New York Family January 1, 2010

UNSPOILING YOUR CHILD

BEST BEAUTY BUYS

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CHILDREN’S CLASSES

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JANUARY 2010

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January 2010 Established 1986

Morgan Taylor with his wife, Rachel Loshak, and son, Harvey, at Symphony Space.

WWW.NEWYORKFAMILY.COM

GOOD AS

NEW YORK FAMILY

GOLD

Morgan Taylor,, The Taylor Breakout Kiddie Rocker Behind Gustafer Yellowgold, Kicks Off Our Guide To Winter Culture For Kids

Spring Into Action at the 92nd Street Y We’ve got classes, lessons and leagues for kids of all ages. s Gymnastics s Tiny & Junior Tumblers s Swimming s Basketball s Private Coaching s Pee Wee Tennis s KidSports s Teen Fitness Classes s Personal Training

Enroll today!

Register at www.92Y.org/MayCenter or call 212.415.5500.

92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street An agency of UJA-Federation

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I am inviting your family to experience the best getting better.

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Event dates:

February 17th, 2010 at 8:00 AM

Location:

The Princeton Review 2315 Broadway at 84th Street

Advanced registration is required. Call 646.613.9500 or email jiovino@review.com to reserve a spot today!

PUT YOUR HEART INTO MORE THAN JUST A WORKOUT. AT THE YMCA, WE OFFER AS MANY WAYS TO GET INVOLVED AS WAYS TO GET FIT.

JOIN NOW AND PAY NO JOINER’S FEE. TEXT YMCA5 TO 30241 AND GET A PASS TO “TRY THE Y FOR FREE”*

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Bring this coupon to your local YMCA and receive a free pass good for one day through February 1st.

A one-day pass entitles the holder to use one YMCA of Greater New York Branch free of charge for one day from December 26, 2009 through February 1, 2010. Limit one pass per guest. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and must present a valid, government-issued photo I.D. May not be combined with any other offer, other restrictions may apply.

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edit ’s

NOTE

Parenting Resolutions Words are nice, jokes are fun, but for young children there’s nothing a like a wild rumpus to really get them going. Even now, when my children are five LEJGF@C@E> =FI DFDJ PFLI :?@C; PFL N@CC CFM< and nine, if we wrestle on the floor, if they climb on my back, if we play tag or Twister, chances are they will be ecstatic participants…until one of them manages to hurt themselves. When I arrived at home last night after work, there was my daughter (the nine-year-old) playing horsey on her nanny Arlene’s lap, while Arlene was also playfully squishing my son (the five-year- old) between her back and the back of our couch. The three of them were so happily immersed in their love sandwich that neither of my children was moving an inch to greet me. I was jealous.

Dfi^Xe KXpcfi# K_\ There are times when I wish I wasn’t such a parent. Having to insist on 9i\Xbflk B`[[`\ good manners and basic consideration, riding my children to do better when IfZb\i 9\_`e[ >ljkX]\i they’re not cooperating at dinner time or bedtime, just having to say “no” a P\ccfn^fc[# B`Zbj F]] lot, often in the face of considerable displeasure—it’s not fun, is it? My wife is 8J Fli >l`[\ Kf N`ek\i more of a natural at balancing the duties of parenthood with its simple joys, :lckli\ =fi B`[j and she generally has a more fun relationship with our children than I do.

They miss her when she’s not around, probably more than they miss me.

One of the parenting stories in this issue is about how not to spoil a child (pg 26), which is the flip side of what I’m fretting about. Spoiling is not just a material issue; it’s an emotional one. The great parental temptation is to let children have their way, even when we know better. The hard work is establishing a home that is all of the above: loving, respectful, fun, and full of boundaries. A few weeks ago, the Times ran an article that posited that, among parents, yelling is the new spanking. The point was that while many of us no longer consider spanking to be an acceptable form of punishment, we are prone to fits of yelling to get our children to behave. According to the article, we build up so much frustration when we try to patiently and sensitively negotiate with a child, that the end result is we often feel flummoxed when we don’t get our way, and then we feel like the only way to get our way is by raising our voices.

Can you relate? If you can, I hope you’ll join me in embracing some parenting resolutions for the coming year, in which you aspire to be stricter, calmer, and more fun. You can have it all three ways. In fact, they’re related.

I like the tradition of resolutions, even if, like most of us, I don’t execute them as well as I wish I did. As a parent, what are your resolutions for the coming year? A great (and often amusing) exercise is to ask your children about their own resolutions.

For myself, I resolve to fret less about my son. He seems more scattered and less academically able than his sister was at his age, but he’s such a fun and clever soul. What am I worried about? I resolve to let my daughter have more privacy; she likes and needs that. I resolve to give my wife a few more foot massages; she likes and needs that. I resolve to go to sleep earlier.

By the way, enjoy this issue! From the profile of the wonderful Morgan Taylor, the creator of Gustafer Yellowgold (pg 40), to our selective guide to winter children’s classes and our family culture guide (pg 80); from the story about a woman exploring her reproductive alternatives (pg 22) to the profile of Chelsea Piers and the subtle interesting changes afoot at that acclaimed sports complex (pg 30)—there’s much to discover and enjoy.

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Spoiling is not just a material issue; it’s an emotional one. The great parental temptation is to let children have their way, even when we know better.

Happy January,

Eric Messinger 6

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

JCC

THIS MONTH AT THE

REGISTRATION FOR WINTER/SPRING CLASSES IS NOW OPEN!

10% price rollbacks on many Young Families and After School classes!

Free trial classes are available upon request.

Enroll in winter classes and also receive access to our rooftop playground.

Tue, Thu, and Fri, 11:45 am–12:30 pm From sports to the arts, science to dance, and everything in between, JCC classes are unparalleled! All children ages 4 months to 18 years are welcome.

DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL EVENTS: New Parent Luncheon: All About Sleep!

Bring your bright-eyed baby and your bleary-eyed self to this lunch and discussion with Meg Akabas, Parenting Consultant and mother of four. Learn how to help your baby get more sleep so you can get more too!

Tue, Jan 5, 11:30 am—1 pm, $29/$36 FPANPL05F0

New! Junior Theatre Troupe! Grades K—2 An exciting opportunity to sing, dance, and act in a musical review for all budding actors in a full-scale production. This show will be created specifically for the participants as they learn all the elements of performing, rehearsals, and development of a production.

Sundays, Jan 31—Jun 6, 10—11:30 am, $400/$450 HAOJTT00W0

Family Shabbat Dinner Meet other parents and discover a community as we welcome Shabbat with food and interactive songs. All levels of observance are welcome. Pre-registration is preferred.

Dietary laws observed.

Fri, Jan 22, 6—8 pm, $36/adult, Children under 2 are free!

Children 24 months and above are $10/child FSHFSD03F0

Louie Miranda and Subanda Concert Join Louie Miranda and members of his band as they heat up the winter with this highly interactive family concert! Louie's music with a Latin flare will have kids and adults alike bailando y cantando, dancing and singing in the aisles!

Sun, Jan 31, 10—11 am, $12/$14 in advance, $14/$16 at the door FFNCON04F0

NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL—SHARE THE HEALTH! Join The JCC Health Club during the month of January and get $200 OFF* | NO INITIATION FEE * Restrictions may apply. Inquire at 646.505.5700.

Amsterdam Ave at 76th

jccmanhattan.org 646.505.5708 A beneficiary of UJA-Federation

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What are your kids doing this summer?

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The camp fairs are back! Manhattan Media and the ACA-NY are hosting fairs through January to help parents meet over 70 different camp directors. Local DAY CAMPS and SLEEPAWAY CAMPS from all over will be represented, great for children ages 3 to 13!

ALL FAIRS ARE FROM NOON TO 3 P.M.: Saturday, January 23: Upper East Side St. Jean Baptiste High School 173 East 75th Street

Sunday, January 24: Upper West Side Congregation Rodeph Sholom 7 West 83rd Street

(btwn Lexington and Third Avenues)

(btwn CPW and Columbus Ave)

Saturday, January 30: Downtown Friends Seminary School 222 East 16th Street

Sunday, January 31: Park Slope, Brooklyn Berkeley Carroll School 762 President Street

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volume 23, issue 8

January 2010

FEATU R ES

40

GOOD AS GOLD Breakout kiddie rocker Morgan Taylor on his life as a new dad and his career performing with the yellow sensation known as Gustafer Yellowgold

44

MOMS & WELLNESS Relationship advice from a leading love expert; innovative beauty products at affordable prices; an interview with nutritionist and author Keri Glassman on the power of antioxidants; and our hot list of gym classes, spas, nutritionists and medical treatments for moms

51

CLASS IT UP Whether you have a budding painter or chef on your hands (or just a curious drooler), there’s a class to match your child’s passion

70

HOME MAKEOVER Designing a family-friendly apartment that doesn’t sacrifice on style

CO LU M N S

6

EDITOR’S NOTE Parenting resolutions

22

STARTING OUT With her biological clock running out of time, author Rachel Lehmann-Haupt explores reproductive alternatives

26

GROWING UP Are you spoiling your child? A psychologist shares the tell-tale signs and what to do about them

30

40

A SPECIAL PLACE Chelsea Piers is more than an impressive sports complex—it offers everything from daycare to parenting seminars (and there’s even a barbershop on the way)

THE COVER: Morgan Taylor with his wife, Rachel Loshak, and their son, Harvey. Harvey is wearing a sweater and shirt from The Children’s Place. Morgan and Rachel are wearing their own clothes. Makeup products supplied by e.l.f. cosmetics.

Photographed by Thaddeus Harden (thaddeusharden.com). Shot on location at Symphony Space.

12

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

+++++ i&YUSBPSEJOBSZw $VTUPNFS 3BUJOH JO The Lila Guide: New Parent Survival Guide ,JEWJMMF OBNFE i#&45 0'w CZ New York Magazine

Register for your first Spring/Summer 2010 class

by January 31st and receive $50 off!*! *policy and terms at www.kidville.com

upper east side: 163 East 84th St. (btwn 3rd & Lexington) NY, NY 10028 phone: 212.772.8435 Little Maestros @ 69th St. 344 East 69th St. (btwn 1st & 2nd) NY, NY 10021 phone: 212.772.8435

upper west side:

newborn 5 years

466 Columbus Ave. (btwn 82nd & 83rd) NY, NY 10024 phone: 212.362.7792

east chelsea (annex): 17 West 24th St. (btwn 5th & 6th) NY, NY 10010 phone: 212.362.7792

tribeca (annex): 200 Church St. (corner of Duane) NY, NY 10013 phone: 212.362.3923

park slope (annex): 808 Union St. (corner of 7th) Brooklyn, NY 11215 phone: 718.569.2150

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volume 23, issue 8

January 2010

CO LU MNS 32

A GOOD IDEA Absolute Best Care’s new nanny learning center teaches caretakers everything from the art of scheduling to nutrition basics

68

OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Last-minute vacations (sunny and snowy) for families

72

HOMEFRONT Experts share their thoughts on the real estate market as we head into 2010

74

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD 456 West 19th Street offers high-end, duplex living in family-friendly Chelsea; plus, this month’s three dream homes

76

CAMP COUNTDOWN The essential checklist for finding the right summer camp for your child

90

MOM KNOWS BEST! Mind Over Matter Health and Fitness was founded to provide busy NYC Moms a service to integrate fitness into their daily lives.

M.O.M’s mission is to provide certified Pre-natal and Postpartum fitness instructors specializing in areas such as Personal Training, Yoga & Pilates.

Whether in your home, office or outdoors, MOM trainers are equipped to turn any space into your own private gym.

212-865-9290 www.mindovermatternyc.com joshua@mindovermatternyc.com

ASK ABOUT OUR M.I.L.F. BOOT CAMP CLASSES! 14

New York Family | January 2010

ON SECOND THOUGHT A mom learns to let go when her college-age daughter rents her first apartment

D EPARTMENTS 20

BUZZWORTHY Workshops that teach social skills to kids, ecofriendly diapers, and more ideas

36

IT’S MY PARTY Birthday fun at Kidville, The Birch Wathen Lenox School, and with Citibabes-to-Go

38

FAB FETES New York Family’s Moms’ Night Out, Antiques and Art at the Armory and more

80

10 IDEAS Our monthly roundup of things to do in the city

82

KID CULTURE A preview of winter’s best live performances, museum exhibits, attractions and pop culture highlights for families

CORRECTIONS: *On pg. 48 of the children’s fashion story in the December 2009 issue, the designer Les Tout Petits was incorrectly spelled as Les Tout Petit. *Also in the children’s fashion story, Kicokids was incorrectly written as Kico Kids. *On pg. 56 of the December 2009 issue, the website for The Urban Assembly School for Law & Justice was listed incorrectly. The correct website is sljhs.org. www.newyorkfamily.com

SoHo ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY 3-DAY TRIAL PASS! Citibabes is a family membership club offering adults and children 0-10 best-in-class education, amenities and fun! From our 1,500 sq ft indoor playground to signature classes, adult gym, movement and tumble room, family events and CitiSchool, our preschool, Citibabes is the ultimate resource for the whole family.

MEMBERSHIP OFFER: Join Citibabes by January 31st and receive $300 off annual membership.

SPECIAL EVENT Don’t miss a concert by acclaimed children’s performer

on January 20th at 4:30 pm!

The whole family will be boppin’ to her catchy, kid-friendly beats. Free!

COMPLIMENTARY 3 DAY TRIAL! To redeem your trial, please contact soho@citibabes.com.

Upon activation, you’ll receive free childminding while you workout in our adult gym and a lunch on us!*

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Improve Up to TWO GRADE LEVELS! One-on-One Home and Small Group Tutoring Grades Pre-K to 12

EDITOR AND CO-PUBLISHER

Eric Messinger emessinger@manhattanmedia.com ART DIRECTOR

Mitchell Hoffman mhoffman@manhattanmedia.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Leah Black lblack@manhattanmedia.com STYLE DIRECTOR

✐ Reading comprehension & writing ✐ Multi-sensory math ✐ Phonics instruction & reading fluency ✐ State test preparation ✐ Study & organizational skills ✐ Orton-Gillingham based instruction ✐ Dyslexia & ADD programs ✐ Home tutoring available in NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester and New Jersey ✐ We accept Department of Education funding at the enhanced rate for special education students

Joy Sherwood jsherwood@manhattanmedia.com DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR

Jessica Balaschak jbalaschak@manhattanmedia.com PRODUCTION M ANAGER

Mark Stinson mstinson@manhattanmedia.com DEPUTY PRODUCTION M ANAGER

Heather Mulcahey hmulcahey@manhattanmedia.com PHOTO EDITOR

Andrew Schwartz aschwartz@manhattanmedia.com SENIOR EDITORS

Katie Main kmain@manhattanmedia.com Meira Drazin mdrazin@manhattanmedia.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGR APHERS

Daniel S. Burnstein, Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Jennifer Lee, Josh Lehrer, Sarah Merians CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Janet Allon, Mary DiPalermo, Kristen Duca, Shaina Gopen, Theodora Guliadis, Jean Halloran-Monaco, Robina Josephine Khalid, Christa Lindsay, Lisa Loverro, Jennifer Maslowski, Arielle Patrick, Heather Peterson, Lyz Pfister, Elisabeth Reed, Erika Thormahlen, Kate Willard

EBL Coaching • 212-249-0147 Dr. Emily Levy, Director www.eblcoaching.com 16

New York Family | January 2010

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please address to: Eric Messinger, New York Family 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016 or to newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com

© 2008 Manhattan Media, LLC | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

www.newyorkfamily.com

GROUP PUBLISHER

Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer@manhattanmedia.com 212-284-9735 PUBLISHER

John Hurley jhurley@manhattanmedia.com 212-268-3086 A SSO CI AT E PU BL ISH ER

Mary Ann Oklesson maoklesson@manhattanmedia.com SENIOR ACCOUNT M ANAGER

Jane O’Donovan jodonovan@manhattanmedia.com SA LES A SSISTA N T

Patrick O’Connor pjoconnor@manhattanmedia.com CI RCU L AT ION

John Baxter jbaxter@manhattanmedia.com Joe Bendik jbendik@manhattanmedia.com A DV ERT ISI NG CO OR DI NATOR

Jennie Valenti jvalenti@manhattanmedia.com BUSINESS M ANAGER

Shawn Scott sscott@manhattanmedia.com ACCOUNTS M ANAGER

Kathy Pollyea kpollyea@manhattanmedia.com M A N H AT TA N M EDI A P R E S I D E N T/C E O

Tom Allon tallon@manhattanmedia.com CFO/COO

Joanne Harras jharras@manhattanmedia.com FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Barbara Witt bwitt@manhattanmedia.com MARKETING DIRECTOR

Tom Kelly tkelly@manhattanmedia.com EVENTS M ANAGER

Stephanie Musso smusso@manhattanmedia.com New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, Our Town, West Side Spirit, New York Press, Mitzvah Magazine, The Capitol, City Hall, City Arts, Chelsea Clinton News, The Westsider and The Blackboard Awards.

18

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

LA SCUOLA D’ITALIA GUGLIELMO MARCONI

12 East 96th Street, New York, NY 10128 www.lascuoladitalia.org Tel. 212-369-3290 Pre K-12th Grade Announcing 2009-2010 Scholarships for Middle & High School Levels

La Scuola d’Italia is a private unique Italian/English bilingual and bicultural school reÁecting the best features of the Italian and American education.

Graduates attend North American as well as Italian and European Union best Colleges and Universities.

Knowledge of the Italian/ English language is not a pre-requisite for admission to Pre-K through 9th grade.

st Value ruction • Be Expert Inst • s ie lit ci Fa Authentic

The Best Place To Skate.

Sky Rink has been New York’s favorite place to skate since 1969.

Bring friends and family to Chelsea Piers for: Skating School: Enroll in 12 classes for the price of 10 Birthday Parties: New York’s coolest party place

La Scuola d’Italia is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York and by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Italy.

Sky Rink at

The School is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools.

For more information, please call 212-369-3290 or email secretary@lascuoladitalia.org

Pier 61 • 23rd Street & Hudson River Park 212.336.6100 • www.chelseapiers.com/sr Visit chelseapiers.com for a complete listing of sports classes available for both kids and adults.

buzz

RB Y E B Y E TO PLASTIC BAGGIES

WORTHY

Lunch Skins is a new line of ecofriendly snack pouches that let you

RM U C H A D O

stop using plastic baggies once and

ABOUT BOOKS

kids’ lunches, bring snacks on the road or

Why should kids wait until high school

even to store snack items in the fridge. Created

to study Shakespeare? In an effort to

by a group of three “green” moms, the bags are made from food-safe material, are

introduce her elementary students to

dishwasher safe and come in a variety of sizes and fun patterns, including green

the Bard, Lois Burdett created “Shake-

lizards, red apples and polka dots. Details: Start at $7.95; 3greenmoms.com.

speare Can Be Fun,” a book series that transforms his major works—from

RM I S S M A N N E R S

“Macbeth” to “A Midsummer Night’s

Does your child know how to shake hands and maintain eye contact when meet-

Dream” to “Hamlet”—into rhyming

ing someone? What about how to make and receive phone calls? Socialsklz:-) is an

couplets suitable for kids ages 7 and

innovative new company founded by Faye Rogaski, a public relations expert and

up. The books are great to read aloud to

adjunct professor of communications at NYU, that offers age-appropriate classes and

your child—or for your child and friends

workshops where students learn modern-day social and communication skills. Topics

to turn into plays! The best part is that

for ages 4 to 7 range from restaurant etiquette to how to behave on the playground.

for all. Use them when you pack your

the colorful

There are also workshops for tweens and teens. Details: 24 Union

illustrations

Square East, 4th Floor South, 212-579-5300, socialsklz.com.

in the books

RA N E W

are drawn

by Burdett’s tails: $9.95;

E C O - F R I E N D LY DIAPER

amazon.com.

If you’d like to practice green

students. De-

values but don’t want to make the leap to cloth diapers, gDiapers are a great option. The eco-friendly diapers consist of a washable cotton cover and a

January THE CHECKLIST FOR

biodegradable liner. To change the diaper, simply swap in a new liner—they can be flushed, composted or tossed and will break down in 50-150 days. The diaper covers come in a range of stylish designs, and when it comes to refilling your supply of liners, you can arrange for a home delivery service rather than head to the store.

Details: Starter kit, $26.99; gdiapers.com.

R T H E B I G G E S T F A M I LY P A R T Y E V E R If you’re looking for ideas for your next party—whether it’s a first birthday, a first communion, a bar/bat mitzvah, a sweet 16 or other special occasion—swing by the biggest family party ever, “Celebrations,” hosted by New York Family. Not only will there be lots of free children’s entertainment—think face painters, balloon shapers and family photographers—but families will have the chance to learn about venues, entertainers, florists, stationery suppliers, event planners and other experts who can make their next event extra-special. Visit newyorkfamily.com to register in advance! Details: Sunday, January 10th, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The Sports Club/LA, 330 East 61st Street, newyorkfamily.com.

20

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

+ GYMNASTICS CLASSES

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For more information and a full list of classes for your child visit: www.gymtime.net.

