Westchester
Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM APRIL 2018
BIRTHDAY
BLOWOUT! Special Tips for Milestone Parties SpecialParent
Autism Awareness Month • Myths to Ignore • Keeping Happy as a Couple—Challenges and All
5 Easy Steps to a Cleaner, Greener Home
HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
WestchesterParent
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SUMMER CAMP 2018 IT'S ALL ABOUT
Thornton-Donovan School’s Summer Challenge
CAMP OPEN HOUSE DATES: Sunday, April 15, 2018; 2:00 - 4:00PM
Program Dates: July 2 - August 17, 2018 8:45 am to 3:45 pm
Ages 3-14
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$2,640
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$1,980
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100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle, NY
914.632.8836 www.td.edu WestchesterParent
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contents table of
Original photo by ›› PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)
april 2018
30 41
special needs 18 Autism Myths You Should Ignore
Build a Budget That Works
Here’s how to make a spending plan that covers the things you need—and helps you save for the things you want.
April Activities
Buy fresh produce at a local farmers’ market, root for the home (minor leage baseball) team, and more!
20 A Child on the Spectrum—and a Happy Marriage 22 Special Needs Directory
50
birthday parties 44 Planning a Blowout Birthday Party 46 Easy as Pie—Er...Cake
What Makes Toddlers Tick
This is why young children do the (sometimes) weird things they do.
raising kids
things to do
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Things Parents Should Know About Keeping Kids Healthy While Traveling 12 A Passion for the Performing Arts 50 What Makes Toddlers Tick 52 Is Your Child Ready to be a CIT? 54 Camps for Older Kids 58 Camps-at-a-Glance Chart 62 Party Central 64 Meet the Doctor 64 Open Houses 65 Party Planner and Advertisers’ Index 66 Quotables
14 Bubble Wand 32 Family Fun in Manhattan 33 Family Activities Calendar 41 April Activities
family life 26 Give Your Home a Health Check 30 Build a Budget That Works
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› facebook.com/nymetroparents
17 Autism Awareness Month 26 5 Easy Steps to a Cleaner, Greener Home
43 Birthday Blowout!
@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
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raising kids editor’s note
APRIL 2018 • Vol.17 • No.8
Special Times, Special Kids
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf
W
hen my daughter Clara turned 3, I planned an at-home party with a clown and cake. It seemed like the perfect idea—until the clown got lost on the way to our house. For 45 minutes, 20 bored preschoolers ran wildly around my living room. The clown finally arrived at the same time the pizza did, so I told her she’d have to wait till the kids were done eating. A few minutes later, I spied her through our front window: She’d set up a lawn chair in front of my neighbor’s house and was smoking a cigarette. My neighbor was freaking out at the sudden appearance of a random, smoking clown. It was a party I’ll never forget—and neither will the family next door! Birthday celebrations can be tons of fun, but only if they’re done right. That’s why I’m loving our birthday party section this month. “Planning a Blowout Birthday Party” by Samantha Neudorf (p. 44) reveals event planners’ secrets for throwing bashes, with advice on finding a venue, vendors, and more. “Easy as Pie—Er…Cake” (p. 46) features charming birthday cake recipes. In addition to extraordinary occasions, extraordinary kids are on our mind right now: April is Autism Awareness Month. Turn to our Special Parent section on p. 17 to read two thoughtful pieces: “Autism Myths to Ignore,” by Katelin Walling, which debunks harmful stereotypes about those on the autism spectrum, and “A Child on the Spectrum—and a Happy Marriage,” by Madeleine Burry. April is when Earth Day is observed. On p. 26, Emma Steven explores how to freshen your home by reducing toxins. We’ve also got a fresh look at toddlers’ quirky behaviors on p. 50. And you won’t want to miss Lambeth Hochwald’s story on p. 52, “Is Your Child Ready to be a CIT?” We explore the traits that make a kid a great counselor-in-training. Of course, this month also brings us Easter and Passover. Wishing a happy holiday to all of you observing, a fun and healthy spring to everyone, and not a smoking clown in sight! Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director, NYMetroParents
Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman
PRODUCTION
Investigative Feature: “An Unimaginable Tragedy” by Stacey Pfeffer (nymetroparents.com/infant-mortality)
DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth
MARKETING
MARKETING MANAGER: Jaime Graham PUBLISHING & MARKETING MANAGER: Tom McCann
ACCOUNTING
CONTROLLER: David Friedman
ADMINISTRATION
Profile: “Kids Making a Difference” by Julia Hyman (nymetroparents.com/making-a-difference)
CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith
Family Fun Column: Outings: “See the World in Miniature” at Gulliver’s Gate in Times Square by Katelin Walling (nymetroparents.com/gullivers-gate) and “Where Education and Inspiration Take Flight” at Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey by Caitlin Berens (nymetroparents.com/aviation-hall)
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192
Personal Essay: “Powerful Tunes” by Michaela Searfoorce (nymetroparents.com/powerful-tunes)
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Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, EJ Morales-Gomez, Linda Pierce
DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan
Investigative Feature: “Is Homework Necessary?” by Katelin Walling; Tony Diaz, designer (nymetroparents.com/no-homework)
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DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Leonard Porter, Christopher Regalado
We’re proud to announce that our print magazine and website won eight awards for editorial and digital excellence at the annual Parenting Media Association Awards Banquet last month in St. Petersburg, FL.
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REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Cintia Feliz, Caitlin Sawicki
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We Won! 8
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Melissa Wickes
Special Series: Me Time: “Battling Burnout” by Katelin Walling (nymetroparents.com/ battling-burnout) and “Extracurriculars vs. Extra Downtime” by Rosalind Muggeridge (nymetroparents.com/extracurriculars-vs-downtime)
Best E-Newsletter: NYMetroParents Weekend Planner (sign up at nymetroparents.com/register)
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Davler Media Group davlermedia.com
CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239
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raising kids new places, new programs
Adventures
Aerial Adventure Course to Open in Purchase
Courtesy Boundless
Who: Boundless Adventures What’s New: The outdoor, treetop park, which is scheduled to open March 31. The park’s nine courses, ranging from beginner to advanced, consist of 12-14 elements per course, including wobbly bridges, zip lines, and ladders. “[We’re] trying to create an aspirational brand where people build their self-esteem through this activity,” says Lorrie Funtleyder, owner. “Kids are always on their phones, and it’s a way to get families to interact and enjoy things together.” Boundless Adventures is suitable for ages 7 and older. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 6. Want More Info: 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase; 914-893-4550; boundlessadventures.net
Bill Bramswig
Lorrie Funtleyder, ow ner of Boundless Adv entures, says the par their phones and soc k will get kids off ial media, and get the m outside and active .
White Plains Dance School to Add Programs to Summer Camp Who: Steffi Nossen School of Dance What’s New: Three dance programs, which will be offered as part of the studio’s summer programs. Story Book Camp, for ages 3-5, will run in five weeklong sessions from June 11-July 20. Campers will create dances, play instruments, and do crafts—all inspired by classic children’s stories. Dance Camp, for first-fifth grades, will run for two weeks, July 9-20. Campers will learn modern, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater dance styles, as well as dance history and composition. The adaptive dance programs, part of Moving Wheels & Heels, will be held in full-day sessions for adults (June 1823) and half-day sessions for kids and teens (June 25-28). Want More Info: 216 N. Central Ave., White Plains; 914-328-1900; steffinossen.org 8
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
l of Dance’s Story Book and Dance Children enrolled in Steffi Nossen Schoo end of the camp sessions. the at learn camps will showcase what they
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raising kids in the know
5 Things Parents Should Know About Keeping Kids Healthy While Traveling ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva with Zak Zarbock, M.D.
I
t’s no secret that when traveling you put yourself at risk for getting sick. Your chances of catching a germ or two are pretty high—after all, you’ll be doing everything from mingling with crowds to breathing recycled air on the plane. And when you’re traveling with children, your chances of contracting a bug are even higher. After all, kids love to put their fingers in their mouths, roll on the floor, and do many other not-so-sanitary things. But there are precautions you can take when traveling with kids to ensure they (and you!) stay as healthy as possible. Below, Zak Zarbock, M.D., dad, pediatrician, and founder of Zarbee’s Naturals shares five ways you can keep kids healthy while traveling. Sanitize once you get past security. Most fliers are required to take off their shoes at airport security. With everyone touching the bottoms of their shoes, germs and bacteria are being transferred to their hands, and then on everything else they touch past that point. Quickly using a hand wipe just past security can go a long way toward keeping germs at a minimum. Be prepared. The best defense is a good offense. To ensure your family feels their best while on vacation, take a multivitamin
to fill any nutritional gaps in your diet. Also, focus on wholesome immune support ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc, and even elderberry. Wipe down contact points. When you get to your seat (both at the gate and on the plane), quickly wipe down the arm rests, handles, and any side or tray tables before you settle in. You’ll feel better knowing your kid’s food, drinks, snacks, toys, and activities will be handled with clean hands and only come into contact with fresh surfaces. Hydrate. Make sure you and your family drink lots of water. Planes are known to dehydrate people, and keeping hydrated will make everyone less vulnerable to dry skin, eyes, and mouths. Consider bringing a refillable water bottle or getting bottled water at the airport so you are prepared for the entire flight. Wash your hands. No one wants to arrive at their destination only to find an illness coming on, so hand washing is a no brainer, and soap and water are always best to fight germs you might pick up en route to your destination. If soap and water aren’t available, I recommend using a baby wipe on the hands, followed by hand sanitizer.
Father and pediatrician Zak Zarbock, M.D., was inspired to create Zarbee’s Naturals after looking for alternative wellness products, only to realize there weren’t many wholesome, safe, and chemical-free options on the shelf. After some research, tests, and trials (with his own boys sharing their input), Zarbee’s Naturals was born.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
TWIN LAKES FARM "Where Westchester Learns To Ride!"
Riding Camp! Girls & Boys Age 6 and Up Offering full-and half-day options Monday-Friday for campers Indoor and Outdoor Arenas • Daily Riding Instruction • Arts & Crafts Stable Management • Horsemanship • All In The Heart of Southern Westchester! Contact Us: 960 California Road Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 961-2192 • Camp@TwinLakesFarm.com • www.TwinLakesFarm.com A Facility of the County of Westchester Department of Parks and Recreation
INSPIRING A LOVE OF LEARNING TODDLERS THROUGH 8TH GRADE CALL US TO SCHEDULE A TOUR 914.636.6202
www.hudsoncountry.org ESTABLISHED 1972 | 340 QUAKER RIDGE ROAD NEW ROCHELLE, NY 10804
WestchesterParent 11
raising kids voices
A Passion for the Performing Arts ›› How sharing my interest in the arts helped me become a better parent. By Darren Critz
Courtesy Darren Critz
T
hough nothing has been disastrous (yet), I have managed to mess up many aspects of parenthood. A good example: Easter. Somewhere along the way, I began referring to the Easter Bunny as Peter—he bizarrely morphed with Peter Rabbit for a reason I can’t remember. To avoid a Sunday morning food-coloring feast because of my own aversion to chemicals in food dye, Peter would steal the Easter eggs from our house rather than leave them out to be found and consumed. Perhaps even more reflective of my failures is the fact that this alternate history about the Easter Bunny came about at all, since my family has been Jewish as far back as anyone can remember. Spoiler alert: Jews don’t celebrate Easter. But I have done a lot of things right, too. I’ve demystified swearing and curse words, taught my daughter that avant-garde jazz isn’t always as terrible as people say it is, and, perhaps most importantly, I’ve helped instill in her a love for the performing arts. From practically the moment she was born, I’ve been bringing my daughter to events, both at Symphony Space and all around the city. I’ve made efforts to make the arts a regular part of her life, and not just a once-a-year visit to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes (thereby avoiding Christmas-specific events and balancing out the whole Jewish/Easter thing, I suppose). I’ve taken her to music concerts that spanned genres, from rock to jazz to classical and just about everything in between. We’ve attended a ton of dance performances, seeing everything from tap to ballet to percussive dance. And we’ve been to more theatrical events than I can count. The results have made a huge impact on her life. We’ve had discussions about what it takes to write songs and compose music, and where the different styles of music originated. I’ve watched her choreograph dances for stuffed animals and our cat after viewing dance performances (great stuff, despite the erratic performances by the lazy stuffed bears and the overly entitled cat, who studied briefly with Balanchine—as if we needed to hear that story again for the billionth time!). I’ve also witnessed her take the things she’s seen and apply some amazing thoughts and questions to the world outside of the performances: How do bands decide where to put their instruments onstage? How do puppeteers transport their fragile-looking puppets without breaking them? How do performers create funny voices, and is that what the actor sounds like in real life? And the results have helped her in school as well. Why write yet another story about a turtle, when a critique of the lighting for
Darren Critz and his daughter Regan
that circus show is so much more interesting? Don’t think math is important? How are you going to settle up with the venue for your 80-percent cut of the merchandise profits if you can’t figure out how to calculate percentages? (She’s way into money—the little capitalist!) All of this is to say the arts have helped shape her as a thinker and communicator in ways I could never have done as successfully without their assistance. Sure, you could argue there’s another dad out there who lets his kids eat the damn eggs crawling with Yellow Dye No. 6 (aka benzenesulphonic acid, treated with hydrochloric acid and sodium nitrite), and whose preference for baseball means he can testify that sports have had the same effect on his child as the arts has on mine. But I guess that kind of just strengthens what I’m saying, right? When we find ways to share our passions, hobbies, loves, and interests with our children, we bond in ways we could never imagine, help expand our children’s minds, and become more communicative, responsive parents as a result. Thanks, arts! Thanks, baseball! And thanks, Easter Bunny, for burying your eggs in Mr. McGregor’s garden and not in mine!
Darren Critz is director of Performing Arts Programs at Symphony Space, a performing arts center on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He curates Symphony Space’s Just Kidding series, which will have its final performance for this season March 24. The 2018-2019 season will begin in October, with such performances as New Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s The Rainbow Fish in October, Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower in December, and more family performances most weekends through March 2019.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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Mosholu Day Camp/MMCC Located at Lake Cohasset in Harriman State Park 261 Arden Valley Road, Southfield, NY 10975 CALL: 845.243.0751 VISIT: mosholudaycamp.com
WestchesterParent 13
things to do
diy corner
Bubble Wand
If you’ve ever walked through Central Park when it’s nice outside, you’ve likely seen the guys making giant bubbles. Without fail, the kids nearby go crazy for the bubbles—trying to pop them, catch them, and even cajoling the bubblemaker to allow them to try making some. So why not bring that uninhibited joy and enthusiasm to your backyard by making your own bubble wand? Lowe’s— yes, the home improvement store—shared its how-to to create a heart-shaped bubble wand with a few simple materials. And if hearts aren’t your kids’ favorite shape, have them help you create different ones, real or imagined. The bubble-making possibilities are endless!
Tools & Materials Wire cutters Pliers Drill and bit set Duct tape or electrical tape
Galvanized 14-gauge wire, 100 feet ½-by-48-inch dowel Loctite Super Glue Water heater pan (optional)
Instructions 1. Make bubble solution by mixing ½ cup of water, ½ cup of dishwashing liquid, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. (Multiply these quantities to make the amount of solution you’ll need.) Allow the mixture to sit overnight before using. 2. Drill a hole sized to the diameter of your wire (about 1/16 inch) into the end of a dowel. Make the hole as deep as your bit will go. 3. Cut a 5-foot piece of 14-gauge wire and straighten it as much as possible. Apply glue to the hole, insert one end of the wire into the hole, and let dry. 4. Heart-shaped loop in bubble wand: Form the shape of a heart using gentle curves, and bring the other end of the wire back to the handle. Wrap that end around the wire where it enters the dowel and then around the end of the dowel. Check the end for sharp edges and cover with duct or electrical tape, if necessary. 5. Pour the bubble solution into a shallow tray such as a saucer-shape sled or water heater pan. (A 20-inch pan with the drain hole plugged works well but requires a large amount of bubble solution.) Project and image courtesy Lowe’s
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
ABOUT WESTCHESTER SUMMER DAY WSD OFFERS CHILDREN ENTERING NURSERY THROUGH 6TH GRADE A FUN, SAFE AND EXCITING ENVIRONMENT ALL INFUSED WITH JEWISH CULTURE & ZIONIST VALUES. Our program includes boating and sailing on the Long Island Sound, in-ground heated pools, superior sports program, robotics, arts & crafts, rock climbing, zip lining, and exciting trips in house kosher catering, plus much more!
2018 SEASON: JUNE 25TH - AUGUST 16TH TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF OUR 26 ACRES: CALL US! PHONE: 914-698-8900 EXT: 153 856 Orienta Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 www.westchesterday.org/WSD registration2018
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WestchesterParent 15
2018 Summer Camp www.computeradventures.com
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
CT WP 1-2p 4-18 Camp.indd 1
3/6/18 5:46 PM
inside
SpecialParent
online extras Chase Bailey, a teen with autism, hosts his own YouTube cooking channel and published a cookbook. Read more, and find some of his recipes, at ›› nymetroparents.com/chase-bailey
Your child with autism wants to form a secure bond with you, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. Learn how to understand signals at ›› nymetroparents.com/autism-connection
Advocates are pushing for a stop to the R-word. Find out how, and what you can do to help at ›› nymetroparents.com/r-word
Going out to dinner with a child who has autism can be very stressful. Find tips from a mom who’s been there at ›› nymetroparents.com/autism-dining
autism awareness month
18 A utism Myths to Ignore: There are a lot of stereotypes about autism spectrum disorder that just aren’t true—here are the five biggest misconceptions. Child on the Spectrum—and a 20 A Happy Marriage Your child’s diagnosis can be challenging to your marriage. Experts share how to keep your bond strong. pecial Needs Directory: Find 22 S resources in Westchester County for your child with special needs
Despite what many people may think, people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder do like spending time with peers. In fact, interacting with people on the spectrum is the best way to battle these misconceptions.
Autism Myths You Should Ignore
››
There are a lot of stereotypes about autism spectrum disorder that just aren’t true—here are the five biggest misconceptions. By Katelin Walling
W
hile the awareness of autism spectrum disorder has grown due to social media, increased research, Autism Awareness Month, and more, there are still many misconceptions about ASD, from its causes to the characteristics and abilities of those on the spectrum. As its name denotes, autism is a spectrum, meaning not everyone diagnosed with autism displays the same traits, exhibits the same behaviors, or has the same abilities—just like you or me. So applying blanket statements to those on the spectrum would be like saying girls can’t throw or boys don’t cry. We spoke to experts about stereotypes of ASD, and uncovered the truth behind five big misconceptions about the disorder and those diagnosed with it.
Myth 1: Vaccines cause autism.
