WestchesterParent AUGUST 2017
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
Organize
Your Home • 8 Hacks for Taming the Mess • What to Do With Kids’ Artwork
How to Turn After-School Activities Into College Scholarships! Reasons to
Relax
Why Me Time Is Good for Your Health
HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
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Westchester Community College OSSINING EXTENSION CENTER START YOUR NEW CAREER IN HEALTHCARE NOW! PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Students will learn medical terminology, the role and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician, and interpreting prescriptions, and develop the skills needed to work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Sept. 30-Dec. 10, Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm
CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT Prepare for employment in assisting in administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. This is a two-semester course. Sept. 11-Dec. 20, M/T/W, 5:30-9:30 pm
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August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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That’s why Fidelis Care is joining with New Yorkers everywhere to tell parents that learning about quality, affordable health insurance is just a call or click away.
To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.
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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
Contents
August 2017 ››
47
Features
12 Battling Burnout How me time benefits your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships 16 Easy Home Organization Hacks for Families One mom offers tips for taming the mess and getting your home in order.
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20 Hang, Store—or Toss? Ideas for organizing and displaying kids’ artwork 22 DIY Your Home Three projects to make your decor uniquely you, plus an easy way to clean crayon and pencil marks off your walls 36 From Extracurricular to Extra Cash How to turn your kids’ after-school passion into a college scholarship 47 The Dangers of Dry & Secondary Drowning What to watch out for even after children leave the pool
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48 Bring Shake Shack to Your Kitchen Rather than wait on line for what feels like hours, you can make the NYC chain’s customer favorites at home.
Connections
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6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Lyss Stern, founder of Divalysscious Moms, talks reclaiming your identity after giving birth. 54 Voices: What Potty Training Taught Me
Fun & Activities
Family Activities CALENDAR ››
26 Outing: Wild West City 27 Family Activities Calendar 34 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Berries
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Directories 50 51 52 52 53
Party Central Professional Services Meet the Health Care Professional Party Planner Advertisers’ Index
ON THE COVER ›› Organize Your Home: 16 8 Hacks for Taming the Mess 20 What to Do With Kids’ Artwork 12 Reasons to Relax 36 How to Turn After-School Activities Into College Scholarships
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@NYMetroParents
Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
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AUGUST 2017 • Vol.16 • No.10
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling
EDITOR’S NOTE
DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf
Hack Your Home Organization
P
erhaps you’re one of those people whose home seems immaculate and clutterfree every moment of every day, even as the kids run around being, well, kids. I, most decidedly, am not. Despite our efforts to keep some semblance of order and to teach our kids to clean up after themselves and put stuff away when they’re done with it, our house seems consistently overrun with toys large and small, notes home from camp or school, books strewn about, and of course, artwork everywhere. If your house is anything like mine, read on as we bring you our first-ever Home Issue. In these pages, find easy-to-do hacks for home organization (p. 16), tips for what to do with all that kids’ artwork (p. 20), and DIY projects to make your home feel more uniquely your own (p. 22). I’ve always found late August to be a good time for home projects. Summer is winding down, and my mind is on my kids’ school year ahead—a time to take stock, literally and figuratively, and get organized. It’s also a time for figuring out the kids’ after-school activities and classes. In recent years, mine have participated in a mix of gymnastics, drama, academic enrichment, and chess programs. For younger kids like mine, these are fun activities that build skills and character. For older kids, though, they can be even more rewarding and lucrative, even life-changing, as high school seniors seek scholarships to help with college costs. If your August to-do list includes gearing up for college applications—and figuring out how to pay for it all—check out Samantha Neudorf ’s report on how to turn your child’s extracurricular activities into scholarship money (p. 36). In the meantime, though, there’s plenty of time left to enjoy summer—safely, of course. I love swimming with my kids, but I must admit to feeling a bit of relief when it’s time to pack up and head home; there are so many potential dangers at the pool that I sometimes find it hard to relax. Recent headlines have reminded me, however, that the danger is not over just because a child is no longer in the water. Dry drowning and secondary drowning (related but different syndromes) happen in the hours or even days after a child has gulped water accidentally, and they can potentially be fatal. Learn more about these conditions, including how to prevent them, recognize the signs, and react if you suspect your child has them (p. 47). For fun beyond the pool, find the best activities in the region with our calendar (p. 27), or check out our report on Wild West City in Stanhope, NJ (p. 26). And finally, don’t forget to take time for yourself. Katelin Walling explores the importance of me time to your health and well-being (p. 12)—so if you need an excuse to take a run or relax in a coffeeshop, now you have it!
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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS
nymetroparents.com/np-wp
Who: Mandarin Discovery Preschool What’s New: A Mandarin immersion program that offers preschool classes held entirely in Mandarin as well as Chinese cultural classes for older students opened in March inside the YWCA in White Plains. Mandarin Discovery Preschool has classes for children ages 3-5 on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm. Prior knowledge of the language is not required. Chinese cultural class, for students in the first through fifth grades, will be taught 90-percent in Mandarin and 10-percent in English. Students will learn conversational Mandarin, Chinese calligraphy, and about the Chinese Zodiac during Saturday classes from 3:30-5:30pm. Want More Info: Inside the YWCA: 515 North St., White Plains; 914-351-6788; shanshanli@mandarindiscov.org; mandarindiscov.org
Mandarin Discovery Preschool
Mandarin Immersion Program Opens in White Plains
Mandarin Discovery Preschool offers immersion classes held entirely in Mandarin for children ages 3-5.
Who: Developmental Steps, LLC What’s New: Sports Clinics and online videos, which are offered through the pediatric physical therapy center’s two locations. The free Sports Clinics launched in early June and are designed to help parents aid their 3- to 5-year-old child’s development in a sport he or she is interested in. Parents should come with their child to gain insightful tips to implement at home. The videos were released on YouTube in early April and can be used to help children set a foundation for any sport they may choose. Developmental Steps serves children of all abilities from infancy to age 18. Want More Info: 388 Westchester Ave., Suite 1A-1B, Port Chester; 914-939-6400; and 272 N. Bedford Road, Suite G101102, Mount Kisco; 914-864-0855; info@developmentalsteps.com; developmentalsteps.com
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August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Courtesy Developmental Steps, LLC
Pediatric Physical Therapy Center Expands Offerings
Developmental Steps provides pediatric physical therapy for children from infancy to age 18.
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UOTABLES Be easy on yourself postpartum. Ask for help. Call upon your village. Allow yourself to process all the feelings that come up. There is no rulebook. Practicing gratitude every day will help you keep things in perspective. My dear friend always says, “It’s like a hurricane in a teacup.” This phase feels like 1000 years when you are in it but I promise you it will pass. It gets easier. —Lindsey Bliss, in the “Honest Motherhood” series on theglow.com.
in an instagram Saturdays. (Posted by @kaityvelez, aka Kaity Velez, co-founder of wellroundedny.com)
A SPECIAL MILESTONE
in an instagram When your friends force you on a ride.. what the heck #yolo Thanks @Lunaparknyc for hosting us (Posted by @mamidoesitall, aka Karen Angustia, who blogs at mamidoesitall.com)
“My son—he is exactly like me, we are kindred spirits and he drives me up the wall. We butt heads, we argue, we never see eye-to-eye which doesn’t make any sense because we are so damn alike. I guess you could say it literally does feel like we are two positive sides of a magnet trying to come to together yet repelling each other at the same time.” —Katie Smith, in a post entitled “It’s Not Easy When Your Child is Just Like You,” on mom.me.
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“My son has autism and, at age 13, recently saw a movie in a theater for the first time. It is not something I thought would work for him—until now.” —Manhattan mom Dana Greenberg in an article entitled “Taking a Child with Autism to the Movies: 5 Tips From a Mom Who’s Been There.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/autism-movies.
MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: SAND & SURF: Find the best beaches near you at nymetroparents.com/beaches. LUNCH TO GO: Discover the perfect picnic spot at nymetroparents.com/picnic. SUMMER FUN: See 100 things to do in NYC this summer at nymetroparents.com/summer-fun. KEEP ‘EM SAFE: Learn tips for keeping kids safe at amusement parks at nymetroparents.com/park-safety.
NYMP Q&A
Motherhood is Fabulyss ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva
Lyss Stern is the founder of Divalysscious Moms, a networking company for moms in New York City. Stern recently wrote the book Motherhood is a B#tch! 10 Steps to Regaining Your Sanity, Sexiness, and Inner Diva. Why do you think it’s so important for moms to reclaim their identity after giving birth? Being a mom is wonderful but that’s only part of what defines me. Motherhood should be added onto everything else a woman was before she became a mom. Of course, if you want to take a pause from work and you want to change careers or be a stay-at-home mom that’s 100-percent great with whatever you choose to do, but at the end of the day, moms, especially new moms, shouldn’t lose sight of who they were before they had a kid. So what are some things moms can do to get their mojo back? If you can get an hour of exercise a day or an hour to yourself a day, that’s ideal. Everyone can carve out five to 10 minutes a day whether it is going to your local coffee shop and having a cup of coffee with a girlfriend or locking yourself in the bathroom for 10 minutes and reading a magazine. For me, I take a bubble bath and I light some candles; that is my time. Go sit quietly for 10 minutes and meditate. Go for a long walk in the park, whatever it may be, do something just for you, and it doesn’t have to cost any money. Just hit the pause button, just take a moment to breathe, and you will start to feel a little bit better every time you do that because we take on so much. It’s great how you take ownership of the word b#tch. Can you tell our readers what being a b#tch means to you? In the book, we spell it out for you. “B” stands for, be the person you want to be. “I,” identify with that. “T,” take time out for yourself. “C,” care for yourself. “H,” ask for the help. We spell the word b#tch for you by giving you ways to make yourself stronger: to empower yourself to be the best you can be, to learn to say the word “no,” to practice self-care, to ask for help. I talk about it in the book, but when I first started off 13 years ago, I thought I was Wonder Woman. I had black hair and blue eyes, and I thought I could have it all. I could have the career and have these kids and do it all by myself. But here I am, 13 years later, and it was a wakeup call for me because I can’t do this all by myself. I want ask for help, I want to delegate, I want to take time for myself, I want to be the woman I visualize myself as. And I think that if all moms took a moment to realize this, we will be much better off.
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WestchesterParent 11
FOCUS ON: ME TIME
Battling Burnout
››
Why spending 15-20 minutes every day doing something for yourself will benefit your physical and emotional health, as well as your relationships with your partner and children By Katelin Walling
Y
our kids left their shoes in the middle of the entryway, and your first reaction is to lose your cool and yell at them. You’re pulling away from your partner because you feel like he isn’t doing his fair share of household chores. Your mental, physical, and emotional health is crumbling because you consistently feel stressed out. If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you but you’re not sure why you’re feeling this way, I have two words for you: caregiver burnout. Yes, it’s a very real thing. And the antidote to caregiver burnout? Me time. “The way I like to put it often is, if you don’t put on your oxygen mask first, you can’t really help anyone around you. So to some degree women often do feel responsible and even guilty and push themselves to be there for everybody else in their lives,” says Gail Saltz, M.D., a Manhattan-based psychiatrist and author of The Power of Different. And to do so with maximal effort and without staying attuned to their own emotional or physical needs, they can become very depleted and unable to care for themselves and for others, she says.
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Health Benefits of Me Time
“Me time is recovery time, it’s recoup time, it’s regeneration time,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love. “When you continually do something—even if it’s something you enjoy doing—if you keep doing it and pushing yourself without ever taking a step back, that’s like training for a marathon and running 100 miles a day. You can’t do that. Your body can’t handle it,” she says. So how, exactly, does me time positively affect physical and mental health? Overall, it relieves stress, which can: Boost the immune system. Based on research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of the effect of the mind on health and resistance to disease), when we are stressed out, we’re more likely to get sick because our immune system doesn’t function as well, according to Dr. Lombardo.
Help prevent and relieve chronic pain. Constant stress is also likely to cause aches and pains, Dr. Lombardo says. When she first started her private practice in psychology (she also has a background in physical therapy), Dr. Lombardo worked exclusively with those who had chronic pain known as medically unexplained pain. “The majority of those people had something in common, which was they took care of a whole lot of other people and did not have a lot of me time. They didn’t allow their bodies to rest and recoup, and they pushed it to the limit until their bodies finally said, if you’re not going to listen to me, I’m going to make you listen to me, and they developed chronic problems,” she says. Lead to better overall health. Moms who don’t take any time for themselves tend to forgo exercise and may skip doctors visits. “Physically you don’t have cardiovascular health and all that goes with it, you don’t go to the doctor and do preventative health care, you don’t go to the doctor and catch things in early stages that maybe can be dealt with as opposed to waiting,” Dr. Saltz says. Prevent negative thinking. “When we are at heightened levels of stress without coming down, it affects our ability to think and we tend to use cognitive distortion. We tend to think in more negative ways,” Dr. Lombardo says. “We personalize that our kid doesn’t pick up their shoes and get more upset about it than we need to.” Cause more positive emotions and prevent unhealthy habits. “I think for moms the biggest issue becomes depression or anxiety related to feeling that they have not done anything to meet their own emotional needs,” Dr. Saltz says. When we experience negative emotions, Dr. Lombardo says, we tend to turn to alcohol,
retail therapy, and what she likes to call Ben & Jerry’s therapy to squelch those feelings. Lead to a better night’s sleep. Constant stress can lead to trouble sleeping, which affects mental and physical health, Dr. Lombardo says. “I don’t know about you, but when I don’t get enough sleep, I can’t think straight and I’m frankly not a very nice person, and that can affect our mental health,” she says.