Starting

Out

BY AMANDA ORENSTEIN

T I C TOCK With No Mr. Right And Her Biological Clock Seemingly Running Out Of Time, Writer Rachel Lehmann-Haupt Explores Options For Having A Baby Later In Life

R

achel Lehmann-Haupt was in her 30s and seemed to have it all—a successful career in journalism, a beautiful Manhattan apartment, and a great boyfriend. But when her relationship suddenly ended, she felt compelled to confront her looming biological clock. In her memoir, “In Her Own Sweet Time: Unexpected Adventures in Finding Love, Commitment, and Motherhood,” Lehmann-Haupt, who has always wanted to be a mom, interviews experts and women from around the country about the options available for having a baby later in life—from egg freezing to single motherhood to “insta-families.”

22

New York Family | January 2010

What made you decide to write a book about what you call “delayed” motherhood? The book is really about the choices that women have when they are getting into a period when their fertility is not as strong. The opportunity I had was really my own personal circumstance. I saw myself single, approaching the age of 35, and also seeing a lot of women and men around me in this situation. Particularly in cities, where people are very focused on their career and where it’s more expensive, people put their dating life and relationship life and their family life on the back burner until later—mostly until they’re in a better economic situation.

You interviewed women from all over the country who chose to become single mothers. What about their experiences surprised you the most? What surprised me was how open-minded people are about new choices that people are making in terms of getting to motherhood. Single motherhood is so much more accepted, even in more conservative parts of the country. People aren’t batting an eye about it as much as they would have, 20 or even 10 years ago. And there are a lot of [single mothers] now.

I do really believe that it’s important for a kid to have a dad. But then again, the other thing about single motherhood is that a lot of these women end up marrying Mr. Right later, and Mr. Right adopts their kids. So there are all kinds of ways to form your “right” family—it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the traditional order.

What do you think are some of the advantages to becoming a mother later in life? A lot of my friends have had kids in the past year, and the thing that I’ve noticed is that they just have a lot more confidence. I remember talking with friends who had kids in their late 20s or early 30s, and they all talked about this incredible loss of themselves that they felt. I feel like these [older moms] didn’t feel that loss as much because they had so much time to get to know themselves. I’ve seen that across-the-board www.newyorkfamily.com

in older mothers. The thing that is so sad is I wish the biology would keep up. I wish Mother Nature would give us another 10 years, because us women deserve it.

Maybe it was a false sense of control to freeze my eggs, but it was the choice that seemed right at the moment.

You discuss the phenomenon of â&#x20AC;&#x153;insta-familiesâ&#x20AC;?: couples who marry later in life and have children soon after the wedding. What were some of the positives and negatives you found when you interviewed these types of families? Well, the positive is that they were much more sure of what they wanted and much more sure of their ability to be parents. But I worry about some of the instant families I met. I feel like a lot of times, they rushed into it because the woman wanted to [do it all] before she turned 40, and so she married a bad guy. But most of these relationships seem to be much more mature decisions, where they really know themselves and they are really ready.

Throughout the book, you debate whether or not to freeze your eggs. Was there a defining moment that convinced you to finally commit to the procedure? I was in a very serious relationship from [age] 36 to 37. It looked like it was leading towards something that was going to be about the future and about family. Sadly, he could not commit to me, so I walked away from the relationship. Right after that breakup, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t at all in a position to start dating again, but I felt like I needed to do something. Maybe it was a false

sense of control to freeze my eggs, but it was the choice that seemed right at the moment.

How did Sylvia Ann Hewlettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Creating a Life: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Having a Baby and a Career,â&#x20AC;? which urged women to get married and have a baby by age 35, affect you and the direction you took in writing your own book? That book felt very punishing to me. She does have real facts on her side, but is the answer to simply start earlier? Maybe.

Maybe the next generation coming up needs to have a completely different way of adjusting their plans for the future.

Maybe I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the best choices, maybe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m here, now, at 39 without a baby. But my book was not about being a polemic to give an answer, it was more about just preventing the emotions of being in the situation rather than telling people the way to be. Sylvia Ann Hewlett may very well be right that women need to start thinking about having children younger.

If you could have readers take away one message from your book, what would it be? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t panic. Live your life, enjoy your life, you only have one life. Just because you feel that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sort of not in the right place, you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel desperate. Often, I think women of our generation still buy into some older ideas about what a woman should be by the time sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a certain age. But you can be whatever you want to be. j

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New York Family | January 2010

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Growing UP

BY AMANDA SAKUMA

Just

Say No Psychologist Richard Bromfield Says Too Many Parents Are Spoiling Their Kids. Here’s What To Do About It

ichard Bromfield, a psychologist and faculty member at Harvard Medical Center specializing in child and adolescent psychotherapy, recently felt compelled to write the matter-of-fact parenting manual, “How to Unspoil Your Child Fast.” Over the course of his work, Dr. Bromfield has seen his fair share of self-entitled youngsters—and, most of all, the negative paths their lives can take into adulthood. Here, he shares why he believes overindulged kids are disadvantaged, the telltale signs you may be spoiling your child, and how parents can undo the damage.

What made you decide to write a parenting book on unspoiling kids?

Of all the patients I’ve seen, whatever the recurring problem, it always seemed that indulgence played some sort of a role. In a sense, I think it’s

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New York Family | January 2010

a problem of the times. My parents raised me in the ’50s and ’60s, when all the parents were saying, “You want stuff? Get a job.” Today, even people with very limited incomes do more, say more, and spend more on kids than they can afford to, forgetting whether it’s good for the kids or not.

What are some signs that parents might be overindulging their kids?

Signs that your child is overindulged include when you have to pay them, or beg them, or go through such lengths just to get one ounce of reasonable cooperation. When you find yourself not liking the children you’ve raised because of their behavior. When you’re embarrassed about the way they treat you or other people in public. When they’re unable to share, when they are unable to express or even experience gratitude.

It isn’t just that they lack the etiquette of saying things like “thank you” and “you’re welcome,” but they don’t experience thankfulness of what’s being done for them and what they have.

Does spoiling start at a specific age? It’s a slope. You never want parents to be worried about spoiling a baby because babies need to be loved,

held, fed, have their needs met and to have their discomforts eased. But a toddler doesn’t need to have every whine responded to. When you do that, you’re really not responding to every need, because what the child needs at those moments is to soothe herself, or learn how to play by herself.

It doesn’t make a toddler feel better to boss around his mother. Being a little empress or king is really not a pleasant place for a kid to be.

Is spoiling your child simply a case of not enforcing enough discipline or boundaries? It’s all part of the same package. Oftentimes, parents aren’t even aware of how much they indulge their kids until they almost do a type of bookkeeping—sort of the way you’d look at a budget. When parents sit back and look at what they spent on their kids, sometimes they’re amazed. They’ll say, “I didn’t spend money on anything big yesterday,” but meanwhile they bought them a big hot chocolate, snacks, books, and clothes. When I was a kid, you had to earn these things. But nowadays a lot of contemporary parents put it into a category of necessity.

What are some things parents can do right away to jumpstart unspoiling their kids? The first thing you can do is sit down with a notebook and write down everything you did with your child this week—all of the time you spent, the driving you did, all the money you spent. The second www.newyorkfamily.com

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thing would be to stop negotiating for everything you want or everything your child wants. You’re not settling a case with Microsoft. You’re just trying to get a kid to brush his teeth. A third thing would be to re-think your priorities for what you want for your child in terms of his development and character. See if in fact your parenting is heading in that direction.

each other for indulging. It works best when you can fix your own indulging, and your spouse or partner fixes his own indulging.

What are some negative effects of having an overindulged child? On sort of a day-to-day basis, they can be tiring, frustrating, annoying. You have children who are unhappy, whose selfabsorption gets in the way of a Stop negotiating for everything with you want or everything your child connection other people. Rewants. You’re not settling a case ally overindulged children, over with Microsoft. You’re just trying a long period to get a kid to brush his teeth. of time, can lag behind in work ethic and not be able to assume the In the book you mention it takes responsibilities of kids their age. two parents to spoil a child. What if it seems like one parent is more of a In a city like New York where culprit than the other? That’s a tough you have a lot of affluent families, one. It’s very common for one parent how can parents navigate wanting to to blame another. But one parent will provide their children with the best indulge this thing, and another parent will indulge in a different thing. What’s without spoiling them? Money can not very helpful is when parents blame buy anything, but oddly enough af-

fluence can rob children of what they need: learning to be grateful for what happens in life, learning to be content.

It’s hard to learn to appreciate if you never go without. It’s hard to learn patience if you never have to wait. It’s hard to learn to work for something if you’ve never had to work. I’m not saying “poor affluent parents,” but it’s tough for them to set up the conditions to teach kids the things they need to learn to succeed as grown-ups.

How long does it take to unspoil your child? Is it ever too late? The enemy, so to speak, is in our life every morning. You almost have to declare a war on indulgence because it’s so pervasive and so subtle. Although [unspoiling] doesn’t require perfection, it requires conviction because if you do it half-heartedly, it doesn’t work. But if you start doing it today, you’re going to start seeing results today. The secret of unspoiling is there is no such thing as unspoiling. All it means is no longer spoiling. And I think you can start doing that at any age—it’s never too late. G

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New York Family | January 2010

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Chelsea Piers Is More Than Just An Amazing Urban Sports Complex. It’s A Community Of Families, Featuring Everything From Preschool To Parenting Seminars A gymnastics class at Chelsea Piers.

Haven On

Daniel S. Burnstein

The Mollie Marcoux, general manager of the Field House. mid the warehouse-sized facilities that make up Chelsea Piers is the Field House, which looms over the newly renovated Hudson River Park. This indoor athletic arena and its programs are best known for nurturing sports lovers, ranging from budding soccer players to nationally competitive gymnasts. For those who have yet to set foot inside, we’ll just say that the space is awe-inspiring: On

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New York Family | January 2010

Hudson

one side are rings cascading from towering ceilings, climbing walls, parallel bars, horses, trampolines and yards of mats; while the other side boasts two glass-enclosed indoor soccer fields, basketball courts and batting cages with computer-simulated pitchers.

And, in the afternoons, there are kids everywhere, dribbling soccer balls, doing cartwheels and suspending gracefully from the rings.

“Kids feel a sense of community here,” says Mollie Marcoux, general manager of the Field House. “They feel like they own this place.” As she talks, her office ceiling echoes with the sounds of kids trampling above.

Though blessed with prestige and expansive space, the Field House is surprisingly cozy. There’s a greeter at the

door, and coaches and office staff hang out in the common areas mingling with the day’s new arrivals. As kids get organized and make their way to classes, parents head up to the mezzanine where they can pull their chairs up to the railing and watch their kids down below. The scene almost looks like a spread from a Richard Scarry picture book. It looks like a neighborhood.

Which is precisely what Marcoux and her team have been striving for.

“We want not only kids and coaches to make connections, but also for parents to feel like they are a part of things,” says Marcoux. To do so, Chelsea Piers, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, is building on a unique vision for the facility that both expands on its established sports

www.newyorkfamily.com

programs and also ventures into uncharted territory—think after-school programs that include art, music and tutoring, parenting seminars and even a barbershop.

It’s fitting that Marcoux is largely leading up Chelsea Piers’ exciting new effort. The mother of three and her forward-thinking team—whom she refers to as “curriculum-gurus”—have made children and families a priority at the Field House since she started in 1995. One of the many initiatives Marcoux has spearheaded was the addition of a daycare facility, an idea she and seven other employees had in 2003 when they became pregnant around the same time. Faced with the eternal struggle of balancing work and home life, the women rallied to have two rooms in the Field House dedicated to childcare, and invited the community to join. The center quickly went from full to waitlisted and has since expanded to five rooms that make up the early childhood learning center for ages 3 months to 5 years—known as CP Kids.

The center now includes a baby room, toddler room, and a full-fledged, competitive preschool.

“It’s great because we needed the full-time child care—so our son would go to preschool and stay after,” says Cathy Martin, a Chelsea Piers parent.

“There was so much offered, and the staff would just escort the kids over to the classes after. It really cut down on having to worry about picking him up. It’s become a place where we feel extremely comfortable.”

Indeed, the mission behind so many of Chelsea Piers’ programs is to make the lives of families not just more enriched—but more convenient. Perhaps most notable is Chelsea Piers’ decision to begin offering robust non-sports-related programming. Construction has already begun on a second upstairs mezzanine, which will house a large classroom with windows overlooking the West Side Highway and boasting stateof-the-art educational equipment.

The space will be used for morning and afternoon classes as well as an afterschool program. Marcoux is currently talking to teachers about www.newyorkfamily.com

providing language, art and music as well as afterschool homework help and tutoring.

“What we are doing is giving the kids more opportunities to learn and grow by balancing out the other things we do,” says Marcoux. “For instance, little kids can come here and make it a morning by taking a music, sports, or art class, then go and run around in the toddler gym.”

There are other initiatives in the works, too. The Field House has already begun offering parenting seminars, and plans to begin hosting more in the coming year. Experts cover topics ranging from sleep and nutrition to sportsrelated issues like preventing injuries and parent involvement (i.e. how much to push your child vs. letting them take the reigns).

They’ve even delved into the salon business with Chelsea Shears, a barbershop for kids, dads and all men who play in Chelsea Piers’ many adult sports leagues—making getting a trim as simple as running upstairs before practice.

But lest sports aficionados worry, rest assured that Chelsea Piers remains most focused on what it’s always been known for: being one of the city’s premier athletic centers. The only difference is that the Field House is more dedicated than ever to ensuring there are offerings for everyone. “We are trying to have a program for kids at every age and level, whether they’re interested in playing recreationally or are very skilled,” says Marcoux. It helps that many of the coaches have been with the facility for years—some since it first opened in 1995—giving the kids a sense of familiarity and continuity.

The centerpiece of Chelsea Piers’ offerings, of course, is its top-notch gymnastics programs—thousands of kids take classes here, from 12-montholds to teenagers who compete nationally. This coming summer, Chelsea Piers is debuting a new Junior Gymnastics Camp which will expand on its current offerings by giving 4- to 5-year olds more advanced gymnastics coaching.

For kids interested in other sports, Chelsea Piers has also been growing Little Athletes, its cutting-edge sports program for ages 12 months to 5 years.

It introduces gymnastics, soccer, rock climbing, dance, multi-sport classes and other athletic pursuits to kids through professional coaching and Chelsea Piers’ state-of-the-art facilities.

“We’re teaching kids to not only enjoy and have fun with sports, but we’re

“Kids feel a sense of community here. They feel like they own this place.” instilling in them skills at the highest level for their age,” says Marcoux.

Serious soccer players will want to know that Chelsea Piers also has five travel soccer teams for ages 8 to 13 that compete in the New York Junior Cosmopolitan League under the direction of soccer director Ronald Restreto.

This summer it is also hosting an elite soccer camp for tweens and teens that will bring in college coaches and use high-end training techniques like video analysis. For younger players, Restreto offers instruction for kids-starting at age 2—whom he often engages by singing songs during drills.

Chelsea Piers is also home to a variety of classes that one might not expect. There’s Gymjitsu (ages 4 and up), a combination of martial arts and gymnastics classes; Stunts and Skills (ages 8-16), which teaches acrobatic stunts, and Veterans and Rookies, where parents can take a class with their 5- to 10-year-olds and learn how to throw a baseball or shoot a basketball together.

With so much happening at Chelsea Piers, it’s all the more remarkable that it really does feel like a tight-knit community. “It’s a place to learn and play,” sums up Marcoux. “And it’s about being part of something.” G Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street and t h e H u d s o n R i v e r, 2 1 2 - 3 3 6 6500, chelseapiers.com.

January 2010 | New York Family

31

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Mary Poppins n the fifth floor of 274 Madison Avenue is a door adorned with simple lettering: “Absolute Best Care.”

Behind it is a bustling office where staff and caregivers strive to make those words come true each day. Questions on child development are answered, tutorials in household management are given, and the ins and outs of nutrition are learned. Here, nannies learn the art of taking care of modern New York City families.

Absolute Best Care (ABC) is a wellregarded nanny staffing agency that has long been a trusted resource for families looking to hire nannies as well as babysitters, housekeepers, and baby nurses in New York City and around the country. But the company’s founders, Saul and Monique Moskowitz and Douglas Kozinn, wanted to go one step further. This fall they opened a New York State Education Department-certified nanny learning center—the first of its kind in New York.

“The whole industry has evolved.

In London, you can go to college and get a degree in nanny management— you can be a career nanny, not just be a nanny until you can find a ‘real’ job.

Now, we have a certified education component that really gives nannies the confidence to say, ‘This is my real job,’” explains Kozinn.

Using guidelines from Mary Louise Starkey, author and founder of The

32

New York Family | January 2010

In The Making A class in session at ABC’s nanny learning center.

Starkey International Institute for Household Management and known as the First Lady of Service, Kozinn and the Moskowitzes developed a 50-hour, seven-day curriculum that underwent a rigorous three-year approval process by the New York State Education Department. Topics covered in their course range from safety, green alternatives, and nutrition to managing a household, communicating with parents and children, and age-specific approaches for caring for infants, preschool, kindergarten, and school-aged children.

“It’s different than [a nanny] just

doing whatever they did at their last job, because there’s no real training in that,” explains Monique. “Every family is different, so we’re [teaching nannies to] learn [their] family’s background to understand how they do things.”

Through the class, nannies not only learn the nuts and bolts of caring for a family, but also have the opportunity to assess what kind of work they’re best suited for. “Part of the class is asking the nanny to define for themselves what kind of nanny they are,” explains Kozinn. “Perhaps they are really excellent with newborns, or really embrace a household with two, www.newyorkfamily.com

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three, or more children.” By knowfamilies are ready to meet with a ing this, nannies ensure that both potential nanny, as well as sugthey and the families who come to gested questions.

ABC can find the perfect match.

When it comes to choosWith the economy in the state ing the nannies they work with, that it’s in, one might not think ABC uses an intensive, five-step now is the best time to open a screening process. Caregivschool where a seven-day certificaers must submit an extensive tion costs $1,995. However, the written application, have a founders of ABC say that the deface-to-face interview, submit mand for a higher quality of nansolid references, have their referFrom left to right: The company’s founders, Douglas Kozinn, Monique ences checked, and go through a nies is growing, especially among Moskowitz, and Saul Moskowitz. upper middle class families who background check. in regions beyond the New York metro value private care. Some families “It’s so important to find area, including New Jersey, Connectihave enrolled their current nannies in the right nanny for your family,” sums cut, Pennsylvania—even Las Vegas— the class, while other nannies have enup Kozinn. “When you hire the wrong and as of now has plans to serve as rolled themselves in hopes of increasperson, it is a constant struggle. When many as 274 territories. ing their employability. you hire the right nanny, you get a When families are ready to find Saul Moskowitz refers to the learnwhole symbiotic relationship—the a nanny, ABC provides parents with ing center as a “game-changer” for the nanny, the kids and the parents are one-on-one consultation. The staff nanny professional. “When students happy. Those are the jobs that last five, graduate from the nanny management works with families to help them 10 and 15 years—and the relationship define what kind of nanny will work system, it’s allowing them to spend the goes above and beyond what anyone best in their household—reviewing rest of their careers at a different level,” would have imagined.” G everything from the family’s schedule he says. to the ages of their children to the type Ab s o l u t e B e s t C a r e , 2 7 4 M a d i Though the learning center is of foods they may or may not eat. ABC s o n Av e n u e , S u i t e 5 0 3 , 2 1 2 - 4 8 1 unique to the New York office of ABC, 5705, absolutebestcare.com. also offers interview tips for when the staffing agency itself has franchises

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IT’S MY

3

1 Lily Bergoffen hosted a party at The Birch Wathen Lenox School to celebrate her 8th birthday. 1. Lily and friends take a birthday break on the bleachers! 2. The birthday girl makes a wish. 3. Lily shares a sweet moment with Mom.

Photos by Suzanne Cohen Photography (suzannecohenphotography.com)

1

1

2

Felix Heller hosted a Citibabes-to-Go party at his home to celebrate his first birthday. 1. The birthday boy shares a sweet mo-

biggest rock stars make time for Mom! 2. Harry tests out his big-boy strength. 3. Rose takes in the day’s excitement.

4. Birthdays taste good!

ment with mom and dad. 2. Felix is ready for cake! 3. Three cheers for Felix!

Photos by Brian Buckley (brianbuckleyphoto.com)

2

Rose and Harry Green hosted a rock n’ roll gym party with Little Maestros at Kidville to celebrate their 1st birthday. 1. Even the

3 3

Photos by Heidi Green (heidigreen.com)

4 36

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

1

2 On November 12, KiDS of NYU Associates and the Hassenfeld Committee hosted the annual “Adults in Toyland Casino Night” at the Edison Ballroom to benefit the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. From left to right: Dr. Linda Granowetter, director of the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and the Adults in Toyland co-chairs: Joshua Laterman, Patti Kim, Michael Weaver, Susie Block Casdin, Steven Jaffe, Kelly Kennedy Mack, Harlan Fabrikant Saroken, Erin Chamberlin, and Morgan Hertzan New York Family joined with apple seeds Photos by Jay Brady Photography

2

Fab

FÊTES

1

3

and Chelsea Enclave to host a Moms’ Night Out event on December 9 at Chelsea Enclave. 1. From left to right: Donna Puzio,

senior sales Associate, Chelsea Enclave; Eric Messinger, editor-in-chief of New York Family; Lori Bender, sales associate, Chelsea Enclave; and James Lansill, senior managing director, Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group 2. Roxana Reid, founder of Smart City Kids (left), leads a discussion 3. Leslie Fields, public relations manager for Christofle 4. Tanya Zuckerbrot, nutritionist and author of “The F-Factor Diet” 5. Dana Supnick, publicist for Dove Chocolate (middle).