Unfortunately we do still hear the misconception that autism is related to vaccinations, commonly the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination, says Sarah Kuriakose, Ph.D., BCBA-D, clinical assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. “Not only was the initial study that showed that a fraudulent study, but follow-up studies have debunked that many times,” she explains. There are other concerns that autism is caused by “various environmental factors that a pregnant mother may be exposed to and in utero some of those environmental causative factors may have somehow affected the fetus,” says John Pfeifer, senior director of Clinical Services and the Family Center for Autism, part of Life’s WORC, a Long Island nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities and autism. “There’s still ongoing research about the expansion of electromagnetic technology and various environmental chemicals and such that may be at play, but not knowing everything in the environment that may be affecting a fetus, either seen or unseen, makes it hard to decipher that.” 18
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
“What we do know about autism is there seems to be a genetic component, and about ten to twenty percent of cases with ASD are linked to an identified genetic disorder,” says Dr. Kuriakose, who is also senior director of the NYU Langone Autism and Developmental Neuroscience Initiative and the clinical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical and Research Program at NYU’s Child Study Center. “We anticipate that that number will go up with more genetics research. But even in identical twins, the concordance rate is not one-hundred percent, so we know there is some factor that is not genetic as well.”
Myth 2: People on the spectrum are anti-social and don’t have feelings.
Dr. Kuriakose says parents, teachers, and even doctors will tell her things like, “that child can’t have autism because…he’s affectionate, …she makes eye contact, or …he’s interested in other kids.” “So what can end up happening is people have this very blackand-white picture that a person with autism is someone who is anti-social and isn’t interested in other people,” she says. “We know that those aren’t necessarily true.” Yet thanks to this persistent myth, a child who does have autism might not be given a diagnosis—his parents may be hanging on to the fact that their child is affectionate though he is struggling in other ways. “It is often thought that people with autism don’t have feelings, which is a very sad misconception and very far from the truth,” adds Janet Koch, CEO of Life’s WORC. “They are capable of having loving relationships with family members and friends.”
Myth 3: People with autism exhibit challenging and/or maladaptive behaviors. “It’s not fair to say that challenging behaviors are inherent in the di-
agnosis,” Pfeifer says. “They are often a byproduct of ineffective treatment of some of the things that are inherent in the diagnosis, which are communication and socialization difficulties.” These behaviors could include flapping hands, rocking, or other self-stimulatory behaviors. “We still unfortunately have the misconception from previous media portrayals that kids with autism are nonverbal, are going to sit in the corner, and just rock or flap their hands,” Dr. Kuriakose says. As society becomes more educated about autism, people are learning about adapting communication efforts. “I have young children, and they’re learning in integrated classrooms about what these behaviors may mean. It could actually help a person [on the spectrum] to not escalate to such a significant behavior because they’ll be able to communicate more easily with people who have been taught how to communicate with them,” Koch says.
Myth 4: Those on the spectrum are savants and/or are fixated on one topic.
The media commonly portrays those with autism as being savants or having restricted interest in a singular subject area: Sam Gardner in Netflix’s Atypical and Shaun Murphy in ABC’s The Good Doctor are two recent portrayals. “Certainly we have kids and adults with autism who have an amazing depth of knowledge in a particular area, incredible memory, incredible pattern recognition skills, things like that that are going to set them up for a particular career,” Dr. Kuriakose says, but not all people on the spectrum show these characteristics. In fact, the most recent criteria for an ASD diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fall into two categories: social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRB). There are four traits that fall under the RRB category—repetitive speech or behavior/mannerisms, restricted interest, sensory challenges, and difficulty with transitions or insistence on sameness—and a person needs to only exhibit two of the RRB traits (and meet criteria from the social communication category) to receive a diagnosis of autism, according to Dr. Kuriakose. “So you could have a kid who has some sensory challenges and insistence on sameness without any restricted interest at all and you could still have the diagnosis,” she says.
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Myth 5: People with ASD can’t go to college, have jobs, or get married.
Because some people with autism may struggle with social situations, have communication challenges, and have difficulty with flexibility, there’s the misconception that they will not be able to attend higher education, have a job, or get married and have kids. “There are lots of examples of folks with autism who do successfully do those things, and the big thing that’s important is it’s all about the supports the environment can provide,” Dr. Kuriakose says. When working with a patient who is looking at colleges or employment opportunities, Dr. Kuriakose looks for a setting that is supportive of that patient’s strengths and challenges. In fact, “a lot of individuals with autism are actually really great, dedicated, passionate employees, but it has to be a setting that can understand that they might process information and interact in ways that are slightly different from typical.” In terms of getting married, Dr. Kuriakose says there are quite a few instances where she’s diagnosed a child with autism, and a few months later their parent will observe that they’re seeing some of the same characteristics in themselves or another family member. “And these are all people who had families,” she says. So how can we continue to combat these and other myths about people on the spectrum? “Just like with any other group, you shed your misconceptions when you have more close relationships with people in that group,” Dr. Kuriakose says. “And so I really would encourage people to engage with lots of individuals with autism.” WestchesterParent 19
A Child on the Spectrum—and a Happy Marriage ››
Your child’s diagnosis can be challenging to your relationship. Experts share how to keep your bond strong. By Madeleine Burry
H
ere’s a fundamental truth: Being married with children is wonderful and rewarding—but also really, really hard. And for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, raising a child is a whole other level of difficulty. More and more moms and dads face this situation; 1 in 68 children have ASD, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s a diagnosis that’s life changing for the entire family. “The diagnosis of a child with autism and the breakdown in communication create a major strain on a marriage,” says Alisha Griffith, Aud.D., CCC-SLP, autism parenting coach, author of Au-mazing Gift: A Journey to Autism Acceptance, and mom to an 11-year-old son with autism. That sounds ominous. Marriage is hard enough without additional stress or strain. And it’s true: The time-consuming daily grind of parenting a child on the spectrum, along with the financial and emotional burden involved, can take over moms’ and dads’ lives, leaving little time to nurture your partnership. Neglecting a marriage does not tend to lead to good things. In fact, for years, despite no actual scientific source, people thought the divorce rates were significantly higher—80 percent—for parents of children on the spectrum. A 2010 study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute debunked the anecdotal rumor. The reality: The divorce rate for parents is the same, regardless of whether they have a child with ASD or not. That points to something reassuring: Maintaining a healthy, happy marriage as a parent of a child on the spectrum may be challenging, but it’s definitely doable. We spoke to experts—couples therapists, coaches, and psychiatrists who are deeply familiar with the impact of this diagnosis on relationships—to find out practical tips to help your marriage stay strong. 20
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Pick a Path Together
Often, parents react to a diagnosis in very different ways: One parent may seek to become an expert, researching the condition constantly, while the other is subsumed by emotions, feeling sorrow, grief, and frustration. “There’s a misalignment in this response that creates distance,” says Tracy Ross, LCSW, a couples and family therapist who specializes in treating parents of children on the spectrum. How can couples feel united in this fragmented moment? If it’s a matter of disagreeing over next steps, pick an expert and trust her to steer your path forward, recommends Gail Saltz, M.D., psychiatrist and author of The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius. “To some degree, it’s useful to pick your maven and go with that. Pick someone you really both can feel confident in and then let them direct some of that decision-making,” she says. This is also a moment to sharpen your communication skills, discussing everything from feelings to treatment. That can be harder than it sounds (there’s a reason we praise preschoolers and kindergarteners when they’re good listeners; listening isn’t easy!). Schedule time for judgment-free conversations, recommends Dr. Griffith. “Respect the role of speaker and listener. Take turns to truly listen to each other. Create rules for a safe conversation,” she says, so it doesn’t break down in screams or stony silence.
Make Sure Work is Shared
Typically, one parent becomes the primary caretaker for a child on the spectrum, Dr. Saltz says. (Yes, it’s usually the mom.) And that’s fine, so long as both parents have responsibilities and acknowledge each other’s contributions. “Caretaking doesn’t have to be fifty-fifty,” Dr. Saltz says,
but without participation from both moms and dads, resentment festers. Ross adds that it’s helpful to recognize your spouse’s talents. Consider how your partner can help you become a better parent, and where your different skills can be most helpful to your child. “You can’t both be working on the same thing—there’s just too much to do. Divide and conquer is really better,” Ross says.
Bring Back Date Night (Or Day)
Your child can easily become the focus of your every conversation, activity, and thought. And, doing otherwise may induce feelings of guilt (I shouldn’t go to the movies when I have that towering pile of paperwork to tackle). But your marriage requires attention, too. “Make sure you do carve out time to do pleasurable things together and do not spend every waking moment on your child,” Dr. Saltz says. “You have to keep your relationship interesting and spicy. You were married way before you were a parent, so you still have to nurture your marriage,” Dr. Griffith says. To that end, put date night on the calendar, just like any other important appointment. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your child with a caretaker, or can’t afford one, Dr. Griffith suggests shifting date night to date day—after you drop your child off at school, skip out of your responsibilities for a few hours in favor of a long lunch, coffee at your local café, a walk in the park, or a trip to the museum or movies together.
Develop a Support System
It can be deeply lonely to be a parent of a child with ASD. “Parents who don’t have kids with special needs don’t know how hard it is. [They] don’t know what you go through,” says Jennifer Kaufman, an occupational therapist who works in NYC public schools and mom to a 9-year-old son who is on the spectrum. “When you have a typical child, you meet other families with
kids and your world expands, but when you have a kid on the spectrum your world can constrict, and that’s harder,” Ross says. Simple social gatherings—like a trip to the park or a birthday party—are difficult for kids who are on the spectrum. That leads many parents to just opt out. “Parents with kids on the spectrum get embarrassed, feel judged, feel upset, so they tend to isolate which can cause stress,” Ross says. Instead of RSVPing no until the invites end, Ross recommends educating the people around you: Have a conversation with friends about what to expect from your child, and how to talk to their own child about being around kids on the spectrum. As well as maintaining pre-existing relationships, look to make new connections. “Find other parents who may be having a similar struggle, so you have a community to be able to talk to about these [struggles],” Dr. Saltz says. Ross recommends seeking out parent groups.
Consider Volunteering
It can feel relieving and world opening to raise money or volunteer for autism-related causes, Dr. Saltz says. “Doing volunteer work together can be helpful and bonding,” she says. Immersed in therapy, testing, and schedules, it’s easy to neglect caring for your marriage—but it’s not a small thing to overlook. As Ross points out, “It’s not a luxury to work on your relationship. It’s really important for the adults and the whole family.” Having a strong partnership reduces the likelihood of burnout, and allows you to do more on behalf of your children. So go ahead: Enjoy some time with your spouse, and make your partnership a top priority. Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor, covering everything from parenting to open data to workplace productivity. She’s held staff positions at Parents.com, Scholastic, and About.com. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.
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WestchesterParent 21
Special Needs Directory Advanced Endodontics of Westchester, PLLC
222 Westchester Ave., Suite 402, White Plains 914-946-2218 x107 359 E. Main St., Suite 3H, Mount Kisco 914-666-0707 x207 westchesterendo.com Children and adults with special needs can have unique issues when it comes to their oral health. They benefit the most from seeing a dentist who specifically caters to these patients. Here at Advanced Endodontics of Westchester, we have a specialized sedation center to meet the needs of these patients. Some patients may require nitrous oxide during their root canal therapy, while others need general anesthesia with our boardcertified anesthesiologist. Our goal is to be able to treat each patient in a safe and comfortable manner while performing root canal therapy with the highest quality care.
Camp Huntington
56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington, a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism and related developmental and learning disabilities, and ADD. Ability levels mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer and certain weekends during the year. Programs offer structured daily activities designed to be safe, learning-based, fun, and rewarding. Positive reinforcement motivates children to be happy and participate meaningfully. Activities encourage improvement in self-management and independence, and advancement in social and life skills. camphuntington.com.
Center for Autism and the Developing Brain New York Presbyterian-Westchester Division
21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains 914-997-5587 md3636@cumc.columbia.edu The Center for Autism and the Developing Brain in White Plains is recruiting children ages 5-17 with autism and an IQ of more than 70 to participate in the aV1ation study. The purpose of this study is to test whether an investigational medicine improves social functioning in children with ASD. Families will not have to pay for any study-related treatments, lab tests, or assessments. Participation lasts up to 39 weeks, and families will be reimbursed $50 per visit.
If interested, contact Micah Davoren at md3636@cumc.columbia.edu or call 914997-5587.
Dicker Reading Center of Westchester
75 Brook St., Scarsdale 914-472-0600 dickerreading.com Our revolutionary reading program will teach any child to read, even children diagnosed with a learning disability, dyslexia, ADD, or ADHD. Whether your child is reading above, below, or at grade level, they will accomplish three to six years of reading achievement in just one year. Parents will see immediate improvement in reading achievement, comprehension, and vocabulary development. More than 10,000 children from preschool to 12th grade have accomplished these remarkable results. Your child’s grades, confidence, and self-esteem will soar as he or she learns to love reading and school.
Huntington Learning Center
Eastchester Eastchester Shopping Center 721 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-6100 Scarsdale 650 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-946-7800 Yorktown Heights 335 Downing Drive, Yorktown Heights 914-245-8882 Nanuet 58 E. Route 59, Nanuet 845-624-6800 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the leader in K-12th tutoring and test prep. Our certified tutors provide children with individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. We also help prep students for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington’s proven programs help children develop the skills, confidence, and motivation needed for academic success. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn more about our mission at huntingtonhelps.com.
Main Street Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Penny Resnick-Graulich
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drpennydds@aol.com Dr. Penny Resnick-Graulich has been practicing children’s dentistry in Westchester for more than 20 years. Dr. Penny and her amazing staff pride themselves on making the entire dental experience a positive one for children, infants through teens, and their parents. They help anxious children feel secure during dental treatment and make every patient feel calm, confident, and comfortable, while promoting optimal oral health care. Special attention is given to those children with medical, physical, emotional, and mental disabilities. Their goal is to make your child an expert in preventative dentistry.
Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Music Therapy Institute Serving Multiple Disabilities and Offering a Variety of Services and Creative Arts Therapies 216 Central Ave., White Plains 914-761-3900 musicconservatory.org info@musiced.org Since 1986, the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Music Therapy Institute has been the largest provider of professional music therapy services in the greater Westchester region. Board-certified music therapists work individually and in small groups with more than 2,000 children and adults each year. The institute provides music therapy programs and adapted instruction on-site at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, as well as throughout the county through the institute’s extensive outreach program.
Otto Specht School
260 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-352-5020 x130 ottospechtschool.org info@ottospecht.org At the Otto Specht School, we work to discover each child’s path to lifelong learning, offering a variety of educational programs designed to meet the needs of students with developmental delays, social and sensory sensitivities, and learning challenges. We have looked beyond both typical and special educational models to provide an extraordinary education to those who need it most. We offer kindergarten, first-eighth grades, high school (with the opportunity to earn a diploma), High School Practical Life Skills (certificate program), and Transitional Life Skills (postsecondary program). continued on page 24 ››
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If you or your child are between 3 and 40 years of age, you can play an important role in research by participating in our study to help us learn about brain development. The McPartland Lab at the Yale School of Medicine is seeking individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Typically Developing children and adults. Participants will receive a clinical evaluation and report, as well as compensation up to $350. To learn more, contact Erin MacDonnell at autism@yale.edu or (203) 737-3439. Scan for more info HELP US DISCOVER | Be Part of Clinical Research at Yale.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
216 Central Park Ave., White Plains 914-328-1900 Church of St. Mary the Virgin South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua steffinossen.org At the Steffi Nossen School of Dance everyone can dance. People with special needs have their own classes to experience the joy of dance or be mainstreamed as appropriate. In Moving Wheels & Heels adaptive dance for stand-ups and sit-downs, selected “Best of Westchester” by Westchester Magazine, participants learn technique, improve focus, balance, and range of motion, and enjoy a social experience in a warm, supportive atmosphere. Most classes have live music, and typical siblings are encouraged to participate. Check out adaptive dance camps for kids age 4 and older.
Westchester Creative Arts Therapy Services
16 Villard Ave., Hastings 914-476-7662 wcats.org Westchester Creative Arts Therapy Services is a source for high-quality music and art therapy services. Westchester CATS provides Saturday
group sessions at its location in Hastings as well as art and music therapy for interested agencies and schools in Westchester and neighboring areas.
Westchester Therapy Solutions
450 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 412, Harrison 914-686-3116 wtstherapy.com WTS has grown to become one of Westchester’s leading pediatric therapy providers. Westchester Therapy Solutions has provided outstanding Pediatric OT, PT, SpeechLanguage, and Feeding therapies since 1990 under the direction of Donna Klein, founder and director. Its new therapy gym is full of stateof-the-art equipment and includes a pirate ship, climbing wall, toddler zone, school age play space, sensory exploration room, and speech clinic. Plenty of on-site parking is available and the cafeteria and day care center in the building ensure a convenient, well-rounded, and heartfelt experience for children and their families.
Yale Child Study Center - Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC-CT) 40 Temple St., New Haven, CT 203-737-3439 asdbiomarkers.org autism@yale.edu If you or your child are between 3-40 years of age, you can play an important role in research by participating in our study to help us learn about brain development. The McPartland Lab at the Yale School of Medicine is seeking individuals with autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or typically developing children and adults. Participants will receive a clinical evaluation and report, as well as compensation up to $350. To learn more, contact Erin MacDonnell at autism@yale. edu or 203-737-3439.
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Some plants, such as Spider Plants, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Peace Lilies, Aloe Vera, and Garden Mums are natural air purifiers, according to NASA. So this Earth Day, why not take your kids to pick out a little greenery for your home?
Give Your Home a Health Check ›› Five simple steps to reducing environmental toxins around your house
D
o you want to detox your home but don’t know where to start? Got a couple of green products in your kitchen but want to know what else you should you be doing? Consider this: The average family is exposed to thousands of environmental toxins and the majority of this occurs in the home. The good news? There are simple things you can do to make your living space greener and healthier for your family. “The first point I would say is don’t get overwhelmed,” reassures Nneka Leibe, director of healthy living science at the Environmental Working Group. “There are simple changes that can make an impactful difference.” Here are five expert-approved priority tasks you can do in your home to go a little greener:
Improve your air quality.