Your Me Time Benefits Everyone in Your Life
Burning out affects more than just physical and mental health; it affects relationship health, too. “When we have that time to ourselves, we can be close to our true self, and that true self is the person who has less stress, is compassionate and loving,” Dr. Lombardo says. “When you are your true self, you are a lot more fun to be with, you are a lot more forgiving.” Mia Redrick, The Mom Strategist™ and author of Time for Mom-Me: 5 Essential Strategies for a Mother’s Self-Care and Time for Mom-Me: 365 Daily Strategies for a Mother’s Self-Care, adds that when you spend time “dating yourself” (something her mother made her promise to do every week as a mom), you become clear about what’s good for you—what you really want and need in life—and truly knowing yourself adds value to yourself. “I think that one of the greatest assets is being a parent that has added value to herself and therefore you can add value to that parent-child relationship. Imagine that because you are connected to who you are, your kids now know the things that make you happy and fulfilled,” Redrick says. continued on next page ››
DISCOVER Westchester’s Theatre for Children and Teens
www.playgroup.org 914-946-4433 WestchesterParent 13
‹‹ continued from previous page
Another thing to consider is children constantly observe their parents. “If you think about how you want your children to be when they become parents, my guess is we all want our kids to be healthy, well-rounded parents. …So it’s really modeling positive behavior for them to be able to see that Mom gets time for herself,” Dr. Lombardo says. “And that’s a good thing.” Plus, not taking me time is unhealthy for the parent-child relationship “in terms of being so enmeshed with your child and promoting the idea that your child can’t be okay without you,” according to Dr. Saltz. “You want a child to be able to separate and feel that they can be independent and they’re okay.” As for how me time benefits relationships between partners? For moms who don’t have me time, “their primary relationship may start to decline, their sexual relationship may start to decline. Particularly, moms can become so focused on children that spouses can feel like, hey, there’s nothing going on between us—anything from strain to feeling disconnected and feeling like, [she’s] not in love with me anymore, or even feeling like, [I’m] not in love with [her] anymore. So time must be taken to maintain a healthy primary relationship,” Dr. Saltz says. Dr. Lombardo shares a story about one of her clients. He and his wife were having issues, and they had young children. For their anniversary, he got a hotel room for one night and had her stay there alone. “Honestly it’s the best thing he could have done for their marriage,” Dr. Lombardo says. “To realize that he understood she just needed some time to herself, and he was not only okay with it, he made sure it happened. I’m not saying it saved their marriage, but it did a lot.”
“Finding” Time for Me Time
“Before we even talk about finding time, we have to talk about giving yourself permission,” Dr. Lombardo says. “Because here’s the thing: We all have the same amount of time, we all know that. So if something is so important to you, you’re going to do it. No one says, I haven’t brushed my teeth all month because I just couldn’t find the time. So the first thing is to realize why it’s important to you personally, but also to your kids.” Once you’ve given yourself permission to take me time—and we’re only talking 15-20 minutes a day—a good next step is to figure out the best time, Dr. Saltz says. Is it when your partner is home to care for your young child, or if you want to do something with your spouse, can a grandparent or babysitter care for your child? For Redrick, finding that time comes from implementing three techniques: Mirroring: When you’re doing something for yourself, have your kids do that same thing for themselves. For instance, tell your kids, Mommy is going to read a book to herself for two minutes, and you’re going to read a book to yourself for two minutes. “I did this with my kids when they were very young. As they got older, the time grew, but as a result of that, I could always read for myself, by myself every single day,” Redrick says. Blending: When Redrick does something for her kids, she looks for an opportunity to do something for herself during that time. “I do something for myself every day because it’s tied to me doing something for my kids. For example if I push them on the swing, I do a squat for myself. If I sign them up for an activity, I can write my book while they’re in their class or practice. I always look for opportunities to do things for me and advance me while I’m doing things for them and advancing them.” 14
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DIPP: Delegate household chores or tasks to family members to create more time for yourself, even something as simple as “having the kids do the dishes so you can read a book,” Redrick says. Incorporate others in your space. “Maybe, if you’ve got young children, you have a mother’s helper—a 13- to 15-year-old that comes over to your house so that you can make some calls if you’re trying to start a business while she reads to your kids for an hour, or something like that. Maybe its grandparents who ritualistically commit to coming over to get the kids so you can take a bath alone without the kids knocking on the door,” she says. Plan time for yourself. It’s impossible to make time for you if you don’t plan it. You don’t get the support you need if you don’t plan it. Purge your calendar and get rid of activities that no longer add value to your life. “I think so many moms are really good at addition and not great at subtraction. We just add and add and add. And then you try to figure out why you’re feeling overwhelmed, why there’s no room for me time—it’s because we’re connected to so many things,” Redrick says.
Suggestions for Me Time
Now that you know why taking me time is important and how you can find the time, the next step is to figure out what you want to do during your alone time. “Once you identify [what you want to do], figure out how can you do it. So if someone says to me, oh, I just want to go to the beach and get away for five days. Okay, maybe you can’t do that, but maybe you can do part of that. So if you live near a beach, you can go for a walk down there. If it’s just sitting in the warmth, maybe it’s taking 20 minutes [to sit] in a hot tub or getting in the warm bath. So just looking at what do you want to do and looking at ways to do it,” Dr. Lombardo says. If you’re stumped and need an idea to kick-start your me time, try: Indulging in self-care. Take a nap, meditate, or do guided visualization “where you can kind of go on a metal vacation,” Dr. Lombardo says (you can find free guided visualization videos on YouTube). Or splurge a little and get a massage or a mani/pedi. Doing something small and inexpensive. “A lot of people think me time has to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be,” Redrick says. “I initially would just go to a coffee shop and enjoy a cup of coffee and read a book to myself, or I would go to the bookstore and spend some time alone, or I would go to a park with a picnic blanket and snack that I like and I could spend some time just to hear myself think.” Reading a book or magazine. “I had one client who was talking about how she had a stack of magazines that built up over three years. She had three kids and she had the magazines, but hadn’t read any of them,” Dr. Lombardo says. “And just the thought of sitting down with her feet up without anyone asking her for anything for 10 minutes was all she wanted, and that’s so easy to do.” Signing up for a class or activity. Just because you say you’ll take me time, it doesn’t mean you’ll always commit to yourself and actually take it—something inevitably will come up. “If you find you’re one of those people and you have all the support in the world, then what you do is you commit in advance with an activity,” Redrick says, “So I would book a concert series six weeks out, and I knew I would go because I paid in advance, or a cooking class, or a yoga class, or Zumba. Commit with your dollars to a class that has a date and that will get you out of the house.”
Engaging your creative side. Whether it’s music, journaling, painting, knitting, writing, or drawing, your creative talents can be utilized during me time. Dr. Lombardo has a client who, when they were talking about musical instruments, said she used to play the guitar and wished she had never stopped. When Dr. Lombardo asked why she didn’t play now, “she looked at me like I was crazy and said, ‘I don’t have any time!’ And I said, ‘What if you took 15 minutes once a week to play the guitar. What would that be like for you?’ And she just became dreamy, just that thought to her was so wonderful,” Dr. Lombardo says. Going to the gym or for a walk. “I think exercise is a biggie because it really helps with mood, it helps with mental health and physical health. So that’s an important thing to try to be doing,” Dr. Saltz says. “But if you don’t find exercise to be pleasurable, then it is important to have times when you’re picking something that you do enjoy.”
Overcoming the Mom Guilt
While the idea of taking me time is well and good, what about that ever-lingering feeling of mom guilt and the fear of being on the receiving end of mom shaming? “When people are concerned about being judged by other people, what they really are is judging themselves. Because if you aren’t judging yourself, if you are one hundred-percent fine with it, then another mother could say some comment or remark like, oh, it must be nice to be able to do that, and it doesn’t hurt,” Dr. Lombardo says. Moms feel guilty about spending time alone because they have a perfectionistic expectation of themselves and they shouldn’t need me time, according to Dr. Lombardo. “In psychology we talk about should-ing all over yourself. I shouldn’t do this. I shouldn’t do that. That’s ridiculous, and it’s so harmful psychologically, it’s so harmful physically, it’s so harmful socially,” she adds. “We are such an all-or-nothing society—you’re either selfish or selfless, but there’s a lot in between. So realizing that it’s not being selfish, it’s practicing good self-care. You can’t consistently be a great mom if you’re so overwhelmed you’re not taking time for yourself. We have needs like rest, we have needs like having fun…and we really need to take care of those needs. You can take care of yourself and that doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you human.” On the other hand, “if you’re so overwhelmed with guilt that you can’t take 15 minutes to go take a bath or to read a book, I would be concerned that either you have separation anxiety from your child, or your child is having something going on that makes it feel like you can’t leave. Maybe they have an issue that needs attending to or you have an issue going on that needs attending to,” Dr. Saltz says. “It should be okay to take 15 minutes to do something relaxing or engaging that doesn’t include your child.” And if that mom guilt does start to creep in when you’re doing something for yourself, just remember: “We’re human. Everyone needs time for themselves, it’s just part of they way we’re made up,” Dr. Lombardo says. “Remind yourself, I’m being a really good mom by taking this time for myself because I can be much more engaged with my children. I can be more present.” This is the first in a two-part series on me time. Next month: Why downtime is important for kids—and how to balance it with their busy after-school activities schedules.
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A pill organizer makes for great hair tie storage.
Use food containers to store craft supplies.
Easy Home Organization Hacks for Families
Recycle shoeboxes to organize messy drawers.
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Clutter is a fact of life for most parents. One mom offers tips for taming the mess and getting your home in order.
Hack #1: Baskets
By Jennifer Garry
Let’s be honest: When you have kids, you accumulate an abundance of stuff. From products to soothe and comfort them as babies to itty bitty figures and the countless toy houses that go with them when they’re a little older, it can get really tough to tackle clutter. While I can be the queen of messes, sometimes I go on epic decluttering sprees that leave me feeling much more sane and in charge of my surroundings—even if neither of those things is actually true. In the spirit of helping a mother out and making you feel more sane and in charge, I’m sharing eight super-simple organization tricks that my sister and I swear by.
In my house, there are baskets everywhere. We have shelves filled with them. They’re in our cabinets and under side tables. They’re next to my girls’ desks and all over our basement. The reason? They offer an incredibly easy way to contain similar items and hide things that look messy. Toys are sorted into different categories and the baskets are put onto our shelves. Things my daughters need to put away are in baskets next to their desks. Smaller baskets hold like food items to make it easier to grab and go. And I love the look of nice, cozy blankets stored in a basket instead of haphazardly strewn over chairs. Baskets can also be a great way to store puzzles and card games, which brings me to our next hack…
Hack #2: Storing Board Games I won’t lie to you—our board game situation was the bane of my existence for a while. I cringed any time one of the girls asked to play a game because I knew that getting a board game out was going to require some serious Tetris skills and would more likely than not end with me getting hit in the head with flying game pieces. That is until I made the (brilliant) decision to store all of our board games sideways instead of lying them flat and on top of one another. This way, when someone wants to play a game, all you have to do is slide it out of its slot. There’s no delicate balancing act or cursing or crawling on the floor looking for tiny pieces. Pro tip: You might want to secure boxes with a rubber band if you store them this way to make sure the tops don’t slide off. 16
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Hack #4: Food Containers for Craft Supplies Like dress up, craft supplies are another area that gets unruly really quickly. For one, I’m kind of a craft supply hoarder. Aside from typical things such as crayons, markers, and glue, I keep an assortment of things that may otherwise have found their way into the garbage. I love seeing what creative ways my daughters find to use things such as bottle caps or a pair of jeans that got too tattered to wear anymore. (The jeans were turned into a pretty cool throw pillow by my tween.) The problem? With so many random things on hand, it can be difficult to corral them and then store everything neatly—until my repurposed craft supplies inspired me to repurpose containers to hold them in. Now I clean and save takeout containers or any other plastic containers our food comes in (hummus containers, for instance, are a great size for holding tiny beads) and store craft supplies in those. Not only is it cheap and eco-friendly, but it keeps things contained and makes it easier to stack them inside our craft closet.
Hack #5: Pill Organizer for Hair Ties Hack #3: Kids Dress Up Outfits I don’t know about you, but I’m a saver. If I think my kids will get use out of it, it stays. That means we have a ragtag collection of old Halloween costumes, party props, and dress up clothes exploding all over the place. While I’ve yet to tackle our mess, I absolutely love how my sister organized my niece’s dress up. With nothing more than a hanging rod and a shelf, not only does her dress up look nice, but it’s organized in a way that’s manageable for my niece and makes choosing things must less overwhelming than digging through an enormous mound (which is our current situation). The baskets up top keep all of the loose accessories together and out of view.
Another kids organization problem always making me crazy is hair ties—especially the teensy, tiny hair ties required for babies’ fine hair and for securing small braids and ponytails. They’re so small they’re hard to keep track of to begin with. Add in varying sizes and kids who get very specific about what color is allowed to grace their head each day and you have yourself a situation that can easily suck up more of your precious morning time than you’d like. Pill organizers have completely changed that for me. The small compartments are the perfect size for sorting hair ties of different colors, sizes, and materials. It makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and helps limit choices if your daughter has to pick them out herself. It’s essential to note that, obviously, this is not a great idea if you regularly use pill organizers for actual medicine. I wouldn’t want my daughter feeling comfortable sorting through one for hair ties if there were organizers elsewhere in the house containing medicine that she might find and feel free to explore.
Hack #6: Shoeboxes for Storage This one is similar to baskets, but it’s a free, ecofriendly version for spots that don’t need to look pretty. You can, however, make them pretty if you need to with a coat of paint or some scrapbook paper. My kids’ dressers always drive me crazy. They’re constantly digging and pulling things out of there so that it becomes impossible to find anything really quickly. To combat that, I’ve started using shoeboxes to keep smaller items together. I fill open shoeboxes with underwear, socks, tights, and bathing suits to make them easier to find. I can’t even tell you how much time this one little tip saves me. I also use shoeboxes for crayons, markers, colored pencils, and stickers. It’s so much easier than trying to keep them in the boxes they typically come in. My girls generally destroy those pretty quickly. continued on next page ››
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Hack #7: Toilet Paper Tubes for Cords I realize this one sounds a little insane at first, but hear me out. We had tangled messes of power cords and wires for all of our technological devices spread all over the house. My husband solved the tangling problem with Velcro strips, which at least helped tame them into little circles. But there was still the problem of having cords all over the house and constantly being unsure of where to find the particular one we needed. Enter toilet paper tube organization! Once the cords are wrapped into tight circles and secured with Velcro, they fit perfectly into toilet paper tubes—which fit nicely into shoeboxes. Now, we line up toilet paper tubes inside of a shoebox (which is so easy to tuck into cabinets and out of sight) and store a cord in each tube. Pro tip: Use washi tape to make labels for each of your cords to make finding them even easier.