Photos by Andrew Schwartz

3

4

The Museum of the City of New York hosted its annual Children’s Holiday Party on December 14 to benefit the museum. 1. From left to right: museum chairs of the Children’s Holiday Party, Michelle Smith, Shabnam Henry, Elizabeth Keegan and Lisa Abel 2. Santa Claus with Isabel and Lisa Abel 3. Cinderella from Let’s Dress Up! with Rory and Brean Tobin Photos by Andrew Schwartz

1 On December 2, AVENUE Antiques and Art at the Armory hosted its opening night benefit for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge NYC. 1. Kelly

5

Rutherford Photo by Patrick McMullen

38

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

A

SONG Of LOVE

Breakout Kiddie Rocker Morgan Taylor Talks About The Inspiration Behind The Yellow Sensation Known As Gustafer And His Life As A New Dad

By Shara Benison

W

hen rocker Morgan Taylor met singer and songwriter Rachel Loshak, it was the beginning of a love story. What they didn’t anticipate was that their story would also include a curious yellow sun creature named Gustafer Yellowgold. Since the two first met in 1999, they’ve married, welcomed a son, Harvey, now 21 months old, and, in between, created one of the most imaginative music shows to hit the children’s entertainment scene to date.

Described by “The New York Times” as “a cross between ‘Yellow Submarine’ and Dr. Seuss,” Gustafer Yellowgold is a series of musical tales conceived by Taylor that tell the story of a small golden “solarian” who travels to earth from the sun to explore its landscape and befriend some of the planet’s more obscure residents. Taylor brings the story to life through a combination of laid-back, ‘70s-style tunes, accessible lyrics, and colorfully animated short films. Meanwhile, Loshak acts as business manager, booking agent, animation operator, and accountant—among other roles. Since Gustafer Yellowgold’s inception in 2005, Taylor and Loshak’s company, Apple-Eye Productions, has turned out three DVD/CD sets and played over 400 live shows in theaters, museums and bookstores across the globe—including opening performances for Wilco and The Polyphonic Spree. On a recent Tuesday morning, Taylor sat down with New York Family at Symphony Space—where he’s performed in the past—to share his thoughts about life as dad, musician and creator of the yellow mellow sensation.

Photography by Thaddeus Harden • (thaddeusharden.com) 40

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

You’ve been playing in rock bands since you were a teenager. How did you make the transition to kids’ music? I’ve been in band after band for almost 24 years. When my last band started to dissolve, I knew I didn’t want to just start another one. I wanted to push myself into another direction that was a little bit more unusual or even just take a break from music altogether. I had recently moved to New York from Ohio—I’m from Dayton—and was writing a lot. I had a good creative outpouring, and I started writing some comical, funny songs just for fun on the side. I ended up accumulating all these character songs and realized I had accidentally created this whole fictitious world. I knew the songs were special in some way.

Is that how the character of Gustafer Yellowgold was born? The songs were written in the first person, yet I knew they weren’t about me. I decided to base the songs on a character—or a doodle, really—that I had created when I was living back in Ohio. At first we thought about turning the concept into a book and CD, so I drew everything flat on paper. Then we started showing the book drawings to people and someone showed us how easy it was to make the drawings animated. We animated about eight songs, put out our first DVD and began touring. When you come to a show, you are watching the animation of Gustafer with the lyrics on screen while hearing a live musical performance. I perform the music myself or with a band.

Would you call Gustafer an alien? No, he is not an alien, he is a solarian. Calling someone an alien, I think he may somehow find that offensive—like, you don’t call a chimpanzee a monkey.

Are Gustafer’s adventures based on your own personal experiences? His characteristics and traits are kind of like an alter ego. It is sort of a fantasy existence—a conflict-free life of exploration and playing with the world.

Gustafer has this sense of unconditional acceptance and innocence. The music is about joy and friendship. He has a set of eyes [that capture] an absurd worldview.

But I think if you go back and analyze some of the lyrics, you would see similarities between my life and Gustafer’s. The song “Sun Pod” on “Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Fever” is about how Gustafer came to earth—he left home and said goodbye to his family and his dog and crashed down into a lake in Minnesota where he met the characters that would become his best friends. I didn’t move away from my hometown until I was 29, so I have a lot of deep relationships there with friends and family, which I’m still very attached to.

Where did the name Gustafer Yellowgold come from? I wanted something that would conjure up fun, like Willy Wonka or Pink Panther. The name just kind of came out of thin air. Now the name references the entire [project]—the music, the art and the character.

www.newyorkfamily.com

January 2010 | New York Family

41

See Gustafer Live!

Gustafer Yellowgold performances are popular with both adults and children. Why do you think that is? When I’m writing, I always want to make the best music that I can. I don’t think because we’re doing a family show that there is a different standard. I didn’t really have kids’ music per se when I was growing up, but we had a huge record collection and most of it was soft rock from the early ‘70s. That’s sort of what I’m writing now. I call it soft rock for the whole family. The thing people say the most after they see a show is how different it is from other kids’ entertainment. I think the reason why we’ve been successful so far is because people can sense that there is no pretense. It is just a fun little world that you can get absorbed in with Gustafer.

How has your family influenced your work? My wife Rachel is also a singer/songwriter. The first Gustafer Yellowgold show we ever played was in Korea when we were on tour for Rachel’s music. We showed the promoters a Gustafer video and they asked me to play during Rachel’s intermission. When we came home, I started playing in bookstores and venues on the Lower East Side. We started to get a nice reaction right away and thought, “This is fun and this is something we can do together,” so we put our heads together and created this [project]. Rachel organizes the business end and does all the tour management; I also run lyrics or animation ideas by her. Gustafer exists because of Rachel’s hard work and organization—without her this would just be a stack of unbound books in a bag in our kitchen.

How did you and Rachel first meet? Rachel moved to New York from Suffolk, England in 1995. She was starting her career as a creative singer/songwriter on the Lower East Side. Then I came to town four years later and got a job as a sound engineer at a venue called the Living Room.

Rachel came through on a regular basis, and I remember the first time I was very, very enchanted with her and her music. After one of her gigs she stayed around afterward, and to make a long story short, by 5 a.m. we were standing on the street corner kissing. We were together every day from then on.

On January 9, Gustafer Yellowgold hits The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza as part of House Of Kids, the venue’s series of music and multimedia shows for families. The show starts at 10 a.m.; doors open at 9:15 a.m. Then, on April 17th, Gustafer Yellowgold descends on Symphony Space. The show starts at 11am and includes a full band with strings and horns. Visit gustaferyellowgold.com for more details and ticket information for both concerts.

of times a week. We also go on tour a lot and try to insert little spontaneous family moments in while touring, like taking a day off together and going for a walk. Since we are all together so much, Rachel and I have really had a chance to see Harvey grow from just a little wide-eyed baby. [Our commitment] to the idea of family togetherness inspires us to make Gustafer Yellowgold even more of a success.

You recently moved from Brooklyn to The Catskills. How’s country life treating you? We love it, it’s really gorgeous. When it’s a full moon, we say, “Where is that light coming from in the yard?” You can see the stars.

Our lives are so crazy—we never have enough time—but up here it seems more slow and quiet. We made the move because we have been travelling so much for the past four years. We wanted to pay less money for a place we were gone from most of the time. With Harvey we also just wanted more space. It’s also a good place to be, creatively.

With two singer/songwriters for parents, Harvey must be exposed to a lot of music. Is he a musical child? Harvey already sings and strums his tiny guitar. He’s seen over a hundred Gustafer shows—he saw his first one at 3 weeks. Rachel operates the animated video on stage, and for about a year Harvey would be up there with her in a pouch, sleeping through the shows. Then when he was about one he woke before the show and stuck his head out and yelled in the mike, and we said, ‘OK, time to put him in the audience.’

Is Rachel still performing her music? Gustafer has sort of taken over everything—which is cool because we are so busy—but Rachel has an album’s worth of songs she wants to put out, which will be her fifth. One of our goals is to put out Rachel’s before we put out the fifth Gustafer album [the fourth is scheduled to be released in 2011]. She is an amazing songwriter and singer—she sang backup for Norah Jones at the Grammys in 2003 and has sung backup for Moby for a couple of performances.

What’s his personality like? He’s got a really good sense of humor. All of a sudden he has also started imitating me—down to my stage banter and sound effects. He will grab the guitar and sit and strum and you can tell which song he is trying to play. He also likes to cook with pots and pans. For a while he kept asking for water, which was one of his first words. And so we’d give him water because we thought it was cute—and then the kitchen floor would just be drenched. So we’ve had to say no water, so now he cooks necklaces and toys and things.

You both work from home. How do you manage to balance work and raising a toddler at the same time? Most days we’ll split the day in half—Rachel will be with Harvey until lunch and then I’ll have him until dinner.

We do need help once in a while and have found a really nice sitter who can take Harvey for a few hours a couple

What’s next for Gustafer Yellowgold? We’re working on a book, a fourth DVD and an off-Broadway stage show all based on the same concept called “Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock.” There will be a bunch of new songs and characters. We’re aiming to release everything together in early 2011. In the meantime, we’ll continue to tour. c

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New York Family | January 2010

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MOMS & WELLNESS

Can “Love Maps” Help Parents Find Their Way To A Fulfilling Relationship?

Charting the

Heart

BY SARAH SELTZER

W

hen I first heard the term “love maps”—a favorite phrase of the credentialed relationship-repairers at the Gottman Institute—I thought of a yellowed treasure map with a big heart at the end as a stand-in for the expected “X marks the spot.” I assumed love maps would chart out a supposedly fail-proof path to love and serve as a guide to all the obstacles keeping couples from that hallowed goal. In fact, love maps, which comprise principle one of Dr. John M. Gottman’s “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work,” are much more practical and sensible than any kind of miracle cure for domestic ills.

Love maps are merely a nifty name for one of the basic underpinnings of any marriage or romantic relationship:

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New York Family | January 2010

Know your partner—really know him or her—or face the consequences.

Gottman is a well-regarded and prolific psychologist whose popular books on relationships, based on research with thousands of couples (the “Love Lab”), complement his academic work and counseling at the Gottman Institute, a relationship counseling center. Gottman believes that the cornerstones for romantic happiness are communication and knowledge and the interplay between the two: If you know your partner’s lifelong and current hopes, fears, dreams, hobbies and pet peeves, you’re less likely to offend and, most importantly, better able to communicate and share, and thus maintain a relationship that is satisfyingly close and supportive and fun.

This connection between knowing your partner and having a good

relationship may seem obvious, but relationships naturally are filled with complicated psychological and emotional dynamics, and many couples just don’t share well. Gottman’s definition of a love map is “that part of your brain where you store all the relevant information about your partner’s life.”

But your map can’t just plot out the constant things, such as memories from his or her childhood or the time you met. Your love map has to be flexible. Couples with good love maps, says Gottman, “keep updating their information as the facts and feelings of their spouse’s world change.” This arms them with emotional knowledge that can help during those big transitions, such as a new home, a new child, a new challenge or the slow but deep changes that come with time. “The more you know and understand each other, the easier it is to keep connected as the world swirls on around you,” Gottman writes. In other words, at the base of every great relationship is a wonderfully evolving friendship.

To test how well delineated your www.newyorkfamily.com

personal love map is, Gottman provides a number of written/oral exercises (see sidebar for an example).The first is a fairly straightforward . d 20-question self-quiz to see how much you know or think you know about o your partner. Most of the questions ou seem like valid barometers of partner the knowledge, but other questions, like s of “Name your partner’s basic philoso- uesphy of life,” may not be easy to sum asic up, however worthwhile they are to y to contemplate. The second quiz Gott- are man offers is a competitive quiz that uiz partners can administer to each other.uiz ach Again, most of the questions are sensiare ble, testing memory of important dates ant (birthdays, anniversaries) and tastes (favorite activities, songs, places), andand some are more random: naming “en- es), ing emies” or rivals, for instance. I wonder onabout the scorekeeping aspect of this of activity. In a sitcom-like paradox, the ox, losing partner may be turned off by f by Gottman’s otherwise helpful ideas. But But the idea of assessing one’s presumed med understanding of one’s partner is al- is ways positive. It can reveal how muchuch of our “knowledge” of others is formed med by our own views and opinions.

After these quizzes, Gottman givesves us a third, more open-ended activity y in in which each partner has a chance to alk talk about himself or herself and share this this with the other, who quietly listensand and records. This part of the love mapapmaking experience might be labeled led “asking for directions.”

So once you have drawn your loveove map, are you set for life? Obviously usly not—you can know that your spouse use adores Stephen King novels and still still uenot respect that penchant for the gruee some; you can know your loved one is is a fan of pop culture trivia, but con-nue tinue to roll your eyes when you see US an US Weekly peeping out of her bag.ing Moving past knowledge and towards t is respect is the subject of the remainingncisix principles that Gottman advocates.thBut without our love map, Gottman we hile tells us, we may be lost before we start.

And while some couples may come atwlthis knowledge easily in the course ofelamt a their relationship, others might benefi from a more consciously proactive nd✦ give-and-take. F www.newyorkfamily.com

✔

One of the most important features of successful couple relationships is the quality of the friendship. Do you know your partner’s inner world?

Take the quiz below and find out.

1) I can name my partner’s best friends.

2) I know what stresses my partner is currently facing.

3) I know the names of some of the people who have been irritating my partner lately.

4) I can tell you some of my partner’s life dreams.

5) I can tell you about my partner’s basic philosophy of life.

6) I can list the relatives my partner likes the least.

12) Romance is definitely still part of our relationship.

13) My partner appreciates the things I do in this relationship.

14) My partner generally likes my personality.

15) Our sex life is mostly satisfying.

16) At the end of the day my partner is glad to see me.

17) My partner is one of my best friends.

18) We just love talking to each other.

7) I feel that my partner knows me pretty well.

8) When we are apart, I often think fondly of my partner.

9) I often touch or kiss my partner affectionately.

19) There is lots of give and take (both people have influence) in our discussions.

20) My partner listens respectfully, even when we disagree.

10) My partner really respects me.

21) My partner is usually a great help as a problem solver.

11) There is fire and passion in this relationship.

22) We generally mesh well on basic values and goals in life.

✔15 or more Yes answers: You have a lot of strength in your relationship. Congratulations!

✔8 to 14:

This is a pivotal time in your relationship. There are many strengths you can build upon, but there are also some weaknesses that need your attention.

✔7 or fewer:

Your relationship may be in serious trouble. If this concerns you, you probably still value the relationship enough to try to get help.

This quiz highlights elements of what Dr. Gottman refers to as your “love map.” In his workshops, Dr. Gottman discusses the step-by-step process of making sure that you nurture your friendship with your partner. In a survey of 200 couples attending a weekend workshop, Dr. Gottman found that the best predictor of passion and romance in a relationship was, you guessed it, the quality of the friendship!

ThisThis quizquiz hashas been reprinted fromfrom the the Gottman Institute’s website, at www.gottman.com. been reprinted Gottman Institute’s website, at gottman.com.

January 2010 | New York Family

45

MOMS & WELLNESS Essie Nail Polish in Bordeaux

Aloe & Palm Body Bar, Molton Bown

Beauty Basics That Won’t Break The Bank

Look Great

BY JOY SHERWOOD

For Less

Stocking up on beauty essentials doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Let me open your eyes to some fabulous new products and long-held favorites that are considered staples by many high-end makeup artists—you may be surprised at how affordable they are. They’re easy to find, too; most can be purchased at your local drugstore, department store or at sephora.com.

Nars Satin Lipstick in Dolce Vita

Mini Makeup Collection, e.l.f cosmetics

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New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

Let’s start with the eyes. shadow, blush, bronzer, lip gloss, brow You should own two maspowder, and eyeliner along with caras—one for day and one for brushes and applicators (eyeslipsface. night. For daytime, you can’t com); $15. go wrong with Maybelline’s When it comes to nails, I love Essie Great Lash mascara; $4.99 (it’s Nail Products for their extensive selection easy to recognize because of its signature of color choices and wide availability. With pink and green tube). For a more clever color names like “Ballet Slippers,” dramatic look, try 2000 Calorie “Marshmallow,” and the new “BorExtreme Lash Plumper by Max deaux,” these polishes add excitement Factor; $9. Of course if you have to fingers and toes, and make for fun few eyelashes to start with, try bonding time between mothers and Shu Uemura false eyelashes; daughters; $9. When your nails need $16 and up. When wearing eye a little pick-me-up, try Essie’s latest makeup of any sort, don’t forget innovation, “Shine E,” which will to think about its removal as well. refresh and restore them to a perfect I recommend Clinique’s Take The sheen; $15.

Day Off makeup remover, which is Shaving is an safe for lids, lashes and lips; $17.50. art, so they say.

Whatever mascara you choose, skip the The Aloe & Palm waterproof version and remember to Body Bar from Molton Physician’s Formula always get rid of it after three months.

Brown lathers up to Bronze Booster Those trying to decrease puffiness or offer you the closest bags under their eyes should try Mac’s possible shave; $22.

Fast Response Eye Cream—it contains cafPhilosophy has a collection of feine which helps dehydrate and deflate the delectable shower gels (think area; $29.

Cookies and Milk, Warm Pear Protect your lips from the harsh win- Cobbler and Bubble Gum Blow ter cold with Smith’s Rosebud Salve; Out) that can double as a sham$6. Nars Satin Lipstick achieves poo, leaving your hair and skin the perfect sheer tint of color for smelling like your favorite patisdaytime and contains Vitamin E serie. After the shower, treat your to make lips feel as good as they skin to Neutrogena’s Lite Sesame look; $24. For a night out, Dior Body Oil to lock in moisture—it Addict Lipcolor will grant you will leave skin feeling silky bold and recognizable lips; $26. smooth yet never oily; $9. FinEven in winter, the sun can ish off the process with one of damage your skin, so start each these creams: the basic oldie day with a moisturizer containbut goodie is Jergens Original ing sunscreen. When properly Scent Body Lotion, which has an used, tinted moisturizers add just almond cherry scent and is the a touch of color and make a great perfect consistency; $6.50. My addition to a morning beauty regi- other favorite is Ligne St. Barth’s men. Paula Dorf ’s Face Tint offers Vanilla Body Lotion—it makes an SPF 15 and is paba-free. You you feel like you just returned Philosophy Shampoo, can feel it moisturizing from from the island; $34.

Shower Gel and the minute you apply it, and To keep that blow dry in Bubble Bath in Bubble you’ll love the radiant glow it place, don’t go without Elnett Gum Blow Out gives your skin; $40. For even Satin Hairspray by L’Oreal more color, add a touch of Physicians Formula Bronze Paris; $13.99. Used by stylists Booster in pressed powder form for a self-tan look sans across the country, it delivers a staining or streaking; $14.95. If foundation is a regular part long-lasting hold while adding of your routine, Chanel’s Natural Finish Pressed Powder shine and, best of all, a soft is a winner—just a touch keeps skin looking fresh with no touch. G caking; $44. Moms will love the Mini Makeup Collection by Loréal Paris Elnett e.l.f. cosmetics—an easy-to-carry compact containing eye Satin Hairsrpay www.newyorkfamily.com

January 2010 | New York Family

47

MOMS & WELLNESS

A

Fresh

Start

Author Keri Glassman with her two children.

BY CHRISTA LINDSAY

For Moms Who’d Like To Usher In A New Year Of Healthier Eating, Nutritionist Keri Glassman Offers Some Sensible (And Surprising) Tips diet that doesn’t involve eating less? That recommends delicious-sounding foods that will make your skin better, your heart healthier and your jeans fit better? Yes, that’s

The

HOT LIST GYM CLASSES & TRAINERS Clay. corePOWER, led by professional dancer and Pilates instructor Ami Ipapo, is an intense and effective total body workout that centers around an eight-inch rubber ball and light weights and will help bring back your premom body. 25 West 14th Street, 212 206 9200, insideclay.com.

Equinox. One of the highlights at its Upper East Side location (1429 Second Avenue) is Transcendcycle. Led by Darryl

48

New York Family | January 2010

right, and it’s all part of the easy-tofollow plan laid out in “The O2 Diet: The Cutting Edge Antioxidant-Based Program That Will Make You Healthy, Thin, and Beautiful,” by New York mom Keri Glassman. The nutrition

Our roundup of nutritionists, gyms and exercise classes, spas, and medical treatments for moms looking to improve on their health and well-being.

Gaines, the spin class is a heartpounding workout set to rhythm and soul and described by participants as “transcendent.”

Various locations around the city, 212-774-6363, equinox.com.

Mind Over Matter Health & Fitness. Features a team of personal trainers who work with clients in their home, office, or the outdoors to integrate fitness into their busy lifestyles.

Services include personal training, yoga, pilates, pre-natal

contributor to the CBS Early Show and a contributing editor to “Women’s Health” magazine, Glassman is also president of the Manhattan-based nutrition counseling and consulting practice, Nutritious Life. In her new book, she shares the surprising benefits of indulging in everything from blueberries to chocolate facials.