“One thing people don’t realize is that the indoor air is a poorer quality than the outdoors. Even in cities,” says Maia James, green home consultant and founder of gimmethegoodstuff.org. In fact, indoor air is as much as two to five times more polluted than air outside. “A lot of people are thinking about the pollution they are exposed to outdoors,” Leibe says. “When we started to dig into the products we have indoors, we realized that a lot of the things we have in our home and furniture either release chemicals or are made with chemicals that we suggest to avoid.” Don’t panic: You can improve your air quality quickly by replacing many of the items below. 26
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
By Emma Steven
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), especially the flexible kind found in products such as shower curtains, toys, raincoats, and kids’ mattress covers. Made from extremely toxic chemicals called dioxins, flexible PVC releases phthalates, which are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). As their name suggests, EDCs can interfere with hormones and the organs that produce them, such as the thyroid and reproductive system. EDCs also may be linked to health problems including cancers, thyroid problems, infertility, developmental delays, and possible immune system changes, according to the World Health Organization. Plus, a 2013 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a link between phthalates and asthma. Flame-retardants. Another group of EDCs, these are found in the polyurethane foam in couches, pillows, mattresses, children’s products, and upholstered furniture. The most toxic flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers aka PBDEs) were banned in 2006, so older furniture is more dangerous. Many pieces of furniture are now made without flame-retardants; look for the TB117-2013 label or call the manufacturer to check. Although it’s not always possible to replace large pieces due to cost, try to prioritize children’s mattresses and pillows—kids spend a lot of time sleeping with their faces next to them. Conventional cleaning products and air fresheners. Many of the cleaning products and air fresheners in our homes contain chemicals that are released into the air, such as ammonia (an asthma trigger), quaternary ammonium compounds (may cause birth defects), and synthetic fragrance (contains phthalates), according
to Leibe. However, manufacturers rarely put the full ingredient list on the side of the bottle. Check the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/guides/cleaners) or apps such as Good Guide to find out what’s in your kitchen cabinet. Thankfully, there are now many safer choices in stores. Dry cleaning uses perchloroethylene or PERC, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers to be a carcinogen. PERC can remain on your clothes and is released into the air during cleaning. If you can’t avoid dry cleaning completely, James recommends airing dry-cleaned clothes outside before bringing them inside, and looking for dry cleaners that use a liquid carbon dioxide or silicone method instead. Traditional building supplies. The EPA warns that paints, sealants, and adhesives can release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene into the air, even when you can no longer smell them. VOCs are known to cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system; and are a suspected carcinogen, according to the EPA. Choose low and non-VOC products or buy a VOC sealant to paint over the top. Keep children and pregnant women away from painting or sealing projects. Particle wood and MDF releases small amounts of formaldehyde into the air from the glues that hold it together, according to the EPA. If real wood isn’t an option, choose a product that is GreenGuard or California Phase 2 compliant for a low emission standard. Furniture with waterproof or stain-guard finishes. These are made with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) that have been linked in multiple studies, including a 2015 study from Maternal-Infant
Research on Environmental Chemicals, to health problems such as infertility, cancer, and thyroid disease. Chemical pesticides. Children’s exposure to insecticides in the home increases their risk of developing leukemia or lymphoma, according to a meta-analysis published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Use natural methods instead. Synthetic carpet can emit many toxins including VOCs, PFCs, and EDCs. Choose wool rugs and wood floors, but make sure your rug doesn’t contain toxic glues or PVC, and use non-VOC sealants on wood floors. If using carpet, look for one certified as low VOC. Lead paint, asbestos, and radon gas are known toxins or deadly carcinogens and require specialist removal or mitigation. Lead is commonly found in paint in buildings built before 1978, asbestos is found in building supplies and insulation, and radon gas is naturally occurring. Visit epa.gov for details on how to get your home tested—and never attempt to remove these substances yourself. If you want to go one step further, James recommends investing in an air filter to actively clean the air. For a low-fi option, you can add wool rugs and plants—both have been shown in studies to be natural VOC absorbers. And don’t forget to open your windows every day!
Reduce household dust.
Those dust bunnies may look harmless, but nasties like lead, phthalates, BPA, flame-retardants, PFCs, and chemicals from cleaning products lurk in them. Gary Ginsberg, Ph.D., an assistant professor and toxicologist at Yale School of Public Health, has continued on next page ››
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‹‹ continued from previous page
studied household dust extensively. He says dust is a key source of children’s exposure to contaminants at home, with levels of phthalates, lead, and flame-retardants in dust relating closely to levels in blood and urine. Children and babies ingest a lot because they spend more time on the floor and put things in their mouths. They are also much smaller and still developing, so toxins have a much bigger potential impact on their health. Vacuum regularly using a HEPA filter vacuum, wet-mop floors, and wipe down surfaces. Fit filters to heating and air-conditioning units, take off your shoes when you get home, and use a doormat to reduce the amount of outdoor dust and soil coming into your home.
Buy a water filter.
“Another small change that is really impactful is purchasing a water filter,” Leibe says. The quality of tap water can vary widely, so it’s important to check yours via your water utility’s website or a resource like the EWG Tap Water Database (ewg.org/tapwater). Just make sure to regularly clean the water container and change the filter.
Switch to cleaner personal care items.
Many beauty products contain small amounts of chemicals, including EDCs and lead. James recommends starting with the products that are used the most often and on the biggest areas such as moisturizers, sunscreen, and shampoos. Many people are surprised to hear the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing for personal care and cosmetic products, so it’s up to the consumer to check labels. The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database (ewg.org/ skindeep) is a great resource for researching ingredients as are apps such as Think Dirty, which let you check on the go.
Ditch plastic and non-stick cookware.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Replace plastic bottles with stainless steel or glass. The dangers of BPA are well known, but the plastics used to replace it (like bisphenol S aka BPS) are also thought to contain EDCs, according to the EWG and James. Never heat food in the microwave in plastic as this can lead to chemicals such as phthalates leaching into it, and replace non-stick cookware as these are made with PFCs.
Don’t obsess.
All of the experts interviewed were keen to emphasize that we should not be lying awake at night (on our non-organic mattresses) panicking. “I know it’s hard to not freak out about this stuff as you begin to educate yourself,” James says. “But it’s helpful to remember that it’s all about cumulative risk. No one item in the home is going to make or break your family’s health.” “It’s not a life or death situation,” Dr. Ginsberg agrees. “There are a lot of low-level risks out there. We are doing much better today than we were when I was a kid. We don’t want to overwhelm people because then [they] will be paralyzed.” “All of these changes combine to reduce our body burden of chemical exposure,” Leibe adds. “They’re small changes but very, very important to reducing the number of chemicals we’re exposed to that lead to adverse health impacts.” The onus is now on us, as consumers, to do the legwork to find out what’s in the things we use. “The biggest piece of advice is that because of lapses in regulation, parents have to become amateur investigators,” Leibe concludes. “They can’t rely on claims and advertising hype.” By increasing your knowledge and making smart choices, it is possible to make your home a greener and healthier place. So you can sleep better in more ways than one! Emma Steven is a British freelance writer living in Manhattan with her husband, two small kids, and two cats.
eventh S r u O nd Year a g din Expan ion iss Our M
Our 12th Summer NOW OPEN
a seriously fun place for adopted children... Youths and Teens
in both New Rochelle & Port Washington
Camp Clio
Full Day & Half Day
Spend the summer on the Long Island Sound learning how to sail.
— Rain or Shine — • June 25 – July 6
Full Day Program: 9am – 4pm for Ages 8 to 16 Half Day Little Skippers Program: 9am – 12pm or 1pm – 4pm Ages 8 to 10
• July 9 - July 20 • July 23 – August 3 • August 6 – August 17
(Ages 9 - 12)
July 1 to July 21, 2018 (1, 2, or 3 weeks)
Sailing Camps
Four two-week Sessions:
Camp Clio Held at Camp Claire Lyme, CT
Camp Clio Teen
(Ages 13 - 16)
July 1-6 or July 7-13, 2018 (1 or 2 weeks) Held at Middlesex County Camp Moodus, CT
Counselor in Training (CIT) Program: Ages 15 and Older
Portsailing.com • 914-355-5400 • 22 Pelham Rd New Rochelle
A Special Night Out to Benefit the Museum! Its a Get-Your-Boogie-On, Dance the Night Away, Glow Fest! Games, Sound and Light Activities, Glowing MakerSpace, Mocktails & Munchies Tickets available at www.discoverwcm.org/rockin-rave
WestchesterParent 29
family life finances
Build A Budget That Works
››
Stop living from paycheck to paycheck! Here’s how to make a spending plan that covers the things you need—and helps you save for the things you want. By Katelin Walling
D
o you know how much, on average, you’ll spend each year on raising a child? $12,980, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture if your child was born in 2015. That’s $233,610 over the course of your child’s underage years, ages newborn to 17. For good measure, add in another $51,000 for projected inflation. And that’s not even taking into consideration how much you’ll need to save if you want to buy a house for your family, pay for a chunk of your children’s college educations, or contribute to your retirement. Oh, and speaking of college: Most parents in their 20s and 30s are paying off their student loans, too. Is thinking about all of these numbers making your head spin? Before you panic, consider doing this: making a budget. It will help you “create realistic goals by understanding your spending and savings behaviors and make sure you don’t spend more than you earn,” says Keri Danielski, consumer finance expert and spokeswoman for Intuit’s money management tools Mint and Turbo. If you’re hoping the magic fix is cutting your daily latte habit or bringing a lunch from home instead of buying a $15 salad, you’re 30
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
in for a rude awakening. While those small changes will certainly help you save money (as long as you actually save it), they’re only the start. What you really need to do is step back and take in the big picture of how much you earn—and spend. “I know a lot of people struggle with this, but it’s worth the struggle. I tell my clients all the time: This is the foundation to financial planning,” says Kristen Euretig, CFP, founder of Brooklyn Plans, a financial planning service geared toward women in their 20s to early 40s. “This is what’s coming in and going out every month, and if you can get this piece right, you can do everything else.” Before sitting down to tackle your finances, set yourself up for success by finding a system that both you and your partner feel comfortable using. “Whether it’s tracking everything manually in a spreadsheet or using a personal finance tracker like Mint to help track in real-time, you need something that works for you,” Danielski says. “This will make budgeting easier and more enjoyable for you.” Once you have a system figured out, creating your budget can be accomplished in four steps:
Know how much you’re bringing in. Before you and your partner can even think about determining how much money to allocate to various expenses, you need to know your total net annual income. That’s how much you’re both taking home after taxes. “When we go to create a budget, we automatically go to the expenses side,” Euretig says. “But that side is meaningless if you don’t have the right income number because that’s how you actually figure out if you can afford your monthly expenses. So that’s the first step.” The easiest way to figure out your total net annual income, if you’re salaried employees, is to multiply your last paycheck amount by however many pay periods are in a year. This will be a little trickier for freelancers, Euretig notes. Determine your current spending habits. “People tend to underestimate what they spend and overestimate what they save,” says Daniel D’Ordine, CFP, founder of DDO Advisory Services LLC, which offers financial planning, investment management, and insurance solutions for families and business owners in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and New England. “You have to get a very good sense of what your steady spending habits are.” He suggests reviewing 12 months of statements from credit cards and bank accounts to see what you actually spent in a year and on what. Categorize what you spent into fixed expenses (rent, transportation or commute, groceries, utilities, child care, etc.) and discretionary expenses (takeout, entertainment, clothes, gym memberships, vacations, birthday parties, etc.). Then use the total amount you spent in the past year as a baseline to determine an average monthly expenditure. “It’s as simple as knowing that we spend around $8,500 a month all-in,” D’Ordine says. This will help you figure out how much of your total net monthly income you have left over to save for various goals. Figure out your goals. First and foremost, D’Ordine suggests bulking up your emergency fund if you don’t have one. He advises keeping approximately three months of expenses in your savings account in case something happens, like you lose your job or your partner needs to take an extended leave. Then sit down together and write down your main goals,“and be very realistic,” Danielski says. Do some research on how much these goals will cost and how long it will take you to reach them—a down payment on a house, retirement, college for your kids, paying off debt (see sidebar) “Once you identify how much you need to start saving, you can figure out your budget,” Danielski adds. Periodically check in on your budget to make sure you’re meeting your budget goals. “I think that a monthly checkin provides accountability,” D’Ordine says. “So that when unexpected opportunities arise to spend money that maybe aren’t in the budget, something will go off in the individual’s brain that will say ‘well, wait a second, this is going to come back to haunt me when we check in at the end of the month.’” “The more you’re aware of your spending and savings habits, the better you’ll be able to meet your budget goals,” adds Danielski, who suggests couples plan “money dates” out of the house to make these check-ins something to look forward to. “Weekly or bi-weekly meetings are helpful if you’re trying to cut back on spending habits,” she says. “Monthly and quarterly meetings may be a better fit if you’re checking in on the overall health of your budget and goals.” These periodic check-ins are also a good time to take a peek at your emergency fund. “If it’s being depleted, that means you’re
spending more than your average monthly amount or you’re spending more than is coming in,” D’Ordine says. You’ll want to review your discretionary expenses to see what you can trim. But, D’Ordine adds, “if that emergency buffer is creeping up, then that extra money is what you can throw into the college fund or save for a down payment.” While all of this might seem like a massive undertaking, setting up a budget and attacking problem areas now will set you up for success down the road. “Once you’re cash-flow positive and you have more savings and you’re spending less than you earn, you can pay off debt, you can save for a home, you can save for other goals, you can invest, you can save for retirement,” Euretig says. “So it’s really crucial and it’s worth the time to get right because it sets you up for literally anything else you want to do financially.”
HOW TO PAY DOWN DEBT FASTER In the Northeast, 75.4 percent of families currently have debt, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, which was released in October 2017. If you’re one of those families, experts agree that you should first pay down the debt with the highest interest rate, whether it’s credit card debt, student loans, or mortgage loans. Daniel D’Ordine, CFP, founder of DDO Advisory Services LLC, suggests paying down those debts aggressively even before saving for a down payment on a house or your child’s college education. “If the student loan is a four-percent [interest rate] and the credit card debt is at eighteen, you want to attack that credit card debt as quickly as possible before putting it into an interest-bearing account for your down payment that is going to earn one percent,” he says. “As long as you have that credit card debt at eighteen percent, it’s not going away unless you really, really attack it aggressively.” One way you can attack credit card debt aggressively is looking into a balance transfer offer through a credit card company or your bank, suggests Kristen Euretig, CFP, founder of Brooklyn Plans. “Some credit cards will offer a balance transfer, which means that you basically shift the balance of one card to another,” she says. For example, a credit card company might have an offer in which you transfer your balance and are charged 3 percent for the transfer, but then have a promotional interest rate of 0 percent for 18 months. One downside is after the initial 18 months, you might have an even higher interest rate than your current card’s, so be sure to research the terms of the offer in advance, Euretig stresses. As for student loan debt, there are a lot of repayment options with federal student loans. “People aren’t always familiar about what’s available to them, and student loan vendors are notorious for being really bad at explaining and relaying the different options to people, so a bit of online research might be helpful,” Euretig says. Or you can ask the lender, “What plan can I be on to have the lowest monthly payment right now?” and that can free up some of your money to attack credit card debt. Just keep in mind these lower monthly payments means the loans will take longer to pay off. Want to cut some of your spending habits? Find these experts' suggestions at ›› nymetroparents.com/spending-cuts
things to do
city bound
N Y C
Buatti Ramos
Welcome the spring season and celebrate Japanese culture at the Cherry Blossom Festival at Randall’s Island Park. There will be lots of paper flower making, face painting, kite flying, yo-yo balloon fishing, origami, kimono try-ons, crafts, games, and more. Expect performances from J.D. Patch Band, NY Suwa Taiko Drumming, and Taisan Tanaka Calligraphy, too. April 21, 12-4pm. Age: All. FREE. Randall’s Island Park, Fields 62/63. randallsisland.org.
Your imagination will soar with the help of live music and puppetry!
The Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center is the world’s first month-long festival dedicated to performing arts programs for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Over the course of five weeks, there will be a wide range of experiences, including three original interactive theater productions, as well as relaxed performances across the LC campus. There will also be a symposium and various professional development opportunities for artists, arts professionals, and presenters interested in creating a learning community around neurodiversity and the arts. April 14-May 6, see website for times. Age: All. See website for ticketed event prices. Lincoln Center, Broadway and 65th Street. bigumbrellafestival.org.
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
The museum is home to the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan and has expanded to include rare artifacts, books, music manuscripts, and more for visitors to see. Besides concerts, lectures, films, tours, and gallery talks, the museum hosts family programming, such as Morgan Explorers, which is a drop-in experience with hands-on activities to learn more about the library. Visit it: 225 Madison Ave., Murray Hill; 212-685-0008; themorgan.org Can’t-miss event: Spring Family Fair on April 15, 2-4:30pm Directions: Approximately a 1½-hour drive or a 1-hour Metro-North ride from White Plains Courtesy American Museum of Natural History
Sakura Season
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W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …
The Morgan Library & Museum
There’s no prettier way to celebrate spring than by viewing Japanese cherry blossoms, also known as sakura.
A First-of-Its-Kind Festival!
Courtesy The Morgan Library & Museum
Courtesy Randall’s Island Park Alliance
Family Fun in Manhattan
American Museum of Natural History
As one of the world’s leading scientific and cultural institutions, the American Museum of Natural History offers a plethora of kid-friendly, educational exhibits to learn about dinosaurs, animals, fossils, space, and human origins. View the Titanosaur—a 122-foot-long dinosaur—on display in the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Orientation Center, or take part in a self-guided tour throughout the museum. Visit it: Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side; 212769-5100; amnh.org Can’t-miss event: Butterfly Conservatory through May 28: daily, 10am-5:45pm Directions: Approximately a 1-hour drive or a 1-hour Metro-North and two subway rides from White Plains
Ideas When You Need Them:
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Turn the page for details on Westchester Celebrates Israel@70 (No. 3 on our list).
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CALENDAR 34
Editor’s Hot Tickets
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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!
36
Animal Lovers, Special Needs
37
Crafty Kids, Little Foodies
38
Holiday Fun, Mini Musicians
39
The Great Outdoors, On Screen
40
Show Time!, Smarty Pants
2
EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS
Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the nine 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
‘Disney Live! Mickey & Minnie’s Doorway to Magic’
WHEN: Through April 1: Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 10:30am, 2pm, 5:30pm; Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Catch Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy on stage, with special appearances by Snow White, Tinker Bell, Aladdin’s Genie, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will love the stage debut of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they rise into the sky full of floating lanterns. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 914-995-4050. disneylive.com.
‘Goodnight Goodnight, Construction Site’
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WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 2pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Bedtime is approaching, and this team of construction vehicles needs to get their rest. But Crane Truck is getting cranky; Cement Mixer takes too long with bath time; Dump Truck just isn’t sleepy; and Excavator and Bulldozer find that preparing for bed is a job in itself. Will they ever get some shut-eye before tomorrow’s day of work? WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids who like the best-selling book with love this world premiere musical. WANT TO GO? $28. 914-631-3390 x100. tarrytownmusichall.org.