Hack #8: Wine Crates for Storage Sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit. My sister scored a bunch of wine crates for free at a local liquor store. Like baskets and shoeboxes, they are a great way to contain things, but they add a different kind of visual feel. While baskets can almost melt into the background and go unnoticed, wine crates are a little unexpected and add a cool touch. They’re also nice and sturdy, which comes in handy if little people are going to be sorting through them. If you have any hacks for organizing your home that you swear by, I’d love to hear them. I’m all for anything that makes life easier Jennifer Garry is a freelance writer and Westchester mom. She writes the blog CuddlesandChaos.com.
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WestchesterParent 19
Heather Bauer, thecaterpillaryears.com
Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised
Hang, Store—or Toss? A simple kids’ art wall, using wire and clothespins
A child hangs her artwork in frames her parents have hung on the wall for this purpose.
Kids love to create, and create, and create some more. Here’s how to display and organize all that artwork—and when it’s okay to make it disappear. By Bethany Braun-Silva
L
et’s face it, there’s only so much room on the fridge, and hanging macaroni art or finger paintings on the living room wall might not be to your design taste. No judgment, it’s not mine either. So what do we do with the countless art projects our kids create in camp, in school, at after-school programs, at friends’ houses, and at home? Sure, we can toss some of it, but we naturally want to keep a lot of it, albeit without creating clutter. Luckily, there are some fun ways to display and store your kids’ artwork, all while getting them involved in the process, too.
Let Your Child Decide
Kids love to show off what they’ve learned and accomplished, and that’s why a DIY gallery wall is a great way to give them some ownership of their space and their artwork. Hang several empty frames of various shapes, sizes, and colors in your child’s room. Then give her some blue tacky or scotch tape and let her decide which of her masterpieces to display. The artwork can easily be swapped out, and older pieces can be moved to storage (or recycled!). 20
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If you don’t have a ton of wall space, leave it to Target to sell the perfect solution. The Loft by Umbra Kids Art Display & Storage frame allows you to store artwork right in the frame: Your child can pick a piece of artwork to display while storing several other pieces behind it, and she can switch it out when ever she feels like it. It’s a space-saving lifesaver! Another easy that way for kids to display their own art is by hanging a wire and attaching some clothespins to it. Haeley Giambalvo, a DIY expert and founder of the blog designimprovised.com writes, “The art wall has become a rotating display in the playroom. It is right by their table so the girls can hang up something on their own once they are done.” It’s a simple and fun way to display kids’ art.
Solutions for Small Spaces
New Yorkers know apartment space is sacred, simply because we don’t have a lot it. And even in the ‘burbs, plenty of us find extra wall space is at a premium. We turned to Sharon Lowenheim, a certified personal organizer and founder of Organizing Goddess,
Don’t Be Afraid to Throw It Away
Throwing away your child’s art is usually harder on the parents than it is on the kids—cue the mom guilt! But unless it’s a particularly special or important project, your child will probably not be all that attached to it. After all, they create so much! Talk with your child about recycling his art instead of throwing it away. This might make the conversation a little easier and also help to teach him about repurposing items and the process of recycling. “We always involved our daughter in making the decision about what would be displayed and what would go directly into the recycle bin. Small children are very passionate about recycling and will understand that what doesn’t get kept should be recycled,” Lowenheim says. “It’s important for your child to learn that not everything can be saved, and that decision-making about what to keep is important at every stage of life,” she adds. If throwing your kid’s art away just simply isn’t your style you always have the option of gifting it to friends or relatives. Sending several pieces to Grandma and Grandpa is a great way free up space in your house, while at the same time deepening their relationship with their grandkids and reminding them just how important they are to your kids.
Storage Ideas
After putting pieces on display for a certain period, it might be time to put them away to make room for newer pieces of artwork from the creation machines all children are. Here are some great ways to store your kids’ art: • Souvenarte Books (souvenartebooks.com) will make a coffee table book of your child’s art. “It’s a great way to honor your child’s creations without having to save them all,” Lowenheim says. • Snap a photo. Even without a dedicated app, photos of kids’ art can be uploaded to the family computer, where they can be viewed at any time or put into a photo album that is easily accessible when you’re feeling nostalgic. Or, if you have a digital photo frame, you can display your child’s art on rotation. • Make your own storage binder using clear sheet protectors. Much like a photo album, you and your children can go through it together and see their progress through the years. For larger artwork and projects, Bonnie Dewkett of The Joyful Organizer suggests, “For three-dimensional pieces of art, the easiest thing to do is take a photo of your child with the piece; keep it [the project] for a little while, and then dispose of it. I usually suggest moving it to another area of the house, such as the garage, after a period of time. If it’s not missed, you can easily get rid of it.” Courtesy makelifelovely.com
to give us some advice on how to display our kids’ art when we don’t have a lot of room to do so. “First, you need to decide how much space you are willing to devote to storing your child’s art,” Lowenheim says. Once you decide if it’s a little or a lot, she suggests you “buy a portfolio or plastic bin of the appropriate size, and then make sure that you don’t exceed that space. This will require you to continually make decisions about what stays and what goes.”
Turn to Tech
These days, there are tons of ways to store your kids’ art and schoolwork on the web. Apps like Keepy allow you to store, save, and even privately share your children’s artwork and schoolwork. All the photos you take of your child’s work is uploaded to the cloud, which is backed up on Keepy’s own server to insure your stuff is always safe. Similarly, the app Art My Kid Made is like an Instagram for kids’ art. Parents take a photograph of the artwork, upload it, tag it, and share. You can also upload to other social networks through the app, and there is even an option to print.
A binder in which you can neatly store kids’ art.
As much as we want to honor our kids’ work by keeping and displaying it, it is also important for children to understand organization and tidiness, and how to know when to keep and when to throw away certain items. Letting your little Picasso curate her own bedroom gallery might have you well on your way to a more organized home.
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DIY CORNER
DIY Your Home
Make your decor uniquely you with these projects from “Make It Yours,” “Rag Rugs, Pillows, & More,” and “Sunshine Spaces.” Plus, an easy way to clean crayon and pencil marks off your walls. Time: 1 hour Difficulty: • • • • Learn: How to decoupage wood surfaces Remix: Use this decoupage technique for keepsake wooden boxes or recipe boxes Materials Wood panel, 18-by-24-inch with 2-inch cradle 400-grit sandpaper (optional) Rag Rubbing alcohol (optional) Base coat paint (optional) Foam brush, 4-inch (10cm) Laser printer
Message Board
As an anti-list maker and avid forgetter-of-all-things, I’ve had to change my ways now that I’ve got a toddler in tow. I wanted a message board that looked good whether it’s blank or packed with messages, so I worked up this project. These wood panels are available in many sizes in art stores and their depth allows you to rest a chalk marker on the top for writing. Remember that you must use photocopies from a laser printer. (An inkjet print will bleed when it hits the liquid Mod Podge.) You can just bring the book to the copy shop or lay the template directly on the copy glass. Because you don’t glue the graphics down until later, you can move them around until you get the composition you want.
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Graphics (visit nymetroparents. com/message-board to download) White paper (standard weight, not cardstock) Scissors Scrap paper Mod Podge Chalk marker
Directions 1. Prep the wood panel if it is rough by sanding with 400-grit sandpaper. Cleaning off wood with a wet cloth will raise the grain. Best to use a soft rag that is either dry or moistened with rubbing alcohol that evaporates quickly. Prime and paint the panel a solid color if you like, using a large foam brush. 2. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the surface and sides of the wood panel with a foam brush and allow it to dry. 3. Photocopy the graphics provided or design your own. Use a laser printer to print the images on white paper and then cut out the graphics with scissors. 4. Position graphics in place to create a composition. I chose to space the graphics at least 2 inches inside the perimeter of the panel and then space them evenly from one another, but you could bunch them together as well. My composition means I will be writing my list over the graphics, but I chose this design so the board would still look interesting when there was no writing on it at all. 5. Place one of the graphics facedown on scrap paper and use foam brush to coat it with Mod Podge. Then quickly place graphic back in position. Use foam brush to coat the front of the graphic with Mod Podge, stroking from center to edges. This will adhere the graphic and ensure a smooth surface. 6. Repeat step 5 until all the graphics are adhered in position. 7. Paint several coats of Mod Podge over the entire surface and set it aside to dry for at least 24 hours. 8. Use a chalk marker to write your messages and wipe them off with a damp cloth when needed.
Reprinted from Yellow Owl Workshop’s Make It Yours. Copyright © 2017 by Christine Schmidt. Photographs copyright © 2017 by Aubrie Pick. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.
Hiding Space
How much do kids love a hiding space? For that matter, how much do adults love one, too? I love it when my kids create their own spaces to hide in, but I don’t love the mess left afterwards. I feel like I’m folding up sheets and putting away cushions for days. This is a hiding spot you can make that is somewhat more permanent, and can be quickly collapsed and put away for another day. It can also be moved outdoors and lined with blankets and a few cushions, to provide a comfy, shaded reading / napping / tea-party spot for both kids and adults alike. You Will Need: Scrap paper 4 10-foot lengths of white fabric, about 4 feet wide (I used varying weights but all lightweight fabrics, such as gauze or poplin) Acrylic paints: grey, mustard, pale pink, navy (or use fabric paints if you have them) Wide paintbrushes
Scissors Pins Sewing machine and thread Retractable knife 20 feet of ¾-inch wide flexible cream-colored irrigation tubing 3 irrigation tubing joiners Tape measure and pencil 26 feet of 1/8-inch rope or cord, cut into four equal lengths
Directions: 1. Cover the work area with some scrap paper, then place your first length of fabric on top. Have all your paints ready. 2. Using a wide paintbrush, paint large waves and swirls on the fabric. If you don’t have enough space to lay the whole fabric length on the table, paint sections and then, when it’s dry, move the fabric along to the next blank spot. 3. Use a variety of shapes and colors, keeping the pattern fairly simple. Repeat the process with the remaining three lengths of fabric.
4. When the painted fabric lengths are completely dry, cut them in half lengthways so you end up with eight pieces, 10 feet long and 2 feet wide. At the top of each piece, fold over 2 inches of fabric to create a loop for the tubing. Pin and sew. If you like, hem the bottom of each length (I didn’t, but I’m lazy). 5. Cut the irrigation tubes into one 3-foot, 3-inch, one 6-foot, 8-inch, and one 9-foot, 10-inch lengths. Join the ends of the 6-foot, 8-inch length together with tubing joiners to form a hoop. Repeat for the 9-foot, 10-inch length. 6. Feed the 3-foot, 3-inch length of tube through the loops at the top of each fabric length, ensuring the painted side of the fabric is facing outwards. Fasten with a joiner. 7. Place the hoops in order of size, starting with the smallest in the center (the smallest hoop will have all the fabric attached). Using a tape measure, measure and mark eight equally distanced spaces around the hoops: 3-foot, 3-inch hoop = 5 inches; 6-foot, 6-inch hoop = 10 inches; 9-foot, 10-inch hoop = 15 inches. 8. Align the ends of the four lengths of rope, then fold them in half and tie in a knot at the folded end, leaving loops at the top for hanging. Tie the eight ends of rope at the marked spaces on the hoops, starting at the top hoop and moving down to the next marked line on the next hoop, so the rope stays in line. Leave 8 inches of rope between the top knot and the smallest hoop, 10 inches between the small and medium hoop, and 12 inches between the medium and largest hoop. Trim any excess rope. Hang from the nearest shady spot using a lasso knot.
Excerpted with permission from Sunshine Spaces by Beci Orpin, published by Hardie Grant Books April 2017, RRP $24.99.
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Braided Rug
Braided rag rugs have been popping up all over social media recently as a fun way to upcycle old T-shirts into something both beautiful and useful. One of the greatest draws is that you don’t need much specialist equipment. In fact, you probably have everything you need at home already! As long as you choose colors you love then it is very difficult to go wrong with the design and the only slightly tricky part is the sewing together of the braid. My main advice if you decide to give this project a go, is to take your time when sewing everything together to make sure that the rug lies perfectly flat in the end. Materials Assorted fabrics (I used 14 T-shirts to make a rug 45-by33½ inches) Fabric scissors Bag clip or clothespin/peg
Ruler or tape measure Pins Needle and thread (I used button or extra-strong thread) Color Palette: Assorted colors
Tip: I like to use at least four “neutral” colors (here I’ve used two whites, light and dark gray, and navy) to ground the color scheme. I mainly use solid colors (as opposed to patterned T-shirts) to create a bold palette. Before turning your T-shirts into fabric yarn, place them next to each other to make sure the colors complement each other. If any of the fabrics look out of place, choose a different color to replace them.
Directions 1. Choose 14 plain T-shirts in various colors for your rug. Turn all the T-shirts into balls of fabric yarn (visit nymetroparents.com/ braided-rug for a step-by-step guide). 2. Choose the three colors you would like at the center of your rug. I recommend choosing at least one “neutral” color to start with. Tie the ends of the three yarns together to form a knot. Weigh down the knot with something heavy to make the braiding easier.
