

TODAY!

S T . P ATRICK Y OUTH

C OMMUNITY Programs For Ages 3-15 Years Old FOR: ENROLL NOW ey Spring Dek Hock ll, Summer Baseba se os cr La & all Softb Summer Hoops rls Team - Boys & Gi

Before & After Care Mommy & Me Separation Program

Kindergarten Readiness Program Tutoring K-12th grade SAT Preparations | Study Skills Enrichment Programs Ages 3-12 Catholic High School Entrance Exam Classes

631-360-0185 631-360-0185

www.stpatsyouth.com

Saint Patrick R.C. Church 280 E. Main St., Smithtown

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Highlighted Programs Alternatives For Children

1116 Main Road, Aquebogue 631-722-2170 600 South Service Road, Dix Hills 631-271-0777 14 Research Way, East Setauket 631-331-6400 168 Hill St., Southampton 631-283-3272 alternatives4children.org Alternatives For Children’s students experience discoveries: colors dancing on the wall as light passes through a prism, investigating the physical properties of a box, the marvelous moments and exciting encounters in a child’s everyday play. This is the heart of what makes our work with children so important and special.

Posey School

57 Main St., Northport 631-757-2700 poseyschoolofdance.com poseyschoolofdance@gmail.com Posey Preschool in Northport offers a unique preschool experience for ages 2-5. We are a play-based, arts-centered, hands-on preschool where students experience dance, art, and yoga classes during the school day, as well as age-appropriate academics. Small class size, NYS- and CPR-certified teachers.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9am-12pm. 631-757-2700.

Rodro Books & Education Serving all of Suffolk County

516-993-7690 rodro.com rodro@aol.com A carefully-constructed series of unique, captivating stories and arts activities provide customized 1-on-1 educational enrichment targeting confidence, impulse control, mindfulness, focus, self-respect, creativity, initiative, and bullying prevention. Children with and without ADHD, anxiety, and other challenges develop vital, self-affirming social-emotional skills that put them in control of their learning.

Smithtown Christian School

1 Higbie Drive, Smithtown 631-265-3334 learnwithscs.org Smithtown Christian School’s art department received first place in the Congressional Art Competition, as well as the Heckscher Museum Art Award. Our music department participated in adjudicated festivals on both the state and national level.

The Arts at Smithtown Christian School stand above the rest!

St. Patrick Youth Community

St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-360-0185 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net Don’t be left out in the cold.

There is still time to register your preschooler in our Enrichment Program. Music, Spanish, art, and fundamental common core standards are part of the program. You choose your hours and days. Two-day minimum, hours from 9am-2pm. Call Cindy at 631-360-0185.

Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington

393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-743-9943 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 sylvanlearning.com sylvanlearning@optonline.net Sylvan’s Personalized Tutoring programs in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills, and SAT/ACT Prep will improve your child’s skills and boost their confidence. We use assessments, personal learning plans, and certified teachers to ensure the high level of quality instruction and support that Sylvan prides itself on.

Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner

Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Why do so many gifted children dislike writing? Our weekly writing workshops can change their minds.

We replace pencils and paper with creativity, etymology, and hands-on grammar activities. Perfection of the written (and spoken) word is not a process here. Improvement is noticed after one class. Ages 6-15.

Open seven days.

Winston Preparatory School

30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills 212-719-5598 x2213 winstonprep.edu liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Prep is a highly individualized and responsive setting for students with learning differences. Our unique model of education for the individual provides intense skill remediation while encouraging students to build independence, resilience, responsibility, self-awareness, and self-advocacy.

Visit winstonprep.edu/apply to sign up for an open house.

OPEN HOUSES 2019

EDUCATION MARKETPLACE

Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island

Diocese of Rockville Centre Multiple Locations 516-678-5800 licatholicelementaryschools.org During Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27-Feb. 2, the Catholic elementary schools open their early childhood centers to meet prospective new families. See website for specific locations and times.

Friends Academy

270 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-676-0393 fa.org Join us for an open house Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 8:30am (Middle and Upper School), or Thursday, Jan. 17 at 8:30am (Lower School).

The Gateway School for the Performing Arts

215 S. Country Road, Bellport 631-286-1133, 631-286-0555, x5000 thegateway.org Join us for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 13 from 12-4pm. Meet the professional instructors, learn about classes, and tour the campus

Holy Angels Regional School

1 Division St., Patchogue 631-475-2641 holyangelsregional.org mconnell@holyangelsregional.org Come and tour our school on Jan. 27. Faculty and staff will be available to provide information.

Long Island High School for the Arts

239 Cold Spring Road, Syosset 516-622-5678 nassauboces.org/lihsa LIHSA offers a unique opportunity for Nassau and Suffolk County students grades ninth to 12th. Open houses held Feb. 2 and April 13, 11am-2pm. Parent Open House Feb. 13 at 8am.

Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School

131 Brookville Road, Brookville 516-626-1700 x546 luhi.org; admissions@luhi.org Join us for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 2:30-4:30pm and Thursday, Jan. 24 from 9-11am.

Saint Mary’s Elementary School

1340 Northern Blvd., Manhasset 516-627 0184 stmary11030.org St. Mary’s Elementary School will host an open house on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 12pm.

Smithtown Christian School

1 Higbie Drive, Smithtown 631-265-3334 learnwithscs.org Join us at our open house Monday, Jan. 14, at 7pm. See what makes SCS stand apart from the rest! Take a tour of our school and meet our directors.

Child Day Care Center

Early Intervention | Birth-3yrs Preschool Special Eduation | 3-5 yrs Integrated Nursery School Classes

Evaluations Birth-6yrs • Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy • Service Coordination & Family Support Services • Developmentally Appropriate & Safe Playground • Full Time Nurse

Alternatives For Children

alternativesforchildren.org

Alternatives for Children is approved/licensed by the NYS DOH, NYSED, NYS OCFS, Nassau Suffolf County Divisions of Services for Children with Special Needs. To refer a child suspected of a developmental delay, call Suffolk or Nassau County DOH for children 0-3 yrs; or the child’s school district for children 3-5 yrs. Services for eligible children are provided at home, in the community, at daycare or at one of our locations as determined by the child’s IEP or IFSP, at no out-of-pocket cost to families. If services are delivered in a childcare/community setting that requires a fee, the family is responsible for any associated child care costs. Funding for these programs is through NYSED, NYS DOH, and Suffolk/Nassau DOH.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org Join us for an open house Sundays, Jan. 13 and 27. The campus is yours to visit and explore. Receive a chance to “spin to win” a tuition discount. Register at usdan.org/visit.

LOOKING FOR

Winston Preparatory School

30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills 212-719-5598 x2213 winstonprep.edu; liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Prep is a highly individualized setting for third to 12th grade students with specific learning differences. Open house: Thursday, Jan. 10 at 9:15am and Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 9:15am.

GREAT DEALS?

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.

LongIslandParent 21

things to do

city bound

N Y C

Family Fun in Manhattan

Families will love the witty lyrics and off-the-wall humor of the Okee Dokee Brothers.

Singin’ in a Winterland

Courtesy 2019 Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show®

The Okee Dokee Brothers are coming to Symphony Space for A ‘Winterland’ Concert featuring music from their latest album.

Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander have been exploring the outdoors together since they were kids. Now they’re a Grammy Awardwinning folk-and-roots music duo that puts the natural world at the heart of their Americana music. Performing songs from their new album Winterland, the Okee Dokee Brothers make room for kids to dance, for parents to share stories, and for everyone to gain respect for nature, each other, and the world in which we live. Saturday, Jan. 5, 11am. Ages: 2 and older. $14-$17. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side. symphonyspace.org.

Boat-lovers big and small can check out some impressive vessels up close.

Boats, Boats, Everywhere!

The 2019 Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show® docks at the Javits Center this month, bringing lifelong boaters and enthusiastic dreamers the latest in luxury motor yachts, sport fishers, performance boats, watersport boats, and thousands of new marine technologies and accessories. A New York tradition since 1905, the five-day event delivers a shopping paradise for boaters with the latest in boating innovations, plus interactive boating workshops and fun for the whole family. Jan. 23-27, Wednesday-Friday, 12-9pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. Age: All. $16; free for children 12 and younger. Jacob Javits Center, 655 W. 34th St., Chelsea. nyboatshow.com.

Courtesy Bank of America Winter Village

W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

The Bryant Park ice-skating rink is the only free rink in Manhattan.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

In its 17th season, the iconic holiday experience features the beloved ice-skating rink (the only free admission skating rink in NYC), more than 170 holiday shop vendors curated by Urbanspace (through Jan. 2), and the debut of The Lodge, an après skate-style escape from the cold anchored by a festive cocktail bar and a luxury Champagne Bollinger bar, along with 12 new and classic restaurant concepts.

Visit it: 40th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown; 212768-4242; bryantpark.org Can’t-miss event: Read-to-Skate Storytime: Jan. 12-Feb. 23, Saturdays, 12-1pm Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 10-minute drive or a 1-hour, 20-minute LIRR and subway ride from Huntington

Courtesy Big Apple Circus

Alex Johnson

By Whitney C. Harris

The Big Apple Circus is back for its 41st season at Lincoln Center.

Lincoln Center

Whether you love dance, music, film, or theater, there’s always something spectacular to be seen at Lincoln Center, especially in the wintertime. LC Kids has an always-evolving smorgasboard of arts and culture for children, as does CMS Kids (Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center). Plus, it’s always fun to let the littles run around the adjacent plazas and burn some energy before and after showtime!

Visit it: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side; 212-257-2330; bryantpark.org Can’t-miss event: The Big Apple Circus: through Jan. 27, see website for schedule Directions: Approximately 1-hour, 20-minute drive or a 1-hour, 30-minute LIRR and subway ride from Huntington

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Disney on Ice Presents ‘Frozen’ (No. 3 on our list).