Westchester Celebrates Israel@70
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WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 12-5pm WHERE: Schechter Westchester, 555 W. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
AGES: All WHAT: A countywide celebration to mark Israel’s 70th anniversary. Activities will include a musical performance of the children’s book Ella’s Trip to Israel; an Israel Air Force Drone pilot course; a virtual hike through Israel; a communal art project; Kosher food; music; dance; arts and crafts; and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: There are even activities for the 2-5 crowd, including Experience Israel through the Five Senses. WANT TO GO? $10-$20; free for children younger than 18. 914-3287001. westchesterisraelat70.com.
4
Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 11am-3pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, 120 Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Have fun while learning in the Stillman Family “Green Zone,” where museum educators will lead activities. Enjoy nature play in Grasshopper Grove, interactive games, hay rides, live animals, storytelling, puppetry by Lydia Adams Davis, and music by John and Jackie Gioia. See the Young Naturalist’s presentations of The Lorax at 11:30am. WHY WE LOVE IT: This year’s Earth Day theme is reducing the use of plastics—an idea everyone can get on board with. WANT TO GO? $5 parking. 845-534-5506. hhnm.org.
The Orchid Show
WHEN: Through April 22: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All
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WHAT: The 16th year of this popular exhibition is designed by acclaimed Belgian floral artist Daniel Ost and will showcase thousands of dramatically displayed orchids in the Botanical Garden’s historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. WHY WE LOVE IT: A stunning introduction for children to the beauty of flowers. WANT TO GO? Weekends: $25; $22 seniors and students; $10 children 2-12; free for children younger than 2. Weekdays: $20; $18 seniors and students; $8 children 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.
‘Charlotte’s Web’
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 11am-1:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This treasured tale, featuring funny and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. WHY WE LOVE IT: Your kids loved the book and movie. Now, let them fall in love with the story again on stage! WANT TO GO? $15. 914-698-0098. emelin.org.
6
Lego Ninjago: Master of the 4th Dimension
WHEN: April 14-22, Saturdays, 10am-9pm; Sundays, 10am-7pm WHERE: Legoland Discovery Center Westchester, 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Check out the new 4-D action film, then test your ninja skills at Lego Ninjago City Adventure: a two-story, 2,300-square-foot play area testing balance, agility, strength, and endurance with more than 20 interactive features. WHY WE LOVE IT: There will also be a scavenger hunt, build activities, giveaways, and a chance to win annual passes. WANT TO GO? $16.95 and up; free for children younger than 2. 844-740-9223. legolanddiscoverycenter.com.
7
Rockin’ Rave & Family Fun Night
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 5-8:30pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Enjoy music under the strobes, explore interactive sound and light activities and experiments, take a break for mocktails and munchies, and enjoy special after-hours access to the museum’s exhibits and MakerSpace programs. WHY WE LOVE IT: A chance to visit the WCS after hours with proceeds going towards the museum. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.
8
Sheep Shearing Fest
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. April Fools Scavenger Hunt FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 10am-4pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Curious to know what has happened on the farm? Do a self-guided scavenger hunt and see what funny things have happened at Muscoot. WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.
Big Truck Day FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, April 3, 10am WHERE: Chappaqua Children’s Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: All WHAT: The parking lot fills with trucks of all kinds for kids to see and step inside. WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.
Performing Arts Center at Purchase College FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 11am-4pm WHERE: WHUD’s 23rd Annual Kids Fair, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase AGES: All WHAT: A day of education and fun for children of all ages and their families. Expect sports, games, hands-on activities, children’s theater, science experiments, finger print identification, live entertainment, inflatables, and an educational traveling zoo. WANT TO GO? whud.com.
Macy’s Flower Show 2018 FREE
WHEN: Through April 8: Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Stop by Macy’s annual welcome to spring, when the store is transformed into breathtaking floral scenes with blooms, fantasy flowers, and lush plants from around the world. This year’s theme is Once Upon a Springtime. WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. macys.com.
Poetry Slam & Open Mic FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, April 4, 6:30pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Hear poetry of all kinds. Slammers and guest poets from around the country will bring one original poem. WANT TO GO? 914-422-6980. whiteplainslibrary.org ››
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 10am-3pm WHERE: Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy activities, crafts, live music, and seasonal fare from local vendors for the whole family. Talk with farmers as they shear the flock, learn about pasture-raised sheep and other animals, and try your hand at fiber arts activities like carding, combing, spinning, and felting wool. WHY WE LOVE IT: The spring celebration includes a festive dance around the maypole. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 914-366-6200. stonebarnscenter.org.
9 WestchesterParent 35
Daddy & Me Animal Show
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 9:15am WHERE: Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Road, Rye AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Fathers can drop-in with their children for this fun-filled animal adventure. Dress for the weather. WANT TO GO? $10 per family. 914-967-5150. ryenaturecenter.org.
Birthday Howl for Zephyr, Alawa, and Nikai
WHEN: April 14-15, Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the birthdays of three wolves! Guests will assemble “wolfy” gifts for Ambassador wolves Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr, and then enjoy watching the wolves tear them open. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 for children younger than 12. 914-400-5551. nywolf.org.
Evening Howl for Pups of All Ages
ANIMAL LOVERS Meet the Neighbors
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 1-2pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: Hundreds of different species call Westchester County home. From soaring hawks to carnivorous snakes, these native New Yorkers may very well live in your backyard and you might never know. WANT TO GO? $8. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Tales for Tails FREE
WHEN: Thursday, April 5, 6pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children are invited to read to a certified Good Dog. Reading with a therapy animal can help reluctant readers, new language learners, and anxious readers gain confidence and develop a love of reading. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.
Spring Birding
WHEN: Sunday, April 8, 9:30am WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring. Explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow on a quest to spot both resident and rare birds as they pass through on their northern journey or settle down for the season. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 students and seniors; $2 children ages 6-18; free for children younger than 6; admission is free until 12pm. 718-5493200. wavehill.org.
Family Art Project: Rock with the Rock Pigeons
WHEN: April 7-8, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Learn how pigeons have made urban centers home and helped humans by carrying secret messages. Costume yourself in handmade, fabric feathers to make silvery wings. Then join your flock for a rockin’ pigeon sing-along with special guest guitarist Todd Falberg and storyteller Rama Mandel. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 students and seniors; $2 children ages 6-18; free for children younger than 6; admission is free until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org. 36
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 6pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Visit the wolves during their favorite hour: dusk. Guests will take a short sunset hike to howl with Ambassador wolves Atka, Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr and potentially behold the WCC’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican wolves. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 for children younger than 12. 914-400-5551. nywolf.org.
Pack Chat for Kids
WHEN: April 28-29, Saturday, 2pm; Sunday, 11am WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Kids will learn about the mythology surrounding wolves and the important role of wolves in the natural world. This is an exciting time for wolves, as they are out searching for prey to prepare for the birth of this year’s pups. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 for children younger than 12. 914-400-5551. nywolf.org.
SPECIAL NEEDS ‘Barrier Breakers’ Wheelchair Basketball Tournament FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, 5pm WHERE: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: The Barrier Breakers wheelchair basketball team is open to children with physical disabilities ages 10-21 who reside in Westchester County. The team provides these children the opportunity to participate in a game in which they learn social interaction, physical ability, and discover the fun of sportsmanship through team playing. WANT TO GO? 914-937-3800 x353. cpwestchester.org.
Ecology Club for Families with Special Needs FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Road, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Children with special needs are invited to bring a family member or caregiver with them to the Nature Center to enjoy animal programs, hikes, and other fun science and sensory adventures. WANT TO GO? 914-967-5150. ryenaturecenter.org.
CRAFTY KIDS April Break Workshops
WHEN: April 2-6, Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm WHERE: Creative Corner, 7 Addison St., Larchmont AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Check out a new workshop each day. WANT TO GO? $40. 914-833-2880. creativecornerlarchmont.com.
Terrarium Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Design and plant a miniature landscape in a glass container. WANT TO GO? $50. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Maker Day FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 1-4pm WHERE: The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Road, Rye AGES: All WHAT: A chance to explore the cutting-edge tools of creativity. WANT TO GO? 914-967-0700. ryeartscenter.org.
Fiber Club
WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 7-9pm WHERE: Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Drop in with any portable knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, spinning, or weaving project you would like to work on. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 914-232-9555 x2968. katonahmuseum.org.
Woodworking Workshop: Green Roof Birdhouse
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 10am-4pm WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Construct and plant a birdhouse with a rooftop of succulent plants. WANT TO GO? $60. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Earth Day Handprint Keepsake
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 11am-12pm WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Craft in clay, mix planet Earth colors, and create your very own earth handprint keepsake. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.
Soothing the Soul with Art FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 10:30am-1:30pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Kids can paint their own small canvas and work on a larger group canvas that will stay in the library. Bring a bagged lunch. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.
Family Sundays
WHEN: Through June 10: Sundays, 3-4:30pm WHERE: Young At Art Studio Inc., 1088 Central Park Ave., Room 216, Scarsdale AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Projects are designed to be done by an adult and child. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-723-9229. youngatartworkshop.com.
LITTLE FOODIES Kids in the Kitchen: Orecchiette
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2pm WHERE: Westchester Italian Cultural Center, 1 Generoso Pope Place, Tuckahoe AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Literally translating to “little ears,” orecchiette are easily formed by the small hands of “piccolo cuochi,” little chefs. Kids will take home their pasta and have the opportunity to sample pasta with various sauces. WANT TO GO? $65. 914-771-8700. wiccny.org.
Spring Penny Social & Sunday Brunch
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 11am-3pm WHERE: Somers Community Center, 34 Hillandale Road, Yorktown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Looking Glass Animal Rescue’s Penny Social and Sunday Brunch fundraising event will be full of food, drinks, chance auctions, tea cup raffle, 50/50, candy bar, vendors, and more. WANT TO GO? $30; $15 children ages 2-16. 914-912-9027. lgarinc.org.
Strawberry Festival FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 29, 12-5pm WHERE: College of New Rochelle, Maura Lawn 2, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the annual Strawberry Festival with a live DJ, dance performances, and vendor fair. Tickets required for fun attractions, games, and inflatables for children. There will be plenty of strawberry- and carnival-themed food available for purchase. WANT TO GO? 914-654-5000. cnr.edu.
Love You a Brunch
WHEN: Through May 12: Saturdays, 9:45-10:30am WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Go bananas with Chef Jen as your little chef learns to roll, mix, form, season, and taste a variety of sweet and savory brunch foods. Caregivers can relax in the café/lounge or shop while the kids build their new skills. WANT TO GO? $35. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.
Pleasantville Farmers’ Market FREE
WHEN: April 7-Sept. 29, Saturdays, 8:30am-1pm WHERE: Memorial Plaza, across from the Metro-North station, Pleasantville AGES: All WHAT: The Pleasantville Farmers Market is the largest, year-round farmers’ market in Westchester with more than 50 vendors participating. WANT TO GO? 914-205-4545. pleasantvillefarmersmarket.com.
Gosset’s Farm Market FREE
WHEN: April 7-Dec. 29, Saturdays, 9am-1pm WHERE: Gossett Brother’s Nursery, 1202 Old Post Road, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: A year-round market featuring locally produced, organic vegetables, meats and eggs; fruits locally roasted, organic, fair-trade coffee; and more. WANT TO GO? 518-642-3270. localharvest.org.
Hudson Valley Regional Farmers’ Market FREE
WHEN: Year-round: Sundays, 10am-2pm WHERE: HVCPA, 15 Mount Ebo Road S., Brewster AGES: All WHAT: Showcases vendors selling vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, jams, baked goods (gluten free too!), eggs, and specialty items from local vendors. WANT TO GO? 845-629-2824. hudsonvalleyfarmersmarket.org. ›› WestchesterParent 37
recycled materials, willow branches, and newspapers. Experiment with wind directions and elevations on the front lawn of the mansion. WANT TO GO? 718-549-3200. bartowpellmansionmuseum.org.
Family Art Project: Earth Day Gratitude Garden
WHEN: April 21-22, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Reflect upon the abundance of this Earth. Sculpt a miniature garden using oil clay in bright colors, then share what you are thankful for on a paper flag and plant it in the outdoor, communal gratitude garden. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 students and seniors; $2 children ages 6-18; free for children younger than 6; admission is free until 12pm on Saturday. 718549-3200. wavehill.org.
MINI
HOLIDAY FUN
MUSICIANS
Family Art Project: Pastel Eggs in Watercolors
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Not all eggs are created alike—notice the difference between a speckled turkey egg and the cool, blue eggshell of the American Robin. Listen to the story An Egg is Quiet, by Dianna Hutts Aston, then make a poetic painting with wax-resists in colors of pastel, speckled eggs. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 students and seniors; $2 children 6-18; free for children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Egg Hunt with Wolves
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the mythology, biology, and ecology of wolves in North America and then join in an egg-hunt with a twist. Instead of looking for eggs, guests will help hide them for Ambassador Wolves Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr to find. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 children younger than 12. 914-400-5551. nywolf.org.
Gan Shabbat Services FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Bet Torah Nursery School, 60 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-8 WHAT: An interactive introduction to Shabbat songs, stories, and prayers, followed by a kid-friendly Kiddush of refreshments. WANT TO GO? 914-666-7595. bettorah.org.
Earth Day Celebration FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 12-4pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: Opportunities to get your hands dirty include planting gardens, turning the compost, removing invasives, clearing trails, and mulching footpaths. Participate in workshops on beekeeping and backyard composting and be an environmental steward in our tree planting ceremony. WANT TO GO? 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Go Fly A Kite! FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 12-3pm WHERE: Bartow-Pell Mansion, 895 Shore Road, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day by crafting a one-of-a-kind kite using 38
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Christopher Cross
WHEN: Thursday, April 5, 8-10pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: More than 30 years after his emergence into the music business, Cross continues his recording and performing career with a new album Secret Ladder. WANT TO GO? $50 and up. 914-739-0039 x2. paramounthudsonvalley.com.
Rodriguez
WHEN: Wednesday, April 18, 8-10pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: See Rodriguez, the singer/songwriter known only by his surname, who was made newly famous in the U.S. in the 2012 Oscar Awardwinning documentary Searching for Sugar Man. WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley.com.
Flor’s Music & Stories with Open Play
WHEN: April 10 and 24, Tuesdays, 10-11:30am WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Songs, music, and stories with Flor Bromley, then open play with the other children and their caretakers. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.
Max Weinberg’s Jukebox
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 8-10pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Weinberg brings an interactive experience that invites the audience to create in real time the set list he and his crack four-piece group will play that night. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley.com.
Graham Clarke’s Musical Fridays FREE
WHEN: Through May 25: Fridays, 10-10:30am WHERE: Rye Free Reading Room, 1061 Boston Post Road, Rye AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Rock out with popular children’s musician Graham Clarke. Kids love Clarke’s silly humor and fun songs and will enjoy moving and grooving to the beat during his energetic performance. WANT TO GO? 914-967-0480. ryelibrary.org
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Spring Blossoms Flower Show
WHEN: April 7-8, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown AGES: All WHAT: Experience Lyndhurst filled with flower arrangements. WANT TO GO? $18. 914-631-4481. lyndhurst.org.
Earth Day Volunteer Kick-Off FREE
WHEN: April 21-22, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Hilltop Hanover Farm, 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Expect to do outdoor physical work on the demonstration gardens and front ornamental gardens at the farm. WANT TO GO? 914-962-2368. hilltophanoverfarm.org.
Spring Ecology and Plant Walk FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 1pm WHERE: Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 301 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Find out what’s going on in nature during this time of the year while strolling the grounds of the sanctuary. WANT TO GO? 914-967-8720. friendsofreadwildlifesanctuary.org.
Junior Arborist Station
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Kids are invited to don tree-climbing harnesses and hardhats and ascend into the canopy of an old sugar maple tree. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 students and seniors; $2 children ages 6-18; free for children younger than 6; admission is free until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
First Signs of Spring
WHEN: Sunday, April 29, 1-2pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: Explore the trails with a naturalist and identify the signs spring. WANT TO GO? $8. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Spring Fun
WHEN: Through May 18: Tuesday-Friday, 1:30-5:30pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Investigate the ways nature signals spring and help feathered friends build nests with special nesting bags to take home. WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20; $8 children ages 2-12. Weekends: $25; $10 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.
Mommy & Me Mondays
WHEN: Through May 21: 9:45-10:45am WHERE: Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Road, Rye AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Drop-in with your little one full of songs and animal encounters. WANT TO GO? $15. 914-967-5150. ryenaturecenter.org.
Family Farm Tour
WHEN: April 6-Nov. 9, Saturday-Sunday, 11:15am-12pm WHERE: Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: All WHAT: Explore the farm and some of the seasonal highlights. WANT TO GO? $10. 914-366-6200. story.stonebarnscenter.org.
ON SCREEN ‘The Princess Bride’
WHEN: April 21-22, Saturday-Sunday, 12pm WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville AGES: 9 and older WHAT: In this inconceivably charming and hilarious fairy tale set in an alternate universe of joyful derring-do and corny jokes, Princess Buttercup is kidnapped by a motley crew—including a strongman, a master swordsman, and an evil genius—right before she is to be married to the villainous Prince Humperdinck. WANT TO GO? $14; $7.50 for children younger than 13. 914-747-5555. burnsfilmcenter.org/jbfc-kids.
Family Movie Nights FREE
WHEN: April 5-26, Thursdays, 6pm WHERE: The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: The Westchester will screen free family-friendly movies in the CONNECT Lounge. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? 914-421-1333. simon.com.
Sunday Cinema @ the TROVE FREE
WHEN: Through April 29: Sundays, 2pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Families are welcome to watch kid-friendly movies in Galaxy Hall. Features include Wonder, Despicable Me 3, Coco, and Tangled. WANT TO GO? 914-422-1400. whiteplainslibrary.org.
Family Saturdays @ The Lab FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 1: Saturdays, 1-3pm WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 405 Manville Road, Pleasantville AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Expect a wide variety of activities, from animation and sound editing to live green-screening and group storytelling projects. WANT TO GO? 914-747-5555. burnsfilmcenter.org/jbfc-kids.
‘Pandas’
WHEN: April 6-Dec. 29, see websites for showtimes WHERE: Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St., Norwalk, CT AGES: All WHAT: Follow a young panda as she takes her first steps in the wild— and the biologists in China teaching her to survive on her own—in Pandas, an inspiring and endearing new IMAX movie. WANT TO GO? $24.95; $17.95 for ages 3-12. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org. ›› WestchesterParent 39
SMARTY PANTS Poem in a Pocket FREE
WHEN: Thursday, April 26, 4pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Write a poem or find one you love, and turn it into a work of art. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.