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Tip: Before braiding, think through how you would like your rug to look. Braiding similar shades together creates a bold color band in the rug, while mixing different colors together creates a “speckled” look. Do not overanalyze your design—if you are happy with the colors you’ve chosen, then it is hard to go wrong. The colors naturally blend together as one braided color ends and the next yarn is added in. 3. Braid the three yarns together, making sure to keep the braid fairly loose. Secure the braid as you go using a clip or clothespin/peg. As you braid, try to tuck in any seams so that they are on the underside of the braid—the tidier you can keep the top of the braid, the neater your rug will look. During braiding, the fabric strands will get tangled in a counter-braid further down the yarn, so untangle them from time to time. Wind the braid into a ball as you go. 4. When your first ball of yarn is coming to an end, attach the next ball. If you are unsure which color to choose next, unwind the ball of braid and lay it out on the floor in a loose coil to see how the rug is shaping up. Keep braiding until you are happy with the size of the rug, then cut the yarns and tie the end of the braid in a knot. 5. Carefully wind the braid into a large ball. The end of the braid that you would like on the outside of your rug should be at the center of the ball. Before you start assembling the rug: The hardest part of this project is achieving a rag rug that lies perfectly flat. When sewing your braid together, make sure you leave enough excess braid around any curves in the rug. This will prevent your rug from curling up like a bowl. 6. Place the beginning of the braid upside down (you will be sewing on the slightly messier side) and measure 22 inches from the end of the braid. Bend the braid back on itself (all the time keeping the braid facing downward) and pin the bend in the braid together to make sewing easier. 7. Starting at the bend in the braid, sew the two inner edges of the braid together tightly so that the stitches are not visible from the neat side of the braid (fortunately it doesn’t matter what it looks like from the back!). When you reach the knotted end of the braid, cut off the knot and sew the loose edge on top of the bend in the braid (still on the underside) to secure it in place. 8. Continue sewing the braid together in a clockwise direction. It is extremely important that you feed the braid loosely around the corners (so that there is excess braid around any curves) or the rug will curl up. It helps to lay your rug on the floor every now and then to make sure that it is lying flat. 9. Continue sewing your braid in a clockwise direction until you are happy with the size of the rug. It is best to attach the end of your braid to the curved corner of the rug rather than a long, straight edge so that it blends in. Trim the end of the braid and overlap it with the braid inside. Sew it on top to secure the rug. Tip: If you find that your finished rug does not lie flat, stretching the rug out and attaching nonslip backing may fix the problem. Otherwise, lightly dampening the rug, then steaming it flat with an iron can help.
Images and text excerpted from Rag Rugs, Pillows, & More by Elspeth Jackson ($19.95) with permission of CICO Books. Photographs by Emma Mitchell.
HOW TO REMOVE CRAYON AND PENCIL MARKS FROM WALLS If you have little ones running around your house, it is a sure bet that one day you will be dealing with a crayoned or penciled masterpiece on a wall! Rest assured, there is a super-simple solution that will have you wiping it right off. Yield: Varies Ingredients: Lemon essential oil Directions: On a damp cloth or sponge, add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Gently rub the crayon or pencil marks until they disappear. That’s it! Easy, right? Did you know... Lemon oil can help in conquering allergies. Lemon oil can also be used as a safe and natural furniture polish. Diffused lemon oil can help purify the air that you breathe every day.
New Location in Mt. Kisco & Now Accepting NEW Patients GCPD provides a kid themed office with the most advanced dental procedures including: State-of-the-art-equipment • Advanced sterilization procedures Treatment of toddlers, teenagers and special needs children White tooth fillings & Sealants • Kid friendly environment with gaming stations • Sedation & Hospital Dentistry We accept most insurances • Orthodontic Treatment Available Your child will love going to the dentist! Our office has been designed so that every child will have a fun dental experience. Stop in and see how enjoyable dental care can be!
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Excerpted from Natural Solutions for Cleaning & Wellness by Halle Cottis with permission of publisher. Cover and book design by Page Street Publishing Co.
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WestchesterParent 25
OUTINGS: Wild West City
nymetroparents.com/outings
Get a Taste of the Wild West
Step back in time to the 1800s at this western-heritage theme park in Stanhope, NJ. ›› By Caitlin Berens
Joyce Bambach
2 Courtesy Wild West City
5 Regina Hartman
4 Courtesy Wild West City
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Courtesy Wild West City
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1 Wild West City’s Main Street is a bustling strip with shops, museum-quality exhibits, and live-action shows. 2 Guests best keep their wits about them when riding on the horse-drawn stagecoach—they might be stopped by bandits. 3 Guests of all ages can learn about life in the 1800s from living history stations including a mountain man, blacksmith, and school marm. 4 Some of Wild West City’s live-action shows and special events encourage child participation. 5 Guests can mine for gold like the real ’49ers at Egan’s Mine #1.
T
o be transported to the wild west one just needs to drive to New Jersey. Wild West City, located in Stanhope, NJ, features live-action shows, stagecoach rides, and family-friendly events. The western-heritage theme park is a recreation of life in the 1800s in Dodge City, KS. It opened in 1957 and has been family-owned and -operated by the Stabile family since 1963. “For the cost of about a movie you can come and be entertained all day,” says Mary Stabile Benson, park manager of Wild West City.
Nonstop Action on Main Street
There are 22 daily live-action shows on Main Street, some of which encourage child participation—like when the sheriff needs help to capture the notorious Jesse James. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of competing cowboys, the Pony Express, cancan girls, and more. Beyond the re-enactments, Main Street has reproductions of period buildings that include museum-quality exhibits with farming tools, a large collection of Native American art and artifacts, and more. Just be sure to behave, or you might find yourself in one of Wild West City’s circa-1890 jail cells. Main Street also has an old-time candy store,
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spots for lunch and snacks, a photo center at which visitors can dress in western garb, and places to buy clothing and souvenirs.
Hop Aboard a Stagecoach
Step aboard a horse-drawn stagecoach for a ride around Wild West City—but keep an eye out for bandits. Along the route guests will get to see a one-room schoolhouse, a chapel, and may even meet a mountain man. “We have a variety of living history stations,” Benson says. “You can go and watch the blacksmith make tools, and you can talk to the mountain man and learn about survival skills. You can talk to the school marm about lessons back in the 1800s or the chuck wagon [cook] about...how they made meals while they were out on the range.” Train and pony rides are also available.
Hands-On Experiences
Try to strike it rich while panning for gold at Egan’s Mine #1. Swirl dirt in a gold pan like the real ’49ers and you just might find a nugget that glistens like real gold. For some fun in the shade, visitors can aim for a holein-one at the 18-hole miniature golf course. A visit to the Barnyard Zoo will introduce
guests to the animals found on a typical pioneer farm including Billy the goat. The zoo also has a calf and sheep as well as egg-laying Rhode Island Reds (a breed of chicken).
Wild West Events
Wild West City has several entertaining and interactive events including band performances and Wild West Dress-Up Day. Visitors can learn about Chuck Wagon Camp Cooking Aug. 18-20, and Cowboy Larry’s Wild West Show, Aug. 5-6, will showcase rope spinning, bullwhip demonstrations, and trick riding. The popular Native American Intertribal Dancers will return in September.
Want to Go?
Address: 50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 5-minute drive from White Plains Hours: Daily through Sept. 4, 10:30am6pm; weekends only Sept. 5-Oct. 9 Admission: $17.25; $15.25 children ages 2-11; $13.50 seniors ages 62 and older; $4 per person for select attractions (miniature golf, stagecoach, train, and pony rides); special rates for groups of 20 or more and school groups For more information: wildwestcity.com
Ideas When You Need Them:
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Turn the page for details on Pirate Quest (No. 4 on our list).
AUGUST
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nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: JAMIE MCGILLIAN calendared@davlermedia.com
CALENDAR
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Editor’s Hot Tickets
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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Must-Sees in NYC
Smarty Pants, Little Foodies
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Animal Lovers, Crafty Kids
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The Great Outdoors, Show Time!
On Screen, Fun Fairs & Festivals, Mini Musicians
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EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the seven events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!
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The Stars Come Out at Boscobel
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 9am, 10am, and 11am WHERE: Boscobel House, 1601 Route 9D, Garrison AGES: All WHAT: An inflatable planetarium lets you gaze up at the night sky. Look for star patterns Cygnus the Swan, Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, Polaris the North Star, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Get ready, little astronomers! WANT TO GO? $10. 845-265-3638. boscobel.org.
Family Fun Day and Sand Castle Contest
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 11am-4pm WHERE: Glen Island Park, Weyman Avenue, New Rochelle AGES: All WHAT: Put a team together and create a masterpiece in the sand while enjoying music, dance, and games all afternoon. WHY WE LOVE IT: This will make a great summer memory! WANT TO GO? $10; $4 park pass holders. 914-813-6720. parks.westchestergov.com/glen-island-park.
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Bye-Bye Butterfly
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 1pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: Watch the butterflies as they are released. Map their journey, then make a butterfly craft to take home. WHY WE LOVE IT: This is so sweet! WANT TO GO? $8. 914-725-6599. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Pirate Quest
WHEN: Aug. 5-27, Saturday-Sunday, 9:45-10:45am WHERE: Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow AGES: 5-8 WHAT: A mobile game sets the scene for swashbuckling
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fun as children hunt through the site’s grounds to load precious cargo onto their digital pirate ships. Kids looking for adventure can pick up a tattoo and keep watch for pirates and sword fights, but only those who finish the game will capture the treasure. WHY WE LOVE IT: A fresh and exciting event! WANT TO GO? $14; $12 seniors; $8 children ages 3-17. 914-366-6900. hudsonvalley.org.
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From a Child’s Perspective
WHEN: Aug. 3-31, Thursdays, 10am-5pm WHERE: Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, 3 W. Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Parents and children are invited to travel back to the 19th century and view the home of Washington Irving through a child’s eyes. Explore Sunnyside as a family home, play games, and participate in hands-on-activities related to an aspect of the home’s history and Irving’s legacy. WHY WE LOVE IT: You’ll enjoy seeing your kids learn about history. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $6 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 914-366-6900. hudsonvalley.org.
‘Annie’
WHEN: Aug. 2-Sept. 10, Wednesday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theater, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: All WHAT: Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In this fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plots, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks. WHY WE LOVE IT: Every young child adores this classic! WANT TO GO? $50 show only. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.
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WHEN: Through Oct. 29: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: CHIHULY spotlights world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s bold innovation and experimentation in a variety of media throughout his celebrated career, with approximately 20 installations, drawings, and early works revealing the evolution and development of his artistic process. WHY WE LOVE IT: Come and be inspired! WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20; $8 children ages 2-12; weekends: $25; $10 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.
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. Summer Anime Night FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 4, 4:30-6:30pm WHERE: Somers Library, 80 Primrose St., Somers AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Watch anime from Crunchyroll with friends. WANT TO GO? 914-232-5717. somerslibrary.org.
Summer Coloring Club for Teens FREE
CityBound Must-Sees in
N Y C Michael Seto
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CHIHULY
Family fun in Central Park at the Summerstage Family Day
Giant Family Fun This year’s Manhattan SummerStage Family Day is headlined by alt-rock legend They Might Be Giants, singing songs from one of its many hit albums for kids. The event will also feature Bill Childs, creator and host of Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, a hit radio show for kids. Hear the best kindie rock from the last decade and take part in audience participation, singing, and dancing for all ages. Feel good fun on an August afternoon! Aug. 12, 2-5pm. Age: All. FREE. SummerStage: Rumsey Playfield, Mid-Park at 72nd Street, Central Park. summerstage.org. Courtesy NYC DOT
WHEN: Aug. 1-15, Tuedays, 3-4:30pm WHERE: Somers Library, 80 Primrose St., Somers AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Relax, color, and socialize. Materials are provided. WANT TO GO? 914-232-5717. somerslibrary.org.
Library Live 2017: Joe the Magic Man FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 17, 6:30pm WHERE: Field Library in Peekskill, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Be amazed as Joe the Magic Man pulls live rabbits from his hat and and makes real doves appear from thin air. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.
August Free Concerts in the Park FREE
WHEN: Aug. 2-23, Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Dobbs Ferry Train Station Park, Waterfront Park, foot of High Street, Dobbs Ferry AGES: All WHAT: Spread out a picnic on the lawn, watch the river, and enjoy the sultry sounds of jazz. WANT TO GO? 914-631-1000. jazzforumarts.org.
Osmo Coding FREE
WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Saturdays, 1-4pm WHERE: North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Road E., Armonk AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Drop in to try out the library’s Osmo kits. From word games to coding, there’s something for everyone. WANT TO GO? 914-273-3887. northcastlelibrary.org. ››
One, two, three, whee!
Slide Into Manhattan Part block party, part hike, part urban beach, and part bike tour, Citi Summer Streets 2017 is a summer highlight. For three Saturday mornings in a row, nearly 7 miles of Manhattan’s streets will be closed off to traffic, giving you the chance to explore and enjoy a ton of fun activities such as biking, a giant zip line, food and drink, music and dance performances, and more. One of the most popular activities is the giant water slide at the Foley Square rest stop. Aug. 5, 12, and 19: 7am-1pm. Age: All. FREE. Between Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets (starting at East 72nd Street). Registration is required for the Vita Coco Beachside Slide, see website for details. nyc.gov/summerstreets. WestchesterParent 29
Feeding Fun
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 13, 1pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join the naturalist for a hands-on program as you learn about what kind of care goes into feeding the animals. WANT TO GO? $8. 914-725-6599. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Meet the Animals
ANIMAL LOVERS
Evening Howl for Pups of All Ages
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 7pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Learn all about wolves. Guests will take a short sunset hike to howl with the wolves. All guests will be served treats. Bring flashlights. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 for children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.
Pack Chat for Kids
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 11am WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: This is the best introduction to wolves for families with young children. Learn about the important role of the wolf in the natural world. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 for children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.
Full Moon Wolf Walk
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 7pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the August full moon with the Wolf Conservation Center’s moon-loving wolves. While keeping cozy by the WCC’s outdoor fire pit, guests will enjoy sugary treats and the howls of more than 20 wolves. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.
Bird Walk FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 7, 6:30-8am WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Bring binoculars and see all the birds that call the farm home. WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.
Bat Walk
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 10, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Take an evening walk with a naturalist and learn how bats, crickets, and frogs use sound to navigate the nighttime landscape. WANT TO GO? $20; $10 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Morning Farm Chores FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 8-10am WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy this hands-on farming experience. WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org. 30
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WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 1pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-8 WHAT: An informative program that allows you to get up-close and hands-on with some of the nature center’s live animals. WANT TO GO? $8. 914-725-6599. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
CRAFTY KIDS Water is Life
WHEN: Aug. 5-6, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Meet Native American storyteller Joe Cross. Make a simple pinch or coil air-dry clay pot. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Little Makers: Sidewalk Chalk
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Little ones can get ready for summer fun as they make their own sidewalk chalk and use it to make colorful designs. WANT TO GO? $8 with admission: $16; $13 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.