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WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

JANUARY CALENDAR 29

Special Needs, Dance,

24

Editor’s Hot Tickets

25

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

26

Movers & Shakers

30

Smarty Pants

27

Show Time!

31

28

The Great Outdoors

Little Foodies, Kindness Crusaders

32

Crafty Kids

Animal Lovers

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 9 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

1

Spin, Pop, Boom! Winter Reading Club Kick Off FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 4, 7-8pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kick off winter reading with this amazing family science show!

WHY WE LOVE IT: Marvel at demos such as genies released from bottles and massive columns of foam spewing with the use of catalysts.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Rubber Ducky Party

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 12, 11am-1pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Go on a ducky scavenger hunt and create lots of crafts, including decorating your very own rubber ducky.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun way to celebrate National Rubber Ducky Day! WANT TO GO? 6$; $12 children. 631-387-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

2

Disney On Ice Presents ‘Frozen’

WHEN: Jan. 10-13, see website for show times WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: All WHAT: Discover the full story of Disney’s Frozen like never before with dazzling ice skating, special effects, and unforgettable music that will magically transport you to wintry Arendelle.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Anna and Elsa fans will flip to see them skating their hearts out!

WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.

3

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Spaghetti Challenge FREE

4

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 14, 7-8pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Test the strength of spaghetti by building bridges and seeing how much weight they can hold!

WHY WE LOVE IT: Get a kick out of using food to build in this friendly competition!

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

5

Hudson Vagabond Puppets’ ‘The Snow Queen’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 20, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The Hudson Vagabond Puppets take on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen with giant marionettes, music, and lots of dancing.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Where else can kids see a talking reindeer, a snow monster, and a 12-foot-tall Snow Queen?

WANT TO GO? $20-$30. 631-207-1313. patchoguetheatre.com.

Songs of Freedom

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 21, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Sing freedom and protest songs like “We Shall Overcome,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Marchin’ Down to Selma.” Clap and move to the stories the songs tell.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s like an artistic and emotional history lesson in the form of song.

6

WANT TO GO? $9 with museum admission: $14; $13 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

7

De-Stressing Together FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 25, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Parents and children will spend time learning coping skills and making take home stress kits.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Stress can affect kiddos of all ages.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Teen and Parent: Paint Night FREE

8

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 25, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Teens can bring a parent for a relaxing night learning to paint while enjoying light refreshments.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A special chance to spend the night out together with your teen.

WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

9

Let’s Talk it Out Moms & Dads! FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 28, 9:45-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Talk with other parents and share parenting tips while a facilitator guides you through various topics.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Free play is available for children tagging along.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Family Game Time FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 19, 1-3pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Enjoy quality family time playing games together at the library.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Afterschool Gaming FREE

WHEN: Jan. 8-29, Tuesdays, 3-4:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join your friends to play video games on the big screen TVs or to challenge each other to card and board games.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Podcast Club FREE

WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Thursdays, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Come share your thoughts and ideas during our weekly podcast club!

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Friday Night In FREE

WHEN: Jan. 4-Feb. 8, Fridays, 5-9pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 9-17 WHAT: During this time, enjoy a variety of activities, including video games, board games, and movies.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net. ››

‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

WHEN: Jan. 19-Feb. 23, see website for schedule WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: All WHAT: Explore the castle in the sky with Jack and his many friends as he learns the importance of truth-telling in a hilarious, original musical for the entire family.

WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be a sensory sensitive performance on Sunday, Jan. 20.

WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.

10

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.

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy 1-844-5-SPEECH

www.LIspeech.com

Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists Specializing in the Treatment and Correction of:

• Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders • Deviate Swallowing • Tongue Thrust • • Feeding & Swalling Problems /Aversions • Thumb Sucking • Articulation Disorders • Oral Facial Muscle Weakness •

Specialized Specialized Therapy Therapy Approaches Approaches Including: Including PROMPT Therapy • Individual FEEDING Therapy Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

“FEES”...Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Participating with most Major Health Insurance Companies With 7 locations across Nassau & Suffolk

Junior Writers FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 10, 7-8pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Get creative, learn all about writing, and play games in this fun-filled, author-led workshop.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

LongIslandParent 25

Superhero Academy FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Play super hero bingo, test your knowledge with Marvel vs. DC trivia, and make comic book character masks to take home.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Meet & Play FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 18, 10-11:30am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Drop-in, play, and meet other families with young children.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Toddler Playtime FREE

MOVERS & SHAKERS

WHEN: Jan. 8-22, Tuesdays, 10-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Play with toys, experience the sandbox, and meet new friends.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Early Childhood Workshop FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 11:15am-12pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: An early literacy program with songs and movement activities.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Jan. 10-24, Thursdays, 10-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5, adult WHAT: A play-based class where parents and caregivers can connect with other families, and get information about early literary sources and local community organizations.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Sensory Playground FREE

Baby Sign Language FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 4, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Different activity stations will stimulate kids’ senses.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 28, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Learn sign language in a meaningful and playful way.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Grown Up and Me Bootcamp FREE

Tot Spot

Baby & Me FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 5, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Work out with your little one during this interactive class.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Imagination Station FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 7, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Your little one’s imagination will run wild by playing pretend.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Friday Night Teen Program FREE

WHEN: Jan. 4-11, Fridays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd. Centereach AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Jan. 4 is an open mic and Jan. 11 is a game night.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Sensory Play FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 14, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Fun-filled activities that will stimulate your child’s senses.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Jan. 2-30, Wednesday 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This weekly social-emotional development program provides toddlers with opportunities to explore, observe, and get moving!

WANT TO GO? $24 for non-members; free for members. 631-537-8250. cmee.org.

Muscles in Motion FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children will have fun working on their fine and gross motor skills through play activities.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Parent Toddler Workshop FREE

WHEN: Jan. 9-31, Wednesday-Thursday, 9:30-10:30am and 11am-12pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This active hour will give your toddler time to experience sharing, group participation, and play with toys that will stimulate his or her mind.

WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

SHOW TIME! Anime Club FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 4-5pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Watch anime, create anime-themed projects, and enjoy Japanese snacks!

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (Cinema for Kids)

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 5, 11am WHERE: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Bring the kids and see the Lego Batman Movie on the big screen!

WANT TO GO? $7 members; $12 public; free for kids younger than 12.

631-423-7611. cinemaartscentre.org.

Scotty McCreery: Seasons Change Tour

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series

The Great Alexo

Under The Big Top Extravaganza

Traditions of Chinese Acrobats Show FREE

Disney’s ‘Aladdin Jr.’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26, 8pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Scotty McCreery’s deep voice and irresistible sound create a perfect blend of contemporary and traditional country. He has quickly become a crowd favorite.

WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 516-334-0800. thetheatreatwestbury.com.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 21, 1pm WHERE: BayWay Arts Center, 265 E. Main St., East Islip AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Specializing in sleight of hand, bizarre stunts, and escape artistry, Alexo’s show also showcases his animals, including doves, snakes, and a show-stealing Chinese dwarf hamster.

WANT TO GO? $13. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 27, 2-3pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Accomplished Acrobat Li Lui will showcase her amazing hand balancing, plate spinning, and foot juggling skills and discuss Chinese language and culture.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Jan. 25-27, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 1pm and 7pm; Sunday, 1pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: All WHAT: These world-class Monster Jam vehicles and athletes deliver what fans want to see most…more trucks, racing, freestyle, doughnuts, wheelies, and action!

WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.

WHEN: Jan. 26-Feb. 2, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center, 931 Montauk Highway, Oakdale AGES: All WHAT: Create new circus memories and enjoy face painting, popcorn, games, and a water bottle.

WANT TO GO? $15. 631-218-2810. cmpac.com.

WHEN: Jan. 12-Feb. 24, see website for schedule WHERE: Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Based on the 1992 film and the 2014 Broadway show, meet Aladdin, the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within.

WANT TO GO? $15. 631-724-3700. smithtownpac.org.

O L D W E S T B U RY · FA R M I N G DA L E · PATC H O G U E · S O U T H A M P TO N

since 1980

WEEKLY SESSIONS 20+ sports, s.t.e.a.m. & specialty programs 516.876.3490 · fscamps.com LongIslandParent 27

First Day Hike FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Sunrise Highway, Bohemia AGES: All WHAT: Kick off the New Year with a hike to explore the preserve.

WANT TO GO? 631-581-1072. parks.ny.gov.

Nature Buddies FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 17, 5:30-6:15pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy nature activities with the Green Teens Environmental Club.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Drop Of Nature FREE

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 18, 10-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Stop in for nature activities the whole family! If weather permits, these activities will take place outdoors.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

First Day Hike FREE

Seatuck’s Family NATURE CLUB

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 11am WHERE: Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington AGES: All WHAT: Join for a first hike of this new year where we will observe and learn about Caumsett’s grasslands, woodlands, and some of its historical/main features!

WANT TO GO? 631-423-1770. nysparks.com.

New Year’s Day Hike & Lighthouse Tower Tour

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 10am WHERE: Fire Island Lighthouse, Robert Moses State Park parking field 5, Fire Island AGES: All WHAT: Join for a guided walk and learn about how the beach reacts to erosion and how the flora and fauna interact with the winter weather.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 seniors; free for active military personnel; $4 veterans; $4 children 12 and younger; $2 members. 631-661-4876. fireislandlighthouse.com.

First Day Hike FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 10am WHERE: Sunken Meadow State Park, 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park AGES: All WHAT: Join for a hike through beautiful Sunken Meadow State Park.

WANT TO GO? 631-269-4333. parks.ny.gov.