What inspired you to write this book? I’ve never really liked the whole will power and deprivation thing— don’t eat this, you can’t have that. To me it’s always been about putting good things in your body, and it’s not just about food. When people work with me, I obviously ask them what they eat, but in their first session I also ask

and post-partum workouts, and other exercise routines. There’s even a stroller boot camp with warm up, cardio, strength training, stretching and cool down.

212-865-9290, mindovermatternyc.com.

Prenatal Yoga Center. This is the first yoga center in New York City to focus on moms and moms-to-be. Check out the postnatal yoga class, which helps women regain strength and energy lost during pregnancy through exercising the abdomen, back and pelvic muscle. Prenatal yoga and mommy & me yoga classes are also offered. 251 West 72nd Street, 2nd Floor, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com.

The Body. This gym is known for its 55-minute high-energy class (also called The Body) designed to trim, tone, lengthen and strengthen the body. The workout

is based on a mix of Pilates, yoga, and flexibility training, and uses fast-paced exercises at the ballet barre. 802 Lexington Avenue, 212688-8000, thebodynyc.com.

NUTRITIONISTS Foodtrainers. This private practice offers a variety of services that go beyond traditional nutrition counseling, including weight loss, sports nutrition, pre- and post-natal nutrition, family nutrition, gluten-free and specialty dieting, and “market foodtraining,” which educates consumers about healthy eating and purchasing habits. 65 Central Park West, Suite 1D, 212-769-4300, foodtrainers.net Keri Glassman. President of Nutritious Life, Keri Glassman provides innovative private consultation to families. Navigate a grocery store and receive advice on making healthy choices, watch as your child overcomes www.newyorkfamily.com

them how many hours of sleep they get, how much water they drink, what’s their exercise routine, what they do in their free time. All of those things play a huge role in a nutritious life.

The 02 diet is based largely on making sure one eats enough antioxidants. What are antioxidants and why are they good for us?

Antioxidants protect us from free radicals, single oxygen molecules that can cause damage in our bodies. They can come from everything—pollution, bad diet, smoking—and can lead to wrinkles, poor immune function, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other problems. You usually find antioxidants in nutrient-rich foods that are also good for you for other reasons.

You mention a lot of different foods in your book, but what would you say are some of your favorites that are rich in antioxidants? That’s hard and my list always changes, but his picky eating, and learn proper nutrition during and after pregnancy. Cardiovascular, diabetes, sports nutrition, and weight-loss programs are also available. 212414-4077, nutritiouslife.com.

Intuition Nutrition. This practice helps people learn how to balance healthful eating and self-care with other areas of life such as career and family.

Nutritionist Tracy Gary works with clients to identify the optimum food for their unique body and lifestyle, covering topics ranging from quick and healthy recipes to the importance of healthy fats. Individual coaching and mothers group programs are available. 646-408-0485, intuition-nutrition.com.

Tanya Zuckerbrot. Creator of The F-Factor Diet, Zuckerbrot offers a common sense nutrition plan that provides tools for easy weight loss, weight www.newyorkfamily.com

let’s stick with these: artichokes, which are also high in fiber— you can eat them slowly before your meal to fill you up; green tea, because it’s also relaxing and calming; blueberries, which are good for memory; cinnamon, which can help control your blood sugar, and you can put it on an apple and it can actually cut out cravings for sweets; plus, nuts, which are very satisfying and can help a dieter stay full—my favorites now are pistachios, walnuts and pecans.

The 02 diet consists of a fourweek plan, which kicks off with a four-day cleanse. But the cleanse isn’t just about diet—you also factor in pampering and even sex.

I’m all for that, but how do they help cleanse one’s system? The pampering part is really to help with

maintenance, and improved health. She recently expanded her practice to include prenatal nutrition workshops and also counsels patients with gastrointestinal disorders and children and teens with weight and body image concerns. Her new initiative, SkinnyintheCity.com, includes a free, daily e-newsletter with nutrition tips. 646-4423904, ffactordiet.com

SPAS Completely Bare Hi-Tech Spa. Take the irritation and hassle out of hair removal by stopping in for a free consultation at Completely Bare. The spa provides smooth Brazilian bikini waxes, lip waxes, chin waxes, back waxes, and more. It also offers tanning and facials. Various locations in the city. 212717-9300, completelybare.com Dasha Wellness. Founded by husband-and-wife team Shan-

relaxation. When you relax, you’re less stressed, and your body creates less free radicals. Plus, some of the products I recommend—like the Light and Dark Creamed Mask with chocolate as an ingredient—may also be adding antioxidants topically to your skin.

With sex, not only does it help your weight loss, but researchers know that oxytocin, the hormone secreted in the neurons of the pituitary glands and released by both men and women after orgasm, cuddling and even simply by holding hands, acts as a soothing antioxidant.

For moms who are already so busy and feel overwhelmed by a complete diet overhaul, what are three tips you can give them for staying healthy? First, be prepared— that’s 85 percent of it. Think ahead and plan for the week. On Sunday, make up a list of 10-15 grocery items and plan out five different dinners. It sounds so basic, but not many people do it.

Second, for that busy mom, always have a snack for yourself—don’t just pack for the kids. Last, don’t eat off your kid’s plate—either commit to splitting that grilled cheese and fries and then not eating your meal or don’t touch it. G

non and Dr. Darren Pollack, Dasha Wellness bridges the connection between mind and body. Acupuncture, agility training, body treatments, cosmetic enhancements, massage therapy, Pilates, and physical therapy are just a few of the services offered. It also has family offerings, including children’s acupressure, kids’ days, and nutrition classes for moms. 115 East 57th Street, Suite 520, 212755-5500, dashawellness.com.

Smooth Synergy. This “cosmedical” spa specializes in laser hair removal, endermologie, microdermabrasion, and other cosmetic aesthetics ranging from massages to relaxing facials to eyelash extensions.

Owned by a husband-andwife team, it has an intimate environment and a friendly staff.

686 Lexington Avenue, 212-3970111, smoothsynergy.com.

PLASTIC SURGEONS Dr. Joshua Hyman is a boardcertified plastic surgeon specializing in body contouring procedures including “Mommy Makeovers,” a combined abdominoplasty and mastopexy procedure. Procedures can typically be done at Dr. Hyman’s private ambulatory surgery center as an outpatient. 45 East 85th Street, 212-517-5157.

Dr. Matthew Schulman is a board-certified plastic surgeon and an attending physician at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, Westchester Medical Center, and Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry. Where diet and exercise have failed, Dr. Schulman uses the latest technologies to restore moms’ youthful appearance, from laser liposuction to tummy tucks. 21 East 87th Street, 212-289-1851, drschulmanplasticsurgery.com.

January 2010 | New York Family

49

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Have A Budding Artist, Athlete or Actor On Your Hands? Take Advantage Of The City’s Many Extracurricular Offerings For Kids

92Y’s “Wonderplay” offers age-appropriate classes for children under 5, plus parent get-togethers and family activities like cooking. After-school classes, private instruction, music ensembles and dance troupes are offered for children ages 6-18. 92Y also offers kids’ fitness and sports classes like “Fitness Fusion.” 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92Y.org. (Ages newborn to 18 years)

apple seeds Music, movement, art, science, cooking, language and gradual separation are some of the over 100 classes offered at this 15,000-square foot facility. At the core of apple seeds is the NYC-themed indoor playground. It also offers birthday parties, camps, events, a boutique, bookstore and kids’ hair salon. apple seeds brings its kiddie rock music class, songs for seeds, to the UES/UWS this month (see sidebar on page 52 for more info). 10 West 25th Street, appleseedsnyc.com. (Ages newborn to 5 years)

ART FARM IN THE CITY Kids’ classes cover music, art, baking and more. The “Rock, Smocks and Animals” class for ages 1-4 includes music, art, story and up-close animal encounters; the new afterschool Kids Critter Club for ages 3-8 fosters science process skills. Through March 26, the Art Farm invites families to join them for “Winter Play Time,” a drop-in program featuring animal time, arts and crafts and open play. 419 East 91st Street, 212-410-3117, theartfarms.org. (Ages 6 months to 8 years)

ASPHALT GREEN Jazz at Lincoln Center www.newyorkfamily.com

Three Little Birds

Widely known for its popular AquaCenter, the sports complex offers swimming classes for babies on up. Other

January 2010 | New York Family

51

THREE LITTLE BIRDS: ANDREW SCHWARTZ

My Gym

New Kids On The Block apple seeds The Chelsea/Flatiron-based indoor playground and children’s activity center will now offer their popular songs for seeds classes on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. For more information, contact The Sports Club/LA 212-355-5100 x4330 (Upper East Side) or the Reebok Sports Club at 212-501-1434 (Upper West Side). 10 West 25th Street, 212-792-7590, appleseedsnyc.com.

LOWER EAST SIDE DANCE ACADEMY This newly opened dance school offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, Zumba and more in a 2500 square foot loft with two large studios and plenty of stroller parking in the lobby. Dance birthday parties are available, too. 62 Orchard Street, 2nd Floor, 212-343-1620, lesdanceacademy.com.

MOOMAH This whimsical playspace and café in Tribeca is all about inspiring quality family time: parents and kids can make art projects, play with toys and discovery kits and enjoy seasonal cuisine in the café. There’s also a handful of imaginative classes, including a glow-in-the-dark yoga class, a musical storytelling class and a tea and dress up class hosted by Moomah’s in-house superhero, Supertryer. 161 Hudson Street, 212-226-0345, moomah.com. classes include gymnastics, baseball, martial arts, flag football, basketball, soccer and camps.

555 East 90th Street, 212-369-8890, asphaltgreen.org. (Ages 4 months to 16 years)

CHELSEA PIERS To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the sports complex is adding new programs to cater to children as they grow up at the Piers. Chelsea Piers already offers gymnastics, soccer, basketball, rock climbing, dance and martial arts for children 18 months to age 12. What’s new are the opportunities now open to tweens and teens, like a new tiered soccer program with a competitive team, an after-school golf program, the sport-specific training program “BlueStreak,” and a rock climbing program for teens. 23rd Street and the Hudson River, 212-336-6666, chelseapiers.com. (Ages 1 to 17 years)

BODY AND SPIRIT PROGRAM, RUTGERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Classes are offered for toddlers through middle schoolers in art, movement, sports, computers and music. 236 West 73rd Street, 212-877-8227, rutgerschurch.com. (Ages 6 months to 12 years)

BLUE SCHOOL The Blue School offers public programs designed to encourage creativity, exploration and innovative thinking. Afternoon enrichment classes are offered in science, movement and music, and the visual arts; the Creative Lab offers classes that focus on creative expression; and kids can explore art and music on Saturdays with Supersonic Music Classes and Saturday Studio Artists.

432 Lafayette, Mezzanine, 646-602-7066, theblueschool.org. (Ages 18 months to 7 years)

Moomah

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN

Kids in Sports

This building is chock-full of interactive exhibits, including “PlayWorks,” which features interactive learning activities for newborns up to age 4.

Early childhood classes, such as Preschool Prep for ages 2 & 3, and drop-off classes, such as Gross Biology for ages 4 & 5, let kids participate in hands-on activities from art to science. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

(Ages 6 months to 5 years)

CHURCH STREET SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND ART This nonprofit community arts institution offers a variety of music classes, including folk guitar, string ensemble and private lessons.

Art classes and music and movement classes are also offered. 74 Warren Street, 212-5717290, churchstreetschool.org. (Ages 16 months and up)

CITIBABES The deluxe downtown club offers families a rich menu of children’s and family classes, including art, cooking, dance, language, music, family yoga, sports and science. New this year are workshops for older children, including “The Write Stuff,” a writer’s workshop, “CitiGives,” a family class introducing children to charity and “Kids in Space,” a science class exploring the wonders of the universe. 52 Mercer St, 3rd Floor, 212-334-5440, citibabes.com. (Ages 3 months to 10 years)

Citibabes

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New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

GYMTIME RHYTHM & GLUES A longtime oasis for children’s enrichment classes, Gymtime Rhythm & Glues offers children’s classes in a space with state-of-theart facilities and eco-friendly features. Classes include recreational and team gymnastics, art, music, cooking and taekwondo. Preschool education classes are also offered. 1520 York Avenue, 212-861-7732, gymtime.net. (Ages 6 months to 12 years)

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER Covering infants through teens, the JCC’s menu of activities is full of classes in art, dance, cooking, chess, computers, science, special needs, theater, and more. Sports classes, including yoga, karate and swimming, are also offered. Basketball courts are available for teams and pick-up games. 334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org. (Ages newborn to 18 years)

Manhattan Movement and Arts Center

KIDS AT WORK COLUMBUS PRESCHOOL AND GYM Little ones learn special awareness with props and mirrors, while classes for older kids integrate fitness with arts and crafts, painting, stories and music. 606 Columbus Avenue, 212721-0090, columbuspreschoolandgym.com.

(Ages 12 months to 12 years)

DISCOVERY PROGRAMS Discovery Programs offers a wide range of innovative and arts-based classes that inspire, educate and nurture children of all ages. Parent and child classes include Baby Gym, Music and the parent support group, Baby Talk. Early Childhood Programs, directed by leading educator Elaine Winter, offer 2–4-day programs for toddlers and preschoolers. These include Almost On My Own, On My Own, Practically Preschool and Summer Camp. After school, Discovery is busy with gymnastics, ballet, art, music, taekwondo, theatre and Action Hero Dance. 251 West 100th Street, 212-749-8717, discoveryprograms.com. (Ages newborn to tween)

GYMBOREE PLAY & MUSIC Children experience legendary movement and sensory classes, plus music, art, developmental play and sports classes. A preschool alternative class focuses on social and intellectual skills using Leapfrog Schoolhouse products. Sports classes focus on the basics of eight sports. Various locations in Manhattan, 877-496-5327, gymboreeclasses.com. (Ages newborn to 5 years)

Kids at Work offers economical drop-in Mommyand-me classes for ages 0-4 in music and sensory art on weekdays and Saturdays. Classes focus on process-oriented and age-appropriate activities.

102 West 14th Street, #2, 347-933-8293, kidsatworknyc.com. (Ages newborn to 4 years)

KIDVILLE Named “Best Tot Hot Spot” by New York Magazine, Kidville operates upscale facilities, catering to young children and their families. In addition to offering developmental classes for newborns through 6year-olds, including “Little Maestros,” “Run Wiggle Paint & Giggle,” “My Big Messy Art Class,” Kidville Sports and Kidville University (Kidville’s Pre-School Alternative Program), Kidville also features an indoor playspace, a retail boutique, the Kidville Salon and birthday parties for children up to age 9.

Various locations in Manhattan, 212-772-8435, kidville.com. (Ages newborn to 5 years)

MANHATTAN MOVEMENT & ARTS CENTER Kids can take classes in different genres of dance, pursue their love for the stage in musical theater classes, or join the circus in their Circus Arts program. MMAC also offers dance, music, art, movement and fitness, and the Afro-Brazilian martial art known as Capoeira. 248 West 60th Street, 212-787-1178, manhattanmovement.com. (Ages 6 weeks to teens)

MANHATTAN YOUTH’S DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER This community center for downtown families offers swim lessons, art classes, bookmaking, dance and fitness, language classes and more.

120 Warren Street, 212-766-1104, manhattanyouth.org. (Ages 6 months and up)

The Early Ear classes including gymnastics, ballet, cooking, martial arts, preschool musical, rock climbing, art, music, and sports time. Preschool alternative programs available for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. Various locations in Manhattan, 212-721-4400, nykidsclub.com. (Ages 6 months to 12 years)

PEEK A BABY Classes give babies a chance to play and let parents have a chance to socialize. “Save Your Sanity” is aimed toward parents of children 0-8 months old. “Sing, Dance, and Play” features story time, musical instruments and unstructured play. Classes are held at Art Farm in the City, 419 East 91st Street, peekababyny.com.

(Ages newborn to 3 years)

POPPYSEED PRE-NURSERY Offers classes for children in arts and crafts, music, singing and dancing. They also feature a “Mommy and me” program and nursery school.

Classes meet two to three times a week and include participation of a parent or caregiver. 424 West End Avenue at 81st Street, 212-8777614. (Ages 1 to 3 years)

REEBOK SPORTS CLUB/NY AND THE SPORTS CLUB/LA The “For Kids Only” initiative includes classes in art, cooking, dance, music, sports and theater, among other activities. Reebok: 160 Columbus Avenue, 212-362-6800; Sports Club: 330 East 61st Street, 212-355-5100, thesportsclubla.com. (Ages 6 months to 12 years)

74th St. MAGIC Offers engaging and exciting classes in music, art, gymnastics, cooking, science and preschool alternatives for children 6 months to early teens, all housed in the same carriage house as Epiphany Community Nursery School. Join them on Monday afternoons for a dizzying array of special events at Mondays at MAGIC. 510 East 74th Street, 212-737-2989, 74magic.com.

(Ages 6 months to 15 years)

MOOMAH (See sidebar on page 52 for description)

American Museum of Natural History www.newyorkfamily.com

Kids dance, drum and sing their way to foreign language fluency. Music and immersion classes are offered for English, Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Hebrew and Chinese. Various locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, 212-9965898, musicalkids.net. (Ages 6 months to 10 years)

NEW YORK KIDS CLUB Children enjoy a variety of exciting enrichment

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

AMNH

MUSICAL KIDS INTERNATIONAL

Wollman Rink January 2010 | New York Family

53

YMCA Today, there are 19 YMCA branches throughout the five boroughs. A strong focus of the centers is on youth, and swimming, karate, music, art, dance and various sports lessons are offered at each branch. For YMCA locations and class listings, visit the YMCA of Greater New York website. Various locations in Manhattan, 212630-9600, ymcanyc.org. (Ages 6 months and up)

Art THE ART CENTER Classes at The Art Center will help children develop their creative side in a structured environment. After-school and holiday classes improve drawing, painting, and

Kidville

sculpting skills. During the Mostly Art Summer Program, kids work on projects, play, and listen to stories. For the “Art in Motion” program, the art center partners with American Youth Dance Theater to provide kids with a half day each of art and dance instruction. 423 East 75th Street, 212-535-1199, theartcenterny.com. (Ages 5 to 16 years)

ARTKIDS Children visit a different New York City museum, art gallery or auction house weekly and participate in hands-on learning projects related to the exhibition. Kids can also roam the galleries of the Met with special ArtKids iPod tours that can be downloaded from the ArtKids website. Book club tours, family tours, vacation tours, birthday party tours and special thematic tours are also available. 646-678-4497, artmuseny.com.

(Ages 3.5 to 12 years)

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS Hands-on art and music classes are offered to preschoolers. Older children learn about animation, Japanese art, theatre and fine art techniques. 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org. (Ages 10 months to 12 years)

COLOR ME MINE MICHAEL MOLINOFF

From kindergarten through eighth grade, children can learn all about their favorite artists and how to paint like them in “Paint Like the Masters” classes. For preschoolers, there are “Paint Me A Story” story and painting hours.

116 Franklin Street, 212-941-0120, tribeca. colormemine.com. (Ages 3 to 13 years)

Trends in Classes

THE DROP-IN CLASS Nowadays venues are beginning to cater to parents who can’t commit to a semester of classes—or who simply like to be spontaneous! Kids at Work, which offers processoriented classes in art, music, science and more, has a “drop-in” option where parents pay per class or purchase a package of classes for use at any time during the semester (kidsatworknyc.com).

THE CRAFT STUDIO Exciting seasonal workshops and drop-in classes accommodate both the flexible and those pressed for time. For the walk-in classes, children choose a piece of pottery, wood or plaster on which to paint their own masterpiece. 1657 Third Avenue, 212-831-6626, craftstudionyc. com. (Ages 3 years and up)

HI ART! The philosophy here is to make the world of high art fun and accessible for kids. Stimulating classes invite kids to explore visual art in connection with a piece of classical music or a ballet. 601 West 26th Street, Studio 1425I, 212-362-8190, hiartkids.com. (Ages 17 months to 14 years)

KIDS AT ART Art lessons here captivate kids of all ages. A 12-class club card can be purchased and used for classes taught by professional artists and teachers, which focus on drawing, painting and sculpting. Special holiday and spring break

INQUIRE ABOUT OUR

WINTER SESS ION STARTS JANUARY 30TH

SUMMER MINI-CAMPS Girotondo (circle of fun) Ages 2-5 An Italian language program which improves fluency through songs, stories, games and arts & crafts.

Classes require parent or caregiver.

NEW Il Giardino dei Bambini Ages 2-5 A drop-off playgroup. Children may join in the fun every Tuesday from 9-12 on an as-needed basis.

Piccoli Cuochi Ages 5-11 Italian Cooking and Recipes for children & grown-ups.

Create, Act, Draw... Ages 3-5 & 7-12 Italian Theater Workshop Group and private classes for adults and children 135 E 96th St (between Lex & Park) 212.427.7770 • www.collinaitaliana.com info@collinaitaliana.com

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New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

Come Play Yoga at Karma Kids Yoga!

Yoga for Babies Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Families NEW CircusYoga Prenatal Yoga Free Story Time Yoga Yoga Birthday Parties Special Events Teacher Training Taming the Lions.

Bring the zen home with our new CD, Come Play YOga! Available at CDbaby.com, selected tracks on iTunes.

Visit our website to learn about the benefits of yoga for children, our Class Descriptions, Special Events, other locations around NYC and Brooklyn, Children’s Yoga Teacher Training, and Yoga Birthday Party information.