SHOW TIME! ‘A Chorus Line’
WHEN: Through April 1: Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theater, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A celebration and true-to-life depiction of performers and their struggle to achieve greatness on the Broadway stage. WANT TO GO? $53 and up. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.
Margaret Steele Magic Show
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Catch Margret Steele and her magic show...before she disappears! WANT TO GO? $5. 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.
‘Cirque Ziva’ Matinee
WHEN: Monday, April 9, 11:15am WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: All WHAT: Cirque Ziva, from the touring troop The Golden Dragon Acrobats, is a fast-paced, technically innovative new show. WANT TO GO? $55 and up. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.
‘The Lion King, Jr.’
WHEN: April 21-22, Saturday, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, 12pm and 4pm WHERE: Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main St., Irvington AGES: All WHAT: Journey with Simba, Rafiki, and an unforgettable cast of characters from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again. WANT TO GO? $15. 914-591-6602. irvingtontheater.com.
‘Sleeping Beauty’
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 12pm, 3:30pm, and 7pm WHERE: Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Infuriated not to have received an invitation to the Royal Christening, the evil fairy Trollarina exacts her revenge on the Royal Family. WANT TO GO? $12-$18. 914-962-0606. yorktownstage.org.
Story Pirates: ‘The Stuck in the Stone Age Tour’
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 11am WHERE: White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Kids get to contribute their own ideas in the interactive comedy. WANT TO GO? $19 and up. 914-328-1600. wppac.com.
‘Sister Act’
WHEN: April 5-July 1, Wednesday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: All WHAT: The hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder, disguised as a nun. WANT TO GO? $53 and up. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com. 40
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Speakin’ Spanish at Castle Hill Library with Bilingual Birdies FREE
WHEN: April 20-May 11, Fridays, 12-12:45pm WHERE: Castle Hill Library, 947 Castle Hill Ave., Bronx AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Follow the lead of bilingual musicians playing guitar and percussion and leading puppetry routines. The fun ends with a bubble dance party. WANT TO GO? 646-443-1313. bilingualbirdies.com.
The Neo-Victorians: Contemporary Artists Revive Gilded-Age Glamour
WHEN: Through May 13: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Features more than 20 contemporary artists whose work is inspired by the aesthetics of the 19th century to reflect today’s concerns, commenting on gender roles and societal tensions under the guise of the overt beauty. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors and students; $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
The Victorian’s Guide to the Galaxy
WHEN: Through May 13: Sundays, 3:30pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Complementing the themes explored in The Neo-Victorians, the museum has created a new Planetarium show exploring what 19th-century scientists understood about their universe at the time. WANT TO GO? $11; $8 seniors and students; $6 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
Baby Signing Time FREE
WHEN: Friday, April 6, 11:30am-12pm WHERE: Yonkers Public Library, Riverfront Branch, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: This class uses songs, stories, games, and activities to learn to communicate using signs from American Sign Language. WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500 x427. ypl.org.
New Moms and Infants Support Group FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 17: Mondays, 11:15am-1pm WHERE: Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Ave., Ossining AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Open to all mothers and infants looking for companionship, community, advice, and support. WANT TO GO? 914-941-2416. ossininglibrary.org.
Coming up next month: MAY 5: Pete the Cat at Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck MAY 12: Fourth Annual Comic Book Festival at The Galleria, White Plains MAY 12: Mothers and Others Tea Musicale at Caramoor, Katonah
April things to do
where-to guide
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Compiled by Samantha Neudorf
Activities
They say April showers bring May flowers, but why should a little rain stop you from getting outside? With the onset of warmer weather (and quite frankly more daylight now that we have sprung forward for Daylight Saving Time), there is no excuse to hibernate at home anymore. Get out to a farmers’ market to gather local, in-season produce or head to a fundraising walk to support a cause. Minor league baseball season is also around the corner, which is always a great reason to root for your home team. And finally, books are always in season, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t pay a visit your local bookstore to sharpen your child’s mind and imagination. John Koolery/Rockland Boulders
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Rockland Boulders CanAm League Palisades Credit Union Park, 1 Palisades Credit Union Park Drive, Pomona rocklandboulders.com Season begins May 17 Tickets: $11-$16 Kids ages 12 and younger can get on the field every Sunday and run the bases after the game. Kids are also allowed to play catch on the field after the games. Find more>> local minor league teams at nymetroparents.com/ ballparks.
BOOKSTORES
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Down To Earth Winter Farmers’ Markets Myrtle Boulevard and North Chatsworth Avenue, Larchmont St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 168 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck Main and Spring streets, Ossining downtoearthmarkets.com Larchmont hours: April 22-Dec. 16, Saturdays, 8:30am-1pm Mamaroneck hours: Through April 14: Saturdays, 9am-1pm Ossining hours: Through May 5: Saturdays, 9am-1pm From baked goods to seafood, olive oil, cheese, chutney, and more, Down to Earth Farmers’ Markets offer visitors a variety of locally made items from vendors in and around the area. Though the Mamaroneck and Ossining locations are open throughout the winter, there are locations in Croton-on-Hudson, Larchmont, New Rochelle, and Rye that return during the warmer months. Find more>> farmers’ markets in Westchester County at nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets.
Kids are allowed to play catch on the field and run the bases after Rockland Boulders games.
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The Voracious Reader 1997 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 914-630-4581; thevoraciousreader.com The perfect destination for the truly book-obsessed (author Neil Gaiman is a fan!), the Voracious Reader wants to nurture the next generation of readers by being more than your average shop.
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FARMERS’ MARKETS
Find more>> children’s bookstores in Westchester County at nymetroparents.com/bookstores.
FUNDRAISING WALKS
Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk Rye Town Park, 95 Dearborn Ave., Rye angelman.org/walk This walk on May 20 raises funds for kids with Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder that is often confused with cerebral palsy or autism. All proceeds go to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation to promote research, support services, and awareness. Sign up by April 13 to receive a T-shirt. Find more>> fundraising walks in Westchester County at nymetroparents.com/walks.
BIRTHDAY MARKETPLACE
20 TIMES SQUARE, New York, NY Entrance between 47th and 48th streets on 7th avenue
birthday party host your child’s
at nfl experience times square! Email us at groups@nflexperience.com or call +1 (646) 863-0088 for more information! COPYRIGHT © 2018 CDS NFL EVENT, L.L.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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online extras You’ve planned and paid for a birthday party that reflects your child’s passions and interests, so do all the guests need to go home with a party favor? ›› nymetroparents.com/party-favors
We found solutions to four common birthday party dilemmas. Read what they are and how to solve them at ›› nymetroparents.com/birthday-dilemmas
How can you make your child’s birthday special when it’s near a holiday? Find expert tips at ›› nymetroparents.com/holiday-birthday
Getting ready to set a date for your child’s next birthday party? Find the ultimate party planning timeline at ›› nymetroparents.com/party-timeline
inside
raising kids birthday blowout
44 Planning a Blowout Birthday Party: Whether you’re celebrating a major milestone or simply want to have an extra-special party, these tips from event planners can help you create a totally terrific bash. asy as Pie—Er...Cake: Three 46 E recipes for the classic birthday treat that you and your kids can make together.
Peter Oberc Photography
Morgan I. celebrates her bat mitzvah, planned by The Event of a Lifetime Inc., with her friends
Planning a Blowout Birthday Party
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Whether you’re celebrating a major milestone or simply want to have an extra-special party, these tips from event planners can help you create a totally terriffic bash. By Samantha Neudorf
W
hen I turned 9, my mom planned a birthday party I will never forget: She rented a limousine for my friends and me to ride in for an afternoon tea party. We dressed up in gowns and heels, got our hair and nails done, and then enjoyed finger sandwiches, cookies, and lemonade as we were chauffeured around town. To this day it has been a favorite birthday party of mine, and a memory I continue to treasure. Birthdays are occasions that kids will remember for the rest of their lives, and birthday parties are a way to hold those memories in place. Sometimes, you want to make those celebrations extra-big, either because you’re marking a major milestone—such as a bar or bat mitzvah, quinceañera, or sweet 16—or simply for the fun of it. Planning a blowout birthday party can feel daunting, though. Where do you even begin? We asked event planners (though you may think they’re only for weddings, you can find those who plan children’s birthday parties, too) what to keep in mind.
Pick the venue and DJ (if you’re having one) first.
The venue is key when piecing together the rest of the details for your child’s party. This locks you into a specific neighborhood or town, and helps narrow down the options for additional elements, if desired, such as caterers and entertainment. If you’re planning a bar or bat mitzvah and live in a town with a large Jewish population, it’s crucial to book your venue early. “If you wait too long, you may end up with a venue that’s too big or not big enough, or too expensive and not your style because you were stuck with what was available,” says Melisa Imberman, president of The Event of a Lifetime Inc., an event planning company based in West44
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
chester County. Imberman even suggests booking the venue and DJ before your child gets a bar or bat mitzvah date from the temple. For other types of birthday parties, families should start booking a venue at least a month beforehand. Marla Mase, founder of PARTYpoopers, a kids’ party planning company serving the greater New York area, says families call her anywhere from a month to six months in advance for all types of parties, including first birthdays. Securing a venue also allows you (or your event planner, if you’re using one) to see the space and pick out the décor and design for the party. “You can’t really plan décor and design if you don’t know where [the venue] is because you need to know what kind of space you’re working with,” Mase says.
Set a budget.
There is no particular amount of money families should set aside when planning a birthday party; it really depends on what they’re willing to spend. One helpful hint is to decide what aspects of the party to prioritize. For example, a family planning a daughter’s sweet 16 may invest more in having a DJ and photo booth, and may opt for cheaper food because it’s not the focal point of the party. “Your number of guests is the biggest contributor to your budget,” Imberman says. “There are some variables that are not going to change with your number of guests, but there are some, like food and beverage, that will.” A benefit of hiring an event planner is they develop a rapport with vendors and venues and can offer discounts. Event planners have a list of clients they continually work with, which saves families the time and effort of doing their own research. “I represent a
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potential party every weekend, so although most people want to make customers happy, [vendors] want to make me happy because I bring them repeated business,” Imberman says.
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Adjust the party to your child’s personality.
Some kids may be outgoing and want the spotlight on them, and some may just want to lie low. Never force your child into a situation that would make him unhappy. The party and vibe should reflect your child’s personality and feel like it’s very much his own party. Mase plans parties for children of all ages and remembers planning a bat mitzvah for a shy girl who did not want a DJ or dancing, so she instead planned a murder mystery theme. “It was a huge success without any dancing,” Mase says. “You have to know your kids—don’t create an event for them that’s not for them.”
Discuss details.
Event planners consider everything when putting together a party, from when food will be served to when dancing should start, and serve as liaisons to all moving parts. It’s a smart strategy for families to follow as well. For example, if there will be a candle lighting ceremony or speech, make sure that the first course of a meal will not be served at the same time, because no one will be able to hear what’s being said. If there will be a first dance, it shouldn’t start until after food service, so guests can finish their meals without the food getting cold. “Even if you have the best caterer and the best DJ, they likely will not talk to each other before the day, Imberman says: “I do a very detailed timeline and communicate it with everyone prior rather than running into an issue before the party.”
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Consider hiring security.
It’s strongly recommended for sweet 16s, when teenagers may get rowdy. “Sometimes kids are hanging out in the bathrooms trying to get alcohol,” Imberman says. “Security is very important.” It’s also advisable to have adult chaperones across the venue to monitor the kids.
Let the professionals do their jobs.
If you’re working with an event planner, resist the urge to become very hands-on and micromanage the details. It’s much wiser to trust that your event planner knows what she’s doing. “You’re hiring someone so that you can enjoy and be at your own party,” Mase says. “I have seen times where people undermined their own events because they were not having fun.” There’s no use in worrying about potential problems—that’s what the event planner was hired to solve.
BIRTHDAY PARTY CHECKLIST Whether you hire an event planner or not, here is a helpful checklist of things to keep in mind when putting together your child’s birthday party. • • • • • • • • • •
Pick a date and time Secure a venue Choose your DJ or entertainment Send out invitations Select a theme and décor Arrange food and catering (don’t forget the cake and candles!) Designate a photographer Plan your outfit Make party favors Mail thank-you cards
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Easy as Pie—Er...Cake
››
Three birthday cakes you can bake with your kids
I
f you’re throwing a birthday party for your child, impress everyone by baking your own homemade birthday cake—and get your children involved in the process! These three recipes are easy enough for kids to help make and will get them excited about baking and decorating. Besides, who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
Teddy Bear Cake
This would be the perfect cake to make for a younger brother or sister’s birthday. The cute smile is made out of delicious chocolate candy. You will have three cupcakes left over when you have made your bear, so you can check how good your cake is before the party! Serves 10 You will need 1 quantity Large Vanilla or Chocolate Cake (see p. 48) 1 quantity Small Vanilla or Chocolate Cake (see p. 48) 1 quantity Chocolate Fudge Frosting (see p. 48) Assorted chocolate drops and buttons
2 8-inch round cake pans Non-stick baking parchment 12-hole muffin pan, lined with 6 paper cupcake cases and 1 mini paper cupcake case Large plate or board with room for the cake, ears, and ribbon
Directions 1. P reheat the oven. Ask an adult to help you turn the oven on to 350°F, so it will be hot by the time you are ready to bake. 2. P ut one of the round cake pans on the baking parchment and draw around it twice to make two circles. Cut them out. Scoop a little soft butter onto a paper towel and rub this all over the inside of the pans. Put the parchment circles into the bases of the pans and leave to one side. 3. M ake the large quantity of cake batter and spoon it evenly into the two pans. Ask an adult to help you put it onto the middle shelf of the oven for about 30 minutes. Check that the cakes 46
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
are done by pushing a metal skewer into the middle of one. If it comes out clean, the cake is cooked. Leave them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Turn them the right way up and leave to cool completely. 4. While the big cake is cooking, make the small quantity of cake batter. Spoon the batter into the mini cupcake case first and then evenly into the other cupcake cases. Ask an adult to help you put these onto the middle shelf of the oven and set a timer for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, take out the mini cake and set the timer for another 10 minutes to finish cooking the other cupcakes. Leave the cakes in the tin to cool for 10 minutes and then move them to the wire rack to cool completely. 5. Make the Chocolate Fudge Frosting while the cakes are cooling. 6. Use a long, serrated knife to level the tops of the big cakes, if they are not flat. Place one cake on the serving plate and spread 3-4 tablespoons of chocolate frosting over the top. Put the second cake on top. Use three-quarters of the remaining chocolate frosting to cover the top and sides of the whole cake, spreading it evenly with a palette knife. 7. Cover the tops of two cupcakes with frosting. These are the teddy’s ears but they will need to be raised, so peel the paper case off another cupcake and cut it in half horizontally. Put one half under each ear and put the ears in their place by the head. The ears should now be roughly the same height as the cake. 8. P eel the paper case off the mini cupcake and completely cover it with frosting. Put it in the middle of the cake to make the teddy’s nose. Arrange the chocolate drops on the face for the eyes, mouth, and ears. Make a bow out of ribbon and place at the teddy’s neck.
Lemon Cake with Candies
You can go wild with the decorations for this one, using lots of different varieties and colors of candies. The key is to add all the sweet treats to the cake no more than 1-2 hours before serving, otherwise they might soften and bleed into the frosting. Serves 12 You will need 1 quantity Large Lemon Cake (see p. 48) 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened 4 cups confectioners’ (icing) sugar
4 tablespoons lemon curd Assorted candies 2 8-inch round cake pans Non-stick baking parchment
Directions 1. Ask an adult to help you turn the oven on to 350°F, so it will be hot by the time you are ready to bake. Put one of the round cake pans on the baking parchment and draw around it twice to make two circles. Cut them out. Scoop a little soft butter onto a paper towel and rub this all over the inside of the pans. Put the parchment circles into the bases of the pans and leave to one side. 2. M ake the cake batter, and spoon it evenly into the two pans. Ask an adult to help you put them onto the middle shelf of the oven for about 30 minutes. Leave the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Turn them the right way up and leave to cool. 3. W hen the cakes are cold, slice each one in half horizontally to give four even layers. 4. M ake the frosting. Put the soft butter into a bowl and place a strainer (sieve) over the bowl. Add a few tablespoons of confectioners’ (icing) sugar to the strainer and sift over the butter. Now beat the mixture together with a wooden spoon, then add a little more sugar and mix again. Keep going until all the sugar has been mixed in and the frosting is smooth and pale. Add the lemon curd and mix again until smooth. 5. P lace one cake layer on a serving plate and spread with 2 big tablespoons of frosting. 6. Top with another cake layer and 2 more tablespoons of frosting. Repeat until you have four layers of cake and three layers of frosting. 7. C over the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, spreading it evenly with a palette knife. 8. Decorate the cake with a whole range of your favorite candies!
Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake
This is a really delicious, chocolatey cake, perfect for birthdays—just decorate it and add candles! It tastes best when made the day before the party. You need four different bowls for this one, so make sure you wash up afterward! Serves 10-12 You will need For the cake 2¼ cups all-purpose (plain) flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda Pinch of salt 3½ oz. bittersweet chocolate
Directions 1. Ask an adult to help you preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Grease the inside of the cake pan with a little soft butter on a piece of kitchen paper. Put the cake pan on the non-stick baking parchment and draw around it. Using scissors, cut inside the line so you have a circle the same size as the pan. Fit this into the bottom of the pan. 3. Set a large strainer (sieve) over a bowl and tip the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the strainer. Carefully sift these ingredients into the bowl. Put the bowl on one side until needed. 4. Break up the bittersweet chocolate and put it into a large heatproof mixing bowl. Add in the cocoa powder. Ask an adult to help you pour on the very hot water. Leave for 1 minute, then stir gently with a wooden spoon until the chocolate has all melted and the mixture is very smooth. Put to one side. 5. Put the butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer or a mixing bowl. Beat well with the whisk attachment or a wooden spoon. 6. Break the eggs into a small bowl, remove any pieces of shell. Whisk with a fork until the mix is a bit frothy and the yolks have broken up, then gradually add the eggs to the sugar and butter and beat really well until very smooth. 7. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the bowl and mix well. Spoon in the yogurt, tip in the flour mixture, and mix well. 8. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan, and smooth out the top with a spatula. 9. Ask an adult to help you put the cake in the oven to bake for 55 minutes. To test if it is cooked ask an adult to help you remove the cake from the oven and stick a skewer into the middle, then carefully pull it out—the cake is cooked if the skewer comes out clean. If the skewer is sticky, then bake for another 5 minutes and test again. Remove the cake from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack. Leave to cool for 5 minutes then loosen the cake by running a round-bladed knife inside the pan. Unclip the pan and leave the cake to cool completely. Don’t worry if it sinks a bit. 10. To make the frosting, put the cream into a saucepan. Ask an adult to help you heat it until it is hot but not quite boiling. Remove the pan from the heat. Break up the two kinds of chocolate and put it into a heatproof bowl. Carefully pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Leave for about 2 minutes then stir until smooth. Leave to cool. The frosting will thicken as it cools. 11. Set the cake upside down on a serving plate. Spread the icing on the top and sides of the cake to cover it completely. Decorate with sprinkles, candies, and candles. Leave in a cool place until it is firm before you cut it. Store your cake in an airtight container and eat it within five days. continued on next page ››
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Birthday Parties at Chocolations 3 tablespoons cocoa powder ½ cup water, hot but not boiling 1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened 1½ cups superfine (caster) sugar 3 large eggs 1 cup plain yogurt
For the decoration 9-inch springform cake pan ½ cup (100 ml) heavy cream Non-stick baking parchment 2 oz. milk chocolate 2 oz. bittersweet (dark) chocolate Cake candles Selection of chocolate candies
Each child will create their own Chocolate Bar and transform a plain cupcake into an edible work of art.