Fishy Fun
WHEN: Aug. 12-13, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Turn colorful bags into fantastic 3-D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Be a Bee
WHEN: Aug. 19-20, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Create the perfect bee costume and then parade around the grounds and do a bee dance. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Shades of Summer
WHEN: Aug. 26-27, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: See the world through rose or green or blue or purple colored glass. Create your own custom sunglasses and feast your eyes on the lush August gardens. WANT TO GO? $8; $4. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Foraged Flowers: Floral and Lecture Series
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 3, 10am WHERE: Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco AGES: Adult WHAT: Butterflies and Moths of New York State lecture by Don Riepe followed by a foraged flowers workshop by Nadia Ghannam. WANT TO GO? $35. 914-666-8448. westmorelandsanctuary.org.
Meet the Farmers, Greet the Season
Muscoot Hike FREE
WHEN: Through Nov. 19: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: All WHAT: Participate in all-day season, hands-on activities, and drop-in tours. WANT TO GO? $20; $10 children. 914-366-6200. story.stonebarnscenter.org.
Gardening for Kids
SHOW TIME!
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 10am-12pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Meet at the reception center for an intermediate hike out back. WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org. WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 19, 2pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburtone Ave., Yonkers AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children gain respect for the natural world through gardening. Harvest mature beans and save them for planting next spring. Get a seed packet and grow your own veggies next spring. WANT TO GO? $4; $2 children. 914-963-4500. hrm.org.
Getting Grounded FREE
WHEN: Through Sept. 29: Wednesday-Sunday, 1-1:45pm WHERE: Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Tour the field and engage in a conversation about farming. Learn why soil is key and what being a food citizen is all about. WANT TO GO? 914-366-6200. stonebarnscenter.org.
Insider’s Tour
WHEN: Through Oct. 7: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of the farm. As you stroll through the pastures, talk about farm innovation and how to build a healthy and sustainable food system. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-366-6200. story.stonebarnscenter.org.
Get Fresh Yonkers Farmers Market
WHEN: Through Oct. 27: Fridays, 12-5pm WHERE: Philipse Manor Hall, 29 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: A weekly teen-run market in downtown Yonkers features organic produce from community gardens and partnering farms in the Hudson Valley, as well as local baked goods, honey, and jams. Attracts approximately 300 visitors each week. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. 914-375-2151. groundworkhv.org.
Family Farm Tour
WHEN: Through Nov. 17: Saturday-Sunday, 11:15am-12pm WHERE: Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: All WHAT: On this family-friendly tour, explore the farm and some of the seasonal highlights. Then walk around the farm to have a look at the animals and the vegetable gardens. WANT TO GO? $10. 914-366-6200. story.stonebarnscenter.org.
Salsa Bruja
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 2, 8:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Glorious gardens, dreamy views of the Hudson, and wonderful live music on the Great Lawn. WANT TO GO? $10; $4 children ages 6-18. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Voices of Poetry
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 7:30-8:45pm WHERE: Hudson Valley Writers’ Center, 300 Riverside Drive, Sleepy Hollow AGES: All WHAT: Acclaimed poets Theresa Senato Edwards, Howie Faerstein, Paul Richmond, Cheryl Rice, and Neil Silberblatt will read from their most recent work. WANT TO GO? $10. 914-332-5953. writerscenter.org.
Orquesta SSC Salsa Band
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 8:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Picnic on the Great Lawn or purchase a gourmet supper from The Café, then enjoy the live music, as part of the Sunset Wednesdays. WANT TO GO? $10; $4 children ages 6-18. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
The Fixx
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 10, 9-11pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Originally from London, The Fixx burst onto the music scene in 1982, with its debut album, Shuttered Room. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley.com.
Eaglemania
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 8pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Celebrate the music of the southern rock band, the Eagles. WANT TO GO? $28 and up. 8778400457. tarrytownmusichall.org.
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WestchesterParent 31
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburtone Ave., Yonkers AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Participate in creative activities led by junior docents and arts and science professionals. WANT TO GO? $4; $2 children. 914-963-4500. hrm.org.
Rigamajig
WHEN: Aug. 2-27, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Park, Rye AGES: All WHAT: A large scale building kit, featuring wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, and more, offers lots of STEAM learning. WANT TO GO? $7. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.
SMARTY PANTS Floral Inspiration
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 2pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburtone Ave., Yonkers AGES: 13 and older WHAT: This event takes place at Wave Hill. Curator Laura Vookles looks at Victorian floral decoration in Glenview, the museum’s 1877 historic home. WANT TO GO? $4; $2 children. 914-963-4500. hrm.org.
Doughboys: America and World War I FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 1pm WHERE: St. Paul’s Church N.H.S., 897 S. Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon AGES: All WHAT: A presentation exploring the experience of American soldiers in the First World War, helping to commemorate the centennial of American involvement in the Great War. WANT TO GO? 914-667-4116. nps.gov/sapa.
Chris Brown Illustrations
WHEN: Aug. 2-25, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Park, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Fun, funny, and smart cartoons featuring Westchester-based artist Chris Brown. WANT TO GO? $7. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.
Art Show FREE
WHEN: Aug. 5-27, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Visit our historic main house to see and purchase art from this month’s featured artists of The Westchester Artists Guild. WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.
The Sky Tonight
WHEN: Aug. 5-27, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum and Planetarium, 511 Warburtone Ave., Yonkers AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Children will learn what is going on in the sky the very night that you see this live interactive show. WANT TO GO? $4; $2 children. 914-963-4500. hrm.org.
Family Studio Project
WHEN: Aug. 5-27, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm 32
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What in the World is a Herbarium?
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: This exhibition in Ross Gallery celebrates the Steere Herbarium as the centerpiece of the garden’s botanical research program, and a priceless resource for scholars from around the world. Learn some of the ways garden scientists are working to study and save the plants of the world. WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20; $8 children ages 2-12; weekends: $25; $10 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.
Second Saturdays
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 9:30-11:30am WHERE: Boscobel House, 1601 Route 9D, Garrison AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Explore the past through hands-on chores, games, and crafts. Take a flashlight tour of the Boscobel mansion and plant your own mini herb garden. WANT TO GO? $45 for a family of four; $8 per additional person. 845265-3638. boscobel.org.
LITTLE FOODIES
Tropical Thursdays
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 3, 7-9pm WHERE: Lasdon Park, 2610 Amawalk Road, Katonah AGES: Adult WHAT: Enjoy the taste of the tropics as food and wine are paired for you. WANT TO GO? $50. 914-864-7268. lasdonpark.org.
Foodie Fridays
WHEN: Aug. 4-18, Fridays, 5:30pm WHERE: Cross County Shopping Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live music and food from Cross County Shopping Center eateries and area food trucks with items such as grilled cheese, tacos, pizza, and waffles. A donation from Food Truck sales will be donated to support the Food Bank of Westchester. WANT TO GO? Free admission; food prices vary. 914-968-9571. crosscountycenter.com.
Honey Tastings
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 10am-4pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Taste the liquid and creamed honeys produced locally. Sample a few, then purchase your favorite to take home. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
ON SCREEN ‘Shrek 2’
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 4pm and 7:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: All WHAT: Princess Fiona’s parents invite her and Shrek to dinner to celebrate her marriage. If only they knew the newlyweds were both ogres. WANT TO GO? $8. 914-698-0098. emelin.org.
‘Angry Birds Movie’
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 2, 7-10pm WHERE: Wilson Woods Park, 8 Bradford Road, Mount Vernon AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy an evening swim and a great family movie. Bring a picnic. WANT TO GO? $5; free for children younger than 5. 914-813-6990. parks.westchestergov.com.
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 8, 4pm and 7:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: All WHAT: Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. WANT TO GO? $8 . 914-698-0098. emelin.org.
‘The Secret Society of Souptown’
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 12pm WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Four friends form a secret society dedicated to solving mysteries in their small Estonian town. Relying on the help of an ancient notebook and with a mysterious masked man hot on their trail, the gang sets out on its most important mission yet. WANT TO GO? $13; $7.50 children. 914-773-7663. burnsfilmcenter.org.
‘Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda’
WHEN: Aug. 5-27, Saturday-Sunday, 12:30pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum and Planetarium, 511 Warburtone Ave., Yonkers AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Children will love the story that the stars tell about the beautiful Andromeda, who is punished by the gods for her mother’s bragging. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 914-963-4500. hrm.org.
FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS
International Friendship Day
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 12-10pm WHERE: Playland Park, 1 Playland Park, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Free friendship bracelets while supplies last. Also pay $15 to ride all of the rides. WANT TO GO? $15. 914-719-7145. playlandpark.org.
43rd Annual Westchester Jewish Music & Arts Festival FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 12-6pm WHERE: Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla AGES: All WHAT: The festival will feature a variety of musical performances including headliner Golem, a Klezmer rock band based in New York City. WANT TO GO? 914-328-7001. wjcouncil.org.
MINI
MUSICIANS JAZZ & CHIHULY: Songs of Protest & Reconciliation
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 18, 6-10:30pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Award-winning pianist Damien Sneed, joined by trumpeter Keyon Harrold and other special guests, leads and stars in this concert. WANT TO GO? $45. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.
Jazz at Horan’s Landing FREE
WHEN: Aug. 1-22, Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Horan’s Landing Park, 9 River St., Sleepy Hollow AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the sounds of Mark Morganelli & The Jazz Forum All-Stars. WANT TO GO? 914-631-1000. jazzforumarts.org.
Songs & Stories with Beth & Scott Bierko FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 24, 6:30pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Join award-winning children’s musicians Beth and Scott Bierko for this live show full of humorous story-songs. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.
Jazz at Pierson Park FREE
WHEN: Aug. 4-25, Fridays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Pierson Park, West Main Street, Tarrytown AGES: All WHAT: Free evening concerts at the river. Bring the family and a picnic basket. WANT TO GO? 877-840-0457. jazzforumarts.org.
Annual Sunset Jazz Concerts FREE
WHEN: Aug. 3-25, Thursdays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy music on the lawn. WANT TO GO? 877-840-0457. jazzforumarts.org.
Heritage of India Festival
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 11:30am-6:30pm WHERE: Kensico Dam, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhala AGES: All WHAT: Music and entertainment, plus crafts and food vendors. WANT TO GO? free admission. 914-328-1542. parks.westchestergov. com/featured-events.
Coming up next month: SEPT. 17: Honey Harvest Party at Greenburgh Nature Center, Scarsdale SEPT. 25-DEC. 31: American Dream Collection: Works by Lynn Mara at the Westchester Children’s Museum, Rye SEPT. 26: Shopkins Live! at Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown
WestchesterParent 33
WHERE-TO GUIDE
nymetroparents.com/where-to
Pick Your Own Berries
››
Research by Jaime Bonchick and Amanda Marrone
Enjoy the sweet fruits of summer by picking your own berries at a local farm! Kids will love plucking fresh strawberries, blackberries, and even cherries straight from the bush. Many of these farms also have farm stands at which you can purchase pre-picked fruits, baked goods, and fresh juices. Want even more farm fun? Lots of our picks offer hayrides and activities to keep kids busy after they’ve collected their basket of fruit. Note: Dates and availability are projected. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these farms. hayrides, jumping pillow, and picnicking available, as well as an on-site store with pre-picked produce, ice cream, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, and more.
Columbia County Samascott Orchards 5 Sunset Ave., Kinderhook 518-758-7224 samascott.com Open daily, 8am-6pm; last admission is at 5:30pm. Pick your own strawberries and snap peas during early summer, and later on in the summer you can pick your own blueberries, raspberries, and cherries. On-site farm store with jams and ice cream. Visit Samascott’s Garden Market, just a mile from the orchard, for farm produce as well as garden and nursery items.
Orange County Ochs Orchard 4 Ochs Lane (off Reservoir Road, Route 94), Warwick 845-986-1591 ochsorchard.net Open daily, 9am-5pm (subject to availability) Pick your own strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and raspberries daily through October. Farm stand with pre-picked produce open daily, 9am-6pm.
Dutchess County Greig Farm 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook 845-758-1234 greigfarm.com Open daily, 8am-8pm Pick your own blueberries in July; blueberries and blackberries in August; and apples in September. Nursery and garden shop on-site. Kids can feed goats and visit the koi fish pond behind Grandiflora Nursery. The Hudson Valley Farmers Market at Grieg Farm is open 34
August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
every Saturday, 10am-3pm, offering local vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheeses, meats, fish, flowers, and more from local Hudson Valley Farms.
Ulster County Jenkins-Lueken Orchards Route 299 West, New Paltz 845-255-0999 jlorchards.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own raspberries in mid-July and August; blackberries will be available in midAugust. Blueberries also available. On-site store with pre-picked veggies, local maple syrup, baked goods, snacks, and cider. Kelder’s Farm & U-Pick 5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson 845-626-7137 kelderfarm.com Open daily, 10am-6pm Pick your own blueberries, raspberries, red currants, blackberries, melons, grapes, apples, pumpkins, and a variety of vegetables through October. Petting zoo, mini-golf,
NEW JERSEY Bergen County Demarest Farms 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale 201-666-0472 demarestfarms.com Open daily, 8am-6:30pm Pick your own peaches starting at the end of July. Farm market with pre-picked seasonal fruits and vegetables for sale. Petting zoo on-site.
Burlington County Johnson’s Corner Farm 133 Church Road, Medford 609-654-8643; johnsonsfarm.com Open daily, 8am-7pm Pick your own blueberries through midAugust; peaches through the end of August; sweet corn late June through end of August. Hayrides offered MondayFriday, 10am-1pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm; plus Wednesday and Friday, 5-7pm (Wednesday and Friday evening
hayrides mid-June through August are free). Farm market, bakery, and produce hours are 8am-7pm daily; ice cream window open until 9pm. Wednesday night is Family Fun Night from 5-8pm. Friday nights are Cruise Car Nights, when you can drive your classic car to the farm and receive a free ice cream.