KARMA KIDS YOGA 104 West 14th Street, NYC (646)638-1444 downdog@karmakidsyoga.com karmakidsyoga.com

Voted “Best Kids Yoga”

by TimeOut NY Kids and New York Magazine.

Young Dancers (ages 2-6) Technique Classes (ages 6-18) Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18) – Ballet & Theater Dance Focus

Training the dancers of tomorrow

Ballet • Jazz • Hip Hip • Horton Based Modern Technique • Tap • Theater Dance • Partnering • Repertory 212-874-3678 • www.stepsnyc.com/school • theschool@stepsnyc.com

a division of STEPS ON BROADWAY Celebrating 30 years of service to the dance community Carol Paumgarten, Founder/Artistic Director • Diane Grumet, Co-Artistic Director 2121 BROADWAY, NY, NY 10023 • PH: 212 874-2410 • www.stepsnyc.com

photos: P. Goode, R. O’Connor, E. Patino

Trends in Classes

THE FAMILY CLASS

Gymboree Play & Music workshops are available. Little Shop of Crafts, 431 East 73rd Street, 212-410-9780, kidsatartnyc.com. (Ages 2 to 11 years)

LOOP OF THE LOOM This weaving studio teaches children the art of Saori, a type of weaving that emphasizes free expression and results in one-of-a-kind pieces.

The studio has looms, over 500 different colors of yarn, and baskets overflowing with ropes, sparkly ribbons, and other materials reclaimed from New York’s fashion industry. 227 East 87th Street, 212-722-2686, loopoftheloom. com. (Ages 5 and up)

METROPOLITAN MOMS This culture-themed social group for moms and kids takes part in regular private museum tours, gallery walks, architectural and historical neighborhood walks, artist studio visits, culinary excursions and more—all with their little ones in tow! Activities are available for moms of babies, toddlers and school-aged kids. 212206-7272, metropolitanmoms.com. (Ages newborn to adult)

Cooking

All together now! Classes that encourage family togetherness are becoming increasingly popular. Gymboree Play & Music offers a Family Art class for siblings from 18 months to 5 years (gymboreeclasses.com), the kids’ yoga studio Karma Kids offers a Family Yoga class with interactive poses, games and music (karmakidsyoga.com), and sports center Chelsea Piers offers a Veterans and Rookies class that enables parents to learn to throw a baseball or shoot a basketball alongside their child (chelseapiers.com). on-one and group lessons for children 6 years and older. 163 Amsterdam Avenue, #318, 917-704-9056, cookwithclass.net. (Ages 5 years and up)

CUPCAKE KIDS! Kids have fun in the kitchen while also learning about food and nutrition. Learn to measure, sift, mix, knead, zest, decorate and more, while making everything from pizza to cupcakes. Classes are held at select restaurants and other venues around the city. 646-789-5554, cupcakekids. com. (Ages 2 to 16 years)

THE INSTITUTE OF CULINARY EDUCATION Offers classes in French pastry, one-pot family meals, lunch box meals from around the globe, family sushi for parents and teens, pizza-making, cupcakes and Brazilian and Thai cooking.

50 West 23rd Street, 1-888-958-CHEF, iceculinary.com. (Ages 10 years and up)

Classes focus on different types of food. Sweet sushi, tastes of Italy, and bread animal making workshops are among the offerings. Classes are held at Paradou, 8 Little West 12th Street, 212727-2703, minichefnyc.com. (Ages 3 to 9 years)

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Classes in pre-ballet, classical ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater/Broadway, hip-hop, modern dance and flamenco for ages 2.5 to teens. 428 East 75th Street, 2nd Floor, 212-717-5419, americanyouthdancetheater.com. (Ages 2.5 years through teens)

With more than 30 years of experience, Ballet Academy East offers classes to both children and adults of all levels. The programs include the pre-professional ballet division for ages 7-18, pre-ballet, tap and modern for ages 3-6, Mother & Child classes for 2-years-olds and adult ballet, tap, Pilates and yoga. 1651 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, 212-410-9140, baenyc.com. (Ages 2 years to adult)

BALLET HISPANICO

Dance

Chef Rob Endelman offers cooking classes in the comfort of your own home with his private one-

AMERICAN YOUTH DANCE THEATER

BALLET ACADEMY EAST

MINI CHEF NYC

COOK WITH CLASS

74th Street Magic

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER Dance classes for all ages are offered. Two-yearolds will love Ailey Extension’s Tiny Steps creative movement program, and The Ailey School’s Junior Division offers a nurturing approach to dance training. All programs encompass a diverse curriculum of dance classes. 405 West 55th Street, 212-405-9000, alvinailey.org.

(Ages 3 to 17 years)

Chelsea Piers

This venue offers a balanced curriculum in ballet, Spanish dance and creative movement, and a free workshop for boys ages 6-12. Pre-professional classes are also available. 167 West 89th Street, 212-362-6710, ballethispanico.org.

(Ages 2.5 years to adult)

BROADWAY DANCE CENTER The Children & Teen Program offers classes for all stages of a young dancer’s education, including creative movement, pre-dance, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, African and more. 322 West 45th Street, 212-582-9304, broadwaydancecenter.com. (Ages 3 to 18 years)

JOFFREY BALLET SCHOOL

SCOTT MCDERMOTT

The Children’s Division offers classes in creative movement (ages 3-4), pre-ballet (ages 5-7) and ballet or intermediate ballet (ages 7-15). 434 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, 212-2548520, joffreyballetschool.com. (Ages 3 years and up)

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New York Family | January 2010

LOWER EAST SIDE DANCE ACADEMY (see sidebar on page 52 for description)

LUCY MOSES SCHOOL This community arts center offers plenty of dance classes for children and teens, including

www.newyorkfamily.com

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ATLANTICACTINGSCHOOL

kids

ATLANTIC for KIDS After School Programs for ages 4-18 beginning January.

To reserve a space in the class or for more info, please call: Heather Baird 212-691-5919, ext. 1171

LIMITED AVAILABILITY! www.ATLANTICACTINGSCHOOL.org

COMING in MARCH Atlantic for Kids Spring Production

BOOKS COOK!

A very special vaudeville for children.

Created by Liz Swados To reserve tickets, call 646.216.1190

of the classes available: Robotics, Video Game Programming, and Anime and Animation. 125 West 72nd Street, Suite 4F, 646-827-2242, stratolab.com. (Ages 9 years and up)

STORYTIME BY DESIGN Kids will “rock the book” to original fun music with educational themes. They also will learn about the in contemporary and classic literature.

Bubbles, puppetry, author visits, simple art and limbo complete the experience. Class activities range from practicing the alphabet and counting to learning about educational concepts.

Various Upper East Side locations and on-site private story hours, 917-405-7959 or 917533-4201, storytimebydesign.com. (Ages 6 months to 5 years)

Gymnastics

The School at Steps

JODI’S GYM

TODD SHAPERA

Jodi’s Gym offers Mommy & Me Gym and Gym & Music combo classes (9 months-3 years), preschool gymnastics (3-5 years) and school-age gymnastics (K-6). Other offerings include open playtime, camps during holiday breaks, play groups and “Super Soccer Stars.” 244 East 84th Street, 212-772-7633, jodisgym.com. (Ages 9 months and up)

SOKOL NEW YORK

Super Soccer Stars Creative Dance, Dress Up and Dance, pre-ballet, ballet, jazz and Broadway, and Hop, Skip and Dance. 129 West 67th Street, 212-501-3360, kaufman-center.org. (Ages 4 years and up)

MANHATTAN YOUTH BALLET This graded, pre-professional ballet academy and performance company teaches classical technique modeled on European ballet schools.

Auditions begin at age 8. Students study and perform in the studios and state-of-the-art theater of the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center. 248 West 60th Street, 212-787-1178, manhattanyouthballet.org. (Ages 8 to 18 years)

NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET Ballet School NY is the theater’s official training academy. Pre-ballet consists of three different levels (ages 3-4, 5-6, and 7). Ballet I and Ballet II (ages 8-10) are by audition or invitation only.

More advanced students move on to Ballet III. 30 East 31st Street, 5th Floor, 212-679-0401, nytb.org. (Ages 3 years and up)

PERIDANCE CENTER Ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop and creative movement classes are offered for children as young as 18 months. 126 East 13th Street, 212-505-0886, peridance.com. (Ages 18 months and up)

THE SCHOOL AT STEPS The School at Steps offers a diversified academic year and summer dance program. Beginning

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New York Family | January 2010

with the “Young Dancers” program for 2-6 year olds and continuing through the pre-professional division, the programs let children and teens an opportunity to explore dance, experiment and hone their skills. The new year-round program, “Explore Dance” (ages 9-15), offers beginning students an option to purchase a single class or a package of classes. 2121 Broadway, 4th Floor, 212-874-3678, stepsnyc.com/school.

(Ages 2 to 18 years)

Education and Enrichment AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Educational, science-focused classes are offered for all ages. A “Robots in Space” class lets second and third graders build and design robots, and “Twinkling Stars” for preschoolers and kindergarteners explores the science of the night sky. 79th Street and Central Park West, 212-769-5200, amnh.org. (Ages 3 and up)

MATHNASIUM Through tutoring and enrichment programs, students in grades Pre-K through 12 build a solid math foundation. Students receive both homework guidance and a customized program that fills in skill gaps and builds fluency with numbers.

1597 York Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets, 212-828-6284, mathnasium.com/manhattan. (Ages Pre-K-12th grade)

Kids ages 10 months to 5 years start learning basic gymnastics skills in a Tot gym with obstacle courses, games and apparatus. Classes are also offered in gymnastics (6 years and up), basketball (8 years and up), ballet (4 years and up), and taekwondo (4 years and up). 420 East 71st Street, 212-861-8206, sokolnewyork.org.

(Ages 10 months and up)

MY GYM My Gym offers classes that incorporate music, dance and games, and are designed to build selfesteem and confidence through age-appropriate, non-competitive gymnastics and fitness activities.

The state-of-the-art facility can also host actionpacked birthday parties. 250 East 60th Street, 212-421-9496, my-gym.com. (Ages 6 weeks to 11 years) 22 West 66th Street, 212-7243400. (Ages 6 weeks to 6 years)

XTREME RHYTHMIC ACADEMY Rhythmic Gymnastics classes for ages 3 and up incorporate creative movement, dance and the use of ribbons, balls, hoops, ropes and basic tumbling. The academy also offers rhythmic gymnastics classes from beginner through competitive teams. 74th Street between First and Second avenues, 646-457-7527. (Ages 3 years and up)

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Jodi’s Gym

STRATOLAB Kids ages 9 and up have fun with learning by combining the latest computer technologies with their skills in areas such as math, problem solving, and storytelling. Just a few

Karma Kids Yoga www.newyorkfamily.com

Educational and Fun â&#x20AC;&#x201D; All in One!!!!!

6 months through 5 Years old

Home of the Musical Magical Story Hour Rated #1 Story Hour in NYC

Registration for Fall Classes Now in Progress Chapter 1: 10-11am Chapter 2: 11-12pm Prologue (6-18 months): 12-1pm Private Groups Birthday Parties Home Library Consultations Endorsed by So Smart!

Winner of 30 National Parenting awards!

New Location 1296 Lexington Ave at 87th St.

www.storytimebydesign.com

Language

BILINGUAL BIRDIES

BABY FINGERS Babies, toddlers and children and adults learn American Sign Language through music, guitar lessons, drama or storytelling classes. Music therapy is also available. Various locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, 212-874-5978, mybabyfingers.com. (Ages newborn to 6 years)

BILINGUAL BUDS This Mandarin Chinese program offers Mommy and me, preschool and after-school programs that immerse children in a second language, taking advantage of this age group’s exceptional capacity for learning. The program focuses on making children culturally aware, linguistically capable and intellectually curious. 180 Riverside Blvd., 212-787-8088, bilingualbudsnyc. com. (Ages 1 to 10 years)

Classes in Spanish, French or Hebrew consist of basic vocabulary taught through music and simple dance movements. Private lessons are also offered. Various locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, 646-443-1313, bilingualbirdies. com. (Ages 8 months to 5 years)

THE CHINA INSTITUTE Offers Chinese language classes for children that feature fun activities and lessons about Chinese culture. Classes are taught by native speakers.

Kids can also sign up for private tutoring. 125 East 65th Street, 212-744-8181, chinainstitute.org. (Ages 3 to 12 years)

Applause New York

COLLINA ITALIANA Toddlers can pick up basic Italian words and phrases through songs, games, dance, film and arts and crafts. Classes also available for elementary and middle-school kids. Specialty theater, cooking and arts and crafts classes and homework help also available. 135 East 96th Street, 212-427-7770, collinaitaliana.com.

(Ages 2 years to adult)

¡HOLA! A PLAYGROUP IN SPANISH Offers classes for children that teach Spanish through activities, such as music, crafts, ballet, and yoga. “Radio Lab” lets kids work with multimedia to learn Spanish. Various locations in Manhattan, 917-648-5006, holaplaygroup. com. (Ages 12 months to 8 years)

IBERIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE

FRENCH INSTITUTE/ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE Children between the ages of 12 months and 5 years can enroll in “à petits pas,” a program that uses games, songs, dances and stories to teach basic French. Instruction for children ages 5-17 is stratified by fluency level and includes theater and cooking classes. 22 East 60th Street, 212355-6100, fiaf.org. (Ages 1 to adult)

Joffrey Ballet

This new Spanish language school in Manhattan offers Saturday classes, and provides a safe and encouraging atmosphere in which to learn.

The consistent, year-round program is taught by experienced, native-speaking teachers. Classes taught at Church of the Epiphany, 1393 York Avenue, 212-688-6619, iberianamericaninstitute.com. (Ages 3 years to adult)

LANGUAGE WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN Original LWFC songs, visual aids and games are used to teach French, Spanish, Italian and

TOTS AND TEENS

Creative Movement and Music Classes for two-year-olds.

Teen Hip-Hop and Teen Ballet for ages 12-17.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW Spring 2010: March 7 - May 16 ©a r c h p h o t o

Summer 2010: June 6 - August 7

DID YOU THINK

ULDSBEEUMS M COU THIS MUCH

FUN? Nominated by Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Picks for Best Art Class in New York Award

REAL CLASSES FOR REAL PEOPLE

Yvette L. Campbell, Director

405 WEST 55TH STREET AT 9TH AVENUE

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New York Family | January 2010

Experience art in a whole new way with ArtKids: weekly, bi-monthly, family, birthday, audio tours and more.

EXPERIENCE ART THE ARTKIDS WAY! www.artmuseny.com or email us at ns@artmuseny.com. www.newyorkfamily.com

Building a communit y of music-makers ....one family at a time

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Trends in Classes

THE EARLY LEARNING CLASS Child development experts agree it’s never too soon for children to start learning. That’s why many venues offer early learning classes for the littlest pupils, like FasTracKids, whose infant signing class teaches communication through gestures in a fun, social environment (fastrackids.com), and Bilingual Buds, which offers a mommy-andme Mandarin class that teaches a second language through signing, speaking, singing and more (bilingualbuds.com).

Chinese. Various locations in Manhattan, 212396-0830, languageworkshopforchildren.com.

(Ages 6 months to 9 years)

Music & Performance A CLASS ACT This theater arts program offers classes and workshops that cover musical theater, acting, on-camera work, and improvisation. Kids learn from industry insiders, including Broadway stars, casting directors and talent agents. Various locations in Manhattan, 212-479-8480, aclassactny.com. (Ages 5 to 17 years)

APPLAUSE NEW YORK Home of the sing-along Mommy-and-me programs Broadway Babies and Rock ‘N’ Roll Babies, which develop musical and rhythmic skills, incorporating costumes, props and musical instruments. Budding stars ages 5-18 can take classes in acting, dancing and singing and auditioning. 184 East 76th Street, 212-7170703, applauseny.com. (Ages newborn to 18 years)

ATLANTIC ACTING SCHOOL Atlantic for Kids offers classes in acting, playwriting, improvisation and much more. Aspiring actors and playwrights can also sign up for the Saturday Youth Program. 76 Ninth Avenue, 212-691-5919, atlanticactingschool.org. (Ages 4 to 18 years)

THE DILLER-QUAILE SCHOOL OF MUSIC Early childhood instruction for infants to 7-yearolds teaches children basic music concepts

through listening, movement, singing, playing authentic percussion instruments and, eventually, reading and writing music. Kids 3-5 get to make their own instruments and create art inspired by music. 24 East 95th Street, 212-369-1484, diller-quaile.org. (Ages newborn and up)

THE EARLY EAR Highly-skilled music teachers and pianists work together to introduce music to children. Kids engage in sing-alongs, movement, musical games and stories. Specially-designed kid-sized music instruments await the touch of curious little hands.

New at the East 78th Street Studio is “Dance with Me,” a dance and pre-ballet program for ages 2.5 and older. 48 West 68th Street, 110 West 96th Street, 353 East 78th Street, 212-877-7125, earlyear.com. (Ages 4 months to 5 years)

EASTSIDE WESTSIDE MUSIC TOGETHER Nurtures children’s natural enthusiasm for music and movement through singing, dancing, chanting and playing instruments in an informal setting. The program is based on the premise that all children are musical and have the same innate ability to learn music as language. 102 West 75th Street, 212-496-1242, eswsmusictogether.com. (Ages newborn to 4 years)

GREENWICH HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL Founded in 1905, Greenwich House offers private lessons, group classes, and ensembles with regular recitals. Children ages 6-10 can develop their voices through individual and group singing in the Young Voices class, which incorporates sight-singing exercises, theory and songs representing a range of musical styles. 46 Barrow Street, 212-242-4770, greenwichhouse.org.

(Ages newborn and up)

HANDS ON! Age-appropriate music classes teach basic music concepts, which are introduced while children play miniature instruments. Each class has a pianist. Art classes are also offered. Multiple locations, 212-628-1945, handson4music. com. (Ages 4 months to 5 years)

JCC and kindergartners to create their own plays.

Older children can choose from Creative Drama classes, beginner acting, and a Performance Conservatory class, which presents a production each quarter. 52 White Street, 212-226-4085, mctny.org. (Ages 3 to 12 years)

MOEY’S MUSIC PARTY Birthdays, Christmas and Hanukkah come once a year, but every day’s a party in this fun, interactive music class with Off-Broadway songwriter, Moey! Sessions include songs, dances, props, instruments, puppets and letters based on a weekly party theme. Gymboree Play & Music, 410 East 84th Street, 917- 680- 6730, moeysmusicparty.com. (Ages newborn to 4 years)

MUSIC FOR AARDVARKS Interactive classes include simple movement, dancing, singing, storytelling and instruments, often with a city-focused theme. 199 Lafayette Street, 718-858-1741, musicforaardvarks. com. (Ages 6 months to 5 years)

MUSIC TOGETHER IN THE CITY Offers music classes with songs, rhythmic chants, movement and instrumental play for children as well as parents/caregivers. The program is based on the premise that all children are musical and will express this ability if their early environment supports such learning. Various locations throughout Manhattan, 212-3583801, MusicTogetherNYC.com. (Ages newborn to 4 years)

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER WeBop! classes introduce little musicians to the spirit of jazz. Infants and toddlers sing and stomp, while older children tap out their own beats and learn to match sound to symbol. The Middle School Jazz Academy gives talented students a tuition-free opportunity to jam with the best musicians in today’s jazz scene. The popular “Jazz For Young People” concert series explores the music of jazz greats. 33 West 60th Street, 212-258-9800, jalc.org. (Ages 8 months to 8th grade)

LITTLE MAESTROS Held in children’s venues throughout the city, Little Maestros is more than your typical music class. Each session features a full band playing live music designed specifically for infants and toddlers to sing and dance to. Classes also incorporate puppet shows, story time and educational games. Various locations, 212-772-8435, littlemaestros.com. (Ages newborn to 5 years)

MANHATTAN CHILDREN’S THEATRE Discovery Programs

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New York Family | January 2010

Acting classes are available for kids. “Storytellers/Playmakers” classes allow preschoolers

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues www.newyorkfamily.com

NEW YORK JAZZ ACADEMY New York Jazz Academy’s programs are coached by leading jazz professionals. Students are introduced to musical fundamentals, including instrumental technique, note-reading and music theory, but also develop their improvisation skills. For children ages 4 and up, private lessons are available at home or at the teacher’s private studio. Infant/Toddler program coming soon. 263 West 86th Street, 718-426-0633, nyjazzacademy.com. (Ages newborn and up)

SCHOOL FOR STRINGS Early childhood music classes are offered for kids ages 16 months to 4 years. The Instrumental Program gives kids of all ages expert instruction in violin, cello and piano. 419 West 54th Street, 212-315-0915, schoolforstrings. org. (Ages 16 months to adult) Trends in Classes

THE MOM’S CLASS Moms want to learn and have fun, too! This month, Cupcake Kids! launches Mixing Moms, a class series designed to provide a way for moms to gather together and learn to prepare delicious, healthy family meals. The first two sessions will focus on preparing homemade organic baby food (cupcakekids.com). Metropolitan Moms offers museum and gallery tours, architecture and history walks—even culinary expeditions—for culture-craving moms of babies through school-aged children (metropolitanmoms.com).

Simply Sports STAGECOACH THEATRE ARTS Through classes in dance, music and drama, kids gain an appreciation for the arts and build self-confidence. Classes are broken down by age and skill level, and most feature a presentation at the end of the season for family and friends.

