News: What’s happening in the community

When Trolls and

LEGO Collide

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is transforming into the ultimate Troll-tastic playground to celebrate the premier of ‘Trolls World Tour’.

Through May 3, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers is launching an all-access pass, Troll-tastic adventure to celebrate the upcoming premiere of Trolls World Tour. The indoor LEGO playground will transform into a world full of Trolls, where kids can “perfect their air guitar skills, embrace their inner superstar, and become ‘Trollformed’—hair and glitter included.” The experience will also include new, colorful LEGO Trolls sets for kids to play with. Other activities to get excited about include a Troll Stomp Dance Party, where kids can boogie to their favorite Trolls music in a glitter-filled party with a custom DJ turntable made entirely out of LEGO; Rock Star Rides, bringing kids to concert by plane, party bus, hot air balloon, or whatever their imagination conjures up; the opportunity to build your own Troll-tastic instruments out of LEGO; Troll tour buses; and Troll stop-motion videos. Find out more details at nymetroparents.com/trolls-legoland.

Time for Spring Cleaning Did you know 41 percent of Americans can’t remember the last time they cleaned out their fridge? Now is the time to tackle it because spring cleaning season is here. We asked cleaning experts for other oftenforgotten spots when cleaning, plus their tricks to easily get the job done, at nymetroparents.com/ spring-clean.

Sibling Bonds Growing up with a sibling makes for countless fun (and sometimes not-so-fun) memories. And getting kids to share without fighting? Forget about it. If your kids need to share a room, check out 10 tips for keeping the peace at nymetroparents.com/ room-sharing.

Considering adopting a pet? April is National Pet Month, and, much like with a sibling, your child can create a special bond with Fido. But did you know having a pet can have health benefits? A pet can boost your child’s emotional health, according to Jeanne Clune, behavior and enrichment coordinator of the SPCA of Westchester. Considering adopting a pet? Let us help you pick which animal at nymetroparents.com/ pets-for-families.

Ilana Wiles, the mom behind MommyShorts.com, with her two daughters

Celebrating ‘Remarkably Average Parenting’ G etting laid off from her advertising job, shortly after returning from maternity leave no less, was the best thing that ever happened to Ilana Wiles, the Manhattan mom behind MommyShorts.com. “I started the blog because I thought it would be hard to find another job at my level without it. Then the blog took off and advertising became more focused on social media, so instead of getting a job at another agency, I was able to turn my blog into my own business. It felt great to feel super-relevant and ahead of the curve, instead of like becoming a mother had somehow ended my career.”

What’s the best parenting advice you ever received? [It] was from my mother, who said to take advantage of her willingness to help. I don’t know why, but when my first baby was born, I felt this need to prove to her that I could do it all on my own. ...She made me realize that her volunteering to help didn’t mean I was doing anything wrong. It was more about her desire to be involved. Ever since, I accept any help I can get. …When you monopolize all of your kid’s needs, you actually do a disservice to everyone. All moms need a break, and kids should learn to be comfortable with others. Especially Grammy!

What’s your favorite book about parenting? I have to give a shout out to my book, The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting. It’s a fun read that combines real advice with fun anecdotes and parenting memes. It was my attempt to combat the whole perfect parenting thing. There is no right way to do anything (especially parenting!) and sometimes the best thing we can do is forgive ourselves a little and acknowledge that becoming a parent means things are way less in your control.

Read more at nymetroparents.com/mommyshorts.

Why follow @mommyshorts? Wiles treats you like a good friend—ordering you to skip a playdate for lunch and a massage—but can advise on almost every major mommy issue, from pregnancy to politics.

Summer Program Emphasizes Art This summer, Blue Rock School in West Nyack plans to emphasize arts in its Summer Arts and Play program. Children will explore a variety of hands-on and playful art-making activities, including ceramics, music, sewing, puppetry, and drama. Under the guidance of experienced educators, children can develop their imagination and creativity at the school’s 5-acre, wooded campus. For open house dates, email summerarts@bluerockschool.org. 110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack; 845-627- 0234; bluerockschool.org.

Bilingual School Hosts Summer Camp Mandarin Discovery School will hold its summer camp at the Westchester Community Center for the first time this summer. Five one-week sessions will run June 29-July 31 for children ages 2-10. Students will learn Mandarin and about Chinese culture and take field trips to the Museum of Chinese in America and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Groups for the camp are preschool (ages 2-5), High Beginner (ages 5-10), and Advanced Group (Ages 5-10). 515 North St., White Plains; 914-351- 6788; mandarindiscov.org.

An Inclusive Gym for All We Rock the Spectrum, a sensory gym for neurotypical children ages 1-14 and individuals with special needs of all ages, opened in New Rochelle at the end of last year. The space aims to provide a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for kids through support and sensory gym equipment. The gym has a zip line, zip box with a slide trampoline, a variety of swings, a rock-climbing wall, and a calming room. Guests can play pretend in the imagination station with grocery shopping, a baby changing table, a diner, and a puppet station. We Rock the Spectrum offers birthday parties, private play dates, and field trips. 606 Main St., New Rochelle; 914-365-2585; werockthespectrumnewrochelle.com.

Greenify Your Lunch Earth Day is Thursday, April 23, and (now more than ever) we should be cutting waste and thinking as green as possible. We’re doing our part by sharing tips for making your kid’s lunch ‘greener’—from lunchboxes to thermoses to reusable snack bags. One of our editors has been using a set of To-Go Ware’s reusable bamboo utensils for years and swears by the eco-friendly and convenient product. For our full list, visit nymetroparents.com/ green-lunchbox.

Teach Your Kids to Love the Earth Teaching our kids to love and respect the environment from a young age will help them grow up to live sustainably and positively contribute to Earth. Susan Bartell, Psy.D., Long Island-based child psychologist, suggests showing your little ones the importance of caring for nature, saving water, and recycling. Seemingly small decisions like using reusable dishware rather than paper or plastic and explaining can go a long way in developing their habits.