Lots of add-ons and other options. Contact us for more details. Chocolations | 607 E Boston Post Rd Mamaroneck, NY 10543 914-777-3600 | Party@chocolations.com
WestchesterParent 47
‹‹ continued from previous page
VANILLA CAKE, SMALL AND LARGE Each recipe tells you which size of cake to make. For some of the recipes you need to make two quantities of cake batter. If you try and put all the ingredients in together there will be too much for you to mix, so make the two cakes separately. Get all the ingredients ready for both cakes, make one cake and while that is cooking make the other one. You can make the cakes by yourself, mixing everything by hand, but it will be much quicker with an electric mixer. You must always ask an adult to help before you use a mixer.
Small Cake
This will make a 7-inch round cake. It needs to cook for 25 minutes. 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, at room all-purpose (plain) flour temperature 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ cup superfine (caster) sugar 2 tablespoons milk, at room 2 large eggs, beaten temperature ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Large Cake
This will make a 9-inch round cake. It needs to cook for 35-40 minutes. 2¼ cups all-purpose (plain) flour 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room 4 teaspoons baking powder temperature 3-4 tablespoons milk, at room 1¼ cups superfine (caster) sugar temperature 4 large eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat the oven. Ask an adult to turn the oven on to 350°F so it will be hot by the time you are ready to bake. 2. Prepare your cake pan. First read the project and find out which size of cake you need to make and which size pan. Find the correct pan and place it on some baking parchment. Draw around it and cut out the parchment circle. Scoop a little soft butter onto a paper towel and rub this all over the inside of the pan. Put the parchment circle into the base of the pan and leave it to one side. 3. Put the soft butter and sugar into a large mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until the butter is soft, creamy, and pale (if an adult is helping, you could use an electric beater). 4. Break the eggs into a small bowl and remove any pieces of shell. Beat the eggs with a fork until the yolks have broken up and the mixture is a bit frothy. 5. Add a little egg to the creamed butter mixture and beat with the wooden spoon until the egg is all blended in. Then add a little more egg and beat again. Add a small sprinkle of flour if the mixture looks as though it is starting to separate (becoming gritty rather than smooth). Keep adding the egg until it is all used up and scrape any mixture down from the sides with a spatula. 6. Add the vanilla extract and stir it into the mixture. 7. Sift the flour and baking powder together into a separate bowl.
8. Add half the flour to the mixture and fold it in. To fold, use a metal spoon to cut through the mixture in a gentle figure of eight. Don’t beat or over-stir it—gentle folding traps air into the mixture and will make the cake lovely and light. When the half the flour is mixed in, add the second half and do the same folding. 9. Add the milk and fold it in. Your mixture should be smooth and drop from the spoon when you lift it. If it is still very stiff add another spoonful and fold again. 10. Pour the batter into the cake pan, scraping the bowl with a soft spatula to get out all the mixture. Smooth out the surface with the spatula. 11. Put on oven mitts and ask an adult to help you put the cake in the oven. Check how long it will take for the size of cake you have baked, and set a timer. 12. When the time is up, check the cake through the oven door. It should have risen high in the pan and be a golden color. If it doesn’t look done, leave it for a few minutes longer. Put on oven mitts. Ask an adult to help you to take it out. If it is ready, it will be have shrunk away from the side of the pan and when you press it with a finger it will spring back up. An extra test is to push a metal skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is cooked. If it is covered with sticky mix, it needs a bit longer in the oven. Leave the cake to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. 13. Run a blunt knife all the way round inside the pan to make sure the cake is loose. 14. Place a wire rack on top of the cake pan and then turn the rack and pan upside down so that the cake drops out of the pan onto the rack. Carefully turn the cake over so it is right side up. Leave it until it is completely cold before you begin decorating it.
Other flavors you can make:
Chocolate: For a large chocolate cake, once you have measured the flour, take 3 tablespoons out and put it back in the bag. Then add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder instead. (For the small cake, change 1 tablespoon of flour for the cocoa.) Lemon or orange cakes: Leave out the vanilla extract and use a grater to grate the zest of an unwaxed lemon or unwaxed orange onto a plate. Take care not to grate your fingers! Only grate the colored surface of the peel. The white pith beneath is bitter and you don’t want any in your mix. Keep turning the fruit to find ungrated peel. Add it to your mixture and fold it in.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE FROSTING A chocolate cake isn’t complete without a dark, sticky, super-chocolatey, chocolate frosting and this is the best! It’s easy to spread over cakes with a knife or you could even try piping it.
You will need
12 oz. bittersweet dark chocolate 2 sticks unsalted butter ¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3¼ cup confectioners’ (icing) sugar
Directions
1. Ask an adult to help you chop the chocolate into chunks using a sharp knife and a flat chopping board. Put the chocolate into a heatproof bowl. 2. Add the butter to the bowl and then ask an adult to help you set it over a pan of barely simmering water, making sure that the bottom 48
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth, then set aside to cool slightly. 3. Put the milk and vanilla extract into another bowl and gradually sift in the confectioners’ (icing) sugar, a little at a time. Stir until smooth before adding more sugar. 4. Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture and stir until smooth. Let the frosting sit and thicken up slightly before you use it—it will be easier to spread. Design, photography, and illustration by CICO Books 2017. Reprinted from My First Cookie & Cake Decorating Book with permission of CICO Books.
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raising kids baby
Sponsored by
What Makes Toddlers Tick Why toddlers do the weird things they do.
M
y toddler will not keep his clothes on. Seconds upon entering our apartment he strips down to his diaper and pretty much stays like that until it’s time to leave again. He also answers almost every question with a “no,” and will only eat out of a green bowl. While we entertain this weirdness because he is only 2, it turns out it might not be so weird after all. I’m sure most parents of toddlers have at least a few things they consider out-of-the-ordinary behavior, and like me, find themselves constantly chasing after a naked dictator while dodging attacks from his green bowl. Toddlers are new to this earth and are figuring things out at their own speed and in their own weird way. Read on for some of the strangest things they do, and why they do them.
No Means No
Chances are if you ask a toddler a question, you will be met with… “No!” “Do you want to go outside?” “No.” “Do you want to eat dinner?” “No.” “How about you put some pants on.” “No!” That last one wasn’t really a question, but you get my drift. So what’s with the negative attitude, tots? Turns out, it’s not 50
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
››
By Bethany Braun-Silva
really so negative. Toddlers who are learning to express themselves use “no” as way to assert their independence and gain just a bit of control in a world where they are constantly told what to do and when to do it. “Toddlers are gaining independence from their parents. Up until about eighteen months or so, kids really feel as though they are one with their mom (or primary caregiver). Their little brains don’t have the maturity to understand seeing the perspective of another person,” says Amy Webb, creator of the blog thoughtfulparent.com, who has a doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences and is mom of two. “So as they are gaining this independence, they want to ‘do it myself’ for just about everything, and this could include dressing or just about anything else.” While hearing “no” from your toddler all day long can be increasingly frustrating, just know it means your little one is growing up and growing into herself. Here’s what you can do if your child’s refusal is becoming a bit too much: • Offer choices. Instead of telling your child to put pants
on, ask what color pants he would like to wear today. This leaves little room for a negative answer. • Make it a learning game. Help your child count how many peas are left on her plate as she eats them one at a time. Make it fun! • Watch your language. Toddlers are sponges and will pick up your behavior. Instead of telling your spouse, “No, I’m not watching another episode of The Bachelor tonight,” try saying, “How about we watch a movie we will all enjoy.” • Don’t back down. Toddlers can be defiant, but they need their parents to set boundaries. If what your child is saying no to is a non-negotiable, stand your ground. It will get better.
Again, Again!
I have seen Moana at least 50 times. While it’s a great movie, I’m ready to move on. In fact, since starting this article we have moved on…I am currently on my 20th viewing of Trolls. Ughhhhh. When my toddler finds a movie he likes, he will watch it every day, sometimes twice a day. Melissa Robles from Kew Gardens, Queens, has the same issue with her 2½-year-old. “Gracie is obsessed with reading Green Eggs and Ham. She would have me read it to her ten times in a day, and on more than one occasion, I have,” she says. While this repetition is frustrating for parents, it’s extremely comforting for little ones. “Toddlers really thrive on repetition and it makes them feel safe and it’s also exciting and fun to them,” says Tanya Altmann, M.D., pediatrician, mother, and author of Baby & Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents’ Top 150 Questions. “They like patterns, they like counting the steps walking up to preschool the same way every day, and will get mad if you skip a step.” Toddlers rely on repetitive behavior to know what to expect. Their communications skills are so minimal at this age that knowing what to expect is, in fact, key to their health and happiness. Repetition is actually a great tool for parents, too because if you stick to the same routine, your toddler will know what’s expected of him and will likely do it. Dr. Altmann suggests using this behavior to your advantage. “The good thing about repetition is that you can change any toddler behavior that you want to change. Whether it’s getting them to sleep through the night or eat green vegetables, as long as you’re consistent for a week and offer positive reinforcements and ignore undesired behavior, you can change their behavior,” she says.
Nudity, Nose Picking, and Head Banging
No, this is not the name of the latest Tarantino film, but rather three distinct (and strange) behaviors you might witness from your little one. As I mentioned earlier, the main problem we deal with in our family is getting my toddler to keep his clothes on. While
we manage to keep our little nudist contained at home, sometimes he starts stripping in public. Toddlers have no concept of what’s socially acceptable, so they don’t really see this as a problem. Same goes for nose picking. If your toddler has an itch or a booger, she will stick her finger up her nose because she doesn’t realize it’s a gross thing to do. Teaching your toddler social cues and what’s expected of him in the house and outside of the house will go a long way to making his behavior more acceptable. As for head banging, that’s a bit different. Some toddlers will bang their heads against their crib at night or before falling asleep for a nap. While this behavior can seem worrisome or outright scary, it’s actually completely normal and a way for your toddler to self-soothe. Often head banging happens at night as way for her to get herself to sleep. She is soothed by the rhythm she is creating and will most likely outgrow it in no time.
When to Worry
Toddlers definitely display some strange behaviors from time to time, but there are certain behaviors that could raise a red flag. For instance if your child is using the above-mentioned head banging as a way of cutting off interaction from you and others, it might be time to reach out to your pediatrician. Also, “if your child consistently is testing limits to the point where it’s driving you crazy and it’s disrupting everyone in the house and causing a lot of extra stress, that could be a sign that there is something else going on with your toddler, and you may want to talk to your pediatrician,” Dr. Altmann says. Rafi Bilek, LCSW, director of Baltimore Therapy Center, suggests parents watch out for certain behaviors, as they may be indicators of something more serious going on, such as autism or a behavioral disorder: • Regression in language or motor skills (e.g., child was using many words but then can’t seem to speak in words at all; child was running but now can’t seem to walk) • Child screams for hours without a break • Child clutches at private parts anxiously (possible sign of sexual abuse) • Child is violent to the point of causing serious injury to self or others As the parent, you know your child. If any of your toddler’s behaviors seem really strange or off to you, make an appointment with his pediatrician or even ask to chat over the phone. That’s what they’re there for. Raising a toddler is one of the most challenging times for parents—they don’t call it the Terrible 2s for nothing. One thing I know for sure is my toddler is weird (but adorable!), and it’s my job as his mom to help him feel comfortable and safe enough to let his little freak flag fly.
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raising kids teen
Is Your Child Ready to Be a CIT? ››
Find out what being a counselor-in-training really means, and what camp directors look for in their trainees. By Lambeth Hochwald
I
f you’re the parent of a teen who lives for anything related to camp, from the arts and crafts cabin to color wars to archery, now might be the time to talk to him about applying for a summer job as a counselor-in-training at a camp nearby. Turns out, becoming a CIT is the next best thing to being a camper because your teen will get firsthand experience and job training, and have a little fun, too.
How Do I Know My Child Is Ready?
Your teenager may have set up many a lemonade stand or sold Girl Scout cookies, but for most kids a CIT position will be their first job. As a parent, you’ll know that your teen is a great CIT candidate if he or she is extra trustworthy. “An important question for parents to consider is, ‘Would I trust my teen to watch other people’s children?’ suggests Michael Halpern, director of Mosholu Day Camp in the Bronx. If your answer is yes, “That’s usually a good sign that you, as a parent, think that your child would be a great counselor-in-training.” Also ask yourself how reliable your teen is, says Colleen Barnhart, camp director at Camp Claire in Lyme, Connecticut. “When you ask him or her to do something and walk away, does it get done?” she asks. “If you continually ask them over several weeks, do they eventually do it without being asked?” Again, if you’re able to answer ‘yes’ to both these questions, 52
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
your child probably is conscientious enough to make a good CIT. To help your teen get ready for the job, give her responsibilities around the house and hold her accountable, Barnhart says. “Assign her chores, show her exactly how to do them by participating with her as a partner, and then have her do that task alone the next week. If she messes up, don’t tell her that it is not her fault. Instead, be constructive. Tell her it’s okay because she is learning and show her how to do better next time.” There’s one more important character trait your child should have: He should really love camp. At Mosholu, for example, 95 percent of CITs are ex-campers, and supervisors there have worked up the ranks all the way from their days as campers to unit leader. “The perfect CIT is one who grew up in my camp because they know how things go,” Halpern says. “That’s even more important to us than an application filled with babysitting experience.” After all, babysitting is usually 1-on-1, while camp is all about being in a group. “The fact that you’ve been in camp means that you know about the group dynamic,” Halpern explains. “As CITs, you’re not going to be one-on-one with a child ever, so we need to know that you’ve had that experience interacting in groups.” Last of all, make sure your teen has the right motivation for applying for a CIT job. Does he want to work with kids, or does he just want to be back at camp? “CIT work is hard work,” Barnhart says. “To know if your child is really ready to be a CIT,
ask what his goals are for the summer. Be sure he’s clear on why he wants this job.”
The Qualities Camp Directors Value
One of the key qualities of a CIT is an eagerness to to learn. “I want my CITs to take on a leadership role and add more responsibilities as they get experiences,” says Peter Corbin, founder and director of Corbin’s Crusaders Sports Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, who hires five to 10 CITs each summer. “When they come to us as a CIT they don’t have a lot of experience. That’s why at the beginning we give them a taste of responsibility, and as they get more and more successful, we give them more. If they’re not as successful, we’ll give them more direction.” The other qualities camp directors look for include good communications skills, maturity, responsibility, respect, care for others, interest in working and engaging with children, teamwork, and initiative, Barnhart says. “At the beginning, initiative looks like being a willing buddy to a camper for trips to the bathroom or nurse,” she explains. “It’s also helping campers clean their area without being asked, and starting games with campers during downtime, such as cards, charades, wax museum, or storytelling. Initiative is one of many qualities that is important for a camp staff to function as a team, because that is what we essentially are when it comes down to it.” Familiarity with the camp can also be an important factor when a teen is hired to be a CIT, Halpern says. “We look at the type of camp they went to and if their camp was similar to ours in terms of being traditional or outdoorsy or things like that,” he says. In the end, a meeting without the parents present is a critical part of most hiring procedures. “We like to have a conversation with teens—without their parents there—so we can speak to their maturity and their abilities to be outgoing and friendly,” Halpern says.
part of the process of maturing and learning how to be a camp counselor.” Another thing your child needs to realize is that he will in all likelihood not get paid. CITs “are legally campers, so they pay to attend, but we write them letters for community service hours,” Barnhart says. “Other camps may pay, but none that I am familiar with.” Of course, CIT experience may lead to a paid counselor job in future years. For some kids, it can be a bit of a transition to move from camper to counselor. Barnhart understands this. “I firmly believe in giving CITs the chance to grow into the role and rise to expectations, which is why I don’t call them ‘kids’ anymore,” she says. “They are no longer campers, except legally, so we start treating them like the young adults they are. They are never in charge of supervision but they certainly can assist us with it.” In the end, consider this: Being a CIT is essentially one giant job interview for the next year. “We look for CITs to use feedback to grow and better themselves,” Barnhart says. “We constantly give CITs feedback on how they are doing, what their strengths are, what we would like to see more of, and specifically what negative behaviors we would like them to be aware of and change. A great CIT will often go out of their way to ask for feedback, and then take this feedback, reflect on it, and actively try to do better.” That feedback loop is what will enable your teen to become a CIT and then, hopefully, be asked back as a counselor for a future summer. Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.
What Kids Can Expect From a CIT Program
As a CIT, your teen may stay with her assigned bunk or switch around the camp depending on the need for extra help. She could be asked to pitch in on a variety of tasks, such as setting up the baseball fields before campers arrive (including making sure all the equipment is in place), assisting the arts and crafts counselors, or helping the swim instructors. “Typically we give the CITs the option to either be with a group or with an activity,” Corbin says. “I’ve had CITs learn how to become swim instructors and ultimately work as lifeguards, while others tend to work with a particular age group all summer.” Regardless, CITs should expect to always have someone supervising them. Your child should also be prepared for long, tiring days. “CITs tend to get tired very easily because they’re working the full day and may have never done so before,” Corbin says. “They realize quickly that the work isn’t always easy, but it’s also really wonderful to see their sense of pride in the job—they often tell me how cool it was to work with such and such kids, or do a particular job, even if it meant moving baseball equipment in the hot sun.” In addition, Barnhart says that while CITs should expect fun lessons and team-building activities, they should also realize that, unlike camp itself, not every second is going to be fun. “Working at a camp is a lot of hard, sometimes gross work, especially at resident camps where we are on duty twenty hours a day, six days a week,” she says. “CITs will get tired and frustrated, but it is all
Children's Swimming Progam Upcoming Sessions Session 1 (6/11-6/22) Session 2 (6/25-7/06) Session 3 (7/09-7/20) Session 4 (7/23-8/03) Session 5 (8/06-8/17) Adult Lessons (6/12-7/17)
Mondays—Thursdays 3:30pm or 4:30pm (8 classes) Level 1-6 Mon, Wed & Fri @ 9:30 am Parent/Child Class & Levels 1–3 (6 classes) Adult lessons are held on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
All of our instructors are American Red Cross-trained Water Safety Instructors For more information contact: J. Brian Hansbury john.hansbury@purchase.edu | 914-251-5938 www.purchaseaquatics.weebly.com WestchesterParent 53
Camps for Older Kids CAMPS FOR OLDER KIDS Camp Clio
Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Camp Clio and our new Camp Clio Teen offer a unique experience for adopted children (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-16). Camp Clio campers and counselors, themselves adopted and serving as role models, share the intimacy and safety of being with other adopted friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: July 1-13. Camp Clio Youth: July 1-21. Campers may come for one or more sessions. Scholarships available.