1st Day Hike New Years Day Seal Walk FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Montauk Point State Park, 2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk AGES: All WHAT: Welcome in 2019 by taking a stroll along the beach to see some winter visitors.

WANT TO GO? 631-668-5000. parks.ny.gov.

First Day Hike FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 11am WHERE: Hallock State Park Preserve, 6062 Sound Ave., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Take a 1-mile hike to check for cold-stunned sea turtles and to pick up beach trash blown in by the winter storms.

WANT TO GO? 631-315-5475. parks.ny.gov.

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Jan. 13-27, select Sundays, 1-2pm WHERE: South Shore Nature Center, 130 Bayview Ave, East Islip AGES: All WHAT: Here’s your family’s chance to get outside together and enjoy a nature fix after a long week.

WANT TO GO? $4 non-members; free for members. 631-581-6908. seatuck.org.

Public Skating

WHEN: Through March 3: Monday-Friday, 4-8pm; Saturday, 12-8pm; Sunday, 12-6pm WHERE: The Rinx at Wyandanch Village, 40 Station Drive, Wyandanch AGES: All WHAT: Join us for a skate around the new ice rink in the beautiful Wyandanch Village!

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 seniors; $5 children 17 and younger. 631-6432050. therinx.com.

Public Skating Sessions

WHEN: Through March 10: Monday-Thursday, 12-8pm; Friday, 1210pm; Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-7:30pm WHERE: The Rinx at Harborfront Park, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: All WHAT: Head to the beautiful Village of Port Jefferson for ice-skating right on the Harbor!

WANT TO GO? See website for rates and packages. 631-473-1414. therinx.com.

Ice Skating at Tanger Outlets Deer Park

WHEN: Through March 31: Monday-Thursday, 3-9pm; Friday, 3-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm WHERE: Tanger Outlets Deer Park, 152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy ice-skating for the entire family or your special group!

WANT TO GO? $10; $4 skate rentals; free for children younger than 5.

631-667-0600. tangeroutlet.com/deerpark.

Usdan Summer Camp For The Arts: Open House FREE

WHEN: Sundays, Jan. 13 and Jan. 27, 11am-2pm WHERE: Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join an upcoming open house and learn just how special a summer at Usdan can be.

WANT TO GO? 631.643.7900. usdan.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS Let’s Get Together FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 4, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children of all abilities are invited to develop friendships and social skills through language, art, and physical activities.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Sensory Storytime FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 12, 10-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: An interactive and educational program that may be enjoyed by all children, but is especially designed for children with sensory integration challenges.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Sensory Sensitive Performances: ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 20, 11am WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: All WHAT: The house lights will remain on for the performance and your children may move about the audience.

WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.

DANCE PARTY

Pajama Storytime FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 7-7:45pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Come dressed in pjs to listen to stories, sing songs, and dance!

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Time for Baby FREE

WHEN: Jan. 11-25, select Fridays, 9:45-10:15am and 11-11:30am WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Songs and dance for you and baby to enjoy. The 9:45am session is for babies on the move; the 11am session is for infants who are not yet mobile.

WANT TO GO? 631.941.4080. emmaclark.org.

Babies Boogie FREE

ANIMAL LOVERS

New Year’s Day Hike

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 11am-12pm WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Learn about Long Island winter habitats and end your visit with a guided nature hike.

WANT TO GO? $6; $4 seniors ages 65 and older & children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 2 and members. 516-692-6768. cshfha.org.

Trout Birthday Party

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 6, 2-3pm WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the birth of baby trout with refreshments and birthday cake! Professional staff will be available to answer questions about the new fish.

WANT TO GO? $6; $4 age 65 and older & children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 2 and members. 516-692-6768. cshfha.org.

Tater Tot Time FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 10, 6-8pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Get to know the resident guinea pigs, Tater and Tot, and enjoy a mashed potato bar with plenty of fixings.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Bird Cake FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 24, 4-5pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Help keep the birds well-fed for the winter with this craft.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

B.A.R.K. Books Are Read To K9s FREE

WHEN: Jan. 2-30, Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Head to the library and read some stories to a trained therapy dog.

WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org. ››

WHEN: Jan. 5-25, select Fridays and Saturdays, 10-10:45am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Boogie, wiggle, and giggle with your little dancing partner!

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Toddler Tango FREE

WHEN: Jan. 5-25, select Fridays and Saturdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and wiggle with the beat!

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Movement & Literacy FREE

WHEN: Jan. 9-30, Wednesdays, 1:15-2pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 3-8 WHAT: These classes aim at increasing literacy and vocabulary WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

OPPORTUNITY IN FINANCIAL SERVICES We are: One of the largest marketers of financial products in North America, looking for people who want to succeed.

We offer: An excellent educational system to teach you our business, a comprehensive support network, and competitive products that are highly desirable to most consumers.

Candidates should: Desire an excellent income potential, be committed to working hard, and possess a strong desire to succeed.

For more information, contact Linda Springer at 631.235.1749 (cell).

LongIslandParent 29

Lego Club FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 18, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Connect with your friends over Legos!

WANT TO GO? 631.941.4080. emmaclark.org.

Instrument Petting Zoo FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26, 10-10:45am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join Stony Brook University Department of Music, of the Staller Center, to listen and play real instruments from the orchestra.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Maker Space FREE

SMARTY PANTS

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 27, 2-3pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Get creative and explore STEAM in the makerspace.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Welcome Wednesday

Lego Club

Huntington Arts Council Presents ‘Discovering Long Island’ FREE

Builders Club FREE

Ice is Nice FREE

Coding Craze FREE

Winter 2019 Parenting Series: Your Family and Screens FREE

Techno Buddies FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 12-4pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the new exhibit Heroines at the Helm. Hoist the sail, swab the deck, smell a foc’sle, and more in the updated spaces.

WANT TO GO? Pay as you wish. 631-387-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

WHEN: Through Jan. 5: Check the website for specific dates and times WHERE: Main Street Gallery, 213 Main St., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: Work in the exhibition focuses on seaside industry, farm life, Native Americans, the American Revolution, and art colonies.

WANT TO GO? 631-271-8423. huntingtonarts.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 5:30-6:15pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Create your own icy masterpiece by painting with colored ice and learn how to make ice cream using melted ice.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 17, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: CCE Education Center @Sound View Greenpoint, 58775 County Road 48, Greenport AGES: Adult WHAT: Learn more about what the research says on the impact screens (computers, tablets, smart phones etc.) have on your growing child.

WANT TO GO? 631-727-7850. ccesuffolk.org.

Idea Lab FREE

WHEN: Jan. 7-18, select Mondays and Fridays, 7-8pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Head to the makerspace to create, program, code, and more during this STEAM-based program.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

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WHEN: Jan. 6-27, Sundays, 10am-12pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: All WHAT: Encourage your children to create original designs.

WANT TO GO? $12 for non-members (includes admission to the museum); free for members. 631-537-8250. cmee.org.

WHEN: Jan. 6-27, Sundays, 2-3pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Show off your building skills with Crystal Climbers, Keva Planks, Legos, and Magic Nuudles.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 28, 4-5pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn to code with the Scratch program run through MIT. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 31, 5:30-6:15pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Play with your teen buddy using really fun technology such as Ozobots, Spheros, and Snap Circuits!

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

New Traveling Exhibit- Sonic Sensation

WHEN: Jan. 26-May 5, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Visitors will experience the sonic world through 14 interactive learning stations to discover key listening skills.

WANT TO GO? $14; $13 seniors; free children younger than 1.

516-224-5800. licm.org.

LITTLE FOODIES The Power of Food: Flat Bread Pizza FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 7, 3-4:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Build your cooking skills in this fun demonstration.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Families: Parents Make a Difference (Bilingual) FREE

WHEN: Jan. 3-10, Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Adult WHAT: Discover goals to create a healthy, happy family and easy, fun recipes while learning the nutritional value of food and practical ideas to stay active, and receive a certificate from Cornell University.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

WHAT: Learn how to create a marble or tie-dye effect on a round cake and a classic homemade pretzel as a snack.

WANT TO GO? $45. 631-543-8608. bakingcoach.com.

Extreme Cupcake Decorating and Pizza Making Workshop

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 21, 10am-12pm WHERE: The Baking Coach Inc., 320 Broadway-Greenlawn Road, Huntington AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Make and enjoy pizza then decorate cupcakes using fondant, pastry bags, and tips to create awesome designs.

WANT TO GO? $45. 631-543-8608. bakingcoach.com.

Nailed It! FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 25, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Work as a team and try to recreate professional dessert items.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Winter 2019 Parenting Series: The Family Table FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 10, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: CCE Education Center @Sound View Greenpoint, 58775 County Road 48, Greenport AGES: Adult WHAT: Find out how to build the important foundation for a lifetime of good eating habits and strong family bonding.

WANT TO GO? 631-727-7850. ccesuffolk.org.

K-Pop Club FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 14, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Enjoy Korean snacks while discussing the latest K-Pop releases.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Healthy After-School Snacks FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Using fast food menus and the nutrition facts label, learn how to choose healthier foods when eating out as well as making fast, easy, and healthy snacks at home.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Hawaiian Pineapple Salsa & Soft Roast Chicken Tacos FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 18, 4-5pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Join Chef Rob Scott to make a sweet and spicy salsa to pair with soft chicken tacos.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

Family Snowman Cake FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Have some family fun while creating a delicious snowman cake together.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Fondant Cake Decorating and Pretzel Making

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 21, 1-3pm WHERE: The Baking Coach Inc., 320 Broadway-Greenlawn Road, Huntington AGES: 5-17

KINDNESS CRUSADERS Library Mini Golf Decorations FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Create decorations for the Children’s Department library minigolf program.

WANT TO GO? 631.941.4080. emmaclark.org.