Held at Manhattan Country School, 7 East 96th Street, 347-678-8989, stage-school.com.

(Ages 4 to 16 years)

TADA! This youth theater offers classes and camps for kids of all ages and talent levels throughout the year. Classes involve singing, choreography and theater games and always end with a performance. The T.O.T.S. (Theater On Their Scale) class introduces little ones and their caregivers to the joys of theater. TADA! also offers classes on the Upper West Side and in Brooklyn. 15 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, 212-252-1619, tadatheater.com. (Ages newborn to 8th grade)

TAKE TWO FILM ACADEMY Kids learn the art of film-making from start to finish with after school and Saturday classes that cover screenwriting, acting, editing, directing and camera operation. With hands-on experience with professional equipment, cameras, audio and editing software, your budding stars will be ready for the big screen in no time! 622 Broadway, 917-546-6816, taketwofilmacademy.com.

(Ages 6 to 14)

THREE LITTLE BIRDS MUSIC Whether by plucking guitar strings or tapping out staccato beats, parents and children learn together in TLB’s rich sensory environment. Age-specific classes teach elementary music theory and improve cognitive skills while exposing kids to every instrument in the orchestra. 266 East 78th Street, 212-7440404, tlbmusic.com. (Ages 4.5 months to 5 years)

Music, Art & Dance at the

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New Students Enroll Now and Save 20%!* Spring Classes begin Feb 1.

Mention code JF at the Box Office or call 212.415.5500.

Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street

Click WWW.92Y.ORG/SOA for class information.

*SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. NOT REDEEMABLE ONLINE; DOES NOT APPLY TO PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS. An agency of UJA-Federation

www.newyorkfamily.com

January 2010 | New York Family

63

KIDS IN SPORTS

SUTTON EAST TENNIS

This athletic program offers a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, floor hockey, flag football and soccer, in a fun and encouraging setting. Various locations in Manhattan, 212744-4900, kisnyc.com. (Ages 1 to 12 years)

The youth program at Sutton East trains students in an age-appropriate environment. In Pee Wee Tennis, the courts, rackets and foam balls are sized down to allow for comfortable skill development.

Pre-Junior classes function on a half-court, while Junior level students use a full-court to practice advanced strokes, double strategies, and serving techniques. The Pee-Wee Multi-Sports Academy introduces children to tennis, soccer, basketball and t-ball. A summer camp program is also available. 488 East 60th Street, 212-751-3452, suttoneasttennis.com. (Ages 3 to 18 years)

LIL SLUGGERS Lil’ Sluggers offers an introduction to baseball, tailored specifically for each age group. Students learn to throw, catch, hit and run bases in a friendly environment. Advanced sluggers can sign up for weekly league classes, where they play competitively while learning about teamwork and cooperation. Various locations, 631-367-9378, lilsluggersnyc.com. (Ages 2 to 7 years)

Lil Sluggers

Sports & Adventure FASTBREAK KIDS Offers basketball and football (both flag and tackle) weekend sports leagues for kids. Provides coaching in small groups (or even one-on-one instruction.) Various locations in Manhattan, 212-724-FAST, fastbreakkids.com. (Ages 6 to 14 years)

KIDZ FIT AT SMART WORKOUT The gym Smart Workout now offers the Kidz Fit program—fun fitness classes for kids that coincide with the adult class schedule, plus a cooking program that teaches nutrition. 124 East 40th Street, 212-661-1660, smartworkout.net. (Ages 3 to 11)

SIMPLY SPORTS This athletic program for kids emphasizes not just skills and technique, but a love of the game.

Classes available in soccer, basketball, flag football, baseball, hockey, and dodgeball. Various locations in Manhattan, 877-213-BALL, simplysports.net. (Ages 3 to 13 years)

WOLLMAN SKATING RINK Learn to skate outdoors at Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink. The rink offers classes as well as private lessons in skating and figure skating.

Central Park at 59th Street and Sixth Avenue, 212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com.

(Ages 3 and up)

SPORTIME Sportime’s Elite Sports Training Program introduces kids to basketball, baseball, soccer, football, hockey, tennis, volleyball, track and field, lacrosse, inline skating and more. The facility offers multisport programs, sport-specific training, children’s dance classes and even a pre-sports “Parent and Me” program, which allows parents to work with their children using music and sports equipment to develop skills like running, jumping and throwing. One Randall’s Island, 212-427-6150, sportimeny.com.

apple seeds

to NY kid viding 28 Yea itness s!

F Pro rs o & , f Fun s , Friend

REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER/SPRING SESSIONS! Non-competitive Gymnastics for kids 3-12yrs, Gym & Music: 12mos-3yrs, Gym & Art, Mommy & Me Gym: 9mos-3yrs, Playgroups, Open Play Time, Jodi’s To Go, Gymwear for Kids, Holiday Camps, Jodi’s GYMFIT, Great New Perks for Members and the

Best Birthday Parties Ever! www.jodisgym.com 244 E. 84th St. NYC 212.772.7633 s 25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisco 914.244.8811 66

New York Family | January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

Atlantic Acting School New York Jazz Academy

Martial Arts The Craft Studio

EAST SIDE TAE KWON DO Offering classes for children from toddlers to tweens, East Side Tae Kwon Do is marked by its high standards, charming, well-lit space, and vibe that is welcoming to boys and girls alike.

Classes develop stamina, core muscle strength and flexibility as well as discipline, perseverance and mental acuity. 325 East 65 Street, 212755-5982, eastsidetaekwondo.com. (Ages 18 months to 12 years)

PHYSIQUE SWIM SCHOOL Offers a progressive program designed for all levels of swimmers. Kids ages 8 and older can enroll in swim team prep, while kids under 3 years and their parents will like the sing-along program, “Me and My Shadow.” All swimmers will learn to be safe, confident and efficient.

Various locations around Manhattan, 212725-0939, physiqueswimming.com. (Ages 4 months to 15 years)

TIGER SCHULMANN’S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Tiger Schulmann’s Cubs program (ages 3-5) is the perfect choice for preschoolers to learn developmental skills in a fun, safe environment.

Children’s (ages 5-7) and Kid’s programs (ages 8 and up) teach discipline and self-defense while developing confidence, focus and determination. 39 West 19th Street, 212-727-0773 or 1-800-52-TIGER, TSK.com. (Ages 3 years and up)

WEST SIDE TAEKWONDO Classes for children ages 3-5 use physical activity to promote respect and confidence. Starting at age 6, children can enroll in the Children’s Program, which emphasizes discipline. 700 Columbus Avenue, 212-663-3998, westsidetkd. com. (Ages 3 years and up)

Soccer CARLOS OLIVIERA SOCCER ACADEMY Soccer classes to develop individual skills as well as the fundamentals of team playing are available for kids. More than 30 locations throughout Manhattan. 718-743-9402, cosacademy.com. (Ages 2 to 14 years)

Yoga KARMA KIDS YOGA

Lessons for children are offered at locations around Manhattan, including Central Park and Tribeca. 212-591-BALL, themodernschoolofsoccer.com. (Ages 3 to 14 years)

New York’s only yoga studio just for kids, Karma Kids Yoga offers yoga classes for infants 6 weeks old through teens, Family Yoga, CircusYoga, free Story Time Yoga, and Prenatal Yoga for mommies-to-be. Yoga Birthday Parties, too! 104 West 14th Street, 646-638-1444, karmakidsyoga.com (Ages 2 months and up)

Students develop skills, self-confidence and teamwork in a fun, non-competitive environment. Positive reinforcement and low child-tocoach ratios ensure that students improve soccer skills through warm-ups, drills and games.

School Break Mini Camps, Advanced Skill Development Clinics and Birthday Parties are also available. Classes for children with special needs are offered at several locations. More than 150 locations throughout the Tri-State area, 212-877-7171, supersoccerstars.com. (Ages 2 and up)

Swimming NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB

www.newyorkfamily.com

Toddler classes teach children ages 6 months to 3 years how to be comfortable in the water.

Classes for older kids focus on stroke technique.

Individual and group classes offered. Lessons taught year-round. Pool locations throughout the city, 212-749-7335, swimjim.com. (Ages 6 months and up)

MODERN SCHOOL OF SOCCER

SUPER SOCCER STARS

92nd Street Y

SWIM JIM

Lessons available for kids of various ages and skill levels. Class levels range from Water Tot to Swim Team Conditioning. Private lessons also offered. 1637 Third Avenue, 212-9877200, mysportsclubs.com. (Ages 6 months to 14 years)

THE PRENATAL YOGA CENTER Specializes in prenatal and postnatal yoga as well as provides education for expecting and new parents and families. In addition to Mommy and Me yoga, infant massage, and music, the center offers workshops and lectures that address issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, early childhood parenting, family dynamics and alternative healing. 251 West 72nd Street, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com. (Ages newborn to 18 months)

YOGI BEANS This yoga program emphasizes positive thinking and maintaining a healthy self-image. Created to help children achieve body awareness and self-confidence, the program translates yoga into something children can understand, relate to and enjoy. Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, 212-787-YOGA, yogibeans.com.

(Ages prenatal to 10 years) j January 2010 | New York Family

67

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Poppyseed Pre-Nursery New York Jazz Academy

Martial Arts The Craft Studio

EAST SIDE TAE KWON DO Offering classes for children from toddlers to tweens, East Side Tae Kwon Do is marked by its high standards, charming, well-lit space, and vibe that is welcoming to boys and girls alike.

Classes develop stamina, core muscle strength and flexibility as well as discipline, perseverance and mental acuity. 325 East 65 Street, 212755-5982, eastsidetaekwondo.com. (Ages 18 months to 12 years)

PHYSIQUE SWIM SCHOOL Offers a progressive program designed for all levels of swimmers. Kids ages 8 and older can enroll in swim team prep, while kids under 3 years and their parents will like the sing-along program, “Me and My Shadow.” All swimmers will learn to be safe, confident and efficient.

Various locations around Manhattan, 212725-0939, physiqueswimming.com. (Ages 4 months to 15 years)

TIGER SCHULMANN’S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Tiger Schulmann’s Cubs program (ages 3-5) is the perfect choice for preschoolers to learn developmental skills in a fun, safe environment.

Children’s (ages 5-7) and Kid’s programs (ages 8 and up) teach discipline and self-defense while developing confidence, focus and determination. 39 West 19th Street, 212-727-0773 or 1-800-52-TIGER, TSK.com. (Ages 3 years and up)

WEST SIDE TAEKWONDO Classes for children ages 3-5 use physical activity to promote respect and confidence. Starting at age 6, children can enroll in the Children’s Program, which emphasizes discipline. 700 Columbus Avenue, 212-663-3998, westsidetkd. com. (Ages 3 years and up)

Soccer CARLOS OLIVIERA SOCCER ACADEMY Soccer classes to develop individual skills as well as the fundamentals of team playing are available for kids. More than 30 locations throughout Manhattan. 718-743-9402, cosacademy.com. (Ages 2 to 14 years)

Yoga KARMA KIDS YOGA

Lessons for children are offered at locations around Manhattan, including Central Park and Tribeca. 212-591-BALL, themodernschoolofsoccer.com. (Ages 3 to 14 years)

New York’s only yoga studio just for kids, Karma Kids Yoga offers yoga classes for infants 6 weeks old through teens, Family Yoga, CircusYoga, free Story Time Yoga, and Prenatal Yoga for mommies-to-be. Yoga Birthday Parties, too! 104 West 14th Street, 646-638-1444, karmakidsyoga.com (Ages 2 months and up)

Students develop skills, self-confidence and teamwork in a fun, non-competitive environment. Positive reinforcement and low child-tocoach ratios ensure that students improve soccer skills through warm-ups, drills and games.

School Break Mini Camps, Advanced Skill Development Clinics and Birthday Parties are also available. Classes for children with special needs are offered at several locations. More than 150 locations throughout the Tri-State area, 212-877-7171, supersoccerstars.com. (Ages 2 and up)

Swimming NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB

www.newyorkfamily.com

Toddler classes teach children ages 6 months to 3 years how to be comfortable in the water.

Classes for older kids focus on stroke technique.

Individual and group classes offered. Lessons taught year-round. Pool locations throughout the city, 212-749-7335, swimjim.com. (Ages 6 months and up)

MODERN SCHOOL OF SOCCER

SUPER SOCCER STARS

92nd Street Y

SWIM JIM

Lessons available for kids of various ages and skill levels. Class levels range from Water Tot to Swim Team Conditioning. Private lessons also offered. 1637 Third Avenue, 212-9877200, mysportsclubs.com. (Ages 6 months to 14 years)

THE PRENATAL YOGA CENTER Specializes in prenatal and postnatal yoga as well as provides education for expecting and new parents and families. In addition to Mommy and Me yoga, infant massage, and music, the center offers workshops and lectures that address issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, early childhood parenting, family dynamics and alternative healing. 251 West 72nd Street, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com. (Ages newborn to 18 months)

YOGI BEANS This yoga program emphasizes positive thinking and maintaining a healthy self-image. Created to help children achieve body awareness and self-confidence, the program translates yoga into something children can understand, relate to and enjoy. Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, 212-787-YOGA, yogibeans.com.

(Ages prenatal to 10 years) j January 2010 | New York Family

67

Winter Travel Where To Go For or From A Wild Animal Encounter To A Festival Of Snow, These Hot And Cold Escapes Make Wonderful Winter Getaways

HOT…

FLORIDA BEYOND DISNEY

Orlando, FL: Families who choose to skip the mouse ears can still find plenty to do in and around the city of Orlando. Catch the view from above during an indoor free fall skydive (skyventureorlando.com) or a treetop nature tour via zipline (floridaecosafaris.com).

Or head to nearby Kissimmee for an airboat ride through a backcountry swamp (airboattoursorlando.com). For accommodations, try All Star Vacation Homes, which offers over 200 home and condo rentals throughout Orlando. (allstarvacationhomes.com)

Loews Miami Beach Hotel, South Beach, FL: Of all the Art Deco gems in South Beach, this hotel is the most family-friendly, boasting an attentive staff, a kids’ camp, a kids’ menu and a huge, glistening pool.

Games and DVDs, tours and activities will keep kids happy, and parents can indulge in a couples massage at the hotel’s Elemis Spa. (loewshotels.com)

Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, FL: This 650-acre Marriott resort located just west of the city of Miami offers five championship golf courses, a European-inspired spa and the Blue Lagoon water recreation area, featuring the 125-foot Blue Monster waterslide! Through the resort’s KIDS-GOLF-FOR-FREE program, kids tee off for free after 3 p.m. when accompanied by a full-paying adult. (doralresort.com)

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New York Family | January 2010

Doral Golf Resort & Spa

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Bahamas: Through the “Aquarist for a Day” program, families can swim through the ruins of Atlantis along with manta rays, sharks and thousands of tropical fish. Participants in the “Trainer for a Day” program help train dolphins and sea lions. (atlantis.com)

Westin St. John Resort & Villas, Virgin Islands: The Westin’s Kids Club offers programs like iguana feedings, crab races and field trips through a local nature preserve. (westinresortstjohn.com)

The Occidental Grand Xcaret, Cancun, Mexico: The Occidental offers access to Xcaret Park, where families can go on a Sea Trek along the bottom of the ocean and swim with dolphins and sharks! (occidentalhotels.com)

COLD… SKIING AND MORE

and more. When the kids get enough of the snow, they can head to the Treehouse, a 25,000-square-foot children’s center with nature-themed rooms, a daycare and fun activities. (aspensnowmass.com)

Woodloch, Hawley, PA: Nestled in the northeast Pocono Mountains lake region, Woodloch has a full itinerary for winter: snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snow shoeing, family Olympics and more! Prefer to stay indoors? Take advantage of the racquetball courts, indoor pool, Jacuzzis and fitness center. (woodloch.com)

URBAN WINTER WONDERLANDS

Philadelphia, PA: Not only does Philadelphia have museums, restaurants and great city walks, but it has an array of “must visits” for families, including the Franklin Institute Science Museum (www2.fi.edu) and the Please Touch Museum (pleasetouchmuseum.org).

And then there’s all that history to be had at places like Betsy Ross’ house, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. (gophila.com)

Smugglers’ Notch Resort, VT: At Smugglers’ Notch, families can stay in a mountainside condo located near ski lifts, an indoor swimming pool, tubing park, ice skating rink, entertainment center and daycare facility. When it’s time to hit the slopes, children as young as 2 ½ can learn to ski in the hotel’s “Little Rascals” program. (smuggs.com)

Snowmass Mountain, Aspen, CO: Just 10 miles from Aspen, Snowmass boasts a newly developed family-friendly base village with condos, restaurants, shops

Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Looking to try something different? Visit Montreal on a weekend between January 23 and February 7 and celebrate “La Fête des Neiges,” an outdoor winter festival with shows, ice skating, tube sliding, kick sledding and more. Then escape to a balmier climate with a visit to the Montreal Biodome. For family-friendly accommodations, try Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth—it’s connected to Underground City, the largest underground complex in the world. (tourisme-montreal.org) b www.newyorkfamily.com

Don’t just learn one sport...

www.kisnyc.com 212.744.4900 Sports for Boys & Girls 1-12 Years Old Classes, Birthday Parties and Summer Camps Offered NYC & Greenwich, CT

Learn them all with Kids in Sports!

DON’T MISS OUT! Winter/Spring Season Sign Up Today!

INVEST IN A SLEEK NURSING CHAIR Every nursing mom needs a comfortable glider—but many of the options are far from stylish. That’s all changed with The Grano by Monte Designs ($1,195), a sleek glider-and-recliner that comes in a range of colors, including white, stone, brown, orange, green and gray. With its modern design it’s a great fit for any room in the house, from the nursery to the living room. The chair offers ergonomic arm height for feeding your baby, a high back for proper head rest, and a removable lumbar pillow for extra support. The fabric is water repellant and stain resistant.

DESIGN A KID-FRIENDLY KITCHEN In many households, the kitchen is the center of activity—making it even more essential that the room be family-friendly. Robert Dobbs, a certified kitchen and

ABC HOME

8 Ideas For Designing A Family-Friendly Apartment That Doesn’t Sacrifice On Style

bathroom designer with Elgot, a design company based in Manhattan, says families looking to remodel their kitchen may want to consider “u-shaped kitchens, [because they] work well to keep kids on the opposite side of the island [and away from the cooking area].” Also, Dobbs says to be sure to “leave [ample] space between open oven or dishwasher doors and cabinets,” as this helps enable safe passageway through the kitchen. When it comes to flooring, solid wood or laminate floors are both resilient surfaces that make for easy clean-up, while cork is another good option because it makes standing for long periods of times easier

Restoration Hardware

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New York Family

| January 2010

on your feet—and on a baby’s crawling hands and knees.

For people with small kitchens, Dobbs says internal storage options like pull out pantries really maximize space.

PLAN AHEAD WHEN DECORATING YOUR NURSERY First-time parents should consider three things before getting deep into plans for a nursery, according to Ali Wing, founder of Giggle, a baby gear and furniture store. First, consider how soon you might have a second child, and plan the nursery around the possibility of a newborn sharing it with a toddler. Second, unless you are someone who likes to redecorate often, design the room so “you’ll like it as much when your baby’s a toddler as when she’s a newborn.” Third, pay attention to safety issues. Be aware of electrical outlets and cords from blinds and lamps, and keep the crib away from them. Also, use paint with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or wallpaper using non-toxic adhesives.

CONSIDER A COLORFUL CHILDREN’S WALL MURAL Do your children dream of being astronauts, love everything about the ocean or adore animals? Nurture their interests with a customized wall mural designed by Brett McCormack’s Painted Worlds. McCormack, who is based in New York City, has painted window displays for Rockefeller Center, designed holiday windows for Burberry London and has been featured in “LiveDesign Magazine” and on Home &Garden Television. www.newyorkfamily.com

McCormack begins each project with a consultation before completing a series of drafts for the room’s detailed design. He then spends a few weeks creating each personalized room, all with child-safe, non-toxic paints.

MAKE YOUR FAMILY ROOM FAMILY-FRIENDLY Debbie Weiner, furniture maven and author of “Slobproof!

Real-Life Home Decorating Solutions,” draws on her own experience with a full household—including a husband, kids, and multiple pets—to offer tips for keep one’s living area both chic and kid-friendly. Here are just a few to get you started: *Swap floor and table lamps for overhead lighting. This prevents broken lamps and stained shades, and gives your family more room to play. *Curious kids always look out the window, says Weiner, which can wreck havoc on delicate draperies. Replace drapes with raise-able shades, which can be made in many stylish fabrics. *Work with your “trouble spots” to find a carpet or rug solution to shedding pets and spill-prone families. If you have a lot of red stains, buy a red-patterned carpet; if black dog fur is dotting your carpet, find a black-based design. *Above all, invest in durable seating. “A coffee table from Ikea is just as good as a table from any other place,” Weiner says, “but you can always tell a bad Elgot sofa from a good one.” When shopping for a sofa, make sure it has a strong frame, a cushion with down and a thick fabric.

MAKE ECO-FRIENDLY DESIGN CHOICES Practicing an environmentally conscious lifestyle when your children are young will hopefully lead them to become socially responsible adults in future years. Paulette Cole, CEO and creative director of ABC Home, as well as a mom, is passionate about keeping the business socially responsible. Cole offers the following tips for New Yorkers who wish to set up a “green” nursery or kids room: *Start with a non-chemical foundation: use non-chemical cleaners and non-toxic paints. *Buy an air purifier for your urban setting. *Choose organic mattresses whether you are buying for a crib or a bed. *Invest in organic mattress pads, duvets, pillows, and sheets.