Camp Ramaquois
30 Mountain Road, Pomona 845-354-1600 ramaquois.com Camp Ramaquois is “a day camp as complete as sleepaway camp,” situated on 44 acres in Rockland County. From adventurous activities to creative arts and athletic activities, boys and girls ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities. Facilities include a 5-acre crystalline lake; nine heated swimming pools; a splash park; tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts; hockey rinks; ball fields and soccer fields; a petting zoo; and special events. Many air-conditioned buildings. Visit us on our website or call for a personal tour.
Campus Kids Weekday Sleep-Away Camp
973-845-9260 campuskids.com Campus Kids is the weekday sleepaway camp: Monday-Friday at camp and home with the family on weekends. Transportation is included from Westchester and Rockland. Enroll for two or more weeks. Each camper chooses his or her activities every day, including sports, fine arts, performing arts, and swimming. Located on the beautiful rural campus of Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey. Counselors (all college age or older) are fun, safety-conscious, and focus on each camper’s needs. Private camp tours given on weekends
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year-round, by appointment. ACA-accredited every summer since 1991.
Cardinal Baseball Camp
Greenwich High School 203-869-3736 cardinalbaseballcamp.com cardinalbbcamp@aol.com Cardinal Baseball Camp, LLC will be in session at Greenwich High School for its 17th consecutive summer. Greenwich High School baseball coach Mike Mora and his staff provide a fun learning environment, while stressing the fundamentals of baseball. Coach Mora is a member of the University of Vermont Hall of Fame (class of ’94) and played six years of professional baseball. Skills and drills begin at 9am and a game is played daily from 10:45am-12pm. Camp dates are June 25-July 27 Monday-Friday (excluding July 4). Pricing and more information can be found at cardinalbaseballcamp.com or by calling 203-869-3736.
Computer Adventures – Bits, Bytes & Bots Summer Camp
605 Millwood Road (Route 133), Mount Kisco 914-218-8175 computeradventures.com/summer-camps westchester@computeradventures.com We offer weeklong technology camp sessions for children ages 6-16 from June 25-Aug. 24. Our leading edge technology topics include Virtual Reality Apps Creation, 3D Game Development, Build A Computer, 3D Modeling and Printing, and other topics on coding and programming languages, game design, animation, graphics, robotics, Minecraft, and electronics. Our unique curriculum teaches logic, problem-solving, critical thinking, and storytelling in addition to the technical skills. Our interactive classes promote confidence, creativity, socialization, collaboration, risk-tasking, and perseverance in a safe environment.
Corbin’s Crusaders Day Camp For boys and girls ages 3 ½ –14
471 North St., Greenwich, CT 914-939-2969 Main Office 351 E. 74th St., 5th Floor, Manhattan 212-875-8174 Westchester Office 5 Eagles Bluff, Rye Brook 212-875-8174 corbinscrusaders.com info@corbinscrusaders.com
In search for the perfect sports and adventure day camp with a traditional camp feel? Look no further! Join Corbin’s Crusaders Day Camp! Experience a summer alive with weekly tournaments and hidden adventure. Located at a beautiful 38-acre campus in Greenwich, Connecticut offering professional, dedicated, and enthusiastic instruction in various sports, including baseball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, and swimming. Our adventure program includes hiking, waterslides, skateboarding, and archery! Door-to-door transportation available from Manhattan, Westchester, and Connecticut; daily nutritious meals; and flexible schedules. Join us for one week or the entire summer. Partial weeks available.
Dance Cavise Studios
273 Halstead Ave., Mamaroneck 914-381-5222 dancecavise.com joe@dancecavise.com jamie@dancecavise.com fancyd@optonline.net Dance Cavise Studios is excited to introduce an all-new Camp Cavise! Six weeks, five days a week, June 25-Aug. 3. Camp Cavise will bring an NYC style Intensive Dance Program to Westchester. Advanced dancers study all disciplines of dance from classical ballet, pointe, and modern to jazz, hip-hop, and tap—all taught by experts in their field. Beginner and intermediate programs with themes and additional fun for dancers ages 3-13, and advanced level program for dancers ages 10-18 are offered. One- to six-week programs are available. Call the studio to audition for the advanced program.
Golf Camp at the Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy
800-733-1653 spearmanjuniorgolf.com The premier golf experience in Westchester and voted Best Junior Golf Instruction in New York! Camps are designed for juniors ages 4 (PeeWee session) to older teens, with all skill levels welcome. Groups are divided by similar age and skill. From putting and short-game training to swing development and on-course play, we make it our mission to provide a fun and exciting learning environment. Each junior has a swing reviewed and analyzed by Top-100 golf teacher Mitchell Spearman. Safe, fun, effective: Our specialty is junior golf! See website for details.
iD Tech Camps
Junior Sailing Camp for more than 12 years. Spend the summer on the Long Island Sound learning to sail. Our Junior Sailing instructors are certified with an average of eight years teaching sailing. Our full-day program from 9am-4pm is for ages 8-16. Students are grouped by experience. Students also learn rules of racing, plotting courses, reading charts, and anchoring. The CIT program welcomes students ages 15 and older with three years of prior sailing experience. We also have a half-day Little Skipper’s Program for ages 8-10.
Mosholu Day Camp
Purchase College Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts
888-709-TECH (8324) idtech.com iD Tech is the world’s No. 1 summer STEM program for ages 7-18 held at 150 prestigious universities including Manhattanville College, Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University, NYU, and NYIT. With world-class instructors and innovative courses in coding, game development, robotics, and design, our programs instill in-demand skills that embolden students to shape the future. Learn more at idtech.com. 261 Arden Valley Road, Southfields 845-243-0751 mosholudaycamp.com Mosholu Camps offer parents a quality program at a low cost. With a strong emphasis on developing new relationships and experiences, our traditional camp day is filled with dynamic activities. Located at Lake Cohasset in Harriman State Park, our staff is a spirited group of creative counselors, who offer encouragement and motivation to help strengthen the camper’s self-opinion, while developing their social, athletic, and academic skills. Campers ages 5-15 participate in an array of activities such as swimming, music, arts, trips, archery, boating, dance, and sports. At Mosholu, we make memories!
Pine Brook Fitness
130 Rhodes St., New Rochelle 914-636-1019 pinebrookfitness.com Join us for our amazing rock climbing or tennis camps! We offer summer camps as well as holiday vacation camps during the school year. Campers are grouped according to age and skill level to maximize their potential. Your kids will have an amazing time scaling the walls or playing tennis while getting in great shape. Tennis and rock climbing are great sports for developing strategy, concentration, and focusing skills. Give your kids a summer to remember and sign up for one, two, or all of our weekly sessions today!
Port Sailing Camp
22 Pelham Road, New Rochelle 914-355-5400 portsailing.com info@portsailing.com Port Sailing School has offered our
Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-251-6500 purchase.edu/youth youth.pre.college@purchase.edu laura.vuli@purchase.edu Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts at Purchase College, State University of New York! For more than 40 years, these programs have been much more than camps. Summer students experience a rich environment full of exciting beginnings, new friends and achievements, and growth and independence. They are immersed in a variety of exciting and enriching learning opportunities, such as songwriting, acting, architecture, visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, video game and app creation, voice, journalism, and STEM programs. Visit us at purchase.edu/youth to learn more. Contact Laura Vuli with questions: laura.vuli@purchase.edu or 914-251-6511.
Summer Kids College at Westchester Community College Extension Centers
Multiple Locations in Westchester Ossining: 914-606-7400 ossining@sunywcc.edu Peekskill: 914-606-7300 peekskill@sunwcc.edu White Plains: 914-606-7500 arts@sunywcc.edu sunywcc.edu/locations/ extension-centers-course-schedules jeanne.maloney@sunywcc.edu Westchester Community College has opportunities for youth at Ossining, Peekskill, and White Plains Extension Centers. These centers explore science, digital arts, and fine arts. See sunywcc. edu/locations. continued on next page ››
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Thornton-Donovan School
Summer 2018 Camp Sessions: • June 25th - July 20th • July 23rd - August 10th Offering Stimulating Courses Like...
Computers Robotics Digital Photography
Theater Swimming Sports
Winner 2017 Inspectors Choice Award! • Extended Day Available • Hot Lunches Included • Transportation Available
Hartsdale, NY • Call: 914.328.3798 Email: Squirecamps@gmail.com
Junior Golf Camp June 4- August 31
All Levels Camp Age 6-17 -- PeeWee Camp Age 4-7 Voted Best in Westchester Get Summer Ready – Daily After School Clinics Register Online Today!
www.spearmanjuniorgolf.com / (800) 733-1653 Located at Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook, Westchester
100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Founded in 1969, the Summer Challenge has been a source of joy, entertainment, enlightenment, and playful fun for boys and girls ages 3½-14. Stop by and see our sports field, basketball court, and new playground! Door-to-door transportation and lunch are included. With an instructional pool on-site, swim instruction and recreational swim are major components of the program.
Westchester Summer Day
856 Orienta Ave., Mamaroneck 914-698-8900 x134 westchesterday.org jney@westchesterday.org Westchester Summer Day, located on the Long Island Sound, offers an unmatched summer experience where children have fun, learn, and grow in a safe and nurturing environment. Our highly trained and caring staff includes teachers, sports and art specialists, lifeguards, and a full-time nurse. Our professional staff works together to ensure that each child is happy all summer long. WSD promotes Jewish values and engages children in a host of fun activities within the framework of the modern orthodox tradition. WSD provides nutritious, kosher lunch and snacks daily.
The Whale Camp
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610-399-1463 whalecamp.com The Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Science Institute is dedicated to providing marine biology experiential educational programs and facilities for learning about the dynamic marine ecology of the Bay of Fundy as well as the coastal, terrestrial, and human ecologies of Grand Manan Island. Our goal is to use hands-on, discovery-oriented marine science activities to increase awareness and understanding of these living systems and the systems of our oceans and planet. We help our campers foster connections between themselves, each other, and the natural environment.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium
The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx 718-220-5132 Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan 212-438-6583 Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Corona, Queens 718-271-7361 Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn 718-399-7327 New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn 718-265-3457 wcs.org wcs.org/education/programs Summer just got wild! Send your animal-lover to summer camp at the Bronx Zoo! Campers will enjoy up-close animal experiences; age appropriate, hands-on STEM activities; in-depth exhibit visits; and take a special trip on our Wild Asia Monorail. Use promo code NYMETRO to receive an exclusive 10-percent discount off your purchase of summer camp! For more information, please wcs.org/parks/camps, call 800-433-4149, or email bzeducation@wcs.org.
The Windward School Summer Program
40 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains 914-949-6968 x1250 Christopher Q. Eberhard, director of the Summer Program Christine Teahan, co-director thewindwardschool.org/ summerprogram summerprogram@ thewindwardschool.org Offered July 2-27 (no class July 4), this unique summer program is designed for students entering third-ninth grades who are interested in improving their skills or enriching their knowledge in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, and study and organizational skills. In the afternoon session, students may participate in sports, arts, drama, and technology activities. Half- and full-day sessions are available. Classes are in state-of-the-art facilities and are taught by Windward instructors who have been trained in the school’s research-validated, multisensory approach.
Continuing Education
Teatown Summer Camp is where kids unplug, disconnect, and have a wild time! Teatown Camp brings kids outside to learn about and explore the natural world in our 1,000-acre preserve. We spend our days learning by exploring, discovering new things about ourselves, each other and the earth, and developing friendships and respect for all living things.
Jun 25—Aug 17, ages 4—14 Register at teatown.org 1600 Spring Valley Rd Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-2912
SUMMER 2018
SERIOUS FOUNDATION. SERIOUS FUN.
Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts Grades 4-8 / Grades 9-12
1, 2, & 4 Week Programs June 25–August 3 Architecture, Creative Writing, Digital Arts, Filmmaking, Journalism, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts
Save the Date: Open House is Saturday, April 21 Register by May 4 to receive Early Registration Discount
www.purchase.edu/youth
DISCOVER Westchester’s Theatre for Children and Teens
Observe whales, porpoises, puffins, seals, and a variety of other marine life up-close in their natural habitat. Explore a unique island ecosystem and make connections that will last a life time!
For more information & FREE brochure, please visit: www.whalecamp.com
• Mainstage • Theatre Lab • Dance • Design/Tech • Little Theatre • Special Programs • Private Lessons
» SPACES FILL UP QUICK, REGISTER TODAY! «
www.playgroup.org • 914-946-4433
Hands-on programs in marine science, oceanography, and whale research on beautiful Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. College credit program and $40,000 college scholarships available for high school students
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Alcott School alcottschool.org
Camp Cavise dancecavise.com
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Destination Science: The FUN Science Day Camp For Curious Kids 5-11!
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Fine Arts
Special Needs
Nature/Petting Zoo
CIT (counselor-in-training)
Travel
Horseback Riding
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Bach to Rock mamaroneck.b2rmusic.com
Camp Clio campclio.org
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Greenburgh Nature Center greenburghnaturecenter.org
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Jodi’s Gym jodisgym.com
Port Sailing portsailing.com Purchase College Learn-to-Swim Program purchasecollegeathletics.com.
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Music Conservatory of Westchester musicconservatory.org
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Challenge Courses
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Iona College Day Camp iona.edu
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Extended Hours
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Westfair Swim Camp westfairswim.com YMCA of White Plains whiteplainsymca.org Young at Art Studio Inc youngatartworkshop.com 60
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17 th YEAR
Destination Science The fun science day camp for curious kids 5-11!
For boys and girls ages 6–13 Skills, Rules, Drills and Games Daily June 25–July 27 from 9am-12n Learn the fundamentals in a fun learning environment Located at Greenwich High School Director: Greenwich High School Baseball Coach Mike Mora
Sign up today cardinalbaseballcamp.com or reach Mike directly 203-869-3736 cardinalbbcamp@aol.com
Save $20/wk! Ends 4/30/18
4 Westchester Locations destinationscience.org 888-909-2822
A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles
Tilly... A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)
Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Call 914-764-5564
to schedule a free Tilly Event for schools, libraries & hospitals Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:
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ENROLLING NOW FOR FALL 2018! Come learn from our experienced Montessori teachers who provide an individual, hands on learning environment. We offer a variety of toddler and pre-K programs! Extended hours are available.
www.alcottschool.org Scarsdale 27 Crane Road 914-472-4404
Dobbs Ferry 535 Broadway 914-693-4443
Enrolling now for SUMMER!
Scarsdale 46 Fox Meadow Road 914-725- 7551
Molly Ness, PhD, LLC
SUMMER DAY CAMP For Boys & Girls Ages 3 -14
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Greenwich, CT
molly@areadingmother.com
www.areadingmother.com Are you concerned about your child’s reading progress?
• • • • •
Daily Swim Instruction Indoor and Outdoor Pools Expansive 38 Acre Facility Exceptional Sports Instruction Experienced Adult Coaches
CHARACTER THROUGH SPORTS AND ADVENTURE
CorbinsCrusadersDayCamp.com
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Want to help your child at home with reading and writing? I offer these researched-based practices to help you and your child: • Literacy intervention for children ages 4-12 • Educational evaluations • Parent coaching I am a reading clinician, a nationally recognized author and researcher and a professor of childhood education with years of experience.
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PartyCentral
Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. PARTY PLACES
BIRTHDAY GIFTS GIRL AGAIN 4 Martine Ave., White Plains 914-358-1460 girlagain.com girlagain@yesshecaninc.org Girl AGain is a resale boutique for gently used American Girl dolls and books, which make great birthday gifts! TILLY...A DEER’S TALE 914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift! PARTY ENTERTAINMENT AMY ROSEN COOKING BY DESIGN 917-903-1451 amyrosencookingbydesign.com amyrosencookingbydesign@gmail.com Have a cooking party for your child’s next birthday. From Cupcake Wars to Pizza Creations to chocolate melting, molding, and decorating, your kids will enjoy the fully hands-on experience. CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services, including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone. 62
A-GAME SPORTS 856 Main St., New Rochelle 914-278-9477 agamesports.net info@agamesports.net A-Game Sports offers a variety of birthday party packages for children of all ages. Each 90-minute party includes supervised playtime with two coaches on a private section of turf. ABC CAKES 414 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-630-2858 abccakesny.com info@abccakesny.com ABC Cakes specializes in birthday parties for all ages. Guests decorate cupcakes, cakes, or cookies. Book your party today. ARTISTREE PERFORMING ARTS 114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-2200 artistreearts.com heather@artistreearts.com Artistree Performing Arts creates amazing birthday parties for children ages 1-10. Have your party in our beautifully renovated studio or let us come to you with just the entertainment. BACH TO ROCK MAMARONECK 130 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1457 mamaroneck.bachtorock.com mamaroneck@bachtorock.com Looking for a fun birthday party at a reasonable price? We have three different parties: Rock Star, Karaoke, or Rock City, for an unforgettable experience! BLUE MOON MEXICAN CAFÉ 7-27 Pondfield Road, Bronxville 914-337-4000 42 Kinderkamack Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 201-782-9500 23 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ 201-541-0600 327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-1331 595 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 201-784-3311 bluemoonmexicancafe.com
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Looking to spice up your child’s next birthday party without sending your savings south of the border? Your party guests will revel in a fun-filled celebration with a mouth-watering menu. Call today to find out more! BOUNDLESS ADVENTURES 735 Anderson Hill Road, located on the Purchase College campus 914-893-4550 boundlessadventures.net pcinfo@boundlessadventures.net We are New York’s family-friendly aerial adventure park for outdoor fun-seekers ages 7 through adult. Boundless Adventures is the perfect venue for your next birthday party, bar or bat mitzvah, or sweet 16. Book now to give your guests a unique and unforgettable bonding experience in beautiful Purchase. CENTRAL PARK DANCE 450 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-2940 centralparkdance.com centralparkdance@gmail.com Have the birthday party of your dreams! Choose from Fairytale Ballet, Hip-Hop, and Fun-n-Fit party games. We provide a beautifully decorated studio, a separate space to serve food, paper goods, and an experienced, professional staff.