LEGO CLUB Volunteer FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 18, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Share your love for Legos and earn community service credit.

WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

Toy Paramedic FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Donate your time to help us keep the library’s toddler playtime toys clean and in tip-top shape.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Valentines for Vets FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 13-17 WHAT: We will be showing our support and appreciation for our local veterans by creating special Valentine’s Day cards.

WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

Shark Tank FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 3-5pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Work together in groups with your friends and come up with an original business idea while enjoying snacks! You will earn two hours of community service.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org. ›› LongIslandParent 31

STREAM: Snowstorm in a Jar FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 12, 11am-12pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create your own snowstorm while learning why they happen.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

DIY Arm Warmers FREE

CRAFTY KIDS Button Art FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 5, 11:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Create a colorful tree on canvas with paint and buttons.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

Traveling Exhibit -TINKERTOY: Build Your Imagination

WHEN: Through Jan. 6: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Explore a walk-in size replica of the canister, create your own designs, experiment with renewable energy and more WANT TO GO? $13; free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Idea Squad FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 7-8pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Chat about what you want to see in the library and have fun creating projects!

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Watercolor Pillowcases FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Paint on pillowcases with watercolor paints mixed with fabric medium to create a beautiful effect.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Paint a Piggy Bank FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 10, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Design your very own piggy bank with painter’s tape and acrylic paint.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Afternoon Canvas Painting FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 11, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Enjoy an afternoon of painting and creating a snowy landscape scene to take home.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 18, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Use funky socks and iron on patches to create your very own arm warmers to wear this winter.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Build-a-Boat Workshop

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 21, 2-4pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Design and create your own wooden ship model from a variety of help-yourself materials.

WANT TO GO? $12. 631-387-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Snowman Fun FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children and their caregivers will enjoy playing, singing, dancing, and making a Frosty the Snowman craft.

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

On My Own FREE

WHEN: Jan. 10-24, Thursdays, 1-1:45pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy art activities, free play, and stories in a preschool setting.

WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Snowman Art FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Get into the spirit of the winter season with this colorful 2-D art craft!

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

Open Studio for Families

WHEN: Jan. 12-26, Saturdays, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour of the galleries and create art through hands-on activities.

WANT TO GO? $12; $9 seniors; $6 guests of members; free for students with ID, children younger than 18, and museum members. 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

Finger Knitting FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 28, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Learn how to finger knit a scarf using a technique that does not use needles – only your hands!

WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Tuesday Night Crocheting with Miss Sara FREE

WHEN: Jan. 8-29, Tuesdays, 6-7pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join Miss Sara for a relaxing hour of crocheting.

WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

things to do

where-to guide

CHILL OUT This Winter Compiled by Anja Webb

Winter is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to go into total hibernation mode. Use the cold weather to your advantage by ice-skating with your family or trade in the grey slush for some fresh, mountainside powder with a ski or snowboarding getaway at some nearby slopes. If you or you kids aren’t big fans of the cold, stay indoors and go bowling. And since the kids are heading back to school after the holiday break, try an educational activity by checking out a museum that’s perfect for your little ones.

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING Mount Peter

40 Ski Lane, Warwick 845-986-4940; mtpeter.com Features 14 trails, from beginner to black diamond, a terrain park, tubing, and a new quad lift. Offers free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays with the purchase of a lift ticket (for ages 5 and older).

There’s also a Tiny Tots program for children ages 4 and younger (must be potty trained), which includes a lesson, equipment rental, lift ticket, and hot chocolate. Ski racing program for ages 6-18.

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/skiing

BOWLING Bowl Long Island at Patchogue

138 West Ave., Patchogue 631-475-5164; bowlongisland.com Hours: Sunday, 11am-11pm; Monday, 10-12am; TuesdayThursday, 12pm-12am; Friday, 12pm-1am; Saturday, 11-1am A mainstay in Patchogue since 1957, the venue features synthetic lanes, a newly renovated bar and full-service snack bar, a full-service pro shop, and 48 flat-screen monitors.

League bowling is available.

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/bowling

KID-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS Children’s Maritime Museum at Port Jefferson

101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson 631-331-3277; longislandexplorium.org Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 1-5pm Admission: $5 Housed in the historic Chandlery Building on Port Jefferson Harbor, this museum is a lighthouse learning center featuring interactive exhibits. Learn about Long Island’s natural ecosystem and maritime heritage through Navigation Station and Virtual Submarine—two computer programs that allow visitors to virtually navigate the Port Jefferson Harbor (above and below water) while learning more about the natural attributes and history of the area.

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/museum

ICE-SKATING Superior Ice Rink

270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park 631-269-3900; facebook.com/superioricerink Hours: Year-round: Wednesday, 12:30-2:30pm and 4:30-6pm; Friday, 8:30-10:30pm (with DJ); Saturday-Sunday, 12:30-2:30pm.

Price: $9; $7 children ages 11 and younger; $5 seniors and children ages 3 and younger. $11 Friday night DJ skate admission. $4 skate rental.

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/ice-skating

family life home

Are You Ready to Move?

››

Real-estate experts (and real parents!) share the factors that make families relocate.

By Lambeth Hochwald

T

he signs might be right in front of you: Maybe you and your family are feeling squished into a too-small apartment or perhaps your children are getting ready to start school and you aren’t sure your local school district is right for your kids. These are just two scenarios in which it feels like you might be ready to switch neighborhoods or spend your savings on upgrading to your first home.

“Many moves are dictated by lifecycles in the family,” says Alison Bernstein, founder of Suburban Jungle, a real estate firm exclusively focused on buyers leaving the city for the suburbs. “If thinking down the road about your kids’ school experience causes you to break into a cold sweat, it may be time to go. Ultimately, whether you move or stay in your neighborhood comes down to the level of happiness you have day to day, and whether there is a need for change.”

The following, experts say, are all signs it may be time to start reading the real estate ads: Your place is less kid-friendly than you thought. For Becky Margel, mom of Remy (3) and Reese (6 months), it was a staircase that prompted her and her husband, Jesse, to move from Manhattan to Glen Rock, NJ in February 2018.

“We lived in a duplex and when our three-year-old began walking up and down the very steep spiral staircase on her own. It started to make us nervous,” says Margel, who lived in NYC for a decade before the move to the suburbs.

Your family is growing—but your space isn’t. Another nudge for the Margels was the fact that Becky was pregnant again. “With baby two on the way and additional baby gear entering our apartment, 34

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

we knew it was time to get out of the city and move to the suburbs,” she says. “With no space to put all the toys that was another sign that it was time to live somewhere with way more space.”

Bernstein sees families in similar situations all the time: “Often the addition of a child into an already at-capacity apartment is enough to signal that it’s time for a change,” she says. Ultimately, it may no longer be fun to stow toilet paper under the bed and extra diapers in your clothing closet.

You’re longing for a lawn. Outdoor space may be one of the biggest reasons families opt to relocate, says Greg McHale, a real estate agent at Compass.

“While we have seen city folks adapt to living with kids in living quarters your cousin in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, would deem postage stamp-sized, for many parents, not being able to essentially kick your kids outside when they are rowdy ultimately becomes a major sticking point,” he says.

Of course, you don’t always have to leave the city to get a yard.

“Whether the family can afford an apartment or a house with private outdoor space in their favorite neighborhood or school district can sometimes be the ‘make or break’ decision,” McHale says.

Your local parks suddenly seem puny. Another way to gauge your need for greenery is by doing this exercise, which McHale recommends to his clients: “If you’re okay with spending the day in Central or Prospect park for your weekend expeditions, then stick with the city,” he says.

City life is starting to feel overwhelming. Cramped conditions and a lack of green space can prompt an exodus, but so can other re-

alities of an urban existence. Add in the strain of school applications, the sleep issues if you’re in a noisy apartment, the expense, and other annoyances, and you’ve got a family ready to make a move.

That’s exactly the scenario Amy Hill, who moved from Brooklyn to Tarrytown with her husband and two sons, faced last year.

“We were getting kicked out of our apartment (the owners wanted to sell it), so we didn’t have much of a choice,” Hill says. But the decision to leave Brooklyn—where Hill’s entire family still lives— was one they made on their own, due not only to a desire for more space, but also a list of irritants that included the grime of urban living. “Our other triggers included the broken glass on the sidewalks, the worry over the kids running into the street, and navigating the narrow [store] aisles with our double stroller,” she says.

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You haven’t found your parent tribe. Loneliness is another reason many parents find it’s time to move.

“When you are a new parent living in New York City and you find yourself feeling isolated or without any baby playmates for your little one, it may be time to consider a move,” says Amy Owens, a real estate broker at Keller Williams in NYC. The same thing can happen in the suburbs if you’re living in a neighborhood populated by mostly older families.

You feel like you’ve aged out of your ’hood, as in you’re the only one with a baby and everyone else is crowding into your favorite local bar for happy hour. While this neighborhood once felt familiar, it can suddenly feel strange to be in a different life stage from pretty much everyone else around you.

Your bustling neighborhood is starting to be annoying. When your busy morning schedule clashes with the neighborhood’s latenight vibe, it can also feel like a big disconnect.

“It’s extremely taxing as well when people are out partying in the streets until all hours of the night keeping you and/or your whole family awake,” Bernstein adds.

You already know people in the town you’re considering. Having pals already in place always eases the transition. They can show you where to buy groceries, what the schools are like, and which pediatrician to choose, as well as clue you in to favorite traditions in town, Margel advises.

And you just might find other urbanites living in your new town, too. “Many New York City suburbs are loaded with residents who just a few short years ago were your Brooklyn and Manhattan neighbors,” Owens says.

You’ve always dreamed of owning a home. For many families, saving for a home of their own is an important goal.