Cole believes “one should keep everything on the bed organic and crisp.”

“At ABC, we have furniture such as cribs sourced from responsibly managed forests,” Cole explains. “Health for the planet is the collective goal.” www.newyorkfamily.com

BRETT MCCORMACK’S PAINTED WORLDS

INVEST IN FURNITURE THAT GROWS WITH YOUR FAMILY When Danielle Hansmeyer, SVP of Restoration Hardware Baby & Child, was pregnant and looking to buy furniture for her nursery, she found that there was a “void in the market for good quality, sophisticated design at a reasonable price.” She returned from maternity leave with a slew of ideas, creating the store’s Baby & Child line, which recently launched. It features an assortment of convertible cribs, elegant bedding, bathroom accessories and more that Hansmeyer says are “subtle, but fun” and “seamless with the rest of your home.” Check out their cribs that convert into a toddler bed and “big kid bed,” and changing tables that transform into dressers in styles “that are pretty timeless.”

As Hansmeyer notes, “Being able to buy something that will live with your child for 10 years” is worth the investment.

HIRE A DESIGN EXPERT FOR YOUR CHILD’S ROOM Whether you are having trouble decorating your first child’s room, organizing a bedroom shared between two or three siblings, or transforming your kid’s room from baby to soccer stud, consider hiring some help. Kid’s Supply Co., for example, can send a designer to visit your New York City home and help you create the perfect floor plan for your child’s room. Or, alternatively, bring the room measurements to an appointment for an in-store consultation. The store also carries unique styles of furniture and bedding that you can customize to your own needs. B —Reported by Kristen Duca, Darcy Newell, and Kate Willard

RESOURCES ABC Carpet & Home, 888 & 881 Broadway, 212-473-3000, abchome.com.

Brett McCormack’s Painted Worlds, 860-916-8866, paintedworldsnyc.com.

Elgot, 937 Lexington Avenue, 212-879-1200, elgotkitchens.com.

Giggle, various locations in Manhattan, giggle.com.

Kid’s Supply Co, 1343 Madison Avenue, 212-426-1200, kidssupply.com.

Monte Design Group, 1-866-604-6755, montedesign.net.

Restoration Hardware, 935 Broadway, 212-260-9479 restorationhardware.com.

The Rug Company, 88 Wooster Street, 212-274-0444, therugcompany.info

January 2010 | New York Family

71

H OM E

front

HOW’S THE

MARKET? To Answer That Question And Get A Read On 2010, We Spoke With Some Of The City’s Leading Real Estate Experts

BY SHAINA GOPEN

I

t’s a new year, but some things never change: As always, New Yorkers are taking stock of the real estate market and wondering where it’s headed. Is 2010 the year to buy, sell, rent, or simply stay put?

For families looking to make a move, there’s good news. Experts agree that it continues to be a buyer’s market. Diane M. Ramirez, president of Halstead Property, describes the advantage for buyers right now as a perfect storm, “because you have the choice, you have prices that are at sub-degree value—they are not cheap, but you can find values—and there are low interest rates.”

It does take more to be a qualified buyer, however. “Two or three years ago the only thing you needed to get a mortgage was a pulse,” says Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel Inc., a real estate appraisal and consulting firm. “[Now] fewer people qualify, and people who do qualify have to jump through a lot of hoops.”

While buyers do still have the upper hand— prices are down 20 percent to 30 percent—Deanna Kory, senior vice president at The Corcoran Group, says that it is also not a bad time to sell. “It sounds like a contradiction, but selling isn’t bad right now because the inventory is low, so the things that are coming on the market are actually getting more attention,” she explains. Though she adds that the homes that are moving the quickest boast “a prime location and are beautifully renovated.” And for sellers who may lament the fact that they would have gotten a much better price on their home a couple of years ago, Ramirez points out that you may be able to make up the difference when you turn around and buy a home.

Overall, the key word for both buyers and sellers seems to be value.

“The only sales taking place are where the seller recognizes the realities of the market, and where the buyer therefore perceives great value,”

Manhattan House

72

New York Family

| January 2010

Emerald Green says Hall F. Willkie, president of Brown Harris Stevens. Dottie Herman, president and CEO of Prudential Douglas Elliman, agrees, saying that in this market “when you find something with value then it goes. I haven’t seen too much that’s priced well that doesn’t move.”

Renters will also find incentives in the market.

In an effort to secure tenants, for example, many landlords are offering a month or more of free rent, paying the broker’s commission, and other perks. According to Willkie, over 70 percent of the Manhattan market is rentals. And while some are renting because it’s a short-term decision, others may be doing so because they can’t afford to buy what they need or want. But with reduction in value, points out Willkie, “that is no longer true—so we are seeing many renters become buyers.”

Looking ahead to the new year, experts are generally optimistic, citing the spike in activity over the summer and continuing into this past fall after the market was essentially frozen; the overall desirability of living in New York City; and what seems to be an upward trend in the economy. But with unemployment still high and credit tight, most are also cautious. It could take a while, even several years, according to Miller, for the market to come back.

Still, remember that everyone’s situation is personal. “In reality there is never a perfect time to buy,” points out Ramirez. “It’s really whatever works for your life.”

Willkie sums it up best: “I think that in the past some people got away from looking at what residential real estate is,” he says. “It is a home. It is shelter, a place to get out of the rain, to live, to put your head down on a pillow at night. Historically, it tends to be a great investment. In the recent past we’ve seen people treat it more like a commodity, but that is not its core.” v www.newyorkfamily.com

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IN THE

Dream Homes This Month’s Featured Building Combines Duplex Living And High-End Design In Family-Friendly West Chelsea 456 WEST 19TH

G

allery-filled West Chelsea seems like the perfect neighborhood for renowned architect and developer Cary Tamarkin’s latest project, 456 West 19th Street. The newly constructed condominium was inspired by the classic artists’ studio spaces of the early 20th century, and the property features amenities that will please not only design aficionados but also families.

“Many families would love to live in this neighborhood but most of the developments [thus far] have focused on studios or one-bedrooms,” says Millie Perry of Stribling Marketing Associates and the building’s sales director. With 456 West 19th, explains Perry, families can finally have a simple yet elegant “mini-townhouse” designed with their unique needs in mind.

The building contains 22 spacious duplex units with up to 20-foot ceilings—10 of which are particularly family-friendly, ranging in size from a 1,700+ square-foot two-

bedroom plus home office to four penthouses that are between 2,500-3,000 square feet. “The layouts are family style—the living room, dining room, kitchen—everything is open,” says Perry. Each unit also contains a washer/ dryer, ample closet space and private storage.

Tamarkin Co. focuses on building boutique residential properties that are also eco-friendly. 456 West 19th Street is LEED-registered and is in the process of applying for “silver” certification. Environmentally friendly components are used throughout each unit, including low VOC materials, energy-efficient UV-blocking glass, multi-zoned heating and air components and responsibly harvested wood for the flooring and cabinetry.

Beyond these “green” features, Tamarkin Co. also ensured that each apartment’s aesthetics appealed to today’s design-conscious families. “One of Tamarkin’s signature styles is the use of multi-paned steel windows and hand-laid brick facade which were used to stay true to the historic sense of loft-style artist spaces,” explains Perry. The mechanical blinds for these windows are custom-made so that they recess from the ceiling to ensure a seamless look. A Noguchi-designed Akari light sculpture graces the soaring living room ceilings, and the white kitchen cabinetry contains playful touches, like different color shelving behind each door.

When it comes to the kids, the building’s landscaped garden on the second floor is perfect for playdates. And don’t forget the building’s location: It’s near the recently opened High Line, Chelsea Piers, Chelsea Market, parks, and other popular, family-friendly destinations.

By Stacey Pfeffer

Address: 456 West 19th Street | Prices: Start at $1,450,000 | Developer: Tamarkin Co. Architect: Tamarkin Co. | Sales: 212-255-3456 | Website: 456w19.com

74

New York Family

| January 2010

www.newyorkfamily.com

456 WEST 19TH ALSO ON THE MARKET...

401 East 74th Street

1965 Broadway

400 East 56th Street

Classic elegance and modern utility define this 2,400-square-foot Upper East Side co-op. In addition to the formal dining room, eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, European cabinetry, and wet bar, the apartment features a home theater including a 50” Plasma screen and 7.1 surround sound with B & W speakers, Verizon FIOS Hi Definition TV, ultra high-speed Internet, and multiple phone lines.

The Postwar building is full-service and offers an attached garage, gym, party/children’s playroom, and roof garden. And if that’s not enough, the view from the apartment’s private 1,100-square-foot South and East facing terrace might just seal the deal.

Located in the grand corridor of the Upper West Side near Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, and Central Park, this renovated home with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks the stunning Manhattan Skyline and Hudson River. There’s plenty of space for comfortable living and lounging in the renovated kitchen (featured in “Kitchen & Baths Magazine” in 2007) and living room, since every inch of the apartment’s 1,850-plus square-feet innovatively utilizes closet and storage space. Additional features include three A/Cs in the living, dining and kitchen areas on a thermostat reducing energy consumption, tinted windows for significant heat reduction, motorized blinds, washer and dryer, and a maid’s room/office.

Roomy and bright with both natural sun and custom lighting, the chic L-shaped living room in this corner apartment offers South and East views of gardens, tennis courts, and glimpses of the river. A spacious, renovated granite kitchen with breakfast bar and custom storage seamlessly connects the living room and corner dining area. The apartment’s privacy is complimented by the unique self-managed atmosphere of Plaza 400, which offers a breathtaking 360-degree view from the “Skytop Terrace,” swimming pool, large resident lounge/party room, staffed cardio and weight rooms, yoga studio, and a sprawling furnished outdoor terrace with tanning beds, umbrellas, and tables.

Asking Price: $2,995,000 | CC: $1,422 Agent: Cindy Bernat, 212-836-1051, Corcoran 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Asking Price: $1,495,000 | CC: $2,384 Agents: Jacky Teplitzky, 212-891-7263; Iman Bacodari, 212-350-2206; Max Dobens, 212-891-7168; David Cooper, 212-891-7741; Prudential Douglas Elliman 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Asking Price: $2,995,000 | CC: $2,815 Agents: Anne Ellington, 646-408-7477, Prudential Douglas Elliman; Burt Savitsky, 212-906-9337, Brown Harris Stevens 8 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms

These were the prices as of December 4… www.newyorkfamily.com

January 2010 | New York Family

75

CAMP

countdown

How To Find The

Right Summer Camp For Your Child

The

Perfect

Fit

Y

ou are considering a summer camp, but how to choose?

There’s a camp that is ideally suited for every child, providing a summer of growth and fun, whether your child attends a day or overnight camp, a specialized or traditional camp. With a little help from the camp professionals at the American Camp Association, here’s some sound advice that helps parents sort through the choices and benefits that camp delivers.

How to Decide When Your Child Is Ready for Camp Children are ready for new experiences at different stages. Parents know their children best, and these questions can help gauge whether this is the summer your child will start camp.

Forest Lake Camp

• What is your child’s age? Children under age 7 years may not adjust easily to being away from home. Consider the day camp experience to prepare them for future overnight camp.

• Has your child had positive overnight experiences away from home?

Visiting relatives or friends? Were these separations easy or difficult?

• How did your child become interested in camp? Does your child talk about camp on a sustained basis? How much persuasion is necessary from you?

• What does your child expect to do at camp? Learning about the camp experience ahead of time allows you to create positive expectations.

76

New York Family | January 2010

A Camp for Every Child: The Perfect Fit Camp can last for just a few days or stretch to all summer long. It’s well worth the trouble to investigate the variety of choices offered by camps before your child packs a backpack.

These questions help you consider the options.

Not every kid wants the same kind of camp, and we want happy campers! That’s why Summer at St. Bart’s offers three options that include swim every day: St. Bart’s Day Camp • June 8–August 20 • Ages 3 ½ to 7 Swimming every day Sports and fitness Arts and Crafts Science Dance and Movement Drama Island Sports • June 21–August 20 • Ages 7 to 13 Swimming every day Arts and Crafts Athletic instruction: Tennis • Soccer • Football • Basketball • Kickball • Baseball Adventure Camp • June 21–August 20 • Ages 7 to 13 Swimming every day Arts and Crafts Science Sports and fitness Dance and Movement Drama Around the city trips...two per week: Yankee Stadium tour • Top of the Rock • The Duck Tour The Metropolitan Museum • and so much more…

Summer at St. Bart’s offers flexible scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunch and After Camp program. To register or schedule a family tour contact Eileen Reddy at 212.378.0203, reddy@stbarts.org or look at our website www.stbarts.org.

St. Bartholomew’s Church

325 Park Avenue at 51st Street • www.stbarts.org • 212.378.0203

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE BEST SAVINGS OF THE SEASON!

We ’ v

Attention.

DAY CAMP

e g o t t h a t Spirit!

NEW FOR 2010!

OASIS AT THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS ON GOVERNOR’S ISLAND!

OASIS IN CENTRAL PARK OASIS DOWNTOWN - Boys & Girls ages 4-11 & our popular Teen Travel program for 12-14 year olds Visit our website www.oasischildren.com

That’s what kids with ADHD want.

And that’s exactly what they’ll get at NYU Summer Program for Kids, the only seven-week therapeutic summer program in New York, specifically tailored to meet the needs of children between the ages of 7 and 11 with ADHD. • • • • •

Behavioral techniques used to promote positive behavior Development of social and academic competence Nurturing and fun atmosphere Swimming and group sports daily Highly qualified staff of psychologists, teachers, and psychology undergraduate and graduate students

• Excellent staff/child ratio of 1 to 1-2

NYU Summer Program for Kids prepares children to start the school year as better adjusted and more socially skilled students.

Parents also receive specialized training to make the most of their child’s summer experience.

For more information, please call 212 263 0760.

Simple, Fast Online Registration • Upcoming Info Sessions Special Discount Offers • Camp Photos

or call 718-596-4900 for more info “AWESOME!!! My son loved it so much he can’t wait for next year” - Oasis Parent

AboutOurKids.org

Benefits of Camp Nearby: •Easier to evaluate and visit.

•Friends and family are likely to be familiar with camp.

•Minimal travel costs.

•Likely contact with classmates or children from the same region.

Benefits of Camp Far Away: •More choices.

•Different experiences, different geography (e.g., mountains or oceans)— even different languages.

•Promotes independence, particularly for early- and late-adolescence campers.

•Diversity of campers.

•Chance for family to visit and vacation at the close of camp.

Session Length Camps offer widely varying options to help parents and children reach their goals for summer fun and exploration.

Talking with your child about the goals you both share helps determine which choice is right for you.

92 Street Y •Multiple opportunities for learning and enrichment.

•Lifelong friendships.

•Opportunities to contribute to camp culture.

Boys Only, Girls Only, or Co-ed?

Now may be the opportunity to explore the choices and benefits of allboys, all-girls, or co-ed camps.

Benefits of Single-Sex Camps: •More opportunities to “be yourself ” without impressing or competing with the opposite sex.

•Camp philosophy may be tuned in to gender strengths and weaknesses.

• Brother or sister camps may share activities.

Benefits of Short Sessions (1 to 3 weeks): •First-time or younger campers have a chance to learn new skills.

•Bonds develop with other campers and staff.

•Great exposure to camp experience with less expense.

•Minimizes homesickness.

Benefits of Co-ed Camps: •Mirrors and prepares campers for everyday living in a co-ed world.

•Allows families with both boys and girls to have all children attend the same camp.

•Offers diverse points of view.

•Breaks through rigid divisions set up in school when campers participate in equal footing.

Benefits of Longer Sessions (4 to 12 weeks): •Strong sense of belonging to camp community.

•Chance to learn new skills.

•Development of specialized skills.

Traditional, Specialty, and Special Needs Camps Choices abound when it comes to camp programs. One may highlight a wide variety of activities geared toward campers of all ages and skill levels;

78

New York Family | January 2010

others, because of their setting and expertise, may concentrate on one or two activities while also providing traditional activities. Parents of children with special needs are pleased to learn about the range of camp activities that help kids be kids first.

Benefits of Traditional Camps: •Wide variety of activities.

•Chance for campers to try new activities.

•Exposure to more campers and staff at varying activities.

Benefits of Specialty Camps: •One or two specialized activities (often combined with traditional offerings).

•Expectation for increased proficiency during the camping session.

•Deepens knowledge and skill in a particular area of interest or ability.

Benefits of Special Needs Camps: •Activities geared toward campers’ abilities.

•Knowledgeable staff with expertise to understand campers’ strengths and challenges.

•Supportive and fun atmosphere to share with others. g Originally printed in CAMP Magazine, reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association © 2005 American Camping Association, Inc.

Heidi Green Photography

Near or Far? Where do you want your child to go to camp? Locally or far away? While each camp experience has something unique to offer your child, this is an opportunity for families to assess what they value for their campers.

Join Our Circle of Friends for 8 Weeks of Summer Fun JUNE 7TH – JULY 30TH Ages: 2 ½ years old – 5 years olds by June 2010 Mommy & Me - 20 months to 26 months of age by June 2010 Activities invlude cooking, free play, music and movement, arts and crafts, water/sensory/sprinkler play, outdoor activities, and weeklly Shabbat. All campers will enjoy: Wacky Wednesdays, a Family Swim nad a Family Picnic. Our older campers will enjoy: Field Trips, Pizza Day, a Sports Program and Specialists.

Registration begins in December.

Contact Lindsay Bennett at 212-249-5001 or lbennett@templeisraelnyc.org Temple Israel of the City of New York 112 E 75 St. New York, NY 10021

Nature’s Favorite Summer Camp on Beautiful Grand Manan Island

There’s only one

WHALE CAMP

The Camp of Ocean Life

Discover your connection to the Ocean Explore the systems of life in the sea HANDS-ON MARINE SCIENCE, OCEANOGRAPHY & WHALE RESEARCH

Free Brochure & Info: 1-888-54WHALE • www.whalecamp.com Ask about our 1-week Family Camp

Your Sleepaway Camp Matchmaker Finding Sleepaway Camps for Children and Teens and

Teen Connection (a Division of the Camp Connection) Offering information and advice on: Teen Travel Enrichment/College Programs Study Abroad Community Service, Language Immersion and more!!!

FREE Personalized Service • No Fee • No Obligation Over 20 years experience!

Representing over 500 programs!

www.thEcampconnection.com email: camp4u@thecampconnection.com 800-834-2267

Join Our Circle of Friends for 8 Weeks of Summer Fun JUNE 7TH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JULY 30TH 8^\j1 ) p\Xi fc[ Ă&#x2020; , p\Xi fc[ Yp Ale\ )'(' Dfddp D\ $ )' dfek_j kf )- dfek_j f] X^\ Yp Ale\ )'(' 8Zk`m`k`\j `eZcl[\ Zffb`e^# ]i\\ gcXp# dlj`Z Xe[ dfm\d\ek# Xikj Xe[ ZiX]kj# nXk\i&j\ejfip&jgi`e$ bc\i gcXp# flk[ffi XZk`m`k`\j# Xe[ n\\bcp J_XYYXk% 8cc ZXdg\ij n`cc \eafp1 NXZbp N\[e\j[Xpj# X =Xd$ `cp Jn`d Xe[ X =Xd`cp G`Ze`Z% Fli fc[\i ZXdg\ij n`cc \eafp1 =`\c[ Ki`gj# G`qqX ;Xp# X Jgfikj Gif^iXd Xe[ Jg\Z`Xc`jkj%

I\^`jkiXk`fe Y\^`ej `e ;\Z\dY\i% :fekXZk C`e[jXp 9\ee\kk Xk )()$)+0$,''( fi cY\ee\kk7k\dgc\`jiX\cepZ%fi^ K\dgc\ @jiX\c f] k_\ :`kp f] E\n Pfib (() < ., Jk% E\n Pfib# EP ('')(

Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favorite Summer Camp on Beautiful Grand Manan Island

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only one

WHALE CAMP

The Camp of Ocean Life

Discover your connection to the Ocean Explore the systems of life in the sea HANDS-ON MARINE SCIENCE, OCEANOGRAPHY & WHALE RESEARCH

Free Brochure & Info: 1-888-54WHALE â&#x20AC;˘ www.whalecamp.com Ask about our 1-week Family Camp

Your Sleepaway Camp Matchmaker Finding Sleepaway Camps for Children and Teens and

Teen Connection (a Division of the Camp Connection) Offering information and advice on: Teen Travel Enrichment/College Programs Study Abroad Community Service, Language Immersion and more!!!

FREE Personalized Service â&#x20AC;˘ No Fee â&#x20AC;˘ No Obligation Over 20 years experience!

Representing over 500 programs!

www.thEcampconnection.com email: camp4u@thecampconnection.com 800-834-2267

CALENDAR

January

6th

G R E AT I D E A S F O R

By goCityKids.com and newyorkfamily.com

January 1-18

UNDER THE BIG TOP [ALL AGES] Come one, come all—the Big Apple Circus is back at Damrosch Park for its 32nd season!

Enjoy classic circus entertainment like juggling artistry, daring equestrian feats, trapeze soaring, aerial adventures and a brand new show called “Bello is Back!” Showtimes vary.