DAVE AND BUSTER’S PELHAM MANOR 881 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor 914-380-8506 daveandbusters.com/specialevents beatriz_peneda@daveandbusters.com Dave & Buster’s of Pelham Manor is the best place for birthday parties. With great food and games all in one place, it’s the perfect party space. FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience! GYMCATS GYMNASTICS AND BIRTHDAY PARTY CENTER 1 Odell Plaza at Equalize Fitness, Yonkers 914-965-7676 gymcats.net We are famous for our unique private birthday parties. Our enthusiastic, interactive staff will have partygoers laughing and yelling as they swing on rings, jump, bounce, climb, and roll through our super obstacle course.
CHELSEA PIERS CONNECTICUT 1 Blachley Road, Stamford, CT 203-989-1100 chelseapiersct.com/birthday Birthday parties at Chelsea Piers are action-packed! Options include gymnastics, dance, basketball, volleyball, soccer, T-ball, ice-skating, ninja warrior, gaga, and water slides! New this fall is an inflatable obstacle course and bounce house party option!
ISG GYMNASTICS Annie Pipia and Joann Distler, directors 151 Crotona Ave., Harrison 914-835-0010 isggymnastics.com ISG is a fun-filled, unique way to celebrate a birthday complete with trampoline, balance beams, bars, vault, tumbling, and air castle. All ages, 1 through teens. Age-appropriate program and equipment. Fun for all!
CHOCOLATIONS 607 E. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-777-3600 chocolations.com maria@chocolations.com Have your child’s next party at Chocolations. Each child will become a chocolatier and create their own chocolate bar, and have a cupcake lesson in which they will transform a plain cupcake into an elaborate one.
JODI’S GYM 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 244 E. 84th St., Manhattan 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 34 years.
affordables
♥
a quality children’s consignment store
KINETIC SPORTS CLUB 872 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor 914-738-4000 kineticsportsclub.com Slide into your next birthday in style and celebrate your special day in our indoor, year-round water park, fun for all ages! Call 914-738-4000 for more information. LIL CHAMELEON 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe 914-346-5148 lilchameleon.com Come party with Lil Chameleon! Book our Silver or Gold Package and choose from truly unique experiences in our bright and stylish space. THE LITTLE GYM 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests! MACINSPIRES 1923 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 914-630-7338 larchmont@macinspires.com 37 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 203-531-5720 sayhello@macinspires.com macinspires.com MacInspires parties are a wonderfully creative, collaborative, and educational way to celebrate birthdays! Parties feature STEAM activities such as 3-D design, robotics, coding, and more! MUSICAL MUNCHKINS 167 Scarsdale Road, Tuckahoe 914-771-7000 musicalmunchkins.com Musical Munchkins is the perfect birthday party activity for babies through age
5! Enjoy group drumming, funny favorite sing-along songs, fabulous dancing scarves, and more! PROSWING ProSwing of Port Chester 36 Midland Ave., Port Chester 914-937-6700, Sam Colon sam@proswingbaseball.com ProSwing of Mount Kisco 27 Radio Circle Drive, Mount Kisco 914-242-1626, Dan Gray dan@proswingbaseball.com proswingbaseball.com Our facilities are available for team and individual workouts, special events, and birthday parties for children and adults. SPORTIME USA 380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford 914-592-2111 x2 sportimeusa.com Birthday parties? That’s our specialty! Celebrate your birthday at Sportime USA, the coolest place to have a party in Westchester. STUDIO B DANCE CENTER 277 White Plains Road (entrance on Prospect Avenue), Eastchester 914-793-2799 studiobdance.com Each party at Studio B is uniquely designed to give the birthday child an exciting, personalized experience. Boys and girls ages 2 and older enjoy dancing and playing games to their favorite music. WESTCHESTER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-421-5050 discoverwcm.org/field-trips discoverwcm.org/birthday-parties earlychildhood@discoverwcm.org Places to build, explore, and discover, the Westchester Children’s Museum is Westchester’s newest, most creative place for birthday parties! Have the museum’s exhibits, MakerSpace, and party room to yourself—our parties offer exclusive use of the museum space when the general public has gone home. YOUNG AT ART WORKSHOP INC. 1088 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-9229 A unique birthday party experience where each child brings home a personalized piece of art!
• children’s clothing: (sizes 0-14) • materinty clothes: casual, business & dressy • baby equipment: cribs, strollers, high chairs, bouncers Lots of Toys, Books & Games SPRING CLOTHES ARRIVING DAILY
MOST MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Mon. thru Sat. 10-5 • Thurs. 10-6
10 main street • dobbs ferry • 914-693-3610
CHILDREN’S
ART CLASSES 1 - 18 years
914-723-9229 info@youngatartworkshop.com www.youngatartworkshop.com Young at Art Studio Inc. 1088 Central Park Avenue Scarsdale, NY
We Bring The Party To You!!
K&A HOUSE OF BOUNCE • Themed Bouncers • Dunk Tanks • Super Wet Slides • Fun Food Machines • Year Round Service
• Dry Slides • Backyard Parties • Festivals • School Functions • Competitive Prices
• No Risk-Weather Cancellation Policy
845-825-6617
WWW.KAHOUSEOFBOUNCE.COM
Your #1 Source for Party Rentals
DISCOVER • PROTECT • INSPIRE Bronx Zoo
Queens Zoo
Summer just got WILD! Join us for an unforgettable experience that includes age-appropriate, hands-on STEM activities, up-close animal encounters, and exhibit explorations! Call 1-800-433-4149 or email edu@wcs.org for more info!
Central Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo
New York Aquarium
WestchesterParent 63
OPEN Health Care HOUSES 2018 Meet the
Professional
Campus Kids Weekday Sleep-Away Camp
973-845-9260 campuskids.com Call or write to schedule your family’s private tour of our camp. Offered Saturdays and Sundays.
Caring for Kids Dr. Ivis Getz 140 Lockwood Ave., Suite 315, New Rochelle 914-355-2265 caringpediatricdentistry.com caringpediatricdentistry@gmail.com
Hudson Country Montessori School
Dr. Ivis Getz, a board-certified pediatric dentist, is committed to providing the highest quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and those with special needs. Dr. Getz recognizes that each child is a unique individual who deserves compassion and respect, which is evident in her friendly manner and calm demeanor. The dental team truly enjoys working with kids and will treat your child with warmth and compassion. The practice participates in many dental insurance plans and has convenient after-school and Saturday appointments available.
Want more parenting tips, tools & resources... NYMetroParents.com Helping parents make better decisions
Be Social
Mrs. Rebecca McCuller, educational director 340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org Tours are available each weekday beginning at 9:30am. Please call to schedule a visit and see how we inspire a love of learning in each child.
Iona College Day Camp
715 North Ave., New Rochelle iona.edu/about/iona-in-community/summer-camp.aspx mreddington@iona.edu Join us for an open house on March 27 at 6pm.
Thornton-Donovan School
100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Join us for Thornton-Donovan School’s Summer Challenge camp open house on April 15 from 2-4pm. Program dates July 2–Aug. 17 from 8:45am-3:45pm for ages 3-14; coed.
Want more activities to do this fall… Purchase College Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts
NYMetroParents.com
Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase Helping parents make better decisions 914-251-6500 Be Social purchase.edu/youth youth.pre.college@purchase.edu laura.vuli@purchase.edu Join us for an open house on Saturday, April 21 from 10am-12pm in the Neuberger Museum of Art on the Purchase College Campus.
Westchester Summer Day
856 Orienta Ave., Mamaroneck 914-698-8900 x134 westchesterday.org jney@westchesterday.org Tours are available each day by appointment. Call or email to schedule a tour of our beautiful 26-acre campus and see how we create opportunities for a fantastic summer.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics Gym Cats Gymnastics ...............68 ISGC Gym .................................68 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester ..........45
birthday / party services
Wildlife Conservation Society ...63 Young At Art ...............................63
Caring for Kids Pediatric Dentistry....64 Main Street Pediatric Dentistry ....9
child care / day care
music
Ann & Andy ................................49
classes
Amy Rosen Cooking by Design....45 Blue Moon Mexican Café ..........45 Boundless Adventures ...............42 Chocolations LLC ......................47 FunFuzion..................................42 Gym Cats Gymnastics ...............68 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester ..........45 K & A House of Bounce .............63 Little Gym - Westchester .............7 NFL Experience ........................42 Pinebrook Studios .....................55 Sportime USA Inc ......................25 Westchester Children’s Museum ...29 Westchester Parent Party Planner .............................. 65 Wildlife Conservation Society ...63 Young At Art ...............................63
Alcott Montessori .......................61 Amy Rosen Cooking by Design .. 45 Chelsea Piers - CT ....................16 Easter Seals Project Explore .....25 Gym Cats Gymnastics ...............68 Music Conservatory of Westchester...............................23 Play Group Theatre ...................57 Purchase College Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts ...57 Purchase College / SUNY Aquatic Program ........................53 Spearman Golf Academy...........56 Starlight Starbright Music ..........55 Steffi Nossen School of Dance ..24 Studio B Dance..........................49 Westchester Children’s Museum ...29 Young At Art ...............................63
camps
dance
Ann & Andy ................................49 Camp Clio ..................................29 Camp Huntington.......................19 Camp Pinebrook ........................49 Camp Ramaquois ......................28 Campus Kids Summer Camp ....49 Cardinal Baseball Camp ............61 Chelsea Piers - CT ....................16 Corbin’s Crusaders ....................63 Destination Science ...................61 Fin 2 Swim .................................49 Hudson Country Montessori .. 2, 11 ID Tech Camps ............................9 ISGC Gym .................................68 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester ..........45 John A. Coleman School ...........28 Little Gym - Westchester .............7 Mosholu Montefiore Community Center.....................13 Oasis Children Services ............15 Pinebrook Studios .....................55 Port Sailing ................................29 Purchase College Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts ...57 Purchase College / SUNY Aquatic Program ........................53 Spearman Golf Academy...........56 Squire Camps ............................56 Steffi Nossen School of Dance ..24 Studio B Dance..........................49 Teatown Lake Reservation ........57 Thornton Donovan School ...........3 Twin Lakes Farm ....................... 11 Westchester Community College Extention Program .....................27 Westchester Computer Adventures, LLC ........................16 Westchester County Parks ........13 Westchester Summer Day.........15 Whale Camp ..............................57
Steffi Nossen School of Dance ..24 Studio B Dance..........................49
developmental
Center for Autism & The Developing Brain .......................21 Otto Specht School....................25 Westchester Therapy Solutions (Donna Klein )............................23 Yale Child Study Center ............24
education
Alcott Montessori .......................61 Dicker Reading Method ...............5 Hudson Country Montessori .. 2, 11 Huntington Learning Center ......23 John A. Coleman School ...........28 Molly Ness .................................61 Otto Specht School....................25 Thornton Donovan School ...........3 Westchester Community College Extention Program .....................27 Westchester Summer Day.........15
family entertainment / events / outings Boundless Adventures ...............42 FunFuzion..................................42 Israel@70 ..................................67 K & A House of Bounce .............63 NFL Experience ........................42 Sportime USA Inc ......................25 Westchester Children’s Museum..29 Wildlife Conservation Society ...63
fitness
Jodi’s Gym - Westchester ..........45 Twin Lakes Farm ....................... 11
health
Advanced Endodontics ..............25
Music Conservatory of Westchester...........................23 Purchase College Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts ...57 Starlight Starbright Music ..........55
performing arts / acting Play Group Theatre ...................57 Purchase College Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts ...57
play spaces
Boundless Adventures ...............42
religious
Westchester Summer Day.........15
restaurant / food services Blue Moon Mexican Café ..........45
retail
Affordables ................................63 Chocolations LLC ......................47 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale.....................61
Special Events
Israel@70 ..................................67
special needs
Advanced Endodontics ..............25 Camp Huntington.......................19 Center for Autism & The Developing Brain .......................21 Dicker Reading Method ...............5 Easter Seals Project Explore .....25 Huntington Learning Center ......23 Main Street Pediatric Dentistry ....9 Music Conservatory of Westchester...........................23 Otto Specht School....................25 Sportime USA Inc ......................25 Steffi Nossen School of Dance ..24 Westchester Therapy Solutions (Donna Klein )............................23 Westchester Creative Arts Therapy Services.......................24 Yale Child Study Center ............24
PARTY PLANNER 100 + CHARACTERS, INTERACTIVE DJ’S FROZEN & NEW KIDS BAND ‘THE HONEY BEATS’ PHOTO BOOTHS NEW! ROBOTIC ANIMALS (ROBO ZOO) CARNIVALS INFLATABLES CHARACTER SHOWS FAIRYTALE PRINCESS PARTIES THEME PARTIES SHOWS & ATTRACTIONS
COMPLETE CARNIVAL & PARTY PLANNING
914-235-7100 www.davescast.com
Want to know the best
activities for families?
sports
Cardinal Baseball Camp ............61 Chelsea Piers - CT ....................16 Pinebrook Studios .....................55 Port Sailing ................................29 Purchase College / SUNY Aquatic Program ........................53 Spearman Golf Academy...........56 Twin Lakes Farm ....................... 11
theater
Play Group Theatre ...................57
tutors
Dicker Reading Method ...............5 Huntington Learning Center ......23 Molly Ness .................................61
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NYMETROPARENTS.COM/REGISTER WestchesterParent 65
raising kids quotables
What are some ways you’ve taught your kids kindness? “Leading by example is always the best way to teach kids anything. My husband and I do little things, like say, ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ but we also show kindness and empathy to our children and to each other, which our kids see and emulate.” –Carol Bermudez, New City
“When my daughter was 4 and in an especially not-so-nice mood my partner and I explained The Golden Rule, which is essentially, ‘treat people how you want them to treat you.’ Now when she says something mean or refuses to share a toy with her brother, we just say, ‘Stay gold, Roxie,’ and usually that does the trick.” –Aisha R., Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
“It’s so hard for kids to think beyond themselves, especially when they are so young, but it is also so important. We teach our son kindness in the larger sense. We encourage him not only to be kind to his friends, but to himself, to the earth, to animals. Giving him a broad perspective early on will teach him to be a conscious citizen in this big world...we hope.” –Jeffrey Klimpton, Manhattan
in an instagram “I love this little guy so much! He’s going to be new to this big brother business but I know he’s going to have the baby laughing all the time with all of his jokes.”
“My kids’ school teaches a ‘Kind and Gentle’ philosophy that they carry over into all activities. The other day, I got what seemed to be my 100th call from a telemarketer and after some pretty foul language on my part, my daughter reminded my that I was not being K and G (kind and gentle). She’s the one who’s teaching me!” –Paula Terrozzo, Long Island City, Queens
(Posted by @rattlesandheels aka Queens mom Adanna Dill)
Go For It!
Whatever ‘it’ is that you feel like you might be the only mom doing or not doing or feeling or not feeling, you’ve probably got company somewhere. Find another mom at library lap time or in the church nursery or at the pediatrician’s and lay ‘it’ on the line—wait for the blessing of hearing that mom say ‘me, too.’ –Elizabeth Spencer in a post entitled “New Mama, You Don’t Have to ‘Cherish Every Moment’,” on motherly.ly
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
“It’s always great to see your children trying new things, watching their adventurous side coming to light. It’s especially gratifying when I see my son—who’s been diagnosed with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder—take a leap even when he is scared. I have done plenty of things while afraid and after I complete them I feel so freakin’ good. That’s exactly what he’s been doing lately, only it is much harder for him than for me, or for most of us. He’s been trying new things and just going for it, even when he’s scared. –Eileen Carter-Campos in an article entitled “Helping a Child With Autism Try New Things;” read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/new-things-autism.
More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: FUN IN SPRING: Download a free guide to the top Spring activities in the NY area (nymetroparents.com/ spring-activities). PLAN YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER: Find the perfect camp at nymetroparents.com/camp-finder. HOPPIN’ GOOD TIME: Find local Easter events at nymetroparents.com/easter-nyc. MAKE YOUR OWN MATZAH: A Passover activity for the whole family (nymetroparents.com/matzah).
APRIL 15, 2018 | 12:00-5:00pm Hosted at Schechter Westchester, Hartsdale Rain or Shine! | Free admission for children | Adult early pricing through March 30 Special Guest Miss Israel 2013 • Grand Israeli Shuk • Kosher Food • Israeli Air Force Drone Pilot Demo Israeli Beat Box Performance • Live Music and Dancing • Cooking with Israeli Celebrity Chef Gil Hovav Distinguished Speakers including David Harris and Shahar Azani • Virtual Hike Through Israel on “Shvil Yisrael” Toddler and Children’s Activities • Bouncy House • Children’s Performance: “Ella’s Trip to Israel” Presented by:
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Diamond Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Lisa and Michael Leffell Family Foundation
Thank you to our Sponsors. List in formation.
For a full list of activities and tickets visit:
westchesterisraelat70.com
Please contact Westchester Jewish Council, 914-328-7001 or info@wjcouncil.org for more information. WestchesterParent 67
ISG GYMNASTICS SUMMER CAMP
• Full and extended day • Ages 5 & up • No experience necessary Gymnastics, Arts & Crafts, Theme Days, Sports, Gym Games & More
GYMNASTICS CLASSES
Ages 2 & up | Beginner – Advanced Preschool open gym for 5 & under
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Gymnastics, Trampoline, Air Castle & More All parties are private and our amazing staff will make your party one to remember!
151 CROTONA AVE / HARRISON 914−835−0010 / ISGGYMNASTICS.COM
Summer Camp
Full, Half & Extended Day Boys & Girls Ages 4½-12 Gymnastics, Trips, Sports Performance, Games & More Ask about our early bird special until 2-28-2018
Gymnastics Classes
Boys & Girls • Ages 20 months & up Beginner-Advanced Cheerleading • Private Lessons
Private Birthday Parties
• Air castles • Trampolines • Giant Slide • Obstacles Courses, foam filled pit & more
Ask About Our Toddler Open Gym Programs! A walk in, non-instructional playtime for crawlers to 4 year olds All of our famous parties are private,and our interactive staff will make your child’s party a very special one. One Odell Plaza, Yonkers/Hastings border
Located at (Exit 9 off Saw Mill River Parkway)
gymcats.net 914-965-7676