For Margel and Hill, leaving the city for the suburbs turned out to be one of the best things they ever did and have zero regrets about it.

“We love the shopping,” Margel says. “We have every store imaginable within 15 minutes. Well, I love it, my husband not so much!”

And if you end up missing things about your former neighborhood, you can vent about this, too, with your new neighbors who are likely going to be easily able to relate to how you feel.

“No matter how much we love our new town, we do miss my family, the pizza, and the bagels,” Hill says.

An easy fix: Just take the train, bus, or ferry back to your old neighborhood for the day. You might just come to realize you miss fewer and fewer things about it the longer you’ve put down roots in a new place.

Lambeth Hochwald covers trends, relationships, and life in New York City.

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raising kids teen

What Your Teen Really Needs from You

››

Your oh-so-grown-up child is less independent than she seems—here’s what she’s still relying on you to provide. By Deborah Skolnik

I

f you have a teen, you probably look at him—on those rare moments when he isn’t holed up in his room or out somewhere with his friends—and wonder: “How’d you get so big?” And the bigger your child gets, the smaller the list of things he relies on you for becomes. Once upon a time, you were his wardrobe coordinator, social activities director, and on and on, but most of those roles have long been phased out. In fact, aside from food, money, rides, and more food, it’s easy to conclude your teen needs nothing from you at all.

But thinking that way is a mistake. “Teens look like little adults, and so a lot of times parents treat them like little adults, but their brains are not caught up yet,” says Emily Roberts, M.A., L.P.C., psychotherapist and author of Express Yourself. And adolescents have lots of big tasks to accomplish, from hammering out their moral code to making plans for the future. With so much on their plates, it’s a time kids still rely on their parents, says Kashmira Rustomji, M.D., M.P.H., a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.

So don’t keep your distance. Make sure your child is still getting what he needs from you, especially the following: Praise (when appropriate). “There tends to be a lot more conflict in parent-adolescent relationships,” Dr. Rustomji says. “Often that conflict is about trivial things.”

Take time to give your teen props when she’s earned it, whether that’s for a good grade, going out of her way to help a younger sibling (or you!), or being a great friend. It will balance out some of the times you and your teen find yourselves at odds, and boost her self-esteem.

Your good example. Teens “are still very sensitive creatures at this time and they’re still very impressionable, so they may hear half of

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

what you’re saying and they make that their reality,” Roberts points out. That’s why it’s important not to just tell your teen what’s right and what’s wrong, but to show it to him through everything you do.

“Teens are always watching you,” Dr. Rustomji adds. So be a good role model—“show them how to cope with stress, how to be respectful, and model the moral code you developed for yourself,” she urges.

Chores. No one wants them, but all teens need them, Roberts says. “A lot of parents forget that that practice of helping around the house is not only about [teens] showing their family they are involved, it’s really a habit they need to have especially as they ease into adulthood,” she explains.

Yes, teens tend to have busy lives, but that’s not a reason to do away with chores altogether: “You and I sometimes have a lot of work, and we still have to go home and clean our rooms and do our laundry,” Roberts says. Just be considerate of your teen’s hectic weeks: “Have a conversation with them about their schedule, especially in the beginning and middle of the school year with midterms and homework and homecoming and all that, asking how you can help,” Roberts advises. Some weeks you may need to make your teen’s chore load a little lighter. The key is to keep her responsibilities as consistent as possible over time, so she accepts chores as a part of life.

Help managing his hectic schedule. Your child’s time commitments are growing exponentially—faster than his brain can keep up, Roberts says. “The adolescent brain doesn’t stop growing until the early twenties, and sometimes teens overestimate or underestimate [things],” she explains, including how long certain activities may take. Roberts suggests saying, “Let’s look at how we can schedule your time together,” and then doing just that.

Tammy Gold, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., a family therapist, is a fan of putting a calendar in your teen’s room. “Studies show that children really love structure,” she says. “Show them what their week looks like...so they know when the soccer game is, when the test is.”

Time spent hanging out with you. Yes, it can seem like you’re the last person your child wants to pass the time with, but that’s not true, Gold says. Look for lulls in your teen’s busy social schedule: “Maybe they weren’t invited somewhere and they’re not going to say that to you, but they could be suffering, so you make the plans,” Gold explains. Even if they weren’t snubbed, teens often don’t like being alone, and could be up for a little company. You can also make a ritual to spend time together at a certain time each week.

Spending time together isn’t just nice; it has important developmental benefits for your teen. “Obviously, for a toddler you need to be there to say things like ‘Don’t touch the flame!’ But for a teenager you need to be there not only to teach appropriate social behavior and values and model them, but to help them decode what they’re seeing,” Gold says.

Help understanding social media. Speaking of things your teen may need your assistance in decoding, social media tops the list, Gold says. “For kids on social media, they need to know that this is a fictitious life, not real life,” she explains. “Everyone is just putting the best of themselves out there, so don’t let it make you feel bad.”

If your teen is often down because she finds out via social media that she wasn’t invited somewhere with pals, or because her posts got too few likes, it may be time for a social media break. Gold’s own 13-year-old is only allowed to use Snapchat. “That still has the ability to make you say ‘OMG I missed that party, it stinks that I wasn’t invited,’ but that’s gone after twenty-four hours,” Gold says.

Rules and limits. Oh, we know you’re going to get some eye rolls when you say, “Be home before ten!” or “No walking home from the party alone!” but that’s no reason to hold back. “Adolescents...tend to want to do things that give them thrills and give them excitement, and sometimes that behavior leads to maladaptive behavior like drugs and alcohol and unsafe sex,” Dr. Rustomji says. “So this is a time when it’s really important for parents to set those limits to protect their child.”

It’s also helpful to walk through some sticky scenarios ahead of time. Pose questions to your teen, like, “If someone is drinking at a party and wants you to drink too, how do you say no?” or “If someone gets drunk, what do you do?” Again, your teen may think it’s silly, but try anyway. “If your family has a certain set of values that you want to impart in your children, just make those clear,” Dr. Rustomji says. “And also tell your teen why.”

Reassurance that you’re always there. “It’s important to tell teens ‘Hey, you’re growing, you’re maturing and because of that you get to go to the mall, you get to go out, but we’re still here to help you,’” Gold says. And it’s even more crucial to make that clear when you and your teen are fighting, she adds. “[Tell your teen] ‘You can yell at me and scream at me, but I’m never going away,’” she urges.

Your apologies (when appropriate). Did you lose control and scream at your teen? “That happens, it’s normal,” Gold says. “What are you going to do about it now? Recover and say you’re sorry. Teach your child how to say you’re sorry.” Not only will your child learn it’s right to apologize when he’s wrong, he’ll also learn nobody’s perfect.

Your love. “Teens need holding, as silly as it sounds,” Gold says. “I like to spoon my 13-year-old for ten minutes a night, and we talk about what happened during the day, and she loves it.” So go ahead, give your big kid a hug. Who knows? You might even get a hug back.

Deborah Skolnik is the former editorial director of NYMetroParents. She lives in Westchester with her husband and 14-year-old, both of whom are much taller than she is.

LongIslandParent 37

raising kids baby

Ready, Set, Sibling!

››

Pregnant again? Learn how to prepare your first-born for the baby on the way. By Denise Porretto

I

t was once believed that Earth was the center of the universe.

But those early scientists got it wrong: Ask any mom and she will tell you that everything revolves around her first-born.

Whether it’s for 10 months or a few years, the oldest child has Mom and Dad’s attention to herself. So while parents may be delighted they’re expecting a second child, they may worry about how to break the news to their first-born and prevent any jealousy that might arise.

“Bringing a new baby into the world is a very complex and magical process,” says Kenneth Schuster, Psy.D., clinical neuropsychologist in the Learning and Development Center and director of clinical training at the Child Mind Institute. “But for a child, it is best to keep things simple and concrete. Introduce the subject in an age-appropriate manner. Answer his or her questions using age-appropriate language. ...You need to meet your child where he is, and remember that anecdotal stories about what may have worked for another family will not necessarily work for your child.”

With that in mind, read on for ways to prepare your child for the new baby.

Time the talk

If being pregnant for nine months seems like forever to you, imagine how long it would seem to a 2-year-old! After all, a 1-minute timeout feels like an hour to a kid that age. So if you have a very young child, breaking the baby news early may not be best. He may not even understand at first or remember what you’ve said.

Many other factors may impact your decision about when to share your news. For instance, if you’re not feeling well, you may consider telling her sooner rather than later, or else she may worry you’re really sick.

Your growing belly will eventually become noticeable, making the 38

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

talk inevitable. “The news that a baby is on the way becomes more meaningful to a young child when there are perceptible changes to their physical environment,” Dr. Schuster says. “For instance, perhaps the child is noticing mommy’s shrinking lap. Or the child has taken note that his parents are moving in furniture and painting walls.”

Until you’re ready to share the news, be discreet. Even a young child hears her parents talking and can pick up on “secret” information. More importantly, you don’t want your child hearing the news from anyone else. “You want to make sure you’re keeping them in the loop,” says Jen Trachtenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Keep It Simple

When sharing the news with your young child, be direct. Simply say, “Mommy has a baby in her belly.” Even older children don’t need to hear additional details. This is not the time for a “birds and bees” talk, Dr. Schuster says. There will be plenty of time for your child to ask questions should she need further explanation.

Be sure not to ask your child if he wants a baby brother or sister.

This could backfire! (What are you going to do if she says, “No”?)

Accentuate the Positive

Over the coming months, there will be many opportunities for you to prepare your child for the big event. Of course, not everything you tell him about the new baby will be rosy. Explain that new baby brothers and sisters are not born ready to play, but rather spend a lot of time sleeping, eating, crying, and pooping (expect a giggle for that one). Tell your child he did the same when he was a baby.