Tickets start at $28 per person; children under 3 admitted free. 140 West 65th Street, 888-541-3750, bigapplecircus.org.

January 6

WE THREE KINGS [ALL AGES] Come celebrate the Christian holiday of Dia de Los Tres Reyes, or Three Kings Day, with El Museo del Barrio at the annual Three

Kings Day Parade, complete with colorful costumed dancers, music and traditional carnival-like street parties known as parrandas.

Frankincense and myrrh not required. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; free. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue, 212-831-7272, elmuseo.org.

be a harp, sax or a trumpet away for your mini maestro. Check website for times; $20, order tickets in advance. The Diller-Quaile School of Music, 24 East 95th Street, 212369-1484, diller-quaile.org.

January 8-9

CUT A RUG [AGES 0-6] Whether your child is a prodigy pianist or just mastering the kazoo, the Diller-Quaile School of Music’s Rug Concerts are always a musical treat. Young children are introduced to a variety of diverse instruments and musical periods during interactive, 45-minute concerts. Kids get the chance to sing, move and play rhythm instruments too. Who knows? Lincoln Center may just

January 9

HUSHABYE BABY [ALL AGES] Could your little night owls use a lesson in the benefits of sleep? Head to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s Healthy Lifestyles: Sleep Well Festival, where kids can explore the importance of sleep in a fun, interactive atmosphere—all while sporting comfy jammies! Plus, sleep experts will be available to answer parents’ questions. Sign up at the Visitor Information Desk an hour before each scheduled class. 12 noon-4 p.m.; free with admission. 212 West 83rd Street, 212721-1234, cmom.org.

9th

January 10

SOUL JAM [ALL AGES]

AOOMMIE PHOTOGRAPHY

80

New York Family

| January 2010

Critically-acclaimed group “The Asylum Street Spankers” performs at the 92Y Tribeca as part of the B.Y.O.K. (Bring Your Own Kid) series. This fierce musical performance will infuse your family’s Sunday morning with a fresh blend of punk, gospel and acoustic country-blues. Order tickets in advance or take a chance at the door. 11 a.m.; $15 per person. 200 Hudson Street, 212-601-1000, 92ytribeca.com. www.newyorkfamily.com

January 23

BRIDGING IDEAS [AGES 5-13] At The Center for Architecture Foundation’s “Family Day at the Center: Building Bridges,” parents and kids will learn about various bridge designs and construct a take-home model. RSVP to attend. 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; $15 per family of 4; $5 per additional guest.

536 LaGuardia Place, 212-358-6135, cfafoundation.org.

January 30

HOCUS POCUS [AGES 6-12]

8th -9th

Add a burst of wonder and illusion to your Friday afternoon at the “Magic, Music, and Mystery” show. Presented by the Little Orchestra Society, this musical performance promises magical surprises and dazzling sounds! RSVP to attend. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; tickets start at $12 per person.

132 West 65th Street, 212-971-9500, lincolncenter.org.

February 2, 3 & 7

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING [AGES 6-18] It’s Kids’ Night on Broadway and the options are more lively and exciting than ever (think “Billy Elliot,” “The Lion King,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Wicked” and more!). Tickets are free for kids accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Extra perks include free dining at select restaurants in Times Square, discounted parking rates and pre-theatre parties! Visit kidsnightonbroadway.com for show times and ticket reservations.

To submit an event listing, please email newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com.

January 23

January 23

CLOWNING AROUND

A ZOO-RIFIC SING-ALONG

[AGES 3+]

[AGES 3-6]

Sammie & Tudie are back at Theater Ten Ten for a super-fun season of magic, storytelling and comedy, complete with surprise guests and the return of Soozie the Silly Stage Manager! Plus, check out Sammie & Tudie’s new book, “Be Thinker Not A Stinker,” a rhyming read with colorful illustrations that teaches kids how to treat others with kindness and respect. 11 a.m.; $20. Children under 2 years old cannot be admitted. 1010 Park Avenue at The Park, 212-828-5386, theater1010.com.

The Central Park Zoo is alive with the sound of music! The Wildlife Theater players will delight preschoolers with catchy songs and an entertaining puppet show.

Kids can ribbit along with Frankie the Frog or hop and bop their heads to Rhonda Rabbit’s brilliant beats. They can even meet the live animals featured in the songs!

RSVP to attend. 11 a.m-12 noon; $33 per person. 830 Fifth Avenue, 212-439-6583, centralparkzoo.com.

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January 2010 | New York Family

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February 27-28 This two-day international film festival features children’s films from around the world, along with live concerts, movie-making, face-painting, kid-friendly food and more. This year’s lineup includes short and feature-length films from countries like Germany and Sweden. BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, bam.org

New York International Children’s Film Festival at Symphony Space January 23, 30 Head inside to watch animated films from around the world presented by the New York International Children’s Festival. On January 23, catch three animated short films from notoriously cold landscapes: “Leon in Wintertime” (Canada), “Spot & Splodge in Snowstorm” (Sweden) and “Choo-Cha” (Russia). On January 30, cuddle up for Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Ikeda’s “Animal Treasure Island,” an anime adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic featuring a cat as Long John Silver. 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org

“Cinderella” at New York Theatre Ballet March 13-14 What better way to introduce your child to the art of ballet than by combining it with one of her favorite fairytales? Part of NYTB’s “Once Upon a Ballet” series of one-hour ballets for children, “Cinderella” brings to life the familiar story of the infamous stepsisters, the beautiful Cinderella and her handsome prince. Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, 212-355-6160, nytb.org

“Uncle Pirate” at Vital Theatre Company

January 16February 28 Brave the high seas of winter by joining Vital Theatre Company for the musical adventure “Uncle Pirate,” which follows the story of Wilson, an average kid who discovers that his uncle is a pirate who can help him survive the fourth grade! McGinn/Cazle Theatre, 2162 Broadway, 4th Floor, 212-579-0528, vitaltheatre.org

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New York Family | January 2010

MUST-SEE

THEATER HIGHLIGHTS! “CarnegieKids” at Carnegie Hall January 27-28, 30 During this interactive show, musicians Mark Stewart and Rob Schwimmer of Polygraph Lounge encourage little ones to make music with everything from guitars and drums to baseball bats and metal bowls! Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, 154 West 57th Street, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org

“Shakespeare To Go: A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Skirball Center For the Performing Arts February 27 Introduce your future thespians to the Bard through one of his most fanciful and popular romantic comedies, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” part of the Skirball Center’s Big Red Chair Family Series. Specially tailored for children, the show follows the playful Puck through a moonlit forest inhabited by a Fairy King and Queen, a donkey, a traveling actor’s troupe and a mysterious love potion. 566 LaGuardia Place, 212992-8499, skirballcenter.nyu.edu —Heather Peterson

www.newyorkfamily.com

CarnegieKids photo: Stefan Cohen

February 5-21 Think opera and children just don’t mix? “The Enchanted Pig” has come to The New Victory Theater to change your mind. This offbeat, funny musical theater production tells the story of a young princess who, at first vexed to learn that she is fated to wed a pig, winds up falling in love with her hog hubby, then travels to the moon and back to save him from a dreadful hex! 209 West 42nd Street, 646223-3010, newvictory.org

Courtesy of BAM

“The Enchanted Pig” at The New Victory Theater

Richard Termine

PREVIEW

Culture Guide for Kids

BAMKids Film Festival at Brooklyn Academy of Music

Tonight belongs to...

Broadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most haunting love story.

Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200 MAJESTIC THEATRE, 247 West 44TH Street

www.ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com

PREVIEW

Culture Guide for Kids

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Tim Burton at the Museum of Modern Art Now through April 26 Kids will love the fanged otherworldly entrance to this imaginative exhibit, which explores the full range of filmmaker Tim Burton’s creative work, from early childhood drawings to props and costumes from movies like “Beetlejuice,” “Batman” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Through April 26, 11 West 53rd Street, 212-7089400, moma.org

Jane Austen at The Morgan Library & Museum February 6 At this family workshop exploring the exhibition, “A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen’s Life and Legacy,” children ages 6-12 can learn about 18th century style by observing prints illustrating the extravagance of fashionable ladies and gentlemen of Austen’s time. Then they’ll use paper doll templates and decorative papers and trimmings to design their own evening costumes! 225 Madison Avenue, 212-685-0008, themorgan.org.

MUST-SEE

MUSEUM

Dr. Nebula’s Super Cold Adventure at the American Museum of Natural History

HIGHLIGHTS!

January 9 Head to the American Museum of Natural History to enjoy this one-hour interactive science theatre show where children will explore the properties of cold and learn about the effect of temperature on different states of matter. Dr. Nebula’s trusty apprentice Scooter will engage kids in hands-on activities and help them ponder questions about the universe and beyond! Central Park West at 79th Street, 212769-5100, amnh.org.

Curious George at The Jewish Museum March 14-August 1 At “Curious George Saves The Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey,” families can learn about the life and work of the creators of “Curious George,” and even see parallels between the children’s stories and the hardships faced by the Reys, who escaped Nazi-occupied Europe with the help of the children’s drawings they carried in their suitcase. 1109 Fifth Avenue, 212-4233200, thejewishmuseum.org.

Making a Difference at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan

© 2009 by Houghton Publishing Company

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Mifflin Harcourt

New York Family | January 2010

January 16-18 CMOM celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with “Make a Difference,” a special installment of their “Raising Citizens” program, designed to help kids explore and appreciate civic holidays. During the workshop, children will meet kids who are making a difference in the world around them, and will have the opportunity to design their own community service activity. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234, cmom.org.

Tales from the Land of Gullah at Brooklyn Children’s Museum January 30-May 2 This visiting exhibition lets children step into the world of the Gullah people—a tribe of West Africans enslaved on plantations on islands off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina in the 17th century—and helps them discover how they held on to their songs, stories and customs. Learn to tell Gullah time, cook a Gullah meal and find out what children’s song the Gullah gave to American culture. 145 Brooklyn Avenue, 718-7354400, brooklynkids.org

Kids’ Week at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum February 13-21 At Kids’ Week on the Intrepid, organizations from NYC and beyond (NASA, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey, New York’s pro sports teams, Madame Tussauds, New York Hall of Science and more) come together to provide a fun-filled interactive experience where children learn about science and space through exhibits, demonstrations, art projects and other activities. Pier 86 (West 46th Street and 12th Avenue), 212-245-0072, intrepidmuseum.org.

—Jean Halloran-Monaco

www.newyorkfamily.com

New York’s Theater for Kids and Families!

Art: Tom Slaughter; Photo: Keith Pattison

#FMMP JT #BDL

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A PERF MAZIN G O THISRMANCE S IS TER ONE !

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A NEW 42ND STREET PROJECT

PREVIEW

Culture Guide for Kids

The pond at bryant park

Hit The Ice When it comes to ice skating, the city has plenty of iconic outdoor locations to choose from: Wollman Rink in Central Park boasts one of the most picturesque settings in the city (wollmanskatingrink.com); skating is free at The Pond at Bryant Park (thepondatbryantpark.com); the Polar Rink at the American Museum of Natural History features a 17-foot-tall polar bear (amnh.org); Seaport Ice at The South Street Seaport offers a visually stunning backdrop of tall ships and even taller skyscrapers (thenewseaport. com); and everyone should hit The Rink at Rockefeller Center at least once (rockefellercenter.com)!

Be A Tourist Winter is the perfect time to visit all those places you’ve been meaning to take your kids, but just haven’t… yet. Like the 86th Floor Observatory at the Empire State Building (esbnyc.com); the light show on the constellation-ed ceiling at Grand Central Terminal (grandcentralterminal.com); the Top of the Rock and the NBC Studios behind-the-scenes tour (rockefellercenter. com); and the many wonders of Times Square—like Ripley’s Believe Or Not!, Madame Tussauds, Dave & Busters, Toys “R” Us and the Discovery Times Square Exhibition (timessquarenyc.org).

Central Park Even in winter, the city’s largest playground is a haven for families, featuring popular sites like the Central Park Zoo and Wollman Rink. Once you’ve visited these kid-pleasing staples, head to the Chess & Checkers House, which offers free arts and crafts activities. (centralparknyc.org).

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New York Family | January 2010

russian tea room

WINTER ATTRACTIONS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS! Tea Time Treat the kids to a quintessential winter outing—afternoon tea. Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle Hotel hosts a Madeline Tea Party and sing-along complete with storyteller, pianist, and three-tiered tray of Madeline-themed treats (thecarlyle.com). The Russian Tea Room’s kids menu includes PB&J on Blini, Grilled Trio of Cheeses and Little Pigs-in-a-Blanket, plus delectable sweets like red velvet cupcakes and chocolate mousse (russiantearoomnyc.com). At The Waldorf=Astoria’s Tea for Tots, kids learn about tea history and etiquette over a three course repast, then gather around Cole Porter’s baby grand to sing tea-themed tunes (waldorfastoria.hilton.com). Finally, the Afternoon Tea at American Girl Place is the ultimate mother/daughter/doll bonding experience (americangirl.com).

On Broadway Today’s Broadway hits make fun outings for the whole family, with classic shows like “Phantom of the Opera,” Disney’s ever-popular productions “The Lion King” and “Mary Poppins,” and the new show, “The Addams Family,” set to debut this spring. Through the Kids Night on Broadway program, kids ages 6-18 attend shows free when accompanied by a full-paying adult (kidsnightonbroadway. com). Theater District, 1-800-BROADWAY, broadway.com.

Star Light, Star Bright Winter is the best season for stargazing, so bundle up and head outside to one of these spectacular spots: Belvedere Castle in Central Park is home to the Henry Luce Nature Observatory, where families can study the stars using its vast collection of telescopes (for winter program info, call 212-772-0210).

At Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens, you can view the Orion Nebular, the Pleiades Star Cluster and Deep Space Phenomenon during a “Reach for the Stars” Saturday astronomy session (alleypond.com).

Indoor Sporting Keep up the endorphins at one of the city’s many family-friendly sports centers: The North Meadow Recreation Center in Central Park features indoor climbing walls; advance registration is required (for more info, call 212-348-4867, ext 14). Chelsea Piers—with its climbing wall, bowling alley, skating rink, batting cages, basketball courts, indoor lacrosse, soccer fields, and more—is a great place to be when it’s too cold to play outside (chelseapiers.com). Located under the 59th Street Bridge, Sutton East Tennis’ red clay tennis courts are open every day from September through April (suttoneasttennis.com). Aviator Sports and Recreation in Brooklyn offers youth clinics, skating sessions and a fitness center. Popular sports include gymnastics, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, figure skating and volleyball (aviatorsports.com).

—Reported by Theodora Guliadis and Amanda Orenstein

www.newyorkfamily.com

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POP CULTURE

Culture Guide for Kids

Diyah Pera

Tooth Fairy

NEW AND UPCOMING

MOVIES FOR KIDS The Spy Next Door Former CIA spy Bob Ho volunteers to babysit his girlfriend’s kids, and all goes well until one of them accidentally downloads a top-secret code. Jackie Chan, George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus star in this madcap action adventure. (Opens January 15; Lionsgate)

Hoodwinked Too! Hood Vs. Evil In this sequel to the animated comedy “Hoodwinked!,” Red Riding Hood is in training with the Sister Hoods when Hansel and Gretel mysteriously disappear—and Red and Wolf are called upon to investigate! (Opens January 15; Blue Yonder Films)

Tooth Fairy Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays a tough minor league hockey player whose bad behavior gets him sentenced to one week as a real-life tooth fairy—complete with wings, tutu and magic wand!

(Opens January 22; 20th Century Fox)

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New York Family | January 2010

PLUS, THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS IN BOOKS, MUSIC, AND DVDS Books

The Flights of Marceau: Race To The Rescue Written by Joe Brown, father of makeup maven Bobbi Brown, this first book in the series “The Flights of Marceau” features a storytelling New York City taxi driver who imagines himself racing to the New Orleans Zoo via a “cheetah express.” The book uses ordinary grown-up language and includes vocabulary definitions at the bottom of each page.

(Available now; Scholastic)

Music

Rise and Shine This book and CD from offbeat duo Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke features a zany collection of songs ranging in style from bluegrass to 80’s punk rock. See them in person at Symphony Space on February 13! (Available now; Little Monster Records)

DVD

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs In this animated film based on the popular children’s book, young inventor Flint Lockwood discovers a way to make food fall from the sky! James Caan, Mr. T, Anna Faris and “Saturday Night Live” regulars Bill Hader and Andy Samberg voice the characters. (Available January 5; Columbia Pictures/Sony Animation)

www.newyorkfamily.com

“GO! Have The Time Of Your Life!”

–NY Newsday

DAVID WANNEN, LAURELYN WATSON CHASE and STEPHEN O’BRIEN Photos: Carol Rosegg, Michael A. Nemeth

Celebrating 35 years of hilarious heroes, clever maidens & happily ever afters.

Sat, JAN 9 @ 2 Fri, JAN 8 @ 8 Thu, JAN 14 @ 8 Sun, JAN 10 @ 3 Fri, JAN 15 @ 8 Sat, JAN 9 @ 8 Sat, JAN 16 @ 8 Tue, JAN 12 @ 7* Sat, JAN 16 @ 2 Sun, JAN 17 @ 3

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 @ 7PM And 75 minutes prior to all matinee performances, enjoy our

FREE FAMILY OVERTURES Entertaining and informative pre-show introductions and plot summaries. Jan 9 & 10 @ main theatre entrance.

Jan 16 & 17 @ 130 West 56th Street. Open to ticket holders only.

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Photo : Junichi

FREE KIDS NIGHT

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ON SECOND

ought

On Her Own

BY SUSAN ITO

ur college daughter recently informed us that she had found the apartment of her dreams.

“It’s got hardwood floors and a fireplace!” She and her future roommates were beside themselves. I had to sit down to catch my breath.

Swelling violins and a rousing chorus of “Sunrise, Sunset” flooded my brain: “Is this the little girl …?” It was one thing to send her off to her college dormitory. Dorms have “house fellows,” a semblance of human authority figures who I can imagine are taking care of her. Leaving the campus borders means a whole other state of independence.

The parents’ association sent an email to first-year parents: “What to Expect During Winter Break.” It was meant to prepare us for the inevitability that life would not be as we knew it four months ago. This brought me up short: “Your student may begin referring to their life in college as ‘home.’”

Oh. Thanks for the heads-up. I started imagining what she might say: “Oh, I’m really homesick for all that snow!” or “I left my red sweater at home.” I practiced keeping my face still and just nodding.

Then I remembered my own excitement and pride in transferring that label of “home” from one place to another. I remembered my own first off-campus house in Ithaca, New York, a rustic cottage on the edge of Cayuga Lake, at the bottom of 78 rickety steps.

I remembered the thrill of happily cooking a pot of macaroni and cheese.

I loved Ithaca. I love it still. It was the first place I ever chose to live,

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New York Family | January 2010

where I truly left my childhood and began my adult life. I chose that cottage myself, without my parents seeing it, knocking on the walls or checking the thermostat. When the steps were thick with crusted ice, and I nearly slipped and fell maneuvering them with armloads of groceries, I never regretted it, never longed for the elevators of the on-campus apartments.

I remembered the giddy hope with which I signed so many subsequent leases: the triplex in San Francisco’s Cole Valley, with the life-sized Einstein poster on the door; the tiny apartment near Japantown; the studio shrouded in fog at Ocean Beach.

So now she’s going to have a “home” thousands of miles from where her family lives. Ours is the third house she’s lived in. The first was a small Aframe cabin on the side of a steep hill.

Then, an eccentric place with cedar shingles like ocean waves. And now we live in a many-roomed house, expanded to include her grandmother.

Unlike my daughters, I never moved around in childhood. I lived in the same mint-green suburban ranch house from infancy until college. I kept returning until five years ago when we sold it after my father’s death.

My childhood room was unchanged— the same Eagles posters thumbtacked on the walls since 1977. That house was my anchor. I mourned the loss of that place, the beginning of my known history, almost as deeply as I grieved for my father.

After Her College Daughter Gets Her First Apartment, A Mom Reflects On The Meaning Of Home

My husband asks, “Where do you think we would want to live—later on?” We have no idea when this hypothetical “later on” might be, but we muse. Guatemala, Brooklyn, Vancouver. I fantasize about Ithaca, a little cottage on the lake. We also think about staying put.

It’s my daughter’s turn to move around, to experiment with picking up and putting down roots in all kinds of places. I feel a vicarious thrill, and a pang, when I see the photos of her home-to-be. The hardwood floors are beautiful, the fireplace charming; the black-and-white-tiles in the kitchen are sweet. The window shows the

It’s my daughter’s turn to move around, to experiment with picking up and putting down roots in all kinds of places. looming university stadium, home to overflowing, rowdy football games. I bite my tongue and refrain from saying, “Won’t it be noisy? Is it safe?”

It’s her turn to make her own nest, far away. It’s time for us to be the anchor. I receive a packet from her first landlord, asking us to co-sign the lease of that Midwest apartment. I take a deep breath, sniffle a bit and sign on the dotted line. G This piece originally appeared i n S u s a n I t o’s m o n t h l y “ L i f e i n t h e S a n d w i c h” c o l u m n a t L i t e r ar yMama.com, where she is also c r e a t i v e n o n f i c t i o n e d i t o r. S h e lives with (most of ) her family in California. www.newyorkfamily.com

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