Cape May County The Allen Family Farm 26 Tarkiln Road, Woodbine 609-861-3778 facebook.com/ theallenfamilyfarm Open daily from sunup to sundown; call ahead to verify hours Pick your own blueberries and check the Facebook page for updates. Produce is unsprayed.
Hunterdon County Califon Farm Stand & Orchard 472 County Road 513, Califon 908-832-2905 melickstownfarm.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own peaches and pears through September. Onsite store with fresh produce, ice cream, and baked goods. Melick’s Town Farm Apple Orchard: 19 King St., Oldwick Strawberry Patch: Farmers Market at 170 Oldwick Road Peaches: 472 County Road 513, Califon 908-439-2318 melickstownfarm.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own peaches JulySeptember. Call about other seasonal pickings.
Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/berries
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Lilianne Gering will be attending Muhlenberg College this fall as a double major in business and dance.
From Extracurricular to Extra Cash ››
Whether your kid is committed to sports, the arts, or even community service, here’s how to turn that passion for after-school activities into a college scholarship By Samantha Neudorf
J
enna Turato, a rising junior at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, knew she wanted to go to college at a young age and knew she could use softball to get there. Turato began playing softball when she was in third grade and watched her older sister play softball and receive a scholarship to college, so she seized the opportunity once it was her turn to apply. An accounting major who lives in her hometown of Garden City South, Turato currently is a pitcher for the Molloy Lions softball team and receives a $7,000 scholarship each year for athletics and academics. “I realized how much softball could really make a difference in my college experience,” Turato says. It’s no secret college is expensive—and, with tuition costs rising, continually getting more out of reach for many families, especially low-income ones. Overall college enrollment declined by 3 percent between 2008 and 2013, falling from 68.6 percent to 65.9 percent, according to an annual survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. The most dramatic decline happened among low-income families, dropping from 55.9 percent to 45.5 percent. Many families may not be able to afford college without assistance, and this is where scholarships for academics or afterschool activities can help to make it more attainable—and even, in some cases, tuition free. (These are separate from the need-based financial and student loans many families rely on to afford college.) Alexandra Timoshenko graduated from Long Island Lutheran 36
August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
High School in Brookville in June and will be attending Molloy College in the fall to study music therapy. She is enrolled in the dual-degree honors program and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship because of her committed involvement in afterschool activities. In fact, Timoshenko received full-tuition scholarships at all of the schools she applied to, including Belmont University, the State University of New York at Fredonia, and Seton Hill University. In high school, Timoshenko was captain of the cross-country and track teams and participated in the jazz ensemble and band, along with a band program outside of school. On top of that, she took numerous Advanced Placement and honors courses and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She attributes her success in obtaining the scholarship to her work ethic. “Everything I did I poured myself into one hundred percent, and all that hard work paid off,” Timoshenko says. Lilianne Gering, a recent graduate from Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, was awarded various scholarships to attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, in the honors program as a double major in dance and business. Gering received merit scholarships, dance talent scholarships, and a scholarship from the Italian Genealogical Group for research on her Italian heritage. In total, she was awarded $38,000. “I was very excited and also a little shocked because I figured I’d get [scholarships], but I was surprised at how much I got,” she says.
Gering started taking dance lessons when she was little and was a part of the Spotlight Dance Studio in Wantagh for 15 years, where she did ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, and kickline. Along with dancing there six days a week and teaching classes, she performed in her school’s production of The Nutcracker during each of her four years there. With two other girls, Gering was co-president of the production in her senior year, as well as the choreographer, director, and a lead role. Gering advises students who are interested in applying for talent scholarships to become very involved with the activities about which they are passionate and to take on leadership positions in high school. “Colleges really want to see students who have leadership potential and the ability to lead and take on new roles within their school,” she says.
The Journey to a Scholarship
No one says it’s easy to earn these scholarships, as these successful teens’ stories attest. All require a strong commitment and passion—not just for the activities themselves but also for the sometimes-arduous college recruitment and scholarship application processes. In order for Turato to have been recruited to play softball at Molloy, she played on a travel team and at recruiting tournaments, to which college coaches are invited in order to decide who will receive offers and scholarships. According to National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, only Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships; Division III schools do not. For fine arts areas such as dance, theater, music, and art, students must submit a sample of their work or audition in person. Gering attended an in-person audition to be considered for a dance scholarship at Muhlenberg. Dance scholarships range from $1,000 to $4,000 a year at Muhlenberg and vary at other schools. When applying for merit-based scholarships, students must follow detailed instructions for submitting the required documents, such as a resume, essay, and transcript. Students should speak to their guidance counselor or teacher for recommendations on scholarships for which they should apply. John Rodis, music department chair at Long Island Lutheran High School, teaches AP Music Theory and symphonic band and prepares students for college through his program. His students follow the New York State School Music Association track, which is the New York affiliate of the National Association for Music Education to evaluate student musicians from elementary through high school. Rodis helps his students prepare for the final level of NYSSMA, which is to audition for the all-state level. Passing this level means that the student is able to read college-level music. When students go through this program with Rodis, they have more opportunities to apply for music scholarships. “These NYSSMA pieces themselves are great vehicles for college auditions,” Rodis says. “If the opportunity [to apply for a scholarship] presents itself to you, you will be prepared.”
A College’s Decision
Colleges, of course, factor in grades and standardized test scores when making admissions decisions, but they also review an applicant’s resume to be considered for various scholarships the institution offers. Marguerite Lane, the director of admissions at Molloy College, says an applicant’s activity involvement comes into consideration if a student did average on SAT or ACT scores.
“The reality is that the students who are the busiest are usually the ones that are the most successful, even in their academic subjects,” Lane says. “They learn very valuable time management skills at a young age that will be very transferable for when they come to college.” And it’s not just sports and the arts that can win a committed high school student tuition relief for college. Many schools also offer community service-based scholarships. Molloy’s range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year and are awarded to students who have served their schools and communities. “We are a mission-based institution and we recognize that [community service is] that component that’s equally as important [as academics],” Lane says. Manhattanville College in Purchase offers community service scholarships starting at $2,000 as well. Nikhil Kumar, vice president of undergraduate enrollment management at Manhattanville, says students with more extracurricular activities on their resumes are favored because national data proves those students are likely to be involved and engaged on campus. “Some would argue that you learn just as much outside of the classroom, if not more, just by having those kinds of experiences,” Kumar says. “It’s teaching you life lessons and humility to give back and get involved.” Involvement in an extracurricular activity in high school does not just translate into potential scholarships; it may also help students transition into college life because they can make friends with people from that same group or team. “It helps them adapt to their new environment,” Kumar says. Kumar suggests applicants research the college and engage with the admissions office or faculty in their area of interest. For example, Turato kept in contact with Molloy coaches and made herself visible at recruiting tournaments while on her travel team. continued on next page ››
SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST There are many types of scholarships out there to apply for, if you do your research. Here are the requirements that are typically needed for any type of scholarship: • Essay • Letters of recommendation • Resume • Test scores • Transcript Performing arts scholarships, including dance, music, art, and theater, require all of the above, but also: • Audition video (if you cannot attend in-person) • Portfolio of work Athletic scholarships are different than the other types of scholarships because coaches recruit the students they want on their teams. Here is what a coach looks for in a student athlete, along with the requirements from above: • Highlight video • Communication with the coach via phone or email • Attendance in summer camps or showcases WestchesterParent 37
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
YOUR CHILD DESERVES THE BEST POSSIBLE START.
‹‹ continued from previous page
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Tour your local Goddard School and experience why it’s the best preparation for social and academic success. Goddard Systems, Inc.’s program is AdvancED accredited. HASTINGS ON HUDSON 914-478-1390 GoddardSchool.com The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2016
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REGISTER FOR 2017/2018 SESSION IN FULL BY JULY 31ST AND RECEIVE 7% OFF
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An institution tends to be more interested in a student if that student shows an interest in that institution, Kumar says. “It shows what we call demonstrated interested, and that always weighs heavily in the admissions process.”
Other Scholarship Sources
When seeking scholarships, Lane advises students to find opportunities beyond the colleges, such as scholarships offered by nonprofit and community organizations. “Students don’t realize that if they sit down and take the time to write that five hundred- or one thousand-word essay, it can really help offset their college education costs,” Lane says. “It’s really wellworth applying for as many scholarships as they are qualified for because those independent scholarships can really help them, even if it’s with books for the semester or travel expenses.” Some of Lane’s suggestions include researching Awana clubs, Knights of Columbus, local churches and foundations, and opportunities from parents’ employers for scholarships. When applying, she also says students should thoroughly explain how deeply they have been involved in outside activities. For example, if a student volunteered at a church, it is better to specify how many hours for however many months she did so, rather than just saying she did volunteer work generally. “Show the level of commitment and how it impacts your life and how that has made you ready for college and for life,” Lane says. All that effort and passion for after-school activities just may pay off and make college more financially attainable.
Quality Quali y Music Education for ALL Ages and Abilities
• Private and Group Lessons • Suzuki and Early Childhood Programs • All New Jazz, Rock and Pop Offerings • Music Therapy Programs • Scholarships for All Ages
NOW OPEN SUNDAYS! 914.761.3900 info@musiced.org musicconservatory.org 216 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606
REGISTER ANYTIME
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
Interested in your child becoming the next greatest swimmer? Then…… it’s time to sign up with the best swim team in Westchester Swim Training is available all year long Highly accredited and certified swim coaches on staff Participate in USA swim competitions all year round Most affordable year round USA Swim team in Westchester Interested? For sign up and for more information visit fastswimteamny.com Contact us - info@fastswimteamny.com. See you soon!!!!! WestchesterParent 39
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
Summer Camp offered through Labor Day!
REGISTER FOR THE FALL SESSION NOW! • Children ages 2-7 years old • Basketball, Baseball, Soccer & Multi-Sport classes • Weekly 45 minute or one hour classes available • Classes offered 7 days a week - various times • Learn to play in a fun and supportive environment
PARTIES INCLUDE: • 1 hour of turf or court activities • 2 coaches • Private party room • Pizza and beverages • Customize your party or pick from any of our sports themes • All inclusive packages starting at $600
914.479.5419
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1 Elm Street, Ardsley, NY 10502
House of Sports - Westchester Parent Print Ad - JULY 2017: 7.3 x 4.7
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Children 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 40
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Dobbs Ferry 535 Broadway 914-693-4443
Scarsdale 46 Fox Meadow Road 914-725-7551
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
Karate, Yoga & Fitness Programs
Youth & Adult Classes Fitness Center (914) 949-6227 x208
Flip & Tumble
Recreational Gymnastics Competitive Teams Preschool Programs Tumbling & Parkour (914) 949-6227 x 135
Visit us at: www.ywcawpcw.org Email: membership@ywcawpcw.org (914) 949-6227
YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester 515 North Street • White Plains, NY
Swim with Us!
Learn to Swim Classes Competitive Swimming Water Exercise Lap & Family Swim (914) 949-6227 x152 WestchesterParent 41
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
5
yrs. of Fun, Frien ds, & Fitness !
Grea t Pe rk s Fo r M em be rs
Fo r K id s 9 mos to 12 yrs
Introducing our new Little School Pre-K Academy, a transitional 4’s program for families wanting the “gift of time”
Nothing Else Even Comes Close! Gymnastics • Music • Playtime • Summer Camps School Break Camps • Ninja Challenge Jodi’s To Go • Best Birthdays Ever
www.jodisgym.com 25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisco • 914.244.8811 244 E. 84th St. NYC • 212.772.7633
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Discover the joy of making music together with your family! Chappaqua · Scarsdale · Tarrytown slsbmusic.com · (914) 924-0995
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AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
Viewing windows that allow you to observe your child’s progress without class interruption Professional teachers, dance floors, and curriculum
STUDIO B CULTURE
FAMILY FIRST
POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
EXCELLENCE AGE APPROPRIATE CHOREOGRAPHY,COSTUMES & MUSIC ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY
RESPECT FOR STUDENTS,PARENTS & TEACHERS
EXCEED EXPECTATIONS
DANCE LESSONS TEACH LIFE LESSONS
GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
Ages 2 and up Convenient sibling scheduling that enables parents to bring 2 or more siblings to class at the same time, including Sundays
We don’t teach kids to make great dancers,
we teach dance to make great kids.
Call today to register (914)793-2799
277 White Plains Road, Eastchester, NY 10709
13& #"--&5 $3&"5*7& .07&.&/5 t #"--&5 t 10*/5& t +";; t 5"1 )*1 )01 t $0/5&.103"3: t .0%&3/ t "$30 56.#-*/(
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AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE Westchester’s Premiere Community Music School
Comprehensive music education for students of all ages by a world-class faculty in a warm and familial environment.
Register now for Fall lessons & classes! Early Childhood Program Suzuki Program K-12 Program Adult Program Jazz Studies Program
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MACINSPIRES LARCHMONT - 1923 PALMER AVE - 914.630.7338 MACINSPIRES GREENWICH - 37 W PUTNAM AVE - 203.531.5720
Students of all ages receive not only weekly private lessons, but also musicianship classes, ensemble instruction, and numerous performance and practice opportunities with accompaniment. This all-encompassing approach helps each student realize his or her full potential.
25 School Lane • Scarsdale, New York 914-723-1169 • hb@hbms.org • www.hbms.org Enriching lives and creating community through music.
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We register children all year long! The Children’s Jewish Education Group offers Jewish cultural studies for grades K-7, with emphasis on tradition, history and holidays. A professional teaching staff is supported by a parent co-op. Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons available. Interfaith families welcome. Classes held Sunday mornings at Purchase College.