The trick is to spin the “bad news” in a positive way. For instance, tell

your child the baby will cry a lot, but also say it will be like a game to figure out what she needs. Is she hungry? Tired? Needing a diaper change?

Emma L., who lives in NYC with her husband and two children, Ella (7) and Rafa (4), believes finding a good marketing angle is the best way to deal with potential issues. “Need to transition the older child to a bed, so the newborn can have the crib? Market it as an amazing new bed she gets to have because she is such a big girl!” she suggests.

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Get Ready Together

Once you’ve shared the news, build on it with age-appropriate activities: • Read books together about having a new sibling. Many favorite TV characters have siblings as well. Watch the show your child likes and talk about how those siblings interact.

• Give your child a baby doll and feed, change, and rock it together.

• Introduce your child to a friend or relative’s baby. The baby should be older than 3 months, and you should exercise caution if you let your child hold the baby.

• Share old photos of you and your siblings, and tell stories about what life was like growing up. Don’t forget current photos. Fran L., a mother of two boys in Syosset, told 3½-year-old Ben about the baby on the way by surprising him with her sonogram photo.

• Allow your child to pick out clothes or toys for the new baby.

• Have your child participate in a sibling-preparation class.

• Enlist your first-born as an all-important “mommy’s helper,” Dr. Schuster suggests. “Tell your two-year-old that you will need her help letting you know when the baby is crying and figuring out what the baby needs. You can tell older children you’ll need their help getting clean diapers ready and making the baby laugh.”

• When referring to the baby-to-be, use language such as “our baby” and “your baby sister/brother”—it suggests your child has a relationship with the baby and has an important role to play.

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Post-Birth Bonding

To keep the sibling relationship growing after the baby arrives: • Help your child choose a gift for the newborn. Give your first-born a gift the newborn “picked out” as well.

• Avoid introducing big changes in your older child’s routine while baby is settling in (toilet training, giving up the pacifier, etc.).

• Allow your child to help with the baby. Closely supervised older children can hold the baby while sitting, or can pass diapering supplies to the parent. Children of all ages can sing songs to a fussy newborn. (If your child doesn’t want to help, though, don’t force it. Let the relationship blossom on its own.)

• Praise your first-born whenever she is behaving well.

• Have her spend time with other family members, such as grandparents, to deepen those relationships.

Even if you do all of the above, there may be some bumps in the road. For one thing, expect a bit of regression—sliding backward on previously mastered skills is not unusual. Emma’s daughter, who had been toilet-trained for five months, briefly went back to diapers after her little brother’s birth. The key is not to make a big deal of it.

A certain amount of jealousy and acting out may be unavoidable.

Stay the course, and remain positive—hugs, kisses, and kind words will go a long way. And be sure to have regular 1-on-1 time with your older child.

Realize that for a child, no matter what age, having a baby brother or sister enter the family is nowhere near as tumultuous as parents imagine it to be. “Most of the time it’s a smooth transition,” Dr. Trachtenberg says. “Whether the children are close in age or far apart, it’s super rare that there’s any ongoing jealousy. It will work out.”

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Denise Porretto is a freelance writer in Princeton, NJ.

LongIslandParent 39

family life legal

Where There’s a Will

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Though you may not want to consider the unthinkable, having a plan in place will protect your children and prepare them for the future. By Anja Webb

D

o you know who would have legal guardianship of your children if something were to happen to you or your partner? Do you know for certain your estate would be quickly and indisputably transferred to your heirs? On that note, have you selected your heirs? Though you may think there’s no need to create a will because you’re young and healthy, life is unpredictable. “The sooner you put a comprehensive plan in place, the better off you and your family will be,” say Rosanna Guardavaccaro, a registered representative and financial advisor of Strategies For Wealth and a financial representative of Guardian based in New York City and Rye. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to planning your will.

Choose a Will-Writing Method

There are a number of ways you can set up your will, and, depending on your financial resources, each method has its pros and cons.

A lawyer is the best option, especially if you have a large estate, according to Guardavaccaro. A typical fee for a simple will is approximately $500, Guardavaccaro says, but that extra expense is worth it for the peace of mind that comes with hiring a professional.

If hiring a lawyer is out of your budget, or if you just don’t have the time to sit down with one, there are online forms and apps that can help you get started. For example, USLegalWills.com allows you to make your will at home by simply filling in a form and answering questions. With a fee of approximately $40, it’s a more affordable option for young professionals or those with young 40

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

children. You could also use an app to develop your will, such as Tomorrow, which offers the software free of charge.

In extreme cases, a holographic will, one written in your own handwriting and typically without multiple witnesses, is an option in certain states. Though not legal in New York in most instances, holographic wills are accepted in New Jersey.

“To be clear, not all do-it-yourself approaches to will writing result in a holographic will,” says Tim Hewson, president of USLegalWills.com. “It is an absolutely terrible way to prepare your own will and is almost certainly going to result in a very poorly drafted document. Holographic wills are written into law to cover extreme circumstances, like being pinned under a rock, where witnesses are not available. It is not a will-writing approach that should be considered under normal circumstances.”

Think About the Details

Once you’ve selected the method to create your will, it’s time to think about the details. Guardavaccaro suggests consulting with a lawyer to ensure this is done right, “but the basic process is relatively straightforward: Make a list of your assets, decide who gets what, and pick someone to serve as an executor for your estate,” she says.

“Meet with the attorney and iron out expectations both monetarily and the actual creation of the will. Once an attorney is chosen and the will is created, the individual picks three witnesses. …The witnesses should be friends you trust.”

When planning your will, it can also be easy to overlook a few aspects like social media and gifting rights. It’s good to think about who will shut off your Facebook and Instagram, and whether or not your heirs can give away their inheritance as they see fit.

Be sure to discuss these with your lawyer, if you have one, or make provisions for them otherwise.

Select a Guardian and Heir

If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to appoint a guardian for your children if they’re younger than 18. “The parent has to figure out who will…take care of the assets for the benefit of the children,” Guardavaccaro says. “When appointing a guardian, it is best to look at either a family member or friend that you can currently count on and raises their children in a similar fashion that you do.” Some aspects you might want to take into consideration are fiscal responsibility and religious or ethical values.

When it comes to selecting an heir, you’ll want to keep in mind how old your children are. For younger children, the guardian will likely also be named as the property guardian and manage the estate until the kids are old enough to take over, according to Nolo.com, a resource with easy-to-understand legal information. For children who are 18 or older, it’s important to have a clear line of communication about what to expect should anything happen to you. “Make sure they’re aware of any wills, accounts, or trusts that name them as beneficiaries,” Guardavaccaro advises. “Also, give them the name of your lawyer and your financial representative, as well as details on accessing your financial holdings.” This will help prepare them for the future and simplify the process in the future.

But what if you and your partner pass away or become incapacitated without having selected either a guardian or an heir?

“Without having a clear directive from you, the state takes over and the next of kin can be brought in to take care of the children and assets,” Guardavaccaro says. This means your loved ones and belongings can very easily end up in the hands of the wrong person, especially if you’ve had a falling out with certain members of your immediate family. For this reason, you should clearly specify who you want to look after your children. Though this is a big decision, if you end up changing your mind or part ways with the person you had selected as your guardian, you can always amend the document later, according to Guardavaccaro.

The Ramifications of No Will

Aside from the obvious concerns of your property and family going to the wrong people, not having a will can cause strife and disagreements among your relatives. “I have encountered squabbles over small items of sentimental value to large, truly valuable items like paintings,” says David Reischer, Esq., a New York attorney and CEO of LegalAdvice.com. “Families seem to fight over anything and everything. Therefore, always remember: Have the deceased execute a last will and testament prior to leaving this world, in order to determine his intent how to distribute any remaining items in the estate.”

After all, it’s better to have a will in place and not need it, rather than leave your loved ones to scrap over your possessions.

The emotional aspect of setting up a will—coming to grips with your mortality, imagining a world where your children grow up without you, divvying up your possessions with the understanding that all you own and all you love will someday be out of your grasp—is intense. But don’t let that stop you from taking the steps to ensure your family and friends will be prepared in the event the unthinkable happens. Parenting is full of tough decisions that can make you stop in your tracks, but at the end of the day, you have to do what you can to ensure your family will be okay.

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EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS ACT AS IF ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOL

718 Walt Whitman Road, Melville 561-889-4464 actasifetiquette.com Offering fun, informative, engaging classes for children, teens, and young adults, with the content geared toward modern manners for modern times. Serving scout troops, library, after-school programs, camps, groups, and individuals.

FINANCIAL PLANNING & INSURANCE LINDA SPRINGER, INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE WITH PRIMERICA ADVISORS

1600 Expressway Drive S., Hauppauge 631-235-1749 cell 631-361-6271 office primerica.com/lindaspringer linda.springer@primerica.com Linda Springer, an investment adviser representative with Primerica Advisors has proudly served the community in financial literacy education and team training and development for more than 20 years. Contact us at 631-235-1749 (cell) or 631-361-6271(office).

FOOD & NUTRITION LITTLE VICKY’S

631-338-1722 littlevickys.com littlevickys@yahoo.com Little Vicky’s products are small batched with only the finest, natural ingredients.

Real food, no junk. Products include Honey Butter, Garlic Honey, and Honey Lemonade sold at all Best Markets throughout Long Island and select Stop & Shops.

FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION BERKSHIRE FARM CENTER AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH

535 Broad Hollow Road, Suite B30, Melville 631-420-4444 berkshirefarm.org Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth helps children find safety and comfort in

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

the homes of foster parents. Become a foster parent and give the gift of family!

LEGAL SERVICES ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C.

534 Broadhollow Road, Suite 275, Melville 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law.

LICE FAIRY LICEMOTHERS 2463 S. Long Beach Road, Oceanside

866-561-0492 1755 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 866-561-0492 679 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head 866-561-0492 fairylicemothers.com fairylicemothers@gmail.com Our treatment centers are kid-friendly and our products are 100 percent nontoxic. Treatments include two free re-checks. Whether or not you use our service, we are here to help you.

LICE TAMERS, INC.

900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite LL2, Melville 877-237-LICE (5423) licetamers.com licetamers@gmail.com Lice Tamers offers same-day lice treatment and head checks at our comfortable, child-friendly treatment center or in the comfort of your home. All of our products are safe and nontoxic.

SPECIAL NEEDS ALTERNATIVES FOR CHILDREN

1116 Main Road, Aquebogue 631-722-2170 600 South Service Road, Dix Hills 631-271-0777 14 Research Way, East Setauket 631-331-6400 168 Hill St., Southampton 631-283-3272 alternatives4children.org Licensed daycare, EI/Preschool Special Education evaluations provider for eligible children. Early childhood professionals create a natural learning environment, promoting a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.

DR. STEVE IMBER, PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS

Serving Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as the five boroughs of NYC 61-43 186th St., Fresh Meadows 516-273-1961 Sprout Building 166 Valley St., Providence, RI 401-421-4004 dr-imber.com scimber1@aol.com Dr. Imber has more than 40 years of experience consulting, evaluating, and advocating for children, adolescents, and adults with various disabilities including autism (e.g.

Asperger’s syndrome), attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities.

LIFE’S WORC THE FAMILY CENTER FOR AUTISM

1501 Franklin Ave., Garden City 516-741-9000 familycenterforautism.org mreno@lifesworc.org The Family Center for Autism provides services and support for people with autism and their families. Programs include

insurance services, birthday parties, art, music, sports and culinary classes, camps, parent and sibling programs, social events, vocational programs, and behavior intervention.

LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho,Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Nassau: 516-2161791 Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C.

534 Broadhollow Road, Suite 275, Melville

631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law.

THERAPY & COUNSELORS AVIVA CHANSKY GUTTMANN, L.M.S.W., C.I.R.T.

631-885-4375 avivachanskyguttmann.com helpconnectingus@gmail.com Aviva Chansky Guttmann is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist offering home-based therapy for couples, partners, and families.

Flexible scheduling and large travel radius.

TUTORS & TEST PREP ST. PATRICK YOUTH COMMUNITYST. PATRICK TUTORING CENTER St. Patrick Church, Smithtown

631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick Tutoring Center is here to assist your learner from grades kindergarten to 12th with Catholic Entrance Exam Prep, SAT, Regents, or daily schoolwork.

St. Patrick Youth Community-Youth Enrichment Learning Center St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick Youth Enrichment and Learning Center provides programs for your child ages 1½ years–sixth grade. A faithbased program offers a loving, caring environment.

SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER OF HUNTINGTON

1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 sylvanlearning.com sylvanlearning@optonline.net Sylvan of Huntington offers personalized tutoring programs in reading,

writing, mathematics, and SAT and ACT prep. Sylvan will help identify the right program for your child and exactly where your child needs to start to get the best results.

VILLAGE EAST GIFTED ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR THE GIFTED LEARNER

Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted provides after-school enrichment and private tutoring for gifted and talented students. We are a designated John Hopkins CTY and SAT testing center.

Meet the

Health Care Professional Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Nassau: 516-216-1791 Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, owns and operates Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. With her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) are also offered. Seven affiliated offices across Long Island participate with most health insurance and offer evening and Saturday hours.

Pediatric Immediate Care 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) 698 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn 718-389-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients.

The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

Lice Tamers, Inc. 900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite LL2, Melville 631-479-2595 licetamers.com licetamers@gmail.com Melissa Levin is a board-certified family nurse practitioner.

She is also the owner and operator of Lice Tamers. For the past 15 years Melissa has treated children and their families for lice using a natural, holistic approach. She has also worked tirelessly to educate parents about lice prevention, and to help remove the stigma associated with contracting lice.

Lice Tamers offers a child-friendly approach to lice removal, in a relaxed, fun environment with snacks, WiFi, and toys. Melissa also offers free educational seminars to schools and camps.

Building Blocks Developmental Preschool 29 Pinewood Drive, Commack 631-499-1237 bbdps.com Donna M. Charbonneau is the executive director of Building Blocks Developmental Preschool. BBDPS offers a range of programs and services to children from infancy through age 5. Currently staffed with more than 100 teachers, therapists, and paraprofessionals, including registered nurses as well as psychologists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, a physical therapist, and a developmental pediatrician.

Early Intervention services are provided for children younger than 3, who have developmental delays. Building Blocks Developmental Preschool continues to ensure delivery of the highest quality educational services to all students.

LongIslandParent 43

PartyCentral @ PLAY AMUSEMENTS 229 NY-110, Farmingdale 631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com info@playamusement.com

Have your next party at the newly renovated @ Play Amusements! It offers 40,000-square-feet of fun ranging from 92 arcade games, inflatables, bumper cars, a roller coaster, a carousel, a disco room, and laser tag!

BOUNCEU FARMINGDALE 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale 631-777-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/cities/farmingdale.ny farmingdale.ny@bounceu.com

BounceU Farmingdale was voted “Best of Long Island” for Children’s Party Place and Family Amusement Center. We provide the ideal combination of inflatable structures, a clean environment, incredible customer service, and non-stop excitement in a private party atmosphere.

CELEBRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville 516-396-2193 celebrationsinthekitchen.com celebrationsinthekitchen@gmail.com

The most unique, fun-filled, joyous event! We have created a true baking experience for everyone to enjoy, including sugar cookie baking, all about pizza, cupcakes from scratch, doughnuts, and chocolate and candy projects. Come in, call, or visit celebrationsinthekitchen. com for more information on parties.

COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfha.org steved@cshfha.org

Celebrate your child’s next birthday at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium! See the Hatchery & Aquarium’s exciting live exhibits. Feed the hungry trout and learn about fish, reptiles, and amphibians with an up-close animal encounter.

GREAT STRIDES LONG ISLAND 41 Coram-Swezeytown Road, Middle Island 631-786-9708 greatstridesli.org julie@greatstridesli.org

Lasso some birthday fun at Great Strides Long Island. We offer a relaxed picnic atmosphere (indoor facility is available), farm animals, and a horse ride-all for a reasonable price. Email julie@greatstridesli.org for more information.

HUNTINGTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS 310 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-4626 huntingtoncenteronline.com huntingtoncenter@yahoo.com Make your child’s birthday a memorable and creative event with our dance-themed birthday parties. As a

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Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

special treat, a guest artist will come in costume to perform for your guests!

your choice from Gazillion Bubbles to sports, with multiple theme options.

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5010 intrepidmuseum.org groupsales@intrepidmuseum.org

NASTICS A TOTAL GYMNASTICS EXPERIENCE 921-1 Lincoln Ave., Holbrook 631-567-0066 nasticsnextgen.com

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever!

ISLAND CINEMAS 1708 Montauk Highway, Mastic 631-657-3198 island-cinemas.com sales@island-cinemas.com

Dear Mom and Dad, be the greatest parent around.

Have your child’s birthday party at the movies! Call or visit our website today island-cinemas.com.

KARTS INDOOR RACEWAY 701 Union Parkway, Ronkonkoma 631-737-5278 karts1.com info@karts1.com

Karts offers a variety of options for kids and adults starting at age 4 (40 inches tall). Whether it be racing, laser tag, or one of our other great activities, our unforgettable parties are loved by both kids and parents.

KEY TO MY ART, INC. 10 W. Oak St., Amityville 131 Main St., East Rockaway 877-539-2278 keytomyart.com

At Key to My Art, our children’s paint parties include all supplies from aprons to easels. The guest of honor picks the theme, we provide the instruction, and each guest leaves with a finished painting!

LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM 431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426), 631-208-9200 x125 longislandaquarium.com

Have your child’s birthday party at the Long Island Aquarium. Party options include a choice of private rooms, select food items, and an ice cream cake. All parties get a guided tour, special seating at the Sea Lion Show, and rides on the submarine simulator!

MY GYM CHILDREN’S FITNESS CENTER 1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) mgym.com/stonybrook 128 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-427-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/huntingtonstation

My Gym parties include exclusive use of the gym, including a zip line, rock wall, trampoline, trapeze, climbing structures, and slides. Instructors lead your guests through action-packed activities of

January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Nastics birthday parties include quality gymnastics instruction, exciting games, and the unforgettable experience on our Trapeze, 40-foot tumble track, and Trampoline.

NOT JUST ART 183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 notjustart.com create@notjustart.com

Not Just Art has oodles of excellent music, art, and science parties for ages 1-12 and beyond. Choose from our treasury of super imaginative projects or use favorite themes and activities as a creative springboard.

PICASSO KIDZ, CREATIVE ART STUDIO FOR CHILDREN 72 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-5500 picassokidz.com picassokidzart@gmail.com

Picasso Kidz puts the “ART” in pARTy! Birthdays at Picasso Kidz are truly unique and memorable. We have many packages and options to choose from for ages 2-17.

SKY ZONE TRAMPOLINE PARK-DEER PARK 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park 631-392-2600 skyzone.com/deerpark deerparkinfo@skyzone.com

The best birthday parties are at Sky Zone, Deer Park. We customize every birthday party. We have themed parties and super hero parties that include Dodgeball, Foam Zone, Sky Slam, and endless jumping opportunities!