Call now to plan a Visit
914-200-1520 or visit our website www.cjeg.org
CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES Painting & Sketching, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Fashion Design, Expressive Art, Toy Making, Mommy & Me, Sensory Art Play 914-723-9229 info@youngatartworkshop.com www.youngatartworkshop.com Scarsdale, NY 44
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AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE Exciting New Birthday & Event Packages
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914-592-2111 www.sportimeusa.com Like Us & Receive Special Promotions
Summer 2017 Mini-Camps:
August: 15-17 • August 21-25 Aug 28-Sept 1st (Must Pre-Register)
Building Jewish identity through Jewish values. Creating differentiated learning, with Matancertified supervision for all types of learners.
Join us for a Free Trial Class
Ask About Special Needs!
Experienced, Nurturing Teachers Fun-Filled Classes
Music, Movement & Friends Age-Specific Curriculum
First Hebrew Congregation 1821 Main Street, Route 6 On the border of Cortlandt & Peekskill
Celebrating 30+ years of making music and memories
Online Enrollment! Pleasantville | Rye | Scarsdale | White Plains Bronxville | Dobbs Ferry | New Rochelle | North Castle
914-771-7000 • www.musicalmunchkins.com
Contact Rabbi Dana: 914-739-0500 rabbi@firsthebrew.org Visit: www.firsthebrew.org Grades K-3 meet Sunday mornings, beginning September 10. Grades 4-7 meet Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings, beginning September 6. WestchesterParent 45
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE
A Dance Studio is the friendly place to dance!
• Family Owned & Operated • Infant & Toddler “Hands-Onâ€? Developmental Curriculum • Pre-K Curriculum designed to meet NY Standards for Kindergarten Readiness NY State Licensed
allaboardchildcare.com HOURS 6AM-7:30PM All Aboard On-the-Hudson, LLC 255 North Highland Avenue Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 923-1700
We offer tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, competition team, percussive dance, and hip hop classes for preschool students to adults, beginners through advanced. We also have Music Together and fitness classes! Visit us at www.adancestudio.com and view our fall schedule.
All Aboard At Valhalla, Inc 400 Columbus Ave Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 914-1500
@adancestudiolarchmont
Call us at 914-834-2432 We would love to have you join our A Dance Studio family!
Mandarin Discovery Preschool ...where dance is an art form, not a competition!
Specializing in classes for children: Ballet Ă‹ Hip Hop Jazz Ă‹ Tap Contemporary Pointe Kindergarten Pre-K and more!
Classes begin September 11th Cl
98 Lake Street, White Plains, NY 10604 / 914-328-1881 Artistic Director: Dina Giordano
An immersive, creative Mandarin language program for children Ages 3 – 5
• Intensive PiYin pronunciation • Chinese culture stories • Chinese traditional simplified calligraphy for fun • Arts & crafts using Chinese zodiac animals • Learning with musical instrXPHQWV 0DQGDULQ VRQJV Summer program and Chinese culture classes for children grades 1st – 5th 515 North Ave, White Plains, NY • 914-351- ‡ 0DndarinDiscov.org
FALL PROGRAM
Family Owned & Operated Since 1973 Experienced Teachers • Serving Children 2 months–14 years • Field Trips • Stimulating Environment • Flexible Schedules • Beautiful Campus Setting
www.annandandychildcare.com • 914-592-3027 2170 Saw Mill River Rd, Elmsford
Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com 46
August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
The Dangers of Dry & Secondary Drowning ››
What to watch out for even after children leave the pool By Stacey Pfeffer
T
here’s nothing better than swimming in a cool pool during the scorching days of summer. But parents can be forgiven for being wary after reading recent headlines about children who’ve died from a condition called secondary drowning—including a Texas toddler, Frankie Delgado, who lost his life a full week after getting knocked over by a wave at the beach. How can this happen? And more importantly, how can parents make sure their little ones are safe after exiting the water? While secondary and dry drowning make up only 1-2 percent of all drowning deaths, it’s important for parents to know the symptoms, because they can be life-threatening. Secondary drowning and dry drowning are two similar but technically different conditions that can affect anyone, although children are especially vulnerable. As the names imply, both affect their victims after they’ve left the pool, usually with no idea anything is wrong. Symptoms of dry drowning typically occur immediately after any incident in the water, while secondary drowning usually begins later, within one to 24 hours after exiting the water—but it can progress over one to two days, or, as in Frankie Delgado’s case, several days. “Children are more prone to dry and secondary drowning because of their small size, stature, and immature gag reflex,” says Robert Glatter, M.D., an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. Toddlers, especially, may be at heightened risk because they don’t know to keep their mouths closed or how to blow bubbles in the water.
Symptoms
Secondary drowning happens when someone inadvertently swallows too much water and it goes into his lungs. Patients suffering from secondary drowning may feel tired after a short period in the water, have a dry cough, and complain of chest pain. These symptoms can progress over a longer period of time as the child loses oxygen in his blood, a condition known as hypoxia, according to Dr. Glatter. While many pools post rules prohibiting horseplay and dunking other people in the water, parents should emphasize this safety lesson to all children because just a few mouthfuls of water
accidentally swallowed can lead to water entering the lungs. Symptoms of dry drowning are much more profound and develop suddenly, with a spasm of the vocal cords causing them to snap shut. The child cannot get any air in or out and her breathing will sound high-pitched. Wheezing often occurs due to a blockage in the airway and she may turn blue as well. “This child should be taken to the emergency room immediately so that he or she does not asphyxiate,” Dr. Glatter says.
Treatment
While there are no medications for secondary or dry drowning, the treatment is close observation. If necessary, a breathing tube may have to be inserted if oxygen levels drop. Parents should keep a close eye on their child for 24 hours after he may have swallowed water during swimming or had any difficulty breathing in the water. If symptoms do develop, bring your child to the emergency room immediately instead of a doctor’s office or urgent care facility. In the ER, she will have access to an immediate chest X-ray, IV placement, and advanced airway support such as a breathing tube or respirator.
Prevention
The vast majority of children recover from dry or secondary drowning, despite the terrifying headlines about toddler deaths. However, the best way to avoid these conditions altogether is to teach kids water safety and to remain constantly vigilant as caregivers. Babies as young as 6 months can begin taking water safety classes. Children should never swim alone, and parents or caregivers should keep a close eye on them at all times. Dr. Glatter also warns parents to not use their phones or any social media while your child is in or near the water. As tempting as it may be to take a video of your child enjoying pool time, he says, “it’s a diversion, and parents must remain cognizant of the risk of secondary and dry drowning. Take all of that attention and focus on your child and remember that drownings can even occur in shallow water—including bathtubs, sinks, toilet bowls, and small plastic pools.” Stacey Pfeffer is a writer based in Chappaqua.
WestchesterParent 47
FOOD & NUTRITION
Bring Shake Shack to Your Kitchen ››
Rather than wait on line for what feels like hours, you can make the NYC chain’s customer favorites at home. The ShackBurger
Okay, here’s our sacred cow! Makes 4
Most likely the reason you have this book in your hands—our version of the great American cheeseburger. Like all deceptively simple things, it took us years to get it right, but now you can master burger perfection in five minutes. 4 hamburger potato buns 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 4 tablespoons ShackSauce (recipe on opposite page) 4 pieces green leaf lettuce
8 ¼-inch slices ripe plum tomato 1 pound very cold ground beef, divided into 4 pucks ½ teaspoon Our Salt & Pepper Mix (recipe on opposite page) 4 slices American cheese
1. H eat a cast-iron griddle over medium-low heat until warm. Meanwhile, open the hamburger buns and brush the insides with the melted butter. A soft brush is helpful here. Place the buns buttered side down on the griddle and toast until golden
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August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer buns to a plate. Spoon the ShackSauce onto the top bun. Add a piece of the lettuce and two slices of tomato. 2. I ncrease the heat to medium and heat the griddle until hot, 2-3 minutes. 3. E venly sprinkle a pinch of Our Salt & Pepper Mix on top of each puck of meat. 4. P lace the pucks on the griddle, seasoned side down. Using a large, sturdy metal spatula, firmly smash each puck into a 1/ 3-inch-thick round patty. Pressing down on the spatula with another stiff spatula helps flatten the burger quickly. Evenly sprinkle another big pinch of Our Salt & Pepper Mix. 5. Cook the burgers, resisting the urge to move them, until the edges beneath are brown and crisp, and juices on the surface are bubbling hot, approximately 2½ minutes. Slide one of the spatulas beneath the burger to release it from the griddle and scrape up the caramelized browned crust. Use the other spatula to steady the burger and keep it from sliding. Flip the burgers. Put the cheese on top and cook the burgers 1 minute longer for medium. Cook more or less depending on your preference. 6. Transfer the cheeseburgers to the prepared buns and enjoy.
Our Salt & Pepper Mix
‘Shroom Burger Makes 4
We knew that our idea of a community gathering place meant we wanted to offer our vegetarian guests more than just fries to munch on. We set out to create a vegetarian experience even meat eaters would crave. Hence the ’Shroom Burger’s crispy mushroom halves surrounding a creamy, cheesy filling. After it became so popular, we created the Shack Stack, piling a ’Shroom Burger atop a ShackBurger, so our meat-loving friends can get in on the ’Shroom action. For the mushroom caps: 4 4-inch portabello mushroom caps ¼ cup canola oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1/ 8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1½ cups flour 3 eggs 2 cups panko breadcrumbs For the filling: 1½ cups grated muenster ½ cup grated cheddar ½ teaspoon minced onion
teaspoon minced garlic ¼ teaspoon flour 1 egg yolk 1 pinch cayenne 1/ 8
To cook and assemble the mushroom burgers: Canola oil for deep-frying Kosher salt 4 tablespoons ShackSauce (recipe at right) 4 hamburger potato buns, toasted 4 pieces green leaf lettuce 8 ¼-inch slices ripe plum tomato
1. For the mushroom caps, preheat the oven to 375°F. Put mushroom caps on a medium baking pan. Rub caps all over with the oil, then season both sides with the salt and pepper. Arrange mushrooms gill side down in a single layer and roast until tender, 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Slice mushrooms in half horizontally. 2. Put the flour in a wide dish, beat the eggs in another wide dish, and put the panko in a third wide dish and set aside. 3. For the filling, mix together the muenster and cheddar cheeses, onion, garlic, flour, egg yolk, and cayenne in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside. 4. Shape the filling into four equal disks, ½ inch smaller in diameter than the mushroom caps. Place cheese disks on gill side of each mushroom cap, cover with other half of cap, cut side down, and gently press together to secure the filling. 5. Dredge the stuffed mushroom caps in the flour, then dip in the beaten egg, coating them completely, then dredge in the panko. Set prepared mushrooms on a plate and refrigerate while heating the oil to deep-fry them. 6. To cook the mushroom burgers, pour the oil into a deep, wide pot to a depth of 3 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 350°F on a candy thermometer. Deep-fry the prepared mushrooms, one or two at a time, until golden brown and crisp all over, 3-4 minutes. Transfer mushrooms with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels. Season with salt. 7. Spoon the ShackSauce onto the top bun. Add a piece of lettuce and two slices of tomato. 8. Transfer the mushroom burgers to the prepared buns. Enjoy!
We mix ½ cup kosher salt with ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper and use that mixture to season our burgers as they cook. You’ll see we call for a pinch or two of the mixture in every recipe.
ShackSauce
Makes approximately ½ cup Long ago we threw away the key to the secret recipe for ShackSauce; but we promise to get you really close with ingredients easily found in your kitchen. ½ cup Hellman’s mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¾ teaspoon Heinz ketchup
¼ teaspoon kosher dill pickling brine Pinch of cayenne pepper
Put all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Sauce will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Cheese Sauce
Makes approximately 6 cups 1 tablespoon canola oil ½ onion, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick 6 thin slices jalapeño 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons white wine 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups grated American cheese 2 cups grated cheddar
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, jalapeños, peppercorns, and salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the vinegar and wine, and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the cream. Remove the pan from the heat and let the cream steep for 30 minutes to build flavor. 2. Return the saucepan to the stove and heat over medium heat until very warm (don’t let it come to a boil). 3. Meanwhile, put the American and cheddar cheeses into a large heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream through a strainer (to remove the solids) over the cheeses, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth, approximately 3 minutes. Sauce will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to one week. You can easily reheat the sauce in a microwave or over a pot of gently simmering hot water.
Reprinted from Shake Shack. Copyright © 2017 by Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC. Principal photographs copyright © 2017 by Christopher Hirsheimer. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.
WestchesterParent 49
PartyCentral BIRTHDAY GIFTS AFFORDABLES A QUALITY CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT STORE 10 Main St., Dobbs Ferry 914-627-9462 affordablechild.com We are a quality consignment store, offering children’s clothing, maternity clothes, baby equipment, and toys. A great place to shop for a birthday gift! 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 AMANDABEAR PARTY RENTALS 347-326-5567 amandabearpartyrentals.com AmandaBear Party Rentals provides everything you need for an unforgettable party. 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. BUTTERFLY BIRTHDAYS 914-582-7793 butterflybirthdays.com info@butterflybirthdays.com Celebrate your special day with the wonder of butterflies. We bring our pavilion to you! Booking parties MayOctober, events large or small! info@ butterflybirthdays.com. 50
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.
LONGFORD’S MOBILE SCOOP SHOPPE 197 Lakeview Ave., West Harrison 914-804-6969 Longford’s Ice Cream 4 Elm Place, Rye 914-967-3797 longfordsicecream.com Westchester’s first mobile scoop shoppe serving our award-winning ice cream at all of your parties, celebrations, and private events. Book your event today. Also, visit our retail store in Rye to order one of our custom cakes for your next party celebration. OUTDOOR LASER TAG, USA 914-413-7138 oltusa.com lasertagisfun@gmail.com Tired of the same old party? Outdoor Laser Tag plays like paintball but without pain or mess. We transform your property into an exciting, outdoor mission field. Our mission: create an action-packed, memorable experience for all! PARTY PLACES 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.
August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.
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 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! 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.
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. CREATIVE CORNER OF LARCHMONT 7 Addison St., Larchmont 914-833-2880 creativecornerlarchmont.com creativecornerlarchmont@gmail.com Creative Corner is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday! Art party options include wood toys, treasure boxes, canvas bags, ceramic piggy banks, and canvas paintings. We will help every step of the way. 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. FASHION ARTS STUDIO OF WESTCHESTER 168A Irving Ave., Port Chester 917-995-3191 fashionartsstudio.com Have a fashion design theme party with The Fashion Arts Studio. It offers three themes: a Fashion Drawing Party, a Fashion Tote-Making Party, and a Fashion T-Shirt Decorating Party! 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.
madness to bowling, karaoke, and create-a-furry-friend parties!
HOMMOCKS PARK ICE RINK Boston Post Road and Weaver Street, Larchmont 914-834-1069 hommocksparkicerink.org Have your birthday party on ice! Host your next special party at the coolest place in town, Mamaroneck’s popular enclosed Hommocks Park ice-skating rink. HOUSE OF SPORTS WESTCHESTER 1 Elm St., Ardsley 914-479-5419 houseofsportsny.com The House of Sports is Westchester’s ultimate birthday party zone for children of all ages! Give your child the party of their dreams by hosting a sportsthemed bash at Westchester’s premier athletic facility.
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!
THE HUDSON CREAMERY 55 Hudson Ave., Peekskill 914-293-7811 thehudsoncreamery.com Westchester birthday parties with a sweet twist! Let us host your next birthday party. We provide the fun, a whimsical place, and all the ice cream you can eat.
MUSIC CONSERVATORY OF WESTCHESTER 216 Central Ave., White Plains 914-761-3900 musicconservatory.org Celebrate your child’s birthday at the Music Conservatory with an introductory music skills class, or perhaps treat them to a trial lesson in any instrument or voice!
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!
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!
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, at which action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 35 years. LIFE THE PLACE TO BE 2 Lawrence St., Ardsley 914-591-4400 lifetheplacetobe.com/kids-parties/ steven@lifetheplacetobe.com LIFE turns children’s parties into lifelong memories. Choose from a wide array of exciting themes, from laser tag to dance parties, runway glamour to inflatable
PLAYLAND ICE CASINO 100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-481-5941 playlandice.com Kids and families love PlayLand Ice in Rye. You and your guests can have the ice all to yourself. Visit us online for more information. 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. SUGAR MAMA BY KIM BAKESHOP 1985 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 914-834-8340 sugarmamabykim.com party@sugarmamabykim.com
Have your next birthday party with us. The children bake and decorate cookies or cupcakes. Party games, decorating chef hats, and pizza or bagels too. WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY (WSA) 91 Fairview Park Drive (Route 9A), Elmsford 914-347-8232 skatewsa.com Westchester Skating Academy: the coolest place to have your party! All parties include ice-skating, skate rentals, a private party room, a party facilitator, pizza, and beverages. YOUNG AT ART WORKSHOP INC. 1088 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-9229 A unique birthday party experience—each child brings home a personalized piece of art!
Professional services
Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS COLLEGE ADVICE 101, JANE C. HOFFMAN, M.B.A., C.E.P. Larchmont 914-833-1573 collegeadvice101.com jane@collegeadvice101.com Personalized advice and support to students and parents as they navigate the increasingly complex college admissions terrain and research, apply, and gain admission to colleges. LAZARSPEECH GLORIA S. LAZAR, M.S., M. PHIL., C.C.C. 30 Birch Way, Tarrytown lazarspeech.com info@lazarspeech.com As a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist and communications coach, Gloria Lazar has an individualized, caring approach. She assists in the improvement of speech, language, writing, and executive function skills for children and adolescents. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS WESTCHESTER PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING CENTER Dr. Friedmutter, director
1088 Central Park Ave., Suite 224, Scarsdale 914-548-7509 wptcenter.com wptcenter@gmail.com At Westchester Psychological Testing Center we offer psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological evaluations to determine if an individual has a learning disability, autism, or Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and what specific test accommodations or special education services are necessary and appropriate. SPECIAL NEEDS LAZARSPEECH GLORIA S. LAZAR, M.S, M. PHIL., C.C.C. 30 Birch Way, Tarrytown lazarspeech.com info@lazarspeech.com As a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist and communications coach, Gloria Lazar has an individualized, caring approach. She assists in the improvement of speech, language, writing, and executive function skills for children and adolescents.
WestchesterParent 51
Meet the Health Care
PROFESSIONAL
To be in this section, call 914-379-0200 or email nympads@davlermedia.com
Jamee M. Goldstein, D.O., Monroe Pediatric Associates, Allied Pediatrics 70 Gilbert St., Monroe 845-782-8616 monroepediatrics.org
Jamee M. Goldstein, D.O., received her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University: College of Human Ecology. She received a Graduate Certificate in Premedical Sciences from Duquesne University, and her D.O. from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Goldstein completed her residency in pediatrics at The Infants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklyn, Maimonides Medical Center. She returned home to join Monroe Pediatrics and to work alongside her mentor, Dr. Alan Harawitz, in 2004. She is board-certified and a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians.
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
Caring for Kids Dr. Ivis Getz 140 Lockwood Ave., Suite 315, New Rochelle 914-355-2265 caringpediatricdentistry.com caringpediatricdentistry@gmail.com
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.
PARTY PLANNER
To advertise: 914-397-0200 or nympads@davlermedia.com Stu Ted NEW ffi dy ! ng B Pa ear rti es
FOR ALL YOUR PARTY NEEDS
We bring the party to you! · Jumping Houses · Slides · Popcorn Machines · Cotton Candy · Party Balloons · BBQs · Face Painting · High Peak Tents · Tables, Chairs & Linens
347.326.5567 amandabearpartyrental.com
Our Mission: Xtreme Fun for all! Plays like Paintball without the Pain and Mess! 100% Mobile - Perfect for your Special Party Book online at oltusa.com (914) 413-7138 • www.oltusa.com
COMPLETE CARNIVAL & PARTY PLANNING
914-235-7100 www.davescast.com
52
August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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AD INDEX
NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!
ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS
Westchester Skate Academy....................... 43
DEVELOPMENTAL
HOME SERVICES
Gym Cats Gymnastics................................. 56
Young At Art................................................. 44
Creative Wonders........................................ 15
Mabel’s Labels Inc....................................... 19
ISGC Gym................................................... 56
YWCA - White Plains................................... 41 EDUCATION
MUSIC
Alcott Montessori......................................... 40
Belle School of Music.................................. 11
All Aboard (Croton/Ossining)....................... 46
Hoff-Barthelson Music School..................... 44
Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................ 42
CHILD CARE / DAY CARE
BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES
All Aboard (Croton/Ossining)....................... 46
Blue Moon Mexican Café............................ 21
Ann & Andy.................................................. 46
Gym Cats Gymnastics................................. 56
Musical Munchkins...................................... 45
House of Sports........................................... 40
Nurtury (The)............................................... 25
Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................ 42 Little Gym - Westchester............................... 7
CLASSES
MacInspires................................................. 44
Alcott Montessori......................................... 40
Pinebrook Fitness........................................ 41
Belle School of Music.................................. 11
PlayLand Ice Casino.................................... 43
Central Park Dance..................................... 38
Sportime USA Inc........................................ 45
Easter Seals Project Explore....................... 44
Westchester Parent Party Planner.............. 52 Westchester Skate Academy....................... 43 CAMPS
Gym Cats Gymnastics................................. 56 Hoff-Barthelson Music School..................... 44 Logrea Dance Academy.............................. 42
Ann & Andy.................................................. 46
MacInspires................................................. 44
FASNY......................................................... 19
Mandarin Discovery Preschool.................... 46
FAST- Fairview Aquatics Swim Team.......... 39
Musical Munchkins...................................... 45
Goddard School - Hastings......................... 38
Nurtury (The)............................................... 25
House of Sports........................................... 40
RAD Ballet................................................... 21
Hudson Country Montessori........................ 18 ISGC Gym................................................... 56 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................ 42 Kids B.A.S.E. and The Little School............ 42 Little Gym - Westchester............................... 7 MacInspires................................................. 44 Mandarin Discovery Preschool.................... 46
Soundview Preparatory School................... 15
Children’s Jewish Education Group............. 44 Dicker Reading Method................................. 5
RELIGIOUS
First Hebrew Congregation.......................... 45
Children’s Jewish Education Group............. 44
German School of New York....................... 39
First Hebrew Congregation.......................... 45
Goddard School - Hastings......................... 38 Hudson Country Montessori........................ 18
RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES Blue Moon Mexican Café............................ 21
Kids B.A.S.E. and The Little School............ 42 Mandarin Discovery Preschool.................... 46 Milestone School (The)................................ 46 Nurtury (The)............................................... 25
RETAIL Affordables.................................................. 35 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale....................................... 25
Soundview Preparatory School................... 15
SERVICES
Westchester Community College: Pre-College...2
Geico Insurance............................................ 9
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT /
SPECIAL EVENTS
EVENTS / OUTINGS
Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor.................. 25
Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor.................. 25 New-York Historical Society........................ 35
Studio B Dance............................................ 43
Sportime USA Inc........................................ 45
Westchester Community College: Pre-College......2
YWCA - White Plains................................... 41
Starlight Starbright Music............................ 42
FASNY......................................................... 19
Starlight Starbright Music............................ 42
Young At Art................................................. 44
Music Conservatory of Westchester............ 38
SPECIAL NEEDS Creative Wonders........................................ 15 Dicker Reading Method................................. 5
FITNESS
Easter Seals Project Explore....................... 44
Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................ 42
Kid Abilities ................................................. 35
Pinebrook Fitness........................................ 41 SPORTS
Milestone School (The)................................ 46
DANCE
Music Conservatory of Westchester............ 38
A Dance Studio ........................................... 46
Nurtury (The)............................................... 25
Central Park Dance..................................... 38
Pinebrook Fitness........................................ 41
City Center Dance....................................... 46
Blais Orthodontics....................................... 11
Play Group Theatre..................................... 13
Logrea Dance Academy.............................. 42
Caring for Kids Pediatric Dentistry............... 52
PlayLand Ice Casino.................................... 43
RAD Ballet................................................... 21
Fidelis Care New York................................... 3
TUTORS
Studio B Dance............................................ 43
Studio B Dance............................................ 43
Gentle Care Pediatric Dentistry................... 25
Dicker Reading Method................................. 5
HEALTH
FAST- Fairview Aquatics Swim Team.......... 39
Allied Physicians Group............................... 52 THEATER Play Group Theatre..................................... 13
WestchesterParent 53
Melissa Errico
VOICES What Potty Training Taught Me ›› Why the biggest lesson from potty training was for me, not my son By Emma Steven
E
ver since I got pregnant with my first child I’ve been a parenting book junkie. Books on pregnancy, birth, newborns, sleep, child development, baby-led weaning, traditional weaning, toddler behavior, gentle parenting, traditional discipline—you name it, I’ve read it. My husband rolls his eyes when another Amazon box arrives. “Another parenting book?” he’ll say, before I explain why I need this particular book and how it will change our lives. My friends laugh because whatever the parenting challenge, I’ve usually read a few books about it and can quote them. I can’t solve the particular problem, but boy do I know a few opinions on what we could do. Unfortunately this obsession has yet to turn me into the perfect parent. So when it came to potty training—one of the most dreaded times in toddlerhood—everyone was expecting me to line up some good reading material. “What do the books say?” my husband asked whenever the topic came up. “I don’t know...” I said, for the first time in my parenting life. Perhaps it was because I’d just had another baby, or perhaps it was because I just wasn’t ready for potty training myself. For the first time I didn’t deal with a parenting question by buying a book. I didn’t know what to do; there were so many books, not to mention blogs, videos, and storybooks for kids—how was I to choose? Why were there so many different methods? Why do people need potty training consultants for something that should be so simple? It was overwhelming. My Amazon cart stayed empty. Then my son turned 2. I half-heartedly read a couple of online articles about potty training readiness. But instead of researching the subject thoroughly I did nothing. I bought a potty seat and showed him how to use it. He got the hang of it but showed zero interest. “He’ll do it when he’s ready,” I told my mom. “Eighteen-yearolds don’t wear diapers after all.” So we waited...and waited. I offered to buy him underwear: no interest. I offered a special treat if he potty trained: cue tantrums. I asked him if he wanted to be a big boy and say goodbye to diapers. He said no, he wanted to be a baby and wear diapers forever. His third birthday came and went. His friends all potty trained one by one. The other moms discussed different methods and what worked for them. Still he wasn’t interested. I began to
despair. I knew that he could do it if he wanted, but he didn’t. “What if he’s never ready?” I wept to my husband. “He’s nearly 4!” I shrugged off the disapproving comments in mom forums about the topic of “late” training. I ignored a potty training consultant who told me that kids have to potty train between the ages of 2-3 or face long-term problems. I refused to try and force him, as was suggested by some of these “experts.” Everyone had a piece of advice to give me. “Read him potty stories,” his preschool teachers said at parent-teacher conferences. We had a dozen. “Go underwear shopping,” said other moms. We had drawers of unwanted underwear. I realized that half of my anxiety stemmed from the fact he had always been the first of his friends to hit milestones. Was my competitiveness and anxiety causing his reluctance? He certainly couldn’t care less that he wasn’t potty trained. The mere discussion of it would result in tantrums and tears. So we waited some more. I decided to focus on what he wanted, rather than what he was “supposed” to be doing. Then one day, when he was 3 years and 8 months old, I told him casually we were about to run out of diapers. “Okay,” he said. A few days later he came out of his room asking to sit on the potty. I cheered and did a special dance. Two more days passed and instead of peeing on the floor, he said, “I need to go potty” and ran back to the bathroom. Something had shifted. A week later I told him we’d run out of diapers, and within three days he was trained, day and night, with no fuss, and no need for big rewards. I can count the number of accidents he’s had since then on two hands. My gut instinct had been right all along. When people ask me what method I used I shrug and say, “I didn’t. I just waited until he was ready and he did it.” It took me three years and nine months to realize that the parenting expert who has the most to teach me about my son is my son.
Emma Steven is a writer and NYMetroParents’ Manhattan calendar editor. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, two toddlers, and two cats.
54
August 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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