STUDIO E ART CLASSES 565 Route 25A, Miller Place 631-744-4001 studioeartclass.com/parties

Studio E Art Classes offers two economical party options! “The Bash” Starting at only $290 and “The Extravaganza” starting at only $420! View details at studioeartclass.com/parties.

THOMAS SCHOOL OF HORSEMANSHIP RIDING ACADEMY 250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840 tshcamp.com tsh@tshcamp.com

Birthday parties, scout parties, and class trips are always a blast at the Thomas School of Horsemanship.

For groups of 14-18 children. They receive one hour of riding time.

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

Hagedorn Little Village School ......................................15

religious

Sportime ..........................................................................9

Holy Angels Regional School ........................................17

Diocese of RVC .............................................................48

Studio E Art Classes.......................................................37

Huntington Learning Center ..........................................19 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken ......................................39

Holy Angels Regional School ........................................17 Long Island Lutheran .....................................................16

camps

LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................16

Camp Huntington ...........................................................41

Long Island Lutheran .....................................................16

Future Stars - Old Westbury ..........................................27

Nassau Boces Educational Foundation .........................19

LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................16

Rodro Books ..................................................................37

special education

Sportime ..........................................................................9

Smithtown Christian School ...........................................20

Huntington Learning Center ..........................................19

St. Patrick Youth Community .........................................20

St. Patrick Youth Community .........................................20

Studio E Art Classes.......................................................37

Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington ..............................9

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................2, 3

Village East Gifted .........................................................11

YMCA of Long Island .......................................................9

Winston Prepatory School - Long Island .......................17

Young People’s Day Camps - Suffolk ..............................5

family entertainment / events / outings

Smithtown Christian School ...........................................20

special events Gateway Playhouse .......................................................13 Paramount (The) ...........................................................39 Posey School of Dance .................................................21

child care / day care

Gateway Playhouse .......................................................13

Alternatives for Children ................................................21

King Kong ......................................................................13

special needs

Long Island Lutheran .....................................................16

Paramount (The) ...........................................................39

Alternatives for Children ................................................21

Posey School of Dance .................................................21

Andrew M. Cohen Esq ...................................................11

classes

Building Blocks Developmental Preschool ..............16, 43

Gateway Playhouse .......................................................13

financial planning /insurance

Goldfish Swim School - Centereach ..............................41

Primerica .......................................................................29

LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................16 Long Island Studio of Music ..........................................35

fitness

Rodro Books ..................................................................37

Sportime ..........................................................................9

Camp Huntington ...........................................................41 Hagedorn Little Village School ......................................15 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech..................25, 43 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken ......................................39 Pediatric Immediate Care.........................................35, 43

Sportime ..........................................................................9 Studio E Art Classes.......................................................37

health

Rodro Books ..................................................................37

Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington ..............................9

Converge Direct/Health First ...........................................7

Winston Prepatory School - Long Island .......................17

Village East Gifted .........................................................11

Lice Tamers ...................................................................43 Pediatric Immediate Care.........................................35, 43

dance Posey School of Dance .................................................21

home services

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................2, 3

Lice Tamers ...................................................................43

developmental

legal services

Alternatives for Children ................................................21

Andrew M. Cohen Esq ...................................................11

Building Blocks Developmental Preschool ..............16, 43

sports Future Stars - Old Westbury ..........................................27 Goldfish Swim School - Centereach ..............................41 Sportime ..........................................................................9 St. Patrick Youth Community .........................................20

theater

Hagedorn Little Village School ......................................15

music

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech..................25, 43

Long Island Studio of Music ..........................................35

Winston Prepatory School - Long Island .......................17

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................2, 3

education

performing arts / acting

Alternatives for Children ................................................21

Gateway Playhouse .......................................................13

Huntington Learning Center ..........................................19

Building Blocks Developmental Preschool ..............16, 43

King Kong ......................................................................13

Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington ..............................9

Diocese of RVC .............................................................48

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................2, 3

Village East Gifted .........................................................11

Gateway Playhouse .......................................................13 King Kong ......................................................................13

tutors

LongIslandParent 45

raising kids stuff we like

Skincare for the Whole Family

››

By Katelin Walling

Back By Popular Demand!

For Preemies—and Proud Mamas

Created specifically for the delicate skin of premature babies, the nutrientrich BEB Organic Silky Cream and Nourishing Oil pack a supermoisturizing one-two punch when used together—and since they were created for preemie skin, they’re super gentle and NICU-safe. For moms who need a little extra moisture in the winter, use the Silky Cream at night to relieve dry skin followed by the Nourishing Oil to lock in moisture. And if pregnancy has caused hormonal acne, or your little one has infant acne, apply some Healing Gel, which is great for treating break outs, healing eczema, and minimizing scars. (Silky Cream: $68; Nourishing Oil: $52; Healing Gel: $64; beborganic.com)

After a nearly 3-year hiatus, Johnson’s brought back the fanfavorite Baby Creamy Oil with Aloe & Vitamin E last July due to consumer demand. If that doesn’t tell you how great this moisturizer is, maybe this will: It’s paraben-, phthalate-, sulfate-, and dye-free due to Johnson’s total brand relaunch last year. The company is now being 100-percent transparent about the ingredients in its products, and is using more naturally derived (and fewer total) components. The nongreasy formula of the creamy oil absorbs quickly—and it’s great for the whole family! ($3.99; target.com)

Old Remedies, New Uses This One’s for the Dads—and Teens

A super-gentle moisturizer, miniOrganic’s Superfine Jojoba can be used from cradle to parenthood.

Use it on babies during infant massage, to relieve cradle cap, or add a few drops to the bath. Meanwhile, moms can use it as makeup remover and for treating cuticles and nails.

What we’re most excited about is dads and teens can use it, too!

Encourage your hubby to use it postshave as a soothing balm. And the certified organic, vegan, cruelty-free moisturizer is gentle enough to use if you or your teen has acne-prone skin. ($38; miniorganics.com)

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January 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Inspired by proven, centuries-old remedies from various countries, Vivaiodays Rose Geranium Cleansing Water takes its cue from Zulu women healers, who use Rose Geranium leaves as a treatment. While formulated as a sanitizer for easy cleanup on the go, just add a bit to a cotton pad and use it as oil-free makeup remover. It’s ophthalmologistand dermatologist-tested, plus gluten- and cruelty-free, and certified vegan. Bonus: For every Vivaiodays product sold, the company donates money to fund a day of school for a deserving student somewhere in the world. ($14; vivaiodays.com)

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

HILLSDALE • MONTVALE

SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012

Class Is In!

After-School Activities

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

Resource Guide

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

SLOW DOWN!

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

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

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

What Makes a Good Mentor?

+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family

(see our calendar, p. 26)

(see our calendar, p. 32)

Events

Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

•

Dinosaur Fun

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

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

LI Parent full pg CSW 2019:Layout 1 12/18/18 3:48 PM Page 1

Catholic Schools Week Open Houses, Jan. 27-Feb. 2

See why a Catholic education is a better education.

Visit an Open House near you during Catholic Schools Week.

St. Martin of Tours School Amityville • www.smtschool.org St. Christopher School Baldwin • www.stchris-school.org St. Patrick School Bay Shore • www.spsbayshore.org St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School Bellmore • www.steas.com Our Lady of Providence Regional Central Islip • www.olprov.org Our Lady Queen of Apostles School Center Moriches • www.olqany.org Holy Family Regional School Commack • www.holyfamilyregional.com S S Cyril and Methodius School Deer Park • www.sscmweb.org St. Mary School East Islip • www.saintmaryschoolei.org Trinity Regional School East Northport • www.trinityregional.org

St. Raymond's School East Rockaway • www.srsny.org Our Lady of Victory School Floral Park • www.olvfp.org The De La Salle School* Freeport • www.delasalleschool.org St. Anne's School Garden City • www.stannesgcschool.org St. Joseph School Garden City • www.st-josephschool.com All Saints Regional Catholic School Glen Cove • www.asrcatholic.org Holy Family School Hicksville • www.hfsli.org Our Lady of Mercy School Hicksville • www.olmshicks.org St. Patrick School Huntington • www.stpathunt.org Long Beach Catholic Regional School Long Beach • www.lbcrs.org

Our Lady Of Peace School Lynbrook • www.olpschoollynbrook.org Our Lady of Lourdes School Malverne • www.ollmalverne.org Our Lady of Grace Montessori* Manhasset • www.olgmanhasset.com St. Mary's Elementary School Manhasset • www.stmary11030.org St. Rose of Lima School Massapequa • www.stroseschool.net Notre Dame School New Hyde Park • www.ndsnet.org Holy Child Academy* Old Westbury • www.holychildacademy.org St. Dominic Elementary School Oyster Bay • www.stdomsob.org Holy Angels Regional School Patchogue • www.holyangelsregional.org Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School Port Jefferson • www.olowregional.org

St. Peter of Alcantara School Port Washington • www.stpeterspw.org St. John Paul II Regional School Riverhead • www.sjp2regional.org St. Agnes Cathedral School Rockville Centre • www.stagnes-school.org St. Joseph School Ronkonkoma • www.stjoeronkelem.org Sts. Philip and James School St. James • www.sspjschool.net Maria Regina School Seaford • www.mariareginaschool.org St. William the Abbot School Seaford • www.stwilliamtheabbot.net St. Patrick School Smithtown • www.spssmith.org Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional Southampton • www.olhamptons.org St. Edward The Confessor School Syosset • www.stedwardconfessor.org

St. Martin De Porres Marianist School* Uniondale • www.stmartinmarianist.org St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional Westbury • www.stbolh.org St. Thomas the Apostle W Hempstead • www.stthomasschool.net St. Aidan School Williston Park • www.staidanschool.org Holy Name of Mary School Valley Stream • www.hnomschool.org *Private Schools